>>22059
She's right. Cross the street (look both ways) and walk there with her.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/04(Tue)00:59 No. 22585 ID: cbd3ef
File 124937276218.png - (143.52KB , 800x600 , 054.png )

Daniel crosses the street and they walk side by side.

>"So... How are you feeling right now?"
Maja asks commiseratively.

>>22585
have you ever been punched by someone? imagine everyone you've ever known and loved has lined up to punch you in the gut and tell you they hate you. i feel slightly worse than that.

>>22585
"Fine. Booze would make me feel even better. Got any cash on you?"

>>22585
What would you say if I told you I'm feeling "attracted to you"?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/04(Tue)07:04 No. 22641 ID: cbd3ef
File 124939464526.png - (146.27KB , 800x600 , 055.png )

>"What would you sayif I told you I'm feeling 'attracted to you'?"
Daniel jests.

Maja grins.
>"I'd say: 'Konrad's gonna smash you into a pulp, Mister.'"
She laughs.
>"No really though. You feeling alright right now?"

>"I'm fine. Booze would make me feel even better. Got any cash on you?"

>"Oh come on, Dan! Alcohol ain't gonna solve any of your problems."

>>22641
Nah, but it's a lot easier to get drunk than to actually work through my problems.

>>22641
"My biggest problem right now is that I'm not drunk. Apropos, when I went this night so supply me with alcohol ..."
Tell her about the Sparrowlady.

>>22641
....Ask if she still sells weed.

After all, can't OD on it, so no hospital trips for you.

It isn't quitting so much as trading crutches, but still, even a small step in the direction of getting your shit together should help.

And not having to worry about hangovers screwing up work but still being able to numb the pain sounds nice.

Nah, she's right. Keeping yourself in a dazed, abnormal state to escape things isn't the answer. That's avoiding the question.

Still, explain to Maja that you don't feel right laying all your problems out for her. It's your shitty life, and you gotta deal with it.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)06:47 No. 23101 ID: 967c9e
File 124948006985.png - (190.97KB , 800x600 , 056.png )

>"My biggest problem right now is that I'm not drunk. Apropos -"
Daniel begins but is interrupted by Maja pushing him into the door of the café.

>"What you need, is a cup of coffee, Dan!"

She jostles him into a chair.
>"Say, Maja. Do you still sell weed?"

>"What the fuck are you talking about, Daniel? You sound like you already smoked some."

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)06:57 No. 23102 ID: 967c9e
File 124948062445.png - (268.88KB , 800x600 , 057.png )

She takes a seat right across from Daniel and looks him into the eyes... probably. Daniel could never tell where she was looking.
>"Alright. Shoot!"
She says.
>"Tell Sis all about your oh-so-shitty life, Dan!"

Daniel sighs.
"Look, Maja. I don't feel right laying all my problems at you. It's my life and I gotta deal with it."

She grimaces.
>"Yeah right, Mr. I-can-deal-with-it. Because you didn't just ask me for drugs to lighten your mood. Now scrap this pseudo-badass attitude and fucking tell me everything. You'll see, you'll feel better in a second."

She's right of course.
>"Well... This might sound crazy but... Uh last night I... When I was headed for Konrad's liquor store I... met someone. A girl."

Maja raises an eyebrow but remains silent.

>"She was standing there on the street, in something that looked like some kind of nightgown, barefoot. lso her hair was coloured in two different colours."

>"Dan... You sure this was BEFORE you arrived at Konrad's?"

>"Just listen ok? She told me something about... the truth and how I was trapped, imprisoned or something like that. She promised to 'tear down the walls' and that's when it got really trippy."

Maja seems really worried now.
>"Trippier than that?"

>"She... Vanished. In a flash of light. She just... vanished."

Maja doesn't say a word.

>>23102
Get indignant and hope she starts taking you seriously. Maybe if you start getting up like you're going to leave?

"See?! I tried to tell you; I gotta deal with it. You're gonna think I'm fucking nuts... and who knows, maybe I am. But this isn't helping..."

>>23102
>"Tell Sis all about your oh-so-shitty life, Dan!"
>Sis

S-stupid Maya ...

>>23102
Grab her tats to accentuate your point :3c

Time to fuck her, dude. No other choice.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)07:50 No. 23110 ID: 967c9e
File 124948384890.png - (227.38KB , 800x600 , 058.png )

Daniel is highly reluctant to hit on Maja. First of all, she's schoolfriend of his, kinda boyish and most of all, IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH KONRAD! Daniel values his teeth and his friendship with Konrad. He also doubts he has the Charisma to pull this off, anyway.
He's really pissed now and gets up to leave.

>"See?! I tried to tell you! I gotta deal with it. You're gonna think I'm fucking nuts... and who knows, maybe I am. But this isn't helping..."

>"Sit down, Dan! Let me think!"
She falls silent again. After a short while of contemplation she says:
>"Daniel, I doubt that you're nuts. I just think you might be a little more down the drain than i thought you were. I'm sorry. You obviously lacked sleep. I mean. Come ON the story with the girl sounds very much like a dream. That wasn't real. You'Re still not crazy."
Again she seems to think hard.
>"I want to give you some advice. You're probably gonna hate it but listen to me and don't go all Hollywood-Nutjob on my ass!"
She inhales.
>"I know this psychiatrist. He helped me get out of myblues after my mother bit it. Going to a psychiatrist doesn't mean you're crazy, it just means you need help and you've got to agree with me that you do indeed need help that I cannot provide. You need a professional! Now sit down and let's just drink a cup of coffee, alright?"

>>23110
But, Maja... what if she's right? What if there is something else to life besides what I know? What if I have trapped myself in some kind of rut or even an entirely fake world?

I can't help but be interested in the possibility.

>>23110
Nod and tell her you'll think about it. In fact, it wouldn't be such a bad idea considering the condition you're in. Doesn't mean you have to do it, but you don't have to rule it out either.

Oh, and apologize for freaking out.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)08:13 No. 23114 ID: 967c9e
File 124948523790.png - (268.96KB , 800x600 , 059.png )

Daniel nods and sits back down.

>"You might be right. I'll think about it. Sorry for freaking out like that."

>"It's alright, Dan. No need to apologise. His name is Dr. Richard Tetrao. I'll just send you a text message with his contact info later."

Daniel can't just leave it at that, however.
>"But, Maja... what if she's right? What if there is something else to life besides what I know? What if I have trapped myself in some kind of rut or even an entirely fake world? "
He can practically hear her frown.

>"Daniel, that is a philosophical question and not a new one at that. There's lots of people who believe there's more than the eye shows us. I personally don't buy into stuff like that. This reality is real enough for me. But discussing philosophy with me is a waste of time anyway. Maybe you want to ask Dr. Tetrao about that. All I can really say about this is: It was a dream. That girl is not real. Let it rest."

>>23114
"Alright, alright. Give me the shrinks number and I'll call him right away."

Hum "Butcher Pete" while you wait.

>>23116
Nah, don't call him now. It can wait. Besides, we need to really examine if we're going crazy and that girl was truly there or not.

>>23114
For now, just try to relax. Drink some coffee. Talk about something utterly pointless but strangely soothing like the weather, or ask what Maja's been up to. I doubt you really want to talk about your own life anymore anyway.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)09:29 No. 23123 ID: 967c9e
File 124948976525.png - (198.27KB , 800x600 , 060.png )

Daniel doesn't comment on her doubting his ability to distinguish dreams from reality.
>"What've you been up to by the way?"

>"Me? Oh not much... I'm currently working on this game..."
Daniel is pleased to see how her pride in her work effectively draws her off topic. And the conversation away from his problems.

A waitress approachs their table.
>"Hi there! You want to order something?"
She asks. She is cheerful but obviously taken aback a little by Daniel's freak-out from before.

>>23123
"Hot tea and the special, please."

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)10:08 No. 23136 ID: 967c9e
File 124949212985.png - (197.00KB , 800x600 , 061.png )

>"Hot tea and a sandwich please!"
Daniel says.

>"Alright! And for you, Miss?"

>"Hot chocolate."

>"Ok!"
And with that the waitress hops along.

>"So, Sonja, wh- Ergh! Maja! I'm sorry!"
Where the fuck did that come from.
>"T- tell me about this game of yours."

Maja doesn't even seem to notice the mistake.
>"It's this collaborative project I have going with a few other indie gmae developers. It's like a huge-ass dungeon that's randomly generated as you explore it and has randomly generated quests from randomly generated characters. We don't have anything playable yet, but I'm sure it's gonna be awesome!"

>>23136
Sounds like a fairly generic roguelike to me.

Still, any new creation is worth creating.

>>23136
Damn -ja names...

"Sounds... random."

>>23136
So what happens when you end up with orc paladins killing the elves?
Or how random does it go?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)12:38 No. 23249 ID: 77e036
File 124950113043.png - (268.94KB , 800x600 , 062.png )

Daniel doesn't really know what to say. He has never heard of Roguelikes.
>"Sounds... Random..."

Maja gives out a sigh.
>"Yeah, you never had any interest in computer games, why did you even ask?"

Daniel thinks quickly.
>"Uhm... So what happens when you end up with orc paladins killing the elves? Or how random does it go?"

She sighs once again.
"Ach, you Non-Geeks and your bloody stereotypes."

>>23249
Shrug.

>>23249
"I'm... sorry. I was just trying to do normal conversation, like normal people do. I haven't been feeling very normal as of late. Forget I brought it up."

"Some casual sex sounds good right about now."

y u a busta durandel

>>23255
That's been asked and answered, Reaver. Go back to drawing Romanticar for all your weird sexual urges. =P

>>23259
I deleted the previous comment so I could point out who you were for those too lazy to check the ID code... otherwise the Romanticar reference wouldn't make much sense. ;)

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)13:14 No. 23275 ID: 77e036
File 124950327768.png - (270.23KB , 800x600 , 063.png )

>"I'm... sorry. I was just trying to do normal conversation, like normal people do. I haven't been feeling very normal as of late. Forget I brought it up."

>"Ooooh, no need to apologize! I'm not mad. Anyway, Orc-Paladins would be bloody fucking awesome!"

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)13:16 No. 23278 ID: 77e036
File 124950338676.png - (197.60KB , 800x600 , 064.png )

>"Just imagine! The good are all fucking ugly! Orcs, ogers and all that jazz. And all the while evil is sexy! ... oh wait... That's also be cliché. Nevermind."

Daniel doesn't really get it but laughs anyway.

>>23278
Waitress is one step away from :awesome:

>>23278
Drink your tea and ask about he races and classes.
That should keep her talking for an hour or so.
Eat your sandwich in the meantime and sit.

"Looks like the food's here."

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)15:04 No. 23362 ID: 77e036
File 124950988024.png - (284.02KB , 800x600 , 066.png )

>"Looks like the food's here."

The waitress dishes out the ordered beverages and sandwich and leaves, still in a cheerful mood.

>"So..."
Daniel begins.
>"What kinds of races and classes do you want to implement?"

Daniel has seen this expression before, but not all that often. Usually she's more into grinning than smiling. It's a clear sign that she's in full geek-mode now.
>"Well that's the awesome part! No definite races! All randomly created! The Race-Creation-System already works! We had some amazing results on the first tests. And pretty wacky ones too. Like the Corvifolk. They were those bird-people who had six legs and just one wing. They were fucking ugly and basically unable to move properly because they had a strength score too low for locomotion of their very heavy bodies..."

And there she goes. Daniel enjoys his sandwich.

>>23362
This chick is awesome.

>>23362
Let her babble. Enjoy sammich. Go home.

>>23371
Thank her for talking with you and for the psychiatrist info before you leave though. And maybe one of those awkward 'just friends' hugs.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/05(Wed)15:50 No. 23392 ID: 77e036
File 124951265289.png - (176.49KB , 800x600 , 067.png )

She just goes on talking and talking and talking. It just gets more and more incomprehensible.
>"... Strength... Attributes... Body-Files... Modules... Classes... variables, Arrays, Integer, Strings, PrivatePublicg.drawLine(int,int,int,int);$§%$&/%"

Then suddenly Maja realizes that her break from work is over already. She quickly pays for the purchases and the two of them head out.

>"Thanks for everything, Maja!"

There's no time for a hug. She just sprints off shouting:
>"Been a pleasure! See ya!"

Soon she disappears around a corner. Daniel feels... quite good actually. He is calm and his thoughts are entangled by Maja's techno-babble. Something's off, though...

>>23392
Well, look around, think; try to find out what feels off.

Is it TwoTone girl? I hope it's her!

>>23392
Find a digital clock. If your cellphone has one, check it.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucid_dreaming#Reality_testing

>>23392
How about heading back to the place you first met that weird girl?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)05:34 No. 25568 ID: 93d079
File 124982125640.png - (118.78KB , 800x600 , 069.png )

Daniel gets out his cellphone and checks the time. Looks about right. 16:30
He notices he also got a message from Markus.
> How about you come over to my place at about 19:00?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)05:45 No. 25573 ID: 93d079
File 124982190057.png - (128.29KB , 800x600 , 070.png )

The weird feeling stays. Daniel decides to go to the place where... she had disappeared yesterday. He can't really pinpoint what it might be, that's making him feel uneasy.

Although his memories of last night are a bit foggy, he is pretty sure that this is the place.

>>25573
Anyone around? If no then say aloud "Strange girl? Are you around here? It's Sparrow, I guess."

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)08:31 No. 25587 ID: 93d079
File 124983186080.png - (128.86KB , 800x600 , 072.png )

Daniel looks around. He seems to be alone.
It does feel a little silly, but he says it anyway:
>"Uh... Strange Girl? Are you there? It's Sparrow! ... I guess..."

There is no response.

>>25587
The pavement, it wasn't like that before, was it? That should reassure us that we aren't totally crazy. Inspect it for clues.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)09:39 No. 25598 ID: 93d079
File 124983598375.png - (124.71KB , 800x600 , 073.png )

The sidewalk is devastated. There are weird holes in it like someone rammed very massive poles into the concrete. Cracks extend from each of these holes. They seem to... lead somewhere. Daniel does not have a very good feeling about this. Should he follow the track or just leave?

>>25598
Follow it.

>>25599
You can't afford to keep dealing with these weird feelings. Might as well follow it, but stay on your guard.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)10:47 No. 25612 ID: 93d079
File 124984003171.png - (129.54KB , 800x600 , 074.png )

Right, right. This is not the time for cowardice. Daniel follows the tracks.

Just shortly thereafter he finds a small brown bird on the sidewalk before him. It looks injured and pretty badly at that. For some reason it reminds him of the TwoTone girl.

>>25612
Haven't you read any fairy tales?
Wrap it in your jacket and find a vet.
Hurry.

>>25612
Save it from that diving bird of evil!

SHEILD THE LITTLE BIRD FROM THE GLOWY-EYED PREDATOR!

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)11:32 No. 25628 ID: 93d079
File 124984273432.png - (125.81KB , 800x600 , 075.png )

Daniel steps forward and shields the little bird. The crow corrects its course and flies back up.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)11:32 No. 25629 ID: 93d079
File 124984276715.png - (127.29KB , 800x600 , 076.png )

And it flies another attack.

>>25629
Backwards kick at it. Hopefully you will hit, but even if you don't it should scare it off.

>>25629
In most cities it's legal to kill crows.
Just sayan.

>>25629

Crouch over the brown bird, protect it with your whole body.

>>25629
Go FIST OF THE MOTHERFUCKING NORTH STAR on its ass!

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)11:47 No. 25636 ID: 93d079
File 124984363586.png - (126.10KB , 800x600 , 077.png )

Cutscene

Daniel reacts quickly. He kicks the terrifying crow with all the strength he can muster...

And hits!

The creature caws pitifully...

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)11:52 No. 25638 ID: 93d079
File 124984392349.png - (249.64KB , 800x600 , 078.png )

And everything goes dark.

>>25638
Whoops.

>>25638
Oh my.

Why so violent?

:(

>>25638
But... but Daniel's Sparrow...? Why did knocking out Crow affect him too?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)11:57 No. 25644 ID: 93d079
File 124984423141.png - (113.12KB , 800x600 , 079.png )

Cutscene end

>>25644
CUTE LITTLE BIRDY STATUS?

>>25644
You okay, bro?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)12:18 No. 25667 ID: 93d079
File 124984548741.png - (117.67KB , 800x600 , 080.png )

Daniel is alright, just disoriented.
He pushes himself up to find that the bird is well and already back on its feet. Now that he has more time to look at it, Daniel can see it's a Nightingale.

>>25667
>Nightengale

Awww.
Is it willing to be carried?

>>25667
Carefully pick it up and gently wrap it in your jacket. Do you know of any veterinarians nearby?

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)12:35 No. 25690 ID: 93d079
File 124984654239.png - (122.95KB , 800x600 , 081.png )

Daniel picks the bird up as gently as possible. It doesn't resist. As he tries to wrap it in his shirt, however, it simply hops up his arm and onto his head. He can't help but smile.

>>25690
Huh. Well so much for that debilitating injury. Continue following those tracks!

Where did the crow go? Can you still see it?

Ask the bird whether it's the girl you met before.

>>25698
I see no problems with that question.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)13:21 No. 25736 ID: 93d079
File 12498492792.png - (227.24KB , 800x600 , 082.png )

That bird is surprisingly lively, seeing how it was barely able to move before.

After confirming that the crow has, indeed, vanished, Daniel heads on, following the track.

>"Are the girl from last night?"
He asks the Nightingale.
It doesn't answer but somehow Daniel knows it understood him.

Suddenly the track end.
>Oh, come ON!
Daniel thinks.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)13:22 No. 25739 ID: 93d079
File 124984933467.png - (213.89KB , 800x600 , 083.png )

>Oh, come the FUCK! ON!

>>25736
Well... are they open for visiting hours?

You might be able to get in relatively easily without much trouble then.

Otherwise, well, you may want to come back tomorrow.

What's the time? When did the crow attack?

...

And what happened to our Nightingale? Or to the cracks on the street...

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)13:41 No. 25765 ID: 93d079
File 124985050953.png - (214.87KB , 800x600 , 084.png )

Daniel doesn't even have to turn around. He knows that the cracks have disappeared. Just like the nightingale. IF they were ever there to begin with. This is most distressing.

Daniel knows the Asylum. He has been here several times before, when Falco Kerten asked to be dropped off here. The gate was always open and guarded, which might mean that a closed gate indicates that visiting times are over.

It's 17:15 now. Daniel thinks the crow's attack should've been at around... 16:40 to 16:50...

>>25739
Dimension changan gaems.

Daniel, you may want to consider that the two-toned girl may have been correct. Those holes are gone, there was another color shift, something is happening here.

>>25739
The girl! Two Tone... although I still have no idea why she's called that.

But she freaked out when you called her crazy! Having been in a sanatorium might have something to do with that.

>>25771
Two Tone is so named because of her hair. :3

Also, lots of birdy names up in here. Let's go home until we have to meet that person.

Yeah, let's go home. Btw. who's Falco Kerten?

>>25795
HEY EINSTEIN I'M ON YOUR SIDE

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)14:52 No. 25885 ID: 93d079
File 124985474862.png - (218.02KB , 800x600 , 085.png )

Yeah there isn't much to do here for now. Daniel decides to head back home.

Falco Kerten? He is currently one of Daniel's learners.

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)14:54 No. 25890 ID: 93d079
File 124985486243.png - (274.49KB , 800x600 , 085 - End1.png )

There's so much chaos in Daniel passer's mind.
Gloomy and thoughtful he makes his way back home. Nothing makes sense. He wonders what the future might bring.

~End of Volume 1~

Thanks for playing, everyone!

>>25890
Awesome.

I'm lovin' this quest. Can't wait for volume 2!

Unless there's a mind-blowing epilogue or non-canon request art. ;)

>>25890
Bravo, fine gentleman!

Moonmaster!g9Qfmdqho2 2009/08/09(Sun)15:23 No. 25945 ID: 93d079
File 124985663599.png - (107.33KB , 800x600 , 086.png )

~Epilogue~

>"Achoo! Someone must be thinking about me."

>>25945
ohshi-

mind = blown

>>25945
Who could it be?

Nice quest.