>>6153226
>Suptg archive
https://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Solarpunk%20Cleanup%20Agent%20Quest
>Quest doc including characters, equipment, mechanics, etc.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1jhZljN9y7A8w6qFcD8wX_xYaKZP65ZH8EGrmgKQ-nIU
Hello! Join Agent Jarnafeldt as she fights criminals and monsters to earn the right to start a family as the long arm of the ecofascist dictatorship that the world has fallen under, and uncover the mysteries of the world that have returned since the fall of the old one - be they mutated horror, or something else entirely.
_______________________

Thankfully, that agent is Nonoka Sumika, an exceptionally tall Nipponese woman who has been looking out for you and has always been able to tell you things straight. From the nature of your enemies to your mentors, she seems to help you see things more clearly. There are other superiors who would be far less forgiving...

That said, you worry about the questions you will have to answer. You begin rattling different ideas in your head on how to answer them. I knew it was a trick, you could say. Squatters came to attack right after. I figured it was a setup to make me hesitate. Sounds believable enough, right?

It suddenly begins to occur to you that you might be called into the office for having an encounter with Lorppo, the Jotunn aberration that slaughtered a dozen Stormwatch agents immediately after the pneumatic suit heist. That, or having spoke to the children there. Your microphone and camera were off, though. They shouldn’t have seen that.

Boggling still is that this man is from a foreign detatchment of a heavy mechanized unit, the Chicago Red Dogs. Why are they sending after you? They might just be worried about the interference happening to begin with, but it might be something else entirely.

The black coated man leads you to the floor where the office is, and isn’t permitted further. You’ll have to walk into that room by yourself and on your own accord.

You already declined Zephyr’s offer, as full of certain death as it was, so there’s no other way around this. No turning back now.

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>>6153227
The L4 Operator’s standard office, the one outside of the aberrant studies section, is one you know to be soundproofed away from the typical clerk staffed offices. You’ve come to understand that there is a barrier, a very clear wall of trust. It was obvious at the start; you’re still not allowed on most floors. At first I thought it was simple paygrade, simple authority. Do better and you’ll be let in. But now, you’re wondering now just where that threshold lies.

As you enter the room, you see Sumika sitting at her desk with her Stormwatch hat on. Even from sitting at the desk, poorly suited for her abnormal stature, you have to raise your head to meet her gaze. The one eye not caught by hair levels at you with a pained look. Not angry or sad. Just an intense look that you'd usually find on L3 Kiikoinen.

Your asian friend looks particularly grim today. What she has to say must be terrible.

Or perhaps she has always looked like this and you only just noticed.

“Jarnafeldt. Shut the door,” Nonoka says coldly. “We need to talk. About the person who intercepted your signal.”

With a nervous gulp and the sealing of the heavy wooden door carved to absorb sound, soft foam boarders sealing every little crevice. You looked around the stark room; there seemed to be no cameras or devices here. You are where only the gods can hear you. After many restless nights, you sometimes wonder if they even try to.

Taking a seat, her urgent explanation continued. “Our audio recordings are server side. We were cut off from you. We don't know what they could have been trying to tell you. What they could be telling other Stormwatch agents later. Telling them before. And even now. Did you hear them say anything?”

When it happened before, you initially claimed that your signal was intercepted and they started raving at you over harsh static that caused you to discard your headset. You did this because you believed they were capable of hearing what was being said, as well as having deniability.
>Come forward with the whole truth. It’s Sumika, you trust her, and some things aren’t meant to be said over radio, which is of course monitored.
>Say that you heard the voice tell you that to get to L3, you have to kill a child for the Stormwatch.
>Say that they introduced themselves as an Old Oak before rambling about nihilistic nonsense.
>Stick to the story; you heard nothing of real importance.
>Write in

>>6153229
>Make sure we are not surveilled here first
>Come forward with the whole truth. It’s Sumika, you trust her, and some things aren’t meant to be said over radio, which is of course monitored.
Agonizing for a girl who wants to be a mom
Welcome back QM

>>6153229
>>Say that they introduced themselves as an Old Oak before rambling about nihilistic nonsense.

>>6153236
+1, but make sure to make it clear we didn't REALLY believe it... Unless Sumika or her expression tells us otherwise

>>6153229
Welcome back!

>>6153229
>Say that they introduced themselves as an Old Oak before rambling about nihilistic nonsense.

>>6153523
Because this would cause a really annoying tie and because it's just past my usual 16 hour vote limit, I'm excluding this vote.
>>6153236
>>6153238
>>6153257
Alright, coming forthward wins. Writing through the weekend.
And thanks! I'm glad to be back. I'll be harshly abusing some mucinex but I'll live.

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The room seems devoid of cameras, you can tell, as you were already scanning the ceiling looking up at Sumika as you took your seat. Any recording devices - that she is not purposefully hiding - would have to be very subtle. You have some ideas of where these devices could be fashioned; a microphone under your seat, a camera stowed in a bookshelf.

But you are no manhunter, and as far as you can tell, there’s no recording in here.

If there is recording, it’s something she has set up personally.

Having some faith in Sumika, not as a superior, but as a friend…

“A tired sounding man intercepted my radio. He called himself Zephyr. An Old Oak in charge of the water filtration in the stormdrain.”

The tall woman shut her eyes. It seemed to be acceptance.

Worrying. You continue, measuring your words, “he said that humanity had every chance to become something different, but it still turned into something predatory. His speech was very pessimistic, and I found parts of it to be immature even, but... to get to the role of L3, he said that I couldn’t just keep killing aberrations. He said that that everyone I ever knew that earned the right to have a child by fighting things… killed a child.”

Sumika sank her face with her fingers and sighed. This account was not something she was taking well.

“… And he asked me if I wanted to help stop that, ’cycle of debasement,’ as he put it.”

She looked straight at you, with her one visible eye.

>>6154156
You stammer to clarify. “At that point I took off the headset because I didn’t want to hear any more. I didn’t trust whoever was speaking. F-Fahy can confirm that I had it off! The man on the radio was still talking when Fahy came up to me, saying you were trying to talk to me. I heard something more, but I can’t tell what it was because I only heard a part of it. It sounded like a threat. The radio cut out to static, and after that I heard you just fine.” Your speech had hastened toward the end, and easing your nerves, you take a deep breath. “And that’s all I heard. It didn’t happen again.”

Sumika rolled her head back to look at the bleak white ceiling light. She was in heavy thought, and the pause gave rise to a detail you forgot to mention.

“Oh! And… I didn’t identify myself by name, but he seemed to have been reading off my profile. My rank, name, hometown… but it was my last name that caught his attention.”

The tall woman leveled her gaze back at you. “And you are not lying when you say that this is what happened?”

You hope she understands the worry in your voice comes not from being caught, but the intensity of her stare and the circumstances you are in. “J-ja. Yeah.”

She cursed an eastern curse under her breath. “If that is the case… then you will not be deployed until further notice. You and perhaps many others, until we can silence that voice. Besides being an obvious risk to our operational security by having access to our communications, I cannot let agents mistake anything he is saying as something legitimate.”

Mistake for legitimate…? Dare you hope? “Ah! So that means… that was a lie? About the promotion?”

Nonoka Sumika’s eyes laid upon you for a moment before falling into her thin, limber fingers, stretching across her unusually broad hand. “Fiona, I did not receive this position because of any action I did.” You remember her story she told you one day of her start in this field; her service in Akihabara, until she one day killed the child of a mob boss who had attacked her. She was relocated to Helsinki for her own safety from the nipponese gangs. “I am here because of what I am.”

You look at the tall, pale oriental woman, examining the bending of her lithe fingers behind a veil of long black hair and beneath the shadow of a Stormwatch cap. “A-and that would be?” You ask.

“Loyal. Loyalty is more valuable than competence to the Stormwatch, and to many others. If you’re loyal, you can get just about anywhere you like.” Sumika rises from her seat, leaning forward to keep distance between her head and the ceiling. She yawns over you like a skyscraper of eld. “You are dismissed, Jarnafeldt. Take a day or two off. Stay safe.”

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>>6154157
Free time? S-sure! You can do with some free time! You have some thoughts to collect, worries to iron out, haha! With a bashful laugh, you stand up and walk on out, alive and in the clear from being labelled a seditious traitor due for being turned into pork flavored protein mix.

Two days, she said? Wonderful! That's some good time. Though it’s not working toward the promotion, it’s nice to take your head out of the guillotine for a time. But, what to do?

How would you want to spend this time off? Select up to four.
>You and Kai Jonkheer had expressed interest in seeing Leshy once again. It’s about time you follow up on it. Maybe he has some answers for some of the more strange questions you’ve started having?
>Go find your mentor Lalli Kiikoinen. You have to wonder what is keeping this man so thoroughly attached to the bottle. It's getting weird.
>Speak with Percival Blythe, and ask about the visions you keep having of your daughter. Are they supernatural, or have you just been crazy the whole time?
>Ask after Katriina Jousten. If you can’t be deployed, you want to see what she is cooking in her witch’s cauldron. A funny rabbit told you to look out for her, after all.
>Party with the Red Dogs, it’s been a while! Maybe they can take you to the garage and finally see that machine their captain hyped up so much.
>Rest and recuperate safe within the walls of the Stormwatch. Going outside might be dangerous if it's something that big of an issue...
>Sneak underground and go to that underground garden. You hope to find those kids Sisu and there on less intense circumstances. You can bake them some pretzels!
>Write-ins!

>>6154160
>You and Kai Jonkheer had expressed interest in seeing Leshy once again. It’s about time you follow up on it. Maybe he has some answers for some of the more strange questions you’ve started having?
>Go find your mentor Lalli Kiikoinen. You have to wonder what is keeping this man so thoroughly attached to the bottle. It's getting weird.
>Speak with Percival Blythe, and ask about the visions you keep having of your daughter. Are they supernatural, or have you just been crazy the whole time?
>Party with the Red Dogs, it’s been a while! Maybe they can take you to the garage and finally see that machine their captain hyped up so much

>>6154160
>Go find your mentor Lalli Kiikoinen. You have to wonder what is keeping this man so thoroughly attached to the bottle. It's getting weird.
Pursue the SNAKE
>Speak with Percival Blythe, and ask about the visions you keep having of your daughter. Are they supernatural, or have you just been crazy the whole time?
Learn the truth about that mystery loli... It is necessary for Fiona's mental
>Ask after Katriina Jousten. If you can’t be deployed, you want to see what she is cooking in her witch’s cauldron. A funny rabbit told you to look out for her, after all.
See the mom that can't be a mom
>Party with the Red Dogs, it’s been a while! Maybe they can take you to the garage and finally see that machine their captain hyped up so much.
I want to see what this machine is about just so we're done with that

>>6154160
>You and Kai Jonkheer had expressed interest in seeing Leshy once again. It’s about time you follow up on it. Maybe he has some answers for some of the more strange questions you’ve started having?
>Speak with Percival Blythe, and ask about the visions you keep having of your daughter. Are they supernatural, or have you just been crazy the whole time?
Help get or head straight.
>Ask after Katriina Jousten. If you can’t be deployed, you want to see what she is cooking in her witch’s cauldron. A funny rabbit told you to look out for her, after all.
Heed the omens and prove our dedication to work.
>Party with the Red Dogs, it’s been a while! Maybe they can take you to the garage and finally see that machine their captain hyped up so much.
Decompress. thought it would be cool to be able to invite Lalli.

>>6154224
+1

>>6154224
>>6154256
>>6154322
>>6154596
Alright, votes counting at
>4 Blythe
>4 Red Dogs
>3 for Leshy
And a tie for the last two. Writing, but update tomorrow.

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>>6154629
Protecting someone scaling a huge vaulted wall and ceiling did take time, so it’s already near the afternoon. It would be rude to get Leshy to answer a sudden visit request. You could let Aamu know you plan to visit tomorrow.

For tonight, you could find something to do with those loud Americans. Let that black coat know he didn’t just ferry you to a meat grinder. Maybe since it’s daylight you can ask around, flex your credentials, and take a look at that machine they’ve had stowed away…!

You’d have stolen a peek already, but that mech is not kept in Stormwatch HQ. All aerial and ground vehicles are stored in HQ of Helsinki Police, which Stormwatch is a part of but works separately from due to the nature of what they deal with. You don’t have to deal with noise complaints, but you also aren’t expected to be firing flak cannons against giant predatory migratory swans and be their first juicy targets. Fair trade. It’s not really open to foreigners like yourself anyway.

After swinging by Aamu’s preferred cafe on the west end of Katajanokka to put in a notice that you want to visit Leshy tomorrow, and being given a quick nod and an “I’ll let you know,” you make your way over to the fancy hotel where the Red Dogs are stationed.

You catch the red haired boyish girl from the American crew leaving the building. You can’t remember her name. You believe her callsign was “She-Bitch?”

… Beth! Her name is Beth. And it’s “She-Wolf.” Frejya's tits you almost said that to her face. You give a courteous wave to the She-Bitch.

“Hello! Are the Red Dogs busy today?”

The red haired military girl squints at you for a moment, trying to remember your name. “Uh, yeah. Gabby and his lapdog are running around on business. Jerry the tech kid’s with Acey Deedee, at our friend’s request.” Beth rocked her head back and beamed with pride as she went on. “And I got cockpit simulation training to do. Gonna get in the Big Dog. Can’t exactly turn the engine on, of course, but most of the bells and whistles.”

Your face lights up. You, a peasant girl from some tiny overgrown village in the middle of the colossal south German forests, have a soft spot for the forests, but things as wildly advanced as the giant robot the Red Dogs pilot is just so beyond your realm of understanding. You can’t help but grin ear to ear imagining it. “Can I see it?”

“Don’t you got anything to do today?”

The temptation to hint that there’s a situation happening in the Stormdrains is there; but even an implication that something is going on is technically leaking information. You answer truth enough; “Me and Kiikoinen were given two days off! Though, haha, I haven’t a clue where he’s chose to spend his…”

>>6155258
Beth still seems unconvinced. “Would you even be allowed to come with me? It’s not exactly your department, above your paygrade.”

You can’t let her turn you down. You really want to see this. “I did get a promotion! A specialist position, to another office for studying the aberrant creatures that make their way into the Stormdrain and, otherwise harass Helsinki...”

The red-haired miss looks around, before gesturing you to follow her with a flick of her head. Seeing as she had something to say, befitting a more private location than the lobby of a hotel, you trail behind her down a clean alleyway around the back of the Helsinki Police Headquarters.

“I overheard Gabby on the horn with Mikey. Was asking about how good Mikey felt riding the Big Dog without the targeting computer, Just in case.” Beth speaks with a frightening nonchalance. “I’m training today, but hearin' that, I dunno what I’m training for.”

Right as you had begun to think, she draws a card and flashes it to a screen against the backlot of the police HQ. In but a moment, a thin wiry clerk comes out from inside and pulls the gate open, and struggles to shut it behind you. It costs less energy to pay someone a pittance to do these things manually than make and maintain automated features, you know. Though you wonder why the Stormwatch would have so much automation in its workings. You shake the train of thought out of your head, because it's totally irrelevant.

Beth leads you through a checkpoint, where you are required to flash your IDs; the black and gold bordered ID you use to access the Undercroft was enough for the clerk to let you in without saying a word. Good to know. And through just a few doors, you're in the garage of the police HQ.

The smell of metal was unmistakable, but it was free of oil and other pollutants. Taking up most of the space were simple armored electric vans like you used on your forest expedition. A close second were the unarmored personnel carriers, little more than driveable elevator shafts capable of fitting fifteen people standing, used to deliver as many responders to any scene as possible in one haul. Besides that there were some heavy duty looking bicycles, capable of carrying a man wearing heavy gear far, fast, and efficiently...

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>>6155262
But there, behind a heavily armored vehicle, it sits.

The Big Red Dog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82k3t_0xL-s

Captain Mikey Riley is standing in front of the beautiful construction, giving a thorough examination of the machine’s arms. For once in his life, Mikey’s raised his shades, and he spared a only passing glance at the two of you girls walking in between studying the machine and clipboard in his hand. In just a second, his head shot back around in a double take with a grin.

“Hey! Fiona! What brings you around here?” Mikey greeted as he sought a decent enough place in the machine to stow the clipboard. Once he proped it in a slit, he flicked down his aviators. “I wasn’t expecting guests. Gabriel’s off doing big boy judge things and Durant’s being his errand boy, so from what I heard and figured, sounded like a busy day for you boys and girls.”

With a memory of a hit you took earlier today, softened mostly by the gasmask of the turnout gear you wore nearly shattering, you rub the side of your face. “I had just finished a mission, but the moment I got back to HQ I was told to take a couple days off, me, Lalli, and Saemus. I don’t know where he went off to though.”

“Haven’t seen Kiki around. Came and went like a storm.”

Okay, he is definitely telling you about the big funny red robot with the cute dog logo on the shoulder. That’s first and foremost. But what else did you want to talk about before a casual night out? Choose as many as you like.
>Ask about the targeting system, and why it might not target something. Perhaps you have some Insight to share?
>You don’t know much about “Gabby.” Or the Red Dogs themselves besides their roles. Wasn’t Durant the repair guy?
>Did they hear about the big murderous swans that are going to be migrating down here in a week or two? Apparently that’s public knowledge.
>Have they gotten any strange radio interference from a depressed old oak or something? Y’know, just asking. Haha.
>Tell them about your new position, and all the wild schizobabble Blythe tells you. See if the loud-mouth Americans have their two cents (they will).
>Write-ins

>>6155267
>You don’t know much about “Gabby.” Or the Red Dogs themselves besides their roles. Wasn’t Durant the repair guy?
>Have they gotten any strange radio interference from a depressed old oak or something? Y’know, just asking. Haha.
>Tell them about your new position, and all the wild schizobabble Blythe tells you. See if the loud-mouth Americans have their two cents (they will).

>>6155267
>You don’t know much about “Gabby.” Or the Red Dogs themselves besides their roles. Wasn’t Durant the repair guy?
>Tell them about your new position, and all the wild schizobabble Blythe tells you. See if the loud-mouth Americans have their two cents (they will).

>>6155271
>You don’t know much about “Gabby.” Or the Red Dogs themselves besides their roles. Wasn’t Durant the repair guy?
>Tell them about your new position, and all the wild schizobabble Blythe tells you. See if the loud-mouth Americans have their two cents (they will).

>>6155267
>You don’t know much about “Gabby.” Or the Red Dogs themselves besides their roles. Wasn’t Durant the repair guy?
>Did they hear about the big murderous swans that are going to be migrating down here in a week or two? Apparently that’s public knowledge.
>Tell them about your new position, and all the wild schizobabble Blythe tells you. See if the loud-mouth Americans have their two cents (they will).

apologies for the delay, update later this evening

>>6156444
Sounds good!

sleep schedule is f u cked posting what i got

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ou shove Mikey aside and get a closer look at the robot, big grin on your face.

Here it is, the Big Red Dog! And they weren’t kidding. Standing easily over twelve feet tall, you can only really come up to the legs and hands (which have been extended from their natural position), and across its heavy, heavy armor you see signs of use. Gliding your fingers across its cherry red exterior, the metal feels like a whetstone; meant to grind down the claws of beasts that come into close contact. Taking a step back to look at its face, you note the insignia of the Chicago Red Dogs 4th Mechanical Division emblazoned on the shoulder and the rather dog-ear like antennae on its head. A superfluous detail, but you can't help but giggle when you spot it.

Footsteps echo through the garage as the two stand next to you. "Been a long time coming. Fiona, meet Clifford. He's a good boy. Been on a lot of tours in the West Indes, South America, and put in good work."

There's not a single fiber in your being that doesn't appreciate the existence of this machine, but you have questions. "Why have it have two legs instead of... something else?"

"Moving through rough terrain. Though it's a bit stronger than pneumatics, Clifford's got boosters that can send it flying. If it can't walk over something, it can zoom up and around it. Wherever normal heavy vehicles couldn't go, Clifford can, and quickly."

The idea of this thing soaring around in the air is preposterous. Can this thing really? You need to see a photograph, or maybe even a video. You realize the only time you could see this thing flying is if you're in big trouble, so perhaps it's best that you never see it in person.

>>6157045
Off to the side, you see similarly coated objects, so you imagined they're a part of the ensemble. What looks like a strange barrel, and the largest, beefiest, most absurdly huge gun that, given from its handles, the Big Red Dog uses as its primary weapon. You skip over to it to walk across its full eight to ten foot length. Several thick barrels are held in place by not just several rings, but a bracing metal frame along the several barrels. A forward handle on top of a frame surrounding the barrels can rotate, you notice.

Beth is glad to start talking. "That's our MSAC. Mobile Suit Autocannon. We went over our pollutant budget in the Amazon a few years back, so we're stuck with tungsten sabots instead of exploding bullets." There's a lot in that sentence that you find exciting and interesting, but you first ask about why there's several barrels. She then tells you that the barrels spin and, by spinning them, the barrels are loaded and the bullets are fired. It doesn't even need electricity, in principle, but spinning it as fast as the MSAC does need a motor.

During her long winded explanation of how it's actually ancient tech from just after the cartridge used was invented, you spot that the whole machine is mounted on some metal slab. Or, a metal slab was attached to it. It has the shape of a meat tenderizer. One way they cut back on pollutants is, instead of shooting someone, swinging the whole gun as a bludgeon at them.

Turning back around to the machine, you see Mikey is already tweaking the arms again. There's been a question on your mind, so you finally feel fine asking. "Why are you tweaking the arms? And wasn't the black coat guy your mechanic?"

Mikey didn't glance away from the bolts as he answered. "Judge Gabe asked about the manual targeting capabilities of old Cliffy here. It can aim manually just fine, but the physical bits are usually optimized for the targeting computer's automatic aiming, not our own. Durant should be here making these tweaks, but, well, he's Judge Gabriel's man, not mine. He's got his own errands."

You giggle. "His man? What, are they-"

"Billy's a slave, basically. An extra just too good to kill."

O-oh?

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>>6157051
Big Dog Mikey clicks his tongue as he measures how far he needs to turn a screw.

"Y'know Chicago's got its own undercity. And Billy was a underground gunsmith. His signature'd end up on a lot of contraband. Nobody knew how he got so good, but when the Judge came cracking down downstairs, instead of killing the man, he shot the gun out of Billy's hand and clapped him in irons. Gabe gets a crafty kid helping him out, and Durant gets a stay of execution. He's kept on a short leash, and he's smart enough to not test it."

The captain finishes tinkering with one of the arms, and pushes it back up to its natural spot. "The thing is with overpop, they'd kill to be on the books. They know people are out for their heads. They'll do a lot to yank their head outta the guillotine. I know Durant has. In a few years, his indenture will be up, and he'll be free to do whatever. Probably not touch a gun ever again, but most certainly not go crawling back underground."

Better than killing him outright, you suppose. But really? Slavery? "Is this a common thing in America?" You ask.

"Not many worth saving," Beth quips.

Mikey's not terribly interested in gossip beyond what he's already said. "Anyway, Gabriel's suddenly up in the Stormwatch's business today. I knew it was his idea to come here from the start, but today he just ran out without a word. Dunno what that's all about, but he'll tell it to me straight when he's ready." He passes a glance back at you. "What about you, Fiona? What've you been up to?"

>>6157062
Hey QM, you mentioned an American phenotype, and unlike Sumika, Fiona isn't perpetually awed by their physical difference. Did the USA enact some sort of racial purge during the troubled centuries?

>>6157076
The MNP did a mass remigration of peoples to their ancestral homelands and returned them to power if possible. By all rights, the Americas should have returned to the Native Americans, but their tribes collapsed during the end times and the MNP has not found sufficient enough diaspora to return them to power, and it would be a stretch to properly define them as indigenous peoples this far after their collapse. For want of a better option, the American regions were turned into smaller nations (Chicago, New Creole, Texas, etc) populated by people who fit the stereotype of that region at some arbitrary cultural peak decided by MNP. Chicago is was filled with mobster and detective noir types of british/germanic origin (though it was the center of global redevelopment due to abnormally well preserved archives), New Creole is largely french and black, Texas is Texas. This is done specifically to fabricate divides between small groups of people that are less destructive than the world-shattering schism that destroyed the old world. That plus a couple hundred years, and communities began to look like themselves rather than a mix of others.
So yeah, MNP manipulated lots of shit like that at the start.

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>>6157062
Oh, this is a good opportunity to bring up some things. "I got a promotion! Not to L3 or anything, but to a specialist role. It's actually pretty funny... have you seen a man around by the name of Percival Blythe?" They shake their heads. "Well, he's an L4 Operator in my new office, which deals with studying Aberrations and what is, or isn't, normal. He's very freakish. He keeps a bunch of drugs on his person and he says they help with chasing down aberrations and seeing spirits. I don't have too much faith in that myself, but he's one of my superiors now."

"You're like Kiikoinen then," Beth says stifling a laugh. "Keep work and play separate."

... Actually, on that topic. "Blythe says he can see people's spirit animals, even when he's not on the mushrooms. And he called Kiikoinen a cold snake, that's always molting its skin."

Mikey looks over and lowers his shades. "What, to his face? That's his spirit animal?"

"Blythe actually said that, and to his face," you clarify.

"And does this Blythe know the guy?"

You shake your head. Kiikoinen was never interested in anything that isn't the surface level of Stormwatch, and is definitely not a spiritual person.

Thinking for a moment, the big dog pushed his shades back up. "Well, I mean... Kiikoinen could certainly take warming up to someone, for real. He's friendly, sure, but even when we first met, I got the impression he didn't keep anyone around. Not sure why I had that hunch, but it was right. We haven't seen him in weeks." He crosses his arms and looks into the distance. "Can't blame him, we're not going to be here forever. Easy come, easy go."

Come to think of it, he's never brought up family. Not many of your agents do, but you've brought up your papa and friends from your village, inviting him to talk about it. If it weren't for the experience he has in the Stormwatch, you'd think he hadn't lived at all.

Mikey nods and looks back at you. "But you'll still be here. I don't know about the hocus pocus of freakos in the weird corners of the Stormwatch - we got some of our own - but I think it's a good guess to what he's like. He's got issues and he can pretend to be as pragmatic as he likes, it will affect his performance if it ain't already. You should get him some help, because he's not going to find it in the strangers he keeps looking for."

He brings this up, and you remember one of the first times you saw Kiikoinen fight an aberration. Chopping up a cornered hiisi, expressionless. And you remember that he often takes lots of risks in fights. Whatever it is, it's making him reckless.

Or have a deathwish.

>>6158840
After Beth completes an in-machine training simulation (you were not allowed inside for fear that you would turn it on and not know how to turn it off), the Red Dogs take you out to the Brickstone Lehto where you first met them and enjoy a casual evening over drinks. They teach you some American card games, and you exchange stories of Hiisi, Imps, Jersey Devils, Mothmen, Thunderbirds, and all the strange aberrations both here and abroad.

They tell you how Chicago's massive lightning rod system which captures the lightning from their constant storms, you told them of the little sanctuary in the stormdrain where not even Lorppo would dare strike you down in. The two were very surprised to hear that such a feared monster let you walk away, and you're relieved yourself that you weren't flattened today.

After some time, you let yourself out as you have plans on the morrow. The Big Dog wishes you luck, and the She-Bitch orders you "smack Lalli's ass the next time he loses his grip." Weird Americans.

You head back to the HQ, to your home, and sigh sweet relief as you collapse into bed. Tonight, your mind is not fixated on some imagined child of your own. You imagine the two kids you saw today, so utterly terrified of you. They have every right to be, given what you are, but... You're not sure if you have it in you to cross that river when you get there.

The image of your axe sailing into the boy flashes into your mind, and you immediately banish it.

You can't stand its sight.

>>6158844
Your night's rest was terrible. Lorppo was awful to see on camera, but in person, you could see all the details the camera failed to capture. Every stray mouth, every errant eyeball, things growing where they shouldn't. Before you just saw a mass of flesh that was incoherent and it was pretty awful, but now you are attuned to things better you were able to see all of its details, and truly understand how fucking awful a sight that jotunn actually is. And you spent much of your dreams ruminating on anatomy you wish would have remained nonsensical.

Eager to take your mind off of Lorppo, you head on out quickly and begin thinking of things to ask that strange man from Avalon, Percival Blythe.

Descending the stairs to the office, you catch yourself reaching out hold a tiny hand and guide down the stairs a little girl that isn't there. Shaking your head to snap back to reality, you remember your highest priority question you've been meaning to ask. It's not like a wild imagination. It's almost like a ghost is haunting you. It has to be something special, right? And while you're at it, you want to ask about Lalli's luonto.

But besides talk of spirits, was there anything else that came to mind?
>Ask about the missing tree in the Lehto. You'd imagine disrupting a sanctuary like that would be off the table for people who believe in it?
>What are we doing about the giant swans that are coming soon? You know you handle the underground, but still.
>Ask if he's seen the MNP Deathsquads since the run in with the bug thing. Real quiet like.
>Tell him about Lorppo, and how they're living with humans underground, seemingly in peace. Are there tolerated aberrations?
>Write-in

>>6158903
>Tell him about Lorppo, and how they're living with humans underground, seemingly in peace. Are there tolerated aberrations?
>Ask about the missing tree in the Lehto. You'd imagine disrupting a sanctuary like that would be off the table for people who believe in it?

>>6158903
>>What are we doing about the giant swans that are coming soon? You know you handle the underground, but still.
>>Tell him about Lorppo, and how they're living with humans underground, seemingly in peace. Are there tolerated aberrations?

>>6158903
>Ask about the missing tree in the Lehto. You'd imagine disrupting a sanctuary like that would be off the table for people who believe in it?
>What are we doing about the giant swans that are coming soon? You know you handle the underground, but still.
>Tell him about Lorppo, and how they're living with humans underground, seemingly in peace. Are there tolerated aberrations?

>>6158903
>Ask about the missing tree in the Lehto. You'd imagine disrupting a sanctuary like that would be off the table for people who believe in it?
I sseriously doubt there are tolerated aberrations, even if they coexist with overpop. After all, we don't officially tolerate overpop themselves, even though they're human beings!

>>6158903
>What are we doing about the giant swans that are coming soon? You know you handle the underground, but still.

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>>6158941
>>6158971
>>6158992
>>6159002
>>6159021
Stepping into the musty office of still-living wood, you notice that it's bustling with agents, operators, and clerks. You had figured they were shutting down operations in the Stormdrain for a couple days because of that broadcaster, but this is more than just the low level agents. This is everyone. Not a single person is being permitted to work, not even the L4s.

... Was that actually an Old Oak talking to you about this?

The office of the L4 Noita Percival Blythe is a neatly ordered room cut from a rich brown wood; polished, unlike most rooms on this floor here. It is dimly lit from the one north-facing frosted glass window, catching only ambient sunlight that slips through the arching bands of the Stormwatch surveillance complex. Rather than an overhead light, there are bulbed lanterns along the walls, reminiscent of home.

Percival is talking to someone who appears to be a researcher, definitely not involved in deployment in any fashion. Though you hear much of the conversation, you don't make much sense of it. Only that they are talking about arterial and venous flows. Flows of what, you don't know. He has seen you by the door, but he continues talking for a minute to reach whatever point he was talking about.

In a moment, he dismisses the researcher, who leaves without so much as greeting you. Blythe has his usual tired, but sincere tone as he bids you in. "Fiona. I don't think you had assignments today. Were you looking for some?"

You scratch your head bashfully. "I-I came here with a few questions, actually. About Kiikoinen... and myself, actually."

Blythe reclines back in his tacky rough-fabric armchair, a bit peeved. "What are you asking me about others that you can't just ask them yourself?"

"It's about his luonto," you answer.

From those words, a soft smile slowly grows on his face, and he gestures to you to take a seat.

>>6159553
"Have you seen it?" Percival asks, fascinated with your interest.

"Yea. And he told me about it. It looked just as he said it did, like you described."

Percival pushes himself back up from his lounging position, leaning forward with intent. "We've recorded luonto for a long time. We understand that they do not need to be bound by our ideas of logic, but we also understood that they were strictly naturally occurring animals. And so begs the question, is this a new form of luonto supernatural in more ways than one, or does its presence imply the existence of such a creature in the real world? Can we find it? Is it an aberration in itself? There's so many directions to take this information."

You knew his might have been different, but you hadn't considered what his being different actually met. Now you understand Blythe's interest in him a bit better.

And he goes on, his tone stumbling down into frustration. "But Kiikoinen isn't being very forthcoming with our queries. He is so... content with being the same as he is. So afraid of opening his mind. So adamant that whatever he is doing now will bring him change." The noita clasps his hands together with a sigh as he looks toward the frosted window. "And so the cold molting snake is his perfect mirror. Upsetting, but we haven't let his noncompliance interrupt our studies. We observe it, make notes, and look for more answers elsewhere. But perhaps he'd be more willing to open up to you? Catch him in a mood when he may speak free of his agnostic shame, glean what you can. We'd appreciate anything we can figure out."

With a stutter you interject. "M-maybe sir, but I wanted to ask about my, uh-"

"Only the Finnish have luonto. You and I do not have them," Blythe answers immediately, with markedly less interest.

"No, no, it's not an animal," you clarify. "It's a child."

Percival turns his head from the window back with a queer expression on his face to look at you.

Or at something just behind you.

"I did wonder what that was," he mutters aloud with a breathy voice and distant mind.

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>>6159559
"How long have you had them?" The noita asks, with a hint of joy and nary a whiff of jest in his voice.

He actually saw them. He's actually talking about them. He's making you talk about them. You've never brought this up to anyone in any level of sincerity as anything more than a hallucination. Gods you're about to feel so stupid.

After a bout of nervous laughter, you finally approach the topic. "I think I've been seeing them since I was nineteen."

"So long before Finland," he notes. "And you are of German descent?"

You nod. "I was born and raised there at least."

The noita begins to rapid-fire questions. "Have you ever spoke with them?"
"I don't think I can have a conversation with them," you answer.
"Do they have an exact form you can see?"
"Not really, but I like to imagine theyre a girl who looks like me. Maybe with someone else's eyes."
"What do they do, mainly?"
"Sometimes, when my mind wanders, I feel tiny little fingers grabbing mine. I feel the steps of a child skipping next to me as I walk. When I'm hurt, I can sometimes hear crying."

"Have you ever had a child before?"

You don't know whether to feel offended that he'd assume you'd break the law like some schalmp, or worried at the implications of that question, but manage to squeak a "no" out during your recoil.

He tilts his head. "Truthfully? It is no crime now if they are dead."

"No!"

>>6159561
With a click of his tongue and a shake of the head, Blythe rocked forward. "If it were some manner of Etiainen, a projection of the future, it would not have manifested in Germany. I had a suspicion that it had something to do with Frau Holle, but I scarce imagine she lets lost children go with strangers..." The tired man scratches his chin, at an intellectual wall. "Your case is also an odd one. Though admittedly, one that needs to be approached with more research into German sources than I've done myself. Or perhaps, it's like Kiikoinen, in that it is something entirely new. All things were new once, and the world is changing."

You feel a gaze fraught with concern laid upon you, but you can't tell from where.

While you're both at an impasse, you think it's appropriate to change topics. "Another thing. Yesterday, I met Lorppo. In the Lehto."

A gentle cackle comes from the avalonian noita as he gets pulled from his deep inquisitive thought. "What an encounter that was, I imagine."

"It was friendly with some children I had found there. They knew it by other names. It gave the impression that, to the overpopulation, it was at least amicable? So, since there are aberrations that can live with those in the Stormdrains, I was wondering if there were aberrations could be tolerated, in regular society. In Helsinki, even."

The cackle turns into a heavier chuckle. "Well! That's an interesting question. I could talk at length on why the Hiisi aren't accepted and have no intention of being accepted, but there lies a more succinct answer. We accept every aberration we don't notice or care about. Every minor mutation your or my bloodlines have endured since the Calamity is still a mutation, but by our being here, it is an acceptable a mount. There may be others who have endured worse, but are still acceptable, written off as genetic deformity. The mask of humanity slips most clearly when it had never fit at all."

Percival's calm, sleepy eloquence and insight was almost reassuring to hear. You heard stories of more kind-hearted aberrations like the Waldleute, and the level of restraint that even Lorppo afforded you reminded you of the cute little stories your father told you from time to time. Not that such a massive monster of unbridled violent potential could be compared to pie baking buschweibchen.

>>6159563
One last thing. The Noitas should probably be made aware of this, if it's important. "And about the Lehto. I noticed there was an impression for a tree in its center, but, there wasn't anything there. Would that be affecting the sanctuary there, in some negative way?"

He sat up straight. "Oh."

There is a long, awkward silence.

"You noticed."

... Noticed what?

With a sharp intake, he says "I will attend to that matter at a later date."

You were hoping the perplexed face you were making was a loud enough nonverbal question for him to give you an answer, but he clearly stepped right up and over it.

Percival rises from his armchair, brushing off his scholarly adornments, and begins speaking with the same intensity that he had when he recruited you to face the Nalkainen. "In fact, there was a matter that concerns you I am aware of, and if nobody else has told you, I'll take the liberty of doing so. You've been selected for a special operation taking place tomorrow. I've been made aware that you were going to visit Leshy at his research facility; once you return, report to Ms. Jousten's office in the Undercroft for a proper briefing and dinner."

Special operation? Dinner? With Katriina Jousten? What? "I thought we were getting two days off?"

"And indeed you would have, if Leshy did not suggest your participation," Percival retorts. "Leshy may subtract this endorsement if you can convince him, if it is your wont to do so." Stepping around his desk to you, he offers his hand. "I would suggest you make good use of your time, Katriina does not appreciate tardiness."

"But what about the swans? The, uh, Cygnus-"

"You don't have to worry about that right now," he assures with a weary voice and absolute certainty.

You don't like where this is going.

With a very brief dismissal, he leads you out of the room as he accepts another to come talk to him. Your steps toward the stairwell out of this secluded office are slow, your new and ominous assignment a heavy burden on your mind. As you descend the stairs, you find a nice place in the back of your head to put your worries for the time being and focus on the chat with Leshy you wanted to have.

>>6159563
>Percival's calm, sleepy eloquence and insight was almost reassuring to hear.
>insight
Hehehehehe

>>6159561
Phantom Baby is REAL? Is it FEY? Maybe wicht, rather?

>>6159567
Here we go, back to the grindset... Can't a lady ever get any rest?

been terribly distracted of late, update right now

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>>6159567
Even before the Calamity, the climate has been in flux, and warped much of the land along with it. Finland's forests have become exceptionally dense with ground foliage from the late autumn deluge of rainfall and subsequent blizzards that have come to be a common occurrence. When you read up on Finland when studying to join the Stormwatch, studies said that it the region gained something called a "great lake effect" that makes it rain and snow heavily as cold northern winds shift downward over warmer waters. You're not sure if it was the global warming of old, the bombs, the nuclear winter that followed, or the controlled eruption of Yellowstone, but for the past thousand years the planet has been conspiring this day where it would rain on you during the precious few hours of daylight you have as you bike out the Helsinki border checkpoint and through the scarcely maintained forest roads.

You wonder what they do on days like these, up at Leshy's botany compound. There's plenty to see on the surface, but you have no idea how much of it is actually underground. Last time you met with the Old Oak, you weren't allowed to meet him in the flesh. He interfaced you through a special tree perched on a hill that was covered in cameras suited for monitoring the gardens. Leshy also had access to a network of cameras attached to trees all across the northern Helsinki forest region.

If this mission that Percival has for you, and that call you got from that Old Oak named Zephyr, are related...

What the hell does an Old Oak with control of montioring and controlling the filtration the Stormdrain's water system doing that's dangerous enough to warrant such a lockdown on the Stormwatch's own operations? Poisoning the water? Booby traps? All of it? The experts of the situation know, and they'll probably tell you. If not the Stormwatch, then certainly Leshy. Right now, all you can do is just guess.

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>>6161535
"Is the rain bothering you?" A voice behind you says between exerted breaths.

You forgot that you had brought a friend. L1 Kai Jonkeer, a tall and rather fruity man from the flooded Netherlands who accompanied you when you first met Leshy. You've always felt a certain attunement to the world, and just assumed it was natural before realizing some feel it better than others having grown up around it, but Kai is very captivated by nature.

There's not too much that you know much about Kai, aside from how good it felt stepping on solid dry land for the first time when leaving Amsterdam. His port city home is made primarily of platforms and giant rafts, so he was surrounded by suffocating artificial smells his entire life. You don't blame him for being so enthusiastic when it comes to leaving cities - the feeling is mutual, though you do notice that he is rather fanatic about how people grow things. Unusual, but you don't hold any reservations at him for his hobbies. You hold reservations because he's Dutch.

"Yeah," you assure him. "Work has been on my mind, is all, Kai."

The dutch man gave a rather elated sigh. "I understand. Dreary stuff. But it feels good to be out here. It just smells great out here!" It does, you guess.

You bank onto a barely perceptible trail off the main road, onto a forest trail, and then dismount your bikes to carry them up the barely noticeable path deeper into the woods. Each step through the dense forest floor, you try to clear your mind again. Think, think. What should you ask? What can you ask? You don't have the timeframe of an ongoing mission holding you back from anything. This is a free, casual conversation you can have. It can be anything that he's willing to disclose, and he can just not answer you if you approach a topic too sensitive for either you or Kai to hear.

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>>6161538
"Hallo, sir," Kai greets a peculiar bush along the trail as he follows you.

The bush does not respond for a moment, before whoever wearing it begins to laugh, jiggling the whole mound of foliage. The hole in the branch coming out of it was very odd, you realize. Kai is very perceptive. "You've been verified. No need for introduction, Mr. Jonkheer, Ms. Jarnafeldt. Go in. There's nobody to see us, but don't point us out."

Passing you a stupid, happy grin, Kai follows you, humming, like the rain wasn't there at all.

Climbing up the hill and cresting over into the cauldron-shaped vale, the tall elk skull clad sniper from before is leaning up against a well-like structure in the middle where the pooling rainwater is funneled into. The many cameras on her horns perceive you, and as you pace down the steep hill, she makes her way toward you, heavy rifle in hand.

"The old oak doesn't usually take up cordial visits," the tall Norse woman speaks in her burly casual tone. "But I've heard you're not just here to sip tea."

The Dutchman steps forward with glee. "I am!"

The groundskeeper raises her hand to the jaw of the elk skull helmet. "Ohoho, you'll see. Just head on up."

The rain continues beating down on the hood of your jacket. "Is there an upstairs area inside one of these mounds?"

"No, he's on the hill," she confirms, pointing out the large tree with the black and white wood. "You'll be dry under the boughs."

Even when it is raining, you are still not allowed inside? How much does he actually trust you if you can't even be allowed to sit in a lobby?

Or is this the only way the old man can talk to people?

>>6161541
With a sigh, you stomp up the wooden steps up the hill to the tree over the botanical gardens.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EV8FQpA7IyM

Not even the gray downcast skies and torrential waters can mute the bright colors growing in this place. A few workers stand by the plants, observing the soil as water pools and pools and pools within the earthen barriers separating the plots of land growing each different exotic plant. The life grown here is engineered as thoroughly as any technological marvel you can think of, such you could tell by the massive fruits and densely packed berries and grapes in concise, well kept bushes.

Above it all stands a black and white tree of exceptional size. It has rooted itself in to the dirt and watches over this garden, clad in unseen cameras and speakers. It's the overseer of this place, and the only way you can talk to the Old Oak Leshy.

The pleasant, grandfatherly voice booms, as though across the hall of a manor's study from the seat by the fireplace. "Hello, Jarnafeldt. Jonkheer. Would that the sun could come and greet us too this day, but, alas..."

There's a lot of things you want to ask about. Looking around as if to find your thoughts written on a sign somewhere, you peer around and-

L1 Jonkheer looks speechless at the genetically modified tree from which the voice of the Old Oak is coming from. And you mean speechless. Beguiled, enraptured. It looks like he's seen the faces of his gods. If there was a crack in the clouds, it would be beaming on his face.

Roll Attunement. Two anons, roll 4d6. Target 4.

Rolled 1, 3, 4, 4 = 12 (4d6)

>>6161557

Rolled 4, 2, 5, 5 = 16 (4d6)

>>6161557

>>6161557
it would be funny if in the middle of one of these missions we just win that lottery for having kids.
speaking of those, I had a question OP. If we do earn the right to have kids, do only we need to qualify, or would we need to find a man who also qualified?

>>6161651
>>6161684
Would you two like to reroll this?

>>6161688
Category 3 Citizens need to find other Cat-3 Citizens to have a maximum of two children (it is polite to just have one). A higher grade of citizen could take anybody they please, and the officials can, official population counts permitting, at the expense of the lottery and all who play it, unilaterally declare any member of overpopulation an official citizen. Generally this happens during large raids where the agents are expected to die and people like Katriina are on the ground for the explicit purpose of shanghaing a person of unique interest and skill into civilized society, but they technically could take someone as a partner.

Guess we're taking that as it lies. Writing.

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>>6161651
>>6161684
Did... Did he get into the Noita stash when nobody was looking?

"Kai?" You call out in sincere concern.

He looks at you with wide eyes. "Do you... am I- am I seeing things?"

You look back at the tree, and... you're going to be honest, you have not a fucking clue what the hell Kai is talking about. Recalling other things that you read about the old world, there were once people who would be so sheltered in their artificial worlds that they would become cripplingly emotional the moment they came into contact with anything on the outside. This poor man's body realized it needed fresh natural air its entire life, and now that he's been getting some he's going hysterical. The dutchman's senses are as fragile as they are sharp.

He needs help. As a superior you should be looking out for him, even off duty. Firmly you reach up and grab his shoulde- he's too fucking tall. You grab his jacket and pull him down to look at you in the eye. "Kai, Kai, Kai, calm down! It's normal! There's nothing weird about this. It's like this everywhere. It's... a nice tree, I guess, but it's just a plant. Is there something wrong?"

The old man lets out a long drawn out exhale as the rain shakes the boughs, as if he himself was as stressed as Kai was. "Deep breaths. Calm. Calm..." Groaning in frustration, Leshy clicks his lips. "Take a walk around the garden, Kai. I have important matters to discuss with Fiona that I had intended to discuss later - but, seeing as you need time to compose, you should take your time. Head on over to one of the tents. Have tea with one of the gardeners. It would be rude for us to let our guests be in such... duress."

Without a word, Kai saunters, his first steps like a baby boy's first few into the world, down the hill, nearly tripping over the sloshing mud and stone before regaining his balance and shaking himself back to his senses.

A long, pained groan bellows from beside you. "This is not the first time this has happened. He will come around. Delicate is the heart when it first feels." You imagine he'd pass you a look about now. "I hope this is none too concerning. There are matters of more... grave import we need to discuss."

"Yea. I have a feeling," you reply, the rain coming down on you with the same weight of dread you've been feeling all morning.

"I hope you will be there for him, for others. Like I, regretfully, have not."

Oh... scheiße.

>>6161855
"So that man on the radio was real? He really was an Old Oak?"

"Zephyr was... well, he struggled to find a place in this world. And I believe that he always had."

The northern skies are dark, cold, and rainy. An unwelcome place for any soul, but yet from that north, the heart of the world yet beats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FD-2K-VRSE

Leshy parses his words. "We... our group found him, wandering the desert. He had been walking for so long, exerted so much, that his mind wasn't... all there. Zephyr did not remember a single thing about his life, only that he wanted to walk until he found a good enough place to call home. So we took him in, out of mercy. Back in those days, we were touring majorly as a military company, and-"

"Who is this we you keep bringing up?"

"What you call the Old Oaks. We were-... our group was helping MNP secure power, at the time."

Really old. Really old. You know MNP been around for centuries... but then again, MNP is always looking to expand, so that it could include more nations under its doctrines. This might be deceptively recent...

"And, for lack of anything to keep him occupied as he came along with us, as we trusted him not with any duties as he recovered, we permitted him to engage in the war simulations we brought with us for practice. And he was a prodigy. Within hours, he could calculate trajectories half as fast as any high-end targeting computer we had. He showed promise, and after having heard his worldview and finding it aligned with ours, we had taken him in proper."

"And for years, he had wrought havoc on everything Mother Nature's Providence pointed him toward. Zephyr was a sharpshooter, artillery fire direction specialist, naval gunnery officer, pilot, poolshark, anything that he could apply his knack for visual calculus he mastered, and one day, he came to our leader and said that he was tired of scorching the earth and taking life. He was discharged, and given a position where it was assumed he could peacefully spend his days using his skills."

"Directing the flow of water to optimize its purity as it reaches the bay does not seem like a job for such a skilled individual. However, as water passes through filters, they leave a trail. He could track the stream of impurities to its sources using the logic of hydroflow and displacement. The water filter system has, for decades, been critical to identifying where centers of overpopulation are located. And he was good at it. But now..."

>>6161865
Hearing the story, you can start to see why Zephyr takes every little bad thing the Stormwatch does so personally. "He was still getting people killed. And he was tired of it. But I don't get why he snapped so... violently?"

Leshy's voice sinks into a deep ravine that is all too familiar to him. "He wanted to live without taking. But even if he could, he said there would always be predators. Zephyr has been lashing out ever since."

There is a reason you are hearing this. There is a very specific reason you are hearing this. And that reason is-

"I had called the Deathwatch on him. And it was not enough."

Those gas-mask wearing thoroughbred hunting dogs of the world government that were incredibly disappointed by a four-armed murder bug weren't enough to kill him!? What the fuck is this guy made of?!

"And now the Stormwatch is seeking to finish the job. There is a trusted and powerful cabal preparing to... put him down, but they request more numbers, and sought me to offer endorsements. Fiona. Jarnafeldt. Your father works with us. Your mother works with us. I see no point in denying you what your forebears have proven well to do. I would like to work with you, and I hope, with this first, we can be of great assistance to one another."

"But, this is a truly perilous mission. Like facing down a jotunn, but different. Zephyr has precious little lethal ammunition for him to work his marksmanship, most of his stockpile consisting of compressed air, rubber slugs, birdshot at worst, and you will be provided a selection of Helsinki's finest equipment for the task, but... he wants to die. He will try to kill Katriina, Nonoka, Judge Gabriel, others, and you, at any cost. Because he thinks you are monsters."

"If you are not comfortable, I can retract my endorsement. But if you are willing..."
>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.
>Decline the mission - there is a child you have to see one day.

>>6161874
>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.
We have to fight for the future of the children

>>6161874
>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.
Completely irrational guess: this Zephyr guy sounds like a secret robot.

>>6161874
>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.
Surely if we kill a fucking OLD OAK they let us be grade level 3 and have a kid right. Even if they want us to kill a child, an Old Oak is worth more of em no?

>>6161874
>>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.

With a unanimous vote, you seal your fate.
Update later today!

>>6161874
>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.

>>6161874
>>Accept the mission - cut down an old oak.

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>>6161875
>>6161877
>>6161932
>>6162038
>>6162459
>>6162827
This is what was chosen for you. This is the path laid before you.

Not just by this man here. But by your mother and father. This is what they do. Only fair to continue the family business.

And, besides, this should be good for a promotion, right?

Unless, this mission is not for the books. Killing one of the main members of a secretive group that helped Mother Nature's Providence because he's become a traitor doesn't seem like something you can talk about if you tell people why you got promoted... b-but it has to be good for something, right? They can cook the records or something.

Bothered by the weight of the task, you sit down on one of the tree's roots, and ask "Will this get me promoted?"

If trees had eyes, you'd have felt them look upon you with those eyes rife with pain and regret. "This... we are covering for the Deathwatch squad that failed. Reporting their failure to Rome would be very 'troublesome' for everyone who had even been made aware of their presence in Helsinki, especially given their target." Leshy sighs, and continues, his speech slowed with constant internal deliberation as he tries to assuage your disappointment. "Officially, you will have done nothing, but... everyone involved will owe you. The man from Chicago. Miss Jousten. Me, as well. And in every way I can, I will support you, and make it up to you. It is with regret that I say this cannot directly give you the promotion you seek, but I assure you, I will make this worth it."

Fuck.

You still have to do it, but... "I understand. I'll join."

A weight has been lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you. They will tell you about how he will fight in the briefing. But there is one thing..." The tree creaks under the weight of the rain. It would seem the burden was not lifted, merely passed along. There's a part of you that wonders if you should be looking at the tree's imperceptible cameras as Leshy speaks to you, but it just seems pointless. Instead, you watch Kai sit underneath a small pavillion with a random researcher, chatting away. He's not going to have to put down some old man with... whatever the hell kind of weapons this Zephyr guy has. All the bullshit you're getting caught up in, it's making you rise through ranks faster, but sometimes you wish you just had a simpler time.

You feel someone small lean up against you, watching the rain fall on the gardens below side by side with you.

You will suffer this. You will do it for her.

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>>6163332
"Nevermind," the old oak mutters. "Let's move on. I trust you did not come here to hear this trouble of mine. I want to hear what you have to ask. I've much to share."

This venerable old man behind the tree is a bountiful source of information, and in your debt. Ask anything you like.
>What was your mom like? How did he know her? How is she doing? Last he said, her voyage was nearly over.
>Is Ms. Jousten alright? A little rabbit told you that she's in a bad place in her head, and you've seen her "PET."
>And about Ms. Jousten's "pet." You heard that thing was a fucking gift!?
>Does Leshy actually believe in that Hyperborea place MNP sent your mom to investigate?
>What's with the giant swans of white death up north?
>Ask about Leshy, he deserves to share his story, as much as he's comfortable.
>Write-ins (encouraged!)

>>6163333
>What was your mom like? How did he know her? How is she doing? Last he said, her voyage was nearly over.
>Did she really... Do something awful, to get the right to give birth to you?

>>6163333
>What was your mom like? How did he know her? How is she doing? Last he said, her voyage was nearly over.
>Is Ms. Jousten alright? A little rabbit told you that she's in a bad place in her head, and you've seen her "PET."
>What's with the giant swans of white death up north?
>Ask about Leshy, he deserves to share his story, as much as he's comfortable.

>>6163333
and add to >>6163344
>Did she really... Do something awful, to get the right to give birth to you?

>>6163333
>>Is Ms. Jousten alright? A little rabbit told you that she's in a bad place in her head, and you've seen her "PET."
>What's with the giant swans of white death up north?
>>6163348
support

>>6163333
>What was your mom like? How did he know her? How is she doing? Last he said, her voyage was nearly over.
>Is Ms. Jousten alright? A little rabbit told you that she's in a bad place in her head, and you've seen her "PET."
>Ask about Leshy, he deserves to share his story, as much as he's comfortable.

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I'll call the votes now!
I hope you all don't mind if I take Christmas off. I could also use the time to prepare some more materials/draw a bit perhaps.
See you this Thursday!

>>6163799
>pic
I thought that was sneed don from the preview
enjoy christmas, goat man

I have family staying and demanding attention far longer than I imagined (which isn't all bad)
Thursday was optimistic, all things considered
In a few days I'll be back but I could probably whip up something in the meantime, maybe a noncanon yule/kekri slice of life bit in a doc

>>6165298
Take the time you need. This time of year, everyone gets it. No harm, no foul!

I had time to recover and enjoy family for a bit. Update tomorrow, I'll take new year's day off to recover from the Eve, and return to the weekday schedule.

>>6167349
Right on!

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I wrote the Kekri noncanon thing! Has worldbuilding, a couple cameos for people who've read my other stuff, and Fiona screaming in frustration.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RZ3COZ3It-tq6EPrKrMvO3IVoD244XEulc7NnqvxuYw/edit?usp=sharing
Actual update tomorrow, stay tuned.

>>6168073
Wow, that was a (great) blast from the past! I really need to reread your older stuff...

(Unrelated but because of you (among other people) I've just started played Library of Ruina and it's looking like I'm gonna enjoy it a whole lot.

>>6168218
You should drop it and play Lobotomy Corp first. Mandatory

>>6168073
REEEEEEEEEEEE
give them back, make the arc finished, my desire for a happy ending triumps my morals of not attempting to hex people over the internet

(also this part seems to be framed in a way where it's going from one woman part to introducing another, but it's going from Reggie to Triss, and while Reggie is many things, a girl is not one of them)
You then take a look at the other girl there.
The woman next to her,

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holy shit my work ethic is terrible
>>6163339
>>6163344
>>6163348
>>6163427
>>6163499
With a whistle, he calls the researcher to bring Kai back up here with you. He still looks somewhat rattled, but is calm and contained. For now. He remains silent, staring at Leshy's tree.

"What was my mom like? I can't remember her very well," you ask, curiosity fed by a worrying possibility, that she might have had to...

Leshy hums in fond recollection, scouring his memories for a good starting point. Where to begin? "Erika is a woman who does not judge. Anything peculiar about creatures, people, or missions, she does not react adversely to. She always accepts what is before her. This quality was what made her an ideal candidate for the exploration voyage. We didn't want someone who would be resentful, incredulous, or dismissive to the strange nature of other peoples or whatever else is uncovered." With a pleasant exhale, you can imagine a smile on his face. "Even for all my odd quirks and behavior, she was quite natural when we spoke in person. She listened, and heard. And it was a pleasure to have her."

So they spoke face to face? How did she earn all that trust? "How did you find out about her?"

"She travelled up north to the Lapplands to help with the migratory swans some decades ago," he answered. "Those birds have an... unsettling appearance, and many who are assigned don't have a good time keeping it together. Missus Jarnafeldt on the other hand maintained not just composure, but optimism. It was inspiring. The stuff leaders are made of. After a process that involved some discussion of ideas some might find absurd, I made her an offer."

You can't be too forward with this, with Kai here. "And... is it true, what he said, that she...?"

Thankfully he understands. "No. Erika won the lottery."

Oh thank the Gods.

>>6169546
"I would like to think being graced by luck in such a way awoken a magnanimity that exists inside others. Would that we could have more winners...." The old man cuts himself off as he remembers something. "Ah, and... I have news of that voyage. We have reestablished connection. The ship is returning."

Wait, so is she...?

"It will be sailing through the Baltic Sea to arrive in the port of Helsinki in a few days. Erika will have to spend some time delivering reports to myself and other important members, so a reunion of yours might have to wait. Know that I will orchestrate your meeting as soon as possible-" Leshy laughs, and the tree seems to giggle along with him. "-however, I think it would be appropriate to have it be as a surprise."

It just has to be after this horrible mission, huh? Fate finds a way to screw you over.

But... still, for the longest time, you just assumed your mom was dead. After all this time, you can finally get to know her. And maybe... maybe she understands this feeling you have. This little girl yearning to be real. "I-I don't know what to say, sir, Leshy sir... thank you!"

"There is another matter of import. Have you heard of the Cygnus Albus Fatalis?" You nod, explaining you were intending to ask about that. "Well, I can confirm because of the observations of the expedition that there seems to be a migration in progress. They like to amass a larger flock before heading south, so there is still some time. I would recommend staying indoors, unless you are called to duty."

You already knew all that. There's something else that's been on your mind. "Aamu told me those weren't classified as aberrations."

Leshy stands there in silence. Or perhaps he's sitting in a chair stunned. Or maybe he's just a tree. The spatter of rain kept the silence at bay as Leshy took his time to respond. And finally; "Yes."

"How do you know it's not an aberration? Are they just naturally occurring?"

"On the contrary, we have no idea how they occur. We've never once seen an egg, we have never managed to track them back north where they roost during the summer, and we cannot explain their how well they mimic human speech. So the same minds that have declared old ideas of how the world work still relevant and worthy of investigation have declared this bird anomalous. A thing of the arcane."

Oh. They mimic human speech.

Wunderbar.

>>6169561
surely our mom knows a way for us to have kids without aborting other kids.

I might have forgotten, but what happens if you get a permit for a kid, and have twins?

>>6169668
You know I never talked about it, but you can imagine it's something unfortunate.

>>6169561
While you were busy ruminating how much a bird has to speak like a human for it to be considered anomalous, Kai finds his words. "W-would not the expedition have found their roost? If they come from the North, and the expedition was to and around the North Pole, then they would have found the birds..."

There is a caliber of anger layered underneath Leshy's chipper reply, as if venting several years of confusion and bashing his head against the wall. "Correct! The birds do not make their migration every year; only once every few decades. If they did make a roost just about anywhere in the Arctic Circle, the expedition would have had all the time to find it. If they fail to do so, then it only follows that they hide someplace else for all that time. As for the findings... well, we'll just have to wait and see."

You prop yourself underneath the tree to be firmly beneath its boughs and completely out of the rain. It's comforting, under here. The old oak gives a little chuckle, shaking off the tension of some irrelevant conundrum, and offers you and Kai a glass of juice to be delivered from the garden. You both happily accept. The exotically colored blue fruit juice has a wild taste; mildly tart, mildly sweet, but more than all things else electric. This must be filled with something that will naturally wake people up, a natural energy drink of sorts. It was not quite what you expected when you were offered juice, and it's not your favorite, but this new experience is nice.

There's one last piece of business-

No. This is a personal matter, for a friend. You might have felt something down about her, but it's only nice to ask someone who might have known her for longer. Oh, if Kai wasn't here, you could be so much more clear and forward. "A, uh, little rabbit told me that Katriina hasn't been well recently. I know that she has been keeping some weird company. One of them was, a noita told me, a pet you gave her."

"The Nalkainen."

The words coming out of your mouth crash and smash into each other as they fight their way out. "K-Kai hasn't seen it yet!"

"I believe Kai has seen plenty," Assures the Old Oak. The rain is letting up, and the branches begin to lose a burden upon them. "More than enough to include him into a conversation of some anomalous prisoner which I had given our colleague for study years ago and thought nothing of. In fact, Mister Jonkheer, I would like for you to stay after Fiona departs so we can talk further."

... That resolves the whole "talking around Kai" issue.

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>>6170022
"As for Katriina... yes. She has had her share of problems in her journey. The news of her infertility led her to the nearest mountaintop to search for a new meaning to her life, to the peak of the Stormwatch. Years ago, she had asked me for something that could, in her words, 'help more people live.' That was too vague, so I had dismissed her, but she went on to be more specific. Among numerous other requests was 'ways people could be sustained for longer, or off more things.' And I had remembered this... prisoner I had taken. The nature of its capture and its stay of execution are confidential, but I had no use for it, I had offered to her the creature for research so long as it had lived, or at the very least, the body could be returned for disposal. And she seemed grateful."

"But her insistence became ever worse. The subject of an all-eating termite was not enough. She requested help with some old cryogenic technology, more of kinds of anomalous creatures so that she could perform more invasive and destructive research on their inner workings, drones to find the swans we were just discussing. She was also one of the first to endorse an expedition for the supernatural in the Arctic. This behavior kept on, and I had thought she was just some overly ambitious and corrupt official like all the rest of them, until I had realized it was all much, much simpler. And in this realization, I forgave her for her nosy intrusions and constant visits, but I could help her no more."

Your mind goes to the hologram she has outside her office window. Of the Bird's Path.

"Katriina Jousten is afraid of death. Deathly afraid of death. I had realized that her research experiments were not for the sake of the Stormwatch but just some aging woman's desperate attempts to cling to her mortality. I feel sorry for her, but the wheel turns for us all. If she resents me for reminding her of the reality of this world, she may do as she please."

You're starting to see how the projects can be seen as adjacent. You still don't know how large the Undercroft is. You heard it was supposed to be a pre-calamity bunker, but for how many people? There could be far more research than what you're seeing going on. Helsinki does seem a bit small for a million people, anyway.

"I believe her fear of death stems from a life she sees as unfulfilled and full of regret. In attempts to get this badgering to cease, I have begun making plans for her. I can only hope she wishes to overcome her problems."

You finish this juice, and wow. Your mind is racing. You had figured she had a fascination with death, at least. Thinking back on it, were the diagrams and posters on the wall of her office of something related to other mythologies? Like, their reincarnation?

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>>6170033
Bah. You're a bit too wired. You set the cup down, and take in the rain for a moment. Kai had sat on the ground, gazing up at something up in the branches. You take a look again, and you still have no clue what he's seeing. But it's leaving him speechless.

If Kai is so damn interested, you'll open him up. "So what about you Leshy? Anything bothering you? How does a guy become an Old Oak anyway? I get that you are part of the MNP, so if you aren't able to disclose about what it is you do-"

"I am not part of Mother Nature's Providence." That's a statement. "I... Hm. That's not how I want to say this... my association has a been around since the earliest formation of Mother Nature's Providence. They were the ones who decided, with the world already in ruins, that if the world were to be saved, healed, and carried forth into the future, natural threats to the world such as Yellowstone had to be dealt with. The Old Oaks have always been concerned primarily with the recovery and longevity of the planet. Innovating new ways to survive. Mother Nature's Providence is that which manages society, people. We are different. I - haha - I live in a forest."

"I asked about you, Leshy."

Caught off-guard, Leshy's tone relaxes. You can hear him, through breaths and the release of relief, roll his head back. And then, Leshy begins to explain himself.

The Old Oak explains that he came from a place called the Californian Redwood. There were the world's most massive trees, wider than even some jotun are tall, and untouched for millennia by the hands of man. Upon comparison, he notes that the great trees of your home, constantly enshrouded by the boughs, were merely two-thirds the height of the greatest of Redwoods. The apocalypse had struck and laid waste to many of them, but there yet lived a handful. As the Native Americans were gone, and the old faiths were dead long before the world ended, the people there had taken up a cult (he stresses this was the lightest fashion of the phrase) of restoration of the great forest. He did not believe in their teachings himself, but he did find that as of then unknown stirring in the hearts of men. He felt the Attunement with the ailing world, gasping for breath. He felt the heartbeat of Mother Nature, coming down from an age of panic and torment. And he felt he must do anything he can to ensure that heartbeat never quickens in agony or sorrow ever again.

>>6170036
As for what he does now, he works to enhance the quality of the fruits the land produces. It's a careful balancing act, between providing more nutrients to the fruit for animals to eat and not wringing the earth itself dry of all the nutrients it has to offer. Finding the exact equilibrium is awkward. Besides that, he has enjoyed developing means for plants to perform more advanced chemical reactions to create more vitamins; that blue mango-like fruit being loaded with something called "B12." He also spends time indulging in wild works of fantastical fiction; none of which you've ever heard of. He assures you, the moment he can, the "Silmarillon" will be in libraries across the English-speaking world.

And though he speaks with his grandfatherly voice and warm tone, you can't help but notice something. Whatever cunning bone you have in your body is telling you that his origin story was a load of bunk. The Redwood and its cult was probably real, but it seemed like he was making up his involvement to simply appease your curiosity.

Do you question him?
>Press the Old Oak to know more. He shouldn't be lying to his friend's daughter now that she's a grown adult. Kai is noticing something fishy about him, too, so you should probably find out what that is and confront him.
>Leshy can keep his secrets. You've no authority to do that, and you didn't need a man covered in moss to drag himself out of the bog to silence you, anyway.

>>6170037
>Leshy can keep his secrets. You've no authority to do that, and you didn't need a man covered in moss to drag himself out of the bog to silence you, anyway.
>>Ask Kai later, though...

>>6170037
>Leshy can keep his secrets. You've no authority to do that, and you didn't need a man covered in moss to drag himself out of the bog to silence you, anyway.
Who are we to demand answers? No, if it ever comes down to it, he'll probably tell us anyway.

>>6170037
>>Press the Old Oak to know more. He shouldn't be lying to his friend's daughter now that she's a grown adult. Kai is noticing something fishy about him, too, so you should probably find out what that is and confront him.

>>6170075
+1

>>6170037
>>Leshy can keep his secrets. You've no authority to do that, and you didn't need a man covered in moss to drag himself out of the bog to silence you, anyway.

>>6170037
>>Leshy can keep his secrets. You've no authority to do that, and you didn't need a man covered in moss to drag himself out of the bog to silence you, anyway.

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>>6170041
>>6170075
>>6170077
>>6170232
>>6170911
No, it's fine. Delving any deeper would be total madness. Because it's dangerous and because it's pointless.

An hour of discussion has passed, and there really isn't much daylight left already - you should be returning to the city. Telling him a farewell, he has one last word of wisdom to you. "Your next prey will be uncanny, but do not let that get to you. Happy hunting." And with that, you walk away, grab your bike and begin the ride back to Helsinki.

Eyeing every camera on your return, you've no choice but to report to the HQ even if you sincerely thought about stopping anywhere else. Being on the Stormwatch does not keep you off watchlists. The massive web of cameras, microphones, and even weight scales all eventually trace back to the Stormwatch HQ. The rain had let up, so you aren't as much of a wet dog by the time you arrive. A small relief.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRUrlZFty3A

As you arrive in the Undercroft where her secretary told you she was, the black coated man is there. "'Ey. You been told?" You're not sure if he's on the list of people who should know, so you nod. "Good. Follow me."

And he takes you through the Undercroft, past the offices, past the testing rooms, past the laboratories. You walk past some loud rooms, whirring and stirring of large machinery still audible past stone walls. You see a familiar door, a door you swear you had seen open once before, but that feels so long ago now. You had thought you had seen daylight on its other side.

Deep down a long hallway lined with heavy metal doors that fall from the ceiling once you walk far enough past them, the black coat leads you into what you imagine to be the most remote corner of the facility. You have no idea what's set up back here, but you know that for everywhere you've walked there's been cameras and microphones and all sorts of methods of tracking the presence of people, there's none of that.

This is Katriina's own private space.

Finally, a last door into a lab. He says he has to guard the hallway, and is not allowed in. After he uses a keycard to unlock it, you take a deep breath and step inside.

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>>6171674
Here there are six people. Katriina Jousten. Nonoka Sumika. Percival Blythe. A well-armored American man with a face that was forged serious. A sleazy looking Finn,smoking a cigarette held in some strange gauntlet. And lastly, a Deathsquad agent, wrapped in bandages and lounging on a hospital bed that seems rather out of place.

"And she's here," comments the smoker, whipping his head to Katriina. "Leshy's choice pick."

Standing at a table with a projector and a tablet of some sort, L5 Jousten's eyes dart up at you. "He's told you everything?"

"Yes, ma'am," you answer, the confusion plain in your voice.

"No he didn't," she corrects. "It'll be clear after the briefing. Fiona, this is Simo Ruoho of the Armed Forces, trusted friend. And that is Chicago High Judge Gabriel. They'll be involved."

Simo, a grungy brown-haired man with big-frame glasses and a largely opened buttondown, balances on a rocked-back chair with his legs up on the table Katriina set the projector up on. He gives a lax wave with his bulky hand, and the nature of the 'gauntlet' becomes clear. His hand is a prosthetic, and of design incredibly similar to the Undercroft bodysuits. She must be a test subject for Katriina's tech.

Gabriel is just about the man you expected him to be. Bold faced, short blonde hair, uninterested eyes that look past you. Heavy steel armor made in America, fit with a belt of rounds and two strange swords on his hip. They have a revolver's chamber, and a pistol grip...? Does he shoot bullets from his swords?!

"A-ah, pleasure to meet you two," you stammer out a greeting.

"I remember you. You brought in the Autonomous Drone," the Judge speaks. "When Leshy said he had a recommendation, I had low expectations when he mentioned it was an L2 agent."

Coughing between puffs of the cigarette, Simo chimed in. "And she caught the bug we've been working with. Her and Blythe."

As they higher powers prattled on about your credentials, you take a look around the room you're in. It is not a presentation room. Large glass pods line the walls canted at a lounging angle beside a mass of consoles with indecipherable buttons and screens. Most of them seem derelict, but a few seem to have been used recently. There's a tarp thrown over one of these pods.

Long ago when Katriina first invited you here, she did say there were cryogenic pods down here that only held animals as test runs for humans that never bothered to use them. So all this must be...

>>6171677
"Grab a chair, I'm starting," Jousten cuts in. Ruoho passes you a wooden folding chair and gets his legs off the table. Gabriel stands.

The lights go out. The projector goes live, showing a map of the stormdrain, and Katriina takes out a rod to point out sections of the drain as she begins to elaborate.

There is the faintest yellow light peeking from underneath the tarp.

"Some weeks ago, the Chief Hydraulic Filtration Engineer and Architect in charge of the stormdrains' filtration went rogue. He began shooting everyone in the Water Filtration Control Center under North Helsinki and occasionally others in the vicinity, without any singular known provocation. Shortly after, a private dispatch from the Old Oak lab was deployed in an attempt to open communication, and shots were exchanged. Deathsquad was summoned shortly after, traveling from Rome. They searched the Stormdrains and eventually found a section of the Stormdrain that has undergone a manner of terraformation using special lamps into a garden of sorts. There they engaged Leshy, and failed to suppress him. One Deathwatch agent found it prudent to escape and deliver a situation report to us. And now, due to the nature of the target, it's our problem."

Nature of the target?

L5 Jousten looks away from the map to catch your eyes. "L2 Jarnafeldt, you recently became part of the Office of Arcane Studies. They have plants that are capable of moving due to chemical reactions. After the recommendation from Leshy came in that you would be put on this mission, L4 Blythe told me that he had previously led you to believe that such chemical reactions only had novel functionality."

Blythe refuses to look at you. After a moment to think, you finally give out a "Yes?"

"That is not accurate."

She moved to the next slide.

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>>6171687
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzteYM2Xv0M
"Our target, Old Oak Admiral Zephyraut, is remotely piloting a classified Illuvatar mobile arms platform, which is a biological and mechanical amalgam that makes it invisible to all forms of digital target detection, beyond human-verified visual identification..."

... That's a fucking tree.

Vaguely humanoid? Capable of using firearms? Armored?! Sure, but it's still a fucking tree.

Yeah you bet most targeting systems can't shoot it, they'd lock onto the whole damn forest.

"We know this, because it defeated the IFF of the Autonomous Combat Drone during its hunt for Lorppo, and interfered. It was the event that caused the machine's displacement."

The tree that sits over Leshy's garden isn't that different.

"We do not know where Zephyr himself is currently located, but the capture of this arms platform will allow us to backtrack it to the source."

You can't keep this inside your own head. "Why does he have this!?"

Tolerating your outburst but defeated nonetheless, she throws her arms up in the air before letting them fall limply to her sides. "It is not my authority to decide if they should or not. They do. And it's our problem."

Okay.

Katriina goes on. "The platform is naturally armed with one 4-Bore slug cannon fitted with an axe bit for powerful close quarters potential. We know he has access to buckshot, birdshot, and V-Ring compressed air shot. The platform also has a series of magnets on its branches that permit its ample prehensile dexterity to scavenge and use firearms. Most of the munitions used by those that came to target him before are believed to be depleted, but we cannot be certain, due to the confidential nature of the target demanding all cameras be shut down."

>>6171697
L5 Jousten clicks over to the next slide, showing a roster of weapons and the scale of an average human (slightly taller than you) and those weapons beside the armed tree. The damn thing stands at approximately twenty six feet tall, you don't stand past its tentacle-like legs.

After spending a moment looking at the diagram and taking it in herself, the director continues. "Because of the massive and wooden constitution of the target, our most effective weapons of choice range from heavy bladed weapons to our own Jarngriepr loaded with acid or napalm compounds. Due to the Illuvatar's ranged capabilities, we will have to requisition shields from the police, or deploy everyone with heavy armor. Everyone here should be able to be able to have armor for them available..." Jousten paused to look at L4 Sumika. "Except you. We still have your molds for standard pressed wood plate, so I hope you don't mind using that instead." Turning back, she points at the tree's roots and weapon. "The strategy we have come up with after discussion with the Deathwatch agent who fought him first is to attack its legs and damage its weapons. If it cannot stand, it will fall over and be unable to continue resisting. Disabling or disarming the firearm, or its capacity to use the firearm, should be our top priority."

The next slide shows a stormdrain section that has been transformed into grove, which reminds you of the lehto that was abandoned. Bodies have been piled up at the base of bushes. "Yesterday I went out and took this photograph. The foliage of Zephyr's Illuvatar is similar to the flora he has chosen to grow in this new garden. He may be hard to notice at first glance even to the naked human eye. Given its size, it should be easy to hear coming."

The very concept that you might not be able to notice a giant tree with a shotgun right away sounds preposterous, but this is the fucking Director of the Stormwatch giving L4s this warning.

"This concludes the overview of the mission. The mission takes place a day after tomorrow, and a more specific briefing will be held immediately prior to discuss tactics. This is a dangerous target, projected to be a step below Lorppo. Any questions?"

Do you have anything to ask?
>An MNP manufactured biomech is a step BELOW Lorppo?!
>Do all Old Oaks have this thing? Can't Leshy join us?
>It really can't be hard to just find where he is stationed, can't it?
>Is this everybody? Couldn't we get more people involved to take him down?
>Write-in

>>6171714
>An MNP manufactured biomech is a step BELOW Lorppo?!
>Do all Old Oaks have this thing? Can't Leshy join us?
The last one is kinda slef-evident, they wanna keep number count as low as possible for a top secret operation, finding where he is stationed I can also understand being very difficult unless we grab the only hardware that reaches him, however that connection works.
The top two though are most valid.

>>6171714
>>An MNP manufactured biomech is a step BELOW Lorppo?!
>>Do all Old Oaks have this thing? Can't Leshy join us?

>>6171724
+1
Old man goes nuts, embraces "get off my lawn!" with every fiber of his being, goes into his tree mecha, grabs his shottie, uses his special lamps to turn the sewers into his lawn, and goes open season on anything that moves

>notice typo
hiroshimoot i will buy everyone of my voters 4chan pass if you give me fucking editing

>>6171714
>An MNP manufactured biomech is a step BELOW Lorppo?!
I think I already sort of know the answers to the rest.

Closing votes now, writing

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... Wait a minute. "A step below Lorppo? Less powerful than a Jotunn. A walking tree armed with guns engineered by some of the best engineers and biologists in the world... is less dangerous than Lorppo...?"

Ms. Jousten nods. "We know that the torque of the wood is less powerful than raw muscle. Even though it is much larger and its weight would crush you if it came down on you, it lacks the raw power of Lorppo's muscle mass."

Your nigh-medieval schooling is showing. "Torque?"

She raises her finger and to elucidate. "The force, power, and speed of which something twists, pulls, and contracts. Muscles are made of fiber, and so is wood, and on reaction to chemicals they react similarly, but wood's fiber is much less effective for speed and force." That makes sense.

The smoker leans over toward you. "She used to be really into cars."

The Judge isn't happy about anything in this situation. "Where is this garden located? Are you sure he will be there?"

"The grove is located in Section 14, Hietaniemi. An ancient cemetery was demolished to lay the groundwork for the stormdrains." Katriina clicks back to a map and points it out as a peninsula located not too far from Stormwatch center. "I am certain he chose that location for a reason."

Gabe continues his grievances. "And he's armed with a large caliber firearm. It is so loud, we will need ear protection. The residents may hear it as well."

"We will be testing fireworks on the beach that day, then," Jousten answered. "The remains will fall in the water, and someone's going to lose their job. Oh well!"

Simo and Gabriel shared a chuckle.

"Is there an operator for this mission?" Sumika asked.

Katriina responded quickly. "No, it's a security risk, and redund... hm. Actually, we could use one. Jarnafeldt, you will be an alibi. You'll get a mission, and take it to... Hotakainen. Forget your camera, and turn everything off once we're inside. Once we're done, I'll take the radio from you to get the operator to send a message to Leshy. Afterward, we can burn it, say the squatters started lighting things on fire, gather whatever tech is left from the ashes and then send some janitors to clean up the bodies and ashes."

The tall operator squinted. "What if something goes wrong?"

"Then Jarnafeldt has the radio. She or anyone else can take the radio to escalate the situation, preferably with the AF and the Red Dogs." Seeing the seriousness on your face, the Black Swan passes you with a mocking face. "Just say you saw Lorppo with a Lorppo wife and three large Lorppolings growing right before your eyes, or something. They'd get the gist."

>>6172282
Nobody else had anything to say. What to do in case of a mission failure was not a great last note to end the questions and answers, but so it is.

Katriina turned the lights on and shut off the presentation. She grabbed the translucent photo of the Illuvatar from the projector, tore it up, and started eating the fragments. That's one way to get rid of evidence, you suppose. "We have to start getting ready now. The wood in the Illuvatar is softer than most normal wood, but it's still tougher than flesh. I'll have a few trees cut down, branches collected wholesale, for cutting practice. Try out weapons, get used to moving with whatever gear you like. Given the circumstances, I'll be pulling things out from the back shelves of our armory. Once the doors open, no discussion. Only act. You all have my authority to do whatever the hell you want and if somebody asks, tell them to test me."

When the mechanical door shot open, Simo was the first one out, eager to take a breath of fresh air from the hotbox he created. Next was Gabriel, striding out with purpose. Nonoka was next, having waited for the American to leave. Percival was last, looking idly at the tarp-covered pod before taking his leave, but not before flexing a knowing smile at you.

As you were looking around for permission to be dismissed, the Black Swan paused her cleaning up to talk to you. "Fiona, you need to train with someone else. Anyone you think will help you the best. That's an order. This is a dangerous mission, especially for someone of your amount of experience. I get Leshy chose you for this, I get both of your parents worked with Old Oaks, but... Well, what's a little more prestige in those you're close to? Get a little bit of their insight into your head. I'll be too busy with paperwork and making things happen to help myself."

Well, you heard her. You step outside the secret room, and begin to think.

>>6172283
Notice:
New items have been added to the armory; most are from your specialization into the things Arcane and will be accessible from now on, but many are mission-exclusive items that do not fit the purpose of the Stormwatch's typical use. They are as follows:
Worn Equipment:
>Green Knight Armor
A complete set of full plate armor made from wood and keratin composites, used mainly by Finnish Armed Forces and the special weapons units of Helsinki Police, grown pressed and treated to your fit.
+Great full body protection
+Bulletproof up to buckshot
+Helmet does not impair Attunement
-Heaviest armor that isn't made of metal and can be damaged
-Lack of efficient training makes recovery from being knocked down take longer
-Helmet inhibits consumption of items
>Trollhunter Garb
Fabrics sewn by an raving old woman, or a singing witch; whichever she is, the needlework is pleasant and a cloth mantle is deeply perfumed with the scent of wood. Favored by Trollhunters independent from the Stormwatch and those from the country such as L4 Hotakainen.
+As light as regular clothes and permits speed.
+Your human scent is masked, hiding your presence to animals, aberrations, and more.
-Loose mantle might get caught or grabbed.
-Provides no protection over Stormwatch fatigues.

Weapons:
>Jarngrieper (Napalm)
+Long-lasting damage over time that doesn't dilute with melted material
-Water does not extinguish Napalm fire
-Them chemicals don't give a shit; Napalm sticks to kids
>Riot Shield
A large metal shield that just so happens to be nearly as tall as you are. Used primarily by the Police, and not used in traditional Stormwatch missions due to how ineffective they are at lowering the population of squatters and how the largest jotunn deliver attacks through it.
+All engagements you lose have to be lost by 2 or greater to deal damage
+When Interceding, use full dice pool
+Bulletproof up to rifle rounds
-Large size and weight will slow you down and make you act slower
-Demands the usage of a one-handed weapon, or to be discarded to use a two-handed weapon

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>>6172284
Choose one training partner. You will get some dialogue with them and a temporary trait for the next mission.
>You've heard a lot about High Judge of Chicago. You'd like to see his chops. (Heavy armor movement penalty is reduced, and being shot by munitions your armor is resistant to do not interrupt your attacks.)
>Lieutenant Colonel and Green Knight Simo Ruoho, and the Black Swan's prime test subject, has to have a wealth of expertise. (Every 3 dice that succeed accumulate one Certain success to add to the next roll you make.)
>Percival Blythe probably knows the Old Oaks the best out of everyone involved. (Gain +1 to the value of all dice on the first total failure of the thread.)
>Nonoka Sumika is your friend, and you know she's got your back. (You gain Certain engagements: Use two less dice, and gain one guaranteed success on that engagement. Once, you gain two successes instead if it would make you succeed.)
>Saemus Fahy is running around the Undercroft a bunch. Maybe he's learned a few tricks working with the Black Swan? He's no expert, but... (Your first Engagement against any unsuspecting ■■■■■ target is a Crit)
>Lalli Kiikoinen is your mentor, and if there's something he should be doing, it's teach you how to fight. (You gain Maim engagements: Take -2d6 to your dice pool, but if the attack is successful, all success thresholds are lowered by 1 for three actions.)
>Out of everyone in the Stormwatch, the only living thing that's likely fought one of the Old Oaks... is the fucking bug. (When using the Undercroft E1 Bodysuit, restore 3d6 when consuming food.)

>>6172298
>>Saemus Fahy is running around the Undercroft a bunch. Maybe he's learned a few tricks working with the Black Swan? He's no expert, but... (Your first Engagement against any unsuspecting ■■■■■ target is a Crit)

>>6172298
>You've heard a lot about High Judge of Chicago. You'd like to see his chops. (Heavy armor movement penalty is reduced, and being shot by munitions your armor is resistant to do not interrupt your attacks.)
I'm kinda interested if only because this seems like the least likely interaction.
That and I wonder if we can achieve a full tank build with Green Knight, Riot Shield and maybe Jarngrieper where we stick to Zephyr and soak up its attack and ammunition. It's not going to be pleasant but if it allows the big hitters time to get some licks in, that would be best.

>>6172334
+1
Let's see who you really are, Judge Magister...

>>6172284
>-Lack of efficient training makes recovery from being knocked down take longer
The equipment doc says we have training in it from our specialization, Scion of the Arcane. Do we need to train even more to remove penalties?

>>6172298
the issue is that we have to decide practically our whole build right here

I'm have been torn between heavy armor, sumika, and the bug for more than two hours, but I finally came to a conclusion
(the others are either one use, "win more", or gambling which might not trigger when we need it)

Bug
if going for the bug armor, bug is the obvious option, but the enemy is very smart and would probably notice us topping ourselves up, so he could pull some serious shenanigans possibly forcing us to swallow a roll or multiple with a negative mod in a cruical moment (though picking bug reduces that risk and the recovery from it)

Heavy Armor
I worry if the armor protects us from being crushed by the roots/limbs of the tree like squeezing a grape, and getting return to sender on napalm, the obvious weapon here
we are locked into melee range if the tree chooses to get close, because the shield would slow us down, and the armor is heavy, and if we get napalm on us we are fucked, as we can't get out the armor fast
we could go for the acid gauntlets instead of napalm, but we don't have protection against our own acid in armor, nor does anyone else
also, our allies might bring napalm as an obvious choice, which would make the risk skill present
there is also the question if we can take consumables with armor before the fight starts/before we get dressed, there is not a stated duration on Henbane, and Pervitin lasts at least a day (which are the two big ones I can see here), though the armor would not allow us to take emergency pervitin mid combat, which is a big loss of a valuable emergency option on a tough boss

Sumika
Sumika is best for anything else, guaranteed one success at the "cost" of two less dice, which increases our crit (Miekkan Puhe) chance, still allows for napalm (or gauntlets) and possibly a flexible offhand like the shield, which would shore up the bullet weakness not taking the heavy armor gives us, even if it slows us, it probably does less so than if we were in heavy armor

in conclusion, even if it was a bit of a struggle
>Nonoka Sumika is your friend, and you know she's got your back. (You gain Certain engagements: Use two less dice, and gain one guaranteed success on that engagement. Once, you gain two successes instead if it would make you succeed.)
She's the most flexible in equipment, always useful, improves crit chance, and, as far as I can see, most defensive without an obvious weakness that we can't shore us

>>6172371
>there is not a stated duration on Henbane, and Pervitin lasts at least a day
minor correction, Henbane lasts until sleep, and Pervitin does not have a stated duration, but the day after taking the pills, a debuff appears

>>6172298
>>You've heard a lot about High Judge of Chicago. You'd like to see his chops. (Heavy armor movement penalty is reduced, and being shot by munitions your armor is resistant to do not interrupt your attacks.)

>>6172284
def gonna have to use this gear, Im leaning green knight with napalm.
would go hard.
>>6172298
>You've heard a lot about High Judge of Chicago. You'd like to see his chops. (Heavy armor movement penalty is reduced, and being shot by munitions your armor is resistant to do not interrupt your attacks.)
>Out of everyone in the Stormwatch, the only living thing that's likely fought one of the Old Oaks... is the fucking bug. (When using the Undercroft E1 Bodysuit, restore 3d6 when consuming food.)
Either the Judge or the bug, both can spec well for this coming boss fight.

>>6172298
>Lieutenant Colonel and Green Knight Simo Ruoho, and the Black Swan's prime test subject, has to have a wealth of expertise. (Every 3 dice that succeed accumulate one Certain success to add to the next roll you make.)

>>6172371
>The equipment doc says we have training in it from our specialization, Scion of the Arcane. Do we need to train even more to remove penalties?
This will be your first time using it because it has taken this long to finish its production for you, but you raise a fair point. You would have practiced with a mockup by now.

>>6172298
>Lalli Kiikoinen is your mentor, and if there's something he should be doing, it's teach you how to fight. (You gain Maim engagements: Take -2d6 to your dice pool, but if the attack is successful, all success thresholds are lowered by 1 for three actions.)

Kept the vote open for longer because it was an important one
Votes tallied, Gabe won by a lot
writing tomorrow

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Knowing that guy is armed with a gun, you definitely want to start considering your armor options. A shield sounds really awkward and limiting, and your specialization does include a special suit of armor you've seen people in other forces use, namely the military and police. The least you can do is get used to maneuvering in the real thing, make sure you're able to rush around the damn thing. It's not just tall, it's wide, too. It might throw out its branches to trip you, or-you don't fucking know! The man is remotely piloting a fucking tree!

The armorer gets your suit delivered to you, and after some time putting it on, you gotta say it's a pain to get on, but it feels great. A lot of the standard issue Stormwatch stuff is mass produced, but they took your measurements and had to make parts to shape it just right. It doesn't grind or get caught, it glides along each a resin that helps it keep its shape and resist minor scratches. It's even fireproof! Not insulated, however. Don't press your luck. And on a similar note, it's bulletproof up to "buckshot." There's also a kind of shot he has called "birdshot," which sounds like it's for shooting birds. Compressed air, though...? Don't all guns function off an explosion, anyway? Maybe it's some rapidly decompressing solid-state hydrogen or whatever.

After suiting up, you head over to the training room the Undercroft has. A handful of workers have been working on arranging a form of course, outside of which the Judge is stretching with his helmet upon the ground.

Judge Gabriel sees you walk up in your armor, and gives you a once over. "That's military gear, isn't it?"

"It's available for people in my field to use," you answer.

Wearing a similar suit himself, if made from actual metal alloys, Gabe is quick to get answers. "Have you used it before? There's that modern vest and plates you get, and then there's this antique style. They've different functions."

"I did sparring in a mockup."

"So no," he corrects. "Shining armor is untested mettle. Now is a great time to start using it, but given our circumstances, yesterday would have been better."

You make your own frustration with that fact clear in your tone as you reply, "It's fresh out of the workshop. I couldn't have it yesterday." The American lets out a sympathetic grunt, standing up proper and watching as the workers are putting together the course from loose parts.

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>>6173561
You feel like this is a good time to ask some questions. "What's all this for?"

He turns his gaze to the pseudo-building erected with gymnastic pads, locked into wall-frames for structure. "In Chicago, we would run stages to keep us fit for battle. Your Black Swan has permitted me to have authority to use this area for training and all the services that come with it. So I figured I would run myself through a gauntlet a few times. Stretch my languishing mind. Is this the kind of training you've done?"

You shake your head. "No, it was just sparring with fake weapons. We'd get a striking dummies for common aberration types. The Lorppo one had to be remade a hundred times."

"Then this will be good for you." He grabs his helmet and walks forward. "When they're done, give that stage two attempts. One to get the feel for the route, another to optimize it, to listen to your instinct."

Durant comes stepping up with a different version of that gun-sword-thing Gabe had before, but with a blunted edge for what you imagine to be training. But the presence of the revolver chamber and barrel, on a training weapon, still eludes you. Taking strange blue rounds from his aide, the Judge loads the gunblade. You figure you should ask about the kinds of ammunition you will be going up against.

Gabriel first feels he has to clarify that he doesn't use a typical "gun" in his swords. It's actually a variant of the Volt Machete, but more modular and able to propel different things from its barrel. Some of which are regular gun rounds, but mostly it's copper dust with an electric charge. He's interested in the acid the Stormwatch has been using for the Jarngreipr, and is considering making it a staple of his duties.

But to answer your question, what he has loaded now is a V-Ring compressed air shot. "Vortex rings." What the shot actually does is fire a vacuum sealed wad through the air that, at a certain point shortly after leaving the barrel, implodes, rupturing open and pulling air into it as it rushes forward, whereas normally that air would be just pushed aside. The aerodynamics end up creating a ring-shaped concussive blast which is useful for nonlethal engagement of enemies in close quarters, but larger calibers could easily end up sending people flying or blasting shields out of the way. Bothersome, but better than Birdshot or Buckshot. "Birdshot" being hundreds of tiny pellets, which fired from a large gun would completely saturate a target with skin-deep perforations, and "Buckshot" being larger, more lethal balls that can reliably kill man-sized targets who aren't properly covered.

To dissuade any fear you might have, he brings up, that the biggest weakness of a firearm is that it can only be pointed in one direction at once. In close range, only one person can be a threat unless the targets line up. A large sweeping axe might be a problem for multiple people, however. "Food for thought," he says.

>>6173562
When they finish with the course, Gabriel has you run through it. From a planned platform above he watches you rush scramble and stumble through, finding prop enemies to bash with a blunt training axe. Whipping your head around to get good eyes on things through the slits of the helmet. It's an exhilarating idea, this so-called stage. You're reacting to everything as soon as you see it, as you really would.

Your performance was adequate in the Judge's eyes, and had you run through it again. Now, you're faster, more clean, know where everything is, and are making great progress. He's probably at the exit clocking when you leave. Swinging around toward a final stretch-

He's right there with his gunblade.

The fright, the sound, and the sudden gale on your face all hit you at once and send you reeling onto your back. You struggled to regain your senses, and look up at him, pulling the hammer to spin that chamber.

A gravelly and menacing voice comes from beneath the helmet. "Come on. You're bulletproof; act like it."

He doesn't press and offense, so you don't think it's supposed to be a spar against him right now. "If you're going to get done over so quickly, then why use the armor?"

You catch your breath and begin to push yourself to your feet. "I hadn't seen it coming. If I did, then I would-"

"It's a gun. It's instant. You won't see it coming." He steps back to give you space. "As you wear that armor, you have to conduct yourself that you are ready for combat with each step. That you're ready to be struck, and overcome it, from the moment you deploy. Have I made myself clear?"

On your feet and unharmed by the blast, you give a sigh of relief. "Yes, you ha-"

He's already lowering the gun at you. Immediately you brace an arm in front of yourself, and the blast swings it away and forces you to recoil a step back. In the end, you're on your feet.

The judge takes your measure, sword raised skyward at his breast. After a moment, a slight nod. "Better. And showing promise." Swinging around on one heel, he begins to make his way to the exit. "Come. If that armor is yours, you better learn to use it well."

>>6173581
For the next few hours, Gabriel spends loading his "training gunblade" with compressed air and rubber bullets and blasting them at you in your armor. The Judge makes it clear that the purpose of armor is, ultimately, to not have whatever projectile cause you any harm, and there's different ways you can be hit that help or detract from that. Ricochets and glancing blows are better than outright deflecting. At first he wanted you to focus on avoiding getting solidly hit by the shots, but with time, he ordered you to run at him and try to mitigate the impact. It was hard not to stumble and fall over at first, but with time you got to the point where stumbling didn't stop you. Hands on the ground, lurching to the side, these things happened, but you still make it to him handily. He even let you shoot him, to demonstrate how he rotated his body and used footing to make sure he never faltered as he moves toward his targets, and it was easy to pick up on.

The art of pursuance is one of many forms. Some are indirect, others are in the shadows. There is something to be said about being straightforward and forthcoming, though its mastery is not yet your own.
Poise temporarily unlocked.

After an attempt that was pretty successful, save for being batted away by the Judge's swordsmanship, Gabe chuckled. "Not bad. I see the old man didn't send you here to tie up a loose end. They always like those roundabout solutions."

That's a compliment, you guess?

Durant informs him of the time, and the judge yawns. "It is getting late. I have to make arrangements for my absence. I recommend doing the same, if you have underlings of your own." Removing his helmet, the cold man from the stormy city actually has a slight grin to share with you. "Tomorrow is the main target practice. Be there."

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>>6173585
As he goes to leave, you stand there, thinking about that.

You're fighting a giant tree. You have some of the best help in the world, but even they're raising concerns on if they fail.

The voices in your head are telling you that you might be fucked.

Is there anything else you want to do before... you know?
>You should tell Kiikoinen to stop being so self-destructive. Seeing him burn himself out has not been pleasant at all, and it kind of... hurts.
>You gotta know how Saemus is holding up. Given he's dealing with being a guinea pig for Ms. Jousten's experiments and things like the Nalkainen, you worry about him.
>Write a letter to Papa. He should know that you learned a lot about Mama, and that she's coming back soon.
>Nothing. Just get on with it.

>>6173586
>>You should tell Kiikoinen to stop being so self-destructive. Seeing him burn himself out has not been pleasant at all, and it kind of... hurts.

>>6173586
>>You gotta know how Saemus is holding up. Given he's dealing with being a guinea pig for Ms. Jousten's experiments and things like the Nalkainen, you worry about him.
I don't think Laali would be very receptive to what we have to say. In any case, I want to do all three but this option strikes as the best one for now.

>>6173586
>>Write a letter to Papa. He should know that you learned a lot about Mama, and that she's coming back soon.
>You should tell Kiikoinen to stop being so self-destructive. Seeing him burn himself out has not been pleasant at all, and it kind of... hurts.
papa first because family first.
After Our last words to our comrades before we die in the last thread of this quest.

>>6173586
>>You should tell Kiikoinen to stop being so self-destructive. Seeing him burn himself out has not been pleasant at all, and it kind of... hurts.
>>Write a letter to Papa. He should know that you learned a lot about Mama, and that she's coming back soon.

>>6173819
+1

>>6173586
>You should tell Kiikoinen to stop being so self-destructive. Seeing him burn himself out has not been pleasant at all, and it kind of... hurts.
>Write a letter to Papa. He should know that you learned a lot about Mama, and that she's coming back soon.

I'm gonna close the votes and continue Sunday because I had a lot of shit today
See you then

>>6174155
Sorry to hear about the tough day. See you tomorrow and thanks for running!

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There's a couple of people you need to catch up with. Like Papa. The letter would take an age to get there. A monthly train between Helsinki and Cawl, the very same that brought you here, is the fastest way to deliver letters back to your small little village, and you've sent the last one a couple months ago. You haven't gotten back from him yet; you hope he's been holding up. It's hard to be frequent when if you send so many letters, he gets half a dozen at once. Is that weird? It feels weird.

After changing back into your regular clothes, you head home. In truth it is small, smaller than the cabin you left behind what feels like years ago, but it's larger than the room you left behind with your L1 rank and every time you see one of those sleeping pods you quietly thank Odin and Ukko and whatever other god is on your lips that you'd never have to crawl into a coffin to sleep. After a light meal, you find some paper and pen and start to write.

Hallo, Papa!

As of writing, I have yet to get a letter back from you. But a lot has happened since, and it's kept me very busy!

Since my last letter, I have been promoted to a Level 2 agent, specializing aberrant studies. And I've since had to put down some really nasty things... and really nasty people, too. Some of the things I'm doing, I'm pretty glad to put down.

But I had a chance to speak to Les-Someone who was familiar with Mama. I had met a researcher on my social travails, who referred me to a friend of hers who was familiar with the name Jarnafeldt. It was so nice to talk to someone about my family, and... well, I'll be honest Papa, I didn't really believe you when you said she went away for work. I had always thought Mama was dead.

Not just that, but he had told me that her expedition is ending soon! Very soon! I almost want to hold back on this letter until I see her, but I know not when the next train departs for Cawl to deliver my letter and I will not bother a courier with such a thing.

Anyhow! I've become fast friends with people here. The director of the Stormwatch, Miss Katriina Jousten, is a woman who looks out for her people. Operator Nonoka Sumika is always able to talk with me and help me grasp things. I've even begun taking a role as a superior to some L1s (leadership is bothersome!) and getting to know some of my juniors.

The pen is set back onto the table as you retreat into thought. You can tell him all things are okay with a smile. But...

This room is sterile. The people here are complicated. I go for strolls through the woods, but it's not the same. I don't regret signing on, not at all. But I long for the simpler things.

Maybe not everyone can get what they want without giving something up.

A teardrop falls upon the page.

And what I want more is that one day I can introduce you to a husband and child. I haven't found anybody yet, but I would give up a lot to bring it to you. One day!

Love, Fiona

>>6175893
No death flags here. Nope

>>6176080
We WILL live

>>6176150
+1

+2

+3!

What could go wrong?

Sealing the envelope and leaving it on your table to deliver to the office first thing tomorrow morning, find your bed and lay down in it. There is a child that needs to be comforted. Though you're not sure if it's the one in your head.

Or if it's just you.

...

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You are no longer Fiona Jarnafeldt.

No, you're just some monster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UdilEH64p8

These freaks tried to take your credentials. Idiots. They should have left you alone. Or killed you. Not try and steal them.

What were they even thinking of doing with them? They are not you, clear as day. They mustn't know that the cameras can look at a person and guess their weight, approximate their height, reference their walking posture, before even trying to do anything like tie a similar face to the records. They couldn't have done anything with it. Especially since you are a protected individual. Better you got to them with your bare hands than spend however much time and effort than having police or Stormwatch catch up to them.

So stupid.

"Went HARD and woke UP somewhere NEW... Average FRIDAY night," you think to yourself as you wash your face. You're still coming down from something you took yesterday, you realize, because why else would there be that fucking adder, looking at you with something of a playfully bored expression. It keeps appearing when you are out of sorts, and whenever it speaks it says what you're thinking to yourself. It frightens you from time to time with its sudden appearance, but you've grown accustomed to the surprise with time.

You really should stop, one day. But to what end? Where? If you stopped, what would you have left? This is you coming out of the shell. What's worse, this, or rotting away in stoic loneliness with a bloody axe in hand? You don't live to work, after all. The job doesn't define you. You need to rip off your skin and run free until you're finally comfortable.

Just keep shedding, SHEDDING, peeling, MOLTING."

You splash water at the snake.

"Kiikoinen," says a raspy, breathy feminine voice.

Raising a handful of the clean filtered water, you wash your eyes and pull back your hair to something that could be mistaken as tidy looking before addressing the woman. You knew the voice, a loud whisper as it was. The long woman.

L4 Nonoka Sumika always had an uncanny look to her, from the moment you first saw her. Just too long, just too pale, and sometimes, smiles too wide. Things that might seem appealing in fantasties that simply do not add up when in person, like clingy women and knife play. It's not that she's ugly, it just comes together in a way that is not attractive. And with the broad-rimmed armored hat and lignum vitae armor she's wearing that must weigh a ton on her slender frame, her proportions are mildly remedied, but she nevertheless has this aura that does nothing but tell you to be afraid. The bloodied nagamaki she flicks dry before sheathing as she approaches does little to mellow this down.

The remnant psiloclyin takes your imagination far beyond the reality of what you're seeing. She doesn't actually look like this, you remind yourself. Like how the snake isn't there.

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>>6176375
Over years you've described Sumika to many men and women who come from abroad after several drinks, when your language becomes far more colorful and evocative and can paint a better picture than the most accurate description. Some of the more superstitious people from the orient you've made temporary acquaintance told you about some of their ghost stories and accounts of aberrations that have, regrettably, left an impression on you. One such story is the Taka-Onna, a wild misinterpretation of a perverted woman into a twenty foot tall spirit that peeps on lovers and working whores from impossible angles.

You don't believe in ghost stories. Nothing beyond what's naturally explicable. Stories and rumors are often to further ostracize the outcast, warp them into monsters. You would know, Mister Adder.

But it's very apt for that title, how Sumika pries from unexpected windows.

"What are you doing down here? Did you not hear the order? No missions," she tells you, brushing off the droplets you slung toward her.

"I am not on a mission. These squatters stole from me." Your vision gets blurry, which goes away with a shake of the head. She is equipped. "You have that gear, yet there are no missions?"

"Above your paygrade," Sumika answers quickly. She steps up to you, looking down from the shadow of her armored hat, and observes you for a moment. Rising to your feet with plans on leaving via the nearest access point, she speaks again. "Is this the kind of impression you want to leave on your juniors?"

This tired old topic. "It's never been about that. I don't owe them anything. Beyond what I am obligated to do."

The paces around you. Her spine coils, like a snake. "But you do. People are the product of their environment, after all. Would you like your protege to follow your every step? You want Fiona to be just like you?"

She's bringing her up. "If anything, situations like these are a good argument to not emulate me. To outgrow my shadow and move on. To just be a stepping stone to better things. It's better the L1s don't linger with me. I'm here for a paycheck, and to 'keep Helsinki prosperous' from the 'leeches.' I'm not here for your approval."

From far above you, Sumika casts a glare. Condescending? No. There's a tinge of remorse. "If what you want is for people to move on, I will too. Get topside, but don't follow me."

You eagerly take this chance to find a way back to the surface.

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>>6176377
On your way back home over a bridge, you walk past a large promotional poster for the Stormwatch. There are openings in the force due to recent casualties; a few, but the coming raid pushed something of a recruitment drive. As part of signing on, agents permit the organization to use artistic depictions of their likeness for public promotional works like this.

Fiona is on this one. You could tell from hundreds of feet away; a sheet of retroreflective material help illuminate the whole poster even in the dreary mornings, so the colors are positively electric. Her gold hair stings your eyes and the smile is even brighter. It's an artistic depiction, of course. With the surveillance around the city and HQ, there are there's more than enough reference material to capture her in many moments for any artist to bring out something appealing to the average soul-starved Finn.

Given the empty streets, early time of day, and free schedule, you take some time to examine the poster.

Ten seconds.

Twenty seconds.

Thirty.

Verdict: It is not accurate.

The eyes are too provocative. The expression is too full of unshaken confidence and predatory poise. The artist has tried to depict her as slutty and shameless, with the clear intention of dragging along impressionable young men to the force, or lure young women into thinking this is a role model they will find here. Attractive, but not her. Fiona has this bashful anxiety she tries to overcome with a forced gusto. Every uncertain stutter is endearing in a way a propaganda poster like this could never portray. Whenever she's done with a mission she is exhausted and either plainly glad to be alive or glad to be out of there; two similar but distinct measures of relief. And when she does that awkward laugh, you just want to-

You should stop thinking about your coworkers like that.

You're just a marred beast with blood on his hands.

That smile, that laugh, those eyes looking for security.

This is not for you.

As a train pulls into the station to a barely audible ruckus, you walk away from the poster and leave those thoughts as far behind you as you can.

...

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>>6176378
You are now Fiona Jarnafeldt, and after hand delivering the letter to a post man loading letters onto the train to ensure it's timely departure, you make your way back to the Stormwatch HQ. The time you have left is precious. You have to spend some time chopping up branches, just to get some practice in on a viable target. It should be days, but you don't have days. You have hours. And, well, if that's all that's left, then-

Kiikoinen is right here, leaning against the white pillars that form the Stormwatch's outer shell, not far from the gate. He's well dressed, hair done proper and all. He's clearly dressed to work, but the shutdown must have cut into his routine. Not noticing you at all, his eyes are staring off far beyond any place that's here.

He was on your list, so, you swallow in preparation and walk up.

"Hallo, Lalli!"

The huge man jumps from being startled, and the outburst makes you recoil in fright as well. It was funny, so you chuckle and shake away the feeling of how stupid you feel. A rare smile quickly dies and he falls back to his usual resting frown. "Hello, Fiona," he greets, calm as ever.

"Are you doing anything today?" You ask.

"I'm getting tired of my usual routine, so I am going down by the water to just relax for now."

You take a deep breath, turning toward the direction of the bay. "C-can I come with you?"

Silence is your only answer for a brief moment, and shyly looking at him, you only get this expression that's almost... fear?

But from behind that stony face comes your answer. "Sure," he replies, pushing himself from the wall. "Come along."

Kiikoinen pushes off the wall and heads on south through the central city plaza at a brisk pace. You have to scurry to keep up with his pace.

It's gonna take some time to get there, but, in the mean time, you can think of-

"You're up early," Kiikoinen comments. "Is there something you wanted to talk about?"
>Mainly you just wanted to talk about how partying that requires an IV drip after on a regular basis will kill you faster than mutated monsters could ever dream, and you can't afford that.
>Ask him what he's doing as a Category 3 citizen still doing Stormwatch work instead of finding a more comfortable life somewhere else. He's clearly not married to the job like Sigrun, and definitely not to anybody else.
>Pry a little bit and see if he knows anything about the Old Oaks - not by name, of course...
>Tell him that your mom is coming to Helsinki soon, and you'd like him to meet her. Ask about his folks too, why not.
>Write-in (encouraged!)

>>6176404
>>Ask him what he's doing as a Category 3 citizen still doing Stormwatch work instead of finding a more comfortable life somewhere else. He's clearly not married to the job like Sigrun, and definitely not to anybody else.
>>Tell him that your mom is coming to Helsinki soon, and you'd like him to meet her. Ask about his folks too, why not.

>>6176404
>>Ask him what he's doing as a Category 3 citizen still doing Stormwatch work instead of finding a more comfortable life somewhere else. He's clearly not married to the job like Sigrun, and definitely not to anybody else.

>>6176455
Seconding that
I wonder what his whole deal is.

Also, I can't believe Mojique turned Fiona into an ANIME WAIFU (TM)

>>6176404
>Ask him what he's doing as a Category 3 citizen still doing Stormwatch work instead of finding a more comfortable life somewhere else. He's clearly not married to the job like Sigrun, and definitely not to anybody else.
We start talking about introducing him to our parents, he'll bolt.
They make a cute couple

I need to focus on fixing my sleep schedule because I'm currently nocturnal, the notes have been counted and I started writing but I'm not going to be doing a 5-7AM update again

>>6176455
+1

>>6176874
Thanks for the heads up.
You've got a commission coming in soon, by the way.

operation fix sleep schedule took longer than expected
>>6177278
Oh, nice! Our girl Fiona, I presume? You didn't have to, but I appreciate it.

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>>6176455
>>6176476
>>6176494
>>6176658
>>6176894
Haha, well, y-you have a, um, conversation for him. It's one you have to wonder, with your own goals in mind and the nature of the work in the Stormwatch considered, what he's thought of the idea. He's had to have thought of it, by now. There's no way he didn't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLMvIOA4AD8

The sky's gloom abates as you make it to the waterfront, patches of blue scraping through the cloud cover. The southernmost point of Helsinki doubles as a dock, mostly for civilian and transportation use, where people who can afford a boat keep them and can sail from here to the north or even across the Baltic sea. It's quite slow today; much of the parking space for the hand-rowed boats has been cleared with barricades and police guards, preparing for a certain large ship to land soon. Across the water on very small islands are restaurants, built on the ruins of ancient fortifications, fancy high-end establishments that host weddings and are only accessible by boat - or by walking across the water when it freezes over to solid ice, you heard.

Maybe you can go there, one day...

Taking a seat on a bench, a bottle of miso soup in one hand, a civilian-grade hydration drink in the other, and sharply squinted eyes glazing over with deep thought, Lalli looks out at the water. You're not going to lie, from his height, build, and collected voice, he struck you as something invincible. Right now, it's hard to tell if something is troubling him, or if he's just always like that. Perhaps both might be true.

Sitting beside him, you make room in your lap for your... nevermind. Your hand was grabbing nobody by their wrist.

Making yourself comfortable, you start to work up the courage and chase away your shame to bring up something that might be rather forward. You wonder for a moment if Katriina had a moment like this back then. Before she found out...

Lalli relieves you of your burden of opening your mouth first. "Is there a reason you wanted to talk?"

"A-ah, no reason in particular. Just, er, news!" Your superior glances over with mild interest through your stammering. "My mama is coming to Helsinki off a ship, tomorrow. I can't even say I remember her, so it will be, my first time seeing her, kind of. I was wondering if you'd like to... meet her too."

>>6177679
Kiikoinen considers the notion in quiet. The answer is not quick to come out. "Is there a reason you haven't seen her?"

"She went on a long expedition, around the north pole," you answer.

"No bad blood?" He questions.

"None at all."

After thinking about it, he nods. "Sure," he politely accepts.

Odd he's asking about something like parent issues. "What are your parents like? Do they live near here?"

Kiikoinen groans, looking skyward as he forms his thoughts. "No. I'm from Kynsisaari, up on Lake Pielinen. My father enjoys fishing too much to be parted with it, even for one month. I am not on good terms with my mother." Slumping his head down, he sighs. "Nor with my home town."

"Why's that?"

"I was immature. It was a small town. I earned a reputation I could not put behind me staying there." He swishes a bottle in hand. "Didn't have much. Didn't look back."

It'd be rude to say you always made it a point to have a good group of friends and you kind of miss their antics, so you move on. "There's another thing I wanted to ask, Kiikoinen."

Lalli looks over, exhausted looking despite certainly having been awoken just a few hours ago.

You take a breath, and steel yourself.

"You're a Level 3 Agent. A Category 3 Citizen. You can-you could have stopped at any point. Quit and, moved on. Picked a new small town to move to, or something, with everything you are now." He doesn't seem to react to that. "Is there a reason you haven't? You've been on for years. You're not married to the job like Sigrun... or, anyone else..."

The Finn doesn't seem to take the question a certain way. His face rests expressionless as he gazes at the water. "There is no reason for me to keep doing this, but there is no reason for me to stop, either. No I am not married to the job. I just fell in the rut. I don't know what else I would even do. I am a creature of habit."

Perplexed by the answer, you lean back on the bench and prop your head up on your arm. "I know a lot of people that'd be upset if they heard a Category 3 citizen was squandering their privileges..." Yourself, mainly.

A painful moment of awkward silence begins. "Sorry."

Ducks walk past in the time between sentences.

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>>6177680
"I never found anyone I could say I loved," Lalli went on. "I looked, but there was nothing. Or at least, nothing ever felt important. Relevant. It was all the same tedium. And that is not how I should look at someone I care about. Someone I like shouldn't be like a chore, or a job. An obligation."

After finishing his explanation, Kiikoinen fixes his gaze on something a ways away. For a brief second you had thought there was something he had noticed with one of the stormdrain entrances you can spy from here, but it became obvious instantly.

Kiikoinen is shirking his gaze from you.

... That's...

Stop. You need to take a moment to figure your own thoughts out.
Do you like Kiikoinen, like that?
>No. He's your boss, that'd be weird. There's some power dynamic abuse that'd fall into.
>He's a choice cut of meat you could gobble up but no, not husband material.
>Maybe you kinda sorta want to squish him like a pillow when the nights get cold...

>>6177682
>Maybe you kinda sorta want to squish him like a pillow when the nights get cold...
DONSAULT GO!!!!

>>6177682
I have no idea if we wanna commit yet, so for now.
>He's a choice cut of meat you could gobble up but no, not husband material.

>>6177691
Will the quest still continue after the Lorppo as the final boss, or will the QM end it? If not, I like the idea of helping Lalli with his shedding snake issue before committing to him as an option

>>6177695
I think the shedding snake is just an allegory for what he has become due to running from his past. What do we retvrn to his hometown with him?

>>6177682
>Maybe you kinda sorta want to squish him like a pillow when the nights get cold...
we can un-retard him

>>6177682
>He's a choice cut of meat you could gobble up but no, not husband material.
Room for more, if he wants it, and is willing to let us fix him. If not, we won't pine.

>>6177682
>>He's a choice cut of meat you could gobble up but no, not husband material.
NGL, Laali hasn't struck me as husbando material so far.
We can still have a one-night stand or something like that but otherwise it just feels weird.

This just seems like a vote too early when we hadn't had the chance to interact much. Constantly working and our attention being split between a bunch of people. We don't know anyone well enough to make a decision with this much finality