>>39996125
You drive around the city, following the Voice's directions. After a point, the voice tells you to stop.

"You're reaching the end of my camera coverage." The voice says. "There aren't any more working cameras in this area. Also, it's likely that we might lose reception. The People-Of-Joy will notice Plath's failure to arrive, and find his body. It may be wise to lose the car, or this radio at least."

"So, we'll lose you?" Emmy asks.

"Hardly. Locate a radio, and tune it to 66.7, that will be the frequency I'll communicate on. Although, unless you find a transmitter, it will be one way." The voice says. "For now though, if you have any questions, we have time for two or three. Then I'll give you the directions that will take you to the jail, and we'll enact radio silence."

"How will we contact you then?" Emmy asks.

"I can see the jail distantly from one camera, particularly the flagpole that's in the exercise yard. Fly anything up that flagpole, and I'll begin broadcasting in 30 minute intervals." The Voice says. "I'm sorry for these silly measures, but the people after you aren't to be trifled with. Caution is my foundation, as should be yours."

"Who ARE you?" You ask.

"That is a question that I will not answer." The voice says. "My past encounters with people have taught me that it is silly to trust people with personal information. Also, you obviously have the enmity of the People-Of-Joy. If they knew we were communicating, it would result in them using their abilities to further restrict my access. The less you know about me, the safer we both are. Now, if the silly questions are over, do you have any serious queries?"

> What do you know about Joy in Hearts and our powers?
> What do you know about Tributary and Peninsular?
> Do you know anything about what happened that caused the End?
> How do we get back to Peninsular and Genesis?
> Who are these People-Of-Joy?
> What do you know about this Joy-In-Civility?

>>39996267
>> Do you know anything about what happened that caused the End?

>>39996267
>> Do you know anything about what happened that caused the End?
> Who are these People-Of-Joy?


also frequency 66.7 Guys I got a bad feeling.

>>39996267
>> How do we get back to Peninsular and Genesis?

File: 1431533241097.jpg (148 KB, 1280x720)

148 KB JPG

>>39996320
>also frequency 66.7 Guys I got a bad feeling.

File: today-is-a-good-day-to-di(...).jpg (53 KB, 900x675)

53 KB JPG

>>39996320
>>39996364

>>39996267
>> How do we get back to Peninsular and Genesis?

>>39996306
>>39996320

"66.7?" You ask, a little wary.

The Voice sighs. "It's not by choice. I'm aware how trite it is. However, the only communication gear that I have that works, and isn't compromised by the People-Of-Joy is the University's pirate radio station. They thought they were clever, when they were actually being silly." The Voice sniffs with distaste. "But, they were quite skilled in their workmanship, and I am appreciative. Still, I will be trying to attempt to change it, for security purposes, as well as matters of good taste."

"Okay." You say. Emmy gives you a shrug.

"So, do you know anything about what happened that caused the End?"

“My theory is that it was caused by a weapon designed to kill Joy-In-Hearts that went horribly wrong…or right. Depending on your view.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, according to my studies, during the Event all Joy-In-Hearts that were in their regalia dropped stone dead, and the majority of those that weren’t went into a coma. Then there was a one minute period, and after that, everyone went…silly. The majority of Small Joys became vegetables, and nearly everyone who had Acceptance, which was the majority of the human race at that point, began to kill each other, themselves, or dropped dead on the spot. The Clean Energy Stations Meltdowns happened soon after.” The Voice says. “So, my theory is that one nation tried to wipe out the Joy-In-Hearts of another nation and fired a weapon that worked FAR too well for anyone’s liking, and then had horrific after effects. I know you aren’t aware of what Nuclear Energy is, but when they were developing weapons from it, one of the fears was that it might ignite the atmosphere.” The Voice chuckles. “Never make weapons of mass destruction in haste, you make silly mistakes.”

"So, Peninsular or Tributary blew up the world?" Emmy asks.

(Cont)

>>39996758

The Voice scoffs. "I know the Pennies and the Tribs thought that their conflict was the premier focus of the world, but it was really more of a sideshow. Anyway, eliminating West Wind or Meadows wouldn't be as beneficial as say...a typical biological weapon. Both nations knew better than to rely on their Joys. No, I think it was one of the other nations of the world. They were MUCH more active in using their Joys. No one really cared about Peninsular's wide expanses of fertile nothing, or Tributary's tolerance of the Unaccepted."

"There were other conflicts?" You ask.

"Many." The Voice says. "I wouldn't call it a World War, though. Just you couldn't find a country that wasn't in conflict with someone else. Cold, hot, proxy, terrorism, electronic, all variants. The world was in an Age of Conflict."

"I thought it was supposed to have been a Golden Age?" Emmy asks.

"Oh, there was a Golden Age. Then it ended." The voice says.

"So, how do we get back to Peninsular and Genesis?" You ask.

"I...feel as if I should hold off on telling you that. It would be silly of me to give you the option of taking off and leaving me. 'Fool me once' as that silly saying begins." The Voice says. "I'll get you shelter, and food. You find out if there's anything about Love's visit to Civility. Afterwards, once we have re-established contact, we can discuss if you two wish to simply return home...or assist me and gain greater rewards."

"Rewards?" You ask, skeptical and cautious.

"Better transportation, large food stores, and working technology. Not to mention my own expertise." She says. "It would be silly for you to disregard that. Now...I'm seeing activity from the People Of Joy. It'll be a while before they find Plath. So I feel there's time for one more question before we need to move."

> What do you know about Joy in Hearts and our powers?
> What do you know about Tributary and Peninsular?
> Who are these People-Of-Joy?
> What do you know about this Joy-In-Civility?

>>39997118
>> What do you know about Joy in Hearts and our powers?

>>39997118
>> Who are these People-Of-Joy?

>>39997118
> What do you know about Joy in Hearts and our powers?

>>39997118
>> Who are these People-Of-Joy?

Who the hell are these people,, with these insane tech levels 100 years after the end of the world?

>>39997118
>> Who are these People-Of-Joy?

>>39997190
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqG5wuZZvKA

>>39997118
>> What do you know about Joy in Hearts and our powers?

>>39997118
>> Who are these People-Of-Joy?

She is going to be so disappointed when we tell her we shoved a knife in Civility too.

>>39997165
>>39997190
>>39997213

"Who are these People-Of-Joy?" You ask.

"Descendants of the few Accepting that survived the Event." The Voice says. "Maybe one or two of them are actually from that time."

"But that's been 150 years!" Emmy says.

"Accepting live long, add to that longevity drugs, stasis tubes, vita-baths, and it's not out of the question that a person could survive." The Voice says. "It would be illegal and astoundingly expensive, but laws and cost don't matter any more."

"So what do they want with us?" You ask.

"To use you as they see fit. Most likely having to do with OLYMPUS. Ugh, that place brings nothing but misery." The Voice says. "It's silly, but...people did silly things for Love. I suppose it's not surprising that they still do."

"I think I met one of them." You say. "But he didn't seem like he was intent on kidnapping me. He was an old man, had one of those mechanical mice with him, along with all this stuff."

"Gold mouse? White hair, beaky nose?" Emmy asks.

"Yeah, why?" You say.

"That's the guy who gave me the comb and the mirror." Emmy says. "He had the mouse in his pocket. Showed it to me, offered it as well, but I didn't want to touch that deathtrap."

"He must have bought them from Molly, then gave them to you." You say, fitting the pieces together.

"That man sounds like Uriah Gaft." The Voice says. "He's a man who was alive during the Event. He used to be their leader."

"Used?" You ask.

"There was a coup. Gaft and a few of his loyal followers broke away from the others. I suppose it was a piece of good luck for you that Gaft found the OLYMPUS site first. Gaft is silly in some matters, but he's very intelligent."

"What was the schism about?" You ask.

"He refused to tell me. Also, we've been out of contact for a while, the POJ severed our link." The Voice says.

"Why was it good luck for us?" Emmy asks.

(Cont)

>>39997583
She's pre-End too, apparently. Makes sense with her hacking skills. Nice to have almost-confirmation.

>>39997645
Still thinking she is an AI.

>>39997583
"Well, Gaft needed a way into OLYMPUS, and he didn't have the tools or the ability to get past the fallout." The Voice says. "You'll find that the People of Joy have the knowledge to USE a lot of the technology, and get some of it working, but not enough to FIX it. Also, their leadership is very fractured, and they rarely agree on plans that are totally mandatory, or regard OLYMPUS. Plath was one of their more 'outside the box' thinkers. You've dealt them a serious blow, by removing him."

You see Emmy's shoulders start to shake, and you put a hand out for her to grab and squeeze.

"So, Gaft found OLYMPUS first, and couldn't get in. What did he do?" You ask.

"He found people who could...eventually." The Voice says. "A small little group of survivors who weren't too immoral and had set up a small, working, town. Odds were that it wouldn't last past five years, but all they needed was a guiding hand here, a little push there, and some good luck there..."

"Genesis." Emmy says, letting go of your hand. "Gaft made Genesis?"

"Helped make." The Voice says. "He was very impressed with its progress. If I didn't know the man better, I'd say he became more focused on them and the Confessors, than on OLYMPUS."

"What do the Confessors have to do with this?" You ask.

"The Acceptance gene still exists, even in Unaccepted. It's much rarer now, and there aren't treatments to bring it out or insert it. However, you do see it appear, now and again. Sadly, most communities that have it strongly are also too inbred to be of use to anyone. However, say you had a small, tightly knit, community. One that could accept new members enough to prevent inbreeding, but small enough to foster the growth of certain genetic traits."

"The Confessors are all Accepting?" You ask.

"As much as I find eugenics to be silly, it's hard to argue with results." The VOice says. "Gaft felt that given two or three more generations, you'd see Small Joys, and later, Joy-In-Hearts."

(cont)

>>39997815
We slept with almost-incest boy!

>>39997855
Actually Given that logic anyone we slept with not from genesis or a large town would been somewhat incestuous.

>>39997855
And nothing came of it. A severe blow for the eugenics program, that.

>>39997912
Which is...not a pleasant thought. At least we're not planning to have kids.

>>39997926
Your modern morals have no meaning to Severe Population Loss land.

I wonder if we could ask her what kind of counters the PoJ could find for our Ash Cloud if we ever have time? It'd be awesome to have a counter-counter ready to go right when they think they're being clever.

>>39997963
I doubt we feel the need to risk ourselves to repopulate the earth.

>>39997815
"If you couple that, with Genesis' technological advancement...it's easy to see how Gaft planned to get access to OLYMPUS." The Voice says. "I admired the plan, slow but sound. Although, he did get rather silly in his desire to 'nurture' his 'projects.' A sense of pride in ownership, I suppose."

"Well, where do we fit into all of this?" You ask.

"It's an easy thing to follow Joy-In-Heart bloodlines, and you two are no exception. You have direct relation to Golden Age Joys, possibly even the Joys that Embraced during the Sorrow War." The Voice says. "Of course, from what Gaft told me, he gave up on the Ashes bloodline because of their tendencies of substance abuse, and he didn't want to risk Embers because it could disrupt Genesis' development." The Voice sounds smug. "Apparently, he was very silly to surrender so soon."

"Why didn't he contact me after I embraced?" You ask.

"I do not know, as I said. I haven't had contact with him for a while." The Voice says. "Although, I feel that's one of Gaft's silly habits. He drones on and on about the value of free will, Campbellian nonsense, and a romantic worldview I just find silly and tiring. If you see him, ask him...just be prepared for silly nonsense that borders on worship."

"Huh." You and Emmy look at each other and shrug.

"Anyway, I'm sorry to say that our time is now up. I'll be shutting off the radio now. Again, I'll be waiting to see the flag, and then I'll be on 66.7 every half-hour. Here's the directions to the Prison. Good luck."

You spend a few moments scribbling down the directions, and once that is done, there's a click and the Voice is gone.

'Well, that was...informative. We DO know that she's hiding stuff from us, right?'

'She all but said so.'

'Okay, just remember saying 'I have no reason to lie to you' is NOT the same as saying 'I'm NOT lying to you.' Also, she's got her own agenda.'

'We know. We know.'

(cont)

>>39998043
Not really a risk, since while smaller communities are semi- incestuous we're from a different group entirely. Our kid would be fine. Of course we need to handle our bidness first.

>>39998103
An agenda that doesn't involve fucking OLYMPUS is one I'm willing to hear out.

>>39998103
You look at Emmy. She's still sitting with the information that Genesis was 'helped' along and that its success was not thanks to the hard work of its people.

She looks pissed.

You start the van up, and start driving.

It's not going to be long before you get to the minimum security prison. You need to decide what to do about Emmy. In particular, if you want to be exploring the place with her, or with Embers.

You're not sure if they're still working together, now that the danger has passed.

'Yeah. They aren't. Embers is being smug about the Genesis thing.'

'Great. Just...great.'

'And here you were bitching about my complaints about our hair.'

'It's not that bad.'

'Yes. It is. You should be thankful I didn't go curly, or we'd be playing bingo and eating hard candy!'

'I like hard candy.'

'...me too.'

'Can we decide what we're going to do about them?'

> Stick with Emmy, accepting her limitations, and slowly get her to accept Embers.
> Try to convince her to let Embers out, which will give you much needed backup, and slowly get her to accept Emmy.

>>39998281
>> Stick with Emmy, accepting her limitations, and slowly get her to accept Embers.

I like what little we've seen of Emmy's character and she can always transform if there's trouble or a need.

>>39998281
> Stick with Emmy, accepting her limitations, and slowly get her to accept Embers

Ok will both of you stop acting like spoiled children? I'm good with Ashes and because of that we kicked both of you asses easily, even when I held back. Plath is nothing compared to what we're likely to run into.

>>39998281
> Stick with Emmy, accepting her limitations, and slowly get her to accept Embers.
Risky either way...oh well.

>>39998341
Emmy has had a severe shock to her entire worldview and she has a voice taunting her. She's really, really, really not in the mood for tough love nonsense.

>>39998281
>Stick with Emmy, accepting her limitations, and slowly get her to accept Embers.

Hard mode. Also, isn't Emmy pretty decent with mechanical stuff? Might be useful.

also, I can't help but feel that I don't think that this will turn out like we did. one personality or the other is going to become dominant. I don't think there will really be any coexisting beyond general permittance here.

>>39998459
Emmy just had her entire world turned upside-down. It's way too early to say anything about how this is going to play out.

I'm curious as to how they're talking when Emmy isn't transformed, though. I wish we could do that with Ashes.

>>39998555
We do sometimes, Ashes rarely has anything to say except about aesthetics or magic cause she is more or less us with a different fashion sense and magic training.

>>39998123
Dieing during childbirth is a serious concern, as is vomiting, we don't have that much food.

>>39998584
She's plenty talkative while we're transformed. I've gotten the impression that it's much, much harder for her to speak while we're Lupa.

>>39998639
There is no fucking way Gaft would let us die, assuming we were in Genesis or Confessor territory. He'd manage to help us somehow.

>>39998639
We aren't pregnant birth control and pulling out are still a thing. I'm saying we could have kids later after we finish the quest in the epi.

>>39998641
Maybe

>>39998674
>We aren't pregnant birth control and pulling out are still a thing. I'm saying we could have kids later after we finish the quest in the epi.
Oh sure.

Just don't sit on the most convenient dick just to get pregnant though.

>>39998385
"You know...help or not...Genesis is probably the biggest bastion of civilization around. Even if this Gaft guy helped, that doesn't lessen the accomplishment." You say.

"Mmh." Emmy says. "I'm not going to be thanking him, if I see him again."

"Fair enough. Don't think I will either. More likely to kick his ass." You say. "I have a...friend...in the Confessors. HE'D probably give the old man a huge beat-down, once he finds that he's possibly a bit more closer than 'kissing cousins' to his relatives than he'd like."

Emmy chuckles.

You arrive at the chain link fence of the prison, and park the van. The prison is located next to a wide river. (But almost everything in Tributary is, rivers and bridges are everywhere.) It's a collection of squat, grey, cube, buildings. There's the field with the flag pole on it. There's also telltale signs that this place has been salvaged.

Broken glass, doors have been pried open, and there's holes punched into the side of the building where people went for the copper wire and insulation.

Also there's the sign attached to the fence that's got spray painted words in pidign, NOT Civ.

'STAY OUT!'
'HAUNTED!'
'MONSTERS LIKE IN MALL!'
'DON'T TRUST THE TOYS!'

That's comforting.

Well, let's see what we can find shall we? Thankfully, there's Civ signage on all the buildings that you can read.

>Men's dorm
>Women's dorm
>Processing/Call Center
>Cafeteria.

>>39998710
Not planning on it. Hell Most anosn were would rather us turn into a raging lesbian than so much as look at a dick anyways.

>>39998717
>>Cafeteria.

>>39998717
>>Processing/Call Center

I want a radio.

Does Emmy realize we know Civ yet? That ought to be worthy of comment.

>>39998717
>>Women's dorm

>>39998750
Well lets compromise and go bisexual.

It makes threesomes a lot easier.

>>39998717
>Men's dorm
Might as well start at the top.

>>39998750
You're gonna bitch about that even after we've fucked a guy? Persecution-complex much?

>>39998813
I could se that.

>>39998860
Not a persecution complex when anons are trying to get to small joys for the explicit purpose of lesbian harem.

>>39998860
That happened in backstory.

I would really like to avoid this whole can of worms by not giving a shit about romance in this quest. Lupa isn't a romantic person anyway.

>>39998878
This quest has too much railroading for that to ever happen, thank god. I still want to meet them because it's sure to be fun as hell even if we end up killing the lot of them.

>4 way tie
Pls.

>>39998717
>Processing/Call Center

>>39999078
"That one." You say. "Processing and Call Center...whatever that is."

"How do you...you can read that stuff?" Emmy asks.

"Yup. Found a book." You say as the pair of you work your way inside.

"Neat." Emmy says. "Think you could teach me?"

"Maybe, could barely teach Pytor." You say.

Processing is a room that looks similar to the police stations that you've been in. Desks, bars, a few cells, and some small rooms. This place has been scavenged, no question. Drawers pulled out, holes punched in the walls, and a general state of used.

Thankfully, that also means no closed doors or locked bars.

The call center is rows of desks. There's a phone, and a screen. There's also some corpses here, there's chains and cuffs around their feet and they're hooked around a large ring that's sticking out of the floor.

"They're chained to the desk?" Emmy asks.

"Looks like." You say.

> Salvage Roll Roll 1d10

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>39999213

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>39999213
bit rude to chain people what is this a prison?

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>39999213
I missed corpses being everywhere. It feels like we're home.

>>39999250
>>39999258
Well good salvage.

File: 1427932893097.gif (1.23 MB, 640x360)

1.23 MB GIF

>>39999250
>>39999258
Is this our first double crit?

>>39999310
It can't be as fun as destroying Embers.

>>39999310
Nope first double crit mangled the arm of a man holding us with a kick, shattered his entire arm. WAs in the studio fight.

>>39999258
Okay, there's a desk that's on a slightly raised platform that overlooks the whole call center. Small Joy, judging by the fact that the body's female, and sitting peacefully in its chair.

"I just found a foot. Only a foot. It has tooth marks on it." Emmy sighs. "I'll let you know if I find someone with only one foot. I wanna see how far they got...and how they got out of the other cuff."

The overseer's desk has a big prize. A .357, and a box of bullets. Yes!

"You any good with a gun?" You ask Emmy.

"Eh. I've had standard training, nothing special. You?" Emmy asks.

"About the same." You say.

There's something else here. In the lower drawer, there's a box of crayons, a bunch of paper with crayon drawings on it. A small toy car, and a felt doll.

There's also a piece of paper, wadded up and thrown into the toy drawer.

'She can have them when she's good. She doesn't deserve them. Why doesn't she shut up? Why does she need things? Why can't she just SHUT UP! WE'RE ALL HUNGRY WE'RE ALL TIRED! ....oh God...please don't make me hurt my little girl...please...please...I'll do anything...just don't let me hurt my little girl...please...help me...I know you can read this...don't let me hurt my little girl...thank you...No...run...run they say I have to put you away with the others....can't trust them...bad BAD BAD. I AM. I AM. I AM THE ONLY. I AM THE ONLY ONE THAT MATTERS.

YOU ARE NEVER GETTING OUT!'

Okay...that's creepy and crazy.

The crayons and car aren't anything. However, the doll is somewhat unique. It looks handmade and it looks like it's been made with stuff from around the prison.

The body and limbs are prison uniform blue, and the stitching is thin copper wire and held together with buttons.

It has a shoelace for a mouth, giving a soft pleasant smile. And small pieces of glass for eyes, with cloth eyelids hanging over them, giving it a sleepy/sweet look. It's over stuffed with insulation.

(cont)

>>39999664
>The overseer's desk has a big prize. A .357, and a box of bullets. Yes!
I thought this place was ransacked already? It stretches disbelief that this wasn't salvaged yet.

also wow this is creepy

>>39999664
Lucky for us. Also I guess this was written when accepted went batshit insane, their helping selves went psycho and power hungry.

>>39999790
nah
It's all good

>>39999811
Meaning?

>>39999664

It's kind of cute, actually. You've seen your share of creepy dolls and depressing teddy bears.

"Found something kind of creepy." Emmy says, from the corner of the room. "REALLY creepy."

You carefully set the doll down on the desk. You head over to Emmy, handing her the gun and the bullets, which she handles properly, with respect.

There's more of the dolls here. Like three or four. They're different in color, but the shape is still the same, and they still look rather friendly.

That is, if they weren't ripped to pieces and had knives in them pinning them to the wall.

-LEAVE. US. ALONE.-

That's scrawled onto the walls in pidgin.

-too late. go solitary. stay safe. her safe. promise.-

That's written in the walls in tiny civ writing.

"Any ideas?"

You hear a plop and both of you spin around.

The doll you put on the desk has fallen onto the ground.

> Yeah, no. You know how THIS works. The doll's about to meet an Ash Knife.
> This might not be what it looks like. Take the doll with you.
> Nope. Just...Nope. Leave and seal the door behind you.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>39999886
>Nope. Just...Nope. Leave and seal the door behind you.

>>39999790
Didn't the joys evolve helping selves after to ensure this kind of situation never occurs again?

>>39999886

> Yeah, no. You know how THIS works. The doll's about to meet an Ash Knife.

>>39999886
>> This might not be what it looks like. Take the doll with you.
Take all possibly evil dolls. Leave no doll behind.

>>39999908
oops ignore that dice

>>39999886
> This might not be what it looks like. Take the doll with you.

>>39999913
Or the event caused it and they died because they went to war with themselves.

>>39999886
>Yeah, no. You know how THIS works. The doll's about to meet an Ash Knife.

>>39999886
> This might not be what it looks like. Take the doll with you.

... There might be a small joy here. One that does dolls. Lets not destroy something that is connected to one. Remember how that turned out?

>>39999886
>-too late. go solitary. stay safe. her safe. promise.-
>That's written in the walls in tiny civ writing.
This sounds like the kind of babbling I'd expect Agora to do. Maybe "tiny Civ writing" means clean energy ghost shenanigans, since we saw tiny Civ writing at Gold's studio too.

>>39999944
'Do we have any clue about these dolls?' You ask.

'Nope. They're made out of a little bit of everything from here. Also...okay you know how there was a gun here, even though this place was salvaged?'

'Yeah?' You ask.

'Look at the bottom of the toy drawer.'

You look. There's a small key. It fits the lock to the drawer you found the gun in.

'But it was unlocked when we searched it.'

'Yeah.'

You look at the doll, and it gives you a sleepy smile.

The pair of you search the rest of the call center, and you find one more thing, but it's a big one. A radio. Just what you needed. It's in the first aid kit that's on the wall. It's one of those crank emergency ones. Also, bandages, expired disinfectant, and other old first aid stuff.

'There a reason we don't have those useful pockets that we had on our suit?'

'We are NOT going to be one of those people who's covered with pouches, zippers, and pockets. Classy, remember!'

'Yes, we'll be a very stylish corpse.' You grouse as the pair of you head back out into the courtyard.

You freeze and stick a hand out for Emmy to stop.

The exercise yard is swarming with Worm Hubris.

'What brought them out?' You ask.

'Look, on the grassy areas.'

You see that what you thought was a small green mushroom, is actually a sprinkler head. It's spraying out a faint mist. The Hubris are attracted to the water.

'How is that still running?' You ask.

'It could be attached to a different power source that's still running...if it's pumping water from the river, then it'd run as long as the pipes stay clear and intact. Apparently they made good pipe.'

> Blast the Worm Hubris swarm
> Try to carefully walk past the worms to another building, with Emmy.
> Stay where you are until the sprinklers shut off
> Find a way to lure the worms away

>>40000347
Emmy YOu want to try and tackle these?
If yes'
> Blast the Worm Hubris swarm
if no
> Try to carefully walk past the worms to another building, with Emmy

>>40000347
>> Try to carefully walk past the worms to another building, with Emmy.

>>40000380
I like this. See if Embers has some ideas on expressing her joy. If Emmy isn't willing to transform, no fighting.

>>40000347
>Blast the Worm Hubris swarm

>>40000347

> Try to carefully walk past the worms to another building, with Emmy.

>>40000451
I can back this.

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>40000380
You snap your fingers and there's a flare of light.

Emmy takes a step, back her eyes going wide. "Whoa. So...that's what a Hubris looks like?"

"Yeah, an Eyeless." You say, and then sigh. "That's a lot of them. We can sneak by or...I can try to take them out. If I do, I'm going to need some help."

Emmy nods. "And for that you need her." The last word has a large amount of venom in it.

She closes her eyes and thinks about it.

>>40000787
yeah, this is going to take a while.

>>40000787
She shakes her head. "No. No. I'm sorry. I...I can't let her take over again. She may be okay about not making me go away...but she wants to...do things...with my body. I-I'm not ready for that. I won't let her do that."

"It's okay. It's okay." You say. And then sigh. "Okay, only one way that's safest. Jump up."

"What?"

"I'm going to give you a piggyback ride. I'm strong enough, and that way there's only one of us tiptoeing past these things." You say.

Emmy shakes her head, but she climbs up, with her arms around your neck and her legs hooked around your chest. She's heavy, but you can comfortably move with her. Also, she has a good tight hold.

So...which building are you going for?

> Men's dorm
> Women's dorm
> Cafeteria

>>40000839
She'll probably be rolling progressively higher dice until she hits a success. And remember, it's still the day we met her. Time goes slow in quest-land.

>>40000910
> Cafeteria
How hungry are we? Might be some old canned food in there.

>>40000910
> Cafeteria

>>40000910
> Cafeteria

Hopefully they have food. If we skip out on a location, it should probably be the men's dorm. And I think we will have to skip one, our pursuers aren't going to take forever.

>>40000910
>Cafeteria

>>40000975
"Let's go get some food." You say, and you begin your slow and careful, step by step, walk towards the cafeteria.

"You know, this is a weird prison." Emmy says. "One fence, and those dorms, they are dorms right? They're really small."

'Remember West Wind's place? Maybe there's lower floors here as well.'

"There could be lower floors." You say.

"Maybe...careful, that one nearly touched you." Emmy says.

"I know."

> Roll 1d8

Rolled 6 (1d8)

>>40001124

Rolled 5 (1d8)

>>40001124

Rolled 1 (1d8)

>>40001124
I hope there isn't a solitary confinement.

>>40001141
You land on the stairs to the cafeteria and you let Emmy off.

"Heh, beats bouncing in the back of the school truck." She says.

"Next time, I'm gonna charge." You say. "Stay away from sinks, Eyeless like water. Otherwise, you know the deal?"

"Pantry, cans with labels, check for mice bites on boxes, don't even look at the fridge." Emmy rattles off. "Salvage basics. Genesis teaches us. I know."

"You'd be surprised how many don't." You say.

"Yeah, well...you know what those kind of people are. Going from place to place, avoiding Genesis, and giving decent salvagers, like you, grief."

"Thanks." You say.

The cafeteria looks...like every cafeteria that you've ever salvaged. Long tables, a warming tray serving area, and a surprising dearth of corpses.

"Looks like our salvagers were here." You say. It makes sense. If they were squatting here, then it would be smart to get rid of the dead bodies that were by the food.

> Salvage Roll 1d10

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>40001323

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>40001323
>giving decent salvagers, like you, grief."
Nice save.

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>40001323
roll

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>40001323
>don't even look at the fridge
Why?

>>40001378
You have never opened a fridge that has been left to rot have you? They tend to develop their own ecosystems.

>>40001378
>>40001378
What do you put in the fridge, anon? Well, I dunno about you, but I put perishables in it. If the power goes out for even a day things can get gross in there. And it's been... how many decades since the world ended and the power went out?

>>40001378
fridge keeps things from spoiling, when they dont work the things inside spoil

She warmed up to us pretty quickly, considering we pretty much flipped her life upside-down.

>>40001714
Probably some consequence of us both being being Joys.

>>40001714
She might realize that if we hadn't been there that kidnapping attempt would have been a success.

She has Ember to direct her anger at.

>>40001374
There's not a lot left in the pantry, but there's enough for two girls to get full stomachs.

Also, there's no eyeless in the sinks and, just like the sprinklers, the plumbing still works. So, it's garbanzo beans, olives, and water.

You also find another one of those dolls. It's just sitting on a counter. It has a can opener at its feet.

You and Emmy sit down, and put the dolls on the table with you.

"To seeing home." Emmy says.

"To going home." You say.

"To survival." You both say.

You clink plastic mugs of water, and dig into the food.

Looking around, it's plain to see that this wasn't the only 'family' meal that was held here. There's empty cans piled in a corner, and areas of dust cleaned off from the tables that showed that the family had a particular place they wanted to eat.

"We should ask the Radio Woman if there are other settlements like Genesis out there." Emmy says.

"Tributary's looking pretty wrecked." You say. "And doesn't Genesis have radio? You'd think they'd hear about some other group, even half as big as theirs."

"Our radio's not that much good at reaching beyond Genesis." She frowns and slams her can down. "But I guess that might have been part of the plan, wasn't it? Keep us from losing focus on 'oh-so-sacred' OLYMPUS. Fu..." She clears her throat. "Screw that place, and screw that old man."

> Say nothing and continue to eat.
> Agree with her
> Defend Gast's actions

>>40001942
>> Say nothing and continue to eat.
We have insufficient information.

>>40001942
>Good can come of bad and bad can come of good, Even a fool or knave sometimes helps those around him unintentionally.

>>40001942
> Defend Gast's actions
Atleast he seems better than the other ones

>>40001942
> Say nothing and continue to eat.

I am decidedly neutral on the "boostrap a fledgling society to get into an ancient crypt" issue. Fuck OLYMPUS though.

>>40001942
>> Defend Gast's actions
He's helped out the two of you in the past.

>>40001942
>Good can come of bad and bad can come of good, Even a fool or knave sometimes helps those around him unintentionally.
I like it so seconding this.

>>40001942
Maybe that woman is lying about him caring about OLYMPUS more. She does have an agenda, and it probably includes us being biased against him.

>>40001942
Is it too much to ask that
A) These little dolls are legit friendly and benevolent
and
B) We can take them with use for use as like little familiars?

>>40002128
It's the Joy in Heart helping.

>>40002219
Why would she do bad things to the other scavengers though? Total Joy in Heart favoritism.

Where do the Red Caravan fit into Gast's plans?

>>40002359
A man's gotta get laid sometimes.

>>40002125
"Good can come of bad and bad can come of good, Even a fool or knave sometimes helps those around him unintentionally." You say.

"What?" Emmy asks.

'What?' Joy asks.

"Pytor said that to me once." You say, a little sheepishly. "What I mean to say is that a lot of people justify doing bad things, by saying that their end goal is good. Gaft is one of the few people who's done good things in pursuit of his goals."

"Hmph." Emmy says.

"But definitely fuck OLYMPUS. That's been my headache for a while." You say.

Emmy smiles, and then looks around. "Where's Garbanzo and Pimento?"

"Who?" You ask.

"The dolls." Emmy says.

"You named them? After our dinner?" You ask.

You hear a soft 'clang' and you both go to look at the source of the sound. You find the dolls by a large stretch of open floor in the cafeteria. There's a industrial looking switch on the wall.

The dolls are right below the switch and there's a fork on the ground. The noise was that fork, dropping onto the ground.

'We would like our deaths to not be caused by felt dolls named Garbanzo and Pimento. Thank you please.'

Emmy's not saying anything, put she's not touching your new 'friends.'

> Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.
> Yeah, you, without a DOUBT, know how this story goes. Garbanzo and Pimento meet YOUR best friend: Ash Knife.
> Just leave Garbanzo and Pimento where they are and go see if the worms have gone back into their hiding places and check out the dorms.

>>40002359
>>40001942
It's Gaft, that Gast was a typo on my part.

>>40002405
>> Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.

>>40002405
>> Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.

I must know what this button does. This isn' the kind of quest where we'll die for trusting the double-crit doll.

>>40002405
> Just leave Garbanzo and Pimento where they are and go see if the worms have gone back into their hiding places and check out the dorms.

>>40002405
> Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.

>40002405
0>1 Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.

>>40002405
>"Pytor said that to me once."
Really?? I can't see Pytor saying crap like that at all.

>>40002405
>> Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.

>>40002405
>Who are you to argue with such sages as Garbanzo and Pimento? Press the button.
>Press the button.
YES

>>40002470
You press the button and pick up the dolls and hand one to Emmy.

There's a CHUNK and the humming of machinery, and the floor opens up and you see a lift start to rise up.

"All Small Joy and Accepting prisoners, please keep your hands and arms away from all moving parts." A voice says over the overhead speakers.

Both of you nod, as you get it. This above ground part was for Unaccepting people, or people who weren't able to tear their way out of a minimum security prison.

If Joy-In-Civility is here, she'll be down there.

You get on the elevator, and press the button to head down.

As you go down, you look at Emmy. "So, do I have Garbanzo or Pimento?"

"Garbanzo. He's the one with the bronze wire stitching and the nice smile. Pimento has these fashionable red buttons on his chest and black stitching."

"Ah." You say.

The elevator stops, and you frown. Well, now you know where all the Eyeless came from. They're all over the place. Not swarming like they did up top, but there's one or three twitching down the hallway, every 10-15 feet.

Also, the room that you're in, THIS looks like a white collar prison, multi-tired room, white walls, thick white doors to single bed cells that were bare, but not overly unpleasant.

Lot of cracked open hives here too. Explains the Hubris population.

> Emmy doesn't NEED to change into Embers. If you're slow and careful, it's not hard to avoid them.
> Emmy should change into Embers. You're in the belly of the beast now. Try to convince her. (Write in arguments are welcome and may increase her die roll)

>>40002529
Pytor can be very introspective and poetic when he's drunk and not yet unconscious.

>>40002747
>> Emmy doesn't NEED to change into Embers. If you're slow and careful, it's not hard to avoid them.

She isn't dumb enough to stay untransformed if trouble does start happening, though, right? RIGHT?

>>40002747
> Emmy should change into Embers. You're in the belly of the beast now. Try to convince her. (Write in arguments are welcome and may increase her die roll)
"We're going in now. It might be dangerous. It might not. But with all the open hives, I can't protect you if we have to run. Or fight. Also, your punching is wrong."
Show her how to punch.

>>40002747
>> Emmy should change into Embers. You're in the belly of the beast now. Try to convince her. (Write in arguments are welcome and may increase her die roll)
>Emmy I know Ember can be impulsive, but I think if we want to get through this we'll need her. Her strength will be useful, given we don't actually have any keys for the cells here.

>>40002747
> Emmy should change into Embers. You're in the belly of the beast now. Try to convince her. (Write in arguments are welcome and may increase her die roll)

Monsters could be anywhere, You are far harder to hurt and hurt them far more in mg form, If one of them touch you and you're not in Ember form you will either die or turn into a vainglory.

>>40002747
>Emmy doesn't NEED to change into Embers. If you're slow and careful, it's not hard to avoid them.
Better to not force her, she needs to work it out for herself. When the shit hits the fan her self-preservation drive will kick-in (I hope).

>>40002747
Does this mean we aren't going to explore the dorms above ground? Knowing PLOT the next time we're coming back out we're probably going to be in a hurry to escape imminent doom.

If you guys really want to convince her, actually addressing her "Embers wants to do things to my body!" concerns might be important.

Rolled 3 (1d8)

>>40002909
>>40002909
"Emmy I know Ember can be impulsive, but I think if we want to get through this we'll need her. We're going in now, and her strength will be useful, given we don't actually have any keys for the cells here.

"Also it might be dangerous. It might be less. But with all the open hives, I can't protect you if we have to run. Or fight."

Emmy bites her lip.

"Also, your punching is wrong." You say.

"What?" She asks.

"You shouldn't tuck your thumb into your first. You'll end up hurting yourself." You say.

"Well, I do have plan B." She pats the pocket where she has her gun. Then she looks at the Worm Eyeless squirming down the hall and goes back to biting her lip.

>>40003066
>There's nothing Embers can really do here except fight, It's only us and I'm not interested

That work?

>>40003084
Hahaha wow. I'm more impressed at how stubborn she is than anything at this point.

>>40003100
She's resolute, that's for sure.

>>40003086
Embers can do solo play.

>>40003129
During combat?

>>40003158
There's no combat right this moment...

But seriously, we'd slap her if she was dumb, bold, and impulsive enough to try.

>>40003084
>look your going to have to work together your the same person and your stuck with each other so it's going to take some compromise but for right now all we have to do is fight and embers can do that you'll still be here you won't go away the other stuff you disagree on can wait right now we are on the job and I need the best from both of you if we wanna get this done

>>40003084

Look, the two of you are family and you're going to have to learn to be able to rely on each other.

>>40003194
>you're

>>40003220
Whoops Yeah

>>40003158
>>40003129
Who said anything about people? There are some perfectly serviceable worms around for all your patriarchal oppressing symbolism needs.

>>40003241
Pretty sure that'd vainglory her. I am sure she doesn't want that.

>>40003084
"No. No. I'm sorry. I can't. I just...I just can't. Please don't make me." She hugs Pimento to herself. "She scares me."

"Alright," You sigh. "But remember, if we get into a really tough spot..."

She nods. "Last resort. I know."

You can tell that she's just saying that to keep you happy so you don't force her. You know that this isn't Emmy being stupid or stubborn. This is Emmy being afraid. (Which is making her act stupid and stubborn) She's just terrified about what Embers will do with her body and does not trust her enough to give up control.

'Glad we don't have those kind of hangups.'

'Yup.'

'No, ours are just crippling fear of being abandoned, inability to make emotional connections beyond the superficial, and the fact that we talk to ourselves constantly.'

'...thanks.'

'Would you rather we go back to bitching about our hair?'

'Do you have anything helpful to add?'

'Yeah, there's a siphon here. We can feel the pull.'

'Then why are we still talking?'

'It's pulling on something else. That's what's been keeping the plumbing, lifts, and lights working down here.'

'It's drawing on Civility?'

'That's our guess.'

'Isn't she dead...or whatever they are right now?'

'We dunno.'

You slowly work your way through the hallways. Emmy carefully loads the revolver with the bullets you found.

> Salvage Roll 1d10

>>40003241
>Joy in Patriarchy

Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>40003291

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>40003291

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>40003291
roll

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>40003291

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>40003291
pls be good

Rolled 1 (1d10)

>>40003241
Eyeless are attracted to Joys and wate... no, we're not going there.

>'No, ours are just crippling fear of being abandoned, inability to make emotional connections beyond the superficial, and the fact that we talk to ourselves constantly.'
Yay, I was waiting for this. Talking to herself is adorable.

>>40003322
>>40003324
>>40003326
1 2 3

>>40003327
4 seconds too late
>>40003348
Dammit

>>40003365
Captcha was asking for soup and apparently a noodle bowl is not soup.
>Captcha ruining quests

>>40003322
Sadly, nothing in the cells that you can open that's worth mentioning. It does look that there's fewer 'death by Event' bodies. But that's explained by most of them being in prison cells, with no one else, and only the really inventive and determined, found ways to kill themselves. Some look like they tried for a while, and then gave up or came to their senses...and then the Hubris got them.

You come to one of the larger cells, for the people who earned them (or bought them) and discover that two of them have been lived in.

It looks like two adults lived in one, and right next to them, a child lived in another. You've found your salvager's home.

"Who would be crazy enough to live here? With all the Hubris?" Emmy asks.

"People can't see Hubris, unless they're Joys-In-Heart, or have Accepting Eyes, or I make it so people can see them." You say. "Secure location, working plumbing, warmth, food...there are far worse places."

Emmy shrugs. "I dunno. People who use prisons as shelters always seem dumb to me."

"Yeah, well...people often make stupid choices." You say, poking around the two rooms.

> Salvage Roll 1d10

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>40003622

Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>40003622

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>40003622
decent rolls. let's not fuck it up please.

>>40003681
good success!

>>40003681
Alright, this isn't bad. The rooms are secure, and the eyeless can't get through the doors, and the doors can be opened on the inside, thanks to someone breaking open the panels on the doors themselves and jury rigging the wiring.

The parents room has traces of dried Hive pus and some dead larvae in it. No bodies though. There's some torn dolls as well, and it looks like something was dragged away.

The girl's room reveals five more of Pimento and Garbanzo's brothers and sisters. It also has a journal.

-Found new place to live. Mom and Dad say it's safe. Had a good dinner, and the bed is soft and clean.-

-Met new friend today. Her name is Julie. She's funny and does cartwheels.-

-Julie killed a nasty looking snake. When I showed Mom, she said I should play nicer games.-

-Julie killed two snakes today. Got beat up. Mom says I need to play nice with my toys, or she'll put them in time out.-

-Julie has friends! They're going to help her fight the snakes.-

-Dad (this part is scratched out). Taught me how to behave properly.-

-Julie's losing. Her friends are getting beaten by the snakes. They say that the snakes are (This part is scratched out)-

- (This part is scratched out) Julie was bad today. She went to time out, which she deserved.-

-The snakes (scratched out) aren't real.-

- (Scratched out) I am a bad girl and I deserve punishment.-

- Momma found my journal and read it. She hit me and made me re-write parts of it. Said that I shouldn't write lies. Then she took Julie away from me again.-

-Momma came back with Julie, crying, hugging me, telling me that she was sorry. That she's sick and Daddy's sick.-

-Julie and her friends have tricked the snakes away. They're still fighting the ones left. They're still getting hurt. Mom and Dad are very sick now.-

(cont)

Oh poor girl. She was a Small Joy wasn't she?

>>40004056
We're keeping all 7 of them, and any more we encounter right? Please say yes.

>captcha thinks a hamburger is a sandwich

>>40004158
It is. Its a piece of meat with toppings in between two slices of bread. That is the very basic definition of a sandwich

>>40004191
A burger is in a bun not bread like a sandwich.

>>40004158
We'd better be keeping them. Poor thing...

>>40004158
We probably won't. They're like the Felines: narrative deadweight once their arc is over. If you want to remember them, keep their memories alive, don't cart them around like trophies.

>>40004056
-Mom is crying again. Dad is crying too. It's scary to hear Dad cry. Julie tells me that they're going to get worse, and are bringing snakes here.-

-Dad took Mom to the last hallway. Mom didn't want to go, she screamed that it was my fault. Julie says that wasn't her. Dad said to never open the door. That they loved me, and I was strong.-

-Julie and the others have watched over me for a while now. Every so often I go to the End Hall and listen at the door to hear Mom and Dad. They're still there. They don't sound like Mom and Dad though.-

-Julie and the others told me that I'm getting too old. That the older I get, the more the Snakes will come to get me. They can't fight them all, like they tried to fight the ones that got Mom and Dad. I don't know what to do.-

-I have to leave. I said goodbye to Mom and Dad. I wish I could carry more...or had a car...or anything other than what Julie and the others made for me.-

-I've stalled enough, and there's no more time or excuses. I'm leaving this here. Too many bad memories. I'm taking Julie with me, even though the others tell me that will cause her to fall asleep forever. I need her. Goodbye mother, goodbye father. Goodbye my friends. Thank you.-

Emmy lets out an exhausted yawn as you finish the journal.

"I'm sorry, but aren't you tired?" Emmy asks.

'We are. We can keep going while feeling fine until your body just quits on us, but we're really kind of pushing it. So maybe we should take a break, just a little one...'

'You know we can't hide a secret from ourselves, right?'

'Ugh. Fine. Civility's in solitary. Unfortunately, it's the End Hall. You KNOW what's in there.'

'Lovely.'

> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.
> Nah. There's a timetable here, and even if the POJ can't find you here, that doesn't mean you should waste time. Risk exhausting your body, and Emmy's and go now.

>>40004233
Yes. It is. A bun is shaped bread. Go look it up. Most definitions will call it bread.

>>40004320
> Nah. There's a timetable here, and even if the POJ can't find you here, that doesn't mean you should waste time. Risk exhausting your body, and Emmy's and go now.

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.
Rest up before the boss.

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.
Set up a way to block the door.

>>40004320
>This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.

Did we ever raise anything on the flagpole?

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.

I'm really leery about sleeping before we've contacted Voice, but... eh.

>>40004411
Nope

So the girl took one of the dolls and left, and leaving makes them inanimate again? What sustains them here?

>>40004427
The deranged joy

>>40004320
>This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.
Fighting a tough foe while tired is a bad idea. We also can not count on Embers right now.

>>40004427
Civility I'd guess.

>>40004320
> This is a secure, and warm, place to sleep. Bunk here for a couple of hours, THEN face down the Vainglory. Maybe Emmy will be game for letting Embers fight.

Pre boss save point. Barricade the door.

>>40004476
It's more than a little creepy that the Joy who ran a city is making citizen dolls after her death.

Is this finally someone we can stomach letting in? She seems nice, she did nothing terribly wrong, and she actually knows important information. ... About fucking OLYMPUS.

Also we have a van to cart her corpse off in, if any of you are silly enough to think she's safer with us than in solitary.

File: Lupa3.jpg (9 KB, 236x188)

9 KB JPG

>>40004411
You help Emmy pull a mattress into the girl's room, and you change back into Lupa.

Almost instantly you feel the exhaustion wipe over your body, and you feel sore everywhere. Especially where Plath hit you. An actual mattress with a sheet looks like a gift sent from heaven.

"Alright. So," You yawn. "There's the door, but we probably should sleep in shifts."

"Yeah." Emmy yawns. "That would be a good...oh."

You look. Garbanzo, Pimento, and their cohorts have formed a protective line in front of the door to your cell.

"I think we may be good." You say with a smile.

"I remember when things made sense." Emmy groans as she closes the cell door. "Those were fond days. Now I'm sleeping in a prison cell, I have a voice in my head, I've been kidnapped with another person who ALSO has a voice in her head and does...freaky ash stuff...and a bunch of dolls will be protecting us from invisible monster worms while I sleep."

"Sounds..." You yawn as you lie down. "Sensible to me."

"Yes, but you were pretty crazy to begin with." Emmy says.

If she says anything else, you don't hear her. You're already unconscious.

> ???? Roll 1d10

>>40004578
You know, if we cart her around with us does that mean we can get the dolls to work where ever we go?

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>40004590

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>40004590

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>40004590
My ash stuff is not freaky, it's cool.

Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>40004590
WITH HONOR

Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>40004590
please no 1s. My captcha was spaghetti, I don't need to spill more.

>>40004599
The person controlling the dolls will be in our head, so maybe... I'd prefer if she hung out in Ember's head though.

It's a pity her power doesn't seem compatible with ours. Both West Wind's air currents and Gold's light stuff would have fit right into our toolkit, making dolls... not so much.

>>40004684
Because she needs more crazy fucks in her head.

>>40004684
Ash dolls? Ash clones?
Inb4 Guided Ash Knives

>>40004737
Agora would be a moderating influence on Embers. I'm sure it'd work out fine.

We can send in a third voice to fix the problems Agora causes while fixing Embers.

>>40004636
You blink yourself awake, after you aren't sure how long, but you open the door.

There's six dead Eyeless worms in front of the door. Three of the dolls have been ripped apart, including poor noble Pimento. He has a knife stuck in the body of the worm that's impaled his head.

Garbanzo is there in front of the door. A little of his bronze wire stitching has been pulled out, but he's intact. He's also sitting on top of a tin can of peaches, and his can-opener, stained with the blood of Hubris, is cradled in his hands.

You gently hand Garbanzo to Emmy, who starts to fix him up, and you wipe off the can opener.

"To Pimento and his comrades." Emmy says.

"To Pimento and his comrades." You say.

Then the two of you enjoy a split can of tinned peaches, carefully sharing the juice.

"I'm sorry I couldn't fix your friends." Emmy says, as the pair of you head to Solitary. She carefully puts Garbanzo into one of her pockets, safe and sound.

You stop at the door. You're still Lupa, but you know the moment you change, and pull the handle on that door, whatever in in there is going to come barreling out. And it's not going to be pretty or friendly.

> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.
> Tell Emmy to take a defensive position so she can shoot the Vainglory.

>>40004890
>> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.

>>40004890
> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.
One last try I guess.

>>40004890

> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.

>>40004890
>> Tell Emmy to take a defensive position so she can shoot the Vainglory.

Sigh. We've got this. You can take as long as you need to get comfortable, Emmy. Unless you're dying. Then you better fucking henshin.

>>40004890
>Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.
Failing that the other one.

File: mzlg.jpg (236 KB, 427x600)

236 KB JPG

>>40004890
>> Tell Emmy to take a defensive position so she can shoot the Vainglory.
Let's go for a guilt trip when we get wtfpwnd.

>>40004890
>Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.

Calling it: If Embers is present for this fight, she's going to impulsively shove Civility right into her head. Possibly without realizing she's doing it because we haven't explained that part to Emmy/Embers.

>>40004890
don't say anything, just give her a scanning look. Like, 'you sure you want to go in there like that?'

>>40004890
>> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.
You two are gonna have to learn how to get along sooner or later

>>40004890
> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.

Rolled 7 (1d8)

>>40004939
You take a deep sigh. "Okay, you know that there's a Vainglory behind that door. Probably two."

Emmy nods. "Yeah."

"Em-" You start, but stop as Emmy holds up her hand.

She's biting her lip again.

>>40004890
> Try again to get Emmy to let Embers out.

"...I know you two don't see eye to eye yet. But you've seen what the Hubris can do - and that's nothing compared to what's behind the door. I am going to need your help, and she's not going away any time soon either.

I know that it's tough, but in times like this you hafta have a little faith."

can we draw the symbol for "faith" with our ash to try and drive it home?

Not that we have any, but would flashbangs work on them? Do vain glories have eyes/ears again?

>>40004991
Congratulations!

>>40004991
Her shoulders sag. "Okay."

"Okay? Seriously?" You say.

"Yeah...but JUST until the Vainglory is down. The second that it's clear, you MAKE her put me back in control. Kick her ass again if you have to." She says. "Deal?"

> "Deal."
> "Deal." (Lie)
> "Okay, okay."

>>40005047
>"Deal."

>>40005047

> "Deal."

>>40005047
> "Deal."
But both of you need to work together otherwise you'll never be as strong as you might need to be. The discord between the two of you is ridiculously easy to exploit, even when I'm holding back.

>>40005047
>Deal
"If we have to, yes. But you really need to talk things out with her eventually."

>>40005047
> "Deal."

>>40005047
>Deal.

"Honestly, we kinda figured on that anyway. "

>>40005047
> "Deal."

That lie vote is so mean, holy shit.

>>40005047
>"Deal."

>>40005077
Can we stop shoving this shit on her? She's already sick of it and it's been less than a day.

>>40005081
"Deal, but the two of you really need to..." You sigh and wave your arms. "You've heard me say it before. I doubt either of you are going to listen to me...yet."

Both of you close your eyes and focus.

'Where Do You Find Joy?'

"I find Joy even in the Ashes."

"Joy remains in every Ember."

You open an eye. "That wasn't what I heard last time."

"We're trying new things. That sound cool?"

"Meh."

Then there's the burst of Light, and you both change.

Embers stretches, licks her lips, and then mimes a few punches. "Ohhh, yeah. Bring it oonnnnnn! Whoo!"

The Solitary Door thuds, twice, at your very presence.

'Oh, this is not going to be fun.'

'Embers' is smiling, that's usually a decent warning of 'not fun.' Now, ready?'

'Can I put on my Armor first?'

'Not if you want to make sure you're clear of that door.'

'Fine...are we sure we can do this?'

'No!'

'Good enough!'

You unlatch the door and instantly Ash Dodge away as it slams open and the Vainglories come charging out.

They look like two giant boars, made out of video tape, cassette tape, and film. This black ribbony shiny mass swirling and twitching around them.

They have four hooves each, four tusks each, two pointing upward, two pointing downward. They're made out of a mass of grey metal-shavings that looks like they're pulsing, living things. Where their eyes are is this long red, slimy, thing that looks like a snake's tongue. It's tasting the air, and you know that they can 'see' you perfectly, and finds you both VERY tasty.

You notice that one of them has slightly lighter shades of black/brown/metal, and one has darker. The lighter one you instantly mark as Mom, the darker one Dad.

> Ash shot (Mom/Dad)
> Ash Armor
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Ash Knife
> Dodge Kick

>>40005450
>>Ash Shot Dad
Call is Ash Buster

>>40005450
> Ash Armor

>>40005450
>> Ash Knife

>>40005450
> Ash shot on Dad
Concentrate fire on one then we can take the other one faster.

>>40005450
> Ash Armor

Shields up!

>>40005450
>Ash Armor

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>40005548
You focus and generate your armor around you.

Embers tries to swing at Mom.

Rolled 18, 10 = 28 (2d20)

>>40005583
She's not tucking in her thumb any more, but she still telegraphs her punches. Mom dodges.

Mom tries to gore Embers, and Dad tries to charge you.

>>40005604
RIP Embers.

>>40005583
Cmon Embers
Step your game up

>>40005604
Embers lets out a grunt of pain as she gets stabbed by Mom, and you ash dodge out of the way easily.

> Ash shot (Mom/Dad)
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Ash Knife
> Dodge Kick

>>40005643
>> Ash shot (Mom)
We need to help the scrub.

>>40005643
> Ash Knife

>>40005643
> Ash Knife

>>40005643
>ash shot mom

Kite them, let Embers get free swings..

>>40005604
> Ash knife Mom

I don't think Cloud will work on them.

>>40005673
You fling your arm out and shoot a blast of ash at Mom.

> roll 1d20

Rolled 16 (1d20)

>>40005699
roll

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>40005699
Melt its tongue off!

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>40005699

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>40005699

>>40005716
Good thing you were late
>>40005712
and good thing you weren't.

>>40005716
Thank God I beat you.

>>40005712
very nice!

I'm wondering how we're supposed to help Embers git gud - target practice? Just let her experiment on stuff? Maybe just let her curbstomp a few hubris or something?

We need her to stop being a liability, and getting her to come to terms with what's going on is only part of that.

>>40005754
It's too early to worry about that. She's still terrified shitless of transforming, dude.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>40005699
> Sorry. I misread that last one. But, you made a crit, AND I had planned this to be an earned, so I'll give you a ????. Kind of.

The blast hits Mom right in the side and she lets out a squeal-wail of pain and the tape-mass that his her body writhes and flails about.

Interestingly, the ash doesn't dissipate like it usually does. This time it leaves on this hardened, crusty scab.

Embers aims right for that scab.

>>40005795
aaaand breaks her hand.

>>40005776
What this anon said. Once we get her comfortable with henshin, THEN we can get some level grinding done.

>>40005795
first embers gets her shit kicked in by us and then by this
im starting to think shes just a shit fighter

>>40005795
Goddamit, Embers, at this rate we would have been better off just letting Emmy shoot at the damn things.

>>40005754
>We need her to stop being a liability
Don't you fucking dare say this in-quest.

Rolled 14, 5 = 19 (2d20)

>>40005795
Embers swings, steps into her punch, and over balances, falling right on her face.

'Fuuck!' You hear Joy wail. 'That's why you have to WORK TOGETHER!'

Mom and Dad both try to charge and gore you, as YOU are the obvious, competent, threat.

>>40005847
Giggling hard here.

>>40005847
Ole! You dodge out of the way of both of them.

'See?! THAT'S why you co-ordinate! It's called grace!' Joy snaps.

"S-shut up! I can DO this!" Embers says. "I don't NEED help!"

"Ugh." You both say.

> Ash shot (Mom/Dad)
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Ash Knife (Mom2/Dad2/Mom&Dad)
> Dodge Kick

>>40005846
Of course we don't say it to her face - with the way things have gone for her in this fight, we probably don't need to.

>>40005823
Yeah, maybe CQC isn't what she's built for. Who knows, maybe she'll try shooting a fireball and critting with it? We need to figure out SOMETHING.

>>40005877
> Ash Knife Mom2

Take out at least one

>>40005877
>> Ash shot (Mom)

>>40005877
>Ash Knife Mom2

>>40005877
>> Ash Knife Mom&Dad

>>40005886
>Yeah, maybe CQC isn't what she's built for.
She's supposed to be a tank brawler and the dice hate her. Hate her so much.

File: 21386409.jpg (923 KB, 1024x768)

923 KB JPG

>>40005877
>"S-shut up! I can DO this!" Embers says. "I don't NEED help!"
Tell her to prove it? Something has to get her a halfway decent roll eventually.
...r-right?

>>40005877
> Ash Knife /Mom&Dad)

Rolled 12, 19 = 31 (2d20)

>>40005895
>>40005901
You throw two knives at Mom.

Rolled 8, 8 = 16 (2d20)

>>40006043
Mom deflects one, but the other sticks into her. She squeals, and turns away from the crazy girl that's causing her so much pain.

That ash scab is still on her though.

Embers gets back up on her feet.

Mom goes for Embers.

Dad tries to smash your head in.

>>40006081
>She squeals, and turns away from the crazy girl that's causing her so much pain.
M-moe. I want to protect this smile.

>>40006081
You dodge out of the way, and Embers actually raises her hands, grabs Mom's charging tusks and twists her to the side.

"Hah! THAT'S how you DO it! See that Sis? Did ya see?"

"Yes, very impressive." You say.

"You're not even WATCHING!"

> Ash shot (Mom/Dad)
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Ash Knife (Mom2/Dad2/Mom&Dad)
> Dodge Kick

>>40006147
>> Dodge Kick Dad

Embers has Mom.

>>40006147
>> Dodge Kick

>>40006147
> Ash Knife Dad2
I'm gonna let Em drop the Mom

>>40006147
> Dodge Kick

you know what? I think she has some deep-seated self-esteem issues. Chances are that she masks this by being so egotistical.

>>40006147
>Ash Knife Dad x2

>>40006178
You lunge at Dad, swinging your foot out.

> Roll 2d20

Rolled 14, 18 = 32 (2d20)

>>40006264

Rolled 6, 14 = 20 (2d20)

>>40006264
oh god

Rolled 19, 7 = 26 (2d20)

>>40006232
Who, Embers? It's kind of hard to have self-esteem issues when you've been a spectator until today.

Emmy might have some.
>>40006264

>>40006278
>>40006289
>>40006291
19 and 18. Not bad.

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>40006278
WHAM. Your foot slams into one side, and WHAM, you pop on the other side of Dad and give him a bruise on the other side to match.

Dad cries and wails as you tenderize him.

Embers once again swings for the Ash Scab on Mom.

>>40006369
I can't breathe hahahaahha

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>40006369
And once again, falls flat on her face.

'Is it wrong to think that this is has gone past sad that it's going back to funny?'

"Want me to watch NOW Sis?"

"S-SHUT UP!"

Mom and Dad, once more, turn to take on the most dangerous thing in the room.

>>40006369
...she succeeds when she grapples, and yet punching throws her off.

Right, from now on, she grapples only. Just freaking grapples.

>>40006403
>Right, from now on, she grapples only. Just freaking grapples.
Why not grapple, THEN punch?

>>40006398
They both miss as you casually dodge out of the way.

'Honestly, isn't she supposed to have had basic Genesis survival training?' You ask

'Emily does. Embers is an over-eager kid who thinks its like the movies.' Joy says.

'There aren't any more movies.' You say.

'Ember and Ashes have better memories than Emily and Lupa do.'

'Huh?'

'Deal with Video Killed The Bacon Stars.'

'What?'

'Hurt the Vainglory!'

'Why is it SO hard for us to say SIMPLE shit like that?!'

> Ash shot (Mom/Dad)
> Ash cloud
> Ash choke
> Ash Knife (Mom2/Dad2/Mom&Dad)
> Dodge Kick

>>40006480
>'Ember and Ashes have better memories than Emily and Lupa do.'
Is Joy tech powered by the collective unconscious? Fucking neato.

> Ash Knife Dad2

>>40006480
>Ash shot Dad

>>40006480
> Dodge Kick

>>40006480
>Dodge Kick
hit the scab

>>40006480
>> Dodge Kick

Embers is going to laugh so hard when Emmy insists on sticking with the gun next fight and misses every time too.

>>40006567
You continue to try and kick Dad into Submission.

> Roll 2d20

Rolled 4, 7 = 11 (2d20)

>>40006605
HWG

>>40006525
>Is Joy tech powered by the collective unconscious?
Dunno about that, but remember Gaft giving up on the Ashes bloodline? Maybe your Joy is a genetic memory type entity. So it has experience from its collective "hosts".

>eggrolls and paint-roller covers are NOT burritos captcha

Rolled 19, 7 = 26 (2d20)

>>40006605

Rolled 11, 1 = 12 (2d20)

>>40006605

>>40006626
Oh yeah. I wonder what Embers was like.

Rolled 17, 18 = 35 (2d20)

>>40006605
come on