Ah, shit. Let's pry her away from us, gently.

Where's Sam?

We need to organise our investigation and look for new leads somehow.

>>19830668

Your hands slowly grip her shoulders and push her away gently. She whimpers again, but then as you push, she finally yields and stumbles back. Then she takes a deep breath as her eyes shoot open and look around.

'Dylan... wait. Did I do something?'

'Well... not much.' You stand back a little yourself, and notice a new presence in her thoughts. It's Bob, her housemate and perhaps her ex... tsk. This is weird. She's thinking of people, and you know most of them by now.

'I see... sorry. Where are we? Why are we in the storage room?'

'Oh, um... paints! I was looking for paints. You got me here.'

'Paints isn't this room. It's the one next door.' Laura grins awkwardly. 'Sorry about that.'

Just then the door opens, and Clemence and another girl walk in, looking at the two of you. 'Don't mind us. Looking for tools...'

> Roll d100 for insight.
> Also, what do/say?

rolled 29 = 29

Rolling.

'Yeah, don't mind us either. Just making out.'

rolled 38 = 38

rollan

>>19830773
Don't mind us, just looking for paint in all the wrong places.

rolled 76 = 76

>>19831094
I should probably pay more attention.

>>19831102
>>19831056
>>19831033

> 76: good roll!

Laura glances at you, eyes wide, but Clemence doesn't bat an eyelid. Neither does the other girl, who says something to Clemence in French.

... does this place have a French exchange programme or something? 'Nah, was just looking for paint.'

'Next door,' the other girl says. She doesn't look quite French, actually, olive-skinned and dark-haired. You step aside as they carry a frame out, and then it hits you what's been bothering you.

A lot of the girls in here, whose minds you have been scanning - they have some sort of a purpose. Some... agenda, you suppose it can be called. Laura is an exception; Clemence, too, and then another girl you've sensed, a tall student whom everyone - even Lynn, who's in her last year - calls 'senior'.

They're also, somehow, looking forward to Friday. But you're not sure they're looking forward to it in the same way as you are... if you are, at all.

Laura touches your shoulder. 'Hmm. You all right?'

> What do/say?

>>19831129
There's just a lot of work to be done before Friday, I suppose I'm picking up a bit of the stress everyone else seems to be feeling.

How about you?

>>19831160

As you say that, you are aware of Sam talking to Lynn - and quite obviously draining from her. Oi, Sam! Watch it!

Lynn shrugs and leads her off to somewhere else - you hear something about 'building the frameworks'. And with that she's snooped off again. Seriously...

'Oh... oh god, Friday!' Laura rubs her forehead. Something's appeared in the back of her mind, but she tries to push it aside. 'Man, there'll be so much work to do - maybe I should just sleep in school as well. Like Lynn. Poor Lynn... hmmm... say, Dylan. What will you be doing for the holidays? I know you haven't got a holiday, but... for summer, then?'

> What do/say?

>>19831199
I haven't got the foggiest idea. I'm leaving it pretty open, I'm sure I can find something interesting to do.

Also Laura, both you and Lynn are free to crash at my place instead of sleeping here.

>>19831245

This sounds... good, but should we get Laura nearby? We're already breaking her brain...

>>19831279
I will note in our defense that she was already messed up in the head before we met her. We're getting plenty of brain food from the festival and the girls there, we'll have a veritable buffet with Lynn and this lets us keep an eye on her condition. Also I don't like having them sleep here with the other Psych about, I wouldn't put snacking on them while they're sleeping past him.

>>19831245
>>19831279

'Hmm, maybe you should go on a holiday or something! Or, I don't know... volunteer, perhaps? Or... study for your exams? Actually if you want, I could help you with some of your exam things...'

'Yeah, maybe. But I seriously haven't a clue.' Partly because who knows what the Psychs have in store for you, eh? As you enter the right storeroom, smelling heavily of paint and thinner, you can feel Laura's mind flashing back to its original, shy but rather endearing state. It quickly dissipates, however, once you mention your place.

'Oh... well, maybe. You should really ask Lynn, though. She lives quite far from here, and... you live nearby. So what are you painting today?'

You glance over to Clemence, working with yet another girl whose pallor underlies an active mind. But looking at her, you sense a splash of blood in her thoughts - it's sudden, and quite unexpected. Laura, meanwhile, has already gone off to fix something or other. How is it everyone's so busy?

'Hey,' Clemence says. 'Oh, mean Ivana.'

Ivana radiates a slight sense of menace, and you can't tell why. But she smiles and shakes your hand, smudging it with paint. You see they are now painting the tiger.

> What do/say?

>>19831378
Hey Ivana, nice to meet you. I'm Dylan. The Tiger seems to coming along nicely.

>>19831424

'Hmm? Oh. Yeah, it is.' The smudge of blood is still there at the edge of her thoughts. 'I like its snarl. We're almost done with this one, actually.'

'Dylan's a good painter,' Clemence says. 'How about you slack off until lunchtime, which is like an hour, and then join us on that... big thing?'

'Ah, god,' Ivana rolls her eyes. You look around the theatre for 'the big thing', but nothing particularly big presents itself. Clemence laughs, a laugh like mimosa flowers.

'No, it's too big for here. It's out in the field. It's the canopy over the main exhibit thing.'

'Yes, the canopy Lynn suddenly wants to do a week ago...'

You have the feeling the smudge of blood is Lynn's. Or perhaps it's meant to be. She says it softly, but you can feel other girls looking your way - or maybe her way. Hmm.

> What do/say?

>>19831500
So Ivana may be feeling some hate for Lynn, though whether its artificial or natural has yet to be determined.

If you need help with anything just holler. For now I'm going to take a look at this "big thing", see what all the fuss is about.

>>19831565

> Off for dinner for a bit, will be back later in the evening. Thanks for playing for now, mate.
> Mates, actually.

'Oh... it's just out in the open, actually. On the basketball court, out back.' You manage to discern the rough map from Clemence's mind as she turns around. 'Want me to take you there?'

'Righto. Nah, it's fine. Come tell me if you need any help.'

'We'll tell you when it's lunchtime, let's go somewhere then.'

You head out into a bleak, grey day, walking through walkways devoid of people. Schools during holidays are always strange places - their purpose apparently being completely drained out of them. Except you can still hear music coming from some other rooms, and when you pass what seems to be the sports building there is plenty of yelling, running about and squeaking of shoes on wood floors.

When you reach the basketball court, it is covered by an enormous, grey cloth, partly covered by tarps. No one's watching it; you turn to see some girls playing basketball, and further down the courts, volleyball. This is a huge cloth, though. Surely Lynn has the common sense not to try and paint this in two weeks? It must be something she's being driven to do...

Damn, this is maddening. Also, the cloth is partly wet from sitting on a wet court. Shit.

> What do?

>>19831652
Investigate the cloth, check for psychic prints or presence, starting something this big, this late just seems really fucking odd.

>>19831652
What's to be painted ? Leaves and points of light ? It's designed to be seen from under, and look like a canopy ? That might not be so ambitious. I think it can be done by splashing various tones of green and yellow paint around, while someone cuts leaf-likes holes in a few large sheets of cardboard. Then with green and brown spray paint, we rapidly add a few dozens leaves all over, and every eye who'll look will interpret all the splashing shapes as leaves.

Then we can add splashes of light in with paint, maybe.

A few days' work. I hope.

>>19831652
We should go talk to Lynn about it. Maybe we can relay her mates' worries better than they can. She seemed to be relatively indulgent towards us.

rolled 48, 66 = 114

Also, I'd like to take the time before lunch to go investigate Marina's toilets.

Rolling to get the location out of someone's brain. Laura if we can find her again, but we have chances to find some other girl who knows Marina, so scan around (rooling for that too) - IIRC, the toilets in which she locked Laura was a place where she usually hang around, so maybe someone else knows.

>>19832308
>>19832278
>>19831724

> God that was a long dinner.

It is clear that it will be a big project - and that someone must have rushed Lynn into doing it. Going to the tarp, you feel a sudden resistance to your desire to open it - a sense that under the tarp lies something fearsome, something terrible. When you touch your left hand to the tarp, you find to your shock that it is hot to the touch - like a candle flame.

Fuck! The tarp itself couldn't have done this - it must be someone, some Psych!

You get to your feet and glance around you, but you can't see anyone. Besides the Sports block where you came from, there are two other buildings - the great Central Auditorium block which is near the rest of the basketball courts, and behind you a long row of classrooms leading up to the forested hill.

... is someone watching you right now?

> What do?

rolled 80 = 80

>>19833546
Rolling to find whoever is watching.

Try to look unsuspecting, and go find Sam.

>>19833546
I'm guess we should try to sense the other psych but maybe it's better to throw up some mental defenses
>Seems you were gone for a little while might take time for the others to come back

>>19833659
Guess we just go with this

Why did you call it hearth and hoarfrost, by the way ?

rolled 5 = 5

>>19833659
Can we try to send a message to Sam, from afar, without knowing her location ?
Can we make it private from any other psych listening ?

"Come to the sports grounds, quick"

>>19833721
Not surprising the roll is so low for in game reasons (Hard to send a message to someone if you don't know where they are I'm guessing)

rolled 39 = 39

>>19833742
Making it private seems the most difficult part to me.

>>19833659
>>19833667
>>19833674
>>19833694

> No idea, really. Just liked the idea of a hearth as in a home, and hoarfrost outside.

> 80: good roll!

You quickly manage to pinpoint where the intruder is, while also using your obfuscation to cover that fact. He or she is standing behind the doors of the sports block, up on the second or third floor...

Straightening yourself, you wander off nonchalantly, even whistling though your heart is beating crazily. Whoever he is, he must be very powerful to affect you at such a distance - and to find out about your fear so easily. You don't slow down until you get back to the theatre, where you run into Lynn and a few classmates heading out.

'Oh hello there Dylan, thought you weren't coming today,' Lynn says. Her mind is tinged with exhaustion. She hasn't slept at all last night, you're guessing. 'You want to join us for lunch?'

'Ah...' you look at their group - there's 6 of them in all. Then, glancing into the theatre, you see Clemence and Ivana, and the tiger hanging from the stage curtain rails - a huge painting, the tiger ferocious and ready to pounce. Just that sight strikes you with a sense of menace already.

Why... is this whole set-up so *menacing*?

> What do? Who do go with for lunch?

>>19833777
Wait where is Sam? Maybe we should go look for her if a powerful psych is here.

>>19833777
I'd love to join you lovely ladies. I think the tiger turned out rather well myself, it certainly looks ferocious enough.

Give me just a minute and I'll be right with you.

We should find/text Sam and inform her of the recent developments.

rolled 38 = 38

>>19833777
Tell Lynn we agreed to go with Clemence.
For now we need to find Sam, then go meet our mysterious psych. Rolling for to find her quickly.
Text Kevin that another psych revealed itself, that we're going to see who it is, and who to send our stuff to if we don't come back.

>>19833776
>>19833742
>>19833721

> Yeah, you didn't really try that - didn't want to broadcast your friend's presence. That person seems pretty hostile.

>>19833818
>>19833831

'Well, I think I'll join you girls later, actually...' you grin and take your leave. You sense Sam in the backstage, and when you go back in the door you are met by a girl walking out - her mind, strangely, thinking about Sam sitting in what looks like an office.

When you open the door to where that girl's mind leads, it is indeed an empty office, strewn all about with props and tools, and Sam is there with a tall, muscular man. You can immediately sense the guy's attraction to Sam, and Sammy dear is totally utilising it to drain his mind. She turns around.

'Oh, hey there Dylan. What's up?'

'So... you free for lunch now, Samantha?'

'Hmm. Maybe.' She glances at him, then gets up and walks to you. You feel the guy staring daggers at you, as she takes you out and down the walkway, into another office. This time she locks the door.

'I think I know what the Creation is going to look like now,' she whispers. 'But are you all right? You look a bit kicked.'

> What do/say?

>>19833926
We got a hostile here. Another Psych, motivations unknown, probable connection to the Creation, very powerful, might be the one who made the goon squad that went after me a while back but I'm not going to assume that yet.

What did you get on the Creation?

>>19833926
Tell her of what happened. I think we need to go find and confront the other psych as soon as we can. We're kind of sitting ducks here in the crowd.

>>19833945
>>19833969
It might be better to get out of here for a while but yeah tell her what happened

Ask someone if the art teacher was here this morning.

>>19833926
Ask her for insights about what's happening and what's to be done, because I'm a little lost.

>>19833945
>>19833969

You tell her what happened to you, and she frowns. 'Eh. Really? I didn't sense anyone around here who's a Psych. Other than that art teacher bloke, who is seriously rather creepy. He was in the theatre just now for like an hour just staring at the girls doing their work. And draining them, of course.'

It's lovely she thinks that stealing people's thoughts and mental energy is not on the same level as ogling them. 'Well, I didn't sense anyone other than Henrich either. You reckon it's an intruder?'

'Nah. If it is they would just attack you straightaway...'

'So what'd you get on the Creation?'

'I think I've worked out the mechanism,' she says, sitting down and rubbing her forehead. You know, even with thick-framed glasses, she's quite... ANYWAY. 'This has been going on a little longer than we thought. Someone is being manipulated into being the host - her thoughts getting weaker and more confused, something like that.

'Then sentiments are being whipped up, and at the same time that Lynn girl - man, her mind is quite powerful - her energy is all being focused into something. Come Friday, these two are going to clash. That's where the Creation is going to emerge from, and it's then going to use whoever the host is. The problem is, I don't have any idea what is the point of this. Why work so hard to have a transient Creation?'

'Transient?'

'It's not meant to last long. Creations that last long have stories behind them. Histories, coherent ideas. This is just sentiment. It's like a lynch mob, they get together, a Creation drives them into murder, and then...' Sam's eyes widen. 'Oh. Could that be it?'

> What do/say?

'Incidentally, Dylan, stop looking at my legs.'

Ah, fuck! You look away.

rolled 46 = 46

Pee in her butt. Rolling for output.

>>19834044
Oh shit didn't we sense Laura's condition was similar to that Tammy chick? If so this is some fucking bad news. Her mind is getting all confused.

>>19834044
I will stare at your legs as it suits me, it's not my fault that they're pretty.

Right, we've got someone stirring up a transient Creation for a fucking lynchmob, setting chaos everywhere, nasty business. I have a guess about who the host is, or she could just have a fuckton of issues. What would happen if the host didn't show up?

rolled 87 = 87

>>19834079
>I will stare at your legs as it suits me, it's not my fault that they're pretty.

This.

>>19834044
>her thoughts getting weaker and more confused, something like that.
Yeah, I think we got a good candidate for that role...

As for the goal, I don't see the point in using a creation for a murder... wait, actually, I might see it. Could it be done by a weaker psych to kill a stronger one ? Maybe Henrich is trying to lay a trap, maybe for this strong guy who came at me.
But it seems a little sophisticated for Henrich. The idea that he was planning to use it too defend against rural creations fitted him better. But if it's short-lived, I guess that can't be it.
The other possibility is that he's being manipulated. Maybe by that other psych.

The question is, that guy identified me as a psych, and also identified one of my deepest fears. Why didn't he attack me more persistently or violently ? Why just reveal himself then letting me go ?

>>19834115
>>19834079
>>19834073

'I'll stare at your legs, if I wan-'

Sam leans over and screams, horribly loudly, into your ear. Both of them. Ow, fuck! Instinctively you clap your hands to your ears, but the noise doesn't stop for a few more seconds. Then you look up and she's just sitting there, legs still crossed.

Don't go offending people too much, Dylan. As a former hobo you oughtta know better...

'Ow. Anyway. So... what happens if the host is taken out?'

'If the host is taken out? As in, taken away? Huh.' Sam thinks this over. She's clearly read about it; it seems she's determined to follow Lena's path and enter Autumn. 'I think if that happens another host will be found, is what happens normally. That sort of energy doesn't just dissipate, man. We're talking 50 teenage girls, hormones *and* a bad mood. Probably a few guys as well.'

She says that like she isn't teenaged herself.

'Actually, you know what,' she says, and takes out a small notebook that turns out to be a computer! 'I'm going to send you something - it's not a manual or anything, just some of my observations and what I've learned. You know a bit more about the situation here, so maybe read it on your pad or something... do you still want me to be here?'

> What do/say?

>>19834185
Well, I suppose you could be useful. I still don't know how to defuse the situation.
And that other psych seems a bit much to take by myself.
Also, you do have some pretty l-.

>>19834185
You still know more than I do about this sort of thing than I do and this situation is enough of a clusterfuck that having someone else around would be helpful. And if our mysterious friend shows up again I'd rather not have to face him alone as he could hand me my ass on a silver platter.

Nobody remembers why we wanted to talk to Sam to begin with?

Okay, bring up practicing our offensive capabilities with Sam, at some point. More dueling.

>>19834073

Well, to be fair, you kinda figured Laura was all confused for a long time now.

>>19834233
>And if our mysterious friend shows up again
I think he's still around.
How about we go to meet him ? Like Sam said, he didn't attack straightaway, so we might have a chance to talk it out.

>>19834253
Addendum:Offensive and defensive.

>>19834231
>>19834233
>>19834253

> Oh, you do remember that (well I do) - just that dueling doesn't seem like the thing to be doing now. You know, in school, in the presence of many minds which could be damaged...

You ask her to stay, and she shrugs. 'Fair enough. Come think of it, you don't seem to have many friends do you? In the society?'

'What do you mean?'

'Well, you aren't really keeping up the links to other Psychs, it seems... look, the Free Comm looks like a unified front, but it isn't. People politick all the time. You need friends, you know.'

'I was thinking of having you as a duel training partner,' you admit. 'Does that count?'

'I guess, yeah...'

You turn to the problem of the motive behind this transient, crazy Creation. If it might well end up hurting or killing someone - and that someone could well be Laura - then why? Why does someone want Laura dead? And why not just knife her?

Or maybe it's Henrich? But he is also isolated, and it would not be hard to knife *him* either.

'It's got to be the energy from the Creation. It's useful to someone. It can be channeled somewhere... I'll need to do more research on that. We do.' Sam purses her lips.

'How about that other Psych?'

'We keep an eye on him or her and see how it goes. Meanwhile. You want lunch? I'm hungry.'

> What do/say?

>>19834343
I do want lunch, we can get some food and you can give me a crash course in Creations and Psych politics while we're at it.

>>19834343
Those two girls invited me, you want to come with us ?
And how come you're relaxed about this ? I'm almost freaking out here.

>>19834343

Aren't we lunching with Clemence and friends though?

>>19834343
We already made lunch plans, but she can join us if she wants.

>>19834424
>>19834407
>>19834404
>>19834388

'Well, I've made plans with two of the girls...'

'How many girls are you involved with here, exactly?' Sam leans forward a little. Actually come think of it... is she in high school herself? If she's 19, she ought to be in university...? Hmm.

You ask her the question, and she says she's taking a gap year. 'Or maybe a gap decade. Who knows... anyway, you go meet your girlfriends, try not to get in trouble, and get some food for me when you get back. Sandwich, maybe. I'll read up on my stuff here meanwhile.'

'Sure, okay.'

You head down to the stage, where Clemence and Ivana are looking at the tiger. They seem to be totally focused on it, sitting on cans of paint, talking softly. You can tell they're talking about studies... and boys. An image of that guy who was smitten with Sam comes to mind.

'Hey there. You want lunch?'

'Oh yeah, we invited Jonah as well... just waiting for him.'

Jonah turns out to be that muscular guy, with the body of an athlete. Impressive. He glances at you, then turns to the girls. 'How're we doing here?'

'Yeah, I'm fine. What do you want to eat?'

Jonah is thinking of innuendos already...

> What do/say?

>>19834479

What's nice? Let's have Chinese.
Try to probe this Jonah a little.

>>19834479
Some kind of fast food that's easy to carry back here for me. I took an order.

>>19834479
Introduce ourself to Jonah, offer a handshake. Light mind probe.

Thai food might be good.

>>19834554
in b4 Jonah does the masculine hand-crushing shake thing to prove alpha male status.

>>19834573
We do the mind-crushing dominance thing because WE THE MOST ALPHA!

>>19834554
>>19834553
>>19834535

'Chinese, maybe? Or Thai?'

'I want Chinese, man,' Jonah says. You give him your name, and he gives yours, but he doesn't take your hand.

Looking through his mind, you see an array of successes - classes aced, council events organised, family parties held, girls fucked. Someone quite into winning, it seems.

'Let's have Chinese, then.' You can also tell that Ivana would like to be next on Jonah's list of family party-goers/girls. Clemence remains admirably unmoved.

Ting Ching Chang is a small, greasy place down one of the back alleys to the west of the school, with a strangely strong psychic presence - this part of the town appears to be much older, its history much more apparent, than the rebuilt areas around Herring Lake. You sit down and look at the menu. It's so greasy it's almost opaque, but seriously it's a Chinese place, what else is there on the menu?

> Order something?

Meanwhile, Jonah is chatting to Ivana about random things - the incoming event, holiday plans. 'I think I'm going on a backpacking trip round Europe, actually.'

'Really!'

'Yeah. You can join me for a leg, perhaps? Maybe Spain? Come on, Spain in summer, that'd be awesome, eh?'

Clemence is still reading the menu and muttering in French. You can sense she's, somehow, bored. But also a little apprehensive. Her mind is on alert, for some reason...

rolled 84 = 84

>>19834573
Let's indulge in our youth.

Rolling to enhance strength if he does that.

But he's more beautiful than us, so I guess he won't see the need.

>>19834626
Let's get mafuckin' NOODLES! Get som a' dat STIR FRY SHIT mah nigga.

>>19834644
>>19834605
>>19834573

Yeah, fucker isn't even bothering with you. Somehow that's even more insulting, isn't it?

As you are wondering what to get, the conversation between Ivana and Jonah is headed for planning the trip to Spain already. Beaches would be nice. Jonah would be getting all the beaches... into his itinerary. Stuffing them in, really. Ivana could always ride along.

And other things like that. Clemence, meanwhile, says she is having spring rolls and fried rice vermicelli.

rolled 73 = 73

>>19834626
I want to try something. Copypasting her knowledge of french from her brain into ours.
Start by mapping her knowledge, try to see what she's using when she speaks french. Ask her to say something in french is she stops muttering.
Then try to make an image of it and burn it inside our head.

>>19834700
Good roll or not, something like this sounds pretty dangerous... a whole language is a bit more intensive than a few memories.

rolled 75 = 75

>>19834626
Choose at random. Rolling for that. Ask two of it, and one to take away.

>>19834716
What's the worst that can happen ? We get some knowledge we didn't aim for, maybe we lose a little of ours.
Well, okay, try to transfer only a small quantity of brainstuff, to minimize the unintended consequences. But do it anyway.

>>19834755
Isn't that a active drain though? I forgot what counts as one but I don't want to do this

>>19834718
>>19834716
>>19834700
>>19834679

> 75: BRACK BEEN SAUCE WIT FRY NOODER!
> I'm a Chink, I can diss me accent however I want.

> Also, 73: ca va, ca va...

You don't really say anything as you look at Clemence and try to map her language to her thoughts. Actually, you don't even need to wait for her to stop muttering - she's muttering what she's thinking now, really, so you're just observing.

She's thinking about how they're ever going to finish that canopy, and who the hell gave the idea to paint the Sisteen Chapel on canvas and make a roof of it. Also, she should get to work on her portfolio, but she doesn't feel like doing it. And she's fat (she's not, seriously), and she needs to exercise.

Also, she's worried about Lynn, you realise. She's wondering if Lynn is getting a bit weird from the stress, and trying to take on far more than she should... hmm.

Well, that's a lot of French. Your fry nooder comes in a large steaming plate, and Clemence gestures to the spring rolls. 'Want one?'

Meanwhile, Jonah and Ivana are talking about Lynn... bitching about Lynn, really.

> What do/say?

>>19834779

It's an active drain, yes, but 73 is well within the limits of your self-control.

Active draining is not always a bad thing - it's a quick way for you to recharge, you just have to make sure the person isn't broken by it that's all. For example it's probably best not to drain Clemence for the rest of the day... precautions like that.

rolled 42 = 42

>>19834792
Jonah is bitching about Lynn ? Did he get shot down ? Search his brain for the story, just because we can.

To Clemence : pas d'appetit ?

>>19834792
Fuck yeah, spring rolls. Take one.

Ask Clemence what she's muttering about, say we heard a few words here and there but don't speak french.

Ask how she's doing.

>>19834852
>>19834835

> 42: Well, nope...

They're mostly bitching about what she's doing now, actually. It seems Ivana was one of the people who wanted to run the carnival art project, but got passed over.

Jonah, on the other hand, is coordinating his school's effort - so that's why the bastards haven't been coming, eh? - and he thinks Lynn is crazy and rather hard to work with. 'I can't even talk to her, really. Don't know what she talks about.'

'I know. She's a bit of a head in the clouds person. Which is fine, but look what we're trying to do, seriously.'

Meanwhile, Clemence looks at you as you ask if she's got no appetite (in English). 'Nah, well, 4 is too many.'

Nice spring rolls, though. Crispy, with little bits of pork in them. Oh man, it's been years since you had one! 'So, how're you doing?'

'Tired. Getting ready to... go back to France.' You can tell she isn't sure about that. Is she unsure about whether she wants to go back, or about whether she's going back at all...?

> What do/say?

>>19834932
You don't sound too enthusiastic. Is there something that would be keeping you here, or keeping you away from there ?

>>19834932
If you're going back, it's to spend the whole time with your family ? I could see how that wouldn't be a real rest.

>>19834977

'Hmm? Oh, nah. It's just...'

You can tell there's something but she's unsure if she should tell you. After a moment's hesitation, though, she shrugs and says it.

'They've sold the business down south. Now they're living somewhere, looking for work. And I don't know if they want me to go back, or maybe they'll send Collette and Pierre over instead. So it's... a bit uncertain.'

You have the feeling this sense of uncertainty, not to mention the language barrier, is somehow keeping her separated from the current of resentment that is welling - as the bitching about Lynn right next to you shows. Clemence is an admirable girl.

She continues eating, and so do you. Soon a plastic box is plopped down, and you pay the bill. Jonah pays for Ivana, who grins.

Then you take the walk back to school, soaking in the atmosphere here. This place used to be the docklands, and the overwhelming impression is like that you got at the Museum previously - work, unremitting work, and the many small jealousies and struggles between workers here. But there's now also an air of intellectualism, nearer the present.

'I do like this town,' Clemence sighs. She looks a bit wistful; you realise all her images of France you got before were pleasant memories of a place she's lost.

> What do/say?

>>19835101
"I do too, it seems like every little place has history to it."

>>19835101
It's a nice place, I'm rather fond of it. Not too loud, good food, nice parks and greenery.

>>19835101
Maybe this can be a summer for new, pleasant memories. I like to convince myself that everything is replaceable.
I wonder how people who don't think so manage to live fifty years or more, by the way.

Tell her we'll meet her at the courts in a moment. Go give Sam's her food, and ask if there's been anything new during that short time.

>>19835157
It's not like we've ever known anything else, though.

>>19835157
>>19835143

'That's true! That's true...' Clemence smiles, after a long while of looking tense. She's really pretty when she smiles - there's a whiff of confidence about it, but it doesn't veer into smugness. Well, you know she's not generally a smug person, nationality notwithstanding.

After you get back to school, she beckons you in another direction and then walks off towards the tower block. Jonah and Ivana see it, and you can sense them thinking up jokes about you hooking up with her. Yeah, says the two of you...

Following her to the grand main atrium of the tower block, with its fountains in a ring around a central stage, she sits down. 'So. I'm sure you can sense the tension there. I tell you, on Friday, they're going to do something to Lynn I think.'

'Do something?'

'I don't know what, but... you get the idea. I think people are going to sabotage the installation, even. Which is stupid, really. They made it themselves, man...'

> What do/say?

>>19835274
Well, we don't want that to happen. She put a lot of work into this, and I'd like to see how it looks when it all comes together.

>>19835274
"Do they really think that's wise for someone as high-strung as Lynn?"

>>19835274
"Who is talking about that ?"


Well, two choices. Either this is just as planned by someone, and that's how the creation will happen, a bit sooner than we expected. Or this is one chance to stop all this before it happens.

>>19835345
>>19835340
>>19835290

'What? Who's talking about that?'

'Were you deaf?' Clemence snaps, but then holds herself back. 'Ah, sorry. Well. Ivana was talking about it all through lunch.'

That's true, actually... yeah... 'man, I'm not sure... that'd be terrible for someone as highly-strung as Lynn.'

'I know. Well, Lynn is more laid-back than you think, but it's her work. She's... she's into it, you know? Still, what can she do right, fire everyone or something?' Clemence sighs and gets up. 'Anyway, you're passing that on to your friend, yeah? Is she special friend?'

> What do/say? You can't tell if this will be the way to stop it, or a precipitation. If it is the latter, it means you only have three days to try and... stop it, perhaps? Or at least find out what's behind it?
> Kev did say it was a bit late to stop it, though... you might have to roll with the Creation and manage its consequences.

>>19835340
I don't think they can fear any kind of retribution from that girl. She won't think of hurting a lot of people for revenge, and she doesn't have the material means to do it either.

By the way, could Lynn know about it ? I get the feeling that she's willingly leading her bull to the slaughter.
Hey, maybe it's supposed to be a happening. Hah.

More seriously, do you want to try and stop it ? Talk with Lynn ? Maybe we could get her to stop, gather the guys and talk it out. You don't suppose that would suffice, do you ?

>>19835398
She's quite special, but not especially so to me.
But what do you think we can do ?

>>19835398
"Right now, shi- I mean it's complicated. Reaally confusing."

>>19835398
Which one is she referring to, I mean she's seen us with both Laura and Sam...

>>19835398
Are you talking about Laura or Sam?

rolled 9 = 9

>>19835398
Find Ivana.
Search her brain for the details of the conspiracy, and the people involved. Try to find the trace of the influence of a psych. If not in her, track down whoever started this, one brain at the time.

>>19835560
not with that roll we aren't...

rolled 78 = 78

>>19835560
Well, try again.

>>19835537
>>19835531
I think she's talking about Sam. She should know Laura's name.

>>19835426
>>19835479
>>19835499

> shi- what, sorry?

'Not so to you? What's that mean?' She blinks.

'Well, she's not *my* special friend. Anyway, so... should we try to stop this, then? Or what?'

'I'm not sure it can be stopped,' Clemence says as she walks slowly off. 'We're just going to have to do our best, and maybe manage the fallout. Keep it from getting nasty... see, if the thing is going to be wheeled out on Friday or Saturday, we'll have to set it up on Thursday really... so I've got to work on it. See ya!'

You head to the backstage office, past lethargic post-lunch students, to find Sam sitting and facing a whiteboard. She's scribbled some things on it, and thanks you for the lunch.

'I've thought of something that might be what they're after. The dissipation of a Creation leads to a great amount of energy being released. It's like a shockwave. But if it's channeled and drained by someone, they can grow immensely in power. That's... that's quite a drastic shortcut to take, really...'

She sounds very concerned about this.

>>19835537
>>19835531

Sam. You aren't buying lunch for Laura, and Clemence knows Laura.

>>19835560
>>19835577

You're not sure if it can be considered a 'conspiracy'. Are you really going to go on active search after talking to Sam, then?

Bad consequences could ensue, I'm just saying. Well, Dylan would know.

>>19835593
Well shit, how powerful are we talking here?

>>19835593
Shit, shi- would be shit.

>>19835593
There also got to be some side effects to that right?

>>19835593
Oh.
Would there be side-effects for the one who'll drain it ?
Could I... hijack that ? If we really can't stop it, that could be a solution.

That sounds more like something Henrich would need, though.

Anyway, there's news, some students plan to ruin everything tomorrow. And maybe that'll solve everything for us. Or they're manipulated into it, Maybe Henrich or that other guy is putting things in gear early on because of our meddling.

>>19835669

'Depends on... depends on the damage it does, really.' Sam sighs.

'The hell's that mean?' You feel a coldness in you. If Laura is going to be the host...

'Well. If it ends up killing the host or something like that, then it can be a serious amount of power. Everyone here gets mad and distressed, someone dies - it's equivalent to feeding off people for a year or so, I'd guess? I mean, hell, I've never tried it...'

'That's... that's a worthwhile investment, then,' you have to concede.

'Yeah. But - well - not ethical. Not if you care about people, anyway. You reckon it's Henrich? That art teacher? Oh, also, he's on to me. I caught him looking at me just now.'

Might've just been your legs, Sam. But yeah, okay, it's probably your Psych-ness.

> What do/say?

>>19835753
Possible, but it doesn't feel like him. We should keep an eye on him, but I'm guessing its an unknown third party.

>>19835753
I think we need to find whoever is behind that.

>>19835753
It could be because he so weak but what about that other guy I sensed? He used my own fear against me (btw I ain't saying it out loud. The fear that is wall got ears you know)
>Should I roll to see if the other psych is even here still?

>>19835793
Henrich is definitely involved. But he might be manipulated by someone else.
He seemed to value his independance. Maybe he's not aware of it yet, and we can get his help on this.

>>19835753
Heinrich is an ass, sure, but I didn't really get any crazed lust for power vibes out of him. It might be that other unidentified psych though.

>>19835816
Yeah, Sam, I don't think we have the time to wait and see what happens. Let's search for that other guy.

>>19835630
Bad consequences ? From searching the minds of the students, or from finding the source of it all ?

>>19835830
>>19835816
>>19835796
>>19835793
>>19835752

'Are there side-effects with that sort of draining? I mean, could we exploit it?'

'If you aren't afraid of the Free Comm coming down on you for killing someone, sure,' Sam says. 'I doubt you have the backers to justify yourself with if you tried that, though, so you'd best not do it. Me neither.'

Well, that makes sense. Also, you don't think the students are sabotaging things tomorrow. That was never said...

'I don't think it's Henrich. Or maybe it's Henrich, but not Henrich alone. Someone else is manipulating...'

'Are you talking about that other Psych?'

'Could be that... could be someone else. Did you sense the Psych?'

'Yeah, actually. He came around the area just now, but didn't come into the theatre. Could be a she, though. I don't know...'

You sit down and watch Sam eat her noodles. 'You look terribly glum, mate,' she says. 'Cheer up. Face like that, you're not getting anything done anyway.'

'Maybe if we told Henrich we knew, and then...'

'You reckon that would work? Well, it might, eh...'

> What do/say then? It's almost 2 in the afternoon now.

>>19835897

From ransacking young, already tense and resentful, and possibly manipulated minds en masse.

>>19835919
I overpowered him easily, he's not powerful.

>>19835919
He knows the school better, he isn't a powerful Psych but he knows more of the students than we do. He could be a valuable source of information.

>>19835919
>Also, you don't think the students are sabotaging things tomorrow. That was never said...
>I think people are going to sabotage the installation, even.
?

>>19835943
Hm... Okay, then go talk to Henrich first.

>>19835949
>>19835960
>>19835982
>>19836013

> Going to doesn't mean tomorrow. The future is indeterminate; tomorrow is quite well defined.
> Also, I'm going to sleep soon so this is the last gaming post for today. But it'd be nice to hear views on what Dylan intends to do after this investigation is complete. I'm drawing a bit of a blank on what challenges to give a Psych now...
> Thanks for playing, people!

'Well. He can be dominated and interrogated. And he does know this place more than we do.'

'That's fair enough,' Sam says. 'Hmm. Shall we do it this evening then? And then you can go work on your friends' projects. Then we can go have dinner or something. I'm starved.'

'You just had noodles!'

'Oh yeah. Well, I will be starved...'

You shake your head and head down to the basketball courts, where Clemence, Ivana, and two or three other girls are working. It's... woah. You can't help but stand for a moment, trying to make it out.

The canvas is actually circular, and it's been divided into four portions. At each portion, a background is being painted, and then figures painted on the 'ground', at the edges of the painting. The centre is a deep blue, with white dots - stars, you realise. It's... it's a huge work.

'Hey, Dylan. Come help with the Spring side, then.'

You head down and join Clemence, going around on your hands and knees for an hour as the wind blows, while painting trees and plants and animals on spring. 'What on earth is this thing?'

'Yeah... Lynn wanted it to look like the bloody Sistine Chapel. Big ceiling painting, crazy things... so yeah.'

You are about to talk more when you suddenly become aware of the presence again. That Psych... is still looking over all of you. You look up, and the thoughts here are noticeably muted. No one is really speaking to each other; everyone is working, painting, drawing. Even Clemence is quiet...

> What do/say?
> Also, so yeah - what are our plans for Dylan? What will he do after this school thing is over? What are some obstacles and aspirations and enemies he intends to fight?
> And how about the tone of the quest - are we being a bit too serious here?

>>19836185
Well if shit about to go down it should be serious

Tsk. This seems bad.

Maybe we could text Sam and ask her to investigate? While we stay here and keep the psych occupied?

>>19836185
> Also, so yeah - what are our plans for Dylan? What will he do after this school thing is over? What are some obstacles and aspirations and enemies he intends to fight?

I think Sam's suggestion of us getting a bit more involved in free com is a good one, we've kind of been ignoring the psychic community for the most part so far. Especially with this supposed brewing conflict between Free Com and the Bestowers.

We could start considering a group within the Free Com to join, too.

> And how about the tone of the quest - are we being a bit too serious here?

I think the tone's been pretty good, fairly relaxed for the most part with the occasional moments of shit getting serious, as it is now.

>>19836185
and after the school thing he GOTTA get some text books for his exam that he gotta take in the future. We should at least check if the psych is female or male at least.

The tone might be becoming a bit too serious, I think.

Also, maybe we could have more politics with the psychs? And maybe criminals or something?

Also, it hasn't been brought up in a while, but we really ought not to forget about that poor girl who that Bestower is playing Sims with, Tamsin.

I'd feel bad about it if we didn't try to sort that situation out.

>>19836185
Does anyone want to roll to see what gender the unknown psych is? Would be easier to find said person later

rolled 49 = 49

>>19836395

Hmm, let's roll then!

rolled 49 = 49

>>19836395
Rolling

rolled 46 = 46

>>19836395
Could've done it yourself.

>>19836327

There is her.

Actually it would be fun if we tried to defend our territory against encroachers. Can we build an empire here?

>>19836407
>>19836401
two 49s? weird so do we have anymore takers

>>19836410
Not really. Bestowed would be on our ass and kill us. The Free Comm would be FUCK that shit and get rid of us. Not to mention other independents

>>19836410
That would end horribly, we're a new and inexperienced psych in a city full of far more skilled people who are gearing up for a potential war.

Let's worry about looking after specific people for now, and worry about ruling private empires many many years from now... if at all.

rolled 53 = 53

>>19836395
I guess I'll reroll

rolled 31 = 31

>>19836415
Can't stop this mediocre train rolling...

If it were up to me I would go with a more proactive free comm group. something that goes out and addresses the threats, i dont remember which one fits that bill at the moment. Our sneakiness would be useful there.

>>19836401
>>19836407

Common practice for my quests: two consecutive identical rolls are GOOD LUCK.

As such, you quickly realise who it is as you work - well, quickly, it took you an hour and a half. It's 'senior' - it's that tall, aloofly beautiful woman everyone called senior.

Come think of it, she had the air of Numsang about her. But this seems... seriously ruthless. She must be quite strong too; you didn't realise she was even a Psych, the first few times you met her.

>>19836465
I think Fall or winter

we should gather girls and make ourselves a nice little local harem. too little sex here as it is.
also, how about dylania? our kingdom?

>>19836469
Thank god because those rolls were kinda sad

>>19836465
Just looked back at the early threads, most of the Autumn congregations, as well as the Snowfall Winter congregation fall into that description.

>>19836491
I see no flaws in this plan, we should buy Dylan a nice boat while we're at it...

>>19836251
Do this seems like a plan for now

>>19836469
Hello? You alive? Anyways I wanted to do this
>>19836251

>>19836758

I believe I've ended the thread for today, kindly see above.

If thread is still alive tomorrow I will continue here. I did see the plan.

I think we need to learn more about the society here before we can figure out something to do.

We're not going to look for a job, so maybe if we worked to fight crime or something...

(no one else playing this has long term plans?)

>>19836941
We aren't going to look for a job since when?

>>19836941
Why crimefighting? It seems kind of weird for Dylan to suddenly become psychic batman out of nowhere.

Plenty of people have long term plans, but in the short term I think we need to get more involved in the Free Com, to give us a more informed idea of what's going on.

Yeah, Free Com sounds okay.

And also, local associations. School, university, just get to know more people.

We can do good things for them as well, maybe gain a reputation in the community.

>>19836941
Fight crime ? Fuck no. Criminals have it bad enough already. No need for self-righteous superpowered vigilantes.

By the way, we should text Lena about these murders we heard about last week, ask if they managed to find the guy.

Two things I'd like to see in the near future:

1 - Get more involved with Free Com, make some friends, join one of the congregations.

2 - Do something about that creepy psych who's keeping Tamsin as a pet. 1 should aid in this, as we are rather short on allies right now.

>>19837678
I think we'd have heard about it if they had, sounded like it was quite a big deal for the Free Com.

>>19837678

We could always *become* criminals. Mind-reading criminals sounds good.

>>19837736
I don't think Dylan minds breaking the law when necessary, what with several years on the streets and all, but becoming a full-fledged professional criminal seems a bit out of character from what we've seen of him so far.

As for long-term goals, I have two.
1- Have fun.
2- Change our environment to allow for more fun to be had.

I want to join the protesters and rioters we read about, make friends, and get involved in normal politics.

I think we might step on a few toes belonging to the freecomm by doing this, but I don't dislike the idea.

>>19837736
>>19837785
Depends what kind of crime, all criminals aren't the same. Theft is okay with me, if we choose the right victims, human trafficking is not.

After the investigation ?
I want to gather a group of people to play rpgs. And I want to GM. And I want no pen, no paper, no dice. I want to immerse players into a virtual reality directly out of my brain. A complete illusion, in which they could become their characters, see what I want them to see, do want they want them to do, and adventure at the first person.
As a long term goal, I want to build a complete set of rules and ressources for psychic GMs. How to have your illusions follow realistic probabilities instead of your own arbitrary decisions, how to save up your brainpower by not actually simulating what's happening behind the back of your players...

crap, I missed it for the second time running.
>>19836927
I think we should call Kev. powerful psyches we were unaware of and we have a lot more information to tell him about the fuckhuge creation horcrux thing
>>19836941
I thought our longish term plan was to go to uni. it would be a great feeding ground, fun etc.

>>19838007

... meta-meta-gaming?

>>19836251

While you paint, you take out your phone and text Sam, asking her to investigate the sports block. A few minutes later the reply comes; she's on it.

You continue painting for a few more minutes, and then someone cracks you in the head with a hammer while you are looking down at the painting. As your knees go out under you, you hear someone run up to you and grab you - it's Clemence... you think it's Clemence.

Meanwhile something serious is happening in the sports block. There are tremors emanating from there. You shake your head to clear the illusions, and it is Clemence holding you up. 'Oi. You okay?!'

You are... but where's Sam?

> What do/say?

rolled 82 = 82

>>19841267
Text Kevin.
New psych identified . Powerful. Shit going down.

Run to the sports block, turn on obfuscation and brain defenses.

>>19841267
I've been better.

We need to get to the sports block, we probably got smacked by a goon to keep us from getting there and fucking with "senior".

>>19841267
Well shit, get to the sports block, we have to make sure Sam's alright, and yeah, text Kevin on the way in case it all goes horribly wrong.

>>19841267
Make some excuse to Clemence about not feeling well and excuse ourself, then go find Sam.

>>19841175
Something like that.
I wonder why no one else said it before. We have the possibility to create the best game. It would more visually pleasing and more reactive to player's input than video games, and more open-ended and flexible than tabletop games. Better than the best of both worlds.