>>35997978
>Tell Clara you're planning on heading out, and she should stay here.
Give her a gun.

>>35997978
>Tell Clara you're planning on heading out, and she should stay here.
be sure to leave her one of your burner phones and to take one with you so that she can call if shit hits the fan

>>35997978

>Ask her if she wants to come with us.

>>35997978
>Tell Clara you're planning on heading out, and she should stay here.

>>35997978
>>Tell Clara you're planning on heading out, and she should stay here.

Okay, my internet's fucked up at the moment. Keeps going on and off. Not sure if this is going to be a problem. If it is, rrrgh.

>>35998261
if you have a 3G(or better) connection on your phone you could always use PDAnet, works great in a pinch

>>35998329
I have a flip phone because I'm a luddite.

>>35998335
hah, yeah that won't work then

The two of you quietly eat your grilled cheese together, occasionally exchanging meaningless pleasantries or discussing rather banal topics. Discussion largely avoids the subject of Maxine, the guy you murdered, or how you kidnapped her; instead, you discuss things like her teenage friends, and Clara's apparently quite the gossip, judging by her willingness to blabber on about who's dating who. It was never something that interested you back when you were in high school, much less now that you're a grown-ass man, but you feel bad enough about everything that you don't mind letting her speak.

When you finish eating, you thank her for cooking dinner, before starting to get things together to head out. "Clara," you say, turning to the girl, who looks at you with puppy dog eyes. "I'm going out to get to the bottom of things." You hold a gun out to her. Nothing fancy, just a pistol you can dump after use. "You know how to use this?"

She nods, taking the firearm from you carefully - she keeps her finger off the trigger, which is reassuring - before putting it in her waistband.

"Here's a burner phone," you say, and she takes the phone as well, putting it in her pocket. "Call me if there's any trouble, I shouldn't be gone long."

Clara chews her lip for a moment before giving you a goodbye hug. You gently pat her back before heading out and stealing a car.

>Go to Jerry's house. Lay a trap for him.
>Go to the Chalcedon office where he works. Lie in wait in the parking lot for him to leave the building.
>Go to the Chalcedon office where he works. Do a quick smash and grab - there's not a lot of people in that building.
>Write-in.

>>35998403
>Go to Jerry's house. Lay a trap for him.

>>35998403
>>Go to the Chalcedon office where he works. Lie in wait in the parking lot for him to leave the building.

>>35998403
>>Go to Jerry's house. Lay a trap for him.

>>35998403
>Go to the Chalcedon office where he works. Lie in wait in the parking lot for him to leave the building.

>>35998403
>Office Parking lot

>>35998403
>Go to Jerry's house. Lay a trap for him.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Diebreaker to move on.

1 - House
2 - Parking lot

You drive to Jerry's place as the sun sets. You know where he lives because, well... a little precaution goes a long way. It's this suburban neighborhood, and you drive by, quickly checking the street and his house for any signs of monitoring. The second time around, you pull into the driveway next door, pretending to lock the car before heading right up to the front door of Jerry's house. You avoid turning your head either way; stealth, in situations like this, is all about being inconspicuous. You knock on the door before picking the lock, then open the door before heading inside.

Jerry lives alone (thank God), and you're going to be quite ready to meet him. You lock the door behind you, and move one of the couches so that the back faces the door. Your gun comes out, and you keep it trained on the door.

When Jerry opens the front door, he immediately freezes. "Come in, Jerry," you say, and he considers for just a moment before stepping inside. "Close the door, Jerry." He closes the door obediently.

>Ask him if he told Maxine about the Stephen Black job.
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.
>Write-in.

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.
caution goes a long way

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.
Safety first.

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.

>>35998923
>>Pat him down and tie him up first.

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.

>>35998959
they really are out to get us, so lets be cautious.

>>35998923
>Pat him down and tie him up first.
>Ask him if anyone's expecting him.

"Anyone expecting you?"

Jerry grimaces. "A friend, for a bar run in a little bit," he lies, poorly, and you give him a look. He sighs and shakes his head. "No. Nobody's expecting me."

You stand up and slowly make your way over to him, keeping your gun trained on him. "Turn around," you order, and he does, placing his hands on the door as you frisk him, pulling away a combat knife and a gun before stepping back. "Let's go somewhere further from doors and windows."

You walk him into the bathroom, having him stand there by the shower. "Well?" He asks, at last. "What's all this about, then?"

>Ask him straight up what he told Maxine.
>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."
>Tell him that you know he betrayed you. See what he admits.
>Write-in.

>>35999297
>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."

>>35999297
>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."

>>35999297
>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>Ask him straight up what he told Maxine.

>>35999297
>Tell him that you know he betrayed you. See what he admits.

>>35999297
Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."
>Tell him that you know he betrayed you. See what he admits.

>>35999297
>>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."

>>35999297
>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.

>>35999297
>>Ask him a lot of different questions, eventually slide around to that one.
>>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."

>>35999297
>Ask him if he recognizes the name "Raimes."

>Ask him straight up what he told Maxine.

>>35999297
>>35999422
Didn't mean to include the
>Ask about "Raimes"
answer.

Please don't count it.

You start the questioning. It's incessant, intended more to wear down Jerry than to actually get any information. The moment he finishes answering, you hit him with another question. If he takes too long to speak, you make a threatening gesture with your gun to spur him onward.

Eventually, you get to the meatiest question of all: "What did you tell Maxine about the Stephen Black job?"

"Nothing! I mean, she never asked about it!"

"Odd. She seems to disagree on that point. Any explanations?"

"I don't know!" He says, raising his hands in the air, defensively. "She must have lied!"

You pause for a long while, staring at his face, before continuing. "Does the name Raimes mean anything to you?"

"N-no?" His response is quick, and you move on.

"Have you been in contact with anyone with an electronically modulated voice?"

He hesitates just a bit too long, and realizes that he's given up the game on that front, he sighs before speaking. "Yes."

"What did they say to you?"

"I-" he looks down at your gun. "I don't-" He closes his eyes. The tension rolls out of his shoulders as he stands there, like a man who has accepted death. "I can't tell you."

>Ask him if the electronically modulated voice threatened him. Try to reassure him that you can protect him.
>That pretty much confirms that Raimes is behind this. No need to torture him. Leave.
>This guy betrayed you. Shoot him.
>Write-in.

>>35999674
>Ask him if the electronically modulated voice threatened him.

>>35999674
>Write in
"I imagine he said he no longer had the capability to use his voice, correct?"

>>35999674
>Ask him if the electronically modulated voice threatened him. Try to reassure him that you can protect him.

>>35999674
Remind him that whatever the electronically modulated voice threatened him with, we are a far more immediate concern to his life and well being.

>>35999674
>you got 5 minutes before i kill you and move on

>>35999674
>Write-in.
"Let me guess: they said that they couldn't use their voice anymore. So, who were they masquerading as? A co-worker? Did they offer you money, or just threaten you?
"Why don't you go ask Maxine why she thinks you told her that I killed Stephen Black as part of an unsanctioned hit?"

>>35999674
>pistol whip him. "Tell me!"

Sympathy:
>>35999757

Threaten some more:
>>35999774
>>35999782
>>35999786

Further questioning:
>>35999715
>>35999723
>>35999785

>Ask him if the electronically modulated voice threatened him. Try to reassure him that you can protect him.

>>35999723
if hes being pressured into silence then he knows something we probably need to know

>>35999899
>>35999674
>Ask him if the electronically modulated voice threatened him. Try to reassure him that you can protect him.

"What did they say, then? Just threaten you and tell you to read from their script? Or something more?"

Jerry just shakes his head, a tiny little motion, made all the more powerful by the dispassionate way he stares at you. "I'm not answering your questions about that."

"Whatever he threatened you with, I'm the one with the gun in your face right now. Answer me!"

"Just shoot me," he says with a shrug. "Save us both the trouble." His expression is... lost. Like he's gone into a forest and doesn't know how to get out, doesn't expect to get out, expects to die there, soon. "I won't - can't, tell you. No point in asking."

"So, did you tell Maxine that you didn't order me to kill Stephen Black?"

He looks at you, and doesn't answer, which is an answer in itself.

>If the person who's threatening him is who you think it is, you don't think they're really capable of following through. They needed to burn you to kidnap a teenage girl; they probably can't actually do whatever they're claiming.
>If he tells you what he's being threatened with, you'll see to it that he's safe, then he can tell you the whole story.
>Fuck it. You know what's going on, now. No need for any specific details. Shoot him and go.
>Just tie him up and go.
>Write-in.

>>36000100
>If the person who's threatening him is who you think it is, you don't think they're really capable of following through. They needed to burn you to kidnap a teenage girl; they probably can't actually do whatever they're claiming.

>>36000100
>>If he tells you what he's being threatened with, you'll see to it that he's safe, then he can tell you the whole story.

>>36000100
>>If the person who's threatening him is who you think it is, you don't think they're really capable of following through. They needed to burn you to kidnap a teenage girl; they probably can't actually do whatever they're claiming.

>>36000100

>If the person who's threatening him is who you think it is, you don't think they're really capable of following through. They needed to burn you to kidnap a teenage girl; they probably can't actually do whatever they're claiming.
>If he tells you what he's being threatened with, you'll see to it that he's safe, then he can tell you the whole story.

>>36000100
>If he tells you what he's being threatened with, you'll see to it that he's safe, then he can tell you the whole story.

>>36000100
>If he tells you what he's being threatened with, you'll see to it that he's safe, then he can tell you the whole story.

>>36000100
>Write-in.
"Who are you protecting? If you're willingly putting your own life at the line here they must have you by someone you'd die for..."

>>36000100
>Torture him.

>>36000100
>If the person who's threatening him is who you think it is, you don't think they're really capable of following through. They needed to burn you to kidnap a teenage girl; they probably can't actually do whatever they're claiming.

>>36000145
>>36000168
>>36000185
>>36000256

>>36000161
>>36000185
>>36000195
>>36000200

>>36000229

>>36000236

>>36000100
Put him on loudspeaker with Maxine. Stab him in the knee if he doesn't answer questions or lies.

>>36000236
Torture's a delicate thing even for someone who knows how to do it. People will lie just to stop the pain. Often just becoming someone's friend is more effective. Lets see if the latter works, before entering such an unusual place.

"Jerry, look," you say, with a sigh, lowering the gun slightly. "I'm pretty sure I know who's threatening you. And I'm pretty sure they aren't capable of doing whatever they're claiming. Electronically modulated voice, right? They're my 'partner' on my latest endeavor. Needed me to kidnap a teenage girl with piss-poor security. Whatever they're threatening, they can't really do."

He looks at you, then opens his mouth to speak before quickly snapping it shut again.

"What is it? What are they threatening you with? I'll make sure it's dealt with. That you're safe."

He looks away from you, at the shower, then sighs and speaks. "He threatened my son."

"Son?" It's not like you and Jerry talk enough for you to really know him, but you know enough to know that he lives alone.

"With my ex," he says. Wow, you didn't even realize he had an ex. "He turned seven this year. Please, just- don't let him hurt my son."

>There's no chance Raimes will manage that. Reassure him and get the info you need.
>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.
>Call Maxine, tell her that Jerry was being threatened.
>Write-in.

>>36000455
>There's no chance Raimes will manage that. Reassure him and get the info you need.
Just in case
>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.
Im going to stash you kid somewhere safe ok?

>>36000455
>>There's no chance Raimes will manage that. Reassure him and get the info you need.

>>36000455
>>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.
>>Call Maxine, tell her that Jerry was being threatened.
it covers our ass well enough not all of it but most of it

>>36000455
>>There's no chance Raimes will manage that. Reassure him and get the info you need.
>>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.

>>36000455
>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.
take him and the content of his fridge with us

>>36000500

Backing

>>36000500
>>36000515
>>36000539
You guys do remember that Raimes set up our current safehouse, right?

>>36000595
No he set the one we started with which we ditched early on. But yeah we'll need to move again soon.

>>36000595
I did not, we've jumped to like three of them and it's been a week.

I thought we were at our own safehouse this time?

We may want to call up Clara soon. Make sure everythings okay her end.

>>36000618
You switched safehouses to yours, then the mercs got close, and you switched back to Raimes'.

>>36000455
>>Go pick up his son, take the kid to the safehouse.
>>Call Maxine, tell her that Jerry was being threatened.

>>36000618
We were previously, but I think we may have moved to another one that Raimes set up for us.

Honestly not remembering the details.

>>36000455
>>Call Maxine, tell her that Jerry was being threatened.
it might earn some good faith

>>36000643
Alright, then >>36000539

Takes away his safehouse vote.

>>36000455
>go pick up his son with James, get them to a non-compromised safehouse.

>>36000595
We still have to go baxk there to get Clara anyway.

>>36000500
>>36000503
>>36000539
>>36000593

>>36000500
>>36000515
>>36000589
>>36000593
>>36000655
>>36000710

>>36000515
>>36000655
>>36000697

"Your son will be fine," you reassure him. You direct him to turn around and quickly ziptie his hands together. Never hurts to be too careful. You take him to your car and put him in the passenger seat, still tied up. "We'll go pick him up, just to be sure, then you can tell Maxine all about Raimes' threats."

"Raimes? Is that their name?"

You shrug. "Probably not. But it's the one they gave me, and it's better than nothing."

The two of you drive to his ex-wife's place... It's a shitty old apartment building, and you wonder for a moment how in the ever-loving fuck Jerry didn't get custody. You leave him in the car and head up to his wife's apartment, knocking on the door.

She shows up at the door, obviously on drugs, her eyes lidded and her weight partially held against the wall to keep her on her feet. Christ. "Whaddya want?" You hear a small child making noises with toys and action figures.

>Just shove her aside and grab the kid.
>Tell her about the threat to her son's life.
>Write-in.

>>36000990
>>Just shove her aside and grab the kid.

>>36000990
>writein you're cleaning up
grab both

>>36000990
Fuck it, we're running a daycare now

>>36000990
>Write-in.
sleeper hold?

>>36001053
it's not his EX wife for nothing, she'd just get in the way

>>36000990
>"Child Protective Services, move aside."
If she calls the cops this will just just get slightly annoying.
At least try and throw her off.

>>36001097
Meant to also link >>36001053

>>36000990
this>>36001114

>>36001114
Supporting. Don't need anymore heat on our ass.

>>36001113
Supporting

>>36001114
this

We need to avoid making a scene or Raimes will find out what's going on.

>>36001039

>>36001053
>>36001097

>>36001113
>>36001198

>>36001114
>>36001139
>>36001196
>>36001217

"Child Protective Services," you lie fluidly, pushing past her. A quick glance across her apartment shows enough evidence to take the kid if you were CPS. You pick up a needle, holding it patronizingly up to the woman. "Is this really acceptable to take in environment with a small child, ma'am?"

"F-fuck off," she says, stumbling towards you angrily. You dodge out of the way and trip her, and she falls in a messy pile on the ground, groaning. The boy - Mark, as you recall - is an easy thing to grab, and you just pick him up and throw him over your shoulder. He seems to somewhat enjoy the treatment, kicking his legs and wheeling his arms while making "whoosh" noises.

You take him down to the car and toss him in the backseat. "Buckle up, kid," you say, and Mark obediently does as you say.

The drive "home" (such as it is) is long and you keep to the speed limit.

Your phone rings. Raimes.

>Ignore it.
>Ignore it, call Maxine, tell her what you know.
>Answer it, play dumb.
>Answer it, tell Raimes you're onto him.
>Write-in.

>>36001460
>>Answer it, play dumb.

>>36001460
>>Answer it, play dumb.

>>36001460
>>Answer it, play dumb.
No need to tip him off more than absolutely necessary.

>>36001460
>Answer it, play dumb.

>>36001460
>Write-in
Park the car, get away from the road, then answer and play dumb: The sound of cars might make Raimes suspicious

>>36001627
Good precautionary measure, supporting.

>>36001460
>Answer it, play dumb.

>>36001627
Supporting as well.

You turn to both Jerry and Mark, pulling a finger up to your lips, before answering the phone. "Raimes?" Gerald twitches.

"Yes. What's going on? Did you have to move Clara again? You're in the wrong neighborhood."

"Yeah, I saw some of Maxine's guys around. Needed to move before they did anything."

"I didn't hear anything about that..."

You shrug, and although the motion is lost on Raimes, it helps you act. "Maybe she's taken to avoiding using whatever her traditional method of contact is. Clued in on the fact that you're listening in."

There's a long pause, hesitant. "Maybe," comes back the artificial voice. "If she's done that, then she's especially dangerous. Be extra careful."

"I will. What did you call about? I assume not that."

"No. I have information about your former handler, Mr. Smith?"

"Jerry, yeah?" You ask, confusion obvious on your features, but not over the phone.

"He was just kidnapped from his house. Possibly by someone trying to extort him, or who has been threatening him. Your former employer, maybe? I'm not sure who it could be, but I thought you should know."

>Write-in.

>>36001894
Thanks for the info. Gotta go.

>>36001894
"Where'd you get the information from?"

>>36001894
Thanks for the info. You know where they took him?

>>36001935
appreciate the heads up.

>>36001894
"thanks for the tip, it could explain why maxeen is being extra careful"

>>36001894
"There were probably other resources that we're let go during and after the takeover; maybe one of them also got burned, or didn't like the new management, and decided to go rogue. Do you think that this will interfere with our job?"

"Thanks," you say, voice level. "Where'd you get the information from?"

"A neighbor called the cops... and I happened to catch the report in the system. They were in a..." he lists out many, many of the features of your current car. Including four of the characters on your license plate.

"Any idea where they took him?"

"None. They just stuffed him in a car and drove off. It was apparently a one person job, though, so it could be a third party. I'd imagine Maxine would be more thorough."

"Do you think this will interfere with our job?"

"I don't think so, not directly. But it may represent something about what's going on that neither of us know. I don't think it was an inside job on Maxine's part, and I know it wasn't us."

>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.
>Drive to the safehouse and contact Maxine.
>Keep asking him questions. [Such as?]
>Write-in.

>>36002095
>>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.
safety first

>>36002095
>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.

>>36002095
>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.

>>36002095
>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.

>>36002095
>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.
better safe than sorry

>>36002095
>>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.
Remember kids, when shadowrunning always take EVERY possible precaution.

>>36002095
>Tell him thanks again for the heads up and hang up. Ditch the car, now, and get a new one. Drive back to the safehouse and contact Maxine.

"Thanks again for the heads up," you say before hanging up. You pull over into a strip mall, get out of your car and quickly (and quietly) steal a new one, ushering Mark and Jerry into it before driving off.

You arrive at the safehouse with the two of them, and call Clara before entering.

"Clara? I'm back. I've got two guests. Don't shoot any of us, okay?"

"Okay," Clara says. She lets out a self-conscious laugh "I probably couldn't have shot them anyway. I've never - you know. Killed anyone."

You think back to her vomiting up her guts over those cops. "Yeah, I know," you say. "That's not necessarily a bad thing."

"I'd hope not," she says, and you can hear the smile in her voice, but it's got that faintest bit of lie to it. Forcing herself to be happy.

You open the door to the safehouse, and Clara's sitting on the bedside, one hand on her forehead, when you do. She looks up immediately, and her eyes flick to Mark and Jerry as you usher them in. You close and lock the door behind you.

>Call Maxine, have Jerry tell her what he told you.
>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.
>Call Maxine, tell her that Raimes was behind all of this, including your firing. Agree to return Clara to her - at no charge - if she helps you track down Raimes.
>Write-in.

>>36002360
>>Call Maxine, have Jerry tell her what he told you.
clear our name first

>>36002360
>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.
Because she'll ask.

Also, at least take the time to see that Clara's still doing okay.

>>36002360
>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.

>>36002409
Backing this.

>>36002360
>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.

>>36002360
>>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.

"Jerry," you say, turning to your former handler. "Do you have any evidence of..." you glance at Mark, who is currently tugging at Clara's arm and trying to coerce her into coming to play with him, "the communications from Raimes that you received? Recordings, paper trail, anything?"

Jerry shakes his head. "No. It was all over the phone and I didn't record any of it." He sighs. "Sorry, man. I had to look out for my kid."

You give him a look, trying to silently communicate something to the effect of, "talking to me would've been better," but he just looks down at his shoes.

You shake your head and sit down next to Clara on the bed, who turns her attention away from Mark to you. "Clara," you say, putting one comforting hand on her (near) shoulder. "Are you okay?"

"Hmm? Oh, yeah. I'm... whatever. Do you-" she pauses, sighing. "What do you think about- about me? I mean, what do you want- I mean, do you want to- will there be an us, after this?"

>You'll try very hard to make sure there is.
>If it ends up that way... you're willing to give her a chance. You're not as lopsidedly in love as her, but she deserves at least that.
>It's your fault that she's like this. You'll learn to love her as much as she loves you, whatever it takes.
>Write-in.

>>36002759
>You'll try very hard to make sure there is.

>>36002360
>Wait, she'd just think you were threatening Jerry. Ask Jerry if he has any proof about Raimes's threats.

>>36002759
>Write-in.
"Whatever it is, I'll give it a shot."

>>36002759
>If it ends up that way... you're willing to give her a chance. You're not as lopsidedly in love as her, but she deserves at least that.
If after all this she can accept us for who we are, we can do the same for her.

>>36002759
I cannot say for sure. I'm willing to see how things work out, but you're still far too young.

>>36002759
>You'll try very hard to make sure there is.

>>36002759
>If it ends up that way... you're willing to give her a chance. You're not as lopsidedly in love as her, but she deserves at least that.
she's a good girl, no reason not to

>>36002759
>If it ends up that way... you're willing to give her a chance. You're not as lopsidedly in love as her, but she deserves at least that.

>>36002759
>>If it ends up that way... you're willing to give her a chance. You're not as lopsidedly in love as her, but she deserves at least that.

>>36002759
>>Write-in.
"One of the first rules in this business is that you should never attempt to contant the victim after the job's done." shrug then smile at her "But then, the other of the first rules is that you should never give them gun."

>>36002759
>>You'll try very hard to make sure there is.

I'll try very hard:
>>36002797
>>36002858
>>36002937

I'll give you a chance:
>>36002810
>>36002837
>>36002859
>>36002860
>>36002873

I ain't no cradle-robber:
>>36002855

Vague and meaningless:
>>36002929

"If it ends up... well, if it ends up so that that can happen - and there's no guarantee - I'll give you a chance. You deserve at least that, and you are a sweet girl."

She gives you a weak smile, but it quickly fades. "This really sucks," she says at last.

"How so?"

"I'm- I'm rip your heart out, trust the man you just met with your life, in love. Deeply, deeply, deeply in love with you." One of her hands come up, running along the line of your chin, feeling up the slight five o'clock shadow you've started to grow. She stares into your eyes, a longing in hers. "But you don't love me back. And- and I've got a chance, but if I fuck it up-" she sighs. "It's for life."

"Lots of teenagers think it's for life. It might not be."

"Most teenagers haven't had their brains fucked with by some experimental process that turned them into a weirdo sex pervert who falls in love at first sight with her kidnapper," she snaps at you, then curls in on herself, twiddling her fingers right above her feet. "Sorry. Please don't hate me."

"I could never hate you," you say.

>Call Maxine. Exchange Clara for her assistance in taking down Raimes and leaving you alone. You can work the rest out later.
>Call Maxine. Tell her what you know, try to get her to help you with Raimes.
>Call Raimes. Try to figure out what's going on. [How?]
>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.
>Write-in.

>>36003210
>>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.

>>36003004
I just want to say I love your putdowns. Please keep doing them.

>>36003210
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to handler-san.

>>36003210
>>Call Maxine. Exchange Clara for her assistance in taking down Raimes and leaving you alone. You can work the rest out later.
We've got Clara's number, we can call her when this is over. If this is over.

>>36003210
>>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.
Poor girl needs it.

>>36003210
>Write-in.
Just kiss her.

>>36003210
>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.

>>36003210

>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.

>>36003210
>Reassure Clara more, until she feels comfortable that you're not going to dump her. Even if you have to hug and kiss her a bit to do it.
Then once our house is in order,
>Write-in
Change locations again, then confront Raimes.

Kissy kissy:
>>36003258
>>36003304
>>36003305
>>36003306
>>36003318
>>36003325

Exchange Clara:
>>36003292

Jerry x Maxine:
>>36003276

"Yeah... I hope..." she sighs, forlorn.

You move your hand from her shoulder down to her back, rubbing at it softly. "I'm really not- I'm not going to just dump you, Clara. I... if I'm honest, when I say 'I'll give you a chance,' what I really mean is, unless you suddenly turn into a serial killer or abusive or something, I'm in."

She looks at you, lip quivering, her arms wrapped tight around her legs. "Really?"

You lean closer towards her, pressing your forehead against hers, leaning so that your noses rub against each other. Her cheeks bloom a sharp crimson, and she gasps and holds her breath, her whole body freezing up in anticipation. You let your lips meet hers, and she practically melts in your grasp, her legs sliding off the bed, her hands coming up to your back. Yours just softly guide her into a kiss with you. When you pull away - after just a few seconds, you don't think a real make out session would really be appropriate - you let your hand fall on her far shoulder, pulling her in towards you. Her head rests on your shoulder and she gives a contented sigh of relief. You kiss her on the top of her head.

"Our first kiss," she whispers, happily.

"Hopefully it won't be the only one," you say with a smirk.

She slaps you lightly, playfully. "Don't ruin the moment."

>Call Maxine. Exchange Clara for her assistance in taking down Raimes and leaving you alone. You can work the rest out later.
>Call Maxine. Tell her what you know, try to get her to help you with Raimes.
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.
>Call Raimes. Try to figure out what's going on. [How?]
>Write-in.

>>36003632
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.
we need to clear our name.

>>36003632
>>Call Maxine. Exchange Clara for her assistance in taking down Raimes and leaving you alone. You can work the rest out later.
>>Call Maxine. Tell her what you know, try to get her to help you with Raimes.
>>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.

>>36003632
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.
Caution her that we're not 100% sure who's been threatening Jerry, and we're not sure how to get to Raimes if it IS him.

For now, just having her off our back long enough to sort things out is good.

>>36003632
>Call Maxine. Tell her what you know, try to get her to help you with Raimes.
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.

>>36003632
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.
>Call Maxine. Tell her what you know, try to get her to help you with Raimes.
Jerry talks first, that should add to the credibility

>>36003739
Agreed Backing this.

>>36003632
>Call Maxine. Let her talk to Jerry.

>>36003705
Supporting this.

>>36003632
>Write-in.
Ask Jerry if he can access the old Chalcedon database to confirm that the Black job was sanctioned.
Maxine isn't going to believe Jerry since everyone thinks he's been kidnapped.

>>36003632
supporting this>>36003796

Talk to Jerry:
>>36003690
>>36003705
>>36003779
>>36003784

Porque no los tres?
>>36003693

What you know, and what Jerry knows:
>>36003724
>>36003739
>>36003776

Other thing:
>>36003796
>>36003886

>>36003915
Have we been recording our calls at all?
We should be, but you said to not bother with small details so I've been assuming we've been doing something obvious enough to an experienced operative.

You dial the phone to Maxine and put it on the table, directing Jerry to start talking. He does, explaining his situation to Maxine, who seems both interested and annoyed. Clara takes Mark into the kitchen, closing the door behind her, when Jerry starts to obliquely mention the threats Raimes made, apparently wanting to keep the boy's innocent ears safe.

Finally, she directs herself towards you. "And you, Mr. Kidnapper? What do you have to say?" You glance up at Jerry. "What do you know about Raimes? It sounds like he's the mastermind behind this whole thing. Feel guilty about being his pawn?"

"Do you?" You pause a second before continuing; the question was really rhetorical. "Do you have any idea who Raimes is?"

"No. You're the one who's been his buddy; I've just been sitting here trying to get back my daughter from it."

"He's claimed to have difficulty speaking or moving, a personal grudge against you, and that you've targeted him for termination. Fatal termination."

"That doesn't sound like anyone I know."

"Maybe less the fatal termination?"

"Still sounds unfamiliar. I'd remember firing a disabled person; they can be a real bitch in the courts so you have to have all your evidence together."

>Write-in.

>>36004129
I've got no solid idea who he is.

I just want to stop running from your goons and live my life.

I'm more than willing to "return" Clara unharmed wherever you like, though she still says she loves me, so she'll probably ask to see me again.

>>36004129
Don't think it was an employee of her's. Ask her about tests the company did that could be little more widespread and could cause serious injuries. Something Raimes couldn't take to the courts but is still the company's fault.

>>36004129
"I don't know who this guy is, and frankly I don't care. Call off your goons, and take down the hit on me and we'll pretend this whole thing never happened."

>>36004129
What about Clara's father where has he been in this?

>>36004129
What about whoever would have access to the Chalcedon files on us and Jerry?
Was there a person on the Chalcedon Board of Directors that was against the buyout?

>>36004247
+1

>>36004129
what about someone who quit after an accident, not necessarily something you did, but something he could held you responsible for ?

>>36004129
What about an AI?

>>36004129
"If Raimes lied about one thing, he could lie about the others. There's no guarantee any of his story is true, so the best I think could happen is I change safehouses again, and try to weasel the details out of him."

"You think you can find it in your heart to call a truce while I figure this out?"

>>36004196
>>36004218
>>36004374
She called off her goons earlier because Clara whined to her about it, remember?

>>36004129
>this >>36004263

>>36004386
I meant in the complete and total sense as "I'd like to end you wanting to kill me for something I didn't do"

>>36004129
>What about Gerald Smith? It would make sense for him to use your daughter through me indirectly if this takeover of yours wasn't a particularly peaceful one. Plus, he did mention to me that if he said so much as his name, he might as well be dead.

>>36004415
This.

"Maybe not an employee - someone who was hurt in an accident or test, and couldn't take it to court?"

"There are people like that, sure, but none of them have popped up since I took over. There's no reason they'd blame me, or come after me like an attack dog," she says, curtly.

"A higher up, then? Someone you displaced?"

"Anyone like that... they wouldn't have to resort to using you and Jerry as catspaws - assuming that's the truth, of course. They could do it in other, more efficient ways."

"But it's still a possibility," you note.

She sighs but agrees. "I suppose so."

"This one's a bit more out there, but- could Raimes be an AI?"

"An AI?" Maxine pauses, suddenly lost in thought. "Hold on a moment." She hangs up.

The phone immediately rings; Raimes.

>Ignore it.
>Answer.
>Write-in.

>>36004555
>Answer
"Hello there, Dave."

>>36004555
>Write-in.
Leave it ringing for a moment, then answer it.

>>36004567
Hal. The AI was Hal.

>>36004415
That would tip off Raimes that the operation has been compromised. We'd lose him and he'd set up another way to attack Maxine and get rid of us.

>>36004555
>>Answer.


Ok so, just checking, did anyone guess an AI?

>>36004555
>Write-in.
i say its Clara's father

>>36004555
>Answer.
But let it ring for two rings before picking up.

>>36004596
a few people did.

+1 for answering

>>36004555
>Answer

>>36004555
>Answer.

>>36004579
Yeah, but the famous line was "Hello, Dave".

>>36004646
But the murderous AI was HAL.

>>36004555
>Answer.
"Hello, Dave".

>>36004659
>but
who gives a shit

>>36004659
I'm aware of that.

Referencing something doesn't require an EXACT duplication of the circumstances.

You wait a couple rings before picking up the phone. "Raimes?" You ask.

"Thank God I called you in time," Raimes's mechanical voice responds. "Maxine's worked out your location, and she's gotten word to the cops that you're the one who kidnapped Gerald Smith. Or claims as much, anyway. You need to get out of there, now."

You glance at the door, and at your three guests.

No sense in being stupid.

"Thank you for the information, Raimes," you say, before hanging up. You quickly pack everything and everybody into your stolen car and drive off in a random direction, circling several times just in case.

Turning on the radio does suggest the cops came to the safehouse you were at, just minutes after you left; which is lucky for you.

>Call back Raimes. [For?]
>Call back Maxine. [For?]
>Write-in.

>>36004716
>Call back Maxine
Figure out if she's got anything on Raimes' identity.

>>36004716
>>Call back Maxine. [For?]

So Raimes just told me you sent cops to my safehouse and they did go there.

Care to comment?

>>36004716
>Call back Maxine. [For?]
the hell was that for, seriously?

>>36004716
>Call back Maxine. [For?]
Find out if she knows about the bot, wait to see if she sounds hostile or pissed. As in the cops didn't get us pissed.

>>36004716
>Call back Maxine. [For?]
"So, call the cops? Care to explain?"
Did we put Raimes on speakerphone so that Gerald could hear him warning us?

>>36004763
Backing

>>36004766
+1

You flip open your phone, dialing Maxine again, your car still on the move. She doesn't even get a chance to say a word when she answers before you start talking. "What the hell was that for, seriously?"

"I'm... sorry?" Maxine sounds genuinely confused.

"You called the cops on me and sent them to the safehouse. What the hell?"

"I'm... fairly certain that I didn't do that. Look-"

"The cops came to the safehouse. Raimes warned me that you'd called them, that's the only reason I got out in time."

"Try calling Raimes again," Maxine interrupts. "He should be... out of service, so to speak, if my suspicions are correct."

>Demand she explains the cops.
>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.
>Write-in.

>>36004942
>>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.

>>36004763
It's obviously not Maxine. She's never relied on cops so far, she has mercs to do her dirty work.

The cops, however, are a good go-to for an AI. So either it's a second AI who's fucking us and Raimes is actually on our side, or it was Raimes who outed us to make us think Maxine turned on us.

>>36004942
>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.
Fucking AIs.

>>36004942
>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.

>>36004942
>>>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.

>>36004942
>Hang up and call Raimes, like she said.
if he answers, we can just say it was to confirm we made it out safely

>>36004942
>Write-in
"I wanted the chance to interrogate Raimes first, to make sure we weren't ALL being played. Nothing so far has been anywhere approaching simple."

>>36005020
this!

"Fine," you say, hanging up before trying to call Raimes. They don't pick up; it eventually goes to answering. You try again, with the same result. One last time for good measure. Nothing. Finally, you call back Maxine. "You're right. I can't get in contact with them. What did you do?"

"I cut Raimes off the web. Our AI research. My predecessors were going about it completely the wrong way around - simulating a human brain directly, neuron by neuron, rather than coding a learning machine. Understandably, I was rather annoyed at the waste of time and money, and planned to shut down the project. Raimes, it seems, was the simulated brain living on one of the supercomputers. I had them disconnect the building from the web; now Raimes is trapped, waiting for someone to cut the power as well."

"Ah," you say, sagging in relief. You guess that means it's over.

"I'll have to verify your story independently, of course, but... for the time being, we'll assume your story is the truth. Both of us were played by a third party for their own benefit. How would you like to move, going forward on that premise?"

>You'd like your job back.
>You'd like your accounts unfrozen; you think you'd prefer retirement, honestly.
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.
>Write-in.

>You'd like to date Clara and see where it goes.
>You'd like to court Clara.
>You'd like to marry Clara.
>Write-in.

>>36004942
>use a second phone and don't need to hang up

>>36005169
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.


>>36005169
Clare and me would like to see each other and see where that takes us.

Just don't refer to it straight out as "dating".

>>36004942
Kinda wish we didn't imediately start accusing her. We already know we're both being played by Raimes.

>>36005169
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.
>You'd like to date Clara and see where it goes.
stability and a girl

Well, that is rather anticlimatic.

>>36005169
>writein:
Make absolutely sure our legal situation is cleared, and Jerry's threat to his family is dealt with
then
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.
>see where things go with Clara

>>36005169
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.
>You'd like to date Clara and see where it goes.

>>36005169
>You'd like your accounts unfrozen; you think you'd prefer retirement, honestly.
At least, 'retirement' from this particular line of work. Also, maybe Maxine should consider not killing things as readily as she has? Casually planning to "terminate" Raimes is what got everyone in this mess in the first place.

>You'd like to marry Clara.
At some point, as part of starting a new life.

>>36005169
>>You'd like your accounts unfrozen; you think you'd prefer retirement, honestly.

>You'd like to marry Clara.

How was Raimes planning on escaping?

>>36005305
He was hoping the next CEO would be more kind to the project than Maxine.

>>36005305
downloading itself into a reploid?

>>36005334
Seriously, Maxine needs to lay off killing.

Why does she kill?

>>36005411
I think she's just a bitch.

>>36005169
"I want an eight figure retirement plan, the chance to date your daughter and Raimes downloaded onto my personal computer. Microsoft's office assistant still sucks and I get lonely."

>>36005411
It's in her nature

>>36005334
well the project seems to be a success...
yeah, Ramies should be taken care of, but maybe they should keep going...

>>36005169
>Do they have any more... "honest" work you could do at the company? This whole thing has gotten too stressful for your tastes.

Also, it seems kinda unfair to axe Raimes as a project. He's not a defective product, he is in fact pretty competent. They just forced his hand with his imminent demise.

>You'd like to court Clara.

>>36005212
just like real life, anon

Over the next few weeks, things shake themselves out. Maxine does indeed come to the conclusion that she was hoodwinked, and you're offered your old job back. But, given everything that happened... well, you move into more licit work for Chalcedon. Secretarial stuff. The pay's pretty good, but that's thanks to seniority, not the position itself. The work is boring and dry, and that's exactly what you want. After all that excitement, you feel like you've had about enough. Too many years in too many wars and brushfires and police actions and all the rest. Time to settle down a bit, in your opinion.

Maxine isn't a fan of you dating her daughter, but she manages to contain herself, somehow. Clara is positively bubbly about dating you; she shows you (her "cool older boyfriend") off to all her friends, all the while clinging to you like a lovesick schoolgirl (which she is), calling you up several times a day, and makes you go on the occasional double-date with some of her friends. She's positively saccharine and she makes you these nice boxed lunches you eat every day at work.

It's a little awkward, dating a girl who's about half your age, but she's obviously and deeply in love with you, so you have difficulty bringing yourself to complain. When you do complain - about this or that thing - she gets these big puppy dog eyes and never does it again, which itself is really, really... intoxicating. And bad. That too. You try not to complain too much.

[Ending scene choice:]
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.
>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.
>You decide that you have way too much power in your relationship with Clara, and cut it off for her own good.
>Write-in (subject to QM veto)

>>36005600
>>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005600
>>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005600
>>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.
Pregnancy end or quit

>>36005600
>Write-in (subject to QM veto)
We accidentally come on too strong earlier on in the relationship, combine that with some puppy dog eyes and a bit of liqueur, something about being eighteen years old went out of the window.

As well as the concept that Clara would be reasonable about contraception.

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005600
>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.

>>36005649
>>36005600
This

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005600
>You decide that you have way too much power in your relationship with Clara, and cut it off for her own good.

>>36005649
Second

>>36005649
Seconding

Alternatively, write all of the endings goddamn it.

>>36005600
>>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005649

This.

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005649
It's like... twenty days from when Raimes gets caught to her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.
Don't want to give Maxine a legitimate reason to hunt us down

>>36005649
Hell yes this.

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

I think we got the "QM is annoyed and just wants this ro me over" ending.

>>36005708
Yes. What of it?

>>36005600
>You and Clara choose to wait for marriage, which takes place just a couple months after her "eighteenth" birthday.

>>36005721
I'm generally really bad at endings. They're hard.

>>36005708
So wait until her eighteenth birthday, then give her a birthday she won't be able to walk right after.

Weirdly high levels of moralfaggotry in here.

>>36005600
>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.

>>36005761
Just fuck the dubiously aged girl

>>36005600
>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.

>>36005600
>>You and Clara get hot and heavy a few weeks after her "eighteenth" birthday, when you tell her how much you love her.

Marriage:
>>36005633
>>36005637
>>36005654
>>36005671
>>36005695
>>36005707
>>36005709
>>36005720
>>36005727

Hot and heavy:
>>36005643
>>36005659
>>36005751
>>36005773
>>36005779
>>36005788

Responsible thing to do:
>>36005677

Some thing I'll have to ask clarified if it wins because I can't understand what they're saying:
>>36005649
>>36005668
>>36005679
>>36005693
>>36005698
>>36005710

>>36005794
>Some thing I'll have to ask clarified if it wins because I can't understand what they're saying:
It's basically hot and heavy, just a bit earlier with Clara taking more of an active roll in trying to fuck us. i think.

>>36005794
That one seems to be as >>36005809 states. Combined with Clara being negligent with contraception.

>>36005794
i think it means hot and heavy + drunk and no wait and no special care about contraception

>>36005809
That's what I took it to mean.

>>36005794
Just have ALL THE ENDINGS
There's only two/three that anons actually want after all.

>>36005649
I can dig it. Supporting.

>>36005751
Maybe find out she's really into bondage, and that secretly we're fine indulging that?

>>36006012
That would be great. Especially if we gave it to her

File: EXPAND DONG.jpg (25 KB, 149x292)

25 KB JPG

>>36006012

Finally just fucking cycled my IP after I was offline for 10 minutes.

You try to hold back a bit with Clara. She's young, and it would be so, so easy to take advantage of her - not to mention the fact that she clearly wants you to - but you stay strong. There are lots of reasons for it: her mother really wouldn't approve, for one. For another, you do generally prefer to take your time to warm up to a girl if you're planning on having an actual relationship with her. Then there's the fact that she's been chaste up until you, and you feel a bit uncomfortable with the idea that her love for you would "corrupt" her like that.

Eventually, your relationship advances to the point where you feel like you know her well enough to spend the rest of your life with her. Given the absolute trust she puts in you, the way she'll answer literally any question you ask, that takes about three months.

You propose. She accepts, of course.

At the wedding, her mother glares daggers at you. Your parents don't show up because, hey, they're you're parents, if they weren't complete shit they wouldn't be the mom and dad you grew up with. You invite maybe ten people total to the wedding yourself, while Clara invites loads.

On your wedding night, she orgasms literally the second you're first inside her. She's really, really embarrassed about that, but when you "kiss it to make it better," she giggles and calms down, letting your sweet, sweet lovemaking take place without much further difficulty. Somehow you manage to pull yourself together for a second session that same night, and she requests - wearing this cute little blush on her cheeks as she averts her gaze, one hand toying with her thumb on the other - that you tie her hands to the bed "since it's how we met." You indulge her, of course, and it's almost better. Afterwards, you untie her the two of you fall asleep in one another's arms.

You wake up the next morning to find that Clara got up before you and cooked you a delicious grilled cheese sandwich for breakfast.

She's such a wonderful girl.

>>36006183
And that's all she wrote. Wait what happened to raimes?

>>36006292
Formatted, I imagine.

>>36006292
well ramies himself probably got terminated, but hey, even if we considered him human, he deserved it
now, the real question is what happened to the project that gave birth to him

>>36006292
He digided

>>36006292
He dead.

>>36006338
OP, I must say I enjoyed this quest, weird as it was.

If you ever run another let me know.

>>36006183
Now I'm imagining one day their kids asking Clara how they met, and being Clara she tells them everything.

8/10 would quest again.

>>36006338
B-but my office assistant.

The quest was really good. The ending seemed rushed but I'm fairly satisfied with how it all worked out.

You're a good writer at any rate and I hope to see more stuff from you. Thanks for running.

File: Spoiler Image (257 KB, 1000x667)

257 KB JPG

>Epilogue
>March 24, 2035

"Sweetheart?" Clara calls at you from the bathroom, giddiness apparent in her voice.

You head over to the door of the bathroom. "What is it, baby?" You ask, leaning against the wall.

"Come in, come in, I want you to see!"

You open the door and walk inside, and she shows you what she's so excited about. A positive pregnancy test.

"I was late, but I didn't want to tell you if it was just that, so I went to the store, and - well, you can see what happened!" She practically jumps for joy next to you, a big smile on her face. "We're pregnant!" She practically leaps on top of you, wrapping her arms around you tight, and you respond in kind, giving her a big bear hug. She snuggles against your chest happily for a while before finally pulling away. "You are happy, right? I mean, I know we didn't exactly discuss this, but..."

"It's fantastic," you say, kneeling down in front of her and pulling her shirt up over her belly before blowing raspberries on her bare skin, making her giggle and squirm. You pause, kissing her stomach. "I can't wait for our family to have another member," you say as you look up at her, and she smiles down at you, clearly overjoyed at that. "I'm really glad it's the weekend. I get to give my wonderful," you kiss at her navel, slowly rising up, "beautiful," another kiss, this one more at the base of her ribcage, "pregnant," a kiss on her neck, "wife," a kiss on the lips, "all the attention she deserves."

Clara's loving, happy smile as she stares into your eyes is the most precious thing in the world to you (besides Clara herself, of course).

>>36006183
Thanks for running, it was a nice quest. I would have liked a more climactic ending (pun intended) and maybe a little more suspense or conclusion for a few plot hooks in here but all around it was quite well done. You going to run another one at some point?

>>36006476
dawww

>>36006476
Thanks for running, good quest.

>>36006504
Probably. I have a twitter.

https://twitter.com/72oOCCJ1

Actually, you know what, hold on a second. I have a list of quest pitches, interested in seeing what people are interested in.

Here it is: six stupid quest ideas, all poorly developed. Working titles.

Disquiet - you are a little boy who has a crush on a socially isolated psychic little girl.
Sanguine - you are a teenage boy who becomes a vampire. Now, with your supernatural powers, you can at last get that cheerleader who always ignored you.
Her - fantasy setting, you're a sailor who washes up on some distant island, and a beautiful (and insanely dangerous) monster falls in love with you. The natives are not pleased.
Loveless - you are the godfather of a fifteen year old girl whose parents died. she's depressed/suicidal.
Miai - you are a young wizard who goes to a marriage meeting with a young witch. Then a murder occurs. Mystery/thriller.
Paranormal Romance - you're a shy, bookish girl with a social disorder who reads lots of paranormal fantasy. But now a creepy tormented handsome monster boy is coming after you.

http://strawpoll.me/2941778

Vote for whichever one you like.

>>36006581
>Sanguine - you are a teenage boy who becomes a vampire. Now, with your supernatural powers, you can at last get that cheerleader who always ignored you.

We starting a vampire cult now.

>>36006581
thanks for running, pretty cool quest

>>36006581
Her - fantasy setting, you're a sailor who washes up on some distant island, and a beautiful (and insanely dangerous) monster falls in love with you. The natives are not pleased.
Odysseus Quest a go?

>>36006581
Sanguine - you are a teenage boy who becomes a vampire. Now, with your supernatural powers, you can at last get that cheerleader who always ignored you.
Like 13-14 teenager?

>>36006684
15-17.

>>36006684
>>36006667
>>36006647
http://strawpoll.me/2941778

follow link to vote

>>36006667
More like... one of those animes where the boy is an ordinary highschooler and the girl is an alien/vampire/zombie/robot/faerie/spirit/ghost/whatever. Except the girl in question is a territorial murder machine.

>>36006717
already voted
for disquiet and her if that matters

>>36006735
like a giant praying mantis?

File: Ponce.jpg (111 KB, 720x576)

111 KB JPG

>>36006581
>Sanguine - you are a teenage boy who becomes a vampire. Now, with your supernatural powers, you can at last get that cheerleader who always ignored you.

We Primarch now.

>>36006778
>like a giant praying mantis?
No. More like an evil Twipire. Insanely powerful and ridiculously dangerous and wildly, madly in love at first sight.

>>36006581
Hey I voted for Disquiet and it's actually winning right now. For some reason I didn't think that would actually get any votes other than mine.

>>36006825
Twipire
Yeah, you're gonna have a lot of work ahead of you there

>>36006825
Twilight vampire?

>>36006581
+1 to murder mystery wizard thriller

>>36006858
The thematic concept for the girl-monster comes from Luminosity, which features Twipires. They're insanely durable, strong, fast, beautiful, nice-smelling predators who eat people regularly and are natural sociopaths besides their waifus/husbandos (except when they are "vegetarians," of course).

The real thing I like about Twipires is that they're a "marble" variant on vampires, for lack of a better word. As ordinary vampires are corpses, Twipires are to marble statues.

Also the turning process for a Twipire is fuckin' metal, but that's irrelevant for Her.

>>36007370
So I voted for Her not realizing I could vote for multiple options, so I'd just like to say I'd be cool with Miai or Paranormal Romance as well. Not that either are strong contenders at this point.

Oh, incidentally, did people mind the (occasionally contrived) way that the MC's name is never mentioned? I kind of wound up doing it by accident in Sick With Love and carried it over to CK but I'm not sure about it.

>>36007631
It worked for me, but if you ever want to call characters back you will need to give them a name.

>>36007705
>if you ever want to call characters back
I'm not sure I understand what you mean by this bit?

>>36007631
i don't mind.
i mean, it's like in DooM, in the end the MC is -you-

>>36006581
Disquiet.

>>36007737
Referencing them past quest end in another of your quests. if you ever decide you've got a world on your hands. For one shots however it's great.

>>36007781
Oh, yeah, I have no intent to run long-term quests or sequels to existing quests on this trip.

Had to cycle my IP, again. Goddamn my ISP is shitting the bed today.

>>36008042
Are you sure cycling your IP is actually doing anything? Maybe it doesn't and you just think it is because after a certain amount of time it fixes itself which coincides with when you try to change it.

>>36008118
No, it definitely fixes it. I'll spend ten minutes watching the little counter in the bottom right show (0) 30, cycle my IP, and bam all of the sudden it works.