Masa con Papas: Proxy's Memory

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

CW: Violence

Cero: Don't cause any trouble, yeah?

You give him a little bow.

Charon: Don't intend to.

Cero: Seriously, putting a lot of trust in you right now. Don't fuck this up, this place is all these folks have.

Charon: Of course...

Opera: I'll put in my best foot too, don't you worry about it.

Cero: Don't go whipping around your piece, yeah? Already make it so obvious you're carrying.

Dither: I'll guide you all around, so stay close.

You and your group go past the large gate, being waved goodbye for now by the sentryman.

The old rat give a little sign.

Anura: I'll miss him.

Dither:.. He's just outside?

Anura: Yes.

Dither: You two just met.

Anura: All the same, what a memorable lad.

Dither: You entity are so odd sometimes..

Charon: Used to it by now.  

You're met by many gazes as you enter the streets and take in the local sights.

A few smiles.

A number of curious stares.

The occasional tired shrug.

Dither: Try not to bother people too much right now, many are in the process of winding down their days..

Charon: Noted, where are we heading toward right now?

Dither: Checking you in. Party for... 5? Two proxy, two operator, and a entity?

Charon: I'm... 4? 5? Technically more...

Dither: Really? How?

Charon: Shattered proxy, multiple conscious embodying aspects-

Dither: Oh! Okay we've actually got a few of those. Not exactly a common thing..

Charon: It's a rather new thing for us so I'd like the chance to get resources on this.

Dither: Mm, I'll see if the good folks at the Fozzie house are available.

Opera's ears twitch.

Opera: You guys really called it that?

Dither: Is there something wrong with the name?

Opera: Just.. show that uh... like a bear and a frog and..

Dither shakes their head at you.

Opera: Whole thing, 'nother world..

Dither: Mm, plenty in common already.

The snake made a little snicker at their own joke.

Charon: Cute laugh.

Dither: You like that?

Charon: Bet I'll hear it again.

Dither: I'm sure you will... though just making things clear now, I'm not really looking for anything like that if..

Charon: I understand.

Dither: Maybe a dinner or two though while you're here, things are just a bit hectic on my end..

Mar: A chance to hold that hand would be more than enough to leave me happy by the time I've moved on...

Dither's cheeks turn pink.

Dither: Put well... is that really all you want though?

Mar: Perhaps a better look at that tail, if it's...

Opera: Maybe you should hold this off til later...

Anura makes a sad noise.

Opera: You got something to say?

Anura: I've never seen my children or grandchildren mingle like this before, it makes me happy to see them thrive...

Opera: You're so silly..

Anura: I want to see a wedding one day..

Opera: Don't count on things this early...

Anura: I know-
 

???: Hey! A party of newcomers?

A uncannily familiar looking proxy peeks her head in.

You feel your spine shiver, Mar's tiled dress rattling on sight.

???: They look like adventurers...

Opera slides a hand under her coat.

Anura taps her shoulder, convincing her to relax her grip without a word.

???: Are you hear to help the town out?

Dither: More than likely, this is-

You immediately step up and introduce yourself.

Charon: Charon Judgment.. and you are-

???:.... Rook Rosca. I um-

Dither: Rescue from not too long ago, local cult were quite fixated on her for a good time.

Rosca: The folks here have been nothing but kind..

She tilts her head at Opera.

Opera: You got something to say to me.

Rosca: Have a big favor to ask, I think I saw a few folks break in.

Dither: How exactly?

Rosca Flew in, large one carrying the others out. Big, mechanical, one eye, long neck-

Charon: Where is he.

Dither: Do you know something about this-

Rosca: I can take you now just-

Your body suddenly turns around with a unnatural whip anticipation, the hot mechanical sound sparking and giving you only mere seconds to work with.

A blast coming from the arm cannon of the fabled construct, you flick your blade directly toward it with a upward swing before winding it back into the ground.

The dirt beneath you is kicked up, a rumble made across town. The force of the attack was successfully nullified but not without starting a fuss. THe local folks panicked. Your eyes meet with your would-be assassin..

You stand with your guard raised and Rosca practically clinging to you.

Charon: Brassman-!

Another shot, a repeat from before. Mar's sharp edges lift up, ready to strike if follow up is made.
 

Brassman: Wasn't aiming at you, make way before I do.

You shake your head at him.

There's a assistant next to him, a cowled up witch in black and white robes.

???: You really shouldn't antagonize-

Brassman: When he scoots or he drops I'll stop.

???: He killed you last time.

Brassman: Kid got lucky, probably was his first time. You ever killed a man before me?

Charon:... No.

Brassman: See? Couldn't do it on purpose either-

???: He is a decade older, he absolutely can do it on purpose.

Brassman: If he could've he'd shot back, yeah?

???: You're among a crowd, doubt it. Got leverage.

Brassman: You thinking what I'm thinking Wood?

???: You've got this in the bag.

Brassman: Hostage situation's just a test to see how committed a man is. So? Weapon down if you don't want me to turn this town into a parking lot.

You lower your blade and start walking up to him slowly.

Brassman: You wanna get personal?

Charon: Only way to make this right.

Brassman: You're stupid, know that? You're not getting off easy. I'm gonna you-

Charon: You won't.

Brassman: Big mouth.

He raises his gun.

Brassman: Gonna kill yur friends, your family, everyone I love-

Wood: W-wait, no I'm right here!

Brassman: Dude shut the fuck up

Wood: You said everyone you love!

Brassman: I don't like you like that.

Wood: Alright.

Brassman: Everyone you love, I love, myself, and then you-

Wood: Wait why yourself?

Brassman: So he doesn't get catharsis.

Wood: So you're expecting to lose??

Brassman: No!

Wood: How can you kill him if he's already dead-

Brassman: Shut up, alright? Let me have this.

Wood: Gotcha.

The large winged construct stares you down, his peanut gallery scooting out of the way as a precaution.

Brassman: I am going to shoot everyone you love and then everyone I love and then myself and then you in that order. Got that written down?

Charon: I'll remember just fine.

Brassman: Unless you wanna go quietly, then I'll gut you first and you'll just have to hope I'm not up to the rest.

You drop the sword, down to just your firsts.

Brassman: Balls on you-

Charon: Take the shot.

Suddenly the construct's arm is instantly demolished, Cannon violently rupturing and knocking his ally into the concrete

Wood: Jesus fuck-

Charon: Again.

Another blast, Brassman's entire knee shattered.

You grab the construct by the side of his face and lift him high for everyone to see.

Brassman: W-hat did you-

His eyes rapidly shifting until they fixate on Opera behind you.

The smoking gun in her hand.

Opera: You asked for a killing, I just played my part.