Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)16:31 No. 700568 ID: dd338c
File 145506426619.png - (15.22KB , 800x800 , 2.png )

She's gone this long without murdering me, so it should be safe to assume that without a change in circumstances, if she was going to murder me, she would've done so by now. But I'm still afraid of her even if I know she's not just going to like, rip my head off and eat it or something psychotic while the CAI is watching us.

I think at this point I have a paranoia of Rokoa? Which is really kind of bad considering that I still like her and want to be with

"Kappi."
"Y-yes?"
"Whatever you're thinking about, you're overthinking about."
"Uh.... what should I be doing?"
"You want your first task? Alright. Impress me."

Are we still getting scared / horrid fascination empathy from Jessica outside the room, or has she fled?

>We, um, don't have a janitor.
That's a weird oversight in a place this size. What keeps it clean? Peer pressure? Agnes threats?

>light consequences, can be opted out of
That's gonna be a tall order if we get Kappi murdered

>Alright. Impress me.
On Jetalium Emperor difficulty? Oh my.

Well, you're not gonna be able to take her in a fight, which would be the short route to impressing her. That leaves either something you can arrange (setting up some kind of challenge, gesture, etc)., or some substantial way you can improve / change yourself in her eyes.

...maybe you need to find a way to eat her ear. Getting your own back when she's so far out of your league would be impressive. Maybe we need some kind of bet. She likes those!

Stand up, sweep her off her feet and give her a big kiss. (would be a good show of your newly acquired muscles)

Then ask her out on a date for valentines day.

In spite of everything you put me through, I still want to be with you.

Impress her with the skills you do have.

Quickly spin around and using your amazing computer skills book a romantic date for the two of you at the best place on the asteroid. Then simultaneously put out a hit on a guy while ordering yourself a new mug. The amazing display of multitasking will have her swooning in no time. (you are a computer guy right?)

And then flex so hard your shirt rips in half.

Drop and give her two hundred.

You can start by not being so afraid of her. She likes you. She is giving you every chance to succeed you just have to be willing to work for it.

So man up and prove that you can at least talk to her. Ask her on a date or something. Maybe doing stuff she likes? Like the gun range or teaching you knife fighting or whatever.

Drop your pants.

No, wait, you've probably impressed her on that front already, she knows what you have.

Punch her in the gut. Give her everything you got, reverse punch, twist the hips, get the leg into it, maximum effort.

Ooh, other idea:

Ask her if there's anything on the asteroid that she wants, that she hasn't been able to get. Something that she, with all her strength and skill and her hive and all that, couldn't get her hands on.

You'll get it for her.

Well, even though I've been working out to be stronger, fighting still isn't one of my strengths, and considering Polo impressed you with her strengths, seperate from yours, that means I should...
Hack into your your bioarmor settings.

1/3 Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)18:26 No. 700595 ID: dd338c
File 145507117894.png - (19.42KB , 800x800 , 3.png )

>Are we still getting scared / horrid fascination empathy from Jessica outside the room, or has she fled?
She just kept her rolling chair rolling until she was out of empathy range.

>That's a weird oversight in a place this size. What keeps it clean? Peer pressure? Agnes threats?
We all have our own workstations, and we're supposed to keep it clean.

So, um... I guess I have to clean it up.

>You might be able to impress her by mopping up the spill without trying to drink any of it like a disgusting dog
I don't want to do that! That's disgusting, and I mean, I've already had some coffee today.

Well, the first think I think I could impress her is to, uh, as really messed up as it sounds, beat her up in a fair fight. And, er, I can't do that, so that's really the first think I think I couldn't impress her with.

But I have gotten stronger!

>Flex so hard your shirt rips in half.
Not that much stronger.

>Drop and give her two hundred.
I can do... 50. Which I think is pretty good but not, uh, that impressive, not to her.

>Punch her in the gut.
I really don't think that will end up going well for me, even if I'd impress myself with my nerves! And stupidity!

Uh, but I think I can combine some kind of attack with a display of strength.

"Okay, then, even if you think Pilon's training is easy mode, I've still gotten way stronger!"

I duck down low to sweep her off her feet and pick her up to give her a kiss.

... she suddenly seems a lot bigger when I try and put my arm under her, but I think I can still do it!

2/3 Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)18:26 No. 700596 ID: dd338c
File 145507121038.png - (17.66KB , 800x800 , 4.png )

Instead of letting me pick her up normally, she immediately kicks her feet out and falls backwards before I'm ready.

I'm sure I could lift her off the ground, but not break her fall when she just drops herself and puts all that momentum behind her weight!

She hits the ground and I topple forward.

3/3 Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)18:28 No. 700600 ID: dd338c
File 145507132795.png - (16.51KB , 800x800 , 5.png )

"That wasn't fa-" I stop that sentence and get up before she puts me in a sleeper move or something and go to my computer.

...

"Okay, I just booked a romantic place at the best place on the asteroid and put a hit out on a guy in like 15 seconds! Good multitasking, right?"
"Kappi, if you can afford the king treatment at sector two, you can do better than putting 10 zeny on a guy with a huge bounty already."
"Erm... there's a really long wait list at this place, too, so... uh, that was kind of silly, I'll cancel that."
"And the bounty?"
"I can't cancel the bounty, but not a big loss, right?"
"Yeah, cept now someone's got a bounty of 105,010 zeny. I'm surprised they even let that chump change happen."
"Oh my god, this place costs tens of thousands just for a single meal?! Our turret costed like 10 grand!"
"You can find a shitty turret at any garage sale, you goof, it's different than imports from across the known galaxy."
"Ohhh... I might've panicked."
"Did I say there was a time limit? There's really not, other than the fact that if you take years to come up with something, it really won't be that impressive. I didn't mean you had to come up with something right now. Oh, there might be a time limit, cause Sakara's here to discuss whether or not I'm gonna be killing you rogues, so keep that in mind."
"Okay, um... you know, my ear kinda stings, what if I got you back for that and ate yours?"
"You wanna fight me for my ear?"
"Well not... I mean, I could yank it off if I take advantage of you letting your guard down?"
"That's not the worst idea. But it only counts if I'm awake."
"Why?"
"Because if it counts while I'm sleeping, I'm not sleeping with you."
"Oh right okay only while you're awake then. Uh, oh, another idea... is there anything on the asteroid that you want, that you haven't been able to get even with you beind you and you having a hive and all that?"
"Mm? Now you're thinking ambitiously. And you know... there is something like that, actually."
"What is it?"
"Not telling. If you want to get it for me, you've gotta find out what it is, because it's not just some trinket or hidden secret treasure. And if you do get it for me, then I'll be really impressed. Hell, doubly impressed, cause I'd be impressed if you found out what it was in the first place!"

>Hack into your your bioarmor settings.
That option is slowly increasing in viability even if I don't know the first thing about hacking into bioarmor.

Well, at least there is no time limit to that, but just the same I think we need to work faster. What would be impressive to Rokoa.. I can think of a few things but how viable they are is questionable...
Like...find a way off the asteroid, for two!
Has anyone ever escaped it before?
Or, how about trying to arrange some kind of meeting/communication with Polo, she might like that! Both of those sound daunting though.

>not telling

Gosh dangit. Can she give you a clue? Like... is it something that already exists, or would have to be caused to exist? Maybe you can play 20-questions, you ask and she gives yes or no answers. But like, just five or something, because she'll probably refuse the full 20. If you can get that concession out of her, that's good, but if not, would her friends be able to give you an idea what it is? I mean not her hive, they wouldn't help you, but maybe her non-neumono friends? She must have some. And she knows who your friends are, so... it'd be fair for you to know at least some of hers?

Even if she refuses, though, maybe you can find out who her friends are yourself. You're a haxxmaster, there are info services on the asteroid, and Rokoa is hardly miss stealthy. You can find out who her alien buddies are.

Then, as well as being able to ask them for clues on what Rokoa wants, you can also give Rokoa info about about how easy it is to find her friends. You could give her tips about hiding them better.

Also make a note to ask Pilon about it. His knowledge of Rokoa's desires might be out of date, though.

Can you at least give me a hint at what it might be? Also aim for hugs while asking so you can try to read her empathy.

As for the ear thing you just have to wait until you find her mystery item and then when she is shocked from you finding it you reach up from beside her and yank her ear off. (Totally romantic)

For the bio armor hacking go chat with Ben and the Cai and see if they can figure something out. Showing her you could disable someones suit like that would be rather impressive. Plus gives you a excuse to get her out of it.

The big one will be finding whatever she is looking for quickly. Can talk to Pilon and kids for ideas and see if you can get any hits of her empathy.

Ask her if she wants do do anything before you run off to launch operation Impress Rokoa.

>>700600
First thought is that stealth bioarmor that was claimed from Red but isn't being handed over. Or was that part of the negotiation today?

Hmmmmm... you could look into Rokoa's past. Maybe she's trying to find something she lost. Or a gun that's way outside of her pay grade. Or maybe it's simply what most everyone else wants: a way off the Asteroid.

>>700596
Should have gone for the kiss anyways.

>If you want to get it for me, you've gotta find out what it is, because it's not just some trinket or hidden secret treasure. And if you do get it for me, then I'll be really impressed. Hell, doubly impressed, cause I'd be impressed if you found out what it was in the first place!
Um. If she won't tell you, that means step 1 is research. Either you need to question / talk to her in such a way that she lets something slip (verbally or emphatically), or you need to see what you can scrounge up digitally (look for intel on Rokoa, or a pattern in past places / targets / people she's gone after that don't make sense of fit her / her hive's normal policy?) and/or talk to people who know her well (Pilon maybe and... you don't have access to anyone else. The diplomat, maybe, but getting him to talk to you, much less tell you anything could be hard, and might mess up the negotiations).

>I could yank it off [Rokoa's ear] I take advantage of you letting your guard down?
Gonna need a surprise attack for that. Doubly hard without a jammer, and since she'll be on guard for it. We'd need her good and distracted. We totally should if we can. (You might want to grab a knife or something, just in case).

We could cash in favors with people (is Hok still on base?) to create a distraction, although it's less impressive getting people to do things for you. More impressive if you manipulate the situation with people (Kappi's the quartermaster, he's somewhat in a position to do that if he wants) instead of asking them, though that will annoy people at you.

...we should probably recruit Agnes' help, if possible. She's on cameras and controls, and much sneakier / more discrete than the CAI.

We'd better be careful about the ear eventuality. Since she suggested it herself, it's possible she might try and bait us into going for it when she's actually fully prepared.

Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)19:20 No. 700624 ID: dd338c
File 145507442331.png - (11.40KB , 800x800 , 6.png )

>Has anyone ever escaped from the asteroid?
Not that anyone knows. There's been some legends that some people who disappeared found a way off, but most likely they just went missing. It's not like the whole asteroid is constantly under watch though, so if there was a way out, it could be possible to evade detection.

I'm sure if I even found a lead on how to find a breakthrough on the research on how to get out though, a lot of people would be impressed.

>You can find out who her alien buddies are.
Maybe? I haven't wondered much about that, but it wouldn't surprise me if she really didn't. She has a hive, after all, and she doesn't really need alien friends. She probably at least has alien, uh, acquaintances. But maybe they are friends too? But either way, I really don't think it's a popular thing to advertise you're in good with Rokoa. Word about me is getting out I think, so I have to start watching myself and probably just never leave the trade hub.

I might be able to ask Hok or Tin about that sort of thing. Tin is a good information gatherer, and Hok is, well, he knows a lot about his enemies and all. He's not around right now, but I think he was returning anytime between now and the next few days, if I heard right?

Ben would be good to ask for... well, he would be the only person to ask about hacking a bioarmor. I mean, he's explicitly said he doesn't work with bioarmors before, buuuut he's also a huge liar and he might have just been busy with other stuff. Actually, the CAI might know about that, too, in fact, the CAI might be a good one to ask about anything, since even if they don't know the answer to is, they can do a lot of research fast.

Pilon would be good to ask about this secret thing that Rokoa wants. Other than... Rokoa herself.

And Agnes might be good for.... something.

>First thought is that stealth bioarmor that was claimed from Red but isn't being handed over.
I think she temporarily relented about getting a cut, but she might bring that topic back and I better change the mind topic before she realizes what I'm thinking about. But, more importantly, when she said there was something, she made it sound a lot more meaningful than just some loot that she regretted not picking up.

"Can we play a game of 20 questions about that secret thing? Except like, five questions, to make it more fair?" I add that last part since the first response was a mind blowing no."
"I'll give you three yes or no questions."

>>700624
One: Is it military equipment? Both hardware and software included.
if no,
Two: Is it a state of being?
if no,
Three: Is it a person?

If we get a yes answer to either of the first two questions then:
If military equipment:
Two: Is it software?
if no,
Three: Is it some kind of vehicle?

If it's a state of being:
Three: Is it escape from the asteroid?

If it's software:
Three: Is it a CAI?

Is it a object?

Is it a person?

Is it information?

Pay close attention to her empathy when you ask these questions:

1. Is it something that currently exists, right now, on or in the asteroid, in a form you could interact with if you were in the right place?

If the answer to that is yes, then

2a. Is it a living thing?

If no then

2b. Would you need a specific person or type of person to get it from?

If the answer to 2a is yes

3a. Will it, or whoever currently has power over it, object or be hostile to an attempt to "get it" for you?

If 2a's answer is no

3b. Is it something you want for your own personal reasons, moreso than being something that most people would think of as valuable?

If 2b's answer is yes or no then

3c/d. Is it something that any friends or acquaintances of yours outside your hive would know that you want?

Since these suggestions are more or less mutually exclusive to one another, this will be settled by voting for the set of questions:
http://strawpoll.me/6776627

(The numbers are in regards to the post number.)

Ask if it's a duel with Polo afterward, maybe. Although that's a bit obvious and probably not realistically possible.

Kappi 2016/02/09(Tue)20:43 No. 700632 ID: dd338c
File 145507942294.png - (13.31KB , 800x800 , 7.png )

"Is it something that currently exists, right now, on or in the asteroid, in a form you could interact with if you were in the right place?"
"... no."

That question almost confused her, but I think it's just because she wasn't expecting such a, well, somewhat technical question. She still had to think about it, but she came to a thought that made her think it was a solid no.

"Would you need a specific person or type of person to get it from?"

That makes her think awhile, like she's not even sure.

"Nah, guess not. I might be able to find it myself. If someone did help me get it, then yeah, they'd have to be be a pretty specific kind of person."

It's hard to tell. She's definitely thinking of something conceptual, and maybe it's something that she can't really, uh, understand by herself, at least not easily. There was almost a thought that she had, but she intentionally blocked it out before I could grab it.

"Okay, thennn.... is it something that any friends or acquaintances of yours outside your hive would know that you want?"
"Nope. Well, if they did, then they've been doing their extra credit."

I think it's not even a well known idea inside of her own hive? Or maybe it is, I can't quite tell. But I do I think it's something that would involve some kind of personal soul searching. It's more something in depth to herself as a person, judging by how she thinks that this got way more philosophical and complicated than she intended.

"... are you impressed by something?"
"Pleasantly surprised you thought out those questions at all. There's a difference."

>>700632
Sounds like it's something like "peace". Her empathy being stuck like it is, she might get tired of it sometimes. Like being on a coffee high 24/7. It's not unpleasant, but if you stay like that long enough, you lose track of the baseline.

Even if that's not what she wants, maybe you can ask her what it's like to be at an elevated emotional state for so long?

Ok, so:
- something she could somehow get while on the asteroid
- something Kappi could theoretically get for her or help her get, but it would be impressive if he did
- something that doesn't currently exist on the asteroid in a form that can be interacted with
- something that she could find herself
-- implication: something that you can find
- someone else could find it for her or help her find it, but would have to be a specific type of person
-- this is somehow distinct from how Kappi could theoretically get it for her?
- something people wouldn't already know or easily realize Rokoa would want
-- possibly, not even her own hive
-- implication: Rokoa does not talk about this thing she wants, or even regularly think about it, or often behave like she wants it
-- Rokoa possibly has a hard time thinking about this thing
--- but it's still something that occurred to her right away when asked if there was something she wants
---- perhaps it's something she wants but doesn't fully know why, or doesn't think it's appropriate to want?
--- and still something someone could figure out she wants if they looked really closely at her or her history

The only thing that occurs to me right away is that she wants the answer to some sort of question she has.

Maybe ask: "It was implied, but just to be sure, this is something I could theoretically get for you, if I know what it was?"

>Pleasantly surprised you thought out those questions at all. There's a difference.
Hey, this stuff is important! (To you). Of course I'm gonna think it out. (Of course that means I care).

(Empathy given in parenthesis).

Besides, I'm getting better, but I don't think I'm going to impress you by taking you in a fight anytime soon. That means I have to be smart about it.

Tell her that, well, you really want to know more about her, so if you only get three questions of course you're going to want to get as much as you can. Especially if it means maybe being able to get something that could make her happier.

If you try guessing what it is, that probably counts as cheating, since it would technically be more yes or no questions and you could get more clues by listening to her empathy. So, for now, you'd better think of something more to do.

She came in here talking about how she heard you were trying to get stronger, right? Why not ask her to join you in the gym and give you advice while you try to show off your bod?

I think she is looking for something that she is missing emotionally.

We know she has grown distant from her hive but would never admit it out loud. But she must be feeling the stress. Maybe what she wants is the feeling of having a family again? One that is not estranged and distant? Or maybe she is after a purpose other than just wandering around the asteroid killing stuff?

By telling you she is hoping that you might help her find the answers she is after. Maybe she wants someone she can be with and care for. And she is hoping that you can become that person.

But while she might like you she cant see herself with anyone she does not respect. So she is waiting for you to prove yourself capable of standing along side her.

"So, something emotional? Peace?" If yes, "Yeah, I can see how that would be impressive."

I'm actually wondering, now, if it's related to her hive. We know she didn't fit right with them to begin with, and we know there are at least some members of her hive that don't have what she seems to admire most - toughness, or courage. We've seen or heard of at least two crying in stressful situations, which I wouldn't have imagined from the warhive in Polo Quest (from Kappi's perspective, the hive he would have heard her describe in her account of Polo Quest's events). Maybe she sees her hive as declining, and what she wants to find is a way to stop that? That would be something she'd be uncomfortable wanting, since it's slightly edging towards rogue thoughts, but at the same time neumono do have to think about how to keep their hives strong, and it's natural to Rokoa especially to want the people she cares about to be strong.

Perhaps you should say to her: "If no-one knows about it, it sounds like something you keep to yourself. It's not something that you could get mad at me about, is it?"

And... what about you, Kappi? You're originally from the warhive, aren't you? Did you feel like they were changing, or declining or getting weaker or whatever, compared to what they had been before? I know this is a painful subject, but what was your experience of the warhive, before you went rogue? What was it about them that you ended up going rogue over?

I mean, you might not think of yourself as strong, either, but you are a guy who seems to really admire strength and toughness and courage and so on. I was thinking, maybe if Rokoa's hive had been losing some of that, that would have been a problem for you?

Knowing Roaka it might be that she wants a fair fight with some one who can beat her. no tec no weapons, just good old tribal style fight. That or a rematch with Polo, but getting that will have to wait until we get off asteroid.

>>700664
The questions we asked make that incredibly unlikely. It's something conceptual, going from her empathy, and she said her hive doesn't know. Probably peace, fixing her hive, or leaving her hive. Her hive knows full well she wants the hive to change, but based on her personality I'm guessing they wouldn't suspect Rokoa wants a reason to leave. I'm guessing it's either that or peace.

Well that narrows down things a lot. Its not a object but some sort of personal emotional thing. Hopefully by hanging out with her more you will get some more clues. I am guessing it has something to do with her figuring out a way of dealing with her hive issues. But you should never bring that up. You don't really care if she is with her hive or goes rogue. You just want to be with her.

And that means spending more quality time with Rokoa. You need to find out what her interests are and what she likes to do in her off time.

We know she is a soldier but you want to find out her fluffy personal side. Did you ever interact with her much before you went rogue? Does she have a secret passion or a hobby? If you took her on a date would she prefer a museum or a firing range?

Say, you're supposed to be working right now, aren't you? I hope you were foresighted enough to talk to Tin about having "Rokoa Days", given how unpredictable it is that she turn up. Maybe she would let you call in sick, since she probably thinks you are sick somewhere in the brainmeats to want to get with Rokoa. Well, in either case, the CAI's got your back, buddy!

CAI: Engage Covering-Kappi's-Ass protocols, level 2! (Also begin sifting Rokoa surveillance resources for clues to her friends. She said they wouldn't know, but also implied they could if they tried hard! At the very least, they could help rule out what this mysterious thing isn't. Get stalking!)

Kappi 2016/02/10(Wed)20:11 No. 700921 ID: dd338c
File 145516391835.png - (18.19KB , 800x800 , 8.png )

"Is it p- "
"Stop. You spent your three."
"Oh..." I guess I have ideas now, at least, but she really just shut down any advancement on it for now. "Well, it was important to me, so of course I'd ask! And think about it. I can't fight that well or have super soldier capabilities, so, uh, I gotta use my head."
"Yeah, and even if you were a genius, there's no reason not to pick up your body."
"I still want to know about you! So I want to take you on a date, even if it's not a sector two thing."
"I'm listening."
"Uh... do you prefer a shooting range, or a museum?"
"Kappi. It's a date, not an errand, so don't treat it like some place that has to cater to me."

>You're originally from the warhive, aren't you? Did you feel like they were changing, or declining or getting weaker or whatever, compared to what they had been before?
Kind of? It's not like I thought they were declining, just changing. Which happens, hives change like people over time, and I didn't feel like I was changing as a person in the same direction they did.

It feels really distant. Not just the hive itself, but my memories of the hive. It's almost like some kind of past life, and the memories I have of the hive hardly even feel like they were my own memories.

It's not like remembering my time in my hive was even that painful, it's just... dim, and completly empty. I only recall it when something really forces me to, so there's a lot I don't even remember. I kind of remember Rokoa, but she wasn't around a lot of the time. I probably would have liked her if I didn't go rogue. I think.

>We know she is a soldier but you want to find out her fluffy personal side.
That's really tough! Even when we're in bed, it feels like she's, uh, armored, so to speak.

"Okay I've got to ask! What's it like being in your mood all the time?"
"Like being me."
"I'm serious, there's no one else that can hold this kind of empathy for long periods of time like they're permanently on an adrenaline high and hopped on coffee. You told me you once had an accident with your mother. How do you feel so intense and act this calm?"
"First off, that was no accident; mom impaled me on purpose. I don't remember that well. My memory around then got fucked up, and it took decades for me to remember it at all. Whatever, that wasn't the question. Point is, I either would keep my emotion in check, or die. Because if I let it run my body, I would run and fight everything in sight until I died, either from my opponents or from exhaustion."

"That's enough backstory. You gonna run off and investigate my mysterious secret you're so hung up on now, or hang out? 'Cause I know you don't feel like working anymore."

It's basically true, I've been training Jessica to take over for my job. My job is mostly just to keep an organic touch on what the CAI can do anyway; so I don't even do much necessary stuff now.

>CAI: Engage Covering-Kappi's-Ass protocols, level 2!
I'm pretty sure they're already investigating Rokoa whether or not I ask to, yeah.

"Okay, uh, we have a gym that you can use, like you know. And a firing range. Um... diners, even a little museum here if you-"
"Show some damn initiative already and tell me what you want to do, instead of trying to get me to pull you by your remaining ear someplace."

ahhhhh she's gonna judge me so hard on my choice

>>700921
GYM. She wants you strong, going there shows you are dedicated to your training.

But also museum because you're gonna need SOME downtime and every relationship requires compromise. Maybe she'll even like it! Or some of it.

She will, but she's going to judge you worse if you don't have the balls to stand up to her and take her somewhere good without asking her all the time. She's poking you to act like you have some backbone!

Well take some initiative then. You were about to sweep her off her feet and carry her off for sexy makeouts a moment ago. So get back to doing that. Drag her off to your room for some sweet Kappi loving.

Then later you can come up with some awesome valentines date plans. Can put together all your earlier ideas to try and impress her.

Yes be the one to drag her off to the bedroom for once. Show her what you got.

If you can wear her out (ha ha) then you can sneak off and plot with Hok and the Cai to plan the perfect impress Rokoa plan.

There's only one thing to do.

Watch Super-Team Space Hive 'Omega-Waveforce' - Legendary Allies of Unlimited Justice, of course! Didn't you tell Hok you wanted to watch it with Rokoa when he gave it to you? I bet Rokoa will love it. It's like 12 movies, so she won't be able to watch all of them with you on this visit, but that's good! It'll make her want to come back again even more!

Well, that's probably not the only thing you want to do. You want a little variety. And you will want to eat at some point...

Ok, here's what you do: say you're for sure going to keep thinking about that thing she wants, but you want to try do something to impress her now anyway, even just a little. You'll go to the gym together, you can try show off, she can give you tips, and you want to get stronger so you can keep up with her better! Maybe you will even manage to impress her, at least with your progress. You'll work out until you collapse, which you know with her telling you what to do probably won't take long. Then you'll both order some food to go back to your place, and watch an awesome action show together.

I second leaning in and giving her a big old kiss. She just got here and its been awhile so why not pick up where you left off last time? I would say less biting this time around but she already ate your ear.

If you take her out to do something make sure its not just something that you think she would like. Take her out to something you want to do with her.

Want to go play some arcade games with her? Watch that show that Hok got you with her? Just wander around the station showing off all the stuff that has changed recently?

Don't try to guess what she wants just get out there and do stuff with her. Or to her.

>You gonna run off and investigate my mysterious secret you're so hung up on now, or hang out?
I can work on untangling your mysterious secret anytime, I can only work on untangling the mysteries of your heart while you're here. I'd be stupid to pick your secret over you.

>ahhhhh she's gonna judge me so hard on my choice
>museum or shooting range
Guns seem like the obvious choice for a murder-mono, but that's actually wrong. Rokoa actually remembers the pre-contact past more fondly than she does than modern ballistics. The museum has the potential for more emotional resonance.

(Plus if things do turn lewd, getting it on in a resume exhibit is a lot more fun a visual than in a sterile concrete shooting range).

Be bold, Kappi! Judging you means she's trying to figure you out. The worst thing she could do is not judge you- dismiss or not care.

>>700929
>Want to go play some arcade games with her?

Oh geeze they do have a game where she could literally play as herself. Gotta find out what she thinks of that.

Yeah, the arcade games and movie sound good. Do something for yourself and have a good time for a change. Even if you want to suck up to Rokoa I doubt she wants you to obsess about her, love or not, and the movie's probably the sort of ridiculous stuff she enjoys anyway.

She wants you to be assertive and take her to do thing that you would actually enjoy. The arcade and nerd movies both sound like good choices, but also make a trip to the gym to show her that you've incorporated fitness into your lifestyle.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/10(Wed)21:20 No. 700935 ID: dd338c
File 145516800611.png - (13.62KB , 800x800 , 9.png )

"Okay, first off, I panicked earlier and I missed my chance for that kiss, so please give me one!"

We don't kiss like aliens, but we do rub noses and cheeks. It's like kissing without making it look like we've been raking tongues across each other's faces. It's nice.

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/10(Wed)21:21 No. 700936 ID: dd338c
File 145516811204.png - (18.04KB , 800x800 , 10.png )

"Okay. The arcaaaa the gym." I say, before things go too far too early.
"Kappi."
"I mean it, I want to take the training seriously! Besides, if you train me, I probably won't last all day, so we can do so - we will do some fun downtime things after that!" Oh geez I just meant to say things more definitively but I sounded like I was giving her an order but I think she's understanding what I meant.

I mean it's not a secret I'm gonna want do do stuff to her with her at some point, but it's really early in the day. If I do the gym, though, I'm probably going to get destroyed, so I want to be able to leave time today to relax.

I ask the CAI to bring Jess back in and do what she can. The CAI tells me that they'll leave us alone, but I have a feeling that we'll be watched. Not like that's special, since there's security everywhere anyway. We go to the Green Force headquarters where the gym is. Technically it's under their property, but really it's actually a pretty nice gym for a rather small force. It's got basically any normal equipment one would find at a gym, so it's more like the trade hub's gym; any employee can use it and Tin keeps it maintained, but the mercenary force has priority if they need to use it. At this time of day, though, it's completely empty.

"Show me if Pilon's still got a trainer in him, and show me what you've got. You start off like you're exercising by yourself, and I'll take over when you start doing it wrong."

There's a jammer in here, so I can't tell what she's thinking so well.

Honestly try to pretend she is not there. Just do what you would normally do and add a few extra reps to your exercises. No need to try and show off. Just work as hard as you can without pushing it to the point where you start to make mistakes.

If she can help you improve your workout that's great. Plus its another thing you can do together. Nothing like a workout partner to get your motivated.

Specially a big sexy workout partner in a skin tight suit.

Show her the best workout you have in you.

That being said dont do pushups until you throwup. Let her see the limits of what you can do without breaking yourself trying to impress her.

>>700936
Hrm, she said exercise like you were alone, so I guess that means not doing Pilon's training.

Stretch a little, then get some weights you can handle comfortably and start doing simple exercises for a warmup. Then put more weight on.
(I actually have no idea how to weight train so I'm guessing here)

... I wonder why Green Force keeps a jammer in their gym.

Anyway, you want to show off your muscles and endurance, but Rokoa's also a pro and you don't want to seem like an idiot, either! So get yourself some water, then start off by getting yourself warmed up properly. In fact, you can take advantage of the jammer - once you've built up a convincing sweat, take your shirt off, "to keep cool". Try show her your endurance first with some cardio, there's probably less of a gap between you in that regard and it means you'll get a head start on recovering it for later when you switch to the weights.

Once you've shown her how long you can last, then you can go for showing off how much force you can put out.

Pilon's been keeping in shape longer than Rokoa's been alive, and her knew who you'd be trying to impress. Hopefully what he's taught you will hold up. Have faith in him, and in yourelf.

Do what he trained you do to, but push more.

Train Rokoa style. Break both your hands with a hammer and then punch a log until it snaps in half.

Then run 10 miles and wrestle a alligator to the death. And then you are warmed up and ready for the real workout.


Or you could start with some stretching and then work on some core exercises and then some weight training. Just remember if you push it to hard she will know if you have been slacking before this and make you keep up your new pace. So you better have not been slacking.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/10(Wed)22:28 No. 700947 ID: dd338c
File 145517211357.png - (20.37KB , 800x800 , 11.png )

>I wonder why Green Force keeps a jammer in their gym.
I think it was at the request of trade hub neumono employees getting kind of self conscious about doing gym stuff in front of other neumono.

>Break both your hands with a hammer and then punch a log until it snaps in half.
It's like she'd want to do that, but if I did it she'd call me psychotic.

I'll have some faith in Pilon and not try to do my own kind of workout. I know that Pilon often had me start at a low weight and steadily increase the weight, so that's what I'll do here. I put weight on a barbell on an elevated rack and pull it off to do some squats, putting it back on after several reps to add on more weight, a little at a time.

It's basically impossible to act like Rokoa isn't around while she stares at me like this, but I try.

Sometimes I ended at 120, but today I ended at 140 pounds before my legs start shaking a little bit at the end of the set, so I put the barbell back on the rack and start leaving before my form starts suffering. Pilon really made sure my form was basically perfect, as he told me that Rokoa was a huge stickler for that.

That, and I do plan on doing cardio at some point.

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/10(Wed)22:32 No. 700948 ID: dd338c
File 145517233212.png - (19.21KB , 800x800 , 12.png )

"Wrong."
"What? What did I do wrong?"
"You were doing perfectly. And then you quit at the first signs of shaking."
"I'm, uh, just going to another exercise - "
"After that few squats, I assume you mean you're going to do every damn exercise anyone's ever come up with. And if you want to get drunk, you don't go to a taste testing place. One hundred and sixty pounds. Ten more squats."

Well I thought Rokoa might not want me to break myself on the first exercise but I am pretty sure there is a 0 percent chance that this will end well or look good.

>>700948
DO YOUR BEST!

>>700948
Well, do your best even when it's hard. No backing down, remember? This is what you got told, get going when it gets toughest.

I think Rokoa will appreciate your effort more than she would you looking good. Go for 15 more squats.

I hear guys can manage to push a bit further if they have, like, a pretty girl sit on their chest while they lift, or the like. Something to do with the surge of testosterone, or maybe just that that basic urge to show off to a potential mate unlocks some of the instinctive limits. So, maybe try imagine Rokoa naked while you lift. She's right there, wearing a biosuit, so you shouldn't have much trouble picturing that. Forget pretending she isn't here now, dredge up all the passion and desire and love you have for her, set it aflame and use it to push yourself to the limit! Past the limit!!

>>700948
Rokoa, I'm doing this my way. Which means I do it the sciencey way, in addition to Pilon's help, I did research on body building techniques and pacing.

You idiot, don't bow down to her, that's exactly what she doesn't want. She WANTS you to stop.

Don't quit just because it starts getting hard, you wont get Roaka that way. She wants to see you push your self past your comfort zone. So ether push your self up and past your limit or work up the courage to say "no, im going to train the smart way using science to get stronger.".

...well, you should at least tell Rokoa you're worried about the workout making you unable to walk for an extended period, which would kindof ruin the date.

Her giving you pointers is exactly what we wanted. Do some more but don't just go rushing over there this instant. Get her advice first.

Ask her how far you should push it normally. Tell her that you were stopping because you did not want your form to slip up but are willing to try it her way. Is keeping proper form more important or do you want to make sure and push yourself out of your comfort zone in each set?

If her way of exercising gets better results then I would work on adding it to your routine. If not stay with your current workout. She is a expert on this sort of stuff but so is Pilon.

But you have to at least try her methods for a few workouts to check. Ask her to spot you and explain what you have been doing so far while racking some new weights. How you have been keeping your focus on perfect form and such.

Find out what she thinks of it and what she suggests you change.

Well, you only improve by pushing yourself. But not so much that you break.

Push back, a little. Do more weight and reps- but not as many as she wants (half, maybe?). You're gonna have to impress her by standing up to her.

If she calls you on it: I know I'm not the best I could be, yet. If you want me to prove I care enough to do something stupid for you, I can, but I didn't think falling appart would impress anyone.

Thought: there's a jammer here. If she looms close enough supervising, we may have an opportunity to go her ear (maybe using one of the weight machines?).

Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)16:12 No. 701066 ID: dd338c
File 145523593864.png - (22.73KB , 800x800 , 13.png )

"Can you give me pointers? Like what about my form? I'm worried it'll suffer!"
"It'll suffer if you give up as soon as it gets tough."
"Uh well it's a little physically implausible to keep it up with perfect form even if I can lift - "
"You idiot, that's why you're training to be better physically! If you can stand, you can keep them still."
"Pilon told me it's not necessary to train to failure, though, as long as - "
"As long as your faking a body or training babies like Pilon does! This isn't about kissing your biceps and it's only half about lifting a shitton of iron, it's also about telling your body to quit fuckin' whining. So quit whining."

>TRY YOUR BEST
I DO.

I start thinking I'll try and fight back a little and insist on leaving room for me to be able to run some after, but I lose my nerve. I mean getting exercise was on my bucket list, so I shouldn't backtalk to the person motivating me. That's... kind of rationalizing it, but now that's how I feel!

>Forget pretending she isn't here now; maybe try imagine Rokoa naked while you lift.
I may as well if I'm basically doing all of this for her!

It's actually kind of embarrassing gawking like this while she's right there and staring back, and it's even more embarrassing that it's working. The thought of dropping the squats while she's looking back at me is... I do all ten and even do a couple more.

Nothing like having the person you are struggling for standing right there urging you on.

Well she proved that you can do it when you want to. Safety in training is good for humans and such but your a neumono. You can heal from any minor training injuries in a day or less.

So keep pushing it until you hit your limit. Will give you a bar to aim for later.

>>701066
Next exercise!

Maybe you should do that when you are wrestl- NO BAD IDEA FORGET I said anything!

>It's actually kind of embarrassing gawking like this while she's right there and staring back
Having all these lewd thoughts when you cab't even use empathy to share them!

...I can't decide if that makes this a missed opportunity or if it's kind of kinky you have to tell each other what you're thinking with stares right now.

Right, I think she isn't looking to actually get you to do perfect exercise right now, she wants to see how well you can push past the pain, how well you can demonstrate that you're the one that calls the shots over your body rather than it telling you what to do. Aside from that ability being something she values anyway, she probably also feels she needs to know how much you can master yourself before she can tell you the right workout for you.

So the best thing to do is to keep going, until your muscles literally aren't capable of listening to your brain any more. Keep it up! Just one more! And then just one more again! The pain in your limbs is nothing compared to the pain you've felt in your heart! Hearts. You know what I mean. If you had enough courage to tell Rokoa you loved her then you can manage this for sure! And keep up those baser urges, they're your ally right now! Advance from imagining nudity to remembering physicality! The blend of soft curves and hard muscle, pressed against you! The warmth of her body! The intensity of her passion, burning through her empathy, focused on you! You can feel all that again, but it's not entirely certain, and the likelihood and quantity all goes up the more you can tell your body to shut up and do what you say!!

CAI: Activate 80s workout montage music.

Try not to stare at her too much. You don't want to get an embarrassing boner in a public space.

You won't get a boner, Kappi, your blood will be too busy with your muscles! That's why going for a run is one of the cures for an unwanted chubber. Even if you do somehow start stiffening up, it'll only impress her that you can pop one out while under so much stress. So keep it up! In both senses!

Yes use those thoughts to power your workout!

Think about bending her over that workbench and having your way with her. Focus on sexy thoughts to fight the burn!

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)17:12 No. 701098 ID: dd338c
File 145523954343.png - (18.19KB , 800x800 , 14.png )

The gym does play music a lot of the time, and some old vintage era kind of motivational music comes up. I wonder if that was the CAI.

>Next exercise
The first thing that comes to my mind that involves basically zero leg use: Pullups!

I'll wear out my arms on this, but it's not long before I have to feel the need for a few more by thinking of, er, baser urges, since I could really use the biological testosterone boost.


>blend of soft curves and hard muscle
>pressed against you
>intensity of passion
>lewd thoughts

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)17:15 No. 701102 ID: dd338c
File 145523972261.png - (16.98KB , 800x800 , 15.png )

"So does that boner give you super strength?"

>You don't want to get an embarrassing boner in a public space.
>You won't get a boner, Kappi, your blood will be too busy with your muscles!
Oh... I managed...

It does.

These things happen when you work out.

Its not because I am having lewd thoughts to help focus on my workout or anything like that.

Ha ha.

>>701102
It's my motivation.

Tell her you heard that guys can squeeze out a little more effort by thinking sexy thoughts, so you decided to give it a try. And it totally works. SO YES. IT DOES.

Heck, for neumono, physical power is a primal attraction for both sexes, right? It probably works for girls just as well as for guys. Maybe she should try it!

This isn't a public space. The door's closed and there's a jammer on and anyone in the base with any sense is avoiding Rokoa.

>"So does that boner give you super strength?"
No, my inspiration does. The boner's just a sign of appreciation.

Oh no its horribly distracting. Mind helping me with it?

1/4 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)18:34 No. 701123 ID: dd338c
File 145524445311.png - (16.30KB , 800x800 , 16.png )

"IT'S MY MOTIVATION."
"Really."
"AND INSPIRATION. I mean my inspiration gives me strength and the thing is just a sign of appreciation and - "
"If it's all that, then you shouldn't be hiding it so desperately. Is that why you stopped doing a pullup?"

Ahhh I don't even know why I'm so embarrased when no one else is around but my arms are jelly now!

2/4 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)18:34 No. 701124 ID: dd338c
File 145524446550.png - (13.08KB , 800x800 , 17.png )

Well, they were, but after taking a few deep breaths, I'm able to pull myself back up and get my mind back together.

"So I mean looking at you kind of is giving me energy so I can do stuff and hey I mean it works both ways maybe so maybe you should try it?!"
"Are you asking me to imagine doing things to you?"
"Er I NO I mean it's totally distracting so you can totally help with it if - "
"You can't dick your way out of the training session. But you know what? I should be exercising too. Since the hub's pretty secure right now, I'm going to swap out of the bioarmor. Keep lifting, and I'll be back."

3/4 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)18:36 No. 701126 ID: dd338c
File 145524457072.png - (15.08KB , 800x800 , 18.png )

I basically try to murder myself on the weights for around 30 minutes, before Rokoa comes back and leads me to the treadmill. She makes some physical contact, and even if she doesn't ask anything, she agrees that I worked hard. That approval means enough to me to make me flustered again!

"Treadmill time. Keep it on this speed. I'm going to exercise during the time that you run, and I need a lot of exercise to maintain myself. So you better last."

4/4 Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)18:36 No. 701127 ID: dd338c
File 145524459594.png - (21.23KB , 800x800 , 19.png )

I start running, and my legs already feel they're on fire before a single minute passes.

I can probably last a decent while. but it doesn't matter if I'm a neumono! If I stop now I already feel like I'd collapse, and if I run too long, I'm going to be a rubber log for the rest of the day. And that's going to make actual dating difficult. Maybe now I should fight back instead of overdoing everything.

On the other hand, Rokoa is really going at it. She's pushing weights around like she's saving orphans from being crushed by them, and grunting kind of loudly. Like, inappropriately so, and I would've thought that she's explicitly making noise at me, except she's probably got so little self consciousness that she'd still do what she does in a populated gym. It's basically the kind of thing that would bug me coming from anyone except for her, and I don't know how to feel about that.

Then tell her you are going rubber log. And if this was all you were doing today you would keep it up. But you want to do more stuff with her.

Honestly I bet you would be surprised at how much you have improved since you started exercising. Make sure you are in fact at your limit before giving up.

>>701127
Yeah, time to object. While running. But do so by saying stuff like "I can't hold out much longer" or "I'm at my limit!"

On the other hand maybe she'll carry you around all day. It'd be like exercise for her!

>It's basically the kind of thing that would bug me coming from anyone except for her, and I don't know how to feel about that.
Pretty sure you'd be bothered by most anyone else ripping your ear off, too.

(Not seeing a chance to go for hers yet, though).

>Maybe now I should fight back instead of overdoing everything.
Probably, yeah.

>Rokoa is really going at it
Maybe you should take a break for a turn watching her work it.

Lol yes go stare at her judgingly like how she did you

So she's going to exercise "during the time that run"? That is, she'll stop when you stop? Well, hmm. It'd be chancy whether she could wear herself out in the time you could manage even if you were fresh, I'd have thought. I don't think she really expects you to last her a full session of her own workout, now that you're already pretty wiped. Perhaps she just wants to work up a sweat to give herself an excuse to join you in the showers? Gotta have hope, Kappi!

Make sure to breathe properly, and take longer strides. If your legs are burning especially, try switch around and run backwards for a little while, it'll use some different muscles. I also notice that your treadmill has a side rail, there, and she never said anything about not using it. She might not notice if you do, if she's focused on what she's doing. Taking some of the weight off your legs will ease things a bit. Use all these methods, try and edge out a bit longer, but stop before you think you'll be 100% wiped out.

Don't worry too much, though. Even if your body ends up like a rubber log, the part of your body that's already like a rubber log seems to have an extra supply of endurance.

Okay, on the one hand cardio kills your gains (maybe, I don't know Neumono biology that well) and you'll be needing that energy later, but on the other hand giving up after one minute of running is FUCKING PATHETIC (although that is going off human standards, which are pretty high when it comes to endurance) and whining about it now would definitely make Rokoa think less of you. So keep going! You're a Neumono, you can probably just eat a steak or something afterwards and be just fine. Think about it, everyone wants you to succeed, Rokoa wants you to succeed, Pilon wants you to succeed, the CAI wants you to succeed, Rocky Balboa wants you to succeed, but most of all you want to succeed!!

... Say, is there enough room on that treadmill for you to run on all fours? That might alleviate the muscles you're currently using a bit.

Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)19:36 No. 701143 ID: dd338c
File 145524817195.png - (16.03KB , 800x800 , 20.png )

I try to run at least for a few minutes, but then I start to try to mix it up for just a little longer by going for longer strides and making sure my breathing is even. Then I try running backwards, but that only buys seconds.

>Say, is there enough room on that treadmill for you to run on all fours?
I, uh... actually have a really hard time running on all fours, and I don't think there's room anyway.

Out of desperation, I use the side rails and have my arms keep my weight off my legs while Rokoa isn't looking.

"Kappi!"
"Ahh?! How'd you notice?!"
"Your steps got lighter and uneven, of course I looked! You call that exercise?!"
"I'm at my limit, Rokoa, and you just said I had to keep at this speed!"
"Haha, you motherfucker, if you were at your limit you'd have already dropped! You'd better be careful what you try and cheat me at. If you're gonna do that, you may as well stop!"
"There's more I want to do tonight anyway than recover from sore legs!"
".... ugh, fine. You didn't do half bad though, I suppose. I'm going to finish some pull ups, at least, so just hang out there, ya whiner."

She starts doing them where I did them, facing away from me. I don't think she can see me, and she seems focused on doing as many pullups as she can, as fast as she can. I wonder if I can sneak up on her between her grunts.

Time your steps to the grunts. Step forward once for each grunt. Once you get close watch for her tail.

Also gyms tend to have lots of mirrors. Can she see you in a reflection?

If you get close you can try for a ear or just admire the view. If you do go for a ear grab for it right as she pulls up and her pullup will help tear it off before she can react.

>>701145
I agree with this strategy, and to go for an ear.
Be sure to keep your breathing soft, and maybe also synched up with hers.

Of course, this isn't going to work. She is most likely baiting you, but you have to try.

If you time your steps with her grunts, maybe. I'd assume you're still breathing pretty hard, though, and she might notice if that gets closer to her or if you're suddenly trying to control your breathing. Maybe if you can make your breathing just a bit quieter every time you move toward her, while keeping it the same pace, so she doesn't notice a change in loudness as you get closer?

You've probably also got a pretty strong scent now, from working out so much. She could probably smell you coming closer. But, if there's an open door or window somewhere in this place, or the AC's on (most gyms keep the space a bit cool), the air might be moving. If you can approach her from the direction that breeze is flowing towards, she just might not notice.

Even if you can't get anything, you can at least move someplace with a better view. :v

I'm not sure you're up to just pulling her ear off when you're all winded and at your limit. Anything around you you can use?

>>701149
Oh yeah, that's right. She'll notice she can't hear you recovering, and will expect you to be sneaking up on her.

The only way you'd manage it is if you can make it sound like you're still far away, OR if you catch your breath beforehand so she doesn't notice an abrupt change.

Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)20:00 No. 701153 ID: dd338c
File 145524961056.png - (15.50KB , 800x800 , 21.png )

She doesn't keep her noise at even paces, but she kind of telegraphs when she's about to yank her body up, so I think I nail the timing down to put my feet down when she grunts. Even as tired as I am, since I quit early, I can still move and try and make my breathe quieter as I approach. I move slowly though, and she starts slowing her pullups as well. But, that just makes her try harder, and before I know it, I'm right under her. This area doesn't have mirrors, surprisingly, but she has her eyes closed anyway.

It looks like I made it. But was this plan ever viable? I don't think this plan was ever viable.

>>701153
Prepare to jump up. When she's on the downswing you can grab on and lift yourself up further. If you can just get a hand on her ear it might be possible to get it by letting the weight of your body yank it off, but most likely that's as far as you'll get.

You just need to pick the right moment! Just as she's come down and about to pull up again, you jump up, grab her ear with one hand, push with the other hand on her shoulder, and yank it off. You can even tuck your legs up as you jump and plant them on the impressive shelf that her backside provides you.

She'll probably be impressed by you just being able to sneak up on her, even if you can't manage the actual separation.

She said it was fair game and this is the best chance you are likely to get. Even if you fail its worth a shot.

So ready your courage and the next time she goes down for a pull up grab a ear firmly just as she starts and tear that sucker off.

Grab it good and hard and pull from one side so it rips cleanly along the tear point. You wont be able to get a claw on there to start things so make sure you hold on tight as you can.

And if you do succeed stuff it in your mouth promptly and start chewing.

>>701153
Jump, grab ear with both hands, bite the base if you can. They're meant to tear off anyway, so let's see how badly this can go. Want to bet she's expecting you?

Heck, if you think you can manage it, make it a full pounce. Jump up, grab her shoulders with both hands, plant your feet on her backside, grab her ear with your mouth and then tear it off by jumping back. Remember that she's hanging from a bar, so when you jump on her she'll swing a bit. Most likely, she'll also reflexively drop herself onto her feet again the moment she feels you on her.

>But was this plan ever viable? I don't think this plan was ever viable.
No, of course not. She's totally gonna punch you out of the air. Also I doubt you could yank it right off yourself, unarmed.

...maybe the CAI could help by noticing your sneaking and creating a distraction?

of course the plan wasn't viable, that was a given, but you're going to try anyway, because she'd be dissapointed if you didn't.

Kappi 2016/02/11(Thu)20:49 No. 701165 ID: dd338c
File 145525254687.png - (21.02KB , 800x800 , 22.png )

I decide that since it's probably not going to work anyway, I'll do the most ambitious thing and make it into a full pounce. I grab Rokoa's shoulders and plant my feet as best as I can on her backside, trying to get it all at the same time as chomping down on her ear.

It's not reaaaally what I had for a romantic date but it definitely is breaking the monotony, and I'd do this all day before I went back to droning away at the console for 12 hours a day.

It's also kind of a clumsy attempt, but pretty good considering that I had trouble just keeping myself upright a minute ago! Her reaction is way faster than I thought, but it didn't seem like she expected me to attack in the way I did. She definitely knew I was there, but she thought that even if she let me get the first strike in, she could defend her ear.

And she's probably right. Before I get a chance to kick off, her hands reach behind her. One grabs the back of my head, hard, the other one is finding a grip around the back of my head or shoulder.

I'm also a little concerned that since she dropped the handlebar, she's falling to the ground, and is teetering backwards.

>>701162
...Why? She's not armored and the ears are pretty easy to detach. Unless I'm forgetting something significant it should go well until Rokoa inevitably fends him off.

>>701165
Throw your legs behind you to at least hit the ground first and attempt to shift her momentum away, so you don't get crushed under her.

Optimally you would use that to twist away and bring the ear with you, but I suspect you're just gonna get fully grabbed. Maybe you can use your hands and claws to cut at the thinnest part of the ear, like she did to you? Then you'd fully "have" the ear, even if you can't get away with it.

Ok despite her grip on your head she does not have any leverage with her hands behind her like that. But she is going to fall on you if you do not move fast.

Your legs are stronger than her hands. Even if she is crazy strong.

So bite down hard and push off off her butt as hard as you can. Should knock you free of her with ear in tow. Also should keep her from falling on you.

That or let your legs go limp and fall down faster than she is. Will fall out of her grip and can use your weight to pull the ear off.

>>701165
She's not grabbing you, she's holding you
If you don't worm your way out quick, you'll find yourself between a murder neumono and a hard place

>she's falling to the ground, and is teetering backwards
So she's trying to pin you / crush you with her weight.

Your best bet is to reach out and grab the vertical bar of the exercise equipment next to you, so you stay sort of up while Rokoa goes down. If you can keep a grip on the pole and her ear, she'll end up tearing her own ear off.

>>701166
They can be grappled and grabbed in fights without coming off. They're relatively easy to remove, but they're still not, like, ripe fruit. It takes a little effort / mechanical advantage.

That's a super awkward grip for her! She can stop you jumping off like originally planned, but she doesn't have the right angle on her fingers to stop you pulling away straight down. Pull your legs off or push them to either side of her, best you can manage, and use that grip you have under her arms to push yourself straight down, letting gravity give the assist.

Of course, then she'll fall on top of you... but you were planning to lift her completely earlier, she's not dropping from a big height, and pushing yourself down means it'll be the... softest part of her that lands on you. It's probably the best option anyway, and you can take it! Compared to the possible long-term boost of her esteem you might get for actually taking her ear, or part of it, it's totally worth it!

Reach over with your left hand and use a claw to tear her ear off like she did yours.

Then you just have to hork it down fast before she gets a good grip on you.

Whatever happen, don't release the ear! She'll probably try to crush you to knock you off, but just keep biting. There's no way she'll be able to pry your jaws off without giving you an opening to slice off her ear. You just need to get through the fall and you've got this.

Quickly move to yank her ear off with your right hand.

Don't question if it's normal to get a boner from grappling, either. Sometimes it just happens.

>>701171
>She's not dropping from a big height
I wouldn't underestimate the force of a heavy object falling from a meter's height, especially when Kappi will be landing with the force of both Rokoa's and Kappi's weight combined if he's still clinging to her when they land.
Even if it doesn't do any real damage, due to neumono resilience or softness or whatnot, it will certainly suck.

>>701261

It's not a pure one-meter drop, though. Rokoa dropped from the handlebars and is toppling backwards, but only from lack of balance. Her feet were under her and she would have landed on them, so her legs are absorbing a good bit of the momentum and impact. She's also bending herself over backwards and reaching with her arms to try and catch him, so if he pushes himself straight down, there's good chance some part of her upper body or arms will hit the floor and absorb some of the weight from her upper torso. Like, either she arches herself back to try and catch him and takes some of the fall herself with her arms or head, or she leads the way down with her hips and the support from her legs will make it more like she's rolling over him than falling directly.

The most he's likely to suffer is a cracked rib.

Maybe.

... I'm sure he'll be fine.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)14:31 No. 701285 ID: dd338c
File 145531629489.png - (20.96KB , 800x800 , 23.png )

I let my feet fall off her and try to push myself down to at least be able to kick myself out of the way from her falling body. Her left hand rakes over my face and grabs at her ear to keep me from being able to rip it off. Her right hand didn't have a good grip on me, I thought, except that one of her fingers hooked under my tanktop sleeve and she's yanking it up.

Since I pushed down already, I reflexively decide to straighten my arms so that she just pulls the tanktop up without me getting pulled up with it.

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)14:31 No. 701286 ID: dd338c
File 145531630375.png - (26.18KB , 800x1100 , 24.png )

Damnit, even as I fall down and pull on her ear with just my mouth, it doesn't give! She gasps as I drop my weight on her ear, but she has a good grip on it so that I'm not putting any weight at the base of the ear. The middle is so thick that I couldn't tear it off that part with just a single bite.

I reach under her arm and try to claw off the base of her ear... and I have no idea where the perferation on the ear is, and I can't see because she pulled up my tanktop! I'm just poking my nail against her fur, and it's not like I keep my nails sharp! I think she landed on her feet, so at least she's not going to land on me with all of her weight, but I'm really off balance too.

My feet hit the ground, so I might be able to do something - except I also feel Rokoa's freed hand grab the lower part of my tail, and she's pushing backwards as she's still trying to get my to release my jaw by falling on me!

>>701286
Only one route to victory. Pull your tanktop down so you can see where the perforation is.

Quick - tickle her!

Your left hand is in a fine position to get in under her arm and get to work on her sides. Tickling probably wouldn't work on her in full battle mode, but this is just playful roughhousing to her, and with the contact between you she can feel your empathy. So, she'll feel your intent to tickle her, and knowing that someone is trying to tickle you makes you more ticklish! She probably hasn't trained herself against tickles, since you can't tickle yourself and there aren't many people, even in her hive, who would try tickle the big scary Rokoa.

Hopefully, her reflexive reaction to being tickled will dislodge her hand from her ear. It might also mess up how she's trying to shift her own weight, giving you and opening to change the angle she's falling, now that you've got your grounding. You thought you'd be able to lift her, right? You're more tired now, but she's still got part of her weight on her feet, and it won't take much strength for you to deflect her weight to make her fall to the side.

I recommend trying to guide her to fall over to the right, since the position of her arms means she should have some of her weight angled that way already, and it'll mean she'll be falling in a direction that helps you pull on her ear. You just need to let your right shoulder and leg fall back while keeping your left leg and shoulder up firm under her left side. You can even grab her right arm with your right hand and push with your left (where your attempt to tickle her will have conveniently placed your hand against her ribs).

Use your opponent's weight against her, Kappi! She'll be impressed with your judo skills.

Last time we saw it, she had the plasma sword hidden in her other ear, so unless she switched, we're probably not at risk of Kappi accidentally triggering it and cutting his own head off and/or cutting the ear off.

Twist and/or shake your head? Like an alligator, or a dog, when they get their teeth into something. It'll increase the tension the ear is under.

Not sure if dropping to your knees would work- so the hand at your tail is suddenly pushing you in and down, instead of just in.

>Rokoa, grinning like an idiot, with her boyfriend's shirt off and a strong grip on the base of his tail as he chews on her ear
Pfffffffffff. At least someone is having fun.

She left her right ear exposed when she went for your tail. Keep your grip on the left one with your teeth and try to tear off the other one with your right hand. Rokoa will have to let go of your tail or risk loosing both ears.

Even with a good grip on your tail she has almost no leverage with her arm behind her back like that.

If she lets go of your tail to try and protect her right ear you can go back to trying to claw off the ear in your mouth.

>>701294
Going for the unguarded ear is a good plan. Your right hand is in a good position, just slide is down the side of her head and grad is by the base. Then tear as hard as you can.

>>701293
'Rokoa' and 'grinning like an idiot' is redundant.

Quickly slide your right hand to the base of her now unguarded ear and rip and tear. With her pushing back on you and holding your butt you have perfect leverage to tear it right off even without a claw to start the tear.

If she gets her hand off your ass and back up to guard it in time then go back to work with your claws on the ear in your teeth.

Don't stop trying to chew off that other ear though.

Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)16:22 No. 701332 ID: dd338c
File 145532292141.png - (18.26KB , 800x800 , 25.png )

I try to push down to throw her off to the side and prevent getting fallen on, but she wasn't just trying to hold me in with my tail. She manages to curve her arm up and pull me up off the floor by it instead! I'm kind of thankful that she put her hand up by the base and push on that rather than curving my spine badly.

I don't know any more! I start flailing around and kick her legs some on accident, then realize I can shake my head around while biting down. It's hard just to get my claw in there at all even with a point, so I let my hand slip and try to tickle Rokoa. She is ticklish, and her body reflexively tries to jerk around! But it's Rokoa, so she prevents anything like that, and keeps her holds and everything as it was. In fact, she stumbles back and catches her balance. I'm not sure why, but she decided that that wouldn't help! I mean, I already did decide that I'd do my best to keep my jaw clamped on her ear even if she fell on me, and maybe she thinks I can actually do it.

Oh, right! The other ear! I grab onto that with my free hand and yank with what strength I have left. Rokoa's head is yanked back with it, but it can only go so far, before I'm pulling on it hard!

Really hard!

As hard as I can!

It doesn't come off?! Wait, Rokoa's giving off empathy about it, she's locked the perforation? She can do that?! She doesn't even think I have the capability to pull it off even if she let me try! Damnit, she really was toying with me and was playing along. That isn't fair at all.

If you jump backwards so you both land prone, her on her back and you on your stomach, the hand on your tail should lose its grip. Assuming she doesnt hold on and let the arm pop out of the socket of course.

You know, you don't have to. You phrased it as you wanted to EAT her ear, not rip it off. So if you can bite even a little bit off her ear...

Well, that would probably hurt a lot more than ripping her ear off. On the other hand she's Rokoa, maybe she won't hold it against you.

You know what at the very least she looks like she is having fun

Locked my ass. Put your fucking back into it.

This is your big chance. Give it all you got.

If your shirt was further off, you might be able to twist it around the ear to tourniquet it. Would take too long and Rokao has a hand in place to tear it before it gets far.

Not sure trying to perforate the other ear would help much. You've got less mechanical advantage on that side, and your claws aren't that sharp.

There's trying to upset things by throwing your weight so she stumbles / crashes into some piece of exerciser equipment. If she has to block or deflect or get hit by falling weights, that divides her attention / efforts, and a direct hit by something heavy could sever an ear.

...you've got hands on both ears, and there should be a plasma blade hidden in one of them. You might be able to feel it. The safety will be on, so you won't be able to turn it on by squeezing it from outside the ear, but if you can tear it out, you have a cutting weapon. And even if you can't, going for it again forces Rokoa to shift her attention and stop you getting it, giving you an opportunity to maybe get the ear off yourself.

Imagine her naked. And impressed. And with one ear. Isn't that hot? Lewd imagination gave you strength before.

Huh. Hmm. Just locked on the right ear? She's been defending her left ear like it is vulnerable.

... Maybe if your strength isn't enough, her strength is.

If she's decided not to fall on you, then you're sort of in a stalemate - the only grip she's got on you is by your tail, so it's the only way she can pull you off her. Try to fight against it, pushing with your legs at whatever they can reach, yanking with your hands on the right ear and pushing on her side, and keeping your teeth on her left ear. You don't want her to pull you off without getting a piece of that ear - focus on that feeling, that you don't want to get pulled off her, don't want to lose, fight her pulling on your tail as strong as you can. It's even possible for her hand to slip off your tail, since the actual meat and bone underneath the fur tapers a bit, and the fur would tear out first before the whole thing popped out of your spine. Focus on that possibility, let it fill your mind and your empathy.

Then suddenly let go every bit of resistance except for your grip on one ear. I'm not sure which one would be better, depends on whether you think her left hand or the "lock" would be stronger. Your jaws are probably gripping more securely than your hand can, though, so I'd lean towards the left.

Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)17:54 No. 701359 ID: dd338c
File 145532849575.png - (20.43KB , 800x800 , 26.png )

>You phrased it as you wanted to EAT her ear, not rip it off. So if you can bite even a little bit off her ear...
A little bit is better than nothing, but when I said eat her ear, I kind of meant take it from her. Like, claim ownership on it, and eating it is just sort of, well, proof of it.

>You know what at the very least she looks like she is having fun
She is!

I would be too, and I even am but I'm almost kind of desperate. I want her ear really badly for some reason. Well, it's not really so much her ear so much as her esteem, and maybe proof that I can fight her decently. I mean, even if she let me sneak up on her. Even after she's been doing squats and pushing iron constantly for a while. Even if she knows that she could get me off of her back if she really wanted to, but since this is just playful roughhousing she's trying to get me off of her without causing me harm.

Which I appreciate. A lot. Which is why I'm probably going to keep on ignoring the plasma sword in her ear. She has it attached to a tag that I can see at the bottom of her right ear, and if I really wanted to, I could pull that out and get the sword. I have a feeling that if I do that, Rokoa's willingness to use more, uh, excessive force is going to skyrocket.

So I try to yank even harder on the ear I have in my hand, and yank and shake my head around. I thought maybe I could suddenly release without warning and have her pull her own ear off, but then I still wouldn't have the ear, and also she can read most of my movements. I have to make her think, because she can do stuff like just stop pulling when I stop pulling. But that doesn't matter now, because she decides to end it all of a sudden.

Her right hand whips back up and grabs my neck. And not a clumsy grip like before. Even with my shirt around, this time she really manages to get a hard grip around my throat She's going to toss me over her head. I don't know how she plans on dealing with my hand on her ear, but she's going to let me keep the chunk ear I have in my mouth.

>I have a feeling that if I do that, Rokoa's willingness to use more, uh, excessive force is going to skyrocket.
Well, yes. You would be upping the ante, she'd call or raise for sure.

>She's going to toss me over her head. I don't know how she plans on dealing with my hand on her ear, but she's going to let me keep the chunk ear I have in my mouth.
Sounds like it's time for last ditch efforts. You're getting thrown, maybe you can take the ear with you.

Shrug your shirt up, twist and tighten it. Either hold it like a line, so maybe it cuts like a mandalin when you're thrown (if she throws you hard enough and you have the ear stretched tight enough, not easy), or just wrap it around the ear to try and tie / cut if off, pull it with you.

>>701359
Get both hands on an ear. Hang onto it for dear life, don't even bother biting anymore. When she tosses you, that will be the most force you can possibly exert on her ear.

>maybe proof that I can fight her decently. I mean, even if she let me sneak up on her. Even after she's been doing squats and pushing iron constantly for a while. Even if she knows that she could get me off of her back if she really wanted to

You mean, even when you're far more exhausted than her? Even when she knew you were there? Even when she's the massive, hundred-plus-years old massive warrior-soldier, and your job is to sit in front of a screen all day? Kappi, you are doing great.

The "lock" on her right ear is probably so that, when she tries to pull out the sword, it comes by itself instead of taking the whole thing. So her left ear is the weaker one, and the only thing saving it is her left hand. I see two options: first, if you can time it right, release your jaw grip for just a second and bite down again lower. All the work you've been putting on the part you've been biting will have made it weaker, and if you grab a lower-down portion, then it might tear off at that point and you'll have a much bigger chunk of her ear to go home with, though still not all of it. That probably won't count as a win.

Second, again with timing, you reach and grab at her ear above where her hand is gripping, just as she pulls you over. With a strong enough grip, the pressure of your fingers coming up under the point where it's attached to her head will tear it off. Or, if you're not so confident in being able to grab that point with your hands... grab her shirt with one hand, I'd say your right, pull it close to you, and use the left to grab the corresponding ear. As she pulls you off, if you keep your grip, she'll pull her own shirt off. Since her ears are layered over the shirt, the shoulder strap will be yanked up under the point where they connect to her skull, and shear the ear off. It looks like there'll be just enough room for that to happen before it catches in the crook of her elbow.

Both variants of the second option would detach the ear but leave it in her hand. That might not count as a win, but you'd get a second chance to take from her.

It looks like she let go of her ear to do this. If you could put all your weight and grab her ear with both hands and keep your mouth solidly on it you might be able to take the chunk in your mouth off, and use that as leverage to tear the rest of the ear off. You might be able to do this as she throws you but if you throw your weight back and use your legs as leverage against her back you might be able to pull it off like that.

...wait, if she's explicitly allowing you to keep the "chunk in your mouth", maybe all you need to do is grab on higher on her ear.

Yeah getting the plasma sword involved would be a bad idea. If she had a normal knife in there it would be fair game for trying to use it but plasma sword will just end with someone hurt.

That being said you do not give up until she has you thrown or pinned.

Grab the bottom of her top and pull it up over her face so she is in the same position as you. If you can get her arms entangled with her shirt will limit her mobility.

If she throws you you need to judo it up and roll with the throw as hard as you can while using both hands to grab at the ear and yank with all your might. Your whole weight will be enough to take her ear with you.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)19:26 No. 701383 ID: dd338c
File 145533401638.png - (22.36KB , 800x800 , 27.png )

I don't want to release my jaw in the hopes I'll get lucky and find a better position to rip more of the ear off, and I really don't think I could pull off anything amazing with my shirt. Although, one thing that comes to mind is how tough it was to move my arms around when my tanktop was over my arms and face, and both of Rokoa's arms are up, now. I use my free left hand to grab the bottom of her shirt and start pulling it over her. It is way stretchier than I thought, but she may slip up or not have the ability to -

>>701384
So how does she taste?

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)19:30 No. 701386 ID: dd338c
File 145533422452.png - (22.20KB , 800x800 , 28.png )

Nope nope nevermind she's sending me over! All I can think of to do in time is grab her left ear with both of my hands and hang on with my teeth and hands.

I might have read her wrong? Or she changed her mind and is acting on impulse, but even though she sends me over, instead of just tossing me, she bends forward.

My back slams onto the ground, and I grit my teeth - I feel the ear separate!

But she also grabs both of my wrists and pulls them apart as soon as I hit the ground. Between the pull and her grip feeling like it's going to crack my bones, I can't hold my grip, and I couldn't think at all as I got sent to the floor instead of through the air. I must've given her left ear another yank, but it didn't do anything. Her ability to fight without communicating her movements long in advance is kind of scary in its own way, while she's constantly able to read what I do.

Partial success, I guess. Rokoa starts catching her breath and putting her shirt back down.

>>701386
Poke her in the boob, while she hasn't had the chance to pull her shirt all the way down.

Then steal a kiss, while you've still got her ear in your mouth.

Well, you've got a piece of her. You want to scarf it all down now, or save it to scrape the meat off and keep the fur and skin as a souvenir? While you think about that... time for the pillow talk, while you recover. Her strength is obvious, but a comment on how hard she is to read will probably be taken well. You should also ask her if she thinks you could have actually managed it at any point, there, and if so what you should have done.

Oh, and it looks like your shirt got ripped. Might as well take it off. You're both pretty sweaty, too. You should suggest the two of you visiting the showers, before you go stinking up the rest of the trade hub.

>>701386
Can you just use your legs/feet to grab the ear? It's probably important to at least try to secure it.

Good job. Got a partial victory out of it and you showed her that you can think on your feet when it counts. Enjoy that sweet mouthful of ear.

Probably best to quit while you are ahead. If you want to try again later you will need a even sneakier approach. Also sharpen a few of your claws if you get a free chance when she is not around. If you had at least one sharp claw you could have gotten it.

Most importantly you had fun and so did she. Go hit the showers together.

Her ability to avoid telegraphing her empathy might be from years of fighting practice or something she started working on to even the odds against Polos silence.

Either way you did good. More practice and next time you just might get it all. Keeping a few claws sharp is a good idea though.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)20:36 No. 701403 ID: dd338c
File 145533817998.png - (13.94KB , 800x800 , 29.png )

Keeping the skin and fur is kind of weird and tribal and macabre, and I think I'm too modern for that. I do, however, get a kiss from Rokoa while I still have the ear in my mouth.

"Eat it." she says after we break.

It's more tender than I thought considering I expected raw meat to be way tougher, but I guess it is an ear. The fur really doesn't help and next time I do this I'm gonna shave that off first, but other than that, it tastes good. Way better than expected. I go to cop a poke before her shirt goes back down, but she intercepts my hand and pins my wrists to the floor while I chew.

She keeps it that way until I manage to get it all down. As surprisingly good as it tasted, it is really weird, but Rokoa feels kind of funny while I chew and eat a part of her. Like it's a really intimate thing. I still think it's weird and and this is basically never going to leave the.... gym. At least not from me.

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)20:36 No. 701404 ID: dd338c
File 145533818688.png - (21.01KB , 800x800 , 30.png )

I get picked up once I swallow. My tanktop is basically in tatters, so I discard it.

"Uh... how do you fight without broadcasting what you're doing?"
"You just have to act off your raw instinct. Don't make conscious plans, just roll with the impulses. Train your reactions to not just be fast, but smart."
"Is there anything I could've done to get a whole ear?"
"Yeah. A long time ago if you started training, then you might've been able to rip off an ear when you got a hold on it."
"I mean, uh, as things were, like anything in the last minute? Like if I sharped my claws?"
"Maybe if you had sharper claws, longer claws, and were anywhere fuckin' close to the perforation line, which you weren't. But I've got no right to downtalk you. I underestimated you, and you surprised me. I just thought that you'd sneak up to me, leap up, lose your nerve and slightly tug on my ear out of fear of someone getting hurt."
"Ack, did it hurt, I bit it rig -"
"Shut the fuck up Kappi. I've got to hand it to you and maybe Pilon's training. Even if it was just play roughhousing, you took advantage of it, made it into a fun session, and you managed to take a piece off me. Thanks for taking it seriously. That means I'll take you more seriously. Which means I won't let you leap on my back like that so easily from now on."

I don't really know what to say. Up to this point, she only hung around me because I was at least somewhat entertaining to her, but now it feels like I have a little respect from her, too. Not much, it's faint, but that's way more than 0. Still, there's a big part of her that thinks 'Kappi, becoming a formidable warrior' is kind of a laughable thought, but probably not as much as I find it implausible.

>>701403
Yet, you taste bad. Maybe that's motivation enough to get you to stop eating and drinking poison?

>>701404
Still not impressed though, I bet? Or if she is, what's your next task?

Oh right we gotta do more. Museum next?

I've never believed in doing anything half-assed, I just don't exactly get a lot of chances to do much impressive in this place with my job and my physique. Soo... Museum?

>>701404
>but probably not as much as I find it implausible.

Defer to her experience, Kappi. You've got a chance. And more than enough years ahead to make it happen. That assumes you don't get killed at any point, of course, but every step you make along the way to being a warrior lowers the chance of that being the case, which is a nice bonus. You can do it!

>I don't really know what to say.

Let's hit those showers.

Then you'll need to take it easy the next little while, to recover a bit. Swing around the arcade to show her the game with her in it. On the way, you can find somewhere with some healthy but also good neumono food, and bring it home to cuddle up and watch your new awesome action series boxset together. Rokoa's probably open to taking things a little more slow and comfortable for a little while, now.

>Keeping the skin and fur is kind of weird and tribal and macabre
Preserving it would be weird, anyways.

>Like it's a really intimate thing.
Well, it is, sort of. You took a part of her and made it part of you.

>>701404
Congrats, you've gone from "entertaining" to "has potential". Bask in that. (Worry about becoming a formidable warrior or anything else other than a quartermaster, later).

So... where we going?

>>701414
I wouldn't doing an actual museum date after this silly stuff.

I might get a bit nervous because this is new to me. But I am not going to give up. If I have to go through hell to be with you you it will be worth it.

No more half assing stuff for me. Its whole assing it or nothing from now on.

That being said want to go get cleaned up? Have the rest of the day to have some more fun.

1/3 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)21:20 No. 701423 ID: dd338c
File 145534085183.png - (16.96KB , 800x800 , 31.png )

>I've never believed in doing anything half-assed
I'd like to be able to say this, but, uh, to say I've never believed this is a huge lie.

"Still not impressed, though?" I ask, while she carries me off.
"Surprised, but you would've had to take the whole damn ear without sneaking up on me to impress."
"Well... then I plan on it still!... what's next? Museum?"

She leans in close.

"You're kidding, right? You grinded up on me like that, bit my ears, you even nearly ripped my shirt open, so after you get my heart racing..."
"Showers?"

2/3 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)21:21 No. 701424 ID: dd338c
File 145534085961.png - (22.91KB , 800x800 , 32.png )

"20 laps in the pool, idiot! You think you can pump me up and then call the workout over?! Wait for me in the spa or something when you're done, then we'll go do your plans!"

Damnit, it's like she learned how to go silent as far as reading her intentions are concerned!

3/3 Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)21:21 No. 701425 ID: dd338c
File 145534086775.png - (15.20KB , 800x800 , 33.png )

Well, it's either swim, sink, or face Rokoa's disappointed wrath. I still manage since it's a small pool, and start climbing over the stone barrier into the spa, which was actually turned on already.

Uhhhh

Oh, there's someone else using the facilities after a-

>fur color

Is that Jessica?

Well, she has a right to enjoy a nice spa/jacuzzi as much as anyone. Move yourself along so you can get in without disturbing her. If she gets up, say hi and ask how she's doing.

If it's not Jessica, still do all those things but with less familiarity.

>>701425
Touch her nose. Let her know via empathy that Rokoa will be here in a moment so she'd better get moving if she doesn't want to be nearby.

>>701425
Jammer's still up, or she would have probably run already.

Avoid her! Get behind her. See how long you can stay in the pool without her noticing you're here.

Yeah if that is Jess might want to let her know Rokoa is here.

Cough loudly or something.

>>701426
Pretty much this.

Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)21:49 No. 701441 ID: dd338c
File 145534254675.png - (13.34KB , 800x800 , 34.png )

I try not to disturb her, so I get in from the other side quietly. Plus, when I think about it, I don't have a way to alert her without startling her. I doubt she can hear me under there.

She eventually pokes her head up and looks over, then turns around, goes wide eyed and tenses up as she sees me. I guess I startled her anyway.

>"Ffffffuck what are you doing?!"
"Hi Jessica, I'm just using the spa. Uh, Rokoa's gonna be here soon."
>"Are you two stalking me or something?"
"No, I - we - just wanted to get exercise. I didn't know you worked out, too."
>"I'm just here for the spa."
"Well, sorry for the intrusion! Uh, Rokoa's gonna be here in a little bit, so if you want to avoid her..."
>"Ugh, we're in a jammer, so I won't have to be with that empathy, so it's fine. Probably. It will be fine, right? I really don't want to have to get out of the spa just because of... her. And you and her got together. Apparently that's possible."

>>701441
Suggest that there's time for a quickie before Rokoa gets back.

>>701441
"Hopefully, yeah. We're supposed to be doing what I want today, so I don't think she'll try starting too much trouble."

>And you and her got together. Apparently that's possible.
Trust me, I'm as surprised as anyone. And I think she sort of is too. ...and amused.

I mean. I know how she is, but she's not that bad, is she? (Talking about the neumono terror effect).

>It will be fine, right?
...I'm not sure if we should warn Jess that Rokoa will quite likely try and get amorous with you, and that she almost certainly will not want to be around for that. Or if we should just hope things will be okay and see if Jess has to make a quick exit or not.

Well I am hoping to make the arrangement permanent eventually but have to impress her enough first.

I know we might not make the most normal couple but the heart wants what it wants.

Hey before Rokoa gets back ask Jess about the questions you asked her when trying to figure out what she wanted. Maybe she has some ideas.

>>701441
Opposites attract, right?

Start imagining all the things you could get up to in a hot tub with two sexy ladies.

Kappi 2016/02/12(Fri)22:19 No. 701453 ID: dd338c
File 145534436414.png - (12.70KB , 800x800 , 35.png )

"I think she's too focused on me."
>"Well, good."

>Suggest that there's time for a quickie before Rokoa gets back.
Sometimes I got the impression that she does like a lot of physical interaction, especially since she used to live in a jammer city, buuuut I can think of a few reasons to not get overly bold with her now.

>Start imagining all the things you could get up to in a hot tub with two sexy ladies
Ahhhh it's way too awkward to imagine stuff like that while Jess is here, especially since there is basically no way Jess would be okay with Rokoa like that!

"Are you doing well, though?"
>"Eh, pretty good. I mean, you know, I feel safer here than I basically ever did under the Zozu, not even minding the last week there, so it should be good. Okay, I'll bite. How'd you and Rokoa get together, anyway?"
"It's... well, it's not complicated, but I don't fully understand and it still surprises me. She makes me feel alive, so I got the nerve to approach her, and she thought I was entertaining enough to keep around."
>"Oh, that kind of relationship."
"Er, it's changing, though! If it were just me stumbling over my sentences and stuff, she would've left me a while ago, like when I started forming complete sentences reliably around her. So I'm working hard to be, well... I wouldn't say equals, but respected by her. I guess opposites attract, though, huh, even if you're not the first one to think that it's really not a normal couple."

>Rokoa's empathy isn't that bad, is it?
She's been asked to stay away from the central trade hub since a lot of neumono actually run from her.

>Ask Jess about the questions you asked her when trying to figure out what she wanted.
Ask her about what Rokoa could want? I really can't imagine that Jess would have a clue. She says she never really spoke to Rokoa, just crossed paths while Rokoa was helping rescue Pilon's team.

>"So it all started when her empathy resonated with yours, huh?"
"You sound disappointed?"
>"Nah, it's just... there's an alien I like, if you gotta know, and figured if you could get with someone like Rokoa, you'd have some pointers. Which was dumb to think, cause that's a whole different ballgame."
"Itcher?"
>"Fuckin' learn some manners, Kappi! Duh it's Itcher, but I said 'an alien' cause I don't want people talkin' when it's not even a thing."

>>701453
...find out how they see the world. How they think. Find ways to express yourself that mesh well with that viewpoint, but don't compromise yourself.
Maybe try to impress them somehow. Find out what they like, see if you want to do those things too.

Have you told him you are interested? Or have you not come out and said it.

Cause my empathy made Rokoa realize I was interested but I made sure to tell her that out loud.

So go talk to him. Its better to get rejected than limp along hoping what might have been.

He seems fond of you. Maybe all it would take is a little push to get things moving.

>>701455
This sort of thing. But the other problem is that he has Whiskers and Rokoa had no one when Kappi asked her out. Lakkat had just died and all, but she's kind of used to people dying. There isn't really anything Jessica can do about Itcher and Whisker being a sort of thing without ruining their friendship or feeling incredibly shitty about herself even if no one finds out.

>"So it all started when her empathy resonated with yours, huh?"
...I don't know if it's just empathy, honestly. I mean, if it was, I probably would have run away from her. Between her own thing, and being rogue from her hive, our empathy shouldn't click. And the was stuff happening in the gym, but with a jammer on, and we weren't even touching at first.

>Duh it's Itcher, but I said 'an alien' cause I don't want people talkin' when it's not even a thing.
Right, right, a hypothetical alien.

>you'd have some pointers
I don't know. With us, it was mostly me having the nerve to actually go and push for it. ...which sounds kind of trite as general relationship advice, but you're probably not risking your life if you ask your alien out. (Jess: Yes I am! Whiskers could have me killed or something!).

That and there's been changing myself. Trying to make myself better. Worthy of her, someone she can respect. I'm not sure how much that would be something you would have to worry about, except maybe that any relationship means accepting change.

>She's been asked to stay away from the central trade hub since a lot of neumono actually run from her.
I would assume normal people would not enjoy reading the emotions of a violent psychopath. (I know that isn't technically what she is but close enough)

I'm probably not the best person to ask about this, I mean, I just went for it and the whole thing sorta happened from there. Does he know you're interested? Has he shown any signs of being attracted to aliens in the past?

>>701453
Well that Alien's not single though, and that's a significantly monogomous species anyway. That's difficult even without considering his individual tastes.

>Nah, it's just... there's an alien I like, if you gotta know, and figured if you could get with someone like Rokoa, you'd have some pointers.

Well, it might be a different ballgame, but I'm sure Kappi has watched a lot of nerdy shows with interspecies relationships in them!

So, for a hypothetical alien, the trouble compared to neumono is that you can't be sure what you're thinking. Like, with Rokoa, it was unlikely, but if there was no possibility of Rokoa's attraction at all then Kappi would have sensed it right away. She'd have sensed his attraction and outright rejected it before he announced it, whereas instead what happened was that she sensed his attraction and sort of dared him to announce it.

The point being, with neumono, you don't have the problem of making your attraction official and then making things weird and awkward, because up until you do announce it then it's just an empathic feeling of your desire, which you can't control and is understood to be just a thing that can happen.

So, with aliens, there's a lot of research and guesswork.

The first thing to do would be to go down a checklist of whether they can even possibly be attracted to you. So, 1) Are they interested in your sex, 2) Are they interested in your species, and 3) Are they ok with multiple partners and if not do they already have one? And you have to find out that sort of thing by watching them, listening to them talk, maybe getting someone to discreetly ask them, et cetera. And if you want to get a little morally dubious you could like, ask the CAI to tell you their internet search history or something. Just the relevant details.

You've also got to consider the... basic incompatibilities. Neumono have some biological and psychological desires that aliens have trouble fulfilling. The, uh, physical issues can be overcome with creativity and some artificial assistance, but the mental/emotional needs are the larger issue. Like, what happens if you do get with him, it's all going fine, but then suddenly one day a neumono comes into your life who you get a real empathic connection with? If the alien's ok with multiple partners, it's not such a problem, but if they expect dedication then there's a problem. So again, it all hangs on the answers to those three questions. For someone like, say, Hok's friend Miss, you'd be good to go, but she's certainly not a common sort of person.

I don't know if Kappi actually knows about Itcher's situation with Whiskers, so I don't know if he'd be able to talk about that specifically.

Oh, maybe Rokoa would have some advice? I mean, not from personal experience, she doesn't seem that into aliens, but she's been around a long time. I'm sure she's seen neumono get into relationships with non-neumono before, or knows some alien acquaintance of hers who can give a first-hand account. Probably a thing to do when courting anyone outside your species is to get advice from someone who's the same species as them, preferable the same culture or subculture as well.

Kappi could also offer to talk to... whoever Jessica's object of affection is, to probe a bit and see if he's interested. People have been trying to nudge Jess and Kappi together, so that'd be excuse enough to walk up and go "hey man if I did hypothetically get with Jess would that bother you". Though probably phrased more tactfully.

If we really wanted to get into the romantic comedy shenanigans, Kappi could even go to [the love interest] and say that he's interested in a prospective relationship with a [member of love interest's species], and ask advice. Though if [interest] asked "what are they like" and Kappi then had to describe someone with traits similar to [interest], [interest] would likely then either figure out what's really going on or start to think that Kappi's attracted to him.

... I see no potential problems with this plan.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)10:06 No. 701533 ID: dd338c
File 145538681170.png - (17.14KB , 800x800 , 36.png )

"I want to say, uh, it's not just empathy between me and Rokoa. I still like her company a lot while under a jammer without touching. Well... do you know for sure if he's attracted to you?"
>"Maybe? As in I don't know."
"Would he be okay with multiple partners?"
>"Uh maybe not which is - wait a second why are you asking?"
"Well, what if you find a neumono that you really resonate with?"
>"Oh. Right. That's probably not going to happen, you know."
"It did with me and Roko-"
>"That's not normal!"
"Well, fair. But still! Neumono have other physical needs than aliens, so that's something to keep in mind. Have you at least told him you're interested?"
>"Yeah, but he always gives some dumb non-answer."
"... don't you sleep with each other anyway?"
>"Gh... yes, but that's not innuendo for something more, it's really just sleeping in the same bed."
"That's something that intimate partners kinda do!"
>"Yeah but if it we were really like that, he'd start getting friskier than he does! It's really just because we both like sharing a bed. Like at first that was just a spur of the moment thing, but then I started wanting to get comfier with him. All I can do is wiggle my back provocatively into him though without getting him to shove me off the bed. And of course I don't know what he ever thinks, because even when we do talk he always give noncommittal stuff! It's bullshit and I don't even know why I've come to like him. I mean, he has interest in some other belenos, maybe you know that, that he's chasing after. I'm just kind of the bedwarmer and co-worker."
"Um.... have you brought up how people are trying to get us to get together?"
>"Yeah. And I still can't read him! He's just like..." She turns her voice gruff to say "it ain't their place to say who you can and can't be with."
"I guess it's not, but I guess that doesn't tell you much either."
>"He isn't trying to push us together, and he isn't saying it's bad either! Like I said, noncommittal."
"Maybe if I ask him stuff, he'd be more forward to me?"
>"If you wanna go approach him... I'm not gonna ask you to do that, but you're welcome to if you think it might help. Anyway, sorry, I'm a little desperate for relationship advice."
"I can tell."
>"What's that supposed to mean."
"Er... I mean - I'm a rogue! I'm not the best person to ask about it - I mean, I'm like the worst possible one. My only real relationship experience is Rokoa, and only other experience is watching romantic shows"
>"Oh, good point. Well you actually had some decent points. Or topics."

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)10:07 No. 701534 ID: dd338c
File 145538685795.png - (21.21KB , 800x800 , 37.png )

>"Outta curiosity, does Rokoa mind if you get comfy with other girls?"
"As long as I'm not excluding her from anything, she's fine with that."
>"Speak of the devil."
"Hey. I leave you alone for 10 minutes and you're already with another girl?" Rokoa says to me while entering the spa.
>"You both know you're supposed to have a shower before entering the pool right?"

>"Outta curiosity, does Rokoa mind if you get comfy with other girls?"
That's... an interesting line of questioning. She's doesn't mean herself, does she? Itcher hasn't left her that pent up that she'd consider that, has he?

>>701534
Did Rokoa bring changes of clothes with her, or does the trade hub just happen to have spares in her size?

>"You both know you're supposed to have a shower before entering the pool right?"
Whups. You totally forgot, and Rokoa probably doesn't care. ...sorry Jess!

>"You both know you're supposed to have a shower before entering the pool right?"

You did have an intention to go to the showers! Then Rokoa threw you into the pool. So then there was really no point. Rokoa will have to answer for herself.

Speaking of Rokoa, you should introduce the two of them, they've met before but not, you know, met met. "Jess, you know who Rokoa is, Rokoa this is Jessica, my coworker who you met before. Briefly. She's desperate for romantic advice, as you can tell by her talking to me about it. Do you know anything about neumono women attracting alien guys? For example, completely at random, a belenosian?"

>>701539
I wouldn't tell Rokoa about Jess wanting advice. Jess took a risk in trusting him enough to talk about that, it's kind of rude to just bring Rokoa into the discussion unprompted.

She was here before me and we got to talking. No idea if she is up for hot tub three ways.

You know Jess Rokoa might have some good advice for you.

Will have to remember to go chat with Itcher later and feel him out. Find out why he is so noncommittal.

>>701534
"Rokoa, this is my (new) coworker Jessica, you've met. She's looking for advice on seducing Belenos."

>>701539
>>701555
It's really not something we're supposed to be blabbing about.

"Yeah, you know how popular I am with other neumono. And I was literally thrown in the pool, blame Rokoa."

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)12:24 No. 701564 ID: dd338c
File 145539505190.png - (12.54KB , 800x800 , 38.png )

>Did Rokoa bring changes of clothes with her, or does the trade hub just happen to have spares in her size?
I think I saw Rokoa bring a bag in, so she probably had a change of clothes.

>That's... an interesting line of questioning. She's doesn't mean herself, does she? Itcher hasn't left her that pent up that she'd consider that, has he?
I wish the jammer was down, honestly. Really, though, it's not like I'm the only guy neumono in the trade hub! I think Jessica could find someone if she was that bad off.

"Sorry, I forgot. Well, no, I would've remembered, but I got thrown in the pool, so I'm blaming Rokoa."
"And I just don't give a shit about that."
"Anyway, uh, Rokoa, this is Je-"
"We've met."
>"Sort of. Hi again."

I kind of get cold feet asking Rokoa if she has any advice, since bringing that up without Jessica's ok might be kind of bad.

It leaves an awkward silence, though, although Rokoa brings out some food and feeds me some. It tastes like health food.

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)12:25 No. 701566 ID: dd338c
File 145539511444.png - (18.09KB , 800x800 , 39.png )

Jessica breaks the silence again.

>"Thanks, by the way. I don't think I ever said that. I forget."
"I forgot too. No thanks anyways. Far as I was concerned, I was just kicking someone's ass."
>"Well it saved mine, so I'm still thankful for it!" Jessica says.
"So uh Rokoa might actually have some advice for you Jess?" I spilled it out anyway.
>"Urgh, wasn't gonna ask, but Rokoa, you know anything about seducing aliens?"
"You mean that accountant?"
>"Argh, does everyone know?"
"Yeah. Since you can't share empathy, just overcompensate with every other form of communication."
>"Like... talking."
"Duh."
>"And if that doesn't work?"
"Then either you suck at talking, or your empathy wouldn't have gone over well with him anyway and it wouldn't even matter."
>"Then do you - "
"Girl, how desperate are you? All my experience with aliens is business and killing. Only other stuff I do with our own kind. I'm not modern, you know. I've still got minor urges to dunk you underwater and keep you there. Technology feels like a recent thing, and weirds the hell out of me despite using it for so long." she says, pushing her back up against one of the spa jets.

>I think Jessica could find someone if she was that bad off.
Yes, but she asked about youuuuu.~

>I've still got minor urges to dunk you underwater and keep you there.
Try and fail not to imagine two gals in swimsuits water-wrestling right in front of you.

>Girl, how desperate are you?
...we might be about to find out.

Probably best to give Jessica a chance to answer before mentioning that she asked about the arrangement. Also that, iirc, it'd only be accepted when Rokoa was away and she'd judge whoever Kappi chose.

You need to find out why he is not willing to take that final step with you.

He obviously cares about you a lot. Maybe he is just scared? Is he still pining over that Whiskers girl? Cause unless he goes action hero and starts chasing after her I don't see that going anywhere.

Maybe he wants kids eventually? That could be a big thing.

I will try to talk with him later for you. Maybe I can get a clue what he is thinking.

>she feeds you

Aw yeah, Kappi. You know a lady cares about you when she up and starts feeding you of her own volition.

Well, Jess, on the subject of technology, you could ask the CAI. It'd be pretty terrible to ask them to spy on him, but I'll bet you they're already spying on him. If you just ask them whether he's shown any interest in neumono girls, you'd hardly be prying at all. Not like you'd be telling them to give you an exact list of all his porn search terms though they might decide to give you those without being asked. I'm sure if you asked they'd also dredge what supply of internet the asteroid has to deliver you all the interspecies dating tips articles and books the galaxy can offer.

I suppose a question to ask is, since all of us here are in on exactly who she's after now, what's the break-down on her attraction to him? Does she really feel a strong romantic connection, or is it more the level of an intimate friendship that, if he were a neumono, would probably include sex by now? I mean, neumono seem to feel a need for intimate physical bonding in most close relationships, so perhaps she's feeling that lack. And does she belenosian guys desireable in general, or is it just him? If he did actually return her feelings, how would she feel on the multiple partners question, would she be ok with him also smooching up on belenosian girls?

And, like... sensitive question, Jessica, but how sure are you of your feelings? Because, from his perspective, he might be wondering whether you're attracted to him just out of, like, indebtedness or gratefulness or obligation, or even loneliness, which he might suspect if you haven't noticeably made other friends by now. Aliens generally aren't as casual about sex as neumono are, since they have all consequences and things, so they're raised with an idea to be totally certain their partner really wants it for the right reasons, with those "right reasons" being a lot more specific than they are for neumono. He probably feels an instinctive emotional reaction against any idea that he might be "taking advantage", even though logically it doesn't make any sense for him to feel that way.

Sure she could find a guy in the trade hub but she does work with you and you are pretty cute. Are not a bad choice for a casual fling.

You got to at least try for the hot tub three way.

>>701583

Jessica was just at them both for dragging their sweat into the water, how do you think she is going to feel about the fifty hygiene regulations you'd violate with a hot tub three way? Don't do it Kappi.

...has she tried asking him when he's drunk? Or directly confronting him about being noncommittal?

>>701585
Neumono sweat?
What about all the fucking fur?

>>701593
Course they sweat! That's why they don't end up panting like dogs after every fight and/or chase scene.

In the distant space future they have a crazy technology called pool filters and chlorine. So don't worry to much about the side effects of spa fucking. Just go for it if the opportunity arises.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)13:54 No. 701597 ID: dd338c
File 145540047163.png - (15.04KB , 800x800 , 40.png )

>Try and fail not to imagine two gals in swimsuits water-wrestling right in front of you.
On second thought, I'm thankful for that jammer.

>"Pretty desperate, since you're making it your business."
"Well if you just need a fuck, go get a guy. Hell, just get up like you are now and start walking around in public, you'll find someone."
>"Haha, funny. And no, I'm picky! It's tough to find a guy that I either really connect with, or to find a guy just for a quick fuck that won't try to get attached to me for the long term."
"What, like Kappi?"
>"... yeah, like Kappi, cept it's awkward as hell while you're around. Should've approached him while I had the chance."
"Um, Jess, you said there was some other belenos he was chasing for?"
>"Yeah, but that's even more farfetched than you and Rokoa! And I mean, I don't care if he has other girls, but he might just be monogamous."
"What if he wants kids?"
>"We can find a surrogate mother. I wouldn't mind."
"Um... this is kind of a sensitive question, but how sure are you of your feelings? I kind of wonder if he thinks you're attracted to him out of gratefulness or loneliness or something."
>"Ugh, don't wonder that, that's one of the few things he's told me outright. I told him if that was the case then I would've gone away by now, cause it's not like I need to sleep in the same bed just to feel safe. Hell, I'm kind of okay with staying here even after being told that Rokoa here still has urges to beat me up or whatever."
"My only other ideas are to ask the CAI for help seeing what his tastes are, asking him while he's drunk, or just confronting him about his non committal answers."

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)13:55 No. 701600 ID: dd338c
File 145540052380.png - (10.76KB , 800x800 , 41.png )

Rokoa leans in while Jess isn't looking and grabs her hand.

>"Ahh?!"
"Yeah, all kinds of desperate."

Well I am sure Rokoa would be willing to loan out my services as long as she can watch. Or join in. Up to you if you want to have some fun with us.

Why not try all three? I will talk to him next time I see him and we can get the Cai to pry a bit to. If you can find out why he is being noncommittal it will give you something to work on.

You are getting all the green lights you are going to get Kappi.

...why do I get the feeling that sweat in the water is going to be the cleanliness issues here shortly.

>find a guy just for a quick fuck that won't try to get attached to me for the long term
Like a threesome neumono pile with a couple far too involved in their own issues to get hung up on you?

(I don't see how the hell anyone but Rokoa is supposed to have the nerve to suggest this, though).

Uh, touch Rokoa yourself, and get an empathy chain going? Sort out these feelings.

Oh right, forgot the most glaringly obvious hangup. What if he's against inter-species relationships?

Can't really see what to do here, maybe Rokoa's going to judge us a bit here. Can't tell.

Aside from just sitting back and seeing what happens, physical contact for empathy seems like a good idea. (Does it conduct through individuals? Or just the one you're in contact with?)

These two are probably going to have a little mental conversation about this. At some point you might get a pat-down for your opinion, too. I assume you're ok with having fun with Jess if she wants but aren't specifically interested beyond the basic physical attraction and friendliness. Just let yourself broadcast that and you'll probably be ok.

Green Force will probably give you a kicking if you have public sex in their generously open gym, though.

Tell her you'll have a talk with Itcher, and that she should ask the CAI. Getting him while he's drunk might not get y=her an answer that'll still apply when he's sober, and just confronting him straight-up might make things awkward with the guy she's living with.

Well I am up for helping out desperate friends if they are interested.

Grab a hand or two and see what sort of feelings are flying around.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)16:03 No. 701620 ID: dd338c
File 145540819293.png - (16.09KB , 800x800 , 42.png )

>What if he's against inter-species relationships?
I think if he felt that strongly about it, he would've just said so by now.

I grab Rokoa's hand, too. Sensing someone through another is kind of tough, though, especially with Rokoa's filter going on.

"Uh well it's really up to you Jess if you want to do something about it!"
"She just gave all the green lights someone would give."
>"H-hold on! You'd prefer Rokoa anyway, though, while she's around?" Jessica asks. She wades over to me and puts her hand on my shoulder

I can't really hide that that's true, and that it really would just be for some intimate friendliness. But, at the same time, that second part is much of what she's looking for, as she's trying to avoid guys who are way more into her than she is into them. She also feels pleased that I'm not actively disinterested in her, either.

>"Hmm... okay. Not now, as much as I really want it, cause I don't want to be a weird third wheel sandwiching myself between two lovers just cause of my issues. When Rokoa goes off blowing stuff up though and I need some love, we can settle for each other as substitutes. Shit, that sounded fucked, I mean - "
"No no, I understand! I think that might work well! And it's kind of nice to know where we stand. Er, I'll talk to Itcher sometime, and maybe you can ask the CAI for help?"
>"Yeah, thanks, Kappi. And Rokoa."

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)16:03 No. 701622 ID: dd338c
File 145540821468.png - (17.15KB , 800x800 , 43.png )

Jessica gets up and heads to the dryers.

"What a fucked up girl."
"She doesn't tell me any details, but I think she's had a rough time lately."
"And now she's gone. So what's next? Arcade? Museum?"

>>701622
Museum!

>>701622
Arcade.

Arcade! You don't have to stay there, but it got built properly since last time she was here and there's a game with her in it! She can play with herself!

...

... And then you should probably get some food.

Arcade sounds fun but we have never been to the museum. So lets go to the museum first.

Kappi's gone from being the unlovable rogue to having the start of a harem.

I'm half surprised Rokoa was as supportive as she was, there. (I guess she wanted to see how Kappi would handle it?).

>>701622
Museum.

If the museum gets too boring, you can always switch to the arcade. The other way around is much tougher.

Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)16:42 No. 701629 ID: dd338c
File 145541055348.png - (15.17KB , 800x800 , 44.png )

"How about the museum?"
"I didn't know you guys had a museum."
"It's kind of new, actually. I mean, the place isn't new, but it was a storehouse for old artifacts of the asteroid, but then the CAI helped turn it into a display for the public."

We get dry, and Rokoa hands me a meal from her pack. I ask if she wouldn't rather eat at someplace, but she insists that all the food we have around here is basically junk.

There's a miklik attendant at the front.

>"Hel...lo and welcome to the asteroid museum. It'll be 100 zeny for a day's admission to any attractions." he says. Rokoa pays him before I can react.

The attractions are all about the asteroid's past itself, since that's probably all that could be found to make a good museum out of, but there's different categories. There's sections for each the technology, the wildlife that was introduced, and the people.

Stuff lives here? Go see that first.

Do you find it at all odd she keeps feeding you?

>>701631
We shouldn't. She's expressed concern for his diet so it's normal she's giving him healthier food than he can get around here. Actually maybe we should bring that up with the CAI? Get a health-food restaurant open here.

The asteroid had space wildlife? Wasn't it basically a barren rock before people teraformed it?

Wildlife sounds the most interesting. People second most, but Rokoa probably already knows the major players already (although she might have amusing anecdotes / opinions that run counter to a neutral museum-ish presentation).

>>701631
Well, it's a sign of affection. And she's probably used to carrying rations in the field, especially since scavenging quality food is less of an option on the asteroid than in a more natural environment.

>>701635
>>701630
>that was introduced
It sounds like people brought it here as part of terraforming.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)17:53 No. 701646 ID: dd338c
File 145541479066.png - (12.97KB , 800x800 , 45.png )

>Do you find it at all odd she keeps feeding you?
Well considering how much flak she's given me for eating poorly, and her low opinion of the food here, not really no!

"Let's go check the wildlife. I didn't know there was much here." I suggest, and we enter the section.
"That's cause there's not." she says, gesturing to the skulls. "Just whatever cargo of live animals happened to fall down here and then escape. I know there's some kept as pets, though, but it's tough for an animal to live for long here."

I get that impression, here. The skulls and all that seem like animals that were recovered, with signs on the display explaining where their native habitat is, and speculation on how they got here.

"But, look, over here there are some live animals!"
"This museum is basically just a zoo, then."
"Well, maybe just this area."
"Wait a second, is that a flathead?"

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)17:53 No. 701647 ID: dd338c
File 145541479971.png - (16.31KB , 800x800 , 46.png )

"Holy shit, it is! I haven't seen these in decades."
"Why would someone bring... wait, its name is flathead?"
"Look at this, you got a better name?" she says, before catching my curiosity as to what it is. "Bastards that hang out in groups of 20 to 50 or so in the trees. They hunt by waiting for larger prey to go underneath them, then they just drop. I always wanted one as a pet."
"They're tameable?"
"No."

>>701647
I wonder what one would cost, then.

So she wants one to have something to ambush her in her home?

>>701646
That's... that's not a predator skull, is it?

>>701647
>"They're tameable?"
>"No."
Pff. Well if you really want something else to chew on you, maybe I could convince them to part with one.

Suggestion for Rokoa: Tap.

If you want one I bet I could get the Cai to look the other way. Or get you some eggs or babies from the next clutch.

Then you could set up some branches up by the ceiling in your room and have them falling on you whenever they want food. Food being your ears.

Take a look at the plaque, see what it says about where they were found. Why would anyone want to take these into space?

Do not offer to get her one as a pet, you can't steal from your own museum and the cost for something so rare would be astronomical. I'd bet there are rich people on this asteroid who want these as exotic pets. Maybe fill a pit with them and throw their enemies in.

Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)18:12 No. 701659 ID: dd338c
File 145541592162.png - (11.26KB , 800x800 , 47.png )

>That's... that's not a predator skull, is it?
No, this one had different teeth, and a lot more holes in its skull, and a weird beak thing at the end.

"Won't it ambush you in your home?.... do you want that?"
>"One is basically harmless on its own."

>Look at the plaque
It looks like they were being brought to a research facility of questionable repute for study. They come from the neumono homeworld, though.

Rokoa taps on the glass, of course. One of the flatheads leaps up and whacks the glass.

>"Rokoa no!" the CAI calls out, and puts its TV limb out.
"Oh, you guys. I want this thing."
>"Can you take care of them?"
>"They need a special diet and temperature."
>"We'll sell as many as you want if you want!"
>"But seriously they'll die if you don't have preparations."
"The fun just got killed. Nevermind."

Man for being a dangerous predator on the homeworld full of murder beasts they sure are delicate.

Oh ask the Cai if they make plush versions of these for the gift shop. Would make a nice gift for Rokoa.

>>701659
I wonder if they make little robots that can mimic creature behavior.

Let's check out the tech exhibit.

Silly idea for a future date: put one in a box and give it to Rokoa. She'll think it's funny and probably not kill it after it jumps at her.

Quick, CAI, what other small cute dangerous things do you have to recommend?

Kappi: There's no jammer here, right? Are you keeping a figurative eye on how bored Rokoa is? For that matter, are you feeling interested yourself? If there are no other animals then go on to the people section. That section probably talks a lot about space pirates and bandits and stuff.

Find out if Rokoa is in the people section.

Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)19:02 No. 701670 ID: dd338c
File 145541894914.png - (33.53KB , 800x800 , 48.png )

>Man for being a dangerous predator on the homeworld full of murder beasts they sure are delicate.
I think that's typical, actually. A lot of the mid-range predator creatures have been in relatively specific, sometimes stable environments for thousands and thousands of years and just can't cope with things slightly out of their habitat.

>Are you keeping a figurative eye on how bored Rokoa is?
Yes, definitely! This place held her attention well, although just for a short time, since I think it's time to move on.

"CAI could we get a plush of these?"
They give a few superfluous details in the answer including complimenting us on our looks, but the answer is yes. It also comes to my attention that I forgot to get a shirt to put on, but given that the trade hub really isn't higher society, I don't think anyone actually noticed. I'm still really self conscious about it, but Rokoa isn't going to let me leave for something like that.

We head over into the people section. Most of the exhibits are just like, scrap and panels of past pirates. There is a little exhibit on the original inhabitants, but almost nothing is known about them despite that they're the ones who set up the terraforming. There's speculation that they found out how to get out, among other theories, but it's all just guesses.

"I don't think there's much on here about you, is there?"
>"Most of this stuff in here is old as hell. Then again, look at this plate. I think I was at this base before it got blown up. Back then, there were less missile defenses, so..."

Before I know it, Rokoa starts going down memory lane as she starts recalling a lot of the stuff around here. There are a few mentions of her, but usually just in the explanations as to what happened to something.

She could probably go on for hours if I let her. Not like that's a problem, but there is other stuff to do, and it's getting close to 3 PM! She's also reminiscing about how her hive used to be before I was born a lot. I don't know how I feel about that.

>>701670
Well just ask what other stuff she wants to do today. Hmm... are there movies here?

Hey I bet there's t-shirts in the gift shop. All museums have a gift shop.

>>701670
There's still the arcade and the movie.

>It also comes to my attention that I forgot to get a shirt to put on

Don't worry, it just makes you look like you're her cute slave-boy, following her around so she has something to look at and to service her whenever she feels the need. You'd want a collar to complete the look, though. You can check for some in the hotel gift shop! Or just a shirt.

>She's also reminiscing about how her hive used to be before I was born a lot. I don't know how I feel about that.

Well, I know they're not your hive any more, but if she's talking about how they were in the past then she's talking about your ancestors, isn't she? It's still part of your heritage. If you can't remember it yourself, it's probably good to know it. And a lot of these stories are probably pretty cool anyway! You might enjoy them. Do you know who your parents were? Would she know? You could ask her about them, and your grandparents and such. Despite you being a rogue, does she think any similarities to any of your predecessors have passed down to you?

Let her reminisce for a while, but don't let her ramble on forever. Somewhere in her action stories there'll probably be a decent moment to mention the game over in the arcade. Then from there, you could bring back to your place to watch the movies Hok got you. And once you're at home, you'll be free to try to get more intimate, if you're feeling it.

Hmm. Rokoa's here with her hive's negotiator, right? So her time's up when the negotiations are over. They're probably dragging, but even if they're set to take multiple days, they'll probably pause at the end of working hours. Tin's working hours, most likely, though she could drag it out an extra hour if they have a hope of maybe resolving it. Then possibly her hivemate will call for her to either go home or to secure where they'll be staying. If you're really lucky, the negotiations will both go on until tomorrow and Rokoa's hivemate will decide to take care of herself, which would leave Rokoa to stay with you for the night. Not sure if you can count on it, though.

How does she feel when reminiscing about the old days? Better than normal?

Well find a chance to get her pointed in the direction of the arcade and she can keep up her stories as you head that way.

>She's also reminiscing about how her hive used to be before I was born a lot. I don't know how I feel about that.
Well, the hive back then was different wasn't it? Would have fit then, even if you didn't now?

>She could probably go on for hours if I let her.
Well, it's probably good to let her have her moment. She probably doesn't get to do this kind of thing with many people. But yeah, you'll have to interrupt at some point to do other things.

1/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)19:58 No. 701684 ID: dd338c
File 145542231183.png - (15.86KB , 800x800 , 49.png )

>How does she feel when reminiscing about the old days? Better than normal?
Not... really, actually. I mean, she's enjoying doing it, but there's a sense of longing and discomfort as she does so. There's a lot of mention of hivemates that I never knew about. Eventually we just sit down and I listen to her talk about war stories, usually how she was put farthest behind enemy lines despite never being the sneaky type.

I'd like to seem interested in my ancestors and even my direct parents, although I doubt anyone knows who my father is. I really don't, though, and it's kind of upsetting -

"No." Rokoa grabs my head.
"Eh?"
"No getting all depressed rogue on me. I'm done talking about the old days. Let's go to the arcade."
"Okay. Uh, do you think there's any similarities between the old hive and me?"
"You're overly polite. No." She pauses. "I'm kidding. There were always respected outliers and support staff. You might've fit in back then."
".... gift shop?"
"Yeah, let's."

2/2 Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)19:58 No. 701686 ID: dd338c
File 145542232948.png - (35.71KB , 800x800 , 50.png )

There's mostly trinkets of useless cargo salvaged from past crash sites that would never have sold for anything outside of a gift shop. I do start looking over the shirts, and it's more like the cleanout rack at a proper clothing store than a gift shop. Just a lot of random logos and brand names I've never heard of. Rokoa nabs one.

"Hey, look, this is a really good shirt!"

...

"Actually I'm serious, it feels like it's made of a really good fabric. But it is perfect for you."

>>701686
You *are* a huge nerd. Admit it. And you're getting HUGER.

Honestly that is a great shirt. Plus if she gets you a shirt you can buy something for her equally as silly.

Embrace your destiny, Kappi.

Anyway, you can be a huge nerd on any topic. Rokoa's a huge fighting nerd, for example, and you can tell her so.

>>701686
Take it. Nerd pride.

Ask her if she's getting ones that says "dates nerds" or "I'm with him."

Kappi 2016/02/13(Sat)20:17 No. 701692 ID: dd338c
File 145542346962.png - (28.28KB , 800x800 , 51.png )

"Okay, I'll take it! It's basically true."
"It's a good shirt so if you didn't wear it, I would."
".... you're a huge fighting nerd anyway!"
"Yeah that's why I'd wear it."

... it's too small on her, but that's... anyway, now I think I should look for a good shirt for her, she's still wearing her gym clothes, and she's gotten some stares. I know I saw some pretty weird shirts in there that I passed by since I was looking for one for me.

>Input suggestion for a shirt

Huge guts.

I'm with stupid.

>Input suggestion for a shirt
"I'm with stupid"

"Murder is for lovers"

"Huge"

"My fists are down there"

"Even Huger Nerd"

[Symbol for danger of explosion]

[Queen of hearts card]

[Three wolf moon]

[Predator stripes shirt]

[old-timey drinks ad billboard/poster, advertizing "red rum"]