Open the chest away from you, in case its trapped.
Getting on the rook to have a look around is a good idea, but i'm concerned this place might have countermeasures to things like that. Also, it might put us in view of anyone else in the maze. Is it possible to push through the hedge?

I think Delphi is trying to distract herself from how bad the situation is by worrying about something small and inconsequential.

Vol, do you know if time in the Aether moves faster or slower than it does on earth? Because you should be prepared for the possibility that if you take too long to get out of here, 100 years will have passed on earth and Roland will be long dead by the time you get back!

But look on the bright side, at least Troy will also be dead.

>>935503
Doubt it, seeing as Roland was fine after entering and leaving the place. At worst the time probably just doubles (1 minute aether, 2 out or vice versa).

Heretic 2019/09/13(Fri)16:38 No. 945003 ID: 8fb3ba
File 156841788905.png - (244.87KB , 1558x1064 , Garden 2.png )

>this a hedge maze?
No, at the other end of the garden is another hedge enclosing the small garden. If it is a maze then the guy who designed it really half-assed the whole thing.

>break the vases and check the bushes for anything left behind by your predecessors.
Nothing of value in the vases, just dead bugs that Delphi eats...gross. The bushes hide no secrets either.

>Open the chest away from you, in case its trapped
You very carefully open the chest facing away from you and Delphi. No explosion, no traps, just a small beep as the container opens up. You look inside to find wrapped packages and cans filled with liquid. Delphi unwraps a package while you open a can.

DELPHI: Oooh! Crackers!
YOU: And d'ese cans are filled with wata'. Wat are d'ese, rations?

While Delphi chews on one of the crackers you can hear some thing approaching your position. Delphi snaps to attention as she hears the movement too.

>>945003
>just a small beep as the container opens up.
>something is approaching your position.
Even though the chest held helpful things in it, that beeping sound gave away your position!

It’s time to move! Go in the opposite direction, away from whatever is coming your way!

>>945003
Grab the stuff, evac. If possible, observe from a hidden location.

Heretic 2019/09/13(Fri)20:25 No. 945021 ID: 8fb3ba
File 156843152936.png - (560.99KB , 1558x1064 , Run.png )

>It’s time to move!
You and Delphi grab what you can carry of the chest's contents and gun it in the opposite direction. Neither of you can really hear anything coming from behind you for a while, you just focus on getting distance. You and Delphi begins to slow down a bit, until the sounds of movement from your right startles the both of you. Something faster than the both of you has managed to catch up, and if it managed to reach you in such a short amount of time it's likely it'll outpace you both entirely sooner or later and cut you off.

>>945021
Delphi, throw a cracker at it.

>>945028
That.....might work? I honestly can’t think of anything better to do, so let’s throw some crackers at it.

Assuming Delphi doesn’t eat them all first.

Hmm, I wonder... can Delphi use a stretchy arm like a slingshot? Or an atlatl? Might be worth making blood ammo for her.

>>945021
Throw food at it!

>>945021
If you can't outrun it, then you'll have to confront it.

The rations were placed deliberately as a sort of resource cache. You passed a "test" to get in. You tested your way into getting to play a game; one you probably can't leave unless you win. Also, since demons don't need to eat very often, it looks like you're expected to play for a long time. The only question remaining is: "What's the win condition?"

As for more immediate concerns; whatever is chasing you seems to be around your size. It's not the guy you met before. We can't bank on it being a friendly, though. Simply stopping might cause it to shoot off on a wild goose chase, or at least give us a chance to stand our ground and parry it.

Heretic 2019/09/19(Thu)00:22 No. 945389 ID: 8fb3ba
File 156887773695.png - (288.74KB , 1558x1064 , Run 2.png )

>Throw rations at it
Delphi launches one of the ration packets at the moving shape. Though it very obviously wouldn't have hit it, the shadow moves towards it and grabs it out of the air before continuing it's pursuit. It's after the food you have.

>If you can't outrun it, then you'll have to confront it.
It might not be impossible, You and Delphi are capable and if it needs to happen you will put up a fight. The both of you come to a stop, and so does your pursuer. It rests on top of a hedge and leers down at you two from the top of it. The figure is silent, looking you over, possibly assessing it's options. You can make out it's silhouette now that it's still against the crimson sky. It's goblinoid in appearance. Before you can try to think of what it is the demon speaks.

???: Food! Drop food NOW. FAST!

The goblin demon thing is on edge, and with demons like Xirxon roaming around it makes sense for it to be that way. He looks like he's in the same position as you, hunted not the hunter.

Drop half the food, propose an alliance.

First of all, you have to say please. Secondly, we will give you half of our food, enfasis in OUR food, if you help us deal with this bigass demon. Deal?

>>945389
Ask if they want to team up? We can all work together to get out of here.

If they don’t want to team up, then tell them you’ll give them some of your food if they give you some useful info about this place and/or Xirxon.

If that doesn’t work, make sure you keep a tight grip on your supplies in case this guy tries to steal them. Be prepared to fight if negotiations don’t work.

>>945390
>>945395
>half the food
No, not half, give a third of the food. 1/3 for Vol, 1/3 for Delphi, 1/3 for the goblin demon thing.

"A'ight, done," drop a healthy portion for him. "But cool your haunches; we're all demons here, it's not like we have to eat all that much."

>>945402
Do this.

1/2 Heretic 2019/10/14(Mon)20:03 No. 947133 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157110861237.png - (284.00KB , 1558x1064 , A deal.png )

You toss about one third of the food onto the ground, the demon leaps off of the hedges and examines what you let go. He doesn't look pleased.

???: T-This not all of it! Drop REST NOW!
YOU: Hold on hold on. It seems like both a' us are on 'da wrong sida a' dis whole huntin' buisness. It'd be bettah' if we worked with each otha' instead of against each otha'
DELPHI: Yeah! We're tough! We can help each other!
???: All you is is more mouths to feed, now give rest of food before-

The demon stops mid sentence and sniffs the air, his ears perk up and his expression of anger turns to fear. His head swivels around searching for something none of you can see.

???: Shit...FINE DEAL! JUST HIDE! HIDE!

2/2 Heretic 2019/10/14(Mon)20:03 No. 947134 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157110862356.png - (549.91KB , 1558x1064 , New Friends 1.png )

You and Delphi quickly follow the demons orders and duck behind a few bushes. After a while of waiting, you see what he hid you from. A figure in a long coat and an odd, metal, triangular helmet wanders through the garden, on patrol for prey to hunt. It passes by soon enough and the goblinoid orders you to move.

DELPHI: What was that?
???: Claviger. Dangerous, worse when Hounds around too. Listen, you joining, not up to me. You talk to others, they decide if you join or not.
YOU: Otha's?
???: Yes, No one survive long on their own. We work in group to stay alive. You not be alive much longer if no get in.
HELIKE: My name Helike, what you names?

>>947134
>Pyramid head
AAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Saying our encrypted names should be safe. “I take it we’re supposed to play for a good while, judging by how desperate we is for food in spite of our metabolism? What’s even the win condition?”

Yeah alright introduce yourselves. If names were risky to give out then both of you would've already given eachother incomplete/fake names anyway.
Vol's good for support, which makes him an asset in a group. This is a good situation for him. Delphi's a good fighter, let's just hope she's good enough to pull her weight.

1/2 Heretic 2019/10/14(Mon)22:27 No. 947141 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157111726921.png - (548.54KB , 1558x1064 , Hideout.png )

>Saying our encrypted names should be safe.
Of course, No demon would ever give away an un-encrypted name to some one they just met. You and Delphi introduce yourselves to Helike.

YOU:I take it we's supposed ta play fer a good while judgin' by how desperate we is for food huh? How're we 'sposed ta win any how?
HELIKE: No win. Just not die.
YOU: D-dat don't sound like much of a game.
HELIKE: Think! Two demons play chess. One can win, one can loses, the pieces get put back in box at end no matter what. You know what we are? We chess pieces. Not even chance of win... We here.

Helike leads you two to a grate in the ground of the garden. He pulls the manhole cover from the ground and climbs down, you follow...

2/2 Heretic 2019/10/14(Mon)22:27 No. 947142 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157111727101.png - (224.15KB , 1558x1064 , Hideout 2.png )

At the bottom is what looks like a sewer. There's a faint rancid stench in the air, but nothing that would make you gag. You can tell that this place is old, but a lot of structures in the Aether are after all. Helike leads the two of you to a door.

HELIKE: Okay, you wait. I get door open.

Helike fiddles with the valve on the door while you and Delphi wait.

DELPHI:..Hey Vol? I'm really sorry about all of this.
YOU: It ain't your fault Del.
DELPHI: Yeah it kind of is. You know if you said no to coming with me today I would've just given up on exploring that stupid boulder. I really shouldn't have bothered to begin with, now we're...probably going to die in here.

>>947142
Hey, none of that. It's too early to get mopey. It's better to look at this as an opportunity to get stronger. In this group of lesser demons there should be some that would appreciate sparring partners.
Vol should start trying to practice the same principles Roland learned, or at least the ones that apply to Imps. Specifically he needs to be able to make structures capable of holding up to intense attacks. Also it'd be neat to make something that other Imps could use as a weapon, like an especially sharp spike or something.
I wonder... if we're very lucky we could combine all the lesser demons' abilities into one big attack.

>>947142
Like hell we are! I’m going to find a way to go home! I’ve gotta look after Roland to make sure he doesn’t do anything crazy while doing his whole “demon research” thing. And I sure as fuck don’t trust that Troy asshole to keep Roland outta trouble!

honestly this... isn't all the deferent then what Roland drags me into. Best bet is to get a lay of the land and see what we have to work with, then just bullshit our way into something resembling a win. Normally how things work out with Roland anyways.

>>947155
Yeah, i agree. This isn't something new at all. We just have to see what we are dealing with and form some sort of wacky plan to make it through. No way in hell i am leaving Roland alone, he is going to find a way to blow himself up.

Console Delphi, obviously, and once you're done doing that: "So Helike, what's the goal of this here game for the actual players, then, and what role are we supposed to play towards that end as 'pieces?' Knowing what to expect would be nice."

>>947142
Both of you should be prepared to get bullied by any demon that has more eyes than you in there.

1/2 Heretic 2019/10/15(Tue)17:38 No. 947192 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157118630977.png - (258.46KB , 1558x1064 , Hideout 3.png )

YOU: Honestly Del, dis ain't dat bad. Hell Roland's roped me into a lotta crazy crap recently so I'm gettin' used ta' it...don't know if I like dat or not tho'. Besides, it's too soon to be actin' like d'ere ain't no hope, we'll think a' somethin'.
DELPHI: It kind of sounds like we can't win though.
HELIKE: You can't.
YOU: Helike, what's winnin' for da' actual players a' dis game' 'sposed to be?
HELIKE: Killing. They hunt for fun. Maybe worse if they feel like it.
YOU: And we're absolutely doomed wit' no way outta here?
HELIKE: ...Some think there's way to win, but they crazy. Just trying to keep hope.
YOU: Huh, so when we meet da' rest we'll figure out some possible way to escape?
HELIKE: You'll hear a lie, if you want to believe lie then sure.
YOU: So, we've got somethin' to work with after all Delphi...

2/2 Heretic 2019/10/15(Tue)17:38 No. 947193 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157118632283.png - (228.31KB , 1558x1064 , Hideout 4.png )

YOU: D-DELPHI!?

ah neat, a blood trail... also look up... and I guess in the water(?) for any ripples. Don't want to be brought down by the common horror movie troop of not looking up. As for the water (this is a sewer right?) it should have made noise if something came out of their so I doubt it but things like to hide in water.

SHIT FUCK. Ok, calm down. We need to go and look up for her. Follow the blood trail, but be careful, if this is a hunting game, it could be a trap. Our new friend can come with us or not, but we are going.

>>947193
Okay, bad news is we heard nothing so it's something that can either muffle sound or incapacitate Delphi and carry her off without making any noise.
Good news is it didn't attack all three of you, which means it didn't think it could win a fight against the whole group. That means you have a chance of fighting back.
Find it and kill it. Get your violin out.

If you can't see Delphi right now I think that means it's on the ceiling, or it's in the water and can muffle noise.
Can you heal her without knowing where she is?

>>947193
Look for a blood trail and follow it.

Look up. Did that thing from earlier find the manhole you guys crawled into and pull Delphi up?

>>947192
>Stuck here
Honestly, can't you leave the Aether the same way you did last time? You left through Roland's father's violin, so can't you do that again so that both you and Delphi can go back home?

>>947193
Follow the blood trail.

>>947197
>Good news is it didn't attack all three of you, which means it didn't think it could win a fight against the whole group. That means you have a chance of fighting back.
>Find it and kill it.
Good plan, let's do it!

Heretic 2019/10/21(Mon)14:20 No. 947556 ID: 8fb3ba
File 157169280091.png - (358.95KB , 1558x1064 , Hideout 5.png )

>Honestly, can't you leave the Aether the same way you did last time? You left through Roland's father's violin, so can't you do that again so that both you and Delphi can go back home?
That wasn't voluntary. The portal opened by chance and you can't just wait around for another one.

>Look Up
Nothing of interest is on the sewer's ceiling

YOU: OH FUCK WHAT HAPPENED!?
HELIKE: Ain't it obvious, the hobgoblin got snatched...we gotta find out what did it soon...
YOU: There's a trail! C'mon we gotta follow it!
HELIKE: No, we group with rest first then worry.
YOU: What? but da longer we wait da worse' dis can get we gotta act now! We can probably still catch what took 'er if we hurry.
HELIKE: Delphi probably already dead, we need to group first.

Helike continues to work on opening the door, your eye stays glued to the trail of blood. You can't save Delphi on your own...can you?

>>947556
You can at least buy time for the group to come save you and Delphi.
Get moving.

She is tougher than she looks, but we can't waste too much time here, we have to act now.

>>947557
I agree with this! Get a move on!

Hey does Vol actually have his violin with him? We've been assuming he does, but we haven't seen it yet.

>>947573
He’s able to summon it to himself, since it’s made out of his blood.

Follow the blood, but make sure you have a mental map of the place, and do not go down any path that does not have at least two alternate exits.

not going to lie, I have a feeling we're being played with right now. That whatever grabbed Delphi could have stuck at any time and taken us out at any time but thought it would be more fun to fuck with us and take us down one by one.

I think the trap here is this; it's not a question of whether we're fine on our own, but whether we can leave Helkite to get the door to backup open without getting nabbed himself when our back's turned. I think this will decide whether we fight alone or together from here on out, and having allies would be nice, but we might end up sacrificing Delphi for it, which aside from ourselves, is our highest priority.

"I'm counting on you guys for backup!" Can we put a barrier on the water in the immediate area to reduce ambush points against him?

>>947592
>Can we put a barrier on the water in the immediate area to reduce ambush points against him?
No, because Vol needs to stay nearby for the barrier to stay active. That wouldn’t work if we leave to go chasing after whatever took Delphi.

Heretic 2020/02/03(Mon)23:47 No. 955381 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158080242005.png - (494.75KB , 1558x1064 , Find Delphi 1.png )

>Get moving.
You drop the food
YOU: I'm countin' on ya fer back up!
HELIKE: Wha-? Stupid! I have no reason to save you stupid!

You don't stay to listen to Helike. You rush to follow the trail of blood through the labyrinthine until you find where it ends, a smaller tunnel. You have no idea how much more there is inside. You don't even know if you're going to be able to find Delphi in there...What the hell are you going to do?

>>955381
Looks like a great shape to send a spherical barrier down with you inside it. Make it flush with the tunnel, to prevent anything from slipping by.

that door open?

>>955381
Can you read what that sign above the tunnel says?

>>955384
Good plan.

>>955389
Yeah, check for anything useful.

Are you sure it ends at the tunnel? If so, you might want to give the door a cursory open first.

Also do those signs say anything interesting?

>>955381
Check behind the door for anything useful.

Wait, can Vol affect things like shield size?

>>955381
Vol can create things from blood right? Does it need to be his own blood or can he use that blood on the wall?

Because if he can use the blood on the wall, I was thinking that he could make a dagger or something.

Geeze that's a lot of blood. How did that creature take Delphi so fast without making any noise? You need to keep a watch out for something like that.

I agree with trying to read the demon language and checking if the door is open. I doubt we can control other people's blood, but it would be really cool if we could do that, so it's worth giving a go too.

>>955403
Iirc he was able to be somewhat precise with how far it went out when they were hiding from those bugs in the first episode, so he can probably make it fit the tunnel.
I'd honestly suggest that he pre-emptively put up a barrier right now so that we can't be snatched like Delphi was, if it wasn't for the fact that it would make sound and alert whatever is nearby.

I think I remember Vol saying he could make a Violin very fast so maybe just make one so you have he has a weapon, if he can alter it at all then try making the bow serrated or something so it can act as a swords and the violin as a shield.

Heretic 2020/02/15(Sat)00:09 No. 956322 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158175414764.png - (967.51KB , 1558x1064 , Find Delphi 2.png )

>>955425
It's gotta be Vol's blood. It's not going to work otherwise

>>955403
Vol has control over the size of his shield.

>>955395
It's in high demonic, Vol cannot read it.

>>955396
"Ends" isn't the right word...The blood leads into the tunnel

>>955389
>>955402
Inside the door, there's a collection of odd monitors along with a keyboard terminal next to them. A couple of the monitor screens are shattered or offline, but two show different angles of a figure being tailed by a dog like demon while holding something over it's shoulder.

The terminal looks like a normal keyboard, well, normal for demons anyway. Though a couple buttons on it stick more than others, they've got odd high demonic symbols on them. One looks like a weird sort of A, the next a warped H looking thing, and finally something that looks like a Y sitting on top of an S.

The figure on the monitor's about to walk off Camera, and Vol doesn't really know how to switch views...

Huh, so she's been kidnapped... but why? Aren't they just supposed to kill imps? I'm guessing the dog was the one that managed to grab her without any noise, as the blood trail would make sense for something to have bitten her as a way of capturing her.

Eh I dunno just try pushing buttons to see what they do.

uh, push a button and hope that god loves you and things actually get better for once?

Now is not the time to experiment! They seem to be going at a leisurely pace now, so you can still catch them if you run!

(Definitely keep this place in mind for later, though.)

>>956322
>One looks like a weird sort of A
That sounds like it might be this: Æ . Although, I’m not entirely sure if that’s right.

>the next a warped H looking thing, and finally something that looks like a Y sitting on top of an S.
I’ve got no clue what these could be.

>What do?
I’m not sure what to do. Should we try messing with the cameras to figure out where they’re going? Or should we be following and hoping we can catch up and be able to rescue Delphi?

Also, I don’t see the dog on the bottom monitor. Is it possible that it’s coming back this way?

Let's tail them for now, but mind your distance. We don't know how to operate this keyboard and it's not a situation to be experimenting.

>>956322
We don't have time to mess with this. Keep following Delphi's blood trail.

1/4 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)18:19 No. 956516 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158190599838.png - (673.15KB , 1558x1064 , Trail's Gone Cold.png )

>>956329
>Aren't they just supposed to kill imps?
VOL: I think d'ey do wat evah d'ey want wit da demons d'ey catch...

>>956367
>>956374
>>956352
>Chase
Vol forget's the keyboard and runs back to the tunnel to follow the trail of blood, thinking maybe if he's fast he can catch up to the demon who took Delphi. The trail of blood is easy to follow at first, but soon it starts to dwindle and get muddled by other splotches and stains that are hard to discern in the dark of the tunnels. Once the trail starts to get harder to follow Vol starts to realize just how labyrinthine the tunnels are. He looks for footprints, claw marks, anything that can help but to no avail.

VOL: Delphi...

2/4 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)18:20 No. 956517 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158190601717.png - (31.10KB , 1558x1064 , ___.png )

Sometime later...

3/4 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)18:21 No. 956519 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158190606118.png - (888.28KB , 1558x1064 , Caged.png )

Delphi slowly comes to, groggy, tired, and locked behind bars in a small cage. A twinge of pain shoots up her scarred leg.
DELPHI: Ugh...R-Rascal? Oh, right... Vol? Helike? Anyone?...Uh oh, where the hell am I? How long was I out?

4/4 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)18:21 No. 956520 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158190609284.png - (941.66KB , 1558x1064 , Caged 1.png )

Delphi lifts herself to her feet and scans her new surroundings as best as she can. It's dark, and it smells like rusty metal mixed with cedar wood. Delphi's cage is atop a table or dresser of some sort, along with used spools of thread and knitting needles. A couple of empty cages and chains litter the floor. There's a door which Delphi assumes exits the room.

DELPHI: Trapped. Hmm...Well! I'm not dead! That's good. Not dead yet. The jerk that put me in here will be though, just as soon as I get out of here.

can you use your stretchy arms to open some of the draws below you or move around the room... assuming you can't just brake out of the cage.

Yeah stretch to rummage around and find something useful.

Grabbing some needles sounds like a good start.

Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)19:27 No. 956536 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158191004263.png - (973.05KB , 1558x1064 , Caged 2.png )

>>956525
>>956529
It's a bit difficult, but Delphi launches an arm down to the top drawer on the dresser and manages to open it.
DELPHI: Cloth, threads, knitting needles, stuffing...I wish I knew how to knit, after what happened last Tuesday Rascal stopped trying to teach me.

>>956536
Look at the cage. Do you see a way to open it?

>knitting needles
Those will be good for stabbing!

>after what happened last Tuesday Rascal stopped trying to teach me.
What happened last Tuesday?

I assume the cage is locked, but, uh... is it bolted down? If not, your arms are long enough that the cage will only make movement annoying at worst, I think.

>>956536
Think you can pick the lock with those needles?
...wait where is the lock to the cage? Can you just push the top off?

1/2 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)21:39 No. 956553 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158191796741.png - (1.20MB , 1558x1064 , Lockpicking___.png )

>>956550
>where is the lock to the cage?
>>956538
>Do you see a way to open it?

DELPHI: Here! There's a lock on the side of the cage! Rascal may have stopped teaching me how to knit but she didn't quit teaching me how to pick a lock!

Delphi shoves a knitting needle in the keyhole of the lock and jimmies it for a bit. It's less like picking the lock and more like breaking it but Delphi hardly knows the difference. The lock clicks open despite Delphi's rough technique

DELPHI: Perfect!

2/2 Heretic 2020/02/16(Sun)21:40 No. 956554 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158191801045.png - (906.53KB , 1558x1064 , Uncaged.png )

>>956538
>What happened last Tuesday?
DELPHI: If I recall correctly I tried to make a scarf but I accidentally made a giant snare trap that caught Rascal and made a giant mess...It was impressive but I guess Rascal didn't want me making anymore messes like that.

Delphi leaps out of her cage and stumbles on her landing. He leg is still a bit wounded, but it shouldn't be too serious.
DELPHI: Okay main goal: Get back to Vol! Secondary goal: Get home! Third-ary goal: Kick my kidnapper's ass. Maybe switch some of those around depending on how things go.

>>956554
That door is probably locked and I don’t think you can pick that one without alerting your kidnapper. Check the other drawers and cabinets for more useful things.

And keep the knitting needles. They’ll be good for stabbing someone in the eyes!

>>956554
Listen at the door then check to see if it's locked. If it is, start searching the room for the key. ...wait why would the key even be in here

Maybe you can hide in the cupboard.

Can you peek through the keyhole and see what’s on the other side?

Is the door the only remotely viable exit? No windows or vents or anything? We'd have better luck trying an alternate route out than trying to bust through or outsmart that dude and his (trained?) hunting dog.

Heretic 2020/02/17(Mon)15:23 No. 956589 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158198182918.png - (975.61KB , 1558x1064 , Uncaged 2.png )

>Listen at the door
Delphi places an ear to the door...
DELPHI: Don't hear nothin'...

>Check to see if the door's locked
She slowly turns the knob and pulls the door open.
DELPHI: Not locked...guess whoever caught me wasn't expecting me to wake up anytime soon.

Delphi pokes her head through the door before slowly entering. Tarps are strewn about the blood stained floor, boxes are shoved into the back of the room. The smell of blood is poorly covered by the stench of cheap perfume.

There's a second door, and a hallway leading into another part of the room.

>>956589
Besides stretching, what other abilities do you have?

>Other room
What's on those charts above the table with the sewing machine?

>Another prisoner
There's someone in that cage on the shelf above you and to your right.

who's in the cage and peek down the hallway.

Take a good look at the room and they tell us all significant things that you can find. Usefull items, notes, etc.

>>956589
Who’s in the cage above you?

> Tarps
> Perfume
> No Actual Cleaning
Someone wants to make it easier to keep this place clean but isn't interested in fooling a detective. This room is their place of work.

> Blood Splatter (Originating from Table)
And it's messy work, after all. It makes sense for them to try and keep the mess in check.

> Body Measurement Chart
> Seamstress's Tools
> Consistent Prisoner Body Types
They're trying to stitch a body together - a small body. Does someone want to make a vessel for a friend? A particular friend, judging by the precise measurements?

> Sheers
Yoink.

> Listening and Peeking Through Doors
Do this before committing to anything that could make noise.

> Fellow Prisoner
Help them. Doing this can only result in a net positive, even if the only help they provide is in the form of a distraction.

Heretic 2020/02/19(Wed)04:08 No. 956720 ID: 8fb3ba
File 158211410590.png - (664.06KB , 1558x1064 , Uncaged 3.png )

>Useful items
Delphi doesn't really have pockets to carry anything, but she picks up the set of shears nearby anyway.

>Cage
Delphi takes notice of the captive on the shelve.
DELPHI: Psst! Hey buddy! You alright up there?
???:...
DELPHI: He's probably out cold...Don't worry I'll get you down!

Delphi stretches an arm up grabbing the bars of the cage and lifting off of the shelf. The smell coming from the cage is fetid, but Delphi brushes it off as a captive not being treated well. As she places the cage carefully on the ground to open to lid she doesn't seem to notice that the cage wasn't locked like hers was. She reaches into the cage to pull out the captive, now seeing that it's an imp. When Delphi touches the imp she notices something is very wrong, the imp's body is oddly cold, stiff, and still. Once the imp is completely out of the cage Delphi and in the light Delphi jumps back in shock and disgust.

The imp's body is lined with stitches and seams, some bursting with cotton. It's eye stare's unblinking, upon closer inspection it's a painted glass eye. The imp is dressed in a tailored and patched suit that looks like it's made out of the same material as the bolts of cloth lying around the room. Delphi's stomach starts to turn.

huh, wonder if we can burn this place to the ground. It would seem like an improvement.

I suggest looking down the hallway just to make sure nothing is coming down and then try the other door you haven't been in yet. Before I kinda just wanted to get out of here ASAP to reconnect with Vol but now, even though it is probably A very stupid idea, I kinda want to check every room to make sure we aren't leaving behind any other prisoners that might be in here because come on. No one deserves that.

Also think it would be a bad idea to break the sewing machine? On one hand, fuck this place, on the other hand it would probably make a lot of noise.

Put the poor thing in your cage and relock it. It might buy you more time after you make your escape.

Uhhhh better not let Vol see this...

>>956727
>>956737
Both of these.

>>956720
Try not to throw up. The mess you make, along with the smell, will alert your kidnapper that you've escaped!

Take a look at that diagram above the table, it seems to be of an imp.

Delphi, I know your leg still hurts, but could you check it real quick? I want to make sure whoever stitched you up didn’t leave something extra in your leg.

Holy freaking crap, is this thing alive?

>>965770
afaik, it is on hiatus while heretic works on homestuck eschatologic.