>>32620549
Your name is Jacob Henderson, and you are having a rather odd dream. You are standing atop a blue whale, and before stretches miles upon miles of sparkling blue-green water. Just then, your eye catches something floundering in the water. Caught up in a twisting whirlpool is your companion, your partner and dearest friend, and you know then that the only way to save her is to shout her name to her.

The only problem is that; well, you can’t remember her name for the life of you, or hers for that matter. You move to jump in and save her, but the whale’s skin upon which you stand is suddenly sticky and you can hardly move your foot away from it. You can hear her, as if all other noises have been silenced. She’s panting, little gasps escaping her lips and you can hear her whisper your name in a desperate plee.

This is your last chance to save her! What is her name?
>Evelynn Chaucer
>Rebecca Einfean
>Alissa DeCavrier
>Stephanie Grey
>[Write In]

>>32620558
Votes are decided by majority rule within 15 minutes. Ties will be settled via roll off.

>>32620558
>Stephanie Grey
Bet we call her Stephy.

>>32620558
>>32620744
>Seconding
Especially the cute nickname

One moment you are shouting at the top of your lungs, the next you are lying in a bed, dry throat mumbling her name. Right, must have been a dream. You can hear Stephanie shuffle in the bunk above you. Opening your eyes, you find no daylight flittering in through the window as per usual; you must be up pretty early. As your eyes adjust you can make out Steph leaning over the edge of her mattress, eyes on you.

“You okay Jake?” Her breath seems a little rushed and she seems a bit concerned, her face uncharacteristically worried and maybe a little flushed. Her auburn hair softly bounces from her movement, and as you shift up into a sitting position you do your best to remember why you said her name at all.

Scratching your stubble you shrug, and figure that it probably wasn’t important. “I was having some weird dream, sorry Stephy.” You pop your stiff neck first right and then left, the motions creating a staccato of cracking noises that make Stephanie cringe.

“Jesus! Don’t do that near me, it’s not good for your neck and it’s creepy.” She tries to sound scolding, but her playful smile betrays her. “Anyway, I was worried I’d woken you up. I’m glad that wasn’t the case.” She pulls herself back up into her bed, settling in again.

>Go back to sleep.
>Ask if you woke her
>Ask why she would have woken you up
>[Write in]

>>32620890
>Ask why she would have woken you up

>>32620890
>>Ask why she would have woken you up

Staring at the backing of the top bunk, your mind begins to ponder, what exactly was she doing that would have woken you up to begin with? You had shared a cabin for the better part of a month now, and before that you had partaken of your fair share of sleep overs. Generally she was as quiet as a mouse. The curiosity of it begins to burn in your brain, an all too common side effect of trying to get some sleep. Finally, you have to ask, your voice shattering the now silent room.

“So, um… What were you doing Stephy? Since you were worried it would wake me up.”

Another long silence falls over the shared quarters, the only noise the smalls breaths that pass between the two of you. “Nothing really.” She says at last, her voice lacking its typical carefree undertone, “I thought I might have been a bit loud.”

Her words seemed innocuous enough, but something still felt off, even if you couldn’t quite place what it was. What should have been comforting caused an abnormal dread to sneak in, a quiet worry that nagged at your mind. You realize that you are chewing at the skin of your bottom lip.

>Ignore it, try and get some sleep
>Push the issue [Inquiry Check: 12]
>Try and coax it out of her [Charm Check: 12]
>Try and trick her [Decieve Check:10]
>[Write in]

Rolled 1, 4 = 5

>>32621780
>>Try and coax it out of her [Charm Check: 12]

>>32621780
>Ignore
Bitch was probably crying or something.

Rolled 4, 4 = 8

>>32621780
>>Try and coax it out of her [Charm Check: 12]

Rolled 1, 5 = 6

>>32621809
Thats a pretty good roll, I'll toss my hat in on this
>Coax it out of her

>Charm Check: 5 (7 Successes) vs. Stephanie’s Deceive

Sitting back up, you lean slightly over, trying to get a view up into the upper bunk. “We’ve known each other for how long? And you’re trying to pull this? I know you don’t snore, you rarely ever leave your bed when you don’t have to, and you’re as quiet as a mouse when you do. Just tell me.” You give your best understanding smile, which she turns her head slightly to see. You can barely make out a look of embarrassment on her face, and her blush is clearly visable.

“Look, it’s nothing serious it’s just… Y’know… I’m an adult now, I’m 17 years old for godsake, and adults, w-well they…” She turns away, and your sleepy brain takes a good while to connect the dots, your scrunch-faced look of confusion opening up into an audibly “Oh.”

Settling back into your bed, your eyes glaze as you stare off into space. Who would have thought that Stephy got those kinds of urges. You still thought of her as that little girl who tagged along with you, like a little sister. This whole series of events was a bit much for your sleepy brain to coalesce. Hell, you weren’t even sure what to say.

>Say something comforting and go to sleep
>Say something witty to try and defuse the tension [Charm Check: 12]
>Attempt to reaffirm she was doing what you think she was doing. [Inquiry Check: 12]
>Go to sleep without saying anything.
>Say goodnight and pretend to go to sleep. [Unopposed Concealment Check: 10]
>[Write in]

Rolled 8, 4 = 12

>>32622259
>>Say something witty to try and defuse the tension [Charm Check: 12]

Charm worked once, maybe it will work again

>>32622259
Hah, figured she was doing that.

File: ExplainFurther.jpg (38 KB, 350x262)

38 KB JPG

Rolled 3, 10 = 13

>>32622259
>Attempt to reaffirm she was doing what you think she was doing. [Inquiry Check: 12]

Rolled 2

So one vote Witty, one vote reaffirm.
1
>Witty
2
>Reaffirm

>>32622603
Would anyone like to throw in some rolls to assist?

Rolled 8, 3 = 11

>>32622399
Fuck that, we need to not fail this.
>Inquiry: 12

>>32622663
Eh... it's a success atleast?

Rolled 2, 2 = 4

>>32622637

I already voted, but here we go

>Inquiry: 4 (8 successes)

Your curiosity keeps getting the better of you tonight it seems, or perhaps it’s your subconscious rejecting the idea that she’s doing what you think she’s doing. Considering that you’ve known her since she was a kid, and you are in the same room while she’s doing it. Clearing your throat awkwardly, you speak the question that’s been on the tip of your tongue.

“So you were… Masturbating?”

There’s a palpable pause, and the air feels like it’s become frozen with tension. But then, you hear a faint whisper, almost more a squeak than a word. You don’t quite understand it at first, but you forgiving silence gives her cause to repeat herself; still quiet but this time you can make it out. “…Yes.”

Your ears receive the words, and they pass through your brain, but they seem to flutter out the other side for a moment. Then like a silent engine roaring to life your brain begins to process the information, inputting dozens of scenarios and possible things to say. Every answer is the same though, a big fat question mark. You take a deep breath to reply, but hear her pipe up more little sentence. “Don’t be mad.”

And just like that the engine clicks down, humming to silence once more and allowing you to think more clearly.

>Ignore it, try and get some sleep
>Ask her why you’d be mad [Inquiry Check: 12]
>Try and coax it out of her [Charm Check: 12]
>Try and trick her [Decieve Check:10]
>[Write in]

Rolled 9, 3 = 12

>>32622878
>>Ask her why you’d be mad [Inquiry Check: 12]

Rolled 6, 6 = 12

>>32622878
>Ask her why you'd be mad [Inquiry Check: 12]

Rolled 10, 3 = 13

>>32622878
>Ask her why you’d be mad [Inquiry Check: 12]

Rolled 9, 9 = 18

>>32623012
>>32623027
>>32623049

Welp, hope that's enough

Rolled 7, 7 = 14

>>32623012
>>32623027
>>32623049
Dice please.

>Inquiry: 12 (Base success)

The hits you right in the gut, partly because it means that there’s something she thinks you should get mad over but most because it means she doesn’t think she can be completely honest with you. “Stephanie M. Grey.” you use her full name for emphasis, trying to pull off your best dad voice, “What exactly would I be mad about?”

She turns back, a sheepish look on her face. “I-I don’t know. It’s weird, and I’m doing it right here, when you’re supposed to trust me not to do weird stuff.”

You do your best not to roll your eyes at her, the notion seeming silly. Though, you suppose not that strange. You did have a bit of a mental freak out over it. Plus, it did bring a fair bit of tension up. You wondered how often she did it, and how long she’d been doing it with you in the room. Was it pushing a few personal boundaries? Sure, but those had long since eroded between the two off you.

“Look um…”She bits her bottom lip, shifting forward slightly, and it becomes a bit obvious that she’s braless up there. “If this bothers you, I can stop. Or I could sleep in the cargo hold or something. I don’t want things to be awkward.”

It’s clear that sleepiness is weighing heavily on the both of you, and you should get some sleep soon if you have any hope of feeling refreshed tomorrow.

Pick one:
>Say something comforting [Charm Check: 12]
>Say something witty to try and defuse the tension [Charm Check: 12]
>Tell her you’ll talk about it tomorrow.
>Tell her it does bother you, and to stop.
>Tell her you’ll go sleep in the hold.
>[Write in]

Pick one:
>Go to sleep.
>Pretend to go to sleep. [Unopposed Concealment Check: 10]
>[Write in]

Rolled 10, 8, 7, 4 = 29

>>32623284
>>Say something comforting [Charm Check: 12]

>Pretend to go to sleep. [Unopposed Concealment Check: 10]


Rolling for both choices, 4d10.

>>32623334
So 18 charm, 11 Concealment

Rolled 9, 1 = 10

>>32623284
>Say something comforting [Charm Check: 12]
Go to sleep.

Rolled 5, 3 = 8

>>32623284
>Say something comforting [Charm Check: 12]
>Go to sleep.

You give her a soft smile, something to simmer down the tension in her features. “Look, I’m an adult to Steph. I know how it is. It’s not “weird”, it’s something people do. I’ve done it.” She blushes a bit at that. “Something like this is the least of my problems. Honestly.” You offer her up your hand, and she grabs it, giving it a tight squeeze as is your custom. “You’re still my ditzy little sis, okay?”

She lets out a long breath, and you can almost see the tension and worry drain from her face. “Thanks Jake. Chalk it up to girlish hormones.” She laughs, almost loud in the quiet cabin. She smirks then, clearly back to her old self, “And if you tell anyone I’ll cut yours off, got it? “Big Bro”?”

Despite her threat, the smile she follows it with is genuine and thankful, and she releases your hand to curl over onto her mattress, pulling the blanket up close. You yourself settle back in for some shut eye. Sleep finds you quickly, and you dream once again of standing on the whale. Only this time Steph isn’t drowning, she’s swimming happily. Though you can still hear her mumble something that sounds kind of like your name.

Dawn, cracks in through your window and you face the brunt of it, blinking stupidly at it as you regain your wits. Damn you’re hungry, and Steph is still asleep. In the back of your mind you remember that damn card the Sergeant gave you, and it keeps bugging you.

>Get up, get dressed, find breakfast
>Make Steph get up, she owes you
>Get dressed and start out, you can eat and boat
>Spend the morning asking around down about Sergeant Tucker.
>Sleep in, you earned it
>[Write in]

Rolled 5, 9 = 14

>>32623665
>>Get up, get dressed, find breakfast
>>Make Steph get up, she owes you

>>32623665
>Get up, get dressed, find breakfast
>Spend the morning asking around down about Sergeant Tucker.
can't be to hard if we're buying breakfast.

>>32623829
What this guy said, bring Steph with us to get breakfast.

Rolling out of bed, you pull on a pair of pants you’re pretty sure you didn’t wear yesterday and strap on your thigh holster, you doubt you’ll need it getting breakfast, but better safe than sorry. You also pull on a short sleeved over shirt, casually unbuttoned. Looking in the little mirror by your bed, you can see your stubble is growing even more ragged, might need to shave that when you return. Grabbing your folding knife you clip it inside your pocket and follow that with your money clip. It’s an old plastic thing that you dug out of an old drugstore back home, your first “artifact”, if you can even call it that. Turning back towards the sleeping girl in the upper bed, you contemplate your method of extraction. You could just call her name until she wakes up, or you could go old school and pull her out of bed by her blanket, like you used to when you were kids. Though, taking into account what transpired last night, she may not be decent, and she may react violently.

>Fuck it, pull her down, she deserves it after keeping you up so late
>Wake her up the nice way, she deserves it for being so open with you
>Might as well let her sleep.
>[Write in]

Rolled 2, 10 = 12

>>32624171
>>Fuck it, pull her down, she deserves it after keeping you up so late

>>32624171
Wake our mistress gently with oral service of her clitoris.

>>32624171
>Wake her up the nice way

>>32624171
>Wake her up the nice way

You opt not to risk a knife to the neck; today’s supposed to be another big day of on the ocean blue, recovering at Doc Jean’s doesn’t seem the way to go. Gently pushing at her side, you firmly say her name, “Steph, Steph get up. We’re eating and then heading out.”

You head a groan from the lump beneath the blankets, and you can see her scramble under the covers, assumedly putting her clothes back on. Finally, she throws the covers off, revealing her tanned and fit form. She must not have been used to dressing under the covers, because as she drops down to the floor, landing gracelessly on her feet, you notice that her panties are hanging off her shapely hips inside out. She groans again, following your eyes and seeing her mistake. “Damn it, mind giving me a bit of privacy for a moment?” She turns around, obviously expecting you to leave on your own.

>Agree, and wait for her outside
>Stay a while and watch
>Tell her you’re going to meet her at the diner across the docks.
>[Write in]

Rolled 7, 1 = 8

>>32624583
>>Agree, and wait for her outside

>>32624583
>Tell her you’re going to meet her at the diner across the docks.
girls take forever to get changed lets just go order some food already.

>>32624583
>Tell her you’re going to meet her at the diner across the docks.

“Fine, because suddenly now you want privacy.” You chuckle as you dart up the stairs, hearing the thunk of something being throw after you. “I’ll be at the diner across the way, do hurry.” You call behind you. You wait a moment for her reply, worried you may have actually offended her.

“I’ll be there! Dick!” She calls after you, her voice thankfully good-natured. She seems to be taking last night’s events in stride, typical Grey. “Oh, oh! Don’t forget to have them make my bacon-“

“Extra crispy.” You interrupt, “You’ve had it that way since you were 12, I think I can remember that. I’ll have them kill it for you.” You’re not sure she heard then end, as you are already starting to climb down the ladder onto the dock, but you’re confident she got the gist of it.

Making your way once more through the slow paced city, you make your way to a sign, a large arrow pointing towards the roof entrance of one of the many submerged buildings. The sign above the store, obviously hand painted, reads “The Sea-Pig” with a cartoon looking crossbreed between a fish and a pig. Heading in, you wave at the waitress and you explain you’ll be meeting someone.

She gets you seated and asks your order, you tell her Stephy’s order and then try and decide on your own.

>Go expensive, bacon, eggs and pancakes
>Go light, just some bacon and eggs
>Just some water please.
>[Write in]

Rolled 9, 2 = 11

>>32624938
>>Go light, just some bacon and eggs

Let's go frugal here

>>32624938
>Go light, just some bacon and eggs
Can't be going sluggish on our first day, besides we blew most our money on gas right?

>>32624938
>>Go light, just some bacon and eggs

You opt for just the bacon and eggs, and the waitress flashes a knowing smile before heading off to the kitchen. While the wildlife on most islands was able to weather the rising waters, many crops hadn’t been so lucky. As a result, many places couldn’t get things like flour or corn. You watch the waitress near the door downstairs before remembering your partner’s request; you holler after her, “And kill the bacon!” She flashes the OK sign over her shoulder as heads downstairs to the kitchen.

Looking towards the window, you smirk at the careless danger of this place. The water is up past the window, the slightest crack could result in a massive amount of property damage and probably send at least 1 person to the hospital. Still, it made for a nice view. A small fish slitters past, followed by a school of them. It must be nice, you think to yourself, not having to worry about gas or air to see all the mysteries of the world.

As you ponder this, you hear the bell for the door chime and turn just in time to watch Steph walking down the stairs. She’s wearing a simple blue skirt that reaches just above her knees, and a clean white tanktop. Her hair, as always, is pulled back into a pony-stub. She sees you and heads right over, pulling out a seat.

“So. The big question: Where’re headed next?” She cuts right to the chase, she’s always a bit more direct before breakfast.

>Glasport, I have something I want to look into.
>Derrysdock, I heard they have good trade up there
>Wicklow Island, there’s a scuffle between the PSAW and RUS and they’ll be needing guns.
>Explain the business card and ask her opinion.
>[Write in]

Rolled 2, 9 = 11

>>32625333
>>Explain the business card and ask her opinion.

Always good to get a second opinion, although i'mn tempted to go with guns, guns, guns.

>>32625333
>>Explain the business card and ask her opinion.

Looking around the diner quickly, you don’t think any of the old sods here are listening. You lean in, setting the card on the table. “The sergeant gave me this.” You say in a soft voice. Perhaps you’re being silly, but better safe than dead.

Picking it up, she reads the front before flipping it over. She flips it back and forth a few more times, a thoughtful look on her face. “Did he say anything about it?” She asks, and you begin to explain what Denise had told you, about Sgt. Tuckers background and the possible connections to the RUS. You don’t know why you expected her not to smile that cheeky smile, and in a moment you realize exactly what she’s going to say: “We HAVE to go.”

You lean back suddenly as the waitress returns with your food, giving the pair of you a strange look before topping off your waters and heading over to help the other customers. Leaning forward again, you take a bite of your bacon and sneer, the did your bacon dark too. Pushing that aside you eat the piece before continuing. “Are you sure? What if it’s a trap or something.”

Stephanie just gives you a slightly condescending look, “We’re out here for adventure right? We can’t just turn down something this big. But if you do want to chicken out, we can try our luck getting shot to death by pirates or PSAW marines.” Her stance is clear, but you know she’ll follow you regardless.

“Now,” she says, straightening back in her chair, “are we going to talk about last night?”

>I’d rather not, can we eat first?
>What do you want to talk about?
>Can we stay focused here?
>[Write in]

>>32625687
>>What do you want to talk about?

>>32625687
>What do you want to talk about?

Rolled 6, 8 = 14

>>32625687
>>What do you want to talk about?

>>32625687
>>What do you want to talk about?

You sigh, eating another strip of bacon and sitting back. You understand she’s probably still a little embarrassed by it, you are too. It’s probably best to get it all out now. “What about it?”

Shifting slightly in her hair, she seems unsure of how to begin. “Well. I know you said it was natural and everything. But, I mean. Do you mind that I do it when you’re in the room? I mean I know you can’t see it or anything, but I don’t want it to be awkward for you. I mean, I don’t want to have to stop but if it makes you uncomfortable I understand.” She keeps brushing a stray lock of red hair out of her face that never really seems to be in the way to begin with, looking practically every which way but at you. “You said you’ve done it, what do you do?”

You’re so glad that the waitress has already brought your food, because the idea of her walking in on this conversation would be a contender of most embarrassing moments in your life. Regardless, it looks like in the absence of parental guidance, you’re the go-to authority figure of these matters.

>Tell her you don’t mind if she does it at night
>Tell her you do it in the cargo hold
>Tell her to try and avoid doing it at all
>Eating your food and change the subject aggressively.
>[Write in]

>>32625904
This sounds like a discussion of masturbation.
Simply offer to help her so she feels more satisfied, and thus performs better.

>>32625904
>Tell her you do it in the cargo hold
we got a stash hidden in there in there that help us out

>>32625904
>>Tell her you don’t mind if she does it at night
Just don't wake me up or try anything funny

Rolled 2, 10 = 12

>>32625904

>Cargo Hold

That's where everyone does it, young lady

>>32625904
>>Tell her you don’t mind if she does it at night

>>32625932
Yes, offer her oral sex.

>>32625904
Gotta go with
>Tell her you don't mind if she does it at night
Builds friendship

>>32625904
>Cargo hold
Obviously

Rolled 9, 2 = 11

>>32626296

>Glasport

>(Settled for a compromise)

“I uh… I knock one out in the cargo hold from time to time, I’ve got a little stash and everything.” You can feel your cheeks burning, but you decide honesty is the best policy here, “Really though, I don’t mind if you do it at night. It’s probably a lot more comfortable than cramming in around the boxes in the hold.” She seems relieved, easing down in her chair more and scooping a forkful of egg into her mouth.

“Thanks Jake, and feel free to do it too, y’know.” You think you can detect her blush deepen ever so slightly, “After all, fair’s fair. Just don’t be too loud y’know?” She crams about forkful of eggs into her mouth in an attempt to stem her embarrassment at having to have said that. Business, important or otherwise, out of the way you two quickly polish off breakfast in a comfortable silence. You pay the tab, glad to have saved the few bucks skipping pancakes. Gathering yourselves you head back to the ship, ready to bid farewell to Ostrander Sea-hub.

Stephanie gives you a devilish grin, “So, we off to go meet this Ayn lady in Glasport? Or would you rather get shot somewhere else?

>Glasport
>Dennydock
>Wicklow Island
>[Write in]

>>32626325
>>Glasport

Rolled 5, 10 = 15

>>32626320
>>32626325

>Glasport

(Same vote)

>>32626325
>Glasport

File: Jacob.png (27 KB, 556x602)

27 KB PNG

Taking a deep breath you look off westward. “To Glasport, and likely death or maiming, we go.” You knew in your chest that something was off about this whole thing, but that only added to the excitement you were doing your best to keep contained. Steph could be the excited and excitable one, you had to make sure she and you stayed alive.

But damned if she didn’t seem eager, and you offer a hand to her. She takes it and squeezes, “To each their own, by their hand, right? So let’s get us some.” She grins wide, and you can’t help but return it in force. It would be a few days trip, but whatever lay at the end was sure to be either worth it, or so deadly that it didn’t matter.

>End of Chapter 2
>1 Skill Point Gained, select where to distribute it.

Rolled 4, 7 = 11

>>32626471

>Charm

Charm seems like it would be useful

>>32626471
Medicine.

Also, 1911s use magazines, not clips.

>>32626471
ill agree with charm

>>32626471
charm or awareness

File: Jacob.png (27 KB, 588x590)

27 KB PNG

>+1 to Charm

Thanks for coming everyone, feel free to follow me at https://twitter.com/StragglerRoTQ

Next session will probably be either Monday or Tuesday. Feel free to comment or critique.

Rolled 4, 9 = 13

>>32626684

It was a good run, still enjoying the setting and you writing. Good to see that it got more players at the end.

I would recommend that you start to speed things up a bit though. I think the first two sessions were a nice introduction to the setting but it could use a bit more excitement.

>>32626708
I figured the first 1-2 sessions would be spent getting acquainted with the characters and the setting, and the from there I'd open things up.

>>32626749

Remember to archive!