Just a Passing Assassin...

[Ignispark]

SIP THE FORBIDDEN SODA

TAKE IN THE VENOM AND STEAL ITS POWER

[Lilium Mortem]

Grab an arm and chomp down my dude.

[skinstealer]

sippy sippy

[King-Clod]

alright, lets uh. oh gosh. let's bite this dude, I guess. I really don't know about swallowing the poison though... if it's what put our ally in a coma, I don't really want to see what it could do to us.

Maybe we can just ingest a tiny bit of the venom, and spit the rest out?

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You take a bite, the hunter stirring for a moment before relaxing.

You take in a sip for good measure. It tastes… salty? In a snacky way, very much like a chip.

Steady pulls out the communicator.



Steady: You got a reading?



Fiddle: I do actually, waiting for folks to hear me out so I got the time to scan.

Fiddle: Did you miss me that quickly?

Steady: Course I missed you, I wanna hear my buddy's voice.



Fiddle: Don't say it like that... now I miss you... a-anyway.

Fiddle: It is stabilizing him.

Steady: What about Spiral?



Fiddle: Weirdly enough? Resonating with something in her body. How’s he looking?

You give a thumbs up.

Steady: Good? Readings match?

Fiddle: Mmhmm. Promising. Your body’s a new type that can apply properties in small doses without full modding so, it might be reacting.

Fiddle: You actually have some abilities stored and unequipped but this one seems intrusive.

Fiddle: But it’s not harmful as far as I can tell.

You nod, continuing further. There's a hypnotic effect.

Your vision is engulfed by a series of swirls and colors....

The Hunter:... What’s all this now?

The Hunter: Knave.

The Hunter: Are you biting me?

Cabinetta: She’s removing the poison.. Are you feeling better?

The Hunter: Surprisingly so, aye..

The Hunter:  Is um… she going to be okay?

Cabinetta: Mm?

The Hunter: Those eyes, they’re-

You black out mentally.

You have no clue what’s happening in the outside world.

You hear someone.

Possibly from a past life.

You can’t tell if the voice is hostile or friendly.

Family or friend.

Rival or your fated nemesis.

They’re reaching for you.

Who is it?

[King-Clod]

Oh, it's our ex-partner. We worked together, had a short romantic stint, and we had a falling out, it got...complicated. We didn't really talk much after everything went down.

[Ignispark]

Someone wanted by at least three different governments, inventor of a kitchen appliance, and internet game show host. [who may also be an ex-partner]

[Lilium Mortem]

they are love, a deep and true love, a person by your side in some form for most of your life. A warm smile and the soft sound of guitar. A melody about the sun, bright and beautiful.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

“You’re spending a lot of time prepping for this job, must be a big deal.”

Spiral: It is, bounty boards are turbo active right now.

Spiral: if I can’t keep momentum now, might miss out on my big break you know?

Spiral: I wanna take this seriously.

“I guess…”

“Don’t see why you want to be a *famous* bounty hunter. Only makes the job harder..”

Spiral: Most people don’t keep up enough to recognize me. Only certain types, you know?

Spiral: Gotta pay off my loans anyway…

“You should’ve never made them in the first place…”

Spiral: Too late now.

Spiral: Got the worst of them paid off at least…

“How’d you manage that?”

Spiral: Friend set me up with a deal, won’t collect anytime soon and no interest as far as I can tell.

“Sounds like a scam…”

Spiral: Maybe. Other option is I didn’t pay it off and my knees are gone so…

Spiral: Have a shot now.

“I’d say it’s your fault but… that wouldn’t be fair. Family really dumped that on you when things went down…”

Spiral: Let’s… not talk about that…

“Sorry.”

Spiral: So why are you here?

“Because I need a job for a friend. Potentially a big one. One that you have less chance of getting killed over.”

Spiral: Don’t get why you worry about me….

“Bailed you out too many times at this point, feel like if I let something happen well…”

Spiral: Sunken cost?

“Shut the fuck up.”

Spiral: “Hehe…”

“Anyway can you like…. Turn around? Haven’t looked me in the eye since I got here.”

Spiral: I guess…

You turn around…

What you see is….?

[King-Clod]

An adventurer morph comber, their fur composed of warm tones that really never seemed to match their personality. They dress like their funeral was the week prior, and given how bone-tired they look most days, well. You couldn't blame anyone who thought they were three days away from death.

It's a bit ironic, in hindsight.

[Ignispark]

Honestly the above idea is really fun 1000% seconding it. In addition I think some sort of neat hat and a very visible weapon of some kind could be a fun combination. Maybe a pistol or cutlass or something else fancy? (Or you know, a giant battleaxe or scythe something. Anything could be cool). Alternatively some sort of odd magic tool could be a fun addition.

[Guest]

A clown

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You get a good look.

"See?That's better."

Spiral: I guess...

"Anyway feel like I lead the conversation too much."

Spiral: You're the one who offered to show up in person for this.

"Here to help you out as always."

"Even if we're not as close anymore, a job's a job."

"So talk to me a bit. Business, what else's been up besides debt. Make the drive over here feel worth it, you know?"

"That a lot to ask?"

Spiral: Guess not..

[Ignispark]

Maybe talk about what sorta magic's been dabbled in recently, if there's been any recent beats of interest there?
How the local place's been, anything weird going on. Hit the highlights reel first, to really amp up the start.
Might leave with just like, weather and whatnot later on but that's the risk you gotta take to start things at mach 3.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Witching studies been pretty good lately. Want to see something I’m working on?



“Depends what it is.”

Spiral: Check it out!

You pull a wooden box over from the side of your work desk.

They peek over your shoulder in anticipation.



You open it up to reveal a hammer.

“New one?

Spiral: Mmhmm. One that’s got a little more going on.

“Why… does it have a keychain?

“Looks like something that belongs in a game.”

Spiral: It’s a conduit charm, the hammer’s properties change based on what’s linked to it.

“And a duck.. Why?”

Spiral: A friend gave that to me in high school, feel like it’s good luck you know?

“Has it been?”

Spiral: We’ll have to find out! They say things with a lot of attachment are the best conduits though. Really stand out ones will change the form of the weapon. Gives it a bit of flexibility.

“It’s cute, I’ll give you that. You put a lot of work and detail into this…”

Spiral: I mean yeah. Witchcraft’s a bit of something I care a lot about.

“Why don’t you do that instead? Better for your health.”

Spiral: I guess…

“Practically fighting for mine these days, think we all need to be better about keeping ourselves safe.”

Spiral: I just need to get out of my debt you know? After that I’m clean, no more.

“Mm…”



“May not be together anymore but.. Don’t want to outlive you that soon. Don’t do anything stupid, please…”

“I know the jobs‘ve been getting worse with time.”

“Lord knows you’ve drunken all sorts of sludge just for a quick buck.”

Spiral: Things’ll be different…

“Different how? I want to hear something specific.”

[Ignispark]

Concept 1: You know, it's impolite to blatantly call out a lie like that. Not really like there's another way out.

Concept B: Oh you know, this next one seems like it's very formal, that should mean won't have to do anything else for a while

(I don't really have any coherent ideas for that one so something like one of the above probably could be something? If nobody else has ideas.)

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

00Spiral: Just trust me yeah? This one’s looking a lot more formal. Pull this off and I won’t have to do anything like that in a while.

Spiral: I want out of this just as much. 




“No, think I want it more.”

“Otherwise you’d be looking for something safer.

“Still, I’m rooting for you a little…”

“You make it out in one piece.”

“Brought you this.”

Spiral: Parts?

“Imported mechanism from overseas. Based on some lost tech that’s been seeing a lot of traction lately.”

Spiral: Huh…

Spiral: These could fit into the current rig pretty nicely. Firearm?

“Yep. Growing in popularity with modern modders. Was going to use it for myself but you know…”

“Not doing so hot so I’m taking a break myself.”

Spiral: Appreciate it.

“Talk to me once you’re all done. I missed this.”

“Therapist says I need to make more friends anyway. Just wanna make sure I’m not betting on anyone who’s gonna die on that quickly….”

You felt yourself returning to your senses. The hunter loomed over you, checking for vitals.. Turnip sat by with a medical kit.



The Hunter: Eyes opening, good sign. Just hang onto a thought to keep you awake.

The Hunter: Give me a word.

Spiral: A……

You’re slapped. Your eyes watered a bit.

The Hunter: Almost there, try again.



Cabinetta: Don’t be so rough…



Turnip: Really though, just had to patch up some nasty wounds..

The Hunter: If this does her in it’d be my fault. Not letting him pass out any longer.

One more smack.

Spiral: Please stop…



Steady: You’re awake! You had me worried to fuck dude…



Fiddle: His vitals were fine, just a bad reaction. I’ve returned by the way.

Fiddle: More like a nasty winter fever.

Spiral: Things go okay?

Fiddle: Surprisingly so, yes. Managed to get a good scan of the creature from its poison. Seems to have modified you in the process.

Spiral: Really? Anything look different?

Fiddle: We’ll have to find out. Admittedly I am worried what’ll happen from here.

Fiddle: Your body’s equipped with a system for this express purpose and it overloaded you.

Fiddle: Don’t think we can afford for this to happen again.

The Hunter: I’m impressed you can to begin with. Sucking out the toxin is a myth in most cases. I owe a debt.



Steady: You know that explains why Cabby here didn’t do it herself actually…

Fiddle: You… didn’t know that’s fake?

Steady: I’m not getting bit by toxic creatures like that. Though now I wonder…

Cabinetta: I can perform a touch of care with a bite, but in this case I’d only make things somewhat worse.



Steady: Yo what? Show me.


Fiddle: Steady...

Steady: I wanna know. Please.



Cabinetta: I-It’s embarrassing! I mean maybe but...

Cabinetta: We’ll see.

She turned toward you and the Hunter.

Cabinetta: You both need rest I think. Anything you’d like? Any request and I’ll do my best.

The Hunter: Some time to rest and freshen more than anything. Don’t want to agitate these injuries.

Cabinetta: I can prepare a guest room if you’d like.

The Hunter: Appreciated… Admittedly I’m worried the creature will break into my home one of these days. Keeps getting braver. I hate to bother ye but-

Cabinetta: You don’t have to apologize.

She looked directly at you.

Cabinetta: And you?

Spiral: Me? Hmm.. Well uh…

Cabinetta: I do have one request, and that’s that you pick something where one of your friends or I can monitor you. I know my old friend’s limits well enough to be more than sure he’ll be fine but…

Cabinetta: I’d like to be extra sure with those I’m less familiar with.



Cabinetta: And admittedly I don’t want anyone to be alone right now in general either. The mention that the creature is tearing at the entrance makes me a little worried..

You can tell she was genuinely more than shaken by things tonight. Her hands trembled enough that she tucked them behind her back.

[Lilium Mortem]

we could get a mattress from somewhere and I could sleep in your room, keep you company. That is, if you trust me.

[Ignispark]

It'd absolutely be a bit silly and this is half in jest, but what about getting out/moving around a litany of soft things/furniture. Pillow/blanket fort accommodates as many people nearby as possible. For more eyes. That's gotta be safest, right?

[MarxzVulpez]

Seconding setting up the cozy base of opperations