[a / b / c / d / e / f / g / gif / h / hr / k / m / o / p / r / s / t / u / v / vg / w / wg] [i / ic] [r9k] [cm / hm / y] [3 / adv / an / cgl / ck / co / diy / fa / fit / hc / int / jp / lit / mlp / mu / n / po / pol / sci / soc / sp / tg / toy / trv / tv / vp / x] [rs] [status / ? / @] [Settings] [Home]
Board:  
Settings   Home
4chan
/qst/ - Quests


File: New_Mutants.jpg (35 KB, 599x408)
35 KB
35 KB JPG
You are Kojo Reyes, mutant kingpin of crime.

The still nameless crew you created and organized was reformed to fit the needs of a citywide syndicate. You gave authority over Staten Island to Marcus, bequeathed the Bronx to Ren, let Silvermane keep Brooklyn, and kept Manhattan as the proverbial jewel in your crown only the borough is your capital in place of being a protectorate. Queens is the only borough left without a lieutenant or viceroy of yours to speak of. Itsuki's the only member of your inner circle to display leadership qualities necessary to keep and manage a borough, but he might be more suited for enforcing than leading.

After talking over the reforms with your leadership, you went off to take care of the straggler protectorates Kingpin left behind and managed to merc 2.5 out of 6.

It'd be easy to let the last 3.5 kill each other, but Cottonmouth and the Chinatown triads may have their uses.

Enough about them, though, you have an opportunity to gain some well-needed positive publicity before you reveal yourself to the world.

>[X] Wait for their tinnitus to die down, you don't want to scare the pussy white boys.
>[X] "Hello! My name is Kojo! I'm here to help you!"
>[X] Introduce yourself as a friendly super mutant who's totally not a bloodthirsty kingpin of crime.

>(1/2)

You bringing down those cages without the rich boys having use of their ears will leave them pisssing their pants and screaming their heads off while you can't laugh at them hard enough to let them know they're pussies. Besides that, it's possible one of them has a heart condition or some other genetic inferiority flatscans have; though, if that were the case, they'd probably be dead already. There's some fun to be had after you finish waiting for them, anyway.

Grinning, you sit down on the concrete floor and wait for the fat cats' hearing to return.

A few minutes pass by until you stand back up.

Tinnitus either goes away after a short while or lasts a few days depending on how close the gunshots were, which weren't that close but numerous in number. At the very least, they'll be capable of hearing only with a mind numbing buzz slowly and steadily driving them to madness: a pleasing conclusion to all this in your view. What you're about to do now will be incredibly amusing for you.
>>
>(2/2)

"Hello!" You shout out loud enough to make the building slightly shake, drawing cries of pain from the caged men. "My name is Kojo! I'm here to help you!"

Smothering a laugh at the prisoners, you wait for them to regain there senses.

"N-no need to yell that loud, we can hear you just fine! Who are you exactly?" a rodent-like voice says.

You move your hand from your mouth to your chin.

In all your years you've never actually introduced yourself in any way that could be considered friendly or heroic other than the speech you gave Itsuki's men and, even then, they were all gang members no matter how green.

>[ ] "I'm...your friendly neighborhood minotaur man...guy...dude."
>[ ] "Asterios, I'm a superhero. You probably have never heard of me on account of me being from and operating in the south Bronx."
>[ ] "Reyes, Kojo Reyes...I already told you that."
>[ ] "A mutant, a technically black one at that, is that gonna be a problem?"
>[ ] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."
>[ ] "No one, really."
>[ ] Jump up and tear their cages down, best get to it.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2963692
>[ ] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."
>>
>First Thread:
https://archived.moe/qst/thread/2424210/#2424210

>Previous Thread(s):
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=A%20New%20Mutant%20Quest

>Character Sheet:
https://pastebin.com/r4mTphVV

i keep forgetting this shit
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2964453
How's your week been going bossman?
>>
>>2964560
I got stung by a bee in the early night while it was raining in my own home of all places.

Besides that, going strong.
>>
>[X] "The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."

The superhero name is silly no matter how accurate it is, you aren't a goofy white boy like Spidey, pulling the race and species card is beneath you besides making you look like one of those people, pointing out the obvious will make them shut up, and you are in the middle of saving these wealthy silk suited asses, you deserve a little respect.

"The man who is currently in the process of saving your life. Your welcome, by the way."

A relieved sigh echoes throughout the room.

"Oh thank god, when I heard those gunshots I just knew the police were showing up to save us!" One panicked voice says.

Someone else scoffs with gruffness you can feel reverberate around you.

"Are you really stupid enough to think he's with the police!? Didn't you see that thing shoot straight through the building and hear the sound of those assault rifle gunshots?! Whoever this kid is, he sure as hell isn't with any police squad!" An old voice screeches.

The rodent lets out a panicked cry.

"He's right! This young man could be a member of a rival gang of hoodlums trying to take our money!"

A young man groans.

"If it's not one thing, it's the other. Look, gangster man, if you free me I'll give you...say a thousand dollars. I'll throw in extra if you decide to leave these guys behind because, seriously, fuck these people: don't know how to make conversation, bitch and moan about a few bruises and scrapes, and cry about their fucking wives they don't even fuck. You know what I mean...homie?"

Some middle-aged man grumbles.

"I can't believe you and your entire self-indulgent generation! Life is not a game you can walk through! I don't care if you landed yourself a cushy job thanks to daddy owning the corporation you work for, you need to take this situation seriously!"

The remaining hostage starts to cry in his cage.

You twitch ever so slightly.

Maybe you should just leave these people hear to die in one another's horrible company.

>[ ] "Now, I understand why he put you people in cages."
>[ ] "Do you want my help or not?"
>[ ] "My hoodrat days are over. Owl just started expanding into my neighborhood so I kicked him and his entire gang's ass. That's how I happened to come here."
>[ ] "...I'm with SHIELD, actually. The man who kidnapped you guys, Leland Owlsley, was a super powered criminal with ties to several international crime syndicates, which put him in our jurisdiction."
>[ ] "...I'm actually a student at Xavier's Academy interning to be an X-men. Busting Owl was my first test and I passed with flying colors. Saving cu-...damsels like you guys in distress is my second."
>[ ] "...Who the fuck even...are...you...people?"
>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>[ ] Jump down to the first floor and make your way back to Cuda, you tried.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2964733
>[ ] "Do you even want my help or not? Because what I'm hearing is you guys wanting to stay here and bore each other to death. Which I'm okay with right now, until you stop being annoying and start making some sense, got that?"
>[ ] "...Who the fuck even...are...you...people?"
>>
>>2964733
>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>Look just... I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money, I'm just trying to help people.

Really having to work to not just leave them.
>>
>>2963691
Holy shit this is still going.
>>2964733
>>[ ] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>>
>>2965050
What's the problem? It's a QUALITY quest.
>>
>>2965067
Nah I'm just surprised is all, haven't been on here for half a year.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

>>2965050
I'll never quit so long as I live.
>>2965096
Goddamn, has it been that long already? Just feels like yesterday I was worried about how things would progress and how long it'd take me to reach Crusty's level.
>>
>>2965125
>I'll never quit so long as I live.
>Not getting so tired from running you tell your readers that you are on hiatus then disappear
>>
>>2965144
Why would I go on hiatus? Shit is getting interesting. Only time I took a break was when I was getting used to my job. I've been capable of questing and doing college so far.
>>
>>2965150
Im joking lad, it was what I did
>>
>>2965174
I know, and shame on you.
>>
File: 1403668497573.jpg (39 KB, 426x462)
39 KB
39 KB JPG
>>2965185
>and shame on you
>>
>>2965269
shame is good and reminds you that you did something bad, mein freund
>>
>[X] Bring down their cages, it'll make the pain of their annoying attitudes go away.
>[X] "Look, just...I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money: I'm just trying to help people."

>(1/2)

Whatever you say won't affect their views of you so long as they're in those cages. Those shitty attitudes of theirs are likely to lighten up too. You'll say whatever you have to say and hopefully gain some publicity if they make the right choice of listening to you in place of pissing you off.

Sighing, you hop up to the old man's cage first.

The wrinkles on the old man's face contort into a shocked expression at the sight of your magnificent self.

You smile before taking hold of one of the cage's bars and tugging the cage out of the ceiling along with the hook it was suspended by.

A cry escapes the old man's lips and echoes throughout the room as the two of you fall down to the floor.

Lifting the cage higher than yourself, you land with your feet on the floor and settle the cage down before tearing the cage door open and flinging it off to the side. You hop back up and one by one do the same with the rest of the cages, drawing a cry from bitch rich boy, a shocked look and a respectful nod from the middle-aged man, a pitiful whimper from the small rat, and a casual wave from the laid-back douchebag.

The five men eye you with varying emotional expressions or, in douchebag's case, lack there of as you move to the middle of the room after freeing Sir Douchebag.

You breathe in and prepare to put on your best performance of a bleeding heart good samaritan.
>>
>(2/2)

"Look, just." A sigh escapes your lips. "...I'm not with a rival gang or anything, you can keep your money: I'm just trying to help people."

The old man scoffs at you.

"Then what were those gunshots back there? I don't see a hole on you so it couldn't have been them shooting at you or we wouldn't be talking right now."

The middle-aged man hums as he looks at the file holder in your hand.

"Where did you get that? I can see some money clips in there. Did you come here to rob the Owl or to save us?"

The quivering rat of a man looks up at your head, his glasses reflecting your horns.

"A-are you some sort of demon, minotaur, mutant, or some strange hybrid of the three?"

Crybaby cries some more as Sir Douchebag rolls his eyes at his other fellow freed captives.

You blink at the five men and resist the urge to give them a look.

People shouldn't be this stupid, clueless, or concerned enough to ask you these questions after you saved their lives. Either they don't know how to react to being in this situation as much as you do or being kidnapped is a common occurrence for them.

>[ ] "Who are...you..guys?"
>[ ] "Do you people normally ask heroes who save you these kinds of questions?"
>[ ] "Those gunshots were from a group of...bad, old friends of mine I called in for backup."
>[ ] "I'm...a psychic of sorts. I put up a psionic barrier to soak up all the bullets."
>[ ] "This money is for the street rats back in my neighborhood. They have no one else so I look after them."
>[ ] "These files have information on Owl's known affiliates. It's crucial I give them to the right authorities."
>[ ] "I'm a minotaur, demon, blood hound, predator, mutant thing...It's complicated."
>[ ] "Just a mutant, none of those three things."
>[ ] Kill the five of them, they're not worth the trouble.
>[ ] Feast on their souls
>[ ] Walk through the walls of the second floor down to Barracuda, you're done here.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2965495
>Who're you
>Then walk through walls to Cuda
>>
>>2965495
>>[ ] Feast on their souls
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

>[X]Who're you
>[X}Then walk through walls to Cuda

>[ ] Feast on their souls
>>
>>2965495
>"Who are you guys?"
>Walk through the walls to Cuda

If they're out, we can just mosy. No sense in wasting time on them anymore than we have to. They literally aren't worth our notice, frustration, or even ire anymore.
>>
Family outing has come up, will update when I come back if there's time.
>>
Fuck me it's late. Will finish writing and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)
>>
>>2965651

Seconding
>>
>>2965651
>>2966345
Thirding
>>
>[X] "Who are...you..guys?"
>[X] Walk through the walls of the second floor down to Barracuda, you're done here.

If they're going to be asking you so many questions, you may as well ask one of your own. Owl's memories of these people haven't popped into your mind at all for some reason. They could be inconsequential to the point Owl wouldn't bother giving them any thought but considering how little you know of the way your powers of spiritual cannibalism actually work it's a little concerning.

"Who are...you..guys?" You drawl out as a few memories that aren't yours but now yours pop into your head.

The old man, a financier for a makeup company by the name of De Luxe named Herman Munson, raises an eyebrow at you.

"Are you high right now?"

You blink at him, scowl, and shake your head.

Marshall Rowe, the middle-aged director of human resources for Breathwear, stares into your eyes.

"His pupils are a normal person's size."

Sir Douchebag, Caleb Archer son of the CEO of the meager Archer Industries Garrick Archer, sighs.

"I wish I was high right now."

Mouse man, Morty Hooker the lawyer, lets out a small hum.

"T-that could explain his superhuman strength."

Crybaby, the rat's intern who was just snatched up in all the confusion, lets out a whimper.

You blink at the five men, turn to the direction of the warehouse wall you know Cuda is someways down from, stroll over to it, and casually walk through the cement into the open air.

Barracuda raises an amused eyebrow at you as you fall down in front of the open gate.

"Got what ya need, boss?"

Glancing back at the warehouse, you let out a hum.

Those dead bodies and your mysterious appearance and exit aren't likely to paint you in a positive light unless you manage to spin the story in your favor if it's ever brought into public view.

>[ ] "Yeah, let's go back to my base."
>[ ] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."
>[ ] "You mind shooting up the warehouse some more, specifically the center of the building?"
>[ ] Draw Shades' .45 and unload entire magazine at the warehouse's second floor.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and flow out into the world through your third, maybe it'll help you in killing those pricks.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2967678
I gotta say so far, the HR director dude is the most based out of the five.
>[ ] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."
Maybe looking into getting the guy as an ally might be an option? He certainly seemed unfazed by all this - maybe some familiarity with super/mutant shit happening? Leaving the dead shit and the gunfire won't paint us in a positive light, but us saving five influential rich fucks from the birdfucker's cages sure will!
>>
>>2967689
Fuck it, ditto
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."

As much as you're sure having Cuda go to your base alone without anyone to vouch for him will cause trouble, you've got other things to take care of here in Upper Manhattan. The remaining rival Rivals lieutenants that aren't Cottonmouth are still alive, you can't just let the rich cats walk off like this, the Chinatown triads haven't started their fighting yet, and you still haven't gotten that fight in with Luke Cage.

You nod your head.

"Uh-huh, you go make your to my warehouse in Hunts Point on 600-698 Manida Street between Randall Avenue and Spofford Avenue. I've got something else to take care of here."

Cuda glances at his LMG before returning his gaze to you and shrugging.

"Aight, I've gotten my ass hundreds of clicks through jungle terrain with this baby girl: I can make it through the city."

You give the man a cautious eye.

"Just make sure you have it stashed somewhere before you meet my boys. If not, my scouts are likely to shoot you."

Barracuda nods.

"No sweat. See you there, boss."

You turn back at the warehouse as the towering black man walks off.

This should probably be the first thing you should take care of on account of its proximity and potential butterfly effect on your future despite the hassle it'll be.

>[ ] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well.
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
>[ ] Run over to Cuda, grab him, and hop to the warehouse in Hunts Point: there's no telling what your drunk foot soldiers would do if the chaperons aren't nearby when Cuda comes by.
>[ ] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Nigel's favorite Jamaican bar, he's the tamer of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Arturo's warehouse, he's the more violent one of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Take off to Chinatown, you can pick a triad to support or start the fire before any of them hear word of Kingpin's death.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2967830
>[ ] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now. Better if he hands it to Marcus for safekeeping when he gets back to the warehouse.
>[ ] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.
We saved their lives, so maybe making it clear that whatever comes out of their mouths about us to anybody else BETTER be good words.
After this, a priority might be to go after Arturo the asshole drug-dealing shithead, followed by beating Cage's ass before we head on home. The Triads will eat each other up freely.

Thoughts? Anyone?
>>
>>2967890

I'll second these motions, the file folder will give him some leverage when trying to enter the warehouse and we really need a guy with more business acumen given our propulsion into that arena
>>
>>2967830
>>[X] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now.
Seems like the best way to keep Cuda from being mistaken in some farcical way, plus it's not like we need to be carrying it.

>>2967890
>>[X] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.
I agree.

>We saved their lives, so maybe making it clear that whatever comes out of their mouths about us to anybody else BETTER be good words.
This, in our nicest, friendliest way. These asshats can't understand basic survival skills and are either already intimidated or unimpressed. Just remind them that they didn't see anything about what happened and they only thing they know for certain is that he helped them free when a lesser man would have left them.
With a minimum of growling.

>After this, a priority might be to go after Arturo the asshole drug-dealing shithead
I'm ambivalent.

>Followed by beating Cage's ass before we head on home.
Well, that's just good clean fun.

>The Triads will eat each other up freely.
I agree with this for now.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Run over to Cuda and hand him the file holder to take with him, it's pocket change to you and you're not gonna need it right now. Better if he hands it to Marcus for safekeeping when he gets back to the warehouse.
>[X] Make your way back to the warehouse's second floor, may as well. That middle-aged HR director Marshall Rowe had a look in his eyes when he stared at you, a gaze of respect from one who knows his place and does his job. You don't know what Breathwear does exactly, but it could be a useful asset somehow - or he might know someone who is.

>(1/2)

The file holder will only get in the way of the fight you have planned with Cage and might be a good way for Cuda to legitimize his claims of servitude to you: not a lot of people are willing to give away over three dozen grand. As for the fat cats, you can't let this opportunity slip by or spiral into a situation resulting in you being further incriminated. Marshall Rowe showed you the gratitude and respect you deserve, though; he might prove to be an asset in your corporate future if he has the appropriate connections or information.

Spinning back to face Cuda, you sprint three earth-cracking steps over to him and one ahead of him before pivoting in his direction and handing out the file holder.

"Take this with you to the warehouse. If the crew has any doubts about you, say I entrusted you with this or you're giving this to me as tribute. All of them will understand that you're either with us or someone who I'd want an audience with."

Barracuda blinks at you before taking the file holder with his free hand.

"I'll do that." A hearty laugh escapes the man's lips. "Man do I feel sorry for the poor mothafuckas who try to run away from you, boss!"
>>
>(2/2)

You grin.

"Everyone tries before I catch them; Later, Cuda."

A hop takes you from the ground, over Barracuda's head, to the torn open entrance of the warehouse. You hop over the growing pool of blood to the ladders and jump back up to the second floor.

The five men are by the ladders when you land, shooting you scared and confused looks.

You resist the urge to laugh at their ignorance of the situation.

>[ ] Persuade them you are but a humble hero who just accidentally killed everyone in Owl's crew including Owl. (Uses up Persuasion/Manipulation critical roll freebie)
>[ ] Convince them you ran off because you don't know how to talk to normal people. (Social Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14)
>[ ] "Look, I'm not a gang member, a bad guy, or a good guy even: I just happened to come by here and stumble onto you guys. I killed Owl and his gang but they were trying to kill me, okay?"
>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."
>[ ] "That whole wall phasing thing was because of all the blood I was smelling...It made me want to eat all of you and your shining blue essence...Rip into your throats and lap at the flowing blood wine..."
>[ ] Devour them all
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2968388
>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."
Guilting them might make them more amenable to respecting us if they weren't already, while also leaving it out whether we're a "good guy" or not.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2968388
>>[ ] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."
>>
>>2969028
i value and appreciate you
>>
>[X] "I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."

It's not like you to play the mutie card but the situation calls for it.

You sigh oh so dramatically.

"I'm a mutant: that's why I ran off, alright? Do you have any idea the amount of shit I have to go through because of that? Even when I just try to fucking help people someone always gets the wrong idea and tries to screw me over. I just saved you guys and the first thing you did is ask me a bunch of questions like I was some kind of bad guy."

Three of the five men share looks with one another while the other two either cry or shrug it off.

Marshall Rowe shoots you a sympathetic look.

"I understand, son, mutants like you are frowned upon by a society that refuses to look at the benefits they give to it. Thank you for saving us, but I have to still ask how you came here in the first place. Did someone from my company hire you to rescue me or did this all happen by complete chance?"

You blink at the man and resist the urge to raise an eyebrow at him.

He says that like it actually is a regular occurrence.

The old man scoffs at Rowe.

"Why would your company hire a mutant to save you, a human resources director? Obviously this mutant is a no good creeping street punk who walked through that wall as soon as he thought we didn't have any money on us."

Morty examines you with curiosity.

"This mutant seems to be in his late adolescence. Wouldn't he be with the X-men or a student of Xavier's Academy at this point of his life? He could be a young student sent here as an intern of sorts."

You resist the urge to groan at the irony and the new load of questions.

>[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"
>[ ] "Yeah, the higher-ups sent me to make sure you were all right, Rowe. How did you get bagged?"
>[ ] "Again with the questions? The fuck is wrong with you people!? I'm trying to help you, for fuck's sake!"
>[ ] "That's right, little man. I'm interning to be a member of...the Young X-men....it hurts me how stupid they were naming the team."
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2969137
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug." Get an inexplicable feel of... something you can't quite describe as you say this. Something you feel like you know but at the same time you don't know, unlike how it feels when you get a memory from one of the souls you eat.
Rest in peace Crusty Jones. I haven't read Homeless Mutant but I know his legacy runs real strong with /qst/ and even a bit in /tg/
>[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"
In that order.
>>
>>2969137
>[ ] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
[ ] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"
>>
>>2969212
>Get an inexplicable feel of... something you can't quite describe as you say this. Something you feel like you know but at the same time you don't know, unlike how it feels when you get a memory from one of the souls you eat.

you got me thinking of a beautiful little tribute

>Rest in peace Crusty Jones. I haven't read Homeless Mutant but I know his legacy runs real strong with /qst/ and even a bit in /tg/

Don't forget /co/ in every Laura thread.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."
>[X] "Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"

>(1/2)

Pretending you're with the man's company might come back to bite you if and when he figures out you were lying to him, potentially alienating a potential asset. It's best for you to tell a half-truth. You are technically homeless squatting with a group of like-minded teenagers and looking out for the well-being of your resident peoples: street rats, mutants, and, in a way, the rest of the homeless. Those two tidbits you can add in to make yourself seem more sympathetic. As for the street thug part, you're a street king, the alpha male, not a beta street thug baby gang running bitch.

You scoff.

"I might be a homeless mutant, but I'm not a creeper street thug."

As soon as those words leave your lips, an unexplainable feeling wisps through your being. It's something you know yet do not know; something you understand but do not. Self-loathing, fear, powerlessness, addiction, purpose, unity, peace, affection, and...something you can never understand so long as you have never had it in the form of someone as strong if not stronger than yourself. Kith, kin, and someone truly precious in spite of their emptiness.

You blink as the feeling fades away, leaving you as you are and have always been: stalwart, powerful, cold, ferocious, voracious, paradoxical, unfulfilled, and completely and utterly alone surrounded by those you don't understand.

In another reality, another time, and another singularity, two Kings of the Forest fought over life.
>>
>(2/2)

"Are you okay, son?" The HR director asks, bringing you out of your haze.

You slowly nod your head before raising an eyebrow at the middle-aged man.

"Why would your company hire me to save you? Does this happen often or something?"

The middle-aged man sighs.

"Not to me specifically but members of my corporation. We design specialized clothing with breathable, flexible material for mutants not unlike you. A lot of the clothing we make is handed out in Mutant Town to those who can't wear normal clothes designed for normal humans. They can buy more for a reduced price than what we'd charge people without mutations. Despite being an untapped market, most companies stay away because of the racist anti-mutant groups. At first, I thought I was kidnapped by the Friends of Humanity like a co-worker of mine until I was put in one of those cages."

You and the other two rich cats who give a fuck give the man a surprised look.

If it were something as big as a relief effort, you'd understand but that much of a ruckus over clothes is unbelievable. Granted, quite a bit of the mutant population are ugly monstrosities with extra limbs and alien body shapes that couldn't hold a candle to your voluptuous form. Maybe you can get a clothing hook-up in the future if your horns grow longer or a fancy tactical suit for skullduggery.

>[ ] "You think you can get me some clothes? I know I can wear normal clothing but I don't exactly have the money for it."
>[ ] "Do you happen to know where I can your company's main office in Manhattan?"
>[ ] "Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you on?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2969884
>Where's your offices
>Where's the FoH hideout
Time to buy out their company so we can get specialized armor
>>
>>2969884
Backing >>2970035
>>
>>2970035

Backing as well
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

what'd ya think of the HMQ references?
>>
>>2970368

I don't mind them at all ha by ing played in the quest as well, not a bad burst of nostalgia but nostalgia is best in small doses
>>
>>2970368
Is Homeless Mutant going to be a dead timeline in this universe, or will it only be something to reference rarely?
>>
>>2970390
I get you there. HMQ was good but too much fluff, which I think I need more of.
>ha by ing
what happened here?
>>2970413
Referenced rarely for now. Time will tell if I ever decide to have anything directly from HMQ's universe make its way to into this one. Maybe if I ever decide to do a crisis or event of sorts. That'd be awesome despite being a terrible idea.
>>
>>2970439

Phone posting happened while trying to type the word "having"
>>
>[X] "Do you happen to know where I can find your company's main office in Manhattan?"
>[X] "Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"

That company of his sounds like a good buy. You don't have the money now but you could purchase it after getting your inheritance from Kingpin. Whatever trouble they have going on with mutie hate groups won't be a problem for you once you take a hold of the company. The mutant fashion industry will effectively be yours and you can use whatever material they have for the Tinkerer to fashion elastic stealth suits or something akin to that.

"Do you happen to know where I can find your company's main office in Manhattan?"

Marshall Rowe nods his head.

"In Midtown on east 46th street by Lexington Avenue, come by sometime and I can get you a free sweatshirt good for working out in and making it through the winter."

You let out a chuckle.

The cold hasn't bothered you ever since you mutated: you've made snow angels completely naked before for the hell of it and came out without a single symptom of hypothermia. Your enduring natural body heat did make the snow melt around you, though. Marcus could only stare at you huddling in his multiple pairs of hoodies.

"Those 'Friends of Humanity' have a hideout you know of?"

Rowe widens his eyes at you before shaking his head.

"No, I don't and I think you shouldn't try looking for them. Street gangs are one thing but hate groups like the Friends are dangerous even to mutants with advanced abilities. They wouldn't be terrorizing and picking fights with mutants if they didn't know how to fight them, after all."

You resist the urge to laugh at the old man's genuine concern.

There's mutants with advanced abilities and you, a mutant who can actually somewhat control his insane power on top of knowing how to fight using it. Besides that, on more than one occasion you've gone against normal people who could slaughter most mutants and other people like them: Itsuki, Ren, Jesus, Alex, Cuda, and Marcus are more than capable of handling whatever super powered dipshit stupid enough to give any of them a single opening.

>[ ] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[ ] "Do you all have numbers I can call on in case I need a favor? I saved your lives after all."
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you on in case I find a friend needing some specialized clothes?"
>[ ] "Thanks for the advice, old man, but I'll be fine. Now, that hideout."
>[ ] "Are you people ready to leave now?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2970688
Ah, I see.
>>
>>2970697
>] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[ ] "Are you people ready to leave now?"

We should be able to get information on the friends of humanity and related groups ourselves
>>
>>2970697
Backing >>2970768
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"
>[X] "Are you people ready to leave now?"

When something exists, there's typically more than one group working to destroy it. They might be good at picking off mutants who don't know how to defend themselves or have insufficient enough infrastructure to, but they have no idea what you're going to do to them when you smoke them out. You're the man who took out the Kingpin in a day and took over New York City in two: they're already dead, they just don't know it yet.

"Is it just the Friends of Humanity or are there others?"

Rowe sighs.

"There's also the Purifiers and Reavers: I'm only telling you this so you know to stay away from them. A lot of good people have died because of those sick bastards. I don't want you to risk your life just because you feel like it's your duty as a mutant."

You once again surpress the urge to laugh in the middle-aged man's face and nod your head.

"Are you people ready to leave now?"

The five men nod in their own manner of doing so.

Spinning back to face the ladders, you take a step closer to the opening leading to the first floor littered with the gore of Owl's gunned down men.

...

You stop yourself from taking another step and blink.

They're probably going to jump to unfortunate conclusions about you the moment they see the bodies if you don't give them an explanation.

>[ ] "Before we go, I need to tell you all I killed Owl and his men in self defense...You're going to see the remains of them all over the first floor."
>[ ] "I forgot to answer this, but the gunshots you heard were from an actual rival gang looking to take Owl out. They didn't get Owl, seeing as how he flew straight through the warehouse, but his men are all dead."
>[ ] "Shit, I forgot to mention that Owl had this placed filled with explosives and put land mines all over the first floor. You're all gonna have to grab on to me."
>[ ] Turn back and knock them all before carrying them out the building, you don't want to risk it.
>[ ] Devour them
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2971058
>Uh, y'all are going to want to close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders
>Things got a little... Messy
>Another rival gang killed all of Owl's men
>>
Will close voting and update either tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) before my first class tomorrow or in the afternoon after my second class.
>>
>>2971058
>>2971136
> [X] "Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little... Messy. Another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."
Seconding this. It hits the mark.
>>
>>2971224

Supporting
>>
>>2971058
Backing >>2971224 but ONLY because Kojo doesn't want the vomit to get on his own clothes and because it's one less hassle to avoid for potential future gain in the form of cool and functional clothing.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little...messy: another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."

You doubt they'll fully believe you but they do owe you their lives.

Turning back to face them with the best disturbed look you can muster, you raise a hand to scratch the back of your head.

"Uh, y'all are going to want to maybe close your eyes and put your hands on each other's shoulders. Things got a little...messy: another rival gang killed all of Owl's men."

All three grown men widen their eyes at you.

"S-so that's what those gunshots were from." The Morty man says.

Herman shoots you a suspicious look.

"Than who or what was the thing that tore through the warehouse?"

Rowe glances at the two other men before laying his somewhat doubtful gaze on you.

You breathe in and sigh.

No one is ever satisfied with just getting saved by a super hero and going home without asking any questions in this day and age.

>[ ] "...Really? Again with these questions? Fuck you guys, I'm going home."
>[ ] "An RPG, it was from a weird high-tech RPG that ripped through concrete to home in on its target. I saw the thing fire off from a nearby rooftop."
>[ ] "That was me, I was jumping out of the way of their gunfire and ended up crashing into Owl. I beat his ass and left him unconscious a block away from here.
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."
>[ ] Devour them
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2972223
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."
Most plausible choice. RPG would have exploded at the end and the other begs the question "how did you bust through two fucking floors just to dodge gunfire? and why beat Owl's ass afterward?"
>>
>>2972223
>[ ] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."

A rocket propelled grenade would've exploded at the end of its run and left Owl's office a mess instead of shooting through the warehouse roof. Saying you did it would raise the question of why you'd so such a thing when you could have just jumped away; beating Owl's ass would have also required an explanation. You don't want to have to answer more questions than you need to: you have other shit to do before the day ends.

"It was Owl, he tore through his own building to escape the gunfire. I saw it from a nearby rooftop and broke in here to see if anyone was alive."

The old man scoffs.

"As if that man could have done that."

Morty the rat man raises his pointer finger in a professor-like manner.

"H-he did carry us to those cages and put us in them. I-I would also presume those embedded hooks were his doing. I-If he could've done that and put the cages there in the first place, he could have been strong enough to potentially propel himself through concrete."

Rowe gives a gruff hum in agreement.

"I don't know if the Owl was a mutant or not, but I've seen what people with those kind of abilities can do and know even the simplest ones can be immensely powerful. He could've used whatever power he had to fly to launch himself straight through this building. The man is either flying away right now or laying somewhere wounded, if he doesn't have some form of enhanced durability."

Herman's suspicious gaze doesn't relent.

"Even if that's the case, there's one question here left unanswered: why are you here?"

You hold back your urge to scowl at the old man.

This old bastard doesn't know when to quit.

>[ ] "Do you have a problem with me or something?"
>[ ] "I was just hopping by here from Riverdale on my way to Mutant Town when I heard the sound of gunshots go off and saw Owl bust through the roof."
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"
>[ ] "That rival gang...was made up of some bad, old friends I used to hang with. I heard they were making a move somewhere in Washington Heights so I came here looking to stop them from hurting anyone, but I was too late when I found them. Sure, I could've taken them all down and turned them in before they left, but...they're my old friends: I owe them more than you can ever imagine."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2972698
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

A sob story looks best if it gets back to the press
>>
>>2972698
>[ ] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood. A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

>(1/2)

Asking the man a question with another a question would be irritating on top of making you seem suspicious, saying you just happened to be hopping by when shit went down won't give you any further positive publicity and make you seem more suspicious, and the rival gang thing may be a good half-truth but it wouldn't exactly make you look heroic. Homeless mutant protector of orphan street children looking to avenge the little one he couldn't save is a story that'd make any civvie weep.

You return your hand from the back of your head to your side and clench both of your hands into fists, making the surrounding men flinch at the sound of bones cracking.

"One of Owl's men was dealing drugs in my neighborhood." An alien, primal growl rumbles in your throat, echoing throughout the warehouse. "A little street rat I looked after, Joel, was given a sample and overdosed...Instead of bringing Owl to justice when he blasted off I came in here to tend to any survivors and this is the thanks I get?"

All five men widen their eyes at you and stare in silence.

It looks like that did the trick.

Spinning back to face the ladders, you grin and take a step over one of the openings.

You hop from the ladders to outside the warehouse's torn open entrance as soon as your feet touch the ground.
>>
>(2/2)

A relieved sigh escapes your lips.

No more questions for you which means you can go focus on the other things in your agenda. Those men will talk about you and spread word of you to their circle of friends. If and when you reveal yourself to the world by collecting your inheritance, they can vouch for your goodwill to the media in spite of the APB on your head. Maybe they can stand as character witnesses if you're taken to trial.

You blink.

That little complication that triggered this entire chain of events completely escaped your mind. It seems like such a long time ago despite having barely happened the morning before. Officer Green still has a debt to pay to you and you're going to need to find someone to represent you in case you're taken to court. Little bitch rat Morty back in that warehouse might be a capable lawyer under that thin, pale skin. You're better off hiring Murdock and Nelson, the fatass and blind lawyer team, though: they've gotten people like you before off scot free and actually managed to sue Fisk Industries once on behalf of a client.

A hum rumbles in your throat as you turn to the direction of Harlem.

First thing's first, however.

>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Nigel's favorite Jamaican bar, he's the tamer of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Rooftop hop your way to Arturo's warehouse, he's the more violent one of the two drug dealing shitheads.
>[ ] Take off to Chinatown, you can pick a triad to support or start the fire before any of them hear word of Kingpin's death.
>[ ] Wait for the silk suited hostages to come out, you were a bit hasty bailing like that.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2973173
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
This is the Cage match right?
>>
>>2973181
yes
>>
>>2973173
>[ ] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.
Beat up Cage AND get some decent food? Nice!
>>
>>2973181
>CAAAAAAGE MAAAATCH
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Hop to Sylvia's, you could use some violent R&R right now.

Dealing with those inquisitive rich dicks was a lot more taxing than you thought it'd be. There's no reason for you to stick around for them: you got what you came for and then some. The Chinatown triads and what's left of the Rivals can rip themselves apart while you go do you. Learning that in spite of everything you'll never truly know who your father really was is still fresh in your mind. Whatever the hell that strange feeling of anti-youness is also weighing on you: it was inferior yet...fulfilled.

You take in a deep breathe and breathe out before taking off in the direction of Sylvia's.

It takes you two minutes to cut through Washington Hights all the way to the roof of the neighboring Church of Christ.

Taking one last hop, you go from the roof of the church to the roof of Sylvia's.

You stroll over to the edge of the restaurant roof and take a step off the ledge.

A spin turns you to the direction of the restaurant as you fall.

You land in front of the entrance without so much as a whimper despite the cracking in your feet.

One or two of the people eating outside the restaurant notice the sound, however, and whisper to each other behind your back.

Paying them no mind, you open the front door and walk in.

The same greeter from the other day parts her lips to say her scripted lines before stopping when she realizes it's you.

A small smile makes its way onto your face.

>[ ] "Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."
>[ ] "Did my buddy Luke make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"
>[ ] "Why do you look so surprised?"
>[ ] "Inside table for one, please."
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."
>[ ] Sniff the air.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2973492
>Where's Luke sit last time
>Did he settle the debt
>Why so shocked to see me, babe
>SNIFF
>>
>>2973492
Backing >>2973546
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."
>[X] "Did he make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"
>[X] "Why do you look so surprised?"
>[X] Sniff the air.

You didn't get a good sniff of Cage last time so it'd be difficult tracking him down with second-hand knowledge of his scent. It was late out at night and he could've accidentally left behind a hoodie with his scent or possibly DNA via sweat like a dumbass. Might be that he can't actually get cold like you on top of the possibility of him having never brought a sweater in the first place.

"Can you point me to the table where Luke ate last night? He told me he left something here."

The black woman blinks at you before pointing in the direction of an empty corner table by one of the building's windows.

"M-mr. Cage didn't leave anything behind but he sat at that table with his friend."

A mischievous hum rumbles in your throat.

"Did he make sure to pay for my meal the other day?"

She slowly nods her head as she sets her hand down.

"He didn't look happy about paying for you but he didn't say anything."

You let out a laugh.

That big black bitch is going to regret that, you'll make sure of it.

"Why do you look so surprised?" you ask.

The greeter jumps a bit.

"I-it's j-just that I didn't expect to see you come here ever again."

You raise an eyebrow at the woman before shrugging it off.

What you did was dining and dashing only you had a fall guy stupid enough to take the heat but even stupider enough to not tell them that you aren't a friend of his.

Enough about Cage's stupidity, though, you need his scent.

Closing your three eyes, you take in the surrounding air through your nose.

Various mouthwatering aromas are wafting through the energizing air and several distinct human scents linger on the two table seat, with two being familiar male and female scents.

You open your eyes and grin.

There's nowhere that Cage can go to hide from you now, not that he knows you're on his trail.

"Is there anything else I can help you with or?" the greeter asks.

You hum.

>[ ] Walk out the front door and follow Cage's scent, you've eaten plenty enough today.
>[ ] Go outside and follow Cage's bitch's scent, it'll be fun to rip those eyes of hers out before you get to Cage.
>[ ] "Inside table for one, please."
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
getting late, will close voting and update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8)

see y'all
>>
>>2973897
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."

Let's just see how much we can get under his skin by starting to frequent places he goes to, get in his mind and fuck with him in ways that the bulletproof skin can't help with
>>
>>2973897
>[ ] "Outside table for one, please."
>>
>>2973927
Ditto
>>
>>2973897
>>[X] "Outside table for one, please."
Could lead to some fun trouble. If not, we can track his ass down. But not her. She was ...weird.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Outside table for one, please."

>(1/2)

Sure, you had brunch and ate a few souls, but you haven't exactly been eating regularly for a long time, and you're not sure if souls have any nutritional value for your physical body. It'd also be a fun way to fuck Cage over one more time before you beat his ass. Maybe you could make this a regular habit of going to places he frequents and buying shit under his name; you will probably be recognized if you do anything of the sort after revealing yourself to the public, however, so may as well do it here one last time while you can.

A grin spreads across your face.

"Outside table for one, please."

The greeter blinks at you.

"O-okay! I'll have a waiter by your table in just a few minutes. You just pick one, sit down, and wait for them to come by." She reaches for something behind the podium and hands you a copy of their menu over it.

You swipe it out of her hands before walking out the front door and finding a cozy, empty spot at the corner of their outdoor dining area.

The surrounding patrons of the restaurant stop conversing and dining to stare at you.

Staring back, your mind recalls the otherworldly feeling you got back at Owl's warehouse.

You are completely and utterly alone surrounded by those you don't understand.

It's mostly accurate: you have Marcus and, despite the distance that's grown between you two, you've confided in him and comforted him these past two days. Maybe you might not fully understand him anymore or possibly never did in the first place, but he's still your best and only true friend. Besides that, you still have the only thing that really matters in this world: power. That's something whatever that feeling was would never understand if that warmth was really all it took to fulfill it. You'd take your revenge on whoever took Marcus from you but you'd move on with your life immediately after. It'd be hard to find anyone that can take his place at your side, however. Despite everything, he's still the only one in the world that understands you; hell, he's the only one left from your broken past, which makes him the only one that ever will. You have no intentions of ever delving into that abyss with anyone that wasn't there with you: they couldn't possibly understand what you were then without having been there to see you themselves.
>>
>(2/2)

Sylvia's front door creaking open breaks you out of your thoughts.

You open the menu and flip through the pages until you land on one with an appropriate meal for this occasion.

A nervous black man with a notepad in hand is by the side of your table a few seconds later.

"W-welcome to Syl-"

You flip the menu closed and hand it to the man before he can finish his greeting.

"Chicken livers no gravy with onions and peppers for the appetizers, a side order of steamed rice, grilled U.S prime steak for the main meal, and black coffee for my beverage."

The waiter blinks at you before scribbling into his notepad and power walking his way back into the restaurant.

You set your elbow on the dining table and rest your chin on your hand.

It's going to take a while until your meal comes by here so you have some time to think.

>[ ] Wait for your appetizers and coffee, you don't want to think at all right now.
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.
>[ ] Contemplate the relationship between you and your father, there may not be much to think about but it's still something you need to come to terms with.
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>[ ] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, it's always nice to exist in the world in a way no one else can.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, no time like the peaceful present.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2974717
Fuck I wanna do all of these but I can't
going with
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
then with the help of some nice bitter coffee, the kind detectives and cops rely on
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.
>>
>>2974727
Hmm, I was just intending that JJ/HMQ flash to be a passing reference before I realized it'd be a good chance to make Kojo introspective. What do you think of it, seeing as how you're voting for exploring it further?
>>
>>2974740
Go for it.
>>
>>2974772
i meant more how do you feel about it

Like, I feel weird 'cause this kind of feels like fanfic of fanfic territory.There's bound to be some people lurking who think I'm a shit for that, which I can totally understand. Am I doing it right or gratuitously, is what i'm basically asking.
>>
>>2974780
i think
>>
>>2974717
>>[X] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.
>>
>>2974780
>>2974789
No clue.
>>
>>2974806
Ah, I see.

this is uncharted territory for the both of us and a great deal of others

Welp, I'm gonna head out to class soon so I'll be back in a few hours to close voting and update or roll.
>>
>>2974717
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>>[ ] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Ponder that strange feeling some more, it seems pretty important if it came from the Phoenix.
>[X] Focus on the the voices you've heard in your head recently, they're obviously the Phoenix's and Death's but the questions remains why.

>(1/2)

It's not like you to waste time doing nothing and avoiding your problems: inaction is the habit of weaklings. Resolving past issues can wait when the present matters at hand are more vital and far-reaching, though. The old days are better off being contemplated with Marcus at your side giving you his thoughts on the matter, anyway: they're as important to you as they are to him and he's the only one you can actually talk to about it. Same goes for your father.

A hum rumbles in your throat.

Speaking of the past, that precious yet empty someone you felt from that otherworldly sensation is reminiscent of how you used to be, only salvageable: you were fucked beyond repair by a variety of factors in place before you were even born, which took death and the miracle of rebirth to mend you into a barely functional person. You crawled your way from the understanding of a newborn to the man you are now without anyone's help. Whoever that someone was could stay that way forever if they really were pathetic enough to live for the sake of whoever was your opposite.

You narrow your eyes at the thought of that person.

Two Kings of the Forest fought over life.

Blinking, you glance at your normal reflection in one of the restaurant's windows.

It seems so unlike you yet entirely what you as a whole are.

That which is you is you yet is not you as you are in flesh and more than that you will ever be.

You stare at yourself in the window before shrugging your celestial words off and look back to your table, focusing on your converse.
>>
>(2/2)

Whoever that man was, the Phoenix had its eyes on him and someone else. It either made them fight over it or the two of them fought each other for its power; maybe the two of them just fought each other for some other reason without ever realizing the both of them were possible vessels of the Phoenix. Either one of those or some combination of two.

There is but one King of the Forest.

A grunt escapes your lips.

You've been hearing that little voice in your head ever since you left Felon to scout out Wesley's while you went off to get that brick of C4 from the Bratva. It hasn't just been the Phoenix, you heard Death's voice when you were about to kill Kingpin and saw her in the false flesh after you killed Mariah. The cause seems to be seeing Felon as the disembodied, faceless soul that he was at the time. Awakening your third eye either somehow put you closer to their level on the cosmic playing field or was their intention ever since you crossed paths with Felon or possibly both. For what possible purpose, you wouldn't know.

The fragrance of bitter robusta bean coffee, sharp grilled onions with tame grilled peppers, and savory roasted chicken wafting together through the air breaks you out of your thoughts.

Your waiter walks into view from the corner of your eye with your orders in his hands and sets them down on your table before walking back in the direction of the restaurant out of your view.

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat at the sight of your meal.

>[ ] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.
>[ ] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
>[ ] Think about your past and the relationships Marcus, Dan, Abuelita, and you all shared, it didn't mean anything to you then but your mind has been drifting back to those times a lot lately: they mean a lot to you now and you don't understand why.
>[ ] Contemplate the relationship between you and your father, there may not be much to think about but it's still something you need to come to terms with.
>[ ] Ponder that strange feeling even more, there's still some things to take away from it.
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, no time like the peaceful present; maybe you can eat food like that.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2975518
>[ ] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[ ] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
If it works for cops and detectives, it'll work for the king of this urban jungle.
>[ ] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.
Thinking about the past and our father can wait when we're with Marcus.
>>
>>2975518
I'll back >>2975690

Never read HMQ so this stuff isn't really doing much for me, so I'll take the introspection at least.
>>
>>2975799
That's actually surprising. If you're into fluff and capeshit, you should read it. Not necessary for this quest and never, hopefully, but a good read nonetheless.

you can call me out on how much of my quest is inspired by his, which is to say all of it
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2975819
I'll pass. I don't like getting into things that didn't get an ending. Plus it's like crazy long right?
>>
>>2975847
>I don't like getting into things that didn't get an ending
I understand, it left a giant hole in me when I read Crusty's last thread.
>Plus it's like crazy long right?
Over a hundred threads...this is barely my tenth.
>>
>>2975847
It's crazy long, but it's a bit like any show cancelled before it's conclusion/becoming annoying. It sucks because it's over, but generally the journey is worth it
>>
>>2975690

Seconding this
>>
>[X] Close your material eyes and peer out in the world with your third, maybe you can see how coffee "tastes" like in essence.
>[X] Drink some of your coffee, you can't contemplate the past or metaphysical sensations without it.
>[X] Chow down on your appetizers, you can focus on things afterward.

>(1/2)

Enough pondering for now; you can do with some food and coffee.

Taking the cup of coffee in hand, you raise it to your lips but stop as the murky brown liquid touches them when an idea pops into your mind.

You close your material eyes and flow out into the world with your third.

That which is you spreads over the surrounding area until it is fully encompassing the equivalent of two street blocks and then some. You see, smell, taste, hear, and feel everything in an instant before drawing all that which is you solely to your cup of coffee. Besides the familiar yet enhanced bitter taste and energizing smell, you hear the beautiful chorus of ripples in the countless droplets of murky brown liquid play about in eternity and feel the comfortable warmth of the drink in your being.

Opening your physical eyes, you take in a deep breathe and let out a content sigh.

You are rightfully the only possible person in this world that can enjoy the song of coffee.
>>
>(2/2)

Tilting the cup once again towards your lips, you take two gulps of your coffee before setting it down on the table.

You grab hold of two fried chicken livers with one hand and toss them up into your open mouth. Rolling your tongue over the little fried organs, you relish in the overly vibrant, crispy breaded taste. Having had your fill, you chomp the livers into paste and swallow the savory mashed meat. One by one the other livers suffer their inevitable consumption until only the greens remain.

Ripping the table fork out of its cutlery wrap with one hand, you lift the appetizer plate to your lips with your other before raking the greens down into your mouth with the fork. You roll the greens around your mouth and let out a surprised hum at the vibrant bitter and sharp tastes. The greens suffer the same fate as the livers before you swallow the veggie paste down your throat.

You set down the plate with the fork on top of it, grab hold of a napkin, and wipe your smiling mouth with the paper cloth.

It seems like your third eye awakening has made eating vegetables and food in general more enjoyable to you by revealing the energies hidden in everything to your sense: all those phrases about energy filled greens are incredibly literal now.

All that's left is for you to wait for the rest of your order, drink the rest of your coffee, eat the rest of your ordered food, track down Cage, and work out your personal issues with his bullet-proof body.

>[ ] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over your not going to let it go to waste now.
>[ ] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.
>[ ] Shut all your eyes and project your soul from your body, may as well while you wait; maybe you can go around scaring everyone as the ghost of Sylvia's.
>[ ] Rise from your seat and start following Cage's scent, may as well get it over with.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2976149
I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail. It fits him.
>[ ] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over your not going to let it go to waste now.
>[ ] Call Marcus and ask him how things are going over on his end. Give him a quick rundown of what you've done so far.
>[ ] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.
>>
>>2976302
>I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail. It fits him.
street rat hood eating, dog
>>[ ] Call Marcus and ask him how things are going over on his end. Give him a quick rundown of what you've done so far.
Marcus ain't got a burner...I really should have included them from the beginning. It'd have made sense.
>>
>>2976312
Damn. Oh well, my other two options still stand.
>>
>>2976149
>>2976302
>>2976317
Seconded.
Including this:
>I love how you describe stuff like Kojo eating regular food in so much detail.
>>
>>2976302
Ditto in entirety
>>
>>2976364
>Including this:
i gave him an enhanced sense of taste, it'd be a wasted chance for some food porn if I didn't describe it in detail

In all seriousness, it makes me happy that my level of detail is appreciated and how it relates to Kojo's character.

also, it's nine pm where i'm from now so i'm gonna go to bed, will close voting and start writing either tomorrow morning before or after class my time
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Wait for the rest of your food to arrive, you took the time to fuck Cage over you're not going to let it go to waste now.
>[X] Drink the rest of your coffee, it's not going anywhere else other than your stomach.

It's good to sit down and enjoy yourself: you've accomplished a lot today and deserve a good dinner before a potentially good fight.

You raise your cup of coffee back to your lips and take a long lasting sip.

The mug lasts you all of three minutes before it's slurped empty.

Setting the hollow hot drink container down, you let out a relieved sigh and wait for the rest of your meal.

The waiter assigned to you comes by a few minutes later and takes away your empty plate before refilling your coffee for you.

You savor that cup and three more refills until about twenty five minutes have passed.

As the restaurant entrance squeaks open, the splendid aroma of grilled, bloody steak and steamed rice wafts through the air.

The waiter sets the plates down on your table and walks away without a word.

You don't bother reaching for the table cutlery and lift up the slab of meat with your hands before tearing a fresh chunk out with your teeth. Instead of savoring the flavor of the cooked portion of the prime steak, you swallow the well-done portions and mince away at the lump of meat until you taste sweet, warm blood. A purr rumbles in your throat as you roll the rare slice around in your mouth before gulping it down. The rest of the cooked flesh doesn't last long: you rip away and consume piece after piece until all of it is resting in your stomach. Moaning, you drag your tongue over your lips and the sides of your mouth savoring every smeared drop of blood as you lick yourself clean.

A few of the surrounding restaurant goers are staring at you but you pay them no mind and move onto your last dish.

Taking the table fork in your meat and blood stained hands, you lift the rice plate to your mouth and rake the brown pellets into your gaping maw. You chomp the energy filled beads into a fine paste before letting the blended pulp ooze down your throat.

You set down the clean plate, grab a napkin, wipe your hands with the paper clothe, dab the smudges remaining on your face, and wipe your mouth clean.

It's not as good as a steak in Hell's Kitchen would be but it wasn't anywhere near bad.

A grin stretches across your face as you set the napkin down.

Time to get down to business.

>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.
>[ ] Lift yourself out of your seat and follow Cage's bitch's scent, it'll be fun to show Cage pieces of her or hold her hostage against him.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2976911
>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

I mean we're not a cheapskate, just fucking with Cage some more
>>
>>2976911
>Pay the bill.
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

No reason not to. Pinning the bill on cage was funny because he was there.
>>
>>2976911
>>2976932
>>[X] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>>[X] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

>we're not a cheapskate
No, we're a thief.
We don't pay for clothes, food, or transportation. But not tipping? That's Supervillain Evil.

>>2976938
>No reason not to.
Alternatively, no reason to.
I like that most of the time, others are too intimidated to say anything. Like, we might have paid if they hadn't run away after one growl kinda thing. Plus, we murder insolent cabbies.
Once we are rolling in Fisk's money and have more scrutiny, we probably won't dine and dash again.

>Pinning the bill on cage was funny because he was there.
It's still funny.
>>
>>2976911
>[ ] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
then when we're done with that
>[ ] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Wait for the waiter to come by with the bill, you can pin it on cage and give the man a tip from your own money to prove to no one but yourself that you're not a cheapskate.
>[X] Get up and follow Cage's scent, it's time for you to have some fun.

>(1/2)

You're not going to waste this opportunity to fuck Cage over by rushing off to beat his ass. It's going to be far more cathartic if you rub it in before or after you're done breaking the bullet-proof man. Playing around with his bitch would also be something you could get off on but you have little interest in ever seeing her again. Besides all of that, not tipping an obedient little bitch when you have money to is just downright criminal: like whores, they're paid shit for their services but the pathetic honest schmucks go on and live their lives without ever knowing how much like prostitutes they are. All you personally can ask of a "server" is for them to keep their mouths shut until you need them to talk, take care of your wants and needs, and understand their place beneath you. That "waiter" earned his reward from your black wallet; like a good whore, he'll be happy and ask for you to come back again so he can have more.

A laugh escapes your lips as you sit in place for the waiter to come by.

Five minutes pass until the young black man is once again by the side of your table with a black book in hand.

"T-this is your bill for evening, sir." He lays the black book down beside the empty plates.

You flip the book open with a flick of your finger and look down at the bill.

>1 CHICKEN LIVERS $14.95
>5 COFFEE $2.95
>1 GRILLED U.S PRIME STEAK $28.95
>1 STEAMED RICE $6.50

>Sub-total: $65.15
>Sales Tax: $5.78
>Total: $70.93

The grin on your face widens as you look towards the waiter.

"Luke Cage will be paying my bill but I've got a little something for you." Reaching into your left pocket, you pull out your black wallet and flip it open.

15% to 20% of the bill not including taxes is the typical amount of money that is customary to be given to a "waiter". Kingpin's fat ass has gone out to and eaten at so many restaurants he knew that by heart, which you now know as well.

You take out a twenty dollar bill and hand it out to the man.

He blinks at the green scrap of paper before carefully taking the capital out of your hand.
>>
>(2/2)

>Hard Cash on Person: $578

That was more than 30% of what Cage is going to have pay but little bitches needs to know you'll them good.

Your waiter pockets the bill and takes the black book with him back into the restaurant building.

A pleased sigh escapes your lips as you rise from your seat and stretch out your limbs.

The hunt is on.

You take a whiff of the air and dart your eyes at the scarred curb of the street. His scent goes on in the direction where you punted those baby faced gangsters of Cottonmouth's and to the right past the nearby church.

With a hop, you go from the side of the table in front of Sylvia's to the roof of the shrine. You keep following Lenox Avenue from rooftop to rooftop, taking occasional sniffs for the minuscule traces of Cage's scent wafting up from the sidewalk below. It isn't until you leap from the roof of Speaker's Corner to the top of Harlem Hospital do you get a clear idea of where Cage went off to. Just three streets over are the Savoy Park Apartments by Harlem River Drive and Madison Avenue Bridge, just a stone's throw away from the Bronx that you passed by on your way to Wesley's with Felon in hand.

A groan escapes your lips before you take off towards the complex.

It takes you a minute to jump over the streets and the small surrounding fence into the park.

One sniff in the air is all you need to confirm that Luke lives here and most likely runs around the place for what little it'd do for his body at this point.

>[ ] Close your material eyes and flow out into the world with your third, may as well get it over with.
>[ ] Sit down and project your soul from your body, why not?
>[ ] Track Luke's scent to his apartment, you want to wreck the fucking place.
>[ ] Leap into the air and demolish one of the standing complexes. You can fight Cage after he's done dragging everyone he can out of the collapsing building.
>[ ] "LUUUKE CAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAY~"
>[ ] Let out an unrestrained roar, that's bound to lure him out.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2977271
>CAAAAAAGE COME OUT YO PLAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYY
>Sniff
>>
>>2977271
>[ ] "LUUUUUUUUKE CAAAAAAAAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAAAAAAAAAAY~"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRM2YcGpmxg
I figure with them being in NYC and all, they would know The Warriors pretty fucking well
>>
>>2977271
Also
>SNIFFFFFFFFF
>>
>>2977275
>>2977340
>Sniff
So sniff him back to his apartment or stay and sniff to see if he's getting closer?
>>
>>2977404
Stay and sniff to see if he's getting closer, and to see where people are going. Cautious habit
>>
>>2977428
Got it

Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "LUUUKE CAAAGE! COME OUT TO PLAY~"
>[X] Sniff the air to see how close he is in proximity.

Sniffing him out will take too much of your precious time and is obsolete when you have a magical, spiritual third eye granting you the ability to scout out entire blocks in all five senses. You can confirm his location with the third eye but there's no fun in that for you. Funnest option to do here is call out the man loud enough for him to hear you and for his neighbors to know someone's looking for him if he's not here.

A grin spreads across your face.

"LUUUUKE CAAAGE!" You scream in a fiendish, otherworldly voice hard enough to cause the air to visibly ripple and loud enough to make your own ears ring. "COME OUT TO PLAY~"

Your declaration of war echoes out into the cityscape and takes a full minute to fully dissipate.

Tapping your foot against the ground, you wait for a sign of the black man in yellow.

A minute or two of relative humming silence pass by without any sign of the bullet-proof hero.

You sigh before closing your three eyes and taking in the surrounding air through your nose.

Shining through a haze of delectable fear and horrid pests, Cage's scent wafts some ways away from you behind a nearby apartment building.

Your lips curve into a smile.

It's time for your therapy session.

>[ ] "This way, Cage!"
>[ ] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"
>[ ] Jump over the apartment building in front of Cage, it'd be boring to take him out in one hit with a sucker punch.
>[ ] Propel yourself through the building and sucker punch Cage. (Combat Skill Roll, +3 Modifier DC8)
>[ ] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.
>[ ] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2977613
>[ ] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day! I figure since you paid for the good food, I should pay you back! I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich..."
>[ ] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.
It's cheesy as hell, but we're in a capeshit world. This is part for the course. Kojo might know it's cheesy, but in his heart of hearts he knows it feels right for this moment. He lives in a (comic book) world of superheroes and weird fucking shit - banter is in his blood to an extent, no matter how evil and ruthless or bloodthirsty he is.
>>
>>2977631
>I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich...
>not "Here, let me give you my wallop"
...

it's awfully punny i know
>>
>>2977651
Go with what you feel is right, shroom man.
>>
>>2977613
>>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

>>2977631
Popcorn is good too.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day! I figure since you paid for the good food, I should pay you back! I have this recipe for a mean knuckle sandwich..."
>[X] Leap over the apartment complex and bring your fist down on Cage in your descent.

>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"
>>
>>2978201
will never understand why first green text is white in a dice roll
>>
>[X] Hop to the roof of the building, it'd be a good vantage point to prop up your entrance
>[X] "Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

As much as you'd like to jump into the meat of things with cheesy banter, you'd rather start things off with an entrance and some bitch talk.

Your smile widens into a grin as you leap to the roof of the apartment complex.

Walking to the other edge of the rooftop, you look down to see a familiar, distant black man in an eyesore of a yellow t-shirt scouring his greenery surroundings for any sign of his challenger.

A laugh escapes your lips.

"Hey, Cage, thanks for treating me to Sylvia's the other day!"

The bullet-proof man freezes in place before slowly turning his head up to give you a look of disbelief mixed with anger.

"You!" He points a small accusing finger at you. "You goddamn hoodlum! I'm gonna drag you to the police to answer for those policemen you hurt and those two kids you crippled right after you're done paying me back for that night!"

Smothering a laugh, you raise a curious eyebrow down at Cage.

He's heard the news but not your side of the story, which might be an opportunity to turn him to your side. The man's a shitty hero but he's got some street cred amongst the dumbass human populace. If you convince him you were just defending yourself, you can help further spin the story as just another injustice committed by the prejudiced law enforcement. The fact that you're predominantly African on your mother's side and Mestizo(Translation: Mixed) Mexican on your father's only adds to the racism angle that triggered the incident in the first place. Only downside is you hate playing the victim card even though you are one in this situation.

>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[ ] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass!"
>[ ] "Hoodlum?! Fucking really, nigga?! Oh wait, the coons back home always said that word wasn't for me! Let me rephrase myself: fucking really, nigger?!"
>[ ] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[ ] Jump over the edge and pummel into Cage at the end of your fall. (Combat Skill Roll +3 modifier, DC14)
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2978359
>[ ] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"
>>
>>2978359
>[ ] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>>[ ] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>>[ ] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass!"
>>
>>2978359
>>2978393
>>[X] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
Kinda like this.

>>[X] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>>[X] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"
Her life should be worth at least a couple meals.

Gotta set him straight on those cops, even if he doesn't flip. We have to get ahead of that headache. Not even sorry about those spray-n-pray chumps.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

i'm not sure if anyone didn't go for the hoodlum option because it'd accelerate hostilities or was too much
>>
>>2979153
Well Kojo has flipped Itsuki AND Silvermane so far. It hasn't failed him yet so IC he might be wanting to flip Cage too - or at least make it so he gets the story straight and stops fucking with us. Another IC reason is that Sylvia's has pretty good food and service we might keep using, and making Cage pay our tab would be double hilarious once he hears WE'RE the new Kingpin.
>>
>>2979153
It's not that we're playing Kojo too weak, it's that this isn't quite the time for the fun brutality and slaughterfest. There's always time for that, but flipping people (or trying to) is a temptation that's always there for Kojo. It's that Diablo will of domination and seizing the willpower and allegiance of others by words or power. The trickery/hilarity aspect is partially because he's a teenager and partially because devil-like figures in myths and shit have a tendency to play games and fuck with people for for the hell of it. I guess those are the reasons for Kojo doing what he's doing?
>>
>>2979172
>I guess those are the reasons for Kojo doing what he's doing?
Partly so.
>>
>[X] "What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"
>[X] Hop down to meet with him face to face, starting things off with an aerial attack would be too much and ruin your chances of flipping him.
>[X] "Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!"
>[X] "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"

>(1/2)

You do want to beat the shit out of Cage but yesterday morning's incident is a concern. Even if Oliver Dustin's interview incriminated the hell out of the police officer who started opening fire on you, those cops are still hurt and one of them is dead. It's going to take a lot of support, blackmail, and maybe a few hostages to make it all go away. There's quite a bit of fun in the idea of manipulating Cage without him knowing who he's going to be supporting, though. Not as gratifying as a fight would be right now but you can make that up with some more bitch talk.

"What was that?! I can't hear you from up here, bitch!"

With a hop, you jump off the edge of the roof and land in front of Cage, leaving a small crater beneath your fractured feet.

Cage clucks his tongue and points his finger into your chest.

"You need to pay what you owe!"

A snarl escapes your lips, drawing a surprised eyebrow from the black man.
>>
>(2/2)

"Bitch, I am fucking broke and homeless!" You smack his finger away with the back of your left hand. "I saved your girlfriend's life, you ungrateful jackass! Doesn't that fucking count for something?"

The man in the yellow shirt takes a step closer to loom over you.

"You murdered a police officer, hurt a dozen others, and crippled two kids! Who you might have saved doesn't matter at this point! I could've stopped those two from shooting up Sylvia's on my own without hurting them, anyway! Those two boys ain't got a bright future waiting for them now! You're either going to walk into a police station and turn yourself in or I'm going to have to drag your ass in a jail cell myself!"

A displeased frown makes its way onto your face.

There's a great deal of you that wants to tear Cage's throat out right now and forget about using him.

>[ ] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>[ ] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>[ ] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"
>[ ] "Bright future?! What the fuck are you talking about?! Those two baby faced motherfuckers had none the moment they decided to run with a gang!
>[ ] "You really think you could've gone faster than the speed of sound to soak up all those bullets while you stood there like a fucking retard?!"
>[ ] Knee him in the balls, he should know better than to stand this close.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC10)
>[ ] Headbutt him in the face, his shitty intimidation tactic is one of the worst to ever do to you of all people.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC12)
>[ ] Punch him in the throat, he's just asking for it.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14)
>[ ] Stab him in the throat with your finger, may as well get to adapting your old style.(Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC14 for combat maneuver. Combat Skill Roll, +3 modifier DC18 for proficiency improvement)
>[ ] Devour him
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2979255
>>[ ] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>>[ ] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>>[ ] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"

These arguements are really good for the goal anyways and having Cage flip will help. We're going to need to be a bit more circumspect about our brutality and bloodthirst and having a couple of heros at least conflicted about how they feel about us will only help as word of the Kingpin spreads. We cannot underestimate the size of the stone we just threw into the pond and to be honest that was probably half of Kingpins protection, people thought he was untouchable and were so cautious in their approach that he remained untouchable. We've usurped a throne and need to think strategically from here, even though I am super curious about how bad we could fuck up Cage by attacking his soul.
>>
>>2979255
Backing >>2979300
>>
Forgot to mention this, today's my night class day so there's probably going to be one or two updates after I'm back from my first class.
>>
Also,
>>2979300
Would you prefer these statments making your point or something more calm and convincing? Like, I don't mind writing up those but it's kinda dissonant.

While I'm at it, would you prefer more non-choice dialogue or are you fine with how most of what Kojo says are choices?
>>
>>2979390
>While I'm at it, would you prefer more non-choice dialogue or are you fine with how most of what Kojo says are choices?
this relates to things in general when it comes to kojo's interactions, just to specify
>>
>Will Roll
>+4 Modifier
>DC16

best of three with 20s please
>>
Rolled 18 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2979757
>>
Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>2979757
Man I was really hoping we could make just randomly kicking Cage's ass a thing. Too bad we're way too visible to do that now.
>>
>>2979796
damn, that's a close roll there

I mean, you could've if you decided to stay completely in the shadows but eventually Cage would call Dany and bigger heroes to help him out with you.
>>
Y'all want to wait for someone to go for the last roll in hopes of a crit or close rolling to prevent the occurrence of a crit fail?
>>
>>2979836
Fighting Danny would be pretty interesting. If we catch him once he's dead but he's got a lot of power and skill.
>>
Rolling closed, writing now.

>>2979889
>Fighting Danny would be pretty interesting. If we catch him once he's dead but he's got a lot of power and skill.
Yeah, and the iron fist with his spiritual chi...
>>
>>2979929
Wonder if we could eat that.
>>
>[X] Persuade Cage you are innocent on all accounts. (Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16. Uses Critical Persuasion Roll freebie.)
>[X] "I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning! You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"
>[X] "Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them!"
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 18 + 4 = 22
>Success!

>(1/2)

There's no part of you that likes mimicking the weakness of others, especially something as foreign to you as sadness. Where others feel sorrow, you feel fury. You may be pulling at Luke Cage's strings but it's not at all the way you want to. The man has it in his head that young guys with dark skin don't do nothing in these types of situations, however, which makes it the best way to approach this. At the very least, you get to still sound pissed off.

You grit your teeth and force out a whimper.

"I was defending myself from a drive by shooting when those fucking donut munching pigs came up and opened fire without warning!" You make your voice start to waver and motion your hands to your head. "You can see the color on my skin and the horns on my head, can't you?!"

Cage widens his eyes at you and sets a hand on your shoulder, drawing a barely repressed twitch from you.

"I...I'm sorry you had to go through that, son. No one should ever have to suffer indignity at the hands of the police." His eyebrows furrow at you. "That doesn't excuse what you did to those two kids, though. I can get you a lawyer that could help make that business with the cops go away but you have to answer what you did to those two."

Despite the improvement in attitude and success of your manipulation, you really want to rip the big black bitch's arm off and beat him to death with it right now.

You let out an aggravated growl and, while clenching your left hand into a fist at your side, you jab your right pointer finger into his chest, making him take a step back and withdraw his hand as you poke a hole in his shirt.

"Stop treating them like they were fucking innocent! They were grown men responsible for their own goddamn choices and the consequences to them! For fuck's sake, I'm fifteen years old and even I know that!"

The black man turns his surprised eyes from your finger puncturing his shirt up to you.

"Fifteen? You look like you're in your late teens to early twenties."

You throw your hands up.

"Welcome to whack ass mutant fucking hormones! I'm pretty sure there's enough testosterone and estrogen running through my blood to make someone overdose!"

Cage holds an obstructing hand out to you.
>>
>(2/2)

"Okay." He says as he nods his head. "Okay...I'm sorry you've had to go through all of this and I'm sorry I didn't hear you out." He pulls his arm back to his side as you put your arms down. "You're just a kid trying to get by, I see that now. None of this was something you had a choice in or something you could do anything about."

...

It's taking every fiber of your being not to beat this man to death right now.

You've always had a choice since that fateful day you were reborn and there was nothing in this world you couldn't do anything about anymore.

You are the one and only master of your fate.

Letting out a trembling sigh, you stiffly nod your head much like how a rusted pipe is turned by a wrench.

"...Yeah, I didn't have a choice in any of this or could do anything about it."

Cage nods his head back solemnly.

"I know how it feels, man. You can forget about what I said about the bill: you don't owe me anything."

A tinge of pain pulses through your chest at the thought of being as useless as the man standing before you.

You accept his words with a quick hum.

The two of you stand in silence as a gust of wind blows by.

Never in your entire life have you ever felt so disgusted with yourself.

>[ ] "...You got a number I can call you by in case I ever need...help?"
>[ ] "...What's the name of that lawyer?"
>[ ] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"
>[ ] "...Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
>[ ] Kick Cage in the balls while he's distracted, fuck being friendly with this dipshit.
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
>[ ] Hop to Chinatown, it might be good to see what the triads can offer you.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
show of hands to how many people figured out kojo's age back in the bratva deal thread

now show of hands to how many people have figured out what day and age kojo's living through since the kingpin assassination thread
>>
>>2980096
>[ ] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
>[ ] "...What's the name of that lawyer?" There's no way. It can't be Wesley, can it?
>[ ] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?" Weird science bitch. Must work for one of those companies that Kingpin might know...
Man, now I feel bad like Kojo for even trying to flip Cage. You really nailed it with the "Never in your entire life have you ever felt so disgusted with yourself." part. We really need this information off of him right now.

Next time, instead of making Cage pay the tab for our meal, he WILL be our meal.
>>
>>2980096
>"You can forget about what I said about the bill: you don't owe me anything."
>[X] "You mean both bills?"

>>[X] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again."
"I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy. Just, maybe a free meal, or two."
>>
>>2980104
Not me.
Being a minor might fuck with our inheritance.
>>
>>2981661
The problem is actually way deeper than that. Kojo has no record of his birth, knows no witnesses to his birth, and there's no existance any sort of legal document whatsoever detailing his activities for the entire time he's been alive. If he attended school or was taken in by an orphanage, the case might be different but still: the guy's a ghost revealing himself to the land of the living.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "You mean both bills?"
>[X] "...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again. I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy. Just, maybe a free meal, or two."
>[X] "...What's the name of that lawyer?"
>[X] "...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"

>(1/2)

Mentioning the other bill might make you feel better and telling Cage off will at least make you feel less sickened with yourself.

A mischievous smirk forms on your face.

"You mean both bills?"

The black man blinks at you.

"Oh come on, man!" He clucks his tongue. "That last bill cost me almost forty dollars."

You snicker at Cage for a good minute as he looks on with disbelief until your small laughs die down.

"...Cage, don't you ever fucking call me son or compare yourself to me ever again." The smirk on your face gives way to a menacing scowl. "I've been scraping and surviving on my own, in the alleys, since I was born. I didn't ask for trouble from the shooter, the cops, or those killers on the bike. I'm just trying to get by and stand up to anyone who wants to tear me down. I never wanted sympathy." Your scowl morphs back to a smirk. "Just, maybe a free meal, or two."

The black man parts his lips to say something but closes them and nods his head in understanding, sympathetic look still on his face.

You suppress the urge to groan.

Definitely nothing you can say to get him to stop looking at you like you're a pathetic victim like him. He still hasn't realized just how stupid and naive his outlook is despite being a grown ass man. The world's only acceptable victims are those incapable of rational thought or in development of it. Anyone in their teens or adulthood should know better and be capable of taking the necessary precautions to prevent themselves from being hurt, swindled, or manipulated. Those who make it so easy for others are asking for it. You may have been a victim of circumstance when you were a newborn but you alone are responsible for how well you've progressed with your life: none of your current situation is a result of you being a victim. Due to your own actions, you let yourself get in a situation where you killed a police officer and hurt about a dozen others instead of just hopping away after that idiot started shooting.

That's a mistake you're going to rectify and never repeat again.
>>
>(2/2)

You breathe in and sigh.

"...What's the name of that lawyer?"

Cage smiles.

"Matt Murdock of Nelson and Murdock; trust me, that man has gotten people out of worse cases than yours."

You blink at the black man.

It's either an awfully small world or Matt Murdock is part of some vigilante group supporters.

There's only one question you have left on your mind and it's been one lingering in the back of your mind.

"...So, your girlfriend, what's her deal?"

Yellow shirt shoots you an odd look before a look of realization dawns on his face.

"She's, in her own words, a Cubana Africana who helps people with abilities besides her actual job as a nurse. After I ran back to her, she told me about you being hurt and the way you could heal." A guilty tone oozes off the man's words. "We sorta got into a fight about bringing you in. It's nothing serious especially now that I can say that I was wrong about you. She can't help herself whenever she sees someone hurting on the outside and...on the inside."

An unsuppressed groan escapes your lips.

You really don't understand these types of people.

>[ ] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[ ] "You got a number I can call you by in case I ever need...help?"
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Kick Cage in the balls while he's distracted, fuck being friendly with this dipshit.
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
>[ ] Hop to Chinatown, it might be good to see what the triads can offer you.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2981757
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.
I fucking swear we're gonna not only take Cage's soul but we're going to literally eat him alive in the process. Not now, but later on. There won't be any bones or trace of him at all to show he's dead, after we're through with him.
>>
>>2981757
>[ ] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[ ] "Do you anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[ ] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.

We've done what we needed to do here, bought ourselves some time while all this breaks down, Nelson and Murdock should also be able to help us with the legal mess of assuming our new position. As distasteful as all this was I still think it'll pay off at the end. Also the thought of what will be going through all these people's minds as the pieces fall into place is amazing. Time to get back to our own people though, the Triads can have some time to process and figure out how they want to approach us
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

>>2981935
>Also the thought of what will be going through all these people's minds as the pieces fall into place is amazing.
It'll be the equivalent of this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLoytewvn0g
>>
>>2981981
Check THIS out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWz6-3H-LI4
>>
>[X] "Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"
>[X] "Do you know anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"
>[X] Take off back to the warehouse, you've done what you needed to do here.

You know where Murdock's office is but it'd be handy to have his cell number to call him in the time you have before your big reveal or when you have your one phone call. As for the two Rival drug lords, Cage is bound to have stepped on their toes more than once throughout his cape career. He might have an idea of where their hideouts are located.

"Does Murdock have a personal cellular phone number I can call him with or an office number?"

Cage nods his head.

"Six four six, zero nine three, five two six is his cell number; I don't know his office number."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"Do you know anything about Arturo Rey or Nigel Garrison?"

The black man scoffs.

"Enough to know you should stay away from those two crazy pieces of human scum. They turn Harlem into a war zone once every quarter of the year and nothing gets done about it. Police can't stop them, Diamondback couldn't care less, and all I can do is prevent anymore kids from getting into that shit."

You let out a small laugh.

At least the man knows how useless he is in the grand scheme of things. Diamondback is dead, Shades is dead, Owl and his entire gang are dead, the Chinatown triads are going to tear themselves apart, the Yakuza are no longer in New York, a child abusing drug lord is dead, and the Kingpin of Crime himself is dead all thanks to you. Their pathetic ways of ruling the streets of New York will never plague the city again.

You are a king on the chess board and Cage is and will forever be a pawn.

The black man shoots you a look before you flip back from the ground all the way to the roof of the building you were previously on.

One spin turns you to the direction of Madison Avenue Bridge and a leap begins your short trek home.

You reach the bridge and jump across its supports into your home turf of Mott Haven in a great deal of seconds. From there, it takes you a few minutes to reach your neighborhood hideout.

A booming hip hop song is the first thing you hear and one of your scouts bobbing his head to the beat is the first thing you see as you hop from a nearby rooftop to the roof of the building opposite of your warehouse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFnI-JmQh84

You land right behind the scout but he's too occupied with the music to notice you.

>[ ] Jump to the roof of the warehouse and clap your hands together, there's a lot you need to tell them and a speech is possibly in order.
>[ ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.
>[ ] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"
>[ ] "Hey, what's going on?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
sorry for how long this took, reigns: got you see
>>
>>2982300
[x ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.
>>
>>2982300
>>[ ] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"

One and only pass on this, its unacceptable that our scouts are being lax and then

>[ ] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2982300
>"Six four six, zero nine three, five two six is his cell number; I don't know his office number."
THERE ARE NO 9 DIGIT CELL PHONE NUMBERS
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
>>
Gotta go run some errands will update when I get back.
>>2982631

he meant two sixes, he was speaking in ebonics

There are actually some numbers shorter than that.
>>
>[X] "Bitch, did I say you could take a break!"
>[X] Hop down into the street and make your way to the warehouse, every member of your inner circle with the exception of Alex sits at the round-table during celebrations for most of the time.

>(1/2)

It's best to let your boys have their men, but your scout should know better than to shirk his duties.

"Bitch, did I say you could take a break!" You yell just loud enough for him alone to hear you through the loud music.

The foot soldier jumps at the sound of your voice and slowly turns to face you with fear on his light brown face.

"I-I'm sorr-" The man widens his eyes in remembrance and slumps his head down to avoid eye contact with you and signal his submission. "...I have no excuse."

A grin spreads across your face as you lay a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Don't make the same mistake again; which, considering what's happened in the past few hours, you probably won't be able to. Just don't fail me, the crew, whoever you end up under, and yourself. A mistake like this is fine the first time around but it's a problem if it happens more than once. I know it doesn't seem like much, but an old crew we fucked over could swoop in right now and take us all out because you weren't paying enough attention to notice. Not only that, you could get entrusted with even more important tasks because of doing this one. If a member of the round-table gave you one of those jobs and you fucked up, anyone in the gang would be more than happy to smoke your sorry ass if they don't make an example of you first. Do you understand?"

The foot-soldier blinks at you in amazement and nods his head.

You give his shoulder a tap and hop over his head down into the crowded street.
>>
>(2/2)

Surrounding members of your crew stop their partying to let out commemorating shouts at you.

The grin on your face widens as you navigate your way through the parting and hollering crowd to the clearing around the open warehouse gate.

You walk in between a booming speaker and an open ice cooler set up at the corners of the warehouse gate into the hideout.

Marcus, Ren, Itsuki, Jesus, and Felon are all conversing in a circle in front of the money stacked round-table.

Itsuki's the first to notice your presence and rises up from his seated position to bow at you.

Your best man and best woman turn to see you and scoot over to make a space in the circle.

Felon leans back to look at you with weary eyes before slightly raising a half-empty corona in his hand up as a greeting.

You eye the mutant with some amount of annoyance.

He may have helped you with the inheritance scheme but he just doesn't fit the inner circle.

>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
>[ ] "When did you two get back?"
>[ ] "Bobby, did I say you could have a place at my round-table?"
>[ ] "Where's Alex? Before you answer that, I know she's upstairs fucking some of our boys or making dykes out of some of our girls. Knowing her, it's both."
>[ ] Walk over and take your seat, it's only fitting.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2983063
>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
Well all the plans I had for Felon are pretty useless since we can more or less do the same stuff. Not sure what to do with him.
>>
>>2983063
>>[X] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
>>2983394
>Well all the plans I had for Felon are pretty useless since we can more or less do the same stuff.
Remains unconfirmed.

>Not sure what to do with him.
If he's redundant, appraise him after he's rested.
If Kojo thinks he won't run, rat, or flip, then give him a wad of cash, cut him loose, save him for later and let him be a low level nobody. Otherwise, or if the mood strikes us, eat his soul.
>>
>>2983063
>[ ] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"
Also what >>2983644 said for later.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"

Best to figure out what the rest of the inner circle already knows before you sit down and join the meeting. The time they got back doesn't really matter considering the sun's more or less at the horizon right now and they're here without a scratch on them. Felon can stay in the round circle for now due to his unique position where you can discuss his potential future with you if he proves to still be an asset.

You focus your eyes back on the two leaders directly under you, grin, and start walking towards them.

"Did you two explain the changes in management already or are you just chatting to pass the time?"

Marcus smiles.

"We told them how things were gonna be with the boroughs being split, Silvio being your advisor, and Ren taking her place as an under boss. Jesus already seemed to know what was going to happen and Itsuki didn't have much of a reaction. " He sighs. "As for Alex, she's upstairs doing what she likes best: people."

You groan, stop by the open space in the circle, and turn your eyes to Ren.

The Japanese girl blinks before supporting Marcus' words with a drab nod.

Focusing back to Marcus, you see him shooting you a look.

"Okay, so I'm not good at sharing the hand position even if I'm the one with more power." He glances at Ren. "Not an excuse, but she is also a little too used to adding on only when asked."

Ren nods her head again when you turn to see her.

"His criticism is true: I am used to staying silent and speaking only when needed to, Reyes-sama." She glances at the black teen. "Marcus' words about himself are also true. I imagine it's the result of being alone by your side for so long, Reyes-sama."

The two hands lock eyes and stare blankly at one another.

You can't help but feel incredibly amused by this situation.

>[ ] "Okay, I'm gonna go drag Alex out of the sea of writhing flesh she's currently in.
>[ ] "You two are cute when you unintentionally come off as passive-aggressive."
>[ ] "...I was just asking what you two told to them."
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2984551
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.

>>2983644
Most of my plans were reconnaissance based and we have our third eye now so having him scope things out is a bit redundant.
>>
>>2984551
>[ ] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
Like the extremely useful pets they are
>[ ] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Pat them both on the head, you know they love it.
>[X] Sit down in your rightful seat, it's only proper.

Good girls and good boys who are a bit miffed need and deserve a good head pat; Alex can stay upstairs getting her irresponsible ass spanked.

You stretch a hand out over each of the sitting gang leaders' heads and give them two fond pats.

Marcus lets out an annoyed groan while Ren jolts in place as you touch them.

Grinning, you sit yourself down in the open space beside an eye contact avoiding Marcus and a blushing Ren.

Itsuki and Jesus look on with their ever-present blank expressions awaiting your words.

Felon, Bobby Soul, stares at you in some confusion as he takes another swig of his Corona.

There's a lot for you to go over and there's some information best left to close ears.


>[ ] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash and join our crew as one of my enforcers."
>[ ] "I offed Diamondback, killed one of his lieutenants, and flipped another one but two more are still alive."
>[ ] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[ ] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for when I come into the public light."
>[ ] "Met Luke Cage again: I had a spat with him the other day. He hooked me up with the number of a lawyer who could get me off that incident yesterday morning."
>[ ] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't."
>[ ] "I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I suddenly know a lot about business in general."
>[ ] "...So, you guys know my dad, right? I know Marcus does. It might not seem like it but I had one. He worked for Kingpin as his main enforcer for a while before he was ordered to fuck up a deal with a little ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. Trouble is, in doing that, he ended up killing an undercover agent of SHIELD....So, yeah: that's two major somethings we might have to deal with."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
so many little things
>>
>>2984838
Is Marcus aware we killed Dan entirely by accident?
>>
>>2984871
Yes, Kojo was still little puppet Kojo then and would have never considered hurting Dan due to the overall benefit of keeping him around. Kojo killed Dan on reflex with a reflexive pre-preemptive counter punch.
>>
>>2984907
excuse the repeating words, my mind is mush

Though, to be accurate, little Kojo pinocchio was in the process of becoming a real boy when that happened.
>>
>>2984907
>>2984919
Alright then.

>>2984833
>[ ] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash and join our crew as one of my enforcers." Look at Marcus. "He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."
>[ ] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[ ] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for when I come into the public light."
then when we get quiet to make it seem like we're done
>[ ] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. But I can see stuff I never could before, like souls and life energy." Look at Itsuki. "I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this."
Telling about Barracuda is necessary to get everyone on the same page and for Marcus' sake. Telling about Black Mariah is some lighthearted news :^) and telling about Owl alongside the rich dudes is useful info. Third eye reveal is good for now.
HOWEVER
We leave the Diamondback/Rivals issue to later with Marcus. No need to talk about the Triads because they'll handle themselves without us. We can pull the Matt Murdock phone number card when we need to, but also to catch the others (read: Marcus) by surprise, and Luke Cage is irrelevant to tell them right now. Soul eating reveal would fuck up the mood and I'd rather get Itsuki and Marcus on the same page first without anybody else. We are NOT revealing the Hydra Kingpin link in public out in the open like this surrounded by our mooks.
>>
>>2984939
>We are NOT revealing the Hydra Kingpin link in public out in the open like this surrounded by our mooks.
all the mooks are outside
>>
>>2984946
Still iffy on revealing Hydra like this, even to our inner circle
but I'll switch to also including
>[ ] "I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I suddenly know a lot about business in general."
>>
>>2984939
>>2984977

Supporting this dude, it's a lot of little things to cover but that should hit all the major points
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

I wonder how many people are still here from the very first issue/thread.
>>
>>2985158
I am. Same anon who got the rolls that flipped Itsuki and Silvio. I also came up with the master plan to take down kingpin.

Still can believe I overlooked bulletproof glass.
>>
>>2985198
I fucking love you man.

Also, anti-mat level bulletproof glass is some unlikely heavy duty shit I tell you. It can still only take, like, one shot though. Fisk was better off getting mid-tier glass for high caliber rifle rounds but that wouldn't have saved him from the equivalent of a .50 cal.
>>
>>2985222
Considering that the bratva were the ones who gave it to us and have been in opposition to him, I should have put 2 and 2 together. There were a few other potential weak links as well but that's definitely the most obvious.

We should eat a bomb experts soul at some point.
>>
>[X] "Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash to join our crew as one of my enforcers. He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."
>[X] "I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor. She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."
>[X] "Owl, some small time gang leader, is also dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats he had kept as hostages and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for some positive publicity when I come into the public light."
>[X] DRAMATIC SILENCE!
>[X] "I have a third eye on my forehead. You guys can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. I can see things I never could before, like souls and energies. I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this, Itsuki."
>[X] "Also, I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's just because of the general aura around me. Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I now know a lot about business organization, practices, management and businesses in general really."

>(1/3)

The immediate case of Cuda hauling his ass through the city to your hideout comes first before you give them the run down on Owl and Black Mariah, the two players you managed to fully take out of the game. Saving the revelation of your recent supernatural awakening and the conditions for last is important for dramatic effect and leaves room for them to ask questions without distracting from the other issues. Your father's beef with SHIELD and Hydra can stay a secret for now.

"Barracuda, one of Kingpin's enforcers and an old friend of an old soldier man who taught me and Marcus a lot of things, is going to stop by with a file folder filled with cash to join our crew as one of my enforcers." You turn to a surprised Marcus. "He's also surprisingly okay with me killing Dan by accident after I told him, so you don't have to worry about that."

Marcus blinks at you.

"I'm not worried, Kojo, just wondering how and why you recruited him."

A laugh escapes your lips.

"All I had to do was tell him Kingpin was dead and ask. I recruited the man because of his experience as well as his capability and reliability. He won't flip or switch sides, because that's the kind of person he is. If Kingpin were alive, he'd have fought me to the death. Now he'll do the same for me against our enemies."

Marcus sighs.
>>
>(2/3)

"Okay, it's your call, but it's also on you if he starts any shit."

You give him an affirming nod and turn back to face the rest of the circle with a grim face.

"Before I ran into Cuda, I killed Black Mariah, a drug grower and distributor of Kingpin's who ran her operation through child labor." You resist the urge to smile as Felon's eyes widen. "She may not have posed much of a threat but she could have gotten a hold onto his turf if she decided to go big time. Also, she was using street-rats: she deserved to die."

None of the members of your inner circle protest or look surprised with the exception of Felon.

Those who've been with you for more than two years know your attitude towards drug dealers and drugs in general as well as your distaste for the manipulation of children. You've had ideas in the past concerning the use of street rats as spies but never acted on them because of their likelihood to get those kids in trouble or possibly killed. Itsuki most likely figured you for that kind of dogmatic person.

Bobby raises his corona in the air as a solute.

"To dead sick pieces of shit and the surprisingly...okay guy who kills them." He lowers the bottle down to his lips and takes a drink out of it.

You smile at the sorry sight as the rest of your lieutenants, who aren't Jesus, look on with pity before you all focus back on the meeting.

"Owl, some small time gang leader, is also dead thanks to me. He controlled Washington Heights and Inwood right by Diamondback's crew in Harlem. I freed some fat cats he had kept as hostages and managed to spin a story of me being a decent guy for some positive publicity when I come into the public light."

Marcus shoots you a questioning look and parts his lips to say something but a raised hand from you stops him.

You let the relative, mysterious silence stew for a few seconds until even Itsuki and Jesus look engaged.
>>
>(3/3)

Finally, you lower your hand back to your side.

"I have a third eye on my forehead. You guy can't see it, because it technically doesn't exist on this plane of existence, or, at least, I think it doesn't. I can see things I never could before, like souls and energies." You focus your gaze on the taken back Japanese Man. "I was wondering if you knew anything that could help me learn more about this, Itsuki."

The middle-aged man calms himself and shakes his head before bowing it.

"申し訳ございません, Reyes-sama. I have seen many otherworldly things throughout my life, however, I do not have knowledge of the third eye you speak of."(Japanese: 申し訳ございません, Romanji: Moushiwake gozaimasen, Translation: essentially a serious "I'm really sorry")

You let out a hum.

"It's fine, Itsuki, you gave me what you could."

Felon and Marcus both part their lips to say something as Itsuki lifts his head but you raise another hand to stop them.

"Also, I can eat souls. Everyone has one and they're surprisingly weak in comparison to mine, but I don't know if that's just because of the general aura around me." Felon's eyes widen even further at you as you focus again on the grown man in the room. "Though, Itsuki, yours is one bright blue motherfucker. I ate Kingpin's after Jesus blew half his face off and I now know a lot about business organization, practices, management and businesses in general really."

The room falls back into relative silence as the words leave your mouth.

Your not one to lie to those in your inner circle but you've played jokes on them before: it's quite possible Marcus and Ren are waiting for some kind of punchline while Itsuki and Felon have no idea what to say.

>[ ] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[ ] "Bobby go astral. I wanna see if this works and show them what I'm talking about."
>[ ] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."
>[ ] Close your material eyes and pour out into the world with your third.
>[ ] Close all your eyes and project your soul from your body, may as well go for a stress test now. v
>[ ] Write In.
>>
File: 777.png (296 KB, 300x440)
296 KB
296 KB PNG
>>2985777
>777
NICE TRIPS, CHECKED

>>2985781
>[ ] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[ ] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] Start laughing, telling them this crazy shit was a bad idea in the first place.
>[X] "Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."

You honestly have no idea what the hell you were expecting when you had it in your mind to tell them about this crazy shit. That's not even touching how the cosmic personification of Death and whatever the hell the Phoenix is are interested in you. Despite all that, you can't back away from this now. Trying out soul projection here without any experience could lead to an accident and you're pretty sure you would have devoured whoever you'd possess on instinct. Felon's got experience doing whatever it is he does and you both now he doesn't do anything to his possessee's soul.

A fit of laughter erupts from your lips and reverberates through the warehouse.

The "normal" members of your inner circle shoot you a look as Felon still stares at you in surprise.

It takes about ten seconds for your laughter to die.

"Bobby, would you mind possessing Jesus for a moment to show these guys what I'm talking about."

Felon groans as everyone's eyes turn to him.

"Why do I get the feeling that's not a request?"

You grin.

"I didn't say it like it was one."

The mutant sighs.

"Fine, but I don't see how possessing the Latino robot will prove anything: I mean, your guys saw how you dragged my soulless body into samurai man's van while I sat shotgun in Wesley's, right? They've got no reason to not believe you after seeing that shit."

You keep your eyes fixed on the astral projecting thug.

Felon lets out one last groan as falls back and his shining, delicious soul rises from his body.

A primal, primordial yearning envelops every fiber of your being screeching, throbbing, reeking, tasting, and envisioning one concept:

PREY!

>[ ] EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT EAT IT!
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>>
Rolled 3 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>>
File: 1495112687952.gif (511 KB, 499x281)
511 KB
511 KB GIF
>>2986740
Yeah uh, why not leave this roll to tomorrow? Best of 3, yeah? Haha...
>>
>>2986752
gonna go to bed in like an hour so yeah
>>
Rolled 6 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740
>[ ] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)

I'm guessing this will get harder the more we eat souls.
>>
>>2987879
Fuck THAT. We're going to dominate everything in the universe, even if that's our hunger for souls. Might not be easy now, but the stronger we get...
>>
>>2988061
Not with our two rolls we're not. We need a clutch third roll.
>>
Rolled 14 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2986740
>>
>>2988213
Like this. Beautiful.
>>
>>2988213
yeah boi

Rolling Closed, Writing now.
>>
>[X] Get a hold of yourself, you're not going to let your yearnings control you physical or spiritual.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 14 + 4 = 18
>Success!

The primitive desires and urges of your being do not and cannot have any control over you. None of you tolerates the weakness of letting yourself become subject to your nature's inclinations. Murder, sex, torture, rape, domination, consumption, and expansion all have a place in time but this is not in any sense one of those times: you will not devour Felon until he has no further use to you.

In a single instant, you jump up from the cement floor to your feet.

You feel the ocean of essence filling your body take the form of it and begin to separate itself from it.

THE PRE- A waning blue Felon looks on in horror as that which i- your smoldering crimson soul emerges its upper half from the upper half of your body, taking your third eye with it.

You narrow your two eyes at the back of your red head and narrow your other three at THE PRE- Felon's soul.

Even as your anger and pride start to ebb away in your meat pupp- physical mind, you open your mouth and bite into the back of your soul's head. It doesn't have any taste or even feels like its caught between your teeth but it is.

You let out a snarl as you pull your soul back and let out a celestial growl as you're pulled back.

Felon, being the dumbass that he is, just barely realizes this is the chance he has to save himself from being eaten by you or digested by your aura and wisps itself into Jesus' body.

The ravenous instinct fades away and your soul slips back into your body like nothing happened before you fall backwards onto the ground.

Marcus and Ren crawl from their seats over to your fallen form and widen their eyes.

You blink all three of yours up at them in confusion.

>[ ] "Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"(Spanish: cielito lindo, Translation: Literally means "heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty" but is a colloquial term for "sweetheart")
>[ ] "What...what?"
>[ ] "Can you see it now?"
>[ ] "Did you two see that whole soul thing or did it just like I was miming myself when I'm eating meat?"
>[ ] "Sure, a threesome sounds good right about now. Are you sure you guys want to do it here in front of Jesus, Itsuki, and a knocked out Felon? Oh, what am I saying? You guys obviously love having sex in front of old men, stoic hit men, and unconscious people."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2988658
>[ ] "Did you two see that whole soul thing or did it just like I was miming myself when I'm eating meat?"
I'm legit curious. Some people are just sensitive to that stuff.
>>
>>2988744
miming or?
>>
>>2988763
Both actually. Some people get really creeped out by mimes. Others by seeing a crazy red demon soul astral projecting from a friend.
>>
>>2988658
Backing >>2988744
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

how do i keep forgetting words in sentences?
>>
>[X] "Did you two see that whole soul thing or did it just look like I was miming myself when I'm eating meat?"

You don't know if they're all wide-eyed because of being spooked by your spooky scary soul or that you just enacted some kind of horrifying mime routine that brought back repressed childhood memories. Either way, you may as well ask.

"Did you two see that whole soul thing or did it just look like I was miming myself when I'm eating meat?"

Marcus and Ren slowly shake their heads.

"...Kojo, your eyes are red, black, and creeping me the fuck out."

You blink at Marcus before turning to Ren.

The Japanese girl blushes slightly.

"...鬼猫." (Romanji: oni neko Translation: demon cat)

You tilt your head at her and try to gaze at your reflection in her dark brown eyes before turning to check yourself out in Marcus' bright blue.

Just below your ethereal third, Twin bloody red, smoldering eyes with slitted pupils and black sclera glare back at you in your second-in-command's.

An intrigued hum rumbles in your throat.

They're beautiful but you have no idea why you have them right now. It's obviously related to your soul trying to get primal on Felon's blue ass but you don't feel any different. Hell, you feel more like yourself. Fact that they compliment your horns makes them look even better. Your whole demon look could make you seem even more threatening before though, which might not be a problem in private but a problem for when you're in the public light.

>[ ] "Stand up in give me some room so I can stand too."
>[ ] "Ren, never call me that again."
>[ ] "Should I keep them? I don't really know if I can turn them off or if tearing them out will make them regrow in the same color they were before."
>[ ] Close all your eyes and focus on returning your physical ones to normal, they are a soul thing.
>[ ] Tear your eyes out, you don't have the time to meditate on them.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2989280
>[ ] "Should I keep them? I don't really know if I can turn them off or if tearing them out will make them regrow in the same color they were before."
>[ ] "If this is a soul thing, then..." Close all your eyes and focus on returning your physical ones to normal, they are a soul thing.
>>
>>2989280
>>2989478
>>[X] "If this is a soul thing, then..." Close all your eyes and focus on returning your physical ones to normal, they are a soul thing.
Yeah, I really see Kojo as more interested in controlling them rather than getting the opinions of others.

>Worried mentioning soul eating will ruin the mood
>Considers tearing our own eyes out, because we don't have the time to meditate on them.
Sweet mothertrucking Christmas
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

>>2989960
>Sweet mothertrucking Christmas
it's kojo's body, he can do whatever he wants to it

Besides, Ren essentially flayed Kojo with her chainwhip back when they were enemies all death by a thousand cuts style and Marcus has seen what it's like for a human to have essentially no bones on top of people regularly getting flayed alive.
>>
>[X] "If this is a soul thing, then..."
>[X] Close all your eyes and focus on returning your physical ones to normal, they are a soul thing.

As good as they look, you need to see if there's any way you can turn them off.

"If this is a soul thing, then..."

You close your three eyes and focus your mind inward.

The essence filling your body is at peace. It seems to flow and ripple inside more fluidly than before despite it's earlier outburst. Strangely, the essence in your eyes is an oozing sludge.

You take a breath of the energizing air and will the sludge back into formless water.

Opening your eyes, you see Marcus and Ren staring down oddly at you.

The familiar dark brown color of your eyes reflects off Marcus' blue when you glance at them.

It's not as fitting, beautiful, or intimidating but they're the pair you were born with, sort of.

>[ ] "Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"(Spanish: cielito lindo, Translation: Literally means "heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty" but is a colloquial term for "sweetheart")
>[ ] "Stand up and give me some room."
>[ ] "Do you believe me now about the soul thing?"
>[ ] "Ren, don't ever call me that again."
>[ ] Give Ren a little cat kiss on the cheek, if she's gonna call you a demon cat you'll really lay it into her.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
goddamn fucking door to door missionaries and goddamn political party workers

Besides that, I had a lot of difficulty thinking of what exactly the eyes should be and how to describe them.
>>
>>2990211
>[ ] "Do you believe me now about the soul thing?"
>[ ] "Ren, don't ever call me that again."
>>
>>2990211
>[ ] "Do you believe me now about the soul thing?"
>[ ] "Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"(Spanish: cielito lindo, Translation: Literally means "heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty" but is a colloquial term for "sweetheart")
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2990307

Seconding
>>
>[X] "Do you believe me now about the soul thing?"
>[X] "Ren, don't ever call me that again."
>[X] "Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"(Spanish: cielito lindo, Translation: Literally means "heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty" but is a colloquial term for "sweetheart")

You don't really need to ask, the look on their faces is evident enough, but you want to hear them say it.

"Do you believe me now about the soul thing?"

The two teens simultaneously bob their heads.

Raising the upper half of your body, you stretch out your arms as Marcus and Ren sit back on the ground.

Your underboss' blush deepens slightly when she sees you let out a yawn.

A small frown makes its way onto your face.

"Ren, don't ever call me that again."

The Japanese girl blinks at you before she widens her eyes and her cheeks take on a rosier hue.

"H-hai, Reyes-sama."

Marcus shoots Ren a knowing look for a second before turning his attention back on you.

Jesus, really Felon in Jesus' body, clucks his tongue and stares at you cautiously.

"So you mind telling me what the hell that was just now?" He asks in an incredibly un-Jesus-like tone and voice.

You, Ren, and Marcus blink at Jesus' possessed body.

Without the Colombian accent and gravely tone, Jesus has a high-pitched voice.

A grin spreads across your face as a mischievous idea comes to mind.

"Felon, could you try singing cielito lindo in Jesus' body now?"

The possessed teen raises an eyebrow at you before widening his eyes, smiling, closing his eyes, and raising a composer-like hand.

"Ay, ay, ay, ay!" He rings in Jesus' high-pitched voice, raising and lowering his hand to signal his volume as well as his rhythm "Canta y no llores! Porque cantando se alegran, cielito lindo, los corazoneees!" (Translation: "Sing and don't cry! Because singing brightens, heavenly cutie/beauty/pretty, their heaaaarts!")

You and Marcus snicker while Ren smiles as the man finishes off with mariachi-style shouts.

Felon's gritos begin to sound like cries as they go down until he fully devolves into a sobbing wreck.

The three of you and Itsuki stare at the man as he cries into Jesus' hands.

You can't imagine what could have triggered this but previous experience is telling you it was something you said.

>[ ] "Can you not do that in the body of a man stronger, greater, and more respectable than you will ever be?"
>[ ] "Felon, did that song bring up some painful memories Jesus has or are you just being a bitch?"
>[ ] "Are you having a breakdown now that you're sober or because you're again in another person's body?"
>[ ] "I'm going to look away, you get out of Jesus and go back in your own body while you can."
>[ ] Stand up, walk over to him, and tear Felon's soul out of Jesus' body, you're not sure what's going on or if you won't be able to stop yourself from eating both of them but you don't want to see the coldest motherfucker you've ever met cry because of some pansy punk ass.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2990847
>[ ] "Felon, did that song bring up some painful memories Jesus has or are you just being a bitch?"
>[ ] "I'm going to look away, you get out of Jesus and go back in your own body while you can."

I'd let Jesus kill him once he's back to his senses if he wants.
>>
>>2990847
Backing >>2990877
>>
>>2990847
This is because we told Felon to do it, we didn't know it would do any kind of autonomic response for either of them...but if Jesus really wants to...Kojo probably wouldn't be against it.

Then again, we told him to and Jesus might have some sympathy for the kid. backing >>2990877
>>
Gettin' late, will update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) before or after my morning class.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

i know it's my afternoon but i completely forgot that I had my online class too
>>
>[X] "Felon, did that song bring up some painful memories Jesus has or are you just being a bitch?"
>[X] "I'm going to look away, you get out of Jesus and go back in your own body while you can."

>(1/2)

Jesus might be the coldest motherfucker you've ever met but you wouldn't put it past him to have bad memories from his past. He's a lot like how you used to be only he was capable of expressing some emotion when he told you about his father. Whatever made him this way, if he wasn't born a puppet, is bound to have been some sort of traumatic experience he went through back in Colombia. The man's sure to have had or still has other family like a sister, mother, or abuella that sang that song to him once: Abuelita was the one who first sang it to you back when she and Dan were alive. Maybe one of them might have been a factor in what made Jesus the man he is now if Felon isn't just suffering his breakdown in Jesus' body.

"Felon, did that song bring up some painful memories Jesus has or are you just being a bitch?"

The strange mutant raises his possessed body's tear-running face up from its hands.

"Please tell me you're not going to attack me again. I don't want to be in this body."

You scoff and glare at Jesus' body.

"So it's the latter? You were too drunk to have a breakdown in your own body so you just had to have one in his."

Felon shakes Jesus' head.

"I don't want to be this person!" He lowers the Colombian's head and clutches it with his hands. "Oh god! Old folks, women, children, and babies that wouldn't even say shit!" The man sobs. "...They made the kids watch while they flayed their father and raped their mother. She kept singing that song to calm them down before it happened."

You and the other three conscious members of the inner circle stare at the mutant as he cries on.

That's either an incident Jesus hates himself for having a hand in, a memory of Jesus' that Felon was too pussy to endure, or a mixture of the two. Might be good to have a talk with Jesus when this is over.
>>
>(2/2)

"I'm going to look away, you get out of Jesus and go back in your own body while you can."

You see Felon nod from the corner of your eye while you turn your head left in Marcus' direction.

One second later, a delectable scent wafts through the air that turns that which is you into sludge oozing inside your meat puppet.

You grit your teeth and snarl as the ravenous yearning begins to envelop your being.

Marcus furrows his brow at you in concern but says nothing.

You notice a familiar dim red glow shine off Marcus' eyes and glance at them to see your own red and black ones looking back.

The scent disappears a moment later and your contained essence softens back into water with the exception of the sludge inside your nose.

It seems as if your soul subconsciously leaves parts of it somewhat solidified in the sensory parts of your body that detect other souls. Your eyes took on that demonic look because of it. Though, it doesn't seem to have as much of a visual effect when it takes up something more internal than external.

You look back and see both Jesus and Felon rising back to their seated positions from the ground.

Felon darts his eyes at you and the rest of the inner circle while Jesus uncharacteristically widens them as tears drip from his.

You don't now how to explain what just happened to either of them or if you should just move on like nothing happened.

>[ ] "Okay! We're done here."
>[ ] "Felon had a breakdown in your body, Jesus."
>[ ] "While Felon was possessing you, he saw a memory of a family that was tortured and killed before breaking down because of it."
>[ ] "Jesus, do you hate yourself?"
>[ ] "You probably don't know how you are or who we are but don't worry about it: we're friends."
>[ ] Get up, walk over to Felon, and devour him, he's served his purpose and you don't want to babysit his amnesiac ass.(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC14)
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Sorry if my writing seems off, my mind and body are kind of on the fritz.
>>
>>2992587
>Someone give dumbass a quick rundown before he freaks out. Jesus take a walk with me.

If I recall people Felon possess don't have total amnesia, just amnesia of the events that happened while they were possessed. We can talk in private and give him the lowdown on what happened. Keeping people loyal means dealing with shit like this on occasion and Jesus has definitely proved his worth.
>>
>>2992597
Take a break if you need to boss. No need to force yourself.
>>
>>2992611
Yeah, thinking of doing that since I can't help but feel like my writing's off because of it.
>>
>>2992587
>Someone give dumbass a quick rundown before he freaks out. Jesus take a walk with me.

>>2992617
At least let us know before you take a break for one week to a month or more. Don't be ashamed for taking breaks from QMing to relax and recharge your mind and stuff.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>2992729
>At least let us know before you take a break for one week to a month or more. Don't be ashamed for taking breaks from QMing to relax and recharge your mind and stuff.

A week break after every thread is more or less what I'm going for. That two week break from when I had a job is something I don't think I'm going to repeat.
>>
>[X] "Someone give dumbass a quick rundown before he freaks out. Jesus, take a walk with me."

You don't have the time or the patience to take care of Felon's amnesiac ass: Jesus is a bigger and more interesting concern.

With a hum, you rise to your feet.

"Someone give dumbass a quick rundown before he freaks out." You hold out a hand out to the Colombian and beckon. "Jesus, take a walk with me."

The lieutenant wipes away his tears on the sleeve of his track suit before standing up.

"Si, patrón." He says in his normal tone of voice.

You smile and turn back to the open warehouse gate, where a sea of dancing intoxicated hoodlums writhe.

The two of you walk in-between a cooler and a pounding speaker into the crowd.

A grin spreads across your face as you pass by the saluting, wooing, and fist pumping soldiers of your gang.

It doesn't take long for you and Jesus to reach one of the empty corners of your street.

You turn back to face your youngest enforcer.

He stares back at you with a grimmer than usual look on his face.

"...Patrón, what happened?"

You tilt your head and raise an eyebrow.

There's a few things you want to learn about him since you have the opportunity.

>[ ] "Cielito lindo, who first sang it to you?"
>[ ] "While Felon was possessing you, he saw a memory of a family that was tortured and killed before breaking down because of it."
>[ ] "What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about yourself anymore?"
>[ ] "Jesus, do you hate yourself?"
>[ ] "...What kind of man was your father? How did it feel like to have him in your life and to have him taken away?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2992927
>[ ] "Cielito lindo, who first sang it to you?"
>[ ] "...What kind of man was your father? How did it feel like to have him in your life and to have him taken away?"
>[ ] "Jesus, do you hate yourself?"
In that order.
>>
>>2992927
>[ ] "While Felon was possessing you, he saw some memories"
Answer his question first. Then >>2992942
>>
>>2992927
Yeah what >>2992964 said about answering Jesus first before our own questions
>>
>>2992927
>[ ] "While Felon was possessing you, he saw a memory of a family that was tortured and killed before breaking down because of it."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "While Felon was possessing you, he saw some memories."
>[X] "Cielito lindo, who first sang it to you?"
>[X] "...What kind of man was your father? How did it feel like to have him in your life and to have him taken away?"
>[X] "Jesus, do you hate yourself?"

>(1/2)

It's best to keep what memory vague, for now; he'll probably figure out which one after the first question you have for him, though.

"While Felon was possessing you, he saw some memories."

Jesus' expression lightens up.

"I see."

You raise your curious eyebrow higher.

"Cielito lindo, who first sang it to you?"

His eyes widen ever so slightly before returning back to their normal size.

"Mi hermana, madre, o mi abuela, patrón."(Translation: "My sister, mother, or my grandmother, boss.")

You level your head and hum.

That one was kind of obvious: cielito lindo is a popular lullaby song which he would have heard too young a great deal of times rendering him incapable of placing the first time he heard it. Abuelita used to try helping you with your insomnia by singing that song, but it never worked. Besides all of that, this is the first time you're hearing of a sister and any mention of family besides his father.

Jesus knows what it's like to have been raised by a father and to have grown up with a family.

...
>>
>(2/2)

You let out a sigh.

"...What kind of man was your father? How did it feel like to have him in your life and to have him taken away?"

The young enforcer glances away from you for a moment before looking you back in the eye.

"He was...not a wise man, patrón, he provided but didn't know how to raise his children or when to show mercy. I felt safe around him, though, and always looked up to him until..." He drifts off and falls silent. "...When he died, I didn't think anything of it."

You stare blankly at Jesus.

Safe: looking back on it now, the first time in your life you ever felt safe was when you were running around Hunts Point with your father. Looking up to him was something you didn't do, however. By the time you met him, you were already his equal. It looks like you and Jesus both share something when it comes to your criminal fathers. There's still too much of a difference between your relationship with Augusto and Jesus' with his father, though.

There's one last question you have on your mind right now.

"Jesus, do you hate yourself?"

Jesus stares at you and slowly narrows his muddy brown eyes before glaring down at himself.

The two of you stand alone at the empty street corner as hip-hop blares off in the distance.

You don't understand, but you like that you got to know Jesus more and see an entirely different side of him.

>[ ] "Let's go back now."
>[ ] "There's no point in hating yourself, Jesus. Breathe in and move on: in the end, you are the only thing you have in this world."
>[ ] "Do you have family waiting for you back in Colombia or are they dead too?"
>[ ] "What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about anything anymore?"
>[ ] "...Can you tell me what it's like to have a family?"(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>[ ] Pull him into a hug, you want to see how he'll react.
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2993381
>[ ] "What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about anything anymore?"
Things are about to get crazy real fast so knowing where he's at and what he wants is important.
>>
>>2993381
>[ ] "...Can you tell me what it's like to have a family?"(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
We skipped out on asking Silvermane because it would have been both awkward and implied the wrong thing at the time. Asking Jesus right now is the best way to start this for Kojo.
>[ ] "Do you have family waiting for you back in Colombia or are they dead too?"
Just for information reasons.
>[ ] "What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about anything anymore?"
Exploit the weakness we see in Jesus for his own benefit! Basically this but not malicious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rePUcLwXgM
>[ ] "There's no point in hating yourself, Jesus. Breathe in and move on: in the end, you are the only thing you have in this world."
We fucked up by accidentally killing Dan, but we still have Marcus and our crew, and we still have people who might know our dad out there somewhere. And just because we are evil and aspire to dominate others around us doesn't mean we can't give others strength and support. After all, it just becomes more fun to overpower them once they get a taste of it.
>>
Back from dinner and it's about an hour until my nighty night. Will update tomorrow morning my time (UTC-8) if I'm not completely out of it before class.
>>
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
Best of three and d20s please.
>>
Rolled 4 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2994167
>>
Rolled 13 + 4 (1d20 + 4)

>>2994167
>>
Rolling closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "...Can you tell me what it's like to have a family?"(Will Roll, +4 modifier DC16)
>[X] "Do you still have family waiting for you back in Colombia or are they dead too?"
>[X] "What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about anything anymore?"
>[X] "There's no point in hating yourself, Jesus. Breathe in and move on: in the end, you are the only thing you have in this world."
>Will Roll
>+4 modifier
>DC16
>Rolled 13 + 4 = 17
>Success!

>(1/2)

You don't know what it's like to have a family: you had nothing and no one there for you in your early years. Then you met Dan, Abuelita, and Marcus. It meant nothing to you at the time, but you feel happy most of the times when you look back on those days. You can't help but wonder if that's what it was like having a family. Dan taking the role of your father and grandfather with Abuelita her namesake and mother while you and Marcus were their children and one another's brother. You couldn't possibly know for sure but Jesus now and Silvio later could tell you what they do. Trouble is, you don't like hinting at your possible weaknesses: your longings.

After taking a deep breathe, you sigh.

"...Can you tell me what it's like to have a family?"

Jesus lifts his un-narrowed gaze up to you.

"It's as if...you always have someone to rely on, think about, and care for. Everything is okay when you're with them. When they're not near or gone, it feels..cold."

You let out a small hum.

It's a lot like how you feel about Marcus now only you don't feel cold whenever he's away: you're used to being alone. As for Abuelita and Dan, you never relied much on them, cared for them, or thought much about them in your street rat days. You do think a lot about them now, though, but they're not around anymore for you to care for them. If you hadn't killed Dan, you would probably care about him and Abuelita. Hell, if you hadn't killed Dan, you would probably be an entirely different person than you are now; you probably wouldn't even have any questions about what a family is, but you wouldn't be you.

Everything you've done, all you've accomplished, and the man you are now wouldn't have come to be.

...
>>
>(2/2)

"Do you still have family waiting for you back in Colombia or are they dead too?"

Jesus shrugs his shoulders.

"It's been years, patrón, they could've been killed a long time ago or found a way to live on without me and my father.

You eye the man grimly.

"What do you want in life? Why are you here in New York serving as my enforcer? Do you even care about anything anymore?"

The young enforcer lowers his stare back to the ground.

Grinning, you put a hand on his shoulder, drawing his eyes back to yours.

"There's no point in hating yourself, Jesus. Breathe in and move on: in the end," your voice rings out unrestrained in an otherworldly voice, "you are the only thing you have in this world."

Jesus stares into your eyes in silence.

"Aww, shit! Boss, whatcha doin' here while y'all boys are shaking their asses?"

You blink at your enforcer and turn at the voice to see a familiar, grinning black giant with a file folder in one hand and an LMG leaning against his shoulder in the other.

Barracuda lets out a hearty laugh.

Talk about ruining the moment.

>[ ] "Follow the two of us, we're walking back into the warehouse."
>[ ] "Hand me the machine gun just in case my scouts gets spooked and fire."
>[ ] "What took you so long?"
>[ ] "Give us a minute: we're almost done here."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
Sorry if things may seem off in the beginning. Mind was on the fritz again but got better halfway through.
>>
>>2994335
>>[ ] "Follow the two of us, we're walking back into the warehouse."
>>[ ] "Hand me the machine gun just in case my scouts gets spooked and fire."
>>
>>2994335
Backing >>2994543
>>
Back from class with no assignments~

Voting closed, writing now.

Feeling a looot better, too.
>>
>[X] "Follow the two of us, we're walking back into the warehouse."
>[X] "Hand me the machine gun just in case my scouts gets spooked and fire."

Oh well, you're done here. Not much else you have left to say, which you're only comfortable talking about with Marcus. Jesus will have to find his own way through life, but you can steer him in the direction most suited to your needs. It'll be easy with how disconnected he is with everyone else including himself. Only time will tell how well he'll progress, though.

You slide your hand off Jesus' shoulder.

"Follow the two of us, we're walking back into the warehouse."

Cuda nods.

All three of you take one step toward the warehouse together before a thought strikes your mind and you turn back to face the black giant.

"Hand me the machine gun just in case my scouts gets spooked and fire."

The army veteran shoots a glance at his LMG before holding it out to you.

"Be careful with this baby, boss, she's a mean hot bitch."

You let out a laugh as you grab the machine gun that Cuda returns with a hearty laugh of his own.

With the gun hoisted over your shoulder, you turn back and continue walking to the warehouse.

The crowd of foot soldiers you three navigate through stop and stare at the tall black man as he laughs back at them.

You and Jesus slip in-between the cooler and speaker while Barracuda pushes the speaker away from the corner of the warehouse gate when he walks through.

Marcus is by a sobbing Felon's side while Itsuki and Ren look on in pity from their seats in the round ground table.

Cuda clucks his tongue.

"Who's this little baby bitch ass nigga?"

Your second-in-command turns his head and raises an eyebrow at Barracuda as Itsuki and Ren eye him cautiously.

"His name is Felon and he's kind of having the worst day of his life on top of not knowing he even goes by Felon, which should be punishment enough." Marcus narrows his eyes. "If you're talking about me, you can go fuck yourself to death and save me the trouble of mercing your ass."

The black giant lets out an amused laugh.

"I know you ain't no bitch nigga, dog!" He scoffs as he glances at Felon. "That little nigga right there is the little baby bitch. What kind of fucking name is Felon? Unoriginal, basic, and lazy as a fat fuck. Mothafucka, what's yo real name?"

The mutant sobs.

"I don't know!"

A laugh escapes your lips.

You don't know whether to tell Cuda it so he can rip into Felon more or to stop this and move on to more important business.

>[ ] "Barracuda, Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus. Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus, Barracuda."
>[ ] "His real name is Bobby Soul."
>[ ] "That's enough ball busting, everyone return to your place in the inner circle."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2994790
>[ ] "Barracuda, Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus. Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus, Barracuda."
>[ ] "His real name is Bobby Soul."
>[ ] "That's enough ball busting, everyone return to your place in the inner circle."

I don't like picking every option but they work together. Maybe give his name first.
>>
>>2994790
Backing >>2994886
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "His real name is Bobby Soul."
>[X] "That's enough ball busting, everyone return to your place in the inner circle."
>[X] "Barracuda, Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus. Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus, Barracuda."

Fuck it, you can sit down and introduce everyone to Cuda and vice versa after he's done ripping into Felon for his shitty name.

A grin spreads across your face.

"His real name is Bobby Soul."

The black giant shoots you a look before turning back to a surprised Felon.

"Bobby Soul!? What kind of self-respecting nigga's name is Bobby Soul?! Shit, are we in the fuckin' 40s?! Ain't no nigga today gettin' named Bobby: that's a white ass saltine cracker's name! I oughta find yo momma and daddy and smack some sense into their black asses!"

You burst into a fit of laughter that takes about half a minute to die down.

"That's enough ball busting, everyone return to your place in the inner circle."

Marcus rises from Felon's side and walks back to his previous spot by yours while you and Jesus walk to the ground circle with Cuda following along.

You sit down in your place by Marcus and Ren, LMG still in hand, as Jesus takes his by Felon and Itsuki while Cuda stands behind you with no open place of his own to sit down in.

"Barracuda." You gesture to each one of the present members of the inner circle as you say their names. "Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus. Marcus, Felon, Itsuki, Ren, and Jesus." You raise your free hand up to motion at the tall black man. "Barracuda."

The giant laughs.

"Nice to meet most of y'all, I'm one of the hardest motherfuckers on these streets. So, what we doing next to a big pile of money?"

You're sure he'll be fine with a rundown but it might be good to go in depth.

>[ ] "I just got done telling them about how I killed Diamondback, Black Mariah, and Owl."
>[ ] "We were just talking about how I'm a soul eating, astral perceiving mutant."
>[ ] "This is the inner circle. Normally, I wouldn't have someone like Felon sitting down here, but his assistance with Kingpin makes him a special case."
>[ ] "Sit down by Jesus and Itsuki, they're my enforcers which means they'll be working alongside you."
>[ ] "Now let's start talking about certain events that are going to happen in the immediate and far off future."
>[ ] "Toss the file folder in the pile first."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2995182
>[ ] "I just got done telling them about how I killed Diamondback, Black Mariah, and Owl."
>[ ] "Toss the file folder in the pile first."
>>
>>2995182
>[ ] "I just got done telling them about how I killed Diamondback, Black Mariah, and Owl."
>[ ] "Toss the file folder in the pile first."
When we get to the point where we tell Cuda about the soul eating astral shit, we gotta do THIS:
>"Speaking of soul, check this out Cuda." Do the demon eyes thing to show off.
>>
>>2995373
Do you mean working up to that or saying the soul eating thing than doing the eye thing?
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Toss the file folder in the pile first."
>[X] "I just got done telling them about how I killed Diamondback, Black Mariah, and Owl."

A quick rundown's good enough for now right after he add Owl's cash to your stash.

"Toss the file folder in the pile first."

The black giant hums behind you and a plastic container is tossed onto the piles of duffel bags not a second later.

You curve your lips into a pleased smile before looking upwards at Barracuda.

"I just got done telling them about how I killed Diamondback, Black Mariah, and Owl."

A grin makes its way on your newest enforcer's face.

"Yeah, you cleaned fucking house, boss. Kingpin and half his bitches in a day. Are you going over how to fuck up the chinks now or smoking out Arturo and Nigel from where they're hiding? I've got some thoughts on both of those problems."

You let out a hum.

It's more convenient and less of a problem for you if you let both issues take care of themselves. The connect with the OG triads is something you can probably develop on your own and you have no interest in backing or staining your hands with drug dealers. Not much else for you to do but sit down and relax after a long two days of conquering before news of Kingpin's death spreads and the inheritance is brought to public attention. From there, you'll make yourself known to the world and prepare for what's to come.

"You killed Diamondback?" you hear Marcus ask.

Turning to him, you see him staring at you questioningly.

"Who are Arturo and Nigel?" he asks again.

You completely forgot about mentioning the whole Diamondback thing.

>[ ] "Arturo and Nigel are both rival drug dealers for Diamondback's crew in hiding."
>[ ] "Oh yeah, I killed Diamondback, one of his lieutenants, and flipped one of them. Forgot to mention that."
>[ ] "Tell me what you have in mind, Cuda."
>[ ] "Sit down by Jesus and Itsuki, they're my enforcers which means they'll be working alongside you."
>[ ] "I'm just going to let Arturo, Nigel, and the triads kill themselves. There's nothing I'll gain by involving myself in their upcoming conflicts right now."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2995605
Explain what you did, explain who they are, have Cuda sit down by Jesus and Itsuki who he'll be working alongside.

Hear what your folks think should be done about the Rivals and Triads if anything?
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Oh yeah, I killed Diamondback, one of his lieutenants, and flipped one of them. Forgot to mention that."
>[X] "Arturo and Nigel are both rival drug dealers for Diamondback's crew in hiding."
>[X] "Sit down by Jesus and Itsuki, they're my enforcers which means they'll be working alongside you."
>[X] "What do you all think should be done about the Rivals and the Chinatown triads?"

>(1/3)

May as well fill them in now and get their input on what you should do about the rest of the Rivals and the Chinatown triads.

"Oh yeah, I killed Diamondback, one of his lieutenants, and flipped one of them. Forgot to mention that."

Marcus shoots you a disbelieving look.

"How could you possibly forget that?"

You hold up your free hand.

"I've done a lot of shit today, and I've got a lot on my mind right now."

The black young man raises an eyebrow at you before relenting.

"Who are Arturo and Nigel?" he asks you once again.

You lower your hand and turn to face the whole inner circle.

"Arturo and Nigel are both rival drug dealers for Diamondback's crew in hiding."

Cuda lets out a laugh from up behind you.

"Both of them mothafuckas got off a drug war with one another a while back. They ain't in top shape, but they'll definitely go to war when they hear word of the big man getting his face blown off."

You let out a curious hum as you turn back up to face the tall black man.

"Sit down by Jesus and Itsuki, they're my enforcers which means they'll be working alongside you."

Barracuda lifts his gaze from you to your enforcers' direction and widens his grin before beginning his stride. While passing by a shivering and confused Felon, the towering man scoffs at him. Jesus and Itsuki scoot over to make space, which causes you and the rest of the inner circle to make some for the black man. The Cuda sits down in his new seat and look around the circle.

"Neat shindig, but feels a lot like I'm a little kindergarten nigga playing duck duck goose."

You let out a small laugh and turn your head to face the entire group.
>>
>(2/3)

"What do you all think should be done about the Rivals and the Chinatown triads?"

Barracuda parts his lips before Marcus can go first.

"Let's merc all them niggas, boss!" He shouts much to most of the inner circle's chagrin. "Arturo and Nigel are weak little scheming bitches who'll try to cheat you if you bother keeping them alive and the Triads might've been fine getting fucked by Fisk but I doubt their yellow asses would want to kiss your golden brown."

You eye the man blankly before turning to Marcus.

The second-in-command shoots you a smug look.

"I know how much you hate drugs, Kojo, so I agree that we cut off Arturo and Nigel's head. With that lieutenant you flipped, you can have him take in all members of the Rivals and induct them in our gang. As for the triads, I'm not familiar with their outfit or outfits. I'm sure we can handle them like we would any other gang, though. We take out their leadership, gather them all in one place, and make examples of everyone that doesn't join like we used to."

You hum.

Taking out the triads personally in place of letting them take care of each other would gain you some of their men. It'd take some time to accomplish, however. Although, it could also be a good opportunity to get some blood on your fresh recruits: taking care of the mainland Yakuza was definitely not enough to bloody all of them. Cottonmouth could allow you to integrate the rivals, but the man has his own plans and ideas.

You turn to a staring Ren.

The Japanese girl takes a moment to get her wits about.

"...I agree with Marcus, Reyes-sama. Arturo and Nigel should be eliminated and the Rivals' men assimilated. Like Marcus, I have no familiarity with the triads but gaining more recruits is imperative in the position you are now in."

She's right: you do need recruits especially now that you're probably going to be splitting the men you have now under five people including yourself and because you're kingpin. Trouble lies in trust developing between the potential recruits and the men you have now. Beating their leader to death and their brothers in arms isn't going to do much but inspire fear to keep them silent and in line.

You face Itsuki next.
>>
>(3/3)

The possibly eldest enforcer doesn't skip a beat.

"Reyes-sama, I am in agreement with Ren-sama and Marcus-sama on the subject of Arturo and Nigel, but I would suggest a parley of sorts with the triads before you initiate hostilities. When or if word ever reaches Yamaguchi-gumi in Kobe about the destruction of Seong Woo-Jin and Seong Ji-Hoon's clan and my betrayal of them, they will come looking for me and those responsible. The Chinatown triads have connections with the triads in Hong Kong, who may prove to be valuable allies due to their longtime rivalries with the Yakuza. If you do not wish to parley, I suggest asking your associates in the Solntsevskaya Bratva if they have any contacts in the triads: they're known to do business with a number of triad sects."

You blink at the Japanese man.

The Bratva's ties with the triads didn't occur to you considering you were too busy lamenting the fact that Fisk was associated with two ancient secret societies. Going to them will more or less cancel out the possible downside of eliminating the triads in place of subjugating them. Although, it could step on a few toes if the affected triads take your elimination of all their imports into New York as an insult.

You finally lay your eyes on Jesus.

The Colombian follows the example of his Japanese associate.

"I agree with the others about Arturo and Nigel and that we should attack the triads, patrón: this is an opportunity for us to introduce Itsuki's men to our way of operating."

You let out a hum as you turn to face the entire group.

It may be almost unanimous, but it's your call in the end.

>[ ] "Tomorrow, we start hunting for Arturo and Nigel, we need their men."
>[ ] "We're going to move on the triads starting tomorrow, it'd be good for adding to the ranks and blooding our recruits."
>[ ] "I'll try and parley with the Chinatown triads sometime tomorrow, their connects with the actual Chinese triads could be worth it."
>[ ] "Arturo and Nigel can kill each other off, the recruits we'd get from them are bound to be pissant addicts."
>[ ] "The triad men and connections aren't worth the effort, they can kill each other off."
>[ ] "Give me some time to make up my mind."
>[ ] "Felon, Bobby, baby! Care to throw your hat into the circle?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2997329
>[ ] "We're going to move on the triads starting tomorrow, it'd be good for adding to the ranks and blooding our recruits."
>[ ] "I'll try and parley with the Chinatown triads sometime tomorrow, their connects with the actual Chinese triads could be worth it."

Show up to negotiate from a position of power. Once we've absorbed them, then we go take out Arturo and Nigel
>>
>>2997376
Wait, so you want to attack before parleying or?
>>
>>2997387
By moves I meant applying pressure but not outright attacking. Like showing up at places important to their operation with some numbers. Places people probably shouldn't be aware of.
>>
>>2997452
Ah, I see. So a blend of the two options.
>>
>>2997329
Negotiate with bratva
>>
>>2997456
Yea. I could've been a bit more clear but I've had a long day and am kinda fried.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

>>2997506
Completely understandable. I value you and appreciate you.
>>
gotta go to family dinner

will update when i get back
>>
>[X] "I'll apply some pressure on the triads and parley with them tomorrow. We'll be negotiating from a position of power while they'll be in a position of vulnerability and unease: they'll know just who they're dealing with and just how fucked they are if they don't play ball."
>[X} "In case things don't go well and to strengthen my chances of hooking up with the mainland triads, I'm going to have a talk with the Bratva brigadier sometime tomorrow too."
>[X] "After we're done with the triads, we take out Arturo and Nigel."

>(1/2)

The Yamaguchi-gumi is a future concern but a concern nonetheless, not to mention one of many. It's best for you to make all the friends you can before the days of reckoning come. Hopefully, they don't happen all at once and in order of magnitude. If the triads stay defiant to the end, the Bratva can possibly provide you with a mainland triad contact. Plus, you can probably strengthen your ties with them now that you've done them the favor of killing Kingpin.

"I'll apply some pressure on the triads and parley with them tomorrow. We'll be negotiating from a position of power while they'll be in a position of vulnerability and unease: they'll know just who they're dealing with and just how fucked they are if they don't play ball. In case things don't go well and to strengthen my chances of hooking up with the mainland triads, I'm going to have a talk with the Bratva brigadier sometime tomorrow too."

Barracuda lets out a disappointed coo as the rest of your present inner circle, with the exception of a fearful Felon, accepts your words with a nod of their heads.

"Damn, I was hopin' for a fire fight."

You glare at the man.

"Are you disagreeing with my decision?"

The towering giant blinks at you before shaking his head.

"Nawh, nawh, boss, just disappointed is all. You doin' the smart thing, but the smart thing is boring."

You stare at the man in silence for a moment to let your glare sink in before nodding your head.

"It's boring, yeah, but it works better for us this way." A grin spreads across your face. "Besides, it's only boring if you're not there at the table. You should see the way people squirm when they learn terms are non-negotiable."
>>
>(2/2)

Cuda grins back.

"I've seen bitch ass up and coming baby gangstas do that whenever the big man would send me to tell them to fuck off!" He heartily laughs. "So, what about Arturo and Nigel?"

You shrug.

"After we're done with the triads, we take out Arturo and Nigel."

The experienced enforcer starts bobbing his head.

"Yeaaah, that's what I'm talkin' about."

You let out a small laugh and turn your gaze to the rest of your inner circle.

Only Felon seems to have questions left on his mind but he looks like he's too afraid to ask them.

>[ ] "Queens is still the only unaccounted borough we have left without a governor. Anyone have suggestions?"
>[ ] "Since there's no one else here skilled enough in leadership who isn't already in a leadership positon, I'm promoting you to lieutenant, Itsuki. Consider Queens your domain you're governing under my name."
>[ ] "Itsuki, I'm appointing you viceroy of Queens for now while we still have a lieutenant position open."
>[ ] "I have something I need to tell all of you: my father killed an undercover agent of SHIELD that infiltrated an ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. He was being hunted by both of them when we weren't running away from Cuda here. Kingpin's inheritance putting me in the public light is likely going to get me on their shit list when they make the connection and decide to make a move. SHIELD wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't an unregistered and unknown mutant with no record of my existence on top of the whole crime king thing. Hydra's going to want my blood for the hell of it and to quite possibly make subservient clones of me: they've got the resources to pull that kind of shit."
>[ ] "That's all, this meeting is over."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2997958
>[ ] "Itsuki, I'm appointing you viceroy of Queens for now while we still have a lieutenant position open."
>[ ] "I have something big to tell you guys. Something that does NOT leave this room." Grin. "Get drinks first because you might need them after this."
>[ ] (when everybody is at the table again) >[ ] "My father killed an undercover agent of SHIELD that infiltrated an ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. He was being hunted by both of them when we weren't running away from Cuda here. Kingpin's inheritance putting me in the public light is likely going to get me on their shit list when they make the connection and decide to make a move. SHIELD wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't an unregistered and unknown mutant with no record of my existence on top of the whole crime king thing. Hydra's going to want my blood for the hell of it and to quite possibly make subservient clones of me: they've got the resources to pull that kind of shit."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Itsuki, I'm appointing you viceroy of Queens for now while we still have a lieutenant position open."
>[X] "I have something big to tell you guys. Something that does not leave this room. Get drinks first because you might need them after this."
>[X] "My father killed an undercover agent of SHIELD that infiltrated an ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. He was being hunted by both of them when we weren't running away from Cuda here. Kingpin's inheritance putting me in the public light is likely going to get me on their shit list when they make the connection and decide to make a move. SHIELD wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't an unregistered and unknown mutant with no record of my existence on top of the whole crime king thing. Hydra's going to want my blood for the hell of it and to quite possibly make subservient clones of me: they've got the resources to pull that kind of shit."

>(1/2)

Itsuki is a capable enough leader to manage a borough and a significant portion of your men. He's already familiar with Queens, so he's the best person to hold it temporarily besides being the only person who could. Plus, it won't take him long to send you your monthly cut of what he gets from Queens considering the man had a hand in establishing the Yakuza's crime operations in the borough, which he likely has records of. Once you find someone skilled enough or if Itsuki proves his worth, you'll settle who gets the lieutenant position and the borough.

You turn to the Japanese man.

"Itsuki, I'm appointing you viceroy of Queens for now while we still have a lieutenant position open."

The former Yakuza bows his head.

"どうも ありがとうございました、 I will not fail you, Reyes-sama." (Romanji: Domo arigatogozaimashita, Translation: "Thank you very much")

A pleased hum rumbles in your throat as you turn back to face the group as a whole.

There's only one thing left for you to talk about it. It's a subject you feel is better kept secret but is likely going to pop up sooner or later and bite you on the ass. No matter how much you think it's best to let it lie, they need to know what's to come so they can keep an eye out for it and prepare for it in their own ways. Alex should be here, but you're pretty sure she'd just laugh it off or completely subvert your expectations. You can tell her sometime tomorrow, later, or never.

"I have something big to tell you guys. Something that does not leave this room." You sigh. "Get drinks first because you might need them after this."

Barracuda rises from his seat and walks past the circle to the warehouse gate while everyone else stays put.
>>
>(2/2)

Felon, already having an almost empty Corona near him, downs the rest of his beer and returns to darting his eyes at the members of your inner circle in confusion and fear.

A minute passes by until the black giant is back in his spot with two beer bottles in his hands.

Cuda bites into the bottle cap of one and wrenches it off to fall onto the floor before doing the same to the other.

You let out a small laugh at the sight and look back to your entire inner circle.

"My father killed an undercover agent of SHIELD that infiltrated an ancient conspiracy known as Hydra. He was being hunted by both of them when we weren't running away from Cuda here. Kingpin's inheritance putting me in the public light is likely going to get me on their shit list when they make the connection and decide to make a move. SHIELD wouldn't be an issue if I wasn't an unregistered and unknown mutant with no record of my existence on top of the whole crime king thing. Hydra's going to want my blood for the hell of it and to quite possibly make subservient clones of me: they've got the resources to pull that kind of shit."

All members of the round-table that aren't Felon widen their eyes at you.

You stare back at them with a stern look.

Now you've cleared your agenda for the rest of the day.

>[ ] "Told you you should've gotten drinks."
>[ ] "Keep an eye on anyone you recruit from now on. We can't afford to make mistakes."
>[ ] "From now on, we play it slow, tight, and quiet. Any bodies you make should cease to exist not longer after, think ahead before every decision you make, and never mention me by name or any of my street-names: as far as anyone else knows, you all operate independently."
>[ ] "This meeting is over."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2998902
>[ ] "Told you you should've gotten drinks."
>[ ] "From now on, we play it slow, tight, and quiet. Any bodies you make should cease to exist not longer after, think ahead before every decision you make, and never mention me by name or any of my street-names: as far as anyone else knows, you all operate independently."
>[ ] "And keep an eye on anyone you recruit from now on. From what I got from Kingpin's memories, Hydra goons are experts at disguises and spywork shit - or the people they infiltrate are just too stupid to notice the lizardfuckers with them. We can't afford to make mistakes." Maybe Kingpin's soul memory can give you further useful information if you say this out loud...
>[ ] "This meeting is over, unless any of you got any other questions?"
In that order.
Kojo knowing that Hydra are good at infiltration and shit is NOT out of character, right? Did he learn that from Kingpin's memories IC, or is this me being meta by accident with this write-in? HAIL HYDRA
>>
>>2998902
I'll second >>2998954
>>
Back from class, so voting's closed and I'm writing now.

Today's night class day so expect one more update at most if this doesn't take me long.

>>2998954
>Kojo knowing that Hydra are good at infiltration and shit is NOT out of character, right? Did he learn that from Kingpin's memories IC, or is this me being meta by accident with this write-in?
Kojo's naturally paranoid but it completely skipped my mind that he'd know because Kingpin knew about Hydra's way of operating.
>>
File: Afungi.png (6 KB, 456x121)
6 KB
6 KB PNG
>>2963691
>>
>>2999257
hello, yes, that is me

Like, I mentioned Kojo gets hard over guys and girls along with getting an all too euphoric feeling whenever he twists people to his own gain.
>>
File: 1538784605629.jpg (215 KB, 960x958)
215 KB
215 KB JPG
>>2999265
>>
>>2999272
mind fucking i know

can you feel it in your brain?

muh dick
>>
>[X] "Told you you should've gotten drinks."
>[X] "From now on, we play it slow, tight, and quiet. Any bodies you make should cease to exist not longer after, think ahead before every decision you make, and never mention me by name or any of my street-names: as far as anyone else knows, you all operate independently."
>[X] "And keep an eye on anyone you recruit. From what I got out of Kingpin's memories, Hydra goons are experts at disguises and spywork shit - or the people they infiltrate are just too stupid to notice the lizardfuckers with them. We can't afford to make mistakes."
>[X] "This meeting is over, unless any of you got questions?"

>(1/2)

The members of the round table definitely need to know how you expect them to operate if they haven't already figured it out for themselves. And by them, you mostly mean Cuda: the man may be effective but he isn't exactly subtle with that LMG of his you have leaning on your left shoulder. Your absent Alex is already good about the whole keeping silent part but not so good on the leaving no traces of her victims behind part; fact that she likes splattering the blood around doesn't help her case.

You grin.

"Told you you should've gotten drinks."

Barracuda lets out a hearty laugh and proceeds to chug on one of his beers.

A chuckle escapes your lips as you focus on the rest of the inner circle.

"From now on, we play it slow, tight, and quiet. Any bodies you make should cease to exist not longer after, think ahead before every decision you make, and never mention me by name or any of my street-names: as far as anyone else knows, you all operate independently."

Itsuki, Ren, Jesus, Marcus, and Cuda, still chugging, nod their heads.

You let out a pleased hum.

"And keep an eye on anyone you recruit. From what I got out of Kingpin's memories, Hydra goons are experts at disguises and spywork shit - or the people they infiltrate are just too stupid to notice the lizardfuckers with them. We can't afford to make mistakes."

Once again, the present members of the inner circle that aren't Felon and Alex bob their heads.
>>
>(2/2)

You scan the round circle with your eyes.

"This meeting is over, unless any of you got questions?"

Barracuda lets out a relieved sigh as he sets down his empty beer bottle.

"Wait, so you got this shit from the big man's head, boss?" He scratches his temple with a finger."How'd you do that?"

You raise an eyebrow at the man before blinking.

He wasn't around for your explanation.

>[ ] "I can eat souls because I have a third eye on my head which is my soul's or something like that. When I eat them, I can remember what they can about something whenever I focus on something relating to it."
>[ ] "The bitch ass cry baby here is a psychic, I had him go into Fisk's mind and give me everything he knew, but he kind of went insane not long after."
>[ ] "The temporal veil of space is beneath me."
>[ ] "Psionics are a secondary mutation of mine...I know it sounds weird and illogical because I'm already going through puberty but those are a thing that mutants develop once they reach adulthood because of genetics or something, I don't know."
>[ ] Solidify the essence in your eyes into sludge.
>[ ] "Boo!"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2999412
>[ ] Lean in towards Cuda, close your eyes, and solidify the essence into sludge while they're closed.
>[ ] Open them wide and go "Boo!" in his face
>[ ] Laugh like a madman, then undo the eye effect.
>[ ] "I can eat souls because I have a third eye on my head which is my soul's or something like that. When I eat them, I can remember what they know about something whenever I focus on something relating to it."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>>2999599
We taking another week break when the thread falls off?
>>
>[X] Lean in towards Cuda, close your eyes, and solidify the essence into sludge while they're closed.
>[X] Open them wide and go "Boo!" in his face
>[X] Laugh like a madman, then undo the eye effect.
>[X] "I can eat souls because I have a third eye on my head which is my soul's or something like that. When I eat them, I can remember what they know about something whenever I focus on something relating to it."

No harm in telling him the truth; if anything, it's going to be fun.

A grin spreads across your face as you lean towards Cuda and close your eyes.

"Uh, boss, you reading my mind right now or somethin'?" a familiar deep voice grumbles.

You concentrate on the flowing energy inside you and will the portion in your eyes into sludge.

Opening them wide, you see shining red on black slitted eyes reflect off of Cuda's light brown eyes.

"Boo!"

The black man widens his own eyes at you and blinks as you lean back and let out a cackling laugh.

You will the murky essence back into free flowing energy.

"I can eat souls because I have a third eye on my head which is my soul's or something like that. When I eat them, I can remember what they know about something whenever I focus on something relating to it."

Cuda shoots you a surprised look.

"Shieeet! Souls are real?" He grins. "Daaamn, you did more than just the big man then: that mothafucka ain't goin' to no heaven or no hell!" His eyes blink. "Oh fuck, heaven and hell are real then? I don't give a shit about endin' up in hell, but heaven's a load of bullshit. Spend a lifetime bein' a pussy and you get to spend eternity doing whatever the fuck you want? Definition of bullshit."

You let out a laugh as you shrug your shoulders.

"Haven't seen a heaven or hell yet and I've died before all this, so the chances of them existing are low, and the chances of them being the biblical heaven and hell are even lower."

The black man heartily laughs.

"We're all fucked in the end, then."

A hum rumbles in your throat.

"Probably."

You were quite possibly born with a mutation granting eternal youth besides the whole enlightened soul eater thing. It's still unknown to you if Death eats those who die or ferries them to another realm. Whatever the situation, you'll fight for your existence against whatever threatens it.

>[ ] "Anymore questions?"
>[ ] "This meeting is now over."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>2999689
I'm thinking of it, why?
>>
>>2999801
>[ ] "This meeting is now over."
>[ ] Go get some water after all that talking. It's been a long day and you gotta stay hydrated.
Is it like evening now? What time is in in-story?
>>
>>2999820
Some ways away but close to sundown.
>>
>>2999808
I'm just crazy busy this weekend and probably won't be able to participate much, if at all, and we're on page 10. I'd rather not miss anything important.
>>
>>2999880
Ah, I see.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "This meeting is now over."
>[X] Go get some water after all that talking. It's been a long day and you gotta stay hydrated.

If they've got anymore questions, they can ask you some other time. All of this has been one long and actually exhausting day for you. Sure, you can keep awake for almost entire weeks but it still takes a toll on your mind. There's so many things you still need to take into account and eventually deal with. You deserve to and need to relax after dropping all those bombs at once; you're pretty sure your inner circle members that aren't Cuda, Felon, or Alex are also thinking of unwinding after all the shit they had to do today.

"This meeting is now over."

You rise from your spot as the rest of the present inner circle slowly does the same.

Turning to the open warehouse entrance, you stroll over to one of the open coolers and sink your free hand into the ice water. You sift through the cubes of ice and glass beer bottles until you feel something plastic. Grabbing hold of the plastic, you pull it out of the water, revealing it to obviously be a water bottle.

You lay the cap in your mouth and crush the bottle open by chomping off the plastic cover along with a short deal of the bottle's neck.

Spitting the cap out, you pour the life-giving water into your mouth and slightly widen your eyes at the latent sweetness.

You lick your lips of the last drops of liquid after drinking the bottle empty before turning around to see Marcus and Barracuda.

"What's up?" you ask.

Marcus' blue eyes look at you with some glimpse of curiosity.

"Let's talk." He glances wearily at the black giant to his side. "Alone."

The big man lets out a laugh.

"Can I have my M249 back?"

You glance at the machine gun hoisted over your left shoulder.

He is inside the warehouse and unlikely to be fired at or open fire on your boys all surrounded as he is.

>[ ] "Give me and Marcus some room, Cuda."
>[ ] "You can take it but you can't carry it around here. Set it one of the crates we have."
>[ ] "Sure, take it."
>[ ] "I think I'm going to keep it for now."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3001183
>[ ] "Sure, take it."
>[ ] Walk back to the spot where you talked with Jesus earlier.
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Sure, take it."
>[X] Walk back to the spot where you talked with Jesus earlier.

You don't see any harm in giving him his toy back: it can't hurt you and there's no reason for him to turn on you right now. Marcus wanting to talk is a more pressing matter anyway.

A shrug of your shoulders signals your intentions.

"Sure, take it."

You grab the machine gun with your left hand and give it over to Cuda.

The black man hoists it over his own shoulder, grins, and proceeds to chug down his second beer as he walks back into the warehouse.

Marcus shoots you a look and shakes his head.

"I can't believe how paranoid you are but you let someone you barely know and recruited walk around with a machine gun."

You chuckle as you drop the empty bottle in your hands to the ground.

"Actually, I do know him, in a way. Kingpin's memories, remember?" You step over to the cramped corner. "Follow me."

Marcus sighs and treks behind you.

The two of you squeeze through cooler and speaker, navigate through your adoring crowd, and stop at the street corner.

You turn to face your best friend to see two warm, blue eyes looking back.

Marcus glances at the sea of writhing bodies behind him before letting out a groan.

"Can we do this somewhere else?" He focuses back on you. "A place without people grinding on each other and without shitty club music playing?"

A hum rumbles in your throat.

He either genuinely wants to talk to you in a suiting place or it's something important. Knowing him, it's most likely the former. There are some important things you want to and can only talk about with him, though: that feeling, Dan, Abuelita, Death, and the Phoenix. You doubt he'd fully believe you about Death and the Phoenix, but he'd at least be willing to listen after all the crazy shit you've already told him.

>[ ] "Let's go to the old warehouse...There's something I need to talk to you about too and it relates."
>[ ] "The old squat would be nice and quiet. It's our old home and there's something I need to tell you there."
>[ ] "Right here's fine."
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3001409
>[ ] "The old squat would be nice and quiet. It's our old home and there's something I need to tell you there."
>>
Voting closed, writing now.

Sorry for the wait, had to prep for a presentation on monday.
>>
>[X] "The old squat would be nice and quiet: it is our old home and there's something I need to tell you there."

>(1/2)

Marcus can definitely say what he wants to you clearly and privately in that old alley just as you can do the same to him. He can speak his mind and you can tell him whatever you need to. A part of you is unsure of telling him anything, but you know you'll have to eventually: secrets can only be kept for so long. However, the rest of the crew will likely never hear of your thoughts, feelings, and troubles. Ren could in time if she proves to be worthy of your confidence. Silvio's case is less about having the worth he doesn't have in your eyes and more about his life experiences.

You nod your head.

"The old squat would be nice and quiet: it is our old home and there's something I need to tell you there."

Marcus raises an eyebrow at you before bobbing his head.

"Sure."

He walks over to your side and turns to face the same direction you're facing.

You wrap an arm around his waist and hop to the roof of the corner building, landing right by your posted scout. From there, you take off in the direction of your old squat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql8K3KJyWgY

It takes you half a minute of hopping to reach the roof of one of the two abandoned buildings whose walls formed your alleyway squat.

Taking one last hop, you go over the roof edge down into your old home.

You raise your head to check your surroundings and see a familiar cracked mirror reflecting an image of yourself back at you with bloodstained brick in the background.

A numb feeling courses through you as you let go of Marcus.

The reflected smooth yet defined features of your facial structure slowly morph into the less defined yet recognizable face of your old self with twin hollow eyes gazing back at you.

...
>>
>(2/2)

"Kojo?" Marcus calls out.

You blink and your reflection goes back to normal.

"...Yeah?" You turn to face your best friend staring at you.

His eyes gleam with a comforting warmth.

"What I meant to ask you was if you were okay. You said you've had a lot on your mind so are you? Because you don't exactly seem okay right now. All that shit about your father, eating souls, and knowing that you're going to be on SHIELD's shitlist and some crazy lizard people's would drive me insane from the bullshit if I was you." He scoffs. "I know I'll never be and maybe this is all some grand parade for you but...when you told me about your father, you looked the most vulnerable I've ever seen you before even counting the time you became a mutant and were pretty much boneless for a few days, which got me thinking that maybe you're holding back a lot of shit."

You stare at the black young man as a warm feeling washes over you.

What he's saying isn't exactly the truth but it isn't really wrong either.

>[ ] "I'm fine it's just...this place doesn't suit me anymore."
>[ ] "Back at Owl's warehouse, I had this...feeling. It was like I was someone else or seeing someone else go through a lot of shit kind of like I am now. He was the exact opposite of me in every way but he was...happy. He had a lot of friends, some bitch who was like how I used to be, and some other strong bitch he cared for in the same way or something like that, I don't really know what it is."
>[ ] "Don't worry about me Marcus, I'll be fine."
>[ ] "Marcus, was Dan like a father to you?"
>[ ] "I've been thinking a lot about Dan and Abuelita lately."
>[ ] "Wait, I looked vulnerable?"
>[ ] Write In.
>>
>>3001827
>[ ] "Don't worry about me Marcus, I'll be fine."
>[ ] "Marcus, was Dan like a father to you?"
>>
>>3001827
>[ ] "Don't worry about me Marcus, I'll be fine."
>[ ] "Marcus, was Dan like a father to you?"
>>
>>3001826
>Transistor Soundtrack
Kino game. Great taste.
>>
>>3001866
now you know where i get the humming from
>>
Voting closed, writing now.
>>
>[X] "Don't worry about me Marcus, I'll be fine."
>[X] "Marcus, was Dan like a father to you?"

As much as it makes you happy that he's concerned for you, he shouldn't worry. You've got a lot of things you want to tell him, but Dan is the most prominent subject that's been on your mind as of late. The other things can wait, for now.

You smile.

"Don't worry about me Marcus, I'll be fine."

The second-in-command blinks at you and sighs.

"Okay, just know you can talk to me whenever instead of cloud gazing all day or jumping around town mercing every motherfucker who so much has a chip in the game."

You study the man with your eyes.

Ever since you secured the Bronx, you've spent most of your time on the roof of your warehouse whenever you weren't overseeing your gang's operations. You watched the sky as you thought up plans and envisioned yourself ruling over all of New York's underworld with Kingpin's bloated corpse impaled on a stake overhead. Because of your focus on other things outside of hanging with your boys, you grew distant from Marcus.

He could not mean anything by it but it sounds like he resents that.

"Marcus, was Dan like a father to you?"

A shocked, mournful look makes its way onto your best friends face and he parts his lips to say something before raising a hand to cup his chin. He stands still for a few seconds before lowering his hand.

"I guess?" He shrugs his shoulders. "Kojo, I grew up on the streets just like you. I never met my father and I can barely remember how my mother looked like: I don't know what it's like to have a dad." A sigh escapes his lips. "I hated seeing Dan die, though."

You hum.

That was an answer you should have expected, but, honestly, you don't know people that well when it comes to feelings, especially when they're about other people.

>[ ] "Marcus, do you think that maybe...we were a family? Two black street rats, an adoptive old white father who just so happened to be a special forces veteran, and a casually racist grandmother or maid who made sure we were well off?"
>[ ] "Barracuda told me that Dan thought of me as his little soldier boy to raise as his own. Apparently, I reminded him of some enemy Vietnamese child soldier he became friends with. That kid got his brains blown out when Dan got back to base. Maybe he thought the same of you."
>[ ] "Do you hate me for killing him even though I didn't mean to?"
>[ ] "When I killed Dan...that was the first moment I ever felt joy."
>[ ] "Did you hear what that biker midget said? That whole bit about my heartbreaking when I killed my surrogate father? Do you think he could be right?"
>[ ] Write In.





Delete Post: [File Only] Style:
[Disable Mobile View / Use Desktop Site]

[Enable Mobile View / Use Mobile Site]

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective parties. Images uploaded are the responsibility of the Poster. Comments are owned by the Poster.