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You are Kojo Reyes, mutant Kingpin of Crime.

Today you've recruited most of Kingpin's enforcers/assassins, convinced a tiny genius old man with almost no friends to serve you, figured out your underboss had some profound issues, brushed off the rust on some of your fighting skills, united Lower Manhattan under a Tong tributary of yours with spies in his midsts, met a strange magic man calling himself a 'Sorcerer Supreme', and had a long conversation with yourself.

You're pretty fucked in the head and in general.

For about eleven or twelve hours, you've been waiting for your inner circle to come home after you sent them off along with most of your men to put all of New York City under your control.

Bullseye, the deceased Wilson Fisk's top assassin and the man standing right in front of you, called in the meantime about payment for the jobs you hired him for.

You came here to honor your side of the deal, as any practical person would with a useful asset, but remembered that most of your money bags are filled with unbundled one, five, ten, and twenty dollar bills.

Needless to say, you are very much ashamed right now.

>[ ] "Hey, did you grow up in the streets where cops would beat your ass if they found you walking around with a wallet out, especially if you had hundred dollar bills in it?"
>[ ] "Don't judge me, I'm paying you to kill people and not tell everyone about it so don't say anything about this."
>[ ] "Stay with me for a while. I'm not sure how the company I told you about will react at the sight of me."
>[ ] "Follow me, we're going to my current base of operations."
>[ ] "Here, just take all of it."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>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
>>
>>3197375
>"Oh Kojo, what could you want with an old octopus like me Ara Ara"
>>
>>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
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.
>>
>>3210970
+1
>>
>>3210970
Ditto
>Inb4 all the evil objects in the building either try to escape to us or flee
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "Are you surprised at all by my appearance?"
>[X] "Lead the way."
>[X] Smell the air as you go inside, just in case.

He isn't showing it if he is, but it couldn't hurt to ask. Could be he's had experience with demons or demon posessees like Strange has. You could knock him out and explore the house on your own, but that's likely to get you on the magic man's shit list.

"Are you surprised at all by my appearance?"

The monk shakes his head.

"Not at all: I've seen many beings with horns, strange eyes, and insidious auras."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Either he doesn't like you or he's always painfully neutral.

You shrug off your thoughts.

"Lead the way."

The man nods, turns, and begins to walk.

Following the man, you take in the surrounding air through your nose.

A strange myriad of scents both physical and astral are wafting through the air with little to no comparison you can make with the scents you know.

Only the monk and Strange's scents along with many books as well as furniture items have distinct traces of being from this world.

It takes you several minutes to reach the atrium you saw the wizard at.

The Sorcerer Supreme looks down from one of his floating books to your monk escort.

"Wong! Why didn't you just teleport him here?"

Monk man Wong smiles.

"I'm not sure your guest's stomach could've handled it. For being a magically gifted entity, he does not give the air of being magical."

Strange laughs as he floats down and holds out a hand, all the books neatly stacking themselves on it.

"That he does, Wong, that he does." He looks to you. "His third eye tells a completely other story, though." He lifts and lowers the stack of books in his hand. "One I have yet to find in any written in these pages."

You raise a curious eyebrow.

Considering how widespread the concept of a third eye is in Dharmic religions and eastern mythologies, there should be something detailing your predicament.

>[ ] "I was capable of partially seeing a soul and hearing one before my third eye awoke. Does that give you anything to work on?"
>[ ] "...What exactly is your relationship here? Master and servant? Or...master and...servant."
>[ ] "Have you tried reading anything focusing on Life and Death?"
>[ ] "Let's get to the magic studying, magic man."
>[ ] "Care to explain the slave monk here?"
>[ ] "Quit talking like I'm not here."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3211332
>[ ] "I was capable of partially seeing a soul and hearing one before my third eye awoke. Does that give you anything to work on?"
>[ ] "Have you tried reading anything focusing on Life and Death?"
>[ ] "Let's get to the magic studying, magic man."
>>
>>3211366
+1
>>
>>3211332
this >>3211366
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "I was capable of partially seeing a soul and hearing one before my third eye awoke. Does that give you anything to work on?"
>[X] "Have you tried reading anything focusing on Life and Death?"
>[X] "Let's get to the magic studying, magic man."

Doesn't hurt to give out information that could potentially help you as well as pointing out info he may have forgotten about or simply not gone over. You can't leave no stone left unturned, if there's anything to find out. Really, anything would help you and your situation.

"I was capable of partially seeing a soul and hearing one before my third eye awoke. Does that give you anything to work on?"

Strange raises his free hand to stroke his chin.

"Besides telling me you had an affinity for the supernatural, not much." He looks up to your third eye. "Would explain the focus on eyes, however."

You cluck your tongue.

"Have you tried reading anything focusing on Life and Death?"

The sorcerer hums.

"Not yet but I will in due time. Doubt I'll find much or learn what I don't already know, but it's happened before."

A sigh escapes your lips.

It's very much possible there are no records of a third eye quite like yours. Not that bad but not uplifting either. Playing around with your powers is going to be something you can't go in without being blind. Hopefully, magic is similar.

"Let's get to the magic studying, magic man."

Grand Wizard Strange holds his hand out from under his chin out to you, an index finger pointed up.

"First, tell me what you can already do. I felt what you did earlier and so did Wong. You're not exactly a beginner or a magic practitioner just yet, though."

You stare blankly at the sorcerer.

His body language has the right tone, but it feels kind of like he's using the wrong gesture. It's like a college professor presenting the first rule over whatever study the preside over rather than a question.

>[ ] "I can perceive everything within a two block radius above and below in all five senses with a dilated perception of time....It's maddening and can physically hurt me if I keep it up for too long."
>[ ] "I can perceive everything within a two block radius above and below in all five senses."
>[ ] "Partial astral projection. I haven't fully left my body before."
>[ ] "Let's just get to it, Grand Wizard."
>[ ] "Astral projection."
>[ ] Close your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, let him feel it again.
>[ ] Sit down and project your soul from your body, better to show him than tell him.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3211654
>>[X] "I can perceive everything within a two block radius above and below in all five senses with a dilated perception of time....It's maddening and can physically hurt me if I keep it up for too long."
Also eating people's souls and getting their memories but maybe we should leave that out.
>>
>>3211654
This >>3211670 but add "Something about processing eternity with a physical brain, I think." because that's what Death and Bold Red told us
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "I can perceive everything within a two block radius above and below in all five senses with a dilated perception of time....It's maddening and can physically hurt me if I keep it up for too long. Something about processing eternity with a physical brain, I think."

While it may be unwise to tell him the full use and limits of your third eye's perception, it could help with his research into it. The astral projection and soul eating you'll keep a secret for obvious reasons. You don't want to get locked up in a magical cage while the world goes by without you.

"I can perceive everything within a two block radius above and below in all five senses with a dilated perception of time...It's maddening and can physically hurt me if I keep it up for too long. Something about processing eternity with a physical brain, I think."

Strange blinks as does Wong.

"...That's both amazing and horrifying." He moves his pointing hand back under his chin. "It sounds like your third eye lets you perceive time at an extremely slowed rate. I could possibly do the same if I deeply concentrated on altering time and used the Eye of Agamotto, but that level of skill took me years to develop. Either you're a natural talent or blessed with a special ability."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

You're not sure whether or not to feel better or worse about your third eye knowing the magic man can replicate its effect. At least you can do it naturally without the use of enchanted items or magic.

"We gonna magic study or what?"

The wizard lets out a hum of his own.

"It seems you might already have a grasp of the basics or capable of advanced magic. Depending on your choice, we can start off small just to see if you've really got the basics covered or something more advanced. What do you think?"

You raise an eyebrow.

Not exactly the most cautious move focusing on something advanced but it would beat learning the basics.

>[ ] "Let's do the basics, pretty sure I don't know how to do magic properly."
>[ ] "Advanced it is then. What do you have for me?"
>[ ] "Is it safe or normal to skip the basics?"
>[ ] "Wong, is Strange a good teacher?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

so so so close
>>
>>3212032
>>[X] "Let's do the basics, pretty sure I don't know how to do magic properly."
>>
>>3212032
>[ ] "Let's do the basics, pretty sure I don't know how to do magic properly."
Just like how Dan always said: "If you don't know the basics, then how can you even expect to wipe your own shit?" Or something fitting that Dan would say about that that Afungi can come up with.
>>
>>3212146
Ditto
>>3212032
Aren't there 6 senses?
>>
>>3212192
There is a ton of senses, no one is really sure how many.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "Let's do the basics, pretty sure I don't know how to do magic properly."

You're capable of doing whatever it is you do. Magic is not one of those things, however. If you don't learn the basics, you won't be capable of doing anything advanced or live long enough to pull something advanced off. Dan always said a solid foundation was the key to staying alive in a fight or learning anything anyway.

"Let's do the basics, pretty sure I don't know how to do magic properly."

Strange immediately seats himself down.

"Then sit down with me and relax."

Raising an eyebrow, you follow his lead and sit down opposite of him.

His grey eyes close to the world.

"Shut all of your eyes to this earthy plane and take a deep breath." Strange says, following his own instruction.

Closing all three of your eyes, you breathe in.

"Now, throw away what you think to be plausible, real, or normal and reach out to the worlds beyond this one. Call upon the power of the multiverse and of the gods to form in your hands.

You furrow your brow as you begin to feel energies that were not there before slowly seep out of voids in your palms.

There's already energy all around you: there's no need to call upon the multiverse or whatever beings Strange does but you can.

>[ ] "You do know there's energy all around us already, right?"
>[ ] "Is it normal to progress this fast?"
>[ ] Keep drawing energies from the multiverse or the gods or whatever the hell Strange gets it from. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Focus on making the energies around you form, it's easier for you. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3212736
>"You do know there's energy all around us already, right?"
If he's OK with letting us do it:
>Focus on making the energies around you form, it's easier for you. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC16)
Otherwise we do it his way:
>Keep drawing energies from the multiverse or the gods or whatever the hell Strange gets it from. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>>
>>3212736
>>[X] Keep drawing energies from the multiverse or the gods or whatever the hell Strange gets it from. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>>
>>3212736
>"You do know there's energy all around us already, right?"


>Keep drawing energies from the multiverse or the gods or whatever the hell Strange gets it from. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>>
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC18
Best of three d20s, please.
>>
Rolled 19 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3212794
>>
Rolling closed; writing now.

forgot to mention this but second semester of college starts today so expect updates to go back to the way they were
>>
>[X] "You do know there's energy all around us already, right?"
>[X] Keep drawing energies from the multiverse or the gods or whatever the hell Strange gets it from. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC18)
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC18
>Rolled 19 + 4 = 23
>Success!

It's odd harnessing power not from this world, for you at least. Seems easier just to focus on the energy already here than trying to funnel it in from another plane of existence or being from another plane of existence. Best to keep it up just in case you can't really cast magic without energy not from here. Wouldn't hurt to ask a question about it, though.

Without opening your eyes, you raise an eyebrow.

"You do know there's energy all around us already, right?"

The sorcerer lets out a long meditative hum.

"It's easier to draw in energy from the multiverse and gods than it is from our surroundings. All the flowing energy around us takes time to replenish no matter how infinite it seems so its more preserving to draw energies from a real infinite source. Though, it would be faster to use the surrounding energy than the multiversal energies."

Letting out a long meditative hum of your own, you concentrate on the voids and the energy forming in your palms.

More voids form as does the energy pouring from them into your hands.

"Now, open your eyes, Kojo."

All three of your eyes open to see the swirling unformed energy in your palms, and symbols composed of energy in front of Strange's outstretched hand as well as the ones swirling around his arm.

Strange smiles.

"Focus on forming something, somewhere else, or copying me."

You blink.

This is starting to go somewhere.

>[ ] Try to go somewhere else, somewhere you know and maybe somewhere close like (Write In) (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC18)
>[ ] Make a mystical armor around yourself, it could maybe come in handy in a fight. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Focus on materializing a weapon, seems like a good enough challenge. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC16)
>[ ] Copy Strange's weird things, it seems to be the safest way to go. (Will Roll, +4 Modifier, DC14)
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3212938
>>[X] Make a mystical armor around yourself, it could maybe come in handy in a fight. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, No set DC)
Oh boy, oh boy. This is better than what I expected.
>>
Heading off to my first class for second semester soon. Will close voting and update when I get back.

For now, feel free to ask questions and talk. I'll answer when I can.
>>
>>3212938
>[ ] Make a mystical armor around yourself, it could maybe come in handy in a fight. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, No set DC)
Maybe we can do this on someone else too? Hmmm

>>3213075
We're definitely going somewhere
>>
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>No set DC
Best of three d20s please.
>>
Rolled 10 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3213548
Here goes. You better not fuck me this time dice
>>
Rolled 5 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3213548
Say goodbye to knife wounds!
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>3213548
>>
Rolling closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Make a mystical armor around yourself, it could maybe come in handy in a fight. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, No set DC)
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>No set DC
>Rolled 10 + 4 = 14
>Automatic Partial Success!

Despite your lovely body being nigh-immortal and far more durable than the normal hunk of beefcake, it's still vulnerable to blades as well as anti-material rifles. You're not interested in what Strange is doing or making a weapon when you already are one. This will be a far more useful application of these mystical energies.

Focusing on an image in your mind, you clench your fists around the flowing energy.

The immaterial water-like power oozes its warmth around your hands and trickles up over your arms.

Strange blinks.

"Well this is...strange."

You continue to focus on the image as the nonexistant substance oozes around your torso before slipping down underneath your pants.

Doctor Sorcerer flinches.

"...Does that feel painful or?"

You shake your head and laugh.

"Not at all!"

The mystical energy slides over your lower body from hips to toes.

A satisfied sigh escapes your lips.

You couldn't focus enough to cover your head but this is fine.

>[ ] "Why does your magic involve sigils when mine can do this?"
>[ ] "What's so strange about this, Strange?"
>[ ] "Anything else you can teach me?"
>[ ] Add some scales and horns to it, just doesn't suit you quite yet without them.
>[ ] Dispel it, you know you can do it now.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3213814
>>[X] "Why does your magic involve sigils when mine can do this?"
>>
>>3213814
this >>3213874
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "Why does your magic involve sigils when mine can do this?"

There's only a minor difference, but most of your body isn't covered in mystic symbols like Strange's arm is. It's not particularly worrying, just a bit concerning. Either it's a sign of your own individual power manifestation or one showing your fundamental difference from sorcerers. Both might give some insight into your condition.

"Why does your magic involve sigils when mine can do this?"

Strange shakes his head.

"That isn't magic: not the usual kind I know of, at least. You're directly manipulating the mystical energy instead of using it to shape the world. With practice, I could do the same in time."

You blink.

"So how do I use it to warp reality?"

The Sorcerer Supreme briefly raises an eyebrow before shaking his sigil wrapped arm.

"Focus on making the world follow your rules with the energy you harness. It will take certain shapes and forms to suit your purpose. The symbols you make or leave behind act like locks or gates that cement the reason they serve and enforce. Really quite fascinating the kind of beautiful things that can form from magic. Of course, to use magic you have to make hand gestures to guide the flow of energy in the shape you wish and occasionally speak incantations."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"That's awfully more complicated and inefficient."

Doctor Strange shrugs.

"It may be so, but it's the proper way to use magic."

You slightly narrow your eyes.

Magic might not be worth learning if you have to telegraph it and say some humiliating hocus pocus.

>[ ] "I think I've learned all I need to know; see you around, Strange."
>[ ] "What exactly are you trying to do, then?"
>[ ] "Okay, next lesson?"
>[ ] Mimic the sorcerer's magic, may as well see what he's doing. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC14)
>[ ] Add some scales and horns to the armor, just doesn't suit you quite yet without them.
>[ ] Dispel the armor, may as well.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3214105
>[ ] Mimic the sorcerer's magic, may as well see what he's doing. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC14)
>>
>>3214105
>>[X] Mimic the sorcerer's magic, may as well see what he's doing. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC14)
>>
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC14

Best of three D20s please
>>
Rolled 1 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3214203
>>
Rolled 7 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3214203
Might as well try for twenny
>>
Anyone want to go for a twenty or?
>>
Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3214287
>mind if I reroll?
>>
Rolling closed; writing now.
>>3214288
kinda, there must be consequences
>>
Rolled 12 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>3214290
>>
>[X] Mimic the sorcerer's magic, may as well see what he's doing. (Will Roll, +4 modifier, DC14)
>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC14
>Rolled 1 + 4 = 5
>Critical Failure!

Now's not the time to quit your magical studies just yet. Besides looking suspicious, there's still more for you to learn: Strange's little hand trick for one thing and maybe his astral signature alarm thing as well. Power is still power despite its less than savory limitations.

Concentrating on the energy encasing your arms, you outstretch one towards Strange as you make it take the same shape of his sigils.

The sorcerer's eyes widen.

"Wait, you're not focusing on the funct-"

A blast of energy erupts from the sigil into Strange's chest, pushing him back a few feet and singing his clothes.

Doctor Strange blinks, glances at the stack of books still remaining in his left hand, and shoots you a look.

You blink back as the energy covering you dissipates.

"What?" You set down your arm. "It was your spell."

Strange sighs before setting down his own arm, making the sigils around it disappear.

"That it was, which you both failed to recognize its purpose, control, and maintain."

Crossing your arms, you shoot the man a look of your own.

"Only bad teachers blame their students for their failures."

Wong laughs.

"He's right there, master Supreme Strange. You let your student have too much freedom with little instruction. Magic is a dangerous and volatile thing to leave with an uneducated child."

A cry of disbelief escapes the master wizard's look as you direct your ire on the monk.

"You're on his side, Wong?"

The servant man shakes his bald head.

"I'm only pointing out the obvious, master Strange."

Strange sighs and turns his attention back on you.

"...As much as I hate to admit it, Wong's right: I should have given you more instruction and educated you more on magical matters before we actually delved into the mystical arts. I trust you have a few free hours on your hands, Mr. Kojo?"

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Everyone was up late so it should take them a while to wake up. It's still extremely early in the morning so you've got three or four hours. You could cut loose and run now that you know what magic is, but you could stay and make this a reoccurring thing.

>[ ] "Can't we just stick to the practical stuff? I'm a kinesthetic learner: it's how I learned how to fight as a kid. "
>[ ] "I'm sorry, but I don't want to read dusty old tomes for hours on end."
>[ ] "Yeah, I'm free; educate me, massah."
>[ ] "Teach me, Sorcerer Supreme Strange."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3214405
>>[X] "Teach me, Sorcerer Supreme Strange."
See, this happens when you break your celibacy vote Kojo!
>>
>>3214437
>break your celibacy vote
wut?
>>
>>3214405
>[ ] "Teach me, Sorcerer Supreme Strange."
Gotta be just a bit formal here. Kojo acknowledges Strange is in a class all his own, and does NOT want a repeat of the Dan thing to happen again. I feel like that sort of cautious prudence and willingness fits Kojo like a glove in this case.
>>
>>3214442
It's a wizard thing that you have to stay in abstinence to do magic correctly. At least it is in Discworld and probably other Ips.
>>
Getting late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) if I wake up early enough before class.
>>3214452
Ah, now I see. Kojo lost his virginity a relatively long time ago, anyway.

Did I get some new voters or is that just me?
>>
>>3214483
I've been shilling on other sites
>>
>>3214483
I came back after a while of being busy
>>
>>3214483
I've been here since thread 1 man
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>3214699
If there's a god, may he bless you. Which sites exactly?
>>3214880
Welcome back!
>>3214883
Always good to have you...you.
>>
>[X] "Teach me, Sorcerer Supreme Strange."

You've got nothing better to do for the next few hours. Hands-on learning could lead to you getting both of your arms magically broken and maybe your tongue somehow sprained or strained. Talking back while agreeing sounds like fun but is likely to sour your relationship with the magic master.

"Teach me, Sorcerer Supreme Strange."

Doctor Strange smiles as the books on his held up left hand float away for other books to take their place.

"I will, my new and only student."

You blink.

"That explains a lot."

A sigh escapes the man's lips as he holds out the books to you.

"Do please refrain from ruining the moment in the future, disciple Kojo."

Shooting the man a look, you take the tomes out of his hand.

"I'll do my best, Sorcerer Supreme."

Mr. magic doctor hums.

"Now, open the first tome to page seventeen."

Humming back, you follow the wizard's instruction.

Three hours of mystical tome reading and magic sorcerer lecturing go by.

A groan escapes your lips as you set the never ending book down.

"Who the hell wrote and enchanted this thing?"

Strange smirks.

"One long dead sorcerer who knew his magic and his enchantments. If he wasn't so good at enchanting, you wouldn't be able to read it knowing only English."

You cluck your tongue.

"Whatever, I think I've got a good grip on basic sorcery."

The sorcerer supreme wags a finger at you.

"You're a fifth way there. Four more sessions like this will lead to you having a full understanding of basic sorcery. Magic is far more complicated than you think, Kojo."

Sighing, you give the tome another look.

Your men should be waking up by now. Another three hours and most of them will be awake. There's still the matter of Felon to take into account: you haven't retrieved or punished him for skipping out on the crew. New York's pimps and Cottonmouth are also something you have left to take care of, now that you think about it.

>[ ] "We're staying here until I know all there is to know about the basics even if it takes me all day."
>[ ] "Just another three hours is all I can spare before my day starts, so let's go."
>[ ] "That's enough for now, I've got other things to take care of."
>[ ] "Can you teleport me anywhere?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3215205
>"We're staying here until I know all there is to know about the basics even if it takes me all day."
It will be done fully or not at all.
The others can and should handle things without us.
>>
Going to class. Will close voting and update when I get back.
>>
>>3215147
Anonkun, in almost every quest I was in
>>
>>3215212
Ditto, magical crime boss go
>>
>>3215293
>shilling on akun
nigga you're just being as bad as them, even worse since akunfags at least stick to their containment thread.
>>
>>3215205
>"We're staying here until I know all there is to know about the basics even if it takes me all day."
>Call Marcus on the burner, tell him he's in charge while we're out. We'll fill him in on what's going on when we get back.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>3215309
>Call Marcus on the burner, tell him he's in charge while we're out. We'll fill him in on what's going on when we get back.
he doesn't have one and you left him on the rooftop.
>>
>>3215626
eh okay
he'll be fine
>>
>[X] "We're staying here until I know all there is to know about the basics even if it takes me all day."

>(1/2)

This is not a college campus and you are not some poor undergrad with four or more individual classes he attends within the space of a week for over an hour or two each. You will get the equivalent of a semester's work done in one day by devoting all your current time today to learning magic. None of that one, one and half, two, or two and half hour shit spread over sixteen weeks.

You furrow your brow.

"We're staying here until I know all there is to know about the basics even if it takes me all day."

Strange smiles.

"I love your determination, but I wonder how long you'll really hold out."

Narrowing your eyes at the sorcerer, you lean in towards him.

"All. Day."

The master magician laughs.

"We'll see; flip to page six hundred and two."

A groan escapes your lips as you comb through the book's seemingly infinite pages to the one in question.

Twelve whole hours of page flipping, book reading, philosophizing, question asking, lecture listening, and agonizing boredom pass until you fully understand the basics of glorified and unglorified praying and reality warping.
>>
>(2/2)

Setting the last book down, you fall onto your back.

>Supernatural Ability Learned: Sorcery(Beginner Level, allows the use of basic non-complex spells and a bonus +1 to Will Rolls when spellcasting. While potent, magic is very much limited by the amount of energy and focus the user can put into spells as well as enchantments.)

Your magic teacher disappears from the lower corner of your eyes and reappears standing above you, clapping his hands.

"Congratulations! You learned the basics of sorcery in a single day!" He holds out a hand. "Took me a week of non-stop integration in the sorcerer monk lifestyle to understand magic's fundamental properties. I'm proud to have you as a student, Disciple Kojo."

For the umpteenth time, you groan before taking the pity helping hand and standing yourself up.

"Showed you up...that's for damn sure."

The magic doctor lays a hand on the center of your head inbetween the curve of your horns.

"Yeah, you did, son."

You stare blankly at the sorcerer as your chest turns hollow.

...

"Kojo?" Strange calks out to you softly.

...

W̼͈̗̟̪̳̓̄̎ͮh̘̍̀̈̇̉̆y͙͖͓̫͔ͮ̋̑̀̒̀ ̊̓͆͠d̠̊ͪi͓̳͈͗̈̑̆̈ͤd̺̻̾͞ ͊͘Ị̴̑̐͌͛̐͐ ̖̥̱̜̥͗̌ͭͩ̂ͅf̧̟ͨ̂̃ͅe͔͓ͩ̎̒͢e͓̣̮̜̘͛̑̉́̃̋̄ļ̜̤͖̣̭̟ ̯͍̩̮̞̑̍͋̔ͬs̺̽ͮ̆̊̎̀ͩo ̥ͧ̋́ͯͩw̸̙͉̘̻̼͇͖a̤͙͚̝̤͍̳r̜̯̹ͣm̪͉̹̔͆̈́͑̄͆͢?̌ ̼͎̫͈̙̔̀W̧̹̜̔ͣ͑͂̑́h̸͈̘͙̹͚y̱͈̱ͅ ̰̤̯̬̞̠̈̽d̟͚̙̦ͯͨ̒o͍ͨ͂ ̙̩̯̜͎̋ͤ̒͒̇ͅỈ̾ͬ ͓̳̪͇͙͇͈́͗ͩ̐̓͜fě̙̖͖͓́e̯͂͊ͪ̾͑ͯ̚ľ̳̘͔̞̋͝ ̯̄͂̒s̨͌̇ͨ̍ͭǒ̭͖̭͚͑ͩ̔͋͡ ̺c͐̎ò͇͙͉̖͖͕̈̃ͭ̿͟l̼͔̫̠̩̗̎̓̚ḏ̴̠̟̻͔͚ͤ̔̄̔̓?

>[ ] "...I need to go: I left somehow I cared about cold on the stree-..rooftops."
>[ ] "...Can you teleport me to Hunts Point?"
>[ ] "...Don't call me son, old ma..mage."
>[ ] Get out of here, it's too warmc̉̃̽̾ͤ̚ǒ̝̝͉ͩ͊l͔̮͎͆̃͠ͅd̻̪̒́̚
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3215723
>This is not a college campus and you are not some poor undergrad with four or more individual classes he attends within the space of a week for over an hour or two each. You will get the equivalent of a semester's work done in one day by devoting all your current time today to learning magic. None of that one, one and half, two, or two and half hour shit spread over sixteen weeks.
Speaking from experience there, Afungi? :^)

>>3215725
>[ ] "...Don't call me son, old ma..mage."
>[ ] "...I need to go: I left someone I cared about cold on the stree-..rooftops."
RIP Kojo's dad
>>
>>3215725
>>[X] "...Can you teleport me to Hunts Point?"
It's gonna be so sad, when the truth comes to light.
>>
>>3215736
why do i exist only to spend most of mine learning shit i don't need to know and a few things i actually do just because it sounds like you'll kind of need it in life?

at least i met a cute iranian girl last semester
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "...Don't call me son, old ma..mage."
>[X] "...I need to go: I left someone I cared about cold on the stree-..rooftops."
>[X] "...Can you teleport me to Hunts Point?"

He is not your father and never will be. No will ever be: you made sure of that when you killed the only one capable of replacing him who was there for you when no one else was.

Strange will end the same way if you stay around him long enough.

"...Don't call me son, old ma..mage."

The sorcerer blinks before drawing his hand back.

"I'm sorry, Kojo. I'll refrain from calling you that again in the future. Do you want to ta-"

You shake your head.

"...I need to go: I left someone I cared about cold on the stree-..rooftops."

Doctor Strange's eyes widen for a moment before narrowing back into a soft gaze.

"Ah, I see...I wish you good luck then, Kojo. Feel free to come back to the Sanctum Sanctorum whenever you like for more sorcery lessons, maybe tea, talk, or shelter. It was a pleasure having you and teaching you. There will always be a place for you here."

Turning your eyes away from Strange's, you let out a sigh.

You don't belong here and were never meant to.

"...Can you teleport me to Hunts Point?"

A surprised grunt escapes the wizard's lips.

"Hunts Point? What could you have possibly been doing in that den of abuse, squalor, and misery?"

Laughing, you face Strange again.

"Sounds like home alright."

The Doctor's eyes widen again without closing.

"...Oh." With a motion of his hands, a sigil appears below your feet. "Take care, my disciple."

You hum as you drop through the portal from the bright magically lit atrium into the night of the Bronx.

Landing on a rooftop, you take a moment to soak in your surroundings.

The scent of smoke is in the air, a prostitute wearing shitty perfume is working the corner nearby, rats are nibbling at the corpse of a bum in the alley below you, and it's cold.

Home sweet home.

>[ ] Go all the way back to Harlem's Paradise in the shithole that is Harlem, you haven't exactly informed Cottonmouth on what's going on and he's bound to have questions if Ren shook the club down.
>[ ] Make your way to Mott Haven, you haven't checked up on Zebra Daddy about those pimps.
>[ ] Hop to the warehouse, Marcus is going to be pissed but that'll be uplifting.
>[ ] Jump to the old warehouse, it'd be nice talking to Dan and Abuelita.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3215924
>>3215924
>[ ] Hop to the warehouse, Marcus is going to be pissed but that'll be uplifting.
>>
>>3215924
>>[X] Hop to the warehouse, Marcus is going to be pissed but that'll be uplifting.
>>
>>3215924
>Hop to the warehouse, Marcus is going to be pissed but that'll be uplifting.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Hop to the warehouse, Marcus is going to be pissed but that'll be uplifting.

Nothing better for you to do than going back to your hideout and facing the music of Marcus' more than potent rage. Everything else can wait another time being far less urgent as well as more aggravating. They're nothing compared to your grand plan to reveal yourself, anyway.

Turning to the direction of the warehouse, you take off into the night.

It takes you within a minute to reach your neighborhood.

What posted guards that can see you salute as you land on the empty roof of the warehouse.

Blinking, you hop down and turn around to a familiar sheet of galvanized steel.

You walk over to the keypad, input the code, and stroll back in front of the gate while it creaks open.

The somewhat tired faces of your men slowly come into as well as a few members of your inner circle, one especially.

Marcus shoots you a look from a seat across Ren's with a slumbering Alex on her lap at the relatively unoccupied round-table as you walk in.

"Hey, Kojo. What did you do all day? Hell, what did you do this morning? I spent it waiting for you then for everyone to wake up so they could get me a ladder I could climb down from to not starve and dehydrate or break my legs jumping down."

You frown while Barracuda's familiar booming laugh erupts from a side of the warehouse.

He has every right to be mad at a piece of shit like you.

>[ ] "I was learning how to do magic and got swept up in the metaphysics and theorems."
>[ ] "What did you do for the rest of the day?"
>[ ] "...I'm sorry."
>[ ] Flaunt your magic, if there's any truth to the stereotype of blacks being fascinated by magic tricks he'll love it. (Will Roll, +5 modifier, No set DC)
>[ ] Check up on your concubine, she is yours and only yours.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3216227
>>[X] Flaunt your magic, if there's any truth to the stereotype of blacks being fascinated by magic tricks he'll love it. (Will Roll, +5 modifier, No set DC)
>>
>>3216227
>[X] Flaunt your magic, if there's any truth to the stereotype of blacks being fascinated by magic tricks he'll love it. (Will Roll, +5 modifier, No set DC)
>>
>Will Roll
>+5 modifier
>No set DC
Best of three D20s please.
>>
Rolled 8 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>3216328
>>
Rolled 16 + 5 (1d20 + 5)

>>3216328
>>
Rolling closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Flaunt your magic, if there's any truth to the stereotype of blacks being fascinated by magic tricks he'll love it. (Will Roll, +5 modifier, No set DC)
>Will Roll
>+5 modifier
>No set DC
>Rolled 16 + 5 = 21
>Great Success!

What better way to get back into someone's heart than to show them something beautiful. Considering your best friend's black, a magic trick should do it and also double for an explanation of what you've been up to all day. He's going to be too amazed to realize he's acting like a stereotype or you intentionally used magic for that reason.

Focusing on the infinite multiverse, you lift your arms up to your sides, letting the mystical energy take the form of red runes around them.

Marcus and Ren's eyes widen as does those belonging to your surrounding men.

"What. The. Fuck?"

You smile.

"Flame take shape and form; shine, spark, and sing; dance, fire, dance." You softly beat your arms up, causing a wave of multicolor sparks to streak through the air and fill the normally dim-litted warehouse with light.

The non-round table members of your crew let out gasps and stare at the beautiful sight.

Grinning, you continue to softly wave your arms up from your sides, filling the room with the illustrious sparks.

Alex stretches herself out and opens her eyes to join in on the awe noise making with meows thanks to said noises.

You keep up the spark festival for another minute before stopping.

The sparks one by one fall down and extinguish themselves on the cement floor.

Putting one arm in front of your stomach and one behind, you give a bow to your gracious audience.

All your men stare in silence.

"Meow?" One blond kitten squeaks in her other master's lap.

The crates beneath Barracuda squeak as he hops off them.

"Holy shit! Did anyone else fuckin' see that? Our boss is a mothafuckin' magic man! Screw pullin' a bunny out of a fuckin' hat! The boss be makin' it rain rainbows 'n shit!

You cover your mouth to muffle your laughter.

Not the person you wanted to amaze, but you'll settle for it.

>[ ] "I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."
>[ ] "Does that make up for leaving you on the roof?"
>[ ] "Now, how's my kitty been doing, Ren?"
>[ ] "What did you do to the ladder?"
>[ ] "So how was your day?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Late. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8). I have a late night class tomorrow so expect things to be cut short sooner than usual.

I value and appreciate you all.

What do you guys think of Strange?
>>
>>3216556
>[X] "I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."
>[X] "So how was your day?"
>>3216559
He's really cool. Very polite despite Kojo being deadpan and cold at times.
>>
>>3216556
>Grand Wizard, ain't gotta explain shit
>How was your day
>>3216559
Strange was cool, I'd love to learn from him more. Can we practice magic by ourselves?
>>
>>3216559
>"I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."
>"Does that make up for leaving you on the roof?"
Strange was a based nigga, would share drink with him if I drank
>>
>>3216556
>"I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."
>"Does that make up for leaving you on the roof?"

>>3216559
I want to avoid Kojo killing him either by accident or mistaken intent. Fate's a bitch just as much as Death is.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."
>[X] "Does that make up for leaving you on the roof?"
>[X] "So how was your day?"

You did just show him a spectacle of magic to placate him. He can't be as mad at you after that. Sure, he might not forgive you right away, but he's going to have trouble after the firework show you just gave the man.

Sliding your had off your mouth, you smile at your best friend.

"I'm sorry, Marcus. I was learning how to do magic from a Grand Wizard all day. He was surprisingly kind when not in the company of his Tibetan slave."

The second-in-command blinks.

"I don't...What?"

A laugh escapes your lips.

"Does that make up for leaving you on the roof?"

Marcus shakes his head.

"No, no it does not but it...kind of makes it better?"

You shrug.

It'll do; he can't stay mad at you.

"So how was your day?"

Marcus groans.

"I spent it waiting for you and doing pretty much nothing besides switching out the lookouts with the ladder that brought me down, which is probably what we all would've with you here."

An understanding hum rumbles in your throat.

So pretty much nothing has happened while you've been out par for the course after finishing up pretty much everything.

>[ ] "Do you want to sleep with me on the roof again?"
>[ ] "Alex, did you fuck anyone while I was gone?"
>[ ] "How have you been, Ren?"
>[ ] Pick up Alex off of Ren's lap, she should be on yours.
>[ ] Give Ren a head pat, it'd make Alex jealous.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3217228
>"How have you been, Ren?"
>"Alex, did you fuck anyone while I was gone?"
>>
>>3217228
>>[X] "How have you been, Ren?"
>>[X] Give Ren a head pat, it'd make Alex jealous.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "How have you been, Ren?"
>[X] Give Ren a head pat, it'd make Alex jealous.
>[X] "Alex, did you fuck anyone while I was gone?"

Considering you only just recently figured out she was crazy yesterday, you should start checking up on her more often. Alex is yours and only yours so you have to check up on her too. It'd be fun to make her jealous in the meantime.

You focus your gaze on the Japanese girl.

"How have you been, Ren?"

Petting a sleepy Alex, your third-in-command hums.

"I didn't feel off or unlike myself, Reyes-sama. Today was a good peaceful day."

A grin makes its way on to your face as you walk up to the girl and pat her on the head.

Ren goes stiff and blushes.

"Reyes-sama?"

The blond rises from her slumber to rub her cheek against your forearm, purring all the while.

You narrow your eyes at the minx.

"Alex, did you fuck anyone while I was gone?"

Stopping her purring and rubbing, the girl turns to face you.

"...Meow."

A primal anger flares in your chest.

You pull your hand back from Ren's head and snatch Alex by the throat.

Fear flares in the blond's eyes as you tug her towards you.

Lowering your nose to her upper body, you sniff the girl.

The scent of sex on her is for once over a day old and faint.

Sighing in relief, you let her fall back to Ren.

Alex wraps her arms around the Japanese girl's neck.

"Meow."

You groan.

"I had to check."

The minx rubs her cheek against Ren's, glancing at you from the corner of her eye.

"Meow."

Another sigh escapes your lips.

She really can't just expect you to trust her of all people.

>[ ] "Do you want to sleep with me on the roof again, Marcus?"
>[ ] "Ren, do you want to sleep on the roof tonight?"
>[ ] "How and where are Jesus and Itsuki?"
>[ ] Pick up Alex, she is yours and only yours.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3217384
>>[X] "How and where are Jesus and Itsuki?"
>>
>>3217384
>[ ] "How and where are Jesus and Itsuki?"
Yeah, where did they go?
>>
Going off to class. Will close voting and update when I get back.

Feel free to discuss and ask questions while I'm gone, bruhs.
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "How and where are Jesus and Itsuki?"

The two of them are your seemingly emotionless killing machines with culture appropriate weapons and religions, of which stylistically compliment one another. It'd be kind of cliche but awesome if the sword of the Buddha follower were passed on to Jesús. He is a ranged fighter more than close quarters, though.

"How and where are Jesús and Itsuki?"

Marcus lets out a laugh.

"Jesús is fine on the second floor: he was nodding off way earlier than usual and kept on trying to act like he wasn't. The boys near him were too scared to point it out before Cuda did. Jesús picked himself up and decided to go to sleep early for once."

You laugh back.

"And Itsuki?"

The second-in-command's narrow into a thin line.

"Some of his boys wanted to go home to their families to let them know they're alright." He puts a hand on his chest. "Me being in charge at the time gave him leave to give them leave. Itsuki told me he'd hold up in one of the Yakuza safehouses waiting for them to come back after checking in for as long as it'd take before coming back with them."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"How long ago was that?"

Marcus checks the steel watch on his wrist before focusing back on you.

"Four hours ago."

You raise a hand to your chin.

Queens is a big place so not all his family sick boys would live close to one another. Little chance he ran into any complications or the one in a trillion possibility he decided to betray you with a handful of men after he swore his oath. He's probably already on his way back.

A groan escapes your lips.

There's a reason why most of your men are orphans and from broken homes.

>[ ] "Can you imagine either of us going home to a family after all the shit we've done?"
>[ ] "I'm gonna go track him down just in case he ran into some trouble."
>[ ] "Do you want to sleep with me on the roof again, Marcus?"
>[ ] "Ren, do you want to sleep on the roof tonight?"
>[ ] "Do you trust Itsuki?"
>[ ] Pick up Alex, she is yours and only yours.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3218056
>>[X] "I'm gonna go track him down just in case he ran into some trouble."
I can't help but think of a certain menace every time I hear Queens.
>>
>>3218056
>[ ] "I'm gonna go track him down just in case he ran into some trouble."
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "I'm gonna go track him down just in case he ran into some trouble."

Whenever you come into or hear of Queens, a picture of a certain man in red and blue spandex comes into mind. You doubt Itsuki would cause enough ruckus to attract his attention, but it couldn't hurt to check. His rookies might be giving him some trouble or hiding out from him too.

You put your hand back at your side.

"I'm gonna go track him down just in case he ran into some trouble."

Marcus raises an eyebrow.

"Alright, don't see the big deal, but it's your call. Take care and remember to come back: we've got some things to decide before the end of the month preferably before after."

Nodding, you turn and make your way out of the open warehouse gate.

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

Itsuki's scent and his demon blade's are still prominent as is his car's.

Opening your eyes, you back-flip onto the warehouse roof and take off to the glowing lights of Queens.

Seven minutes of leisure hopping after the traces of the Japanese man's take you from Hunts Point all the way to the roof of a moderately well off looking building in College Point.

The former Yakuza is inside and he might have company.

>[ ] Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, no stone must be left unturned.
>[ ] Hop down in front of the entrance and knock on the door, it's the polite thing to do.
>[ ] Cave in the roof, you did it when you first met him.
>[ ] Sniff the air, just in case.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3218315
>>[X] Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, no stone must be left unturned.
>>
>>3218315
>Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, no stone must be left unturned
>>
Gonna go to my nightclass soon. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

a few more in-quest days
>>
>>3218315
>Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, no stone must be left unturned
>[ ] Sniff the air, just in case.
ALWAYS BOTH
>>
>>3218467
Ditto
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, no stone must be left unturned
>[X] Sniff the air, just in case.

As always, it never hurts to be too careful. You never know when some crazy magic person puts up a mystical shield to block your third eye or an overly prepared non-super cape douses himself and the entire surrounding area with vinegar or baking soda. No one knows you just yet, but you never know.

You close your physical eyes and pour out into the world through your third.

That which is you envelops your vessel, the building under it, and the immediate area for over two blocks in a globe.

The Bright One with his prison blade is seated on a chair overlooking several of his sitting disciples with traces of some lingering. In the hideout, numerous beds, bags, packed oil wrap covered oil containers with water, and a fridge reside. A few streets away the Bright One's iron carriage resides next to a dozen other carriages.

Opening your eyes, you let out a hum.

Either Itsuki's waiting for a few more of his boys to come back or he's by some miracle plotting against the gang.

You close your eyes again, drop down onto your hands and feet, and take in the surrounding air through your nose.

Itsuki's scent, his boys', and his sword's are wafting through the air with little to no difference.

Pushing yourself back up, another hum rumbles in your throat.

Your paranoia will pay off again one day as it usually does but not today it seems.

>[ ] Hop down in front of the entrance and knock on the door, it's the polite thing to do.
>[ ] Track down the boys Itsuki's missing, may as well speed things up.
>[ ] Cave in the roof, you did it when you first met him.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Going off to class. Will close voting and update when I get back.
>>
>>3219957
>>[X] Hop down in front of the entrance and knock on the door, it's the polite thing to do.
>>
>>3219957
>[ ] Hop down in front of the entrance and knock on the door, it's the polite thing to do.
>>
>>3219979
Ditto
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Hop down in front of the entrance and knock on the door, it's the polite thing to do.

Itsuki has at least earned the basic courtesy of a door knock for subjugating the rest of Queens and being loyal to you so far. There's no need to cave in the rooftop just yet: doing that would also ruin the safehouse for further use by you and your crew.

Hopping down from the rooftop, you spin mid-fall to face the door.

You knock twice on the wooden door and wait.

Several minutes of silence pass until the door knob is turned to the side.

The door creaks open to reveal half of Itsuki and his shades.

Immediately, the Japanese man flings the door open and bows to you.

"おやすみなさい, Reyes-sama." (Romanji: oyasuminasai, Translation: "Good night")

You smile.

"Good night to you too, Itsuki."

Itsuki raises himself up.

"Have you tracked me down on your own, Reyes-sama, or did Marcus-sama brief you of the situation?"

You nod.

"Marcus told me."

The Japanese man hums.

"I am waiting for two of the men I came here with to return. They are likely to be preoccupied with their family's worries or slumbering in their homes. Either they forgot to message me of their predicaments or are not able to reach their disposable cellular phones at the moment. I'm more than willing to wait for them to settle their business, Reyes-sama, but I must ask if you are and if you will it?"

A hum of your own rumbles in your throat.

These noobie Queens need to learn you and the rest of the crew are their new family now: you're just as important as they are. Forbidding family visitation is likely to breed resentment and create a shockwave of disloyalty among Itsuki's recruits, though. Most of them are going to have to remain under Itsuki's thumb pressing down on Queens to avoid that. It might be best to be blunt with them but they're likely unused to this sort of lifestyle just yet.

>[ ] "You can stay here but if you don't come back by the end of tomorrow, I'll drag you and the other boys back."
>[ ] "Itsuki, step outside for a moment: I need to have a private conversation with your men who returned."
>[ ] "Those here are coming back to the warehouse; the two left behind are no longer part of our crew."
>[ ] "Do what you will: These are your men and this is your assigned turf, after all."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3220714
>[ ] "Do what you will: These are your men and this is your assigned turf, after all."
A true boss will delegate and defer responsibility accordingly to the situations he comes across.
>>
>>3220724
Ditto, let him finish his business by himself
>>
>>3220714
>>[X] "Itsuki, step outside for a moment: I need to have a private conversation with your men who returned."
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "Do what you will: These are your men and this is your assigned turf, after all."

You haven't divided the men just yet, but these boys may as well be his. Soon, he's going to have a lot of other men to lead. Seong Woo-Jin was incompetent enough to let Itsuki rack up all the experience he would've gotten if he bothered to take charge. Itsuki already knows how to lead them so you should leave that to Itsuki and focus on leading him.

"Do what you will: These are your men and this is your assigned turf, after all."

Itsuki bows once again.

"どうもありがとうございます, Reyes-sama." (Romanji: "Doumo arigatou gozaimasu", Translation: "Thank you very much")

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat.

His politeness is always appreciated.

"Take care then; I'm going to go do whatever I have left to do."

The Japanese man nods.

"Farewell, Reyes-sama."

You wave before hopping back up to the safehouse roof.

Itsuki's definitely going to come back tomorrow or sooner. His boys should know better than to keep him waiting for an entire day. They might get off easy but that's probably for the best, for now anyway. As they get deeper into this, they'll have to get their priorities straight or get put straight by Itsuki.

All in all, you have nothing to worry about.

>[ ] Dial up the Tinkerer, he hasn't called you and you haven't checked up on him.
>[ ] Cut through New York to Mutant Town, there's a Felon you need to apprehend.
>[ ] Make your way to Harlem's Paradise, Cottonmouth should be out by now.
>[ ] Hop back to the warehouse, you've got nothing better to do.
>[ ] Test out Tombstone's contact number, he could prove useful.
>[ ] Call Cottonmouth, Diamondback knew all his cell numbers.
>[ ] Hey, did you pick up on that feeling back at Strange's?
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3221050
>>[X] Hey, did you pick up on that feeling back at Strange's?
Then
>[X] Dial up the Tinkerer, he hasn't called you and you haven't checked up on him.
>>
>>3221086
Ditto
>>
>>3221050
this >>3221086
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] Hey, did you pick up on that feeling back at Strange's?
>[X] Dial up the Tinkerer, he hasn't called you and you haven't checked up on him.

Back in that magic house, you just said your first name and had a miniature breakdown. The only real trauma you'd have from calling yourself Kojo and o̖̦̩͈̜͚n͠l̘̘̣̙͕y͓̕ ̸̱̱K̵͙o̮̟j̯͇͚̖o̜̠͈̳̱ would be the memory of the old y̛̳ó̯͕̭u̯̕. While unpleasant, it shouldn't have been enough to put you in that kind of state.

Hey, did you pick up on that feeling back at Strange's?

Yes, it was...clouding me.

You blink.

Is that even possible?

The same occurred when you spoke to The Old King.

You raise a hand to your chin.

Silvio?

That is The Old King, yes.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

The respect you've got for the old man goes down to the goddamn soul. It'd be surprising if you didn't already respect him. Besides your misplaced assumptions, he's showed nothing but diligence, loyalty, effectiveness, and understanding.

Speaking of old men, you should check up on the other one you recently invited into your life.

You dig your hand into your pocket and flip out your burner.

Dialing in Phineas' number, you put the foldable block of plastic against your ear.

A quarter dial barely drones before the line breaks.

"Hello!" An elderly man's cheerful voice sings. "Is this my old friend, my new friend, or one of my many customers? If the latter, I do not regret to inform you, I will no longer provide you my services."

You let out a laugh.

Mason sounds like one unregretfully happy old man.

>[ ] "Do you think you could make me a phone? I'm not talking some flip phone, I mean a smartphone that makes the Motorola Razr and Siemens M65 look like the Simon Personal Communicator. Besides hardware capability, I want it to be capable of changing the data in its SIM card after every call so there's no way in hell anyone could ever track me or anyone else who has one of these phones."
>[ ] "Tell me, do you have any experience with alien metals? I currently have some composing bullets in a magazine fit inside a handgun I still haven't removed from the waistband of my pants since the day before yesterday."
>[ ] "Shouldn't you be getting some sleep, Phineas? Someone your age shouldn't be up this late. I want you around for a long time and I'm sure your other friend does too."
>[ ] "Called in to check up on you, I can hear you're doing well."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3221513
>>[ ] "Shouldn't you be getting some sleep, Phineas? Someone your age shouldn't be up this late. I want you around for a long time and I'm sure your other friend does too."
>>
>>3221513
>you got a weird phone kicking around
>any experience with alien metals?
Wait, are we a soulless zombie mutant that’s being possessed by our soul that left our body after we died for the first time?
>>
>>3221530
+1
>>
>>3221530
support but mention he should rest
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
oh shit
Kojo has that sort of reaction to Silvio and Strange because they are the closest semblance to father figures he has had since murdering his own as Old Kojo. Old Kojo reacts to them because of that, but why would he have that sort of hot/cold almost wistful reaction if he killed Augusto Reyes willingly? Regret? Some other emotion besides an empty nostalgia?
>>
>>3221703
Because Augusto totally loved his son, and old Kojo knows that deep inside
>>
>[X] "Do you think you could make me a phone? I'm not talking some flip phone, I mean a smartphone that makes the Motorola Razr and Siemens M65 look like the Simon Personal Communicator. Besides hardware capability, I want it to be capable of changing the data in its SIM card after every call so there's no way in hell anyone could ever track me or anyone else who has one of these phones."
>[X] "Tell me, do you have any experience with alien metals? I currently have some composing bullets in a magazine fit inside a handgun I still haven't removed from the waistband of my pants since the day before yesterday."
>[X] "Shouldn't you be getting some sleep, Phineas? Someone your age shouldn't be up this late. I want you around for a long time and I'm sure your other friend does too."

>(1/2)

For the new era of crime in New York you're going to be at the forefront of, you're gonna need the best equipment known and unknown to man. Besides guns and body armor, secure communication is equally if not more important in order to stay ahead of your enemies. The most powerful army is not necessarily the one with the most firepower. Secure communication can conceal your long-term and most revealing movements from spying ears.

"Do you think you could make me a phone? I'm not talking some flip phone, I mean a smartphone that makes the Motorola Razr and Siemens M65 look like the Simon Personal Communicator. Besides hardware capability, I want it to be capable of changing the data in its SIM card after every call so there's no way in hell anyone could ever track me or anyone else who has one of these phones."

A delighted hum rumbles through the cheap burner speakers.

"What you're asking for is no easy task, Mr. Reyes, but I think given enough time I can manufacture the magnificent smartphone you wish to have."

You let out a pleased hum of your own.

"Tell me, do you have any experience with alien metals? I currently have some composing bullets in a magazine fit inside a handgun I still haven't removed from the waistband of my pants since the day before yesterday."

The hammering and clunking of metal begins to drum in the background.

"Ah, so that doesn't just happen to me: I always forget I leave some screwdrivers in the waistband of my trousers. Alien materials are something I've had a passing experience with. How strange and wasteful it is to use such rare material for bullets. You'd be better of examining it and seeing if you could synthesize the same wondrous alloy. Might I ask where these bullets came from?"
>>
>(2/2)

Raising up your shirt, you look down at Shades' M1911.

"Hammer Industries."

A grunt briefly vibrates through your phone.

"Justin Hammer, what a fool to waste precious material on the construction of bullets. He could've revolutionized an industry or made leaps of progress for technology analyzing all the alien material the British government lets him study yet he wasted it on bullets. To think such an old man would lack the wisdom to see better."

You hum.

Despite the Judas bullets effectiveness, you can see far more ways to exploit the alien material's kinetic energy absorbent properties.

"Shouldn't you be getting some sleep, Phineas? Someone your age shouldn't be up this late. I want you around for a long time and I'm sure your other friend does too."

Laughter crackles through from the other line.

"Please, Mr. Reyes, don't say that after telling me about your perfect smartphone. I'm not going to be able to rest easily having that idea in my head now."

Blinking, you introduce your shirt holding hand to your forehead.

Of course he's going to keep staying up after you gave him incentive to.

>[ ] "Okay, but your other friend's going to be mad at you if he sees you all tired."
>[ ] "I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime."
>[ ] "Come on, Phineas, just put down the tools and rest."
>[ ] "Goodbye, old man; be sure to pace yourself.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Late. Like Tinkerer, I am tired. Will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

First week of my second semester is done and I am looking forward to my weekend with you guys.
>>
>>3221888
>I’ll come over with the bullets but you should probably lay down afterwards
When we get there we should probably talk to him about other tech specialists in the city
>>
>>3221888
>>[X] "I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime."
>>
>>3221888
>[X] "I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime. also you should probably lay down afterwards"
[X] if you like that idea i have many more
>>
>>3221888
>[X] "I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime. also you should probably lay down afterwards"
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime."

There's no better way to kill two birds with one stone than delivering the bullets to Phineas yourself. You'll have no more guns in your pants that could blow off your dick, and Mason would have to rest if you showed up personally. He'll object but you're sure you can get him to see reason.

"I'm coming over with the bullets, take it easy in the meantime."

Whistling fuzzes through from the other line.

"Mr. Reyes, I am taking it easy: tinkering is how I relax."

You groan.

This old man isn't going to let up until you get to him. Same thing with Silvio, in a way: you had to beat the fact he and his family were doomed to fall soon without you into his head. Hopefully, this old man will be less stubborn.

"Just take it easy."

Hanging up on the old genius, you slide your burner into your pocket, turn to the direction of Brooklyn, and take off into the cityscape.

It takes you five minutes to cut through Queens to the Tinkerer's side of Brooklyn.

You jump down from a nearby building in front of the old man's fixit shop.

The front door automatically creaks open to reveal a strange human shaped robot half your size.

"Greetings sir Kojo!" A metallic voice booms from its speaker cheeks. "Master Phineas is waiting for you downstairs in the basement!"

Blinking, you look down at the scrap bot and its scruffy metal face.

You've got no idea what the hell this thing is.

>[ ] "...Okay, step aside so I can go to him and away from you."
>[ ] "...You wouldn't by chance be sentient, would you?"
>[ ] "...The fuck are you supposed to be?"
>[ ] Scrap it, it's an abomination.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3222872
>>[X] "...You wouldn't by chance be sentient, would you?"
>>
>>3222872
>"...Okay, step aside so I can go to him and away from you."
Does Kojo wear a jacket? If so:
>Write In: Hang your jacket on it
>>
>>3222872
This >>3222905
>>
>>3222905
support
>>
Voting closed; writing now.
>>
>[X] "...Okay, step aside so I can go to him and away from you."

You don't know what it is, but you don't want to be around it. The way the scrap metal composes the thing's face is unnerving. Its wide blue eyes don't exactly help either. Everything about it just screams haunted doll or, in this case, potential robotic child murderer.

It would be the old you if you had a speaker for a voicebox, were made out of metal, and could sound remotely happy.

"...Okay, step aside so I can go to him and away from you."

The tiny tinman salutes you before turning to unblock the doorway.

"Please be careful while inside the basement, sir Kojo: there are many materials laying about you could trip over or crush beneath your feet."

You nod and walk in, watching the metal doll from the corner of your eye.

"I know."

A short, cautious stroll past the old devices on display takes you to the real workshop door.

The front door slowly squeaks shut from behind.

You give the disturbing robo boy one last glance before opening the basement door, walking in, shutting it, and jumping down into the Tinkerer's workshop.

Phineas is humming a tune over a table with several distinctive phone parts laying around.

"Ah, Mr. Kojo, welcome back to my workshop." He turns to face you. "I trust Tiny Tin Tim showed you the way."

Staring blankly at the old man, you peer deep into his goggle covered eyes.

Mason is either some whole-fully innocent awkward elderly man who knows not what he creates or a diabolical genius who knows exactly what he's doing.

>[ ] "Thought I told you to take it easy, old man."
>[ ] "Why did you create a little robot boy?"
>[ ] "...Is it sentient or am I safe?"
>[ ] "...He was okay."
>[ ] Take out the gun, pop out the mag, and hand it over to the old man, may as well get to it.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3223074
>[ ] "...He was okay."
>[ ] Take out the gun, pop out the mag, and hand it over to the old man, may as well get to it.
While Phineas does his thing...
>[ ] Shut your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third.
>[ ] Sniff the air; never a bad thing to do.
>[ ] (to Bold Red) What do you think about Phineas here? He saved you and I after I fucked up, not to mention his competence.
>>
>>3223074
>[X] "...Is it sentient or am I safe?"
>[X] Take out the gun, pop out the mag, and hand it over to the old man, may as well get to it.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3223101

>[X] "...Is it sentient or am I safe?"
>[X] Take out the gun, pop out the mag, and hand it over to the old man, may as well get to it.
>>
>>3223101
Ditto
>>
>[X] "...Is it sentient or am I safe?"
>[X] Take out the gun, pop out the mag, and hand it over to the old man, may as well get to it.

>(1/2)

It's method of closing the front door created a far too ominous atmosphere for your tastes. The tiny metal man was either deliberately being creepy or was programmed to be just as socially awkward as the old man in front of you. You could learn to tolerate it so long as it isn't sentient and aware of its own existence: AIs can be peculiar homicidal and genocidal things, as Kingpin's memories of tests on such can confirm.

"...Is it sentient or am I safe?"

The old man stares at you in silence for a moment.

"Why would you be in danger if Tiny Tin Tim were?"

You blink.

"So it's not an AI?"

Phineas shakes his head.

"It is."

Once again, the creaking of a door fills the air.

A groan escapes your lips.

"I'm surprised you've lasted more than a minute without that thing trying to murder you."

Mason stares at you before tilting his head to the side.

"Forgive me, Mr. Reyes, I'm somewhat confused by what you mean."

You raise a palm to your face.

"It's an AI: AIs tend to go crazy if they're sentient and you put the damn thing in a creepy little tin can of gears and bolts."

Metallic footsteps begin to slowly echo in the workshop.

The old man lets out a knowing 'ah.'

"Tiny Tin Tim is not a fully sentient AI. His sentience is the equivalent of a dog's, a creature of which has the sentience of an infant."

You blink again as you hear the tin boy's metal feet hammer against the workshop floor.

"...Oh, explains the name and the creepiness, I guess."

Phineas stares back at you in silence.
>>
>(2/2)

"Infants are not disturbing."

Crossing your arms, you shoot the man a look while the boy robot's footsteps come closer and closer.

"Have you seen their smiles, those big eyes, and the way they try to hug you?" You glance at the almost stalking little AI boy. "Look at his face and you tell me he doesn't look like one of those teat suckling little pudgy-faced monsters."

Tiny Tin Tim interlocks his metal fingers and holds them to the side of his face.

"Aww! Master Mason, Sir Kojo thinks I look like a real boy!"

Mason smiles.

"That you do, Tiny Tin Tim, that you do."

You glance at both the old man and the tin can before sighing, lifting up your shirt with one hand, and drawing Shade's handgun with the other.

Robot tin can thing begins to cower.

"Please, Sir Kojo, don't hurt me."

A scoff escapes your lips.

"This isn't for you." Pressing your finger down on the mag release, you let go of your shirt and catch the container of Judas bullets. "Not yet, at least." You walk over to the Tinkerer and put the magazine in his hands.

Phineas hums at the sight of the purple glowing bullet sticking out of the feed lip.

"What a beautiful material. Such a shame it was used for the creation of paltry ammunition."

You pop the Judas round in the chamber and catch it before setting it down on the table behind Tink.

"Pretty effective for bullet proof targets and super people who don't know how to die but a waste on anything else; it absorbs Kinetic energy."

Mason lets out a crackling laugh.

"Fascinating! Absolutely fascinating!" He picks up one of the bullets as his goggle lenses switch colors. "I will unravel all the little secrets in this material."

Blinking, you glance over to a tin can hopping for his maker's joy.

This is a completely different side of the kind awkward old man you met yesterday. He did used to be a supervillain himself before he started supplying others with his tech. Not to mention, he is pretty old. Could be another Ren case or a result of you reinvigorating him. The toy boy wasn't out here the first time you were here.

>[ ] "While your at it, can you customize this .45? I'm thinking of giving it to someone as a gift."
>[ ] "...I'm going to go now; I'll keep in touch. You do you."
>[ ] "Get some sleep, old man. You can tinker another time."
>[ ] "Phineas, are you okay?"
>[ ] What do you think about Phineas here? He saved you and I after I fucked up, not to mention his competence.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3223406
>[ ] "Phineas, are you okay?" Avoid misjudging him again. Better to make sure.
>[ ] "...I'm going to go now; I'll keep in touch. You do you."
>[ ] What do you think about Phineas here? He saved you and I after I fucked up, not to mention his competence.
>>
>>3223475
Ditto
>>
Voting closed; writing now.



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