Silicon 2025/02/17(Mon)12:17 No. 1103913 ID: 59ec04
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Fera: "What about the Sheriff? Is he still around?"
David clears his throat.
David: "Oh uh... right. The Sheriff. I mean he must be if... if the car's still here uhm... Or, or maybe someone picked him up while I was asleep..."
... So David's a terrible liar. I'm not sure what he's hiding, but he's hiding something.

Silicon 2025/02/17(Mon)12:17 No. 1103914 ID: 59ec04
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David: "Look, just... take it easy and my shift'll be over before you know it and then we can go."
There's a finality to it. He does not want to discuss this further. And his hands are fidgeting.

David: "Damn, uh you don't happen to smoke, do you? I ran out of cigarettes and man, I could really use one right now."

A convenience store clerk. Who's out of cigarettes. Yeah this guy is definitely looking pretty anomalous rn =.=

>>1103914
Cigarettes? Hey, a pack of cigs could feel like a pack of tissues. Try to collapse your item into those cigs. If you still wind up taking out tissues then oh well, no loss.

There's only one place the sheriff could be. The bathroom. At some point you're going to have to ask for the bathroom key.

>>1103914
Isn't it illegal to be smoking at a gas station? You know, because of gas?

Check your pockets for some cigarettes.

>>1103916
...maybe they don't sell them here? We can't see all the shelves.

>>1103917
Hopefully it isn't cigs or tissues but instead a wad of cash. Then you can buy him cigs and get lots of snacks!

>>1103926
Oh that could be useful. The bathroom might be for paying customers only or something...

Hmm… if he’s hiding info, and he’s jittery from withdrawals, we might be able to get some info out of him if we collapse “pack of tissues” pocket. If we can land the cigarettes, we can bribe him into telling us what’s really going on here. Info first, then give cigarettes.

>>1103918
It is in fact -not- illegal.

Also Tanke is only "Gas Station" in German. It's "Thought" in like half a dozen languages. Other translations include "Thin" and "Pantyhose".

This entire place (and everyone and everything within) could have been an incorrectly collapsed thought or something. If that's the case We'll either need to untangle the riddle and try to revert the anomaly- or work to super-collapse it to make the anomaly properly real... I'm doubly suspicious as this place has power, is in the middle of nowhere, but has no visible infrastructure powering it. Underground lines wouldn't normally be run over such vast distances, and I didn't see a generator or solar panels.

Let's test the cashier to see if he's real!
Ask him about himself, his past, his family, his home, and the town nearby.

A construct would probably only have vague ideas of what those might be- if anything. Someone real would have detailed memories of such.

For all we know it's "Tanker" and the R fell off.

Theres one place that you could do with checking out.
Ask david for the keys to the toilet.
While out there gladys can check out his car a little closer while you delve into the darkest of places.
Warning.
If that gas station toilet is clean, it may be the anomaly

^Hey, where's my peanuts? I was promised peanuts, right?

The "not tissues" in your pocket is a bank roll.
Buy a pack of cigs off the rack and tell him they're his.

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104548 ID: 1d6973
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> A convenience store clerk. Who's out of cigarettes. Yeah this guy is definitely looking pretty anomalous rn =.=
> ...maybe they don't sell them here? We can't see all the shelves.
Fera: "You don't have cigarettes?"
David: "There's been all kinds of supply bottlenecks lately. World's falling to pieces I swear."
Fera: "It is?"
He gestures vaguely.
David: "Well, y'know... Like..."
He pauses.
David: "I don't know how to explain it. You're not feeling it? I thought everybody's feeling it..."
Fera: "Not me."
David: "Well anyway, d-do you have cigs?"

> There's only one place the sheriff could be. The bathroom. At some point you're going to have to ask for the bathroom key.
> Oh that could be useful. The bathroom might be for paying customers only or something...
Fera: "Hang on, I'll check. Uh... Quick question. Can I get the key to the bathroom?"
David: "Oh. Yeah of course. Here you go."
David reaches under the counter and produces a small key with a big ridiculous keychain, which he sets on the counter.
Fera: "Thanks."

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104550 ID: 1d6973
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I take the bathroom key. How cute!

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104552 ID: 1d6973
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> Cigarettes? Hey, a pack of cigs could feel like a pack of tissues. Try to collapse your item into those cigs. If you still wind up taking out tissues then oh well, no loss.
> Check your pockets for some cigarettes.
> Hopefully it isn't cigs or tissues but instead a wad of cash. Then you can buy him cigs and get lots of snacks!
All right, you said the magic word, so I'm collapsing the item aaaaand it's a pack of tissues.
I sigh.

Just to be sure, I open it and root around in it a little to make sure there aren't any bills hidden in there. Oh uh... I guess they're both looking at me. Uhm... I try to play it off cool by patting over my other pockets. (Nothing there except for the mission orders, the requisition form and the hand mirror.

I turn to Gladii.
Fera: "Do you maybe have cigarettes, Gladys?"
Gladii: "... Yes."

They're holding a pack of cigarettes and it hits me like deja vu. Right, I've seen that before. And I completely forgot.
Now that I'm looking at it more closely, it's a bit odd. The packaging is nondescript to a fault. Just plain white.

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:16 No. 1104553 ID: 1d6973
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David's eyes light up.
David: "Aw sweet!"
Gladii: "Do you have a lighter?"
David: "Yup!"
He reaches around one of the little display stands on the counter to grab a fresh lighter.

> Isn't it illegal to be smoking at a gas station? You know, because of gas?
Fera: "Not inside the gas station!!"

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:17 No. 1104554 ID: 1d6973
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David: "...so all things considered, the likelyhood is actually quite low especially if no gas has been pumped in a while. But of course, given the consequences it's best to keep some distance."

When David finally gets his cigarette, he pauses. He turns it over in his hand, looks more closely at the tip, then Gladii and then me. He looks a little confused, sceptical. Finally, he shrugs, lights it up and takes a deep drag.

David: "Mmh. Not bad."

I hope this'll make him a bit more open to answering questions. But just as I'm about to ask, the smoke hits my nose and... That's not tobacco. It's got such an overpowering and distinctly herb-like scent.

Well he doesn't seem to mind. I can practically watch the tension melting from his shoulders.

Silicon 2025/03/05(Wed)02:17 No. 1104555 ID: 1d6973
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David: "So. Rose."
He says this carefully. Like he's about to drop a bombshell.
David: "You're not actually industrial inspectors, are you? This is some X-files thing? You're like... experts for weird shit?"

Fera: "Uh..."

My eyes dart over to Gladii, who is busy lighting a cigarette. They give no reaction whatsoever. What now? Should I just go along with it? Might make asking more questions easier, I guess...

And what should I ask about?

STONER GLADII SWEEP??? wait have they just been fucking folded the whole time. is that why they're so chill. make a note to investigate later

anyway, this is good. he wouldn't be saying that if he didn't think you'd have some reason to be here. keep it light: "if we were, what kind of thing could we help out with, around here?"

>>1104555
Tell him you're definitely inspectors, but you are very curious to know why he would think you're here about weird shit. Has he seen anything weird?

"Let's just say not even the conspiracy theorists have theorized us. It'd be better for you if you just explain everything you've seen so we can do our job, and we'll go back to not existing in your life."

Play it coy, like "well if we were we couldn't tell you could we? Wink"

Ask if he's asking because he's seen something strange

He's asking because of the Suit and Tie get up, Gladi's glasses, and your earpiece.
It SCREAMS X-files/Men in Black.

Smile and say "I can neither confirm nor deny that, citizen."
Is a famous phrase used by the CIA. Just as good a yes without inadvertantly collapsing yourselves.

"Why do you ask? Have you seen anything weird lately?"

>>1104550
ANOMALOUSLY cute?
...
..
.
No. Just cute. Dammit.

>>1104555
Oh, you are inspectors, just focused on more the fundamental mechanisms of reality.
Uh.
Maybe just say "you might very well think that, but i couldn't possibly comment." Or something like that.
Then, casually ask seen anything weird, you guys excluded.
I mean, no offense, but you are kinda weird.

>>1104567
Keep it simple, this works.

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105593 ID: 6a5191
File 174336672753.png - (495.37KB , 1500x1000 , C01_05_A.png )

> STONER GLADII SWEEP??? wait have they just been fucking folded the whole time. is that why they're so chill. make a note to investigate later
Yes, noted.

> I mean, no offense, but you are kinda weird.
I'll take your word for it, disembodied voice that's speaking to my brain via an earpiece.
Y'know I do wonder what's up with that, now that I'm thinking about it.

> ANOMALOUSLY cute?
> No. Just cute. Dammit.
What would anomalously cute even look like? Would it like... mess me up just looking at it?

> anyway, this is good. he wouldn't be saying that if he didn't think you'd have some reason to be here.
Yeah, good point.

> "Let's just say not even the conspiracy theorists have theorized us. It'd be better for you if you just explain everything you've seen so we can do our job, and we'll go back to not existing in your life."
> Oh, you are inspectors, just focused on more the fundamental mechanisms of reality.
That stuff is so ominous. I don't wanna freak him out!

> Maybe just say "you might very well think that, but i couldn't possibly comment." Or something like that.
Yeah that's probably better.

> Smile and say "I can neither confirm nor deny that, citizen."
> Is a famous phrase used by the CIA. Just as good a yes without inadvertantly collapsing yourselves.
Well if it's famous, he'll probably get the idea. Here goes!

I give him my most mysterious smile.
Fera: "I can neither confirm nor deny that, citizen."
David: "Yeah okay, so that's a yes, then."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105594 ID: 6a5191
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>"Why do you ask? Have you seen anything weird lately?"
Fera: "Why do you ask? Have you seen anything weird lately?"

His smile disappears and the anxiety returns. He takes another long drag from his joint without breaking eye contact. Then he speaks.
David: "Well, not... Not exactly. But uhm... Something's definitely off."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105595 ID: 6a5191
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He looks at me very seriously for several seconds.
David: "Okay before I say any more, you're gonna have to promise me something."
Fera: "Oh?"
David: "Promise me that... if you investigate further, you're not just gonna disappear. Promise that you'll be safe and come back."
Fera: "Uhm..."

That sounds super serious! I dunno. Can I promise that? What do y-

Gladii: "We'll come back. I promise."
Both David and I look at Gladii. They are stuffing their barely smoked joint back in the box.
David: "You mean it?"
Gladii: "Absolutely."

He looks at me, uncertain. I guess I'm not the only one who has trouble reading Gladii's expression and tone. Well, let's go with it. I nod.
Fera: "It's a promise."

David: "... Okay."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105596 ID: 6a5191
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David takes a deep breath.

David: "Three days ago, I hear a car coming down the road and pulling into the gas station. But not by the pumps. On the side of the building. That's unusual enough that I decide to head outside to look. Nice car. Looks expensive."

David: "I also see two people. One's a tall, athletic-looking guy with a backpack. The other is a smaller goth chick who seems to be melting in the harsh sunlight. They're heading straight for the bunker."

Fera: "The bunker?"

He nods.

David: "There is a small bunker a little ways behind the gas station. It's not large. There's a hatch behind that large rock over there. Easy to miss, but also easy to find if you know what you're looking for."

David: "So that's the first weird thing, right? I've never seen these people before, but they know exactly where that bunker is."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105597 ID: 6a5191
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David: "And because that's so weird and because I'm bored out of my mind, I just kinda linger in the shade of the building and wait for them to come back out. I don't know how long. Ten minutes maybe?"

David: "Then I hear something very faint. Sounds like a scream, I think. Probably from the girl. Uh, the woman. I just kinda get up and slowly head towards the bunker on instinct. No idea what I'm gonna do when I get there, because I'm sure as shit not going down there."

David: "There's a second scream, so I go faster. Before I make it all the way there, the goth chick emerges from the hatch."

David: "She's clearly in distress, she stumbles as she tries to get away, falls down flat and immediately scrambles to get back to her feet. I notice she has the other guy's backpack."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:32 No. 1105598 ID: 6a5191
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David: "I ask what happened, if she needs help. She just keeps going, nearly bowls me right over! She's dripping with water. Her eyes, uh... the skin around her eyes is all red and she looks like she can barely see, but she heads for the car they came in."

David: "I follow, I beg her to slow down and let me help. All I get from her is a very unconvincing 'I'm fine!' I ask what happened to the other guy and she says nothing to that."

David: "She gets into the car, fumbles with the keys. The car starts with a jump and hits my car's front. I'm stunned. I just watch dumbly as she reverses, barely missing the damn gas pumps, onto the road and then speeds off with screeching tires."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:33 No. 1105599 ID: 6a5191
File 174336678731.png - (236.54KB , 1500x1000 , C01_05_G.png )

Here, he pauses and just smokes silently for a bit. Right when I'm about to ask some kind of follow-up question, he continues.

David: "After the shock wears off, I remember the missing guy and go to the bunker hatch. Still not going in there. But I know it's not large, so I call out. I never get a reply. Nothing. Not even so much as a groan or anything. Complete silence."

He tilts his head.

David: "Or maybe not complete silence. There's a strange noise... Like a very quiet kr-chk? May have imagined that."

David: "Anyway I call emergency services and they say I should call the police and I guess that makes sense in a way, but at first they just tell me to have an eye on the situation and see if the guy comes back out or some shit."
David: "They make me call several times. It takes them two days to actually send somebody!"

David takes another drag.

David: "World's coming apart, I tell you."

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:33 No. 1105600 ID: 6a5191
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David: "So finally, finally the Sheriff comes by. He's clearly not happy to be here, but I explain the situation to him, again. I show him the damage to my car, because the insurance company is gonna want witnesses or whatever. I show him the bunker."

David shudders. He takes a deep breath. When he speaks, his voice is unsteady. His eyes are wet. He's trying to hold it in.

David: "I watch as he climbs down. I hear him mutter some curse. He turns on his flashlight. I can hear the click. I can see the light from below. Then I..."

David gasps for breath once, twice, thrice...

David: "I hear... I don't know what I heard... A thud? A... a... grunt? And then nothing. I call down. I ask if he's okay. I get no response. Nothing. Silence. I- I-"

He presses his elbow crease over his eyes and draws in another deep, shuddering breath.

David: "I called 911 again. And... And they said they'd send someone else. That was yesterday! And I got to thinking... What's the next cop gonna do? Also wander in there and disappear? How-"

Silicon 2025/03/30(Sun)13:33 No. 1105601 ID: 6a5191
File 174336681619.png - (487.65KB , 1500x1000 , C01_05_I.png )

He stares at me, pleading. His eyes are red. The skin around them, that is.

David: "How long is this gonna go on?"

There is a pause. He looks so desperate, so utterly lost. While I'm still processing what he's said, Gladii speaks up.

Gladii: "It ends now."

That's a lot.
Hey Peanut Gallery! Do you have any follow-up questions?
And how do we proceed from here?

>>1105601
Yeah. How long has the bunker been there? Who made it, and why? Has he ever been inside? Had anyone gone inside before the two strangers went in? What did the two strangers look like, and what did the sheriff look like?

Proceed carefully. Also probably let the sword go first.

"Ah. Well, looks like you already know too much. So here's what is going to happen. You're going to close up shop, take a week-long vacation, and when you come back, we'll be done fixing it, and you will forget everything you saw here.
I'm serious. No yapping about this when you grow liver spots and boobs. All the stuff you see on TV about folks disappearing for blabbing? You're going to wish that's what happens if you let yourself become a loose end."

As far as what do... Gladii seems to know a bit about what she's doing? I think we should head to the bunker once all follow ups have been followed upon. Gladii seems ready to sword up whatever anomaly is down there, so send her in first, and maybe follow her down?

I find it odd, he mentioned the skin around the girl's eyes being red, in a way that suggests that's a notably weird symptom, but also, he too has red eye-skin. I don't know what to DO with that information, but.

Has he ever been in the bunker before? Can he draw us a floorplan?

So based on the information we have, it seems likely to be an entity. If it was some kind of trap, or space based effect, the woman wouldn't have needed to run. The sheriff, would have seen the man's body and been able to avoid what killed him if it was fixed to a location.

Oh hey, mirror on a stick would be useful to spy around corners here. See if David has any you could borrow in the store.

>>1105601
Ask him how he learned of the bunker and when.
An unclear or incongruous answer may indicate an anomalous creation rather than being a simple albeit dangerous location in which the target anomoly is located.

>>1105601
Do you have a light source on you? If not you probably want to ask if you can borrow a flashlight.

Hold on a sec... The broken headlight shards were right in front of his car where they should be... But this all happened days ago?
Has this guy not gone home at all?
Even if he parks in the same spot every day, it would be weird to get it perfect on the done like that. Weirder still that the debris hasn't been agitated at all in the days since despite being a public space.
Ask if he's gone home at all since then.

Beyond that, sounds like the girl got pepper sprayed, so acquire eye protection before heading down.

Ask Gladii if she can break into the sheriff's trunk. A shotgun would be nice.

Don't forget to check out the bathroom before diving down the spooky hole.

Uh... what's that on David's shirt? That wasn't there before...

>>1105639
Good eye.

Either he's anomalous or...
Oh crap.
I hope its not a sighting dot for some weapon...

Uhhhh punch him in the targeting reticle, enough to knock him over?? Both hindering a possible threat and moving him out of the way of a possible attack. Maybe shout "GET DOWN" at the same time, for a head start on why you punched him.

...And or follow up with "April Fools!"