>>4039631
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.
You linked the wrong post in the previous thread Handler.

>>4039631
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.

>>4039631
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.

Meeting an A-list Outgoer? A chance to start the process to become one? Yes, please!

Also, hey boss! How're things?

>>4039642
...Aw, nuts. Thanks.

>>4039631
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.
Networking 101, something Miranda needs more practice in.

>>4039631
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.

>>4039631
Bwhahaha! Unleash the child menaces on the general public!
> “Look, how about we just find the lady herself?” Might as well burn the REST of the day doing something vaguely productive.

>>4039631
> “Do I need to bribe you all with food or something to get this done in a reasonable timeframe or what?”

Never meet your heroes kid. Because heroes are just people and people suck.

>>4039631
Your aggravated sigh seems to be the thing that finally catches their attention; before you can really register that you can finally input something of substance, the thought that’s been floating around your head is the first thing to come out your mouth without editing. “Look, how about we just find the lady herself? Can’t be harder than listening to this, seriously.”

There’s a pause, and for a moment you think you’ve seriously offended them.

The squeals of excitement and the immediate shushing by the nearby attendant tell you otherwise. Well, fine. Not like the rest of the day is going to be much better in terms of things to do. You might as well see if you can’t track the lady down. “Alright, then, I guess we’re going to hunt down an A-rank.”

Honestly, the notion is tougher than it sounds. A-Rankers are essentially VIPs in The Intersection, after all. It’s rare that someone like Citrine Flash just kinda waltzes around whenever- although you HAVE heard some to do so. Not sure about Mab Cortical, though. You doubt her address is in the network...and after some searching, you…

...find out that she IS in the network. She’s got a whole site. Seems like she runs a consulting service nowadays, and she lives...huh. Learner’s District. Well, makes sense enough. “Oh. That makes things a lot easier,” you mumble.

“C’mon, c’mon, let’s go!” Tami cheers. “Maybe she’ll give us a whole interview!”

You’re practically dragged out of the library, but at least maybe this won’t be as bad. “Alright, alright, just lemme go.” Let’s see, according to this address...

“...she should be living here,” you say as you look up at the rather modest domicile. It’s...well.

It’s a shack. There’s no other way to phrase it. It’s a small, metal shack of a house, with a small porch. It’s somewhat uncomfortably wedged in-between two much larger buildings, looking like a historical area rather than anything someone actually lives in, to boo. There’s a small splash of grassland to make a front yard, but it’s hardly anything- just you four standing in it would take up half the space, and the other half is already occupied by what looks to you like various bits of scrap metal. Looking back at your charges, you can see they’re...surprised, for lack of a better word. “Might as well see if anyone’s home...” you hear Noran mutter, but he doesn’t sound very enthused.

Nonetheless, the four of you walk across the short path splitting the lawn, and quickly knock.

It’s seconds before part of the wall next to you flips around, revealing the presence of a large, red optical sensor. “I don’t do media! Appointment only!” a nasally voice says, and before you can refute it, it flips back over.

...well, that’s rude. “We AREN’T media!” you yell, but the silence tells you she’s not listening.

> “I just wanted you to talk with some Outgoers to be!”
> “Since when was the lady who invented the OTC such a sh- sourpuss?!”
> Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!
> Other

>>4041414
>Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!
nobody can say no to little hyperactive bundles of joy.

>>4041414
> Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!

I wonder if she'd be willing to collaborate on a project with Owlia...

>>4041414
>> Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!

>>4041414
> Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!

>>4041414
> Let the kids try to handle this. Also training!
Of course she's a cranky old lady.

>>4041414
>>4041449
>>4041457
>>4041465
>>4041479
>>4041486
You turn to the kids. “Alright, here’s a lesson for you. Convincing a relutanct source of information to talk to you without the use of force.”

All four of them look at you incredulously. “...sssseriously?” Tami hisses. Harp looks at her askance, who fails to notice. “Isn’t that your job as our mentor?”

“Not necessarily. And this is for your own project, isn’t it? It’s STILL good practice, so if you’re going to get that intel, you better try to work your magic.” You’re kinda sorta a touch lazy about it, but it IS something they should get practice with, honestly… “Just try, will you?”

“Okay, okay…” Naturally, it’s Tami who steps up first. “Uhhh, Miss Mab? Hi! So, we’re students from the Care House, and we’re really big fans of you!”

“If you were fans, you’d know I don’t like talking much!” comes the quick and snippy response. “I’m not doing any public appearances, either!”

Tami blinks. “Oh, no no no! We’re not asking you to come out, just we wanted to maybe talk with you about your, uh, what you’ve given the Intersection!”

“There’s books, use those!” she remarks.

She pushes herself up against the door for...whatever reason. “But we thought it’d be so much more to have words from the lady herself! It’d be a really big honor, and we’d love to hear your thoughts on why you designed the Outgoer Training Clinic!”

“Because it was a damn mess before! That enough for you?” she grunts.

Tami, frowning, looks back at the others, who shrug. She motions them forward…

>Roll 3d20. Best of three.

(Will resume tomorrow.)

Rolled 6, 20, 12 = 38 (3d20)

>>4041576

Rolled 15, 18, 8 = 41 (3d20)

>>4041576

Rolled 18, 19, 20 = 57 (3d20)

>>4041576

>>4041581
pshhhhh

>>4041577
>>4041581
Looks like Mab prefers talking to the non-talky members.

>>4041581
Hey Handler, how many motes does Lori have to pay Miranda in order to have Miranda dab?
Does she even know what a dab is?

Would she do it anyway?

>>4041586
An exorbitant amount.

>>4041591
So is that a yes or a no? *winkwink*

Can we roll to see if Mewla finds a small vent that leads inside?

>>4041591
And what if we get them drunk?

>>4041581
>The three kids (and a fairy) make the best damn puppy eyes the world has ever seen

>>4041594
She'd take the exorbitant amount and actually feel bad about herself.

>>4041595
I'm trying to think of a reason why not but I can't, so sure.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>4041601
1d20 fine?

I figure since Mewla can't exactly ask questions , and since she's a bit of a troublemaker, she'd get bored and see if she can sneak a peak at Mab.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>4041601

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>4041601
I'll drop the final roll.

>>4041581
That's a beautiful roll

>>4041576
>>4041581
>>4041616
>>4041645
>>4041716
The three of them approach the doorway, and for a moment, you wonder just what it is they’re going to do. It seems like they might have an idea of something, at least…

“PLEEEEASE?” It’s like a transformation- suddenly they’re big eyed, pouty lipped, and making the most ever-so-innocent expressions. “We won’t bother you for anything ever agaaaain!” Tami leads off the assault.

Noran follows up gamely. “You’re just so dang smart-soundin’, a-and well, we figured it mighta been nice ta learn a bit more…”

“And you were ssssso very brave to take charge of all that organization and effort! I thought it was insssipiring and-and I just wanted to say thank you, and maybe undersstand you a bit more…” Harp picks up the rear with a convincing and dynamic salvo.

It’s powerful, it’s direct, it’s decisive. “AARGH! BY THE MAKERS, ARE YOU REALLY GOING THIS FAR? ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT ALREADY!” And naturally, she waves the white flag. “Just...just shut whatever you’re doing OFF, alright? And tell the fairy to cut the mini-waterworks, she’s going to bust my ear!”

There’s a collective pause as you all realize the sudden absence of one particular fairy. “Wait, Mewla…?” Noran mutters to himself, before shaking himself out of his stupor. “Uh, okay, right! Can ya let us in now, please?”

“Ugggh, yeah. Lemme clear you.” There’s a series of loud *clunks*, something whirring, and more clunks, before suddenly the door swings open. “Now hurry it up inside, all of you.”

You all quickly file in, to see...well, it’s rather rustic. You’d expected something…

“Not as high tech as I thought,” Tami mutters.

“Yeah, that’s because you’re in the paparazzi room. One sec.” You barely have the time to question the statement before the floor under you literally drops.

(cont.)

>>4043575

“AAAAHHHH WHAT’S GOING ON- oof!” Tami can’t even get the sentence out before she lands on something...particularly soft, as do all of you in a bit of a heap.

A reedy, high pitched laughter echoes from around you- it take a second to see as you all right yourselves, but you’ve fallen into some massive laboratory area- there’s a number of test beds, and a wall of computer systems that goes on for at least twenty yards on on wall alone, you suspect- not that that’s the end of it, as there’s stations lined up all neatly on the floor, and a vast floor it is. You quite literally can’t even see the end of it all- it goes beyond your horizon. Not to mention a massive amount of robots going to and fro, and a single, massively red-haired, overall-covered, goggle wearing girl in the middle of it all, staring at you with a not-entirely friendly smile as a familiar pink blur zips towards you. “Call that bit of entertainment my entrance fee.”

Tami’s the first to recover as Mewla quickly flits back to Noran's side. “M-Mab Cortical?”

She scowls. “No, I’m a hallucination. YES, I’m Mab Cortical. And YOU’RE the twerps that caught me in a moment of weakness...” She eyeballs you after a moment. “...and their warden. How the fairy got in I'll never know, but the next time it happens, I'm activating the defenses!”

> So much for a pleasant time. “Okay, I get it, we’re sorry for taking up your time. How about we just keep this professional from here on, huh?”
> Not very sociable, huh? “Hey, call them what you want. You can’t deny that it was effective, considering you caved so quick. That’s good for an Outgoer, wouldn’t you say?”
> Keep on her good side. “Look, they can be a pain sometimes, but they mean well. If nothing else, they’ll probably love to help you out if you want.”
> Other

>>4043577
> Not very sociable, huh? “Hey, call them what you want. You can’t deny that it was effective, considering you caved so quick. That’s good for an Outgoer, wouldn’t you say?”
> "A major thanks to your effort, I'd say."

>>4043597
Supporting. And
>Introduce ourselves
It's rude enough that we barged in without an appointment.

>>4043577
> Not very sociable, huh? “Hey, call them what you want. You can’t deny that it was effective, considering you caved so quick. That’s good for an Outgoer, wouldn’t you say?”
> "Besides, now you've learned about a possible vulnerability in your base. Better that you found out now when it's only an interview on the line, right?"

>>4043606
This too.

>>4043597
Not sure what the write in means. Elaborate for me?

>>4043616
It's a praise for her work of the OTC, sorry if I phrased it too muddily.

>>4043577
this>>4043606

Right, proper introductions.

Writing.

>>4043577
>*Shrug*

>>4043577
>>4043597
>>4043606
>>4043611
>>4043618
She’s clearly not the most personable of individuals, to say the least. Still, as you dislodge yourself you feel the need to at least give a token defense. “Hey, call them what you want. You can’t deny that was effective, considering you caved so quick.” You shrug. “I’d call that good for an Outgoer, and a major thanks to your effort, I'd say.”

“Ha! Thanks to my effort, sure, whatever. Look, I’ve got a lot of experiments to do and a lot of things to watch over, so can we make this whole interview whatever quick, whoever you are?” She casually dismisses the attempt at small talk.

Oh, right. “Sorry. Name’s Miranda Styles. I’m with Silver Eye Solutions. Enforcer, B Rank.” You start to lift your hand for a handshake, but the way she’s got her arms folded makes you think twice; she doesn’t seem like the friendly handshake type. "These are Tami, Noran, Mewla, and Harpsicorie," you introduce the others to all of the kids.

“And it’s only sorta an interview,” Tami says gamely as she removes herself from the oversized beanbag. “We just wanna know some more cool stuff about you!” A small drone that’s reminiscent of a beetle rolls past on six wheels. “Like that stuff! What’re those things for?”

She shrugs, and starts walking...somewhere, leaving the rest of you to scramble to your feet and follow. “Cleaning and general monitoring. Every drone in Mab’s Lab does something to help keep all of this running. Those are pretty common. Easy to make, easy to repair. Next question.”

“Wait, so you built this WHOLE dang place yerself?” Noran exclaims.

She shrugs. “Well, not ALL of it. Just about 80%, while the rest is imported tools and whatnot.”

That’s STILL a ton. “How long’d that even take?”

“Approximately one hundred and sixty-eight years and four hundred and seventeen days, give or take a few days,” she rattles off as Tami pulls out a tablet and begins noting things. “I knew having automated help would pay off handsomely in the long run, so that was priority.”

“Ssssoooo...why do you stay down here?” Harp asks, her eyes largely focused on what looks like a large power source in the distance.

“I prefer being on my own and working on my machines. And I DON’T like getting stopped every few minutes to fix someone’s broken toaster or being begged to help someone with an organizational problem.” She fixes them with a hard stare. “Ever since I wound up developing the OTC and developed the Intersectional Basic Onboarding Program, I’m constantly getting asked to be on this board or that board of directors, or wanting me to be head of some project or other, and it’s really annoying! You can make THAT a big part of your whatever you’re doing.”

“School project,” Tami answers.

“Figures,” Mab grumbles. It’s then she turns towards you. “Well? You got any questions too, or you just gonna be the silent observer?”

>Any questions for Mab?

(Letting this go over the night again. I've been really tired these past few days and it's not gonna get any easier for a bit. I got a side commission for a thing due in two weeks. May call a brief hiatus.)

>>4043692
> "Well, if I may. You said the old traning clinic was a mess before, how bad was it?"
> "What's your strongest field of expertise?"
> "This is off-topic, but by chance you happen to know something about the recent layoffs happening all over the places? There are rumors that someone big AND new up there is doing work."

>>4043695
Take your time mate! I'm happy that you're moving up to the world.

>>4043699
Fixing the second question to
> "What's your strongest field of expertise? Besides robotics, that is."

>>4043692
Supporting >>4043699

>>4043692
>>4043699
> "So, which outgoer company did you originally work for before you stepped back from the public?"

>>4043768
Given she helped set up some of the infrastructure, she may be unaffiliated with a company. Just a direct bargain with a Dealmaker perhaps.

>>4043692
>>4043699
>>4043762
>>4043768
It’s not like you didn’t. "Well, if I may.”

She shrugs as you walk. “Fire away.”

“You said the old training clinic was a mess before, if I understood you right,” you mention. “Just how bad was it?"

“It was horrible exactly BECAUSE there was no clinic!” she half-yells. “All it was was just a mismash of people occasionally fightin’ with each other to train, swap stories, and bi- complain.” She looks askance at the kids, but none of them, Harp included, seem like they noticed the near slip. “More like a big ol’ tavern than an actual place for getting better.”

“Oooh! That sounds cool!” Noran exclaims. Tami’s busy writing everything she says down, and Harp seems to be taking backup notes as well. “So it was real casual then, huh?”

“Yeah. TOO casual,” she grumps. “No standardized way to make sure Outgoers were up to snuff for every job they took, so it was mostly just everyone trying to ask everyone else questions and hoping for relevant help. Training was just as random, didn’t have any real way to track improvement or have any kind of setup to let people train in different disciplines. And don’t get me STARTED on ranking tests. Literal trial-by-fire, not anything monitored and controlled. Just a big jumble of opinions and guesswork and luck, seriously. Had to do something, so I did.”

“I think it paid off handsomely,” you offer. She just snorts. "Right, moving on. What's your strongest field of expertise? Besides robotics, obviously," you add on as she gives a pointed look at the drone passing you.

She shrugs, rolling her eyes upwards in thought. “Mmm...I’d say computer programming, but I feel like that’d be a bit of a cheating answer, since robotics and programming kinda go hand in hand. I’d say chemistry after that.”

“What about your worst topic?” Tami asks out of nowhere. “Y’know, just for goin’ from one end to the other.”

She scowls, but sighs. “Well, it’s not like I use it much, so whatever. Zoology. Although I’m trash at pretty much anything to do with organic stuff beyond the basics. A lot of folks like to think geniuses just know EVERYTHING that could be called science, but lemme tell ya right now, that’s a big fat lie. These topics are deep, and always have more to learn in ‘em. I’ve branched out in my years, but frankly you could probably pluck any given person with a Bachelor’s in Zoology or Biology and they’d beat me in a test on the subject.” She pauses at that, seemingly thinking it over. “...maybe a Master’s.”

Well. Surprisingly frank, honestly. But, you’re not complaining. "Then, last question from me for now. Granted, it’s off-topic, but by chance you happen to know something about the recent layoffs happening all over the place? There are rumors that someone big AND new up there is doing work.”

She pauses, nearly causing Tami and the others to bump into each other. There’s a pregnant pause as she looks back around with pursed lips. “Yup,” she answers simply.

(cont.)

>>4050718

Huh! Seems like maybe you lucked out! “Then can you-”

“Nope.” She turns around, motioning the kids to continue. “C’mon, I’ve got a few things you tots can help me test. That shouldn’t hurt you, I mean.”

You have to process that a bit before you catch up with them. “Wait, what do you mean ‘nope?’”

“I mean nope, can’t say a thing. Hands are tied.” she speaks, and you notice her tone is a bit more terse and her speech is a bit more clipped. Even the kids can tell things are going a bit off, judging from the glances that are going back and forth between you two.

> “Ah. Right then.” Best to leave it alone for now- you don’t want to sabotage the kids’ project.
> “Tied? Tied by who? A Deal-Maker?” Who could possibly force her silence besides that? You need answers…
> “Then what needs to be done to UNTIE them? My bosses are getting antsy, and if they’re antsy, I’m antsy.”
>Other

>>4050719
> Other
> "Gimme a hint here: whatever that is coming, is it big? Just point me to a direction."
> “Then what needs to be done to UNTIE them? My bosses are getting antsy, and if they’re antsy, I’m antsy.”

>>4050729
Supportan'

>>4050719
> "It's an A-rank and above thing, then?"
> “Ah. Right then.” Best to leave it alone for now- you don’t want to sabotage the kids’ project.
If it is, this might be enough motivation for us to work on getting our A-rank at last.

>>4050719
>> “Then what needs to be done to UNTIE them? My bosses are getting antsy, and if they’re antsy, I’m antsy.”

A touch of cajoling. Writing.

>>4050719
>>4050729
>>4050736
>>4050781
You can’t help but feel a bit miffed here. “Then what needs to be done to UNTIE them? My bosses are getting antsy, and if they’re antsy, I’m antsy. Heck, just a hint here: whatever that’s coming, is it big? Just point me to a direction, at least."

She pauses, actually, this time. Looking at you carefully, she purses her lips. “You’re awful dedicated to your little troupe, ain’tcha? What company you said you were with? Silver Eye Solutions? I’d been hearing their name crop up a bit here and there. Boutique outfit, if I recall, with possible eyes on expansion.”

You blink. “So you knew this because…”

“I know a lot of shi- stuff that goes on in The Intersection.” She looks back at the students briefly.

“Y’know, we know what swears are,” Noran says nonchalantly. “You ain’t hidin’ anything from us. Mewla cusses like a back alley drifter, when she’s of a mind to speak.” Wait, the thing can TALK? Then why didn-

“I-I just don’t like sssaying them. They ssssound too harsh,” Harp says quietly.

Tami’s response is similar. “I was told no one likes a potty mouth.”

She blinks once, as do you. “...right then. Moving on. I know stuff. Stuff no one else gets to know. I’m no Deal-Maker, but I’m probably the next best thing. That I get to KEEP knowing things without some very annoyed eldritch beings sniffing at me comes with certain implied rules that I’m not willing to risk breaking.”

“Then what’s the point of knowin’ stuff if you can’t do anythin’ with it?” Tami asks suddenly. It’s a good question- in fact, one you were about to ask yourself.

“Emergencies, mostly. For certain folks that need to know things but Deal-Makers don’t want to say anything in particular that might get ‘em attention from one of their peers. Plausible deniability.”

“And you don’t think this might be ‘emergency’ enough?” The Deal-Makers had rules they were bound to, you knew this. But no one knew the extent of said rules at all, and it was VERY common to speculate on just what they were. That was allowed, at least. But as for getting anything good out of her...

“I mean, it’s not like it’s not intentional- shit, was that too much?” She blinks, waiting. You do, too.

1 minute, nothing happens. No words, no anything. She grunts. “Look, you...question? Have you been to the Grand Pavilion lately?”

You shake your head. That has something to do with it?

“Then you might want to put this out of your head and go there after you’ve gotten a bit more clout,” she says primly. “Look around, take in the sights, the deals. There’s a place on the third level that’s got some real nice knick-knacks for kids...real A-rank only stuff, y’know? Now are we gonna finish this interview or what?”

Clearly a code, but also an ending. “Right, sure.”

>Roll 1d20, best of three.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>4050974
Oooh our outfit is notable then.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>4050974
Here goes...

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4050974
look at me!

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>4050974

when was the last time we've seen the Pavilion? Three years ago IRL?

Writing.

>>4050974
>>4050979
>>4050981
>>4050982
Fortunately, the kids take things from there, discussing largely her opinions on past and present situations, considering the major accomplishments were all recorded already. Her attitude seems largely fouled by the prior discussion, but she keeps herself reasonably talkative, at least enough for Harp and Tami to make a few pages of quotes and stories from her earlier days: about the world she’d come from, and her start as an Outgoer and how she dealt with it in those times. Apparently, she’d never been part of a Deal-Maker backed group or team- an extremely rare thing. Her inventions provided her all the backup she ever needed, she claimed. Even in worlds where technology was limited, which she admitted she didn’t visit very often. That, plus her contributions on and for the Intersection had propelled her to A rank. Perhaps not a path you could follow, but it’s still interesting to hear.

At last, though, she’s done with her tale, and you’re somewhat unceremoniously ushered out of her domain. Although, when she pushes you out, she leans in, whispering something you’re sure only you can hear.

“Watch yourself, Styles. Don’t start asking TOO many questions unless you want to be the answer.” With that, she shoves you all out, and slams the door behind her.

There’s a moment of awkward quiet as the five of you stand around in the junky yard. “Uhhh...well, that was nice!” Noran ventures. “Mostly…”

“We got plenty of material for our project, at least!” Tami cheers. “I’d call this a success! Which meeeeans, time for a break!”

“Huh? Already?” Harp asks. “It seems kinda soon, huh?”

“Nonsense!” Tami rebukes. “We’ve got plenty of time!” Ah, to be young again. Before you can speak up on the thought, though, you get a buzz from your phone. Seems like it’s a message. And it’s from...Taminy? From the roller derby thing? Huh.

‘Hey Styles I’ve just been watching a movie Ive been wanting to see and Im pretty sure this is you cause it looks a LOT like you?!’

Oh goodness. There it is, as she apparently took a short video of it. It’s your scene in Nightmare Run 3: Event Horizon. ‘Why do you ask?’ you respond as you leave the yard.

‘Cause I thought the character was badass and theres a fan group meetup tonight at a restaurant. Thought it be fuckin cool to say I know an actor’

Oh goodness. ‘Oh hey you should drop by too everyone would FREAK if its you! I hope its you now. And if not the movie’s awesome we could watch the first two sometime if you want’

...well, dammit.

> Deny deny deny. It’s not you at all, just a lookalike. And you’re not going.
> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.
> You’re gonna be busy, fortunately. Namely with getting some stuff ready for finding a bit more help around HQ...
> You’ve got kids to reward for their diligence, actually, so perhaps a rain check on that whole thing.
> Other

>>4051237
>> You’re gonna be busy, fortunately. Namely with getting some stuff ready for finding a bit more help around HQ...
sounds like an interesting way to spend our time, but not very productive

>>4051237
>...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.
Bully Miranda? Bully Miranda!

>>4051237
>...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.
Miranda's inner chunni might squeal at the opportunity to nerd out for a little while.

>>4051237
> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.
Netwoooorking.

>>4051237
>> Deny deny deny. It’s not you at all, just a lookalike. Unfortunately not going to things leads to you not being invited to more things, so we're sorta obligated to go if we want to network.

>>4051237
>> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she?

Oh this is gonna be awkward

> “Watch yourself, Styles. Don’t start asking TOO many questions unless you want to be the answer.”

> unless you want to BE the answer

They're laying off people for SOMETHING, not just simple restructuring like Crystalock's PR talk. Mab did warn us to not to dive too deep - and she's the closest thing to a Deal-maker info-wise by her talk, else they'll subject us to their plans whether we like it or not. Her hands are tied since they'll target her too if they find out that she knows. Everyone is fair, Outgoer or mundane.

Whatever happens, tread carefully.

>>4051237
>> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.

>>4051237
> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.
Can ask people there about the layoffs. If we get warned just pass it off as gossiping.

>>4051237
> ...gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.

>>4051237
>..gah, she's going to act like she knows you if you don't go, isn't she? Might as well mitigate the damage. Should keep the kids out of trouble too.

I, ANON WHO HATES ARGUING, HAVE RETURNED FROM THE WASTELAND OF SUPTG, TO CAST A VOTE WHICH DOESN'T MATTER

Hey, I just realized we never asked what Cylica thought of the movie...

>>4051753
I for one, would like to drag her to the meeting with us. Who knows how SES's two ice queen will manage in this type of occasion?

Writing in about 30. Seems like we're going out to eat.

>>4054578
Morning, how's the progress on your commission thingy?

>>4054579
I'm waiting on some media they want me to use. Otherwise I probably wouldn't be writing today, honestly.

>>4054580
Waaaait, is it a work on an existing franchise or something?

>>4054582
No, it's for a small business. Web work.

>>4051237

You don’t really want to, but you have a sinking feeling that if you don’t, that means that she’ll be free to say whatever she might want to them, and that might not end well for you...or at least your privacy.

...might as well mitigate the damage. ‘Fine, what place?’

‘Motolo’s Pizzaeria in Eatery District in 30.’ She quickly posts an address- it’s not too far off a main street, fortunately. ‘See you there!’

Yeah, yeah. You look up, the youths looking at you in curiosity. “Hey, kids, you up for pizza?”

Their cheers are expected. “Cool. I’ve got a friend who...well, we’ll be meeting them there.”

“Are they nice?” Harp asks timidly.

“...mostly,” you hedge.

Motolo’s isn’t a big place, and evokes a real classic pizzeria feel with the psuedo-wood flooring and walls, and how warm the place is. There’s some televisions mounted high in various places around the building showing one movie or another, and the smell of fresh-baked pizza wafts through the building, and you have to admit it’s not a bad looking place.

There’s a number of normal patrons, but what you’re there for is fairly obvious- a group of individuals in the back talking animatedly over several plates of pizza, with Nightmare Run 3 playing on one of the TVs nearby. Several of them seem to have ‘Nightmare Run’ jackets. And for whatever reason they ALL look like bikers or metalheads. However, it’s one in particular, who, when she turns her head, pauses, and her blackened lips perk up in a smile as she waves you over, quickly turning back to them as you approach, kids in tow looking at you in curiosity, but not saying anything for now.

“...but I gotta ask you guys a question,” you hear as you get close enough to separate her voice from the din. With that, she turns around with a flourish, presenting you. “Does she look familiar or what?”

There’s a second. Then two. Then three.

Then a shark-like lady’s jaw drops as she’s the first to make the connection. “No. Way. Oh, no.” Her hands go to her head in astonishment. Really?

A long-faced guy has a similar reaction. “No way, are you ACTUALLY Agent Silva?!”

“She TOTALLY IS!” Taminy cheers.

That’s enough to start a minor commotion as the realization drops at the dozen or so individuals seem to run the gamut of emotions from excited to embarrassed to shamelessly asking for an autograph. Your kids just look at you in surprise. “Uhhh...what’s happening?” Tami asks after a brief tug on your jacket.”

“Oh wow, you kids didn’t know?!” Taminy half-yells. “Your girl here’s a movie star!”

> “That’s a bit much, really. It was a bit part, calm down.”
> “I haven’t gotten any offers for endorsements yet, though.”
> “Right now I’m just hungry, see pizza here, and I have kids with me. You mind?”
> Other

>>4054715
> “That’s a bit much, really. It was a bit part, calm down.”
> “I haven’t gotten any offers for endorsements yet, though.”

>>4054715
>"That’s a bit much, really. It was a bit part, calm down.”

>>4054715
> “That’s a bit much, really. It was a bit part, calm down.”
> “I haven’t gotten any offers for endorsements yet, though.”
Punk types tend to know street stuffs more, in this case the recent turbulence.

>>4054715
> “That’s a bit much, really. It was a bit part, calm down.”
> "Personally, I'd prefer to think of the job as a stuntwoman. Coworker I know is an actual actor, I just said a couple lines and fake fought a couple of extras."
> "By the way, this here's Tami, Noran, Harpsicorie, and Mewla. Kids, meet Tamina Scarely."

>>4054739
Supportan'. Introduction is always nice.

>>4054739
This desu

Diffusion and introductions. Writing.

>>4054715
>>4054739
>>4054749
>>4054770
“REALLY?!” The four of them (you swear you heard something from Mewla) exclaim as one.

You end up cocking an eyebrow at that proclamation. “Thaaat’s a bit much, really. I mean, it was a bit part, calm down.”

“No way!” a bespectacled, brown-haired human girl says. “It was objectively considered one of the best sequences of the whole movie! You played the character so well!”

That’s hard to reconcile. "Really? Personally, I'd prefer to think of the job as a stuntwoman. Seriously, a coworker I know is an actual actor, mind. As far as I’m concerned, I just said a couple lines and fake fought a couple of extras."

“Well, it was enough to get people talkin’!” The shark girl says eagerly as she leans in. “Folks are callin’ you a breakout character just ‘cause of how damn COOL you looked.” She’s a big one, nearly twice your height and nearly as wide. The requisite rows of teeth and a deep grey coloration as well complement the torn vest and hot pants getup she’s got.

“How come you never told us?” Noran asks, looking at you accusingly.

“I honestly did NOT think it’d be a big deal,” you respond, before turning towards the collected fans. “Oh, by the way, this here's Tami, Noran, Harpsicorie, and Mewla,” you introduce, pointing to each properly. “They’re shadowing me for careers in Outgoing. Kids, meet Tamina Scarely. We met at a roller derby thing recently."

“Sup, tykes?” She greets casually. “Up for pizza? We got plenty.”

“YEAH!” they cheer, and you give a light sigh before sitting down.

They do their best to restrain themselves from asking anything too personal, but to your astonishment a couple of them ask for autographs. You learn that most of them are Outgoers as well, a few of them in the Shadowwalkers outfit that Taminy comes from. The shark girl, who’s name is apparently Catha, comes from Dynamic Methods, which she’s delighted to hear you’ve worked with before, and the brown-haired human girl is apparently a witch (or ‘witchling’ as she introduced herself) named Kira, who hails from this supernatural-based group called ‘The Coven’, a collective of witches, ghosts, vampiric sorts, and other traditional spooky scaries that specialize in occult issues and specifically dark supernatural issues.

“Funny story- when Taminy was looking for a group to join, us and the Shadowwalkers ended up having a little bidding war over her!” Kira reminisces.

Huh. That’s curious. “Really? Why?”

Taminy chuckles. “What, never toldja my skills?”

You shake your head. “I remember something about ‘vermin’...

She nods. “Yup! ‘Cause I’m pretty much a bug.”

...What? “What?”

(cont.)

>>4054942
She shrugs. “Well, okay, not reaalllly? But I’ve got a lot of traits from ‘em. There’s a reason I’m practically swallowing these slices whole. Acidic saliva’s pretty killer. Can still to walls, stronger than I look, too. The big kicker is bug control.” She takes a drink as she explains. “I can mentally control bugs. Like, just about all sortsa bugs. Insects, arachnids, arthropods, too. Not sentient ones, though. Thank goodness- would feel super weird otherwise. But yeah!”

“Anyway,” Kira continues, “so apparently both crews hear about her and we start in on this whole thing…” The story goes on for a bit from there, but as for others you’re interested in, there’s a long fingered fellow with a somewhat bulbous forehead. Kind of reminds you of a frog with his face shape, green-grey coloration, and eyes, but he clearly is A: telekinetic, judging by the tablet he’s manipulating, and B: busy, as he’s constantly tapping at something, on occasion looking your way.

There’s a large hyena-girl as well, name Jiba and she and Catha seem to be close, with one arm around the shark girl, who doesn’t seem to mind, and is easily the loudest laugher of the group. She’s notably got brass knuckles on, and Catha briefly mentions something about her crashing a bike on a ‘damn joke of a job’, to her embarrassment. She also plays it off, stating that she ‘was planning to upgrade the thing anyway’.

That’s just a few of them, but it’s clear they’re all good friends as they commiserate and discuss their favorite elements of Nightmare Run 3, including your own scene, which they ARE eager for your input for. They discuss actors, and the theme, and their own likes and dislikes (they mention their distaste for the romance aspect, which you recall Prima complaining about as well…) and it seems if you’re going to broach a topic, there’s no better time.

>Talk to Kira more about The Coven.
>Ask Jiba about her mechanical experience in whatever team she’s in.
>Try to learn more about Taminy and the Shadowwalkers.
>Inquire as to the froggy fellow’s actions. He seems invested in that, not talking…
>Other

>>4054943
>Try to learn more about Taminy and the Shadowwalkers.
> Other.
> "Soooo, has anyone heard about the recent layoffs that have been going on for a bit? Pretty freaky, don't you think? I heard a lot of groups underwent restructuring."
Time for some gossips?

>>4054943
>Try to learn more about Taminy and the Shadowwalkers.
>"So was the mist thing something new that you just picked up, or was it less mist and more a cloud of gnats?"
>Talk to Kira more about The Coven.

>>4054950
Talking about the layoffs this soon after being warned might be a bad idea, especially if frog-guy's a reporter...

>>4054954
Or just writing down stuff for the meet up. Regardless, it's a bit too public to bring that up.

>>4054954
We can pawn it off as gossiping, but yeah might be too soon. This plot hook got me bad.

I'm supporting talking to Kira too.

>>4054943
>Try to learn more about Taminy and the Shadowwalkers.

>>4054957
No problem, I'm the same way. I've been thinking up possible scenarios about what's been going behind the scenes of the intersection while at work.

>>4054954
Might as well add in
> "If you're still refining that spell, I wouldn't mind sparring with you some time, if you'd like."

>>4054954
>>4054957
>>4054973
Supporting talking to Kira and Taminy with the extra options.

>>4054943
>>Talk to Kira more about The Coven.

Stopping for tonight.

Glad I get to write Taminy again. And others for the first time.

>>4054986
Night, boss! Yeah, Taminy seems pretty fun to hang with.

>>4054986
Good night mate. For sure Dark-magical-bug-girl Hex Maniac is interesting enough to have 2 niche groups get into a bidding war over.

>>4054979
Maybe she could help us find someone who could teach our minibots

>>4055016
*teach them magic

>>4055016
>>4055047
She might know someone who knows puppeteering magic, actually...

>>4054943
>>Talk to Kira more about The Coven.

It would be RAD to go on a stupid in-character mission with a bunch of witch girls

>>4054943
Supporting this: >>4054954

Also
>hyena-girl
pleasedon'thaveapenispleasedon'thaveapenispleasedon'thaveapenis

>>4055670
I don't think this is a quest where that's relevant whatsoever.

Rolled 3, 5 = 8 (2d20)

>>4055716

shouldn't have said anything, now we're cursed.

2d20, roll for length and girth

>>4055895
>Rolling for length and girth

Brings back memories...

>>4054943
You have to admit, from what you’ve seen and heard of Taminy, she’s quite the interesting person. "So I have to ask; was the mist thing something new that you just picked up, or was it less mist and more a cloud of gnats?"
She laughs a bit at that. “Oh yeah, that trick? I’m guessing you weren’t close enough to tell, huh? Nah, that was basically gnats, yeah. And I used to not be able to do that at all, but you can thank THIS girl’s crew for changing that,” pointing at Kira as she says the last. “And frankly, she’s lucky I’m so forgiving!” She says it with a smile, to show the lack of anger.

Regardless, Kira still blanches. “Wha- hey! It wasn’t MY fault! You know how Audrey is! She loves her ‘surprises’.”

Taminy snorts. “Yeah, yeah…”

“Wuhh, surfrises?” Tami asks from around a mouthful of pizza. “Wha’ kinda surfrises?”

“The kind where she thinks she’s doing you a favor but really is just freaking you out,” she explains.

Kira interrupts from there, everyone listening attentively. “Okay, first, some backstory. The Coven’s core membership is made up of five people: Susie the Full Witch, Isabella Vampirosa, who should be obvious, Fransisca the specter, Juno the werewolf, , and...Audrey.” The way she sighed before the last name is worrisome. “Audrey’s kinda weird. Like, she’s a devil who used to be human? Which isn’t bad, but see, she was married? And her husband kinda ended up hitching a ride inside her skull when they ended up here, and- basically long story short she’s weird. Even for us. She’s got the potential to be REALLY magical, but she has like, next to no impulse control when she feels like doing something. So it’s lucky she’s a lazy badger- her words, not mine,” she interrupts when you open your mouth to ask.

“I was basically just talking about how it’d be cool if I could BE bugs one day, and next thing I know next time we’re out on a job she just goes ‘boop!’ and suddenly I can divide my body into umpty million gnats,” she grumbles. “Took FOREVER to figure out how to reconstitute myself, and obviously I still don’t have it down.”

“Wait...just like that?” Power like that would ABSOLUTELY be noticed…

Taminy kinda waffles her hand. “Well, kinda but no. See, she’s like a tank that has to be refilled, but fills suuuper slowly. She’d done SOOO little for the past while, all her energy was super built up. She STILL hasn’t recovered from it entirely.”

That’s fascinating. “Huh. You’re sure about that?”

“Yup,” Taminy confirms. “The Shadowwalkers and The Coven are pretty close. Weirdly enough, fighting over me helped.”

“Isabella’s been floating the idea of a merger, actually,” Kira mentions, which seems to surprise even Taminy. “Been meaning to tell you about that. Not everyone’s opposed to the idea. Figured I’d heads up you in case it went anywhere.”

(cont)

>>4056419

“Huh,” Taminy muses. “Funky. I guess it makes sense, though. There’s like, what, all of eight of you and a dozen of us?”

“Exactly,” the frog-guy says. It’d been the first words he’d said in a while. “So we’d have twenty operatives total.”

Taminy leans in. “Wait, so who’s down?” She has to lean over a bit to avoid Harp down the table, who’s...swallowing a rolled up pizza slice whole, with several members spectating. You should probably stop that…?

“Well, me and Isabella, obviously. Fransisca’s cool with it, Susie’s neutral on the subject, Juno’s not a big fan of the idea, though, and the Twins are against it because it means less viable targets’, in their own words.” She side-eyes you with a mild grimace. “The Twins are kinda troublemakers. They love pranks and they like to play the part of jackass genies. Anyway,” she turns back to Taminy, “Audrey’s still not sure how she feels about it, either. She likes you, don’t get me wrong!” she exclaims at Taminy’s look of surprise. “Just she feels like the Coven’s special, y’know? Out of all of us she feels like it’s ‘her baby’ the most.”

“Yeah, yeah…” Taminy says neutrally. Wonder what she thinks of it...but before you can ask, she squints, noticing something. “Wait, what about Kurow?”

Kira actually SNORTS, and rests her shoulders on the table. “Crow’s Crow. He says it’s good because more people to experiment with. Bad because it’s people he can’t REALLY test. No one has any clue where he ACTUALLY stands.”

> “Sounds like a good idea to me. Sounds like you’re practically two sides of the same coin already.”
> “How do the Shadowwalkers generally operate? Do they have an operational style that meshes well?”
> “Is The Coven open to assisting other outside groups, then, or is it strictly a special thing with the Shadowwalkers?”
> Other

>>4056422
> “How do the Shadowwalkers generally operate? Do they have an operational style that meshes well?”
> “Is The Coven open to assisting other outside groups, then, or is it strictly a special thing with the Shadowwalkers?”
So they're 2 niche occult groups that work with each other huh.

>>4056422
> “Sounds like a good idea to me. Sounds like you’re practically two sides of the same coin already.”
> “Is The Coven open to assisting other outside groups, then, or is it strictly a special thing with the Shadowwalkers?”

>>4056422
> “Sounds like a good idea to me. Sounds like you’re practically two sides of the same coin already.”
Harp, noooooo

>>4056422
> “How do the Shadowwalkers generally operate? Do they have an operational style that meshes well?”
> “Is The Coven open to assisting other outside groups, then, or is it strictly a special thing with the Shadowwalkers?”

Keep an ear open for any mention of Sigil/Glyph crafting or them using crystals as a medium.

Two ties and one clear question. Writing.

>>4056422
>>4056432
>>4056441
>>4056453
>>4056448

You can’t help yourself- it sounds like they have a cushy relationship regardless. “Is The Coven open to assisting other outside groups, then, or is it strictly a special thing with the Shadowwalkers?”

She grimaces. “Iiiit’s mostly just them. We tend to keep to ourselves otherwise.” Damn. “Sorry! Maybe I could ask if you needed anything and you’ll get lucky, but otherwise...yeaaaah, nah.”

Well, there goes that possibility. “Thanks anyway. At any rate, here’s hoping everything turns out for the best. I’m guessing you’ve been looking into how well each team works together?”

“It’s all preliminary stuff right now, but we’ve had a few joint jobs,” Kira notes.

“Yeah, Shadowwalkers are more about subtle stuff overall, y’know?” Taminy grins. “We try to act like things that go bump in the night. The Coven deals directly WITH things that go bump in the night, though. Kinda a difference...”

“But not a major one,” Kira finishes.

Hm. “Well, if you think so. Here’s hoping it’s a good idea, right Taminy?”

“Yeah, we’ll see.” You’re still not sure how she feels about it, though.

“Yeah, yeah, enough work talk!” Jiba interjects. “Let’s get back to the real stuff! You guys heard that a Nightmare Run FOUR is in the works!?”

There’s several heads that turn to her at that and immediately start talking. “Wait, what?” Kira asks. “No way, they said they weren’t doing any more!”

“Naaaw, they said that this was the end of the saga! Never said anything about not making another movie in the same universe! Heard that they’re gonna basically start fresh with a new protag and everything,” she puts forth.

“Girl, you been readin’ those rag sites again?” Catha asks incredulously. “You need ta get off those.”

“Nah, nah! This was legit!” she insists. “They just broke the news like, TODAY. It’s crazy. Boon, check it-” she starts, turning to the frog-man.

“Just did,” he says, interrupting. “There’s a report or two that states it’s a rumor, but nothing confirmed.”

“Aw, man, I’m telling you!” Jiub continues as Catha pats her back.

“I don’t even know if I’d WANT a Four,” a guy down the table (who was beforehand just watching Harp wolf down another pizza slice or two) opines. “Three ended pretty much perfect.”

“Iunno, I could go for a different story in the same place,” Taminy muses. Then, she turns to you. “Wouldja go for it?”

“What do you mean?” you ask.

“Like, if they offered you back somehow? Wouldja do it?” she explains. Aaaand just like that, every eye on the table is on you again.

> Prrrrobably not.
> I mean, I guess if they paid me?
> Other

(Out again for the night.)

>>4056620
> I mean, I guess if they paid me?
> Might be good for a laugh on movie night with the girls. It's the main reason why I did it in the first place.
> *long discussion regarding some of our favorite bad movies*

>>4056620
>> I mean, I guess if they paid me?

>>4056620
> I mean, I guess if they paid me?
> "To be honest, I don't know how they are going to bring back my character. She took a rather deep fall if I remember correctly."

>>4056620
>> I mean, I guess if they paid me?

>>4056620
>>4056669
>Other
>Ask Kira if she knows someone who could be a magic teacher for Tami and/or minibots

>>4056734
+

>>4056422
>The Twins
The first thing that came to my mind was those kids from the first thread who were separated from each other. The sister was described as a nice person rather than a troublemaker but I still wonder if it's them.

>>4056620
>I mean, I guess if they paid me?

>>4056669
>>4056734
Supporting.

>>4056620
Switching >>4056637
To >>4056734

>>4057037
That kid seemed really young. Idk how much time has passed IC since the quest started, but I suppose that's something we could ask Handler.

>>4056620
You can only shrug. “I mean, I guess if they paid me? Although to be honest, I don't know how they’re going to bring back my character if they asked. She took a rather long fall if I remember correctly.” You notice the frog guy express a bit of surprise at that, before going back to typing. Meanwhile, your statement seems to have stirred interest.

“Psh, there’s always a twin, or maybe you barely survived, or something.” Catha suggests. “They want you back, there’ll be a reason.”

“Honestly, I hope you’re feeling up for it.” Kira mentions. “I’m sorry, but I’d love to see you in action again with an expanded role. I mean, I guess they wouldn’t be able to make you the marquee character, ‘cause of your day job, but still!”

“Speaking of that, mind another question on that front?” you venture. She nods. “I’ve got a couple folks, like maybe Tami here-” you rub the head of the girl in question, who’s looking like she’s about to fall into a food coma- “who might be interested in learning how to wield magic. You know anyone that might be available for that kinda thing?”

She blinks. “Weeeellll, what kinda magic?”

You shrug. “I don’t know, I figured that’d be up to you.”

“No, no, I mean. Some folks have certain types of magic they can do, right?” Oh yeah, you’d forgotten about that. Your stuff, from what you can tell, is very malleable, which isn’t what everyone has. “I mean, there’s ways to tell- if they don’t know already. Hey, Tami?” the lamb pops her head up, if slowly. “You know how to tell what kind of magic you can do yet?”

“Uhh...ice magic? And the teacher said I might have a gift for uh...uh…” she blinks owlishly, thinking. “What’s the word for controlling stuff, again?”

“What, you mean telekinesis?” Kira asks, with frog-guy perking up a bit at that.

She shakes her head. “No, I mean...maybe? Like, I can’t move just anything, it’s just puppets. I haveta touch ‘em first, though. And think really really hard about wanting to move ‘em. It hurrrrts, though...”

“Huh. Well, that’s just called Puppetry, but funnily enough, I’m pretty sure Susie practices that. I dunno if she’d be good for tutoring, though, she’s...not the best people person.”

(cont)

>>4058612
Damn, one strikeout after another. “Antisocial, huh?”

Surprisingly, though, she shakes her head. “No, not antisocial. In fact, she loves going places and doesn’t mind being out and in public. She’s just…” Kira’s expression twists, clearly unsure how to phrase it. “Not good at social interaction? She’s very very morbid and has an...off-color sense of humor.”

“Fair. Well, I’m also looking for two others- robots, actually. Or maybe androids are the better term,” you muse. “Because at any rate, I’ve recently learned that they’ve got mana in them, so they’re capable of magic. Definitely want to start them on that path.”

Her eyebrows raise at that one. “Oh? Robots? That’s actually pretty wild. Hmmmm. I can look around though, if you really want.”

“Why not?” you figure. You quickly exchange contact details with her, and before you can get into any other discussions, Tami tugs on your arm. “Hm?”

“M’ sleepy. Them too.” She lazily points off to your other side- yup, pretty much all the kids are about out of it. Great…

You sigh. “I should probably get going, then. Gonna be rough getting them home.”

“Haha, no prob! Honestly, it was great to meet you!” Kira says cheerfully. “I’ll let you know if I get anything!”

Saying your farewells to the menagerie, you cobble together your brood and usher them out- you’re going to have to get clever to stop them from passing out on the street…

(only one for tonight due to business).

>>4058615
Night boss. Thanks for posting tonight.

>>4058615
One in each arm and Harp as a snek scarf.
Cheers boss, hope your commission works out

>>4058758
>One in each arm and Harp as a snek scarf.
Pile the other two on top of Harp, grab her tail and pretend we're pulling a sled

we can always call an Uber

>>4059541
Let's just call in a favor from dynamic methods in order to get a ride home

>>4059559
that's overkill. a taxi/uber will be way cheaper

>>4059541
Maybe it's time to spring for an actual car, and by spring for a car, I mean steal one during a mission.

Actually, maybe we could negotiate for one as part of any bonus pay we accrue on the next job... Would have been nice to have gotten a black bulletproof SUV from The Organization, but hindsight's 20/20.

>>4059799
>tfw we slowly but surely convert miranda into a mom.

>>4059799
Miranda is no mom! She's too no-nonsense for kid-work! Despite what the intersection kid-work stuff has shown! She's a bad-ass buttkicker!

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135 KB JPG

>>4060008
turns out this is miranda right now.

>>4060262
But...that movie sucked.

>>4060295
sorry, i don't remember any other movie that has a similar setup

>>4060295
That must be why they're not filming her life right this second.

>>4060808
or are they?

>>4060810
OOOoooOOOoooEEEooo

Boss is busy tonight, post pics of possible family wagons Miranda might consider. Wheels, treads, legs or antigrav, doesn't matter, as long as it could carry a family in style and withstand a direct hit from an RPG.

File: file.png (3.11 MB, 1400x990)

3.11 MB PNG

>>4063017
Gentlemen, I introduce to you the classic and comfy Kettenkrad. Not gonna survive a rocket anytime soon, but it does have style.

File: shadowrun_bmw_m8_muscle_c(...).png (291 KB, 1024x663)

291 KB PNG

I'm somewhat embarrassed that I had to dig through my old 4th ed Shadowrun files to find something reasonably presentable on the streets. Most of what I got were Mad Max style rat rods...

Christ, that was a while ago...

File: quad-picture.gif (228 KB, 864x471)

228 KB GIF

>>4063017

>>4063104
perfect

>>4063017
Someone post an 40k ork transport

Eventually, you wind up carting them physically- Harp was draped around your neck, Tami was under one arm, Noran was on your back, also around your neck (not that Harp seemed to mind), and you’re pretty sure Mewla found a spot in your hair somewhere.

It was rough getting them all inside, to say the least. You’d had to wake them up, and then they almost immediately fell back asleep once you got our their temporary bedding. You’d decided to stay up a bit to do a bit of searching around; you wanted to see how much work it’d set up to…

>Make some flyers and start throwing them about tomorrow for an open Outgoer position with an Outgoer company.
>Look into any timely job fairs and if it’d be good to get a booth at one. There’s usually one or two going on on any given day…
>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique.
>Other

(I think I might've contracted a bit of a curse. I'm pretty sure I have a nasal infection and it's giving a wicked nasty sinus headache I'm only just staving off.)

>>4065194
>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique.

Try a ginger-honey drink or tea, solved any and all problems related to the nose for me. Just drop some honey and lemon juice into a cup, add in some hot-warm water and sip that up. It should relieve the pain almost immediately.

>>4065211
oh yeah, and don't forget the ginger. Just cut it up into small pieces. Sugar optional.

>>4065194
>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique.
Yes!

>>4065211
>>4065215
Gonna try that. Thanks!

>>4065194
>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique.
Haven't had this since forever.

>>4065194
>>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique.

>>4065211
>>4065215
...Full disclosure, I was not expecting it to work quite as advertised.

>>4065194
>Set up a full-day training event tomorrow with everyone. The explicit goal being to knuckle down and focus on tangible improvement or a new technique

>>4065255
If it works then I'm happy then! Taking a cup of that everyday is my ritual, haven't had any red noses for a while now.

You want to know another thing? Slice up a bunch of ginger, drop them into a bowl that's large enough, pour some hot water in and dip your feet into that bowl for about 20-30 minutes before going to bed. Make sure the water is hot, but not TOO hot. Should help with sleeping too and prevent nose troubles.

>Run canceled due to desperate late night search for fresh ginger

>>4065211
>>4065225
>>4065230
>>4065235
>>4065281
It’s been some time since everyone’s trained together. A quick double check on the local net shows that everyone’s around and about- now is the best time you can think of to try to organize something. With the kids around as well, you can’t say they won’t have reason to try their best.

It’ll start in the morning, and you’ll send out a message to everyone under the SES banner. NOT optional or else...well, you’ll think of a punishment. Somehow.

Sleep takes you easily afterwards. When you wake up, you’re surprised to see Tami looking over the stove, the other three behind her looking on. She’s got eggs, a bowl, and some other things, and panic hits you for a moment, before you realize that she’s not caused any cooking disasters just yet. “Hey, hey hey hey! Back, shoo!” you quickly wave them away amdist ‘awww’ing as whatever travesty they were going to try to create is quickly stopped in their tracks…

After breakfast, however, you’re quick to usher them to HQ. “Got a full day today,” you mention. “More of yesterday, but today you’re going to be looking at everyone, so to speak.”

Sure enough, everyone seemed to have gotten your message. Izumi, Lorelei, Mono, Cylica, Owlia, Prima, and Jago are all present and accounted for. “Lass, you figure you really want alla us?” Jago asks. “Can’t we do it in shifts or somethin’?”

“No,” you quickly response. “Because we’re going to be working in pairs. Each of us are going to try a bit of tandem training; whether you want to expand your tricks or just get better at something you’ve been working on, the goal for today is a solid eight hours of workout.”

“EIGHT HOURS?!” Mono half yells. “You’re kiddin’? I haven’t worked out that much in ever!”

Lorelei, surprisingly, shrugs. “Eh. I mean, it’s been a while since I’ve pushed it for a whole day. Hate to admit it, but it’s probably a long time coming for me.”

“I’m more a flyer and thinker than a fighter,” Owlia admits. “But...I guess I DO need to stress-test my, uh, additions properly…”

“It’s been far too long since I’ve properly exercised myself,” Cylica agrees. “Although eight straight hours…”

“Well, it won’t be absolutely consistent,” Izumi points out, to which you nod. “It’s more like...2 hours, then a break, then 2 more hours, then another break, and so on. It IS intended to be intensive training- at least for more combat heavy magical girls. And even then she’s going easy on us by allowing us creative freedom in concepting new techniques and have that count to training.”

(cont)

>>4065448
“Wait, what ‘bout us?” Jago asks, motioning to himself and Prima. “We’re a lil’ less magic than the average, ‘member?”

Prima seems to take that question for herself. “Hmmm...perhaps it would just be good for us to log as much combat data as possible for future reference. I'm certain that with enough data, we can utilize those techniques once we discern how to draw forth mana in a consistent and intentional manner!”

“When I said this, I didn’t discount physical training, that’s fine. That said, I’m also looking into getting help for you guys with drawing your mana out in usable ways,” you mention. “Now…we’ll pair up, and then change pairs every hour, so as to figure out how to execute under different circumstances, whatever those might be...”

>TRAINING TIME

>Choose ONE skill per members to train with! Current Techniques are here: https://pastebin.com/u/MGFHQHandler
>Note: Prima and Jago have no specific techniques as of yet. They are currently unable to perform mana techniques, but can log examples and data of them to potentially use in the future.

Think of them as Blue Mages with style preferences.

>>4065453
This will take a while. By the way, you haven't updated the pastebin for a while Handler, should have a couple of new things.
I'm casting my vote for.

> Miranda: Mana Lasso/Tether + Mana Conductor
Should be versatile enough, and whoever gets hit by a concentrated Flux Wave through Mana Conductor won't be standing up for quite a while.

> Mono: Simple, basic Magiblast.
A basic ranged option for her.

> Lorelei : Me's A Crowd!
Lower the mana cost or strengthen the clones?

> Izumi : Experimental and Izumi-flavored Flux Wave.
She's lacking non-lethal CC options, for someone who's so keen on saving people. Obviously she won't be coming up with one from just a day of training, but this should give her a headstart.

Training pairs devised from above suggestions:
- Izumi/Miranda
- Lorelei/Mono
Obviously they'll swap out for others too, but this is the "main" pairs so to speak.

I don't have anything of note for O&C, because they'll flyers, by Owlia's words. The bots can't handle anything hard just yet, so maybe they should learn some tricks for disengagements?

>>4065494
> Prima/Jago: Sun Flare lite.
> Cylica : Mind Rewrite and general mind assault training on Miranda. Miranda can get in some mental protection training and exercise her mana tinfoil hat.
> Owlia : Bolt Shot multicast.
Can Owlia channel mana through her new dendrite arms? If so then we're good.

>>4065453
>Miranda
Mana Conductor - more utility

>Izumi
Spirit Slash - supposedly can be charged up to cut through buildings, yet we've never seen it and I have no idea why. Kinda assumed that she would treat this just like 'Randa treats charged magi-blasts.

>Lorelei
Magic limbs - find a way to use them in combat

>Mono
From Artificer Crossover:
>Hunter’s Blade: As Mono fights in combat, she sings a melody that increases her area awareness, reaction speeds, and sense of smell.
why would you skip this??? she's an enforcer, why do people want to shoehorn her into a pure support role?

>Owlia
Finish the Power Beam

>Cylica
Portal Creation - 'thinking with portals'

>Minibots
Learn how to use magical items

>>4065448
>Miranda
Shotgun punch. If we learned something last mission is that we need something that can eliminate a target close range that isn't the nebula buster.
>Izumi
Experimental and Izumi-flavored Flux Wave.
>Lorelei
Me's A Crowd! Lower the mana cost
>Mono
being able to change reality without singing.
>Owlia
>Finish the Power Beam
>Cylica
Mind Rewrite and general mind assault training on Miranda. Miranda can get in some mental protection training and exercise her mana tinfoil hat.
>Minibots
Learn how to use magical items

>>4065453
>Miranda
Shotgun punch
>Izumi
Experimental and Izumi-flavored Flux Wave
>Lorelei
Try to learn magi-beam.
It could be useful when she needs to get through a locked door which she can't unlock. And it can eventually be used as a combat option if/when she gets good enough at it.
>Mono
Hunter’s Blade
>Owlia
Power beam
>Cylica
Mind Rewrite
>Bots
Get data from Miranda. I'm hoping for Jago to learn how to combine shotgun punch with his hook attack.

>>4065453
>Miranda
Shotgun punch. I want Mana Conductor but we don't have high chance of getting it in one try. Plus SP is simpler and will see more action.
>Izumi
Experimental and Izumi-flavored Flux Wave
>Lorelei
Me's A Crowd.
>Mono
Hunter’s Blade
>Owlia
Nerd beeeeeam
>Cylica
Mind Rewrite, and mind assault training with Miranda.
>Bots
Learn how to use magical items. Shouldn't need a big mana pool for this.

>>4065448
>Miranda: Mana Conductor/Mana Tether
>Mono: Hunter’s Blade
>Izumi: Flux Wave, Izumi style
>Lorelei: Me’s a Croud, lower mana cost
>Owlia: Power Beam, maybe see if she could learn to channel spells through her octopack arms?
>Cylica: Mind Rewrite and Mind Assault training with Miranda
>Bots: Let’s see how well they can handle their new android bodies

>>4065453
>Miranda
Shotgun punch

>Izumi
Experimental and Izumi-flavored Flux Wave

> Mono: Simple, basic Magiblast.
Sounds good. Her spells are pretty huge and expensive and while she's alright with the plasma gun she might not always have it.

>Cylica
Portals. Think with more portals. Better portals. Smaller portals you can shank people through!

>Owlia
Power beam

>Lorelei
"Lights, Camera, Action!"
She's working on it with her therapy group but Miranda and Izumi are probably better at helping her use it in combat situations and under stress.

>Bots
I think they should observe, gather and process as much data as possible from the others. While the meatbags take breaks, the bots spar.

>>4066444
>Smaller portals you can shank people through!
why shank them when you can bifurcate them!

>>4065494
Really? Nuts. I'll have to see to that.

Anyway.

>Miranda: Shotgun Punch (Innovate)
>Izumi: Flux Wave (Innovate)
>Lorelei: Me's A Crowd (Lower Mana Cost)
>Mono: Hunter's Blade (Innovate)
>Owlia: Power Beam (Potency Increase)
>Cylica: Mind Rewrite (Potency Increase)
> Prima and Jago: Item/Focus Training.

Writing shortly. These'll come as a series of posts focusing on one character at a time so you can get a bit more out of it. Yeah, might take a bit, but it'll be worth it, hopefully.

Starting with Miranda. Writing!

>>4066860
Good luck then. Take your time!

>>4066860
>Miranda: Shotgun Punch
The way everything gravitates, you find yourself first up with Lorelei. “So, that’s how we’re doin’ it? Nothing super organized, then, huh?” she asks.

“Nah,” you say shaking your head. “There’s way too much difference in how all of us fight for anything like that. I trust you all to work on what you can yourself.”

She takes a bit of a boxing stance, throwing out a few punches. Seems she’ll be trying something physical, too? “So what’re you gonna work on?”

“Figured I could use something a bit more close range but with serious force. Magiblasts aren’t bad, but I need to work on rapid-energy buildup and release,” you opine out loud. “Something that doesn’t need to last for a while, just hit hard as shit for a moment.”

“Neat. I’m kinda doing the same. I wanna work on my grabby hands.” She manifests one in a wave, the gold hand mimicking her before it goes away just as quickly. “I figured it’d be great if I could make ‘em last more than a couple seconds at a time. So, any ideas for what you want?”

Seeing that, it gives you a bit of an idea. “Yeah...and I think we’ll be able to synergize workouts pretty well if I have this concept down…”

About two minutes later, you’re practicing throwing punches, with some magic force behind them- the idea is to push it out on impact, in a massive outward burst in a wide spread. Doesn’t need to hold together, but needs to be exceedingly fast and hot. Lorelei, for her part, is using your own skill to gauge her mana hands’ resiliency and staying power as she uses them like focus pads in a high intensity sparring exercise.

Initially, it proves a bit troublesome, with your timing off more than once. The blast, already mitigated by The Intersection, proves to be both a help and a hindrance in gauging approximate power, but you’ve done it before...although when you misaim a bit and nearly zing Lorelei herself (she quickly forgives you), you have to admit you’re thinking of maybe modifying it a bit already…

>Roll 1d10 and choose one:

>Modification Choice-
>Piercing Blow: Tighten your focus to make the Shotgun Punch pierce better, allowing you to deliver pinpoint shots to vital target areas easier.
>Wide Spread: Widen the initial mana net before the Shotgun Punch, to give it extra range, if perhaps at the cost of a bit of power.
>No, don't modify it yet.

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>4067058
>>Piercing Blow: Tighten your focus to make the Shotgun Punch pierce better, allowing you to deliver pinpoint shots to vital target areas easier.

Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>4067058
>Piercing Blow: Tighten your focus to make the Shotgun Punch pierce better, allowing you to deliver pinpoint shots to vital target areas easier.

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>4067058
>Piercing Blow: Tighten your focus to make the Shotgun Punch pierce better, allowing you to deliver pinpoint shots to vital target areas easier.

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>4067058
>Piercing Blow: Tighten your focus to make the Shotgun Punch pierce better, allowing you to deliver pinpoint shots to vital target areas easier.
You know what's almost as deadly as a hit to the heart or to the head? The liver.
Everyone guards their faces on instinct, same to their chest. But a good liver shot will knockout or kill just any seasoned fighters.

>>4067074
that won't matter as much if we create a clean hole through whatever we punch.

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>>4067102
It will matter if it's something like an armored titan or a GIANT ENEMY CRAB

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158 KB GIF

>>4067133
for a giant enemy crab you need a walker that can shoot backwards, you dummy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW58gVNemxg

>>4067058
>>4067060
>>4067067
>>4067072
>>4067074
“Alright, lemme try to adjust that…” The idea of maybe putting a little more oomph into it doesn’t sound bad; you’ll have to aim precisely, and you’ll likely not be able to use this if a friendly is on the other side, but the immediate results should be well worth it if and when it connects on whoever’s unlucky enough to be on the receiving end of it. You’ve still got plenty of time, and with the basics already down, the rest of the day can be for fine-tuning...ah, wait.

“Alright, let’s take a breather!” you call out. “No one’s leaving HQ, either. That’s what the break room is for. When we get back to it, we’ll change partners!”

>Shotgun Punch Developed!
>Cost: 250 Mana
>A high-powered burst of dense mana, concentrated on the end of your fist. It’s executed point blank and focused, allowing for high penetration that’ll punch a nice, fist sized hole in likely anything short of magically reinforced or scientifically advanced materials. The rapid intake and expenditure of high-density mana means it’ll drain you a bit to use as opposed to magiblasts. Especially if you use it rapid-fire.

>Izumi

It’s been some time since you’ve had a good, long training session- particularly with friends. It’s long overdue, even. Your skills, though sharpened through years of dedicated use, are still shallow in their number. You’ve had little reason to deviate from this, but should jobs involving numerous aggressors continue like your recent streak, you’ve come to figure it might be good to develop more area-focused techniques. Miranda has something of the right idea about this, to tell the truth. And so you think it might be a good idea to take a page from her book. In this case, perhaps a less violent one, mind…

“So what’s the point here for you?” Owlia asks. The girl is an...odd one, but she’s not bad company. “I’m just trying to improve the efficiency of my beam, which might more involve fine-tuning my crystal...that I still don’t have a name for,” she crosses her eyes trying to look up at her forehead. “Not unless I’m not getting something right with the execution…”

“Perhaps,” you say. “And truthfully...you might well recognize what I’m attempting to learn. You witnessed it once before, I believe you’ll recall.”

“Hm?” She seems confused. “Mind givin’ me a better hint?”

“Why, the technique that got you interested in us in the first place- or at least so said Miranda,” you hint. Honestly, you’d partially forgotten her origins until now…

“Wha...oh. OH!” she lights up in sheer scientific interest...at least, you think. “You mean the destabilization field?!”

“It’s actually preliminary a disabling technique for...more hardy targets,” you explain. “It’s true intent is to essentially throw off an individual’s physical and magical equilibrium to a point that causes physical sickness and mana incompetency. It has a given range and effect, and Miranda’s yet to truly find a way to tone it down, you see.”

(cont)

>>4067211
“Wait, wouldn’t that be a bit dangerous to do here, then?” Owlia notes.

You nod; that’s exactly the point. “Just so. I feel I need a similar technique in my arsenal, in order to deal with a high volume of individuals. However, I’d rather not be so...indiscriminate. Instead, I believe I can perhaps use my skill at mana manipulation to perhaps do something a bit less...wild, but with similar results. I think you’d be helpful with that, actually.”

“Oh yeah? In a way other than a test dummy?” she snarks.

You have the good grace to blush. “Well, yes, actually...although perhaps both would be more apt. B-but not to worry, I can help heal your illness rather quickly! Here now, just- let me explain a bit, I know the theory behind the technique, but as for ideas for modification I'd had...”

>Roll 1d100, best of three, and choose one:

>Cone of Discord: A somewhat destabilized, yet consistent burst of mana that, optimally, should result in select organic targets weakening in both physical and magical coherency over time. A concentrated exposure should lead to unconsciousness...but best not to leave it on them too long.
>Chaotic Wave: A scrambled wave of mana all too similar to the ocean’s own, that should be able to strike anyone in front of you, even at distance. If they do, the instability of the mana washing over them should essentially shortcircuit their ability to use mana outright for a while- although your focus on mana interaction means physical health is another story.
>Yomi-no-kuni: It’ll take a LOT out of you, but if this works...then such a bubble of utterly chaotic mana means that anything that even tries to breach it’s boundaries won’t just be repelled or blocked, but outright negated; perhaps even strengthening your own reserves. But this is way too much to NOt focus entirely on- using your mana in a standard way AND executing this? Not happening.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>4067215
>Cone of Discord: A somewhat destabilized, yet consistent burst of mana that, optimally, should result in select organic targets weakening in both physical and magical coherency over time. A concentrated exposure should lead to unconsciousness...but best not to leave it on them too long.
360 spamable AOE, what's not to love.

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>4067215
>>Chaotic Wave: A scrambled wave of mana all too similar to the ocean’s own, that should be able to strike anyone in front of you, even at distance. If they do, the instability of the mana washing over them should essentially shortcircuit their ability to use mana outright for a while- although your focus on mana interaction means physical health is another story.

>>4067219
Full disclosure, it's more a horizontal cone if you interpreted differently. Starts thin and then widens out.

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>4067215
>>Yomi-no-kuni: It’ll take a LOT out of you, but if this works...then such a bubble of utterly chaotic mana means that anything that even tries to breach it’s boundaries won’t just be repelled or blocked, but outright negated; perhaps even strengthening your own reserves. But this is way too much to NOt focus entirely on- using your mana in a standard way AND executing this? Not happening.
...can't really say not to a "fuck you and your spells" bubble.

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>4067215
>Cone of Discord: A somewhat destabilized, yet consistent burst of mana that, optimally, should result in select organic targets weakening in both physical and magical coherency over time. A concentrated exposure should lead to unconsciousness...but best not to leave it on them too long.

>>4067215
>Cone of Discord: A somewhat destabilized, yet consistent burst of mana that, optimally, should result in select organic targets weakening in both physical and magical coherency over time. A concentrated exposure should lead to unconsciousness...but best not to leave it on them too long.
This hits both of their magic and strength.

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>>4067226

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>>4067234
Well, she ain't gonna develop a Flux Wave technique from just one day. but she got the hang of it for sure.

>>4067234
a 68 is almost a 70 and a 70 is almost a 91, so its fine.

Cone of Discord it is.

Writing!

>>4067215
>>4067219
>>4067221
>>4067223
>>4067226
>>4067228
You’re...gaining a bit more respect for how Miranda managed to pull this off at all. For the next two hours straight you’re mostly just trying to figure out how to even get the principle technique to work. Making mana expend in a conical shape isn’t that bad, no, but it’s the whole ‘destable energy while in a stable shape’ bit that’s proving an issue. You have to imagine Miranda was particularly persistent with how she got essentially what she wanted with the Flux Wave over time. Still, you’re just as persistent.

Owlia, for her part, is providing at least some interesting theorycrafting as she works on increasing the power to her own beam technique. You’re certain she can do so without severe danger to herself- although you DO suspect that unlike yourself and the other magical girls, what she’ll be able to output at a time will have a hard cap thanks to the limited energies her crystal can output. Regardless, she helps with your own skill simply by providing outside the box suggestions to keep its shape. She mentions ‘warbling on the surface of water’, which somehow is what helps it to click. At the moment...well, it’s not exactly going to make anyone anything more than slightly uncomfortable (and that’s when you can keep the thing coherent instead of just dissipating), but then, that’s what practice is for, is it not? And you’ll need a lot of practice with this one…

>Cone of Discord (Prototype)
>Mana Usage: High
>Little more than a jiggling, vaguely cone-shaped mass of mana that can perhaps give someone a mild feeling of vertigo at absolute best. Provided they get stuck in it for longer than a few seconds- and that the technique doesn’t break apart after a couple of seconds. Still, the more you use it, the more useful this’ll get.

>Lorelei

“Right, next!” You’re kinda feeling good about this. You’ve been working up a real sweat today. Although keeping more than one clone going is tough, you’ve gotta figure out a way to make them more viable. Grabby hands was good for a warmup, but it’s high time for the meat and potatoes of training today. “C’mon, J, we’re gonna get you all magicified in no time!”

“Eeeeh, not so sure I wanna be on tha’ receivin’ end of a whompin’, mind…but it does gimme a thought,” Jago hazards. He’s seen you up close and personal, so yeah, yeah, maybe he’s a bit nervous. Silly. “Me an’ Pri jus’ kinda figured we’d get ta usin’ morea those tools o’ yours what need mana, get used ta that. Figured Birdy’s crystals would be choice fer it, so we asked an…” He holds up a Defense Shard. “Mebbe see if this thing’s worth it?”

“Yeah! Sounds like a plan!” You’d just send a couple clones to wack at it, see if there was any way you might be able to construct them tighter, or something...less mana waste, in general. also might be a good idea to make sure that you’d have something on hand to restore yourself...this’ll be a trial and a half.

>1d20, best of three.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>4067359

shit...ignore that I forgot to post the rest. Options coming up.

>>4067366
Do we still count the 18?

>>4067359

By the time 'Randa's calling for a break again, you've gotten a couple ideas on how to fix your little exhaustion problem...sorta. Kinda. Okay, maybe you just got some new ideas in general, but still!

>1d20, best of three AND choose one:

>Understudies: A prototype modification to Me's A Crowd that more than halves the cost of the clones, but also halves their durability; you suspect they'd go down in a hard hit or two now. Still, it allows you to spam the heck outta them, and sometimes one or two distractions is all that's needed! You can flood a place with so many of you! Great for intimidation, you imagine.
>Stunt Double: Quality over quantity is the play! A single clone that can take more than few hits- more importantly, IT should be able to Copycat as well, meaning you have a way to infiltrate places without even technically setting foot if you're careful...although it takes a bit more mana than an ordinary clone to let it do that. Like...two times more. Still less than a threespot of normal clones, mind...and waay more durable.

>>4067384
>>4067364
>Stunt Double

>>4067377
I s'pose, but just the once since it was my mistake.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>4067384
>Stunt Double: Quality over quantity is the play! A single clone that can take more than few hits- more importantly, IT should be able to Copycat as well, meaning you have a way to infiltrate places without even technically setting foot if you're careful...although it takes a bit more mana than an ordinary clone to let it do that. Like...two times more. Still less than a threespot of normal clones, mind...and waay more durable.

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>4067384
>Stunt Double: Quality over quantity is the play! A single clone that can take more than few hits- more importantly, IT should be able to Copycat as well, meaning you have a way to infiltrate places without even technically setting foot if you're careful...although it takes a bit more mana than an ordinary clone to let it do that. Like...two times more. Still less than a threespot of normal clones, mind...and waay more durable.

>>4067384
>>4067387
>>4067395
>>4067396

It takes some time and more than a few slipups, but you’re starting to get the hang of reinforcing a single clone instead of relying on a few half-decent ones. There’s a stabilization issue, and you’re having a time making sure it can still move as fluidly as you, but it smashes against Jago’s (admittedly flimsy) shield well enough, and it’s not faltering when it does stay stable, so that’s good. If all goes well, you should have the swing of this by the end of the day...in a few days, maybe. Still, you’ve gotten the main idea down- you can’t wait until you end up fighting someone with a clone and then they ‘seem’ to kill you or something and then next then they know SURPRISE! It wasn’t even the real you at all. So they’ll have a knife in their back wondering ‘wait, if that wasn’t her, then who…?’ Haa. Cool death scene in the making

>Me's A Crowd: Stunt Double (Prototype)
>Cost: 2500 Mana.
>You can create a single clone that's a spitting image of you, not to mention you can Copycat a disguise and project it onto the clone as well. It takes concentration to give it orders, kind of like remote controlling something, but aside from that and it not having access to anything other than basic Fireworks, it can fight in a similar manner to the real deal. It's not quite as tough, however, and it can't speak yet, but it's still stable enough to make someone think you've just got a glass jaw.

Maybe you’ll be able to figure out something more later, but for now, you can’t say that you’re unhappy with your progress!

(Ending for tonight.)

Thanks for running!

Could have had Unlimited Lori Works but noooo Anon had to go and be a square. Guess the Intersection just wasn't ready for the insanity

I wonder if this is a good moment to introduce Gartoum?

Checking in, saying hi, and hoping you all got my tweet about the new (ugh) schedule.

So many people have been fucking up at work the hammer's coming down on everyone like it or not.

>>4072576 weekend warriors a-go-go

>>4072576
That's rough, boss... Hopefully your workplace can catch up soon.

See you on the weekend!

>>4072576
Oh well, we've done this before. Pretty sure I can slow down for 2 weeks or 3.

New thread up!

>>4076277
>>4076277
>>4076277