> Oh god, has it been 9 days? I'm so sorry. It's been a pretty bad week.> Previous threads here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Homeless%20Quest> Sessions will be announced on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CirrusandNPainting is a very calming thing, you find, as you apply brush strokes on the broad canvas with increasing confidence. Every now and then you hold off on your gentle feeding and feel around you, and then you realise that a lot of the time you seem to be painting what other people think about the tiger before you. ... Do you even have any thoughts of your own about what a tiger looks like now? And if you don't... that sounds pretty scary. 'So,' you ask Clemence, 'what's it like to work with Lynn?'She gives that question its due consideration - maybe even a bit more, actually. The brush moves off the canvas as she thinks; you watch a drop of black paint drip on her tanned thighs, and then- oi, focus, Dylan. 'Well. Lynn has a lot of ideas. And she pushes hard, very hard, to get them to work. But I wonder if she ever thinks her ideas can really be done. Or perhaps she knows she's being slightly... I don't know, crazy, perhaps?'> What do/say/ask? The hall is still bustling with activity, and it's almost noon. You wonder if there's lunch. Well, physical lunch.
Skills: > Self Control: SC 6, 4 more points to SC 7.> Sense Proprioception: SP 2, 2 more points to SP 3.> Pinpoint Presence: PP 2, 1 more point to PP 3> Obfuscation: Obf 5, 3 more points to Obf 6.> Influence Sound and Sight: ISS 1, 2 more points to ISS 2.> Implant Mental Image: IMI 2, 3 more points to IMI 3.> Anaesthesia: Ane 1, 1 more point to Ane 2. > Enhance Dexterity: ED 2, 2 more points to ED 3Money: $1,280 in bank, $85 in hand
>>19557473"Well... I don't know her well enough to comment on that but she did seem incredibly driven."Continue with painting/helping out as we can.
>>19557513Not like we know her to well so just go with this.
>>19557513Ask if there's lunch going on, and ask if everyone here is also feeling the same way. Continue to look out for signs of creation... any grudges, perhaps?
>>19557528Grudges would be nice. I'm sure those have to cause stress.
>>19557513>>19557527>>19557528'Oh yes, she's very driven,' Clemence says, and you wonder if she's feeling... a little jealous. Or envious, or something - a sense of being compared... 'She sometimes sleeps at her easel in the art room. Actually, she does so a lot of the time. I do wonder what Mr. Henrich thinks about that, but...'Turns out Mr. Henrich is the art teacher, one of three, and the biggest fan of the new talent. Lynn used to be in the baseball club, until she broke or twisted something and had to stop. 'So when did that happen?''Oh, around the start of this year,' Clemence says. The drop of black paint on her leg is becoming a bit of a trail, and then she wipes it, smudging it. 'Meh. But yeah, around the start of the year, and then she got elected as the project leader a month after that.'That's impressively fast!> Do/say anything? You look around and see that, true to Clemence's words, there are really all sorts of things going on here. Platforms are being built; lanterns being wired; paintings, woodwork, signboards... seriously. > Also, roll d100 for detection.
rolled 18 = 18>>19557605Rolling
rolled 74 = 74>>19557605Rolling. Ask about the art teacher. This sounds fishy.
rolled 27 = 27>>19557605
Oh, also, Clemence says there's lunch. 'I wouldn't advise eating it, though,' she then says. 'I might sneak out of school to get lunch instead. Actually, come think of it - where are you from?'She almost sounds surprised that she hasn't asked this before. Inwardly, you must admit it is gratifying - you've managed to blot the question from her mind, if only for a while.
rolled 85 = 85>>19557605Well, I'm not sure what else to say.>>19557656"Why, what's wrong with the lunch here?"Tell her where we are, use the usual coverstory
>>19557605
>>1955768385 is a good number no higher please. if it hits 98-100 things get strange real fast
>>19557670>>19557642> Your usual cover story as in, that you dropped out of school? You sense Clemence is kind of asking you what school you might have come from. > It sounds nasty, but telling the truth that you've been a hobo to these girls and guys - who are often of privileged background - might not... go down well. Or so you think you sense. 'What's wrong with the lunch here?''Oh, it's school food. Fish and chips. Shepherd's pie.' Clemence makes a face at that, and fleetingly you have an image of her biting into a hunk of roast chicken. Ooh, that's some lovely roast chicken...> 85: good roll!You nod and agree that shepherd's pie is vile - it's *not* vile, man - and then continue to work quietly on your end of the painting, almost done by now. In terms of grudges, you can sense that there is quite a lot of grumbling about Lynn now actually. People wonder how she managed to become project leader a month after joining the club; why she's being so unnecessarily ambitious for the festival; and also how she does not seem to take anyone into account while pushing them hard. There are also many, many other currents of grudge and dislike, though. Being teenagers, status and sex are up there - you can tell that even Clemence sometimes thinks about other girls and guys, including a ponytailed girl whom she really dislikes. She's someone's girlfriend, it appears...> More incoming. > What say/do?
>>19557656Oh, nowhere in particular, I'm a hobo that happened to pass by, and Lynn invited me in.
At the same time, though, you also sense a great wave of expectations for SUMMER. The status and sex remains in there, often featuring prominently - imagine going with a partner to an expensive holiday! But there are also pictures of summer camp, and of summer houses in the woods...'Do you smell lavender?''Eh?' You turn to look past Clemence at two girls poring over a mural sketch. 'Oh. Oh yeah I'm smelling it. Is that you, Clemence?''What? No...'Wait, did you do that, you're not very sure you did that...At the same time, though, you also pick out some interesting summer images. There is one, for example, of yelling at a vegetable store, and mucking out the carrots to arrange into plastic bowls...> Roll d100 with a small bonus.
>>19557778>>> Your usual cover story as in, that you dropped out of school? You sense Clemence is kind of asking you what school you might have come from. I don't see why not. We have been telling that to other people, right? We should be consistent in our lies.
rolled 64 = 64>>19557778Rolling to use proprioception. Try to study the movements of the ones drawing and paiting, from their own viewpoint, and try to learn from them that way.As always, be careful about it.
rolled 85 = 85>>19557822
Focus more on that ponytailed girl. Or try to sense her among the crowd.Do we have to stay here the whole day?
>>19557845It's our current job to investigate so it might be a good idea to stay here
>>19557778Ask Clemence about her own story. What's a french girl doing here ? Is Paris becoming that boring ?
What will we do during summer, by the way ? Maybe a summer roadtrip ?
>>19557841>>19557842>>19557845>>19557833> 64: slight success!Your hands follow the hand movements of the people you can feel around you. While sometimes you feel that their movements seem to clash with what appears natural to you, you try emulating them and are occasionally successful. In fact, as you do so, you subconsciously end up with your thumb in your mouth while looking at your handiwork. 'Um, Dylan?''Eh?' You turn and look up, and see Lynn, thumb poised at her lips. 'You suck your thumb as well?' She smiles, wryly. > You gain 1 point in Sense Proprioception! 1 more point to SP 3. > 85 + 6: excellent success!The smell of lavender persists, and soon your eyes widen as you realise what it is. It's not just lavender, it's... you take a deep breath, and suddenly feel your lungs heat up almost uncomfortably. 'Oi, don't drop the brush on the stage,' Clemence says, picking it up. 'Um, you okay?''Dylan?' Lynn blinks as you nod, holding your tightened chest as it slowly loosens. 'Oh look, here comes the manbearpig.''HELLO PEOPLE! So. Where is the dear good project leader?'You turn around, certain that you are looking at a Psych in the hulking form of Mr. Henrich. > What do/say?
>>19557949>>19557891>>19557882> Responses noted; will reply as is opportune.
>>19557956>'You suck your thumb as well?' She smiles, wryly. I'm an impressionable youth.Also, ask clemence if everyone has an instinctive distaste for art teachers, or if it's just us.
>>19557956Shit. Is he free, or bestowed? Why are there so many psychs in this neighbourhood?Turn on obfuscate, observe. Also, look out for that veg selling girl person.
>>19558014Obfuscate where we were just at? Calm down man. Just check it out normally. I'm guessing it's a free no way they just send someone new if there was a bestowed walking around.
>>19558034Although it could happen let's relax and just check what kind of psych he is before freaking out
>>19557956Put on an obviously forced smile if we catch his eyes. Think of fire.
>>19558014Too late for obfuscate, he sensed us probably before we sensed him.
>>19557956Nothing.Observe.We shouldn't try anything instead we need to call up our contacts if something happens.
>>19557956Can we gently probe his mind and be like "Sup, bro?"
>>19558112You mean like that thing at the restaurant? Do we even know how to do that?
>>19558034>>19558014>>19558008Lynn seemed quite amused at your little quip, an honest amusement. Then, as she walks off to meet the teacher, you keep yourself from obfuscating and look to Clemence. 'So. Is Paris so boring that you're here instead? Why're you in the city?''I'm not from Paris. Paris is way up north, I'm from Marseilles. And, well, my parents came here to work basically. Mum's a translator, and dad does marketing. So I got dumped into school...'There's a surprising amount of bitterness towards her mum when Clemence mentions the name. You wonder if something's wrong... 'And art teachers as in Henrich? Yeah, Henrich's a bit weird at times. And he always plays favourites with the talented and cute girls. It's... a bit creepy. But the school admin doesn't care much...'That... sounds like an interesting situation for a psych.> What do/say?> Also, it's indeed a bit too late to obfuscate - he's clearly caught you. You did manage to penetrate his own obfuscation, though, which is impressive.As you talk, you draw from other resting students and try to probe him. He's... he's unfathered, it appears. But wait. If he's unfathered, and he's in the school, why was a newbie like you sent to investigate the students? He could do a hundred times better....
When's the next Nobleman Quest?
>>19558112That would not be very polite.
>>19558127Not yet.
>>19558138Not really, just a little telekinesis. That's why we'd only very gently do it, we're on his turf.
>>19558134> Well, given this week is going to be PACKING AND MOVING WEEK, I really can't say for certain. Will announce on twitter. Pray be patient.
>>19558131We could do two things go to the bathroom and call Kevin to ask what is up with this guy or just go talk to Henrich.
>>19558112>>19558127what thing at what restaurants? agh not keeping good track ..
>>19558131It could be that he's not aligned with the freecomm either. Maybe he's new or good at hiding and they don't know him, maybe he just refused their offer, or maybe they just didn't trust him to do the job correctly.That last option is pretty terrifying, considering who they sent to do it instead.
>>19558183We entered an illusion fight with a bestowed. I'd rather not do it again here.
rolled 61 = 61>>19558131Listen to what Lynn and him are talking about. We do have a little interest for what they're doing for the festival.Rolling to use her ears if ours are too far.No wait, rolling to Enhance Sensation. Boost our mundane hearing.
You figure a fight in front of so many people is probably not a good call. ... another thing - you sense that Henrich is feeding quite actively around himself. In fact, you already sense people being drained; the presence of the teacher has become an excuse for them to slack off. Just then, Clemence leans close to you, and you almost flinch as she whispers. 'Hey. Dylan. Sneak out for lunch now? Before catering catches us?''Um...''We should probably gather a few others,' she then says. > What do/say? Like to invite anyone?> 61: InconclusiveYou strain to hear, or to allow yourself to hear, what Lynn and Henrich are talking about... but their voices, their physical voices, seem strangely blurred and indistinct. What *is* audible is the sound of static, and of hurried footsteps and the sound of sketching, and-'Ow,' you flinch again as the sound of fingernails on a blackboard assail your ears.> Do/say anything about Henrich first?
>>19558209"Oh well,' the sultry voice rings in your head, 'I wasn't trying that hard anyway. Send regards to your new girlfriend master!" She sent a message to our head and I think Lena did it before with us before to. Would it be rude to send a message like that?
>>19558288This... seems sketchy.
>>19558301Not that message but like Hey or something
>>19558288Yeah, okay. I'll let you send the invitations.Don't talk to henrich now, in front of the students. Go for lunch, and call kevin to ask about henrich first. Who he is, what's he doing here, and what's he not doing.
>>19558301Depends. That would be our first attempt at telepathy, and we're liable to botch it.And I think it's best to let him start with that if he wants to.
>>19558288So he can detect when we try to use our powers on ourself ? Looks like he's got a good view of our brain.
>>19558333Second this
>>19558318>>19558301> Roll for this; you are sensing resistance. Henrich's sensed you, naturally, and is throwing up defences for some reason. When you try to listen in on him there's that noise, and it feels like swimming in treacle.>>19558333'Righto. Who do you want to call along? Laura, maybe?''Oh, you know Laura too?''We're in the same class,' she says. You have to admit, the thought of being close to Laura does excite you a little. But then again you do have some concerns... > Invite Laura? Invite anyone else? (You don't know their names - or you do but you can't give it away - so just suggest categories if you like. Classmates, or art soc friends, or hotties, or something.)
>>19558405Just call up some of your friends. Inviting Laura would be nice and we gotta call Kevin. For all we know Henrich is just paranoid.
>>19558393It does feel like it, yeah. Or maybe he's just throwing heavy emanations out to make life difficult for you in general. Right now you do feel as if people are thinking especially loudly about nothing in particular...... well, that might be true since so many are lazing around now, but still.
>>19558405Laura is always good. Let Clemence choose the rest.
>>19558405if she wants to take Laura, sure, lets do it.Other than that, none more.
>>19558462Well, let's throw up some mental god damn barriers! The fuck is wrong with this guy? Shoot...oh... what's 'er face a text. Dawn?
>>19558462Just throw up some mental defense just in case
>>19558462>It's not just lavender, it's...What was it, by the way ? Lynn's perfume ? Henrich's ? An illusion ?
>>19558473Depends you mean Dawn or Lena? We could also text Kevin he IS the one who sent us here
>>19558405What concerns ? About her problems with her roomate ? Or the bad state of her brain ?For the latter, I hope eating lunch with us wouldn't worsen things.. especially when we bring a "brighter" girl to drain.
>>19558526>>19558473We'll call Kevin once we're out, I hope for an explanation long enough that texting wouldn't suffice.
>>19558467>>19558470>>19558444>>19558473>>19558485You decide not to put up mental barriers; thinking of fire is tiring, and Henrich doesn't seem to be attacking you. It would be better to get out of the school before contacting. Meanwhile, Clemence comes back with Laura, who grins broadly as she looks at you as well, and another girl, a short and thin redhead who is holding a saw very non-threateningly in her hand. Yet her mind is currently thinking about baking cupcakes for the girls, and hoping they'll like it...'Let's get outta here quick,' Clemence says, and indeed it's just five minutes before four paint-smudged teenagers are out the side entrance of Mayne Parish. The main street is before you, and you feel Laura bump against you gently as Clemence lists the options. 'There's Indian... Chinese... Mexican... Italian... Chinese... Vietnamese... oh, you know what, Dylan, why don't you choose? It's what a man does.'There's some mischief in her voice, you sense. > What do/say? Also, you'll call Kevin later - more discreetly, really. But you'll get in touch with them.
>>19558587When did we have Mexican? Let's get that
>>19558587Why no throw up mental defenses? I didn't see anyone down vote it."Mexican, don't think I've tried any of the mexican places around here."
>>19558587Italian. I want good pasta for once... I mean again.
>>19558624Meh doesn't matter
>>19558509Oh, the it's... is because you sensed that Henrich is a Psych. As for what the lavender smell is... come think of it, you didn't pay too much attention. It could've been Henrich, or it could have been... Lynn, perhaps? >>19558587Also, Clemence seems blissfully ignorant of this, but you can defintiely feel a slight sense of tension between Laura and Hanna. Sometimes you catch glimpses of Marina's face as you consider them.
>>19558587Take Laura's hand for a moment. Or maybe longer if she thinks she'd like it.
>>19558647Why?
>>19558666Why not? Nice trips though.
rolled 32 = 32>>19558639>Sometimes you catch glimpses of Marina's face as you consider them.Oh ? Then rolling to examine Hanna's thoughts about Laura, Marina and her memories.
rolled 93 = 93>>19558666Because she acted like she wanted physical contact with us.
>>19558624Because you take the path of least resistance. There was no attack; and you weren't going to compromise yourself by contacting your friends within range anyway. In any case, if you wish, you did think of fire - but the static didn't stop, and neither did the sound of footsteps. Henrich appears far more seasoned than you. >>19558605>>19558624>>19558647You reach to grab Laura's hand, and feel a trill of pleasure coursing through her, involuntarily. In fact you can feel it physically as she quivers and exhales. Man, you like this, but you're really not sure if it's fucking her up. People your age are meant to be horny, right? But is this too horny? Just as horny as normal? 'Let's have Mexican,' you say. 'If you'd like.''I wasn't actually expecting you to make the decision,' Clemence chuckles, and you sense that she was teasing to see how 'manly' you were. 'But you're polite, so let's have burritos!'At the burritos place, Laura tugs your hand gently and then you realise you've been holding them all this while. You are, incidentally, nursing a pretty solid hard-on which you haven't even noticed. How on earth... 'I want a chicken burrito with everything, okay?' Laura smiles. 'Yeah sure.' You place your orders, then go to the bathroom and call Kevin from there. 'Hey, Dylan. What's up?'> What do/say?
>>19558587>It's what a man does.Well, as long as you don't ask me to pay the bill, I guess I can be old-fashioned.
>>19558709You know of a unfathered psyche named Henrich at Mayne Parish?
>>19558688>>19558677> I'll take the 93 roll, if no one minds! (It's not a brain-bursting success, so don't worry.)Before you went off to the washroom, you dug a little into Hanna's mind. It turns out she used to be friends with Marina, very good friends; and in fact they've even went out before, experimented a little before they came to different conclusions about who they were into. Still, she really likes Marina, worries about her a lot, and is rather resentful at Laura for firstly becoming close, and then apparently causing Marina to have her little spiral. Unlike Laura, Hanna knows where her old friend is going with those friends - they are going to Spain to meet some friends and party wildly all week. It's what those girls are known to do, but Marina isn't exactly that sort - who knows what might happen...?'Excuse me? Miss?''Oi, Hanna.' You look to see her, hand on the counter, Clemence poking her shoulder. 'Oh! Oh uh I'll have the beef tacos!'
>>19558709Well, I joined a friend of a friend at the school to help with their festival preparations, and met a psych. An art teacher, called Henrich. I'm surprised you didn't get him to look for creations at the school. Is he unaffiliated ? He seemed quite wary of me.
Man, Mayne Parish is full of whores...Anyway! "Hey, Kev, really weird stuff going down in Mayne. Some psych is there, actively draining, acting really paranoid around me. He's a music teacher, Heinrich. Know about him?"
>>19558755>>19558740We didn't talk to each other yet, and I want some info about him if you can spare some. I wouldn't want to get on his bad side, I'm bound to meet him a lot.Could he be a problem to me ?He seemed to be draining the students pretty hard.
>>19558797Whores? Where?But this, yeah.
>>19558799I heard he was keeping close to some of his favourite students, like Lynn. Could he be draining them specifically, and causing damage ?
>>19558797What counts as a active drain anyways? (where are those whores at? Haven't seen any)
>>19558827>>19558808Wait, did I go to the only high school where people weren't banging everybody? Generally only the trashy girls had sex with anybody. Had to work my ass off to get anyone decent.
>>19558808>>19558799>>19558755>>19558740>>19558797'Hey Kev, how're you? Well... see, I've sensed this Psych who's a teacher in Mayne Parish. Free Comm guy, his last name's Henrich. He's draining the students quite... enthusiastically, and he sensed me. Seemed a bit paranoid around me, too.''Henrich?' There's a long pause as Kevin no doubt tries to search his memory. 'I... don't recall there being a Henrich on any of our rolls.''Eh? But he's... well, he doesn't feel like bestowed, you know?''Shit,' is all Kev says, and you perk up. 'Hmm. It might have been someone we didn't pick up, or it might be an interloper from another jurisdiction...''Jurisdiction?''Yeah, the Free Comm is for psychs within the city. But since there's so much energy here, it also draws Psychs in to feed. We try to induce those to join, but... well.''He appears to be drawing quite hard from Lynn. Could that be causing damage?''You know,' Kevin thinks this over, 'I'm... not sure. Tsk. That's a lot of things happening at the same time for a creation...'Yeah, Kev, give an easier job next time!> What do/say?
>>19558851"Think I might get some backup here? He seems waay out of my league."
>>19558862Well it's not like we went head to head or anything but everyone is out of our league. Except for maybe Obfuscation. Who knows we may hold up on our own but fuck that noise why take the chance. It won't hurt to ask
>>19558851'Are you implying something kevin? Also, yeah, backup would be nice.'
rolled 67 = 67>>19558709Rolling to examine Laura's brain. Try to get an insight on whether her excitement is natural or the result of some kind of bug or exterior influence (ours).Maybe the thoughts she associate to these feeligns could help. If she's remembering really good things about our last encounters, or if she just feels comfortable enough with us to release her desires, that might be natural, also if she ever felt like that with someone else or alone.Maybe we can learn to recognize artificial thoughts and feelings, maybe they bear some kind of markings that distinguish them from normally-formed thoughts.
rolled 86 = 86>>19558851Dammit! Gotta leave soon. Here have some rolls on me use 'em as you like
rolled 59 = 59>>19558851Two more incoming
rolled 69 = 69>>19558851one more
>>19558851Okay, kevin, I guess I'll confront him then, and try to see what I can expect from him. Maybe learn his story.No objection ? Any advice ?
rolled 21 = 21>>19558851last one!
>>19558918Sounds good
>>19558862>>19558882>>19558884'Are you implying something, Kev?''Hmm? Well, it's just that it's a school, and people are gathering with bright burning minds, and then now there's a foreign Psych in the mix... it might be a planned Creation of some sort. The Bestowed sometimes do this to get powerful familiars...''Right. That...' then you remember the whole Lenny thing. Oh bloody hell. Did you just choose to move into Saffernsway, as it's becoming a war zone? 'Also, could I have some back-up please, then?''I'll get Dawn to arrange it. She might be able to get Samantha over on your side.''But she's hardly any more trained than me!''Yeah, I know... but... okay I'll just tell you something of what we're doing now.' Kev sounds a little tired. 'There's been some pretty fierce hunter gangs killing both bestowed and free Psychs over the last three months. There are suspicions from both sides that we're either being played, by some other jurisdiction, or we're playing each other out. So it's really tense, and negotiations are all underway. Not to mention this is the year when we negotiate the territories of the East City.'Yep, that's where you are now, Saffernsway is the East. Bloody hell...> What do/say?
>>19558947We need to get a psych buddy, and train our offensive capabilities.
>>19558894>>19558903> Have a good day, wherever you're going!Well, after scanning Laura's mind quite a bit over the last few days, you have to say it's a combination. (You already knew this, really, after all the fogging up and the foreplay and the weird images.)You sense that her excitement seems to stem from some sort of... sense of safety? Somehow you make her feel rather safe and not vulnerable, so she likes that. And yes, she does remember the sexual encounters quite often, sometimes even involuntarily. You wonder if you've burned them into her mind or something. Hopefully that's reversible if it gets too distracting for her...At the same time, though, you also sense an element of fear in her, and worry. It's just a very indefinite sense of worry, and not centred around you, but it's been getting more and more visible - a sense of apprehension as summer approaches.
>>19558957I think we should take Samantha then. She engaged us in an illusion fight; we could train that.
>>19558957>>19558947Samantha is good enough to be honest. We just need someone here. If they can get her it's be a godsend at this point
>>19558984>>19558957I agree, although I do recall her being rather paranoid and aggressive. Though then again we've yet to meet a level-headed psychic, so she's probably the best we'll get...
>>19558984Yes, when Samantha arrives we must proposition her to be our dueling buddy.
>>19558947"I see we're all in over our heads. For some silly reason, I expected my life to become simpler after getting my superpowers..."Thank him for the news, then >>19558918.
>>19558974Well we are a guy who helps her with drug pushers and save drowning guys so no big surprised.
>>19559003We must be pretty manly in her eyes. Are we a catch?
>>19558984>>19558987>>19558994>>19558995>>19558998'Yeah, well, welcome to Psych-town. Keep in touch.'You go out, and Clemence asks if you've been taking a big dump or something. As for Laura, you think she... there's a fear of loss, something similar to that. Or a fear of somehow being dominated, owned, if that's the right way of putting it? As you eat the burrito - it's pretty good, really - the conversation starts turning, quite inevitably, to summer. Clemence is going on about her southern French homecoming, and the other two girls feel fascinated. And then you notice something, a bright but momentary burst of anger from Hanna. You figure she must have noticed that Laura is playing footsie with you, again. This is really... becoming a little strange; the Laura you first knew was so reserved...> What do/say/ask?
>>19559046Maybe we've...degraded Laura's mind? She's been around us so much, like some kind of accidental familiar making?
>>19559046Did we ever ask what Laura was doing this summer ?
>>19559063Man that might be true and it would suck. Maybe we should stay away from her for a bit? Or how can they recover? We can ask dawn..
rolled 99, 33 = 132>>19559046Loss of what, precisely ? Let's see.Peer also into Hanna's anger. Why does that bother her ? It's pretty innocent. Did she keep associating with Marina these days ? Is Marina still obsessing over Laura, as far as she knows ?
>>19559081They recover by staying away. That like Psych 101. We just don't know how much time and whether some visits are okay. We could just use excuses saying we got a job to turn the time we are seeing her to a lower scale but I think her mind is getting better. The problem is how she is acting. She could be afraid of something like what this post said>>19559046
>>19559106No no, I think we need to back off on Laura for a while.
>>19559081>>19559106>>19559115And not using powers on them helps as well
>>19559106Can I ask to switch the rolls ? We should be making a point not to overdo it with Laura, she's meesed up enough.
>>19559063>>19559081>>19559074Damn, that might be it. It could be that your desire for her is expressing itself as her desiring you, and that her fear is somehow the bits of her mind fighting against that sort of feeling. ... that's terrible though, you think, while still enjoying the trills of pleasure as Laura runs her foot down your calf. If that's the only reason she wants you... you're not sure if you can accept that. 'So, Laura, what're you doing for summer?' It's Clemence who's asking. Laura blinks, then thinks it over for a moment. 'Well... I'm probably going back to my parents' for a bit. And then after that, I don't really know. Maybe go backpacking somewhere?''If you want to backpack, better get things planned early,' Hanna says, a little coolly. You can tell she's backpacked before and knows. 'Ad hoc trips rarely end well. You miss things, or bad things happen...''I guess... how about you, Hanna?''I'm going to join a volunteer group, or a few. Do some community work, get a bit of hours in.''Seriously, Hanna, it's a *holiday*...' Clemence shakes her head. 'Maybe I'll come back after the six weeks home and join you.'> Do/say anything? Also, so - have you drawn any conclusions about the Creation case?
>>19559131> I think that given the downvoting, the 99 will (fortunately) not be used.> ... or should I use it on something else? Mwahahaha?
>>19559152Not a damn thing. Could be Henrich is involved or not. Lynn could be at the center of it due to her acting little crazy. The fastest way would talk to Henrich about it but that could backfire on us but since when has that stop us. Like ever
>>19559152>have you drawn any conclusions about the Creation case?None. I'm lost. We still have to go see the bull sculpture ourself. Maybe we can sense something there.
>>19559190Maybe we can talk to him while getting samantha as back-up. Together we might be able to take him.
>>19559208Or if he not even involved we could scare him and cause him to lash out. Decisions decisions
>>19559223We could just try to send a message and book it if he freaks
>>19559208Hey, no. We're not trying to corner him, that'll backfire for sure. We just want to talk, not fight.We shouldn't even need our powers, not to talk about Samantha's. Let's go in peace, and not do anything that'll make him think of us as a threat.
>>19559255Sounds like a good idea to me
>>19559255Sounds good
>>19559190>>19559207>>19559208>>19559223So, some possible points: > Henrich might be behind the affair, in a planned capacity possibly.> Lynn might be at the centre of the whole affair.> You might want to confront that foreign Psych, assuming backup.> Maybe you could take a little break from this investigation. Kev did mention it in passing just now when you said life was blegh.Also, that thing about Laura was just your conjecture... in fact, even as you think it, you actually sense her getting more aroused. You turn and see her looking at you. And then you sense the brightness outside, and turn just in time to see Lynn coming into the burrito place. She's alone, and she sees the bunch of you. > What do/say? Laura is rather openly horny now, and you can sense her thinking of you - and also thinking somehow of green fields, or forests, or other random things that force their way into her mind.
I don't think talking to Henrich could backfire. Yeah, he was wary of us, but that's to be expected. But he wasn't aggressive. when he saw that we were a psych, why would he become aggressive when he'll see that we're a talking psych ?
>>19559286Stop playing footsie for a minute and call lynn over
>>19559286... maybe ask Laura if she wants to go to the toilet. Or somewhere, away. Then greet Lynn. What's she thinking?
Although it might be some sort of heresy against the iron laws of quest threads, I think we might need to use our powers to make her less horny...
>>19559286>random things that force their way into her mind.Ugh. Maybe we need backup to repair her broken mind more than to deal with the rest of MP.Make room for Lynn. "Oh, so henrich freed you ?" Try - not too hard - to make her talk about him. At some point, ask the girls if he's a new teacher.
rolled 4 = 4>>19559339We could try to peer into her mind to get info on the effect Henrich has on her creativity and such. See if he's going too far.
rolled 10 = 10>>19559359Let's see if we can get something higher than a 4
rolled 76 = 76>>19559359Then we can remember how hard it was to deal with her mind and ABORT.
>>19559339>>19559329>>19559322>>19559316'Laura...''Hmm?''You all right? You look rather warm. Oh, hey there Lynn.'Laura blushes, gets up and says she's going to wash her face a little, and Lynn quickly sits down in her seat. Uh, that's not very nice... you bring another seat in and she changes. 'So, Henrich freed you?''Well, I sure didn't free myself,' Lynn says, looking at Clemence. Lynn's mind is surprisingly darkened now, from the laid-back attitude shown this morning. Maybe the work is wearing hard on her? Clemence doesn't see that, though, and rises to the bait. 'Well, I'm just a painter, I didn't need to be around 24/7 did I?'Hanna blinks and looks at Lynn. Laura comes out of the toilet, looking rather more sober though with a wet face, and looks around. Then she too seems a bit 'uhh...'The tension is clearly there; Clemence is actually quite angry now, from her thoughts. They're French, yes, but they're also rather loud and hissy...> What do/say?
>>19559329I'd like to, but her horniness in itself isn't the problem. The problem is that we entered her minds and left things in a mess, and that's creating multiple problems. We see the horniness, but it's just the symptom that appears when we're near. Trying to make this symptom disappear might make a bigger mess of her mind.
>>19559374>>19559359> 4, 76: nice swing.The first time you push at Lynn to try and discern her, what boils right out at you is a sudden, strange sense of frustration. You feel your muscles tense as your father told you it'd be better if your mum laid an egg - at least you can eat a fucking egg. Also, what's the point of sending you to school if you're just going to fuck it up? Reeling a little from that, hand gripping the table, you try again, and this time you feel as if the voice are coming from Henrich himself. That's... weird. Isn't she like his favourite kid? Otherwise he wouldn't have put her as project leader, right... she's also convinced that her plan is going to fall short, and that something terrible is going to happen, though she doesn't know what.... mate, let's hope she's not also prophetic besides being so bright. > What do/say?
>>19559389I want to make them feel the need to calmly solve their differences, with open-hearted words and a dispassionate stance.Do you guys approve ? I feel like I rolled prematurely a sufficient number of times.
>>19559407I'd say we should get in touch with Dawn (Dawn was the spring psychic, right? Lost track of a lot of the names), she seems like she might know someone who's good at psychic therapy, we can't be the first rookie psych to screw someone up after all.
rolled 79 = 79>>19559449yeah let's roll for this. is lynn being influenced?
>>19559439>Otherwise he wouldn't have put her as project leader, right...Maybe he likes to taste the failures of bright people, and put Lynn as project leader just to set her for that. And he just forgot to account for the Creation. Or not.
>>19559460I guess we could.
>>19559449>>19559460>>19559481>>19559485> Okay, actually, I'm seriously exhausted and need to sleep. But do suggest things to do, whether long term or short term, and keep this thread alive. If tomorrow it's still around, I'll continue at a convenient time (check twitter). > Next post will be the last. Thanks everyone for playing! Yeah, that's Dawn. You could ask her later; you should talk more to her anyway, given she's your case handler. > 79: success!You glance at the two of them, and quickly move your mind to try and sooth their anger. Clemence glances at you for a moment, blinks, then mutters 'let's keep this civil' under her breath...... unsurprisingly, Lynn is proving a lot harder to move. It's partly because there *is* in fact some countervailing force, that is partly her but partly not, pushing against you. You quickly figure it has to be Henrich; it's a sort of mental block just like what you did to Clemence so she didn't ask where you came from. He's manipulating her, but this feels a bit less benign...Then again, who are you to say what's benign or not? Gingerly, you move away the block, and then Lynn sighs before splaying her hands out on the table. They are long, smudged all over. 'Sorry Laura, I took your seat. Also, okay, just... don't do this again, okay?''Fair enough. I'll tell you next time.' Clemence yawns and stretches, and you sense several schoolboys at an opposite table staring. They also believe you are a bastard of uncommon luck. The things they don't know... 'I'll even buy you a burrito.''Hehe...' Lynn smiles, and shakes her head as if to clear something.> What do/say, before lunchtime ends?
>>19559485Or maybe he likes all kinds of failures, and just wanted the challenge by choosing a driven and talented person.
>>19559582So Lynn is being manipulated herself. This sounds bad.Maybe Kev is right, there's a plan to start a creation and use it. We should maybe wait for Sam to come before probing more...
>>19559595imo the creation thing is either intentional or a side effect of him creating an extreme opportunity to feed actively off all the energy of the project. either way we need to talk to him (but being polite obviously so as not to increase chances of conflict)
>>19559582Ask if it would be too inquisitive to ask what was that about ?And ask them how long has henrich been teaching here.
rolled 62 = 62>>19559582Rolling to see through the eyes of the guys in the kitchen. I'm suddenly curious about the hygiene of this place.
>>19559711There's probably some things you're better off not knowing.
rolled 96 = 96>>19559582>Thanks everyone for playing! Thanks for hosting. Come back with the next episode soon, if the real world lets you.
>>19559658>>19559652>>19559648These are all possibilities, and - now that you're considering them - you do wonder if they are considered legal or illegal among the Free Comm. Maybe even among your bunch there are some people who love feeding on frustration? Maybe even pain?'Um, what was that about anyway...' you mutter, trying to distract yourself from those dark thoughts before they affect others. Lynn and Hanna look at you. 'Meh. It's nothing. Just tired. Henrich is being a little bit on my ass now.''How long has he been teaching, anyway?''Not very long actually... about a year? Thereabouts? But he's got good credentials. Art student at a big college, has an education masters degree, things like that...'You continue making some small talk about the teacher, which mostly turns into a surprising bitching session. Lynn, now that her mind block has been taken out, seems much cheerier - though still reluctant to take part in the Henrich-bashing. It's only after 45 minutes have passed that you finally make your way back to paint - only to find a whole bunch of guys in uniform standing around in the theatre, while the Mayne Parish girls are clustered on one side. 'You're not supposed to- oh, hey Lynn,' someone waves her arm at the group of you. 'The reinforcements are finally here!''Reinforcements, meh,' Lynn sighs. You feel a twinge of fear from Laura, turn to see her shrinking away. Hanna, too, feels frustrated - what the fuck have they come here for if they're coming this late? The mood is really quite bad, though maybe it's the post-lunch ennui. You don't feel like draining the conspicuous lack of morale.> What do/say?
>>19559740Cheers. If the thread is alive tomorrow I'll continue it - we're nowhere near autosage. And even if we are at autosage, catalog!> http://catalog.neet.tv/tg/Goodnight, people.
>>19559734We've lived three years as a hobo, we can stomach a lot of things. Literally.
>>19559744Scan the guys for intent. If we have to, we drive them to work. Or we drive them away.
>>19559744We've got to do three things.Examine Lynn's bull closely, touch it. Remember the museum.Talk to Henrich. Introduce ourself, explain that we came here because we're concerned about a few acquaintances we have here - especially Lynn. Ask him his story and how much he intends to drain Lynn.Finish our tiger.Maybe we could go check on Laura after that. That may be our only chance to have sex in a high school. Is that a memory we can live without ? Isn't that important to make adolescence what it is ?
>>19559860Agree with all of that but with no sex with the high school. With all the shit that happening to Laura's head it must be a major turnoff for Dylan to have sex with her now. Just putting that out there
>>19559860imo it's more important to talk to him from a psych perspective rather than protecting lynn one (although we can mention that as part of our concerns). Talk to him in a way that suggests we think he's relatively innocent & that we are just giving him a friendly warning mentioning that freecomm are aware of him and we have backup
>>19559957Psych angle works better
>>19559957Well he knows we're a psych. But telling him directly that we're sent by the freecom to investigate the risk of creation, when we don't know anything about him...I think we should keep some of it to ourself, at least until he's strated telling us about himself.
>>19560076It depends on how the conversation goes I guess point is we gotta check the bull and then talk to him.
>>19559860Let's not have sex with Laura, the more we're learning about how hard we messed with her head the more it just feels creepy and wrong.
>>19560138seconded, not for a while at least until her brain is cleared
>>19560076Agreed, we need to get a feel for this guy first before we give anything away. I'd rather not have another bunch of mind-controlled rugby players kicking our door down...
>>19559755Thanks OP, see you in the morning.
Maybe we should find someone else to sex, then. Ask Dawn how to help them heal. Then we talk to Henrich now.
You ignore the guys, and ask Clemence if she's up for finishing the tiger painting's rough strokes now. She shrugs. 'Let's do it.'And so you sit down with her to continue your work, even though you can sense the boys' loud presence behind you. They're thinking about all sorts of things, from sports to the upcoming exams, and how awesome it is to be in a girls' school. There are some pretty horrible remarks about the girls, too, which makes you surprisingly riled - you've seen their minds after all and they're rather nice people...'What're you thinking about?' Clemence snaps you out of it. Then she turns to see Henrich, coming in and getting the guys out of the hall. You can feel him draining them enthusiastically while he's at it...'Oh, nothing. Do you know what Lynn's working on downstairs, actually?''Hmm? Oh, part of it yes. They're building up this huge set thing for the centrepiece. But there's a bit she's working on herself, don't know what that is.'At the same time, you can sense Laura continuing to look at you every now and then from where she's working. In fact, her partner's begun to notice it too; but when she leans to tease, Laura replies with strange hostility. 'Well, it's none of your business is it?'You sense the other girl's slight confusion as she mumbles and apology.> What do/say? You see Henrich, after chasing the guys out, going to the upper levels of the theatre to monitor (and feed off) his girls. > Also, you'll call Dawn later, or would you like to excuse yourself now?
>>19565055Well Laura is being a bit possessive and loony and it's not entirely our fault. We'll call Dawn later, if we call her now we're likely to get more information right after that, may as well dump information on her once we get more than theories and loose facts.Make a reminder to talk to Henrich when we get a chance, in private.Keep on drawing with Clemence and see if we can't get to a good milestone before going to check what Lynn is working on and talking to Henrich.
>>19565055At one point we should go look at Marina's toilets, see if we can catch any memories from it.For now, finish the tiger, make small talk, and go look at the bull. We're not in a hurry to talk to henrich, and I'd like to see more of how Lynn is doing before that.Catch one or two of Laura's looks and smile.
>>19565106Meh just concentrate on our work
rolled 79 = 79>>19565055Do >>19557841 once again.Is the smell of lavender still in the air ? It might be a detail, but...
>>19565113Laura, in addition to being a mess because of our big psychic fingers, is also a mess of regular emotional problems. Paying her no attention when she pays us so much might upset her.It's not like smiling is a bother.
>>19565097>>19565106>>19565113Well, Laura is being a little possessive - but she wasn't like that previously. Just two days ago she was saying she wasn't your girlfriend. Ah, bloody confusing teenage...You manage to mostly finish the tiger's head, before going off. Clemence asks where you're going. 'To take a look at Lynn, mostly...''She's probably downstairs,' Clemence gestures, and smiles. 'See you later.' The French girl seems to quite enjoy your company, if only because you are generally quiet and keep to your work. The rest of her thoughts is a jumble of lavender, mimosa, boys and weird paintings... heading downstairs, you feel that same mix, but much more obvious. The workshop smells of sweat, sawdust and paint; a massive forest scene is being built in the middle of it, by at least ten or fifteen people. If not for your powers it'd take you a while to find Lynn in the room, but there she is, a streak of fire from a girl whose face is covered in sawdust. She wipes it off. 'Yeah?''Hey Lynn. I was just wondering if I could help.'For a moment you sense her mind flit towards a closed door, and then back. 'Oh... well, we do need some wood sawn...''Well, I was just wondering if I could help with the bull, rather.'The resulting chill in her mind makes your fingers curl involuntarily, and you step back as if she's yelled at you. Which she has, if mentally. Lynn looks at the others, then walks past you. 'I don't... recall telling you about that, Dylan. Have you been snooping around?'She doesn't recall....? Wait, has she told you before? Did you give yourself away?> What do/say?
>>19565143Pretty sure I heard someone talking about it before. I can't put my finger on who though
>>19565143I've spent the entirety of today around high school girls, they gossip and chatter like no none else. I kept my ears open and I heard about it from someone or another.
>>19565147'The one downstairs? Yeah well, there's going to be a tiger and a bull.' She sighs. 'The tiger painting's not done yet, though. I'll retouch this first.' Someone did tell us
>>19565106>>19565138>>19565124> 79: nice training roll!> You now have Sense Proprioception 3! 3 more points to SP 4. The smell of lavender is still in the air, and you think you can pinpoint it to Clemence. She's thinking pretty hard about lavender. And sun, and running about in a bikini on beaches, and meeting hunks from abroad holidaying in Marseilles, and making breakfast in the hotel... oh, so her parents run a sort of hostel it seems! Along with a lavender field.Also, the first time you catch Laura's look she smiles at you; but the second time you feel a strange prick of fear as she stares. She does not return the smile, but flinches as if physically slapped, and then looks down and away. After that she doesn't really look at you anymore. But you can still feel her fidgeting sometimes, as if hesitant to look at you or contact you. Her thoughts are a mess, and you figure in them - in fact once you feel her picturing you, pinning her on the bed and having your way with her. You've never even considered that before!Man, the girl's got some issues.
>>19565143Yeah, I've been asking what you were doing. Was it too much curiosity ?
>>19565154We asked Clemence about the bull before she said that. But oh well, we can hope that Lynn won't get that much information from Clem.
>>19565171Yeah you are right my bad but damn Laura has some issues she has to work out
rolled 94 = 94>>19565143Try to help Lynn open her doors, if her mind goes that way then stops again.
>>19565147>>19565153>>19565154>>19565158Lynn sighs when you say you've heard about it. You do remember it's Clemence who told you it was a *bull*, but that hostility emanating from Lynn convinces you not to mention her. Starting a bitch fight now might well hurry on the Creation. 'Well, I wish you hadn't known... that project is my secret, okay?'> What do/say? Back down, or force your point? Her mind is feeling very resistant now. It's like pushing against a steel plate, almost. > Also, you sense the people around you and realise to your slight surprise that many of the girls here seem to be... thinking very hard about bulls. Cattle. Horns, stampedes, cowboys...
>>19565184I don't help girls with their bulls and tell.
>>19565184I'm sorry I heard about about it. However the damage is done and I'd like to help and look at it.
>>19565183Use this roll to force.
>>19565184Say sorry and look expectantly at her.
>>19565208Don't force it right now, at least not in public. With our luck, and her personality and the level of the block, it'll end with her exploding in the middle of the room, which is bad. If we do that, do it in private.
> Hmm, so.... force against her mentally? You have a 94 roll. That's borderline dangerous...> Also, man, this room is getting really stuffy.
>>19565212Don't to force it but yeah the bull is our likely culprit
>>19565208No, we don't want to be forceful, we might break some things. Just assist her own mind, weighting on the side that's advantageous for us.
>>19565223>>19565220>>19565212'Well, I'm sorry about that... but since the damage is done...'> 94 vs. 87: too close. Lynn thinks for a while, and you actually have to put up your mental defences to not reel from the onslaught of her thoughts. You do have a distinct sense of going through a forest now, your skin chilly and clammy from a strange cold sweat...Then all of a sudden it washes over you, and dissipates. When you look again, Lynn's stalked off somewhere, walking through the simulated forest. The sawing of logs is unusually loud, and you have the sense Lynn is faintly irritated - though even she might not be sure what she's annoyed at. 'Hey, is Lynn here?' You turn and see Hanna at the door. Lynn looks up. 'The guys from the high school say you need help with your forest.'There is some glad expectation from the girls slogging away, only to turn into slight bewilderment when Lynn says 'not really, no. We're fine here...'You can sense the guys just upstairs as well. They don't seem to be very focused on their work, but you're no longer sure they are as unhelpful as you made them out to be...> What do/say?
>>19565249Talk to Lynn, quietly, and ask if she's sure. Some of the other girls look a bit tired and it might be best to have some guys help with the sawing.
>>19565249Wait did Lynn just say that because she was irritated or because she think they are lazy
>>19565272You're not sure, actually. She seems a little confused and tired, rather than annoyed; but she doesn't really think the other girls are lazy. There's a little of that same reluctance with allowing you to see the bull...The other girls sure are annoyed, though.
>>19565249Hm... does that means she refused ?If we can't convince her, we might have to turn on the obfuscation and sneak there.
>>19565286Do we even know where it is exactly?
>>19565285She's uncomfortable with boys seeing her stuff ? Or maybe she's uncomfortable with any new person seeing it, or taking chances about it.
rolled 97 = 97>>19565296She did think of a door when we asked so I'm guessing yes. Rolling to obfuscate.
>>19565301Damn we are good at this obfuscate business. First go somewhere with no people then do it.
>>19565309>>19565301>>19565298>>19565296> You gain 2 points in Obfuscate! Also oh fuck I recorded things wrongly!> You now have Obf 6! 3 more points to Obf 7. It's probably all for the best that everyone here is rather tired, including Lynn; she goes off to paint some more of the trees, and then you head into the toilet in the back of the workshop. When you come out again, nobody pays you any notice, and you quickly sneak out and open the door. As you push it gradually open, however, you soon notice the smell of flowers, of damp earth and rotting leaves, and when you slip in and turn on the lights a wan light casts itself, through high canopies of leaves, on a fearsome sight, while the smell turns more clearly into one of... decay? Violence?In the middle of the small room, there is a charging bull being hunted by three people, two men and a woman. The woman is plunging a javelin into the bull's shoulder; one of the men holds a sword aloft, while the other is struggling under the bull's back hoof. You glance at the face, and suddenly a wail of agony courses through your mind by surprise. The bull snorts violently, while the man with the sword cries out a name. 'Laura!' He's shouting, in fear. 'Laura, get him!''I'm getting him,' the feminine voice returns, echoing through the woods. You step on something and look down to see a tangled mass of earthworms. Fucking hell!> What do/say?
>>19565359Should we break out of the illusion and get our head straight?
>>19565359This is remarkably freaky. Assess the situation, make sure we're still us, see if we recognize the two men and the woman we can see. Then head towards the feminine voice.
>>19565359Is Laura's voice Laura's ?
/tgq/
>>19565359>>19565370No, let the illusion go on. Make it go on. We want to know how that ends.
>>19565359Go on the other side of the sculpture, and touch it. Try not to cry out and make other people come looking.
>>19565359What kind of bonus do we get form upgrading a skill ?
>>19565370>>19565372>>19565384>>19565392The feminine voice is indeed Laura's, and she sounds pained. Then you notice she's actually bleeding. The flowing white robes (why is a hunter wearing flowing white robes?) are running red where her thigh and left arm is. Retreating back to a corner of the workshop for a bit, you lean against a tree and watch the carnage unfold. None of the people are actually moving from their spots, but still they are moving - the bull tramples on the man below, who lets out another bellow of pain. Then Laura plunges the javelin into the raging beast, who turns around and-'Laura!' You don't even know who's yelling anymore, as you see the body being flung on the bull's horns and thrashed into the earth while she screams. The other man rushes forward and brings his sword down on the bull's neck, and your ears ache from the sounds. Turning to the tree, you grip on to it for no reason; and then all sorts of strange images flit through your mind: strange men with ruffs admiring a painting of a scene of hunting; people speaking Italian as they marvel at a statue of a bull having its throat cut; someone writing a poem in praise of dogs and toreadors...Oh god, your head hurts. You wipe your nose and realise you're bleeding. When you turn around Laura is fine again, unwounded and beautiful and glorious; and you notice the man with the sword is actually Henrich, or looks a little like him. Who... who's the bull, then? The bull has to be someone! There are other people here!> What do/say?> Also, roll d100.
>>19565416The bonuses go to your rolls when you use that skill. For example, the 97 roll was actually enhanced by 18 (not that a 97 roll really needs it, but there you are). Similarly the following roll is going to be enhanced by 18, since it's an Obfuscate roll. Practice makes perfect; the more you do something, the more effective you'll be at it.
rolled 64 = 64>>19565417Oh god I have no idea what the fuck is happen here. We should have broke that illusion when we had the chance
rolled 19 = 19>>19565417See if there are any identifying features that might mark the bull as someone. Anything about it that stands out, aside from it trampling a guy.
rolled 83 = 83>>19565427Rolling
rolled 19 = 19>>19565417Other people ? keep hiding.
>>19565436>>19565439Oh yeah other people might be here
>>19565417If I were to guess, the bull would be Lynn. Is it really a bull, as far as we can see ?Who's the trampled guy ?
I'm reminded of Bloodlines, and the ghoul you get in it. I'm thinking that in this case, the right thing to do is similar. We should find a way to make Laura forget all about us and let her go back to her life.
anymore takers for rolling?
>>19565457The answer is to back off for a little while and not for days for weeks or maybe months I don't know how long. Dawn told us about this remember.
>>19565436>>19565441>>19565431> 83 + 18 vs. 92: close but successful. You can't tell who the bull is, except that it's dangerous. Dangerous... dangerous... there are voices cheering on the hunters, as if it's just a show, from the edge of the wood. You can hear Clemence there, and you can also hear other voices you've heard from upstairs. There's an innocence in their cheering, it's almost as if they do believe it is just a movie or something. They whoop when the javelin punches into the bull and it cries out. Hiding into the tree you were leaning against, you try to crawl along the walls, wondering if you were unexpectedly caught in a fight everyone thought was staged and saw something no one else has noticed. It takes about 5 minutes, you estimate, before the illusion runs out and the colour and coldness fades from the statues. During those 5 minutes you've seen strange things too, between the figures. There are people admiring it and pointing out to a figure cowering to the side which spoils the effect. You hug Laura and she kisses you and her mouth feels full of blood. The man below the bull, you're not sure if it's a man or a woman anymore. Once the bull again gores Laura, and Henrich strokes its neck as it snorts. When you come to you notice your knuckles have been partially skinned. Stumbling to the door, you open it and nearly fall out into Lynn's back; surprised, she catches you, and then frowns. '... wait. You've been inside there all this while?'> What do/say?
>>1956546083 is high enough.
> Also, going to get lunch. Give me a bit. Frighteningly hungry.
>>19565472Oh fuck. "for about 7 minutes, I'd say"
>>19565472Been here for a little bit, after seeing your other work I couldn't resist seeing your secret project.
>>19565490>>19565482>your knuckles have been partially skinnedMan what the fuck happen in there. Get Lynn to get us to some nurse or something. How bad is it anyways?
>>19565495I think it's superficial.
>>19565472Yes. I can't say I'm sorry, though I hoped I wouldn't get caught and upset you. I mean, that's... impressive.
>>19565506By the way, now that I've been an ass ans went to see it against your wishes... can we talk about it ?
>>19565495>>19565500You figure you've scraped them against the floor or the walls, trying to get away instinctively. But it's superficial, yes. 'Uh... yeah, I just came in... for about 10 minutes.''Ten minutes?' Lynn blinks. 'It's seven in the evening now, we're about to pack up. I was just wondering if you'd buggered off by yourself.'Wait, *what*?'Yeah, I'm sorry... I've been an ass. But um... can we talk about this?'Lynn drags you out and closes the door behind you, and you look around. Sunlight is streaming in through the grills, lighting the forest in an idyllic scene; but you still feel a coldness in the whole setting. There are only a few people left, and they aren't paying you much notice; you see that the guys have been let in too, actually. 'What do you want to talk about?'> What do/say?
>>19565622If I really spent hours in there, then I want to talk about how fascinating this thing is. Who's the bull ?
>>19565622Do you feel as strongly about this sculpture as I do ? Why do you keep it a secret ?
>>19565622I'm no art critic, nor am I an expert on people, but it's pretty obvious that this sculpture means something to you. Who's the bull? Who's the huntress and the hunters? What does this represent?After we get details on the painting we should ask about Henrich.
>>19565629>>19565635>>19565636She doesn't reply for a long time, instead turning and continuing with her pack-up work. A wall of reluctance, fuelled by her powerful mind, resists your advances. 'Hmm. Well, it's nothing much. They wanted a Renaissance theme, so I just thought it'd be a nice thing to do.'You now think you understand what the Renaissance was. Burning minds, feverish geniuses... death and hope...'Why did you keep it a secret?''Well... it'd be nice to have a surprise, I guess? But it's also that Henrich said not to reveal the centrepiece. I guess he's not sure if the school admin would allow it.'You sense she really, fervently hopes they will. It's the first time you've felt Lynn so vulnerable, hoping for acceptance...> What do/say?
>>19565674It's a magnificent piece, I can't think of anyone who would reject it. I doubt that you merely thought of it as "a nice thing to do" though.
>>19565695Second this
rolled 83 = 83>>19565674Am I wrong to see Henrich in the guy with the sword and Laura in the woman with the spear ? If not, who's the bull and the trampled one ?Is this... about young people, people like you, hoping and struggling and failing, more than historical renaissance ?Rolling to push her a little into pouring out her thoughts and feelings.
>>19565695Wel, maybe the school admin are too conservative in their tastes, or have other considerations in their minds than art. Ask Lynn if it's the case.
>>19565717>>19565695>>19565711'Well, I think it's magnificent,' you say, and then you realise what Lynn's doing. She's going off to a drawer and taking out a towel, and a change of clothes. 'But it doesn't sound like something you'd do on a whim.''Maybe you're right,' she mutters, taking her toothbrush and toothpaste. 'Maybe it's not something I would do on a whim... maybe it's something I just felt like I had to do? The idea... just came into my mind. There's a tiger somewhere too. I don't know where it should go or where to put it.'You suddenly remember her yelled thought when you probed her mind: 'I can fuck like a tiger on steroids!' Is there a link there, perhaps?>>19565724'Henrich is a good teacher, I guess,' she says, when you ask her. 'He's... weird. And sometimes a little pervy. But hey, it's a girl's school, and he's a sad sack. His wife just left him, you know.'You wonder how she knew about that. 'Is it just me, or is that him... with the sword? And the girl... she looks a bit like Laura.''The two of you are going out, aren't you?' Lynn turns on you, and the flash of light almost dazzles you. Dear god, her mind is beautiful. 'They say in every nice thing you see, you see someone you like. I'm guessing that's what it is, isn't it?''But I'm not in love with Henrich, though.''He might be the prototype,' she muses. Then, when you raise the school administration, she shrugs. 'They're just concerned about all sorts of things, I guess. Well, are you going to sit around and watch me shower?'You turn and see a guy, halfway through packing, freeze and turn around to look at the two of you. It seems he's noticed Lynn before, too.> What do/say?
>>19565767Well if he's the guy with the sword, and the huntress is Laura, the big question is who or what is the bull?We're not going out, she made it very clear that we aren't "together". I wouldn't say I'm adverse to the idea of watching you shower, but I probably ought to help pack stuff up.
>>19565767"Can I ?" With a straight face.Then go back to the bull, take another look and touch it, try to get more. Is the tiger a sculpture ? We should try to find it too.Ask Lynn if she knows where we could find Henrich at this hour.If we can, go to the toilets where Marina hangs and where she locked up Laura. Maybe we can catch remnants of memories to learn more about that one affair.
>>19565825Do you really want to be in an illusion for hours again the bathroom thing can wait for another day.
>>19565825>>19565797'Well... she's made it clear we're not together.''So you are together, then,' Lynn grins mischievously. Then she gives the guy a stare and he quickly backs off. 'Or at least you wish it to be so?'Man, you don't really know. Laura is lovely, but what if being 'with' her more is actually driving her insane? Also, you ask about the bull, and Lynn shrugs. 'Well. In hunting scenes it's always the source of evil, but also of good, right? It's sustenance and danger rolled into one. I don't really have... anyone in mind.'You nod. Lynn then stands up, and turns to you. 'Don't go in there again, okay, Dylan? Please,' and the weight of the plea presses on you hard. Then you catch a glimpse of her slipping the t-shirt over her head, and the slim figure slips into the bathroom. From probing her mind, you can tell that Henrich lives near the school. He's working really late hours these days, apparently... he might even be sleeping in the office. But Lynn isn't definitely sure...> What do/say?
>>19565833I don't think Marina can create things as intense as Lynn can. And we might not go back to this school for days.
>>19565838Get the location of his office and go there.
>>19565838Check his office, see if he pings our passive mind radar for people, he might not.
>>19565838>'Don't go in there again, okay, Dylan? Please,'Ugh. But it's for the greater good ! But a pretty girl asked me nicely not to ! I'm conflicted !
rolled 98 = 98>>19565856Rolling to search for him.
>>19565874>>19565859>>19565856>>19565847>>19565840Actually Lynn has told you before that this project is going on every day. 'I'm not sure if this counts for your community service or your grades or something, but if you want to come you may. Or maybe you're just here to hit on girls... well, just keep it drama free, eh?'As she showers, you help keep up some of the stuff, and then you realise you can pick up a twinge of some emanations. Henrich... he's here. He's upstairs, somewhere in where you think is probably an office or a storehouse. Lynn, meanwhile, is enjoying the shower, though you realise from her proprioception that she's taking a cold shower. Man, that water must be freezing!> What do/say?
>>19565838>It's sustenance and danger rolled into one.Like herself...I wanted a norm sidekick to help us with our powers, in exchange for helping him/her with our powers, and for living out ADVENTURES. I thought we could go choose one at a psych ward in some hospital, someone with an extraordinary mind, desperate for an extraorinary life to the point of attempting suicide, someone who couldn't bear the sterile routine s/he saw in the lives of most people, and who wouldn't be believed if s/he ever talked about us.But now I'm starting to want Lynn for the role.
>>19565906Go talk to henrich..
>>19565906Go to Henrich, we need to have a talk.>>19565907She certainly has enough creativity to eat, though we should be careful around her as it's an overwhelming amount. We should start by befriending her and then consider our next move.
>>19565906See>>19560119>>19560076>>19559957>>19559860For what to say to him.Start politely, knock on the door and ask if we can talk.
>>19565906>just keep it drama free, eh?'I hate drama. But I like to do what I want, and to expect other people to do the same. Maybe you can relate...
>>19565932>>19565918>>19565909>>19565907You do wonder. You can also tell that there are many people around here, judging by the memories and the remaining thoughts from the two or three guys clearing up, that they would like very much to have Lynn as a companion as well. Not quite in your sense of the word, though...Sighing, you keep some other things in their shelves before going upstairs. The presence within appears rather relaxed and restful, without sensing your presence, until you knock on the door. You can feel the defences going up before he asks you to go in. 'Yes? So... who are you exactly, actually?' Henrich says, standing up. 'You're not from school... you're not human.'Damn. So much for staying polite. 'Well... since we both know who each other is, I'm just concerned about Lynn right now. I'm hoping she isn't being... drained, too heavily, or manipulated.''You just want her for yourself, don't you?' he says. > What do/say? I'll do a few more posts and then end for today. Thanks for playing, guys!
>>19565968I'm Dylan by the way, and honestly I don't particularly want to possess her. We have mutual friends so I don't want to see anything bad happen to her and I'd hate to see such a great artist lose her mind.
>>19565960Lynn smiled when you said that. 'Well, take care of Laura. She isn't having the easiest time of it... and she seems even worse these days.'That's a strangely sisterly thing to say. Respect, Lynn...
>>19565968Not really. Well, at least, I won't put myself in a position where she would be forced to have me around, once the festival is done. And I won't influence her to want me around either.What about you ?I was surprised to learn that you're not from this town, and unrelated to the local factions. At least as far as I know. Did no one notice you, or did you refuse recruitment ?
>>19565997Second this one
>>19565968Actually, exclusivity isn't that important to me. But I find her likeable as a human, not just as food, and I'd like to see that she doesn't get consumed too fast.Why did you put her at the head of this project so suddenly ?
>>19566015>>19565997>>19565976He seems relaxed when you state that you are simply concerned about Lynn, and don't want her to go crazy. Or any of the girls around here.'Well, young man, you can rest assured I won't violate your dear girls, in any sense.' He smiles. The relaxation quickly fades, however, and a pressure starts growing in the room around you like a low growl when you talk about his status. 'So... you don't come from around the city. Did you refuse recruitment, or-''Young man, whose name do you reckon you're speaking in? Are you from the Free Comm? Well, if the Free Comm is free, why do you have so many rules that keep a man from doing things his own way?'The low growl is getting louder, a tremor in your arms and feet and ears. You search around you; but this place is relatively empty at this time of day. Lynn's out of the shower... and... your ears, oww...> What do/say?
rolled 86 = 86>>19566040Drum up some mental defenses to stop what he is doing.
>>19566040I'm with them, in a technical sense, as for now at least, it is worth following rules that I don't find particularly onerous in exchange for a nice place to live, contacts, and learning. I don't care if you are part of Free Comm or not, I was wondering as you are close to people I care for which means I'm somewhat curious. Would you mind turning that off?
>>19566040Because freedom isn't about restraining the freedom of others... beyond a certain point.If you want to know, yeah, I'm affiliated with the community, because I can use their help and because their principles don't conflict much with my own ideas... but I'm my own psych. I speak in my own name. And now that I've answered you, I'd like you to answer me.
>>19566061>I don't care if you are part of Free Comm or notWell if he was we could estimate that he's not a threat. If he's on his own, we have to bet. If he's himself sent or manipulated by someone else, then he's probably at least an obstacle.>you're not human."I think I am. Why do you say that? Do you believe tha psychs are superior, or inferior to other humans? Are you acting up on this considerations?"
>>19566051>>19566061> 86 vs. 3 + 20: oh dear. He's surprisingly weak, you think. 'Well. I'm from the Free Comm, and we don't believe that things which potentially hurt people are considered 'freedom'. Even as people, we don't have the freedom to rob, to hurt, to rape or kill. Besides that, though, I am my own person. Now, answer my questions please.'He pauses for a moment - and launches another attack.You quickly think of fire, and - surprising yourself a little - you think of Lynn as well. The pressure quickly eases, and then your eyes see Henrich standing up and advancing towards you - before freezing in his tracks, and holding his left hand. > More incoming. Strange spam post detection...
'Oh. Oww. Oh god stop! Stop it!' He stumbles backwards and falls over his chair, scattering papers around, as you advance on him. Fear flashes in his eyes as you advance, and then you stop and hold off the fire. 'Yes! I'm not from here! I'm not part of the Free Comm!'> What do/say? > Goddamn spam detection! This post has been badly truncated. I'll try to find other ways of filling in information.
'I see. Well, so... why are you here, then?' You move away, allowing him a little more space. 'I'm from the countryside. I'm from Renshire. Not much goes on there... and so the landscape is... not stable. I was chased. I escaped to the city.''Chased? What by, hunters? Creations?' You like how you can use these terms now. It makes you feel oddly powerful. Hmm.'No... not those.' He glares at you. 'You must be seriously naive to think this world, this real one, is the only one we Psychs have to deal with. You're lucky to be in a city, young man...'
>>19566130"So what are you trying to do here? Don't think you're here just for feeding...">>19566142"Yes, I suppose so.So who is hunting you?"
>>19566130Post it as a picture.>>19566130>'Yes! I'm not from here! I'm not part of the Free Comm!'Well I know that. What I want to know is if someone sent you here, or advised you to come here. What you're planning to do with Lynn and the festival, she still looks under influence when she thinks about her work. Also, how long you've been a psych.Do you know about creations ?
>>19566142I would like some more details on what chased you out. I am interested.>>19566130Let's just calm down and be civil here. What are your plans here? Have you been noticing anything strange here, anything that might herald Creations? Was it you that suggested the Bull sculpture for Lynn, why?
>>19566156>Do you know about creations ?He knows, so tell him that we worry about one being created here.
>>19566152>>19566156>>19566158>>19566171> Okay, this will be the last post for today. Thanks for playing!> I don't know if I have the energy to run Spacefarer later, but I might. So let's see. You sit down. 'What are you talking about? Well, let me tell you why I'm here first then. I'm here to investigate a potential Creation that might be happening. So I'm wondering about Lynn. About what she is being... forced to do.'He blinks. 'I'm... not doing anything about Lynn. She has such a beautiful, glorious mind. I just feed off it. Why do I need to do other things?''What about the statue, then? Her little secret project which is not very little at all?' The terror in his eyes when you say that is raw, gaping, but surprisingly momentary, as he blocks it out and recovers. 'I didn't. I asked her to do it, normally. No manipulation. I'm not responsible for her obsessions! Also, as for what hunted me - see, that's why you city bastards are lucky. With so many people to balance out your landscape, it's all reasonably real. You have no idea what happens beyond the veils and pales, in the middle distance. Well, out there are monsters. The congealed memories and oddities and insanities of families over generations. Those forces make the thinly imagined vampires and little demons here like child's play...'You always thought that it's the city, with so many crazies, which was more dangerous. Or maybe it's just something no one's told a newbie about yet...> What do/say? I'll take note in the next thread - check twitter!
I was wondering.We have been on the look-out for a Creation right? And Lynn seems to make incredibly powerful creation. She has worn herself thin working on that sculpture. What if this whole thing was made in such a way that she will fail? As in, not only wont people appreciate her art but actually insult it and her. And this will happen during the festival.That kind of a thing will bright forth such a powerful, emotional reaction from Lynn that she could easily become a creation.I'm worried about that.
>>19566219OP, I've been meaning to ask and keep forgetting all the time.What happened to roll 98 for Kingdom of Dylania idea? Did you scrap it because how insane it is?
>>19566219Well isn't that interesting. Given how we turned the fires on him when he tried to attack he probably won't try anything else. Get more details on the monsters outside the city. Inquire further into Lynn, he knows her better than us and she's a probable Creation source.We're going to want to call up Kev and Dawn and inform them of this.
>>19566040>Well, if the Free Comm is free, why do you have so many rules that keep a man from doing things his own way?'I'm certainly not here for that, but the city is filled with people who want to rule over you, over us. The rules of the freecomm don't forbid me to do the things I want to do, and protect me from the rule of someone else. You should feel interest for that kind of arrangement if you want to stay in this place. Just saying - it's not my business with you.
>>19566219"Do you know that continually feeding off from one person can drive them absolutely insane?You're hurting her and might turn her into a shell of her former self.""So how did you avoid freecommers anyway? Why don't you join? You're practically not obliged to do anything, have people that will help you and give advice and someone to rely on if something happens to you.For one, they would tell you how awful it is to feed from one person, no matter how beautiful and strong their mind is"
>>19566241Sounds good
>>19566258Odds are she ain't the only one he is feeding on just his favorite if we compare her to Laura
>>19566233Heh, it's not been discarded. I'm still considering how to implement it. Also, your concerns about Lynn have been noted!
>>19566219I want to know if he got help in finding this place and establishing himself there.Ask what he meant by saying we're not human. >>19566228I'm more worried that the sudden revelation of the sculpture will put the students into a trance, or pull them into the illusion. I'm especially worried that they might act out some parts of it.Maybe we'll have to prevent that from happening by destroying the sculpture, or getting the admin to refuse its presentation. That would hurt Lynn, so I hope we can purify it instead.
>>19566219Ask him what he knows about Lynn's obsessions. With all the draining he's done, he must have learned a lot about her insecurities, her problems with other people, and how she projects them on the sculpture - he seems to imply it's directly related to her obsessions, I want to know more about this.Ask him if he likes the taste of her negative feelings too.
>>19566258I think he has more experience than us in draining people, and knows how to keep it sustainable. He's been here at least a year, and the damage on the students is not obvious, while we've been at it for a few days and already broke Laura.I don't think we should lecture him about this.But his wait-and-see attitude about the bull is surprising.
>>19566322Heh, cool.Can't wait to see how crazy it will turn out.
>>19566394I can't help feeling that the "wait and see attitude" is a ruse, imo from his response to our knowledge of it he's obviously encouraging it (possibly to try & use as protection against countryside monsters etc. though this is conjecture).I don't think this creation is innocent, it feels really dangerous & like it's too powerful to have happened by accident. we need to tell kev about it when we leave. I would suggest not saying any of this to heinrich though, would just get his back up.>>19566332yeah I think we need to see if some kind of removal of the creation while keeping the sculpture would be best. talk to Kev about this as well
>>19566355>>19567580We need to tell our experience to Kev and others.
>>19566322once again thankyou OP for running this quest especially when moving etc. as it really is a highlight of my week. it's seriously one of the best campaigns I've been involved in. extreme kudos for effort & quality
