>>1088770
"Captain Balzhemund lent his slave to me as a favor, after his experimental Gormoamhi cyborgs went rampant and tried to kill me. Said he'd pick her up in 50 years. And yes, I know Balzhemund's a human. Or at least, he was.
Guy's a @#$%ing maniac. Did you know he sleep-experimented on himself to replace his jaw? Point is, I fully intend to process Anders' complete defection to the Rezan Empire to keep her the @#$% away from him."

Baron 2024/07/11(Thu)19:48 No. 1094147 ID: 855371
File 172075250998.png - (888.78KB , 2073x2004 , 164.png )

Oh that's a good idea. Formal enslavement of a foreign citizen is a huge diplomatic and bureucratic hassle, and nobody wants to get trapped in that! But just to make sure...
"Captain Balzhemund lent his slave to me as a favor, after his experimental freaks went rampant and tried to kill me. Said he'd pick her up in 50 years."

"Sergei?! What are you-"

"Shh! I'm saving you from a prison cell, let me talk and play along. Yes, before you ask, that's a hegemony name, we are all survivors of the island. And between you and me I think those fellows across the wasteland are getting crazier. Did you know he sleep-experimented on himself to replace his jaw?"

"Really?"

"Not the point. Point is Anders is my property now and thus a defector to the empire. I am going to process her integration. She's already completed her paperwork, but the process was only halfway through before we had to flee right?"

"Hmmm? Uh. Y-yes? Yes I already filled out my-"

"Forty five twenty three"

"-Forty five twenty three! I worked on that for days too!"

"So here's where we can go. Either you take her off my hands and repeat the entire process, with a forty five-seven Variant six, which means you'll be on call at the Office of Registrars for the next two weeks and you had better have your own paperwork on hand, or..."

"Move along."

And just like that Anders is 'mine'. I take her by the arm as we walk off.

"Now hold on, you don't own me."

"And forty five seven is an application for a hunting license. I suggest we leave before he figures either of those things out."

"And just how are we going to do that?"

Jenwin coughs to get our attention "Um if you don't mind carrying me along for a while longer..."

Baron 2024/08/02(Fri)16:05 No. 1095217 ID: 7a1a17
File 172263995298.png - (1.32MB , 2682x3241 , 165.png )

"You're still here?"

"Let him talk Vidi..."

"Sergei. I know you have every reason to be upset with me. And I understand why, but your mother and I were more than just work mates. We were friends. I dare say even family. I raised you when she was busy, don't you remember?"

"What does this-"

"What I'm saying is I want to help. You may still be a de facto governor. But that title means nothing without the money a real governor would have to throw around. I can help you get out of the city. I can help you and your uh "property" get out of the Empire before the authorities learn about what happened. And I can get you-all of you- out today."

"That's all good Jenwin, but I need to find my mother. I can't just 'get out'"

"That's the good part Sergei. These methods can also get you to the Sirassates."

"Okay, now I'm listening."

"Well there are two ways. One is with the Avars. They're perhaps the only people who have an established line that can navigate the Wastes and reach their destination with very high certainty."

"Very...high."

"Nothing in the Wastes is a guarantee. But if you need to get to the sirassates quickly, that would be your best choice."

"I always wanted to ride one of those big bird trains. But daddy only ever let me ride in a trunk."

I'm not even going to try to figure that one out.

Baron 2024/08/02(Fri)16:06 No. 1095218 ID: 7a1a17
File 172263996164.png - (959.49KB , 1200x1476 , 166.png )

"...what's the other option?"

"You know those air trawlers?"

"The ones that nobles use for their vacations and hunting trips?"

"They also do trips down to Empire-friendly sirassates. They skirt around the wastes to avoid the worst of it. It will however take longer. I do not know for sure how your mother is being taken, but those are likely your best options."


>Take the Avar line
"I WANT TO RIDE THE BIRD TRAIN!"
>Take the bird train
>Take the airships

Vidian, we'll ride the birb train if you promise not to kill any of the birbs while you're riding the birb train.
And yes, that includes one hour before and after the birb train ride.

Bird train seems good.

Suggestion 2024/09/15(Sun)23:02 No. 1097466 ID: 855371
File 172646654023.png - (490.47KB , 1000x1000 , 167.png )

Alright, bird train it is. Still impressive to see them. I hear about them, and I see them in posters, but to see one up close is always a sight to behold. They're more like moving fortresses. How those little avars managed to construct stuff like this I'll never figure out.

"How are the bird trains this big?! There were never this big where I came from?"

"Probably because those were local lines. The ones used for traveling the wastes are pretty big so they can just crash through anything that gets in the way"

"Now remember the Avars run the train. No attacking them-"

"-no eating I know I know!"

She's really excited about getting onto the train. None of the usual threats of violence or scaring away smaller creatures.

Suggestion 2024/09/15(Sun)23:04 No. 1097467 ID: 855371
File 172646666593.png - (798.94KB , 2285x1200 , 168.png )

Jenwin got us aboard real quickly. I keep forgetting just how deep the guildmaster's pockets are. Usually to get aboard you need to book months in advance, as an on-site pass costs you an arm and a leg. Wait.

"So this will get us directly to the Sirassates Jenwin?"

"Well barring the few stops to take on supplies and unexpected detours, yes."

"And just how many detours on average have you experienced?"

"At least one or two per trip. Remember the wastes can be treacherous even to the prepared. It should only add an extra day for every stop though."

"Day? How long do these trips take?!"

"Sergei, don't you remember how far the Sirassate is?"

Jenwin looks back at me when I don't answer.

"Sergei..." Oh gods the disappointment tone. Even now after everything, hearing that tone leaves me with a pit in my gut. "Your mother paid so much on your schooling. What were you doing in your geography classes?"

"Uh...helping a friend?"

Helping them skip class to go gambling

>It seems I can finally relax for a while.

>>Stay with Jenwin and ask about mother
>>Find Vidian and make sure she hasn't eaten anything or anyone
>>Find Bellany and see how she's adjusting

>Geography
Those suck. They force you to memorize the twisted shape of foreign countries so you forget to ask questions about the people living in it or how badly your empire is screwing those people over.

>Talk to
Vidian needs constant supervision. Can you transfer us to someone else so we can multitask?

Keep an eye on Vidian. Not necessarily too close, but in the same coach and within shouting range.

Baron 2024/09/30(Mon)16:50 No. 1098057 ID: 7a1a17
File 172774020688.png - (584.88KB , 1400x1200 , 169.png )

Agreed. I don't really like learning about geography. Especially the Hegemony. Feels like those borders change every week, and I have to memorize the new ones, it's such a pain! And then there's the Wastes, and that's just impossible-literally impossible-to figure out.

Oh right Vidian. You sure I can't check on Bellany or spend some time figuring out what she and,you know, you guys did to Nunnette, or...yeah Vidian is probably doing something unspeakable and I'll have to stop her. I left the orb-you guys- with Nunnette. You can talk to her directly about what you did and maybe figure out how to undo it. After asking around if people saw someone who looked like me but scarier, they pointed me to a maintenance tunnel the birdfolk use. Oh gods I hope she isn't eating them, we need them to run the train!

"Vidi? Are you in there?"

"Hiss-sish, tick tick, click clack click clack, hiss-sish, tick tick, click clack click clack."

"Vidi, you aren't eating anyone are you?"

"Last time I was on a train I had to hide in a trunk. When I was riding with the army on their boats, I had to hide in a box. I could hear the music of the machines, but it was so dull and quiet in my hiding place."

"Music?"

"Don't you hear it?"

She's pointing to the pistons and pipes that line the walls.

"Everything is so ordered and straight here. All I ever get to see are dull walls or rock and sand, or meaty pits. Lines of metal and steam are so different, and they make music. You lived with this stuff little shit, how don't you even hear it?"

"So wait. Are you telling me you like engineering?"

"Is that what it's called when you make metal sing?"

"No, that's when you build machines. I guess when you make the machine work correctly it makes music."

"Then I guess I'm an engineering."

"That's not-nevermind."

"Hiss-sish, tick tick, click clack click clack, hiss-sish, tick tick, click clack click clack."

She seems...fine?

Oh gods, she's one of those "hit it with a wrench" engineers, except all her skill points are in bio-modification.
Her shapeshifting gives her extremely precise perception, so she can hear the exact noises that mechanical devices make. That means she could point out problems in machines before anyone else can.
I wonder how she'd do when working with non-compliant mechanisms.

So... I guess you should spend some time teaching Vidian all the stuff Empire engineers do for their country. We'll swap to Nunnette.

multi-classsiinnggg

Baron 2024/10/13(Sun)13:22 No. 1098585 ID: 7a1a17
File 172885095647.png - (1.01MB , 1000x1000 , 170.png )

Wait I don't know the first thing about engineering! Don't leave me wi

"I can safely say I never saw my career going in this direction."

"Desertion, aiding ze enemy, dishonorable discharge complete with a first class ride to ze pits of 'ell?"

"I was thinking more about the ride. Never in my life would I have been able to afford something like this on my salary."

"Hot! Hot! Too hot!"

"So that's ze price for defection eh? Hot bath and a train ticket..."

The bathrobe is comfy though...you're listening to me aren't you?

Now we are.
Also yes, this is the price for defection, though consider the fact that's the lightest thing to get you here. Most folk on this train are sure to have done way worse to get this kind of money.

Well, either way, I have a feeling defection is gonna end up being the least of your worries.
At least if this train is as good as they say and we don't have too many detours we'll arrive before our quarry and won't have to chase them down.
If it does take too long... Well, we might be able to do something, if we can (maybe?) stop time, we can probably speed up a train. Though the avians might be pissed when their train takes ten years of wear in an hour...

There's an important concept called criminal intent; your actions are not only the sum of the movements and decisions you performed, but the motivations behind them. Under a system of law that judges criminal intent, why you did something matters as much as what you did. Without this principle, true criminals could Karve up a victim and indirectly force them to perform murders in public, and then the victim would always be on trial because their hands performed the murder, while the one who orchestrated the attack could only be charged with illegal enslavement.
Of course, the reason most criminals can't just claim they went insane when they did crimes is because you'd have to find evidence proving that they had good intentions; innocent until proven guilty, but suspicious until proven well-intentioned.
In your case? You're trying to remove a cancer that has frequently subverted the coalition rule of the Hegemony, started unnecessary wars, and performed crimes against sapience. Your defection is an unfortunate side-effect of surviving their wrath. I'd say any jury that knew the full facts would be obligated to issue you a full acquittal with honors. All that remains is collecting a portfolio of evidence to vindicate your actions.
...
Also we'd like to see you kiss Anders.

Baron 2024/10/27(Sun)23:23 No. 1099120 ID: 855371
File 173009659963.png - (651.97KB , 1000x1000 , 171.png )

Oh I do not doubt this train is full of malcontents and other ne'er-do-wells with more money than sense. I'm just thinking how easy it is for Anders and Bellany to desert. Granted they had little say in matter. It's just. I'm not sure, musing, perhaps I am trying to distract from my own betrayal. There is such a stigma on my kind in the hegemony. That we would betray them for our own race at the drop of a hat. I spent my entire career trying to prove that isn't true. And yet look at where I am now.

I am aware of intent. I am aware that circumstances were beyond my control, but the paper shufflers and the power play toadies aren't going to see it that way. They have their agendas. I'll be lucky if my citizenship is stripped for this. If I'm not, my family...best not to think of it. It will distract me. You are correct that it is the least of my worries, and certainly something that will only dull my senses. This may be a luxury line, but that doesn't change that I am still in a den of vipers running through land both the Empire and Hegemony consider the most dangerous place on the planet.

My primary concern is what Sergei and his sister have done to me. I still feel...pulled. Like I need to be near him in case he is in danger. I want to say I don't like it. But I admit with the way my life is going, its usefulness may outweigh my desire to be rid of it. Still I want that option at least, so if you have a way...


"Where is...the dryer...?"

"I told you, use a towel, you're dripping water everywhere!"

How is kissing Anders or Bellany supposed to help?

It isn't. We just are a randy set of advice givers. We give good advice, bad advice, and horny advice, inclusive.

Well, we could try to sever it, though to be honest the way it happened in the first place is still uncertain. We'd at least have to be physically present- since you're not Sergei -but it should be as simple as willing it. Well, if that doesn't work it might be something that has to be done in the Space Between instead. Simply put, it's a big maybe. Worst case scenario we command you to "be yourself" or something and it lessens the effect. Though, that may just make the urge to be near Sergei stronger. Like I said, still vague, who said it even has that effect?

>>1099122
Clarification: Kissing Anders counts as all 3.
Also, they should look into fashion, I think their unique fur pattern would lend itself well to dressing up. Ah, not Rezan fashion though, as much as I've grown fond of it, the colors wouldn't suit them.

Baron 2024/11/14(Thu)16:22 No. 1099789 ID: 855371
File 173163017007.png - (746.31KB , 1280x1024 , 172.png )

Compulsion on a level like this is something that I have not seen in Hegemony Domoniores, nor have I seen it in what Hegemony records have of Rezan Karving. A lo lo lo that sounds like such a headache. I suppose I should only attempt something when I am with Sergei and he is away from that ghastly sister of his.

"Bbbbrrrbrbrbr!"

"Oh stop being such a fussy fuzz Anders"

"You should listen to Bellany. A towel would save you so much trouble."

I will NOT kiss all 3. Anders is simply Anders and Bellany is Bellany. Besides, I already tried dating Anders. It did not work out. He is too much of a grumpy asshole when he's in a sour mood, and he's sour most times of the day. We cut things off amicably, and I prefer it stays that way. Kissing him will just give him bad ideas and he'll try his awkward flirting again. It is so pitiful and clumsy!

I will however listen to any ideas you have about fashion. When it comes to aesthetics, Anders is about as creative as a brick on a flat wall.

Wear socks with sandals
Wear slacks under bras
Wear t-shirts with holes cut to shreds by saws

Wear abnormal stuff. You want to attract the right kind of nobility and keep the wrong kind motivated to look away.

>>1099801

But all of these are fashion taboos! Are you sure going for breaking taboos immediately is the right idea?

They'd probably look good in a monochrome asymmetrical one piece dress.
Maybe a patterned outfit with a mix of light and dark shades. A toga would work well too.

Also you're right, this whole mind thing seems completely unlike what we've done before. Nothing about our abilities have ever had any subtle effect, especially on the mind, which is why I feel a good portion of what you're feeling is really you.
Trust me, when we exert our influence it's pretty obvious, you'll typically blank out for a while when following a command, as far as I'm aware it's the same thing we could do to those who hold us for long enough, but allows it at a distance, kind of like what happened with Sergei when we first met him. So it must be some quirk of his rather than ours.
Seriously though, the things we made Venian Makag do with that power...
Well, we're a bit more careful with it now of course, nobody wants a puppet emperor.
Ah, don't tell Sergei we forced Venian Makag to do kinkplay though, it'd hurt his national pride.

Baron 2024/11/18(Mon)15:56 No. 1100024 ID: 7a1a17
File 173197417897.png - (186.80KB , 965x1231 , 173.png )

"No..."

"Where did you even pull this stuff from?"

"You'd be surprised 'ow much luggage is left unattended."

"There are hobos riding this train? I feel like I'm back in Balzhemund's lab, fresh out of the tank."

"Well you want to attract ze right kind of attention guun?"

"In what world does this attract the 'right' kind of attention?"

"And what is your...right kind...another Balzhemund?"

"Ze kind zat will see a Manbuilt not associated wit ze 'Egemony or ze Empire?"

"Yes, a masterless Manbuilt."

"In the most lawless part of the world...where manbuilt are enslaved if people think...they can get away with it?"

"I'm starting to see your point..."

Oooh an excuse for a fashion show! How lovely!

>>1100024
Wear a combination layer of bras and chest wraps.
Chest wraps are fashionable among canines these days, but they can slip.

Belief 2024/11/19(Tue)09:15 No. 1100046 ID: 19973a
File 173203651049.png - (164.61KB , 965x1231 , AndersFashion.png )

I never was good at art but...
This and some dress shoes would go nice. The current outfit is atrocious.

Nalthar 2024/11/19(Tue)15:59 No. 1100083 ID: 6c233e
File 173206074537.png - (167.37KB , 965x1231 , anders.png )

Look vaguely important so as to not be messed with. A nice robe, fancy fur mantled cape. The sandals are fine as is.

Suggestion 2024/12/04(Wed)17:53 No. 1100767 ID: 7a1a17
File 173336359195.png - (417.82KB , 1280x1024 , 174.png )

"Where did you even find all this?"

"Ze passengers don't really care where ze luggage is after it is thrown into ze carriage, and none of ze locks were that difficult."

"This is...itchy..."

"I like it."

"You...would..."

Credit where it is due, Anders actually looks presentable for the first time in a long time. Does that make him kissable? Mmm not quite there yet. He still needs to work on that personality. He's still so dour after that rescue. You may not recognize it, but I've worked long enough with him to tell when he's in a bad mood and when it's even worse.

Enough of that. I feel like I should be doing something before the train departs.


>Imperial Service may have agents on board, look for tells in the passengers.
>Some Hegemony agents may be aboard. They could be a benefit or a threat. Try to figure out who they are
>Lie low until any pursuers move on, and just keep the few you can trust nearby. That includes Sergei's sister
>Other

You can combine all those by lurking in the lounge car. A nice private booth while sipping something strong and just watch who passes through.

>>1100767
I think you should look for other Hegemony agents. You can recognize them better than the other groups.

Also, great outfit pick, Bellany looks... large in it.

Whatever you do, it's important you don't try to draw attention, as much as I'm sure Bellany would like to show off.

>>1100772
That makes sense, the closest stuff they had was likely from a posturing highborn. I have a distinct feeling that it didn't really fit whoever once owned it nearly as well as Bellany and Anders. Seriously though, from my memory it fits them much better than their military outfit, though at least their old nightgown looked nice so they won't need to make any changes to their sleeping chic.

Also, I've noticed your getting used to Rezan fashion more. May just be me but you seem to carry yourself in the outfits a bit better. A portion of style is form, after all.

Baron 2024/12/10(Tue)12:34 No. 1101076 ID: 7a1a17
File 173386287067.png - (1.62MB , 1600x1200 , 175.png )

This was a good idea. A nice alcove in the lounge car before we set off. The lounge is the congregation point for most passengers, and some of the train crew. Just about everyone will come through here in the next couple hours for drinks or to socialize. And in this corner table in the wall, no one will bother looking at us while we get a good profile of everyone.

Most are non-threats. Travelers and tourists. Moguls and Mercenanaries, all the sorts you expect to move between warring powers. If they are agents, it is hard for me to tell. I won't claim to be the greatest expert on espionage, every nation has their own branch that tries their hardest to keep secrets from everyone else. If they are agents, they are probably on their own assignments since there's none of the usual tells, the glances, the shifty gazes, the dropping of cases and leaving them or picking up unnoticed bags when they think no one is looking.

Some are just trying too hard. Like the the Utaqi and his Ava attendent. They are trying to pass off as gun runners, but gun runners aren't so foolish to keep a ledger on them. The heraldry plate and medallion don't match. And their Rezan contact. His uniform is upside down. Service stripes go after accolades, and the specialty chain goes around the left arm, not worn like a chest piece. Oh amateurs. They are both Hegemony agents, but likely they aren't after me. You don't send the gun runner and his client out to hunt fugitives. you use that pair to find smugglers.

Unless they suspect me...? No. But maybe.

The Rezan-Gorm bodyguard. The one chatting up a potential client. She's an agent. I don't know for who. Could easily be Imperial or Hegemony, the Hybrid Bodyguard is a preferred role both sides use. They can be found everywhere so no one thinks twice when they see one. The Mayoko? Don't know. Unlikely an agent. Possibly the Rez-gorm's assistant. They like to use a pretty or exotic assistant to put their clients at ease.

The goblin is just a goblin.

And...oh no.

"Anders, keep your head down, there's a Touched on board."

"Where?!"

"Voice down! The one in pink, don't make eye contact!"

Not good. Touched should have a handler with them! Balzhemund had the whole damned command staff keeping him and his stooges in line! You keep them surrounded by soldiers or a locked room! Not on public transport! Anders is in danger if the Touched finds out he's an unclaimed Manbuilt!

>Stuff Anders under your table and use the cloak as a table cloth
>Make a distraction while Anders sneaks out
>Call the Bodyguard over to block the Touched's view of the alcove

Investigators are likely trained to keep searching when a distraction appears, and hiding someone under the table doesn't work well when it's the first place you kick.

Get Anders and Bellany to an area the Touched doesn't have jurisdiction to investigate. They might notice something, but the more bratty whining you can get out of them, the more red tape they'll get caught in.

Can you get the bodyguard's attention without getting the touched's? This has to be done subtly, no sudden movements.

Baron 2024/12/14(Sat)20:43 No. 1101261 ID: 7a1a17
File 173423781536.png - (669.95KB , 1024x1280 , 176.png )

Unfortunately I can't think of anyplace on the train Bellany can go that the Touched can't. And even then, the Touched are a wild card in the best of times. Left unsupervised they might just wander in anyway because the voices in their head told them to! Luckily she seems more focused on stuffing her face and hasn't yet noticed us.

I make eye contact with the hired gun and beckon her over. Lo lo lo she is big enough to block half out booth!

"Hello there." The voice is husky. Not quite what I expected. "Iagn Janeza Makag, you look better off than a goblin pencil pusher. I take you need a body that needs guarding?"

>Have Janeza escort Anders and Bellany out while the Touched is distracted.
>Invite Janeza to sit with us and have her keep Anders out of sight until the Touched leaves
>Other

>>1101261
Find a way to wingman her for Anders and Bellany. Sexual drama may distract the Touched.

>>1101269
Actually yeah, that could work. And if they then slip off somewhere to get physical, it won't look out of place.

Baron 2025/01/03(Fri)23:43 No. 1101946 ID: 7a1a17
File 173597662668.png - (530.88KB , 1000x1000 , 177.png )

You know if this was anyone else, I'd call you crazy. But given that this is a Rezan, this may work. They are such sex-driven people aren't they? I'm surprised how little Sergei tried to get into my pants.

"Oh not a job. It's just my friend 'ere Anderz? He is just...shy and has been admiring you from afar."

"He has?"

"He was?"

"I am?"

"Hmhmmm, you see? Even now he is so coy! Why don't you 'ave a seat, I'm sure you will get along swimingly!"

Janeza reaches out and drags a chair over, sitting herself at our table. Anders and Bellany are giving me looks. I gesture back with my eyes and tell them to 'play along'.

"Well you're the first manbuilt I've seen that looks proper built. Got a name pretty boys?"

"Uaaahhh...um..."

"Anders."

"Anders eh? Does that get confusing with there being two of you?"

"It is both headz. Two bodies, un mind."

"REALLLY?! Now I am interested~"

Ah lo lo lo I will never understand Rezans...

>Leave them be and find a way to get the Touched out of this car without seeing Anders
>Encourage Anders and get them to leave the car with a Rezan in tow. Should give him some immunity if the Touched is rational enough.
>Other

Encourage the lovebirds.

>>1101961
This is bound to blow up in our faces, but that's a problem for future us.
Yeah, encourage them.

Encouraging them is best. Even if the Touched wander around right now they can easily look over and potentially see them as you distract them.

You want to ensure that optimally they can avoid the sightline of it.

...Doit.

Baron 2025/01/26(Sun)22:13 No. 1102932 ID: 7a1a17
File 173795839268.png - (392.58KB , 939x889 , 178.png )

"Go on Anders! You two should get to know each ozzer more!" I get up and put myself between Anders and the dining table. Hopefully between me and Janeza, she won't see Anders. I may even be able to lure the Touched away-

"Hey! Hey you!"

"Och!?"

"Yeah you, the Rezan with a Soisson accent. Are you heading to the Sirassates?"

"Whu-zat depends. Why are you-"

"I was being courteous, something my minder told me to practice more. But you're being obtuse so I'll stop. You're going to the Sirassates." She says this as a statement. "Say yes."

"Ah...guun?"

"Guun. Now listen up, you're Rezan, I need a Rezan who can sniff out magic."

This is not a direction I was expecting the conversation to go. I expected the usual rudeness of the Touched, but even this sort of arrogance is too much! "Well I'm afraid I'm not a sniffing hound-"

"Don't you know your own kind? All Rezans can detect magic and shit. It's one of the things that makes it so hard for the Hegemony to ambush your patrols with proper war magic cause troops sniff it out before the trap is sprung."

"I...we do?"

We do? Just what can my Rezan blood do?!

"Yeah yeah now listen. One of my colleauges, a Matrin vel Kessler, he was working with something dangerous.", she leans in and whispers the last part, so close I can smell the fruit she's been pigging out on. "A doppleganger..."

Baron 2025/01/26(Sun)22:14 No. 1102933 ID: 7a1a17
File 173795847648.png - (248.46KB , 1280x1024 , 179.png )

"A doople-wha-"

"SILENCE!" she hisses. "A mimic! It can hide itself as anyone. You are a Rezan, you may be able to smell strange magic. You are new, so you cannot be compromised yet! I do not know where it is. But my colleague is missing, my minder is missing. I can only assume the doppleganger has killed them and I'm not sure how many others! You! I need you to help me.
Now. Do you smell anything strange?"

"Ah...yes?"

"Dammit! Then it's passed through here..."

Another unexpected complication. A lo lo lo why didn't we take the airship?

>Use this as a chance to get the Touched out of here and away from Anders
>This became far worse, call Anders and Janeza over
>Oh godshit...Sergei!

Go along with her. Best case: she's crazy and this will keep her distracted from Anders. Worst case: there is an actual mimic, and she's your best source of info to get out of this situation alive.

Looks like you are playing the role of the minder today. Because otherwise things will get so much worse much faster if they truly believe a mimic is here.. or worse still if there actually is a mimic. You'll need to get them away to start searching.

Go get Sergei. Go get Vidian. She has her own doppelganger tricks and can do complex magics to prove her identity while axing the imposter with them.

Baron 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104547 ID: 7a1a17
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Granted, Touched do sometimes talk about things that don't exist, or attach incorrect labels to things, but the typical strategy when working with them is assume they are correct until proven otherwise. Fewer people get eaten that way. I inform my new headache that I have other Rezan companions that may help.

"Well then go get them, why are you still standing here? Go get them, I will follow before the mimic can eat us all!"

See what I mean? I head back out to the passenger car.

"Sergei! Ser-oh lo lo lo, why iz a crowd forming 'ere?"

"Ah Nuunette, well Vidian was listening to a lecture on pipes and steam pressure, when she pointed out one sounded off, the engineer opened up a compartment and well..."

Baron 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104549 ID: 7a1a17
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The Touched pushes past me and into the maintenance tunnel.

"Mmmm yes, that's not Matrin. That's his minder. Looks like the mimic stuff him in here for later."

"Mimic? Oh, you mean a voraklat?"

"A vora-what?"

"Something from the Rezan homeland. They disguise who they are based on their last meal. Smarter ones are known to store corpses if they need to switch diguises."

Baron 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104551 ID: 7a1a17
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"Ah lo lo lo lolololooo! Sergei! Why does your homeland suck so much?!"