Toxoglossa 2015/02/07(Sat)14:00 No. 623907 ID: 557bac
File 142334645740.png - (87.77KB , 600x365 , 4-1.png )

"Stop it! Come on!... Nathan, please stop!"

Toxoglossa 2015/02/07(Sat)14:02 No. 623909 ID: 557bac
File 142334654591.png - (180.47KB , 600x502 , 4-2.png )

"Nate, no! What's wrong with you?"

Toxoglossa 2015/02/07(Sat)14:03 No. 623911 ID: 557bac
File 142334662507.png - (235.72KB , 600x559 , 4-3.png )

Your name is Diego Ruiz. You are in the woods trying to prevent your co-worker from clawing his own face off. Moments ago Nathan seemed fine, if a bit shaky from an electrical shock. As soon as he put his glasses on, he tore them off and flipped out. Before you could restrain him, he managed to leave a nasty scratch down his cheek. Now you're just trying to get him to calm down before he hurts himself anymore.
For someone so scrawny he is managing to put up quite a fight.

Arm lock you fool.

Tell him to find a safe place in his mind and go there, to calm down.

>>623911
Desperation is a powerful drug.

Talk to him calmly.

Tell him that youre right here with him, and everything is okay.

>>623911
bear hug till he stops

>>623911
He is going to need some first aid after that. Go tell your boss to fetch some of it if he can within a short while.

Or you could KISS DA GIR.. EH, BOY

First thing Mister Ruiz, no bear hugs. He's having some sort of panic attack and he has teeth. Put the arm lock in the maybe column.

Second, don't rely on the power of love to save the situation. Nathan has opened up to you today, true, but he's also been as timid as a school boy about it. Flexing any potential relationship in that regard right here and now will be worse for the relations rather than better.

Overall best suggestion keeping doing what you're doing and talk to him. Try to keep calm yourself, while you're at it... for reasons.

(Some instinct tells you not to call Doug over)
Use preventive restraint but try to reach him verbally

Tell Nate that whatever he's scratching at isn't real. There's nothing on him.

Toxoglossa 2015/02/09(Mon)20:38 No. 624392 ID: 557bac
File 142354312236.png - (164.97KB , 600x521 , 4-4.png )

You Force Nate to the ground and pin his forearms to his sides.
"Nate! Nate, its okay... its okay! Calm down."

He struggles and hyperventilates but after a moment lays still.
His eyes dart in every direction and he speaks in a trembling voice.

>"Ple ase... tell me, a re the y're go ne...?"

You look around and you spot an anthill where his glasses had fallen. Its surface seethes with a boil of ants, blindly searching for things to sting the living shit out of.

"Yeah... yeah they're gone Nate. You're okay now."

He starts shaking, sobbing, pleading.
>"I ca n sti ll f eel the m, Di ego... I c an al ways fe el th em."

Double check his face, make sure there aren't any ants actually still there. Gently brush them off if there are. Reassure him.

>>624392
Ask him if there's anything you can do to help. What does he normally do to calm down? If he's not gonna claw at himself anymore then it's about time you wrapped up here so he can go back and get some medical attention. Does he have any spare glasses at home?

>>624392
BTW, that's a nice effect with the spaces in the words. I can hear the breaking in his voice.

>>624394
Actually, maybe brush them off even if they are imaginary.

>>624407
Yeah, just to make him feel better.

>>624392
tell him they were real this time.
also now's the time to notice crotch to crotch contact.

You have a handkerchief on you? Might want to dab the blood off his face while you're at it.

Also, where the hell is Doug? Tell him to make himself useful and grab that case mod that Nate was examining earlier. It's probably important.

Toxoglossa 2015/02/11(Wed)18:41 No. 624756 ID: 557bac
File 142370889034.png - (142.56KB , 600x337 , 4-5.png )

You look around for Doug's help but the lanky creep seems to have disappeared. You do a double take and realize that the computer is gone as well.

Diego
"Doug?! Hey! Where'd you go? The fuck, man?"

The forest is silent.

Nate sniffles.
>"Wha t's wron g? Wher e's Doug?"

Diego
"I don't know, he ran off. Let me see if I can clean you up, okay?"

You tentatively let go of his arms and fish around in your pocket for a pack of tissues: thank God you've been having allergy problems lately. You mop up most of the blood and give him the pack to help staunch the flow.

"I don't see any more ants, Nate. I think you're clean."
He nods and gives you a "thank you" in a tiny voice.

Working together you pull him shakily to his feet.
Nate
>"What about my glasses? Are they okay?"

Diego
"Broken. You stepped on them, remember?"

Nate looks mortified.
>"Oh... right. Shit...."

Diego
"Do you have an emergency pair?"

Nate
>"Yeah, back at my apartment. Shit, why'd I have to go and... I'm sorry. Thank you Diego, that's the second time you've saved me."

>>624756
I think we'd better grab that transponder(or all of them, even) and get back to the complex.

Tell him that you would have thrown your glasses just as fast that close to a red ant hill. No need to be embarrassed.

Doug is definitely a creep for leaving you guys here like that. Got enough to worry about without him abandoning people in the woods.

>>624767

Yeah, Nate needs somebody to relate to right about now.

Forget going back to work, bring him home. The guy's had enough danger today to give most men PTSD.

Bring one of the transponders with you. You can drop it off at work after you make sure Nate is okay.

...Hug? Seems like at least a friendly arm around the shoulder is pretty well merited at this point.

Grab anything you need at the scene.
Then text/email work giving them the location their missing stuff.
Then take Nate back to his apartment.
Finally, ask him if he has anyone he (should)/(needs to) call.

Defuse tension with a joke at the absent creepy boss's expense. "Computer's gone too. Hey, maybe Doug used it to teleport back to his home planet, haha"

>>624769
Yeah, get in on his side, then go in for the kill.

Toxoglossa 2015/02/14(Sat)13:05 No. 625079 ID: 557bac
File 142394790245.png - (189.81KB , 600x532 , 4-6.png )

Diego
"You're not going to be able to get any more work done without your glasses. Let me give you a ride home."

He looks back at the satellite anxiously.
>"What about all this?"

Diego
"We'll take what we need and tell someone about it; have them post a guard or something."

Nate hesitates, clearly still anxious about...something. He walks over to the wreckage.
>"Where's the PC?"

Diego
"Doug must have taken it... chickenshit bastard. Listen, don't worry about it; we'll get it from him later."

He nods, though clearly still worrying about it, but relents. He picks up one of the transponders he removed and hugs it to his chest protectively.

Diego
"Listen, is there anyone you need to call before we go?"

Nate
>"Uh.. yeah actually... I should probably call my therapist."

You hand him your phone and he makes a quick call.
>"Hello, Dr. Cooper? Yeah, yeah.... I had a bit of an episode just now, no, I'm going to head home for the day.... you sure? You don't have to.... Okay, I'll see you then."
He hands you back the phone and thanks you.

>"She said she'd meet me back at the apartment; to make sure I'm okay."

He hangs on to the transponder and you pack the two pistol grip tools into their cases before hefting them up.

>>625079
Diego, feel like maybe arranging to do something with Nathan on the weekend? I don't know if now would be a good time to ask as Nate just had a panic attack and is bleeding. But it might be good to make a note of it so we can ask him later.

>>625084
They already had plans to hang out after work. Ask if he'd mind if you chill at his place for a bit and play some video games, to help him calm down and make sure he's alright.

If Nate's spare glasses are now the primary set, logical response is to restock a new spare. After he's safely home, of course.

Additionally, leaving his own vehicle in the parking lot at work means he'll need another ride tomorrow morning. How far apart are your respective places of residence? If they're in opposite directions, and you're tired from a long day of too much excitement, it might make sense to just stay overnight...

Toxoglossa 2015/02/21(Sat)19:20 No. 626071 ID: 557bac
File 142457524038.png - (126.12KB , 600x375 , 4-7.png )

You make your way back onto the Apex facility grounds, the guard at the gate waving you through. You make a brief detour to drop off the pistol grip tools in the hangar building, leaving Nate outside for a moment. Inside, a man in a police uniform is questioning a security guard.

>"I'm telling you, I have no idea! I was checking the fourth floor and thought I saw someone. Next thing I know, I'm standing on the roof and there's a fire alarm going off."

The officer doesn't show any sign that he's noticed you.

>>626071
Oh hey, tell Nate that Morgan showed up and is being interrogated by an officer.

I'm not sure if you should mention how Doug ran off with the computer.

>>626071
Diego, do you think it's normal for a therapist to make housecalls?
That's weird. I mean, all due respect to Nate and therapists, it's a service people should admit they need more often. But, well, a housecall? I'm not knockin' here. Just an observation over something I've never heard of before.

Ask the police officer if he's seen Officer Hunter anytime recently. And maybe ask if Morgan's okay. Lotta people worried here about him. People be acting weird and possessed all day. Comfort Morgan to let him know he's not the only case. If you know he's not the only case, that is. I think you know he's not the only case.

>>626112
We could probably clear this up easy if we ask Nate if he's ever gotten much of the therapist coming for a house call. Should we make a note to ask for this later?

Wait... Nate mentioned blacking out and waking up in the Forest. Is this somehow related?

Toxoglossa 2015/02/25(Wed)18:02 No. 626601 ID: 557bac
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You sneak back outside to tell Nathan about what you saw. You find him seated by himself near the rock garden. He shakes his head and looks like he's talking to someone.

Nate
>"... out of my hands. I have no idea but you just have to trust him. "

He stops and squints in your direction and you wave helpfully.
Diego
"Hey, Nate! It sounds like they found that missing guard. The police are talking to him now."

Nate
>"Oh, what happened to him?"

Diego
"He said he woke up on the roof, sounded like he didn't know how he got there."

He's conspicuously quiet, chewing his bottom lip a little.

Diego
"What's up?"

Nate
>"Nothing, just... sounds familiar."

Diego
"Oh, you ready to go?"

Nate
>"Yeah, I shouldn't keep Dr. Cooper waiting. She should have a spare key I can use too."

Together you head towards the parking lot. You honestly aren't sure what to make of Nate. You worry that you were imposing on him by asking him out earlier and he seems like he's dealing with a lot right now. But he seemed so interested in you earlier and after several years its nice to feel wanted again. Part of you is also worried about what you might be getting yourself into by helping him out. He's cute, sure, but there's no telling how deep the rabbit hole goes here.

Diego
"I didn't realize that therapists made house calls. Is she good?"

Nate
>"Yeah... There were times where I.... wasn't able to see her when I needed to. She arranged for me to live at my apartment and has done sessions with me there. I owe a lot to her."

He sighs.

>"I was telling the truth out in the woods: I see bugs everywhere. Pretty much everyone has them, even you. Its so bad that sometimes I can't tell if they're even real or not, and when I get them on me I just... freak out."

>>626601
"everyone has them"? What does he mean, like, everyone's covered in bugs? What kind? Are they all ants? What do they do, just crawl around?

a little surprising to hear that, but try to to comfort him about that, and also thank him for confiding with you about that, its probably hard to talk about that.

It sounds like he's trusting you with really sensitive personal information. Best not to pry too much or you'll hurt his feelings. Whatever history he has with his mental health, it's obvious that he has it under enough control that it doesn't interfere with his job or his life most of the time.

More importantly, it doesn't have any connection to the blank spot in his memory if another coworker had an almost identical episode (not to mention on the same day that the building was broken into). Maybe someone slipped him drugs in his food/coffee?

>I see bugs everywhere. Pretty much everyone has them, even you.
That's... A bit worrying. What kind of bugs does he see on you? You certainly can't see them yourself, but, he's already talking to a therapist about it, and if he continues to feel it's worth mentioning, maybe it will be helpful for him to talk about it.

Alright, Nate, you believe in science, right? Let's do an experiment. Tomorrow, I'll get one of those really sensitive scales we use for checking the mass on small components. You try to make one of the bugs crawl onto it, and record when you succeed, and I'll have the scale set up to record automatically when the reading changes. If it lines up, then we know there's some real phenomenon there. If not, then we know the bugs either aren't real, or don't interact with gravity the usual way, or... I guess they could be aerostats, so maybe we should check with a centrifuge somehow too.

Toxoglossa 2015/02/26(Thu)21:12 No. 626789 ID: 557bac
File 142501393333.png - (186.58KB , 600x505 , 4-9.png )

Diego
"Have you considered doing some kind of experiment? Weighing them or trying to take photos or-"

Nate
>"I'm not insane, Diego."

He climbs into the car and stares out the window, moodily.
>"They aren't real."

You sit down in the driver's seat a little awkwardly.
"Okay... Sorry."

He doesn't say anything as you pull out of the parking lot and out to the street.
"Uh, actually ... where do you live?"

Nate gives you a quick rundown of his commute and tells you what exit to look for on the highway. You take a left.

Diego
"So... what kind of bugs?"

Nate looks at his hands then, ashamed of the blood on his fingers, tucks them in his armpits.
>"I dunno, its weird..."

Diego
"I'm sorry, I know you must not like talking about it much. I'm just curious."

Nate
>"Its different with each person: like with you, its beetles."

"Beetles?"

>"Yeah. Huge ones, orange and black. With pincers."

"Huh.... Cool."

>"Cool?"

"Yeah, beetles are cool. Way more of them than there are of us. So everyone is different? How about _________?"

>>626789
Doug?

>>626789
Doug, Morgan, Hiro, the coffee shop workers? His therapist?

Or heck, ask what bugs he has.

your therapist?

Heather at the coffee shop?

The president?

that janitor Anthony (blush)

You

Ask about famous people he has seen on tv. Do they have bugs? And if so what kind.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/02(Mon)18:53 No. 627510 ID: 557bac
File 142535122744.png - (143.64KB , 600x473 , 4-10.png )

Diego
"...Doug?"

Nate
>"Ants... red ants."

Diego
"Ooohhh, jeeze. Sorry."

Nate
>"Its okay; his are at least hard to see."

Diego
"Well, how about the baristas at the coffee shop? I see you in there almost every day."

Nate
>"I'm actually not sure? Whatever is on Heather moves too fast to see clearly and the other guy has some kind of... squid... thing?"

Diego
"Did you say a squid? That sounds... odd."

Nate shrugs
>"I don't make the rules with these things. I just see them."

Toxoglossa 2015/03/02(Mon)18:53 No. 627511 ID: 557bac
File 142535123671.png - (110.52KB , 600x355 , 4-11.png )

Diego
"Okay, for real, can you see them on TV or photos?"

Nate
>"What? No, why?"

You shift gears as you pull onto the freeway.
"Damn, I wanted to know what kind of bugs are on celebrities."

Nate
>"Oh, um... I sat behind Nicolas Cage in an airplane once, he was covered in scorpions."

Diego
"No shit? What was he like?"

Nate shrugs.
>"I didn't talk to him, but my boyfriend at the time talked to him a little. He seemed nice but he kept drinking those tiny whiskeys they give you in first class."

Diego
"You know, I bet you anything he would have loved to hear that he was covered in scorpions, Nate."

He gives you a little smile, but doesn't say anything.

Diego
"Well, what about you? Do you have insects?"

Nate sighs
>"... Wasps."

>>627511
Um what. Might want to pull over or just stop the car if you're still in the parking lot. Describe that wasp to Nate.

"... like that one behind your head?"

Um are they purple with gold stripes?

Don't crash the car.

>>627511
Use your damage resistant scales to impress Nate with a show of force and manliness against the deadly waspinator threat.

Summon your inner honey badger, and become the honey croc.

Also, hey, he had a boyfriend. So, compatible? Well, at least you don't have to wonder how it might go now. Or have you always known, Diego?

Ah, hang on, I thought of a possible worst-case scenario. What if Nate thinks that's not one of his wasps? He'll freak out because he doesn't want to be stung. I think Diego should roll down the window and try to shoo it away. If it's one of Nate's wasps then it won't leave, and in fact if Diego touches it he might go into Nate's mind. If it's "real" then it will just be fine.

>>627516
>Um are they purple with gold stripes?

This, but ask "are they purple with gold stripes or gold with purple stripes" like the thing about zebras. Pull over to the shoulder before telling him one is visible on his headrest, to reduce the risk of crash if he freaks out and flails around.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/03(Tue)17:49 No. 627630 ID: 557bac
File 142543379164.png - (183.02KB , 564x600 , 4-12.png )

Diego
"You mean like the one behind you?"

Nate half rolls his eyes and gives you a glare of tested patience.
>"Come on man, don't even."

Diego
"Purple, with gold stripes?"

Nate glances back and swats at the creature in surprise.
>"Gah!"
The wasp bounces off of the rear seat cushion with a "thap!" before taking flight in a little blur of vespid fury.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/03(Tue)17:49 No. 627631 ID: 557bac
File 142543379713.png - (134.72KB , 600x415 , 4-13.png )

With a backseat full pissed off wasp, you set your hands on the wheel and stare straight ahead.
"Ooookay. What now?"

Nate sinks as low as he can in his seat, his eyes screwed shut.
>"I don't know! Can you pull over?"

You turn on your signal and look for an opening but traffic is pretty heavy and some asshole in a white van is in your way.

>>627631
Put on your panic lights. Slow down, roll down all the windows, stop if you are able to, even if it's in the middle of the highway. If it doesn't leave on its own you're gonna have to hit it fairly hard to stun it so you can throw it out.

>>627631

That's not a big creepy white van is it? You should probably free the wasp

"well you said you have wasps too, maybe you can have your wasps talk to it?"

>>627640
I don't think saying this would go over well.

roll your back windows down,
thank nate for not panicking,
look at the driver of the white van what species is he

a small question if criminals can be identified buy species how do masks work in your world?

>>627640
Nate said he knows that his wasps aren't real... So that would be a bad idea. But... wasps can sense emotions, right? Just focus on being calm, maybe that will work? Can he do that?

Aay hello to the goat in the purple trench coat with a shot gun in the white van next to you

Wait can we see it? I thought Nate said it was only in HIS head, how can we see it?

>>627670
Oh hey
Yeah
Uh
You might wanna watch out for that white van Diego. Maybe ease up and let it go by...

>>627716
Because it's a real wasp.

Diego, think of every story you've ever heard involving the phrase "unmarked white van." Were any of them happy things you'd want to be part of? No? Drop below the speed limit until at least two other vehicles are between yourself and the asshole.

Also, try turning the AC on full blast. Bugs are weak to hypothermia because of their surface-to-volume ratio.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/06(Fri)18:06 No. 627963 ID: 557bac
File 142569399503.png - (197.86KB , 600x511 , 4-14.png )

You roll down your windows, hoping to suck the wasp out in the slipstream. Unable to look to see if it worked, you put on your emergency blinkers and start to slow down. Traffic almost immediately starts to back up, and a chorus of disgruntled horns sing an anthem of road rage.
Nathan groans and covers his ears as the noise assaults him.

Diego
"Nate, Is that thing even real or am I seeing things?"

Nate
>"I don't know! I'm like the last person on earth that would be qualified to tell you!"

Diego
"Well, if it isn't, is there anything you can do? Can you calm it down?"

Nate
>"I'm trying! Maybe if I talk to it..."

Diego
"You talk to them?"

Nate
"Sometimes! Listen, maybe now isn't the best time to judge!'

Diego
"Who's judging? I'm not judging! I just want to know if imaginary bugs are going to start talking to me!"

You turn around to see if the wasp is still there and you notice that the asshole in the van has slowed down too. The tinted windows block any clue as to the identity of the driver as well as add to the creep factor of the vehicle.

>>627963
Listen man, I told you.

Summon your inner honey badger, and use your increased defense from your scales to squash the wasp. Tell Nate to keep the wheel steady.

I know that sounds dangerous, but you fuck that wasp right up, Diego. Become the honey croc.

>>627963
Shit. That's trouble. Wait. I bet that's the guy who was parked out in front of the place, with the shotgun. (Diego should know about that, right? It's not like it was a secret) He was in a white van, too. So he's following you. Well, there's no escaping him in heavy traffic and he's not getting off your side. So just speed up to a more reasonable speed again. If you see any opening to change lanes in the other direction do so. Then try to merge again either behind or in front of the truck so you can merge into his lane then get off to the side of the road, or at least exit the highway.

Whatever happens it is your job to drive so pay less attention to the wasp and more to the road.

Calmly try to walk him through the situation. Might help him calm down.

That white van is stalking you, man. Whatever you do don't lead it to Nate's place.

Drive to the police station if you can.

>>627963
ok, so you're being followed, probably by a guy with a shotgun. do not stop, for any reason. call the cops if you can. otherwise drive to the nearest police station. what's he gonna do, chase you in?

Roll up the windows. The noise isn't helping Nate.

>>627963
Ok, drive on and pull over at the next oppertunity.
In the mean time, wind down the window a little.
This means less car horns, less suspicious white vans and hopefully less wasps.

Roll up windows, speed up (or slow down and give bird to all drivers that go by), as Nate if he recognizes the van.

How far to the nearest gas station?

I say not to roll up the windows if we start driving faster again. The honks will die down in that case and the windows being open would let the wasp just leave on its own, slipstream or not.

...also was that a second wasp just now?

Toxoglossa 2015/03/09(Mon)18:18 No. 628472 ID: 557bac
File 142595033271.png - (133.90KB , 600x475 , 4-15.png )

You find your attention increasingly divided between:
What is van-guy's problem?
How to deal with the wasp situation?
Oh God, Nate is freaking out.
Do. Not. Crash. The. Car.

There's a buzz and suddenly you're concentrating on one problem: the one on the end of your nose. The little bastard marches around, wings erect in imperious rage. Clearly this is one hymenoptera who is not about to take any more shit.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/09(Mon)18:18 No. 628473 ID: 557bac
File 142595033901.png - (174.99KB , 432x600 , 4-16.png )

With your eyes crossed, you barely have time to react as the van suddenly becomes a white blur and cuts in front of you....

If he's in front, is anyone to your right anymore? You may be able to swap lanes before he manages to slam on the brakes or... does anything else.

Otherwise you're just gonna have to slow down if he slows down further. You already have your panic lights on and are going slower than normal so you shoouuuld be able to minimize the impact.

>>628473
A wasp sting on the nose will hurt like a bitch, but not nearly as much as a car wreck. That van is all but confirmed to be up to no good in your life, time to mirror check, blind spot check (which may throw the wasp), and get AWAY from that thing

Merge now!
Merge NOW!
You're on a three-lane highway you doofus, there was always your left! Look behind the semi!

Veer into the space the van just vacated, and keep going, off onto the shoulder. Cops getting involved would be preferable at this point.

>>628473
move lanes, but do not forget to look in the mirror, having an accident now will guarantee both of you will die.
do it fast, they might open fire.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/11(Wed)15:51 No. 628739 ID: 557bac
File 142611428169.png - (173.31KB , 544x600 , 4-17.png )

The van looms in your windshield and you slam on the brakes to avoid a collision. The two of you are thrown forward suddenly and Nate, not expecting the stop, bashes his head into the dashboard.

Nate
>"Fuck! What the hell, Diego!?!"

Toxoglossa 2015/03/11(Wed)15:51 No. 628740 ID: 557bac
File 142611428768.png - (193.04KB , 600x514 , 4-18.png )

A blinding pain flares through your face as the wasp reacts to the sudden movement. You gnash your teeth and ignore the sting for the moment.

Diego
"Cabron!"

A quick head check to your right and you swerve into the recently vacated lane before anyone can overtake you. You redline it, pushing a ton of Detroit-made steel into triple digit velocity, passing the asshole before his underpowered van can catch up.

Seeing an off-ramp, you pull off the freeway. Your breaks squealing as you negotiate the grade, you watch as the vehicle becomes a white speck in the rear view mirror.

You look over to check on Nate, he's staring at you like you just grew a second head.

try to find somewhere to park, like a gas station or something. check to see if nates head is bleeding, he hit the dashboard pretty hard.

>>628750
Make a mental note to get you seat-belts fixed. That is EXACTLY the sort of shit they are supposed to prevent.

>>628740
"Sorry nate. You remember that guy with the shotgun and van who was camped outside the workplace? That was his van. Same van. Are you gonna be ok? Do you need first aid?"

Poor boy's gonna need to be checked for a concussion now.

Emergency blinkers off, find a gas station but NOT the obvious first gas station by the offramp.

Before attempting to interact socially with Nate, take a deep breath and make sure you're calmed down. Ask if he's got a first aid kit in the car.

Proceed toward Nate's apartment along side streets. Won't be any slower than a clogged highway, and it's easy to spot a pursuer with no crowd to blend into.

>>628740
no stopping. if we're bugged hehe he can find us while we're not moving. with a shotgun. that's a bad thing.
keep driving, tell nate what happened and devise a plan. call the cops and call doug.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/14(Sat)13:12 No. 629095 ID: 557bac
File 142636395521.png - (123.91KB , 535x600 , 4-19.png )

You stop the car on the shoulder for a moment and let the adrenaline subside.
"Sorry about that, are you okay?"

Nate
>"I think so?"
He checks his forehead: bruised but not bleeding.

Diego
"There was a guy in a white van following us, it was like he was trying to kill us or something. I think we lost him, for now."

You cast around to see if he managed to get behind you, as well as to find that bastard wasp. You don't see any sign of either of your antagonists, though your nose hurts like hell. Maybe it flew out one of the windows.

Nates bruised face is a mask of worry.
>"One of the guards told me there was some guy with a van outside the compound this morning carrying a gun. You think its the same person?"

Diego
"The way things are going today, I wouldn't be surprised. Is there anything we can do about it?"

Nate
>"I don't know, I can't deal with all this crap today. Can we just go home, please? We'll deal with it there."

Toxoglossa 2015/03/14(Sat)13:12 No. 629096 ID: 557bac
File 142636395859.png - (117.15KB , 600x455 , 4-20.png )

You pull back into traffic and, following Nate's guidance, continue toward his apartment. The event has you eyeing every vehicle with suspicion, but you manage to arrive without any complications. You park a block away from the building on a side street, as out of view as possible.

Together, you head inside and Nate leads you up the stairwell to his apartment. In the hallway you see a woman in a suit talking quietly to a skinny guy as well as a large stack of garbage bags, piled against the wall

ask nate if he knows these people

>>629096
They Nate's neighbors?

Asking Nate if those are people he knows/trust would be a good call under the circumstances.

Nate is a pretty reserved person and the repeated panic attacks is probably making him a bit defensive, so don't ask to go inside.

Yes, your wasp bite does give you an opening to check his medicine cabinet for antihistamine cream, but it would be in bad taste to take that opening now. Go to the drug store if you don't have any at home. Just make sure he is comfortably secure on the other side of his apartment door, and then head out back to the parking lot.

Oh, and make sure to take your phone with you.

>>629188
If he invites you in on his own initiative, though, that's a whole other kettle of fish.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/16(Mon)21:00 No. 629527 ID: 557bac
File 142656482387.png - (165.04KB , 600x453 , 4-21.png )

Diego
"Are those your neighbors, Nate?"

?
>"...Called me earlier about the garbage, what happened?"

?
>"Yeah, the guy next door left it out here, I just pushed it against the wall for now."

Nate squints...
>"Dr. Cooper?"

The woman makes a "just a minute" motion and and rushes down the hall toward you.

Dr. Cooper
>"Nathan! Oh, God your face! Are you okay? What happened?"
She visibly restrains herself from touching him.

Nate
>"I had another panic attack but Diego helped me out and brought me home."

Dr. Cooper
>"What triggered it this time?"

Nate
>"Ants, I dropped my glasses in an ant pile."

She grimaces.
>" Oooh Nate, I'm so sorry to hear that. Well, why don't we get you inside and cleaned up?"
She hands him a key that looks fresh from the hardware store.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/16(Mon)21:00 No. 629528 ID: 557bac
File 142656482825.png - (108.92KB , 600x404 , 4-22.png )

Diego
"Listen, I can get going if you need to talk..."

Nate grabs your arm as you half turn to leave.
>"No, wait... I don't know if you should. If that guy is still out there looking for us..."
He looks kind of sheepish.
>"And we were talking about hanging out later anyway..."

You feel your face flush red; the welt on your nose burning like a tiny hot coal.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/16(Mon)21:00 No. 629529 ID: 557bac
File 142656483389.png - (100.14KB , 600x459 , 4-23.png )

Nate lets you into the apartment while the doctor wraps things up with the neighbor. Even for someone who knows their way around a clean room, its pretty damn immaculate, if small. You suddenly feel a self conscious need to tidy up before ever inviting Nate over.

Nate heads over to a dresser and pulls out some clothes and another pair of glasses.

>"I'll be right back, just... make your self at home I guess."

Toxoglossa 2015/03/16(Mon)21:00 No. 629530 ID: 557bac
File 142656483850.png - (78.40KB , 397x600 , 4-24.png )

I guess if you want to design an outfit for Nate while Diego is settling in, go nuts. I'm more interested in seeing a nice, simple color palette than anything else though.

Steve edit in text form

Erhannis 2015/03/16(Mon)23:17 No. 629569 ID: 321d85
File 142657302969.png - (76.26KB , 397x600 , l-shirt.png )

>>629563
Curses! Beaten!

Erhannis 2015/03/16(Mon)23:17 No. 629570 ID: 321d85
File 142657305189.png - (64.02KB , 397x600 , normal-clothes.png )

But no, actually.

littlebeast 2015/03/16(Mon)23:20 No. 629573 ID: f75cf9
File 142657323147.png - (65.09KB , 397x600 , Sketch161225951.png )

>>629530
Be the bee wasp.

(Actually it looks surprisingly good on him...or at least the turtleneck)

http://29.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lkquiakBCV1qinix4o1_500.jpg

I dont have time to draw but how bout something sexy....show off those battle scars

>>629608
No... I doubt he would wear anything like that... ever.
Or that he has something like that... or that he ever was considering buying that...

Can we have
>>629573 (nice design except colours)
but with the the colours of
>>629570 (nice colours but looks way too saggy)

Suggestion 2015/03/17(Tue)13:05 No. 629649 ID: 4a7ea0
File 142662273188.png - (46.26KB , 391x591 , design.png )

Those glasses look really academic to me, so I gave him a tweed jacket.
Red trousers sort of work, button up shirt matches it, suspenders optional.
Not sure on shoes, any suggestions?

>>629609

You are not sexy

Riotmode 2015/03/18(Wed)00:23 No. 629750 ID: a19cd5
File 142666342745.png - (86.64KB , 397x600 , star warrior.png )

I absolutely refuse to believe that Nate doesn't have a Starship Troopers costume stowed away somewhere. I STALWARTLY refuse.

Suggestion 2015/03/18(Wed)11:22 No. 629784 ID: a141b0
File 142670292274.png - (932.71KB , 397x600 , Wasp God Forgiveness.png )

I have less art skills than a turnip, but this had to be done. Because Zeke is cool, and ferrets are cool, therefor Zeke is doubly cool.

So... yeah. I'll just submit this now and ask forgiveness from our wasp overlords later.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/18(Wed)18:44 No. 629846 ID: 557bac
File 142672947402.png - (98.75KB , 330x600 , 4-25.png )

You sit down on the couch with the awkward, tucked elbows of a stranger waiting for their host to get out of the bathroom. Its so clean that you're afraid to touch anything. You're betting that even if you lifted up the couch, it would be spotless underneath.

Doctor Cooper enters and folds into the rolling chair.
>"Hey there, nice to meet you. I'm Gail Cooper, Dr. Gail Cooper."

"Diego Ruiz."

You exchange a handshake with her

Dr. Cooper
>"Would you mind telling me a bit about yourself, Diego?"

Diego
"Uh, sure I guess. I'm an engineer, working at Apex with Nathan, er with Nate. I moved here three, no I guess its four years ago from Detroit with a friend of mine after the company we were working for folded. Um... I was born in the Dominican Republic, but moved here when I was six: my dad was a boxer and got snapped up by a scout to fight in the heavy-weights. He never made it big but it gave us a chance to get settled here.... Dr. Cooper are we doing a session here, or what?"

Dr. Cooper
>"Not unless you want to. I'd like to know more about Nate's friends, especially if it helps me understand him. I'm sorry if I'm coming across as too clinical, I swear I'm a real person and not a robot."

The both of you smirk. You aren't sure if she's hiding something or its just her professional persona.

>"But if you don't mind, I would like to ask you something personal. Its okay if you don't want to, or can't answer."

Diego
"Sure?"

Dr.Cooper
>"Are you interested in Nate? Romantically?"

still accepting wardrobe designs

>>629846
Um, well, yeah, but you think you might be making a mess of things. You weren't being very careful with your questions about the insects he sees.

>>629846
"Uh... This is confidential, right?"

Also, possibly, "Am I that obvious?"

...maybe? It's been kind of a complicated day. And I have no idea if something like that could even work, with him.

"I think so, but love can be kinda complicated, yanno?

Stammer inarticulately.

Awkward glance at the door Nate is behind, emphatic (but silent) nod of confirmation.

Apollo 2015/03/18(Wed)21:02 No. 629862 ID: defceb
File 142673775761.png - (85.17KB , 397x600 , DressupNate.png )

>still accepting wardrobe designs
Oh goodie I'm not too late

>>629649
This is a really nice color scheme, but maybe something a little more casual right now?

>>629846
Welp she already knows. All that's left to do is be all nervious and embarrased about the question.

>>629846
i'm really sorry, but that's none of your business.

she doesn't know she is only guessing

"i'm really sorry, but that's none of your business"

don't anser like that she will know say, what no we're only friends no't close friends.

>>629907
No, I think we should be up front about this. This is Nate's therapist, she's gotta know this stuff.
And right now the thing to know is that this is a resounding "MAYBE?".

Try a middle ground.
Glance at the door nate is behind, then
'Uhhh, it's been kind of a complicated day, I'm not sure yet. Maybe.'

>>629862
Goodness me yes.

>>629947
Not only is she Nate's therapist, but he's already told her about us, or at the very least the maybe-date we were originally going to go on later.

>>629846
I'm going to choose no comment on that one.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/20(Fri)19:06 No. 630162 ID: 557bac
File 142690359014.png - (77.78KB , 496x600 , 4-26.png )

You stammer for a moment.
"Uh.. um, er..."

Your eyes dart toward the closed bathroom door and you give her a nod.
In a low voice you respond:
"Am I that obvious?"

She shrugs, but smiles.

Diego
"I feel like I've been screwing things up though. I don't want to hurt him... but I don't know if it could work out between us."

Dr. Cooper
>"In my experience, its never something you can tell right away. The couples that make it are the ones that put in the work, support each other and work through mistakes. Nate could use someone to respect him and even if you don't end up together, it seems like you mean a lot to him already: I can't remember ever seeing him reach out to touch someone like that."

You're about to respond when you hear the bathroom door open.
Nate sits down on the bed with a wry smile.
>"Hey, guys. Talking about me?"

"Maybe." And then put on a conspicuously innocent face.

>>630164
Better yet, attempt a nonchalant whistle.

>>630164
>>630177
Or maybe we can use our common sense and do none of these.

>>630180
ORRRR we could do both, then skip to sloppy makeouts.

"Just talkin' about that FAT COCK."

>>630188
Talkan bout dem hand holds you call horns

Oh god don't talk about sex.

Tell him you like the outfit. And yeah Dr Cooper was just saying how he's never really reached out to anyone before... what was it that let him overcome his fears in your case?

Heyo, how about a topic change. Maybe smile and say "All good things, I promise", and then compliment his outfit. Maybe the room too, just talk about literally anything else.

>>630180
Nate is shy and has deep seated fears about physical contact, he isnt socially blind. Im certain he can detect a joke.

That said, making sexual innuendos is both a horrible idea and also really awkward with his psychiatrist there.

Spilling one's spaghetti about how clean this room is could be a good icebreaker, though.

>>630162
She can't help it, I think. Isn't that her job?

Toxoglossa 2015/03/22(Sun)17:58 No. 630372 ID: 557bac
File 142707229214.png - (114.28KB , 600x439 , 4-27.png )

Diego
"Just good things, I swear!"

Nate chuckles.

Diego
"Um... I like your apartment. Very... clean?"

He shrugs.
>"Its not much but I like to keep it simple. I just wish there was room for a washing machine."

Diego
"What? You should come over and use mine, I mean... if you don't mind. Better than getting robbed by the laundromat, right?"

Nate
>"I don't want to get in the way..."

Diego
"Its no problem, just give me a call and we'll set something up."

Nate
>"Well, I guess if you don't mind..."

Its not much, but any excuse to have Nate visit every once in a while for a few hours is pretty exciting. Shit, now you really need to clean up your bachelor pad. Even now the empty pizza box you left on the counter this morning has you feeling a little guilty. You hope he doesn't get too grossed out.

Dr. Cooper watches all of this looking relieved. She stands up to leave.
>"I suppose I won't intrude any longer. Nate, I'd like to talk to you more about today, but I'm glad to see you made it home alright. I want you to give me a call when you get a chance though."

Nate
>"I, uh, left my phone at work, so that might be a while."

She waves dismissively.
>"Whenever you can, Nate. Nice to meet you Diego."

Dr. Cooper lets herself out and you hear the door lock.

So... what should you do, then?

maybe ask him how hes feeling, or maybe if theres something he wants to do

Play the vidya bro.

>>630372
Apologize for being insensitive during the car ride.

Watch a movie.
Have a drink.
Get relaxed.
Hot sloppy makeouts.

Perhaps now would be a good time to take care of that wasp sting on your nose, put some kind of ointment on it. That shit can't be feeling too great :<

Ointment on wasp sting.
Ask if Nate wants to play some vidya, help him relax.

Toxoglossa 2015/03/28(Sat)12:23 No. 631415 ID: 557bac
File 142757061081.png - (105.99KB , 600x564 , 4-28.png )

You and Nate share a glance. However, you're distracted by the aching sting on the end of your nose. You nearly go cross eyed trying to inspect it. You poke it and grimace as a scalding sensation flares across your face.

Nate
>"Oh, jeeze. I should have something for that in the bathroom, here."

He leads you into the bathroom, there isn't much room for two people but it is, predictably, spotless. He opens up a cabinet and picks through the open first aid kit, knocking over a small stack of adhesive medical tape. He hands you a half used tube of cream.

He steps out of the bathroom.
>"Let me get you some ice..."

Wincing, you apply the topical cream to your face. You hear Nate rooting around in the freezer and he comes back with a hand towel wrapped around some ice.

Diego
"Thanks. Hey, Nate, I'm sorry if I was being insensitive on the way over here. I didn't want to hurt your feelings or freak you out."

Nate
>"Its okay. I don't really talk about it much, it makes people assume I'm crazy..."

Diego
"You aren't crazy Nate, I can tell you're a very rational person and it cant be easy dealing with something so out of your control."

He fidgets, like something is itching his back. However, he doesn't scratch at it.
>"I'm really worried about it though, today was... weird. I still don't know what was up with that wasp in the car: I guess it was real, but it can be hard to tell sometimes."

Diego
"It felt pretty real, I'll be okay though. How about you? Are you doing alright?"

Toxoglossa 2015/03/28(Sat)12:23 No. 631416 ID: 557bac
File 142757061609.png - (75.10KB , 408x600 , 4-29.png )

Nate is about to say something when a low gurgling noise reaches your ears.
>"Er.. actually I'm realizing that I've barely eaten anything all day. I know its still kind of early for dinner, but..."

You gingerly hold the ice to your wound; it aches and soothes at the same time.
"What? And you didn't say anything? Yeah, lets get some food in you. What are our options?"

Nate
>"I could put on a movie while I cook something simple. Or if you want we could just order something and play video games while we wait. Or I guess we could go out to eat somewhere, there's a couple good places nearby..."

>>631416
give him a big thick romantic evening

the romantic dinner sounds pretty nice, but at the same time, cuddling under a blanket while eating pizza and/or popcorn is also a good idea. im leaning towards the latter

Yeah I dunno which one to pick here.

Here's a question though: Why does his therapist have a key to his apartment? She also seems to know his neighbor... does she have an agreement with the landlord to be like... the building's psychologist or something?

>>631416
I think order some pizza actually Chinese takeout should probably be quicker, if there's anyplace that delicers it around here.

>>631448
Actually, the key question raises a thought... the reason his therapist needed to give him a set of keys is because his own are in the clean room airlock with his day cloths. With the way things have been going I wouldn't put it past someone stealing that key and sneaking into the apartment.

So, on some level, the question is do you want to be IN the apartment when that happens, or do you want to surprise the interloper all kung fu style?

I jest of course... kind of... mostly... anyway, I'd suggest eating out. Nate's wallet is likely in the clean room airlock as well, so be ready to pay for the entire meal. You'll want to go someplace clean but also not crowded... best to just let Nate choose a location.

>>631416
Might just wanna go out and grab something to eat, then again it might not be the best place incase more bug stuff happens.

Second to ordering some chinese food. Make sure you have your wallet on you first though, as mentioned Nate's is probably in the clean room.

Today has been kind of rough, I think it may be better to just stay at home, relax, and watch a movie/play video games and order pizza or takeout or something.

Order Chinese food, cuddle while playing videogames, call up the police department's non-emergency number and ask about getting Nate's pocket contents back from the clean room/evidence locker.

Maybe look into getting one or more cheapo pay-as-you-go phones, kept powered-down as a backup option, in case primary phones keep getting haxxor'd.

>>631462
...also if we leave the apartment, we can't lock it.

>>631416
I would suggest just cooking something, if these guy's are good enough to break into a secure facility, posing as a delivery person would be childs play. They just don't know where you are right now, getting delivery will just bring them here.

>>631535
So don't order delivery. You've got a working vehicle, just go pick it up at the place.

>>631416
Aqua aire Thai food.

Nate's had a trying day, comfort zone at home with take-away food seems like a good idea.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/01(Wed)16:21 No. 632383 ID: 557bac
File 142793049423.png - (110.38KB , 600x407 , 4-30.png )

You decide to order delivery from a Chinese place you know about not far from here. You go with the mouth-numbing agony that is Sichuan beef, Nate orders a plate of veggie lo mein and together you decide to split an order of egg-rolls. Since Nate's wallet and phone are still in a locker somewhere, you phone it in and pay.
Nate is a little disappointing that he can't pay for dinner.
>"I should be treating you with all you've done today."

You wave him off and hold the phone your chest.
"How about next time? We'll go somewhere nice!"
You give him a toothy grin.

He concedes.

While waiting for the delivery guy, Nate opens up a cabinet under the TV and gives you an array of entertainment options.

A) Movie time! Hit up netflix!
B) FITE GAMES
C) Co-op retro gaming Bleep bloop.
D) [MLG]Next-gen action shooter multiplayer arena combat.
E) Other ideas

>>632383
C
Its a miracle, Nate's cheek's healed!

Hmmn, C or D.

B or C is my vote

>>632383
I'm not a movie guy but I am told that movies are a thing people like to do.

Watch Blue Ruin.

CalimariGod 2015/04/01(Wed)16:43 No. 632392 ID: f461c5
File 142793178288.jpg - (23.53KB , 295x300 , slug.jpg )

There is one suitable answer.

>>632383

time to watch the producers!

Samurai Gunn.

Option C. Teamwork will build bonds!

Get some metal slug goodness going.

Thirding metal slug.

C. A only when the food arives.

Fourth for RAWKIT LAWNCHAIR

>>632383
C, load up contra

Fifth for Metal Slug. Awesome Power!

Toxoglossa 2015/04/04(Sat)16:33 No. 632924 ID: 557bac
File 142819041540.png - (279.07KB , 600x600 , 4-31.png )

You decide to start off up with some classic metal slug.

Nate
>"So, your dad was a boxer? That's cool!"

Diego
"Wait you heard that? What the hell?"

Nate
>"The walls here are like rice paper, man. Did you do any boxing?"

Diego
"Yeah, a little bit. My dad though it would make me more of a man."

Nate picks up a HEAVY MACHINE GUN
>"Did it work?"

You can't help but grin.
"Not the way he intended. He might as well have served up guys on a platter for me."
You smile wistfully, remembering some of your earliest partners.

Your two man army carves its way through swarms of bad guys. Its been a long time since you've played any of the metal slug games, and it takes a bit before you really get used to the attack patterns. Still, you're having fun and working well as a team.

Ask about his family.

Yeah, learn some more about him. What's his dad do for a living?

>>632924

What do his dad/rest of his family think about his preferences?

Toxoglossa 2015/04/07(Tue)18:32 No. 633307 ID: 557bac
File 142845677230.png - (896.17KB , 2500x1969 , 4-32.png )

Diego
"What about you? How did your parents deal with your preferences?"

Nate
>"To be honest I'm not sure they really know; the only time I dated a guy was away at college. Until then I wasn't even interested in seeing someone; I didn't even know if I could be interested..."

Diego
"Because of the bugs? "

Nate
>"Yeah. Meds too. They kind of flattened me out. I mean, I dated a little in high school but I was so detached I hardly even noticed. My parents are both teachers, and really pushed me to do well academically. They had seen too many kids drop out and knew that if I didn't do well, a guy like me wouldn't last long in the real world. I kind of freaked out in college though, nearly lost my scholarship. I think they blame themselves: they thought it was because they pushed me so hard. I never wanted to tell them that it was because of... David..."

Distracted, Nate runs his tank right into a telegraphed beam of death from a boss.
CONTINUE 9....8....7...

Your game is interrupted by a knock at the door.

>>633307
Can it be hug time now?

>>633307
Alright go check the door, but look through the peephole first to make sure it's the delivery guy. Or if you can't tell, ask who it is.

Then eat, and maybe switch games. Or put a movie on. IDK. (whatever the second most popular vote was?)

>>633307
Put a hand on his shoulder that he's sure his parents would be supportive, mainly because they're teachers and typically are very progressive.
(I also think this is Seattle or near it, and Washington and Oregon be ALL sorts of progressive. Honestly, both of Nate's parents probably wear turtlenecks and black rimmed glasses. Diego's from Chicago or Detroit, Chicago is Chicago and Michigan is nothing but northern rednecks (hillbillies) even though we seem to vote liberally. Diego, I have just confirmed you're a michigander by looking back and you goddamn know it's made of hillbillies)

Ask Nate if we should answer the door. It's probably a neighbor since there was no buzzer... unless this is a buzzer free apartment building. It's probably buzzer free since Doc got up here before you did, but I don't think a lot of coworkers know where you live.

Then again, I think Nate's being hunted down by lunatics in a white van so... that might be a goat with a shotgun on the other side.

>>633315
IF any physical contact is going to arise, ask permission first, last thing you want to do is have one of your "crawlies" to jump on him or freak him out. Also be careful of the door, use the peephole to be sure its not the goat/hitman guy. Its been a crazy day for both of you, last thing you need is more of it.

>>633307

You should ask him more about David, I'm sure he'd feel better about it if he talks about him with someone he trusts.

Pretend to be on a first-name basis with the delivery guy. If he plays along, re-engage full paranoia.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/10(Fri)21:08 No. 633820 ID: 557bac
File 142872528037.png - (113.61KB , 535x600 , 4-33.png )

Diego
"Hold that thought. I'll be right back."

You get up to answer the door, checking through the peephole first.
Standing in the hallway, looking bored and carrying a grocery bag full of takeout boxes is a strangely familiar face.

He checks the receipt and knocks again.
>"Hellooooo?"

>>633820

how many rats do you know?

He does look just like a certain someone doesn't he.

Well you did order delivery and you have to get it somehow.

So unless you want to start stuffing bills under the doorway like a ninja turtle go ahead and open the door.

It's the guy from the coffeeshop at work, the one with the eldritch 'bug'

>>633824
>>633825

def coffee shop guy....which is weird and a coincidence or not?

>>633825
Whoa, you're right. What the heck, does he work two jobs? Strange coincidence if so.

Well, he's unarmed, and the attacker at work only seemed to snatch up people who were isolated and alone. It's safe, open the door and say hello. Ask him what's up with his working two jobs. You know, have a small chat.

>>633820
Is that the guy from the coffee shop at work?

That's kind of suspicious, isn't it? Do you know when the coffee shop changes shifts, and if he could conceivably have left work to go to another job?

>>633820
that's the single most suspicious thing i've seen all day and you just got car chased by a guy with a shotgun.
do not let him in. do not answer. do not collect 200 dollars.

>>633820
Shouldn't he have some kind of logo on him for the Chinese place? You've ordered from there before, right? If nothing else you can just say 'hold on a minute, getting some change' while you call the Chinese place and ask about him.

...you know, maybe we should be a *little* cautious, but if you're going to double check to make sure this isn't an impostor, tell him to wait a minute so he doesn't just walk off with the food. Also tell Nate who it is.

If we're sufficiently suspicious, we could probably slide money under the door and have him leave the food.

>>633869
check, check, check, dont tell him to leave the food cause fuck knows whats in it mate

He has a low-paying job, is it such a stretch that he works part-time somewhere else for extra money?

Diego has no reason to suspect him because Diego doesn't know there's a shapeshifter. Open the door and make some small talk about what a coincidence it is to meet him here.

>>634446
Diego DOES have cause to be suspicious of people, however, given that an anonymous white van just tried to make them disappear. Not to mention, Diego should recognize this guy from the facility's cafe, and wonder what are the odds that he would also happen to be their Chinese food delivery guy, of all the people it could have been or he could have delivered to instead.

Don't trust him.

Have Nate check him for bugs. If he sees the same type he always does it cant be someone in disguise right?

>>634449
Blue squid.
http://tgchan.org/kusaba/questarch/res/573652.html#575529

>>634449
>>634454
Even if he's the same guy, what good does that do? Nate doesn't even know his name and he barely said anything at all.
If anything, that'd just confirm a reason to be suspicious. He broke the pattern of insects and his animal straight up glared at Nate when he caught eye of him.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/14(Tue)19:05 No. 634473 ID: 557bac
File 142906352250.png - (96.07KB , 600x443 , 4-34.png )

You cautiously unlock the door and open it.

Diego
"Heyyy, sorry about that. You work at the coffee shop right? "

He cocks his head and shrugs, indicating he may or may not be familiar with you and this "coffee shop" you speak of.

Diego
"Just weird coincidence running into you. Didn't realize you had a second job."

The sound he makes is more of a "Heh" than a real laugh: a singular, cynical unit of laff. Never one for small talk.

He hands you the receipt and the pen and you sign, tipping him a few bucks: he may not be much for conversation but he's always done a decent job at the cafe.

He hands you the bag with a smirk and as you close the door you hear him say "later." Man, this has been one fucking weird day.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/14(Tue)19:05 No. 634474 ID: 557bac
File 142906352704.png - (117.20KB , 600x546 , 4-35.png )

Aw man...

>>634473
Oh dammit, that's hella suspicious. Makes me think one of those boxes does not contain food. Or maybe he's just really awkward.

>>634474
Poor guy. Must've been a messy breakup. Sit next to him and ask if he needs to borrow your shoulder. Maybe hold his hand?

Marvel at sudden lack of pupils. Boy do i hope that's a stylistic choice and not aliens.

Sit beside him and hold out your hand.

>>634498
This. Though you may want to put the food on a table first.

>>634474
huganate

>>634474
aaaaaaaaaaa

Hug that poor guy!

Can I caution against sudden hugs? He has an issue with being touched, doesn't he?

>>634679
yeah, I would ask first if he's alright, and then maybe ask if he would like a hug?

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:50 No. 635032 ID: 557bac
File 142932182193.png - (81.98KB , 586x600 , 4-36.png )

"Hey... what's wrong Nate?"

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:50 No. 635033 ID: 557bac
File 142932182760.png - (163.13KB , 600x895 , 4-37.png )

>...thought you loved me...

I do! You don't understand...

>What? The "bugs"? I thought you said I was clean?

I... I...

>What? What do you want from me?

I don't know, I just-

>Am I that disgusting? Is it because I'm a guy?

What? Why would you say that? I told you-

>Then why won't you fucking touch me?

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:50 No. 635034 ID: 557bac
File 142932183826.png - (352.55KB , 600x854 , 4-38.png )

..crawling all over me, God, why won't they come off?

>Honey, we got a call from your councilor: he said you haven't been going to class? Its there something wrong?

...its not real, its not real, its not real, its not real...

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:50 No. 635035 ID: 557bac
File 142932185127.png - (189.80KB , 600x795 , 4-39.png )

>....wouldn't have happened if he had gone away. If he had stayed home we could have been there for him.

>So he can just be co-dependent his whole life? This was supposed to be a big step for him, he can't just live at home forever!

>Face it. We pushed too hard.

>I heard about this doctor who's been...

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:51 No. 635036 ID: 557bac
File 142932186033.png - (70.42KB , 600x996 , 4-40.png )

>...Want you to relax and go back to your safe place. Take a deep breath, and go ahead and tell me about it.

I'm alone, Its quiet, no bugs, no people.

>Where are you?

In

space....

Toxoglossa 2015/04/17(Fri)18:51 No. 635037 ID: 557bac
File 142932186603.png - (182.28KB , 600x689 , 4-41.png )

>"Everything. Everything is wrong, Diego. I... I think the world is going to end..."

>>635037
Tell him what you just saw. Then ask him why he thinks the world is going to end. Does it have something to do with what happened at work? With the intruder, and the weird cut-up satellite? Is it aliens? It's aliens isn't it.

>>635037
OKAY, YOU SERIOUSLY NEED TO HOLD THIS MAN!
hugs are, like, mandatory at this point!

Just hug him and tell him its all going to be ok.

Say that if this is about the crazy stuff at work that you will help him figure things out. If aliens are going to steal Cobalt or whatever we can discover whats going on and stop it.

Consider for a moment: if we were in Nate right now, how would we react to Diego suddenly talking about the aliens he knows nothing about? We'd flip shit and think he's a shapeshifter.

>>635037
"What - what was that, what just happened?"

And then, of course, explain what you saw.

>>635071
Nate knows about the touch thing, I don't think he'll be too mindblown to find out it works both ways.

Diego needs to be seriously honest here.
Also hugs.

>>635097
The psychic read, sure, but Diego doesn't know shit about aliens.

>>635060
>>635097
>>635053
You've all completely forgot about diego's beetles havent you, nate would probably flip his shit and pass out if we did so much as touch him.

>>635148
I wonder what would happen if we quickly grabbed a blanket/duvet cover/towel or the suit from a minute ago and hugged him through that.

Yeah, okay, he just somehow... shared his past with you. I think it's time to figure out more about what he knows and believes. Can't exactly doubt things when you see their past like that.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/21(Tue)20:42 No. 635775 ID: 557bac
File 142967416345.png - (234.31KB , 572x600 , 4-42.png )

You aren't sure what you just saw, but you're more concerned about the guy in front of you. You drop down and wrap your arms around him to try and comfort him. Nate tenses up, writhing in your embrace, and forcing himself free.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/21(Tue)20:42 No. 635776 ID: 557bac
File 142967417061.png - (116.71KB , 393x600 , 4-43.png )

He scrambles into a corner and just stares, panting.

Your throat suddenly feels dry.
"I...I'm... sorry..."

Slowly he backs down out of fight or flight mode and his breathing steadies itself.
>"Its okay... You didn't know."

Diego
"Are you okay?"

Nate
>"Yeah. Just.. ask first, okay?

Diego
"What did I just see? Were those your memories?"

Nate jumps as if he's been stung
>"Wait, what? What did you see?"

Diego
"Just glimpses of things.. blood, bandages... space?"

Nate buries his head in his hands and groans.
>"Ohhh god, I don't know. Today's been very weird, Diego. I don't understand how this crap in my head works."

Diego
"Shh... its okay. Why didn't you say anything?"

Nate
>"I just.. I just...just wanted to pretend things are normal, if only for a little while. I can't handle this, Diego. Its insane, even to me."

Diego
"What is? What's happening?"

Nate takes a breath and holds it for a second
>"Its about the break in at work: whoever is doing it is able to mimic people and is trying to do something to COBALT. But I might be able to stop them, because I can see the insects."

Diego
"Okay, but how is that the end of the world? Its just a computer."

He looks you dead in the eye
>"Because, Its an alien. Like, an actual alien organism. It wants to use COBALT to swap its planet with Earth before it explodes."

>"Because, Its an alien. Like, an actual alien organism. It wants to use COBALT to swap its planet with Earth before it explodes."
That's a little out there, but being able to see his memories is too... Can't really be sure what to believe anymore.

>>635775
Well hopefully that will be lesson learned.

>>635776
That sounds... like some kind of sci-fi horror novel. How does he know it's an alien? Is he sure it's not like, some killer robot sent from another country to steal our secrets?
Assuming that's all true, how do we stop it? Can you help? Can we tell the police about this, somehow get proof that something is going on? The more people we have working to save the world the better our chances are. If there's no proof then we won't be able to get many people on our side. Also, it's a moot point if that explanation doesn't change how we approach the problem.

...what are the chances that Hiro will trust Diego if he tells him some weird story? It doesn't have to be "aliens". If we can come up with a believable story that accomplishes the same goals, then that's the story we should use... at least until we have proof.

>>635776
Does he know how the van dude is related?
He's got to be related.

>>635776
Even if this sounds far fetched, you need to keep a level head Diego. He needs reassurance and comfort (mental, not physical). What you need to do is have him explain the situation and see what you can do to help him achieve his goal (as long as it dosent hurt anyone). I would suggest having him eat and give him some breathing room to calm down and compile his thoughts.

Listen I know this stuff is strange but I bet we can figure it out if we work together.

Do you feel up to having some food? We can eat and talk over what you have seen. If you can tell me some more details of whats been actually going on today maybe we can figure something out.

Okay, so you've got reason to believe COBALT is being stolen by aliens with teleportation technology? At this point, Nate, that's not actually insane. It's the best, maybe the only, theory anybody has for how that satelite could have gotten out of the hangar and into a random spot in the woods with no alarms going off and no tire tracks, and cut cleanly in half, without involving so many epicycles that the theory fails to make any further meaningful predictions.

So, what else do you know about these aliens, Nate? Can we make friends with them and save both planets, or are you going to have to do something like Isaac Clarke or Gordon Freeman or Jeff Goldblum's character in Independence Day? Regardless, what can I do to help?

>>635775
fuckin told you all

>>635831
Well, it was going to happen. Should of at least asked first.

>>635835
It should not have happened. There are times for hugs and this is not one of them, you moved too fast.

Toxoglossa 2015/04/25(Sat)19:38 No. 636379 ID: 557bac
File 143001590239.png - (139.41KB , 600x440 , 4-44.png )

Diego
"That... That's pretty hard to believe, Nate. But then again, its been a pretty unbelievable day. How about we sit down and eat while we talk?"

You sit together on the couch and dig into your Szechuan beef. The peppers go to work, laying waste to your taste-buds until you are reduced to a kind of delicious pain-haze. You offer some to Nate but he declines; probably for the best.

Diego
"So this thing, it somehow teleported the Midas sat out into the woods?"

Nate
>"Yeah, I think so."

Diego
"At least that kind of makes sense. Plus there's the bizarre way its cut in half. Still, how do you know there are aliens involved?"

Nate
>"You know that stuff you saw when you touched me? I'm able to do that somehow and when I touched that weird computer it allowed me to talk to an alien consciousness. It claimed that they have an agent here that is planning on swapping their dying planet with ours. I'm not sure why, but it needs access to COBALT in order to do it."

Diego
"Well, how can I help?"

Nate
>"Wait, seriously? You believe me?"

Diego
"I'm not sure what I believe, but I trust you and I want to help. Soooo?"

Nate
>"I guess the best thing to do would be to get to COBALT before the alien does. But Hiro said that he has the lab locked down until the facility is secure. However, he might let me in if I can get him a Midas-COBALT transponder."

>>636379
Well didn't we just do that today?

Wait the thing Doug ran off with? Um do we need to check and see if he is a alien?

>>636393
Nate managed to retrieve one though, and apparently took it with him when we left, instead of delivering it. ...did he leave it in the car?

>You offer some to Nate but he declines; probably for the best.
That stuff looks like charcoal and ignites your throat like it's a barbeque... Yeah, the uninitiated should stay away from it.
>>636403
Nate retrieved it, but Doug took it when Nate was... Talking with the alien.

Sounds like the way to help Nate out is to carve some new metal sheets for the transponder... Are we going to need the clean rooms for that, though?

>>636379
You've become a fire-breathing dragon!

>>636765
from >>625079
>He nods, though clearly still worrying about it, but relents. He picks up one of the transponders he removed and hugs it to his chest protectively.

Nope, Doug took the weird computer. Nate retrieved a transponder. Last time we saw it was here: >>626601

Toxoglossa 2015/04/29(Wed)18:40 No. 637008 ID: 557bac
File 143035800910.png - (83.76KB , 425x600 , 4-45.png )

Diego
"Is that why you took that transponder off of the satellite?"

Nate
>"More or less: I didn't know aliens were involved until I touched the computer."

Diego
"Where is it by the way?"

Nate
>"Oh I left it over by the computer..."

You take a look.
"This isn't a COBALT transponder, is it?"

Nate
>"I know. I think its for Apex commands to the satellite itself, but I was hoping that we could adapt it"

You try to remember everything you know about the system.
"Maybe, but we'd need the schematics as well as parts from the lab."

Nate sighs
>"That means going back..."

Diego
"And either breaking into a crime scene, or waiting until the police are done."

Nate
>"Ah, Jeeze, I'm sorry Diego. I didn't mean to wrap you up in all this bullshit."

"Not your fault," unless we want to just deny that it's a problem at all.

>>637008
Nate, if you're right about the aliens, you failing means I probably die, and everyone I care about ever probably dies. And now with me, your odds just improved, which means my odds for surviving improved.

SO, you know, you did the responsible thing, not that I'm telling you to tell everyone that aliens are going to destroy the earth because rarely will anyone actually believe that unless they too have experienced a crazy day.

I'm very happy I know that if I die, I know why. Just so you know, Nate, it's very possible we have no chance to prevent this within our means, so don't let that weight be on your shoulders, because I'm not putting that weight on my shoulder's either. We might be very screwed and helpless. But, let's try our best not to die.

I think we'd better eat quick then get back to work. Maybe the police officer Nate was working with will let us back in?

The situation seems pretty bad, but there's nothing you know specifically is going to explode in the next eight hours. I'd say, get some sleep, go back to work and start on refitting that transponder in the morning. Don't cut corners on routine maintenance during a week when you'll surely need your brain performing at or above rated spec.

Also in the morning buy three or more of those cheap pay-as-you-go phones and conceal them, powered off but with contacts already programmed, in various spots on your person. Ankle holster, up the sleeve, that sort of thing. Reasonable precaution against further comm hijinx and/or dissociative fugues.

Toxoglossa 2015/05/02(Sat)16:49 No. 637646 ID: 557bac
File 143061056297.png - (121.73KB , 448x600 , 4-46.png )

Diego
"Its okay. Sounds like you've been trying to do this all alone, its too much for one person."

Nate fidgets nervously
>"Yeeahhh, about that... Doug might be involved at this point. He says he has a similar condition to mine, and I confided in him about some of what I've learned. But.... I don't know what his deal is, or why he disappeared with the PC."

Diego
"Fuuck, man. I have a hard time just standing the guy some times. I don't know if I trust him with saving the world."

Nate
>"Well, he did help me out with the police a little bit. But I just don't know what his angle is here. I'm guessing that he at least knows what I know, now that he has the computer. Maybe he'll be more willing to work together?"

Diego
"Lets hope so... Speaking of police, I don't see us being able to get into the lab anytime soon, and knowing Hiro he's locked up tight in his bunker. Fixing the transponder can wait until tomorrow, can't it?"

Nate
>"I guess...what should we do then?"

You shrug
"Food first, then whatever you think we should do."

>>637646
Maybe he can like, explain in greater detail how his head stuff works. He mentioned talking to his wasps- does that have something to do with it?

Maybe ask about that one wasp that stung your nose earlier. It did have odd colors for a wasp, didn't it?

What kind of bugs does Doug have?

>>637852
He told us already. There are still a few people who he hasn't told us the bugs of though. Like his neighbors.

>>637860
Oh right, I forgot.

Does Diego know the deal with the garbage hoarder guy yet?

Toxoglossa 2015/05/06(Wed)19:12 No. 638757 ID: 557bac
File 143096472189.png - (184.42KB , 513x600 , 4-47.png )

Diego
"So how does this insect stuff work? You said you talk to them?"

He looks as though hes about to protest but you cut him off.

"No, really! If you really want me to believe you about this end of the world business, I should know more about this. Have they said anything recently?"

Nate
>"Actually, no not since you saved me, although I'm still not sure about that one in the car. They've been bugging me all day about this... this thing I've been seeing in my head that they call the Axle. The alien I spoke to told me that its a device capable of swapping the Earth and their planet, Maar. The wasps claim that we might be able to control it, but it requires taking something from other people's minds to make a kind of machine."

Diego
"Is that what I did just now? Go into your mind? How does that even work?"

Nate
>"I'm not sure. It seems like it happens whenever I touch someone without them being aware of it. That sounds like what happened to you too."

He suddenly looks anxious again.
>" I wonder if everyone can do that... who else might have messed around in there?"