>>30673180
>Ask Tracy when Jim is available to talk.

"Tracy, I'm sorry to put you on the spot again," you say, voice as gentle as you can manage, "but have you arranged a meeting with Jim yet?"

She hesitates, visibly uncomfortable, squirming in her seat. At last, she manages to say what she's thinking. "Yes. He's- he's free tonight, if that works for you?"

You mull it over visibly. "Well, I do have other things to do today... I'm not quite certain how long it will take."

She seems to brighten up at that, as though she really doesn't want to have you and Jim meet up again. "It's okay, he's free tomorrow too. Or later if you want...?"

>"Today should work for me, Tracy."
>"No, it'll have to be tomorrow, I don't know how long I have."
>"No, it'll have to be later."
>"Actually, meeting with him was probably a bad idea anyway."
>Write-in.

>>30673428
Fuck, almost too late for this.
>"No, it'll have to be tomorrow, I don't know how long I have."
Seems fine.

>>30673428
>"No, it'll have to be tomorrow, I don't know how long I have."
Nnngh, I don't like it but we do need to have good time for the whole Jim thing.

You weigh the possibilities against one another. You have the thing with Richard later today, and you have no idea how long it will take. It could be an hour, it could be the whole night, and you'd really prefer to be on schedule for any meetings with Jim. You don't want him to think you're artificially putting it off because you're afraid.

You sigh. "No, it'll have to be tomorrow," you say, and Tracy nods as she takes it in, almost retreating back into a ball.

"That's... good to hear," she manages, her face contorted in ambivalence.

You reach across the table, your hand finding hers, and her eyes look up to meet yours. "It'll be okay, Tracy. Me and Jim just need to have an adult conversation with each other about things. We'll just be talking, no violence. Alright?"

She nods demurely.

>Brainstorm ideas on who Tracy's stalker is, and her possible relationship to Tracy. [Write-in]
>Talk about something else with Tracy.
>Talk about something else with Ned.
>Time-skip.
>Write-in.

>>30673724
>Talk about something else with Tracy.
Let's just talk about happy stuff for now, ask more about her day, if she's found any new hobbies or whatever.

>>30673724
>Talk about something else with Ned.
Ask how things are going with his girl

You try to steer the conversation away from Jim and stalkers and other unpleasant things. You ask Tracy about her day, how things have been, and generally avoid the messy topics. She has nothing in particular to say, but her mood does brighten a bit as the topic turns towards lighter things. Once you feel confident that she's feeling more upbeat, you turn to Ned.

"How are things going with Veronica, Ned?"

He wiggles his fingers. "Not much has happened since we last talked. I set up a date."

"You're not taking her to the amusement park, right?" You ask, eyes narrowing.

"No, we're going to a movie. It's a cliché, but..."

"It's a cliché for a reason, Ned."

You discuss some more things, passing on to Ned bits of half-remembered dating advice you can recall. Tracy joins in too, eager to be a part of the conversation. Eventually, though, the lunch period comes to an end. Back to class, which is mind-numbingly dull.

After the remainder of the school day, you meet up with Richard outside the school.

"You ready?" He asks.

>Ask for some more information about the plan.
>"I'm ready."
>Write-in.

>>30674169
>Ask for some more information about the plan.
We need it to be fool-proof.

>>30674181
Sorry, that should've been:
>Ask for some more information about the plan. [specify]

>>30674190
Well that assumes I remember any real details about the plan since last thread. Which I don't.

>>30674190
>>30674236
>>30674181
This. What was the plan again?

>>30674258
>>30674236
>"No, no. She shouldn't know that I know you, so I want you to make yourself a hassle. I'll go make myself visible, get her following me, and contact you. Then you find her, bother her, rile her up, that kind of thing. See what she lets slip. If she's a cop or something, she might appeal to that, flash her badge to wave you off. That kind of thing. So, you in or out?"

>>30674270
Ah, alright.
Well first, let's make sure we get the route we'll be taking down - just in case. Second, any info on her possible identity, personality, etc would be hugely helpful.

"What route will we be taking?"

"I was planning on going through the area near the shopping mall, you know, down by," he gives you the location.

"And what do you know about her so far? Appearance, personality, mannerisms."

"Mid-twenties, a bit shorter than you, short, messy blonde hair, athletic build, C-cup breasts-"

"C-cup breasts?" You ask, raising an eyebrow.

Richard looks almost offended. "I'm giving you useful information so you can recognize her."

You roll your eyes. "Sorry. You were saying?"

"She has C-cup breasts, a flat butt, gray-green eyes, a pretty, mature face, a tiny scar on her lip, maybe the length of a fingernail. That's about it in terms of a physical description."

>Mocking. "Jeez, you sure do know a lot about this woman. Which one of you is the stalker here?"
>"Seriously, this isn't some elaborate plan to get yourself laid, is it?"
>"Roger that."
>"Roger that. Another question." [Write-in]
>Write-in.

>>30674605
>"Roger that."
We still need anything he knows about her personality.

>>30674630
>Yeah seems fine but we need more info on her behavior

"Duly noted," you say. "Do you know anything about her personality or behavior, though?"

He shrugs. "She's stalking me, and doesn't know that I know. I haven't exactly had an opportunity to ask her what her favorite movie is. That's half the point."

"How does she stalk you, for example?"

"Keeps her distance, appears to look at other things or talk to people." He splays his hands out. "What more do you want?"

>"Fine, then. We're doing this now, right?"
>"Any particular advice for me? I've never reverse-stalked someone before."
>"I have another question, actually." [Write-in]
>Write-in.

>>30674863
>"Any particular advice for me? I've never reverse-stalked someone before."

>>30674863
>"Any particular advice for me? I've never reverse-stalked someone before."
I'm sure Richard can tell us all about it!

"Any particular advice for me? I've never reverse-stalked someone before."

Richard gives an exasperated sigh. "Just find her when I call you and make yourself a hassle for her, like we planned. Once I see you doing your thing, I'll make like I'm in a rush to get somewhere important, being sure that she catches it, and that should be enough to put the pressure on her."

"I'll have to go home to pick up my phone."

Richard rolls his eyes. "Whatever, let's just get this done, okay?"

>"Okay, okay, I'll go now."
>"No, I have something else I need to ask." [Write-in]
>"If you're gonna be like that, maybe I won't help you after all!"
>Write-in.

>>30675068
>"Okay, okay, I'll go now."
He should be more thankful, we're doing him a favor!

>>30675068
>"If you're gonna be like that, maybe I won't help you after all!"
Let's be a bit tongue-in-cheek about it though.

>>30675068
>"Okay, okay, I'll go now."

the maybe I won't option seems a bit immature

"Okay, okay, I'll go now," you say, departing from Richard. You jog the entire way home, not tiring at all, and scoop up both the phone that Richard knows to call and the one you contacted the Church with. A check of the latter confirms you still have no calls back from them.

Puzzling, and a bit worrying. You head towards the area where Richard will be doing his thing, eventually settling into a bookstore to read a manga. Soon enough, the phone rings, and Richard informs you that his stalker is on him, and his general location.

You head over and catch sight of her fairly easily. She seems to be reading a magazine at the moment, though her eyes occasionally glance up to scan the area. Her gaze doesn't seem to linger longer on Richard than anyone else, but that doesn't mean much.

How do you want to annoy her?
>Write-in.

>>30675442
>bump her and then bother her about watching where she's going

classix

>>30675478
Sure, let's go for it! A good start hopefully.

You decide to rely on an old classic. You find a location to stand, waiting until Richard's movements draw her up from her seat. She tucks it away, seemingly determinedly headed towards the opposite side of the mall, but you know better. You walk out and time your motions just right to slam into her. You do so with a bit more force than you intended, sending her sprawling, and you quickly follow her, purposefully slamming into the ground.

It doesn't hurt, but you can fake it well enough.

"Fuck," you say, "watch where you're fucking going."

"Watch where I'm-" she catches herself, changes tacks. "Sorry," she says, clearly trying to get up and away as quickly as possible.

Thinking quickly, you wince and groan. "Shit, I think you broke something," careful to put emphasis on the word 'you', trying to summon up thoughts of liability and money.

"Don't be ridiculous," she spits, "you rammed yourself right into me, and there's no way you broke anything."

>"No, I'm pretty sure I did. You should call an ambulance or something."
>"Christ, you fatties really do forget what it's like when you take care of your body, don't you? I don't have loads of blubber to insulate me from any damage."
>"Yeah? Why don't you show me your ID, then, if you're so sure? After all, if I'm fine, there won't be anything for me to sue you over."
>Write-in.

>>30675659
>"No, I'm pretty sure I did. You should call an ambulance or something."
Tempted to go for the fatty option, but this one might keep her around when he leaves.

>>30675659
>"I have severe osteomalacia. I need an ambulance right now. I assume of course that you'll be picking up the hospital bill? My condition leads to some expensive treatments."

>>30675761
Haha, might make her sweat.

"I have severe osteomalacia," you say. "I need an ambulance right now. I assume you'll be picking up the hospital bill?"

She snarls in irritation, but you don't respond in the least to it. You've seen a lot scarier things than her. "What the fuck's osteomalacia?"

"It means my bones are fragile. The treatments are very expensive."

She examines your expression for a moment. "You're fucking with me."

You look around, and a small crowd has gathered.

>Appeal to the crowd.
>Ask her to just give you her ID so you can call her if anything's actually broken.
>Keep needling her.
>Write-in.

>>30676255
>Ask her to just give you her ID so you can call her if anything's actually broken.
We can go crowd if this doesn't work.

>>30676255
>Appeal to the crowd.
Look at this chick trying to dodge any responsibility! All you're asking is for her contact details after all!

>>30676255
>Appeal to the crowd.

"Look just," you hesitate, grunt in fake pain, "just give me your contact information. If it's nothing, then I won't bother you again, if it is, you can pay for it." You pause for a moment. "No, actually, just let me see your ID, I'll take down your address."

She seems hesitant for a moment.

"Jesus Christ, lady, all I want is to see your fucking ID," you say, more to the crowd than her.

She groans and fishes the ID out of her purse, gritting her teeth as she does. "Here, happy?" You look at it, quickly noting down her name and address on a notepad out of your own purse. "You try to sue me, though, you better believe you'll fucking lose."

She stomps off in Richard's direction. Now you're lying on the ground with a small crowd around, having just said you have a serious medical disorder and broken bones.

>"Oh, golly, I guess I'm fine after all!"
>"Err, I'll just limp to my car and head to the hospital that way."
>Write-in.

>>30676600
>"Ah, I've got emergency response on speed dial, don't worry yourselves. I'll call them and limp my way to my car to wait there!"

>>30676600
>"Err, I'll just limp to my car and head to the hospital that way."

>>30676650
better than mine>>30676651 (You)

"I'll be fine," you reassure them, making a show of your slow ascent to standing up before limping over to the wall. "I've got emergency responses on speed dial. I'll just limp to my car and wait for them to show up there."

"Are you sure?" Someone asks, a middle-aged man.

"Yeah I'm sure," you say, a thick coating of irritation in your voice. "This has happened before, there's no point - nngh - not heading out first."

You manage to make your way out to the parking lot, and are fairly certain that nobody called EMS. You limp in between two cars, then hunker down.

You now have "Sandy Anderson"'s name and home address written down.

>Go to her home now to see what information you can get while you know she's out.
>Whatever, your job here is done, head home.
>Write-in.

>>30676870
>Whatever, your job here is done, head home.

Maybe text Richard the info. It would be bad to snoop around her house now, in case we get caught. Richard can handle it from here, we got what he needed.

>>30676947
>Whatever, your job here is done, head home.
We weren't requested to snoop, if he wants us to we can do that next time he lures her out.

You text Richard her info and head off towards home. If he wants something done with it, he can tell you.

It takes a few minutes before your phone starts to go off. At first, you figure it's Richard, but then you notice that it's the one that you called the Church on. You flip it open, putting it to your ear. "Hello?"

"Mrs. Smith?" You recognize the speaker as George Raines, the head of that stupid cult that Ned belongs to. Huh. Wonder how Ned would react if he knew you were palling around with the Voice of the Goddess or whatever stupid title he goes by.

"Speaking," you reply.

"This is Mr. Raines. I believe we're prepared to release Sylvia into your care, but I'd need to speak to you about the particulars first. In person. Are you available?"

>"Yes."
>"No."
>"This isn't a negotiation. You hand her over, or else."
>Write-in.

>>30677187
>"Yes"

>>30677187
>"Yes."
Again, make sure to tell Richard where you're going and why.

"Yes, I'm available," you confirm, digging deep into a false well of confidence. "I'll be there shortly." You confirm the address and hang up, then promptly call Richard up. "I'm going to deal with the Church again, if I don't come back, fuck them up for me, yeah?"

"Duly noted, Abby," he says. "Good luck."

You head to the Church building, meeting up with Raines there. There's only a brief wait before you're shown into his office. He sits behind the desk, palms steepled. The man and woman from last time are here.

"What are your terms?"

"I want her to be in contact with me regularly. I want her to be safe, or at least as safe as is possible for her to be, given her circumstances. I want knowledge of if and when she... Manifests, I think you called it. If she dies..." his expression gains a dark tint, "I want to know how, and why."

>"Those terms are acceptable to me."
>Write-in.

>>30677855
>"Those terms are acceptable to me."
Sounds fine to me!
So, uh...we have anywhere to put her, or do we gotta start cleaning out a guest room? Not that I'd mind too much, it could only liven up the place given Abby's only current cohabitant.

>>30677855
Sounds reasonable for our own healbot

"Those terms are acceptable to me," you say, before rising and shaking his hand.

"Good, good," he says. "You'll be taken to the facility she's housed in, which will be cleared out shortly. There's no need for blindfolds or restraints, this time, given the circumstances." You just nod in response, before being escorted out by the other man.

He takes you to a car, and drives there, remaining silent the whole time, even when you try to strike up a conversation. Whatever. His loss.

The building is empty when you get there, and the man takes off once you get out of the car.

This... this isn't a trap, right?

>No, surely not. Head inside, let Sylvia out.
>It obviously is. Leave.
>Yes it is. Call in the cavalry.
>Write-in.

>>30678157
They still think our power is super intelligence, right?

>>30678191
On consideration:

No, because it wouldn't really make sense for you to lie under the new, post-retcon circumstances when you didn't lie under the original circumstances.

>>30678157
>No, surely not. Head inside, let Sylvia out.
We can do this a little cautiously though.

>>30678275
They'll be expecting us to be cautious.
Ignore the door and walk through the wall.

>>30678157
>No, surely not. Head inside, let Sylvia out.
Can't be that paranoid. Plus, they can't be dumb enough to think offing or capturing us would have no consequences.

Calling it now. Sylvia has manifested and thats why they decided to talk to us.

>>30678416
...why wouldn't they tell us? It's not like we'd blame them, and we'd be far better able to handle her if we knew beforehand.

Because we also told them killing others like her helps. ... others like Abigail

>>30678275
>>30678395
Okay, roll 3d20 for Perception. DC 16, bonus +1.

>>30678488
Shit, dropped my trip.

Rolled 12 + 1

>>30678488
>"Leeroy Jenkins!"

Rolled 14, 9, 16 + 1 = 40

>>30678488
Alright!

Rolled 9, 1, 14 = 24

>>30678488

Rolled 7 + 1

>>30678488

Rolled 14 + 1

>>30678488
oops, he probably meant 3 seperate rolls of d20.

>>30678509
>>30678512
>>30678541
12, 14, 9. Failure.

>writing

(Note to self: people misinterpret 3d20 every time. Stop saying it.)

Rolled 13 + 1

Im not surprised we failed 15 is kinda high.

>>30678602
Odds of failure are (14/20)^3, or 0.343

The odds were in your favor.

You shake your head, trying to snap yourself out of your paranoid wandering thoughts. It's safe. Probably.

Still, you're extra cautious in considering each door, slowly and cautiously making your way in, ready for any traps the Church might have laid or things they might have "forgotten" to inform you about.

Which is why you're only moderately surprised when a knife comes flying right at your head from one of the shelves. It smashes into your face before cracking twain as it contorts against you. You can feel the extra pressure of someone pressing the knife forward into your face, a feeling you recognize.

A Ballista Incubator, or Cambion.

But what is it doing here?

>Rush to where Sylvia is, you need to get to her, now!
>Call up Richard and Daniel, get them coming in.
>Try to make a circuitous route, regain the element of surprise on the Ballista.
>Sylvia's on her own. Bye, whore!
>Write-in.

>>30678602
nah man our rolls were just shitty

>>30678720
>Try to make a circuitous route, regain the element of surprise on the Ballista.

>>30678720
No! And I had gone for so long without dropping my trip for a story post!

>>30678720
>>Call up Richard and Daniel, get them coming in.
We need to deal with whomever this is eventually, might as well do it now.

>>30678745
I think we might be able to do it solo, knights counter ballista

>>30678793
Hmmm, but getting them the extra life from killing an incubator would be useful, no?

Rolled 13 + 1

>>30678623
tg dice rolls low. note how not a single one of the 6 first rolls were above 14.

>>30678793
It's not that strong a counter.

>>30678824
true
yup
forgot about that
lemme just change >>30678737 (You)
to calling Richard and Daniel


>>30678861
Yeah, and don't walk under and ladders or you'll get bad luck for 7 years or something.

>>30678876
It's actually not really a counter at all, Ballistas were specifically mentioned as being particularly good at fighting Knights due to their exceptional ability to aim for the eyes.

>>30678912
Oh god, tell Richard to bring us some recspecs

>>30678886
Ive been using dice on this board for years. Its not a myth I picked up that the dice roll low. Its experiance.

>>30678996
It's a myth. Your "experience" is wrong.

>>30678912
>Not wearing a bike helmet and jacket

guys

guys pls

"Shit, shit," you manage, fumbling for a phone before hurriedly putting in Richard's number, trying to dodge and weave to a new area and avoid getting murdered by the unknown Ballista. He picks up on the second ring. "Problems," you say into the phone, "Ballista at the site where the Healer is." You give him the address. Richard, never one for much words, quickly hangs up, telling you he'll contact Daniel next.

It gives you the opportunity to act more quickly, in whatever way you want.

>Head towards where you know Sylvia should be.
>Search the building for the Ballista, using the opportunity to try to get out of the Ballista's immediate perceptions.
>Escape the site, watch from outside, ensure nobody new shows up, nor the Ballista escapes.

No matter what you do, roll 1d20 (best of first three) for dodge.

Rolled 20

>>30679079
>Head towards where you know Sylvia should be.
Just gotta stay alert and protect our eyes.

Rolled 18

>>30679079
>Escape the site, watch from outside, ensure nobody new shows up, nor the Ballista escapes.

>>30679039
I already said we could get away with a few hundred kilos of steel body armour, but apparently knights don't wear armour.

>>30679131
Oh mama.

>>30679131
I'D SAY THEY'RE PRETTY DAMN WELL PROTECTED.

>>30679138
While that might be a good combat advantage, what about when we're not in combat. Like, why would we be wearing it now? We thought we were just picking up Sylvia, no idea we would get in a fight.

>>30679131
THROUGH THE WAAAAAAAALL

Let's hope Sylvia isn't bi, because we're about to be her shining knight.

Rolled 9

Based on discussions, I assume people are leaning towards heading for Sylvia?

(I need to know if the Dodge was lucky or not)

>>30679215
Sure, gotta search hard, gotta guard!

File: 1394149328347.jpg-(97 KB, 1280x1164, Sundowner.jpg)

97 KB JPG

>>30679162
A loose trenchcoat could hide an inch or two of plating, as long as we don't wear it on dates.

>>30679215
Yes, I originally voted for escaping and watching, but that does leave Sylvia vulnerable if she is here.

Also I feel confident in our safety now.

>>30679261
I don't wanna look like a creepy fuck 24/7.

Also if we get questioned by a police officer, which is likely in cambion fight aftermath, we can't just say "Yeah officer I just normally wear more metal than any human could possibly carry."

>>30679261
Can you imagine a Knight in three inches of steel, head to toe, charging for you like a fucking train.

Christ.

You rush for Sylvia's position. At a couple points, you're less than certain, but you manage it anyway, finding the multi-layered steel doors that keep her room safe. You spend the next few seconds ripping them out one by one, feeling incredible as they yield to your hands.

You half-stumble when the last one is ripped out and you get a proper view of the room - Sylvia is huddled in the corner, an array of knives pointed at her. She looks at you, eyes wide, trembling a little. You see that she's still got on an earpiece.

"She says that you should just leave, and let her take me... that if we fight back, it will be worse for everybody, especially you."

>Write-in.

>>30679296
COVER HER FROM THE KNIVES

"Help is on the way. We will save you."

>>30679296
"Who says that? Is it one of the church members? Which one?"

It could be the cambion, but normally those just kill all hosts in range. Weird that it's a she and not George Raines though.

>>30679296
Ask more about this mysterious Ballista.

>>30679296
>"Friend of yours?"

"Who? Who says that?"

"The woman on the line," Sylvia says, "I don't know who she is. She said she's the one who controls the knives."

One of the knives edges threateningly closer to Sylvia.

You jump in, dispersing a half-dozen 'knives,' which on closer inspection appear to be shards of glass and other such shrapnel, and (hopefully) protecting Sylvia from any of the knives. "Help is on the way," you say, reassuringly. "It'll be okay."

>Write-in.

No matter what you do, roll 1d20 (best of first three) for dodge.

Rolled 9

>>30679558
Pick up Silvia with an arm, shield your eyes with the other hand, and move her outta there.

Rolled 16

>>30679558
Cover eyes, prepare for papercuts.

Rolled 2

Evens - >>30679618
Odds - >>30679625
Need a third roll anyway.

You roughly heft Sylvia up, lifting her by her arm onto your back, and shield your eyes before rushing through the cloud of blades. They cut and carve, trying to hit you but mostly just doing damage to her, causing her to whimper intermittently. A glance at what bits of her you can see shows the damage starting to heal up already.

You rush out of the building as quickly as you can, and make it out in all due time without Sylvia suffering too much damage.

Once you're fairly certain you're outside the Ballista's range, you turn around. Shit, who the fuck was this chick?

>Just run. No need to stick around for a protracted battle; call Richard and Daniel to tell them not to bother coming, and run off with Sylvia. A Ballista can't keep up with you.
>Wait her out. She has to leave sooner or later, and you have the advantage in the open field, especially if you can delay until Richard and Daniel arrive.
>Go back in, leaving Sylvia out here. For all you know, the Ballista has a second escape route, or allies of her own, and you don't want her to get away.
>Write-in.

Rolled 12

>>30679837
Wait her out

Rolled 8

>>30679837
>>>Just run. No need to stick around for a protracted battle; call Richard and Daniel to tell them not to bother coming, and run off with Sylvia. A Ballista can't keep up with you.

Rolled 2

I think this'll be the last update of the thread.

1 - >>30680060
2 - >>30680104

Rolled 14

Im fine with waiting her out. Help is on the way after all and its better we give Sylvia her first kill since she hasn't had one recently.

>>30680362
I dont think shes had one ever.

Yeah, there's no point in sticking around for this. Your pride isn't worth your life. He who fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. And other such platitudes. You heft Sylvia onto your back, and run off with her. You fish your phone out of your purse, calling off Richard and Daniel.

You arrive at your house and set Sylvia down. She seems to have completely healed in the trip over. Now that you have a moment to inspect her, your first thought is that she's tiny. She's at least 30 centimeters shorter than you, probably more like 40. It's hard to guess her age, but you figure her to be thirteen or fourteen.

"You live here?" She asks, staring up at your house.

"Yeah."

"It's big."

"I guess," you say. You unlock the door, letting her in. "You can sleep in my bed for tonight. I'll take the couch. We can work out what to do for that stuff tomorrow."

"Nobody will mind?" She asks, curious.

"Only person other than me who lives here is my mom." You turn towards your mother's room. "Mom, I'm having a friend stay over. That alright with you?"

"J-just make sure she stays out of my room," your mother replies.

"See? It's fine," you say, and Sylvia just nods. "Let me show you where you'll be sleeping."

>THREAD END

Done for today, next thread should hopefully be on Saturday. C&C, etc, blah blah you know.

>>30680600
Thanks for running! Sorry I couldn't be here at the end, had some obligations. I can't wait for saturday!

Man. You were running and I didn't even realize it. Sorry, dude.

>>30683479

Try following the twitter:
>https://twitter.com/TartarusQM

Next thread planned for Saturday.