Thread #2: http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2025/6259613/>Fed job takes you to a fairy tale.>There is a robot in the fairy tale.>Get cursed with a ghost.>Met some of your co-workers.>Broke ghost curse, sort of.>Fed job takes you to fairy lands to find a missing person.>Now, it's time to split up, team!
If you are going to have to split up to search the both cities for Lulu, you decide that exploring the Jester's city with Emogen sounds like a good idea. Surprisingly, despite your hesitance about trusting Kamiko fully you think she'll take good care of Tamako while they look through the mime city. Except for the whole drugging and kidnapping you both, she has been rather kind to your daughter."So it's you and me, huh?" Tamako says, looking up at the taller woman."Oh, well I mean we don't ha-" She starts to say, crouching down in an attempt to meet her at eye level."Let's do this, woo!"===Tamako nods smugly to herself as the other three make plans to meet up later near the Clown city ruins, and discuss it with the weird Jester King guy. This is the perfect opportunity! She can work on Kamiko's true feelings for her father while he works on courting Emogen. Two birds with one stone!Out of everyone so far those two seem like the best candidates, considering they are so big and strong. They can even cook! Hilde is pretty strong too, but she's a robot and so Tamako won't get any brothers or sisters from her. On the other hand, Seshat and Zul seem nice and smart but they are also smaller and weaker. The changeling supposes they can be backups if the others don't work out.Outside of the Jester's castle the teams part ways. Dad and Emogen go to look around the medieval looking city while Tamako and Kamiko head towards the train. Stripe City is apparently the next stop, and only about a thirty minute ride away. The pair loads on to the train and takes some nearby seats in a wooden style coach with a desert out view out the window."What are those?" The changeling asks, pointing out the window where as spiky green towers in the sand whiz by."Those are cactus. They are plants that grow in deserts. I think they are called Saguaros? This car must be Wild West themed." Tamako's (hopefully) future mother answers."Ohhh, I see!" Tamako replies, "That's where cowboy hats come from right? Is that a place in fairy world? Can we visit it?""Sort of? There are plenty of fae from stories about the Wild West, but it's time in the real world ended quite a while ago. We might have something in the archive about that time, or perhaps your father can take you to a museum?"Tamako then realizes she's already forgetting her mission to help her dad get a wife! She needs to steer this conversation that direction somehow.
>>6311573Just asking her might be a little too direct. Perhaps we could get her to talk about how she feels about him by talking about how cool dad is. And if she doesn't bite, then maybe start making her jealous by asking if she thinks emogen and dad chose to go alone so they could have a date.Tamako really wants to get that harem ending for her dad and get all of the moms. Ganbatte, Tamako-chan!
>>6311573Our changeling daughteru is a little deranged, huh? I don't know if it's good or bad that she doesn't know about our possible coffee-date with The Flatwoods Monster>>6311587 +1, talk up our dad and his game.
>>6311636>Our changeling daughteru is a little deranged, huh?Can you blame her? She just wants a mom. Multiple moms, even.
>>6311573>Two birds with one stone!oh so she really is going for a harem ending if possible, huh? based daughter+1 to hyping up dad >>6311587also welcome back EggOP! we missed you!
welcome back, OP>Captcha PAY2G0huh?
>>6311716Have multiple waifus is expensive.
>>6311764Good thing being an glowie usually pays well.
"Museums seems cool. I remember seeing one in an anime. It had a dinosaur skeleton in it! And lot's of paintings. And like, a mummy." Tamako says thinking for a moment, "Dad wanted to put me into a school, so I'm sure he wants me to learn stuff. I bet he'd take me if I asked."Kamiko chuckles and says, "That's probably a good angle to take. He does care for you quite a lot, doesn't he?""Can you blame him? And I love him a lot's right back!" Tamako says. Spotting an opportunity the changeling continues, "He hatched me, gave me food, clothes, and anime! Everyday something new and fun and weird is happening. And he's doing this all without a mom to help him. He's the best dad ever, huh?""I'm glad to hear he's treating you well. I must admit, I'm a bit jealous." Kamiko says giving a warm smile. She finishes, "If you think your father ever needs help with something, don't be afraid to ask me. It is my fault you guys are in this situation, after all."Tamako couldn't gleam too much from those answers. She wonders if she should ask Kamiko directly about her feelings about her dad. The larger lady seems to lean towards secrecy for some reason, so it's probably not the best idea. Kamiko seems like the type to get defensive about such things and clam up, so maybe the changeling should come at this from a different way."My dad and Emogen get along together, huh?" Tamako mentions."Emogen makes friends easily." Kamiko says with a smile, "She's got a lot of experience with people.""Do you think Emogen likes my dad a lot? Like a lot a lot?" Tamako continues."I... Hadn't given it too much thought." Kamiko says a little surprised. "I mean, they haven't spent enough time together to figure out that sort of thing.""Well, they are off with themselves now, maybe they'll find out?" Tamako goads, "It's almost like they are off on a date.""O-oh. I suppose it could be viewed that way." She responds a little nervously.
>>6311827Progress. Let's try to goad her into talking >Well, he has to go on dates to get me a mom!>He went on one with you, but obviously that was a fake date...
>>6311847to expand on this>"Maybe you could go on an actual date some day? you know, to make up for the fake one!"
>>6311866That would be a little direct. The idea is to basically go >well gee i dunno why you're acting weird miss kamiko it's not like you like him or anything right
"I mean, he needs to find dates to get me a mom, right? That's kind of how we all met after all." Tamako remarks."Again, sorry about what happened at the dinner." Kamiko apologizes."Yeah, the date with you didn't go so well, huh? Maybe you should give him a make-up date? Another dinner? It's only fair. Can we try one of those omelettes with the ketchup writing for the next one?" Tamako presses."A-another..." Kamiko says, and blushing slightly deflects by saying, "I'm not so sure your father would be keen on that. He seems pretty upset with me about the whole... Incident.""I mean, he's letting you watch me. That means something, doesn't it?" Tamako prods."Next stop, Stripes City!" A staticky voice says from nowhere."Ah! Er. Well time to get going!" Kamiko says, standing up suddenly and banging her head on the car's ceiling. Tamako clicks her tongue as the larger woman escapes towards the door. She is sure just a little more of a push would have got Kamiko to admit something.Walking out of the coach, Tamako has to admit to initially being disappointed at the look of the Mime's city. It looks like Dad's city, perhaps being a slightly larger metropolis. It does stand out for one reason though. The whole place is almost entirely monochrome, and the little color there is from plants or trees is dull and washed out. The few oasis' of bright color come from the non-mime fairies making their way through the streets.The place is also rather more quiet than a city it's size suggests, with even the rustling of the leaves seemingly muffled. Once again, the odd ones out being the non-mimes, who's conversations seem to carry in the silence."So... What now?" Tamako asks, suddenly feeling very out of place."We head towards the 'SHH Center'." She says, reading a note from her file. She raises a hand and point to an office tower. "I think it's that one.""That's where she lives?" Tamako says. "What sort of queen doesn't have a castle?""Maybe she just does her business there?" Kamiko says with a shrug.
>>6312377lets give her a rest for now and continue the mission, gotta prove dad that we can get things done...even if we need a bit (lot) of help from the beeg waifu
>>6312378+1. We got what we need for now, anyway: we seeded the idea of urgency, and of Kamiko taking the initiative if she wants to be in the Martinbowl. Let's focus on getting the job done, now.
OP can you confirm if MC is packing massively schmeat downstairs since he has the quintessential hentai protag cut.
>>6312629Confirmation not required. As you pointed out, the haircut confirms it.
The pair make their way towards the tower, taking in the sights of the monochrome city. As they walk past a small park Tamako sees a pair of boys throwing an invisible ball to each other, and another flying a kite that isn't there."What're they doing? Some sort of game?" Tamako says, pointing over to a group of teenage mimes sitting around making hand gestures at each other. "It's sign language. Mime fae are usually mute so that's how they communicate." Kamiko answers."Oh cool!" Tamako says, watching and figuring out some of the words from other mimes having conversations. Hello almost looks like a sideways salute, going out from the side of the head instead of off a forehead. There are even several types of greetings. Once sort of looks like two thumbs up and a point. Even just an okay gesture seems to suffice.As the pair approach their destination the houses and businesses gradually start to become bigger and flashier. There is also much more noise, as there are barkers advertising, as well non-mimes starting to increase in number. The SHH center interior is mostly a well decorated lobby with a reception desk and guards miming having guns protecting elevators. The receptionists seem to know that SHR were coming, and after Kamiko gives her credentials you are let onto the elevators.After an extended ride, the pair come to find two people waiting for them at the doors. One is an insect winged fairy mime around Tamako's height. The other is a regular looking female mime, and though she is just about the size of Dad, she somehow feels much more like the size of Kamiko. The changeling doesn't even have to be told that this is the Mime Queen.The lady does the sideways salute and combines it with the thumbs up and point. However she follows it up with more sign language that Tamako can only sort of piece together at the moment. After the queen finishes the fairy mime beside her says, "Greetings, and thank you for your agencies help. I offer you all courtesies to assist you in finding my daughter.""You can talk?" Tamako says surprised. "I thought mimes couldn't do that!""Oh, I'm not actually a mime. I'm just like the aesthetic." The Mime Fairy says, "Anyway, sorry honey. I'm on duty.""I'm sure you have many questions, and I'll do my best to answer them. Come, let's walk and talk." The Mime Queen signs, motioning down a long hallway to her office.
>>6312762>Let's see your daughter's room here, and hear why you think your ex-husband kidnapped her>...and once we hear all that, let's address the elephant -- err, the CLOWN in the room, rather
>>6312762i gotta say, EggOP, i LOVE your character design.>>6312763+1
The party walks to the end of the hall past several doors and to the Queen's Office. It's quite large, and one of the walls is just glass panes looking out on a spectacular view of the city. It's sparsely furnished, with a minimalist book shelf, several chairs, and a simple slab of a desk. Even the desk just has paperwork and other clerical items. The only personal object there is a photo in a frame and a potted plant."We've heard the Jester King's side of the story. Can you tell us what happened?" Kamiko asks, pulling out a notebook."As you probably know, I brought Lulu back from her father's, though she almost immediately went to go back. I've confirmed she made it on to the train going towards her father's city, but he says Lulu never got there. I have no idea where else she could have gone otherwise, so I'm assuming he's lying." The Queen signs."And why do you assume he kidnapped her? Perhaps she just ran somewhere, or was kidnapped by someone else?""It's not like he hasn't done it before. There is always some sort of accident or incident with him. Heck, they both just came back from a story that she was 'trapped' in. The whole thing was a last minute idea by my ex, and I doubt Lulu even knew she was heading for a story. I certainly didn't." The Queen gestures, annoyed."Whoa, is this Lulu?" Tamako asks, looking at the photo closer. It's of a girl dancing, wearing much more modern clothing, "She looks so... Different! That painting gave off a different vibe for her.""You saw the portrait? She posed for it just so she could wear the dress. Lulu is quite the fashion enthusiast. " The Mime Queen signs happily."How recent is this photo?" Kamiko asks."That's from her birthday last year. Like I said she is a fan of fashion, so she could be wearing anything. You should see the mess her closet is in." The queen finishes with resigned gestures."Can we actually go see?" Tamako asks suddenly excited. "I wanna see how a princess lives in the big city.""Yes, of course. I assume you want to search the whole penthouse anyway. I can accompany you for a bit, but I'll have to return to my duties at some point. Shall we go?""One last question. I don't mean to pry, but it might be important." Kamiko says, putting her notepad away for now. "Your daughter is at least part clown, correct?""Yes, why do you ask?" The queen replies with clipped gestures."Assuming no one has been kidnapped, is it possible she might have visited the ruins of the clown city?" Kamiko suggests."I certainly hope not. It's just a trash heap full of rodents now."
>>6313181>she is dancing in the picture>fashion enthusiast>clown heritage>all of that combined in a single young person trapped in a dull and grey cityyeah, im calling that she wanted a new view on life or something and went out to explore the city looking for some color or information about her clown heritage, specially since she made it to the train but didnt make it to any of her regular places
>>6313186To be fair, the Jesters live in far more colorful environs... But yeah, I think she's probably gone down to Clowntown.>>6313181>look for clues as to what was goign through her mind befroe ehr disappearance, and why she might have leftA journal? A note or memento in a pocket? Evidence of friends her parents didn't know about?
The group makes it's way to Lulu's room in awkward silence. The room itself is clean and organized, and though it contains some stuffed aimals and knick-knacks the dust on the nearby table tells the changeling it probably isn't occupied often. Kamiko does a short walk of the room, briefly looks out at the balcony before walking to the only other door. The queen was quite truthful about the amount of clothing in the closet, as there are stacks of garments, even more than at her room in the Jester's castle. It's so eclectic that Tamako has to avert her gaze for a moment as her eyes hurt at the prismatic display after being in black and white for so long. Either way, Lulu does not appear to be in her room."Do you know if your daughter has a journal or anything? Maybe received some mail recently?" Kamiko asks.The Queen sheepishly signs, "Yes, I do know where her diary is. She keeps it under her pillow."Moving the cushions away however, reveals nothing except a small worn indent where the diary probably sat until recently."Maybe Lulu figured out you found it? She might have changed the hiding place." Kamiko says as they all begin searching around.Tamako intended to help look for the diary, but her attention affixes on the only current occupant. A cat quietly looking intently at the people walking in, like it was expecting them. The feline is entirely black, save for white fur on it's face. Unsurprisingly, it is also dressed like a mime."Ah sweet, a cat!" Tamako says, raising her hands in a groping motion to pet it. However she stops. The cat stands, arching her back with her hair on end. It looks like it might bolt at any moment."That's my daughter's cat Domino." The queen signs dismissively, checking the nightstand next to the bed.The last cat got away, but not this time! She'll chase it to the ends of the earth, as she's determined to pet that cat one way or another. Tamako glances over to her chaperone currently rifling through the princess' clothes for the diary. Kamiko probably wouldn't want you to leave her sight, and it probably isn't very proper to run around an office building like that.On the other hand, it's a cat. She can't NOT pet it. What should she do?
>>6313500cute cat.To pet or not to pet, that is the question>try to inch your way to it from the back and slowly get your hand closer, if fail, then drop it and try to help by looking under the bed or small places where the dairy might be hidden
>>6313500>try to inch your way to it from the back and slowly get your hand closerGood thinking, >>6313504, but...>if that fails and that cat bolts, chase it to its hiding placeCats always know the best hiding places, which is therefore the best place to hide a journal.
"Kitty kitty..." Tamako says, trying to inch closer to the cat slowly. The cat seems to want none of it, and darts under the bed. Tamako jumps back and in attempts to cut the cat off from escape, but it doesn't reappear. Looking underneath the mattresses the changeling spots the tip of the cat's tail slipping down a small, unscrewed vent.Tamako dives under bed and grabs at anything inside the duct, reaching and stretching as deep as she can."Got'chu!" she yells, pulling her arm back. Even while she does she notices that the texture is far too smooth to be any sort of feline. Upon returning from under out of the vent and under the bed, Tamako notices it's a wad of opened mail."What do you have there?" The Queen asks, making Kamiko look up from her searching. Tamako hands the queen the paper, after looking through them she hands the envelopes off to Kamiko and then signs, "Only a few of these have letters in them, and they all are addressed to my daughter. No return address. Little one, can you see if there is anymore down there?""Is she smaller than me or something? How'd she get them in here." Tamako says as she dives back under the bed. The vent is small, and angles pretty much right at the mouth. "Oh! Do you think she trained the cat?""She is part clown. She can fit into rather small spaces." The queen gestures."Does the vent open up anywhere else on the floor?" Kamiko asks, helping the queen look through the mail. "Or to other floors?""I apologize, I am not sure. I can ask the staff later." The Queen signs. The translator notes that on her clipboard.Tamako finishes groping around the best she can in the vent. Scooping up her finds she dumps them on the Queen and Kamiko. They all look through the envelopes, pulling out any that have letters. They all contain what looks like riddles, handwritten with thick, childish penmanship.-We honk our horns and dance with glee! Our chaos spread hliarity!--With tie's too big, and vests too bright, We're clad in hues that spark delight!--A smile drawn on, from ear to ear, our face spread joy, no hint of fear!--With every giggle, we grow more bold. Your laughter's worth more than all the gold!-
>>6313955We should ask how they came to have a clown daughter, and if any other clowns survived the war...
>>6313967pretty sure that those letters are proof that they indeed survived.if anything, if you read in between lines, those cards are pretty much saying that not only there are clows around, but they are expanding and might be preparing for some sort of conflict.each of those lines reads like a thread or warning>chaos>"uniforms">no hint of fear>we grow more boldi dont know about you, but that sounds like the warning of an impending attack to me
>>6313971Hm, good reading. Is she a recruit, though? or is she trying to stop them? Or even a ringleader? Though she has loving non-clown parents, so probably not...
>>6313974perhaps she is a sympathizer? if what i theorize is true and those cards are a mater of "national security" i cannot think of any other reason to hide them besides being involved somehow
>>6313975I'm wondering if other clowns tried to recruit her and she was interested to learn about her culture, but might not be on the side of a war of vengeance or whatever. After all, the other clowns went berserk and evil, presumably when humans started finding clowns more creepy than funny. We have no indication that Lulu is a Terrifier.
>>6313977thats a very real possibility, perhaps we should ask the queen if she has been acting even more differently than usual? maybe depressed or stand-offish? something that could give a hint of her looking for something?
So... Just moved from Windows to Linux Mint. Didn't realize CSP doesn't work on Linux so I'm going to have to learn how Krita works.Might not be an update today, we'll see.
>>6314198why the change in OS´s? also, good luck, take your time
>>6314214I guess my computer can't do Windows 11, so I asked some people I knew. They said Linux Mint would be easy for me to use.So far so good, except that I lost some of my art stuff since CSP doesn't work on Linux, but it's fine. I still have about 98% of the Egg stuff.
(Still working on it, but here. Tamako drew you a picture in the mean time.)
>>6314693CUUUUTE!!!
>>6314693D'aww...
>>6314693The way she draws Martin kind of reminds me of https://youtu.be/YcO-MxPf_Vg?si=EjLmsj4XYzYBUjTQ Makes me wonder if there's something in Martin's old life that he doesn't want to face, and is using these adventures as a literal escapist fantasy.
>>6314774Well, he was kind of a loser, right?
(Still having a lil' trouble with the tablet, but getting there. Didn't have time for the writing bit butI'll post the image.)
>>6315108Thanks for keeping us updated!
>>6314244https://appdb.winehq.org/objectManager.php?sClass=version&iId=42586Krita is a far better tool moving onward from Windows, but if you need to bridge the gap, then you can try using Wine to get CSP back.sudo apt updatesudo apt install wine
>>6315108"I don't like the sound of these notes... You are sure there aren't any clowns around anymore?" Kamiko says, scratching her head as she re-reads the letters. "It sounds like someone was trying to get in contact with your daughter, or perhaps the other way around.""As far as I know there aren't any clowns in this region." The Queen signs. "And I know quite a bit.""Can you tell me more about this Clown War or whatever it was?" Kamiko asks, putting the letters on the daughter's bed. "Maybe it will make sense of things.""Yeah, like how does a Jester and a Mime make a Clown?" Tamako asks, giving up on grabbing anything else out of the vent. "Is that just what happens when they have a baby?""First thing you should know, is for the last thirty or so years clowns have been becoming increasingly murderous, and while the violence was the main reason for the whole horrible conflict there were other factors. For instance, we thought the increase in violent tendencies might be contagious somehow, as it seemed to start to happen to the newer jesters as well. Luckily the ratios seem to have flattened out." The Queen gestures. "About ten years of terrible relations and it finally boiled over.""When did you say your daughter born again?" Kamiko asks.The Queen pauses, and then solemnly signs. "Around the same time. One of the other inciting incidents I mentioned was the scandal of my affair. Lulu has her father's nose, so it wasn't hard for people to figure out what happened. It destroyed my marriage as well, though it was already looking rather bad before that."Tamako was hoping she'd go more into the drama of the affair and the failed marriage, but the Mime Queen seems rather reluctant to speak on it. Unable to help herself the changeling asks, "What was the clown dad like? He must have been pretty strong if you wanted to risk being with a killer clown.""His name was P.J. Sprinklebottoms, and he was one of the funny, non-murderous ones. We met at a Vaudeville show. He's mute as well, and was part of the show. He was one of the best slapstick performers I've ever seen." The Queen says, lost wistfully in thought for a second. "It doesn't make the cheating right, but what has happened, happened.""Where is her father now?" Kamiko asks."Either deceased or somewhere far away. Trust me, I did try to find him. Lulu may have wanted to meet him one day after all." The Queen pauses to collect herself and continues. "...If you insist on going to those ruins, I might be able to spare you some transport. Please make sure my daughter is safe." The queen asks, and bowing slightly she finishes. "Please."(This might be a good time to switch over to Emogen and Martin. Was there anything else that need to be done in the mime city?)
>>6315352(Yeah, Krita looks nice. I haven't had time to sit down and really look into it, but it seems similar enough that I can adjust.)
>>6315453>Was there anything else that need to be done in the mime city?besides maybe stocking up in some tools for the trip, i dont think there is much we can do now, anyone has any other ideas?
>>6315453Nah, nothing pressing, though I am curious why the Jester King is so invested if the kid isn't his and her birth broke his marriage. Good on him, but also, I am more suspicious now.
>>6315453> Do we have any way of contacting Emogen and Martin? If so do that and inform them of what we learned before switching
>>6315488uuuh! thats smart! supporting
>>6315488>>6315496Aren't these two segments "simultaneous"?
>>6315499they should be, yeah.still no real reason not to update them on what info we got and viceversa.
"Should we be writing this stuff down? I feel like Dad would want to know all this stuff." Tamako mentions."Could we use your phone? I didn't get the King's number but I"m assuming you have it." Kamiko asks, turning to the Queen."His kingdom doesn't have phones. I can send a message, though I'm unsure when it would get to your coworkers." The stately mime signs.The Queen and Kamiko work out the logistics for their transport to the Clown ruins, and soon after mime must return to her work. On their way out of the tower, Kamiko looks up at a clock and says, "Well, we still have some time before we have to meet back up with your dad. How about some lunch?"---You keep glancing back at the station as you walk away, like your daughter and Kamiko might walk out from it despite seeing them leave on the train."What's the matter?" Emogen asks, catching on to this quickly.You say you just realized this is the first time you've really been separated from Tamako. Sure, there was the interrogation and your daughter would wander around the base, but it's not like she could leave the safety of the stronghold."Ah heck, she'll be safe with Kamiko. She spends a lot of time in the training area, so I'm sure she's more than up to the task." Emogen says, trying to comfort you.You glance again back at the train station, but then your partner almost immediately pulls you into a nearby tavern. It looks much like the bars you imagined your DnD party meet in, except that it's much more garishly decorated and the people all have hats with bells on the end."I've always wanted to try a meat pie." She says as you sit at a table. You mention that you are supposed to be out looking for the Jester's daughter. "We are! We just stopped for some lunch."You comment that it's a bit early for that, isn't it?"Brunch then."You chuckle, and soon a large pie is set before the two of you. You take a slice, and she looks like she's about to tuck into the rest of it. Trying a bite, you are surprised to find it is a boozy mixture of spices, meat, and fruit. You aren't sure why, but you thought it'd be more like a chicken pot pie or the like.
>>6315817>start to ask her if eating pork makes her feel weird, like eating a monkey brain would make you feel weird>think better of it>ask how she's enjoying the fieldwork and what she thinks the answer to the mystery of the missing princess is
>>6315817is that...a steak shoved in the middle of the pie?...anyways.>enjoy the pie, maybe some chit-chat with Emogen>then maybe ask the barman if he has seen anyone fitting the description of the jester´s daughter, if anyone knows any sort of gossip, its the barman
>>6315817Love me a beef and bacon pie, can't wait for winter to have an excuse to make one. That's probably a steak and stout pie, though...Anyway...>Wonder if Tamako would like the hand pie version of these. She'd probably like Chinese style meat buns, so maybe...>>6315818>>6315819Followed up with these.>>6315819>is that...a steak shoved in the middle of the pie?...You're goddamn right it is.
You realize the meat is a mixture of beef and pork, and you wonder if your co-worker knows that. It'd be a bit like you eating a monkey after all. Would it be rude to ask? Maybe if you do it in a roundabout way it won't come off badly.You ask Emogen if she's ever had Char Siu before."Oh yeah, those little chinese meat buns? I love those things!"Well, for better or for worse that answers that. As Emogen goes into a recipe for Char Siu you wonder if Tamako would like the pork bun better than something like this meat pie. It starts to make you a bit worried again. You hope she can find something to eat while out with Kamiko in the other city. What do mimes eat anyway? Mimes are french right? French food?To distract you from the worry, you ask Emogen what she thinks of the mystery of the missing clown-mime-jester royalty so far."Something does seem off, doesn't it? How does a princess just up and disappear. You'd think she'd have some kind of escort, or that someone would have noticed her." She says between a bite of pie, "If no one took her, then she's trying not to be found. But why?"You ask if it might have something to do with her being part Clown. You still aren't convinced the ruins don't have something to do with this."I mean anything is a possibility at this point." Your porcine co-worker says, spearing one of the cooked carrots out of the pastry.Since you are at a tavern anyway, you wait for one of the waitresses to bring you over some water and ask if she knows anything about the whereabouts of The Jester King's daughter."Lulu? She hasn't been by in a bit." She says a bit sadly. "And here we wanted to celebrate the completion of her first story, only for her to go missing.""Oh? Did she come here often?" Emogen asks."Every so often yeah. She likes to frequent all the businesses around here." The waitress says, pouring you more water from a pitcher. "When she visits it usually means packed tables and lot's of tips."As the waitress continues on her way Emogen remarks, "Huh, guess she's pretty popular. If she's hiding here in town, it's probably somewhere that there aren't a lot of eyes. Hopefully she hasn't fallen in with a bad crowd."
>>6316138dang, how come a pork lady be so cute?anyways.so she disappeared right after the first story, that means that regardless if she was kidnapped or willingly went along with someone, it was somebody who was close while the story was happening...what about the mice thingy?
>>6316138She cute...also damn those are some large milkers. Some real humongous hungolomghnonoloughongous
>>6316138Things I appreciate about these updates:Martin being a worrywort dad with separation anxietyThose HUGE MILKERSAs for my vote...>Ask the waitress is Lulu ever met up or talked with anyone in particular here
(No update today, sorry.)
>>6316447Unacceptable, I demand IMMEDIATE EMOGEN PAIZURI as compensation
>>6316449+1Kamiko and the rest of the ladies follow after that
>>6316451I see that EggDaughteru has swayed you to Team Polygamy.
>>6316454Daughter knows best ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
>>6316455>>6316454Guess she's got to update her family picture.
>>6316454All your moms are belong to Tamako.
The waitress comes back around, and as Emogen is requests the bill you ask the worker if Lulu spoke to anyone suspicious before her disappearance."If you mean literally, then no one since she can't talk. Probably not much of a shock, but she is really good at pantomiming. There are usually people around who know enough sign to help out as well." The Waitress says."Ah, that makes sense. With the mimes right next door sign language is probably pretty popular huh?" Emogen asks, pulling several copper coins and a silver one from her pocket and putting them on the table."Nah, most of the time mimes just come here with notepads, or if they are important enough they'll bring a translator." The waitress says with a shrug. "Funnily enough, more people learn French since a lot of the words in Stripes City uses it."Surprised the Princess doesn't just walk around with a translator." Emogen remarks."Any translator is going to report to her father, and since he's a bit of a cossetting parent Lulu tries to avoid it. But she loves to teach people words. Check this out." She then taps a finger on her open palm, makes a circular motion on her chest, and finally a motion that looks a bit like she's blowing a kiss without puckering her lips.You ask what she said and she replies, "Tip please!"You chuckle, and then realizing you've gotten a bit off topic return to your original question."Well, now that you mention it... She was spending some time teaching that chap over there how to use sign language. Honestly thought he was a mime but I guess he's just a really old type of jester?" The waitress says pointing over to a man across the way.You thought he was staring at you, but then you realize he's wearing a full head mask. It's not unlike the one that the Jester King wore, though bigger and with a belled hat that sticks out straight rather than resting. The face is a little more off-putting. Though his outfit is similar to the other jesters, he is dressed in monochrome colors. He sits there, somehow eating soup through the mask while petting a ragged looking cat.You approach and introduces yourselves, and ask him when the last time he saw the King's daughter was."The name is Piers." He says, putting down his soup spoon. "Saw her before she went into that story.""Were you close to Lulu?" Emogen asks."Acquaintances."The pair of you wait a second, but he doesn't elaborate further. Emogen continues, "Uh, okay. Did she mention anything or anyone strange before she disappeared?""Nope."He doesn't seem like the most talkative person...
>>6316921man...they are not making this easy, huh?>did she look distressed in any way? maybe sad or angry? or anything that would have given a hint as to why she would have decided to disappear?how do you know each other?
>>6316921>What kind of jester are you?Something clownly, perhaps...?
Something seems suspicious about this individual. Perhaps you are just jumping to conclusions, but you wonder if this character is actually a mime, or jester, or whatever he is. The mask is odd, but the Jester King wears one so it can't be considered that strange."How'd you and Lulu know each other?" Emogen questions."Met her when I was eatin' here one time. I know sign language, so we talk." Piers says, picking up his spoon again. "I'm not much of a party person. We only really hung out here."They aren't going to make this easy, you think to yourself.Your co-worker asks, "Did she say anything that might make it seem like she would want to just disappear?""No." Piers says, scratching his cat. "Lulu isn't that type."You ask if Lulu seemed distressed or out of sorts the last time you saw her, and where that was.Piers thinks for a moment, and then says, "Saw her walking down a back alley near the market.""Oh? What was she doing?" Emogen says intrigued."Walking.""Other than that." Emogen says with a small snort of annoyance, "Did something seem off about how she was acting?""I just saw her walking. She seemed comfortable, like it's where a lady of her station would normally find herself." The Jester says spooning some soup into his mask's mouth hole."And where was this exactly?" Your porcine friend asks.He mentions seeing her in the alley between two places called, "The Juggling Jester" and "Mockwright's Marottes".
>>6317505uuh! interesting, so he actually knew something.i guess we already know where to go next, we should investigate that alley, the faster the better, before any possible trail goes cold
>>6317510support
(Sorry, got home kind of late. I'll get an update tomorrow.)
>>6317912Waiting warmly!
You thank the Jester for his time, and after asking for some directions the pair make their way over to the market district. It is only a short walk away, and you find the alleyway between the juggling supply emporium and the maroette mart easily, as both display not only their names on custom signs above the doors, but most of them display some of the wares they sell outside their establishment The air in the market is filled with the sing-song voices of conversing jesters and their belled hats. The place smells of high scale restaurants and sweet treats. The market is actually rather upscale, with mostly brick and mortar stores with placards and clean paved roads between them. Glancing into a nearby clothing store you spot various shades of jester's garb. Were it not for the colors you don't think you'd be able to tell any of them apart. You also spot a paint store, though this one seems to specialize in face paint. There is even a weapon store with posters on it announcing a sale on daggers with pitches like, "Knives you can really get behind!", "Not even a fool would be without a weapon!" , "Only our wit is sharper than our blades!"There are only a few multi-colored tents and stalls pushed to one of the corners, and most of these being fairies with both jester and straw hats on, selling suspicious produce. From here you can spot one selling spotted apples, and striped bananas. You think you can even see some of the potatoes moving. It look like there are a lot of second-hand antiques as well as local small crafts.Other than that there is some public seating with a mini-castle as a play area for children. Though it's packed with people, many still make space for performances,. There are mock fights and plays, as well as acrobatics. You even spot some canvassers. One seems to be handing out fliers advertising a colony on Uranus. You hear him speak to another Jester about how it's big. And gassy."Think we heading in right away? Should we ask around here, maybe scout a bit?" Emogen asks, looking around.
>>6318281>Ask around, keep an eye out for reactionsIf anyone gets cagey or tries to make a quick escape, we follow up.
>>6318281do we have a way to communicate with eachother? like a phone or walky talkie? if so we could split up and check the stores.i got a feeling that she may have gone into one of the stores of the alleyway and used it to escape, but since there are 2 stores, each of us could check each store en case she is in either one or we could get info from them that the other store didnt have
>>6318286>We should also have Tamago ask around the play-castle, children are a lot more observant than people give them credit for
(Mb, I passed out before I could finish update. I'll get it out after work)
You comment that you want to talk to some people around here before going into the alleyway. You ask if you have some way of communicating with each other. Something like a walkie-talkie or the like."Technology doesn't tend to work too well in the fae realm. At least mortal realm technology." Emogen says shrugging, "How about we look around the square, and then check the stores?"You make the rounds around the market, seeing what information you can get from the locals, asking mostly about the princess and if/when she was visiting the back alleys of the district."Lulu? Walking the back streets? Slander!" One farmer-jester says, shouldering his pack of goods while you talk. "There is nothing back there but bad choices and dead ends. She is smarter than that.""I doubt she was back there." A matronly harlequin remarks, "And if she was, she was probably just visiting some poor unfortunate soul. She cares for the people of the kingdom, you know.""Lulu? I hope she isn't getting mixed up with anyone suspicious." A sweets vendor says, handing Emogen some spiced comfits she purchased. "There are rumors, you know. Ne'er-do-well jesters teaming up with unsavory folks. Some even say they've allied with clowns!""It's funny isn't it, all this talk of jesters, mimes, and clowns... They aren't that different are they?" Marcel the horse with a hat says, one of the few non-jesters roaming the area. "Some say they all share a common story element. I think historians traced it all the way back to the Human's roman empire.""That was a long time ago for them, wasn't it? Surprised they had clowns and jesters back then." Emogen says."Well, I don't think they were called clowns and jesters and all that back then." The horse says, stroking his chin with a hoof. "But I'm no expert.""So, ready to check out this back alley place?" Emogen says, tossing back a few pieces of candied fruit.
>>6318952Hmmm, if there some significance to the Roman stupidus? Something about mystery-cults, maybe?>Back alley time! Stay on guard!
>>6318952we might have to do some studying in history, if i remember correctly, jesters and clowns or whatever they were back then were actually actors and people of some sort of status that worked on plays and sometimes worked in politics, i might be misremembering some stuff, but it might be something like that.in any case...support >>6318954time to go to the alley and be on guard
I learned a new word.Comfits - Confectionery consisting of dried fruits, nuts, seeds or spices coated with sugar candy, often through sugar panning
You and Emogen slowly go into the alley. You didn't want to look like crazy killers wandering the backstreets, so though you have your axes out you do your best to carry them nonchalantly. As if you entered a cave, the sounds of the market become muted and the light from the sunny day is dimmed in the long shadows of the buildings. Unlike the main market's paved walkways, the backstreets are mostly dirt packed down with time. The air is musty, and you can almost taste sourness on it. Other than crates, barrels, and garbage there isn't much of interest back here. The only things that really seems out of place are a large box with a crank on the side, as well as what appears to be a small car parked in one of the side alleys."Well what now? Doesn't look like there is anyone back here." Emogen says, looking around at the alleyway. "Keep going in?"Glancing down to other intersecting alley ways, you think you can see some signs hanging above the back doors there. Still no sign of other people. You wonder aloud what sort of things would be on a black market for Jesters."They hang around in courts and around kings a lot.... Poison maybe?" Emogen says, "Could just be regular stuff as well. I know wine and spirits were back alley goods during medieval times. Something about high taxes, I think."Shame, Kamiko might miss out on booze."I doubt there is anything back here we couldn't get in a supermarket." Your porcine co-worker says with a snorting chuckle. "Probably safer to drink, too."
>>6319387>try turning the crank on the box
>>6319387>crank the box and be ready for popping weasels>also check whats inside that car through the windows, thats 100% a clow car
>>6319387>>6319391 +1
You go to the stranger oddity first, namely the toy car left in the alley. Or maybe it's a car for rats? You can imagine fairy rats driving cars. But why would they have cars and not the jesters? These would have to be pretty messy rats though, as they seem to have packed the car full with rumpled up multi-colored clothing."I don't know if medieval folk rats were quite that smart." Emogen says, tapping the car warily with the end of her axe. "I'd be more worried about getting a disease to be honest."You decide to leave the possible plague (station)wagon be and go to the large colorful box with the crank. You give it a small turn, causing the box to emit a few tinny notes from a song. Giving it a few more cautious turns, you come to find that, perhaps unsurprisingly, it's "Pop Goes The Weasel.""So it's a Jack-in-the-Box, right?" Emogen says, looking to the box curiously. "Never seen one quite this big before."You nod, and say they should be careful. This clearly has something to do with clowns."What do you mean?" she asks. When you say that a jack-in-the-box goes off it let's out a clown on a spring she responds, "I thought a jester pops out of a jack in the box. Isn't that what a jack is?"You open your mouth, but stop. Was it a clown or a jester that comes from a jack-in-the-box.It's usually a clown, right?You both stare at the crank for a moment before asking Emogen if they should turn the box to it's crescendo and she replies, "Yeah, now I want to know what's inside."You pump the crank quickly until the top of the box flies open on it's hinge with a bang, revealing a clown head on a spring."Oh, I guess it does do clown." Emogen says, nodding firmly.However you aren't given a chance to respond as you feel a sharp blow to the back of your head. As your consciousness fades, you hear a voice with a comical french accent say, "Well down mon friend, now let's get zé anoma-lee bak to la 'ideoot quik-lee! Mon mastair weehl 'ave use fair 'im."---Tamako kicks her legs happily while looking out the window of the car at the sparse forest passing them by. First time on a train, and now her first time in a car! Kamiko hands over a bag of macarons they were passing back and forth while reading her notes."So what are these ruins like?" Tamako says, chomping down on a pastry."It appears there isn't much of it left." She says, looking over a scroll from the Jester King. "It seems the only thing that survived the fighting is the main street of the city. It's a tourist attraction now, but guests can view it from a distance."
>>6319763>we got backsta...backbonked>we didnt hear anything from Emogenshe either got took out way too quickly or we just got betrayed...no in between.>"but guests can view it from a distance."if its a tourist attraction that means somebody is mantaining it, that means there will be most likely restricted sections closed to the public.gotta keep an eye out for those when we get there
>>6319764How would they have contacted and turned Emogen? When would they even have had the chance? Why would she have a horse in this realm's politics? I don't think she betrayed us...>>6319763We'll have to go off the beaten path to find these hidden renegades.
The pair are let off in front of a large, walled off area, closed off only by a rope across the entrance way. From the outside all they can see are piles of rubble and multi-colored fabric. There are some signs and statues as well, cracked and broken lying near the various derelict structures still standing. Snaking between all this a line painted in yellow flanked on two sides by rope fencing. Beside this is a building that appears to be both a welcome center and a gift shop. From the door of this building comes a Jester with a nametag."Welcome to the ruins of Clown City! Is this your first time here?" She asks, handing Kamiko a paper map."Uh, yeah. I'm from the SHR. Do you mind if we look around?" Kamiko asks, quickly explaining the situation."Alright, just don't take too long alright? They say the ghosts of the clowns who were killed can still be heard honking and laughing into the night as they go about their murderous deeds." The tour guide says spookily."Whoa, so there are really ghosts here?" Tamako says in awe."Yup! So make sure to stay close to your mom, and stay out of the roped-off areas!" The guide says back to her, hunching her back and rigidly clawing at her with splayed hands. With a knowing wink to Kamiko she says, "Enjoy the horror and history ruins of Clown City, and make sure to stop by at the gift shop on the way out!""Oh she's not my-" Kamiko starts to say, but the worker has already left back to her post.
>>6320176not much to do other than to go in, we are definitely going into the roped areas tho, right?
>>6320176>Test out calling Kamiko "Mom">Go in, and immediately start checking out roped-off areas
>>6320372I wouldn't do that if I were you. It'd get real awkward if, say, we ended up going out with that Flatwoods Monster woman...I mean, we already have a date coming up.
>>6320176WHATEVER WE DO, DO NOT GO INTO THE FUNHOUSE WITHOUT FATHER>>6320378Kamiko is unaware of the Flatwoods MILF
>>6320378What >>6320584 said and also, it'll be funny. Tamako already does not udnerstand or care about monogamy and wants a thousand powerful moms, anyway. That knowledge wouldn't stop her.
>>6320584>>6320599If it's from her viewpoint, it should be too early anyway.
Kamiko and Tamako pass through the gate. The larger woman glances around and to the map and back. She then says, "Wow, they weren't kidding when they said there wasn't anything here."The changelings looks around, but at her size can barely see over the rubble and torn tents around them. Nothing seems to be taller than a single story, though clearly bits of it were meant to be much higher. The huge tents center pole is bent for instance, and she thinks she can spot a collapsed, rusting Ferris wheel in the distance. Tamako asks, "So is this a museums? I imagined that they were inside buildings, rather than the buildings themselves.""I suppose it'd be called a 'historical site' or something similar." Kamiko says after a second of thought. "It's all history either way, right?""Lift me!" Tamako says, holding up her arms towards Kamiko."Huh? Oh, sure." she says absentmindedly as she continues to look at the map, scooping Tamako up with arm and putting the changeling on her shoulder.With this eagle eyed view, the younger fae looks at the map and around at her surroundings. She can't see too much more from here than she did before, but there seems to be some sort of large stone structure to the northeast. The map seems to be more of a suggestion as it's hard to tell one ruined structure apart from another except for unique bits here and there. For instance, the big top is very obviously the largest tent just to the northwest of them. Based on the space between the big top and the Funhouse on the map and in reality, the tourist attraction is quite large, likely taking up several city blocks."So, where first, mom?" Tamako teases, looking at the map."M-mom... Heh, don't let your father hear you call me that." Kamiko says bashfully. "I mean, it looks like there is a loop, but we seem to be able to cut through the middle as long as we stay away from the ropes.""But, I mean..." Tamako says grinning to her chaperone and staring at the nearby big top and funhouse, "We are going to pass the ropes at some point right?""I might, but your dad probably wouldn't want you to scrounge around in half collapsed buildings." Kamiko replies."Aww... When is dad gonna be here, anyway?" Tamako asks, looking around like he might appear from behind a large rock or toppled clown statue. "I'll ask him.""We are a little early." She says checking her watch.
>>6320725>Heh, don't let your father hear you call me that.>Kamiko says bashfullyooh, she is into it!i dont know about you guys, but Big Top seems like the obvious choice to me, i see we start there
>>6320600No way. Tamako's been on a mom-recruitibg kick for a while.>>6320740Yeah, sure, it's as good a starting point as any.
>>6320725To be clear, btw, >>6320892 is a vote to investigate the big top.
"Let's check out the Big Top!" Tamako says, poking it's picture on the map, and then at the nearly collapsed tent. Kamiko obliges, and as they approach the derelict marquee they spot a sign placed in front of a rope fence that surrounds the entirety of the structure. It reads:-MAIN STREET BIG TOP-This quaint, 104 meter tall cotton tent was known since the founding of Clown City as it's center for the finest performances the town had to offer and played an influential role in it's the growth of both it's culture and economic power. For it's time, it had many tricks built into it. Tunnels were dug to assist with magician's and their craft, or for clowns to comically pop-up from no where amongst the crowd or into other parts of the ring. There were even cannons and pipes that smoke was pumped through to give off a suspenseful aura. However, time passes on and though It was kept well preserved as a historic site, this designation meant it was not fitted with any future amenities, such as electricity or indoor plumbing. It was said to be the 'purest' stage for a clown to perform, as there wasn't any modern tricks to fall back on. Unfortunately, some of the first signs of the clown's horrible fate appeared here, as the shows became more macabre and dangerous. This ultimately leading to a "temporary" shutdown after public outcry. It never opened again."Alright, wait for me here." Kamiko says, putting the changeling down near the sign and approaching the fiber blockade."So you are just gonna leave me here alone where any clown ghost could come and scoop me up?" Tamako protests.The large woman contemplates this hard for a moment and then says, "No, I suppose you are right. Fine, but stick close and don't touch anything."Tamako glances around to make sure the coast is clear, but they haven't spotted any other people besides the front desk worker since they've been here. Kamiko has already casually stepped over the barrier, and started to walk to the entrance flap. Tamako follows, and the enter slowly, carefully taking in the scene before them.Though quite large, nearly half of the tent has collapsed in on itself, turning the center ring into more of a ternary stage. The only light is from an open gash in the fabric near the central beam. The rotting fabric gives the air a stagnant, earthy smell. Debris covers the floor, and much of the circus equipment is broken and upturned. All along the edges of the tent are bleacher rounded to conform to the tent's interior. The only sound is the wind, but Tamako swears she can hear the distant, perhaps ghostly, sound of honking noses and squeaky shoes.
>>6321137>Look for the tunnels
>>6321139+1
>>6321137+1
The pair make their way slowly through the abandoned tent, being careful not to touch anything in case it causes the tent to collapse even more."There was a war and stuff right? Where are all the bodies?" Tamako asks, looking around."They cleaned them all up, I assume." Kamiko says, pausing for a moment and scanning the floor more intensely, "At least I hope they did."The center ring is empty of bodies, nor is there anything useful for finding Lulu. Similarly, the bleachers are covered either trash, or rubble. Looking down at the center stage from this angle, she swears she can almost sense the excitement and joy that generations of clowns gave people. She even swears she could still hear some laughter on the wind. Tamako makes her way to the side of the benches, and there she spots a small hole cut into it's side at ground level. It goes under the bleachers, and Tamako gets on her knees and glances into it.The changeling can't see very far into it, but it slopes gradually downward into the darkness below. It's wide enough that she could probably crawl through it."Miss Princess Lulu? Are you down there?" Tamako yells into the black void of the tunnel."Honey, she's mute remember?" Kamiko reminds her as she walks up to the changeling."Oh right... So she could be down there!" Tamako says pointing to the hole. "I think it's the tunnels the sign outside was talking about. Should I check it out?""I really don't think your dad would approve." her chaperone says sternly."But what if the princess is there?" The changeling asks, staring at the hole as if she'd suddenly pop out. "Clowns can fit into small spots right? What better place to escape or hide your hostage from the Jesters and Mimes?"Kamiko considers this for a moment and then glancing at her watches says, "I doubt she would hide somewhere so dangerous, but it might be worth a look. Let's wait for your father and Emogen to come. It should hopefully be soon."
>>6321519>Impulsively check it out soloThis is why you don't raise your magical carnivorous egg-child on “栄光の日本アニメーション”.
>>6321524+1its time for Tamako to do something childishly risky.also, she is a changelling, right? cant she like, change her size or shape of her body? seems like a very crucial part of her entire species for us to have ignored until now
(No update tonight. Going to try to keep the off-nights on wednesday like before.)
>>6322013Sounds good. See you soon, QM!
"Oh wait, is that Dad over there?" Tamako says, pointing past the large woman towards the flap they entered through. As Kamiko turns around to check the changeling lunges to the hole with a giggling, snorting sort of laugh."H-hey! Tamako wait!" Kamiko cries as she turns back around, but Tamako is already most of the way in the tunnel and only going deeper.As Kamiko's protestations begin to muffle, the tunnel starts to lose the little light it already had. Just as she is thinking about turning around the floor seems to drop beneath her as the dusty wood of the tunnel suddenly turns smooth. She slides down for a second, letting off a small yelp as she feels the ground disappear beneath her. Thankfully, she lands in something that cushions her fall.After a moment of shock she looks around, and realizes she is in some sort of storage. In the light of the single bulb hanging from the ceiling Tamako can see she landed on a pile of puffy, multi-colored costumes. Looking up, she sees she fell down from a bright pink slide worked into the tunnel. the wall away from her are cubbyholes with various stage props such as juggling balls, tubas, sparklers, and rubber chickens. The closer wall is lined with hangers full of more clothes, above which there is a shelf with comical face masks lined in a row. The masks are of regular people, but with comically distorted proportions or expressions on each. Next to the masks and costume racks is a door.A few moments later sounds start coming from above, a few thumps and strange laughing. Then several large bangs that make her jump. Did something happen to Kamiko? However as she's strains her ears she catches the sounds of strange sing-song talking and shurried, squeaking shoes coming not from above, but from the door.Oh no!
>>6322419quick! under the multi-colored costumes that cushioned our fall!
>>6322426+1, but try to peek out and listen in.
>>6322419>>6322438 +1
The changeling hurriedly burrows beneath the clothes to avoid whoever is approaching. It smells a bit funny underneath all the costumes, but if they are owned by clowns. About thirty seconds later the doors open and two clowns appear. At first glance they appear like a normal clown wearing a motley, baggy suit and a small green bowler hat. The longer she looks the more she notices the sharp grimace on it's faces and and long, feral teeth."-Wasn't enough now some SHR agent is nosing around upstairs. Hopefully that noise wasn't them." One of the clowns says in a warbling voice, rummaging through the cubbyholes and grabbing a large mallet, a knife, a long rope of tied together handkerchiefs, and a few juggling implements from one of the cubbyholes."So where too then?" Some thing says from the hallway, Tamako assumes another clown."I'm going to go see if they need help up top, you go check out the prisoners." The clown in the room says, tossing the mallet towards the hallway. "Careful, they said something about that human being a necromancer.""The hell... Like it wasn't hard enough to restrain that porker." the clown in the hallway mumbles.The clown with the knife then jumps upwards out of Tamako's sight. There is a thump, and then the sound of a slide whistle.Then silence.
>>6322890nu-uh, wait just a bit longer, thats a trap, they are waiting for us to come out or something.after we make sure the coast is clear, grab one of the outfits and put it on so we can blend in and escape, then we look for Kamiko
>>6322890…a human and what they’re calling a “porker”… Oh dangit, it must be Dad and Emogen! Looks like it’s just us now.We got to call in reinforcements somehow…
>>6322890>Wait a little longer>then, go looking for Dad and PigMom
>>6322890>>6323006 +1
>>6323006+1Got to make sure we avoid banana peels
"Porker"? Does that clown mean Emogen? If she's down there, then where is your dad? Is he the necromancer that was mentioned, because that would be cool!The changeling crawls out from the pile of costumes, and then realizes she should put together a disguise if she is going to wander around where ever she is. She grabs one of the longer, frilled tops off the rack and wears it like a dress. Next, she takes one of the masks from the shelf and pops her head into it.. She then grabs one of the smaller mallets from the cubbyholes. With Tamako's disguise complete, she gingerly opens the door to the storeroom and peaks out.The changeling follows the honking, squeaking noises and voices down the narrow hallway of the braced wooden tunnel. There are a few more doors branching off it, but only one open one with a group of armed clowns huddled in the doorway. Joining the throng, she attempts to get towards the front so she can see what's in the room, but mostly has to bob around and glance through legs or catch glimpses between the shuffling of the other's arms. The mob's attention is on a singular clown holding a bat, It's head half-caved in and still badly injured otherwise. It's standing over the bodies of it's supposed comrades, probably having taken them out. However Tamako quickly notices that behind that clown are a few cages, three of which are filled. One is holding Emogen, hog-tied and unconscious. The second has a clown that she recognizes as the princess from the Mime Queen's picture.Most importantly however, the third cage has her dad! He looks okay, but he is tied up with his hands behind his back, watching the scene unfold."-just raises another one!" A clown says, seemingly explaining to someone else in the crowd."Stupid 'uman. Did you expect zis sairt of plan to wairk? All you are doeng eez makeng yur jailairs angriair." Another voice says, Tamako barely able to understand it.It's not Dad who answers however, but the singular clown. Swinging the bat erratically and baring it's sharp clown fangs it says, "Back away, you bumbling buffos! I won't let anyone take him from me!""What eez éven zé point of zis? Inévitab-lee eet weehl end wiv yur zombie banished and you beaten 'alf to death." The accented voice replies with a sigh."Anyone else comin'?" Tamako hears one of the closer clowns whisper to another in the group."I think I heard Pierrot is here, so probably him." it responds."Ah, that'll end things quick." The first clown says with a snicker.
>>6323631I feel like we'd known if our MC was a necromancer... So something else is going on here. But let's give this a go...>Disguised as a killer clown, offer to take down the zombie>When we get close, flash Dad and Emogen a glimpse of our hairclip so they know it's us>Team up with the Zombie to free themIf its not under Martins' control, it may still be an ally
>>6323659+1we can take care of the zombie later if we all gang up on it after we cleared the clowns
>>6323659My bet is that it's ghost wife
Tamako tries to push to the front. She isn't sure why, but the zombie seems like her only able ally at the moment.She barely passes the clowns near her before it grabs her and says, "Oh! The man of the hour. Get'em Pierrot!"There is some cheering, and the changeling is shoved and steered to the front of the crowd passed all the other clowns and......A cat?---You come to, awakened by the sounds of yelling. You try to stand and bump your already sore head. You try to raise your hand to rub it, but find they are shackled. Funny how that keeps happening. A new twist to being kidnapped is that this time you are in a cage.Between the bars you spot a small group of clowns, of which are in an argument. They start flinging cards, one picks up a mallet and the other a bat."You've been palmin' cards you cheat!" The mallet clown says."I ain't been palmin' I've been muckin'!" The bat clown retorts."Calm down you idiots." someone says as the other heckle.But they did not calm down. The one with the mallet sinks it into his opponents skull, and he topples over."Great, now we are down a player." One of the other says, punishing him with a club to the skull. He then glances to your right at another cage and says, "Don't worry princess, he'll be fine."True to his word, The one that got hit over the head with the mallet stands back up holding the bat. Something seems odd about him. Probably the fact that his head is still crushed in like a broken coconut. His friend looks him over and then goes to say something, but he is quickly clocked over the head. The clown with the bat then swings erratically around, and one of his friends topples him with a cleaver to the head. However another one of the bodies grabs the bat, and continues the rampage where the first left off. The posse of clowns back out of the room temporarily, and as they do the clown with the bat turns to you and says, "Don't worry my love, I'll protect you! And if not, hey, you'll be dead and we can be together anyway!"Moments later more armed clowns return, for some reason bring a cat with them. It becomes clear why as it start arguing with the weird lovesick zombie. There is a small commotion, and one of their kin is pushed to the front. You recognize the mask immediately as Pier's mask but, he seems to have gotten quite a bit shorter."And what are you, a sacrifice? Bait?" The zombie growls."Uh, actually I was wondering if we could talk." A voice with a much higher pitch than you were expecting says. You are pretty sure you recognize that voice.
>>6324148>encourage based cursedghostwaifu to hear the clown out>>6324148
>>6324148dang, didnt notice the update was already out.+1 >>6324165 since im not entirely sure whats going on with that zombie
"Talk? Just so you know, I won't be distracted so easily, tiny assassin." The zombie says, bracing.Trying to keep your voice just loud enough for the trio, you tell the zombie you think that is your daughter Tamako, and ask the changeling where Kamiko is."Uh... Above us I think? Up in a circus tent?" Tamako replies. "I mean she's strong, so she'll be fine. Right?""Why would you care where or how she is? Isn't having your one true love around enough?" The zombie says with an indignant pout."What the heck, Dad? I need a mom not another dad! I want siblings!" Tamako says in an angry whisper."Oh, you probably don't recognize me. We've met before, remember? In the bedroom? With that creature and the broom?" The zombie says crouching down. "First you see me as a skeleton and now a zombie... When your dad gets me a proper body you'll see how beautiful I am.""Ah... Oh. The ghost." Tamako says, unsure of how to speak with Camelia. Reluctantly she continues, "Well... Well I guess I could team up with you for now.""What are you doeng, Pierrot? Just finish zis!" The cat says from the crowd, soon followed by cheers from the other weapon wielding clowns.
>>6324568smash the cat!
>>6324570and then everyone else of course
>>6324570+1, fight the clowns off! We can free our friends and family when we aren't in urgent danger.
(Wrote myself into a corner a bit. I'll get it out tomorrow.)
>>6325051ahh, yes, im very familiar with this, take your time.
"She, uh, he's just very strong, so I'm being careful!" Tamako yells in the gruffest voice she can muster.The crowd starts jeering and laughing."Scared, Pierrot?""Use your secret weapon!""Quit dragging it out!""So uh, what's the plan." Camelia whispers, taking an aggressive looking stance and saying outloud, "You are no match for me, you tiny seedling!""I think that cat is the boss, maybe if he goes the clowns stop? It's either that or fight our way out. Do you think you can get Emogen's cage open?" Tamako asks in a hushed voice, holding the mallet like she's ready strike. Then yelling says, "Oh yeah? Bring it!""The pig woman? She is rather... Bulky. That might work." Camelia mumbles, and then louder announces "I'll send your head into the sky, and then pull the wires out of that little robot feline next!" "How did you know I was-" The cat squints, and then says, "Hold on. Rambling about true love, taking over bodies, and you know about my nature... Are you that ghost? The one that boss stuck in a ring? Why are you helping these fools.""Because I was freed by my one true love, and now I need not obey your cruel master!" The zombie cries."Don't be stupid. Look at the odds here. You might as well just return. I got the sample boss wanted." Motioning towards one of the cages to your right, then to you. "And I'm sure whatever this anomaly is here will peak the research team's interest. I'm sure they won't turn down a willing volunteer to watch over the human.""And the pig?" Camelia asks, motioning her clown arm to your left."Loose end, along with the other agent and that changeling when we find them." The cat says, flicking it's tail."You'll even take care of the ogre... Hmm..." The zombie says, clearly thinking this over. "I can watch the Changeling as well. I will be here mother after all."You aren't sure you like where this talk is going.
>>6325529>smash Camelia's zombie leg and scramble to free Emogen
>>6325529>ghost is concidering betraying usi hate this bitch...fuck it, we doing this without her!>push the zombie away with out mallet and then use it to smash emogen´s cage openshe is way stronger than us, if we get her free then we will even the odds at the very least
>>6325529Free the mime princess. She'll be able to mime walking a dog (or make a balloon animal version of one), hopefully scaring this asshole cat.
>>6325564...Oh shit, that's good.>>6325542Changing this to back mime time.>>6325529
uuuh clever!changing my vote >>6325547 to this >>6325564
>>6325529>>6325564 +1
(I just realized I didn't give the cat the bad french accent in the last post fffff-)
>>6325909Maybe Tamako just gets used to new languages and dialects super fast? It would make sense, for a Changeling who learned English and adopted all our favorite anime tropes in, like, a week or two.
"What do you think, my dear?" The zombie asks turning towards you, but not letting her eyes leave the cat.You tell her that you'd much rather not be kidnapped and experimented on."It'd only be for a little while until you die." Camelia tries, "And I'll be with you the whole time to make sure you are as comfortable as you can be while the research is going on!"You tell her that is of little comfort."Now don't be like that. I'm sure it won't be all bad. You might even get some cool powers." Camelia adds, "Right, cat?""i supposé anythéng eez possibuhl." The cat says, annoying you a bit with the wry grin it gives while saying this. "and you weehl addrez me as 'Le Chat'."While glaring at the cat you can see Tamako slowly inching her way towards your left. You are guessing she intends to free Emogen, but you aren't sure how she is going to accomplish this. She has a mallet, but is she even strong enough to smash open these cages? They are pretty sturdy. Still, it's the best option you have, so maybe it's just best to buy some time.You ask what the cat even is. You believe Camelia said it was a robot, but what is it's function?"A cat. All ze cats. Evairy 'ouse cat you can put to wairds. And yét, ai am also not. Ai béliéve you mét un of mon infairiairs een zat stairy you completed, cairrect? Ai 'ad 'aird le shr and zum 'uman 'ad defeated zat eight arméd idiot." The cat says, "Unlik zat failure, ai 'ave many fairms ai can generate."You hear a sad slide whistle noise from your right, and the cat then says, "Yes. I was both of your cats, princess."Tamako's mask reminds you that there was a cat with Piers as well, a sort of scrawny one-eyed street cat. This "Le Chat" must have been him too.
>>6325925Okay, my best idea to distract Le Chat is to ask if he can repeat what he said. That French accent he has is thick enough to give me problems trying to read it, I can't imagine how hard it is to understand it in person.
>>6325945+1i had to read that like 3 times and im still not sure if i got all of that
>>6325925>cat>robot>8-armed idiot subordinateAh, another Unseelie shape-shifter. Where's our neighborhood murderbot when you need her?
>>6325925 >>6325949 >>6325960I could read most of it but I have no what that "le shr " is supposed to be
>>6325978>I could read most of it but I have no what that "le shr " is supposed to be"The SHR", the organization we're currently working for
(Just gonna drop the cat accent, seems to be causing more trouble than it's adding lol.)
>>6326048the accent is fine, you are just overusing it a bit, try dialing it back a bit and it should be fine
>>6326097Nah, it's funnier this way.>>6325925+1 to >>6325945
You ask the cat if it can repeat itself, saying it's accent is a bit too thick for you to understand."Eet doesn't mattair if you undairstand eet, simpleton. Just fullow instrucshé-ons and maibé you'll survive." The cat sneers."Honey, you really should be nicer to your captors." Camelia tuts at you, "You catch more flies with sugar than with vinegar"You see your daughter slip out of your sight to your left. There is a loud crash, and then another. Tamako let's out a yelp of surprise. You can't see it, but from the the sound of crunching and cracking noises coming from your left and the slivers of wood flying by you imagine Emogen is free."Piers what are you-" The cat and it's cohorts say, frozen in place as your porcine co-worker appears between you and the throng of clowns, along with your disguised daughter. Tamako triumphantly pulls off the mask and tosses it at the clowns, though they don't seem to care about that projectile much at all. Instead, there are gasps at the reveal and one of the clowns says, "Hey, you aren't Pierrot!""Yeah, knowing the guy I'm not sure how you could even make that mistake." Emogen says, plucking off some rope still stuck on her wrists. "Being that he's way taller, way deeper voice, and way less talkative.""Ah... Glad it worked out so well." Tamako says alarmed."Tch, Zése idiots must bé rubbeng off on me." The cat says under it's breathe, and then announces, "Zis changes notheng, othair than insuréng zat we'll 'avé to keehl you. If anytheng, you made mon job easiair. Now wé know whaire ze changeleng eez. Just un of you left.""The changeling is off limits!" Camelia says, doing her best to shield Tamako, though your daughter seems to be trying hard to squirm out of her grip. "And what happened to saving them as samples?""Mon misshe-on was just fair ze princez." The cat replies, "Ai would 'ave liked ze rest to be a bonus, but c’est la vie."Not being able to do much more than watch, you notice that the clowns and the cat are making lot's of complaints and threats, but not actually attacking for some reason. Perhaps they need a delay just as much as you do? What could they be waiting for?
>>6326386I suspect they're waiting for the buyer or mission-giver. let's try to take them down, don their masks, and lay in wait for the one responsible?
>>6326389Or, we could use the lull to get ourselves and/or Kamiko free.Do you think Kamiko can fool them if she dons the mask? She's taller and has a deeper voice than Tamago>"It's me, Pierrot! I was pretending to be a half-fairy the whole time!"
>>6326386>"The changeling is off limits!"ahh, so she is still kinda on our side...kinda...>say that if she lets anything happen to any of us, then father wont marry her
Emogen braces herself with a foot on the bottom of your cage, and easily rips the top off of it. You thank her as you stand up. Tamako begins to remove your bindings, and then you notice something.Lulu is standing right next to your co-worker. Seemingly having appeared out of nowhere."What, how'd you get out?" Emogen asks with a jump as she spots the half-mime beside her.The half-clown does some sign language. Surprisingly, someone in your group can translate this."She says she could always slip through the bars, but there wasn't much point if she'd just get captured again." Tamako says, watching Lulu's hands.You ask when the changeling could have possibly learned sign language."Oh! Today! In mime town they all use that way to speak, I guess." your daughter says with a shrug."Get those idiots!" The cat sighs after a sigh of frustration. The clowns begin to fan out, attempting to push you back further into the room than you already are."Get behind me!" Emogen says. And while Tamako complies, the princess jumps forward and does something actually familiar to you. She raises her palms to the air, seemingly stopping against a wall that isn't there. She even pretends to push against it hard. Impressively, her cheek appears to squish against the screen of nothingness. The charging clowns slam there hands and bodies into it as they attempt to grab the princess. Stopping them in their tracks."This is getting pathetic." The cat says with a sigh, flicking it's tail back and forth in annoyance as the clowns collect themselves. "You just traded your cage for an invisible box. It's only a matter of time until you'll have to surrender."For now, the clowns mutter to themselves, poking and smacking the area around your group, always either bumping into an invisible wall or colliding a weapon against it, causing it to bounce off. The enemy definitely seems more agitated now, even still though they don't seem that rushed. A few are even whispering with the cat, sitting on a box in a corner of the room.
>>6326714>(whisper) "Hey, Princess, if you can summon an invisible wall with your skills, do you think you can get an invisible dog whistle for invisible dogs?">Try to work our MC charm to distract>"So why are you guys following this jerk anyways? He doesn't seem to be treating you nicely, besides the whole ordering you around thing..."
>>6326714>Tamako already learned sign languageim guessing her being a changelling is letting her learn things at an accelerated pase>Tell her to slowly shuffle to the side so that she can slowly transform the wall into a cilinder and trap all of them instead of it, leaving us outside, free and safe
>>6326727+1, kek>>6326714
You ask Lulu if she can make an invisible dog whistle, or invisible dogs. Something to scare the cat with."Dad, she can't talk. She's using her hands." Tamako sighs at the princess as she mimes the wall.You say a simple yes or no will suffice, and after Lulu thinks for a moment she gives her head a shake.You hear a thump from behind you, and turn to see the body Camelia was possessing collapsed on the floor. So much for her help. As you plan, Emogen picks up the bat and tosses it to you. She then takes the cleaver from the head of the fallen clown."Ow, watch it!" The clown says angrily, rubbing the wedge shaped wound before lying back flat."Oh, uh. Sorry." Emogen apologizes.You wonder if she could make a cylinder to trap all the clowns in, but considering how they are spread out trying to find weaknesses in the wall you find that unlikely to work. The fact that the cat and a few of the clowns are separated from the rest in a corner complicates it further. However, if you reverse it you may instead be able to make a tunnel to the door to escape. You ask the half-mime if she could do that, and she nods. She slowly, carefully, angles the wall towards the door, then pats out an archway, then the tunnel walls. The clowns begin to figure out what is happening as you go, and try to beat down the invisible tunnel."Get in front of her!" The cat says, seeing what is going on."Time to run!" Emogen says, swiping up Tamako and bolting for the now much closer door. You and Lulu follow, with the clowns hot on your heels. As Lulu let's go of the fake wall's surface you see some of the clowns who were shouldering or swinging at the wall stumble or fall over into the place where it was just moments ago.Though they pass through the door, Emogen stops a few steps back into the hallway. You stop as well. In the passage is a singular, monochromatic clown with a large chef knife. Even mask-less you can tell It's Piers, or Pierrot as you guess he's actually called. He has a different sort of mood compared to the other clowns you've seen so far. He isn't doing anything particularly scary, but he somehow feels threatening standing there by himself in the harshly lit hall. As Lulu passes through she slams not the physical door, but an invisible one behind her, and seeing the group stopped pushes back against it to hold back the clowns in the room. Tamako hops off Emogen and throws her back into the barricade as well."It's only the cat that needs her alive.I do not want to kill the Princess. If it's that or escape than I have no choice. Go back. Now. Before it's too late." Pierrot says, in the short manner you remember him having from before."Help, or stay out of the way." your co-worker says to you, raising her cleaver and advancing on the lone entertainer.
>>6327165What's in it for him, a clown, to work with Unseelie shapeshifters? Is it really worth revealing the remaining clowns to the ire of the mimes and jesters should they harm their princess?
>>6327165He is just standing...MENACINGLY!>>6327209Unless he is an Unseelie himself, just like with the princess before, maybe thats why he is so direct and short mannered when he speaks, he is a robot!
>>6327165We got Pagliacci over here. Any chance hes actually stoically artistically in love with the Princess and she can plead with him to not do this?
>>6327209+1 for interrogating him, offering a distraction for Emogen if nothing else.>>6327165
You wonder if Lulu could convince the clown to back down, but considering she his holding the invisible door in place she is a bit busy, and also unable to communicate. Instead, you think to try and distract Pierrot. As Emogen and the monochrome man size each other up, you ask why the clowns are even working together with the robot. Le Chat doesn't seem like the most trustworthy type, nor does it seem to respect your group very much."Needed the princess gone." Pierrot says, stepping forward with a thrust. Emogen doesn't even try to dodge it but instead rushes him, swinging her free hand to his arm. Perhaps her brazen disregard spooked him out of the strike, because Pierrot backs off just in time from the attempted grab. "...Also, No one respects clowns. It's in the name."You tell him it sounds like Lulu is going to get experimented on, and who knows if they'll keep her around after that."Longer than she'll live here, if things go to plan." Perriot says, giving a few testing jabs forward with his knife. Emogen only flinches at the first few, and as he pulls back she steps in, giving the cleaver a few good swings. The clown side steps an overhead strike from your co-worker. The clown uses your co-workers own momentum against her and thrusts the knife forward. She swings her arm around in a backfist. Pierrot is knocked back onto the floor, but the knife stays stuck in her shoulder. You give an automatic cry of concern and try to go to her, but she holds up a hand to stop you."Give up, little man?" Emogen says triumphantly, Wincing as she tugs the knife out of her shoulder and tosses it aside. To your surprise, the kitchen knife didn't seem to draw as much blood as you thought it would.Pierrot grunts. Pierrot stands up, dusts himself off, and pulls out a M1911.Emogen charges but you aren't sure she'll reach him in time before he can fire. That might not be the biggest problem however, as Pierrot isn't looking at her, Pierrot is looking towards the Princess, and as if in slow motion you can see him adjusting his aim.
>>6327570>pull a "GET DOWN MR.PRESIDENT!" move
>>6327577+1, gotta protect the VIP
>>6327577+1Plus, call out to the princess; miming bullets away is probably easier than miming a knife-stab away
>>6327570I see two options, either tell Lulu to make a box and hope that she's both quick enough to realize what we mean and make the box before he can pull the trigger, or leverage the fact that they need us alive and humans are much more fragile than fae.
Plans rush through your head, maybe you can shout out to the princess to get her to make a box around herself. But then she'd have to drop the barrier on the door. You aren't even sure there is time to get the words out of your mouth before Pierrot shoots. You do the only thing you can think to do, an action made easier once you see Tamako standing near the princess.You dive into the path of the gun.You feel a sharp pain go through your lower leg and forearm, causing you to fall over. A second later you see Emogen descend onto Pierrot, her heavy fists pounding down on the clown. Your vision swims, and you pass out.---You are jolted awake by a large bang, then feel a sharp sting in your wounded extremities that reminds you of your situation."Daaad!" Tamako says sobbing, hugging you tight. You move to hug her back, even through the pain. On your injured arm you notice your wound tightly bound with some polka-dotted cloth. Your shot leg is as well, and looking around you see Lulu standing nearby, shoving a long rope of handkerchiefs into her pocket. You are up against a wall. Emogen and Pierrot are no where to be found in the hallway.There is a lot of banging and shouting, and then another loud bang, and you look around confused as it all echoes through the hall."Emogen and Kamiko are taking out the rest of the clowns." Tamako says, wiping her nose and pointing to the room with the cages. "They said you shouldn't move too much. No dying okay?"You say you have no plans to do so. You then ask when Kamiko got here, and how long you were out for."You were only out for a minute or two. But yeah It was so cool! Kamiko came charging in with her big gun! " Tamako says miming shooting a gun with her hands and sounding impressed despite the circumstances.The princess taps your daughter, and then does some sign language towards her."Huh? Oh okay!" She says, and helpfully translates for the princess. "Lulu says thanks for taking a bullet for her. It was very brave for a human to do something like that."
>>6328051>"You are welcome, your highness">"Tamako, when did you became so good at sign language?">"Im fine for now, we should look for an exit while the girls take care of business, maybe call HQ for backup transporting these clowns to interrogate"
>>6328051>”Your welcome, your highness. I simply did what I’d hope another parent would do.”>”While we’re at it, thank you for bandaging me while I was out cold.”>”And you’re picking up on sign language really quickly, Tamako! I’m really impressed!”
>>6328058I don't think we have a means to call HQ, do we?>>6328051>Now's a good time to get Lulu's full story: how and why she's here, what she's learned about these clowns and how they survived the genocide, what they wanted with her
You say to the princess that you were doing what you hoped any other parent would do, patting the changeling's head. Lulu nods with a bashful smile. You lay back down fully as your arm starts to sting, and your daughter offers her disguise to be used as a pillow. You smile, and ask Tamako how she got so good with sign language."I mean it took me a second to get it, but after watching all the people in Stripes City signing I figured it out." Tamako says puffing up proudly.You wonder if learning languages quickly is part of her Changeling magic or glamour, or whatever it's called. She came out of her egg speaking both English and Japanese, after all. You say outloud that we should find a way to contact home base, though you aren't sure how you are going to go about doing it."I'm sure Kamiko has something!" Tamako says, pumping her fists and looking towards the still rowdy sounding room with the cages. "Let's wait for them to finish up fighting."You ask Lulu how she even ended up kidnapped in the first place. You and Tamako share information with her on what you know or figured out yourself, and ask if she can fill in the blanks.You thought she would just spin a tale with her hands, but she actually gets up and starts performing out bits of the story.She explains that she wasn't kidnapped from her father's party, but she did leave with her mother. She could feel an argument brewing, so just to keep the peace she went. The Mime Queen was mad because the story went on longer than they thought it would, and it cut into an event Lulu and her mother were going to attend. Acting like she's slitting open an envelope and unfolding a note, Lulu goes on to talk about how she got a new letter when she got back to her room. Then realizing she had to back up a bit, explains that the letters Tamako found tended to just appear out of nowhere. It didn't even matter if she was with her mother or father, the letters would find her all the same. Lulu had always liked them because it became a sort of secret that neither her mother nor father knew about. She especially got interested when she figured out it was probably other clowns trying to contact her."I bet it was the cat who dropped off the letters." Tamako says between translations.Lulu looks startled for a moment, and then sad. When translated she admits, "That's probably true. There isn't any other way a letter would get passed all the guards and security."You ask how she ended up kidnapped, and Lulu says one of the letters she got was much communicative, telling her to come to the Clown Ruins if she wanted to know more about her birth father's side of the family. Lulu shrugs sadly, and then finishes up saying that after she snuck passed the receptionist she was kidnapped, and doesn't really know what happened again until she ended up in the cage.
>>6328867>(applause for the performance)>"I'm sorry that someone you trusted abused your faith in them. We'll do our best to ensure he'll be held to account for it.">"In any case, have you thought about asking your mother and father to help you learn more about your clownsmen's history and culture? I'm sure they'd be willing to support you, if you tell them it's a part of you that you want to know more of."
>>6328867cute princess>>6328898+1 to all of this
>>6328898+1, very good example for our eggdaughter.
>>6328867>>6328898 +1Her mother might, her father seems too willing to pretend she isn't part clown to tell her anything
>>6328981Good luck pretending she isn't a clown after all this.
You comment that her performance was quite good considering the story and the circumstances, giving her some applause before stopping because of your hurt arm. You tell her that you are sorry someone she trusted abused her faith in them. You say your group will do the best we can to ensure Le Chat will be held to accountable. You ask Lulu if she has thought about asking her mother and father to help her learn more about Clown history and culture. You are sure they'd be willing to support her if Lulu tells them it's a part of her that she wants to know more of.The princess does an exaggerated sighing motion, and then signs, "It's not like I haven't tried. It makes my mother sad, and my father... Well he won't admit at all that I'm part clown."There is a noise beside you, and you see Kamiko and Emogen walking out of the cage room. They look slightly worse for wear, and Emogen is carrying one of the smaller cages. which from the multicolored cloth and gloves poking out at certain points, must be full of clowns. Kamiko on the other hand, is carrying what you are pretty sure is Le Chat's body, now missing it's head."Whoa! Nice" Tamako says, getting up and approaching the two. "You guys are strong, super strong!""Thank you honey, but isn't there something you want to tell your father?" Kamiko says, crossing her arms."Huh?" Tamako says, confused."About how you ended up down here without me?" Kamiko says, crossing her arms and looking down at the changeling."U-uh... No?" Tamako says, suddenly nervous and avoiding eye contact. "Anyway, we should get outta here and call HQ! Dad is hurt, and Emogen too!""I'll be fine." Emogen says, plucking a knife out of arm. "I have pretty thick skin.""Whoa, if it can stop knives maybe I should put on some weight." Tamako says in awe."Skin, it's skin not fat!" Emogen says a little more spirited than she obviously meant too.
>>6329350i know it was basically "us" that made her go down there by herself, but dad doesnt know that, i feel like we should...not scold her, but let her know that what she did was pretty dangerous and reckles, but still congratulate her for a doing a good job but to be more careful in the future.also examine the robot-cat to see if it has anything inside like the previous bot
>>6329357+1 to both. Also, where did Camelia end up? We'll need to have words...
>>6329357+1>”So how’d she get past you, Kamiko?”Guaranteed blushing.
>>6329491Also…>dat peek of Kamiko thigh through the tear
>>6329491Ooo, good addendum.
"Ah heck, look what they did to your poor clothes." Emogen says, looking at the large seams torn up both of the legs of her formal attire."I did that myself. Kind of hard to run in a pencil skirt." Kamiko says with a sigh. "Guess I'll have to try and find another one my size."Getting back on subject, you ask how Tamako got away from Kamiko. Your larger co-worker explains while your daughter does her best to shrink behind Emogen. After that you turn to Tamako and tell her that was a very dangerous and reckless thing to do. You say that you appreciate that it lead to you being rescued, but it could have turned out very badly.Tamako nods and quietly murmurs out, "Sorry... I won't do it again..."You try to stand, but Kamiko comes up besides you and slings you over her shoulder. "Don't try to walk. You seem fine, but I don't want to risk anything until we can get you to a doctor."From your new perch you spot the robot cat body in her other hand and ask Kamiko if it had a red gem looking thing inside it like the last one."I saw something like that yeah, but I don't want to mess with it too much until I can get it to Zul." She responds.Your party follows Kamiko down the hall as she seems to know where she is going. Remembering that Tamako slipped down a small hole to get here you wonder how Kamiko ended up getting down here to save them."Well after Tamako disappeared I was attacked by some clowns hiding in the ruins. I uh... Asked them, shall we say. There is a way in through the broken down Funhouse attraction." Kamiko says, pointing the way they are walking."H-Hey, where'd that ghost go by the way? Carmilla or whatever her name was?" Tamako asks, trying to change the subject.You kind of want to know that yourself. You'd like to have some words, preferably not while you are unconscious."Ah, sorry. That's probably my fault. Undead stuff doesn't really like me very much." Kamiko says with an embarrassed chuckle. When you ask her why she continues, "Part of my glamour inherited from my birth mom. She was an Oni, specifically one of the torturers from Jigoku. Spirits are afraid of me, partly out of nature and partly because I can actually physically touch them.""Oh cool! What other powers do you have?" Tamako asks hopping slightly."Well, the size and strength." Kamiko says, starting to appreciate the attention. "I have some control over electricity. I don't have any talent with fire like most oni, but it doesn't really hurt me either though."
>>6329884>"Undead stuff doesn't really like me very much"reply with:>"Then maybe we should keep you closer so she wont come back"That should be a small enough tease/flirt to make her blush a bit but not enough to push our luck.I guess we should now take the princess back to her mother? unless anyone can think of anything else we could do with her?
In all honesty I'm starting to think it might be best to find a body for the ghost girl if only so she can't do dream stuff no moreWay easier to watch out for a real body.
>>6329988+1>>6330022+1 to the sentiment, ideally before Flatwoods-chan date day.
You say it's fine that she keeps the ghost away, and tease that you need her help, and that you'll just stick around for a bit then."Haha... Y-yeah. Don't worry about it." Kamiko says happily with a slight pinkness to her cheeks. "I can stay until you can get a proper exorcism."As you walk you ponder how you'll get a body for Camelia. If she can go around possessing people it might be safer to find her one to use. After a few minutes you end up ascending a staircase. At the top, there is a smashed in door that was disguised as a mirror. From there it is a short walk back through the ruined building to the front of the tourist attraction.The store worker is shocked at the state of your party. Your group explains what happens, and she goes to call in some help. Kamiko and Emogen are also allowed to call the SHR, as well as the Jester King and the Mime Queen. They both said they'll be coming immediately.Luckily, there are medical supplies in the gift shop. Perhaps because of it's fae origin, it's an odd mix of poultice, tinctures, bandages, applicators, and creams. Emogen dresses her wounds and then goes to help you with yours. You thank her as Tamako finds the adhesive bandages and helps by slapping them all along your uninjured arm. She turns to Emogen and asks, "Are you a doctor? How do you know how to use all this stuff?"As your porcine co-worker dresses your leg she says, "Just picked it up over time. My dad got into a lot of fights, and the fae back at home base know a lot about natural remedies and stuff. You'd be surprised what you can learn if you get some of them talking."Looking around for the two other people in your group, you see Kamiko asking the Princess about the cat robot, and the Lulu scribbling down words onto one of the attraction branded notepads. Unfortunately it seems she doesn't know much about the mechanical creature."I got one cat from a shelter years ago, and the other I got from a pet store a few months back. How the heck could they have known which I was going to pick? Why'd they wait so long to strike? It's a little scary..." Lulu writes with an exaggerated shiver.Tamako murmurs quietly, "Or it just replaced them. That's what I would have done.""Don't worry, the SHR will get this all sorted. Kamiko tells the half-mime, giving her condolences for the betrayal of the pet(s).
>>6330456>"Actually, you kind of bring up an interesting thought there, Tamako. I effectively adopted you knowing you were a changeling, despite not having any of my own kids, right? When you become a parent, which way would you prefer? Traditional or what we're doing?"
>>6330461That's a lot to ask a kid who's only a couple weeks old and just went through a traumatic experience...>>6330456It seems like the Unseelie are actively recruiting and controlling, by hook or by crook, dangerous fairies that have been negatively influenced by human perception... Ghosts, murderclowns, killer robots... They seem to have a larger scheme they're gearing up for.>discuss these suspicions with KamikoAlso>Thank Kamiko and Emogen for rescuing us>Take the princess home
>>6330473+1 especially the part about not really asking that to a small kid
>>6330461>asking that to whats effectebly a toddlernah, anon, definitely not the time+1 to all of this >>6330473
>>6330473>>6330521>>6330627Fair enough about talking with Tamako about it... Maybe we can discuss it later on the date with Flatwoods nurse? She seems more philosophical.
>>6330862No prob. See you tomorrow, OP!
(It's saying it thinks my post is spam. For now I'll post the image, but I'm not sure how to fix that. Can I post it somewhere else maybe?)
>>6331306maybe split it up in 2 posts?
>>6331306I agree with >>6331308Post the whole thing, then remove line-by-line until it goes through, then repeat. Either you'll be able to post the whole thing in a few posts or you'll isolate the phrase that's causing the issue.
>>6331306I've run into that before. Usually it's a key word or phrase that resembles some kind of dumb old meme or references another site.
Kamiko finishes up her questions and Tamako goes over to communicate with Lulu. You don't know what they are talking about but it seems like a pleasant conversation. Your larger co-worker comes to check up on you and you ask her about something that's been bugging you. You ask about what the Unseelie might be doing. They seem to be gathering up fairies and using these robots for some nefarious purpose. You just don't really get what."Yeah, I've never seen anything like these fae." She says, lifting the beheaded cat robot firm in her large hand. "And now all of a sudden we've seen two different ones obviously working together along with other Unseelie. And these were missions that weren't really meant to have much in the way of action and yet we've had to fight in both of them. I wonder how wide spread this is."
You correct her and say she has had to fight in both of them. You mostly just acted as a distraction. You thank her for always saving you."I-it's nothing, really." Kamiko says, going beet red.Eventually the Jester King comes in riding on a white horse with a black checkerboard pattern, and at the same time a surprisingly quiet helicopter lands nearby which you only notice as the dust around you starts to kick up. Disembarking their transports at the same time the royal parents almost immediately begin yelling and blaming each other. The parents they don't even seem to notice you, nor does your party get so much as a thank you. Lulu gets between them, heaving her chest with a heavy, silent sigh. Exasperated, the half-clown motions that your party can go. Luckily a multi-colored and bell bedecked coach missing one of it's horses pulls up, the driver informing you that it will take you back to the Jester City. You decide to leave the family drama and start back, Kamiko first informing the home base by phone about meeting at the train station before boarding the carriage. It's a bit cramped with all four of you sharing it, but you'll manage. You see Tamako looking at your injured arm, and to distract her you ask if everything is alright.
"Yeah! Today was fun, except for the last part. That was a little scary." Tamako says, her eyes darting to your wounds again. "I got to learn a new language and eat some yummy food! And I learned that you have to pick your mom carefully or you might start a war!"
(It looks like it's something to do with the final paragraph so I'll just give the highlights. It was essentially you wondering and dismissing talking about >>6330461, at least for the time being)
>>6331421I'd try posting it as an image or PDF, if you still want to.>>6331418>Ask Tamako if she wants to.keep doing missions or not>Keep an eye out for Camelia
>>6331418>"kinda feel bad for the kid, hope everything gets better for her family. With luck, maybe she could get something like what we have, eh Tamako?">Proceed to hug her (maybe pat her head and mess her hair a bit)>Ask Tamako if she wants to do anything in particular when we get home (maybe suggest if she wants to try her changelling abilities so she can learn more useful skills)>>6331306cute tummy, i wanna poke it
>>6331452(actually, i like the idea of doing an image with both the picture and the text, might have to test that.)
You wonder what Camelia got up to after she disappeared. You are near your half Oni co-worker so she is probably staying away, but you are still nervous nonetheless. Good thing you still have those pills, so at least you are safe asleep.You say you feel a little sorry for Lulu, and hope one day she can have what you and Tamako have."Yeah... I wonder why they act that way. It looks like none of them enjoy the way things are but they keep doing it." Tamako says with some confusion."Some people won't change. Some people can't, even if it'll hurt them and their loved ones." Kamiko says sadly.Your daughter seems a bit downed by this so you give the changeling a one-armed hug and half pat hal ruffle her hair. She tells you not unkindly to quit it, and crawls onto your lap. You ask her if she likes coming on missions."Uh, yeah. They are awesome." She states with an eye roll, "What about you?"She then jabs your arm a few times, illiciting a wince of pain. You respond thatIt's not like you have much of a choice. Technically you are still a captive. You aren't entirely sure of the consequences but you know it's either this or imprisonment of some kind (at best).You ask Tamako what she wants to do when she gets home. "Anime!"You suggest maybe she could try mastering her changing abilities. It might be useful for the future. "But anime..." She responds with a pout."Perhals you could do both?" Kamiko suggests, "While I exercise i listen to music. Do you think you could do the same, honey?""I think so!" Tamako says brightening up. "Can I do that, dad?"You chuckle and say if it's possible then sure.
>>6331853Maybe we can put on a wholesome anime about a shapeshifter? Or get her into tokusatsu?
>>6331861maybe we can make her train with us if we tell her that she will eventually be able to do the same moves from those toku shows
The carriages stops at the station in the Jester City, but instead of boarding a train you are pushed into something you would have never predicted. A flying saucer. There isn't much room between the party and the EMTs, but you all manage to fit inside the UFO. From the things you know about alien abductions you are worried about what sort of tools they might have, and it increases as you are placed onto something that looks like a dissection table with long spindly robotic arms. However all it does is disinfect and take some vitals along with dressing your wound more appropriately. Kamiko just has some scratches and bruises, but the EMTs pull her aside and give her a check-up just to be sure."Huh? What do you mean? I'm fine." Emogen says as the paramedic tries to pull her aside. The EMT points to the knife still sticking out of her shoulder and as your porcine co-worker leaves to get treated she gives a sheepish, "Oh, right."Luckily the trip back is uneventful, and soon you are wheeled into one of the rooms in Medical. Emogen was taken somewhere else for stitches. Kamiko and Tamako stay with you."Oh!" Tamako says, pointing to the screen in the corner. "Wanna watch something? Not much else to do."You say you could go for some nice relaxing anime, and try to think of an appropriate anime with a shapeshifter. The ones that come easiest to your mind all portray them as the villains though. You ask Tamako if she wants to watch a tokusatsu, saying that it might be neat to transform like them. Tamako gives you a confused look and you try to explain what a tokusatsu is."Oh! Like one with the magic schoolgirls." She replies happily, "I've seen some of those. The ones with the cute costumes!"You aren't sure if that counts, but it's close enough for now you guess. You suppose since a lot of tokusatsu is live action she may not have come across it."Well, it looks like you'll be stable. I need to start typing up reports." Kamiko says standing, "I could grab a laptop or something if you want me to stick around in case that ghost comes back. I-if that's fine with you."
>>6332163>"that would be lovely, maybe i could go grab a quick hot coffe/chocolate so we can all relax for a bit"
>>6332166+1, let's watch some tokusatsu together! Assuming Kamiko wasn't only pretending to like anime and stuff...
>>6332172+1 to the +1.Also, try not to think about Kamiko in a magical girl costume. Then fail completely.
Personally I think people are sleeping on Flatwoods-chan. I'm not mad at Kamiko still or anything, but Flatwoods girl is nice, and she DID invite us on a date.
>>6332397i do agree with you, hell i was the one that originally wanted to go for the flatwoods woman, im just not sure if going for the harem is a good idea right now, and it also wouldnt be fair to Kamiko, at least not until we get a confirmation that everyone is comfortable with the idea of a harem, otherwise that could probably ruin or image and chances with everyone. so until that happens, i will have to stick with Kamiko, she is just the best option so far.
>>6332416Okay but again we haven't actually done anything with Kamiko. In fact, Flatwoods girl is the one we first asked out on a date.
>>6332417This. >>6332416Kamiko seems to maybe legitimately have a crush on us for some reason but in character, since the botched date/successful kidnapping, we haven't done anything more than make a couple vaguely flirty comments. I think we're well within our rights to play the field before settling down with firstgirl, if indeed we even want to do that.
>>6332473>Kamiko seems to maybe legitimately have a crush on usI mean, you could say the same about Flatwoods chan. Anyway, we agreed to a date, so we should give her a fair chance before we make a decision. Unless Tamako manages to use her cute daughter magic to brainwash them into accepting polygamy or something. But I find that doubtful.
You agree and say Kamiko should stick around. That way you can be sure Camelia doesn't show up and you can rest. Kamiko smiles, and then says she'll be right back since she needs to grab a laptop. When she returns, Kamiko she has brought some beverages from a nearby vending machine. A can of coffee for you and herself, and hot chocolate for Tamako. While you sip she logs you into the screen in your room and you decide to put on some tokusatsu for you all to enjoy.After some time a nurse comes in and says, "Good news! There is a cleric coming by and they should be able to get you shipshape in no time. They are great for injuries like yours."Indeed a few minutes later a woman in white robes with gold trim come in. She is wielding a staff with a cross on it, and is wearing a mitre. With a cry of "Heal!" you shine brightly and your wounds stop hurting. Looking under the bandages you find that there is no trace of the wound at all, except for a little redness. You want to talk to her, but she says she can't stay."Sorry, I have some other people in the facility I promised I would help. There won't be any time after since I'll be needing to get back to the Hero's party. We can't delay defeating the demon lord for too long after all."When the doctor comes by to check in you ask if you can leave. You feel fine, but the doctor wants you to stay for a little longer just to make sure.Soon after this Tamako starts to nod off, laying her head on the hospital bed and soon falling fast asleep."She's all tuckered out... I suppose she's had quite the day." Kamiko says with a titter. "I can take her back up to your room quick if you'd like." You take her up on the offer, and that you hope the doctor will let you leave soon. She nods, puts away her laptop, and scoops up the snoring changeling and walks out the door. With nothing else to do, you decide to continue watching the show on the screen. While watching you notice a small flashing light in the corner of the screen, you realize it's telling you about some unread messages you have. Fiddling with the remote for the screen, you manage to view them.---*It's Hilde, where are you? Get down to the Workshop already! I need your help. Just agree with what I say okay? I'll do the talking.You chuckle as you get another message from the robot.*I see you logged on. Don't keep me waiting! This is Hilde by the way.*Greetings! How is Tamako enjoying her manga? I was just wondering if you were still interested in our tabletop game. -Seshat*Hey honey, a nice dinner time spot opened up for me tomorrow. You still interested? - Margaret
>>6332559>Go fuck around with the robot>>Tabletop games with the cute nerd>date with the flatwoods womani dont know about you guys, but to me Hilde is not even up to consideration.Its in between a playdate with the cute nerd and a DATE date with the big lady...tough call...
>>6332559Contact Seshat and Margaret to schedule, favoring Margaret, and call the doc to either let us go to the workshop or give us an excuse to postpone.>>6332562The date would be tomorrow and we wouldn't be pulled into a game on such short notice.
>>6332559Let's try to organize our schedule. The tabletop game is a friendly thing, right? With other people? So no issue there. And the date is tomorrow.
>>6332559>Agree to the scheduled date with Margaret.>Tell Seshat that you got cuaght up in another mission, but you'll ask Tamako when you get out of the hospital. You'd love to join her C&C game.>Go see what Hilde wants before any of that.
>>6332674sounds good, lets do this
You write to Margaret and say that tomorrow sounds lovely. You'll have to think of what you want to do as your options may be limited. After all, you are pretty sure you wouldn't be allowed to leave the base for a date since you are technically a principal. You then send Seshat a message and say you'd be happy to play her game, and to let you know if she needs anything from you. You wonder how hard character creation will be.You get discharged about an hour later, and make your way over to the Workshop. There is a checkpoint, though the dwarf at the booth waves you by saying, "Ah, the human. Yeah, Hilde said you might be coming by. Go on, I think she and Swebe are in Bay #6."Unsurprisingly, the halls are less populated here. The workforce here is made up of various fairies, but dressed in casual professional clothing, lab coats, or industrial PPE. A lot of the fae are dwarves or gnomes. You even think you spot a few kobolds and goblins. Peering into some of the rooms you spot machinery, but an odd sort of collection of it. There are normal modern machines like welders, cranes, and lathes but there are also less than normal things. You spot what looks to be a rune covered forge, and some other machines you can't possibly fathom the use for, such as a very alien looking machine complete with a plasma ball and Jacob's ladder. One machine appears to be sentient, and still another sort of machine is made completely of flesh and bone.You find Hilde in the large room marked with a six. She is bent over slightly and talking to a bored looking female goblin sitting on a chair at a table. From her green skin and pointy ears you surmise that she is a goblin, though one with an interesting and possibly impractical fashion sense for the area they are currently in. She is wearing a white short sleeve shirt with a frilly sort of pink skirt and fluffy legwarmers with wedges. Atop this she has goggles decorated with a large bow and a leopard print blacksmith smock and one heavy duty glove on her right hand.The goblin spots you and pointing lazily says, "Hey, fer shure your friend is here.""Oh! Hey bud!" Hilde yells, turning her screen head happily towards you. Walking over quickly the robot whispers, "Make sure to talk me up, alright?""Like, don't coach him!" The goblin says straightening up a bit, "Totally, like, my name is Swebe. Hilde's been, like, totally telling me 'bout that Story you guys went in. I wanna hear it from someone not her before I'm, like, approving anything."
>>6333189>Bimbo goblinoh fuck...
>>6333189Shortstack gyaru goblin?>"Nice to meet you, I'm Martin.">"Y'know Hilde, if you want me to make you look good, you got to tell me what you want to impress on your friend here before I meet her."
>>6333200+1
>>6333189Oh no, my fetish>>6333200 +1
>>6333189I'm gonna be honest, I'm not that big of a fan of the whole "Gyaru clothing" type. Looks ridiculous to me. I still prefer the others like Kamiko, Emogen or Margaret.
>>6333274If it helps, Gyaru fashion has a subculture in it called Gyaru-Mama, where the gal still wears the style after having kids, or helps take care of her younger siblings while she is still in school and the parents are away at work. Wikipedia says that their parenting style is much more contemporary then what's normal in Japan, which is something we might appreciate for Tamako's development.
>>6333410Anon, I think BJ5O332I just thinks gaudy ghetto bimbocore attire looks dumb... Which is defensible.
(No update today,, sorry.)
>>6333709
>>6333710(Sorry. Had some booze yesterday. Got the picture done before i passed out so will be an update today. )
>>6333976>picKek
>>6333976Tamako after being told polygamy is illegal and she cannot have five moms
>>6333976>situational aware tshirtkek
Hilde nudges you forward to speak. You start by being polite and introducing yourself."Yeah, she totally said you were like, the human that came in, you know, yesterday or whatever." Looking you over appraisingly she continues, "OMG, like, she wasn't kidding, you're, like, totally attractive.""I said no such thing." Hilde replies completley straight faced, "If he wants this he's going to have to find a way to be a little less human.""Gag me with a spoon! Like, I don't, totally, mean it that way." The goblin says, waving it off. "I'm like, totally meaning the, like, whole anomaly thing.""Sure, sure, sure." Hilde says dismissively, then motioning at you insists, "C'mon tell her what I did!"You wish the robot had been more specific about what she wanted you to say, as you don't really know what will impress the goblin lady. You assume Hilde means killing the spider robot, so you try to speed through the story to get to that point However you don't get past the characters you ended up playing, as Swebe interrupts you."You totally turned into, like, a dog? You totally left that part out!" Swebe announces with a laugh, pointing at Hilde. She then turns back to you and asks, "Like, what did she turn into? Something, like, totally tiny and yappy??"You say it wasn't really any dog in particular, but she was definitely dog-shaped."Dog-shaped?!" Swebe says, kicking her legs a little bit. "What the hell?""Ahaha, yeah. So anyway-" Hilde says, jabbing you in the ribs. She doesn't do it very hard, but she has metal elbows so it still kinda hurts.Swebe doesn't interrupt again until you mention Hilde using her head cannon."Do you, like, know what kind of bullet she totally used??"You consider this for a moment. You think you remember Kamiko saying a numbered bullet. Thinking hard, you heard it was a cold iron bullet or something."Boooring..." Swebe says."Right?" Hilde sighs.You continue until the last thing you remember the robot doing,which was shackling the defeated spider bot."like, I can't even believe we had a chance for a field test and she totally made you use a #1! You said Kamiko? She's like, your bestie or something, right? The tall, like, totally feral one you came with? Can't you, like, talk to her?" " Swebe asks, her mind still on Hilde's secret weapon. "Even if I make, like, totally awesome stuff but you, like, never get to use it then what's the point?""Tell me about it. I had this idea for a bullet. Hear me out, after I shoot it the thing splits down the middle and it has barbed wire in it so it slices through everything as it goes." Hilde says."You'd, like, totally wanna, like, get some razor wire, or maybe, like, some, uh, mono-filament? I'm, like, totally doubting even that'd work. It'd, like, probably just wrap around the first, like, thing it collides with, ya know?" Swebe says rubbing her chin."Whoa that sounds way more brutal. See? This is why I come to you." Hilde says with a nod.
>>6334190>So she's the one who makes the weapons around here? Can she, uh, maybe kit you out with something so we don't serve as such a liability next mission? You know how to shoot a gun, if it helps.
>>6334190>>6334196+1>You guys ever see the Resident Evil movie with Milla Jovovich, right? How about a missile that shoots lasers from its sides? Won't get that awesome grid pattern from the laser hallway scene, but if you send it through one anything the size of a normal human would be turned into sashimi.
>>6334230brutal, +1
You decide to add your own idea. A missile inspired by the laser grid defense systems you see in media. You mention a missile with the ability to shoot those would be cool."No forget that! How about my bullet idea, but when it splits open lasers shoot out?" Hilde adds."Ha! You have, like, a savage taste in, y'know, weaponry, human" The Swebe giggles.You ask if she's the one who makes weapons here."I'm one of them, fer sure." She says humbly, though ruining the effect by grinning smugly."The one who makes the best weapons." Hilde says."Oh my god, stop, you're like, totally such a flatterer!" Swebe laughs again, slapping Hilde on the arm.You ask if she has any weapons you could use for your work. You've had quite a lot of violent run-ins with Unseelie despite being told you are going on low danger missions."Like, what kinda weapon were you, like, thinking?" the goblin asks, suddenly interested.You shrug and say you know how to use a firearm."Ohmygod, like, if you totally just want a gun, fer sure you can, like, get one from the Armory, y'know?" Swebe says rolling her eyes, "Totally, like, if you're coming to the Workshop, you gotta, like, have some idea of what you want, ya know?"A say a handgun specifically would be nice."Like, a human handgun? Totally not gonna do, unless you're fighting, like, the weakest Fae ever. For anything serious, you so need something with, you know, more oomph. Or, totally maybe, like, something magical." the goblin engineer remarks."He doesn't get it." Hilde says sighing and shaking her head. "Swebe helps me by making awesome new bullets for my main gun, and even installed some new gadgets. Kamiko's gun was made here in the workshop for her size and her lightning powers. What sort of weapon or tool would help you specifically survive a fight."Now that's a thinker. You are pretty average as far as you know. You can use a firearm but it's not like you are a tournament winner or anything. Perhaps a gun that does additional things, sort of like what Kamiko and Hilde have? Is there something special about you or your circumstances that can use to help get a leg up in a fight?
>>6334737>Is there any material that's dangerous to fairies not to people? old iron? kryptonite? Something like that could be handy so we'd have a weapon they couldn't steal or sue against us, and which would make them afraid...
>>6334737>"Ok, how about, like, a regular gun, right? but like, it can switch into a both a close combat knife AND like a long distance sniper riffle, something adaptable that can be used in any situation, maybe not the best for a specific scenario but dependable for like everything else! kinda like a swiss army gun!"Make sure to use each and every sigle "like" we can use, thats how you communicate with bimbos like her, also a weapon like this could work as a bridge to bond with out Tamako, you know, a shapeshifting tool for the father of a shapeshifting adorable creature
>>6334737>”I’m not sure how different a firearm that affects fey would be? Is it made by hand, or grown, or is it something that pops into being after people start making up rumors?”>”As for melee, I’ll take a cold iron utility knife about three or four inches and a decently sized table leg or baseball bat with nails in it.”
>>6334748https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MixAndMatchWeaponhttps://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SwissArmyWeaponhttps://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MorphWeaponMaybe some reference material for a more structured idea?
>>6334741>>6334748>>6334755>>6334782Well we ARE a weeb, so... Antimagic gunblade?
>>6334737Something like this, or maybe the Zorg ZF-1 from the 5th Element?
You ask what sort of materials might be useful against fairies that isn't also toxic to humans."Like, fer sure fer sure? Cold iron is like, totally the only one that, like, fits that I can also, get, y'know, a hold of." The goblin says with a shrug. "Like, giving you some cold iron stuff is, like, a good idea 'cause it wouldn't, like, effect you the way it effects us. Go see if the Armory has anything you can, like, use 'til we can get you something better, y'know?You recall the weapon the villain was selling in the Fifth Element, and wonder if it's possible to get a gun like that. You wouldn't even mind having the self-destruct button as the explosion might be useful."Yhat sounds totally awesome... I'm like, bummed we have, like, a budget at the shop, y'know?" Swebe sighs. "I could, like, totally get you that, but it'd be, like, months of, you know, funding and, um, a good reason why you, specifically, should, like, have one, fer sure."You ask then if a power armor suit would be off the table."Totally fer sure. A cold iron power armor suit though... I'm like, almost wanna try it myself." Swebe says with stars in her eyes. "Maybe if I, like, get a mock-up blueprint going... Make, like, a few proof of concepts...""Hmph." Hilde pouts, "Trying to out robot me? Good luck."You ask about any sort of combination weapon like an axe rifle or a gun sword, or even something that can switch forms like your monster hunting games. How about something that can morph like a liquid metal human killer from the movies. Nanomachines are a thing right? They must be here in the fairy world."You already have a daughter that can transform, and now you want a daughter that can too? I guess that's on theme." Hilde remarks. When the goblin looks confused at you both you explain the situation with Tamako."Like, a changeling as a daughter? And you're, like, totally okay with that? You're, like, so weird, human. But I can, like, totally work with that, too." Swebe says, leaning back to grab an industrial file and using it against her manicured nails as she thinks.You say you aren't that comfortable with giving your daughter a weapon."You're like, totally saying she's a changeling, right? Like, she'll be, whatever, even if we don't give her one. I was thinking of something that'd, like, totally help you and her, you know, you could, like, use together." The goblin says, thinking as she shaves away at the nail polish.You wait for her to make a suggestion on what this would be, but she seems to be pondering it hard."We're getting off topic here. I helped with the story, so I get my fireworks bullet right?" Hilde asks."Huh? Oh, totally. I can, like, totally pass it off as a, y'know, chaff grenade or EMP round or something." Swebe says waving it off.Hilde fists pumps in triumph.
>>6335399thats one smug looking Tamako>something that both us and Tamako can use togetheryou have my interest...what could that be?>"Maybe if I, like, get a mock-up blueprint going... Make, like, a few proof of concepts..."show her a megazord from the power rangers show, maybe we can do a smaller version so that we can both drive around in our own mini karts/armor-tank that could combine into a 2-piece power armor similar to what she mentioned, doesnt have to be huge, just big enough to cover us like armor
>>6335399>”Fireworks bullet… you mean like in a gyrojet firearm, or something else>>6335422+1>”You think you can turn Hilde into a pilot-able mecha?”
>>6335487>being inside HildeL-lewd.
You ask what sort of weapon can be used by two people like she is describing."I'm, like, still thinking about it. Maybe a shield, or, like, a communication thingy? I totally want cold iron too, though... Hmm... Okay, like, let's both think about it and we'll, like, nail it down later, okay?" Swebe says, taking out a pink notepad covered in stickers and jotting down some notes.Your conversation finishes up by you trying to describe a transforming, large robot from Sentai shows. A smaller version of that might be useful."Driving around like, robots? Maybe I can totally turn Hilde into, like, one of them?!" Swebe teases."Like I said before, if he wants to get all up inside me he's going to have to be a little less human." Hilde jokes."OMG! You're like, totally lewd for something without the, you know, parts for it." the goblin says.Despite your best efforts Swebe doesn't seem to quite understand Sentai. So you try to explain how it's sort of like a super hero show but with mecha, technically a sub-genre of tokusatsu."Oh my god, mecha? I'm like, totally heard of that. Is that, like, cartoons or something? Aren't you, like, a little old to be watching those, fer sure?" She comments, "Ohmygod, if they, like, totally have rad ideas like that, I might have to, like, check out some of these shows, y'know?"Having answered her questions, you decide to take your leave for now and leave the goblin to her work. Hilde does not seem like she's going to move, but Swebe doesn't seem to mind. You glance at a nearby wall clock. It looks like you have a little free time left before you should go to bed. Where to next?
>>6335881Tamako is over with Seshat, huh? Let's check in on them, maybe start making our C&C characters?
>>6335881Good question, our date is tomorrow and I'm guessing the game is too. Though, if we're about to sleep, I'm worried that we'll get haunted by our "wife" or so. We really need to find a way to deal with that permanently.
>>6335884>>6335885both are good options, perhaps we could go with Tamako and Seshat and get an early start on our game night AND ask her if she knows any sort of spells or tricks to keep ghosts at bay, she is sure to have something like that in the archive, right?
You decide to go speak with Seshat, though instead of meeting her among the shelves of dusty books you come across her in the digital archives. She is walking passed carrying a large scroll and she looks... Different.She stands taller and more confidently. She is missing her sweater and glasses, and she carries herself with much more grace. She doesn't give you much notice.You go up to greet her and ask her how she's been."I am doing well, but I must ask. Do you I know you?" Seshat says, tilting her head slightly.You say that you have met before, mentioning your time in the physical archives with Kamiko."Ah. Wrong Seshat." She says with a giggle, pointing to a nearby staircase. Confused, you walk down it.To your surprise Tamako is sitting at a nearby table, reading manga and speaking with the archivist as you remember her looking."Sorry there isn't that large of a selection. We only keep copies of the stuff the SHR has published themselves." Seshat says quietly to your daughter."Why are you apologizing? It's not like it's your fault." Tamako says, looking up from a magical girl series of some kind. She sees you approach and waves you over.Seshat smiles and says, "Ah, your little darling was just looking through our collection. She sure likes those graphic novels, doesn't she?"She is indeed a fan of that sort of media. You rub Tamako's head while asking Seshat if she is keeping out of trouble."Oh yes! She is being perfectly respectful." The Egyptian goddess says. "She is very excited to put her new clearance to use.""I just got here, it's not like I've had the chance to do anything." Tamako mumbles, going back to her manga.You ask about her tabletop game, and if you can make a character sheet or whatever now so the next time the game comes up you'll be ready."Oh! I suppose you could." She says, going back behind her counter and pulling out an absolute tome of a rulebook with C&C printed on the front.You comment that you probably don't have the time to read that whole thing."I can do the crunchy bits." She says with a smile. "Just tell me what sort of character you would want. Janitorial would be a good fit for the party with their morale boosting abilities and access to building keys. However other than the Manager class all the other ones are open."Simplifying it down, she explains the other classes. IT builds models and has better luck with computer related tasks. Office workers, along with Temps, are necessary to get the work on a project down quickly and accurately. They are also the best at navigating office relations without the use of authority like the Managers or HR. Assistants are good at information gathering.There seems to be quite a lot more to this game than you had imagined.
>>6336166>Hot confident Seshatwhy must you torture me with all these great options EggOP?Lets go with her recommendation and go with Janitorial, sounds like a nice easy way to start the game
>>6336166>Janitorial or Temp is fine.>Hey, do you have a taller sister who's fond of leopard print, btw?
>>6336166>>6336190 +1
You say you'll be the Janitorial class. While you parse through the character creation you ask Seshat if she has taller sister who doesn't wear glasses, as you ran into a look-a-like while coming down to visit."O-oh... You probably met the other Seshat." the bookish goddess says, getting slightly quieter.You ask how that works, and if they are somehow related."Well, we are both Seshat. We're each an aspect of the myth." She says, trying to explain.Still confused, you ask if she's some sort of alternate dimension version or something."I suppose you could think of it in that way, though there isn't really another dimension she or I came from. It's more she's from another telling or story. Oh, how do I explain this..." She says, pausing and tapping her pencil in thought. "For instance, both I and the Digital Archive's Seshat are the Egyptian Goddess of writing, wisdom, and knowledge. She however is the consort to Thoth, while I am Thoth's daughter."You say that must be weird, having your father be with another version of yourself."Aha, it's not like that! It's two different Thoths." She says waving her arms, "My father is much more Ibis than the other Seshat's Thoth. He looks more like a man wearing a Ibis mask."To you that seems confusing."It's something all named fairies have to worry about." She says with a slightly sad smile. "At least my stories aren't as... Controversial as some others. You should see what the Olympians have to deal with.Tamako wanders over, looking curiously over to all the books and paper you and the goddess are working on. She asks, "What're you guys doing? What is this game anyway?""It's called Cubicles & Coworkers. It's super fun, it's about human's work life in an office." Seshat explains excitedly."Is that interesting? All the characters in anime seem to try and avoid work." Your daughter says, looking at all the words in the open rule book."Well of course! Don't you wonder how humans go about running their world? They don't have glamour like we do, so they have to come up with all sorts of fascinating, completely mundane ways to do it." The archivist explains, pushing up her glasses. "This game simulates that using these rules and some dice.""Dice? So it's like, gambling?" Tamako questions."No. Well, in a way it is. It's probability, though with much better odds at something fun happening." Seshat says with a chuckle."Simulates how humans run the world, huh?" Tamako says, mulling over the goddess' words as she stares at your character sheet. "Can I play?"The pair talk for a second, and eventually she decides to just be Janitorial like you.
>>6336748>multiple of the same tales can exist at the same timeoh shit, so there might be like...3 or 4 different big foots around, huh? or like 6 different Lloronas, interesting.for now, it looks like all we can do is enjoy a nice quality time, lets do that for nowgod, she is cute
>>6336752Imagine how many different versions of Dracula/Alucard there are running around lmao
>>6336759I pity the historical figures who run into their FATE versions
>>6336870Except for Alexander the Great, who will 100% bang himself.>>6336748Doesn't seem that confusing, desu!>Reassure her that lots fo humans have the same.name, too..there must be THOUSANDS of John Smiths, Wang Fans, and Mohammed Hasans, for instance.I have an uncommon name and even I have anothe rguy with my name at my office.
Tamako starts to draw her character while you and Seshat work out stats. Though little more than a stick figure, it looks very much like the changeling, just holding a mop. While drawing a bucket she asks, "So how do you tell each other apart when you are talking and stuff. Like, what if we were in a room full of a bunch of Seshats" "Well... Usually no one really talks about me, so I don't really worry about..." Seshat responds. "But often they'll just add some sort of adjective. The one you met is usually called 'Pretty Seshat'.You suggest maybe a nickname to differentiate her from the others."I'll call you Jimiko then." Your daughter says with a nod."I-I mean, if you want." Seshat says, a little embarrassed. "Why that name specifically?""Oh, you know. I'm Tamako, we have a Kamiko. Why not add another -ko?" She says, not quite meeting the goddess' eye. "I think it suits you.""It does sound kind of pretty, I guess." Seshat says, perking up slightly.As it starts to go into night and your character sheet finishes, you bid Seshat goodnight and leave her to close up the archive. You both have a quick dinner at the Commissary and then head back to your room. Surprisingly, Tamako doesn't go to turn on anime, instead curling up into bed and almost instantly falling asleep. You decide to check your messages before turning in.-"Hey, Emogen and I won't be out for field work tomorrow. Lot's of paperwork to catch up on. Let me know if you need anything." -Kamiko-"We have a special mission tomorrow. HQ specifically wants a human for this one since it takes place in the real world. I'll explain more at breakfast. Also, I had dinner with my friend Margaret today. It seems you two will be having a little get together tomorrow. I love her to death but she does have a bit of a... Reputation. Be careful around her, alright?" -Zul-You have one message from someone in the base you don't recognize. It turns out to be the exorcist that Margaret mentioned you should check out. It seems he can get you in tomorrow before mission.This mention of Camelia reminds you to take one of your emergency wake up pills. You aren't sure if she'll show up, but just to be sure.Anything to do before sleeping up?
>>6337420>she does have a bit of a... Reputation...you piqued my interest.>exorcistnice, maybe we should take Tamako with us too, since she is more or less also affected by this, just to be sure.>Anything to do before sleeping up?cant think of anything else, anyone?
>>6337420>Address Camelia directly, in case she's around. That was NOT cool.
>>6337420Reputation huh? Curious. She didn't seem bad, but that just means we really ought to keep our guard up.>>6337430I don't think so.
You go to bed, and to your surprise have an uninterrupted rest. You wonder if the lack of your ghostly stalker in your dreams is a good or a bad sign. Checking the time, you see there is still a bit before your meeting with the exorcist. You carefully extract yourself from the bed so as not to wake Tamako, and then head over to the Commissary for some coffee. You spot Zul sitting at a table, doing paperwork and looking through a file while drinking her own hot caffeinated beverage. You greet her and then sit nearby."Oh, good morning." the LGM says, putting down the file she was reading. "I wasn't expecting you so early. No one else will show up for a bit yet."You ask why she is here so early."These last few days have disrupted my sleep schedule quite a bit. Between researching the two robots and having to deal with a human anomaly I haven't had much time to rest." Zul says with a chuckle. "Medical is making me get out of the office since they know I'll try to sneak back to the Laboratory if I stay around. I think I shall accompany you for your next mission."Remembering that they wanted a human specifically for the task, you ask what sort of mission it is."It takes place in the real world. Apparently HQ has tracked an anomaly to one of your kind's cities, and they require a team to surreptitiously pinpoint it and take it into SHR custody. A group of fairies by themselves probably isn't going to blend in too well, even with disguises."You ask if the anomaly is a living one like you."Probably not, no. I don't think HQ even knows what it is exactly. It will probably be pretty obvious when you see it though as most anomalies have rather unique appearances." Zul nods.You ask who you think should come along on the mission."Well, preferably you, myself, Kamiko, and a fourth. However I think she's stuck at the office today, so we'll have to take someone else. Someone preferably already more humanoid in appearance since they are easier to disguise." The little green lady says.While pondering a squad set up, you ask Zul what she meant about Margaret having a bit of a reputation.The alien thinks for a second, clearly trying to pick her words carefully and then says, "You are looking for a mother for Tamako, correct? I love Margaret to death, but monogamous relationships isn't quite her style. I believe your kind refer to her type as a 'cougar'."You raise and eyebrow, not sure how to even react to information."I'm not judging or anything, just be sure to think it over before coming another notch on her bedpost." Zul finishes with a sigh.
>>6337872>she is a known cougarjesus fucking christ....well, she might not be mom material...but it could be a nice distraction until we find one
>>6337872Hot damn! But we should model healthy relationships for our kid, so... We'll see.>We could bring Seshat on the mission?She's just a tiny Egyptian lady.
>>6337872>big tall cougar who speaks soft and smoothHoo wee mamaBut also yes, we should go with Seshat.
>Kamiko and Emogen seem like great choices, might be interested in a real relationship - enormous bazongas>Margaret is nice, but doesn't seem to want anything long - relatively small but still perky tits>LGM And Hilde are out entirely due to their own reasons - completely flatI'm beginning to see a pattern...
(Might be paused for the holidays. I'll try to get one more update out.)>>6337951(What about Swebe? Also, no mention how we now have two green shorties?)
>>6337951Missed double Seshat twin action.
>>6338294We don't really know Swebe though do we? Not much of an option.Me, I'm a lot partial to Emogen. Kamiko is fine, but Emogen is just ridiculously adorable. Her smile when she's eating is too cute.
>>6338303I'm leaning Emogen, too. Or Seshat, who has a lot in common with us. Kamiko could till sweep the Martinbowl, but she needs to put in some effort, make the first move to show her interest is genuine after our first date debacle.
>>6338306Honestly I've gotten a bit tired of the hammering of it. She's already apologized a lot. I mean, yeah, if she goes out of her way to show actual interest that would be good. But I don't wanna keep crying about the thing.
>>6338309I'm not crying about it or even mad at her, but we have a lot of options right now and firstgirl who already had a shot will need to work a little harder. Mister Chevalier is apparently a catch is Fairyland.
Happy Turkey Day, QM!
>>6337874>until we find oneWe have found like 4 already, not that I am against it though.
>>6339615>like 4Kamiko, Emogen, and..? Seshat, maybe? Swebe could count as a love interest, kinda, but gyarus aren't exactly the "motherly" type. Surely you don't mean the ghost who wants to kill us both?
With both Kamiko and Emogen out, you struggle to think of a third. You remember the egyptian goddess in the archive basement, and ask if Seshat can come along."I don't see why not. It'd probably be good for her, in fact." Zul says thoughtfully.The alien calls up a screen with a flick of her green hand, and after tapping it a few times you hear Seshat's voice."Good morning. Sorry for the early message, but we were wondering if you were open for a mission today." Zul says in a business-like manner."F-field work? I don't know... I mean, I have, um... To reorganize the Archive and clean..." Seshat dodges, "Plus I'm sure there are better agents who you could ask that could help with Stories.""Martin and I were actually going to go anomaly hunting in a city, but if you are really that busy we could find someone else." Zul says, off hand. "With your knowledge on human culture we thought you'd be a good asset.""City? Like a human city? And with the human? Um, well... I-I mean I guess I could move some stuff around and make time for it." She mumbles. "Or, you know, maybe it isn't a good that I-""Thanks for your help, Sesh. We were really in a bind finding a team today. Come up to the Commissary when you can." The little green woman says, "And don't worry, You'll do fine. It'll be fine.""Well... Well, alright. See you soon." Seshat says nervously, hanging up."Hmm, as for a fourth, perhaps we should bring Hilde?" Zul says, gathering up her notes to look through them again.You ask if Tamako can come along. She wouldn't need to be disguised or anything."Tamako? Well... I suppose she could. I was thinking Hilde would be good muscle, since we would be lacking it." The LGM says, thinking on it a bit, "On the other hand, I doubt we'll be in much trouble in the real world that we wouldn't be able to deal with, since it'll likely be other humans.You ask if both Hilde and Tamako could come then, just to be safe."If we take too many people along it'll complicate things, plus if we travel in too large a group we are going to draw attention to ourselves. We should try to stick with four."
>>6339620Camelia counts. She's an option, just a bad one.>>6339875>TamakoShe's a main character. She's in the title!
>>6339610Happy Thanjsgiving. Hope you all ate good.
>>6339875is the human world, if anything we have an advantage there, its our hometurf.lets take Tamako, we could pass as a normal family, dad, daughter...nerd aunt and...other aunt?
I just had a thought about Margaret and her date… what if she’s going on a date with us not for a one night stand, but more like she’s looking for someone who’d be a good fit for Zul?
>>6340146That seems very unlikely, Margaret was pretty touchy with us.
>>6339916Zul could play a decent grandma.>>6340146Outside of sitcoms, such a qacky misunderstanding almost never happens... But also, Martin sort of lives in a sitcom, so fair.>>6340148There is this, though, and I doubt Margaret got her rep as a cougar because she's been test-driving men for Zul.
You say that Tamako seems like a perfect candidate for the mission considering she is a fairy that is meant to mimic humanity. It would even be good practice for her.Looking a little concerned Zul says, "I suppose it's worth a shot. Just make sure you keep an eye on her, alright?"You frown and ask what the distrust of Tamako is about. She's a good kid."Perhaps. But she is a Changeling, and I haven't known a single one who wasn't an Unseelie. I suppose if any Changeling was going to prove me wrong it'd be her though." Zul says with a sigh.After finishing your coffee you decide to go wake Tamako and get ready. You inform her that you have to visit an exorcist, but you assume you'll be back before you have to leave. Zul goes back to reading through the mission briefing, and after you take a shower and change you head over to Medical.Following the directions from the message, you find yourself down hallways that are in the same general area as Margaret's Cursebreaker room. Approaching the door, from it's appearance alone you can tell it's the office of some sort of exorcist. There are many religious symbols drawn all over it in neat, straight columns. Some you recognize from major religions, most you don't. You knock on the painted high-tech door, and are called in.The room itself is furnished rather simple, though by no means is it empty. The most prominent thing is a table covered in a red cloth with two chairs set on opposite sides. Around the table on the floor are drawn many occult looking magical circles, and there are candles everywhere along the walls of the room. Much like the door outside, there are a variety of objects from different cultures stored or positioned against the walls. You spot several rosaries, a censer, and many prayer cards. You also spot bottles of liquids and amulets and talismans of unknown origin. You even spot a box of salt, and bulbs of garlic.The exorcist himself steps out from a door opposite the entrance, and he greets you warmly. He looks exactly like you thought he would, an older, bespectacled gentlemen with a roman collar and cossack that is carrying a bible. You explain what happened with Camelia."So you broke the ring she was cursed to inhabit, and she didn't move on? And you are certain she isn't linked to anything else, such as a place or perhaps another item?" The Exorcist asks, rubbing his chin. You say the only other thing she seems interested in was you."Hmm... I see. Wandering spirits attached to people are some of the hardest and most powerful sorts of ghosts to exorcise. For now, take this ward to keep this 'Camelia' at bay. Come back after your mission and I'll have a proper ritual set up."The ward he gives you is more accurately several evil warding charms stuck together. It's a bit heavy around your neck, but if it keeps you safe you'll manage."Was there any other supernatural beings you needed help with?" The exorcist asks.
>>6340463>"Was there any other supernatural beings you needed help with?"is there? perhaps we could aska bout the unseelie or a way to detect them? if he knows anything about them that could be pretty useful
>>6340463>>6340467 +1
>>6340463>Do you have any advice on how to raise a Changeling? Not get rid of, but like... protect from outside influences that could corrupt her?Between what Zul said and what happened to the clown civilization, this is just a thought I had.
>>6340938No worries, see you soon, QM!
You ask if there is anyway for humans to sense or detect Unseelie"Unseelie specifically? I'm not sure. There are all sorts of objects that let humans sense the supernatural, but is there exists a magical trinket that let's you sense a fairies intentions? I'm not so sure. The best you could probably do is research the most common type of fae to be Unseelie and be sure to be wary around them.You ask if there is something more he knows about Unseelie."Well, they all tend to be a danger to humans specifically, as I'm sure you have gathered." The old priest says with chortle, "That is technically the only thing that binds a lot of them. There is a court of Unseelie, but save for them there isn't really any sort of unified Unseelie front. They come together in alliances and fracture into separate groups constantly, each chasing their own goals. That's not so different from the some of the Seelie too I suppose, but the difference is Unseelie gatherings and break-ups tend to be bad news for humans."All this talk of Unseelie makes you think of what you learned of Tamako's lineage, and you ask the exorcist if he knows how one could raise a changeling to help keep outside influences from corrupting her. You also explain the circumstances of coming to be with your new daughter."Considering what a Changelings glamour makes them do most humans don't want to raise them. Perhaps if you form a strong enough bond she won't fall towards the path of the Unseelie? This may be a situation unique to you. Perhaps you'll be the one to set the precedent?" His eyes look up to the clock on the wall and he finishes, "I'm sorry, but I must be getting to my next appointment. Make sure to send me a message if you come across your ghost again, okay?"---When you return to the Commissary you spot Seshat and Tamako quickly. There is a third person as well. It's a short, pale, dark haired woman who you are shocked to figure out is Zul."My disguise is that good it fooled even you? Well, that's a good sign." Zul says with a nod. She goes on to explain how the tech she is wearing works. It's rather difficult to follow... Something about nanites and nano-projections. You don't really get it."Hey, if you can transform so easily what are you worried about Changelings?" Tamako asks, interrupting her."Hmm... It's more the mimicry than the actual act of transformation that concerns the SHR and humanity." the alien says, trying to be diplomatic.As Tamako ponders this you look to Seshat. The goddess went the more traditional route to camouflage, replacing her seven-pronged headpiece with a gatsby hat and an olive green dress instead of her usual leopard print. The sweater is the same though. You tell her she has a good disguise as well."A-all I did was change my wardrobe." Seshat says with a nervous chuckle. Picking at her dress. "I didn't even pick them... I just asked Kamiko to purchase some modern human clothes since she gets put on those missions a lot."
>>6341343>Well, it's a nice look>Zul, uh, you too.>And of COURSE our little girl is adorable!>Anyway, let's go.
>>6341343>"Well, they all tend to be a danger to humans specifically"wait, when this mission is over, we should ask if they have dealt with unseelies before we got...hired...by them, perhaps any fluctuations in the amount of encounters they have with them before us? maybe we are the reason the unseelies are getting more activealso>"You all look cute, Tamako you look ADORABLE!">"So, what's the debriefing on this mission again?"
>>6341343>>6341350 +1
You tell her it's a nice look."Yes well, t-thanks. Even if it isn't true." Seshat says, doing everything not to look you in the eye."What about me!" Tamako says, pointing to herself. She honestly isn't wearing anything that different from what she usually wears, but she probably blends in the best of all three. You tell her she looks absolutely adorable. She gives a self-satisfied smile.You tell Zul she looks nice as well."Oh. Thank you." She says, and you are surprised to see a small pink come to her cheeks briefly. referencing her notes she continues, "Anyway back to the mission briefing. We'll be heading to a place called Gravel City in the United States. We'll hopefully get more information from MiB when we arrive, but it seems they've narrowed the location of the anomaly down to somewhere in a suburb and commercial district. There doesn't seem to be any other fae activity in the area yet, so hopefully we won't see the Unseelie again this mission."You ask if the Unseelie have been more common recently, like since you've arrived."Well... Yes. The last two missions you were on shouldn't have been as dangerous as they ended up being. I am starting to think you might be the cause of it, whether you are aware of it or not." Zul says pointedly.You say that if you could do something about it you would. Pointing to the strange item you are wearing, you says the Exorcist mentioned there being objects that let humans sense fairies."Now that you mention it. There shouldn't be any other fairies in the real world, so you having something to help you sense fae might be useful in this mission." Zul says, rubbing her chin. "I don't know of anything that can help a human sense an anomaly, but I suppose that's what we'll be there for."You ask what the anomaly might be, or might look like. You honestly still aren't quite sure what an anomaly is usually."Anomalies as objects tend to be one of a few things. They might be something magical, such as an enchanted sword or a magical staff, or even technology that might as well be magic, such as a perpetual motion device." The alien says, listing them off with her fingers. "An anomaly might be able to provide great wealth, such as an expensive painting, a gem encrusted idol, or even a Philosopher's stone. Artifacts, both real and imagined, tend to draw stories as well. The Longinus spear for example, or a Baghdad Battery are ones I've seen personally.""Your kind is especially fond of Egyptian artifacts as anomalies." Seshat says with a nervous chuckle. "Especially if they involve Pharohs."
>>6341750>Hmm... Well let's go hit Gravel Town!First things to keep an eye out for: tourist attractions, museum exhibits, and urban legends.
>>6341752dont forget pawn shops and curios stores, oh and also maybe those fortune telling places or abandoned buildings, especially big storage units like factories
>>6341750>you are surprised to see a small pink come to her cheeks briefly....guess we're still in the running for ayy lmilf being interested!"Your kind is especially fond of Egyptian artifacts as anomalies." Seshat says with a nervous chuckle. "Especially if they involve Pharohs."Yeah, plenty of kids have an Egyptian history phase. I blame Brendan Fraser's The Mummy movies for the early 2000's era.>>6341752>>6341756+1. Also check out the local ghost tours, they might be picking up some of the residual weirdness.
>>6342010i wonder if shes into yu-gi-oh
(Sorry, no update again. Holiday season is a bad time for me. For the meantime, any sort of fairies you all would be interesting in seeing?)
>>6342201famous cryptids would be interesting, like a chupacabra or the mothman, maybe La llorona or seasonal creatures like krampus or the headless horseman?
>>6342201A creepypasta-inspired one could be neat.
>>6342201Hachishaku, for obvious reasons.Krampus. Its the Christmas season, after all.Japanese idea of Seshat. Because it'll be hilarious to see the Fate/stay night version of Seshat.Kamiko's mom.The flying spaghetti monster.
Zul leads you to basically the same area where you boarded the train, however instead you take a few more turns and end up in a bus tunnel. The bus itself is normal. Nothing more than a long blue rectangle with wheel like every sort of public transport you've seen. Inside it has the same, uncomfortable and barely padded metal seats in rows. It even smells like a normal bus, unfortunately.As you prepare to leave, you realize the one odd thing about the vehicle. It doesn't appear to have a driver, nor does it seem to need one. As it heads down the tunnel it goes dark save for the fluorescent panel lights on the tunnel ceiling zooming by. You enter and leave several such tunnels, a new piece of scenery passing by as you do. Eventually you leave and end up smack dab in a city center. However you don't stay here long, driving farther from the city until you are flanked by an oak forest to the east and to the northwest following the road is your suburban destination. Stepping out of the bus, you immediately see a stone sign on the corner decorated with flowers. It reads "Gravel City".From what you can see this is hardly itself a city. You can see the metropolis you popped out of in the distance, but this area is little more than a strip of road with shops and a housing development sitting on the hill behind it. There appear to be non-cookie cutter houses here, but they most are abandoned and/or derelict. The commercial street is well kept however, with a variety of nice, neat shops. Despite the earliness, many of the shops are already open. Many are craft stores and bakeries, as well as a small grocery store and a gas station."So where too first?" Seshat asks, her eyes glued to the bus as it quite literally disappears over the horizon, "Just wander around and see if we can sense the anomaly?""If it were that easy to find the MiB would have found it already." Zul says, scanning the line of commercial buildings up the road. "We should probably search the shops and interview some of the townsfolk."Surprisingly, Seshat seems to be interested and says, "O-oh? Are there any office buildings around here? Maybe I can get some ideas for our game.""We probably won't find an anomaly in an office building. More likely it'll be in a antique store, or a curio shop. It'd probably be a good idea to check any thrift stores and consignments shops as well." Zul says.You ask if any museum or historic society might be good? They might have information on local legends, maybe even have information on local events such as ghost tours or local holidays."Not a bad thought!" Zul says nodding. "Keep your eyes and ears open, everyone."
>>6342629>not even city but a tiny town>still early in the morningim putting money down on the anomaly showing late at night, try to keep an eye out for alleys and loose drain covers, this place gives me "demonic summoning" vibes
>>6342629Does this place have a visitor's center? That may give us some ideas as to the points of interest this place may have.
>>6342638+1, start at the visitor's centre and then check the local gift shops for signs of local legends>>6342629
>>6342629>>6342642 +1
Your party walks, keeping tabs on which buildings would be most useful to enter. The sidewalk itself is mostly empty save for a mail carrier, a few people walking there dogs, a possibly homeless man wearing a tinfoil hat, and the occasional elderly person enjoying a morning stroll.Your party first comes across a thrift store, complete with a sign above the door in the shape of a pirate chest named "Trash to Treasure". Your party decides to hit up this location first, though even from here you can spot a secondhand bookstore named "Turner's" and an antique store simply named "Main Street Antiques".You enter with a soft jingling of a bell, and the matronly shop owner steps out from the back to greet you. The store is an open, square space with racks of clothes taking up the middle and most of the wall opposite to the entrance, with shelves stuffed with various items making their way around the outer edges of the shop. Tamako immediately heads to the shelves where used toys and stuffed animals, while Seshat wanders off without a word towards the shelves of dusty, dog-earred books set up in the corner.Not even sure you'd know an anomaly if you spotted it, you follow Zul around. She lazy flips through the clothing, moving quickly to the shelves around the outside of the thrift store. However from what you can see it's mostly old kitchenware, like wildly colorful plates and mugs with words printed on the side of them such as "Don't talk to me until I've had my coffee" and "#1 Best Mom". There are a lot of used monitors and electronics as well, though all of it is at least a decade out of date."Are ya'll looking for something in particular?" The woman at the counter asks."Just looking." The disguised alien says, examining a rather tacky statuette of a business man with a briefcase."Having a little outing?" The store owner says, glancing to Seshat and Tamako."Yeah, this is my son, his wife, and his daughter." Zul says without missing a beat as she examines an empty jewelry box."Aww, family fun. How cute!" the shopkeep responds.You and Zul make your way to Tamako, and she excitedly stands up holding up a pink, winged cane with some sort of large glass bead on top."Is this an Anomaly?" Tamako says. "It looks like one of those magic wands from my shows!""We probably aren't looking for something plastic, but nice try." Zul says with a small smirk. "You'd probably be able to sense that it was one while holding it, even without me having to tell you.""Ah heck. Hey dad can you buy this for me?" She says, waving around the magical girl wand."Well, we did get a little spending money. It might help us blend in bit if we have some purchases in the area." Zul says shrugging as she looks at cheap price on the tag.
>>6343188>buy her the gift>See if our "wife" is having any success
>>6343215I'll support this, but adding in that we should call Zul "mom" at some point.
>>6343215>>6343238+1>>6343188>a possibly homeless man wearing a tinfoil hatif i know anything about crazy homeless people, is that if they are regular homeless, then they just had a rough life, but if they are CRAZY homeless, then there is a reason for it, him wearing a tinfoil hat means he believes in conspiracies and stuff like that, if there is anyone in this town who might know anything about anomalies, its him.I suggest go looking for him when we get out or at least keep an eye out for him
You agree to the purchase the plastic wand and then Zul decide to move on to another area. You all go to collect your fake wife, who is currently nose deep in one of the thrift store's books. You ask Seshat what she is reading, but she is so engrossed that she doesn't hear you. You tap the goddess on the shoulder and she nearly jumps out of her skin."Oh! S-sorry. I just found this ancient book on humans and I sorta..." She says, trailing off while taking a stance not unlike the one she gave when she first met you. "It's just that I don't know too much about your kind. I haven't been among mortals since ancient Egypt, and the rest I've learned from Kamiko and SHR literature."The book she is using as a shield appears to be an Anthropology textbook. Hardly ancient, though it appears to be from the 90's so perhaps she is somewhat correct. You comment that a history book might be a good idea as well."Nothing wrong with trying to understand the theory behind it all." Zul remarks. "But human understanding of the world and themselves has and continues to change greatly in the modern era.""I-I just want my games to be as realistic as possible..." Seshat adds."Can I see?" Tamako asks, eyeing the textbook. You say that you'll find something more current for her, and that they are technically on a mission and shouldn't dawdle too long in one place. Your party makes their purchase and leaves the store. You turn to Zul and ask your "Mom" where you should go next. Seshat and Tamako looked confused, and you explain what Zul said to the previous shopkeeper."I still get to be the daughter? Well that's easy to remember at least." Tamako says."Oh! I get to play the wife?" Seshat says, perking up. "I think I can do this one. Women tend to be those in a lot of the stories I can find, so I have some experience.""Well, hopefully I'm a better mother-in-law than the ones in those stories." Zul comments.Your party continues on down the sidewalk, trying to decide between Turner's Bookstore or Main Street Antiques. There are still few passersby, though you notice the homeless looking man with the tin foil hat is still there, sitting on an old, chipped up chair he got from somewhere. He is in the shade of an awning kitty-corner to the four way intersection you are coming too.
>>6343527we should approach the homeless guy, but just us, i get the feeling that he could identify our girls if they get too close and freak him out
>>6343527Seconding >>6343545Stress to Tamako how important it is that she keeps her distance and let us handle this conversation.
>>6343527>>6343545 +1
>>6343545>>6343546+1
You say you want to speak to the homeless man sitting at the corner. You say you'd like to do it alone so as not to scare him away."...Why?" Zul asks, looking at you confused. "Well, I guess we shouldn't turn down any possible sources of information. Just make it quick.""Ohhh... Are you sure? Be careful..." Seshat says nervously.Tamako tries to follow you, but you tell her that she should stay with Seshat and Zul, for safety more than anything. Most mentally ill people are perfectly safe if not a little odd, but even if there is a small possibility he could fly off the handle you want to keep her safe."Aww... I want to speak to the weirdo..." Tamako whines. You tell her to wait, and then make for the homeless man.The first thing you notice on your approach is his strong odor, however you don't let that deter you and press on. It's difficult to tell his age, but he must be on the older end. The man has a thick, unkempt gray beard, slightly dyed yellow where he failed to wipe food off it. He is wearing both a sweater and a thick coat, both of which have dark splotches on them. Other than the dirt, his clothes (including the tinfoil hat) seem well kept.He squints at you as approach, sitting up a little higher on his seat as he does so. "No need to speak, boy. I know why you are here."You ask him what he means, and he points to the rest of your party and says, "You are with the aliens, right?"Shocked that he may know Zul's true nature, you hesitate. This seems to give the homeless man the confirmation he needs and goes on to say,"Doesn't matter who or what you are, death comes to us all. Only a Psychic Shaman like myself beats death and can extend his life to billions of years. Everyone wants to know how I do it. Martians, Atlanteans, the Illuminati... All of them! Well I'm not going to tell them and I won't tell you."You try to interrupt, but he continues."I learned immortality from ancient Hyperborean seers. 100,000 or 120,000 years old they were! They taught me that everything the Westerner worships... You know, dollars, big houses, trophy wife, yacht, private jet, is great if you have the lifespan like that of a mayfly, but for us long lived folk there are more important things."Well, you brought this on yourself you suppose. What should you do?
>>6343995>Play alongTell him he's right about the aliens, but that right now you're actually here on a matter unrelated to his immortality. Ask if he's seen anything else unusual and supernatural around. He may be crazy, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have useful info.>>6343527Seshat is extremely cute, btw. I forgot to say so last time.
>>6343999>tripsnice+1. Try to play the MiB role but keep it smooth, simple and non-aggresive, maybe "recruit him" to "become our eyes" in the area and maybe promise him something that he might want/need if its simple enough to obtain
>>6343995Actually, we're looking for something new and potentially dangerous to the area and we thought seeking his wisdom might help.
>>6343995Ask about the "more important things", and how do all the various factions/peoples fit in.The guy knows something, but we likely won't be able to tell what he knows without listening to his entire spiel.
(No update until tomorrow.)
>>6344379Alright, no worries. See you then, QM!
>>6344379>EggOP's Phone>but then who was phone?Have a good one, QM!
You ask what sort of "important things" he means."If you pay attention you could find out. Look for the truth behind the lies. Your journey down the rabbit hole starts here. Oh, you have a pen and a piece of paper? I know some podcasts I suggest you watch." the man says.As he scribbles, you ask if anything strange has been going on in Granite City recently, as in the last few days.He stares at you discerningly for a second and then chuckles, "Funny. I've heard people talking about seeing, and even being briefly questioned, by government agents. Perhaps it's not the aliens you are with, but them? Only the funny thing is no one can ever seem to remember what these fellow's faces looked like. So... Tell me Mr. 'Smith'... You got a face under all that hair?"You clear the hair out of your face to show you indeed have one. You also introduce yourself as Ma- Marley. You tell him your name is Marty. You have a bad feeling about giving this gentlemen your actual moniker."I've seared that face into my mind's eye, boy. And just so you know, memory manipulation machines don't work on me. Oh, also my name is Ted. Or Mr. Steinsson if you'd prefer." The Psychic Shaman says, pacified. You ask why government agents might be snooping around, getting an idea who they might be."Well they are always around Sometimes watching you through the cameras and the 5G towers, and sometimes literally." Ted says waving off the question. "Usually they are good at hiding, so something big must be going on. People say they'd only ask them a question or two and then excuse themselves, and it was always questions about Granite City. At first I was worried they might be after me, so I put on my concealing helmet."He points to his tinfoil hat and says, "Passed down for generations. I made it look like a tinfoil hat so those guy's think I'm just some nutjob. I think it's worked,because they never bothered to ask me anything."You ask if anything supernatural or similar has happened."Well, me and a few of the others sleep in the abandoned houses out next to the grocery parking lot. They say the place is haunted. I think they might be full of it though. I've been out on my EMF meter the last two nights and didn't detect anything." He says shaking his head. "And they still say they've been hearing the ghost thump around more and more. I'm starting to think maybe it isn't ghosts but some invisible demon of some kind."You try to listen, but he starts to go into something about the pyramids and some UFOs and a collaboration with the Elephant Men and the fake moon landing. Even if it were true, it doesn't really have anything to do with Granite City in particular. He seems to have gone off track.
>>6344911well, we got a few leads, could be worth to go to the parking lot and abandoned houses, the houses seem like the most logical place>tell him that your time is limited and you must go for now, but thank him for the info and to take care and keep his eyes open, try to do it in a "secretive" fashion, so he knows we are on his side
>>6344911>>6344919 +1
>>6344919+1>>6344911
>>6344911So um... Do actual tinfoil hats do anything? If so, what's the difference in function between a tinfoil hat and something like a metal helmet?How did you make your helmet look like a tinfoil hat, and what's so special about it? If I pull that off, will you die?
