File: 4362118-bloody.png (804 KB, 664x523)

804 KB PNG

You tapped a finger to the side of your face, pretending to consider her proposition. You’d already made up your mind a long time ago.

“Hmm…nah.”

You pressed your middle and ring finger into the small of your palm, causing a glob of webbing to glue the Silvertongue’s mouth shut. Her eyes went wide with surprise, and she immediately began pawing at it.

“Tell you what, here’s a deal for you. You stop bothering us until I have what I brought this crew together for, and I promise to let you live long enough to go back to Pandora. Try to offer something else or try to escape? Well…she won’t need to make any decisions about you because I’ll have made the final one before she gets here.”

You pulled your cloak open momentarily, revealing your sheathed dagger. She grew very still, her eyes darting between you and the knife, clearly having no trouble interpreting the implied threat.

“Oh, and don’t try to partner up with the new guy.” you mentioned, pointing a thumb back at the cannibal. “He might even be higher on shit list than you right now. I can’t fix what he fucked up, unlike your case.”

The Silvertongue looked you right in the eye, and you stared right back, not finding a single trace of defiance there. She nodded slowly, and you did the same.

“Right, then. Good chat. Sit tight.”

You got up and turned to check up on your new prisoner, who was now very clearly awake and glancing around the room. Thankfully, he hadn’t tried breaking free from your webbing. You were slightly worried that he might actually be able to manage it.

So…why wasn’t he trying to escape? He was just sitting there, watching you.

“No no, don’t get up on my behalf. Lord knows you could use all the beauty sleep you can get.”

This time, you weren’t so much taunting the man as you were stating a real fact. Despite having a healing factor, his face was almost unrecognizable, seemingly permanently scarred by steam burns. He’d managed to burn off his fingerprints too, so that only left his teeth for identification, and those just looked downright inhuman.

Julie was still running some searches upstairs, but all of her results so far had come up blank. None of the others seemed to know who this man was either, leading you to believe that he was either a new player, an insignificant peon, or a man who valued discretion above all.

And given the way that he dressed, that last one was a bit of a tough sell.

The man snarled at you, but not entirely out of anger. “You’re the only one here that’s wearing a full face mask, cobber. What’s that say about you?”

“Well I’m glad you’re feeling chatty, because me and my friends have got a few questions for you.”

“Neat. So do I.” he said, flashing you a fluorescent, wolfish grin. “Is Dracula really coming to this Podunk town? Because if so, I’d like to know in advance so I can see myself out.”

(Cont.)

The room went silent as Rintrah and Nico suddenly stopped talking to glance over at the two of you. Without the Silvertongue’s constant whining, it really was a lot easier to hear your own thoughts.

Currently, yours was racing back and forth. How did he know about the invasion? Did he torture the information out of Louise somehow? She was too devoted to let something like that slip accidentally, or even on purpose. It was hard to believe that he’d found a way to get her to crack before Reese could show up.

This guy knew more than he let on.

Your eyes narrowed. “Who do you work for?”

“Me? Myself, mostly. But I can be persuaded to lend my services if my prospective employer is prepared to provide me with a delectable assortment of rare goodies.”

“Uh…are we talking about people or food?” you asked.

The prisoner chuckled darkly.

You sighed. “Right. Wrong question. Let’s change tacks.”

What will you do/say?

>”I could just go back to breaking things, you know. It wouldn’t be hard to make it so that your injuries heal ‘wrong’.”
>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”
>”Was going down in the first round a factor of your plans? Maybe you’re not as tough as you think you are.”
>”No one’s coming to save you. Assuming you even have backup, they wouldn’t be able to get in. Hell, even I couldn’t break in here if they didn’t want me to.”
>”I’m not here to play games with you. Me blowing you up was a mercy. There are far worse ways for you to be spending your night, and I’m not shy about exploring them.”
>”You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.”
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5500371
>"Oh good, the living reason why most people dislike my profession. You working with anyone right now? I want to know if I need to expand my shitlist."
>”You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.”
>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”

>>5500371
>”You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.”
>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”
>”Was going down in the first round a factor of your plans? Maybe you’re not as tough as you think you are.”
>”No one’s coming to save you. Assuming you even have backup, they wouldn’t be able to get in. Hell, even I couldn’t break in here if they didn’t want me to.”

>>5500371
Does he get memories out of people he eats? We learned they’re encoded in DNA recently, somehow.

Backing >>5500383, plus emphasizing
>”So, who gave you this list, and why’d you accept? There’s certainly more interesting… prey to get elsewhere.”

>>5500371
>"Wouldn't Dracula be very high in the ranking of a 'delectable assortment of rare goodies'? Or are you only looking to punch down?"
>>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”

>>5500371
>"I'll make it simple. You give me names, I might reconsider having your mind probed and wiped. Who hired you and who else is on your list?"
Threatening him with violence seems like a no-go, so let's put something he can't just regenerate in peril.

>>5500371
>>”You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.”
>”Was going down in the first round a factor of your plans? Maybe you’re not as tough as you think you are.”
>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”

>>5500371
>>5500439
I’ll back this as well. And if he calls bullshit, we can point out he attacked someone who is pals with one of said mindwipers! He’s fucked himself over.

>>5500383
>>5500388
>>5500398
>>5500437
>>5500439
>>5500482
>>5500443
>"Oh good, the living reason why most people dislike my profession. You working with anyone right now? I want to know if I need to expand my shitlist."
>”You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.”
>”Was going down in the first round a factor of your plans? Maybe you’re not as tough as you think you are.”
>”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”
>"I'll make it simple. You give me names, I might reconsider having your mind probed and wiped. Who hired you and who else is on your list?"

Taking these. We're gonna try our best to string these together. Writing...

File: 3811888-bloodylips.jpg (43 KB, 322x404)

43 KB JPG

You rolled your eyes, dissatisfied with the fact that no one could see you do it. “Oh good, the living reason why most people dislike my profession. You working with anyone right now? I want to know if I need to expand my shitlist."

“I don’t particularly play well with others. For obvious reasons.” he said, shifting uncomfortably under the thick webbing.

You scrutinized him carefully, wondering if he was trying to cover for an ally or an employer. You’d have to look into it later.

“You got a name, tough guy? I’m getting real tired of thinking of you as ‘Cannibal Tarzan Guy” in my head.” you asked.

His grin widened considerably, and you were convinced that it would split his face, right then and there. “People like to call me ‘Bloody Lips’, which is…somewhat appropriate. And you’re the Huntsman.”

You glared at him. ”Who else is on your little list? Anyone I might know, or…used to know?”

He leaned back and smacked his head against the tile so hard that it cracked a bit. He didn’t appear to be bothered in the slightest. “The ones that came before your ‘battle nun’ shouldn’t matter to you. They’re not worth mentioning. As for the others…”

He glanced around the room, locking eyes with everyone in turn. “They’re probably not on the list, but I can’t say for certain. The trail might have me circling back around to them. It’s winding and screwy. It’s not all that concrete, y’know?”

You shook your head. “No, not at all.” you said wearily. “Look, I'll make this simple. You give me names, I might reconsider having your mind probed and wiped. Who hired you and who else is on your list?"

That same predatory grin flashed across his face for a brief moment, before he dialed it back a bit. “Trust me. You don’t want to go looting around in my head. It wouldn’t exactly be a walk in the park.”

You folded your arms across your chest and sneered down at him. “That’s for us to decide.”

The room fell silent once more, as the two of you exchanged assessing glances. Finally, he seemed to come to a decision.

“The names wouldn’t mean anything to you. I only drew you out because I thought that you might have more information.” he said, staring at Rintrah with more than a little interest. “But judging from the way that this conversation is going, I’m probably just wasting my time here.”

Bloody Lips sighed and ground his teeth audibly. “For every person I taste, I get another lead. Your girl had something that I wanted, so I moved further down the list. This is something of a…personal project.”

You clenched your fists so tightly that your knuckles popped and turned white. Louise was just another mark on a long list of victims? Does this asshole seriously think that he can get away with saying shit like that in the situation that he’s in?

(Cont.)

File: 4360399-bloodlipsa.png (846 KB, 658x538)

846 KB PNG

“Was going down in the first round a factor of your plans? Maybe you’re not as tough as you think you are.”

A low rumble came from BL’s throat, and it took you a moment to realize that he was growling at you. Like, actually growling.

“I didn’t expect you to turn into a nuke and blow yourself up, mate. The nun’s memories didn’t offer any specifics on that part, so it took me a bit by surprise.” he admitted. “But I assure you that I’m plenty tough. I just needed you to get me inside this mansion.”

You scoffed at his arrogance. “Yeah, right. You planned this whole thing. You’ve got the clear advantage here.”

He shrugged. “It didn’t go exactly to plan, but I managed to clear the biggest hurdle. You see, after I learned what the vampire hunter knew, I learned about a wise old crone that lives in this mansion. One that can get inside people’s heads, even!”

There was a building buzzing sensation in the back of your head that was becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Something was going to happen.

A long, thin tongue snaked out of his mouth to lick at a bit of webbing clinging to his neck. “A little too low on calories for my taste…but it’ll do.”

Suddenly, his chest and throat began to expand rapidly like that of a bullfrog! A radiant glow of sweltering heat had started to well up from within his body, and you did what you could to bind him with webs. The residual heat was strong enough to burn or melt the webs to a certain degree, and you wondered whether you’d have any better luck using your web bombs.

“Huntsman! Get behind me!” Nico shouted. She was using her staff to generate a thick magical barrier that should shield you from the worst of the blast.

You dove behind the young girl, hoping that she had what it took to block whatever it was that Bloody Lips was preparing to do. But for some reason, he was turning away from you. What was…

FUCK!

You leapt at the mutant cannibal, hoping that your heat resistant suit would be enough to shield you from the residual heat, and that you could reach him before-

Too late.

Bloody Lips opened his mouth unnaturally wide, belching out bright flames, directly onto the bound Silvertongue. Her body became engulfed in amber light, and you could see that entire corner of the room blacken from the intense heat. By the time you’d managed to tackle the man to the ground, the deed had been done.

Amidst the smoldering ruins of what had previously been a powerful containment ward, were the charred remains of a woman’s body.

You didn’t have time to dwell on it for long. A sharp elbow from below forced you back, despite having blocked it just in the knick of time. Bloody Lips’ mad cackling filled the room, along with the thick black smoke pouring from his unnaturally wide mouth.

(Cont.)

File: 4360380-3137536513-Elekt.jpg (144 KB, 666x1024)

144 KB JPG

“Correct me if I’m wrong, but you still need that thing alive, yeah?” he said, glancing at the Silvertongue for a moment. “She could still be alive in there. You’d best hop to it.”

You wanted more than anything to drive your fist through his smug ass face, but you weren’t stupid enough to ruin the clear shot that Nico had on him.

Without saying anything, without so much as glancing at her, Bloody Lips seemed to know exactly what you were up to. Louise’s knowledge on your tactics might’ve had something to do with that. You couldn’t say for sure. But what you did know, was that could barely fucking believe what happened next.

Bloody Lips’ arm shot out, and a thick strand of webbing came out from his wrist, snagging a metal cart and whipping it towards Nico. Her eyes went wide, and she raised her staff just in time to knock the heavy projectile away with a concentrated mana bolt, but this left her vulnerable to the follow-up webline that snagged her leg.

Did he just-!

Lips pulled, and the goth girl flipped onto her back, writhing in pain as she struggled to regain her bearings. Rintrah looked about ready to charge, but you halted him with but a command.

“Help Nico and the Silvertongue! I’ve got this!”

Lips was still spewing black smoke making it hard for everyone in this room to breathe. Even your mask filters were beginning to get a bit overwhelmed. You needed to bring this fight into a more open area. At least then, you’d have backup, and Rintrah could call for Pandora to show up.

But you had to stall him long enough for any of that to happen.

Lips leapt for the stairs, desperate to reach the upper levels. You were hot on his heels, painfully aware of the fact that you could just drag him right back downstairs so that he’d never even get remotely close to Madame Webb. But you needed him out of this basement and away from the Silvertongue.

If she really did die from her injuries, then Cindy could get her voice back. But that also meant that all those ancient, forbidden languages would get released into the world again. No pressure…

—--

Matt had been hearing a great ruckus for some time now, and he was just about to check on how things were going, when the door burst into splinters, with you and Bloody Lips tumbling out!

The two of you were little more than a tangle of limbs and a blur of constant motion, exchanging strikes and parries as if it were a choreographed act. Despite his looks, he wasn’t a bad fighter by any definition of the word.

Sure, you were faster, but his skills felt more…refined somehow. That only ticked you off even more. He kept trying to use your speed against you by creating false openings and trying to bait you into overextending.

(Cont.)

However, there was one thing that put your mind at ease. Both Matt and Marc were here, two of the best combatants that you’ve ever fought with and beside. If the three of you couldn’t hold this guy off before Pandora got here, then you didn’t know who could.

“He’s after Madame Webb!” you shouted to the other two. They seemed confused, but resolute in their support and trust in you. Meanwhile, Julia was running out of the room screaming.

Smart girl.

Bloody Lips grinned feociously as he glanced around at the men besieging him on all sides. “Don’t even think of trying to use the pebble. I know that trick too.”

What will you do?

>Bullshit! He’s bluffing! Fire the pebble!
>Use up all of your web bombs and wail on him while he attempts to free himself.
>Pull out your guns and shoot his legs out.
>Use an explosive punch to send him flying outside. Maybe the wards would be able to do their job, then.
>Whip out your dagger and try to disable him by slicing into his tendons.
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5500582
>Pull out your guns and shoot his legs out.
Matt and Marc have the fisticuffs covered. Let's take potshots where we can.

>>5500582
gun one hand dagger in the other.

>>5500582
>>Whip out your dagger and try to disable him by slicing into his tendons.

So if he has our memories and our webs...does he also have the Mark of Kaine?

>>5500582
>Use up all of your web bombs and wail on him while he attempts to free himself.
>Pull out your guns and shoot his legs out.

>>5500630
I’m thinking he might have our danger sense. It’d be an explanation for his proficiency.

>>5500582
>Treat him as having your danger sense. Coordinate with the others to either give him nowhere to dodge, or hit him with something too quick to dodge.
I have no preference on how to fight him, but we need to make sure it counts. The pebble could be bounced onto someone else, for example.

God fucking damnit someone had intel and sent a cannibal to either kill or collect samples.

This had better just be chameleon or we have another player in the game after us

>>5500582
>Treat him as having your danger sense. Coordinate with the others to either give him nowhere to dodge, or hit him with something too quick to dodge.

>Bloody Lips possess the power to gain the powers, traits, and memories of creatures he consumes through their blood and flesh.
OH FUCK
>Gaining especially bad memories from his victims can have a negative effect on Bloody Lips
SMALL WEAKNESS

>>5500582
Adding this too
>Treat him as having your danger sense. Coordinate with the others to either give him nowhere to dodge, or hit him with something too quick to dodge.

>>5500651
The funny thing is that he could be a backup Silvertongue. Shame we can’t trust him.

Shame we already left the room with everyone else. If they knocked out the teleportation wards then Rintrah could escape with Webb back to the Sanctum immediately.

>>5500651
Unfortunately Ben is in the minority of metahumans that didn't have a traumatic childhood.
Maybe we can make him die of cringe if we start bringing up every embarrassing memory in Ben's head?

>>5500644
+1

>>5500582
Write-in
>Continue the fistfight and slip the "Preprogrammed Fist Material" into our hand and hit him with a vicious right hook
If he has Louise's memories AND our danger sense then improvising and using something we've never shown anyone will overwhelm him just like the we did with the mark. Hiding the cylinder in our hand might let him think he can just tank the hit and make him ignore the danger sense until it's too late.

>>5500659
Marc would probably count. We did murder his brother, after all.

>>5500582
>>5500682
Backing this too. I forgot we had it, but anon is right in that he won’t be prepared for it. Even we don’t know how effective it is.

>>5500644
>>5500649
>>5500654
>>5500682
>>5500583
>>5500589
>>5500635
>Treat him as having your danger sense. Coordinate with the others to either give him nowhere to dodge, or hit him with something too quick to dodge.
>Pull out your guns and shoot his legs out.

Taking these. Roll 1d100+10, bo3! I shall update as soon as I wake up from my nap.

Rolled 8 (1d100)

>>5500920

Rolled 48 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5500920

Rolled 88 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5500920

>>5500945
God gave us a chance and we took it

>>5500976
Yes, we sure did

Note to self: install articulating "lids" over the eyes of our mask so we can properly roll our eyes.

File: Amazing_Spider-Man_Vol_5_(...).jpg (805 KB, 777x1200)

805 KB JPG

>98

From what you’ve been able to gather, this guy had the ability to borrow powers and memories from the people that he “tastes”. That was how he managed to learn a thing or two about this mansion’s warding scheme, your team’s tactics, and Madame Webb’s existence.

That meant that he probably had a decent amount of information on your fighting styles, available gadgetry, and the general functionality of your powers. He seemed to already have a grasp on how your webs worked, so you had to assume that he might just have access to your spider sense as well. That was both an advantage and a disadvantage for you.

Sure, he would be aware of any and all attacks made against him here, but there was a big difference between expecting something and having the presence of mind, skill, speed and space required to block or deflect said attacks. It was like getting a warning for an attack in a video game, but getting hit anyway. It happened more often than you liked to admit, but no one was perfect. And you planned to take advantage of that.

“Lock him down!” you shouted, whipping your pistols out and firing at his legs. He danced around to avoid your shots, parrying Matt’s incoming blows with impressive precision that you didn’t quite think he stole from you. He displayed a similar level of skill during his fight with you, but was unable to portray the entire scope of it.

Marc came up on his other side, hurling a flurry of Moonrangs at him. To everyone’s surprise, Bloody Lips caught two with only the fingers available on one hand, and used them to deflect the other projectiles, including a few of your bullets.

Even with your enemy wielding such dangerously sharp weapons, Matt managed to remain in the fight by using his batons to knock the Moonrangs away. However, that wasn’t the end of your problems. Bloody Lips didn’t seem to miss very often, if at all. Matt and Marc were able to shift their bodies to change the exact position that his strikes were landing, but seemed incapable of doing much more than that. It wasn’t due to a lack of skill on their part. This cannibal creep was just supernaturally adept at landing hits when and where he wanted to.

Things got especially complicated when he started using his webs in a more defensive capacity. By gluing Matt’s foot to the ground, he nearly arrested his momentum long enough to knock his head off. Luckily, he managed to block his killing blow by sacrificing his batons, both instruments becoming warped after having to take the full brunt of Lips’ attack.

And he very nearly knocked Marc prone by yanking his leg out from underneath him and webbing his hands to his bo-staff. That severely limited his combat potential, and forced him to temporarily retreat. You jumped in to fill the gap almost immediately, abandoning your guns for the time being.

(Cont.)

File: inhyuk-lee-1 (1).jpg (285 KB, 900x1367)

285 KB JPG

Without thinking twice, you shot out a small flashbang, closed your eyes and let your spider sense guide your movements. Your hands became a blur as you struck at your opponent’s head and torso. Bloody Lips was equally as adept at intercepting your blows, but didn’t seem to entirely grasp the nuance of super spider powers. This was made clear by his inability to react to you locking his limbs down with your sticking powers.

To be more specific, you were able to adhere your limbs to any physical surface. This also included human skin, of course. So when you used your forearm to block one of his punches, Lips quickly found that he was unable to pull that hand away. You did the same to his legs, adhering your calf to his and throwing off his balance.

You suspected that he had inherited your inhuman equilibrium as well as the rest of your powers, judging from the way that he fought on one leg, but that was a far cry from having access to the full range of maneuverability required to gain and maintain momentum in a scrap.

It turned what should have been a losing battle into a long, drawn out slog. And that was exactly what you needed it to be.

By the time that Matt had returned to the fight, Bloody Lips quickly found himself being overwhelmed by your coordinated assault. With you limiting his movements and Matt’s precise punches, he had lost any and all of the momentum that he’d stolen throughout this entire fight.

And when Marc returned with a new pair of gloves to replace his old ones, Bloody Lips seemed to come to a conclusion.

He coughed up another plume of black smoke, creating a temporary smokescreen that allowed him to disengage from the fight and cling to the ceiling. “I hate fighting fair. It doesn’t suit me.” he said with a cough.

It wasn’t a bad move, considering how you were really the only one that could engage him on a physical level while he was up there, but it didn’t do him any favors in the long run.

Suddenly, the entire building shook, and everyone stopped to find the source of it.

“Finally! The cavalry’s here!” Lips exclaimed.

“There’s an unidentified aircraft out there! It’s bombing the mansion!” Matt shouted.

“The wards should hold, but I don’t know for how long.” Marc observed, before turning to look at something that only he could see. “Khonshu, I need you to get Frenchie. Tell him how to find the Mooncopter.”

That solved one of your problems, but if that aircraft kept bombarding the mansion like that, then you doubted that Pandora would be able to enter safely.

(Cont.)

What will you do/say?

>”Tell Rintrah to take down the teleportation wards! This is an emergency!”
>Try to bait Bloody Lips into biting Matt so that you can use the Resonance Amplifier on him.
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.
>Lock him down Web Bombs and projectiles so that you can use the Pym Pebble.
>Reach out to Madame Webb and see if she can’t telepathically subdue him.
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5501353
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.
To risky to do much else.

>>5501353
>”Tell Rintrah to take down the teleportation wards! This is an emergency!”
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.

>>5501353
>>Try to bait Bloody Lips into biting Matt so that you can use the Resonance Amplifier on him.

>>5501353
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.

>>5501353
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.
STOP
STOP
GODDAMNIT WE DIDN'T ASK FOR STUPID SHIT HAPPENING LEFT AND RIGHT
WE JUST WANTED TO GET THE ORPHAN GIRL HER VOICE BACK
AND THEN WE WANTED TO FIND OUT WHO GANKED OUR BATTLE NUN

>>5501437
Nobody ever asks to be caught in a web of lies and conspiracies Anon. Best we can do is keep on swinging till we get somewhere.

>>5501360
Support

>>5501353
>”Tell Rintrah to take down the teleportation wards! This is an emergency!”
He can teleport the moment they’re down. Anyone trying to get in won’t be as quick to respond.
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.
All we need to do is stall him.

>>5501353
>>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.

>>5501357
>>5501358
>>5501436
>>5501437
>>5501490
>>5501497
>Activate your Preprogrammed Fist and meet Bloody Lips on the ceiling.

Roll 1d100+10, bo3!

>>5501437
Don't worry, anon. Your efforts will be recognized, and the payoffs from this whole ordeal should be worth it.

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>5502011
This payoff is taking quite a while to come, with all these constant changes

Rolled 39 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5502011

>>5502023
Dice must really dislike Bloody Lips, we've been dunking on him non-stop.
I meant to say twists, not changes. It's late, my brain isn't working

Rolled 1 + 10 (1d100 + 10)

>>5502011

>>5502029
well shit

>>5502029
Oh no

>>5502023
>>5502027
>>5502029
>>5502030
>>5502031
Don't worry, guys. It says in the rules that crit failures can't override crit successes, but the opposite can happen. That's gonna be an artificial crit! Writing...

>>5502023
>>5502028
Noted. I'll try not to drag this out for too long.

>>5502029
I guess I shouldn't talk about the dice before the rolls are over
>>5502033
Oh good, that was scare

>>5502033
There’s a part of me that enjoys this constant escalation. It’s a very particular brand of insanity that comes from wanting to do a little bit of good in a meta world and the universe deciding to shit all over your hopes and dreams.

By the end of this I expect us to own a castle, have a pair of Queen Elizabeth’s corgis, and have made friends with a moon rabbit. It’s just been that sort of week.

Though, uh, some days off would probably be well-deserved. IC and OOC, you should take a break for the new year.

>>5502047
Rest assured that I'm not just doing this to make you guys suffer. This is a crazy city in and incredibly crazy world, and everyone is always trying to get ahead. Sometimes random chaos can fuck you up just as bad as someone directly plotting against you. There will be a lot of ups and downs, so you'll have to take what you can get. Sometimes forcibly.

But I think that when tragedy strikes and it seems like the entire world is out to get you, your victories just feel that much sweeter; your triumphs are all the more uplifting when you can somehow dig a diamond out of a trash pile. It's only in the face of great adversity that legends are made.

And, you're right. Both of those would be very nice! Downtime is super important in stories and irl. I try to make it a habit to write everyday, just so I can maintain that rhythm, but I am looking forward to taking a little vacation sometime soon. It'll probably be sometime in February, and once again in May. Me and my friends are saving up for a two week trip to Japan!

I'm also in the process of changing jobs. I'm thinking of doing remote work. It should cut down on travel costs and give me more time to relax and pay more attention to my hobbies. That includes writing for this quest!

File: 8594288-rintrah-movie.png (578 KB, 849x800)

578 KB PNG

>103!
>M-M-M-M-M-M-Maximum Spider!

While Bloody Lips was distracted by the bright flashes and violent shaking of the mansion, you pulled a cylindrical device out of one of your belt’s pouches, flipped the switch and gripped it firmly, before flinging yourself at the ceiling with a swift webline.

Despite the complete and total gravitational shift of your new terrain, you didn’t so much as slow down when you landed upside down and rushed towards the psychopath. He attempted to slip by your incoming punch, but failed to account for it doubling in size as you smacked him off the ceiling with what felt like the force of a semi-truck behind your fist.

The goon went flying into a window, but ultimately failed to break it due to its reinforced nature. The wards behind their newfound durability lit up for a brief moment as he smacked against the glass and bounced back in the opposite direction.

He attempted to recover in mid-air, using an aimed webline to correct his trajectory, but a bright red force bubble cut him off from any hope of escape that he might have had!

All of you turned to the source of the attack–Nico, who was pointing her strange magical staff at the killer, a look of pure hatred in her eyes.

“Hold him steady!” Rintrah shouted, coming up behind her with an oddly shaped flask held high in his meaty hand. He bit off the cork, reeled his arm back and flung it at the ground, right below where Bloody Lips was now floating in the force bubble.

The glass shattered, and a pale green smoke wafted up from the steaming liquid, filling the air around. And then, all of a sudden, the smoke changed course, and flew directly into the orifices on Bloody Lips’ face!

His nose, mouth, eyes and ears became filled with the stuff, and he began to gag and cough uncontrollably. Nico held him in the air like that for another minute, before letting him fall back down onto the broken glass shards. The cannibal was shivering so hard that it looked as if he was practically vibrating!

You dropped from the ceiling and cautiously approached him, waiting for him to pull another bag of tricks out of his sleeve. But you quickly jumped back when Bloody lips started vomiting violently! The sheer amount of fluid that came spewing out of his mouth was simply unbelievable! Like a soaking wet, filthy rag being wrung out a pristine carpet.

After about a few more seconds, he ran out of things to throw up, and simply laid on the floor retching and shivering. He didn’t try to get back up. You didn’t really think that he’d be able to, even if he wanted.

Everyone stood there in complete silence, just staring at him. And then everyone turned their gazes on Rintrah.

“Rintrah…?”

“Yes?”

“What did you do to him?” you asked.

(Cont.)

File: PandoraPeters.jpg (368 KB, 592x1641)

368 KB JPG

He flashed you a proud grin. “I was made to assume that his powers gave him the abilities of anyone he had partially consumed, so I whipped up a quick potion to empty the contents of his stomach!”

Nico wrinkled her nose in disgust, taking several steps away from the growing puddle of filth. “Yeah, we can see that.”

Matt grimaced, but didn’t seem terribly sympathetic for Lips’ current condition. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

You all nodded in agreement. And it was at that time when you all realized that there hadn’t been any flashing, shaking or rumbling from the aircraft assault. It all just sort of…stopped.

You all looked around in confusion, when the front door slowly opened to reveal Pandora Peters entering the mansion. A very tall man trailed behind her, and he sort of reminded you of Cindy’s getup.

He was wrapped from head to toe in worn bandages, leaving only gaps for his eyes, and very small ones for his mouth. He wore flowing, white robes, expensive looking Egyptian jewelry and he carried a long, golden staff with a scarab beetle on top.

No one spoke or moved to greet Pandora as she strode into the room with the mummy behind her. She stopped right at the edge of the puddle of filth, pulled out her wand and began waving it around.

The tip of the wand glowed bright blue, and the filth disappeared as if it had never been there. With her other hand, she threw a disk shaped object on the ground in front of you. You knelt to inspect it. Your spider sense wasn’t going off, so it was probably safe to touch.

You picked up what appeared to be a dark green and lime colored model aircraft. It was sort of shaped like a saucer, and the attention to detail was just mind-boggling!

“There are still people in there. Be careful.” Pandora advised, using her wand to lift Bloody Lips’ limp form into the air. “Or don’t. I’m not particularly attached to them.”

You frowned at her and brought the saucer closer so that you might get a close peek. There were, in fact, tiny people inside, laying on the floor, rolling in agony.

You let out a hollow laugh. “Honey, you shrunk the kids…”

“They had it coming. They’re leftovers from the big Serpent Society bust. And from what I can gather, he is too.”

You looked back at her, only to find that there were multiple strands of silvery threads floating out of Lips’ head and into the tip of her wand. His limp body was just floating in front of her helplessly, his mouth hanging open in a stupefied expression.

“It’s hard to tell, because these memories are sort of jumbled up, but I don’t think this guy is a big time member.” Pandora continued, narrowing her glowing eyes in concentration. “He’s more like an associate of the order, or a reserve member. He must have gotten tipped off by the arrest report, and decided to come sniffing around.”

(Cont.)

Behind her, the mummy leaned down to whisper gently in her ear. You could just barely hear a surprisingly smooth and melodious voice from behind those bandages.

“My lady, may I check on the prisoner now?”

Pandora nodded and spoke in a surprisingly familiar tone. “Please. We can’t have her losing her vessel at this stage.”

The mummy gave her a small bow and proceeded towards the basement. After a few seconds, Rintrah snapped out of his trance and regained the presence of mind required to lead the man down into the mansion’s lower levels. Matt and Marc visibly relaxed as well.

“You knew about what happened to the Silvertongue?” you asked.

“Nico told me when she rang the bell. It allows me to hear messages within a 15 second time frame.” she responded. “I’m glad I got here when I did.”

What will you say/do?

>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
>”This whole thing didn’t feel like a basic revenge plot. He was just hoarding powers and memories. What was he looking for so desperately?”
>"You guys should do another sweep of the Society, just to be safe."
>”So none of this would’ve happened if you guys hadn’t gotten sloppy with cleanup!”
>”Can that mummy guy really save the Silvertongue? If so, then we might really need his help to save Louise.”
>”Can I get a peek at his memories, too? I need to make sure that there aren’t any others that might come looking for us later.”
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5502100
>>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
this guy should have his own movie

>>5502100
>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Can that mummy guy really save the Silvertongue? If so, then we might really need his help to save Louise.”

>>5502100
>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
>”As much as I hate to suggest it, what are the chances his ability can be made in a lesser form? It’d give a backup option for the Silvertongue conundrum if cloning isn’t an option in the future.”
>”Any others he knows about that could hit us? I’m hoping this saucer has the last of his cavalry.”
>”Can the mummy guy help Louise? She, uh… *whisper* she had to get turned into a vamp to survive. She and her order won’t be happy, but I’m no stranger to legwork to reverse supernatural conditions.”

>>5502060
I don’t believe you’re being mean about it. But like you said, the pain makes it sweeter at the end when properly recompensed. I do have faith in you as a QM to provide appropriate challenges. This just happened to be a lot of challenges, which I feel fits for a personal arc many of us were in vested in. You couldn’t pull this on us if it involved anyone other than Cindy because there’s a very real chance we would say “not worth it anymore”.

Here, we have a goal in mind. And if we have to bully government and supernatural organizations to achieve it, I’m down for it. Huntsman is going to have one overriding reputation - mess with family, get fucked no matter who you hide behind. That’s worth something on the streets.

>>5502249
+1

>>5502100
>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
>”This whole thing didn’t feel like a basic revenge plot. He was just hoarding powers and memories. What was he looking for so desperately?”

>>5502100
>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
>”This whole thing didn’t feel like a basic revenge plot. He was just hoarding powers and memories. What was he looking for so desperately?”
>"You guys should do another sweep of the Society, just to be safe."

>>5502503
I almost wish we got this Doc instead of Liv. Almost.

>>5502562
they are both around i think, as siblings

>>5502102
>>5502234
>>5502249
>>5502274
>>5502292
>>5502340
>”That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”
>”Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong can stay out of the public eye for this long.”
>”Can that mummy guy really save the Silvertongue? If so, then we might really need his help to save Louise. She, uh… *whisper* she had to get turned into a vamp to survive. She and her order won’t be happy, but I’m no stranger to legwork to reverse supernatural conditions.”

Taking these. Writing...

>>5502102
Modern Sony would probably try to attempt it if he were a Spider-Man IP. They've been running own the list of obscure characters, lately.

>>5502249
Oh, definitely. This is something that you could easily brag about or use as a threat if anyone even thought of fucking with the Parkers.

>>5502503
>>5502562
>>5502591
They both exist here as siblings. Both work in somewhat separate fields, travel in different circles, and they don't really talk to each other very much. At some point you will encounter both Ocks, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

>>5502658
The threat would be fun.
>”Remember the news about the Serpent Society? Rolled up practically overnight. That was me. Not that I knew they existed about a week before. Or that I really wanted them gone. But they were sheltering someone I personally wanted in a cell of my own, and dismantling their entire organization was the most sensible way to ensure they wouldn’t try a rescue operation. So I made sure it happened.

Let’s keep this disagreement professional and not personal. My personal problems tend to alarm government agencies since they’re afraid I’m going to make my problems their problems.”

File: 4474977-pandora_peters-th(...).jpg (67 KB, 262x606)

67 KB JPG

“That makes two of us. We appreciate the assist.”

She nodded in your general direction, her eyes still focused on something that you couldn’t see as she sifted through Bloody Lips’ memories. For a brief moment, you thought you could see a half-smile form on her lips, before being smothered by cold, hard professionalism once more.

“Who exactly is this guy, anyway? I find it hard to believe that a guy with an ability that strong could stay out of the public eye for this long.”

“I haven’t found his name yet, but he wasn’t lying about the ‘Bloody Lips’ thing. He’s a serial killer in the Australian Outback. An urban legend, really. No one was even sure that he really existed.” Pandora explained. “He traveled by foot most of the time, and he lived independently from everyday modern conveniences, so it would’ve been hard to pin him down or keep track of his movements outside of the trail of blood that he left by consuming his victims.”

Nico grimaced.

“So he wasn’t even a mercenary. Just a sick monster that got a kick out of eating people.” Matt said.

“It’s probably better that way.” Marc added. “Serial killers tend to be antisocial by nature, so it’d be rare for him to ever work with people willingly.”


“Let’s hope you’re right. That saucer had better be the last of his ‘cavalry’.” you said, lifting the shrunken aircraft back up to your eye. “Can that mummy guy really save the Silvertongue?”

Pandora nodded, and then winced slightly. The graphic nature of an unrepentant cannibal’s memories must be a hard thing to sit through.

“Most healing magic can only be used to speed up the natural healing processes. Anything that heals fatal wounds is strictly forbidden by most magic societies, since they fall under the category of dark magic.”

“Why’s that?” Nico asked.

“Because even if you heal someone back from the brink of death, there’s always consequences.” Pandora said. “We call it the ‘Law of Karmic Transference’. Either the healer’s lifeforce is used to heal their target, or a random person in the world suffers the exact same wounds that were healed by the healer. A balance must be maintained.”

That must be why Strange didn’t just completely heal Louise with his magic. He’s scared of this “Karmic Transference” thing happening to someone else.

“So what’s this other guy’s plan?” Matt inquired.

“Ahmose has a powerful elixir that can heal just about any wound. But most importantly, it functions outside of the cycle of Karmic Transference. We should be able to revive the Silvertongue without much issue.”

“Then, do you think he’d be able to help save Louise? She, uh…she had to get turned into a vamp to survive.” you said in a hushed tone. “She and her order won’t be happy, but I’m no stranger to doing legwork in order to reverse supernatural conditions.”

File: tumblr_inline_pr74lp0z8n1(...).jpg (128 KB, 632x960)

128 KB JPG

Pandora frowned and looked directly at you this time. “She was the combat nun, right? I think I just saw the memories of their battle together.”

You all nodded.

She sighed. “It depends on how far along she is in her transformation, but the elixir should at least be able to heal her wounds. We’ll pay her a visit after this, but…you shouldn’t get your hopes up. There aren’t many cases of vampirism being cured in the first place, and immediate treatment is needed in order for it to be very effective.”

“But…there’s still a chance, right?” Nico said hopefully.

Pandora glanced in her general direction, and then nodded slowly. “There is a chance, and we will do whatever we can to exploit that small window of opportunity.”

Nico gave her an awkward, but sincere smile, before turning to follow Rintrah into the basement. “Thanks...”

—-------

After a few more minutes of conversing with Pandora, you went to confirm Madame Webb’s safety, and found that she and Julia were waiting together in the old woman’s bedroom.

You were about to apologize profusely about the damage done to her estate and the land surrounding it, but she quickly stopped you with a raised hand and a quick explanation.

Apparently, she had contacted Pandora telepathically as soon as she’d arrived via portal. The Director of W.A.N.D. promised to repair the damages incurred by the aircraft, as well as Bloody Lips, so she wasn’t terribly worried about it.

You reassured her of the intruder’s defeat, and then left for the basement once she asked you to confirm the Silvertongue’s condition.

And to your great relief, Ahmose was just as competent as Pandora had said he was. The purported miracle elixir that he was known for carrying did its job perfectly. What was once a corpse charred beyond all recognition, was now an unblemished body. One that still presumably hosted the parasitic Silvertongue.

Ahmose assured you that the elixir had brought the Silvertongue back from the brink of death, as well as its host body. But when you asked whether he could make another elixir for you and your group, he shook his head solemnly.

“This elixir is the only one that I know of, and I am incapable of making any more. Nor have I met anyone that is capable of replicating its complex formula.”

The bandages made it hard to figure out whether he was lying, but you didn’t think that he was trying to mislead you. He and Rintrah spent the rest of the time redrawing the containment ward, while you and Nico studied the symbols used in the ritual circle, just in case one of you had to redraw them next time.

—-----

(Cont.)

File: Strange Tales.jpg (1.26 MB, 1821x2800)

1.26 MB JPG

A little later, when it was clear that the Silvertongue’s life was no longer in danger, you, Ahmose and Pandora proceeded through a portal that would lead to the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum. Before entering, however, Pandora opened up an additional portal and flung Bloody Lips’ unconscious form through. The serial killer had a lot of stolen memories that she would have to parse through and erase.

—-------

You, Cindy, Reese, and Pandora waited patiently as Ahmose tended to Louise’s wounds. It didn’t just end at him feeding her the elixir, which was an incredible sight in and of itself.

You’d watched with poorly concealed awe as the magical draught regrew healthy skin and hair, reattached torn muscle, and restored her so completely that it was hard to believe that she had been sitting on death’s door not too long ago.

Now he was just making sure that he had properly judged the correct amount of elixir that should be used. Since he only had one elixir to use in case of emergency, he was careful with rationing each and every drop of it. Pandora assured you that he was an expert in judging the correct amount necessary, but she didn’t begrudge him for wanting to make absolutely certain.

Strange’s astral projection was watching the procedure very closely. According to him, the art of potioncraft was a rare talent to be had amongst most competent alchemists, and he had never before seen an elixir quite as powerful as Ahmose’s.

Finally, Ahmose turned around to address all of you on the nun’s condition. Cindy and Reese leaned forward, holding their breath in anticipation. If there was even a small chance that Louise could be cured…

Ahmose shook his head, and everyone around you deflated. Pandora closed her eyes and sighed, and Strange pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration.

“I am sorry, but she is too far along in her transformation for my elixir to do much more than bolster her condition.” Ahmose explained. “I suspect that her condition was aggravated by her injuries, and in her weakened state, the disease was able to ravage her body with ease. She will have to adapt to this new way of life from now on. I implore you, please be gentle in breaking the news to her.”

—--

It took you and Reese both to convince Cindy to take a portal home. She had wanted to stay with Louise until she woke up, but you reminded her that she had tests tomorrow, and needed her rest.

Pandora and Ahmose remained at the Sanctum as well, both of them conversing with Strange about the peculiarities of Louise’s condition and vampirism in general.

(Cont.)

What will you say/do?

>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.
>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
>Talk to Pandora, Strange and Ahmose about the effects of the magic elixir. There might be some other useful applications for it in the future.
>Head home with Cindy for now. You’ll check back in on Louise later.
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5502716
>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.

>>5502716
>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
Again, Reese can hang out in another room at first while we take the first round of anger. She doesn’t deserve that from Louise for saving her.
>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.
Other vamps will be a bridge too far. If Reese is willing to room with her, it may be an option depending on bow chill Louise is. If the answer is “not at all”, then… I dunno. Maybe we can ask the Morlocks for ideas. I’m sure they know plenty of places around the city where people can hide away from prying eyes, but that’s not a “home”.
>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
I’d offer to get contacts for a team that could try and replicate even a lesser corm of the potion, but I’m sure they’ e already tried a team-based approach before. But it’d be a hell of a thing for Nico to work on as a challenge, for example. I wonder if she’s given much thought to her long-term career?

Oh, and before we forget again
>Mention you have updates regarding the Silvertongue cloning situation to Pandora. Joke that there’s another Ben running around as we speak, looking to one-up us on how many government watchlists he’s on.
Louise takes priority, but we don’t want Pandora to vanish on us.

>>5502735
+1

>>5502716
>>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.

>>5502716
>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.

>>5502716
>>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
>>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
>>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.
and since we have a master potion crafter here and I think entirely forgot to have Donald checked, and I think the little plant guy is currently in the same dimension as video game horses are, forgotten until needed but ready to be summoned when needed
>Tell Stränge that the first patch of fairy flowers is in and we have another surprise about that...

>>5503221
>Tell Stränge that the first patch of fairy flowers is in and we have another surprise about that...
>Stränge
>ä
Exposing yourself, bröther?

>>5503335
I'm not ashämed.
I have no idea why that happened, was still half asleep in bed when phoneposting

>>5502716
>>5502735
Adding the last option here (>>5503221) to my vote.

>>5502724
>>5502735
>>5502747
>>5502851
>>5503067
>>5503221
>>5503387
>Thank Ahmose for using his elixir twice in one night. It was no small thing to use such a precious item at all, even if it was sparingly.
>Remain here with Reese until Louise wakes up. You want to be the one to break the news to her, just in case she has an…extreme reaction.
>Discuss the status of Louise’s living situation with Reese. She’ll need a place to stay if she can’t return to her Order.
>Mention you have updates regarding the Silvertongue cloning situation to Pandora. Joke that there’s another Ben running around as we speak, looking to one-up us on how many government watchlists he’s on.
>Tell Strange that the first patch of fairy flowers is in and we have another surprise about that...

Taking these. Might have to break this update into pieces, but I'll try my best to chain these options together. Writing...

>>5503221
Little Donnie was indeed forgotten during all the fuss.

File: Reese.jpg (120 KB, 469x720)

120 KB JPG

For the time being, you thought it best to remain here until Louise regained consciousness. She would need someone to explain her new circumstances to her, and you didn’t exactly trust her to be courteous towards the vampire that was responsible for turning her. Reese didn’t do anything wrong, and she doesn’t deserve to take the heat for saving someone’s life.

Besides, the two of you were sort of the only ones here that could really call yourselves her friends. Life-changing news like this shouldn’t come from a stranger. You just hoped that she wouldn’t try to tear your head off. “Don’t bite the messenger” and all that.

“Do you think she’ll be angry when she wakes up?” Reese asked.

“I’m counting on it. If she tries to do something crazy, I can probably restrain her with my webs. And with you guys as backup, she shouldn’t be able to hurt herself or anyone else until she calms down.”

Reese nodded slowly, her gaze firmly fixed on Donnie, who was currently being entertained by several sentient pop-up books, all of which seemed to be competing for his attention.

“She’ll probably need a new place to stay too.” you added. “I might be able to convince Madame Webb or Callisto to let her stay with them. She might be too keen on living in the sewers, but I’ve really helped spruce the place up lately. It’s certainly dark enough to keep her safe.”

“She can always stay with me and Marc. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind another vampire joining the Midnight Mission.” said Reese, her hopeful smile faltering a bit. “Although…I guess she wouldn’t really want to stay with the vampire that turned her. That might be stupid to ask right away.”

You gave her shoulder a comforting rub, and some of the tension seemed to leave her muscles. Ultimately, this was a conversation that you’d have to have with Louise. You couldn’t just make these decisions for her. She might just choose to live alone for a while.

Alternatively, there was another option that hadn’t been discussed. Once Cindy starts attending Brooklyn Visions, she'll be dorming with a roommate, creating a vacancy in your home that you weren’t entirely excited about. Louise could potentially fill that vacancy, but that idea had a few implications that were worth noting.

First, she would undoubtedly find out your identity while living under your roof. Second, she would definitely witness illegal activities during Desperado meetings. And third, you’d have to be comfortable living with a vampire that could potentially bite you in your sleep.

You didn’t know if you were ready to make such a commitment, even if it was for a friend in need. You’d have to think on it for a while longer.

“We’ll worry about that later.” you replied. “Cindy gave you the fairy flowers before she left, right?”

Reese nodded. “Yeah, I have them in a bag somewhere. Why?”

(Cont.)

File: 91cvWgEIu5L.jpg (732 KB, 1706x2560)

732 KB JPG

“I might need them in a bit. Until then, I’m gonna go mingle with the others. Are you okay here?”

“It’s okay. I’ll be fine.” she assured you.

“Cool. Holler if you need me.”

—----

When offered the chance to approach the trio of powerful mages, you found yourself being slightly intimidated by the subject material of their conversation. It was something relating to advanced magic theory, and every other bit of supernatural jargon was flying over your head faster than Quicksilver could run.

There was simply no room for you to smoothly enter their conversation, so you did what you did best in any social situation. You kicked down the door and barged right in.

“Hey, Ahmose? Thanks for everything you’ve done here. We appreciate you using your potion twice in one night. I know that couldn’t have been an easy decision to make.”

He gave you a small, but regal bow that made you feel a bit more important. “The decision was easier than you might think, my web-flinging friend. If a life can be saved, then there is no question about what must be done.”

“Even if that life belongs to the Silvertongue?” you asked.

The mummy nodded, but it seemed more like a concession. “I must admit that our reasons for reviving the Silvertongue were more than a little selfish, but that in no way compromises the validity of the core principle. Life is precious, and must be preserved whenever possible.”

“Well, speaking of Silvertongues, I might have found a solution to our little dilemma.” you declared. “I know a guy who should be able to clone the Silvertongue using the DNA sample that I gave him.”

Pandora’s eyebrows shot up. “A clone!? You’re sure of this?”

You nodded eagerly. “Oh, I already have plenty of evidence that his method works. He’s already created a pretty damn handsome clone of yours truly. We’re currently competing to see who can end up on more government watchlists.”

Pandora sighed wearily. “One of you is enough trouble. Couldn’t you have told him to take up gardening or something?”

“He wouldn’t be me if he didn’t cause you guys at least a little grief.”

She shook her head, smiling despite herself. “I suppose there’s some truth to that. I don’t mind a little grief if it means this clone theory is a viable option.”

“I’ve never heard of anyone successfully cloning a magical creature, but then again…I’m not entirely sure if anyone’s ever made the attempt.” Strange mused.

“It is certainly an interesting theory that deserves proper exploration and study.” Ahmose added.

“We’re still ironing out the details, but I think it can work.”

“Be sure to keep us posted.” Pandora advised. “And keep that clone in check. Or have him keep you in check. Whichever one of you is the rowdier one.”

(Cont.)

File: 05be4b24b726723c303a8eaf2(...).jpg (108 KB, 1246x1264)

108 KB JPG

“I’m still trying to figure that out myself.” you replied honestly. You haven’t really gotten many opportunities to spend much time with your clone as of late. You’d like to find out exactly how different your personalities were.

“I’ll hold off on telling Hill any of this for now, so try not to make a spectacle of yourselves.”

You nodded graciously. Not telling Hill about the cloning thing was probably a good move. You didn’t know what she would do to get her hands on Warren’s tech if she found out about it.

“Oh, right! I’ve got an update on those fairy flowers as well.”

Pandora frowned in confusion. “Fairy flowers?”

Strange’s astral projection clapped his hands together in celebration. “Ah! Excellent! Do you have them with you?”

You waved Reese over, seeing as how she had found the aforementioned flower bag. “Yup. I’ve got a fresh batch, and a little surprise to show you all.” you said, smiling deviously.

They all gave you curiosus looks, before turning to look at Donnie in sudden realization.

“You mean to tell us that that sentient plant belongs to you as well?” Ahmose inquired.

“Yup. His name’s Donnie.”

“I thought he belonged to Strange.” Pandora said, watching in amazement as Donnie flew around the room on the back of a small book.

“And I thought that it was a creature that fell out of a random portal.” Strange said with an amused smile. “And you say that you grew this?”

“Not me personally. One of our gardeners can manipulate plants, so she accidentally brought it to life.” you explained, accepting the bag from Reese. “These are the inanimate ones.”

He turned to peer into the bag and nodded approvingly. “These are of exquisite quality. I can tell that you, or your ‘gardeners’, took great care in cultivating these.”

“So do you think we can sell them?” you asked, getting a bit excited by the prospect of profiting from your fairy flower scheme.

“I’d like to do some tests with them, but I don’t see a reason for why you shouldn’t be able to market these to any interested parties.” the Sorcerer Supreme declared.

“Would you be inclined to ‘petal’ your services to us, dear Huntsman? I do believe that we would benefit from having a steady source of rare alchemical materials as well.” Ahmose added, clearly impressed with his own pun.

Pandora rolled her eyes. “I swear, your jokes are older than you are.”

What will you say?

>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”
>”Be sure to tell your friends about me. I could use the business.”
>”If I wanted to use my own product, how would I go about preparing or ingesting them?”
>”How do you guys plan on using these flowers?”
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”
>Write-in.

>>5503942
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”

>”How do you guys plan on using these flowers?”

>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”

>>5503942
>>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”
>>”Be sure to tell your friends about me. I could use the business.”
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”

>>5503942
>”Be sure to tell your friends about me. I could use the business.”
>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”
>"Never thought I would end up in the gardening business. Much less a somewhat legitimate one."

>>5503942
>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”
>”If I wanted to use my own product, how would I go about preparing or ingesting them?”
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”

>>5503942
>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? Keep in mind that if you low all me, I’ll report you to the authorities for exploiting child labor”
May as well play to their sympathies. Most of the Morlocks seem young, so it’s a joke that’s less of a joke than I’d like.
>”Feel free to spread the word around about this, but keep in mind our ability to scale up is limited. If anyone is interested in a long-term sharing of materials or knowledge though, we can discuss expanding our operations.”
I don’t want to bring in more business than they can handle. But getting them training, knowledge, or better materials? That’d be worth it.
>”How do you guys plan on using these flowers?”
Take notes. We need to know to market this and how others like Webb or Marc could use them.
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around? I was mostly worried about him pollinating.”
Nature Girl said it wasn’t an issue, but this is magic mixed with mutants. I don’t fully believe anyone saying shit like this is safe.

>>5503965
Support, we need vamp nun to be a day walker

>>5503942
Shit. I just remembered something.

>Nature Girl asked us to bring down more animals to the sewers.
>We blew her because wtf are we supposed to do
I know I suggested bees as an alternative… but we have an opportunity here to make a mummy deliver crates of squirrels to sewer mutants. How could we pass this up?
So in addition to my vote,
>”Tell you what. I’ll knock off half the price up front for the first batch AND arrange a meet-and-greet with the gardeners to discuss personal requests in exchange for a favor. They want more wildlife down in the greenhouse, squirrels and birds mostly but any animals that could live there will do. Find a way of hand-delivering it so I can get a real good laugh introducing you, and we’ll all make sure you get a discount going forward too.”
I’m offering a current discount, contact with the Morlocks directly, and the likelihood of a negotiated discount. In exchange, one of these three have to deliver to Nature Girl.
Please anons. I will alter this deal in any way needed to secure votes. I want to see everyone’s reaction when we deliver what Nature Girl actually wanted. Even moreso if Ahmose can do it just because of how weird the whole situation will look.

>>5504196
What? Why? What about this fucking magic immortal pharaoh makes you want to ask him for critters? Because it's funny? Random? Ironic?
No anon, fuck off.

>>5503965
+1

>>5504211
The pharaoh specifically? He tickles me the most, but that’s not really what I’m after. Pandora is more likely to consider it, followed by strange.

Now, I could point out that it’s not actually a bad deal for them. Time and attention, sure, but the Sorcerer Supreme can use the Morlocks cor personal requests without any other magicians having claimed them yet, while Pandora can have WAND build a rep with them as a means of keeping us in check, plus securing an otherwise unregulated source of magical goods in the city. I can also go down the route of pointing out that anything that pulls these people further into our network makes it easier to call them in the future.

While valid, they are excuses for me. In reality, we’ve been through a lot of shit. We wanted to get Cindy’s voice back, called in Marc for help, then Webb’s group, then Webb herself, then Marc’s allies and WAND, the. our own clone called us in and we picked up Ana along the way, and now the Sorcerer Supreme and a mummy are involved and we didn’t even ask for them. At the end of it, we’ll make exactly one little girl ecstatic for a couple scenes, and then life will move on. We’ll have helped a lot of others network, but it’s not to the same level.

Fuck that. For all the effort here, I want a second set of heartwarming scenes where we bring smiles to kids faces in unexpected ways as a result of this. Nature Girl had a ridiculous request, so there’s a starting point. For everyone here, we haven’t directly requested their aid in something completely insane like we have for everyone else here because Pandora came when we made it part of her job, Ahmose is here for her, and Strange is here because Reese dragged Louise in. So they deserve some of this insanity too.

Yes, it’s not quite rational. I am asking that we propose the Sorcerer Supreme, the head of a secret government agency, and a pharaoh to consider playing sewer santa by gathering up animals. And at least two of them are going to consider it, then realize they’re actually considering the insane request seriously, and have to reevaluate how they ended up in this situation like we should be doing every day right now.

I am slightly mad with power. But with everything we’ve just done to give Cindy a priceless gift, what’s one more request to these three to give someone else a gift?

>>5504640
I don't know anon, I think the scenes have been pretty neat already, and let me remind you that right after this Louise is gonna have a rude awakening that's gonna sour our mood again. It's just that really, you could ask these people for lots of things and you go for something we could easily do with money? It's not that interesting of an idea.

>>5504646
I suppose I value the ability for one of them to make a good impression on the Morlocks since they’re an insular community that doesn’t have much faith in topsiders more heavily than I should. We’re already in their good graces, this is a chance for someone else to make an impact and help influence them in ways we’re not equipped for.

I’ll be back to sanity after this vote, if disappointed. Carry on then.

>>5503947
>>5503958
>>5503965
>>5504001
>>5503983
>>5503997
>>5504520
>”Be sure to tell your friends about me. I could use the business.”
>”Just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”
>”What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?”
>"Never thought I would end up in the gardening business. Much less a somewhat legitimate one."

Taking these. Writing...

>>5504640
I'm sorry you feel that way, but Cindy having her voice back is a pretty big deal for her social life. It allows her to interact with more people, since most people don't learn ASL on a whim, and it'll give her more opportunities to make friends and experience a more normal side of her life. Without her voice, she would've struggled in conversations, and even communicating with teachers that don't quite have the time to slow down their entire lesson if a mute student wants to communicate with them.

You've got to take pleasure in the fact that you'll be creating new opportunities for her in the future, rather than basking in the glow of a single heartwarming moment.

I just wanted to make this a whole event, since there are a lot of things that happen here that can move the story along and offer a ton of new opportunities and developments. Just the idea of Ben reaching into his back pocket and giving Cindy something as valuable as this felt like it would've been pretty underwhelming. But I will acknowledge that it has gone on for a while, so I'll try to speed things along without compromising the story's integrity.

>>5504966
I have zero qualms about how you’ve done this arc Scorekeeper. And while I was okay with doing everything for one person with others benefitting indirectly, I did get struck by an idea and wanted to expand it even further in unexpected ways. I just didn’t get any bites from other anons in this case, that’s all.

Don’t feel the need to rush. We’ll continue adapting until we cross the finish line.

>>5504985
Glad to hear it! I shall continue to do my best.

And I meant to ask in the last thread, but are there any characters or plotlines that you guys would like to see in this quest?

File: dcbd4bee5c32e50ea9d83d586(...).png (2.61 MB, 1000x1500)

2.61 MB PNG

“Be sure to tell your friends about me. I could use the business. But, um…just out of curiosity, how much do you guys think I should charge for these? I’ll give you a discount if you answer honestly.”

Strange’s astral projection rubbed its goatee thoughtfully. “I’d say…3 gold pieces.”

“A single precious gemstone of decent quality.” Ahmose answered at almost the same time.

“Somewhere around $700.” Pandora added.

All three of them looked at each other in confusion, before conversing with one another on how they came to that conclusion, and how they should convert their collective values. After their group huddle had concluded, Astral Strange cleared his throat unnecessarily to grab your attention.

“We will revisit this topic once I have had some time to test out your product. Different practitioners of magic will have different methods of payment, so it is important to establish a baseline price for different kinds of currency.”

“Well, that sounds annoying.” you said with a groan.

“The magic world isn’t nearly as unified as you might’ve thought. A rare few adapt to the conveniences of modern civilization, while most are stuck in their ways, or end up getting roped into using a currency that they wouldn’t have normally invested in.” Pandora explained.

“I would recommend waiting until the Sorcerer Supreme has had a chance to appraise your product. He should be able to create a chart that lists the most popular types of currency used by those among our circle, as well as the going rates for such a rare material.” Ahmose said.

You nodded, and then glanced at the living fairy flower that’s been running amok in your absence. The sentient books in Strange's library were a constant source of entertainment for the unusual creature.

“What about Donnie? Is he…safe to keep around?” you asked.

“I see no reason for why he should be considered a significant danger to anyone around him.” Ahmose offered. “From what I understand, his ability to move and think comes from a power that isn’t inherently magical by nature.”

“He does seem rather harmless.” Strange mused.

“And a bit stupid.” Pandora muttered.

The other two looked at her. She just shrugged.

“In a cute sort of way.”

Some tests from Rintrah might be able to determine whether or not he has any hidden qualities that you should be concerned about. But at least with this, you should be able to bring him back to the Alley without having to worry too much.

You laughed to yourself and shook your head in disbelief. “Never thought I would end up in the gardening business. Much less a legitimate one.”

“You and your clone can go into business together. There are countless growth opportunities to be had in a field like this one.” Pandora proposed.

(Cont.)

File: Wolverine-11-spoilers-6-scaled.jpg (171 KB, 806x745)

171 KB JPG

“Oh, no. You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”

Pandora sighed, but allowed herself a begrudging smile. “Can’t blame a girl for trying.”

—-------

During the time that it took Strange to analyze the fairy flowers, Pandora and Ahmose departed from the Sanctum Sanctorum, saying that they needed to finish wiping the captured cannibal’s memory.

In the back of your mind, you hoped that Pandora wouldn’t investigate your stolen memories any more than absolutely necessary, You wondered if it was too much to hope that she would erase them without looking at them at all, but government types weren’t known for turning down any opportunity to gain knowledge, blackmail or leverage over a person.

Either way, it would have to be a problem for another day, because Louise was starting to wake up, and you were going to have to figure out what you would say to her.

—------

Upon entering the room that Strange had created just for her, you couldn’t help but think that it resembled a medieval dungeon decorated with an assortment of colorful rugs, banners and ribbons. At each corner of the room, hovering candles with purple flames were the only sources of light. The wax didn’t seem to melt in the slightest, and the wicks didn’t show any signs of going out anytime soon.

On the far side of the room, you spotted Louise, sitting up in her bed, clutching her head, pressing her palms into her ears. You opened your mouth to speak, closed it, and thought carefully about how you should break the news to her.

“I could hear your heartbeat on the way up, you know.”

Louise’s voice was frail and trembling, full of heartbreak before you even had a chance to say something that might shatter her reality. And when she looked at you with that very same crimson, burning gaze, black ichor pouring from her eyes, you knew that she knew. Of course she would.

If someone dedicated their whole life to hunting vampires, they shouldn’t have any problems recognizing the symptoms of newborn vamp. Even in themselves.

“I can’t hear my own, though. There’s definitely something flowing through my veins but it feels…alien. Wrong.” she continued, staring at the slightly blackened veins sticking out on her wrist. “The man I fought earlier wasn't a vampire. I should be dead. So...why am I…?”

She paused to listen for something that you had no chance of hearing. She closed her eyes slowly, frowning in concentration. Now that you were getting a good look at her, you were struck with the undeniable impression that Louise was a rather beautiful young woman. She wasn’t a slouch before her transformation, but all of her charming features were somehow magnified by an enthralling force that you couldn’t explain with words.

(Cont.)

File: 15820.jpg (52 KB, 400x400)

52 KB JPG

She seemed…unflappable, somehow. Flawless in a way that couldn’t be humanly achieved without editing software. Despite having just crawled back from the brink of death, and being bedridden for several days, she looked like she’d just come out of an expensive salon. Not a single hair was out of place, and she had a natural glow that would put even the most glamorous make-up artists to shame. Was this what vampirism was supposed to do to you? You hadn’t gotten this strong of a reaction from Reese. You wondered what the difference was.

“Reese is here, as well.” she said, not phrasing it as a question. “She was the one that bit me. She did it ‘save my life’, I presume.”

Louise chuckled darkly, exposing sharp fangs that had slightly pierced through her dark lips. “Foolish girl. She should have let me die. Now…my soul is damned. She has made me an abomination!”

She glanced over at the small, silver rosary that had been placed on a table on the far side of the room. It seemed to cause her physical pain to focus on it any longer than was absolutely necessary.

“What am I supposed to do now…” she asked, her voice cracking as more ichor ran down her face.

What will you say/do?

>”You can still hunt monsters. But now, you’ll be better at it! Fight fire with fire, you know?”
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”
>”This doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Being a vampire doesn’t make you evil. It’ll just be a…big adjustment.”
>”Yeah? Well I’m glad she did it. None of us want you to die. And even if you're a vampire, you’re still my friend and teammate.”
>”I’ll tell you what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna live your new…’unlife’ to the best of your ability. I won’t let you quit on me.”
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”
>Pull her into a hug.
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5505041
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”

>>5505041
>”Yeah? Well I’m glad she did it. None of us want you to die. And even if you're a Vampire, you’re still my friend and teammate.”
>Pull her into a hug.
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”
>"I'll just ask, but is your "condition" permanent? I figured if anybody knew how to cure Vampirism, it'd be you or somebody in your order."

>>5505041
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”
>Pull her into a hug.
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”
>"I’m glad she did it. None of us want you to die. And even if you're a vampire, you’re still my friend and teammate.”

>>5505041
>>”I’ll tell you what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna live your new…’unlife’ to the best of your ability. I won’t let you quit on me.”

>>5505059
take her on rollercoasters and shit.

>>5505041
I’m… not sold on hugging her without a warning. If she can hear our heartbeat from here, it’s going to be much worse when we’re that close.

I’m generally for bluntness.
>”You might call Reese and yourself abominations, but you worked with her enough to know she isn’t evil. And for me and a number of your friends, that’s what matters. You’ve changed physically, but you’re still the Louise that protected the innocent and helped save my life.”
>”We’ll start slow. Work on getting you food you don’t have to feel guilty about and a place to stay with people who will support you. I can’t sugercoat it because I know you won’t believe me. This transition will be painful. But you’ll have people walking with you until you can get to a place where you’re proud of yourself and the work you do again.”

If we don’t see anything really alarming after that,
>”If I call Reese in, will you give her the chance to talk? Fair warning, she feels she failed by not finding you sooner so you’ll have to deal with apologies. She’ll probably strike a nerve without realizing.”
Reese is 100% the best person for her to learn about day-to-day vampire life when you’re not a people-killing monster, so starting that particular bit of bomb defusal with us present is important.

If she’s really, really not okay, that’s a next prompt kind of problem.

I just wanna say that there's Blade, a vampire that hunts vampires and other magical beings, and we have contacts in SHIELD

Se just need to get in contact with Blade, talk to him and give Louise a job into Blade's division and for him to make her learn how to live her new life without abandoning her old completely

>>5505357
Actually, on the topic of Blade, I remember something from the first Blade movie.
They figure out that Vampirism is a kind of genetic disorder and manage to cure it, with said cure being offered to Blade at one point at the cost of his superhuman abilities.
I don't know if Score is rocking with that interpretation or not, but either way we might take a sample of Louise's tainted blood and get it to Doctor Connors and see what his thoughts on it are.

>>5505041
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”
”I’ll tell you what you’re gonna do. You’re gonna live your new…’unlife’ to the best of your ability. I won’t let you quit on me.”
>”You can still hunt monsters. But now, you’ll be better at it! Fight fire with fire, you know?”

>>5505041
>”You might call Reese and yourself abominations, but you worked with her enough to know she isn’t evil. And for me and a number of your friends, that’s what matters. You’ve changed physically, but you’re still the Louise that protected the innocent and helped save my life.”
>”We’ll start slow. Work on getting you food you don’t have to feel guilty about and a place to stay with people who will support you. I can’t sugercoat it because I know you won’t believe me. This transition will be painful. But you’ll have people walking with you until you can get to a place where you’re proud of yourself and the work you do again.”
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”
>Pull her into a hug.
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”

>>5505046
>>5505050
>>5505053
>>5505237
>>5505243
>>5505455
>>5505521
>”Please don’t blame Reese. She only did it because she cares about you.”
>”You might call Reese and yourself abominations, but you worked with her enough to know she isn’t evil. And for me and a number of your friends, that’s what matters. You’ve changed physically, but you’re still the Louise that protected the innocent and helped save my life.”
>”We’ll start slow. Work on getting you food you don’t have to feel guilty about and a place to stay with people who will support you. I can’t sugarcoat it because I know you won’t believe me. This transition will be painful. But you’ll have people walking with you until you can get to a place where you’re proud of yourself and the work you do again.”
>”We’re in this together. If there’s anything you need, you just say the word.”
>Pull her into a hug.

>>5505357
>>5505363
Both are interesting options that you're welcome to explore!

File: character_55800_f.jpg (44 KB, 398x400)

44 KB JPG

“Please don’t blame Louise. She only did it because she cares about you.” you pleaded. “You might call Reese and yourself abominations, but you’ve worked with her long enough to know that she isn’t evil. And for me and a number of your friends, that’s what matters.”

Louise didn’t respond, so you kept talking.

“You’ve changed physically, but you’re still the Louise that protected the innocent and helped save my life.” you continued, taking a tentative step closer. “We’ll start slow. Work on getting you some food that you don’t have to feel guilty about consuming, and a place to stay with people who’ll support you.”

A jolt seemed to run through her at the mere mention of “food”, and she gripped the bed sheets so tightly that you were starting to notice small tears in the fabric.

“I can’t sugarcoat it, because I know you won’t believe me. This transition will be painful.” you admitted, knowing full well that she knew exactly what she was in for. “But you’ll have people walking with you until you can get to a place where you’re proud of yourself and the work you do.”

Still, Louise said nothing. She just kept staring at a blank spot on the wall, no doubt lost in the tumultuous waves of her own mind as she struggled to come to grips with her new place in life.

Seeing as how she wasn’t reacting to any of your words, you decided to change up your approach. You took another step closer, and then another, until you were right next to the bed. Then, you slowly wrapped your arms around Louise, feeling her whole body tense up when it came into contact with hers. The girl was ice cold. It felt like she had just been out in a blizzard for an hour.

At first, you were unsure as to whether she would push you away or just sit there, stiff as a board. But to your surprise, she caressed your forearm with a gentle hand and leaned into you slightly.

“Your heartbeat is so loud. Like rolling thunder.” she muttered, her voice slightly muffled by your bicep and her own hair.

You moved to pull away from her, but her hand kept your arm firmly in place. Newborn vamp or not, the girl was STRONG now. You weren’t even sure if she was aware of what she was doing.

“Non. It’s okay. It doesn’t hurt.” she said, closing her eyes to listen. “It’s sort of like…being right next to a speaker in a nightclub or a concert.”

“And…that’s a good thing?”

She chuckled, despite herself. “Not particularly. But this is more pleasant, somehow. More…gentle and natural.”

You nodded to yourself and began rubbing her shoulder, wondering whether it was okay to remain like this. Judging from the way that she was still gripping your forearm, you figured that you would just have to deal with it for now.

She chuckled softly, and you felt the sensation reverberate through your chest. “Your heartbeat is getting faster. Are you nervous?”

(Cont.)

“Nah, I’m not nervous.” you lied, trying to ignore how good she smelled.

“Then…are you scared?” she asked cautiously.

“Of you? No, of course not. Should I be?”

“I don’t know. Probably. Vampires aren’t famous for their self control.”

“Sounds to me like you’re the one that’s scared.” you said.

She was quiet for a long while after that.

What will you say/do?

>Sit in silence and wait for when she’s ready to release you.
>”Everyone would understand if you want to sit the rest of this operation out to recover and recollect yourself.”
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”
>”Self depreciation aside, how does it feel? Being a vamp, I mean.”
>”Do you have an idea of where you might want to stay after you get out of here?”
>”You should talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing. He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”
>”I know a guy who should be able to get you a steady supply of blood. Non-human, if that’s what’s bugging you.”
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5506137
>”I know a guy who should be able to get you a steady supply of blood. Non-human, if that’s what’s bugging you.”
>”You should talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing. He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”
>"Actually, since we are already dealing with SHIELD anyway, maybe I could try to get you a meeting with Blade. He's some type of vampire vampire hunter right? He could help you out."

>>5506142
+1

>>5506137
>”Everyone would understand if you want to sit the rest of this operation out to recover and recollect yourself.”
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”
>”Do you have an idea of where you might want to stay after you get out of here?”
>”You should talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing. He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”

>>5506137
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”
And he was a right fucking bastard to put down too. Up until Rintrah got smart.
>”You should talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing. He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”
>”What’s the first thing you’d like to do once you get out of here?”

bros she's wanting the dick, give her the dick

>>5506149
>Sexy French battle-hardened Vampire with a heart of gold
Tempting, but I'm quite happy with our spunky sporty aristocratic Russian huntress with an ass you can bounce a quarter off of.
I'm not about to do Ana like that, much as I might want to in this moment. I also feel like Louise is extremely vulnerable right now, which also kinda spoils the mood for me personally.

>>5506166
I think we should add a flirt line to it but not commit.

>>5506137
>>5506142
Know what, I’ll back the Blade-write-in here too. Joke to go along with it
>”If you do go through with that, see if you can figure out who cuts the paychecks. I never got the referral bonus for the last person I sent in and I’ll be ready to raise hell if yours doesn’t show either.”

>>5506137
>Everyone would understand if you want to sit the rest of this operation out to recover and recollect yourself.”
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”

>>5506137
>"Attractive woman on a bed next to me, which mans heart wouldn't speed up?"
>"But sounds to me like you have a crisis of faith or something. I'm neither religious nor do I know what you believe in, but shouldn't you have faith to enter the kingdom of heaven based on your actions and the strength of your character rather than the circumstance outside your control?"

>>5506142
+1

>>5506142
>>5506143
>>5506144
>>5506145
>>5506315
>>5506448
>>5507053
>”I know a guy who should be able to get you a steady supply of blood. Non-human, if that’s what’s bugging you.”
>”You should talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing. He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”
>”We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”
>"Actually, since we are already dealing with SHIELD anyway, maybe I could try to get you a meeting with Blade. He's some type of vampire vampire hunter right? He could help you out."
>”If you do go through with that, see if you can figure out who cuts the paychecks. I never got the referral bonus for the last person I sent in and I’ll be ready to raise hell if yours doesn’t show either.”

Taking these. Writing...

I should've reread that prompt before posting it. I hate finding errors once I'm too late to delete it.

File: Wolverine-Dracula-02.png (1.9 MB, 913x1440)

1.9 MB PNG

“I know a guy who should be able to get you a steady supply of blood. Non-human, if that’s what’s bugging you.”

Louise sighed. “I don’t want to talk about drinking blood right now. I don’t even want to think about it.”

“Alright, but you should at least talk to Matt about the whole ‘sensory overload’ thing.” you suggested. “He’s got experience with that kind of stuff.”

“I imagine this sort of thing takes years of training.” she said.

“Well I guess it’s a good thing that you’ve been training to be a vampire hunter for basically your entire life.” you replied.

“I don’t even know how I’m going to get to sleep with all this noise.” Louise complained.

“Then we’ll get you a noise-canceling coffin. Custom ordered from Bose; the best that money can buy.”

Louise tried to frown up at you, but couldn’t prevent herself from exposing her fangs in a slightly bitter laugh. “Earplugs and headphones exist, you know. Why did you immediately go for the most expensive option?”

“Because I have the money to make it happen.” you said.

“You’re not the only one with money squirreled away. I have–had…full access to the Order’s funds for any expenses I deemed necessary to our cause. I suppose I’ll have to rely on my second source of income.”

You frowned down at her. “Which is?”

“Credit card fraud…” Louise snickered, barely managing to get the words out.

“No!” you exclaimed with a scandalized expression. “You’re a criminal, too!”

She passively waved her free hand in front of her face. “It’s not hurting anyone.”

“Except the economy.” you added.

“I don’t know anybody named ‘Economy’. Do you?”

“No, but I hear he’s been real down on his luck lately.”

“Then we have something in common.” she said, a sad smile spreading across her features. The awkward silence that followed stretched on for what felt like an eternity, until you decided to forcefully steer the conversation in another direction.

“We beat the shit out of the guy that jumped you, you know. He’s getting mind-wiped as we speak.”

You felt a sharp intake of air from your vampiric friend, and you waited until she released it in a shuddering breath. “Good. I don’t even know why he attacked me, or who he was for that matter.”

“He was a cannibal serial killer from the Australian Outback that went by the name of ‘Bloody Lips’.” you explained. “And I think he wanted to steal your memories of your Order.”

Louise released her grip on your arm, leaned back and frowned up at you with her crimson eyes. “Whatever for?”

You shrugged. “Pandora’s probably sifting through his memories now.”

“And you trust her to tell you what she finds?”

(Cont.)

File: Snowsnake_ 28Earth-616 29(...).jpg (96 KB, 376x612)

96 KB JPG

You considered it for a brief moment, and then shook your head. “No. She probably won’t. But that’s what groups like hers are for. They tackle the big shit so we don’t have to worry about it.”

Some part of you genuinely wished that you could wholeheartedly believe that. But if this last year as the Huntsman had taught you anything, it was that big organizations couldn’t be trusted with everything. Too much fell through the cracks. Overwhelming tragedies born from ‘minor threats’ and small-time crooks. The common man was left to fend for themselves while the Avengers were up in space dealing with some new galactic conqueror.

It was like packing more wet sand onto a smaller sand castle while the foundations were crumbling. Was there truly such a thin line between the common vigilante and absolute chaos? Why wasn’t anyone stepping up to save your city from turning into an even bigger shithole? Didn’t they care?

These questions weigh on your mind more often these days. It was hard not to see the self-inflicted pain and suffering that these people had to endure, day by day. But you couldn’t just punch civil unrest in the face! This was a systemic issue.

And for that, you had no answer.

“Actually, since we’re already dealing with SHIELD, maybe I can try to get you a meeting with Blade.” you suggested. “He’s some type of vampire hunter, right? He could help you out.”

Louise scoffed slightly. “The ‘Daywalker’? I have heard rumors of his exploits, but I have no reason to believe that he would trust me, or SHIELD, so willingly.”

“We’ll figure something out. I promise.” you said, lightly squeezing her hand. “But if you do go through with that, see if you can figure out who cuts the paychecks. I never got the referral bonus for the last person I sent in, and I’ll be ready to raise hell if yours doesn’t show either.”

She closed her eyes and adopted that same sad smile. “If you wish to continue meddling in the affairs of the supernatural, then it is time you learned a valuable lesson, mon ami. This is a thankless job, and ours is a closed circle. Take comfort in knowing that there are people who know of your deeds and sing your praises in silence. And take comfort in knowing that they…that I am grateful for what you have done.”

Her voice and hands began to tremble slightly, but she forcefully regained control over her faculties before she continued. “Truly, I am…”

It was tempting to go back in for another hug, right then and there. But you also knew that Louise was vulnerable, scared and ashamed. It was all you could do just to prevent yourself from giving her everything you had. The vampiric temptation was strong with this one. And wondered what the cause of it could be.

(Cont.)

You hadn’t had this sort of reaction around Snowsnake, and she was supposed to be an extremely old and high ranking vampire. Maybe Louise would find the answers she needed from Blade. If she could somehow convince him to mentor her, that is.

What will you do?

>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Swing on over to ESU. You’d like to have a little chat with Warren and Able about the cloned Silvertongue.
>Prepare an ambush for the Chameleon. You’re tired of waiting for him to make his move.
>Put in a call to Maria Hill. You need to see if she actually has a way of putting you in contact with Blade.
>Call up Morbius. He mentioned having a way to get in touch with Blade a few months back. Maybe he could put in a good word for you, or point you in the right direction.
>Try to convince Terminal to search for Blade without telling Morbius. He might be able to hone in on him like he did the Silvertongue.
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5507080
>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Prepare an ambush for the Chameleon. You’re tired of waiting for him to make his move.

>>5507080
>Mention Reese would like to talk to Louise. Is she ready for that?
She’s literally right here. Louise can start getting answers now if she’s up to it.
>Call up Morbius. He mentioned having a way to get in touch with Blade a few months back. Maybe he could put in a good word for you, or point you in the right direction.
I don’t remember that, but I’d like to diversify who go to with our problems. We’ve been leaning on the law side for a while now.
>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.
Let’s tempt fate. I give 65/35 chances in favor of a sudden attack on us or someone we know that disrupts the dinner because we’re a meta in a comic book universe. Any takers?

>>5507080
First, a couple of quick phone calls.
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Put in a call to Maria Hill. You need to see if she actually has a way of putting you in contact with Blade.
After that, we need to start moving toward our original Silvertongue-related goal.
>Swing on over to ESU. You’d like to have a little chat with Warren and Able about the cloned Silvertongue.
We can’t attack Chameleon right now because of our agreement with Warren from the previous thread. We need to steal some corporate secrets from Roxxon if we want Warren to cut Chameleon out of his plans, so I say we go and ask him what specifically he wants us (or a business associate of ours) to acquire. Once we get that, we can move towards truly eliminating the giant fucking problem that is Chameleon AND cloning the Silvertongue. Two birds with one stone.

>>5507080
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Call up Morbius. He mentioned having a way to get in touch with Blade a few months back. Maybe he could put in a good word for you, or point you in the right direction.
>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.

>>5507080
>Swing on over to ESU. You’d like to have a little chat with Warren and Able about the cloned Silvertongue.
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.
We can grab groceries on the way home.

Just want to say Ben reilly is the best Spiderman.

>>5507202
It's so sad he dies by getting shot by a nigger and makes a dying speech about it to Peter, setting him on the drastic path to becoming The Human Holocaust.

...Wait, you're saying that's noncanon?

>>5507205
It would be the best timeline.

>>5507090
>>5507091
>>5507093
>>5507094
>>5507144
>Communicate Louise’s circumstances to the rest of the team, and have them come over to visit her when she feels like she’s ready.
>Return home and start making plans for a celebratory dinner. Cindy’s totally gonna ace those entrance exams tomorrow.

These are definitely going in the next update, but we have a couple of ties here:

>Call up Morbius. He mentioned having a way to get in touch with Blade a few months back. Maybe he could put in a good word for you, or point you in the right direction.
>Swing on over to ESU. You’d like to have a little chat with Warren and Able about the cloned Silvertongue.

Would you guys like to proceed with just the first two options, or would someone like to throw their weight behind another vote?

>>5507202
It's too bad that they have no idea what to do with him. Kaine is just obscure enough to be safe from editorial meddling.

>>5507205
>>5507573
What did Raimi mean by this?

>>5507694
I’ll switch mine from Morb to ESU for the sake of breaking the tie.

>>5507694
>Swing on over to ESU. You’d like to have a little chat with Warren and Able about the cloned Silvertongue
The Morbster can wait, we gotta handle our business first.

>>5507714
>>5507730
Sweet! I'll write out the update as soon as I have the time to do so.

>>5507772
It's Christmas, no-one can blame you for taking your time.

>>5507777
Checked; imagine if Patrick Bateman lived in Ben's NYC

>>5507792
What if we're Patrick.

>>5507802
>inb4 everybody thinks we're Paul Allen

>>5507821
Or Halberstram

>>5507802
>>5507792
>>5507821
Patrick lives under the sea, under a rock.

>>5507802
>”Hi, is this Desperado?”
>”No, this is Patrick.”

>>5507944
Finally someone said it, thank you.

File: D8u2hs0W4AAUF7H.jpg (111 KB, 1200x1126)

111 KB JPG

After leaving her room, you left Louise to reflect on everything that had happened to her, and everything that the two of you talked about. You had no doubt that Reese was extremely nervous about having a 1 on 1 with her newfound “thrall”, but you both knew that it probably wasn’t a good idea for the two of them to meet in her current state.

Louise would need some time to work through the pain and shock caused by her recent transformation. And having the cause of said transformation stand in front of her might not be the best thing for either of them.

There was a chance that it wouldn’t result in a fight or argument, but you simply couldn’t take the chance so soon after she’d woken up. Sometimes it was better to let someone simmer before they had a chance to explode. Her emotions would stabilize with time, and eventually, she would be ready to meet the other members of the team again.

You had no idea of how long that would take, but you weren't planning on rushing her recovery. At the very least, it would give you time to figure out how the hell you were going to get in contact with Blade, or how you were planning on convincing him to take on a pupil.

But that was a problem for another day. For now, you and Reese spent the remainder of your time there updating everyone else on Louise’s condition. Julia seemed the most upset about the visitation restrictions, while Nico and Rintrah decided to work on a secret “gift basket” that they thought would make her feel better. They refused to elaborate any further on the matter.

Madame Webb, Matt and Marc expressed their regret upon hearing about her condition, but ultimately accepted that all they could do was wait until she was up to having visitors again.

Before you left, you thought about taking Donnie back with you so that you could return him to the Morlocks, but Strange and Wong managed to convince you to leave him there for another night or two so they could run a few tests. Reese reassured you that she would help watch over him as well, clearly not willing to leave until she was sure that Louise was alright. You nodded, said your goodbyes to her and Donnie, gave the sorcerers your gratitude, and left the Sanctum feeling at least 10 years older for your troubles.

—---

On the way home, you stopped by a few 24/7 grocery stores and pharmacies to pick up some things. You’d been planning on throwing a party for Cindy as a reward for having taken her entrance exams. Sure, it was a little early, but you could always throw another party when her acceptance letter came in the mail.

You dropped the supplies off at Vic’s house and woke up your grumpy brother in the process, who carried them back inside and stashed them away for later.

More than anything, you wanted to use this as an opportunity to inject some enjoyment back into both of your lives. The two of you have experienced enough gloom and doom to last a lifetime, and you could use something to take your mind off of your more pressing issues.

File: 469ef1e3130141f32172606a6(...).jpg (185 KB, 844x821)

185 KB JPG

But before you could do that, you’d have to pay Abel and Warren a little visit in the morning. After a quick nap…

—--------

Upon waking up, you hopped in the shower, threw your suit back on, made breakfast, grabbed a quick bite to eat and wrote Cindy a brief letter wishing her good luck on her exams. You were confident that her alarm would wake her before the food got cold, but it still left a bad taste in your mouth letting her wake up alone on such an important day.

There was nothing for it. If you didn’t leave right now, then you might be late to the party once Cindy was done with her exams. At the very least, you took comfort in knowing that you could make it up to her later.

—------

It was a strange thing, showing up at ESU and wandering around campus in the early morning. A few people approached and greeted you as “Abel”, but you quickly corrected them by introducing yourself as his twin brother. That came as a surprise to them, but it wasn’t hard to see the family resemblance.

And that was how you found out your clone’s class schedule. It was shockingly easy to blend into a college campus that you weren’t even attending, but you supposed that having the same face as one of their students helped you in that regard.

It was a bit exhausting, having to bullshit your way out of explaining your and Abel’s complex history, but it was also sort of entertaining to create subtle social traps for him to fall into later when he’d least expect it. You had to get your kicks somehow.

When you’d finally gotten bored with that, you decided to wait outside of his lecture hall for him. After only a few more minutes, class had finally let out, and students started pouring out of the room at a staggering rate. Whatever the lecture had been, it was clearly anything but entertaining.

A minute later, when the halls had cleared a bit, and when people finally stopped asking you how you got in front of them so quickly, Abel strode out of the room with a gorgeous redhead at his side.

She wore expensive makeup and even more expensive clothing. A green ruffled top, and some tight-fitting designer jeans that accentuated her slightly curvy figure. When Abel saw you, he froze for a moment, and then made some lame excuse to get the girl to go on without him.

The redhead gave you a long assessing look as she walked past, and you couldn’t help but think that she was taking the opportunity to check her out. You did the same, but in a far more subtle way. Your ogling was cut short when Abel walked up to you, looking a bit peeved in your opinion.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, sounding slightly impatient.

(Cont.)

What will you say/do?

>”Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>”She’s cute. When were you going to introduce me to your friend?”
>"Oh, don't pretend that you've got better things to do around here. If it weren't for those weird robots, you would've ditched this place ages ago."
>”What? I can’t visit my baby bro at school? We have the same face, so it isn’t entirely weird for me to be here.”
>”I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5508469
>”Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>”I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”
I love Donnie

>>5508469
>”Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”

>>5508469
>>5508469
She’s cute. When were you going to introduce me to your friend?”
>”What? I can’t visit my baby bro at school? We have the same face, so it isn’t entirely weird for me to be here.”

>>5508469
>”What? I can’t visit my baby bro at school? We have the same face, so it isn’t entirely weird for me to be here.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>”I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”

>>5508476
+1

>>5508469
>Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>”I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”

>>5508469
>>”Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>>”She’s cute. When were you going to introduce me to your friend?”
>"Are you, like, trying to forge your own identity here? Take hiding from robots as an opportunity to... go to college? Didn't think I had it in me."
>"Or are you just after Ms. Tightpants Redhead over there. That I know I'd have in me."
>"If you do this. What's W doing with her free time?"

>>5508469
"Can't a man show up to see his superpowered clone and the man who created and enslaved him without being accused of having hidden motives? Or are you just afraid that smokin redhead would rather have the name brand spider person instead of the cheap imitation?"
"Oh and btw i told everyone I'm your twin who pays for your education by working three jobs whilst raising your son all on my own."

>>5508476
>>5508495
>>5508517
>>5508556
>>5508711
>>5508724
>>5508947
>>5508980
>”Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”
>”I needed to talk. The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for that Roxxon intel.”
>”I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”

Apologies for the delay. Hope you anons enjoyed your holidays!

Writing...

File: 464727f84ed6a01693200433e(...).jpg (25 KB, 471x530)

25 KB JPG

“Looking for you and Warren. I’ve got a few updates to share with him.”

“I think he’s still teaching his class right now. He won’t be out for at least another few minutes.” Abel said.

You crossed your arms impatiently, but tried to remain patient as you checked the time on your phone. “Then I guess I’ll just talk to you about it.” you decided. “The Kravinoffs are out, and I need to know when I’m supposed to make a grab for the Roxxon intel.”

Abel chuckled in surprise. “I had a feeling. Neither of them had shown up these past few days, and I haven’t seen Warren working on the Kravinoff clone lately. They probably notified him before they left.”

“I wonder if he’s gotten rid of it.” you pondered aloud. “It’d suck to have that bite us in the ass later.”

“I’ll have W do some recon later.” Abel promised. “She might be listening, even now.”

“Glad she’s on our side.”

Abel nodded his agreement. “Yeah. Something tells me that she’ll be an absolute beast when she’s finally allowed outside of the sensor blocker’s range.”

“Speaking of being allowed outside, I’m throwing a party for Cindy later, and I wanted to know if you could come. It’d be good for you to get off campus every once in a while.”

Abel blinked in surprise, a sheepish smile creeping onto his face. “You serious? Shit, man…that’d be awesome! I feel like it's been ages since I’ve seen any of the others.”

You gave him a sympathetic smile. “Right. You wouldn’t have been able to contact any of our friends and family without tipping me off. That couldn’t have been easy.”

Abel sighed and pressed his back against the wall. “It wasn’t…but I had to do it to keep everyone safe. The Desperados can handle themselves, but the Parkers aren’t nearly as adept at dodging bullets.”

“Well, you won’t have to worry about that for much longer. Once I snatch that intel right out from under the Chameleon’s nose, you won’t have any reason to stay cooped up in here.” you said, giving him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

“I hope you’re right. I’ve been waiting for a chance like this.”

“And I can’t wait for there to be another me out there! Being able to split the workload evenly with a guy that I can trust means more than you could ever know.” you said with a weary sigh.

Abel smiled knowingly. “I think I’ve got some idea of what you’re talking about. But don’t think that that makes me your little errand boy. I have plans too.”

“Oh? Do tell.”

“As far as I can tell, Madame Webb’s still got a massive backlog of incomplete missions. With nothing tying me down, I think I’m perfectly suited to becoming a hero for hire. It ought to pay for my tuition and then some.”

(Cont.)

That…actually made a lot of sense. Abel should be able to pick up the slack in the altruism department, while you would be free to play both sides to a certain degree. It doesn’t exactly pay Madame Webb back for everything she’s done for you, but it’d be a start.

What will you say?

>”I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.”
>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
>”You’re welcome to come work with me and the other Desperados if you’re strapped for cash. It’d be nice to have another dependable guy at my back.”
>”If you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear. I can get you sorted once all this is done.”
>”Just try not to ruin my rep with all that good behavior. It’d be awkward if you got blamed for my shit, and vice versa.”
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5509937
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"
>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
>"Maybe I should give you one of the suits that I used only once, turn the whole Spiderman and Huntsman being two different people thing into a reality"

>>5509937
>>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"

>>5509937
>>5509948 +1

>>5509937
>>”I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.”
>”If you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear. I can get you sorted once all this is done.”

>>5509937
>”I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.”

>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”

>”If you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear. I can get you sorted once all this is done.”

>What you think of the name Spider-man?

>>5510034
>Isn't the clone suppose to be the evil one?

>>5509937
>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
If we can plan out a bit for his first introduction, something along the lines of the each claiming the other is an evil twin and hamming it up, that’d be great. We each have one person guaranteed to be on our wavelength for jokes.
>”Give me a heads up when you start running with your own crew. It’ll be awkward if I run into them on a mission and have to apologize for whipping them.”
>”If you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear. I can get you sorted once all this is done.”
He can re-use some of the old Spiderman gear too.
He also should be distinct from us to avoid too much confusion.
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"
Not looking forward to when Gwen finally hears about her “younger sister” running around either.

>>5509937
>”I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.”
>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"

>>5509948
>>5510001
>>5509963
>>5510023
>>5510034
>>5510041
>>5510147
>”I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.”
>”If you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear. I can get you sorted once all this is done.”
>”Let me know if you ever need a proper introduction. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”
>"Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?"

>>5509948
>>5510001
>>5510034
The Spider-Man/Huntsman split would pretty much happen on it's own at this point.

File: Venice_Doadi_ 28Earth-232(...).jpg (306 KB, 1316x1920)

306 KB JPG

“I think that’d be a great idea. Maybe you’d be better at living up to her expectations.” you admitted. It was no mystery that Madame Webb wished for a more altruistic spider totem. At the very least, she hasn’t been nagging you nearly as much as she used to.

“But if you’re gonna be swinging around the city, then you’re gonna need better gear.” you added. “I can get you sorted once this is done. I’ve got more than a few spare suits that I don’t really wear that often.”

“I don’t know. The urban look has its advantages.” Abel said with a shrug. “When people see that you don’t have a real costume, they tend to underestimate you.”

“So…you don’t want a new suit?” you asked.

“Oh, I definitely want the suit. I was just trying to make a point.” Abel defended.

“Save it for dinner. I’m pretty sure you’ll be the most popular guy at the table.”

Abel rolled his eyes. “Knowing us, I’d bet that you haven’t given them the whole story yet.”

“Of course I haven’t.” you scoffed. “Clones and Russian spies are one thing, but Australian super-cannibals and voice-stealing monsters are on an entirely different level. It’d just confuse them.”

Abel gave you a doubtful look. “I don’t know. They’re both pretty smart, Ben. The quicker you come clean, the earlier you can avoid a family freak-out.”

You frowned at your clone brother. “Didn’t you just say that you were keeping your distance to keep them safe? Now you want to come clean about everything?”

“I only did that because I knew that one of them would tell you, and you’d wind up trying to track me down.” Abel argued. “Now that you know, it doesn’t matter as much. It’s up to you how much you want to tell them. But if you want to keep your secrets, just make sure that none of your problems become theirs.”

You crossed your arms and nodded begrudgingly. “I feel like it's been the other way around, lately. Rich was the one that antagonized the Chameleon. We’re just dealing with the fallout.”

“He was looking for Pete’s mom. I can’t blame him for getting a little desperate.”

“Yes, I can.” you said flatly. “At the very least, he hasn’t been getting himself into any more trouble. I guess that’s a plus.”


“He might get a bit antsy once you finally get your hands on the Chameleon. Keep an eye on them both.” Abel warned.

“I know. I’ll be careful.” you promised, letting your eyes wander until they settled on a lone spider spinning a web near the ceiling. “Does W have any plans for the future after she gets out of here?”

(Cont.)

File: actor-miles-warren-jackal(...).jpg (91 KB, 426x600)

91 KB JPG

Abel sighed and readjusted his bookbag before following your gaze to the source of your inquiry. “Honestly? I have no idea. There’s so much that she doesn’t know about the world, and I don’t think she really has a complete picture of what things are really like out there.” he admitted with a troubled expression. “I’d like for her to figure things out as she goes along, but I wonder if she even has the liberty of doing that. She’s missed out on so much. Not having a past, any prior connections or a proper education.”

“At least she’s got us looking out for her.” you said.

Abel looked at you with what you could only assume was mild admiration. “I guess we’ve just got a thing for perky blondes.”

“And redheads, it seems.” you said with a smug grin.

“And that’s my cue to leave. I’ve got another class in a bit, but you should be able to find Warren in the newly built science building. Just wait outside Room 104 and tell him what you told me.”

You nodded. “Got it. Be sure to let me know if you need a proper introduction with Madame Webb, later. I’m not sure if being a clone of me is enough to get everyone to trust you right away.”

“And why’s that?” he asked.

“They might think that you’re the evil clone.”

Abel flashed you a mysterious smile in response. “It’s cute how you think you’re not the evil one.”

—---------

A little while later, you managed to successfully ambush Miles Warren outside his classroom. After moving to a more secluded area, you briefed him on the Kravinoffs’ decision, as well as your resolution to move forward with the Roxxon plot.

He wasn’t terribly surprised by the part about the Kravinoffs, and explained how Ana’s Dad had ordered him to eliminate his grandfather’s clone. Warren admitted to doing just that without even batting an eye. The only thing that you could sense from him was mild disappointment.

He could at least take solace in the fact that the Silvertongue project would occupy his spare time. Unsurprisingly, the biology of the mystical creature had both baffled and astounded him. And while he’d agreed to wipe its memory, you couldn’t help but notice his impatience at being kept in the dark about the true nature of the clone.

What will you do/say?

>Tell him about the Silvertongue and its capabilities.
>Explain that you’ve brought him the DNA of a magical creature in order to challenge him.
>Pass off the biological abnormalities as unique mutations form the subject in question.
>Refuse to tell him anything. If he wants to know something, then he can find it out on his own.
>Write-in.

Also, who do you plan on bringing with you to the Roxxon heist?

>Black Cat
>Prowler
>Sam
>Daredevil
>Moon Knight
>Cindy
>Write-in.

>>5510791
>Explain that you’ve brought him the DNA of a magical creature
>Be upfront that we don't trust him yet, cloning us probably set us off on the wrong foot.

stealth mission, right?
>Black Cat

>>5510791
>>5510817 +1

>>5510791
>Explain that you’ve brought him the DNA of a magical creature in order to challenge him.
>Black Cat
>Prowler
Flint's busy, which is a shame, but at least we can get the founding Desperados in on this.

>>5510817
+1, as well as Prowler if he’s available.

>>5510817
+1
Also
>prowler

>>5510817
+1 but also add Prowler

>>5510791
>>5510817
Supporting this + Prowler. May as well amake this a money run by stealing other info to hide our purpose there.

Do we tell them this is a personal mission for us? I’m good to give them a general overview (pulling this job as a favor so Cindy can speak again) and skipping the details until after all this is over at least.

>>5510791
>Explain that you’ve brought him the DNA of a magical creature
>Tell him you are working together with an important group, you can't give him all the information

>Black Cat
>Prowler
>Tell them it's a personal mission. For Cindy.

>>5510817
>>5510823
>>5510841
>>5510884
>>5510894
>>5510919
>>5510840
>>5511006
>Explain that you’ve brought him the DNA of a magical creature
>Be upfront that we don't trust him yet, cloning us probably set us off on the wrong foot.

>Black Cat
>Prowler

Taking these. Writing...

File: 7047929-rco023_1566384342.jpg (179 KB, 882x671)

179 KB JPG

“I’m not surprised that the specimen’s DNA seems a little unusual to you.” you said. “I got it from a magical creature, after all.”

Professor Warren’s jaw dropped, but his surprise was quickly replaced with a giddy sort of excitement. “What kind of…‘magical creature’?” he asked, pushing his glasses up on his face.

“You don’t need to know any more than that for now. If you can’t work with what I’ve given you…”

Warren’s grin faltered for a moment as he waved his hands back and forth to dismiss your suggestion. “Now, I never said that. I was simply inquiring about the nature of the specimen. If you have any relevant information that might expedite the cloning process or help us to avoid any pitfalls in the future, then I suggest you share it.”

You considered him for a minute, before nodding to yourself. “Fair enough. The creature is symbiotic in nature. It needs a host to survive, but it usually ends up taking over the body entirely, and altering it to suit its needs.”

Warren cupped his chin in his hand and let out a thoughtful hum. “That would explain a few things.”

“Did something happen?” you asked.

“This is just a theory, but I think that by acquiring a sample of the creature’s DNA from the altered body of its host, you might have accidentally created a unique opportunity.”

You frowned at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean that this ‘magical creature’ managed to merge its DNA with its hosts’ seamlessly. And what’s more, we have a sample of the altered DNA, which should allow us to create a hybrid of sorts. Half-human, half…whatever this is.” Warren explained.

You tried to wrap your head around that. A Silvertongue that wouldn’t have to jump hosts would be much easier to control. Their biology could potentially be very different from that of a human’s, but you would cross that bridge when you came to it.

“Find a way to do that, and we’re in business! The sooner we can get this thing up and running, the better.”

Warren folded his arms and glanced around to make sure that no one was eavesdropping. “I could produce results much faster if I knew more about what it was that I’m meant to help you create.” he pleaded.

“Tough nuts, prof. My level of trust in you isn’t that high yet, on account of you cloning me without my permission.” you said, a lighthearted smile on your face the entire time. “We’ll have to tame that wild streak of yours before we can make any more progress in this business relationship. A little more transparency, and a little less mad science.”

Warren’s frown deepened. “This ‘business relationship’, as you call it, is almost entirely based on this mad science that you criticize me for.”

(Cont.)

File: Black_Cat_Vol_1_3_Bring_o(...).jpg (1.08 MB, 2016x3060)

1.08 MB JPG

“It’s not about you practicing it. It’s about how you choose to use it.” you argued. “We can’t afford to let this shit get out of hand.”

When Warren said nothing in reply, you punctuated your last statement. “Okay?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose and let out a small sigh. “...Fine. We’ll talk more about this later.” he decided. “For now, you should spend what little time you have left preparing for the Roxxon job. I’m under the impression that the Chameleon plans to act tomorrow night.”

You gaped at him. “Tomorrow night!?”

How the hell are you supposed to plan a heist in a single night? More importantly, how can you be sure that Warren’s intel is any good?

What if the Chameleon only let that slip so that you would try to go after it tomorrow. Or…what if he’s trying to lower your guard so that he can go for it tonight, instead. Or what if he just wants you to think that so that you can clear the way for him to snatch it away from you at the very last minute!?

You ran a hand down your face and let out a groan. This guy was really starting to get on your nerves. You hated having to worry about potential plots and attacks from every angle. It was downright exhausting.

“Thanks for the heads up. I’ll let my people know.” you said, pulling out your phone to send a text to the founding members of the Desperados. It was time to get the gang back together.

—---------

Upon arriving back at the warehouse, you were pleasantly surprised to see Cat and Prowler already there waiting for you. They must’ve sensed the urgency in your messages.

“Where’s the fire, wall-crawler?” Felicia said, pushing off of a wooden crate and placing a hand on her flared hip.

You landed directly in front of her in a crouch, before rising to your full height. “I’ve got a party to get to, and I wanted to make sure that we were all on the same page before then.” you said quickly.

Both of them exchanged a confused glance before turning back to you.

“A…party?” Prowler asked.

“You know. They’re those things you don’t get invited to.” Felicia added, a mischievous smile spreading across her face.

Prowler scowled at her, but you didn’t give him a chance to fire back a retort.

“I hate to be the one to say it, but we don’t have time for quips right now.” you said, checking the time in the top right of your AR HUD.

“Wow. This really is serious.” Cat muttered.

Prowler nodded in agreement. “What do you need?”

“Sensitive information from Roxxon. They’ve got some research on cloning and genetics that I could really use.” you explained.

More confused looks.

Ugh! You didn’t have time for this. You needed to pick up Cindy soon, and these guys were going to need a lot more context before they could get a full picture of what you were expecting of them.

(Cont.)

>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”
>”We’ll have to pick this back up after the party. Until then…try to find ways that we might break into Roxxon.”
>”There’s no helping it. I’ll have Flint pick up Cindy. They shouldn’t mind if I’m a little bit late.”
>”If you can behave yourselves at dinner, then you can both come. We can talk about it at the party. Just don’t reveal anything sensitive around my family.”
>”Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. It’s great to see you guys. Thanks for coming.”
>Write-in.

Pastebins:

Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/1ZihFYSV

Equipment and Gear:
https://pastebin.com/WAhveFAd

Contacts:
https://pastebin.com/WdcFXD2s

10 Commandments of the Desperados:
https://pastebin.com/Qpr2jVPE

Costumes:
https://pastebin.com/5Jie54X2

>>5511918
>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.

>>5511918
>>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”

>>5511918
>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”

>>5511918
>>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”
>"We need to- I need to break into Roxxon tomorrow night steal some research while someone else is stealing the same research and catch that guy too. Maybe we only catch him after the fact with the intel hand delivered."
>"Maybe he breaks in tonight to catch me unawares by having transmitted bad intel to work with for me."
>"I'd imagine we get a bounty for him, but I'll pay you guys anyway."

>>5511941
+1

>>5511941
Supporting.

>>5511941
I phrased that rather weirdly, but i think the point got across
QM, feel free to change it

Qm I hope you had a good holiday. And I hope you have a great new years.

>>5511941
+1

>>5511918
>>5511941
+1, though I can take a crack at rewording it for anon.
>”Working to get Cindy’s voice back. It’s a literal magic problem, so it’s complicated and I got a lot of people involved. One key person wants this favor for their help, but there’s another criminal gunning for their own favor and they’ll grab this tomorrow. “
>”Could be false intel and they want to hit me tonight instead during this op, but they know I can’t risk this. We’ll get something for turning him in if he does pop up though, and fuck him with a barbed wire corkscrew dick. I’ll pay you both myself to turn him in if he tries to bargain with us.”
Covers pretty much the same points, though I tossed in “Cindy, it’s magic” bit to explain why we’re risking an ambush and that explaining why we can’t work around this guy would really take a while to unpack.

>>5511924
>>5511927
>>5511935
>>5511941
>>5511943
>>5511962
>>5511971
>>5512617
I'll try to combine this:

>>”I’ve gotta pick Cindy up in a few. Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”
>"We need to- I need to break into Roxxon tomorrow night steal some research while someone else is stealing the same research and catch that guy too. Maybe we only catch him after the fact with the intel hand delivered."
>"Maybe he breaks in tonight to catch me unawares by having transmitted bad intel to work with for me."
>"I'd imagine we get a bounty for him, but I'll pay you guys anyway."

With a bit of this:

>”Working to get Cindy’s voice back. It’s a literal magic problem, so it’s complicated and I got a lot of people involved. One key person wants this favor for their help, but there’s another criminal gunning for their own favor and they’ll grab this tomorrow. “
>”Could be false intel and they want to hit me tonight instead during this op, but they know I can’t risk this. We’ll get something for turning him in if he does pop up though, and fuck him with a barbed wire corkscrew dick. I’ll pay you both myself to turn him in if he tries to bargain with us.”

I might substitute a few words here and there for the sake of conversation flow, but I'll try and stick to the same script.

Writing...

>>5511975
I did! I'm very excited for the New Years party that me and my friends are planning. I hope you and the rest of my players have a happy New Year's as well!

File: two-prowlers-04.png (514 KB, 1200x600)

514 KB PNG

You let out a weary sigh and awkwardly rubbed the back of your neck. “Look, I’ve got to pick up Cindy in a few.” you announced before turning to walk back outside. “Come on. We’ll talk on the way.”

—-----

As it turned out, roping the other two into a threeway call was a much better decision than trying to remain close to one another while you were swinging through the city. Once again, you silently thanked Julia for her valuable addition to your mask’s lenses.

“We need to…well, I need to break into Roxxon tomorrow night in order to steal some research before someone else gets their hands on it.”


“Right. The ‘cloning research’.” Prowler confirmed.

You nodded, before remembering that prowler probably couldn’t see the subtle head motion from where he was. “Right. And ideally, I’d like to get my hands on the guy that’s trying to steal it away from me.”

“Well that doesn’t sound too bad.” Cat added.

“Not on paper, but there are a few wrinkles here and there.” you said. “We don’t know when exactly this guy is supposed to strike. My contact tells me that he’s going through with it tomorrow, but there’s a chance that the intel could be bad, and he might just try to pull it off tonight while I’m unprepared. There’s also the slight chance that he wants to bait me into going in early so that he can spring a trap on me.”

“You’re letting this guy get in your head. No one can be prepared for every little thing.” Cat offered. “Roxxon isn’t an easy place to break into in the first place. Whatever he’s got planned, it’ll take time to pull off.”

You weren’t entirely sure if those rules applied to someone who could change their face and voice on the fly, but you wanted to believe that she was right. It was about the only thing you could do to prevent yourself from going stir-crazy.

“You never did tell us what you need this research for.” Prowler said.

“I’m working to get Cindy’s voice back. It’s a literal magic problem, and it’s pretty complicated, so I got a bunch of other people involved in the operation.” you explained, not trying to go into great detail at this very moment. “One key figure wants me to grab the research in exchange for their help in this problem, but now this other criminal is gunning for the same thing.”

“What’s their angle?” Cat asked.

“I have no idea. Not yet at least.” you admitted. “I intend to squeeze the information out of him, one way or another. If you guys can help me catch him, then I guarantee you that we’ll get some sort of reward for him. Even if we don’t, I’ll personally compensate you for your troubles.”

(Cont.)