Just a Passing Assassin...

[skinstealer]

...as tempting as that is...

i want to figure this situation out first. but if shit gets bad, like, Really bad, i may seek you out and take you up on that. it's nice to have an out, at least...

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: Future of our world.... What do you mean?

Spiral: I guessed we were just from different ones? Are we time traveling-?

Cabinetta: Speculation admittedly, I just figured that…

Cabinetta: What I understand of where you came from, it’s not too far off from where our world is advancing.

Cabinetta: And some regions are so distantly apart, nothing to say we aren’t close ourselves. Maybe not in this town but..

Cabinetta: Just a thought. I mean… if it is this world, that does mean I can eventually find you if it’s a simple matter of waiting.

Cabinetta: I will live incredibly long, should all things go well.

Spiral: Mm..

Spiral: I guess then just… thinking about the offer.

Spiral: I can hold out longer, tempting as it is.

Spiral: I remember doing plenty of dangerous work. I’ve got a big hammer from my past life.

Spiral: And extreme circumstances like what we’re in right now aside, pretty sure most days none of us can actually die.

Spiral: Think I’d need a little time to decide on things, and I can tough a lot out myself.

Spiral: Tempting as it is, I think I’ll keep it in as just an option for now.

Cabinetta: Understood. I did say it was rather extreme for a reason.

Cabinetta: Admittedly I’m somewhat disappointed, it’ll be difficult to go back once we’ve handled the danger and all of you return…

Cabinetta: But I look forward to staying in touch however we’re able to..

She tries to smile, but there’s a very clear unsureness to her whole face.

The wheel wraps up, descending back down until it was at a full stop.

The doors open up, allowing both of you to exit.

Your mascot friends give you a little wave to catch your attention. They pause to look at the spider, whisper amongst themselves, and glance back directly at you.

One gives you a little gesture, seems like they’re more than ready to wingman right now.

[skinstealer]

get in close with the one who's gesturing and ask them what they think should be done, i have no idea if they talk but maybe they can gesture more (but subtly)

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You step out ahead, holding the door for Cabinetta behind you. A little crack of appreciation across her face, though she remains fairly quiet for now.

It’s clear there’s a melancholy to her, she’s been trying to avoid letting linger to now.

You walk up to the staff, friendly little guys. They’re here to help, as a theme park would imply.

Spiral: If you’ve got any ideas, let me in.

Spiral: Don’t want to end things on a bad note.

The Mascots whisper amongst themselves before looking back to you, making direct eye contact.

You can head a voice echo in your head, its tones prompting you to keep your vision locked naturally.

???: You were once a witch, and this world is your station.

???: Though you forgot the spells you’ve cast, the rest of your mind does not.

???: While you are locked, there’s a frequency, a means to wow with magical arts.

???: A surprise with a gift may be what you need, to ease the kind fungi’s mind.

Spiral: I thought she wasn’-

???: She lied. It’s not very flattering to be called a mushroom.

Spiral: I mean it’s cute in a way…

Spiral: Are you talking or-

???: I’m more of a interface, a very responsive one.

???: Your bench in a way.

You find yourself with a signal and blank vouchers.

One that links you to every other witch and every pact they’ve sealed.

Beyond the short life you’ve lived so far.

Beyond what memories of before you’ve tapped into.

You recognize you’re in here because of a deal with someone you should not know.

And it’s only fair that further bargains gain you your freedom.

Whatever your past life did you trap you here, they certainly had a backup plan.

Spiral: Is this safe?

???: For now, yes.

???: You have free gifts to redeem. Effectively a blank check to bend the world you are currently in.

???: Give me a name, any name.

Spira: A-

???: Before you say anything, I mean any name.

???: Anyone who has ever touched the print of a witch, whether you knew them or not.

???: Whether you should know them or not.

???: And you will have their guidance and blessing soon enough.

[Lilium Mortem]

Call upon See

[Ignispark]

Hmm...Gallows would probably be a decent choice...seems like a figure that might have some decent advice?

However, maybe something else would be more interesting...so
I suggest Frida.

[skinstealer]

gonna say frida as well as hilarious as see would be

[MarxzVulpez]

Thirding Frida and seconding Gallows

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: Frida,

???: Don’t think you ever knew a Frida but…

???: Somehow that seems like a good pick. Natural one.

???: Ah… an entity.

???: That’s the logical choice it seems.

Electronic noises start to echo around you, static and buzzing with a distinctly silky hymn tattered backing.

???: Be wise with your bargaining chips, you only have so many before you’ll face real consequences.

Spiral: Should I be worried?

???: Connection made.

???: Good luck.

You are in a room.

Across is… a rabbit??

A very strange looking one at that.



Frida: Hi! Know I'm uh.. kind of spooky looking but you know. Don't bite.

Frida: Guess no point in worrying about that, you're a witch and right now you got teeth in your throat as we speak so...

Frida: You seem pretty brave? Like she could just steal your soul and all of your blood right now, kinda impressed.

Frida:I've got the footnotes on what's up out there, up to speed probably?

Frida: In the middle of a date, currently linked your mind to a spider woman, had a talk that might’ve gone in a few places, offered to merge with you?

Spiral: Mm.

Frida: That’s pretty intense for a first date actually.. I mean I’m guilty of stuff like that so guess I can’t make fun of anyone. Got kinda serious in a way where she’s kinda just sad now.

Spiral: Yeah, trying to lift the mood a little.

Spiral: Looking for a gift?

Frida: Uh…

Frida: I mean if you’re still linked to her we can easily find something to take ideas from but that feels kinda rude without asking.

Frida: But… I can help you, Make something maybe? A plush? A blanket? Maybe a nice little thing to put on the shelf. Pricing uh… we can talk later. Not really big into making deals that clients have to super commit to. Maybe a favor at some point if I’m in the area.

Frida: Not much of an entity I guess, don’t like the word all that much either. I’m just Frida…

Frida: If you want some help besides that I can? I do proxies, I can loan some of my power, hell people don;t like to bring it up either but if you wanna be an avatar for a bit go nuts I guess? Just don’t be a dick about anything and we’re cool.

Frida: And um.. Ideas? If you got any I can see what I can do. Don’t really want much in return, know you got some wild goods on you right now but eh… don’t meddle in that kinda currency. Maybe grab me a bite later or something. Not all that picky.

[Ignispark]

Uh...a plush or something sounds like a good idea...ideas.

Are probably the most needed, advice. Like...

There's so much. To worry about. What's even a good decision here? If you were in this situation would you be looking for power? What DO you even do here. It's really overwhelming. The mystery, the omens, the choices.

[Lilium Mortem]

She doesn't want to be left alone, I think. could you give me some kind of connection to her? something nigh unbreakable that'd let me talk to her or even  visit her without having to use the organization's portals?

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: A plush or something sounds like a good idea but…

Spiral: Need advice too?

Spiral: Obviously want to gift something but.. Should I look for power in this sort of thing?

Spiral: Not something I was super seeking out but, now that you’re here I probably should… right?

Spiral: And with Cabinetta… I dunno. I think I want to just… not leave her alone I guess.

Spiral: It’s clear she wants more people in her life. A connection, a way to visit her, something unbreakable that the organization can’t intercept. I dunno.

Frida: Well.. former I mean..

Frida: I can make a plush no problem? Just toss me a prompt.

Frida: Power? Not that kind of proxy but you sound like you’re in a bit of a bind. Some creature I think from what I was told?

Frida: Uh… Hmm..

Frida: I guess if you fill me in I can give you something. Not sure how much I want to though, don’t like to charge folks like that but also don’t want to find out you became a tyrant.

Frida: Don’t give me the vibe that you would.

Frida: And as for the last part?

Frida: I can cook up a few ideas but she’d probably have to agree on that. Like… It’s hard to.imagine she’d say no?

Frida: She offered a link, a pretty intensive one so…

Frida: You know..

Frida: Could set you up to be a sort of like… pseudo entity?

Frida: Take her offer, and I can make it so you can just anchor between yourself and her mentally at anytime. Let you do both. Granted she probably also just wants to eat your soul a little, fiend temptations and such but..

Frida: Don’t think she’d hurt you? Dangerous choices but you know. Sometimes you do.
Frida: And if you got that sort of contract thing going on… well…

Frida: Could even make it so you can share abilities with her, lord knows she could keep you safe as part of her easily with some of the stuff you managed to pick up today like..

Frida: Probability manipulation? Why do you have that?

Spiral: I shook hands with a rabbit.

Frida: Yeah that checks out.

Frida: You could like, make her super strong. Be able to just scan everyone and give her copies of all those abilities…

Frida: She could be even better at protecting her home in general. Maybe even bust you out one day herself.

Frida: I dunno a suggestion.

Frida: Something more physical is possible too but…

Frida: I’m gonna need some hefty bargaining cause that just becomes a full contract with me and I don’t want people hanging out in my space like that either?

Frida: Like… I dunno? There's probably something even wilder if you think hard enough.

Frida: Like... what if I gave you a gun? Maybe she can have a gun? Two guns?

Frida: Maybe I can make you into a rabbit... with a gun... dude...

[Ignispark]

Pseudo-entity...that sounds? Promising. Kind of dangerous, but could be a good play.

Rabbit with a gun sounds more like a good plush idea than practical one though. Probably. Maybe. I don't know.

[Lilium Mortem]

As long as there's a way to break the link safely if both of us end up hating each eventually or otherwise not get along, then I think that's the play, the mental link pseudo-entity contract thing.

And for plush make it have a hammer-gun with real transforming action. what kind of plush? oh yeah rabits fine. seems like theres a theme with rabits and magical nonsense, might as well lean into it.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: Rabbit with a gun makes for a good plushie idea actually..

Spiral: But can it be a gunhammer? Bit of a trademark…



Frida: You got it! Let me just uh…

And so it was. A neatly wrapped box that feels the correct weight for what was described.

You're honestly excited to see the final result yourself...

Frida: Bam, easy.

Frida: As for the other part…

Spiral: As long as you can like.. Let me break the link safely if we end up just..

Spiral: If things don’t work out.

Frida: Easy. Just make sure you do it in person, yeah? Sweet person like that deserves a proper breakup.

Frida: Also it’s safer that way if the contract ends…

Frida: You lucked out with me cause I’m not feeling like charging for something like that.

Frida: What you’ve got in reserve’s a little spensy for me to ask for it honestly..

Frida: Your adventure’s gonna ask you to question a lot of things I think. Who you are, who you can be, sculpt yourself into something new if you wanna free yourself of your past.

Frida: Meeting folks who care too is nice.



Frida: For now have fun, enjoy your date, become one with Spider! Lotssssss of perks to that!

Spiral: When you say become one-

Frida: She is 100% going to eat your soul. It’s safe and she needs it. Let me know if you hit a rough spot! Byeeee.

You snap back into reality, the plush on your person and not a moment seemingly passed, besides Cabinetta looking at you with a mild suspicion.

Cabinetta: What have you been talking about with them? 

[Lilium Mortem]

Haha, you're not the only one with a bag of tricks it seems. First, a present. Then let me tell you about this one weird trick, mysterious organizations hate her.

[Ignispark]

Oh, you know, normal witch stuff. Like where to find COOL GIFTS.

Then, present COOL GIFTS.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: Normal witch stuff…



Cabinetta: I see… odd..

Cabinetta: If something is wrong you can tell me...

Spiral: No just.. magic stuff?

Spiral: Maybe with some cool gifts? And a few tricks up my sleeve.

Cabinetta: Oh? Maybe I-

You present the package.

Cabinetta: You managed to cook this up for me?

Spiral: Maybe…

Cabinetta: Hmm.. I think I want to wait til after you finish.

Spiral:  Really?

Cabinetta: I want to save this to the end, keep it a mystery… for now tell me.

Spiral: Right so uh.. Let me tell you about this one trick, organizations hate her!

Cabinetta:... Who’s her?

You fill her in as much as you can.

Cabinetta: An entity went undetected.. How strange..

Cabinetta: But not unheard of but…

Spiral: If you really want to try this out, we can mess with a bond like she suggested? Like what you mentioned but… more flexible?

Cabinetta’s face turned red.



Cabinetta: R-really? Well.

Cabinetta: If you insist then…

The face she gives you is one of both blissful excitement and perhaps a monstrous component you maybe shouldn’t have neglected.

She lunges at you for a bite, you find yourself being yanked mentally around..

She makes happy little noises, perhaps a bit too into this concept…

After just a little bit of work you suddenly feel yourself completely enveloped, consciousness regaining from the spider’s position..

Cabinetta: I’ve always wanted to bond with someone like this.. Even if it were temporary…

Cabinetta: To be accompanied by one in such a way... I always found it romantic in a way that feels forbidden since well..

Cabinetta: Finding one willing to allow such is difficult.

The gift box seems to have manifested into reality, sitting on the shelf....

Cabinetta walks the two of you over to another side of the room, Steady seemingly have left to allow you two privacy.

Your original form has been placed carefully and comfortably on a large chair.

You two are looking directly into a mirror, your face a lack of form.



Cabinetta: You can return whenever you’d like but..

Cabinetta: While you are here, perhaps you’d like a face to allow others to know who you are?

Cabinetta: Not that I mind but..

Cabinetta: If you are to be part of me, you are more than welcome to the benefits of such power...

Cabinetta: I will guide you to make it easier...

[Lilium Mortem]

Oh wow this is wild. Absolutely amazing. Uh... Face. Face... Faaace. Uhh ok how about something shrouded in darkness, with like spikey anime hair, ooh and fangs, little fangs that stick out of the mouth even when it's closed. Loved that about the body they gave me. I think it's cute

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Wow this is wild, amazing actually…



Cabinetta tried to put on a more villainous tone, coming off more silly than anything.

Cabinetta: The allure of fiendish power is a dangerous temptation, one that’s potentially yours… if you wish it!

Cabinetta: You may have the front while we get you situated.

Cabinetta: For now, feel free to play with your features a little. The benefits of being a shapeshifter after all…

Spiral: You can just do that?

Cabinetta: Most fiends can if they’re given the correct nutrition to maintain it!

Cabinetta: As well as access to a shell’d form so to speak. Usually big and monstrous but harder to maintain and well.. Difficult for living in society. A giant creature has trouble entering most buildings..

Spiral: What’s yours?

Cabinetta:... This technically. I’m a bit of an oddity..

Cabinetta: I’m more of a humanoid shadow mass with a vampire outside? Though that means this form is stronger than typical even for fiends.. disproportionate strength relative to size, a massive affinity for scrap magic, manipulation of cells and neurons, able to feed off far more than shreds and blood to regenerate, the works!

Cabinetta: It can grow wings and shift somewhat around too! Though full disguise require me to shed or feed if I rather not be exposed..

Cabinetta: Because it’s a shell that grows back, recovery is incredibly quick and easy since all I’d have to do is cover up the cracks.

Spiral: Like a porcelain figure? Are you a slime?

Cabinetta: Not entirely off…  I am more solid than a slime, roughly the same shape and size rather than a blob..

Cabinetta: Suppose that should be disclosed before you trip over and scare yourself when you see a crack on your face…

Cabinetta: Or if you end up molting in the night..

Spiral: Huh…



Cabinetta: You take more casually to this than I’d expected. It's refreshing admittedly but…

Cabinetta: Face? I believe being able to distinguish is important for operation's sake..

Spiral: Right! Uh….

Spiral: Shrouded by darkness.. With Spiky anime hair? And little fangs that stick out, love that about the body they gave me…cute ones…

Spiral: Is that okay?

Cabinetta: Mmhmm!

Cabinetta: Exposed fangs… those do sound cute..

Cabinetta: Perhaps I could tinker with those myself if you love them so much…

Cabinetta: But also I did it once for a costumed event and had trouble figuring out how to talk with them normally..



Cabinetta: People made jokes about some man named Dracu Alucardo, I m not even sure who that is…

The spider’s face and the majority of her head cleanly cracks off like a mask to reveal a wispy under section similar in shape and flow to her hair, albeit less defined in its solidity.

Before you can really process it, it’s fully reformed into the appearance you requested.


Steady: Yoooooo… What is happening tho…

You see your rabbit friend hiding at the doorway, she probably hasn’t been filled in on anything that’s happened in the past god knows how long and just saw you pass out and also suddenly manifest the present sitting next to your body prior to this..

Hopefully she doesn't think you're dead...

Cabinetta: There you go! Feel free to mess around later, but for now I am hands off on anything other than the face…

Cabinetta: I have a wide wardrobe as well if you’d like to stick around for a bit and would like something more to your comfort, but you’re more than welcome to go back at any point. I just wanted to configure some simple settings, so to speak. They will be saved for now…



Spiral: Noted!

Cabinetta: I.. actually feel different somehow? Is something going on?

Spiral: Uh...
 

---

The Link is made..

Due to unusual interactions with the way you were brought into this world, scanned skills are now possible to pass down at your whim..

Cabinetta is now able to use the scan feature… say cheese..

Cabinetta’s Castle is now established as your “Entity Hub”. Welcome home…

At any point you may link between forms to communicate and visit back and forth…

At current level of link, physical items will not be carried over, except for those considered “soulbound.”

Your gunhammer is “soulbound”, Let it rip…

Cabinetta has no current “soulbound” item. For now…

You now have the ability to link into the “Escav-Broker Foundation network”, allowing you to send yourself mentally back and forth through homebase’s signals. Become the malware you want to see..

Your option drones will follow your mental signal regardless of what form you take, similar equipment will follow the same rules..

Home base connection is on the weaker end… Capacity to make a warp spot weak...
 

---

Spiral: Maybe? 

Cabinetta: I mean we can do whatever you want next, we're killing time until the sunrises and its safe enough to go outside... I have given suggestions and any of yours are certainly worth hearing out as well.

[Ignispark]

Okay, so, logically it would make sense to catch Steady up a little bit, but also.

Let's try the soulbound item thing! GUNHAMMER EQUIP!!!!! LETS SHOW OFF A COOL HAMMER TRICK.
Can you like, transfer it back mid swing. Is there some potential for silly hammer based magic shows???????
Think of the potential.

[Lilium Mortem]

This is the perfect opportunity to mess with Steady. something like 'oh no, cab ate my soul, I'm stuck in here! save me before she digests me!' or just act like a complete goofball and refuse to explain.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 You turn your eyes discreetly toward the rabbit watching in the corner. You should really catch her up on everything but…

You decided to goof off a little bit.

You instinctively reach out your hand, calling over your hammer.  With a little flourish it manifests with your hand, you take a moment to play it up with a few little showish flairs.

Cabinetta: That’s silly.

Spiral: It’s… what it is.

Cabinetta: I don’t mind I like that sort of thing.

You decide to approach the rabbit, who’s gaze seems to be looking toward every hypothetical exit.

Spiral: Hey-

Steady: You gotta explain what’s going on right now.

Spiral: It’s me! Cabinetta ate my soul, I’m trapped inside-

Steady: Yeah I saw that, yeah I can tell dude.

Steady: Like.. it’s kinda obvious it’s not her in control/

Spiral: Ah..

Steady: She okay?

Spiral: Uh.. we’re sorta linked now?

Spiral: Went on a head date.

Steady: Same? Sorta? Maybe not the same kind.

Spiral: Spooky voice asked me to call in a favor, a weird demon rabbit showed up..

Steady: Was she cute?

Spiral: I mean yeah, she was chill too.

Spiral: But like… I don’t know?

Steady: Entity, you know those?

Spiral: Uh.. kinda? Exists somewhere in my memories I guess.

Steady: Yeah. You made a pact with her?

Spiral: Yeah, one to connect me and Cabinetta. SHe uh.. Offered to merge?

Steady: That’s pretty cool.

Steady: You know I can’t believe you let her eat your soul though.

Steady: Like, her whole cute spider thing is kinda obvious vampire murder seduction into becoming food.

Cabinetta: It is in the playbook technically…

Spiral: Wait was there a chance she would’ve just eaten me for real?

Steady: Yeah but you got lucky she just wants company.

Cabinetta: You don’t have to put it like that…

Spiral: So like… why didn’t you say anything?

Steady: Had a hunch it’d work out. Honestly was more worried she’d drain you too hard which uh..

Steady: Your body is a bit flushed looking, she was biting down for awhile.

Cabinetta: A-Ah! Sorry… I got caught up…

Spiral: Is it bad?

Steady: Uh.. not dangerous but you need some rest. No straining yourself.

Spiral: Ah..

Steady: Look good though.

Steady: Oh yeah, your entity left you a goodie too.

She gestures over toward the gift box still resting on the shelf.
Spiral: You noticed?

Steady: Yeah, it’s pretty obvious honestly.

Steady: You can feel that radiation. Yum..

Steady: So uh.. Yeah. I can scan if you want by the way, Fiddle can see how the merge has impacted both of ya’ll.

Steady: Is she in there listening int?

Spiral: Mmhmm..

Steady: Cool, so uh..

Steady: Kind of a whole lot going on and not sure what to do about any of it. What now I guess?

Cabinetta: That’s a good question… Spiral?

Spiral: Good question..

Right now in this state you feel strong enough to do anything, a bit of a rush from just being fed combined with the latent power that she's likely been hesitant to show off too lightly.

Honestly you wonder if you could throw hands with the creature outside even..

There's a number of instinctual feelings as well. A passive urge to feed like a case of after dinner munchies, the desire to speak in a slight touch of prose and laugh like a noblewoman, the fascination with dressing comfortably spooky, and the primal obsession to shoot web and cocoon everything that moves.. is this just how fiends work?

Steady: You’re the queen of this castle now, flex a bit.

[skinstealer]

accept the scan, and...hmmm....how does cabinetta feel about taking on the creature outside? make sure to be really confident about it.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: It wouldn't hurt to get a good scan going..



Steady: Alright, give us one sec and-



Fiddle: Done.

Steady: Wait, that fast?

Fiddle: Yeah, you're both linked to the system somehow so..

Fiddle: There we go?

Spiral: Wait, what does that mean?

Fiddle: You're a checkpoint, you being linked to Cabinetta gives her access to our systems.

Fiddle: And seems like your current mods are still active?

Fiddle: Including some of your most recent recent scans, not like that's been fully implemented...



Cabinetta: Shapeshifter..

Spiral: Huh?

Cabinetta: My kind can shapeshift, including taking on the treats of others as a form of blending int. In other words, you taking front has caused us to change in was further than just visually.

Spiral: That's wild.. Cabinetta says she can just shapeshift to activate them?

Fiddle: Mm, fiendish folk can do that. Some people really desire scans of beings that can shape on the spot so they can activate and deactivate various traits without needing to use exterior devices. Interesting.. you manage to gain a lot from drinking that poison..

Steady: Yooo, we gotta mess with that though.

Spiral: Yeah..

Cabinetta: Drinking the venom shouldn't have worked though..

Spiral: What do you mean?



Cabinetta: That's a myth...

Spiral: Question, Fiddle?

Fiddle: Mmhmm, something wrong?

Spiral: Cabinetta says sucking the poison out of someone doesn't work.



Fiddle: It shouldn't have technically, no. But what you pulled wasn't poison, it was never going for the veins technically. Its mass from the target latching on to the nerves. Organic and living.

Spiral: Huh...

Spiral: You know, that does give me a idea.

Steady: Lay it on me.

Spiral: Think I'm ready to take a good crack at it, feel like the two of us combined are strong enough to do that. If we're sharing scans I'm probably resistant, yeah?

Fiddle: In theory.

Spiral: Then bring it right in, I'm ready to go-

The castle starts to rumble. You can hear the creaking of bent metal gates scraping across the ground.

The big massive door separating you from what's out there starts to slide open.

Cabinetta:...You invited it.

Spiral: W-what? What do you mean?



Cabinetta: The protective seal is meant to shut it out, you invited it in using my voice...

Spiral: I didn't know that's how that works?!

You can feel quivering from her.

Spiral: There's gotta be a way to undo right? Like-

Cabinetta: You cannot undo a invitation like this..



Steady: Hey, why is this happening? What's all this fog?

Fiddle: It's already reaching me in the other room, we're going to warn the Hunter over here, Turnip says there's a panic room to keep him in.

You don't see any fog.

Spiral: What are you talking about?

Steady: Shit's thick dude! Can barely see you right now, we gotta go!

Cabinetta: I... don't see it either.. it usually has fog around it.

Spiral: I don't see the fog, Fiddle?

Fiddle: Could be illusionary, your scan data might be protecting you. For now I think we should retreat, last out til daytime.

Steady: Yeah, both of ya'll behind me.

The door cracks fully open.

A humanoid being, one who's presence reminds you of Cabinetta. A creature of multiple voices ringing as one. A fiend too but... even stranger than anything you'd recognize as one in presence.

It looks directly at you.

Cabinetta's thoughts becoming like indistinguishable growling in response, some locked away rage pounding on your head.



???: You really tried to hide things out..

???: Coward.

???: When I was a town you had no issue getting your hands dirty.

???: But now when we're just like you, you crumple at a glance.

It tilts its head for a moment. It starts walking your way.

???: Those eyes are wrong... you aren't the beast who killed me..

???: Where is she?

[skinstealer]

you have to deal with Me now. what do you want?

(be wary, but try to figure out what's going on here...you really like cabinetta, but you also Don't Know Her or what she's done. try to scope out info before getting into a scrap.)

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

The fiendish creature has dropped quite the accusation, and based on Cabinetta's current state you don't think she's the best for answering. You try to take caution, scope out what info you can.

Spiral: You have to deal with me right now, what do you want?

???: Finality.

It approaches just a little closer, Cabinetta's mental voice turning into a sustained hiss.

???: Your resemblance is uncanny, almost identical. A fiend? One of very similar composition and appearance but... your face does not match.

???: Fiend of similar origin? A doppelganger? Family? Clearly you must know who she is to be so difficult to distinguish. You share so much in common...

Spiral: Give me a little more to work with and maybe we'll talk.

???: Oh? What do you need? I can offer you a place in our kingdom if you could perhaps do us a favor.

???: We need a few more strong backs around after all..

Spiral: A kingdom?

???: Mm. Perhaps with a castle too, would be a shame to tear this place down. Think we'd keep it..

Spiral: And what do you want with "she" exactly?

???: You can say her name, you must know more than we do..

???: But ultimately, we come to return favor.

???: To take the flesh of fiend upon us was always a goal. To be formed into one was... not intended.

???: And now we'll be imperfect until then..

???: A fiend is at its core a sentimental remnant.

???: Flesh formed of soul. The final form of all life.

???: Medicine, advancements in technology, eternal life can all be discovered through the amassment of fiendish body.

???: And for the living to merge with those beyond death, to claim a shell like such is the final step of striving toward godhood.

???: That opportunity is gone, our mortality that defines us as people has been shed through brute force. She's taken that from us. We are The Fallen here to reclaim heaven for those lost souls who straggle toward our piece of the sky.

Spiral: You want to become god?

The Fallen: Higher than that, beyond either man or fiend but..

The Fallen: Have to say, you have me curious. Perhaps you are already that... in which case I owe you a potential apology.

The Fallen: Mortal soul in the flesh of the pure, a name?

Spiral: Spiral.  

The Fallen: Interesting. You don't appear to be a imitation. It would truly appear someone has claimed the beast for themselves which.. mm..

The Fallen: Lord forgive us for our current state, though perhaps its not so bad...

The opposing fiend steps up to a mirror in the hallway.

The Fallen: We've formed in image of our creator. Perhaps there is hope for us yet..

Spiral: I'm not sure I follow.

The Fallen: If we are in image of our founder, than our meeting is more than destined. And if that's the case, you're more than welcome to come back with us.

The Fallen: Disappointed we cannot make her atone but... a potential ally can be the start of healing in the eyes of the bishop.

Cabinetta mutters out something internally.

Cabinetta: I did what I had to. I could not let them set up in our town.

Cabinetta: These people have driven my kind out of home many time.

Cabinetta: To become a fiend yourself and still hate us... to still find justification.

Spiral: So then they are-

Cabintta: Mmhmm. One beyond saving from what it looks..

You can feel her trying to brute force the front.

Spiral: H-hey, hold up you're hurting me!

Cabinetta: I need to finish what I started, please let me go.

Your hands start trembling, her rage and fear is trying to push you out of the front.

Steady comes in and scoops up your hand.

Steady: Hey, calm down... I got your back.

The Fallen tilts their head, leg half raised on the verge of getting even closer.

The Fallen: Are there others here? Allies? We can bring them in if you have reluctance.

Steady: We got places to be-

The Fallen: I want to hear them answer.

The rabbit looked you in the eye sternly.

[skinstealer]

okay we need to strategize here. if we go with them, we MIGHT be able to get a better grasp on how the fuck to defeat them...or if cabinetta is even in the right here. i do not like this fiend but we should....get a better handle on the ssituation. get them talking. and bring steadyy with you.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You check in mentally on your friend.

Spiral: Cabinetta..?

The noises she was making were outright feral, barely resembling any effort to make speech.

You're more than certain any attempts to get through right now are lost. Passing her back control will break out in a fight, one she might be too furious to think through.

You look the Fallen straight in the eye.

Spiral: What is this place? Why should we go with you?

The Fallen: I'd like to know more, you're a oddity like us but.. something is different.

The Fallen: As I said, if you're worried bring your allies. I will not harm you so long as things go well.

Steady: What'd happen otherwise?

The Fallen: Are you implying threat?

Steady: You're here for a reason.

The Fallen: I am, and if you really need heat to engage further I can oblige.

Steady: What are you pulling?

The Fallen: I came to claim the life that took ours. But.. it would appear the demon is not here.

The Fallen: And you...

They look directly at you.

Spiral: What about?

The Fallen: They say that our lord appears when a appropriate vessel has formed. But.. we must not be complete, our resemblance is lacking something. Perhaps you might know more..

The Fallen: That shell is not yours. You reside in fiendish form much similar to our destructor. But.. you are clearly not the same person.

The Fallen: I'll get straight to business. You can come with me and help me figure out what's missing since you clearly know something of vessels.

The Fallen: Or perhaps confirm what happened to our target? Are they still here? Did you purge them? You standing before me has prompted many question after all. The resemblance is uncanny after all... I wonder if you're a high entity yourself. And if that's the case and you can give a display then I apologize but..

The Fallen: If you cannot come and help me, nor prove the target more than deceased, nor can you explain yourself then I will take things into my own hands. And well.. I'd appreciate that for all your sakes you cooperate. Violence is not the first solution but...

Steady: What makes you think he's a greater entity?

The Fallen: I feel a connection, one that I can't explain. The closer I am in proximity, there's a link.

It steps forward, you do feel something. Drinking the venom? It wouldn't even make sense or you to feel that, Cabinetta never touched it but..

The Rabbit grabs you by hand, look in her eyes stern.

The Fallen: So? How do you want to go about this...

[Lilium Mortem]

I want to understand. Why does this whole thing have to be wrapped up in cryptic bullshit? What actually happened? Why do you seem so insistent on this ending in death and violence if you don't get what you want?

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: So I really want to understand something.



The Fallen: And what's that? Was I not clear enough?

Spiral: God no! Why does this whole thing have to be wrapped up in Cryptic Bullshit? What actually happened?

The Fallen: I told you already-

Spiral: Yeah and you insist on things getting messy the moment you don't get what you want. You really need this to end in death and violence?

The Fallen: It did so for us..

Steady: Say what you need to now then-

The Fallen: You've already made up your mind, wasted on you but.. I suppose the other one might be better at listening.

The Fallen steps forward in a elongated way like a cartoon character to get right up and personal.

The Fallen: We were settled not to far from this place, sent out on a mission to find a connection for God.

Spiral: Who??

The Fallen: Not the type you'd call by that word. Regardless, it wasn't long til a certain fiend came up. The one who you resemble, form perfect for the role. A fiend the perfect shape to make that connection and..

The Fallen: It rejected us, passed on the throne and role to be a pillar between worlds... we could not go back to where we started. We tried what we had to, the fear of damnation too great to fail.

That seemed to genuinely stress them out.

The Fallen: We were slain effortlessly, and we awoke like this. This is the closest to the image we've come but, there is no connection.

The Fallen: Whatever it did to us, I hear no voice but my own. Something went wrong, I might be cut off...



The Fallen: If I'm not good enough it's because that fiend took something we needed.

[skinstealer]

...so you tried to make cabinetta into a god figure? or, some kind of connection to one? what does that entail?

did you force her? what were the stakes of this "damnation", if you didn't succeed? was she aware of that?

ask cabinetta the same questions.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: So you tried to make her a god figure? Or at least you think she has some kind of connection to one?

The Fallen: Well no...  yes? She resembles our god in a way... we had to assume she was a avatar with her connection severed. We insisted, it was the whole point of the job..

Spiral: Did you force her?

Cabinetta: These people see my kind as accessory, their leadership drinks our blood as medicine.

The Fallen: She would not come otherwise, she's lost and so are well..

Spiral: This "damnation" you're talking about?

The Fallen: Spiritual connection, we are those who were given option. Find a suitable avatar for our lord or be cut off.

Cabinetta: I returned the violence they brought.

Spiral: Would you have hurt her?

The Fallen: We would've preserved the best we can, the process of our seniors is one we cannot say more on..

Spiral: What does being cut off mean?

The Fallen: Burial in a unmarked grave, isolated from our loved ones in the afterlife, left to rot with our flesh and bone forever soulbound til the dirt erodes us... but now we seem to be in the position to become a vessel ourselves. Enlightened but...

The Fallen: It has yet to happen, I can only presume there is trial.

The Fallen: A noise in my head, a compulsive rattle. To prove ourselves true we must show ourselves a better fit. Only with her death can we show out face home again..

Steady approaches the fallen fiend and reaches for a hand.

The Fallen: What are you trying to pull?

Steady: You're stressed, gonna sit you down while we figure things out. Can tell you haven't gotten much rest.
The Fallen's ears flopped down.

Steady: Sounds nice?

The Fallen: Maybe...

Cabinetta: A fiend who has been wronged has compulsion toward revenge. I was born of their church's crimes and now it's come to haunt me..

Spiral: Are you compelled right now?

Cabinetta: Always... the "rattling" haunts me too. I think its just... interpreted as something far worse. The cycle of violence ends tonight, I refuse to be the one to fall...

Spiral: You'd kill them?

Cabinetta: Better now while I can, the longer they live the harder it becomes.

You can feel her pushing for the front.

You resist as much as you can.

Fiddle: Hey, you still hear me?

Spiral: A bit in the middle of something..

Fiddle: I can tell.. you're mutating, seems like a fiend response to a threat in the room.

Spiral: Cabinetta's pissed and so is our intruder.

Fiddle: A-Ah! Fiend turf war, that's really bad actually..

Fiddle: I can intervene maybe, she's logged into our network while you two are bonded. Maybe I can help?

[skinstealer]

please god do what you can but Do Not Hurt Her, i don't want to betray her trust! i just want her to be safe. please.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

Spiral: Step in if you can, just don't hurt her. I don't want to break her trust...

Fiddle: I wasn't planning to, let me just uh...

Fiddle: Maybe I can link directly hold on- okay cool.

Fiddle: That's weird..

Spiral: What is?

Fiddle:...I'm gonna pull something kinda out three cause I think I um..

There was a sharp pitch, both fiends making a yelp cut off abruptly by silence.

You don't feel Cabinetta's voice anymore. Likewise the Fallen's gaze seems to go blank.

Steady's ears pull back.

Spiral: Can't hear anything...

Steady: Fiddle, fuck did you do?

Fiddle: They're fine.

Fiddle: Still getting readings, they're conscious.

The Fallen crumples over on the floor.

Steady: Are you sure about that?

Fiddle: Their readings are still active, just.... isolated?

Steady:  You gotta explain now.

Fiddle: Box'd them, they're both linked to Spiral so they both can be yoinked by the lab. They're safe..  It's clearing up the signal for now at least, nothing preventing a warp.

Steady: A fiend can really mess with our teleporter like that..

Fiddle: With how much was going on between those two? Absolutely. Now we just need to-

4D: Hey! What did you guys do?

Steady: What was needed.

4D:  Right, okay. Well good news is you got signal now. Our rescue target seems to be conscious and possible to wake up. Downside is we got two stowaways. Someone want to explain?

Steady: Uh... Fiddle?

Fiddle: I'm not sure?

Spiral: Two fiends linked up to me through weird magic stuff, they got into the system.

4D: Ah... should I like, archive them in a ZIP or-

Fiddle: No. We need to sort out a few things. One of them should be restored to her body, the other.. god I don't know.

4D: Ah, okay the spider. Yeah we can fix her up easy. And the other is...

Steady: Thing that was causing us issues here.

4D: I see! I'll prepare to delete by the end of the day then if we can't find a use-

Rico: We probably shouldn't, remember last week?

4D:... Ah right, yeah cyber ghosts are real. No let's not um..

4D: Are things resolved over there?

Steady: I.... don't really know? Fiddle?

Fiddle: We should really play this carefully. At least they won't kill each other while stored on the Lab's database. Lot to explain, lots of putting people back together, figuring out what the hell to do with someone who can cause us this much grief....

Steady: Spiral, you were linked yeah? You got ideas?

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You are Cabinetta, a fiend that spawns once a generation.


Right now you exist in a void, much the result of linking up mentally with strangers.

 

You do not feel mentally well.

 

Of course you're not…

 

The voice in your head is not your own. Doesn't seem to have much love for you.

 

Nor does it really want to be here right now.

 

You always do this, get too attached to the people you've just met and make your problems theirs.

 

You're making it mine as well. You monster.

 

Bit of a harsh way to put it.There’s plenty of good people in your life already, right?

 

You hardly deserve them if this is routine for you.

 

As if you would understand.

 

I absolutely did…

 

You call that cult of yours good company? Rejected every one of you…

 

It's of your fault that I exist to begin with.

 

I don't think anyone asks to be born, I certainly didn't… I do not want to participate with one like you..

 

You can be meaner than that, say what you're really thinking.

 

No. There is nothing that would satisfy you as a answer.

 

That you want me dead, that you’d kill me ten times over. I wouldn't hold back if given the opportunity and neither should you. I want honesty from someone...

 

You will have to settle for a stalemate..

 

Worthless…

 

Why do you want to appease those people so bad? Would you really be defending them so hard if there were choice?

 

Failures are not allowed the same soil as our neighbors, I simply wish to return home...

 

And you see it as fair?

 

It's all we have to look forward to...

 

Look at yourself, would you really be taken back? You are a failed vessel of a fake god. As am I…

 

What do you mean?

 

I was born of manufactured suffering by the boot who kicks you. You are extension of that. We are hardly different.

 

…The church made you?

 

Is that not how it was framed? Were details not transparent at any point who you hunted?

 

Then the pursuit of you…

 

You are no less a valid candidate and no more respected. You were sent on a suicide mission and no more respected as a result..

 

…You were once us.

 

Mm,from a perspective. Vengeful people I don't wish to see as myself or my past. The were born outside of this world and had their reality crashed down just as quickly.

 

The Devil himself…? Did you meet him?

 

A nameless child. Some of them had seen it go down..

 

You were there when it happened then..


Mm... lights that cleansed skies and cracks that reshaped the earth itself. It was.. something I suppose. To watch the queen fall, every piece of the set crumble because a handful of children breached the tower. I don't think anybody believed it, come up with any alternative explanation than that if we could.


What do you really think it was?


Karma. As much as I loathe the idea of being a product of hatred toward my own kind, I can't avoid the truth that my existence is out of continued perpetuation. They failed due to their choice to create misery, and at that point a child with a pipebomb is more than able to crumble a rotting kingdom...

I see...

I can still feel the voices, the feelings of betrayal when many were set against a unwinnable battle against a ungodly foe... They had it coming, I do not wish to relive their final fate in my head though...


Fiend as well?


Worse than that.... the pocket those people were born into, cracks naturally formed. Without the being that created it, it was destined to fall apart one day. Without Fiend to harvest their devices became unstable, and remaining bishops who wore their flesh had the people turn against them to fuel a few extra days. The church could not maintain its hold without the assets to back its coin. If diving the abyss was the last option, so be it..


...You're spawn of the last expedition.



Mmhmm...



They never mentioned this..



No, they knew you'd back down if you were aware what you had picked a fight with.



Th-they really sent us to die....



They did....



And you killed us anyway??



You are not them, not anymore.. and I did what I had to in order to protect myself and my town.

I-I was just doing my job!

As was I... I'm sorry.


Its all that's left to cling onto, without that we're nothing but nameless monster...



And that'll change too, as did for me..

You can feel the other fiend reflect for awhile, the crockpot of turmoil.


...You seem to know quite a lot on all this.



I've made my mistakes, maybe I can help you not repeat them...




I feel its too late to undo mine...




You can still awaken those you've harmed from their dormant state....




Nobody will take me with open arms regardless... the pain cannot be forgotten.



They have no obligation to forgive, you can still prove you are more than what you started as.



I'll wander the earth... If we can't find a home?



A gamble you'll have to take. First we need to sort ourselves, figure out what exactly is happening right now...



I'm am abnormal even among fiends from what we've gathered...



Same really... a fiend forms out of adaptation to strife.



You felled me...



Which makes you specialized in killing me in particular.



But you yourself are of a similar extremity... by that logic what created you is something terrifying, no?


Yet another anomaly..


What was it?


A knight, the kind who could never be satisfied. She wasn't very tall, had her hair in a braid. Outside of her glowing eyes she'd be completely unremarkable to the naked eye. She welcomed us to her home, a hut by a tower along a endless tides riding shore.... needless to say it was not much more than a ruse. To her everything was a resource.

Fat was fuel...

The Soul was text...

Blood a harvest of dyes and irons.

It wasn't all that much different from how the church had operated during its prime hours really.

The feast they were treated to seemed like a miracle, a reverse of misfortune that seemed without end.

They saw that dreaded heart...

...Ah.

Mmm... I was needless to say left at shore to send message.

..There's still a lot that doesn't make sense with your story, a lot of pieces that contradict and do not come into play together...

A fiend is not the most reliable source of recollection, you'll also discover that yourself...

Don't savor the thought...

You'll adapt...

Do you ever think about seeking out closure? On the one that killed you?

All the time... but they aren't me as one is not their hometown.

Maybe that can happen...

Oh?

I already feel tangled here, difficult to tell who's me and who's you... already our voice does not feel like its fully our own anymore. Or Mine? But I find things compelling...

I know I'm Cabinetta at the very least. And you?

I don't know. Maybe I am too? Maybe I could be...

...Maybe you shouldn't while we're both here together.

I mean why not? If we were formed of common strife...

....I mean... I would be willing to provide you space for a time at least..

Consider it, if I have no home to return to then-

I... will have to think on that. I really have a lot to figure out in general...

Fiddle: You two hear us?

Fiddle: Gonna warp you guys to home base while we sort them out....

Time is running out... Cabinetta?

Fiddle: Try not to mess with anything during the process....

I really shouldn't enable you...

Then at the very least, we'd like someone like you to help us heal, sort ourselves out. If a favor is returned well...

.....

Cabinetta, please....?

Fiddle: Alright, get ready to land safely. Gonna have you guys use a temporary setup so don't walk out sprinting while you're not used to your new legs.

Fiddle: 3...

.....I am trusting you to please behave.

Fiddle: 2...

You will not regret this...

Fiddle 1....

I'm worried I will...

PASSING ASSASSIN: ACT 1 END