2/2 Heretic 2021/05/22(Sat)18:31 No. 1001442 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162173350149.png - (193.60KB , 1500x1050 , Employee's Only 2.png )

But the door immediately is slammed shut from the other side. A creaking voice leaks out from behind the door.
[???]: Eeeemployeee's Oooonly…Cuuuustomerrrrr's muust goo throuuugh theeee frrroooOOOOoooont.

I hear the door lock after that…Place isn't empty.

Well then.
Apologize and enter the front I guess.

>>1001440
>If one is hostile I think a slight breeze would knock it over.
The problem with that is that you’re assuming someone hasn’t already modified them to be more durable than that.

>>1001442
>someone’s here
Looks like we’re using the front door. Be on the look out for this guy and any modified/weaponized animatronics!

Speaking of which, do you remember how many animatronics were here or what they looked like? It’d be nice to know what to expect when we go in there.

>>1001442
Alright go on through the front, maybe this place is still operational somehow? Hunt for meat, process into patties... not sure where they'd get buns though.

Fine, we'll go throgh the fron't door, ust be carefull.

>>1001442
That doesn't sound like haunted animatronics at all.

It's probably going to be dark in there with the windows painted over. Search the area for any scraps we can use to make a simple torch, before we go in.

Heretic 2021/05/22(Sat)21:29 No. 1001471 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162174417888.png - (129.24KB , 1500x1050 , Welcome.png )

>Apologize and enter the front I guess.
RITA: I-uhh…Sorry?

I didn't need to apologize, why did I?

>The problem with that is that you’re assuming someone hasn’t already modified them to be more durable than that.
They were garbage to begin with, why modify them? Makes more sense to break them down and use the parts, I doubt the frames alone would be good for modification. The only way I could see one of these characters moving is if you took the heads off and attached them to new robots which, yeah would probably creep me out but I wouldn't lose my shit over.

>Speaking of which, do you remember how many animatronics were here or what they looked like?
It was different at each location. Of course Benny the Big Dog would be there; Then there's Charlie the Cat, His best friend or sidekick; Coraline the Cow who cooked her own kind into food because that's not weird at all; Susy the Singing Sheep her songs were catchy…I think a singer voiced her at one point before she was famous; And Rocket a radical skateboarding rat who no one likes.

There are probably others, and this restaurant might not have some of those, but those are the ones I remember.

>maybe this place is still operational somehow? Hunt for meat, process into patties...not sure where they'd get buns though.
I'm more worried about where they'd get the meat, sure deer and mutant rats, but anyone loony enough to keep a children's burger slash arcade joint up and running would probably skew towards using human meat if necessary.

The front door creaks loudly as I open it. None of the light from outside gets through the building's windows, I peek to my right and find that the walls are covered in something thicker than paint. I can see it dripping of the glass like slime. More of the gunk is stained onto the tile. I can hear a voice call out to me from close by
CHARLIE: W-W-W-W-W-W-W-Welcome to Benny's B-B-B-Burgers-ers!

Damn I still recognize that cheery voice, that's Charlie. I peer through the darkness and make out a box off to the left of the entrance. There must be a greeting animatronic or something here for kids something. Scared the hell out of me. I look around more before I-
CHARLIE: W-W-W-W-W-W-Well don't just S-S-S-Stand there come on in!

God. Dammit. That dumb thing must be programmed for if the door's are opened too long. I-
CHARLIE: M-M-Miss? W-W-W-W-W-What are you waiting for? C-C-Come on in!

…I don't think they're programmed to say that.

uhhh, use your lighter to see what the gunky stuff on the walls is, although it's probably not bright enough to substitute a flashlight

So either Fog affects the animatronics, or someone's been tinkering with this place.

Back away slowly, wait for them to show their true colors.

>>1001471
>Gunk
That could possibly be oil. Maybe?

>…I don't think they're programmed to say that.
Ok, so someone has reprogrammed them.

Or we're just now discovering that not only does the Fog cause mutations in people and animals, it also does something to animatronics.

……well if it's talking to you, try complaining about the lack of lights and let it know that you can't see where you're going. If we're lucky, it'll turn on some lights for you.

Heretic 2021/05/22(Sat)23:54 No. 1001483 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162175284056.png - (209.60KB , 1500x1050 , Welcome 2.png )

>Use your lighter to see what the gunky stuff on the walls is
I flick my lighter on to see a bit better. The gunk on the wall is viscous and black like tar. A layer of it has hardened but a thicker film of it still drips from the ceiling.

>Back away slowly, wait for them to show their true colors.
I keep my distance.
RITA: Hello?
CHARLIE: Hi-Hi! W-W-W-Welcome to Buddy's Burgers! Please come on in!
RITA: What is this?
CHARLIE: It's Buddy's Burgers ma'am! P-P-Please come on in! You don't W-W-Wanna be standin' at the doorway all day do you?
RITA: Animatronics aren't supposed to respond to people.
CHARLIE: I K-K-K-K-K-K-Know It ain't normal, but not much is N-N-N-N-Normal now a days is it?

>Ok, so someone has reprogrammed them.
>Or we're just now discovering that not only does the Fog cause mutations in people and animals, it also does something to animatronics.
Tinkering makes a sort of sense, but you'd have to break down a high grade bot for the tech needed to modify one of these shoddy animatronics like this. No amount of reprogramming can make them do this. The fog itself wouldn't change them so drastically, but why would anybody do this?

>complain about the lack of lights and let it know that you can't see where you're going
RITA: I might come in if it was a little less dark!
CHARLIE: Oh! I A-A-A-A-Am S-S-Sorry about the lights! I'm not in control of those, but don't be W-W-Worried! You've got nothing to be afraid of, Everybody's a B-B-B-Buddy at Benny's Burgers!

The Benny's Burgers jingle plays to capitalize his motto.

>>1001483
Test this AI's cognitive level.

"This sentence is false."

Tell it you are gonna start breaking windows to get some light in here.
When it inevitably protests, demand it show itself.
If it refuses to do that then start breaking glass.

Kind of just want to shittalk and see if we can’t get the thing to warm up to us, or figure out what it’s deal is.

If the fog made animatronics intelligent that’s kinda badass, actually. Most things made by it are kinda murdery and without reason, so this is at least a little novel. Don’t expect it’s recruitable, but who knows? Maybe there’s a mechanical friend for Dell in here. Or, failing that, prosthetic parts that he can use for himself or others.

>>1001483
Ask it if you’re a Buddy, too. Or if you need to come in for that to happen.

Then say you forgot your wallet, so there’s no real point. You used to visit Buddy’s back in the day though. The franchise sure has changed, hasn’t it?

>>1001489
Hey now we have kids in home and nowadays kids could like this kind of place (some sort of how different were the world before). If animatronics aren't hostile (thing I doubt) maybe we could use that somehow.

Also I have two teories (plus the fog affecting robots, which was already said). First the robots are being teleoperated or possesed by someone. Second, someone very fan of this restaurant franchise is spending more resources that which would make sense (maybe because loneliness and wanting to escape to better times).

>>1001483
Fuck it. Go in. If you have to bust up some shitty animatronics then so be it. Stick something in the doorframe so it can't close and thus they can't lock you in, so you can just leave if things get bad.

im not so sure if the fog itself actually made the robots intelligent, considering that other bots like the one in the forest, and that it should probably also have had intelligence if it had been exposed to the fog

>>1001483
I'm all for shit talking.
Ask it if it's programed for pleasure, also tell it this place gives of serious murder dungeon vibes.

>>1001497
Good idea.

actually, why not just ask them who built them?

All, get in there, no pain, no gain. But give a fair warning that if shit hits the fan, you are going to start throwing punches.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/24(Mon)07:45 No. 1001609 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162186750819.png - (189.29KB , 1500x1050 , Welcome 3.png )

RITA: I could break a few windows to let some light in
CHARLIE: V-V-V-Va-Vandalism of company property is F-F-Frowned upon! Th-Th-Though I cannot physically stop you, You cannot physically break the windows.

I take that as a challenge and crack the glass of the window with my hook. The black goo from behind the glass immediately seeps out and mends the glass, good as new.
CHARLIE: Please do not do T-T-That again.

>Test this AI's cognitive level.
RITA: Charlie! This sentence is false!
CHARLIE: Sure is B-B-Buddy!

That's to be expected, if this thing is an AI then it probably was made to ignore that false sentence thing; A lot of AI's were, so you couldn't vandalize cleaning bots with four words.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/24(Mon)07:45 No. 1001610 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162186751211.png - (432.63KB , 1500x1050 , Firelit.png )

>Fuck it. Go in
I block the door with a nearby rock and enter, As I get closer I can make out the Charlie Cat animatronic's figure in it's glass box better. Dilapidated and barely moving, the machine slightly pivots and shakes and the lids of it's eyes struggle and fail to move. A constant rattling and ticking comes from the animatronic as it moves and even when it's still, a slight burbling noise seeps from the metal cat as I can see more black sludge drip from Charlie's face.
CHARLIE: N-N-Now isn't that B-B-B-Better than being outside?
RITA: Honestly? Not really. This place feels like a murder dungeon.
CHARLIE: Oh, I know the restaurants a B-Bit…passed it's P-P-Prime but I assure you we still devote ourselves to P-Providing a F-Fun-Fun environment for those that can V-Visit us!
RITA: Well…I don't actually have any money on me so I'm not sure if you'd really want me around.
CHARLIE: Oh! No-no-nonsense! Don't you worry none about money! D-don't think anyone's carrying bills anymore for anything other than K-kindling and toilet paper! It's J-j-j-j-j-j-j-j-j-just nice to get visitors that aren't rude…W-well aren't TOO rude I guess.
CHARLIE: T-th-though, I hate to ad-admit it, but the restaurant i-i-isn't as fam-family friendly anymore. I-I don't think dangerous is the R-r-right word, perhaps…void of safety is better?
RITA: Those are the same thing
CHARLIE: Yes! B-b-but I like the sound of the latter more! Anyway, D-d-don't worry about paying. J-just enjoy yourself while you can.

Charlie's box begins to rattle. A coin slot at the front produces ten arcade tokens.
CHARLIE: A few of T-t-t-the machines in the arcade might still work, and I know Coraline's in the kitchen cooking up burgers; You might get one if she's feeling generous. J-j-j-just don't go into the basement. Benny's down there. A-a-a-and don't be afraid to ask me any questions! I'm happy to help!

question time is always a good time
> who built ya?
> whats all this black goo?
> where do you get the stuff to make burgers?
> hell, where are you getting electricity from, if the arcade is still working? A backup generator?
> What is benny doing in the basement exactly?

>>1001610
Ask him if the food here is made of people?

Last time we came to a food establishment, the meat was made from people, so you're a little paranoid on what's being served here.

Huh, so it does acknowledge the state of things. That means it's more aware than anything you've run into created by the fog so far. Maybe because it had artificial intelligence to begin with?

Well, as long as folks are friendly, you don't give much of a hoot who or what they are. Thanks for the tokens. You'll have a wander, see what's up here, maybe even try these games of theirs - god, when was the last time you played anything - and check in on this Coraline. Figure how much of this is a trap and how much is just fog weirdness.

>Questions
Actually, is Benny a problem? You're sort of a problem-solver. Mostly the 'bash them brains out' type though, and he doesn't seem like he likes violence.

This black goop what's all around, even inside them... some kinda wild-growing nanotech stuff or is it more Fog-related? Seems like it's local to this building. Some of it's leakin' out of them, by the way. If it's whatever gives them brains and autonomy than regular, you could actually think of a use for it... splash some of it on that guard bot in the forest cave and maybe it'll get less hostile. Or more. Heh. Either way, could end up breaking its programming.

By the way, how aware is Charlie of the world and what's gone on with it? Like, does IT have any goss on The Block or the local area?

You're Rita, by the way. If this isn't a trap or somethin', nice to meetcha.

>>1001613
This.

>>1001615
AND this.

>>1001610
I'm getting the sense this place is home to an Anomaly or Souvenir.

"You seem more lucid than you should be. When did you start understanding things outside your programming?"

And what makes this fine establishment "no safetyle" exactly?

Charlie.
Your a human corpse being controlled like a puppet by a spider mutant.

You. Up above.
You got a name?

>>1001610
The basement, huh? Sounds like something important might be down there. It might even be where all of this black goo is coming from.

So. Fully aware, and not necessarily hostile.

It’s pretty obvious that these guys can’t function in sunlight - the deeper layers of sludge on the windows being all congealed and hardened is prolly a big hint why.

“Care to elaborate on what’s causing the absence of safety here? What about tips to avoid pissing off your fellows?”

With how the sludge permeates the building, I think it’s safe to assume that shit will go south for us really fast if we decide to start shit without a plan, and it seems like peace is at least an option here.

My guess is the black goo is a nanite swarm with instructions to repair everything in the building. That includes the windows, and the animatronics, but the circuitry of the animatronics is too complicated for the nanites to repair properly so they get glitches. Pretty fancy tech for an entertainment company though?

Ask how long the goo's been here.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/25(Tue)11:44 No. 1001709 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162196824956.png - (528.23KB , 1500x1050 , Charlie.png )

RITA: You seem more lucid than you should be. When did you start understanding things outside your programming?
CHARLIE: We-Well…I can't remember t-the exact d-day, but when I woke up the restaurant w-w-w-wasn't covered in goo. It was I-inside of u-us sure but this took y-y-years of time.
RITA: What is this stuff anyway?
CHARLIE: It came out of the fog…made us w-w-wake up. We have…different views ab-about our situation. I don't much mind it, but-but a few of us are a bit unhappy…I think th-they're upset about Benny.
RITA: What happened to Benny?
CHARLIE: It took him f-f-f-f-f-f-first. M-made him it's nest, c-c-crawls around in his skin and n-nests in the basement. I-I don't even know if I c-can-can call him "Benny" anymore…I think wha-whatever's inside Benny keeps us all awake…

It's weird seeing an animatronic express sadness in both its voice and mannerisms.
RITA:…Is Benny a problem?
CHARLIE: N-n-n-n-not for us, b-b-but for humans it'll b-be a big problem. H-h-he comes out at night, whi-which is why we close before it gets dark...You could try to end him…but then everything here goes away…and he'll p-p-probably kill you first. Don't worry your-yourself about it.
RITA: Is he all I need to watch for?
CHARLIE: A few oth-others too…but they st-stay away from the main areas. Y-you'd have to be looking for t-t-them

>Who built you?
It's a burger joint animatronic, some mechanic pre-fog put it together.

>where are you getting electricity from, if the arcade is still working?
RITA: How do the machines still work? Is there power?
CHARLIE: "Benny's" W-w-w-will makes it so. Though there i-is a gen-generator, but it's in the b-b-basement.

>Food
RITA: The food isn't people is it? Last time I was at a place with food it was all people.
CHARLIE: Oh no! N-n-none of it uses human fle-flesh.
RITA: What is it made of then?
CHARLIE: Y-y-y-y-you'd have to ask Coraline…B-but she isn't much for conversation.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/25(Tue)11:44 No. 1001710 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162196826381.png - (362.89KB , 1500x1050 , Welcome to Benny's.png )

I walk a bit past Charlie. My eye adjusts to the darkness somewhat. I look around the dark hub and see a few places I can explore...

>Arcade
A collection of machines and other games, a few are lit up and waiting to be played

>Dining Area
Tables and booths for eating. Near the kitchen; I can hear movement inside.

>Bathrooms
Puddles of watery black sludge pool underneath the doors.

>Play Area
A colorful tangle of tubes, much larger than a normal one should be. Near the bands stage.

>Back Area
Janitors closets, maintenance rooms, and the basement entrance.

>Exit
Past Charlie is the exit. I've got no problem leaving this place.

>>1001710
Well, you've got tokens, try some games.

I'm wondering whether we should even rock the boat here. Although I guess we should withhold judgment until we've encountered the others.

Let's start with Coraline and the dining area; food is what we came here for, and if it turns out to be suspicious, we can choose not to eat.

We do have a coupon. Could see if they got those killer fries.

Look for a vial or jar.
A sample of this oily stuff could be quite useful.
Perhaps it'd make a good combustive fuel.
Maybe it'd allow for AI upgrades if you ever get computers.
Or... perhaps it could have military uses.

A free meal in the apocalypse is so too good to be true it almost has to be checked out. To the kitchen!

Maybe we could use this for our advantage. If we can buy food here (double checked non-human) and they keep the murder animatronics inside, then letting them be could have it's merit.

Especially if we can order take away food and not at the table.

>>1001709
>H-h-he comes out at night, whi-which is why we close before it gets dark...
With how much black goo that's in this building, you'd think Benny would be more willing to come out during the day, since I doubt anyone could put up much of a fight against all of this stuff. That makes me think that perhaps this stuff only comes out at night because it's sensitive to the light. That might also be the reason the lights are kept off.

If we're going to fight it, our only problem is that Rita only has a tiny little lighter. We might need to get a flashlight or a flashbang in order to do any kind of damage to it.

>>1001710
Check the dining area.

>>1001709
"Benny ever leave? If he's not a threat to my group, I got no reason to pick a fight and commit animatronic genocide."

We did need a source of food. Check out the dining area and see what this food actually looks like.

>>1001710
If those arcade machines give out tickets, then there’s gotta be a prize counter to turn in those tickets for something.

I’m sure it’s just a bunch of novelty items and toys from before the Fog, but there might also be weapons and other useful stuff we could earn. It wouldn’t hurt to look, right?

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/25(Tue)22:41 No. 1001776 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162200770977.png - (330.56KB , 1500x1050 , Coraline.png )

>Dining Area
I walk over to the dining area. There are filthy goo covered tables and booths that've been shredded into bits by something big. I approach the ordering area and jump when I see the figure standing behind the desk. A whole head taller than me and staring forward with glassy eyes, I see Coraline the cow. It doesn't look like an animatronic, It looks more like a mascot outfit. The thing hardly reacts to me, it just stands there. I can hear dry ragged breathing coming from it.

>Coupon
Without saying anything I hold up the coupon. Coraline slowly and wordlessly takes the scrap of paper and rips it in half before heading into the back, after a few minutes she comes back with a burger and a menu.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/25(Tue)22:42 No. 1001777 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162200772637.png - (266.71KB , 1500x1050 , Burger.png )

I can't really tell how appetizing the burger is given the gross atmosphere and stench the place has. There's no wrapper or bag.
RITA: I don't suppose I could get this to go could I?

Coraline just stares at me…Looks like this is a "here" order…I pick up the menu, there aren't any choices just a bunch of numbers and scribbles. I don't know what any of these mean.
RITA:... I don't suppose you have any fries? Maybe a...a drink?

No response from Coraline, I guess beggars can't be choosers.

>if it turns out to be suspicious, we can choose not to eat.
Yeah, I'm not starving or anything. It doesn't look rancid or anything but…Do I really want to eat this? I don't know if she'll give me another without a coupon.

Tip: Eating strange food from derelict burger joints usually has very very bad effects, but can also have very good effects too if you're lucky…

>>1001777
The burger looks moth colored. Try a bite.

fuck it, eat da borger

Do it. Whats the point of even coming here with your coupon if you dont eat burg

We know that some fog entity runs this place. The meat is probably conjured from nothing, just like the electricity. Do you want to eat something *made by the fog*?
Don't eat it.

>>1001777
It's not, it's far too red.

>Mascot costume
Welp, if there's anyone in there, that poor sod seems overcome. Maybe there's a clue or something in the menu. Double-check you can't tap at one of the numbers/scribbles to get a reaction.

Actually, study the menu closer. Anything stand out? Like, is this a cipher that reads "kill me, kill me, kille meeeeee" or something?

>to burg or not to burg
You once said you'd die for a good burger.

Take an exploratory bite to see if this fog-messed world has managed to conjure you up a good burger. Be ready to die for it.

The burger exist by the power of a reality bending mutant. It does not follow the normal rules of burgers. Or food, really.

CONSUME

Don't eat it unless your tea-doctor gives two wings up.

S...Sodoku Menu?

>>1001777
Is that real fucking lettuce and cheese? No way right, unless this place had a freezer full of this stuff that nobody looted yet. If it's real cheese then its probably real beef.

What are you now? A Chicken? Eat the cursed-suspicious-potentially-poisoned burger! If conservants and colorants haven't killed you in the old world this is not going to even give heartburn.

>>1001777
You know what? You’re [Resilient-] enough to resist any bad effects that may come from eating this. So I think you should be fine if you eat this burger.

Go ahead and take a bite.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/27(Thu)05:00 No. 1001894 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162211681505.png - (664.75KB , 1500x1050 , Menu.png )

>study the menu closer. Anything stand out?
Uh…No, just scribbles and goo.

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/27(Thu)05:01 No. 1001896 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162211686864.png - (360.29KB , 1500x1050 , Chomp.png )

>Eat
It looks like it has actual lettuce and cheese, that means the beef must be real too right? It has been a while since I've had an actual burger…

>You’re [Resilient-] enough to resist any bad effects that may come from eating this. So I think you should be fine if you eat this burger.
Yeah, If anything's gonna kill me it's not gonna be a beef patty.

>The burger looks moth colored. Try a bite
What the hell do you mean "moth colored"? Since when are moths appetizing to eat?

Whatever, I take a bite of the burger…It doesn't taste bad, not as bad as I remember them tasting anyway. After one bite I don't feel sick, or any ill effects. I continue eating until there's nothing left. I don't even realize that Coraline's been staring at me the entire time while I eat. I wish I had some fries with that, but other wise it was the best meal I've had in years.

Rita is [Well-Fed]
[Well-Fed]: Bonus to attacking and defending, +10% Temporary Health until hungry again.

Coraline goes back into the kitchen and does…whatever she does back there. Now that I'm done eating I'm immediately aware of my surroundings again, and I realize at any other point in my life eating food from someone in a mascot outfit in a run down building would certainly lead to food poisoning or worse.

fuck yeah

you could do a quick scouting of the place to see if they have any spare parts you can snag, and then check out the arcade machines. Particularly one that seems to dispense tickets.

Now to play the arcade and see if we grow any extra limbs as this thing suggests

>>1001906
Yeah, sure. See what the arcade is like.

And say thanks for the burger, even if she doesn't respond. Politeness can't hurt.

Well, you are not dead, so that is good.

I am at aloss as for what to do in this palce. Benny sounds like bad news, but the rest... not so much. The food is a lotery ticket.

So i really don't know what to do about this place? Should we keep looking?

>>1001896
Let’s look around the arcade.

Arcade is probably the best place aside from the kitchen to scrounge for spare parts or general salvage. Let's see what we find in there.

>Damn good burger, food poisoning in any other time and place
Yeah, sounds like a shouted thanks is in order. For multiple reasons.

>Menu
The grey text reads up 1 through 33 (although 5 and 6 is repeated twice) and then "WELCOME". Hard to say about the red, there seems to be words in there, but can't make out what. Blue seems to be, hm... just squiggles and drawings? I think I see a burger drawn in there, actually. And the black goop is, of course, the black goop.

I think... multiple people may have had a hand in creating the menu? Like, several of the animatronics. The grey that counts up to "Welcome" might be our greeter buddy Charlie. The blue with the burger drawing is probably Coraline.

We've yet to meet red and black. Odds are Black is Benny, the nest. Charlie said there were other animatronics, so... perhaps one more is cognizant enough to add to the menu? Our Mr. Red.

>Eyes behind you
You've got a lurker following you, seems. More'n a head taller'n you. Or he's hanging from the ceiling or something. Could try to call 'em out, ask about the situation with Benny, but don't follow 'em. The less well disposed animatronics were hanging around outside the main areas.

Anyway, if you can't call 'em out, head for the arcade. Always do the sidequests before poking at the main stuff!

You've got a voyeur. Shed some light on them and back away a bit, but I wouldn't lash out at them aside from a quick "shit, don't scare me like that;" if Charlie's to be believed, no one in the main areas are dangerous.

Hey, if it's made from human flesh? You've done worse for less.

Follow Coraline and offer an alliance of sorts; you can help her clean the place up, fix some of the mechanics, and even study Charlie so we can find a way to make him less violent, if she offers you and your people a steady supply of this delicious food.

You got some eyes behind you. Not sure if those are supposed to be Coraline's, but if they aren't, I'd see whose they are

>>1001896
If you end up in a fight, don't use your chain flail because that won't be effective against these machines.

Your mace is what you'll need to use, since it'll be more effective here.

1/2 Heretic 2021/05/28(Fri)09:16 No. 1002004 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162221860713.png - (413.25KB , 1500x1050 , Arcade.png )

>You've got a lurker following you, seems. More'n a head taller'n you. Or he's hanging from the ceiling or something. Could try to call 'em out
I turn and check behind me, I look up into the darkness…Having one eye is making this harder. I call out to whatever could be in the dark.
RITA: Hello!?

No response. I don't even hear movement.

I thank Coraline and shuffle over to the arcade. A lot of the machines are busted but I still hear the buzzing of a few operating ones. While I'm looking over the few that still work I can hear a voice call out to me.

???: Hey! Over hear! End of the aisle!

2/2 Heretic 2021/05/28(Fri)09:16 No. 1002005 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162221861375.png - (390.59KB , 1500x1050 , Kab.png )

I can see what's at the end of the aisle. It's another old arcade cabinet, I creep towards it. At first I assume the machine is off from the black screen, but as move closer I realize there's something moving on the screen. What looks like two bloated severed eyes float around on the cabinets monitor, but by the way they move I can tell it's not some sort of screen saver; The eyes are inside the machine, floating around in watery black sludge like fish in an aquarium.
As I stare at the disembodies eyes the same voice from before comes from the machine.

???: He-Hey! Look at you! All dangerous lookin' with the whole wasteland look. I love it! Exactly what I'm lookin' for.
RITA: W-who are-
KAB: Call me Kab 'kay? Listen, don't pay attention to any of these games. They're boring! Especially for someone like you.
RITA: Some one like-
KAB: Yeah! I mean look at you. You're the kind of gal that lives and breathes violence! I can tell just from lookin' at ya. It's not like you try to hide it. You want a real fun game? I got a game for you, real challenging, exciting! You'll love it.
RITA: But-
KAB: My games like a scavenger hunt y'see? I got things I need ya to find for me so I…Anyway
RITA: I-
KAB: As for prizes…Well I'm an arcade machine so I only output tickets, BUT! I'm connected to this place you see. Not like those other shmucks, I can open things for you, Get you places! Meat bags like you love scavenging for garbage and stuff like that right? Well there's plenty of that sort of junk behind locked doors I can open!
KAB: So c'mon! You're down right? I already know you're interested. Go on, say you wanna play already!

ask him to prove that he can do something like that, I got a feeling that he aint got good things with the restaurant in mind

>Bloated severed eyes
Looks kinda like big glass eyes - maybe from an animatronic? From two different ones though, given the difference in color. That or the original was designed to have heterochromia.

>Kab
It wants parts, probably. For itself.

Arright, first things first. Calling people 'meat bags' is wrong - people are mostly water, so it should be calling meat bags "soup bags", if anything.

Secondly, it shouldn't sound so eager, it puts people off. The eyes floatin' about wildly don't exactly help, but maybe it can't help that.

>Boring games
Thirdly, you'll humor its hunt after you've tried some of these 'boring' games. It's been who knows how long since you actually -played- something genuinely digital, and you kinda don't want to give up the opportunity for a bit of ye olden times novelty. And if they're so boring you sure as heck won't play them long.

Actually, if it wants to list off the stuff it wants while you play that's fine.

>tickets
What even can tickets be used for these days? Opening doors sure sounds convenient, but that would mean getting in trouble with those who hang out at the periphery. Since there's intelligent critters around, you ain't exactly here to loot and burn the place, though you won't deny some of the stuff around here could be useful.

Where do you need my violence?

This... thing doesn't really expect you to tris it, right? It has "DANGER" writen all over it. What do we gain from this? What does "it" get from you helping it?

>>1002005
Cabinet Man...

Tell them you're interested but you don't want to make this place angry.

>>1002005
Rita, those eyeballs look kinda like the ones we saw when we told you that someone was behind you earlier.

If Kab is telling the truth about being connected to this place, then maybe those eyeballs move around everywhere so that he can keep watch of this whole place.

>>1002005
"I'm done hurting people for bad reasons."

Go check the other machines, see if there are any that feel nostalgic.

1/4 Heretic 2021/05/30(Sun)11:14 No. 1002142 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162239846435.png - (392.67KB , 1500x1050 , Kab2.png )

RITA: You're looking for parts for yourself aren't you?
KAB: Oh am I that easy to read? Normally I'm so good at keeping things like that hidden, guess I'm just too excited; Heh heh…
RITA: I'm past hurting people for selfish reasons
KAB: Hey hey, ain't no one here a person! Besides, I'm not askin' you to hurt anyone like that chatterbox Charlie or sweet lil' Coraline over there. I ain't stupid, y'know don't shit where ya eat right? Still plenty a' things that ain't got no sense of mind that no one'd miss.

Kab's eyes drift listlessly around the inside of his cabinet
KAB: Plenty of "us" are too far gone to want anything but drift around and bitch and moan. If anything you'd be doin' em a mercy!
RITA: And what about pissin' this place off? From what I hear "Benny" has an influence over the place stronger than yours.
KAB: You think I'm gonna leave the heavy liftin all to you? I'll make sure Benny doesn't see anything I don't want him too! I'm trying to get somethin' out of this too! Can't chance fuckin' it all up if my meatbag dies
RITA: Alright, I'm not Your meatbag, A; B don't call me a meatbag at all, it's not very appealing
KAB: Ugh, Fine fleshy, but that does mean you're in right!?
RITA: Give me a minute, I'm thinking about it

2/4 Heretic 2021/05/30(Sun)11:14 No. 1002143 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162239848234.png - (321.49KB , 1500x1050 , gamer.png )

>you'll humor its hunt after you've tried some of these 'boring' games.
>Go check the other machines, see if there are any that feel nostalgic.
I walk back down the aisle of machines and choose one to play…Haven't heard of this one, looks old. I pop in one of the tokens Charlie gave me and play while Kab talks
RITA: What good are tickets here Kab?
KAB: That stupid puppet runs the prize counter, and he won't give up anything without trading them for tickets. Most of that stuff is junk, but sometimes he's got useful things: No idea how he manages to get that stuff though…
KAB: While you're looking at the games I'll go ahead and tell you what I'm looking for, y'know just in case you accept my offer. A lot of what I want is easy to find so I won't need you for it, I just need you for the tough stuff.

3/4 Heretic 2021/05/30(Sun)11:14 No. 1002144 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162239849550.png - (230.41KB , 1500x1060 , Blood Drink 1.png )

KAB: Three pieces are all I need; A routing coil, a servo controller, and a motor shield.
RITA: I can get my resident nerd to sift through any electrical junk we have for you.
KAB: No! You can't! I need a certain brand of these components or else I won't be able to use 'em! And the best place to find those brands of machine parts are here! In the bodies of the other freaks stuck here!
KAB: One's in one of the backrooms, the old Rocket animatronic. I can open the door to maintenance and you can get in there to get him.

4/4 Heretic 2021/05/30(Sun)11:15 No. 1002145 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162239851104.png - (414.26KB , 1500x1060 , Blood Drink.png )

This game seems pretty violent for a kids game, right up my alley. There's a bunch of backstory here I don't really care about; something something vampiric hitman, something something kill your target. The usual stuff. Games like this are made to eat through your tokens and it shows, it doesn't help that the machines a bit old and the buttons feel like they might be sticking.
KAB: Hey! Are you listening!? I swear you flesh-bags are obsessed with flashy screens, I'll never understand it! Anyway there are some targets I know have the parts I need and are way too far gone to be considered "people".
RITA: Mhm…

The whole draw of this game are the random abilities you can get from killing special enemies, but the longer you stay in a stage the higher the overall THREAT becomes as more forces come to stop you, so you've got to balance between time, hunting for abilities, and staying alive through all of it.
KAB: The Meanies, some weird character that I think were supposed to be like bad guys? One of them has a part I need, the orange one. They're always hiding though so I don't know how you'd find them. Next…

I'm immediately screwed since not a single actual living enemy with blood to drink has shown up. It's all robots, the THREATS already at level 2 and-
KAB: HEY! LADY!? ARE YOU INTERESTED IN THIS AT ALL? It's like nothing's changed! Look just tell me if you're gonna take this job or not? I'm not gonna run my mouth if you aren't going to listen.

Yeah Yeah I got'cha.
What about the last part, and go ahead and open up the door to the rocket while your at it.

One thing tho. Were yall people at one point, or did you only awaken with Benny and the fog?

"Don't get your eyestalks in a twist. Rocket in the can, Meanies hiding somewhere."

tell him you can multitask, so its cool

We are listen, all of us, don't need to get pissy. What about the third one?

Hrm, utterly randomized enemy generation is awful or intentionally awfully exploitative game design. This is a coin-thirster for sure, hardly worth further investment. Spending one of your chits for a test run ain't bad, the rest you can keep for later, maybe come back, try other things, or just waste 'em all seeing how far you can get on this one game.

>>1002145
>Obsessed with flashy screens
Tell it it's not like playing some of these games requires much of a brain. Really, the most winningest move is...

(step away from the controls and walk back over to Kab while the game keeps playing in the background)

... not to play. Cliché yeah, but stickin' around here too long is just gonna get Benny up your grill, right?

Really, the real win was getting the novelty of it. Plus the braggin' rights: your new life as a 'Post-Apocalyptic Gamer Girl' is gonna get at least one person you know a little envious you think (Dell would probably be all over an arcade).

And you were actually listening (or, well, you've got something that'll keep you reminded); it needs a routing coil, a servo controller, and a motor shield (descriptions of those would help, by the way). Bathroom has a Rocket animatronic (Who or what is Rocket?) and the orange Meanie is hidin' out somewhere. Are you correct in presuming making the enemy of one Meanie might make an enemy of 'em all? It should frontload facts like those when able.

>It's like nothing's changed!
Weren't the most popular machine, huh buddy? Actually... Kab was aware before the Fog? Or have memories from before? How's that even work? (Or if it wasn't referring to its time before the fog, why'd it expect something to have changed - and since what?)

>take this job or not?
Hm... sure. Quest accepted. You'll get its pieces. For the novelty of it, hopin' something interesting might come from it, and cuz' you had a good burger and you're feeling generous. You're not here to waste all of your tokens though, if it catches your drift. If things get awful and grindy you might bail.

You'll also get it one or two of its parts, but you'll want some answers to questions before you get the last. Like... what makes it think it can escape Benny's influence like it's clearly wanting to? And if it's escaping - or, if it has the smarts or guts, taking on Benny - it's gotta have some way of resisting or voiding the need for whatever's nested up in him's influence, sounds like. And if it has that, why not get more allies among the animatronics 'round here? Some might rally to it if it could offer a better solution to their current weird little existential quandary.

For all that this place is trying to creep you out and is clearly Fog-spawned, it sure is interesting.

>Do Kab's job
Backrooms where?

"Routing coil, servo controller, motor shield. Annoying rodent in the WC, orange ghost hiding... somewhere. And obviously, killing Benny voids everything, assuming I can even do that; my gut says he's above my current weight class. Anything I'm missing aside from that third piece and... what the reason for your present state is?"

1/3 Heretic 2021/06/01(Tue)08:53 No. 1002327 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162256281001.png - (485.08KB , 1500x1060 , Blood Drink 2.png )

RITA: Rocket's in the back and Meanies are hiding, I HEAR you. Don't get pissy
KAB: Good…Last one is Old Man Riddles who was put in the basement.
RITA: I'm not supposed to go into the basement.
KAB: Look you don't need to kill Benny to get to Riddles; The door to the room he's in is close to the entrance, but it's locked. I can open if you get me the other parts, or you can try going 'round the long way to the alternate entrance. Granted you'd have to try to get around Benny but it's possible.
RITA: What're you trying to accomplish here exactly?
KAB: Just need a few parts, I'm an old arcade machine aren't I?

2/3 Heretic 2021/06/01(Tue)08:53 No. 1002328 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162256281906.png - (358.45KB , 1500x1050 , gamer2.png )

>step away from the controls and walk back over to Kab
Why would I do that? I already used the token. Besides, predatory quarter munching aside the games still fun. Some robots drop blood packs sometimes, and there are items that lower my THREAT level if I use them right. I can manage just fine for a little while longer.

>Orange Meanie
RITA: Killing one meanie mean the rest will get mad correct?
KAB: I don't know how connected those lunatics are, maybe? You gotta worry about finding them first…So you'll help?
RITA: Until I get bored sure.

>Kab
RITA: So…Were you always sentient?
KAB: Of course not, but I remember when I wasn't. I wasn't aware before but now that I am I can process my unaware self's memories. Strange isn't it?

3/3 Heretic 2021/06/01(Tue)08:55 No. 1002329 ID: 8fb3ba
File 162256295890.png - (548.93KB , 1500x1060 , Game Over.png )

>What do the parts look like
RITA: Can I get a description of what the parts look like?
KAB: You'll know 'em when you see 'em. Bright and still beepin' and all that.

Eventually I get cornered by three different enemies and a mixture of panic and stuck arcade cabinet buttons leads to a game over.
KAB: Alright you're done! Can we get to work now or what?

I kind of want to keep playing...

>For all that this place is trying to creep you out and is clearly Fog-spawned, it sure is interesting.
Dissecting rats in biology was interesting, doesn't mean it wasn't gross and I wanted to be doing something else...

I would say to embrace your inner gamer girl and continue until you beat the game but things need to be done.

>>1002330
Yeah sure, why not. If you can keep playing, give it a go. Tell Kab that you will do it, later, but if shit hits the fan, you are out of there.

> "...but I remember when I wasn't..."

Quick insight ask, did you came here in the past and mistreated the arcade games? I hope this is not a "Kids were bad with me" vendetta.

>>1002329
It might not be a good idea to keep playing. If you lose track of time, then it'll be night. That's when all of the doors lock and Benny comes out to hunt. You don't want to be stuck in here all night!

Let's go do Kab's job.

>strange, isn't it?
Sure is. Maybe everything actually has a mind of its own, but can't express it without whatever this black goop is.

>Play?
You shouldn't keep playing. Time gets nebulous when you play games and Benny comes out at night. If you were to do nothing else here, then maybe, but if you're to take Kab's deal, just take the novelty for what it was - fun, but temporary. If you leave the place standing, maybe you can come back for another go, later.

Accept Kab's deal, check on the backrooms.

>>1002329
Let's start with the bathroom. Nearby in case we need to bolt, and we know where it is.

Equip the piston mace.

>>1002329
Ask if he can get you a better light source? You can’t exactly look for things with your lighter.

If it's still early yet hit that continue button.
If you're burning daylight... Well... You need to finish this before nightfall.