File: 1350518605564.png-(96 KB, 1000x700, bYCGJ.png)

>>21169966


[Socks, I-]

[What if I had betrayed you, just as I had my people?]

But you didn't, you want to say. You didn't betray your people. You didn't betray me.

But you can't. Maybe it's because his thoughts and emotions swirl partially inside your head. Perhaps it's because you see his point. There could even be a small part of you that worries, not fully sure if you should have been so trusting of the alien creature standing before you, even as he falls to pieces over unconscious actions taken in a dream.

Only one thought fills your mind.

[ ] Socks is your friend
[ ] Socks is a Martian
[ ] Do you even know Socks?
[ ] Other

File: 1350518671957.png-(40 KB, 656x507, motherfuckingsocks.png)

[x] Socks is your friend

B-but maybe s-someday we can be m-more...

>>21169979

[ ] "...there's something more to our relationship."

>>21169979
>[ ] Socks is your friend
With undertones of
>[ ] Do you even know Socks?

[X] Socks is your friend

Even if you don't fully "know" Socks, you know THAT much for sure.

File: 1350519028172.jpg-(264 KB, 810x543, sgOYuQ1350436166.jpg)

>Mfw

>>21169979
[x] Socks is your friend
We've been through a lot.

>>21169998
What are you implying, xenophile?

File: 1350519187942.png-(307 KB, 400x418, 1347678433667.png)

>>21170106
hue

>>21169979
>[X] Socks is your friend

File: 1350519691899.png-(245 KB, 1000x700, too-lewd-for-SuWQ.png)

Socks is your friend. Ok, maybe you don't really know him. You found him a month ago aboard the enemy's supersub, trying to examine you and the others in your group. Even with a mind link, that's not the longest period of time or best first impression. You can't ignore the possibility of this being some overly-elaborate ploy by the Martians, either. Still...it's Socks. He's saved your life. You've saved his. You've had your mind exposed to him for weeks, open for him to do as he pleases. He's let you into his. For better or worse, you two are close...and dammit...

[Socks, you're my friend. Even if you betrayed me, I...I don't think I could bring myself to hate you. Not yet. Not for a long time. Even if you had hurt me, you'd be sorry about it, right?]

Socks doesn't say anything.

[Right?]

[...I do not know if I could face you in such a situation if I had, Cleona.]

Is he serious? Is this little Martian really so...so...

[ ] God dammit, Socks, you infuriating little Martian!
[ ] You can understand where he's coming from.
[ ] Other.

>>21170227
>[x] Hug

>>21170227

[ ] Hug Him.

Also, I am implying consentacles, Kotters.

>>21170227
[x]Hug

SKINSHIP, HO!

>>21170244
>>21170251
>>21170317
Racetraitors and xenophiles, the lot of you

>>21170227
[x] You can understand where he's coming from.

File: 1350520397371.png-(3 KB, 210x230, 1308217016814.png)

[X] You can understand where he's coming from.

He is... he is so bashful and ashamed...

>>21170227
>[ ] God dammit, Socks, you infuriating little Martian!

>>21170325
>/tg/
>xenophiles
What did you expect, Kotters?

File: 1350520587491.png-(43 KB, 360x235, 1286-u-madoka.png)

>>21170325

U Madoka, Kotters?

File: 1350520811670.jpg-(107 KB, 800x615, Cuddles.jpg)

>>21170325
But Kota, he just looks so helplessly out of his depth. Look at him he's all ashamed and self-recriminating!

Of course people are gonna vote for cuddles.
>[x]Hugs for the Hug God, Cuddles for the Cuddle Throne

>>21170227
Hug, squee at how our little martian can't possibly be this cute, schlick to the thought of consentacles later.

File: 1350521065290.jpg-(22 KB, 197x200, 1272578110616.jpg)

So..so...ARGH! You don't know how you feel about this little ball of tentacles. He frustrates you with his absurd ideas about....about....decency? Civility? Courtesy? His code of ethics? You can't label it, but you know what gets you. He's always so concerned about doing things right, about offending you. He has genuine concern over such little things... Maybe it's just a culture difference, but it's so...infuriating! You don't hate him, no. You don't hate his antics, either. They just get you fired up...

[Socks, you infuriating little...ball...of...tentacles!!!] you screech as you finally give in to your frustration. You rush at him, closing the small distance in an instant.

File: 1350521101731.jpg-(367 KB, 716x700, 1291153181145.jpg)

>>21170503


[!!!] Socks can scarcely react as you attack, his tentacles barely raised in a reflexive attempt to protect himself.

You reach out. [SOCKS!] A flurry of emotion, you squeeze him in the largest, strongest hug you can manage. [You're too damned concerned about me! I give up! If you're some spy or something, go ahead and do your thing! You've won, you've beaten me, you...you...I don't even know!] Even with a direct mind-to-mind transferral of thoughts, you have no idea what to say. You just hope the feeling gets through as you squeeze.

[Cleona, I...I cannot move! Please, I understand this is a gesture of caring, but you have turned it into something of pain!] You squeeze harder at that. [Cleona, that is the opposite of what I have requested!]

[Socks, you...Argh!] You want to keep squeezing, but you can tell it's rather uncomfortable. Slowly, you let go.

[ ] Did you get all that, Socks?
[ ] Watch his reaction
[ ] Other

>>21170511
>[ ] Did you get all that, Socks?

[X] Watch his reaction

For SCIENCE!!1!

>>21170511
[x] Did you get all that, Socks?

Socks moe~

>>21170511
>other

IT'S RAPING TIME

>>21170511
[x] Watch his reaction

File: 1350521373487.png-(1.01 MB, 1280x720, treasure chest of lewdness.png)

>>21170536
Consentacles means both ways.

>>21170511
>[x]Other
Apologize for nearly bearhugging him to death then
>[X] Did you get all that, Socks?
Followed by
>[X] Watch his reaction

>>21170511
>[ ] Watch his reaction

>go ahead and do your thing! You've won, you've beaten me,

This sounds a lot like one of those sappy lovesongs sung by a woman perpetually out of breath.

>>21170758
>implying that isn't exactly what we want Socks to do

>>21170656
I second this course of action

File: 1350522623700.png-(518 KB, 861x532, ssubwitches-cropped.png)

...What an incredible outburst. Seriously? Is this how a Chief Petty Officer behaves, attacking someone with a bear hug because they...they...got you all fired up? You got to this position because you had a work ethic and a good sense of what's acceptable and what's not. You're suddenly taken by a sense of shame at yourself. Dammit. Socks is better composed. You should be too. Right?

You turn to examine Socks' reaction. He doesn't move, trying to process what happened. You both take several moments of silence to collect yourselves. As time passes, you realize that you're going to have to be the first to break the stalemate.

[...Sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you,] you apologize.

[...It is ok, Cleona. I understood that.]

[...What about everything else?] you ask nervously.

[...I...am unsure how to shape this into a concise thought.] Socks pauses. [I believe I understand you, Cleona. I did not realize that my actions and antics were so....shall we say "endearing."]

You laugh, picking up the piece of toast you tossed previously. After studying it carefully, you throw it at Socks once more.

>>21170804


[What are you doing?] he asks anxiously.

[You're a god damned Martian, Socks. My people have never encountered yours in their history, yet...it's criminal how "endearing" you can be.] You laugh. "Thank god no one else could talk to you like me; I'd have to hold counseling sessions...or punish them for playing with my Socks."

Socks tilts his head curiously at you. [Cleona, you know that I have difficulty comprehending your spoken language. Why would you feel the need to punish me?]

[No, no, Socks. I didn't say I would have to punish you, I would have to punish—]

"Enjoying yourself, Chief Kuykendall?"

[ ] Run
[ ] Deny everything
[ ] As a matter of fact...
[ ] Other

>>21170811

[ ] "Dammit, Dr. Wackett."

>>21170811
>[ ] Deny everything
Be composed

>>21170811
[x]As a matter of fact, yeah I am.

Then turn around and ask what's up.

Shameless AND Lewd!

>>21170811
[x] Yes.

>>21170811
>[ ] As a matter of fact...

File: 1350522855860.png-(14 KB, 250x332, 1347554110091.png)

>>21170811
[x] As a matter of fact...

[X] As a matter of fact...

"-the Martian is a gentleman and a scholar, though his requested experiments sometimes confuse me, until he explains them. He didn't believe me about buttered toast and how it falls."

>>21170811
[x] As a matter of fact...
inb4 it's not wackett.

>>21170872
This is actually perfect. I like it.

"My next experiment will require a cat. Where can I get one?"

"No you damn pervert, an actual feline."

>>21170890
Second

"Well, as a matter of fact, I am." You turn to face the speaker. Natsumi Ogawa. Her cool expression betrays no emotion, no surprise. It is as though she expected everything, taking it all in stride. "I'm responsible for the well-being of this Martian, and that occasionally includes demonstrating various cultural quirks."

Ogawa doesn't flinch. "What quirk are you demonstrating today?"

You roll your eyes, reaching for the now butter-less toast. "Toast always lands butter-side down," you explain.

"And the squeezing?"

"Bear hugs. He was confused by the lack of bears involved, though he did express much interest in the animal. You see—"

Ogawa interrupts. "...Perhaps another time." The coldness in her voice almost sounds malicious, but...her face hasn't changed. She doesn't care. She knows you know she doesn't care. She doesn't care about that, either.

File: 1350523841303.jpg-(33 KB, 465x565, 124022951785.jpg)

>>21171072


"Shouldn't you be with the others right now?" you ask, curious.

"I have come to fetch you. Lt. Kellos needs to speak with you."

"Alright," you say, nodding. At that, Natsumi Ogawa immediately makes to return to the group.

[Cleona, what is going on?] Socks asks, curious.

[Looks like Miranda needs to talk. You've got stuff to do, right?]

[Ah, yes. Always more work to be done.]

[You feeling better now?]

[...Yes.]

[Good. I'll see you later, Socks.]

[Goodbye, Cleona.]

As he returns to his workshop/research center, he waves a tentacle at you. You return it. Turning to head for the pool room, however...

RIIIIING! RIIIIING!

[ ] Pop in on Miranda.
[ ] Answer the phone.
[ ] Other

>>21171081
[x] Answer
[x] Socks, it's for you!

>>21171081
[x] Socks, it's for you.

>>21171081
"Crazy witch's office, please hold"

Miranda asked first.

[X] SOCKS, IT'S FOR YOU!

HEE HEE HEE

>>21171205
>RIP

what. What. WHAT?

>>21171217
Yeah. My Assault's tend to either operate in teams and pull each other's ass out of the fire repeatedly, or operate solo and get ALL THE KILLS before eating plasma.

Cookie burned brightly.

>>21171081
Ansah fone

>>21171101
>>21171143
>>21171212
Second

what the hell am I reading and why do I love it so much

>>21171297
Subbitches. And because Socks.

/a/ pls go

>>21171305
What he said.

File: 1350524793407.jpg-(127 KB, 500x375, 1337826376461.jpg)

>>21171318
no

>>21171305
>>21171327
well, whatever it is, it's amazing.

>>21171343
Thank you. Those are kind words.

File: 1350524963998.png-(27 KB, 913x392, mods on quests.png)

>>21171318
/tg/ here, /a/ can suck a fat one.

>>21171343
Starting at the beginning may help you understand what is going on. But the beginning doesn't have Socks.
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=kotters

>>21171408
Oh god no, the beginning is bad. Someone give him a nice summary and a recommended place to start. I've been meaning to write a comprehensive summary myself for those that might wish to skip the numerous threads and get into participation.

File: 1350525281751.jpg-(46 KB, 282x262, flash-is-surprised.jpg)

There's that damned phone again. [Soooooocks! It's for youuuuu!]

[What?]

Socks come scurrying back. [Here,] you say, lifting the receiver and handing it to Socks. Confused, he brings it up to his Martian ear. Laughing, you start to walk off.

Then surprise and fear grip Socks, catching you off guard.

[H-hey, Socks, what's wrong?]

[I...nothing.] An intense feeling that he's trying to hide something washes over you through your mental connection.

[Socks, we're linked. What are you trying to hide?]

[I...I do not know how it is possible, Cleona, but...]

[Yeah?]

[It is my old friend on the line.]

Old friend? The one from the ship? The one that attacked Socks and then disappeared when you intervened? He disappeared from Socks' life one day, plucked straight out of wherever it was the Martian was. One day, there, the next, not. And he's on the phone? [What?]

[My old friend! Sp'jook! He is on the line!]

...What do you do?

>>21171451
TELL HIM WE SAY HI!

>>21171451
hang up

>>21171451
What's he saying?

>>21171451
"Well what does he want?"

>>21171435
I've been writing for years, I'm well aware of how things progress as far as writings go. I doubt I'll mind. I'm glad this was my first /tg/ thread, It's put a good taste in my mouth, for lack of a better term.

>>21171435
The beginning isn't that bad. Might as well read all of it, it doesn't take long.

>>21171551
well sit and stay while, friend

File: 1350525971786.gif-(Spoiler Image, 7 KB, 75x100)

>>21171574
stay a while and listen

>>21171551
Welcome to /tg/!

File: 1350526098064.png-(68 KB, 1372x340, what_is_swq.png)

>>21171551
First thread...on /tg/!? Oh my. I am honored, but I also do not want to paint too rosy a picture of this quest or /tg/. I would say that the board is overall the best on 4chan (other than perhaps /diy/ or /po/), but it's still 4chan. As for the quest, it may not be what you expect. Then again, this thread isn't particularly special...I'd rather you give yourself a chance to learn the premise before making me feel any better with compliments.

This is a "sidequest" to SWQ, or Strike Witches Quest. If you know anything about Strike Witches, you'll likely be worried already. Don't worry. SWQ is run by someone that basically wants to fix the various issues of Strike Witches. I think he's managed to make very good progress in that regard. SuWQ, or Submersible Witches Quest, takes place on the other side of the planet, several months into the future relative to SWQ.

Cleona Kuykendall is among one of the first witches assigned to use an experimental unit known as the Substriker. It's a self-contained underwater apparatus that allows its pilot to reach deep waters and sneak up on naval targets, They make submarines much more flexible and we are now teaching the second group of witches how to use them at the behest of MacArthur.

Socks is a turncoat Martian. In this setting, Martians have invaded, not Neuroi. He helped Cleona escape earlier in the quest and has been with them since. He and Cleona are capable of linking their minds, something no others can do.

>>21171706
kota stop writing walls of text and write your quest

File: 1350526247135.png-(692 KB, 1000x901, test-logo2-bright.png)

>>21171551
>>21171706
And this is an interpretation of the Substriker. If you'd like, feel welcome to hang out in our IRC channel on rizon: #swq. I'd like to know your thoughts on SuWQ, should you decide to read up on it.

And I've delayed long enough. Let's get that update written.

File: 1350526308597.png-(15 KB, 1190x298, moot on sage.png)

>>21171343
Hey. You. New guy.

You may be interested to know that the /tg/ thread archive is here - suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html - and contains most of the good threads that come around on /tg/

>>21171706
Sounds great! I'll be certain to read it all, when I have the time, but I have some things to attend to at the moment. And yeah, first on /tg/. I was always told /tg/ was amazing, just never had the chance to visit. I'm glad I did.

>>21171674
>>21171574
thanks

>>21171555
I'll be sure too.

>>21171724
yeah, get writing dude!

>have a headache, need a nap
>check /tg/ one last time
>suwq
goddamnit kotters why do i put up with your shit

>>21171816
Because I'm an incurable prankster?

File: 1350526787753.jpg-(412 KB, 2560x2048, substriker_rynex_10.jpg)

You're at a loss. Why is he calling? How is he calling? Who gave him this number?

[Well, uh...What's he saying, Socks?]

[...He says he wishes to meet me again. He is sorry about last time; he was acting under orders from the Martian High Command. However, things have changed.]

You nod. The Harbinger split off from the main Martian forces, opening fire on them after the commander was "betrayed" by his allies or something. If Socks' friend wants to talk now...

[Are you sure it's him?] you ask.

[There is no doubt, Cleona. I recognize his mind, even after all this time.]

[Wait, you recognize his mind? Can you two communicate psionically over long distances?]

Socks shakes his head. [Not like you and I can. It's only ever a vague feeling, a blurred caricature of the other person. Sp'jook is a very talented Martian, but over these distances I'm hardly getting even that. Still, I would recognize it anywhere. It's him.]

You stop to think. Alright, how doesn't really matter right now. Why is what matters now. [Why does he want to see you again?]

[What? He is my friend, Cleona!]

[ ] He attacked you, remember?
[ ] ...That's true.
[ ] Other

File: 1350526836830.gif-(2.85 MB, 445x247, 1340428980887.gif)

>>21171899
More like incurably lewd.

>>21171911
>[ ] ...That's true.
"I'd like to be there when you meet him."

File: 1350526919386.jpg-(17 KB, 179x232, ;_;.jpg)

>>21171922

>>21171911
[x] He attacked you, remember.

Ain't nobody fucks with our Socks. Ain't nobody.

>>21171911
>[x] Other
"Can I come?"

[X] HE ATTACKED OUR SOCKS, THE FUCKER

>>21171911
[x] Other.
[Okay, first, how did he get that number? Second, can he call back later? We need to talk to someone in charge about this. Third, I gotta go see what Yetta wants. I'll deal with you funny Martians soon.]

>>21171911
[ ] ...That's true.
But also gently add the attacking part

>>21172036
*Miranda

>>21172056
mah bad
Man, headaches suck. A little bit of XCOM and Socks being silly is helping, though.

>>21171911
"True, but the situation obliges me to be cautious, at the very least. You do remember when he had to attack you, orders or no."

[...Well, I guess you have a point...] Socks hasn't seen the guy in ages, other than that rendezvous back during your escape. He's eager to see his friend again, for "real" this time. Still... [You do remember that he attacked you last time, right?]

[...I know. I realize this, Cleona, but...if there is a chance...] He trails off, his excitement at the prospect of his friend returning in earnest to him echoing through you.

[Dammit Socks, what am I going to do with you? Fine, fine. Look. I'll see what we can do, on one condition.]

Socks perks up.

[I go with you.]

[…] He thinks for some time, then speaks into the phone. [Alright.]

[Then I'll try to make some arrangements. Can your friend...um...leave us a number to call?] How the hell did he even make this call?

[Yes, he can.] Socks spouts off a strangely normal-sounding number. You write it down, carefully placing it in your pocket.

[Well then. Don't do anything rash, ok, Socks? Remember, he's...he's attacked you before. I don't want you to get hurt.] The thought of Socks going off and getting himself hurt, captured, or worse is frightening. You'd probably get in some serious trouble from the brass, to say nothing about how you'd feel about letting something like that happen.

[I promise not to, Cleona,] he responds with happiness.

You give him a nod, and he hangs up.

[ ] Now, Miranda wanted you...
[ ] You need to get word to MacArthur.
[ ] Other

>>21172335
>[ ] Now, Miranda wanted you...
>[ ] You need to get word to MacArth

>>21172335
Miranda.

>>21172335
TO MIRANDA!

Cookie and Socks are gonna be the first inter-species relations, I can see it.

People will hate, but they'll just be jealous that they don't get any consentacle.

>>21172335
Miranda, then Macarthur.

A backlog is no good, and we're on the clock.

>>21172335
>[ ] Now, Miranda wanted you...
Though we probably should get word to MacArthur too

Socks scurries off once again. Man. That's not what you expected. You're half expecting Socks to turn around and yell [Got you!], but you know he's not really capable of that. This war just keeps getting stranger and stranger...

Still, you've got to keep trucking. You'll get word to MacArthur or his aide later. You were supposed to head over to Miranda five minutes ago. To try and make up for the delay, you jog towards the pool.

"Hey," you say as you arrive, "what's up?"

Miranada tells the trainees to keep practicing before heading over to you. "Well..." she says, "it's Rothrock." She points behind you, next to the door you just jogged through. Odessa sits on the floor, her knees drawn to her chin.

"What happened?"

"...Substriker malfunctioned. Dang thing went into overdrive, sent her careening into the pool wall. She's fine, but...she won't budge." Miranda shakes her head. "I don't know how we're going to be able to get her ready for combat like this, Cleona. She keeps trying but everything goes wrong."

"I'm working on it. Already found out that she could do spectacular last night. She was making some amazing moves." Maybe telling her to practice with the others was a bad idea...

"I'm sorry to push this on you, Cleona, but the others don't have any problems and we need to have them ready. Rothrock...I can't handle her and the others at the same time."

"No no, it's alright. I understand." You nod, then head over to Odessa.

[ ] Hey.
[ ] Just sit silently.
[ ] Other.

>>21172580
>[x] Just sit silently.
If she wants to talk, let her. If she doesn't, tell her we'll see her tonight when we leave.

>>21172580
>[ ] Hey.

>>21172580
[x] Hey.

>>21172580
>[ ] Hey.

>>21172580
Headpat.

>>21172580
[x] Hey.

"Hey," you greet as you sit down beside Odessa.

She doesn't react.

"Well, what's up?" you ask.

"...It happened again."

"The curse, right?"

"Yes."

"Well, them's the breaks, I guess," you say as you shrug.

Odessa turns her head to you. "What?"

You shrug again. "Them's the breaks. That's just how it goes. Can't be helped, shikata ga nai. That's the way," you say as you smile, "the 'Cookie' crumbles."

Odessa faces forward again. "Oh."

"Come on, kid. Life's not always fair. In your case, it's being very unfair. Still, that's just how it is. We're working on it, but until then, this curse is gonna keep coming up." You stand back up, pointing to the seven trainees in the water, moving according to Miranda's directions. "Look at them. All of them. They're working hard. Do you want to be there too, working hard?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"...I don't know."

"Is it because you want to impress them?"

"No."

"You want to fit in with them?"

"No."

"Do you want to fight Martians?"

"...Not really..."

"Do you want to beat this curse, show everyone that you're a star?"

"...No."

"What do you want to do, Odessa Rothrock?"

>>21173015


"I..." She hides her face behind her knees. "I just want to do things! I want to be able to swim, to fly, to walk, to...to have things without everything going wrong! I want to train without distracting everyone!"

"Then you need to face the challenge head on. It's not fair, I know. No one else has to deal with things going wrong for them out of nowhere. Still, you think sitting here is going to get you anywhere?"

"No," she whispers.

"Every time you get kicked in the ass, get back up. Keep doing it, keep doing it. Don't think about how hard or unfair it is. Just think about how sweet victory will taste. I'm doing my best to try and find out how to break this curse from the outside, Odessa. The least you can do is try to break it from the inside."

"…"

"You think you can hop back in there?"

"...No. But I can try."

"Good girl. Get a different Substriker, though."

"Huh?"

"Just do it."

"Alright." Odessa wanders off to fetch another one, leaving her Substriker on the floor next to where she sat before.

[ ] Get Alice to take another look at these.
[ ] Head to your office.
[ ] Other.

>>21173021
[x] Other
To MacArthur!

>>21173021
[x]Get alice to take a look

You know, the fact that this is an option makes me suspicious. Maybe some of her peers are sabotaging her out of pettiness or jealousy?

I'd be jealous of bat-wings too.

>>21173021
>[ ] Get Alice to take another look at these.
ITS SABOTAGE

File: 1350531576026.png-(158 KB, 1000x700, Odessa_Rothrock.png)

>>21173067
>Jealous of batwings

Who would be jealous of grotesque hand-things on head?

>>21173021
Give her the martian striker.

>>21173087
i just want to pet them and brush them all day long.

>>21173021
[x] Get Alice to take another look at these.

ALICE. THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE'RE MISSING. ZOOM. ENHANCE.

>>21173067
And what about all the other things that go wrong?

>>21173089
This is a pretty bad idea.
Maybe tonight.

This "curse" has to be leaving some sort of trace behind. Something. Anything. It forced these strikers into some sort of overdrive, sending Odessa into a wall. Machines don't lock into anything without something breaking or getting stuck. Alice might be able to figure out what happened...and you might be able to get some insight out of it.

You head down the hallways to Alice's room, hoping to find her there. Leaning the Substriker against the wall, you knock on Alice's door. No response. Sigh. Probably got her nose buried in some experiment or science book or something. You turn the knob. It's locked.

"Alice, you in there?" you call. No response. She must not be home...

[ ] Check back later.
[ ] Check Socks' workshop.
[ ] Other.

>>21173275
[x] Check back later.

>>21173275
Check Sock's workshop. We need someone to examine the things

>>21173275
[x] Check back later

Let's go find something else to do.

>>21173275
[ ] Check Socks' workshop.
Alice might be there. And Socks might know something even if she isn't.

Oi, just stopping in to say G'day, still at work.

Loving this thread, keep up the great work!

>>21173275
>[x] Check Socks' workshop.

>>21173364
>Not even voting

I'm hurt!

>>21173364
Why do you live in a place where everything is trying to kill you?

>>21173275
[x] Check Socks' workshop.
Maybe the curse or whatever left behind a psionic imprint?

>>21173380
'Cos it's fun?

>>21173275
Bust the door down

I mean
>[ ] Check Socks' workshop.

Well, maybe Socks could take a look at it. He is supposed to be an expert on Psionics and he was researching magic, too. Maybe he can find something. Turning around, you head for Socks' workshop around the corner.

[Socks, you in?] you ask, knocking on the door.

[Ah, yes. Please. Come in.]

You open the door, coming face to face with Alice.

"Oh, Cleona! I didn't expect to bump into you."

"Hey, Alice. What're you up to?"

Alice groans, grabbing her head. "I'm trying to get some work done on those Martian Engines. They're taking so long, I thought I might try to learn something from Socks to speed up the process." She shrugs. "Doesn't seem like it, though. His mathematical notation is completely different from ours; I'm having a hell of a time remembering the basics. His English isn't exactly great, either, so getting him to explain some of the more complex concepts has been an exercise in futility...yet I keep coming back. These symbols taunt me with their hidden meanings."

>>21173592


Oh yeah. You should probably get around to teaching him more English. Poor guy's pretty much reliant on you to talk to others or know what's going on.

"So yeah, that's what I've been up to. How about yourself?" Alice asks amiably.

"Oh, not much. Odessa had another incident, was hoping maybe you could take a look." You show her Odessa's Substriker.

"Well, when I took a glance the last time, nothing was wrong with them. Still...if you need another look, I can give them a more thorough inspection. What exactly are you looking for?"

"Just some evidence of how this curse is operating. This time the thing went into 'overdrive' and ran Odessa into a wall. It had to have done something to the Substriker. If you can figure out how this curse is affecting things, we might be able to at least hinder it."

"Alright. Should be a nice break from this Martian math, anyway." Alice waves at Socks, then exits the workshop.

[She is a curious one, you know,] Socks comments.

[Yeah, I know,] you reply.

[ ] Teach Socks some English.
[ ] Head back to your office.
[ ] Other.

>>21173619
[x] Other.
Find and talk to MacArthur.
Because talking with an intel operative for the Martian High Command could be interesting.

>>21173619
English. Turn him into a translator.

>>21173619
>[ ] Teach Socks some English.

>>21173643
MacArthur is not on the research base. He is in Brisbane, overseeing allied operations.

>>21173688
>[x] Teach socks more English

Phonetic's and crap.

THERE I VOTED KOTTERS! *grumbles as he returns to work*

>>21173619
>[ ] Teach Socks some English.

>>21173688
Then could we call him or his aide?

>>21173737
Indeed. His aide would be the best bet.

>>21173748
Then call up Victor.

>>21173619
More english for the martian.

>>21173619
[x] Call MacArthur (or his aide)
Martian spec-ops unit both a) knows the phone number of a supposedly top-secret base and b) wants to talk to Socks. This is kind of a big deal.

[Socks, you got some time?]

Socks turns from his work. [I suppose. What is it, Cleona?]

[Well, you still don't know our language that well, right? Do you have time for some more lessons?]

[Yes. This will be a most excellent use of time, Cleona.] Socks draws up a chair next to him as he clears off a section of his workbench. [Come, sit!] he says, tapping the empty chair.

You take a seat next to him, trying to think of what to teach him. Your first few lessons were kind of silly, nothing really serious. Since then you'd moved on to some basic vocabulary and sentences, but you never really got around to teaching him the alphabet or how sentences work. To be honest, you're not entirely sure how sentences work, but some sense is better than no sense.

[Socks, you got any paper? Something to write with?]

Socks searches his workbench, clearing items. He grabs a few sheets from beneath some scraps and retrieves a pencil from a cup. [Here, Cleona,] he says, offering them to you.

>>21173955


[Thanks. Alright. So. In English, we have an alphabet. It's made of 26 letters, but they can be written two ways: uppercase and lowercase. Now, let's start with the first one. This is "A". It makes the "Ei" and "Ah" sounds...] For several hours, you teach Socks the alphabet, some vocabulary, and sentence structure. He takes to it quickly, engaging as enthusiastically as you've ever seen him to your instruction. As he takes pencil to paper, you discover his handwriting is horrible (though to be expected; he has no fingers), but he begins to read basic words quite well.

Time flies as you go on, yet the tedium of teaching such basic information doesn't get to you. You enjoy this, you realize. Spending some time just...talking. Sure, sure, you're talking for a purpose, but it's still a break from constant responsibility. You're not doing this because you have to, you're doing this because you want to.

As Socks finishes reading a sentence, you smile in satisfaction.

[Was that acceptable, Cleona?] he asks.

[Yes, Socks. That was more than alright. You're great at this! Why didn't you do so well before?]

[...I suppose our minds are simply better attuned to each other now.]

You wrap your arm around his big head. [Haha, you're my best student yet. Well, my only English student, but still. Alright, next one. Here...]

Your morning with Socks passes happily.

NEXT TIME ON SUBWITCHES: SUBS! WITCHES! MARTIANS! WHO KNOWS?
FRIDAY, 8 PM EST! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

>>21173959
WOO bravo well done! Loving the characterizations, you're doing awesome.

I wish I had the time to run a Quest...

>>21174134
Quest running fucks you up, though. See my post on Tofusaur.

>>21174255
currently at work, still (Yay timezones!) but I'll check it out when I get home.