Your skills:

> You have learned the rudiments of keeping your brain from lashing out when you don't intend for it to. (Self-control 3).
> You are beginning to get the hang of melting into the background, aided by your life as a hobo. No drama, no sticking out. (Obfuscation 1 + 1).

Your possessions:

> Digs: four-room penthouse overlooking the Herring Lake. Thank Dawn, Lena, and Numsang, whom you haven't met yet.
> Money: $100 in the bank, $17 on you.

Your recent acquaintances:

> Humans:
Anne: 21, art history student, Carpenters College (s)
Karen: 20, Law student, Saffron College
Laura: 17, student, Mayne Parish

> Free Psychs
Lena: 22, Autumn, White Dew
Dawn: 24, Spring, Grain Showers
Kevin: 36, Spring, Bright Clarity

> Bestowed Psychs:
Jeff: No idea of age, no idea of Parent

>>19079791

Tell Karen we're not going today. Something's cropped up, sorry about it.

Then message Dawn, ask about the dinner.

And don't touch that money. Just let Laura sleep it off or something. We wrecked her pretty bad.

>>19079916

Karen replies after a few minutes; the buzzing of the phone actually made you jump. There is news of a fire somewhere in the city, and a bomb threat, but neither of them is near you. So far so good. So far so good...

'Hey, sorry to hear that. Poor Diego. You all right?'

Dawn also replies after about 15 minutes, sounding strangely enthusiastic. So Lena hadn't told her anything? She goes on about how her boss knows this restaurant, well it's a little cafe really, serves great Indian food. You say that would be nice. Well, you've had the leftovers of some Indian takeaways before, nothing to complain about.

Then she sends you another message. 'I've heard about that from Lena. Don't worry about it for now. She said you were trying to help a girl, you silly shining armour boy. Where's the girl now? She okay? We'll deal later.'

You wonder if Grain Shower people are all so sweet. Really, nothing much you can say about Dawn other than that. Your mind tries to move beyond the shadow of fear projected by Laura, but there aren't many people around now, and those who are think in Polish. You're a bit lethargic, really.

> What do/say?

lets go!

>>19079999
to the art class
... although i guess its too late
unless we run after karen or something.

come on, lets go, we can still show up in an hour!

>>19079982
Head outside and find a place with more people to hang around.

It's almost nighttime now right? How long until dinner?

Message Dawn back and tell her the girl is in the flat because we didn't know what else to do with her and she didn't want to go back to her place.

Honestly we probably could have gone to the class.

>>19080033
>>19080020
>>19079999

It's actually round afternoon now... quarter past 3. Art class is at 4. If you really wanted to turn up, you still could do it.

Or you could go to the mall, or find some other place. You found a website that talks about Mexton Road Shops, which apparently is to your south in Mexton.

Dawn replies, 'right, that's fine. Tell her not to mess with anything and be careful, okay? Numsang is a bit of a clean freak. Actually that goes for you as well, I should've told you earlier...'

Thanks, Dawn. You look at the news, which is now gibbering about the finest lobsters off the west Atlantic, and then sigh and turn it off. Well, no news is good news...

> What do? There's still time to head for Saffron College if you want.

>>19080035
we can still make it, she said it was in an hour, right?
lets just show up, get our mind off of this shit for a while before tackling it full on

>>19080068
Yeah let's go to class. Not sure why we tried to cancel there.

>>19080080
>>19080076
>>19080035

> Vote: go after all.

You decide you ought to go. Before that, you knock on Laura's door, and she replies with a weak 'yeah, come in.'

Laura's swaddled in the sheets now, and appears to try and shrink into the pillows as you walk in. 'Um, I'm going out now. For a class. So... just be careful. Stay inside, yeah?'

'Okay.'

'There's food in the fridge, if you're hungry go grab something. You feeling fine?'

'Um... I'm not sure...' she looks dazed, eyes staring at and then past you before focusing back on you again. 'That car bomb. Was I imagining it? There wasn't a car bomb?'

Oh dear god. 'No, there wasn't a car bomb.'

'Good. That's good.' She settles back into the duvet again, staring at the wall. You dress and get out.

The weather is lovely for a walk; a gentle breeze rocks the boats on the Lake, whose waters shimmer and dazzle. Soon you're at the campus, and finding E building isn't too hard. But E221 is empty right now. You check the clock; in your panic to come here quickly you're half an hour early.

Pffft. Your mind starts running into adjacent classrooms; you catch snippets of art class, literature, even law. Downstairs someone is talking about some John Locke guy. His brain seems truly fired up, but his students' minds are just this side of braindeath.

> What do? Well, you're properly energised now.

>>19080163

Let's just walk around the place, scouting out the classes. Listen out for classes that sound interesting.

We need to prepare for possible college!

>>19080163
We have a decent chance to train for a bit, walk around a bit, determine what a class is by a few snippets and separate the class just from thoughts into where we think they're sitting from general demeanor and how much attention they pay.

>reading the previous thread

Anyone care to explain me why the fuck anyone thought it is a good idea to offer Laura or what's her name to be our roommate? What the fuck? We're not to decide this, for one. And two, pretty sure Community apartments are reserved for Psychs.

>>19080163

Listen more. Drain gently. Find a place to sit and wait.

>>19080198

We didn't really... take her as a roommate. She thought she would be, so she offered to pay us, but we didn't take it.

Dawn sounds okay with it for now, but of course we'll ask her later. You're right it's not up to us to fill in the apartment, but then it was an emergency I guess...

>>19080198
Woah man we didn't have her sign a lease or anything here, she needed a place to stay for a little while and we can empathize with that pretty well. Once we figure out this drug dealer shit she can go right back to her place.

>>19080197

> Roll d100 for that. You want to try something new that you read in the Branches of Affect thing - breaking into people's proprioception, to see their body posture.

Meanwhile, you walk up and down the corridor, just listening mentally to the thoughts. There's a teacher who is arguing quite fiercely with two students about... international intervention, whatever the heck that is, and you sense the sparks flying quite attractively. Then you notice that the professor's mind is only half on the argument; another half is on... alimony? Divorce, oh yes.

Well, they're humans after all.

You also sense amusing feelings among the students - antipathy, jealousy, lust and crushes. E225 has a medieval history class going on, and two of the students are just fantasising about impaling each other's heads on pikes. That's... pleasant, the class must be lovely.

> What do/say? As for Laura, Dawn did say it was okay, and you were in an awful rush. It was probably best to keep her for today in a place no one would expect her to be, and your place fit the bill, so...

> Anyway, having infused panic into so many brains, you think that letting Laura into your flat isn't really the main issue here. It'd be like item 12 on a 15 item charge list.

rolled 31 = 31

>>19080269
Rolling for the training thing.

rolled 26 = 26

>>19080269

Ooh, roll.

rolled 57 = 57

don't fuck up

rolled 95 = 95

training! don't drain anyone, and don't unleash any waves of horror.

>>19080315

> Nicely done!

You try to use that proprioception breakthrough thing that you read about, seeking out the half-conscious bits of people's minds that control those habitual fidgets and tics. After a bit of fumbling about, you realise those things are kept in a pretty consistent bit of the mind, and get the hang of breaking into them.

The fact that the students, being either bored or all focused, aren't resisting is also favourable to you. Soon you have a catalogue of who does what. You know there's a guy in the class upstairs who slouches so people don't see him scratching his balls. There's another guy over at the argument class who's wondering about his project to grow facial hair.

But the most stunning find is two floors down - turns out there's a dance studio there. You sit back, using training as an excuse to mentally picture the girls prancing about, the precise movements of their limbs and their practiced poses.

'Oh, sorry! Were you talking to me?' you jerk awake, a buzzing pain ripples through your brain for a moment, then you look up. It's a slightly plump guy with a beard, a smile and plenty of drawing paper.

'Yeah. I was wondering who you were. You here for the drawing class, yeah? I'm Diego.'

> You gain 2 points in Sense Proprioception (SP 1).
> What do? He looks like a chill guy. But you're not the only student here, right...?

>>19080368
Shake his hand.

"Hello, I'm Dylan. Karen told me about you and your class, so I thought to try it out."

>>19080368

'Oh, yes! Nice to meet you.'

Look around and see if there's anyone else.

>>19080368
Hi, I'm Dylan, nice to meet you. I heard about your drawing class and figured I'd start learning.

>>19080401
>>19080395
>>19080391

He has a firm handshake. You can actually tell he's slightly nervous, and that it's only his second or third time running something like this. He seems glad that you're nice.

'Oh, so you're Dylan! Oh wait, I thought Karen said you weren't coming.'

'The thing cropped up and then cropped down again, so I'm fine now.'

'That's good, that's good, oh make yourself comfortable.' You settle in one of the chairs in the classroom - a modern looking affair, though not too well maintained judging by the state of the furniture - and watch as Diego takes an implausible array of stuff out of his small backpack. Fruits and a bowl. A huge pencil case with... pencils and stuff. Other random things, which he lays out on a table.

Meanwhile other people are filing into the classroom, until Diego counts you and is satisfied. There's two guys and three girls here, mostly dressed like arty types. Jim, Hugh, Nancy, Priti, and Amanda. Amanda's in crutches, and laughs when someone asks.

'Oh, was playing volleyball. Bad fall. Cracked something.'

'That's terrible!' Diego says. 'Well... just sit and relax, then. You'll just get the materials, and try sketching something first. Could be anything or anyone, really, if you want to sketch me, great too.'

> What do? There's a fruit bowl, arrangement of stationery, arrangement of cutlery, and then... each other.

>>19080500

Hmmm. Fruit bowl.

Alternatively, which is the cutest girl? Or should that wait until we're sure we don't screw up?

>>19080522
Let's wait and make sure we don't make her look hideous...

>>19080500
Start with the fruit bowl, don't move on to people until we have a decent grasp of drawing, people are hard as hell to draw.

move to the side of the room and draw all of them

>>19080500
Lets not try to do the thing we did when we were at music class. That was horrible. Lets rely on our own skills only.

rolled 86 = 86

ROLLIN' QUALITY!

>>19080548
with only natural talent of course

>>19080555
Of course.

>>19080534
>>19080527
>>19080522

Cutest girl... that'd have to be Amanda. She doesn't look all made up like the other two, it's just more natural. Then again, it's a bit of a gamble sketching her, so let's not.

Instead you look at the fruit bowl. Huh. Three apples, oranges, grapefruit - you have to differentiate the two - and a bunch of bananas scattered about. You try to fix the positions and find a nice angle. Meanwhile Jim and Nancy are wandering around the stationery box, giggling and talking.

> Roll d100 with considerable bonus. With your proven skill at drawing. Any pointers would add to the bonus as well.

>>19080565
Can >>19080548 count?

>>19080565

> Okay, I'm taking the 86 roll for quality. But roll nonetheless, to keep yourself from falling into a trance. You will get a bonus from your Self Control for this.

Here's to not making everyone rage at each other and jump out the window or something...

rolled 72 = 72

>>19080565
Focus on getting a rough outline and the proper perspectives. Then work on shading, remember where the light is coming from. Take our time and don't worry about it not being perfect.

>>19080565
God damn it Don't you fuck me over dice NO TRANCE

rolled 38 = 38

>>19080576
ROLLIN' CONTROL!

rolled 87 = 87

>>19080597
Forgot the dice

rolled 24 = 24

come on dylan, you fuck this up and we're going to go training self control for the next 3 days

Man, I guess trance can happen even if we're really trying to only use natural talent?

>>19080620
I guess

>>19080607
So yeah I'm kinda glad for a 87 in self control

> Well, things are going we- SHUT UP GM NO JINXING

>>19080548
>>19080594
>>19080607

> 87 + 9: Almost perfect!
> 86 + 15: Cor blimey.

You sit down and focus on the outline, the position, and the shadows in the bright fluorescent lighting. Hmm. You need to show how the curvature of the banana kind of... diminishes and shrinks with distance.

Also, you think you can tell the grapefruit from the orange. And you even add some lines on the wooden bowl, so it looks more... you know, wooden.

Initially you have to keep your mind from reaching out to pull thoughts from the others, including Diego. Especially Diego, since he's the only expert here probably. But as you keep focusing on the fruit bowl, those worries fade out, and soon you find yourself comfortably drawing while remaining conscious. You are aware of the guys joking about, poking fun at each others' drawings; they're good friends, evidently. As for Amanda, she seems to be doing awfully, but finding it amusing nonetheless.

She comes round halfway through and sits next to you. You could probably see her paper if you peek. The others seem to be putting on finishing touches, and you were done some time ago. Diego is looking out the window, face illuminated by sunlight.

> What do?

>>19080620

It's a trance, which means you can fall into it if you're not careful at any time.

If you're exhausted, or highly stressed, it gets even worse. Thankfully you spent half an hour relaxing outside the classroom just now, really.

>>19080667
Well, peek at her drawing.

Also, isn't this supposed to be a lesson? Diego, you better teach us shit, we can draw bowls of fruit at home without having to pay 8$ for it AND we can eat them after we're done.

>>19080667
Peek at her drawing, make some friendly art related small talk. Finish drawing the bowl of fruit.

>>19080667

Peek, listen in to the guys. Do they sound nice?

After that, just wait for Diego to give comments, I guess.

>>19080723
>>19080700
>>19080689

You lean over a little, and catch a glimpse of her sketching. Oh... oh dear. The bananas are bumpy, the bowl is slanted, the apples look like oranges and the oranges look like mangoes. There are no mangoes in the bowl.

Only a moment later, she catches you, and you shrink back as she covers the drawing. Then she asks to see yours, and you show her. Her eyes widen a little.

'Cor. You're good.'

'Oh, um, thanks...'

'What, you've learned this before surely?'

'Not really... no...' you're not sure what to say. No, because I've not been to school since I was 14, been slumming around? She nods approvingly, and then Diego comes round giving comments. When he gets to yours, he raises an eyebrow.

'Your perspective is a bit muddied, Dylan. And your hand is a wee bit heavy on the shadows, so they don't show the gradation. But boy, this is really really good for a first sketch!'

He then goes on to talk about some basic things in sketching - composition, light and shade, perspective, distance, and the like. It's actually quite informative, and you sketch a few other things with more positive comments, and before you know it an hour's passed and it's time to go. You must say, it's $8 well spent, if only for the relaxation.

> Money in hand: $9

Outside the class Jim and Hugh decide they'll have a drink. Nancy follows them, but Priti's got a test. No, she hasn't; she's just too lazy and thinks Hugh is a douchebag. Amanda hobbles out as you hold the door open. 'Cheers, mate.'

> What do/say? Dinner's at 7... it's quarter past 4 now. You've got time.

rolled 93 = 93

>>19080667
do his face in the corner too all the drawing

>>19080803

Ah, a drink would be nice but we haven't got the cash.

Maybe we can influence Jim into buying us a drink. Would Amanda like to come along?

rolled 30 = 30

>>19080803
Umm. did we have any appointments today?
What about Jerry the drugdealer? Maybe we should go ahead and sell the drugs since we indirectly killed everyone?

>>19080825

You mean Diego's face?

Because if you do, you do a really good job of it. But then showing it to him seems a bit iffy. Besides, you've dug enough into his brain to know he's gay.

You keep the drawing with you.

>>19080803
Well given how that the drug situation went pear shaped we have a pile of drugs we don't want and we do need cash. We should offload them onto Jerry and try to wash our hands of this.

how about calling the girl we almost killed?

>>19080871
>>19080845

You've got a meeting fixed with him for tomorrow. So far you haven't called him to cancel or anything, so you could always meet him.

So there we are.

I'd rather not lose the drugs just yet as we still haven't resolved the situation with Chuck et al.

>>19080879
Oh, it's tomorrow, then we'll wait. Walk the city, get more training in, we need more discipline we aren't going to have a repeat of the debacle yesterday.

rolled 25 = 25

>>19080833

Second this. Try to get Amanda to come along, then get Jim to get us a drink.

Rolling.

>>19080882
Didn't chuck drown in the lake?

>>19080894

What? No. We were just watching the news and thinking about bad scenarios.
I think we should get rid of the drugs. If the dealers come for us again, we'll deal with them properly with our trained powers.

rolled 1 = 1

>>19080892

Shit. rolling!

>>19080917
This is what you get for rolling when it isn't called for.

So... go for a drink? Or call Anne? Or talk to Amanda or something?

Okay I know this has nothing to do with anything but let's talk to dawn first before we even think about what we are gonna do with the drugs

>>19080938
>Or talk to Amanda or something?

We have swagged too many bitches already.

Lets hang around and train for a while. Self-control seems the most prudent of all.

>>19080890

This, explore the campus, see if Amanda wants to take a walk. Or limp around.

And no, no influencing her.

>>19080938
Hang around and train, practice self control and Proprioception.

talk to amanda or call the girl we almost killed that let us stay in her place

>>19080958
Yeah that sounds pretty good.

>>19080986
I guess we could give her a courtesy call not like that gonna change a lot of stuff

>>19080890
>>19080959
>>19080964

> Okay, training it is then. You want to be even more confident about not unintentionally lashing out if you can help it.

You ask Amanda if she'd like to hang out around the campus, partly because she's cute and also because you have no idea what the campus is like at all. She makes a slightly awkward face and nods to her crutches. 'Sorry bout it, I'd better go back and rest. But I'll see you next week?'

Probing gently into her mind, you can sense a deep disappointment that she's gotten her injury. She does look really physically fit, with a deep natural tan and all, so it must be terrible to be laid up indoors for weeks.

> What do/say?

Having left Amanda, you then head downstairs and stumble into the school's main quadrangle during the post-class hour. There must be several hundred people here - young, eager, energetic minds. Their energy flows into you, and you feel much better as you walk around, listening to this person and that.

It's also great training for your ability to probe people's minds, withdraw, and be gentle and careful about it all.

> Roll 3d100 for training! More dice because of the increased numbers and intensity of thought.

>>19080991
>>19080958

You'll do this.

>>19080874
>>19080986
>>19080996

And this, too, but after your training. You have time. She doesn't sleep early... as you know.

rolled 36, 85, 22 = 143

>>19081001
Don't fuck this up Dylan

>>19081001
Okay let's do this self control training

rolled 39, 25, 35 = 99

>>19081023
fuck that up again to

rolled 45, 91, 5 = 141

>>19081001
Proban

rolled 8, 14, 98 = 120

>>19081001
I'll give it a go, fingers crossed...

rolled 62, 82, 72 = 216

Come on, let's not fry brains in public.

rolled 65, 100, 52 = 217

come on

rolled 53, 78, 52 = 183

>>19081060
Normally I'd be worried about the whole, nat 100 killin' everybody thing, but this was for learning how to gently probe minds so I think it's cool.

>>19081060

> Normally wouldn't take the 6th roll, but it's 100!

The thoughts and wills encircle you like a torrent as you try to manage them, wondering if they are spinning deliberately around you or whether you have simply placed yourself into the maelstrom. The ambitions of the people here are overwhelming in range; just listening to them, you hear about organisations and countries you've never been to. There's people thinking of organising a trip to Palestine to help write a photobook. Why go to Palestine? And is that talking about going to Kenya? What, why?

Nonetheless, it is this that makes it a lot of fun. It almost feels as if the whole day is lighting up, really; you think you know what kind of mental tone is the sort that makes you happy. You like focus. It tastes savoury and full to you, and is a lovely buzz in the ears. You focus like they focus, and though at first your success is limited, you learn a lot about yourself too.

As your thoughts whirl with theirs, driven by their drive, you sense the presence of Karen; and with surprising ease you manage to pinpoint her, talking to a bunch of classmates after a property law class. Come think of it, you can also sense Jim and Hugh. Even Diego! Diego's upstairs now, keeping away his shit and eating the banana he was using for class. You can feel his hunger. You enjoy that, bro, you're a good man...

> You get 3 points to distribute between Self Control and Sense Proprioception.
> You need 2 more points to get SC 4, and 2 more to get SP 2.
> You gain 1 bonus point in Pinpoint Presence! You need one point more to get PP 1.

>>19081127
Put all three in Self-Control. That is the most important one.

>>19081127
Two in SC, 1 in SP.

>>19081076

Yeah, for once, you're not going to get into trouble for a crit.

It also helps that you're in a place full of many people who are thinking furiously. This means you can drain the general surroundings easily, without giving any particular person a headache.

Actually, come think of it - surely this college has got a few Psychs prowling? It's like the perfect feeding ground. And yet you don't sense them...

>>19081127
Two points in SC to get it to 4, and one into SP.

>>19081151
That is kind of weird, we should investigate to see if someone has claimed this as their territory or if there is an accord not to fuck around here.

>>19081182
We can ask dawn about that later after she gives the advice

>>19081182
Second this

Okay, so your skill changes are:

> Self Control 4: 3 more points to SC 5
> Sense Proprioception: 1 more point to SP 2.

You check the clock and see it's about half five now. Dawn did say the place is only 15 minutes' walk from your place, so you just need to check it out on your computer and make the hike.

> Anything you'd like to do in that hour? Or just go back and rest a bit until it's time to go?

>>19081151
Presence Concealment?

>>19081232
Let's rest a bit, no need to have tired brains. Maybe chill out and listen to some music. Have a fap.

>>19081232
Maybe go back and check on Laura, offer her some of the trove of ice cream we have in the freezer.

>>19081189
>>19081194

Sorry, forgot about this. You'll ask Dawn, naturally.

You wonder if Psychs can cloak themselves too. It does sound quite possible...

>>19081245
>>19081246

Second these two.

That sounds a little wrong, come think of it.

>>19081249
Let's do that courtesy call remember

>>19081266
Maybe skip the fap then.

Don't we have to check on Laura school for future psychs and stuff?

>>19081267
>>19081266
>>19081246
>>19081245

You call Anne on the cellphone while you're walking back, out of the campus. Man, you need to go back there more often.

It takes a while before the familiar voice comes on. 'Hello? Oh, is this Dylan?'

'Yeah... how are you?'

'I just got back to classes actually, lots of work flying around. But thanks for taking me to hospital! How are you doing, where're you living now?'

She sounds a little excited.

> What do/say?

>>19081305
"Taking care of a friends(or parent whatever) house"

>>19081305
"I'm glad you're alright."

>>19081305

'I'm fine! Managed to snag a flat in Saffernsway. You should come visit, return the favour. Get me pizza this time.'

>>19081305
It was no real trouble taking you to the hospital, and it was kind of my fault. I'm doing pretty well. I'm taking care of a friends place, it's pretty nice.

>>19081305
Give her our general vicinity and imply that we are doing well and are pretty busy.

We probably got ahead of ourselves jumping in to bed with her, and now we really do have a lot of shit on our plate. We should put this one on the back burner for a while.

>>19081345
>>19081340
>>19081337

'That's good to know! Good to know you're fine. It's no trouble; anyway it was kinda my fault...'

Your mind inadvertently flashes to that evening. You have particularly strong memories of it, a possible side effect of that brainleak. Her smell; the movement of her body. Does she remember too? A long while later she giggles.

'Yeah... someone humps like an overeager dog.'

'Oi!'

'Kidding! Kidding!'

You tell her about the flat, briefly. She sounds very much wowed by it. 'So you're staying in Saffernsway now? I've got a cousin living over there actually! Maybe I'll come drop by some day.'

> What do/say? Raise any new issues?

>>19081370
"Come over when you want to."

Oh man, we need more self-control training

>>19081370
'Sure thing, I'll give you a ring in a few days once I've settled in and sorted things out here'

Keep it in your pants for now gents.

>>19081394
do this

>>19081394
Second this

>>19081370
Sure, I'll call you sometime later, things are a bit hectic on my end.

ask what her cousins name is, say maybe you know her.
probably is someone we know

>>19081402
>>19081398
>>19081396
>>19081394

'That'd be nice! I mean, just tell me when you come around.'

It's courteous to say something like that anyway, and over the cellphone you can't really tell if she means it or is just being polite.

You make a little more small talk, and then hang up. Then you go upstairs and open the door to your flat, and pause when you see what's happened. Laura is on the couch, curled up into a fetal position, and eerily still. You see some breadcrumbs lying around, and then you notice a small, smashed marmalade jar on the floor. Nooo, the marmalade!

No wait. You turn to Laura. Her mind is a deep, black fog now, but you smell burning rubber and hesitate to probe deeper.

> What do/say?

>>19081406

She says he's called Derek, and he's working over at Mexton. Lots of ad agencies and PR and things like that. Marketing arse, she says.

>>19081433
Just talk to her for now see what going on

>>19081433
FFFF
We did a number on her.

Lets try to comfort her the normal way? without raping her mind?

>>19081456
so we have an idea how bad it is

>>19081433
Try for some mundane helping before we do anything drastic. Get out some of our nice ice cream and just talk to her. Once we have a better idea we can contemplate poking around her noggin.

>>19081433
Tactically deploy ice cream based depression countermeasures and then talk it out.

rolled 91 = 91

>>19081433
fix her

>>19081490
Let's not.
We will fix her oh too well

>>19081490
nonono

>>19081490
No we are not stop doing that

mind powers fucked us up and mind powers will fix it all

>>19081480
>>19081469
>>19081466
>>19081465
>>19081456

> No neural rearrangement for now.

You turn your mind off checking out hers, and then go over to her. She's hugging her long, thin legs round the knees, head between them.

It takes some nudging and questioning before she finally comes to with a jerk, and then she sits upright. She's still wearing that white shirt she took just now. 'Oh god. Oh god! Are they okay?'

'Are they... oh yes. Yes, they're fine.'

'The bus bomb - no, the tube bomb - no wait, no. You're Dylan. You're Dylan!'

Before you can confirm your Dylan-based identity, she gives you a tight hug, pressing you back against the couch. Her arms feel clammy with sweat, as does her face pressed against yours. 'Um... yeah. I'm Dylan. You're safe. It's fine now.'

She withdraws from you. 'Safe? Oh. Oh yes. The drug dealers didn't start a fight. There was... no car bomb. Sorry, Dylan. I'm just... I don't know why, I keep thinking a massive bomb went off and I miraculously survived...'

Aww, fuck man. You go off to the freezer and take out some cookie dough ice cream and two spoons. She sits cross-legged, watching you, and then digs in as you hold the cold tub.

'Did you drop the jar of marmalade by the way?'

'Oh. What marmalade?' She genuinely seems not to remember.

> What do/say?

>>19081525
Fighting fire with fire?
Sounds good.

>>19081525
No, shut up

>>19081525
Shut up using mind powers on someone like that is like using crystal meth because you are feeling really shitty. It's not a good idea. If we can't get a handle on the situation call Dawn or Lena I'm guessing Dawn

>>19081553
Fuck we are WAY over our heads on this one. Call Dawn and no mind fucking powers yet

>>19081553
Just keep talking to her, I think we may have done some serious damage here and we need someone much more precise and consistent than us to fix it.

Just talk to her, give her ice cream, help her construct a coherent time line and get the events straight. There was no car bomb, you just panicked as it was a really scary situation, we'll talk about the marmalade later. Just talk to her, see what we can learn from her and DON'T FUCK WITH HER HEAD.

>>19081553
Nothing about the marmalade, but we should clean it up when we get the chance, owner is a neat freak and all.

We should, carefully and gently, try to gauge if there is some persistent effect on her mind that we caused that is making her have these false memories and memory issues.

We shouldn't try to change or fix anything in her head ourselves when we could have Dawn or Lena or someone more qualified do it.

>>19081586
>>19081579

Roll d100 with a penalty to try and find out what's wrong. It's an opposed roll. And since you're not using your powers, a crit success won't bleed her brain out her nose, so don't worry.

> We are starting to go like Psykers in DH. SUCCESS.

rolled 28 = 28

>>19081611
Rolling.

rolled 88 = 88

>>19081611
Kay

rolled 93 = 93

>>19081611
softly softly

>>19081579
Yeah, call and ask if she can drop by the flat to take a look at Laura before we go get food.

rolled 78 = 78

>>19081611
Rolling

rolled 45 = 45

>>19081611

>>19081634
>>19081625

> 93 vs. 59: good success!

As the two of you work your way through the tub of ice cream, you ask carefully about her and how she's feeling, and what follows is a pretty long chat.

Among other points, you learn that she was actually in the city centre when the Thalsdon Bombings occurred. You know about it, of course, but more as an event that happened over there. 'It's been, what, nine years already? But there was smoke everywhere. I still smell it sometimes.'

It appears her brain is messing that up, along with some other incidents. You wonder if it's her confusion or some inadvertent movement of your mind that's making her open up. Fuck, it better not be the latter... she talks about how school is tough, how she had no talents. So she fell in with the rave bunch. Had a crush on Chuck, too. She never dared to take the pills, though...

'He kissed me once during a rave. Felt me up, nearly got with me. Then, next day, he laughed and said that if he'd done that, he must have died of an overdose, because he couldn't have been high enough.'

She says it all with an eerily calm voice, staring at the table so hard you wonder if it would catch fire. And then you look up and see that it's already 6.50. Oh dear.

> What do/say?

>>19081706

As you listen to her, it seems to you that what you really did while unleashing the wave of terror was to get people to dig up their own traumatic memories. Or maybe that's just one of many things you did, or can do.

Man, you have too little idea of this. Dawn and Lena tell you to experiment, but you can't, fucking, get, this, right... sigh.

>>19081706
It's going to be ok, you were in a stressful situation and you remembered some of your bad times, nothing more. Get her a blanket and leave her some ice cream. Tell her that we're going out to talk with a friend of ours but that we'll be back. Just sit tight and take a nap.

>>19081706
Call Dawn and say some serious shit happen in Laura's head and we need some help. Of course tell her we didn't fuck with her head today.

>>19081746
>>19081744

> Dawn knows you did fuck with her brain today. The wave of terror; you told her about it already.

You pat Laura's slight, bony shoulders. She's actually... really rather thin. You wonder if she's eating properly. 'Look, Laura, it's not a problem, okay? You got stressed out, bad memories came to the surface. This happens, eh?'

'I... I guess so...'

'So maybe if you have the rest of this ice cream, then go take a nap, you'll recover from it. Just give it a bit of time. I've got to go to a friend's dinner, and I'll ask her about that, she's... a psychologist so she knows.'

'Okay. Okay, that... makes sense.' She's still clutching the ice cream tub when you get dressed and go, eating it slowly. 'Bye Dylan.'

'You take care Laura.'

And with that you're out of the flat. As you walk down, you text Dawn saying that Laura seems to be acting really oddly. Dawn says she'll talk to you about it.

And then it turns out the place Dawn's talking about is... an office? Eh? You stand in front of the door, looking at the buzzer, then up at the windows. It's occupied, for sure.

... and you can sense Psychs. Not just one of them. Two, three?

> What do?

>>19081811
My bad thought that was yesterday

>>19081811
Probably will be Dawn and some of her friends?

>>19081822
Odds are yeah or we can hope so

>>19081811
Just ring the Buzzer no time like the present

>>19081811
I'm not all that surprised. It's probably full of dawns friends. Walk on in and if we feel anything prickly in our skull think of fire.

>>19081861
Why fire man We always think of fire isn't that supposed to be our fear how would that help. I mean it's kinda weird how our fear is our go to defense

>>19081877
It's how Lana said to us.
Think on your biggest fear.
Lana probably hates dogs

>>19081877
Thinking of what you're scared of is one of the basic defenses used against mental head fuckery as said in one of the first threads. It reminds you who you are.

>>19081822
>>19081845
>>19081860

You can feel the psychs reacting to you, and just as you are about to reach for the buzzer the door opens a little, and then wider. It's Dawn!

'Hey! Wait, didn't you get my other message, just to go to the restaurant?' She takes out her cellphone, then groans. 'Sorry, didn't send it. Blahhh. Well, this is my office actually, so do come in, I'm packing up right now.

'Um... Dawn, are there other...?'

'Other? Oh. Oh. Yes. Jinyu and Aki. They're upstairs.'

Dawn leads you up a narrow flight of stairs and then down a darkened office space to a meeting room. A man and a woman, both Asian - though the man has a mane of blonde hair - look at you. 'Ohh. This the new boy?'

'Yep! Dylan. This is Jinyu, the first Summer you've met, and this is Akiko. Who's also the first Summer you've met.' She then excuses herself and runs off, and you take a seat as asked. Jinyu looks at you.

'So... you're the boss? Or you?'

'He's the boss,' Akiko smiles. Jinyu nods.

'How're you doing, as a new boy? You're lucky you have Dawn on your case. She's lovely, isn't she?'

'I can hear your thoughts from here!' You hear the yell from next door.

> What do/say?

>>19081924
"Well, to be honest I'm totally out of my depth.
And yeah, Dawn is very nice."

Well, fire is one of the options. Actually I was going to say this earlier, but let's say it now - you're free to suggest, with appropriate justification, what the backstory of Dylan might be like.

I honestly haven't got more than a rough sketch, so if it's appropriate enough, we can fit things in. The backstory can be important because it's some of these memories that determine his humanity. Like his fear of fire. And like Laura's memory of the suicide bombings.

So if you want to think about anything he might like, or enjoy, or dislike, name it, justify it, and I might accept it.

>>19081924
Don't make my mind start wandering onto even worse topics, neither of us will enjoy that experience.

I'm completely out of my depth, have about half a clue what I'm doing but Dawn has been a great help to helping me adjust to this whole thing.

>>19081958
Vivid memories of his father beating him/his mother?

>>19081999
Or people wielding fire to infect pain which might be to complicated but hey whatever

>>19081924
She certainly has more patience that i ever would have if i was dealing with someone like me

>>19082025
inflict*

>>19081999
>>19081966
>>19081949

> Beating is possible. Maybe an object that serves as a trigger of this set of memories? A leather belt, perhaps? Or a rolling pin?

'Yeah... well. I've been trying to work it out, but I'm really out of my depth here.'

'You've only manifested for, like, a week? Half a week? Don't worry about it, man.' Jinyu runs his hand through his blonde mane. 'I've manifested for 5 years, and other than subtle persuasion tricks I rarely even use my powers now. Well, not on norms anyway...'

'Yeah, at least I haven't torn someone's face off or something,' you sigh. Then sudden silence that comes over this is strangely oppressive, and only broken when Akiko offers to make tea and runs into Dawn at the door.

'Woah. Weird atmosphere much? What happened? You ready for dinner?'

> What do/say/think?

>>19081999
That's a bit dark, dude. What about something like...riding the ferris wheel at a carnival and eating a corn dog when he was little?

>>19082049

Oh hell yes!

Say bye to the two, then raise the issue of Laura to Dawn.

>>19082049
Ok.
I know we're hobos until a week ago, but let's learn to not talk too much.
anyway just say you're ready and say goodbye to the other two
be polite

>>19082086
>>19082090
Sounds good and raise the issue when at dinner

>>19082090
>>19082086

> Corn dogs also sound lovely. That'd be a more positive childhood thing.

You say goodbye to Jin and Aki, and then follow Dawn downstairs. 'You're going to be meeting Sammy and Jerome,' she says. 'Jerome is a bit... meh... but Sammy is cute. She might be your type. Do you like reading types?'

'Well, maybe I can figure out my type when I stop frying people's brains,' you say a little despondently. You tell her about Laura, her weird jumbled out memory and freaky wooden doll behaviour, and Dawn nods.

'Were you thinking of her when you unleashed your power on the crowd?'

'Um... yeah, her, and the dealers who were going to abduct her.'

'So that means she's one of the targets, too. I know, with practice you can and will differentiate better. But... yeah, she's been fried. And she doesn't seem to be taking it as well as Anne, either.'

'Not really, no. Will she recover?'

'Oh of course, yes. It's a one-off, and she's sweet seventeen. She'll bounce back like... a bouncy... rubber ball. How long do you intend to keep her in your place? I mean, I don't think Numsang minds so long as her flat is kept in order, but we ought to tell her. And we ought not to keep her too long. Regulations and all.'

'How long is too long?'

'A week's about... it, really. Don't push it, I guess...'

> What do/say? You're almost at the restaurant. You can sense two psychs, blurry presences.

>>19082176

'A week would... be nice. No more, for sure.'

>>19082176
I'm not planning on keeping her for too long, but at least until I can see some improvement in her condition, it's kind of my fault so I should take some responsibility for this.

Dawn, you sensing anyone else?

>>19082176
Let's just go if the other psyches we are sensing are after us they either would have done so now or they wouldn't do it in a public area. Either way ask about the college area we been to and how it is the perfect feeding ground and we are wondering if we are stepping on anybody toes when feeding there. We don't want a repeat of the Jeff incident when we got our ass kicked

>>19082229
>>19082252

'It won't be for too long,' you promise. 'Not more than a week, for sure. I just need to see she's recovered, you know. Since I did it to her.'

'You're a big sweetie for the cute girls, aren't you just,' Dawn grins, and you blush. Then before you can ask her, she perks up. 'You sense that? They're here, we're late.'

You enter the restaurant, and soon you get seated opposite a girl with dark brown hair, wearing thick-framed glasses and looking at you a little apprehensively. 'That's Sammy,' Dawn says.

'Hi, I'm Samantha.'

'And this is Jerome.'

'Yo.' He then turns to Dawn. 'I just ordered starters already, yeah.'

'Oh? You're paying for them?' You haven't seen Dawn with narrowed eyes before, but there you are. It's a bit surprising how cold her tone is.

'Yep! Won the lottery!' Jerome laughs. 'Nah, we'll split it, man.'

> Hmm! It seems you're free to interact for dinner. What do/say, to whom?

>>19082305
Get to know Jerome and Samantha better. Ask about what they do for a living, how long they've known Dawn, what Season they're in.

>>19082305
Hope our 8 dollas is enough to cover for our share.

>>19082256

Dawn chuckles. 'Well. It used to belong to a bestower and his province, that college. And you can definitely see why, can't you?'

'Quite, yes. A lot of... ferocious thinking. Very exciting.'

'Yup. But we used all four seasons on that bloody place.'

'Eh?'

'All four seasons. So Spring cajoled, Summer paid, then finally Autumn and Winter scouted it out and we all marched in and conquered the college. So now it belongs to the Free Comm. You're free to wander there and feed, gently. But active draining is not encouraged. The place is under watch by Autumn, so they'll be on to you.'

Ahh. That's handy.

>>19082340
We'll only order a drink.

>>19082340
Don't we have a bank account with hundred dollars we could pay back later or something just hope it isn't to expensive

>>19082339

This, and ask if they're all new. That's why we're with Dawn, right?

>>19082346
No active draining got it

>>19082392
>>19082389
>>19082351
>>19082339

> You do now have a bank card, yes. But given the number of starters that just came out... fish, chicken, grilled cheese *and* curry aubergines, really?

Jerome is a sociable-sounding sort of bloke. 'Oh, I just faff around. City's my playground! Used to be a hobo for several years, before I came to get these funny powers. I heard you're quite the same yourself, eh?'

'Well, quite...'

'How long were you on the streets?'

'About three years?'

'That's a good stint, that's a good tour of duty,' he raises his glass of tap water to toast you, and then orders a beer. Dawn looks like she's chewing on a spider right now.

Sam is much quieter, eating daintily and insisting on using knife and fork to negotiate a chicken wing. Turns out she works a few part-time jobs. Fundraising, library work, supermarket cashier, and the like. 'Whatever comes by, really.'

'That's tough, isn't it?'

'What's... um... yeah, a bit.' She nods noncommittally, then goes back to her chicken wing.

> What do/say?

>>19082443

Hmmm. Ask Sam more about her jobs? Where'd she get them?

And ask Jerome where he hangs around.

Again, ask if they're new.

>>19082443
Ask how long did they have there powers

Ask them for tips for improving Self Control.

>>19082501
>>19082498

Sam lowers her head a little. 'Well... it must have been about two or three months...'

'The two of you are both newbies, mates. Me, I've had the powers four years. Not that it does any good, mind. See what I did there? Good, mind?' Jerome does a little 'badumtshh' hand jig.

'They're both from Spring Begins... the same as you, Dylan. I think Sam wants to go into Autumn, though, don't you?'

'Hmm... it would be cool to do some research, yes,' she says.

Somehow you guys manage to finish the starters, but the main course is even larger - several dishes of curry, naan bread, rice, and the lot. God, this is going to be expensive. You ask Sam about her jobs.

'Oh, I just search them online. I could tell you one or two sites with more reliable listings...' that's handy.

As for ways to improve Self Control, Sam thinks about it. 'I mostly just... meditate, really. Or try to get really into reading a book, or doing some research into stuff.'

Jerome shrugs. 'I got used to filtering the voices. It'll come naturally, man, don't worry too much about it. Go with the flow.'

> What do/say?

>>19082443

Ask them where they live. We should make more friends and contacts.

Not so sure about the Jerome person though... but can't ask one without asking the other.

>>19082618
Eh hes alright worst case scenario he is just lazy

> Also, roll d100.

rolled 98 = 98

>>19082698
Okay rolling

>>19082698
>>19082705
Fuck what was that for only roll because you said so but now I'm kinda worry how high that is

>>19082705
Shit shit shit....

>>19082718
Psych Hobos:
Where you're afraid of failing or succeeding

Well I'm hoping it's no psychic problem I'm mean we didn't even suggest one thing to do with mind fuckery power

>>19082705
>>19082618

> Nice roll! 98 vs. 97: draw!

As you settle into the main course, you realise this restaurant isn't all that crowded. The modern decor is nice, though, and the food is definitely very good.

Jerome says he's slumming around still, squatting in flats over in the south side. 'Many of those flats are still unrented after months and months. It's quite easily to convince them to pass you the keys,' he says. Since it's not technically illegal, Dawn can't do much about that either.

Sam is a bit more taciturn, and when you ask again you suddenly hear a strange buzz, and from the corner of your eye you spot a cat creeping along the rafter of the restaurant, clearly moving towards you. Wait, wait, what the fuck? You turn and see Sam staring at you, eyes open and frowning. You can't tear your gaze away to ask Dawn for help, but she must have sensed this.

You muster your strength, trying to remember things. Corn dogs! Popcorn! Fire! The cat jumps easily over the fire, ignores the popcorn; but then as it leaps from the rafter directly at your face, and your muscles scream at you to flinch and dodge, you grab the table - and the cat lands in front of you, and licks the corn dog that's suddenly there.

You blink, and it's all gone. Dawn shoots the both of you a disapproving look, and you turn to see Sam picking up a chicken wing with her hand and eating it. She looks up at you through her thick framed glasses and smiles.

And then she gives you her contact. What's a man gotta do these days for a number, EH?! But as you look around, nervous, you see that the tables around you have been cleared away. It's as if you've repelled everyone around you, somehow.

> What do/say? The main course is almost finished. If you want to talk, you may; you may leave as and when, provided you pay a portion of the bill of course.

>>19082846
What the fuck just happen

>>19082846
"Damn it, not cool! Just this week I had some asshole almost fry my brain."

the fuck just happened?

Congratulation, Dylan: you just took part in your first, albeit rather friendly and very minor, duel.

That was Sam attacking you, you figure.

>>19082878
>>19082857
I assume it was some kind of brain duel.

>>19082846
Raise an eyebrow at Sam and shake our head slowly.

Really Sam, that was pretty far from polite. I was trying to enjoy some dinner here.

good thing I roll that 98 I guess

don't let her ruffle yo feathers dylan
show her your a man and grin at her smug ass

Fuck
if she wants to keep her number a secret just fucking say "no"

>>19082920
Well she did give us her number I guess still dick move when we are starting out and almost killed a bunch of people

Drink our beer

Time for some light jazz to calm us down http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqmArlQBV8g

>>19082916
>>19082896
>>19082874

You look at Sam, who looks back as if you were a book or something, her dark eyes moving from one side of your face to another. You don't feel a buzz, so she's not actually trying to read you, but still...

Jerome laughs as you shake your head. 'That's... not polite, Sam. Not at the dinner table!'

To your surprise, her eyes widen at that line and she bursts into a short giggling fit. Then, recovering, she nods. 'Yeah, sir, I'm dreadfully sorry.'

You grin back at her, and Jerome nods. 'You know, Dylan, you've done well standing up to this lady-' he puts a hand on her shoulder, and Sam's eyes snap back into deadly serious mode '- when you've only been one of us for a few days. Don't try it on me though, Sam. I'll beat your ass.'

'Hands off, please,' she says, and he obliges. Then the bill comes in; it comes up to $15 per person. That's... that's not too bad! You pay with your card.

> Money in bank: $85
> What do/say now? Order dessert or a drink? Talk to someone? Go on a date with Jerome?

>>19082975
That date with Jerome is tempting but we need to talk to Dawn about the our problem we need that advice pretty fucking bad

>>19082956

> Ah, jazz. Thanks very much.

You take a small swig of your beer. It's not as strong as you're used to, but then you're used to drinking Rasberg Super Brew passed round from hobo to hobo. So there you are.

Come think of it, Jerome is swigging Rasberg Super Brew. Man, he's really determined to stay a hobo isn't he...

>>19082975
Talk to Dawn and the rest of the table about our problem, see if they have any good advice for making recovery go better and leave minimal permanent damage.

dawn will still be here or something
don't be a pussy dylan
train some more or date

>>19083010
>>19083033

Sorry, which problem is this? You *do* have several problems right now, from drugs to Laura to controlling yourself and all that...

>>19083042
The drugs problem more specific the pushers

>>19083042
"Say Jerome, why you're still drinking that brew?"

>>19083042
I was thinking the more current one of the pushers and so on, Laura seems to be recovering.

If we're going to talk to Dawn, we should talk to her alone.

Then again, maybe Jerome has some insight. He's been a hobo for years too.

>>19083033
>>19083077
>>19083066
>>19083091

> Talk to Dawn alone, or at the table?

'Why do you still drink that stuff, Jerome?'

He looks at the long, brown can. 'I can't help it, man. Beer like the stuff you're drinking, feels like piss to me. No kick.'

Sam glances at your beer with what seems like curiosity. Meanwhile Jerome and Dawn are chatting about something insignificant, just catching up.

>>19083123
Fuck I don't want to ruin the atmosphere with talks about drug pushers I guess we can catch Dawn before she leaves after the dinner is done but if we can talk now I rather it be alone

>>19083123
Want a drink Sam?

>>19083144
seconded

>>19083144
>>19083091
>>19083170

'Eh? I don't drink.'

'Because you don't drink, or because of your religion or something?'

Her eyes narrow, and you almost get ready to have another go. You had to admit, that little duel was unnecessary, but it was also rather... exciting. 'I don't drink,' she finally says.

Heh.

As the dinner ends, Jerome is the first to bug out, waving at you guys before disappearing down the road. Sam is going to the tube station so you walk with her.

Meanwhile, you start speaking - softly - to Dawn about the drug pushers thing. Basically, the whole incident. By the time you get to the tube stop, she knows most of the story. (You wonder if Sam does too, blah.)

'That... doesn't sound as dangerous as you think, really. Many of these pushers are small time. But they've seen Laura?'

'Yeah.'

'Ah, shit... well if they're from round the neighbourhood, you just keep an eye out. Do you know where Chuck is?'

'Nope...'

She sighs.

> What exactly did you want to ask Dawn, sorry? I mean, what sort of advice are you looking for? It's a pretty big problem.

I still have no idea on what the fuck happened during that little mind duel.

>>19083230
Minimize any more danger to Laura I mean if we can do that everything else would hopefully fall into place. I mean it won't but it's worth a shot

>>19083244

The duels are basically fights of the imagination, really. Since both sides can see through each other's illusions, it comes down to whose illusion wins, and who flinches first.

Sam's illusion was the cat, stalking and then attacking you. She managed to see through your firewall, but you deflected her attack in the last moment. Or maybe she pulled back, but let's take some credit for once...

> Is explaining this ruining its surrealism?

>>19083230
Goals are to minimize danger to myself, Laura and get everything to settle down. How can I keep them away from me and Laura, that is the most important bit to me.

>>19083274
Nah, my mind was completely fucked and couldn't even into that duel post, so thanks for the explanation.

>>19083282
>>19083264

'Hmm. Well, I think you aren't in any danger, except perhaps from yourself,' she says in a chiding tone. 'But Laura... she goes to school and everything... that's vulnerable.'

'Yeah. I mean, they might go after her, right?'

'Or they might not, see. The thing is, you've probably scrambled their memories properly with your little stunt. Like you've mentioned with Laura.' Dawn thinks. 'That might be enough to keep them away. But if they find Chuck, that's what I'm worried about.'

You have to admit, Chuck is pretty much the key. And the key to Chuck is having him pay back his five grand loan before they come for his fingers or his right bollock or something...

'Can you lend me five grand?' You say, only half-joking.

'I could spare you a fiver,' Dawn says, sighing. 'You could raise that money. Or just keep a tight eye on Laura. This isn't just a convoluted plan to get a girlfriend, is it, Dylan?'

Dude, not funny! Laura is cute, but... not funny.

> What do/say?

>>19083369

It's not right to pay the pushers... but that's true we have to help Chuck.

Maybe if we somehow made sure their minds were wiped...?

>>19083369
Fuck this Chuck asshole is a huge pain in the ass so I guess the plan is wait to Laura gets better, check out the her school that we are supposed to check out anyways cause it's our job, and find Chuck. Just awesome

>>19083369
Nope, this was me sticking my head in a situation and getting burned. Trust me this wasn't something I wanted to get into.

Given that I'd rather not keep an eye on Laura for a long time. If I found the pushers could I ask for a favor from you or someone else who knows what they're doing more than me to fuck with their memories. In the meanwhile I'll investigate the school and find Chuck.

>>19083468
Can we even ask favors like that?

>>19083448
>>19083454
>>19083468

You try your best not to show your frustration, but it does show after all. Dawn pats your shoulder.

'Don't be so hard on yourself,' she says. 'You're just trying to be helpful.'

'Yeah, would be nice if it worked.'

'It could... I mean, just let me know and I'll see how we can help, yeah? Meanwhile, you do what Lena told you to do about the Mayne Parish school thing. Laura's your in, isn't she?'

'That's true...'

> Say anything else before going back? Dawn's about to go home too.

>>19083503
"Thanks Dawn."

We need to do more training

>>19083454
Why can't we just give Chuck his damn pills and forget about him guys?

>>19083486

Dawn says it's never done by the Bestowed Psychs, for whom humans are worth little. As for the Free Comm... it does depend on whether individual people are willing to help, but if they are, there's no strict rule against it.

I mean, other than being so open about it and blowing their cover wide open, of course.

>>19083521

Actually, yeah, this. I mean other than our wish to sell them and take the money ourselves.

>>19083534
>>19083521
>>19083513

'Thanks a lot, Dawn, for the advice.' You have to admit, though, it wasn't very much advice...

'Don't worry about it. You did well, man.'

'Also, look, if we just gave back the pills to Chuck...'

'If you just gave the pills back to Chuck, then Chuck becomes a pusher who didn't manage to push a single pill,' Dawn shrugs. 'The pushers don't want to see the drugs back, they just want the money from the sales.'

Man, that's true... with that you leave Dawn at the bus stop and head back. When you enter the apartment, you see Laura sitting in the couch, having apparently nodded off. The kitchen has been cleaned up. But as you move closer to her, you notice a large, red-stained bandage round her foot. Oh, the stupid girl.

> What do/say? You're not sure if she's asleep, really.

>>19083534
at this point the pushers have smelled vulnerability, its not about the drugs anymore, so when Chuck shows up with a bag full of pills they'll want more, and when he doesn't have anymore to give they may set their sights on Laura.

This is a problem we either need to cut out from the source or remove ourselves completely.

>>19083534
So the plan is let Laura heal, check out the school, and find Chuck. We can decide later what to do with Chuck but we gotta find him first

>>19083588
clean up the apartment, try not to wake her.

>>19083588
Check if she's awake. Make sure her wound is dressed properly. Lie her down on the couch for proper sleeping posture and put a blanket on her, let her rest.

Do a bit of tidying of the apartment and go to our room. Meditate.

>>19083593
>>19083589

Yeah... that sounds sensible. Chuck appears to be the key.

>>19083622
>>19083612

The apartment hasn't been much touched, though Laura's made instant noodles in the saucepan. There's still a lot left, which might be for you.

You wipe the place down a little, then go over to her. Her skinny legs are crossed, and you bend a little to look at the bandage. She's tied it up all wrong.

'Laura. Laura.' You nudge her, and she flinches, before moving back and putting her arm round your shoulder. 'Um, wake up. I need to-'

You are cut short when you sense what's on her mind. Out of the fog you sense a confused sexual intent forming, and anyway you don't need to be a Psych to figure that out - she's turning around so she can sit on your lap. Dude, is this part of the residual effect of getting mindblown as well?

> What do? The bandage does need retying. And she's still sleeping - you can tell from her mind.

>>19083695
Deal with the bandages first

rolled 16 = 16

>>19083695
Rolling for willpower, no sleep-raping of/by teenagers. deal with the bandages, keep a paternal mindset.

>>19083751
Why roll when it's not needed man

>>19083695
Wait until she is less mindfucked to consider fucking her.

Lie her down and fix up her bandages, make sure the wound is clean, give her a blanket and kiss her on the forehead.

>>19083758
now that I think about it not sure really, knee-jerk reaction from other quests i guess

>>19083751
Please don't count this roll cause some guy thought it was needed

>>19083774
Whatever it's alright I just hope it doesn't count and if it does I hope the GREAT AND WONDERFUL quest maker tells us for he is Kind and Fair

>>19083770
seconded

>>19083695
NONONONONONO

We can't risk frying her brain more

>>19083695
So do we need to make roll now or no?

we shoulda asked dawn if we could fix her with mind powers

>>19083758
>>19083751
>>19083714

You blink as she presses her face closer. Well, at least by stretching her legs over your lap, that means you can get at the bandages. You try your hardest to focus on that, even as her legs fidget, rubbing against each other.

'Laura. Laura, get up.'

'Mmmm...' you stiffen as she hugs you tighter, places her chin on your shoulder. 'Mmm. You smell loooovely.'

'Thank you, Laura. Now wake up, or this is going to hurt.' You slowly unravel the bandage, moving your hand with her shuffling feet. It barely covers the wound; you can see parts of the laceration. She must have stepped right on a glass shard or something, the silly girl.

'Hurt... mmm.' She then gasps as you finally finish unravelling the bandage, peeling off her skin. That's... that's a pretty bad cut actually. 'That hurt.'

You turn, hoping she's woken up, and then barely dodge a kiss which lands on your cheek instead. 'Oi. Laura! Laura, seri- no, seriously-'

She's leaning into you now, pecking with her eyes closed. You try to probe her mind, but it is as if some wilful force has clouded it in sleep - as if she is actively refusing to wake up. 'Why... why not fuck? Let's... let's fuck...'

> Shit. Intervene mentally? If so, roll d100.
> Alternatively, you can try something else if you can think of something.

>>19083851
She said she will heal on her own so it's good and besides I think all mind power both "negative" and "positive" fuck with a person head anyways

rolled 63 = 63

>>19083856
Well let's just see how this goes...My rolls have been pretty good so far, fingers crossed, eh?

>>19083856
No let's think first

>>19083888
Okay, I think that's good. It's not a huge success, but it should get the job done.

>>19083856
>> Shit. Intervene mentally? If so, roll d100.
Lets not.

Just don't fuck her, that's all. We should be able to resist, especially after what happened with Anne.

>>19083856
Start softly singing nursery rhymes or other soothing songs and trying to lull her into a non psych induced sleep.

>>19083888
No more rolls please she is asleep so she has next to no will power is what I'm guess

rolled 91 = 91

>>19083888

this si a skinny young girl we're talking about, we're a ruff-and-tumble hobo, we don't need mind powers to hold her off.

>>19083898
second

>>19083906
so that a roll for no mind powers then?

>>19083758
keep forgetting to delete the email field from another quest

Come on... We should have the good sense to resist having sex with someone who's asleep. What are we, an ape?

>>19083906

... was that roll for a mental or physical intervention? we better make it clear.

>>19083930

Nah, no one ever doubted that. We weren't going to accept anyway.

>>19083906
I'm guessing Psychical because he says we don't need mind powers

>>19083938
physical

no pouches please

>>19084005
punches*

>>19083898
>>19083906
>>19083973
>>19083977

> Better roll was advocating non psych means, so I'll take that.

You use your legs to brace her injured foot in place, and to your surprise she giggles at that, one hand reaching to stroke your hair. Does she think you're Chuck or something?

'Laura, I'm not Chuck. I'm not Chuck.'

'Mmmm, Chuck...'

Seriously. You end up having to re-bandage her foot using only one hand, winding the gauze more evenly over the cut and the back of her foot. Your other arm is holding her off, meanwhile, and her movements get more violent the longer you hold her off - you nearly get a knee in your jaw for your trouble.

But there's no way a girl like her is going to outmatch you in wiry strength, so she starts to whimper as you finish, her hands feeling out your face. Woah, watch the eyes! 'Okay. Okay. Laura, I'm done. Your foot is properly bandaged now. You should sleep. Laura? Lau-'

You didn't expect the slap, and since she's asleep it mostly misses, but still her hand lands on your cheekbone with a thud. Oww. You let go of her foot, and she withdraws it and kicks you in the side. 'Fuck off. Fuck off!'

'Dude, watch your foot!' You move away from the couch as she falls back, tears running from her eyes. She's *still* asleep.

'You won't! Chuck won't, and you won't! No one wants to fuck me...' her words get steadily more slurred as she turns around and curls up again. Pffffffft.

> What do/say?

>>19084054
"Well...I know what we'll be talking about over breakfast..."

You've heard of and know of people sleepwalking before; you know one hobo who walked on a bridge, then walked off it and broke his neck on the road below.

But sleepwalkers don't talk coherently, and Laura was crazy but not really incoherent. What's this, some sort of... dream state? A trance, like the one you got into?

You scratch your head as she sobs. Seriously, man, you can't win can you...

>>19084054
Watch if she has a another outburst and then if she doesn't then wait till she wakes up or go to sleep depending on how late it is cause I have no idea what time it is. Anyways when she is wake again tell her what happen and what was that about

>>19084054
"Cmon Laura i know there must be some nice dudes who wants to fuck you"

>>19084054
Good thing we didn't use mind fucking abilities that would have gone to bad to worse

>>19084054
Put a blanket over her and kiss her on the forehead.

I do want to, but you're asleep.

Find a different couch nearby and keep an eye on her and meditate.

>>19084093

Oh yeah, the time. It's... it's about half ten now. Well, you've had longer nights.

Waiting for more suggestions before writing up, hold on.

rolled 5 = 5

>>19084054
meditate the go to bed, hopefully she wont remember come the morning, teenagers are a boiling pot of hormones and insecurities as it is, and we've managed to make it worse for her, no need to make a big deal over it.

>>19084080
>>19084093
I second these, along with us telling her that we aren't going to randomly fuck her all nilly wily, but hint that we might once she's stable and stuff.

>captcha: internally tariot

No captcha, we can't ride our flaming chariot into her internals just yet.

>>19084125
must remember to clear email field before posting

>>19084128
>>19084125
>>19084120
>>19084093

You go and fetch a blanket, then come back and drape it over her. She pushes it away violently, but then the second time she doesn't resist. Still sobbing, she loosens a little and grabs the blanket around her.

It has to be said, you can't think why people wouldn't like her - looks-wise, anyway. But you won't do something like what she's proposing - not while she's clearly sleep-trapped, if that's the word for it. You think about kissing her goodnight, but even that feels rather offensive, so you just tussle her hair a bit.

'You take care, Laura.'

She doesn't reply. You watch her until about eleven, and when you are quite sure she won't have another outbreak, you go and meditate.

> Give a possible insight for meditation, and roll d100. A good insight will earn bonuses.

rolled 36 = 36

>>19084195
Reach out into the various people below us's consciousness, categorizing and shutting them off all by the quality of the day they had (ie: Listen to the ones that had a great day, shut them out, focus on the ones with shitty days, shut them out, listen to ones with confusing days etc).

> Also, I'm going to bed soon, probably in one or two more posts. So thanks for playing, you guys are awesome.

> Criticisms, suggestions, etc. are welcome. As are long term plans for Dylan. We're considering university and poker so far, aren't we?

rolled 32 = 32

>>19084233
No wait, catergorize them by their moods instead.

rolled 81 = 81

>>19084195
I have no insights but here a roll anyway

rolled 85 = 85

>>19084195
I think we should meditate on: "You must begin to think of yourself as becoming the person you want to be." It's a great little corny quote.

rolled 81 = 81

>>19084195
rollan for insight

rolled 89 = 89

>>19084240
>>19084245
>>19084254
>everyone but me gets 80s, while I'm stuck with 30s

rolled 24 = 24

>>19084195
http://www.sacred-texts.com/eso/sob/sob04.htm
reading material

>>19084233
>>19084238
>>19084240
>>19084254

> 2 81s. That's actually really rare.

You try to push Laura away from your thoughts, and focus on the thoughts of the other people within the apartment.

It's a strange, and rewarding, exercise. You hear about work projects completed; schoolwork delayed; toilets that are difficult to clean. The quiet minds are the contented ones; most noise is complaint - the bloody warm weather; the bloody food at the cafeteria; why won't Carrie go out with me, etc. etc.

When finally you open your eyes again, it is half past midnight, and you feel a sense of refreshment. You even think you might be starting to understand the maids and cleaners downstairs, thinking in Polish and Turkish, now.

> You gain 2 points to assign!
> Self Control 4: 3 more points to SC 5
> Sense Proprioception: 1 more point to SP 2.
> You also gain 1 point to Pinpoint Presence (PP 1).

Regardless of your assignment, you go out to look at Laura. She's now curled up again, but in the normal sleeping way, not the nightmare-induced way. Eyes closed, mouth slightly open - you notice she drools a little in her sleep - she seems... really peaceful.

You sigh, scratch your head, and go back to bed.

>>19084316
Put both in sense proprioception. Uh, what is that again? Also, what about that ability to shadow people without them knowing?

>>19084316
one point to Self Control and one point to Sense Proprioception

>>19084316
EVERYTHING ON SELF CONTROL

TILL WE CAN SAFELY BANG CHICKS WITHOUT FRYING THEIR BRAINS WE SHOULD ALWAYS PUT EVERYTHING IN THERE

Also, check how Laure is doing.

>>19084316
>2 to SP
When we level up again, we can put all 3 into SC, hopefully if we fuck Laura before then, we won't blow her fragile brains out.

>mfw I want Dylan to try eating her drool because of Nazo no Kanojo X

>>19084360
"Regardless of your assignment, you go out to look at Laura. She's now curled up again, but in the normal sleeping way, not the nightmare-induced way. Eyes closed, mouth slightly open - you notice she drools a little in her sleep - she seems... really peaceful. " I think she is okay bro at least for now

> You have placed 2 points into SP.

> Self Control 4: SC 4, 3 more points to SC 5
> Sense Proprioception: SP 2, 2 more points to SP 3.
> Pinpoint Presence: PP 1
> Obfuscation: Obf 2 (1 + 1 natural talent), 3 points to Obf 3

Oh yes, your Obfuscation - my bad, I completely forgot about it as an upgrade option this thread. Sorry.

You fall into a long, dreamless sleep. Or if there were dreams, you don't remember them. When you wake up again, it's only 6.50 in the morning. You sense motion downstairs, elsewhere - cleaning and the like.

You also seem to sense something like a Psych, walking past the apartment building downstairs. As for Laura... she's not on the couch anymore, as your proprioception tells you.

> One or two more posts after this, then I go to sleep... But meanwhile what do?
> Also, if we manage to autosage this, catalog.neet.tv/tg

>>19084368

I... we... what?

>>19084429
Check how Laura is holding up due to yesterday problem

>>19084438
Mysterious Girlfriend X manga. Revolves around a guy and a girl who built up relation on eating each other's drool.

>>19084438
>show about lol mysterious transfer student
>MC comes back into classroom one day after school
>she's asleep on her desk
>wakes her up and she leaves
>he sees puddle of drool she left behind
>eats some
>gets addicted to it

Please stop judging me.

Anyway, let's check out if the drool has dried up yet, then find that silly girl.

>>19084429
pay closer attention to the possible psych walking past the building. then try and see where laura is with sp unless she's not in the building

>>19084455
>>19084463
No let's just check how Laura is doing you creeper

>>19084463
we're not her drool

>>19084471
I'm not suggesting to do that

>>19084471
There goes my hopes for this being my personal fetishquest.

>>19084476
*eating

Nope, no drool, no blanket either. You quickly trace her to the shower in her room, and your proprioception sense tells you she's leaning against the stall, and her hands are- oh. Oh.

Where was that Psych again? You move to the window. The sunlight is really unusually warm on your face. You sense he, she, it... but only briefly. Then you spot more joggers along the lake, whom you can also trace by movement and position. Maybe some FreeComm Psych is headed for the college feeding ground?

You drink coffee, have some breakfast, toast some baguette for Laura, and then she comes out in a new pair of shorts and a blue shirt this time, towelling her hair. 'Oh... good morning,' she says, hobbling over. 'Did you rebandage my foot? Thanks very much for that. I couldn't tie it properly...'

> What do/say?

>>19084538
HA!

>>19084538
"Yeah.
You were kind of out yesterday. You remember anything?"

>>19084560
this

>>19084576
>>19084560

'Oh, yeah I did that. While you were... asleep.'

'Yeah, must be. I was... really tired. It's quite surprising.' She goes to the table, then yawns and stretches. 'Sorry. Like I said... I don't sleep well. I haven't sleep like that in some time.'

'I... bet. That's good. Did you... remember anything from your sleep?'

'Remember?' She frowns, then shakes her head. 'What... did I do something stupid?'

> What do/say?

>>19084602
"Nah, just that you were mumbling in your sleep and thrashing around a little but it was nothing to be concerned about."

>>19084602
"Um, well. You kept asking me to have sex with you...I didn't, cuz you know, sleep rape."

>>19084602
nah you were just thrashing around a bit when I was retying your bandage
(no sense in embarassing her about it imo)

>>19084602
"Sort of, yeah. You seemed to have tried to fuck me, quite flattered myself, really. Of course, nothing happened."

>>19084609
please no, we know it was some kind of nightmarey/falshback/dream state thing we don't need to bring it up

captcha related: nice decency

>>19084635
shit that was meant to >>19084612

>>19084622
>>19084635
>>19084609
>>19084614

You wonder about whether to talk about what she said, or just say she seemed to be sleeping restlessly. You try to take a look into her mind, but your first attempt at gaining access makes her gasp; as she moves her hand to her temple, you decide to give that up. Whether or not she meant it, you shouldn't embarrass her.

'Nah, it was nothing. You were thrashing about while I was trying to retie the bandage.'

'Oh dear... sorry about that.'

'It's fine.' And with that the two of you continue eating your breakfast.

> Okay. Let's end here now. Next session will be announced on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CirrusandN
> Thanks for playing! And thanks in advance for interesting suggestions if you have any.

>>19084681
Thanks bro.
Great quest, as always.

>>19084681
Yeah thanks for this

>>19084681
thanks man, it's been really enjoyable

>>19084715
>>19084693
>>19084687

> Quest is only as good as its participants, so I think this quest is awesome too!

> Can someone do me a favour and archive this, my eyes are actually closing on me now...

>>19084724
Good night bro.

>>19084724
if I knew how to archive it I would, sorry man

>>19084744
>>19084724

If someone give me a good description for this thread, I could do it.

>>19084762
is 'Homeless Quest, Part 5' sufficient?

>>19084781
nah, that's just the title which should be "Hearth and Hoarfrost: Homeless Psych Quest, Part 5"
I mean a short summary of what happened in the thread.

>>19084781
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/19079791/

>>19084805
Done and first time to so eh if description sucks my bad

>>19084816
Oh yeah before I forget please vote

>>19084816
It's a good description.

I wonder what OP thinks of how the quest has comepletely changed from being a normal teen hobo trying to fend off crackheads. Now we're macking all the bitches so hard we have to try to NOT blow their minds.

>>19084919

I must say, I love it.

To be honest I've been designing the setting of 'mind-vampires' for a while, but never managed to figure out how to realise the idea. It's quite obvious with a blood-sucking vampire, but how do you wither a mind?

So the quest has forced me to have to put it down, and also to organise the worldbuilding. Not a bad thing, on balance.

>>19084980
Did you plan the psych powers from the beginning? Because at the start it did not seem like it would have taken this path.

>>19084980
Does everyone gain psych powers from 4chan, too? I wonder, if we keep finding our own threads, will we get stronger?