Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)12:09 No. 648438 ID: f68a09
File 143430895271.png - (17.06KB , 960x560 , 308.png )

Your name is Gaddjok and today is the day they execute you.

The rope is tight around your wrists. They didn't have the equipment to hold a Garakton out here so they've pumped you full of tranquilizers.
They're making your blood run sludgy to your brain. You can hardly make out the shock lance barrels pointed toward your chest.

You think about what you've done.

1]] The girl needed help. You had no idea who she was. You just thought she needed help.
2]] The Kariket is a rat bastard and so are his deacons. You would do it again, five times over.
3]] You're innocent. There's no blood on your hands. This was a setup.
4]] You didn't mean to kill the Captain. He was weak. You regret it.
5]] You have loved unwisely.
6]] You were caught trying to desert and you're confident you were right to.
7]] You don't even remember what it is you did.

>>648438
1, and maybe 5.

1 and 2.

We did the right thing. The Kariket is a monster, and if this screws him over, then it was worth it.

1 and 2.

3 and 6, the civil war you were in was a mockery, with the leaders from both sides cooperating to gain media sympathy through the use of heavily coordinated bloodshed.

1, 4, 5.

2

>>648437
Despite being drugged, do we have the strength for some choice last words?

Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)16:03 No. 648482 ID: f68a09
File 143432299946.png - (5.70KB , 960x560 , 309.png )

You manage to raise your head enough to see the monitor behind the firing line.
The image of the Kariket, stern and unblinking, looks back at you, as it does to all doomed men.
Most of the time it's just a tape loop, you know. But perhaps your case merits actual observation. He would love to see you die.

You sneer at the thought of him watching you, trussed and tucked in his fineries and doused in perfume.
Witness how a true man dies, Kariket. Rat Bastard.

>>648459
You are Garakta. You have the strength.

General Hajk paces in front of the line of soldiers. His cane taps up clouds of dust.
He was like a father to you once. You were like his son.

Now he says to you:

Gadjjok Rokkolis. I strip you of your rank--

and he spits in the dirt and wipes it away with his foot.

I strip you of your history--

he spits again.

And I strip you of your name.

The last one he aims at your feet.

A no-thing stands before me now, Hajk says. I speak to an empty post. I speak to space better taken by the breathable air.

1]] And I speak to a ruin who still thinks he is a castle.
2]] And I speak to a slave who thinks he is a king.
3]] And I speak to a hatchling maggot on the carcass of our people.
4]] And I speak to my inferior.
5]] I can't hear you with the Kariket's cock in your mouth, Hajk.
6]] Remain silent.
7]] ___________________

5

>>648482
An emphatic 5.

Eat a dick, you dried up, old bootlicker.

7. GROVEL IN STYLE.

"NOOO! PLEASE! STOP SPITTING, YOU WHORE! I DON'T WANT YOUR [[Donkey]] ON MY [[Rooster]]! JUST GET IT OVER WITH! PLEASE!!!"

Invoke a curse using all your anger. The curse of a no-name should not corrupt anyone... right?

>>648482
7 "And nothing is still better then you."

Bitterness of memory, an insult, a play on words, and a certain degree of self-pride mixed into one.

Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)17:45 No. 648509 ID: f68a09
File 143432915114.png - (6.49KB , 960x560 , 310.png )

I can't hear you with the Kariket's cock in your mouth, Hajk.

His eyes narrow. He turns away. You laugh at his back.
You dried up old bootlick!

He returns to behind the firing line. You stand up as straight as you can.

From somewhere in back you hear Let go of me! Get your fucking hands off of me! Gadjjok!

She breaks from the grip of the guards trying to hold her back and sprints into the courtyard, her long black hair fanning out behind her.
Hajk raises his cane in pacification.
Milady, he says. With respect this is no place for--

She slaps him so hard he drops his cane.

Two in the firing line start to turn their shock spears to her but Hajk waves them off, an expression of anger and fear on his face.

She runs to you, heedless of the guns zeroed onto your heart. She throws her arms around you.

Gadjjok, she repeats, barely above a whisper. Heart of my heart. You feel her tears on your chest.

1]] I told you not to come here.
2]] That slap is going to fuel me all the way across the journey to the Mountain.
3]] I'm not afraid.
4]] Can you save me?
5]] Remember me.
6]] Don't cry. We always knew you'd see me go. Just not so soon.
6]] Never forgive him. Promise me.

5, 6, 7

>>648509
2, 6

>>648509
6, 3, 5.

"Don't cry. We always knew you'd see me go. Just not so soon. I'm not afraid. Remember me."

>>648509
6, 5, 7.

3, 6

6, 2, & 6.

3, 6

4, then 5.

>>648509
"I'm not afraid. I knew I would end up here sooner or later."

"I have no regrets."

And, well I think it's very selfish to tell her to remember us. Wouldn't we want her to stop grieving once we're gone and just forget us?

Maybe we should tell her she needs to forget about us once we die.

>>648509
5.
"When I am gone, I want you to move on but never forget me or the love I gave you."

>>648528
>"I have no regrets."
"Except, y'know, the whole getting executed thing. That kinda sucks."

2 and 6

6, 5, 7, 2.
"Don't shed tears for me, but don't forget me, and don't forgive him. Heh, but that slap will fuel me all the way across the journey to the Mountain."

Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)23:27 No. 648576 ID: f68a09
File 143434962112.png - (6.91KB , 960x560 , 311.png )

I have no regrets. I'm not afraid.
You rest your head on top of hers.
We knew you'd live to see me go. We didn't know when.
She shakes her head. Not like this.
Little sparrow, you say. Heart of my heart. Don't cry. That slap is going to fuel me all the way up the Mountain and my ancestors will joyously receive me.

Your ancestors will turn from you, Hjak says. You are stripped of--

They scream their approval, you say. Right now, in my ears. Can't you hear them?
You lock eyes with him.
Of course you can't, you say. You stopped hearing them a long time ago.
I'm not ready, she says. I'm not.
You kiss her forehead.
I am.
Move on as you were always going to but don't forget me.
And don't forgive him.

Never, she whispers.

Milady we are preparing to fire, Hajk says.

Go, you say. Don't look.

I have to, she says.

Then witness how I die.
And listen. You'll hear them.

Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)23:28 No. 648577 ID: f68a09
File 143434968547.png - (14.27KB , 960x560 , 311a.png )

She has to be torn from you by the guards, who are only permitted to touch her on the stipulation that they are saving her life.

She wrestles with them as the lances are leveled once more.

Gadjjok, she howls. Gadjjok Gadjjok I'll never forgive them Kariket you are dead to me

Do it bastards, you say. Do it you shadows of men. Look at my face. Do you see my

The lance tips slam one after another into your chest.
She screams.
You roar in anguished ecstasy.
A million men and women in brass wait on the ridge far away and roar with you.

You inhale through ruined, punctured lungs and a flood of blood rushes up the back of your throat.
It spills out of your mouth and you shake with pain and laughter.
DO IT
LOOK

The lance tips activate and detonate.

Enemy 2015/06/14(Sun)23:29 No. 648579 ID: f68a09
File 143434976638.png - (14.55KB , 960x560 , 312.png )

"FGgAAHhhah."
You bolt awake.

"BWAH" Polyphema jumps. "Good morning, dollface. FGgAAHhhah?"
"Uuugh. Good morning." You rest on your elbow and wipe your eyes. You look around for your phone. "What time is it? How long was I out?"
"Around four."
"When did I fall asleep?"
"Shortly after the charming Earthling tradition you call 'round two." Polyphema rubs your heel with her toes. She's wearing a tight tank top and a customarily revealing thong. "I thought your sterling performance merited a siesta. What did you dream about?"
"It was like--" You look at her. "Nice monocular there."
"Oh, shit." She pulls her glasses (glass?) off her face. "I forgot I was wearing that."
"I didn't know you had a pair."
"Well, pair?"
"Um, unit."
She giggles. "Or something. I only wear it for marathons on the, uhh" she wiggles her tablet.
"Kindle?"
"Correctamundo."
"Didn't know you had that either." You look over at it. You're still jittery with the nervous adrenaline of your awakening. "You strike me as the print type."
"I am." She angles the kindle away from you. "I only use this for, ahh, personal reading."
"I've caught you in a hell of a vulnerable position."
"Shut up. I'm never vulnerable. You know me."

1]] Not even when I........... tickle you?
2]] I had another one of those weird you-dreams.
3]] I saw Gadjjok die.
4]] I felt Gadjjok die.
5]] I saw you very unhappy and it was profoundly disturbing.
6]] I just had a kind of a bad dream. I don't really remember it.
7]] I'll tell you about the dream if you tell me what you're reading there.
8]] Squeeze your oculot girlfriend's butt until you calm down.
9]] Find some clothes because it's your turn to make breakfast.
10]] ________________

1 & 2

1 and 9. Dunno whether to mention it now while they're having a moment or after they've had food and relaxation.

>>648580
Yup.

1 & 8
Although be sure to move the kindle elsewhere, don't want to sit on it by accident.

1,8, then 2 when you calm down.

>>648579
1, 9, and 2.

Tickle fight! Then when that fun's over, grab ye clothes. We'll tell her about the dream while we prepare breakfast.

Enemy 2015/06/15(Mon)00:54 No. 648589 ID: f68a09
File 143435487348.png - (12.66KB , 960x560 , 313.png )

"Not even if..."
You put a hand on her ass. "Not even if I..." You roll over so that you're on top of her. She raises an eyebrow and scoots her kindle out of the way.
"Not even if I TICKLE THE FUCK OUT OF YOU?"

"Ack Zack No NO NO STOP AAAAH"
She locks her arms in place to try and prevent access to her armpits and you go for her sides.
"FUCK YOU FUCK YOU GAAAH NO AAHAHA" She tries desperately to wiggle out of your grasp and you lock her in place.
"YOU'RE NOT GETTIN AWAY"
"I'M GOING TO KICK YOUR NUTS OFF DON'T EVEN TRY IT I'M AAHAA NO"
You catch her foot and tickle that too.
"NO. NO ZACK NO FEET I AM DRAWING THE NO NO HAAHA FUCK YOU"
You drop her feet and tickle her hips and the small of her back instead. She writhes to get away. "ZAAACK I'M GOING TO BLOW YOUR HEAD OFF"
Her hips undulate wildly under your hands and rub up against you. She tries to push your chest away but you grab her hand with the hollow of your neck and trap it with your chin.
Maybe it's the itty bitty black thong or maybe it's the panting but at some point the tickling makes its traditional switch from more of an excuse to touch her than a battle tactic.
"ZACK," She pants. "STAH. NAH. NO. HAAAH. BASTARD."

1]] Finally relent. Make the poor girl breakfast to make up for it.
2]] Kiss her and stand up. Find your clothes before you get too turned on; you've already done it twice and she hasn't had the benefit of a nap.
3]] To quote The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, Breakfast Can Wait. Transition from tickling into doing something else with your fingers. It's OK if you're doing the work.
4]] ______________________

>>648589
1 and 2.

Give her a kiss, get up, get dressed, and make that girl some breakfast.

>>648590
I'm thinking waffles, personally.

That or toast and scrambled eggs.

I'm a fan of both.

Hey man, if you're getting turned on, go for it. 3. Afterwards, breakfast and dream talk, methinks.

Break off, break fast.

We should probably tell her about the dream, though I am hesitant to bring up such an obviously painful memory of her's.

It would probably be best to wait until breakfast is squared away.

1, 4, 2.
Stop, "Sorry, but with how many times I'm vulnerable before you, I needed that." Start looking for clothes. "The lens"--Yes, just call it a lens--"doesn't make you look vulnerable, if you're wondering. Makes you look stronger. I mean, not like, Warrior stronger, but personality."
"Alright, I'll make some breakfast. Both because it's my turn, and I probably owe you at least that much now."
Once we're making breakfast, we can bring up the dream: "Had a, uh, another vision thing. Was "The Mountain" your guys' heaven or something?"

>>648684
She's going to wonder where we heard of "the Mountain."

"I, um... experienced Gadjjok's last moments."

Enemy 2015/06/15(Mon)22:15 No. 648732 ID: f68a09
File 143443173819.png - (9.19KB , 960x560 , 314.png )

You relent, kiss her, and unpin her. "Sorry, sorry." You look around. "Where's my shirt?"
She waves her hand. "Somewhere. You're not sorry at all, are you?"
"Not even a little." You stick your head into your shirt and she takes advantage of your restricted eyesight to slap you on the ass, hard.
You jump.
"I'm not ticklish," she says.
"You're absolutely ticklish."
"I was playacting."
"Everyone who says they aren't ticklish is actually insanely ticklish and they only say they aren't because they don't want to be tickled."
"Do you know what tickling is on the Other Side?" She gets in front of you and makes a solemn face. "It's a declaration of war."
"You're making that up."
"I am not. It's a torture."
"No it isn't."
Her grim look cracks into a smile around the edges. "Yes it is."
You tickle her stomach. "No it isn't"
"YES yes it is." She leaps away from you like a cat. "De-escalate, Mr. Ambassador."
"I will." You pull on your pants. "Through the universal language of breakfast foods."
"Magnifique." She slides past you to her closet and rummages through her hangars. "What's the special, Garçon?"
"Pancakes Au Zack Avec a shitton of syrup," you say. "You have syrup?"
"What kind of decadent socialite do you take me for?" She's settled on a pair of Yoga pants that somehow make her posterior look even shapelier than before. "I have everything."

Her eggs are all organic and her flour is from Whole Foods. You can't find any Pam oil so you use olive oil from what looks like actual fucking Italy. "This feels like overkill," you say, examining the fridge. "I didn't know they made artisanal butter."
"This, Zackary, is the lifestyle within your reach," she says. "With your generous Bureau stipend. You may be a professional bachelor but the days of instant ramen are in the past. I've been meaning to take you somewhere flouncy so you can flounce around."
"Upgrade the wardrobe?"
She shakes her head. "The wardrobe can stay. I find it endearing."
"Is that a good adjective for a wardrobe?"
"One mustn't forget one's roots." Polyphema blows a strand of her trademark wild bedhead out of her vision. "That's why I've been thinking of starting a farm. Come unto my table, Zackary! Let us speak of many things."
"I'm mixing."
"Then let us speak of many things as you mix."

1]] I dreamed about Gadjjok.
2]] I dreamed about Gadjjok's execution.
3]] What's the Mountain? Is it afterlife?
4]] I'm wondering about Warrior Family stuff. GG wants me to meet her parents.
5]] So I have attempt number 2 with Meg tomorrow. I'm nervous.
6]] So I had my date with Bika the other day and there were these weird people who followed us.
7]] What have you been up to since our wilderness adventure, Polyphema?
8]] _______________

7, 1, 3.

>>648732
7, 3

>>648732
7, 3

I don't see how bringing up excessively painful memories has any relevance.

>>648732
7, 4, 3, 1.

If we're speaking of many things, then these are what I choose.

"Of shoes and ships and sealing-wax? Of cabbages and kings?"
7

>>648748
This is basically a necessity, considering her choice of words. Let's show her our literary chops!

Wow, you guys learned not to talk about other women to your woman.

1, definitely, since we are being honest with her. We might segue into 2 if the conversation carries us that way, and then it'll become a discussion of her world and politics eventually. We won't do that unless we have to to though, though I do wonder why sleeping with us is making her dream of him. Maybe we are similar (though again, we'll only broach the subject if it comes up naturally in conversation.)

If conversation dies continue onto 7 and then 3. Don't bring up the other girls. If she brings it up we can discuss them.

>"Then let us speak of many things as you mix."
>8, 2, 3, 4, 7, 6.8, 5.8, 8.
"You asked for it. First thing on my mind... Had another dream-memory-leak thing. Gadjjok's execution. What's The Mountain?

Second, since you're oh-so-interested in knowing who your man's dating--Let's just get out there and ask it, what are warrior families like? Do they even do that with Dulamads, or do I need to be especially worried about upsetting a lady now?

Thankfully, not everything has to be such a big gauntlet. While I've got the mystery route with you, I also feel I can trust you, especially after our little T-and-D up at the Ridge. So, how about your time between now and then? Is that going to be another one of your charming mysteries, or will I be graced with the knowledge today?

Wish I could enjoy every little aspect, but it seems that there are some stalkers now. Had a couple following me yesterday. Don't suppose you've ever had to deal with people like that?

Finally, another mystery I've been attempting to unravel: Floaters. I still know squat about them, other than that they love their experiments.

Oh, and there's that Gala, tomorrow. I'd invite you, but I'm already kind of a plus-one guest. Since you're up here living the high life, maybe it would be a great spot to take one of your other guys--which, I'll be honest. After the talk about your relationships, I'd be surprised if I was your only partner right now."

Once that bit of discussion's out of the way,
>"A big ol incestuous peer group called a Dulabira."
8, again: Would you be interested in forming a Dulabira, or keeping things more hush, now?
>calling myself a swinger makes me feel like a horny grandmother.
'Cause I wouldn't mind being introduced to some new friends out of your side, but equalibrium being what it is, it wouldn't be fair for me to meet your 'Romalamads' if you choose not to meet mine. Is there, like, a group term for the individual regardless of Alamad and Dulamad?

>>648766
>Don't bring up the other girls. If she brings it up we can discuss them.
>"Of course things get messy, doll," Polyphema says. "Love is a very messy thing."
We can't expect to make scrambled eggs if we keep them in the carton. Of course, shoving an egg out of the nest isn't wise, either, but since Poly, at least, has brought up this all and taken an interest in it, I think giving her that push is worth a chance. GG, maybe not so much. As for Bika, well,
>"With some skut to taste, although they often keep to themselves."
Definitely going to have to ask her how she'll feel about it all. Maybe a little taste of Golboria will be good for her, but maybe she'll keep the relations to a minimum.

Meg's a wildcard--One one hand, Floaters seem to be about practicality and efficiency, so knowing who the others are would be a good thing, but on the other hand, she's the first Floater with the hormonal emotions, and who knows which way those will go. Plus, she might be a little angry still over our first date. Point is, Poly should be open to the idea.

3.

>>648766
>Don't bring up the other girls
Kinda inevitable given our job and the nature of our relationships. Besides, if we're going to discuss such things, Poly would be the most accepting and understanding.

>>648772
Well, that certainly covers the bases. Might want to let Poly get a word in at some point.

If we're just picking subjects, then 1, 3, 4, and 7.

>Might want to let Poly get a word in at some point
That's what the line breaks are meant to convey, giving her a chance to respond.

Let's not bring up the dream, at least not right now. I say 7 or 6, then maybe 4.

>>648797
If we are just picking subjects, then I suggest adding 6 to your selection. I feel it is important that Poly be made aware of the possible threat.

>>648800
Definitely 4.
Half the reason we came to her was for advice.

7, 6, 4.

She updates us on her life, we update her on ours.

7, 6.
She's in a whimsical mood, what with her trying to knock you off balance and all. Bringing up the dream now will kill that mood. Let this visit be a memory not connected to her past tragedies.

>>648804
Agreed.

>>648732
8]] All of the above.

>>648814
...Yeah, sure. Why not?

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)13:04 No. 648834 ID: f68a09
File 143448509310.png - (8.37KB , 960x560 , 315a.png )

"So." You crack an egg. "What have you been up to?"
"A sprinkle of this, a dash of that. I went to this Gala in Manhattan for the opening of a friend's restaurant and had to leave early. Terrible."
"Why?"
"Everyone was gawking at me and no one was talking at me," she says. "I was the only Visitor there. Had a little too much liquid courage and decided to leave while I could go on both my feet. This is why I need good human arm candy."
"That sucks."
"The rich suck, on the whole." You look at the glass of imported Italian Volcano Blood Orange juice she's poured herself. She gulps it down defensively. "Except me. And you. What else? I read The Sound and the Fury for the first time."
"I think I started that in High School but couldn't get past the first part with the manchild."
"You don't know what you're missing. I loved the what do you call it? Stream of Consciousness? Very Oculotti. Oh and there was this insane public art thing in the Heights. Did you read about it?"
"I think there was a facebook trending thing but I didn't click it."
"A collective in Bushwick built this incredible mechanical horse," she says. "It was this amazing eight foot high moving sculpture. I don't know if there were puppeteers in it or what have you but they marched it right down the promenade, this gaggle of topless circus people in its train with top hats and bangles and everything, breathing fire the whole way."
"The performers or the horse?"
"Everyone. Everyone was breathing fire. And they brought it down to the carousel and it mounted one of the carousel horses and started viciously dryhumping it right in front of all the parkgoers."
"Jesus."
"At which point," continues Polyphema, "The topless women seized upon it with fire axes and sledgehammers and tore the whole thing down. Art."
You squint. "What did it mean?"
"At the time I had no fucking idea," she says. "I was only really there for the breasts and the fire."
"Respectable."
"But in retrospect I'm fairly sure it was a reflection of the experience of being Garakton in the Human world."
"Were there any Warriors in the, uhh, troupe?"
"God, no," she says. "A topless Warrior swinging an axe around? In Golboria that's daily life but here it's blue suicide. I'm told that the artist who came up with it is a Warrior man, though. Boggles the mind, doesn't it, how they manage to pick their way through a place like Earth with all of that-- hooftah going on inside them all the time. You can feel the tension inside them every time you pass them on the street. All current and zero outlet. Poor fish."

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)13:06 No. 648836 ID: f68a09
File 143448520168.png - (8.48KB , 960x560 , 315.png )

"In point of fact," you say, turning the stove on, "I was going to ask for your advice about Warrior cultural stuff."
"Advice!" She beams. "The Doctor is In. How is Miss Grightogot, anyway?"
"She's good."
"You're going to have to introduce us eventually, you know," she says. "We'll meet in one way or another anyway. I'd wager you'd rather have some control over the situation."
"Right..."
"Don't worry, Zack. Oculots and Warriors get along like Cheddar and Caramel."
"Those get along?"
"Zackary you haven't lived. So what wisdom may I dispense for you about them?"
"What are their families like?" you ask.
"Wild," she says. "Warriors in any group get exponetially more Warrior-y and family doubly so. I wouldn't try to meet the family until you are well and truly comfortable dealing with the Garakton mano a mano if I were you."
"I already said I would."
"Oh, lord. Did you?" She gives you a look at the intersection of schadenfreude and pity.
"Uh oh."
"OK, Zack: Do Not Back Down. By any means. Especially from papa but mama too. They are going to go full oneupsmanship on you and I can guarantee you will not have done half the feats of strength they have so you need to puff your chest out like a rooster in a sea of hens and give them not an inch. When is this happening?"
"I don't know."
"Well if at all possible put on muscle mass," she says. "Because I love you doll but you are on the slender side and they are going to find it endlessly hilarious to try to pick you up."
"They're going to pick me up?"
"If you are lucky they are going to stop there."
"Oh Christ."
"I'll be a text away," she says. "Call me in if you need backup. Or bring me!"
"What."
"Judging by your reaction I am understanding that this is using Human rules and bringing a +1 to a date is therefore offlimits," she says. "OK don't bring me."
"People do that?"
She shrugs. "A dulabira is a dulabira. On Golboria it would be perfectly fine."
"We'll see."
"Don't let me crimp your style, dollface." She looks amused. "I'm sure you can handle it on your own."
"Are you?"
"Well I'm confident. I have faith. You've faced worse!"
"Like what?"
"I'm not sure," she says. "But we're all veterans of War here. How bad could it be, honestly. You already know what it's like to break a limb or two."
"Thank you for that vote of confidence."
"I'm taking the piss, Zack." She giggles. "Mostly."
"Speaking of the other side and Golboria and Warriors and Dulabiras and everything," you say. "I dreamed about Gadjjok just now."

Her smile flash-freezes, goes brittle, and drops halfway off her face. "Did you."

1]] And judging by your reaction I guess you know what I saw.
2]] Yeah. I felt his last moments.
3]] Quickly change the subject.
4]] I had no idea he went like that. I'm so sorry.
5]] What's going on with these dreams, Polyphema?
6]] The soldiers, the general. They were all afraid of you. Why?
7]] ________________

1, 2, 5

Aw geez. If it is what she's thinking of then 1 is too blunt. I'd go for something between 2 and 4: that "I'm so sorry" feels a little too pitying. It was a pretty good death from his perspective. So, maybe: "Yeah, I felt his last moments. From what I got, he felt pretty good about it, apart from leaving you. I'm sorry."

Then you take time for whatever support or comfort you feel she needs, before moving on to 5 and 6.

>Boggles the mind, doesn't it, how they manage to pick their way through a place like Earth with all of that-- hooftah going on inside them all the time.
I'm guessing "Hooftah" is the need for challenge, battles, and whatnot.
>Her smile flash-freezes, goes brittle, and drops halfway off her face. "Did you."
1/4/3
"Uhhhh I'm guessing you know what it was. Sorry about that. There's that Gala tomorrow. I'm kind of the plus-one of Meg, but since she's going to be up on stage--
>She shrugs. "A dulabira is a dulabira. On Golboria it would be perfectly fine."
--and you already said Dulabira are fine with plus extras, so if you're up for it I can ask the others."
"But I don't know how far that goes and my human relationships instinct is telling me not to go farther than hanging-out slash casual-date, so don't go getting your hopes up."

Still wondering about the rest of her Pluses. Zack can't be the only person she's dating.

Just a simple "Yeah" will suffice. You know what she's asking.

Sorry. I wouldn't want to drag it up, but it doesn't feel right seeing something that personal and not telling you.

>>648836
1, 4, 5.

1, 5
7]] Sorry. I'm testing to see if all these dreams are related to you or if there's an unknown Oculot psi network you guys don't even know about that human's can access when sleeping next to an Oculot. I can't stop what I'm seeing, I'm prying into your life without your permission. I was hoping I was reading someone else's memories again, an Oculot next door or an old friend of yours or something.

Should we be worried about this, Poly?

I mean, this is going to be world changing shit once the public knows what happens when humans are dreaming near Oculots, which will probably happen more once progressive stances become more popular as they have in the past on earth. There's the current hate stuff that we definitely need to worry about, but there's secrets you guys probably really want to keep. I might need to get a CAT scan or something soon down at HVAO? Or should we keep this under wraps for now? This isn't the first secret I've been told to keep in this job. Third maybe? I can keep it. I don't think I've mentioned it to Carlson yet in any report.

>>648836
1, 4, and 5.

Sharing dreams stinks sometimes.
He was very brave, and he loved her very much, right to the very end.
Why is this happening? How is it possible?

For now, 4 and 3. GG's parents are first generation immigrants, so they may not be opposed to bringing a dulabira. You could help us play up our strengths/advise us on warrior culture, and you'd meet GG. Does that sound fair?

>>648836
Also, GG's parents sound like a challenge.
But that's okay! We're bold, daring, brave, and willing to do what it takes.
Plus we have GG to help us prepare and back us up.

>>648863
Oh shoot, I forgot what dulabira actually means for a moment. What I meant is what I believe humans call a "wingman."

Welp. I guess there are deep old wounds after all.

>>648847
Yes. Presenting it from this angle, the big picture, the assimilation and everything, would be more merciful than discussing what seems like something she doesn't want to discuss.

>>648863
>>648871
I don't know. They'll probably see getting outside help like that as a sign of weakness.

>>648884
Much of a person's strength comes from their allies, friends, family... This is true regardless of what species you are, so they should be able to respect it, especially if Poly said so.

>>648836
5

Voting against 1, 3 and 4.
Can we not.

>>648836
5. Maybe 2 and 4.

2, 7: He was amazing, 5.

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)17:01 No. 648905 ID: f68a09
File 143449929643.png - (9.95KB , 960x560 , 316.png )

"Yeah." The last vestiges of smile are gone from her face. "Guess you know what I saw."
She purses her lips. "Mhm."
"He was brave."
"I don't want to talk about this, Zack." She stands up. "I really don't want to talk about it. And I need you to promise me: if you see something you don't think I'd want you to see then you need to try to wake up from it somehow. OK?"
"What wouldn't you want me to see?"
"Things like what you saw," she says. "Please."

1]] I promise.
2]] I'll try.
3]] I don't know if I can make myself wake up like that.
4]] I just wish I knew more about who you are. I love you but I still don't even know your name.
5]] Does it hurt to remember or is there something you don't want me to know? You can tell me if there is.
6]] ____________________

you can try, but there could be a bit of psychic residue and waking up from that could be hard.

There may be times where we can't, but we'll try.

1, 6: What's up with these dreams?

>>648905
I promise to try. Don't go near 4 or 5.

>>648905
"I'll do my best. I promise."

>>648905
2 & 3. Seriously, she's lived long enough to develop a skill for lucid dreaming, but very few humans can do that. Being able to will yourself awake is hardly a trivial task.

Also, what's up with these dreams? This is super not normal for humans.
Taking control of a dream is hard enough when it's just your mind, but here Zack is up against outside interference.

2. Sorry. I'm not trying to dig around in your head on purpose. I'd give your space, if I knew how to.

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)18:12 No. 648926 ID: f68a09
File 143450357604.png - (9.20KB , 960x560 , 317.png )

"I'll do my best," you say. "Promise."
"Okay." She takes a deep breath. "Okay. And I'll try to... control it. Somehow. I don't know."
"Seriously what is up with these dreams?" you ask. "It's super not normal for humans."
"I really don't know," she says. "I wish I could tell you it's happened before but it hasn't. I'll broadcast happy thoughts or something. Maybe an ASMR cassette or nyquil."
"I could try nyquil," you say.
"Good. Let us chase away our troubles with pharmaceutical drugs as God intended." She pulls a spatula out of a drawer at her waist and flips it around in her hand. "And you can make me pancakes to make up for killing my buzz."
"Yes ma'am." You take the spatula from her, grateful for her elastic emotional constitution.
She takes her seat at the table. "What recipe is this?"
"What if I told you it was my sister's homemade from scratch?" you say.
"Oooh. A Nguyen trademark creation."
"Oh, no, it's from allrecipes.com." You ladle a pancake onto the griddle. "But what if I told you????"
"As long as it's tan and tasty it'll remind me of you. And it's flat, like your butt." She slaps the table. "Zing!"
You flick water at her from the sink. "It's a runner butt."

1]] I gotta head out after this. I totally lost track of time. As evidenced by me making pancakes at 4 pm.
2]] So what're you gonna do with the rest of the day? Want to hang out?
3]] So what're you gonna do with the rest of the day? Want to go out for the night?
4]] Maybe you coming with me to GG's isn't that bad an idea. Though you should probably meet her first.
5]] There's this concert thing I'm going to tomorrow. Want to come with?
6]] _________________

>>648926
4.

>>648926
1.

The sooner we start prepping for the upcoming events, the better. We let it get way later than we should have, and we still need to talk to GG about getting prepared for the meeting, and we need to get ready for the gala tomorrow.
We have a pretty full schedule.

1. You have to prepare something for the meeting.

Soldier-Tier Torso and Head Armor, maybe?

4, 1.

>>648935
This. As much as I would love to stay, we have obligations to the other girls. I say we speak to GG first and get that squared away, then see to getting ready for tomorrow.

>>648919
4.

6: I'd ask how well Oculots and Floaters get along, but Meg isn't your usual Floater.

>>648926
1.

>>648937
What, roll up looking like a weedy Doom marine? They might get a kick out of that.

"I gotta head out after this. I totally lost track of time. As evidenced by me making pancakes at 4 pm. But hey, call me later, okay?"

>>648935
>>648937
>>648945
These. We should talk to GG, see to getting some offering for the parents, and then get ready for the gala. But first, make sure Poly knows she should get in touch with us later. We're never more than a phone call away.

It's weird how we're not seeing her memories, exactly.

We're inside the people she remembers. Is it always Gadjjok or someone? Who was it last time?

4, 5

1.
>But hey, call me later, okay?
Plus this.

>>648946
Agreed.

Just because we're taking care of things doesn't mean she can't be with us. 1 & 2.

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)19:44 No. 648954 ID: f68a09
File 143450906382.png - (7.09KB , 960x560 , 318.png )

"I gotta go after we eat these," you say. "I totally lost track of time. Hence, uh,"
"You making me breakfast at four?"
"That. Right. But you know you can call me whenever, right?"
She raises an eyebrow. "Whenever?"
"Well I might not be able to answer dependant on the circumstances but yeah. Totally." You flip a stack of pancakes onto her plate and pass it to the table.
"Right back at you, lovey." She slathers it in syrup. "Just because we have some crossed wires in the spooky dream department doesn't mean I don't want you in my bed whenever you can spare the time." She takes a massive bite. "Mmm."
"Good?"
She nods and gives you the thumbs up while she works her way toward swallowing it. "Thif if delifouf."
"I'll tell my sister you said so."

She kisses you in the doorway, slow and deep.
"I love you, Zack."
"Love you too, Polyphema."
She bobs back and forth on her heels against the doorframe. "It's not because I don't trust you, the dream thing."
"Don't worry about it."
"I'm just-- right." She kisses you again. "There are just some things that-- I'm not her anymore. I'm me now. I want to focus on that. And us." She's holding your hand.
"I understand."
"OK now you have to go before I drag you back inside and the neighbors see me canoodling with a human. Give my love to the other girls."
"Got it."
"But keep the lion's share for yourself. Text me, doll!"
She gives you one last quick peck and closes the door.

On the subway ride back you text GG:

>Hey Geeg

Zakkk!!! :) :): )

hello cute friend

waht is up

1]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for this weekend
2]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for next week
3]] so let's schedule this parent meeting thing for a couple weeks from now
4]] before i meet your parents there's someone i want you to meet
5]] where you at? want to do stuff?
6]] do you want to go to a weird concert thing with me tomorrow?
7]] ___________

7: How many times I got to triple my body mass to not get crushed at this family meet thing?

>>648954
2,4. We can at least spend a week exercising.

>>648954
7]] I need some training before I meet your parents. Do you know a good regimen for a human about to meet warrior parents? Or know a guy who might know?

>>648958
This, and who better to train us than the Red Wonder herself? She can explain the finer details while she whips us into shape.

>>648954
2,4. We should at least exercise a bit.

>>648960
This is a great idea!
If GG trains us, she can explain the best way to approach her parents, and judge when she thinks we're ready to meet them.
Is there a downside I'm not seeing?

7]] "If I'm gonna be ready to meet your family, I'll need your help to prepare. Could you train me up? And maybe school me on how to go about this?"

>It's not because I don't trust you, the dream thing.
Of course not. She has every right to want her head to stay in her head.

>>648954
5

hello tall friend
2)

5.
Let's get together and discuss how best to approach the parents thing.
And whatever else we feel like doing.

>>648970
This. We have some daylight left, so let's enjoy it.

>>648970
>>648971
Agreed. Maybe we can convince her to train and teach us, like >>648964 suggested.

Enemy 2015/06/16(Tue)20:46 No. 648977 ID: f68a09
File 143451280387.png - (11.05KB , 960x560 , 319.png )

>hello tall friend.
>how many times do i have to triple my body mass to not get crushed at this family meeting thing?

lmao
you arent going to get crushed at the family meeting thing! dont worry!!
i cant make any promises about after tho ;)
are you still down for boinging a la warrior?

>;)
>but also ack at the same time as ;)
>i should try and put on some muscle mass
>i was thinking next week sometime?

word

>but before then you have to help me get swole.
>and just in general i need your help

yeeeeees gym budz
i cant rn i have work until 8:30
foreman gonna yell at me if he sees me txting but w/e :P i do more work per day than 5 of these dudes
do you want to go after?

1]] sure thing
2]] ummm i didnt mean like right away. i have to take the wknd to bid farewell to my body before it is broken
3]] i got2 be fresh and not sore for this thing i have tomorrow but id still be down to hang in a nongym setting after youre done with work
4]] _______________

sure thing

>lmao
ayy

>>648977
3.

We have to be on top of our game tomorrow, so no gym antics tonight. However, if she's free after work, we're good for anything else.

>>648977
Sorta 1, but also 3.
How about she shows us the gym so we can see what we're getting into, but we save the exercising for later. Afterward, she can take us back to her place for whatever.

>>648978
[ayyy lmao in the distance]

We aren't at our best so tomorrow sounds good.

>>648980
Sounds good, though I fear "whatever" may leave us just as sore as the gym would.

>>648981
Don't forget the gala. We might not be able to make it and the gym in the same day.

3
also u r cute

>>648980
I like this.
We get a preview of things to come, then back to her for... "whatever."

>>648977
"Maybe just a tour of the gym tonight. Other than that, I'm up for just about anything."

4. Armor Training plz
Would like to keep my spine
and my pelvis

3, 4. Got a thing tomorrow, so I can't get super into it, but a tour, and maybe something light should be fine. I can recover from a little burn.

If she asks about the thing, then we can ask her about Dulabira. If she's fine with that, tell her and invite.

>>648989
What was it >>648942 said?
>roll up looking like a weedy Doom marine
We would be the weediest space marine.

>>648990
I'd rather tomorrow be a thing just between Meg and Zack. They have a bit to settle, and the other girls would complicate things.

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)00:04 No. 649003 ID: f68a09
File 143452465725.png - (11.53KB , 960x560 , 320.png )

>idk if i can go all that hard today since i have a thing to do tomorrow

awwwwww

>i'd still love to look around it though and like, do a couple curls or something. and then go back to yours and do whatever.

i like whatever

>where is it?

Dolphin Fitness @ Port Hamilton

theyre crappy enough that they cant be picky about their clientele

so its alllll warriors

and you!!

ill be there at like 9 and i can let you in as a guest

;*


The only way you can tell that Dolphin is a gym is the sign out front. The front desk looks like an apartment's, with a fully asleep persian dude seated at it. You wonder if maybe you took the wrong door when you hear heavy thumping footsteps coming downstairs. GG rounds the corner of a stairwell in back with a duffle bag and a hoodie with a couple holes torn in it for her extra arms.
"Zack! Dude!" She pounds on the desk. "Jahan. Wake up. It's my plus one."
"Fuhgh." Jahan opens his bleary eyes. "OK. He fill out form?"
"Yep," GG says, winking at you. "Signed and shit."
"OK." Jahan drifts off again. "Don't.... break things."
"Don't worry." GG takes your hand and leads you upstairs. "The breaking things starts tomorrow."
"Do you need to wear that?" you ask, looking at the hefty sweatshirt.
"Jahar keeps the AC a notch or two above meat freezer," GG says.

The "gym" is mostly a bunch of bars, racks, and freeweights set up in what looks like it used to be a dance studio. It's not actually all that cold, but you suppose that a woman with an internal temperature like GG's would want to bundle up.
"Uh," you say. "Is this place up to code?"
"I dunno," GG says. "I don't speak code. There's a shower, though!"
"Just one?"
"Yeah but it's a nice one. C'mere." She slaps a bench and hefts an olympic bar one-handed. "I will spot you, itty bitty boyfriend."

You lie hesitantly on the bench and GG places the bar gently in your hands. "Go."
You do an experimental up-and-down pump.
"Straighter," GG says.
You straighten out.
"Word!" She strides to a rack of weights. "You have officially graduated past pipe weight."
"Are you gonna add like 50 pounds per side now?" you ask.
"Naw, dude," GG says. "Ironman starts after the weekend."
"Can't wait." Your arms are already getting a little sore just from repping on the bare bar.
"Don't worry." She bends down over the pipe and kisses your forehead. "I'll be your trainer. Worship your Ideal You, Zack!"
"Is that a new agey thing?"
"Actually dude it's the cornerstone of all Other Side religion," she says. "We pray to our ultimate, perfect selves to drive us to be them."
"Really?"
"Yep! My Goddess is the perfect GG, and you could bounce a quarter off her eyelids." She takes the bar from you and slides on weight. "But the journey of a thousand squat-thrusts begins with a single fifteen pounder. Try it now." She lowers the bar back down.

So it goes, with GG showing you various exercises across her makeshift gym and being shockingly supportive, all things considered. It's just the two of you in here. The toned musculature in GG's legs casts shadows across her skin under the lights of the fluorescents. She sees you looking and flexes her calf. "Worship the Ideal You, Z," she says. "Not the Ideal Me."
"Trying," you say, attempting to work your way around the squat bar. GG puts her hands on your shoulders and guides you through the motion. "I think this is a good soft start. It's been a pretty long time."
"Don't want to be sore for tomorrow?" she asks.
"Big day."
"Um, Zack." She corrects your posture a little. "I don't wanna rain on your parade but I remember you said you wanted to do it like a Warrior this time?"
"Yah." You try to straighten your back.
"Well if you meant Warrior Sex when you texted Whatever you're gonna be just as sore as if you went 100% in here," she says. "Or, like, 110."
"Cultural exchange, GG. That's why they pay me the hooh." You put the bar back on its rack. "The big bucks."
"Are you sure?" GG asks. "Cuz I'd be down but if you wanna, like..." She rocks her hips to one side. "Tie me up. Again. Or anything. That would also be cool with me."
"Do you want to do that?"
"Not if you really want to tussle but um." She looks around as if seeking the kind of camera this place could never in a million years afford. "What if, um."

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)00:04 No. 649005 ID: f68a09
File 143452468419.png - (13.45KB , 960x560 , 321.png )

She unzips her hoodie.
She's wearing nothing underneath but black silk rope.
"What if I've been wearing this since I got off work?" she asks, her face burning a deep cherry red.

1]] C'mon. I promise if it's too much I'll tell you.
2]] Cultural exchange can wait. Go back to her place.
3]] Cultural exchange can wait. Go back to your place.
4]] Cultural exchange can wait but you can't and there's a shower here.
5]] _________________

It gets redder?
Hmm. Three choices, all partially suggesting the same thing. Hmmmmmmm.
...Yes. Her place.

>>649005
2222222222

>>649005
2.
There'll be other, better opportunities for "cultural exchange." For now, let us show the lady a good time.

Perhaps I'm a deviant but 4444444

>>649005
"Cultural exchange can wait. Let's go back to your place."

>"What if I've been wearing this since I got off work?"

"Then you're a naughty little girl who needs to be punished. Take me to your place."

4 is tempting, but I don't want to risk someone walking in on us, so I'll go with 2 or 3.
Whichever is closest.

>>649019
This. A little dirty talk should help things along.

>>649019
>>649021
>in public
Nah. At least wait until you're absolutely sure no one's watching.

Also, watch out for those Earth for Humans guys.

>>649005
2 or 3, depending on which one is closest.

>>649022
>watch out for those Earth for Humans guys
Yes.

>>649023
Yes.

>>649010
It gets redder.
And yes. Her place.

>>649005
Let's go to her place and get 'knotty'.

>>649029
Boo. Hiss.

But yeah.

Not here, not right now.

>>649005
Oh, my. I think it's time we took this somewhere private. I say her place.

>>649019
This, only whispered in her ear, all close and sexy like. Besides being fun, it should also throw off any eavesdroppers.

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)13:33 No. 649084 ID: f68a09
File 143457322614.png - (6.01KB , 960x560 , 322.png )

You duck out of the squat rack, and then, suppressing the urge to laugh at yourself, whisper in her ear: "Then you've been a bad girl and you need to be punished."

You feel fucking ridiculous saying it but to your surprise GG eats it up.
To the point that the (mercifully short) walk back to her place you're surprised you keep all your clothes on.

GG wants to try it up against a wall tonight.
"I don't--" You look her up and down. "I think there's a mechanical barrier here."

"That's why I've got this thing." She reaches under her bed and pulls out a low footstool. "Voila!"
"Damn, GG." You step onto the footstool. "You think of everything."
She grins, leans against the wall, and arches her back. "Still gonna punish me, Frank Castle?"

In the middle of it you have a revelation. "You totally dommed me into domming you tonight."
She giggles.

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)13:34 No. 649085 ID: f68a09
File 143457324120.png - (14.62KB , 960x560 , 323.png )

The rosy fingers of dawn find you awaking blearily in GG's bed, wrapped in her arms and faceplanted between her impressive assets. She snores quietly, her muscular chest rising and falling as if your body weren't even on top of hers. Her leg twitches.

It's Friday morning.

1]] Spend the day at GG's.
2]] Go out to eat with GG.
3]] Text Polyphema asking to take you shopping for something nice to wear to the concert.
4]] Text Polyphema asking if she wants to meet GG today.
5]] Text Bika asking her what's up and does she want you to bring her restaurant another potential repeat customer.
6]] Text Meg asking her what's up and if she's ready for tomorrow.
7]] ___________________

4. Ooh, and we could meet at Bika's restaurant. Suggest that to Poly.

>>649085
6, then 3.

It's time to start preparing! Let's get an update from Meg, then have Poly help us get gussied up for the gala.

>>649086
I dunno. Having the other 3 of them meet all at once seems kind of unfair to Meg. I wouldn't be opposed to starting introductions, but 1 on 1, not all at once.

>>/questdis/92044
Are we ready for the girls to meet?
http://strawpoll.me/4662152

I'm gonna stay neutral and say 1.

>>649088
Sounds good.

>>649090
We are ready, but we should wait til after the gala. We need to settle things with Meg first.

>>649085
6, 1
Let's see how Meg's doing.
After that, let's spend the day with tall girlfriend.
There'll be plenty of time to get ready before the gala tomorrow.

Introduce Poly and GG.

Let me lay out a plan here.

First, we text meg for an update.
Second, we have breakfast with GG at her place.
Third, we text Poly to take us shopping.
Fourth, we have dinner with Bika at her place.

In my opinion, this optimizes girlfriend contact and gala preparation.

>>649094
Good plan, though I'm assuming you meant to avoid girlfriend overlap. Because I'm with >>649091.
After the gala is probably a good idea.

>>649094
I like this plan!
>>649095
No matter how it was meant!

Let's bring Poly to Bika's and then we can take Poly to the concert. She's been our Cultural Exchange Guru so she can be the first to meet everybody.

>>649094
This.

>>649095
>>649096
I don't see what's confusing.
Zack texts Meg.
Zack has breakfast at GG's.
Zack goes shopping with Poly.
Zack has dinner at Bika's.
That's how I read it.

>>649093
Yeah but after the concert.
>>649101
Sounds good to me

>>649094
I can agree to this plan, though I fear we may be accosted by those hoodlums at some point. Best to tell Poly, GG, and Meg what transpired.

I think it's inadvisable to take Poly along to the family get together. Poly might not mind it, and GG's parents might get it, but GG thinks the Dulamad thing is dumb bullshit from a place she doesn't really remember or care about.

6, then 3.

6, breakfast with GG, 3.

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)23:13 No. 649181 ID: f68a09
File 143460798715.png - (10.15KB , 960x560 , 324.png )

You roll off of GG and find your boxers.
The movement rouses GG, who grunts and sits up. "G'morning," she says, kicking the covers off.
"Morning, cutie." You kiss her. "Want breakfast?"
"I got cheerios and honey nut cheerios," GG says. "Two kinds of cheerios."
She stands up, naked as a sexy red jaybird, and opens the top compartment of her beat-up freezer. She stands in front of it for a second, airing out her boobs and checking her food stocks. "And like there's eggo waffles back here but I have no idea how old they are."
"Honey nut all the way."
"Same." She snags the box off a shelf. "I love honey nut. And making my honey nut!!!"
"Oh my god."
"Ha Haaaah." She sits down heavily on the bed, which groans loudly in protest, and eats right out of the box. "That was right off the dome."
"Give me some cheerios."
"NO prep. K." She passes you the box then finds some underwear. You crunch some cheerios.
"I gotta split soon," you say. "Need to update my wardrobe for this concert thing I have to go to."
"Okey doke." GG bends down to the bottom drawer of her closet (giving you an eyeful) and comes up with two controllers. "But you can't go just yet."
"What are those?"

"I can't believe you bought a playstation just for this," you say, picking Kano again.
GG picks Sheeva. "This time, Nguyen, things will be DIFFERENT."

They aren't, but by a much narrower margin than last time.
"Fuck a duck." GG's grip tightens dangerously on her controller. When you finally uppercut her to her stage fatality demise she yells "FUCK", starts to throw her controller, then punches the floor instead. "Next time. NEXT TIME."
You shake your head. "Next time you're probably going to take it if you keep practicing like you seem to be."
"Then maybe you should practice too, dude." GG turns her controller off. "Before the sub becomes the dom."
"Are those the stakes?"
"Oh, no. Absolutely not. Turn of phrase."

Enemy 2015/06/17(Wed)23:13 No. 649182 ID: f68a09
File 143460799450.png - (10.27KB , 960x560 , 325.png )

"My kingdom!"
Polyphema does a little twirl as you carry her stuff through the mall. "This speaks to the adolescent in me and it speaks fire."
"That was like 300 years ago," you say.
"To survive for that long," Polyphema says, "you have to nurture the hell out of your inner child. Or you sound like a harvard professor by 80. Be your own maiden, mother, and crone. A whole coven!"
You shoulder her stuff. "You got a full coven's worth of lipstick in here."
"You can never have just one, Zack. It's like candy. If you had more estrogen you'd understand." She slows her purposeful stride as you near a map of the mall. "So guidelines, doll. How do you want to present yourself at this shindig?"

1]] I was thinking like, classy but not TOO classy. I'm not classy enough for too classy.
2]] Going all out. I need like a suit or something. Do people wear tuxedos to these?
3]] I'm gonna be a bit of a fish out of water so maybe I should just go for it and do like, casual dress.
4]] I think Meg would appreciate it if I kind of staged a quiet wardrobe rebellion-slash-deconstruction against the constraints of higher fashion. Not that I'm sure what those are.
5]] I have decided to wear a Graphic tee blazer combo with sonic the hedgehog on it and a pair of cargo jeans, Polyphema. We need to pick out the right fedora.
6]] Uhhhh I dunno what do you think?
6]] _________________

4

4, but we absolutely need that fedora.

>>649182
1. ...maybe 4.

>>649182
4 and part of 6.
"I think Meg would appreciate it if I kind of staged a quiet wardrobe rebellion-slash-deconstruction against the constraints of higher fashion. Not that I'm sure what those are. What do you think?"

5, as a joke, but make it cargo shorts and sandals with long white socks.

>>649228
Using 5 as a joke sounds pretty good. It has been awhile since we made Poly laugh without resorting to tickling, so let's hang onto it.

Remember, she fell in love with us over a funny story, so she clearly enjoys our sense of humor.

6, 1.

>>649182
4, 5 as a joke, 6.

>>649191
This.

>>649182
Definitely 4, but make sure to get Poly's opinion.

4,6
We have an idea, but Poly can help us refine it.

>>649182
4, and 7: something flame-retardant.

>>649265
Floater flames don't burn stuff.
Evidence: >>/questarch/627698

>>649270
Somehow I had completely forgotten about that.

Floaters are weird.

2]

No one, fucking no one looks bad in a well-tailored suit.

Hey, check the invitation to see what the dress code is.

>>649313
You'd be surprised.
Look up information of the event on the internet

5 is the only correct option.

>>649529
If said as a joke, it might make Poly bust a gut.

Otherwise, she'll probably question our sanity.

4, because Meg's opinion matters.
&
6, because Poly's opinion matters.

>>649756
>other people's opinions matter for what Zack is allowed to wear
nah

>>649182
6.
We're totally out of our element going to fancy shindigs like this. Let the fancy lady help.

I'll agree with 5 as a joke.

>>649758
Dude, there's a difference between what you're allowed to wear, and what you're supposed to wear. You don't wear sodding slacks to a fancy cocktail party unless you plan to crash it, and much the same for a loud-as-hell punk concert.
Zack isn't an ass, and we're trying to learn about and participate in what Meg thinks is cool. This isn't just our show, it's hers, too.
Eeeespecially after our, uh, fuckup last time.

>>649756
>>649843
All fine ideas.
>>649955
And an excellent point.

However we dress, let's make sure to wear some comfy shoes. This is a concert we're attending, and those can go on for quite a while.

Sore feet could ruin the whole experience.

>>650016
This is something we may have neglected to consider.

Let's be sure to hit up a Pay-Less.

4, and if Zack doesn't wind up carrying a cartoonishly tall pile of purchases I will be very disappointed.

>>650166
And, knowing Poly, that's not all that unlikely.

I think we could probably expense these purchases, too. Boy, government funding sure is nice!

Enemy 2015/06/24(Wed)15:15 No. 650496 ID: f68a09
File 143518415791.png - (10.23KB , 960x560 , 326.png )

"I have decided to wear a Graphic tee blazer combo with sonic the hedgehog on it and a pair of cargo jeans, Polyphema." You look around at the storefronts. "We need to pick out the right fedora."
Polyphema has to stop walking, she's laughing so hard.
"If I didn't love you very much," she says, "My brain would set you on fire just for sticking that image into it."

"This is more like it." Polyphema strokes your back. "I forgot how much I like men in suits."
"Is this a rebellious thing to wear?" You quizzically half-turn. "I think Meg would appreciate a coup d'etat."
"That comes from the nipple rings you'll pack underneath," she says. "Kidding! It's a rebellion at a classical concierto, believe you me. And in pink! Most of the fogies there will be dusting cobwebs off their padded shoulders. I'll break out my snobbiest stuff."
"You will?"
"No need for alarm." She checks the cut around your waist. "I'm going with alternate company, Zackary. So as not to interrupt your mojo. The idea of a Floater opera singer was simply too tempting a thing to miss out on and an oculot acquaintance of mine agreed with me. You can sit with us, if you like. I'm sure he'd love to meet you."

Enemy 2015/06/24(Wed)15:17 No. 650498 ID: f68a09
File 143518426236.png - (13.99KB , 960x560 , 327.png )

"The opera, huh?"
Bika chops carrots in the kitchen. You dip your head a little to avoid the light fixtures, which are hung at about chin-height for you.
"I've never seen an opera," she says.
"Me neither."
"Is it gonna be like those old cartoons?" A Bika near the silverware holds two butter knives up to her head, viking helmet style, and sings Ave Maria in an affected vibrato. "With like, Bugs Bunny?"
"You watch Looney Tunes?"
"Front to back!" a Bika says, shouldering his way past carrot Bika with a plate of appetizers.
Bika Prime catches one as it goes by, sniffs it, and slides it across the counter to another Bika who stops it with her tail and adds a heaping ladleful of bright orange sauce to it. "I like Thylvethter," she says, making sure to angle the resulting spit away from the food.
"I don't know what it's going to be like," you say. "I think it's more a showcase kind of thing than, like, a ride of the valkyries theatrical event."
"Awwww." The Viking Bika tosses the knives into the sink.
"Do you think those places hire skuts?" Bika prime licks some sauce off her finger. "I could be a host of spear carriers on my own."
"Do you sing?"
"I'd have a really positive attitude. That counts for something. Are you excited?"

1]] Sure. Gotta get cultured, right?
2]] To tell the truth classical music kind of bored me to tears as a kid.
3]] I don't know. I'm nervous. I kind of fucked up with the lady I'm there to see last time.
4]] You want to come along and check it out with me? I could get you a ticket or four.
5]] What kind of music do skuts normally listen to?
6]] What kind of music do you go in for, Bika?
7]] ________________

3 and 6, maybe 5 afterwards. If it's not obviously a stupid question.

3 and 6. What's traditional skutti music like?
I bet she could do a mean Frère Jacques.

>>650498
3, 6, and 5.
We fucked up with Meg, now we have a chance to undo said fuck up.
What kind of music do skut go in for? What kind of music does she go in for?

maybe ask about floater culture? explain how it went and see if she sees what the faux pas were

3, 6

3 and then 6

3.

I'd say invite her, but Poly's already going, and we're trying to focus on Meg. Another girlfriend would mean another potential distraction.

3, 6, 5
I'm betting skut use a lot of stringed instruments.

Enemy 2015/06/24(Wed)22:29 No. 650595 ID: f68a09
File 143521019679.png - (10.18KB , 960x560 , 328.png )

"I don't know," you say. "I think I fucked up my last date with the lady I'm going to see. The floater."
"A floater? No wonder." Bika swipes a large steak and cheese looking sandwich off a tray and hands it to you. "Try this."
It is delicious, obviously.
"What's with floaters, anyway?" You wipe your face with a paper napkin.
"I dunno," Bika says. "I don't meet a lot of them. We had one who worked here for a while doing deliveries."
"Why'd they stop?"
"He just said he was moving on one day," she says. "They're very hard to read."
"You're telling me."
"He was really cool, though. Like:" She performs a demonstrative finger snap. "Cool. I think there's probably a deep vein of performativity in Floater culture."
"How so?"
"They're a meritocracy, and they downplay emotions. Like they pretend they don't have them."
"But they do?"
"Sure. You probably have to, as a side effect of advanced sentience. If their forebears didn't their iterations do. There's a reason we evolved them, y'know? Useful."
"So you're saying their coolness is a front?"
"Can there be non-fronted coolness if coolness is not an inherent aspect of ourselves?"
"Uhh." You scratch your head. "I guess not."
"What is coolness," she says, philosophically, "if not assumed artifice? And leather jackets? And what is class if not sequins and opera?"
"And viking helmets."
"Yah."
"What kind of music do skuts listen to?"
"Traditionally the stuff we make is always very orchestral," she says. "Ever hear 1000 musicians playing in perfect sync?"
"That sounds nuts."
She shrugs. The baggy t-shirt she's using as a dress slips down her thin brown shoulder. "It's got its adherents."
"What are you into?"
"Depends. I try to keep it variable, which is easy when you have 80-odd pairs of ears."
"What right now?"
She flashes the horns. "Iron Maiden, dude."

Outside it's getting dark. You sit with Bika and munch on what looks like a duck kebab. This girl's gonna get you fat.

Tomorrow is Meg, date number 2. You wonder if you're any closer to actually understanding where she's coming from.

1]] Spend the night at Bika's.
2]] Spend the night at GG's.
3]] Spend the night at Polyphema's.
4]] You're probably going to want to get a lot of actual rest for tomorrow so sleep at your place.
5]] Text / Send an email / Call someone: ______________
6]] __________________

4.

We want to be fresh and ready for tomorrow, so a night free of alien nookie is a good idea.
I woudn't suggest walking home, though. Maybe Bika can give us a ride back.

1 is very tempting, but... 4 is probably the best idea.
You really are going to want to be well-rested for this.

>This girl's gonna get you fat.
And GG's going to get you buff, while Meg keeps you thin. You're going to be like, Yoga Guru Master buff-thin with a bit of sumo bulk going on in it.
>Maybe Bika can give us a ride back.
How? She rides the bus, like crazy buspool style. Not even carpooling, there's so many.

One final question for her before going for #4 (Get some actual rest!), though, is how she feels about the whole Dulabira thing. She said
>"I've never actually asked anyone this because it's always been me so I've never needed to."
so as much as she seems to have roots in the old ways, she's not actually tried this one.

>>650606
>How?
I figured she'd have some form of personal vehicle for when she needs to deliver orders. Even if it was just a scooter or something, it would beat walking.

When was the last time you even went home, Zack? Before the last time you met Bika, I think. Weren't we worried someone might have bugged the place or set a watch on it or something?

I mean, if that was the case, it'd be a nice dick move to them to make them watch a load of nothing for a bit longer. And if it's not the case there's no reason to go home, unless you're worried about having gotten something in the mail.

Ask Bika how she'd feel about a group thing with one or more of the other girls some time, before you leave.

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)01:22 No. 650617 ID: f68a09
File 143522055859.png - (6.54KB , 960x560 , 329.png )

You kiss Bika goodbye and catch a subway ride home.

You sleep alone for the first time in what feels longer than it probably is.
For some reason the bed you always thought of as too small feels too big tonight. Your legs ache, restlessly seeking for the contact of someone else's, and you shut them up with a pillow between the knees.

You sit in the dark and watch your alarm clock blink toward midnight and miss the girls.
You miss GG's vanilla perfume and the way Polyphema breathes at night and the feel of Bika's fur.

It occurs to you that as light as the words pertaining to affection roll off your tongue, "alamad" and "dulamad" and "girlfriend" and "love", there's a feeling of completeness that goes beyond them which you hadn't noticed until reflecting on its lack. Maybe it's just because your brain has been taxed for dialogue these past few days but strain as you might it's hard to frame it in words for yourself.

You realize you're falling in love.

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)01:23 No. 650618 ID: f68a09
File 143522058204.png - (9.47KB , 960x560 , 330.png )

"Zaaack! Hi!"
The bubbly-looking woman who takes your arm in front of the crenelated concert hall defies recognition for a second, then you remember her from your first day of work.
"Hey. Britta, right? Mr. Carlson's secretary?"
She beams a formidably toothy grin. "Yessir! You're looking sharp, Mr. Nguyen."
"Thanks. You too."
"Uh oh. Is it the shoulders?" She laughs. "Just kidding. Ever since Oculots showed up I've been a lot less self-conscious about them. You excited for the show?"
"Yeah. I mean one of my dates is performing."
"Meg, right? A bunch of H-vow people have showed up for it. Brose, and Rella, and Mr. Carlson actually got out of the office! Crazy!"
"He a homebody?"
"It did take some convincing. To be sure. Hey you can come sit with us if you need a place to sit." Her smile somehow grows. "You're kinda the star pupil right now. Highest efficiency."
"I think that's a good thing? Thanks?"
"Oh, it is," she says, then spots someone coming toward you in the crowd. She squeezes your arm. "See ya in the audience, Zack!"
"Bye."

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)01:23 No. 650619 ID: f68a09
File 143522058919.png - (12.19KB , 960x560 , 331.png )

Polyphema is swanning over to you in a ravishingly snug black dress. "Zackaryyyy Nguyen!"
Keeping pace with her is a slim, mellow-looking Oculot in an impeccably tailored suitjacket, with an alien touch to its flared collar.
"Love the outfit, doll," Polyphema says.
"Great cut," observes her friend.
"Whoever picked it out for you?" Polyphema says.
"I deduce it was a mutual friend." The oculot shoots you a knowing glance.
"Doll this is Hizalian. Hizalian, Zack."
"Great to meet you," Hizalian says. "Helena's talked about you all evening."
"He knows me as Polyphema, Hizz," Polyphema says. "My favorite nom de plume."
"Good to meet you too, Hizalian."
He grins a lazy grin. "I'd kiss your hand but it turns out you're only supposed to do the ladies. I had a misadventure this evening."
"Hizalian isn't so used to This Side," Polyphema says.
"Fresh off zer boat." Hizalian amplifies his already noticeable accent.
"Won't you sit with us, doll?" Polyphema asks. "I've told Hizz how you are a cultural ambassador without compare."

1]] Already had a seat with the HVAO, sorry.
2]] Sure thing.
3]] _________________

i don't think we should sit with any of our dates. meg should see us supporting her rather then holding hands with someone else.

... huh. I guess now we know what her real name is now. Kind of an anticlimactic way to find out.

I kinda don't know that we should sit by her or the HVAO...

Of course there's the fourth option of seeing if they're willing to all sit together. That seems less bad, somehow.

Helena is a human name, so I doubt it's her real one. "Favourite nom de plume" suggest she has more than one, which I would expect anyway.

Say you would love to sit with them, but as Poly seem to be even more beautiful than usual tonight, you fear you wouldn't be able to keep your mind on the show. Sacrifices must be made to appreciate art.

2. Let's get to know thizz guy.

3]] Invite them to join you at the HVAO's table.

It doesn't look like a date if your at a table with four other people, so Meg won't get the wrong idea. Also, it would let us sit with our employers, Poly, and our new friend Hizz.

You kind of need a chance to talk with the HVAO guys about some of the stuff that has been going on. Operational security and such.

Let's all sit together. But try not to end up next to Helephema though.

>>650648
Having Poly and Hizz join us at the HVAO's table would let us discuss important matters with both our employers and Poly, learn more about this Hizz guy, and hopefully give us a decent vantage point to watch Meg perform.

That's a lot accomplished.

>"I'd kiss your hand but it turns out you're only supposed to do the ladies. I had a misadventure this evening."
It's a growing acceptance. Best Earth approach is probably the Italian style of a quick cheek peck, though.
>"Won't you sit with us, doll?" Polyphema asks. "I've told Hizz how you are a cultural ambassador without compare."
>>650622
As long as we retain a feel of being here mostly for Meg, it should be fine. Remember, she's got the memories of her predecessor, which includes the whole group thing.
>>650653
I'm not sure if Poly's so interested in business talk, though. She may just be here to enjoy herself.

>>650660
>She may just be here to enjoy herself.
She still needs to know about those "Earth for Earth" creeps.

And my other points remain valid.

>>650651
Agreed.
We should excuse ourselves once Meg is done performing, though. We're here for her, and we should go to her as soon as possible.

>>650619
Helena, the Oculot that launched a thousand ships. Fitting!

>>650674
And with a dulabira, every single one is canon!

Do you have a preference for where we sit, btw?

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)13:35 No. 650689 ID: f68a09
File 143526452981.png - (12.85KB , 960x560 , 332.png )

"I was actually going in with the HVAO," you say. "Wanna sit with us?"
"Oh, no," Polyphema says. "I always make it my mission to sit in the front row. And I've been hiding from that Carlson fellow all night."
"Why?"
"Because every time he sees me all he wants to talk about is HVAO HVAO HVAO," she says. "All evening. And I did not come here to discuss work, of all things."
"He does that?"
"Get excited, doll!" She rolls her eye. "Go sit with your friends and we'll catch up to you during intermission."

You find the HVAO contingent sitting up in the front row of the balcony.
"Ay Zack!" Ambrose waves at you. He and Rella are sitting together. He's in a suit and she must not have had the pocket space for her stuff in a dress because she's in basically the same suit with a crisp pencil skirt.
Britta is sitting a respectable distance from Carlson, who looks weirdly exposed outside of his musty office.

1]] Sit between Ambrose and Britta
2]] Sit between Britta and Carlson
3]] Sit on the outside next to Carlson
4]] Sit on the outside next to Rella
5]] _______________

between Ambrose and Rella like a jerk
*Ahem* I mean, 1) between Ambrose and Britta.

1

>>650689
Guess we'll talk with Poly and get to know her friend later.

1, between Ambrose and Britta. Maybe Britta can buffer us against Carlson's workaholism.

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)15:07 No. 650703 ID: f68a09
File 143527007304.png - (14.09KB , 960x560 , 333.png )

You pop a squat between Ambrose and Britta.
"Hey, dude," Ambrose says. "You here for Megumi?"
"Yep." You unbutton your jacket. "And for, like, art."
"Word."
"I'm cultured."
"Same," Rella drawls.
"I hear Yo-Yo Ma's kid is here," Britta says.
"RIP," Ambrose says. "How's the job, Zack? Being the face of the organization? ABC or whoever it was had their little snippet of you. Good job."
"NBC," Rella says.

1]] Goin' pretty good.
2]] I'm not going to lie: it's pretty awesome.
3]] I am drowning in alien poon
4]] How about you, Brose? How's being a security dude?
5]] How about you, Britta? How's the office?
6]] So any updates about that leak?
7]] So any updates about the Outpost Jawara thing?
8]] So any updates about that flat-top lady who followed me?
9]] _______________

>>650703
2, 4, 6, 7, 8.

It is pretty awesome. How are things for him?

Also, can we get a situation update? The leak, the outpost, the flat-top lady? What's up?

>>650710
Same, except 5 instead of 4.

>>650715
How about both?

We know very little about our colleagues.

>>650703
3 is the only real option

>>650703
9]] How did they edit it? They didn't use the syllables of my words to make me say "I love warrior dong", did they?
When I told them I was bi-curious, I was super worried!

>>650726
Wouldn't that just be stating the obvious?

>>650729
>bi-curious
Considering our activities of late, I'd say that's fairly unlikely.

It was a joke about Zack's openness to new things. Maybe not a good one. I don't know how Zack would make that a good one.

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)17:38 No. 650740 ID: f68a09
File 143527908810.png - (6.28KB , 960x560 , 334.png )

"It's a pretty great job," you say. "Not gonna lie. What about you guys? How's running security?"
Ambrose pages through his program. "Kinda boring but boring's good, right? Yeah, it's not bad."
"For now," Rella says.
"Dude." Ambrose lightly whaps her arm with the program. "It'll be fine. Rella's kind of not exactly an optimist."
"What about the office?" you ask Britta.
"Ohhh. You know." She beams, nervously. "We're keeping on."
"Y'know I gotta say I detect it's not joyful times at the HVAO," you point out.
"They aren't." Everyone turns to look at Carlson. "There is a great deal of tension in the air, in the office and out."
"Does it have anything to do with the leak? Or with Jawara?"
He nods. "The leak was unexpected and disturbing. We haven't ruled out a source inside the offices."
"What about Jawara?"
"Jawara," He clears his throat. "Jawara you'll be reading about tomorrow, I suspect." He looks at you. "We didn't just hire a pretty face, Mr. Nguyen. We trust you to be on your toes."

You consider asking him to elaborate when the lights go down and everyone hushes each other into silence.
A woman, human, with a white dress, steps out into a pool of light on the stage. Everyone politely applauds. She indicates a pianist in the corner, who acknowledges her with a short bow. Everyone politely applauds again.

The pianist sits at the bench of a long, black grand piano, cracks his knuckles, and launches into a shimmering cloud of arpeggios, over which the woman sings something in latin.
You check your program. Her name is Aparna Dala. She's the first soloist of five before you hit intermission. Looks like some of them are groups and some of them play instead of sing, but they're all playing songs with an average of 1 "Deus" or "Domino" per title.
Megumi is the last act of the night.
She has something from Tannhäuser, but everything else appears to be in Visitor languages. Garaktonnik and Oculotti. Then there's one with an English title called The Night's Reclamation that has Unknown / Apocryphal as the author. Interesting.

You watch the performances. They're pretty songs, you guess.
They're all very talented. That goes without saying.
You find yourself wishing for a rhythm section or something.

You circle Megumi's name in your program. You draw a little picture of a cat, which is the only animal you can draw well.

You're up to the third act, a stiff-looking Albanian with a large cello, when Ambrose leans over and whispers, "You getting anything out of this, Zack?"

1]] I think so. It's pretty.
2]] I'm trying but I don't think I'm fancy enough.
3]] I'm actually kinda bored.
4]] Shake your head.
5]] Nod.
6]] Shush him.
7]] _________________

>>650740
7) *quietly* "I think it's nice and all, and i can see the talent, but this isn't really for me."

I guess I'm a bit eager to see meg. Maybe a bit nervous.

>>650740
2, a bit of 3&7
"Wish I could move to it."

We can be cultured too. You've got to see the Merit in this same as the Beatles.

2 & 3.

We came here for Meg, not because we're a musical connoisseur.

>>650745
Also this.

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)18:41 No. 650755 ID: f68a09
File 143528288524.png - (9.53KB , 960x560 , 335.png )

"I can see the talent but I don't know if it's for me," you whisper. "Kinda wish I could move to it."
"That's my problem," Ambrose says.
"It's fuckin' boring," Rella says.
Britta shushes her. "Listen for the emotion. It's all about expression."
Rella shrugs.
After Benjamin Cantor and his quartet go through a strings arrangement of Dmitri Shostakovich's No. 8 in C minor the lights come back on. A teenager behind you jolts awake and then sheepishly follows his parents out to the lobby.

"That last dude was good." Ambrose stands up and stretches his back. "I like the ones with no words I have to read."
"This fucking skirt is making my panties ride up to my bellybutton." Rella tugs her skirt down.
"Dude, Rella," Ambrose says, a little too loud. "TMI."
"C'mon! There's champagne in the lobby," Britta says, sliding past a tight-lipped Carlson. "Lots of champagne."

1]] Hang out more with the other HVAOers.
2]] Sit with Carlson and try to learn more about what happened with Jawara.
3]] Look for Polyphema and Hizalian.
4]] Drink some champagne to loosen up a little.
5]] ______________

1,3.

They got to hang with Bika, why not introduce them to Poly?

>>650755
3.

We have a previous arrangement with Poly and her guest. She did say they'd catch up to us during intermission.

Sit with Carlson for a bit, then get some champagne and come back in.

1, 3. I'm sure you'll be a better connoisseur of classical music after a drink of champagne.

6, 7: "At the break."

>>650765
You're a little behind.

We're suggesting for >>650755 now.

>>650764
>I'm sure you'll be a better connoisseur of classical music after a drink of champagne.

Or at least we'll care a lot less!

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)20:49 No. 650784 ID: f68a09
File 143529054080.png - (8.07KB , 960x560 , 336.png )

You follow the other HVAO folks out into the lobby.
"Hey what was your favorite?" Ambrose asks Rella.
"I'll tell you after the half," she says.
"I gotta get these back to Carlson." Britta grabs two glasses of champagne. "He needs social lubricant if he's gonna function at the aftershow handshakery."
"Do they let you back in with those?" you ask.
"They better!" She backs her butt into the balcony door to open it up. "It's for their boss."

"Zack!" Hizalin waves at you. He's leaning on a bannister looking out into the foyer, in front of a big curly Chihuly chandelier. "Over here!"
"Go network, face of the HVAO," Ambrose says.
Rella sips champagne and taps his shin with her toe. "Brose."
"Yah?"
"Drink."
"Gotta be sharp."
"BS. We're off duty. I'm not getting tanked alone."
You leave them be and go to Hizalin.

"Hel- Polyphema's off powdering her nose," Hizalin says. "Not that we have much of a nose to powder."
"How're you liking the concert?" you ask.
He shrugs. "Not exactly my forte, these things. I only came along because I was invited."
"By Polyphema?"
"Mmm." He finishes his champagne and balances the empty glass on the railing next to him. "There's no need to be jealous, not that you seem it. The two of us are just working buddies."
"What do you do?"
"The same thing she does," he says. "Date a human for the HVAO."
"Yeah?"
"Mhm. She's..." He traces the rim of his champagne glass. "Nice. I don't know. Polyphema's more of a natural. Not that I'm the one being paid the extreme moolah to do the dating, but there's a strange act of patriarchal rein-taking I wasn't prepared for." He grins. "Got any tips?"
"I, hmm."
"Just a joke, Zack." He nabs a second glass from a passing waiter. "You know you're a very lucky man."
"I know," you say. "It's not exactly a job market I was aware of."
"She talks about you all the time," he says. "She'd probably whack me with her bag if she knew I told you, but she's really very schoolgirl about you. That hasn't happened in a very, very long time."
"What do you mean? Do you know Polyphema?"
"Most of the diasporic Oculots do," he says. "And she hasn't had an alamad in... God, almost a quarter of a century now."
"We're not, like..." You consider it. "We haven't labelled ourselves that. Yet."
"Really." He arches a brow. "That was just the vibe I gathered from the way she acted."
"She hasn't had an alamad in decades?"
"Well, she-- huh." He's halfway through champagne number 2. "How much has she told you about herself, Zack?"

1]] Not very much.
2]] Plenty. I know about her childhood and such.
3]] More than she wants. We have this weird brain thing where I see pieces of her memories.
4]] She tells me enough.
5]] What about you? What's your story, Hizalin? How exactly do you know her?
6]] What are these secrets you guys are always dancing around about her?
7]] _______________

Absolutely nothing, of course.

>>650784
1 and 5.

"Not very much. What about you? What's your story, Hizalin? How exactly do you know her?"

She is teasing me by slowly feeding me info on her past. She seems enjoys the game so I try not to pry much.

Honestly if she has some horrible secret she wants hidden that's her business. She can tell me or not at her pace.

>>650788
Might I add that I've thought about it and I want Zack to be Poly's alamad. I think they're at
that level now.

Of course, I want Zack to be all the girls alamad. I mean, he's already there with GG.

>>650784
1 and 7.
"Not very much. She's been a tease when it comes to telling me about herself. She hasn't even told me her name."

Enemy 2015/06/25(Thu)22:10 No. 650805 ID: f68a09
File 143529540751.png - (10.80KB , 960x560 , 337.png )

"Not much," you say. "She's kind of teasing me by slowly feeding me info on her past."
He smirks. "Sounds like Helena."
"She seems to enjoy it."
"Doubly sounds."
"What about you?" You take some bubbly of your own. "How'd you come to know her?"

"She saved my life, actually," he says. "I was an early objector. Before it was the Fashion. And so the Kariket had me placed on Portal Opening detail, like all the other able-bodied Oculotti who didn't have the heart for the Regime. 'Volunteers', we were officially. She'd already defected at that point and was building up the network of ferrymen and -women to help others do the same. Without the resources she gave me I'm positive I'd be dead as disco. The mortality rate for the Portallers was staggering."
"Every time Polyphema talks about portals she shivers," you say. "I'm still not clear on what made them so terrible. Did they hurt to make?"
"Not physically, no." He finishes his glass and wipes his mouth. "But-- well she's explained it to you, right? How our powers work? The expression of emotion so forcefully felt it spills into the physical."
"Right. Fireballs are anger, that kind of thing."

"That's the thing." His smile is still on his face, but in his eye you can see the same glassy distance that passes across Polyphema's in her unguarded moments. "The emotion you need for opening a portal is a deep, sincere wish to completely disappear."

"Hello, boys!" Polyphema sways toward you, glass in hand. "Whatever he's telling you is a lie! An absolute vulgar lie! No but really I haven't actually overheard what you've been talking about."
"This and that," Hizalin says.
"So how are you digging it, Zackary?" Polyphema asks. "This little soiree?"

1]] I'm digging it.
2]] It all feels way over my head.
3]] I'm just waiting for Meg.
4]] To tell the truth the first half bored me to tears.
5]] The champagne is nice.
6]] Hizalin was just telling me about the portals. Is it true you saved his life?
7]] It'd be better if my seatmates weren't prophesizing doom and gloom about Jawara. Apparently there's something on the horizon.
8]] _____________

You know how it is, she tries to be mysterious, I pretend I'm not curious. We see who can go the longest before breaking down and asking all sorts of probing questions.

>>650805
8) Not enough of my deep indie underground alternative trance heavy metal here. Really though? It's not my jam but that doesn't mean I can't appreciate how other people like it, right? I'm just wondering what Meg is gonna do.

2. But hey, at least the champagne is nice.

>>650805
2, 5, 7.

"It all feels way over my head, but the champagne is nice. Honestly, it'd be better if my seatmates weren't prophesizing doom and gloom about Jawara. Apparently there's something on the horizon."

>>650805
>The emotion you need for opening a portal is a deep, sincere wish to completely disappear.

Well, that's... incredibly depressing.
And all portals lead to earth? Very interesting. I wonder what the significance of that is.

>>650814
>And all portals lead to earth? Very interesting. I wonder what the significance of that is.
Proof?