-⩤ Melocania ✧LOCUS✧ ⩥-

[SHIVERS]

'Extranaturality'...?
must be some kind of magic system.

well, that works, then. I dont know that Id be able to do much with the other stats.
Im not really a fighter.

but magic could be fun.
glitched six, too.

and I could see someone with 'blood magic' being helpful.
plus, when my stats update with the new class, it seems like theyll be good at things I wont be.
good to have balance in a party.





YOU HAVE CHOSEN:
CLASS - CERBERUS
PIPPET - GLITCHED SIX
PARTY MEMBER - BLOOD ROGUE

ACCEPT?
YES / NO





yes.






SELECTIONS FINALIZED.



STAND BY . . .



























You double over.


You forget when you did so.








 

▶ Funktion Grau
Gottfried Michael Koenig

You forget you have no skull.

Something is drilling its way into yours.
You know it has to be.










You're on your knees.





Your face-screen glitches.
You can't think about anything.













You feel



Present.







in a way you never have before.



Something has pulled You to the surface.
You gasp for breath.





















The splashing of your Self at the surface


draws attention.

















You hardly notice.






A haze seeps its way over you,
engulfing absolutely, you can perceive nothing else.


Your old sensations feel distant in this new and strange body.











You remember what you've given up

what you Are now.





 

▶ Asynchronique
Bernard Parmegiani

You remember you are a machine.



You feel every pull
of every piston

every synthetic nerve of your electric spine.









You remember that your brain is hardly itself, anymore.

You remember there wasn't much left of it.



You remember you are Fully Converted.

A digital presence.
No different to artificial intelligence

a Life no longer organic
no trace of Instinct left.


entrenched in code instead.











 

▶ brûlure #9
Bernard Parmegiani

You wonder what is You now.



You try to find an answer.







The task is taken on by another, instead.
By a force you have no hope of understanding in this moment.














It traces the edges of every You




every realized aspect

and those you've never known.








All Marked now.


Labeled, Sorted


ready to be displayed to the world at a moment's notice.

















You



find your body, again.












The haze begins to recede as



everything fades slowly








slowly












back into focus.

























CLASS SET!



The text pops up.

You are sitting in the void.








Nothing feels the same anymore.









what




happened


You try to shake it off.







PIPPET SET!





COMPOSURE


"Rolling . . . "











3/6 -> 9/20
+1 = 10/20

SUCCESS





You barely manage to swallow the anxiety down. You don't want to think about ANY of that right now.  



You run your claws down your face, taking a breath.








A door has appeared just ahead in the void.











You steel yourself and walk through it.

























 

▶ Acropolis Falls
Disasterpeace

You find yourself in a small, old lobby.

The wood paneling on the walls matches the faded red hardwood floors.
Both have golden, floral patterns etched into them.



You spot a counter with gold metal bars blocking most of it, save for a metal box at the front with an openable slot.

Above the counter, a sign reads 'THE VAULT'.



Curious, you make your way up to it.
Upon closer inspection, you spot several buttons along the counter.
Three of them are backlit in a soft yellow, while the others are unlit.
A placard just next to them says 'IF LIGHT IS ON, PRESS BUTTON TO RECEIVE ITEM.'






You press the leftmost lit button.

Parts of the wall to your left mechanically flip over to reveal text,
as you hear something whirring up and clicking from behind the counter.






WEAPON ROLL

RANDOM STAT = ????



The question marks spin through various letters,
before landing on


RANDOM STAT = PACE





Your six-sided pippet appears in the air next to you.

"Rolling . . . "







5/6 -> 16/20
-1 = 15/20

SUCCESS




You hear a CLUNK as something lands in the box.
You open up the slot.





GET ITEM: QUICKDRAW REVOLVER

Six-shot revolver. When drawn quickly from its holster (and after succeeding a Pace roll),
revolver will fire all six shots near-simultaneously, allowing for low accuracy but high damage on hit.
Can also be fired slowly, but more accurately with Precision instead.
Must stay holstered when not in use. Automatically reloads in holster.






Your pixelated display eyes raise an eyebrow.

You pick up the revolver. It's got a long barrel, and is decorated with fading silver designs.

never fired a gun in my life.
...hopefully I wont have to use it.



You reach for the holster, and it disappears,
where you soon find it attached via a belt around your waist,
revolver safely in its holster.











You sigh, and press the next lit button.







EQUIPMENT ROLL

RANDOM STAT = INFERENCE



thank god its a stat Im apparently good at this time





Your die appears.

"Rolling . . . "









6/6 -> 19/20
+2 = 21/20

CRITICAL SUCCESS








OH
HEY




You find yourself a little excited as you hear the THUNK of something new landing in the box.

You yank it open and pull the item out.





GET ITEM: ANTIQUE TIMEPIECE

Antique pocket watch. Can be opened once a day, causing an Inference roll.
If the roll succeeds, time is stopped, allowing for another Inference roll to answer a question about the situation at hand.
If the roll is a critical success, time may be reversed up to ten seconds to find new perspectives on the situation.







You read over the description a few more times,
looking at the old, brass watch and chain.

this feels. like something too powerful for me to hold.
there is no way it can ACTUALLY do that.
its probably some kind of gimmick

though, given all of that earlier-
No. not thinking about that.







You snag the pocket watch and attempt to pocket it.

It disappears, presumably into your inventory.














last one.






You press the final lit button.











GRAB BAG EQUIPMENT ROLL

RANDOM STAT = N/A


"Rolling . . . "









1/6 -> 2/20

FAILURE









wait. what does that mean, then.
I just get a Bad item instead?




THUNK.




You hesitate, then open the slot.









GET ITEM: AMBER-EYE LOCKET

Locket containing hidden power.
Can sometimes be used to alter rolls for better results.
Though, this may come at a cost.




You squint.

The thick locket sits in the item box, made of heavy, black metal that almost looks charred.
A yellow gemstone sits in the center of it, one that looks strikingly like an eye.

It's kind of pretty.







You pull it out, rotating it in your claws.

There are various etchings made across it, though they're all in a language you've never seen before.
That, or they're simply there for flavor.




hm.
probably isnt going to come in that useful

but,
better to have it on hand just in case, Id say



I can always choose not to use it unless its an emergency












You unclasp the locket




and slip it around your neck.

You reach back, to connect the loose chains





and they seem to click into place, a moment too soon,
as if pulled by a magnet.







The locket quivers slightly.
You feel a tingling warmth where it touches your hide.





You stop.


is it just

like this?





You reach up to your neck to tap curiously at the locket.




Your claw falters as it nears the amber, hovering barely an inch over it.

Shaking, as you can't push any further,
and can't pull it away, smoke rising from it--


Before your arm SNAPS back, released from whatever was holding it.







You look down at it.



The locket's eye is glaring at your claw.





And then up,
at you.




A crackling voice echoes in your ears.

"Don't do that."

 

▶ My Favorite Customer
TUNIC

You step back, your display eyes wide with shock.

ITS ALIVE?



Not taking any more chances today,
you reach up and YANK at the locket's clasp to take it off.


Nothing happens.
It doesn't come loose.






A cackling laugh echoes around you.

"Oh, you REALLY got a bad roll, didn't you?"




Your arms begin to pull back, away from the locket,
as you see black threads dragging them away, seeming come from your arm to vanish into the air-

Smoke rising from each one.




"Good thing I'm here to help.
Always nice to have a second try, isn't it?"


You fight against the threads, watching your arms twitch in strain.



Your 6-sided die appears.










FORCE

"Rolling . . . "







2/6 -> 5/20

FAILURE





Your arms are wrenched back by the strings.
Worry chokes its way up into your throat.






settle down. Settle down.
try talking
what can I Say here?





"...On second thought, I think I'm good on potential second chances.
I'll put you back.
Just let me unlatch you and we go our separate ways.
Sound good?"
"I'd rather not go back into 'lost-and-found', thank you.

I think I'll stay here."



The threads shift,
and the locket clicks in affirmation,
Keeping your arms away, but at a more

'relaxed' position.




"Besides.
It's not like I can re-do a roll that happened before I got here, hm?"
It sounds as if it's smiling.



" . . . "

Your shoulders tense.

"...fine.
I guess you'll stick around until I can find some bolt cutters, then.
Look forward to that."



...I really should not threaten this thing when its around my neck
But that smug energy is going to drive me up a wall.
Jackass.











Before you can think of anything else to say,
another button lights up on the counter.

god, what now.

its fine, its alright.
I just need to get all this over with. Ill deal with the rest later

Ill just be more careful about actually Equipping anything I roll





You press it.

Text appears in the usual spot to the side.





PLEASE SPEAK CLEARLY AND REQUEST CLOTHING TO WEAR.
IT WILL BE MATCHED BASED ON WHAT IS AVAILABLE.








........am I going to have to change in front of this thing?



Ill just cover it up with something.

it Would be nice to get out of these horrible corporate garbage sweats



god, Im WAY too tired to concentrate on what I want right now.
just something simple, I can figure it out--

You feel your mouth begin to move.







"I'd like something with... a high collar,

And a loose fit.

Make it nice, too. Classy.
And... something to cover the revolver.
Element of surprise, and all."




A click from the locket, as it seems satisfied with itself.

Control returns to you as You finish speaking.








"I--"
SEARCHING AVAILABLE OUTFITS, PLEASE WAIT . . .













You imagine gripping the locket with force.
You imagine stabbing your claw at the gemstone Eye upon it.






Instead, you take a breath.









You draw the revolver, as quickly as you can,
holding it directly at the locket.

"Do you want to do anything like that Again?
From what I've heard, I can be brought back after death.
Especially if I die before I even start.



What about you?
You think the same applies to accessories?

Do NOT do anything like that again.
Do we understand each other?"



You actually have no idea if any of that is true.
But you aren't planning to actually fire,
better just to scare the little cheap jewelry bastard.










The locket chuckles.

"Mhm?"

Your hand freezes up,
as the synthetic muscles inside grow warm.







Your finger pulls away from the trigger, shaking- despite your resistance,
despite the struggle to keep it in place.





As more and more threads appear, wrapping around your hand.

Seeming to weave themselves together.




To form a ribbon-like layer, glued to the back of your claws,
a shadowy, ribbon-like hand, slowly pulling the gun away from the locket.






"That won't work.

You'd probably hurt yourself more than me, anyway."

Your hand lowers the gun.

Its' claw, guiding your movement.

"Instead of blowing a hole in your chest,
How about we finish this up, and carry on?

I can be helpful, you know.
Never know when you'll roll a Two again."
It chuckles.





You seethe.

More than that, worry bubbles its way up, too.
You JUST finished being led around by the bastards at the medical company;
the entire reason you're HERE is because of them.

And Already things feel all-too similar.







You try to hold it together.






COMPOSURE
" Rolling . . . "







1/6 -> 2/20

FAILURE






You can't.

You have to grip the counter to keep yourself from falling over,
your pulse quickening, breath shaking.



why is that even a ROLL?
I SHOULD BE ABLE TO PUSH THROUGH IT.

IM SURE I CAN










You grit your teeth.

Taking a heavy breath, pulling away from the countertop,
your legs shaky, unsteady.



You move forward, beginning to pace in a circle to settle yourself,
trying not to fall.



You can think of a million obscenities to yell at the locket,
but it's all you can do just to keep walking rather than falling apart Completely, on the spot.
You're too exhausted to deal with any of it anyway.




"Hmmm. A one.

Want to retry?
It'd help you feel better."
It waits for a response, looking up at you.



You flick the locket's gem with your claw, faster than it can react.

It hurts your finger a little, but it's worth it.



"HEY--"





You feel... something,
as if sensing it recoiling at the flick.



"...Got me."
The locket squeaks its' hinges again. Almost like a laugh.


It's surprising to you that the it isn't angry in response,
but you can hardly think about that, right now.









A loud CHUNK in the metal box startles you.

You hurry over and open it up.









As best as you can tell,
it looks like a black and dark purple, folded up poncho, matching black pants made of heavy wool,
a dark purple vest, black shirt,
and black boots - thankfully ones that look to be heavy-duty outdoor boots, rather than cowboy boots.






You stare at the outfit a few moments.

gods sake.







...better than what im wearing, somehow.


fine.








You reach out to pick the clothes up.





The second your claw meets cloth,
you find yourself already wearing the outfit,

the poncho bundled up at the neck to fully cover the locket.






It's surprisingly comfortable.

You would never admit this.









The text on the wall changes.

ALL ALLOTED ITEMS RECEIVED.
PLEASE EXIT THROUGH THE DOOR.








You crane your neck to see over to the side.
There is indeed a new door over to the right, where there wasn't one before.




"Mmm.
Perfect."
The locket seems a bit warmer, as it settles into its' cozy bundle.




You feel a little calmer, now that you've had a moment.


well.

the locket MOSTLY doesnt seem actively antagonistic,
at least for right now.



the second Ive got the chance to remove it, I will.
for now, I really need to Rest first





...still.
cant really resist taunting it, while its here

As you make your way towards the door,
you nonchalantly tug the neck of the poncho down further,
exposing the locket without saying a word.






"Good idea.
Showing off the large jewel around your neck."
"That's fine.
Maybe someone will steal it."

The locket squeaks again,
but seems quiet.

Allowing you to prepare for what's ahead.




You put your hand on the door, breathing steadily.
Trying to ready yourself for whatever might be on the other side.






















You turn the handle,
and step through-


only to lose your footing and fall.






You gasp,







limbs wriggling in the air.













You hit the ground far sooner than you expected to
and,




it doesn't hurt at all, to your surprise.






You press your claws to your knees, panting from the stress alone.




Bastards.













Checking your surroundings,
you find yourself in what looks to be the interior of a greatly-oversized tent.

One that's downright lavish.



It's got a sitting area with various cushions, as well as an entire Couch.
A set of bookshelves are in the corner by an armchair,
a cooking area with various utensils and a spot to make a fire; with what looks to be a working fume hood?

There's even a Restroom, complete with what looks to be its own Shower.



There are four rooms to the back with beds in them; simple, small,
but more than you'd Ever expect in a tent, of all places.

They even have little wooden signs hung on each room's 'door' - the heavy-looking tent flaps.








You do a double-take.

One of the signs has your own Name carved on it.



You squint, cocking your head to the side,
baffled.




"Mmmm.
Maybe this won't be so bad.

Perhaps it's from your benefactors."
The locket speaks cautiously,
finding it difficult to trust such a welcome.



"My-

...how do you Know about that?"
"You're not hard to read, Midway.

Besides-
It's cozy in here. I couldn't resist a look around."

The locket squeaks again,
as You absentmindedly adjust your collar.

"Other rooms implies other occupants.
Maybe you should look around, too."

"COZY 'IN' WHERE--?!"



You hear rustling just outside the tent,
causing you to swivel towards the entrance flap.





Your hand hastily, instinctively covers up the locket with your poncho,
unsure if You or the Locket had taken the action.



Just in time, either way,
as the tent flap opens.







A light, sea-blue python selected steps their way inside, spotting you.

Given they're walking on legs rather than slithering, you gather than they must be a hybrid of some sort.
Other little features are different, as well;
they're missing the usual 'ear nubs' most selected have, and their eyes look more properly reptilian.
They're a few inches shorter than you, but look much more prepared;
wearing a set of light leather armor, with a single metal pauldron, arm, and glove combo, covering their right arm.

"Oh, hey there, looks like you made it!"
They put on a warm smile, walking over to you.

"You're the party leader, aren't you? Midway, right?
Were you talking with someone?" They glance behind you,
as if expecting to see someone there.

You--

"No, just-

venting frustrations."

It interrupts you, covering for any hesitation-

or for itself.
It's impossible to tell.


The snake nods.
"Makes sense to have plenty of those, in a place like this.
Anything happen in particular that's got you on edge?
If you don't mind me asking, of course."



...how am I Possibly supposed to answer that?
SHOULD I even answer that?

Show ContentSTATS:

Show ContentSKILLS:

CHIMERA: Roll MECHANIZATION, VIRTUALITY, and EXTRUSION.
For each success, change one part of your body to suit the relevant stat, unlocking new capabilities.
On a critical success, alter your entire body to suit the relevant stat, offering further capabilities.
Effects last for an indeterminant amount of time.

BLUE: Perform a random extranatural skill by rolling the appropriate stat.
MUST specify which stat is being rolled -
Blue Machine for MECHANIZATION, Blue Window for VIRTUALITY, and Blue Exhibition for EXTRUSION.
Cannot roll BIOGENY skills.

INGRESS: Grant a random extranatural entity equal access to your body,
allowing for full use of their powers as they allow.
The entity must leave of its own volition.