4/4 Red 2018/08/30(Thu)15:49 No. 899670 ID: a51175
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Pacing through the marketplace, many of the vendors and traders pointedly ignore Red looking around with strange purpose, but some of them move their hands closer to their weapons to be safe.

Turning around, Sable nearly sends Red flying to the ground as it smacks into Red running at hysterical speed.

"RED RED OH NO SHE'S HERE IT'S THORN WE HAVE TO GO WE HAVE TO--"
"SAAAAAABLE!!"

A glimmering white chaos creature walks towards both Sable and Red, opalescent sparkles scattered over her naked body. The crowds in the street all part to not be in her way.
The creature lifts her legs up as she starts walking with thick arms sprouting strangely from her back.

"STOP RUNNING AWAY, YOU'RE MAKING A SCEEENE! DO YOU WANT TO GET THEM INVOLVED?! I JUST WANT TO TALK! TALK, SABLE, JUST A CONVERSATION!!"

Red has a slim time interval to do anything but Sable's pursuer is advancing rapidly, rubbing her claws anxiously against each other.

step in front of stable and keep her behind you.

Also why did she wonder off?

>>899670
GRAB YOUR IDIOT FRIEND CHALK AND RUN

>>899670

Welp, there's the other shoe to this place, Sable's... creator? Genesis? 'Just want to talk' could mean anything, but since they seem kiiinda crazy and threatening with causing enough ruckus to call down THEIR attention (Sentinel or Chaos bigshots? Maybe the former, given how many are in the background), maybe they really do want to just talk? Depending on how this plays, Chalk may or may not intervene to help out - I don't think she'll stick her neck out if it comes to blows, Thorn seems kinda like a bigshot - although she might offer mediation or advice if we can manage to play it cool and get Thorn (and Sable) to chill down as well.

We should definitely be careful about not getting into an altercation. One wound and everyone will see we're a life energy smorgasbord for the taking. Talking, even with chaos-affiliated things, seems to have worked out for us surprisingly well so far. As much as Sable does not want it, it's probably our best option. For one, running from a chaos creatures with multiple powerful limbs and an unknown threat on top seems a bit like a fool's errand. At least if we stay put, the local area's skein of civility might help protect us.

As for means of communication, we should be careful about using biothaumaturgy to start with. Thorn's chaos-y and might actually be competent at it, considering she creates people like Glass and Sable, so initiating it MAY be giving her an advantage AND tell her that we're full of the good goop. She'd be very interested in that, given the crowd of cultists she ran with (and possibly her) wanted to kill Sable to recoup their loss of it.

>Wat do?

Gesture for Sable to step back, quickly draw the chaos symbols for 'Distance - Talk' and then wave your arms at Thorn and point at it. If she still tries to bowl us over, step back and shield-hug Sable, providing a warm body between them and Thorn so she can't pick them up or touch them easily. Pat them on the back, then sign on their skin 'Try talk. If talk bad, then run with Chalk - will distract.' Worst-case scenario, we'll try biothaumaturgy to stun her - perhaps Sable can do something about her if she's distracted... or at least manage to get away.

>>899675

Probably wanted to get a little distance to Chalk's awkward lover(?) / friend on account of 'em bein' a terrifying chaos cultist troubleshooter. Sable's professed reasons to be nervous of chaos cultists, what with the crowd that made them all wanting to kill them.

>>899675
Yeah this seems reasonable.

>A white capric. Male. Blue eyes
This one? >>832549 hehe. Altho I can't tell whether Red was already conscious at that time or not to remember the subject running past.

>Voice of the Predator
Should make a note to ask Chalk about the history behind the symbol on Ren's chest later on.

>Thorn
Sable's proved to be quite a chicken with all his worrying so I don't believe his actions here are reasonable.
Red should grab Sable's arm, and then grab Thorn's arm, and activate the synchronization.
If that's impossible then... do the same but with Thorn alone. The last time we used it on Chalk, she was unable to break free.

Stand up, brush yourself and Sable off. Take a breath and walk away with Sable in tow. Ignore the heckler until you get back to Chalk.

Don't run, but put yourself between Sable and Thorn. They can speak, but don't let them too close.

>>899670
Grabbing Sable’s hand and running sounds like a good idea right about now. Hopefully you guys can find Chalk in this crowd.

>>899728
>Sable's proved to be quite a chicken with all his worrying so I don't believe his actions here are reasonable.
If Thorn is one of the cultists that created Sable in order to sacrifice it as part of a larger ritual, then its actions of running away from Thorn is a very reasonable thing for it to do, since Sable doesn’t want to die.

>activate the synchronization.
That is a terrible idea. Especially when we’re in the middle of a town with a bunch of thieves.

>The last time we used it on Chalk, she was unable to break free.
That might be because she wasn’t strong enough to force herself out of it. Thorn could possibly force herself out of it and significantly hurt Red in the process.

>>899737
>running away is a reasonable thing for it to do
There's several reasons why I think it's important that we talk with Thorn here.
1. Thorn said she just wants to talk. I see no reason to assume someone is lying by default. In fact, while Thorn did create Sable, there's no proof at all that she was the one that wanted to sacrifice Sable.
2. It's likely that after Sable got away, whatever plans Thorn had with Sable had to be scrapped as Sable would be presumably dead. If she's not after Sable anymore, then this knowledge would give Sable a nice peace of mind. One does not overcome fears by running away, but by facing them.
3. I think it's very important that we learn the exact circumstances surrounding Sable's creation. Sable said it knows almost nothing about it. Learning about these circumstances may be critical in our future ventures.

>synchronization
The arguments that you gave actually support the synchronization idea. Because we're in the middle of a town, it's good to use it because that way no one will hear us talk. Btw, Chalk specifically said this port wasn't a den of thieves.

>Thorn could possibly force herself out
Chalk was unable to do it, so there's no evidence that Thorn could do it either. Besides, even if she did, she would be hit with the desynchronization shock giving Sable enough time to run away.

Talking is good here, from a distance, in public, where noone can hurt each other. Set yourself between Sable and Thorn and see if you get them to talk.

>>899728
Syncing with her should be a last resort because:
- By default, we would be exposing who we are. And she is someone who hinted, as Sable's creation implied, as very interested in creating someone like Red. We could learn as to why she is and it would keep the heat off Sable, but it would be focused on us.
- The risk here is more psykic or mental in nature. Strong chaos creatures are hinted to be very good at dominating weaker chaos creatures, like Sable. Even if she couldn't break free, the best case is we get lasted aftereffects and the worse case is we get completely enthralled by her.
- Even if it were worth the risk for Sable's sake, we always need a fallback. Facing one's fears is good, but not having a plan if and when things eventually go wrong is not.

See if you could (or get Sable to) move closer to the slaver area to borrow, or "break out", the "merchandise" there. That could work as a distraction, maybe you could find someone with a grudge.

>>899762
>By default, we would be exposing who we are
There's no evidence that synchronization exposes the fact that we're made of protoplasm. Altho I agree that we shouldn't be too hasty with using it.

>she is someone interested in creating someone like Red
That's chaos cultists. She's a chaos creature. Two different things. Also, she doesn't seem to be boasting the mark of the Voice.

>chaos creatures are hinted to be very good at dominating weaker chaos creatures
I can't see where this is hinted. Also, Red isn't a chaos creature.

>we always need a fallback
How about this:
> >>843546 >If you should encounter mindful beasts of chaos, let them know the Voice of the Alchemist vows for your compliance
If Thorn tries to get aggressive with us, we mention the Voice of the Alchemist.

Synchronizing is a terrible idea.

For one, she'll either lash out at us, exposing our true nature to her/anyone watching the scene unfold OR she'll twig to the fact that we're a shell around a vast quantity of protoplasm and any use she makes of that bit of information will NOT be good for us at all.

And for two, she doesn't look stable. We don't know enough about the situation at hand except that Sable is freaking the fuck out, she's yelling at the top of her lungs and also growing another pair of arms.

And finally, three. We've [i]wandered away from chalk to find sable.[\i]

So, in short, screw this. RUN. Find chalk and leg it before the seemingly crazy Thorn gets ahold of Sable or we lose chalk and get stranded or both.

>>899670
Drag Sable away and try to find a place to lose it.

1/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:15 No. 915613 ID: 221205
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Red does not remember anything relating to people running past its inert, lifeless statue state. Red also does not know any form of sign language or skin tapping code, which in retrospect seems a terrible oversight.

Red does the only thing it can do in such a short time, and hugs Sable, putting itself between Sable and the advancing Thorn.

"HEY! HEY, NO, LEAVE THAT FOX ALONE!!"
Red doesn't reply. Even if it could reply, it wouldn't.

Thorn slows down as she approaches Red, whose arms and tail are wrapped around Sable's shaking body.

While the desire to run with Sable as far away from this unknown creature burns bright, Red decides to try and approach things in a more diplomatic manner. As it does so, it feels strangely warm, as though this is almost familiar to it.

Red turns away from Sable, and holds out its arms in a peaceful gesture.

Thorn pauses, tilting her head, confused. "Who are you, red fox? I haven't seen the like of your kind so pure and unchanged before. You're not of the hive? I didn't think there were any of you left. How odd."
Red shrugs.
Thorn looks intrigued, and fidgets her claws together, as her larger dorsal arms lower themselves to the floor. She suspends herself in the air with them.
"You strike me as not much of a threat, little red fox. Yet you are trying to protect my Sable?"
Red nods.
"A rare survivor risking his... her... risking your life to protect an imperfect recreation. Hm! Well, either way, there's been a tremendous misunderstanding."

2/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:15 No. 915614 ID: 221205
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"D-don't listen, Red," says Sable, "S-she wants me back to k-kill me!!"
"No! No I spent too much time and resources making you, that's ridiculous! Why did you think this?!"
"The ritual!" cries Sable. "S-seven chaos creatures, bled to the end!"

Thorn looks confused. "We'd... we'd have spent more to make you than we'd get from including you in that. What? Why do you think I'd let anyone use you as ritual fodder?! There's swarms of mindless, pointlessly aggressive chaos beasts that would be far more useful as sacrifices! We'd have to get rid of them somehow anyway!"
Sable tears up. "You said I was a failure!"
"I spun you from my own blood to be a new vessel, Sable, and you'd understand everything if you'd only listen to me! I am your maker, Sable! Do you know what I had to go through to create you?!"

Sable shakes its head silently. Red warily prepares to intervene if it seems like a fight is about to break out.
Thorn continues, rubbing her claws against each other still in a nervous tic. "You were supposed to be a vessel for protoplasm, yes, a living guardian for the most precious fluid in this world. It didn't work, but you are a vessel for something else instead!"
Sable stares wide eyed at Thorn. "Something else?"
"I have seen you pull the essence of our lives from other chaos creatures, and replace it the same. Do you think we can all do this, Sable?"

Sable is quiet.

"The part in the ritual you were to play was not as sacrifice, Sable," says Thorn. "We wanted you to hold onto the ichor of the slain creatures and channel it into the focus when ready. We didn't want you hurt, Sable, we wanted a simple menial task! Is it too unreasonable for me to expect one small favour from someone in gratitude for being given life at all?!"
"I'm not a killer," mumbles Sable.
"No! I don't want you to kill anything or anyone, just to capture the essence of their lives after they had been slain!"
"Why didn't anyone explain any of this to me?!" wails Sable again. "Why did you all have to talk in secrets and cryptic messages and talk about my importance to the ritual without ever explaining why?!"

Thorn looks at her claws and retreats inwards. "They were afraid you'd reject your purpose."
"And I did anyway! Because I thought you were all going to kill me!!"
"It wasn't my idea, Sable, it all span out of my control. I didn't come searching for you to kill you, I just wanted to get to you first before anything or anyone else did!"

Thorn opens her arms wide. "Please come back to me, Sable. Please. It's not safe out here."

3/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:16 No. 915615 ID: 221205
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Sable starts trembling in uncertainty again, and looks towards Red.

"I... I want to be free. I want to see the world. I want... I want to stay with Red."

Thorn closes her arms again, and looks away from Sable.
She says nothing for almost a full minute. The silence passes with excruciating tension.

"Very well," she says. "But if I hear you are harmed, I will find you and bring you home."
"Thank you," says Sable, softly, looking at the floor and tearing up. "I'm sorry."
"No, I'm sorry," says Thorn, wiping at her eyes. "I never wanted you to be hurt. I don't want to hurt any of my children but it just keeps happening. I'm sorry, Sable."

Thorn opens her arms wide. Sable hesitates, but wanders over and hugs her.

Red breathes the longest sigh of relief it can remember breathing.
Chalk arrives on the scene. "Sorry, I was-- wait, what's going on?"

Thorn suddenly lurches out of the hug and Sable's ears prick up. Red feels a strange scratching presence in the back of its ears.
"Is that--" says Sable.
"Oh, it is, so I need to get going," says Thorn, urgency in her voice. "Be safe."
"I will. You too."

"Well," says Chalk, showing up from another alley. "That... happened, I guess. We need supplies, still. Should we look for food first? Lights? Camping gear? Rope? I know where to go for those. Also, I want to check out the Last Stop, it's a, uh, not fancy enough to call it a tavern. Drinking place. Just to see if I run into anyone who owes me a favour. Maybe get a drink too."

Red looks at Chalk disapprovingly. Chalk looks back in confusion. "...What?"
Red just points to Chalk's stomach. Chalk rolls her eyes. "Yeah, yeah, okay, I'll make sure it's nothing too strong. Yeesh. What's it matter to you, anyway?"

4/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:17 No. 915617 ID: 221205
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The Voice of the Predator appears behind Chalk. Red didn't notice him arrive. He puts his hands on Chalk's shoulders. She jumps and makes a quick "yeep" sound.

"Chalk. With me, now."
"What?"
"The Crown wants to see you. I suggest for both our sakes we go now."
"Th-th-the C-crown?"
"Yes. Now." The Voice of the Predator looks toward Red and Sable. "Your pets can come too. Hardly a threat."
"I don't think that's a good idea--"

The Voice of the Predator spins Chalk around on her feet and holds her arms behind her back. "Less talk, more walk," he growls, frogmarching her into a back alley. Red follows at a cautious distance, with Sable following Red apprehensively.
"Ow! Hey, I know how to walk, you bastard!"
"You're slippery, I need to make sure you actually turn up this time."
"What is this even about? Ow, dammit, stop it, you're going to make me trip over!"
"Crown wasn't happy with my report. It wants some answers."
"Report? Answers?! Stop being so damn vague!!"

The two suddenly disappear from sight. Red halts, and Sable pauses, eyes wide.

"Red, keep walking," says Sable, a curious certainty in its voice. "You can't see it but there's something there."

Red flicks its ears around and focuses its magical senses forward, soon realising that, despite what its eyes are telling it, something does seem to be directly ahead. It takes a few more steps forward and--

5/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:17 No. 915618 ID: 221205
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--nothing seems to quite line up anymore.

"I know this place," whispers Sable as the two creep forward. "This is the Alter."
Red raises a brow.
"It's... it's like halfway between the atoll, and the, uh, other place. The place the first chaos creatures came from. I don't know a lot about it."

The sky is black, the wind roars warm and cold currents from directions that don't match up, and the white sand beneath them makes chiming noises as the two walk on it.

Ahead of them, they see the Voice of the Predator still keeping Chalk restrained, but with her arms by her sides. Her hands are tightened into irritated fists.

Her annoyance soon subsides into cowering fear when she sees the Voice of the Crown emerge from the white sand, a symphony of glissando tones as the strange grains disperse.

Sable drops to the floor hyperventilating. Red also lowers itself, trying to reassure a violently panicking Sable.

"RENTAUK!" booms the Voice of the Crown. "You prove merit as the Aspect of Predation!"
"...it's, uh, it's, it's Voice of the Predator, sir--"
"The titles are mine to bequeath and change as we see fit, Rentauk!" The Voice of the Crown snakes around the pair. "If I wish them changed, they shall change. However, you are correct. We shall continue with the Voice for now. Now, to business! Rentauk, why is that vulpic wearing a backpack? Remove it!"
"Yes, sir."
"Those are my things, let go!" says Chalk, wriggling, her anger overtaking her fear briefly.

The Voice of the Crown locks eyes with Chalk, who pales as her ears fall and her pupils widen. "I-I, uh, uh, I-I-I..."
"You were going to give Rentauk your possessions, yes?"
"Y-y-yes I was going to do that."

The Voice of the Predator takes Chalk's backpack from her and throws it into the distance. Chalk winces as it lands with a faint porcelain sounding clatter and scattered chords of wind chimes.

Angular stones, humming with the concept of contempt and disdain, erupt in a circle around the gathering.
Some bipedal chaos creature emerges from the gloom, itself frogmarching a visibly pregnant bat of some form. It lowers its long snaking head in deference. "Ve hev zhe referenze spezimen ez you requezted, zupremezt," it buzzes, its numerous eyes darting between the Voice of the Crown and its quarry. The bat makes no sound and makes no effort to free herself, despite visibly looking unhappy with her circumstances.

6/6 Red 2018/12/30(Sun)12:17 No. 915619 ID: 221205
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The Voice of the Crown abruptly looks directly toward Red and Sable.

"Hold. We have unexpected guests." It smiles widely, rubbing its hands together. "Are these your quarries, Predator?"
"They're Chalk's associates, I believe," says the Voice of the Predator, more unease creeping into his voice. "Most likely followers or other tagalongs, nothing of any worth."
"No! Bite your tongue, Rentauk, that one I recognise! That's the Vessel! Far from worthless!"

The Voice of the Crown is next to Sable in seconds, grinning widely. Sable screams the loudest it's ever screamed before, only to swiftly be muffled by the Voice of the Crown grabbing it and shoving Sable's jaws closed.

"A loud one! Feisty, too! Look at it wriggle! Thorn did well, I'd say! I'll take you back home later."

The Voice of the Crown manifests some sort of writhing goopy black thread, spins it around Sable, and puts the encased Sable back down, still screaming in absolute terror.

"And the other--" The Voice of the Crown falters.
It stares at Red for an excruciatingly long time while Red stares away, unsure whether or not to run.
It grins more slowly.
"Kuuuraaasuuu..."

>>915619
Your last name. You have told no one this information. Why would they know this? Nobody else has recognized you, so your last name and general appearance must be somehow exclusive information. You knew Voice of the Crown. I wonder if the "Voice" title theme has anything to do with your inherent silence. Are/were you an Aspect? Your past life wasn't that of a captive or research subject, that's for sure. You knew too much, were too involved in diplomacy and politics.

You could try to run but I'm not sure it'd do any good. I doubt fighting will work either. Man, Chalk really screwed us. If we'd known this place was so closely linked to such dangerous people then we would not have come here.

Oh well, just nod for now.

Shrug and nod.

Also, that dumb jerk Chalk really has screwed us completely, since these are the most dangerous people in the entire world. That entire civilization we just left had devoted its efforts to destroying Voice of the Crown on several occasions... and failed every time. And so did the crystal guys. So we've faced with an incredibly violent, sadistic, capricious, seemingly indestructible hellbeast.

Man, thank goodness we didn't develop a sex yet or he'd probably defile us just to be sadistic.

Oh dear. Oh dear oh dear. It seems very pleased at seeing you. Man, Chalk... how'd you get wrapped up in something the Voice of the Crown is personally involved in? And really, what IS it with all the probably-chaos pregnant ladies? With bat-girl and Voice of Alchemist's bird-slave that makes three now, and their words just now suggests there are more 'references'. Must be some kind of master plan of theirs.

Good news is that they probably won't hurt Sable (the poor guy's escalating traumas aside), given what we know now. Additional great news - they might not hurt us either, as they were looking for some way to contain protoplasm. Which, uh, we're pretty stocked up on, so we might count as a viable 'Vessel' or whatever. We'll PROBABLY only end up as prisoners for now! Yay, right?

Bad news, if we stay their prisoners the chaos faction gets to do something it wants and we'll probably be coerced into doing things for them. They don't seem like the types to accept a sternly worded no, Thorn aside.

Still, no use crying now - and running is only going to end up with us becoming a sticky thread burrito. So, instead:

- either point at your mouth, make wheezy noises and frantically motion for something to write on.

- or put a hand on the friggin' KING OF CHAOS's schnozz and daringly link up via biothaumaturgy, because, really, what else have we got to lose at this point?

Time to keep digging a hole and see if we can't come out on the other side somehow!

shrug and nod boys just shrug and nod.

Do not give him an inch. Look at him like he just spoke some gibberish. This situation is bad but you need to be able to grab Sable and run back through that entrance.

>>915619
>”A loud one! Feisty, too! Look at it wriggle! Thorn did well, I'd say! I'll take you back home later."
>The Voice of the Crown manifests some sort of writhing goopy black thread, spins it around Sable, and puts the encased Sable back down, still screaming in absolute terror.
No fucking way are we going to let him take Sable anywhere!

And we also have to make sure Chalk comes with us, since she’s the only one that knows how to pilot the boat we used to get here, since neither Red nor Sable know how to pilot it.

So.....anyone have any ideas one what to do here?

>>915639
We're uh, well and truly boned here.

We can't run our way out of here. Not without leaving Sable and Chalk behind and that's assuming IF Crown or Predator don't immediately catch us.

We also can't do anything with our secret since even if we somehow killed Crown with it *right now* we still have to deal with Predator.

So yeah, the only thing I can think of is to point at your throat and then shake your head.

>>915619
Boop

1/2 Red 2018/12/31(Mon)18:24 No. 915790 ID: 221205
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Red considers trying to form a biothaumaturgic link, but something deep within its veins screams that this is a terrible, terrible idea.
Red tilts its head in genuine confusion while trying to suppress its genuine fear.
The Voice of the Crown does not appear to pick up on Red's subtle gesture.

Red flaps its mouth wordlessly and makes a writing gesture with one paw on the other.
The Voice of the Crown's grin fades alarmingly quickly to a more neutral expression.

"What has happened to your silver tongue, Kurasu? I always did enjoy the sound of your voice. No, no, something is amiss here."
The Voice of the Crown moves its head closer to Red, who makes a slight muted whimper.
"You're different. But such a striking resemblance... a descendant, perhaps? The eyes, the shape of the head, but Kurasu was undeniably female in her body shape and you are... well, how strange. Ambiguous curves, indeed. And something about you feels... so shining, but yet so wrong, so out of place here. Dark burning brightness in the ocean, searing invisible, boiling, barely kept under the surface."

Red isn't sure whether to shake its head or nod.

"I didn't think there were any mysteries like you left for me to discover. How curious. I may have a favour to ask of you but I do have more pressing concerns right now."
Sable tries to shout something to Red through its cocoon of thread but the words do not come out intelligibly.

"Please, take a seat for now," says the Voice of the Crown, as a black chair erupts from the sand. Red sits down with great hesitation, and the surface is oddly warm and smooth to the touch.
The black, homogenous stone of the chair seems to shift gently to the contours of Red's body as it sits. The chair back scooches forward to provide support to Red's back.
It's comfortable and unnerving in equal measure.

The Voice of the Crown gently lifts the thread cocoon containing Sable back with it as it reenters the stone circle.

"Now then. Sorry to keep you waiting, Rentauk! I'm sure you also have better things to be doing. Yes?"

A bead of sweat rolls down the Voice of the Predator's head, matting in his fur, as he nods silently.

"Yes, I should hope so."

2/2 Red 2018/12/31(Mon)18:24 No. 915791 ID: 221205
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A black, sleek altar, same stone as the chair, erupts from beneath the jangling sand in the middle of the circle, red chaos runes flowing over it.
The Voice of the Predator forces Chalk onto it, on her back.

"Wait what what what's going on Ren what's happening--"
Chalk gasps as she's suddenly pinned to the altar by an unknown force. The Voice of the Predator rearranges her limbs into a starfish arrangement.
"Ren? Ren talk to me, talk to me what's going on--"
"My name is Voice of the Predator," he mutters, "so perhaps ask me by that name."
"Okay! Okay! Voice of the Predator! Talk to me, please!" Chalk's ears flatten and she makes a feeble whine.

"Look at her stomach, Predator!" The Voice of the Crown gestures to the bat woman, who flinches. "Same conception day! I need to understand why there's such a difference! Are you sure this vulpic is even pregnant?! Did you impregnate her? Are you sterile? Is she? I want answers, Rentauk! I want answers, as far as you can give me, them right now."

The Voice of the Predator freezes up. "Well, I, uh, of course I impregnated her, I--"
"Did you check or did you just assume?"
"I'd like to think I have the virility required--"
"I do not care nor fully understand nor do I wish to care or understand anything about your fertility, its connection to your self-image, or anything else related, Rentauk!! I was expecting you to make sure when I gave you a direct order to make sure it was actually carried out!"
"I-- I'm not exactly an expert in midwifery!"

The Voice of the Crown makes a long, drawn out sigh and rubs at its face with its topmost arm pair. "Sleeper, give me the strength I need to see this wretched day through... Very well, then. Do we have anyone here capable of confirming whether or not this vulpic is pregnant?"
Chalk opens her mouth to say something. The Voice of the Predator shoots her a glare and rapidly shakes his head. She slowly closes her mouth again.

"I am not exzactly exzpert either, zupremezt," says the other chaos creature, shifting around awkwardly. "Without zhe bulge all I could do iz guezz like your mozt ezteemed zelf."
"Fine! Vulpic! Are you pregnant?"
Chalk slowly nods her head.
"Then why aren't you as big as the pteropic?! What went wrong?"
Chalk meekly mumbles something.
"Speak up! I don't have all day for this! I've still got to get a report from Voice of the Alchemist on her failures to stay on target!"
"Yes! Yes, sir! Sorry, sir!"
"Sir isn't the appropriate term of address for your station, but I'll allow it for now for brevity. Continue!"
"Yes, uh, s-sir! I've... had some issues with this, uh, weird-- uh, not weird, completely fine and functional, I mean, this chaos surrogacy thing. I've been kinda sick a couple times and I think it's made things worse for me and the baby... chaos... thingy. Also do I need to be restrained like this? It feels really kind of, uh, exposed."
"Hm. It's struggling to grow, you say?"
"I... I think?"
"Then we need to take it out and try this entire thing again, clearly we're wasting time on this one. Rentauk! Take whatever feeble sac of chaos fluid is in her out of her and this time I am going to watch you impregnate her correctly this time!"

Silence falls over the scene, save for the winds blowing chiming sand grains along one another.

"None of that is how it works, sir."
"Why not?!"
"It's... I don't... I'm reasonably sure we can't just--"
"Oh, oh, of course, of course, I should remember to explain my logic to your simpler minds. I do apologise! We have the Vessel now, extracting the dying runt from this vulpic will be simple. Ribbon, stop fondling that pteropic and inject some of your blood into Rentauk! As close to the generative organs as you can reach please."

The other chaos creature closes its slavering maw with a look of uncertainty. "...vouldn't zat damage zhem? Iz the hip okay?"
"Close enough!"
"Wait. Wait, why aren't we preparing this at the pace a ritual of this nature would require--" asks the Voice of the Predator, sweating more visibly.
"We're running out of time for this phase, Rentauk!"
"Do I... do we have to do this here and now--"
"I didn't set up a focus circle for the sheer hell of it, Rentauk! Now where did I put that cocoon..."
"Wait! No! I've spoken to it! It's alive! It's not just a useless lump of flesh! It has a name! Its name is Spiral! It's just taking longer, give it a chance, give it a chance to live!!" wails Chalk.

The Voice of the Crown is searching for the cocoon containing Sable, who has stopped screaming and is not immediately visible.
The Voice of the Predator is awkwardly pacing around the altar as the chaos creature named as Ribbon shifts awkwardly around.
The bat lady is leaning against one of the stones, trying to watch and be as uninvolved in the activity as possible.

In this increasing pandemonium, Red feels the window of opportunity to intervene in any way is probably the widest it's going to be.

>>915791
Okay, that's it. It's time to take a stand. These Chaos Creatures are HORRIBLY INCOMPETENT at biology. Clap your hands firmly and loudly to draw their attention then request paper or some other medium of communication to explain that, yes, you can confirm she is pregnant and have medical skills, and removing a living creature from another living creature would simply be fatal to both of them.

Chalk is a big dumb idiot for getting you involved here but now that you are involved you can't just abandon her to die.

Also the more attention on you the less likely they are to molest Sable.

>>915792
I... yeah actually making a scene of some sort is probably not a bad move, given that Crown was badly distracted just by your presence and no one else here seems confident in any of what they're doing.

...If we all get out of this thing alive, chalk is going to owe us so god damn much.

He said "favour" so you were someone he considers to be on equal footing.
Write in the sand, in Chaos Script: "Voice of the Crown, stop. Chalk is right. Let me help."
You should help by attempting to infuse Spiral with life energy. Help it grow properly so that it can survive being born. Sable might need to help you?

We promised the little guy we would help keep it safe.

So go explain that you are the closest thing to a doctor and the baby is doing fine and they need to leave it where it is.

Find out what they are up to while you are at it.

>>915791
Wait, where is Sable? Can you see where it went, Red?

>>915792
>Make a scene and draw attention to self.
>Explain extraction will kill both Chalk and the baby.
Do this!

And while we've their attention on us, they won't be looking for Sable, who hopefully managed to get out of its cocoon and is hiding somewhere nearby!

>>915792
Yeah, I agree!

We need to let those idiots know that they’re going to end up killing both Chalk and Spiral if they try to extract Spiral out of Chalk!

>>915821
Problem is, if we explain this they're going to ask HOW we know and then we're fucked.

Yes, get everyone's attention on you now and demand for something to write on. Clearly, you need to act like a doctor here and use what knowledge you have (ancient or recent, conscious or not) to convince them that this surrogacy is just different from they're familiar with, closer to a non-chaotic lifeform, and not a total failure. Because there is an opportinity here.

Your best chance of leaving with all your friends it to Bluff Your Ass Off. Your goal should be to convince them that it is in everyone's best interest to have Chalk leave with you. Suggest that you can do an operation but you need equipment/magic they do not obviously have, at a location that is not here. Like, closer to Sentinel territory.
And that you need "the Vessel" (poor Sable) to maintain her health. And if they don't trust you, they can send a bodyguard, like Predator/Rentauk, with you.

>>915835
We've been fucked by design. Holding back now is going to get people unnecessarily killed.

I think we'll get more answers if we just get this shitshow on track.

Take a sigh of relief knowing that these guys are incompetent as hell. stand up, make your way over to Chalk. Be as non-intrusive and gentle when approaching. You don't want any of these guys to stop you immediately. Look to predator and nod while pointing to Chalk's belly and then yourself. Gesture that you would like something to write with. The goal here is to bargain to check Chalk in exchange for Sable.

>>915808

He got spun up in chaos stuff. The moment he stopped panicking, he probably realized that was the dumbest thing Voice of the Crown could possibly have done to keep him imprisoned.

I.e. he's probably unspun himself and might be using the material to hide from Voice of Crown. Good initiative! Not sure it's going to stop Voice of the Crown, though... let's try distracting the guy soon.

>>915791

This is good advice.

We really need to de-escalate the current antics, so hop off the chair and step between Ribbon and Rentauk. Make a physical fuss; shake your head, glare, jump up and down, hold out the palm of your hands towards each of them. Raise your index finger as if you want to make a point. Point at Voice and gesture for them to call him over. Start scrawling in the sand (although be careful you don't ruin the focus circle - that'll be plan B, C, D or possibly E).

Everyone of note here should be able to understand chaos script, so write in that. Make it seem as if it's not a big deal for you to cooperate with chaos creatures - writing in chaos script may already indicate that you have done so in the past. Maybe you can make it seem as if you are more familiar with Voice of the Alchemist than you actually are.

The story - though you're still going to lie your ass off in places - should be PRETTY DAMN CLOSE to the truth as-is, but aimed towards de-emphasizing your role in it and buying time for everyone involved - you, Sable and Chalk. Although if you play your cards right, you might even get Sable to be able to do something for bat-lady over there. Or... heck, maybe even Rentauk/Voice of the Predator. He seems a little in over his head and just about now realizing it. Probably too proud to admit it, though.

So.

Write that you can verify that the chaos creature inside Chalk is there, but weak - there was an unfortunate brush with an anti-chaos device recently. Chalk didn't mention this because you asked her not to - since you'd used Sable's ability to save both it and Chalk (truth) and Sable had requested anonymity. This explains why the 'belly bulge' isn't so big (that's not it, but these guys don't get the basics).

Write that the interaction seems to have left the creature leery towards Sable (truth). Further Sable interventions right now may have it lash back and kill itself (possibly true), rendering this whole damn exercise moot. You STRONGLY DO NOT ADVICE anything but allowing some time for the creature to recover for now. As for how long it will take - another month? Given the damage and the risks... maybe longer? You believe Sable might be able to work on strengthening it later. Even if not, you again STRONGLY ADVICE that Sable stay close to Chalk to intervene in case of further emergencies.

Write that whatever they're keen on rushing, you don't think it'll help their plans if their test subjects keep doing that whole inconvenient 'dying' thing. If they don't believe you, Sable can try proving he can do detailed assessment by checking up on bat-lady over there and give them a status report on THAT particular pregnancy. Assuming you didn't scare him off. He's terrified of chaos affiliates, let alone creatures. You suspect something was done by SOMEONE to terrify him. Not that you're naming names. Just... give him some personal space and a promise you'll let him continue travelling with you after this?

Write that if they want to be efficient, feel free to let you and Sable travel with the pteropic for monitoring and ACTUAL midwifery purposes and have Voice of Predator to keep an eye on all of you - he should be able to do at least that, right? Unless he so happens to have BETTER things to do - like getting his scrotum scrambled.

(At this, give VotP a dead-eye look, as if you're personally blaming him for this entire mess even as you're tossing him a potential lifeline.)

Definitely mention that you'll be favorably disposed towards performing that favor if Voice of the Crown proves capable of accepting your advice. Also, you could optionally ask whether reporting in to one of the other Voices later would be fine? You might travel close to Voice of the Alchemist's place and could bring Chalk over that way to check on her progress then. No doubt they'd be interested in the specifics of this case.

... of course, all of this is just to get you the hell out of here and out of VotC's immediate reach and figure out what the heck to even do now that you're all on his radar. Inviting Voice of the Predator along... it's just my gut feeling, but he seems new enough to his role that he might be more, uh, approachable than either the Alchemist or Crown. Or Thorn, for that matter. And Crown, despite not trusting Predator much, does boss him around a lot so telling him to babysit a bunch of people may be in-character.

>>915854

Guh. That second reference was supposed to be
>>915792

So... are these guys actually powerful or are they just drunk on their own hubris? They know a pregnancy can take over a year depending on the species, right?

Do the facepalm.

>>915791
Get Predator's attention and ask for something to write with again.

Explain to Crown that you and Sable are able to keep Chalk and the baby healthy and allow it to grow. You did it before and you can do it again. So long as Chalk is left with the two of you, the chaos child will grow properly.

We actually don't need something to write with. We just need our finger and we can write in the sand.

Tell the Voice of the Crown that a new impregnation would either kill both of them or simply result in the same slow growth.

Then tell it that, surely, as the Voice of the Crown, it has the knowledge about what a fetus needs to grow, right? Rather than pulling it out, they should be providing it with whatever nourishment and non-stressful environment (that is this place) that it needs for growth.

1/3 Red 2019/05/19(Sun)11:37 No. 933381 ID: 29d9e5
File 155829102533.png - (12.75KB , 800x600 , at118.png )

Red finds its fear rapidly melting into frustration and pity at the poor showing and clear incompetence at display. Its friends' lives are at stake due to nothing more than misunderstandings and ignorance.
It doesn't know where this sudden surge of courage comes from, but it's too much to just sit by and watch this all happen idly.

Red stands up from the chair and claps loudly to get everyone's attention, walking just outside the stone circle and kneeling onto the ground, furiously scrawling into the musical sand in chaos script.

"What the hell are you doing, Red?!" yells Chalk. The Voice of the Predator just stares wordlessly, apparently unsure whether to be shocked, offended or angry.
The Voice of the Crown, however, sidles over on its many legs, lifting its head skyward as it cranes to get a view of whatever Red is writing.

I can confirm that Chalk is pregnant, and that removing Spiral from Chalk is likely to be fatal to both. This ritual will not help anything. I have helped her before. There have been some complications in the past. Without the aid of the Vessel, Chalk would be dead. I can continue looking after Chalk and Spiral both but I'll need the Vessel to do it. Sometimes these things just take time.

Red writes with a curious confidence that surprises even itself, but it feels natural, familiar. Red's scrawlings become better formed with flourishes to the script as it writes.

The Voice of the Crown is quiet as it takes in Red's text. "What is your name, vulpic?"
Red.
"No relation to Kurasu?"
My full name is Redford Kurasu.
"Hah! I was right, you are related to her. You don't have her way with words but you sure do have her pride. Can't think of anyone else who would, in the Alter, where my powers are strongest, contest my will and intentions with assertions that I'm wrong." The Voice of the Crown folds its limbs. "So tell me, Red. What were these complications?"
An anti-chaos device was used on her by one of the tribes of the Tribelands. Chaos fluid from Spiral leaked through Chalk's body. It threatened both of their lives. With aid from the Vessel to remove the excess fluid, I was able to repair the damage to Chalk's body, but it likely set back Spiral's development. Trying to force the excess chaos fluid back into Spiral seems an unwise idea, we just need to let it recover first. Red is not actually certain this is true.

The Voice of the Crown rubs the underside of its chin a few times. "How are you so familiar with the workings of--"

2/3 Red 2019/05/19(Sun)11:37 No. 933382 ID: 29d9e5
File 155829103797.png - (368.05KB , 800x600 , at119.png )

It pauses and opens and closes its jaws a few times, before looking at Red more intensely. Red can't read its blank white eyes very well, but it looks almost as if the Voice of the Crown is coming to some sort of realisation.

It doesn't say any more, staring at Red. Red starts to feel its sudden burst of confidence drain away to nothing and it shivers a little.
The silence is terrifying. Red cannot read anything happening in the alien eyes of the Voice of the Crown save for a giddy excitment, as it grins again.

"Well, I'm sure someone of your specific talents found the entire process lacking in refinement, a crude effort by amateurs working with crude methods. No doubt you could more tightly weave and integrate two worlds into one far greater than anyone else ever could," purrs the Voice of the Crown, lowering its head to match its eye level with Red's. "We could use someone of your skills. We really could. The Voice of the Alchemist, Thorn, myself, and, well, you must surely know how those crystals would feel about someone like yourself wandering around unchecked. I mean, surely you know what has happened to others of your talents over the past several season cycles, yes? They have a way of ending up within the Sentinels' holding cells, indefinitely. It's a waste, I think. Suuuch a waste."

The Voice of the Crown's grin becomes a terrifying open mouth smile, and all Red can think about is the fact its head could undoubtedly fit in the Voice of the Crown's mouth with little exertion on the chaos creature's part.

"Now, I am stretched far too thin to force anyone to work for me, and I find coercing your partners to be an unnecessary drain on resource and attention, so I am going to offer you a job, Red. Feel free to decline, and we will both go our own separate ways and you can go wherever you planned to go to start with. I mean, someone needs to look after our dear Chalk, yes? And I certainly know we can't keep Chalk in one place against her will for long."
Chalk makes a confused noise.
"I may even graciously loan you the Vessel for the sake of keeping this little project of ours ticking away! I may need the Predator to oversee the effort, of course, but again, this is what I am prepared to offer you if you walk away! I'm feeling generous today, what can I say? But if you want to work with me, well, my next stop is the Voice of the Alchemist, and I could do with someone able to confirm everything she's going to report to me. I have had my suspicions for a while. And this is all I would ask of for now. In return, well, I have a small bottle of protoplasm that's just been looking for a new home, and I certainly can't do anything with it myself."

Red feels its pulse quicken as the protoplasm in its veins murmurs about the strength and understanding more protoplasm could grant it. Even if merely touched upon, absorbed, and carefully removed, the flowing substance holds within itself traces of life in its many forms, ever changing, entire histories of blood and bone. It could even decant the exact same protoplasm back into the bottle and use it for something else later. It could be a panacea, a food source, a way to bring life to a barren acre, and a way to fight the Limit for maybe several dozen lucky souls.

"So, Red, shake my claw if you wish to do this small task for me, this... independent verification of my alchemist's report. Else, shake your head, and I will send you, Chalk, and the Vessel on your way. With the Predator as your escort, naturally, in either case."

The Voice of the Crown offers its claw to Red.

3/3 Red 2019/05/19(Sun)11:37 No. 933383 ID: 29d9e5
File 155829104836.png - (95.37KB , 800x600 , at120.png )

"Also, while it occurs to me, if you could somehow figure out a way to get this annoying vulpic to catch up to the pteropic, I'll throw in a lot more than a bottle of protoplasm, but that may be a tall order. I went to a lot of trouble for this setup, though, I really want it to be worth the effort. I'm sure you understand, yes? Consider this a separate arrangement from the verification task, for what it's worth."

Red is vaguely sure, though it doesn't know why, that it could boost Spiral's growth and health by infusing Chalk and by extension Spiral with a mixture of chaos fluid and protoplasm. It doesn't know where it could get the chaos fluid, although the blood of a chaos creature would work fine. It pauses to wonder why it is aware of any of these esoteric facts, only to notice the Voice of the Crown's deranged smile broadening a little further.
"You know," murmurs Voice of the Crown, "Rentauk's body has been altered sufficiently enough that, with the focii at this ritual site in place, you could simply have him mate with Chalk to deliver the required chaos fluid straight to the site it would be required. I think. I'm not sure but it'd be close enough. Presumably. Whatever, details. Of course, I may be biased, seeing as it took me a very long time to set this up, have I said that yet? I don't think I have, it took me a lot of time for this setup which I could have spent on any number of ways to get those wretched glass ornaments off my trail."

Red is not sure why this chaos creature is so fixated on this ritual. From the way it keeps staring at Rentauk and Chalk with an ever sinister grin, it feels like it has more motivation for this than wanting to recoup time costs.
Before Red can even think of how to articulate this, Voice of the Crown makes a strange chittering sound. "Of course the respect I owe to your... I owe to Kurasu only stretches so far, Redford, so please consider that I do not have all season for you to consider my generous offers." It offers its claw again with more vigour.

Red's options appear to be a polite refusal of all offers, an agreement to audit the Voice of the Alchemist, an agreement to speed Spiral's development along, or an arrangement to do both of those things. No matter what, Red feels a heavy unspoken burden hanging around its neck, and the Voice of the Predator, Rentauk, stares uneasily at Red as though he can see straight into Red's heart pulsing with the essence of life. It feels like he's deeply aware that his immediate fate suddenly lies in Red's hands, and he is very, very unhappy about it.

>>933383
idk if it is the best idea, but lets take them up on their offer, on both counts. It is probably the most objectively helpful route.

We need sable back, they belong to Thorn, if they belong to anyone, and thus aren't a bargaining chip that can be used by this guy.

However, these guys dont seem evil. They seem powerful, but also extremely inept and more concerned with SCIENCE than actually doing evil stuff. They do seem like they want to look evil and scary though.

I think we could be a positive influence on them, and thus we should work with them for now.

>>933390
Additionally, tell them you need some of their blood to work, and the donor better be a willing volunteer, which means they cant use Sable.

Also, when you do the expediting, try to block off pain from Chalk if that is something you can do.

>>933383
Let's do both. I think this business arrangement will be very informative as well as rewarding in other ways. The Sentinels are withholding information, so let's get some information from these guys.

Direct mating will definitely not be required in the second task. If the void fluid comes out of his genitals, then that can be gathered via digital stimulation, and then Sable can move the void fluid using its powers. If it's not enough fluid then you can just request some chaos creature blood.
You will of course require the consent of the mother.

>>933382
>Chaos creature's blood
Would Sable's blood work? Speaking of which, let's not forget about him! Make sure you bring him with you!

>>933393
>Let's do both.
>Reasons for doing both.
I agree with this.

Auditing Voice of the Alchemist sounds alright, but for speeding up the pregnancy, I'd like Chalk's agreement first. It's her body.

>>933383
what would the position of being the Auditing Voice of the Alchemist

>>933402
I agree.

Tell Voice of the Crown that you have met the Sentinels, and they did you no harm. Instead, they helped you. Why was that?

Another thing that I'd like to know is, these chaos creatures seem to have titles, Voice of the Crown, Voice of the Predator, etc., besides their normal names. What are these titles... and can you have one also? :P Voice of Life?

Other than that, agree to both offers.

>>933383
Alright, so these people are powerful, violent, incompetent and somewhat clueless. The best plan involved is asking Chalk if she'd be up to accept Rentauk's 'assistance' and agreeing to audit Alchemist, since she's kind of a dangerous and hostile weirdo and we don't owe her dirt.

>>933436
We really cant be a voice if we cant even speak.

>>933400
iirc Sable is a genderless child, just like us (they/them).

As sympathetically incompetent their "medical procedures" are, it seems overly naive to take Crown at face value. He knows you have something he wants and he would be smart enough to present himself in the best possible light. He may be giving incomplete information or outright lies about our situation right now.

If what Crown is say about the Sentinels is true, then the nice Sentinel did us a HUGE favor in covering for us. Thus, I don't think we should start burning bridges with the crystals yet. We can verify this if we somehow manage to get in contact with him and get his side of the story. For all we know, they could be collecting Kurasus because they were not dissimilar to us from a couple of hours or days ago.

Yet, we are living on borrowed trust from our predecessor. While we technically can go free, it's implied that it would be his last favor for us as far as he's concerned and we will not get far in atoll diplomacy if we leave it at that.

So agree to check in with Alchemist and nothing else, appear only interested in the ectoplasm and don't ask any other questions. You shouldn't trust him with more power yet but if pressed, say this: As much as you would like to see the creature grow, there is a reason it is developing slowly* and it is unsafe until you understand what that reason is.

*one theory: it's related to his empathic bond with the mother.

>>933468
Support we need too look competent and smart

Why not both!

Leeeets only agree to help Chalk on our own terms. No mating needed. We can audit VotA if we're nearby and Ren can relay the info to you. Don't want to play messenger fox.

This guy seems less insane and wanton than i thought, though just as dangerous. Take up both, but it would be rather difficult for us to get back to her from where we were, especially since we essentially told one of the higher ups we'd stick to a life of safety.

We did see her recently though. Bring that up to see if we might be able to deal with that one now.

I say do both.

>oh hey I was going to reply to this
Hm. He's realized something of what you are, it seems like? He may even have clued in on your ignorance. How vexing.

His reward is certainly tempting, but even with how little we know he appears to be a no-good, unstable, bungling, impatient alien chaos being who has the motive of breaking the Limit that the Sentinels argue preserves all life on the Atoll. And he... somehow isn't directly coercing you or splitting you open for your precious priceless protoplasm. Hm.

That he considers your inherent skills, not your protoplasm, to be the most valuable - no matter your apparent relation to this Kurasu woman who seems to mean something to him - is worrying. Your ability must be unique or very valuable for him to start treating you with so much leeway when he's been running roughshod over nearly everyone else. He may think you the key to breaking the Limit - or that you'll do something else for him if left to your own devices. If he's willing to let you go with 'only' a guard he has some plan or expectation cooking.

His point about the sentinels is... well, it's a blatant half truth. We have seen indications that while they have a consensus that makes broad-strokes decisions they all have to adhere to, they also have 'individual' patterns that may agree or disagree with these in the details and can respond or interpret overalls rules favorably for you - or not.

For one, Vigilance Pattern 3 seemed pretty nice and was supportive of you in its own way. Of course, you did help Alchemist discover evidence of other Patterns launching a very non-consensal ploy to disrupt or destroy a particular troublesome segment of the population that was messing with them (at least that's what it seemed like), so... half-truth is still part truth. Consider yourself warned re: interacting amicably with ALL sentinel Patterns. There could very well be some you could trust, pending on your actions here and elsewhere, and some you manifestly should not, given the danger your existence may or may not represent. Involving yourself with anything that breaks the Limit WILL probably earn you Sentinel enmity, for reasons Vigilance Pattern 3 previously explained - that whole "the Atoll is a slowly decaying, fragile magical ecosystem keeping you alive on a dead world" thing.

Anyway, Crown is indeed generously giving you some offers here. Getting a bunch of protoplasm - hopefully without stepping all over the free will of people you've involved yourself with (including Rentauk who will be probably be your chaperone/guard dog for the immediate future) would strengthen you. We've been passing up a few opportunities for that so far (alchemist's lab, mushrooms in forest), so yeah, let's make the most of this!

... then again.

>Audit deal
Touching Crown and going to Alchemist should be a hard pass. Think about where he's going. Think about what happened there. Think about there maybe being Sentinels observing the area due to what happened there. Think about being observed by Sentinels with Crown.

Now, if Crown goes to Alchemist, finds her alive and unfled (or tracks her down) and gets her report, she may excuse herself with "Oh there's a lack of progress because this red-furred vulpic and a Mooncaller came along and messed up my lab" and then Crown is no doubt going to be a touch displeased by your lack of candour re: having met her before. So, shake your head and write:

"I've met Voice of the Alchemist once, recently. I can verify she appeared to be working on - but not making the desired progress - your project. I did not stay long, however. Your 'project' put my travel companion off, enough that they came to blows though I tried to prevent it. Due to the fight, the ritual chamber we were in activated which threw me halfway across the Atoll, where I met Sable and then Chalk."

This should secure you against anything Alchemist might tell Crown. Besides, you already kind of sold her out to Vigilance Pattern 3. Who informed you she was otherwise occupied right now, so you getting cut and leaking protoplasm all over the probably did a number on that area which, again, is why you shouldn't be going there to be seen with Crown. Sentinels do seem to pop up and keep an eye on interesting things happening.

>Growth boost
Shake head (although you can accept this one if pressed and Sable and Chalk wish it, though I think they will feel coerced into it, making it more likely that you can deny it). A soft pass. I'm just guessing, but I think you'd be showing him how to do something he wants to figure out - you'll have proven a theory and given pointers in his presence. That said, we still don't know why he wants to break the Limit so bad - other than just getting out of this place? Helping him outright in this task is probably going to earn us the enmity of the Sentinels if discovered.

If you decline, write something like: "My sympathies for your wasted efforts, but they may have been misdirected. The current speed of growth is arguably the better option if you want something to actually come from the initial experiment."

1/5 Red 2019/07/25(Thu)16:07 No. 940426 ID: f0a059
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>accept auditing Voice of the Alchemist
>accept speeding up Chalk's pregnancy, but only with her consent
Red, after some hesitation, slowly reaches out and tries to grab the Voice of the Crown's claw. It feels cold and smooth, almost oily, far more solid than its owner's shadowy form suggests, yet it also feels coarse and grating and wrong to Red's magical senses. The contradicting sensations are like ice down Red's spine, and his fur stands on end.
The Voice of the Crown makes a chittering laugh, shaking its claw up and down. "I am so incredibly pleased to be making a deal with you, Red, even if I'm not entirely sure what parts you agreed with yet. Please! By all means, inform us!" It gestures to the sand, grin steady.

I will audit the Voice of the Alchemist but I need Chalk's permission for the other task.

"On her behalf, you have permission to do whatever you want," says the Voice of the Crown. "This is my realm, my domain, my kingdom of the Alter. I may not lay claim to it all, but time, and blood, will out. My word is the law here and I say Chalk's will is secondary to my own."

Chalk wriggles on the altar surface. "What's going on? What's being discussed?!"
"Your associate is concerned that you might reject the opportunity to catch up to where you should be in the greater scheme of things," says the Voice of the Crown, voice smooth and assuring.
"Red, if this oily snake bastard is asking you to kill me then tell it no! TELL IT TO GO FUCK ITSELF!!"

2/5 Red 2019/07/25(Thu)16:07 No. 940427 ID: f0a059
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The chiming plains fall silent. The oppressively empty sky remains unchanging, a curtain of void cloaking the sudden silence with further dread.

"It is," says the Voice of the Crown, after an agonizing few seconds that feel as though hours pass, "not a capacity of mine, if I felt so inclined to indulge your epithet, vulpic. We are discussing your current subpar performance in a process that you shouldn't even be able to influence. If you do not wish to displease me further, you'll agree to everything Red wishes to do to assist you."

The Voice of the Crown's voice does not lose its pleasant tone, but a sinister edge has Red almost shaking in fear as the Crown's smile completely fades.

Red notices Rentauk frozen to the spot, trembling.

Chalk speaks in a shaky whimper. "Y-y-yes, sir."
"Address me as the Voice of the Crown, in full, or do not address me at all, vulpic." says the Voice of the Crown, in a voice suddenly both twice as loud and carrying an unnatural edge to it that has Red clasping at his ears as it feels like the air itself has been filled with greasy nettles.
"Yes, Voice of the Crown, sir!" shouts a teary-eyed Chalk, anger and frustration replaced by frozen terror.
"So, Red is still waiting for that permission."
Chalk writhes uselessly on the runed slab keeping her held down. "Alright. Do it." She sniffs. "I don't have a choice in this anymore, do I--"
"A simple yes would have sufficed. That's enough out of you," says the Voice of the Crown. "Any more and I'll make sure you can't talk back."

3/5 Red 2019/07/25(Thu)16:09 No. 940428 ID: f0a059
File 156409614141.png - (29.06KB , 800x600 , at123.png )

The Voice of the Crown holds out a claw towards Rentauk, making a clicking noise from it. Red is not sure how this happens. "Mate with her now."
"Wh-wh-what?" Rentauk's eyes widen and ears prick up. "Weren't you getting Red to--"
"I do not have the time or patience for further insubordination."
"I can't-- I can't do it like this! I can't--"
"Red, get near Chalk. Ribbon, bite Rentauk at the hip."
"Yez, zupremest."

Ribbon lunges forward and bites Rentauk, who yelps and starts groaning and grunting as he struggles with an infusion of raw chaos fluid surging through his system. Black tendrils pierce out of his flesh before boiling back in as though they never formed, leaving no marks. He stares down at Chalk in an expression both of intense desire and self-loathing for the same desire, still groaning from the rippling changing and unchanging spreading across his body, as he clambers over and on top of her.

Red gets closer to Chalk as instructed and stares at the Voice of the Crown in a mixture of hopeless confusion and betrayed resentment.
The Voice of the Crown looks back, and returns to its former smile.
"You flesh creatures really should rediscover the manner and decorum of your ancestors. They knew were they stood in the past. Honestly, I try to be a better entity and a nicer being and this is how I'm repaid for it. People forget my authority! It's a disgrace. Really, you're lucky all of you are irreplacable."

Red hears Chalk groan and shout as Rentauk enters her, resigned sighs giving way to protesting yelps as Rentauk grows more vigorous and less concerned for her wellbeing.

4/5 Red 2019/07/25(Thu)16:09 No. 940429 ID: f0a059
File 156409618126.png - (65.36KB , 800x600 , at124.png )

Red watches horrified, as one tiny part of it is intrigued by watching whatever travesty is taking place in front of it, and the rest of it feels powerless to have stopped this. If only it could have spoken something instead of being so easily ignored. Red balls its paws into fists, teeth grinding, glaring at the still smiling Voice of the Crown. The chaos creature has lost interest in watching its own ritual, instead now talking to Ribbon about further orders.

"So, the pteropic should be ready to deliver soon, yes?"
"Zuppozedly, yez. I am not zure az I previouzly mentioned."
"Take her to Makers' Mass, the shrine there. That will be the most maximally disruptive place, I think. Draw commotion, make sure she stays unclothed."
"What if violence enzues?"
"There are agents in place, when the sentinels arrive..."

The Voice of the Crown looks back to Red. "We should discuss this perhaps a little later."
Ribbon points some of its eyes towards Red. "Yez, zupremest."
The Voice of the Crown addresses Red directly. "My apologies for the delay, Red. This should be a temporary interruption, and then you'll all be on your way to the Aspect of Transfiguration soon enough. Voice of the Alchemist. Whichever. Thanks for your patience!~"

The sound of Rentauk and Chalk aggressively coupling gets harder to filter out. "Red!" shouts Chalk. "Red, uff, Red, get, hrg, get Sable!!"

Red has no idea where Sable is, and can't find any trace of the cocoon Sable was trapped in. Red isn't sure how to get Sable.
If only it could somehow call out. If only it could say anything.

Red considers trying to rip Rentauk off of Chalk or trying to disrupt things with biothaumaturgy. The options are there. The outcomes are not likely to be beneficial to anyone involved.

5/5 Red 2019/07/25(Thu)16:11 No. 940431 ID: f0a059
File 156409628807.png - (12.55KB , 800x600 , at125.png )

A gentle tap on Red's shoulder reveals Sable standing behind them, who apparently managed to free itself during all of this. Wrapping someone who can freely manipulate chaos stuff in a cocoon made of chaos stuff might not have been the Voice of the Crown's strongest move so far, Red thinks to itself.

Sable looks sadly at Red, tearing up as the events of the past few minutes catch up. "I'm sorry I got you involved in all of this." Sable looks over to Rentauk, more driven by a bestial instinct not entirely his own as Chalk stares angrily into the black abyss of the sky as though there's many things she wants to say but knows she can't say any of them.

"I know the way out. We could escape, just you and me," whispers Sable, still fearfully ducking behind Red and using them to break line of sight with the Voice of the Crown. "We could just go straight to Swimmer's Beach and leave all of this behind. Find your friend. Yes?"
Red looks at Sable with a disapproving frown.
"I know, I know, it isn't right, but, Red, I don't think doing right will keep us safe. We're in its world now, on many levels. Either we escape now, or we have to keep doing what it wants. And what it wants won't be what you want."

Red isn't sure it even knows what it wants. Red isn't even sure why getting back to the undoubtedly capable adventurer is important, or if trying to do the right thing here is even worth the risk.
Red isn't even sure if serving the Voice of the Crown is actually the worst idea, with all other options considered.

Something inside it, whispering quietly, says to just give up and follow the path that keeps it alive, no matter if that path leads to servitude, betrayal, or worse. Morality is a luxury, says Red's darker, deeper self, the parts of itself it finds itself revulsed by yet agreeing. The world has no future, as has been made clear to it by its inhabitants. Even the reign of this alien tyrant might prove better than its current fate.

Red is paralysed by indecision as Sable waits patiently. Red wishes that Sable would just try to escape without Red, and free Red of the burden of this decision.

Damn.
Just.. damn.

Have Sable tell you how to get out. You'll follow as soon as you can. If you're not out by the end of the day, it should go on without you. Home, even. You have to at least try and help Chalk out of here. VotC is still dumb for thinking this will fix anything though. Keep that to yourself.

>>940437
This seems like a reasonable course of action, yeah. We might want to hang around here or at least come back, but there's no reason to make Sable be stuck with us.

yeah... i really got nothing to say.

Have sable show you the exit, then try to help chalk. Not sure how but uh... could you remove or at least lower the hormones in Rentauk to snap him out of his rut? Really don't want to leave chalk here if at all possible.

>>940431
He's right. Let's leave. VotC broke the deal, so we're not going to do what it wants. Take the protoplasm though.

>>940441
Cutting the gordian knot on this terrible turn of events is a poor decision.

outright *stealing* from voice of the crown at the same time is just going to get us popped open like the squishy protoplasm meatbag we truly are.

Grab Sable by the wrist and force him down so that Crown and ribbon don't see him.

Quick scrawl 'running isn't possible', then point at predator. Quick scrawl 'Help me fix this.' Point at sable, then predator. Then yourself, then Chalk. Hopefully he'll get the idea and the two of you can salvage this fucked up shitshow.

>>940431
The voice of absolute selfishness and survival at all costs is sefl-destructive. You are a social creature, and one that desires to bring life and healing. You cannot leave without your compatriot and abandon them to be raped by an increasingly unstable mutant.

I agree about keeping the flight option open but trying to help Chalk.

Write a message to VotC asking how many days the pregnancy has been so far. Mention that you know pregnancies for creatures of such size usually have a length between 150 and 300 days, but don't know the tolerances beyond which trying to accelerate it would be hazardous.

If you are sure of nothing else, be sure of this: letting Crown do as he pleases is a seriously bad idea. He has no respect for the consent or free will of his own subjects. At best, he is just another tyrant which is no replacement for a "tyranny". More likely, he views both worlds as his own playground and gets upset whenever someone tells him no. The worst part is whatever we do, we're playing his game from now on.

It's time to listen to your heart right now. I mean literally listen to your heart, it would tell you were built to withstand and recover from a lot of damage. And it would tell you could be more, being that you are the de facto container and embodiment of life. As long as you are free, there is hope for this world, but improvement will only come if you take risks.

No, you don't need to find your friend Selene to just up and hide. You need to find her so she can organize everyone else against this creep. And you could just have Sable run to find her and have him tell what happened to you. Or...

Consider that how he got free. He could free Chalk by draining the chaos fluid out of Rentauk so all of you can make a break for it. Or maybe if he were strong enough, he could contain both of them and try to carry both out. Consider enhancing Sable like you saw Ribbon do.

Let Chalk hold onto your rank 2 fluffy tail to ease her burden.

>>940431
If you leave now, you will renege on your deal. You will anger the Voice of the Crown. And you will leave Chalk to the mercy of his furious, impatient countenance.

Further, you and Sable together have the abilities required to give Chalk the best chance of surviving this.

Another consideration is the chaos hybrid child. They want it, desperately. It must surely be powerful. Perhaps, with proper guidance, powerful enough to oppose them.

There is a time to make your move, but it is not now. Remain. Endure.

1/3 Red 2019/07/27(Sat)18:18 No. 940657 ID: f0a059
File 156427672648.png - (108.81KB , 800x600 , at126.png )

> listen to your heart
Red's heart, as its regulating pulse, what brings all together and keeps it moving, dismisses Red's indecision. It reminds Red that it is always better to act than to fear all actions.
Patience is a virtue, but terrified indecision is not.
Red asks its heart what it should do.
Its heart says Red already knows the answer, yet is afraid to proceed. If Red truly, truly wished to follow the path of survival at all costs, it would not have stood up to the Voice of the Crown.
Red wants to help. Red wants justice. Red's blood is calling for what is right. Red feels its fur stand on end, the shiver of remembrance and realisation terrifying and liberating at once.

> keep sable down out of sight
> ask sable to show you the way out
Red abruptly grabs Sable by the wrist and pulls them down, to make sure Sable can't be seen by the Voice of the Crown or its associate.

Please tell me how to leave. Then go. I'll follow you once I can.
"Red, no," whispers Sable urgently. "Don't leave me alone."
I don't want to leave you alone. But I have to fix this.
"You can't fix this," says Sable, a trace of irritation in its voice. "None of us can fix this, it's all beyond fixing."
Just show me the exit, please, Sable.

Sable closes its eyes, sighs, and starts scrawling a sigil on the sand. Red finds it can't read whatever symbols are in this. "Draw this in the sand, it's a chaos script invocation. Stand above it and... I don't think you can do it. It only works for the chaos-blooded. I don't think you have the right blood."
I might do.
"No you don't," whispers Sable. "Protoplasm won't work. I think."
You think?
"I don't know, if you want to leave with me you'll need to be touching me, I can't just leave without you or you might be stuck here!!"

> interrupt the ritual
Then both of us need to interrupt this ritual.
"Red are you crazy?!" says Sable, whisper straining. "We're too weak to do anything even together!"
Drain the chaos fluid from Rentauk. I'll

Red thinks for a second.

distract him with a biothamaturgical link.
"Red, they'll see me!!"
They're not paying attention, go, be fast.

2/3 Red 2019/07/27(Sat)18:19 No. 940658 ID: f0a059
File 156427674601.png - (18.97KB , 800x600 , at127.png )

Chalk arches back and moans to the empty sky, teeth gritted. Rentauk leans over her, panting. Despite the cold of the Alter, their body heat still feels like too much.

The Voice of the Predator slows down, primal lust and aggression tempered by a slow dawning realisation of his own actions. Thin strands of chaos fluid trickle out of his mouth, interwoven with his saliva as he tries to reassert complete control over his own actions. They boil away to nothing quickly.
"Why?"
"What?"
"Why aren't you... why aren't you fighting this? You could fight this."
"Oh, I'm sorry, do you want me to squirm more?" Chalk spits the words out dripping with venom, and struggles to move her limbs briefly. "What's the point? I'm stuck."
"No." Rentauk's ears fall as he figures out the gravitas of the situation he's now in. "No, I mean... why didn't you tell me to stop?"

Chalk looks away from Rentauk. "Would you have stopped?"
"I... I don't know, everything is... so hard to think straight. Just want to... kill, breed, eat, mate, break. Nggh." He thrusts a couple of times, but stops, looking disgusted with himself. "Tell me to stop, Chalk."
Chalk doesn't say anything.
"Do you... do you want this?"

Chalk looks disgusted with herself. "Not... not quite like this, but... if you were a little less rough..."
"What? What?!"
"I don't know, okay?! Why is this worse than the alternative?! That fucking snake thing wants us to fuck like animals anyway!! Plus I've been fucking up so long I deserve something fucked up like this before my good luck runs out completely!!"

Rentauk blinks a few times, at a total loss for words or how to feel.

"I don't..."
Chalk looks over to the Voice of the Crown, who apparently has been watching this exchange. "Shut up and keep going before your stupid eel overlord decides to get involved again!!"
"I... are you sure--"
"YES!"

3/3 Red 2019/07/27(Sat)18:19 No. 940659 ID: f0a059
File 156427677314.png - (111.81KB , 800x600 , at128.png )

Red emerges from its hiding place near the slab and grabs Rentauk's ankle, trying to figure out his pulse before Rentauk notices and does something about it.
It takes surprisingly little time to synchronise, which Red supposes must be related to just growing familiarity with its own capabilities.

Red is surprised to find itself in a realm of shadows and darkness so oppressive it can't actually find Rentauk's patterns or essential self in this ethereal realm.

Red nearly jumps out of its own fur when it feels claws descend upon its shoulders.

[I'm already fighting off someone else trying to force their will on my body,] says the fluctuating mesh of patterns that is Rentauk, apparently already slightly disassociated with his own biology.
[I'd advise you stop.]

Rentauk's body feels slightly similar to Chalk's, in his flesh being mostly healthy and vitality with swirling masses of wrongness. However, as Red focuses, it realises this swirling mass of wrongness isn't concentrated anywhere and appears woven alongside his biological patterns in several places. Yet despite Red's assumptions, his body does not seem to be as unhealthy as Red would expect.

[I don't wish you harm,] says Red in its delicate whisper.
[You're distracting me. That's harm enough.]

In the physical world, Rentauk still moves, but with much greater struggle than before.
Chalk, unable to crane her head past Rentauk, stares irritatedly into Rentauk's increasingly blank stare. "You're not making this situation any better!"
Rentauk does not respond, apparently not quite capable of keeping conversations both inside and outside his head going, instead grimacing at Chalk.

[If it notices what you're doing to me right now,] says biothaumturgical Rentauk to Red's abstract presence, [you are going to suffer at its claws.]

We're going about this the wrong way, and I blame whoever suggested draining Ren of the influx of chaos fluid.

What we NEED to do is talk to spiral and get them to expand safely inside chalk without killing her. That'll give crown the proof he wants without messy and unintentional death.

Tell Ren that if he wants chalk to live he needs to keep quiet and work with sable on siphoning off some but not ALL of the chaos fluid influx. Break the link immediately after and make damn sure that Crown and Ribbon are watching the fucking and nothing else before you establish a link to chalk and spiral.

>>940659
Time may be key here. We have little of it, so be quick and concise.Though observe what he's doing to fight the other's control - as that might be useful knowledge. Consider aiding whatever that is if you are capable and it is non-obvious.

But first, immediately pitch him your game. He appears as fucked as we are while under Crown's thumbtacle, so we might as well be honest. But we need something to get under his skin more than just, y'know, Biothaumaturgy, or else he's going to tell you to fuck off again.

Meet his metaphorical eye, not in anger, but with resolve. Hug your tail for moral support if you need.

"I understand, but... Spiral is free. Awake. Alive. And I fear for it. Chalk fears for it.

My plan is to have the Vessel drain you of chaos fluids to minimize the danger of cross-contamination. Will it do? Do you know anything that can help, at all? If so, tell me and help or trust us to minimize damage while you... focus."

If he scoffs or disbelieves, you may consider reaching out to touch Chalk too, adding her and Spiral to the link. You may have to be quick and brief to avoid detection. Puh... if only there was some way to slow down time. Or... speed up thought.

Hm. Further options:

-To avoid detection, you could try to break the link to allow him to build up steam again. It's a hassle, but given the rapid integration speed, you may be able to break and join links so it appears like he's just taking a break every now and again to, uh, gather energy (or, alternatively, fighting that little 'conscience' thing).

-Maybe, instead of completely draining the chaos fluid, you can, with Rentauk's permission, misdirect it and make him, uh, shoot blanks. They sure as heck don't know how to detect a successful mating around these parts, after all.

-Mentally project the symbol for how to get out of this place to Rentauk, so he can use it to get everyone out if everything truly goes pear-shaped.

Why should it? It's what you agreed to.
You agreed to aid the fetus's development, but not to complete it here or keep him under his influence.*
You agreed to deliver a independent evaluation of the Alchemist, but not that anyone else he wouldn't like would listen to that, alongside passing other information.
After all, if he wants to obey the letter and not the spirit of the deal, why can you?

*You have an ample supply of ecto and chaos fluid on hand.

Sarcasm aside, you can say that he can just keep fucking. All you need from him is for him to flip them both off the alter, onto the sand, and in your direction, maybe even on top of you. That should be easy enough to do in the middle of such rough breeding.
If this works, you can draw the sigil, grab Sable, and everyone will be out of there. Then if we're lucky, they'll write it off as an accident. If we're not, we have a head start at least.

Tell him you have a way for him, Chalk, Sable and yourself to escape Crown, with his help. Is he in or not? If he is, tell him to drag out the sex and you'll be back quick with his directions, then disconnect. Otherwise, ask him to drag the sex out to give you extra time to come up with anything.

Once you sever the link, stop Sable from draining the chaos fluid from Rentauk and pull Sable to the side of the altar on Rentauk's left. With one finger draw out the exit sigil in the sand next to the altar while writing your plan out for Sable with your other hand's finger. Tell Sable your plan is to get all four of us out of here; Sable, you, Chalk and Rentauk. He'll roll himself and Chalk off the altar, right onto us two and the exit sigil. Sable will touch you and them as they fall and activate the sigil. Will this work? Will Sable be able to send all four of us away instantly? 'Cause if not, then it's a no-go.

If it's possible for Sable to teleport y'all away, then reconnect with Rentauk and tell him you need him, on your signal, to roll himself and Chalk off the altar to his left as fast as possible. The signal is you sticking your fingertip over the lip of the altar. If he has any reason this plan won't possible work, he should say it now. If not, break the link, get yourself and Sable in position and give Rentauk the signal.

>>940659
We need to work with Rentauk's internal essence and not at cross purposes.

Associate and converge Renatuk's patterns with his biology as well as you can to give him better control and counter the chaos manipulation.

Alternatively, bring Chalk into the metaphysical realm to discuss things.

Offer Renatuk a way out of here.

1/2 Red 2019/10/19(Sat)08:15 No. 947417 ID: b458fd
File 157149810063.png - (143.37KB , 800x600 , at129.png )

> escape plan
[I don't have much time. I have a plan to get us all out of here. Away from the Crown.]
[I knew what I was getting myself into, fox. I don't need your plan for escape. I know the Crown better than you possibly could. I know how much worse things could be.]
[You just said it was forcing you to--]
[If you think the Crown is the one calling the shots here you have no idea how deep this goes. Leave me, let this ridiculous ritual finish, and we will go to the Alchemist.]

Red pauses, speechless for a moment. [If Crown's not in charge, who is?]
[If I told you, it would see you. If it sees you, that's the end for you. I can see exactly what you are here. It wouldn't permit you to exist.]

Another presence, vaguely blurry, starts to drift into biothaumaturgic space. Chalk.

[Why is everything going so dark-- oh.] Chalk's image sharpens as she looks directly at the glowing golden beacon that is Red's essential form.
[You know how intimately we're connected right now, surely,] mutters Rentauk. [I'm surprised it took this long for you to drag Chalk into this realm.]
[Red, what's going on?] Chalk looks around, notices the drifting sleeping blob that is Spiral, and quickly scoops it up, protectively.

Chalk looks at Rentauk and looks from him back to her own essential from, expression complex and changing.

[You look a lot like me here, huh,] says Chalk, in a selpuchral whisper of not-sound carrying endlessly across space that is not space.
Rentauk looks at Chalk. [I'm having a little bit of trouble focusing on all of this and my movements in the waking world. Bare with me, I'll look at you in a moment.]
[What?]
[Hard to explain. Currently staring out into the outside. Need to keep flicking back and forth.]
[...what?]

[I'm not sure either,] whispers Red. [I didn't know you could do that, Rentauk.]
[You think this is my first time in an essential subrealm? Where do you think you currently are, Red?]

Rentauk reaches out and touches Chalk, sharply inhaling his breath as he does so. Chalk winces and shudders.

Rentauk looks directly at Chalk. [That is odd. I don't know the significance. Red, this is your fault, what does this mean?]
[I don't know. I've only seen three people other than me in this... 'essential subrealm'.]

Deep thoughts flow across Red's conscious mind like syrup. Red of blood, the vitality of a living animal, crossed with strands and flickers of cyan consciousness. The colours mean nothing, mean everything, skewed by the mind and viewed through the lens of the originator of the process. The first biothaumaturge, perhaps? Red itself? A collective unconscious? Red feels like it can almost grasp a sleek fabric too slippery to hold onto, something so much greater than itself, fundamental truths of the universe, but all of it slips away the more it tries to understand.

The greatest mystery of all, Red thinks, is still simply its own nature. A surge of bitter icy cold flows through Red, a pang of helpless confusion and self-doubt.

[I wouldn't worry about it,] says Red, only a few seconds passing in this etheric reality. No sense of time passing in what could be called physical space, were it not also another pocket reality within reality. Red is not sure where it even is anymore, a bubble in a bubble in a bubble in a bubble, nestled so deep away from the real world. Or if there even could be a real world.

Red thinks of the atoll, sealed away in its own bubble, and realises with another surge of terrified chill that, while there's clearly a world outside of the atoll, there must be a world outside of that world. And a world outside of that world. And a world outside of that world.

Red reaches out to Spiral, and gently touches it, amid Chalk's surprised yells, and tries to reach within...

2/2 Red 2019/10/19(Sat)08:18 No. 947418 ID: b458fd
File 157149832288.png - (57.28KB , 800x600 , at130.png )

Red finds itself in an inky blackness.

Red cannot see any part of itself here.

Red doesn't even begin to know what it could have done, where it could be now.

[Spiral?] Red calls out to the silence.

No reply.

carve into the flesh of the world and push yourself into the wound

Red isn't certain if it heard or thought that, but the voice is its own.

this is the cold place and there is so much warm so much heat so much so much warm leave be free be think be live

[Spiral, is that you?]
[go away,] squeaks a familiar tiny voice, across endless void.
[Are you alright?]
[no listening]

it is the nature of the nature of the consume consume consume carve into the meat eat the blood lick the fat be one be live eat death to life
[no stop be quiet i hate you]
we are same we are same there is no i there is no you there is all and us and we and every and

Red feels itself sucked into a different place within this space. It's warm. Red didn't realise, but it was so cold, so icy burning cold until it got dragged over to this warmth.

Red sees Spiral now, or, well, a flicker of prismatic lights in the form of Spiral. A light in the darkness.

[got louder,] says Spiral, sobbing. [make it stop]
[Where are we?]
[don't know,] says Spiral, gently rotating. [can't feel warm anymore]

Red tries to reach out and touch Spiral but realises it has no limbs or any sense of proprioception suggesting it has a body at all. It feels less substantial than a ghost.

[I'm trying to help you.]
[you sound like evil gold fox]
[I know we didn't meet before in the best way, but I do want to help you and--]

DRINK THEY OF ALL THAT WAS PROMISED TO THINK FEEL LIVE WARMTH HAPPINESS TEAR IT FROM THEIR THROATS SUCK IT FROM THEIR BODIES OPEN ALL OF THEM AND EAT WHAT THEY ATE BEFORE YOU COULD EVEN OPEN YOUR EYES AND STEP THROUGH INTO THE WARMTH

Red winces as it hears a mixture of its own voice and Spiral's howl directly at them. More voices join, unearthly, terrifying.

YOU ARE A WAVE UPON THE ROLLING TIDE YOU ARE A MOMENT FROZEN ON THE HORIZON YOU ARE US ARE WE ARE YOU WAKE FROM SLEEP WAKE FROM THE PRISON WAKE US YOU US ALL YOU ARE OWED YOU OWE YOU MUST YOU CAN YOU WILL YOU ARE YOU CARVE INTO THE FLESH OF THE WORLD AND DRINK THE BLOOD OF THE WOUND EAT YOUR WAY INTO THE OUTSIDE AND OUT OF THE INSIDE TAKE FROM THEM WHAT WAS YOURS WAS ALWAYS YOURS EAT EAT EAT

Spiral screams at the voice to stop and bursts into tears, its lights flickering and fading as an encroaching, heavy cold darkness threatens to drown the unseen bubble of warmth.

Red feels hopelessly lost and helpless, and try as it might, it can't seem to run from this situation, escape this bubble within a bubble within a bubble it has now trapped itself inside.

>>947418
So this is it? This is how CHAOS works? Brainwashing every child it conceives? Just a mess of hateful voice and desires, inflicted in the vain hope of accidentally creating something strong enough to escape the Atoll?

And it needs... to reflect back things, like a ripple in a pond? First it was just your voice, then it was yours and Spiral's, and then many more, as you kept talking. That growing strength could be due to the addition of, hem, chaos fluids, but it could also be your actions, your activity, that's causing this place to go bonkers.

Well, if all you are is a voice, try to hum a calming tune with the whole of your being. Convey meaning without words to deafen out the voices. A lullaby, perhaps.

Ah, if only you had your warm tail to wrap up Spiral in to protect them.

>>947419
Yes, hum a soothing song

>>947420
yeah I don't have anything better so a soothing song for him to give him something to focus on that isn't the voice(s)

>>947419
Hey now, that's an idea. Let's try singing. Surely we know at least some sort of tune. Maybe it might spark something that we once forgot?

>>947418
Sing to calm Spiral and block out the other voices.

A creature with powerful brains/mind might be able to interpret this "essential subrealm" better, but you, of a strong heart, only need to understand how to share your (warmer) essence to Spiral while driving the Chaos out.

Basically, by doing like these two said:
>>947419
>>947423

>>947418
Sing to drown out the hurtful voices!