FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)12:42 No. 718798 ID: 34dbe0
File 146152696778.png - (137.65KB , 700x600 , i64.png )

He's quiet. You shift, turn on your side, and look at him, silhouetted against the motel window. "When I was younger, and I first read Hamlet, I hated her. I thought she was such a coward, such a bitch. But, really - well, mm, if you think ..."

You'd smoke if you weren't in bed. He does all the time, but the idea scares you. You think about fires, about choking on black heavy clouds, hands scrabbling for doorknobs too hot to touch. You only smoke sitting up. "Ophelia is thought of as valuable, beautiful, important, because she suffered and died. Isn't that why she's there? To be a tragic beauty, snatched away in the flower of her youth?"

Silence greets you again. Your stomach contracts. "If she had survived," you say, softly, "if she hadn't suffered - if nothing happening had affected her, if she'd moved on and been happy ... then people really would have hated her. I think she might've ended up the most hated woman in English literature. The ultimate literary cunt."

He says nothing. You reach for him but don't touch. "Isn't that strange? Don't you think it's strange?"

"Jolene," he says finally. You hold your breath.

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)12:42 No. 718799 ID: 34dbe0
File 146152697733.png - (68.92KB , 700x600 , i65.png )

"Can you shut up?"

>A. Shut up.
>B. Get up. Go.
>C. Drag him to the bathroom. Drown him in the bathtub.
>D. Drag him to the bathroom. Drown him in the toilet.
>E. Kiss him.

b

B. Go make your ???friend some breakfast.

Add laxative.

B. let's not drown anyone just yet, but if this guy is going to be an asshole, let's get out of here.

D

D

d

C and D

d. ophelia was murdered.

alternatively, b, i guess. start this off tamely.

D

b honestly?? get ur ass outta there tbh

Dee.

B. This guy's not worth the time or the effort.

That's rabies, isn't it?
I suggest we don't murder him right now unless we really want the plot to go nuts.
B

b

Imagine D.

In reality, do B.

b - go smoke, contemplate yr options
c - seems like poetic justice honestly but be careful baby

fucking drown him lol

>>718816
Unlikely. Jolene's got much darker hair in this, implying that she's significantly younger. This is probably one of her older husbands.

Which means absolutely D.

B
Let's take it slow.
Maybe smoke.

hes rude and jolene should destroy him so c or d

B

E then D, Just to be fucking weird.

D. fucking wreck him.

d!!! d!!!!!

A and/or B.

C. while she's younger and this might be her first time killing a husband(?), especially on an impulse like this, a toilet seems too sloppy. unless jolene's character arc calls for her going from sloppy to classy, a bathtub is more fitting - and resembles ophelia, drowned in the lake. narrative!

E then d.

Gon act like a bitch, gon die like a bitch

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)18:35 No. 718888 ID: 34dbe0
File 146154812580.png - (130.15KB , 700x600 , i66.png )

"Oh, Boris. Don't be like that."

You sit up. Slink forward. You're going in for a kiss. He's Allowing It, like he always does, acting like it's an inconvenience. You smile.

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)18:35 No. 718889 ID: 34dbe0
File 146154813772.png - (175.97KB , 700x600 , i67.png )

You're so much stronger than him. Your hand closes on the back of his neck. You imagine your fingers punching right into his nape, fingers delving straight through muscle, like La Llorona. That's not what happens, but it's good enough. He grunts and shoves his arm towards yours, trying to knock it away, and his hand glances off your forearm like a whiffle bat. You shove. He slides off the bed and you topple after him, your descent controlled and vicious. He hits the ground hard and you grind his face into the carpet.

"You never liked Shakespeare, I guess." You haven't exerted yourself, but you're panting anyway. "Wasn't it interesting enough for you?" You shove again. There's a loud, sick pop, and blood seeps silently out in a neat circle under his face. "Didn't they suffer enough to hold your attention?"

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)18:35 No. 718890 ID: 34dbe0
File 146154815023.png - (108.27KB , 700x600 , i68.png )

The bathroom is a straight shot from the bed. Right there. You drag him on hands and knees, not because you have to, but because you want to keep his face against the floor. He's not making any noise. You wonder if he knew this would happen someday. Weren't you careful enough? It's something to keep in mind for next time. "That's how it always is, isn't it," you gasp, and he scccrrrrraaaapes when you transition from carpet to cheap bath tile. "It's just not enough. Nothing is tragic enough."

When you drag him upright his head hits the toilet rim hard and you're not sure if you did it on purpose or not. You put your knee on the small of his back and hold his head over the bowl. "How much?" you ask. He throws up. You laugh, disgusted, and slam your knee into his back again, dragging out a dry heave, but he's got nothing left. "How much does someone have to suffer before it's interesting?"

His head's underwater. He's trying to shove at the seat with his big stupid hands to get himself out but they just slip on water and blood and puke. "Nobody wants to listen!" The toilet's bubbling like a jacuzzi. Are you crying? "You're not broken enough! You're not hurt enough! It's not sordid enough! How's anyone supposed to think of you as a sympathetic hero?"

He's not fighting as hard as you thought he would. Maybe he did know. Maybe he's just dying faster than you planned. "You're a bad victim," you sob. "You're not doing it right."

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)18:36 No. 718892 ID: 34dbe0
File 146154817289.png - (99.33KB , 700x600 , i70.png )

ahahaha fuck

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)18:36 No. 718893 ID: 34dbe0
File 146154818706.png - (108.19KB , 700x600 , i71.png )

Okay.

>A. Get up.
>B. Stay down.
>C. Smoke.
>D. Call the babysitter.

C

A and D

A & C

a. dont let this bother you too much! hes a waste of your feelings.

C&D

C and d

C

A.
Say good riddance to bad assholes! You shouldn't be sad that he didn't die right, one less philistine in the world is always a good thing. Maybe you can make your next husband a poet, for a more poetic death. Ha.

C and D

A & D.
You fucked up.
Again.

C + D

we didn't do it right. a, c. put on a bathrobe before you go onto the balcony, wouldn't do for anyone to see the blood before we get a good victim. can't go out on a bad one.

FRACTAL 2016/04/24(Sun)21:22 No. 718925 ID: 34dbe0
File 146155817197.png - (105.91KB , 700x600 , i72.png )

You get up. You almost slip. You don't slip. You find a bathrobe in your suitcase, still open on the floor, and put it on. Your smokes are in your purse and the room key and your wedding ring are on the nightstand. You grab them both before going outside.

Your hands are shaking when you light your cigarette. They've gone still by the time you finish it. You put your ring back on, hold it up to glimmer wetly in the oily electric lights buzzing overhead, and wonder what it would look like if you wore this one and your first one at the same time. Stupid, probably.

There's a payphone next to the parking lot, below the balcony you're on. On the stairs down you almost slip. You don't slip. It's June of 1997 and you wish it wasn't so hot.

You put the babysitter's phone number on a slip of paper inside your cig box because you knew it was the only thing you had a 0% chance of losing. The phone rings twice before he answers.

"Hello?"

"Cain. It's Jolene."

"Oh, hey." He's eating something. You feel a little annoyed. "What's up? How's Cincinnati?"

>A. "It's okay."
>B. "I hate it here."
>C. "The set went well."
>D. "I did it."
>E. "We're cancelling the tour."
>F. "How's Sloane?"

a, c, d, f. that's a decent reply, right? we're fine.

A, F

E and f and holy shit cain???

b, f

A and F!

f!! sloane is The Priority

E, F

F.. check on your little girl. then, if the conversation might lead to it, D.

A, F, and D, in that order.

A then F. Make sure Sloane is alright with the weeb demon.

F.

Think about what she means to you.

I cant believe Cain is a babysitter >>718956

B, F.

f, check in on yr baby then go to c, then d.

(is. cain the same cain in the main story?)

D, B, F

A and F.

Worry about Cain's habits rubbing off on Sloane.

FRACTAL 2016/04/25(Mon)14:33 No. 719078 ID: 34dbe0
File 146161998834.png - (136.95KB , 700x600 , i73.png )

"It's okay," you lie. You push your hair away from your neck and lean into the phone. "How's Sloane?"

FRACTAL 2016/04/25(Mon)14:33 No. 719079 ID: 34dbe0
File 146162000173.png - (226.00KB , 700x600 , i74.png )

Cain snorts. "What do you mean, 'how is it?' It's a baby. All it does is sleep and poop."

You can't raise your voice so you swing the opposite direction, letting your voice crawl down quiet and dangerous. "I'm not playing games, demon."

"Yeesh, okay. She's fine, because she's a baby, and she's sleeping." He slurps something, loudly. "How's Dickheadski Mikassholekov?"

You pause, hand pulling idly at the phone cord. Your lips part slowly. "I did it."

FRACTAL 2016/04/25(Mon)14:33 No. 719080 ID: 34dbe0
File 146162001666.png - (247.11KB , 700x600 , i75.png )

Cain laughs very, very softly.

"Well. How's that phrase go? First time's an accident, second time's a coincidence -"

Your hand tightens on the phone.

"Third time's a solid business partnership. So I guess I'm not gonna relax til round three."

You swallow and wet your lips. You wish you could take the robe off. "Don't make me regret contracting you."

"Oh, you won't." You hear something crunch - chicken bones? "Hurry home, Jojo, 'cause you won't."

FRACTAL 2016/04/25(Mon)14:33 No. 719081 ID: 34dbe0
File 146162003011.png - (150.31KB , 700x600 , i76.png )

You didn't.

It is August of 2015 and things are going exactly according to plan.

The girl just left. You ended up liking her more than you dared. Now that the wedding is (more or less) under control, you can focus on other things.

>A. Think about what you overheard from Sloane this morning.
>B. Call the Oyabun to harass her discuss the wedding.
>C. Wait for Rabies to get home.
>D. Something else?

A

B

A, what did you overhear?
and D, Cain was at your party. Did he seem to recognize you? Did you acknowledge each other?

A, then B

a then b

A and b and are you sti contracted with cain?

a & b

>>719085
>>719086

A and D - what are your thoughts on Cain being at the party?

D) What do you mean by "liking her more than you dared"? Fo you mean that you thought you wouldnt like her, or that you didnt want to like her?

Also B

A,B, d- what do you mean you like her more than you dared?

A
D Lets find and kill Ne before Sloane finds out how related to her boyfriend's murder you are, even if its tangential. We've had our fun with Lowry in regards to Ne, now lets tie up a loose end.

>>719107
Actually, that's a good idea, but go for the non-lethal capture route. Johnny was just a mook but Sloane invested some tiny piece of herself in him (wait, how does Sloane usually prod her toys?). Sloane might pretend to be a run-of-the-mill psycho but she has a heart made of piano wire. Ne now has access to one of her heartstrings, and you do NOT let enemy hackers gain access to threads and then live to tear down your empire. Capture him alive, give him to Rabies (alongside two eye-eating parasites, a box of gold nails, and a hula hoop), and let HIM get his killing scent all over Ne so you have a convenient excuse to make Sloane and the bunnies kiss and make up.

Bee.

>>719112
stitch this post in gold thread and frame it above your bed.

A

think about how nice cain looked at the party......

B! BBBBBBBBB

A and D! think about lowry. shes kinda hot, huh?

Huh. Turns out I actually like Jolene with her hair straight and her real eyes.

Shame both those things changed.

A then B. Bug those bunnies.

B

a, b

a & b

A and C.

B might make Rabies suspect something, even if he is a brute.

>>719084
>>719100
>>719107
>>719112

All these.

Maybe leave the Oyabun out of it for now, don't want Rabies getting suspicious.

a!!!!! and b while waiting for c, or! go put on lemonade and teach solone the notes for her fav song (solone Sings and Is Very Good At It, her mum is Very Proud)

>>719311
acid soup takes place in august of 2015 - tragically for everyone involved, "lemonade" has not yet dropped.

FRACTAL 2016/04/26(Tue)23:22 No. 719425 ID: 34dbe0
File 146173815589.png - (181.79KB , 700x600 , i77.png )

It was odd, seeing Cain. It's been a long time since you've had to request his services, but certainly not long enough for him to forget you. That would take longer than a mortal lifetime. You would have said something - about him getting thinner, about his hair going long - but he seemed to be playing the "I don't know you" card, and you weren't going to kill whatever he had going on. Business is business.

You wonder if you should call him.

You've got your phone out - for the Oyabun, not him - but thoughts of the dinner party slow your fingers and eventually bring them to a stop, hovering over the keypad. You wonder what Sloane wanted to ask you about. It couldn't have been what you heard this morning.

FRACTAL 2016/04/26(Tue)23:22 No. 719426 ID: 34dbe0
File 146173816787.png - (122.42KB , 700x600 , i78.png )

She was in her bedroom, door demurely cracked since that boy was in there, and you shouldn't have listened but she was already talking.

Johnny, baby, she's saying, would you be a doll and go get something for me?

What is it?

You can hear the laugh curling in the edges of her voice. You guess he can't. I bought something from Ne, and he emailed me today saying it was in ... won't you go pick it up for me?

He kicks at the floor, shoves his hands in his pockets. Aw, I dunno, toots. I'm not s'posed 'ta leave. Bosslady's got that party tonight, and we're all s'posed 'ta stay in the manor, on account of-

Oh, Johnny, she's saying, and you recognize the way her voice lilts. You didn't teach her that. You wonder when she started absorbing it. It's so humid out, and I hate to walk around by myself ... my hair'll get mussed. You hear the bed creak. Don't you want me to be pretty for you, Johnny? Can't you do a little favor for your girl?

FRACTAL 2016/04/26(Tue)23:22 No. 719427 ID: 34dbe0
File 146173817965.png - (96.71KB , 700x600 , i79.png )

You heard about the kid's death not an hour and a half later. Sometimes you worry Sloane's taking after you faster than you intended. God only knows her motives - maybe she just wanted to know whether she could pull it off. Her performance at dinner was ... worrying, to say the least, if only because you wonder if you'd have fallen for it if you hadn't already known.

Probably. She's her mother's daughter, after all.

FRACTAL 2016/04/26(Tue)23:23 No. 719428 ID: 34dbe0
File 146173819280.png - (153.32KB , 700x600 , i80.png )

Rabies is still likely to be out long enough for you to get a few calls done, so you scroll down to the Oyabun's contact and let it ring. It's her personal number, and she picks up quickly, but doesn't speak. You can imagine her now, cross-legged and wreathed in pipe smoke, all ink and long hair. You'll have to talk first.

>A. "Hello, Oyabun."
>B. "Hello, Sachi."
>C. "Hey, baby."
>D. "I didn't know you liked blondes."

depending on how flippant we want to be, b or c. b implies familiarity and that's good, and so does c, but to the point of disrespect

personally my vote goes b if it's between the two

B

b and especially d

B, D.

c c c c c

c and d. oyabun/jolene for life

b.... d.... im dying fractal.... pls...

b, d or c, d

fractal Holy Fuck just thinking about C is clearing my skin, curing my illnesses, adding years to my life, Please,

c + d

>>719440

.........c..... holy fuck

>>719440

oh my god i'm foaming at the mouth at The Content.. B and D, maybe throw in a little bit of C there for added gay

THIS IS GAY AND I LIVE FOR THIS

B - formal greeting, from what we know about the oyabun she's traditional / formal start like that and move from there? (think c at top volume)

B, then D

C because fuck it

B holy shit I'm so gay

c + d go gay as hell or go home

Make intrusive breathing noises. Gauge her reactions and respond accordingly.

C, and then D.

B. Think about the first time you saw all her ink.

C and D.

C FOR SURE?? GIVE YOUR QUASI/EX GF THE AFFECTION SHE DESERVES. also, ask her how shes doing! make it smooth, somewhat caring, and Personal.

B

fffffffffffffffffffsloane.......... I did NOT see that coming oh my god and here I thought she was genuine, and honest....... holy shit.......... I love Sloane ??????????


Oh. actuallly. A. be really formal

c and d... Both

>>719428
B or D but mostly D

c & d . power lesbian jolene is everything i never knew i needed

CD

FRACTAL 2016/05/01(Sun)21:13 No. 720414 ID: 34dbe0
File 146216243435.png - (101.58KB , 700x600 , i81.png )

You lean against the wall, tuck your hair back, and lower your voice in a way that usually feels practiced and theatrical. Not now, though. "Hey, baby."

She hangs up.

It takes three calls, each one ringing all the way through to voicemail, before she picks up again. This time she does speak first. "You'd do well not to waste my fucking time, Drool."

"Oh, don't do the last name thing, Sachi. You're hurting my feelings." You raise your hand to your mouth, press long fingers against a rebellious smile. You're usually in perfect control of your facial expressions, every twitch and tiny gesture, but you can't find it in yourself to be annoyed at the lapse.

"What do you want?"

"I saw your lieutenant today." Your voice is breathy, easy. Settling in again, to the patterns and scripts that you know work, the ones that are effective, that get you what you want. "I didn't know you liked blondes."

FRACTAL 2016/05/01(Sun)21:15 No. 720417 ID: 34dbe0
File 146216253828.png - (165.17KB , 700x600 , i82.png )

The line goes silent. You're about to speak up again, just to check if she's there, when she responds, stiff and quiet. "Sada is extremely competent."

"Really? Because you seem stressed. How good of a job can she be doing?"

"If I'm stressed, it's because of entirely different -"

"It was a sex joke, Sachi," you cut in, feigning exasperation. "A sex joke."

You swear you can hear her pressing her lips together. "I am not having sex with my first lieutenant." Before you can respond, she's on the offensive again. "Is that why you called? To ask if I'm having sex with my first lieutenant? I'll hang up again."

>A. "Yes."
>B. "We have to talk about Rabies."
>C. "We have to talk about the wedding."
>D. "We have to talk about how we're divvying up the city when we win."
>E. "I just wanted to hear from you."
>F. ___________

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

e. love ur rabbit gf

c, d, and e, in whatever order seems most appropriate.

E and then A

>>720417
F: Partially. I knew it would be fun to ask.

Then E.

C.

C, D, E

C. She's clearly not in the mood to play with us right now.

>>720422
this

C, F) "That kitty client of yours. I like her, even though she makes my tits quiver in ragelust. It's like, I'm happy that she's not on my side - because she'll cause trouble in a way that only the protagonist of a mass-murder story can cause respect and awe in the audience. If she kills Rabies she'll get creative. Make history in weeks. I WANT THAT.

So, what's her story? Because I'm planning on keeping her and her self-inflicted misery-pleasure alive for a VERY long time."

c................... i love jolene/sachi............... it's gay.................

F: Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to talk to you/hear your voice? If she responds negatively, go right into C before she can hang up

c + d, we have to get down to business. confirm our plans for the wedding and the immediate aftermath.
(but slip e in there if the timing feels right ... if the atmosphere feels gay enough ...)

>>720417
E]] of course

F]] After all, what use is a number, a friendship without some teasing? Come now, the heads of this city need to rib on each other. Do me, come on. That wasn't a sex joke, I mean actually tease me, come on now. Oh, and I will talk business soon, but really, we must pay each other respects and talk casual first, otherwise it isn't a real connection.

FRACTAL 2016/05/01(Sun)23:27 No. 720457 ID: 34dbe0
File 146217045901.png - (161.70KB , 700x600 , i83.png )

You pause. Think about if you want to say it. Wonder how long you can deliberate before she gets impatient. Not very long, you decide, so you inhale and go ahead. "Would you believe me if I said I just wanted to hear from you?"

The Oyabun huffs, one little exasperated exhale. When she speaks again her voice has gone from steel to glass. "A little. Just a little. But I know you have other motives, too."

"A little is all I need." You mean it. You hope she knows you mean it. You're scared she might know you mean it. She probably doesn't.

"Oh, you don't have to tell me that. I know." She sighs, and you're following the sound like a trapline, and you're not ready for her next question. "When can I see you again?"

To your credit, you don't stumble on your response, don't miss a beat, and your voice is as smooth and careless as ever. "If you don't go out of your way, then at the wedding, likely. Which we still have to talk about." You flip your wrist and check your nails, acting out the flippant attitude you know you don't have. "I trust your very competent little blonde already gave you the rundown."

"Jojo. Don't."

You weren't ready for that, either, and the prickling laugh you throw out in defense is a little too fast, a little too loud. "You know I don't mean anything by it."

"I don't know that, actually," Sachi says. "I never know what you mean by anything."

"Good," you say, immediately, instinctively, reflexively. You don't let the silence hang. "The wedding."

"The wedding," she replies.

FRACTAL 2016/05/01(Sun)23:27 No. 720458 ID: 34dbe0
File 146217047558.png - (62.87KB , 700x600 , i84.png )

"The -" You don't say 'blonde.' "Your lieutenant made it sound like this would be beaureaucratic hell."

"It would be, if she had her way."

"And your way?"

Sachi turns her head away from the phone receiver, murmurs something to someone, and you hear her breathe in and out once, evenly. You wonder if she's just started smoking. "Jolene, I can't give you any of my women for this."

The laugh you bark out this time is just right. "And why not?"

"Because I know you don't need them."

>A. "That just means there's no risk involved."
>B. "I'll make it worth your while."
>C. "You know I'll pay well. Better than well."
>D. "I'm just being cautious."
>E. "Please, Sachi."
>F. "Fine. I can do without."

a and bbbbbbbbbbbb

b, then d!!!

A, then E. if Sachi is quiet after that, B, C, or D

>>720458
D

A.....D

B and d

b, d. this is so fucking gay i cant believe it i love it

a, c.....lascivious pause, and then b.

a then d, and if there's a pause, e
(I'm Burning Alive TM)

D and B. Don't do E.

A and D.

d b e

b d..... e

this is gay n i love it

d, b, e

IM SCREAMING I CANT EVEN SUGGEST

D then c and b

A B E

I'm on fire holy fuck this is the best thing

A and D, it's going to work, it has to ...but no harm in being safe

D. "Any sane woman would bring extra security when she plans to have a murder at her wedding."

Sachi will probably respond with something like "you've got too high a body count to be close to mimicking sanity", "Jolene. What you just described is not sane", at which point you say:

"Then insanity makes me even more cautious, because I know that I'm bearing my ass to the rest of the Universe's military. Willingly. Get me some guards before I screw myself over."

E. "Sachi please you know how much it would mean to me. I love a good audience"

a b eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

D. You ARE just being cautious, right?

>>720458
A.

d, then b

C and E.

FRACTAL 2016/05/13(Fri)00:00 No. 722909 ID: 34dbe0
File 146312284578.png - (229.78KB , 700x600 , i85.png )

“I’m just being cautious, Sachi,” you murmur into the phone, soothingly. “Any sane woman would be, right?”

You can practically hear her rolling her eyes. “Oh, so you’re sane now?”

You laugh it off, and it’s reassuring when you get a small chuckle out of her, too. As your laugh dies out, you sigh, rolling your shoulders backwards. “Sachi,” you say, letting your voice drop to velvet, “you know I’ll make it worth your while.”

“Ha. Whatever innuendos you’re spinning are things you’d be happy to give me anyway.”

“I’ll give them to you harder if you help me.”

“Jojo,” she says, trying to be stern, but there’s still a laugh curling at the edges of her voice.

“Sachi,” you reply, your tone teasingly pushing back at hers. You pause, then say it again. “Sachi. Please.”

FRACTAL 2016/05/13(Fri)00:00 No. 722910 ID: 34dbe0
File 146312285784.png - (150.90KB , 700x600 , i86.png )

“Oh, don’t,” she snaps, and your stomach lurches immediately. It was a misstep. “Don’t fucking do that, Jolene. God. I’m not one of your fucking husbands, so don’t beg around me.”

You swallow. “Don’t be unreasonable, Sachi. You know that’s not what I-”

“You keep saying that I know things about you,” she laughs, steely. “That’s really fucking rich. What could I possibly know?”

FRACTAL 2016/05/13(Fri)00:01 No. 722911 ID: 34dbe0
File 146312287032.png - (21.13KB , 700x600 , i87.png )

You don’t know what to say. She’s the only person who ever does that to you.

“I have things to do,” she says finally. Her voice is still heated. “I’m sure you’ll call me again when you want something.”

“Sachi -”

“Until then, enjoy playing with your toys. I’ll be happy to talk again when you realize I’m not one of them.”

When she hangs up, the sudden silence has an uncomfortable air of finality around it. You stare down at the darkened screen of your phone.

>A. Call her back. Try to patch things up.
>B. Give her some time to cool off. She gets like that sometimes.
>C. Text her an apology. She’ll reach out to you when she’s calmed down.
>D. Call/text someone else.
>E. Find Sloane.
>F. Something else?

C and F: slowly sweep the shattered remnants of ur heart off the floor (have a drink)

Oh nooooooo

anyway, give her a moment to cool off, then call back with an apology. Tbh she does kinda have a point, I guess?? So really thinking it over is a good idea. Maybe you can go find sloane while you're waiting for a good moment to call?

>>720473
Saw that coming a mile away. Seriously, not everything revolves around us.

B, and ANYTHING other than A. She's obviously not going to pick it back up.

>>722911
C.
D. Contact the Mortician, see if they have any fun knick knacks you might want that could be useful for the plan, or for a random, unrelated good time in between the plan and now.
F. Smoke Weed.

>>722919
Alternate F: Text her back "We're both toys who haven't played with each other in a while. You're the only one worth playing me, my sweet, wooden Gepetto. There's no puppet without its strings. I'd give you mine, and maybe you'd give me yours in return?"

sunvisor 2016/05/13(Fri)02:26 No. 722924 ID: 568845

B and e dont seem so desperate

C, E. Also, what's the basic plan for Rabies' execution? You KNOW he won't go down as easy as the first four, this guy also has his own murder technique and he's ITCHING for an excuse to use it on someone important.

>>722923 not this.
Text her an apology and find Sloane. She probably wont pick up if you call.

Give her some space both for her and so you can let your desperation calm down. Maybe send her text saying "I'm sorry I fell into such bad habits. I'll call you tomorrow" and go check on Sloane.

E first to allow time for B. Then C. Don't bother calling again--showing her that things can happen on her terms is showing that you're not trying to box her in like you would with one of your husbands.

b and e. she won't like a call, and texting her to apologize immediately would be really forced and fake.

anyway, let's check on sloane. maybe ask about that boy.

C: "You might not know some things, but I want you to. Sorry Sachi." Or something along those lines whatever feels right.

Then E.

!!!! B, A then E
i wanna check up on the bby gurl

E then B. Like others have said give her some space on her own terms. And might as well spend the time checking up on the girl!

>>722911
C and F

Tell her youre sorry, and ask if she can meet with you for lunch/dinner/something somewhere. Give a place and a time. On you, obviously

She DID ask when she could see you again. why not meet up with her in person, thats the best way to really clear up misunderstandings...

FRACTAL 2016/05/18(Wed)22:04 No. 724352 ID: 34dbe0
File 146363426560.png - (107.20KB , 700x600 , i88.png )

There's no reason to agitate her any further. You check your phone one last time, sigh, and put it away. You'll send a text to apologize later, but for now it's probably best to let her cool off.

As you turn towards the stairwell, you catch a Doberman who's heading for the kitchen. "You. Where's my baby?"

"B'lieve she went to her room, Boss," he replies, dipping his head respectfully. "She's got a friend over, but that friend's bein' shown around the kitchen n' fed, on account of Your Bossness had company over."

You clap him once on the back. "Good boy. Get outta here."

FRACTAL 2016/05/18(Wed)22:04 No. 724353 ID: 34dbe0
File 146363428680.png - (174.74KB , 700x600 , i89.png )

The halls look better in red. Everything looks better after you've gotten your hands on it. It makes you snort to think that these halls used to all be bare metal, dented and rusting. It only took you a few months to twist enough arms and get this all done. Sure, you're living in an actual junkyard, but damn if you aren't going to do it in style. (And damn if you'd let your daughter live in a dump.)

Her door is ajar, and when she hears your heels click-clacking down the long hallway, she pokes her head out of the door.

"Ah, there you are!" She smiles at you. Your heart melts. "Mama, will you help me brush my hair?"

>A. "I'm sorry, babygirl, I don't have time right now. I was just checking on you."
>B. "You're getting a little old for that, honey."
>C. "Of course, sweetheart."

c

fractal whys the doberman got a josuke haircut

The Answer Is C

>>724353
C. Time for some mother-daughter bonding!

c!!

c!! can't say no to our baby

say B,,,, but C

c?? obviously?? i love sloanes dynamic w jolene sm im tearing up

C

c :3c

>>724353
c, but also mention b

C.

During that, show interest in that friend of hers who's being fed.

there is honestly no other viable option other than c

c... definitely c

c

c!

D. Cut it instead.

C!!!!! omggg

She smiles at you. Your heart melts.

why must you claw at my heart like this.... my goodness ....

C
cant say no to our Baby

c not even a question this has to happen

C why is there even a vote we're not monsters

>>724748
no but we're still douchebags

D) MUSS HER HAIR WITH YOUR FINGERS. Tickle the scalp.

FRACTAL 2016/05/21(Sat)00:13 No. 724833 ID: 34dbe0
File 146381480329.png - (148.59KB , 700x600 , i90.png )

"You're getting a little old for that, honey," you say, but you both know the protest is half-hearted. She beams at you, unconvinced, and you sigh and relent. "Oh, alright."

"Yay!" She immediately disappears back into her room. You follow her to find her already sitting at her vanity, eagerly flipping her hair back over her shoulder.

You're so much taller than her that it's easier for you to just sit down as well - Sloane has a second chair waiting by her vanity just for this, and you pull it over and settle into it. Her brush is boar bristle, silver-backed with mother of pearl inlaid on the handle - one you gave her for her birthday when she was ten. She cares for it obsessively and refuses to use anything else. The repeated glide of the bristles through her silky hair is just as soothing to you as it must be to her, and you start to hum as you brush, a smoky tune that riffs off the lounge music you used to sing when you were her age.

"I'm soooo tired," she says, leaning back against her chair. She hums contentedly as you smooth your free hand over her hair, keeping the strands in place after each stroke. "I was planning on staying up late tonight, too, but now I don't know..."

"I'll get the boys to make you some coffee, if you like," you offer. "There's nothing wrong with turning in early, though, either."

Sloane catches your eyes in the mirror and smiles again, her entire expression saturated with affection. "You're the best, mama." She closes her eyes again, folding her hands over her chest. "You seem kinda quiet tonight. Is there something you're thinking about?"


>A. Ask about Johnny.
>B. Ask about what you overheard with Johnny.
>C. Ask about what she wanted to ask you earlier.
>D. Ask about the friend she has over.
>E. Ask what she thought of Lowry.
>F. Ask what she thinks about the wedding.
>G. __________

>>724833
C, and if the subject hasn't already been discussed, B!

D

Best leave a girl to her murders. D and E!

E!!!!!

E, G) "Mama's little mass-murderer. You're going to surpass me at this rate, I didn't bludgeon a chubby brat into public defecating insanity until I was 21. I'm not sure about how to feel about indirect killing, but I'm sure you'll learn the craft."

You need to get on the same level as your daughter NOW, before your murderwhore tendencies tear you into enemies.

B - be sure to compliment her on her performance, encourage her to be careful about getting carried away though, current events are a good example why.

>>724833
b Are we sure we want her to end up like us? I mean aren't we kinda...crazy and such?

d, is it ne? i swear if its ne..

c & f?

c and e!! ahhhh

B, c & f

C, d and e!!

A C D E
i dont think we want her to be like us, manipulating and callous
its a sad life, and we did this so she wouldnt have to, so shed have a good life, in luxury

>>724945
yes but she's already learned things we've never taught her, from sheer example she already has guys wrapped around her little finger and enemies scared shitless.
not that those aren't good skills to have, just try and let her learn from our mistakes before she even has a chance to make them.

B and D!

>>724833
CDEF
G] Do you want to do tequilla shots with Momma?

in order of importance: C, D and/or E

C, possibly also E and F?

C and D. I'm not sure we want to do E right now.

C and F.

FRACTAL 2016/05/31(Tue)19:54 No. 727054 ID: 34dbe0
File 146474969104.png - (135.34KB , 700x600 , i91.png )

"Mm. I was thinking about dinner." You card long fingers through her hair, gently untangling a few stubborn knots with your shiny sharp nails. "I wondered what you thought of Miss Lewis."

"I think I liked her," Sloane responds, almost immediately. Her eyes are still closed. "You shouldn't trust her, though. No matter how useful she is."

You chuckle a little. There's something endearing about Sloane thinking she knows better than you. It's the kind of confidence you've always wanted to cultivate in her, and you're glad it's working. "Don't worry, babygirl. I don't."

"She was very... poised." Her voice drops a little. "Even when I ... lost my temper. I thought maybe she'd be a little scared. She didn't seem like it, though."

"She wasn't."

"That's good." Now that her hair is brushed out, you idly start braiding it, if only because the two of you aren't finished talking yet, and Sloane tilts her head back obligingly. "One day I wanna be as good at this as you are, Mama."

"What, at using people?" You chuckle softly. "If I get my way, sweet girl, you won't ever have to." You pause, reaching forward to smooth a few unruly strands into the plait. "Speaking of your arrival at dinner, by the way..."

FRACTAL 2016/05/31(Tue)19:55 No. 727055 ID: 34dbe0
File 146474970217.png - (82.99KB , 700x600 , i92.png )

She tenses, just a little - likely because she expects you to ask about Johnny. She's going to have to learn not to do that. And you do think about asking, just a little, but quickly decide to pass it over. "You said you wanted to ask me something?"

Sloane immediately relaxes. Another thing she's going to have to learn to curb. "Oh, that! I brought a friend home and wanted to ask if she could stay the night."

"Oh, someone did tell me that you had someone over. Who is it?"

"Her name is Gretchen Gott! Mutter found her earlier on his walk and she followed him back to the junkyard, and we got to talking and really hit it off. I think she's getting something to eat right now, but I'd love for you to meet her."

"She is, one of the boys told me." You're thinking a mile a minute. The name is familiar, but you're having trouble placing it. It isn't until your thoughts flicker back to the dinner again that it occurs to you. Gretchen Gott is a girl under Sukebun protection.

>A. "I'd love to, Sloane."
>B. "She can't stay here, Sloane."
>C. "She can't stay here unless I talk to the Oyabun, Sloane."
>D. "Does anyone else know she's here?"
>E. __________

C!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

e: make sure to keep her safe. it could cause serious problems if anything happens to her.

c. gives you an excuse to talk to sachi, too. text her the apology first, and then if she responds in a timely manner, ask about gretchen.

>>727060
this too.

A. i doubt the oyabun cares or knows about the girl with the amount of ppl under the sukebuns protection so you shouldnt waste ur time seeming so desperate ykno? Play a little hot and cold just make sure the girl doesnt get hurt and assign some extra protection for her. If she gets hurt this could make some big problems

D, then C. The sukebun seem to care a lot about people under their protection, so make sure nothing happens to her.

i dont trust sloane. dont tell her gretchen is important it gives her leverage against you. just say A and be casual

C sounds good because talking to sachi,, maybe D also

c & d. best to play it safe.

C and D. We don't want Saki to think that we have absolutely no respect for her business.

the sweet eyeball has returned bless us

d first - make sure to like cover tracks in case of anything
then maybe c? idk there has to be respect for the business over personal feelings

and / or e: talk to gretchen, ask if she can report where she is?

i guess the biggest factor is that she is under the protection right? if you intend to cause her harm that would be REALLY stepping on toes, but this seems a little. gentle and docile so it might be okay

A, then E: "how did you two hit it off?" Just cause i wanna kno

should probably also tell sachi where she is, so she doesnt think its some weird move youre making. Might help build confidence if she knows its just your daughter having a girls night in and not you trying to make some sort of power play

Free sniper.

C

A.
Keep Sloane in the dark about the Sukebun protection thing, settle the matters by yourself.

I think we should tell our lil baby, then ask eyeball girl to report to the sukebun (she might be a bit upset though, after what happened before) so report to the oyabun too

Sloane is becoming nore like you though
Its good to have her trust us in that sense?she even has her own agendas too so having communication with her is best •v•

D

...wait. when was Rabies getting back?

Rabies loves taking eyes.
Gretchen is a giant walking eyeball.

uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh you might want to watch over her yourself so the Oyabun doesn't get pissed off

FRACTAL 2016/06/30(Thu)14:09 No. 732871 ID: 34dbe0
File 146732095277.png - (145.30KB , 700x600 , i93.png )

You tie her braid off and stand. "Does anyone else know she's here?"

Sloane's eyes follow you, curious. "Well... some of the boys, of course. Anyone who's on kitchen duty tonight. Mutter, and anyone else who's seen her while she's here."

Your instinct is not to tell her. Witholding information is the default, as far as you're concerned. But the widening gap between the two of you, especially lately, has been worrying, and if someone has to start rebuilding a bridge, it'll be you. You don't want her to think that she can't tell you things - or that you can't tell her things, either. "She's under Sukebun protection, babygirl. I can't have her staying here without the Oyabun knowing."

She looks unimpressed. "I doubt she has to call in her location any time she stays over with a friend, mama."

Frustration snaps up in you like a broken twig and you do your best to wrestle it down. "Sloane, you're smarter than that. You know there are circumstances. You are not separate from the Junkyard." Even against your best efforts your voice comes out edged and tense, and you feel guilty immediately. You inhale through your nose. Regroup. There's absolutely no reason to be sharp with her right now. "You know that the politics between us and the Sukebun are ... strained at best, right now. Don't ignore facts just to be smart with me."

Sloane leans back in her chair, petulantly rolling a tube of lipstick under her fingers. "Wasn't being smart with you." She pauses, considering something, then says, "If I'm not allowed to be separate from the Junkyard, when we're talking about the Sukebun, how come you get to be?" Your head snaps around. Her gaze on you is chillingly neutral. "I mean... are things between the Junkyard and the Sukebun strained? Or just between you and the Oyabun?”

And there it is again, the ghost of your own voice coming from her mouth - smooth, disconnected malice that isn't there for her own satisfaction, but for your own discomfort. You didn't teach her that. And you have no idea how she could know about what she's alluding to.

>A. Ignore it. "I have to go make a call."
>B. Ignore it. "I have to go wait for Rabies."
>C. "How do you know about that?"
>D. "I don't know what you're talking about."
>E. "You don't want to start a conversation about acting outside of the gang's best interests."
>F. __________

if were making a point of not closing her out, C

just because you succeeded in leading your toy to his death doesnt mean you want to have this kind of conversation with /me/, honey.

so maybe we taught sloane a little too well... doesn't mean it's not too late to change that. i'd go for something gentle and open, but i'd also mention that we know the truth about her actions surrounding the death of her boytoy. something maternal, honest, something to remind her we're on the same team here, honey, that she's all we've got and vice versa.

c.

(and just because you didn't teach it to her doesn't mean she didn't learn it from you.)

C. Let's not have animosity between us and our baby, now is a good a time as any to get mostly on the same page about things and our goals/motivations. foster a little mother/daughter trust.

C & E. on both i think it's best to come off as non-confrontational as possible. we're not here to start a fight, but we do need to be on the same page. if we want sloane to be open with us we have to be willing to be open with her as well - maybe offer some information about our relationship with the oyabun? nothing incriminating, but something to show sloane that we trust her and that she can talk to us

C.

Ask Sloane why she is giving you this attitude. Should you be worried? Is she having some problems you missed to notice?

Is it youthful rebellion, a way to challenge your authority and set some new boundaries? If it is, talk it out with her. Maybe she needs to start having some responsibilities of her own to the gang through which she can actualise her own independence while still being within your motherly reach. But, do assert that there is no need for cheap blows between mother and daughter. You didn't raise her to be a bratty little bitch that chooses her targets poorly.

i KNEW it sloane is too good. fuck off. c though, she already knows so no use trying to hide it

I think A, but whatever you do, remember to be filled with pride in your daughter.

E then F with "sorry baby girl but i used to be hella gay and things got hella complicated" then call the oya bun and try to reignite a conversation uwu

F. Apologize for getting frustrated. Admit that she has a point, that it's fine having her stay over, except that it'd be really, really bad if anything happened to her, and the Oyabun may see it as a threat, which is not how we want to be seen.

A part of being honest with someone is acknowledging their needs. You need to be on good footing to negotiate with the Oyabun, but your daughter needs to be able to spend time with her friends. You can find a compromise if you're honest.

>>732871
C
F) the ouyabun and me a have a complex personal history, which allows for some risks and playing. Not to mention you suggested Lowry bring Suyabun protection so that knew things were likely going to go civil.

The sukebun have no connection to you, don't know you, and Gretchen Gott is unrelated to anything within the junkyard. Should word get out, the sukebun would throw their heads in the air trying to peace together why she would brazenly go into a rival gangs hq with an unknown agent of the junkyard, or what possibly could this unknown agent want with her.

With Lowry being publicly summoned to dinner, and her known associations combined with mine, the sukebun would be tense but they'd know a few things about why she's coming here. With Gretchen, they may have their hands forced into conflict with us, the junkyard, or both because this looks off as fuck from their perspective.

>>732892
This.

What dirtbag said ^^^

After thinking about it further, I think your daughter wants to play with you like she thinks you play others, like a toy. She respects you, but she's too curious about what will happen if you fail or put into such a corner that a rat remains docile and accepts it's fate.

>>732871
C for lack of anything better. Don't sound anything except impressed. She's forcing the gap between us open, C is surrendering to her when there shouldnt be a fight in the first place.

Whatever you do, don't forget to be proud of your daughter.

E.
i think sloane's testing her powers. if we-- gently-- put her in her place, mention the johnny thing, making it clear she's not in trouble (this time) so she doesn't get defensive and decide to lash out, we can turn this into a bonding moment.

it really sounds like sloane's shaping up to be the wrench in the works of both lowry and jolene's plans, doesn't it.

FRACTAL 2016/08/25(Thu)13:26 No. 744344 ID: 03c8e7
File 147215680721.png - (417.80KB , 700x503 , i94.png )

updates will be traditional media and in black and white until i get some tablet issues sorted on my new computer. thank you for your patience!

You know how your own mother would have reacted to this kind of tested rebellion. You feel the ghost of your mother's hand in your own, feel her phantom limb raise -

You are not your mother. Sloane is not you. Your hand does not move.

"How do you know about that?" you say, and you keep your tone neutral, lightly impressed. Sloane shrugs and pushes back against her chair.

"A lady doesn't reveal her sources," she says - again your own words, echoed back at you. "None of the boys, though, if that's what you're worried about. If you have things you don't want me to know, I'm not going to use them to eavesdrop." She turns in her chair, eyes lidded with a danger you recognize. "Now there are things only you and I know. And nobody else. But that's the problem, mama. There are things those dogs know that I don't, aren't there? We don't even know them. We don't know them and you trust them with things you don't trust me with."

Your answer is immediate. "I don't want you involved in gang affairs if you don't have to be."

FRACTAL 2016/08/25(Thu)13:27 No. 744345 ID: 03c8e7
File 147215683128.png - (366.53KB , 700x535 , i95.png )

"Mama. You rule the gang. I'm your daughter. I'm involved - you said so yourself." She stands, crosses to you. "I want to be. Especially because I'm scared for you."

"There's no reason to be," you say, soothingly. You pet her hair. Her expression doesn't change.

"That's the problem, Mama. You think you're invincible."

"I don't think that. I plan the way I do because I know I'm not."

"That's what I'm talking about. Right there. You think you're invincible because you have a plan." She takes your hand away from her hair, holds it loosely between you. "Sometimes a plan isn't enough. You have blind spots, mama, you set up a plan and then you leave it. And you're so fixated on protecting me that you don't think about protecting yourself."

Her teeth bare, just a little. It's unconscious. You need, desperately, to teach her to control her expressions. "I'm protecting you, too, mama. If anyone tries to hurt you - if anyone gets close - I'm going to fucking kill them. You have to give me enough space to let me do that."

Your heart is swelling with pride. It's so intense, so overwhelming, that it's almost painful - you feel that you'll split open, you feel that you'll spill onto the floor. You almost want to cry. Your daughter is the only one, the only person on the planet, that can make you feel that way.

>______________

>>744345
Well. She is just you, isn't she?
Unfortunately, we all know how you acted at that age. What is the possibility that she is feeding you misinformation in order to get you to think that she cares about you?

Let her have her space, and let her have her power. If you do not, it is likely that she will make an attempt to gain that power by herself, and that will put both of you in danger.
Make sure she can not compromise your current plan, though. We do not know her intentions in full, so play it a little safe while also letting her feel trusted as an adult.

You're contradicting yourself in your hopes for your daughter..... on one hand, you *say* you're doing all this so she won't have to, but you keep thinking how she needs to learn / you need to teach her to control her facial expressions, hide her emotions, not show when she's tense etc.
but if she's going to have a good life that you're providing her, the goal should be that she doesn't have to be so guarded (to put it politely. less politely: manipulative, fake) in the first place.

it's hell. its exhausting to be that way all the time, to have literally no one where you can let your guard down, and it's messing with all of your relationships, making it hard to impossible to find closeness. Do you really want that for your daughter?

>>744345
Hug this wonder that is your flesh and blood, let her know just how proud you are of her.

Give her some freedom to act, perhaps even collaborate to some extent (she thinks you have blindspots without even knowing what the plans ARE) to ensure neither of you unknowingly interferes with the other. Let her know about her expressions.

But most importantly; try to have her understand that you don't want her playing this game forever, that you want something pure and genuine for her future, something like what you have between yourselves now, but lasting and unafraid of it being taken away if she missteps.

I can't put into words how I wish to have this work out for them

>>744371
Well of course, because if it fails we have dead dogmom, possibly dead rabbit lesbians, and even a chance of dead catbitch

>>744345
Oh jesus how can I hold all these feels

Begin anime-mother sobbing and hug Sloane to your breasts while shouting/crying how badass your daughter is.

THIS MAY BE YOUR ONLY CHANCE. SAVOR IT, LEST YOU PREVENT MAKING A GOOD BOND.

FRACTAL 2016/09/08(Thu)12:27 No. 747046 ID: 03c8e7
File 147336286094.png - (343.59KB , 700x491 , i96.png )

You pull her into your arms. She sniffles, just once, against your shoulder, and you decide that for now you can let it go.

“Okay,” you say, finally, when the two of you pull apart. “Okay, sweetheart. I might not want you doing this forever, but … as long as you’re here. I’ll trust you. Okay?”

She nods, tight-lipped, her eyelids fluttering, and you cup her face gently.

“We can start talking about things for you to do around the junkyard. I’ll tell you about the things I have planned.” You rub your thumb over her cheekbone, and she nods a little harder, blinking rapidly. “I love you, babygirl. I didn’t mean to make you feel patronized. I just want you to be safe. So let’s do this together, okay?”

“Yeah.” She looks up, finally, and gives you a tiny smile. “I love you too, mama.”
You pat her on the shoulder and step away. “Tell me, next time something bothers you, alright?”

“I will.”

“Good girl. Now, mama has some other things to take care of tonight - but if you need anything, send one of the boys to get me.” You pause at her bedroom door. “I love you,” you say again, “and I’m so proud of you.”

This time her smile is nice and big - she beams. “Good night, mama.”

FRACTAL 2016/09/08(Thu)12:27 No. 747047 ID: 03c8e7
File 147336287806.png - (265.76KB , 700x478 , i97.png )

You step into the hallway. On your way back to the staircase, you catch sight of the girl - Gretchen Gott, Sachi’s ward, your daughter’s new friend. She stumbles when she sees you, frail and nervous.

“Oh … hello …” Her voice is subdued and watery. “Um! You must be Sloane’s mom.”

>A. “Did you eat well?”
>B. “Do you need anything?”
>C. “Do the Sukebun know where you are?”
>D. “Sloane’s bedroom is down the hall here.”
>E. Ignore her

D, C.

>>747047
A and D
Just play the pleasant host. No need to spook her or Sloane by getting too involved in her stay, we'll get the details later no doubt.

CD

d c

A,B,C,D in that order. We will be a gracious host.

A,D
We are the hostess with the mostess. We can deal with any problems that this may bring and playing as the nice host might help alleviate some of them.

A, D, C.

For the first two, be as homely (in the British sense of the word) to her as you can be. For the last one, serious the fuck up.

A/B,D,C.

some variation of abcd. Treating her well might get back to the Sukebun and smooth things over a little.

She's probably a ditz that needs things to be laid out bluntly for any understanding to get through.

>>747054
What this guy said. Your top priority should be to cement your bond with Sloane. She is your daughter and therefore can be assumed to have an agenda. You should consult her before trying to hijack it.

jolyne, you need to be really really careful right now. if someone in your organization wants to overthrow you and that person has influence over sloane in any way, they could be luring gretchen here to kill her knowing it'll make you look bad and possibly even get you killed too. even if you trust sloane, somebody could be manipulating her without telling her the significance of what she's doing. she's smart, but we all have our blind spots - and speaking of blind spots, gretchen is a very unassuming person, but people who look innocent and weak are often in actuality just great actors. she could be here to do something you don't want her to do.

you don't want to leave gretchen alone with anyone else, and preferably you don't want to be alone WITH gretchen either - though it doesn't seem like just being alone with her is that risky at this moment, because you're alone with her now and she's not trying anything against you. Go for A and B, and see if you can intercept Gretchen and take her to the kitchen or something. if not, then C, and contact the oyabun right away no matter what she says. do not show her to sloane's room.

FRACTAL on the go 2017/03/11(Sat)08:40 No. 786629 ID: 696f7c
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"Yes. Mz. Jolyne Drool. Soon to be Mrs. Rex." You fold your hands, tuck your long nails under, make yourself soft and inviting. "Did you eat well?"

"Ah - ah, well - ah." Gretchen flounders wetly. You control the impatient tick in your jaw. "They, uh, they, when I got here they automatically took me to the kitchen to feed me, but, uh -" Her pupil contracts, her voice dipping into an apologetic register. "I'm an eyeball."

"Ah."

"Yeah, so, uh, it - it didn't really -" She gestures limply. "But, uh! It was very - it looked like it must have been good. For people with mouths."

"I see," you say - not wryly, but she lets out a hysterical giggle anyway, and you can't help but release a little amused exhale when you retroactively notice the pun yourself. "Well, Sloane's room is just down the hall here."

FRACTAL on the go 2017/03/11(Sat)08:41 No. 786630 ID: 696f7c
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"Ooh, thank you." You think she's smiling. Probably. Maybe? It's just the atmosphere she's exuding. "And, um, thank you for letting me stay over, and everything. I, um." She twists her fingers together. "I don't, um. Have many friends. So -"

Christ. You don't want her whole backstory. You smile, indulgently, and cut in as gently as you can. "Sloane will be a lovely friend. Girls should stick together."

"Oh. Oh, yes, I think so too. Um. Good night, Mz. Drool."

"Gretchen."

She stops halfway down the hallway, frozen, the second you say it. Like a soldier told to halt.

You keep your voice soft, but the cloying hostess act is no longer necessary. "Do the Sukebun know you're here."

You hear a faint, wet noise - Blinking? Swallowing? - and the creak of the floorboards as she shifts her weight. "No."

>A. "Call them and let them know."
>B. "I'll call them and let them know."
>C. "Alright. Good night."
>D. "What are you thinking."

A. Take responsibility for your actions, Gretchen.

D, A

D A

C. She came here from her own decision, just make sure she stays safe. She's the one who came onto your terrotory and you're the ones who treated her well. It's true that's it's more complex than that but even though the relationship with the sukebun is very strained it's not unreasonable.