>>41726401

Still, that pathetic little croak was enough to get the attention of your typing companion. A low gasp of surprise escapes him as he spins around on his computer chair to face you. It takes a while to look past the scraggly, untamed beard to recognise Carnby, but when you do, it's surprising how glad you are to see him. But... he's always been a little on the unkempt side, but to grow a beard so quickly? How long were you unconscious?

“Don't try and talk just yet,” Carnby orders, cranking the bed up so that you're sitting upright. He hands you a bottle of water – warm but undeniably welcome – and you drink slowly. You dearly want to chug the whole thing as quickly as possible, but the violent lurching deep within your guts at the first splash of water gives you good reason for caution. Gradually your throat loosens up, and you're soon ready to bombard your old teacher with questions.

>How long was I out? Like, a few days?
>What happened? I was shot, and then...
>Are Leon and Cassandra okay?
>Something happened to my phone back there. It... died on me.
>Other

>>41726411
>What happened? I was shot, and then...
>Something happened to my phone back there. It... died on me.
>How long was I out? Like, a few days?
>Are Leon and Cassandra okay?

In that order I suppose.

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>>41726411
>mfw just realized I missed thread #4
Anyway
>How long was I out? Like, a few days?
>Are Leon and Cassandra okay?

>>41726411
>>How long was I out? Like, a few days?
>Something happened to my phone back there. It... died on me.

We probably gone for at least a week. Man, Cass without Amelia influence and being alone probably went full Great Will.

>>41726479
>>41726495
>>41726587

After you were shot, what happened? Did all of the prisoners get out okay? You ask your questions quietly at first, but when Carnby doesn't answer, you repeat them in a hoarse shout. Just tell me, you rasp, just tell me what happened, damn it!

“There were... complications,” Carnby looks down at his feet. Your angry retort dies in your throat as you take a closer look at his face. You've never seen him look so... defeated. “Cassandra got you out, but there weren't many survivors. She won't talk about it, but I think she feels responsible. The way Leon tells it...” Carnby shakes his head sadly, “No, you're better off hearing it from him.”

Great. Palming you off on someone else. You're really not sure what you expected from the good Professor. Frowning a little, you move onto the next question.

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>>41726722

Something happened, you begin tentatively, back there at the club. You're phone died, or freaked out, or something like that. You wince a little at the memory, that shrieking voice in your head and the pain that had gripped your entire body for a single terrible moment. Shaking your head – the motion conjuring up a wave of dizziness – you banish the images from your mind and explain everything that happened to Carnby.

“Strange,” the Professor muses, “And you're sure it wasn't some kind of mechanical problem? Or user error?”

User Error, you practically scream, what kind of idiot does he think you are? User error wouldn't have caused some hideous hell voice to rip through your brain. I mean, you continue to rant, it said “I SEE YOU”. Does that sound like user fucking error?

Carnby pales at those words. “Okay, okay, maybe not. I'll look into it,” he mutters, in a manner that is far from convincing. You scowl hard at the haggard looking man until he throws his hands up in the air. “It might be nothing, some kind of residual data corruption, but I won't know until I take a closer look at the program,” Carnby flaps an irritated hand at the computer he had been typing at before you woke up. “It might be nothing,” he repeats softly, more to himself.

Bullshit, you think to yourself, but the obstinate silence that Carnby keeps up doesn't offer you much hope of a better answer. You press on with another question instead.

>>41726743

Carnby takes a while to answer and even when he does, the result is hardly informative. “It was a serious injury you sustained, and it was quite some time before we were able to get you any help,” he pauses, touching a hand to his unkempt beard as if noticing it for the first time, “You've got to remember, none of have any real medical experience...”

Yeah, okay, but how about getting back to the issue at hand? How long, you repeat slowly, was I out?

“It's been a month,” Carnby sighs, after a long and uncomfortable silence, “You've been in a coma for the past month. That's why things have been so... difficult. We didn't know if you'd ever wake up.”

No. No way that's right. You want to cry out some denial, but something stops you. Dimly, like recalling some dream, you remember how slowly everything seemed to happen while you were... elsewhere. The utter lack of haste with which Ankou spoke to you, and the seemingly endless silences between questions. Blinking slowly, you hear yourself asking your last question, even though you can barely feel your lips moving.

>>41726777

“Leon is fine,” Carnby answers cautiously, “He's really stepped up to the plate this past month and taken charge while you were, well, indisposed. He's spent most of the past month gathering supplies and scouting out the area.”

Well, that's good, isn't it? But, even as you make that tentative comment, you're not quite so sure about that. Sure, you were never desperate to hold onto the unofficial title of “leader”, but you can't shake the feeling that Leon isn't suitable for that title either. Forcing down your worries, you ask Carnby about Cassandra. How is she doing?

“She's not doing so good,” Carnby admits, “She barely left your side for the first week but as time went on, I think she started to lose hope. Now she's claimed one of the private rooms upstairs and she barely leaves it. She'll come down to get some food every day or so, but I'm not even sure if she's eating it. The last time I saw her, she looked so... thin.” The professor shudders slightly. “You should go and see her. Seeing you up and about might break her out of her slump. I hope so, at least.”

Well... does that mean you can leave? You still feel weak, but you think you could probably walk about a bit. Honestly, stretching yours legs seemed like the best thing to do. Maybe you could think a little better once you were moving about.

>>41726793

“Well, I'd rather keep you here for a day or two, just to be sure, but we don't have that luxury,” Carnby grimaces, “Circumstances have changed over the past month, and we're going to need your help with something. A favour – nothing major, I hope – for our new... host.”

What the hell is this guy talking about now? Our new host?

“While you were out, a great many powerful demons started to appear. One of them moved into this area and made this hospital a part of their territory. I was able to convince him not to kill us, but we were only allowed to stay on the condition that you did him a service,” Carnby holds his hands up to ward off the violent outburst you can feel building in your chest, “Yes, he asked for you specifically. We – everyone else – could have walked out of here, but we needed the supplies kept here for you. That's why he said it had to be you.”

Fantastic. You've not been awake for an hour and you've already become the pawn in someone else's game. Good to know that Carnby was willing to farm you out to a powerful demon while you were unable to say a word otherwise. True, you can see the necessity of it, but that doesn't make it any easier to swallow.

How do you respond?

>Later. I've got some stuff of my own to do first
>Better get this over and done with then
>I'm not doing it. I refuse

>>41726808
>Better get this over and done with then
Mind if I check in with Cassandra first?

>>41726835
>>41726808
Sure

>>41726835
This.

I'm surprised Leon stuck around. After getting his revenge and Archangel I would have expected him to run off and do his own thing.

>>41726835
>>41726843
>>41726863

It doesn't look like you've got much of a choice, you grumble as you lift yourself upright. Whatever this favour is – and you're certain it's going to be something difficult, humiliating or possibly both – it's going to have to wait a little though. You don't want to leave without making sure that Cassandra is okay. Carnby was right about one thing – seeing you might brighten the girl's life up a bit.

As you're struggling out of bed, Carnby passes across your phone. “Here, I've managed to wring a little extra power out of the DevilSP app. You're probably going to need it.”

>Demon storage increased to 6, and you can now summon 2 demons at once.

Great, you mutter as you take the device from your old teacher. Maybe it'll actually work this time. Last thing you need is a bomb in your pocket, or something that's going to summon Cthulhu when you try and send a text message.

“I told you, I'll take a look into it,” Carnby snaps, as if he really doesn't want to be reminded of that particular subject. Then, smoothing his features out into a calmer smile, he turns in his chair and checks a note pinned to the wall. “Ah, Cassandra was in room 103 last time I saw her. That's up some stairs, can you handle that?”

Yeah yeah, you wave off his concern, and you can even tie your own shoelaces. Us kids grow up so fast these days.

>>41727027

Room 103, you realise, is the closest room as soon as you get onto the first floor. It's like Cassandra found the first room she could find with a lock on the door and stopped there. You stop outside her door and pause for a moment, trying to get your breath back from the stairs. It sucks to admit it, but they left you pretty worn out. Already, you find yourself missing the warm bed you were tucked up in. Banishing the weariness as best as you can, you knock at the door.

It's a long time before there is an answer. It's Cassandra's voice alright, but robbed of all life and strength. “I told you before, Leon,” she sighs, “It isn't a good time.”

>Leave her be
>Enter cautiously
>Enter cheerfully

>>41727044
>Enter cautiously

>>41727044
>Then what about me? Good time?
cheery but sarcastic

>>41727080
Actually I like this better.
>>41727044

>>41727044
>Enter cheerfully

You think Undine can heal coma weakness?

>>41727080
>>41727164

What about me, you say as you slowly open the door, is it a good time then? You try and keep your voice light, but not so much so that it might be insulting. Just enough to get a smile out of the girl, that's all you wanted. As for what you were expecting, well...

“Oh,” Cassandra's voice is shockingly flat as she turns around to face you. As she looks into your eyes – a curiously searching look, one that you can't quite explain – you have a good chance to examine her. She looks thinner, unsurprisingly, and her once long hair has been cropped to a cruel length. Her eyes are hollow, ringed with the dark shadow of sleep deprivation and set deep in her face. “It's... really you, isn't it?”

Yeah, it's really me! It's hard to remain cheerful while you look at the girl's withered state, but you give it a damn good try. Hey, you offer, why don't we get something to eat? And go somewhere a little nicer than this gloomy room, you add as you notice the tightly drawn blinds. Has she really spent the majority of the last few weeks cooped up in this small dark room? The vague smell of an unwashed body seems to suggest so.

“That's right, I've not eaten,” Cassandra frowns as she walks over to you, peering closer at your face. She's checking for any imperfections, you realise with dismay, anything that might suggest that you were not who you said you were. “I was fasting, at first,” she murmurs, “And then I just... forgot. Kept forgetting.”

>>41727368

Hey, that's no good! Still, you try and keep the act up, even as you feel the smile growing brittle on your face. There's plenty of supplies downstairs, you tell her, clean clothes as well no doubt. Slowly, as she hears more and more of your voice, you think you see a small light returning to Cassandra's eyes. Perhaps your cheery act really is working.

“Amelia?” the girl asks suddenly, forcing a real effort into her voice, “Did you see it? Did you see Heaven?”

You saw a dank cave, you think to yourself, no Heaven and no Hell. Perhaps those are reserved for those who complete the journey that you only took a single tentative step down. But somehow, you don't think that's the news Cassandra wants to hear.

>Yes, I saw it. It's as glorious as you can imagine
>I was just in a coma, Cassandra. I wasn't dead
>It's a lie Cassandra, it's all a lie

>>41727389
"No...I met with Ankou who is apparently the Guardian of the Dead. Just him and his abacus. According to him mortals, demons, and even angels go through there eventually. I'm sorry Cass..."

>>41727462
>>41727389
"BUT, I didn't go all the way into the afterlife like most souls did so I can't say what lies beyond Ankou."

>>41727389
>>41727500

"I'm not qualified to comment, I'm afraid. Never got past the 'hey you, yes you, you're dead now, let's get going, chop chop' phase."

>>41727462
>>41727500
>>41727575

Well, you start cautiously, it's complicated. Absurdly, you almost feel like a parent taking on the unenviable task of explaining the birds and the bees to a young child, or perhaps explaining why their pet bunny won't wake up. It's not that Cassandra is stupid – even if she does look like she's going to drop dead any moment now – but you can hardly imagine the devout Christian being happy to hear about your brief moment in some Pagan afterlife.

You see, you weren't actually technically really IN the afterlife yet, you tell her. You're pretty sure you were dead, at least for a little bit, but you never got past the judging part of things. You met the guardian of the dead – and he's really very nice, you stress, very polite – and that's when he sent you back on your way. You decide to omit the part about someone else's life offered in sacrifice – if Cassandra asks about that specifically though, you'll find some way of mentioning it.

“I see,” Cassandra sounds a little more alert after hearing your story, “That makes a lot of sense, I think.”

Doesn't it just? You're quietly relieved to see that Cassandra isn't screeching about profane spirits or heathen deities, but her calm acceptance does strike you as a little too convenient. Some residual shock, perhaps, mixed with the simple lack of understanding that is to be expected when dealing with such matters. After all, if she had come up to you and started mouthing off about her experiences in the afterlife, you would have put it all down to an over active imagination.

>>41727783

At least she doesn't look like she's going to jump off the roof in a moment of sheer existential horror, although you sincerely doubt she could make it all the way up to the roof in her current state – not that you're anyone to judge. So, you ask carefully, are you okay now? You'd really love to hang around some more and make sure she's okay, but you've got an unnamed “favour” to take care of.

“I'm okay now,” Cassandra nods, and for the first time since you've seen her, the gesture seems to have real strength behind it, “I think Professor Carnby told me about that, but I didn't pay it much attention at the time.”

One last thing, you ask as you're getting ready to hobble down to look for your mysterious “host”, What's with the new hairdo?

“This is penitence,” Cassandra explains, running a hand through her close cropped locks, “To teach me humility so that pride cannot find a place in my heart.” Her tone is light enough – something that's a great relief to hear – but you can't mistake a hard edge buried deep within it. Regret, perhaps, or even a kernel of self-loathing. It's something that dogs your thoughts as you limp your way to the foyer.

Amelia is the only one who hasn't killed a human now. Wonder how long that'll last.

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>>41727949

If your host was supposed to be here, they're certainly hiding themselves well. Planting your hands on your hips, you look around in exasperation before eventually letting out a long, frustrated sigh. You could be doing so much more with your life right now, but you've got to wait for some demanding jerk of a demon to dump a ridiculous task into your lap. Wanker, you mutter aloud, borrowing one of Leon's choice pieces of profanity.

“I hope you're not talking about me!” an echoing voice bellows out from above you, forcing a strangled scream from deep within your throat as you spin around and look up. A demon – a giant... manta ray? - is slowly gliding through the air with enviable grace, occasionally dipping low enough for you to see the crown on his brow. “You insult your host, after making me wait so long? Terrible, terrible!”

Woah, no no no. You're quick to dismiss his booming accusations, this is all a big misunderstanding! You were actually, eh, talking about yourself! Since you were so ill-mannered for making you wait so long! Smacking a hand to your forehead, you offer the demon a goofy grin.

“That's right human, debase yourself for my amusement!” the demon chuckles, swirling through the air, “I am the demon king Forneus, soon to be the lord of this entire city!”

Okay then. The phrase “delusions of grandeur” comes to mind, but you're smart enough to keep your mouth shut. The damn thing looks big enough to eat you in a single bite.

>Then I swear allegiance to the future king of London!
>I heard you have a task for me
>I'm leaving this place. Just try and stop me

>>41728102
"With respect, sir, I think placing too much faith in 'soon to be-s' is a bad idea in today's London. Shall we just move on to business?"

>>41728102
>I heard you have a task for me
"Though I'm surprised you wanted the coma girl to do it instead of Leon or someone."

>Forneus
>Hospital
This seems familiar...

>>41728102
>I heard you have a task for me
But dont be short about it, call him demon king forneus so he can get his jollies

We need to fill out our demon roster sometime, we are already a month behind.

Preferably a few ones with Zio.

>>41728135
>>41728148
>>41728151

Demon king Forneus, you begin in a suitably humble tone, perhaps it is too early to make such bold statements? London is a city in transition, after all. You're words seem to amuse the giant fish demon, drawing another round of booming laughter out of him.

“Human,” Forneus bellows – and this is his inside voice, you realise - “I like you, so I'll teach you a thing or two. When you have as many allies as I do, victory is certain! I must simply provide the right services to the right people, and my armies will rise like a mighty storm!” You wait, wincing, for the latest gale of mirth to subside, “And this brings me to you, my humble human. You who has awoken, you must deliver a precious treasure to two great friends of mine!”

That's it, you blurt out incredulously, just make a delivery? Take an item from one place and bring it to another? Do you really need a pet human for a task such as this?

“This is merely a test to prove your loyalty!” Forneus gloats. His words stir a sinking feeling within the back of your mind – one favour, Carnby said. “But I am a generous king, so I will gift one of my loyal subjects to you,” the demon whistles – an impressive feat, without much in the way of lips – and a rumble of footsteps slowly builds from somewhere within the hospital, “To help with the heavy lifting!”

A rank smell assaults your nostrils as the new demon appears. It's built like a man, albeit a few feet taller and hunched over, but a man sculpted from the contents of a swamp. It has tusks and claws, and oh so much muscle clinging to its foetid form. Looking at you, the beast lets out an almighty grunting sound, a rush of stagnant air accompanying each sound. Were those... was it trying to speak to you?

“Troll Eighteen,” Forneus roars, “This is your master now. Obey!”

>>41728322

Another hideous grunting escapes the troll as it drops to one knee in a sloppy display of submission. That's one spot of the floor that's going to need cleaning later, you think grimly to yourself.

>Demon TROLL joined.

Well, now you've got someone to take care of the hard work, you should probably be getting a move on. Though, you do have a few questions for the “demon king”...

>Any advice for this job?
>Do you give all your servants a number?
>Was that troll trying to speak to me?
>No questions. Get a move on.
>Other.

>>41728374
>Was that troll trying to speak to me?
>Any advice for this job?
>Other.
"So where am I going? What treasure am I delivering?"

>>41728374
>Any advice for this job?

>>41728399
>>41728438

“The package is outside, behind this palace of mine,” Forneus growls, “You must take it to the Hellfire Club – the one with no nose claims that you will know the place!”

Hellfire Club? And Leon says that you'd know where it is? The only club you can think of was Harry Right-Hand's place. A sudden rebranding to keep up with the changing times, you wonder to yourself, or perhaps a change in management? Either way, it looks like that's to be your first stop. Before you leave, however, does the great demon king have any advice for you?

“There is a saying amongst your people,” Forneus rumbles, before falling silent. You think of all the proverbs you can think of – curiosity killed the cat, don't look a gift horse in the mouth... What else? Then, with the air of a man delivering the punchline to some tremendous joke, Forneus roars out: “DON'T OPEN IT!” in a voice that surpasses anything you've heard before. His howls of laughter are equally obnoxious, but you're not in the mood to join in.

When the humour finally wears off, you're able to put your last question to Forneus. Did that troll try and speak to me? You don't really speak demon, you see.

“Ah, him. I had his tongue removed long ago for you see, his conversation bored me,” Forneus chuckles, as though reliving a fond memory, before a cartoonish rage enters his voice, “As this one is beginning to bore me!”

Well, you know a good place to exit a conversation when you hear one. Bowing cautiously – he might be a blustering fool, but you're in no mood to drive Forneus into a tongue-removing rage by insulting him – you turn and lead your new companion from the building.

>Character sheet updated with Troll's stats

>>41728647
I dunno if she can, but have Undine try and heal the tongue once we are on the road.

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>>41728647

Shaking off the terrible fascination of it all, you begin to circle around to the back of the hospital, trying to keep your new troll as far away from you as possible. Maybe you'll get used to the smell eventually, but something about that thought strikes you as somehow tragic. Men should not adjust to such things, and coma-emaciated seventeen year old girls should not be forced to adjust to them. Bad enough that just walking ahead of the loping beast is tiring you out.

Okay, enough. You slump down on the side of the street and flip your phone out. Undine can heal, right? That's what your DevilSP app seems to suggest. Maybe she can do something about this terrible weariness that fills your bones. Oh yeah, and maybe heal your mutilated companions, that's a thing. It sounds like a good idea on paper, at least. So, with a shrug, you press Undine's icon and call the water spirit into reality.

“I've been trapped in there for so long!” the sprite wails as soon as she pops into life, “And that terrible man keeps giving me this awful look!”

Oh yeah, it's been a month for them as well. Were you really awake and aware for all that time?

“Nah,” Undine sticks her tongue out, “I'm just joking around!”

Jeez, that's okay then. That worried you for a moment – Ripper is pretty cool and all, but if you had to spend a month trapped in a tiny box next to him, a lot of that coolness could wear off pretty quickly. So, back to business then. Undine, can you heal us?

“There's a hospital right there,” the demon pouts, before swiping a hand through the air. A faintly glowing light follows her fingers and settles over both you and the troll lurching up behind you. It tingles on your skin for a moment before sinking in, bringing a sudden rush of strength and vitality with it. You feel great! Like you could run a marathon! Like you could grab Cassandra and throw her into a sorely needed bath!

Maybe that last one isn't such a good idea.

>>41728818
"Thanks Undine."
I dunno maybe have her ride on our shoulder on the way to Hellfire. A smartass conversation partner might do us some good considering who we usually talk to.

>>41728883
A neurotic depressed girl.
A potentially psychopathic thug.
A constantly vague and flakey professor that may be our dad.
A serial killer.
And a dumb stinky troll.

Livin' the dream.

>>41728818

A dull roar comes from Troll as the magic sinks into his mouldering hide and starts to take effect. As you watch him claw at his mouth and toss his head back and forth, it strikes you that it must feel really strange to regrow a tongue from scratch - especially in such a short space of time. Finally, the beast stills and looks down at you in dull amazement. Slowly, experimenting with the unfamiliar slab of meat in its mouth, the troll prepares to speak.

What could a beast such as this have to say? What kind of life has he lead up to this point, and what wisdom have those years granted it? Could there be knowledge that only a creature from beyond the mortal plane has the grace to learn? You wait with baited breath as the troll prepares to spit out their first words in a very long time.

“I'm gonna rip Forneus in half!” he bellows, each word accompanied by a drizzle of foamy spit.

Thanks for that buddy, you sigh before giving Undine a genuine smile of appreciation. A strange idea passes through your mind as you look at the water spirit, perhaps brought on the the urge to test out your new-found strength. Besides, there was something oddly childish in Undine's playful demeanour, something that might at least brighten up the gloomy London streets. Hey kid, you say to the demon, you want a piggyback ride?

For a moment, Undine looks like you just insulted her ancient and illustrious race but, with a giggle that grows from a single awkward chuckle to full-blown hilarity, she nods her acceptance. The demon turns out to be lighter than you expected and, although her body is slick with a skin of water, it doesn't soak into your clothes as you thought it might. Magic water, you assume. So, it is with a laughing demon riding your shoulders that you finish the journey to Forneus' treasure.

“Don't open it” he had said. Now you can see why.

>>41729060

Lying in the back alleyway, flanked by a pair of bored and incredulous looking ghoul guards, sits a small coffin made from petrified wood. Some of your good humour dies when you realise that the coffin is just the right size for a child. Just what the hell are you delivering, and who the hell is expecting it? You were just told to take it to the Hellfire Club, but... Maybe someone there is waiting for you? After all, you'll be pretty easy to spot. Just look for the spooked girl and her stinky companion.

When they see that you're here and ready to do your part, the pair of ghouls slouch off back towards the hospital – to rejoin Forneus' army, you assume. Good luck to them, you think. Here's hoping the demon king doesn't find something objectionable about them, otherwise your next task might be sweep up ghoul innards.

Still, you're alone now. It looks like the coffin has a pair of hinges – tarnished metal things that look about ready to split open – and nothing in the way of a lock. Maybe...

>Just a peek...
>Don't open it

>>41729163
>Don't open it
I've played Vampire the Masquerade.

>>41729163
>>Don't open it

>>41729163
>Don't open it
Nah

>>41729163
>don't open it
Not getting blown up.

>>41729184
>>41729192
>>41729197
>>41729392

Hah ha, no way. You've seen this movie before – this is some “Ark of the Covenant” shit right here, and you have no desire to get your face melted off. No, instead you order your troll to carry the damn thing and make sure it doesn't open – not even the slightest bit. True, your curiosity nags at you, but you're not willing to risk all manner of horrible deaths just so you can say “Huh, that's what was in here”. Besides, it's a child's goddamn coffin. You can probably guess what's inside.

To the Hellfire Club, then – wherever the hell that is. Despite the strangely mutated streets – and the word “mutated” seems appropriate here, with all the strange organic twisting that seems to have taken root in the buildings – you're able to remember most of the route to Harry Right-Hand's club. It might have been a month since you were here, but most of that month has vanished into irretrievable darkness. For you, it might as well have been a day since you walked through these darkened streets to that gaudy blemish of a watering hole.

True enough, your sense of direction leads you to the right place. It's the same club alright, but with a new sign hoisted above the door. Amazingly, it's a more tasteful piece than anything that lurked there before it – little more than paint on plywood, but done in a way that makes the best of it. That's it then – it can't be Harry Right-Hand running the place, or the sign would be written in flaming letters and surrounded by crudely drawn naked women.

The “bouncer” at the door – a troll almost the same as yours but seemingly carved from granite instead of filth – immediately notices you and stands aside, granting you admittance to the club. Growling mutely, and leading you to suspect that many trolls have their tongues removed as habit, the beast points towards the VIP lounge. Right – that's not an ill-omen at all, you curse darkly as you cross over to it.

>>41729433

As you walk through the club, you're struck at how empty it is. Of course, things were different the first time you were here, but without the surging masses of humanity trapped within, the place feels like a cavern. By contrast, there is nobody here at all – not even a lonely figure waiting behind the bar. As you're puzzling over this strange situation, two men burst through out of the VIP lounge, swishing the curtain aside with eager haste.

The first one is tall and thin, dressed in a austere black suit – in fact, everything about it is black. Black shirt, black tie, black everything. It's like he's about to attend the ur-funeral, and wanted to make sure he was dressed for it. His companion, shorter and more powerfully built – although by no means fat – is dressed in a corresponding red outfit. In no sane universe could their outfits look anything other than obnoxious, but you're still less nauseated than you were by Harry's fur coat.

“Ah, the treasure!” the taller fellow gasps in rapturous joy.

“The treasure!” his companion adds, in a deep voice that acts as a counterpoint to the taller man's reedy voice.

“Ah, where are our manners?” the first says, turning to look at you. For a brief moment, when you look at the red suited man from the corner of your eye, you swear that you see scales creeping out from his cuffs and collar, “I am Mister Black, and this is my partner, Mister Red.”

“Pleasure to meet you,” Mister Red growls, “Are you Forneus' new errand boy then?”

“Errand girl,” Black corrects smoothly, reaching down to stroke a hand across the coffin. Before you can warn him – or at least flee to a safe distance – he throws the lid open. You wince, but when the awaited explosion - or worse - does not come you feel safe enough to creep a little closer.

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>>41729592

A young girl with porcelain skin and beautiful golden hair lies within the coffin, her face utterly still and calm. Mister Black and Mister Red look down at the girl with an air of almost religious awe, neither one breathing for a long moment. As you're joining them in looking down at the girl, you can't help but look up at Mister Black's fingers. They look... blackened and rotting, as though decay was eating them from within.

As you watch, he takes one of those rancid hands – now as smooth and fine-boned as any hand you've ever seen – and runs it through the girl's hair. The air feels thick, and the urge to say something – anything! - to break the silence rises up in you.

>I'm not working for Forneus
>This isn't some weird sex thing, is it?
>Heh, two dads
>Other

>>41729653
say nothing

>>41729653
>>This isn't some weird sex thing, is it?

>>41729653
Whisper to Undine.

"Is that girl special or something?"

>>41729728
>>41729653
This
And or
>This isn't some weird sex thing, is it?

>>41729653

You think about saying nothing. In fact, you really want to say nothing – if nothing else, you're not sure how anything Misters Red or Black could say would make the situation less creepy – but finally, and perhaps foolishly, you blurt out the first thing to come to mind.

Hey, you ask, this isn't some kind of weird sex thing, is it? Because you're not really down with that kind of thing, and you're not too happy about acting as some kinda weird dead girl pimp either.

“Of course not,” Mister Black purrs as he leans down to examine the young girl with a jeweller's lens screwed into one eye.

“Our intentions with the young mistress are entirely pure,” Mister Red insists as he polishes one of the girl's patent leather shoes with a silk cloth.

Right, sure. You murmur, taking a few steps away and whispering a question to Undine. So, you ask her, is this girl special or something? Kind of a big deal? Because this whole situation is really making you want to run out and find an appropriate adult.

“That's Alice,” Undine whispers back, “The young goddess of death. That would make those two jokers...” she hums for a moment as she thinks, “Nebiros and Berith. A good pair to get on your side – they're as close to impartial as you're going to get from their kind. They're more business than conquest.”

Yeah, they look interested in business, you mutter as you watch the pair dragging a heavy throne out from some dark back room. Just not any kind of business you're interested in getting involved with.

>>41729968

“Go it alone, then,” Undine pouts, slapping the top of your head from her lofty position, “See how far that gets you.”

Yeah yeah, okay, you grumble. You're new to all this scheming stuff. First thing first, though, you've got Forneus to deal with. You don't want to work under some lunatic with an interest in removing various bodyparts – you're starting to get an idea of how Leon felt – but you can't deny that having a patron of some kind is invaluable in this brave new world.

>Introduce yourself to Black and Red as Forneus' new errand girl
>Conclude your business here and return to the hospital.
>Offer your services to Black and Red directly

>>41730044
>Offer your services to Black and Red directly
Ankou was pretty cool. These guys don't seem too bad as long we don't have to Die For Alice!.

>>41730044
>Offer your services to Black and Red directly

>>41730119
One day maybe, but we can use them for now.

Who knows, maybe we'll be able to persuade them to join us against whatever is coming. Alice is a badass demon to carry around.

>>41730209
I was talking MUCH later. Like Metatron is at the gates and Beelzabub is around the corner.

>>41730249
Shit all we need is a demon with Zio and have Undine tank the Bufu Forneus throws at us.

>>41730294
I'm calling them faction BRA now.

Why not work for both? It might be a risk, but you could potentially play Forneus and these two against each other and side with the victor. If you had to choose, you'd prefer to work with Misters Black and Red... Nebiros and Berith, Undine called them. They might be demons, but they seem polite enough. Working under Forneus, you might just spy an opportunity for a hostile takeover and a way to scrape together some power for yourself.

“Thinking evil thoughts, master?” Undine purrs quietly, “Scheming some wicked schemes?”

You might be, you answer coyly. This is an opportunity that you're not ready to turn down. With that, and hushing the playful demon with a hiss, you approach the pair of demons. The two are busy with positioning Alice on her throne, but look around at your approach, giving you a questioning look.

>You're right, I'm Forneus' new errand girl
>You've seen that I'm a good worker. How about taking me on?
>Are we done here?
>Other

>>41730492
>>You're right, I'm Forneus' new errand girl
"For all of a couple hours since I've woken up. Suddenly waking to a giant manta ray calling the shots doesn't sit well with me, so..."

>>You've seen that I'm a good worker. How about taking me on?

>>41730556
Seconding this

We definitely need to scrape together some clout so Forneus tier demons can't do shit to us.

Hey Moloch when we head back, is there a police station or gun shop we can loot? We could stand to kit up a little for at least self defense. Vest and maybe a pistol.

>>41730664
How kitted out? We aren't going to find a full tactical set or a Demonica or anything. Probably wouldn't be much help against demons either.

>>41730556
>>41730558
>>41730602

Gentlemen, you announce boldly, trying to ignore the fact that the pair of them are currently occupied in posing a preteen girl. They've seen that you're a good worker, so how about it? You're looking for some gainful employment, and this place looks like the spot for you.

“Is she offering to serve us?” Nebiros – Mister Black – asks in soft wonder.

“I believe she is,” Berith – Mister Red – replies.

“An interesting offer,” Nebiros hums a flat note as he thinks, “But, unfortunately...”

Yes, unfortunate – you interrupt him – it certainly would be unfortunate. After all, you're going to need all the manpower you can get soon enough.

“Is that a threat?” Nebiros asks politely.

A threat, yes, but not one of your making. Forneus is gathering an army, and he plans to become king of all London. You cross your arms as you wait for your words to sink in. The pair of demons trade a cloaked look, countless layers of meaning intimate to such a brief moment of eye contact, before Berith gives you a guarded look.

“You mean to say that Forneus means us harm?” he growls, but there is a strange warmth to his voice. It's the growl of a protective father, as opposed to the snarling of a wild beast.

Well, you can't say for sure – a pause, here, as you offer the pair a sly smile – but you can see about finding out. If Forneus means to spread senseless violence across London – your city, you stress – then you cannot let that stand.

>>41730492
>Berith

Don't you mean Belial?

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>>41730740
Something kinda like this I guess, but with a vest on too.

Its mostly for protection against humans though, we don't want to get shot again.

>>41730816

Welp, that's my mistake. Looks like I noted down the wrong name

>>41730799

“Your offer intrigues us,” Nebiros answers eventually, after another silent conversation with his partner in crime, “You propose to spy on the self-proclaimed demon king and report his movements to us?”

That is what you're proposing, yes. When the time comes, you'll make sure this club – and the young mistress, you add – are kept safe and sound. You wait again as Belial makes a minute adjustment to the collar of Alice's dress before continuing. Of course, that means you'll need to stick close to Forneus and keep a spotless reputation. When the time comes, can you count on the two of them to sing your praises to the big fish?

“Of course,” both demons say in unison, “If that is what it takes. We shall send a message to the demon king, offering our praise and gratitude to both master and servant.”

That's all you wanted, you reply with a smile before turning and walking out from the club.

“It's a dangerous game you play,” Undine murmurs to you as you exit into the stale night – is it night? - air. “But I'm a fan of games, dangerous or no. I'll fight your corner.” The little demon laughs playfully, kicking her legs lightly against your chest, “Not that I have a choice!”

>>41731009

Speaking of choices, where are they?

>>41731057
He's still writing or we are done for the day.

>>41731071

Lame. How often does this go on?

>>41731092
We might have an hour or two left.

>>41731118

I meant the thread. Every day? Once a week?

>>41731164
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Devil%20Summoner%20London%20Quest

It just started this week and he's been running often.

That might settle into a regular schedule but for right now: Often.

>>41731009

You're walking slowly back to the hospital – enjoying a few scant moments of freedom before returning to your hopefully temporary position under Forneus' heel – when you spot a police station. You've not had many dealings with London's finest in your life, but you'd seen officers walking the streets back when there were laws to enforce. They'd always been armoured up to the eyelids and armed to the teeth. You could use some gear like that, you think to yourself, the memory of being shot in the chest still fresh in your mind.

You send Undine and Troll back into storage as you let yourself into the imposing building. The corridors are tight enough without a girl on your shoulders or a walking swamp following in your every footstep. Frankly, you're not sure where to start – do police stations have an armoury, some kind of bank vault filled to the brim with weapons and confiscated goods? You can't find anything like a huge metal door, but there are a fair few locked ones. Eventually, with little other option, you find your way to the locker room and start cracking locks open with a borrowed paperweight.

The first locker is empty and the second contains nothing more than some dirty magazines, but the third one has a thin, rigid vest and an automatic pistol inside. The vest is bulletproof – you think – and the gun fully loaded. Pulling a grim smile, you strap the vest around your torso, tightening it as much as possible to fit your slender frame, and turn your body this way and that. It's uncomfortable but compared with a bullet in the chest, it feels like a loose shirt. The gun, though...

You don't like the things. Even before getting shot, you hadn't liked the idea of them much and now just looking at the thing is enough to make your hands tremble a little. Still, it's a dangerous world out there...

>Take the gun
>Leave it

>>41731239
>Leave it

>>41731239
>Take the gun
Better to have it and not need it.

>>41731239
>>Take the gun
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

>>41731239
>Take the gun

>>41731239
>Leave it

It'll make us look like we're planning something.

If we do take it, we hide it or give it to Undine to hide somewhere off our person.

We need to be as unassuming and nonthreatening as possible. As far as they know we're just a messenger.

>>41731239
>take it
You can't be a proper SMT protagonist without a gun.
talking about you demi-fiend

>>41731292
A gun isn't a threat to Forneus. He won't care.

>>41731292

This is...reasonable. Seconded.

>>41731308

It might not hurt him but it shows ill intent.

If we leave it we maintain plausible deniability. Especially since we're backstabbing him anyway.

>>41731333
It shows ill intent to other humans. I mean we got put into a coma cause a human shot us, we definitely have an excuse to carry one around.

>>41731333
You don't get it going without a weapon makes us look stupid. You don't give important shit to the stupid or unprepared.

>>41731360

No, you're the one who doesn't get it. We're not mercenaries, we're supplicants. We should be as well-armed as a houseslave is to their knowledge.

>oh this guy's packing heat! What a clever dude, I should invite him into my house!

Said no one ever

>>41731239

Damn. Damn and blast! You curse to yourself as you look at the pistol, trying to convince yourself to understand the necessity of such things. It might not do much against a demon, but there are other things to worry about. But then again, if Leon or Cassandra found you packing a gun, what would they think? They could easily suspect you of some treachery, real or imagined. What you need, you think to yourself, is a weapon that can hide easily.

Hell. You grab the thing out of the locker and hold it close for a moment, gritting your teeth as you slowly get used to the weight of it. When you're finally convinced that it isn't going to go off in your hands or explode, you lower it to your waist and tuck it into your trouser waistband. The oversized vest hides it quite nicely, you have to admit, even if you're not confident of a quick draw if needed. Then again, you could draw it as quickly as you like, but you're not holding out hopes of using it as anything but intimidation.

Throwing your jacket back on over the bulletproof vest, you make your way out of the police station, trying to ignore the deadly weight sitting against the small of your back as you stride through the streets. The hospital – your home for the moment, though it be far from secure – awaits.

>That's it for tonight's thread. I'm planning to run the next one on Sunday and I'll hang around for a while to answer questions, if any.

>>41731473
Thanks for the run.

Can conventional weapons eventually be able to do significant damage to demons via enchanting/infusion kinda like Strange Journey?

>>41731473
thanks for running

>>41731607

Weapons can be enchanted by demons so they can harm supernatural beings. Additionally, some demons can create divine/profane weapons specifically to hunt opposing targets

>>41731665
Leon or Cass get more demons while we were in a coma?

>>41731709

Leon has a new demon, and a pretty scary one at that! Cass hasn't got anyone new, but there might be something in the works for her

>>41731473

We aren't going to go whipping around this gun like an idiot are we? It'll fuck up our whole plan.

If we're smart we might also be able to sic the BRAzilians on Leon and Cass...

>>41731823
>If we're smart we might also be able to sic the BRAzilians on Leon and Cass...

Getting a little ahead of yourself yeah? I mean yes we'll fight eventually but making plans for it now seems a little too hasty.

>>41731823

Amelia won't be drawing her gun unless there's a good reason, and Forneus is so arrogant that he's unlikely to go snooping.

And Leon and Cass are your friends! Friends don't plot to kill each other!

>>41731823
I dunno man, I think you are putting too much focus on this gun thing. Forneus knows we are a demon summoner, he just fucking gave us Troll. Our COMP is MUCH more dangerous than a some dinky pistol.

>>41731891
Dunno about Leon when it comes to "friend" status. Im honestly surprised hes still around but he probably had nowhere better to go.

And Cass, well, shes made of glass right now so as long as we treat her like a friend shell keep being one. At least thats what I think.

>>41731891
>Implying our Law and Chaos heroes won't turn on us

>>41731951
I had a thought that Cass was either going to put God or Amelia on a pedestal depending on how we treated her and handled things.

But that was before we left her for a month alone with her thoughts.