Another History: Turn 8
Breathing hurt. Every inhale felt like someone was stabbing you in the chest, but there was nothing you could do about it. It was a fact you had to accept, as frustrating as it was. Your body was on the mend, but it would take time to fully heal—time you didn't have. You knew Alicja wouldn't let you recover in peace. She was smart enough to seize the advantage while you were still licking your wounds, and you needed to be ready for that.
"Here you go, sir," the nurse said as she handed you a clipboard with a discharge form. Her voice was soft but professional, and the sympathy in her eyes was barely masked. You took the clipboard, looking down at the paperwork with a frown. Your hand moved slowly, the pain in your chest flaring with every slight movement, but you managed to start filling out the form.
The doctors wanted to keep you here for observation. They had patched you up well enough, but they were concerned about complications—internal bleeding, infection, any number of things that could still go wrong. But you knew your body. You'd been through worse and walked away from it. Gunshot wounds, stabbings, all kinds of trauma that should have put you down for good, yet here you were. You healed fast. You always had. And while these new scars would be a nuisance, they wouldn't stop you.
Your pen scratched the paper as you signed your name at the bottom. The nurse looked at it for a moment, her eyes flicking between you and the clipboard. She clearly wasn't happy with your decision to leave. But there was nothing she could do. You hadn't committed any crimes, and nobody was coming to arrest you. Your wounds weren't enough to keep you trapped here, so you handed the clipboard back and made your choice.
The nurse pursed her lips but said nothing, simply taking the form and walking away, leaving you to your thoughts. You weren't walking too well yet. Your legs felt like they could give out at any moment, which only deepened the frustration gnawing at you. That's where Ai came in. She had been waiting outside, and the second the nurse left, she appeared in the doorway, her eyes sweeping over you, assessing the damage.
Her expression didn't shift. No disgust, no pity, just a calm, quiet observation. Even with your wounds stitched up and bandaged, you knew you looked like hell. Still, there wasn't even a flicker of revulsion on her face.
"I'm fine," you snapped, seeing her start to move as if to help you. With a grimace, you pushed yourself up out of the bed, ignoring the stabbing pain in your ribs. It was a struggle, but you managed to get yourself into the wheelchair without her help, though it was a close thing. Ai, ever patient, just stood by, waiting, not saying a word.
Once you were seated in the chair, she stepped behind you and took hold of the handles, wheeling you out of the room slowly and steadily. Her hands were gentle like she knew exactly how to push this wheelchair and how not to harm you. It was infuriating in its own way.
You hated that she had come to help you. The whole thing grated on you, even if you couldn't put it into words. You were used to handling things on your own, even when you were hurt. Having someone swoop in when you were down felt wrong, as if it was undermining your ability to stand on your own two feet. The fact that it was Ai only made it worse. You trusted her, sure, but there was always the nagging thought in the back of your mind that she might hold this over you later. Yet, she hadn't made any indication of that. Not a single word of leverage or manipulation. It seemed like she was just… helping.
"You don't owe me anything," she murmured as she leaned down close to your ear, her breath warm against your skin. "I simply wished to help."
Her words, soft and sincere, only made you grumble in irritation. You shifted in the wheelchair, trying to alleviate the ache in your body, but it just triggered another wave of pain. You weren't in a position to argue, not right now, but that didn't make it any easier to accept the situation. You had too much to do, and your injuries were already putting you behind schedule.
There were battles to fight, plans to make, and with Alicja likely regrouping and plotting her next move, you knew you couldn't afford to rest. Every hour you spent recovering was an hour closer to her launching a counterattack. And right now, you needed to be three steps ahead of her. But first, you had to get out of this damned hospital and back to work. Even if your body wasn't quite ready, your mind was already preparing for this month.
Please observe a one hour moratorium before voting
Vote by plan
You have 1 month until the cult reconvenes, it would be a very good idea for you to have gained at least some understanding of Endbringer durability and some form of combatants are ready.
Possible Actions: You have 4 Actions each month, more can be gained by spending less time at work.
Current Funds: 634
Income: 100 Funds/Month
[] You are injured (You currently have three wounds. You'll make a roll at +5 against a DC of 70. You must select one of the below)
-[] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll one recovery dice.)
-[] Take a break here and there (Costs one action, roll two recovery dice. 0/-15)
-[] Sit down, take time to care for yourself (Costs two actions, roll three recovery dice 0/-15/-30)
-[] You're near death, you have to slow down (Costs three actions, roll four recovery dice 0/-15/-30/-45)
–-[] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
–-[] The medicine is dark black, it's easy to think you've been poisoned (Costs 30 Funds, one recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] A touch here and there of something a bit stronger (Costs 60 Funds, two recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] A stay at home nurse, to tend to your wounds and the more unpleasant tasks they require (Costs 90 Funds, three recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] His services don't come cheap and his silence is even more expensive (Costs 120 Funds, four recovery dice will automatically succeed)
[] On work and the challenges it entails.
-[] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[] You'll cut a few corners here, leave a bit early (Gain an extra action, will not be noticed if not done often. Your work is slightly less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] You've got sick days, use them (Gain two extra actions, will be noticed by your direct superior, although the full extent is unknown. Your work is less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] Something has come up and you'll be out of the office for a week (Gain three extra actions, may be noticed by the Director although the response is not known. Your work is significantly less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] You can't even step foot in the office this month (Gain four extra actions, you will be called out on this. Your work will not to notice your wounds)
[] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
-[] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[] Tail her, keep an eye on what she does (Doing this yourself will be less effective then sending somebody else)
-[] Go see Gunsmith, try and pry out anything he knows about her
-[] Keep an eye open and stay on guard (This will make it harder for Alicja to assault, spy on you, etc)
-[] Do something about her, talk to her, trick her, hurt her (Write in your objective)
[] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties.)
-[] You'll stay and work longer hours
-[] You'll put the work in and bust a few gang operations
-[] There are capes out on the streets, you'll put them behind bars
-[] Request some help from Ai, she'll do her best to make sure Carol isn't fit to do her job
[] On the goal. (All of the following options are suspicious. This only applies if you are caught)
-[] Do some research, watch some tapes of the fighting (No suspicion)
-[] Ask around, start seeing what folks know (No suspicion)
-[] Dig into the files, take a peek at confidential information (Major suspicion)
-[] Ask the returning Heroes some questions, see what they learned (No suspicion)
[] On furthering the cause.
-[] Train the fodder, get them up to snuff
-[] Search out the talented, teach them Edge
-[] Build up the loyalty of the cult, ensure they'll listen to you if need be
-[] Assist somebody else in their task
--[] Arch, the Loremaster
--[] Ai, the Spymaster
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Items and strange artifacts, go search for them. They could be useful
[] On learning the Lores.
-[] Search for books
--[] In the local libraries and bookstores
--[] Stranger and more hidden places
--[] Online, from places abroad (Will cost 10 Funds per book in shipping)
-[] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
--[] What lore? (Write in, she is willing to teach all Lores, except Heart, up to level 2. You will gain 1 scrap of that lore)
-[] The cult's library has a few texts, go read up on them
--[] The manuscript on Heart (You will gain 1 scrap of Heart)
--[] The manuscript on Forge (You will gain 1 scrap of Forge)
--[] The manuscript on Secret Histories (You will gain 1 scrap of Secret Histories)
-[] You've got your own books now, just read them
--[] Write in (Pick two books, can have been bought this turn)
[] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
-[] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Write in Lore, the first cast is a Free Action)
[] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
-[] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
--[] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
-[] Climb higher, Glory awaits
[] On matters outside the cult.
-[] Spend time with somebody
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Get to know somebody
--[] Who? (Write in, somebody from work, a low level person inside the cult, a random joe on the street etc)
-[] Hire some muscle (Will cost a variable amount of funds)
[] Something else? (Write in, must be approved by QM)
"Here you go, sir," the nurse said as she handed you a clipboard with a discharge form. Her voice was soft but professional, and the sympathy in her eyes was barely masked. You took the clipboard, looking down at the paperwork with a frown. Your hand moved slowly, the pain in your chest flaring with every slight movement, but you managed to start filling out the form.
The doctors wanted to keep you here for observation. They had patched you up well enough, but they were concerned about complications—internal bleeding, infection, any number of things that could still go wrong. But you knew your body. You'd been through worse and walked away from it. Gunshot wounds, stabbings, all kinds of trauma that should have put you down for good, yet here you were. You healed fast. You always had. And while these new scars would be a nuisance, they wouldn't stop you.
Your pen scratched the paper as you signed your name at the bottom. The nurse looked at it for a moment, her eyes flicking between you and the clipboard. She clearly wasn't happy with your decision to leave. But there was nothing she could do. You hadn't committed any crimes, and nobody was coming to arrest you. Your wounds weren't enough to keep you trapped here, so you handed the clipboard back and made your choice.
The nurse pursed her lips but said nothing, simply taking the form and walking away, leaving you to your thoughts. You weren't walking too well yet. Your legs felt like they could give out at any moment, which only deepened the frustration gnawing at you. That's where Ai came in. She had been waiting outside, and the second the nurse left, she appeared in the doorway, her eyes sweeping over you, assessing the damage.
Her expression didn't shift. No disgust, no pity, just a calm, quiet observation. Even with your wounds stitched up and bandaged, you knew you looked like hell. Still, there wasn't even a flicker of revulsion on her face.
"I'm fine," you snapped, seeing her start to move as if to help you. With a grimace, you pushed yourself up out of the bed, ignoring the stabbing pain in your ribs. It was a struggle, but you managed to get yourself into the wheelchair without her help, though it was a close thing. Ai, ever patient, just stood by, waiting, not saying a word.
Once you were seated in the chair, she stepped behind you and took hold of the handles, wheeling you out of the room slowly and steadily. Her hands were gentle like she knew exactly how to push this wheelchair and how not to harm you. It was infuriating in its own way.
You hated that she had come to help you. The whole thing grated on you, even if you couldn't put it into words. You were used to handling things on your own, even when you were hurt. Having someone swoop in when you were down felt wrong, as if it was undermining your ability to stand on your own two feet. The fact that it was Ai only made it worse. You trusted her, sure, but there was always the nagging thought in the back of your mind that she might hold this over you later. Yet, she hadn't made any indication of that. Not a single word of leverage or manipulation. It seemed like she was just… helping.
"You don't owe me anything," she murmured as she leaned down close to your ear, her breath warm against your skin. "I simply wished to help."
Her words, soft and sincere, only made you grumble in irritation. You shifted in the wheelchair, trying to alleviate the ache in your body, but it just triggered another wave of pain. You weren't in a position to argue, not right now, but that didn't make it any easier to accept the situation. You had too much to do, and your injuries were already putting you behind schedule.
There were battles to fight, plans to make, and with Alicja likely regrouping and plotting her next move, you knew you couldn't afford to rest. Every hour you spent recovering was an hour closer to her launching a counterattack. And right now, you needed to be three steps ahead of her. But first, you had to get out of this damned hospital and back to work. Even if your body wasn't quite ready, your mind was already preparing for this month.
Please observe a one hour moratorium before voting
Vote by plan
You have 1 month until the cult reconvenes, it would be a very good idea for you to have gained at least some understanding of Endbringer durability and some form of combatants are ready.
Possible Actions: You have 4 Actions each month, more can be gained by spending less time at work.
Current Funds: 634
Income: 100 Funds/Month
[] You are injured (You currently have three wounds. You'll make a roll at +5 against a DC of 70. You must select one of the below)
-[] Rest and recover (Cost zero actions, roll one recovery dice.)
-[] Take a break here and there (Costs one action, roll two recovery dice. 0/-15)
-[] Sit down, take time to care for yourself (Costs two actions, roll three recovery dice 0/-15/-30)
-[] You're near death, you have to slow down (Costs three actions, roll four recovery dice 0/-15/-30/-45)
–-[] Your body will heal on its own terms (Costs nothing)
–-[] The medicine is dark black, it's easy to think you've been poisoned (Costs 30 Funds, one recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] A touch here and there of something a bit stronger (Costs 60 Funds, two recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] A stay at home nurse, to tend to your wounds and the more unpleasant tasks they require (Costs 90 Funds, three recovery dice will automatically succeed)
–-[] His services don't come cheap and his silence is even more expensive (Costs 120 Funds, four recovery dice will automatically succeed)
[] On work and the challenges it entails.
-[] You'll work your hours and no more (Gain no extra actions, default)
-[] You'll cut a few corners here, leave a bit early (Gain an extra action, will not be noticed if not done often. Your work is slightly less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] You've got sick days, use them (Gain two extra actions, will be noticed by your direct superior, although the full extent is unknown. Your work is less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] Something has come up and you'll be out of the office for a week (Gain three extra actions, may be noticed by the Director although the response is not known. Your work is significantly less likely to notice your wounds)
-[] You can't even step foot in the office this month (Gain four extra actions, you will be called out on this. Your work will not to notice your wounds)
[] On your Foe, and the danger she wields
-[] Attack her, finish this (This is Assaulting an Opponent Expedition)
-[] Tail her, keep an eye on what she does (Doing this yourself will be less effective then sending somebody else)
-[] Go see Gunsmith, try and pry out anything he knows about her
-[] Keep an eye open and stay on guard (This will make it harder for Alicja to assault, spy on you, etc)
-[] Do something about her, talk to her, trick her, hurt her (Write in your objective)
[] On promotion and improvement (The below actions improve your chance of being selected as Director should Carol be unable to perform her duties.)
-[] You'll stay and work longer hours
-[] You'll put the work in and bust a few gang operations
-[] There are capes out on the streets, you'll put them behind bars
-[] Request some help from Ai, she'll do her best to make sure Carol isn't fit to do her job
[] On the goal. (All of the following options are suspicious. This only applies if you are caught)
-[] Do some research, watch some tapes of the fighting (No suspicion)
-[] Ask around, start seeing what folks know (No suspicion)
-[] Dig into the files, take a peek at confidential information (Major suspicion)
-[] Ask the returning Heroes some questions, see what they learned (No suspicion)
[] On furthering the cause.
-[] Train the fodder, get them up to snuff
-[] Search out the talented, teach them Edge
-[] Build up the loyalty of the cult, ensure they'll listen to you if need be
-[] Assist somebody else in their task
--[] Arch, the Loremaster
--[] Ai, the Spymaster
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Items and strange artifacts, go search for them. They could be useful
[] On learning the Lores.
-[] Search for books
--[] In the local libraries and bookstores
--[] Stranger and more hidden places
--[] Online, from places abroad (Will cost 10 Funds per book in shipping)
-[] You Master is willing to teach, request a lesson
--[] What lore? (Write in, she is willing to teach all Lores, except Heart, up to level 2. You will gain 1 scrap of that lore)
-[] The cult's library has a few texts, go read up on them
--[] The manuscript on Heart (You will gain 1 scrap of Heart)
--[] The manuscript on Forge (You will gain 1 scrap of Forge)
--[] The manuscript on Secret Histories (You will gain 1 scrap of Secret Histories)
-[] You've got your own books now, just read them
--[] Write in (Pick two books, can have been bought this turn)
[] On Rites, Rituals and the things inbetween
-[] You'll cast The Attention of the Laws (Write in Lore, the first cast is a Free Action)
[] The Mansus, a place of contradictions. It calls to you, reach out.
-[] Explore the Woods and it's many secrets
--[] Explore the Luster-Drowned Well
-[] Climb higher, Glory awaits
[] On matters outside the cult.
-[] Spend time with somebody
--[] Who? (Write in)
-[] Get to know somebody
--[] Who? (Write in, somebody from work, a low level person inside the cult, a random joe on the street etc)
-[] Hire some muscle (Will cost a variable amount of funds)
[] Something else? (Write in, must be approved by QM)
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