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Your Message: Smilies [get more]	[quote="ThreadLurkingComorant" pid='16739' dateline='1760382617'] [align=center][size=x-large][font=Courier New,Courier,monospace][b]The Starman and the Refugee Prince Part 2[/b][/font][/size] [size=medium][font=Courier New,Courier,monospace]Perspective: [b]THE STARMAN[/b][/font] [font=Times New Roman,Times,serif]The Comedian's secret introduces himself, much to your disdain.[/font] [font=Courier New,Courier,monospace][img]http://homebrewdeviants.com/static/Masa/NewCrankshafrt/Hell.png[/img][/font][/size][/align] [align=left][size=medium][font=Courier New,Courier,monospace]The rabbit slumped over, still as a doll until suddenly being spurred to life with jerking motions. His tired little smile replaced with a mischevious grin. Styx: You called my name? The Starman: Mmhmm, your turn to talk. Be so kind to keep it straight and essential. Styx: Essential for myself or for you?  The Starman: The latter, unless you feel like being dropped back in the ocean. I'm on a bit of a tight schedule. Styx: Quick to give me a threat while being aware of what I am.. The Starman: Maybe I'll salt you like a slug first.. Styx: You'd dry out such a pretty face? The Starman: If it were yours? Absolutely without hesitation. Styx: It may night be mine but it could be yours- The Starman: I'm serious, only thing keeping me from kicking you in the teeth is that rabbit between us. Styx: So harsh... but you're merciful for his sake. Interesting. The Starman:  Enough to hold you each individually accountable for your own sins, sounds fair I'd say.  Styx: Mm... do you trust him? The Starman: I see potential in him, and a cry for help. You? I have concerns.  Styx: As you should. I'll play nice for now. The Starman: Good, keep this easy and it'll go smooth. Name? Styx: Styx Brimstone, bit of a name amongst my kind.  The Starman: A troublemaker. The light in his eyes flickers, cheeks turning red. Styx: You've followed my work! I'm always glad to meet a fan- The Starman: More a educated assumption- He cuts you off quick. Styx: Which of my ventures has you captivated? The fall of Paradise Temple? The Torching of the Third Padre? Or perhaps the Disappearance of the First Archive- The Starman: You were the one who burned it down-!? Styx: The Padre or the Archive? The Starman: Padre had it coming, the Archive!? Why would you-?! Styx:  Stole it actually, only way to save the cuss from the flames.  I've taken on duties of preserving and expanding its catalog, in better hands these days I would say. The Starman: Privatization...  Styx: Gatekeeping, needed in a world where knowledge that dangerous becomes weaponized for conquest. Perhaps under the right conditions I could give you access though? Seems like you know its worth- The Starman: I'm not signing so easy.  The entity bites his lip. Styx: I can make accommodations..  His tail swerved to brush against your hand. Your fingers start to could around the tip. The entity grinned wide enough to show reptilian fangs extending.  Styx: Sweeten the deal for someone with such a precise touch... wouldn't that be nice? I can assure you he's been so pent up and I'm more than happy to- The Starman: Who's dress is that? It's cute. Styx: Ours, we put up a lot of money- The Starman: Mutually both of yours equally? Nobody had more say?  Call his bluff, there's no way he'll commit. Styx: I would appreciate if you let me finish.  The Starman: Floor is all yours, explain yourself. The entity pouts at you without anything to say. The Starman: Quiet?  Styx: I don't like being persecuted, much less after enduring such a long trek in the sea. If he were without my assistance he would have been cured and dried by sun and storm.  The Starman: Should you pass our check, you'll be welcomed to the same comforts we've scrounged together for everyone else to enjoy. As a entity I need to know where your alliances stand long term.  Styx: You see me as a liability.  The Starman: Many of your kind operate as mercenary.  Styx: Then know that mine lies toward my host.  The Starman: And you trust him enough to make his own decisions here?  Styx: Mm... he's managed this far. Half on his wits and a third with a little bit of a boost from me.  The Starman: And the last sliver?  Styx: Good allies, something he could not bring with him this far from home. If you manage to fill that last slice then you've got fine talent on your hands. A little squeeze, tail around your palm. You use your thumb to give it a gentle stroke, a purr-like noise in response. The Starman: You make it sound so vile... manipulative. Styx: Is this not a employment opportunity?  The Starman: We have different interpretations what employment means I believe. Styx: He's a silly ferryman without options, definition of a "Mr. Hero". I'm simply a handler of contracts.  The Starman: I'm not going for force either of you to operate- Styx: You give us no options, the alternative is we sign with a bigger head and heavier guns, no?  The Starman: Mm... There's others who I could recommend you to- Styx: And none of them will take us, you're our last option. King of the Meek praying your day will come. I can't say I'm so eagar to return to this world. The Starman: And why not? Play into your stregnths, bring down a tyrant or two- Styx: As if it were so easy.  The Starman: You've done it before.  Styx: Only because my clients are stubborn enough to try.  The Starman: Mm.. What does he think on all this then? Willing to put on magic a second time? Styx: He's more than settled from what I can tell, though you'd best apologize to him. You and your little tail stunt- The Starman: Of course. I simply needed to confirm something first and- Styx: You were worried we'd lie. You're correct, we're both cornered and very dangerous. That's what you need right now, people who can only benefit from taking a deal with you. Disaster artists willing to set up shop at the right place, warriors are secondary. The Starman: I could do with a few fighters but... we're hardly equipped to take on the crown's men directly. At this point I need as many as possible regardless of their talents so long as they can take care of each other. You.. just happen to both be a wild card we rarely come across. A Comedic pair.  Styx: Spoken like a entity yourself. The Starman: That so?  Styx: Your words are risky but hardly without thought put into them., surely you're on the right path. Think you'd make a good one at least, more agreeable than myself. The Starman: That's high praise.  Styx: For a dog maybe, a good entity can't take scraps like that. Have to be more selective. The Starman: Like a rabbit or a snake?  Styx: Like... a professional.  The Starman: Mm...  Styx: So... for now I'd like to put a pin in it, take good care of my client and I'll take care of yours. That's easy enough, right?  The Starman: I mean- The smirk on the entity's face vanished, rabbit going limp from exhaustion.  Poor guy's been clinging to a thread this whole time. You tap on his shoulder gently.  The Starman: You hear me?  The voice was no longer that of the ghost in his skull.  Gallows: For now... sorry on his behalf. Know he's a lot to handle- The rabbit notices his tail is clinging affectionately to our hand, face turning bright red.  Gallows: H-he didn't already did he? I'm so s-sorry- The Starman: Just got a little flirty, no further than this.  Gallows: Feel free to check him, don't care if it hurts me just- The Starman: Don't worry about it.  You release his tail, the rabbit quick to pull it into his own arms.  Gallows: I was expecting him to at least have some courtesy...  The Starman: We can scold him later. For now lets get you set up. Temp room, hot meal, meet our crew in the mess hall.  Gallows: That'd be nice, yeah... [/font][/size] [/align] [/quote]
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Thread Review (Newest First)

Posted by ThreadLurkingComorant - 10-13-2025, 07:10 PM

The Starman and the Refugee Prince Part 2 Perspective: THE STARMAN The Comedian's secret introduces himself, much to your disdain. The rabbit slumped over, still as a doll until suddenly being spurred to life with jerking motions. His tired little smile replaced with a mischevious grin. Styx: You called my name? The Starman: Mmhmm, your turn to talk. Be so kind to keep it straight and essential. Styx: Essential for myself or for you?  The Starman: The latter, unless you feel like being dropped back in the ocean. I'm on a bit of a tight schedule. Styx: Quick to give me a threat while being aware of what I am.. The Starman: Maybe I'll salt you like a slug first.. Styx: You'd dry out such a pretty face? The Starman: If it were yours? Absolutely without hesitation. Styx: It may night be mine but it could be yours- The Starman: I'm serious, only thing keeping me from kicking you in the teeth is that rabbit between us. Styx: So harsh... but you're merciful for his sake. Interesting. The Starman:  Enough to hold you each individually accountable for your own sins, sounds fair I'd say.  Styx: Mm... do you trust him? The Starman: I see potential in him, and a cry for help. You? I have concerns.  Styx: As you should. I'll play nice for now. The Starman: Good, keep this easy and it'll go smooth. Name? Styx: Styx Brimstone, bit of a name amongst my kind.  The Starman: A troublemaker. The light in his eyes flickers, cheeks turning red. Styx: You've followed my work! I'm always glad to meet a fan- The Starman: More a educated assumption- He cuts you off quick. Styx: Which of my ventures has you captivated? The fall of Paradise Temple? The Torching of the Third Padre? Or perhaps the Disappearance of the First Archive- The Starman: You were the one who burned it down-!? Styx: The Padre or the Archive? The Starman: Padre had it coming, the Archive!? Why would you-?! Styx:  Stole it actually, only way to save the cuss from the flames.  I've taken on duties of preserving and expanding its catalog, in better hands these days I would say. The Starman: Privatization...  Styx: Gatekeeping, needed in a world where knowledge that dangerous becomes weaponized for conquest. Perhaps under the right conditions I could give you access though? Seems like you know its worth- The Starman: I'm not signing so easy.  The entity bites his lip. Styx: I can make accommodations..  His tail swerved to brush against your hand. Your fingers start to could around the tip. The entity grinned wide enough to show reptilian fangs extending.  Styx: Sweeten the deal for someone with such a precise touch... wouldn't that be nice? I can assure you he's been so pent up and I'm more than happy to- The Starman: Who's dress is that? It's cute. Styx: Ours, we put up a lot of money- The Starman: Mutually both of yours equally? Nobody had more say?  Call his bluff, there's no way he'll commit. Styx: I would appreciate if you let me finish.  The Starman: Floor is all yours, explain yourself. The entity pouts at you without anything to say. The Starman: Quiet?  Styx: I don't like being persecuted, much less after enduring such a long trek in the sea. If he were without my assistance he would have been cured and dried by sun and storm.  The Starman: Should you pass our check, you'll be welcomed to the same comforts we've scrounged together for everyone else to enjoy. As a entity I need to know where your alliances stand long term.  Styx: You see me as a liability.  The Starman: Many of your kind operate as mercenary.  Styx: Then know that mine lies toward my host.  The Starman: And you trust him enough to make his own decisions here?  Styx: Mm... he's managed this far. Half on his wits and a third with a little bit of a boost from me.  The Starman: And the last sliver?  Styx: Good allies, something he could not bring with him this far from home. If you manage to fill that last slice then you've got fine talent on your hands. A little squeeze, tail around your palm. You use your thumb to give it a gentle stroke, a purr-like noise in response. The Starman: You make it sound so vile... manipulative. Styx: Is this not a employment opportunity?  The Starman: We have different interpretations what employment means I believe. Styx: He's a silly ferryman without options, definition of a "Mr. Hero". I'm simply a handler of contracts.  The Starman: I'm not going for force either of you to operate- Styx: You give us no options, the alternative is we sign with a bigger head and heavier guns, no?  The Starman: Mm... There's others who I could recommend you to- Styx: And none of them will take us, you're our last option. King of the Meek praying your day will come. I can't say I'm so eagar to return to this world. The Starman: And why not? Play into your stregnths, bring down a tyrant or two- Styx: As if it were so easy.  The Starman: You've done it before.  Styx: Only because my clients are stubborn enough to try.  The Starman: Mm.. What does he think on all this then? Willing to put on magic a second time? Styx: He's more than settled from what I can tell, though you'd best apologize to him. You and your little tail stunt- The Starman: Of course. I simply needed to confirm something first and- Styx: You were worried we'd lie. You're correct, we're both cornered and very dangerous. That's what you need right now, people who can only benefit from taking a deal with you. Disaster artists willing to set up shop at the right place, warriors are secondary. The Starman: I could do with a few fighters but... we're hardly equipped to take on the crown's men directly. At this point I need as many as possible regardless of their talents so long as they can take care of each other. You.. just happen to both be a wild card we rarely come across. A Comedic pair.  Styx: Spoken like a entity yourself. The Starman: That so?  Styx: Your words are risky but hardly without thought put into them., surely you're on the right path. Think you'd make a good one at least, more agreeable than myself. The Starman: That's high praise.  Styx: For a dog maybe, a good entity can't take scraps like that. Have to be more selective. The Starman: Like a rabbit or a snake?  Styx: Like... a professional.  The Starman: Mm...  Styx: So... for now I'd like to put a pin in it, take good care of my client and I'll take care of yours. That's easy enough, right?  The Starman: I mean- The smirk on the entity's face vanished, rabbit going limp from exhaustion.  Poor guy's been clinging to a thread this whole time. You tap on his shoulder gently.  The Starman: You hear me?  The voice was no longer that of the ghost in his skull.  Gallows: For now... sorry on his behalf. Know he's a lot to handle- The rabbit notices his tail is clinging affectionately to our hand, face turning bright red.  Gallows: H-he didn't already did he? I'm so s-sorry- The Starman: Just got a little flirty, no further than this.  Gallows: Feel free to check him, don't care if it hurts me just- The Starman: Don't worry about it.  You release his tail, the rabbit quick to pull it into his own arms.  Gallows: I was expecting him to at least have some courtesy...  The Starman: We can scold him later. For now lets get you set up. Temp room, hot meal, meet our crew in the mess hall.  Gallows: That'd be nice, yeah...

Posted by ThreadLurkingComorant - 09-05-2025, 07:41 PM

A relaunch of Mulligan to move away from the interactive format in favor of the monthly release style adopted by other projects such as Crankshaft and Refurbished. Recommended as a starting point for new readers.   This is the story of the heroes that were remembered and their comrades history forgot.  A time where the machine became standarized and the last of the old magic was snuffed out.  Everyone started here. The core perspective cast is split between: Tiles Tutor: The Executioner: A knight of endless resolve who carries the burden of wearing her fallen guild's name. (She/Her) Eddie Gallows: The Comedian: A failed champion from another land host to a otherworldly merchant. (He/Him)  "The Starman": The Prisoner: A leader who's ability to organize chaos is practically an art. (They/Them)   The Starman and the Refugee Prince Part 1 Perspective: Gallows The Arrival of The Comedian in the Land of Crowns and the interview that follows The Starman: New recruit, rescued from the shores after locking directly into our radio frequency. Comes from far away but talks like a local. Bunny in a dress with a tiny boat, traveling incredibly light on anything useful.  Gallows: That sounds about right, yes- The Starman: Excommunicated and escaping the scene of a war. That the overall gist? Gallows Mm...  The masked rebel tilts their head at you, clothes soaked in rain and days since your last meal.  Under most circumstances you'd offer a handshake or a smile but you feel especially pathetic today.  The Starman:  Then I gotta give my crew a bonus for managing to handle that job so clean. Transcripts are hard when you got a panicked soul on the other end. Aye?  Suppose so.. Gallows: Given.  the Starman: Know a little bit of the civil war going on in Zero Paradiso. Refugee? Gallows: Something like that, bit on someone's shitlist. The Starman: In on that chaos then. Former combatant. Gallows: Not a very good one admittedly. Marked for death, became ultimately a liability to the people I was hiding with. Their suggested, had to argue a good bit before I finally caved...  The Starman: You've been running non stop since.  Gallows: Aye..  Their face tilts toward your horns, one broken off.  The Starman: Conedia, yeah? No halo, injury. What happened there? Gallows: Shattered, part of the process when they remove you from the church. Catastrophic for my kind. Bad for health, cuts your lifes down hard. The Starman:  Well.. unfortunately you came to the wrong place if you wanted peace but have to imagine this is the better option. Gallows: Too many enemies there to make it viable, can never really return methinks.  The Starman: Fair enough. That big dress of yours from back home?  They waggled their finger roughly at your outfit.  You give them a little nod. The Starman: And it's held up through all that? Must be some kind of special or you're just a little crazy.  Gallows: Both really.  The Starman: Mm, funny type. Gallows: Not really feeling that tonight to be frank. The Starman: Suppose that's fair. At the very least we can start looking around for a place to stay long term tomorrow. For now you're more than welcome to the safehouse beds. Sadly this spot's a bit on the smaller end. Can't take risks with folks like you. Gallows:  You think I'd snitch on you? The Starman: Well you don't seem like a plant but.. Gallows: Go one. The Starman. You smell like royalty. Type to relapse when offered luxury comforts, no offense.  Gallows: Royalty: You've gotta be mistaken- They quickly grab you by the wrist and hold up your hand.  Gallows: Need you to let go- The Starman: Gonna need you to explain something.  They traced a finger do your palm up to your finger.  The Starman: Delicate, soft, never worked a day in your life. Know how Paradise works, care to explain?  Gallows: You don't have to flatter me..  The Starman: I'm not flirting with you, seriously do explain yourself. Gallows: Look closer, under the sleeves...  Their grip relaxes a little, carefully lifting the sleeves of your dress up enough to catch a glance of something more.  Surgery markings, subtle but patterned like seams on a doll. They tild their head a little, a noise of both concern and amusmenet from them. The Starman: What'd you have done there?  Gallows: It's a lot to explain, I really would prefer not to- The Starman: I can tell and unfortunately I can't take chances. Go on.  Gallows: Right now? I'm still not fully dry... Think I'd rather be waterboarded.  The Starman: Please reconsider the words coming from your mouth- Gallows: Should I start asking you about your mum?  The Starman: I'd rather make a new comrade than have to give you the boot. Until I get the sense I can trust you, you're not leaving this room.  They're not going to let you go without answers... I could try- I don't think anything but the truth will save you right now. I hate this.. No love for it either but I'd like us not to be killed tonight. The Starman: So? We screen you, things go smooth. We settle you into a nice room and we'll talk further accomidations. Not like you're entering this region legally anyway, options are pretty much exclusively under the table.  Gallows: Are there really no others I can ask for this? The Starman: I can put in a word but this may be truly what you're looking for most right now. Pretty face like yours will get mugged quickly on the way as well. Pretty, mm? Not my type, I'll pass.. If you don't I might... Gallows: Alright, give me your worst. The Starman: The obvious first, what's your deal? You had to be something back home. Gallows: Enforcer for a local gang, had to feed myself and my folks. Candidate for the next Exalted one crops up, only those of a certain blood get to enter the running. Boss' business partner had a kid my age. Thought I could do some change, had a guy who could do a peeling job, replaced everything we could and- The Starman:... You thought you could make a difference.  Gallows: I mean why not? You've got the same game running at a different table.  The Starman: Really not, you went for some freak shit there. Actually ran for office under another guy's name- Gallows: It's not a election, it's a trial. Test of character, strength. Bit more complex than that.... The Starman: Deathsport.  Gallows: Not wrong no... The Starman: So from there?  Gallows: Things didn't go our way, you know enough from here if you're read enough on big international press. The Starman: God left. People panicked, tensions worsened til the church started a civil war. You wouldn't happen to know where that god went, do you?   Gallows: I have a clue.... as far as what's on record. The Starman: Off the record?  Gallows: Not one people would like to hear or one I feel comfortable talking in a first meeting. Surely we can have some sense of boundry here, no? The Starman: You were the one who made it happen. Attacked and dethroned..  Gallows: Can't say for sure. Memory's a blur, I just can't go back without becoming a head on a pike. No crown, expected to become a martyr. The Starman: And the other guy with you? What's the whole deal there? Gallows: Other guy- The Starman: One in your head, I can see your eyes working a little. Gallows: Just tired is all- The Starman: Inner monologuing? Having a friend help you pick your words? This one's a freak.. Gallows: Bout as much as anyone else I think, yeah?  They laugh to themselves a little.  The Starman: True... but the work on your body needs some strong magic you know? Besides.. They maneuver to catch your tail, long and striped and snakey.  You're immediately stiff and unable to react. This one knows their stuff..  Feels bad.... Speak for yourself, pull harder... The Starman: I never seen a rabbit with one of these before. That belong the other guy?  They release your tail, body pounding enough that you can feel your own pulse. The Starman: Double tension, happens when a entity and their client both get caught off guard. I know how Zero Paradiso works enough to know that you're breaking a million rules there. Not that I mind, look for folks with guts like that.  Gallows: Touch me again- The Starman: I know, sorry to pull that on you but gotta know for sure. Don't fool around with screening around these parts, many counting on places like these. You understand me? You can't help but maddog them after that.  Are you upset or- If you like them so much, take point... You coil your tail on your lap.  The Starman gives you a bit of distance. The Starman: Sorry, maybe went too far with that one.  You don't have anything nice to say right now. The Starman: I do gotta talk to the other guy too, much as I like you I can't exactly give them a pass just cause you do. You understand me- Gallows: Don't touch me again and I'll make it quick.  The Starman: Sorry...  Gallows: If you'd like to talk to the other guy you're more than welcome. Just... don't make any deals and I'd appreciate if you didn't bed him in the first day.  The Starman: Bed him- Gallows: Not even a thought, I'll know.  The Starman: Easy enough. Show me this "other guy" of yours.