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The Barbers are an odd bunch...much like the Midnight Crew, their reputation preceded them in the worst of ways, yet upon interaction they seem to act contrary to how popular opinion shaped your perception of them. Then again, now that they've made you aware of the existence of a vast information network helmed by the few Skintalkers that have survived to make names for themselves along with those that wield their powers on a second-hand basis, it's easy to see how information about the two groups could be so easily distorted in the massive game of Fleshscape telephone they're playing. Given how obsessed the Barbers are over your growing reputation and those of your allies, you have to admit that the world's rapidly-escalating recognition of you is somewhat flattering...and deeply concerning, particularly where Francine is involved. The nature of her plan depended on secrecy, so the fact that her position at your side may be compromised may have just turned what should have been a stealth mission into a siege.

...You've got a lot on your plate, mind running in place as you try and balance the countless plates you have spinning, each one threatening to come crashing down with disastrous results. You breathe in deeply, exhaling slowly as thumb and forefinger aggressively massage the bridge of your nose while you gather your thoughts. Look on the bright side...you've beaten a foe that was out of your league after a battle with zero casualties, and you now have access to a font of information in the form of Yurei's Dream Daughter form. What's more, her Silver Key may offer you some insights into the Dreamscape itself, and your newfound knowledge of the 'Skinternet' could allow you unparalleled information-gathering...though why Amara's insisted on maintaining her silence on it is certainly something you're curious about.

The clatter of teacups on saucers brings you out of your reverie, and you watch Dorian set the table with swift and practiced motions.

Right.

You need more information...and the Barbers may be a decent start.

>>There's no sense in keeping your guests waiting; invite the Barbers up now and get things started.

>>Talk to Dorian and Julia about their interrupted time in Laoc to see their thoughts on the place...and if anything interesting transpired.

>>While Amara's clones are busying themselves, see how she's feeling after her brave fight against the resurrected Hexane.

>>Now's as good a time as any to talk to Francine while she works on repairing the Sui Sacrificium and Void Orrery.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Good Morning, Gentlemen. It's good to be back. I haven't been able to catch up as I'd like, as I went for three days without eating due to what I assume to be a particularly nasty bout with the flu during which I could barely keep any water down, but I'm feeling considerably better now. Voting shall remain open for the next two hours, and I hope you all had a good weekend and a great past week, one and all.)

>>3894143
>Talk to Dorian and Julia about their interrupted time in Laoc to see their thoughts on the place...and if anything interesting transpired.
>Apologize for interrupting their time there too, and say you'll make it up to them as soon as you can.
>Then, While Amara's clones are busying themselves, see how she's feeling after her brave fight against the resurrected Hexane.

>>3894144
oof, sorry to hear that. had stomach bugs like that before, not pretty or fun. glad to hear you got over the hump of it though.

>>3894144
Sorry to hear you were sick i hope it will be over now and not come back again

>>3894143
>>Talk to Dorian and Julia about their interrupted time in Laoc to see their thoughts on the place...and if anything interesting transpired.
>>See how Amara is doing and tell her how good of a girl she was fighting that scary hexxane on her own and that we will share our memories of the Yurei Fight with her(after our guests are gone again) so she can see what happened after she passed out

>>3894143
>Now's as good a time as any to talk to Francine while she works on repairing the Sui Sacrificium and Void Orrery.

>>3894143
>>Talk to Dorian and Julia about their interrupted time in Laoc to see their thoughts on the place...and if anything interesting transpired.
>>Write-In
>Apologize for interrupting their time alone, promise to try not to get in a huge fight the next time we split the party.
>Help them set the table in the process. They're mostly done, but do what we can.

>>3894144
Sorry to hear your weekend wasn't a good one. Mine wasn't so hot, either, had to put my cat to sleep. So let's put the unpleasantness of the weekend behind us and focus on the good things in life: being cannibalistic monsters in a horrific meat-covered apocalypse, struggling to survive so that we can one day climb a tower to heaven and kill Space God.

>>3894170
sorry to hear about your cat Anon, i had.... my own very large unpleasantries, this past bit. seems to have been a cursed section of time, and all involving decay and rot. fits the month, kinda, i suppose, i guess?

>>3894170
Sorry to hear about your cat....

>>3894174
My condolences for whatever unpleasantness you were dealing with.

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>>3894179
thanks in return.
have a happy meme bee, to help with things.

>>3894170
(My condolences, and I do hope that you have a good week going forward, Anon.)

>>3894174
(My sympathies to you as well. I'm sorry to hear everyone had a less than restful weekend, and I do hope to improves everyone's mood a bit with some comfy shenanigans and plot adavancement.)

>>3894143
>>While Amara's clones are busying themselves, see how she's feeling after her brave fight against the resurrected Hexane.
>>3894144
>>3894170
>>3894174
That's unfortunate. I hope things get better for everyone. For what it's worth, I had a wonderful weekend, but it ended with me getting 4 hours of sleep and now I'm back to getting my ass kicked by my strenuous job.

Reposting to make sure everyone sees, since the thread died right after I posted it before.
Kelly's Story Part 1: First Steps
https://pastebin.com/0KSSLPc9

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>>3894143

“Anything I can do to help?” You ask, approaching the pair of artists as they scramble to set your home to rights. They’re a sight to behold; Julia, her movements elegant despite their frantic intentions, juxtaposed with Dorian’s sharp, precise movements that make the air sizzle with the hint of unseen lightning.

“Oh, um…c-could you, uh…m-make sure everything on the table is centered?” Julia stammers, and as you turn to comply you see the hint of a small smile on Dorian’s lips, his amusement at your task evident. It’s fairly clear that Julia’s just trying to get you out of her way as she’s set on party-prep mode, but if it makes her feel better then you’re certainly not going to argue.

“I’m sorry about pulling you two away from Laoc all of a sudden.” You begin apologetically as you circle the table, ensuring that the mismatched spoons, teacups, and saucers are all in order…which they obviously are, Dorian having been the last to touch them with his unerring hand. “I’ll try not to drag everyone into any fights the next time we split the party…anyway, was there anything interesting? Anything of note?”

“Please, think nothing of it, Miss Shu. In terms of size it was roughly the scope of the Monastery, though much quieter than I was expecting.” Dorian replies in lieu of Julia, casting a glance over to the blonde Artisan as she watches the tea steep with Bobby Fischer-like intensity. “It appears that Laoc operates on a timetable unlike those of which we’ve encountered…which makes sense, given the variety of vendors we saw and the lack of conventional time during the Crucible. We heard whispers of the Mayor, and of some sort of unrest of jubilation that’s going on with the Altered Altar, who aren’t far off…but aside from that, the most remarkable thing was the architecture, by far.”

“Yeah, it was r-really pretty.” Julia chimes in, her meditative observation of the steeping having calmed her nerves a bit. “Whoever crafted the p-place did an incredible j-job. They wove c-calcite and the fleshscape t-together to make p-pillars and streets that looked like m-marbled steak!”

“…Or like actual marble, maybe?” Dorian offers softly, pausing mid-fold of a napkin.

“Oh…oh, y-yeah. That’s p-probably what they were going for.” Julia says sheepishly.

The telltale tang of ozone makes you turn in time to see the rest of your family arrive in a whirl of space and a flurry of color, the Barbers behind them with their eyes wide at the cavernous space that you call your home.

“Holy COW, this place is flippin’ huge! I can’t believe I’m in the Defiants’ inner sanctum!” Rosa gasps in awe, her scarlet eyes wide as she marvels while spinning in place. Her grey, worn hoodie flops about as she twirls, her angular mask barely suppressing her rapidly escalating breaths.

(Continued)

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>>3894288

Gina shoots you a look of apology at being unable to hold the girls back any longer, while Rath and November give the groups some space to get in their ‘oohs and aahs’ while they can, retreating to their rooms until it’s time to socialize. GG joins your side as Julia and Dorian welcome your guests, pulling out their seats, though only three of four are filled. The tall, raven-haired Betty remains standing, her dark eyes are locked onto the FuzzBuzz pit across the room, front teeth biting hard into her bottom lip.

“…is that a ball pit.” She mutters, voice barely audible.

“Totally.” You reply, glancing towards Rosa as the Barber’s leader continues to whip her head back and forth, trying to take in as much detail as humanly possible. “…you want to try it out?”

Betty’s a surge of motion as she practically flows across the space, limbs flailing like a muppet’s as she bounds over to the pit with too-long strides, her utter lack of bones evident with every comical step. She dives in, disappearing beneath the sea of black, white, and yellow only to emerge seconds later, somehow floating on top of the fuzzy swarm as her body undulates with glee.

“I-I’m sorry we don’t have any sweetener or anything like tha…” Julia begins as she clasps her hands primly in front of her, freezing mid-sentence as a bone-chilling crack echoes through the space. The thin, jittery girl known as Sugar pauses as well, having snapped off the index finger of her left hand, and there’s a small ‘plop when she drops it in, the liquid sizzling as it dissolves. With slow, deliberate movements, Sugar snaps off her pinky and ring fingers and adds them to her cup as well, oblivious to the stares of you and your family as she begins to stir the teacup’s contents with her middle finger.

“Jesus Fucking Christ, you guys.” Sia groans, putting her inscrutable face in her hands once she's taken a seta next to her leader. Rosa just chuckles good-naturedly, leaning across the table as her attentions now focus on you.

“Hey, so I was thinking about us going ahead and getting all the business stuff out of the way first and then we can get to the fun stuff, if it’s all the same to you?” She offers, her eyes crinkling with a hidden smile. “You ask us something, we ask you, and we go back and forth until we’re both satisfied! Dinner before dessert, yeah?”

“Hm?” Sugar mumbles, eyes wide at her leader’s statement. Julia’s gaze is transfixed with a certain sort of horror at the congealed, saccharine molasses that the other girl’s turned her tea into, doing her absolute best to conceal her disgust as she distractedly takes a sip of her own.

>>You’d like to hear about the Barber's origins and journey.

>>Ask them about the Skinternet. Its origins, current state, and uses are still a mystery to you.

>>Ask them why they even considered Yurei’s offer. They don’t really seem the type.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3894291
Damn, kinda wanna ask all three.
but it is a back and forth, so ill start out with...
>You’d like to hear about the Barber's origins and journey.
the beginning seems like the best place, no? might help give better insight to help with question three aswell.

>>3894291
also, as over the past few years my sweetooth has basically disappeared, what sugar just did is gut churning.

>>3894291
>Betty instantly goes for the fuzzbuzz ball pit.
First Keane and Amara, now Betty.

The ball pit has claimed another sacrifice. This pleases me.

>>3894291
>“Hm?” Sugar mumbles, eyes wide at her leader’s statement. Julia’s gaze is transfixed with a certain sort of horror at the congealed, saccharine molasses that the other girl’s turned her tea into, doing her absolute best to conceal her disgust as she distractedly takes a sip of her own.
Oh dear. Betty's committed an act of sacrilege on Julia's Tea.

>>3894291
>You’d like to hear about the Barber's origins and journey.
>Ask them about the Skinternet. Its origins, current state, and uses are still a mystery to you.

>>3894291
>>"Julia do we have anything we can offer as snacks? Maybe ask Amara if there is any sugary treats, here she will probably know where it is?"
>>You’d like to hear about the Barber's origins and journey.
Lets start the beginning while enjoying a nice cup of tea and maybe some sweet treats from the pre apocalypse..... I just fear that Amara left none after she discovered Maras sugar Stash

The Skinternet is interesting but i think this will be a better way to start talking about reputations.... ours and theirs

>>3894300
As a massive fan of tea i agree it is but: We could probably ask sugar for some sugar so we can purify/reduce its concentration so Julia can offer the next Guests some sugar for their tea. Lets just make sure Julia does not go ballstic until then

>>3894317
well if others are gonna double up on the options unnecessarily, id prefer
>>3894291
>>3894296
>Ask them why they even considered Yurei’s offer. They don’t really seem the type.
to be the second thing we ask.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

>>3894533
(Ah, what a Monday, Gentlemen. I am off to enact some unusual locksmithery so help an associate in need, so I shall post when I can.)

>>3894676
Take your time Bhop. Work will be intensely busy this week for me.

>>3894676
So an almost typical day for you?

Anyway Take care not to overwork yourself and take your time, we will be waiting

I'll be leaving for work soon. If level up voting is gonna happen, please let me know. I'd hate to miss it.

>>3894692
Well have a good day

I will try and keeep you posted though i kind of doubt it will happen today..... Not with how things are turning out right now

>>3894676
Now im curious what constitutes 'unusual' locksmithery and if you mean for you or in general.

But yeah, take your time, help your associate.

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>>3894291

“Well, if you don’t mind us going first…I’m kind of curious as to how you started out, how you all met, that sort of thing.” You begin, feeling waves of repulsion practically pouring from where Julia sits on your left. “…Julia? Could you possibly ask Amara is she’s squirreled away any treats she’d be willing to share with our guests?”

“G-gladly.” Julia says, abandoning her cup where it sits to rush off to Amara’s room.

“Well, of our little group I’m pretty sure I was the first one to wake up.” Rosa explains, settling in to her seat with a wiggle of her narrow hips and a sip of her steaming tea. “Woke up, figured out I was a Paladin, killed a couple Amalgams, yadda yadda. Ran into Sia, uh…three? Four days after I woke up?”

“It was two.” Sia gently corrects, fingers curled around the warm cup nestled between her palms.

“Ah, yeah! It was two days.” Rosa affirms, continuing her story. “Figured two heads are better than one, and a couple of days after that we met Sugar. We tussled a little bit, realized how freaky-strong she was, and after she stopped trying to eat us she just started following us around, so...”

Rosa looks to Sugar for some sort of reply, as the latter just sucks the length of her middle finger absent-mindedly, unblinking eyes transfixed across the table at Gina.

“…Blueberries and watermelons.” Sugar mumbles.

“God, Sugar, don’t make things weird.” Sia snaps as GG just glances between the two, confused.

“Oh, it’s a guess at what you taste like.” Rosa says, answering your ally’s unspoken question as Gina’s eyes go wide in dull surprise. “After we got to know each other a bit better, turns out I’m cinnamon, and Betty’s black licorice!”

“I’m an old television screen that’s just been turned off.” Sia mutters irritably. “According to her, anyway.”

“Then Betty joined us about a week ago. We found her in some ruins surrounded by some Daughter’s whose…well, Betty seemed really upset, and when I asked if she wanted to join us, she did. Simple as that.” Rosa continues happily, glancing over to Betty lounging happily in the FuzzBuzz pit, the Barber’s leader showing no signs of remorse for the ridiculous tangent she and her friend just took you all on. “She…she’s really innocent and sweet. Doesn’t like to talk much, and hasn’t shared a ton about herself…I’m patient, though! Just gotta keep being there for her, and I’m sure she’ll talk when she’s ready.”

“You girls certainly have a reputation.” Dorian says quietly, his eyes trained on Rosa in particular. “I’m terribly curious as to how you all became a name of some renown.”

“Oh, we’re messy.” Rosa replies with nonchalance. “Well, I say ‘we’, when it’s really just me and Sugar. I really can’t help it with how my powers work, and Sugar’s been awake for almost a year, so she doesn’t really hold back in a melee.”

(Continued)

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>>3894852

{Yeah…yeah, that backs up what I saw when I was working with her against Yurei} Gina confirms across the empathic channel. {Sugar's strong. She was the main reason we kept Yurei pinned, actually.}

“So, I really been wanting to know…” Rosa says, her wide smile audible as she leans once more across the table with barely-contained glee. “…how’d you find the Contender? That was kinda before you and the other Defiants got on the map, so I’ve been super-curious.”

Huh.

Of all the questions you expected, that certainly wasn’t one of them. You explain a little about the Shrouded City and the circumstances of the Hexane Relic’s acquisition, and you even tell her a little about Karma. She eats it up with childlike wonder, and even with Sia’s incomprehensible expression her interest in your story is betrayed by her posture alone. Even Sugar’s eyes are fixed on yours, though you suspect it’s less the content of your story and more the taste of your skin that she’s mulling over.

“So, what made you consider Yurei’s offer?” You posit, and Rosa just gives you an embarrassed little shrug as Sia scoffs.

“Honestly? I wanted her autograph.” She replies, and Gina stifles a small laugh as Julia returns with an armful of sweets. Amara’s door remains closed however, and you’re suddenly aware that you’re not sure when her Joyous Many disappeared from the room.

“Yeah, uh…that was mainly it.” Rosa affirms with another shrug, her cheeks reddening slightly. “She’s been on my list of names ever since I heard of her. I’ve got Mara and Magpie, though things kind went sideways before I could get Yurei’s, so…but hey! You’re at the top of my list, so things turned out better than I could have imagined! I mean, I’m in your home! This is awesome!”

“So you’re…you’re traveling the Fleshscape to…meet people, basically?” Gina asks incredulously, and Rosa nods enthusiastically. You nod and smile, having quite underestimated the sheer level of fan-girl you’ve invited into your home.

“I mean…what else are we gonna do?” Sia adds with a sigh, folding her arms. “The Cord’s a trap, approaching it is straight-up suicide even at Sugar’s level, and most gatherings of larger Daughters that’re operating with some kinda plan are either religious nutjobs or extremist fanatics…or both. Usually both.”

“It’s not so bad, really.” Rosa concludes. “We see the sights and meet new people!”

“…and then taste them.” Sugar adds helpfully.

>>You really don’t have any other questions, at least at current. Take a moment to relax on the couch with everyone, with your particular attention paid to [Rosa/Sia/Sugar/Betty].

>>Rosa mentioned she had a list, of sorts. Compare notes, and see if there’s anyone else she’s either met or knows of.

>>Ask them about the Skinternet. Its origins, current state, and uses are still a mystery to you.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next two and a half hours as I close out the work day, Gentlemen. Also, given your current pace I would day that I'm aiming to initiate the level-up vote tomorrow evening. How does that sound to everyone?)

>>3894862
godamnit Sugar u stop that.

>Rosa mentioned she had a list, of sorts. Compare notes, and see if there’s anyone else she’s either met or knows of.
>as you do, form yourself some sorta writing utensil, if you cant stealthily find one someplace around this joint, and sign Rosas sheet or something for her.
>Look to Julia, and try to convey you would like some inkling on how Amara is doing and whats wrong with her.

we have Amara to ask about the network, and while, sure, that doesn't mean we cant ask them, it does mean its extremely low priority in my opinion over asking them other things.

>>3894867
i mean, if thats where the flow leads, then sure. id say dont try to prevent it unnaturally from happening sooner or later if thats how things work out.

>>3894862
>Rosa mentioned she had a list, of sorts. Compare notes, and see if there’s anyone else she’s either met or knows of.

>>"Well if you want my Autograph and i can certainly provide"
>>Give Gina a nudge over the bond you share to ask Julia if she has any idea about how Amara is feeling
>If she has something she wants us to sign take a look at it(as long as it is not a contract give her our autopgraph)
>Spawn her a Fuzzbuzz in red and black
>"but i think i can do you one better. You can keep him"
>>Look over to Sugar
>>"You want one too?"


>>3894867
Sounds good to me

>>3894883
why red and Black? i think her being a fangirl she would actually prefer a standard one. also, i was saving that til after the party as a going away gift.

>>3894885
You may be correct that a standard one wold be better

I was thinking of giving her one now to make sure that if something is afoot with Amara that needs our quick attention that Rosa will be busy and we could have some time while she is just fangirling

>>3894862
>>3894876
add in;
>"Sorry we smashed your opportunity to get Yurei's autograph, things... went differently than i expected there. Guess that means i owe you a different one."
>Hold off on the FuzzBuzzes til later. besides, if Sugar wants to... taste Fuzzbuzz, theres a pit of them over in the corner.

>>3894898
i think the autograph will be more than enough.

>>3894862
Ammending my vote from >>3894883
to
>Rosa mentioned she had a list, of sorts. Compare notes, and see if there’s anyone else she’s either met or knows of.

>>"Well if you want my Autograph and i can certainly provide"
>>Give Gina a nudge over the bond you share to ask Julia if she has any idea about how Amara is feeling
>>If she has something she wants us to sign take a look at it(as long as it is not a contract give her our autopgraph). Sign with some sort of writing implement. There should be one around in the Lair. If necessary create one from your own constructs(if possible) or ask dorian for one of his brushes.
>>"There are Fuzzbuzz over there. Not sure if they taste like me but you can try one if you want Sugar"

>>3894862
>“So, I really been wanting to know…” Rosa says, her wide smile audible as she leans once more across the table with barely-contained glee. “…how’d you find the Contender? That was kinda before you and the other Defiants got on the map, so I’ve been super-curious.”
Given how there's a Shu/Julia ship tag, though, there had to have been at least one Daughter watching us before whatever happened to put us on the map. All our shipping fodder with her happened before we got the Contender. Probably there was a Daughter who's been a fan of our show since the early days and whose blog blew up once we started getting a big audience. Would be funny if it turned out to be someone we knew. Like Mara was secretly posting fanart of us ever since she found us all sprawled out after the Kosi heist.

>>Rosa mentioned she had a list, of sorts. Compare notes, and see if there’s anyone else she’s either met or knows of.
>See if she knows anything about the foreign Daughters in the area. They should draw a lot of attention from the Skinternet.

>>3894867
Should work for me.

>>3894902
We should autograph FuzzBuzz, too. That makes him worth more as a collector's item.

>>3894852
>Blueberries and Watermelon
>Watermelon
>Gina
Wait...BHOP! NO, BAD! I dont think thats the criteria thats supposed the flavor flesh monsters!

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>>3894917
(An excellent catch, Anon.)

>>3894927
(Sugar's assumptions are just that, but I couldn't help the joke, given how Sugar is.)

>>3894917
>mfw we autograph her Fuzzbuzz
>hear later it made her a soft target as other fangirls try and steal it from her

>>3894954
i have a feeling Sugars only going to be more and more unnervingly weird as fuck interesting as we learn more about her. my first assumption was her 'turning people into candy to eat' thing was more of a personality thing, then outright deliberate or intended. i was wrong, very wrong it seems. she really truly just wants to taste the world as sweets it seems. even those she cares about enough to not actually eat.

>>3894965
> she really truly just wants to taste the world as sweets it seems. even those she cares about enough to not actually eat.
I wonder if she's got synesthesia? It would explain why she associates certain tastes with people even though there should be no reason for them to taste that way. Something like lexical-gustatory synesthesia, where the synesthete experiences a taste whenever they hear a certain word, only adapted for her senses as a Daughter.

>>3894985
i could see it, or at least being related. though BHOP implying she potentially isnt right about Ginas taste and Sia tasting like static implies its different than sound-into-taste. could be a mix of things though, id imagine the crucible could and would mess with a condition like that heavily.

(Writing now, Gentlemen. Forgot my name on the last post.)

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>>3894862

When Julia settles next to you after doling out a selection of small cookies and hard confections, Gina connects with her mind at your prompting to inquire about Amara's well-being while you keep the Barbers' attention on you.

"I'm sorry I ended up blowing your shot at getting Yurei's autograph, but I'd by happy to give you one, if you'd like." You offer, and just when you didn't think Rosa's eyes could open any wider, they do. She surprises you by immediately rising from her chair, rolling up her sleeve and thrusting out her arm across the table, presenting her wrist without a second thought. You blink, then she does, and suddenly she's tripping over her words, fishing through her hoodie pockets to retrieve something.

"Uh, Rosa? I don't think Shu's gonna..." Sia begins, her posture changing to one of distinct discomfort as she adjusts in her seat while her friend continues to fumble.

"Hold on a sec....ah! Here we go!" Rosa finishes, retrieving a capped scalpel and presenting it to you, handle-first. You open your mouth to ask what she expects you to do when the steady drip of liquid on your table makes you glance from her left hand to her right arm. Her bare skin is suddenly awash with rivulets of blood from a menagerie of signatures and sets of initials that weep with scarlet, oozing scars that weren't there a moment before. Dorian and Julia immediately bolt up from their seats in the face of the open wounds and Rosa's confused expression.

"What's wro...oh, don't worry about it! Re-opening wounds is one of my specialties! See?" Rosa declares proudly, and the small puddle of blood beneath her arm trembles, falling upward in a rapidly-moving reverse-stream. In seconds, your table is spotless once more, her woulds having siphoned her the scarlet pool back into her body from whence it drained.

"Rosa, I'm afraid I'm going to have to pass on that particular form of autograph." You politely decline, and you find yourself guilty as Rosa's expression drops, in spite of her gruesome form of flattery. "However, I'll do you one better; I have something in mind that I think you might like, if you'd be willing to receive it as a parting gift a little later?"

Rosa's face immediately perks up, her gloom replaced with wonder and awe once more.

"Wait, like...a gift-gift? From you?" She mutters, and you give her a nod paired with a warm smile, one of relief as she thankfully rolls her sleeve back down. "Oh my God, I'd love you forever..."

She blinks.

"...No offense." Rosa adds after a quick glance Gina's way.

"None taken." Gina replies dryly, giving you a sideways look like the once she shot you with when you extended the invitation to the Barbers in the first place.

(Continued)

>>3895256

"Now, you mentioned a list? I've been trying to brush on on the names-to-know in the Fleshscape...think you could help me a out a little with making a list of my own?" You ask, and upon Rosa's fervent nod you turn to the gentleman two chairs to your left. "Dorian, would you be so kind as to bring Rosa some paper and something to write with."

"Gladly, Miss Shu." She says with some relief at having an excuse to leave the table, though her swiftly and dutifully returns mere moments later from his room. Rosa immediately sets to work compiling a who's-who, and while Sia finishes her tea and Sugar's shattered fingers quickly begin to regrow, you take a moment to open the Crimson Cord to Gina.

[What's the word on Amara? Is she okay?]

{Yeah, she's fine, actually} Gina replies, a grin spreading across her lips. {According to Julia, she's practicing against some of her Joyous clones with her calcite blade. Julia thought she was beating herself up about getting hurt in the last fight, but it turns out that when she pouted about that to her Dream Daughters, Cheruem offered to give her lessons. She perked right up, and they're going at it as we speak}

You have to admit some level of relief at the nature of Amara's seclusion, so when Rosa slides the list across the table, you're able to follow along with her explanations with a clear mind.

"See these three at the top? These are some Daughters that've been released pretty recently, and they're all fairly local or moving super-fast." She begins as Sia leans over to take a look as well. "One's a woman of few words, and the Skinternet's taken to calling her 'Revolution' 'cause she uses this big 'ol guillotine thing to fight in melee, along with some weird Neuromancy that people are still trying to hash out. Plus, she's French, so there's that. Seems kinda nice, doesn't pick any fights she doesn't need to. Solid autograph opportunity. The second's a German girl who everyone's dubbed Rammstein. Less of an opportunity there, since she's super-trigger-happy, and her sonic attacks can just flippin' melt people down and scatter them to the winds, to say nothing of the collateral damage. The last of 'em is Nuckelavee, and she legit hasn't said a word since she started trudging to the Cord; she's just been plucking away at the strings in her chest, playing these weird, atonal tunes. Some of them are songs people recognize, some of them aren't. Hard to tell if she'd give me an autograph, but no harm in trying!"

You scan down the list of familiar names, biting your tongue at the obvious and suicidal risks inherent in Rosa's plan as you pick your way through the hastily-scrawled missive.

"Who're these last two?" You ask, running your finger along the final duo of unfamiliar code names. "'Nerada' and 'Alpha'?"

(Continued)

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>>3895267

"Just one of the strongest Hive Mistresses alive!" Rosa declares with a grin, one that quickly runs away from her face. "...A-aside you you, obviously. Word has it that she hybridized her Hive Core with a Gluttonous power at the same time she made her Choice, and she's just been running with that for the past year and a half. She's around maybe eight or nine, but she's practically *become* her swarm now. She usually sticks to the shadows...since she kinda looks like one, actually. A big one, at that. Billions of little spiders that can strip a Daughter to the Core in the blink of an eye."

"And Alpha?" You ask, though you feel you already know the answer as you spare a glance behind you, the Forge room's soft glow flickering out of the frame.

"One of the Wests. The strongest one aside from the real deal, to be more specific." Rosa explains, screwing up her face in disgust. "Most of the Wests just do research and stuff, but Alpha's got none of their curiosity. She's just...kind of like a Terminator? Just this cold, hard bloodlust. I think she's really two-dimensional, but she's got her fans, regardless. The Forge-Halo fusion doesn't help counter the motif, if I'm being honest. I don't really think her or Nerada are the autograph ty..."

"Wait, what did you say about a fusion?" You interrupt.

"Oh...um, West Prime fused four level-five Forge Cores to her Alpha clone, along with a piece or two of Hexane tech and a whole mess of perma-bound Relics." Rosa explains, mildly surprised at your own startled expression. "You've...you've got one of the clones with you...did you not ask about the OG West or what she's been up to? She's a mover second only to, like...Mara, really. Lotsa' irons in the fire. So many."

You just nod, sharing a glance with Gina as you make a mental note to have a sit-down with Francine to determine exactly what you'll be facing when you take her up on her plan.

"Anyway, that's really it...so..." Rosa trails off, glancing towards the bar with a longing glance. "...do you think we could take you up on that drink offer from earlier?"

Sia perks up, and even Sugar's aimless gaze sharpens at the mention of your standing offer.

Uh...given how the Barbers have presented themselves, you're not exactly sure drinking would be the best idea. Then again, you *did* extend the offer...though no-one said it had to be today. You've given yourself some outs if you want to be cautious, or you could certainly just be worrying over nothing.

How weird could things get?

>>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.

>>You're afraid they mind not make the best drinkers, so you'd like to tactfully put them off until another time, if you can.

>>Well, you'd like some time to relax with your family...maybe you could ask them to give you some time to prepare, then have a party?

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening to try and catch up a bit on the Pastebins. Also, if there's anything in particular that you see needs touching up, please bring it to my attention and I'll add it to the queue. Voting shall remain open for the next thirteen hours, with posting to resume in approximately fifteen, give or take.)

(Thank you so very much for bearing with me through the long break, and I greatly appreciate your patience, enthusiasm, and participation. I wish you a restful evening and take care, one and all.)

>>3895267
well, good on Cherum for helping Amara out. glad to see Amaras doing well back there.

>>3895281
dayum. didnt even know you could do tht with Forge Cores. i mean, kinda makes sense, but still Forge-Halo, that sounds terrifying. i think we found West-Primes 'problem solver'.

>>3895281
>>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.
i mean, its gonna get super, SUPER weird and/or wild. but even an iffy, kinda harsh victory is still a victory, and should be celebrated. plus, they're already here, the fights fresh in everyones heads, best time to party and get to know eachother. i think things will work out with us and the Barbers, but in a much different way than the Midnight Crew for sure. Sia seems to be the only truly rational one in their group, compared to the Midnight Crew where even Keane had some grounding to her, if that makes sense.

>>3895288
have a good evening BHOP! cant think of anything you wouldn't already know, but if i see anything missed once you get things worked on, ill let ya know.

>>3895281
>>3895288
though, i do have one odd comment. or more, i got confused for a moment, as i could've sworn someone had called the polish girl 'A' 'Alpha' aswell. though, could just be an issue on Rosas part, as most call the Wests 'West-X'. c'mon girl, your a fangirl, making sure everyone's names are unique and easy to differentiate should be part of your whole thing!

>>3895291
(The Polish girl you met is unknown to the Skintalkers. Yurei found out about her through very different means, of a sort that bypassed 'A's normal protections. Yurei used Alpha to refer to A, and that's the only point of reference Ivey had when looking for her. Had you not stumbled across Ivey when you did, she and her team would have run afoul of a very different and far less kind Alpha. I hope that clears things up.)

>>3895299
so it does, thank you. guess we dodged a bullet then, or well, helped someone else dodge one?

huh, 'A' just gets more and more interesting.

>>3895281
>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.
>"Two shots is my limit ladies. I don't want to party hard for today, I've got some errands to run to and a family trip to Laoc owed for my family."

>>3895281
>>3895289
Amending to add;
>prepare to just relax and enjoy the Barbers and your Families company for the rest of the day. Loac and other things can wait til tomorrow, after the day you have had.

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>>3895288
>Nerada
>Rumia.
Bhop. your 2hu is showing.

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>>3895385
wait, but she has no body, not no head.

>>3895288
also, found a neat armor pic. think it would fit the Sui Interitus well personally.

also, i feel like we have been neglecting both Suis unique extra attributes. but its also hard to remember every little useful thing about every relic and every ability.

>>3895408
it's a head with less of the miko.

>>3895281
>How weird could things get?

You had to say it, BHOP.

>>>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.

>>3895385
(Yes, good.)

>>3895408
(Ah, I really like this design. Thanks for sharing!)

>>3894230
(Thanks for posting this! I can't wait to dive in when I get the chance, Anon.)

>>3895408
Remind me and answer if accurate
>Tormentis's unique ability - armor lockdown where the wearer gets rooted to the spot
>Interitus's unique ability - burst movement by sacrificing Health regen?
>Sacrificium's unique ability - cutting into max hp for speed boost?

>>3895281
>>>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.

We should make as many allies as we can, but I hope this doesnt turn into a fangirl horror story. Also, we should ask about the barber's pre crucible life, if they are willing to share.

>>3895281
>>Go ahead and drink with them. It'll be nice to relax, and after you've had a drink or two you can send them on their way and have a sit-down feast with just your Family.
>>"Anything specific we can offer you? our Mister Dorian over here makes some excellent Cocktails or we can offfer you quite the variety of Wine and Liqeurs if you are more interested in those"

>>3895299
So its a good thing we managed to stumble across them when we did. I would hate for them to have gotten snatched up by West as well

>>3895694
Then impose a drink limit. That's why I'm setting a restriction of "two shots only, no further."

>>3895715
That's a good idea, but I meant fangirl horror story by something else though, like not being nice enough to a fangirl and then all the love she has for the object of her affection turns to hate. If she spergs out while drinking but is otherwise benign, I would say it's fine. I was just thinking that we shouldn't want the barber's as enemies.

How much booze is in here, anyway? Will we have to go scavenge for more, ever?

>>3895725
I think Mara had a considerable stash packed away. That is at least what OP implied last time we had a party

So it should be fine unless they are botomless drinkers.

Granted not impossible with how Regen works but i think they know that there is limit out of sheer politeness they should probably stick to

>>3895730
>>3895725
I think we should also impose a 2-shot limit for the guests too out of safety.

>>3895733
>>3895725
>>3895730
dont, thats dumb inconsiderate and a terrible sign of not trusting them. its a get together and a party, the point is to just let loose and celebrate a bit, for us and for them. we had plenty and more to do when we brought over the Midnight Crew and had no more reason to trust them aswell by then, yet we still didn't arbitrarily limit them or anyone elses ability to enjoy themselves.

trying to do this also just feels like trying to hurry them up and shove them out the door, which is super rude. we have time, hell, half the point of Laoc is to relax further, which it would be silly to ignore an opportunity to relax one way so you can rush to relaxing another way.

>>3895374
>>3895281
this BHOP, was basically supposed to counteract the '2 limit' on

>>3895365
or so was what i was trying to do.

>>3895670
>Tormentis- can lock itself down to gain triple its current protection and repair itself. it may now pick an ability every combat to boost by one level.

>Interitus- can prime an automatic block of a single attack by locking down ones Bio Regen for the turn, with it being less of a danger as half comes back if the block goes unused. Can lock itself down to exchange permanent Bio Regen loss for 10% stat increases over the 3/2% increases.
the Blocks become stackable at the next level to, and the Burst reserve increases to a 20% increase too. at the lat level its 40% per, and stops negating Regen.

>Sacrificium
no idea yet, we'll see. id imagine at its base it works off similar concepts.

>>3895730
its also been implied i think Dorian restocks some things. or well, maybe he just got excited over someone doing that, but id not put it past him regardless.

>>3895791
Did this>>3895730 implied that there should be a limit on their alcohol intake?

Because it was supposed to just highlight that most of them will have a hard time getting drunk and that we won't have to worry about running out just jet. We can limit Shus alcohol intake bit we won't try to lock theirs down. They have to know their own limits and if they get rowdy we will just have to lock them down until they are sober again

>>3895816
I was just linking my counter argument to who the other Anon was making the argument to.

>>3895820
I did not believe that was necessary but fair enough.
I was just a bit confused due to how you linked it.

Good morning, everyone. Missed most of yesterday's thread due to being sick. What did I miss?

Okay, not too much, that's good. Rosa wants us to cut her open, we're going to give her a FuzzBuzz instead, Amara is training sword fighting with Cheruem (aww, Cherry, I knew you cared) and we got some information on the foreign Daughters and a few other big deals. Not much new on the French girl. More information on the German's Generator ability is nice, though. Nuckelavee is strange, though, playing music on her chest. Maybe some heavily-derived Skintalker ability, manifest through music instead of words? Could be it's not that she won't talk but that she can't, her strings are her only means of communication

As for the other two...shit, there's a Daughter that's become one of the Vashta Nerada? Great. Okay, I think we need a new standing order to be constantly on guard for any party members growing a second shadow. We see that, we get Rath to nuke the entire surrounding area.

And West Alpha is weird. The Proxies are named in the order Prime built them. Francine is West Beta, and being a copy of a very early form of Francine West has descended into sociopathy the least. The farther down the list you go, the more similar to West Prime's current mental state they are. So why is West Alpha a killer robot? She should be the most humane of all of them. My guess is that she was so humane, so unwilling to comply with Prime's wishes, that she rebelled. And then instead of kill her, Prime stripped her of her free will with the implants. Both because Proxies are a useful asset that she'd rather recycle than scrap, and because she wants some sort of poetic revenge against Alpha.

>>3895791
Nah you're right. Fuck the drink limit, it's not how to make friends and it is very inconsiderate. They seem like nice people.

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>>3895281

“Well, that settles all the actual business talk I wanted to attend to.” You say, rising from the table as you stretch your arms above your head. “"Anything specific we can offer you? Our Mister Dorian over here makes some excellent Cocktails or we can offer you quite the variety of wine and liqueurs if you are more interested in those"

“I’ll have some more tea, maybe spike with something that’ll compliment it. Best of both worlds.” Sia adds tactfully, a statement that goes over with both Artisans quite well as they set about preparing some drinks. When you order your usual Rosa does the same, and soon both of you are sitting across from each other on the circular couch with the table between you, sipping matching Bee’s Knees contentedly. Sugar quietly requests a sampling of tequila, and somehow Dorian manages to scrounge some up, much to his guest’s delight. Rosa’s in the middle of explaining that Betty doesn’t drink when Rath and November emerge from the former’s room, giving each other a quick hug before Heather Neeson disappears into the Forge room and Rath settles down next to Sugar as she sticks her tongue into her glass of green liquid experimentally.

“Sorry ‘bout that, guys.” Rath says, getting comfortable. “So, what’d I misSWOAH WHAT THE FUCK?!”

Sugar’s just licking her lips, savoring the taste of where she dragged her tongue up Rath’s left cheek as your brawler flings herself back and into you, almost making you spill your drink all over Gina just as she’s sitting down on your right with her own glass of wine.

“SUGAR! NO!” Sia barks, slamming her drink down on the table and plating herself firmly between Sugar and Rath, the latter spluttering as her face goes a bright shade of red. “They’re not us! You ASK. We talked about this!”

“Mm…Orange Julius. Summer solstice. Hint of bell peppers. Unusually complex, yet…pleasant.” Sugar mutters to herself, turning to fix her pastel-colored gaze on Rath. “May I have another?”

Rath rounds on you for some sort of explanation, and a recap of your guests’ quirks filtering rapidly into her mind through the empathic channel. She blinks, glancing back to Sugar who’s still leaning over Sia’s lap and awaiting her victim’s answer.

“Dude, I…we’re cool, but just warn me first, alright?” Rath mumbles, sitting upright and happily accepting the cup of spiked tea that Julia places in her waiting hands. With everyone present all outfitted with their drinks of choice, Dorian and Julia settle in together at the furthest point on the couch, able to keep an eye on everyone while also keeping a healthy distance from Sugar.

“So, Gina!” Rosa begins, wiggling in her seat as she carefully sets her empty drink back down on the table…though you realize it’s odd that you didn’t see her raise it to her lips. “After the fight, I saw you typing away on your phone. What’s up with that?”

(Continued)

>>3896066

“Ha, yeah. It’s a little thing I put together with Neuromancy and a little tech know-how.” Gina explains with a self-satisfied smile. “I used to build my own computers, in fact.”

“Oh, that’s really neat and all, but I was gonna ask you what you were writing!” Rosa clarifies, and you watch as the color promptly drains from your girlfriend’s cheeks. “I write, myself! Sugar helps me upload stuff to the boards when I’ve written something out, and I’ve even got a few followers!”

“Shoot, you *both* write?” Rath whistles, legitimately impressed. “I like reading, but I’ve always been garbage at essays and stories and such. I’d love to read some, if you two are up for sharing.”

“I just d-dabble, really.” Gina stutters, practically retreating into her hoodie at the mention of her fics. “I’d never feel comfortable uploading, for real…”

“You should, I’m sure it’s great!” Rosa urges, oblivious to Gina’s growing anxiety. “I got my start by writing Nevermarrow, but that’s kinda died down since Mara’s left for the Cord. Blackshell is one of the top categories overall, while Jack Noir’s been picking up steam thanks to some fantastic works by…ow!”

Sia snaps her leg out, giving her leader a swift kick in the shin under the table.

“Oi, what’d we talk about? No bugging our hosts with ship-shit.” The Barber’s Neuromancer chastises, her drink practically untouched as she tries to wrangle her teammates into a modicum of civility. You can tell by Sia’s posture that she’s on edge, while Rosa’s lack of social graces leave her continually prodding Gina for examples of her writing so they can compare notes, while Sugar’s…

…just staring at you, her wide pastel eyes unblinking as she licks her lips in curiosity, her empty glass resting between her skinny knees.

Oh dear.

If you and the Barbers are to relax properly, you’re going to have to divide and conquer. Julia and Dorian have been utterly stellar and look utterly exhausted, so you’d like to leave them out of this, if you can. Tactics, strategy, and a plan of attack; your hive thrums with anticipation as the gears in your mind turn, a path to glorious victory taking shape in your mind’s eye…

…mark your words, this party will be a success.

>>Have Gina talk writing with Rosa, while you throw Rath to Sugar’s dubious mercy. Sia looks like she needs a break, and you think some pleasant conversation’s in order.

>>You’ll spare Gina some embarrassment and indulge Rosa about her writing, while Gina grants Sia a reprieve. Rath is stuck with Sugar…you salute her valiant and involuntary sacrifice.

>> Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3896067
>Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.
Sugar's basically Brueno from jojo part 5, with that goddamn weird fetish of hers.

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>>3896071
Pic related is Sugar's habit right?

>>3896066
DAMNIT SUGAR, HAHA. seriously shes more like an odd pet than a person almost.

>>3896067
these people are a delight in the worst sense of the word.
> Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.
we'll take one for the team, while i dont want Rosa pestering Gina over something shes not ready for.

i was gonna suggest some sorta game or something to distract everyone with for a bit, but im not a party type of person so none came to mind that would fit the necessary criteria. plus, even with one, seating arrangement wise, id still try to set this up.

>>3896067
>> Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar
>>See if you can create some different kinds if swarmlings for Sugar to taste(to distract her with) and see if the different attributes have different tastes

>>3896067
>“You should, I’m sure it’s great!” Rosa urges, oblivious to Gina’s growing anxiety. “I got my start by writing Nevermarrow, but that’s kinda died down since Mara’s left for the Cord. Blackshell is one of the top categories overall, while Jack Noir’s been picking up steam thanks to some fantastic works by…ow!”
Nevermarrow is obviously Magpie/Mara, crows and bones. I don't know who Blackshell would include. But Jack Noir is definitely some pairing involving a member of the Midnight Crew, given that Jack Noir is a Homestuck character. Maybe Jackie/Ace, since Ace is Melancholic Humor, the "black bile"? Or it could be Jackie/someone else entirely, no need for internal shipping.

>>3896089
'Shell' is probably us. bug shells. wasn't 'jack noir' us? due to that whole scene we did with her? i think she also said Shu/jack was on the popular side, and id somehow also not be surprised if Rosa was staying mostly 'on topic' as it was, to who she is around. plus, new and upcoming characters and shows always have a new burst of popularity to put them in the main spotlight, which seems to exactly be us.

for worse or worser.

>>3896067
Write in:
>Spawn an arm with Hundred Handed, slather it in honey, use it as the main bait for Sugar.

>If Sugar goes for Shu's cheek or honey covered arm or face without verbalizing her permission, repel with another pair of arms that hold her down on her seat.
> *waggle one finger in a chastising manner* "What did Sia say? Say it, or else no honey for you."
>After Sugar verbalizes asking for permission, present the spare arm drizzled in honey for Sugar to slather her tongue over.

>Spawn several Rooks to do teleport castling shenanigans, make it a game in order to tire Sia out with her love for tasting new things and people.

>Interject in Rosa's conversation:
>"Are there any wholesome WAFF stories or is it just crack pairings and smut?"

>>3896099
yeah no id very much prefer not to do this. its one thing to take the fall of being with Sugar or even letting her lick us once if she asks, but thats just... a bit too over the line for me.

plus that line to Rosa feels a bit out of place in its wording for me for Shu.

>>3896067

Oh gods, this is an absolute ridiculous disaster in slow motion and I love it. Seconding >>3896088.
I'll say I'm curious just how much smut we need to protect/have adult talks with Amara about. I am seriously hoping that the skinternet is not destroying her precious innocence. Not quite concerned enough to get into it now, but damn am I worried for her.

>>3896105
There is probably a lot............... I am pretty sure that Gina's fics are gonna be harmless in comparison....... In quantity and subject......

That one filter proposed in the last vein suddenly seems very appealing.....

>>3896097
Could be us. "Shell" might be referring to a Calcite Armorer, though. Isn't Mara's armor called the Steelshell, if I'm remembering right? Mara and Jackie had some contact before, I could see people shipping them. Jack Noir being Shu/Jackie seems plausible, though. What's the ship name for Shu/Gina, I wonder? Does the fandom not like that one because it's canon and contradicts the other pairings?

>>3896099
Yeah, I think that's a bit too condescending to Sugar. She's a huge weirdo with boundary issues, but that's treating her more like a dog.

>>3896099
>>3896067
Amending my vote to just support >>3896088

>>3896115
The Gina/Shu pairing's already got a name called "Defiant heart" which references Shu and Gina's Titles "The Defiant" and "The Heartbound"

>>3896118
>The Gina/Shu pairing's already got a name called "Defiant heart" which references Shu and Gina's Titles "The Defiant" and "The Heartbound"
Oh, that's right, I forgot we heard that one already. And Julia/Dorian is Julian. We also heard the first letter of the ship name for Shu/Isabel, it was a B, so I'm betting it's "Bug's Bunny".

>>3896067

>>You’ll spare Gina some embarrassment and indulge Rosa about her writing, while Gina grants Sia a reprieve. Rath is stuck with Sugar…you salute her valiant and involuntary sacrifice.

This option lets maximum mayhem take place, and puts Rath in a funny situation, maximizing the number of unknowns. This going to be FUN! :-)

>>3896115
>Jackie – The Jack of All Spades
>Quinn – The Queen of Vindictive Hearts
>Keane – The King of Crazy Diamonds
>Ace – The Ace of Morbid Clubs

'Black' almost certainly is Jackie or Ace. so it probably is Jackie/Ace, though Ace even at her best was very mild in every sense of the manner, but i guess im a fool if i think Shippers wont turn that into 'mystery girl' material.

>>3896123
well, thats just being a dick to Rath.

>>3896123
So you want another Brawl in the hideout?

Because that is what will happen and I can go without that for the day and I think dju would like to avoid it as well

>>3896067
>Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.

>>3896071
oh, and i forgot to mention it, and somehow no one else did, but im still chuckling hard at the mental image of Betty muppet running into the ballpit. just the idea that such a reserved girl didnt just go to the ballput, but vibrated with excitement and muppet ran into it. goddamn im pretty sure im gonna die of laughter by the end of our time with the Barbers.

>>3896067
>> Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.

>>3896138
Yeah, the Barbers are fun. Oh, hey, we still need to ask them why they're called "the Barbers". I bet there's a silly story explaining that.

>>3896138
I'm also sure she's gonna be the one that has to be dragged away screaming "noooo but ballpit!"
>>3896067
>Betty is in Nirvana. She shudders in contentment as the ballpit vibrates alongside her. The downy fur rubbing all over her body creates a pleasant fuzzy sensation that she just couldn't get enough of.

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>>3896067
>> Gina talks to Sia, while rath runs interference against Rosa’s rampant fangirling. As for you…you’ll fall on the kooky sword that is Sugar.

We should have Rath talk about Rosa's fanfics with her, too. Not keep her fangirling down, but turn it up. I want to know more about these ships.

And definitely not treat Sugar like a dog. She's a human(?), dammit.

>>3896138
Pic related.

>>3896153
>>3896144
nice Gif, fit the mental image well enough.

>>3896143
yeah, we should ask them.

oh and i did think of a game to play with them. its called 'Rude Coloring', in which the point is to purposefully guess the rudest color you can for what is someones favorite color, in order to get them to talk about themselves to counter said choice. the rudeness is mitigated by the fact its a joke choice, or so is supposed to be the point. one person starts, and basically you go, the persn last picked picking someone new, til the last person complete the circle.

for example, you might pick 'Cherry Red' for Rath, or 'Static Gray' for Sia, though im sure others could pick better options.

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>>3896158

>>Rude Coloring

I... kind of want a Rook sized FuzzBuzz with a giant bee-afro making terrible paintings of us all using those colors.

>>3896164
Using smaller FuzzBuzzes as brushes, and a big plateling as a canvas.

>>3896170
>>3896164
A picture of Shu in the Mona Lisa pose.

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>>3896173
>look on everyone's face as Shu turns her eyebrows into swarmlings and makes them walk away to be more authentic.
well fuck you too 4chan, no idea where that image went.

>>3896164
Would he be Bob Buzz or Fuzz Ross?

Or Buzz Boss

>>3896187
Buzz Boss sounds more like a yakuza/Mafia Don of the imfamous FuzzBuzz swarm.

>>3896187
Buzz Ross is probably the best sounding i think.

>>3896192
I think Boss Buzz works better for that. "Ey, this is Boss Buzz's turf, don't you go walking in here and disrespectin' the bees."

>>3896067
ah damn, think votings past its due, but i was gonna add
>If Amara doesn't come out to join her, or Betty come to Julia and Dorian, have a few of the ballpit FuzzBuzzes activate to keep Betty company.

I wonder what happened to the moon? I wonder if we will go all ff4 and have some of the adventure take place on it. Maybe we'll even meet the DO's over there later.

>>3896252
nah, the DOs are implied to be going as a whole much much further than that, much too close to keep anyone near, too big a risk.

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>>3896067

Your plan of attack spears across the empathic channel, drawing a deep sense of relief from both of your closest allies as Gina moves to sit next to Sia, engaging her in conversation while Rath takes her drink and settles beside Rosa, plying her with questions about the complex nature of ships and the fics that highlight them. Finishing off the rest of your Bee’s Knees with a daring swig, you scoot a little closer to Sugar, not having to move as much as you thought due to her shuffling closer to you in turn.

“Hey.” You begin, quite unsure how to start a conversation with the pale-skinned young woman, and you watch as she tucks her legs underneath herself, adopting an unnervingly meditative pose aimed squarely at you.

“Hello.” She replies softly, letting her reply hang in the air, wide eyes roving over you intently as she holds back the very obvious desire to ask you for a taste.

“So…this power of yours.” You start, regretting your direction even as the words leave your lips. “How does it work?”

“Tastes, smells, colors…they all blended, before the Crucible.” Sugar explains, the first lengthy and coherent sentence she’s uttered since you met her. “After I woke up, they whirled together with memory, time, and more wondrous things. Everyone is unique, with their own profile and nuances. Constructs are…unsatisfying. Diluted. No fun. Core biomass is best. Even parts of people taste differently, and those flavors have themselves certain subtleties depending on their frame of mind. I wove Neuromancy and Humoral Paladin into my Core, and the results have been…illuminating.”

“Triple-hybrid? Nice.” You comment, impressed. She doesn’t even move, eyes locked on your hand. You stifle a sigh, sparing a slightly nervous glance towards Gina before you offer your hand to the slender girl before you.

“…Go ahead. You have my permission.” You relent, and Rosa almost immediately flips your hand over to where your wrist is exposed, the small vein there pulsing with your quickening heartbeat. Sugar leans down, tongue darting over the sensitive skin once, then twice before gently lowing your hand back into your lap and closing her eyes, an act almost reverent in its deliberate movements and quite different from the way she treated your hot-blooded friend.

“Honey.” She murmurs, and for a startling moment you think she’s addressing you before she continues rattling off other flavors. “Strawberries. Spring. Almonds. Rebirth. Amaretto. Sunlight, and…there’s more. This is…unprecedented.”

Her eyes open, and there’s an awed expression in her gaze that wasn’t there before, a sharp and sudden lucidity in her now-vibrant spheres as she regards you with a look of wonder.

“…Wow.” She mutters breathlessly.

You clear your throat awkwardly, tuning in to the conversations around you as you break away from Sugar’s piercing gaze.

(Continued)

>>3896252
Presumably it's still there, outside the membrane. I think the disassociated are headed a lot farther than the moon, though. The moon is terrible real estate. Very little volatiles or useful minerals. Much better to go to Mars, the asteroid belt, or Jupiter.

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>>3896261

Rath actually seems to be enjoying herself, she and Rosa animatedly talking about fics, in a fervent discussion of their extreme fondness for Fluff fics and the growing and vocal group of Skintalkers attempting to replace the term wish ‘Fuzz Fics’, much to your amusement. Switching gears, you overhear Gina asking technical questions about Neuromancy and how Sia’s condition manifested, with the two of them throwing out slang regarding their complex power sets that completely goes over your head. A glance over to the ball pit reveals Betty still contentedly floating atop the soft mass, and with a twitch of your hive you activate a few of the swarm to vibrate pleasantly and dance bout, much to the childish girl’s delight. As for your artists…

…you were right to let them rest. Their glasses are empty and their eyes are closed, Julia’s head resting on Dorian’s shoulder as the two breathe deeply from the realm of sleep. Smiling at the sight, you turn back to Sugar to find her exactly as you left her, pastel eyes slowly filling with a brighter swirl of colors as she cocks her head at you.

“Another taste, another question.” She offers, insistently. “I’ve seen much, and tasted more. I can tell you things, things you’ll find useful.”

You blink, eyes wide.

Oh God.

You glance over the girl’s narrow shoulders to see Gina with her back still to you, fully immersed in her conversation with a much-relieved and far more relaxed Sia. You…probably shouldn’t take Sugar up on her offer, considering the slippery slope that could lead you into hot water with Gina. Then again, given how she’s been in the past…hell, she might be all for it.

Eyes darting around for a substitute, you realize that Sugar’s glass is still empty, so maybe you could refill it and ply her for information the old-fashioned way? You also note Sugar’s arm, the skin of her spindly limb more closely resembling saltwater taffy stretched taught over skin and bones, her candy-glass nails bitten to the quick and digging into the flesh of her legs in anticipation.

Given how she broke her own fingers off to sweeten Julia’s tea, you have to wonder how she…

Stop. Nope. Enough of that.

You swallow hard, blaming Gina for being a bad influence and trying desperately to derail your unfortunate train of thought, all the while pondering best to deal with the enigma known as Sugar.

>>Despite the not-entirely-unpleasant experience, you’re not keen on letting Sugar have too much leeway. Offer to refill her drink, and talk to her a little more about her allies and what she thinks of them.

>>…Oh god, you’re going to regret this. Let her have another taste, and ask your question. If she’s been awake as long as Rosa thinks, then this might be a useful opportunity (Write-In).

>>Sugar’s intent on tasting others, but has anyone ever…no. Nope. Never mind….unless…? Nah, that’d just get…but maybe?

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next two hours.)

>>3896267
>Start off easing into this a bit, ask her about her teammates, as they shouldn't have too high a price. soften her up with talk about yours first, if need be.
>Then, as much as you may regret it, sigh and ask your question.
>"...know anything about 'the Mother of All?' or should i say, tasted anything about that?"
>after chuckling like a silly person at your own joke, hold out your arm again. "Keep it civil Sugar, im a taken woman, remember that."

>>3896261
>“Honey.” She murmurs, and for a startling moment you think she’s addressing you before she continues rattling off other flavors. “Strawberries. Spring. Almonds. Rebirth. Amaretto. Sunlight, and…there’s more. This is…unprecedented.”
So, I'm not sure if this is at all relevant or if I'm just going on a crazy tangent, but strawberries, almonds and amaretto (which is often made with almonds) all contain high quantities of benzaldehyde, a chemical used in beekeeping to control the bees so that their honey can be harvested safely. I don't know if BHOP knew this and it's intentional, but either way it's an interesting set of tastes to have associated with Shu.

>>3896267

>> {Gina, this is super weird andI'msosorrybutIwannaknow}
>>…Oh god, you’re going to regret this. Let her have another taste, and ask your question. If she’s been awake as long as Rosa thinks, then this might be a useful opportunity (Write-In).
>> "Okay, another taste then, but on my terms." Slice open someplace not super intimate to allow us to blood drip onto her tongue. "Now, can you tell me what you think will help our family the most?"

>>3896293
whoa, yeah no i think thats a bit too much. she seems way more than ok just getting a skin lick, and i dont think im for Shu doing any self mutilation, flesh hell or not.

>>3896267
I do wonder how being a Crystalline Daughter works, and how she came to be one assuming she didn't emerge as one like how Dorian naturally emerged as a Liquid Daughter.

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>>3896291
(I appreciate it when my references are noticed. Great catch, Anon.)

>>3896267
>Ask Sugar this: "What other flavors do I taste like? You mentioned I tasted more than just fruits, nuts, and sunlight."
>"Now, can you tell me what you think will help our family the most?"
>"...know anything about 'the Mother of All?' or should i say, tasted anything about that?"

>{Gina forgive me. Sugar's a kooky woman who seems to tell fortunes from licking people like lollipops. I'm about to go deeper into the rabbit hole. Shock me out if I go into a sensory overload or an extreme form of Sugar rush.}
>Ask to taste Sugar. Just a small lick of her index finger.

>>3896328
well i really dont want to try and taste her either, we can indulge her a little bit without going kooky ourselves. plus Gina seems jealous enough from how she reacted earlier just to Rosa, our debt to her already seems higher than we know. no need to increase that, this is supposed to be a RESTFUL day, afterall.

>>3896267
Amending my vote >>3896328 to just

>Ask Sugar this: "What other flavors do I taste like? You mentioned I tasted more than just fruits, nuts, and sunlight."
>"Now, can you tell me what you think will help our family the most?"
>"...know anything about 'the Mother of All?' or should i say, tasted anything about that?"

>>3896331
Good point.

>>3896291
so Shu tastes like Beekeeping and Rath tastes like... Rath. or maybe spicy summer?

100% Julia has tea to her taste(bet Dorian already could've told us that though), but so far we have only seen Sugar say concepts(mostly seasons) or actual foods, so i cant think of what food fits sculpting except those fruit snacks you can build a car out of. bet she tastes like a calm fall shower too though.

Dorian is probably red Wine(Julia too, probably could tell us that), though that oens pretty obvious, given he is made out of liquid blood and a wine fanatic. wonder if Dorian sees Sugar and wonders if he, himself, cannot BECOME the Wine, like she does sugar. otherwise id think he had some bourbon in him, the gentlemans drink, and some toaster strudel frosting, to keep with the painter theme.

November tastes like iron and fire.

Amara tastes like being off limits you stop that now Sugar.

Francine probably tastes like a Dreary Winter night, and that one fruit that makes everything change flavors.

i regret nothing, except everything, about this post. thank you.

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>>3896328
I vote for this.
>>3896267
>> {Gina, this is super weird andI'msosorrybutIwannaknow}
>>…Oh god, you’re going to regret this. Let her have another taste, and ask your question. If she’s been awake as long as Rosa thinks, then this might be a useful opportunity (Write-In).
>> "Okay, another taste then, but on my terms." Slice open someplace not super intimate to allow us to blood drip onto her tongue. "Now, can you tell me what you think will help our family the most?"

But I think an interesting idea, if it wont hurt us, is to make a swarmling(sweetling?) and let her eat the entire thing, if it wont hurt us. She may like it more than just getting a lick.

>>3896378
she already said she doesn't like constructs.

>>3896267
>>3896276
adding in
>we DO NOT want to taste her or cut ourselves open to feed her our blood.

>>3896384
Ah shit. I forgot. I am in favor of letting her have another taste, regardless.

>>3896384

The reason for blood is specifically to keep it on our terms. We can do a drop or two of blood without being licked. I don't like the lick or the blood, but personal taste is that blood is the less squicky version of this. I can definitely see why others would have a different opinion on that though.

>>3896390
we already let her lick our skin, that lines been crossed. its also much much less of a line to cross, so long as we control where she licks, then cutting ourselves open and wounding ourselves to give our innards away.

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>>3896378
>>3896396

If we are going to do the blood lick, try pic related.

>>3896399
that only makes it fucking worse.

>>3896386
>>3896390
>>3896399
plus, i dont think Gina will be any happier with us feeding her our blood over licking her. lets not add to the 'jealous girlfriend' issues more than we already probably have.

>>3896406
you make another great point.

>>3896411
plus, i mean, Gina has shown signs of being a dominatrix, so lets not throw Shu to the wolves here, as it was...

>>3896399
>>3896406

Yeah. The blood option was me literally trying NOT to do this, while also desexualizing it. It seems I have failed.

>>3896424
>desexualizing blood licking with a girl all about tastes
alot could be said here about alot of issues here, but the easiest one is, vampires ruined that attempt a long ass time ago.

>>3896427
I think it's just inherently difficult to desexualize having another person intake your bodily fluids in order to receive pleasant sensation from it.

>>3896427
>Vampires and twilight.

what happened to the gothic horror that Bram Stoker brought upon us?

Horror, whitewashed into erotica.

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>>3896417
I actually think the blood option is less lewd than the licking finger option. It can be easy, and besides, Gina is mind linked with us and can know we are not doing something sexual. Maybe we can have Rosa open a wound, do it in front of gina as an extra sign we trust her, and maybe just have sugar or rosa cup their hands under the wound, or use a container, anything to make it as un-sexual as possible.

>>3896431
Vampires were seen as erotic well before Twilight, anon. The sexual nature of vampires was a pretty big part of Bram Stoker's Dracula, actually. He was a representation of English fears of the rapacious foreigner. That's why he preyed on women and had a harem of vampire brides.

>>3896428
well, yes, that too. like i said, alot could be said there. the situation was... never going to not be a little iffy, to say the least. hence my own opinion that just letting her lick a controlled part of the body is the easiest way to limit it. plus, no self mutilation.

>>3896431
well, its far from JUST twilight, but yes that is probably the most famous example.
>whitewashed
oh come on now, thats just racist. hardly only them to do that. just look at korea and japan, for two examples.
and while im sure neither of us would wish to delve in that direction, im sure if you look at vampire erotica you can find authors of every background with vampire works older than twilight.

>>3896434
well, i disagree, fluids are much more erotic than just letting her lick our palm or something. and any option where we do not wound ourselves is 100% better then one we do.

>>3896439
>oh come on now, thats just racist. hardly only them to do that. just look at korea and japan, for two examples.
I don't think they meant in terms of race. Probably meant the use of "whitewashing" to mean "removing the darker and more villainous/monstrous aspects to a character".

honestly at this point id prefer us to just change our minds and just not ask her further questions at all, than continue this conversation, as the topic and choice will now clearly leave someone uncomfortable and getting the wrong impression, which makes me think doing this choice at all in either way is a massive mistake.

>>3896267
>>3896276
>>3896384
changing my vote to just;
>Ask her if talking about eachother teammates can be free.
>If so, go first, if not, offer to refill her drink but turn her down.

im doing this as honestly at this point, i think EITHER options starting to cross a line i dont want the Quest to cross. would prefer none and neither of these things to happen now.

>>3896446
thats not what the term means though.

>>3896453
It has multiple meanings, language is ever-shifting. The phrase has been used in the context of race more often in the modern time, but using it to say that something's flaws and darker nature has been erased is still fairly common.

>>3896462
i have never once heard it used in that way, but fair enough. feels like the more modern and common use is the one that matters more though, shifting language or not.

>>3896449

I am going to continue with my option, and trust in the BHOP to keep it PG, especially since the majority are aiming for that.

>>3896453
sorry it was the closest analogy I could think of.
It's like bleaching a pair of dirty underwear.

>>3896462
that's the sort of meaning I've been trying to go for but I couldn't think of a proper term at the time.

>>3896334
>>3896267
>Amending my vote to basically ask the same questions but try to get away with as few lickings from Sugar if you can.

>>3896467
i think you are missing the point and issue, which is despite us and BHOP already trying to do that, it clearly did not work. our entire disagreement is over the other viewing what the other wants as more lewd.

I'll keep the vote the same. However Sugar tastes us, I need to know Shu's Secret Fuzzy Patty Formula.

>>3896472
>>3896467
we wouldn't even be having this discussion if BHOP had not failed even just minorly, to at least accidentally make us feel the PG line was starting to be crossed.

>>3896478
I hope it doesn't come the the point where we have to physically restrain Sugar from putting her tongue to Amara.

>>3896267
>>…Oh god, you’re going to regret this. Let her have another taste, and ask your question. If she’s been awake as long as Rosa thinks, then this might be a useful opportunity (Write-In).
>>Write-In
>"Alright, just keep it below the elbow, Sugar. I'm a taken woman."
>"So, have you tasted anything about the 'Mother of All'?"
>If she doesn't know anything about the Mother of All: "Alright, then, you know anything about a girl that goes by 'A'? Polish girl, speaks in doggo memes, sleeps a lot, this ringing any bells?"

>>3896486
>tactical throwing of Sugar into the Fuzzbuzz ballpit.
i do hope not though.

>>3896487
please do not continue this.

>>3896486

That is how Sugar ends up pinned in the ball pit via tactical Dainsleif.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

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>>3896267

“Could I ask a little more about your friends, without paying a price?” You posit, seeing Sugar’s shoulders fall a fraction until you continue. “I have a bigger question I want to ask after that, though…and it’s one I know I’ll have to pay for.”

“Aftertaste is worth it, so…yes. The price has been paid for my friends.” She ominously assents, only slightly disappointed at having to wait. Sugar doesn’t even look back at her allies as she continues to speak, her bright, color-marbled eyes swirling with an almost nauseating rainbow of shades as she locks with your gaze.

“Rosa, Sia, Betty…I keep them safe.” She begins, unblinkingly. “Rosa is trying to make the best of the worst. She hurts constantly, her own blood a burden. Sia is fractured, questioning her very existence. Trying to stay herself despite the urge to lose herself in a sea of selves. Betty is…too pure for this world. Any world. She is a child, a youthful soul bound to stay that way.”

“I’ve done things I regret. It just means I’m as human as anyone, but I don’t like what I’ve done, all the same.” She continues, glancing down at her hands as ruined nails claw across her bony knees. “If I can help them stay happy, innocent…no price is too steep. I’ve done enough to hurt. Even if it’s a small thing, I want to start helping…what is it?”

You blink, realizing that your eyes had widened involuntarily at Sugar’s unexpected answer, and it’s with a glance at Gina that you proceed to offer your arm to the girl before you.

"...Do you know anything about 'the Mother of All?' Or should i say, tasted anything about that?" You ask, chuckling weakly just before a flicker of recognition flashes through Sugar’s jawbreaker eyes. "Keep it civil Sugar; I’m a taken woman. Remember that."

“Taken…?” She mutters, turning in place as she follows your gaze to see Gina and Sia still enraptured in technical conversation. “…oh. Oh yeah, I forgot that’s canon. Kind of hard to keep track, with everything that’s floating out there.”

Sugar turns back to you, hesitating a moment before reaching out and taking your offered hand in hers. She considers it passively before giving it a light squeeze, setting it back down gently on your lap.

You blink.

“Wait…Sugar, I thought you…?”

“I heard ‘Mother of All’ well before I met the others.” Sugar softly interrupts, staring just over your head as she recalls a dim and dusty memory. “I thought it’d be a good idea to go against the grain and descend into the earth as opposed to trying to climb the Cord. I found…I tasted something from a time long past, and I heard of both ‘Mother’ and ‘Mother of All’. When I imbibed from it more deeply, then the contrast of the titles became clearer.”

“Contrast?” You echo, and Sugar just nods sagely.

“Mother is a placeholder, a title bestowed not to the winner of the crucible…but to the loser.”

(Continued)

>>3896656

“The Daughter who climbs the Cord and sits upon the throne is punished for their failure to think outside the box by continuing the cycle anew, doomed to watch and taste the bitterness of their own inadequacies.” She continues, her dulcet voice very as-a-matter-of-fact. “If the current Mother’s aware that they went about the Crucible the wrong way, they’re apparently not allowed to tell the current participants about the process of winning, if they even know how. ‘Mother of All’, on the other hand, is apparently the title given to the winner…whatever ‘winning’ the Crucible truly constitutes.”

Sugar then just shrugs her narrow shoulders.

“That’s all I know.” She sighs. “The ‘hows’ and ‘whys’ of winning the crucible…*actually* winning it, is a taste that eluded me. Also, I don’t even know what happens if the title of ‘Mother of All’ finds a worthy head to rest on…but it stands to reason that if ‘Mother’ starts the game over…”

“…Then the ‘Mother of All’ may stop it.” Gina finishes.

You and Sugar both turn to see that all waking eyes in the room are on both of you, now. Gina’s hazel eyes are alight with curiosity as she rounds on the pale girl with the intensity of a mountain lion, immediately assailing her with questions as Sia scoots around the table to sit next to you.

“Hope Sucrose hasn’t been too much to handle.” She says with an audible grimace, though when you smile and shake your head she seems genuinely surprised. “Oh…well, sweet…no pun intended. Anyway, as fun as this is I don’t wanna overstay our welcome, so if you want us to scoot out of here and let you all get some actual rest, then I can round up the troops and march out, no hard feelings.”

You have to admit that Sia’s offer is tempting, as Yurei’s crystallized remains weigh heavy in your pocket. Then again, your conversation with Sugar proved surprisingly illuminating in more ways than one, and you’d hate to shoo out your guests too early…but you’d also hate to keep your family waiting on their next meal, especially after such a hard-won victory.

To eat, or not to eat…that is the question.

>>Take Sia up on her offer, then round up your family…you have a feast to devour. [INITIATE LEVEL-UP VOTE, BARBERS LEAVE]

>>You have a counter-offer; gather your family to quickly eat while the Barbers wait, then continue the party once you’ve eaten your fill. The Barbers have already had their fill, after all. [INITIATE LEVEL-UP VOTE, BARBERS STAY]

>>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Gentlemen, voting shall remain open for the next two hours. Thank you for your patience, and I hope that your day is going well.)

>>3896659
>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]
feels way too early and fast to give them the boot. haven't even had Betty actually interacted with anyone, and only REALLY talked to Sugar, of all people. would like to talk and get to know the Barbers more. i can understand if people want to do the Level-Up vote however, but IC it doesn't feel like it makes sense to do that in the middle of the party, when there no rush or reason not to wait til after. still though, i at least dont want to kick them out just yet.

>>3896659
>You have a counter-offer; gather your family to quickly eat while the Barbers wait, then continue the party once you’ve eaten your fill. The Barbers have already had their fill, after all. [INITIATE LEVEL-UP VOTE, BARBERS STAY]

>>3896665
>“The Daughter who climbs the Cord and sits upon the throne is punished for their failure to think outside the box by continuing the cycle anew, doomed to watch and taste the bitterness of their own inadequacies.” She continues, her dulcet voice very as-a-matter-of-fact. “If the current Mother’s aware that they went about the Crucible the wrong way, they’re apparently not allowed to tell the current participants about the process of winning, if they even know how. ‘Mother of All’, on the other hand, is apparently the title given to the winner…whatever ‘winning’ the Crucible truly constitutes.”

Well then, this changes our entire objective with the Cord. And it also explains Ozma's continuous sense of despair after she found out about the meaning of "Mother of All"

Doesn't it feel like Mother of All is a thing where familial bonds and love is what makes the winner worthy of the title? Because the whole Cord climb feels like a honey trap that attracts the selfish and strong with the promise of godhood atop heaven's throne being the ultimate liar's cake.

>>3896659
>“The Daughter who climbs the Cord and sits upon the throne is punished for their failure to think outside the box by continuing the cycle anew, doomed to watch and taste the bitterness of their own inadequacies.” She continues, her dulcet voice very as-a-matter-of-fact. “If the current Mother’s aware that they went about the Crucible the wrong way, they’re apparently not allowed to tell the current participants about the process of winning, if they even know how. ‘Mother of All’, on the other hand, is apparently the title given to the winner…whatever ‘winning’ the Crucible truly constitutes.”
Oh, hey, I recall hypothesizing that this was the case. It was way back when, before we had as much information as we did now, so it was just an idle theory instead of a real guess as the Crucible's nature. But still, nice to have a theory confirmed. Oh, that's good stuff, then. Yeah, I can see why that would break Ozmas. "I was playing this wrong the entire time, and it's too late for me to undo everything and start on the correct path."

>>3896675
i mean, maybe? theres alot of things it could mean. certainly does point to a less selfish objective. i dont think it changes our objective though. we're already denying the point of the cord and thinking outside the box on how to deal with it, unless it literally means 'cord'='box' but that feels waaay too literal. i think we're already on the right path, but would need more info on it to truly know. but, i have a feeling the point is NOT to know, until its too late. you either were the 'mother of all, or 'mother'. you wont know until its too late to change it. and it makes sense too, as it really seems like something your not supposed to game, which someone could and would do if you could learn the 'how' to be the 'mother of all' ahead of time.

plus, something something part of the entire point is to not have the cord tell you what to do.

>>3896677
>>3896665
>"Mother of All"
This feels like a giant metaphor of the term "Mother Earth", this whole Crucible being one trial where the planet scours its denizens to see who is worthy to care for the planet. like the Matriarchical version of God. All loving, All powerful and what not.

>The fact that this Crucible strain has ended with multiple "Mothers" and not a single "Mother of All"
Wow. I'm left wondering what happens to the Crucible Virus when a "Mother of All" is found in its iteration. Does it fully mature? Because it seems like everytime a crucible ends with a "Mother" restarting the cycle, the Cord Parasite simply goes back into its dormancy and searches for another planet as if it's immature and the planet it was draining did not gather the proper nutrients or have the correct catalyst that would allow it to fully mature.

>A third way of "winning" the game
So if the wrong way is climbing the Biological "Tower of Babel", then shouldn't we be going the route of Dante's Inferno?

>>3896659
>>You have a counter-offer; gather your family to quickly eat while the Barbers wait, then continue the party once you’ve eaten your fill. The Barbers have already had their fill, after all. [INITIATE LEVEL-UP VOTE, BARBERS STAY]
I will go and have another round of shut eyein a couple minutes, until the next post so i wont be completely drained tomorrow at work

>>3896659

>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]

Honestly, this changes nothing. We are going to go together. We are going to stand together. Whatever happens, we're all in this together, whatever we see in the Cord, or beneath it.

>>Exhale at the revelation and look to Sugar. "Thank you, for your revelation, and for your understanding of us." Take and squeeze Gina's hand. "If you'd like, I can make you another wonderfully honeyed drink that's more honey than anything else? It's the least I could do."

>>3896691
I'm not sure if we should be descending into the earth as a way of ending the Crucible. Gaining more information on it, maybe. But as far as we know, gaining access to the Cord and then rejecting its power in favor of shutting it down is the best solution we have. We'll see, still plenty to learn before we're ready for the endgame.

>>3896691
>like the Matriarchical version of God. All loving, All powerful and what not.
i hope not and dont think so. thats too close to what some want to turn the 'Mother' position into i think. that, and still doesn't fit with our objective. i mean, fair that technically 'Mother of all' doesn't HAVE to fit our objective, but still. feels too odd for everyone to be calling us it when our objective of just freeing humanity has not at all been hidden, if 'mother of all' was actually still so against what we seek to do.

>So if the wrong way is climbing the Biological "Tower of Babel", then shouldn't we be going the route of Dante's Inferno?
maybe, but again, we need more info. this feels(at the moment) alot more metaphorical than literal. it also feels like thats a... fuck whats the saying? its where, even if we wish to defeat the Cord and stop it, instead of win its game, it makes itself too big a threat to still not seek to defeat it at it. if forces even those who want to defeat it to still defeat IT at it, too much for it feels like for the 'mother of all' to still not need to go to the cord, even if only to stop others trying to climb it.

>>3896659
>>>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]

>> VOTE: Offer SUGAR a drop of blood mixed and served in a drink.
Allows you to be civil and elminates "improper connotations", and serves as a proper thank you for a piece of information worth it weight in solid sanity (a more valuable currency that gold, those days).
The information of a "Mother of All" alternate win mechanic embedded within the crucible mechanics, and its eventual exploitation, is something FAR more valuable than anything we could have offered them, and she parted with it quite readily, while she did even reject an aftertaste.
Let´s be grateful.

AAand yay for the Mother of All! That looks interesting!
Thanks for writing Sugar, I loved how she managed to be "the woman that knew too much" out of the left field. Even if some people seemed sliiiightly unconfortable, I think this is actually a success into exploring her "uncanny valley factor". I particularly like how people was expecting somebody childish, and you have someone who looks actually much, much older and alien than any of those present in the room, while retaining some human/youthful features.

>>3896723
dude she already rejected that offer, i dont think she wants that from us even as a thank you. i think her whole point of rejecting it was she doesn't want us to do that, both for our relationship with Gina and she herself realized she was acting out of bounds with all of that.

let it lie, theres other ways to thank or repay her than something she probably doesn't even want anymore.

>>3896723
>>3896729
this guys >>3896706
idea is much more reasonable.

>>3896723
Yeah, I get the sense that Sugar is actually a pretty deep person, just one that's occasionally overwhelmed by her instincts. Seems like kind of a trend with Gluttonous cores. Her, Mulvath, Holly (though going Hunger-mad was more the issue there) and even Johanna in a sense. But at the same time, our Gluttonous friends have also turned out to be very sensible and lovely people when they're lucid. It's neat, makes for some fun contrasts. Kind of embodies how hunger is one of the more demanding sensations a person can experience.

>>3896729
I suggest a FuzzBuzz. Everyone gets a commemorative fluffy bee.

>>3896735
i think the plan is to give FuzzBuzzes as going away gifts. or well, thats my plan.

>>3896742
Some themed bees perhaps?

Rosa could have a Succ-ling themed Fuzzbuzz

Sia could have a Jack-ling themed fuzz buzz

Betty...would have a stretchy Fuzz Buzz

And Sugar would have a Fuzz Buzz that is constantly dripping with honey on its fur.

>>3896754
>And Sugar would have a Fuzz Buzz that is constantly dripping with honey on its fur.
Eww, no, no StickyBuzz. That's unsanitary, would make such an awful mess. And Sugar wouldn't even be able to lick it clean, since she said constructs don't taste right to her.

>>3896754
Or perhaps a Nomling Fuzz Buzz for Sugar.

>>3896754
i am unsure thats necessary. plus, i mean, im not agaisnt it, but id prefer them to be more personal than skin level ability.

like, we plan to autograph Rosas. thats plenty to make it special. others can get something more akin to their likes. though, you're probably right about Sugars, besides the fact i dont think we can make it infinite, and she doesnt like stuff from constructs really, so we may have to go a different route.

id like to actually get to know Sia and Betty more, to give them something actually personal, if we are going to do this, then just bland 'oh shes a neuromancer!' and 'oh she stretches!' we have time though, to think of things, if we really want to make the Barbers the first we go all out on and make other allies jealous, aswell as kick up what people expect from us an unnecessary notch.

>>3896765
>>3896764
>>3896762
good points. Simple fuzz buzz it is.

>>3896765
We should talk more with Sia at some point. She seems pretty cool. And she probably can give insight on what to do about our Gemma.

>>3896770
yeah.
speaking of, as much as it might be an issue... i dont want to give Gemma to Sia. for Sia's sake. especially after what Sugar said. Sia has enough issues, lets not throw that one and her fight against the split mind on it. if Gemma is an issue, we'll find a way to deal with her. if anything, i want to encourage and validate Sias individuality and strive for it, not feed the pull she feels towards destroying it.

this is, of course, assuming Julia cant get through to Gemma.

>>3896774
Agreed. I don't think the two of them merging would be good for either of them right now, regardless of which one winds up dominant in that merger. Gemma because she's got some weird issues about control and trying to sneak her way into getting what she wants that need to be curtailed before she can have positive emotional development. Sia because it seems like she's trying to become her own individual person and is really struggling with it enough. I mean, her Core is weaponized prosopagnosia, that can't indicate a strong relationship with identity.

>>3896793
>>3896774

>Sia's Neuromantic core being weaponized prosopagnosia

>Gemma's core being a Gluttonous core.
I think Gemma might end up emerging the dominant one since her issue is that she hungers for acceptance so the Crucible gave her a gluttonous core, but now we've motivated her to come back whole which is a complete screw up on my part in retrospect since I was the one that made that write-in that crammed words down her throat..

>>3896804
i mean, the only issue i can think with that write-in is it did not specifically say or state that consuming her or others as a way forward/out was a bad idea, only implied it via us saying that to her at all.

however, the whole point of that write-in was to get her to think about HERSELF APART from the collective, and instead she misinterpreted that as us saying she could instead use this opportunity to be the 'good' Gemma and the dominate one, aka, this Gemma deciding who Gemma is.

really, it was on Gemma misinterpreting what we were saying, the only potential mistake being we could've had a firmer hand i guess.
i did try to convince everyone to do that, but people didnt want to outright take willing consumption off the table. which seems to have and i still think will lead to problems tying to allow that.

>>3896814
Now that we're on the subject, that write-in when addressing Gemma is going to be my biggest regret in this quest looking at it hindsight.

So how are we gonna deal with Gemma? It's almost clear that she's going down on the one-track mind that she mis-interpreted when we gave her our answer at the monastery. Not only that, she's already absorbed some of her shards offscreen which might've convinced her to keep going prior to Uzu hitting her deathspiral.

>>3896821
well, alot of it depends on how she reacts to Julia. obviously, give Julia her chance and see how that turns out.

Julias opinion will matter here alot too. its her mind, her choice. but honestly? if it comes down to US, Shu making the choice, and Gemma has been... less than willing to listen? having a tracking node calling out to her other selves, hell actively trying to specifically draw in the aggressive ones? we simply cannot have that.

either delete her or use the Forge to buld her an automated Spiritus to shove her into and out the door. she wants to play with the other Gemmas? she can go damn play with the other Gemmas. wonder if Gina can delete her knowledge of where out home base is from her mind, but its worth the risk to get rid of something basically revealing it anyways.

>>3896821
>>3896831
hell what angers me is, i was even willing to compromise on my dislike of willing consumption a bit for her, and at least do it on a case-by-case basis, if only due in part to her and theirs unique situation. but nope, apparently that was not good enough. shes a lesson to learn from there i guess.

(A quick reminder for anyone that hasn't voted to go ahead and do so now, as however the next update turns out it will likely be the last for the evening due to some unexpected obligations that have come up.)

(Also, Gentlemen; if the vote to hold off on the CONSUME option wins out, then would you like for me to post Yurei's options and let you know how many level-up points you have available, so that way you can strategize in advance of the vote opening tomorrow evening? If not then I understand, I simply with to make the most convenient and streamlined experience I can on my end. Let me know, and I hope your evening is going well.)

>>3896723
(Thank you for your kind words regarding Sugar. I didn't expect her to be as fun to write as she turned out being, and the same can be said for all the Barbers, really.)

>>3896849
hope those obligations are not too droll or troublesome BHOP!

i guess if everyone was willing to hold off flooding the thread with their arguments for the level up options, and instead focus on, well, whats actually going on in the quest, then sure i suppose. would mean once we do get to it, everyone's thought it out and possibly pre-consolidated their talking points, so maybe it would go smoother once we start.

but my worry is some will not do that. so dunno.

>>3896849
Oh, sorry, I forgot to. Was going to, then got distracted making dinner.

>>3896659
>>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]
>"Oh, don't feel like you're imposing, I've enjoyed talking with you girls. Besides, I want to give Julia and Dorian some more time to nap, anyway. They're so cute together like that, I'm not going to interrupt them."

As for level-up, sure, I'd like to know how many points we're going to get. Don't think we need to know Yurei's options yet, that might get us distracted actually making plans, but knowing what to anticipate for when we do could be useful.

>>3896659
>>Politely decline Sia’s offer and continue to spend time with the Barbers. There’s still more you’d like to know, so your feast can wait. [PUT OFF LEVEL-UP VOTE UNTIL LATER, BARBERS STAY]

It feels like they only just got here, no need for them to leave while the party's still going on. It'd be nice to talk to the others, like Betty and Rosa, see what kind of people they are.

>>3896849
That would be really appreciated BHOP, I'd love to see what the options are in advance of the vote.

>>3896857
>>3896849
If people can keep their cards close to their chest and keep their opinion to themselves until voting time, then I would be fine with the lvl up options and the amount of level up points available for distribution.

As long as I make in time for the beginning of the voting session. Tomorrow's work has me coming back home to my computer at 9 pm, and I would like to arbitrate again.

>>3896675
>You have a counter-offer; gather your family to quickly eat while the Barbers wait, then continue the party once you’ve eaten your fill. The Barbers have already had their fill, after all. [INITIATE LEVEL-UP VOTE, BARBERS STAY]
Adding this:
>"No no, there's no need for you to rush Sia. I've enjoyed talking with you girls. Besides, Betty seems lonely in the ball pit, Amara would have another friend to play with, and the Julian pairing can have more romantic time together."

>>3896870
well, lets be honest, with how voting goes, you'll probably still be here for most of it, even if a bit late. worse case, i can pick that part up like i used to do.

>>3896849
>>3896857
im gonna go ahead and vote 'No' though on getting that info BHOP. we get more than plenty of time, and have been more than civil in GIVING eachother time, to look over and prepare our choices, when we get it, and i simply would much prefer to just focus on the quest as it is going on, then have something like that digging at the back of my mind the entire time.

>>3896849
>>3896870
Actually I changed my mind and vote "No" on this part. Don't give us the information.

(Writing now, Gentlemen.)

File: Hotel November, Mk. 2.jpg (127 KB, 1280x1121)

127 KB JPG

>>3896659

"Oh, don't feel like you're imposing, I've enjoyed talking with you girls." You reply honestly, glancing over to where to artisans are sleeping peacefully beside one another. "Besides, I want to give Julia and Dorian some more time to nap, anyway. They're so cute together like that, I'm not going to interrupt them."

Sia chuckles, the sound a little unnerving when you can't fathom the facial cues that would accompany it. Reaching over to tap Sugar on the shoulder, you interrupt Gina's line of interrogation with words of appreciation in their stead.

"Thanks for your revelation, and for your understanding of us." You say, standing as you take Sugar's empty glass in hand. "If you'd like, I can make you another wonderfully honeyed drink that's more honey than anything else? It's the least I could do."

The pale girl's eyes widen as she licks her lips, and you need no further answer before you sweep up Gina's empty wine glass as well, shuffling past Rath and Rosa's resumed conversation on the way to the some refills. Two artfully crafted Bee's Knees later (if you do say so yourself), you're pouring GG a fresh glass of wine when you hear a low, angry voice suddenly raise then lower in the Forgeroom. Tilting the bottle back, you watch as November emerges with what could almost be described as a forlorn look about her, the Etain's shoulders slumped in a despondent fashion. November glances about the room for a moment before meeting your eyes, and she gives you a small, sharp nod before she proceeds to Rath's room and closes the door behind her. For a long moment there's silence from the Forge, but then it steadily resumes, Francine's unseen efforts continuing on despite the results of whatever discussion you were the sole witness to.

You glance back to the door of Rath's room and catch sight of the FuzzBuzz pit, Betty still lounging contentedly about in its luxurious depths. She gives you a little wave, the languid undulation of her boneless arm resembling the flailing of an inflatable tube man outside a used car dealership, and you wave back before scooping up the drinks and pausing to consider what to do next.

You have to admit some level of concern over what just happened to bring Francine and November to have words, but you've firmly entrenched yourself in party-hostess mode, so peeling off to address either of them would certainly put a damper on things. You don't want any possible bad blood there, but...then again, they are the oldest members of your family, so you're sure you can trust them to sort things out.

...Hopefully.

>>Whatever discussion they had, it's probably best to leave them both alone until they cool off a bit. Take the trio of drinks and go converse with [Sugar/Sia/Rosa].

>>Considering Amara's not out of her room yet, go drop off Gina and Sugar's drinks and then see how Betty's enjoying the FuzzBuzz pit.

>>Take a second to peek in on [Francine/November] and see what's going on.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

>>3896997
Yeah, we need to have a talk with Francine at some point. You just couldn't let us put it off until after we were done with the Barbers, huh? Couldn't give us some time to play hostess. Well, Rath was talking with November before she came over here, maybe she knows what her aunt wanted to talk with Francine about.

(Gentlemen, I shall be pausing here for the evening. Voting shall remain open for the next twelve hours, with posting to resume in approximately fourteen, five or take. Thank you all for your patience, participation, and enthusiasm. I've taken the level-up options into consideration, and I've decided to do some last-minute tweaking on them to properly emphasize how well you all knocked it out of the park with Yurei, so look forward to that tomorrow evening. I'll try and make myself available for part of this evening to address any questions, comments, and criticisms, and I welcome them all wholeheartedly.)

(I wish you all a restful evening, and sleep well.)

>>3896997
>>Whatever discussion they had, it's probably best to leave them both alone until they cool off a bit. Take the trio of drinks and go converse with Rosa.

Might as well get to know our biggest fan a little better.

>>3897004
Good night, BHOP. Thanks for running.

>>3896997
>Considering Amara's not out of her room yet, go drop off Gina and Sugar's drinks and then see how Betty's enjoying the FuzzBuzz pit.
>invite Sia along too, if she isnt caught up in a conversation.
Rosa and Rath were busy, so let them talk. Gina was talking to Sugar, so let them talk aswell. however id like to get to know Betty, but dont want to leave Sia hanging either.

>you're pouring GG a fresh glass of wine when you hear a low, angry voice suddenly raise then lower in the Forgeroom. Tilting the bottle back, you watch as November emerges with what could almost be described as a forlorn look about her, the Etain's shoulders slumped in a despondent fashion. November glances about the room for a moment before meeting your eyes, and she gives you a small, sharp nod before she proceeds to Rath's room and closes the door behind her. For a long moment there's silence from the Forge, but then it steadily resumes, Francine's unseen efforts continuing on despite the results of whatever discussion you were the sole witness to.
>>3897005
>>3897001
>>3897009
I'm willing to bet that Rath found out November's T-5 Ability Winterfall Initiative (basically nuclear self-destruct).
Rath's biggest fear is losing her family. And finding out that November's strongest attack is basically a self-sacrificial ability...Rath doesn't take the idea of losing family members very well.

>>3896997
>Take a second to peek in on [Francine/November] and see what's going on.

>>3897001
i say let them simmer. part of the issue is, i kinda feel like i want to talk to both of them about that, but it also feels like the type of conversation that could easily pull us away and into something lengthy. they're both adults. doesnt mean they dont need our support, but id hope it at least means they can wait for it.

>>3897004
>five or take
damn, even compared to your usual 2+ hours extra sometimes on your estimate, thats a lengthy guess extra.
you have a good evening BHOP, but focus on what you gotta focus on.

mind telling us what emotions we may be feeling from Francine and November though, if you find the time?

>>3897012
huh? wha? November is upset about something to do with Francine, Rath seemed to have no good or bad emotions from her usual last time she talked to November earlier.

>>3897012
Nah, Rath didn't seem upset, that's probably not what it is. I don't think November went into that conversation particularly upset, either, just came out of it. Might have to do with Francine's continuing martyr complex, frustration with Francine still being so eager to commit suicide.

>>3896997
>Tilting the bottle back, you watch as November emerges with what could almost be described as a forlorn look about her, the Etain's shoulders slumped in a despondent fashion. November glances about the room for a moment before meeting your eyes, and she gives you a small, sharp nod before she proceeds to Rath's room and closes the door behind her. For a long moment there's silence from the Forge, but then it steadily resumes, Francine's unseen efforts continuing on despite the results of whatever discussion you were the sole witness to.

Ugh. Just the mental image of that slays me with how much emotion you can get out of a Woman that's been reduced to an Ironman Suit.

>Ask Francine if she would like a drink if she has any favorites. Bring her a drink anyways even though she's super dismissive and focused on her work.
Even hyper focused people need something refreshing to keep them going. Just the offer of breaking away from their work would be a good enough temptation for them to personally indulge and get away from the mania that has consumed them.

>>3897020
(Oh goodness, that was mean to read *give or take, not five. Sorry about that.)

(Also, you sense a deep sadness from November, while Francone seems deeply frustrated and divided down two lines of thought.)

>>3897043
What about Rath?

>>3897043
Yeah, definitely think the conversation was about Francine's suicide plans, then. November sad because she came to care for Francine thanks to their shared medical history, Francine frustrated that our party keeps bringing it up and now doubting her plans.

>>3897043
>Francone
BHOP. we love ya.
but i think you're showing your need for sleep a bit.

>>3897025
yeah you're probably right, she probably tried to talk Francine down and Francine was having none of it.

>>3897044
>>3897025
...actually, though doubt anyone will go for it... ive got an idea that might work out, if we can pull it off.
Lure Sia in with an excuse to use her to break the ice with the shy Betty. get to talk to Betty, and we get Sia away from the group for some privacy. then, casually work our way to talking about her issues, and both help her work on them and get an understanding of them. from there, though it is a risk, if shes confident enough, Sia might actually be the PERFECT person or at LEAST example to help Francine with her issues over her connection to West. work our way around to being able to better help Francine when we get to her, without having to outright cut away from our guests either.

>>3897056
That's actually not a bad idea. I wonder if Francine's receptive of meeting with Sia? You good with that?

>>3897067
im... unsure what you mean by that, so i am unsure? are you asking if im ok with putting Sia and Francine in the same room, because that was just where the plan i laid out lead to. or is my brain malfunctioning because i really dont know what your asking me if im ok with, sorry.

>>3897072
Oh. Yeah, I was hoping on building off your idea to having Francine come out of her reclusive self by introducing Sia and having some nice conversation with them as an ice breaker.

Also I find this meeting of alter egos amusing on many levels (Shu being Sam Alter-ego now independent, Francine being an independent shard in the West Collective, and Sia being a Shard of the Gemma Collective who wants to be her own identity)

>>3897078
yeah theres alot of alter egos and shards running around. Crucibles a weird place i guess.

>>3896997
>>3897009
Editing my vote to;
>Considering Amara's not out of her room yet, go drop off Gina and Sugar's drinks and then see how Betty's enjoying the FuzzBuzz pit.
>invite Sia along too, if she isnt caught up in a conversation.
>Try to coax Sia along by both using her as a way to break the ice of her more shy teammate, and not leave her hanging alone from the other conversations.
>"Besides, after the way Rosa and Sugar ran you ragged, let those actually interested in their antics keep giving you a break."

>>3897078
Yeah, it's kind of a secondary theme for the quest, isn't it? Identity and how independence plays into it, alters and clones and reconstructions all figuring out their own way to relate to the original being that spawned them. Plus, there's the fact that going by some philosophical systems, everyone in the Crucible is a clone thanks to how we've been transferred to new storage formats.

>>3897056
(Oh Lord, I do need some sleep. Goodnight everyone, and rest well, yourselves.)

>>3897202
Good night, BHOP. Sleep well and get plenty of rest, you've earned it. See you tomorrow.

>>3897202
sleep bhop. sleep.

>>3897202
Night, bhop. Dont work too hard. Don't ignore your health.

>>3897202
Good night BHOP, looking forward to tomorrow!

>>3897202
Sleep well

>>3896997
Supporting>>3897086


>>3897004
That would work out for me even better as i dont have to work the day after

>>3896997
>>Considering Amara's not out of her room yet, go drop off Gina and Sugar's drinks and then see how Betty's enjoying the FuzzBuzz pit.
>>Write In
>Invite Sia along too, if she isn't caught up in a conversation.
>Try to coax Sia along by both using her as a way to break the ice of her more shy teammate, and not leave her hanging alone from the other conversations.

File: Bees' Knees.png (572 KB, 1280x1656)

572 KB PNG

>>3896997

Deciding to leave both Francine and November to cool off after a long moment’s consideration, you drop off Sugar’s honey-laden Bees’ Knees and Gina’s glass of Pinot Noir before gently tapping Sia on the shoulder.

“Hey, I was thinking about talking to Betty, if you think she’d be open to it.” You say, leaning on close for your follow-up with a glance to Rath and Rosa’s continued conversation. "Besides, after the way you’ve been run ragged, I think you deserve a break."

“Ha, sure. “Sia chuckles, patting the pockets of her baggy jeans, retrieving a pair of headphones from their surprising depths and only noticing your cocked eyebrow when she starts to stand. “Oh, they’re Betty’s. Forgot to give them to her when we started on over here, so just in case she wants ‘em. Glad you asked me before heading over, actually.”

Sia motions for you to follow her as you both make your way across the cavernous living room and to the edge of the FuzzBuzz pit, Betty having remained in a stock-still state of bliss ever since she first dove in. The inscrutable Neuromancer kneels down very gently reaching out and tapping the lanky girl once on the shoulder, her ally’s dark eyes fluttering open and flicking between you both in rapid succession as she regains her bearings.

“Hey. You up for talking? No pressure, just didn’t want you to feel left out.” Sia offers, her tone much softer than the one she employs even casually around her other two allies. Betty glances once more between you two, and a guilty look crosses her face before Sia speaks reassuringly; “No worries. You were great back there, so don’t feel bad about relaxing. Brought your headphones, if you wanted to conk out for a bit. Just reach out if you need anything, ‘kay?”

The other girl’s noodle-like arm takes the offered headphones wordlessly, slipping them on her head as she snuggles back down among the tub of black, white, and yellow. Regarding her companion for a moment longer, Sia plucks a single FuzzBuzz from the pile before rising again and gesturing to the bar. You take the lead this time, slipping behind the bar while Sia takes a seat, absent-mindedly petting the bee’s fuzzy down as you send out a swarmling to retrieve your drink.

“Your girlfriend’s cool.” She comments as you slide a spiked cup of tea across the counter, leaning over the marbled top as your swarmling returns with your cup clutched in its talons. “Good head on her shoulders, great mind for powers. We talked a bit about personality types and powers and stuff, and a lot of what she’s come up with fits pretty well.”

“Glad to hear you had a good conversation.” You reply, taking a sip of your drink after your swarmling squirms back underneath one of the plates on your back. “I thought it was a pretty interesting theory, too. How does it line up with you and your friends, if you don’t mind my asking?”

(Continued)

>>3897826

“Eh…Sugar’s corruption is pretty far gone, probably diabetes or something. Girl’s more candy than human, now.” Sia begins, clutching her cup in both hands. “Rosa’s a talker, so in the first two hours of meeting her she said she had sickle-cell anemia before the Crucible. Makes sense, with what she can do to people.”

“And Betty?” You prompt, and Sia hesitates a moment before answering.

“…She doesn’t talk much, either.” She replies quietly, and from the tilt of her head you can tell she’s just staring into her cup, her other hand petting the FuzzBuzz. “Pretty sure she’s…on the spectrum, maybe? She gets overwhelmed a lot, but she’s saved us more times than I can count. Fighting takes a lot out of her. When Rosa and Sugar realized it they started being a little more proactive about keeping her back from the frontlines, so Betty started opening up to me when they’d go hunting. She’s not…out of any of us, she doesn’t deserve this Fleshscape bullsh…”

Her hands tremble before she catches up to her runaway temper, the display of sudden emotion seeming to catch you both off guard.

“…my powers are pretty obvious in retrospect, I guess.” Sia continues, draining her cup and sliding it off to the side. “Kinda hard to get a grip on who you are when you’re part of Legion. But hey, I’m not as bad off as the others…they’re dealing with the real shit.”

“I’m sure they’re fighting their own battles…” You admit, hoping your holding her gaze as her face swirls before you. “…but given what I know about them, I can tell they wouldn’t like hearing you downplay yours, either.”

“Heh, maybe.” Sia replies with a mirthless chuckle. “They’re good people, all told. Rosa’s a goof, Betty’s a sweetheart, and Sugar…some of what she lets slip sometimes makes me think she was a hardcore bitch before she met us. Before we made her all soft.”

“Glad you did. I’m not a fan of hard candy.” You fire back, and Sia just snorts at your awful joke, even though you can practically feel the smile that creeps across her unseen lips. You can feel her unwinding across the bar from you, the tension leaving her shoulders as she finally allows herself to relax in your presence. Meanwhile, the sound of Francine’s ceaseless work can still be heard from a few meters away, and from where you stand you can see Gina, Rath, Rosa, and Sugar all engaged in pleasant conversation, the sound of laughter filtering across the space to your ears.

Turning back to Sia, there was something you wanted to bring up to her, actually…

>>Your own issues with Sam. It’s a point of commonality you, Sia, and Francine all share, and getting Sia’s perspective might be helpful.

>>Bring up Francine, but leave Sam out of the discussion.

>>The Barber’s end goals, and their perspective on the Fleshscape.

>>The Skinternet, given she’s less likely to go on a tangent.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3897044
(Rath doesn't seem to be aware of November's new ability, and seems to be enjoying her present company more than she expected.)

>>3897833
>>Your own issues with Sam. It’s a point of commonality you, Sia, and Francine all share, and getting Sia’s perspective might be helpful.
>Use it more to help Sia. you yourself without a doubt separated yourself from being tied to who Sam was, long before she left your body. why too then, would others similar not be able to do the same? even if there were some things she made inescapable.
>"we might not be able to separate ourselves from our 'parents' messes, but we can decide to be our own person from them."

>>3897833
>>Your own issues with Sam. It’s a point of commonality you, Sia, and Francine all share, and getting Sia’s perspective might be helpful.

>>3897833
>>Your own issues with Sam. It’s a point of commonality you, Sia, and Francine all share, and getting Sia’s perspective might be helpful

>>3897833
Supporting>>3897842

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>>3897833

“I dealt with my own double recently, you know?” You begin, turning to look out the window and across the rolling Fleshscape beyond. “There was a girl named Sam who I…well, who used to have this body. She was far from ‘good’, and when her decisions caught up with her she found herself dying right as the Crucible took everything over. Not sure if it was a glitch or some kind of sick joke by Mother, but Sam ended up trapped and powerless in my head, while I somehow became my own thing. Didn’t stop me from having to deal with the fallout from her mistakes, though.”

“B’ni.” Sia interjects quietly, and when you simply nod in agreement she begins to stammer. “S-sorry, that’s…the whole you-B'ni-Sam thing kinda common knowledge, at this point."

“Ha, no it’s fine. Given the Skinternet and whatnot, I'd imagine its unavoidable.” You chuckle, turning to face your guest once more as you find yourself unnerved that your back story's something of an open secret among your growing and unseen fanbase. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that I kind of get what you’re going through, in a way. We might not be able to separate ourselves from our 'parents' messes, but we can decide to be our own person from them…and we’re not the only ones, either. Francine’s in the same boat.”

“Yeah, I was gonna ask about that.” Sia says, glancing around the room. “Seeing a West that isn’t out playing Mengele isn’t something I expected to see.”

“She prefers to go by Francine to distance herself from everything that West’s done…and continues to do.” You say, and Sia’s empathic aura flickers with something akin to respect and pleasant surprise, if you’re not mistaken.

“Oh…good for her. That’s…it’s hard to carve out your own identity when you’ve been a part of a whole your entire life. It takes work and lot of self-reflection, that’s for damn sure.” Sia replies, looking out the window. “Has Wes…has Francine mentioned that the Proxies are starting to get more active?”

“The distance she’s put between her and West is more than just metaphorical, so no.” You say, brow furrowing. “What’s going on?”

(Continued)

>>3897976

“Not sure, but enough to make people nervous.” She answers, rubbing the FuzzBuzz more out of nerves than absent-minded relaxation. “Word on the Net is some Wests are retreating back to whatever holes they crawled out of, while others seem to be doing sweeps for Amalgams, supplies…even Daughters, so it looks like they’ve dropped whatever villainous pleasantries they put out entirely. Then there’s the fact that a ton of settlements are starting to get restless, too. Not sure if it’s related to the whole West thing, but there’s a ton of theories floating out there about what’s causing it. A lot of Skintalkers that post and update a lot have either gone radio silent or are biting the bullet and leaving the relative safety of the bigger settlements and striking out to some smaller ones like Laoc, Watchpoint Sandalphon, and others. Common thread seems to be the leaders either starting to slip into something less than rational thought, or just getting downright Draconian even in the chiller groups. Hunger’s claimed a few leaders, and shit just snowballs from there. Nothing as bad as the Monastery, but a lot of people think it’s only a matter of time ‘til something like the Spiraling Fear pops up again.”

She sighs bitterly, finishing her drink in a single swig before giving FuzzBuzz a few tentative squeezes.

“We’re already in hell, but it feels like things are about to get a lot worse.” Sia groans, lost in thought for a second before her head snaps up.

“Shit. Sorry. Didn’t mean to be a downer.” She says, quickly backpedaling with a nervous laugh. “Maybe I just suck at parties…hadn’t considered that ‘til now.”

“Hey, you’re fine. I enjoy your company, for what it’s worth.” You reassure, and she just mumbles something under her breath about you being too nice for your own good before turning her attentions to the Forgeroom.

“You, uh…you think the Doc would be willing to talk?” Sia asks suddenly, and you gesture to the door, a silent answer that she’s more than willing to see for herself. You can tell Sia’s building up the courage to go talk to her, and you can’t help but note the juxtaposition between the focused, mature ‘team mom’ persona that she seems to put on and the girl that sits before you know, just trying to figure out who she is in a world gone mad.

>>Continue talking to Sia, and pose one of the other questions that have been on your mind before she peeks in on Francine (Write-In).

>>Let Sia and Francine have a moment alone while you go talk to [Rosa/Sugar/Amara/Rath/Gina/Other]. You have some questions in mind, and you’d like some one-on-one time.

>>Take a moment to yourself to sit on the couch and just take in the pleasant conversation, and let whatever happens…happen. You’re always the one in control, so you think it might be time to let go for a little while and see what happens.

>>Write-In

YOU ARE IN CONTROL

(Voting shall remain open for the next two hours, Gentlemen.)

>>3897979
>"Well, for what its worth Sia, me and my family will help where we an, as we head forwards."
>Give her a reassuring raise of your glass, before letting her have her time with your local self-reflective scientist.
>Take this moment while everyone else is distracted to go check up on Amara(and maybe November) before rejoining the party, hopefully with at least one of the two in tow.
>As you pass the ballpit, combine some of the Fuzzballs into a bigger one for Betty to cuddle.

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>>3897979
>Check on Amara and November.

>Ferry a drink to Francine.

Have pic related as a gift.

>>3897991
A lot of things on our plate. And it seems that the world in the background is accelerating too.

On the West side: If the West Iterations have stopped being nice, that means West Prime's condition has deteriorated bad enough and has gotten very desperate in searching for Isabelle's Immutable Core ability (which is what West Prime needs to stabilize).

Settlement Leaders: First the Monastery Falling which is big news to the skinternet, then we hear news of other few leaders falling to the Augmented Hunger with the rest growing irrational or draconian as a move to maintain stability. We've got a growing Refuge cascade crisis happening in the world.

Skinternet growing dark: well shoot. our infrastructure of communication is starting be shuttered.

>>3898013
yeah. i have a feeling we might need to petition our allies to be a bit more active in the worlds stability, even if just when they happen to be near a place. too many places for us to ever hope to help, but at the same time, the last thing we ourselves also need is a dozen tiny Spiraling Fears dashing for the cord. plus, more we help, more allies we have, more stable we can get things and more places we can help, potentially.

and i mean, we want to help people too of course, but no harm in admitting to the practical reasons to do it too.

leaving for work. Today's going to be a grinder for sure.

>>3897979
Supporting>>3897991

>>3897979
This entire thing just stinks like soemthing is speeding up Maybe that shift in the hunger rate increase had even bigger ramifications than we first assumed. Maybe she got to change another thing.....

Or maybe it is just more clear with how we now get a direct line into the Skinterent and we get to see the worldwide ramifications

>>3898027
(Best of luck today, and I hope it goes better than you expect.)

>>3898029
>>3898013
>>3897991
(Do you wish to bring up the Skinternet to Amara? She's not going to bring it up in this conversation otherwise, which is why I'm asking if you wish to steer the conversation a particular way.)

>>3898027
take care Anon.

>>3898029
i think its just the increased hungers finally had some time to set in, aswell as we ourselves kicked up the gear a notch, due to what we did with Mother, so both good and bad, other Daughters are and know its time to start acting on your plans. and for those caught in the middle just trying to keep some form of civilization, im sure thats stressful as hell.

that, and Mother just let go of all contracts and prisoners. while we were told of the major ones, it was said other lesser things were still released, and im sure even if they know to avoid us, alot of them are still deadly or just troublemakers making a mess of things too.

and yet we still have quite a ways to go before we are even ready for the Cord, let alone the task of going through it.

>>3898032
yes, but focus on making sure shes fine(we know she is, but still, its good to make sure ourselves too), and seeing how she is first. if shes good and it doesn't feel like theres anything else to really ask her about that, ask her a bit about the Skinternet(seguae perhaps via us being concerned about her connection and involvement in it?), and then see if she wants to join the party.

>>3898027
Best of Luck Just got of work myself.... It was unpleasent

>>3898032
I think if we dotn bring it up now we probably will have to wait quite a while again... From my siude sure lets talk with our adorable daughter about the Fleshscape version of 4chan and other boards.....

I do wonder is there some sort of Fleshscape youtube?

>>3898034
pictures can be uploaded, so i cant see why videos cant.

>>3897979
>> Write-in: Introduce Sia & Francine, but hang in the background and listen. Francine´s health and well.being has concerned us for a long, long time, and this is a way to ease us into having a conversation with her.

>>3898037
Yeah but i do wonder if there is any kind of organisation for that with automation and recomendation or if you have to dig through the entire thing......

Later we should ask her if she can find us a list of all the patchnotes of the crucible so far.(or as close to one as she can find) to see what has canged and what kin dof synergies there might be in the changes

>>3897979
I LOVE the fact that West is being eased as 2º biggest villain, with a lot of work into the proxy army, and how they are ominously massing strength for the endgame.

I would love some "Horde Mechanics" for West proxy teams, allowing for rematches against different incarnations of West with a hanger-on posse of weaker proxies, and some kind of "Strategic hard timer". This would allow for the kind of "swingy, deadly" combat like we got in the Hexxane statue fight.

Big, deadly monsters with a ton of HP we can deal with excessive ease, being outnumbered and having tricky parties that explode like popcorn but can cause us damage would be cool. Also, no abusing 11 family members against one big monster.

I feel a good dynamic would be to have a "budget": You can choose to call for reinforcements, but if you do, the wests gobble up unprotected settlements and kill inocents your family is not protecting. Putting a layer of risk/reward assesment would be a cool counter to family pile-in dynamics.

Having different "One-trick" West parties that are based around gimmicky dynamics like "Jojo´s Bizarre adventures style" is one of BHOP´s and early quest strengths, and I would like to get more of it.
It is just much more fun if we get back the "Horror"and "small hunting party" dynamics back and have West play as Tucker´s kobolds.

>>3898044
i mean, sure we can ask, though i am unsure she would have that info. who knows though.

>>3898057
i am kinda sure id not like to see most of that.

>>3898065
We have the problem that high-level D&D parties get: Big bad monsters are irrelevant, because we have MUCH superior action economy.

West proxy dynamics allow her to get "Tucker Kobold" dynamics, which is the classic counter: narrative groups acting tactically to counter you and put you on the action Nº backfoot, but relatively low on HP. This gives back initiative to the DM, is mechanically less challenging, and allows him to recycle ideas.

It also allows to explore ideas and mechanics for a well-written antagonist, since you have to grind down her troops a bit until she runs out of proxies. And West is a character that everyone agrees on loving to hate, it is good to have long-running nemeses.

A big monster either splats you or dies pitifully. As a player, an army gives you agency because you have to CHOOSE how much resources you devote to foiling it.
You can also scout it, ambush it and plan for it - something we had rarely the chance to do for most of the big monsters, and something we were unanimously missing from the early quest.

>>3898074
but thats just simply not true, singular enemies have still been threats to us.

im fine with a 'team vs team' dont get me wrong, but what you're putting forward complicates things way too much compared to what is necessary, and in my opinion, fun, or in some ways makes sense within the world as we know things are set up.

West and her proxies are already enough of a threat and interesting enough, without adding in all that annoying, boring, and unnecessary junk on top of it.

>>3898065
> "i am kinda sure id not like to see most of that."
In that case, how would you deal with the "Ineffectual splat/die big monster" and "Pitched ally battle crunch"? You had experience with DM-ing, and those have been pointed by BHOP and community as things that sometimes causes the community or DM headaches.

What would be your own formula to deal with that? How did you deal with that in your own games? I am genuinely curious and serious about this.