(2/4) OMNI 2025/01/26(Sun)19:12 No. 1102924 ID: f9c4b2
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"Have you never been here before?"

"Eh, well, one other time. I work in the kitchen but our usual guy's out sick."

You navigate to the elevator this time (now the delivery wolf of the delivery penguin) and when you stop on the 3rd floor, you know you're at the right place. Though the suspect's scent is very faint outside of the apartment, since Eiko's scent masks it as it wafts from her apartment door. Imperceptibly, your cheeks heat up as well.

The delivery pengu points to the wrong door, "Is that the one?"

For a moment, you wonder if they can read, and give them a pat before going straight to Eiko's apartment, 313. You take a deep breath before knocking.

The delivery pengu says something but you don't really process it, more concentrated on the door as you strain to hear her footsteps.. Your heart starting to beat in anticipation..

A click. The turn of the knob. Slowly, the door opens a few inches...

... You have no idea who you're looking at.

The person's eyes go downward first then up over your form in surprise, landing on the delivery pengu tucked under your arm, then back up to your face. You look back at her in confusion, the scent undeniable, but if this is.. Eiko's current form is so... small. Usually, she would tower almost more than a foot over you.

When you make eye contact, you can see her eyes are bloodshot, tired, nearly vacant-- only briefly shifting to a mixture of suspicion. In as subtly as you can manage, you take a sniff, her friendliness towards you tasting just as closed off as she appears, at 25%.

There's a slight creak to her voice, likely from dryness, her ears pulling backward, "..... Violet?"

The voice is unmistakable. Your mind briefly goes blank, not having expected her to remember your name either, ".. Hie-Hi! Hey, Eiko."

Mercifully, the delivery pengu cheers, "Eiko! Delivery for you, hatchaha!"

(3/4) OMNI 2025/01/26(Sun)19:16 No. 1102925 ID: f9c4b2
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When they start to wiggle, you move to set them down, your eyes still on Eiko as she turns her attention to them. They move to unzip their delivery bag, the smell of chinese food now tantalizingly filling the hallway.

"One chow mein! Two fried rice! One orange chicken! One broccoli beef! One honey walnut shrimp!"

Eiko watches them count off the food and slowly, she seems to relax, almost giggle, "Thanks, dude." By pure association, she opens up just a bit more towards you, her friendliness increasing from 25% to 35%. You mentally sigh in relief at your successful maneuver.

As the delivery pengu sets the food down, you politely move to pick it up while Eiko pays in cash. For a moment, you want to tell the delivery pengu to stay and help lighten the mood.

Alas, their job is done, and they give a salute before waddling off.

Eiko looks back at you and picks up the rest of the food, her gaze moving down to her food in your hands. Her tone this time is flat, "What do you want?"

You gesture sheepishly, about to say the cover story you thought of, but with the new knowledge you've learned you decide to keep it a little more vague, "I was in the area and I came by to check in.. and that's when I ran into that little guy."

Her eyes narrow, and you can already sense the sharper words building on her tongue.

(4/4) OMNI 2025/01/26(Sun)19:18 No. 1102926 ID: f9c4b2
File 173794792866.png - (46.14KB , 1000x700 , dh114.png )

Abruptly, a door opens. A smell akin to mold and 5-day-old piss hits you hard enough to make your eyes water. You try to cover your nose with your claw as the nausea hits you right after, the acrid smell burrowing into your senses. It's moments like these that having a good sense of smell suddenly bites you in the ass.

Eiko wrinkles her nose before covering it too, a flash of annoyance clear on her face before she opens the door wider for you to come in, "Fuck, that's my neighbor Yuri. Just come in before he starts trying to talk to us."

You nod quickly and practically bolt inside, the door shutting behind you a second later. You barely have time to process the apartment as Eiko snatches all the food from your hands and heads to the living room.

You still feel dizzy as you move to take your shoes off to leave at the entrance, but now that you can fully take in this form of Eiko's, you do so. She's so small... her wolf features more subdued. A towel hangs around her shoulders and there's a dampness to her hair. You wouldn't have expected Eiko to be the type of wolfkin that had a human form. It's much more rare in this area nowadays, unless you're being changed. You don't even have one.

So much smooth skin... You want to take a bite.

Eiko's back faces you as she asks, "How did you know where I live?"

>>1102926
(I'd noticed the description discrepancy, but wasn't sure what to say about it...)

>>1102926
Honesty makes a bit of sense here.
"Did I know where you live? No, I didn't. There's been some weirdness around here lately. Recognized your scene and it was...odd. Got curious so I followed it for a bit- then I realized it was looping on itself. Curiosity changed to concern. Well, sorta."

Mostly truth in a weird way but also not. I'm not even positive this is the best option, but it's what I have.

>>1102926
Hmm, 35% isn't great. If she's stronger than you, you're gonna have to build up to asking questions rather than come out with it and risk a confrontation.

Just tell her you just followed her scent. If she says she tried to hide it, then shrug and say you picked it up nearby so you must've bypassed her obfuscation by chance.
Ask about the guy who's been staying here. A boyfriend?

"Boss told me. He said something about you getting shot at. He ordered me to make sure you didn't lie about being okay. Not that he cares about your hopes and dreams, but we're the employees and we lose money if we try to work while sick.
We got like a week or two before Boss wants us back at work. So, you order takeout every day? I'll have a..."

"Well they don't call me bloodhound for nothing. Boss wanted me to check up on you, you know how he gets. But hey, you're not looking so hot. I heard the fight earlier went bad. Are you doing alright?"

(1/4) OMNI 2025/01/31(Fri)18:26 No. 1103125 ID: f9c4b2
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>Hmm, 35% isn't great. If she's stronger than you, you're gonna have to build up to asking questions rather than come out with it and risk a confrontation.

It is lower than you were expecting. Most people tend to be at 40% as a base, even among strangers. It looks like what Kenji and the others have said is.. about right in their characterization of her..

Gotta tread carefully... You don't know how much control she has over her form, while you may be able to rush and overwhelm her for a moment if needed, you aren't the best fighter around. You can do hand-to-hand and growl/bite pretty well, but you're not exactly hired muscle. Nor are you armed.

Hopefully, one awkward answer or question won't lead to immediate hostilities.

"Did I know where you live? No, I didn't. But they don't call me bloodhound for nothing," you try to punctuate your words with a bit of humor and well-placed concern, "The Boss wanted me to check up on you, you know how he gets. He said something about you getting shot at and things going bad."

Eiko's ears seem to twitch at the mention of the Boss, but she stays quiet and lets you continue.

You clear your throat and press on, "Anyway, you're not looking so hot. Are you doing alright?"

She doesn't face you, so you don't quite see her expression as she stands still with the food in her hands. Your senses are still off from the nauseating scent a second ago, but she looks tense, shoulders hunching in and tail flicking side to side. Eventually, she gives a dry laugh, a sharpness to her voice, "I'm hungry. You should go sit down."

Your body moves to obey quicker than you expect, just barely catching the scent of tea before you're already sitting on the couch that feels... Weirdly damp. The fuck happened here?

(2/4) OMNI 2025/01/31(Fri)18:28 No. 1103126 ID: f9c4b2
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Eiko moves to set the food down on the coffee table, tone more conversational, "So you followed my scent all the way here.. I assume from the base?"

You find yourself sitting up straight, claws resting on your thighs as you try to act like you aren't starting to sweat through the beans, "Oh well, I picked it up nearby. It kind of happened by chance."

She nods as she moves to open the various foodstuffs, her gaze fixed on the food, "He didn't want anything else?"

You shrug, "Well, it'd be bad if it turned out you were actually hurt.. Not that he's the type that cares about our hopes and dreams, but he loses money if we try to work while we're sick."

Eiko seems to be mulling over your words. You're hoping you don't sound too suspicious.

Her tone stays curt, "That's true."

You nod. Though you want to make it clear this is about her, have her soften up to you gradually, "Yeah, he'll want you back to it soon. Maybe a week or two? Once you're feeling better."

Eiko snorts, this slight turn of disbelief in her eyes, "That's funny."

Damn. Does she hate you already? You start to become hyper aware of your jeans getting damp, subtly shifting so you're more on the drier cushion, "So, you order takeout every day? Can I have a shrimp?"

She looks at you now, this slight upward turn to her brow, deadpan, "I'll think about it."

(3/4) OMNI 2025/01/31(Fri)18:32 No. 1103127 ID: f9c4b2
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She still heads to the kitchen, so you assume she's getting some plates for the food. You take this moment to look around, a bit unnerved by the minimalism of her apartment. It's like she moved in here yesterday. Your place isn't exactly the most well decorated, mainly filled w/ posters and albums you enjoy, but there's at least a... sense of personality. You feel as though you're staring into a void.

While your sense of smell slowly returns to you, vague outlines of her moving around the area forms in your mind. This is definitely her living space. The scent of the suspect is here too, more subtle, clearly not here long enough to imprint more than a vague caterpillaring of movement from kitchen to balcony.

An odd clanking of what must be a pot breaks your concentration, your head turning to the sound.

Ah. Hmm. Damn.

As she moves to stand, you immediately turn your head and pretend you were appraising the food, "Soo, there's been some.. Weird stuff going on around here lately. Have you noticed anything?"

"Weird in what way?"

"People dressed weird. Something hard to explain. Maybe a pig with wings?"

Eiko snorts at this, "Nothing any weirder than usual."

Ah, still giving you nothing. As you eye her again, you notice her shirt's slightly more tucked in as she comes back from the kitchen, only sporting a pair of chopsticks and a small plate. Not quite friendly enough to share yet, it seems.

She sets the plate down and sits in the space in front of you where the table surface is empty.

(4/4) OMNI 2025/01/31(Fri)18:35 No. 1103129 ID: f9c4b2
File 173837735441.png - (52.71KB , 1000x700 , dh118.png )

Now that you're facing each other, you find yourself nervous again, moving straight to the point now, "So, you had someone here? A boyfriend?"

Eiko's eyes narrow-- as if she expected the first question-- then blinks in surprise. Quickly, she turns her head and laughs, damn near guffaws, arm curling around her middle as she tries to contain it all.

You find yourself getting flushed watching her, her friendliness rising a bit more to 45%. Nice?

She continues to laugh, her words punctuated with a breathless haha, "Fuck. That guy? No, no, hell no. Fuuuuck no. I'd rather eat shit and die."

You nod quickly in agreement despite not knowing anything about this guy. Besides that Eiko seems to hate them. Maybe you hate this guy now. Maybe you'll throw them off the balcony if they come back.

"Have they been bothering you?"

Eiko leans back and moves to dig into the food right out of the takeout box, in front of you, "In a way. I'm still deciding if you're bothering me."

You pause at that, "What would decide that?"

"Do you like the gang? Our boss?"

>>1103129
Tell her the old boss was better. Still, you have a job. That's something.

Speaking of which, ask her how the mission went. She didn't give a full report, so you might as well hear it now.

>>1103129

"'Like's an awfully strong word. Not a ton I 'like' in general. Pays the bills, though. Boss? Ehhh. I ain't gonna complain to his face. Wouldn't exactly die for him, either, but if you tell him that I'll deny it."

They're... tolerable. And the boss may be a suspicious bastard, but he doesn't expect us to throw our lives away for him. Or at least, he didn't used to. Sounds like that might have changed huh.

I like the gang. I don't mesh too well with the culture admittedly, but the folks are pretty alright.
The boss though... He seems a bit too... Self interested, if you know what I mean. It doesn't really feel like he's looking out for the people below him like a leader should, you know?

(1/5) OMNI 2025/02/08(Sat)17:46 No. 1103503 ID: f9c4b2
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You mull over the questions, your mind trying to decipher what would be the most appealing for Eiko to hear. She wouldn't ask if your answers were expected, though you don't know what she knows of you either. You regret even more how you hadn't had the chance to talk to her before this...

You try to keep your voice nonchalant sounding, "I like the gang. I don't mesh too well with the culture sometimes, but the folks are alright. And it pays the bills."

As you speak, she munches on the orange chicken quietly, her gaze fixed on you, expression neutral. You find yourself averting your eyes to the food every few seconds to get a break from her.. undressing stare, as it makes you uncharacteristically nervous.

More the interrogated than the interrogator.

"The Boss? Well... I'm not gonna complain to his face. He may be a suspicious bastard, but he doesn't expect us to throw our lives away for him. Or, well, he didn't used to.. And I'm not exactly gonna to volunteer for the cavalry either.. And if he asks, I'll deny it."

Which is true. A few others feel the same way you do, but they keep it to themselves. Everyone else seems to have this overzealous loyalty, the cash stuffing their heads instead of sense. The power too, of course. The Boss has created a pretty cushy throne in the city, whatever law enforcement leftover from that last purge now dug deep into the dirt under his heel. And he'll look the other way no matter what you do, as long as you're keeping the cash flow good and not getting any funny ideas.

Maybe that makes you a bad person, to be a part of this. You do what you do, look the other way, get your cash and keep quiet. But not endorsing, not doing any extra shit. And when the pups are getting too hot with the city folk, you'll tell them to knock it off.

... Everyone has to be kinda bad to live decently around here.. Not just you.

(2/5) OMNI 2025/02/08(Sat)17:50 No. 1103504 ID: f9c4b2
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Refocus. There. Eiko's gaze softens just a bit, your nose tuning in to the easier, almost lighter air she starts to exude. Her friendliness steadily increases, close to half now. Your ears perk up as you try to press on.

"It doesn't really feel like he's looking out for the people below him like a leader should, you know?" You don't know how much of that you believe.

Eiko though seems to sigh, leaning forward, and you find yourself leaning in too, "That's true... A leader should take some responsibility too. Your group's only as good as you are, right?"

That doesn't sound wrong... You nod.

Her tone takes on a gentleness that gives you pause, the strain on her throat coloring her voice with a certain depth, "We do this to earn a living, but it's what we have to do. You, me, we're just doing what we can, right? But Julien... he's only doing what he wants. While we're just collateral. Despite what we do for him." She gestures, "But without us.. What does that make him?"

Eiko's not... not wrong. But the implications leave you pause.

"I'm not sure.."

Her hand brushes against yours, "You do know. You don't have to pretend. And I won't say anything."

Your mind whirrs, the gears hitting against each other, "Why do you ask?"

Eiko stares, "Because I care. I didn't always, but I care now."

... Was she always like this? This doesn't sound like the Eiko you've heard about.. And what did that mean? That she cares now? "What, um.. What exactly happened on that mission? The one earlier today?"

Is the mission why she's asking you to be a traitor?

Dodge bullet

(3/5) OMNI 2025/02/08(Sat)17:52 No. 1103506 ID: f9c4b2
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For a moment, you think you asked the wrong question. It's not obvious in her features. Instead, her scent takes on a harshness, a perfume a bit too strong, grabbing hold of you.

You trace the red lines of her bloodshot eyes as you stare into each other.

Eiko's voice follows, deceptively sweet, "Do you really want to know?"

You find yourself inching closer and closer, the gap between you starting to close.

"Yes."

(4/5) OMNI 2025/02/08(Sat)17:53 No. 1103507 ID: f9c4b2
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The air gets knocked out of your lungs as a heavy force slams into your chest.

(5/5) OMNI 2025/02/08(Sat)17:55 No. 1103509 ID: f9c4b2
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Your head knocks against the wall, vision blacking, back hitting the couch a second later. The surprise catches up to you as you try to breathe, but find yourself struggling.

A heavy paw pins you down, her leg half then fully transforming, fur growing as the muscle starts to weigh you down.

"Listen, Violet, I've had a rough day today. You know what that feels like, right? But unlike a lot of the people I've had to deal with today, I like you. So I'm going to be nice. Do you understand?"

You nod frantically.

"I'm going to give you another chance." Eiko digs her backpaw into your sternum, the claws threatening to break skin. You feel your nerves fire frantically at the thought of her stomping you a second time.

She smiles, "Ask me again. What do you want to know?"

Friendliness level: 40%

Do you:
A) Answer
B) Grab her
C) Stay Quiet
D) ___

Firstly, keep your hands up, you won't be winning this fight.

Say you want to know if you can have that shrimp now. Because you don't want to know what she's up to, its just what the boss asked for, and its not worth a fight. You'll just tell him you couldn't find anything out. He won't believe you, but he wouldn't have sent you if he wasn't suspicious, so that doesn't really confirm anything.

>>1103512
This!

And then they Kith'd

>>1103509
Seconding >>1103512 but without saying the latter bits. The less you say the more she can twist her thoughts to what she hopes is true herself.

Orgasm

Are you single?

(1/3) OMNI 2025/02/12(Wed)21:17 No. 1103698 ID: f9c4b2
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>Orgasm

No.. Not yet.. You can't admit weakness like this.. You have to stay strong despite how turned on you are. If she reads you as easy who knows what could happen...

You're a service top after all damnit! Sure, it's been a while since you've messed around with anyone, but you still have your pride on the line. You can't ruin your jeans at the beck of every mean crazy girl you meet! Keep it together!

>Say you want to know if you can have that shrimp now.

You keep your hands up, having no problem with admitting defeat, your ears low, "Can I, uh, have that shrimp now?"

Eiko tilts her head at your response, eyes calculating, as if she wasn't expecting your submission so easily. She presses her weight on you again as if to test you. You can practically feel her break your rib in and you use every ounce of willpower not to find it hotter than it is.

When you hold out, she eventually relents with a snort. "Hmm... I like that. Sure."

Your head is dizzy as the tension seems to break. Bullet blissfully dodged.

(2/3) OMNI 2025/02/12(Wed)21:23 No. 1103699 ID: f9c4b2
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She shifts her paw. It slides slowly down from your sternum to your stomach with a curious ease, the claws slightly raised so she doesn't catch the fabric of your top. The slowness of the touch has your fur raise as you shiver. And Eiko maintains eye contact as she does this.

"You know, I realize I kind of overreacted there. I know you're just doing what you're told."

You chuckle roughly, "I get it. You've been on edge since I got here." You don't tell her how you kind of wish she did more.

She pauses her movement just at your abdomen as you feel yourself start to sweat. The weight of her paw presses in, your breath caught, before she fully pulls back, her leg shifting back into the furless humanoid form. You feel like you're going to sink into the ground and die.

"Yeah, I was expecting you to attack me after I closed the door.. But I can see now I was wrong. You're a good dog, aren't you?"

>Orgasm

NOT YET!! NOT YET!!!!

You almost cough, "I don't know what you mean." You take a moment to sniff the air and realize that Eiko's scent has softened to you, her friendliness now at 55%.

"There's just some things I can't tell you.. Not because I don't want to, but because it'll complicate things.." she gestures, the manic glee sparking in her eyes again, "You know, I wasn't supposed to come back."

Her words align again with what Kenji told you, though you at first dismissed it as his high ramblings. It's one thing for Eiko to have stolen something, and another for her to be retaliating.. Normally, in a situation like this, you wouldn't take any sides.

Though you don't have long to dwell on it as Eiko grabs the shrimp and moves to grasp your chin with her free hand, catching you by surprise. Is she touchier with you now that she's friendlier? Or are you hoping for something that isn't there?

>Ask if she's single

As much as you hope she is, you don't quite want to ask that in case she says yes.. Even though she laughed about the boyfriend thing.

(3/3) OMNI 2025/02/12(Wed)21:24 No. 1103700 ID: f9c4b2
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"Open up."

You obey. You're finding it harder and harder not to...

Eiko feeds you the shrimp and smiles when you eat it. It practically tastes like gold as she seems to muse aloud, "I think I've been going about this all wrong.. I know that you're in this for the money. But what else would buy you?"

>>1103700
...y'know. That's a good question. What else WOULD buy us? I mean, aside from more money.

...Some type of security, suppose. Some kinda assurance that you're not gonna get shanked in your sleep because Some Dude fucked Some Other Guy's sidepiece and now they're looking for revenge and you're the best target.

...maybe better threads? Dunno, you've mostly been thinking about survival over comforts.

Oh, safety for sure. Working for a cause you believe in. Being able to enjoy the work is a plus.

A place to stay maybe? Since you're well on the way to failing the mission, and the boss might send someone after you in turn.

A guarantee. A promise.

A promise that she'll kill the boss.
She's got something dangerous up her sleeve. She could probably pull it off.

As for you, you just need the bills paid. Doesn't really matter who's signing the cheques. The gang would probably be better if with someone else anyway.

(1/5) OMNI 2025/02/17(Mon)11:12 No. 1103906 ID: 9cd6c3
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You're momentarily rattled out of your horny thoughts at the question.. What WOULD buy you? What matters more than money? You find yourself going through the basics of living in your mind that you haven't thought about in so long; safety, shelter, stability, fulfillment.

You're not exactly an easy target. People within the gang respect you and people pause or avoid you when they see you on the street. It was funny at first.. but now it just feels lonely. The work's been getting more dangerous, demanding, more people upset, more people one rough day away from popping a cap in your ass.

There's always been threats in every corner, it comes with the territory of being in the Bites. When you joined, you knew you could handle it. How about now?

(2/5) OMNI 2025/02/17(Mon)11:15 No. 1103907 ID: 9cd6c3
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When was the last time you felt safe? How many days? Months? Has it been years? When did it start to feel normal? Did the anxiety become manageable or just easy to ignore? You've been in survival mode for so long you didn't even realize it.

To live is to survive, you reasoned. You eat up what you can and snap your jaws at every opportunity to live better than before. You aren't that pup going from rundown motel to motel anymore, your parents constantly fighting over jobs they can't hold down. You're grown up. You have a place to stay. It's empty without you in it, but at least it's yours.

The work is good, but when was the last time you had a choice in it? To believe in it?

You consider reporting back with nothing, essentially failing the mission. Would the boss kill you for that? Normally, you wouldn't think it would be that serious. But he's been getting more paranoid, and if he's willing to try and kill off Eiko for an association, he might just shoot you himself thinking you're the next Brutus.

It doesn't help knowing some outsider has been whispering in his ear and he damn near hangs on every word.

>As for you, you just need the bills paid. Doesn't really matter who's signing the cheques. The gang would probably be better off with someone else anyway.

Traitorous thoughts... But what's another knife in the back of a guy clearly willing to do the same?

(3/5) OMNI 2025/02/17(Mon)11:15 No. 1103908 ID: 9cd6c3
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You finally speak, "I want a few things. Security, for one, some assurance that I'm not gonna get shanked in my sleep. Maybe a new place to stay, if I tell the Boss that this was a dead end."

She considers you with softer eyes, "I see. I can work on both those things. You can stay here for now if you want, and I'll work on getting you a rental on the nicer side of the city. It's not my plan to make people that help me disposable."

Despite the vagueness, there's some weight to her words that makes you want to believe in her. You almost sigh in relief, finding yourself emboldened, "And I want a guarantee. A promise. You get it done and kill the boss."

>She's got something dangerous up her sleeve. She could probably pull it off.

You believe that. Just by going off of her vibes, her home, the way she interacts with the gang, she has nothing to lose. There's nothing more dangerous than someone with nothing left but a single goal. Even if she dies, she doesn't seem like the type to go down alone. Though you don't have much time to think of the fallout, you have to believe that it will be good in the end.

Eiko doesn't even hesitate at your terms, just nods at you, and reaches her hand out. You grasp her hand in yours as you shake on it. Deal sealed.

(4/5) OMNI 2025/02/17(Mon)11:17 No. 1103909 ID: 9cd6c3
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After that, you both quietly eat together. It's a strange, damn near surreal atmosphere. Just hours ago, the You of the past would have never expected to be where you are now. The realization that you could be sleeping in her home hasn't even fully hit you.

You kind of want her to call you a good dog again...

Eiko, still eating directly from the container, pauses, "Can I ask you something?"

You blink, "You haven't had a problem asking me things."

She does snort at that, her gaze turning serious, "It's different. More personal."

"Go ahead."

(5/5) OMNI 2025/02/17(Mon)11:17 No. 1103910 ID: 9cd6c3
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Eiko takes a deep breath, "If you had to decide between these different things, what choice would you make?"

>A) To venture into the unknown of endless possibility and wonder, at the cost of everything familiar to you.
>B) To dedicate yourself to rebuilding something with obstacles every step of the way, if it means to earn fulfillment and stability.
>C) To let go and start over completely somewhere new and easy to acclimate, in the hope that your past and your choices will not haunt you.

[Friendliness level: 75%. Your choice/reasoning will impact Eiko's future actions.]

>>1103910
Bit of a hard choice between A and B. On the one hand, a new place means new SMELLS to smell! On the other hand, you just said you desire stability.

C?

A) haven't you had enough of the grind? You have a home, a job, not safe but stable. It doesn't bring you happiness, does it?

>>1103910
A's tempting just due to the sheer scale of it. Trying to find something out there, at the price of everything else? It could be a lot better...could be a lot worse. The ultimate gamble. Forget stability, though.

B is more what we're used to. Things are familiar, and you know the pitfalls and potentials, but likely you'll be stuck going only so far, and it'll be a lot harder because your obstacles are likely going to be familiar with YOU, too. Stability for all the good and ill. Near the opposite of A.

C sounds like a more 'safe' version of A...but with the potential of it all coming back around on you. And we're smart enough to know that you're never going to completely run away from your past, even if only in your own head.

Although thinking about it like that...yeah. A is very tempting, considering you might start out with more than you had, and you can see about making THAT stable. It can't get THAT much worse, can it?

Wait... Is A even Possible?
That sounds like a childhood dream...
Do... Do you have an A?

Like a real adventure? Like the sort of thing we hear about in games, stories

... If so, that's hard to pass up.
Something so fanciful. So Romantic. Could you imagine? Just... Escape this life entirely... Step into something that's not... this... To not run but to rather go somewhere entirely beyond. A truly fresh start?

Honey, if you got that than HELL YES! Take that plunge!
No one alive could blame you. That's the sort of thing that dreams are made of. The sort of thing that truly only comes about once in a life time. You don't let that kind of thing go. not ever.

The rest of us though... We're stuck with givin' our best with what we got. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just... If someone offered you wings... wouldn't you want to fly?

(1/4) OMNI 2025/02/23(Sun)16:55 No. 1104166 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174035851596.png - (55.21KB , 1000x700 , dh132.png )

Endless possibility. Wonder. The stuff of fantasies. The implications of it all is so vague that it feels enormous. What does that mean, really? The first thought that comes to mind is becoming an adventurer, of slaying monsters and getting loot.

Honestly, you don't know if being dropped into some type of medieval fantasyland would be an... ideal situation. You like modern technology, like phones, jeans, and vaccines. But you enjoy the appeal of wearing armor and swinging a sword around just as much as the next guy. Whether you're good at it or not doesn't matter. And maybe you could save some damsel in distress whom you can pledge your loyalty to and endure a complicated yet romantic courtship with.

Or, maybe, you would join a guild instead of a gang. How big could the difference be? You'll slam those ales as good as any beer. You get along with people fast too. Distribute the work and kick it back with the crew after every QUEST. Find fulfillment through those connections. Maybe there'll be a language barrier, but you already speak two.

And new SMELLS to smell! Who knows what else there could be to experience. One of your favorite scents is wet rain on pavement. And pizza. How fast would it be to find something to top THAT?

Though realistically... would that make you happy? You crave stability, fulfillment, and you've grown to realize that the current grind of your life isn't as satisfying when more than the basic needs are met. But to abandon it all for a hope, the uncertainty of having yet another life grinding away, to end up somewhere worse off with none of the past to help cushion you.... That's a decision with more weight than any other. You'd not only be throwing away all the people you're connected to; friends, family, acquaintances, but also the places you've been in, the food from your favorite haunts, the sunset on the roof of the base.

To sacrifice everything familiar to you...

(2/4) OMNI 2025/02/23(Sun)17:03 No. 1104167 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174035898993.png - (54.57KB , 1000x700 , dh133.png )

It's akin to dying. A promise to be reborn.

The stuff of storybooks and dreams and late nights wishing for something more than what your life is. What life could be.

The sheer scale, the ultimate gamble, your fantasy only a pin drop in the bucket. What else could you be? Become?

Would you be better or would you be worse?

Or... Keep at it. Keep going. Work with what's familiar, build on what you have, and have that stability. It's not as glamorous, not as easy to romanticize, but you already know what you would be working with. Sure... the obstacles will always be there, but that's life too, isn't it?

Though not everyone can get the chance to start over again. To get a true fresh start. The closest would be to move away and hope that the past doesn't drag you back.

For you, that may be the safer option. Hell, you could do it right after the boss dies. No supernatural or hypothetical deals needed. But for Eiko... you're not too sure it would make a difference... You know she's only asking you this because she needs your answer more.

"Those are some hard choices, but honestly.. If this endless possibility thing was offered to me, well, sounds like a once in a lifetime opportunity. I'd take the gamble. Maybe I could make it stable."

"Even if it meant becoming something terrible instead? Something you're afraid of?"

You think, "By choice?"

"Yes. Or. Kinda? By circumstance mostly.. Like to adapt to survive."

"I know who I am. As long as I don't forget that, I've got to keep some pride in the choices I make. Otherwise, I'll just keep focusing on all my mistakes."

Trying to understand her, after all, has led you to where you are now. Still living and breathing.

She seems to consider your words, brows furrowing, "It doesn't feel... selfish?"

You shrug, "It is. But who's going to blame me? If I leave everyone behind, that doesn't mean that everything will go to ruins, you know? Everyone else has their own lives to live and to give their best in. People would probably miss me, and that's one less person with my skills around, but wouldn't you understand?"

"....."

As you let her think, you feel the pressing question in your mind manifest, "But is that even possible? Can you even get something like that?"

Eiko looks at you with a complicated mix of emotions. Apprehension. Fear. Doubt. Hope. "... I can. But there's a cost. I feel like I can pay for it.. It's just.. It's complicated."

"Is it once in a life time? Why not take the plunge? Is it the cost?"

Eiko sighs, "Kind of and well.. I have to make a deal with a devil to do it. They said I might have to.. become one too, essentially."

It's an odd fear to hear from Eiko, who has agreed to kill someone you both know for a better cause. Maybe it's just that? That there would be no better cause, that it would just be herself deciding to do what could be the wrong thing. Over and over again. There's no advice you can give there, besides to live with it.

Though, you think back to the target. The figurative(?) devil. The arms dealer. Yet.. also the scammer...

You find yourself wondering if what they said is actually true, "Well, you might have to. So you don't technically need to. As long as they're giving you that ability, that's what really matters, doesn't it?"

"... That's true."

You gesture, "Look... everything else aside. Think about it.. If someone offered you wings... Wouldn't you want to fly?" To truly be free. Grasp the endless possibility and make it your own.

Your question seems to stun her.

(3/4) OMNI 2025/02/23(Sun)17:05 No. 1104168 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174035913473.png - (67.13KB , 1000x700 , dh134.png )

Then... A clarity comes to her eyes. A click. The enormity of the weight, to her, is more real than you could have ever perceived.

You sense it. An unexpected grief... The mourning. Years of it. Cycling through the stages, slowly, perilously, pushing and planning and trying, trying to get all the way to the last. To make it right again.

An empire left to crumble. The last living piece of him there could be to grasp onto destroyed-- with his legacy. By her own two hands. It's another kick to the chest and your uncomprehending mind.

Tears. A sob.

Yet, just as quickly, it shifts, as Eiko painfully gasps and a cathartic laugh escapes.

(4/4) OMNI 2025/02/23(Sun)17:08 No. 1104169 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174035928219.png - (54.29KB , 1000x700 , dh135.png )

Her voice cracks, an embarrassed ha escapes, "Sorry, sorry, I didn't mean to start crying on you. Shit. I've been crying enough today. My eyes hurt."

You panic, "No, no, it's fine! It's fine! It's been a rough day, right?"

Eiko laughs, "Yeah"

"Just let it all out?"

"I don't know, I've been... doing a lot to you... Sure, we talked but.. I've got a lot of baggage that you probably don't want to hear about.. from someone you barely know."

You can't admit that you know a lot more about her than she thinks, just based off of your clairvoyance and well.. everything else.

Your tone comes out slightly awkward, "I'm getting to know you?"

She sniffs, "You don't have to comfort me. Just give me a sec to dry off.. and I'll come back."

Comfort her? Or leave alone? She doesn't look like she would reject.

Welp, you're already in deep.

Lend an ear, maybe even a shoulder.

Comfort the lady

you don't have to comfort her, you want to comfort her.

>>1104195
This, but at the same time, don't push it. She's clearly in a fragile state. Stay close, but let her dictate the pace.

Watch some animation memes together. Ask her what kind of impossible tasks she'd need to fulfill to get a portal to another world or whatever it is she's thinking about.

(1/4) OMNI 2025/02/27(Thu)21:25 No. 1104279 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174072034951.png - (48.91KB , 1000x700 , dh136.png )

You know to be delicate, mindful of her fragile state. You reach a hand out, slow, so she sees the movement coming, your hand light as it covers her own. She looks back at you.

Your tone is firm but gentle, "I don't have to comfort you, but I want to."

Eiko seems to look as if she's waiting for you to take it back. When you don't, she sighs, acquiesces, "Okay."

She stays silent. You wait. As far as you're aware, this night can stretch on forever. You can be patient, as any hunter.

"My brother was killed a few years ago. We were... apart for a while. I only heard about it months after it happened." she pauses, as if there's a quiet rage echoing, "My mother kept it to herself. There was no body to bury. And to her, if there wasn't a body, there was no need for a funeral. She could pretend nothing happened at all."

Although you were bracing yourself, her confession still makes your stomach churn. You move to sit on the table next to her, offering your shoulder as support. She does lean a bit close.

"I don't know.. I felt a lot of things when I found out. One of his friends that got out of it early told me through a call, while I was in class."

You open your mouth to say sorry but she puts a hand up, her fingers pressing onto your snout, "Don't say anything that'll piss me off."

You nod.

"Yeah, I felt a lot. But I was mad at him, I was mad at him for being a dumbass. And I was mad that I didn't argue with him more," she gestures, "We argued a lot when he started his whole thing, a lot, but it never got that bad. When I left for school, we still talked, they helped me move in. But you wanna know why we stopped talking?"

She gives a breathless humorless laugh, "Because I was embarrassed about his job. I know how that sounds, it sounds dumb and petty. But I thought it was stupid. I thought he was stupid. And I stopped picking up his calls. I just wanted to focus on school and it felt... it felt easy. I just felt like he'd always be there. You know? He'd nag at me when I'd come back during break and I wouldn't say anything but we'd have dinner and it would be like nothing happened at all."

(2/4) OMNI 2025/02/27(Thu)21:30 No. 1104280 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174072062193.png - (58.83KB , 1000x700 , dh137.png )

She continues like this, talking about them, equal parts fond and resenting. A wild bleeding heart with a gun and misplaced ambition. Eiko does not say his name, nor his job, keeping it vague.

That's okay. You don't need to hear the answer out loud. You're not sure how you'd go about reacting to that confirmation in a way that wouldn't be awkward or get your shin kicked.

And slowly, as she speaks, she seems to calm. As if all she needed was to empty out all the thoughts trapped in her mind. An awareness comes to her now that isn't burdened by anxiety, or suspicions, or a set of teeth ready to bite. You can look at her up close, touch even, and Eiko does not shy away. You know now that she has truly opened up to you.

You hope that there isn't more of a cost.

(3/4) OMNI 2025/02/27(Thu)21:33 No. 1104281 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174072079946.png - (52.60KB , 1000x700 , dh138.png )

Instead, she seems to move on from the topic faster than you anticipate, the grief locking itself away for another time. There is still this vulnerable silence.

You parse your brain to see what you can do to fill the space. Your mind comes to watching animations together, though you don't know where you've heard the term "meme" from. You look around to see if she has a VCR or DVD player. There's a DVD player on top of the cable box, but no DVD's in sight.

Would Eiko be the type to enjoy anime? You have a few boxsets at home you could bring over. Though a part of you wishes that she had some indication of anything around so you could understand her taste.

"So, what would you need to do to, y'know, travel to these other worlds?"

Eiko makes a face, mouth scrunched, "I need to get these wings."

You tilt your head in confusion, "... Literally?"

She gestures, "They're some type of... technology... I have to kill someone and take it from them to attach it to myself," she grimaces, "But I remember them mentioning other devices. I just need to get something like that. I guess."

It sounds... Almost easy?

"But you need to find someone.. specific, I'm guessing?"

Eiko nods, "That asshole didn't go into much depth about it. I'll find my chance tomorrow, if everything goes well." She pauses, as if realizing something as she grabs onto your arm, "Don't come into base tomorrow. Don't answer any calls. Just stay here."

Eiko says it with such an intensity that you swallow. Your mind focuses more on Just stay here. "Okay."

She stares at you, as if to emphasize her point. Her hand does not leave your arm.

(4/4) OMNI 2025/02/27(Thu)21:41 No. 1104283 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174072130775.png - (47.52KB , 1000x700 , dh139.png )

You both look at each other for what feels like an eternity. Eventually, she sighs, "... Thanks."

"For which?"

"Everything," she gestures vaguely, "I forgot what it was like to talk to someone normal."

Sheesh... You're normal by comparison?

You joke, "Well, I wanted to stay on your good side."

Eiko's eyebrow raises. There's a humor now present, her tone taking on that sweetness from before, though more genuine, "And be a good dog?"

Your brain immediately implodes. A second plane has hit.

You don't know long she waits for your response. There are many gears that need to be put back in order that your inner mind is fumbling around with. And dropping. Repeatedly.

It doesn't help that her scent stays soft and alluring. You expect another hit that doesn't come.

Instead, Eiko hooks her finger into the ring of your collar, tugging lightly, then pulling harshly, "Does the good dog want a treat?"

You almost stutter, "Are you-?"

Eiko shifts her hand on your arm downward, then drums her other fingers on your thigh, "I don't want to think about all this heavy shit anymore, Vi. Can you help with that too?"

Do you:
>A) Accept
>B) Reject
>C) Ask to Slow Down

>>1104283
>A) Accept

We're trying to be nice and thoughtful, sure, but we're not a saint and this seems to US like a very good idea because the horny, it is powerful.

A is a good idea

Hear me out, I think we can fix her

A/C

Do you want this? Absolutely. But it's happening so fast that you're more than a little overwhelmed- enough to give you pause.

A) how can you not?

(1/3) OMNI 2025/03/01(Sat)20:17 No. 1104361 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174088904953.png - (49.88KB , 1000x700 , dh140.png )

>it's happening so fast that you're more than a little overwhelmed- enough to give you pause.
>we're not a saint and this seems to US like a very good idea because the horny, it is powerful.

There are two wolves in you. They both agree with each other on the topic. Yet both raise good points. You know maybe you should stop and think about this. You've watched Eiko speed, shift, and swing between these different states of herself, all to a stranger, in a way that should terrify. It's clear that there's something not right in her mind.

>how can you not?

There's something not right in yours, either. You know this. Your infatuation (and horny), has led you to this point, how can you not accept? You don't know when you'll get this chance again. Frankly, what's so bad in letting you both indulge? You can deal with the potential consequences after.

>we can fix her

You don't want to fix Eiko. You like her exactly the way she is.

The kiss is soft. You follow her lead as she deepens it. She grips the tag of your collar tightly, keeping you close.

(2/3) OMNI 2025/03/01(Sat)20:19 No. 1104362 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174088915168.png - (91.01KB , 1000x700 , dh141.png )

When you lean over her, thinking that it'll be right on the table, she pulls away, and moves to stand, "No, in my room."

You find your tail wagging in excitement as she continues to tug you by the collar, leading you with this look of amusement.

You don't have time to process her room. All you can smell is her. All you can see is her.

Your half damp jeans feel like a prison as you watch her undress. Your fingers furiously tug down at the waistband, an embarrassing fight ensuing that has Eiko giggling at your expense, until you're down to your underwear. You're glad you invested in the kind that doubles as a strap. The jacket falls away too. You need the mobility.

Eiko climbs backward onto the bed, her hands moving behind her in a way that escapes your vision. She looks down at you then back up. There's a lust there that you're relieved to see.

You stand a bit dumbly as almost all knowledge of sex escapes you, the participation anxiety suddenly biting, "Is there- anything off limits?"

She seems to pause in her fervor, "Just keep it simple. I'm not delicate." She hums, "You can be rough, but I'll be rough back, if you do."

You feel your excitement rise. "Right.. Biting? Bruises?"

"Not too much. I need to move later."

(3/3) OMNI 2025/03/01(Sat)20:20 No. 1104363 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174088923464.png - (79.12KB , 1000x700 , dh142.png )

Despite how it might kill the mood, you ask, "Are you going to stay in this form? Not that I think you look bad... I just.." You're a bit wary of the size difference making her uncomfortable. And how you'll react if you bite her. You don't know if you'll let go.

Eiko seems to get shy at this question, though there's an awareness, shifting herself more to rest on her elbows, "Yeah, it's fine. You won't break me."

She keeps her shorts on, though tantalizingly ridden up, so you can see the soft flesh of her thighs. She gestures to you and that's when you finally move towards her, your knee sinking into the bed, holding your weight well.

"Do you have any toys?"

"In my nightstand, but don't take too long to look if you're using anything."

"Where should I-?"

"Just start touching me, I'll move you if I don't like it."

How should you do this? Should you ask more questions?

Tease her until she yells at you to 'lick or die'.

>>1104363
No reason to ignore the bounty laid before you. Start licking.

>Should I ask more questions?
Hell no! Shut the fuck up and indulge.

Start with just your hands, nose, and lips. Add in the tongue once things start to heat up, then give her the ol' down-and-around. Kisses and licks from ear to toe only finding the prize on the way back up, gradually slowing down the entire time.

Save the toys for the next round or for when you're up.

Explore this tantalizing landscape
with your tongue

(1/5) OMNI 2025/03/08(Sat)11:27 No. 1104642 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174146203177.png - (71.02KB , 1000x700 , dh143.png )

You want to make the most of the bounty laid before you. Your tail wags as you move forward to touch Eiko, your hands slow and careful at first, which seems to still surprise her.

You take your time exploring, your tongue eventually teasing her as you lick all the exposed inches of skin. She twitches at first, then starts to breathe heavily, eventually squirming. It almost turns into a game of chicken. She tries to suppress the neediness that starts to grow, while you keep yourself from jumping right in and wolfing her down.

You go up and down, planting kisses here and there. When you reach her neck, she grabs onto you, fingers gripping onto your back. Almost clawing. You're both hot from the contact, bodies grinding.

"If you don't eat me right now, I'll kill you." She sounds undone. Quicker than you'd think.

You plant another kiss as if you didn't hear her, tongue lapping at the salt under her jaw. This time, she digs her nails in hard enough to hurt. Then growls. You feel triumphant.

(2/5) OMNI 2025/03/08(Sat)11:27 No. 1104643 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174146207417.png - (75.57KB , 1000x700 , dh144.png )

You have your feast. Eiko's loud when she howls.

(3/5) OMNI 2025/03/08(Sat)11:30 No. 1104645 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174146221238.png - (102.16KB , 1000x700 , dh145.png )

Meanwhile... A party bumps. The music echoes throughout the warehouse in waves, vibrating people to their bones as colored lights blink and turn. Sweat and weed and metal punctuate the nose. People yell and scream, taken by the atmosphere. Bets are placed and blood is drawn. A chorus of cheers rattle. The sound of fists on skin cannot be heard over all the noise.

A typical rager hosted by the Bulls.

(4/5) OMNI 2025/03/08(Sat)11:30 No. 1104646 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174146224232.png - (75.34KB , 1000x700 , dh146.png )

The only qualifications for invitation include:

>Don't be a fucking rival gang member.
>Don't be a NARC.

(5/5) OMNI 2025/03/08(Sat)11:33 No. 1104647 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174146240927.png - (70.94KB , 1000x700 , dh147.png )

You are VEX once again. Arms dealer. Interdimensional criminal. DEMON.

You find yourself at the beginning of an exchange after being invited by one of your contact's. You'll admit, you're intrigued. You haven't encountered another traveler in this dimension before. Though you'd be blind at this point not to recognize a merc. They're the most... interesting clientele.

Young seeming, though it's always hard to tell for sure, could be younger or older than you. Their fashion is definitely more modern. The person behind her is similar, with big ass hair in ponytails, arms crossed and staying silent the entire time. Though she eyes you with more awareness than a normal brute.

Looks like some magical girls.

You want a drink real bad, "So, how the hell did you get in here?"

The merc smiles at you, calculating, "We were invited."

You give her a look. She smiles wider, tone diplomatic, "We're on a business visa."

Huh. To think this dimension is starting to get cleared for travel... Not a good sign. DB only starts letting people in when they're feeling real confident in their grip.

You consider for a moment that you're dealing with bounty hunters. Since you're in Bulls territory, you weren't worrying about any Wolves sniffing you out. They'd be idiots to get too close with all the guards circling the block. Though if you knew that some of your clients would be travelers, you would've put your DEALER MASK on and not just the plain black.

You lean back, "Well, what can I do for you?"

"You're the arms dealer, right? We're looking for something."

Your contact over the phone wanted you to swing by since they had some "people in need." You took that as code for drugs. They love a good powder around here. Though what would some legal travelers need with weapons from here of all places? You'd get it if they were tagged like you and needed to keep the deal quiet, but they could buy arms from anywhere. And they don't seem like they want drugs.

Do you:

>A)Open up shop
>B)Check status window
>C)Check inventory
>D)Ask for more information
>E)____

----

[PATCH NOTES: ALL MECHANICS HAVE BEEN MODIFIED]

[>INTUITION: 2/3 USES. DRAW ANY DESIRED CARD FROM YOUR SPELL DECK. ROLLS NO LONGER NEEDED. 3 USES PER DAY]

[>VALUE SYSTEM: TO KEEP NUMEBRS FROM BEING ARBITRARILY THROWN AROUND. ALL ITEMS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES WILL NOW BE GRADED FROM LOW = *, MID = **, AND HIGH = ***. WHEN TRADING, THINGS CAN BE EXCHANGED IN EQUIVALENTS. E.G. 2 LOW GRADES = 1 MID GRADE.]
[NOTE: ITEMS CAN HAVE NO VALUE AT ALL]

[>INVENTORY: 54 SLOTS. 52 OUT OF 54 SLOTS HAVE A WEIGHT LIMIT OF 20 LBS PER SLOT. 2 JOKER SLOTS HAVE A WEIGHT LIMIT OF 1000 LBS PER SLOT. ITEMS WILL BE AUTOMATICALLY CATEGORIZED FOR EASE OF SEARCHABILITY. YOU CAN CHECK, DRAW, AND INPUT ITEMS INTO YOUR INVENTORY ANY TIME.]
[NOTE: A SLOT = 1 PHYSICAL CARD. ITEMS IN YOUR CARD INVENTORY CAN ONLY BE REMOVED BY YOU. BUT THE PHYSICAL CARD CAN STILL BE STOLEN.]
[33/52. 0/2]

[CURRENT DECK SPELLS: FIREBALL, FLEE, BURST, IDENTIFY, DARKNESS]

D) Don't sell anything just yet. Let them ramble.

D) Ask them what exactly they're looking for before you show anything.

DB's got enough of a stranglehold on this place to start up some tourism? Worrisome. How tough would it be to bail if that's happening?

(1/3) OMNI 2025/03/12(Wed)21:19 No. 1104876 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174183957777.png - (88.94KB , 1000x700 , dh148.png )

>DB's got enough of a stranglehold on this place to start up some tourism? Worrisome. How tough would it be to bail if that's happening?

Not quite a stranglehold yet, you think. The way DB operates is different depending on the type of dimension. If there aren't any "masters" of that dimension already, they'll start sending in their missionaries and angels to spread their influence. If there's already a multi-dimensional, they'll offer their services and keep an eye out for travelers. If they strike a deal, DB handles all the travel costs and regulation, in exchange for controlling who goes in and out, having as much freedom as possible in having their agents operate there, or for technological knowledge.

Most multis are smart enough to reject them completely, or if they care more about keeping their territory the way they want, they'll accept and just keep an eye out on their movements. You've heard stories of them taking over territories through sneaky infiltration or starting holy wars.

Here, in this dimension, there was no multi that you were aware of. Technologically rudimentary, but not far back enough to be an interest point in developing civilization. Nor is magic prolific enough to create eye-catching settings, spells, or characters. Not by your standards anyway. Sure, the population is big enough for people to be "fed" on, but the majority of multis are more interested in being entertained by their sandboxes than in achieving endless power. And minding their business. G0D is one of the anomalies here.

And from what you've seen, or, well, from what you haven't yet seen, DB is still at the beginning stages of rooting themselves into the populace.

It's a slow, arduous process, that only a masochist of a multi would want to do.

.... Was that your thought just now?

(2/3) OMNI 2025/03/12(Wed)21:22 No. 1104877 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174183972384.png - (77.56KB , 1000x700 , dh149.png )

Anyway, it's not too much to worry about at this moment. Sure, they're starting to accept applications for visitations, but you doubt there's any being approved for tourists. Business visas makes sense, they're more likely to be short-term stays with clear detailable goals that they can keep track of. DB wouldn't approve anything that involves interacting with the populace for more than needed.

Those perks, of course, will only be allowed for everyone outside of this dimension. Once they're well established, anyone already capable of interdimensional travel can just apply to visit where they want to. Meanwhile, locals like Eiko would only be able to dream of that kind of freedom. Through legal means, her only option would be to join DB's cult to acquire a set of wings. And after that, she'd only be allowed to travel where they tell her to go. A permanent leash. She'd likely hate every second of it.

... It's why you didn't tell her about the "legal" way at all... Even if she were to encounter another traveler, the price would be impossible for her to pay for a usable device..

For you, it'll become a much bigger problem if you ever come back here. As G0D's home territory, they'll hone in on your signature at record speed and have someone on your ass in a blink. You know this from experience. You'll have to hope and pray your AW wont take long to charge.

But as of now, you should be able to achieve your goal and escape.

Should...

(3/3) OMNI 2025/03/12(Wed)21:25 No. 1104878 ID: 9cd6c3
File 174183994145.png - (77.76KB , 1000x700 , dh150.png )

You gesture with your free hand, "You'll have to be more specific than that. Why don't we get to know each other while you're giving me the details?"

The traveler glances at the person behind her then back, "Pleased to meet you, I'm Illeore, and this is my partner, Andrima."

She pauses and you take that moment to introduce yourself, "I go by Vex. Nice meeting y'all."

"Likewise. Vex- can I call ya V? Anyway, we've been looking for an... old lookin’ item, just a lil’ wooden music box. You wouldn't happen to have it, would you?"

The busted magitech you picked up from the antique store? That one? It couldn't be that valuable... It has to be sentimental. Or maybe its value degraded as time went by and it got damaged around here. Hard to fully say when you haven't had the chance to try and repair it.

Your brows furrow, but you don't let your interest show, "Sure. V's fine. And I might. What would you want with something like that?"

She doesn't give anything away, the smile still in place, all professional, "Sorry- client confidentiality. Just need to know. You have one or not?"

"Alright, alright. I think I have one in stock," you lean forward, "But I'm going to need a little more before we can do business. I like vetting my clients first."

"How so?"

"What are y'all?"

"Formally? ‘Multirole Problem Resolution Specialists’. But that's a mouthful and sounds suuuper corporate, so I like to just call us magical girls for hire. We go by Silver Eye Solutions. Have you heard of us?"

You think back to if you've heard of their group before. The name's familiar, but the bell doesn't ring. "Sounds familiar enough." Whatever dimensional traveler left it must be paining for it back if they had to hire someone else to get it. You doubt that this item was originally Illeore's.

"Anything else you'd like to know? Should I give you the sales pitch?" You're half convinced she's messing with you a bit, now.

[Credit to Ceekay for the characters "Illeore" and "Andrima"!]

>>1104878
(I'm a bit biased on this entry, obviously, so I'll be abstaining. Just wanted to say fun depiction of them so far!)

yeah lets get the pitch. might help get a read on these jokers.

have they been asking every person around about this music box? seems sus

(1/2) OMNI 2025/03/20(Thu)17:32 No. 1105129 ID: ca56f7
File 174251712602.png - (89.00KB , 1000x700 , dh151.png )

At Illeore's playfulness, you decide to switch gears a bit. You don't like keeping the stoic professionalism if you don't need to.

You lean back on your chair, the front leg lifting slightly off the ground as the heel of your foot rocks with the movement, your voice raised to be clearer over the sound of loud thumping music, "Sales pitch? It better be something good up your sleeve."

Illeore gestures with her hand, "We pride ourselves on quality, thoroughness. Efficiency. We can handle a multitude of scenarios: from, of course, object requisition and retrieval, to interpersonal troubleshooting, to aggressive consultation, to protective services- and beyond." She grins. "We've got an eye for a little bit of everything."

You translate her words in your mind. Theft. Assassination. Blackmail. Bodyguarding. Seems like you have some all-rounder mercenaries in your company. And you do believe her there, "And what exactly brings you knocking on my door specifically? Have y'all been asking every person around here about this box?"

There's a pause. The crowd below cheers as another brutal hit lands.

Illeore hums, her stare calculating, "Not quite. We originally tracked it down to this little shop downtown. Nothing about any interested parties. Funny thing, though- the item was missing, and there was a dead body in the back. You wouldn't happen to know about that, would you?"

Ah, right. That sad, sad, guy. A dead snitch is better than one that can talk.

Your tone is a shrug, "Does it matter? You aren't bounty hunters, are you?"

She shrugs, "Eh, not today." Then she smiles and laughs, high and sharp, "I mean, if we were out for your head, we wouldn't be talking right now."

You chuckle too, "No, we wouldn't."

There's the thumping of feet stomping along to the heavy drums, muffled background noise, the air hot from constant bodily movement. You both stare at each other for a long, long, second. 2 against 1 is never good odds, but you've dealt with worse. You fight dirty, brutal, indiscriminate with what you use and how you use it. Your survival is always more important than someone's opinions or your reputation. Even if they overpower you, it won't be an easy fight. You'll make it as embarrassing as possible if it comes down to it.

A respectful nod of acknowledgement is exchanged.

(2/2) OMNI 2025/03/20(Thu)17:38 No. 1105130 ID: ca56f7
File 174251749741.png - (63.06KB , 1000x700 , dh152.png )

Illeore gestures, "Ahem, welllll, in exchange for the music box, we can provide you with a selection of currency, items, information, or a combination of any. Of equivalent value that is. We do not exchange services."

You consider the pitch, "You aren't going to rob me, right?"

She shrugs. "Don't see why we would need to."

That's not a no. You snort, "I wouldn't bother trying. My items are bound by my magic. It's gonna be a lot more expensive trying to find someone that could crack it open," you gesture dismissively. "If you don't believe me, that's fine, I could have the card destroy itself and any item in it too."

It's a lie of course. Once the inventory card is out of your hands, you wont be able to do anything to it. What isn't a lie, is its difficulty to unbind. There's a low percentage of people that can break the kind of magic you have open and you studied under one of them to make sure it would be hell for them to crack again. Though, no one really believes that part.

If she believes you, she doesn't show it, simply nodding. "Noted. Here's what we have to offer!"

ILLEORE'S OFFERS:

CURRENCY
>COLD HARD CASH [FOR ANY APPLICABLE CURRENCY] (500C * to 5000C ***)

INFORMATION
>Past Clients (**)
>Angel Activity In the Area (*)
>1 Biggle Search [Knowledge from the Compendium of Universal Info](*)

ITEMS
>1 APHRODISIAC VIAL [WHY?] (*)
>1 MARBLE MINE [REMOTE EXPLOSIVE = C4] (*)
>1 MILD HEALING POTION (*)
>NOVELTY T-SHIRT (FREE)
>SPYGLASS [ALLOWS USER TO LOOK THROUGH 1 WALL/DOOR AT A TIME] (**)
>TRAVEL WATCH [3 USES EVER. TRAVEL UP TO 10 LISTED DIMENSIONS.] (****)

Ah, the temptation of just cashing out completely. You'd be all set for the next three, maybe four jumps, with that much money at your disposal. Though it's not a bad selection, information can be more useful than you expect, especially if there's a certain someone aiding the guy you're trying to kill. The other items have their uses in different.. creative ways... Though the novelty T-shirt also gives you pause, it's gotta be something she wants to get rid of for whatever reason. Could also be very handy for your current mission...

Hold the fucking presses though... A travel watch? Difficult merch to come by, especially from people willing to sell them. Not that you have much of a use for it. It's range is too limited for your needs, but it could be a good sell for later. Although... maybe Eiko could make use of it.. But are you that generous?

YOUR OFFERS:
>HARMONIC MUSIC BOX WORTH (***) (MUST SELL)
>CERAMIC FROG [USER CAN LEAP 30FT] (**)
>UNIDENTIFIED RING (??)
>2 MAGIC SCROLLS [AVERAGE SPELLS] (*)

Since they have their own resources, they're more interested in your magical wares. You can also provide them information, but you don't know what would be valuable to them.

A) Start Exchange (Pick Items)
B) Ask About Items/Info
C) Haggle Prices (Provide Argument)
D) Examine Surroundings
E) ____

>>1105130
From a pure strategy POV...I think I would personally go for some of the cash, one Mild Healing Potion, and the Spyglass in exchange for the music box and the 2 scrolls. Intel is very tempting, though.

Just my two cents- I got no clue about what's coming.

Try to persuade them on the usefulness of the frog. They're magical girls. And magical girls that can jump long get good views.

Definitely get the travel watch. Good for Eiko if you can't use it, and a life-saver for you if you need a few extra hours to recharge your AW.

Spyglass and marble mine give you breaching options, and a viable chance to assassinate your target with a solid wall keeping them from smelling you. Set up a C4 charge on the other side, and boom.

So I guess sell everything but the ring.

>Free T-Shirt
Tell them to give it to the next entity with the 'homeless' Tag that they see.

If you trade the box and frog you can get 500c, marble, spyglass, and info on angels.

and take the novel-t-shirt for fun

>>1105141
I think your math is off. that's seven stars worth and unless we sell the ring can only get six.

ask her ab value of ring and if it can do anythin special, regardless of if shes lying to me or not, if the ring is 3 stars or more, sell it for cash only, if less than 3 stars then keep ring

sell also: music box, 2 magic scrolls
acquire: angel activity in the area, novelty t shirt, spyglass, healing potion

>>1105199
I thought the watch was only ***. We should haggle to lower the price to that.

(1/3) OMNI 2025/03/27(Thu)10:54 No. 1105490 ID: ca56f7
File 174309808853.png - (64.90KB , 1000x700 , dh153.png )

"So, I have some real nice merchandise on me. This frog here? Just having it on you lets you leap up to 30ft any which way. You both look like busy people, especially if you have somewhere to be or someone to catch, wouldn't having those extra feet help? Can be real great for dramatics and going from building to building. "

Illeore mulls this over, glancing back at Andrima, who just gives her a look you can't quite decipher.

"How much?"

"You're thinking two, I'm thinking three. No cooldown, no attunement, does what's needed right out the leap." You laugh.

"Hmmm...pricey...buuuuuuut-" she pauses, before looking at Andrima again, who just cocks an eyebrow. You're not certain what that means, but it's odd. A hand goes up on the side of her face, blocking your view of her mouth.

She clearly mouths something, and it must've been convincing, because Andrima makes a pensive expression, then tilts her head in what looks like an acquiescence of sorts. She turns around, her expression a bit more pleasant. "We can go for three."

Excellent. You move on, "Next up is this nice ring I have here, why don't you give it a look for yourself?"

You take the ring out of the inventory card to deposit onto the table. Illeore stares with a curious eye before moving to pick it up to examine, turning it this way and that in her hands.

"Hm.. I'd say this is about low-grade. What does it do exactly?"

You keep your cool, "Just low-grade? I think you're underselling it a bit. It's made of some real magical material. Why don't you buy it for three and you can find out its other uses?"

She stares at you. You hold steady. "...Sooooo you don't know?"

"I didn't say that."

She fixes you with a flat look. "It would be a bit of a disadvantage for me to buy something that the seller won't explain, don'tcha think?"

You shoot back, "Then don't buy it."

Her eyes narrow. Curiosity piqued? "So it does something besides look pretty?"

"It does." You know that much.

She takes another close look at it before taking a breath. Back to the neutral face. "Moving on?"

Ah, looks like you won't be selling that ring after all. You aren't that disappointed since it was a bit of a shot in the dark. You can properly IDENTIFY it later. "Now... about that travel watch. What's it gonna take to go for a high-grade price?"

Illeore exchanges a look with Miranda before chuckling, "We're not budging on that. It's 4 stars or none."

You gesture, "It is a pretty limited use item. And you can't travel to too many places with it. Surely it can't be that valuable for you to use either."

"That is true, but I could sell it to anyone else willing to buy it. And that ain't a small number."

"Maybe we could come to a different agreement? I have some other things I could throw in?"

She shakes her head, "Not interested."

Damn... No dice on that.

(2/3) OMNI 2025/03/27(Thu)10:55 No. 1105491 ID: ca56f7
File 174309815625.png - (54.75KB , 1000x700 , dh154.png )

In the end, you sell the MUSIC BOX (***), 2 SCROLLS (*), and CERAMIC FROG (***), exchanging them for the SPYGLASS (**), MARBLE MINE (*), HEALING POTION (*), and the info on angel activity (*). You also take the free NOVELTY T-SHIRT for the hell of it. You can dump it on someone else too if need be. And from a quick look on Illeore's face, she's relieved to be free of it too.

With the extra * earned from haggling the frog, leaving you at **'s, you exchange it for 2500C. It's a great haul. You feel your mouth about to split from how hard you find yourself grinning at the stack of cash they place in your hands.

You give it a good sniff before quickly storing it away. You can help Eiko another way, if she really wants your help or not.

[INVENTORY: 35/52]

Illeore happily takes the frog and other items from your hands. They keep the music box closed, instead moving to scan and store it away.

Illeore gestures, "Soooo... those angels, we've seen a few of them around. One that escorted us in after we got our business visas, though they left quickly after. Another we saw flying overhead about two cities down south-east of here." She pauses to recall, "Oh, and one more going around the city we were just in. The one with all the wolves."

"Tandem." Andrima interrupts. You both look at her, and she elaborates. "Tandem operation. Senior and junior." Her voice is deeper, curt, and precise.

Andrima speaking up does surprise you for a moment, but her info is good. Hearing that there's more than one angel though is troublesome... "The one in wolvestown, how did they look? Did they seem like they were going somewhere?"

Illeore gestures, "The usual? Businesswear, halos, wings. They were pretty far away. Seemed humanoid." She shrugs. "One flew off from this building that had a crab. Another flew up from farther out, as far as I could tell it was the same one that was scouting out the farther cities. They spoke in the sky very briefly before splitting up again. It happened sometime in the afternoon."

"The one that came from far out and left first was likely the junior reporting in. More gestures from the other one, and that's the one that stayed. No weapons visibly out." Andrima opines.

Damn, looks like you were a hair's away from getting caught. You mull. It doesn't paint a pretty picture, but at least you know how many you could be working with. With a two angel operation... They had to have been alerted to your flight signature when you landed here.. Were they already looking for you?

But hey, it looks like Eiko could get those wings after all.

"I know how it sounds, but did they seem dangerous?"

Illeore shrugs, "With how little information I have, I can't say."

That's reasonable. You give her a nod and thank her for her time and money.

She tips her hat, "Pleasure doing business."

Now that they have what they need, Illeore moves to stand, exchanging words with Andrima as they both head out. You open your mouth to ask if they'll still be around, but think better of it as you watch. Exchanges with other travelers should be brief. Professional.

(3/3) OMNI 2025/03/27(Thu)10:56 No. 1105492 ID: ca56f7
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You are now alone with your thoughts. While the angels being around isn't ideal, you can still work with it. Can't go in guns blazing, but you were going to take a stealthier approach anyway.

As you look around, all around you are bodies. A few of the higher ranked Bulls mill about, sitting, chatting, and watching. Relatively laid back. In their element. Your contact is also nearby, watching the fight in the ring with a drunken gaze. Potential customers lay about. There's a makeshift bar at the end of the walkway where a bartender goes between bottles and beers. They have a nice selection.

Down below, the concert rages and a bell rings. Two goons come down into the makeshift cage to drag a body out as the victor raises a fist up to the cheering crowd. Looks like they wrapped up an execution, they only introduce weapons when they're punishing someone specific. And there's plenty more rounds that will go on until well past 1AM. With each fight, you can bet, and potentially gain a lot more money than you have. Maybe even double your earnings.

It's a playground out here. Chances of having a little fun and making money hide in every corner. Yet again, you are tired.

Do you:
>Stay
>Hang Outside
>Head Back

Just one bet couldn't hurt.

>>1105492
Methinks it's better to hang it up for now and get rested for whatever horseshit you have to deal with in the morning.

As tempting as it is, think we should head back.

(1/2) OMNI 2025/04/01(Tue)20:24 No. 1105698 ID: ca56f7
File 174356424009.png - (70.58KB , 1000x700 , dh156.png )

You check your flip-phone for the time and note how it's getting to midnight. As fun as the festivities around here are, you got what you came for and then some. Maybe you can squeeze a shower in before hitting the couch for some long awaited sleep in preparation for tomorrow.

It's going to be a long walk back to Eiko's place.

You don't look at anyone for longer than a quick glance as you leave, the sounds around you dulled by now. Steadily, you weave through the crowd, your movements practiced, head up but not high enough to be noticeable.

When the cold night air hits you this time, it stings like a slap. The streets are nigh empty this time of night. Quiet, as you exit the party, except for the slight rustle of wind and a car passing by in the distance. Too quiet for your own mind to be sufficiently distracted. You always try not to think too long about your situation, but meeting those travelers reminded you of how alone you are. Are you lonely? Of course. But what can you do? With those angels around?

The only face you see more often than your own is your Archangel's. Despite how you both long to end each other, you cannot help but be... comforted by the sight of her. You've known each other for what feels like the start of your life. Even when you feel dead, seeing her reminds you that you are alive. That you want to live. However spitefully. That for as long as you are alive, that she will find a way to keep chasing you. And it will never end.

You don't know much about her life, really, she refuses to do more than stab you, call you names, and have a guilt-ridden meltdown after you fuck. But in a way, you think you do know her. You know that she is around your age, that she's prideful, cold, and that she has a deep hole in her chest that matches your own. She just thinks that it's full.

You know what name they assigned her, Haziel. But you call her Haze. It feels fitting. You sure felt hazy when you first met and she sliced your face down bloody.

(2/2) OMNI 2025/04/01(Tue)20:26 No. 1105699 ID: ca56f7
File 174356437760.png - (60.66KB , 1000x700 , dh157.png )

Ah... Someone's following you.

It wouldn't be Haze, she doesn't follow. She hunts.

Well if they wanted to kill you, its a deserted street so they would have tried already. Walk around a corner and wait for them to catch up. Get this confrontation over with so you can get back in where its warm.