B) Nothing like a little Social Engineering to get all the intel you need from your adversary's inconsequential neighbors and favorite stores.

(1/3) OMNI 2023/12/28(Thu)17:04 No. 1079997 ID: bba018
File 170381188014.png - (129.89KB , 1000x700 , dh35.png )

Good to start from up high. You rub your hands before examining the wall of the alley and testing the strength of the bricks with some soft pulls. When the brick refuses to give, you haul ass up the wall in record time.

It's not the tallest building, but you've got a decent enough view of everything.

(2/3) OMNI 2023/12/28(Thu)17:04 No. 1079998 ID: bba018
File 170381189720.png - (109.25KB , 1000x700 , dh36.png )

The compound is within eyesight. It looks like most buildings around it have been demolished to make it easier to surveil the perimeter. Scaling it would be the best option from outside, but it's a matter of getting spotted or not. You have enough experience to scale a building that tall if there aren't people throwing shit at you. There may also be a blindspot somewhere that you could take advantage of. Maybe a fire escape.

All the buildings that remain near it are shorter by a story or two with a two building distance. Other than that, it looks like a regular downtown area of shops, restaurants, and other misc. businesses.

There's a few people milling about yet it's not busy despite it being peak dinner time in a downtown area. The ones you do see haul ass like they already know where they're going. No time for tourists.

(3/3) OMNI 2023/12/28(Thu)17:05 No. 1079999 ID: bba018
File 170381192646.png - (57.59KB , 1000x700 , dh37.png )

A few billboards and advertisements also catch your eye. Man. Looks like DB's made its way here with their usual propaganda.

When it comes to dimensions that lack magic or high tech, they tend to work their way in culturally. Religion's pretty easy to sell when you're promising salvation in exchange for servitude. If you work hard enough and follow every angel's word and mission then your devotion will be rewarded with otherworldly gifts and a ticket to PARADISE.

It wouldn't be surprising if G0D just consumes them like Saturn instead. Extradimensional beings feed off of belief in them. They grow stronger with their influence. The more you give, the more they eat.

And unlike most cults, they do have something to show for it. When you have people appearing in bright showy ways with shiny halos and wings, well, you might as well see what that's all about.

Maybe PARADISE does exist. Or maybe it's some fucked up higher dimension. Emptied of all life and endlessly vast.

Do you vandalize the billboard? Or do you head off to a different roof?

[Current Deck Spells: FIREBALL, FLEE, IDENTIFY, BURST, and DANCE]

OMNI 2023/12/30(Sat)19:51 No. 1080109 ID: bba018
File 170399471595.png - (85.71KB , 1000x700 , dh38.png )

You leave the billboard be for now. If only to conserve resources. You'll blow it up some other time.

As you travel, you find a shop that catches your eye. One goon's out waiting in the front. Another Wolf Bite. Looks like it's one of those collection tasks Eiko was talking about. Another goon exits the store with a heavy envelope of cash. You don't even have to shake it to know it'll be enough to cover everything you need and more.

Goon 2 calls back into the shop as they exit, "Pleasure doin' business! Don't be late next time or I'll catch your other horn, got me?"

You strain your ears to listen from your vantage point and hear what might be a soft whimper of a response. Whatever poor shopkeeper they've shaken down can't even speak.

The goons don't seem to care, just giving each other a look for a moment before starting to head off. Looks like to another stop before HQ.

This could be your chance.

They haven't noticed you at all from where you're hidden up high. You're supposed to be laying low, but you have good hands and you'll be able to follow them well from the roofs. It wouldn't be too hard to pickpocket them. Just a bump on the right street corner.

Though a second glance at the shop name tells you it's some kind of antique store. They could have some valuable items in there. You could also put that social engineering to use and get some info.

>A) Follow them
>B) Enter the shop
>C) ____

Damn someone's a wall climbing badass...

A) Follow them goons

B) Help the store owner and he'll be liable to rant about something that nobody realizes is an exploit.
Don't follow the goons, they may be dumb but they can smell you a mile away.

>>1080109
>B) Enter the shop

Play the avenger and they might spoil something interesting.

(1/3) OMNI 2024/01/05(Fri)17:12 No. 1080435 ID: bba018
File 170450353868.png - (108.04KB , 1000x700 , dh39.png )

>Don't follow the goons, they may be dumb but they can smell you a mile away.

That's true. Your initial hope was that they wouldn't notice when their spoils were stolen until much later. If they did notice, that may be a different story.

You resist the temptation to follow them and climb down from the roof swiftly after the Wolf Bite goons are out of sight.

When you enter, a bell attached to the door jingles with a sad novelty. The smell of dust and wood engulfs you quickly after. It's like you've walked into a tomb that doesn't know it's dead. There's too much to see, a collection of objects from different eras of this dimension, laid bare to tell a history you haven't cared to explore before.

You sense magic here. It shocks you for a moment. Where are they? Were they made here? Or did someone else bring them?

(2/3) OMNI 2024/01/05(Fri)17:12 No. 1080436 ID: bba018
File 170450356280.png - (108.15KB , 1000x700 , dh40.png )

You look to your left at a figure meekly seated behind the counter. He stands quickly, collecting himself at the sound of a customer entering. Your eyes draw automatically to the broken horn on his head and the glasses hanging from his apron pocket. A fine line of a crack on the lens catches your eye when he shifts in the light.

You resist wincing at the sight of him. It's pitiful. How long have they been living like this?

You never cared for the activity of the gangs or others you have armed. What they did was not your business, only what they could give you.

Even now, you find it hard to feel guilty. It would be empty to feel it after everything.

Your thoughts turn instead to curiosity. Is this Julien's influence? Or were the Wolf Bites always extorting people?

(3/3) OMNI 2024/01/05(Fri)17:12 No. 1080437 ID: bba018
File 170450357927.png - (73.22KB , 1000x700 , dh41.png )

He smiles at you despite it. "Welcome valued customer. Please let me know if you need any help."

>Play the avenger and they might spoil something interesting.

Hmm.. You're not typically the savior type, but you'll put on any face that proves useful. The only issue is that you aren't the best with comforting words. You can trick, lie, and joke, but being genuine is not your strong suit.

What do you say?

>>1080437
Don't have to get too out of character for this kinda thing. "Mostly? Information. Your last...customers. Didn't seem like they bought anything, did they? I've found they have a habit of doing that. I intend to collect what's owed."

"You uh... you're not going to flatline on me, are you?
Anyways, I'm here to browse. There's something worth restoring and reselling in this shop, I can feel it."

(1/3) OMNI 2024/01/13(Sat)16:20 No. 1080936 ID: 16433f
File 170519161786.png - (70.03KB , 1000x700 , dh42.png )

You approach slowly, the words just tumbling out "You uh... you're not going to keel over on me, are you?"

He blinks at you. His face slowly colors red and he laughs nervously. "My bad. I-I'm alright. I'm used to it."

You eye him before clearing your throat and leaning on the counter, "That's the thing. Your last few... customers. Didn't seem like they bought anything, did they? Well, I intend to collect what's owed. And I'll need information to do it."

He stares at you as he tries to gauge how serious you are. There's a hint of fear and doubt at your rather meager appearance. You get it. If you were extorted for years by a bunch of big sharp toothed oafs you'd be doubting any schmuck walking in saying they're the next hero in town.

He looks off to the side, hands fidgeting behind the counter, "I don't.. I don't know how much I can help with that. But if that's all you need, ask away."

You get right to it. "How often do they come by?"

"Um. Once a month. I'm not the only one.. But it's my fault, really. I took a loan from them when my family business was going under."

"Does every shop around here owe them money? How much do you owe?"

"I'm not sure. Most of the ones here will owe something. If you don't take the loan, they'll come in and intimidate people and drive out your customers." He sighs. "But I owe a lot. They keep charging me interest... I'm over ten thousand..."

Sounds like they just want to keep this poor guy in debt.

"If everyone's feeling the heat, why don't you guys poison their coffee? There's got to be a few restaurants they regular."

He jumps at the insinuation, looking around as if he's going to get caught. "It-It's not all like that. If they like what you sell, they'll spend a lot. There's a few businesses that thrive from their... excessive spending. If anyone were to try something serious... Someone would say something."

Well, that definitely explains all the brothels you passed by. If you were the type to plan long term, you'd start out by paying the sex workers off for information. Yet, as romantic as uniting the city and starting an uprising would be, you have about a day and a half to kill off one guy.

(2/3) OMNI 2024/01/13(Sat)16:23 No. 1080939 ID: 16433f
File 170519179245.png - (75.30KB , 1000x700 , dh43.png )

"You ever met the boss, Julien?"

He glances towards the door before speaking low, "No... No I haven't. I don't really want to. He has an unpleasant attitude from what I've heard.. But it wasn't always like this. Ever since what happened two years ago... It's. It's been hell."

You wince, "Right. What's the difference exactly?"

He sighs, tone wistful, "They used to protect us. Sure, it would get bad sometimes with the violence or the money tossed around. We'd have to close shop early or fight with insurance claims. But it was difficult back then with all the other gangs around. At least you knew Akito was one of our own."

Damn. Well... Shit. You can't say much to that.

Hm. But why does Akito sound familiar?

"Is that who lead the Wolf Bites before?"

"Yes, I think they made the gang about 6 years ago. I would've joined it if I wasn't a wimp." He laughs, "It was made up of locals when the Bulls would still bother people."

The Bulls are the gang over in STEAK. You've had a few dealings with them before. They're a lot more short tempered and broke on account of their bad bookkeeping.

But, you do have a few REGULARS over at STEAK. You haven't tried contacting them since all this shit has been going on. They could know something about Julien's alternate ARMS SOURCE. Or maybe they're tapping into it too.

That's enough for you to chew on for now.

(3/3) OMNI 2024/01/13(Sat)16:26 No. 1080940 ID: 16433f
File 170519196018.png - (63.59KB , 1000x700 , dh44.png )

You thank the shopkeeper, "Anyway, don't mind me browsing. There's something worth getting here, I can feel it."

He gives you another smile, "Of course, let me know if you need anything else."

You can take your time to think of more questions to ask him as you continue.

As you look around the shop, you find a number of items that give off a magical feel. (You won't know what the item can do until you ACTIVATE the magic of the item or use IDENTIFY.)

CURRENT SELECTION (3 ITEMS MAX):
- A CRYSTAL BALL (25C)
- A BUTTERKNIFE (5C)
- A CHIPPED CERAMIC FROG (20C)
- A CLOWN DOLL W/ A MISSING ARM (30C)
- A BROKEN DESK CLOCK (30C)
- AN OLD RING (60C)
- A MUSIC BOX W/ FADED PAINT (60C)
- A CARVED ANTELOPE HORN (75C)

With your natural experience as an ARMS DEALER, you can determine that each item's current value could be DOUBLED when sold in the future, regardless of the item's current properties. However, if the magic within it is useful enough you'll be able to further MAXIMIZE the price.

You have 75C worth of GIFTCARDS. You are UNSURE if the shopkeeper would be willing to take them. You could also try BARGAINING or even STEALING when he's not looking.

Do you take the risk and buy/steal item(s) without knowing their properties? Or try to activate one of the items here at the risk of setting off an unknown spell?

You could also try your luck and attempt to draw IDENTIFY. An item from the selection and a winning number (between 1-5) will need to be picked.

Intuition Uses: 2.

[Current Deck Spells: FIREBALL, FLEE, IDENTIFY, BURST, and DANCE]

IDENTIFY the ceramic frog. Winning number of 4

>>1080940
Music box speaks to me. Maybe the old ring.

>>1080942
Agreed. Use intuition. Winning numbers 1 & 4.

Maybe stick to the smallest items if we're going to be carrying them around. The ring, say.

rolled 2, 5 = 7

---

Target Spell Card: IDENTIFY
Winning Numbers: 1 and 4

Intuition has been used. Fate has been cast.

(1/5) OMNI 2024/01/30(Tue)13:18 No. 1082143 ID: 32f4b5
File 170664948063.png - (66.25KB , 1000x700 , dh45.png )

When you examine the old ring, you note the tentacle carvings in the silver that slowly curl into a held pearl. You can intuit that there's likely some type of enhancement magic stored inside. That's usually how it is with rings. People like subtlety with their power, whether it helps them charm another person or lets them jump 30 ft higher than normal. Though there's a staticy feel to it when you run your thumb over the metal. It's intriguing, the other rings you have tend to be more plain.

You pocket the ring easily. It's small enough and sleight of hand is one of your fortes.

Comparatively, the music box is plain. The wood is a polished oak with simple gold paint that's faded and chipped in certain areas. You can even make out the grain. You open it just slightly to test and hear a few unrecognizable notes play, then a slight vacuum of pressure. A balloon inflating. You quickly shut it. Just in case something comes out.

You're unsure about taking it, but you leave it close to you as something to bargain over.

Lastly, you examine the ceramic frog. It's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. It's painted a minty green and in its hands it holds what looks like a crystal. It's clear, polished and pink like a typical quartz.

The magic inside it is more subtle. You wouldn't have noticed it at first if you weren't taking your time. This one also feels like it has some type of enhancement.

Your curiosity is piqued. These items feel like they've been dropped here over time from other interdimensional travelers. Maybe this dimension is more of a focal point than you first thought. Strange. You're not the only one getting away with things here.

Just to be sure, you take out your magic deck. The deck shuffles itself when you move to try and draw IDENTIFY. You can never cheat the deck, it's always luck. You close your eyes, taking a deep breath as you try to feel for the right card.

Instead, you draw DANCE.

(2/5) OMNI 2024/01/30(Tue)13:20 No. 1082146 ID: 32f4b5
File 170664960393.png - (79.12KB , 1000x700 , dh46.png )

Like all your spells when drawn, the DANCE card glows then disintegrates as the magic is activated.

Immediately, you are compelled beyond your meager mind to dance like no tomorrow. The shopkeeper is also hit with the effect and starts to do a novice tap dance routine. He's so startled he doesn't even speak.

Huh, you wouldn't have expected him to be the tap dancing type.

Your limbs meanwhile punch in and out. Hands and feet flying and flossing. Doing some type of DDR shit right now. Abruptly, your body drops to the floor with your hands on the ground as you start to do the worm.

On principle, you no longer have shame, so the routine is of little effect against your mental state.

(3/5) OMNI 2024/01/30(Tue)13:21 No. 1082149 ID: 32f4b5
File 170664971444.png - (75.06KB , 1000x700 , dh47.png )

"WHAT'S GOING ON????" the shopkeeper is practically screaming as his tap dancing feet carry him away, "SKIES ABOVE HELP ME"

Your expression is deadpan despite your gyrating form. "Chill out. Take some deep breaths."

Your bodies magnetically pull towards each other into a type of tango. Hells alive. Your hands clasp as your other holds his hip. Looks like you're leading this one.

The sweat pouring from his frazzled face glints in the warm light of the antique shop. He looks terrified as you lead him in step. His breaths just barely getting even as you move.

The magic compels you both to dodge out of the way of the various shelves and items all around the shop. Shoes clattering in rhythm against the wooden floor. Some dust kicks up in a cough from the unusual movements of its dancing patrons.

"Would you believe me if I said that this is a dream?" You spin him around and he surprisingly does well on his feet.

The shopkeeper blushes, "I don't. Maybe? No!"

(4/5) OMNI 2024/01/30(Tue)13:24 No. 1082150 ID: 32f4b5
File 170664988757.png - (32.04KB , 1000x700 , dh48.png )

You start to laugh at the absurdity of it all. A breathless ha, ha, ha followed by the shopkeeper's own nervous voice. Looks like it's getting to him too.

Your magic is always like this. You want one thing. One simple spell at a convenient time. Yet, fate decides where you step, where you go, what you do, what you say. There is no escape for as long as you live.

But you've accepted this long ago.

Fate decides, but it is yours. It has always been yours. You might as well go with the flow of it. And when you need to defy it. You will.

The spell ends just as you dip him. Much sooner than the typical spell due to this archaic world suppressing it. At least there's a small benefit to that.

He looks at you. You don't look back. The time on the grandfather clock is more eye-catching.

It's now 5:15 PM.

(5/5) OMNI 2024/01/30(Tue)13:26 No. 1082152 ID: 32f4b5
File 170664999949.png - (88.42KB , 1000x700 , dh49.png )

You unceremoniously drop him to the floor. The shopkeeper yelps as he lands on his back. Looks like no ones taught him how to fall properly.

You stand straight, hand moving to wipe your forehead. The physical exertions of the day have been compounding on your body. You'll need to eat again soon before you pass out from exhaustion. What a mess.

The shopkeeper pants, unused to the exertion. Adrenaline courses through him as he examines himself. His hands pat his clothes then his face. Checking for puppet strings.

"I. That. That was magic? Magic right? What the wolves use?" His hands grasp his face tightly in almost panic, "I haven't felt it before but I saw it once. That felt... I don't even know!"

"Yeah, it was magic. You feeling alright?"

He stares at you and laughs nervously, "I don't know. Yes? Was that because of you?"

This could get tricky.

You have the OLD RING and the CERAMIC FROG. It's enough spoils to get by and dip. A new spell card has also appeared in your deck that you can check at any time.

You could ask him more specific questions since he seems receptive. Maybe at the cost of revealing things about yourself.

What do you do?

Just tell him you're really bad at magic, so just trying to identify what to buy kind of backfired on you. It's a harmless effect, luckily. Don't tell him you could have drawn FIREBALL instead.

Also don't cast any other spells unless you're sure you can deal with the results when you inevitably draw FIREBALL.

(1/3) OMNI 2024/02/02(Fri)15:53 No. 1082345 ID: 32f4b5
File 170691803281.png - (52.62KB , 1000x700 , dh50.png )

The half lie comes easily past your lips, "Yeah, but it's not what I wanted to happen. I'm not that great with magic, so things like this happens sometimes. No real harm, though."

He buys it easily and nods. Can't argue when your knowledge is as deep as a drop. "Oh, oh that's cool! What did you want to happen?"

"Just wanted to check a few items you had in here. Some of them could be useful to me." You eye the music box.

He looks at you with a curious eye. It's clear he wants to understand what useful means to you. His gaze then drops to the bloody bandages around your waist, like he's just now noticed them, the perspective from the floor helping guide his eye.

You note the way the shopkeepers brows twitch in an attempt to hide his reaction.

He moves to stand quickly and brushes himself off. What he's noticed is quickly compartmentalized away, in favor of being in a better mood. It's a wise decision. "I see. Well, depending on what it is I could give you a discount. I don't know how it'll go with the Wolves, but if you have magic, you should be able to do anything."

You open your mouth to say otherwise but you quickly close it. Instead, clearing your throat, "Right. Now we're talkin. I was eyeing this music box actually." You gesture to it, "All I have on me are gift cards, if you're willing to take them."

(2/3) OMNI 2024/02/02(Fri)15:56 No. 1082346 ID: 32f4b5
File 170691821814.png - (56.25KB , 1000x700 , dh51.png )

His brows furrow as he moves to pick up the music box. With one hand holding the bottom of it he opens it without fear. The magic inside does not activate. Magical objects tend to be rendered moot, even with their passive effects, if they're handled by someone with no magical knowledge or talent.

The tune starts to play. It's a slow.. almost melancholic rhythm. One you don't recognize.

A small golden figurine of what looks like a cherub rotates as the song plays. It holds a trumpet up to its lips, posed mid dance, or maybe mid flight? It's a cute thing. Intriguing. What kind of enchantment does this have? Is it holy?

The shopkeeper's voice interrupts your thoughts, "If it's a debit gift card, I can take it. Can you do 50?"

Your own bargaining sense is triggered, "How about 30?"

He looks at you in surprise at the lowball number, voice surprisingly firm, "45."

"40."

There's a pause as he stares at you with a slight squint. You hold steady. You're both shopkeepers when it comes down to it.

"42. I haven't had that many sales."
Not too bad. He did just get robbed, "Okay, deal."

He gives you a nod as you both head to the front counter to process the transaction. Thankfully, the giftcard doesn't decline.

You have 33C left.

(3/3) OMNI 2024/02/02(Fri)15:59 No. 1082347 ID: 32f4b5
File 170691839265.png - (59.95KB , 1000x700 , dh52.png )

>Also don't cast any other spells unless you're sure you can deal with the results when you inevitably draw FIREBALL.

That one's always the kicker. Though you don't draw FIREBALL as often as your other spells. The worst incident was in Dimension 2-73PP. You can still hear the singing.

You'll try drawing IDENTIFY again when you find a nice alleyway to hole up in.

For now, you tuck the music box under your arm. You don't trust this guy enough to see you use your inventory cards.

He wipes his forehead with the back of his hand and leans a bit on the counter, "So, um, what else can you do?"

You put a finger to your lips, "Well, I gotta keep that a secret. Who knows what kind of nose will smell it." You pause, thinking quickly, "Maybe I could tell you something interesting, if you have anything good?"

He squints again then nods, catching your drift, "Again, I'm not sure how useful my information would be, but ask me anything."

You're cutting close to an hour before Eiko might show up again. She did say 1-2 hours, but it's best not to overestimate.

To save time, pick two options.

Do you:
>Ask about the Wolf Bites (their compound, goons, or former leader Akito)
>Ask about the Bulls
>Ask about another location or person (to visit)
>Ask about an item
>Ask about Salt City
>Ask about Divine Balance

Ask about the Wolf Bites' compound, and maybe about the Bulls

>>1082347
Ask about the wolves.
He mentioned them already.

Frame it like you want to avoid them and that kinda trouble.

You may not be here for long but no need to leave yourself open.

Even if he hates them, he could call in to the bites telling them you were asking after them in an effort to gain credit with them before the next shakedown.

If you play the role of another potential victim looking to avoid them and frame any question around that, he'd have nothing to gain and may even empathise enough to answer.

(1/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:14 No. 1090641 ID: d1dff1
File 171528568981.png - (42.02KB , 1000x700 , dh53.png )

>If you play the role of another potential victim looking to avoid them and frame any question around that, he'd have nothing to gain and may even empathize enough to answer.

Pretending to be scared now will only seem more suspicious. Being avoidant though, you can work with.

"You know anything about the compound? Seems like if I walk anywhere near it they'll shoot me point blank."

The shopkeeper chuckles nervously, "Oh, that building used to be an old research facility before they took it over. It had two other buildings next to it before they demolished them." He pauses, "They got rid of them. But they didn't... do a good job of it..."

You gesture for him to continue.

"For a while... the sites were like sinkholes. They buried most of the debris, but you could watch them go down. Just... sinking the entire day."

Maybe there was more to that garage than you thought. If both buildings had deep enough underground floors they might have been connected.

"You think they were connected under there?"

He shrugs, "Maybe partially? I remember that shipment trucks would go down there, but only to the middle building."

There it is. Maybe the underground pathway isn't fully blocked out. If you're lucky, you could avoid anyone knowing how you got in entirely.

"You don't think they filled them in?"

The shopkeeper gets this troubled expression, "I can't say..."

"Right."

(2/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:15 No. 1090642 ID: d1dff1
File 171528570656.png - (63.18KB , 1000x700 , dh54.png )

"The Bulls, they been around recently?"

The Bulls are known for cage fighting. Mainly making their money on childish stuff like cock fights or desperate people. They've had it out for the Wolves for dwindling their fighter base by paying off their contracts. Purely just to piss them off. It could have been a symbiotic relationship, if their leaders weren't hard headed as hell.

"I don't see them as often as before. Sometimes they'll come by just to shop around, but they keep to themselves," he pauses, seemingly lost in thought, "One did come by in the past week and asked me a few things. Stuff about other gangs"

"Other gangs?"

He gestures, "There's been an uptick in 'tourists' lately."

Hmm.. Everyone seems to be sensing blood about to hit the water. The Bulls would massively benefit with the Wolf Bite leader gone. While the Bite's are fighting over who's going to take over, they can snatch up more territory and fighters. Maybe crush them entirely.

Your goals would align momentarily in that sense.

(3/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:15 No. 1090643 ID: d1dff1
File 171528572275.png - (56.89KB , 1000x700 , dh55.png )

You thank the shopkeeper for being helpful, but there's always that nagging thought in your mind.

>Even if he hates them, he could call in to the bites telling them you were asking after them in an effort to gain credit with them before the next shakedown.

You tried not to give too much info about yourself, just in case. But you wouldn't be surprised if he calls in right after you're out of earshot. It would put a massive dent in your plans. The Bites would go on high alert if they thought anyone was going to try breaking in.

You weigh now, the option of killing him. It would put him out of his misery of getting beaten down every other day. And it'll save you the trouble of worrying about what he's going to do.

Besides, you got all the useful information you could need. Right?

(4/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:15 No. 1090644 ID: d1dff1
File 171528573925.png - (59.64KB , 1000x700 , dh56.png )

For the rest of the hour, you hole up in a dark alleyway to look over the items and only manage to set off FIREBALL once. You get slightly singed clothes and the heavy scent of burnt plaster for your trouble.

Here's what you find:

CERAMIC FROG (Enhancer) - Allows the user to leap up to 30ft forward or upward while held.

HARMONIC MUSIC BOX (Magitech) - Temporarily stuns all those within hearing range for the length of the song (30 seconds).

The CERAMIC FROG can prove very useful to you with your current mission. You reason that since it's a new acquisition, you won't squirrel it away in your INVENTORY forever. You'll keep it in your pocket just in case. Current value of 150C.

The HARMONIC MUSIC BOX is valuable as a low-grade magitech item. This you'll store away to repair and sell for later. Current value of 500C. Maybe 750C to start.

After another spellcard sets off, you decide to take a break from identifying. With some careful wall scaling you manage to make out the debris sites that the antique guy described.

There's an array of shallow holes along the surface of each previous building. Debris is scattered among it. It's not a neat clean up by any means, but you can identify some good spots to try weaseling down into.

You now have two ways of entering the compound for tomorrow's ambush:
>1) Scale it
>2) Go underground

(5/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:16 No. 1090645 ID: d1dff1
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As it gets closer to 6:30PM, you walk around and internally assess everything you've learned.

>1) Julien's made the Wolf Bite presence significantly worse on everyone in the city after overthrowing Akito
>2) The presence of magical objects that were not the norm before
>3) The new presence of the cult DB
>4) Eiko's odd attachment to the Bites
>5) Your interests align with the Bulls & other gangs

You pause your walk as an unfamiliar car pulls up to you suddenly. You brace yourself for the doors opening up and for people to rush out.

Instead, the tinted window rolls down, revealing a familiar figure.

(6/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:16 No. 1090646 ID: d1dff1
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Eiko's werewolf form is... larger than you expected. She practically has to hunch over the wheel to fully fit in the driver seat. Biceps bigger than your head. Impressive.

Reminds you of how close you got to getting mauled in your first encounter.

You make your voice playful, "Sooo, how'd it go?"

Her ears pull back in clear irritation, "Get in the damn car."

You snidely obey, peeling into the passenger seat of the beat up car. The cuffs are gone from her wrists and so is your jacket.

You sit back in your seat and you pull the mask down, "You're all big."

She huffs, reminiscent of an irritated teen, "It's the only way they take me seriously."

You nod, understandingly, "They bought it?"

She nods back, "For now. They're still mad they lost some grunts and they couldn't get anything else. Kept your jacket too."

"I bet as a trophy."

Eiko laughs dryly, wrinkling her snout, "God that'd be gross. Hung up on the wall and stinking up the place."

"It'll stiffen up like a dead body. Next thing you know, they'll be treating it like an heirloom and passing it around. Big game, big jacket."

She snorts and smacks her paw against the wheel. "Yeah, yeah. How did it go with you? Find anything useful?"

You shrug, "There's some activity with the other gangs around. Nothing good for y'all, that's for sure," you've considered how much to omit, "Danced around with some shop staff and got a mini history lesson about the Bites."

You watch Eiko's reaction carefully. Looking for some type of tell. Or giveaway. Although her wolf features are harder to read, her ears look more alert. "What did they say?"

You roughly summarize it for her. The public perception & how it all started out, then on to how it is now. Eiko seems to be deep in thought as you speak. Features tight. You can almost hear the way her teeth seem to be grinding together.

There's some real beef there. You lean a little closer to the door in case you need to make a quick duck and roll escape.

Instead, she cusses Julien out under her breath for the rest of the ride.

"He never should've trusted him. Never should've taken that little bastard in."

(7/7) OMNI 2024/05/09(Thu)13:16 No. 1090647 ID: d1dff1
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Eiko's apartment is farther out in the edge of the city where there's a slight residential district. It's a five story building in surprisingly good condition. She even has a little garage to park her car at.

It's nice. Too nice for the type of girl she is, in the type of work she's in.

She grabs her bag from the trunk and leads you up the stairs still wolfed out. Thankfully, Eiko's still lost in thought, so there's little conversation as you absorb all the details of the building from entrance to floor.

Tacky cream painted walls and floors with lint-thin carpet. Wall art of random paint strokes and flowers. A heavy chemical perfume that tries to mask it all. It screams cut corners and overpriced. Gentrified, even here, in this gang-driven city.

Before she opens the door to her apartment, you almost imagine that you're going to walk into a secret rich kid's space. It would explain how she pays this off and her gang dues with no side jobs she's mentioned so far.

Instead, she opens the door to the most bare minimum apartment you've seen. Still large, as expected. But it reminds you of your college days, when all your furniture was found from dumpsters or other kids moving out.

It's too quiet, there's more space than there is anything to fill it. Nothing covers the walls except the windows. No plants, no decor, all function. A bare minimum of furniture occupies the living room like a checked list: couch, old coffee table, box tv stand, tv.

Damn bitch... you live like this?

She kicks her shoes off and gestures, "Set your stuff down next to the couch. That's where you'll be sleeping. I'll be ordering takeout for dinner, so just do whatever. Don't touch anything."

"No promises."

There's a good amount of ground to cover. You can try and explore and gather more clues about Eiko or talk to her directly. The more you understand her, the better you can gauge if she's a trustworthy ALLY. A common goal only gets you so far from being stabbed back once it's done.

Though, you have a feeling that if you want to explore her bedroom, she'd have to be DISTRACTED or PERSUADED.

Options:
>A) Explore Porch
>B) Explore Kitchen
>C) Explore Bathroom
>D) Talk to Eiko (Choose Subject)

>>1090647
Ask if you can get a drink and what she wants.

Explore the kitchen under the pretence of making tea, coffee or whatever shes wanting.

Icebreaker mainly.
Place is big but voice can carry.
Compliment her commitment to the minimalist style.
Keep it light.
Build trust.
Ask her take on the bulls if theyre the likely successor in the power vacuum you teo are planning on making.

(1/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)11:57 No. 1090726 ID: d1dff1
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>Ask if you can get a drink and what she wants.
>Explore the kitchen under the pretence of making tea, coffee or whatever shes wanting.

"You want something to drink?"

Eiko eyes you at the oddly polite gesture, but concedes, too tired to try and argue, "Nothing alcoholic right now. I need to think. There's a teapot in the cabinet to the right of the microwave."

After taking your boots off, you turn towards the kitchen. It's of the times, the cabinets painted over in white, a chipped gas stove, and vaguely stone counters. There's no oil splashes anywhere on the stove or bottom of the microwave. You figure Eiko is either a meticulous cleaner or she rarely cooks.

You open both cabinets above the microwave. There's a few tea boxes and spices but the top racks look empty. A beaten up metal teapot sits on the bottom rack, so you grab it. Behind it is a nicer clay teapot with a matching set of cups. It sits neglected.

(2/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)11:57 No. 1090727 ID: d1dff1
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>Icebreaker mainly.
>Build trust.

As you fill the metal teapot with water, you clear your throat, projecting your voice as Eiko moves about the space just passed your view, "So, you've got a real minimalist thing going on here."

She seems to laugh, "I don't like having too much stuff. It weighs me down."

You can relate to that. Almost too well.

The pot meets the stove and you turn the burner on. Click, click, click. "Me too. Helps that I just travel all the time."

"Do you?" Her voice sounds amused, "I don't know what's normal for time traveling criminals."

You chuckle as you press your fingers and knee against the hinge of the bottom cabinet, softening the sound as you open it, "I travel dimensions. Not time. Time can change depending on the dimension. It could be the stone ages in one or a sci-fi movie in another."

There's a pot and a few mixing bowls in the cabinet. You slowly lift the lid and see a gun inside. You close the lid.

"How is that different? Isn't time a dimension?"

"And magic's real." You laugh lightly, "It's just what I've learned to say. I don't know much about all the science and theories, but from what I've scraped together, each dimension is just a cut layer of something bigger. Think of a diamond. Each cut is unique, even symmetrical, but it's a part of one big thing. And each cut is a world. The ultimate shape, I guess, is our universe."

You pause to let her process the information. Truth be told, you've had a few people explain it to you in more complex ways, but it all sounded too complicated to memorize. "I don't know what that shape looks like, but it must be huge. I've been to worlds so different from each other that they might as well be on opposite sides. Seen people that don't look like you or me. To top it all off, there are beings that exist outside or within multiples of those dimensions. We call them extra-dimensional. You call them gods."

You open the top drawer to test the sound it makes. It's oddly smooth, but Eiko's silence makes it sound like a bomb dropping. You see an array of neatly arrange cutlery. Some knives and chopsticks. You lift the cutlery organizer to look underneath and see an envelope taped to the hollowed bottom. You pick up a spoon.

You continue your lecture when she stays quiet, "Because of how each world is arranged, it's easy to cross over to the next one. That's how typical dimensional travel works. You find that boundary? You can cross. You might not even notice, each neighboring world is only slightly different. They reflect each other. Each boundary is different. There could be an entire solar system contained in one layer or just one endless plain."

(3/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)11:59 No. 1090728 ID: d1dff1
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Eiko finally speaks, "It's that easy?"

You open the next drawer just enough to get a peek. It's all plastic bags. Next one.

"It's like crossing states. But it gets harder when you're traveling cross country, you get me? That's where it's regulated. You need something special to really jump around, but you leave a signature when you do. And if you get caught doing it without permission, they'll take your ass in or kill you."

The next drawer has a bunch of snacks. You take out a few of them to put on the counter.

"Who's they? How do you move around?"

You look back at the teapot. "They're the Wolf Bites for dimensions, DB," you laugh, "criminal enterprise, cult, gang. Whatever. You're too small to worry about them."

Her tone sounds annoyed, "They're the only ones? I doubt it."

"They are. They monopolize all their competition. And I hate to say it, but they have some of the best magitech around. Since they were the first to make the most efficient travel gear across worlds, they've been keeping that title and spreading their influence. Only those within the camp can use them, so they sell their service as regulators. Most extra-dimensional beings don't care for their service. Not until people like me show up and start disrupting the natural order of their playground."

You move towards the other bigger cabinets and peek into them. Protein shakes, vitamins, plates, bowls, and more empty racks. Makes you wonder how often she eats. You take a few of the smaller plates and start to open and set the snacks on them. Like this is a tea party.

Eiko's voice is incredulous. You haven't heard her make any sounds, yet she still remains out of view, "And you just... do that? Aren't you the reason they even need to regulate it?"

(4/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)11:59 No. 1090729 ID: d1dff1
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There are many reasons you could give for what you do. It's money, of course. You do all this to make money. You want to live well. Eat well. Do as you please. But you can never settle. You can't find peace with this target on your back.

So, you make money. You'll make a lot of it. You'll make so much fucking money that you can suffocate in it.

"Yeah, why not? Fuck em"

The teapot starts to whistle. Time's up. You hurry to tend do it, dropping oolong teabags into mismatched mugs. You wont touch the tea set. You want to keep this light.

Eiko finally walks into view to plop down onto the couch. She's changed into more comfortable clothes.

"You want some sugar or milk in these?"

She looks at you, like she's making calculations in her head, "That sounded personal." She pauses, "There's honey next to the fridge."

You nod and add all the sweets. As you move to grab the milk you open the fridge, there's soju, beer, bread, and a few tupperwares in various states of decay. You check the expiration date of the milk twice before pouring it into your mug. Last thing you need is the shits.

You set everything down on the coffee table, sprawling on the other end of the couch, "Everything becomes personal. I've been at this a long time."

Eiko snorts, picks up her mug, then hands it to you. "Take a sip."

Smart. You grin and pluck it from her hand to sip without hesitation. She takes it from you a few seconds after you swallow. Looks like you're both testing each other.

After you clear your throat you gesture, "You've been at it a long time too."

(5/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)12:00 No. 1090730 ID: d1dff1
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She rolls her eyes, "I couldn't exactly rush it. If you weren't here, it would take me a few more years."

You lift your mug up, "Cheers to that." You eye each other, "So, you think the Bulls will take over after we're done?"

Eiko glares but sips her tea, staring into it for a moment, "Like hell. Over my dead body that I'll let those cunts even try it."

Your eyebrows almost fly off of your face. "Really? So you'll take over? If the Wolves disband they'll take advantage of that."

There's an awkward pause. It tells you all you need to know. She hasn't thought it through passed the point of killing Julien. Maybe she thought she'd have a few more years to think about it.

"I couldn't talk to Julien directly." She avoids your eyes as she changes the subject, "It looked like he was in a meeting, but I don't know with who."

You speak without missing a beat, "Could be anyone. Could be the Bulls."

She shakes her head, "He hates them as much as I do. When I tried asking, the other wolves said that he's been making deals."

Deals? It's got to be the new Arms Dealer then. This could be your chance.

"No description? How often have they been visiting?"

She shrugs, "Very recently. Maybe this month? It's pretty hush hush. The other wolves said they don't even come in through the front door. They just appear at Julien's office whenever they want."

Traveling unimpeded? Not many criminals can get their hands on tech that good. They'd need both wings or something equivalent. And your guy is already one of the best.

She continues, "Only Julien's seen them. Their meetings last at least an hour."

(6/6) OMNI 2024/05/11(Sat)12:00 No. 1090731 ID: d1dff1
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No suspects come to mind except one.

You hope it's not her. She's usually too strict about consorting with criminals. That would also mean she's been camping here a while and that's not her usual style. Your Archangel likes to ambush you at a random inopportune time. Usually in a building. Usually where there's a bed.

Eiko sips more of her tea as you are momentarily lost in your drunken horny thoughts, "Tell me more about a world you've been to."

Options:
>A) DIM 2-67SS: World of Glass
>B) DIM 3-30XO: Kingdom of Nox
>C) DIM 3-30NS: The Necropolis
>D) DIM 4-50LR: Solar Circuit
>E) ______ (No DIM Tag Needed)

Talk about the world where honking is a sacred musical art.

Tell us about that world with the Magitech Tallships In Space, sailing the luminiferous aether!

Speak truth in what you share.
See if you can convey a bit of the beauty, wonder and terror of it all.
Because thats what it has to be, the sheer scale and potential of everything.

A world of glass sounds interesting.

Then the honking thing, whether its true or not.