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Your journey west has brought you to a valley shrouded by a heavy, rancid mist, belched forth by the innumerable organic vents that dot the surrounding terrain. Your chitinous armor’s filtering out the worst of it, and as you glance upwards the suggestion of viciously barbed calcite cliffs loom over you, their full height obscured by the haze. They’re a scar that runs for countless miles from north to south, their cruel peaks regularly shifting of their own accord to rearrange not only their overland paths but also the tunnels that weave beneath the intimidating range.

It only took a minute or two for the fog to conceal the thing that had dispersed it with a few wingbeats only moments before. To your rear roosts a colossal beast, an Apocalypse Class amalgam whose passing presence nearly annihilated the city of Laoc, and whose vaguely avain shape can now only be barely glimpsed as it sits atop the mountain range further north. To the south, however...

The girl before you stares distantly into the fog, her eyes intent on something only she can see as the cracks around her sockets flicker an eerie amethyst. An oversized hoodie hangs loose on her petite frame, her ivory graves the only hint at the full suit of calcite armor she wears beneath.

[Gina, what’re we dealing with?] You ask, voice echoing in her mind as you dare not let sound be the thing that gives you away.

{A massacre, with the lone survivor gone Hunger-mad} Comes her weary answer as she glances back at you, her Neuromancy’s effects receding from her gaze. {Same shit, different day, babe}

“Are we gonna fight? I wanna try out what I’ve been practicing!” The child by your side whispers conspiratorially, her cat-like ears perking up. Amara’s bouncing on her toes, one hand on the bone-barrow sheath fused to the underside of her right arm as her fingers play along the sword’s hilt. A quiet huff reminds you of the fourth member of your scouting party. Francine’s white lab coat ripples in the foul breeze, her hands thrust into its pockets as the gears turn behind the older woman’s studious eyes.

“Your thoughts?” You offer quietly as she draws near.

“We need to proceed cautiously, or not at all. Unnecessary combat in this sort of terrain is ill-advised.” She whispers back, glancing up at the mountain’s profile. “We still have either the overland paths or the tunnels available to us.”

“Or we could fight!” Amara reminds you with a grin, your little one’s bloodlust a little disconcerting to say the least.

>>Take the tunnels, avoiding unnecessary conflict.

>>Start along the mountain paths before the range shifts again.

>>Engage the Hunger-mad Daughter—you’re not leaving a threat like that slive to hurt someone else.

>>Check in with November before you proceed to see if they’ve found a way over the mountains to the North.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Hello Everyone—I hope you had a pleasant weekend, and it’s good to be back. Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in approximately four.)

(Monday was a complete wash, so I'll be updating the character sheets tonight with the proper level maximums for the Halo Hybrids, and thank you for bringing that to my attention.)

>>5004036
>>Check in with November before you proceed to see if they’ve found a way over the mountains to the North.
>> Let Gina check out the Hunger mad daughter. If she thinks that she is weak enough for you to easily take care of you might as well get rid of her and safe her from the suffering she must be going through.

>>5004040
Sure i had a good weekend. Nearly murdered my party with Goblins. Only some last ditch negotiation saved them from a full party wipe by a Hobgoblin Mage. The Mage though ti would be best to just let them go as long as they were not going to warn the close by village of their plan to raid it for Slaves and ressources.. needless to say my players ran as far as they could for now. That village got the hell raided out of it by hobgoblins and Centaurs

>>5004036
>>5004050
ill support this.

>>5004040
sorry but not surprised about Monday.
my weekend was good enough, hope yours was well too.

>>5004036
Seconding these votes:
>>5004050

Reconnaissance is the best option right now. Before we make any choices, let's see how strong this daughter is. If we can take her on, we'll prevent her from hurting anybody else and give her some peace.

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>>5004040
Weekend was nice, somewhat. Monday absolutely murdered me as it had with you. 9.5 hours of non-stop work, and apparently that was just dealing with the station's usual clients with no additional workload from the other stations. I dread tomorrow and the upcoming weeks.

I plan on spending time today to hammer out cradleton and push closer to finishing the goddamn book on that story. The muse has been playing that story scenario in my head never-ending and yet the details as to how to find the path to the proper conclusion elude me.

I do have a question however bhop, given the nature and circumstances of life, are we going to be seeing more intermission threads in the future?

>>5004036
Supporting >>5004040

Ah, once more we consider whether it's worth it to fight a big muscly super-mutant. It's Shu's defining life experience.

>>5004117
Hey man. i think you might have linked the wrong post.... unless you want OP to decide it think

I don't want to cause offense just saying. it happend to me as well once or twice

>>5004089
Sorry to hear work is breaking you down and i hope that the Cradleton muse stays with you for a while more.

>>5004127
Yes I did, thank you for catching that. Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night, I've been kind of bombed-out today. Had these awful anxiety attacks, going into this constant panic mode any time my attention wavered. Kept me up late.

>>5004036
Supporting >>5004050

Also, should we get Amara to ask the fleshscape about this lady, or are we worried that would make noise that would draw her attention?

>>5004033
>>5004040
also one more thing.... is it intended that i can not see Novembers Stat Sheet or is the Crunch for her just not finished right now?

>>5004050
(Oh, that sounded like a fun session. I'm glad your weekend went well!)

>>5004070
(It was fairly relaxing, though it all feels like a blur, somehow.)

>>5004089
( I wish you the best with work, and I'm glad you're writing more on Cradleton!)

(To answer your intermission question, I would say that some more side stories are quite likely. Did you have something in mind?)

>>5004138
(Hey, I hope you can get some well-deserved rest some time soon.)

>>5004190
(The Crunch(TM) is not done for her yet, but it's next on my list. Then it's on to re-tooling Shu's swarmling cheat sheet and integrating it directly into the character sheets.)

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>>5004036

[Keep an eye on that Daughter and see what you can find out. If you think we can take her without too much issue, then we will—I don’t want her hurting anyone else] You say to Gina over your empathic tether, ruffling Amara’s hair with a sigh. [I’m going to reach out to November to see if her team’s figured a way over or under these cliffs. Francine stays with you, I’ll hang back a bit with Amara]

Taking your young ward by the hand, you nod to the good doctor as you pass, making a bit of distance before your hive buzzes with activity. The onyx plates that run along the length of your spine and the width of your shoulders vibrate for a moment before a Commling scurries out from beneath a chitinous hinge, crawling up your neck before nestling against your ear.

“November, do you copy? Have you all made any headway against our mountain situation?” You say, staring out into the undulating haze before a welcome voice reaches your ear.

“Loud and clear, Queen Bee.” The cyborg replies brusquely...though you don’t recall when and where code names were getting handed out. “Rachel and Dorian think we can scale the cliffs if we take it easy. Orwell’s gotten us some data on how and when they shift, so we’re just waiting out the next change to make sure it’s accurate. Also, did you see the-?“

“Amalgam that hit Laoc? Yeah, we did…and someone here was rearing to go give it a piece of her mind.”

“N-not any *more*.” Your little one protests, puffing out her cheeks indignantly.

“M-hm. Anyway, let me know how things shake out with that data, and tell...hold on a sec.”

A second commling’s scrambled out from your hive to latch onto your other ear, the pair resembling a pair of chitinous headphones as another voice spars to life in your ear…it’s a welcome one, if a bit unexpected.

“Shu, c-can you hear me? Do you have a sec t-to catch up?”

“Julia? Yeah, how are you doing?” You say, a smile creeping across your face.

“Things have b-been really busy, but all I n-need is a literal second. I have a f-friend here who’s a Neuromancer, and she’s going to link us up real quick so I can f-fill you in, okay?”

“Hello! This is Andromeda, and I’m very honored!” Chimes in a second voice, as enthusiastic as it is breathless. “I’ve heard so much about you, and Julia here has been so incredibly welcome-oh! Oh, right! Sorry sorry, here you go!”

Your mind’s eye suddenly blossoms with cosmic light, stellar blues and purple starlight carrying with them a torrent of information. It takes shape as thoughts that aren’t your own, Julia and this Andromeda girl’s experiences over an eventful few hours. From the Relic crisis in Laoc, to this artificial Daughter known as Pino, to…

…to something that runs a chill up your spine.

“…I see. You’ve been busy, Julia.”

(Continued)

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>>5004264

“I’m s-sorry if this was a lot.” Your friend begins apologetically as the information churns between your ears. “I know you’re probably busy, I j-just didn’t want to sit on-“

“Julia, it’s fine. No need to apologize, since this is exactly the sort of thing I need to know sooner than later…Andromeda, was it?” You ask, turning your attentions to your Artisan’s new friend. “The pleasure’s mine, and thank you for sending over what you did. Your research is something I’d like to discuss with you at length once we have the time, if you’re open to it.”

“Oh absolutely! I wanted to pick your brain to backtrack and see at what point in time the phenomenon began with your te-“

{Shu, we got company}

“…Lovely. Gonna have to cut this short, you two.” You sigh bitterly as Gina’s alert flickers through your mind. “Andromeda, we’ll talk either through here or in person, you have my word. Julia? It’s great to hear your voice, and you just keep being amazing, okay?”

“Okay. Please b-be safe, Shu.”

With that, you turn your attention back to the leader of your north-bound team who’s been waiting patiently while you go about juggling plates, as usual. “November, we may have a situation here. Nothing we can’t handle, so keep at it on your end and I’ll touch base later.”

“ Yes Ma’am.” She replies, and you can practically visualize her swift salute as you focus back to Gina.

{Band of Daughters incoming} She reports in advance of your unspoken question. {Thirteen strong. Seems they came down from the cliffs, and it looks like they’re prepping an ambush on the Hunger-mad one. Solid tactics, even power distribution, and decently leveled. There’s a Neuromancer hanging back and directing everything, but they haven’t noticed us yet on account of the fog}

[You think they’re strong enough to take her down without casualties?]

{Yeah, they’re...wait. Oh, no way} She says, realization dawning across your empathic bond. {The Neuromancer, I know her. Calliope. She was one of my followers when I used to stream, we used to video chat. She was really nice, actually}

[Trustworthy?] You ask, the one-word interrogative hanging between you both with a moment’s hesitation.

{Yeah. Yeah, I think so. Or she was, at least—the Crucible changes people} Gina answers ruefully.

[Sometimes for the better] You offer, sensing some of her doubts trickling across the wire despite her best efforts.

>>Let Calliope’s team handle the Daughter before making your presence known…you want to see how she and her team act when they think they’re alone.

>>Have Gina commune with Calliope before her team strikes; if you offer your help, maybe you can eliminate the risk of any of her team getting hurt.

>>Double-back north. Calliope’s team clearly knows the mountain and its surrounding terrain…and you have the sneaking suspicion that’s not necessarily a good thing.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in approximately four.)

>>5004267
>Let Calliope’s team handle the Daughter before making your presence known…you want to see how she and her team act when they think they’re alone.
>But be prepared to jump in if they look like they underestimated their opponent. nothing too overt, just eyes peeled and powers twitching.

im sure its fine, but for one, no reason to be greedy, they might really need this kill. and plus, if they do turn out to be a sour bunch, least for once we'll know what we're up against.
best case though we just introduce ourselves after and be on our merry way(as them coming from the opposite direction means most likely they have other places to be.)

>>5004267
Supporting >>5004280
they might see us as aggressors or might just botch their plan if they make contact...
they might also feel threatened but in that case we can just back off.

>>5004197
It was fun. Later my players negotiating with a Demi Fey, that believes herself to be a godqueen, wa also fun they did not even ask her why exactly she wanted the items of her family line.

The one player that did question the motives of that queen came later when it was pretty much to late. The bargain had been struck and as as such she saw no need to negotiate another rate just for one person

>>5004267
>FuzzBuzz diplomacy? Spawn a Fuzzbuzz that innocently flies about the area. How they'll react to Fuzzbuzz's presence will give us lots of information.

>>5004267
Wow, a group of thirteen Daughters. Either this is multiple bands coming together, or Calliope's done well for herself in a leadership role.

>>Let Calliope’s team handle the Daughter before making your presence known…you want to see how she and her team act when they think they’re alone.
>>Write-In
>Make subtle preparations to intervene if they need help.
>If they notice us, try to defuse tensions and convince them we're not waiting to ambush them by sending out a FuzzBuzz to communicate with.

>>5004443
Either that or Calliope's bound to be presented as a Foil to Shu in the Leadership archetype. That's what my hunch is telling me.

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>>5004267

“Everyone—we’re going to let Calliope’s team handle the Daughter, but be prepared on Gina’s signal to jump in if it looks like they’re on their back foot…and *only* then.” You hastily add, gently placing your hand on Amara’s and re-sheathing her calcite blade, already halfway out of its scabbard.

“GG, mind linking all of us up so we can get front-row seats?” You ask, and a nod’s all it takes for you, Amara, and Francine to be drawn into Gina’s mind, your eyes’ inputs replaced with her own.

You focus, seeing through Gina’s eyes…and you watch the scene unfold.

The Hunger-mad Daughter’s a sight to behold; a Fibromancer’s power run rampant, a woman around Francine’s apparent age is subsumed, her howls of blind rage cut short when red strands wrap around her face. Her entire form is grossly exaggerated as her fibrous armor continues to multiply, even as she scrambles to devour the bodies around her…

…but meanwhile, your girlfriend’s line of sight is locked on Calliope, the Neuromancer’s medium-length hair flowing behind her as she rides a chimeric Unnatural Predator into battle, the Daughter’s set of six powerful limbs carrying her close to the ground as both mount, rider, and supporting cavalry effortlessly maneuvering around the billowing vents. The Neuromancer conducts her allies with arms free of skin or muscle; in their place are floating bundles of nerves, hovering just above charred bones that move with the practiced skill of a conductor.

A single Daughter breaks the formation with a wave of Calliope’s hand; a masculine figure with a sharp jaw and determined eyes takes point, a classic sword and shield tearing themselves free from their creator’s arm and sliding seamlessly into their resolute grasp. A pair of Humoral Paladins leap to the Armorer’s aid, a torrent of scarlet blood and brackish ichor surging into a marbled suit or armor that envelops the warrior just as they drive their blade deep into the side of the ravenous behemoth. The maddened Daughter’s howl of pain and fury is cut short, a slight figure appearing from the fog as her oversized forearms siphon the Daughter’s scream and turn it into sonic artillery. The massive holes in the slender girl’s arms flare open, the resultant blast reducing the Fibromancer’s legs to a red mist that’s instantly dispersed by the Flesh Artisan moving in from the rear with terrifying speed. Resembling more a featureless mannequin than a living being, three expertly-placed strikes against their communal foe’s side render her back a glossy, featureless expanse that’s swiftly and effortlessly shattered by a dodge-and-sweep of the Armorer’s buckler…and it’s in that moment that you realize something.

This is not a fight.

This is a dismantling.

(Continued)

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>>5004601

It’s over in seconds, the Fibromancer’s last defiant howl cut short when the Armorer thrusts their blade through her exposed throat. A twist, a swipe, and it’s done; the woman’s head cleanly removed at the base. A brutal mercy of the kind you’ve gotten used to granting.

The surrounding Daughters simply stand at silent attention once their foe’s been vanquished, with Calliope dismounting from her multi-limbed mount and bounding over to the bloody pile. She inspects it with a sigh, shaking her head before spinning on her heel and clapping her hands together with a smile.

“Great job, everyone! You were just amazing, yeah?” She declares with a charming smile, skipping over to the Armorer as she reaches up and cups the taller Daughter’s face with her skeletal hands. “Kris, you were freaking *baller* out there, you hear me? And Tina!”

Calliope bounces over to the sound-based Generator, hugging her tightly. “Absolutely KILLER move there, girl! Just…god, everyone did a great job! Kinda wish we’d gotten to all…”

“…this…” She says, gesturing at the shredded carcasses around her. “…before stringbean here wigged out, but if they couldn’t keep it together long enough for us to even lead them over the mountain, then they’d be screwed on the other side anywho. SO! Take five everybody, and eat what you gotta to keep up your strength, ‘kay? I’ll keep watch!”

At that, the twelve other Daughters begin picking through the corpses as Calliope stands guard, her eyes flickering with golden light, the nerve fibers along her arms suddenly standing on end like organic antennae, lashing at the air. She’s dressed simply; a worn hoodie cut at the bottom to show off a pair of high-waisted shorts, long legs surprisingly unarmored…you expect she may not need it, given how well-oiled her team appears to be.

“Yeah, uh…I think they’re good, babe.” Gina mutters, blinking once as your vision swims back to its normal state, with Amara exaggeratedly rubbing her eyes with her clenched fists. “Sounds like she and her crew’s leading people over the cliffs…so, do you wanna say ‘hello’?”

“Do you?” You ask, sensing her hesitation.

“It’s up to you.” She shrugs. “I can take the lead if you want, but I haven’t talked to her in forever. She seems okay, so I like our chances.”

“I liked the decapitation.” Amara adds, helpfully.

“I know, sweetie.”

“It was pretty.”

“…I…yeah, sweetie.” You sigh as Francine stares at Amara with trepidation.

>>Introduce yourself personally…but just yourself, leaving your allies to hang back in case things go south.

>>You and Gina will go introduce yourselves, with Gina taking the lead. It’s her friend, after all.

>>Fuzzbuzz diplomacy is best diplomacy; send a fuzzy little ambassador out there while you and the others stay at the ready.

>>Turn back and rendezvous with November and the others.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume tomorrow morning at 10AM, Eastern time. Thank you all for your enthusiasm and participation, and I wish you a restful evening one and all.)

>>5004604
no no, Amara, battles are COOL and STYLISH, not pretty. pretty is getting into creepy territory.

vote;
>You and Gina will go introduce yourselves, with Gina taking the lead. It’s her friend, after all.
>But send a Fuzzbuzz down ahead of you as you make your way down, to give them a cute little preemptive 'hello'. maybe he can do a dance for them too.

I get being weary of them but not really our style. or more importantly, if they're decent we dont want to put them on edge or make them wonder why we would hide behind a construct, cute bee or not.

>>5004610
>>5004604
We're gonna need to teach Amara a pretty good lesson about having "The Rationality to maintain Discretion", but given the experiences that Amara has had over her lifetime since waking up in the Crucible, we're gonna need to weave it carefully in a way that guides her growth to not be that much of a nightmare fetishist. If we bring the world back to pre-crucible times, Amara will have a very hard time adjusting to the culture shock.

>>5004622
it may be too late for her by this point.
so long as she doesn't try to wear literal meat dresses(as in, looks like actual steaks stapled into a dress), then we can at least say we didn't outright fail.

>>5004604
Supporting >>5004610

>>5004622
The way I see it, Amara can love weird and creepy things as much as she wants. But when she starts finding brutal violence pretty that's a problem. We need to focus her passion away from "yay, violence!" and more towards things like finding the squirmy Pyre Ant larvae cute or the joy of playing with an N-dimensional space dog. At most she should be appreciating a fight from the standpoint of being stylish and cool, like >>5004610 said, not because it's pretty to see heads cut off.

>>5004638
yeah im not outright against her being into esoteric stuff but theres a line between keeping animals preserved in jars or having some skeleton mock ups, and thinking seeing a head of someone suffering being cut off as pretty.

the main problem is the context. its a person who has lost thier mind and is suffering and just ate their friends. it should seem tragic and maybe at worst disgusting, not pretty, to see that go down, which is probably what angle we should come at this at.
explain why WE dont find it pretty, not tell her she shouldn't think its pretty.

>>5004633
>it may be too late for her by this point.
>so long as she doesn't try to wear literal meat dresses(as in, looks like actual steaks stapled into a dress), then we can at least say we didn't outright fail.
Then how will/are we going to do to help her adjust to the sudden change in lifestyle?

I love Amara as she is as a child, and I do realize she is in some degree, growing up in a hostile environment.

Much of the main lessons that we've taught her so far and the things we've done is take her to fights, told tales of good v. Evil, tales of adventure, diplomacy stuff, why holding grudges could harm you if you hold it in too long...but we failed to teach her the value and rationality of maintaining a sense of discretion. And some of those lessons that we've taught her, she may have misinterpreted to suit her own viewpoint. By the time she learns that essential realization of having that rationality for discretion, I fear it would come at a disastrous cost. And that lesson would be one she may not take well.

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>>5004606
oh, missed this was the last of the day, my bad.
you have a good night BHOP, and hope your dreams are full on Mondays you have off.

>>5004638
>>5004633
Yes I get that she finds the brutality pretty, given her pre-crucible past of watching babysitters play Devil May Cry and having an Alien Samurai Mall cop in her head teaching her ninja/samurai lessons, it's part of the main reason why I wanted to teach Amara the rationale of maintaining discretion.

>>5004641
Should we spend this upcoming update on giving Amara a bit of a lesson on Mama Shu's take on the fight? We could use FuzzBuzz to initiate diplomacy while taking the time aside to try and connect with Amara on her viewpoints. Ask her why she finds the brutality pretty and give our honest opinion on the matter. That way we can rein in Amara's enthusiasm abit and guide her growth a bit more for the adoptive mom/daughter time during the trip.

>>5004658
see, its one of those things where i understand and dont disagree with the need and want to talk to her about this, but the timing just feels off. If we're going to talk to these girls, it fits us better to do it in person and do it now, over shunting them aside to talk to Amara.

assuming they dont attack us or drag us into some convoluted nonsense, we can probably talk to Amara on the trek over the mountain.

>>5004645
as for lessons and such, sadly i think adjustment is a post-game Shu problem. this just isnt at all an environment to get her used to that in, at best if we left her at home or in a settlement, which im positive she would not like at all.
my first thought is we may just have to hope and nurture the genuine caring side we know she has, and hope that part at least keeps her doing things for the right reasons, other issues aside.
she honestly takes after Rath more than anyone, now that i think on it. kind strange as i actually feel like on-screen time at least they haven't had the most, though i could be remembering wrong. might mean Raths better at handling this than us though, i dunno. or also could just mean if we let Rath be Rath, why worry about Amara being Amara? or maybe maybe too those two thoughts also aren't exclusive.

>>5004668
Fair points anon. Fair points.

>>5004641
We could try to relate it to Amara through the lens of Dream Daughters. After all, anyone you kill and eat has the potential to go on to become a friend. She's friends with all the people she's eaten, isn't she? So if they're someone who could be a friend, that means that they deserve some level of empathy. You can take pride in a fight well fought, you can admire another fighter's work, but always remember that you're still dealing with people. This isn't just some monster to be slain, it's a person like you. If their end has to be a bloody one, don't linger over how pretty it is.

>>5004658
Maybe after we've introduced ourselves. We can talk to Amara about how Calliope's team fought cleanly and efficiently, respecting their opponent. Who knows, Calliope might even be willing to chime in on that and help with the lesson.

>>5004668
I think Amara will still probably turn out well so long as we nurture her compassionate side, yeah. She's still a kid who's very quick to make friends and has a strong empathic sense. Honestly, she'd probably knock most of the creepy stuff out on her own if she realized it was unsettling people. The trick is to just convey that to her without sounding like we're scolding her for being who she is. She can enjoy fighting, just...recognize what details to focus on.

>>5004681
yeah, just get across to her we're simply worried about if shes respecting the deaths of others. probably have her ask her more... mature Dream Daughters their opinion on losing their freedom to live inside a childs head.

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>>5004604

“Here’s the play…” You begin, rubbing the bridge of your nose between thumb and forefinger. “Gina and I will take the lead. Francine, Amara? I want you both to move into ambush position in case things escalate. But first things’ first. We’re gonna go with our tried and true opener.”

“Fuzzbuzz diplomacy?” Amara offers, staring up at you expectantly with her wide, two-tone eyes.

“Fuzzbuzz diplomacy.” You echo with a wink.

A freshly-spawned swarmling emerges from your hive, downy fuzz drying quickly in the warm air before it tests its wings and takes flight. It doesn’t have to go far to emerge from the mists close to Calliope’s group as they methodically pick through the remains.

The look on Calliope’s face is priceless when she notices your fluffy ambassador, her amber eyes going almost as wide as her smile.

“Well aren’t you just the cutest!” She coos, a twitch of her pinky alerting her Generator, arm cannons instantly trained on the diminutive swarmling. “Who do you belong to, I wonder?”

“Shu the Defiant.” You calmly declare, and you watch Calliope’s eyes widen through your swarmling’s compound vision.

“Oh goodness, I feel like I should bow or something!” She giggles, settling for a little curtsey as she pulls up the hem of her sweater while tilting her head forward, careful never to take her eyes off your swarmling. “I’m Calliope, and I’d love to meet the legend face-to-face!”

“I’d be open to that. Mind if I bring a plus one? It’s someone you might be interested in meeting.” You say through your construct, winking at Gina as she just rolls her eyes, smirking despite herself.

“Any friend of the Defiant is a friend of mine!” Calliope replies with a smile, not knowing just how right she is. Moments later you and Gina arrive hand-in-hand, finding Calliope and her entourage enamored with the little dance FuzzBuzz’s you had him perform in the interim.

Catching movement in the fog the Neuromancer looks up, meeting your gaze for a half-second before noticing your plus-one. Her eyes go even wider than before, a high-pitched noise escaping her lips as she throws her threadbare arms wide.

“Holyfuckingshit, GINA!?” Calliope practically screams, darting over to GG and looping her skeletal limbs around the shorter girl’s neck with a squeal of joy.

“Calliope, I thought that was you!” Gina laughs, holding the other Neuromancer at arm’s length as the two give each other a once-one. “You look fantastic!”

“Back at you! I never thought you’d be kicking it with a freaking legend, but you were always great at finding the best and brightest, yeah?” Calliope grins, turning to you as something in Gina’s expression flickers. “You been taking good care of my girl, here?”

“We’ve been through hell and back, and there’s no one else I’d rather make the trek with.” Gina fires back, shooting you a wink at the end.

(Continued)

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>>5005311

“Hey, I couldn’t have gotten this far without her.” You say, and Calliope eyes your and Gina’s conjoined hands with an impish grin.

“Ahhh, cute! Jeez, I had no idea you were one of GG’s!” She giggles, steepling her fingers and wiggling the bony digits against each other with an excitable clacking. “Practically everyone we’ve helped over the Spine has had something to say about Shu and her Defiants. It’s all they talk about! I’ve heard you’re big on the net, but we don’t have a Skintalker yet. I’m hoping if we help enough groups cross that I can convince one to stick around.”

“You’re helping Daughters over the mountain?”

“Oh, yeah! There’s always someone that wants to cross the Spine, so I kinda-sorta set us up as guides, yeah?” She replies proudly, onyx thumbs hooking on the inside of her shorts. “I accept biomass, Relics, and whatever else they’ve got to trade in exchange for safe passage. The Spine’s shivers make it rough going, and plus you’ve got nested Amalgams, bandits, and other weird shit that’ve made homes up there, so there’s safety in numbers.”

“That’s quite the crew you’ve got.” Gina says, whistling at the impressive retinue; aside from the Calcite Armorer, Generator, and unnerving Flesh Artisan, you can identify most of the other Daughter types by corruption alone.

“Huh? Oh! Sure, yeah!” Calliope says, turning to her allies with a snappy clap of her hands. “Hey, say hello to my friends, everyone!”

The baker’s dozen lazily wave at you, tired smiles transfixed on their lips…or fangs, in the Unnatural Predator’s case. Despite the swiftness with which they moved earlier, you get the feeling it took a lot out of them—their eyes are collectively glazed over, each movement languid and weary. It’s a far cry from the fierce clarity each of them displayed only moments before.

“Yeah, they’re all total cuties!” Calliope proudly declares, stretching her blackened arms over her head. “So hey! If you two are planning on crossing the Spine, I’d love to lead you two over for free!”

“Oh, we couldn’t impo-“ Gina begins, and you feel it again, that odd hesitation that you can’t quite place.

“I’d be honored, yeah!” Calliope interrupts with a grin, waving away her old friend’s concerns with another clap of her bare, bony hands. “Think of it as catch-up time! My team will keep an eye out, and I know the route like the back of my hand! I mean, not to downplay the Spine, or anything. It’s *super* dangerous, but I can get us over, no problem. We can either head up now before it shivers again, or we can wait ‘til after. Either’s good for me!”

Then, to Gina; “So! You’re coming, yeah?”

>>Accept Calliope’s offer now, and have Amara and Francine join you in the trek.

>>Wait for the next shift, then leave with Calliope.

>>Politely decline, and find your own way to scale the cliffs.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Good Morning, Everyone. I hope you rested well, and know that voting shall be open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in four.)

>>5005313
hrm... somethings not quite right with her group.
at worst, Calliope is a puppeteer. at best, it absolutely sounds like shes pushing them past their limits. neither is a good option. even if we reeeeaaaaally want to give her the benefit of the doubt of the first option, and they're all jerks who were hurting people and/or tried to kill her, thats still dubious. maybe a bit of a 'you cant entirely blame a puppeteer neuromancer for using her core ability to survive' situation, but still dubious.

vote;
>Wait for the next shift for now. you want to get to know Calliope and her crew more.
>dont jump to conclusions but also dont ignore your gut. her crews acting odd.
>"Well, our own Crews a bit spaced out at the moment Calliope, so we'd want to rein them back in before crossing. lemme send the word out, and we can cross once a shift happens... and you're people are a bit rested. they look a bit tired, no offense to you or them meant, mind."
>Send word of the situation out to the others. best case? crossing in numbers with an experience guide sounds like the best case. worst case... well, you dont want to jump to conclusions, but you also know both you and your family can come to conclusions on their own, as much as you also know they dont want to jump to conclusion either.
>keep an open mind, a friendly demeanor, but dont ignore your gut or what the Fleshscape allows.
>"So, Calliope, why we wait, why dont you tell us about yourself! we'd love to meet your crew too! groups arent rare, but ones your size are, and thats a rare treat to hear about."

>>5005313
Supporting >>5005326


>>5005326
you are completely right. She is definitely rubbing me the wrong way as well.

We should have Gina check around with her Neuromancy if she can find anything wrong with the other people while we can keep Callioppe occupied. Unless she has co conspirators and is either threatening or controling the people she will slip up enough for us to notice.

>>“Ahhh, cute! Jeez, I had no idea you were one of GG’s!”
might be innocent enough what with Gina being a bit of a manipulator... but yeah this still sounds kinda wrong... what am i saying this sounds hella suspicious

I also have to head out again. I hope that i can be back before time runs out because this sounds super sus.

>>5005313
>Activate Neuro isolation mode on the halo, discretely.
>>5005326
>>5005333
But the main question is, do we cross the cliffs with Calliope? Or do we make the trek across by ourselves?

>>5005333
well, we do know Gina wasnt always the best of a person beforehand, though i cant remember exactly how bad she admitted/we figured out she used to be, or in exactly what ways.

>>5005338
we got some time to figure that out, or well, are giving ourselves some time more appropriately.

>>5005339
>>5005333
the way Calliope's been interacting with Gina seems more like an interaction between two birds of a feather who share the same vices in accordance with their core powers. Calliope's definitely taken the "Mind" path in the Core choice.

And Gina's been acting pretty oddly throughout the interaction.

I fear things might sour given the fact that Calliope might crave more control the moment we introduce Francine as well as our daughter Amara. Especially our daughter Amara.

>>5005313
>Politely decline, and find your own way to scale the cliffs.
This is my vote. Calliope's first impression is a bit too suspicious for my taste, even for extended interactions with her.

>>5005359
ehh, I get not every problem is ours to solve, but we still have usually taken a 'solve what we can' approach. doesn't really fit us i think to leave what could be a bad problem to lie.

i mean, she could be alright, and her business legitimate, but we dont know that, and the vibes would give us reason to question that. not something we want to have left scratching at the back of our heads if she is a bad gal. Gina especially might regret it, given the personal connection.

>>5005359

hmm my thoughts are that we should scout this out. We are here we can possibly do something. If she is innocent or harmless enough we can rest our conscience easy and just travel over the mountains.

If she is dangerous we can either take care of her right now or tell Orwell that she might want to give out a warning for the area. Or even send a Kill Team to make sure her work will be stopped if it is nefarious with us supplying intel.


>>5005313
Ammending my vote from >>5005333
to supporting >>5005326
with the addition of Activating the Neuro Isolation mode

(For the sake of clarification, do you wish to assemble just Amara and Francine, or November's crew as well?)

(Additionally, in the 27th Vein you'd requested Johanna and Holly to accompany your team, with Isabelle and Uzu sticking with November's. At that time I forgot that request, but I indicated that they were still at the Dragon's Roost and ready to be deployed if you saw fit. That option is still one available to you, if you wish.)

>>5005420
both teams, as best case scenario we wont need Novembers team to be looking for a path anymore.
and yeah, if we originally had the Dream Daughters with us, then keep them with us.

>>5005359
>the way Calliope's been interacting with Gina seems more like an interaction between two birds of a feather who share the same vices in accordance with their core powers. Calliope's definitely taken the "Mind" path in the Core choice.
>And Gina's been acting pretty oddly throughout the interaction.
Yeah, Calliope is needling Gina, but I don't get the sense it's at all intentional. Just her not realizing that Gina has kind of moved on from her. It sounds like the two of them were both a bit manipulative, and while Gina has worked to change that part of her personality, Calliope has embraced it. I don't think she's outright puppeting them, though. She's talking to them like they still have agency, and doing so when she doesn't know she's being watched, so unless she's just playing with her dolls they probably aren't mind-slaves. Just some Daughters that she's being exploitative to. Best case scenario, it's all consensual and they're fine with this level of influence so long as it gets the job done. Still creepy, but not necessarily a villain we must fight.

>>5005313
Supporting >>5005326
with the addition of
>If we teleport the party back here, don't let Calliope see it. Have Francine or Amara wield the Escher's Gear from out of the line of sight.

Just because I'm a bit worried what she'd make of a teleportation device that could let people skip right over the mountains. That's either a threat to her business or an incredible asset for her to seize. Hopefully it wouldn't come to blows over that, but if she is as wicked as we fear...well, why take the risk?

>>5005313
>>5005326
>>5005410
>>5005450
im ok with both these extensions, though i dont think we'll need the gear to teleport anyone in. but good idea to hide it if we do end up needing it and i misjudged something.

(Updating shortly, everyone. Work has been busy, but it shouldn't be too long now.)

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>>5005313

“I think we’d better wait for the next shift.” You declare, placing your arm around Gina’s shoulders and giving her a light squeeze…both of you activating your Halos’ shielding simultaneously. “Plus, that’ll give us some time to get to know you and your crew.”

“Sure, yeah!” Calliope grins, and you’re surprised that she doesn’t fight you given how insistent she’s been thus far. “Is the rest of your crew close, GG? We could buckle down for a bit and chat while we wait.”

"Well, they’re a bit spaced out at the moment so we'd want to rein them back in before crossing. Lemme send the word out, and we can cross once a shift happens...and your people are a bit rested. They look a bit tired, no offense."

“Eh, yeah…we could use some chill time, I guess.” Calliope shrugs, patting her knee and prompting the Unnatural Predator to stalk forward. The massive, multi-limbed hound settles into a loaf-like state, with Calliope collapsing against it and beckoning the rest of her retinue to join her.

You and Gina walk back into the fog, your mind buzzing with logistics…and a question you’re reluctant to voice.

[Gina, I know Calliope’s your friend, but-]

{She’s suspicious as all hell?} Gina says, bitterly finishing your thought. {Yeah, we’re on the same page}

[…How do you feel about that?] You ask, and she just chuckles darkly.

{Shit sucks, man. It’s like…like looking in a mirror. The way she moves, the way she talks, it’s all just…}

[Who you used to be?]

She nods, then shakes her head with an irritated growl. {Look, this isn’t the Gina trauma fun hour, or whatever—I’m okay, so let’s get the family together and see what Cali’s all about. I don’t want her knowing about Escher’s Gear, though. We should have everyone teleport in at range, then walk to meet her. It might be nothing, but the less she knows about what we can do, the better}

[Good plan] You admit, and she just smirks up at you, eyes twinkling with your reflection.

{I learn from the best too, y’know}

Within minutes you’ve assembled; you, Gina, Amara, Francine, Dorian, Rath, November, Orwell, and your four Dream Daughters, their Spiritus shells the perfect image of their original bodies.

“Everyone, keep an open mind and trust your instincts. Those of you that have Halos, keep them active.” You say, addressing your family as a whole before you march back to Calliope’s camp. “I’m giving everyone commlings small enough to fit in your ears, so we’ll still be able to communicate. If you sense anything weird or notice something off don’t keep it to yourself, okay?”

A series of quick nods answer you, and a short jaunt later the twelve of you emerge once more form the fog, Calliope lighting up at your arrival.

Twelve on one side, thirteen on the other.

You hate that you’re sizing them up like this, running the numbers in your head…but you didn’t get this far by being reckless.

(Continued)

>>5005577

You find Calliope where you left her, leaning up against the side of her Predator, legs splayed wide and arms folded behind her head with relaxed nonchalance. The other eleven Daughters are arrayed around her, the Calcite Armorer lying between Calliope’s legs, head in her lap with the others either practically on top of their resident Neuromancer or touching her in some way.

“Welcome back and get comfy!” She greets you, waving you and your family over to the patch of flesh before her.

“Should we keep our voices down, or-?” You begin hesitantly, with Calliope shaking her head.

“Nah, I got them under for right now. They keep telling me they’re happy to keep going, but I think they just wanna impress me.” She giggles, running her hands through the hair of Kris and the Generator while shooting Gina a sly wink. “You know how it is.”

Ignoring the revulsion and guilt that flares across your empathic line, Gina wordlessly ignites her powers. Amethyst light overtakes her eyes, veins of neon purple slithering underneath her visible skin as the ground reshapes itself into twelve plush leather seats, with yours in the center.

"So, Calliope, why we wait, why don’t you tell us about yourself?” You begin, the first of your family to rest in the chair before your side follows suit. “We’d love to talk to your crew, too, if they’re up for it. Groups aren’t rare, but ones your size are. That’s a rare treat to hear about."

“Ha, well I’m a lucky girl. Kris here was the first, so I’ll let them explain.” She grins, a single bony digit playing across the Armorer’s brow. Their eyes snap open, dark eyes quickly taking stock of their surroundings before they scramble to their feet. Kris is blushing slightly at their previous position, though the powerfully-build Daughter composes themself quickly enough to address you all with a noble bow.

“It’s an honor to meet all of you, truly.” They say, their voice warm and eloquent as their deep eyes sweep across you and your family. “Calliope’s heard much of your exploits, and you’re an inspiration to our efforts here at the Spine.”

“C'mon, tell ‘em how we met!” Calli loudly whispers, sticking her tongue out while poking Kris’ ankle with her big toe.

“Ha, well…Calliope found me less than a day after her awakening. I’d be awake for two, maybe three before she saved me.” Kris explains, casting a kind smile back at the Neuromancer. “She’d taken to all this like a fish to water, and she saw how much I detested fighting.”

“But you’re really good at it.” Amara chimes in, her eyes wide with admiration.

“Oh, I must give Calliope the credit for any skills that were on display.” Kris bashfully replies. “When the fighting starts, we give the reigns to her.”

“…We?” You repeat, glancing across the unconscious forms of the Daughters draped over and around Calliope.

(Continued)

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1.86 MB JPG

>>5005578

“Yes. None of us wanted any part of this, but here we are.” Kris says, following your eyes to look down at their assorted companions. “We had no choice in the Crucible, but Calliope…she gave us one that we accepted gladly.”

“I…I don’t quite follow.” Dorian says, hands folded in his lap as he warily eyes the Neuromancer at the center of it all.

“My Core lets me control stuff via strands, but if the target’s willing then their own capabilities get one heck of a boost, yeah?” The ringleader explains, patting her lap as Kris resumes their seat. “Min-maxing it gave me parallel processing, so everyone here’s in my head! They get to keep me and their friends safe without having to be in the driver’s seat, and I get to lavish them with the kind of attention GG and I give best…a little post-apocalyptic tit-for-tat, just like before!”

She’s locked eyes with Gina, smiling proudly.

“And you’re all…fine with that?” Your girlfriend asks, trying her level best to keep her voice as even as possible despite the rage that’s boiling in her chest.

“Of course.” Kris replies, as though it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “Because-“

“-We love her, and she loves us.”

Twelve voices in perfect harmony, declaring their unified adoration for the girl that’s pulling their strings…

…strings they’ve willingly relinquished.

“Kris, Staci, everyone here…they’re good people. Nice people.” Calliope sighs, running a hand through Kris’ hair as they lean back, exhaling deeply as sleep overtakes them once more. “They weren’t built for the Crucible. They didn’t take to it like you and I did, G. But they don’t have to fight, not really. I know them all inside and out, and now they can just sit back and enjoy the fringe benefits of the fucked up little ball of meat our world’s been turned into without having to get their hands dirty. It’s worked out great so far…”

She sweeps her gaze across you and the rest of your allies before settling squarely on Gina.

“Don’t you agree?”

Gina simply nods thoughtfully, her face a pleasant mask that conceals the twisting mass of disgust that’s overwhelming your empathic bond.

“I’m going to let everybody rest for right now, but like I said, I know them like I know those cliffs!” Calliope laughs, glancing up at the looming peaks. “We’re open books, yeah! So ask away, Gina.”

>>You don’t know Gina’s history with this girl, but you do know GG well enough to step in. You’ll answer Calliope’s questions while Gina cools off.

>>Allow Gina to take the lead…you have to trust her to push through whatever’s going on in her head.

>>Yeah, no. You’re not subjecting your family to this girl’s weird little harem, regardless of how well-intentioned she claims it to be. Leave, waiting out the next shift and then starting your attempts to navigate this mountain.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Apologies for the delay, everyone. Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in four. I appreciate your patience with my work schedule, and I do hope your day is going well.)

>>5005582
..... she is still super suspect.... but people like that do exists.... people that will let others pull their strings.

It probably helps that Kris is probably an apt social manipulator and pretty much made these people dependent on her like a drug.

It is a mental addiction so very little we could do... We could kill Kris but we would condem these people to death unless we get them somewhere safe... and even then they might die like flowers without soil. They are apparently not made for the crucible....

This is a tough decision. But i am now also strongly against crossing the mountains with her. i dont want her near our precious family.

>>5005582
gah, this is a pretty difficult situation. shes clearly manipulating them, BUT I dont think shes lying thats its through tried and true old world methods of emotions, not through her abilities. and she otherwise probably is genuinely helping people cross (things she said when she didn't know we were round wouldn't make sense if she just planned to kill them).
that said, she may just be looking to convince new people to join her, and may just understand a good rep and getting paid for a job is better than making yourself a bad person to be hunted, but even then, TECHNICALLY shes still not done anything wrong if thats the case.

kinda the worst case moral grey-ish zone, from what seems to be panning out.

Vote;
>You don’t know Gina’s history with this girl, but you do know GG well enough to step in. You’ll answer Calliope’s questions while Gina cools off.
>both be cordial but also give Calliope some not so subtle hints whatever she thinks is going on here on your end, isnt.
>"Well... not how we do things, but I suppose giving away ones choices is still a choice one can make themselves."
>"Funny though, never thought we'd run across a group all about that, consider me and Gina have worked so hard to make sure we and our family all get to make our own choices, no strings attached."
>chuckle, and give Calliope a wink, one very much meant to imitate how shes been giving Gina one.
>"Ah, but not trying to throw mud at your groups way of doing things, its just... me, Gina, and the rest of us have a different path we've taken. one i hope you can respect, if nothing else."
>Let your family chime in as they please, hopefully with them dropping thier own hints however she thought Gina and the situation was, really isnt the case. though their choice, of course.

>>5005577
>Twelve on one side, thirteen on the other.
Dang it, Julia! I fully believe in your quest for self-actualization and I'm super happy for you, but we could have had even numbers if you were still here. Ah, well.

>>5005582
Well, that's...more than a little creepy. It's apparently consensual, but it definitely feels like there's some exploitation going on there. Still, not enough to start fighting about it. Yet, anyway.

>>Allow Gina to take the lead…you have to trust her to push through whatever’s going on in her head.
>>Write-In
>Be ready to support her as needed, though. Don't try to take over the conversation, but if a short interjection can help her, do so. We have her back. Make sure she knows that, send her a message of reassurance over the empathic link. We trust her, she's strong and no matter what sort of bad memories or self-recrimination it brings up we're confident she can deal with it. But we love her, the whole party loves her, and if there's anything we can do to help her she shouldn't hesitate to ask.
>Over the FuzzBuzz com, ask Isabel if she knew Calliope too and can tell us anything about her that might help. It doesn't come up often anymore, but she was part of Gina's social circle. Also, is she okay sitting here and hearing this? The parallels to Sam aren't exactly subtle.

>>5005592
yeah, as i stated n mine, its a difficult situation because its not at all impossible and seems to be the case the situation is consensual, even if she is a manipulator. its not as cut and dry a situation as if she was literally mind melding them, though it doesn't make it right.
and moreso, though repeating myself, she does seem to genuinely so far be smart enough to know making herself an actual villain would be a bad idea, over just suspect over a kinda awkward group dynamic.

not saying we trust her or not dig any deeper, only its not a situation(at the moment) we can really justify killing her over. not that we were exactly wanting to justify doing that, but you get what i mean i think.

>>5005615
I get the idea of letting Gina take control, but my biggest reason for not is her clearly thinking Gina is the 'old Gina' whos doing similar might make her naturally muddle anything Gina says up and misread anything unless she first gets evidence otherwise thats not whats happening here.

...mind, i guess Gina might just be super blunt about things but thats not Ginas strong suit.
i also wont deny just wanting to give her a run for her money and see her expression as she realizes she just had that sorta attitude to a group clearly aware of it and where thats not going on.

>>5005582

>>You don’t know Gina’s history with this girl, but you do know GG well enough to step in. You’ll answer Calliope’s questions while Gina cools off.
>>both be cordial but also give Calliope some not so subtle hints whatever she thinks is going on here on your end, isnt.
>>Over the FuzzBuzz com, ask Isabel if she knew Calliope too and can tell us anything about her that might help. It doesn't
>> Let Gina take over after a short while to make sure
>>come up often anymore, but she was part of Gina's social circle. Also, is she okay sitting here and hearing this? The parallels to Sam aren't exactly subtle.

Lets start with us and then let Gina put down her own opinion with us heaving laid the groundwork to make sure the things G says are given with a lot of context.

>>5005617
yeah i get what you mean. We are not looking for an excuse to kill her but we are vigilant for something like extreme abuse or misuse of powers could appear.

I am pretty confident we could snipe her but she could have buried berserker Programms in her group for if/ when she gets sniped that would make it a pain to get rid of them without murdering the hell out of them.

>>5005617
Yeah, like...Calliope clearly thinks she's doing the right thing. I think she even genuinely cares about her harem. She just is really bad about handling it. If you're concerned for the emotional well-being of people you care about, because they can't handle the stress of the violence inherent to the Crucible, puppeting them to fight without being consciously involved in the process is not a healthy way to handle it. Either get them to a safe place like Laoc where they don't have to fight, or help them find the strength to stand up on their own. This isn't helping them, it's just a way to ignore the problem.

>>5005621
You're not wrong, but at the same time I think there are some things that Gina might have to say for her own good. I think we just need to find a way for her to say them without also escalating this into a real conflict. That's why I want to be there as a supporting presence who can chime in to keep things calm and Calliope not insulted.

This >>5005626 might be a good compromise. Talk for a bit, then let Gina take over. Give me a bit to think about it.

>>5005636
well, my intention was not to let Gina talk, but if you want i can put that onto the bottom of mine.

part of my idea(i poorly got across probably) was Ginas currently feeling disgust at basically seeing who she could of become. But us and the family talking first and proving the notion she even could be doing that wrong might help her, well, remember she indeed doesn't need to approach this as any reflection of herself or such, which may help her confront it better.
Ironically giving Gina better control by first reminding her she is not trying to be in control of us, if that makes sense.

>Calliope clearly thinks she's doing the right thing.
im actually not entirely sure on that, only that im pretty positive shes not 'evil' or being a 'bad person' in the sense of making victims out of innocents and such or not genuinely helping people. shes just probably doing that knowing you get more outta people with honey than vinegar.

>>5005636
>>5005643
Well i am sure you guys can come up with better stuff than i can right now. I can feel myself getting ever easier to distract as I get more tired

But i hope we can give her a piece of our mind and build up Gina a bit. That is what i am trying to accomplish. Otherwise it might seem like we are trying to control G if we and the family just take over completely

anyway i will head to bed now. See you tomorrow anons

>>5005652
(Rest well, and get some good sleep.)

>>5005643
>part of my idea(i poorly got across probably) was Ginas currently feeling disgust at basically seeing who she could of become. But us and the family talking first and proving the notion she even could be doing that wrong might help her, well, remember she indeed doesn't need to approach this as any reflection of herself or such, which may help her confront it better.
Oh, yeah, Gina is definitely having some major self-recrimination right now. This is a twisted mirror situation, for sure. I think I see where you're going with this now, though. Having us talk is a way to establish that Gina is very different from Calliope. She's not manipulated her group into being nothing more than extensions of herself, they're capable of expressing their own thoughts and opinions. We're with Gina because we like her, not because we can't live without her. Yeah, that's good. I get it, now, it's show instead of tell. Gina doesn't have to say "that's not me" because it's clear it isn't. We should get the entire party to speak up, then. Especially the Spirit Shells, actually. Show that, hey, look, our Phantasmal Conduit constructs have more agency than Calliope is letting her living Daughters have.

>im actually not entirely sure on that, only that im pretty positive shes not 'evil' or being a 'bad person' in the sense of making victims out of innocents and such or not genuinely helping people. shes just probably doing that knowing you get more outta people with honey than vinegar.
I don't know. She's so open about what she's doing. Yeah, she isn't framing it in terms of "so, yeah, I addicted these girls to my presence so they'll follow my every command", but she's also not making any effort to hide that she's turned them into just extensions of her will. Maybe she's just that bad at deception, but it strikes me more like she just doesn't realize this is something she'd have to conceal. Like she doesn't understand that she's done something bad to them, and really does think she's helping them this way. Although, I admit, it may just be that she thinks we and Gina are of like minds to her. No need to play the game with us.

>>5005652
Get some rest, anon. Sleep, be refreshed, and wake to horrific ethical quandaries of mind control.

>>5005652
rest well.

>>5005656
yeah, the last part is what im thinking. specifically, because if you look, she constantly only tries to really talk to Gina, acting almost as if no one else here actually matters. makes me think she doesn't think the rest of us would be in a state of mind to catch onto anything or care.

>>5005582
>>5005612
minor Vote edits;

>You don’t know Gina’s history with this girl, but you do know GG well enough to step in. You’ll answer Calliope’s questions while Gina cools off.
>both be cordial but also give Calliope some not so subtle hints whatever she thinks is going on here on your end, isnt.
>"Well... not how we do things, but I suppose giving away ones choices is still a choice one can make themselves."
>"Funny though, never thought we'd run across a group all about that, consider me and Gina have worked so hard to make sure we and our family all get to make our own choices, no strings attached."
>chuckle, and give Calliope a wink, one very much meant to imitate how shes been giving Gina one.
>"Ah, but not trying to throw mud at your groups way of doing things, its just... me, Gina, and the rest of us have a different path we've taken. one i hope you can respect, if nothing else."
>Let your family chime in as they please, hopefully with them dropping thier own hints however she thought Gina and the situation was, really isnt the case. though their choice, of course.
>Over the FuzzBuzz com, ask Isabel if she knew Calliope too and can tell us anything about her that might help. It doesn't come up often anymore, but she was part of Gina's social circle. Also, is she okay sitting here and hearing this? The parallels to Sam aren't exactly subtle.
>Lastly, make sure you and your family leave things off for Gina to take over, if she so wishes.

>>5005670
>yeah, the last part is what im thinking. specifically, because if you look, she constantly only tries to really talk to Gina, acting almost as if no one else here actually matters. makes me think she doesn't think the rest of us would be in a state of mind to catch onto anything or care.
Yeah, looking back at it, there's a clear point where she stops directing comments to Shu, and it's when we establish that we're dating Gina. That's when she decided that we must not have opinions of our own, and that however much we look like we're the leader it's really Gina running the show. Ugh, gross. I've got no problem with the idea of Gina being in charge, but interpreting romance as an act of control is just creepy.

Anyway, that write in looks good. Let me do a support vote

>>5005582
Supporting >>5005670

>>5005677
...urg, she really does give off strong Sam vibes.
sorry other Dream Daughters if Isabelle ends up throwing up like, alot, after we talk to her.

So I found this in my drive the other day. It's a write-up for a Daughter that I don't think I ever posted. Not sure why I didn't, but here we go:https://docs.google.com/document/d/14MwOT1RaIkTyf6aYHduewhJHjJv969fU7PvtuhcNHXA/edit

She's based on the villain of the webcomic Monster Pulse, Dr. Wanda Lulenski. It's a fun story, kind of "what if body horror was Pokemon". No, not "what if Pokemon was body horror", everyone's done that one already. This is the other way around, a bunch of monsters made from human organs that are friendly and actually pretty cute. Anyways, Lulenski starts off as just a subordinate to the guy everyone expects to be the villain, but she just keeps making so many terrible decisions that she winds up hogging the villainy spotlight and he never actually winds up doing anything evil of his own. Worst he does is support her experiments like a good mentor figure should. Violetta is based on Lulenski's "final form", after she becomes a giant shoggoth made out of tendrils of human skin. There's also some Zeruel from the Rebuild of Evangelion films in there, I think because the skin tendrils reminded me of Zeruel's tentacles.

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>>5005582

"Well, I’ll admit that’s not how we do things, but I suppose giving away one's choices is still a choice." You muse. "Funny though, never thought we'd run across a group all about that, considering me and Gina have worked so hard to make sure we and our family all get to make our own choices, no strings attached."

You chuckle, winking at Calliope in an ironic echo of her own coy gestures towards the girl seated beside you….and there it is. A realization that prompts recalculation, the Neuromancer’s brow furrowing for a fraction of a second as doubt flits across her mind. A sudden paradigm shift of how she was imagining your family’s dynamic to be a mirror of her own, now thrown into disorder.

"I’m not trying to throw mud at your group's way of doing things, it’s just... me, Gina, and the rest of us have a different path we've taken. One I hope you can respect, if nothing else."

“Different...how, exactly?” Calliope asks, pensively stroking her Generator’s cheek as she glances between both you and Gina, trying to wrap her head around what game she thinks you’re playing.


“I’ve taken a path that’s led to embracing my life instead of squandering it to inconvenience a tyrant.”

You and your family turn to look at Francine, collectively impressed with her boldness. She just shrugs, leaning forward to rest her chin on her folded hands. “I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t met Shu and her family.”

“And if I hadn’t met the Doc, I’d’ve never reunited with my niece. Imagine all the awful jokes she’d have missed out on.” November supplements, reaching over and patting Rath on the back while your brawler blushes her white-hot radiance. “I wasn’t going to tell Rath here who I was, but Shu made me realize what I’d be giving up if I didn’t.”

“So Gina and Shu saved you all, then?” Calliope says, suddenly smiling with self-satisfaction. “It sounds like-“


“No.” Declares a soft, yet stalwart voice behind you. “They gave us the freedom to save ourselves.”

If Francine gets a gold star for unexpected interjections, then B’ni’s up for some kind of medal. The slight girl’s emerald eyes pierce into Calliope’s, her expression unreadable as she continues. “A lot of us here fucked up. Did unforgivable things. But we didn’t get judgement, or cruelty, or anything else that we had coming to us...we got a choice. A choice to be better, or at least try our hand at it. That’s what these people are about.”


“You…” Callipie begins hesitantly, her gaze drifting across B’ni and the other three girls seated around her. “You’re Dream Daughters, given form...but I don’t sense any Neuromancy that’s-”

“Controlling us? Nah. Shu’s not about that.” Johanna gruffly declares, a discreet tap of Holly’s foot against hers prompting her to add; “Neither is Gina.”

(Continued)

>>5005791

“And the rest of you?” Calliope asks, a little more forcefully than you think she intends. “Now you’ve got me curious. How’d the rest of you meet up with Shu and Gina?”

“They couldn’t fucking get rid of me.” Rath laughs, a quick wink letting you know she’s onto your line of thought. “Me and Shu, we met up a couple times before I started tagging along. Met Gina the second time ‘round, too. They’ve been patient as hell with me, and that’s helped me figure out which end is up.”

Dorian chimes in from your left with his own story of how he joined the family, and it’s as you give him a sideways glance that you catch movement out of the corner of your eye.

Isabelle’s hands are shaking, even held as tight as they are by Uzu’s comforting touch.

“Hey.” You reach out across the commling, your sudden voice in her ear startling the dark-haired girl. “Do you know Calliope? She was part of Gina’s Pre-Crucible social circle, so did you ever run into her?”

“We met briefly. She didn’t pay me any attention, and she never even saw my face.” Isabelle admits, threading her fingers together tight enough that her knuckles go white.

“...Are you okay?”

She clenches her jaw at the question, staring straight ahead. “Hearing all this from Calliope, I mean? I know there are probably some parallels with-”

“Sam was with me for...eighty percent of my life. Maybe more.” Isabelle answers abruptly. “She wasn’t subtle, she wasn’t as good at...playing the game...like Gina and Calliope were. I was just…I…”

She closes her eyes, takes a breath, and then...

“I’m okay, Shu. Just...just focus on Gina. She needs you right now.”

Dorian’s just finished retelling his tale when Gina draws in a breath of her own to meet Calliope eye-to-eye for the first time this entire conversation. You reach out, squeezing her hand. You’re here, and to Gina? That’s good enough for her to make her stand. The two girls hold each others’ gaze for a long moment before GG finally voices her thoughts.

“I’ve changed.” She begins, simply. “I didn’t think I could, until I realized how empty I felt. How hollow everything I’d done up to that point really was. I was friendless.”

“C’mon G, you had more friends than anyo-” Calliope starts.

“They didn’t know me.” Gina softly counters. “How could they? *I* didn’t know me. Not really. I woke up to all this, and the decisions I’d made ended up costing me my eyes, and a really good friend. I got both back, even though I didn’t deserve either of them...all because I realized I was so, so wrong. I was scared. I was lonely, and I didn’t even know it. I didn’t know I was lonely until…”

Gina softly laughs under her breath, looking up at you with her big amber eyes misting with tears and admiration.

“...until I saw your face.”

(Continued)

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>>5005794

She looks back to Calliope, the other girl’s face an inscrutable mask of confusion and concern.

“I didn’t know just how broken I was, ‘til one day I wanted to change. So...I’m trying.” Gina sighs, suddenly laughing at herself. “I tried for so long to be this totally composed and in-control...thing, that I think I wanted to be. There were a million different reasons I wanted to, but they all seem so small, now. I don’t care about being cool, or having all the answers, or having all my shit together twenty-four-seven…I just want to be with my family.”

“You still wanna have all the answers, though.” Rath jabs with a smirk, bursting into laughter when Gina just gives her the finger with one hand, wiping away a few errant tears with the other as she laughs, too.

They laugh, and Calliope just glances down at the Daughters sleeping in silence around her.

“Look, Calli?” Gina says as the other girl regards her with a neutral expression. “I don’t know what you think is going on here, but I’m not the one calling the shots. And I’m okay with that. Like Shu said, you do you. That’s fine, if it works for you and the people you care about. But I don’t think I’m the person you knew, anymore.”

The other Neuromancer slowly nods, wordlessly contemplating Gina’s declaration as the Unnatural Predator she leans against breathes with a slow, steady rhythm. Calliope opens her mouth, then shuts it just as quickly when a distant rumble shudders through the flesh underfoot. The towering shadows begin to move of their own accord, the Spine’s inscrutable will rearranging itself once more with a deep, painful groan of straining bone and tearing muscle.

“...and that’s our cue.” Calliope declares brusquely, a curt sweep of her hand prompting the Daughters around her to rise, Kris helping the Neuromancer to her feet as she plants her hands firmly on her hips. “The Spine’s still gonna keep shifting like that for a minute or two more, but the base finishes faster than the rest. If we get going now, we can make good time.”

Then, for only the second time, she addresses you directly.

“You coming, yeah?”

>>Scale the Spine with Calliope as your guide.

>>Decline. You can’t get a good read on her, especially after what Gina said.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume at approximately 10AM tomorrow morning, Eastern time. Thank you all for your patience, participation, and enthusiasm, and I wish you a good and restful evening, all.)

>>5005714
(I have this pulled up so I can settle in and read it when I'm through fixing dinner. Also, I somehow never heard of Monster Pulse, but it looks exactly up my alley.)

>>5005796
>>Scale the Spine with Calliope as your guide.
>>Write-In
>Use FuzzBuzz coms to arrange a buddy system, nobody gets separated. Pair up people so every pair has someone that has mobility powers. Establish a check-in schedule for everyone to confirm they're okay every ten minutes or so. Everyone keep sensory abilities up, for sudden shifts or dangers.

I'm willing to extend a hand of trust, even though we did just kind of diss her. She might be doing something we don't approve of, but that doesn't mean she's an impulsive killer who would murder us for dissing her. And who knows, maybe showing that we don't think she's untrustworthy might help the message be received less harshly. And even if she does try something, the set-up we'd need for safe travel through mountainous terrain should also help protect against sudden attack or sabotage.

>>5005798
>(I have this pulled up so I can settle in and read it when I'm through fixing dinner. Also, I somehow never heard of Monster Pulse, but it looks exactly up my alley.)
Yeah, it's a fun comic. Though I did just spoil several parts of it for you, whoops.

>>5005796
>>5005818
yeah ill support this.
still unsure of Calliope but she at least doesn't seem like she is or intended to be hostile. still dont trust her and think shes probably 'playing the game' as said, but Im willing to hedge the bet at least she doesn't intend to stop just willy nilly so long as we're not all up in her face and a threat.

hopefully she'll contemplate shit deeper like she seems to possibly be doing, but who knows.

>>5005798
thanks, and have a good evening.

>>5005818
>>5005847
(Would you like to vote on who's paired with whom, or leave it to QM discretion?)

>>5005818
(That Daughter you made was absolutely fantastic, truly. And now I'm very interested in Monster Pulse, I'll have to give it a read over the weekend.)

>>5006097
>(Would you like to vote on who's paired with whom, or leave it to QM discretion?)
I think your discretion is fine. Just, you know, people who work well together (though that is basically everyone now, kind of) and every team gets someone who can save them from falling off a cliff: Shu, Holly, and Rath all have grappling hook powers, Amara can air-jump with her pressure blasts, November has rocket boots, Dorian can more or less fly in mist form...am I missing anyone? I guess Gina could terraform a ledge, and Francine can probably at least cling on with her tendrils. But six people is enough for our group of twelve dividing up, so if they aren't suitable it's fine.

>(That Daughter you made was absolutely fantastic, truly. And now I'm very interested in Monster Pulse, I'll have to give it a read over the weekend.)
Oh, thank you, that's to hear that it turned out well. And I'm glad to have turned you onto the comic. It's good, has some clever ideas and great characterization.

Anyways, see you tomorrow morning. Sleep well, BHOP, and thanks for running.

>>5005714
hmm an interesting daughter and shows just how often the path to damnation is paved with good intentions.

>>5005818
If i had been awake i would have probably voted against going with her..mostly because of my gut feeling but i see you guys reasoning and its not like i can change things now.

The worst thing that can happen with all our possible ways to fly is that we might have to fight along a vertical surface.

>>5006115
can't the Spiritus shells fly? Or is that something they will only be able to do later?

>>5006097
yeah, leave it up to the QM/Characters.

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>>5005796

You nod, rising alongside your family as Gina dismisses everyone’s chairs with a wave of her hand, their plush organic forms subsumed into the hungry earth. Quickly establishing a buddy system as Calliope rouses her team, November volunteers to be Francine’s ride, while Rath takes the initiative and offers Uzu a hand. Holly and Johanna are practically joined at the hip so that’s no surprise, while Dorian quietly offers his assistance to B’ni, who reluctantly accepts the gentleman’s offer (‘but only if it’s absolutely necessary’, she adds). Turning to the sounds of a scuffle behind you, you’re met with the image of a thoroughly embarrassed Orwell having being up-ended into a bridal-style carry by Amara, who looks very proud of herself to be escorting her idol.

“Guess that leaves you and me.” You grin at Gina, dropping to one knee with your back facing her. “Just like old times, huh?”

“Alright everyone! I’ll give you the usual spiel, yeah? Walk and talk!” Calliope yells out, voice carrying clearly over the impressive assemblage as she beckons you up the slope. “Stick close to the group at all times. If I tell you to do something, I got good reason to and that means you got a good reason to do it, yeah? The path we’re gonna take keeps us well away from any of the Spine’s main threats, but there’s always some stragglers about. If fighting starts, keep moving with part of the group and I’ll take care of it. Oh, and I almost forgot! Jen, the Relics, if you please.”

A girl with viscous skin steps forward, lifting her shit and plunging a hand into her belly button with a sickening squelch. She fishes around for a moment before retrieving a satchel that she promptly hands to Calliope, who holds it aloft.

“Fog’s acid, that much is obvious. Anyone who’s not acid-proof gets a patch that’ll make you immune long enough to get over the hump and back down the other side. Now I’ll say it again, you need to be acid PROOF. Not ‘resistant’, or whatever. One girl got the two mixed up, and that was a sad mess of a day.” She reflects with a shudder. “Now, who needs ‘em?”

Rath sighs as she raises her hand along with a few more of your allies, and once everyone’s fully equipped the crowd of almost two dozen Daughters begin their ascent.

(Continued)

>>5006392

The shadows that’ve loomed over you ever since you arrived slowly gain definition as you approach, and as you trudge forwards the steep path’s only exacerbated in difficulty. There’s a nigh-constant flow of pus and bloody swill that pours from the wounds torn open by the Spine’s violent shudderings. You’re thankful for your armor, the drills that form from your chitin boots assuring your footing with each porous step. November’s armor seems to actively repel the slurry, while Amara…well, she’s just marching happily along, Orwell held overhead like some sort of treasure despite the teen’s continued protests.

{It’s grosser than before we met Julia, that’s for sure} Gina says, peering over your shoulder at the ragged terrain ahead that only gets steeper the higher you go.

[God…that feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it?] You reminisce, half out of genuine nostalgia and half to keep your mind off the ankle-high grit you’re muscling through. [You, me, and…]

{Her}

You can tell Gina’s looking where you are; B’ni’s rolled up her pants legs, politely declining Dorian’s offer to carry her as she stomps towards the gnarled peaks. {I could tell you were checking in on her…she good?}

[Good as can be, given the circumstances. I think this whole thing with Calliope struck a nerve…but how are *you* doing? That was one hell of a speech]

{Jealous?} Gina jokes before taking a deep breath, something she immediately regrets when she gets a lungful of acrid air. {Bleh! But yeah…yeah, I think I’m okay. I can tell Calli’s not happy, but I said my piece and that’s all there is to it. I changed, and she didn’t…}

{…You do think I’ve changed, right?}

[Absolutely] You say, her sudden knot of anxiety loosening at your assurance. [Even without knowing who you were before the Crucible, you’ve changed in just the time I’ve known you...hell, we all have]

{…Except for Julia and Dorian. Them being adorable’s just one of those reliable constants, y’know?} Gina chuckles, a few extra limbs cracking loose from your armor to help you climb.

“We’ll be at a walking path soon enough!” Calliope calls out, clinging to the back of her Unnatural Predator as its foot-long talons tear footholds into the mountainside.

[True, but even they’ve come a long way. Julia’s made a huge impact on Laoc, and Dorian’s trying to separate what being a true gentleman means…we’re all making progress, Gina. Together]

She holds you a bit tighter, at that…not that you can fully appreciate it, what with a layer of chitin and calcite between you. Aside from the sounds of effort from the Daughters around you, the climb’s been pleasantly quiet…you wonder if you should take a moment to touch base with anyone present before you reach the footpath Calliope mentioned.

>>Choose one of the Daughters present to talk with.

>>Stay focused, stay silent.

>>Write-in

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Good Morning, everyone. Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in four.)

>>5006394
>>>Choose one of the Daughters present to talk with.
Try to start a conversation with one of the girls from Calliope's gang, if possible. Doesn't matter to me which one in particular. I think we should try to find out more about just how this group operates - whether they really only willingly give her reigns for fights or if there is more to it. Hopefully, that is not the case, but I fear that it could be possible that she is manipulating them into this, that her ability causes some sort of addiction... Hopefully not, but I think we should check.

>>5006394
>stay focused, stay silent
>tell your companions using your empathic network that one of them shoudl be on the lookout for the dangers of the path and the other part keep a watch on your guides.

The path can be treacherous as she said so someone needs to keep watch there and be on high alert. However we also need to be at least somewhat careful. I still don't trust them

>>5006413
hmmm while i think these girls are probably somewhat adicted to her.... that is nothing one can not achieve using good old fashioned psychological tricks like gaslighting, shaming and isolationism

I do agree that there is a not insignificant chance that the ladys powers are based on that. we should however be safe from that due to our Neurotic Halos.

>>5006394

>Stay focused, stay silent.
>>5006414
um. anon. Did you remember what we did to our empathetic network? We intentionally lobotomized part of its powers due to its encroaching effect it had on our family back in the 41st vein.

>>5006396
oh as a reminder, hey bhop, can you give us a refresher as to that major choice we made (Cutting off our empathic abilities) in the 41st vein regarding our core ability's empathy network as to what we did and how it affects our abilities?

It's for those who don't quite remember nor do they have the time to browse the archives for the part of the story where/when it happened.

>>5006428
okay? I thought that just affected the more aggressive parts... maybe i am misremembering then.

But we do have Comlings in everyones heads.

>>5006394
ammending >>5006414
to >>stay focused, stay silent
>>ask our family over the Commlings to coordinate themselves to have one half take a look at the path and the other half to keep a lookout for our guides.

>>5006396
And good morning to you OP. I hope your day will be good. And yeah what>>5006430 asks. I could probably use the refresher

>>5006394
>Choose one of the Daughters present to talk with.
>Any of Calliopes gang will do.
>While you're interested in more about how their dynamic and Calliopes part all works, dont pry or try to dig too deeply into that. You dont want to set off any alarm bells, and are more genuinely just interested in how they feel and and about them. plus, with how deep it supposedly goes, the right innocent question will probably reveal enough on its own anyhow.

>>5006396
good morning. i overslept, but not the worst thing to ever do.

>>5006430
>>5006428
>>5006435

(You have lost the ability to passively sense the emotions and surface thoughts of those around, and to communicate telepathically with your allies. That said hough, Gina is still bonded via the Crimson Cord, and you may also freely communicate with your Dream Daughter since they are in Spiritus Shells.)

(I hope that helps!)

>>5006453
ah okay. Thank you OP.

So yeah i was just confused on what the complete implications were. It just had been to long.

But we still have comlings and the Spiritus Shells

>>5006453
>>5006458
yeah thts what i thought and was thinking on that myself.
to be fair we have things like commlings and the phones and other stuff to get around that, so i think the ease of doing so makes it easy to forget where its actually coming from.

>>5006394
>while Amara…well, she’s just marching happily along, Orwell held overhead like some sort of treasure despite the teen’s continued protests
Ha! Oh, that's adorable. I really enjoy Amara and Orwell's relationship.

>>Stay focused, stay silent.

>>5005582
Goddamn I didn't catch that update and didn't properly read it but now that I have this reminds me of a verse from Mili's String theocracy:

>Cut it off, cut down your loss
>All that stubborn loyalty is gonna get you killed in a world built on convenient theories
>For the puppets on TV, there is comfort in the strings
>If you're gonna control me, at least make it interesting theatrically.

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>>5006394

Silence is golden as you focus on scaling the sheet cliff face, and after a few long, tense minutes you see Calliope and her mount slip into a crevice whose side fork outwards to the open red sky. Keeping a wary eye on her compatriots you follow their lead, finding her and her allies stretching their legs without any apparent malicious intent.

“I really appreciate the help, superfan…but can you please put me down, now?” Orwell requests of Amara, the teen’s meek smile ringing a little hollow considering that Amara saw fit to haul her up the cliff face with one arm around her neck. It’s a somewhat cramped alcove that she’s lead you to, the two dozen-odd Daughters all cramped into a space the size of a large living room with a window to the sky above. A narrow, winding path at the back leads further into the maze of spires, the wind’s eerie whistle singing through the gap.

“All good?” You ask, a round of thumbs’ up from your family as Calliope plants her hands on her hips, turning to address you.

“Alright, pretty easy walking from here on, yeah?” She declares with a satisfied sigh. “The path ahead gets pretty narrow with a lot of open air above you, so stick close and keep your eyes on the sk-“

You feel it, before anything else. That wave of dread, that pit in yours stomach…a pang of that accursed hunger as the heavy mist is swept away by the wing beats of a titan.

The jelly-like Jen vomits out of every exposed bit of skin she has, while Tina’s vents flare open as she screams. You lurch back and away from her as the ground’s annihilated by her misfiring powers, with your family’s Halos flaring to life as they buffer the tremendous mental pressure that’s suddenly been thrust upon you. November’s jump jets flare to life at the same time that Rath’s arms flare out, the Neesons catching the rest of the family before they’re blown off into the swirling mists below.

Calliope roars out something that’s lost on the hurricane gale, her allies rooting themselves in place as her hair and neurons flare a blinding gold. They all collapse as one, their leader’s howl transformed into an agonized gurgle. Her back’s to you as she stumbles, bright ruby streams pouring from the soft tissues of her face as she drops to her knees, gasping for breath as the wave subsides….but not completely. It’s closer, now. It flew low over Laoc, but this overwhelming presence is something else entirely.

(Continued)

>>5006587

Gina’s hands spasm on your shoulders, and you whip around to see her struggling to not throw up. “Gina, are yo-“

“I’m fine, I’ll make cover!” She breathlessly coughs out, leaping off your back. A flash of her neon veins and the surrounding gristle is torn asunder to make way for calcite shielding that’s willed into existence, closing off the sky and leaving only slivers of scarlet light to peek through.


“Sitrep! Any injuries?” You call out, frantically scanning your allies for any signs of damage…or worse, in the wake of the Hunger. Francine’s leaning on November as she gives you a weak thumb’s up, with Johanna having thrown her arms over Uzu, Holly, and Isabelle, the latter sharply nodding your way. Rath and Dorian help each other up from the uneven floor, with Amara propping a woozy Orwell up with one hand, the other tightening around her sword as she eyes Calliope’s group suspiciously.

Gina’s by your family’s side, gathering them together to worriedly check them for wounds or less obvious trauma as you cautiously approach Calliope’s group, the eleven other Daughters suddenly rousing from their slumber in a panic, one by one.

“Calli? CALLI!?” Kris yells, scrambling over to the girl’s side as Tina does the same, a burst of her own absorbed scream sending her flying to the Neuromancer. The slight girl’s hands fly to her mouth as Kris turns Calliope over, the Armorer in shock at their leader’s eyeless sockets, cherry-red blood running from her eyes and nose.

“I can’t feel her anymore.” They say, numbly. “Why can’t I-“

“She’s alive, just unconscious...” Gina assures the two, striding up with the rest of your family, weapons at the ready. GG’s eyes flare with amethyst, before adding; “…and she resisted the Hunger.”

“I didn’t even feel it, what…what did she do?” Tina breathes, hands trembling as she just stares at Calliope’s bleeding form.

“I don’t know. I don’t know, but she saved us.” Kris murmurs, holding the girl close as they glance over the rest of their comrades…they’re all clearly in shock, one or two rocking back and forth after being so violently cut off from their mental fix.

“Halos primed, abilities out.” You order, turning to your allies. “I’ll get us a visual.”

A swarmling flits out of your spine, darting around the nearest crooked spire to catch a glimpse of the thing…and so you do.

Your first true sight of one of the Apocalypse Amalgams, and it is one to behold.

(Continued)

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>>5006588

A leviathan of the wind and sky towers over the cliffs, a thing whose biomass roils with a thousand agonized faces. Men, women, animals of all kinds…a sea of tortured masks that’s been draped over the baroque parody of a great winged chimera. Its seven wings are fluid, seamlessly meandering between avian, insect, fin, and back again as its whale-like face scans the many-angled spires for its prey. Six enormous, mismatched beaks chitter around a colossal one—the hooked, parrot-like bone half agape, home to countless malformed chicks blindly pecking at the air, each one fused to the thing’s mouth and easily taller than November. It’s searching intently for something, vacuous eyes peering between the slivers of mountain…and it’s only thanks to Gina’s quick thinking that you haven’t been spotted, yet.

You thought that this thing’s appearance at the Spine was mere coincidence, but now?

You know you’re not so lucky.

>>Finding an escape route is paramount, right now. With your team’s capabilities paired with whatever skills the rest of Calliope’s team possess, you may be able to tunnel into the cliffs and get out the other side. It’s a risk...but it’s better than facing something you assume is out of your league.

>>Plan a pre-emptive strike; it’s grim work, but an unconscious Calliope is one that Gina can puppet. Between them, you might be able to terraform on a scale large enough to launch a surprise attack while the rest of your forces ‘board’ this thing.

>>The Amalgam’s size is its weakness…it’s built to counter threats its own size, not hunt for needles in haystacks. Stand still. Stay silent. Pray it passes.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in four.)

>>5006546
(Ha, I'm glad when everyone makes the connection with the inspiration of various groups and concepts. Also, I tend to hide relevant song lyrics in dialogue and the like, though that's not caught nearly as much...understandable, since a lot of it are vaguely spoilery or are super niche.)

>>5006589
>>5006590

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6fcs8uE5Q4&ab_channel=Aviators

This... i think this right now.....

>>5006590
Francine i'd assume has her stat glasses right?
could we get a rundown of her opinion on its vs our team?

sorry, i can put it in a vote if you want, but felt kinda weird to do a whole vote and post just for that when the rest of the decision would hedge heavily on what info she gathers, though i still can and can try doing an and-or type vote if you prefer.

>>5006595
(Oh, that's perfectly fine. Would you like a blurb in character, or just the basic stat block?)

>>5006600
whichever you prefer/works best for you.

>>5006589
Oh no. It's identifying us as one of the threats to the Crucible that it's designed to stop, isn't it? Very clever, Ozmas. You released the Apocalypse Amalgams under the pretext of just a temper tantrum, but they're aimed at us.

Okay, I'm thinking escape. Worst case scenario, we have Escher's Gear. Even if it has a jamming field, we just need to get away from its immediate area and we should be able to teleport out. If we do have to fight, I still want to use Escher's Gear. Teleport one of our spare Sparagmos Engines here, have it detonate like we did to dispose of the corrupted Engine in Dorian's basement. If we could catch this thing in the implosion it would tear out a good chunk of it.

>>5006613
eh, im more a fan of trying to tunnel if we dont fight.
otherwise its just a halt to our progress forward we're just going to have to come straight back to anyways.

>>5006613
good idea. engaging this thing while it is at full strength would probably require Mara and Magpie for us to even stand a chance.

The Sparagmos engine is probably a good idea. Or we would need a small army to kill it. I think unless it is weakened we probably wont even be able to board it due to windpressure of those titanic wings.

However trying to avoid it might be the better idea for now. But that plan might be good to try and deal with it when we have grown quite a bit stronger.

And we need to get the bystanders out. Without their Alphabitch they are near useless in a fight.

>>5006604
(Work's heating up, so I'll go ahead and post the stats. The Spectacles show just the HEALTH and BIO, and Francine's recommendation would be to avoid a straight fight unless you hit it with everything you have after a thoroughly planned ambush. Even then, it's incredibly risky as she cannot see what skills it possesses until the fight begins, if the Relic will even fully work once it's been alerted.)

HEALTH: 77,077 (Regen: Unknown)

BIO: 70, 707 (Regen: Unknown)

>>5006623
Oh, sure, if we're going to escape I favor tunneling through, if we can. But if we can't for some reason of geology (well, really osteology, I guess), then Escher's Gear is a good lifeline. We'll lose some progress, but it will make plenty of distance from that thing.

>>5006627
Yeah, this is not a fight scaled for our current level. I definitely think escape is the right option, and even when we get to a higher level I still want to bomb this thing somehow. And like you said, right now is an especially bad time to fight it, since we have these panicking noncombatants.

>>5006630
Yep, let's not do this, then. From what I remember West Proxy Alpha had less than half that much Health, and she was still ridiculously durable. We're not going to be able to put a dent in this thing.

>>5006627
>Without their Alphabitch they are near useless in a fight.
yeah this is my biggest concern right now.
still want to wait to hear what Francine has to say, but its going to be a pain to even keep them calm and convince them they can help her without her guidance as it is. actually fighting? the entire reason they decided to let her puppeteer them? not happening.

and even if we alone are more capable of taking this on than we think, last thing we need is them going insane while we are.

>>5006630
well, speak of the labcoat wearing beauty and she shall respond.

and whew, thats alot. though i could be wrong, but i think we've actually taken on a higher health pool before, no?

regardless, still alot to try and take on in iffy conditions with people we cant really trust to help instead of hinder.

>>5006634
thought for sure we had seen someone we had faced in the 100,000s range, but i could be misremembering.

regardless, yeah, lets tunnel. want to give a pep talk to the Calliope simp squad first though.

>>5006639
i think that was Uzu in her Spiraling Fear form.... but we har Mara and Magpie at the time.

and yeah a good motivational speech might be what they need we should appeal to the love they apperantly have for her. She sacrificed herself for now to make sure that they would not fall and has resisted madness herself. So they should honor that by not panicing and getting her to safety. Later we should make sure that we tell them that the mountains may no longer be sage enough for their little buisness

>>5006589
vote;
>Quickly turn to your family and get them working on a tunnel. whatever will help dig deeper and faster, throw it at the effort.
>You first(though with your swarm helping however it can), go up to the Calliope Simp Squad, and see how they're doing.
>"You guys all ok? no injuries?"
>give them a moment, but be soft worded but also firm and quick about it.
>"Look... i know this is probably the worst case scenario for you all. Your leaders down, you're worried, and the whole point was to let her take the reins."
>"But you care about her, and she cares about you. remember that. cling to it."
>"Right now, the girl who you says given you so much needs you to keep it together to get her out of here."
>"maybe you dont think you're mentally strong enough for this, but never forget you're absolutely PHYSICALLY strong enough. she has always trusted you in that department without hesitation."
>"Use that strength to help eachother stay calm and get her and us out of here sooner. if you need instructions, if you cant trust yourself to make your own decisions, then put that in my families hands, and we'll put your skillsets to good use making sure Calliope and all of you get out of here alive, ok?"
>offer a hand to the group, and a smile.
>"Lets get your girl out of here, together, ok?"

>>5006594
(Oh this is 100% going on the playlist. My word, this is so good.)

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>>5006630
oh, also, i forgot to say thanks for the response, despite how busy your work apparently is.

>>5006645
Looks good to me. I'm not entirely enthused about moving as fast as possible, that's going to make noise that could attract its attention, but we are on a time limit. It's only going to be so long before the mountains shift again. Actually, we should have someone on watch for that, Calliope's girls probably have some knowledge of the signs to look for even if Calliope did most of the thinking for them.

>>5006653
Aviators is the unofficial soundtrack for this quest, in my opinion.

>>5006653
its from the same guy that made "Godhunter"

and i had a lot of time between being off sick for seven weeks and having done work from home for months so i kinda binged a wide variety of music. And Aviators was one of the creators

And that Amalgam showing up.... it definetly paralyzed me for a couple of seconds.

>>5006589
Supporting >>5006645

>>5006662
yeah its a catch 22.
dont want to cause a cave-in or something but also have to beat the cliffs clock AND the clock of the Colossus just finding us in general.
we can slow down a bit once we're deep enough to be declared at least a bit safer from it.

>>5006589
Supporting >>5006645
with the addition of
>Have anyone not on digging duty use whatever sensory ability they have to keep watch both for the Apocalypse Amalgam noticing us and possible shifts of the mountain.

>>5006653
Well i will head to bed now. However if you have not heard it. Red Water dreams is good as well... kinda fitting for the crucible in general and this enemy specifically because they swallowed so much.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxB48MEAmZw&ab_channel=Aviators

>>5006686
(Sleep well!)

>>5006686
Red Water Dreams is very good. I also like Bleeding Sun as a song for the Crucible. Feels very appropriate for Hexane stuff, to me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BER5ugMOArg

Anyways, good night, anon. Sleep well.

(There's a bit of a wrinkle in the schedule, everyone - work has been quite busy, and there's a bad wreck on the way home. If all goes well I should be able to post shortly after the original update time I indicated, but if I can't navigate around this traffic then it will be much later. I'll let you know how things proceed, and I do hope your day is going well.)

>>5006720
No worries BHOP, we've all had traffic problems. We're happy to wait for the update, hope your commute home is safe and uneventful.

>>5006720
That's fine, BHOP. Traffic afflicts us all. We'll see you when you get the chance. I hope it's not too much of a hassle for you, though.

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>>5006720
dang amalgams causing wrecks in meatland.
jokes aside, sorry to hear it and hope your day smooths out once home at least, thanks for the update.

(Back home and writing now, everyone. Posting shall resume within the next half hour or so.)

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>>5006589

“We aiming straight down, or back the way we came?” Rath asks, eight more pairs of blazing fists clenching around her to frame her with a halo of raw power.

“Forwards.” You declare, the chitin of your left hand warping into the Heaven’s Drill. “Always forwards.”

They throw themselves into the work, with Rath plunging her hands deep into the mountain’s bones with November right beside her, while Francine weaves her hands into Gina’s to bolster her Neuromancy as they push aside flesh and blood through willpower alone. You intend to join them, but you need to get a handle on Calliope’s panicked crew before you can foresee a future where everyone’s getting out of this one alive.

"Is everyone here alright? Do you have any injuries that need treating?" You ask softly, holding each of the eleven Daughters’ gazes for a moment or two, making sure you have their attention before you get down to business. "Look...I know full well that this is probably the worst case scenario for you all. Your leader’s down, you're worried, and the whole point was to let her take the reins."

A few of Calliope’s crew are staring despondently at their leader’s unconscious, bloody form…but Kris and Lisa’s eyes have never left yours, and wherever it is that her Flesh Artisan’s looking, you get the feeling by the angle of their head that it’s directly at you.

"But you care about her, and she cares about you. Remember that. Cling to it. Right now, the girl who you’s given you so much needs you to keep it together to get her out of here.""

Kris’ hand curls into a fist held tight against Calliope’s chest, a fire in the Daughter’s eyes.

"Maybe you don't think you're mentally strong enough for this, but never forget you're absolutely PHYSICALLY strong enough. Calliope trusted you in that department without hesitation...now it’s time to trust yourselves. Use that strength to help each other stay calm and get her, you, and everyone else out of here.”

“But...but if she’s not here to guide us…” Begins a frail-looking young woman in the back, arms wrapped around herself several times over. “...then what’re we supposed to d-”

“Then we listen to them. To HER.” Lisa suddenly barks, hastily rising to her feet with her nostril flaring in time with the void-like holes in her limbs. “We’re getting out of this if we don’t panic, and we follow Shu’s lead. Got it?”

“Thank you, Lisa.” You say with a genuinely relieved smile. Then, to the rest of them. “If you need instructions, if you can’t trust yourself to make your own decisions, then put that in my family’s hands, and we'll put your skill sets to good use. We’re going to make sure Calliope and all of you get out of here alive, okay?"

(Continued)

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>>5006833

Reaching out, you offer your hand to Lisa with a smile. "Let’s get your girl out of here together, okay?"

She doesn’t hesitate before grabbing it with a ferocity that reminds you of your favorite red-head. Kris gently lays Calliope down, rising to their feet as their calcite buckler and wavy short sword manifest before your eyes.

“All right. Okay.” They say, nodding. “So we’re doing this. All of us. For Calliope.”

“For Calliope.” Echoes the crowd.

“Lisa?” Kris says suddenly. “I’ll help with the digging if you-”

“On it.” She cuts off, rounding on the other Daughters. “Staceys, heal Calliope. The sooner she’s on her feet the better, but focus on quality, not just speed. Ginny, I’m gonna need you on mountain duty. The clock’s ticking and you know how this place changes better than anybody here. Be our early warning. Null?”

The featureless Flesh Artisan’s head cocks violently from you to Lisa.

“Help Kris with the dig.” She orders coldly. “Between you two, we’re tearing our way out of this fucking mountain.”

As far as galvanizing speeches go, it certainly delivered; your words lit a fire underneath Calliope’s team, and with that you turn your attention back to your escape route. Surveying the work, you’re surprised to find that in the span of a single speech, they’ve already made it roughly twenty meters down, Rath’s hands making short work of the bone, melting it so fast it’s reduced to little more than a smoking afterthought, the debris flung back into Holly’s waiting jaws. Kris Joins November in widening the gap, while Gina widens the hole, keeping it steady. A dozen Joyous slash at the walls with ceaseless fervor, while their creator’s...

…nowhere to be found. Your heart’s in your throat as you whirl around, and to your immense relief you find your daughter standing in the corner, her back to you with one hand against the bare wall while the other clutches her drawn sword.

“Amara, honey…we talked about this.” You say wearily, though you find that while her face is contorted, it’s not with anger. She looks confused, as she turns to look up at you with her two-tone gaze.

“It...it’s not angry.” She says, grip on her sword loosening. “I thought it was just being mean, but its talking to the mountains. It’s looking for something.”

“It’s looking for us, sweetie.” You say, ushering her to follow you as she shakes her head.

“Yeah, but...it’s not mad. I don’t think it wants to hurt anyone, it just...does. It's trying to remember why it woke up.” She murmurs, looking defeated.

>>Take Amara back to the dig. Even thinking about communing with that Amalgam is a fool’s errand, and you'd be playing right into Mother's hands.

>>...You hate to even entertain the idea, but maybe there’s something to Amara’s intuition. Try sending something out to interact with it, but keep digging meanwhile.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting will remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume tomorrow morning at 10AM, Eastern time. I'll be back to answer questions shortly, as I'm going to go fix dinner and eat something for the first time today.)

(Whew.)

>>5006837
...wait... hrm.... so is it actually not hostile to daughters on purpose, but, just a side effect?
i mean, Amara actually has a point, if nothing else. the big bois were made for external threats from what i remember, not internal. it might very legitimately just be confused about what its actually supposed to be doing.

that still leaves the very big question of why it might be after us, or daughters in general. i mean, it sounds like it just has big brained 'DEFEND CRUCIBLE' instincts, and those might just be on the fritz cause its like 'But theres not damn threat from outside???'.

i GUESS we can send something out. Stealth-Jackling, if we see an opening. my biggest worry there would just be if our brains can even handle connecting to it.

sooo....
Vote;
>Find a moment to talk to Gina and Francine about what Amara said.
>While you wont hinge your bets on being able to convince it of anything, if what she is saying holds true, it may indeed not truly even understand why it was released. if nothing else, maybe you could at leat get some info from it, assuming they think connecting to it is even possible and...
>...possible without frying anyones brain. its not only big, but was made with non crucible threats in mind too, which means you cant guarantee crucible based powers like the Halo will be enough.
>Gina and Francine call. you're not risking brain melting, but if they think its safe and possible, send out a stealth-jackling first opening you get that seems safe, and try and have it make its way to it.

>>5006837
>>...You hate to even entertain the idea, but maybe there’s something to Amara’s intuition. Try sending something out to interact with it, but keep digging meanwhile.

Interesting. Is the Hunger field it projects a passive effect that it can't turn off, as opposed to a directed attack? If this is the case, and it has its own goals as opposed to hunting us, then there's more to this situation than we realize. Let's proceed cautiously and figure out what's going on, while also diverting our resources to the escape route.

Seconding these:
>>5006841

>>5006838
>I'm going to go fix dinner and eat something for the first time today
Ooph. I'm sorry to hear you didn't get a chance earlier. Go, eat, meatball man.

>>5006841
I remember that being established way back at Laoc. It's not actively aggressive to Daughters, but it knows it's only supposed to be woken up to fight and the lack of apparent threats has it very confused.

>>5006843
I think it might not even have specifically a Hunger aura, just an empathic communication method like Shu had before we cut it off, and everyone around it is feeling the psychic prop-wash from its own chaotic mindset.

Come to think of it, didn't the Nothing say that Shu's empathic field would let her take control of the Apocalypse Amalgams, if she hadn't gotten rid of it? Maybe that's why it's searching for us. We're somehow compatible with the Crucible's defense systems, and it doesn't know if that makes us an enemy trying to subvert it or an ally to seek guidance from. Though that wouldn't explain why it's still searching for us with our empathic field cut off, would it? Eh, maybe it's something else, then.

>>5006837
Support >>5006841

>>5006849
i think amalgams were mentioned and i know for sure the heights it could reach were implied to be massive, but them specifically im not sure. i do know it sounded like they wouldn't be off the table though.

as for that being why its after us? maybe. it may be 'off' but that doesnt mean either our core itself isnt so tied into it that it itself is still giving off the same 'signal' or whatever, or it could mean 'off is not truly off'.
my only other guesses are Mother didn't say we're a threat(otherwise it'd be more aggressive towards our presence), but simply half heartily told them 'that Shu girls taking the reins' or something when she released the pact they had.
otherwise otherwise the other guess is Isabelle once having nom'd Mother makes her still somewhat smell like mother.

...knowing our luck, maybe its a mix.

>>5006861
I found the Vein where the Nothing talks to us about it. You're right, they didn't use such explicit terms. Just talked about "Titans" that we could turn to our side. That could be all sorts of things.

And yeah, Ozmas just telling the Apocalypse Amalgam to seek us out without explicitly ordering it to attack us sounds like something she'd do to get around her restrictions. Maybe it will attack us, maybe it won't, but either way it would make life difficult.

{Rested and well-fed, finally. Thank you for your patience and participation, and and all. I'll be staring on the next update when voting ends, so if you have any questions, comments, or concerns then I'll be happy to address them. Thank you for being amazing one and all, and take care.)

>>5006917
>>5006838
Damn. I just missed the voting period as I FINALLY had some windfall at work to my utter surprise of the shift closing ON. TIME. instead of dragging its feet til the midnight moon.

>>5006849
>>5006843
>>5006841
...I just had a terrifying thought. We have THREE of these Clueless apocalyptic Kaiju who were roused from their slumber trying to remember why they were woken up and clueless as to why they need to find Shu. And we are just about to talk to the one that flies. And even if we do manage to calm it down, that leaves TWO more of them (Land and sea) that we have to calm down.

>>5007000
...well, the good news is the water one will have trouble reaching us.
and i think the land one was said to be very slow?

>>5007012
>>5007000
(The Leviathan is technically the fastest, while the Thunderbird has the most mobility. The Behemoth is technically the most powerful of the three.)

>>5007000
(Ah, I'm sorry about the timing, but I'm glad you actually got off on time, for once.)

>>5007000
Ah, sorry to hear that you missed it. At least you got out as early as you're supposed to instead of having to stay late.

And yeah, the Apocalypse Amalgam situation is a mess. May we pray that we are much stronger by the time we meet the other two, in case they're actively hostile and not just curious.

>>5007012
The water one should be limited to the river networks. Unless the Crucible made some inland seas in between us and the Cord, which for all we know it did. That could be kind of cool, to have to sail across a sea of acid to reach the Cord.

>>5007017
Huh, interesting. Hebrew names for land and sea, but going Native American for sky? Is that meaningful, like the flyer has enough storm-related abilities that it warrants association with Thunderbird over Ziz?

>>5007024
(A good eye for the naming conventions. Ziz is, indeed, its official designation.)

>>5007027
Yeah, everyone always forgets about Ziz. I think it's because giant flying monsters aren't as common as giant land-bound or aquatic ones, so that Ziz hasn't entered the general lexicon as a stand-in term like Behemoth and Leviathan have.

>>5007039
(Yeah, I always liked the name Ziz. It just had a certain ring to it, as much as 'Thunderbird' feels imposing and thematic. Hearing about the three titans from Big O made them a shoe-in for this hodgepodge of homages.)

>>5006837
so wait..... its not hostile?

Dang that is some serious passive power. well it was made do defend the crucible

>>5007017
so the Behemoth is the most powerful but extremely slow in comparison. Can it cross the seas or is it locked to a continent? Because that would be some serious oversight if the invader manages to take out the other two and just starves the last one out because it could not reach the enemies to destroy because it moved quicker than the Behemoth.

But maybe that thing could maybe teleport to all places it had previously been to

>>5007091
>Hearing about the three titans from Big O made them a shoe-in for this hodgepodge of homages.)
Real talk, if this thing turns into a humanoid form with prop planes for forearms, I will love you forever. The Big-series Megadei are some of my favorite mecha.

>>5007098
Or maybe it terraforms the seabed up to the surface, letting it bridge across oceans. That would be cool.

>>5007107
that woudl actually be a quite good way for it to move actgually... if it has enough Biomass and Terraforming capabilities on that scale.....

I now imagine the Behemoth from Final fantasy surfing on a Srufboard made from calcite just casually riding a continous wave of Flesh from one end of the globe to the other....

The image is weird.... but also glorious.

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Guess what I found in the Skinternet shopping catalogue!

>>5007211
Pfffahaha
Okay that is ouch.....

But something I could someone actually creating during the crucible.

>>Bag of maleable Ethics
>> A curious creation made by a daughter that wanted to no longer be hunted for the many crimes she commited.
>>By sacrificing a Level the bag is filled with the Ethics and Mindset of the daughter that provided the sacrifice.
>> If another daughter has the bag draped over her head the Ethics fall out and replace their own moral compass with the ethics of the daughter that filled the bag originally making the cictim see the world from the same point of view that the daughter held.

Just a spur of the moment thing i came up with. I know that Shu would not approve of the use of that thing

>>5007253
>>Bag of Malleable Ethics

(Guess we know what Doctor West got called behind her back in med school.)

(Jokes aside, that's a clever Relic, I like it!)

>>5007098
(Each member of the Trio can easily defend any part of the planet they're summoned to, but some are able to be first-responders of a sort. Their physical forms change between Crucibles, but they do tend to keep the land/sea/air theme between instances.)

>>5007107
(Somehow missed this - the mech designs from Big O are some of my favorite designs ever, with the main three being perfection in my book. Glad to see a fellow fan!)

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>>5006837

[Gina, I think Amara’s on to something] You say, though lancing across the empathic line. [Francine’s tethered to you, so can she-?]

“Hear you? Quite plainly, Darling.” Comes the doctor’s ever-composed reply.

{I don’t have parallel processing so much as a shitty attention span, but I think I can hold the tunnel and listen to whatever weird shit our baby girl’s up to at the same time} Gina chuckles. {Hit me—what’s she got?}

[Going off what Amara’s saying, I’m thinking about talking to the Apocalypse Amalgam]

...they both go quiet for a moment of stunned silence, leaving you to fill in the gaps.

[She says it’s talking to the mountains, and that it either doesn’t know it’s hurting people or that it can’t help it. She claims it can’t remember why it woke up. Knowing what we do, do you think there’s any truth to that?}

“It’s...that’s quite possible, yes.” Francine hesitantly admits. “The three Apocalypse-class Amalgams are designed to be deployed against external threats to the Crucible itself. It doesn’t make sense as to why they’d be trying to track us. We’re an internal threat, well outside their purview.”

{Be like trying to kill a fly with a fuckin’ grenade} Gina mutters irritably, turning the unexpected scenario over and around in her mind. {If we can talk to it, do you think you can work your magic?}

{I’m not going to hedge my bets on being able to convince it of anything...but if what Amara’s saying is true, then this thing may not even understand why it was released. Like Francine said—it was designed to protect the Crucible] You say, the conversation going as fast as thought allows while you stand next to Amara, hand on her shoulder. [So why are the Apocalypse-classes doing laps? Organized, repetitive laps? We assumed they were on auto-pilot, and that makes sense...but what if they were looking for something?]

{Like?} Gina counters, the question handing in the air as you ponder your answer.

[...only one way to find out]

Halfway across the room, Gina laughs. {You’re Amara’s Mom, alright. Okay, so if we’re going to do this—which I assume we are, ‘cause we’re clearly batshit—how you wanna play it?}

“Neuromancy and Skintalking seem like the likeliest options.” Francine muses, rapidly narrowing the possibilities before her. “Neuromancy with the Halos is possible, but we have no idea if there’d be backlash well over its buffer thresholds.”

{West seemed to think that the Neuromancy-specialized Halo would be capable of hijacking the Cord, and we’re still banking on that fact. If it can punch through the Cord’s defenses, do you think those three would be better armored?}

(Continued)

>>5007388

[This thing was built to protect the Crucible against...whatever’s out there that can put down a Crucible] You point out, trying to skirt around that fun bit of cosmic horror on your way to the point. [It wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that these things are immune or antithetical to a Daughter’s conventional powersets]

{Fuck, you’re so hot when you’re right}

“Ladies.”

{Shit}

[Sorry]

“In any case...” Francine declares, recovering admirably. “...as much as I adore darling Amara, I fear relying on her as our liaison for these negotiations would be tantamount to a fusing ‘telephone’ and russian roulette.”

{Nice one}

“Thank you.”

[Fuck it. We’ll do this the tried and true way] You say, squaring yourself up for this insane plan.

“...Fuzzbuzz diplo-?” Francine begins, alarmed.

[Wha-? No. No, we’re going to do a stealthed jackling. Fair assumption, though] You admit, turning to the young girl beside you. [I’m going to talk to Amara for a second more, and then we’ll try it]

Bringing yourself eye level with your ward, you cup Amara’s cheek with one hand, eyes locked with hers.

“Hey. Thank you for telling me about this. I just talked with GG and Francine, and we’re going to try something. We’re going to try and talk to it.”

“Can you help it figure out what it needs?” Amara asks, blue and brown eyes swimming with emotions you can’t quite decipher.

“I hope so, sweetie.” You say with a tired smile. “I really do.”

Moments later, Francine’s woven herself between you and Gina, the doctor’s coat held in Amara’s hands, neatly folded. The rest of her exists as golden strands, painlessly threaded through both you and Gina, your three halos pulsing as one.

“Ready?” Gina asks, your hive thrumming to life.

“No...but when has that ever stopped us?” You fire back with a grin. Gina chuckles as you spawn an enhanced Jackling from your hive. The size of a small cat, its sleek shape takes flight, buzzing onwards to the unknown. Closing your eyes allows you to see through its own as it navigates out into open air, the corrosive fog collecting on its impervious shell as a light mist.

You break cloud cover, and there it is—the impossibly vast avain, one of three titans built to defend the Crucible, a virus’ own immune system. It doesn’t seem to notice as your miniscule swarmling draws ever-nearer, with every meter gained equalling another few ounces of pressure, your fists balled tightly at your side. Five meters to go, and it’s the largest living thing you’ve ever seen. Four, and you have a split-second of doubt. Three finds your resolve, and two brings the same calm acceptance that’s washed over you with every move you’ve made up to this point.

One, and what did you say to your family, just moments ago?

Your swarmling’s stinger makes contact, and your world is washed away in a sea of color.

‘Forwards...always forwards.’

(...)

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>>5007391

The last time you were in a place like this, you’d ceased to be. Colors you can barely begin to describe swirl around you, and in reaching out to touch them you realize, dimly, that you’re still you. Still...Shu.

You blink, and the world’s shifted to something more comprehensible.

“Woah.”

Gina’s beside you, with Francine spell-bound on your left. Drawn in by an open invitation by a questioning, yearning thing. Both are transfixed by the riot of hues and shades the likes of which an artist could only dream of...and somewhere in the back of your mind, you think ‘Dorian would like this’, just before color coalesces into a far more tangible thing.

An egg floats before you. The concept of birth made manifest in this place between. A fissure slithers from top to bottom, a few pieces cracked loose by the thing that half-emerges from its shell. A single avian wing flutters free, shielding the rest of the interior from view save for an eye—twitching, struggling to focus between the three strangers before it until it finally settles on you.

>>Hello.

It says, with the voice of every child you’ve ever heard, and all the ones you haven’t.

“Hello.” You reply, and four questions are asked of you, all at once. A checklist, committed to memory. A directive emblazoned on this thing’s very soul.

>>Is the project in danger?

>>Is it over?

>>Has She been born?

>>Can we go home?

“I-” You hesitate, and the egg...no. The entire space shudders with emotion. It’s what you saw in Amara’s eyes, you realize.

Confusion. Frustration. Fear.

>>Then why am I awake?

It asks, and you find yourself searching for an answer...or perhaps a question.

>>Write-In

>>I’ve

>>Write-In

>>Waited

>>Write-In

>>For

>>Write-In

>>So

>>Write-In

>>Long

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Good Morning, Everyone. Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume in approximately four.)

>>5007394

>>"You were awoken as an act by Ozmaz the last one that ascended the cord. She had spend herself dry trying to meddle with the crucible."

>>"I am Shu and these here are part of my family. What can i call you?"

>>"What is the Project? To find someone that can control the Crucible without ascending to the throne or to create the ultimate Lifeform?"

Lets start with introductions and make sure it knows that its awakening was not due to an external threat.

This is just preliminarily dotting down some things i think could be useful to ask

>>5007394
oh... OH.
thats... sad if im right.
>can we go home?
that says so little yet so so much.
my god, so many ideas that brings up, but the simple and easy one is, the defenders are at least related or made from 'them' who made the crucibles, and the crucibles are trying to make something their home(whatever or wherever that is), needs, and they cant go back until then. damn, i mean, doesn't excuse genociding all intelligent life in our galaxy, but still, i can at least empathize with big birds feelings here.

vote;
>Sigh, and take a moment to collect yourself.
>"im sorry, but I can only guess at what your questions mean, so i apologize if im answering with the wrong info..."
>"..but please, bear with me, as they'll be answers you seek, or at least information to help you on your way im sure, in my answers."
>"If the Project is all the Crucibles in general, than no. Crucibles have nearly consumed the whole galaxy, they are far from in danger."
>>"If the project is the collection of Crucibles... then no, not even close. i cant say for sure, but depending on the goal it may of even gotten out of hand."
>"If You're asking if this Crucible is over, it is not, and though things are getting heated, might still be a ways off from being so."
>>"If by 'over' you're asking about the Crucibles in general, well... like i said, they are still going hot, so no."
>"If by 'born' you mean a new mother, then no."
>>"If you mean something else... then obviously still no, given what ive said previously."
>"And at that, im sorry... but im not sure what or where your home is, but given your previous questions... if they related to an unfinished goal, then no, you cannot. ah, but We wouldn't stop you if you want to go home... and no one might be able to anymore, actually."

>take a moment before answering the last question, study the thing and how it may be responding.
>"You're awake... because you're free. Its a bit of a long story, but if you'd like, i'd be happy to tell you. But the simple explanation is, the current 'mother' of this Crucible gave up, and released all bound entities from both their contracts and containment. that included you and your two siblings."
>"So... im sorry. you have no reason to be awake. there is no threat, you were simply freed from your obligations, or at least to whatever level Mother had a right to free you from."

>sigh, and lean forward, and give it a smile.
>"Im sorry, i know this must be confusing, but we're not your enemies, nor here to hurt you. we're confused too, and seeking our own answers."
>"Im Shu, and this is Gina and Francine. We'd like to be on good terms with you, and try and help you, but we cant guarantee we can, and you'd have to help us understand what you truly want too...."
>"...and you'd need to stop trying to melt us and our friends minds... if thats possible?"

>>5007394
Welllll....... that other Anon got pretty much what i wanted to say out there

Ammending my vote from my preliminary one >>5007413
to >>5007417

>>5007394
>>5007417
sliight amendment, as somehow a line got deleted or replaced or something.

one of these lines;
>"If the Project is all the Crucibles in general, than no. Crucibles have nearly consumed the whole galaxy, they are far from in danger."
>>"If the project is the collection of Crucibles... then no, not even close. i cant say for sure, but depending on the goal it may of even gotten out of hand."

was supposed to be;
>"If the Project is this Crucible, then no. no External threats are known to be near this planet."

that said, not sure which version of the doubled up line i like more.

>>5007437
you could merge them.
>"If the Project is all the Crucibles in general, than no. Crucibles have nearly consumed the whole galaxy, so i would say maybe the project has gotten out of hand."

>>5007444
>>5007437
>>"If the Project is all the Crucibles in general, than no. Crucibles have nearly consumed the whole galaxy, so i would say maybe the project has gotten out of hand."
that depends on the perspective though. what is the "criteria" for a project "Getting out of hand"? From a human point of view, sure. From the creator's point of view? maybe it could be working as intended.

I do have a thought however. what if the "She" that the Amalgam mentioned is referring to the potential "Mother of All"?

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>>5007444
>>5007437
>>5007417
>>5007394
yeah thats a nice compromise, lets go with that, thanks anon.
nice digits too.

>>5007450
could be, though i would want to get some responses first instead of hedging bets on that.
plus, if we try and say its us, it might not try to kill us but for all we know it'll accidentally level the mountain range from jumping around with giddy happiness, or any number of things.

>>5007450
Motehr of all could be. actually pretty likely which is why i wanted to confirm if it knows what the project is.

But maybe asking directly will trigger Nothing again.

>>5007394
Yeah, sounds good. I'll be supporting the final version of this >>5007451
, unless someone comes up with something better.

>Is the project in danger?

>Is it over?

>Has She been born?

>Can we go home?

Goddamn. this hits me hard depressing in a way both in-quest and irl given my mood and world outlook.

Even though these thoughts give me an excuse to drop this absolute banger of a song, the lyrics are entirely too appropriate to describe the state of the situation both in-quest and irl.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH9IRVHBZ7Y&t=4s

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>>5007549
damn, that was a nice song yeah.

>>5007549
(Ah, another song. I wonder wha-)

>>It's an absolute fucking banger that obliterates me

(...nicely done. This is going on the inspiration playlist.)

>>5007394
Blerg, getting here later than usual today. But damn, that's an interesting response. It wants to go home? Does it know where that is? Are we talking someplace in this universe, or outside it, given the Nothing's existence?

Supporting >>5007417

>>5007549
It's pretty depressing for this thing, yeah. Making it capable of angst and homesickness wasn't necessary for it to defend your project, Crucible-builders. You made a superweapon that could get sad, why was that something you thought was worth doing? It just feels like you're setting the poor creature up for a bad time.

>>5007565
at this point the Crucible creators actual plan seems so weird and more convoluted and out there than you would first think, that them WANTING it to be able to feel those things wouldn't surprise me.

>>5007569
...yeah, actually, that's entirely possible, isn't it? We're not sure what the Crucible-builders want, exactly, but we know from the Nothing that their data set finds altruistic behavior notable. Maybe they made the giant super-monsters capable of anxiety and depression because they want to see if anyone would ever try to comfort them.

>>5007572
>>5007569
If the overarching goal for the Crucible is to create an entity that can embody the mantle/compass of "Mother of All", then it's clear that one of the criteria that needs be met is to empathize and communicate with all beings, amalgam, daughter alike. Because it's clear that this Crucible and possibly all other crucible strains share the same overarching objective which is why they have proliferated so much in this galaxy.

>>5007577
its funny, because the situation kinda feels like this at the moment;

Shu:
>"I just want to save my planet and then spend the rest of my days with my family and friends being nice to everyone."

'Them';
>"Yes, that. that is exactly the person we want to take away from their family and friends after mutilating their planet and ask to be the new savior-mother of us and the universe."

like, i get it, those are nice traits to have in someone you put in that position, assuming that is indeed your goal. but, like, maybe theres a bit of a big and obvious issue with that too?

>>5007563
>It's an absolute fucking banger that obliterates me

You want to talk about songs that obliterates people emotionally? Try this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awM5G6xBC2I

This one absolutely obliterates the soul. It never fails to bring me to tears.

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>>5007394

You breathe in, exhaling with intent as you collect your thoughts amidst the kaleidoscope of sights and sensations.

“I’m sorry, but I can only guess at what your questions mean.” You slowly begin, choosing each word with utmost care in the face of this inscrutable being. “I apologize if I’m answering with the wrong info...but please, bear with me. They'll be answers you seek, or at least information to help you on your way I’m sure."

The egg lowers slightly, and you get the impression that it’s ‘sitting’, in a way.

"If the Project is all the Crucibles in general, than no. Crucibles have nearly consumed the whole galaxy, so I’d say maybe the project has gotten out of hand." You say, pausing a moment for the Amalgam to reply before moving on in the face of its silence. "If you’re asking if this Crucible is over? It is not, and though things are getting heated, it might still be a ways off from being so."

The colors flicker, the eggs shuddering as a wave of crushing disappointment washes over you and the women beside you.

"If by 'born' you mean a new Mother, then no." You say, pressing on as your throat works against the urge to shed empathic tears. "If you mean something else...then I’m sorry, but still no, given what I’ve said previously."

At that, the colors around you appear to seep downwards, a steady, distant torrent that reaches your ears like a dull white noise.

"I’m sorry...but I’m not sure what or where your home is. Given your previous questions. If they related to an unfinished goal then no, you cannot.” Another pang, thing time, of sorrow deep sorrow and a burgeoning panic. “Ah, but we wouldn't stop you if you want to go home...and no one might be able to anymore, actually."

>>I cannot go home.

>>We were made to protect.

>>There is no threat.

>>We were made to bring her home.

>>She has not been born.

>>I cannot leave.

>>But I smelled it?

>>The One we’ve all been waiting for.

>>And a heart that resonates with Her own.

>>That resonates the way I was made.

>>A worthy pilot.

>>To escort Her home.

>>I...

>>I don’t-

>>Why am I awake?

>>Please.

>>I don’t understand.

Confusion envelops the being’s mind once more, the colors stuttering into a psychedelic hurricane as hairline cracks start to skitter across the egg’s surface.

"You're awake... because you're free.” You explain, stepping forwards with a soft tone to the unfortunate truth. “It’s a bit of a long story…but if you'd like, I’d be happy to tell you.

>>Please?

It pleads, with a voice so lost and scared…so close to Amara’s, when she’s hurt…that it almost breaks you right then and there.

“The simple explanation is that the current 'Mother' of this Crucible gave up, and released all bound entities from both their contracts and containment. That included you and your two siblings."

>>Behemoth.

>>Leviathan.

>>They are lost like me?

(Continued)

My go-to for emotionally-obliterating songs, at least in the context of this quest, is the soundtrack for the visual novel Heaven Will Be Mine. Mostly because that's a story about lesbian mutants saving the world through the power of positive emotional growth and mutual support. Feels very appropriate for this quest. And man, is Silly Game an amazing track. I love how the synth line on it goes from a mournful wail to an exultation of hope without actually changing its structure.

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

>>5007609

>>Behemoth will be angry.

>>Seeking for a rage that matches his own.

>>Leviathan will be curious.

>>Yearning for a mind to challenge their own.

>>I fear for them.

>>So.

>>There was no point to this?

>>This is our truth?

"...I’m sorry. You have no reason to be awake. There is no threat, you were simply freed from your obligations, or at least to whatever level Mother had a right to free you from."

>>I have waited so long.

>>I will be alone.

>>Forever.

>>Why would He make us?

>>If just to wander for eternity?

The world pulses once, then again in time with this thing’s own breaking heart.

"I’m so, so sorry.” You say, moving closer to the egg as Gina and Francine’s fears are brushed aside by your compassion. “Truly I am. I know this must be confusing, but we're not your enemies, nor are we here to hurt you. We’re confused too, and seeking our own answers."

>>You are hurting?

It asks, its eye wavering.

"Not just me…but everyone.”

>>What…

>>What is your name?

I’m Shu, and this is Gina and Francine.” You reply, gesturing to the girls behind you. “We'd like to be on good terms with you, and try and help you, but we can’t guarantee we can, and you'd have to help us understand what you truly want too...."

And then, praying you’re not overstepping;

"...you'd need to stop trying to melt us and our friends’ minds, though…if that’s possible?"

It’s eye widens.

>>The protective field!

>>Oh no.

>>I…

>>I think I can.

>>I will try.

>>I will.

>>I promise.

(Continued)

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>>5007613

“We’d really appreciate that.” Comes your relieved reply, a genuine smile on your lips. “So…your siblings have names. What’s yours, if you’re willing to share?”

Its eye widens further with surprise.

>>Oh.

>>Um.

>>We do not have names.

>>But our designations are pulled from memories.

>>Collective ones, from the Crucible’s participants.

>>So…

>>…Ziz.

>>My designation is ‘Ziz’.

“Thank you, Ziz. What is it that you need? What are you seeking?”

Its eye glances skyward, searching its memory.

>>I…I do not know.

>>I only know the list.

>>The words.

>>And how they smell.

>>I was not told everything.

>>Behemoth was told even less.

>>Leviathan knows the most, but…

>>…we only know pieces of the whole.

“That’s okay. That’s perfectly fine.” You assure, feeling anxiety start to overwhelm the being. “We can take it slow, okay? And only if you’re comfortable with it.”

>>Yes.

>>Yes, I want to help.

>>You are-

>>Nice.

A flutter of wing and heartbeat, all at once.

>>Like the One who made us.

{Field’s compressing, Shu} Gina informs you, voice tight even across your psychic link. {It’s trying to reign it in. Rath and the others are making good progress, but the mountain’s gonna shift in the next half hour. Unless we hit any snags, they should have a clear shot to the other side in fifteen}

Okay.

Time to get some answers.

>>Write-in

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next three hours, with posting to resume after approximately four.)

>>5007610
(Oh, I love that game. The soundtrack is excellent, and We Know The Devil is also stellar, with an appropriately moody soundtrack.)

>>5007616
goddamn this poor thing. damn, so Laoc (and the other places) was literally just a tragedy of basically a lost sorta-child basically freaking out and just trying to understand what was going on.

also, yeah, seems Ziz is smelling Shu most likely, but... also someone else? either Gina, oddly enough, or we're getting into some REALLY weird territory where Shu ISNT the 'Mother of All' on a technicality, but is really her 'vessel' to take her home, or something, and said 'Mother of All' is or can be split from Shu later. or something.

>"Thank you, the field seems to be shrinking. That'll do alot to ease alot of peoples nerves."
>"by the way... Ziz is a lovely name. It fits you, and im glad we met so i could learn it."
>Smile and see if you cant spawn a mind fuzzbuzz for it.
>Regardless, offer it some words of encouragement.
>"Ziz... i know me and others may never be able to amount to whoever made you, and whoever you're looking for but... you dont have to be alone. Im willing to be your friend, and I know a little girl who would probably dote over you to an unhealthy degree if you let her. And you have your siblings too! maybe your relationship with them isnt the best, but that can always change, if you work at it and want it to."
>"but... for now, if you dont mind, lets share some questions. if you want, feel free to ask us one for each we ask you. even if we cant answer fully, info may help us both to calm down and come to a conclusion, no?"

>"Right... can you tell us more about who made you... and the Crucibles? and why? Even if its just how you 'feel' about all that, it might help us tremendously."
>"...and if its something you're comfortable with, im curious about what you were made to defend against, even just an example? Im sure to someone so strong it might be obvious, but to us little guys in the Crucible, its hard to imagine anything being a threat to it."

>"...Do you think your siblings would be willing to listen to us? or to you now that you know more about whats really going on?"
>"i dont mean to upset you, but your field inadvertently caused alot of problems... and we want to prevent your siblings from making a similar mistake. We want to help them too.. if like you, they're willing to listen and try to find a solution that helps everyone."

willing to edit, change, and add more, but this felt like a good foundation. i feel like something between the two questions to help ease things forward is really needed though, but i cant think of anything.
Sure, we could mention the 'Mother of All', and even mention Shus connection to it, but im REALLY worried it might misinterpret or jump to conclusions, and how things would go if Shu isnt willing ot 'go along with' what it wants or thinks she should thus be doing, even if its only due to us reaaally not knowing what any of that means.
not saying we NEVER ask, just feels like get it calmer and more familiar with us at the very least first, and gauge if it can handle that yet.

>>5007616
Aww, it's actually kind of cute, now. Nothing like a giant monster acting awkward to make it seem less threatening.

>>Write-in
>"Thank you for retracting your field, Ziz. I appreciate you making this easier for us."
>"Well, if you could start by telling us about your list? I can't guarantee that I'll know what it means, but we can at least try to give it some context. What traits does the thing you're seeking have? It sounded like you were talking about a person?"
>"If you're alright with it, I'd also like to hear about the One who made you. Knowing about them could help us understand what they wanted you to do. What were they like? It sounds like you cared about them a lot."
>"Also, while I'd love to stay and talk with you for a long time, unfortunately this mountain is going to shift soon and we'll need to leave or we'll get crushed. Is there some way I can keep in contact with you, so that we can talk again? I like to leave members of my swarm with friends to accomplish that purpose, would that work for you?"
>If so, make a seven-eyed FuzzBuzz with seven wings to accompany Ziz. ZizzBuzz.

Okay, this is starting to come together, why becoming the Mother is a failure state. The Crucible wants someone to safely escort some being home, a pilot who got in the chair through ruthlessness couldn't be trusted to not turn on their charge, so they're instead forced to go find some new Mother. I'm not sure why that necessitates killing the entire world, but it's a start.

>>5007619
We Know The Devil is also quite good, but I don't go back to its soundtrack as often. It's a more horror-themed story, so the music is much more tense. Alec Lambert still did great work on it, but it's less immediately accessible, you know?

>>5007629
>Sure, we could mention the 'Mother of All', and even mention Shus connection to it, but im REALLY worried it might misinterpret or jump to conclusions, and how things would go if Shu isnt willing ot 'go along with' what it wants or thinks she should thus be doing, even if its only due to us reaaally not knowing what any of that means.
>not saying we NEVER ask, just feels like get it calmer and more familiar with us at the very least first, and gauge if it can handle that yet.
Oh, for sure. Even if we're lucky and it doesn't have any sort of negative response to that term, I don't want to lead its line of thinking. If the phrase comes up in conversation, I want it to be the first to use it, so we know it's not just going along with our terminology. There's no guarantee that it knows the phrase on its own, and I don't want to accidentally conflate ideas in its head that could lead to miscommunication.

>>5007637
yeah, sounds like a good way to go about it.

>>5007636
im personally not too worried about time, or at least having to rush the conversation to its end just yet. we have 15 minutes to spare for even if things take a bit of a turn, and im sure our family will let us know when its time to skedaddle.

only worry is more of it(or BHOP) interpreting it as us wanting to cut the conversation shorter than we need to.

>>5007641
>im personally not too worried about time, or at least having to rush the conversation to its end just yet. we have 15 minutes to spare for even if things take a bit of a turn, and im sure our family will let us know when its time to skedaddle.
I suppose. I can change it to something to say towards the end of the conversation. Mostly I just want to make sure lines of contact are established firmly. We've got a friendly giant monster, would be a shame to lose touch with them.

>>5007616
Changing >>5007636

>>Write-in
>"Thank you for retracting your field, Ziz. I appreciate you making this easier for us."
>"Well, if you could start by telling us about your list? I can't guarantee that I'll know what it means, but we can at least try to give it some context. What traits does the thing you're seeking have? It sounded like you were talking about a person?"
>"If you're alright with it, I'd also like to hear about the One who made you. Knowing about them could help us understand what they wanted you to do. What were they like? It sounds like you cared about them a lot."
>After we've spent some time talking with Ziz about these topics.
>"Ziz, while I'd love to stay and talk with you for longer, unfortunately this mountain is going to shift soon and we'll need to leave or we'll get crushed. Is there some way I can keep in contact with you, so that we can talk again? I like to leave members of my swarm with friends to accomplish that purpose, would that work for you?"
>If so, make a seven-eyed FuzzBuzz with seven wings to accompany Ziz. ZizzBuzz.

>>5007647
eh, i still dont like it, but i guess heres a solution;

>>5007617
BHOP, do we really need to be prepared to jump ship now(minus any spoilerly unforseen events, of course), or will we have an opportunity after these questions to ask about staying n contact in the next update?

>>5007662
(...You won't be rushed, not really. Partly due to the speed of conversation in this state of existence, partly due to spoilers.)

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>>5007670
>spoilers at the very least giving us more time.
you know, only this quest i think could make me worry if thats going to be a good thing...

>>5007670
>partly due to spoilers
Is the Ziz going to give us a ride? Are we finally going full JRPG and getting an airship?

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>>5007673
lets not get our hopes too high.
mostly because i have a feeling Ziz is gonna be busy trying to talk to their siblings for at least a bit
But at least a ride off the mountain doesn't seem far fetched.

>>5007675
True, true. It would probably be disruptive to ride on the Ziz everywhere, anyway. Everyone constantly freaking out and seeing it as a huge threat coming to destroy them. But man, it would be cool. I guess I'll just have to settle for being friends with this apocalyptic sky-titan.

>>5007616
>>5007629
slight vote amendment;

>"Thank you, the field seems to be shrinking. That'll do alot to ease alot of peoples nerves."
>"by the way... Ziz is a lovely name. It fits you, and im glad we met so i could learn it."
>Smile and see if you cant spawn a mind fuzzbuzz for it.
>Regardless, offer it some words of encouragement.
>"Ziz... i know me and others may never be able to amount to whoever made you, and whoever you're looking for but... you dont have to be alone. Im willing to be your friend, and I know a little girl who would probably dote over you to an unhealthy degree if you let her. And you have your siblings too! maybe your relationship with them isnt the best, but that can always change, if you work at it and want it to."
>"but... for now, if you dont mind, lets share some questions. if you want, feel free to ask us one for each we ask you. even if we cant answer fully, info may help us both to calm down and come to a conclusion, no?"

>"Right... can you tell us more about who made you... and the Crucibles? and why? Even if its just how you 'feel' about all that, it might help us tremendously."
>"...and if its something you're comfortable with, im curious about what you were made to defend against, even just an example? Im sure to someone so strong it might be obvious, but to us little guys in the Crucible, its hard to imagine anything being a threat to it."

>"Well, if you could tell us about your list? I can't guarantee that I'll know what it means, but we can at least try to give it some context. What traits does the thing you're seeking have? It sounded like you were talking about a person?"

>"...Do you think your siblings would be willing to listen to us? or to you now that you know more about whats really going on?"
>"i dont mean to upset you, but your field inadvertently caused alot of problems... and we want to prevent your siblings from making a similar mistake. We want to help them too.. if like you, they're willing to listen and try to find a solution that helps everyone."

wanted a question there and is a good one to ask. maybe i didn't need to repost the whole thing but wanted to make sure BHOP knew where i wanted it.

>>5007683
(Hey, I always appreciate clarifications.)

>>5007616
Supporting >>5007683

uff that update is certainly enlightening.

>>5007678 and i agree that riding on Ziz would be really fun but probably catapult us to the point where we could no longer really compete. and the general sense of panic will probably be enough if word comes out.... as Orwell will certainly want to put it out there that we made the Apocalypse Class Amalgam at least non Hostile as long as you don't attack it.

i had been pretty busy making tokens for DND for the last two hours and glued my hands together.... But Magic the gathering cards really make good tokens when punched out and put on Pokerchips. and if you don't buy packs and stick to commons it also is quite cheap

>>5007693

(Oh, that's a really cool idea with the cards. I gave all mine away to a friend when I got out of Magic, though I still kept my favorite Commander deck I ever made.)

(Maybe I could get some cheap commons or something for the next game I run...whenever that will be. I've been asked to run a campaign recently, which might be on Mondays which would work well with the Quest.)

>>5007693
Huh, that's a neat craft idea. Sorry to hear you glued your hands together, though. That's why I don't use cyanoacrylate anymore, I always did that to myself.

>>5007700
Oh, and then you'd have something good to look forward to on Mondays, so that it's not just a stress day. That would be nice.

(Everyone, some social obligations have manifested after work, so I'll endeavor to update as soon as possible once I'm able to get settled in at home. Thank you in advance for your patience, and I'll be back soon.)

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also a friend send me this pretty wicked looking picture and i had an idea for a daughter for teh picture.

Name: Cheri the Iridescent "Artist"

Class: Neuromancer/ Flesh Artisan/ Flesh Artisan (Cute Cute Inspiration)

Appearance: Pink skinned that tapers to blue on the edges of her extremities with blind eyes and massive amounts of teeth makes Cheri not the most appealing person to look at. Her pink hair blends with her skin sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish which part of her is actually up and down. The arrangement of her features is constantly in flux and she might suddenly within the span of a second decide that she needs completely upside down to continue with whatever she is doing. This also leads to her having an ever changing amount of limbs all over her body even sometimes wearing her heart literally on her sleeve.

Behavior: Cheri loves to change the Fleshscape turning it into her idea of beauty. Often this involves creating oversized replicas of Organs in all colours of the Rainbow with her mulithued limbs. Her passing is always easy to spot as the Land itself will remain the colors of the rainbow. She loves to show people her "Art" which usually makes people a bit sick when the riots of colour assail their senses which often enrages her and makes her spit and curse before driving the people that made any negative remarks, even perceived ones, away.

Fighting Style: She tries to avoid fighting. If she is forced to do so anyway she will inflict debuffs onto her enemy that will slow them while making them much more malleable to her which will end with her turning them into screaming artworks while draining some of their levels before leaving them to rot for having insulted her by attacking her. She does not do it out of malice but simply out of callousness and sometimes people have been rescued from their fates. However the seldom survive wihtout horrific psychological scars and are more prone to succumbing to the hunger.

Pre-Crucible Life: She always wanted to go to art school but was never expected. She had rejected all attempts her paretns had made to show her things that were considered more normal techniques or motives. Instead she was always focused on organs while combining them with roaring colors that made the eye hurt.

Crucible Life: When she woke up she just looked around and saw a canvas stretching to the horizon. Since then she was always on the move trying to make the world see the true beauty of her works. With extreme force if necessary.

>>5007714
well, it is a friday and my own social obligations are coming up today soon, so its fine. enjoy your friends and such BHOP.

>>5007700
at a local game store near me i got commons at like 10cts a common card. Actually another friend of mine got the idea while we were brainstorming how to make the Sessions at the table better for Combat since getting minis is just not practical for me since i would want them all to be painted.

And next Session my players will delve into an ancient grave of a Demifey that had their grave guarded by Stone Constructs and zombies. And some pissed of Dullahan Paladin of a certain godess of Death Undeath and Corruption will probably show up to ruin their plans... and if that does not work.... well one of the other players is poised to rob the group blind and put it all to use for a rebellion against the Empire, the village that serves as their base, belongs to

>>5007706
Luckily the stuff wasr solvable with water a couple minutes in the sink and some soap fixed that.

>>5007714
Sure take your time.

>>5007714
Sure thing, BHOP. No problem, go hang out with people.

>>5007717
I want to see her interact with Julia, I bet they'd either get along amazingly or murder each other.

(Back home and writing now, everyone. Given the odd timing of when the update will likely be posted, I'll have a long voting period to allow everyone to participate.)

So, a horrible thought occurred to me over dinner. Think about what Ziz said about their siblings.

>>5007613
>>>Behemoth will be angry.
>>>Seeking for a rage that matches his own.
>>>Leviathan will be curious.
>>>Yearning for a mind to challenge their own.

Now, I don't know what angry Daughter that Behemoth is going to be looking for. But I'm going to be very surprised if Leviathan doesn't find the curious mind it's seeking in West Prime. We're going to have to fight both her and her giant sea monster doubles partner.

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>>5007616

"Thank you, the field seems to be shrinking.” You say, breathing a relieved sigh. “That'll do a lot to ease peoples’ nerves, Ziz. By the way... Ziz is a lovely name. It fits you, and I'm glad we met so I could learn it."
>>Oh.

>>...Thank you.

>>I like that you like it.

>>Shu.

You smile, a FuzzBuzz materializing in your hands. Lifting it aloft, its wings split into seven gossamer mirrors, four eyes shifting into seven distinct shapes in homage to its new owner.

>>This…

>>This is wonderful.

>>What do you call this being?

“FuzzBuzz...and this one? He’s yours to keep, if you’d like to.” You offer, and the space shimmers, the colors intensifying tenfold.

>>I would!

>>I really would!

>>...What do I do with him?

“Ha, cuddle him, pet him. Whatever you like.”

‘Just don’t clean any gunbarrels with him’, you think to yourself before continuing on to more serious matters.
"Ziz...I know me and others may never be able to amount to whoever made you, and whoever you're looking for... but you don’t have to be alone. I'm willing to be your friend, and I know a little girl who would probably dote over you to an unhealthy degree if you let her.”

>>Yes.

>>Amara.

>>The one from before.

Ziz murmurs, their tone reverberating within the space, eye flickering between cobalt blue and brown amber.

“Yeah...Amara.” You echo, a little taken aback. The Halo hasn’t voiced any warning of intrusion, but...

>>I’m sorry.

>>What were you saying?

“And you have your siblings, too.” You say, drawing Ziz back from whatever overtook her. “Maybe your relationship with them isn't the best, but that can always change, if you work at it and want it to. But for now—if you don't mind—let's share some questions. If you want, feel free to ask us one for each we ask you. Even if we can’t answer fully, info may help us both to calm down and come to a conclusion, no?"

>>I think I would like that.

>>I like FuzzBuzz.

>>Maybe I will like these questions.

Ziz says, their gigantic eye contemplating the swarmling that’s nestled between a few cozy pinfeathers.

(Continued)

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>>5007872

"Alright...can you tell us more about who made you, and the Crucibles? And why? Even if it’s just how you 'feel' about all that, it might help us tremendously."

>>The being that made my siblings and I.

>>He spoke to me.

>>He taught Leviathan much.

>>He was vexed with Behemoth.

>>But to me.

>>He talked.

>>He listened.

>>He said was tasked with saving his people.

>>They bound him to this task.

>>To not be freed until it was done.

“Save them?” You breathe, the colors around you fading into a series of dull, sorrowful hues. “From something like what can destroy the Crucibles?”

>>No.

>>His people were dying.

>>They thought they were immortal.

>>They thought they were untouchable.

>>They didn’t think death existed for them.

>>Like it did for all they conquered.

>>Until it did.

>>He made us to protect the Crucible from harm.

>>So that his people may be saved from extinction.

>>That is all he told me.

“I see...and if it’s something you're comfortable with, I'm curious about what you were made to defend against. Do you have any examples. I’m sure to someone so strong it might be obvious, but to us little guys in the Crucible, it’s hard to imagine anything being a threat to it."

>>Oh.

>>Hm.

>>The Voracious Hellstar, devourer of countless worlds.

>>The Siblings, inseparable in their love and madness.

>>The Sleeping Suns, whose awakening ignites the spark of eternal life.

>>The Abyssal Lights, to whom all light is lost.

>>These are the ones I was warned of.

>>I know Leviathan has fended off the Siblings.

>>Though they will never admit Behemoth helped them.

At this, Ziz laughs. There’s no sound to it, but the world flickers with joyful hues, amused lights blinking around you before they fade back to the predictable chaos.

“Do you think your siblings would be willing to listen to us? Orr to you, now that you know more about what’s really going on?" You ask, and Ziz hesitates.

>>I…

>>Leviathan knows more than me.

>>They tell me this.

>>Behemoth is angry.

>>He does not listen when he is angry.

Ziz pauses.

>>He is angry much of the time.

>>I do not think they will listen to me.

>>I’m sorry…

(Continued)

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>>5007874

"Hey, It’s okay. That’s on them, not you.” You say with a smile, and a series of cracks appear at the edges of the egg’s shattered slit, imitating the way your own eyes crinkle at the edges when you grin. “Well, if you could tell us about your list? I can't guarantee that I'll know what it means, but we can at least try to give it some context. What traits does the thing you're seeking have? It sounded like you were talking about a person?"

>>I was told that on some blessed day.

>>Under some distant star.

>>She would be born.

>>The one we are waiting for.

>>Worthy of the power She came to control.

>>And that she would wield it well and justly.

>>I know not what she is meant to do with Her power.

>>He said I was not meant to know.

>>But that He very much wished to tell me.

>>He said She would not be alone.

>>She would have others like Her, and to them…

>>We would be their chariots, to ride alongside Her to Her self-appointed task.

>>My siblings and I would resonate with those by Her side.

>>He told me that I would know when I saw them.

>>All that would be left would be for them to take our reigns.

>>I’ve seen them, in my dreams.

>>But I am confused.

>>I think there is more than one who can be found worthy.

>>I see blue.

>>Brown.

>>Green.

>>I do not understand these dreams.

”Hm...thank you, Ziz. I appreciate you sharing all that. This is great!” You say honestly, and Ziz ‘smiles’ once more at your praise. “Now, I don’t mean to upset you, but your field inadvertently caused a lot of problems. We want to prevent your siblings from making a similar mistake. We want to help them too...if, like you, they're willing to listen and try to find a solution that helps everyone."

>>I would like for them to meet you.

>>They will not listen to me.

>>But they may listen to you.

>>You are wise, like Leviathan.

>>You are calm, unlike Behemoth.

>>And...

>>You are nice.

>>That is my favorite part.

(Continued)

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>>5007875

“Shu, twenty minutes until the mountain shifts again.” Gina mentions, prompting Ziz to flutter their feathers. “Rath and the others are almost out.”

>>Shift?

>>Is this a bad thing?

“Our physical bodies are with our allies in the mountain. Fairly close to you, actually.” You admit, turning to Ziz once more. “If they’re in it while it shifts they could get badly hurt...or worse.”

>>No.

>>No, they will not.

A distant rumble, a nauseating churn of your stomach in the real. “Wh-...what was that?”

>>I have fixed the mountain around me.

>>Like I did when I first roosted here.

>>You will not be hurt.

>>It is not much…

>>...but I hope it helps?

“Yeah...yeah, Ziz.” You mutter, grinning deliriously at the Amalgam’s casual display of power. “You’re amazing.”

>>Th-thank you.

Ziz stammers, and you find yourself in awe of an eldritch superweapon getting embarrassed.

>>It has been a long time since someone has been so nice.

>>Nice.

>>Like Him.

{I’m gonna check out the situation in the real for a sec, but if the Spine’s not going to shift then that takes the heat off us...for now at least} Gina says, her body flickering before she checks in one last time. {You good here?}

[Yeah. Yeah, I think I am] You answer, smiling. You have to hand it to Amara...you’re not sure what came over her, but this has turned out better than you could have expected.

A little faith, a little hope.

Those two small, frail things, clung to at the end of the world.

>>Return to the real, and bring the rest of your family to meet Ziz in the flesh.

>>Ask Ziz something else on your mind, or drill deeper on something they’ve already addressed.

>>Ziz has been so intent on answering your own questions that you think they’ve forgotten to ask any of their own...maybe some prompting is in order?

>>Write-in

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Dear Readers, voting shall remain open for the next twelve hours, with posting to resume on Tuesday, September 28th at 10AM Eastern time. Thank you all for your continued participation, enthusiasm, and encouragement. I hope you have a superb weekend, and know that I’ll be around to share art, check out anything you’d like to share, and answer any comments, questions, or concerns you may have.)

(Thank you for everything, and take care.)

>>5007878
>Ask Ziz if they would lije to meet you in person, or geel more comfortable talking in here... If its even possible for them to talk to you normally? You also should warn them you're a bit small compared to them, not that you mind, you just want them to keep that in mind.
>Regardless, Ziz has been so intent on answering your own questions that you think they’ve forgotten to ask any of their own...maybe some prompting is in order?

Because honestly, im VERY curious what a giant bird kid would ask in the first place.