>>44092204
"I really don't have time for this," you mutter to yourself but relax into a fighting stance. Your assailant watches you, confused and on edge but doesn't back down, either.

Fine, if that's how he wants to play it.

>Take him down hand to hand. Less mess.
>You stole that scalpel for a reason. Carve him up.
>On second thought, you should probably just get out of there. It's not like you have anything worth fighting over.
>Write in

>>44092297
>>Take him down hand to hand. Less mess.

>>44092297
>>Take him down hand to hand. Less mess.

>>44092297
>>44092547
Seconding
We should take his shit (clothes, maybe identity) if we can get him down quickly.

>>44092547
>>44093273
>>44093284
Roll. Dice+1d10+2

>>44093457
Dice Gods, hear my prayer...

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d10 + 2)

>>44093457

>>44093457

>>44093814
You can't roll on mobile?

Rolled 4 + 2 (1d10 + 2)

>>44093457

Rolled 10 + 2 (1d10 + 2)

>>44093457

Do we need a third roll?

>>44094362
Nah, this should be good. 4chan was 404ing for me for an hour.

>>44094461

Same here

My computer crashed again, guys. I ONLY LOST HALF OF IT THIS TIME SO JUST WAIT A MINUTE

>>44094867
lol np

>>44094362
>>44093840
>>44093570
The two of you move at exactly the same time, and it's perhaps the man's own surprise that this doesn't end with you gutted. He stutters in his movements, and what would have been a rather decisive stab turns into a wide slash. You move to dodge around it, but the movement's too erratic for you to anticipate. You're only vaguely aware of pain, adrenaline and focus drowning it out fopr the most part.

You move quicker, grabbing the man's arm before he can recover, twisting your torso so that the man foes flying into the wall with a rather satisfying thud. The knife goes clattering away from him, and you smirk. He recovers faster than you would have guessed with him being baseline human and brings his fists up in a guard. You circle one another, him cautious while you still have your lazily confident air.

"Do you know who I am, human?" you ask casually, though your smirk has turned into something feral.

"Some crazy fuck," the man spits out. He breaks your standoff and comes rushing in, fists flying. You dodge easily and counter with a rough sweep that lands him on his ass.

"Crazy?" You shake your head. "No." You let him get up but only long enough for you to send him on his ass again. "I'm the shadow that follows you everywhere." He tries standing but you keep him from being able to, kicking him roughly in his side. "I'm the child of war, raised to bring justice to scum like you that would feed on the weak."

"Fucking lunatic," he rasps out and you kick him a few times more before simply opting to push him back down once it's clear he doesn't have the strength to fight you off anymore.

>>44095156
You lower yourself above him in a crouch without fear. automatically your hands find his chin and the back of his head and you start to twist. He's fighting for his life now, but you ride through it, wrenching your way against his resistance, reveling in the feel of his muscles and tendons trying to fight against your strength but you prevail, first with a dull pop and then with a louder SNAP! that you know is quiet but sings through your skull.

His breathing stops and the man's body goes limp beneath you and for a moment you feel more connected to your gods than you ever have before.

The feeling passes quickly, replaced by shame. Not for what you've done, but for the fact that you took pleasure in it. Killing is a necessity, not an activity. If the Priests had been around to evaluate, you'd surely be spending the next few days in penance.

Shaking yourself free of dark thoughts, you roll his body behind a dumpster that would obscure any view and get to stripping him down.

As you do so, your body transforms back to its base state and you compare his clothing with your own. They're dirty, but more serviceable than what you're wearing now so you quickly strip as well, tying the pants of the scrubs around your midsection to staunch any kind of blood still seeping from your wound.

You check his ID and for a moment think about changing again, but already fatigue is setting back in. After your healing process this evening, you doubt you could pull off another shift so soon.

Instead, you settle for keeping the rest of what's inside his pockets: Three hundred dollars in bills and a few credit cards. There's keys as well but without knowing what they go to, they're useless.

Before you leave the safety of the dumpster's shadow, you check to make sure you haven't been seen before moving out again for the next item on what you need.

>Food
>Shelter
>Medical attention (The wound isn't bad, but getting some supplies might help out.)
>Information
>Write in

>>44095186
>Shelter
His ID should have his adress. Probably find Food and Shelter there.

>>44095186
>Medical attention (The wound isn't bad, but getting some supplies might help out.)
Just buy sime stuff from a drugstore before we go look for shelter

>>44095186
>Medical attention (The wound isn't bad, but getting some supplies might help out.)

Local pharmacy should do it

>>44095186
This is starting to sound like Moon Knight quest.

>>44095746
That'd be pretty awesome, actually. Has someone actually done one?

>>44095525
>>44095643
You could probably hold it off for a while longer but as the adrenaline cocktail in your system dies down the biting pain of that knife wound starts demanding your attention and you realize that you're going to have to get it checked out.

The hospital is immediately out. You just escaped from one and you're sure not only would they like to know what happened to get you in this state but what exactly happened to the gaping hole that was in your chest; neither questions are something you want to answer.

Instead you start looking for something smaller scale as you also ponder about shelter. The bustle of the street seems to have died down since you exited the alley, or maybe it was just the fact that you were overwhelmed; you've never been around such a large amount of people before.

In any case, this time it's easier to pick out something, and after a few minutes of aimless wandering among the neon and grime of the street, you find yourself standing before a store claiming to contain a pharmacy.

You head in and you're surprised at the selection of items they have available: toiletries, medical supplies, magazines, newspapers, household appliances, even food though none looks like anything you'd seen at the Garden. Most of them are bagged up, boasting a myriad of brands and flavors and promises to increase energy or brainpower. Before you let yourself get lost in the options, you grab random objects off of the shelves before you move toward the medical supplies.

>>44095746

For the record, I am perfectly alright with that

>>44096179
They aren't exactly comprehensive, but you find what you need: Alcohol, very mild painkillers (if the chemicals and dosages are anything to go by), bandages of varying type, antibiotics, and even a needle and thread.

As you leave and pay for the items, you spot a magazine on its rack and grab it up after seeing the promise of an article: "OWEN MACTAGGART: How one man changed the world." You assume the man on the cover is this MacTaggart Jacob has told you about. The man in the image appears to be in his forties, lightly tanned with a meticulously styled coif of red-gold hair. He's in a powder blue suit you can tell was tailored as he stares off at an object in the distance. Despite yourself, you're badly impressed.

What catches you the most, though, is that you notice a vague similarity between yourself and him. His hair is lighter than your own, your skin is paler, and from what you can tell by his suit you're in better shape, but that nose and his eyes could be a dead match for your own.

You inhale deeply and head to the counter, grunting vaguely when the attendant notes the resemblance in a joking manner. As soon as you pay for the items, you're out of the door and trying to push aside those thoughts for now. You have more important things to think about.

You open the man's wallet and find his identification. His name was Charles Richardson. Apparently you're in the state of Oregon, in Portland, if his address is correct. You still have a few hundred dollars left in the wallet as well as whatever he may have on his cards.

>Go to his house.
>Find another place to sleep. Even if you could transform right now, you don't know anything about him or what's waiting for you there.
>Write in

>>44096192
>Find another place to sleep. Even if you could transform right now, you don't know anything about him or what's waiting for you there.

Don't want to have to deal with that

Holy Shit, this is set in my home town apparently

>>44096192
>Find another place to sleep. Even if you could transform right now, you don't know anything about him or what's waiting for you there.

>>44096951
>>44096257
The thought's tempting, but your luck is going to run out eventually. You instead decide to find lodging elsewhere.

You ask around for a while, and after a few weird looks and scares, eventually you're pointed in what you hope is the right direction. You leave the sweep of skyscrapers behind and find yourself standing before a small complex of billets. The people wandering around look unsavory to say the least, so you head with a purpose to the office of the motel you were directed to.

The office itself is in sort of a disrepair. There's no attractive features and a decades-old television drones on in the corner. Aside from the attendant, you appear to be the only person in the office.

When you approach the counter, the attendant plasters on a fake smile and beckons you closer. "Welcome to Budget Motels. I'm Kathy. How can I help?"

"I'd like lodging for the night," you tell her directly. She frowns at your words, but gets to typing quickly enough. You go through the instructions on how you'd like your accommodations (single room, no smoking please.) when a snag comes up. "Alright! I just need to see ID."


>Get out of there
>Tell her you lost yours
>Write in

>>44097424
>Write in
No hablo!
Pretend to be an immigrant? Nobody calls immigration.

>>44097424
>Tell her you lost yours

Look, I got mugged a bit ago, found myself stuck out on the street. I've got enough money for the room now, please. I want nothing more than a bed and a shower.

>>44097636
You blanch at her request. You hadn't thought of this little snag. You run through your options and just sort of blurt out, "My English...not so good. I don't understand." You surprise yourself as you slip into an accent, and the woman clucks sympathetically before pulling out her own purse and bringing out a card with her picture on it.

"Identification?" She pronounces carefully, tapping it. You slowly nod your understanding and tamp down the urge to curse.

>>44097676
"I do not have," you say sullenly. "Bad men, they hurt me. Take my things and I am in streets."

She nods her own understanding before she pulls out a small black device from behind the counter and places it in front of you. "That's alright. Just...put your thumb here. We offer biometrics."

You scowl and she steps back a bit, causing you to apologize. You really hadn't anticipated this. But maybe she'll think you're an immigrant. Eventually you just bite the bullet and press your thumb onto the scanner.

To your surprise, a small trilling comes from the terminal behind your desk and she smiles. "Alright, Mister Lagunov! It's going to be seventy for the night. Tomorrow we start weekend rates, so it'll drop to fifty if you decide to stay. Will you be paying in cash or credit?"

>>4409812"Excuse me?" you ask, confused. "Who did you say?"

"...You're Adam Lagunov, right?" You frown as she turns the screen for you to look. You can't make out the words, but sure enough, there's a picture of you with your eyes half-closed, red-rimmed and looking drugged out of your mind. The beige of the background and the pattern on your shirt immediately tell you the photo was taken in the hospital. Somewhere out there, you're positive Jacob is laughing at you.

"This me, yes!" you tell her, recovering quickly. "You just say name wrong." You then instruct her on a different pronunciation of the name and she nods, feigning interest. "I pay cash."

With the transaction done, she tells you where your room is and you head back out into the night. Once you get into your room, you aren't very impressed with what you find. It's a single bed that you can tell is lumpy just by looking at it, barely full-sized. A mirror stands next to it and an ancient television set dominates a dresser. The smell as well as rug burns inform you that the previous occupants have ignored the smoking ban. In the corner is a vanity and a door that you assume leads to a bathroom.

>Eat
>Tend to your wounds
>Watch television
>Read the article

>>44098123
>Tend to your wounds
Then
>Eat while reading the article

By the way: No there wasn't a Moon Knight quest, but there should be.

>>44098181
I am just fucking up today.

>>44098195
This.

>>44098195

Seconding

>>44098195
>>44098573
>>44098787
You want to sleep but your wound is bugging you to the point that dealing with it would be for the best. You strip down again, not wanting to get any more blood on your clothes and head to the vanity to check it out.

Just as you thought, it isn't that bad. You doubt you even need to stitch it up, really. You set the thread aside and wash it with alcohol, hissing loudly at the antiseptic sting. With that done, you rub the antibiotics you found into the wound and dress it up with the bandages you'd bought.

With that finished you lounge on the bed. It's just as uncomfortable as you thought it would be, so much so that you can't find a good position to rest in. You think about the painkillers you bought, but they aren't anything that would help you sleep.

Instead you slip onto your side and find the magazine along with one of the items you'd bought, a pastry named "bear claws", though the reason why escapes you. It takes your mind off of the slash on your stomach though, and you start reading about this Owen.

>>44099193
The article itself is entirely too flattering in your own opinion. It speaks of his humanitarianism and his conscious effort to change the MacTaggart Corporation into a new entity after the oil shortages began to occur. Rather than oil, Owen began buying out farmland across the nation dedicated to producing biofuels and researching more efficient energy cells for electric vehicles and the like. Social programs in developing nations and his own face in negotiations with world leaders allowed for the flow of dwindling resources still vital in the nation and the finding of two of his adopted children before settling down in California. There's no mention of the Garden, and beyond spearheading groundbreaking discoveries in gene therapy, there's nothing to suggest this man is connected to the Harvest.

Still, the similarities between yourself and MacTaggart are there. You aren't delirious. It could be coincidence; after all, there are billions of people on this planet. Surely this man just has the same ethnic background as your donor?

You wish you could dismiss it as easily as that, but you aren't a fool. This article is proof of nothing except MacTaggart and his company exist. You toss the magazine aside and munch on your bear claw thoughtfully, trying to find something to piece together in all of this. You could probably find more in California, but you have nothing to get there with. No real motivation beyond a nebulous threat that you don't quite understand and don't believe in.

As your mind wanders, you hear a faint scream from outside.

>Check it out
>Ignore it. Humans aren't really your concern
>Write in

>>44099212

Check that shit out, we're a wanted man. No need to intervene if looks like a garden variety crime though.

>>44099212
Check it out. Justice is in our blood.

>>44099193
>Check it out

Crazed vigilante clone that was badly brainwashed: The Quest

>>44099212
>Check it out

>>44099399
>>44099245
>Start quest as a sci-fi intrigue about clones and ethics
>Turns into Punisher 2099
OP on a scale of 1 to fedora how mad are you that the quest ended up like this?

>>44099486
You kidding? I'm loving that you guys have thrown this crazy train off its rails. Keeps me on my toes. Besides, it's not like the original plot's gone. Jacob, Harold, Stella, and the Clergy are still around. There's still something coming down the pipeline that's gonna smack you all hard that you probably would have only seen if you'd paid attention to a few lines of dialogue. Owen's still someone that I'm thinking you guys as a playerbase are going to want to investigate.

I just wish more people were playing, really.

>>44099212
>>Check it out

>>44099634
Besides which, now I'm creating a mafia midboss type for the Oregon area that may or may not connect to the overarching plot. You guys think you're derailing the thread. I'm thinking of this as opportunities to expand the setting.

>>44099717

See that right there, that's a good GM. You from Oregon by any chance?

*Portland area, not Oregon.

>>44099827
Nope. My stepfather's from Salem and I've been up there once or twice. I plan to move over to Portland when I get my RN.

>>44099639
>>44099486
>>44099399
>>44099245
>>44099240
Your fatigue goes away almost immediately at the sound of that screaming. It's faint, but you doubt it's that far away. You slip out of bed, putting just your pants back on before heading out of your room.

Since you've entered, tendrils of fog have started gripping the city, casting the world into a hazy scene that promises danger. You can't see that well, but you don't need to. Whoever screamed does so again, and this time it's closer.

You run in the direction you've pinpointed the noise, and you start hearing more. A woman begging. The sound of other men laughing in much the same mocking way as you'd done to the man who'd tried to kill you earlier. No one else seems to be around.

Their forms appear several feet ahead of you on the sidewalk. The smaller figure, the female, is struggling to get away from one of the men while his companion keeps pushing her back into the other's arms every time she manages to fight free.

"Hey, come on, little lady. It's all just fun, right? Or are you gonna be a fucking bitch about all this?" Her assailant, the one holding her, asks as she tries stamping down on his feet.

"Leave me ALONE!" She begs before letting out another scream. This close it's bloodcurdling.

The men laugh. "See, honey? You know all that screaming ain't doing anything but pissing me off. You want to keep that up and see where it lands you?"

"Fuck you," she growls out. You hear her spit, followed quickly by the other man's disgusted shout and a fist in her face.

This is enough. You move forward, loud enough now that the others can hear. They turn and look at you through the fog. "The fuck you want, faggot? Can't you see we're busy?"

"I believe she told you to leave her be," you state calmly. "I think you should."

>>44100017
The man who was spit upon rakes his eyes over you, assessing your state, pausing at the bandages on your stomach before sneering. "Fuck off, and maybe I'll forget I saw you."

You clasp your hands behind your back, your right hand slipping into your back pocket to grab your scalpel.

>Leave them be
>"That isn't how this works." (Fight option.)
>Write in.

>>44100046
>"That isn't how this works." (Fight option.)
Move in, use the scalpel to disable his hand mobility, use him to temporarily hinder his comrades, proceed to knock the one holding the girl, then wrap it up

>>44100046
>"That isn't how this works." (Fight option.)

>>44100046
man I was just thinking, imagine how unnerving it would have been if we looked at his face before engaging and beat him up while looking like him
shits freaky yo

>>44100153
It'd be a cool option in the future, but Ivan's picky about his powers, especially after spending that time in the hospital. He doesn't like feeling weak.

>>44100046
>"That isn't how this works." (Fight option.)

>>44100178
True, he's gonna need that energy for the healing too.

>>44100091
>>44100111
>>44100219
Roll for me, children. Dice+2d10+3

Rolled 10, 3 + 3 = 16 (2d10 + 3)

>>44100337

May Konshu bless my blade.

Rolled 2, 2 + 3 = 7 (2d10 + 3)

>>44100337
anyone out there?

Rolled 1, 3 + 3 = 7 (2d10 + 3)

>>44100337

File: 1448944982677.gif (1022 KB, 500x250)

1022 KB GIF

>>44100446
>>44100409
>>44100378
Best of three right?

>>44100446
>>44100409
>>44100378
"You don't understand. That isn't how this works," you tell them. The woman's looking at you now, hope burning in her eyes. "Your options here are, you let this woman go, you leave and never will we see the other. Or, and this one's my favorite considering the nouns you've chosen to attribute to me and this young woman, you refuse to let her go and maybe I don't kill you." Your lips quirk into a sadistic smile. "The choice is yours."

The man who addressed you just smirks before he starts moving toward you. "I can't believe this shit. Hold on, man. Let me kick this guy's shit in." You wait patiently, tracing his steps and assessing him. No obvious armaments. It's a stupid mistake, especially in this area. The moment he's in range, you pull your hands from behind your back and lash out with one slice before hopping back a few steps.

The other doesn't seem phased at all beyond starting at your sudden movement. You doubt he even felt the blade, so you wait a few moments, circling around him until the receptors catch up with the action.

When it does, he lets out a pained cry, his attention off of you as he clutches his hand. "YOU FUCKING BASTARD!" It's somewhere between a shout and a scream and you press the advantage. You move back in, kicking in between his legs. He trips and falls to the ground, affording you enough time to grab the uninjured hand and wrench it up toward you. In a quick motion, you slice through the tendons in his hand and this time the scream is real. It's brutal, and you feel a sense of satisfaction.

>>44100776
"You fucking-" it's all you hear before a fist makes your head's acquaintance. You reel back, letting go of your victim’s arm to fall and roll immediately into a recovery. You’d forgotten about his friend. “You crazy fucking, faggot,” he rages as you prepare yourself for another hit.

You steel yourself for another attack, but then you see what’s in his hand. It’s a gun. Semiautomatic, nine millimeter, and well-maintained from what you can see of it. You freeze, not really looking to be sent right back to the hospital. You two stare each other down, aware of his movements. He flicks the safety off.

And staggers as a brick hits him in the back of the head. You barely register the woman not far behind, looking on with a fire in her eyes. He falls flat on his face and you seize the opportunity. You kick him all the way to the ground and the gun clatters away from him. Quick as you can, you mount his back and pull his head up by his hair. With a feral growl you whisper into his ear.

“This is how things are going to go down.” The man cringes as you place the scalpel just shy of an artery. “You are going to take your friend. You are going to leave the gun behind. And you will never come around here again. If you bother her or myself, or tell the police what transpired here, I’ll find out. I’ll hunt you down, and this?” You press harder and a small trickle of blood starts to flow down his neck. “Will know every part of your body it can find. Understand?”

He nods shakily and you get off of him. “Now get going.” He scrambles to his feet and grabs his crying friend. You stand and watch until you can no longer hear them.

The woman walks up to you afterward, putting herself back together. “Um. Thank you for that. I’m Ciara.”

>”I’m Ivan.”
>”I’m Adam.”
>Say nothing.
>Write in.

>>44100791

Take the gun!

"Not safe to walk around at night."

>>44100791
This >>44100835

>>44100791
>"I am justice."

>>44101286
Thats still heresy!

>I am a child of justice

>>44101286
Isn't Justice a chick?

>>44101472
Yea, I think Justice have been described in feminine terms.

>>44100835
>>44100848
You ignore the introduction and scoop up the gun instead. Ciara flinches as you check the chamber and you scoff. It wasn't even loaded.

Against your better judgment, you tuck the gun into your waste and and glare at her. "You shouldn't be walking around alone at night."

Ciara rolls her eyes. "Gee, miss, you're certainly welcome. By the way my name is asshole." She picks up her keys and points to a canister on the chain. "I have mace. And if I had anyone to walk with, I would. But no one's exactly around at midnight on a Saturday morning to really want to pick me up from work."

You shrug. "Just be more careful, alright? I probably won't be there next time." You stalk back off to your room, but Ciara follows.

"Hey! Look, I get you're trying to have that whole Chuck Norris super ninja vibe thing going and I get it, that was pretty badass of you. But weren't you just complaining about me being alone?"

"What?" You turn back to look at her.

"Walk me home, jackass! I don't want to run into tweedle-dink and tweedle-dick high on some revenge kick."

You groan. You don't even have shoes on.

"Look..."

>"Just stay the night in my room. I'm tired and it's safer during the day, anyway."
>"Give me a minute, Okayama? I don't even have shoes on."
>"I don't have time for this." Let her fend for herself.
>Write in

>>44101841
>Okayama
Fucking autocorrect. Sorry, had to go to mobile, my regular internet is fucking up.

>>44101841
>>"Give me a minute, Okay? I don't even have shoes on."
Just grow some calluses on the pads of our feet and start walking her

>>44101952
second.

We are a shapeshifter superagent, we can do without shoes

File: 1444396796826.png (105 KB, 290x290)

105 KB PNG

>>44101970
>>44101952
>Fucking your feet up like that

>>44101952
>>44101970
So we're walking her home?

>Your lack of shirt and shoes as well as your fondness for guns and CSI leads everyone to believe you're a redneck

>>44102209
Yes, that is my(>>44101970) vote

>>44102209
>>44101952
And that's my vote

>>44102209
>>44102236
"...alright," you finally concede and scrunch your eyes closed. You can feel your glare as calluses form on your feet, finishing out with a mild headache. When you open your eyes, you motion for her to lead the way while you slip your scalpel back into its case.

The two of you start your walk back to her home in silence. It's a bit uncomfortable and you can tell she wants to ask questions, but you're sure the both of you are tired.

You arrive at another complex and walk her through the building until you come to her door. She shifts in her stance a moment before looking up at you.

"Look, I really am thankful for what you did for me. I can't really offer much, but if you wanna crash on my couch for the night, I'm cool with that."

"Crash?" you ask, confused.

"You know, sleep. Just. My brother lives here, too, so don't ninja him, okay?"

>Accept the offer
>Decline the offer
>Write in

>>44102409
Hm, logic says no. Interaction says yes.

>Decline the offer
>Write in But offer to teach her some basic hand to hand combat, mace doesnt cut it

>>44102409
>>Accept the offer

>>44102542
>>44102478
Hey guys, I've gotta go do something and won't be back the rest of the night. I still wanna continue where we left off here tomorrow, so if you guys could bump this through the night I'd appreciate it.

>>44102722
Roger boss

>>44102409
>Accept the offer
Are we gonna fuck Ciara?

>>44103093
Pretty sure Ivan's gay, bruh. If he even has a sexuality other than murdersexual.

>>44103109
Clone homo bump

>>44103634
Bumping for homoerotic fanfiction

>>44104414
Ivan x Sebastian's forehead wound?

>>44103109
What makes you think he's gay?

>>44104497
Probably the fact that he shapeshifted into a gay dude and sort of implied that he was going to fuck that guys ass as a means of intimidation pretty thin logic but I understand how it happened

>>44104619
>that he shapeshifted into a gay dude
Incidental. I think OP was just introducing Jacob that way, who IS gay.
>sort of implied that he was going to fuck that guys ass as a means of intimidation
I thought it was more he was just gonna flay him alive but I can see how you get that.

For me it's how Ivan describes people. If you look at Sebastian, Jacob, and Owen compared to Stella, Sarah, and Ciara there's a lot more detail in the former.

Ivan could be gay but I think he's more interested in his religion than he is people. He's still self righteous as fuck.

>>44104619
I don't think he is gay, doesn't really make sense it's not like he catches the gays feom shapeshifting into one.
I do think he is murdersexual though.

>>44104747
True, the male descriptions are more detailed than the females', but I suppose that can be an authors' thing rather than a direct consequence of the character's view.

Bump.

Rolled 2, 7 = 9 (2d10)

>>44103093
Rolling for sexual prowess.

Rolled 6, 10, 7, 3 = 26 (4d10)

>>44106056
Well shit

>>44102409

>Decline, already paid for that hotel room
>Offer to teach her the BASICS OF CQC

Bump

Pudim

Rolled 8, 8 = 16 (2d10)

Cod for the Cod God

Oh dear, this was certainly a lot of speculation. First things first, I'm at work right now so I'm not running the quest. Just addressing what you guys brought up overnight.

The short response to your little discussion: Yes, Ivan's gay.

The long response: The guy who posted >>44104747 had the best idea of it. I didn't mean for things to be so blatant (was it really blatant?), but Ivan does tend to notice and pay attention to guys first.

THAT BEING SAID, Ivan was born to fight and trained to kill. Sexual liaisons were never really on his mind, especially with the rigorous schedule the Garden operates on. On top of this he was raised to be mildly misanthropic which I hope you guys got out of the exposition.. The Garden basically equates general humanity as glorified apes, incapable of taking care of themselves. It's going to take him a while to break free of that and think of pursuing ANYONE romantically.

For the time being he is still very much murdersexual, though.

Bump.

>>44102478
>>44102542
>>44103093
>>44106056
>>44106652
Well, we need a tie breaker, guys.

>>44110660
Stay

>>44108361

Accept, rest up here for a bit

>>44108361
>>44108361
I routinely play characters who get their asses thoroughly pounded semi regularly but somehow this one makes me feel unhappy perhaps it is this method of Revelation this method of Revelation

>>44110735
>>44110844
You hesitate, but you inevitably accept the offer. You're more tired than you thought you'd be. Ciara smiles and unlocks her door. "It's the least I could do, you know?" She leads you in with a quiet warning and leaves to another part of her unit, leaving you time to look around.

It's not that spacious, but there's a couch that looks blessedly more comfortable than the bed waiting for you at the motel. A lonely dining table sits in a corner, stacked to near capacity with a computer terminal and dishes that have been neglected. An open kitchen isn't far off, just as disheveled as the rest of the house. It isn't too dirty, but the disarray makes you feel itchy.

Ciara comes out just as you finish your assessment of the apartment with a pillow and blanket for you. "Sorry, it's all we have right now." As soon as she turns around, you sniff it warily. It's thankfully clean.

You strip down as soon as Ciara leaves, placing the gun under your pillow before you finally find yourself drifting off to sleep.

----

You awaken to music and talking. Actually, it's more like yelling when it finally registers to your brain. You bolt upright, grabbing the gun and flicking the safety off, pointing it in the direction you heard the noise.

Belatedly, you realize it's the television.

"Whoa there, Eastwood. No one's here to get you," this voice is different and you immediately round yourself off the couch and point it toward the newcomer. A man sits at the bedraggled table, cautiously putting his hands in the air.

"Who are you?!" You demand as you chamber a round. The guy gulps but remains inexplicably calm.

"Um, Nate? I'm Ciara's brother? I thought she said you told me about you." You glare at him for a few minutes, taking in his appearance. Indeed, it's similar to Ciara's, so slowly you lower the gun. As soon as you do, Nate calls out. "Ciara! Your naked friend's awake. You didn't tell me he had a gun."

>>44111772
From somewhere else in the apartment Ciara calls out, her voice getting closer as she talks. "What, did you think we were just gonna leave it out where anyone can get to it? And what do you mean? he isn't- oh my god!" She rounds the corner and blushes furiously, turning around quickly. She looks better this morning from what you saw before she moved away. Her dark hair's done up in something you suppose is fashionable. The flat clothing she wore the night before has been replaced with a skirt and blouse which accentuates the curves of her body. "Why are you naked?"

You thumb the safety of the gun back on and place it on the couch as you put your pants back on. After you clear the weapon, you place it back in your wasteband. "I always sleep naked," you tell her.

"Not when you're a guest at someone's house!" she shouts.

You can hear Nate snickering when you ask, "You don't?"

"No! God, are you decent yet?"

"Yeah, he's got pants on," Nate supplies. Ciara glares at him as she turns around. The only evidence of the night before is a small discoloring under her eye. You guess the rest of it is covered by makeup.

>>44111793
"Shut up. Go make breakfast or something," she orders before turning to you. "He's a chef. Or cook. I don't know, there's apparently a difference. He's good. You'll like his food."

You nod, slightly awkward now that you've had some sleep. "Thank you for letting me use your couch. I should probably leave soon, though," you tell her.

"Yeah. Right, just." She looks down and runs a hand through her hair before looking at you again. "Is there anything my brother and I can do for you? There really isn't much, but name it. We'll do what we can."

>"I don't need anything from you."
>"Actually...." [Make a suggestion]
>"Come back to the motel today. If you can't find protection, you need to learn to protect yourself."
>Write in

>>44111632
Eh, just wanted to clarify.

>>44111816
All I require is some sustenance.

>>44111816>"Actually...." [Make a suggestion]
>"Come back to the motel today. If you can't find protection, you need to learn to protect yourself

>>44108361
Wait so he is both Midnightet AND Moon Knight?
Astounding.
If you told me he is bi and has Dick Greysson's butt I'd cry of happiness.

>>44112215
Hello fellow gaythreader

>>44111816
>>"Actually...." [Make a suggestion]

Some food would be very appreciated

>>44112071
>>44112145
>>44112307
"If you have any more food, then I would appreciate it greatly," you tell her. Ciara rolls her eyes and you wonder if it's possible to be permanently stuck in that expression.

"Did you forget that my brother cooks? He doesn't know how to make small meals. There's going to be enough for you and then some." As she says this she starts picking up around the house, clearing the table and grabbing dishes to put in the sink.

"You should also return to the motel some time today. You say that one isn't able to accompany you home?" You point at Nate, who's started laying out a worrying amount of food for the number of people he's cooking for. Ciara shakes her head. "Then you're learning to protect yourself."

Ciara scoffs and Nate turns to look at her with a shrug. "It's not a bad idea."

"I already told you," she reiterates, "I have-"

"Your mace?" you mock. "Yes, and we both saw how useful it was in that attack." She falls silent and you smirk lightly. "Do you have anything pressing today?" Ciara shakes her head and your smirk turns into a smile. "Good. Then after breakfast, I will return to my room and get prepared. I'll give you an hour to find something that you do not mind getting soiled before I return."

Ciara shakes her head and groans. "Do I have a choice?"

"Probably not," Nate chimes in.

"You're welcome to join in," you shoot back at him, and he shrugs.

"Love to. Can't. I gotta split after breakfast. Have fun, though." Nate smiles at Ciara, and it'd be sweet if you hadn't used the exact same taunt against your own brothers and sisters.

>>44112239
I just like handsome and built men having butt sex with things, including and specifically, other handsome and well built men.
How could anyone ever deny this fun?

>>44112723
For the first time since you've been abandoned, you don't feel like you're on the verge of hunger. You don't feel like there's a target on your back. For a moment you can see why Sebastian wanted this kind of life.

Even if it isn't for you.

When it's time for you to part ways, Nate offers you a ride home, which you accept. Some time during your breakfast the fog gave way to rain. It's not something you particularly want to walk home in. He isn't as snarky as when you first met him as you head back to the motel, the two of you stopping in front of your room.

As you're getting out, Nate stops you. "Hey. Look, I know we seemed really casual about all that, but you don't know how much what you did and what you're doing means to us. So here." he reaches out and in his hand is several twenty dollar bills. When you count it out, it comes to around two-hundred dollars. You frown and look at the other, who only shakes his head. "Don't say anything. I'm not taking it back. Anyway, it was nice meeting you...?"


>"Adam."
>"Ivan."
>"You're better off not knowing."
>Write-in

>>44112741
>"You're better off not knowing."
such a mysterious stranger

>>44112741
>"Adam."

>>44112741
>>"Adam."

>>44112741
>>"Adam."

>>44112741
>"Eve"

>>44112741
>"Adam."

>16 unique posters
damn, nice job, that's a lot

>>44112811
>>44113312
>>44113392
"Adam, then," he says with a friendly smile. "I'll see you around, then." You nod an acknowledgment and you watch as he drives off.

Your room seems to have been tidied up since you left and it immediately sets you on edge. You check the room thoroughly for anything: Cameras, bugs, someone waiting for you.

It's more unnerving when you find that the only thing done to your room is that the sheets were changed and the trash taken out.

You put it out of your mind and turn the television on as you prepare for a shower, turning the volume up as high as it can go. You're tempted to watch your crime drama but it doesn't appear to be on any channels when you look for it. Disappointed, you change it to the news.

"...elated news, violence broke out last night after tense conditions at a Posthuman protest at City Hall." You frown as you wash yourself, turning the pressure lower so you can hear properly. "The state of Oregon became the first in the Union to recognize the legal status of non-medical genetic modifications under certain circumstances last year. Since then, human rights organizations as well as conservative family groups have clashed over the validity of these modifications. Last night's protest came to a head when an unidentified member of the crowd reportedly hurled a bottle at a group organizer for the protest, leading to a full-scale riot. Police managed to calm the melee. No arrests have been made as to who may have instigated the riot, though police claim to be following several leads at the moment. In other news..."

Posthuman? Is that what Jacob had meant by Post? It makes sense, though if they're legal here, why would he have cared about that? You shake your head. You likely fall outside of whatever is legally allowed, which isn't surprising. A metamorph isn't likely to make anyone else comfortable if their status were to be discovered. Though...

>>44113810
It's a wild thought but people are out there right now with modifications like yours or close enough. It shouldn't be hard to find them.

>Investigate this further
>It leads nowhere. Put it out of your mind.
>You still have a thing with Ciara. Ask her then.
>Write in.

>>44113834
>You still have a thing with Ciara.
We can do our investigation after we get this out of the way.
It's poor form to break arrangements.

>>44113834
>You still have a thing with Ciara. Ask her then.

>>44113834
>>You still have a thing with Ciara.

Lets not ask any questions, we are an infiltrator after all, and asking questions about posthumans after "going ninja" on some guys and acting a little off...while it might not raise suspicion right away it could lead her in the wrong direction

>>44113834
>It leads nowhere. Put it out of your mind.

>>44113834
>write in
>try to contact The Garden or at least find a way to do so
Surely they gave us a way to find them, just in case of emergencies? And I imagine Ivan/Adam does want to go home.

>>44114398
We still don't know if they attacked us on purpose or not.

>>44114489
Ivan would probably err on the side of caution.
I'd assume if they did attack on purpose it was because they figured Ivan was also a traitor (having received messages and gone along with Jacob and the rest) but that's explainable even if we get probation/penance or what have you.

>>44114584
>err on the side of caution
>let's just stop investigating and go to a place where we have no freedom to investigate

>>44114622
>let's just forget about the only place we've known for our few months of living and whose philosophy we still uphold and agree with and stick around in this place with these weird fucking ape-people who don't even into sweet justice/war erotic fanfics

>>44114654
So you're saying Ivan is /r9k/ and the Garden is his mom's basement?

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>>44114708
Precisely.

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>>44114708
REEEEEEEEEE HERETICS GET OUT GET OUT GET OUT

>>44113895
>>44113959
>>44114092
Standing here isn't going to get you anywhere, and you do have a prior engagement as it is. You finish your shower and dry off, snagging another snack from your bag before heading out and locking the door behind you.

You stop by a store you noticed on the way to Ciara's and buy a jacket for the rain. You still arrive with time to spare, knocking harshly on her door before she finally swings it open with an annoyed "WHAT?"

You nod with an amused smile and go inside. She huffs and closes it shut behind you. "'Oh, hi, Ciara! Nice to see you again so soon. Thanks for being so prompt about getting into something else, even though you didn't ask. Oh, do you mind if I come in'?"

You look at her, incredulous. "Is it normal for you to speak to yourself in such a manner?" Her own look is just as confused.

"What? No. I was being- nevermind. So you're Adam, right? Nate told me after he dropped you off. Anyway, we gonna do this or not? There's a lot I guess we can go to. Or we can do it here, but I don't want Mrs. Gleason getting the wrong idea." She chuckles but stops when she sees that what she's said means nothing to you. "It's nothing, dude."

>Here
>Motel
>The lot
>Write-in

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>>44114910
> "'Oh, hi, Ciara!"
>Motel
i like his denseness, reminds me of my chinese cartoons.

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>>44112215
Honestly I've been personally imagining Ivan looking something along the lines of Roy Harper in Young Justice.

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>>44115048
I meant in terms of character not appearance, though your post fits really really well what I imagined.

>>44114910
>>The lot

Bump

Op ded

>>44114910
>The lot

>>44116997
OP's quite alive. We have only two votes that contradict each other, though.

>>44114910
>Write-in
The gym

>>44117047
>>44117083
Did this break it?

>>44117047
>>44115501
"Show me where this lot is," you tell her and Ciara groans before leading you out of her apartment. It isn't that far at all, you discover. In fact you walked right past it and didn't notice for the fencing that's been placed all around.

"No one really uses it," she tells you as she pulls aside a loose fence post and slips in with you behind her. The lot itself isn't much to look at. Wild scrub and untrimmed grass dominate the area. There's likely some form of wildlife here as well, but nothing you're immediately concerned with. The two of you pace the lot together, making sure you're truly alone before you pace Ciara through some warm up drills. Despite her earlier complaints, she actually turns out to be an attentive student despite the rain, which is more than you could have hoped for.

Finally the two of you square off against each other. "Alright," you say steadily, sliding into a fighting stance. "Show me how you fight."

"You're serious?" She asks, and you nod. "Alright, fine." She comes at you, but it's the same style that you've been noting with every human you've come across since the hospital. It's all brawling, no technique. Good against your own skill level but a burden when fighting someone who really knows what they're doing.

You dodge her punches easily weaving in and out of her range. You can tell she's frustrated, but she never tries correcting herself.

>Go easy on her. Tell her how to improve her technique
>Lead by example. Show her how she needs to fight.
>Go hard. If she's going to learn, it's going to be at the end of your fist.

>>44117451
>Lead by example. Show her how she needs to fight.

>>44117451
>Teach her wrong as a joke

>>44117451
>Lead by example. Show her how she needs to fight.


>>44117481
I kekd

>>44117481
>>44117469
"Is this really how you fight?" you ask her after she stops to take a breath. "I'm glad you're taking initiative, Ciara, don't doubt that. But you're a small woman trying to overwhelm someone larger and stronger than you." You circle around her as she glares. "On top of that, you're only focusing on the face and the body. You're only using your fists. Use anything you have available to you. The knife of your arm, your shins, your feet, your head. Don't just fly in. Wait for an opportunity. Use your size against me."

She nods and joins you, on the prowl now, mimicking the stance you show her. You really are impressed with how quickly she catches onto things.

You show her basics. Where to hit and how to make it hurt. Creative ways to manipulate joints and nerves in a struggle. How to dodge and redirect hits. By the end of it she's nowhere near mastery, but you feel more confident about her being alone.

You aren't tired but you can tell you've worked Ciara to her limit. You call off the session and she grins at you conspiratorially. You shake your head, but you can't help the smile that speads across your face as well.

"Let's get out of here, then," she tells you and you lead the way out.

>Ask her about herself
>Ask about the posthumans
>Talk about her training
>Write in

>>44118116
>Ask her about herself
What does she work in any way that has her work till that late?

>>44118116
>Talk about her training

>>44118116
>>Ask her about herself

>>44118116
>Ask her about herself

>>44118712
>>44118339
>>44118160
"This isn't a safe area," you observe as you start your way back to her apartment complex.

"Hm?" she asks. She's still a bit breathless but you can tell the rain's helping to center her again.

"This area isn't safe," you say again and gesture around you. True, the place looks just as run down as it had in the foggy night. "Why not find somewhere else to live?"

"It's cheap," she tells you simply. "Nate and I weren't really in a good place when we got here. I'd just dropped out of college and he was barely starting up on his culinary career. Even with a degree, you gotta know the right people, and pay always sucks when you start out." She pulls the hood of her sweater over her head and looks around. "This was about the only place that was willing to take us with his lousy check and my debts. It's better now, though. We both have steady jobs, I'm paying off what I owe. Not so bad, right?"

"And what is it you do that requires you to be out so late?" you ask.

"All-Mart night shift," she explains with a grimace. "Definitely not the place to be, but a job's a job. What can you do?"

"Find a better one," you say bluntly. She scowls.

"Yeah? You say it like it's so easy. You'd think someone who lives in a motel would be more understanding."

"I don't live there," you tell her, offended.

She scoffs. "Yeah? Then what the hell is it you're doing holed up in there? You don't look like you're on vacation."

You sigh.

>Tell her the truth
>"I'm looking for something."
>"It's really none of your business."
>Stay quiet
>Write in

>>44119092
>Stay quiet

>>44119092
>>Stay quiet

>>44119092
>"I'm looking for something."
Important people in his life did certain things and now he wants to find out the truth behind their motives?
That or he wants to find where he is really from (tfw no parents)

>>44119138
>>44119122
You lapse into silence and Ciara shakes her head. "It's kind of unfair that you get to ask all these questions and I don't know the first thing about you. You saved me from those clowns. You're teaching me to fight. Hell, I let you sleep on my couch and cooked you breakfast and the only thing I know about you is your name."

You shrug. "No one ever said you had to tell me anything. And at any rate, it was Nate who cooked breakfast."

"Semantics!" she shouts back at you. "You seem like a cool guy, Adam. It's just frustrating talking to you and running into a wall every time the subject turns to you."

"Did you ever think it was because we just met that I haven't said anything?" The two of you stop just outside her complex. "Everything out here is new to me. I've never been to Portland before. All of you...people," you say just before you're about to refer to her as a human, "are strange to me. You and your brother are the exception so far it seems, but that doesn't mean I'm going to go confessing my history and my trespasses to you on the first day we're talking."

Ciara doesn't step back from your argument, but her face does soften a bit. "If you're in trouble, Adam, it's okay. I'll still try to help out. You don't have to tell me what's going on, but keeping to yourself like you are isn't healthy.

>Tell her the truth
>Tell her the edited truth
>Ask her for information
>Write in

>>44119547
>Tell her the truth

>>44119547
>Tell her the edited truth
In time they can earn trust.

>>44119574
Do you really think it's a sound idea to reveal you're a clone assassin the night before yoi met someone?
And fighting be damned, would they even believ it?
Pls respond

>>44119746
The night after* you* believe*

>>44119547
Tell her nothing

>>44119547
>Tell her you are still trying to figure out what you're trying to do

>>44119547
We should definitely leave out the fact that we are a six-month-old murder sexual

>>44119991
Murdersexuality is a real and oppressed minority, anon. How dare you trivialize Ivan? Check your privilege, shit lord.

Rolled 5, 3, 2, 7 = 17 (4d10)

>>44119574
>>44119607
>>44119897
>>44119952
Alright, since we're in a total split, rolling sum dice. Each unit is assigned to 74, 07, 97, and 52 respectively. Highest roll wins

>>44119952
"It's...it's a lot, Ciara and I'm still trying to figure it out, myself. It just wouldn't be right if I put the burden upon you, as well.

Ciara frowns, but you can tell that she isn't goig to argue on it anymore. Instead she slides to the concrete and looks up to the clouded sky above. "Well, I'm still here, whenever you're ready. Don't take too long."


----------


FROM THE ARCHIVE OF CLERGY STAFF
GARDEN CHRONICLES
BROTHER IVAN
CHAPTER THREE END
DO YOU WISH TO PROCEED?

>>44120140
The last two votes pretty mych carried the same intent (telling her nothing of any value), so it wasn't really a 4-way tie. Glad one of those two won.

>>44120278
>Yes

But not tonight. This is a good stopping point.