- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
People seem to be entering and exiting at various times without it seeming like 'sessions', so you should probably be fine.
Magical Girl Flesh Horror~!
- Thread starter TheMaskedReader
- Start date
- Original
Thank you for the confirmation!
Vote closed
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Act One - Emergency Part Three: Please, Enjoy The Show!
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You've been subtly shifting your focus, devoting more of your core to brainpower, shutting down some of the flesh producers to do so. Specifically, you do so to devote more sheer neural processing power to analyzing your situation. You focus on perceiving more and processing more. Eyes peek out and transmit data back to you, data you can use to best tailor your responses and your strategy - Dominated, of course, still, by your primary brain's decisions. This decision, of course, is to go to the second floor, in order to look as if you're heading to the meeting…but actually, to look into the theater up there. As you ascend, you see the sign hung above it - the Theater of Tear-Jerking Drama. You look over to Sabrina, and gesture for her to follow you in.
You step into a velvet-covered room, which seems to be the lobby for the theater, and Sabrina leans down to whisper into your ear. "Hey - Kid, I just wanna warn you…this is a weird sorta show. Not just the, uh…content. The, you know…machine. It'll be weird." You nod. "Don't worry about me - While you're in there, though, check around for anything we could use! Entrances, exits, vents, infrastructure, all that sorta stuff, OK?" She nods, and both of you enter the theater…
Well, it's certainly weird! That's your first impression at least. The velvet continues into the theater proper, covering the floors and chairs and the massive curtain currently drawn over the center stage, all surrounded by walls inset with false gilt colonnades and a ceiling painted gold. Something about it eats at a half-lost memory of your DONOR, and you're struck with the sudden insight that this place is attempting to convey the feeling of somewhere grander and far less... conflicting. A yearning for what you do not know blossoms inside of you, along with a bizarre need for salt.
Putting that out of mind, you brave your way forward with Sabrina in tow, looking for seats in the theater. You seem to be in luck on that score at least, seems like a showing had just finished...or just begun? A small crowd slowly makes their way out, teary-eyed and shocked and in one disturbing case absolutely thrilled by what they had just seen. Those who remain are an even stranger sort, including those who seem too deadened to even move and those who seemed to have missed part of the show and were wondering with their seat mates how it all started.
You sat down in the back, the perfect place to scan the room for other exits, just as the curtain rises over the stage. Once again, your DONOR's memories stir in the addled mass you call your mind as you gaze upon the iridescent screen, vibrant in every color except for the ones that you have names for, and a small part of you, buried deep and primal, screams that this is wrong. (Soul Senses) Then the projector starts, and it gets so much worse.
Two voices begin a soft tandem scream, while those in the audience shush one another as the stage lights go down. Your vision narrows, your eyes funneled in by the colors surrounding you. It slowly centers on a tired-looking woman wearing a satisfied smile, clutching a rose in her hands as she walks home, uncaring for the blood left dripping in her wake. It coats the velvet floor, soaking into the carpet until they cannot even be distinguished from each other. Her gaze focuses so long upon the vibrant petals that you barely even notice when it becomes your gaze and only with your extra focus, Perceptive little creature that you are, do you recognize you can no longer see the theater. The palms of your hands begin to hurt.
Step by step you walk the long way home, gradually growing used to the thorns. After hours, or perhaps days, though the clock outside insists it's been mere minutes, you turn towards your humble apartment. It isn't much, but it's yours - it's hers. This is hers as well you marvel as you squeeze the stem of the rose harder, passion pouring freely as you slowly make your way to the bedroom door.
There are sounds on the other side that you do not recognize, but that you know all too well.
The rose falls upon the floor as you let out a soft gasp, and the sounds abruptly stop.
You throw yourself back into the kitchen as the door slowly opens, and you are face to face with her - and someone who you do not know.
She is the sun, the storm, the dawn, the dusk, all of the secret moments in between in which you whisper just after waking the three words that once sustained you and now turn to poison in your heart.
You freeze in place as you feel yourself bleed, the thorns of the fallen rose trampled upon heedless and unseen. Your heart misses a beat as your heart stands beside you, a flat expression free of remorse or contrition upon her face. You do not know whether you feel contrition or sorrow or shame or fear as you look into the kitchen and see she who awaits you there. You raise your hands, but forget yourself, and drop your sheet.
Red takes over your vision as you force yourself to look at them - as she looks at you without a hint of care. There is only thing you can think of. Red floods your vision, blood flows higher and higher, the scream crescendoes!
They see you raise the knife.
You raise your hands to block the blow, but cannot prevent the sweet crimson flow.
You stumble out the door and back onto the road, uncaring for the blood left dripping in your wake.
The curtain drops - Or does it raise? You aren't quite sure. You stumble outside, coughing, as your eyes keep seeing blood all around you (Soul Senses), seeping from the floor and ceiling and into your hair and hands and why won't the scream stop seeping into your wood, you feel it staining your flesh and rotting your wood away, and there is a sudden hot sensation on your flesh as your Shield activates, and your ears shut themselves away.
And you breathe. In. And out. In. And out. (Spy) You have a mission. You're going to complete the mission. You just need a second. (You've discovered some of ???'s keywords! Murderer. Hateful. Soul-Screamer.)
Sabrina is waiting out there, for you - As if she's been there for quite some time. She looks at you, with worried eyes, tongue flickering out. "...You alright, kid?" You shake your head, and lean against the plush, bloody wall. Sabrina leans down beside you, flicking her tongue in and out in concern. "...I didn't find anything, just so you know. The theater's…don't think they could risk an exit in there. Someone might get hurt." You nod, and just take your time breathing. The simple biological function calms you, as you feel your body's insides stretching and contracting.
Take your time.
QM's Note: Normal 12 hour moratorium and 48 hour voting period! Also, massive thanks to @grimely for writing the theater sequence (and for all their hard work as my editor - Without them, MGFH wouldn't be possible)!
You step into a velvet-covered room, which seems to be the lobby for the theater, and Sabrina leans down to whisper into your ear. "Hey - Kid, I just wanna warn you…this is a weird sorta show. Not just the, uh…content. The, you know…machine. It'll be weird." You nod. "Don't worry about me - While you're in there, though, check around for anything we could use! Entrances, exits, vents, infrastructure, all that sorta stuff, OK?" She nods, and both of you enter the theater…
Well, it's certainly weird! That's your first impression at least. The velvet continues into the theater proper, covering the floors and chairs and the massive curtain currently drawn over the center stage, all surrounded by walls inset with false gilt colonnades and a ceiling painted gold. Something about it eats at a half-lost memory of your DONOR, and you're struck with the sudden insight that this place is attempting to convey the feeling of somewhere grander and far less... conflicting. A yearning for what you do not know blossoms inside of you, along with a bizarre need for salt.
Putting that out of mind, you brave your way forward with Sabrina in tow, looking for seats in the theater. You seem to be in luck on that score at least, seems like a showing had just finished...or just begun? A small crowd slowly makes their way out, teary-eyed and shocked and in one disturbing case absolutely thrilled by what they had just seen. Those who remain are an even stranger sort, including those who seem too deadened to even move and those who seemed to have missed part of the show and were wondering with their seat mates how it all started.
You sat down in the back, the perfect place to scan the room for other exits, just as the curtain rises over the stage. Once again, your DONOR's memories stir in the addled mass you call your mind as you gaze upon the iridescent screen, vibrant in every color except for the ones that you have names for, and a small part of you, buried deep and primal, screams that this is wrong. (Soul Senses) Then the projector starts, and it gets so much worse.
Two voices begin a soft tandem scream, while those in the audience shush one another as the stage lights go down. Your vision narrows, your eyes funneled in by the colors surrounding you. It slowly centers on a tired-looking woman wearing a satisfied smile, clutching a rose in her hands as she walks home, uncaring for the blood left dripping in her wake. It coats the velvet floor, soaking into the carpet until they cannot even be distinguished from each other. Her gaze focuses so long upon the vibrant petals that you barely even notice when it becomes your gaze and only with your extra focus, Perceptive little creature that you are, do you recognize you can no longer see the theater. The palms of your hands begin to hurt.
Step by step you walk the long way home, gradually growing used to the thorns. After hours, or perhaps days, though the clock outside insists it's been mere minutes, you turn towards your humble apartment. It isn't much, but it's yours - it's hers. This is hers as well you marvel as you squeeze the stem of the rose harder, passion pouring freely as you slowly make your way to the bedroom door.
There are sounds on the other side that you do not recognize, but that you know all too well.
The rose falls upon the floor as you let out a soft gasp, and the sounds abruptly stop.
You throw yourself back into the kitchen as the door slowly opens, and you are face to face with her - and someone who you do not know.
She is the sun, the storm, the dawn, the dusk, all of the secret moments in between in which you whisper just after waking the three words that once sustained you and now turn to poison in your heart.
You freeze in place as you feel yourself bleed, the thorns of the fallen rose trampled upon heedless and unseen. Your heart misses a beat as your heart stands beside you, a flat expression free of remorse or contrition upon her face. You do not know whether you feel contrition or sorrow or shame or fear as you look into the kitchen and see she who awaits you there. You raise your hands, but forget yourself, and drop your sheet.
Red takes over your vision as you force yourself to look at them - as she looks at you without a hint of care. There is only thing you can think of. Red floods your vision, blood flows higher and higher, the scream crescendoes!
They see you raise the knife.
You raise your hands to block the blow, but cannot prevent the sweet crimson flow.
You stumble out the door and back onto the road, uncaring for the blood left dripping in your wake.
The curtain drops - Or does it raise? You aren't quite sure. You stumble outside, coughing, as your eyes keep seeing blood all around you (Soul Senses), seeping from the floor and ceiling and into your hair and hands and why won't the scream stop seeping into your wood, you feel it staining your flesh and rotting your wood away, and there is a sudden hot sensation on your flesh as your Shield activates, and your ears shut themselves away.
And you breathe. In. And out. In. And out. (Spy) You have a mission. You're going to complete the mission. You just need a second. (You've discovered some of ???'s keywords! Murderer. Hateful. Soul-Screamer.)
Sabrina is waiting out there, for you - As if she's been there for quite some time. She looks at you, with worried eyes, tongue flickering out. "...You alright, kid?" You shake your head, and lean against the plush, bloody wall. Sabrina leans down beside you, flicking her tongue in and out in concern. "...I didn't find anything, just so you know. The theater's…don't think they could risk an exit in there. Someone might get hurt." You nod, and just take your time breathing. The simple biological function calms you, as you feel your body's insides stretching and contracting.
Take your time.
You are in an EMERGENCY.
You don't have time to change a keyword! Changeable keywords are highlighted!
Your Current Assets Are:
1x Super Spy (Soul Senses, Artificer, False Humanoid, Shield, Poison, Disguise)
1x Sabrina "Slick" Johnson (Snakewoman, Mage, Rebellious, Blunt, Unyielding, ???, ???, ???)
Your current Core Keywords are:
Cute, Pactmaker, Perceptive, Likeable, Spy, Explosive Growth, and Bountiful.
Employees are currently highly suspicious of you.
Herman is wondering where you are.
You've discovered the following keywords of Namreh's Theater of the Soul: Attention-Seeking, Soul Cycle, Modern Amenities.
You don't have time to change a keyword! Changeable keywords are highlighted!
Your Current Assets Are:
1x Super Spy (Soul Senses, Artificer, False Humanoid, Shield, Poison, Disguise)
1x Sabrina "Slick" Johnson (Snakewoman, Mage, Rebellious, Blunt, Unyielding, ???, ???, ???)
Your current Core Keywords are:
Cute, Pactmaker, Perceptive, Likeable, Spy, Explosive Growth, and Bountiful.
Employees are currently highly suspicious of you.
Herman is wondering where you are.
You've discovered the following keywords of Namreh's Theater of the Soul: Attention-Seeking, Soul Cycle, Modern Amenities.
Explore the Theater of Heart-Pounding Adventure!
The Theater labeled as being "Heart-Pounding Adventure" has the sound of gunfire and explosions emanating from within. Your Soul Senses can feel that the overwhelming yells of terror is coming from within this Theater.
Explore the Theater of Bone-Chilling Terror!
This Theater is labeled as being "Bone-Chilling Terror!", and you can hear screams and wails leaking from within. Your Soul Senses can feel that the song of sorrow is coming overwhelmingly from this theater.
Explore the Theater of Tear-Jerking Drama! (Not Available)
You don't want to go in there again.
Distract Employees
Maybe the heat's getting too much - Maybe you need to find your way into an area that's being guarded. Either way, you'll need to distract the employees of Herman's Theater of the Soul, somehow. Write-ins will make this action more effective!
Sneak Into Employee-Only Areas
There are a few doors prominently labeled as "For Employees Only" scattered around the building. Some of them might be break rooms or they might be vital equipment for the Theater - You can't be sure until you've taken a look inside. They don't seem to lock them, out of a hopefully misplaced sense of invulnerability, but if you're not careful, you could get seen entering or exiting. This may require multiple actions to fully complete!
Look For Alternate Entrances and Exits
You need a way in and out that isn't through the front. This place definitely has some - You doubt that they have employees or prospective…soul sellers (?) enter and exit through the front, after all. This action may be more effective after exploring other areas thoroughly.
Go Visit Herman
No sense in putting it off - The big man himself awaits. And he's got a lot to answer for. You may wind up doing something unwise…or maybe that's what you want to do.
Leave the Theater
Just walk out! You're not meeting this guy! Real winners don't deal with soul-renting evil-doers! You've got enough intelligence to be satisfied, so, you're just leaving. This may cause Herman to take offense…or maybe that's what you want to do.
QM's Note: Normal 12 hour moratorium and 48 hour voting period! Also, massive thanks to @grimely for writing the theater sequence (and for all their hard work as my editor - Without them, MGFH wouldn't be possible)!
I see why the theater's popular, making you actually feels as if you're in the show that strongly always will get people hooked.
I'm also pretty sure the way it does it is part of why all mages hate the guy in some way.
Quick, hide the eyes of our poor innocent flesh horror, she's too young to see this kind of things!
Yeah, seeing the one you love cheating on you can make *I love you* feel like ash in your mouth.
Well, let's never use those.
Shock to the system stopping us from doing so, again.
Yeah, fuck it, we either go to see the guy right now or we leave, but we definitely don't have time to do anything else. Better to go see him to both try and get info and make it look less like Sabrina was just trying to get a free show.
So my plan is simply going to be:
[] Plan: *cordial* greetings
-[] Go visit Herman
—[] apologize for the wait, you just had to see his work!
—[] try to pretend to be at least not completely revulsed by the very idea of him.
JayTar
Idea briefcase
I would recommend for our approach to Herman (if we approach Herman) is to not entirely hide our discomfort.
The best way to lie is to include the truth. And trying to come off as entirely unaffected wouldn't be believable. Every mage is affected. Plus anyone who came in with a known troublemaker like Sabrina should be at least a little hesitant.
What we should do is fake a degree of (imperfectly hidden) desperation. Seem like we have reservations, big reservations even. But act like we are equally desperate and the two things hang in delicate balance. Like he just has to sell things well enough to push us over the edge. That way we can string him along the best.
Act desperate, scared, maybe a little naive.
If I were to make up a history I would say maybe someone who until relatively recently has lived comfortably, but has somewhat recently fallen into very hard times. Someone who is in a desperate situation, and very much not used to being in one.
Spy should hopefully help with playing a role like this.
The best way to lie is to include the truth. And trying to come off as entirely unaffected wouldn't be believable. Every mage is affected. Plus anyone who came in with a known troublemaker like Sabrina should be at least a little hesitant.
What we should do is fake a degree of (imperfectly hidden) desperation. Seem like we have reservations, big reservations even. But act like we are equally desperate and the two things hang in delicate balance. Like he just has to sell things well enough to push us over the edge. That way we can string him along the best.
Act desperate, scared, maybe a little naive.
If I were to make up a history I would say maybe someone who until relatively recently has lived comfortably, but has somewhat recently fallen into very hard times. Someone who is in a desperate situation, and very much not used to being in one.
Spy should hopefully help with playing a role like this.
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Well, technically my plan is about pretending not to be completely revulsed, not pretending to be completely comfortable, but:
That's a good idea, revising draft:
[] Plan: Desperate measures
-[] Go visit Herman
--[] act as if you're there because you have no other way forward, you're not enthusiastic at all but are desperate for a job.
Should we ask Sabrina not to enter with us when meeting the guy? On the one hand she will offer protection against scummy contracts, on the other she's liable to blow up in anger when seeing the guy.
If this guy can actually control souls we should give our infiltrator a tag that hides them from souls, incase this guy can use souls as a guard system
Nah, I'm sure it's not necromancy, he puts the souls back at the end, totally fine, no horrible things happening there, no siree.
Noted for later.
Iris-Iven-Ibis
Interested-Idiot-Immortal
- Location
- You know
actor,convicting and a keyword like cold,calculating,and cunning can help
Actor sounds incredibly useful for a spy
We can't change words right now and need to go see the guy this turn, we're probably going to be escorted outside otherwise, the employees are too suspicious.
And the voting is open!
[x] Plan: Desperate measures
-[x] Go visit Herman
--[x] act as if you're there because you have no other way forward, you're not enthusiastic at all but are desperate for a job.
SleepyCaterpilar
Just a Rapariga
[x] Plan: Desperate measures
- Location
- Canada
[X] Plan Nope Nope Nope
-[X] Leave
Two voices?
I'm thinking Herman managed to get the soul of the both lovers somehow, which is ominous.
Also, this show doesn't line up with what we have been told about how Herman acquires souls at all.
If we see him, I'm worried he will get more useful info about us then we will get about him. What is he senses something unusual about our soul?
-[X] Leave
Two voices?
I'm thinking Herman managed to get the soul of the both lovers somehow, which is ominous.
Also, this show doesn't line up with what we have been told about how Herman acquires souls at all.
If we see him, I'm worried he will get more useful info about us then we will get about him. What is he senses something unusual about our soul?
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thewhiteraven22
(Unverified Worm Fanatic)
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Plan: Desperate measures
[X] Plan: Desperate measures
I can imagine the panic we would cause telling others about what we gained from the theater.
Sabrina's Mom: "Did you enjoy your outing today?"
Scarlet: "Yup, I learned about murder and hate!"
Sabrina's Mom: "...One moment dear. SABRINA!"
I can imagine the panic we would cause telling others about what we gained from the theater.
Sabrina's Mom: "Did you enjoy your outing today?"
Scarlet: "Yup, I learned about murder and hate!"
Sabrina's Mom: "...One moment dear. SABRINA!"
JayTar
Idea briefcase
I feel like maybe adding something to the plan, but I'm not sure what. Maybe specifically outlining Sabrina's action? We had trouble on the first turn for not doing that.
Might make sure to warn her we are going to be acting a bit here so she isn't wrong footed and plays along.
Maybe:
--[] Warn Sabrina what we will be doing, she acts as she sees fit for the meeting.
I would also like to try to make it look like we are trying to hide our desperation a little. Just to make it a little more believable.
Might make sure to warn her we are going to be acting a bit here so she isn't wrong footed and plays along.
Maybe:
--[] Warn Sabrina what we will be doing, she acts as she sees fit for the meeting.
I would also like to try to make it look like we are trying to hide our desperation a little. Just to make it a little more believable.
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Was not as available as normal until now, just saw that, adding it in:
[x] Plan: Desperate measures
-[x] Go visit Herman
--[x] act as if you're there because you have no other way forward, you're not enthusiastic at all but are desperate for a job.
--[x] Warn Sabrina what we will be doing, she acts as she sees fit for the meeting.
Vote closed
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hmm, should have striked out my old plan before making the new version, just for info, @TheMaskedReader, I am going to repoint out that I added a little thing to my plan last second due to not being available normally.
Act One - Emergency Part Four: No, Scarlet, I Expect You To Die
- Location
- Phoenix, Arizona
- Pronouns
- She/Her
You stand up, having calmed yourself down and formulated another brilliant plan. Hopefully, this one works out better than the last one. You lean in towards Sabrina. "Alright, Sabrina - Here's the plan." She listens attentively, tongue flickering in and out. "Herman'll be suspicious if I go in there all…adversarially, right? So, I'm going to pretend to be what you said - Desperate and needing a job. You back me up, alright? Do whatever you think works to make it fit." She nods, slowly. "Gotcha. I'll be my usual charming self." She chuckles, and you smile. "Now - Let's go meet Herman."
You step out of the theater and are greeted by the smiling face of a man who (Perceptive) does not like you very much. "Hiiiii! We're so glad you've been enjoying our theater, Miss Scarlet. In fact - Mister Namreh would like to meet you upstairs to discuss your enjoyment of the theater, if you'd be so kind!" You guess the jig is up, after that display downstairs, and your…moment here. "We were just on our way to him, in fact…" You try and make a play to have the chance to check out a few other things along the way, and his smile only grows more authoritative. "Don't worry, miss - As Mister Namreh's personal assistant, I'd be happy to escort you to him." You notice several employees loitering around the corridor, not performing any jobs, who were not there when you went in. The message is clear. "Lead the way, then, sir." He leads you and Sabrina to follow him through a door and up a stairwell, doors outside of your essential path firmly closed or coincidentally blocked from view by the wide shoulders of your escort.
Eventually, you reach the third floor - Or rather a small hallway on the third floor, and hear…something odd, that you didn't hear on the other floors. (Perceptive) It's hard to make out, but it sounds…mechanical. (Artificer) Probably the machine that runs the theaters. Good to know, at least. (...A fairly obvious Keyword of Herman's, but one you've noticed nonetheless: Soul-Projection Machine.) Herman's office stands tall, with a quite large double door with his name emblazoned on it in gold lettering guarding the entrance. To the side, you see a desk, where the Personal Assistant must sit. He swings the door open for you, smiling and ushering you through, but not stepping in himself.
Behind the desk sits…well, you assume it must be Herman. He's a tall, thin man, almost willowy, sitting behind a thick wooden desk and barely even paying attention to the door. He sports a pair of thick glasses, with numerous flippable lenses that can be swapped up or down for (Artificer) it seems like any number of purposes, ranging from mundane magnification to more esoteric rune-inscribed lenses that you can't work out the function of. His office is as luxuriously decorated as the rest of the theater, but (Perceptive/Spy) your instincts make several notes that, in comparison to the more ostentatious theater below, Herman's office is much more understated…and, your eyes whisper, probably far more expensive. You doubt there's a single piece of furniture here that doesn't have at least one prominently displayed maker's mark on it - None of which you recognize, of course, given your lack of wider knowledge on the world of carpentry and craftsmanship, but it's clear Herman wouldn't display them without the expectation of recognition. The room is lit entirely artificially, with no windows, which could lend it a somewhat cozy feeling…if you didn't have such a negative opinion of Herman.
Sabrina enters behind you, and the Personal Assistant shuts the door, staying outside. Herman finally deigns to turn his attention to you, setting down the (Artificer)...clockwork toy cube of some kind? That actually looks quite interesting - You'd love to get your hands on it. "Well! It's always a pleasure to have guests, though I prefer when they don't steal a show. People work hard for those, you know!" He smiles at you, and you (Spy) refrain from flinching. You're getting in character. "I'm sorry, Mister Namreh-" He waves his hand. "Please, call me Herman." (Spy/Perceptive) Alert! This is not lining up with prior behavior. He's on his guard - All of his employees are very clear to call him Namreh…unless that's just in public? No - This is a trap or some kind of power play. He's at least partially onto you.
You need to throw the blame, if you want this to work as planned - But luckily, you have a convenient and handy scapegoat. "Alright, Mister Herman. I'm really sorry about all the trouble we've been causing, but Sabrina was just really adamant about trying to talk me out of my decision…but I need the money, or else I'll be evicted…" Sabrina picks up your cue and goes on the attack. "Yeah - She's making one of the worst mistakes of her life, trying to sell her soul to you, you rat." He chuckles, more amused than offended at her. "Selling her soul? Hardly! She's leasing it out - Not even the whole soul, really?" He leans in…(Cute/Likeable/Perceptive) and you think he's buying it. "Allow me to clear up whatever misconceptions my old friend here has been telling you." You blink. (Perceptive) He's not telling the truth…but he's not lying, either. This is…huh. You'll need to ask Sabrina about that, later. She seems distinctly uncomfortable at the moment.
"Now, the first misconception you might have is that anyone here isn't here willingly. Everyone here, including our lovely experience donors, are here entirely voluntarily! In fact, most of our experience donors are on work-release from workhouse sentences, providing an opportunity for prosperity to an underserviced and grateful population! Do you know how hard it is to find a job in the city with a criminal record, after all?" (Perceptive) You run his words through a filter in your head with Sabrina's voice. 'He means he's in cahoots with the Guard and exploits people forced into the workhouses who have no other options.' You recall the Theater you saw. It probably also brings in more viewers. Experiencing that sort of thing, without legal consequences for the actions…is definitely something that some people might like.
"See, far too many people are stuck in the old mode of thinking about souls - Positively archaic, really, which contributes to the stigma against the exploration of their possibility! The idea of them as the sum of the being has been proven incorrect, not just by psycheologists in Aleria, but by psycheology research institutions in Runval and the rest of the Old World. What's really true is that the soul is one part of a whole - The whole that is you. Certainly, an important part, one that stores your identity…but not one that is capable of change." He gestures to Sabrina. "I'm sure our friend here has told you some horror story about screaming ghouls we lock away after we steal their souls for our evil magic, mm? Well - That's simply not true. You're still sapient after your soul is removed - It's the brain in your head that keeps you alive and changing! Your soul being temporarily removed simply strips you of your inherent self-belief, not your intelligence or morals, and it can be returned easily as the snap of my fingers as soon as you decide you're uncomfortable with the situation - Which most of our employees decide they aren't!" He snaps them, demonstratively.
(Artificer) This is actually valuable insight. While he's explaining it…pretty poorly, you're able to piece it together a bit. What he's saying is that the soul is…a snapshot, of sorts - Of formative memories, beliefs about the self, and identity. Hence, why it enables magic. However, it can't change itself, on its own - It requires an organic component of some kind, typically a brain, to perform self-alteration. This…actually explains a lot about yourself. Because you have such ease of control over your biological processes, you're able to make changes to the fabric of what you assume to be your soul incredibly easily - Far beyond what a human could accomplish without significant time and effort, you assume. Reprogramming your brain is as easy as one-two-three to you - Hence, so is reprogramming your soulstuff.
(Spy) Refocus! He's still going on about the specifics of the process, which you briefly mentally review and discard as being unimportant. You can definitely see why he has a hard time making friends in the business, though. He's not very good at convincing people of things, and has a trend of going off on tangents. You interject. "Uh…thank you, but, uh, I'm not…really…" He blinks, and chuckles. "Of course, of course! No need to get bogged down in the details. Now - I want you to pitch your memory to me. Our theater doesn't bare your entire soul, after all, merely…curated pieces!" You…are not going to pitch a real thing that happened. (Spy) Luckily, you can come up with things on the fly, based in enough reality to be believable.
"Well, sir, I was once the victim of a home invasion by a burglar, and I used magic to shimmy down from the second floor and…" You start to spin a tale, as Herman fidgets with his glasses, peering at you and listening attentively. "...And then, I-" He bursts out laughing, which is…completely inappropriate for the part of the story you were at. You pause, confused. (Artificer/Perceptive) One of the rune-lenses is down. He saw something. Oh no.
He points at Sabrina, and doubles over, nearly breathless with laughter. She seems as confused as you are, even as he catches his breath. "Oh - Oh, Sabrina! You have either been played for a fool or you're fucked!" He points at you. "That's a very, very convincing simulacra, I won't lie, whoever it is behind that, you did good work, I couldn't even tell! But you walked into the domain of Orion City's pre-eminent Psycheologist, and you sent a soulless puppet?" He shakes his head in mock dismay, and you remember your foray into the realm of the Conglomerate of Infinite Disdain, and how you were able to escape because your true self wasn't there. You…don't think Super Spy has a soul in of itself, rather than just…being a receiver for your soul. Uh oh.
"Now, I don't know which of my rivals you're working for, or been conned into working for to get this thing into my operation, Sabrina, but if you're interested in leaving here, you'll tell me soon." His smile sharpens. "I'll dispose of the simulacra before you have to answer, don't worry." He reaches under his desk - Either for a weapon or a button of some kind to summon security, you can't tell, but you have to act fast. Sabrina's ready to follow your lead.
QM's Note: Normal 12 hour moratorium and 48 hour voting period! Bit weird to have a 'boss fight' of a 'boss fight', but think of it as being the 'boss' of the 'dungeon', so to speak. Also, I promise the name of the update's just a funny reference, you have a solid chance here. This is definitely going to be a vote where write-ins under actions will help you, though.
You step out of the theater and are greeted by the smiling face of a man who (Perceptive) does not like you very much. "Hiiiii! We're so glad you've been enjoying our theater, Miss Scarlet. In fact - Mister Namreh would like to meet you upstairs to discuss your enjoyment of the theater, if you'd be so kind!" You guess the jig is up, after that display downstairs, and your…moment here. "We were just on our way to him, in fact…" You try and make a play to have the chance to check out a few other things along the way, and his smile only grows more authoritative. "Don't worry, miss - As Mister Namreh's personal assistant, I'd be happy to escort you to him." You notice several employees loitering around the corridor, not performing any jobs, who were not there when you went in. The message is clear. "Lead the way, then, sir." He leads you and Sabrina to follow him through a door and up a stairwell, doors outside of your essential path firmly closed or coincidentally blocked from view by the wide shoulders of your escort.
Eventually, you reach the third floor - Or rather a small hallway on the third floor, and hear…something odd, that you didn't hear on the other floors. (Perceptive) It's hard to make out, but it sounds…mechanical. (Artificer) Probably the machine that runs the theaters. Good to know, at least. (...A fairly obvious Keyword of Herman's, but one you've noticed nonetheless: Soul-Projection Machine.) Herman's office stands tall, with a quite large double door with his name emblazoned on it in gold lettering guarding the entrance. To the side, you see a desk, where the Personal Assistant must sit. He swings the door open for you, smiling and ushering you through, but not stepping in himself.
Behind the desk sits…well, you assume it must be Herman. He's a tall, thin man, almost willowy, sitting behind a thick wooden desk and barely even paying attention to the door. He sports a pair of thick glasses, with numerous flippable lenses that can be swapped up or down for (Artificer) it seems like any number of purposes, ranging from mundane magnification to more esoteric rune-inscribed lenses that you can't work out the function of. His office is as luxuriously decorated as the rest of the theater, but (Perceptive/Spy) your instincts make several notes that, in comparison to the more ostentatious theater below, Herman's office is much more understated…and, your eyes whisper, probably far more expensive. You doubt there's a single piece of furniture here that doesn't have at least one prominently displayed maker's mark on it - None of which you recognize, of course, given your lack of wider knowledge on the world of carpentry and craftsmanship, but it's clear Herman wouldn't display them without the expectation of recognition. The room is lit entirely artificially, with no windows, which could lend it a somewhat cozy feeling…if you didn't have such a negative opinion of Herman.
Sabrina enters behind you, and the Personal Assistant shuts the door, staying outside. Herman finally deigns to turn his attention to you, setting down the (Artificer)...clockwork toy cube of some kind? That actually looks quite interesting - You'd love to get your hands on it. "Well! It's always a pleasure to have guests, though I prefer when they don't steal a show. People work hard for those, you know!" He smiles at you, and you (Spy) refrain from flinching. You're getting in character. "I'm sorry, Mister Namreh-" He waves his hand. "Please, call me Herman." (Spy/Perceptive) Alert! This is not lining up with prior behavior. He's on his guard - All of his employees are very clear to call him Namreh…unless that's just in public? No - This is a trap or some kind of power play. He's at least partially onto you.
You need to throw the blame, if you want this to work as planned - But luckily, you have a convenient and handy scapegoat. "Alright, Mister Herman. I'm really sorry about all the trouble we've been causing, but Sabrina was just really adamant about trying to talk me out of my decision…but I need the money, or else I'll be evicted…" Sabrina picks up your cue and goes on the attack. "Yeah - She's making one of the worst mistakes of her life, trying to sell her soul to you, you rat." He chuckles, more amused than offended at her. "Selling her soul? Hardly! She's leasing it out - Not even the whole soul, really?" He leans in…(Cute/Likeable/Perceptive) and you think he's buying it. "Allow me to clear up whatever misconceptions my old friend here has been telling you." You blink. (Perceptive) He's not telling the truth…but he's not lying, either. This is…huh. You'll need to ask Sabrina about that, later. She seems distinctly uncomfortable at the moment.
"Now, the first misconception you might have is that anyone here isn't here willingly. Everyone here, including our lovely experience donors, are here entirely voluntarily! In fact, most of our experience donors are on work-release from workhouse sentences, providing an opportunity for prosperity to an underserviced and grateful population! Do you know how hard it is to find a job in the city with a criminal record, after all?" (Perceptive) You run his words through a filter in your head with Sabrina's voice. 'He means he's in cahoots with the Guard and exploits people forced into the workhouses who have no other options.' You recall the Theater you saw. It probably also brings in more viewers. Experiencing that sort of thing, without legal consequences for the actions…is definitely something that some people might like.
"See, far too many people are stuck in the old mode of thinking about souls - Positively archaic, really, which contributes to the stigma against the exploration of their possibility! The idea of them as the sum of the being has been proven incorrect, not just by psycheologists in Aleria, but by psycheology research institutions in Runval and the rest of the Old World. What's really true is that the soul is one part of a whole - The whole that is you. Certainly, an important part, one that stores your identity…but not one that is capable of change." He gestures to Sabrina. "I'm sure our friend here has told you some horror story about screaming ghouls we lock away after we steal their souls for our evil magic, mm? Well - That's simply not true. You're still sapient after your soul is removed - It's the brain in your head that keeps you alive and changing! Your soul being temporarily removed simply strips you of your inherent self-belief, not your intelligence or morals, and it can be returned easily as the snap of my fingers as soon as you decide you're uncomfortable with the situation - Which most of our employees decide they aren't!" He snaps them, demonstratively.
(Artificer) This is actually valuable insight. While he's explaining it…pretty poorly, you're able to piece it together a bit. What he's saying is that the soul is…a snapshot, of sorts - Of formative memories, beliefs about the self, and identity. Hence, why it enables magic. However, it can't change itself, on its own - It requires an organic component of some kind, typically a brain, to perform self-alteration. This…actually explains a lot about yourself. Because you have such ease of control over your biological processes, you're able to make changes to the fabric of what you assume to be your soul incredibly easily - Far beyond what a human could accomplish without significant time and effort, you assume. Reprogramming your brain is as easy as one-two-three to you - Hence, so is reprogramming your soulstuff.
(Spy) Refocus! He's still going on about the specifics of the process, which you briefly mentally review and discard as being unimportant. You can definitely see why he has a hard time making friends in the business, though. He's not very good at convincing people of things, and has a trend of going off on tangents. You interject. "Uh…thank you, but, uh, I'm not…really…" He blinks, and chuckles. "Of course, of course! No need to get bogged down in the details. Now - I want you to pitch your memory to me. Our theater doesn't bare your entire soul, after all, merely…curated pieces!" You…are not going to pitch a real thing that happened. (Spy) Luckily, you can come up with things on the fly, based in enough reality to be believable.
"Well, sir, I was once the victim of a home invasion by a burglar, and I used magic to shimmy down from the second floor and…" You start to spin a tale, as Herman fidgets with his glasses, peering at you and listening attentively. "...And then, I-" He bursts out laughing, which is…completely inappropriate for the part of the story you were at. You pause, confused. (Artificer/Perceptive) One of the rune-lenses is down. He saw something. Oh no.
He points at Sabrina, and doubles over, nearly breathless with laughter. She seems as confused as you are, even as he catches his breath. "Oh - Oh, Sabrina! You have either been played for a fool or you're fucked!" He points at you. "That's a very, very convincing simulacra, I won't lie, whoever it is behind that, you did good work, I couldn't even tell! But you walked into the domain of Orion City's pre-eminent Psycheologist, and you sent a soulless puppet?" He shakes his head in mock dismay, and you remember your foray into the realm of the Conglomerate of Infinite Disdain, and how you were able to escape because your true self wasn't there. You…don't think Super Spy has a soul in of itself, rather than just…being a receiver for your soul. Uh oh.
"Now, I don't know which of my rivals you're working for, or been conned into working for to get this thing into my operation, Sabrina, but if you're interested in leaving here, you'll tell me soon." His smile sharpens. "I'll dispose of the simulacra before you have to answer, don't worry." He reaches under his desk - Either for a weapon or a button of some kind to summon security, you can't tell, but you have to act fast. Sabrina's ready to follow your lead.
You are in an EMERGENCY.
You have time to change one Asset Keyword! Changeable keywords are highlighted!
Your Current Assets Are:
1x Super Spy (Soul Senses, Artificer, False Humanoid, Shield, Poison, Disguise)
1x Sabrina "Slick" Johnson (Snakewoman, Mage, Rebellious, Blunt, Unyielding, ???, ???, ???)
Your current Core Keywords are:
Cute, Pactmaker, Perceptive, Likeable, Spy, Explosive Growth, and Bountiful.
Employees are currently on alert.
Herman is preparing to do something bad.
You've discovered the following keywords of Namreh's Theater of the Soul: Attention-Seeking, Soul Cycle, Modern Amenities, Soul-Projection Machine.
You have time to change one Asset Keyword! Changeable keywords are highlighted!
Your Current Assets Are:
1x Super Spy (Soul Senses, Artificer, False Humanoid, Shield, Poison, Disguise)
1x Sabrina "Slick" Johnson (Snakewoman, Mage, Rebellious, Blunt, Unyielding, ???, ???, ???)
Your current Core Keywords are:
Cute, Pactmaker, Perceptive, Likeable, Spy, Explosive Growth, and Bountiful.
Employees are currently on alert.
Herman is preparing to do something bad.
You've discovered the following keywords of Namreh's Theater of the Soul: Attention-Seeking, Soul Cycle, Modern Amenities, Soul-Projection Machine.
Fight!
He clearly doesn't expect you to be able to fight his clear evil intent to hurt your friend - An assumption you're more than happy to prove wrong, especially with Sabrina by your side. If you stop him from summoning guards or drawing a weapon, you can extract a lot more information out of him…or, you could wind up getting bogged down in a fight until the Guard show up.
Flight!
Run. You bet you can move far faster than this asshole can react, and with Sabrina by your side, you can probably blow past any defenses he's got set up before anyone serious can arrive. But...that'll probably wind up getting your name on some lists. Or, worse, Sabrina's name! Alternatively, Sabrina could try to escape while you take another option to cover for her.
Freeze!
Play dead when he shoots you or calls his guards in or whatever. You can…probably pull it off. Unless they burn you. But if Sabrina's able to escape, then she might be able to save you. Or, you could just accept that Super Spy might die or be imprisoned for the foreseeable future - It'd be a fair amount of biomass and resources lost, but by no means an unacceptable one.
Fawn!
You can talk your way out of this! Right? Or, if you're playing dead or running or fighting, Sabrina can try to pretend to betray you to get on Herman's good side so that she can get out.
QM's Note: Normal 12 hour moratorium and 48 hour voting period! Bit weird to have a 'boss fight' of a 'boss fight', but think of it as being the 'boss' of the 'dungeon', so to speak. Also, I promise the name of the update's just a funny reference, you have a solid chance here. This is definitely going to be a vote where write-ins under actions will help you, though.