File: SibellaQuest Advantages a(...).pdf (391 KB, PDF)

391 KB PDF

>>794530
Eyyy, we're back!

Kitty has to calm down soon...

>>794530
"I don't have a super rich super ancient super powered family to bail me out. I don't have fanboys and fangirls. What I am is what I made myself to be!" You hear a tiny growl almost like a heartbeat vibrate in her throat.

"Hold on." You smile. "Say that again!"

"Say what again?"

"The part about you being what you made yourself to be."

"Oh..." You see a faint red blush creep through the brown fur of her cheeks. "Well...I had help obvious. From the sisters back in Brazil, from you, from God..."

"Sometimes it was just you helping you. Sometimes it was just you by yourself. I like that about you."

"Well..." Char shifts uncomfortably in her seat. "...I don't..." She says uncertainly.

"Hey Benny!" Anon calls to you through Belial's psychic network. "I can tell you're appreciating Char's uh, lets call it "instinctive assertiveness"..."

"Call it whatever you like man." You reply. "I think its hot."

"But ANYWAY Benny, let's try and keep her civil okay? I don't need more fights involving beast people on this team."

"Right...Char, I know that 9/10 times you can take her. But say this is the 1/10. Say Sibella knocks you down and makes you tap out."

Char shuts her eyes and scrunches up her features at the thought.

"Say you lost. You'd feel like shit, right?"

"...I'd feel like I'd lost you to her..." She admits in a small voice.

"And do you think I want you to feel like that? Do you think Sibella wants you to feel like that?"

"...I guess not..."

>SAY? DO?

>I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ABOUT TO SAY THIS BUT...HAVE YOU TRIED PRAYER? YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL ANGEL NOW.

>WORK OUT YOUR FRUSTRATIONS WITH SOMEONE ELSE. YOU CAN FIND A SPARRING PARTNER THAT WON'T MAKE YOUR HAIR STAND ON END.

>MAYBE TALK TO WINNIE ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN THE PACK? I'M SURE MORE THAN A FEW OF THEM KNOW HOW YOU'RE FEELING

>YOU NEED TO HANG OUT WITH SIBELLA. ONCE YOU TALK TO HER YOU'LL UNDERSTAND SHE IS NOT HER IMAGE

>(COLLUDE WITH ANON TO HAVE SIBELLA THROW A FIGHT WITH CHAR)

>>794695
>I CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ABOUT TO SAY THIS BUT...HAVE YOU TRIED PRAYER? YOU HAVE YOUR OWN PERSONAL ANGEL NOW.
>MAYBE TALK TO WINNIE ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN THE PACK? I'M SURE MORE THAN A FEW OF THEM KNOW HOW YOU'RE FEELING
>YOU NEED TO HANG OUT WITH SIBELLA. ONCE YOU TALK TO HER YOU'LL UNDERSTAND SHE IS NOT HER IMAGE

Realistically, the most important thing for her is to gain a variety of friends to feel a little less alone in the world I feel like a combo of this would be best at this time. Lets see what others think.

>>794695
>>YOU NEED TO HANG OUT WITH SIBELLA. ONCE YOU TALK TO HER YOU'LL UNDERSTAND SHE IS NOT HER IMAGE

dang, had no idea we were running today or I wouldnt be an hour late to my favorite quest

>>794898
Its my fault, I sort of decided to get it out tonight and start getting some of my balls juggled. I'm bringing back Mechagirl and Capeworld this week, assuming whoever wins the election doesn't ban quests.

Looks like I got lucky, checking your twitter

Anyways, what seems important isn't the fight, but lessening this possession she feels over Benny because he's one of like 3 people that she can say is close to her. So maybe she should get to know Sibella, since she seems like the person that Char sees as a threat to compromise one of her only close relationships.

Also, one question about Tanis. How exactly are you going to write her? I'm in the middle of a 2 part Tanis story that I was doing for spooketober, but I didn't finish in time. So I thought that I might as well try to make it fit with your interpretation of her

>>794931
>Mechagirl Back
Yay! Though I only say this for now, knowing that bad things are bound to happen.

>>794944
>Tanis

I picture her as a self-sacrificing social worker. She sees Ra's family as just another case. She takes her "eternal priestess to the gods" thing very seriously, but doesn't think they're any better than normal people. Her selflessness is why she gets along with Char so well.

>HANG OUT WITH SIBELLA

"Char babe, you need to hang out with Sibella. You got to see that she isn't at all like her image."

"Yeah...I'm not so good at hanging out though." Char frowns. "I've never been."

"Give her a chance."

"But like...what should I do?"

"Not spar with her. Anything but sparring with her. That leaves quite a few options open. Go do girl things with her."

"But we're so different. She's...well I don't expect Sibella Dracula to find much in common with a girl who talks to imaginary friends and God. We're too different Benny...I don't know if this is going to work..."

"So are you and I and we get along. More or less."

Char sighs and slumps in her chair. "Darn it all Benny...I'm doing it again, aren't I?"

"Don't what again?"

"Doing the "Char can't be friends with anyone not from inside her head" thing." She takes a long drink of wine. "Except now I'm doing it to your circle of friends."

"You know beat people hormones is a hell of a roller coaster. One second you want to beat somebody up and the next you're beating yourself up."

"Its not that Benny." Char says glumly. "Its pattern recognition. Its something mammals do. I didn't fit in with the abbey, I didn't fit in with the Impossible College, I didn't fit in with the pack, and if its not a case of not fitting in here its certainly a case of fitting in very awkwardly..."

>SAY? DO?

>>795075
okay, so it seems char is afraid of alienating herself from our group, and so she's preemptively doing just that. Maybe hanging out with benny and another from the group would be a decent idea? Sort of like an inoculation. We could even start with the least threatening person (anon+abby) and ramp up to Sibella.

>>795075
To be fair, I'm pretty sure our group is a bunch of misfits that happen to be a family.

I think she's going to find that anon, padre, Abby, and Sibella are going to be very inclusive. Anon kind of has a habit of looking out for everyone and befriending people anyways.

How about a potentially awkward (as in "ceirtainly") double date?

>>795197
>>795276

"Hey. It's not like I don't awkwardly fit in. Everyone in the cell is a kind of misfit."

"Not Abby. No Anon or the Padre or Nayara. They're warriors. Professionals. They're so unlike me..."

"Heh. I see you only know as much about them as you do Sibella. We're a family of misfits. You'll be right at home babe."

"I...I'm going to try real, real hard not to screw this up Benny. Me screwing up fitting in is one thing when its just me trying to make friends, but its another thing when they're already your friends. I don't want to ruin something good you have going."

"You are't going to ruin a thing babe. They're going to love having you around. Especially when you start making them some of that chicory coffee. And if they don't like coffee maybe some of that tana leaf tea the mummy showed you how to-oh!"

Char slaps your hand.

"Benny! Don't call her the mummy! That's rude."

"Okay, okay, would burn lady have been better?"

"No!"

"Well okay then. Anyway you got to fight for this Char. You're going to fit in."

"Just...just don't keep me around if I start becoming a burden or anything. What you've done joining them, protecting the city, being a hero...that's your dream. I'd hate myself forever if I ruined that for you."

>>795316
>Double date?

I personally really like this idea. And if Sibella picks the Moonset Cafe to eat at Char's perceptions of Sibella are going to be challenged.

>CONFIRM DOUBLE DATE PLAN?

>>795387
sounds good to me

>>795387
I'm game, why not?

Besides, being a hero isn't quite his dream, his dream is just rising above what he once was to be a better person. And if it means being a better person together with Char, then I think he'd find it all worth it in the end, regardless of what happens.

>>795387
I'm all for a double date

>>795476
>>795497
>>795592

"Being a hero isn't quite my dream." You say. "Its just rising above what I once was to be a better person. That's OUR dream Char. Never forget that."

Char smiles wanly. "Yeah. But we talk about it like...like we're one person, and its their dream...but you've made leaps ahead of where I'm at Benny. You got a group of friends, you got such incredible control over your power, you have and continue to use your power to help people. I just don't measure up. The Baron doesn't want me to bring up Oya, I work the church and I help people but...its not help from my powers, you know, not like how you help people with your powers...I'm the weak link in our dream..."

>SAY/DO? CHEER UP YOUR KITTY!

>>795796
"You are the only thing that keeps me strong"

SUCH DEFIANCE!

>>795796
Not really, the way I see it the ways you help people are just as important.
I mean, you help people in ways I wouldn't be good at. God knows I'm forever putting my foot directly in my mouth.
And dealing with structure really isn't my strong suit in the slightest.

>>795796
I mean, should we truly place a value on how one helps people? Sure using powers is one thing, but people help people all the time without using their powers. And I mean, she did help Benny, after all, that has to count for something, right? I just think she shouldn't undersell herself here.

>>795963
Everyday heroes and all that

>>795929
>>795959
>>795963
"Char, quit underselling the girl I love." You say. "You shouldn't place a value on how you help people. Sure, using powers to help people is one thing, but people help people all the time without using powers."

"It's just...I feel so useless. I feel like i don't measure up you."

"Char, you help people in ways I would just plain suck at. God knows I'm forever putting my foot directly in my mouth."

"Like that. Lord's name in vain Benny!"

"Well yeah, like that! And dealing with structure isn't really my strong suit in the slightest." You lean very, very close to Char. "And I'm saying this with all my heart right now Char. You aren't the weak link. You aren't falling behind me. You are the the only thing that keeps me strong. You're the reason I've come this far with my powers in the first place."

You feel yourself become spellbound by Char's pretty blue eyes.

"You say that I'm your hero. Well you're my hero Char."

You and Char lean together into each other and share a slow, gentle kiss.

"Thank you Benny." She smiles. "I won't screw this up-I mean mess this up!" She quickly covers her profanity "I won't be an embarrassment to you or your friends!"

"You're an embarrassment to nobody babe. But speaking of OUR friends, maybe we should try gradually working you into the group. You hanging out one-on-one with Sibella sounds sort of intimidating right?"

"I'm not intimidated by her!" Char reflexively extends her claws into her soup and quickly retracts them, splashing droplets of soup around the table that she spends an awkward moment running a napkin over.. "...I'm really not!"

"Poor choice of words on my part. Again, something you're a lot better at than me. I meant it can't exactly be an enjoyable time. And I want you to be comfortable around everyone. These are people we're going to be fighting monsters and demons and psychopaths with. So why not...double date? You, me, Anon, Sibella...and maybe Abby?" You ask Anon on the telepathic network.

>DOUBLE DATE WITH ABBY FOR CHAR?

>DOUBLE DATE WITHOUT ABBY?

>>796142
With Abby. Seeing her inevitable bickering with Anon might help Char take her off her pedestal.

>>796142
uh oh. Maybe not with abby. You cant just rip a girls heart out and flaunt her loss in front of her.

>>796142
May be wise to not invite Abby yet. Double dates as a fifth wheel seem like a bad idea.

>>796205
>>796261
>>796275
>>796282
"I get what you're thinking bomb-bro..." Anon says in your head. "Abby would make Char feel a lot more comfortable and maybe it'll give her the chance to see she's...more like a human than like a statue with wings. Abby would appreciate it as well, even if she might not show it at first."

"I get you."

"But the fifth wheel in a double date...I don't know Benny. I think maybe after the date we can all hang out together. Maybe even have Black Falcon and The Cat over."

"Yeah. That sounds like it'll work."

"A double date...well, I can't think of anything better." Char says. "I'm going to be worried where we'll going to eat though. I hope the Dracula princess doesn't make us eat at someplace like this."

"You don't like the Bluestone?"

"What? Oh no, I love it. But when I'm tense my table manners...well, you've seen."

"Just remember to use the fork for the salad, not the claws." You tease.

"Oh hush you. I just don't want to look like some sort of uncoordinated bumpkin that doesn't know the first thing about fine dining in front of her...she's probably going to get us VIP suite in one of the casinos. Something with a window where the city looks like dollhouses at our feet...oh I hope this dress is fancy enough for wherever she drags us..."

You suppress a smirk. "The Moonset Cafe, right?" You ask telepathically.

"Probably. It is her favorite after all."

"I think that'll be a good surprise for Char."

>SAY? DO??

>LAST CHANCE FOR CHATTING AND ROMANCE BEFORE SOMETHING HAPPENS!

>NEXT SCENE?

>>796513
>Time for some more romance
We should compliment the fuck out of how good she looks. Something about her eyes and ears for one thing, and if she starts pulling that complex about the tail, well, we talk about how we quite love hers anyways.

>>796513
"wherever we go, I'm sure you'll be stunning. Kinda like right now"

>>796513
Time to flirt.

>>796528
>>796641
>>796668
>TIME TO FLIRT

FLIRTATION MODE ENGAGED

"Well." You smile. "Wherever Sibella takes us I'm sure you'll be stunning. Kinda like right now."

"It's...just something I threw on at the last minute to be honest."

"You look good in it. Real good."

Char bashfully ducks her head away. "T-Thank you. You look dashing yourself Benny."

"You know, you have the most beautiful eyes."

"Oh stop..." She says in a tone that means "Thank you, please please pleae continue".

"You hang out with Sibella Dracula and a living, breathing, perfect angel. I'm strictly second rate compared to them. Third rate even."

"There's noting second rate about those those eyes. They're like...twin pools of sapphires. But bluer than that..." You glance away and try to think of something romantic to say."

""But bluer than that?"" Char playfully tilts her head.

"Eh, cat's got my tongue. How can she not looking as good as she does?"

"Oh no. Now he's dipping into the cliches. What's next? Am I the top cat? The cat's meow?"

"Why, yes actually...and Char..." You clear your throat.

"Oh this is going to be good." Char leans closer.

"...Your eyes are like..."

>SAY?DO?

>>796880
Oh boy, guess we get to stumble through some rather silly personification. Anyways...

They're like stars
>Lean in
Honest, gentle and true, and when I look into them, I know exactly where I am and where I'm supposed to be.

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>>796909
shit, I don't think I got anything better than that.

>>796880
"What more proof do you need of your beauty, than the fact that i can't think of naything when you look at me like that"

Combat, please

>>796909
>>796947
>>796971

"...They're like stars."

"Hm?"

You can see wonderful, warm emotion welling behind her dark blue eyes, like stormclouds about to break and reveal the sun or thunder forth with lightning.

"They're honest, gentle and true. And when I look into them I know exactly where I am and where I'm supposed to be."

"Benny...that...that wasn't what I expected..." She says bashfully. "That was from the heart. Thank you...ha. Now I'm all flustered. I thought you were supposed to be the one bad with words...well...h-how about this?"

Char takes a deep breathe and closes her eyes. She holds out her hands in front of herself palms up. Green mist begins to rise up and swirl like, first a bright, fitful green and then changes as it slows to a seafoam color. When the psychic ectoplasm stops it is a waxy, almost marble white jade arranged in a perfect sphere.

As Char mutters to herself the sphere takes on an iridescent quality. Rainbows dance playfully around its surface. Light moves across it in rhythmic bands. When the jazz band dies down you can hear it tinkling like a chorus of bells with every strobe almost like the beating of an impossibly wonderful heart.

Char exhales and opens her eyes. You see the construct as an after image on your eyes. You blink once, then twice, and then it is gone.

"Well...w-what did you think Benny?"

>Say? Do?

>>796971
Don't worry, we're getting closer to it.

>>797045
Kissu

>>797050
seconded

with a mention of how amazing that was, and by extension her.

>>797050
>>797068
"...Char...That was amazing!"

"Well, I have been practicing a lot. It's...well it isn't easy to describe. You know how psychic manifestations are. It's...how I feel about you. And us. I clear my mind and let my ectoplasm flow out and think about how wonderful you are and just let the shape form on its own."

"It's your love..."

"Yeah. Too bad I can't make it fully materialize. It might be worth something at a pawn shop then." Char smirks.

"Now you stop. That's beautiful and amazing and...and you're amazing."

Char's ears twitch. "It's just a symbol, like a painting but with psychic ectoplasm. If you want something that looks really good you should see the

"No. It's amazing, just like these ears are amazing." You reach your hand out and touch her angled ears. They flick against your fingertips. "You remember what I first called them way back when we first joined the support group? You were chasing me down because I had one of my dick moments and left the group in a huff and I turn around and yell "Get lost cat elf.""

Char chuckles. "Oh yes. Now I remember. You left over Black Falcon lecturing about taking responsibility for damages your power cause even if it wasn't your "fault"."

"One of many things I took the wrong way. Good thing you were there to set me right. I was wrong about a lot of stuff back then. But one thing I was't wrong about was your ears. They do make you look sort of like an elf. A beautiful elven princess."

"The kids at the abby called me the go-to beast people insult in Brazil, mapinguari, behind my back or cuca if they were feeling particularly mean of it I scared them with one of my fits. They never called me an elf though." She flashes a teasing smile. "I don't think I would mind being an elf. They're usually rather pretty aren't they?"

"I think it might diminish your beauty if you turned into an elf though. I'd miss the fluffiness, especially of your tail."

"Ah. My little stub. I wish you would stop teasing me about it."

"And I wish you'd stop thinking I'm teasing you every time I compliment it. Its a great tail. Its fluffy, its cute-"

"It would be fluffier and cuter if it was slender and long like most girls. I could wrap it around you, pull you in close..."

"You can do that. I just have to get close. Very close."

"I really am glad you think my tail is pretty."

"Its not just me thinking so. It is so."

"If my tail makes you happy Benny. Then I have to agree. It is a good tail."

"Ah those kids at the abbey. I wish I could time travel and throw them like footballs. Exploding footballs."

"Benny!" Char chuckles. "Darn it Benny, that made me laugh!"

"Exploding bullies are always funny."

"Oh they weren't bullies. Only one or two of them really had it out for me. Most were just afraid of me because of my fits, and I hardly got to play with them because of the hours of meditation."

-cont

>>797537
"Didn't two of them dump mustard all over you? On your birthday?"

"I'd always avoid mustard until you got me to try it again. The smell would always make me sad."

"What kind of sicko pours mustard on someone's fur anyway? That's just wrong and weird. You know I never got bullies. I mean here's kid me causing toys to explode like landmines and here's kid you with half-humanoid cloud people jumping out of her head causing stuff to move around and they think yeah. That's the kid I want to pick on. The one that can accidentally kill me."

"Children aren't very wise Benny."

"Children are very stupid's more like it. But if you ask me while its more dangerous as a kid its worse on a personal level when you and the kids grow up. When you get to high school the kids grow enough brain cells to realize what you are and what you can do."

Char nods. "They don't mess with you. But they don't want anything to do with you. You have to make the effort to talk to them. Otherwise they just ignore you. And when you do talk to them they aren't rude. They're just very quiet and very uncomfortable and just want to get away from you. And you feel horrible because there's nothing malicious in what they do. They're just scarred of you."

"Yeah..." You say. "Yeah that's exactly it. They treat you like you're Forest Gump with a suicide vest. "Hi Benny. How Are You Today. Are You Okay Today Benny? Are You Feeling Stressed Today Benny?""

"For me it was mostly quiet. Lots and lots of quiet. It's why I had to leave as soon as I could. I didn't want to live with just myself, even if I could hold very interesting conversations. I didn't want to matter just to myself. There was nothing in my parents' lives but themselves multiplied across idiots with the same ideas and same lack of morals, that stupid cult..."

"Even so I still had bullies in high school." You say steering the conversation away from the sensitive topic of Char's parents and their voodoo cult. "Did I ever tell you about Trent?"

"Oh yes. I remember him. Such a...well frankly he was a foolish and mean-spirited boy."

"I was going to say something that would've busted the swear jar. To this day I can hardly believe that he thought it was a good idea to set off firecrackers around me and then said I did it. He didn't think it was so funny when I grabbed him by the neck and told him I was going to kill him."

"That was what? Your third suspension?"

"Naw that was the tree. Trent was the fourth or fifth."

>SAY? DO? CONTINUE FLIRTING?

>NEXT SCENE! BRING ON MOLOCH AND THE BAD GUYS!

Holy shit, this is running again!

Man, I can't help but imagine that a double date with Sibella and Char would just turn into a lewd competition of who can make their man happiest without it just being flat-out sex.Given Sibella's more.... adventurous nature, though, I'd say the winner would be Abdiel

>>797546
>>NEXT SCENE! BRING ON MOLOCH AND THE BAD GUYS!

Been long enough, let's get to the meat of things.

>>797547
Yeah. Might be a few hours before I can update again, but its back. I need a nap.

>lewd competition.

That WOULD be very interesting...

>>797549
Regarding the spoiler, I mean, she's known him longer than any of them have known "their man".

That's a lot of personal knowledge that would be very easy to use.

Get some rest, QG. We've waited this long, what's a few more hours?

>>797546
I would suggest one more flirty type move. Suggesting that we start talking about what we should do after dinner. If you catch the drift. Then we ready up for the battle.

>>797546
>>NEXT SCENE! BRING ON MOLOCH AND THE BAD GUYS!
Shit I missed so much.

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Looks like I have some catching up to do!
in the meantime, here's the Phanty an anon requested last thread
I'm working on Char. I'm sorry I don't have her finished yet, I had to do over time last week and a buddy from out of town is visiting

So anyone on board with trying to get Moloch bound to Char?
Would instantly make her someone who people would agree should join the team while also taking away all 3 of the demons that asshole wants.

>>798064
nah, I don't think char would be exactly comfortable carrying a manifestation of anti-god evil with her, especially considering how they might seem kinda similar to her thought-forms. Wouldn't want to reset that progress.

>>798075
Who would you want as Moloch's summoner then?
Cause I'm getting a feeling that we're gonna need all 3 of them for upcoming bullshit.

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>>797546
>What kind of sicko pours mustard on someone's fur anyway?
Yeah, who is that handsome sicko and where will he strike again?


>NEXT SCENE! BRING ON MOLOCH AND THE BAD GUYS!

>>797546
Moar flirting

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>>798038
>Phantasma naked in apron
>Phantasma fucking stacked
Thank you. So much.

>>797546

>>798038
Now that's some top tier waifu.
I am dead serious

>>799338
She deserves better than she got

>>799407
What? You saying we should break up with her and go for the ghost minigirl?

>>799407
What are you talking about, it's all going to turn up aces for Phanty soon enough.

>>799415
I hope so, anon

>>799414
Nah, just that she's had to suffer a lot

>>799430
We still owe minighost that we go and rescue her friends
By the time we make it there, they were already turned into clown shadowmen.
Turns out minigirl already knew this was the most possible outcome
She wants us to put her friends out of their misery

Oh, i'll never not find funny the fact that THIS was supposed to be the dark and brooding quest while PhantyQuest was the lighthearted and silly romantic one

>>799473
It's, uh... yeah, it's all fucked.
I think the turning point was the cutesy diner scene-turned deep philosophical discussion after pissing our pants.

>>799509
Nah, the turning point was thinking we were invincible

>>799551
Yeah, I don't know what we were thinking, trying to pull off action hero shit

>>799565
On the bright side

When we come back, and it will be when. The relationship is going to be quite something.

>>799571
I think it was joked about in an earlier thread, but Phanty and Phantynon are going to be almost disgustingly lovey-dovey once things are better.

It's going to be great!

>>799591
Just wait until we have to do extra dimensional missions and PAnon has to team up with Sibella

>PAnon: So... did you see Casablanca last night?
>Sibella: Uh, I'm not really into Noir movies.
>PAnon: Oh, right...
>Sibella: Wanna go to the Moonset Cafe to get something to eat?
>PAnon: No thanks, I don't eat that kind of food.
>Sibella: Oh...
>PAnon: From now on let's split up like we normally do.
>Sibella: Agreed.

>>799678
>Casablanca
>Noir
Fuck me for not proofreading

>>799684
Don't worry, the only one who'd correct you is dead.

>>799591
As the anon who suggested it, I remember.

I just hope that the old greentext somewhere about the reunion is how they meet again.

>>799854
Which one? There has been many

>>799894
>We wake up out of our death coma
>Phanty nowhere to be seen. Spiritual Nurse Tanis checks up on us, and upon seeing that we are awake, gasps and scampers away into a different room.
>Silence, agonizing silence as we just sit there, drowsily wondering where we are, who that was and where Phantasma is (don't know if we'll know or not, we may not recall all of our memories as a ghost)
>Suddenly the door creeks open
>Nothing
>Nothing
>A small blue head pops through the wall around where the door was
>It's Phanty, she looks positively wrecked emotionally and physically, as if she had somehow been up all night
>She stares at us in shock, drifting into the room proper
>Doesn't say anything, but just stares at us, looking like she's about to cry
>This lingers for a minute or two
>First words out of our mouth after who know how long we've been dead and haven't seen each other
>"Hey..."
>She sniffles, she's about to burst
>"You look like you've seen a ghost..."
>That does it, she rushes us and hugs us and just breaks down in tears.
>Credits roll at the end of the episode as we flash forward a day or two.


Took less time than I thought to find it.

>>799937
muh heart

>>799937
"Told ya i was looking at you, kid"
Turns out Phanty never saw our last words in the sky and there was no one that could make the conection and tell her about it
Even if she doesn't know what you are talking about she still appreciates the words. Anon never becomes aware that his most important message never reached its intended adressee
Even if he knew, he couldn't give a damn. Nothing could ruin this moment

"God...you know I always hated the 4th or July? All the guys that set off fireworks early or before its dark scared the crap out of me-"

And that it started.

Char's ears and fur and tail stand straight on end. Her eyes go wide. The fork in her hand clatters to the table.

"...Char?"

"Benny...something is coming..."

'ANON?" He scream over the telepathic link.

"Belial what's going on?"

"Some dick is trying to set up a spiritual space right in the casino."
"A weak pseudo-VALIS is manifesting in the Bluestone Casino."

"So is this another LJN or one of the Master's demons?"

"Hell if I know."
"There's no way of knowing until it properly manifests."

"CHAR!" You rush to her side as she falls limp in her chair, head rolling on her shoulders. "CHAR!"

"Belial, do something!"

"She's fine. Tell her to shake it off."

"CHAR! CAN YOU HEAR ME! CHAR!"

"She is simply stunned. The sudden shock to her ectoplasm is not-"

"CHAR!"

"Belial she's not looking good..."

"-something she cannot overcome."

Char shuts her eyes and jerks her head forward. You nearly fall over with relief. "Ohhhh..." She moans. "There's...there's a cosmograph incoming...a pseudo-VALIS...like what Anon and the CAT was trapped in but of matter, not electricity..."

"I know, I know..." You look up and see the ghosts begin to act funny. The jazz band stops in the middle of their act and begin to rise. The ghosts float into the air a stiff as statues.

The human diners begin to panic.

"Ghost Mafia! Ghost Mafia!"
"Ohhhh shit I knew the Bluestone was connected!"
"Its the clowns! They've sent their enforcers I just know it!"

"Benny..." Char springs to her feet and holds you close protectively. You feel her claws snap out at the read. "I think the bad guys are coming..."

"Tell the stupid cat to start shielding them!"

"Benny tell her to shield you two!" Anon yells.

But Char is ahead of all of you. She shuts her eyes and bright green fire coils around the two of you like an enormous snake. You feel it soak into your skin and make you feel warm and strong.

"The little magician must project ectoplasma around them. She must dilute the encroaching field now!" The elder Belial echos.

"But she did it." Anon says.

"I know!"
"I know."

"...You two just got to do the double talk thing huh? Like its not something you two can turn off?"

"Don't talk about me moron! The team is in danger!"
"This is not about my idiosyncrasies. This is about our friends."

"Friends? And here I thought the only cat you liked was The CAT...But way to go Char!"

Char leans against you weakly.

"You okay babe?"

"That just...took more out of me than I thought. Converting ectoplasm to ectoplasma is like donating blood." She pushes against you to regain her footing. "But I'm fine now."

"What a weakling!"
"She is FAR from the strongest of psychics."

"You still said she's your friend..." Anon says.

And Belial has nothing to say about that."

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>>800311
>Its the clowns!
It's our turn to be TRIGGERED now

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>>800311
>And Belial has nothing to say about that.
Aw~

>Its the clowns!
FUCK

>>800311
Well. Here we go. Poker Night of the century.

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>>800311

ECTOPLASM AND ECTOPLASMA AND DIVINITY

ECTOPLASM

Ectoplasm is the miraculous substance discovered in the late 19th century that materializes and responds to the commands of certain individuals. It can be used to form constructs or ill extreme training to create "psuedo-sapient" thought-forms endowed with their own personality and will. Char's voodoo summons are made of ectoplasm as is the CAT.

20th century science has discovered that ectoplasm responds to information, be it the temperature and pulse of a person's body or the electricity in the brain. This has lead to the theory that the increased ectoplasm (and by extension ectoplasma) activity seen in the 20th and 21st centuries is due to the increase in total information on Earth from radio to television to the internet-which alone explains the great cyber chase of 2001.

Scientists have learned how to manipulate and control ectoplasm which has led to the creation of beings such as Dyno MUTT, The CAT, and "cyber-sapients" such as Franken lab's "Questlings" by slaving ectoplasm to commands stored in electronic apparatus that essentially stand in for the human brain. Ectoplasm control has also lead to medical breakthoughs such as the cure for cancer, law enforcement devices such as the ecto-condensor that traps ectoplasma entities such as ghosts,and AI enhanced power armor like the Black Falcon's suit.

Cut out and save this chunk of lore for a FREE 12 inch St. Florian's Papal-roni at Lucky's Pizzeria, now new and rebuilt!

>>800337
>>800381
Bystander dude just thinks its the clowns because of their rep. Although that does't preclude them showing up later. The Bluestone is rumored to be under Ghost Mafia protection after all...

.....

The walls begin to shift and blur like water colors. They swirl into a fierce, flaming red. Black marble creeps across the floor, replacing the white tiles. Long stained-glass windows of crimson bull heads on black backgrounds erupt out of the walls accompanied by red curtains that flap like wings in airless space.

Up on the stage two statues of a bull headed monster appears, smoke erupting from their nostrils .. At their base a fire crackles angrily. The casino becomes uncomfortably hot.

"WELCOME TO THE BLUESTONE!" A proud female voice announces from above. "NOW UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT!"

You and Char look up to see a red-skinned woman floating in the air. The ceiling lights behind her shine through the gaps in her black,skeletal wings-the only ugly part of her. Her eyes shine like copper embers. Her charcoal black hair is pierced by two small horns on her forehead. She wears very little, only an ornate black top with gold trim and a long wisp of matching fabric between her legs. A long pointed tail lashes behind her."

"Its Ariel. She's doing this."
"Ariel is causing the psuedo-VALIS."

"Belial says its demons. She says-"

"Oh no shit Anon...oh wait, you can't see this..." You think.

"She's very demony looking?"

"Extremely."

>>800621
Just one little thing QG
None of these heartbreakers are in the Goethia. Are they stand ins for another demon in that list or should i work on an expansion pack?

>>800621
"So this is it..." Char's claws poke against you. "We're really going to fight a demon..."

"They blow up like anything else Char."

"God protect us..."

"Or at least Abby." You think. "You and the team coming to the party Anon?"

"We're loading up the Behemoth as we speak. Or think."

Ariel lands on the stage lightly on one bare, demure foot. The statues belch forth gluts of flame at her landing. Above her rings of ghosts begin to transform. Their colors turn an absolute black. Their features become simple. Their eyes become enormous fiery red saucers.

"That...that bitch! Look what she's doing to those people!" Char growls.

"Easy, easy." You stroke her behind her head. "Don't jump the gun no matter how bad it looks. I did that mistake way too often when I started out. I don't think they know we're here. That's an advantage we can't play just yet."

"You got that right." Anon says. "She might not be the only one. Do not engage yet."

"As part of the new management, gone are the crude, boring, anti-social gambling machines! Every amusement is a table, and every table has a dealer. To compensate for the lack of staff we have recruited from tonight's visitors! I assure you they will be reimbursed for their cooperation! And now ladies and gentlemen..."

The ground itself begins to shake. The stain-glass pours forth eerie crimson light. The air crackles with percussive sound that drowns out the terrified screams of the patrons.

A curtain of fire consumes the stage and out of it a tall man in a red jacketed suit and top hat steps on to the stage. With a wave of his black gloved hands the air stills and the screams die in mid-air. The patrons try to scream even louder in the silence.

"Benny!" Char says testing her protection.

You squeeze her hand and nod to tell her that yes, they can talk but no, they really shouldn't.

"WELCOME TO MOLOCH'S BLUESTONE CASINO!" Ariel announces hanging off her master like a decoration.

"Thank you Ariel, my ever-faithful servant." Moloch's voice booms through the dining hall like a clap of thunder. You find yourself flinching from the impact.

"Humans! Spirits! It is I, Moloch!" His features are obscured by a cloud of darkness in front of his face. Or perhaps, that IS his face...either way you can only make out two flickering flames in the darkness-eyes of fire that now gaze out over the audience.

And with their gaze the audience is fully silent.

"I am the new God! I am the modern God! i YOUR God!"

"Blasphemer!" Char hisses under her breathe.

"Even when I am not manifest do you not build temples for my summoning? Do you not build these palaces to your greed and avaricious dreams? Have you not set the stage for my coming and worked through your blood and tears to prepare?"

>>800723
They're outside the Goetia but I really, really wanted to do something with Moloch and then had the idea of turning Ariel into his hench-fu. So yeah, fire up the expansion pack!

They're in the Goetia of Earth-G666, honest!

>>800795
Typical lord of Hell.

They get made first, fuck up, wallow in self-pity through a favorite vice, and then decide that every other instance of that vice is some worshipful tribute to themselves in some vain attempt to stay relevant.

Like they're special or something. Well if they're so damn special, then how come they didn't win, huh?

Inb4 we encounter a mirror universe where Abdiel is a demon and Anon is an agent of Hell

>>800795
>fire up the expansion pack
What should it be called? You are the occult expert here.
I now wonder if they would have showed up to whatever place we would have chosen them to have their date on. Where the Bull aspect is played up more

"WELCOME TO MOLOCH'S MACDONALS!"

"Even when I am not manifest do you not build temples for my summoning? Do you not build these palaces to sate your hunger for meat and glutonous dreams? Have you not set the grill for my coming and eaten my flesh and blood to prepare?"

>>800881
>Typical lord of Hell.
>They get made first, fuck up, wallow in self-pity through a favorite vice, and then decide that every other instance of that vice is some worshipful tribute to themselves in some vain attempt to stay relevant.
Can someone at some point say this to them? Or any other lord of Hell? I think that would be neat. Phanty during her comeback, maybe?

>>800914
A burn so harsh that Hell seems frosty by comparison
Though I could only imagine how pissed Belial would be, it totally sounds like something Benny would say, given his irreverence.

>>800929
We do have that "Diss in enochian" perk to piss demons off

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>>800929
>Clearly coins are a widespread and devotional tribute to us. Look at how closely they reflect the themes of all my greatest masterpieces! They have two sides...
>W-whatever! It's not like I wanted your devotion!

>>801017
She is the best girl, actually. She just needs to be disciplined

You'll never have a girlfriend that that give you head and make out with you at the same time without snowballing you

>>800795
>"I am the new God! I am the modern God! i YOUR God!"
Hey, Moloch?
Why don't you go up to Heaven and say that?
I'm sure big Mike would just love to explain how much like God he thinks you are.

>>801017
That's adorable.

>Humans can count to two! And their first number, put together twice, is two! Clearly this is a sign of their pathetic worship!
>Sure, Belial, sure. Want some cookies? They're half chocolate, half vanilla. Sibella made them.
>This offering is... acceptable, my devoted warrior-slave.
>Cool. Wait, what?

>>800929
He says it about God because, even if he doesn't worship Him, Benny is probably rather certain God is not the cruel and vengeful sort from what Anon, Costilla and others have said.
Moloch, though?
If he gets shittalked I would be worried about Char, if nothing else.

Man I wanna see Belial show up, see what Moloch says then.
Or that bitch Ariel.

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>>800795
"Rejoice! Nothing like Moloch has come before, nothing like Moloch shall come again! The will of your...Mas...Ter...shall be done in these the halls of your design and your making!"

"That's a weird way to say Master..." You think to Anon.

"He's probably very reluctant to say it. The Master probably doesn't have too much control over this set."

"It would explain why he just turned the Bluestone into his personal Xanadu."

"Oh great." Anon groans. "So the psuedo-VALIS is locked on. Well, it might be awhile before we can blow the doors off that place and save you, even with Belial. We push too hard the whole thing collapses with everyone inside it. We push too soft we don't get in."

"We can manage."

"Now, I order you by the spirit of Moloch and the spirit of humanity with which Moloch is ever kin, to enjoy your evening! Let this be a night of celebration! Gamble for your dreams! Gamble for riches, lives, souls themselves!"

Two ebony slab doors without handles of any kind swing open at the end of the hall.

"...Or if there be nothing more you want out of life, if there be nothing you have ambition for, then you are free to leave and wonder forevermore what you may have won tonight! But once you leave you may not return to the casino! You will have forfeited that right!"

Most of the patrons bolt down the halls and through the doors. But a significant portion stay in their seats...

"I now return your sounds, a gift from Moloch!"

The sounds of the hall return. The patrons begin to chatter and murmur among themselves. Some even begin to plan..."

"I now retire to the high-rollers suite to await the greatest game of poker seen in decades! You, my guests, shall be invited to witness the spectacle-a further gift from Moloch! Remember, to not hold back your desires. And may victory belong to the cunning!"

In another burst of flame the demon lord vanishes, living in his place a walking red curtain with a blood red knight's helm peering above.

"I am Berith. I too serve...the Master. I shall be the final arbiter in disagreements. I shall ensure the fairness of the games. And I shall..." He moans deeply. "Dispense...gold...to" He continues in a pained voice. "...All...winners...that is all."

"Berith is a knight of Hell!" Ariel points out to the audience. "Do not think you can get something past him! I shall also watch over the games until Lord Moloch has need of me! Now play and be merry! You are in the house of your lord!"

"Oh God..." Char groans. "I feel like Jesus in the temple. This is...blasphemy...super blasphemy!"

"I wonder if they would accept Hell money?" Benny smirks. "Or monopoly money? Or maybe I could draw a picture of a dollar on a napkin here..."

"Benny! How can you joke around at a time like this?"

"Hey don't worry. Stuff like this will scare you stupid if you don't find the funny side in it. Anon taught me that."

"Speaking of which..." You think over the network. "What's the plan?"

>>801112
So uh, how many people are Char allowed to bring to the poker table?

>>801112
>super blasphemy
Oh man, imagine if we'd gone the threesome route and she'd found out.
Super Blasphemy is practically our team name, anyways.

>>801112
But man, poor Berith.

>>800795
>"So this is it..." Char's claws poke against you. "We're really going to fight a demon..."
>"They blow up like anything else Char."

Can we take a minute to appreciate how badass this phrase is?
https://youtu.be/eNr0WXQ3Ho4

>>801147
True

>>801112
>CONTINUE IN BENNY MODE. INVESTIGATE THE INSIDE OF THE CASINO WITH CHAR AND BENNY.

>ENTER ANON MODE. FIND A WAY INTO THE CASINO FROM THE OUTSIDE.

>>800903
WELCOME TO MOOLOCHS HOME OF THE QUADRUPLE SACRIFICE BURGER

Well, Moloch is a Canaanite deity demonized by the Israelites and Ariel is an angel who Milton turned bad in Paradise Lost and the is 50/50 on whether he/she's an angel in pop culture.

I think "Occult Summons" will work just fine.

I've failed as an occult expert I'm so ashamed...

>>801160
Gonna go with being Anon.

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>>801159
Benny is pretty great.

>>801160
>>ENTER ANON MODE. FIND A WAY INTO THE CASINO FROM THE OUTSIDE.

I miss our boy. Plus, Benny knows what's up, I trust him to keep a weather eye on Char and stay out of trouble.
I'm more interested on finally applying Belial in the field.

>>801160
Sure, lets go with Anon for now

>>801160
I think I want to go Benny. Though I am puzzled as to how we get through this inside.

>>801147
He's basically been reduced to a glorified ATM.

>>801127
Anon and Abby are going to be invited up to the high roller's suite for the big boss fight with Moloch and Ariel.

The rest of the team can choose to follow up, break in and help Char and Benny, or deal with someone else...

>>801223
Ariel/Abdiel green when?

>>801243
I think it's going to be a red instead, ify'knowhati'msaying

>>801223
>He's basically been reduced to a glorified ATM.
Gonna tear Moloch a new one.
Oh, wait, better idea... let BELIAL do it.

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>>801252
I'm picturing a lot of hair-pulling, biting, and tearful hand-holding

>>801299
No these two apparently really hate each other.

>>801322
Well, that's the fun part of green, disregarding canon!

Plus, angry sex is the best.

>>801343
Angry tribadism while wrestling to see who goes on top is the best

While everybody else watches
Anon:...
Sibella:...
Benny:...
Char:...
Costilla:...
Nayara:...
Hahahiel:...
Bee:...
Focalor:... I'm wet

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>>801372
Fuck you, I laughed super hard

>Anon mode

"Just keep your head down."You say to Benny.

"He's making this some sort of weird game night. Like he's running the Casino but the games are all staffed by ghost he's captured and transformed into uniformed shadow-people and he's handing out the prizes."

"Shadow people? He might have chosen the look to make them seem more intimidating. Shadowmen are the rank and file of the Ghost Mafia after all." You say.

"Tch! Hardly! He's doing it because black looks good against red fire. Let me guess, they have flaming eyes like he does right? So predictable!"
"Moloch is a vain lord of Hell in spite of his claims to represent something more than he is. He's chosen their appearance to flatter himself in keeping with his predictable nature."

"Huh. Are a lot of major demons like that Belial?" You ask cheekily.

"Yes. They're losers sore that they lost the war for heaven so they look for something to "claim" rulership of instead."
"Yes. Vanity goes hand and hand with smallness of spirit. They wanted no less than the cosmos and so inflate their little fiefdoms to titanic importance. If they ruled dirt they would try burying the universe in it."

"How is Char and Benny?" A concerned-faced Abdiel shakes you from your telepathic trance. You snap back to physical reality as you hear Belial mutter nasty things about rude interrupting angels. "Are you gonna tell us they're okay or aren't you?"

"Steady on General." Hahaiah stands behind Abdiel. "Convincing a demon to work on the side of the Lord is no easy feat. Give the boy room to work."

>>801455
>If they ruled dirt they would try burying the universe in it

That's a really good line.
Sounds like Belial has a more enlightened view of her damnation, though we had already gotten a glimpse of that when she saw Abby again.

Also, nice, Hahaiah's backing us up. Guess kicking the fucking shit out of his partner earned us some points.

>>801484
Shit, does this mean I get to add some Nayara skills soon!?!

>>801455
>"Yes. Vanity goes hand and hand with smallness of spirit. They wanted no less than the cosmos and so inflate their little fiefdoms to titanic importance. If they ruled dirt they would try burying the universe in it."
Goddamn, big B is really good at trashtalking.

>"Steady on General." Hahaiah stands behind Abdiel. "Convincing a demon to work on the side of the Lord is no easy feat. Give the boy room to work."
I wonder if he's going to be disappointed when he figures out Belial has been our buddy almost from the start

My computer keeps locking up on me. Must be multiversal interference from running several quests at once. Either that or a premonition of Tuesday... All memes point to Hillary...

>>801343
>>801372
I still got Nayara vs Sibella to do...
Abby or Ariel, who do you want to see win?

>>801455
"I'm fine guys, I'm fine. Benny says he and Char are alright and that Moloch is behind this attack working for the Master."

"Moloch huh...Well Michael was right in sending me as backup if he's apart of the Master's thrall." Nayara says. "He's not easy to summon at all. Everyone from the IRS to Las Vegas regulate his summoning. The Impossible College have him on triple restriction."

"He's not one of the worst though." Abby says. "I mean in terms of character. He loves to make bargains. And for all his links to human sacrifice he dislikes killing."

"Do not forget Abdiel." Father Costilla says strapped into the driver's seat of the Behemoth. "Their personalities can be slightly modified by the summoner. It is likely we face the most vicious iteration of Moloch."

"I think we might have lucked out a little Father." You say. "According to Benny he was having a lot of trouble even saying the word Master. I think our invisible enemy's hold over his demons might be slipping."

"Well that's good. I'd hate to think how powerful you'd have to be to cook up a pseudo-VALIS on the fly and not have parts of the spell start to break down." Nayara says.

"Now everyone stand back. Give me and Belial some space to work." You close your eyes and enter into your mind again. A few echoes and a few double images and you're back talking to Benny and Char. Belial knows you're to busy for too thematic a transition.

"Oh there you are Anon. Belial told me Abby interrupted you."

"So it's like Casino Night's Zone in there?"

"Set in hell yeah. Moloch's running the show but he's not the only one here. The big red Darksouls wannabee is here as well."

"Berith."

"Yeah. They got him handing out gold to winners."

"So they've really got a little casino up and running? I guess that's more proof the Master is losing control if his slaves are allowed to have their idiosyncrasies. The cops are going to want to know that whoever is walking out of there with gold likely got it through a demon transmuter."

"That's not stopping a couple of idiots from heading to the crap tables though...although a good chunk of the civvies have left."

"He's letting people leave?"

"Yeah. The door's wide open. It's one way though. He says once you leave you can't return."

>RUIN SOME PEOPLE'S NIGHT BY TELLING THE COPS ABOUT TRANSUMTED GOLD.

>TELL BENNY AND CHAR TO GET OUT OF THERE. AGENTS ON THE INSIDE ISN'T WORTH THE RISK.

>>801700
>>RUIN SOME PEOPLE'S NIGHT BY TELLING THE COPS ABOUT TRANSUMTED GOLD.

>>801700
>RUIN SOME PEOPLE'S NIGHT BY TELLING THE COPS ABOUT TRANSUMTED GOLD.
Is there a way to tell everyone that we'll telling on them? If they think that they can't get away with their winnings, a lot of people will probably leave, meaning less civilians in what will probably soon be a battleground.

>>801736
You can have Benny and Char do it. It might cause Berith to step in though depending on how far they push the issue.

>>801700
Abby is much more powerful but she let's Ariel win because she wants to patch up their relationship

>Sure, tell them.

>Let them be inside

I hope Berith will like being introduced to Belial.
Belial is basically a super-rockstar to demons, so I think he'd like that.

>>801700
Abby. Because dat forgiveness and post-sex healing.

>RUIN SOME PEOPLE'S NIGHT BY TELLING THE COPS ABOUT TRANSUMTED GOLD.

"Tell the pawns that they aren't going to get away with their gold. That might convince some people to get the hell out of there."

"Got it. They claim to have more than just gold. He talked about souls..."

"Oh shit...you know the rumors about the Bluestone being a secret Ghost Mafia front?"

"...You think its true? That they got spirits in ecto coolers stuffed in the basement and Moloch might be using them tonight?"

"Just keep your eyes open is all I"m saying."

"One more thing before I do my best Casino Royale immitation: there's someone new here."

"Ariel. Yeah, you told me about her."

"She looks like the Harley Quinn to Moloch's Joker. She's real sweet on him."

"Anon. We're here." Abby's voice echos in your mind.

"Got to go Benny. We're at the front. We're going to try and see what we can do on our end."

"Anon...assuming they have souls up for sale...can I use the card and try saving them?"

"That's dangerous Benny."

"But if you guys come in guns blazing...I don't put it past these guys to take the souls and run. The Master might need ecto coolers to help with those weird statue experiments of his. It could be why he choose this place to attack."

"Gambling with souls sounds very, very dangerous. What if they ask for your own for collateral?"

"Then I guess Berith will have to collect. Or try to at least. He and Ariel are on this floor, Moloch said something about the ultimate poker game and left for the high roller's suite."

>>801786
He'd LOVE to fight for a "real" leader for a change.

>GO PLAY SOME GAMES AND WIN SOME SOULS BENNY. BE JAMES BOND

>DON'T RISK IT. KEEP QUIET, KEEP SAFE. WAIT FOR US.

>>801903
>>GO PLAY SOME GAMES AND WIN SOME SOULS BENNY. BE JAMES BOND

Go for it.
Also, QG, you tired or something? You're making grammar mistakes all over the place in these posts.

>>801903
Not going to lie, not exactly thrilled with Benny reinacting Spanish Train.

Best I can suggest is standby.

>>801903
>>GO PLAY SOME GAMES AND WIN SOME SOULS BENNY. BE JAMES BOND

Fuck it. Practicality is boring

>>801935
I'm a little tired. My friends have been keeping me up talking about politics. Life is very fun when you have friends on both sides of the political spectrum.

I'll try to decrease the amount of derp in my postings.

>>801952
It's cool, no worries.

>>801455
B's tossing some pretty big rocks in that glass house of hers.

>GO PLAY SOME GAMES AND WIN SOME SOULS BENNY. BE JAMES BOND

Also, hi QG,

>>801952
Given your neck of the woods. I am not surprised. Hope you're able to keep it together.

>>802046
It's okay, she has good aim


Now i am curious about what Belial thinks of Benny.
Him not thinking of god and the angels as some sort of divinity must be right up her alley, while at the same time not thinking of her as divine, that might bother her a little bit

"...Alright Benny. You got the card for however far it will take you."

"And after that I have my powers. And my girl. We're going to save these souls."

"Just be careful. Berith can turn anything to gold, people included."

"Hey, I win clean it won't come to that."

"You might have a point there actually. Moloch is said to bend rules but never break them. Take care Benny."

"You to fearless leader."

You cut the telepathic connection and step out of the Behemoth.

The Bluestone is...different. Once it was a simple blue tower with a fountain out front. Now its...well its on fire for one thing. Flames leap up and down the side of the building. A wreathe of fire crowns the top of the building flickering off in spurts into the black night sky. And its shadow on the street is in the shape of a bull's head. And the fountain shoots black water high into the sky.

Yep. It's in a psuedo-VALIS alright.

Belial is not impressed though.

"Ha! Is that supposed to be intimidating? WHERE is the symmetry? You disappoint me Moloch..."
"Oh Moloch. I expected better. That wouldn't inspire awe in a child. The flames give it's outline such an ugly asymmetry..."

The SWAT team greeting you at the door gives you the anticipated run down: Oh god what is this our instruments are going crazy calls have been sent to the Superfriends and Impossible College can you guys do anything about this?

Indeed you can.

"Hmmm...Now I'm REALLY pissed." The younger Belial begins. "Now that I've gotten a real good look at it I can see just how fragile it is. Why I could knock it down by breathing on it hard."
"Moloch you make me sad." The elder echoes. "This isn't a castle fit for even a peasant of hell. I could level it if I starred at it long enough. Absolutely shoddy..."

"Hey, good news guys!" You announce. "Belial says this is a weak pseudo-VALIS!"

"How weak are we talking about exactly?" A SWAT officer walks up to you, and you don't recognize him in the armor and helmet until you get a good luck at his tail.

Its Winnie's brother Jack.

"Oh hey Jack!" You greet. "Sucks we only run into each other when its the apocalypse huh?"

"And who is this?" He says motioning to Nayara.

"This is Nayara. She's...sort of my boss and sort of not my boss. It's a really complicated Catholic thing. But she's on our side."

"You an SI to?" Jack asks.

"Yes sir. And one of the best if I do say so myself." Nayara says. "So you're the brother of the local Alpha...I can tell she must be strong just by looking at you."

"Yeah. Winnie's my little sister. Listen, I'd love to talk more guys but with all the real estate being gentrified into a demonic castle/barbecue...how weak did Belial say it was? Can we like, I don't know, shoot it and make it go back to normal?"

-cont

>>802089
It's worst for my best bro (who W-Anon is modeled on a little actually). One parent is voting Hillary. One is voting Trump. He thinks they might actually divorce over it.

>>802135
Yikes. I am not envious of your friend.

>>802135
If things are that bad, something tells me that things were rough long before the election started coming about.

>>802135
"I suppose a powerful enough explosion would...wait. He made it unstable to trick us!"
"Any large outpouring of force would cause a ripple effect that would...wait. This is a tactic."

"What do you mean Belial?" You ask.

"Moloch is what I mean! He's trying to trick us...Ohhhh he will PAY for daring to make US fools!"
"Moloch is playing a game with us, as he is wont to do. I imagine he will be very surprised when he finds I play it better than he suspects..."

"Yeah but what does it mean?"

"It means we can't just go in guns blazing dummy! He's fixed it so that too much roughhousing on the inside will cause the embedded structure to collapse-with all the stooges inside it. Think a black hole."
"It means we must be judicious with..."

You tune out the older Belial's echo.

"And he would be free to allocate extra power to himself and his cohorts! Guys! Listen up! This has just turned into a hostage situation. Belial says the pseudo-VALIS is weak. Too much force used inside it and the whole thing collapses."

"Then Char and Benny are in trouble!" Abby exclaims.

"I'll get in contact with them. Belial!"

"You sure you want me to do that? If I re-establish the link its going to make them show up to Moloch."
"The structure is so weak. Re-establishing the link would cause vibrations. It would give them away."

>TRUST IN BENNY
>RE-ESTABLISH THE CONNECTION NOW

>>802135
For hidden purposes of not mistery, Moloch is a man shaped smoke cloud drapped on a fancy suit, Ariel is a standard issue succubus, and Berith still is a bedsheet ghost with a helmet tacked on?

>>802156
This might be only be online, but in some sites i am a member of this political divide has separated whole userbases and changed individual persons.
Like, i remember having good conversations with these people, even if i never met them in person. But after all this election shit started they've become so abrassive and agressive about everything.
It's like this thing has made everyone say "Screw niceness and good manners! I am going to say what i think in the worst possible way. And if you don't like it, fuck you!"

I can't even imagine how bad it is for the people that actually live there.

>>802176
>>TRUST IN BENNY
He's got Char, he already knows how tenuous the VALIS is, he'll be fine. He's taking a big enough risk going for those souls, no need to make it harder.

This is, no doubt, a delaying tactic. The Master wants those souls in the basement, probably for power or some nefarious purpose.

>>802176
Trust the Benster

>>802176
Believe in Benny.

>>802135
>Last line
Shit, hope everything works out OK.

>>802176
>>TRUST IN BENNY

>>802190
>Bedsheet ghost with a helmet tacked on.

Take Blinky from Pacman and put a knight helmet on top.

I can't wait for you guys to see what's under the cape...

>Trust in Benny

"...Don't give away his position. We'll trust them our friends to pull through."

"Bad news." You say to everyone. "Belial can't make a connection without giving their positions away."

"Oh no!" Abby cries.

"No big deal. We'll just have to focus on what we can do on our end until we can get that connection."

"I'm cooking up a plan already."
"Do not forget how resourceful I am..." Belial reminds you.

"Well tell me when you got something Belial."

A SWAT officer walks up to your group. "Excuse me sir..." He addresses you. "But the guy by the door says you're invited up-you and someone named Abby. Is that you?" He asks Nayara.

"No. But we know who that is. Thank you."

Jack looks toward the Bluestone's doors. "Yeah. That ghost by the doors is looking straight at you anon."

By two ebony slabs a lone ghost glares at you with red eyes. He motions for you to come over with a flick of his fingerless arm.

You lead your group up a red stairway shimmering like solid fire to the doors.

"Only you." The ghost says through a hole in his face. "And the angel."

"I take it the Big Man wants to see me?"

"The Big Man means nothing to us. A little creature, a ghost who likes to pretend to be a god, a ruler of a furtive collection of miscreants calling itself a criminal empire. This is his property no longer. It belongs to MOLOCH."

"Bad choice of words on my part. I mean does Moloch want to talk."

"He would like to challenge you to a game."

"Really? What kind of game?"

"For you and MOLOCH, a simple game of cards. For your angel and his devil, a simple game of single combat."

"His devil?" Abby raises an eyebrow.

"Ariel."

"Ariel..." She gasps. "Ariel is here?"

"And waiting for you."

"Then take us in." Abby darts down in front of you. "At once."

"Woah woah woah hold on. Do we get to bring friends inside?"

The ghost looks away a moment as he communicates telepathically with his master. "...Yes. You may bring an audience."

"I heard you're having quite the party inside. Can any of my friends go in?"

"...No. You are not allowed outside the high roller's suite."

>WHO DO YOU BRING WITH YOU, IF ANYBODY?

>WHO DO YOU LEAVE TO FIND A WAY TO BREAK INTO THE BLUESTONE TO FIND CHAR AND BENNY AND RESCUE THE SOULS, IF ANYBODY?

>>802276
Bring Padre with us for some of that emotional support, leave Nayara to find a way to help Benny and Char.

>>802276
Who among our squad is here? Aside from the cell are any of our rotating crew members here?

Initial thoughts would be to leave Nayara to try and get in and have Costillo join us. Nayara has her spirits and Padre does not. So she may be able to pry her way in easier than Costillo would. Costillo also likely has a decent wealth of experience if necessary with cards. So there is that.

>>802288
Just Nayara and Padre.

You can also take Jack if you really want to. But he's just a werewolf with a shotgun, although a pretty powerful being Winnie's older brother.

Sibella is...well, you'll see.

>>802291
Then yeah my statement stands.

>Sibella
Wasn't to worried there. Besides she is getting some things for tonight I am sure. And maybe even some intel.

"Father, come with me."

"You got it son...a card game huh? Well, I've been in a lot of weird fights in my time. I've never been a fight involving cards though."

"And Nayara...just chill out here right?" You wink.

"Understood." She flashes you a cat smile of recognition. "Shall we go stand around Hahaiah?"

"Alright. Let's go." You say to the ghost.

He bows out of the way as the slabs part revealing a dark hallway lit by steadily pulsing red lights on the ceiling and walls...

>PLAY ANON AND ABBY VS MOLOCH AND ARIEL

>PLAY BENNY AND CHAR VS BERITH

>PLAY NAYARA VS ???

>>802355
Be Benny once more

Also, could you confirm if my >>802190 comparisons are right? I am working on something

>>802355
Playing as Benny sounds good.

>>802362
Yeah, they're spot on.

>>802396
Thank you

>Benny

Well. Here you are once again way in over your head facing mortal peril. But this time its a little different. This time you brought your girlfriend into this.

You thought you'd be panicking. You thought you'd be too worried about her to think straight. And yet here you are staying cool.

For once in your life you're very glad you've misjudged yourself.

"I'll take one of those." You say grabbing a martini from a passing slave waiter.

"Benny what are you doing?"

"Getting a drink."

"At a time like this?"

"Hey. I'm going to need something to take the edge off before I start gambling."

"WHAT?" She looks ready to slap you.

"Hold on hold on. Anon thinks the rumors about this place being a Ghost Mafia front might be true. There might be a secret room filled with ecto coolers that Moloch is going to put up for prizes. Remember how he said you could win souls?"

"Oh God...betting for ghosts like they're objects...that's just sick. Its sick like this whole hellish casino is sick...hold on a minute, what do you mean Anon told you?"

You tap your head. "Telepathic network. It's off right now but I got a direct link to Anon up here."

"Wow...SI's can do that?"

"Well...its sort of complicated to talk about right now..."

"Nevermind then. So what do we do, ask when they start offering souls for-"

"Ghosts." A shadowy servant beckons to the audience from a poker table. "Ghosts for wagers." He begins stacking ecto coolers in the corner of that table. Someone's lawyer is going to be getting a phone call tonight...

Members of the audience gasp at the offer...and two men step forward.

"Shit..." You say through gritted teeth.

"...Maybe they want to free the souls like we do?" Char suggests.

"No. Look at those shit eating grins. There are Trents at every age apparently..."

A couple of brave souls venture from the crowd to other tables. When one suddenly shouts a yell of victory at the roulette table and all eyes turn to Berith gliding over to dispense his prize you get the feeling the "win" was to encourage the others to step forward and try their own luck.

"Congratulations sir or madame." Berith mumbles from behind his helmet. "I will now dispense your winnings." A red gauntlet produces a golden calf statue from the folds of his cloak. The man takes it up in his arms in a giddy fit of joy. "Thank you sir or madam we are SO VERY GLAD to have you at Moloch's Bluestone Casino."

As you an Char walk toward the ecto cooler table you pass in front of the audience. More people get up to try their hands at the games.

"You guys know that they won't let you keep the gold right?" You shout to them.

All eyes turn toward you. Berith sighs as he hovers in front of you. "Sir or madam, note that all prizes and exchanges tonight are guaranteed by the power and authority...that is Moloch..."

"Big deal Clifford. The police won't care. Who do you think is waiting out those doors?"

The crowd begins to murmur to themselves.

-cont

>>802559
"Benny be careful!" Char whispers in your ear.

"But sir or madam, Moloch's gold is a special gold. Observe." Berith jerks himself around mechanically and points toward the golden calf. With a snap of his mailed finters the calf shrinks to the size of a small coin and then grows back to its regular size, much to the relief of its owner.

"Come on. They teach you in school that stuff created in a VALIS doesn't survive outside a VALIS. It'll turn into ashes like any other kind of matter transformed in a VALIS."

"Ah, but sir or madam, the gold is not the result an integrated ectoplama-matter transformation. It is the result of...my....own...SPECIAL POWER..." Berith jerks as the words are wretched out of him. "I can create and transform things into gold AND GODDAM DO I LOVEEEEE DOING IT."

"The police are going to search you all, you know that right?"

"And how would they know to search for anything, Sir or Madam. As you yourself stated all things taken out of a VALIS or reduced in time to ashes.

>MAKE UP A LIE. THE POLICE WILL SUSPECT CONTRABAND OF SOME KIND. THIS WHOLE EPISODE MIGHT APPEAR TO THEM AS A GHOST MAFIA SMUGGLING OPERATION

>BACK OUT. YOU'RE DRAWING TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND NEED TO GET TO THE GHOST TABLE

>TELL THEM YOU HAVE A PSYCHIC LINK TO THE OUTSIDE AND SPILLED THE BEANS

>>802561
>>BACK OUT. YOU'RE DRAWING TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND NEED TO GET TO THE GHOST TABLE

Play dumb, Benny. You're good at it.

Hey OP, when will you run Mechagirl again?

>>802638
Read the thread man, QG has already answered this.

>>802561
>BACK OUT. YOU'RE DRAWING TOO MUCH ATTENTION AND NEED TO GET TO THE GHOST TABLE

Danger, danger Benny.

>>802638
He said some time this week, all things willing here >>794931 so be patient. Plenty of time to get to the issue of fighting robots and our parent's anger. We'll get there.

>>802561
>As you yourself stated all things taken out of a VALIS or reduced in time to ashes.
The genius just confirmed to evertbody that the gold isn't good.

>The gold is good!
>It isn't! Even if it was the police will take it from you
>What will the take away if the gold doesn't lasts?

I think Berith is on our side on this

>>802687
I think the problem for Berith is that he hasn't found a way to doublethink around the compulsion placed on him.

A way to say that the gold is worth something without making it sound worthless.

Poor guy. A warrior like him doesn't deserve this.

So when we play the poker game we'll let Belial trash talk Moloch, right?

>>802712
And show our ace in the hole straight up? Nah man, got to be patient with when they show up.

Sorry about no update today. I've felt like shit. Sinus headache making my teeth ache.

>>804213
Take a break and get better, QG.

>>804213
It's okay, besides I can see you juggling, so if nothing happens today, nothing happens.

I'll still be here for this and Mechagirl whenever it starts.

>>804213
Take your time, we'll be fine
When you get better we'll be here

>>804213
Hope you feel better, Quest Guy

>>804213
no worries man, get better. Its not like we're going anywhere

I'm back sort of. Ibuprofen is so very very nice.

Mechagirl is coming back this week, along with BioArmor. I was planning on CapeWorld, because election, but then this happened
:>>803046

Totally-not-Trick makes totally-not-BioArmor...why? To make some sort of point that it would be better if you gutted the character development and compressed the world building? To satirize the story? Although one could ask why Trick does anything.

Point is I'm bringing BioArmor back. /QST/ deserves to have a taste of the real thing.

Am I the first QM to have an obnoxious Hong Kong knockoff of one of my quests?

>Back out

"Benny...." Char whispers nervously. "Let's uh...drop it..."

"You just don't want more gold for yourself!"
"They're practically giving it away!"
"It's worth it just for the chance of getting a coin outside!"

You hold back some choice words for the audience. "Okayyyy." You throw up your hands. "You guys want to win some demon gold you guys win some demon gold."

You back away as a chunk of the crowd surges to the tables.

"Bunch of stupid impulsive greedy..."

"Remember Benny, they're trapped in this more than we are. There's an aura of inert ectoplasma around you and me. It dilutes the ectoplasma of the psuedo-VALIS like adding water to a solution."

"What? You think Moloch is spraying them with some sort of invisible greedy-ray? No babe. He knows better than that. He's investing in human nature, nothing more."

"I'd still like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt."

"You be careful about doing that. They won't do the same for you...especially not these guys." You stop before the ghost table. The two men seem to be enjoying their competition, laughing and patting each other on the back as they exchange black coins with the dealer for glowing ecto coolers.

"They seem to...really be enjoying it." Char says with a nervous twitch of her ear. "But...why?"

"Well it stands to reason that if this place is secretly in the Ghost Mafia's pocket then some of its clients are secretly in the Ghost Mafia. What they're doing right now...they might have planned to do it from the start."

"Oh ew...do you think they were apart of the ones that clapped for us when we kissed?"

"We can only hope not."

>TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. JOIN THE GAME

>FUCK IT. KICK SOME ASS, GET THE NAMES OF THE TWO LOSERS, AND BLOW UP BERITH

Dude, don't let it get to you.

>>804877
Let's chill, and join the game.
Was Benny concious when Berith made his appearance? How much does he know about him

>>804877
The better thing to do is to just ignore it and move on. You two have been feuding for months. Don't drag it into your individual quests. Or at the very least, I'd prefer you leave the /qst/ drama out of here.

>TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. JOIN THE GAME

We need to bide our time for now.

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>>804877
>Join the game.

Can we use Char's thought forms for anything here? I know Moloch and the ghosts are keeping a close watch on the games to prevent cheating, but can they see Char's thought forms?

And if they can, can we pull off some Jotaro vs. D'arby fuckery? Using thought form that is invisible to our human opponent, or very fast, and try to psych him out into thinking the thought form is fast enough to fool the ghosts by doing a bunch of other tasks like fetching a glass from across the room, but never actually cheat?

>>804877
>TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. JOIN THE GAME
use it as an opportunity to scope out the joint

>>804877
>>TAKE A SEAT AT THE TABLE. JOIN THE GAME

O-PEN ZA GAME!

>>804924
Anon gave him a status update when he woke up.

>>804947
>Use Char's thought forms for anything

We can...

....

"Well. Time to play something not Magic."

"Benny..." Char focuses her gaze and a wisp of green mist dances on her fingers. "Don't' forget I can help you."

"I won't." You kiss her cheek. "You're my secret ace. Now lets go save the day, yeah?"

You take a seat by the two chuckling well-dressed men.

"Oh hey." One turns to you. "The lover boy. Nice kiss back there. But I think this game is a bitttt out of your league."

"Don't take it personal." The other says. "I get it , I get it, believe me. You're on cloud nine because you made it with your girl and you want to look like the Big Man. But this is gambling for souls boy. You don't have enough to buy in."

You slide the black Am-Ex across the table to the dealer. "All of it."

The dealer's inky hand falls over the card like a puddle of oil. When he removes it a small stack of six chips is all that remains.

"That's it?"

One of the men whistles. "Damn boy, what was on that card? That's six souls right there."

"And how many are there?"

"Now don't get greedy. You don't want to end up in the red with guys that buy and trade souls, be they Ghost Mafia or whoever these guys are."

"You two alright with working with the guys that just royally pissed off the Big Man?"

They grin. "We're gamblers son. We're gamblers down to the bone."

"Just tell me how many souls there are."

"Well...I got thirty and my currently more successful friend has fifty. Dealer's not so big tonight. Just two hundred left."

"How rich are you guys? Who exactly are you?" You ask.

"Son. You got no idea how big the Ghost Mafia is. You got no idea." He grins big. "Even we don't know."

"We're gamblers." The other says. 'Saying anything else would make things...uncomfortable. I take it you don't want us asking who you are that you can throw down a card with multi-millions on it just like that. Am I right?"

>I'M A SUPERHERO AND YOU ALL ARE FUCKED. I'M WINNING EVERY SINGLE SOUL TONIGHT.

>SAY NOTHING.

>I'M JUST INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING SOULS IS ALL.

>>805086
>I'M A SUPERHERO AND YOU ALL ARE FUCKED. I'M WINNING EVERY SINGLE SOUL TONIGHT.
Be a little cocky. Make a show bit of a show out of it.

Plus, the more attention we draw to Benny, I think the less attention Nayara has to worry about trying to sneak in. Depending on how she plans to do that, I guess.

By the way, glad to see you're feeling better.

>>805086
Time to play it cool. We can be Bond as well.

"Very well then. what's our game today?"

>>805124
This

"You are gamblers? Good, i've been gambling with my life since i was born. I'd like to think i've become good at it."

>>805086
>>I'M JUST INTERESTED IN ACQUIRING SOULS IS ALL.

Though when it comes to hearts, it's clear Benny's only interested in keeping Char's.
Also, I bet Benny plays R/G in Magic.

>>804926
>ignore it

I know, I know. He just keeps at it. BioArmor 1 is at -10 votes. BioArmor 3 links to an archived general thread. When I tried archiving the real BioArmor 3 thread it was deleted. And now this.

Silver lining is that he's supposed to do Ghoul Quest next. I'm curious what he'll do when he realizes there's actually very little Scooby-Doo fanficiton in it?

>>805110
>>805124
>>805142
>>805156

"I'm just interested in acquiring souls is all."

"Well shit son. You don't need an army of souls to make a happy home for you and your cat-friend. One or two servants will do."

You realize its been awhile sense you had a pure human you really, really wanted to hurt.

"Well Jackie, the boy might be interested in going into the soul business. Is that right boy?"

"I'm just interested in souls."

"It's a good business. Ghosts don't need to eat, and don't really need to sleep. Sure they might SAY they need to but you give their cooler a kick they'll snap back to it."

"Look up the Clowns if you want the want to make the real money."

"Aw no Clyde, no. That's much too hot a business for a new kid." Jackie begins to stare at Char. She flinches under his cold, calculating gaze.

"A lot of people don't like working with them but their mind wiping program is aces boy, aces. You take a ghost and you fry up their memories, make them like a blank slate, then you start doing some obituary research, then take them to a family and say "Here's your dead son Johnny, we found him! He's just missing a few memories is all." It's easy money son. Easy money-and lots of it."

You down your martini. Boy what you could do to these guys with a glass, a poker chip, a card even...

"Your cat friend, is she...special?"

You feel hot, hot anger well up within you. It's been a long, long time sense you were this angry at anything.

"I...uh..." Char stumbles over her words. "...What do you mean?"

"You got the look of psychic about you. It's in those eyes...you look like you got a lot of things moving behind those eyes..."

"Free advice kid. If she's a psychic she can pony up some of her ecto for you, make that stack of yours last a little longer. Ghosts are good, but raw ectoplasma, that is the stuff..."

>SHE'S NO ONE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

>DEAL IN CHAR'S ECTOPLASMA

>SHE'S A VOODOO QUEEN JACKASS. SHOW SOME RESPECT OR SHE"LL SIC THE SPIRITS OF ANCIENT DARK GODS ON YOU.

>>805305
>>SHE'S NO ONE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

Oh no, nuhuh, nope nope nope.

>>805156
He has a soft spot for Kithkin. He likes their positive depiction of community where everyone helps everyone. He also sometimes plays Goblins. They help him laugh at himself.

>>805305
>SHE'S NO ONE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT
Draw attention away from our potential secret ace.

>>805323
R/W?
Dammit, Benny, I thought you were better than that...
Said the man who plays B/U control

>>805305
>SHE'S NO ONE YOU NEED TO THINK ABOUT

Be very very cautious about this. Can Char even get her ectoplasm back? How long would it take to recover?

>Other stuff
Jesus Christ. Just make your gdoc backups of all your threads and go from there. This feud is so stupid. I just want to enjoy quests.

Please note that I am not exactly picking a side in this drama. Because I have filtered /qtg/ for a reason. Like I said. I don't really want to hear any more about this drama.

>>805362
You're right. I've talked to much about it. Sorry about the drama everyone.

>Can Char get her ectoplasm back?

Over months and years if she loses it. It builds up extremely slowly in individuals that have it.

>>805354
Could be worse. You could play mill .

>>805448
What do you think my sideboard is full of?

You spin Jackie's chair around to face you. "She's no one you need to think about." You lock eyes with him. "No one. Got it?"

"Hey relax son. I didn't mean anything by it. We're just here to have a fun time right?"

"Yeah...you guys say you're gamblers? Good. I've been gambling my entire life. What's the game?"

"Texas Holdem." The ghost says in a voice like icicles. "No limits."

"Deal me in." The ghost slams a hand down on the table, when it oozes away you see you have:

10 of Diamonds

Ace of Clubs

"Blinds?"

"Just one soul." Jackie says pushing a chip forward with his index. "I would hate to make you go all in on your first hand."

"I call." Clyde meets the wager.

>RAISE (going beyond 6 means either wagering your soul, Char's soul, or one of Char's voodoo spirits as a glob of ectoplasma)

>CHEAT

>SUMMON THE BARON

>CALL

>>805560
I know literally nothing about poker, so I'm totally useless for these votes.

>>805560
Well, I know a fair bit. Its not a bad start. But I would assume calling the bet is good as well?

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>>805576
The goal is to have the best hand created out of your own cards (you get two) and the cards shared by the table (which you'll see three of, then after final wagers are made the last two)

You'll be able to gauge the mood of Clyde and Jackie by talking to them...but this could also give your mood away.

Char can provide help with her powers.

>>805560
>>CALL
Okay, cool, learning today

>>805560
Was that a bet or was he just meeting the blink? If it was not a bet, check. Just the one soul for now

>>805560
Call.

>>805576
Yeah, this is where i just watch.
Do you want to play Lacrosse while we wait?

You call.

The dealer puts down

Ace of diamonds

3 of spades

6 of hearts

"How much is the player's soul worth?" Jackie asks the dealer, clearly already knowing the answer. "20? 30?"

"25 sir". The dealers says.

"Oh yes. 25. Just wanting to put that out for the new kid. Don't go thinking just because you're a player your soul is worth that much more than a ghost."

Jackie smiles as he raises a soul. "Free advice kid. You might get the idea in your head that you're above all this. That in all the world there's just you and things on the table. But the Ghost Mafia will show you the truth. Everything has a limit to how high their price goes. Everything and everyone."

Clyde meets the wager,

>RAISE

>CALL

>CONVERSATION (SAY?)

>CHEAT

>BARON

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>>805669
What's "lacrosse"?

>>805675
RAISE

>>805675
Current bet is 1 yes?

10 isn't the greatest kicker. I think we can call the 1.

We should try and converse though. Perhaps some elaboration would be appreciated.

>>805675
>>CALL
>>CONVERSATION (SAY?)
"Thanks for the advice. And you're right, I am above all this. But that's part of the fun, isn't it? The thrill. But in the end, they're just a couple of dead, spineless thugs, and I'm... well, I'm me."

Let's play up the arrogant rich kid angle, get them to underestimate us.

So, do suits have different values?

>>805705
They don't. Suits matter for Flushes. If two players have a flush, the player with the higher top card wins.

I.E
A flush with an Ace as the top, is better than a flush with a King as the top.

>>805705
No. It's all about matches and orders, or failing that high numbers (and then Jack Queen King Ace)

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>>805720
>>805724
Okay, cool. Like I said, learning.

>>805677
A weird sport
Or an euphemism if you prefer

>>805690
>>805696
>>805697

>Call and Converse

2 out. Four left. You look across the table at chip stacks that tower over yours.

You're the little guy. The underdog. The guy wayyyyy in over his head. Jackie and Clyde see you as something small and amusing, something that doesn't warrant seriousness or anger.

You think you can make an advantage out of that...

"Thanks for the advice." You say with a cocky swing of your martini glass. "And you're right. I am above all this."

Jackie raises an eyebrow. Clyde chuckles to himself, not even looking up from his drink.

"But that's part of the fun isn't it? The thrill. But in the end they're just a couple of dead, spineless thugs and I'm...well I'm me."

"Dead spineless thugs run the Ghost Mafia son." Jackie smirks. "You'll do well to remember that. You can say what you like about ghosts around me or Clyde. We don't mind. But oh son, you let slip what you just said to shadowmen...you'll find yourself a dead spineless thug yourself."

"Like I'm afraid of ghosts?" You play up your arrogance. "They're just parts of people. Ectoplasm that remembers being inside a body and becomes ectoplasma. They're kidneys and hearts that can talk."

"Ha. Oh son." Jackie shakes his head. "You'll learn, you'll learn..."

CONVERSATION SUCCESS

Jackie: Reasonably confident

Clyde: Not confident

"Last round of betting..." Jackie raises another chip. "And that makes it three. You want to part with half your souls boy?"

"Doesn't take a man to fold." Clyde says dropping out. "See? Ain't hard at all."

>RAISE

>BET

>FOLD
>CHEAT

>CONVERSATION

>BARON

>>805790
Bleh

>Raise
>Call
>Fold

>Cheat
>Conversation
>Baron

>>805797
Not for nothing, but we have only the flop yes? Did we miss turn or river?

>>805805
Never mind. I reread it. I am fine with calling.

>>805797
>>Call
This dude >>805821 said words I didn't know, I trust his judgment

>>805827
Not going to lie. My going to sleep soon is going to make me intrigued to see where this goes.

>>805832
Oh, I'll be doing much the same.

>>805797
>call
though this is probably as good a time as any to say it's probably not smart to have bet half our shit on a pair of aces

Darn! I knew I forgot something!

Turn: Jack of Clubs

Jackie: Mildly confident

>>805843
Kinda fucking important if you are going to pull gambling dude.

That said. My offer still stands. I feel like we need to know his range or if he's just bullying us.

>Call

You toss your chip in the pot with an air of disdain.

"That's half your souls right there." Jackie says.

"So what of it? I'm about to get a lot more."

"We'll see. We'll see. You know why they call this the river boy?"

"Why?"

"Because it can sell you down the river."

Jackie reveals his hand...

Nine of clubs

Ace of spades.

"My ten beats your nine." You observe.

"It sort of depends on what the last card is though, right?

>LAST CHANCE TO CONFIRM CALL

>>805849
I know, I fucked up. It's my first time running quest poker. Its sort of why I'm glad we're doing Benny and Char's side of the story before the big poker duel with Anon and Moloch. I can get the kinks worked out.

>>805865
Some weird theatrics with him and us showing. Benny should know better. But yeah we'll call. Not the hold em I am used to.

>>805878
I decided to give us a last chance to confirm our call because I fucked up the turns. Think of it as a free retcon if we choose to use it.

>>805882
Well, given the knowledge that we had. I would say we can confirm the call, hell we can raise if we really wanted to.

He has only 3 outs.

Getting some sleep right now. Mechagirl tomorrow, and Camp Red Water.

Thanks for putting up with me through my turn fumbles and headaches. Sorry to bring up Trick drama by the way. It really doesn't have any place in a game thread.

>>805949
Alright mate. We'll see you tomorrow.

>TFW four quests tomorrow on your day off

9 of hearts.

Fucking 9 of hearts.

"Well son, looks like my 9 actually beats your ten." Jackie rakes the pot toward him with an open palm. "No hard feelings now."

Sometimes you wish you could blow things up by looking at them hard...

"Oh don't give me that look. You think the underdog is the only one that can pull of a last minute win?"

"That's quite a lucky draw." You say flatly.

"This is a game of chance after all. Skill, but also chance. Now you've shown you got guts. I doubt your girl will begrudge you a loss. You stood at the big boys' table and played a hand."

"Did I say I'm leaving?"

"Son." Jackie smirks. "You got three souls left."

>FUCK IT. TIME FOR VIOLENCE

>DEAL ME BACK IN

>>806368
>DEAL ME BACK IN
That was a little cruel, now wasn't it...

>>806383
I swear on a stack of bibles that was the card that came up.

>>806383
Sinus infection is bothering me again. Going to take some ibuprofen and lie down. Will try posting more this evening. Vote on whether you want to be dealt back in or engage in heroic violence.

>>806368
Deal, i guess

"Deal me in."

"And what will you do son if we decide to, with our stacks of chips, to bet over 1 soul a turn?" Jackie smirks.

"Deal. Me. In."

"Alright son. Alright. You're the kind that's got to feel the heat before you get out of the fire aren't you?"

"I'm the kind you only think you know."

Jackie whistles. "Well. Aren't you the cocky one?

>YOUR HAND

Ace of clubs

Ace of diamonds

"Just like last time son." Jackie pinches a single chip between his fingers and lets it all into the center. 'Just one soul."

>Raise (!)
>Call
>Fold

>Cheat
>Baron
>Conversation

>>807780
>Call

>>Cheat
And now to make our souls back. With interest.

>>807780
>Raise 3
They expect us to act irrational, lets play it up a bit.

Also slowplaying Aces leads to trouble.

>>807794
"Char. Char I need your help" You think hard and long. The same intimate connection that allows you to see her ecto allows you to communicate with her telepathically over very short distances. It's nowhere near as versatile or easy as using Belial's telepathic network but it sure makes certain activities fun. One of which is cheating at card games. Anon still doesn't know why you always seem to know when he has a bounce spell in his hand.

"A got a deck right here in my pocket I grabbed off one of the tables. I can have any cards you want appear on top."

"How do you know which cards are...?"

Char chuckles. "I've been learning how to see through ectoplasm. Maybe I'll even be able to do it with ectoplasma one day."

"You get more and more amazing everyday you know that?"

"It's really a novice ability, I should have mastered it ages ago..."

"Hey. I can't see through my explosions. Quite the opposite really. All the dust makes it hard to see."

>SELECT WHICH CARDS YOU WANT FOR THE FLOP, TURN, AND RIVER. REMEMBER TO TRY AND AVOID SUSPICION AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

>CALL OR RAISE?

>CARD VALUE TABLE:>>805607

>>807863
>Flop
6 of Hearts, 10 of Spades, J of Hearts
>Turn
A of Clubs
>River
4 of Diamonds

It's a decent spread that allows for some action, but should see us through.

Raise it.

>>807954
What he said

>>807863
Sure! >>807954

Thank god someone finally suggested a plan...

>>807954
>>807965
>>807966
You already have the Ace of Clubs though. Its going to be kind of awkward for everyone to see two Ace of Clubs.

>Are you sure you want to do it?

>>807998
Oh, so we do, thanks for the reminder. I misread our suits.

Ace of Spades then.

>>807998
I wonder if we can get away with it and convince the patrons it is actually the casino cheating... Nah, too risky

>>808022
That's a gutsy but potentially killer move....

>ANYONE WANT TO DO THIS?

So far it seems like we have two votes against it. >>808003
>>808022