>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

>>3188459
>>[X] "Don't judge me, I'm paying you to kill people and not tell everyone about it so don't say anything about this."
>[x] money is still money

>>3188459
this >>3189094

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Don't judge me, I'm paying you to kill people and not tell everyone about it so don't say anything about this."
>[X] "Money is still money."

Bullseye's job is to take the hits you sent him out to do and your job is to give him money appropriate to said hits. Nowhere in his job description does it say for him to give you lip on how you give him his payment.

You narrow your eyes.

"Don't judge me, I'm paying you to kill people and not tell everyone about it so don't say anything about this. Money is still money."

The master assassin nods.

"Yeah, but that's going to be a bitch to count. If you've got more than my payment in there, we're going to need another bag to put it in: I can't hold that much cash and I can't go running around with it loose." He smiles. "Unless you want to give me all of it and that bag. Canvas is a pretty fine material and the extra money is appreciated."

Clucking your tongue, you lower the durable duffel bag.

It would fasten things up, but you don't feel too well at the thought of just giving away a canvas bag and all that cash: they're an excellent material for holding lots of things.

>[ ] "Here, just take all of the money and the bag. I expect you'll be grateful with half a million and a canvas bag you can carry about a dozen toddlers in."
>[ ] "Stay with me for a while. I'm not sure how the company I told you about will react at the sight of me."
>[ ] "You can take the money but I'm keeping the bag. Like you said, canvas is some good shit."
>[ ] "Follow me, we're going to my current base of operations."
>[ ] Write In.

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>>3189535
Some big issues I'm seeing
>1: We need a second bag.
>2: Lady Deathstrike will be stopping by soon.
>3: Can't take Bullseye to the hideout because that's leaking important info.
I feel like the best course of action is to take Bullseye near our hideout but far enough away we are not suspected, jump over with the bag and money, use third eye to divide the money appropriately, take extra money with us, go buy a canvas bag, come back, load his payment, jump back, pick him up, take him back to the park, and hand him his money and the new canvas bag.

WHERE THE FUCK ARE WE GONNA BUY A NEW CANVAS BAG AT THIS FUCKING HOUR
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

>>3189582
so is this a vote or a proposition?

>>3189582
Support

>>3189535
This is kinda fucked, maybe Lady deathstrike will have her own bag
>Either wait for her or jump back to base and grab another bag

For the sake of moving this along I'm going to go with the first part of this >>3190101

Voting closed; writing now.

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>[X] "Stay with me for a while. I'm not sure how the company I told you about will react at the sight of me."

There's no easy non-time consuming solution to this little annoying complication. Best you can do is hold this off for later. You've got a meet with Lady Deathstrike to worry about in the meantime. From what Bullseye's said, she has some beef with Wolverine and might project her hatred for him onto you.

You sigh.

"Stay with me for a while. I'm not sure how the company I told you about will react at the sight of me."

Bullseye raises an eyebrow.

"Am I going to be paid for my continued services?"

Once again, you narrow your eyes at the latex clad man.

"Depends on how things go down; either way you're getting paid. Just don't get greedy on me."

The master assassin hums.

"Guess that's fair. If this company is who I think it is and she doesn't like the look of those eyes, horns, and maybe even skin, I'm definitely going to need some hazard pay."

You nod.

"It's yours if it comes down to that." Zipping up the duffel bag, you sit back down on the grass and look up to the starry sky.

About twelve minutes pass until you hear metallic footsteps clang through the air.

You stand yourself up, and turn to face the direction of the clanking.

One very artistically and confusingly dressed Japanese woman with overgrown metal fingernails stops on the pavement.

"You are...not what I thought you would be." She turns to the latex man by your side. "We meet again, dishonorable cur."

Bullseye laughs.

"Lady Oyama, it's been a while! How are those cybernetics? You look like you've got more since the last time I saw you."

Deathstrike's expression doesn't change.

"They are excellent, gaijin dog; how is your spine?"

An amused hum escapes the man's lips.

"It tingles every time I think of you and your father. Really good feeling to have. If it wasn't for him, I would have never been able to walk again, and, if it wasn't for you, I would have killed him myself; I was luck you were daddy's little girl."

The cyborg assassin glares at the latex-clad assassin.

"You still owe me a debt. All that was my father's is mine, and you will repay what you owe one day or another."

Bullseye smiles.

"I'll keep waiting for that day to never come."

You blink.

No memory of Kingpin's is popping up to explain what this beef is about.

>[ ] "Bullseye, shut the fuck up; Lady Deathstrike-san, behave yourself: that is no way for a woman of your status to speak."
>[ ] "If you both are done cock fighting, I'd like to discuss our arrangement, Lady Deathstrike-san."
>[ ] "Uh, either of you mind explaining what the fuck this is about?"
>[ ] "Can you two not do this right now"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3190532
>If you're done measuring dicks, can we talk about business
I'm not super familiar with LD but maybe her tech can be useful

>>3190532
this >>3190688

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "If you're done measuring dicks, can we talk about business?"

It's none of your business, and you've got actual business of yours to handle. Lady Deathstrike and Bullseye can settle their beef in their own time. Of course, you'll probably have to interfere when that time comes to save the potential deaths of two assets.

A sigh escapes your lips.

"If you're done measuring dicks, can we talk about business?"

The two assassin's turn away from each other to face you.

Lady Deathstrike bows.

"My apologies, I let my personal affairs get in the way of our business."

Bullseye crosses his arms.

"Sorry, boss. I couldn't help myself."

You shoot the man a look for his unapologetic body language before focusing back on the cyborg assassin.

"Apology accepted. The two of you can sort your issue out on your own time. Right now, the both of you are here at my request."

A questioning look makes its way on the woman's face.

"May I ask the purpose behind this meeting?" She turns back to Bullseye. "And why the target board is here?"

The latex clad assassin lets out a laugh.

"Haven't told the corporate Japanese princess the news, huh?"

Lady Deathstrike scoffs and raises an eyebrow at your glorious form.

You roll your eyes.

Overgrown children will be overgrown children.

>[ ] "You're both here because you were assassins Wilson Fisk relied on to deal with his more problematic enemies requiring a delicate touch. My boss killed him and he wanted me to make contact with the both of you so you know he's going to be doing the same."
>[ ] "You're both here because you were assassins Wilson Fisk relied on to deal with his more problematic enemies requiring a delicate touch. I killed him and I wanted to make contact with the both of you so you know I'm going to be doing the same."
>[ ] "My employer killed Wilson Fisk and has instructed me to bring you both under his fold. You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when he needs you, and tell him if someone has tried hiring you to kill him."
>[ ] "I killed Wilson Fisk and I want the both of you to be my personal assassins. You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when I need you, and tell me if someone has tried hiring you to kill me."
>[ ] "From here on out, you're both a part of my boss' crew. You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when the leadership needs you, and tell them if someone has tried hiring you to kill any of them."
>[ ] "From here on out, you're both a part of my crew. You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when the leadership needs you, and tell us if someone has tried hiring you to kill any of us."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3191104
Okay
First off, no "I killed Wilson Fisk" AT ALL, EVER.
Second off, first pair of options do not have the assurance of the other two pairs.
Third off, second pair only insures us and not our inner circle.
Therefore, a blended answer is best:
>[ ] "My employer killed Wilson Fisk, and knowing Fisk relied on you two to deal with his more problematic enemies, has instructed me to bring you both under his fold." Nod at them. "You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when the leadership needs you, and tell them if someone has tried hiring you to kill any of them."
>[ ] "You will, of course, be compensated accordingly. Any questions?"

>>3191161
Ditto
I wonder if we can talk to Klaw and get some Wakanden vibrainium

>>3191161
Thirding, assuming I’m not posting from a banned monile IP band.

Voting closed; writing now.
>>3191161
the compensation was implied

>[X] "My employer killed Wilson Fisk, and knowing Fisk relied on you two to deal with his more problematic enemies, has instructed me to bring you both under his fold." Nod at them. "You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when the leadership needs you, and tell them if someone has tried hiring you to kill any of them."
>[X] "You will, of course, be compensated accordingly. Any questions?"

>(1/2)

Keeping your true identity a secret is important. Sure, you acted a lot like the boss around Bullseye, but you never directly told him you were or that you were the one to actually take the shot at Kingpin. You can be seen as the figure head while being the actual head playing your cards right. The idea of a man behind a person like you will scare most if not all people and organizations off from challenging you.

A grin spreads across your lips.

"My employer killed Wilson Fisk, and knowing Fisk relied on you two to deal with his more problematic enemies, has instructed me to bring you both under his fold." You nod at the assassins as surprise dawns on their faces. "You're free to take outside contracts, but always be on call when the leadership needs you, and tell them if someone has tried hiring you to kill any of them. You will, of course, be compensated accordingly. Any questions?"

Bullseye stares directly into your demon eyes.

"Wait, you're an enforcer?"

You twitch.

"...I wouldn't use that word but yes: I'm an elite enforcer who answers directly to the big man and only the big man. You could say I'm his voice and his wrath; if I'm talking to you, it's a sign that you or your orders are going to be important or you pissed off the boss and are about to die."

>(2/2)

The latex-clad assassin raises an eyebrow.

"Don't sound too happy about that."

You shrug.

"What can I say? I'm the man who keeps things running and everyone in line but keep getting called the equivalent of a fucking janitor in our line of work. Twenty enforcers can't do what I do and there's little to no people quite like me in this world." A fit of laughter escapes your lips followed by a sigh. "The boss is one of those people, and, if you think I'm bad, you should see him when he decides to stop pulling his punches; of course, you'll never see him: he has me for that now."

Lady Deathstrike hums.

"You sound like the man who contacted me yet less polite."

Clucking your tongue, you hold up your free arm.

"I wanted to be classy for a woman like you but decided to drop the pretenses when you and Bullseye here decided to dish it out. Would've kept it up if you weren't both wasting my time, which is the boss' by extension."

The woman furrows her brow.

"Understandable yet disappointing."

Both assassins fall silent.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

The meet's over with with only Bullseye's payment and your inner circle's return awaiting until your day ends.

>[ ] "During the coming days, news is going to go out about Kingin's inheritance. I'm going to need you two to ensure no special investigator gets any out of the ordinary evidence through out of the ordinary powers. The money you'll get depends on their abilities, status, and affiliation."
>[ ] "Bullseye, follow me. We're going to get you your pay and a bag of your own to put it in. It's not going to be canvas, though."
>[ ] "Here, Bullseye. Take the entire thing. It's a drop in the bucket anyway and the boss wants your loyalty."
>[ ] "The both of you are coming with me. You're going to meet the leadership."
>[ ] "I'll keep in touch, you can go now, Lady Deathstrike."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3191710
>[ ] "During the coming days, news is going to go out about Kingpin's inheritance. I'm going to need you two to ensure no special investigator gets any out of the ordinary evidence through out of the ordinary powers. The money you'll get depends on their abilities, status, and affiliation."
>[ ] "I'll keep in touch. You can go now, Lady Deathstrike."
>[ ] "Bullseye, follow me. We're going to get you your pay and a bag of your own to put it in." Grin. "I can throw in a little extra so you can buy your own canvas one though. Bound to be some good places for those."

>>3191710
>I have been chosen as a "face" to preserve my employer's anonymity
Then do
>>3191783

After all this, we should probably assign a name to our "employer" along with a false identity

>>3191710
yes, this too >>3191817 before my post

>>3191821
For a sec I thought we were the same person

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>>3191842
We are. We're both Anonymous aren't we?

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>>3191847
I suppose we are, until we aren't

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

i'm seeing double; is it the three straight threads or late time?

>>3191892
Yes

>>3191892
No

>>3191892
Maybe

>>3191892
I don't know

>>3191892
Can you repeat the question?

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I have been chosen as a 'face' to preserve my employer's anonymity. During the coming days, news is going to go out about Kingpin's inheritance. I'm going to need you two to ensure no special investigator gets any out of the ordinary evidence through out of the ordinary powers. The money you'll get depends on their abilities, status, and affiliation."
>[X] "I'll keep in touch. You can go now, Lady Deathstrike."
>[X] "Bullseye, follow me. We're going to get you your pay and a bag of your own to put it in." Grin. "I can throw in a little extra so you can buy your own canvas one though. Bound to be some good places for those."

You can't just invite an assassin to meet and not give them a job. Bullseye needs to get his pay but Lady Deathstrike most likely wasted money traveling here to meet you: they both need compensation.

"I have been chosen as a 'face' to preserve my employer's anonymity. During the coming days, news is going to go out about Kingpin's inheritance. I'm going to need you two to ensure no special investigator gets any out of the ordinary evidence through out of the ordinary powers. The money you'll get depends on their abilities, status, and affiliation."

Both assassins nod.

You turn to the cyborg.

"I'll keep in touch. You can go now, Lady Deathstrike."

The woman bows.

"As you wish; I will stay here in New York City for the time being."

Nodding, you focus on Bullseye as Lady Deathstrike begins to scamper away into the night.

"Bullseye, follow me. We're going to get you your pay and a bag of your own to put it in." You grin. "I can throw in a little extra so you can buy your own canvas one though. Bound to be some good places for those."

The latex-clad assassin laughs.

"Lead the way then. Thanks to your boss, I don't really have a schedule to keep anymore."

You let out a laugh of your own.

Depending on how things go down, he might not have a schedule at all with you at least.

>[ ] "Did you get here by car? I don't know how to drive...except I do now."
>[ ] Start walking, it's going to take a few hours more for your crew to get home and you can get to know Bullseye as you walk along.
>[ ] Find a car, jack it, and start driving home, Kingpin knew how to drive so you do too.
>[ ] Pick him up and hop towards the warehouse, quickest and easiest.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3193262
>Pick him up, really just fuck with him on this

>>3193262
This >>3193604

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Pick him up and hop towards the warehouse, quickest and easiest.

No use walking or driving there when you can just hop your way over. The sooner Bullseye's on his way the better. It'd be fun to fuck with him in the meantime. Sure, he's an acrobat, but he's not a rooftop hopper like you.

Your grin widens as you put a hand on the man's shoulder.

Bullseye glances at your hand.

"What are y-"

A flip of yours towards the overpass draws a surprised cry out of the assassin.

Laughing, you land on the overhead road and leap to the bridge supports.

You take off to the Bronx as soon as your feet touch the metal tower.

It takes you within a minute to reach your home neighborhood at a fast, stomach churning pace.

Stopping on the roof one of one of the abandoned buildings, you set Bullseye on his shuddering feet.

The assassin falls to his knees and lets out a drawn out groan.

"...I could've just drove us here."

You chuckle.

"Where's the fun in that?"

Bullseye slowly stands himself up.

"Not, ugh, feeling like total shit for one thing." He raises an eyebrow as he finally gains his footing. "How the hell do you do that and not want to kill yourself to get rid of the vertigo?"

You shrug.

"It's like skipping for me."

The latex-clad man sighs and turns to get a look of his surroundings.

"I know most of the Bronx is a rundown ghetto but these buildings are quite literally falling apart. Two of them look they just crumbled into a pile of broken cement. What the hell did that?"

You avert your eyes as the man focuses his gaze on you.

"Oh, you know...erosion."

He shoots you a look.

"Riiight."

You let out a sigh of your own.

Marcus is never going to let you live that down. He just hasn't gotten back yet with the time to dig into you for it. It's probably best if you rebuild those buildings as soon as you can after you settle your legal matters and claim your inheritance.

>[ ] "Follow me, you're going to meet the leadership."
>[ ] "Don't you give me that shit, Mr. Wetwork."
>[ ] "Stay here while I get your pay."
>[ ] Hop down, enter the warehouse, and find a spare bag to give Bullseye his cash, best get to it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3194019
>Don't give me that shit Mr. Wetwork

>>3194019
this >>3194076 but also an "are you fucking serious right now m8?" look

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Don't you give me that shit, Mr. Wetwork."

The man is not here to judge you based on your actions. He's here to do whatever the fuck you tell him to because you give him money for it. You might have wrecked your own neighborhood but there's no need for him to hint at it like a gossiping bitch.

Clucking your tongue, you shoot the man an 'are you fucking serious' look.

"Don't you give me that shit, Mr. Wetwork."

The man shoots you a knowing look back.

"So you did wreck this neighborhood?"

You cross your arms, holding the duffel bag with its strap wrapped around your forearm.

"I don't see how that's any of your business."

Bullseye laughs.

"No, it's not, but it's still hilarious."

Rolling your eyes, you flip the man the finger.

"It's just a few rundown buildings; what's the big deal?"

The assassin laughs harder.

"You're embarrassed you did it! Why? What happened?"

Another sigh escapes your lips.

This was a mistake.

>[ ] "Me and the boss got into a fight and he thrashed me through the neighborhood."
>[ ] "Follow me, you're going to meet the leadership."
>[ ] "Stay here while I get your pay."
>[ ] Hop down, enter the warehouse, and find a spare bag to give Bullseye his cash, best get to it.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3194307
>[ ] "Stay here while I get your pay."
>[ ] Hop down, enter the warehouse, and find a spare bag to give Bullseye his cash, best get to it.
I love this fucking banter. Kojo is great as a straight man in these joke posts sometimes. Anyway, hopefully Bullseye is far enough away for no sentry to spot him and try to shoot him.

>>3194382
Ditto

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Stay here while I get your pay."
>[X] Hop down, enter the warehouse, and find a spare bag to give Bullseye his cash, best get to it.

Enough of the time wasting banter; you've got shit to do and people to wait for.

"Stay here while I get your pay."

Bullseye blinks as you flip over his head down into the streets below.

You jump over in front of the warehouse entrance the moment your feet touch the asphalt.

The few men occupying the base salute to you while you walk inside.

Waving back, you flip over the round-table to the ladders before hopping up to the second floor.

One last hop takes you to the gear bag area.

You zip open and dump out a relatively empty duffel bag containing some expired condoms.

Groaning, you unzip the duffle bag of cash, close your material eyes, flow out into the world through your third, and open your eyes again.

Time to get cash bag filling.

It takes about five minutes for you to shovel the exact amount of pay Bullseye's work entailed along with a $300 bonus for him to get a canvas bag of his own.

With a sigh, you zip shut both bags and sling the payment bag over your shoulder while picking up the other bag with your free hand.

A hop takes you back to the ladders, where you take a step over to fall back down to the first floor.

You toss the money bag into the pile on the round-table as you make your way out of the warehouse.

Taking one last jump, you land right next to a legs dangling over the edge sitting assassin.

"Here." You unsling the payment bag and hold it out. "It's yours plus an extra $300 for you to get a canvas bag of your own. Normally, they're, like, a hundred but this will get you three or one premium canvas bag."

Bullseye back-flips from his seated position to his feet about a foot away from his previous spot before taking the payment out of your hands.

"Pleasure doing business with you or your boss in this case."

You twitch and cluck your tongue.

"...Show off."

The assassin laughs, unzips the bag, and begins to take out funds.

Raising an eyebrow, you observe the man flip through the wads of cash.

It's all there but you suppose you can't fault the man for making sure.

>[ ] "Stay here after you're done. You're going to meet the leadership."
>[ ] "Are you really going to count all of that?"
>[ ] "I'll leave you to it then."
>[ ] Hop to the roof of the warehouse, you can watch the stars while you wait.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3194885
>I'll leave you to count that, rainman
>Time to go do whatever's next on the List Of Shit To Do

Getting late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

are you excited for what's coming as soon as everyone returns?

>>3195049
Yes definitely, I also can't wait until we start having to deal with other heroes and institute project: KOJO KNOWS YOU, speaking of which do we still have it's outline?

>>3194885
This >>3194908

>>3195049
Yes. So far I'm liking Bullseye. Him and Cuda might be able to banter together nicely, but I dunno if he can handle the level of big nigga backtalk Cuda's packing

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I'll leave you to it then."
>[X] Hop to the roof of the warehouse, you can watch the stars while you wait.

You've taken care of pretty much everything you had to do today. There's nothing left for you to worry about other than the safe return of your inner circle. Bullseye doesn't need to meet them just yet and can bounce on his own when he's done with his counting.

"I'll leave you to it then."

Once again, you jump over the master assassin's head to the warehouse rooftop.

You stare up at the starry sky as you fall back onto the cement roof.

Everything is coming into reach now. In just a few days, you will reveal yourself to the world and turn yourself in after you've made a positive impression on the public. The trial will be the hard part, but you can get out unscathed and potentially with an even better image if you manage to spin the narrative in your favor.

A sigh escapes your lips.

That's a whole lot of waiting for you, though. Sure, you can fill your schedule up in the meantime but the upcoming days will be lingering in the back of your mind. Hanging out with your boys could help with that besides throttling them around.

You focus on the sky and let the openness take you.

About two or three hours pass until you hear the thrum of footsteps echo throughout the neighborhood.

Kip-upping to your feet, you look down to see Cuda with Ren sitting on his shoulder. You laugh for a moment before noticing their shared disheveled appearance. A hum rumbles in your throat as you take a step over the edge to greet them.

The two elite gang members barely react to you landing in front of them.

Ren lowers her head as Cuda waves.

"Hello, Reyes-sama. It's done: Manhattan is firmly under our control."

You continue to stare at them.

It looks like they encountered some trouble.

>[ ] "Let me guess, you two had a scuffle with a super or two. Not the best outcome but it puts your faces out there."
>[ ] "Get in and get some sleep, all of you. I'll wait out here for the others to get back."
>[ ] "Is anyone dead or wounded?"
>[ ] "You two alright?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3196102
>You alright
>Any dead or wounded
> "Let me guess, you two had a scuffle with a super or two. Not the best outcome but it puts your faces out there."
>Which super

>>3196102
this >>3196167

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "You two alright?"
>[X] "Is anyone dead or wounded?"
>[X] "Let me guess, you two had a scuffle with a super or two. Not the best outcome but it puts your faces out there."
>[X] "Which one?"

A thorough check-up is only appropriate: they have been gone for around half a day. Their unsightly look might be a result of fending off a lot of lesser gangbangers or resistant shopkeepers, but you doubt any one of those kinds of people could so much as scratch them. Your foot-soldiers, on the other hand, are a different matter.

"You two alright?"

Both inner circle members nod without saying a word.

Raising an eyebrow, you turn your attention to the crowd behind the giant with the Japanese girl on his shoulder.

"Is anyone dead or wounded?"

Ren shakes her head.

"Dead, no; wounded, yes, Reyes-sama." She looks down at her carrier. "Barracuda did an excellent job treating them. Despite his unprofessional demeanor, he is dutiful and efficient when action is required."

The black giant lets out a booming laugh.

"You're not so bad yourself, boss lady: you got that red mothafucka good!"

Blinking, you focus your attention back on the two members of your leadership.

"Let me guess, you two had a scuffle with a super or two. Not the best outcome but it puts your faces out there."

Ren nods.

"Manhattan housing the base of operations for many vigilantes made a confrontation inevitable, Reyes-sama. We were fortunate none with abilities beyond our skill and equipment appeared."

You tilt your head.

An image is already forming in your mind.

"Which one?"

Cuda grins.

"That one nigga in red who hangs in Hell's Kitchen paid us a visit when we were taking over the place."

Ren hums in confirmation.

"We were also ambushed by a strange man in white on our return home, Reyes-sama. He stood no match against us being greatly outnumbered, but he managed to get away after wounding a great deal of our men. I believe Barracuda managed to make a clear shot in on his abdomen before the man in white disappeared."

Barracuda clucks his tongue.

"That cracker was ex-military or a mercenary. Position he ambushed in was perfect with tons of places to hide and duck under cover. Mothafucka threw a mean ass punch too: hurt like a bitch. His only mistake was trying to grapple me with his 6'2 ass and medium build. Practically asking for me to get a point-blank shot in. Didn't see much blood and saw him take a step back so he was wearing some fucking body armor that's for sure."

You blink.

Daredevil you know; man in white, you do not.

>[ ] "Another military style vigilante doesn't sound good. The Punisher is bad enough and there's been no word of him for a while now. Is this guy going to be a problem?"
>[ ] "That man in white...did he have a moon on his chest? A crescent moon, to be specific?"
>[ ] "Get in and get some sleep, all of you. I'll wait out here for the others to get back."
>[ ] "How did you beat Daredevil?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3196466
>ANOTHER FUCKING HERO, FUCK, WHERE DO THESE ASSHOLES COME FROM
>This asshole have a Moon on his chest?
>Wait, how the fuck did you beat daredevil
We need to have an Anti-hero basic training course for these assholes, before or after we launch the app

>>3196466
Wait, are the typical spiderman villains already kicking around? Like shocker, scorpion, and The Rhino? If so, we need to track those dudes down and get them working for the winning team. If not, we need to make a Villains Start Up foundation

>>3196532
Shocker would actually be a great get. Getting something similar to how costume for our crew would be amazing. Pay him well and set him up with tinkerer and I'm sure they could make some amazing things.

>>3196466
this >>3196521

Voting closed; writing now.

>>3196538
Not matching uniforms for our henchmen, that's bad. I'm talking about setting up a system so that we can fund any two bit criminal with dreams of supervillainy, with the limitations of: we ask them to jump and they ask how high, no crazy amounts of civilian deaths, and they repay our investment by at least 175% plus interest
For example: let's say you're some kitchen Irish fucktard that's pissed off at Spidey for busting your dumb ass, you talk to a friend of a friend, that mutual friends hands you over to Cuda, who "trains" you (beats the living shit out of you until you're slightly alright), then you get 15 minutes with tinkerer who gives you some doodad he's been fucking around with and it's general outline, then you get two meetings a week apart with a marketing team that gives you a name a rough backstory modeled after your own a list of targets and a cellphone you're to have on you at all times and Bing badda boom you're Paste-Pot Pete

>>3196614
Holy shit I didn't mean to post that wall of text

>>3196614
Please suggest any add-ons anyone can think of, this system can also be adapted to make double agent heroes

Gotta take care of something; will finish writing and update when I get back.

>[X] "Another fucking hero...Fuck, where do these assholes come from?"
>[X] "This asshole have a moon on his chest?"
>[X] "Wait, how did you beat Daredevil?"

As if all the superhero teams based in New York weren't annoying enough, there's yet another nuisance to worry about. You'd think one super or one team would be enough for a city but no, there's dozens of solo acts for neighborhoods and two teams with their bases in Manhattan. New York City is pretty crime ridden but there are other places in America and the world where crime is worse.

You sigh.

"Another fucking hero...Fuck, where do these assholes come from?"

Barracuda shrugs, making Ren grab hold of his head for support.

"New York, apparently."

A groan escapes your lips.

"This asshole have a moon on his chest?"

Ren nods.

"Yes, Reyes-sama. Have you encountered him before?"

You blink as memories that are not yours flood your mind.

"...Nope, but Kingpin did once or twice; he goes by Moon Knight and he is a crazy motherfucker."

Cuda hums in agreement.

"Made that punkass in red look like a little bitch."

Your eyes slightly widen.

"Wait, how did you beat Daredevil?"

Ren hops off Cuda's shoulder.

"It was a joint effort, Reyes-sama."

The black giant laughs.

"Yeah, it was! I was shooting at the mothafucka while boss lady was swinging at him. When I came in, he was juking her crazy whip, but he started fucking up after I started busting my gun at him. Managed to get two shots in, which would've killed the sonofabitch if they came from my LMG."

Ren hums.

"I slashed him a dozen times at least after Barracuda arrived to assist me, Reyes-sama. The Daredevil was still alive and managed to escape, but he was bleeding heavily."

You let out a pleased hum of your own.

Looks like they did an excellent job. With any luck, the Devil of Hell's Kitchen bled himself out in the shadows of Manhattan scared, cold, and alone. Only shame in him dying isn't being responsible for it yourself.

>[ ] "From now on try not to kill any capes. I don't mind but I might be able to flip them if I convince them what I'm doing is ultimately just."
>[ ] "Get in and get some sleep, all of you. I'll wait out here for the others to get back."
>[ ] "How did Daredevil fight exactly?"
>[ ] "Nice job, you two."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3196836
>How did he fight
>Where, exactly, was this
Maybe we can start mapping out their patterns
>nice job, just try not to kill any capes just yet I'm thinking of something
Hey, is Stark/Avengers tower in NY yet or is that later

>>3196836
this >>3196855

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "How did Daredevil fight exactly?"
>[X] "Where exactly was this?"
>[X] "Good job, just try not to kill any capes yet: I'm thinking of something."

It's not like the bastard could ever really hurt you, but it doesn't hurt to ask. You did get into a fight with a crazy Kung Fu practitioner earlier today. Of course, he didn't hurt you. His fighting style was interesting is all.

"How did Daredevil fight exactly?"

Cuda doesn't skip a beat.

"Like a boxer that one day decided to be a fuckin' ninja."

Ren nods.

"Yes, Barracuda is describing the Daredevil's fighting style accurately, Reyes-sama: he bobbed, weaved, flipped, hopped, and punched like a boxer that one day decided to be a ninja."

You blink.

"Where exactly was this?"

The black giant yawns.

"Like we said, when we was taking over Hell's Kitchen. It was near some shithole bar: Josie's I think it was. He got to some of our boys before we got to him. All-in-all, he came out worse than they did when me and the lady boss fucked him up."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Josie's, you might have to check that place out later.

"Good job, just try not to kill any capes yet: I'm thinking of something."

Ren lets out a yawn of her own.

"...Yes, Reyes-sama."

Lifting an eyebrow, you tuck your hands into your pockets.

You're out of questions and things to say.

"Get in and get some sleep, all of you. I'll wait out here for the others to get back."

The two members of your inner circle nod before beginning to walk to the warehouse entrance.

Bending your knees, you back-flip onto the roof of your base once again.

It takes about twenty minutes for you to hear another thrum of footsteps to echo throughout the neighborhood.

Once again kip-upping to your feet, you step over the edge of the rooftop and land in front of the entrance to face the newest returning inner circle duo.

Itsuki bows beside a smiling and eyes closed Alex, who has her palms pressed together in front of her chest.

"Reyes-sama, all of Queens is yours."

You let out a pleased hum before shooting an odd look at the unresponsive blond girl.

Usually she says something disrespectful and whorish by now.

>[ ] "By any chance, you didn't happen to encounter a young man in red and blue spandex with a spider emblem on his chest, did you?"
>[ ] "Go in and get some rest. Taking over that much ground is bound to have taken a lot out of you guys."
>[ ] "Alex, you're staying out here with me."
>[ ] "...Alex, what are you doing?"
>[ ] "...Why is she doing that?"
>[ ] "Did you have any trouble?"
>[ ] Write In.

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)
>>3196855
>Hey, is Stark/Avengers tower in NY yet or is that later
They're already set up.

close, oh so very close

>>3197163
>What are you doing Alex
>Did you fight some Arachnophilic Ass?
>Any trouble?
>If you're tired, go sleep that goes for all of you
Fungi, what's the general status of the minor Villains like Prowler, Mysterio, The Chameleon, and Electro
>>3197169
>The Avengers are close
Uh oh

>>3197174
>Fungi, what's the general status of the minor Villains like Prowler, Mysterio, The Chameleon, and Electro
Hanging about with some having yet to be.
>Uh oh
that's not what's close but something avenger related is off in the distance

a lot of stuff is off in the distance

if you've figured out which year it is, which is kind of obvious by now, you'll know what's to come

>>3197163
backing this >>3197174

>>3197192
>We should know what year it is
UH OH.
I don't know what year it is, is it spiderverse year and we'll get milftopus? Or is it the year of the chitauri invasion?

>>3197316
Please let it be milftopus, milfs are always good news

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>>3197334
>Kingpin's not around to find her anymore
>She'll have to talk to the new guy in charge

>>3197362
*Fund her research anymore

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>>3197362

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>>3197375
>"Oh Kojo, what could you want with an old octopus like me Ara Ara"

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>>3197375
But honestly, I'm interested in what she can bring to the table for our organization technologically speaking

>>3196614
I wasn't talking matching uniforms either. His suit is basically bulletproof. We could have him make clothes for our crew work similar properties so they look inconspicuous but still basically have body armor.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...Alex, what are you doing?"
>[X] "By any chance, you didn't happen to encounter a young man in red and blue spandex with a spider emblem on his chest, did you?"
>[X] "Did you have any trouble?"
>[X] "Go in and get some rest. Taking over that much ground is bound to have taken a lot out of you guys."

They don't look as worn out as Ren and Cuda. A less thorough checkup is in order for them.

Blondy may require more observation for obvious reasons.

"...Alex, what are you doing?"

A hum rumbles in the minx's throat.

"Namaste, boss, I have achieved enlightenment in the time I spent with Kenji-san. If you let me have some time alone with you, I can show you my way to enlightenment: we'll reach nirvana together."

You blink and turn to the Japanese man.

Itsuki stands silent and stoic as he always does.

A sigh escapes your lips.

"By any chance, you didn't happen to encounter a young man in red and blue spandex with a spider emblem on his chest, did you?"

The enforcer shakes his head.

"No, we did not encounter the Spider-man, Reyes-sama."

You hum.

With how active the kid is, you'd figure he would've busted one of your boys or at least ran into one. He must have not noticed them or they must have not gone into his usual parol route. The kid might have also had an off day too but that doesn't really matter: your boys got off without a hitch.

"Did you have any trouble?"

Once again, Itsuki shakes his head.

"No, Reyes-sama, everything went well: we were already a known force in Queens, which most likely made the transition easier."

You nod.

"Go in and get some rest. Taking over that much ground is bound to have taken a lot out of you guys."

Both inner circle members nod back and proceed to make their way inside.

Wrapping your arm around Alex's waist as she walks by, you back-flip again to the roof of the warehouse, landing on your back and drawing an excited cry from the blond.

The minx opens her eyes and giggles on top of you.

"You really want to...come with me to nirvana, huh?"

A groan escapes your lips.

"No, you're here because I can't trust you."

Alex pouts before turning her face away.

Ten minutes of tense silence pass until footsteps echo through the streets once again.

You stand yourself and Alex up before taking a step over the edge to meet the last two members of your inner circle.

Marcus and Jesús wave as you land.

Being gracious, as usual, you wave back.

Your best friend laughs before staring at the pouting girl in your arms and lifting his gaze to you.

A sigh escapes your lips.

This should've been something you were expecting but you couldn't help yourself.

>[ ] "There any supers in Staten Island or was it a breeze through and through?"
>[ ] "Don't look at me like that."
>[ ] "How did it go?"
>[ ] "What?...What?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3198035
>What?...what?
>Any supers?
We should start contacting the various already established Villains

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "What?...What?"
>[X] "There any supers in Staten Island or was it a breeze through and through?"

Considering Marcus and Jesús are two of the most effective members of your crew, you don't need to check-up on them at all but New York being plagued by capes makes it necessary.

First things first, though.

"What?...What?"

Marcus narrows his eyes, giving you a knowing look.

A sigh escapes your lips.

"There any supers in Staten Island or was it a breeze through and through?"

Jesús nods.

"Si, patrón, there was little resistance and no superheroes to speak of."

Marcus hums.

"You'd think Staten Island would have at least one hero considering how many are in the other boroughs, but it was a lot like how it was here in the Bronx before you came along; Brooklyn too when I think about it."

Clucking your tongue, you furrow your brow.

"Did you just call me a hero?"

Your best friend blinks.

"Meant to say super but it kind of fits, doesn't it? The Bronx was a crime ridden shithole before you powered up and we started taking it over. Ever since then, murders, overdoses, and racial tensions have gone down. You kind of made this part of the world a better place."

A cry of disbelief escapes your lips.

"I did all that for me."

The blond minx in your arms looks back up to you.

"But it still helped a lot of people. He has a point, boss." She smiles. "You're just a great big softie, aren't you?"

You twitch.

No way in hell are you a goody goody two shoes hero.

>[ ] "Just get in the goddamn warehouse and go to sleep."
>[ ] "Please tell me you both are just fucking with me."
>[ ] "You really want to see how hard I can get, huh?"
>[ ] "Oh, fuck the both of you."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3198225
>You're fucking with me
>Fuck off
>Get in the fucking warehouse

>Inb4 Kojo is the hero NY needs but not the one it wants

>>3198225
this >>3198286 but also facepalm first and when we get to the "just get in the fucking warehouse" part, we should wave them in without looking, just keep our hand on our face

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Please tell me you both are just fucking with me."
>[X] "Oh, fuck the both of you."
>[X] "Just get in the goddamn warehouse and go to sleep."

Fact that anyone would even fathom the idea of you being a hero is ridiculous. You've killed, tortured, and raped on whims as well as to send messages. Never mind the amount of cash you've extorted from people, lives you've ruined, and laws you've broken.

A drawn out groan escapes your lips.

"Please tell me you both are just fucking with me."

Both inner circle members smile and laugh.

You roll your eyes.

"Oh, fuck the both of you."

Marcus points a finger at you.

"Should have seen the look on your fucking face!"

Alex laughs directly in your face.

"It looked like part of you died inside!"

You raise your palm to your face and unwrap your arm around the minx to point at the warehouse entrance.

"Just get in the goddamn warehouse and go to sleep."

Marcus' laughter slowly dies down.

"You coming with, staying up again, or sleeping on top of the warehouse, Kojo?"

Sliding your hand off your face, you stare blankly at your best man.

How jackass of him to ask right after he laughed in your face.

>[ ] "Going to sleep on top of the warehouse, place is gonna be cramped with how much new blood we have."
>[ ] "The night sky is a dangerous foe which must be watched at all times."
>[ ] "Alex, you're staying with me for your own good."
>[ ] "Sure, it'd help me keep an eye on someone."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3198395
>Looks like a clear night, I'll sleep on the roof
Let's look at the stars again with our Eye

>>3198395
this >>3198683 but maybe invite Marcus too?

>>3198708
Is that a maybe or for sure?

>>3198776
yes, for sure
we got blankets and shit, Marcus won't catch a cold

>>3198794
Alright then.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Looks like a clear night, I'll sleep on the roof."
>[X] "Wanna come with me?"

You can literally stay up for weeks but just because you're physically able to doesn't mean it's necessarily healthy for you. Might have to have a biologist take a look when you can after your inheritance comes in to be sure, though. It would be good to see if Marcus is interested and spend the night with him up there. The two of you could talk, watch the sky, and snuggle platonically in the same blanket like you used to freezing to death in the winter.

"Looks like a clear night, I'll sleep on the roof."

Marcus clucks his tongue.

"Same old Kojo."

Your gaze softens.

"Wanna come with me?"

Alex giggles as Marcus blinks.

"Oooh, boy's night out?"

Glaring down at the blond, you pick her up by the shoulder and place her a space away from your side before focusing back on your best friend.

"You don't have to if you don't want to, but I'd like it if you were down."

Marcus stares.

"...Sure, just let me get a blanket or something: it's fucking cold out here."

You briefly raise an eyebrow before remembering your skin or your body is apparently very insulated.

"Alright, I'll wait for you out here."

The second-in-command nods and begins leading the rest of the men inside the warehouse.

Alex coos by your side.

"Aww, your so sweet, boss! Do I get to come too? Wouldn't want to interrupt your sleepover with Marcus, but you did say I was yours."

You groan.

Never should you have ever throat fucked her.

>[ ] "...What's your game here? I know you're nowhere near as crazy as you act or say you are. Why keep up the charade?"
>[ ] "Listen because I'm never going to say it again, never come between me and Marcus. Never. Do you understand?"
>[ ] "Everyone's too tired from being out all day to fuck so I think it'd be safe to leave you sleeping inside."
>[ ] "Fine, just don't try to slip in-between us, talk, stand, make noise, or breathe loudly."
>[ ] "No, sleep inside and only sleep. I'd hear whatever you'd try to pull."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3198923
>Write-in: "No." "But--" "No."
No reason was given. No reason was needed.

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

SO CLOSE YET SO FAR

>>3198929
Yeah sure

>>3198923
This >>3198929

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "No."

This is your time to spend with your best friend. Having her around will ruin the experience for the both of you. Everyone's most likely too tired to fuck right near midnight after a day of stomping through a borough anyway.

"No."

Alex blinks her big blue eyes at you.

"Bu-"

You frown.

"No."

The minx pouts and maks her way inside the warehouse.

Several minutes pass until Marcus steps out of the entrance of your base with a rolled up sleeping bag in one hand and a folded blanket in the other.

"Can you get the door? My hands are full right now."

Nodding, you step over to the keypad and press down on the closing gate button.

Metal squeaking creaks through the air as gears shift and turn, making the slab of galvanized steel close over the open entrance.

You step over to Marcus, wrap an arm around his waist, and hop on top of the rooftop.

Letting go of your best friend, you fall onto your side and roll on to your back.

The black man groans as he sets down his sleeping bag before wrapping himself in his blanket.

"Always fucks with my stomach."

You let out a hum.

"I really don't get that."

Marcus clucks his tongue sliding into his sleeping bag.

"That's because you're a superhuman who can go all day flipping around town, wrecking buildings, and staring at the sky without sleep."

You flinch.

"Oh come on, that was...like, fourteen hours ago this morning."

An amused laugh fills the air.

"It's always amazing to see you try and deny the shit you do."

Narrowing your eyes, you stare at the sky.

"Wasn't denying anything but okay."

Marcus yawns.

"I know, Kojo, I know."

You glance at your half-lidded eyed second-in-command.

He's already nodding off while you're wide awake.

>[ ] "Was the old me better than the new me? I wasn't really aware of what exactly I was doing but I do everything I used to knowing all it really entails. Am I better person now for that or a worse one?"
>[ ] "...Back in Chinatown, I cornered the leader of the Hatchet gang's wife and felt...I felt...guilty for thinking I should eat her soul or torture the information out of her."
>[ ] "...Do you remember when you pulled me out of the...you know?" (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Gaze at the stars for the entire night, you don't want anything in your head tonight.
>[ ] Close your eyes and wait for sleep to take you, it's not so bad next to him.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3199967
>[ ] "...Back in Chinatown, I cornered the leader of the Hatchet gang's wife and felt...I felt...guilty for thinking I should eat her soul or torture the information out of her."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...Back in Chinatown, I cornered the leader of the Hatchet gang's wife and felt...I felt...guilty for thinking I should eat her soul or torture the information out of her."

Marcus is the only person in the entire world you would ever consider telling what happened back in that office. There's really no other way you would get it out of your chest. Maybe in front of Dan and Abuelita's graves or if they were alive but they're dead, and it has nowhere near the effect of actually talking to someone in the flesh.

You breathe in and sigh.

"...Back in Chinatown, I cornered the leader of the Hatchet gang's wife and felt...I felt...guilty for thinking I should eat her soul or torture the information out of her."

The black man turns in his sleeping bag to gape at you.

Groaning, you turn your head to the right, hiding your face.

You know he isn't judging you, but you can't help feeling uncomfortable: this kind of thing isn't in your nature.

A barely noticeable pressure weighs down on one of your shoulders. Turning your head back, you see your best friend's hand placed on it.

Marcus smiles.

"It's okay, Kojo: I'm not judging you, going to tease you, or use it against you. This is...a huge step for you. It's almost as big as the breakthrough you made back at the old warehouse. Just keep at it, and don't be afraid to feel what you feel. I'll always be by your side if you need me."

You feel a warmth envelop your chest while your vision blurs.

Marcus blinks as you turn back to stare up at the starry sky.

"...Kojo?"

The scent of salt wafts into the air as tears streak down your cheeks.

...

You don't understand.

...

You do.

>[ ] "...Was the old me better than the new me? I wasn't really aware of what exactly I was doing but I do everything I used to knowing all it really entails. Am I better person now for that or a worse one?"
>[ ] "...By the time you and I see each other again after either of us dies, there's a good chance you won't recognize me and I wouldn't care for you or ever remember."
>[ ] "...Thank you for always being with me despite everything. I don't and never have deserved you."
>[ ] "...Marcus, we both know you're going to die one day and I'm probably going to live forever."
>[ ] "...If you could have eternal youth and life, would you take it?"
>[ ] "...We both know that's a lie."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3200232
>If you could have immortality, would you take it?
>Am I better than I was?
>Thank you Marcus, thank you

>>3200232
this >>3200237

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "...If you could have immortality, would you take it?"
>[X] "...Was the old me better than the new me? I wasn't really aware of what exactly I was doing but I do everything I used to knowing all it really entails. Am I better person now for that or a worse one?"
>[X] "...Thank you for always being with me despite everything. I don't and never have deserved you."

>(1/2)

You don't know what to say, ask, or do. There has only been one moment you can recall being like this, and that moment took place literally yesterday, but even that was different. Marcus is the only one who really has an understanding of who you are, and, unlike you, he's normal as well as mortal.

A choked whimper escapes your lips.

"...If you could have immortality, would you take it?"

From the corner of your eye, Marcus blinks.

"...Why are you asking me that?"

You groan.

"Marcus, just answer the damn question, please."

The black man lays silent for a moment.

"...I don't really know. You having a third eye confirmed there's a life after this one. This world and this life is something we've both had our issues with in the past and still do, but it's the only one we know and have. Next life might have its own problems too; can't imagine they'd be much different. Think I'd be fine living forever in this one or even not having a life after this one ends: I'm used to this one and already came to terms with the idea of ceasing to exist a long time ago...I even looked forward to it at a lot of points."

You focus back on the infinite void above.

His words remind you of Y̴̢̳͚̦̥ͣ͒͗̏̏͋ͧ̚O̭͇̟͙͔͗̒͑̍̾͋ͭƯ̦̖̹̞͍̯͎̆ͮͨ̉̈́̀̀ ̵͔͙̱̞̇̒͐̽ͯͬ̊̓̕D̴̷̯̺̈́̌̇̿͊̔̂Õ̡̟̗͍̝͚͂̃͊̒̍͋ͦ ̵̡̣͍̞̺̟͓̗ͩN̳̮͆ͦ̈́̽ͪͭ́Ơ̤̯͇͉͓͚̘ͤͨ̋ͫ̕T̘̮͇̣̙ͧͨͯ̀̂ͫ ̡̛̯̤͕̩̫̣̹̹̞͐ͩ̀A̵̤̘̫̝̦̤͕ͮṊ̠̯͎̃̈̍͑͋͒D̶̰̘̼̰̹̺͗ͣ̑̄͂͜ ̸̞̱̟̖͛͛̿͂͑ͨ̂̇͢Ṣ̖̫͈̬̮̳͛͊ͫ̃ͬ͊́H̸̢̳̯͖͍͔̗̾͗̂̾ͨͨ̓ͭ̕O̼̥͐̊U͉͕͉͈͎ͯ̓ͨ͜L̟̖͍̳̣ͪ̾̔͡Ḏ̞͔͕̟̖̻͐̏ͮ̔͜ ̴̥̬̈́̋̔̋ͤN̫ͭ̍͘͡O̴͓̼͕̞̪͚̐ͭͬ̀͑͐ͅT̷̴͖͕͔͔̼̥͚͕ͦͭͦͦ͐ͫͣ ̥̻͚̤́͊͛́̈́͒̆͞Ȓ̵̨̞̣̪ͣE͇̘͖̮͕͌̓͢͞M̴̜̻̻͉̥̮ͨͤͣ̋ͪ͊͛E̛͕̖̥̗̮͕̱͗͆̃ͤ̕M̼̦̪̙̯͆̏͐ͪ̎̎̀͘B̩̤̭̩̈͆͟Ḗ̳̌͟R̻͓̳͕ͬͧͯͯ̈̃

>(2/2)

They're N̴͍̘̙̥̰̣̞̋ͣ͂͂͑ͪ͋͒̓ͮ͗̐͐͗̿̌̇̊̀͢͟͞O̴̶̗͎̱̥͇̤̜̟͙̳͖̹̠̬̘̙̳͛͒̋̓̎̈ͭͭ̍T͖̜̙̣̣̟̮̱̣̰̯̙͊ͧͮ̐̔͐͐̽̐̾́̀͜͜͜ understandable.

...

...

"...Was the old me better than the new me? I wasn't really aware of what exactly I was doing but I do everything I used to knowing all it really entails. Am I better person now for that or a worse one?"

Marcus sighs.

"It's not my place to judge you, Kojo; I don't think it's anyone's. We do what we do and live with the consequences. I will say at times I think you were more innocent back then, but you're right: you do the exact same thing you used to only with different reasons."

You let out a hum as you turn to face your best friend.

His words are comforting to hear.

"...Thank you for always being with me despite everything. I don't and never have deserved you."

Marcus blinks.

"...What brought all this on?"

You blink back.

When you actually think about it, this all seems like it came out of nowhere.

>[ ] "Let's go to sleep: my head is killing me for some reason."
>[ ] "I thought things over way too much last night."
>[ ] "It just...happened, alright?"
>[ ] "...Nothing, nothing did."
>[ ] "..."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3200333
>[ ] "A bit of talking to myself, that's the best I can put it."
>[ ] Contact Bold Red about the sensation you just felt, that sensation of being denied, of being interfered with. Did he feel it too?

>>3200331
>>3200333
Stop cucking us mysterious spoilered Zalgo text fuckhead.

Going to a family dinner soon. Will close voting and update when I get back.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "A bit of talking to myself, that's the best I can put it."
>[X] Did you feel anything a moment ago or was that just me?

No way in hell can you ever begin to describe the rampant chaos that is your mind nor the sequence of processes that led it to this situation. It was bit of you, and a bit of you both combining to reach those questions. This is probably the best you could ever form it into words.

"A bit of talking to myself, that's the best I can put it."

Marcus stares into your blurry teary eyes.

"....Okaaay, Kojo, I don't know if you know this but everyone talks to themselves."

You wipe your eyes dry with the sleeve of your shirt.

"I know."

The man raises an eyebrow at you before shrugging it off.

"Alright, man. Just take care of yourself and feel free to talk to me."

You turn your head back to watch the stars.

"I will."

Narrowing your eyes slightly, you focus on Marcus' earlier words.

Something happened to your thought process when you heard them or didn't. You don't know what it was or is or what you were thinking about what he said. It reminded you of something, but you can't remember it.

Did you feel anything a moment ago or was that just me?

I have not felt anything out of the ordinary for every instance you and I have been staring at the Void and the dead light orbs in it.

You blink and shrug.

For some reason, you don't feel worried about it at all.

Ş̪̞̝͐̒ͬ͢ͅO̩̩͍̯̙̘̰̜ͯ͝M̬̳̜͔̞̹͖̻̓̍̔͜͟Ë̶̶̢̱̥̪͙́͊̄̍̈́̏̚ ̠͕͙̝̩͔͖̭͐̈ͭ̆̐ͭ̿̑́ͅṪ̢͕̺͙͎̗͋H̸̡̘̜̼̜͚͚̯͌ͣ͝Ỉ̺͔ͩ̌̽̉̌́͘ͅŇ̷̗͓̬̤͉̒͊̐͗ͪ́Ģ͖͈̖̘ͦ͌̒ͦͧͨͅS̗̪͇̜̹͕͐͊͂͒͑͐̉̓ ̵̸̝̳͓ͯ̄͂͂̄ͯ̽̀Ą̴̬̰̥̝̮ͭ͊̀R̹̰̟̰ͦ̐̀̾̍͂͂E̸̗̳̟̝̣̪̓̒ ͈̼̓͊͟B̵̺͍̞͖͈̤͖̤̊́͐ͦͬ̕E̞̦ͨ̏̎͘S̵̴̙̰͚̍ͦ̔T̟͈͓̝͛͂̓͡ ̨̺͙̳̹̖͚͙̜́ͤ͊̓͞͝Ľ̷̢̩̪̬̺̃̾ͭ̌ͦ͂͌ͣ͠E̵̫͙͉͓͇̠͇̳ͩͧ́͝F̤͎͉̝̗̈̉ͣṰ͓̰̟̭̹͎̟́́ ̧̠̰͖̥̮̺͍̬ͭͫ̂̓̏̉̆̌͂̕F̢̝̟͓̂͂̐̊ͧ̇̊O͇̟͙̮̺̳ͦ̇͑͟ͅR̛̰͎̓̌̑ͪG̘̳͊̌Ȍ̴̡͖͔̺͎͓ͬͭ͌͞T̫̹̩̹̻̥̘̺̟̆̀̈͒̑̈ͣ͞͠͝T̶̹̳̞̱̦̈̽̄E̵̬̬͔̓ͤ̌N͎͉̒ͦ͊ͭ̀͢.̧̗̯̖̻̻͇͚̼̿ͯ̔̍ͬ͜͝

>[ ] "...Do you remember when you pulled me out of the...the..." (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Gaze at the stars for the entire night, you don't want anything in your head tonight.
>[ ] Close your eyes and wait for sleep to take you, it's not so bad next to Marcus.
>[ ] Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?
>[ ] Do you really not feel anything?
>[ ] Write In.

>>3200730
>...Do you remember when you pulled me out of the...the..." (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)

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

Do any of you believe in an afterlife? Been getting weirdly existential lately.

>>3200737
Ditto
>>3200748
I mean, sort of. More in a vague sense of heaven than anything really tangible for me.

>>3200737
this

>>3200748
whatever's out there, you just gotta accept you'll never know until you get there, and don't sweat it too much

>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC18
Best of three d20s please.

>>3201350
I know, I know. Just wonder a lot about it. More than I should.

File: 1491434693209.jpg (21 KB, 440x498)

21 KB JPG

Rolled 7 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3201393
YOU BETTER NOT FUCK WITH ME DICE

>>3201393
Hopefully

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>3201393
EVERY FUCKING TIME

Rolled 2 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3201393
>>3201414
MOTHER FUCKER

>>3201416
FUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKKKIIINNNNNGGGGGG SERIOUSLY

Rolling closed; writing now.

>>3201419
>>3201416
>>3201414
>>3201411
At least we didn't critfail

>[X]"...Do you remember when you pulled me out of the...the..." (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 7 + 4 = 11
>Failure!

The memory is at the back of your mind: you've recalled it more than once in the past three days. It's more than that, though. Feelings, sensations, and vague thoughts from b̪̟̭͖̮̠̊ͧͭ̇͋̌͞ͅȅ̳̺͚̬̖̗ͭͨͮ̔̚͘f̹̬͎̏̌̊ͤ͜ͅỡ̮̘ŗ̼͓ͧ̀ͨ̈ͫͨė̱̻̠̊̃ͩ that are bleeding into your mind.

You turn to face your best friend.

"...Do you remember when you Ş̪̞̝͐̒ͬ͢ͅO̩̩͍̯̙̘̰̜ͯ͝M̬̳̜͔̞̹͖̻̓̍̔͜͟Ë̶̶̢̱̥̪͙́͊̄̍̈́̏̚ ̠͕͙̝̩͔͖̭͐̈ͭ̆̐ͭ̿̑́ͅṪ̢͕̺͙͎̗͋H̸̡̘̜̼̜͚͚̯͌ͣ͝Ỉ̺͔ͩ̌̽̉̌́͘ͅŇ̷̗͓̬̤͉̒͊̐͗ͪ́Ģ͖͈̖̘ͦ͌̒ͦͧͨͅS̗̪͇̜̹͕͐͊͂͒͑͐̉̓ ̵̸̝̳͓ͯ̄͂͂̄ͯ̽̀Ą̴̬̰̥̝̮ͭ͊̀R̹̰̟̰ͦ̐̀̾̍͂͂E̸̗̳̟̝̣̪̓̒ ͈̼̓͊͟B̵̺͍̞͖͈̤͖̤̊́͐ͦͬ̕E̞̦ͨ̏̎͘S̵̴̙̰͚̍ͦ̔T̟͈͓̝͛͂̓͡ ̨̺͙̳̹̖͚͙̜́ͤ͊̓͞͝Ľ̷̢̩̪̬̺̃̾ͭ̌ͦ͂͌ͣ͠E̵̫͙͉͓͇̠͇̳ͩͧ́͝F̤͎͉̝̗̈̉ͣṰ͓̰̟̭̹͎̟́́ ̧̠̰͖̥̮̺͍̬ͭͫ̂̓̏̉̆̌͂̕F̢̝̟͓̂͂̐̊ͧ̇̊O͇̟͙̮̺̳ͦ̇͑͟ͅR̛̰͎̓̌̑ͪG̘̳͊̌Ȍ̴̡͖͔̺͎͓ͬͭ͌͞T̫̹̩̹̻̥̘̺̟̆̀̈͒̑̈ͣ͞͠͝T̶̹̳̞̱̦̈̽̄E̵̬̬͔̓ͤ̌N͎͉̒ͦ͊ͭ̀͢.̧̗̯̖̻̻͇͚̼̿ͯ̔̍ͬ͜͝


Marcus blinks and laughs.

"God, I really fucked up that time. I thought you were going to kill me when I got back to the squat."

A smile makes its way on to your face.

"Thought about it more than once before that and I still didn't."

Your second-in-command sighs.

"The old you was pretty fucked up."

Blinking, you turn back to stare at the stars.

"...Yeah, I was, wasn't I?"

Something is off, but you can't remember why.

>[ ] Gaze at the stars for the entire night, you don't want anything in your head tonight.
>[ ] Close your eyes and wait for sleep to take you, it's not so bad next to Marcus.
>[ ] Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?
>[ ] Do you really not feel anything?
>[ ] Write In.

>>3201494
>Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?
Time to go down the rabbit hole
>Sleep next to Marcus no homo tho

>>3201494
I'm trying to share this quest, where's thread 1?

>>3201494
Nevermind I'm retarded

>>3201494
>Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?
I hope Bold Red doesn't stop doing that.
>Sleep next to Marcus no homo tho
Damnit we ARE gonna get that memory back one of these days! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE DICE

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?
>[X] Close your eyes and wait for sleep to take you, it's not so bad next to Marcus.

Every time you look through your third eye, the other you calls people by weird nicknames and certain things by their components. It's interesting as well as odd. You can't imagine why you do it besides for accuracy's sake.

You narrow your eyes at the 'Void.'

Why do you call everything by nicknames or very context specific things?

I perceive all by what and who they truly are, to you and I at least, or composed of. You and I's meat bag cannot see, smell, hear, taste, feel, or be nearly as much. As you and I remain you and I, you will be limited to your own understanding which is in turn limited to you and I's vessel's. My greater perception and understanding of things are superior to yours hence I refer to things differently and more accurately.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

I can't tell whether that's your ego talking or an actual fact.

Ego, superego, id: I am these things and more beyond Sigmund Freud's flawed understanding of Being.

You blink.

Not what I meant, but that makes some sense.

Shrugging, you close your eyes.

You'd avoid falling asleep forever if you could, but you don't know if it's healthy to. It's better to be safe than to be sorry. Besides that, the times you've encountered Death besides dying was when you were perceiving it with your third eye and sleeping.

Apologizing is not something you do well, but you can learn.

Seconds, minutes, and an hour pass until you feel nothingness take you.

...

...

You open all three of your eyes to the usual dreamscape of countless men and women prostrating themselves below you in worship as well as the infinite scope of your manifested reality.

An unrestrained hum thunders in your throat and echoes out into eternity.

That which is you and you are indeed one here.

>[ ] "Phoenix, from your slumber light years away in the Void, I know you can hear me here."
>[ ] "Appear, Death, I know you are always there waiting for one to come your way."
>[ ] Wake up, this is too strange.
>[ ] ...Who are y̆ͬ͊ͯ͆͘o͚̟̎̉ū̮̱͔̽́?
>[ ] Write In.

>>3201833
>Who are you?
After that maybe
>Oh, Death won't you tide me over till another year

>>3201901
Support

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] ...Who are y̆ͬ͊ͯ͆͘o͚̟̎̉ū̮̱͔̽́?

It's here: you can feel it tug away and thread into the corners of the inner world like a shadow. You've felt it before but not quite like this. Whatever it is, it's familiar to you but not to you.

...Who are y̆ͬ͊ͯ͆͘o͚̟̎̉ū̮̱͔̽́?

The mortals freeze along with the symphony of their worship.

.͇̗̤̳͈̇͐̏̄́͂.̷͙͍̫̮͊͒͆.͍̖̯̩̳͓̿ͫẄ̷̺͎͇̟̝̔̋h͓̪͙̦̪͈͙͗͝o̜̱ͫ͊ͮ ͈͉͍̘̤͉̑̈̏͊ͅạ̙͖̳͙̟̇̋͋̆r̩̦̞̩̿̋ͣë͙̠̦̖͇́̽ͫ͘ ̗̪̙ͣͬͨ̓̈ͨ́̚yͅọ̻͚̪u͎̳͔̪̭̻͑̾?͚̤͋́͐͑̋͝

You raise an eyebrow at the strange distorted echo.

I am _________________

An eternity of silence passes.

T̪ͦ͒͞h̒̈́ͯ̉ͧe̸͇͉̪͇̱̓̔̾ͪ͒ͅr̨̯̞e̢̻ͩͦ͌ͬ̽ͮ̉ ̮̩̭i̜͉̳̼̙̘̓̍̌̈̇ͅs͔̪ͩͯ̎̈́ͅ ͎̼̌͐̋ͣͨ͛n̝͔͈̳͕̾ͦͪ͠o̳̖ͫ̇͛̿ ͈̣̤̰̝̮̘̇ͤ̃s̮̱͚̟̣͙͕ͭ̐ͧ͆̊ͦu̝̮̘̎̂̿̃̒c̦̑͛̔̉͡ḥ̛ͧ̔͌ͯ̇ ̶̝̱͉͇ͦͧͧt̀͂͐h͇̱̬͉ͧ̾̄͗ͮͦ̉ì͈͓̣͆ͪ͋̑̚̕nͭ̓ͤͯ̋̾̔g̡̹̤̘̏ͅ.͉̱̮̱̗͝

You shake your head.

No, I am _________________

Eons of silence come and go until it breaks.

W̒h̙y̱͗͂ͮͤ̂̕ ̭̼ͯ͗d͓͕͉̯̄̒ͪ͡ó͈̳̹͞ ̸͕͔͓̻̟͖̣̍Ȋ̸̥̤̣͔͕̖̦̍͑̌̿ͣͤ ̜͆͒ex̴̻̦̟̟̳̮̙ͤ̎i̤͞s̪͒̋͌ͩ̚t͔̗̫̹̓ͫ?̘̣͔̔͑͐̃̒ͦ

...

...

Y̧̢̨̱̤̖̠͎͈̤͎͓̱̫̮̱̏̃ͭ̓̉ͫ͊͟o̷̭̪̪͉̭̝̫͇̬̥̼̫͈̩̞̾̇̔͞͝ͅü̡̖̦̦͖͉̬̗͒̓̀ͣ̇̇̃̍̈̎́ ͇̩̥̳̮̖͎̥̜͔̜̉͆ͮ̋ͦͫ̐͐̉ͬ̿̚̕͜d̷̩̳͚̫ͮ̌̆̆̾̏͘͝ǫ̛͉͇̟̳ͤͣͩ̐̉͌̓̈́́̊ͤ́ ̴͖̙̳̭̳͗͗ͭͣͫ́̇ͣ͐̿̒͛͢͝n̸͙̬̳̙̥̯͇̬̤̰͂͌ͪ͘͠ͅo̫̯͎̖̭͚͍̝̠̭̩̮̠͚͇̥͍̪͚ͨ̊́ͤ͆̍̄ͩ̀́̆̒ͦͬ̓̃̚͠t̵͉̯̗̬͍̯͉̠̤͚̞̤̗̳̍̌̌̀͝ ̧̛͚͖̩̺̝̭̟̩̝̦̼̜̰̩̺̐̈́͒ͧͭ̇̌͗̀̋̊͛̊̈̏́ͅu̘̫̘̫̰̜̦͎̒̀̍̆ͤ̽͑ͯ̾́̚͘ͅņ̵̨̞̙̣̭̫͖͈̺̮͍̾̎ͩͬ̈́̐̃̍ͮ͛͢ḑ̡̢̛̦̺͉̫̻̖̗̻̣̘͈̤̖͙̠͚̓͐͛͊̎͑̾ͫ̕ȩ̟̗̹̦̻ͪ͊̑̈̋̉̏̒͋ͦ̃͐̆ͧͪ͢ř̴̵̛̺̮͚͖͈͆ͭ͑ͅs̸̡͔̼̞̣̥͕̋̋̎ͧͬ̔͑̓ͨ̽͆̎̒ͫ̾͌̀͢͞ţ̶̝̖͚̬̳̹͎̳͙̼͓̮̯̂͂̎͊ͭ̀a̢͎̖̘̯̯̰͙̫̳̦̱̜̬̼ͩͦ̓ͭ̓͐̍͂̕͢͞͡ͅņ̮̞͙̭̬͈ͬ̈ͭͫ̌̕͡͠d̸̨̧̬̝̯͈̬̱̤̼͚̼͔̍̄ͫͫ͆ͮ̒ͪ̾̏̄̆̓̎̎̍͑͗͞.̱̖̺̣̰̰͕̬ͬ͒̌̀̾̊̍ͯ̿̔͐͛́


>[ ] "Phoenix, from your slumber light years away in the Void, I know you can hear me here."
>[ ] "...Death, I know you're there."
>[ ] WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!
>[ ] ...I can't answer your question.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3202159
>I can't answer that right now
>Death?, Phoenix? Anyone care to weigh in?

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] ...I can't answer your question.
>[X] "Death? Phoenix? Do either of you care to weigh in?"

The floodgates are open: you can't just wake up without figuring out the how and the why. Answering its question could give you more information. If that's not enough, you can ask the knowledgeable cosmic entities if they know anything.

You furrow your brow.

...I can't answer your question.

A part of you and the world cracks.

T̥̳͓̙͍̺̫h̴ḛn̝͇̕ ̸y̱̝ͅo̕ͅu͓̝̮̙̕ ̧̟̬̙̠̣̟a̼͖r̰̳̪̯̝̮͝è ͚n͇̹ͅo̞t̩̦ ͔͡ẉ̵̳̠͚̼h̡̻ͅa̺̤͙̺̻t͟ ̱̩̭̺̦̱an̦̬̼̼͚̻͍͘d̞̭̳̣͝ ͙̩w̡͚̤̬̭͙̫ẖ̷͕̭̯̠̝o̘͔ ͙̞̘̼͍̪̼͡y̢̯̠̗̞͍o̭̱̯̺̖u̖̹ ̴͎͖͉͓̗̪̘s̰̟̞͘a͖͔͡y͟ ̮͕y̺o̤u͚̳̘͡ ̢̰̮͎̜̥ͅa̶͈͙̯r̻͓̖̗̖ę̩̪̼̮̱͔.̸̙̭̖ͅ ̟͚̳̱

Snarling, you focus on the faults in the inner world.

"Death? Phoenix? Do either of you care to weigh in?"

The familiar nothingness of Death pops into existence by your side as the scorching vibrancy of Life shines from above.

"...Boy, what is that...I cannot even call it a thing: I do not understand."

You see, smell, feel, hear, and taste the Phoenix's infinite energy blanket the infinite world.

"Once more, the frailties of existence make themselves known. To be of Life but Death...I do not understand...I cannot understand."

Blinking all three of your eyes, you cluck your tongue.

Not even two cosmic entities that have always existed can comprehend what the fuck this is.

>[ ] "The both of you are useless then; go away."
>[ ] "I am _________________"
>[ ] "Life and Death...Is that thing me?"
>[ ] Why are you doing this?
>[ ] ...Do I know you?
>[ ] WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP!
>[ ] Write In.

>>3202380
>[ ] "You're telling me you've both always existed, yet you've never encountered shit like this before?"
>[ ] "Then stick around, because this is one hell of a learning experience."
>[ ] Face i͇̬̞͍̊͞t̪̬̓̈̃.̴̟̜̙̰̪͕̣ Face that T̺̫͚̯͇̂̔ͅH͚̪͌̔I̥ͤͨ̀N̴͉̉ͧ̉̓ͭ̆Ġ̣̤͖̤̠̀.͓̜͐
>[ ] "I know you, don't I?"

>>3202399
Ditto YES

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "You're telling me you've both always existed, yet you've never encountered something like this before?"
>[X] I know you, don't I?

Really, the idea of two eternal cosmic entities not knowing what the hell that thing might be is both perplexing and improbable. You're certainly not the first human, mutant, or possibly person with a third eye. They're bound to know something or letting on more than what they know.

"You're telling me you've both always existed, yet you've never encountered something like this before?"

Death and the Phoenix shake their immaterial material celestial heads.

"I have witnessed this countless times. Never have I ever understood it or ever will. This isn't even the first time I have perceived it in your dream world...but that was a different you."

The Phoenix's shine intensifies.

"As have I and will I."

Once again, you blink all three of your eyes.

You get the distinct feeling you'll never stop having questions for and about these fucking beings.

A sigh escapes your lips as you focus on the thing.

I know you, don't I?

The cracks begin to close.

.̡͙̎͋̔̈́.͓ͭ̊͡.Y̵̦̟̟̥̠͗ͪe̡̳̤s̷̰̻̱̗̙̱͋̂̎̊̃͆,̝͎͗͂̒͆ ̛̟͇̳̳̰ͫͫ̑ͪ̇͌i̳͇̞͊̽ͩ̈̆̃̚t͍͙̳̤̊̎̔̚͢'̈́̆ͣ͌̀s͙͕͑ͫ̄̉͊͑ ̟̜̫̺͍̪̺ͨ̒̽ͦi̯̞͊ͣ̄m̄ͭ͋̓̊̾p͙̆ͯ̓̓́o̞̜͈͛̂̓́ͤͫ̕s͔̫̠̈́͌̃̀̓̽s̉͜i̡b̗͋̈ͫ̐͝l̹̤̩̈ͮ̈́ͫ̍ͭ͢é̬͙̼̯͍͓̫ͬͨ̏͝ ̨͛̍̓́̎͐f̸̼̗̥̏ͮͫͫ͒̔o̦̠͡r̶̰̖͎͑͋ ͓̔͒̉̍̚ÿ̴̼͈͕͙̫͙ͯͤ̑̏o͉̮̫̬̠͈̺͠ṷ̮͍̟̙̆ͩ ̵͚͔̬̠̍ͫͭ̈n͍̙̫͇̰̤̩͊ồ͔̋ͬͫͅt̞̖̫͔̯͂ ̯̙͎͙͗̈́ͯ̎̀ţ͈͓̘̞̈̀̃͋o̳͕͇̺ͯͯ͑̀.̧̟͖̙̟̻̳͊͛ ̟̳̞̟̂

...

...

You do not understand.

>[ ] Do you know the Lady and the Phoenix?
>[ ] Why do you block out my thoughts?
>[ ] How is it impossible for me not to?
>[ ] Are you mad at me?
>[ ] Write In.

>>3202549
>[ ] Concentrate real fucking hard.
>[ ] "Y̡͖͇̦̗̣̮͙ͧ͂́ͅȍ̢̰̦͚̿̓̆̆ͤͭ̂̓u̴̜̰̹͔̰͓͌ͣͨ̄̓ͩ̃̆͠ are me, aren't you? From before?"
>[ ] Look down at yourself. You, Kojo, and that other Red you, merged here in this weird plane.
>[ ] Look back up at h̟̞̜̥̼ͩ̒ͦi̧̼̙̟̩͚̤ͨͧ̌m̧͖͔̜̙̗̦̥̀͛̏ͮ̚̕͞.̙͙ͣ̔͊̑͆̏̋̄̕.
>[ ] "…What happened to you, me, and me? Is this about the first death I had?"

>>3202623
This works

>>3202623
This

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Concentrate, just thinking of the thing fucks your head.
>[X] "You are me, aren't you? From before?"
>[X] "...What happened to you? Is this about the first death I had?"

You know what it is. It's impossible for you not to. For a moment, you were one with it as you are now. The only reason you can't perceive it as anything more than darkness or cracks is because it is the world around you just as you are it.

Furrowing your brow, you focus your Being on the fading cracks and tugging darkness.

You are me, aren't you? From before?"

The cracks fully shut.

I̢̦̱ ̩a̝̳͚ͅm̩̰̮͜ͅ ͙͔̰̜̪̞n͙̩̪͎̮ͅot̢̹̙ ̝͖͡y͙̣̹̹ͅó̤͈̙͕u͙ ͕͠a̦n̟͓d̦̩͍̜̣̻͝ ̯y̼̦͔̪̞o̦͕ų̟͓̬̠ ͙̭̮̬a̡̺̬̳̟̪̣̦r̛̙̘e̺͈͎̱̯̕ ̢̝n̵̩̩͈͍̙̤̻o͔̯͞t͇̤͔̳ ̖̤̗̭͍ͅm̼̜ͅe̪ͅ.̻̦͎̺̠ͅ.͇͎̰̥̠.̢̞͔a͚̦̬̺̮t̟͈͔͝ ̫̗͉ļ̪̹̟̝̗e̳ḁ̢͈̰s͍͔͙͉̳͇t͎̟͟,̭͖͈̣ ̬̱̜̥̯̞ͅn̸ǫt̻͚̙̹͓ an̞̰̦̜y̷͖͍m͎̜o̡̰̪͇͎̝̫̼r͔͠e͕͇̙͙͈͈̕ͅ.̟

You blink.

"...What happened to you? Is this about the first death I had?"

An eon of silence passes.

N̖̗͔o͈,̞ ̯̥̘b̭̯͖̗͓u̼̹̝͚̤t̶̺̜͚̗̤͕ ̡̤̜͎y͓͚͎e̮̯̬̩̭͍͞s͔̙͍̟͍.͖̥̖͖͓̩ͅ ͚̙͠I͖̪͍ ̴͙͔̠̱͕w̧̩̫̯̦̟̙a̹̪̬s̷̙̣̝̣̞͇ͅ ̣͎̪y̘̣͖͎̥̩̰o̘̼̮͖͘ṳ̴̩̼̻̤ ̧͇̣͚͍͎̟̜a̸n̰d̘̮̖̞̮̘ ̛̞̱͔ý̖ͅǫ̟̤ų͍̼͕͕ ̗͙w̻̦̫͇̖͙e̵̫͔̟͇̟͕re̥̯̣͓̹͖ ̼͜m̱͔͎̯e̠͖̯͉̟.̹̫.̜̰̮͚̭.̬̣͙̖t̻ḥ̡̱e̮̘̟n͉̪ ̘̣y̙͎͔̤̗̟ͅo̰̻ù̳ ͠s͔͖͓͟h̢̹̖o̤͉we͍͓d̩̩̰͙̤ ̷͕̭̙͙u̢̪p̥̳̩̙̟̹ͅ ̷̖̦̼͍̯̖̪a̻ņ̮d̷̦̬͙͔͕͙̞ y̜͍̝̙̘o͞u͠ ͘s̢̻̝͇̬̳t̨̩̖̬̩̜͙͕a̭̹̰̗̦͖̕r̬͉͡ed̶̟͈ ̹̗ͅͅd̩̫̖r̝̹͕̟̤̦i̧͕̮͕͔̙͓̱f̷͍̳̺͚͙t͟i͕͓̟̘͟n̹̭g̝̗ ̞̜̖ͅą̻͙w͕͓̞a̵̖̖̦͈͔̻y͖̝.͚͍̩̥̰͇

You and the entire dream world shatter.

...

...

He is K̭ͩ͊ͬ̓̃o̴̱̖̠̙̭̫͔ͮͩj͈̯̐̐͒͊̑o̜͍ͧ͆̐̄ͅ

It'sTh̸͕͖͚ͤẹ͈͊͆ͩ͑͐͗ͩ͟ ͈̻͓͕̻̈́ͦ̀O̴̗̙̮̓l̖̾ͩ͋̔̓͞d͎̞̟͖͓ͣ͗ͮ̇ ̮̭̰̼̈͘Y̩̾̏̄͊̿ͭ͡ọ̳̻̳͛̏͂̚u̡̔̿̇̚n̘̞̱͓̦̓̍͋͟g̷̙͌̎͆̏ ̛̻̠̤͈̍ͣ͋̄̔K͔͇̩͈̤̝̭̇͑͐̍̓̇o̰͔̯̘̐̔̊̽ͤ̋̚ͅj̦̭̦͈̤̏ͬo̧͐ͭ

>[ ] WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP
>[ ] ...
>[ ] Write In.

Getting late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) Sorry for the wait. Was debating whether to reveal this here or some other time.

How are you guys doing?

>>3202877
I'm doing okay, I have a bunch of exams this week and next along with an interview I need to prepare for this weekend.
>>3202872
>....
>Death? Any possible explanation for this?
>If there's anyone else, I'd be open to suggestions

>>3202872
this >>3202952 but also
>"Great. Just great. Is there any OTHER personality of me hiding in here that I don't know about?"

>>3202877
Did not expect Old Kojo to still have remnants. Wonder if we can use this or mitigate this

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] ...
>[X] "Death?"
>[X] "Anyone?"

This is wrong. All of this is wrong. He can't be here: he doesn't e̘x̸i̻̻̟̰̜̫̜s̼̦͙̯t̺̕ anymore. You are here, which means he cannot b̧̫͎e͎͈͕̼̪̟. He cannot ever b̢̰ͅe̗̖͉̩̤̩ not ever again or you will c͔e̫̮̳̼͓̜a̙̱̟̼̙s̹e̫̖ to b͎̠͇̺̯e͟.

...

"Death?"

The embodiment of nothingness pops out of existence.

You blink.

"Anyone?"

Life's vibrant shine dissipates from your dream world.

Nothing but you and y̷͉͔̮̙̭o͖͕ͅu̘͈̤͉̰ alone remain.

Y͉̣͖̰̺͎̣o̩u̢ ̮̻̘̝̣c̬̺̫̻a͚̼l͓̥̭̥l̦͕̯ ̻̪̭̺̮͉̪f̘̼̹͈̦o̸r̪̥̪͇͇͉ͅ ̼̻͈h̹̰̯̺͖̘̗e̼͔͓̗̦͙̱͡l̛̪͖͚̻p̪̟̻̫͓̹ͅ ̣͚̠̣f̬͡r͇̖̪̭ǫ̦m̹̘̘̙ͅ ̙̩ͅt͈̟͎̝̮͙͕h̵̩̟o̕s̠̬é̼ w̯̥̭h̻͘o͕͓͕͕'̘̙̹̠̹͕v̳̖̮͚͉̜e̤̯ ̳ͅne̛̗̜̼v͈e͝r͖͙̟̝̰̫ ̫͓g̱̼͇̮̬͕̣i̻̺̭͈̥ͅv̀e̷̮̩n̻͓̣ ͓̦i͙t̩̭̦͜ͅ ͉͎̙̖̳͈ț̻o̧̗̤͇͎ ̘̟̖̞̦y͇̞͕̩͍͞o̱̼u̟̖̤̰͔ ̤̣͚̥o͇͔͙͇̟̝r̶ ̰̭͙̖̻͘I͙̘͓ ̢̰̩̥̝̮̙ͅa̺n̺̠͈̯d͚̫̗̦̤ ͓͇̺̀e͙͕͎̱̹̰xp̮̩̀e̸c͍̥̫̦ṭ̢͙͇ ̝̮͉̹̣͜t̮͍̝̹h̷̥̫é̬͇̝͍m̵̗̰̹̼̹̝ ̵͖̖̬͚̜̗t̠̺o.̷̮̫̻̠͇̹̠.̝.̰̜̕W̶h̀y̜̫?͉̜̟̙͍̼͈ ̯̩

The world and your body begin to fall apart.

Ì͉̪ ́w͔̯̫͍͙͖a͖s̺̪͙ ̛̫̰͙al̘̦̣͉͉͔ọ̹̼n̬e̙ ̣͉r̬͔̬̱͇͈͎į̱͇g̺̳̺̞͔̀h͓̻͓t͔̦͈̙̻̫ ̗͚͓̺̞̱̠f̖̮̪r̶̦͚̟o̹̯͉͎͇̻̜mͅͅ ͎̳t̺͠h͖e͖̱̥͖͡ ̘̤̙b̳̬̜̰̮̜e̶g̵͉̙̠͚͕̹ͅi̪͇nn͇̻̮i͕͈̖͚͉ǹ̬̠̺g ͉͇̰͍̖͖̯a͇̰̻̺̰n̘̻̞̬d ̰̳͉tò͙ ̠̹͕̳͙̘̩͢t̡͔͖͕̪h͖͉̪̪̳e̛̜̙̝ ̭͓v͝e̦̪̻̙̰̭r̖̖̮̗̭̀y̫͓̫̥̗͠ ̙̫̘͈̺̰ͅe͘n̷͖̥͚͕͎̗d̤̗̤̤͚̺.

You open your eyes to the starry sky and bolt up.

Marcus grumbles in his sleeping bag beside you before shifting around to get more coverage out of his blanket.

Blinking, you raise a hand to your head and another to your pulsing heartbeat.

The ever so familiar scent of fear permeates the air, all emanating from you.

Groaning, you fall back onto the rooftop.

You just had your first nightmare, felt fear for the first time in your life, and you can't even remember it to know what made you so scared.

>[ ] Keep awake and watch the stars for the rest of the night, no more night terrors or wet dreams for you.
>[ ] Go back to sleep, you're sure it can't be that bad.
>[ ] Hey, do you remember the nightmare we just had?
>[ ] Write In.

>>3203915
>Whelp, fuck sleeping
>Just stare at the sky

>>3203915
this >>3203920

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] Keep awake and watch the stars for the rest of the night, no more night terrors or wet dreams for you.

Whatever the fuck happened in your sleep, you don't ever want it to happen again unless you know exactly what it is and why you were afraid of it. You've got other shit to worry about in the meantime. In five days, Silvio will host a news conference presenting Wilson Fisk's will. There's a lot of time for you to kill until then.

You move your hands underneath your head.

Hours pass until the sun begins to peak over the horizon, blotting out the stars and turning the sky a purple-ish orange.

Raising yourself up, you spare the still slumbering Marcus a glance.

He and the rest of the gang are going to take a while to wake up considering how long they were out.

You've got next to nothing to do until then but having breakfast, go hopping around town, and/or maybe paying Cottonmouth a visit: you did spare him on a whim.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

>[ ] Make your way to the Rival's club, they're bound to be out of police custody by now.
>[ ] Lay back down and wait for everyone to wake up, little much else to do.
>[ ] Hop to the Vega's butcher shop, you need their meats.
>[ ] Take out your burner and call Sublime, may as well.
>[ ] Call the weird magic man, you never got his name.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3204004
>[ ] Hop to the Vega's butcher shop, you need their meats.
Breakfast first.

>>3204004
>Go to Vega's
>Then call the magic man

Voting closed; writing now

>[X] Hop to the Vega's butcher shop, you need their meats.
>[X] Call the weird magic man, you never got his name.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and you have been skimping out on it for a long long time now. You can't just run off your magnificent body and Sylvia's forever. It's been a while since you've had some of the Vegas' luscious meats anyway.

You stand yourself up and stretch yourself out for a minute.

Sighing in relief, you take off into the rundown cityscape.

It takes you half a minute to land on the roofotp of the butcher shop.

You bend down and snatch up a gleaming key laying on the granite roof before back-flipping over to the butchery's front entrance.

Humming a tune, you unlock the door, throw the key back up onto the rooftop, and walk inside.

The wondrous scent of bloody meats and complimentary spices fills the air.

A pleased hum rumbles in your lips as you make your way behind the shop counter.

Pulling back one of the trays of raw beef on display, you grab hold of a sirloin slice and rip a chunk out of it with your teeth.

You moan as rich blood seeps into your mouth.

Swallowing the bit, you tear piece after piece out of the steak until all that remains is the blood on your mouth and hands.

Not quite enough to satisfy you, as if anything could, but enough to last for now.

That magic man from last night could know a thing or two about disappearing nightmares.

Pulling out your phone with your dry hand, you dial in the sorcerer's number as you suckle the blood off your fingers.

A half-dial drones before the line breaks.

"Hello, Doctor Strange speaking; who is this?"

You stop your suckling and blink.

>[ ] "Strange? That's your last name?"
>[ ] "You're a fucking doctor?"
>[ ] Continue the blood drinking, really freak him out.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3204110
>[ ] "Strange? That's really your last name?"

>>3204110
>You're a fucking doctor
>That's your fucking name

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Strange? That's your last name?"
>[X] "You're a fucking doctor?"

He was super weird back at the park and baffled your other self, true to his namesake. You can't imagine how or where his family name originated and why his fathers and grandfathers before him decided to stick with it: Strange is such a strange name.

You pull your fingers out of your mouth.

"Strange? That's your last name?"

The man on the other line hums in confirmation.

"Yes, that's my last name...you. Forgive me, I never got your name or gave you mine at the time; I am the Sorcerer Supreme Strange. May I ask why you are calling me so early?"

You cluck your tongue.

"You're a fucking doctor?"

Once again, the sorcerer hums in confirmation.

"Long before I learned sorcery and mastered it. It's quite the tale; I could tell it to you if you'd like."

Raising an eyebrow, you shake your head.

"No thank you."

Strange sighs.

"What a shame: it's been a long time since I've told anyone. Now, can you answer my earlier question and explain why you're calling me so early in the morning?"

You spare the burner a side-glance.

>[ ] "What are you doing up so early in the morning?"
>[ ] "Just wanted to know your name, Strange."
>[ ] "Do you have anything better to do?"
>[ ] "Say...can you teach me magic?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3204312
>[ ] "Just wanted to know your name, Strange."
>[ ] Head out, leap back to the roof.
>[ ] "…Although I guess I can spare time for a story." Learning more about this strange man might serve to make him less strange and more useful.

>>3204312
>>[X] "Do you have anything better to do?"

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>[X] "Just wanted to know your name, Strange."
>[X] Head out, leap back to the roof.
>[X] "…Although I guess I can spare time for a story." Learning more about this strange man might serve to make him less strange and more useful.

>[X] "Do you have anything better to do?"

>>3204551
Ditto

>[X] "Do you have anything better to do?"

The man did answer a phone call somewhere around six o'clock in the morning. He's obviously the suspicious one answering a call so early. He could have a side-job as a drug dealer besides the whole sorcerer supreme thing as a result of his medical past.

"Do you have anything better to do?"

Silence fills the air for a moment.

"...No, not really. My question still stands, though. Also, do you have anything better to do yourself?"

You narrow your eyes.

"Right now, no: the day hasn't begun yet."

The speakers rumble with a hum.

"Both of us are in the same position then...somewhat."

Raising an eyebrow, you let out a hum of your own.

"Do you not have anything to do today?"

Another period of silence passes.

"...Unless there's an alien invasion, extra-dimensional invasion, subterranean invasion, or any kind of crime being performed nearby for the rest of the day, no."

You blink.

The magic man is a superhero in his spare time, which means he's likely to turn on you when he finds out you're the new Kingpin of Crime.

>[ ] "Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"
>[ ] "I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."
>[ ] "Well, it's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] "Say...can you teach me magic?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3204764
>Write-in: "Have you ever talked to your soul?"

>>3204764
This >>3204786

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Have you ever talked to your soul?"

Might not be the wisest thing to ask the 'Sorcerer Supreme' questions relating to your own cosmic/spiritual nature and problems, but it couldn't hurt to try. The worst he can do is put you under some sort of captivity to study you. Second worst would be keeping a permanent magical eye on you, observing your every illegal act.

"Have you ever talked to your soul?"

A curious hum rumbles through the other line.

"No, such a thing is impossible: you are an extension of your soul and I am an extension of my own. To do so would be a sign of possession, self-rejection, or an unfathomable fundamental split of one's self. Both of those last two would take a grievous amount of trauma, various conditions, and depend on the actual person."

Your eyes widen.

That very much describes how the person you are now came to be.

"Are you asking me this because you're curious or because that third eye of yours has caused some...unforeseen problems."

Blinking, you shake your head.

"Nah, I'm just curious."

Doctor Strange hums once again.

"What an awfully peculiar and specific question born from curiosity."

You narrow your eyes at your burner phone.

This correctly insinuating little faggot sounding and dressing shit.

>[ ] "Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"
>[ ] "I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."
>[ ] "The fuck are you implying exactly, Sorcerer Supreme of fuck all?"
>[ ] "Well, it's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] "Say...can you teach me magic?"
>[ ] Write In.

>>3204960
>"The fuck are you implying exactly, Sorcerer Supreme of fuck all?"
>"Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"

Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

I appreciate and value you all. Things are definitely going to speed up from here on out. What do you guys think of Kojo's situation?

>>3204960
>[X] "Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"
>[X] "Say...can you teach me magic?"

>>3205000
I find it funny on par with creepy how nonchalantly Kojo talks with naive superheroes who don't know any better. It reminds me of how we could cross paths with a serial killer/rapist at any time and we wouldn't suspect a thing. We might even have some criminals here in this thread.

>>3205049
Hello.

>>3205003
Ditto

>>3205049
>implying piracy is a crime
i shiggy diggy

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"
>[X] "Say...can you teach me magic?"

For a master of magic, he sure does occupy his time with earthly mortal issues. The Avengers and the Fantastic Four already handle the high-level threats and crime doers with the occasional small time during their spare time. He comes off less as a magical authority and more as a higher than average cape.

"Does a Sorcerer Supreme do anything at all that a superhero can't do?"

A moment of silence passes.

"...I cast magic, investigate matters of a magical nature, and combat those who use magic for their own ends."

You shoot the burner phone a look.

That all sounds painfully boring even with the magic thrown in there.

Despite the fact the doctor can make magic sound boring over the phone, you're still pretty interested in figuring it out. Reality itself was warped for the man's sigil to be at the park. It fascinated you and you.

"Say...can you teach me magic?"

Strange hums.

"Why do you wish to know, and do you have several free years of your life to devote to it?"

You blink.

"I'm a little curious, and no, I don't have several free years of my life right now."

A squeak crackles through the speakers.

"Well that's a shame."

Raising an eyebrow, you suppress the urge to cluck your tongue.

It seems like he's both fucking around with you and being honest at the same time.

>[ ] "I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."
>[ ] "What if I made time to have magic study sessions with you?"
>[ ] "Are you being coy with me right now?"
>[ ] "Well, it's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3206327
>Are you being coy with me
>Is there time for magic study sessions
Time for the Crime Warlock of New York to rise

>>3206327
>>[X] "I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."

>>3206327
>"I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."

Amusing the 'Sorcerer Supreme' by listening to his story is bound to get him to drop his coyness, if he's really being coy. It can't be that boring compared to everything else he's spoken about so far about magic. Personal stories that give insight into how someone became the person they are now are never really boring.

"I guess you can tell me your story then, while we still have time."

One pleased hum vibrates through the burner speakers.

"A relatively long time ago, I was in an accident that cost me the delicate touch a skilled surgeon, much like I was then, required. Before that, I was a celebrity neurosurgeon with a fortune I made from my work. I spent all my material wealth on every treatment known to man in order to restore my lost ability to no avail. Then, one day I heard of the Ancient One in Tibet. I pawned what little I had left for a plane ticket to the far east. Once I found the Ancient One, instead of healing my hands he offered to teach me the mystic arts."

Strange lets out a nostalgic sigh.

"The rest is history; I can tell you more if you'd like, but we'd be here all day."

You narrow your eyes at your burner phone.

He could be lying to you or keeping the truth a secret being all forthcoming but he doesn't seem to be based on his nostalgia.

>[ ] "Can you teach me magic if I made time to have magic study sessions with you?"
>[ ] "How long did it take you to become Sorcerer Supreme?"
>[ ] "Who exactly was this 'Ancient One' you speak of?"
>[ ] "Well, it's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3206589
>How long did it take
>Ancient one?

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "How long did it take you to become Sorcerer Supreme?"
>[X] "Who exactly was this 'Ancient One' you speak of?"

Considering he asked you if you have several free years on your hand, it must have taken him at least a decade if not more to become a master of magic or just learn the basics. His master's moniker being the Ancient One only adds to that theory. You can't imagine something as complex as reality warping could be learned in the span of a few years.

"How long did it take you to become Sorcerer Supreme?"

A moment of silence passes.

"...Time wasn't so much of a factor in my rise to the position of Sorcerer Supreme more than a vacancy."

You blink before letting out a hum of understanding.

It seems being ancient doesn't exactly make one immortal.

"Who exactly was this 'Ancient One' you speak of?"

Strange sighs.

"He was my tutor, mentor, predecessor, and friend. I'm still not sure how ancient he was exactly, but he was more than several centuries old. Not sure about his past other than he was the first Sorcerer Supreme and born in Tibet."

Raising an eyebrow, you give your cell a look.

"You're the second Sorcerer Supreme?"

The man laughs.

"My reaction exactly when I learned that. One would imagine there being hundreds or dozens of Sorcerer Supremes before me and my former master for this dimension, but it's just the two of us."

You cluck your tongue.

As usual, every question you get answered leaves more questions.

>[ ] "So Sorcerer Supreme isn't exactly a prestigious title or position just yet, huh? Why else would you expect me to know who you were?"
>[ ] "Can you teach me magic if I made time to have magic study sessions with you?"
>[ ] "How long exactly has magic been in this world?"
>[ ] "Well, it's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3207051
>So Sorcerer Supreme isn't exactly a prestigious title or position just yet, huh? Why else would you expect me to know who you were?"
>How long's magic been around
>Could you teach me magic?

>Inb4 magical Kojo

>>3207051
this >>3207132

Going out shopping. Will close voting and update when I get back.

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "So Sorcerer Supreme isn't exactly a prestigious title or position just yet, huh? Why else would you expect me to know who you were?"
>[X] "How long exactly has magic been in this world?"
>[X] "Can you teach me magic if I made time to have magic study sessions with you?"

The position of Sorcerer Supreme has only changed hands once and existed for several centuries if not a single millennia. In the world, there are more than hundreds of things older than the title of Sorcerer Supreme. Either no one has been capable of mastering magic until the Ancient One came or magic didn't exist in this world until a relatively recent point in time.

"So Sorcerer Supreme isn't exactly a prestigious title or position just yet, huh? Why else would you expect me to know who you were?"

Doctor Strange hums.

"Well, when we first met, I thought you were possessed by a demon. Most of them come from other planes of existence and travel to other planes of existence where there are Sorcerer Supremes."

You raise an eyebrow.

"How long exactly has magic been in this world?"

The sorcerer laughs.

"It's always been here before me and the Ancient One; it'll still be here long after I'm gone if that time ever comes to pass. You can't erase something like magic. Attempting to do so would be the equivalent of trying to alter the laws of physics."

A curious hum rumbles in your throat.

From your point of view, magic does exactly that, which means it has power.

"Can you teach me magic if I made time to have magic study sessions with you?"

The line lays silent for a moment.

"I suppose I can. Do be warned, it will take even longer for you to master the mystic arts if you decide to not fully commit yourself...I never got your name."

You give another side-glance at your burner.

Maybe you can try getting lessons after the press conferences so he doesn't get as suspicious or try to trick him into believing you randomly got a rich man's inheritance after someone offed him.

>[ ] "I'm Kojo...just Kojo...I've always been just Kojo..."
>[ ] "Honestly, you make magic sound like a chore."
>[ ] "It's been a pleasure; later."
>[ ] "My name is Kojo Reyes."
>[ ] "Don't have a name."
>[ ] Write In.

>>3207632
Honestly don't know what to say here.
I definitely don't want to give him our real name, but at the same time a false name will fall down flat if he hears any rumours from New York.
I really don't think trying to learn magic is worth the risk of being sniffed out by Doctor Strange.

Getting late and I'm feeling really tired for some reason. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

Just a few more choices and time will start to fly...

>>3207632
>>[X] "My name is Kojo Reyes."

>>3207632
>[ ] "I'm Kojo... just Kojo... I've always been just Kojo..."
>[ ] Get sudden odd feeling in your chest as you say this, like last night's but... different.

>>3207632
>[ ] "I'm Kojo... just Kojo... I've always been just Kojo..."

>>3207632
>I'm Kojo, just Kojo

Voting closed; writing now.

>[X] "I'm Kojo... just Kojo... I've always been just Kojo..."

Giving him your last name could potentially raise more problems than there will already be in the future. There's no telling if he knew your father or heard of him. It's very much unlikely but crazier coincidences have happened before.

"I'm Kojo...just Kojo...I've always been just Kojo..."

The line falls silent for a moment.

"...Kojo, are you well?"

You stare at the burner from the corner of your half-lidded eyes before blinking.

"I'm fine; everything is fine."

A curious hum rumbles through the speakers.

"Didn't sound like you were. I can check up on you if you'd like: teleport right to you, lay a hand on your shoulder, and pop back in my abode to examine your third eye properly and efficiently."

Groaning, you roll your eyes.

"Just tell me where you live and I'll come to you when I have the time."

Strange stays silent for a moment before sighing.

"177A Bleecker Street, Greenwich Village, Manhattan; your third eye will show you my building."

You hum in confirmation as you move your thumb over the end-call button.

"It's been a pleasure." Pressing down, you hang up before the magic man can.

Sliding your burner back in your pocket, you sigh.

It felt exactly like what happened back at the Fazioli and on the roof last night strangely enough.

>[ ] Go back to the warehouse, you've got time to spend with your boys.
>[ ] Hop to the Sorcerer Supreme's, it might be fun learning magic.
>[ ] Eat some more, that steak was barely anything.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3209830
>>[X] Eat some more, that steak was barely anything.

>>3209830
>Eat more
>Then jump over to bleeker

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>>3209830
this >>3209862
also, thanks doc

Voting closed; writing now.

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>[X] Eat some more, that steak was barely anything.
>[X] Hop to the Sorcerer Supreme's, it might be fun learning magic.

Magic seems to be a hidden, potentially dangerous knowledge, and knowledge is power. It could give you insight into your own innate abilities and conditions. Might have to watch out for what the stranger picks up on, though.

First things first: finishing your breakfast.

Pulling out yet another tray, you toss one of the Vega seasoned slices of carne asada up to your mouth and catch it with your teeth.

You tear out a piece, swirl the bloody morsel around in your mouth, swallow it, and devour the rest of the flat meat bite by bite.

Three more slices suffer the same fate until you lick your fingers and lips clean.

It's enough to hold you off for now and then some.

Hopping over the counter to the way you came in, you lock the entrance door and close it shut behind you as you walk out.

You back-flip onto the rooftop and take off into the early morning sky.

It takes you ten minutes of leisure hopping to make your way past Port Morris, Mott Haven, and most of Manhattan to Greenwich Village.

Stopping on the roof of a building on 177A Bleecker Street, you look around until your eyes stop on the most peculiar looking three storied townhouse.

You stare as energies wisp and wane around the building, being both attracted and repelled by the enchanted walls.

This is either definitely the place or some kind of haunted house.

>[ ] Take out your burner and call strange just to be sure he doesn't have some sort of magical ward up that'd shock you for showing up all demon soulish.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and pour out upon the townhouse through your third, just to be sure.
>[ ] Jump down and knock on the door, it's only polite.
>[ ] Hop down and walk in, you were invited.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3210170
>Look through your third eye
>Call him to make sure you don't get launched into another dimension or some shit
I can't wait till it turns out there's some crazy prophecy about us

Voting closed; writing now.

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>[X] Close your material eyes and pour out upon the townhouse through your third, just to be sure.
>[X] Take out your burner and call strange just to be sure he doesn't have some sort of magical ward up that'd shock you for showing up all demon soulish.

It's always better to be safe than to be sorry. You can probably see all the magical traps but there might be some you can't. Calling him ahead of time will let him know to shut those off if he doesn't already detect the presence of your third eye.

Closing your material eyes, you let your essence flow out through your third.

That which is you envelops your vessel, the building below it, and the equivalent of somewhat over two blocks in a globe.

The Magic One's illustrious lair is filled with ancient books written in numerous languages, woven in various skins; artifacts, and sigils weaved from reality. Its dimensions themselves are warped to fit the needs of The Magic One's collection as well as his living space. A monk looks up to the floating Magic One with numerous tomes around him in his lair's atrium.

You open your eyes and blink before taking out your burner, dialing in the doctor's number.

Another half-dial is all that drones before the line breaks.

"Hello, Mr. Kojo, I assume that brief feeling I just had seconds ago was you?"

Letting out a confirming hum, you watch the townhouse door.

A curious hum of Strange's own rumbles through the burner speakers.

"You're going to have to explain to me what else you can do with that third eye."

You roll your eyes.

"I will as soon as you tell me it's safe to come in and there's no interdimensional portals or traps waiting for me."

Nervous laughter booms through the line.

"Ah, you saw those? Excuse me for a moment." An extremely brief moment of silence passes by. "Done; it's safe to come in."

You blink as you hang up on the man.

There are far many more things you can imagine using magic for other than as a home defense system.

Sliding your burner back in your pocket, you jump down to the entrance of the townhouse and walk inside.

The monk you saw looking up at Strange bows as you enter.

"Greetings, Mr. Kojo. Sorcerer Supreme Strange is waiting for you inside. If you would follow me, I will lead you to him safely."

You shoot the servant man a look.

He looks painfully neutral to this situation, which means he doesn't trust you or have faith in Strange's decision to invite you.

>[ ] "No thank you. I want to take a look around first."
>[ ] "Are you surprised at all by my appearance?"
>[ ] "Who are you exactly?"
>[ ] "Lead the way."
>[ ] Tap him in the temple, he'll bother you if you go walking around trying to get a feel of the place on your own.
>[ ] Write In.

>>3210893
>[ ] "Are you surprised at all by my appearance?"
>[ ] Shrug. "Lead the way."
>[ ] Smell the air as you go inside, just in case.