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File 143430891522.png - (57.83KB , 800x600 , 307.png )
648437 No. 648437 ID: f68a09

Wiki: http://tgchan.org/wiki/Enemy_Quest
QuestDis: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/81802.html
Previous Chapter: http://tgchan.org/kusaba/quest/res/630196.html
Expand all images
>>
No. 648438 ID: f68a09
File 143430895271.png - (17.06KB , 960x560 , 308.png )
648438

Your name is Gaddjok and today is the day they execute you.

The rope is tight around your wrists. They didn't have the equipment to hold a Garakton out here so they've pumped you full of tranquilizers.
They're making your blood run sludgy to your brain. You can hardly make out the shock lance barrels pointed toward your chest.

You think about what you've done.

1]] The girl needed help. You had no idea who she was. You just thought she needed help.
2]] The Kariket is a rat bastard and so are his deacons. You would do it again, five times over.
3]] You're innocent. There's no blood on your hands. This was a setup.
4]] You didn't mean to kill the Captain. He was weak. You regret it.
5]] You have loved unwisely.
6]] You were caught trying to desert and you're confident you were right to.
7]] You don't even remember what it is you did.
>>
No. 648439 ID: b8ceae

>>648438
1, and maybe 5.
>>
No. 648441 ID: 7b7ab3

1 and 2.

We did the right thing. The Kariket is a monster, and if this screws him over, then it was worth it.
>>
No. 648442 ID: 0fc976

1 and 2.
>>
No. 648444 ID: d3be40

3 and 6, the civil war you were in was a mockery, with the leaders from both sides cooperating to gain media sympathy through the use of heavily coordinated bloodshed.
>>
No. 648445 ID: ab7529

1, 4, 5.
>>
No. 648447 ID: bd8b82

2
>>
No. 648459 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648437
Despite being drugged, do we have the strength for some choice last words?
>>
No. 648482 ID: f68a09
File 143432299946.png - (5.70KB , 960x560 , 309.png )
648482

You manage to raise your head enough to see the monitor behind the firing line.
The image of the Kariket, stern and unblinking, looks back at you, as it does to all doomed men.
Most of the time it's just a tape loop, you know. But perhaps your case merits actual observation. He would love to see you die.

You sneer at the thought of him watching you, trussed and tucked in his fineries and doused in perfume.
Witness how a true man dies, Kariket. Rat Bastard.

>>648459
You are Garakta. You have the strength.

General Hajk paces in front of the line of soldiers. His cane taps up clouds of dust.
He was like a father to you once. You were like his son.

Now he says to you:

Gadjjok Rokkolis. I strip you of your rank--

and he spits in the dirt and wipes it away with his foot.

I strip you of your history--

he spits again.

And I strip you of your name.

The last one he aims at your feet.

A no-thing stands before me now, Hajk says. I speak to an empty post. I speak to space better taken by the breathable air.

1]] And I speak to a ruin who still thinks he is a castle.
2]] And I speak to a slave who thinks he is a king.
3]] And I speak to a hatchling maggot on the carcass of our people.
4]] And I speak to my inferior.
5]] I can't hear you with the Kariket's cock in your mouth, Hajk.
6]] Remain silent.
7]] ___________________
>>
No. 648483 ID: 212dec

5
>>
No. 648486 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648482
An emphatic 5.

Eat a dick, you dried up, old bootlicker.
>>
No. 648488 ID: d3be40

7. GROVEL IN STYLE.

"NOOO! PLEASE! STOP SPITTING, YOU WHORE! I DON'T WANT YOUR [[Donkey]] ON MY [[Rooster]]! JUST GET IT OVER WITH! PLEASE!!!"

Invoke a curse using all your anger. The curse of a no-name should not corrupt anyone... right?
>>
No. 648505 ID: b5b419

>>648482
7 "And nothing is still better then you."

Bitterness of memory, an insult, a play on words, and a certain degree of self-pride mixed into one.
>>
No. 648509 ID: f68a09
File 143432915114.png - (6.49KB , 960x560 , 310.png )
648509

I can't hear you with the Kariket's cock in your mouth, Hajk.

His eyes narrow. He turns away. You laugh at his back.
You dried up old bootlick!

He returns to behind the firing line. You stand up as straight as you can.

From somewhere in back you hear Let go of me! Get your fucking hands off of me! Gadjjok!

She breaks from the grip of the guards trying to hold her back and sprints into the courtyard, her long black hair fanning out behind her.
Hajk raises his cane in pacification.
Milady, he says. With respect this is no place for--

She slaps him so hard he drops his cane.

Two in the firing line start to turn their shock spears to her but Hajk waves them off, an expression of anger and fear on his face.

She runs to you, heedless of the guns zeroed onto your heart. She throws her arms around you.

Gadjjok, she repeats, barely above a whisper. Heart of my heart. You feel her tears on your chest.

1]] I told you not to come here.
2]] That slap is going to fuel me all the way across the journey to the Mountain.
3]] I'm not afraid.
4]] Can you save me?
5]] Remember me.
6]] Don't cry. We always knew you'd see me go. Just not so soon.
6]] Never forgive him. Promise me.
>>
No. 648512 ID: 9297f4

5, 6, 7
>>
No. 648513 ID: b5b419

>>648509
2, 6
>>
No. 648514 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648509
6, 3, 5.

"Don't cry. We always knew you'd see me go. Just not so soon. I'm not afraid. Remember me."
>>
No. 648516 ID: b55301

>>648509
6, 5, 7.
>>
No. 648517 ID: ab7529

3, 6
>>
No. 648519 ID: 0fc976

6, 2, & 6.
>>
No. 648520 ID: 0df2ab

3, 6
>>
No. 648522 ID: d3be40

4, then 5.
>>
No. 648528 ID: f0e552

>>648509
"I'm not afraid. I knew I would end up here sooner or later."

"I have no regrets."

And, well I think it's very selfish to tell her to remember us. Wouldn't we want her to stop grieving once we're gone and just forget us?

Maybe we should tell her she needs to forget about us once we die.
>>
No. 648530 ID: 696535

>>648509
5.
"When I am gone, I want you to move on but never forget me or the love I gave you."
>>
No. 648543 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648528
>"I have no regrets."
"Except, y'know, the whole getting executed thing. That kinda sucks."
>>
No. 648547 ID: cbc9e6

2 and 6
>>
No. 648552 ID: ea0ad9

6, 5, 7, 2.
"Don't shed tears for me, but don't forget me, and don't forgive him. Heh, but that slap will fuel me all the way across the journey to the Mountain."
>>
No. 648576 ID: f68a09
File 143434962112.png - (6.91KB , 960x560 , 311.png )
648576

I have no regrets. I'm not afraid.
You rest your head on top of hers.
We knew you'd live to see me go. We didn't know when.
She shakes her head. Not like this.
Little sparrow, you say. Heart of my heart. Don't cry. That slap is going to fuel me all the way up the Mountain and my ancestors will joyously receive me.

Your ancestors will turn from you, Hjak says. You are stripped of--

They scream their approval, you say. Right now, in my ears. Can't you hear them?
You lock eyes with him.
Of course you can't, you say. You stopped hearing them a long time ago.
I'm not ready, she says. I'm not.
You kiss her forehead.
I am.
Move on as you were always going to but don't forget me.
And don't forgive him.

Never, she whispers.

Milady we are preparing to fire, Hajk says.

Go, you say. Don't look.

I have to, she says.

Then witness how I die.
And listen. You'll hear them.
>>
No. 648577 ID: f68a09
File 143434968547.png - (14.27KB , 960x560 , 311a.png )
648577

She has to be torn from you by the guards, who are only permitted to touch her on the stipulation that they are saving her life.

She wrestles with them as the lances are leveled once more.

Gadjjok, she howls. Gadjjok Gadjjok I'll never forgive them Kariket you are dead to me

Do it bastards, you say. Do it you shadows of men. Look at my face. Do you see my

The lance tips slam one after another into your chest.
She screams.
You roar in anguished ecstasy.
A million men and women in brass wait on the ridge far away and roar with you.

You inhale through ruined, punctured lungs and a flood of blood rushes up the back of your throat.
It spills out of your mouth and you shake with pain and laughter.
DO IT
LOOK

The lance tips activate and detonate.
>>
No. 648579 ID: f68a09
File 143434976638.png - (14.55KB , 960x560 , 312.png )
648579

"FGgAAHhhah."
You bolt awake.

"BWAH" Polyphema jumps. "Good morning, dollface. FGgAAHhhah?"
"Uuugh. Good morning." You rest on your elbow and wipe your eyes. You look around for your phone. "What time is it? How long was I out?"
"Around four."
"When did I fall asleep?"
"Shortly after the charming Earthling tradition you call 'round two." Polyphema rubs your heel with her toes. She's wearing a tight tank top and a customarily revealing thong. "I thought your sterling performance merited a siesta. What did you dream about?"
"It was like--" You look at her. "Nice monocular there."
"Oh, shit." She pulls her glasses (glass?) off her face. "I forgot I was wearing that."
"I didn't know you had a pair."
"Well, pair?"
"Um, unit."
She giggles. "Or something. I only wear it for marathons on the, uhh" she wiggles her tablet.
"Kindle?"
"Correctamundo."
"Didn't know you had that either." You look over at it. You're still jittery with the nervous adrenaline of your awakening. "You strike me as the print type."
"I am." She angles the kindle away from you. "I only use this for, ahh, personal reading."
"I've caught you in a hell of a vulnerable position."
"Shut up. I'm never vulnerable. You know me."

1]] Not even when I........... tickle you?
2]] I had another one of those weird you-dreams.
3]] I saw Gadjjok die.
4]] I felt Gadjjok die.
5]] I saw you very unhappy and it was profoundly disturbing.
6]] I just had a kind of a bad dream. I don't really remember it.
7]] I'll tell you about the dream if you tell me what you're reading there.
8]] Squeeze your oculot girlfriend's butt until you calm down.
9]] Find some clothes because it's your turn to make breakfast.
10]] ________________
>>
No. 648580 ID: a5478c

1 & 2
>>
No. 648581 ID: 0ee153

1 and 9. Dunno whether to mention it now while they're having a moment or after they've had food and relaxation.
>>
No. 648582 ID: ab7529

>>648580
Yup.
>>
No. 648583 ID: 89941a

1 & 8
Although be sure to move the kindle elsewhere, don't want to sit on it by accident.
>>
No. 648586 ID: defceb

1,8, then 2 when you calm down.
>>
No. 648587 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648579
1, 9, and 2.

Tickle fight! Then when that fun's over, grab ye clothes. We'll tell her about the dream while we prepare breakfast.
>>
No. 648589 ID: f68a09
File 143435487348.png - (12.66KB , 960x560 , 313.png )
648589

"Not even if..."
You put a hand on her ass. "Not even if I..." You roll over so that you're on top of her. She raises an eyebrow and scoots her kindle out of the way.
"Not even if I TICKLE THE FUCK OUT OF YOU?"

"Ack Zack No NO NO STOP AAAAH"
She locks her arms in place to try and prevent access to her armpits and you go for her sides.
"FUCK YOU FUCK YOU GAAAH NO AAHAHA" She tries desperately to wiggle out of your grasp and you lock her in place.
"YOU'RE NOT GETTIN AWAY"
"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR NUTS OFF DON'T EVEN TRY IT I'M AAHAA NO"
You catch her foot and tickle that too.
"NO. NO ZACK NO FEET I AM DRAWING THE NO NO HAAHA FUCK YOU"
You drop her feet and tickle her hips and the small of her back instead. She writhes to get away. "ZAAACK I'M GOING TO BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF"
Her hips undulate wildly under your hands and rub up against you. She tries to push your chest away but you grab her hand with the hollow of your neck and trap it with your chin.
Maybe it's the itty bitty black thong or maybe it's the panting but at some point the tickling makes its traditional switch from more of an excuse to touch her than a battle tactic.
"ZACK," She pants. "STAH. NAH. NO. HAAAH. BASTARD."

1]] Finally relent. Make the poor girl breakfast to make up for it.
2]] Kiss her and stand up. Find your clothes before you get too turned on; you've already done it twice and she hasn't had the benefit of a nap.
3]] To quote The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, Breakfast Can Wait. Transition from tickling into doing something else with your fingers. It's OK if you're doing the work.
4]] ______________________
>>
No. 648590 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648589
1 and 2.

Give her a kiss, get up, get dressed, and make that girl some breakfast.
>>
No. 648595 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648590
I'm thinking waffles, personally.

That or toast and scrambled eggs.

I'm a fan of both.
>>
No. 648609 ID: 8bd2b1

Hey man, if you're getting turned on, go for it. 3. Afterwards, breakfast and dream talk, methinks.
>>
No. 648612 ID: 2a7417

Break off, break fast.
>>
No. 648629 ID: 7b7ab3

We should probably tell her about the dream, though I am hesitant to bring up such an obviously painful memory of her's.

It would probably be best to wait until breakfast is squared away.
>>
No. 648684 ID: ea0ad9

1, 4, 2.
Stop, "Sorry, but with how many times I'm vulnerable before you, I needed that." Start looking for clothes. "The lens"--Yes, just call it a lens--"doesn't make you look vulnerable, if you're wondering. Makes you look stronger. I mean, not like, Warrior stronger, but personality."
"Alright, I'll make some breakfast. Both because it's my turn, and I probably owe you at least that much now."
Once we're making breakfast, we can bring up the dream: "Had a, uh, another vision thing. Was "The Mountain" your guys' heaven or something?"
>>
No. 648710 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648684
She's going to wonder where we heard of "the Mountain."

"I, um... experienced Gadjjok's last moments."
>>
No. 648732 ID: f68a09
File 143443173819.png - (9.19KB , 960x560 , 314.png )
648732

You relent, kiss her, and unpin her. "Sorry, sorry." You look around. "Where's my shirt?"
She waves her hand. "Somewhere. You're not sorry at all, are you?"
"Not even a little." You stick your head into your shirt and she takes advantage of your restricted eyesight to slap you on the ass, hard.
You jump.
"I'm not ticklish," she says.
"You're absolutely ticklish."
"I was playacting."
"Everyone who says they aren't ticklish is actually insanely ticklish and they only say they aren't because they don't want to be tickled."
"Do you know what tickling is on the Other Side?" She gets in front of you and makes a solemn face. "It's a declaration of war."
"You're making that up."
"I am not. It's a torture."
"No it isn't."
Her grim look cracks into a smile around the edges. "Yes it is."
You tickle her stomach. "No it isn't"
"YES yes it is." She leaps away from you like a cat. "De-escalate, Mr. Ambassador."
"I will." You pull on your pants. "Through the universal language of breakfast foods."
"Magnifique." She slides past you to her closet and rummages through her hangars. "What's the special, Garçon?"
"Pancakes Au Zack Avec a shitton of syrup," you say. "You have syrup?"
"What kind of decadent socialite do you take me for?" She's settled on a pair of Yoga pants that somehow make her posterior look even shapelier than before. "I have everything."

Her eggs are all organic and her flour is from Whole Foods. You can't find any Pam oil so you use olive oil from what looks like actual fucking Italy. "This feels like overkill," you say, examining the fridge. "I didn't know they made artisanal butter."
"This, Zackary, is the lifestyle within your reach," she says. "With your generous Bureau stipend. You may be a professional bachelor but the days of instant ramen are in the past. I've been meaning to take you somewhere flouncy so you can flounce around."
"Upgrade the wardrobe?"
She shakes her head. "The wardrobe can stay. I find it endearing."
"Is that a good adjective for a wardrobe?"
"One mustn't forget one's roots." Polyphema blows a strand of her trademark wild bedhead out of her vision. "That's why I've been thinking of starting a farm. Come unto my table, Zackary! Let us speak of many things."
"I'm mixing."
"Then let us speak of many things as you mix."

1]] I dreamed about Gadjjok.
2]] I dreamed about Gadjjok's execution.
3]] What's the Mountain? Is it afterlife?
4]] I'm wondering about Warrior Family stuff. GG wants me to meet her parents.
5]] So I have attempt number 2 with Meg tomorrow. I'm nervous.
6]] So I had my date with Bika the other day and there were these weird people who followed us.
7]] What have you been up to since our wilderness adventure, Polyphema?
8]] _______________
>>
No. 648733 ID: 0fc976

7, 1, 3.
>>
No. 648734 ID: bb78f2

>>648732
7, 3
>>
No. 648735 ID: b5b419

>>648732
7, 3

I don't see how bringing up excessively painful memories has any relevance.
>>
No. 648741 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648732
7, 4, 3, 1.

If we're speaking of many things, then these are what I choose.
>>
No. 648748 ID: 2993af

"Of shoes and ships and sealing-wax? Of cabbages and kings?"
7
>>
No. 648759 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648748
This is basically a necessity, considering her choice of words. Let's show her our literary chops!
>>
No. 648766 ID: 5f7625

Wow, you guys learned not to talk about other women to your woman.

1, definitely, since we are being honest with her. We might segue into 2 if the conversation carries us that way, and then it'll become a discussion of her world and politics eventually. We won't do that unless we have to to though, though I do wonder why sleeping with us is making her dream of him. Maybe we are similar (though again, we'll only broach the subject if it comes up naturally in conversation.)

If conversation dies continue onto 7 and then 3. Don't bring up the other girls. If she brings it up we can discuss them.
>>
No. 648772 ID: ea0ad9

>"Then let us speak of many things as you mix."
>8, 2, 3, 4, 7, 6.8, 5.8, 8.
"You asked for it. First thing on my mind... Had another dream-memory-leak thing. Gadjjok's execution. What's The Mountain?

Second, since you're oh-so-interested in knowing who your man's dating--Let's just get out there and ask it, what are warrior families like? Do they even do that with Dulamads, or do I need to be especially worried about upsetting a lady now?

Thankfully, not everything has to be such a big gauntlet. While I've got the mystery route with you, I also feel I can trust you, especially after our little T-and-D up at the Ridge. So, how about your time between now and then? Is that going to be another one of your charming mysteries, or will I be graced with the knowledge today?

Wish I could enjoy every little aspect, but it seems that there are some stalkers now. Had a couple following me yesterday. Don't suppose you've ever had to deal with people like that?

Finally, another mystery I've been attempting to unravel: Floaters. I still know squat about them, other than that they love their experiments.

Oh, and there's that Gala, tomorrow. I'd invite you, but I'm already kind of a plus-one guest. Since you're up here living the high life, maybe it would be a great spot to take one of your other guys--which, I'll be honest. After the talk about your relationships, I'd be surprised if I was your only partner right now."

Once that bit of discussion's out of the way,
>"A big ol incestuous peer group called a Dulabira."
8, again: Would you be interested in forming a Dulabira, or keeping things more hush, now?
>calling myself a swinger makes me feel like a horny grandmother.
'Cause I wouldn't mind being introduced to some new friends out of your side, but equalibrium being what it is, it wouldn't be fair for me to meet your 'Romalamads' if you choose not to meet mine. Is there, like, a group term for the individual regardless of Alamad and Dulamad?

>>648766
>Don't bring up the other girls. If she brings it up we can discuss them.
>"Of course things get messy, doll," Polyphema says. "Love is a very messy thing."
We can't expect to make scrambled eggs if we keep them in the carton. Of course, shoving an egg out of the nest isn't wise, either, but since Poly, at least, has brought up this all and taken an interest in it, I think giving her that push is worth a chance. GG, maybe not so much. As for Bika, well,
>"With some skut to taste, although they often keep to themselves."
Definitely going to have to ask her how she'll feel about it all. Maybe a little taste of Golboria will be good for her, but maybe she'll keep the relations to a minimum.

Meg's a wildcard--One one hand, Floaters seem to be about practicality and efficiency, so knowing who the others are would be a good thing, but on the other hand, she's the first Floater with the hormonal emotions, and who knows which way those will go. Plus, she might be a little angry still over our first date. Point is, Poly should be open to the idea.
>>
No. 648787 ID: ad7bba

3.
>>
No. 648793 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648766
>Don't bring up the other girls
Kinda inevitable given our job and the nature of our relationships. Besides, if we're going to discuss such things, Poly would be the most accepting and understanding.

>>648772
Well, that certainly covers the bases. Might want to let Poly get a word in at some point.
>>
No. 648797 ID: d820c1

If we're just picking subjects, then 1, 3, 4, and 7.
>>
No. 648799 ID: ea0ad9

>Might want to let Poly get a word in at some point
That's what the line breaks are meant to convey, giving her a chance to respond.
>>
No. 648800 ID: 334db2

Let's not bring up the dream, at least not right now. I say 7 or 6, then maybe 4.
>>
No. 648802 ID: 3d29ee

>>648797
If we are just picking subjects, then I suggest adding 6 to your selection. I feel it is important that Poly be made aware of the possible threat.
>>
No. 648803 ID: cfa084

>>648800
Definitely 4.
Half the reason we came to her was for advice.
>>
No. 648804 ID: 87aae3

7, 6, 4.

She updates us on her life, we update her on ours.
>>
No. 648806 ID: 82d576

7, 6.
She's in a whimsical mood, what with her trying to knock you off balance and all. Bringing up the dream now will kill that mood. Let this visit be a memory not connected to her past tragedies.
>>
No. 648809 ID: 31d120

>>648804
Agreed.
>>
No. 648814 ID: 5340db

>>648732
8]] All of the above.
>>
No. 648817 ID: 726c6c

>>648814
...Yeah, sure. Why not?
>>
No. 648834 ID: f68a09
File 143448509310.png - (8.37KB , 960x560 , 315a.png )
648834

"So." You crack an egg. "What have you been up to?"
"A sprinkle of this, a dash of that. I went to this Gala in Manhattan for the opening of a friend's restaurant and had to leave early. Terrible."
"Why?"
"Everyone was gawking at me and no one was talking at me," she says. "I was the only Visitor there. Had a little too much liquid courage and decided to leave while I could go on both my feet. This is why I need good human arm candy."
"That sucks."
"The rich suck, on the whole." You look at the glass of imported Italian Volcano Blood Orange juice she's poured herself. She gulps it down defensively. "Except me. And you. What else? I read The Sound and the Fury for the first time."
"I think I started that in High School but couldn't get past the first part with the manchild."
"You don't know what you're missing. I loved the what do you call it? Stream of Consciousness? Very Oculotti. Oh and there was this insane public art thing in the Heights. Did you read about it?"
"I think there was a facebook trending thing but I didn't click it."
"A collective in Bushwick built this incredible mechanical horse," she says. "It was this amazing eight foot high moving sculpture. I don't know if there were puppeteers in it or what have you but they marched it right down the promenade, this gaggle of topless circus people in its train with top hats and bangles and everything, breathing fire the whole way."
"The performers or the horse?"
"Everyone. Everyone was breathing fire. And they brought it down to the carousel and it mounted one of the carousel horses and started viciously dryhumping it right in front of all the parkgoers."
"Jesus."
"At which point," continues Polyphema, "The topless women seized upon it with fire axes and sledgehammers and tore the whole thing down. Art."
You squint. "What did it mean?"
"At the time I had no fucking idea," she says. "I was only really there for the breasts and the fire."
"Respectable."
"But in retrospect I'm fairly sure it was a reflection of the experience of being Garakton in the Human world."
"Were there any Warriors in the, uhh, troupe?"
"God, no," she says. "A topless Warrior swinging an axe around? In Golboria that's daily life but here it's blue suicide. I'm told that the artist who came up with it is a Warrior man, though. Boggles the mind, doesn't it, how they manage to pick their way through a place like Earth with all of that-- hooftah going on inside them all the time. You can feel the tension inside them every time you pass them on the street. All current and zero outlet. Poor fish."
>>
No. 648836 ID: f68a09
File 143448520168.png - (8.48KB , 960x560 , 315.png )
648836

"In point of fact," you say, turning the stove on, "I was going to ask for your advice about Warrior cultural stuff."
"Advice!" She beams. "The Doctor is In. How is Miss Grightogot, anyway?"
"She's good."
"You're going to have to introduce us eventually, you know," she says. "We'll meet in one way or another anyway. I'd wager you'd rather have some control over the situation."
"Right..."
"Don't worry, Zack. Oculots and Warriors get along like Cheddar and Caramel."
"Those get along?"
"Zackary you haven't lived. So what wisdom may I dispense for you about them?"
"What are their families like?" you ask.
"Wild," she says. "Warriors in any group get exponetially more Warrior-y and family doubly so. I wouldn't try to meet the family until you are well and truly comfortable dealing with the Garakton mano a mano if I were you."
"I already said I would."
"Oh, lord. Did you?" She gives you a look at the intersection of schadenfreude and pity.
"Uh oh."
"OK, Zack: Do Not Back Down. By any means. Especially from papa but mama too. They are going to go full oneupsmanship on you and I can guarantee you will not have done half the feats of strength they have so you need to puff your chest out like a rooster in a sea of hens and give them not an inch. When is this happening?"
"I don't know."
"Well if at all possible put on muscle mass," she says. "Because I love you doll but you are on the slender side and they are going to find it endlessly hilarious to try to pick you up."
"They're going to pick me up?"
"If you are lucky they are going to stop there."
"Oh Christ."
"I'll be a text away," she says. "Call me in if you need backup. Or bring me!"
"What."
"Judging by your reaction I am understanding that this is using Human rules and bringing a +1 to a date is therefore offlimits," she says. "OK don't bring me."
"People do that?"
She shrugs. "A dulabira is a dulabira. On Golboria it would be perfectly fine."
"We'll see."
"Don't let me crimp your style, dollface." She looks amused. "I'm sure you can handle it on your own."
"Are you?"
"Well I'm confident. I have faith. You've faced worse!"
"Like what?"
"I'm not sure," she says. "But we're all veterans of War here. How bad could it be, honestly. You already know what it's like to break a limb or two."
"Thank you for that vote of confidence."
"I'm taking the piss, Zack." She giggles. "Mostly."
"Speaking of the other side and Golboria and Warriors and Dulabiras and everything," you say. "I dreamed about Gadjjok just now."

Her smile flash-freezes, goes brittle, and drops halfway off her face. "Did you."

1]] And judging by your reaction I guess you know what I saw.
2]] Yeah. I felt his last moments.
3]] Quickly change the subject.
4]] I had no idea he went like that. I'm so sorry.
5]] What's going on with these dreams, Polyphema?
6]] The soldiers, the general. They were all afraid of you. Why?
7]] ________________
>>
No. 648838 ID: 9297f4

1, 2, 5
>>
No. 648840 ID: 55daa5

Aw geez. If it is what she's thinking of then 1 is too blunt. I'd go for something between 2 and 4: that "I'm so sorry" feels a little too pitying. It was a pretty good death from his perspective. So, maybe: "Yeah, I felt his last moments. From what I got, he felt pretty good about it, apart from leaving you. I'm sorry."

Then you take time for whatever support or comfort you feel she needs, before moving on to 5 and 6.
>>
No. 648841 ID: ea0ad9

>Boggles the mind, doesn't it, how they manage to pick their way through a place like Earth with all of that-- hooftah going on inside them all the time.
I'm guessing "Hooftah" is the need for challenge, battles, and whatnot.
>Her smile flash-freezes, goes brittle, and drops halfway off her face. "Did you."
1/4/3
"Uhhhh I'm guessing you know what it was. Sorry about that. There's that Gala tomorrow. I'm kind of the plus-one of Meg, but since she's going to be up on stage--
>She shrugs. "A dulabira is a dulabira. On Golboria it would be perfectly fine."
--and you already said Dulabira are fine with plus extras, so if you're up for it I can ask the others."
"But I don't know how far that goes and my human relationships instinct is telling me not to go farther than hanging-out slash casual-date, so don't go getting your hopes up."

Still wondering about the rest of her Pluses. Zack can't be the only person she's dating.
>>
No. 648845 ID: ab7529

Just a simple "Yeah" will suffice. You know what she's asking.

Sorry. I wouldn't want to drag it up, but it doesn't feel right seeing something that personal and not telling you.
>>
No. 648846 ID: 34333b

>>648836
1, 4, 5.
>>
No. 648847 ID: bb78f2

1, 5
7]] Sorry. I'm testing to see if all these dreams are related to you or if there's an unknown Oculot psi network you guys don't even know about that human's can access when sleeping next to an Oculot. I can't stop what I'm seeing, I'm prying into your life without your permission. I was hoping I was reading someone else's memories again, an Oculot next door or an old friend of yours or something.

Should we be worried about this, Poly?

I mean, this is going to be world changing shit once the public knows what happens when humans are dreaming near Oculots, which will probably happen more once progressive stances become more popular as they have in the past on earth. There's the current hate stuff that we definitely need to worry about, but there's secrets you guys probably really want to keep. I might need to get a CAT scan or something soon down at HVAO? Or should we keep this under wraps for now? This isn't the first secret I've been told to keep in this job. Third maybe? I can keep it. I don't think I've mentioned it to Carlson yet in any report.
>>
No. 648852 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648836
1, 4, and 5.

Sharing dreams stinks sometimes.
He was very brave, and he loved her very much, right to the very end.
Why is this happening? How is it possible?
>>
No. 648863 ID: 2a7417

For now, 4 and 3. GG's parents are first generation immigrants, so they may not be opposed to bringing a dulabira. You could help us play up our strengths/advise us on warrior culture, and you'd meet GG. Does that sound fair?
>>
No. 648866 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648836
Also, GG's parents sound like a challenge.
But that's okay! We're bold, daring, brave, and willing to do what it takes.
Plus we have GG to help us prepare and back us up.
>>
No. 648871 ID: 2a7417

>>648863
Oh shoot, I forgot what dulabira actually means for a moment. What I meant is what I believe humans call a "wingman."
>>
No. 648875 ID: 1f3797

Welp. I guess there are deep old wounds after all.

>>648847
Yes. Presenting it from this angle, the big picture, the assimilation and everything, would be more merciful than discussing what seems like something she doesn't want to discuss.
>>
No. 648884 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648863
>>648871
I don't know. They'll probably see getting outside help like that as a sign of weakness.
>>
No. 648891 ID: ea0ad9

>>648884
Much of a person's strength comes from their allies, friends, family... This is true regardless of what species you are, so they should be able to respect it, especially if Poly said so.
>>
No. 648892 ID: b5b419

>>648836
5

Voting against 1, 3 and 4.
Can we not.
>>
No. 648896 ID: b8ceae

>>648836
5. Maybe 2 and 4.
>>
No. 648901 ID: ad7bba

2, 7: He was amazing, 5.
>>
No. 648905 ID: f68a09
File 143449929643.png - (9.95KB , 960x560 , 316.png )
648905

"Yeah." The last vestiges of smile are gone from her face. "Guess you know what I saw."
She purses her lips. "Mhm."
"He was brave."
"I don't want to talk about this, Zack." She stands up. "I really don't want to talk about it. And I need you to promise me: if you see something you don't think I'd want you to see then you need to try to wake up from it somehow. OK?"
"What wouldn't you want me to see?"
"Things like what you saw," she says. "Please."

1]] I promise.
2]] I'll try.
3]] I don't know if I can make myself wake up like that.
4]] I just wish I knew more about who you are. I love you but I still don't even know your name.
5]] Does it hurt to remember or is there something you don't want me to know? You can tell me if there is.
6]] ____________________
>>
No. 648906 ID: bd8b82

you can try, but there could be a bit of psychic residue and waking up from that could be hard.
>>
No. 648907 ID: 9297f4

There may be times where we can't, but we'll try.
>>
No. 648908 ID: ad7bba

1, 6: What's up with these dreams?
>>
No. 648909 ID: 0fc976

>>648905
I promise to try. Don't go near 4 or 5.
>>
No. 648911 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648905
"I'll do my best. I promise."
>>
No. 648912 ID: b8ceae

>>648905
2 & 3. Seriously, she's lived long enough to develop a skill for lucid dreaming, but very few humans can do that. Being able to will yourself awake is hardly a trivial task.

Also, what's up with these dreams? This is super not normal for humans.
Taking control of a dream is hard enough when it's just your mind, but here Zack is up against outside interference.
>>
No. 648916 ID: ab7529

2. Sorry. I'm not trying to dig around in your head on purpose. I'd give your space, if I knew how to.
>>
No. 648926 ID: f68a09
File 143450357604.png - (9.20KB , 960x560 , 317.png )
648926

"I'll do my best," you say. "Promise."
"Okay." She takes a deep breath. "Okay. And I'll try to... control it. Somehow. I don't know."
"Seriously what is up with these dreams?" you ask. "It's super not normal for humans."
"I really don't know," she says. "I wish I could tell you it's happened before but it hasn't. I'll broadcast happy thoughts or something. Maybe an ASMR cassette or nyquil."
"I could try nyquil," you say.
"Good. Let us chase away our troubles with pharmaceutical drugs as God intended." She pulls a spatula out of a drawer at her waist and flips it around in her hand. "And you can make me pancakes to make up for killing my buzz."
"Yes ma'am." You take the spatula from her, grateful for her elastic emotional constitution.
She takes her seat at the table. "What recipe is this?"
"What if I told you it was my sister's homemade from scratch?" you say.
"Oooh. A Nguyen trademark creation."
"Oh, no, it's from allrecipes.com." You ladle a pancake onto the griddle. "But what if I told you????"
"As long as it's tan and tasty it'll remind me of you. And it's flat, like your butt." She slaps the table. "Zing!"
You flick water at her from the sink. "It's a runner butt."

1]] I gotta head out after this. I totally lost track of time. As evidenced by me making pancakes at 4 pm.
2]] So what're you gonna do with the rest of the day? Want to hang out?
3]] So what're you gonna do with the rest of the day? Want to go out for the night?
4]] Maybe you coming with me to GG's isn't that bad an idea. Though you should probably meet her first.
5]] There's this concert thing I'm going to tomorrow. Want to come with?
6]] _________________
>>
No. 648928 ID: 0ee153

>>648926
4.
>>
No. 648935 ID: 7c0775

>>648926
1.

The sooner we start prepping for the upcoming events, the better. We let it get way later than we should have, and we still need to talk to GG about getting prepared for the meeting, and we need to get ready for the gala tomorrow.
We have a pretty full schedule.
>>
No. 648937 ID: d3be40

1. You have to prepare something for the meeting.

Soldier-Tier Torso and Head Armor, maybe?
>>
No. 648939 ID: 0fc976

4, 1.
>>
No. 648940 ID: 861acd

>>648935
This. As much as I would love to stay, we have obligations to the other girls. I say we speak to GG first and get that squared away, then see to getting ready for tomorrow.
>>
No. 648941 ID: e114bc

>>648919
4.

6: I'd ask how well Oculots and Floaters get along, but Meg isn't your usual Floater.
>>
No. 648942 ID: d820c1

>>648926
1.

>>648937
What, roll up looking like a weedy Doom marine? They might get a kick out of that.
>>
No. 648945 ID: 240a2c

"I gotta head out after this. I totally lost track of time. As evidenced by me making pancakes at 4 pm. But hey, call me later, okay?"
>>
No. 648946 ID: 946dd8

>>648935
>>648937
>>648945
These. We should talk to GG, see to getting some offering for the parents, and then get ready for the gala. But first, make sure Poly knows she should get in touch with us later. We're never more than a phone call away.
>>
No. 648947 ID: b5b419

It's weird how we're not seeing her memories, exactly.

We're inside the people she remembers. Is it always Gadjjok or someone? Who was it last time?

4, 5
>>
No. 648948 ID: 3d29ee

1.
>But hey, call me later, okay?
Plus this.
>>
No. 648949 ID: 0c3d91

>>648946
Agreed.
>>
No. 648952 ID: 6d989a

Just because we're taking care of things doesn't mean she can't be with us. 1 & 2.
>>
No. 648954 ID: f68a09
File 143450906382.png - (7.09KB , 960x560 , 318.png )
648954

"I gotta go after we eat these," you say. "I totally lost track of time. Hence, uh,"
"You making me breakfast at four?"
"That. Right. But you know you can call me whenever, right?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Whenever?"
"Well I might not be able to answer dependant on the circumstances but yeah. Totally." You flip a stack of pancakes onto her plate and pass it to the table.
"Right back at you, lovey." She slathers it in syrup. "Just because we have some crossed wires in the spooky dream department doesn't mean I don't want you in my bed whenever you can spare the time." She takes a massive bite. "Mmm."
"Good?"
She nods and gives you the thumbs up while she works her way toward swallowing it. "Thif if delifouf."
"I'll tell my sister you said so."

She kisses you in the doorway, slow and deep.
"I love you, Zack."
"Love you too, Polyphema."
She bobs back and forth on her heels against the doorframe. "It's not because I don't trust you, the dream thing."
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm just-- right." She kisses you again. "There are just some things that-- I'm not her anymore. I'm me now. I want to focus on that. And us." She's holding your hand.
"I understand."
"OK now you have to go before I drag you back inside and the neighbors see me canoodling with a human. Give my love to the other girls."
"Got it."
"But keep the lion's share for yourself. Text me, doll!"
She gives you one last quick peck and closes the door.

On the subway ride back you text GG:

>Hey Geeg

:warrior: Zakkk!!! :) :): )

:warrior: hello cute friend

:warrior: waht is up

1]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for this weekend
2]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for next week
3]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for a couple weeks from now
4]] before i meet your parents there's someone i want you to meet
5]] where you at? want to do stuff?
6]] do you want to go to a weird concert thing with me tomorrow?
7]] ___________
>>
No. 648955 ID: ad7bba

7: How many times I got to triple my body mass to not get crushed at this family meet thing?
>>
No. 648957 ID: e114bc

>>648954
2,4. We can at least spend a week exercising.
>>
No. 648958 ID: bb78f2

>>648954
7]] I need some training before I meet your parents. Do you know a good regimen for a human about to meet warrior parents? Or know a guy who might know?
>>
No. 648960 ID: 240a2c

>>648958
This, and who better to train us than the Red Wonder herself? She can explain the finer details while she whips us into shape.
>>
No. 648961 ID: e114bc

>>648954
2,4. We should at least exercise a bit.
>>
No. 648962 ID: 87aae3

>>648960
This is a great idea!
If GG trains us, she can explain the best way to approach her parents, and judge when she thinks we're ready to meet them.
Is there a downside I'm not seeing?
>>
No. 648964 ID: 0c3d91

7]] "If I'm gonna be ready to meet your family, I'll need your help to prepare. Could you train me up? And maybe school me on how to go about this?"
>>
No. 648965 ID: ab7529

>It's not because I don't trust you, the dream thing.
Of course not. She has every right to want her head to stay in her head.

>>648954
5
>>
No. 648967 ID: 0fc976

hello tall friend
2)
>>
No. 648970 ID: 38c567

5.
Let's get together and discuss how best to approach the parents thing.
And whatever else we feel like doing.
>>
No. 648971 ID: 4964f3

>>648970
This. We have some daylight left, so let's enjoy it.
>>
No. 648976 ID: 47e053

>>648970
>>648971
Agreed. Maybe we can convince her to train and teach us, like >>648964 suggested.
>>
No. 648977 ID: f68a09
File 143451280387.png - (11.05KB , 960x560 , 319.png )
648977

>hello tall friend.
>how many times do i have to triple my body mass to not get crushed at this family meeting thing?

:warrior: lmao
:warrior: you arent going to get crushed at the family meeting thing! dont worry!!
:warrior: i cant make any promises about after tho ;)
:warrior: are you still down for boinging a la warrior?

>;)
>but also ack at the same time as ;)
>i should try and put on some muscle mass
>i was thinking next week sometime?

:warrior: word

>but before then you have to help me get swole.
>and just in general i need your help

:warrior: yeeeeees gym budz
:warrior: i cant rn i have work until 8:30
:warrior: foreman gonna yell at me if he sees me txting but w/e :P i do more work per day than 5 of these dudes
:warrior: do you want to go after?

1]] sure thing
2]] ummm i didnt mean like right away. i have to take the wknd to bid farewell to my body before it is broken
3]] i got2 be fresh and not sore for this thing i have tomorrow but id still be down to hang in a nongym setting after youre done with work
4]] _______________
>>
No. 648978 ID: 0fc976

sure thing

>lmao
ayy
>>
No. 648979 ID: cfa084

>>648977
3.

We have to be on top of our game tomorrow, so no gym antics tonight. However, if she's free after work, we're good for anything else.
>>
No. 648980 ID: 4b1db0

>>648977
Sorta 1, but also 3.
How about she shows us the gym so we can see what we're getting into, but we save the exercising for later. Afterward, she can take us back to her place for whatever.
>>
No. 648981 ID: 9297f4

>>648978
[ayyy lmao in the distance]

We aren't at our best so tomorrow sounds good.
>>
No. 648982 ID: 2dcdc8

>>648980
Sounds good, though I fear "whatever" may leave us just as sore as the gym would.

>>648981
Don't forget the gala. We might not be able to make it and the gym in the same day.
>>
No. 648983 ID: 5a4a22

3
also u r cute
>>
No. 648984 ID: 46195d

>>648980
I like this.
We get a preview of things to come, then back to her for... "whatever."
>>
No. 648987 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648977
"Maybe just a tour of the gym tonight. Other than that, I'm up for just about anything."
>>
No. 648989 ID: d3be40

4. Armor Training plz
Would like to keep my spine
and my pelvis
>>
No. 648990 ID: ea0ad9

3, 4. Got a thing tomorrow, so I can't get super into it, but a tour, and maybe something light should be fine. I can recover from a little burn.

If she asks about the thing, then we can ask her about Dulabira. If she's fine with that, tell her and invite.
>>
No. 648992 ID: 7b7ab3

>>648989
What was it >>648942 said?
>roll up looking like a weedy Doom marine
We would be the weediest space marine.

>>648990
I'd rather tomorrow be a thing just between Meg and Zack. They have a bit to settle, and the other girls would complicate things.
>>
No. 649003 ID: f68a09
File 143452465725.png - (11.53KB , 960x560 , 320.png )
649003

>idk if i can go all that hard today since i have a thing to do tomorrow

:warrior: awwwwww

>i'd still love to look around it though and like, do a couple curls or something. and then go back to yours and do whatever.

:warrior: i like whatever

>where is it?

:warrior: Dolphin Fitness @ Port Hamilton

:warrior: theyre crappy enough that they cant be picky about their clientele

:warrior: so its alllll warriors

:warrior: and you!!

:warrior: ill be there at like 9 and i can let you in as a guest

:warrior: ;*


The only way you can tell that Dolphin is a gym is the sign out front. The front desk looks like an apartment's, with a fully asleep persian dude seated at it. You wonder if maybe you took the wrong door when you hear heavy thumping footsteps coming downstairs. GG rounds the corner of a stairwell in back with a duffle bag and a hoodie with a couple holes torn in it for her extra arms.
"Zack! Dude!" She pounds on the desk. "Jahan. Wake up. It's my plus one."
"Fuhgh." Jahan opens his bleary eyes. "OK. He fill out form?"
"Yep," GG says, winking at you. "Signed and shit."
"OK." Jahan drifts off again. "Don't.... break things."
"Don't worry." GG takes your hand and leads you upstairs. "The breaking things starts tomorrow."
"Do you need to wear that?" you ask, looking at the hefty sweatshirt.
"Jahar keeps the AC a notch or two above meat freezer," GG says.

The "gym" is mostly a bunch of bars, racks, and freeweights set up in what looks like it used to be a dance studio. It's not actually all that cold, but you suppose that a woman with an internal temperature like GG's would want to bundle up.
"Uh," you say. "Is this place up to code?"
"I dunno," GG says. "I don't speak code. There's a shower, though!"
"Just one?"
"Yeah but it's a nice one. C'mere." She slaps a bench and hefts an olympic bar one-handed. "I will spot you, itty bitty boyfriend."

You lie hesitantly on the bench and GG places the bar gently in your hands. "Go."
You do an experimental up-and-down pump.
"Straighter," GG says.
You straighten out.
"Word!" She strides to a rack of weights. "You have officially graduated past pipe weight."
"Are you gonna add like 50 pounds per side now?" you ask.
"Naw, dude," GG says. "Ironman starts after the weekend."
"Can't wait." Your arms are already getting a little sore just from repping on the bare bar.
"Don't worry." She bends down over the pipe and kisses your forehead. "I'll be your trainer. Worship your Ideal You, Zack!"
"Is that a new agey thing?"
"Actually dude it's the cornerstone of all Other Side religion," she says. "We pray to our ultimate, perfect selves to drive us to be them."
"Really?"
"Yep! My Goddess is the perfect GG, and you could bounce a quarter off her eyelids." She takes the bar from you and slides on weight. "But the journey of a thousand squat-thrusts begins with a single fifteen pounder. Try it now." She lowers the bar back down.

So it goes, with GG showing you various exercises across her makeshift gym and being shockingly supportive, all things considered. It's just the two of you in here. The toned musculature in GG's legs casts shadows across her skin under the lights of the fluorescents. She sees you looking and flexes her calf. "Worship the Ideal You, Z," she says. "Not the Ideal Me."
"Trying," you say, attempting to work your way around the squat bar. GG puts her hands on your shoulders and guides you through the motion. "I think this is a good soft start. It's been a pretty long time."
"Don't want to be sore for tomorrow?" she asks.
"Big day."
"Um, Zack." She corrects your posture a little. "I don't wanna rain on your parade but I remember you said you wanted to do it like a Warrior this time?"
"Yah." You try to straighten your back.
"Well if you meant Warrior Sex when you texted Whatever you're gonna be just as sore as if you went 100% in here," she says. "Or, like, 110."
"Cultural exchange, GG. That's why they pay me the hooh." You put the bar back on its rack. "The big bucks."
"Are you sure?" GG asks. "Cuz I'd be down but if you wanna, like..." She rocks her hips to one side. "Tie me up. Again. Or anything. That would also be cool with me."
"Do you want to do that?"
"Not if you really want to tussle but um." She looks around as if seeking the kind of camera this place could never in a million years afford. "What if, um."
>>
No. 649005 ID: f68a09
File 143452468419.png - (13.45KB , 960x560 , 321.png )
649005

She unzips her hoodie.
She's wearing nothing underneath but black silk rope.
"What if I've been wearing this since I got off work?" she asks, her face burning a deep cherry red.

1]] C'mon. I promise if it's too much I'll tell you.
2]] Cultural exchange can wait. Go back to her place.
3]] Cultural exchange can wait. Go back to your place.
4]] Cultural exchange can wait but you can't and there's a shower here.
5]] _________________
>>
No. 649010 ID: 0fc976

It gets redder?
Hmm. Three choices, all partially suggesting the same thing. Hmmmmmmm.
...Yes. Her place.
>>
No. 649014 ID: a55758

>>649005
2222222222
>>
No. 649015 ID: 387db4

>>649005
2.
There'll be other, better opportunities for "cultural exchange." For now, let us show the lady a good time.
>>
No. 649017 ID: 57d76a

Perhaps I'm a deviant but 4444444
>>
No. 649018 ID: e0b78d

>>649005
"Cultural exchange can wait. Let's go back to your place."
>>
No. 649019 ID: 66415b

>"What if I've been wearing this since I got off work?"

"Then you're a naughty little girl who needs to be punished. Take me to your place."
>>
No. 649020 ID: ca5378

4 is tempting, but I don't want to risk someone walking in on us, so I'll go with 2 or 3.
Whichever is closest.
>>
No. 649021 ID: f0c16f

>>649019
This. A little dirty talk should help things along.
>>
No. 649022 ID: 0ee153

>>649019
>>649021
>in public
Nah. At least wait until you're absolutely sure no one's watching.

Also, watch out for those Earth for Humans guys.
>>
No. 649023 ID: 879618

>>649005
2 or 3, depending on which one is closest.
>>
No. 649024 ID: 6b2220

>>649022
>watch out for those Earth for Humans guys
Yes.

>>649023
Yes.
>>
No. 649025 ID: d3bbf8

>>649010
It gets redder.
And yes. Her place.
>>
No. 649029 ID: 4b1db0

>>649005
Let's go to her place and get 'knotty'.
>>
No. 649048 ID: 7b7ab3

>>649029
Boo. Hiss.

But yeah.
>>
No. 649051 ID: b88e47

Not here, not right now.
>>
No. 649067 ID: 87aae3

>>649005
Oh, my. I think it's time we took this somewhere private. I say her place.
>>
No. 649074 ID: 800a06

>>649019
This, only whispered in her ear, all close and sexy like. Besides being fun, it should also throw off any eavesdroppers.
>>
No. 649084 ID: f68a09
File 143457322614.png - (6.01KB , 960x560 , 322.png )
649084

You duck out of the squat rack, and then, suppressing the urge to laugh at yourself, whisper in her ear: "Then you've been a bad girl and you need to be punished."

You feel fucking ridiculous saying it but to your surprise GG eats it up.
To the point that the (mercifully short) walk back to her place you're surprised you keep all your clothes on.

GG wants to try it up against a wall tonight.
"I don't--" You look her up and down. "I think there's a mechanical barrier here."

"That's why I've got this thing." She reaches under her bed and pulls out a low footstool. "Voila!"
"Damn, GG." You step onto the footstool. "You think of everything."
She grins, leans against the wall, and arches her back. "Still gonna punish me, Frank Castle?"

In the middle of it you have a revelation. "You totally dommed me into domming you tonight."
She giggles.
>>
No. 649085 ID: f68a09
File 143457324120.png - (14.62KB , 960x560 , 323.png )
649085

The rosy fingers of dawn find you awaking blearily in GG's bed, wrapped in her arms and faceplanted between her impressive assets. She snores quietly, her muscular chest rising and falling as if your body weren't even on top of hers. Her leg twitches.

It's Friday morning.

1]] Spend the day at GG's.
2]] Go out to eat with GG.
3]] Text Polyphema asking to take you shopping for something nice to wear to the concert.
4]] Text Polyphema asking if she wants to meet GG today.
5]] Text Bika asking her what's up and does she want you to bring her restaurant another potential repeat customer.
6]] Text Meg asking her what's up and if she's ready for tomorrow.
7]] ___________________
>>
No. 649086 ID: 2a7417

4. Ooh, and we could meet at Bika's restaurant. Suggest that to Poly.
>>
No. 649088 ID: 879618

>>649085
6, then 3.

It's time to start preparing! Let's get an update from Meg, then have Poly help us get gussied up for the gala.
>>
No. 649089 ID: ab7529

>>649086
I dunno. Having the other 3 of them meet all at once seems kind of unfair to Meg. I wouldn't be opposed to starting introductions, but 1 on 1, not all at once.
>>
No. 649090 ID: 3380e4

>>/questdis/92044
Are we ready for the girls to meet?
http://strawpoll.me/4662152

I'm gonna stay neutral and say 1.
>>
No. 649091 ID: c1d890

>>649088
Sounds good.

>>649090
We are ready, but we should wait til after the gala. We need to settle things with Meg first.
>>
No. 649092 ID: 01774f

>>649085
6, 1
Let's see how Meg's doing.
After that, let's spend the day with tall girlfriend.
There'll be plenty of time to get ready before the gala tomorrow.
>>
No. 649093 ID: 8bd2b1

Introduce Poly and GG.
>>
No. 649094 ID: e55704

Let me lay out a plan here.

First, we text meg for an update.
Second, we have breakfast with GG at her place.
Third, we text Poly to take us shopping.
Fourth, we have dinner with Bika at her place.

In my opinion, this optimizes girlfriend contact and gala preparation.
>>
No. 649095 ID: a55758

>>649094
Good plan, though I'm assuming you meant to avoid girlfriend overlap. Because I'm with >>649091.
After the gala is probably a good idea.
>>
No. 649096 ID: ad6f49

>>649094
I like this plan!
>>649095
No matter how it was meant!
>>
No. 649098 ID: ea0ad9

Let's bring Poly to Bika's and then we can take Poly to the concert. She's been our Cultural Exchange Guru so she can be the first to meet everybody.
>>
No. 649101 ID: d820c1

>>649094
This.

>>649095
>>649096
I don't see what's confusing.
Zack texts Meg.
Zack has breakfast at GG's.
Zack goes shopping with Poly.
Zack has dinner at Bika's.
That's how I read it.
>>
No. 649102 ID: 6d989a

>>649093
Yeah but after the concert.
>>649101
Sounds good to me
>>
No. 649128 ID: ff2d28

>>649094
I can agree to this plan, though I fear we may be accosted by those hoodlums at some point. Best to tell Poly, GG, and Meg what transpired.
>>
No. 649133 ID: 7fcddc

I think it's inadvisable to take Poly along to the family get together. Poly might not mind it, and GG's parents might get it, but GG thinks the Dulamad thing is dumb bullshit from a place she doesn't really remember or care about.

6, then 3.
>>
No. 649140 ID: 74f272

6, breakfast with GG, 3.
>>
No. 649181 ID: f68a09
File 143460798715.png - (10.15KB , 960x560 , 324.png )
649181

You roll off of GG and find your boxers.
The movement rouses GG, who grunts and sits up. "G'morning," she says, kicking the covers off.
"Morning, cutie." You kiss her. "Want breakfast?"
"I got cheerios and honey nut cheerios," GG says. "Two kinds of cheerios."
She stands up, naked as a sexy red jaybird, and opens the top compartment of her beat-up freezer. She stands in front of it for a second, airing out her boobs and checking her food stocks. "And like there's eggo waffles back here but I have no idea how old they are."
"Honey nut all the way."
"Same." She snags the box off a shelf. "I love honey nut. And making my honey nut!!!"
"Oh my god."
"Ha Haaaah." She sits down heavily on the bed, which groans loudly in protest, and eats right out of the box. "That was right off the dome."
"Give me some cheerios."
"NO prep. K." She passes you the box then finds some underwear. You crunch some cheerios.
"I gotta split soon," you say. "Need to update my wardrobe for this concert thing I have to go to."
"Okey doke." GG bends down to the bottom drawer of her closet (giving you an eyeful) and comes up with two controllers. "But you can't go just yet."
"What are those?"

"I can't believe you bought a playstation just for this," you say, picking Kano again.
GG picks Sheeva. "This time, Nguyen, things will be DIFFERENT."

They aren't, but by a much narrower margin than last time.
"Fuck a duck." GG's grip tightens dangerously on her controller. When you finally uppercut her to her stage fatality demise she yells "FUCK", starts to throw her controller, then punches the floor instead. "Next time. NEXT TIME."
You shake your head. "Next time you're probably going to take it if you keep practicing like you seem to be."
"Then maybe you should practice too, dude." GG turns her controller off. "Before the sub becomes the dom."
"Are those the stakes?"
"Oh, no. Absolutely not. Turn of phrase."
>>
No. 649182 ID: f68a09
File 143460799450.png - (10.27KB , 960x560 , 325.png )
649182

"My kingdom!"
Polyphema does a little twirl as you carry her stuff through the mall. "This speaks to the adolescent in me and it speaks fire."
"That was like 300 years ago," you say.
"To survive for that long," Polyphema says, "you have to nurture the hell out of your inner child. Or you sound like a harvard professor by 80. Be your own maiden, mother, and crone. A whole coven!"
You shoulder her stuff. "You got a full coven's worth of lipstick in here."
"You can never have just one, Zack. It's like candy. If you had more estrogen you'd understand." She slows her purposeful stride as you near a map of the mall. "So guidelines, doll. How do you want to present yourself at this shindig?"

1]] I was thinking like, classy but not TOO classy. I'm not classy enough for too classy.
2]] Going all out. I need like a suit or something. Do people wear tuxedos to these?
3]] I'm gonna be a bit of a fish out of water so maybe I should just go for it and do like, casual dress.
4]] I think Meg would appreciate it if I kind of staged a quiet wardrobe rebellion-slash-deconstruction against the constraints of higher fashion. Not that I'm sure what those are.
5]] I have decided to wear a Graphic tee blazer combo with sonic the hedgehog on it and a pair of cargo jeans, Polyphema. We need to pick out the right fedora.
6]] Uhhhh I dunno what do you think?
6]] _________________
>>
No. 649183 ID: defceb

4
>>
No. 649185 ID: 0fc976

4, but we absolutely need that fedora.
>>
No. 649186 ID: e114bc

>>649182
1. ...maybe 4.
>>
No. 649191 ID: 7b7ab3

>>649182
4 and part of 6.
"I think Meg would appreciate it if I kind of staged a quiet wardrobe rebellion-slash-deconstruction against the constraints of higher fashion. Not that I'm sure what those are. What do you think?"
>>
No. 649228 ID: 8bd2b1

5, as a joke, but make it cargo shorts and sandals with long white socks.
>>
No. 649233 ID: 7b7ab3

>>649228
Using 5 as a joke sounds pretty good. It has been awhile since we made Poly laugh without resorting to tickling, so let's hang onto it.

Remember, she fell in love with us over a funny story, so she clearly enjoys our sense of humor.
>>
No. 649241 ID: 334db2

6, 1.
>>
No. 649257 ID: cfa084

>>649182
4, 5 as a joke, 6.
>>
No. 649259 ID: 967df9

>>649191
This.
>>
No. 649261 ID: 27a3ed

>>649182
Definitely 4, but make sure to get Poly's opinion.
>>
No. 649262 ID: 5a4a22

4,6
We have an idea, but Poly can help us refine it.
>>
No. 649265 ID: 2f4b71

>>649182
4, and 7: something flame-retardant.
>>
No. 649270 ID: 27a3ed

>>649265
Floater flames don't burn stuff.
Evidence: >>/questarch/627698
>>
No. 649297 ID: 7b7ab3

>>649270
Somehow I had completely forgotten about that.

Floaters are weird.
>>
No. 649313 ID: 0df2ab

2]

No one, fucking no one looks bad in a well-tailored suit.
>>
No. 649318 ID: e114bc

Hey, check the invitation to see what the dress code is.
>>
No. 649355 ID: bb78f2

>>649313
You'd be surprised.
Look up information of the event on the internet
>>
No. 649529 ID: 26e769

5 is the only correct option.
>>
No. 649549 ID: 7b7ab3

>>649529
If said as a joke, it might make Poly bust a gut.

Otherwise, she'll probably question our sanity.
>>
No. 649756 ID: afd47f

4, because Meg's opinion matters.
&
6, because Poly's opinion matters.
>>
No. 649758 ID: 91cfcf

>>649756
>other people's opinions matter for what Zack is allowed to wear
nah
>>
No. 649769 ID: 559264

>>649182
6.
We're totally out of our element going to fancy shindigs like this. Let the fancy lady help.
>>
No. 649843 ID: 89941a

I'll agree with 5 as a joke.
>>
No. 649955 ID: f0a5e4

>>649758
Dude, there's a difference between what you're allowed to wear, and what you're supposed to wear. You don't wear sodding slacks to a fancy cocktail party unless you plan to crash it, and much the same for a loud-as-hell punk concert.
Zack isn't an ass, and we're trying to learn about and participate in what Meg thinks is cool. This isn't just our show, it's hers, too.
Eeeespecially after our, uh, fuckup last time.
>>
No. 649971 ID: accf78

>>649756
>>649843
All fine ideas.
>>649955
And an excellent point.
>>
No. 650016 ID: fcbfd2

However we dress, let's make sure to wear some comfy shoes. This is a concert we're attending, and those can go on for quite a while.

Sore feet could ruin the whole experience.
>>
No. 650116 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650016
This is something we may have neglected to consider.

Let's be sure to hit up a Pay-Less.
>>
No. 650166 ID: 4964f3

4, and if Zack doesn't wind up carrying a cartoonishly tall pile of purchases I will be very disappointed.
>>
No. 650386 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650166
And, knowing Poly, that's not all that unlikely.
>>
No. 650442 ID: 8bd2b1

I think we could probably expense these purchases, too. Boy, government funding sure is nice!
>>
No. 650496 ID: f68a09
File 143518415791.png - (10.23KB , 960x560 , 326.png )
650496

"I have decided to wear a Graphic tee blazer combo with sonic the hedgehog on it and a pair of cargo jeans, Polyphema." You look around at the storefronts. "We need to pick out the right fedora."
Polyphema has to stop walking, she's laughing so hard.
"If I didn't love you very much," she says, "My brain would set you on fire just for sticking that image into it."

"This is more like it." Polyphema strokes your back. "I forgot how much I like men in suits."
"Is this a rebellious thing to wear?" You quizzically half-turn. "I think Meg would appreciate a coup d'etat."
"That comes from the nipple rings you'll pack underneath," she says. "Kidding! It's a rebellion at a classical concierto, believe you me. And in pink! Most of the fogies there will be dusting cobwebs off their padded shoulders. I'll break out my snobbiest stuff."
"You will?"
"No need for alarm." She checks the cut around your waist. "I'm going with alternate company, Zackary. So as not to interrupt your mojo. The idea of a Floater opera singer was simply too tempting a thing to miss out on and an oculot acquaintance of mine agreed with me. You can sit with us, if you like. I'm sure he'd love to meet you."
>>
No. 650498 ID: f68a09
File 143518426236.png - (13.99KB , 960x560 , 327.png )
650498

"The opera, huh?"
Bika chops carrots in the kitchen. You dip your head a little to avoid the light fixtures, which are hung at about chin-height for you.
"I've never seen an opera," she says.
"Me neither."
"Is it gonna be like those old cartoons?" A Bika near the silverware holds two butter knives up to her head, viking helmet style, and sings Ave Maria in an affected vibrato. "With like, Bugs Bunny?"
"You watch Looney Tunes?"
"Front to back!" a Bika says, shouldering his way past carrot Bika with a plate of appetizers.
Bika Prime catches one as it goes by, sniffs it, and slides it across the counter to another Bika who stops it with her tail and adds a heaping ladleful of bright orange sauce to it. "I like Thylvethter," she says, making sure to angle the resulting spit away from the food.
"I don't know what it's going to be like," you say. "I think it's more a showcase kind of thing than, like, a ride of the valkyries theatrical event."
"Awwww." The Viking Bika tosses the knives into the sink.
"Do you think those places hire skuts?" Bika prime licks some sauce off her finger. "I could be a host of spear carriers on my own."
"Do you sing?"
"I'd have a really positive attitude. That counts for something. Are you excited?"

1]] Sure. Gotta get cultured, right?
2]] To tell the truth classical music kind of bored me to tears as a kid.
3]] I don't know. I'm nervous. I kind of fucked up with the lady I'm there to see last time.
4]] You want to come along and check it out with me? I could get you a ticket or four.
5]] What kind of music do skuts normally listen to?
6]] What kind of music do you go in for, Bika?
7]] ________________
>>
No. 650510 ID: 57d76a

3 and 6, maybe 5 afterwards. If it's not obviously a stupid question.
>>
No. 650522 ID: 0fc976

3 and 6. What's traditional skutti music like?
I bet she could do a mean Frère Jacques.
>>
No. 650530 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650498
3, 6, and 5.
We fucked up with Meg, now we have a chance to undo said fuck up.
What kind of music do skut go in for? What kind of music does she go in for?
>>
No. 650584 ID: bd8b82

maybe ask about floater culture? explain how it went and see if she sees what the faux pas were
>>
No. 650585 ID: 020bca

3, 6
>>
No. 650588 ID: 0df2ab

3 and then 6
>>
No. 650589 ID: 3d29ee

3.

I'd say invite her, but Poly's already going, and we're trying to focus on Meg. Another girlfriend would mean another potential distraction.
>>
No. 650592 ID: 2916ca

3, 6, 5
I'm betting skut use a lot of stringed instruments.
>>
No. 650595 ID: f68a09
File 143521019679.png - (10.18KB , 960x560 , 328.png )
650595

"I don't know," you say. "I think I fucked up my last date with the lady I'm going to see. The floater."
"A floater? No wonder." Bika swipes a large steak and cheese looking sandwich off a tray and hands it to you. "Try this."
It is delicious, obviously.
"What's with floaters, anyway?" You wipe your face with a paper napkin.
"I dunno," Bika says. "I don't meet a lot of them. We had one who worked here for a while doing deliveries."
"Why'd they stop?"
"He just said he was moving on one day," she says. "They're very hard to read."
"You're telling me."
"He was really cool, though. Like:" She performs a demonstrative finger snap. "Cool. I think there's probably a deep vein of performativity in Floater culture."
"How so?"
"They're a meritocracy, and they downplay emotions. Like they pretend they don't have them."
"But they do?"
"Sure. You probably have to, as a side effect of advanced sentience. If their forebears didn't their iterations do. There's a reason we evolved them, y'know? Useful."
"So you're saying their coolness is a front?"
"Can there be non-fronted coolness if coolness is not an inherent aspect of ourselves?"
"Uhh." You scratch your head. "I guess not."
"What is coolness," she says, philosophically, "if not assumed artifice? And leather jackets? And what is class if not sequins and opera?"
"And viking helmets."
"Yah."
"What kind of music do skuts listen to?"
"Traditionally the stuff we make is always very orchestral," she says. "Ever hear 1000 musicians playing in perfect sync?"
"That sounds nuts."
She shrugs. The baggy t-shirt she's using as a dress slips down her thin brown shoulder. "It's got its adherents."
"What are you into?"
"Depends. I try to keep it variable, which is easy when you have 80-odd pairs of ears."
"What right now?"
She flashes the horns. "Iron Maiden, dude."

Outside it's getting dark. You sit with Bika and munch on what looks like a duck kebab. This girl's gonna get you fat.

Tomorrow is Meg, date number 2. You wonder if you're any closer to actually understanding where she's coming from.

1]] Spend the night at Bika's.
2]] Spend the night at GG's.
3]] Spend the night at Polyphema's.
4]] You're probably going to want to get a lot of actual rest for tomorrow so sleep at your place.
5]] Text / Send an email / Call someone: ______________
6]] __________________
>>
No. 650597 ID: 7b7ab3

4.

We want to be fresh and ready for tomorrow, so a night free of alien nookie is a good idea.
I woudn't suggest walking home, though. Maybe Bika can give us a ride back.
>>
No. 650604 ID: b8208b

1 is very tempting, but... 4 is probably the best idea.
You really are going to want to be well-rested for this.
>>
No. 650606 ID: ea0ad9

>This girl's gonna get you fat.
And GG's going to get you buff, while Meg keeps you thin. You're going to be like, Yoga Guru Master buff-thin with a bit of sumo bulk going on in it.
>Maybe Bika can give us a ride back.
How? She rides the bus, like crazy buspool style. Not even carpooling, there's so many.

One final question for her before going for #4 (Get some actual rest!), though, is how she feels about the whole Dulabira thing. She said
>"I've never actually asked anyone this because it's always been me so I've never needed to."
so as much as she seems to have roots in the old ways, she's not actually tried this one.
>>
No. 650607 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650606
>How?
I figured she'd have some form of personal vehicle for when she needs to deliver orders. Even if it was just a scooter or something, it would beat walking.
>>
No. 650608 ID: bfbff9

When was the last time you even went home, Zack? Before the last time you met Bika, I think. Weren't we worried someone might have bugged the place or set a watch on it or something?

I mean, if that was the case, it'd be a nice dick move to them to make them watch a load of nothing for a bit longer. And if it's not the case there's no reason to go home, unless you're worried about having gotten something in the mail.

Ask Bika how she'd feel about a group thing with one or more of the other girls some time, before you leave.
>>
No. 650617 ID: f68a09
File 143522055859.png - (6.54KB , 960x560 , 329.png )
650617

You kiss Bika goodbye and catch a subway ride home.

You sleep alone for the first time in what feels longer than it probably is.
For some reason the bed you always thought of as too small feels too big tonight. Your legs ache, restlessly seeking for the contact of someone else's, and you shut them up with a pillow between the knees.

You sit in the dark and watch your alarm clock blink toward midnight and miss the girls.
You miss GG's vanilla perfume and the way Polyphema breathes at night and the feel of Bika's fur.

It occurs to you that as light as the words pertaining to affection roll off your tongue, "alamad" and "dulamad" and "girlfriend" and "love", there's a feeling of completeness that goes beyond them which you hadn't noticed until reflecting on its lack. Maybe it's just because your brain has been taxed for dialogue these past few days but strain as you might it's hard to frame it in words for yourself.

You realize you're falling in love.
>>
No. 650618 ID: f68a09
File 143522058204.png - (9.47KB , 960x560 , 330.png )
650618

"Zaaack! Hi!"
The bubbly-looking woman who takes your arm in front of the crenelated concert hall defies recognition for a second, then you remember her from your first day of work.
"Hey. Britta, right? Mr. Carlson's secretary?"
She beams a formidably toothy grin. "Yessir! You're looking sharp, Mr. Nguyen."
"Thanks. You too."
"Uh oh. Is it the shoulders?" She laughs. "Just kidding. Ever since Oculots showed up I've been a lot less self-conscious about them. You excited for the show?"
"Yeah. I mean one of my dates is performing."
"Meg, right? A bunch of H-vow people have showed up for it. Brose, and Rella, and Mr. Carlson actually got out of the office! Crazy!"
"He a homebody?"
"It did take some convincing. To be sure. Hey you can come sit with us if you need a place to sit." Her smile somehow grows. "You're kinda the star pupil right now. Highest efficiency."
"I think that's a good thing? Thanks?"
"Oh, it is," she says, then spots someone coming toward you in the crowd. She squeezes your arm. "See ya in the audience, Zack!"
"Bye."
>>
No. 650619 ID: f68a09
File 143522058919.png - (12.19KB , 960x560 , 331.png )
650619

Polyphema is swanning over to you in a ravishingly snug black dress. "Zackaryyyy Nguyen!"
Keeping pace with her is a slim, mellow-looking Oculot in an impeccably tailored suitjacket, with an alien touch to its flared collar.
"Love the outfit, doll," Polyphema says.
"Great cut," observes her friend.
"Whoever picked it out for you?" Polyphema says.
"I deduce it was a mutual friend." The oculot shoots you a knowing glance.
"Doll this is Hizalian. Hizalian, Zack."
"Great to meet you," Hizalian says. "Helena's talked about you all evening."
"He knows me as Polyphema, Hizz," Polyphema says. "My favorite nom de plume."
"Good to meet you too, Hizalian."
He grins a lazy grin. "I'd kiss your hand but it turns out you're only supposed to do the ladies. I had a misadventure this evening."
"Hizalian isn't so used to This Side," Polyphema says.
"Fresh off zer boat." Hizalian amplifies his already noticeable accent.
"Won't you sit with us, doll?" Polyphema asks. "I've told Hizz how you are a cultural ambassador without compare."

1]] Already had a seat with the HVAO, sorry.
2]] Sure thing.
3]] _________________
>>
No. 650622 ID: bd8b82

i don't think we should sit with any of our dates. meg should see us supporting her rather then holding hands with someone else.
>>
No. 650623 ID: 57d76a

... huh. I guess now we know what her real name is now. Kind of an anticlimactic way to find out.

I kinda don't know that we should sit by her or the HVAO...

Of course there's the fourth option of seeing if they're willing to all sit together. That seems less bad, somehow.
>>
No. 650629 ID: bfbff9

Helena is a human name, so I doubt it's her real one. "Favourite nom de plume" suggest she has more than one, which I would expect anyway.

Say you would love to sit with them, but as Poly seem to be even more beautiful than usual tonight, you fear you wouldn't be able to keep your mind on the show. Sacrifices must be made to appreciate art.
>>
No. 650630 ID: 0fc976

2. Let's get to know thizz guy.
>>
No. 650646 ID: 7b7ab3

3]] Invite them to join you at the HVAO's table.

It doesn't look like a date if your at a table with four other people, so Meg won't get the wrong idea. Also, it would let us sit with our employers, Poly, and our new friend Hizz.
>>
No. 650648 ID: e607cd

You kind of need a chance to talk with the HVAO guys about some of the stuff that has been going on. Operational security and such.
>>
No. 650651 ID: 7aeb02

Let's all sit together. But try not to end up next to Helephema though.
>>
No. 650653 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650648
Having Poly and Hizz join us at the HVAO's table would let us discuss important matters with both our employers and Poly, learn more about this Hizz guy, and hopefully give us a decent vantage point to watch Meg perform.

That's a lot accomplished.
>>
No. 650660 ID: ea0ad9

>"I'd kiss your hand but it turns out you're only supposed to do the ladies. I had a misadventure this evening."
It's a growing acceptance. Best Earth approach is probably the Italian style of a quick cheek peck, though.
>"Won't you sit with us, doll?" Polyphema asks. "I've told Hizz how you are a cultural ambassador without compare."
>>650622
As long as we retain a feel of being here mostly for Meg, it should be fine. Remember, she's got the memories of her predecessor, which includes the whole group thing.
>>650653
I'm not sure if Poly's so interested in business talk, though. She may just be here to enjoy herself.
>>
No. 650665 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650660
>She may just be here to enjoy herself.
She still needs to know about those "Earth for Earth" creeps.

And my other points remain valid.
>>
No. 650671 ID: a41fbf

>>650651
Agreed.
We should excuse ourselves once Meg is done performing, though. We're here for her, and we should go to her as soon as possible.
>>
No. 650674 ID: 2a7417

>>650619
Helena, the Oculot that launched a thousand ships. Fitting!
>>
No. 650680 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650674
And with a dulabira, every single one is canon!

Do you have a preference for where we sit, btw?
>>
No. 650689 ID: f68a09
File 143526452981.png - (12.85KB , 960x560 , 332.png )
650689

"I was actually going in with the HVAO," you say. "Wanna sit with us?"
"Oh, no," Polyphema says. "I always make it my mission to sit in the front row. And I've been hiding from that Carlson fellow all night."
"Why?"
"Because every time he sees me all he wants to talk about is HVAO HVAO HVAO," she says. "All evening. And I did not come here to discuss work, of all things."
"He does that?"
"Get excited, doll!" She rolls her eye. "Go sit with your friends and we'll catch up to you during intermission."

You find the HVAO contingent sitting up in the front row of the balcony.
"Ay Zack!" Ambrose waves at you. He and Rella are sitting together. He's in a suit and she must not have had the pocket space for her stuff in a dress because she's in basically the same suit with a crisp pencil skirt.
Britta is sitting a respectable distance from Carlson, who looks weirdly exposed outside of his musty office.

1]] Sit between Ambrose and Britta
2]] Sit between Britta and Carlson
3]] Sit on the outside next to Carlson
4]] Sit on the outside next to Rella
5]] _______________
>>
No. 650690 ID: 2a7417

between Ambrose and Rella like a jerk
*Ahem* I mean, 1) between Ambrose and Britta.
>>
No. 650691 ID: ab7529

1
>>
No. 650694 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650689
Guess we'll talk with Poly and get to know her friend later.

1, between Ambrose and Britta. Maybe Britta can buffer us against Carlson's workaholism.
>>
No. 650703 ID: f68a09
File 143527007304.png - (14.09KB , 960x560 , 333.png )
650703

You pop a squat between Ambrose and Britta.
"Hey, dude," Ambrose says. "You here for Megumi?"
"Yep." You unbutton your jacket. "And for, like, art."
"Word."
"I'm cultured."
"Same," Rella drawls.
"I hear Yo-Yo Ma's kid is here," Britta says.
"RIP," Ambrose says. "How's the job, Zack? Being the face of the organization? ABC or whoever it was had their little snippet of you. Good job."
"NBC," Rella says.

1]] Goin' pretty good.
2]] I'm not going to lie: it's pretty awesome.
3]] I am drowning in alien poon
4]] How about you, Brose? How's being a security dude?
5]] How about you, Britta? How's the office?
6]] So any updates about that leak?
7]] So any updates about the Outpost Jawara thing?
8]] So any updates about that flat-top lady who followed me?
9]] _______________
>>
No. 650710 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650703
2, 4, 6, 7, 8.

It is pretty awesome. How are things for him?

Also, can we get a situation update? The leak, the outpost, the flat-top lady? What's up?
>>
No. 650715 ID: 0fc976

>>650710
Same, except 5 instead of 4.
>>
No. 650725 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650715
How about both?

We know very little about our colleagues.
>>
No. 650726 ID: b5b419

>>650703
3 is the only real option
>>
No. 650729 ID: bb78f2

>>650703
9]] How did they edit it? They didn't use the syllables of my words to make me say "I love warrior dong", did they?
When I told them I was bi-curious, I was super worried!
>>
No. 650736 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650726
Wouldn't that just be stating the obvious?

>>650729
>bi-curious
Considering our activities of late, I'd say that's fairly unlikely.
>>
No. 650737 ID: bb78f2

It was a joke about Zack's openness to new things. Maybe not a good one. I don't know how Zack would make that a good one.
>>
No. 650740 ID: f68a09
File 143527908810.png - (6.28KB , 960x560 , 334.png )
650740

"It's a pretty great job," you say. "Not gonna lie. What about you guys? How's running security?"
Ambrose pages through his program. "Kinda boring but boring's good, right? Yeah, it's not bad."
"For now," Rella says.
"Dude." Ambrose lightly whaps her arm with the program. "It'll be fine. Rella's kind of not exactly an optimist."
"What about the office?" you ask Britta.
"Ohhh. You know." She beams, nervously. "We're keeping on."
"Y'know I gotta say I detect it's not joyful times at the HVAO," you point out.
"They aren't." Everyone turns to look at Carlson. "There is a great deal of tension in the air, in the office and out."
"Does it have anything to do with the leak? Or with Jawara?"
He nods. "The leak was unexpected and disturbing. We haven't ruled out a source inside the offices."
"What about Jawara?"
"Jawara," He clears his throat. "Jawara you'll be reading about tomorrow, I suspect." He looks at you. "We didn't just hire a pretty face, Mr. Nguyen. We trust you to be on your toes."

You consider asking him to elaborate when the lights go down and everyone hushes each other into silence.
A woman, human, with a white dress, steps out into a pool of light on the stage. Everyone politely applauds. She indicates a pianist in the corner, who acknowledges her with a short bow. Everyone politely applauds again.

The pianist sits at the bench of a long, black grand piano, cracks his knuckles, and launches into a shimmering cloud of arpeggios, over which the woman sings something in latin.
You check your program. Her name is Aparna Dala. She's the first soloist of five before you hit intermission. Looks like some of them are groups and some of them play instead of sing, but they're all playing songs with an average of 1 "Deus" or "Domino" per title.
Megumi is the last act of the night.
She has something from Tannhäuser, but everything else appears to be in Visitor languages. Garaktonnik and Oculotti. Then there's one with an English title called The Night's Reclamation that has Unknown / Apocryphal as the author. Interesting.

You watch the performances. They're pretty songs, you guess.
They're all very talented. That goes without saying.
You find yourself wishing for a rhythm section or something.

You circle Megumi's name in your program. You draw a little picture of a cat, which is the only animal you can draw well.

You're up to the third act, a stiff-looking Albanian with a large cello, when Ambrose leans over and whispers, "You getting anything out of this, Zack?"

1]] I think so. It's pretty.
2]] I'm trying but I don't think I'm fancy enough.
3]] I'm actually kinda bored.
4]] Shake your head.
5]] Nod.
6]] Shush him.
7]] _________________
>>
No. 650743 ID: f0e552

>>650740
7) *quietly* "I think it's nice and all, and i can see the talent, but this isn't really for me."
>>
No. 650745 ID: 334db2

I guess I'm a bit eager to see meg. Maybe a bit nervous.
>>
No. 650746 ID: b5b419

>>650740
2, a bit of 3&7
"Wish I could move to it."
>>
No. 650747 ID: 5f7625

We can be cultured too. You've got to see the Merit in this same as the Beatles.
>>
No. 650750 ID: 7b7ab3

2 & 3.

We came here for Meg, not because we're a musical connoisseur.

>>650745
Also this.
>>
No. 650755 ID: f68a09
File 143528288524.png - (9.53KB , 960x560 , 335.png )
650755

"I can see the talent but I don't know if it's for me," you whisper. "Kinda wish I could move to it."
"That's my problem," Ambrose says.
"It's fuckin' boring," Rella says.
Britta shushes her. "Listen for the emotion. It's all about expression."
Rella shrugs.
After Benjamin Cantor and his quartet go through a strings arrangement of Dmitri Shostakovich's No. 8 in C minor the lights come back on. A teenager behind you jolts awake and then sheepishly follows his parents out to the lobby.

"That last dude was good." Ambrose stands up and stretches his back. "I like the ones with no words I have to read."
"This fucking skirt is making my panties ride up to my bellybutton." Rella tugs her skirt down.
"Dude, Rella," Ambrose says, a little too loud. "TMI."
"C'mon! There's champagne in the lobby," Britta says, sliding past a tight-lipped Carlson. "Lots of champagne."

1]] Hang out more with the other HVAOers.
2]] Sit with Carlson and try to learn more about what happened with Jawara.
3]] Look for Polyphema and Hizalian.
4]] Drink some champagne to loosen up a little.
5]] ______________
>>
No. 650759 ID: ab7529

1,3.

They got to hang with Bika, why not introduce them to Poly?
>>
No. 650760 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650755
3.

We have a previous arrangement with Poly and her guest. She did say they'd catch up to us during intermission.
>>
No. 650763 ID: 334db2

Sit with Carlson for a bit, then get some champagne and come back in.
>>
No. 650764 ID: 0fc976

1, 3. I'm sure you'll be a better connoisseur of classical music after a drink of champagne.
>>
No. 650765 ID: 37adba

6, 7: "At the break."
>>
No. 650769 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650765
You're a little behind.

We're suggesting for >>650755 now.
>>
No. 650783 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650764
>I'm sure you'll be a better connoisseur of classical music after a drink of champagne.

Or at least we'll care a lot less!
>>
No. 650784 ID: f68a09
File 143529054080.png - (8.07KB , 960x560 , 336.png )
650784

You follow the other HVAO folks out into the lobby.
"Hey what was your favorite?" Ambrose asks Rella.
"I'll tell you after the half," she says.
"I gotta get these back to Carlson." Britta grabs two glasses of champagne. "He needs social lubricant if he's gonna function at the aftershow handshakery."
"Do they let you back in with those?" you ask.
"They better!" She backs her butt into the balcony door to open it up. "It's for their boss."

"Zack!" Hizalin waves at you. He's leaning on a bannister looking out into the foyer, in front of a big curly Chihuly chandelier. "Over here!"
"Go network, face of the HVAO," Ambrose says.
Rella sips champagne and taps his shin with her toe. "Brose."
"Yah?"
"Drink."
"Gotta be sharp."
"BS. We're off duty. I'm not getting tanked alone."
You leave them be and go to Hizalin.

"Hel- Polyphema's off powdering her nose," Hizalin says. "Not that we have much of a nose to powder."
"How're you liking the concert?" you ask.
He shrugs. "Not exactly my forte, these things. I only came along because I was invited."
"By Polyphema?"
"Mmm." He finishes his champagne and balances the empty glass on the railing next to him. "There's no need to be jealous, not that you seem it. The two of us are just working buddies."
"What do you do?"
"The same thing she does," he says. "Date a human for the HVAO."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm. She's..." He traces the rim of his champagne glass. "Nice. I don't know. Polyphema's more of a natural. Not that I'm the one being paid the extreme moolah to do the dating, but there's a strange act of patriarchal rein-taking I wasn't prepared for." He grins. "Got any tips?"
"I, hmm."
"Just a joke, Zack." He nabs a second glass from a passing waiter. "You know you're a very lucky man."
"I know," you say. "It's not exactly a job market I was aware of."
"She talks about you all the time," he says. "She'd probably whack me with her bag if she knew I told you, but she's really very schoolgirl about you. That hasn't happened in a very, very long time."
"What do you mean? Do you know Polyphema?"
"Most of the diasporic Oculots do," he says. "And she hasn't had an alamad in... God, almost a quarter of a century now."
"We're not, like..." You consider it. "We haven't labelled ourselves that. Yet."
"Really." He arches a brow. "That was just the vibe I gathered from the way she acted."
"She hasn't had an alamad in decades?"
"Well, she-- huh." He's halfway through champagne number 2. "How much has she told you about herself, Zack?"

1]] Not very much.
2]] Plenty. I know about her childhood and such.
3]] More than she wants. We have this weird brain thing where I see pieces of her memories.
4]] She tells me enough.
5]] What about you? What's your story, Hizalin? How exactly do you know her?
6]] What are these secrets you guys are always dancing around about her?
7]] _______________
>>
No. 650785 ID: 5f7625

Absolutely nothing, of course.
>>
No. 650788 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650784
1 and 5.

"Not very much. What about you? What's your story, Hizalin? How exactly do you know her?"
>>
No. 650795 ID: d90668

She is teasing me by slowly feeding me info on her past. She seems enjoys the game so I try not to pry much.

Honestly if she has some horrible secret she wants hidden that's her business. She can tell me or not at her pace.
>>
No. 650798 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650788
Might I add that I've thought about it and I want Zack to be Poly's alamad. I think they're at
that level now.

Of course, I want Zack to be all the girls alamad. I mean, he's already there with GG.
>>
No. 650804 ID: 696535

>>650784
1 and 7.
"Not very much. She's been a tease when it comes to telling me about herself. She hasn't even told me her name."
>>
No. 650805 ID: f68a09
File 143529540751.png - (10.80KB , 960x560 , 337.png )
650805

"Not much," you say. "She's kind of teasing me by slowly feeding me info on her past."
He smirks. "Sounds like Helena."
"She seems to enjoy it."
"Doubly sounds."
"What about you?" You take some bubbly of your own. "How'd you come to know her?"

"She saved my life, actually," he says. "I was an early objector. Before it was the Fashion. And so the Kariket had me placed on Portal Opening detail, like all the other able-bodied Oculotti who didn't have the heart for the Regime. 'Volunteers', we were officially. She'd already defected at that point and was building up the network of ferrymen and -women to help others do the same. Without the resources she gave me I'm positive I'd be dead as disco. The mortality rate for the Portallers was staggering."
"Every time Polyphema talks about portals she shivers," you say. "I'm still not clear on what made them so terrible. Did they hurt to make?"
"Not physically, no." He finishes his glass and wipes his mouth. "But-- well she's explained it to you, right? How our powers work? The expression of emotion so forcefully felt it spills into the physical."
"Right. Fireballs are anger, that kind of thing."

"That's the thing." His smile is still on his face, but in his eye you can see the same glassy distance that passes across Polyphema's in her unguarded moments. "The emotion you need for opening a portal is a deep, sincere wish to completely disappear."

"Hello, boys!" Polyphema sways toward you, glass in hand. "Whatever he's telling you is a lie! An absolute vulgar lie! No but really I haven't actually overheard what you've been talking about."
"This and that," Hizalin says.
"So how are you digging it, Zackary?" Polyphema asks. "This little soiree?"

1]] I'm digging it.
2]] It all feels way over my head.
3]] I'm just waiting for Meg.
4]] To tell the truth the first half bored me to tears.
5]] The champagne is nice.
6]] Hizalin was just telling me about the portals. Is it true you saved his life?
7]] It'd be better if my seatmates weren't prophesizing doom and gloom about Jawara. Apparently there's something on the horizon.
8]] _____________
>>
No. 650806 ID: 5f7625

You know how it is, she tries to be mysterious, I pretend I'm not curious. We see who can go the longest before breaking down and asking all sorts of probing questions.
>>
No. 650807 ID: f0e552

>>650805
8) Not enough of my deep indie underground alternative trance heavy metal here. Really though? It's not my jam but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate how other people like it, right? I'm just wondering what Meg is gonna do.
>>
No. 650809 ID: 0fc976

2. But hey, at least the champagne is nice.
>>
No. 650810 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650805
2, 5, 7.

"It all feels way over my head, but the champagne is nice. Honestly, it'd be better if my seatmates weren't prophesizing doom and gloom about Jawara. Apparently there's something on the horizon."
>>
No. 650814 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650805
>The emotion you need for opening a portal is a deep, sincere wish to completely disappear.

Well, that's... incredibly depressing.
And all portals lead to earth? Very interesting. I wonder what the significance of that is.
>>
No. 650815 ID: 0ee153

>>650814
>And all portals lead to earth? Very interesting. I wonder what the significance of that is.
Proof?
>>
No. 650844 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650815
It's meant to be a question. I'll admit I didn't phrase it quite right.
>>
No. 650854 ID: 66415b

>>650810
Sounds good, though we shouldn't talk about work for too long, for Poly's sake.
>>
No. 650865 ID: bb2891

2,5
>>
No. 650873 ID: 681f32

2 - We're more of a Beatles man.
5 - Liquor makes most things more tolerable.
7 - Poly, you were right. These people don't know how to switch off.
>>
No. 650879 ID: fcbfd2

"I'm trying, but a lot of it escapes me. I've always been more of a Beatles kinda guy. This champagne is pretty good, though."
>>
No. 650880 ID: ea0ad9

>Whatever he's telling you is a lie! An absolute vulgar lie!
8. So you actually are a secret super-child of the Floaters designed to morph into any of the four races at will?

>8) Not enough of my deep indie underground alternative trance heavy metal here. Really though? It's not my jam but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate how other people like it, right?
I think replace that last bit with "It's not my jam, but I'm feeling a bit of the beauty of it."
>>650809
Yes.
>7 - Poly, you were right. These people don't know how to switch off.
To be fair, we were asking them about work. The three of them seem to be trying to just have a good time. Maybe word it as, "Poly, you were right about Carlson. I mean jeez if I weren't asking the team about work I think he'd give himself a heart attack from the shock of the difference from office to world."
Has she met Rella and Ambrose?
>>
No. 650881 ID: bb78f2

Mix of 3 and this 8]] "Meg's taste for 80's-like synth music is making me hope the last act is like Perturber-Beethoven or Mozart-PowerGlove. If that happens, I might just go fuck it and start dancing like it's a nightclub."
>>
No. 650882 ID: d3bbf8

>>650879
This. She knows we dig the Beatles. Speaking of which, I wonder if Hizalin has heard them yet. If not, we should introduce him sometime.

>>650880
>So you actually are a secret super-child of the Floaters designed to morph into any of the four races at will?
"Polyformer - More Than Meets the Eye."
>>
No. 650892 ID: f61b8d

>>650882
hahahahaha
>>
No. 650894 ID: 487ae6

Dos y cinco.

>>650882
>"Polyformer - More Than Meets the Eye."
Holy shit, that's hilarious! Although now I'm wondering which of the girls would be a Transfan.
>>
No. 650903 ID: 5a4a22

"Well... the champagne is good?"

>>650894
>I'm wondering which of the girls would be a Transfan
Definitely GG. It's giant robots beating the shit out of eachother. I'd be shocked if she didn't like it.
>>
No. 650916 ID: 334db2

Not my usual cup of tea.
>>
No. 650941 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650882
>"Polyformer - More Than Meets the Eye."
But is she a robot in disguise?

Coming this Fall - "The Polynator."
>>
No. 650954 ID: f61b8d

>>650941
Well, if she can transform into any of the races, she can turn into a Floater. So, depending on your interpretation...yes. :P

...Are floaters entirely robotic, or do they have any organic components?
>>
No. 650974 ID: 7b7ab3

>>650954
They're cyborgs, so that means they have both organic and synthetic components.

They're also all clones.
>>
No. 650982 ID: f0c16f

2 followed by 5
>>
No. 651008 ID: 9513be

"Not exactly what I'm used to, but I'm keeping an open mind. How about you? Having a good time?"
>>
No. 651019 ID: f68a09
File 143538302422.png - (9.70KB , 960x560 , 338.png )
651019

"So you actually are a secret super-child of the Floaters designed to morph into any of the four races at will," you say.
"I am," she says. "You've actually been dating me, four times."
"Lucky me."
She idly plays with Hizalian's scarf. "I should have brought a scarf. This music demands scarves."
"The not exactly the Beatles so I'm not exactly in my element," you say. "But I'm open minded."
"I'm relying on your ladyfriend to bring some spice to the proceedings." Polyphema sashays past you to the balcony and leans between you and Hizalian.
"Are you not with it?"
"The singers are straining against their constraints," she says. "Instead of using them. It's like a fancy corset. When used right it accentuates the cleavage but I'm just worried none of the poor dears can breathe. Unlace them!" She throws her arms up to the chandelier. "Let them free!"
"You are buzzed," Hizalian says, with dry amusement.
"I am buzzed," she agrees. "It's making everything a lot more enjoyable." She play-clutches at your arm. "But God don't you wish they'd soar more? The artifice is eating its own tail in there. I should really be quieter."
"Maybe," you say. "You have a point, though."
"Always." She cocks her hip out.
"You were right about the HVAO people. They have no off switch."
"That's because they all work for poor Carlson, the poor darlings," she says. "And lord knows he needs a little stress ball like the drowning need a liferaft. Not everyone working in Human Visitor Relations can work out of their bedroom like you, dollface."

The lights flicker to indicate intermission is ending.
"Once more into the breach," Polyphema says.

1]] Get back to sitting with the HVAO.
2]] Move over to the front row.
3]] Try and convince everyone to come sit at the front with you and the Oculots.
4]] Grab a little more champagne just before you go in to liven things up a little.
5]] _______________
>>
No. 651022 ID: 0fc976

2) Go to the front row with Hizz and her.
>>
No. 651023 ID: 7fcddc

3

Carlson has probably been sufficiently lubricated that we could slip them all up there for the main event.
>>
No. 651024 ID: 7b7ab3

Let us join Poly and our new pal Hizz in the front row. We'll want to be right up front when Meg performs.
>>
No. 651027 ID: f68a09
File 143538691838.png - (9.83KB , 960x560 , 339.png )
651027

You wave at Ambrose and Rella as you head back into the auditorium. "Hey I'm sitting down in front for this next part!"
"Oh word!" Ambrose flashes you the thumbs up. "Show the support!"

You file into the front row. You become aware that it's just the three of you here in the front row.

"Zack," Polyphema whispers. "Put Hizzy in the middle so your lady doesn't get jealous."
"I was thinking," you whisper back.
Hizalian sits between you. "I shall look as straight as possible."

The next few acts keep the same inoffensive tone going as before the intermission.
As a soprano and her accompanying cellist begins the third interpretation of Cantate Domino of the night, Polyphema glances sidelong at you and almost invisibly sticks the very tip of her tongue out. The corner of Hizalian's mouth twitches.

The penultimate act (a harpist) clears the stage.
Your throat drys. You remember last time and the lengthy gap in communication between the two of you. Time to meet Meg again.

There's a squeaking sound from backstage, as of unlubricated wheels.
Megumi 9x542 pushes a vintage grey casio keyboard out into the spotlight.
Compared to the parade of intricately carved string instruments and Steinway Grand Pianos that have graced the stage it is bizarrely ratty.
There's a piece of duct tape half-torn off the back, its exposed fibers pale in the harsh light.
She does look fantastic in that dress, though. It's the same blue as her electric eyes, and compared to some of the other gaudy gowns on display tonight it's relatively simple. A pale bloom of chiffon off her shoulder is the only embellishment.
It might just be the outfit but it appears her breasts have grown by a cup size or two.
"Zaaack," Polyphema whispers. "She's gorgeous."

"Hi," Meg says. "I'm Megumi 9x542."
It echoes through the concert hall. Everyone is holding their breath. She's the first Visitor on the stage.
"The Human Visitors Affairs Office has asked me to say a few words tonight before my performance," she says.

The air of expectant silence intensifies.

She blinks. It doesn't look like she's seen you. "But I don't really want to. So I'm just gonna sing."

There's another second of uncertain quiet and then, since this is America and nobody really knows what to do, applause starts breaking out.

1]] Don't call attention to yourself.
2]] Applaud.
3]] Applaud enthusiastically.
4]] YEAH MEG! WOOOOO
5]] ______________
>>
No. 651028 ID: bd8b82

4
>>
No. 651029 ID: defceb

2
>>
No. 651030 ID: 7fcddc

3, Applaud enthusiastically

I mean seriously what a killer line.
>>
No. 651032 ID: 0fc976

1/2. Not calling attention to ourselves means joining in with some polite clapping. She hasn't even begun to sing, so we await that with open ears
>>
No. 651033 ID: 7b7ab3

3.

Enthusiastic applause is the sensible middle ground between regular applause and uncouth shouting. It should also draw her attention to us, letting her know we are present and that she has our support.
>>
No. 651034 ID: ea0ad9

>"I am," she says. "You've actually been dating me, four times."
Hah! She caught on.
>There's a piece of duct tape half-torn off the back, its exposed fibers pale in the harsh light.
Heh, even here she's holding a bit of rebellion.
>There's another second of uncertain quiet and then, since this is America and nobody really knows what to do, applause starts breaking out.
Oh come now, it's a standing ovation you want.
>3]] Applaud enthusiastically.
>4]] YEAH MEG! WOOOOO
5. Applaud enthusiastically. "Whooo! You rock it, Megumi Ninex Five-forty-two!"
>>
No. 651035 ID: 044159

3! dont want you to accidentally get her off-kilter!
>>
No. 651036 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651034
>it's a standing ovation you want
While I agree, I think it's best saved for the end of her performance. We don't want to embarrass her.

Again.
>>
No. 651046 ID: f68a09
File 143539198231.png - (9.86KB , 960x560 , 340.png )
651046

You stamp your feet and whistle as you applaud. Meg glances down at you. Her eyes widen a bit.

Then she winks.

She sinks a little to reach her keyboard. Her dress gathers on the hardwood floor.

She closes her eyes.

"Oh," she whispers, so quiet it almost feels like only you can hear it. The H trails off into a scratchy exhalation.

She tilts her head back. "Amore Mio," she sings, and her voice-- what was the word Polyphema used?-- soars.

Her fingers palpate across the keys, setting off chunky drum loops (something finally you can dance to) and tumbling washes of chording synth.
And she sings her ass off.

It sounds almost autotuned, how perfectly on-note she is. Knowing she's a cyborg you don't rule out that it might be. She sings clear and unaffected, with only traces of the vibrato some of her peers have slathered on. Some people are probably shaking their heads at the piano; with the drumbeat and the synthesizer noise it's like an intersection of EDM and Opera. Kind of like what you heard strapped to her back.

She dips into her diaphragm to sing the low notes and it's like honey drizzling into your eardrum. She spirals up into a sustained high note that ends, it seems, just before she starts to weep. Every O she wraps her lips around is so shamelessly sensual it makes the hairs on your neck stand up.

Finally, you think, as she rides the slow fade of the piano to the end of her first song and the crowd bursts into applause around you, you fucking get what all the fuss about the opera is about.
>>
No. 651049 ID: f68a09
File 143539207907.png - (7.36KB , 960x560 , 341.png )
651049

Three more songs go by. She switches from Italian to German and then into the Visitor languages.
For the songs in Garaktonnik she amps up the drums to a crunchy, almost industrial feel and sings with a slight curl to the edges that makes you think of GG's accent. You have no idea how she manages to make a language like that sound beautiful but she manages the trick.

The Oculotti ones simmer and hiss between full-chested vowels that she frequently drops the accompaniment out from behind, hanging them crystallized in suddenly empty space.

In the break for applause you rub your eyes and feel that they're wet. At some point in that last one you cried.

"This next one someone translated," she says, as the music lingers and throbs away back into quiet. "It's a Floater, actually. We write some stuff. Who knew." A laugh from the audience. "They wrote it anonymously and uploaded the text of it into our shared library. It was deleted and restored about a dozen times. It's in the Floater signal language, which is a tricky thing to emote with. Actually it invented a lot of new words that we didn't have before. This is from the 9th restoration, translated by Britta Forrester."

She fiddles a little with her keyboard.
"Hold on," she says.
The supernatural catharsis she's brought to everyone has bought her more than enough goodwill to get it all set up.
"OK," she says. "Night's Reclamation."

She pounds the keyboard with both palms flattened and floods the hall with sound.
It crests, rolls, and quiets. In the fading of it she starts to sing, and the words, in English, appear behind her.

Tonight I flew to a high place
Where I had first seen you
The striated clouds could not hold me
I looked to see the stars
I tried to see the stars
I remembered what you had looked like

I thought of your body in the night

I saw nothing through the city lights
Not the design you told me once
Reminded you of me
The haze of a million detonations
The artificial fulmination
Of a million counterfeit suns

I thought of your breath in the night


She's levitating upward now. The keyboard continues below her on a loop.

I float numb in photopollution
The skyglow has seeped into my trembling eyes
Let your love carry you to where I am waiting
Take me for the final time into your arms
Love, it is inconceivable, but please, please, try
Reclaim the night

I thought of your body in the night
I thought of your breath in the night
I remembered you in the night
I couldn't see the stars


She lets the last word drift her back to the keyboard.
She blinks again at it, as if considering it for the first time, then reaches over and switches it off.
"Thank you," she says, and leaves the stage.

The standing ovation is immediate.
The three of you in the front row go fucking nuts.

1]] Run and find her backstage.
2]] Leave the concert hall with Polyphema and Hizalian and look for her as she exits.
3]] Leave the concert hall with the HVAO and look for her as she exits.
4]] Leave the concert hall alone and look for her as she exits.
5]] Sit for a bit and digest.
6]] ________________
>>
No. 651050 ID: defceb

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
>>
No. 651052 ID: 7fcddc

1

because i mean damn

damn

daaaaaamn
>>
No. 651054 ID: 2e7af1

>>651049
1]] Run and find her backstage.
>>
No. 651056 ID: 7b7ab3

Quickly excuse yourself, and then 1, you fool! 1!

Let's go congratulate our dear, beautiful diva.
>>
No. 651067 ID: 5cf48d

1
Don't forget to give poly a goodbye though!
>>
No. 651068 ID: 863037

>>651049
1. digest as you go.
>>
No. 651079 ID: b8ceae

>>651049
She gets a hug. Right now. Climb the stage if you have to!
>>
No. 651085 ID: dcd676

>>651067
This. She'll understand, just say goodbye to her and your mutual acquaintance before you rush off.
>>
No. 651109 ID: f68a09
File 143542376348.png - (13.62KB , 960x560 , 342.png )
651109

"Holy shit," you say. "I gotta go."
"Yes you do," Hizalian says. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about after the show. I'll just get your email from Helena."
"Go, Zack!" Polyphema pushes you toward the stageside exit. "And if you still don't want to fuck her I do!"

You find her backstage, putting on her leather jacket over her dress.
Her breasts are undeniably larger.
The harpist is talking to her. "No but you have to come down to the studio. That was legendary."
"Maybe," Meg says, then looks over and sees you. She freezes for a second with her arm halfway up her sleeve, then shrugs it the rest of the way on. "Hi, Zack."

1]] Hi.
2]] That was beautiful.
3]] That was cool.
4]] That was cool as fuck.
5]] I've missed you.
6]] Why didn't you tell me you were a diva?
7]] Hug her.
8]] Kiss her.
9]] __________
>>
No. 651111 ID: bd8b82

2 4 "that was afhshs"
8
>>
No. 651114 ID: 334db2

Hi Meg.
You were incredible.
>>
No. 651116 ID: 7b7ab3

I feel like I want all of these to happen.
We haven't spoken to her in so long, her performance was godlike, she looks so beautiful, we missed her so much, and she deserves all the hugs and kisses in both worlds.
>>
No. 651118 ID: 0fc976

4, 8, radical pose.
>>
No. 651124 ID: 02d9ae

2 and 4. Given how the last date with Meg went, 5, 7, and 8 are all way too forward. You can't just turn her down for sex, saying you don't think she's ready, and then get all affectionate and touchy-feely the very next time you meet her. Not to mention that she's clearly uncomfortable at the moment. Worst case it'd make Zack look like an insane creep, best case it'd just really fuck with her head. This is a situation that requires caution and decorum.
>>
No. 651128 ID: ea0ad9

9. That was fucking legendary, Meg. ...And, uh, hey. Seriously, I knew you were amazing after last time, but this is a whole 'nother level!
>>
No. 651136 ID: 696535

>>651109
9 & 8
"That was amazing. I have no words but I do have this."
THEN KISS.
>>
No. 651141 ID: b86fd0

2, 4, 6
>>651136
cant kiss her now jeez, theres still the fact of her being kinda hurt
>>651124
exactly
>>
No. 651149 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651124
>>651141
Despite my enthusiasm, these sound like far more sensible choices given the situation, although I would like to point out that 5 would also be appropriate. We really did miss her.

I hope she's not upset with us.
>>
No. 651161 ID: 863037

dude. dude. no kissing, you're still getting the whole cold shoulder thing. of the two of you, you're the only one wanting to kiss right now.
>>
No. 651170 ID: f68a09
File 143543515759.png - (10.01KB , 960x560 , 343.png )
651170

You want to kiss her but you realize that after last time it might not be a two-way street.
"That was beautiful, Meg."
"Thanks."
"Seriously. And cool as fuck."
"Don't know about cool. But thanks." She tilts her head. "You wanna get out of here? I eat now."
"Wait." The harpist steps in front of her. "I insist you at least take a look at the studio."
"I told you, dude, I'll think about it." Meg sounds testy.
"Sir." He wheels round on you. "Sir wasn't that breathtaking? She owes it to the musical world to get that recording down on tape. It'd advance visitor relations by a cosmic mile!"

1]] I'd love a copy. It was amazing.
2]] You want to go check it out, Meg?
3]] It's her music, dude. She can do what she wants with it.
4]] You're being a little pushy there.
5]] I think the music world more owes her for saving that concert from slow euthanasia.
6]] ____________________
>>
No. 651175 ID: c632d4

3+4
Nobody really owes anybody anything in the arts, expecially not just because their good. So relax, she'll get in touch if she wants to.
>>
No. 651176 ID: ab7529

3

And "your studio will still be there tomorrow. Let her have her moment. You got a card or something?"
>>
No. 651177 ID: 0fc976

3/4. If you don't mind, we are just going to waltz on through.
>>
No. 651180 ID: 3eac98

1+3

"I'd love a copy, but it's her music and she can do what she likes with it."
>>
No. 651181 ID: 7b7ab3

3.

It's her music. Her's.

She can do as she pleases with it.

Which means it's her decision wether or not to pursue his offer.
>>
No. 651182 ID: 0ee153

>>651170
3 and 4. Also question how much money he'd be making from it, he does seem awfully eager.
>>
No. 651185 ID: 334db2

'cmon man, relax. She'll make a decision.
>>
No. 651186 ID: 02d9ae

3.
>>
No. 651187 ID: d3be40

5
>>
No. 651190 ID: f68a09
File 143543855643.png - (13.10KB , 960x560 , 344.png )
651190

"It's her music," you say. "Let her decide what she wants to do with it."
"It's more than music," he says. "It's a revelation."
"Relax, dude," you say. "Are you eager about the music or the money you'd make?"
"What he said." Meg floats out into the sideway hall. You follow.
"Will you at least call me?" the harpist asks.
"For the 50th time I Will Think About It." Meg shuts the door to the dressing rooms. "Fuckin' douchebag. None of them even looked at me before the show and now everyone wants to be my friend." She pulls her phone out of her jacket pocket, then looks up at you. "Nice suit, Zack."
"Thanks."
"Where are we going? Gotta walk, wherever it is. I'm grounded."
"Whaaaat?"
"Ever since Jawara. For my protection." She narrows her eyes at a text she's gotten, then puts her phone back away. "So they fucking say."
"That sucks."
"Yah." She heads for a back entrance, presumably to avoid the crowd. "Let's blow. Where you want to go?"
>>
No. 651199 ID: b8ceae

>>651190
"First, I gotta say sorry for derping up last time. Not making any excuses, I just cocked it up. Failed to cock it up? Whatever.
Second, if you're up for a second date we could go clubbing."
>>
No. 651200 ID: defceb

Any nice rooftop bars in the area? Somewhere with a view, preferably.
>>
No. 651204 ID: d3be40

Find a nice nightclub and hang out outside of it.
>>
No. 651206 ID: 7b7ab3

I can think of a couple places. There's 20/15, which would be great if she wants to go clubbing. Or, like >>651200 said, there might a nice rooftop somewhere we could hang out.

Oh, and we should definitely apologize soon.
>>
No. 651209 ID: 0fc976

>20/15
>wanting to go clubbing
Sure, let's do a rooftop bar.
>>
No. 651213 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651209
I suggested 20/15 because it's familiar territory. We know it's a good place to unwind, and that it's Visitor friendly. Although I will admit it's not very quiet or calm.

I'm okay with the rooftop thing, though.
>>
No. 651232 ID: 7b7ab3

Of course, there is always the option of letting her choose.
>>
No. 651262 ID: 38aa12

>>651200
An excellent idea. She can't fly, so let's give her another means of reaching high altitude.
>>
No. 651271 ID: 8d351a

Well, she's grounded. We could take her to a rooftop bar/cafe, like Apollo said. If there's an amusement park or something like that in town then we could take her up on a roller coaster or a ferris wheel. Or we could let her choose.
>>
No. 651273 ID: e55704

Honestly, anywhere she can get some altitude would be good. Might be best to let her choose.
>>651271
>Meg on a roller coaster
That's an awesomely adorable image.
>>
No. 651275 ID: dcd676

>>651200
I like this. Let's suggest somewhere high up with a view to work from and chat.
>>
No. 651276 ID: 062da3

Oh, the options.

The movies.
A cafe.
A bar.
The beach (it's worked before).
A nightclub.
Somewhere with rides.
Her place/our place.
Hell, laser tag?

No matter where we go, we need to apologize.
>>
No. 651279 ID: ad7bba

I say we go for terrible-for-you fast food somewhere. What's the pleasure of eating if you can't abuse the ability and by extension your body? Food in general should be a safe option since she mentioned she can now. Wouldn't have if she was against it, at least.

Regardless of where we go or what we do, apologizing first thing seems more awkward than anything else. Wait for at least a semi-decent opening guys, geeze.
>>
No. 651281 ID: baea73

>>651279
Sharing some big, sloppy burgers on a rooftop on a moonlit night. That's pretty damn romantic.
>Wait for at least a semi-decent opening guys, geeze.
Okay, fair point.
>>
No. 651288 ID: 387db4

"I'm good with whatever. So, you can eat now? Cool. Where'd you get the upgrade?"
>>
No. 651299 ID: f0e552

>>651190
We're all dressed up, how about we eat out at a nice place and then go dancing?
>>
No. 651325 ID: 2dcdc8

If we go out to eat, let's be careful with our new duds and Meg's dress. Staining clothes this good would be criminal.
>>
No. 651329 ID: bb78f2

Oh man, we have to get Italian after that.
Or we could just go to a greasy spoon in these suits, switching from White to Blue Collar and eat the most unheathiest, delicious shit you have ever eaten...

Well, actually, I'd like to know how your taste buds were built first and if you've developed any tastes since you've started eating.
>>
No. 651342 ID: 765f9b

Ireland, but seeing as you're grounded and all, I think I should settle for something more local.
>>
No. 651357 ID: ea0ad9

>>651190
>"I'm grounded."
>She narrows her eyes at a text she's gotten, then puts her phone back away. "So they fucking say."
...Did they get mad at her for flying up during the song?
>Wait for at least a semi-decent opening guys, geeze.
Well, we have an opening to at least say "I'm glad you're not holding a grudge" to lure her into giving us the opening to properly apologize.
> Any nice rooftop bars in the area? Somewhere with a view, preferably.
We know that Bika has an entire upper building available, but that's serious Dulabira territory. Best way of bringing that up would be "There's one place I think you would love, but since tonight is all about you, so I'm thinking more, like Taverna. We're definitely dressed the part for there."

Seriously, let's bring Taverna back into things. Haven't been there since chapter 1.
>>
No. 651388 ID: f68a09
File 143547391239.png - (23.69KB , 960x560 , 345.png )
651388

You look for a good rooftop place on your phone. You look for reviews that point to a place being Visitor Friendly but don't find anything like that; one of them has a two-star review where the guy says Saw a Warrior while I was in here drinking too much-- weird neighborhood. would not recommend

So you try that out. It's called Mix.

You sit across from Meg. The waiter seems nice enough. He says he'll get you the drinks menu.
"Can you drink as well as eat?" you ask Meg.
"Haven't tried it," Meg says.

She unzips her jacket and airs herself out. "Stars are out. Guess Anonymous was wrong." She looks at you sidelong, as the stars reflect faintly off her shiny skin. "So."

1]] Guess that's what genocide can do for light pollution.
2]] So how have you been, Meg?
3]] I had no idea Floaters could write things like that. I thought you were the first to feel romance.
4]] So I'm sorry for last time.
5]] That dude was a douche but you really should consider recording that stuff. Did you arrange it all yourself?
6]] Are you pissed? Not that I'd blame you.
7]] Let me buy you a drink.
8]] ________________
>>
No. 651391 ID: 0fc976

7; 2, 4, 6, 3
>>
No. 651394 ID: bd8b82

i don't think she opened her jacket for no reason, i think she is trying to seduce you.
>>
No. 651395 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651391
Same. Let's cover all our bases.

Maybe 5, too. Her music is the kind of thing that changes the world.
>>
No. 651399 ID: d3be40

2, 7, 4.
>>
No. 651441 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651388
>"Can you drink as well as eat?" you ask Meg.
>"Haven't tried it," Meg says.
Hopefully she's not a teetotaler.
Let's also hope that alcohol doesn't make Floaters explode or something.
That would be less than ideal.
>>
No. 651446 ID: 53a13f

2,7
I'd say no to 4 - things are going well so why bring that up again?
>>
No. 651452 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651446
>why bring that up again?
To apologize.
At the very least, we should acknowledge that we screwed up.
>>
No. 651461 ID: 7c0775

>>651391
This. We have a lot of catching up to do, and she is owed an apology.
>>
No. 651464 ID: b8ceae

>>651391
>>651461
Yea.
As best I can figure, Zack was projecting human psychology on to her, and thus was worried about her rushing into things and winding up hurt. His rejection, then, would naturally result in her believing she was making Zack uncomfortable and blame herself.
Zack needs to clear that up so she doesn't believe she screwed up the first date. Explaining that it was HIS mistake, not hers, would be the best course of action.
>>
No. 651494 ID: f0a5e4

>>651464
Respectfully agreed and somewhat disagreed.
Pretending something never happened is a real great way to never get over it, so at least asking if she's okay with talking about it is important. She might not be, though, and that's okay for the moment.
IF she is, totally apologize for being a Rube Oldberg machine and overcomplicating/awkwarding things up last time.
But I think the problem was less cultural and more that we tried too hard to think for her rather than with her.
When the ball was in Meg's court, we trusted her without a second thought, because that was her world and we didn't understand it. But when she threw the ball to us and specifically mentioned both being unsure and inexperienced, we assumed that as she was approaching us in the context of human culture, human cultural mores, and more importantly our own, were what she sought to make a judgement from.
We didn't really take into account the emotional reaction flat dismissal would cause in someone whose ego is currently based around her comprehension of her own limits and confidence in her own ability, or try to meet in the middle. Fault isn't really anybody's, love is messy and all that, but we fucked up and we should apologize if she wants to talk about it.
>>
No. 651498 ID: db46ec

I'll say 7, and add my voice to "not 4". Talking problems out is usually a good idea, but with Meg it really seems like it'd just make her uncomfortable. Floaters like to be cool, and bringing up past awkwardness's isn't something that makes you feel cool. I really don't think it's going to be a problem unless Zack goes and do the same thing again. Meg isn't dumb, I'm sure she's not going to hold a grudge or be under any kind of misunderstanding.

If you DO feel you have to bring it up, Zack, wait until later and you've gotten more comfortable. But I think the better idea is to let your actions and attitude do the speaking for you.
>>
No. 651506 ID: f0a5e4

>>651498
Good points all around. I'm gonna go ahead a change my vote from "bring it up" to "leave it be until later."
>>
No. 651508 ID: 75dede

>>651391
I can agree.
>>651498
Maybe a good middle ground would be to ask if she wants to talk about it. Her opinion matters, too. We've learned that the hard way.
>>
No. 651511 ID: 2bf542

"Meg, I'm sorry.. about last time. I trusted you enough to strap myself in for a trip above the clouds, but I didn't trust you to know what you wanted and that was super-mega lame of me."
>>
No. 651524 ID: 7fcddc

I'm just going to suggest the reminding miss too cool for school about the time she wasn't too cool for school may not be ideal.

Let's just like, date this chick. She knows what she wants.

7, 2
>>
No. 651528 ID: 5f7625

Yeah, lets remember, Zack Nguyen, cool and confident.

Apologizing isn't exuding that cool or confidence. Talk about the show to start, compliments and questions about her involvement in it, discussion of it. It's about her right now. If she brings it up THEN we can apologize and if necessary, explain ourselves.
>>
No. 651529 ID: 0fc976

It's cool to admit when you've messed up. Coolness isn't about what you do, it's about how you carry yourself.
>>
No. 651547 ID: f68a09
File 143555131241.png - (11.38KB , 960x560 , 346.png )
651547

"So you should try it," you say. "Can I buy you a drink?"
"Yea," she says. "Gimme a beer."

You order her an IPA and a grapefruit shandy for yourself.

Meg takes a gulp. She coughs and burps.
She puts it back on the table. "Fuck."
"They're an acquired taste," you say.
"I don't taste anything." She coughs again. "I hear it."
"You hear the beer?"
"They didn't link it up right. It's that word."
"Synesthesia."
"Yea. This shit is loud."
"That's nuts." You drink some shandy. It's UFO, the kind Harpoon makes. You feel a lot more in your element than when you were drinking champagne.
"Didn't have the heart to tell them they were wrong." She cautiously takes another sip of the beer and winces. "Mm. Not bad. Loud but not bad."
"So how have you been, Meg?"
"Not great," she says.
"Oh." You're a little disarmed by this.
"I really wanna fly." She rolls her head back and looks at the sky. Her hand twitches. "I wanna fuckin' fly, Zack."
"It was a lot of fun."
"Yea." She runs her finger along the lip of her bottle. "Some dude from Queens puked all over my helmet the very last time."
"Oh, shit. Really?"
"I am not gifted at the first date. Five guys, two of them wanted to fly, three of them politely declined, one of them yakked, and the other came close. So I finally read the guide thing and rule 21 was 'no making your dates ride the vomit comet.'"
"That's weirdly specific."
"It might as well have been. 'Try to keep it casual and lowkey on the first date.' And rule 9 was don't talk about other dates. And rule 14 was no sex the first time." She glumly peels at her label. "Oops."

You take another drink.

"So the Collective took a look at my report card and they slapped some knockers on to me." She squeezes her left boob. "And an esophagus because it's rule 3 I think that says restaurants are a good idea. So fuck it."

1]] Don't listen to the rulebook.
2]] Those other dudes kind of sound like sissies.
3]] What's the Collective?
4]] You look great, if it's any consolation.
5]] I was actually about to apologize for how our date went down.
6]] It was my fault.
7]] You'll get better. Practice makes perfect, right?
8]] We should talk to someone about getting you your wings back.
9]] _______________
>>
No. 651551 ID: b8ceae

>>651547
5, 1, 3.
Posted about Zack dropping the ball earlier.
"They're more like guidelines, really".
Is it some kind of collective consciousness? Or the visitor version of Wikipedia?
>>
No. 651554 ID: b5b419

>>651547
9 "It's different when you ARE the comet - date won't amount to anything later if they can't handle it."
>>
No. 651556 ID: ad7bba

5, 1, 3

A guide wont make every date perfect. Heck, following a guide super strictly when it rankles is a recipe for disaster.

Anyway, we kind of choked last date because we didn't want to mess up- which messed it up.
>>
No. 651557 ID: 3009b4

Look, #5 and #8. I'm a fan of Poly but she wants her damn wings back. Even if you don't have long-term romantic plans for her at least do things for your relationship that allows you to be a good friend now and later.
>>
No. 651558 ID: b5b419

>>651556
Naaah. I still stand by the decision that saying 'no' to the quick sex was a good idea. Flubbing the landing of it, ehh...

Coulda been handled better.
>>
No. 651559 ID: 240a2c

>>651547
5,1,3
Aw, poor thing.
But yeah, a rulebook doesn't help. Like the lady said: "Love is messy." You've just gotta learn how to go with the flow.

Also, Collective? What?
>>
No. 651560 ID: 08f4b2

>rulebook
Do we have a corresponding book? We seem to be doing fairly well on our own, but I would be curious as to what is in there.
>>
No. 651562 ID: 334db2

5, 3 & 8. What the hell is Jawara anyway?
>>
No. 651564 ID: d51fe1

In no particular order: 1, 3, 5, 8
Relationships are naturally messy, so rulebooks don't really work.
What's this "Collective" whozit?
We were about to apologize for last time.
Is there any way to get her airborne again?
>>
No. 651565 ID: 5f7625

I can't believe they'd clip your wings, that's terrible. How do you like the new voice then? It was a pretty incredible performance, but I get the impression you aren't as big into as everyone else is.
>>
No. 651566 ID: 0fc976

The Collective agrees: 5, 1, 3.
>>
No. 651569 ID: 7b7ab3

Okay, first off: this "Collective" sounds like a bunch of assholes. They wrote some bullshit romance rulebook (that she should not listen to) and needlessly punished her. There must be a way to get her wings back from these jerks.

Secondly, we were just about to apologize for last time, though now it sounds like she's had much worse. The HVAO needs better recruits.

Meg needs some serious Gnuyen brand TLC to make up for her bad time.
>>
No. 651574 ID: 27bc51

1,3,5,8
>>
No. 651585 ID: 0c3d91

>>651569
But how do you really feel?

Seriously though. Meg needs some kind of relief. And her wings back.
>>
No. 651598 ID: d2c5e8

1]] Seriously. It sounds terrible.
2]] You'd think the HVAO would have higher standards.
3]] They sound like jerks.
4]] She really does.
5]] Kinda glad to know we weren't the worst thing to happen to her.
6]] At least we feel like it was.
7]] She's young now. In time she'll be incredible.
8]] Who or what would be our best shot at getting her flying again?
>>
No. 651605 ID: 61384f

>>651564
This. She needs help in these unhappy times.
Let us offer our aid.
>>
No. 651607 ID: 7fcddc

5, 1, 3

Like all things considered the date with Meg owned it just had something of a sour end.
>>
No. 651628 ID: 7b7ab3

What gets me is that they grounded her. That just seems cruel to do to a Floater.

There has got to be a way to get her back in the air. Maybe we should talk to Britta or Carlson. They might have some advice.
>>
No. 651645 ID: f4d940

>>651558
Agreed, though I dunno how we ought to have handled it better.

>>651628
My impression isn't that she's grounded because of her performance, but rather because of reasons relating to the political unrest and possibly to danger of some sort? Jawara, I believe, refers to some area or unit that they lost contact with recently.

Also, soooo, are ALL of our dates also dating more guys? It's reasonable, I just dunno if we'd heard of it, yet.
>>
No. 651652 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651645
Yeah, they say it's because of Jawara. I have my doubts.

More than likely. Although, if Meg's experiences are any indication, the other guys are pretty feeble.
>>
No. 651664 ID: fcbfd2

>>651564
Agreed.

>>651569
>Meg needs some serious Gnuyen brand TLC to make up for her bad time.
Well, then let's give her some!
>>
No. 651670 ID: 5a4a22

>>651664
>Meg needs some serious Gnuyen brand TLC to make up for her bad time.
>Well, then let's give her some!
A stiff drink, a romantic rooftop dinner, a sympathetic ear, and some kind words are a good place to start. Now if we could just help her with her whole "grounded" situation.
>>
No. 651675 ID: ea0ad9

>Also, soooo, are ALL of our dates also dating more guys? It's reasonable, I just dunno if we'd heard of it, yet.
I don't think Bika's dating anybody else, but I also don't think the four are the only ones. It does sound like they're fine with the whole idea of the Dulabira, though.

The rules are for standard human to human relations, not Dulabira relations. Something these guys will have to realize is how the rules of Visitor dates go.
>>651554
Trying to go for a ride and then throwing upover her is bad, but politely declining when you know it won't work out is fine. They may still work out as something to learn about humans from, and the whole point of hosting Dulabiras with the HVAO is to learn from a variety of sources.
>Secondly, we were just about to apologize for last time, though now it sounds like she's had much worse. The HVAO needs better recruits.
We can still apologize. Just because she broke a rule of the Human dating book, doesn't excuse us for breaking one out of the Visitor rules. We'll also have to get the Dulabirs together, get some serious debriefing in on it.
I'll look into posting an article about the relationships of Visitors shortly
>>
No. 651679 ID: 863037

>>651547
personally i liked your old chest better.
>>
No. 651680 ID: 5f7625

We should express displeasure they'd change her like that. Very human thing that she might not even understand.

I really don't think we should apologize for turning her down. I stand by our decision, she was interested in fulfilling a role and we wanted it to be something natural. Nothing wrong there.
>>
No. 651684 ID: bb78f2

Don't express displeasure at the fact they changed her. Floater bodies are clearly modular, so there's going to be some extreme cultural dissonance here. I mean, her original breasts were probable fake too. What Meg should look like is whatever makes her happy and comfortable with herself. Her body is like a nice suit or dress as much as a dress is for us.
>>
No. 651712 ID: ca5378

She should ignore the rulebook and she should know that we are very sorry for everything that's happened. If she wants we can talk to the HVAO and see if we can find her a place she can fly. We have some credit with them now, thankfully.
>>
No. 651724 ID: f68a09
File 143561413986.png - (7.12KB , 960x560 , 347.png )
651724

"What's the Collective?"
"Governing body of the Floaters," Meg says. "Fancy name."
"Are they the ones who grounded you?"
"No. That was you." She waves her hand. "Humans."
"Is there something I can do to get you airborn again? I could talk to the HVAO."
"Doubt it," she says. "There's probably good reason they don't want a Golborian in their airspace."
"You're as much a citizen of Earth as any of us."
"'Swhere you're wrong, Zack." She puts her elbow on the table. "If that were true it'd be different. All the other races do that. New citizenship, emigration, kind of thing. Not what floaters do. We live here, but none of us were refugees. No defections. And all of us have rank. I was born on Earth but I'm Golborian. Specialist of Three Degrees in the Land Army of the Kariket."
"You're a soldier?"
"Sure." She shrugs. "On assignment. That's floaters. We all are. My detail's pretty relaxed but still. Hence rulebooks."
"Hey rulebooks are usually a bunch of bullshit," you say. "Don't listen to them."
"I dunno." Meg says. "I'm flying pretty fuckin' blind."
"We all are. Don't trust whoever has answers. The rough truth is that love and dating is messy territory."
"I don't like it." She sloshes her half-finished beer around and makes a little whirlpool in her lap. "It hurts."

You swallow. "Truth be told actually I was thinking of apologizing."
"Why?"
"Last time," you say. "I trusted you enough to go skydiving with you but not go home with you. I didn't really think about where you were coming from enough."
"Hmmm." She drinks, contemplatively. She burps again, then hiccups. "Son of a bitch."
You laugh as the tension dissipates. "Need help there?"
"It's got all these bubbles in it."
"It's fizzy."
"Fizzy. Cool." She examines the amber depths of her beer. "It's ok. Not your fault."
"It was my fault."
"Kind of your fault." She sighs. "I'm not... good at this, though."
"No--"
"It's ok. I know what I'm good at. I'm good at singing and I'm really good at flying. I'm good at most of the shit I've tried. But I'm not fucking good at this." Her voice rises. She catches herself. "I'm not. Now I'm not even so good at combat maneuvers. Weight differential's all messed up and I can't practice."
"You were amazing at singing."
"I guess." She plays with the material of her dress. "But that's just singing. Using other people's words. Anonymous."
"I didn't know floaters could write like that. Didn't they not feel love before you?"
"Nope. Doesn't mean some of us didn't want to. Rebea loved that poem. Must have had like a dozen copies in storage for whenever they yanked it. But all she did was read it. She didn't feel anything like-- I just--" She closes her eyes and refocuses them. "I don't fucking get how someone in the past who couldn't even feel it wrote that. And here I am and I do and I'm stealing some dead floater's words because I can't-- I have all this shit inside. I don't know what to do with this. I don't want this." She slumps. "It should have been them. We should have found whoever wrote that and made a copy of them. I don't know why it's me. Oh, my god." She tilts her head back up. Her voice is rising. "Rule 12. Positive attitude. No complaining. Fuck. I don't know why I'm complaining at you. And why I can't stop talking. I don't say this shit to people. This isn't me. Shut up, Meg. I WANT TO FUCKING FLY."

Every other table's conversation on the rooftop goes completely silent.

1]] Meg we gotta be quiet.
2]] It's OK, everybody.
3]] What are you all looking at?
4]] Give her a hug.
5]] I prefer you over whoever wrote that thing, if that's a comfort.
6]] Not everyone can express themselves through words. It's OK.
7]] You were saying you feel something? What do you feel?
8]] What happened to Rebea? Is she still around?
9]] I don't give a shit what the regulations are. We have to fly tonight.
10]] Try to find something else to talk about to cheer her up.
11]] ________________
>>
No. 651727 ID: b8ceae

>>651724
4, 7.

Also:
"That rulebook was written by floaters, wasn't it. Dating's mostly an emotional experience, so that rulebook is like a rainbow painted by the blind."

Also:
"If you're grounded because you're officially a Golborian citizen, then apply for US citizenship. You were born here and you're under 18 years old, so you pretty much just have to file the paperwork.
The US will have you renounce your Golborian citizenship, but if the Collective doesn't recognize that you end up with dual citizenship.
You'd also be the first civilian floater."
>>
No. 651728 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651724
4, 5, 9
She needs comfort. Right now.
She's Meg. Amazing, beautiful, wonderful, incredible Meg. We wouldn't trade her for the world.
She needs to fly tonight. With all the shit that's happened she needs release. She'll go crazy otherwise.
>>
No. 651730 ID: ab7529

>I was born on Earth but I'm Golborian
Doesn't being born here give you joint citizenship? That's how it used to work, if human soldiers had kids while they were deployed somewhere.

>I'm terrible at this
>Rule 12. Positive attitude. No complaining. Fuck. I don't know why I'm complaining at you. And why I can't stop talking. I don't say this shit to people. This isn't me. Shut up, Meg. I WANT TO FUCKING FLY.
I'm pretty sure being honest about your feelings is somewhere on the list of important when it comes to dating. Not all feelings are always fun.

(Is her tongue loose because she's never been exposed to booze before?).

>not really comfortable with the eating or the boobs
It kinda sucks she doesn't get a say in her own body. Really, she doesn't have to change to make you happy, if that's what her bosses think.

>I WANT TO FLY
Hmm. Are there any big, open enclosed spaces? You're not in airspace if you're inside a hollowed out skyscraper or something. (The war must have left a few of those, right?).
>>
No. 651732 ID: e607cd

threeeeeeeeeee
>>
No. 651741 ID: 7b7ab3

I can't stand seeing her like this. She doesn't deserve to suffer like this.
We have to do something. We have to help her. Figuring out her emotions, dealing with all the stress, getting back in the air. We have to help her.
>>
No. 651743 ID: ea0ad9

>>651727
This.
>>
No. 651744 ID: 0fc976

6, 4
>>
No. 651751 ID: 8b9822

Offer a solution. The humans who grounded you don't understand the important of flight for Floaters - in fact, that's part of what your work in the HVAO is for. If you throw your expertise around in the right places, you could at least get flight zones set up somewhere, out in the country, or around an airfield somewhere where they'll feel safer about it. Its the kind of thing anthropologists get called for, to go to officials and go "guys come on you don't understand what's going on here with these people". So there's precedent for this sort of thing.

In the meantime... well, obviously they're allowing at least a little flight ceiling, because that's how Floaters move around at all. So perhaps, if you can't fly high... you can fly level, but over a deep empty space? There has to be a quarry or something near the city, some big wide hole in the ground. It wouldn't be full flight, but it'd be better than nothing, maybe?
>>
No. 651753 ID: 334db2

4 4 4 4

Meg, you won't find the words you're looking for if you don't talk. It's fine.

aaand we should probably cut off the beer & get her out of here.
>>
No. 651763 ID: e114bc

So what she's saying is... "They should've sent a poet"?
>>
No. 651766 ID: 7b7ab3

Let me change my vote slightly: 4, 5, 7, 9
She needs immediate physical comfort.
She is completely irreplaceable.
Bottling up emotions only makes them stronger.
If she needs to fly, she needs to fly. We'll take responsibility.
>>
No. 651768 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651766
If we take Meg flying, then we should call the HVAO and let them know, and instead of arguing with us and telling us it's a bad idea they could instead pick out or set up a place for us so we avoid any complications.
>>
No. 651785 ID: ad7bba

Is she drunk on half a beer? I'm not sure she's in any condition for flying regardless of regulation.
>>
No. 651786 ID: f68a09
File 143563199532.png - (5.39KB , 960x560 , 348.png )
651786

You reach across the table and hug her.
You feel her flinch, then reciprocate.
Conversation returns at a low murmur.
You hear that fake camera shutter sound phones make when they take a picture. Whatever.

"We have to get you flying," you say. "I don't give a shit about regulations."
"Regulations give a shit about you," she says. "That's regulations."
"Well we have to-- I'll be right back. Hold on." You stand up. "Right back."
"Where are you going?"
"Bathroom."

You call the HVAO and ask Britta to put you through to Carlson.
"I don't know where he is," she says.
"Does he have a cell phone?" you ask.
"I don't know if I'm allowed to give that out..."
"Brit. Please?"
"Welllll ok. It'd probably come in real handy. Don't tell him I sent you. Not that he wouldn't know."

"Mr. Carlson? It's Zack."
"Zack Nguyen?"
"Yeah."
"Zack Nguyen! Britta gave you this number, didn't she?" His voice sounds a lot lighter than usual. You're surprised. "God dammit," he says, pleasantly. "What do you need, Zack? Please don't call me directly. That often. How did you like the show?"
"It was pretty good."
"Megumi brought the house down. And the refreshments were excellent. Especially the Blanc de noirs."
"Did you indulge?"
He chuckles. "I did, Zackary. I certainly did."
"Umm listen. Mr. Carlson. I have a huge favor to ask."
"Ask it. I've already done you one by not hanging up. I can do you a few more."
"Megumi is going freaking stir crazy on the ground after she was banned from flying. If there is any way--"
"Zackary that wasn't my decision."
"I know but she's seriously--"
"Zackary we have received this same complaint from a number of floaters," Carlson says. "And I am going to tell them exactly what I told you. I mean tell you what I told them. Under no circumstances are you-- Meg, I should say-- allowed to hover so that your head is seven feet above whatever surface is below you."

"Mr. Carlson--"

"And you are especially not to do so in the construction pit at 45th and Amsterdam," Carlson says. "Becaaaaause: between the hours of 8 PM and 4 AM there is nobody on duty to watch it and there are no security cameras there, so nobody would know that you were breaking the law. And as such I have placed an HVAO security detail there specifically to monitor and give a firm verbal warning to all Floaters who fly within said construction pit. Attempt to fly. I should say. Am I understood, Mr. Nguyen?"
"Mr. Carlson you're a lifesaver."
"Am I understood?"
"You are."
"G'night, Zackary. Remember: No 45th and Amsterdam. No going there. OK. Bye."
He hangs up.

1]] Tell Meg you found a place for her to fly so she can grab the harness.
2]] Tell Meg you have a surprise for her.
3]] Suggest to Meg that the two of you get out of here.
4]] Keep drinking and talking for a while.
5]] Maybe talk without the drink.
6]] _________________
>>
No. 651787 ID: 153bce

See if you can ask meg to hover flat.

Her head can't be 7 feet off the ground, but what about the rest of her?
>>
No. 651788 ID: b8ceae

>>651786
It's past 8pm, right?

3. Walk and talk.
Ask her if she ever thought about changing her citizenship.
>>
No. 651791 ID: ab7529

3
>>
No. 651792 ID: 334db2

3,5. If she hesitates, say you have a surprise.
>>
No. 651793 ID: 0fc976

3: Let's skidoo.
>>
No. 651794 ID: 7b7ab3

Oh, please be there when we get back...

3 and 2.

"Hey, Meg! You wanna get outta here? There's something I want to show you."

Offer her no hints. We want maximum surprise. This is gonna be awesome.
>>
No. 651796 ID: f0e552

>>651786
3, 2. Hold hands!
>>
No. 651800 ID: ad7bba

Can Meg hover upside-down? That'd give her a few extra feet of height. Also look hot, probably.

Speaking of, she sort of implied her boobs are throwing off her flight game. Might be a good idea to pass along to the Collective that practicality is a valid aesthetic draw too.
>>
No. 651801 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651796
>Hold hands!
Also this! If she's into it...

And let's keep the conversation going. We still need to help her figure out her emotions.
>>
No. 651806 ID: 7fcddc

Mr Carlson you bro.

3,2
>>
No. 651811 ID: f68a09
File 143563883930.png - (13.36KB , 960x560 , 349.png )
651811

You go back to Meg. "Hey. Meg. Let's get outta here."
She doesn't say anything. Just nods.

You walk with her. Her arms are folded tight. You're not sure how you could go about initiating holding her hand so you don't.

"How are you feeling?" you ask.
"Bad," she says.

The two of you go in silence for a while. You feel pressure to say something.

"You ever think about changing your citizenship?" you ask.
She starts to shake her head then changes her mind and shrugs instead. "Floaters don't do that."

You check the street signs. "We're crossing here."
"Where are we going?" she asks.
"This way," you say, and speed up.
"No, like where are we--" she floats faster to keep pace with you, and hesitates as she sees you duck under caution tape headed into a construction area. "What are you doing, Zack?"
"C'mere," you say. "Check this out."
She hovers over the tape and follows you as you figure out how to open those doors they have in the barriers next to sidewalks. Turns out a solid push from the shoulder unsticks them. You wonder if this is normally locked.

The door swings open onto a wide concrete pit, dug deep to get to the recently dismantled foundations of some office space highrise or another that recently went under. A plainclothes man sits on a shrinkwrapped palette, reading a book.
"Floater?" he doesn't look up. "Hey."

Meg goes to the edge of the pit and looks down. An ecstatic-looking floater tears past her face. "Holy SHIT," she says.

"Don't fly around down there," the guy reading the book says. "Rules are rules. And, uh," he closes the book over his finger to keep the place and stands up to check the pit. "Try not to mess with the equipment and shit down there. It's not ours. Not that you would because don't fly around down there." He sits back down. "Or I for one will be very disappointed in you."

Meg looks back at you, her eyes wide and wild. She's normally impossible to read but her face is lit up with emotion. She looks like she'd be on the verge of tears if she had tearducts.

1]] Surprise!
2]] You're welcome.
3]] Go crazy. As long as you need. I'll be right here.
4]] Should we go get your harness and helmets and stuff?
5]] If I held on really tight could I hitch a ride?
6]] __________________
>>
No. 651817 ID: ab7529

6- Just grin like an idiot.
>>
No. 651819 ID: 9297f4

3. If we wanted to get on her, we should have stopped by her house first. I will not have Zack experience any head or whiplash trauma from bullshit we could have avoided.
>>
No. 651821 ID: b5b419

>>651811
6] "Go on, "don't" get in there."
>>
No. 651822 ID: 334db2

3. Be free Meg. And be careful, you're kinda tipsy.
>>
No. 651823 ID: 1cebc8

2, 4, 3.
>>
No. 651825 ID: b8ceae

>>651811
She hasn't had time to practice since The Collective modified her body, and even a large construction pit is a really small space to fly in. You are NOT riding her in this pit; you can wait to get home to do that.

Later on you should point out she was literally born to do things that Floaters don't do. Leave it at that.
Once you're in private ask what kind of hive mind they have, because what she's said makes it pretty clear The Collective is sorta like Jung's collective unconscious without the 'un'.
>>
No. 651826 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 3, her choice of 4 or 5.

"Surprise! Now go crazy. As long as you need. I'll be right here. Or do you want me to join you?"
>>
No. 651836 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651825
>You are NOT riding her in this pit; you can wait to get home to do that.
I see what you did there.
And maybe this time we won't screw it up.
>>
No. 651844 ID: f68a09
File 143564284801.png - (9.60KB , 960x560 , 350.png )
651844

You don't say anything. You just smile a big, dopey grin.

Meg lights off the overhang and spirals into the abyss.

Looking at her fly you realize just how much she was holding back when you were strapped to her. She executes perfect yo-yos, dizzying alieron rolls, snap loops that bring her crazy close to the wall, and at the peak of her ascent an eyes-closed stall, hovering midair, her arms stretched out to the fingertips like a crucifixion, suspended like one of her high notes, then a tilt over and she comes so close to the ground you almost scream for her to pull up before whoosh, she's up in the air again. She dips under a ladder and the tarp suspended over her billows with the wind of her passage. Chandelles and figure eights until you're lightheaded just watching her.

Then she screeches to a breakneck stop right in front of you, hovering in midair. "Zack!"

"Jesus, Meg," you say. "That was something else."

"Zack! I have to tell you something!"

"What's up?"

She just floats, staring at you.

"Meg?"

"Hold on!" She flies back away for a second during which she does three consecutive barrel rolls and then comes back, turning in the wind above you.

"Zack I didn't tell anyone but I did so bad on all of my dates because of you! It's your fucking fault!"
"What? Sorry?"
"No no no! I couldn't stop thinking about you! I couldn't! I still can't! I think about you all the fucking time! I had to reprint a report because I wrote your name a million times in the fucking margins, Zack! I fucking--"

She does another backflip and comes back up, eyes two perfect electric O's.
"I fucking keep thinking about the kiss! And how I made you hard when we were flying together and that made me feel so fucking good about myself! That's the only time I've felt like I know what I'm fucking doing this entire fucking mission! I phoned it in so much with everyone else because I just wanted to be with you and looking at you!"

"Uhh." The guy with the book looks up again. "Should I like, go?"

"And I don't even fucking know you! But I really really really want to! Really badly! Why?! Is that?!" She doesn't wait for an answer. "I want to hang out with you all the time! But I couldn't even tell you! Every time you texted me I read it like 50 times and I didn't know how to respond!" She slows down and drifts lower, breathing hard. "I don't know why the fuck I can just tell this to you now. Am I drunk? I don't think I'm drunk. What the fuck am I saying, I don't even fucking know what drunk feels like. But."
She's lost steam. She looks terrified.

1]] That's the cool part of all of this.
2]] That's what we in the biz call love.
3]] That's what we in the biz call infatuation. It's the stage one of love.
4]] I've been thinking about you too.
5]] Isn't that gonna make your job harder?
6]] This whole time I just thought you were pissed at me!
7]] Come down here so I can kiss you.
8]] Jump up and kiss her.
9]] Calm down. I feel the same.
10]] _________________
>>
No. 651846 ID: defceb

8
>>
No. 651847 ID: 0ee153

4, 6, 8.
>>
No. 651848 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651844
Definitely 8, then 4 followed by 1.
>>
No. 651849 ID: bb78f2

>>651844
8]] SMOOCH
>>
No. 651850 ID: 1cebc8

6, 5.
>>
No. 651851 ID: ad7bba

6, 4, 3

It's the reason teenage girls love boy bands.
>>
No. 651858 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651844
>all that zipping around
>that emotional venting
Methinks she was a miiiiiite pent up.
Poor, lovesick thing. Let us shower her with affection!
>>
No. 651864 ID: 0fc976

3, 6, 4... 7?
>>
No. 651870 ID: f0e552

>>651844
8, and then "I'm so glad , 6"

make sure you won't fall when you inevitably do an 8.
>>
No. 651873 ID: ea0ad9

>"And I don't even fucking know you! But I really really really want to! Really badly! Why?! Is that?!"
3: That's infatuation. Stage one of love. The sort that Visitors call Alamad, I think?
8, but if the surprise cuts off her jets be prepared to "Catch" her.
6: And here I thought you were mad at me for screwing things up. By something other than making the other guys look worse, I mean.
5/4: Sounds like it'll make your job harder, so lemme ease it up for you: I've been thinking about you too. When we separated, I was disappointed in me, not you, and that's the way I'll always be after a disagreement.
10: Don't give up your job, though. You can always give me a call, spend some time, get your Vitamin Nguyen (Give her a wink here, you big dork), especially if your Dulamads aren't cutting it.
>>
No. 651874 ID: e114bc

NO LECTURING
>>
No. 651885 ID: 57d76a

3,1 -> 4,6 -> 8

... you know. I am kind of getting the feeling that there might be a superhuman component to our charm.
But who knows maybe we're just that smooth.
>>
No. 651888 ID: f0e552

>>651844
I think meg is my favourite, now.
>>
No. 651897 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651888
I won't play favorites among the girls, but I will say she's my favorite Floater, just like GG's my favorite Warrior, Poly's my favorite oculot, and Bika's my favorite skut.
>>
No. 651901 ID: 334db2

8 6
>>
No. 651904 ID: 3fd265

>>651844
>8
"Catch me!"
>>
No. 651906 ID: 2a7417

>>651885
Maybe when he signed up for the HVAO they injected Zack with super-suaver serum.
>>
No. 651910 ID: 7b7ab3

>>651906
Or maybe he was exposed to otherworldly radiation. Now, whenever there are pretty, alien ladies present, Zack becomes
The Incredible Hunk!
>>
No. 651911 ID: 4b1db0

8. A surface-to-air smooch!
>>
No. 651915 ID: b92d82

>>651904
Yea!
>>651906
>>651910
Uhhh... Dammit! I've got no Avengers jokes!
>>
No. 651925 ID: f61b8d

>>651885
>>651906
>>651910
Haha, yeah.
Yeah, it does kinda strain my suspension-of-disbelief, the way everyone is falling madly in love with Zack. Like, I know it makes things convenient for the plot, but.... Particularly contrasted with the point that Meg's other five dates didn't interest her in the slightest, it seems.

Also, thankfully it seems that her beer didn't affect her balance enough to cause problems, or that woulda been bad.

Also, my theory is that she's able to say all of this because of a combination of alcohol and the exhilaration of flying after so long.

Also, 8 seems the best option given.

Random thought; Floaters would make amazing taxi-people.
>>
No. 651934 ID: b8ceae

>>651844
1, 3, 8
>>
No. 651936 ID: 45089e

Take her hand, bring her down and kiss her you fool
>>
No. 651943 ID: 87aae3

8 or 7. I don't much like the sound of three. It just seems off somehow.

>>651925
We spec'd for charm and confidence. Considering the build, people's reactions have made sense. If we had focused on our body or sense of humor I imagine things would have been much different.
>>
No. 651960 ID: 0ee153

>>651925
I suspect Meg was built to do exactly this. Fall in love. Should be an interesting philosophical conundrum when/if the question comes up about how much is Zack's charisma and how much of it she was programmed to act.
>>
No. 651961 ID: c1d890

>>651936
Alternatively: jump up there, grab a hold, and kiss her you fool
>>
No. 651963 ID: 45089e

>>651961
no, no, taking her hand's more romantic
>>
No. 651965 ID: f61b8d

>>651943
Man, I barely even remember doing that. Anyway, maybe you're right. But, seems like...OP, though? You'd think some of the traits would've endeared us to some, and others to others, etc.

>>651960
Interesting point. On the other hand, they probably didn't hardwire her for ZACK, yet Zack seems to be the only one she's taken a liking to.
>>
No. 652054 ID: 943afc

>>651965
he was the first date tho maybe they programmed her like, cupid's arrow first-designated-LI you see thing
>>
No. 652136 ID: 7b7ab3

Y'know, we should suggest to Meg that we make trips to this pit a regular thing. Sort of make it into our own, personal speakeasy. Only instead of drinking we're flying.
>>
No. 652154 ID: 846437

8, 4. She's been on our minds, to say the least.
>>
No. 652155 ID: f68a09
File 143572818007.png - (10.49KB , 960x560 , 351.png )
652155

"Meg! Catch me!"
"What?"
"I'm gonna jump you gotta catch me!"
"OK!"
"Are you sure?" You back up to take a running start.
"Come on, Zack! Kenny Loggins it!"
"Whoa. Whoa." The guy with the book stands up. "Don't jump, dude. I don't--"
"Sorry," you say.
Meg braces. "Go!"

You leap.
"DON'T DON'T" the HVAO man yells, as you soar through space.
You feel the downward tug of gravity for a split second before Meg catches you in midair with a surprisingly firm grip, twirls you around like a ballerina, and kisses you.
She's learned from last time; her technique has improved a lot. She tastes clean and plastic.
Also she hasn't dropped you, so that's a plus.

The HVAO guy is freaking out. "Dude that is CRAZY dangerous!"
"It's okay." You give him the thumbs up. Your legs dangle. "She's seriously a lot stronger than she looks."
"Jesus." He sits back down. "You're Zack Nguyen, aren't you?"
"You've heard of me?"
"You're an urban legend around the office, dude." He shakes his head and reopens his book. "Or maybe just a normal legend. I don't know the difference. Don't fall."
Meg buries her head in your chest. "Hold tight," she says.
You look down. You've floated higher. "I don't really have much of a choice."
She laces her fingers across your lower back. "Good."
You gently lift her chin up and kiss her again.
The airdrafts of a floater shooting by spin the two of you slightly.
"Get a room," it calls.
Meg flips it off but detaches herself, biting your lip as she goes. She doesn't really have teeth, just hard plastic, so it doesn't hurt. She's angled up a little bit so that all your weight is pushing down on her stomach and hips. Her thrusters hum low and vibrate her against you. "What now?" she asks.

1]] You want to fly around more?
2]] You want to go eat something?
3]] You want to go to a club or something?
4]] You want to get out of the city?
5]] You want to come home with me?
6]] __________________
>>
No. 652156 ID: fcbfd2

5. This is our chance to make up for last time!
Or we could just hang out or something, I don't know.
>>
No. 652157 ID: 57d76a

3, I guess? I dunno they all seem good to me. Except 5, thanks for later in the night.

Well okay I guess they've been out for a while but they haven't been together for much of it!
>>
No. 652158 ID: f4d940

Hahahahaha, "You're Zack Nguyen, aren't you?" WE ARE ZACK NGUYEN, BABY! hahahaha
>>
No. 652166 ID: 0fc976

1, extend 5 when you're done slow-dancing through the air.
>>
No. 652168 ID: 7b7ab3

I say 5.

It's late, we're together, she's feeling good, we're feeling good, we've had a good time, and now we're having midair makeouts.

I say it's time to cap this night off the right way.
>>
No. 652170 ID: 6b0329

6) "So, are you tired or hungry or something else? All else being fair, I'd imagine you should be enjoying the flight while you can, but you did just sing a concert and all."
>>
No. 652173 ID: eb385b

5
>>
No. 652174 ID: 0ee153

1, 5.
>>
No. 652183 ID: f68a09
File 143573355257.png - (11.19KB , 960x560 , 352.png )
652183

"Hold me," you say.
She does.
For a while the two of you just float in a kind of slow dance in the air.
You can feel her shaking. "Are you good?" you ask. "Am I too heavy?"
"No." She tucks her hand into your back pocket. "I'm just-- I don't know. I'm really excited. I feel really hot."
"Literal hot or figurative hot?"
"Both."
"Meg?"
"Yea?"
"Do you want to come home with me?"

She rubs just above your ear with her thumb and, for the very first time, she smiles.
"Yea."

With some reluctance she returns to the ground and you take the subway back to your apartment.
She produces a pair of headphones from one of her jacket pockets and plugs it into her left ring finger.
"Check it out," she says, handing you the buds.
You put one in and hear her music, spectral and polar. It has a funny way of feeling very cold and very intimate at the same time, which you are coming to understand is par for the course with Meg.
"You need these?" you ask.
She shakes her head, then lays it gently on your shoulder. "Mine are internal."

The music plays as the subway rattles toward home.
You watch your and Meg's reflection in the opposite window appear and disappear with the pale tunnel fluorescents.

Your apartment building is mostly dark when you get back. You climb up the stairs to your floor. Meg's dress gently brushes against the steps.
>>
No. 652184 ID: f68a09
File 143573355993.png - (14.67KB , 960x560 , 353.png )
652184

You walk down your hallway to your door.
>>
No. 652185 ID: f68a09
File 143573358301.png - (6.88KB , 960x560 , 354.png )
652185

The two big dents in the lower half of it look like someone kicked it, hard.
Next to the door handle is a long scar in the wood from what was probably a pocket knife.
The hinge is peeled back in one place, a screw dangling loose, wrest from the wood.
The locks have all held.

It looks like someone tried to get in, gave up, and settled for leaving a message.

1]] Call the cops.
2]] Call the HVAO.
3]] Call someone else: _____________
4]] Knock on your neighbors' doors; wake them up and see if they saw what happened here.
5]] Get out of the building.
6]] Get your superintendent.
7]] Stay here until someone comes.
8]] Get inside.
9]] ______________________
>>
No. 652188 ID: 540fa6

>>652185
Okay, Call the HVAO and your Superintendent, they need to know about this and we need knowledge of what happened in the building while you were away.
>>
No. 652189 ID: 0ee153

What a surprise. Listen at the door, look under it, ask Meg if she can detect anything. Best to call the HVAO and whichever one of your buddies you can safely crash with for the near future. If you're still sleeping with Meg, should do it at her place instead.

Make sure you're not being watched.
>>
No. 652190 ID: a19cd5

Neighbors, Cops, then Hvao.
If neighbors are cool, they'll help with testimony. If neighbors suck, hey at least we know. If cops suck, we might be a bit fukt, but oh well.
>>
No. 652191 ID: e114bc

>>652185
6. Find out if the cops were already called, before you call them and waste someone's time.

2, just to tell them what happened. It's not really their job to investigate, is it?
>>
No. 652195 ID: 6b0329

9) Ask Meg if she can tell whether there is anyone in the apartment right now, a trap inside, or people waiting in a stairwell to attack us if we go in. We've got the derivative of a combat veteran beside us, I'd be surprised if she doesn't have at least a partial suite of sensors for thermal imaging and such.
>>
No. 652196 ID: 5f7625

Call HVAO and tell them someone tried to break in, get them to have someone watch the building.

Call the super and question the neighbors in the morning. One of them probably scared the guy off so you might have a witness.
>>
No. 652197 ID: bd8b82

6 2 5
get the guy and ask if he knows about it. hvao about this, and then skedaddle to meg's. maybe pick up something for breakfast because i doubt has uh, normal food, stocked.
>>
No. 652204 ID: f68a09
File 143573757310.png - (10.55KB , 960x560 , 355.png )
652204

"Meg," you say. "Can--"
"Unlock the door, Zack," she says.
You fish for your key and get the door unlocked. "Do you have--"

But she's already past you.
She shoulders your door open and SWAT rolls inside.
You don't know where she kept it but there's a gun in her hands, pointed low, her finger resting across the trigger guard. You recognize it from James Bond as a Walther PPK.

She raises it and checks under the bed, then opens your closet, barrel-first.
She does the same with your bathroom. When she sees nothing amiss in there she straigtens back up and her shoulders relax.

"Clear," she says.

"I'm getting the super," you say.
"Yeah," she says. Her eyes are back to her customary narrow, alert almond shapes.
"Do we go to your place?" you ask.
She holsters her gun. "I don't have a place," she says, staring at the floor. "I have a 6 foot tube."
>>
No. 652205 ID: f68a09
File 143573757986.png - (11.01KB , 960x560 , 356.png )
652205

Your superintendent, Marsha, who opens the door grumpy from interrupted sleep and immediately melts into cuddly mother mode when you tell her what happens, pulls up the security tapes.

Two people in hoodies, sunglasses, and surgical masks walk down the hallway.
One of them has a spraycan in his hand.
He gets to work on your door while the other one, a woman in a familiar sweatshirt, looks down the halls.
Neither speak.

The woman looks directly up at the security camera and waves.

After they finish writing, the guy tries to kick your door down, gets frustrated, and carves a slash near the handle. The woman grabs his hand and slaps him lightly on the back of the head. He shrugs and kicks it again.
Then again.
You feel vaguely like puking as he kicks it a fourth time and there's a ping noise as your top hinge breaks.

Suddenly a light shines from down the hall, probably a neighbor opening their door.
The woman tugs the man from your door and both of them run out of frame.

Marsha calls the cops and promises to ask the doorman Gray what the fuck he was doing at (she checks the timestamp) 9:30 PM tonight.

1]] Stick around and wait for the police to show up.
2]] Ask Marsha to talk to them. You have to get Meg out of here.
3]] Call Britta and tell her what's happened.
4]] Call one of your friends and tell them what's happened and that you need a place to stay.
5]] Call one of the girls and tell them what's happened and that you need a place to stay.
6]] Ask if the HVAO has a place you can go.
7]] Get a hotel room.
8]] __________________
>>
No. 652208 ID: 863037

>>652205
this is something the HVAO needs to know. ask them if they want to take care of it or if you should give the description of that woman to the cops. what we saw of the woman following you is really the only thing you need to pass forward, the video tapes saw more than you did.

also, this place is probably not safe anymore.
>>
No. 652209 ID: 53a13f

2,3,7

Don't want to spoil the night (well, more than it has been spoiled already) so call the cops, get Marsha to speak with them since there's not really anything you can contribute, let the HVAO know since you might not be the only one in danger and book a nice hotel. They're paying you all the money after all, you can afford it.
>>
No. 652211 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652205
2, 3, 7.
We knew shit like this was coming.

We both need to get out of here. This scene is far too hot for my liking.

We need to contact the HVAO immediately. This is a disaster and we need to get a handle on it.

We can tell everybody, deal with the drama, and make long term plans in the morning. Right now though, let's drop some cash on a nice hotel room and see if we can distract ourselves.
>>
No. 652214 ID: 7b7ab3

Seeing as we don't know who the leak is, let's not give away precisely where we'll be staying tonight.

Also, let's definitely save telling our friends and lovers about this for the morning. It's too late to do anything, everybody's tired, and it would just keep everybody up with worry.
>>
No. 652215 ID: 88960e

>I don't have a place," she says, staring at the floor. "I have a 6 foot tube.
That either makes decorating way easier or a real pain.

>237
Seems good. Be sure to thank Marsha for the help.
>>
No. 652218 ID: 6b0329

2,3,7.
We have a gold-plated expense account from the HVAO, let's pack some stuff and go stay at a fancy hotel if the cops don't get here while we're doing that.
Also, ask while we're not in anyone else's earshot whether Meg is licenced for concealed carry or not: It would be bad if the cops arrest her on a weapons charge.
>>
No. 652220 ID: f0e552

>>652218
Maybe going to a hotel would be a good idea! We can afford to spend money on a good one right?
>>
No. 652223 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652215
>thank Marsha
Absolutely. She's been good to us.

>>652218
>pack some stuff
Grab the essentials: toothbrush, change of clothes, etc.

>>652220
>spend money on a good one
At least three stars. If we're taking Meg to a hotel, then it should be a damn good one.
>>
No. 652229 ID: ea0ad9

>>652218
Also, get HVAO to get you a new door. Not like we need some heavy duty bunker dooring, just something that can take a bit more damage before a hinge busts off. I expect the doorman would have stopped them from bringing in any heavy equipment, after all.
>>
No. 652239 ID: c1d890

"Marsha, could you take care of this? I need to take my date somewhere less... unpleasant."

Call Britta, give her an update, and tell her to keep you posted.

Let's take Meg to a ritzy hotel. We are not letting this ruin our night!
>>
No. 652245 ID: b8ceae

>>652204
This kinda underscores that you're the only one without combat training.
Next report to HVAO, suggest they implement a training program for human participants. Something similar to boot camp, but with less focused on fighting in combat and more focused on surviving and escaping in combat. So mostly tactics, evasion, and hand-to-hand.
It would also do a little to help participants (Who, judging by Zack's age, probably DON'T have combat training or experience) better understand visitors.
>>
No. 652246 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652229
I seriously don't think it's a good idea to keep using this apartment. I mean, it's compromised to all hell. And if they tried this shit once, they will try again. The best idea is to look for new accomodations.

Hey, maybe one of the girls can put us up! At least until we get a place for ourselves.
>>
No. 652261 ID: 66415b

>>652239
Agreed. Emphatically agreed!
>>
No. 652264 ID: 10e39f

2, 3 and 7 sound like the best mix. Let's wait until tomorrow to tell our friends and the girls, though. It's a little late for a huge upset.
>>
No. 652266 ID: b8ceae

>>652261
Poly would probably be the best choice. She has most likely gone through something similar, and has the most resources at her disposal.
Honestly, it might be best to get all the girls together and go on a group vacation for a little while. Maybe rent a house somewhere on the edge of civilization for a week or so, depending what the news says tomorrow.

Specifically, I'd suggest one of the places in the Thousand Islands. You's have all the basic amenities, internet access, and a very large moat. Bring an agent or two as a precaution.
>>
No. 652269 ID: 62bf94

>>652239
Cool. Guess that one floater was being prophetic.
>>652266
>group vacation
Also cool. It should wait until after we meet GG's parents, though.
>>
No. 652276 ID: c8af78

>>652239
>>652223
>>652246
Total agreement.
>>
No. 652281 ID: d820c1

>>652269
>GG's parents
Holy crap, I nearly forgot about that.
Let's take Meg to a sweet hotel, get our mind off things for a while, and deal with all this crap in the morning.
>>
No. 652294 ID: b68200

"Well, I guess this was bound to happen. C'mon, Meg. Let's get out of here. There's a hotel room out there with our names on it."
>>
No. 652301 ID: f68a09
File 143578777284.png - (9.12KB , 960x560 , 357.png )
652301

You call Britta and tell her what happened.
"Oh, my god," she says, the god trailing off as she pulls the phone from her ear. You hear muffled voices on the other end. She comes back on. "Zack?"
"Yeah?"
"We're going to call you in the morning, OK? For now you have to get out of there. Find a hotel. You'll be comped for it."
"That's what I was planning."
"Well good plan," Britta says. "I have to wake some people up. Stay safe."
"Right."
"Seriously. Anything else happens..."
"I'll let you know."
"OK." She sounds really tired. "Good night, Zack."
"Night."

The hotel room is far nicer than your apartment.
The plasma screen is the kind you've only seen in magazines, it's so big. The bed is queen sized and silky comfortable. You figure if the HVAO gives you any shit for the upscale you'll just spring for some out of pocket.

Meg leans in the doorway. "Classy place."
"I figure I get broken into I can treat myself." You sit on the bed. The mattress feels tempur-pedic or something.

Meg drifts away from the edge of the door, hovering on the precipice in more ways than one. The tension is back in her. The loose, wide-eyed floater you saw in the pit has been replaced by the apprehensive, uncertain Meg from before. You have to admit the mood has taken a hit.
She looks like she's trying to think of something to say, and whether to leave or come in.

1]] Night, Meg.
2]] I'll talk to you tomorrow, OK? Call me first thing.
3]] You want to come in? There's a minibar.
4]] I won't let a couple punks in hoodies ruin our time if you don't.
5]] Y'know I'd feel a lot more secure if a girl with a gun was up here with me.
6]] Tell her that you really don't want to sleep alone tonight.
7]] ____________
>>
No. 652303 ID: 596e42

4, 5, 6

"I won't let a couple punks in hoodies ruin our time if you don't. Besides, I'd feel a lot more secure if a girl with a gun was up here with me. And honestly, I'd rather not sleep alone tonight."
>>
No. 652304 ID: defceb

3
>>
No. 652305 ID: 91ad4d

4, 5, 6. I didn't know you were a Bond girl.
>>
No. 652307 ID: 387db4

>>652301
3, 4, 5, 6
Meg, don't go. :(
>>
No. 652309 ID: ab7529

>Find a hotel. You'll be comped for it.
Pff. Like who pays for hotels even matters with how much they're paying us to be a professional playboy.

>what do
7]] You okay?

And maybe 5, but in a joking tone.
>>
No. 652310 ID: f61b8d

Well, mood's taken a hit. I dunno if she ought to GO, though. Physical and emotional safety in numbers kind of a thing. Maybe 5, with a lopsided smile? It could be a good save of the date for you to just hang out until you fall asleep, maybe. She said she wanted to get to know you better, after all.
>>
No. 652311 ID: 48759f

>>652303
Yeah.
>>652307
>Meg, don't go. :(
Please. It's okay.
>>
No. 652312 ID: 334db2

Start with 3 and go up the list if she's unsure.
>>
No. 652313 ID: e114bc

>>652301
3.
>>
No. 652316 ID: b8ceae

>>652305
Same.
She's military, and she has her mother's memories encoded into her brain.
Poly is a veteran of multiple wars.
Bika's old enough to have fought.
The only one who probably doesn't have memories of being a soldier is GG.
>>
No. 652317 ID: 240a2c

3, 4, 5, 6
The mood took a hit, so it's time to play medic. Let's get things going again.
>>652316
>The only one who probably doesn't have memories of being a soldier is GG.
How ironic.
>>
No. 652323 ID: ca5378

>>652317
Yeah! Hey, if we're The Medic, what does that make Meg?
>>
No. 652327 ID: f68a09
File 143579295235.png - (11.54KB , 960x560 , 358.png )
652327

"Hey, so, uh," you say. "You want to come in? There's a minibar."
Meg's eyes dart to the minibar and back.
"I don't want to let those guys ruin the night," you say. "And I'd feel a lot safer with someone armed. Um and also." The spraypainted TRAITOR flashes across your mind and your voice quakes a little involuntarily. "I don't really want to be alone tonight."

She looks at you for a long time.

Then she takes her jacket off and tosses it onto the bed. She sits down heavily in a fancy, overstuffed chair next to the minibar. "Fuck 'em," she says.
You point at her shoulder. "Where'd your frilly thing go?"
"I detached it," she says. "It was fucking velcro."
"Really?"
"They said I had to have some flair. I was like the fuck? They wanted me in a" She imitates throwing on a scarf. "A fuzzy thing."
"A boa?"
"Bigger. A Mink Stole."
"Damn. Very old Hollywood."
"That's a stupid name for a thing. I don't know fashion but I was like I'm going to be hot as fuck. Give me the little pompom thing."
"I kind of liked it. I mean I don't really know fashion either."
"It itched. What's in this thing?"

She reaches down and tilts the fridge door open. "Let's break this weird auditory/gustatory upgrade in. Are these free?"
"The HVAO's paying for them. So basically."
She nods. "Word." She pulls out a bag of raisinets. "What are these?"
You hold your hand out. "Toss them."
She throws them to you and you loft them into the trash can in the corner of the room. "Garbage is what those are. Are there twix in there?"

Snickers, according to Meg, sound kind of like a fireplace with the rustle of cotton in the background.
Reeses are low-pitch trumpet and jangle flavored. "It's like a weird mix of the sound it tastes like and the sound it makes in my mouth," she says, trying to explain it.
She tries a redhot, sucks it for a second, then spits it into her palm. "Fuckin' tastes like car crash," she says.
You laugh. "Don't like spicy?"
"Is that what that is?" She roots around in the second drawer. "Warn me if I'm about to do that to myself again."
"Never let my sister cook for you," you say. "She's far more Asian than me when it comes to spicy."
"Side effect of this is I've started to taste my Fuel," Meg says, settling on a bag of jolly ranchers.
"I've heard it smells terrible," you say.
"It tastes like I put my ear up to an abdominal gunshot wound."
"That's a potent picture, Megumi."
"There's a reason we only eat in the air," Meg says. "I feel like if Floaters farted it would be death smell."
"Gross, Meg."
"We don't fart. We fly. You fart." She unwraps the jolly rancher. "You're the gross ones." She puts it in her mouth then bites. "What the fuck? This is a rock."
"You suck on it."
Meg sucks, pensively. "Food's fucking weird, man. I don't know. I like music better."
"For most of us that's apples to oranges."
"I think those are in here somewhere." Meg checks.
"Where does it all go if you run off fuel?"
"Through some tubes I think and into an incinerator." She pats her stomach. "It's just for effect."
"Does the tube part mean you can get drunk?"
"I don't know actually." She finds a bottle of Pilsner and pulls it out. "How many of these are you supposed to drink to get drunk?"

1]] Normally I go through like three if it's just a casual night.
2]] Normally I go through like three but if you want to get drunk we need to have more.
3]] I'd start slow if I were you.
4]] Toss one of those over here. I won't put it in the trash this time.
5]] You go ahead. I'm good for drinking.
6]] _______________
>>
No. 652328 ID: 0ee153

1 and 4. Talk about stuff. So far it looks like Meg needs someone to talk to about her life.
>>
No. 652329 ID: d90668

Might as well start slow. Can always drink more but its hard to reverse time.
>>
No. 652330 ID: ad6f49

>>652327
2, 3, 4
Let's get chill and teach the lady how to pace herself.
>>
No. 652331 ID: f0e688

Poor Zack, I'm guessing you want #4. I'd keep it down to three drinks tonight.
>>
No. 652332 ID: 89941a

I kinda want to see if Meg'll even be affected by alcohol. You know, for science.
>>
No. 652333 ID: 7b7ab3

2 and 4.

We need to relax, and Meg needs to loosen up and vent about her life.

All of this can be achieved through the magic of alcohol.
>>
No. 652341 ID: f68a09
File 143579757226.png - (11.60KB , 960x560 , 359.png )
652341

"Let's start you off slow," you say. "For science. Throw me one."

"Hold on."
Meg gathers an armful of beers and hops onto the bed. She rolls one across to you.
"You know the problem?" she says.
"With what?"
"With this dimension? Way too much give here from the visitors and not enough take, I think."
"What do you mean?"
"We all gotta restrain ourselves. Floaters can't fly, Warriors can't fight, Oculots can't use their weird emotion things, skuts... have their own problems..."
"I know about the hivemind thing," you say.
"Oh, shit, really?" Meg sits back. "We're all supposed to swear not to talk about that."
"It was a skut who told me."
"Well don't tell anyone who it was," Meg says. "Because if they're a Golborian the Kariket's gonna execute them."
"What?"
"No joke." She bends off the bed and puts her empty bottle on the floor. "That motherfucker loves executions."
You remember your dream the other night. "I kind of had that idea."
"Heads fucking going all over the place. The skut ones especially. Those took a while. He executed his fuckin' dad, his nephew, everybody. I bet if his dog didn't bring him his slippers i the morning he executed that too. He executed Rebea." She draws a finger across her neck. "KKkkck."
You freeze, bottle halfway to your lips.
"Well had her decomissioned." She opens another pilsner. "We don't really look at it like that."
"Seriously?"
"I told you she was the only one ever to refuse a fire order, right?" Meg says. "What'd you think was gonna happen to her?"

1]] I don't know. Not that, though.
2]] Why do you see that as a decomission and not an execution?
3]] I'm so sorry to hear that.
4]] And now they're using a clone of her as an ambassador?
5]] Why did she do that? Do you know?
6]] He executed you and he's still your boss?
7]] _______________
>>
No. 652344 ID: 1cebc8

6, 3, 4, 5.
>>
No. 652346 ID: dbe554

Considering the scars leftover from the war, it's likely that the reason they don't let them deal with their strange shit is to normalize them around the people a bit more.

Considering that the Visitors straight up invaded out of the blue and basically threw the planet for a loop, not many people would exactly be thrilled to see more of the same.
>>
No. 652350 ID: 946dd8

>>652341
1 and 3 verbatim.

Thankfully, Bika's not Golborian.

Seriously, fuck the Kariket.
>>
No. 652352 ID: ab7529

1]] I dunno, a reprimand. Demotion, court marshal maybe.

3, 4. Then why did they bring you, her, part of her, back?
>>
No. 652354 ID: 334db2

That sounds like the epitome of 'not enough give, too much take'. How does it not count as an execution, though?
>>
No. 652357 ID: 559264

1, 3, 4, 5, 6
>>652350
>Seriously, fuck the Kariket.
I heard that.
>>
No. 652361 ID: 66c0a2

>>652344
This.

It doesn't matter wether it's called decommissioning or execution. Rebea's gone and the Kariket's responsible.
So fuck him.
>>
No. 652363 ID: 01774f

7]] All of the above.

Now is the time for questions, sympathy, and tearing down on the kariket.
>>
No. 652369 ID: 9ab02e

>>652363
Oh, why not?
There's nothing particularly offensive or hurtful listed (that we're aware of), so why not?
Agreed.
>>
No. 652370 ID: 9b1a75

1, 2 - I'm guessing it has to do with being used as a template for future floaters - 5, 4.
>>
No. 652374 ID: f0e552

>>652341
7) I see it as no surprise that as a derivative of Rebea that you're over here on Earth now. Lucky you!
>>
No. 652383 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652363
Usually I wouldn't this, but this a prime opportunity to learn about Meg and Golboria. Besides, we are sorry over what happened.
So this has my vote.
>>
No. 652391 ID: bb78f2

6, 3, 4, 5

7]] I should also say that I was never actually told, it's just glaringly obvious. A lot of humans don't care about skuts enough to give them attention, but then you get this job and interact with a few, and the secret just falls apart. You can even tell when two skut's are from different hives.

And what the fuck, Karikat can't do shit to skuts on this side, they're defectors. He can't even get his fucking war on anymore because Oculot's committed WAY too much suicide from mind reading human's to death, and a lot of Warrior's have started thinking he's a chump ass bitch.
It's easy to guess that the Karikat's losing his hold on Golboria. I bet the motherfucker's too scared to even pop a head himself lest he kill himself from feeling what dying is from the mind he's reading to death.

Hell, I bet a LOT of Oculot's think he's a chickenshit too, for not being emotionally capable of doing what he's ordering them all to do.

And NOW floater's are feeling love and emotions for the first time for this project, which includes at least one dude floater since you met a male oculot in the program, which means they might think of a proper defection, and then they start spreading the emotion stuff to other floater's they build, making their OWN collective of floater's with emotions, and just pretty much go "Man, FUCK the Karikat."
>>
No. 652405 ID: ad7bba

2 because I'm honestly curious.

Don't see where we've got the perspective to really weigh in on the issue otherwise.
>>
No. 652412 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652374
Do you want her to shoot us?

>>652391
>FUCK the Kariket
Could we get that on a T-shirt?
>>
No. 652429 ID: f68a09
File 143580480435.png - (14.03KB , 960x560 , 360.png )
652429

"I don't know. A court martial? Demotion? Reprimand?"
"That's some pussy talk, Zack." Meg swigs some Pilsner. "For real, though, she was pissed about it but she got why it happened. Then she moved on." She takes another drink and burps. "This is better than the other one."
"Good because it probably costs five times as much."
"I meant like the dying kind of move on," Meg clarifies. "Not the other kind."
"I'm so sorry."
"I'm over it."
"You see it as decomission? Not execution?"
Meg shrugs. "Well she's back, isn't she? Kind of. I'm back. Which means they didn't wipe her or anything."
"And then they cloned her?"
"Well yea. I mean I'm not designed to shoot people. So who cares if she glitched out about doing that?" She reaches for the bottle opener. "They didn't deep-six her as punishment, they did it because she was malfunctioning. Can't let that stain the record, can't pass it on. Now I guess it's a feature not a bug."
"That is a real weird way of talking about your execution and resurrection."
"I know," Meg says. "It's fun to fluster you, though."
"Man," you say. "Fuck the Kariket."
"Word." Meg raises her bottle. "Fuck the Kariket." You clink bottles and drink.
"Feel anything?" you ask.
"Results inconclusive," Meg says. "Please hold while I finish this one."
"Why did Rebea do it?" you ask. "Do you know?"
She thinks as she lowers the bottle from her lips. "I don't know. I don't know if she did. I think she was just tired."
"Did she feel guilty about killing so many people?"
"No," she says. "I think that's what she was tired of. Not feeling guilty."
"Hmmm." You lie back. "That's sad."
"That is pretty fucking sad." Meg sounds impressed by herself. "I should make a song about that. Ay, Zack:" She holds her bottle up again. "To Rebea."
You clink. "To Rebea."
"Rebea didn't want to blow up humans
But what's a single floater to do, man,
" Meg sings. "Get me in the studio, Zack. Get me in there. Did you get that douchebag's business card? This is fire."
You laugh. "I think we have figured out whether you can get drunk, Meg. We have solved the mystery."
"Is this that? Drunk?" Meg touches her forehead. "Am I blushing? Am I supposed to blush?"
"Get out of the vehicle and walk in a straight line, ma'am." You whack her with that weird cylindrical pillow hotels always give you for some reason.

"What!!" Meg's thrusters ignite and she wobbles off the bed. "Fuckin' racist. You know I can't do that. Wait actually wait hold on:"
She deactivates her thrusters and drops to the floor. She haphazardly hobbles a couple of steps on her stumpy legs and then falls over. "Shit!"
"I think that's how you need to get around when you're drunk, Meg," you say. "I don't think you can fly drunk. Or operate heavy machinery."
"Zack." She sits up and stares at you. "Are you fucking calling me fat?"
"What? No, I--"
"I fucking love how you fucking look when you're flustered," Meg says. "You're so cute, Zack. Even with your weird legs you're really cute."
"You're mean," you say.
"But for real though I'm light as fuck," Meg says. "Pick me up!"
"Meg I'm a little drunk too."
"I don't care. I picked you up." Her thrusters flare and land her right in your lap. "Do it! Hiiiiiigh waaaay tooooo the Danger Zone!"
You brace her and stand up on top of the bed.
Meg grabs your shoulder. "Whoa warn me first!"
Then for the very first time maybe ever she laughs, so hard that by the end she's shaking. She breathes heavily, trying to get a grip, and loosens her hold on you. As it dies away she settles in your arms. Her fingers wrap around the collar of your shirt and her thumb traces the tendon in your neck. She looks up at you with lidded, electron blue eyes.

1]] Kiss her.
2]] Throw her onto the bed.
3]] Will you let me make up for last time, Meg?
4]] Hey Meg. Still wanna have sex?
5]] I think that's probably enough booze for the night.
6]] _____________
>>
No. 652431 ID: 1cebc8

6. Have a screaming contest, tire yourselves to sleep.
>>
No. 652433 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652429
1 and 3.

The moment of truth.
>>
No. 652434 ID: 5859eb

kiss her
>>
No. 652436 ID: b8ceae

>>652429
1, 5, 3.
I wonder if she knows Kariket can't have US citizens executed; she defects and he can't do shit. Also, it sounds like it's Golborians who aren't allowed to fly; she goes native and she's only gotta listen to the FAA.
If that's so then she'd probably get a lot of floaters following her lead, too.
>>
No. 652437 ID: ad7bba

6) Cuddle the fair maiden chivalrously all knight.
>>
No. 652438 ID: 334db2

kiss her you fool
>>
No. 652441 ID: 0ee153

1 and 3.
>>
No. 652442 ID: 0fc976

2) I threw her on the GROOOOOOOUND! I'M AN ADUUUUUULT!
>>
No. 652455 ID: 7b7ab3

If this is going where I think it's going, then let's make sure to keep a good hold on her.
As twitchy as those thrusters are, she's liable to go shooting off at any moment.
>>
No. 652473 ID: 57d76a

>>652429
Not 2, 3, or 4. I doubt either of us would regret it, but I'm fairly sure she's drunk enough that it would technically be rape, and we need to pay things by the book.
>>
No. 652474 ID: 5f7625

Kiss her, and for the love of god don't ruin it with words. We don't have to verbalize every little thing, just go with the flow.
>>
No. 652479 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652473
Then let's give her a kiss and see where it goes. If she wants to, then she wants to.
>>
No. 652486 ID: afd47f

1, 3
We're both pretty tipsy, but I don't think we're to "regret this in the morning" drunk yet. Let's see what she thinks.
>>
No. 652489 ID: 0c3d91

>>652433
Yes.

Let us see what comes of it.
>>
No. 652491 ID: f68a09
File 143581823086.png - (12.09KB , 960x560 , 361.png )
652491

"Meg," you say. "Will you--"
She kisses you. You forget what you were going to say.
She wriggles out of your bridal carry. Her breath and her body are both outlandishly cool. The sensation of them against you is alien but enticing.

You trace her spine to the small of her back, and pull her hips up and into contact with yours. She gasps. Her hands knead your back in expectation.

You slip the strap of her dress off her shoulder and she hastily extracts herself from it. You scrabble for the zipper as she abandons the kissing etiquette you taught her. You didn't realize her mouth could get this big.

You unzip her dress and she squirms out of it, her bare, newly copoius chest brushing against yours. Her dark, glossy skin shines in the hotel half-light.
>>
No. 652492 ID: f68a09
File 143581824360.png - (14.13KB , 960x560 , 362.png )
652492

You pivot and she allows you to turn her and deposit her on the bed. She draws you down with her, hurriedly discarding her underwear, hungry to the point of desperation for your touch. You trace her svelte body down her hips and up her delicate stomach. It's warmer here.

She catches your hand and stops you. "Zack."
You rock back and look at her.
She looks very nervous. Not in the chilly, distant way she did on your first date or earlier tonight. She looks extremely vulnerable and not at all used to it.
"Meg?" You rub her wrists. "You OK? Do you not want to go all the way?"

"No I do I just." She folds her knees. "I've never-- I didn't even kiss anyone else. I've been waiting for you. And I never-- the book never went this far. And none of the other floaters have ever, um--" She angles her eyes down and away from you, clearly deeply embarrassed. "I don't really know what to do."
>>
No. 652496 ID: a19cd5

>>652492
>Zack: go slow, be gentle
>>
No. 652497 ID: 062da3

>>652496
Exactly.
>>
No. 652498 ID: e114bc

>>652492
Do a thorough inspection of her insides to make sure you can stick something fleshy in it. I mean if nobody's done this before HOW CAN YOU BE SURE IT'S SAFE
>>
No. 652501 ID: ad7bba

>>652492
Cunnilingus.
>>
No. 652505 ID: 0c3d91

>>652496
>>652498
>>652501
Slow, gentle cunnilingus to get a feel for her and start things off.
>>
No. 652507 ID: 82baee

"I do."
And then >>652505.
>>
No. 652509 ID: 57d76a

still technically rape though even if she initiates it
oh well who cares i guess, it is only technically
but don't blame me if this comes back to bite us


>>652498
Yeah that seems wise.
>>
No. 652510 ID: 9513be

>>652505
This.
>>
No. 652511 ID: bd8b82

>>652498
because i would think her designers had access to anatomy books and know what people insides are like.
>>
No. 652512 ID: 4964f3

Cunnilingus is an excellent start. Let's be delicate with her, though. We want her to remember this night fondly.
>>
No. 652513 ID: 5e2117

>>652505
Yeah. Let's show her what Floaters have been missing.
>>
No. 652516 ID: 596e42

>>652509
They're not that drunk, and they're both consenting. What's your deal?

>>652513
Yeah. Besides ankles, that is.
>>
No. 652519 ID: 57d76a

>>652516
I got the impression she was PRETTY DRUNK but whatever it is definitely time to drop it. and maybe i just don't know levels of drunk but whatever
>>
No. 652520 ID: abfd9d

>>652507
Perfect.
>>652516
>Besides ankles, that is.
That's mean. Hilarious, but mean.
>>
No. 652521 ID: 01774f

>>652519
I'd say she's at the "loose and goofy" stage. Full sentences, awareness of her environment, more relaxed in word and deed. The "regret this in the morning" stage looks much different.
>>
No. 652523 ID: 800a06

>>652501
Chocolate muffin.

You were all thinking it.
>>
No. 652535 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652501
Yes.

A slow, gentle introduction to the pleasures her species has long denied itself.

Let us give to her a night of sublime pleasure.
>>
No. 652539 ID: b8ceae

>>652491
OK, so the list of suggestions for the social floater variants:
Ceramic or resin teeth as per dental implants.
Hull heating to approximately human body temperature.

Not for Zack's sake, obviously, as he'd stick his dick in a sufficiently conversational toaster, but the rest of the program could probably use the help.
>>
No. 652560 ID: 0fc976

She's got more holes than you're used to, Zack. Use all of them.
>>
No. 652568 ID: 334db2

"Do you trust me?"
>>
No. 652571 ID: 062da3

>>652568
Good opener, and an excellent callback.
Let's begin with some cunnilingus and work our way up from there. We should keep communicating, asking her what feels good, what she likes and doesn't like. If she wants to switch position at any time we should allow it. Through it all, let's be certain to be slow, steady and gentle. This is her first time, after all.
>>
No. 652594 ID: 6f7296

Try just touching boddies at first (it's one of the best parts anyway) and then let her control what happens next. Maybe try experementing slowly with nipples, thighs and such.
>>
No. 652595 ID: 5859eb

>>652560
oh yeah? what about bika?
>>
No. 652596 ID: 2a7417

>>652595
She had more lumps than usual. What this means is we should thrust(er) our way to exhaust(ion).
>>
No. 652614 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652594
>try experementing
This is the first time in history that a Floater and a human have had intercourse.

Experimenting is all we can do, really.
>>
No. 652619 ID: b9680d

Gentle caressing, stroking, and rubbing are a good place to start.
Cunnilingus is good, too.
The most important thing is what she wants. Ask her what feels good and if she wants to try anything. Tonight is about her.
>>
No. 652631 ID: a55758

>>652619
Agreed. Let's make this as special as possible for her.
>>
No. 652634 ID: 334db2

Make sure everything's linked up better than her sense of taste, first.
>>
No. 652646 ID: 3d6054

Maybe we should let her ask us some questions first. This is her first time, so she must have quite a few.
>>
No. 652654 ID: 3d29ee

Intimacy and communication are tonight's themes.
Starting slowly is a definite must.
Gentleness is key.
Get her opinion on what we do. What feels good, what feels bad, and if she wants anything changed.
Be prepared to stop if she requests it.
>>
No. 652661 ID: ab7529

>I don't really know what to do.
Original research? Maybe you get to write the book for this part.

A joke for afterwards: so they hooked those parts up right, then?
>>
No. 652677 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652634
What would sexual synesthesia even be like?

I'm honestly curious.
>>
No. 652751 ID: f68a09
File 143590634008.png - (13.11KB , 960x560 , 363.png )
652751

"Relax." You kiss her in a line down her stomach. "I do."
Her skin is soft silicon and it surprises you how much give there is to it; as she warms up beneath your touch it almost feels like your hands are melting into her.

You kiss just below her bellybutton. She shivers.
"Do you trust me?" you ask.
"Yes," she says.

The very first thing you notice is that while the outside of her is cool and soft, the inside is warm and tightened. She gasps and rakes her fingertips up your back.

Then you taste her and notice the second thing.
You look up at her from between her thighs. "Strawberry?"
She giggles. "Made to order," she says.
It's inviting. You kiss her.
She squawks in surprise, then bites her hand. You shake your head and pull it from her mouth, interlacing her fingers with yours. "Ecspreff yourfelf," you say.
"You look ri-" Her voice breaks into a moan and she tries to find it again. "You l-look ridiculous."
You grin, then get to work.

She keens and gasps the whole time, twisting her hips so much that you'd almost mistake it for trying to get away if she weren't also keeping her legs locked around your ears. You lift her butt up into the air a little to keep her still and she lets out a melodic high note that reminds you of the concert earlier tonight.

"Zack." She can barely form the words. "Inside. Zack."

You let her slide back down onto the bed, shaking and twitching. She gulps for air and curls her fingers into the satiny covers. "Was that-- Did I--"
"I think maybe you did," you say.
"Oh my fucking god." Her trembling hands find purchase on your shoulders. "Why do people do things that aren't this?"
You scoot up the bed so that you're face-to-face with her. "That's not a bad question."
"Zack," she says.
"Meg?"
"I want you to fuck me."

You kiss her neck and settle yourself between her legs. She caresses your chest.
"Ready?" you ask.
"Ready," she says.
You hold her close and push. She gasps, then groans, then yelps. "Zack. Ow. Ow ow ow ow ow." She grips your arms with viselike strength. "It hurts it hurts"

1]] Don't worry. It'll feel better in a second.
2]] Shift her hips. Find the right angle.
3]] Take it even slower.
4]] Stop and go for more foreplay.
5]] Stop and defuse the tension. Relax her.
6]] We don't have to do this part.
7]] ______________

>>
No. 652754 ID: a19cd5

7: if we didn't bring lube we are idiots. We should always have lube.
dispell tension with a bit more warming up, then lube up and try again.
>>
No. 652756 ID: 0fc976

A little birdy told me 5 and 3.
>>
No. 652757 ID: 742b4a

>>652751
7. Ask if she wants to try the butt instead.
>>
No. 652759 ID: b8208b

>>652756
This.

5 and 3. And then 5 and 3 again.
>>
No. 652761 ID: 7b7ab3

5, 2, 3

She just lost her virginity.
Calm the lady. Reassure her.
Adjust position for maximum comfort.
Go very slow, be very gentle.
>>
No. 652770 ID: bb78f2

You know, I have to ask, why build her with a hymen for her to feel this pain?
>>
No. 652777 ID: f0a5e4

>>652509
I believe that in general, if a couple has prior to getting drunk consented to sexual activity, it isn't considered rape, or even immoral, as both parties consented to getting drunk and fooling around as a lump deal. They're romantic partners having a good time, neither is trying to take advantage of the other. It's different than soliciting someone you know is drunk. Now, if she retracts consent, that's a whole different can of beans, but Zack is a good guy, he wouldn't push something he didn't know was okay.
>>652654
Absolutely this.
Also remember her senses haven't been thoroughly tested, so it's very possible that when you start tickling some ganglia down below that she'll get a good dose of synesthesiac sexual sensation. Which is, uh, probably a thing.
>>
No. 652778 ID: 6f7296

>>652751
Slow down and let her control this so she won't get hurt. Have her grab your hips and pull you in at a pace thats good for her
>>
No. 652785 ID: 5db480

Its not a race. Stop and make sure you have enough lube. Also you can work on stretching things out with fingers. That's always fun.
>>
No. 652790 ID: 846437

>>652761
This. The pain will fade, but we have to help her get through it first. The best way to do that is to keep her relaxed and comfortable.
>>
No. 652798 ID: 7c0775

5/4]] Stop and let it pass. Relax her with foreplay.
2]] Get the angle right. Position is important.
3]] This is a big step for her. Going slow and steady will help.
>>
No. 652800 ID: 559264

Stop for a minute and help her relax. If she doesn't understand what just happened, explain it to her. Also, we should definitely go slower. As it's her first time, she's going to be tight and inexperienced, so we need to be gentle with her.
>>
No. 652801 ID: 596e42

>>652770
Probably unintentional. It would seem the Collective is prone to oversight.

>>652800
Good plan.
>>
No. 652823 ID: 66c0a2

"Sorry! Sorry. That's supposed to happen. It'll pass soon. It's okay."
Zack, you doof. Be more gentle.
>>
No. 652828 ID: 5859eb

>>652823
jeez dont say that, thatll just freak her out. do go more gently though
>>652798
do all this
>>
No. 652831 ID: 6b0329

>>652801
When you don't understand a system you're trying to copy it's a bad idea to throw parts out when you're not sure what they do. Some of them might be extraneous, some of them might be important, and you don't know which.
....But you're right, they built her to try out human sexual relations and she didn't read a copy of The Joy of Sex yet? Either she's bad at homework or the collective didn't ask for a consultant to double check their work.
>>
No. 652839 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652831
We know for a fact that Meg is bad at homework.

But seriously, if the Collective didn't have the common sense to do the necessary research, then they deserve to get their collective shit slapped.
>>
No. 652903 ID: ad6f49

>>652798
This seems like the best plan. Relax, reposition, and proceed with caution.
>>
No. 652905 ID: fe39f8

5, 2, 3
>>
No. 652908 ID: a02a4b

>>652798
This.
>>652839
The entirety of Floaterkind needs sex ed.
>>
No. 652915 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652908
>The entirety of Floaterkind needs sex ed.
Good luck getting them to sit still long enough to teach them anything.
>>
No. 652920 ID: aa9364

>>652915
just download it. takes five seconds. Beep boop.

...still trying to figure out how Floaters can be these advanced bioengineered life forms, and yet be part of that "it's been like this forever" social hierarchy on the other side.
>>
No. 652922 ID: 7b7ab3

>>652920
Thankfully, Meg is available for questioning.

Once the fun is over, we can ask such things.
>>
No. 652934 ID: f68a09
File 143598786338.png - (16.97KB , 960x560 , 364.png )
652934

You quickly stop, still partially inside, and ease back. You kiss her.
"Sorry," she mumbles into your lips.
"It's ok," you say. "We have all night. This is a big deal for you."
"It's bigger for you." She tries to relax her legs. "You just popped the cherry of an entire species."
You massage the inside of her thigh. "That's why they pay me the big bucks."
"Zack the Legend."
"Urban legend," you correct her, delicately sliding a finger inside her.
Her chest heaves and she caresses your arm, kneading her thumb into the crook of your elbow.
"Fuckkk," she breathes. "I want you."
"I'm here." You push gently on her stomach, right above the pelvic bone. It's so soft you almost feel like you'll leave a handprint. "Maybe a different angle?"
"When you held me up," she says. "That was really good."
"That's-- hold on--" You root around in the pillows above her head and come back with the cylindrical one you whacked her with before. "Lift up for a second."
She obeys, and you slip it under her hips.
"What are those even for?" You scoot close so that you're helping to keep her propped up.
She experimentally rolls back and forth. "Maybe this."
"Maybe."

You let her move you this time. Her fingers clumsily close around you and pull you inside.
Her back arches. Her mouth opens soundlessly. "Oh fuck," she whispers, her eyes screwed shut.
"Is that good oh fuck or bad oh fuck?"
"Mmm. Nuh. Dunnoh." She writhes. Her forehead pushes against yours. Her lips gape and utter nonsense half-words.
"Well at least we know this isn't where they wired your sense of taste," you say.
She giggles, and you can feel her tensed muscles relaxing. You press the advantage.
Her laugh catches and turns into an exultant groan. Her hands lace around the bottom of your spine and take you all the way in. "Yes," she whimpers, fingers flexing triumphantly.
Both of you lie there for a second, feeling each other breathe and seeing more stars than Anonymous could ever have dreamed of, and then with the utmost care, you start to move.

Her breath stops and comes out in halting ahs in time with you. It seems like she doesn't really know what to do with her hands so you pin them to the bed and hold them. She opens her eyes and gazes at you, going from your eyes down and then back up again like she can hardly believe what's happening. You let her pick up the speed on her own, swiveling her hips and letting her voice escape from her in clearer and clearer exhalations. Eventually, as she grows more confident and forceful, she adds a Z to the beginning, and then a K at the end, and by the time she cums, her waist spasming so fiercely you have to hold her tight to stay with her, she's screaming your name. Which is enough for you too.


You start to pull away but she won't let you go. You let yourself tilt off of her and lie heavily on your side next to her, her knees still squeezing your waist on both sides. She kisses you with the sloppy passion of someone really going for it for the first time.
"So that's why everyone sings about it," she says. She lightly kicks the cylindrical pillow (which is now covered in colorless, sweetly strawberry fluid) out of the way.
"Maybe that is what they're used for." You furrow your brow. You're covered in sweat. The whole room smells like a strawberry field. "I'll look it up when I can... when I can fucking..."
"Think?" suggests Meg.
You kiss her. "Thank you."
"Thank you." She snuggles up closer to you. "I fucking loved that, Zack. I love you."

1]] You don't know that. That might be the booze talking.
2]] You don't know that. That might be the hormones talking.
3]] It's a little too early to decide something like that, Meg.
4]] Love you too.
5]] Say nothing. Just hold her.
6]] Ask her to be your Alamad.
7]] Ask her to be your Dulamad.
8]] Ask her to be your girlfriend.
9]] ITS NOT LOVE ITS LUST
10]] ________________
>>
No. 652937 ID: a19cd5

>>652934
She's programmed to love, don't be weird about it this time guys cmon
>Love you too, dollface wait shit that's probably some kinda racial thing with floaters isnt it shiiiiiit
>>
No. 652938 ID: 330ce5

Never looking at strawberries the same every again.
5.
>>
No. 652939 ID: d90668

4.

We already know the other side has a different culture when it comes to love. Don't spoil the mood insisting its to early or some nonsense.
>>
No. 652944 ID: 7b7ab3

All of 4 and half of 5.

"Love you, too." Hold her close.
>>
No. 652947 ID: ea0ad9

2, 4. "Loving the act may be your hormones, but as for me..."
>>652937
>Love you too, dollface wait shit that's probably some kinda racial thing with floaters isnt it shiiiiiit
"I love you too, dollface. ...Please tell me that one's not a racial thing."

If she reacts negatively to calling it Hormones, just chuckle and say "It's an excuse to cuddle up and give you something else to love." And give her a bear hug!
>>
No. 652951 ID: 081835

4 to the max! And it's time to get our cuddle on.
>>
No. 652952 ID: cdec48

9 is fine.
>>
No. 652953 ID: afd47f

>>652944
This.
>>652952
Not this.
>>
No. 652954 ID: 0fc976

>>652938
Why? We already knew they were delicious.
4. There's more than one kind of love, why quibble when you can cuddle?
>>
No. 652956 ID: 742b4a

First
>>
No. 652957 ID: a20c64

>>652954
Totally agree.
Well said, man.
>>
No. 652958 ID: 559264

44444444444444444
>>
No. 652960 ID: 2dcdc8

If she's sober enough for witty banter, then it's not the booze. I highly doubt it's something as puerile as hormones. Our chemistry has been phenomenal since we first strapped ourselves to her. So, I am going to say 4, because it seems appropriate given the circumstances.
>>
No. 652961 ID: 5340db

We can say we love her without it getting awkward or anything. And if we can still carry on a fairly witty dialogue like that, that means we're not drunk enough to regret this in the morning, right?
>>
No. 652967 ID: c1d890

>>652960
A number of good points. And yes, 4 does seem appropriate, though I say we should hold her, too.
>>652961
I would believe so.
>>
No. 652972 ID: a55758

4.
Hug her all night long.
>>
No. 652980 ID: 7fa4f5

Response: "Love you, too."

Action: Commence snuggling/cuddling.
>>
No. 652983 ID: 726c6c

>>652980
Yeah.
>>
No. 652992 ID: 7c0775

"I love you too, Meg."
>>
No. 652998 ID: 696535

>>652980
^This
>>
No. 653002 ID: f2fb8b

>>652998
^Double this.
>>
No. 653003 ID: ad7bba

10. "T-thanks. I love, uh, strawberries."
>>
No. 653005 ID: ca5378

>>652980
Suggestion: Acceptable.
>>
No. 653010 ID: 9de11f

"I love you too, Meg. You and your delicious strawberry filling."
>>
No. 653016 ID: 596e42

4]] Love you too.
10]] Suggest you watch some TV before bed.
>>
No. 653025 ID: a2345f

>>652980
>>653016
Both of these.
Let's tell her we love her, snuggle up, and watch some TV.
I wonder if she has a favorite program.
>>
No. 653038 ID: 1ce348

>>653003
What, is Zack a wuss all of a sudden?

4.
>>
No. 653142 ID: 7b7ab3

>>653025
>I wonder if she has a favorite program.
She doesn't really strike me as the TV watching type. Too much sitting still involved for her, I figure. Still, we could turn the TV on just for fun.
>>
No. 653154 ID: f68a09
File 143608366601.png - (24.64KB , 960x560 , 365.png )
653154

"I love you too, Meg."
You put your arms around her. She's still not quite at a human temperature but she's a lot warmer than she was.

"So we can keep doing this?" Meg asks.
"Mmhm."
"Well not right now because I'm sore as fuck but--"
You kiss her. "Whenever you want."
"Sick. This is fucking sick. Now I totally fucking get the big deal."
"Good." You back up a little and prop yourself up on the back of the bed. "You want to watch Human TV?"
"I've never seen any of it."
"It's mostly awful," you say.
"I wanna watch." Meg nestles up next to you. "This has been a good night for Firsts so far."
"You're gonna be here when I wake up tomorrow, right?"
"Nowhere else I want to be." She rests her hand on your leg as you flick the TV screen on. She squints in the glow. "I'm on assignment for as long as I say it's necessary."
"How long is that?"
Meg rests her head on your chest. She listens to your heartbeat. "Right now it's looking like forever."
>>
No. 653155 ID: f68a09
File 143608367974.png - (20.42KB , 832x600 , 366.png )
653155

You are now in a sexual relationship with every single one of your Visitor dates.
Good luck, Zack!!!

What's happening tomorrow?
>>
No. 653159 ID: 1cebc8

GG
>>
No. 653161 ID: dbe554

Bika.
>>
No. 653162 ID: 0fc976

GG's parents, but also reading about Outpost Jawara, and maybe the HVAO leak. It's time you caught up with current events, mister Zackmeister.
>>
No. 653164 ID: 7b7ab3

First we need to deal with the attempted break in, and let our friends and lovers know about our current situation.
Then we should get with GG for a date/workout.
Check the news for anything about Jawara and/or the leak.
Also, be certain to check your messages.
>>
No. 653165 ID: 7b7ab3

An important question: when should we start introducing the girls to each other? After all that's happened, I think it should be fairly soon.
>>
No. 653166 ID: 8fd9ec

lets go out or hang out with Bika again.
>>
No. 653169 ID: 0df2ab

I can't remember if we were supposed to do anything.

Let's go bug Bika!
>>
No. 653173 ID: f0e552

>>653155
Man, the art has changed so much. Maybe this picture is up for a redrawing?
>>
No. 653176 ID: 7b7ab3

>>653173
I happen to love that picture. It was the first time we ever saw the girls.

What do you think Zack should do in the morning?
>>
No. 653177 ID: ea0ad9

I'd say it's a good time to get our training in with GG.
>>
No. 653180 ID: 7b7ab3

Another important question: when should Zack tell GG about his past? If she's taking us to meet her parents, then she should know about Zack's, right?
>>
No. 653219 ID: dcd676

>>653162
I'm behind this, we should really be more aware of what's going on. Plus, we get to see Warrior family structures and that's bound to be pretty damn interesting.
>>
No. 653236 ID: 1e63f3

>>653162
>>653164
These. There's quite a bit that needs to be done.
>>653165
We can start making plans, but let's try to deal with our current situation first.
>>653180
This week is probably the best time. We'll be spending a lot of time with GG, so we'll have plenty of opportunities.
>>
No. 653291 ID: f68a09
File 143614526744.png - (6.15KB , 960x560 , 367.png )
653291

"...was quoted as saying quote These accusations, while they may advance the Kariket's agenda and popularity at home, are baseless and dangerous to the peace billions of souls on both sides of the divide depend upon.
The men, according to an article published by the Golborian news provider Vahztal, were discovered by a Golborian Land Army detail three nights ago, several miles from the guarded site at Jawara. All seven intruders surrendered immediately. The Golborians maintain that the men were an armed expedition of Special Forces operatives, sent to Jawara by the Earth United Nations in defiance of the Kariket's wish for an exclusively Golborian investigation. The seven have been incarcerated indefinitely, inciting fears that the already incendiary situation caused by the disappearances at Jawara is only going to worsen.
Secretary General Rouvin Selesky, when asked for comment, stated--"

You mute the TV as the seven muscular, bearded mugshots show up again onscreen.

It's 9 am. Meg sleeps soundly next to you.

1]] Call the HVAO.
2]] Wake Meg. Spend the day with her.
3]] Call everyone to check in about the break-in / this latest disaster.
4]] Call GG and make an appointment at the Gym.
5]] Call GG and ask her if she wants to meet Polyphema.
6]] _________________
>>
No. 653295 ID: d90668

1 and then 3. Might be time to start circling the wagons and making sure that everyone is safe.

While the girls are all perfectly capable of defending themselves someone knows far to much about us and by extension all of them. If someone gets caught alone by a crowd of the people who are after you it could end very badly.
>>
No. 653296 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 3, 4, 5

First, time to network. Get an update from the HVAO, and then update the gang.

Second, set up an appointment with GG at the gym. Also, ask her if she would like to meet Poly sometime. Doesn't have to be today, but sometime.
>>
No. 653302 ID: bb78f2

>>653291
Well I didn't understand any of that.
I like 4.
>>
No. 653306 ID: 0263d5

Let's let Meg rest. She had a busy night.
1. Call the HVAO and see what's happening. Hopefully they have good news.
2. Call up everyone and let them know you're alright. See how they're all doing.
3. Tell GG that you're ready to hit the gym.
4. Ask if she'd like to meet the oculot member of the "Zack Fanclub."
>>
No. 653307 ID: b4dd67

>>653296
>>653306
Good plans. Shouldn't we have breakfast first?
>>
No. 653310 ID: 0fc976

1, 3, 5 (if you're going to bring Poly to meet GG's parents they should meet beforehand), and 2. I would suggest doing a workout activity with Meg instead of GG, but that's more likely to frustrate her right now due to the no-fly rule. I don't really know.
>>
No. 653322 ID: e8135d

>>653307
Agreed. Let's scarf some protein before we hit the gym.
>>653310
>bring Poly to meet GG's parents
I wouldn't recommend it. I figure GG wants it to just be her, Zack and her family, and a +1 would throw her off. Besides, Poly said it might not be the best idea, given the circumstances.
>>
No. 653335 ID: 406895

1,3! Makin' calls!
4,5! Gettin' swole! Makin' frands!
>>
No. 653347 ID: 5ec06c

>>653306
I dig the plan, but let's make sure to give Meg a "see you later" before we take off. Don't wanna be rude now, do we?
>>
No. 653350 ID: 441205

Before we leave this hotel we have to ask Meg what those doohickeys on her head are.
>>
No. 653360 ID: f68a09
File 143617030717.png - (12.26KB , 960x560 , 368.png )
653360

You put on your pants and an undershirt and go get some breakfast, piling a plate with waffles and eggs for Meg.
While you eat you call the girls.

"They did what?" Polyphema's voice is veined with terror. "Zack! My God!"
"I'm OK. I'm fine. We were at the concert."
"Drinking champagne while goons were kicking your door in. I feel sick."
"Better there than at my place."
"Probably," Polyphema says. "Because if we were at your place I would have set them on fire."

"If you need a door guy you should use my guys," Bika says.
"The Warrior guys?"
"They're really good. If you need a place to stay come to my restaurant and I will shield you with Bikas."
"You hear about this Jawara Seven thing?"
"Mhm. I caught some guy about to set our trash on fire over it."
"What did you do?"
"Took the trash in. Not much else I could do." Bika sighs. "You're dating a Warrior, right?"
"Mhm."
"Well if she wants to make some moolah on the side she could hang out around here and look threatening."
"You wanna meet her?"
"Is she cute?"
"Like cute personality or cute cute?"
"Both. I'm 50% dude, dude."

Meg's awake by the time you get back.
"Train going," she says, eating the waffle. "Like the nice kind of train going sound."
"What about the eggs?"
"Kind of similar only yellower. Did you see the TV?"
"The guys?"
"Yeah." She chews. "Watch out, Zack. I might be an enemy combatant soon."
You laugh but you know that under the laugh is a disturbing kernel of truth.

"Call me this time, OK?" you say. "Don't vanish again. You freaked me out."
"K." Meg kisses you. The taxi driver raises an eyebrow but waits patiently. "Let me know where you end up so I can track you down and attack you. In a loving way."
"Can do."
"See ya soon, Zack."

You call GG in the cab.

"You find me their address," GG says. "And I won't just give their doors a fucking love tap."
"I'm OK. I got a hotel."
"This is all so messed up." GG sounds tired. "My boss called and told me don't come in for work today. He said the contractors told him he can't have a Visitor onsite."
"Let's sweat it out. I gotta get to the gym. Meet me there?"
"Sounds like a good idea," GG says.
"After we do that there's someone who wanted to meet you."
"Oh yeah? Who?"

1]] One of the other girls in the program. The oculot. Is that OK with you?
2]] Polyphema. She's an oculot friend of mine.
3]] Another one of my dates. She's wanted to meet you for like weeks.
4]] You'll see. I'll buy you dinner.
5]] There's a skut who has a way for you to get money while your job's on hold.
6]] ______________
>>
No. 653362 ID: dbe554

5, Bika did offer a job technically in her reply.
>>
No. 653377 ID: 7b7ab3

1. It's honest and it gets her opinion. If she's not cool with it, then we shouldn't force it.

We should probably mention 5. Girl needs the cash.
>>
No. 653380 ID: 088179

1 the best. I don't like 5. Using GG that way feels wrong.
>>
No. 653381 ID: 1702f6

>>653360
>"Watch out, Zack. I might be an enemy combatant soon."
Please don't say things like that, Meg.
1, if she's down. Otherwise, let's just get to sweatin'.
>>
No. 653382 ID: bb78f2

>>653360
The oculot and skut girls are interested in meeting up. The skut even own's a restaurant and wants to temp hire more warrior presence to freak out the humans so they stop vandalizing it while this whole political situation is so tense.
>>
No. 653383 ID: ad7bba

1, 5.

Figure we can at least mentioned Bika's offer.
>>
No. 653385 ID: 7fa4f5

1.
>>653382
>freak out the humans
Considering the state of things, that's probably not a good idea.
>>653383
>Figure we can at least mentioned Bika's offer.
I don't know. Using GG as a threat display doesn't sit right with me.
>>
No. 653386 ID: dcd676

1, then 5. Polyphema asked first, but we should mention that Bika provided a job offer. It's something constructive to do with not being able to work so often right now on her regular job.
>>
No. 653387 ID: 5340db

1 is good.
I'm torn on 5. I know she needs the money, but the job sounds like it could get dangerous.
>>
No. 653388 ID: 34333b

1 all the way. If she's not ok with it, then let's just move on.
>>
No. 653389 ID: 5efe8a

1, for the same reasons everyone else states.

Then 5, because we shouldn't really withhold that info from GG. It's her choice whether or not she accepts the offer. I don't really see how it's "using" her, and her being there isn't a threat display so much as it is having a bouncer, except one who merely waits inside in plain view. And if things really do get dangerous, she wouldn't be the only one there that we know to get hurt, nor would she be the sole cause of the danger. Bika is there too, and would likely have been the initial target. Besides, what's the worst that can happen? I greatly doubt they'd bring soldiers with riot gear and tanks to a little restaurant just for the sake of hate and fear. GG could definitely handle a few punks with Bika's assistance. Still, it's her decision to take the job.

(bleh, that's a lot of words for me)
>>
No. 653390 ID: ad6f49

>>653388
This.
5 if she needs the money. Of course, she could always just hang with us more. We're basically loaded.
>>
No. 653396 ID: afd47f

1, please!
>>
No. 653398 ID: b8ceae

>>653360
5, also 1. So two people.

Also, GG is a citizen. Unless the 14th amendment and the non-discrimination laws were all struck down then saying they can't have a person of Golborian descent on site is pretty illegal.
They CAN give her paid leave. While still technically illegal, it's incredibly unlikely to result in a complaint or lawsuit.

Call the HVAO and ask them to work out the details so everything would be set-up for Meg to officially defect and claim her U.S. citizenship. It'd still be her choice, obviously, but if the barrier to entry is just saying ok then it'd be easier to convince her.

With looming hostilities Meg's position is pretty horrible.
Zack's job is gathering intelligence on Golborian races for his people, including floaters. That makes him a human intelligence asset. Meg is positioned to have easy access to him. Meg is officially part of the Golborian armed forces.
If things go south, she is almost certain to receive orders to kill Zack. She will not comply, which would result in her being slated for execution. Having a fast-track path to officially being on the human side would be an amazingly effective escape route.
>>
No. 653402 ID: f6708c

>>653398
This!
All of this!
>>
No. 653404 ID: 2a7417

>>653398
I think all the work she does is on a temp basis, so paid leave isn't an option.
That does stink, so 5 and 1.
>>
No. 653411 ID: 5f7625

Lets not go overboard and get into a situation we can't control with 3 dates on the same date.

1, but mention the job Bika offered before you arrive or after you are done.
>>
No. 653412 ID: 562051

6] I'd say meet Bika but let her bring up the job offer. GG could probably use the cash and Bika has been hassled a lot before this.
>>
No. 653413 ID: 726c6c

>>653411
Agreed. We're still human, and very used to human dating conventions. Two girls at once is enough.
In other words: 2 is company, 3 is a crowd.
>>
No. 653420 ID: 2916ca

>>653411
This.
>>653413
>In other words: 2 is company, 3 is a crowd.
I see what you did there. Clever.
>>
No. 653426 ID: 240a2c

>>653411
Definitely yes! We are not prepared for a four-way date (Zack, GG, Poly, Bika)!
>>
No. 653430 ID: f68a09
File 143620472887.png - (12.81KB , 960x560 , 369.png )
653430

"C'mon, Zack!" GG effortlessly lifts the bar on the preacher curl bench while you grunt and sweat your way through your third rep. "The only bad workout is the workout that never happened!"
You screw up your eyes with effort. "That- gah - that sounds like a motivational poster."
"It is a motivational poster," GG says. "Ain't wrong, though! Suck it up now and you won't have to suck it in later!"
"Can't we try the squat rack again?"
"Z you paid zero attention to my demonstration at the squat rack."
"Yes I did."
"Well yeah." GG giggles. "But not to the technique. This is your punishment. Two more reps!"
"Kill me."
"And then we do squats."
"OK."
"So this Oculot."
"Yeah." You drop the weights and rub your shoulders as you prepare for the next rep. "You sure you're OK with it?"
GG shrugs. "Why the heck not, if you like her." She readjusts her grip. "If I don't like her you're not allowed to date her anymore, though."
"I'm not allowed to do that."
"Then you'll be between a rock and a hard place." GG slaps her bicep with a free hand and winks. "Lifter humor. Pick 'em back up!"
You sigh heavily and strain to lift your dumbbells again.
"So I gotta shower after and you're cordially invited," GG says. "Where do we meet Polyphema?"

1]] We could go over to hers and I'd cook something. I really don't know if being in public is a good idea.
2]] There's this Visitor-owned diner I urbanspooned. It's not exactly classy but you guys would probably be more welcome than I am. Never been.
3]] There's this really nice place called Taverna. Have you ever had Mediterranean?
4]] Somewhere green and out of the city. We'll bring our own food.
5]] __________________
>>
No. 653435 ID: 2a7417

4) Both Poly and GG like exercise, right? Just not Clif Bars.
>>
No. 653436 ID: b8ceae

>>653430
1. It's private and secure.
>>
No. 653437 ID: 7b7ab3

Y'know what? Why not 2?

Let's go deep! Submerge ourselves in Visitor company! Besides, we'll probably be safer there than anywhere else.
>>
No. 653440 ID: 1830f5

Our job is to study Visitor culture, right? Well, a Visitor diner is a golden opportunity to immerse ourselves in Visitor culture. And the girls will probably be more comfortable, too.
>>
No. 653444 ID: b8ceae

>>653437
>>653440
Bombs exist, and in times of unrest are only one or two steps beyond arson. Bika has already had to stop an arson attempt.
For the sake of risk mitigation we should be avoid clusterings of visitors as much as possible.
>>
No. 653448 ID: 3861b9

2! 2! 2!
We've been to Poly's, Taverna's a disaster waiting to happen, and the woods are nasty and uncomfortable. I want to try something new and exciting!
>>
No. 653451 ID: dbe554

2
>>
No. 653452 ID: 874423

>>653436
>>653444
Dude, with the leak at the HVAO, Poly's place is just as compromised as Zack's. And in case you haven't noticed, Zack's life has become a clustering of Visitors.
I say our best choices are either the Visitor place or out of the city, although being outside the city would distance us from our allies.
>>
No. 653464 ID: 2a7417

>>653452
The HVAO did provide us with security during our last outing, though they kept out of the way remarkably well. This time it would be wise to keep our cell phone handy, however.
>>
No. 653474 ID: af41d6

>>653448
Hell yeah!
>>653464
>it would be wise to keep our cell phone handy
Well, that's true no matter where we go.
>>
No. 653481 ID: ea0ad9

2/4. "I was thinking either a visitor owned restaurant, ought to be a calm place despite all this Jawara fuckery, or going for a picnic hike. Just don't bring cliff bars."
After a bit of workout failure I'd say she's getting the say in this.
>"So I gotta shower after and you're cordially invited,"
As well as this.
>>
No. 653483 ID: cbc9e6

Any place Zack has been to is not safe anymore. We haven't been particularly secretive about our dates.

I want to say "meet GG's parents and bring Poly along" but I feel such occasion should be filled exclusively with GG, without other girls. Just as a sign of respect.

4 sounds nice but if things go south we won't have the luxury of HVAO dudes getting to us in 30 minutes. It's still better than other options though, so 4.
>>
No. 653486 ID: 0ee153

Offer either the Visitor place or the woods, although I'd prefer the woods.
>>
No. 653491 ID: d69d8a

We are a cultural ambassador to the Visitors, so any place with a strong Visitor presence is exactly where we should be. Therefore, I am voting for the diner. I will also say that it would take a very, very bold individual to attack any establishment with Warrior patrons.
>>
No. 653501 ID: 86446d

How about 2 and 4?
We call Poly, meet her at the diner, have a Visitor style lunch, head out for some outdoorsy fun, and be home in time for dinner.
>>653483
>I feel such occasion should be filled exclusively with GG, without other girls
I actually agree with you. I really want it to be this personal thing Zack can do with GG without outside interference.
>>
No. 653534 ID: 3d29ee

>>653491
You make a convincing argument.
>>653501
>I really want it to be this personal thing Zack can do with GG without outside interference
I imagine GG feels the same. Just her introducing Zack to her parents and letting them get to know each other.
>>
No. 653603 ID: 4d6091

Let's take a hot shower with muscle girlfriend, call up classy girlfriend, and go out for lunch at the diner. Time to vist the Visitors!
>>
No. 653633 ID: fb1b8d

Wherever we go, let's make sure the HVAO knows, just in case we need to call for backup.
>>
No. 653634 ID: f68a09
File 143625297539.png - (11.23KB , 960x560 , 370.png )
653634

The gym has a shower, but you go to GG's and use hers for added privacy.
She shampoos your back. Her breasts brush against your shoulder. "Your muscles are already growing."
"No they aren't."
"I see the potential in them." She rubs your tricep. "To become meaty!"
"Meaty is a really gross word."
"Beefy!"
"Chunky!"
"Stout! But not too much," she admonishes. "Imma keep you doing cardio so you stay slim."
"You're not my boss."
"Who can bench press who?"
"Good point."
She pinches your ass. "Mmmm. Runner butt."

The diner is weirdly packed. It's a small place; you can't see any completely vacant tables. Two heavy warriors give you the stink-eye as you pass them. Most people try to ignore you. A baby oculot gapes unabashedly at you.
"Heyyyy! Saropa!" A skut cook with a completely ineffective hairnet and a pressed white apron raps his knuckle on the counter in front of him. "Welcome to Little Golboria!"

"Zack!"
Polyphema stands up from a table with three places set on it. "Heyyy!" She's wearing the outfit she had on the very first time you ever saw her, in the group shot. It's a lot less lavish than her usual fare.
"'Zat her?" GG asks.
"Yeah," you say.
"Huh. She's different than I thought."
"What did you think?"
"I dunno."
"Good different?"
GG tilts her head. "Think so."
"Is that GG?" Polyphema asks.
"Hi!" GG says, a hint of caution in her voice.
"Look at you!" Polyphema beams. "I've been looking forward to meeting you for forever!"

1]] Polyphema, this is GG, my girlfriend. GG, Polpyhema.
2]] Polyphema, this is GG. She's a demolition worker. GG, Polpyhema.
3]] Polyphema, this is GG. She just finished kicking my ass up and down the gym for an hour. GG, Polpyhema.
4]] Polyphema, this is GG. She likes monster trucks, The Fist of the North Star, and Macho Man Randy Savage. GG, Polyphema.
5]] GG, this is Polyphema, the highest-class Oculot I've ever met. Not that I've met too many. Polyphema, GG.
6]] GG, this is Polyphema, or so she tells me, cause I don't actually know her name. Polyphema, GG.
7]] GG, this is Polyphema, and she really has been trying to meet you for a while now. Polyphema, GG.
8]] GG, this is Polyphema. She likes fast cars, bananas, and making me carry things up mountains. Polyphema, GG.
9]] _______________
>>
No. 653638 ID: cea93d

Introductions!
8 & 4
"GG, this is Polyphema. She likes fast cars, bananas, and making me carry things up mountains. Polyphema, this is GG. She likes monster trucks, The Fist of the North Star, and Macho Man Randy Savage."
>>
No. 653641 ID: 72684a

7
>>
No. 653646 ID: bb78f2

3 and
9]] GG, this is Polyphema, she kicked my ass up a mountain a while back.
>>
No. 653647 ID: 7b7ab3

7 sounds good. It's short, simple, and entirely true.
>>
No. 653651 ID: ea0ad9

>>653638
This one's good.
>>
No. 653652 ID: 99cfa8

>>653641
I like this symmetry.
>>
No. 653656 ID: f68a09
File 143625700111.png - (9.06KB , 960x560 , 371.png )
653656

"GG, this is Polyphema, and she really has been trying to meet you for a while now," you say. "Polyphema, GG."
"Why's that?" GG asks, sliding into a seat across from Polyphema.
"Because I have a warrior fetish a mile wide," Polyphema says. "Kidding! Well no. But that's not why."
GG smiles. "Aww. Darn. Here I thought for a second I wouldn't have to work to make a good impression."
"Fear not, Grightogot." Polyphema pronounces her name with surgical precision. "Zackary has already done the job."
"He talk about me?"
"Well not really." Polyphema opens her menu. "He's too much of a gentleman. He hasn't talked about me, has he?"
"No ma'am."
"Good." Polyphema lightly raps your forearm with her menu. "He knows I like to be annoyingly mysterious about myself."

"Brighalta szrin?" a Warrior clicks her pen in and holds it over a notebook. She sees you. "Uh, orders? Drink?"
"This water's good," GG indicates her glass.
"Decaf," you say. "Black."
"I would like the Masala Chai Tea latte with a shot of honey and a shot of espresso, please," Polyphema says. "And a sprinkle of cinnamon on top. Oh and maybe a little umbrella if that's not foofy enough." She closes the menu. "I like to give no false representation to how pretentious I am. I'm buying, by the way. Zack is probably going to say something like 'we can just use the government's money' but I'm the one who dragged both of you out here. And I'm not sure if I want to take the Human Government's money right now anyway"
"I'll drink to that," GG says. "Fuck humans!"
"Fuck humans!" Polyphema clinks glasses with GG.
"Fuck humans," you agree.
"No Zack you fuck aliens," Polyphema says. GG giggles. "Actually GG the reason I called you here is that we should unionize against him, I think."
"Yeah?"
"I, for one, want Dental."
"Is that like, oral?" GG asks.
"Grightogot Grzgkahk get your mind out of the gutter." Polyphema feigns outrage. You have no idea how the fuck these two are already like this. "What kind of impure woman do you take me for? Dental insurance."
"I think I got that from my job already," GG says.
"What do you do?"
"I knock buildings down. Well nothing right now but usually."
"Ever lose a tooth doing it?"
"You kidding?" GG bares her bicuspids. "Human lumber is not strong enough to get these babies out."
"Is there really a difference between human lumber and visitor lumber?" you ask.
"Well no," GG admits. "But humans have a lot more safety regulations."
"Have you seen their playgrounds?" Polyphema asks. "Pitiful."
"Pretty sadsack," GG agrees.

Your coffee and Polyphema's come out. "Oh, god." She looks at her drink and plucks the little umbrella out. "They took me at my word. Zack, GG, you both have to try this." She purses her lips and blows on it. "After it's cooled." She scoops an ice cube out of her drink and plinks it into her cup. "I hope that didn't dilute it."
"Don't they make tea with water here?" GG asks.
"They do, don't they?" Polyphema swirls the ice cube around. "Poor darlings."

1]] So Polyphema, how have you been?
2]] So GG, how have you been?
3]] Why, what do they make tea with in Golboria?
4]] Well you two seem to be getting along fast.
5]] Is there some kind of weird warrior/oculot mind link thing going on here? Because I feel like a third wheel or something over here and it's been like 2 minutes.
6]] What are the playgrounds like for Visitors?
7]] GG, you like hiking?
8]] Polyphema, you ever see a monster truck?
9]] ____________
>>
No. 653657 ID: e114bc

>>653656
3.
>>
No. 653660 ID: 2a1c56

3, 5.
>>
No. 653668 ID: 7b7ab3

3. It's blood, isn't it?

5. They are connecting pretty quickly. Do oculots and Warriors get along that well or is there something else going on?
>>
No. 653669 ID: e3719e

9]] All of the above.
Sorry, but I want answers to all of them!
>>
No. 653670 ID: 31f7bc

>>653669
Same, but what I REALLY want to know is how there already so friendly with each other. Not that I'm complaining. It's just a little... odd.
>>
No. 653692 ID: 82d576

3, 6.

Huh. After such a start I think we can agree that Poly can easily lead this entire date. And here I thought we were the one with balls.
>>
No. 653695 ID: 438189

3, 5.
>>
No. 653701 ID: 2a7417

3, 4, 6, 7. I see the bait and I will walk right into it.
Why use monster trucks when you have real monsters? Were there megabeast rodeos in Golboria?
>>
No. 653703 ID: 1e0d98

>>653669
This. All the things!
>>
No. 653712 ID: 77d946

1/2) How have they been?
3) I am curious.
5) I am very curious.
6) How are they different?
7) Does she?
8) Has she?
>>
No. 653713 ID: 2a7417

>>653668
>>653712
We've hooked up with and fallen in love with four women over the space of maybe two weeks, and you have no idea how these two (one of whom is a leader race/has done a lot of research on the members of the program) got along like two skuts in a hut so fast?
>>
No. 653722 ID: d55231

3,4,5,6
>>653713
You never know what to expect with Visitors. Besides, there's no harm in asking.
>>
No. 653725 ID: ea0ad9

3, kind of curious what it's made from on your side now. You make it sound so much better, I have to try it some time.

5. "Is this kind of link natural between Warriors and Oculots or is it that, polyamrous dulabira stuff?" Put on a goofy grin, "Or maybe I'm just so handsome you can't distrust each other by proximity?"
>>
No. 653727 ID: 2a7417

>>653722
Except there is harm, if you lodge a petty complaint about feeling like a third wheel.
>>
No. 653731 ID: 7b7ab3

>>653727
Some rephrasing may be in order.

"Is there some kind of weird warrior/oculot mind link thing going on here? Because this is a lot of progress for like 2 minutes."
>>
No. 653732 ID: f68a09
File 143629349807.png - (10.14KB , 960x560 , 372.png )
653732

"What do they make tea with in Golboria?"
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Polyphema says.
"Is it blood?"
Polyphema blinks. "Shit."
"Ha."
GG nods. "Agrocyne blood."
"I miss Agrocynes!" Polyphema sighs.
"Right?"
"So big and gentle. And their blood was delicious."
"My momma had a bunch," GG says.
"Mine too!"
"She used them as megabeast bait."
"Oh. Mine just used to pet their noses."
"What about the playgrounds?" you ask.
"Warrior ones were hardcore, dude," GG says. "Strength training. They don't let non-warrior kids on them."
"They used to when I was a kid," Polyphema says. "Three hundred-odd years ago. I tried it out once"
"How'd that work out?" GG asks.
"Broke my leg in three places," Polyphema says, proudly.
"Badass," GG says.
"OK," you say. "Is there some kind of weird Warrior / Oculot mind meld thing going on right now to explain why you two are getting along like two skuts in a hut right now?"
"What?" GG asks. "Are you jealous?"
"That's actually one theory, though, hon," Polyphema says. "Did you know that? Some kind of like--" She wiggles her fingers. "Air of command."
GG raises an eyebrow. "Dude I think it's just that we're predisposed to like each other. Oculots and Warriors are like black guys and white chicks in human pornos."
"That's an interesting metaphor," you say.
"You watch human porn?" Polyphema asks.
"Sometimes, yeah." GG cautiously puts her hand around Polyphema's cup to test how hot it is. "They're really good at making it."
Polyphema pulls a face. "I couldn't get into it at all. The storylines are so weak."
"That's a really Oculot problem to have." you say.
"It really is." GG sips Polyphema's drink. "This is delicious."
"Maravilla," Polyphema says. "We'll order you one."
"Oh I don't--" GG pushes the cup back to Polyphema. "It's a little too fatty for me."
"Grightogot there is not a scrap of fat on you," Polyphema says. "Except for where it counts. Reward thyself!"
"Welllllllllll ok." GG closes her menu as the waitress comes back over. She leans forward a little bit. It reminds you of her body language on your first date with her, when she was flirting.

"So how have you guys been doing?" you ask, cutting into your eggs benedict.
"Well after the concert thing I got shamefully inebriated then dragged Hizzy to 20/15," Polyphema says. "He stuck out like a pampered swan among a horde of emus."
"I've mostly been working," GG says. "It's safer to look busy. People don't think you're up to something and you get to swing a hammer around. Not that that's an option for me after all that bullshit this morning."
"You haven't been fired, have you?" Polyphema asks.
"They've put me on vacation. The not paid kind."
"Bastards." Polyphema licks hollandaise sauce off her thumb.
"I just wish they weren't so passive aggressive about it," GG says. "Like if you don't want me there fuckin' say so, y'know? They said it was the contractor's fault and I don't know. You see how they look at you."
"That happened to the Floater," you say. "They grounded her for her safety."
"See at least you have to give the Kariket that if he doesn't like you he'll tell you." GG puts a whole slice of canadian bacon into her mouth. "Mmmm. Humans don't do that." She swallows. "They do have great pig meat, though."

They gab all through lunch like old friends. You barely have room to speak. GG loves hiking, of course, and when Polyphema launches into her rant about cliff bars she belly-laughs. Has Polyphema seen a monster truck? No but she's enchanted by the idea. They talk about megabeasts they've seen. Polyphema tells her about Gadjjok's car ride. That gets them onto cars. GG kind of wants a motorcycle. Polyphema's heard them called donorcycles because you can flip over and pulverize your brain and the rest of you is left intact so it's great for harvesting organs. GG really wants a motorcycle.

"I am stuffed!" Polyphema leans back. She pokes her stomach. "Bloop."
"That was a good lunch," GG says.
"Brunch," Polyphema says.
"It's not an Earth Brunch unless there's mimosas," you say.
"That is an amazing idea," Polyphema says. "Let's make mimosas."
"What's a mimosa?" GG asks.
"And then drink them at Brooklyn Bridge Park!" Polyphema says. "So bourgeoisie!"
"What's a mimosa?" GG asks.
"A cocktail, doll," Polyphema says. "One part champagne and one part orange juice. I have really been guzzling the champagne lately."
"Hey if we're gonna day drink there's this condemned office block I've been wanting to do it at," GG says. "It's slated for teardown but it's like, 5th in line. Has Zack ever shown you Pardor?"
"Parkour," you correct her.
"Ooooh!" Polyphema claps her hands. "I change my vote to that!"
"I change my vote to your thing," GG says. "I've never had a mimosa."
"That means Zack is tiebreaker," Polyphema says.
"That it does," GG agrees. They look at you.


"I love the look on his face when he's mentally weighing what to say next," Polyphema says.
"Same," GG says.

1]] Mimosas in the park!
2]] Abandoned office!
3]] ______________
>>
No. 653735 ID: 5f7625

Mimosas in bottles that we'll drink after a triumphant spot of parkour.
>>
No. 653739 ID: 2a7417

Let's stretch our parkour legs again! We're not going to let some anonymous vandals keep us down.

Despite the exponentially higher risk involved.
>>
No. 653750 ID: 7b7ab3

>>653735
Compromise! I love it!
This has my vote!
>>
No. 653751 ID: 0ee153

I'm guessing just mimosas after parkour is too easy of an answer? Very well. Mimosas during parkour it is. Spill your mimosa and you lose.
>>
No. 653752 ID: 99cfa8

>>653732
>I couldn't get into [human porn] at all. The storylines are so weak.
I think that's less of a uniquely Oculot problem than you think, Zack. That's why erotica exists.

> mimosas or parkour
Why not both? Parkour then mimosas afterwards.
I mean you could do it the other way around but that would have hilarious and possibly dangerous consequences.
>>
No. 653753 ID: 99cfa8

>>653751
I CHANGE MY VOTE TO THIS.
>>
No. 653755 ID: 612b8d

3]] Parkour, then cool down with mimosas.
>>
No. 653763 ID: 34e4ed

Let's do parkour till we're sore, then drink mimosa till we're numb.
>>
No. 653764 ID: b8ceae

>>653735
The parkour will make sure it's thoroughly mixed.
>>
No. 653766 ID: bb78f2

3]] Drunk mimsoa parkour at the abandoned office of course.
Let us break legs like they do in Warrior playgrounds!
When we're discharged from the hospital, we can have a wheelchair race in the park.
>>
No. 653772 ID: 89941a

Drunken parkour seems like a good way to get your teeth knocked out, and and a few bones broken. Unless it's drunken "parkour".
>>
No. 653778 ID: 93d88a

Mimosa + Parkour = "Let's get drunk and jump offa stuff."

Let's try not to hurt ourselves too badly, though. We need to be in shape to get in shape and meet GG's folks.
>>
No. 653788 ID: ba4180

Parkour.

We can have Mimosas anytime, but that office flat isn't gonna be around forever.
>>
No. 653814 ID: 441205

>>653788
Doing both is an entirely valid option, you understand?
>>
No. 653833 ID: 5bda21

Before we do anything else, let's contact the HVAO and let them know what we're up to. I'd like them to be available should we need assistance.
>>
No. 653864 ID: fcbfd2

>>653833
Probably a good idea. With the way things have been, it wouldn't surprise me if something went cockeyed. Best to have the cavalry on standby.
>>
No. 653865 ID: e114bc

Man. I don't like Zack calling HVAO too much. Let's limit it to once a day, or when something important comes up.
>>
No. 653866 ID: b02b57

>>653865
We barely talk to them as it is. If anything, we should call them more often. We are one of their top employees, after all.
>>
No. 653890 ID: 5a4a22

>>653732
Let's mix up some mimosas, head out to the abandoned office and just goof off for awhile!
>>653833
I don't like nasty surprises, so I can agree with this.
>>
No. 653891 ID: ad7bba

I also don't like calling HVAO unless there's a specific, compelling reason to do so.
>>
No. 653892 ID: 2dcdc8

>>653891
Why?
>>
No. 653893 ID: f68a09
File 143633830725.png - (12.49KB , 960x560 , 373.png )
653893

You call the HVAO and tell them what you're doing.
"Um, that's illegal, Zack," Britta says.
"Oh," you say. "Right. Well then I'm not doing that."
"Got it," Britta says. "We won't be in the area."

GG has some hard plastic water bottles she schlepped from the gym. Polyphema sits on a bench outside the Sherry-Lehrman on fifth, surreptitiously pouring champagne and orange juice into them.
"Mimosas in a camelbak," you say.
GG takes hers, defensively. "These things are indestructible."
"It's a very potent symbol for this blossoming friendship." Polyphema swirls her bottle around. "Vamanos!"

"Do you guys have your tetanus shots?" you ask.
The building is dark and empty, and has been for some time. Great big water stains spill down its flanks like the picked-over corpse of a brutalist, white-collar Savannah creature.
"Probably," GG says.
Polyphema takes a drink of mimosa. "This was a good idea. I can already tell."


"PARKOUR"
GG sprints up an exposed girder to the next floor, all four arms out to support herself.

"PARKOUR" You scurry up after her.

Polyphema crawls carefully up it, and dismounts. "Parkour."

"Polyphema you have to jump over something," you say.

She hops over a cinderblock on the floor. "Parkour!"
GG, who's perched on an abandoned computer desk that sags beneath her, drinks. "Parkour!"
"What, like a mormon priest?" Polyphema asks.
GG laughs. "Oh my god did he tell you about that?"
"And the moose."
"I met Gary," GG says. "He doesn't seem like the kind of dude who would jump a moose."
"He was a little wilder when he was a she," you say. "He's in a lot more chill of a place now. Also when you jump one moose you've jumped enough for life, I think."
"I want to meet all your little friends!" Polyphema says. "Unfair!"
GG pouts. "Do I not count?"
"You, doll, are by no means little."
"Good." GG stands up. "Then I count for two." She looks out the window. "We're nearing the top, dudes."
"We could have taken the stairs," Polyphema says.
"We could have filled these with warm milk." GG waves her bottle at Polyphema. "But we didn't because we ain't pussies."
>>
No. 653894 ID: f68a09
File 143633842441.png - (8.18KB , 960x560 , 374.png )
653894

"My butt is too big for parkour," Polyphema says. "This I believe."
"My butt is absolutely as big as your butt," GG says. She stands on the desk, which sags even further. "Bigger even."
"I'm talking proportionally though," Polyphema says. "And yours is muscle! Mine is smooshy. I'm very self-conscious about it."
"You are not self-conscious about it," you say.
"Shhhhh, Zack," Polyphema says. "I'm trying to get her to complement me."
"You're just trying to get me to look at your butt," GG says.
"Am not!"
"You aaare."
"Well also I'm trying to get you to complement me."
"You have a cute butt, Polyphema." GG downs about a quarter of her bottle in one mighty swig. She puts her hand up and touches the ceiling. "Think I could make that hole over there?" She points to a stretch of torn-away ceiling further down, out of which stick several crisscrossing rebar handholds.
"Could you?" you ask. "Debatable. SHOULD you?"
"Now that you put it that way I fuckin' should." She throws her bottle to Polyphema. "Hold my snobby drink!"
"Don't skewer yourself," you say.
"PARKOUR," GG cries, and runs up the wall near the ceiling, vaulting herself off of it and easily catching hold of the ledge. She hauls herself up.
"Woooo!" Polyphema drinks from GG's bottle, and then her own. She coughs. "Mine isn't strong enough."
"Take some of mine," GG calls from the ceiling. "Or some of Zack's."
You sip from your mimosa. "Ain't nobody touching my snobsauce."
"Zaaack," GG says. "Get up here! Parkour!"
"I'm not an amazon," you say.
"Give Polyphema your swanky suds and get up here!"
"Your magnate malt," Polyphema says.
"My cultivated cocktail." You hand it to her. "Don't film me."

You copy her and sprint up the wall. You fall a good three feet short of anything that could be called a handhold and roll when you hit the floor. "Shit," you say.
"C'mon, muscles!" GG reaches her hand down. "Strength training!"
"Hold on." You haul a desk over to the wall and stand on it. "Wait wait I need a running start." You haul another desk over and start to form a line.
Polyphema gets in on it. "This is like a hobo catwalk," she says.
"You're gonna fall off and break your butt," GG calls.
"If you believe you can succeed." You stand on the endmost desk and break into a run.
Up the wall and launch off into space and there's a split second of panic when you realize you still don't have the clearance for it but then GG grabs you and pulls you up. "PARKOUR," she says.
"PARKOUR," you say, wriggling out of her grasp.
"Parkour!" Polyphema drinks from all three of the mimosas currently in her grasp.
"Polllyyyyyy," GG says. "Your turn."
"No thank you," Polyphema says. "They invented stairs, GG, and they did it for a reason, and I am the reason."
"You gotta. C'mon."
"Remember the Warrior playground?" Polyphema asks.
"You were a baby."
"I was a baby and I wasn't full of mimosa." She burps. "Oh, God."
"C'moooon." GG stands up. "How 'bout I can carry you?"
"Are you strong enough for that?" you ask.
"I'm strong as fuck."
"Eeeee." Polyphema clutches her mimosas defensively.
"I'mma come down there in a second," GG says.
"EEEEeeeeee." Polyphema backs toward the stairwell.
"C'mon, Polyphema! Don't be a ppppussy!"
"I don't understand why that is an insult," Polyphema says.
"Ppppussy!"
"Even if it was for the cat and not the genitalia. I like cats."
"Ppppusssssyyyy!"
"It's very gendered."
"Pusssssssyyyyy!"

1]] Ppppusssssyyyyy!
2]] Do it! Trust-building exercise!
3]] Poly if you don't do it warrior rules say you lose the date!
4]] Let her take the stairs, GG. Or she'll break something. Like our drinks.
5]] Well whatever you do throw the mimosas up here first so they don't spill. Because that would be the apocalypse.
6]] Give it a try on your own and if you fail we shall allow you to take the pussy way out.
7]] ______________
>>
No. 653896 ID: b8ceae

>>653894
2, 3, 6.
>>
No. 653899 ID: b5b419

>>653894
7) Throw the drinks up first, otherwise we're going to find them all empty one way or another.
>>
No. 653900 ID: a55758

"Just give it a shot. If you don't make it, then we'll meet you by the stairs."
>>
No. 653901 ID: 789254

5, 6
Throw the drinks up first to avoid disaster, then give it a try. Should failure occur, we shall meet at the stairs.
>>
No. 653903 ID: 15c085

2, 5, 6

"It's a trust-building exercise, Poly! Throw the drinks up first, then give it a shot. If you don't make it, then you can take the stairs."
>>
No. 653921 ID: ab4978

2
We'll catch her if she misses. Just like GG caught us during our second date.
>>
No. 653922 ID: 2dcdc8

>>653903
Something like this.
>>
No. 653931 ID: 3d29ee

>>653921
I remember that! Yeah!
Let's be her safety net!
>>
No. 653935 ID: 27bc51

2,5,6
>>
No. 653937 ID: 2a7417

2 & 3.
>>
No. 653938 ID: 6c8858

3, 5.

I don't want Poly to hurt herself of course but it's fun to tease her back for once.
>>
No. 653941 ID: 020bca

>>653938
Tell me about it!
We could try to catch her so she doesn't fall on her delightfully delicate butt. I don't want to see her get hurt either.
>>
No. 653946 ID: ca5378

3 & 6
"Poly if you don't do it warrior rules say you lose the date! So just give it a try on your own and if you fail we shall allow you to take the pussy way out."
>>
No. 653949 ID: 334db2

It's short for pusillanimous, and has nothing to do with cats or anatomy. Come on, give it a shot!
>>
No. 653950 ID: 800a06

If GG holds us by our ankles she could lower us down and we could pull Poly up together. Teamwork!
>>
No. 653951 ID: 0ee153

>>653949
>>653946
These work.
>>
No. 653953 ID: afd47f

>>653949
Best.
>>
No. 653956 ID: 72883a

Also, Zack, if you happen to catch anyone feel free to follow it up with "GrightoGOTCHA!"

It's cheesy enough to sound endearing.
>>
No. 653959 ID: 7b7ab3

>>653903
I like this.

>>653956
>"GrightoGOTCHA!"
Oh my God.
Please do not encourage the big, red child.
We will never hear the end of it.
>>
No. 653971 ID: ea0ad9

3. Warrior code, Poly! Resignation isn't just losing the date, it's losing your date!

Offer to hop back down and give her a boost at the end. You're young and sturdy, and can afford another warrior grasp. That, or you can set up a handhold up there with something.
>>
No. 653972 ID: e0af58

>>653894
first rule of parkour. never do a stunt you're not confident you can do. that's how people die.
>>
No. 653974 ID: 334db2

Also, I don't think we should call anything a date.
>>
No. 653984 ID: accf78

>>653894
>"Eeeee."
>"EEEEeeeeee."
The call of a female Spiny One-Eyed Chicken. How majestic.
>>
No. 653996 ID: e607cd

>>653972
I'm pretty sure doing it drunk is against the rules too. Why stop the bad idea train now?
>>
No. 654005 ID: 2dabda

2. If it looks like she'll miss the mark, GG can grab her and pull her up.
>>653984
Our strange, precious bird.
>>
No. 654021 ID: f68a09
File 143639324831.png - (12.00KB , 960x560 , 375.png )
654021

"That's actually short for pusillanimous," you say. "Nothing to do with cats."
"Pusillanimous?" GG asks.
"It means chicken."
"I am not a chicken." Polyphema crosses her arms. "I am a peacock. We are like chickens but very fabulous."
"Do it!" you yell. "Trust-building exercise!"
"Butt-breaking exercise," Polyphema says.
"If you don't do it you lose the date!"
"I didn't know it was a competition," Polyphema says.
"I didn't know it was a date," GG says.
"From my perspective it's looking like it's both," you say. "Hey but throw up the mimosas first."
Polyphema raises an eyebrow. "Someone's got their priorities in order."
"You'll be fiiiiine! Toss them!"
She lobs the bottles up, then stands on a desk. "I feel like a dweeb," she says.
"You look like a brave dweeb," GG says.
Polyphema breaks into a run, gets halfway up the wall, then slides down. "Nope nope nope nope nope" She lands heavily on the desk. "I don't know how to fall! Or roll or anything!"
"OK," you say. "You can take the stairs."
"Ohhh no ya don't!" GG drops back down to Polyphema's level and scoops her up.
"Wait wait wait" Polyphema claws at GG, trying to get away.
"You're gonna make me drop ya!" GG climbs onto the desk. "It's a-ok. Didn't have this last time."
"I don't have dental! I don't have dental!"
"HERE WE GO," GG says, and sprints across the desks, taking a mighty leap onto the wall that collapses the particle board of the desk below her.
Polyphema screams in a not-un-peacocklike fashion. GG leapfrogs off the wall and snags the ledge, the oculot dangling desperately but securely from her shoulder.

GG hauls herself up. "PARKOUR," she announces.
"Aaaaaaah" Polyphema says.
"Told ya I could do it." GG palm-squeezes Polyphema's butt. "Smoosh."
"Put me down!" Polyphema kicks desperately in the air. "I need my mimosa!"
"Ack you're gonna knee me in the boob!" GG deposits Polyphema onto the ground.
Polyphema teeters over to you and grabs her mimosa, takes a long shot, then collapses into hysterics. "Parkour!" she says, when she gets her breath back.

1]] Parkour!
2]] This is totally a date.
3]] That was hot.
4]] THAT was one for the highlight reel.
5]] There, now. Don't you feel like your trust has been built?
6]] You both could have broken your necks, I hope you know.
7]] Maybe we should save the rest for when we're not in danger of breaking our bones.
8]] OK but Polyphema still has to do at least one parkour thing before we go. That doesn't count.
9]] Yeah well. I bet I could do that if I had four arms.
10]] ___________________
>>
No. 654024 ID: 1cebc8

10. Is this the part where you drink grog, throw coin, and hug uncomfortably?
>>
No. 654028 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 5.

What a lovely bunch of lunatics we are.
>>
No. 654029 ID: 6b0329

4, 8, and maybe a little 6.
>>
No. 654032 ID: ef232b

"Parkour!"
>>
No. 654036 ID: d2058c

4, 5, 7.
>>
No. 654037 ID: f6708c

1,5
"Parkour! See, Poly? Just like I said. Trust-building exercise."
>>
No. 654041 ID: 0f2037

>>654021
10 "you guys are a good team; and cute"
>>
No. 654042 ID: 334db2

Whatya say, had enough excitement?
>>
No. 654043 ID: e114bc

10. So how do Oculots handle being injured, anyway? Warriors are super tough, Skuts can just deal with one body getting wrecked, and Floaters can be repaired.
>>
No. 654046 ID: 32cd01

An enthusiastic 1!
>>654036
Also this.
>>654043
Unless they have some weird oculot power for it, I imagine they're no better than humans.
>>
No. 654049 ID: 0ee153

>>654046
Humans are actually exceptionally good at recovering from injury as far as Earth animals go, if memory serves me.
>>
No. 654064 ID: e3719e

1, 4, 5
"Parkour! THAT was one for the highlight reel. Feel like you're trust's been built, Poly?"
>>
No. 654068 ID: e15255

3 and 4.
>>
No. 654070 ID: 0fc976

1, 5, and 4
>>
No. 654072 ID: 7b7ab3

>>654049
And Warriors are exceptionally good at ignoring injury as far as anything goes.
>>
No. 654076 ID: f68a09
File 143640287822.png - (10.30KB , 960x560 , 376.png )
654076

"PARKOUR," you say. "Highlight reel parkour."
"Were you taking a video?" GG asks.
"Not as such."
"It's gonna be you next time," GG says.
"Maybe when we're sober," you say. "I want to get out of range of--" You indicate your surroundings. "All this shit you can jump off of."
"Don't you feel that, though?" You nudge her. "All that trust being built?"
"I'm feeling something, all right." Polyphema is almost out of mimosa. "Let's go on the roof! I wanna watch the sunset on the roof!"
"Poly it's like 4 pm," you say.
"Oh." She pauses. "Right."
"C'mon, wino," GG says.
"Champagne-o, GG!" Polyphema bobs after her. "Champagne-o peacock!"

"This city's so angular," Polyphema leans on the safety railing set up on the crumbling edge of the roof. "All-- boxes. Squares."
"There was a huge famous statue here once." You indicate the horizon. "Y'all knocked it over. Don't blame us."
"Lady Liberty," GG says. "Wish I'd been around to tear that thing down."
"That's a really weird sentiment to have, GG."
"Not like, wartime tear it down," GG says. "I meant like as part of a work crew. If it was gonna come down anyway." She leans next to Polyphema. "I'da wanted the torch."
"It was a big torch."
"You maniacs!" Polyphema says. "You blew it up! God damn you all to Hell!"
"We blew it up," GG says. "Well, they we."
"It's a movie quote," Polyphema says. "Planet of the Apes. Charlton Heston."
"Sorry we blew up your statue, Zack," GG says.
"It's cool," you say. "I never saw it."
"It was very beautiful," Polyphema says. She raises her bottle. "Here's to lady liberty!"
"To Big L.L." GG raises hers.
"Amen." You toast.
"To our Earthling Hosts," GG says, solemnly. "Long may they be fuckers."
"To Fucker Humans!"
"To Me!"
"To the inventor of the mimosa," Polyphema says. "A Toast Across Time."
"I think those were the French," you say. "Who also invented parkour so toast to that."
"To those guys," GG says. "And also to Camelbak."

1]] To the dudes who condemned this building for us!
2]] To new friendships!
3]] To you two. This really beats the shit out of Whole Foods.
4]] To Polyphema for basically doing all my work for me this time!
5]] To GG for that sick parkour jump!
6]] To the anonymous HVAO people parked a few blocks away to make sure we don't die!
7]] To the Kariket for introducing us to each other!
8]] To the safety of those seven bearded guys!
9]] To the guys who kicked my door in and gave me an excuse to get out of the house!
10]] ________________
>>
No. 654077 ID: ab7529

1
>>
No. 654078 ID: 7b7ab3

2 & 3

To all the wonderful people in our lives! Human and Visitor!
>>
No. 654079 ID: ad7bba

7 because hahahaha morbid.
>>
No. 654083 ID: d674db

>>654078
Beautiful sentiment.
"To new friendships! And to you two. This really beats the shit out of Whole Foods."
>>
No. 654084 ID: 0fc976

1, 6, 2, 3.
>>
No. 654087 ID: 5ec06c

2]] "To new friendships!"
3]] "To you two!"
10]] "To me! The luckiest man on both worlds!"
>>
No. 654091 ID: 330ce5

3 and 8.
>>
No. 654092 ID: 32cd01

>>654076
1, 2, 3.

Daitarn 3!
>>
No. 654097 ID: 8dacbf

>>654092
Yeah.

But only for that reference.
>>
No. 654110 ID: 62bf94

2 and 3. Also 7, but only as a joke.
>>
No. 654119 ID: b8ceae

>>654076
10. "To Poly's place, for a three-way!"
>>
No. 654124 ID: b5b419

>>654076
2, 6

10 "And to water, which we definitely all need."
>>
No. 654125 ID: 9297f4

>>654119
Not sure if we have enough stamina for that.
>>
No. 654128 ID: 7b2aa5

3. From what I can tell, we've been having a terrific time.
>>
No. 654131 ID: b44f42

2,7.
His whole genocide plot kinda backfired on him, didn't it?
>>
No. 654138 ID: f68a09
File 143641439207.png - (22.86KB , 960x560 , 377.png )
654138

"To new friendships!"
"Heyyy!" They both drink.
"And to you two!"
"Awwww!" Polyphema beams. "I can't drink to myself!"
"Sure you can." You hold up your bottle and feel it slosh around. It's almost empty. "This one's to me. The luckiest motherfucker in two dimensions."
The three of you clink camelbaks and drain them.
"Did you bring any of these with water in them?" you ask GG.
"Nope," GG says.
"We are definitely taking the stairs down," Polyphema says. "Oh but first picture! New friend picture!"
"O word!" GG gets her phone out.
"I didn't get one of these," you say.
"Sure you did," Polyphema says. "I took one of you when you were sleeping."
"That's weird."
"Not really but I didn't want you to feel left out. This is a girly thing."
"To girly things!" GG holds up her bottle, then remembers it's empty. "Fuck it!" She tosses it off the roof.
"Oh my God." Polyphema watches it fall.
"Indestructible," GG says. "IN destructible. Ay Z! Take the picture!" She flexes.
Polyphema leaps onto GG's arm. "Action shot!"
For a second you swear it looks like they're about to kiss.
Then they both fire megawatt smiles at the camera phone and you take the picture.

"Documented," Polyphema says. "Forever."
"A historic meeting." GG gets her phone back. She laughs. "We look like such dorks."
"You look adorable," you say.
"You'd think that if we were in a potato sack," GG says.
"Depends on the length of the potato sack."
"Look at us! We have scaled the highest heights!" Polyphema poses dramatically against the railing.
"With help," GG says.
"Shush," Polyphema says. "What now, intrepid crew?"

It's about 4:30 pm.

1]] It's conceivably early enough for dinner.
2]] I want to go..... to a museum.
3]] Let's watch a movie but not a movie in like a theater because then we'll get lynched. Polyphema do you have movies at your cool apartment?
4]] Let's, like, frolic. In like a park.
5]] I don't know about y'all but none of us have jobs to do right now and I want to take a nap and I have that right as an American.
6]] Let's go see where the statue of liberty once stood. They have a little itty bitty replica.
7]] __________________
>>
No. 654140 ID: 879618

1,3,5
Dinner, a movie, and a nap. The perfect wrap up to any friendly get together.
>>
No. 654142 ID: b8ceae

>>654138
1, 3, 5
You were born after the dawn of netflix. You have never lived in a period of time when people didn't have like half the movies ever made in their pocket.

Get delivery and watch something uplifting, like Star Trek.
>>
No. 654148 ID: 240a2c

1, 3, 5
>>654142
>Get delivery
NB4 order skutti. Two girlfriends at once is enough for now. I suggest pizza.
>>
No. 654151 ID: a02a4b

>>654140
Can't argue with that!
>>654148
>watch something uplifting
How about The Iron Giant? They'd probably love it. Though the ending may traumatize them.
>>
No. 654152 ID: 0fc976

Wasn't the itty bitty replica in France? I guess they were keeping it as a spare.
Anyway, let's go to 2! I wonder if there's any with Visitor exhibits.
>>
No. 654155 ID: a63c95

3, but on the way, 7, you can discuss plans for bringing another of your ladies into this circle of friendship. Poly's already at least seen Meg, and they've probably both seen Bika around. Ask them what their opinions are on who they'd each like to meet up with next. Or both meet up with next, but bringing two girls to meet one girl would be more intimidating for her.
>>
No. 654156 ID: 31d120

1, 3, and 5.
To Poly's for dinner, a movie, and a nap.
>>
No. 654160 ID: 7b7ab3

2, 4, and 6 are way to public right now. 1, 3, and 5 on the other hand can all be done privately at Poly's.

>>654151
>Girls watch The Iron Giant
>Ending
>GG has curled into a big, red ball of misery
>A steady stream of tears is flowing out of Poly
>"Superman."
>The apartment is filled with loud, inelegant sobbing
>>
No. 654161 ID: bb78f2

>>654138
I like the idea of asking them if they're curious about a full meetup. And Poly, soon I'm getting way too curious about Hiz's group and the lady he's with. Sometime this month I'd like to have a BIG HVAO dater's party or something and meet lady Zack and have a serious dicussion with the male Floater on what it's like to be the first of his kind that can have boners.
Just a big, fat, philosophical discussion on Floater penises.
>>
No. 654162 ID: 72883a

Introduce them to the concept of cartoon violence in movies, maybe? Like, watch "The Mask" or somesuch. It might strike a balance between the girls' tastes.
>>
No. 654163 ID: fb1b8d

>>654142
>watch something uplifting, like Star Trek
Or we could introduce them to humanities wealth of alien monsters. Alien, Predator, The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, The Blob, War of the Worlds, etc.
>>
No. 654168 ID: 01774f

>>654151
Oh! The Iron Giant! Fantastic!
Let's go to Poly's, order some nice takeout, get cozy and watch that!
>>
No. 654169 ID: f68a09
File 143641890979.png - (12.99KB , 960x560 , 378.png )
654169

"Let's watch a movie," you say, "but not a movie in like a theater because then we'll get lynched."
"True," Polyphema says.
"Polyphema do you have Netflix?" you ask.
"But of course," Polyphema says. "Netflix, HBO, Starz, Skinemax... um some Spanish one..."
"Delivery and a movie at Poly's?" you ask GG.
"Sign me up," she says.

"I wonder," you say, as you get out of the taxi at Polyphema's. "I wonder what the floater male in the program thinks about having a dick."
"The training manual probably compared it to like some kind of hose," Polyphema says.
"A cooling rod but in reverse," GG suggests. "Do you think he whacks it?"
"He has to," you say. "Right?"
"Probably," GG says. "Do you?"
"These days?" you say. "Fuck no I don't. That's a waste of company resources."
"Zackie's little soldiers have been drafted!" Polyphema mashes the button for the elevator.

"I am going to die of thirst." GG marches into Polyphema's room. "This place is so cute!"
"Thank you, dollface," Polyphema says, piling the empty bottles haphazardly next to the sink.
"Water. I am the water-getter." GG looks around. "Where is water."
"Little thingy in the fridge," Polyphema says. "Cups are up there."
"Oooh." GG opens the cabinet. "Wine glasses! We're drinking out of wine glasses."

"Zaaack," Polyphema whispers conspiratorially, as GG finds the ice. "Zack."
"Polyphema."
She smells like a tropical bar. "I really like GG."
"I know. Me too."
"No I mean I really like GG."
"I know. Me too."
"Are you thinking about what I am thinking about?"
"I think I might be thinking what you are thinking."
"Do you think she's thinking about it?"
"That is an interesting thought," you whisper. "Let me think about it."

"Remote!" GG throws the remote at you. You catch it.
"Pick a movie, Zackary," Polyphema says. "We don't know your Earthy cinema such-and-such."

1]] A scary movie!
2]] An action movie!
3]] A dark comedy!
4]] A romantic movie!
5]] An animated movie!
6]] A serious drama!
7]] A whacky farce!
8]] Kung Fu!
9]] A Garaktonnik Revenge Drama!
10]] An Oculot Road Trip movie!
11]] ________________
>>
No. 654171 ID: 01774f

>>654169
5.
The Iron Giant! Boy meets alien robot! It's cute and fun! The ending will scar you for life!
>>
No. 654172 ID: defceb

1

Pick a good scary movie, then migrate plan towards a threesome.
>>
No. 654174 ID: 0fc976

It's almost a foursome, really, because she's a WOMAN-AND-A-HALF, A BERSERKER-PACKIN' WOMAN-AND-A-HALF.
A funny kung-fu movie. One of Jackie Chan's?
>>
No. 654175 ID: 7b7ab3

>>654151
>>654160
>>654168
>>654171
It is a pretty good movie.
>>
No. 654176 ID: 3200c7

>>654171
>>654172
Double feature!
The Iron Giant followed by Predator.
Vin Diesel and Arnold Schwarzenegger!
>>
No. 654177 ID: 9297f4

5
I'm ready to enter feels city. TO THE IRON GIANT.
>>
No. 654178 ID: 0fc976

>>654177
Zack's trying to enter a different kind of feels city, ya grots! Go watch it yourselves then.
>>
No. 654180 ID: 800a06

>>654171
>>654172
>>654174
Still early? MOVIE MARATHON!!!
The Iron Giant!
Predator!
Kung-fu Hustle!
That's what I'm talking about!
>>
No. 654181 ID: bb78f2

Iron Giant the shit out of it because I have no idea what these ladies might like that they would have in common and be appropriate for this three-date.
>>
No. 654183 ID: bb78f2

>>654181
Ex-nay on the movie marathon, it can get boring being receptive for so long, especially with others.
We MUST play video games.
Duck Game, Left 4 Dead...
Super Mario World 3D. It's the perfect competition-co-op game. If you're not pissed off at each other, you're having a good time.
>>
No. 654184 ID: 3823a4

>>654177
>The Iron Giant
>This kills the Visitors
Do it.
>>654183
Portal 2 co-op, sharing controllers fairly. Lots of teamwork and trolling to be had.
>>
No. 654185 ID: defceb

Also make sure you have a steady supply of drinks to keep the party going. (but not TOO many.)
>>
No. 654187 ID: 0ee153

>>654185
Actually, we should probably stop drinking for once, especially if we're planning on trying for a threesome. GG hasn't made it clear that she wants to go that far yet and unlike the last few times we've bedded a drunk girl she didn't display any overt sexual interest in Polyphema before she had drinks.

Let the alcohol wear off, preferably with another movie after Iron Giant. The 1997 animated Anastasia, maybe?
>>
No. 654188 ID: a35e89

>>654180
>The Iron Giant!
FEELS TRAIN HAS NO BREAKS
>Predator!
GG's going to want all of the Predator's gear.
>Kung-fu Hustle!
They'll laugh till it hurts, especially GG.
>>
No. 654190 ID: cfa084

>>654187
Probably best to let the alcohol burn off. If a threesome ever happens, we want it to be nice and consensual for everyone.
>>
No. 654193 ID: e114bc

>>654188
>Kung-fu Hustle!
YES
>>
No. 654195 ID: ea0ad9

>"Do you think she's thinking about it?"
>"That is an interesting thought," you whisper. "Let me think about it."
Oh god that was corny. I think she's thinking of it in the backburners, but not at the front of thought. Unless the whole Warriors thinking Oculots are sexy thing goes further than I can imagine, because for Zack, he had to impress her with victory in challenges. Something to think about.

>>654171
>Iron Giant Traumatization
What are you talking about it traumatizes the trauma to induce reverse traumatization at the end. Still, gotta warn them the ending's traumatic and then has another surprise in store after the trauma. Don't tell them it'll be more trauma or undoing trauma, just surprise.

For me it seriously did completely undo any trauma, though. It was so amazing and inspiring and full of hope.
>>
No. 654198 ID: e607cd

Good gravy you guys, don't talk the movie up this hard, you have to let emotions happen naturally, not tell people how they will feel about something. Best case scenario, that cheapens the experience. Sometimes it will ruin it altogether.
I saw The Iron Giant for the first time when I was in high school and it barely left an impression. Clearly I have missed a part of childhood.
>>
No. 654203 ID: 5a4a22

>>654180
Sounds good to me!
>>654187
Safe, sane, and consensual, right?
>>
No. 654208 ID: f68a09
File 143642886305.png - (12.14KB , 960x560 , 379.png )
654208

Polyphema goes off to slip into something a little more comfortable and comes back in yoga pants and a baggy sleeveless t-shirt.
"Oh," you say. "You meant literally."
"I keep them guessing. Such is my mystery." Polyphema tosses you her phone. "Order foodstuffs for us, Zackary. Sound very human over the phone.

The pizza comes about a half hour into The Iron Giant. When you get back upstairs Polyphema is spread out across the couch with her head in GG's lap. You dutifully slide in under her butt.
"This is so cute," Polyphema says.
"When do they blow things up?" GG asks.

"Awwwww." Polyphema blows her nose. "Superman!"
"I feel like a big asshole for asking about blowing things up earlier," GG says.
"GG you are hard as a rock." Polyphema shifts her head.
"You ain't laying in the right place, sister," GG says, reaching for another slice.
"Pillow!" Polyphema reaches for one. "I need a pillow."
"We drinking more?" GG asks.
"If I am indulging in human cinema," Polyphema says, "I am going to do it of crystal clear mind."
GG chews this over. "Good point."

Predator goes all the way over Polyphema's head.
"Why did they keep SHOOTING it, though?" she asks.
"It's the Predator!" you say. "If it bleeds we can kill it!"
"It certainly liked skulls," Polyphema says.
"I, too, am an alien who likes skulls," GG says. "I am glad to finally see myself represented on film."

Kung Fu Hustle is a hit, even though by the time it airs everyone is back to firmly sober.
"THIS is why I love humans," Polyphema says. "That was insanity."
"I need to learn kung fu now," GG says. "I need to kill the Deadly Axe Gang."
"You like this one?"
"It could use more duel song," GG muses. "But yeah." She looks back at the kitchen clock. "Jeez. What time is it?"
"I need to pee," Polyphema addresses the world at large. "And this time it will not be 50% mimosa. I swear."
"I do too," GG says.
"Come with me!" Polyphema says "Come wait in line!"
"K." GG shuffles after her.
"Why always in pairs?" you ask.
"Just Girl Things,®" she calls after you.

You pause the movie and wait.

From the bathroom you hear whispering.
GG giggles.
Polyphema giggles and tries to keep her voice down. You hear the word "banana", the utterance of which makes GG laugh so hard she muffles it with her hand.
GG whispers very quickly, pauses, then says something very slowly and carefully.
"WHAT?" Polyphema says, half shocked and half ecstatic.
"Shhhh shhhhhhhh no no don't tell shhhhhhhhh" GG tries desperately to shush her.
"Zackary Nguyen?" Polyphema calls, singsong, from the bathroom. "Zackareee. The Aliens Would Like A Word With You!"
"NO no No we don't," GG says.
"We certainly doooooo," Polyphema sings.

1]] Get back out here. It's almost the ending.
2]] Everything OK in there? No roughhousing.
3]] Sounds like GG doesn't really want me over there.
4]] Go see what's up.
5]] ________________
>>
No. 654209 ID: b5b419

>>654208
4&5 "Do I need to get the spraybottle full of water?"
>>
No. 654210 ID: 0ee153

4, although make sure to check again before you actually enter. "Nervous I'll spoil the mystique of Just Girl Things,®?""
>>
No. 654211 ID: f68a09
File 143643162858.png - (12.70KB , 960x560 , 380.png )
654211

"You girls OK?" You stand up and walk to the bathroom. The door's open. "Do I need to bring the spray bottle?"
"Just your own handsome self, Zack," Polyphema says.
"I'm not interrupting Just Girl Things®?"
"On the contrary! You are cordially invited to take part in them."
"Oh my god don't tell him." GG has her hands firmly clamped over her face.
"It's perfectly fine." Polyphema strokes GG's back. "I actually think it's a lovely idea, and I'm sure Zack will as well. Zackary." She's grinning from ear to ear. "The beautiful Miss Grightogot and I were having a chat, a heart-to-heart, as girls do, and your name happened to come up, and Miss Grightogot had the charming suggestion-- well, I thought it was charming--"
"Polyyyyyy." GG hip-checks her.
"The CHARMING suggestion--" Polyphema rights herself. "That if you, Zackary, and I, Polyphema, were to, later on in this evening, enjoy one anothers' presence in a slightly more adult fashion than a shared viewing of The Iron Giant, that Miss Grightogot might be permitted to-- what was it, again? GG? That you wanted? To do?" She leans gently on GG. "In your own words?"

GG shakes her head.

"Wellll actually Zack never mind." Polyphema puts a concilliatory hand on GG's shoulder. "Another day."
"Wait," GG says. "Um, actually. Watch?"
"WATCH. There it was." Polyphema snaps her fingers and beams at you. "GG would like to watch."

GG nods, face still in hands.

1]] JUST watch?
2]] I am more than OK with this.
3]] I don't know if I'm really cool with being a performer.
4]] If GG's not entirely comfortable with it then I don't know if we should.
5]] _____________________
>>
No. 654213 ID: 0ee153

2 and ask if she's actually uncomfortable with the idea or just embarrassed.
>>
No. 654216 ID: defceb

2, make sure GG is actually okay with it though.

Also, how would this all work with the uh... mind-meldy thing Poly does.
>>
No. 654217 ID: 99cfa8

>>654211
"Just watch? Well sure OK. From the way you two were going on though I thought for sure you meant something wilder."
>>
No. 654218 ID: 7b7ab3

Definitely 2. Make sure GG's cool with it though.
>>
No. 654223 ID: 7adb19

>>654216
Yes, absolutely.

Maybe we should skip mind-melding tonight. We don't even know if she still has the inhibitor.
>>
No. 654237 ID: a55758

2! Does she have any requests? Positions?Techniques?
>>
No. 654242 ID: 4d6091

2 if she really wants.
Should we record it? Make our own, little porno?
>>
No. 654243 ID: 7aeb02

2, 4.

>>654242
Neat idea, if the girls support it. It will go down in the annals of time as one of the, if not the first amateur interdimensional porn.
That will become a tag on all the porn websites.
>>
No. 654245 ID: 08b6c4

2. Sure.
4. But only if she's 100% comfortable with it.
>>654242
>>654243
The same goes for this.
>>
No. 654247 ID: 441205

2 and 4
"I am more than OK with this. If GG's comfortable with it then I don't see why not."

>>654242
Might be fun! It better not end up online, though!
>>
No. 654255 ID: 2a7417

>>654247
It's all too likely it would. Would you really want this out there on top of the leak?

1, 2.
>>
No. 654260 ID: 7b7ab3

>>654255
How would it get online? Wouldn't one of the gang have to actively upload it to the net? I figure we can just keep it between us and the girls.

I say it's a neat idea, assuming the girls want to try it. If not, we're still going to have fun.
>>
No. 654269 ID: 330ce5

1 and 2.
>>
No. 654274 ID: a63c95

Bondage and now voyeurism? I wonder if GG's overall thing is for lack or loss of control.

2, variant on 4. Subtly inquire a little as to what motivates this desire. What is it about watching that would appeal to her?
>>
No. 654275 ID: 30c15c

2, 4, 5]] Suggest recording it.
>>
No. 654286 ID: 78d04e

>>654243
>Neat idea, if the girls support it.
Only if they support it. If they're against it, then let's not push it. Otherwise, sure, why not?
>>
No. 654294 ID: 8bd2b1

GG is into cuckolding. Nice. Make sure she's about it, and then proceed with gusto. Forget about the movie.
>>
No. 654297 ID: e114bc

>>654294
It's not cuckolding if they're on equal grounds.
>>
No. 654302 ID: a52cfe

>>654243
All of this.
>>654274
>Bondage and voyeurism
Kinky.
>>654294
>cuckolding
Absolute garbage.
>>
No. 654323 ID: c2318b

"If GG's cool with it, then so am I. We could even record it, so we can all watch it together later."
>>
No. 654328 ID: 334db2

GG if you're not okay with it the rain check is fine.
>>
No. 654334 ID: 92d17d

>>654294
it's only cuckolding if someone's crying in the background.

obvious 1+2 combo.
>>
No. 654335 ID: 92d17d

>>654294
it's only cuckolding if someone's crying in the background.

obvious 1+2 combo.
>>
No. 654342 ID: dcd676

>>654294
Hahahaha. Ahahaha. Aha. No. Not touching the crazy in that one.

1 and 4. "You sure you just want to watch? You don't seem super comfortable, but we could all be active if that'd be more comfortable."
>>
No. 654347 ID: 8bd2b1

>>654302
>>654342
How is that crazy? We already know she's submissive, and she seems to be embarrassed about wanting this, which fits in with the other things she's wanted that are super taboo in Warrior culture. On top of that, we're pretty sure she's into Poly and we know she's into Zach, so why wouldn't she just go for a straight up threesome? Pretty sure she wants to enjoy the masochistic and taboo feelings of cuckolding here.
>>
No. 654350 ID: e114bc

>>654347
Stop pushing your fetish.
>>
No. 654360 ID: 9077f6

2, 4
Do we have the stuff to record it? We have our phone cameras, but the quality on those things can be questionable.
>>
No. 654391 ID: 31d120

>>654360
I don't know. Mine works pretty good.
It's worth a shot at any rate. One more memento of a damn good time.
>>
No. 654580 ID: f68a09
File 143650830611.png - (9.49KB , 682x700 , 381.png )
654580

"JUST watch?" you ask.
GG nods again.
"I am 100% onboard with that," you say. "Do you want to, like, film it?"
"Ah ah ah," Polyphema says. "No digital reproductions, Zackary. Not that kind of gal. That's a Poly rule."
"Don't want it to leak?"
"Can't it be that I'm too highbrow?" Polyphema says. "There's a magic to live performance you just can't replicate. I find." She gently pushes GG out of the bathroom. "Now you two sit tight."
She ducks into the kitchen, opens the freezer, and takes a bottle of expensive-looking vodka from inside. "If we're putting on a show I have to get into character!" She downs a slug of it and swans into her room. "No peeking," she calls, and shuts the door.

"What's she doing?" GG looks at the door nervously.
"With Polyphema I've learned to stop asking," you say.
"Is this seriously OK?" GG asks.
"This is seriously OK," you say. "As long as you're comfortable with the idea."
"I don't know if 'comfortable' is the word, but, like..." GG shifts her weight. "I don't know. I feel really weird but I kind of want to feel more weird instead of less weird."
"That's weird."
"I know. But who am I gonna trust if not you?"
That's really touching, you think, and you're about to tell her so when the door to Polyphema's room swings back open.

"Hello, dolls," Polyphema says. "Step into my boudoir, why don't you."
She brushes a lock of silky black hair from her eye. She's finally tamed her trademark mad cowlick. "Would you like to lead the dance, Zackary, or shall I?"

1]] I got this.
2]] I leave myself in your able care.
3]] I leave myself at your mercy.
4]] GG's the director. Let her handle it.
5]] First actually I think I'd like some of that vodka too.
6]] What, you didn't have a banana hammock or something for me in there?
7]] ____________________
>>
No. 654582 ID: defceb

3
>>
No. 654583 ID: 0fc976

6, and once that is secured, 2.
>>
No. 654596 ID: 5a4a22

2, 3
"I leave myself in your able, merciful care."
>>
No. 654599 ID: a41fbf

She's the boss, unless GG would like the job.
>>
No. 654600 ID: 182f33

3, 5
We're at her mercy. But first a little liquid courage to loosen the hinges.
>>
No. 654602 ID: 7b7ab3

>>654596
>>654599
"I leave myself in your able, merciful care. Unless GG would like to direct."
>>
No. 654604 ID: 0ee153

>>654600
Nah, let's not drink now.

"You look like you're having fun. Take charge as you like, although I'm surprised I don't get a costume too."
>>
No. 654607 ID: 171c6c

>>654604
I share your sentiment. We've had quite enough alcohol for one day.

I like the combination of 2 and 3 presented by >>654596. I'm not sure why, but I do.
>>
No. 654617 ID: f68a09
File 143651659322.png - (13.92KB , 960x560 , 382.png )
654617

"I leave myself in your able, merciful care," you say.

"Good," Polyphema says. "Then I have a few ground rules." She taps her lip. "Hmmm. Rule One: Strip."

You do.

"That means you, Geeg," Polyphema says. GG hesitantly joins you.

Polyphema looks you both up and down, nodding slowly. "Take a seat, GG." She points out an overstuffed chair. "Front row center."

GG does so, her legs tightly folded.

"Rule Two:" Polyphema says. "Neither of you are allowed to say anything other than yes, no, or my name. Which, by the way, is 'mistress'. Understood, Zack?"

"Yes, mistress."

Polyphema grins like a cat. "Rule Three," she says. "I will do nothing to either of you without your express permission. Now." She takes a step toward you. There's a light hiss as her stockings brush together. "Zackary. May I touch you?"

"Yes."
"Yes...?"
"Yes, mistress."
"Good boy."

She tenderly but firmly pushes you back and onto her bed.
"May I fuck you, Zack?" she asks.
"Yes, mistress."
"Thanks very much," she says.

Sometimes you forget that Polyphema is over 300 years old, but every time she's with you she knows exactly what to do.
Her toes curl luxuriantly into her satin sheets. She takes your hand and lifts it up to her waist. She sinks onto you, her eye rolling back into her head as she goes until all you can see is brilliant, polar blue.
Her time onstage as a firehoop dancer has done more than strengthen her hip muscles, although you can very clearly feel it's done that too.
Polyphema, it turns out, is a consummate performer.
You hear GG in the corner, touching herself, her breath ragged and strained.

>>
No. 654618 ID: f68a09
File 143651660374.png - (17.78KB , 960x560 , 383.png )
654618

Right as she feels you tense up, and your fingers curling into the soft skin at the cleft of her ass, Polyphema abruptly stops.
"Sorry, Zack," she says, sliding off of you. "Don't go anywhere, dollface."

She sways over to GG.
"Pardon me, Grightogot," she says. "But Zack and I are having a hell of a time and I can't just watch you watch us from across the room." She leans forward. "May I touch you?"

GG hesitates. She sucks her finger. She nods.
"Say it, love," Polyphema says.
"Yes," GG whispers.
"Say my name."
"Yes, mistress."

Polyphema rests her hand on GG's knee.
"Awww, GG. Cutie. Forgive my indulgences. I tried to hold back."

>>
No. 654619 ID: f68a09
File 143651660999.png - (5.59KB , 960x560 , 384.png )
654619

"But you look good enough to eat."
>>
No. 654620 ID: f68a09
File 143651661725.png - (9.81KB , 960x560 , 385.png )
654620

An interventionist God is probably real, you decide, and he loves you and is your friend. It's too bad about all the poverty he isn't fixing instead of putting you in threesomes with sexy aliens, but you can find it in your heart to forgive him.

"Your hair is so soft, GG." Polyphema strokes it.
"Mane and Tail," GG says.
You roll your head to look at her. "Seriously?"
"Dead seriously." Polyphema squeezes you. "You have a cute birthmark on your butt, Zack."
"Really?"
"It's very cute," Polyphema agrees.
"Poly your little beauty mark thing is so cute," GG says.
"You're so cute," Polyphema says.
"We're so cute," GG says. "Cute sandwich."

"A big house in Upstate," Polyphema says. "In a wide green place. That's where I've decided you're going to live, Zack. Now that your apartment is shellacked."
"With a king size," GG says.
"With that."
"Or actually a swanky Manhattan, like, penthouse," GG says. "Really high up so we don't hear the traffic anymore unless we want to. And the air is all cleared up."

1]] The country sounds nice.
2]] A big penthouse.
3]] In all seriousness, though, I do need to find a place to live, don't I?
4]] Maybe I should live with one of you guys.
5]] I should probably, like, ask the HVAO where I should go.
6]] My human friends have couches. I'mma probably set my sights on that.
7]] So is this basically a dulabira now?
8]] _________________
>>
No. 654624 ID: a19cd5

>>654620
one negavote for 7 and any future occurrances of it's ilk, it seems like a bad idea to question this stuff too far in outside of our job description.
Feels like a "just let it happen" thing.

Also, 3 and 5. We do gotta figure out where to set up next.
>>
No. 654640 ID: f461c5

Would suggest 6, if only because it increases interaction between our friends and our lovers, and this job is ostensibly intended to teach and learn as much about our differing cultures as possible, but that would put our friends in danger.

That said, we should hang out in groups more.
>>
No. 654648 ID: 8bd2b1

Dream big! Get the penthouse. You're a wealthy man, Zack.
>>
No. 654660 ID: 7b7ab3

A penthouse sounds nice. The country does too, but it'd be too far away from all our friends and lovers. But before we decide, let's check our other options. We should be well informed before making any decisions.
>>
No. 654662 ID: 3861b9

Let's assess all our options.
1/2]] Check to see what's available.
4]] Check with them and see what they think. Make sure to ask Bika, too.
5]] Check with thev HVAO.
6]] Check with our friends.
Once we've done the necessary research, then we should make a decision.
>>
No. 654664 ID: 01774f

>>654662
This. It's a good idea to look at all our options before making a decision.
>>
No. 654668 ID: 7fa4f5

Except for 7, any of these options are good.
Maybe we should do like >>654662 suggested and do some research first.
It'd be better if we could make an informed decision.
>>
No. 654671 ID: 0fc976

2. I'd live in a penthouse, in a room with a view. And if I were handsome, (it could happen) those dreams do come true. I wouldn't have nothing if I didn't have you guys.
...Heh. You're green with it Zack! Also 3.
>>
No. 654672 ID: 846437

8]] So what do you guys want to do tomorrow?

>>654662
The only problem I see with this is time. That much research and networking will take a while. It might be worth it, but we should keep time constraints in mind.
>>
No. 654673 ID: ad7bba

8. Underground bunker from which to plot world domination of alien booty.
>>
No. 654675 ID: ea0ad9

>"With a king size," GG says.
Not an ultraking bed? They do make those. Even bigger than king sized. I'd imagine they'd have become a bit more popular with Warrior customers, actually.
>>
No. 654677 ID: 0e8da1

>>654662
>>654672
"There's a lot of work to do. So, what do you girls wanna do tomorrow?"
>>654675
>ultraking
We should get one of those. Also, we should introduce GG to Ultraman. And Kamen Rider. And Tokusatsu in general.
>>
No. 654679 ID: 1f3797

A big no to 4 as it inevitable draws the question of which house it's gonna be and we don't want to encourage that train of thought.

3 and 2.
>>
No. 654687 ID: e3bd41

8: Shack-up with the Bikaswarm.
>>
No. 654710 ID: f68a09
File 143655445372.png - (9.56KB , 960x560 , 386.png )
654710

"They make ultrakings," you say. "One of those."
"Ooh, yes." Polyphema says. "Ultraking."
"In an ultraking size penthouse. In a rooooom with a view."
"What's that from?" Polyphema asks.
"Monsters Inc," you say. "My second favorite interdimensional cyclops."
"If one of my eyeballs fell out where would I be?" GG asks.
"Tied, obviously."
"Bondage joke," GG says.
"Seriously, though," you muse. "I have to find a place to live. I should probably call the HVAO."
"If ever you require a bed," Polyphema says. "Mine is very comfortable. As you can feel."
"Yea or you can crash at my place," GG says.
"We should drag our beds together," Polyphema says.
"What, like into the middle of town?"
"Yes!" Polyphema kisses you. "Alien orgy on Wall Street. God, that was lovely. I haven't done that in decades."
"What part of it?" GG asks.
"All of it in general. Scuse me, Zack." She rolls over on top of you then onto your other side. "Geeeg. Keess me."
"Yes, mistress," GG says.
"Oh stop." Polyphema giggles. "So embarrassing."
GG kisses her. Then they start making out. Then Polyphema tugs you into it.
It's really cool.

The girls sleep soundly on either side of you.
Something's kept you up. You're not sure what.

You check your phone.
Two missed calls from Alan and one from Annika.

Annika's messaged you:
:annika: ZACK what's going on???
:annika: We're freaking out, dude! Alan called HVAO they said to call you!

Meg's messaged you:
:meg: Have you found a place to live yet? Lmk.
:meg: I want to go there and not my tube tonight if that's OK.
:meg: If your dick is too tired that's OK too. I just want to sleep with you.
:meg: The actual kind of sleep, though.

Bika's messaged you.
:bika: Zack did u ever own an ant farm?
:bika: i just found out about them and if u think about them they seem very messed up :poop:
:bika: Also do u play League 2?
:bika: Also r u alive? Have u found a place to live? I hope both answers are yes answers

Hizalian's messaged you.
:hiz: Zack Nguyen it's Hiz!
:hiz: Helen gave me your number.
:hiz: I mean Polyphema, whatever.
:hiz: Remember how I wanted to talk to you? Let's talk.
:hiz: There's a hidden gem hole in the wall skutti place you NEED to eat at if you haven't yet. I'll buy. Let me know when!

He's sent you a google maps link to Bika's restaurant.
>>
No. 654712 ID: b8ceae

>>654710
How old are Meg's messages?
Could you direct her to Bikaswarm for the night? While it'd be better for you to be there when they meet, I'm pretty sure Bika would be super-accommodating if Meg is having trouble.

Step out and call Annika to find out what's wrong. This sounds like it's urgent.
>>
No. 654714 ID: 99cfa8

Check those voice messages first off, then call someone.
>>
No. 654715 ID: 696535

>>654710
>Alien three-way
You are unbelievably lucky. Like, unfathomably lucky.
>Bika
text her back. "yes I'm still alive. I play a little bit of League 2."
>Hizalian
"I know that place. when do you want to talk?"
>Alan and Annika
better call them. Seems important.
>>
No. 654716 ID: 0ee153

>>654712
I think Annika and the rest just want to know what the fuck's going on.

Tell Meg you don't have anything permanent worked out yet, but you'd be happy to stay in a nice hotel with her. Don't direct her to Bika until you've worked out how they feel about that stuff.

Tell Bika you're fine but looking for a long-term place to stay so if she knows about some it'd be handy. Fairly sure staying with Bika wouldn't be a good idea with the job, plus we do need privacy sometimes.

Tell Annika you're alright, but you've moved out and need a new place. What's up?
>>
No. 654718 ID: 0fc976

(all texts because sleepy bookends)
Annika: Tell Alan and the others I'm fine. The jerks that did it were long gone and I was with Meg (floater gf), who can handle herself in a fight.
Meg: Haven't decided yet. Thinking of a penthouse way up high.
Biiiika: A teacher kept one in school. Said she named each one after a student. No idea how she kept track of them. Also yes, I [LoL 2 character meme here]
Hizz: (give no indication you are dating that entire building) Definitely. Tried skut cuisine, loved it.
>>
No. 654741 ID: 7b7ab3

Annika's: "I'm okay. Out a place to live, but okay. Don't worry, I've got it handled. What's up?"

Meg's: "Nothing yet, but I was thinking of a nice, high-rise penthouse. When I move in, you'll be my first houseguest. Promise."

Bika's: "Never really saw the draw of ant farms. But yeah, I play sometimes. When I get a new place, I'll call you up for a game. Also, I am no longer alive. I have become a vengeful, undead monster. Grr."

Hizalian's: "I know that place! Damn good iced tea. Let me know when you're available and we'll make plans."
>>
No. 654747 ID: d135cd

Calm friends.
Disappoint Floater gf. Promise future cuddles.
Offer future LoL 2 team up with skut gf.
Agree to meeting with new cyclops friend.
>>
No. 654767 ID: 2dcdc8

>>654741
These sound good. We should meet Hiz soon, though. We can see Bika, hang out with Hiz, and learn more about Poly/Helen and Golboria.
>>
No. 654771 ID: ced294

>>654710
>Annika
"I'm okay! Assholes tried to break into my place while I was out. Didn't manage it. I'll call in the morning."
>Meg
"Sorry, nothing yet. As soon as I know anything you'll be the first to know. I promise."
>Bika
"Ant farms are weird. LoL 2! Let's team up sometime! Once I get a new place, that is."
>Hizalian
"How's tomorrow sound? Talking is, like, my third favorite thing to do. Get back to me!"
>>
No. 654774 ID: 0fc976

>>654771
Our fifth favorite thing to do, behind Bika, Poly, Meg and GG (not necessarily in that or any order ;>.>)
>>
No. 654776 ID: 38aa12

>>654774
Hah! Nice.
But yeah. Those sound good. I wonder who Bika mains.
>>
No. 654792 ID: 100de6

Answer friends first. Calm them and give them an update.
I have no idea how to answer Meg without disappointing her.
Ayy Bika! I want to LoL 2 with you. How do you feel about Penthouses?
Hizzy! Hiz-man! When you free, bruh? I wanna talk 2 u!
>>
No. 654822 ID: 3d34d2

Some questions for everyone.
Annika: Nobody's been hassling you guys, have they?
Meg: Which would you prefer: a big house Upstate or a Manhattan penthouse?
Bika: Who's your League 2 main?
Hizalian: Do you have a favorite skutti dish?
>>
No. 654843 ID: bb2891

>>654822
>Annika: Nobody's been hassling you guys, have they?
It never occurred to me that our friends might be catching heat too. We should probably keep better tabs on them.
>>
No. 654881 ID: f68a09
File 143659541714.png - (10.65KB , 960x560 , 387.png )
654881

You message Annika:

>I'm ok! assholes tried to break into my place while i was out and didnt manage it
:annika: Zack i am going to KILL you
:annika: Why didn't you tell us sooner? We were freaking out!!
>I didnt know you knew
:annika: You're on the news, Zack! You're trending!
>Whaaat
:annika: Watch some TV between all the visitor pussy you're pulling. AND CALL ME
>I will tomorrow dont worry
:annika: GOOD
:annika: Where are you right now?

You look over at GG. She's tossed the covers off of her top half and is airing out her top-heavy chest.
Polyphema murmurs something in her sleep and puts her arm around you.

>Working
:annika: You work all the time now.
:annika: Lucky DOOSH!!!
:annika: <3
:annika: But also we're all pissed at you so </3 at the same time.

You message Meg:
>Sorry, nothing yet. The minute i figure it out youre the first to know
>Btw which do you like better: big house upstate or nice manhattan apartment?
She doesn't respond yet. In classic Meg fashion.

You message Bika:
>OMG i know
>One of my teachers had one in 8th grade and named the ants after students which i think she thought wed appreciate but it was morbid as shit. Mine died mercifully quick
:bika: grossssss
:bika: Dead bugs freak me out more than live bugs idk why
>Ikr
>LoL 2 i would love to play w. You as soon as I get my new place
:bika: Yay! :alien:
:bika: 2 person team stack!

You message Hizalian.
>Heck yeah I'd love to! I actually know that place
>Great iced tea
>When are u free?
:hiz: Any evening, brother man.
:hiz: Job ends early.
>Tomorrow? 5:30 pm?
:hiz: Sounds great.

By this time Meg's messaged you back.
:meg: OK
:meg: I'm not clingy am I
:meg: Upstate house has unprotected airspace so that one
>>
No. 654883 ID: bb78f2

oh man Zack, if Meg isn't flying you all the time if you're going country house you're going to have to learn to drive!
>>
No. 654885 ID: b8ceae

>>654881
Lets take Meg with us to meet Hiz at Bika's.
Think Meg wants an upstate place so she can move in?

You should get a castle. There are castles all over upstate.
>>
No. 654889 ID: c1d890

>>654881
>You're on the news, Zack! You're trending!
Oh, shit. We may want to look into this.
>2 person team stack!
That'll be fun! We should probably let her know we're bringing a dinner guest tomorrow.
>Sounds great.
The second oculot we've ever met! This should be interesting.
>I'm not clingy am I
No, just adorable.
>Upstate house has unprotected airspace so that one
Roger that! Looking forward to flying again!
>>
No. 654890 ID: 6d989a

Well, I guess there's not much else we can do tonight. Time to get some sleep. Be prepared for weird dream visions again. We may have to try and will ourself awake.
>>
No. 654894 ID: d95d2f

>>654881
>You look over at GG. She's tossed the covers off of her top half and is airing out her top-heavy chest.
>Polyphema murmurs something in her sleep and puts her arm around you.
>Working
Zack, you fuckass.
>>
No. 654895 ID: ea0ad9

>Hizalian
Hey, he's a bro in the whole Dulabira thing, if we need somebody to ask things about we can ask him.
>I'm not clingy am I
>Lets take Meg with us to meet Hiz at Bika's.
Reply: Nah, you're not clingy. Honestly I'm probably clingy right now. I don't even want to go anywhere by myself for a bit.
R: Actually having a get-together with some friends tomorrow. [Address] If you're up for it, I'd like to see you there.

>Dead bugs freak me out more than live bugs idk why
I swear dead ants are the freakiest of them all. They apparently have ghost powers and sixth sense: Kill one and the rest come scurrying over. Morbid thought (Don't actually tell Bika this): Are Skut like that?
>>
No. 654897 ID: 74f272

A question that's been bugging me and I feel we should ask our Visitor acquaintances: what does saropa mean? I know it refers to humans, but what is the exact translation?
>>
No. 654904 ID: fcbfd2

Now that the messages are all checked and responded to, let's get ready for Polyphema Dream Theater and get some sleep.
>>
No. 654913 ID: 0fc976

Odd that we didn't catch anything about us on the news this morning. Or did we?
Meg's got a good point, but we need to stay local for the other girls. (What, would we commute to work each day?) Assure her that she is not clingy, she is Cool with a capital C.
>>
No. 654933 ID: e3bd41

Ask Bika if she knows Hiz.

Let her know he wants to meet us at the restaurant, but doesn't know we're dating her.

Plot shenanigans.
>>
No. 654937 ID: 89941a

You er.. need to check the news. See what they're saying about you.
>>
No. 654947 ID: 1f3797

Search for some news articles with your name in them. Don't want to wake up the girls, do we?
>>
No. 654953 ID: 6b0329

Our job probably isn't gonna be permanent, we might need to think about our retirement plans.

Text Meg, "If all I had to stay in was a coffin-sized tube I'd want to leave as often as possible too. Being somewhere with the guy who loves you is just, like, first choice of where to be that isn't a tiny closet. You could use some other choices too though: Now that the world wants you to be a professional musician it's maybe time to set up a practice and recording studio, with a nice and large bed hidden somewhere."
>>
No. 654954 ID: d820c1

Check the news feed for anything involving ourself, prepare for oculot dream weirdness, and get some shut eye.
>>
No. 654960 ID: e3bd41

>>654953

This^ Very This.
>>
No. 654975 ID: f0a5e4

Huh.
Important question.
If we go to sleep with both Poly and GG, will GG get the crazy-ass shared dream shit too?
>>
No. 654983 ID: 800a06

>>654975
I wonder if we'll see some of GG's memories. I hope her life hasn't been as traumatic as Poly's. I doubt it, seeing as Poly's lived so much longer. More time to build up regrets.
>>
No. 654998 ID: 7b7ab3

Some questions for Hizalian.

What is the full range of oculot abilities? We know about the telepathy, the fireballs, and the portals, but what else can they do?

What does saropa mean? We know it refers to humans, but we don't know what the actual word means. What's the english translation?

Would he be interested in meeting a friend of ours? A lady by the name of Xu.
>>
No. 655011 ID: 2d8163

>>654998
All good questions. Let's keep them in mind.
For now, let's get some sleep, and try not to violate Poly's mental privacy.
>>
No. 655013 ID: f68a09
File 143664263708.png - (2.95KB , 960x560 , 389a.png )
655013

You text Meg:
>Youre not clingy youre cute
>Get out of your tube!! You should get an apartment
>With a recording studio in it

You wait for Meg to respond, but she's Meg. It takes a while.

Before she does you find yourself drifting off.
>>
No. 655014 ID: f68a09
File 143664264408.png - (5.95KB , 960x560 , 389.png )
655014

Your name is Grightogot Grzgkahk and you're 11 and here comes Skgaro again.

You wrap your lower set of arms around your tray. Every lunch time this happens. He's the strongest male in class so he's supremely used to getting his own way.

Hey Ho, Grightosnot, he says. Whatcha eating there?

Lunch.

Lunch.
Tell ya what.
He leers.
You're a scrappy little slip of a Garak. You ain't gonna use the energy from it like I can. Hows about you hand it over and I won't have to take it?

1]] Fuck off, Skgaro.
2]] Hand it over.
3]] Spit on it then hand it over.
4]] Flip it up into his face.
5]] Stand up and square off.
6]] If you have a crush on me you should probably just say so and stop trying to impress me.
7]] Why even ask me first, Skgaro? Scared?
8]] ________________
>>
No. 655015 ID: defceb

6
>>
No. 655019 ID: 0fc976

*Gasp* That's a naughty word, little GG!
6. Fluster that nugget.
>>
No. 655020 ID: 89941a

Gotta go with the 6, yeah.
>>
No. 655022 ID: ab7529

Hey! We made a promise! No more of this dream stuff. Wake up.

Promises are important to a warrior. You can't be a good warrior if you're breaking one.
>>
No. 655025 ID: b8ceae

>>655014
Wake up!
You made a promise to keep out of this stuff!

(Failing that, 6)
>>
No. 655027 ID: ad7bba

7.

This doesn't seem like it falls within the scope of the promise we made, actually, unless there is another promise additional to the one we made to Polyphema that I missed somewhere.
>>
No. 655030 ID: e114bc

Zack made a promise not to look at the heavy stuff. This doesn't look heavy.
>>
No. 655038 ID: ab7529

>But also we're all pissed at you so </3 at the same time.
Note to self: remember to schedule something with our friends. Can't spend all our time getting laid.
>>
No. 655039 ID: 7b7ab3

6. Hit him where he won't expect it.

Also, we promised to stay out of Poly's head. GG is neutral territory.

Besides, this looks like standard schoolyard antics. Hardly anything major.
>>
No. 655042 ID: f68a09
File 143664783042.png - (7.50KB , 960x560 , 390.png )
655042

If you have a crush on me you should probably just say so and stop trying to impress me.

THAT knocked him off balance.

If I DID have a crush on you I would have SAID so.
He stomps forward and grabs the cookie off your tray. Sloppy.

1]] Let him take it.
2]] Grab his hand.
3]] His chin looks very punchable.
4]] Neck is exposed. Hit the windpipe.
5]] Headbutt him.
6]] Careful you don't get my cooties, Skgaro.
7]] Give that back, Skgaro.
8]] I'm telling.
9]] _______________
>>
No. 655044 ID: e114bc

>>655042
3.
>>
No. 655046 ID: defceb

3 and then 6
>>
No. 655047 ID: 5f7625

his face is like a foot away. Headbutt! Break his nose!
>>
No. 655049 ID: 89941a

>>655047
Headbutting does seem like the simpler thing to do. Going with it as well.
>>
No. 655054 ID: ab7529

5,6.

If he drops the cookie, take it back. If he manages to keep hold of it, he's earned it.

If he crushes the cookie by accident when you headbutt him, tease him about it.
>>
No. 655055 ID: 7b7ab3

Headbutt! It's how Garakton say hello!

Followed by 6.
>>
No. 655057 ID: f68a09
File 143664929111.png - (6.42KB , 960x560 , 391.png )
655057

You rocket your fist up to his chin.

His head jerks backward from your plate rewardingly.

You put your plate aside and stand up.
Careful you don't get my cooties, Skgaro.

He struggles to regain his balance.
Grightogot you bitch!
>>
No. 655058 ID: f68a09
File 143664930087.png - (5.60KB , 960x560 , 392.png )
655058

HEY.

Ms. Sadari the recess monitor, who has been keeping her eye on the situation, snaps her book closed.

LANGUAGE, Skgaro.

Sorry, miss, he mumbles.

What do we say?

Grightogot you.... Skgaro searches for a word. Grightogot you fool!

Better, Ms Sadari says, and gets back to her reading.

1]] Pick on someone you can handle, Skgaro.
2]] You can have the cookie, Skgaro. IF you admit I beat you.
3]] You're too used to getting your own way. You've gotten clumsy.
4]] No more eating anyone else's lunch, Skgaro. Or I'll break your nose.
5]] Sit back down and eat your lunch.
6]] Fighting stance.
7]] _________________
>>
No. 655060 ID: defceb

2
>>
No. 655061 ID: 7b7ab3

2.

How is this so adorable? They're fighting, but it's really cute for some reason.
>>
No. 655062 ID: 34e4ed

6, 4.

GG: Hero of Recess!
>>
No. 655065 ID: a36057

2. Also 6, just in case.
>>655062
>How is this so adorable?
It's a couple of kids roughhousing over a cookie. What's not cute about that?
>>
No. 655067 ID: 0fc976

3, 4. Who run Recesstown? You run Recesstown!
>>
No. 655068 ID: 74f272

He's the strongest male in class? Well, we're the strongest female in the school!
3, 4, 6! Let's put Skgaro in his place!
>>
No. 655072 ID: e0b78d

It makes sense that Ms. Sadari reacted the way she did. This is just how Warriors behave. It's not a big deal.
>>
No. 655075 ID: f68a09
File 143665393011.png - (7.49KB , 960x560 , 393.png )
655075

You're too used to getting your own way, Skgaro. You've gotten clumsy.
You drop into a fighting stance. No more eating anyone else's lunch or I'mma break your nose.

We'll see.
He grins.

You do, too. You've been working on your battle cry.

He rushes you.
You're ready.
>>
No. 655076 ID: f68a09
File 143665393922.png - (10.04KB , 960x560 , 394.png )
655076

You wake up.
A very fully grown GG is crouching over you, blowing mint-scented breath onto your face.

She sees you open your eyes and smiles. "Tiny nerd boyfriend," she says. She sits back and calls out the bedroom door, "He's up."

"Gooood morning, loverboy!" Polyphema is somewhere in the kitchen. You smell bacon.

"What time is it?" you ask.
"'Bout 7:30," GG says, sitting lightly on your lap. "We checked out like mad early last night."

Your phone has an alert. Meg messaged you back at some point last night:
:meg: I wish, its against regulations
:meg: Zack?
:meg: Are you asleep? lame

1]] Call the HVAO.
2]] Call your friends.
3]] Message back Meg.
4]] Kiss your girlfriends.
5]] Eat bacon.
6]] Spend time at Polyphema's.
7]] Hit up the gym again today. Try and convince Polyphema, somehow.
8]] Go to Bika's.
9]] Meet with Meg somewhere.
10]] Work on finding a new place to stay.
11]] ________________
>>
No. 655079 ID: 0fc976

2, 3 (does she actually need sleep?), 4&5. 10 with consulting from 1. When that work is out of the way, let's hang out some more at Poly's. Text Bika to let her know you're coming by with Hizz today.
>>
No. 655082 ID: bb78f2

>>655076
What sane and intelligent man would NOT commit 5. Well, a few would for cultural reasons or they're allergic, but you have none of those excuses, Zack. Stuff that bacon down your THROAT.

Call your friends.
>>
No. 655086 ID: 2916ca

>>655076
We're up early, and that's good! Because it is gonna be a busy day!

3, 2, 1]] Reconnect with your peeps.
4, 5]] Have breakfast with your girlfriends.
7]] Gotta get swole! Poly can come if she wants.
8]] We've got to be at Bika's by 5:30 p.m.
9, 10]] Invite Meg to join us at a hotel and help house hunt.

It's a lot to do, but I think we can pull it off.
>>
No. 655098 ID: 4964f3

SO MUCH TO DO
>1
Call the HVAO. Ask about housing options.
>2, 3
Call your friends and message Meg.
>4, 5
Kiss your girlfriends and eat bacon.
>7, 8
Hit the gym, then go to Bika's.
>9, 10
Meet with Meg and go house hunting.
>>
No. 655113 ID: ad7bba

3 and 5 because polite and bacon.

And then whatever is telling GG about the job Bika's offering.
>>
No. 655119 ID: e114bc

Don't forget your meeting.
>>
No. 655135 ID: c1d890

>>655098
I like having a neat, orderly plan, so this appeals to me. We may encounter unforseen circumstances, but it wouldn't be the first time. We can handle them.
>>
No. 655143 ID: 5a4a22

11]] All of the above.
We're up early and the whole day lies before us.
We can do whatever we want, so why not do it all?
>>
No. 655167 ID: 400659

Whatever we do, we have to be at Bika's for our meeting with Hizalian. Also, I'm not going to lie, I really want to spend the night with Bika. We've kind of been neglecting her lately.
>>
No. 655179 ID: f68a09
File 143666607673.png - (8.35KB , 960x560 , 395.png )
655179

You call Annika and she makes you swear that you'll hang out with them soon.
"Bring whoever," she says. "Bring them all if you want. Don't dryhump them in front of us."

You message Meg:
>Im alive again
>Will go house hunting sooner rather than later, you want to come along?
:meg: Yea
:meg: Ill be ur advisor
:meg: Are Window Treatments Included?
:meg: etc.

"The perfect slice of bacon," Polyphema explains, "is a delicate balance between crispy and crunchy. The yin and yang of pigflesh. I would rate myself in the bottom third of chefs but Bacon! Is an art."
"Good bacon," GG says.
"Thank you, doll."

Polyphema finishes at the gym about 30 minutes before GG (and by extension, you) do.
"Take it away, friends," she calls, hopping off the treadmill and onto one of the poorly upholstered benches that line one end of the ratchet gymnasium. "I shall watch, admirably."
"What, Poly, no freeweights?" GG asks, as you huff your way through yet another set under her direction.
"I am entirely certain that I'd crush my windpipe, Geeg." Polyphema takes out her phone and starts tapping away. You think she might be playing angry birds. "Oh Zack, doll. Did Hizalian get in contact with you?"
"Yeah," you say. "Meeting him later on today for dinner."
"Did he say why he wanted to talk to you?" Polyphema says. "He never told me."

1]] No, but he sure seemed eager.
2]] We're probably going to talk all about you. The whole time.
3]] It's actually going to be at Bika's restaurant. That's going to be potentially interesting.
4]] So what's his deal, Polyphema? How do you know him?
5]] You want me to see if you guys can come along or anything?
6]] I guess I have to go back to my apartment to get new clothes for this, huh?
7]] Polyphema can I borrow your washing machine again? I don't know if going back to my place for more clothes is a good plan.
8]] Buy some clothes for this. Gym stuff or day-old gala leftovers aren't going to cut it anymore.
9]] ____________
>>
No. 655180 ID: defceb

1, 3, 8
>>
No. 655181 ID: 7b7ab3

>>655180
Yeah.

You know, this might be a good opportunity to let them know that we know about the skut's true nature.
>>
No. 655184 ID: d88a4d

1, 3, 8

9]] "Hey, girls? I have a question. What does saropa mean? Like, what's the english translation?"
>>
No. 655185 ID: 0fc976

2, 3, 4 - 6. You might as well grab a suitcase's worth so you don't have to keep going back. If you've got some time, you should start packing your stuff.
>>
No. 655187 ID: 800a06

>>655180
Sounds good to me.
>>655184
>What does saropa mean?
I keep seeing this question. Let's just ask them when we have the opportunity. Curiosity sated.
>>
No. 655191 ID: 43ea66

1,3,4,8
>>655181
>let them know that we know about the skut's true nature.
Let's. Meg already knows, so why not GG and Poly?
>>655184
>>655187
>What does saropa mean?
>Let's just ask them when we have the opportunity.
Yeah. I'm worried it might be an insult or something, though. Like a Visitor in-joke.
>>
No. 655196 ID: ad7bba

9: Not sure yet, maybe it's a date.
>>
No. 655203 ID: 1b9f86

"No, but he sure seemed eager. It's actually going to be at Bika's restaurant, so that could be interesting. What's his deal, anyway? How do you know him, Polyphema?"

Buy some new clothes.
>>
No. 655209 ID: bb78f2

>>655179
I'm hoping that he want's to discuss a party where we'll all meet each other's whole groups, personally. That'd be fun, though it's probably important all the girls from our group meet each other first, well proper introductions, you've already heard Meg sing Poly.
>>
No. 655214 ID: d5fa7a

>>655184
All of this. Honestly, I think it might be a good idea to start learning some of the Visitor languages. It'd be useful, that's for certain.
>>
No. 655216 ID: 7b6ca8

>>655179
>You call Annika and she makes you swear that you'll hang out with them soon.
>"Bring whoever," she says. "Bring them all if you want. Don't dryhump them in front of us."
Let's make plans for a big beach BBQ! It'd be the perfect opportunity to have the girls and our friends all in the same place. Hell, the girls can even bring their friends if they'd like! Let's make a big to-do out of it!
>>
No. 655221 ID: f68a09
File 143667662837.png - (11.74KB , 960x560 , 396.png )
655221

"No idea," you say. "But he seemed eager. It's at Bika's restaurant. That should be interesting."
"Who's Bika?" GG asks.
"The skut Zack is dating," Polyphema says.
"Skuts with an s," you say. "I know about the whole hive mind thing."
"Oh, shit," GG raises her eyebrows. "Don't spread it."
"I thought as much," Polyphema says. "That's one of those top secret Golborian things. Have you told any other humans?"
"No."
"Might want to keep it that way, doll," Polyphema says. "If the Kariket can trace it back to you you're in trouble."
"Speaking of Golborians and humans there was something I wanted to know." You carefully place your dumbbell on the floor. No pads means that the owner gets really testy when you drop them. "What does 'saropa' mean? The thing you call humans?"
"It's garaktonnic," GG says. "For, uhhh. I guess a good translation is 'hybrid'. Y'know, cause you have 2 arms and 2 eyes and legs and big ears so you're sort of a hybrid of the different races."
"I don't have big ears," you say.
"Yeah you do." GG touches one. "Big ol' Zack ears."
"It's better than what they called them in the early days," Polyphema says. "Rughil."
"Oh, yeah." GG frowns. "Some people still do."
"What's rughil?"
"Prey animal," GG says.

You swing by Uniqlo and get some relatively nice, relatively inexpensive clothing.
Bika must have eyes stationed around her restaurant, because by the time you get to the door Bika Prime's already waiting for you, with a shifty-eyed spotter coming out with her.
"Zack attack!"
"Hey, Biks."
"Finally," Bika says. "The cool kind of surprise. Whatcha doin? Hungry? Wanna come hang? Need a bed for the evening? You homeless dude, you?"

1]] Whoa whoa. Not homeless. Just couch surfing for a bit.
2]] Actually I'm meeting someone here. An Oculot named Hizalian. Gotta run after that.
3]] Absolutely I will take you up on that hangout after this dinner I'm having.
4]] Come sit with us. I'm sure we'd love if the manager was at our table.
5]] I don't know about a bed since if I recall correctly you don't have one. But a sleepover sounds like a plan.
6]] How's it been going at the eatery?
7]] Were you serious when you mentioned that job for a Warrior?
8]] ________________
>>
No. 655225 ID: 5d0869

3, 5, 6, 7 while waiting. You'll need to be sure to cover the fact you know the skut secret while meeting Hizalian, and Bika will need to be in on that plan.
>>
No. 655226 ID: bb78f2

"Business and pleasure, darling. The male oculot that is dating the lady human in our program loves this place. I think word is spreading around HVAO about your awesome food thanks to our bodyguards."
>>
No. 655227 ID: 7b7ab3

>>655221
2) We have house hunting to do with Meg later, but tomorrow we're all hers.
4) We would love for her to join us!
6-7) How has she been? Was she serious about that job offer?
>>
No. 655229 ID: e3bd41

4, 5, 6, 7
>>
No. 655231 ID: 2a68c3

2, 4, 6, 7

Let's dedicate tomorrow to Bika. We've gone too long without some skut in our life.
>>
No. 655233 ID: 171c6c

If Bika sits with us during our meeting, then we can hang out with her while we talk with Hizalian. Two birds, one stone.
Ask her how the eatery's been, and if she was serious about that Warrior job.
>>
No. 655234 ID: ea0ad9

1, 5, 2(ish), 8
"Not homeless, just couch surfing. They're, like, doing renovations on papers to get my place ready." This is, of course, a joke, not a defensive-toned statement.
"I'm preeeetty sure you don't have a bed, though, but a place to stay still sounds good.
Actually, I'm meeting up with a new buddy here. He's an Oculot named Hizalian. I don't really know if he intends to go for a walk and talk or what, though, so I might head back out for a bit. I'll be sure to come back though." Give her a wink or something.

If you've still got some time before Hiz shows up, maybe sit down for a chat with her, personally. Bring up having an extra trait of the Saropa, where you're getting teensy bits of memory without even trying. Has she ever heard of that happening?
>>
No. 655238 ID: 7b7ab3

Ignore my last post.

We can go house hunting tomorrow. Make sure to let Meg know.

Let's stay with Bika tonight. Invite her to our table.

Ask her about her place, and about that job.
>>
No. 655240 ID: 689bec

>>655221
"Actually I'm meeting someone here. An Oculot named Hizalian. Come sit with us. I'm sure we'd love if the manager was at our table. And I don't know about a bed since if I recall correctly you don't have one. But a sleepover sounds like a plan. So how's it been going at the eatery? Were you serious when you mentioned that job for a Warrior?"

We'll take Meg house hunting tomorrow.
>>
No. 655241 ID: 0fc976

6, 5, 4, 7. She's going to hear the conversation anyway, inviting her into it is polite.
>>
No. 655252 ID: f68a09
File 143668283911.png - (7.48KB , 960x560 , 397.png )
655252

"Absolutely to all of the above," you say. "Actually first though I'm meeting a guy here. Oculot named Hizalian. You want to eat with us?"
"Hiz!" Bika says. "I know Hiz. He orders from us all the time."
"He wanted to talk to me."
"Coolio. I'll totally sit with you guys. Does he know that you know what we know? About me?"
"Nope," you say.
"I'll be ver discreet then," Bika says. "Where is he?"
"Should be showing up any minute." You check your phone. It's 5:31. "So how's the restaurant doing?"
"Actually all the stuff that's been going on has given us a boost, if you'll believe it," Bika says. "When we're not fixing busted windows."
"Really?"
"Yeah! I know! But all the humans didn't really eat here anyway and now Visitors don't feel welcome in human places so they come here instead. We're kinda booming."
"That's really cool and also sad at the same time."
"My feelings exactly." Bika sighs. "I'm not, like, looking to maximize anything or anything. I just opened this place up as something to do."
"Well it's not like you need to pay much in the way of wages and such."
"Tru facts."
"Were you serious about hiring GG?"
"GG?"
"The Warrior I'm dating."
"I was like 75% serious," Bika says. "She'd do other stuff besides just stand around and look tough but I could use someone standing around and looking tough too. So you're staying over tonight?"
"Yep."
She beams. Her tail wags. "Yayyyy."
"Be gentle."
"No!"
"Fine."
Bika blinks. "Your date's coming."
"I don't see him."
"You will in a sec."

"Zack. How do." Hizalian walks up to the store, looking furtively down the street before coming inside. He has a pair of sunglasses hanging off the neckline of his tank top and a heavy knitted scarf draped across his shoulder. "I could eat a megabeast."

1]] Hey, Hizalian.
2]] Bika's eating with us. She's a friend of mine. You guys have met, right?
3]] Bika's eating with us. She's actually another one of my dates.
4]] Where you coming from, dude?
5]] How have you been?
6]] You wanted to talk to me about something?
7]] So does this meeting have anything to do with Polyphema?
8]] Why the heck does an oculot need sunglasses, Hiz?
9]] ___________________
>>
No. 655257 ID: ab7529

5, 2. Don't let on immediately that you and Bika are together, it's more fun to drop hints along the way to mess with him.

Modified 8: they don't make sun-monocles?

9: Your earth-lady treating you alright?
>>
No. 655259 ID: 0fc976

3, 4, 6 - pff, 8.
>>
No. 655261 ID: 334db2

Heya Hizalian, how's it hangin'?
>>
No. 655272 ID: f68a09
File 143668612556.png - (11.53KB , 960x560 , 398.png )
655272

"Hey, Hiz," you say. "How's it hanging?"
"One lower than the other," Hizalian says. "As you do."
"Right over here." Bika points the two of you to a corner booth with a long rectangular table at it. A Bika with a washcloth gives it a quick once-over.
"You know Bika, right?" you ask. "She's eating with us. Friend of mine."
"Hi, Bika." Hizalian smiles. "Good to see you."
"So I have to ask," you say. "What is an Oculot doing with a pair of sunglasses?"
"Oh, these." He unclips them and sticks them in his pocket. "If I wear these guys and a scarf I can pass for a weirdo human at a distance instead of an oculot. Which is better."
"The scarf was my next question. For the shoulder things?"
"Yep."
"I kind of just thought you liked scarfs."
"Well." He chuckles. "That too."
"Where are you coming from?"
"Work," he says. "Marketing at this start-up. Selling organic clothes."
"What are organic clothes?"
"I spend my entire work day trying to figure out good answers to that," Hizalian says. "It's just the hippy-dippy places that hire guys like me into higher positions. Otherwise I'd be hawking Ford trucks or something like a good American. How you been, Zack? Saw you on the news."
"Good, besides that. How about you? Is your lady treating you right?"
"No, actually." Hizalian sits. "She withdrew."
"Oh."
"Yep. She saw what happened to you and gave notice."
"That sucks."
"Kind of. Yeah."
"Sorry I brought it up."
"That's OK." He sighs. "It's sort of set the tone for this conversation. I don't exactly bring bright tidings. Uh, Bika, are you sure you're good with hearing all of this?"
"Yeah," Bika says, uncertainly. "I think so. We, uh, do you want to order first, though?"
"Good idea." Hizalian finds the menu. "I can at least buy you dinner first."
"It's on me," Bika says.
"Oh. Scratch that. Thanks, Bika." Hizalian looks at the menu. "I'd like one of everything."

After you figure out your order, and Hizalian downsizes his (but not by as much as he might have), he sits back and crosses his legs. "So. Zack."
"Hiz."
"I really hate to be dropping more shit on you at a time when you're already swimming in it, but..."
"It's fine," you say. "What did you want to talk about?"
"A, uh, mutual acquaintance," Hizalian says. "Um. I don't really know how to start."
"Dive in."
"OK." He takes a breath. "So you've heard by now about the suicides, right? Mass Oculot suicides."
"Kind of."
"Three quarters of all Oculot casualties," he says, "were self-inflicted."
"Jesus."
"Yeah." He swallows. "We were all-- I mean, it was terrible for everyone. And it was worst of all for humans. Of course. But we ran the portals. And when we had to kill, we're really very empathetic. Uh, not that I'm-- I mean the Kariket's an Oculot and he--"
"I know what you mean."
"And whenever we cracked a head," Hizalian says. "It's a two-way street. I don't know-- Polyphema probably told you about that. You get feedback. You kind of see things."
"Right."
"So for those on the front lines... it got very crowded. Very quickly. Uh." He bites his lip. "And when we linked with each other the visions would be shared, sort of. So the population in general kind of-- there was a very real shift. None of us-- we all changed. I mean, Polyphema's really different, for example."
"How has she changed?"
"I didn't know her too well on the Other Side. But she was a lot more-- open. A lot freer with what she was thinking."
"What do you mean?"
"Have you ever seen her angry? Really angry?"
"No."
"Or really really sad?"
"I haven't."
"I mean you've seen her, right? Always vivacious, always happy, breezy, life of the party?"
"She wasn't always?"
"Oh, she was. But not all the time. Not as a shield. Not to, like, cover things up with. You think anyone can really be that upbeat? All the time?"
"I don't know."
"I mean she was a happy person. Of course. But she went through a lot, Zack. And she came out the other end happier. I'm extrapolating." His leg is wiggling. "You've noticed the drinking, right?"
"The drinking?"
"She drinks like a fish, Zack," Hizalian says.
"Oh," you say, softly. "Right."
"I mean I don't know her as well as you do," Hizalian says. "But it's definitely picked up. And you, I think, are the only person she's really been with for a very, very long time. Decades."
"Been with?"
"Well she's had dulamads," Hizalian says. "Plenty. She's afraid of being alone. But she opens up to nobody. Nobody ever. And that's mostly because at her core she got it the worst of all of us. She's the most broken member of an incredibly broken race."

1]] I don't think I want to talk about this anymore.
2]] Do you know her name?
3]] Is this what you came here to talk about?
4]] How do you know Polyphema?
5]] Can you tell me more about her? I've already seen some things.
6]] Maybe this isn't a conversation Bika needs to hear after all.
7]] _______________
>>
No. 655273 ID: 0fc976

3, 4, and unfortunately 6.
>>
No. 655275 ID: a19cd5

>>655272
The concern is noted, though this seems like something I should talk to her about myself instead of conspiring about it here.

It would feel like an invasion of her trust to go around her back fishing for info, you know?
>>
No. 655278 ID: bb78f2

Ask about if the girl in the program ever dreamt any of Hiz's memories, or any of his dumalad's memories. Though she might have kept it a secret from him, I don't know. Did Poly tell you?

And okay, I don't know how to phrase 6 to Bika here, this must be awkward for her.
>>
No. 655281 ID: bb78f2

>>655278
Oh and ask if the Karikat ever brainsploded a human, or if anyone knows or thinks he was also effected by the Oculot mass depression.
>>
No. 655282 ID: ab7529

3,4 and seven, asking if his date ever told him about dreams. (Don't go into the specifics of ours, we're not going to betray her by telling people stuff from inside her head).
>>
No. 655283 ID: 7b7ab3

3, 4, 5.

Our poor, sweet Poly. We must know more. Is there anything we can do for her?
>>
No. 655284 ID: c34db3

These.
>3]] Is this what you came here to talk about?
>4]] How do you know Polyphema?
>5]] Can you tell me more about her? I've already seen some things.
If he asks what you mean by "seen some things" explain the dream thing.
>>
No. 655285 ID: 5d0869

3, with the addition of "I'm not sure I'm comfortable hearing stuff about her she hasn't decided she wants me to know, yet. I feel like she's on the way to opening up to me eventually."
>>
No. 655287 ID: f68a09
File 143668877783.png - (5.74KB , 960x560 , 399.png )
655287

"Thanks for bringing it up to me," you say. "But this kind of seems like something I should talk to her about myself instead of conspiring about it here."
"I know," Hizalian says. "I know. I'm getting offtopic. Sorry."
"It would feel like an invasion of her trust to go around her back fishing for info, you know?"
"Definitely. She's always liked being a cipher. That hasn't changed."
"So this isn't what you came here to talk about?"
"No. I, uh-- Bika, I'm sorry." Hizalian looks to her. "Can you give us a second?"
"I'll catch up with you," you say.
"OK." Bika looks worried. "I'll be right in the kitchen. OK?"
"OK."
"I actually came here with an apology, Zack," Hizalian says. "A late one."
"For me?"
He nods. "Polyphema actually contacted me. She said that there was someone I should talk to."
"Me?"
"Yes. OK." Hizalian nods again. "So. My, uh. My brother. Was in the Land Army. He was a patriotic guy. We-- many of us were, before we really understood what was happening. The plan. And by the time we understood, the portal detail had been opened. He was kind of--" Hizalian takes a rattling breath. "Trapped. And he lasted about three years before-- He didn't want to go to the portals."
"I'm sorry."
"He'd seen what it was doing to me." Hizalian makes no indication of having heard you. He's looking at the wood of the table. "I was-- for a while there they kept me in this soft, blue room. Full of cushions. No sharp edges and they'd watch me whenever I ate so I wouldn't try to choke myself. I don't think I was strong or anything to last I think I'd just-- given up. Like this was what we all deserved. I was kind of taking the punishment for my dimension, in my mind. Because we knew, the objectors, that every time we opened a portal it was going somewhere and that people were-- you know."
"I'm sorry," you repeat, since you don't know what else to say.

"Uh. So my brother. He'd killed--" Hizalian pauses. "He'd killed a lot of people at that point. A lot of pictures going through his head. He'd whenever he had leave and was home we'd hear him locked in his room, sobbing. He took to drawing them, to try to get them out. But it didn't work. Uh. And there was one picture he kept drawing. Over and over and over again."
"What was it?"
"A little kid, like, 5 or 6 years old," Hizalian says. "Riding a bicycle much, much too big for him."
The penny drops. Your throat goes dry.
"There were a lot of culture shocks, back in the day," Hizalian says. "One of them was names of places. Uh. In Golboria if the place has the word Fort in its name it's a fort. Like a fortress. Like a military target. And so when my brother was given a strike force and told to attack a place in Montana called Fort Smith, he thought--"
He blinks. A tear rolls down his face.
"He was sorry, Zack. He was so, so sorry. He wrote you something right before he went. Our father burned it. To the boy on the machine. We didn't know what bikes were. I wish I still had it with me."
He closes his eye.
"We didn't understand what we were. What we are. We were-- None of us-- we--"

He gives up drops down onto the table. His spiny back shakes with silent sobs.
"Monsters," he whispers.

Conversation around you slows and lowers to murmuring.

1]] He killed my parents.
2]] I forgive him.
3]] I forgave him a long time ago.
4]] I know. I saw him apologize.
5]] My mother accepted his apology. That was the last thought she ever had.
6]] I can't accept that. I'm sorry, Hizalian, but I can't.
7]] It's been a very long time, Hiz. We're all different. You said it yourself.
8]] _____________
>>
No. 655288 ID: defceb

3,4,5 aaaand maybe 7?
>>
No. 655289 ID: ab7529

Don't say anything. Just reach across the table and take his hand.
>>
No. 655292 ID: 5d0869

4, 3. Take his hands in yours or something.
>>
No. 655293 ID: 0fc976

4. 5. 2. We're learning more about Visitors than we ever thought we could.
>>
No. 655295 ID: 330ce5

3, 4, and 7.
>>
No. 655297 ID: 1cebc8

8. He thought that his mission was to shoot up a bunch of soldiers. He acted appropriately by doing his best to survive only to realize that he and his squad were using flamethrowers on a bunny farm. You can't blame a kid forced into a warzone to act differently.

He's already paid with his mind. You don't need to help him redeem himself, just fix his brain.

You were wondering why they had to invade. Faulty intel and a stupid culture mistranslation, that's all it ever was. And a bunch of assholes in charge, as always.
>>
No. 655299 ID: 7b7ab3

3, 4, 5, 7.

Give him a bro-hug. He's our new bro. He needs a bro-hug.
>>
No. 655303 ID: 799200

Oh, Hiz...
3, 4, 5 and 7
Give the poor guy some form of physical comfort. Hold his hand, give him a hug, something.
>>
No. 655308 ID: f4d940

Hand on shoulder or hand. 3, first half of 5 (second half kinda turns it sour), and 7, I think.
>>
No. 655314 ID: 99cfa8

>>655287
8: "You aren't monsters. Monsters don't regret."

Also, 4 & 5, and then 2.

And yeah some kind of embrace.
>>
No. 655315 ID: bd8b82

3, is why you are even in this program. it's funny, you probably have one of the realest reasons to hate visitors out of anybody, but you don't.


maybe you could have the HVAO arrange one of those fancy public apology ceremonies, tell everyone that you, a man with such a good reason for hate, forgive them.
>>
No. 655323 ID: 0fc976

>>655315
"I'm from Fort Smith, and I say kill 'em all!"
Ah, but if only we could make this reference. Or wanted to. Or weren't horrified at the thought of saying it.
>>
No. 655348 ID: 2a90dc

4, 5, and 3. Also, give the man a hug or something.
It would seem the entire oculot species needs therapy. See, this is the downside of being highly empathetic telepaths: depression is contagious!
>>
No. 655351 ID: 0ee153

3, 4, and 7.
>>
No. 655353 ID: 334db2

Explain 4]]
>>
No. 655359 ID: 15c085

"I know. I saw him apologize. My mother accepted his apology. That was the last thought she ever had. And I forgave him a long time ago. It's been a very long time, Hiz. We're all different. You said it yourself."
>>
No. 655360 ID: ea0ad9

4, 5, 3. "While humans can't just form the connection just like that, families who truly love each other have been known to have a bit of empathy with one another. I was there, I saw what she saw, felt what she felt. Your brother only killed her out of mercy, I understand. And... I know he still hurt from it. I'm sorry I couldn't let him know that I forgave him too."
>>
No. 655371 ID: 23ce9a

4, 5. 3.
>>
No. 655372 ID: bb78f2

>>655287
7]] It really is a small pair of dimensions.
>>
No. 655377 ID: 689bec

4, 5, 3, 8]] Hug cyclops.
>>
No. 655382 ID: b8ceae

>>655287
4, 5, and 7. No 3.
At this point offering forgiveness would seem insincere.
If anything, you should say the blame is with Karkat, and not with him.
>>
No. 655384 ID: 689bec

>>655382
>the blame is with Karkat
What do the Trolls have to do with this?

Homestuck joke!
>>
No. 655393 ID: 0ee153

>>655384
This is a quest, not a trash bin.
>>
No. 655394 ID: 342d13

>>655293
this
>>
No. 655412 ID: 775ecb

2 or 3, as the time of forgiveness is unimportant, followed by 4 and 5. Offering physical comfort is also advisable.
>>
No. 655414 ID: 0cc074

3,7
>>
No. 655430 ID: b4dd67

>>655412
All of this.
>>
No. 655480 ID: 6420d5

>>655303
Seconding all of this.
This is hardcore hug time.
>>
No. 655490 ID: 7b7ab3

So to summarize:
Hizalian's brother joined the Land Army out of naive patriotism. By the time he learned the truth of the invasion the portal detail had already been formed. He knew if he objected to combat they'd put him on portal duty, which was pure torture. So he fought for three years before he couldn't take it anymore. He committed suicide to escape.
And Fort Smith was the last nail in his coffin.
That's pretty rough.
>>
No. 655514 ID: ad7bba

8. Knowing why it happened, knowing it was a mistake, helps. It never made sense until now. We were past anger already, now I just pity the guy.
>>
No. 655531 ID: 4b65cc

>>655303
>>655480
Thirding. Hug the sad out of him!
>>655490
Sad, isn't it?
>>
No. 655542 ID: 74f272

>>655531
>Sad, isn't it?
Extremely.
Especially when you consider the possibility that he and Zack might have gotten along pretty well under different circumstances.
>>
No. 655550 ID: e607cd

...Just before she died, I tried to tell my mother the same thing. That they were monsters. But she would have none of it. *shake head*
The last thing my mother ever said to me was never to hate. 'Don't let yourself hate anything, ever. Hate is so strong. Love is fragile. Protect love.'
It took me a long time to understand. I was just a boy, and I lost both my parents in one day. But I do understand, now. You are not monsters, Hizalian. You are just people. People make mistakes, sometimes terrible ones. Our history is no less full of those mistakes than yours. But sometimes, people find a way to forgive, and reconcile. To build bridges instead of burn them. I am here, in this restaurant, talking to you, because that is a goal I believe in with all my heart.

Your brother apologized to my mother in her last moments. My mother accepted his apology. It was the last thought she ever had. It was in her memory that I forgave him. And I forgive you now.
>>
No. 655577 ID: a6dc58

3, 4, 5.

Tell him something like: It must be hard, to peer into other people's feelings and look back and see yourselves reflected as monsters. But just because someone says your a monster, thinks your a monsters, doesn't make it so. I don't think you are monsters at all.
>>
No. 655593 ID: f68a09
File 143677486494.png - (8.24KB , 960x560 , 400.png )
655593

You hug him.
"Let it out," you say. "It's OK. Hey. I forgave him a long time ago. I saw him apologize. I felt my mom forgive him."
He wraps his arms around you. His head is buried in your shoulder, which is quickly dampened with tears.
"She went out forgiving him. And she told me never to hate anything. So, uh. I think I forgave him when she did. Long time ago. We're all different. You said it yourself."
He trembles like a leaf in your arms, taking halting breaths to try to get back under control.
"Hey. Hiz. Hiz."
"I'm OK," he manages to say, still holding you. "I'm OK."
You let him rest for a bit, until he stops shaking. He still holds you. He inhales deeply.
"Hiz?" you say. "Our food's here."

Bika coughs politely.

"Oh. Fuck." He laughs a sputtering laugh through the tears. "I completely forgot."

"We brought tissues." Bika puts a tissue box down with the appetizers.

"Thanks." Hizalian blows his nose loudly. "Uch. God. I'm a faucet. Thanks."
"No problem," Bika says.
"Fuck-a-doodle." Hizalian drags a trash can over and drops his tissues in. He eats a dumpling. "I haven't cried like that in forever."

1]] Tell me more about him. Your brother.
2]] Tell me more about yourself, Hizalian. How does Earth compare to Golboria?
3]] Why'd your dad burn the letter?
4]] So I mentioned I saw the apology? It was in like a dream I had in bed with Polyphema. What's that all about?
5]] Is it safe for Bika to come back now?
6]] Talk to me about the Kariket. Polyphema hasn't really painted a picture about him.
7]] So what do we do about Polyphema? Got advice?
8]] _______________
>>
No. 655594 ID: defceb

2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
>>
No. 655596 ID: 6420d5

>>655593
2. 2 all the way.
>>
No. 655598 ID: 99cfa8

>>655593
1. It's the appropriate thing to talk about right now, it'll give him more closure.
Then we can start flirting with him.
>>
No. 655605 ID: 1cebc8

3, 2, 5.
>>
No. 655617 ID: b8ceae

>>655593
1, then 4, then 2
>>
No. 655624 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 2, 4, 6, 7.
We have a lot of questions.
>>
No. 655635 ID: 93aa30

Most importantly, 2 and 4.
>>
No. 655636 ID: d88a4d

1, 2 - First, let's talk about him and his brother.
4, 7 - Then, let's talk about Polyphema and the dreams.
>>
No. 655643 ID: 100de6

>>655624
This. Also, is it safe for Bika to come back now?
>>
No. 655645 ID: 2a7417

Before Bika comes back: 4, 7. then 5, 1, 2, 6.
>>
No. 655649 ID: c0d3cb

>>655624
>>655636
>>655643
>>655645
These. Ask all the things!
>>
No. 655658 ID: 3380e4

>>655593
>"I haven't cried like that in forever."
We gathered. Poor guy's had it rough. Glad we can help him out.
>>655649
>Ask all the things!
May as well. He's certainly brought up a lot to discuss.
>>
No. 655662 ID: 87aae3

1,2,3,4,6,7
We're surrounded by Bika. She doesn't need to "come back."
>>
No. 655664 ID: 2a7417

>>655662
I believe she's respecting our privacy with all of her bodies right now, and inviting Bika Prime back directly is still the polite thing to do.
>>655649
All the things except three, apparently. I guess we can extrapolate his reasons to our satisfaction from what we already know.
>>
No. 655665 ID: 31d120

>>655664
Probably out of grief. It'd still be nice to know, though.
>>
No. 655680 ID: 2dcdc8

>>655662
This, except do invite Bika back. Like >>655664 said, it's just the polite thing to do.
>>
No. 655690 ID: ea0ad9

2, definitely. Definitely NOT 4. We promised that if it did happen, we'd keep it secret. That includes previous versions.
>>
No. 655698 ID: a6dc58

1, 2, 5, 6.

I would also suggest against 4. That seems like it is touching a bit close to personal stuff with Polyphema, and that doesn't sound like something she is comfortable with right now.
>>
No. 655723 ID: 2a7417

>>655690
I cannot find a post where we agreed to keep our dream memory phenomenon a secret. Besides, that memory belongs (mostly?) to us. Come to think of it, it probably made a round trip from Zack's mother to Hizz's brother, through a whole bunch of other Oculots, to Poly, and now back to us. Polyphema only asked that we try not to pry into her sensitive memories if we can help it. You'll have to quote the post, if it exists.
>>
No. 655730 ID: 0ee153

>>655723
Literally in this thread.
>>648905
>>
No. 655732 ID: 0f4536

>>655662
Even though the other patrons are likely all visitors we still shouldn't go around saying we know that secret where random passersby can hear.
>>
No. 655733 ID: 61562a

>>655730
>And I need you to promise me: if you see something you don't think I'd want you to see then you need to try to wake up from it somehow. OK?"
Nothing about keeping our dream, not a traumatic memory of Poly's, a secret.
>>
No. 655743 ID: bb78f2

6]] I primarily just want to know if the Karikat has ANY personal understanding of what he's forced his Oculot subjects through.
>>
No. 655744 ID: 0ee153

>>655733
Are you medically autistic or are you purposefully refusing to understand social context? That shit's private, yo.
>>
No. 655745 ID: bb78f2

No, that's straight up all about her specifically wanting Zack to wake up if he thinks he's going to see something she doesn't want him to see, nothing about not talking about the Oculut-human mind tap nap.

If we're going to straight up tell all the girls about the fact we know that Bika's a hivemind, when she specifically straight up told us not to do that, I don't see how an implied promise hidden so deeply between the lines of dialog should be more respected. especially when that's so much more harmless and sharing that mind tap thing is a constructive thing to do.

Seriously, all the girls know that we know about a Skut's deal now.
>>
No. 655748 ID: b88e47

Explicitly NOT 4.
>>
No. 655752 ID: 0c3d91

>>655649
Yeah! I thirst for knowledge!
>>655745
>Seriously, all the girls know that we know about a Skut's deal now.
That's not a problem. Bika asked not to tell any humans. The girls knowing that we know doesn't change anything.
>>
No. 655755 ID: ad7bba

Explicitly 4 because seriously guys, we promised to not poke around in her memories, not to not mention that we've been having weird dreams. Mentioning the phenomenon is entirely okay as long as we don't go anywhere near the Polyphema-memory dreams or hint at any of the specifics therein.

>>655752
>That's not a problem. Bika asked not to tell any humans. The girls knowing that we know doesn't change anything.
Bika also said that if other skuts found out Zach found out from her, they'd kill her. Our dates can be trusted with the secret, but Visitors in general shouldn't be.
>>
No. 655762 ID: 7b7ab3

>>655755
>Bika also said that if other skuts found out Zach found out from her, they'd kill her.
>Our dates can be trusted with the secret, but Visitors in general shouldn't be.
Precisely. Which is why we won't be mentioning it to anyone else.
>>
No. 655776 ID: bc6a96

1, 2, 6, and 7
Tell us about oculots, Hiz.
>>
No. 655799 ID: 715ee3

>>655593
>"Fuck-a-doodle."
Poor, little cyclops friend.
1, 2, 6, 7. The most important people in our life are all cyclopses.
>>
No. 655805 ID: ab7529

>I haven't cried like that in forever.
It's worth crying over.

And 1.
>>
No. 655818 ID: f68a09
File 143685763979.png - (9.24KB , 960x560 , 401.png )
655818

"So I saw the apology," you say. "In like a dream. That I had when Polyphema was in bed with me. I keep having these visions."
"What?" Hizalian's eyebrows raise.
"Yeah."
"That's-- weird."
"Did you have them with your human?"
"I never slept in the same bed as my human," Hizalian says. "We fucked some but she never spent the night and neither did I. But, like, if that was a normal thing people would have found out by now. You might be discovering a new Oculot thing. That happens sometimes. Not surprising it's going on with Polyphema. That woman has a hell of a brain for freaky powers."
"Do you have any advice about her?"
"None," Hizalian says. "I'm not the love guru. That much is obvious. But hey I mean if she doesn't want you to probe maybe just-- don't probe. At least for a while."
"Hmm. Ok."
"I mean she's smart, Zack. It's not just trauma and obstinance. She has reasons to keep her secrets," Hizalian says. "Personal and geopolitical. There are things she knows that even she shouldn't know. And other things that I imagine have been buried for very, very good reasons."
"Like what?"
Hizalian shakes his head. "Even telling you that is telling you too much."

"Tell me more about him, then," you say. "Your brother, I mean."
"Remadren was his name," Hizalian says. "Remmy. He was into the Academy right out of Sectionals. Uh which is sort of Visitor college. It happens a little earlier for us. He was a beastly dude. One of those guys who picks you up when he hugs you, y'know? We said he was half warrior. In Academy he was on the Flanking team as a liner. Uh that's sort of like being on the defensive line or offensive line in football. Six Warriors and Remmy. I think half his teeth were fake. He didn't give a shit. He was a legend on campus actually cause he bagged a garakton once and stayed on top. He had the kind of laugh that--"
Hizalian pauses.
"God, listen to me. The kind of laugh. Talking about his laugh. There has to be-- I'm a walking talking cliche today. I just don't know how to-- I can't express him. If you were an Oculot I could show you, but I can't-- I don't know how to make the words work." He puts his half-finished dumpling down and its contents spill out a little. "He was a good man and now he's gone. I don't know if I'm prepared to put it more than that or I'll just go off again."

"How about you? Tell me about yourself."
"What do you want to know?"
"How does Earth compare to Golboria?"
"Less structure," he says. "College stops and they just kind of drop you into the world. Scary."
"It is pretty freaky," you say. "I think I prefer it, though."
"I can see that." Hizalian tries to reconstruct his dumpling. He licks his fingers. "Didn't happen over There. Very martialled. A lot more of a focus on finding yourself that goes for a lot longer. They basically don't leave you alone until you find a career. Your first career, anyway. It's kind of like grad school here but it's part of the normal track."
"What were you?"
"Basically what I am now," he says. "Ads guy. Then gradually I became a spin guy as the Kariket found his global footing. Not as much choice and a bigger need for pacification."
"How old are you, anyway?"
"Jeez, Zack. Where are your manners? 86. Baby-faced youngster."
"So you basically did propaganda?"
"Not really propaganda," he says. "I pushed government-sanctioned soft drinks more than I pushed extinction agendas."
"Polyphema hasn't told me much about the Kariket."
"Yeah well she wouldn't," Hizalian says. "She isn't the hating type but I don't know anyone who hates anyone more than she hates him. You probably don't need to ask why."
"I don't think I do."
"He came from nowhere and took everything," Hizalian says. "There's a biography someone wrote about him, at his bequest. I won't bother going over it. Small farmhouse birth, blah blah. It's all lies. Guys like that where they grew up, doesn't really matter. He's a force, now. You look into his eye you don't see anything but what he sees. Your reflection, in miniature. A tiny, insignificant version of you."
"You've ever looked into his eye?"
"Well no," Hizalian says. "But that's a killer line, right? Sorry. Ad guy." He takes a bite of an attractively overstuffed sandwich and reminds you that you're hungry as heck too.

Two more Bikas come with more food. Bika prime leads them. "Hey, guys," she says. "How's the chow?"
"Delicious as always," Hizalian says.
"What he said," you say.

1]] Do you serve alcoholic beverages here, ma'am?
2]] Come sit back down with us. The storm has passed.
3]] Hiz just told me it was his brother who attacked Fort Smith. It was an accident.
4]] Hiz was delivering a message for me. It was a comfort.
5]] Hiz was just telling me about the Kariket.
6]] Bika and I were probably going to hang out later, maybe get drinks or something. You want to come along?
7]] So how familiar are you two, anyway?
8]] _______________
>>
No. 655819 ID: 0fc976

1, 2, 4, 7, ask Bika about the Kariket too.
...Why would we need to invite Bika to hang out with Bika and us? Is this a hivemind thing?
>>
No. 655820 ID: 06c8e2

2, 6.
>>
No. 655822 ID: defceb

1, 6, 1, 6, 1, 6, 1, 6
>>
No. 655830 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 2, 4, 5.

Let's loosen up a little and discuss everyone's favorite monocular tyrant.
>>
No. 655832 ID: 52ad92

2,4,5
Chewing the fat with a babe and a buddy. Good times.
>>
No. 655840 ID: 438189

1 and 5.
"Do you serve alcoholic beverages here, ma'am? Hiz was just telling me about the Kariket."
>>
No. 655841 ID: 78d04e

2, 1, 4, 5
"Come sit back down with us. Do you serve alcoholic beverages here? Hiz was delivering a message for me, which was a comfort, but he was also telling me about the Kariket. Understandably, we could use a drink."
>>
No. 655853 ID: c5f804

2, 7
>>
No. 655855 ID: bb78f2

5
>>
No. 655858 ID: d62f42

4, 1. After an emotional revelation like that, we could use a little cold comfort, if you get my meaning.
>>
No. 655868 ID: ea0ad9

1 would be silly. Didn't she mention having alcohols here last time?
>>
No. 655869 ID: 141bf4

>>655841
This.
>he was also telling me about the Kariket. Understandably, we could use a drink
That line alone is enough for me.
>>
No. 655870 ID: 141bf4

>>655868
It works if you read it like a rhetorical question.
>>
No. 655887 ID: 37557c

>>655869
Agreed.
>>655870
>Do you serve alcoholic beverages here, ma'am?
Translation: "Bika, we want to be drunk. Give us booze."
>>
No. 655890 ID: 80d146

1,2,6
>>
No. 655908 ID: 04c316

You're still pretending you don't know the skut secret, right? You can probably trust him, but you don't know what sharp ears might be nearby - we know some people were overhearing his distress earlier, perhaps not enough to make out words but to hear the emotion, at least.

So, if Hiz is ok with it, ask the Bikas if they could let Bika know she can join you again.
>>
No. 655912 ID: f61b8d

>>655908
Bika Prime is present.
>>
No. 655939 ID: cfd63f

Let's have Bika bring over some drinks and join us. Then Hizalian can continue regaling us with tales of the Kariket.
>>
No. 655963 ID: 1d9ea8

>>655939
Sounds pleasant enough. Nothing like an evening of deriding unpopular politicians.
>>
No. 656027 ID: 2ca9f3

>>655818
>I don't know anyone who hates anyone more than she hates him
Well, to be fair, she has more than enough reason to despise the guy. He's been nothing but a constant source of misery for everyone for a very long time.
>>
No. 656049 ID: 7b2aa5

2 & 5
>>
No. 656058 ID: e25442

>>655841
This.
>>
No. 656085 ID: 7131bd

Are we sure we want more alcohol after all that mimosa yesterday? At this rate we're going to outstrip Poly.
>>
No. 656112 ID: ea0ad9

>>656085
I don't think that will be possible. We'd have to drink all day long to even match how much she drinks.
>>
No. 656152 ID: 3307bb

"Bika, we're discussing war and politics. We need some drinks and your company to see us through."
>>
No. 656269 ID: 7209e1

One question I'd like answered before we part ways with Hizz: why exactly did the Visitors invade in the first place? What was their goal?
>>
No. 656282 ID: 846437

>>656269
Seconding this. It's one of the most pressing questions of the war.
>>
No. 656442 ID: 77d946

>>655818
4, 2
>>
No. 656561 ID: e607cd

>>656282
We've heard it was just the next place to conquer. Ask if it was really just lust for conquest that motivated the war.
>>
No. 656567 ID: 77d946

>>656561
Where'd we hear it? I believe you, I just want to know where it was mentioned.
>>
No. 656694 ID: e410bd

>>655939
Yes. I would enjoy this.
>>
No. 656841 ID: 7b7ab3

>>656269
I'll second this one. The hows and whys of the war are always of interest.
>>
No. 656865 ID: f68a09
File 143728200071.png - (15.17KB , 960x560 , 402.png )
656865

"Bika we're talking politics and Kariket," you say. "We could use some booze and company."
"I bet." Bika slides a chair out with a swish of her tail and sits next to you. She crosses her legs and her foot brushes yours.

"I was just saying I've never met the guy," Hizalian says. "But he has to be a sociopath, right? Or something. Completely amoral."
"I hope so." Bika steals a slice of glazed beef from your plate. "Can you imagine the alternative? If he's not? And he has some kind of moral code in the first place that he's managed to justify himself to?"
"What if he hasn't?" Hizalian asks. "What if he's tortured by it?"
Bika cracks open her beer. "Then good."
"Agreed." Hizalian follows suit.
"Why exactly did he invade in the first place?" you ask.
"And when Alexander saw the breadth of his domain," Bika says, "he wept for there were no more worlds to conquer."
"Was that like Plutarch?"
"Hans Gruber," Bika says. "Die Hard 1."
"Whenever I get sick of humanity I remember the Kariket," Hizalian says. "You people are lucky we're so used to taking shit. And that we're all very guilty."
"How often do you get sick of humanity?"
"About as often as you, maybe slightly more. Can't ever get a cab, I'll tell you that much."
"Use a skut rickshaw," Bika says. "We scoot."
"Well if I ever see one you're running," Hizalian says, and then: "Iffff you're ever in that kind of career path."
Bika covers her giggle with a hand. "Right."
"Speaking of your help, though, Bika. I could use it."
"Oh, yeah? Are you moving again?"
Hizalian shakes his head. "Arbitration thing."
"Hiiiiz."
"With this asshole Oculot Sha-- what?"
"Not--" Bika ever-so-slightly jerks her head in your direction. "Later."
"What?"
"I don't do business over food," Bika says.
"Your business is food," you say.
Hizalian arches an eyebrow. "He doesn't know?"
"Hiiiiz."
"It's cool! He should know!" Hizalian leans on the table. "Zackary, you're dating a very important woman in the downtown Visitor community."
"How did you know I'm dating her?"
"Two and two." He points at Bika's tail, which you realize is laying on your chair. "Skut hives are arbitrators in Golboria, Zack. It's a custom that's carried over."
"Arbitrators?"
"Law enforcement."
"Not Warriors?"
"They provide some muscle but mostly they're military," Hizalian says. "You know they make war, skuts keep peace."
"It's carried over?"
"Well who are we going to go to?" Hizalian shrugs. "For visitor-visitor issues? The cops?"
"I'm assuming by your tone of voice no."
"Correctamundo. No need to get human police involved with Little Golborian matters." Hizalian gestures at Bika with his sandwich. She looks uncomfortable. "In this neighborhood if you're a visitor looking for help or for justice you need a neutral third party with an objective head on their shoulders and a lot of muscle to back them up. Like Bika!"
"I was going to ease you into the idea," Bika says. "Thanks for nothing, Hizalian."
Hizalian takes a drink and grins. "She's like a fuzzy little Godfather."

1]] Is that strictly legal?
2]] What kind of arbitration do you do?
3]] Do all skut hives do this sort of thing?
4]] Cool!
5]] What kind of problems do you deal with?
6]] Hizalian I know the big secret. It's OK.
7]] Hiz you really like spilling people's secrets, don't you?
8]] So the justice system on Golboria is run by skuts?
9]] ____________________
>>
No. 656866 ID: e114bc

>>656865
1,2.
>>
No. 656868 ID: a19cd5

>>656865
4, -1 to 6 since we've been directly warned not to advertise we know this shit so much
>>
No. 656870 ID: ad7bba

>>656865
8; 9: if yes on 8 isn't that really sad? We heard there were lots of skut executions.
>>
No. 656874 ID: 0fc976

3, 5, 8, but conceal that you know about the hivemind. No need to give that away to every Visitor you meet. It's also kind of funny watching him squirm.
>>
No. 656876 ID: f67386

6, then 3 if there's no one else here.
>>
No. 656879 ID: e114bc

Explicitly not 6.
>>
No. 656880 ID: 91cfcf

Oh gee, sure, let's keep sharing the secret that gets Bika executed. Except don't do that, you dumbfucks. Not 6. 2, 3, 5.
>>
No. 656890 ID: bb78f2

The closest I want to even GET to 6 is basically "Hive? Bika, does your family own a beefarm?", which is inverse 6, which means we trick HIZ into thinking he dropped the ball.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5
>>
No. 656895 ID: ea0ad9

>"She's like a fuzzy little Godfather."
9/4. That's cute. And cool.
(7)/9. You know, I gotta say, Hiz is good at making spilled secrets look like a masterpiece painting. Seriously, "Godfather" was probably the best way to put it.
3/9. Do you guys all do this? If so, why the strife amongst each other? Do you just have different ideas on fair laws?
>>
No. 656903 ID: 7b7ab3

4, 2, 5.

Maybe we should start calling her "sheriff Bika."
>>
No. 656904 ID: b135e9

>>656890
All of this.
>>
No. 656908 ID: f0e552

do not mention the hivemind.

hiz probably knows you know
but you can't just SAY it. keep that to yourself
>>
No. 656928 ID: fcd6dd

4, 2 & 5
"Cool! What kind of arbitration do yo do, Bika? What problems do you deal with?"
>>
No. 656929 ID: ebcefd

>conceal that you know about the hivemind. No need to give that away to every Visitor you meet. It's also kind of funny watching him squirm
This on both counts, so not 6.

Not 1; an extralegal system is almost by definition not strictly legal.

4, 5, 3 rephrased as "Do all Skut families do this sort of thing?"
Also "So is your territory also your jurisdiction as an arbiter?"
>>
No. 656932 ID: c1d890

2. What exactly does "arbitration" entail?
>>
No. 656943 ID: ab7529

>"Well if I ever see one you're running," Hizalian says, and then: "Iffff you're ever in that kind of career path."
Quick, sloppy recovery. He's badly hiding the hive-mind thing.

>skut hives
Really badly.

>She's like a fuzzy little Godfather
So long as no one messes with the family, I'm cool with that.

5.
>>
No. 656959 ID: 30c15c

2, 3, 4
>She's like a fuzzy little Godfather.
>Maybe we should start calling her "sheriff Bika."
I'm not sure which is more accurate.
>>
No. 656966 ID: 7b7ab3

>>656959
I suppose both could work.

She doesn't really operate within the law, but she does keep the peace in the Visitor community.
>>
No. 656980 ID: c34db3

4, 3, 2, 5
Bika, you just keep getting cooler.
>>
No. 656998 ID: 6eb9b8

>>656865
>"Well if I ever see one you're running," Hizalian says, and then: "Iffff you're ever in that kind of career path."
I guess you don't get to be as smooth as Poly until you have a century or two under your belt.
>>656980
>Bika, you just keep getting cooler.
True that!
>>
No. 657013 ID: 8bd2b1

>>656928
Yup.
>>
No. 657065 ID: ad936f

4, 3, 2/5
>>
No. 657078 ID: 17cdae

I'm tempted to say 7, because man. I've started wondering if Poly's closely related to the Kariket. It would be a fine reason for why she hides her name since it would make her too easy to link to him, and thus become a target for a bunch of shit. She once said she missed being "royalty", when the only proper royalty would be the Kariket's family, and Meg said he executed his own dad and nephew, so if they were her relatives as well it would have been another stack of bricks on the camel's back to why she defected. But I only started linking it together when Hiz gave that little nugget about the Kariket's biology saying he was a farm boy, since Poly said her dad was a farmer. He did say the biography was "all lies", but that could have just been to the "small" in "small farmhouse birth". So yeah Hiz, good job being honest.

Better not actually say it, though. 4, 2.
>>
No. 657086 ID: 5f9714

>>656980
This one right here.
>>
No. 657126 ID: 879618

We can work out any legal issues at a later date.
For now, let's just be happy we're dating such a cool lady.
4, 2, 3, 5.
>>
No. 657128 ID: b36fc7

2,4,5 (3 is a def no go)
>>
No. 657151 ID: 946dd8

You know, it's actually kinda nice knowing the Kariket is really just an overachieving, conquest obsessed nutjob. It makes hating him all the more satisfying.
>>
No. 657155 ID: 27bc51

>>657151
Genocidal, overachieving, conquest obsessed nutjob. It's an important distinction.
Oh, and 4, 2, 5.
>>
No. 657178 ID: 52f987

>>657126
This.
>>657151
Totally agree.
>>
No. 657257 ID: a41fbf

Dubious legality aside, what exactly does arbitration entail? Is it very dangerous? Does anyone ever get hurt? What are the most common problems?
>>
No. 657271 ID: f68a09
File 143745797266.png - (10.31KB , 960x560 , 403.png )
657271

"Cool!" you say. "Sheriff Bika."
"Or a sheriff, sure," Hizalian says. "But I like to picture skuts in like little zoot suits and tommy guns all sitting around playing cards."
"What's a zoot suit?" Bika asks.
"You know what a Tommy Gun is but not a Zoot Suit?"
"CoD," Bika says.
"It's a kind of suit," Hizalian says.
Bika grins and leans her elbow on the table. "Ya don't say."
"It zoots. Zoot Skoot." Hizalian takes a drink
"What kind of arbitration do you do?" you ask.
"Here or there?" Bika asks.
"There it's anything that isn't military," Hizalian says. "The Skut hives--"
"Like bee hives?" you prompt.
"Yeah like I mean the skut families, they basically run the entire planet's underfoot infrastructure and like every single worker you see in addition to being a worker is an arbitrator," Hizalian says.
"So what does the arbitration entail?"
"Policing," Hizalian says. "They communicate quick, they've got eyes all over the place, they're tiny and quiet individually... really really effective police force. Like imagine if all the cab drivers and construction guys and janitors in NYC were also plainclothes police officers."
"Damn. Isn't that dangerous?"
"Of course. I mean well floaters never break the rules but you're dealing with Warriors and Oculots who are basically high-powered bags of tempestuous aggression and emotion respectively and you're a four foot tall fuzzy critter. But they, uh, they're fearless about it. It's a Golborian thing."
"And the laws in the first place are really skut-driven. They have the biggest say in the laws because they have a reputation for neutrality and levelheadedness that humans just don't get."
You and Bika exchange a glance. "Oh yeah?" you say.
"They're essentially the unspoken governors of Golboria in a way," Hizalian says. "I mean officially it's Oculots and we decide a lot of things but the SKUTS make up like... 75% of the organized labor force and they have a serious way of all voting together on issues that would really surprise you. The Skutti Syndicates are basically masters of all things domestic. They have this way of keeping level headed and letting the Oculots play all the politics. But nobody fucks with the skuts. You can kick them around, some people do, but everyone respects them. If the Kariket's afraid of anything it's the syndicates. The skuts it's basically accepted without them that the..."
"Hiz you're being a little loud," Bika says, sotto voce.
"Sorry. Without them the war would never have ended until humanity was extinct. And humans treat them like trash it's nuts. I mean there's this one skut, Pirgatea, who, uhhhh..." He sneaks a look at Bika, who nods.
"There was this famous thing that happened called Pirgatea's Rebuke where the Kariket was giving this address outlining what his plan was for taking back Europe during the Baltic Marches and she just stood up right in the middle of it and said 'No.'" He leans across the table, his voice down to a whisper. "No! To the Kariket! And marched out! And he had no choice but to let her live because she controlled literally millions of skuts, she was-- and I mean is, she's still around-- that powerful. The Kariket has no Queen but Pirgatea is basically the underground queen bitch of Golboria. And if you so much as breathe 'Pirgatea's Rebuke' on the other side you get your head cut off. But she never did. And they don't like it when you talk about her here either but I'm drinking and you deserve to know. SKUTS, dude." He takes a drink. "Don't fuck with skuts. They're the glue. How do you think our society stayed together?"

"Glue," Bika says, "is the charitable way of looking at it."
"What's the uncharitable way?" you ask.
"Thought police," she says. "All cold logic and collectivism, zero individuality wiggle room. That's another thing that makes us good enforcers."
"Whoa." Hizalian raises an eyebrow. "I wasn't going to go there."
"It's cool," Bika says. "But now imagine that those plainclothes officers all have zero tolerance loyalties to a totalitarian dictator. I mean I'm not like that. And a lot weren't. But that was the rep and the bigger theeeeee families get the less and less they value individual thought. If I were more of a utilitarian I could--"
She considers how to work this.
"I could probably have a lot bigger of a following than I do," she says. "If I believed in order and obedience and rule of law. So all the biggest skut families do believe that. The bigger they are the more basically fascist they are. And the more useful they are in terms of manpower and in terms of the Kariket's use for them. Because they're more like him. That's why I'm so... uh, small-scale. And that's why I'm here."
>>
No. 657272 ID: f68a09
File 143745813896.png - (12.49KB , 960x560 , 404.png )
657272

"So what do you do here?" you ask.
"All kinds of stuff she does here," Hizalian says. "Basically if it's any kind of dispute short of a Visitor Vs. Human one you go to a skut. And for me and a bunch of us in Brooklyn that skut is Bika."
"We're a lot closer here than we were on Golboria," Bika says. "So there's fewer problems to deal with. That's one of the perks of institutionalized racism I guess. Stickin' together. But of course Warriors are always having dragout fights, and sometimes those go beyond Warrior ceremony and start needing a third party to step in, and sometimes there's theft or assault or whatever, of course,"
"Of course," Hizalian says. "This being NYC."
"And even in some human matters we intervene," Bika says. "Just to like take care of us and ours."
"Like how?"
"Like those warrior brothers I mentioned," Bika says. "I'm the one who figures out where they need to go and who they need to help. Or if like a Visitor is arrested there's bail to be posted and there's a list of the good guy kinds of lawyers who you can talk to and human allies to arrange things with in order to make sure no abuse happens."
"Bika's Little Golboria's mommy," Hizalian says. "Or GODFATHER." He chews on his burrito thing and hums the theme from the movie.
You feel something brush against your lower back. It's Bika's tail, running its tip up and down your spine, down low under the table where Hizalian can't see.
"Also iron chef." Hizalian wipes his mouth. "I swear to God if I close my eye while I'm eating this it feels like back home."
Bika beams. "Thanks, Hizzy." Her tail creeps its way up to your lumbar then back down. "I've had to bail Hiz out a couple times."
"With the cops?"
"And with some pissed off Visitors," Hizalian says. "I have a way of running my mouth."
"You do?"
"Was that a question or a statement, Zackary?" Hizalian asks.
"Question?"
"Good. And yes I do."
Bika's tail goes down the curve of your rear and you feel it leave contact with you for a second before it lightly smacks against your butt. You jump a little and try to disguise it while Bika passes her giggle off as directed at Hizalian. She looks at you, flicks her eyes toward the stairs in the back of the restaurant, and winks.

"It's nothing like the kind of trouble I got into on Golboria of course," Hiz is saying. "And those skuts, yes. Bika has a point. Were not nearly as nice."
"Is Bika in charge of punishment too?"
"Not really," Bika says. "I'm more of a judge than a cop here. If someone is working against the interests of the community here it's usually more of a struggle to keep everyone else from kicking their butt.

1]] Hiz what kind of visitors did you piss off?
2]] Hiz what kind of trouble did you get into on Golboria?
3]] If the Kariket was afraid of them why didn't the Skuts end the war sooner?
4]] Tell me more about the syndicates.
5]] So the skuts here operate more locally? Like how does it work on Earth outside New York? Or this neighborhood?
6]] Tell me more about Pirgatea.
7]] How do you guys feel about dessert?
8]] Speaking of nice skuts, about the check. It's really OK for this all to be on the house, Bika?
9]] I'm really glad we talked, Hiz, but I oughta get going.
10]] I'm really glad we talked, Hiz, but Bika's giving me the indication that she'd like a turn to speak privately too.
11]] _______________________
>>
No. 657275 ID: defceb

11. Subtly suggest threesome.
>>
No. 657277 ID: ea0ad9

>"What's a zoot suit?" Bika asks.
New goal: Get Bika to watch a Mafia flick.
>"I could probably have a lot bigger of a following than I do," she says. "If I believed in order and obedience and rule of law. So all the biggest skut families do believe that. The bigger they are the more basically fascist they are."
I dunno. I mean, sure, your closest followers are the ones that will be considered "Hive," but what about, like, alliances? I imagine a bunch of families that agree with the big ideas of one another, especially these sorts of ideas, would have no problem working with each other. Like, me and my friends? We're close, and while we might not operate together like I've seen among your family, we stick together and keep each other's asses out of the fire.
>options
Not 3. Just because the Skut have power doesn't mean they're invincible. Sure, they could have taken down the Kariket, but if the start a war over a matter that isn't important enough, they're going to suffer way too many losses for it.
Ask on 6, instead. What was Pirgatea like? I mean, she was the first to say no, when Kariket was planning to retake lost land.

While I'm interested in some of the other things, we ought to give Bika some time, too.
>>
No. 657278 ID: 6bb184

I'd rather not pry into Hizz's personal life, and Bika can answer any skut related questions we may have. However, right now it seems she would like to have a "private conversation" with us. A righteous 10!
>>
No. 657279 ID: bb78f2

3, 10,
11]] I guess it's a good thing I left with Bika when one of Bika's siblings got into a territory dispute with someone else. I probably would have gotten tommy gunned now that I realize it's way more like gang warfare... but it's also apparently the cops/judges facing off against each other.

Bika, you've seen the Godfather, right? Part 1 and 2?
Hiz, how have you picked up on our human references so well? I mean, we quote the Godfather and other classics like mad, but I can't imagine what it's like being able to drop a human American reference so easily after a century or so of dropping popular Golborian movie references. Hell, I'm surprised I haven't heard a single one all this time I've spent with visitors. Just Saropa this, Saropa that. What's the Golborian Godfather or Citizen Kane? I gotta know what they reference over there on the other side.

I'm just not a proper ambassador-esqe jiggalo if I can't say the golborian version "I've got an offer you can't refuse". But seriously, in six months, I wouldn't be surprised if HVAO actually gives me a posting like that and asks me to actually fuck the Karikat into a peace treaty.
>>
No. 657281 ID: 7b7ab3

10, then 3, 4, 5, and 6 when we're in private. Assuming Bika's willing to answer some questions before the fun begins.

By fun I mean sex.
>>
No. 657283 ID: 188d2b

>>657278
This! Time for some skutti fun 'n' games, followed by a lesson in skutti affairs from Bika-sensei.
>>
No. 657287 ID: c3e940

10. 3, 4, 6.
>>
No. 657295 ID: 6327fe

10! Sorry, Hizzy ol' boy, but the lady wants some alone time!

Oh, and I guess we can ask her the skut questions, too.
>>
No. 657296 ID: f4d940

Uh. 10 was the only one I thought was obviously off the table, given that Bika is being discreet in her communications.
>>
No. 657299 ID: 6327fe

>>657296
Well, obviously we're going to be more discreet about it. We're not completely tactless. It should be easy enough to give Hizz the slip without being rude or overt.
>>
No. 657301 ID: c41c90

A more subtle variation of 10.
"I'm really glad we talked, Hiz, but Bika and I have some plans for the evening. Would you excuse us?"
>>
No. 657332 ID: 76f2b0

10, but ask Hiz if he's sure he's feeling alright now, and let him know he can contact you again if he likes. Aside being a better way to go about it, it would hint to Bika that Zack might not be in 100% playful mood right now.

I want to see a bunch of the other question-options gone into too, but we can save those for one-on-one(mind) with Bika.
>>
No. 657342 ID: de506f

Definitely 10.
3, 4, 5, and 6 while we're getting ready for the sexy skut fun.
>>
No. 657343 ID: 2a7417

1, 4, 6, 10. Hearing both an inside and outside perspective on the skuts really helps us develop our understanding of them. Of course, there are other ways to get an intimate understanding of a skut...

>>657275
I'm not voting for it, but really, aren't you aiming a bit low? Also it would be kind of hard to deny knowing about the hive mind if you are making the sex with them.
>>
No. 657350 ID: dff8dd

10.
>>657278
>Bika can answer any skut related questions we may have
True.
>>657332
>Zack might not be in 100% playful mood right now
Partly playful, partly curious. Bika can satisfy both.
>>657343
>Of course, there are other ways to get an intimate understanding of a skut...
Oh, yeah. A very intimate understanding.
>>
No. 657377 ID: d346d4

Let Hiz know you enjoyed his company, trade contact info, then head upstairs with Bika. We have all night to have fun and ask questions.
>>
No. 657394 ID: 846437

>>657377
Agreed.
>We have all night to have fun and ask questions
And what fun there is to be had. Also questions. It doesn't matter if they come before or after the fun.
>>
No. 657412 ID: 62bf94

2 then 10.
Ask Bika 3, 4, and 6.
>>
No. 657427 ID: 6e036b

Bid Hiz good night, pay for our meal, include a generous tip, and join/carry Bika upstairs.
>>
No. 657452 ID: 2e19f9

>>657275
yes
>>
No. 657454 ID: 0ee153

>>657452
Threesomes get the secret spilled and Bika killed.

So sure, let's do it, the quest's not complicated enough without a waifu dying.
>>
No. 657464 ID: f68a09
File 143754770036.png - (7.15KB , 960x560 , 405.png )
657464

"While I'm positive that hearing about all the people you pissed off would be truly edifying, Hiz," you say, "Bika and I have some plans for the evening. Is it OK if we split and do this again sometime?"
"More than OK," Hizalian says. "Especially if our lovely hostess joins us again."
"And it's on the house again," Bika says.
Hizalian taps his nose. "I never said that. You cannot quote me."
"Are you feeling better, Hiz?"
"Loads, Zackary," Hizalian says. "You're an excellent active listener. Has anyone told you?"
"Thanks!"
"Ad men value active listeners." Hizalian finds his sunglasses and puts them on. He looks ridiculous. He Fonzie-snaps at you. "Thank you for traveling through the crucible with me, Zack."
"Thank you for being brave enough to take the plunge. I really enjoyed talking to you."
"Really? Because it was rotten for a while there," Hizalian says.
"Really."
He grins. "Well good. I'm glad I had a good cry. It's been too long."
"Any time."
"I'll keep you in mind if I ever want to clear my tear ducts, then, Zack Nguyen." Hizalian throws the scarf across his shoulder. "Arrivederci, Zack. Adios, Bika."
"Auf Wedersehen, Hizalian," Bika says, as Hizalian walks out the door. "OK cool c'mon." She tugs your sleeve. "I need Zack Time."

You try to play it at least kind of cool as she pulls you to the stairs but she's having none of it. A Garakton nudges his friend as you clear the restaurant floor and you hear them laughing as you climb the stairs with Bika, whose tail is wagging so earnestly it keeps whacking your leg.
"Mind of its own," she says.
"So wait that makes it 168 total?"
Bika giggles. "Poor Hiz! Having to play dumb. Maybe it's time to start thinking about coming out of the closet."
"Y'think?"
"Maybe. Not that it's my decision in the first place."
"Mistress Bika." A floater comes out of one of the apartment rooms and closes the door gently behind him.
"Um." Bika stops in her tracks, then uncertainly starts to walk you past him. "Yeah?"
"With her metabolism the arm is salvageable but it will take at least eight weeks to heal." The floater bobs along after you. "Keep her resting and eating and make sure not to get the cast wet. I'll check back in a couple of weeks."
"OK thank you Jay."
"And if there's any help you require with Pilop please don't hesitate to--"
"Thank you Jay please can you talk to someone downstairs about it?" Bika says. Her hand is tight around yours.
"Yyyyes." Jay looks at you and sheepishly puts his hands in his pockets. "Good evening, Mistress Bika. And, ah, guest."
"Yes. Sorry. Bye." Bika half-drags you down the hall toward the next flight. "Don't worry about that, Zack. Skut stuff."

1]] Dutifully don't worry about it.
2]] Pilop? Like beach Pilop? What do you need help with?
3]] Bika, what happened with that fight? You never told me.
4]] Was he talking about that Soldier Bika? I haven't seen her around.
5]] Bika I get enough secrets from the Oculots. What's going on?
6]] OK but is there anything I can do?
>>
No. 657465 ID: 2e19f9

2,3,4,6
>>
No. 657466 ID: 0fc976

2, 3, ah crap Bika I'm sorry, this is my fault. Is it Soldier Bika?
>>
No. 657467 ID: e4ea3c

Balance between 1, 5 and 6. "I can try, Bika, but talking with Hiz put a curiosity bug in my brain, and I think my imagination's on kind of a dark turn. Just tell me it's not anything permanent? And if there's anything I can do for you. Ever."
>>
No. 657468 ID: b8ceae

>>657464
"It's Bika stuff. Bika stuff is important stuff, and I'm nosy.
Was that from the fight? What's the damage?"
>>
No. 657469 ID: 55c4cf

3
Write In: Invest all money into magnets.

Then comment on how attractive being a day trader has made you.
>>
No. 657476 ID: 1a6159

"Bika, please tell me what's going on. Is there anything I can do?"
>>
No. 657478 ID: a35e89

5!
I'm tired of the girls shutting us out like this! We're an employee of the HVAO and their damn boyfriend! Let us do our job!
>>
No. 657480 ID: 7b7ab3

2, 3, 4, 6.
"Pilop? Like beach Pilop? Bika, what happened with that fight? Was he talking about that Soldier Bika? Is there anything I can do?"
>>
No. 657482 ID: 11a424

"Bika, I'm already worried. Please tell me what's going on. What can I do?"
>>
No. 657487 ID: 790f4e

1 & 6. We shouldn't press too hard, but we're still her boyfriend. We wouldn't be a very good one if we didn't worry.
>>
No. 657490 ID: 8aa7ad

>>657467
>>657468
>>657476
>>657480
Something like these. Bika needs to understand that we care about her (all of her) and that she can rely on us.
>>
No. 657492 ID: 040d6a

Bika, telling us not to worry just makes us worry more. Please, talk to us, dear.
>>
No. 657494 ID: 937a79

bika, no more secrets. you're not going to scare me off.
>>
No. 657505 ID: ad7bba

3, 5, and a splash of 6.

Figured something like that would happen.
>>
No. 657519 ID: 62bf94

2, 3, 4, 6
Keeping us in the dark isn't doing anybody any good, Bika. All we want to do is help.
>>
No. 657526 ID: 08b6c4

Basically, she's telling us not to worry about her.

That's not happening.
>>
No. 657531 ID: 2f2f45

>>657480
>>
No. 657535 ID: f61b8d

>>657468
>>
No. 657536 ID: 2a7417

Does her arm hurt? Should you kiss it to make it feel better?
>>
No. 657549 ID: 38aa12

>>657480
>>
No. 657557 ID: bb78f2

1 & 6, tell her you'll worry, there's nothing you can do about it, but you'll ask about it when you think it's a more appropriate time and not when good times are anticipated.
You're not going to be the one to blame for that tail to stop wagging, no sirree ma'am.
>>
No. 657561 ID: 1b9f86

4, 2, 3
"Was he talking about that Soldier Bika? Like the one that fought Pilop? Bika, what happened with that fight?"
>>
No. 657568 ID: 334db2

That doesn't make it unimportant, Bika.
>>
No. 657571 ID: ab7529

4. (Dang, saw that one coming).
>>
No. 657580 ID: 794667

2.
If Pilop is harassing Bika, then that's not just our problem, it's the HVAO's problem. They take a dim view of anybody bothering their employees.
>>
No. 657592 ID: ea0ad9

2, 4. "Wait, Pilop? That guy at the beach? Shit, he got the soldier didn't he?"

You can't just tell a person to not worry and expect them to not worry. Especially since in this case, it's not just her family, but a part of herself.
>>
No. 657617 ID: f68a09
File 143763017283.png - (8.15KB , 960x560 , 406.png )
657617

"Wait wait Pilop? Like beach Pilop?" You slow down and resist her pull. "Was he talking about that soldier Bika? What happened in the fight?"
"Zack it's seriously not something you have to worry about right now," Bika says.
"You can't just tell me to worry and expect me not to worry," you say. "Don't keep me in the dark. I want to help."
Bika sighs heavily and lets go of your hand. "Welp, there goes the mood." Her tail slumps. "Yes. That was soldier Bika. I took the fight off the beach and back into the streets but I underestimated him and he knows his territory a lot better than I do so I got jumped and he won. I'm just glad I didn't lose anybody. Soldier Bika's retirement is gonna have to come a lot quicker than I anticipated but she'll be up on her feet eventually."
"Oh god," you say. "This is my fault."
"No," she says. "I was cocky. I shouldn't have followed him. I played right into his hand. Now he's got the upper hand and he keeps sending scouts out to around the restaurant. The other day I caught them strongarming one of my clients into turning around and going home."
"Oh, shit."
"That's why I've got people watching the streets. Also why I wanted to get your Warrior a job down here."
"You should have told me," you say.
"It wasn't that big a deal until he started sending people," Bika protests. "And you already have enough shit on your plate. I was gonna tell you eventually heck I was going to today and then I saw that Hiz was dropping all his junk on you so I thought I'd ease up. And maybe tell you after we had some fun."
"Is there anything I can do?"
"Well yeah, Zack, I was kind of counting on you to take my mind off it," she says, glumly. "But if you want to help then I guess I could use it. I gotta find a way to shift the momentum back my way before he starts getting even bolder. If this was Golboria I could just wipe out one of his scouting parties and he'd get the message but it isn't."
"When you say wipe out you mean like--"
She nods. "The power differential between us is big enough that it would be considered suicidal on the Other Side and he knows it. He also knows I'm hamstrung on Earth. He's playing by your rules and he's winning."
"Jesus. This is Skut stuff?"
"Yah."

1]] We should get the cops involved, then. What he's doing is still technically illegal.
2]] We should get the HVAO involved, then. If he's messing with you he's messing with them.
3]] I'll talk to GG. I bet she'd be more than willing to help out.
4]] Maybe you can't kill him but I'll bet you'd be able to knock him around hard enough he'd leave you alone. I bet with a human on your side we could find a way to do it on the down low.
5]] Sounds like we should pay that beach another visit.
6]] This isn't our rules. Our rules is sit down and talk about this kind of thing. We should try that.
7]] _________________
>>
No. 657618 ID: 0fc976

Sure, we deal with a lot already, but you're worth it Bika.
3, and 4. We could possibly get the HVAO to look the other way, or distract them if we have to (with a date). I don't think we should involve them directly, but a little unofficial help from them would, well, help.
>>
No. 657619 ID: e114bc

>>657617
This is really difficult to address without showing evidence that Zack knows the secret. We can't really get help from the cops, because this is basically gang warfare in their eyes, and I expect the HVAO either has too many things on their plate or won't want to do anything vaguely illegal for Bika. If we go back to the beach we'll have issues with the humans there getting more pissed off than usual.

3 seems best, but 6 is actually a good point to bring up too. He's using sneaky tactics and we can't fully stop that so why not do something he's not expecting? With GG there, he might be more willing to listen.
>>
No. 657620 ID: b8ceae

>>657617
3, 6.
Skut rules are he can fight you for control. He got his fight for the beach visit.

Our rules are sitting down and talking things out, and while we dislike street fights we absolutely HATE people being underhanded bastards. Interfering with business isn't Skut rules, it's a RICO charge that has a minimum sentence. Attempting to incite a gang war would be another charge.
Go through the HVAO. If it goes well they can use this to send a message that things work differently here, and trying to game the system will be punished.

Also, suggest to the HVAO that they arrange for some dojos, rings, and gyms to handle visitor disputes. It's completely fine for people to beat each other bloody in a grudge match if you do it in a proper arena and call it a sport.

Work done, time for distraction. Date date!
>>
No. 657621 ID: 1cebc8

7. This is all a game to you, but that's understandable; Most people don't survive getting shot in the head. You can survive that 83 more times.

He's beating you by playing with Earth's gang rules, so just use Earth's loopholes to beat him back. Do some research, see if you can find a way to push his army back without street assaults.
>>
No. 657622 ID: 7b7ab3

>"Well yeah, Zack, I was kind of counting on you to take my mind off it," she says, glumly.
Fret not, Bika. The night is still young.

Resolving situations like this is exactly what the HVAO was created for. If she presents her case to them, they would be more than willing to offer assistance. And getting GG to agree should be child's play. She'd love putting a creep like Pilop in his place. Also, even if she can't finish the little bozo she can still make a show of force. Knock him around hard enough he'd leave her alone. It'd be totally effortless with the HVAO, GG, and us on her side.
>>
No. 657623 ID: bb78f2

>>657617
6)He's not playing by human rules, Bika. Theres deeds involved with territory, that punk can't operate like a fucking gang and expect people to respect him for it.

There's the human element now he has to account for, and he's fully unprepared for that.
Okay, I know it's wrong to drop the human privilege element on a skut, but Bika, we're your weapon. Wanna drop the human privilege bomb on that fucker? Might be fun. Shit gets a lot more complicated on human home turf.
>>
No. 657624 ID: 7209e1

>>657620
All of this.
Once the HVAO gets wind of Pilop's actions, they'll come unglued! And with GG as a little added muscle, Pilop will have no choice but to cut his shenanigans short. Unless, of course, he wants to fight a battle he can't win.
>>
No. 657631 ID: 2cd3fd

2, 6, 3
This is actually fairly easily managed.
She presents her case to the HVAO, takes Pilop to the legal table, brings along GG as a sexy insurance policy, and buries the bastard under a mountain of red tape.

Now, with that business settled, she mentioned she'd like us to "take her mind off it." I think we should oblige the lady.
>>
No. 657633 ID: db3be0

"No. This isn't our rules. Our rules are to sit down and talk about this kind of thing. We should get the HVAO involved. If he's messing with you, then he's messing with them. And I'll talk to GG. I bet she'd be more than willing to help out. Now, if you're still feeling up to it, how about we take each other's minds off things?"
>>
No. 657634 ID: 1bce3e

7, 6, 3.

"I get that the fighting is regular business between skuts, but you moving it out of public was so humans wouldn't think bad of you. Both of you, and all skuts really. He knew that's what you were doing, right? And that you were on the beach because of me in the first place? So him taking advantage of that was an asshole thing to do. Maybe I should talk to him, tell him what I think. If he wants to play by human rules, then we just need to play better, and you've got a human on your side. I'll call GG, anyway, and if she's still out of work I'm sure she'll be happy to help. Might be best for her not to be on her own these days, either. Don't tell her I said so."
>>
No. 657636 ID: ca5378

>>657633
This.
>>
No. 657637 ID: 87aae3

>>657617
2. Bring in the HVAO.
Honestly, Bika really should take this to them. They are the legal recourse for Visitors on earth.
>>
No. 657643 ID: f68a09
File 143763908206.png - (8.00KB , 960x560 , 407.png )
657643

"Our rules," you say, "are to sit down and talk about this sort of thing. He's using the human element to his advantage. We should turn it around on him."
"How?"
"Maybe I should talk to him. Or we could bring in the HVAO."
"I don't like that," Bika says. "This situation is all wrapped up in our physiology. If they don't understand us the potential for their mishandling the situation is too high and I can't rectify that without getting my heads chopped off. What are they gonna do? Arrest one Pilop?"
"They're the legal recourse for visitors, Bika."
"I'm the legal recourse for visitors, Zack," Bika says. "We understand us and handle our affairs. If humanity wants to get involved there is exactly one human I trust to do it and only one."
"What if I can find some way of packaging it to them that won't get lost in translation without the hive mind thing?"
"I'll be impressed and surprised." Bika rubs her chin. "Just don't talk to them without me, ok?"
"Well the least I could do is bring in GG."
"That would be amazing," Bika says. "Would she be cool with it?"
"It sounds like it'd be right up her alley," you say. "Especially now that she doesn't have other work to do. Between your numbers, her muscle, and my crushing human privilege he won't stand a chance."
"Yessss," Bika says. "Superfriends!"
"And maybe HVAO."
"Maybe, Zack. M Aybe." She shakes her head. "Bureaucracy."
"You mentioned something about me taking your mind off it?"
"Well my mind's kind of on it now, Zack."
"Am I too late?"
She leans against the apartment wall. Her tail swooshes across it in a slow wag. "That depends on what you had in mind."

1]] Sex?
2]] Video games?
3]] Let's talk more about skuts. Hiz got me all curious.
4]] Never mind. You're right about the mood.
5]] Is it too late for dessert?
6]] Even if we don't do it I could use a bed for the evening and some cuddly companions for it.
7]] Have a screaming contest, tire yourselves to sleep (this one's for you, kome).
8]] __________________
>>
No. 657646 ID: 1bce3e

Moods can be changed, you just need to do it gradual. 3 and 2 at the same time, something co-op if she has it. Then 1 if it feels right. And 6.
>>
No. 657649 ID: e114bc

>>657646
I'll agree with this.
>>
No. 657650 ID: b8ceae

>>657646
Agreed.

On a lets-not-talk-about-this-with-Bika-now note, we should probably bring Poly in on this. She's super-savvy about things, and could help us navigate our way to getting some of this saboteur's bodies prison sentences.
We don't need to claim all the bodies are responsible; getting a prison sentence for one or two of the other hive's bodies would be functionally the same as killing them as far as the hive goes, and more than enough to demonstrate that our legal system CAN be effectively used to punish poor behavior without giving up the secret.
>>
No. 657654 ID: ad936f

>>657646
basically this.

definitely 6, as the richest hobo in nyc we have an obligation.
>>
No. 657656 ID: 1cebc8

1 and 6. You're going to lose the contest, but Bika waking up the rest of the street should more than determine whose neighborhood this is.
>>
No. 657658 ID: c952dd

>>657646
Definitely this.
>>657650
>On a lets-not-talk-about-this-with-Bika-now note, we should probably bring Poly in on this.
The unbeatable team of Bika, GG, Poly, and Zack. And maybe Meg, too, if we can swing it.
>>
No. 657659 ID: 5b69c0

Bika's pretty light, right? Jut pick her up and scooooooot towards the bedroom.
So 1) and/or 6) I guess.
>>
No. 657665 ID: 7b7ab3

>>657646
All of this. The night is still young, and we have a will and a means to make it a good one.
>>
No. 657674 ID: ad7bba

7.
>>
No. 657682 ID: bb78f2

>>657643
1 and 2 at the same time.
Maybe you get to play the sub when you lose a game. You've played dom for GG, now maybe you... oh wait, we got dommed by Poly last night, never mind.

Still, mix games and sex somehow.

Tell her that this sounds a bit like modern game of thrones, and that politics are often discussed with sex in that show.
>>
No. 657685 ID: 2e19f9

1,6 and 2 later
>>
No. 657694 ID: 2a7417

AAAAAAAAAA

I AM CONSIDERING SEVEEEEEEEEEN

UHHHHHHH

FIVE THEN ONE/SIIIIIIIX
>>
No. 657696 ID: e607cd

Show her a movie that requires some thought. She was disappointed with Faust after all, and needs something else to think about. See if Primer is on Netflix or something. If she gets distracted hard enough, she might even be able to follow it the first time through.
>>
No. 657702 ID: afd47f

>>657646
>>657649
>>657650
>>657654
>>657658
>>657665
I'm with these guys.
>>
No. 657710 ID: 171e1d

"Well, how about we play some games and talk about skuts some more. Hiz got me all curious. Then, if it feels right, we can get a little more "physical", if you catch my drift."
>>
No. 657720 ID: 334db2

Video games and desert, simultaneously.
>>
No. 657724 ID: 15c085

3.
Chill out and chat the lady up. She'll get back in the mood. The night is young, and there's still plenty of time for amour.
>>
No. 657729 ID: cb9da5

3 & 5
Decadent desserts and stimulating conversation are the perfect fuel for sexy times.
>>
No. 657741 ID: 6518df

>>657729
True that.
In addition to our other questions, let's ask her how skut approach romance.
That is, if they do.
>>
No. 657754 ID: b8208b

3, 6, and ease into maybe 1 later on.
>>
No. 657808 ID: ad936f

>>657741
the way they approach romance is that they don't. For skuts masturbating is the same as reproducing.
>>
No. 657831 ID: c4546c

>>657643
>If humanity wants to get involved there is exactly one human I trust to do it and only one
Aww, shucks. Bika's a little charmer.

2, 5. Snacks and video games are good for relaxing.
>>
No. 657854 ID: 3f92c9

>>657646
I like this plan. It's a good plan.
>>
No. 657886 ID: a36057

2, 3, & 6. If she gets back in the mood and wants to do it, we won't say no.
>>
No. 657919 ID: 7b7ab3

>>657831
>Bika's a little charmer.
Isn't she just?

I swear, we have to boop her nose at some point.
>>
No. 657934 ID: f67386

This is a good time as any.
>>
No. 657936 ID: 0fc976

>>657934
Seconded. Boop a doop her snooparoop
>>
No. 657949 ID: 32cd01

>>657646
This, with dessert somewhere along the line.
>>657934
Thirded. Beep her on the sniffer.
>>
No. 657957 ID: 99cfa8

>>657949
Fourthed, buzz her schnozz.

okay so I just wanted to join in this silly rhymish thing
>>
No. 658030 ID: f0e552

>>657643
Whatever we do, it seems you nerds aren't as interested in sex as Bika is. But I say that while we do all these things, we tease bika as some kind of foreplay or something iunno
>>
No. 658050 ID: c5682b

>>658030

Mood = Rekt

Trying to immediately jump back into sexytimes will not go over well.
>>
No. 658162 ID: f68a09
File 143789850696.png - (17.48KB , 960x560 , 408.png )
658162

"Videogames?" you ask. "And dessert?"
"Yes and heck yes," Bika says.

"Do you have like a PS5?" you ask, as Bika gets her tv to do HDMI.
"You underestimate my power level." Bika waves the cable at you. "Steam box. Custom made."
"Blue LEDs." You eye the case.
"It was cheap and it came with a fan." Bika tiptoes over the cables and takes a seat on a wheely chair across from the TV. Another Bika, with a significantly more fulsome body than Bika Prime, stands next to her, finishing an ice cream sandwich.
"Dessert Bika," Bika Prime says. "Well one of my dessert Bikas," the dessert Bika says, patting the padding on her butt. "I try to spread it out." "So what're we playin', Zack?"
"What you got?"
"A slightly embarrassing number of games," Bika says.

1]] Fighting game!
2]] Shooter!
3]] Co-op!
4]] One you've never played so I have a chance!
5]] Let's stack LoL 2 like you suggested.
6]] So questions I had about skuts:______________
>>
No. 658163 ID: 0fc976

You must pay tribute to the Gaben who bestowed upon us the glory of the Steambox. Play Team Fortress [2]!
>>
No. 658165 ID: ad936f

4, you know she has some. plus this way she has more control over what game you play, which is good, she knows her games better than you. Alternatively 3.
>>
No. 658166 ID: 1cebc8

Play Evolve

See how hard you need to Kaiju before her synchronized squad tactics can't keep up.
>>
No. 658175 ID: f0e552

>>658162
Play Call of Duty: Renaissance II
Play a competitive game. Maybe an arena shooter?
>>
No. 658176 ID: f0e552

>>658163
Or we could play Team Counter-Portal 3
>>
No. 658178 ID: 188d2b

3.

What works? Teamwork! A little co-op should help the evening along.
>>
No. 658180 ID: 7b7ab3

>>658162
3, 6]] Who was Pirgatea?
>>
No. 658182 ID: 837d41

3]] Co-op!
6]] Tell me more about the syndicates.
Tell me more about Pirgatea.
>>
No. 658188 ID: d33c91

>>658182
This, s'il vou plais.
>>
No. 658189 ID: 93a87d

If you play co-op, make sure it's something you're decent in, because her having to carry your useless self through the game will put things in the opposite of the mood you want.
>>
No. 658192 ID: 825c5d

Portal 2 co-op while she tells us about Pirgatea and the syndicates!
>>
No. 658195 ID: bb78f2

>>658162
3]]
6]] So do you all share a single steam account? Or Xbox Live/PSN account? I guess both are relevant.
Before PC gaming came back with vengeance, were you a Sony, Microsoft, or Nintendo fan....girl? Fanhive?
>>
No. 658219 ID: 4964f3

>>658192
Definitely this!
Bika can be Atlas cuz she short
>>
No. 658231 ID: bb78f2

Oh, I have another question for Bika.

How did jumping through Portals feel for Skuts? Since you're all connected, have such a LONG distance between each skut happen instantaneously must have been disorienting. Or did a skut that just jumped through the portal actually feel close, as long as the portal was open?
>>
No. 658299 ID: 1a10aa

>>658219
Thirded.

itty-bitty skutti
>>
No. 658311 ID: bc6a96

Let's play some co-op and ask all the skut related questions from >>657272. It'll be fun and educational!
>>
No. 658350 ID: c952dd

>>658162
>"Steam box. Custom made."
Impressive.
Let's stack LoL 2 like she suggested and ask her about all those skut things Hiz brought up.
>>
No. 658414 ID: 143506

See if she has Killer Instinct. Play as either Spinal or Glacius if she does.
Ask her about that Pirgatea lady. What was she like? How big was her hive? Is she still around?
Also, ask her about the syndicates. What were they? What was their function?
>>
No. 658470 ID: 9eacfc

If we're asking questions about skuts in general, ask what happens when an oculot tries the mind-interface thing on a skut.
>>
No. 658501 ID: f461c5

>>658166
This is actually an incredible idea.

We are guaranteed to lose, but ITS TOO COOL TO PASS UP.
>>
No. 658526 ID: 3de47d

>>658192
>>658219
>>658299
Fourthed! Be prepared to get trolled, though. It is Portal 2 co-op.
Also, ask her if she'd like to see more skut characters in movies and video games. Her people deserve representation!
>>
No. 658541 ID: 7b7ab3

>>658526
I'd watch a skut movie. It'd probably be a bit hard to keep up with, and the plot would probably be extremely convoluted, but I can't imagine it not being entertaining.
>>
No. 658564 ID: e25442

>>658192
>Portal 2
A classic.
>>658414
>Killer Instinct
>Spinal
YAA HAA HAA!
>>
No. 658566 ID: bd8b82

>>658501
she has one game machine, not five.
>>
No. 658582 ID: c5682b

..and don't forget to peench dessert-Bika's tush.
>>
No. 658709 ID: 79ece3

>>657919
>we have to boop her nose at some point
>>658582
>peench dessert-Bika's tush
Boop noses, pinch tushies, play co-op, and talk about skut things! Yeah!
>>
No. 658730 ID: f68a09
File 143805820458.png - (15.37KB , 960x560 , 409.png )
658730

"Portal 2 co-op."
"Yaaas!" Bika hops up and grabs a couple of controllers. "Only it has to be custom chambers. I've played through the O.G. stuff way too many times."
"Do you know any good ones?"
"I got a list of the cooler authors I curate. Co-op ones are harder to make but the scene's weirdly active."
"Yeah like I don't really think of Portal 2 as an active thing," you say.
"I've made some maps," Bika says, as Dessert Bika turns the steam box on and you look at Dessert Bika's butt. It's a nice butt. "Online nobody can tell you're a swarm of aliens."

"So Pirgatea." You and Bika are stuck on a thing with the bouncy paint and she's idly bunnyhopping on your head while you puzzle it out. "Tell me about her and the Syndicates."
"That's just what we call the biggest Skut Hives," Bika says. "There's about 30 of them that more or less run the Golborian skutti racket. The cities are full of 'em. Think of it as the Visitor version of gentrification. The best territories are in the city for a number of reasons and chief among them is governace. WAIT I got it."
"What?"
"Orange portal there."
"Right."
A couple more Bikas have arrived from elsewhere in the building, huddling around you to watch. Bika Prime sticks her little tongue out in concentration while Dessert Bika takes over, her voice a lower, smoother version of Prime's. "So the biggest skut hives naturally float to the top. Numerical superiority leads to neurological superiority, and that brings with it an amorality that lends itself to leadership in addition to access to a higher portion of the non-skut populace. The syndicates are all locked in a weird shadow war-cum-tango constantly through the city undergrounds, all just about equal to one another and fighting tooth and claw to keep it that way while occasionally colluding to the benefit of the species, since our ingrained enmity only goes so far. And then there's me."
"Then there's you."
"The smaller hives like me are kept to the periphery to nip at each other. Or banished to Earth."
"What's it like for skuts to go through a portal?"
"Grossss," Bika says. "Really really gross. As long as the portal stays open it's painful but tolerable. But if it closes and you have bodies on each end they're entirely cut off."
"Jeez."
"You're telling me. Cut in half." "YES," Bika prime yells, landing neatly outside the exit door and opening a portal for you. In-game she raises a hand for a high-five. Out of game she drops the controller on the chair and rolls across the cushioned floor to your feet. Dessert Bika takes up the controller and scoots in next to you. You put an arm around her waist. She's very soft.
"So what about Pirgatea though?"
"The Rebuke," Bika says. "Hiz gave you the highlights. She's one of the medium-large syndicates. It wasn't who she was it was what she did. From a purely utilitarian standpoint which is the standpoint all the syndicates usually take, the War was a good thing."
"Why?"
"The pure mortality rate for Skuts was nearly nonexistent," Bika says. "We'd just take off parts of ourselves, throw them through the portal, and mark them off as a loss no matter what happened. Feral packs there to kill until they died. And the skutti packs operated at capacity at basically all times. A new planet means new land which means new territory and new skuts. It was only when the portals started going both ways that there were really valid arguments against it, and the Rebuke was before that happened. Isn't that kind of horrible?"
"That is kind of horrible," you say.
"Can I ask a favor?" Bika asks.
"What's up?"
"I know I'm fascinating but can we take a break from talking about geopolitics and skuts?" Bika leans her head on your leg. "I'm really not trying to hide anything from you and I know it's your job it's just I spend all day thinking about matters of territory and instinct and Visitor welfare and law and history and stuff. It's like, all I think about a lot of the time. Like the big hives. They're hardly even people anymore. They just think and think about all the important stuff they have to do until that's all they are and not anything else. I wanna think about something else. Just for a little while."
"Like what?"
"Like what the heck we're supposed to do in this one," Dessert Bika says, zooming in and out in frustration. Bika Prime's tail wags. "Or me. Or you maybe. I like thinking about you."

1]] I'm sorry; I just find you so interesting.
2]] It's just intimidating how different you are from me, Bika. I want to understand.
3]] I just like how different you are from me, Bika. I love to learn about it.
4]] I didn't realize. We can totally give it a rest.
5]] But aren't you able to think about a bunch of different things at once?
6]] I like thinking about you too.
7]] So tell me more about your past. Like what made you want to open this place?
8]] Bring up Alamads and Dulamads.
9]] How would dating a Skut work? Like girlfriend dating, not going on dates?
10]] I just really want to know what made Pirgatea do the rebuke.
11]] Do you maybe want to switch games? This chamber's too hard.
12]] _________________
>>
No. 658733 ID: bb78f2

>>658730
4, 6
3 and 1 are nice sentiments, but grounds for passive aggressive warfare.
12]] Skut gaming tournaments must be NUTSO. Like, if two or more hives got in one... without the territorialness.
Goddamn, imagine the Starcraft Korean gaming scene, but with SKUTS.
>>
No. 658735 ID: 80b95c

4 and 6 are the only reasonable responses here.
>>
No. 658737 ID: 7dba8e

6 and 9.
I say it's time Bika became an official girlfriend. Then we can introduce her to GG and Poly and have a grand ol' time.
>>
No. 658738 ID: 0fc976

6, 3, 7, 9.
>>
No. 658740 ID: defceb

4, 6
>>
No. 658741 ID: d91db5

6, 7, then eventually 8. Lead into, like mention that Poly mentioned she'd had skuts in her relationship circles before, but Bika seem surprised by what a date was initially, does Bika have any inherited memories of romantic relationships with non-skuts?
>>
No. 658742 ID: ad7bba

12. So is she dating any other dudes from the HVAO? It feels like we've got monopoly on half the races if she isn't.
>>
No. 658757 ID: 7b7ab3

6, 4, 8, 9
Let's drop the past and focus on the now. We want to get serious with Bika, so we should see how she feels. Also, it would serve well us to know how being a skut's boyfriend works.
>>
No. 658760 ID: 6c0951

"I like thinking about you too. We can totally give it a rest. So how would dating a Skut work? Like girlfriend dating, not going on dates?"

Will Bika pick up on the hint? Let's hope so.
>>
No. 658763 ID: bb78f2

>>658760
Or girls for that matter.
It would be funny if Bika was a part of Hiz's group.
Were you a part of Hiz's group?
>>
No. 658771 ID: 4cfe22

>>658738
>>658757
>>658760
Something like these.
We are ready for the next level with Bika.
Let us be boyfriend and skutfriend®.
>>
No. 658775 ID: c9fc3e

>>658760
HINT HINT BIKA
BIKA
HINT HINT
>>
No. 658780 ID: 79ece3

4, 6, 7, 8, 9
Let's talk about her, us, and her with us.
>>
No. 658818 ID: de2fd7

4, 3 and 6, 8/9
>>
No. 658848 ID: 088179

>>658771
Agreed. We've been through quite a bit with her, and it's high time we started taking this relationship seriously.
>>
No. 658855 ID: bfa856

6, 7, 9, 11
Subtly suggest relationship upgrade. Slip it in with some friendly banter.
>>
No. 658864 ID: 52ad92

>>658730
>I like thinking about you.
D'awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww...
>>658771
Same. This cutie is too much!
>>
No. 658869 ID: d0617e

>>658741
>does Bika have any inherited memories of romantic relationships
She must. She's clearly no blushing virgin, and she's said she remembers some things.

What she lacks is practical experience.
>>
No. 658870 ID: d0617e

1, 3, 6, 7, 9
We're pretty into you, Bika.
>>
No. 658876 ID: ea0ad9

2, 3, 4. The whole idea of how things can be is interesting in that intimidating kind of way, and I love to learn about all of the differences and similarities, but yeah. I'll give it a rest.

8, 9, 12. So, you and me, this is, like, rare? I mean, I guess I could see dulamads happening all the time, but this feels more like steady girlfriend-boyfriend territory. Not just short get-togethers, but bringing me in like we're taking the steps to become family. Is that too strong of wording? Still trying to figure out the whole thing about dulamads and alamads and maybe I'm just getting it all wrong.
>>
No. 658885 ID: adb563

>>658876
This.
I like this.
>>
No. 658943 ID: ab7529

4,6.

We're totally cool giving the politics a break. It's not just the job, though. It's all so new and interesting, and context lets me get you guys better.

Course, actually knowing you and doing stuff is pretty cool too.
>>
No. 658946 ID: c108f0

>>658876
>>658885
Thirded.
>>
No. 658956 ID: b8ceae

>>658730
3,4,6,9.
"Your range is too short for me to just take a Bika with me everywhere, so that's probably not it. Oh, do they have rangeboosters on the other side? Or have skuts looked into radio brain-repeaters?"
>>
No. 658960 ID: 7b7ab3

>>658956
>Your range is too short for me to just take a Bika with me everywhere
Maybe not one, but 3 or 4 at a time seems to work. It's fun walking around with a little skut posse.
>>
No. 658979 ID: 689bec

1, 3, 6, 7, 9
"I'm sorry; I just find you so interesting. I like how different you are from me, Bika. I love to learn about it. And I like thinking about you too. So tell me more about your past. What made you want to open this place? How would dating a Skut work? Like girlfriend dating, not going on dates? Hint, by the way."
>>
No. 659014 ID: 7b930d

>>658960
It might be a good idea to have some of her bodies live with us. That way we'd always have somebody to watch our back, and we'd have constant access to our very own skut surveillance system. Besides, having Bika around is just plain fun!
>>
No. 659035 ID: 612b8d

"And I like thinking about you. I love to learn about you. Like what made you want to open this place? How is dating you going to work? Like serious girlfriend dating. I already know about alamads and dulamads and all that, but how will we work? I want to understand."
>>
No. 659063 ID: 65d6bf

>>659035
Sounds good. I like how it makes Zack seem a bit vulnerable. This is a very emotional subject, after all.
>>
No. 659103 ID: f68a09
File 143815786582.png - (7.10KB , 960x560 , 410.png )
659103

"I think about you too."
You rub her head behind her ears. She closes her eyes contentedly. Dessert-Her gently pauses the game.
"I'll lighten up with the skut questions. I'm sorry. You're just so fascinating," you say. "Like all the other girls I more or less get. But we're so different."
"Good different, I hope."
"Very good different."
Dessert Bika leans over and rests her head on your other shoulder.
"You can live here if you want," she says. "While you're trying to find a new place. I could keep you safe."
"Could I?"
"I got eyes and ears," Bika says. "And beds."
"What would dating a skut be like?" you ask.
"Dating?" Bika's ears perk up.
"I mean like girlfriend kind of dating. Do you have any inherited memories of that kind of thing?"
"Well my parent swarm was one of the ones that messed around with it," Bika says. "At some point the big swarms lose interest and not all of us have it. Like why would you when you can just go fuck yourself?"
"But you do?"
"I signed up, right?" Bika says. "It's really lonely a lot of the time when you're a skut. Other visitors respect you but they can't ever really get you. Humans of course don't. The only ones who know exactly how you work are other skuts. And skuts don't make friends with skuts."
"I'm sorry I don't get you."
"You kind of do, Zack."
"How so?"
"I don't know. There's something about you. I think maybe we think similar."
"Like how?"
"Like I think you've got a lot going on in there too," she says.
"I hope so."
"It's just a feeling," she says.
"Good feeling, I hope."
"Very good feeling."
"The Oculot in my group had some skuts in her circles," you say. "Dulamads I think."
"Yeah skuts don't ever really do Alamads," she says. "Too-- different. From the other visitors."
"But you seemed so surprised about what a date was."
"I mean I know about ganrkas," Bika says. "Um, visitor dates. But those are different. They're kind of like a transaction for us."
"But this is different?"
"This is really different." She opens her eyes. "I don't know what this is."

1]] Can we be Dulamads?
2]] I know you said skuts don't really do it but can we be alamads?
3]] Me neither. It's cool, though, right?
4]] 'Girlfriend' is a phrase with enough ambiguity that I think it works here.
5]] Do you want to keep playing?
6]] Do you want to go to bed?
7]] _______________
>>
No. 659105 ID: 77581b

3,6
>>
No. 659117 ID: 1cebc8

4, 5, 6
>>
No. 659121 ID: 99cfa8

>>659103
> skuts don't make friends with skuts
Why the hell not? No, don't ask that now.
3 and/or 4, and also 6.
>>
No. 659127 ID: 583bc0

3, 6
We may not have an exact definition for it, but we love each other, and that's all that really matters. Now what say we head to bed and get comfortable?
>>
No. 659129 ID: 7b7ab3

3, 6
We love each other. Nothing else need be said.

Shall we away to bed, dear? For a time both restful and rewarding?
>>
No. 659133 ID: 438189

>>659129
>We love each other. Nothing else need be said.
Well said.
Does she want to keep playing, go to bed or do something else?
>>
No. 659135 ID: de6a4c

3. 5 and 6.
The great thing about love is that you don't have to understand it to get the most out of it.
Should we play some more games or would she like to go to bed now?
Would she like to play a different kind of "game" in bed?
>>
No. 659138 ID: 2a7417

>>659135
A curious game. The only winning move is to play.
3, 6.
>>
No. 659142 ID: c13521

3, 6.
>>659135
>The great thing about love is that you don't have to understand it to get the most out of it.
Both beautiful and true.
>>659138
The horizontal lambada. Hot and heavy Heaven. The friendliest hello.
>>
No. 659145 ID: ae7f7e

Kind of a combo of 1 and 3. "I think by standards on the other side, as much as I know of them, we'd probably already count as dulamads at least, huh? Over here... well, we're still figuring out the rules here, it's all new. Whatever this is, guess it's part of my job to find out. Pretty sure it involves a lot of love, though."

Then 6, either for play or just for comfortable slumbers, if that's what you need more.
>>
No. 659151 ID: 8fbe8b

"Me neither. It's cool, though, right? What we're doing here, all we're learning about each other? Whatever it is, I love it. I love you."
>>
No. 659157 ID: 3ecb77

>>659135
This.
>The great thing about love is that you don't have to understand it to get the most out of it.
Beautiful sentiment.
>>
No. 659162 ID: 74f272

>>659135
>>659138
>>659142
Ha Ha! Alien sex!
3, 6.
Living, loving, and learning together. Y'know, the good stuff.
>>
No. 659164 ID: 194d6e

3 4 6
cuddle time
>>
No. 659176 ID: c4546c

3, 6. It may be confusing and scary at times, but always remember that we love you, Bika.
>>
No. 659180 ID: 40c532

3, 5, 6
>>
No. 659194 ID: e8135d

>>659103
>"You can live here if you want," she says. "While you're trying to find a new place. I could keep you safe."
Well, if she's offering, I say we take her up on it. There's no telling how long the house hunt will take, and we'll need a place to crash until we're settled. We've been doing pretty well hopping between the girls' places, so why not keep up the trend?
>>
No. 659220 ID: 15c085

>>659103
3, 5, 6
>>659194
Not a bad idea. Once we get a place of our own, we should have a big housewarming party and have the girls sleep over.
>>
No. 659237 ID: 93d88a

3]]

>>659194
Don't see why not.
>>
No. 659279 ID: 1e0d98

3, 6
>>
No. 659303 ID: 7364ce

>"Like I think you've got a lot going on in there too," she says.
...SHE'S ON TO US. :P
>>
No. 659304 ID: f68a09
File 143824439872.png - (12.82KB , 960x560 , 411.png )
659304

"Me neither. It's cool, though, right?"
"Mhm." She nuzzles your leg. "It's cool."
"That's the cool thing about love. You don't really have to understand it to get the most out of it."
She raises her head. "Is that what this is?"
"Yeah."
She beams. "Good."
"Bika?"
She's rubbing your calf. "Zack?"
"Want to ditch the video games and go to bed."
"Yisss."

She guides you, tiny hand resting on the small of your back, to a close, cozy apartment room filled with cushions and sleeping Bikas.
"Don't worry about waking me," Bika says. "It's all me."
She steps out of her dress. Her underwear is stripy. She pulls her bandana off her tail and reaches down to take her socks off, then pauses.
"I kind of wanna sleep in these," she says, squeezing in between you and another Bika.

1]] Sure. They're cute.
2]] Cuddle until you fall asleep.
3]] So about that mood you mentioned earlier. Is it still ruined or did we save it?
4]] Hey so what's dessert Bika up to right now?
5]] I've thought about it and I think I'm taking you up on that living offer. For a while at least.
6]] I've thought about it and I think I should find my own apartment. I told someone I'd apartment hunt with them.
7]] Before we sleep do you want to sleep with me? Like not sleep with me sleep with me?
8]] ________________
>>
No. 659307 ID: defceb

3, 4
>>
No. 659308 ID: 1e0d98

1, 3, 4, 5
Her place can be home base until we find a place of our own. We'd still be able to house hunt with Meg. We'd also be able to keep an eye on the Pilop situation, help GG land that job, and still be able to stay at the other girls' places whenever we want. It seems like a pretty good deal to me.
>>
No. 659310 ID: 7b7ab3

1, 3]] "Sure. They're cute. So about that mood you mentioned earlier. Is it still ruined or did we save it?"

Combination 5/6]] "By the way, I've thought about it and I think I'm taking you up on that living offer. At least until I find an apartment of my own."
>>
No. 659313 ID: 764d06

1, 3, 4. Maybe 5.
>>
No. 659319 ID: 243dcc

>>659304
1, 2
Cuddling is good.
>>
No. 659324 ID: 920c39

1, 5 for a few days at least but 6 eventually, 2.

Not sure the mood did get back to sexy levels, but if you wanna try then try take it smooth and comfortable.
>>
No. 659325 ID: 2a7417

1, 3-4-5, 2.
>>
No. 659329 ID: bb78f2

>>659304
1
Hell yeah, you rock them socks.
>>
No. 659331 ID: 7b2aa5

1. 3, 4, 5. 2.
>>
No. 659337 ID: 7364ce

1, 2
>>
No. 659338 ID: b8208b

1, 5, 2.
>>
No. 659342 ID: 2641ee

>>659325
This.
>>
No. 659351 ID: c4546c

>>659325
>>659331
>>659342
Fourthed. Let's have ourselves a good night.
>>
No. 659388 ID: 69d5e5

>>659304
1]] They are super cute.
3]] If we saved it, does feel up to some fun before bed?
4]] Is she free to join us?
5]] Until we get our own place, we'll bunk down with her and the other girls.
2]] Soft, sleepy skut cuddles.
>>
No. 659397 ID: 69d5e5

>>659388
>3]] If we saved it, does *she* feel up to some fun before bed?
Fix'd.
>>
No. 659421 ID: 68d539

>>659351
Fifthed!
>>
No. 659423 ID: c34db3

1, 5, 3
>>
No. 659437 ID: 0fc976

Just 4 and 2.
>>
No. 659441 ID: af41d6

Shacking up with Bika and the other girls sounds like a fine idea. At least until we find a new place. Honestly, we've spent so much time sleeping over with our ladies that at times I forgot we even had an apartment.
As for tonight's sleeping arrangements, what say Dessert Bika scoots her pretty little butt our way and we fool around a little before lights out. If Bika feels up to it, that is.
>>
No. 659474 ID: fcde71

>>659441
>Shacking up with Bika and the other girls sounds like a fine idea. At least until we find a new place.
Agreed.
>what say Dessert Bika scoots her pretty little butt our way and we fool around a little before lights out
I say it sounds like a good time.
>>
No. 659506 ID: e114bc

Zack must have his own place! That place he talked to Meg about sounded good.
>>
No. 659508 ID: 0bc1ed

>>659506
True, but until we actually get moved in, we'll need a place to stay. Bika and the other girls have been more than hospitable thus far, so it shouldn't be a problem for us to bunk with them until we get things finalized.
>>
No. 659534 ID: 94f39e

>>659304
2, 3, 4, 5
>>
No. 659540 ID: 03a247

4. "Would she care to join us?"
>>
No. 659558 ID: 7b7ab3

>>659508
>until we actually get moved in, we'll need a place to stay
Then it's a good thing the girls have been so hospitable.
>it shouldn't be a problem for us to bunk with them until we get things finalized
We should really remember to thank Bika and the others for being so cool about all this. I wish we could take them on a vacation or something to show our appreciation.
>>
No. 659578 ID: fde3c3

3, 4, 2
I support the idea of staying wth Bika for a while, but we should let our friends know what's going on.
>>
No. 659623 ID: 7b7ab3

>>659578
>we should let our friends know what's going on
Of course. We should talk with all our acquaintances. This is kind of a big deal.
>>
No. 659692 ID: 7884c1

Compliment socks and underwear.
Ask if she's in the mood.
Accept offer of lodging.
Cuddle until you fall asleep.
>>
No. 659746 ID: 74f272

>>659325
Yes.
>>659623
Also yes.
>>
No. 659799 ID: f68a09
File 143850458567.png - (15.22KB , 960x560 , 412.png )
659799

"I love the socks," you say.
"Good!" Bika tucks herself into your arms and nuzzles her head against your chest.
"They're super cute."
"You're super cute." She kisses you.

She doesn't stop kissing you.

You manage to get control of your mouth back for a second. "So the mood's back?"
She undoes the top button of your shirt. "Whoa. Zack how did you know."
"Hey Biks?"
She looks up from your chest, which she's licking. "Hmm?"
"What's Dessert Bika up to?"

"Dessert Bika, huh?" She comes in, brushing the door shut with her hip as she enters. "You liked what you saw?"
"Are you gauging my tastes?" you ask.
She laughs. "MILF, right? That's the term?"
"I just think the sweater's cute."
"I'm sorry to disappoint," Dessert Bika says, crawling up between your legs. "It's not staying on for too long."
>>
No. 659800 ID: f68a09
File 143850460312.png - (20.48KB , 960x560 , 413.png )
659800

Dessert Bika moans voluptuously under your touch as your hands coast up her plentiful hips beneath her sweater, under which you're a little surprised to discover she's not wearing anything but a bra. You guess buying clothes for all her bodies is kind of an expensive chore. She shucks herself of her pants and gyrates her pelvis longingly against you, her tail raised and wagging. Bika Prime's pressed herself against your back, her fingers kneading your chest, her small, hard nipples hot along your back.

Dessert Bika spreads her leg across yours, arcs her neck back, and kisses you. There's a swell to her stomach Bika Prime lacks, soft and graceful. Her curves are as decadent and inviting as her namesake. You can't resist.

It starts slow. Dessert Bika whimpers and folds her legs around yours, arching her spine, trying to engulf as much as you as possible. Bika Prime's sandpapery tongue slides up your neck. The Bikas sleeping all around you makes it feel like some giddy, illicit affair at a slumber party after everyone else has gone to sleep, and in spite of yourself you're trying to be quiet to keep from waking them.

But as the motion of Dessert Bika's hips get more and more insistent, and Bika Prime's teeth dig into your shoulder, you feel yourself starting to lose control of the situation, just like the first time. You're usually the kind to try to bring some art to your lovemaking but Bika is all animal impatience and earnest heat. She pulls your head down to her neck and rolls her shoulders as you kiss it. She flattens her back against your chest, worming her way closer into your core, monstrously hungry for more of your skin against hers.
Wasn't there supposed to be some kind of foreplay or something you were supposed to do? Maybe light some candles? How are you supposed to remember sex tips when you can barely recall your name?
"All of me," Bika gasps, and you're too lost to identify which. As lucid as the rest of her might be, the body in your clutches is experiencing sensory overload. "Take me. Whenever. Any of me. Zack."
You bite her neck, the instinctual break and crash rising up through your stomach.
"Wait wait in me." Bika Prime is dryhumping your back. You almost forgot she was there. "Finish in this one. Please please please."
You try to say something but you don't remember how English works, so instead you roll over and pin Bika Prime to the ground beneath your weight. You cum, one arm still around Dessert Bika and the other pushing Prime's head into the pillows. She screams into them, a full-chested yowl, and one of her next to you snorts and jerks awake.
"Oops," Dessert Bika pants, as Bika Prime goes limp beneath you. "Sorry, me."


You collapse back between them, and stare into Bika Prime's face. You say "That was amazing" but your mouth just goes "Thahaaa."
She giggles and kisses you. From both sides.

At some point you remember what you were going to tell her. "Yes," you say.
"Yes? Yes what?"
"Yes I would love to live with you. At least for now."
"I love you," she says.
"Hey," you say. "Cool." Your head is spinning. "I mean I love you too. I'm sorry. I'm a little out of it."
"No apology needed," Dessert Bika says. "Actually wait yes apology needed but it can come in the form of snuggling," Bika Prime says. "But only because you woke me up," Sleepy Bika says.
"You woke you up," you say.
"You made me wake me up."
"I can't think right now."
"Good." She pulls a heavy comforter up across the three of you. "Sleepy Bika."
"I was going to do the thing with the--" You pat the cushion by your head. "Pillow. Pillow talk."
"You don't need to talk," Dessert Bika says. She holds your hand lightly and draws it across her chest "There are deeper things than talking."

It feels like it's only a minute or so after she says that that you fall firmly into a warm, furry slumber.

What's Zack doing tomorrow?
>>
No. 659802 ID: d90668

We should spend a good part of tomorrow making sure Zack is safe and all the girls are safe.

Need to chat with them all in private so everyone knows what the plan is if anything bad happens. Everyone needs to have a safe place to fall back to if something goes wrong and the Hvac should be kept out of the loop because there still could be a leak.

No need to panic or be paranoid but its good to have a plan in place for stuff. Also Zack needs to watch that news report about him that was on the other day.

As for dates I think Meg could use some attention.
>>
No. 659805 ID: 0fc976

Investing all of his money into cloning research.
Apartment hunting with Meg. GGym and HVAO reporting in the evening.
>>
No. 659808 ID: 1cebc8

Look around for kinetic shields or Kevlar. No sense going out unprotected.
>>
No. 659810 ID: 7b7ab3

>>659800
House hunting with Meg and a trip to the gym with GG. We might want to give Poly a call, too.
>>
No. 659811 ID: 775ecb

>>659805
>>659810
These.
Breakfast with Bika, apartment hunting with Meg, gym with GG, something with Poly, and a report to the HVAO. Might want to check on our friends, too.
>>
No. 659813 ID: e917f3

>>659802
>Zack needs to watch that news report about him that was on the other day.
>>659811
>Breakfast with Bika
>>659805
>Apartment hunting with Meg.
>>659810
>a trip to the gym with GG.
>>659811
>something with Poly, and a report to the HVAO. Might want to check on our friends, too.
This seems like a pretty good plan to me.
>>
No. 659819 ID: d4e631

Without trying to plan out the whole day, we should probably start by checking the news, checking the status of our social circle, and having some skutti breakfast.
>>
No. 659827 ID: 4964f3

Sometime during the day we should get in touch with our human friends and see what they're doing. We should also get in contact with the HVAO and see what they're doing.
Otherwise, basically what >>659810 said.
>>
No. 659853 ID: 1830f5

I just thought of it, but we should go shopping with Bika. I don't know where we'd fit it into the schedule, but I thought it'd be a fun thing to do.
>>
No. 659864 ID: c34db3

>>659819
Absolutely. However, we should still prepare for our workout with GG, and we did promise Meg we'd go shopping together. Maybe we should use this as an opportunity for all the girls to meet. Then we'd have that sorted, and we could get a place that everyone can agree on.
>>
No. 659874 ID: f6708c

>>659819
A good start to the day.
>>659853
Does she even need to? She seems pretty well stocked.
>>659864
>prepare for our workout with GG
Of course.
>we did promise Meg we'd go shopping together
Very true.
>Maybe we should use this as an opportunity for all the girls to meet
Maybe. We should check with them first, though. They may be involved in other things or just not feeling up to it. Then again, they may be all for it. I suppose we'll see.
>>
No. 659887 ID: 406895

Let's not forget to mention Bika's job offer to GG when we meet her at the gym. She'll be thrilled. She's going to love teaching Pilop a lesson.
>>
No. 659888 ID: e114bc

Don't forget to talk to GG about that job Bika has for her.
>>
No. 659899 ID: a90bc9

>>659887
>>659888
I completely forgot about that little asshole. I guess Bika's good at distracting us from unpleasant shit. But yes, let's tell her about the job opening.
>>
No. 659903 ID: 243d35

>>659800
>What's Zack doing tomorrow?
Check news.
Call friends and HVAO.
Breakfast with Bika.
Gym with GG and Poly if she's interested.
Potentially introduce girls to each other.
Apartment hunting with Meg (and maybe others).
>>
No. 659906 ID: c9a9af

No one has suggested another round with Bika, so I shall. Suggest it, that is.

Honestly, I'm a little surprised it wasn't one of the first suggestions.
>>
No. 659936 ID: ac781b

>>659903
This.
>Gym with GG
Don't forget to mention the job to her.
>>
No. 659969 ID: 986e5f

>"You don't need to talk," Dessert Bika says. She holds your hand lightly and draws it across her chest "There are deeper things than talking."
D'awwww.
Cuddling and snuggling should be the first thing we do. Kiss her all over and tell her she's pretty. Then we can eat breakfast and watch TV together.
>>
No. 660016 ID: bf46ae

Offer to work in the restaurant while we live with her. No freeloading!
>>
No. 660023 ID: ad936f

>>659811
>>659805
>apartment
what are we? plebeians? We buyin a big ass house.
>>
No. 660056 ID: 2a7417

>>660023
Remember that space is at a premium in New York City, even with the...depopulation from the war.
>>
No. 660062 ID: 5d81f9

>>659903
>>659969
These.
>>660023
>>660056
Half the reason we're going shopping is to see what's available. We won't really be able to choose until we've looked at our options.
>>
No. 660074 ID: 2eb342

>>660016
That would be the polite thing to do, although she's hardly understaffed. Still, like you said, we don't want to be a freeloader.
>>
No. 660075 ID: 79ece3

I'm actually pretty curious about skutti breakfast foods. What's traditionally served? What does Bika like?
>>
No. 660100 ID: 08945d

>>659969
Absolutely.
>>660075
Lucky Charms and Pop Tarts.
I want.
>>
No. 660128 ID: adb563

We should invite the girls and our friends over to Bika's and get everybody introduced. We can make a nice little soiree out of it, net Bika some return customers, and solidify our little social circle.
>>
No. 660156 ID: c4546c

>>660128
Sounds fun! It'd be great to see everyone all together and having a good time. Barring some unforseen dilemma, I can't see a problem with doing it.
>>
No. 660186 ID: 37e1c2

>>660100
>Lucky Charms and Pop Tarts
With a tall glass of milk!
...
Is Zack lactose intolerant?
>>
No. 660278 ID: 7b7ab3

>>660186
I don't think so.
>>
No. 660365 ID: cbc9e6

We should also dedicate an hour or so to actually report to Carlson. Share all this newfound wisdom of ours. And decide what we are and aren't gonna spill.
>>
No. 660368 ID: 7b7ab3

>>660365
An excellent idea. The last thing we need to be right now is a bad employee. It should be fairly easy to set aside an hour to crank out a report or two. If the girls are present, they can assist us with fact checking and and the like.
>>
No. 660409 ID: 99cfa8

>>660186
We had ice cream with GG on our first date. Also a bunch of nachos.
>>
No. 660462 ID: d135cd

>>660409
I feel ashamed that I forgot that.

I've got to go back and re-read this quest.
>>
No. 660567 ID: 5f7625

I think we should call Poly and go new apartment hunting tomorrow.
>>
No. 660661 ID: 400659

You know, we should be able to do most of what's been suggested here, seeing as nobody's really made any really unreasonable suggestions yet.
>>
No. 660803 ID: f68a09
File 143892847482.png - (11.98KB , 960x560 , 414.png )
660803

"You can try that," Eglejgja says, as Salzin rounds the corner with a food tray. "But he ain't eating again."

"What?" Salzin slows down. "Why?"
"Hunger strike. Same as the others."

"I will never understand why humans do this kind of shit." Salzin says. "It cuts costs but I don't get it."
"I wouldn't eat that." Eglejgja eyes Salzin's meal. "Maybe that's the problem."
"This was my mother's recipe." Salzin shields the tray protectively from Eglejgja's critical glance. "And if humans don't like barka then all hope for a lasting peace is in my opinion lost. Have we gotten that sensible one to talk to him? Uhhh Damien?"

"Damien's saying what they're all saying now," Eglejgja says. "We want to send a message. Waah."
"Messages home are for when we know what the heck they were doing here," Salzin says. "Otherwise who knows what kind of shit they're going to relay back?"
"You can try explaining, Sal." She shakes her head. "See what you can do. This would be easier if they were rebs or something and you could just pop their heads for what they knew."

"You want to start the Second Interdimensional War today, Eglejgja?" Sal rounds the corner to the cell block. "Me neither."
>>
No. 660804 ID: f68a09
File 143892849299.png - (11.93KB , 960x560 , 415.png )
660804

He counts the doors until he gets to number four's room. Jonathan.

"Ma na pa pa ra," he mutters, getting his lips ready for English. He hates speaking Human. He's very self conscious about it.
"Gutt morning, Johnazhan!" He knocks on the door. "Iym kamingk in. I haf food. Mmmmm!"

He undoes the locks, unslats the bar, and steps into the cell.

The tray slips from his hand and crashes to the floor.

"Oh, shit," he says. "Oh no."
>>
No. 660805 ID: f68a09
File 143892850161.png - (61.65KB , 800x600 , 416.png )
660805

KILLS 0%

ITEMS 90%

SECRET 66%
>>
No. 660806 ID: f61b8d

Well, bummer.
>>
No. 660808 ID: 7b7ab3

Well, that's gonna have repercussions.
>>
No. 660816 ID: ad936f

Why did they let him have rope?

>Eglejgja
that name tho
>>
No. 660820 ID: ddcf3c

>>660805
>someone died
>0% kills
>>
No. 660840 ID: 7b7ab3

>>660816
Probably used his clothes or something.

>>660820
We didn't kill anybody. He did himself.
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