Enemy 2016/06/21(Tue)10:39 No. 731265 ID: b1960b
File 146653079647.png - (37.35KB , 960x560 , 512.png )

It's a few hours after you've heard the news.
Polyphema hasn't been answering her phone.

Brose and Rella are waiting outside Poly's apartment.
They have to follow you basically everywhere now, not that you doubt the wisdom in that.

"Poly?" you call uncertainly, as you walk into the front room.
It is in disarray.
There's a pile of discarded clothes leading to the bathroom. A crumpled-up beer can lays forlornly next to one shoe.
"Come in, doll," Polyphema's voice comes singsong from the bathroom. "In the bath. Come shvitz."

Enemy 2016/06/21(Tue)10:40 No. 731266 ID: b1960b
File 146653084987.png - (9.58KB , 960x560 , 513.png )

Polyphema reclines in her bathtub. Your foot brushes up against an empty bottle of wine on the floor, which rolls and bumps into the tub. The room feels like a sauna and smells like a vineyard. There's a half-empty bottle of wine on the bathroom counter, and an unopened bottle of wine next to it. A glass is perched next to Polyphema on the lip of the tub.
Robyn is playing on the stereo.

"Good evening, Zackary," she says. "You look like death warmed over, then frozen again, then put in the microwave too long." She sloshes to one side and picks up her glass. You've never seen her drunk enough to slur her words but there is a definite drag to her now. "Have some fruit of the vine and soak a spell. The water's fine." She takes a gulp of wine. "The wine's better! But the water is fine too."

1]] You're drunk.
2]] Don't mind if I do.
3]] I know you don't want to talk about this but we need to.
4]] How long have you been in that tub?
5]] I should go, actually. Just making sure you're doing well.
6]] ________________

Don't mind if I do- take her wine glass. You'll pass on the water on account of the broken pelvis.

2, 4, 3.
Oh, Poly...
She needs help. We need her to open up and talk to us.

1 is too accusatory. Besides, it's pretty obvious that she is.
Definitely 2. We need something to steady us.
3 is necessary. It's terrible and sad, but it's not going to go away, and it'll only get worse the longer it lingers.
4 is strictly her business.
5 is right out.

6) set the wine down for a moment, sit down next to her and hold her hand

Dip a hand in the water to see how hot it is, that'll tell you how long she's been the tub, roughly.

I don't think Poly reacts well to the idea of someone else trying to look after her. There's a contrarian streak in her, especially with authority. If we want to appeal to her to open up, it'd be better to present it as Zack wanting help or comfort or such. Whiiich isn't really a lie, either.

So, 6). Tell her, you wanted to talk about another dream you had recently, that you've been worried about. You didn't want to bring it up before, since it would have been... difficult, and a downer for sure, but, uh. You had assumed that it was downer time already, in general, with... Hiz, and everything else. You kinda wanted to talk about that, too. Not towards anything in particular, just... you know, talk for the sake of talk.

But she doesn't seem in much state for talking, right now.

Drink her glass of wine so she can't. Take the unopened bottle when you leave.

>>731267 , dip hand in water to see how warm it is, and so how long she's been there, but splash her a bit to cover that.
6) Are you okay?

4, 3. Confound those earth-first boys, they drive her to drink!

>>731266
we don't have to talk about it now, but we're gonna have to soon. we're not gonna pretend nothing happened either. this is a good time for an incredibly wet hug.

no more wine. not because it's bad for her but because we need to be able to walk if there's trouble and dack's pelvis can't support a half unconscious naked slippery wet girl right now.

I'm not sure Zack should get in the tub. Could be real awkward with his injury.

Enemy 2016/06/21(Tue)13:32 No. 731281 ID: b1960b
File 146654112227.png - (17.18KB , 960x560 , 514.png )

"Don't mind if I do." You take her wine glass.
Unfazed, she takes the bottle, and holds it in the tub with her.
You dip your hand in the tub. It's very warm.
"How long have you been in here?" you ask.
"Not quite long enough," Polyphema says. "I'm marinating."
She slips down a little and starts blowing bubbles.

"I know you don't want to talk about this," you say, "but we need to."
She comes back up. "Talk about what?"
"You know."
"Oh, Hiz? Ol Hizzy? That what?"
"Yeah."
"What is there to talk about?" she asks. "Little late to be talking about him, isn't it. Like talking about Crocs. Or swing music. Dead stuff. Ashes to ashes, Zacky. Ashes to ashes and man to meat."
"We can't pretend nothing happened."
"Oh honestly Zack. I'm bored of talking about people dying. That's all anyone talked about for decades. It's dreadfully boring. It's not like he did anything new. It's not like he's a trendsetter. He was alive and now he isn't. Such is the way of things." She takes another drink. "Mm. So it goes, Kurt Vonneguts."

1]] _______________

>>731281
Kurt Vonnegut huh?
"well he is very much alive in the past, so why shouldn't we talk about him?"

Hmm. Okay, then let's talk about how he lived.

Well, if she isn't ready to talk about him, you shouldn't try to force her to, because that will make her feel worse than she is now.

Tell her that you're here for her if she needs you, and maybe offer a hug. Everyone goes through grief differently, and you care about her.

Alright then. Instead of talking about his death, let's talk about his life. We didn't know much about him, but we could tell he was a good person. He was friends with Poly and Bika. What did Poly know about him?

We don't really talk about dead people for their benefit, Poly. More for ourselves. People who didn't get to know them, and won't, get to learn a little from people who did, and the people who did get to clear out their heads and their thoughts straight. Like Hiz did himself, talking to me about his brother.

I never got to know the guy, Poly, the way I would have liked, and thought I was probably going to, at least a little. Can't now. Next best thing would help a little, though, I think.

>>731290
This. DEFINITELY this.

>>731290
>>731291
Thirding.
Let us grieve with you, Poly.
Please.

Enemy 2016/06/21(Tue)14:10 No. 731293 ID: b1960b
File 146654342102.png - (9.40KB , 960x560 , 515.png )

"Then let's talk about how he lived," you say. "I never got to know him how I would have liked."

"I don't want to talk about him," Polyphema says. "You can talk about him with Bika. If you're just here to check on me I'm fine and you can go. If you're here to drink wine with me then drink your wine."

1]] Sit with her and drink.
2]] I want to talk about him with you. I think it'll help you.
3]] OK. Just making sure you're safe. You know how to get in contact with me.
4]] Poly, please. This isn't like you.
5]] Hiz told me about his brother and felt better. He wouldn't want you to just keep everything in.
6]] I think you should stop drinking for today, Poly.
7]] We gotta get up now, Poly. I think you've been marinating enough.
8]] ______________

1, 2, 5.
We must not push her too hard. Anything we do has to be done slowly and gently.

8) He was worried about you, you know. About a few things, including... *tap fingers on wine glass* ... this. Passed on a bit of that worry to me, and Bika.

You sent me to help him, Poly. He doesn't get to do the same?

I wish I was better at handling things like this.
I know we shouldn't try to force anything on her, but we can't just leave her like this.
Maybe we should just drink with her for a while, then see if she either feels like talking or joining us elsewhere.

Guys, gee whiz, don't be so codependent. She doesn't want to talk about him. Stop pushing it. Either spend time with her or go. I say grab a wine and dip in the tub with her. She's a big girl, she knows what she needs. Let's talk about art! Or philosophy. She brought up Vonnegut, that's a good topic.

"So it goes." Steps into tub. "What was your favorite Vonnegut? I know it's kind of overused, but I gotta stand by Slaughterhouse, myself."

I'll make you a deal, Poly. If you'll get up and join me and the others, then we'll all drink together and you won't have to be alone. I'll even throw in some stories about my younger, angrier days to sweeten the deal.

>>731308
You make a good point. Pushing it's not going to help. The first stage of grief is denial, after all.
Let's soak and drink and talk. Tell her about our past. Talk about books and music.
She'll open up when she's ready.

Two suggestions.
>Excuse ourselves, go into the other room, and call the girls.Ask them for advice about this situation.
OR
>Tell her what it was like for us after we lost our parents. How hurt, sad, and angry we were after the fact.

Don't try to force her to talk about it, she pretty much just told us off. If she doesn't want to talk about, we shouldn't be so rude and insist.

Just, I don't know, back down, sit and have some wine.

>>731300
This. What Poly's doing looks like it's more than just her way of grieving. It seems unhealthy.

>>731300
This.

>>731293
Babe please, you can grieve with me. Have a glass of Nyugen brandy. His cared a lot about you, he'd want me here with you. I want to be here with you, for you.

I'm here, babe. I'm here. Let me be your rock tonight.

Well shes horribly drunk and upset so I doubt we should agitate her. Tell her you will need to talk about many unpleasant things before the end of the week but not today. Then settle down next to the tub drink some wine, hold hands, and be there with her. It does wonders just to not be alone.
Keep her from falling unconscious in the tub too.

4, 5, 7.

>>731350
I would to clarify that my post is not a proposition for sex
Maybe try and get her to feel the stubble of your facial hair zack. Bring her to the now through touch.

Guys, she's drunk. Now is not the time. You won't get anywhere, you'll just piss her off. The most helpful thing you can do is to lovingly and non-judgmentally spend time with her. Just be pleasant company. The conversation can come later, and let her decide when it comes. Are you hurting too? Maybe lead with your own vulnerability, rather than trying to pry at hers, if you absolutely must.

Thinking on it a bit more... the thing about Poly drinking before now is that it wasn't really doing any harm. It was a worrying trend, yeah, and maybe a sign of something harmful, but her drinking wasn't interfering with anything. She didn't drink enough to impair her judgement when it was important or to become abusive or to get in the way of her job, whatever that may be.

This, though... an oculot and a human in the program were attacked, the oculot killed. Zack is probably going to get pestered for an interview with the media soon, and they might try get at Poly too. She's elusive, but she might not be as elusive with the drink on her, and she won't be great for answering questions if they do catch her. She does have a bit of temper, and we don't want that going off.

Plus, well, she seems like she's pretty important. Influential. A mover and shaker, a pusher for certain things to happen, someone who keeps things together and headed in the right direction. Right now a lot of trouble is going to happen and a lot of people are going to be worried, and maybe do some damn fool things. It sucks for her, since she's grieving too, but... she probably has some important work she could be doing right now.

Maybe we could try to, uh. Tactfully outline those issues to her.

2 5 6

>>731301
>>731308
>>731313
>>731333
>>731350
>>731351
>>731357
Something like these. Girl needs support, not pressure.

>>731394
She needs someone to snap her out of it. She has a problem and it's not going to get better on its own. Self-medicating as a coping mechanism is not good. We need to let her know there's more here to support her than just wine.

>>731395
Which is what the physical affection and emotional intimacy is for.

>>731397
We've been giving her that since the start. We're not going to fix this with it.

>>731281
Try to get her to open up. Also, get her in contact with someone who can give her professional help.

Gang in the future please give an indication with your vote as to which choice you want to go with, even if you expand on it from there. It makes it a lot easier on me when it comes to figuring out just what the majority is. The write-in at the end is there and numbered for a reason.
Update coming soon!

For example: A lot of you are essentially voting for 1 or 6 here without actually putting 1 in your vote. If your suggestion cleaves to one of the choices I'm going to count it as that choice.
I totally encourage you to rephrase it however you want: just for bookkeeping purposes include the vote number thing too.

>>731414
>>731415
Understood.

Enemy 2016/06/22(Wed)00:47 No. 731420 ID: b1960b
File 146658166778.png - (9.90KB , 960x560 , 516.png )

You lower yourself down and sit on the closed toilet seat, next to the tub. You look to take her hand but it's under the water and folded tight across the wine bottle.

"He was worried about you, you know," you say. "He cared a lot about you. He'd want me to be here for you."
"We don't know what he wants," Polyphema says. "We never will. That's the pisser about being dead." She takes another swig of wine
"I want to be here for you."
"Well I don't need anyone anywhere for anything," Polyphema says. "I am having a peachy time with Good Sir Cabernet of Napa Valley, thank you."
"He was worried about the, uh," You tap the side of your wine glass. "He passed on a little of that worry to me."
Polyphema's eye narrows. "The what, Zack? Glass?"
"You sent me to help him, Poly. He should get to do the same."
"Do you presume to teach me how to grieve, Zackary Nguyen?" Polyphema rises out of the bath tub. "Do you suggest I weep on your shoulder? Is that what you want from me?"
"I just--"

"I haven't wept in decades," Polyphema snarls. "I have lost more dear to me than you will ever have, human. Parents brothers sisters friends. I have buried them all. And when you grow old, and waste away, and die, while I look helplessly, agelessly on, I will bury you just the same. I have wept tears enough for a dozen of your lifetimes. I have wept tears for loved ones taken by sickness. I have wept tears for loved ones taken by time. And I have wept useless, bootless tears over the mangled and eviscerated corpses of loved one after loved one after loved one taken by violence. It has done nothing, do you understand? It solves nothing. I am finished with it. Whatever your adolescent brain has to say about life or love or grieving or opening my heart, kindly spare me. I have heard it all dozens of times. There is one constant: one possible conclusion to anything anyone will ever love: it is death."

She slumps back into the tub. "So before then, I am going to drink." She drinks.

1]] ____________

>>731420
Well you don't want her to drink herself to death.

Cute, but drinking's done just as little.

If she were dull to the grief, or even trying to drown it, that'd be one thing. This looks more like using it as an excuse. Rude.

...wait does she even need to worry about drinking herself to death? With the way tech is going is there like, a nanite pill she can take to keep her liver going or whatever Oculot organ serves the liver's purpose?

As for you dying... well, with bionics and other recent advancements in technology, there's a possibility you will live a life approaching the length of an Oculot's.

Wow.
I have no idea how to handle this.
We are gonna need some help.
We should pull back, call the others, and ask for their advice.

>>731420
Did you telling me that give you some all natural brain drugs? Please, go on. Tell me more. I'm serious, im a brick wall right now, toss it at me, I can take it.

>>731427
It doesn't need to solve anything, by the way. Not everything that needs to get done is a solution. Who needs solutions right now? Neither of us. I just want you to hit me with what you got.

She's lashing out. She's hurt, miserable, and drunk, so she's lashing out.
I'm honestly not sure what to do. I don't want to risk a confrontation with her, but I also don't want to leave her alone in this condition.
>>731426
This might be a good idea. Zack and the other girls have suffered losses, too. Polyphema's not wanting for support right now. We just have to get it to her.

"Well, sure. You're right. I'm too young to be able to give you any lectures about love or loss or... a bunch of stuff. Heck, I never could even if I was old, could I? You guys feel deeper more often."

"So, I'm going to talk about something more... practical. Because, before now, yeah ever since Hiz told me he was worried about you drinking I thought of it every time I saw you do it, but it wasn't really a huge concern, just a thought. It wasn't getting in the way of anything, wasn't making you fail any responsibilities or hurt anyone or anything like that, and you have the right if you want if none of that's going on."

"But there's a leak at the HVAO and a huge mess happening, right now, and a lot of stuff that could happen. What if the media found out to come here and laid siege to you for an interview, would you be able to deal with it without doing anything you'd regret? What if it wasn't the media, but the same people who went after Hiz, coming for you and me? Or what if someone else who knew Hiz, some mutual friend of yours, or anyone, came to you for help? People look up to you."

>>731420
just drink with her in silence.
this is how she grieves and i don't really see an issue with it unless it becomes a multi-day thing.

"Huh. I see. Well, pardon me for saying so, but I respectfully disagree. I'm not sure if that's fatalism, nihilism, or what, but I disagree with it on general principle."

Well damn Poly...

I suppose we will need to wait to have much of a conversation with her.

Would you like anything to eat? Some seltzer? A set of pajamas you especially like, for when you get out of the tub?

>>731420
"Yeah but does the pain ever get easier when it happens."

>>731420
Just leave! She isn't going to jump down your throat for letting her wallow after that monologue.

>>731437
(Me again)

/quest/ just wants to spout more cringeworthy platitudes, but you need to just leave. You will not be the one exception who finally gets Poly to see the light. You mean just as little to her as everyone else who has ever tried vainly to help her.

>>731435

All I'm thinking of right now is gently patting her on the head, but I'm afraid that may come off as patronizing. For now, I think its best to just leave the room, possibly taking the unopened bottle of wine, and wait in another room for her to come out on her own as you ask the other girls for some sort of advice.

Save >>731430 for later after she's sobered up a bit. Maybe suggest coming with for the hunting trip.

By that "logic" everything we've done or will ever do is rendered utterly pointless in the face of an inevitable end. Of course this "logic" is really just the drunken raving of a miserable old woman who just lost someone very dear to her, so her fallacious thinking is forgivable.
We should definitely seek assistance. If we can't talk some sense into her, then maybe GG could shake some sense into her. Bika doubtlessly has thousands of years of ancestral memories worth of loss and pain. If anyone could talk to Poly on equal footing in that regard, it's her. Meg's very good at cutting through bullshit and finding an unlikely answer, so even she might help.

the only way to handle this and not come off as a presumptious dick is to quietly nod and accept a drink with her.

>>731450

>>731435
>>731450
These.

>>731430
I agree with the others who said to save this for later.

Responses to final comments in previous thread:
>>731235
In DOOM, kills by infighting (Tricking the enemies into killing eachother) still counted towards your kill count, didn't they? That's what the stats are based on, is that old DOOM score screen at the end of the level. For the death to still mean 0%, means that there were so many that could have been killed that it's an insignificant number, math-wise.
>>731260
We should introduce the others to our friends like we did GG. Would have to introduce Bika as "This is Bika. And some of her family. *Shrug* Skut are big on family sticking together."
---
>"There is one constant: one possible conclusion to anything anyone will ever love: it is death."
>She slumps back into the tub. "So before then, I am going to drink." She drinks.
"Maybe, then, I'm the one who needs help. I haven't been through what you have, you're right, but because of that, it's you who needs to help me through this."
If she tries to suggest just drinking it away, tell her you don't have the tolerance built up she does.

Speaking of someone who's had to deal with a lot of grief lately, the only thing that helps it is time and knowing that someone cares.

You cannot solve someone's grief. There is nothing you can say that will suddenly make Poly have some sort of realization and then everything will be better, and she's especially not going to have an epiphany while she's drunk.

What she needs to know right now is why she's loved and why she's important.

Tell her how much she means to you, and how important she is to you. Tell her everything you like about her. When you're heavy dealing with grief, you stop caring about yourself because all you can think of is your loss, and the loss of a loved one. So what she needs to hear is why she's important to you and why she should keep on going, even if it hurts.

I can't speak for everyone because everyone grieves differently, but I still find it much easier to be motivated to care about the living and other people's problems than look in on my own. One thing that kept me from seriously considering suicide (through violence or self-neglect) after Max passed was how much it would hurt my mother and brother and the other living people in my life. I'm not saying Poly is the same, but knowing why she's important and how her very existence impacts others she cares about might just give her the will to keep on going.

Enemy 2016/06/22(Wed)14:33 No. 731476 ID: b1960b
File 146663121369.png - (21.67KB , 960x560 , 517.png )

"I'll be right outside," you say.
"Suit yourself," Polyphema says.

You lean your cane on the wall and lower yourself to the floor outside the bathroom. Polyphema turns her music up.

1]] Message Bika: ___________
2]] Message GG: __________
3]] Message Meg: ____________
4]] Message someone else: __________
5]] Just wait. She'll come out eventually.
6]] Leave the apartment.
7]] _________________

>>731476
Message GG, Meg, and Bika: Poly's taking it hard. Total shutdown. Very drunk and sitting in the bathtub. Got angry when I tried to talk to her about Hiz. Need help/advice.

To GG, Meg and Bika: "I'm with Poly. She's in bad shape. Very drunk, very angry. Please advise."
To the HVAO: "Arrived safely. Can I get a sit rep?"
Then we wait.

Go back in and tell Poly why she's so important to you. Don't tell her what to do or try to give advice, just tell her you love her and why. Tell her how she made a difference in your life, tell her all the qualities you admire in her. No flattery, everything has to be sincere. If nothing else, if anything happens you'll have made sure you won't regret not telling her these things.

1]] Message Bika: with poly. shes not doing so hot. u ok?
2]] Message GG: geeg polys falling apart and im scared help
3]] Message Meg: u ok? im with poly. shes a wreck.
4]] Message HVAO: update plz
5]] Just wait. She'll come out eventually.

What smik said, >>731480 except only say she's a wreck to gg, who is in alamad or dulamad idk I forget
Spilling the beans at meg and bika might alienate poly BC image is important to her

>>731484
Agreed, GG is the closest to Poly. She should definitely know what's up, leave the others to Poly to open up to first.

>>731486
No, we're the closest to Poly and she isn't opening up to us. She isn't going to open to anyone.

>>731476
1, 2, AND 3 at the same time: "Poly's in the tub, very drunk and very angry. I'm kind of scared right now. Please advise." For GG though, might make it more urgent/tactful, as she's the closest to Poly.

Then 4 to the HVAO for a sitrep on what's going on over there. Lastly, 5 because you do ''not'' want to leave Poly alone right now and its best to let her get out when she wants it.

5). Just wait.

... We really need to talk to her about that dream we had about the Kariket. It's a shitty time to do it but it's always going to be a shitty time to do it, and it could get shittier the longer we wait. There's too much shit the Kariket could be doing with mind control, even before considering that he's literally insane. There are people who need to know who'll only believe us if Poly backs us up on it.

>>731482
>>731488
These.

>>731480
>Brose and Rella are waiting outside Poly's apartment.
>They have to follow you basically everywhere now, not that you doubt the wisdom in that.
Why not ask them about things before calling HVAO?

>>731494

Didn't Poly's speech sound familiar?

She might have been the maid. Or had something similar happen to her.

Guys, we're not her therapist.

>>731498
Second.
>>731515
No, but we are her lover and friend, so we can't just abandon her.

I THINK I get it. She saw what Kariket saw and had the same revelation over an extended period of time, except that she hasn't crawled into a tiny corner of a huge palace or ripped the determination out of everything that tried to pet her.

So since crushing existentiality isn't a core part of her personality like it is for Kariket, she made a more rational decision and drank the @#$% out of anything that screams museum piece to drown out the noise, which made her fear rot and ferment into general detachment.

In other words, Kariket is a big baby, but we can't blame him because anyone who comes to the same crushing epiphany that gave him his superpowers is going to need four kegs of wine a DAY.

Injected straight into the cerebral cortex.

And Poly, like many other long-lived short-relationship people, has a demo version.

1]] Message Bika: Just checking in. You ok? I'm with Poly. She's taking this very hard.
2]] Message GG: Hey, babe. You alright? I'm here with Poly, and she's in bad shape.
3]] Message Meg: Hey, girl. You good? I'm at Poly's. It's a bad scene over here.
7]] Ask Ambrose and Rella if there's been any updates.

We made a stupid mistake by applying our ideas on grief and addiction to a hundreds of years old alien aristocrat from a very different world. Poly is grieving in her way but attacking her or pretending like shes some alcoholic wreck is arrogant to say the least.

7. Go back in, strip down and join poly in the tub, and drink wine and talk about hin until she won't anymore. Don't be judgy about the wine, in fact get the bad kind of drunk you get a wake if she keeps going until that's the case.

If she's on a path through depression than simply be there with her through it. Don't try to stop her or change her, you can't anyway. Just stay and join her and make this your memorial to Hin, talking about him in a tub while getting piss drunk.

Also, don't talk about Poly to the others, that's gossip and it's a douche thing to do.

>>731551
>7. Go back in, strip down and join poly in the tub, and drink wine and talk about hin until she won't anymore. Don't be judgy about the wine, in fact get the bad kind of drunk you get a wake if she keeps going until that's the case.

No, do not talk about the deceased and do not get piss drunk. Poly may need someone sober.

>Also, don't talk about Poly to the others, that's gossip and it's a douche thing to do.
Agreed.

Also, APOLOGIZE TO HER.

5.

Fuck apologizing, she was a huge condescending jerk back there, and that's our job, god damnit. Seriously, that whole rant of hers was way out of line.

Also she's a big baby.

>>731476
>Just wait. She'll come out eventually.
that's passive aggressive, and also would take many hours. probably at least 5.

>>731566
This here. Don't be an enabler. When someone spits on your decency, however ill-conceived it is, you are not obligated to apologize.

>>731572
>getting angry at people for saying irrational things in the throes of grief over someone she's know longer than us for probable centuries

maybe possibly do not do this, perhaps?
oy vey

>>731573
this

1, 2, 3: hey. here with poly. how r u?
7: Go back and just be with her. It's a very bad idea for her to be alone right now.

>>731566

I had a happy marriage. Apologize regardless, because it will open up communication and encourage her to listen.

>>731572

It is beside the point. Poly is hurting, and hurt people act irrationally. She is also many times our elder -- we are an a adult child to her, which means that ignoring her many years of experience beyond our own is insulting.

The apology shows respect, it opens up communication, it puts her in a mind set more willing to listen. It shows she's more important than our pride.

This isn't the right time to consider 'enabling' actions because she is grieving. Saving trying to deal with her alcoholism for when she's stronger.

Put on your man pants Zack -- the real adult man pants, not the faux-macho-pants that people mistake for man pants -- and go back in there, apologize and be her friend and lover. Tell her why she's special to you and only you (although you can include things people like about her later) and just make her feel loved. Screw your pride.

Also maybe rub her feet once you start talking. From personal experience this appears to be magical.

Become wracked with conflicting emotions and indecision.

>>731584
This is the only proper human reaction.

>>731578
Though this sounds good too.

Enemy 2016/06/24(Fri)14:34 No. 731699 ID: b1960b
File 146680409403.png - (18.07KB , 960x560 , 518.png )

You trade texts with everyone else as you wait in Polyphema's living room.

Ambrose:
>polys really drunk. im staying here for a while.
Sounds good. Me n Rella will take turns outside.
>any updates on whats happened?
None Im allowed to share just yet. Still nothing on who did it.
They're looking for witnesses.
>Hows the mood at HVAO?
Not good. We've plugged up the exploit that let the leak happen but we still havent found who did it
Don't know how much I can tell you. You should call Britta tmrw

GG:
>hey boo. u ok? Polys falling apart
:(
im ok. like its still sad i but didnt know him
poor poly
>yeah...
>shes just sitting in her tub drinking. really pissed at me
y?
>
what do we do
>idk
me neither
should i come over

Meg:
>u ok? im with poly. shes a wreck
rough
she drunk?
>yeah
thought so
is she conscious
>shes in the tub
imo u should stay the night and tlk in the morning
>how are u feeling
im just fine but im wondering abt the situation
>like what
why he didnt/couldnt defend himself
/why they felt ok picking a fight with an oculot. this feels off
im getting u a gun zack. ill teach u how to use it
no arguing

Bika:
>just checking in. with poly. shes not doing so hot. u ok?
Im ok but the climate here is not. There are some very angry visitors coming to see me right now. Trying to keep everyone level headed
>that sucks
Theres a lot of things that suck right now
At least its a distraction, right?
>shes distracting herself with wine rn
O. That probably isnt helping
Do u want me to talk to her? I know we dont get along awesome but i knew him

From inside the bathroom you hear a loud retching sound, echoing into a toilet bowl.
The sink turns on then off again.
Poly's music turns off. You look up.
She emerges in a cloud of steam, dressed in a bathrobe, her arms folded tight across her chest. She clicks the lights in her apartment off then sees you. She looks at you blankly.
Neither of you have spoken yet.

1]] __________

Frick'n apologize, Zack. Idiot.

Since Smik is apparently the only one with actual experience in this and one of the few people not panicking at a girl being sad, let's follow his advice, why don't we.

Oculots know how much a look can communicate. Words can't come close.
"I'm sorry" is all you can say.

Rather than mob her all at once, I think it would be best if one of us came at a time to be with her. GG, Meg, Bika.

>>731700
This.
Also, ask her if there's anything we can do for her. Does she want anyone else to come over? Would she like somebody else to talk to? Does she want to be held?

Face facts, Zack. You ARE an adult kid to her and you will always be a kid to her. The age difference doesn't prevent you from being lovers but it does make her your elder.

Put yourself in her shoes. How would you like someone with a fraction of the life experience you had giving you advice on how to live your life? It'd disrespectful of your experience.

Well, you were disrespectful of Poly's years of experience. Now for the love of whatever powers you hold dear DO *NOT* TELL HER YOU WERE DISRESPECTFUL OF HER YEARS, but you can apologize for being disrespectful.

And because you were disrespectful, after you apologize you will have to agree to whatever she tells you to do.

"I'm sorry. I've never been very good at this."

>>731704
>Rather than mob her all at once, I think it would be best if one of us came at a time to be with her. GG, Meg, Bika.
This.

>>731706
>Also, ask her if there's anything we can do for her. Does she want anyone else to come over? Would she like somebody else to talk to? Does she want to be held?
Also this.

I think getting a gun is a good future idea so long as you go the legal route. Sure every one of your gfs can take a man out on their own, but there would be a lot more legal repercussions for a visitor doing self defense than a human.

Also apologize.

>>731699
Simply apologize.
We'll figure out what to do from there.

Just ask her if she wants you to leave. Nothing else.

I'm not sure why exactly, but apologizing seems like a bad move. Like it would come across as insincere, or if not that exactly then something similar. That Poly wouldn't react well to it. Like the kind of people she likes are people who generally don't? Like it's too... political a thing. And she's probably heard tens of thousands of apologies.

I don't know. It's a feeling.

No, that's stupid. Apologize for what? Being preachy while she was belligerent? The scales are even and she doesn't want to revisit any part of what happened right now. That's sort of her whole thing, she doesn't want to reflect on tragedy, on discord, on the failures of herself or others. She doesn't need an apology, she doesn't want an apology.

What I do think she'd appreciate is company, as long as it can keep its mouth shut. Snuggling is probably all she's in a state for right now, and what a coincidence the same is true of our pelvis.

>>731699
I'm sorry. I just care about you, and I'm worried. That's all. You do you, just know I'm always here, and that I love you.

If you'd like some good news...
Meg and Bika are boning. The funny thing is that I brought up the fact that if Bika's male side are interested in any of you and if they wanted to romance with ya'll that would beautiful. Then Meg rushes, pretty much said hey yo Bika that was fine boning last night right in front us both as Bika was stuttering from the coincidence that I brought it up.

You didn't hear it from me.

I forgot to mention that you're not apologizing for your concerns, you're apologizing for leaving frustrated, which is something you should never do in a relationship... I think. Or is that with kids?

Or driving? Never drive angry. I think it's all of the above.

Apologize for heaven's sake!

>>731707
>>731719
These.

"Hugs and killing never die. And I've scheduled my self-defense classes (read:firearms training) to next week.

...Let's cuddle up until you're horny"

Then DON'T @#$% for a while and let the pursuit of happiness kick in. Go on a basic date, no fun or excitement, just some sundaes to replace the booze requirement.

Enemy 2016/06/24(Fri)19:17 No. 731730 ID: b1960b
File 146682104160.png - (18.75KB , 960x560 , 519.png )

"I'm sorry," you say.

"Shh," she says.
She lays her head in your lap. You tense up for a second but it doesn't hurt.
She takes your hand and puts it on her head.

About a minute later she starts snoring.

Sorry Zack but you're obligated to stay like that now unless you have to use the bathroom.

On the positive note, this is the best result we could hope for.

>>731730
Mute your phone. Update people on what's going on. Make sure she doesn't choke on her own vomit.
The usual.

>>731730
Poor thing. Let's stay with her until she wakes up. Maybe text GG to grab some Bikas and come over.

>>731731
>>731732
>>731733
>you're obligated to stay like that now
>Mute your phone. Update people on what's going on. Make sure she doesn't choke on her own vomit.
>text GG to grab some Bikas and come over
These, please and thank you.

>>731733
Agreed.

Be very still. Be very quiet. Mute the phone. Let her rest.

>>731730
she is using your broken pelvis as a lap pillow.
this is going to be a long night
stick through the pain, dont' say a word, lean back into the seat, put phone on silent text them back saying you'll handle it and that you're going to stay over at poly's.
also ask bika if the trouble is anything you can help with

go to sleep or take a nap if you can

>>731736
This, but include in the text that Poly is asleep, and Bika and GG should be as quiet as possible if they decide to come over. Girl needs some rest, yo.

>>731736
>>731739
>>731740
All of those.

And honestly, that turned out far better than I expected! Could have been even better, but really, this is very delicate situation.

>>731736
Agreed. Notify them that Poly is napping through, so to be quiet.

>>731739
Nuh uh. This doesn't even apply really, because it's already been said not to hurt (Poly is aware of it to boot), but even if it did the nurse said pain = no gain. You wouldn't sacrifice your pelvis to be a pillow.

>>731739
>go to sleep or take a nap if you can
Probably not the best idea given the circumstances.
Zack picks up on Polyphema's memories when they sleep in close proximity to each other, and I don't imagine her mind is the best place to be right now.
Besides, the last thing she needs right now is an invasion of privacy on top of everything else.

>>731747
number one reason to take a nap right there in my opinion.
she wont talk about her self, her past, or anything whenever we ask only giving us coffee shop talk if she decides to share, we've learned more about her through sleeping than actually talking to her. so far we are nothing but a short distraction in her long life.

take the nap, we don't have to tell her what we dream

Run your fingers through her hair. Commit moments like these to memory; you don't know how long they'll last.

>>731730
Okie-dokie then.
1.) Do. Not. Get. An erection. Not the time.
2.) Mute phone.
3.) Text girls and ask if they can come over.
4.) Gently stroke sad alien girlfriend.

Motorboat.

>>731730
I hope Zack doesn't need the bathroom for a while.
Message your peeps to rally up and see if you can get Ambrose or Rella to hand you a pillow.

I agree with sleeping while poly does. I know we made some vague promise not to intrude if we could control it, but considering she seems unwilling to share anything negative with us, I think this is the only way we'll really get to know her.

>>731999
nah, as curious as i am betraying her trust right after a major death in her life strikes me as a bad idea.

I think falling asleep on us was a deliberate move. She knows about the dreams, and wants us to see what's troubling her.
Remember, our promise was to try to wake up if we see something she wouldn't want us to, not to stop dreaming entirely.

>>732083
Doubt she's lucid enough to be constructing plans right now, especially since she's never shown the ability to actually control what we see.

Fall asleep anyway since it's how you learn the most about her. And don't invite anyone to her house without her permission, ya dummy, except maybe GG.

>>732083
Considering waking up was attempted last time to no effect and we just continued through the dream, it seems that we don't have a say in the matter. It may be that humans lack the psychic equivalent of muscle tone due to never having the opportunity to use it and it will come with time, but since it sounds like this is a new phenomenon that occurs between humans and oculots we're largely flying blind.
Either way, it'd be a bad idea to leave her alone when she's been drinking, same as anyone else in this situation.

I favor staying awake for safety reasons. There's still threat(s?) on the loose.

>>731741
This.

Well we're good and stuck now. Best thing we can do is ask our friends and ladies what to do with a drunk, unconscious, incredibly depressed oculot. Quietly of course.

Seriously though, don't text with anyone or gossip about this and really, really don't invite anyone over. That's just dumb.

>>731733
By grab some Bikas, you mean for traveling in a group and not for coming into the house, right?
>I know we dont get along awesome but i knew him

While we can ask people to come over, it's Poly's house to decide who is invited in.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)01:15 No. 733017 ID: b1960b
File 146736090894.png - (2.94KB , 960x560 , 521a.png )

You mute your phone, text everyone an update, and ask GG to come over with some Bikas. You gently turn Polyphema's head to the side to keep her safe from choking on vomit.

You stroke her face. She's so soft.

You don't exactly mean to fall asleep.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)01:15 No. 733018 ID: b1960b
File 146736095488.png - (2.99KB , 960x560 , 521b.png )

The orgy enters its third hour.

The candles flag low. Their lights shine dancing ghosts across the cherrybark walls, picking out, here and there, amidst the outsized cushions and hanging fabrics, bodies entwined in love's sweet ache.
The scents of champak and sandalwood hang indolent in the heavy air, twisting and intermingling in ethereal mimicry of the dozens of lovemakers below it.

Your name is Bijala.
This is the first orgy you've ever attended.
You are not laying with the lovers. It would be improper. They are gentry, noblemen, folk of repute.
You are simply a painter, with no title or honorific but that of Artist, commissioned by your patron to capture with ink and brush the contours of erotic passion.

You keep your sights set firmly on your easel, set up a few feet from a perfumed garakton pleasuring three gasping oculots at once, and try to block out the sounds and sighs of love. The musicians play sliding velvet drones and sonorous fugues.

You look up for a moment, scanning the room for your next tableau, and catch the sight of the most beautiful blue eye you have ever seen, staring back at you.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)01:18 No. 733020 ID: b1960b
File 146736110402.png - (15.60KB , 960x560 , 521.png )

She steps so lightly across and between the bodies below her that she seems to float, a being transcendent even of such paradisaical surroundings. She is shamelessly, fulsomely naked.

You recognize her. This is the Garaktonnic Fire Hoop dancer, whose performance was the precursor to the main event of the night. Before, in her scarlet silk and brass bangles, she was gorgeous. Now, shucked of them, she is mesmerizing.

With each step her hips flow like music. She is flawless, and captivating, and she is walking directly toward you.

Your throat instantly dries. Other, more secret parts of you instantly moisten.

Good evening, paintress, she purrs.
Yes, mistress, you mutter, fighting to break contact with that brilliant cerulean eye.

I should wonder how you think so, she says. She places a hand on her waist and stands contraposto; the motion causes a jolting curl of lust to hook around your stomach.
It must be dreadful, mustn't it.

Sorry? you ask.

To be surrounded by all this-- she waves her hand-- and stuck behind a canvas. Have our dignified hosts even seen fit to feed you?

I'm all right, mistress.

They haven't? Well if I squint I think I see that fat fellow near the back making sweet romance to two whole plates of grapes all on his own. I'm sure he could spare a few.
She leans forward, knocking the air out of you again.
Would you like me to feed you, paintress?

1]] I suppose I could eat.
2]] Do you mean-- you feed me?
3]] I'm sure they are delicious, mistress, but I have already eaten. Thank you.
4]] I shouldn't. I'll get in trouble.

1 and 2. No sense being impolite, and even less sense to miss such an opportunity.

2, 4. Plenty of time my sweet, plenty of time.

>>733018
>The orgy enters its third hour.
Golborians know how to throw a party!

>>733020
1.
Such a kind host! Who are we, a lowly paintress, to deny such hospitality?

2, 1.

5) WAKE UP

Suggestion 2016/07/01(Fri)04:17 No. 733038 ID: e4f856

4

4, 2, 1. Like her resistance is failing.
"I shouldn't. I'll get in trouble. Unless... Do you mean-- you feed me? Well... I suppose I could eat..."

1. "Eggs, balut, chicken. Maybe I could get inspiration from the life cycle."

>>733034
Seconded.

"Bika, what's for breakfast?"

Sad as I am to suggest it, waking up might be a good idea. I doubt Poly favors being poked in the head by nocturnal boners when said head is hungover.

>>733020

I agree with >>733046 in terms of choices, but not in the exact order. 4 first, then 1 after mulling over a bit, and finally 2 as a sort of delayed and shocked reaction, as Bijala seemed to firmly believe she has no right to interact with the upperclass outside of business.

Though, before things get really hot and heavy, and before any really personal info is revealed, >>733034.

>>733034
This.

A gentleman doesn't pry, Zachary.

4, 1, 2. Also, has anyone here ever actually tried to will themselves awake? It's not exactly a common feat.

... paint dickbutt.

2, then 1. Timidly, but very intrigued.

Wake up.

5) WAKE UP

Wake up if its one of those dreams where you CAN wake up, otherwise its time to watch Poly work her magic.

>>733057
>>733100
>>733112
Please number your suggestions. It makes it easier for Brom to keep track of things.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)17:02 No. 733119 ID: b1960b
File 146741777184.png - (13.03KB , 960x560 , 522a.png )

Do you mean-- you feed me?

Mhm.

By hand?

As is the fashion with grapes, she says.

I-- ah-- I shouldn't.

You should.

I'll get in trouble. My patron--

Your patron happens to be my older brother, she says. And if he complains, I'll handle him. He should know better than to dangle such pretty things in front of me. He's well aware I don't like keeping my hands to myself.

You shrink back. You're a gentlewoman of the nobility?

I am many things, she says. But nobody has yet accused me of being a gentlewoman.

But-- I-- well I suppose I could eat.

Marvelous, she says. She takes your hand from your lap and pulls you out of your chair.

What's your name, paintress? she asks, steering you toward the corpulent nobleman and his vineyard.

Bijala, you say. Can we really just--

Of course, she says.
She plucks a bunch of grapes from the silver serving tray of a nubile skut, which simply bows its head in deferential response.

Easy as that, she says.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)17:02 No. 733120 ID: b1960b
File 146741777931.png - (11.43KB , 960x560 , 522.png )

You're shaking, Bijala.
She puts a grape in your mouth, then runs her thumb across your lip.

I'm sorry, mistress.

Don't be. She rubs your wrist. I find it tantalizing when people are intimidated by me.
I've seen your work. It's hung up all around my brother's house. The only beautiful things he owns. How a man of his taste found a mind like yours I can't imagine.

You like my paintings?

What you make are more than paintings, she says. You make windows into better places. Better selves. I found myself yearning to crawl through them. Or at least to find the hands that made them. To touch them, perhaps.

She enmeshes her fingers through yours. But now that they're in front of me, I find-- voluptuary that I am-- I can't be satisfied with just your hands.
I think I'd like to steal you from him.

She lays a palm on your thigh.
You're a little overdressed, Bijala, she says.
Your tongue has tied itself in knots. Your throat is too dry to speak.
She slides her hand up under the fabric of your dress until it rests on your waist. She traces your hipbone with her thumb. You're so aroused that the motion makes you whimper.

Will you lie with me? she asks.

1]] If it pleases you, mistress.
2]] Yes. Please.
3]] I can't. Your brother.
4]] I'm a virgin.
5]] I've only just met you.
6]] wake up

2, 6

6.

Don't betray her trust.

6

2

>>733121
Agreed.

6. Now's not the time to be doing this.

6 wake up
6 wake up
6 wake up

We only promised Polyphema we'd check out if sensitive information or things she wouldn't want us to know about came up. She didn't say anything about not getting fingerbanged.

2

6

It's best to keep our word.

2, 4.

>>733120
3, 1
Though I think it is at this point that our suspicion of who Poly's brother is from conversations with her and Hiz tips over into a pretty likely looking theory. And we should probably stop watching while it is only a theory, and not a certainty, because confirmation is something that should only come from her when she trusts us.

6]] wake up

Wait a second:

http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/630196.html#630862

Polyphema lied to us about having siblings. This is the second time in this thread Enemy's referenced her having them. Wonder what's going on here.

>>733140
Doesn't the Kariket have the (quite possibly self-conferred) ability to revoke someone's official name and identity? And this happens to everyone who flees to Earth by default?
In that case, she'd technically sort of not be lying-ish that she has no siblings.

Or perhaps she thinks that the person her brother was died a long time ago, and refuses to think of him as a sibling at all now.

2, 4, 6.
We've already seen more than she'd like.
Let's bow out before we hear something really important.

>>733141
HER BROTHER'S THE GOD-DAMNED KARIKET FUCK

>>733143
Well, probably. She told us she came from a well-to-do farming family, the Kariket talks up how he came from a humble farming background according to Hiz, and also according to Hiz this is a distortion of the truth.

We need to wake up before that sort of thing becomes certain though. She should be the one to decide when to tell us. We need to talk with her about the dreams and such as soon as possible while being understanding of how shaken up she seems right now.

>>733140
>>733141
>>733143
>>733144
Enough supposition! Let's just get out of this dream before we see too much! Let's also avoid any confrontation with Poly for now. This is hardly the best time!
If we want to continue this, then let's take it to the discussion thread.

6. The painter's just gonna die anyway.

7) ASSAULT NOBLE8!+(#

DRAW BLOOD FROM HER BOOBS WITH YOUR TEETH

PAINT YOUR MASTERPIECE WITH HER BLOOD AND ORGANS

Or just find the nearest [cricket] bat and wake the @#$% up already.

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)20:31 No. 733170 ID: b1960b
File 146743029388.png - (12.98KB , 960x560 , 523.png )

Yes. Please.

She smiles. Thank you, she says.

She lays a hand on your knee, and slowly opens your legs.

I'm a virgin, you say, before you can stop yourself.

She pauses.
I'm your first?

Yes.

And you would give me this?

Yes. Yes.

Bijala. She rolls over so that she's kneeling over you. You honor me beyond words.
I prostrate myself before you.
She rests her head on your stomach. She kisses your bellybutton, then suddenly perks back up.
I just realized, she laughs. I've been so frantic to taste you; I haven't even told you my name.

I thought-- perhaps I didn't need to know it.

She laughs again. You think I'll simply take my fill of you and leave?
I told you, little paintress. I'm stealing you.
Wouldn't you like to know the name of your thief?

Yes.

It's

Enemy 2016/07/01(Fri)20:32 No. 733172 ID: b1960b
File 146743033725.png - (8.93KB , 960x560 , 524.png )

Your phone buzzes.
You jolt awake.

Your lap is wet and for a second you freak out, thinking maybe that dream got a little too exciting.
You touch the stain on your pants and realize it's nothing like that. Polyphema's crying in her sleep.

With the utmost tenderness you replace your lap (the bones of which, you decide, have had enough of that deleterious position) with a cushion from Polyphema's couch.
You cast around for your cane, and use it to get to Polyphema's room and find a blanket for her.

Once she's sleeping soundly again you check your phone. You've been asleep for a half hour.

ok me and bika are coming over now

Her latest message is what woke you up.

were outside. buzz in?

ik i wasnt invited but can i come anyway
im worried abt poly
zack?
r u sleeping

Buzz in Big Red and Hot Fuzz, then tell Super Fly we were snoozing and that she can come over if she wants.

Buzz in GG and Bika but text them Poly is still sleeping.

Text M you were sleeping, Poly still is. She can come over if she's ok stealthing around.

>>733176
This.
Hope Poly doesn't mind a bit of company during these trying times. Safety in numbers and all that.

Invite all the girls over, but tell them to be very quiet as Poly is still asleep. Though it does bring up the dilemma of how we're gonna break to Poly about the dreams with Zack's other three girlfriends depending on how private we want that topic to be.....

Meg can come, GG and Bika can come in, but everybody... wait in a different room than Poly. The front parlor, or something. You'll hang with them too, and check in on Poly.

>>733187
Best to keep all the dream stuff on a back burner until we get current, pressing matters sorted.

>>733189
Yes. Don't want Poly feeling overwhelmed or smothered.

>>733176
>>733189
These.

>>733172
To gg and meg: "come on in. quiet tho. poly is asleep still."

I think we need to arange a specific date to talk about the dreams it's far to sensitive a topic to suprise Poly with.

I suppose all the girls can be here but warn them as they come in that Poly is seriously not okay and may be more than a little difficult.

>>733176
>>733189
>>733253
>Buzz in GG and Bika but text them Poly is still sleeping.
>Text M you were sleeping, Poly still is. She can come over if she's ok stealthing around.
>everybody... wait in a different room than Poly. The front parlor, or something.
>warn them as they come in that Poly is seriously not okay and may be more than a little difficult.
Carefully constructed plan.

>>733269
yeah this is a good plan

>>733324
Seconded.

Just be sure not to leave Poly alone for any significant length of time, we should be there when she wakes up.

Hey, wait, Ambrose and Rella said they'd take turns outside. Shouldn't GG and Bika have met one of them to let them in?

Outside the room, presumably. They needed someone to buzz them into the building.

>>733405

Well, in that case we could get one of them to buzz GG and Bika in, and have Zack stay here with Poly.

In retrospect, one is generally supposed to inform one's bodyguards when expecting guests.

Brom 2016/07/03(Sun)21:47 No. 733541 ID: b1960b
File 146760763322.png - (21.72KB , 960x560 , 525.png )

"Still sleeping."
GG comes back into the front room and sits down.
One of the Bikas heads into Polyphema's room to take her turn. It's the soldier who was injured against Pilop, arm still in a brace. Bika's brought her in solidarity with you, you guess.

"Poor Poly," GG says.
"Poor Hizalian," Meg says.
"Yeah." You readjust the ice pack you've put on your lap. "Did he leave anyone else behind?"
"Not on this side," Bika says. "We're discussing how to break the news on the other. Want to get ahead of whatever official channels the Kariketic government is going to use."
"I could do it," Meg says. "There's people I can talk to."
"That might be a good idea," Bika says. "Has the HVAO given you any updates, Zack?"
"Nothing you guys haven't heard," you say. "I'm waiting."
"K." Bika curls up. She looks very small. "I still haven't-- I don't know. Hiz. I'm still processing it. I've been so busy all day and now. The wind's kind of out of me."
Meg sits up and puts her arm around Bika's shoulders. She kisses her ear.

"Fuck." GG flops sideways and lays on the couch. "Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck."
"Yeah," Bika says.

The room lapses into silence.

1]] We need to come up with a plan for how to handle it when she wakes up.
2]] I'll call Carlson, actually. Get as up to date as I can from the horse's mouth.
3]] I think I'm taking you up on those shooting lessons, Meg.
4]] Me and GG were talking about leaving the city to go hunting or something. We should make that happen ASAP.
5]] I need to tell you guys about something. I keep getting these weird dreams when I sleep with Polyphema.
6]] _______________

1, 3, 4

1, 3, 5.

Carlson's probably super busy. Poly I think wouldn't be too down with hunting just for hunting's sake and we don't want to leave her behind. Talk about the dreams but don't talk about the specific content of any of those dreams, those are what Poly would like kept private. The fact that the dreams themselves happen I don't think she cares so much about people knowing.

1,3,4. Not 5. That's not a thing to take chances with. We can ask her about that specifically when there's a good time.

1, 3, 4.
Immediate issue: severely depressed and potentially suicidal oculot. Plan now.
Future plans: get out of the city, go hunting, get some shooting practice, and avoid further complications.

>>733546

It's never a good time! Besides, we already talked about it to Hiz, in Bika's restaurant no less. The fact that oculots have freaky mind powers, and that sometimes new freaky mind powers pop up, is not a secret. Besides, one of our dreams was from GGs perspective, as I recall, and she has a right to know we saw into her head at a point in her life.

Also, as many people as possible need to know that the Kariket can mind control people. We don't need to reveal anything about Poly, we can just go "hey I get dreams where I see into the minds of people Poly has met at some point in the past, I got one that let me look into a scene from when you were a kid GG, also I got one where I saw into the kariket's morning and turns out he's literally insane and can control people's minds".

You can't not tell people that a crazy man is running around with mental domination powers, come on.

>>733546
This.

1, 3, 4, 2.
Before we discuss the dream situation with anyone else, we should have a long, serious talk with Polyphema about how to handle it. A hunting trip should provide ample opportunity to hold such a conversation.

1, 3, 4

>>733541
1, 3, and 4

>>733559
Sure you can. That's exactly the sort of thing you shouldn't ever tell someone unless you're certain they can actually do something about it.

1. GG, you give good, restraining hugs. Poly needs several hugs. And a tall glass of water.
Not 2. Don't call them, they'll call you. Or you can check in with the agents, later.
3, 4, and not 5. There is nothing they can do about these memories without spreading the knowledge around even further.

>>733566
Yeah, speaking to others about the dreams is something we should do WITH Poly

"We need to come up with a plan for how to handle it when she wakes up. Also, I think I'm taking you up on those shooting lessons, Meg. Which reminds me. Me and GG were talking about leaving the city to go hunting or something. We should make that happen ASAP."

Theres gonna be Hell to pay

1. We are open to suggestions, ladies.

3. What manner of firearm were you considering, Meg?

4. How about a bear skin rug for the restaurant, Bika?

6. Let's get an update from the agents and see if anything's changed.

>>733541
if we went hunting bika could make traditional skut food served out of the skull of the hunted.

>>733592
This.

Enemy 2016/07/10(Sun)00:45 No. 734786 ID: b1960b
File 146813672382.png - (13.30KB , 960x560 , 526.png )

"I think I'm taking you up on those shooting lessons, Meg," you say.
"Cool," Meg says.
"Whoa." GG's head raises. "I want in on that."
"I can make that work," Meg says. "Biks?"
"I don't really need shooting lessons," Bika says. "But I'll come."
You raise an eyebrow. "Do you own guns?"
"Depends on who's asking," Bika says.
"GG and I were actually talking about going out hunting or something when my crotchbone's fixed," you say. "Maybe you could finally make that thing that comes in its own skull."
"Bringkik, you mean?"
"Yeah, the thing."
"That goes in warlox skulls. Think we'll see any warloxi in the forests of Upstate New York?"
"Maybe not. Maybe in Connecticut."
"I just know I wanna kill something," GG says. "We can't find whoever killed Hizalian I guess it'll have to be a little bunny or something."
"Nooo," Bika says. "Not the bunnies."
"A bear," Meg says.
"Yeah," GG says. "A fucking bear."
"I can see about getting us to the range tomorrow," Meg says. "If that's what we want to do."
"Maybe," you say. "Right now we gotta decide what we're going to do about Poly."

"Yeah...." GG lays back down. "But like what the fuck can we do?"
"Not a lot," Bika says. "She's... taken a lot of damage, I think. And she's never really fixed any of it up. That's the picture Hiz painted anyway."
"I think I'm going in there." Meg straightens up. "I think it'll be good for her to wake up next to somebody."

1]] You know she might puke on you in her sleep, right?
2]] I don't know. She may just want to be alone.
3]] Sounds good. We'll hold down the living room.
4]] I think I'll join you.
5]] I'd join you but my pelvis might not cooperate.
6]] I'd join you but weird stuff happens when I sleep next to Poly.
7]] Maybe we all should.
8]] Shooting lessons tomorrow sounds good to me.
9]] ______________

4, 7.
8.

4, 7, 8, 9]] Anyone know any hangover remedies?

9) See if you can control the next dream with Bika + Poly + anal sausage interconnecting Bika and Poly + Tin Foil helmet

"Sounds good. We'll hold down the living room. Or maybe I should join you. Or maybe we all should. I don't know. Anyway, shooting lessons tomorrow sounds good to me."

>>734786
Bika, your probably the most experienced when it comes to Oculot mental health, well without bias, since that would be Poly.
How exactly is such a long living species supposed to stay mentally healthy when one is garenteed to go through countless tragedies? Fixing a specific problem is one thing, but the reality is that an Oculot (and potentially skuts too) is going to have to fix infinite problems until death occurs. Hiz was only 80 ish and had seroius issues himself but they were clearly manageable at that age. Poly implied perhaps she a millennial.

>>734786
4, 7, 8. Avoid 6 until Poly wakes up and possibly opens up, because merely mentioning it may hint to the others about Zack's unintentional spelunking into her memories, and it best not to reveal it until Poly's more stable.

Actually, here's a good 9: You guys know of any good hangover cures? Aside from more booze.

3, 8. We shouldn't crowd her.

3, 5, 8.
Trying to crowd in around her all at once may not be the best idea, but she probably shouldn't be left alone either.
We may also want to wait about revealing the dreams until we've asked Poly if she's cool with the others knowing.
Our dulabira could only benefit from shooting lessons as it would be a good team building exercise and could help protect it.

3, 8, not 4. You had your turn, Zack.

I mean, what are the odds she'd have some sort of Floater-related trauma?

>>734786
3, 8
9]] Let us know when she wakes up, and if she's ready for more company or not.

>>734786
join, but give the tinfoil hat thing a try. if nothing else it'll give her a good hungover chuckle. the intention is to show we want to sleep with her but still give her privacy.

1 is just kind of rude.
2 isn't very likely as Poly never said she wants to be alone, and she outright fell asleep in Zack's lap.
3 is tempting as we have a lot to discuss and it's hard to have a discussion with people who are trying to sleep.
4 is tempting as well as Polyphema may want Zack present when she wakes up.
5 isn't worth much as we've managed with the damage so far.
6 is something we should save talking about until we get the OK from Poly.
7 is tempting because for all we know Poly may want as many friendly faces as she can get.
8 should definitely happen as the gang needs better defenses, and they'll need to practice for the hunting trip.

3 and 8.
Meg deserves her turn, and we have things to plan with GG and Bika.

>>734812
This.

Enemy 2016/07/11(Mon)01:10 No. 735160 ID: b1960b
File 146822463354.png - (2.94KB , 960x560 , 527.png )

"Sounds good, Meg," you say. "We'll hold up the fort in here for tonight I guess. And then tomorrow, guns."
"Fuckin' A," GG says.

Meg fake-shoots you as she goes into Polyphema's room.

You fall asleep in a pile of couch cushions, red arms, and Bikas.

You dream that you're barely keeping your head above the water.
Someone holds their hand out to you.
You reach forward to grasp it.

Enemy 2016/07/11(Mon)01:10 No. 735161 ID: b1960b
File 146822464438.png - (12.73KB , 900x600 , 528.png )

"And a good morning to you too," Polyphema says.

"Humh?" You blink reality into your brain.
Your left hand is full of soft warm Oculot tit.

1]] Inquire how she's feeling.
2]] Inquire about breakfast.
3]] Inquire about whether she wants to talk about Hizalian today.
4]] Inquire as to whether she remembers last night at all.
5]] Inquire about Bijala.
6]] Inquire about any updates on the situation from HVAO.
7]] ______________

1, 4, 6.
A very tentative 3, but drop it immediately at the first sign of discomfort.
Then 2.

7) HONK HONK

7]] Pull her into a hug.
1, 4, 6, and 2.

>>735161
1, 2, 6.
then, 7. i wanted to sleep with you but i also wanted to give you privacy.
also, maybe, 8. watching you drink in grief made me feel helpless. i get that it's how you deal, i just wish you wouldn't push me away. i really care about you and it hurts to just watch from afar.

1, 2, 3, 4, 6. I omit 5 because I classify it as "old, personal stuff that's none of our business."

7, hug the mono-eyed slut
2, cause food
1, check for hangover
avoid 3 like the plague until you've gotten your bearings and a general feel for the atmosphere

7) HUG

>>735161
do not do 3, 4, or 5. avoid that snake pit
only do 6 if you haven't gotten any messages from them and the bodyguards out in the hallway know nothing.

so just do 1 and 2. i vote breakfast first we have to have our priorities straight

7) Hug Poly
2) Inquire about breakfast
1) See how she's doing after the other two

>>735164
This.

7) Honk.

1, 7, 2.

No inquiries, just pull her down and give her a kiss.

1, 2, 4. I imagine she's feeling felt up.

>>735161
First of all 7: Give her a hug so as to diffuse the currently awkward moment. Then, in order, 1, 4, and 2, and finally 6 over breakfast. Only bring up 3 if the topic comes up and feels comfortable enough, and avoid 5 like the plague.

1, 2, 6

7: Once confirming the two of you are in private, tell her you've figured out how to back out of those dreams.

7) Sit up into a hug, then 1.

>>735186
It's not awkward. She's our beautiful, slutty, one-eyed girlfriend. The only thing awkward is that we're touching her 8/10 boob instead of her 10/10 butt.

Escalate into make-out. Touch butt.

>>735161
7, tell her about the dream you had about JUST the kariket. She needs to know how he controls people.

>>735193
>8/10
Heresy.
1, 2, 6. Honk. She's looking much more composed, and I think we'll be able to try talking with her again today. Hopefully she hasn't already hit the sauce.

>>735218
I stand by that. GG's boobs are 10/10. She has the boobs, Poly has the hips.

1, 2, 6, squeeze her boob and say "Honk honk."

7) do me a favor and pinch me. Maybe say my name too, JUST to be sure.

7 - hugs about
2
1

Enemy 2016/07/11(Mon)22:47 No. 735318 ID: b1960b
File 146830243454.png - (13.07KB , 960x560 , 529.png )

You squeeze Polyphema's boob. "Honk."

She squeezes your pec. "Honk honk."
"How are you feeling?" you ask.
"You tell me how I feel," Polyphema says.
"Pretty good," you say.

She lays herself across you and gives you one of those deep, languid, morning kisses.
You touch her butt. She flexes it a little in response. It's a different kind of soft from her chest. More of a summer morning softness. Less supple and more like the kind of thing you can sink your fingers into.
Leggings rule.

Enemy 2016/07/11(Mon)22:47 No. 735319 ID: b1960b
File 146830246351.png - (18.08KB , 960x560 , 530.png )

"Yooo! Get a room!"
GG walks out of the kitchen with a frying pan in her hand.
"I have several rooms," Polyphema says. "One of which has a gaggle of visitors eating all my eggs."
"How do you want yours, Zack?" GG asks.
"Scrambled."
"You would," GG says.
"What does that mean?"
"You would want your eggs scrambled," GG says. "You're a scrambled eggs guy. That's so you."
"What does--"
"It is very you," Polyphema says.
"Where do you get that-- I want them over easy actually."
GG whisks back into the kitchen. "I'm scrambling them."

Polyphema licks your neck, then sits up. She rotates her butt a little on the morning wood bulge in your pants. "You invited the whole kit and kaboodle, didn't you?"
"Should I not have?"
"I don't mind," Polyphema says. "It's actually rather comforting. Ambrose is inside. We tried to bring Rella in but she insisted on watching the door."
"Do you remember anything about last night?" you ask.
"Yes," Polyphema says.
"Do you want to talk about--"
"No I certainly do not," Polyphema says. "It is a beautiful morning and I am hungry. Come!" She stands up. "Breakfast awaits."

1]] Cool.
2]] I'm sorry.
3]] We should talk privately first: _____________
4]] Ask Ambrose about ___________
5]] I like my eggs all kinds of ways, fyi. Not just scrambled.
6]] ______________

3]] And by "talk privately" I mean "help me out with this morning glory"

1, 5.
4]] Ask Ambrose about the investigation. Have there been any changes?

>>735319
3, tell her about the Kariket. Why are we keeping that secret it should not be secret it is an enemy's secret.

>>735321
This

1. No use forcing it.
4. We should ask for an update.
5. We also like them boiled.

First things first this >>735320

Then >>735324

>>735326
Second.

1, 4: Ask Ambrose if the HVAO has Visitor employees besides the cultural exchange program that he knows of. Oh, and I guess if anything happened overnight.

>>735320
>>735320
>>735320
>>735320

No offense Brom your plot is great and everything but I want more porn

6]] I hate to spoil the mood but I have two things I must say. First, my crotch is still broken. Second, ow ow ow, please get off, ow ow ow!

>>735330
Watch the pelvis, buddy.

>>735331
>>/questdis/81802

>>735320
No. He's recovering from a broken pelvis and we have more important things to do.

1.

>>735322
6) I haven't put insurance on my pelvis yet, we need to cool it.

We got more important shit to do than sex.

1, 2
6]] I love you.

>>735319
1, 5, 4 pertaining to the investigation and finally >>735371 because that's just golden. XD Save 3 for later, the topic being the Kariket.

1), 5), and 6), kind of a variation on 3: "I just wanted to ask, I've had a few more dreams, some that didn't involve you at all that I could tell. Do you mind me talking to other people about them? Not about the content specifically, for sure nothing about you that I get from them, just like, about the dream thing itself? Like, I had one where I think I saw GG's childhood. Seems right to inform everyone that sleeping with you and me together means me maybe seeing their history."

1

1

Enemy 2016/07/14(Thu)01:11 No. 735709 ID: b1960b
File 146848391077.png - (11.91KB , 960x560 , 531.png )

"I haven't put insurance on this pelvis yet, y'know," you say. "We need to cool it."
"Am I hurting you at all?" Poly asks.
"Well-- no, actually."
"It's all about distribution and application of weight, doll." Polyphema wink-blinks. "You don't get to be a long-lived woman who loves short-lived men without knowing your way around brittle bones and hip problems." She delicately dismounts. "In fact this could be an opportunity for me to show you something interesting."
"Something interesting?" You let her help you up. "That sounds interesting."
"An interesting present," she says. "Remind me."

GG has made you not one but what looks like a half dozen eggs. You struggle valiantly against the pile with the aid of a Bika's thieving fork.

"Are there any updates you can tell me about?" you ask Ambrose.
"Nothing fun," Ambrose says. "Ms. Polyphema?"
"Right." Polyphema excuses herself from the room.

"They think they caught one of the guys," Ambrose says. "In a hospital, in midtown. Seriously burnt."
"Apparently he did fight back after all," Meg says.
"Cause of death was strangulation," Ambrose says. "With some kind of cord."
You gingerly set your breakfast aside. "What's happening at the HVAO?"
"A lot." Ambrose clears his throat. "They're, uh, some people are talking about putting the program on hold."

1]] Why?
2]] They can't. It's too important.
3]] That wouldn't stop me from being with everyone, y'know.
4]] That tears it. I'm calling Carlson.
5]] On hold for how long?
6]] Some people like only a few, or some people like this is probably going to happen?
7]] ______________

<_Apollo_> Brom what the fuck
<_Apollo_> none of these options are to flirt with Ambrose
<Brom> sorry write it in

I'm writing it in, Brom. Flirt with Ambrose!