Just a Passing Assassin...

[King-Clod]

Could I stay with you and Steady tonight? I figure it'd give you peace of mind to be able to look over me yourself, and well. Steady knows our job better than either of us, so it'd probably be a good idea for her to help watch over me tonight.

I think less spread out we are the safer, especially if that creature manages to get past any more of this place's defenses.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Honestly, moving around furniture and mattresses for a big cozy base together might be good.

Spiral: Think sticking with you and Steady might be our best bet.



Cabinetta: Sounds nice but... Any reason?

Spiral: She knows our job best, and Turnip can already watch over the Hunter, right?

Cabinetta: That’s true…

Spiral: Split into two groups in rooms next to each other? One where The Hunter can rest and Turnip can watch over? Fiddle might be able to help with that too, they’re all.. Booksmart.

Cabinetta: I do have a spot with a connecting doorway so we’re close. Split half and half… think that’d work.



The Hunter: Aye, I’d like a bit of quiet personally. Much as you’ve helped, got a headache from the poison still.

The Hunter: A connecting setup means folks can shift between areas easily. I think being split too far’s a big danger.

Spiral: There we go then.

Cabinetta: I’ll go propose such to everyone then, you two stay here while Turnip does a little check in.

The spider gets up and proceeds to talk to fill in Steady and Fiddle.

Turnip takes a quick look at you.



Turnip: Never seen the whole sucking out the poison thing actually work, you’re certainly special in that way.

Turnip: If you have anything you need though, don’t be afraid to ask.

The Hunter: Aye, he’s quite good at what he does from experience.



Turnip: I… try to be.

Spiral: So are you a doctor?

Turnip: Mm.. Medicine, potions, hexes, and otherworldly ailments. I’m Cabbinetta’s familiar from a decade ago. She summoned me to deal with a plague at the time.

Turnip: My service is done but I felt it was best to stay with her. She’s a very kind person and the castle is quite comfortable.

Turnip: Many townsfolk would take short term jobs helping maintain it for her services. It’s also where many festivals and meetings are held.

The Hunter: Mm. Don’t think he has a mean bone in her.

The Hunter: It’s refreshing that someone with this much power’s got no interest in abusing it. Guess that’s the nature of a lot of fiends. Avenging spirits so to speak.

Turnip: She’s absolutely had her darker days from what she told me, before she even had a name.

Turnip: Though you’d be best off asking her…

Cabinetta wraps up and returns.



Cabinetta: They’re filled in, we’re going to do what we can to make tonight comfortable for everyone.

Cabinetta: We’ll be splitting up work. Turnip will set up the Hunter’s resting area. Steady will set up the layout, she’s surprisingly strong it turns out.. Fiddle and I will handle refreshments and treats! Any job you’d like to assist in?

[King-Clod]

Oh making treats sounds so niiiiice... but I think my strength would probably be better used setting up the layout.

...Could you save a cupcake for me to frost though, or whatever it is you're making?

[Ignispark]

(Seconding the above)

An absolutely silly idea, but while you're making refreshments could you mix the most horrifying or experimental concoction of a beverage you can come up with on a whim and what's on hand. Kitchen sink beverage consumption is a great bonding experience. Everyone who drinks the new thing can try to come up with a name to capture whatever just got made.

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Think I’m gonna settle on helping Steady, I’m pretty good at lifting and I think you’ve got things covered.



Cabinetta: If you’re sure!

Spiral: If you make cupcakes though, save me one to frost myself?

Cabinetta: Of course!

Cabinetta: Is that all? You wouldn't like to try glazing a doughnut as well?

Spiral: Hmm.. maybe we can make drinks?

Spiral: Some out there concoctions. Something we’ll remember as a group experience, you know?

Spiral: Feel like we need to really lift the mood right now.

Cabinetta: Of course!

Cabinetta: Could be really fun honestly... In that case why don’t you go on ahead, I’ll go grab Fiddle to help me out.

Spiral: Can do, good luck!

She gives you a tiny wave before heading off.

You quickly make your way over to Steady, already lifting around mattresses.



Steady: Hey, you helping me out with stuff?

Spiral: You know it.

Steady: Knew you couldn’t resist hanging out with the rabbit. I think? I dunno I’m never sure with people.

Steady: Grab that would you?

She points to a pile of stuff to set up, you oblige..

Steady: So… Fiddle says our package landed.

Steady: Just barely within the fence.

Steady: You’ve got some sort of new abilities and I’m good at getting things done quick.

Steady: After we’re done here, you wanna sneak out and grab all that?

Steady: Cab’s gotta have her blood after all. Can’t let the cute vampire down.

Steady: Honestly might be a huge boon for us.

Steady: Though if we need to I'm willing to ... bite the bullet.

[skinstealer]

absolutely yes to sneaking out. time to get into trouble

[Ignispark]

taking immense risk at being attacked by the horrors by sneaking out? in this economy?

of course we'll do it!

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Yeah, you’ll be keeping an eye on things and all?



Steady: I’m the master of risky jobs, figure if what Fiddle says is correct well..

Steady: Means we got a surprise element.

Steady: And I think everyone would be happy to get their stuff too.

Spiral: I’m in.

The two of you quickly manage to do your heavy lifting and set things in place. With the others off in their own rooms still, you scurry out fast enough to avoid being seen.

You need to work fast, if they notice you both gone there might be a panic.

At the entrance, Steady gives you a good look.

Steady: You’re gonna try to carry that thing, sprint over without making too much noise. I’ll keep spot and cover you if the thing tries to go at you.

She creeks open the entrance just enough to get a good look.

Steady: Jesus…

Spiral: What’s up?

Ahead of you, the gate has taken a thrashing. The Hunter’s work can be seen as broken arms and tools surround the thing.



Steady: We gotta work fast but uh… I dunno.

Spiral: You okay?



Steady: Bleh...

You've never seen her genuinely tense on this job, not until now.

Steady: Feel like we’re pretty compromised right now.

Steady: Doesn’t seem out there but like.

Steady: We might be on a timer right now, you know?

Steady: Sorry your first job is this just…

Steady: Ugh, hate how up top doesn’t seem to check for these things...

Steady: Praying hard that this thing doesn't decide to finish the job.

You have some second thoughts about this if even Steady is worried.

[skinstealer]

take a good look around and be quick but cautious, have steady keep watch and try to make this As Fast As Possible

[King-Clod]

it'lll be fiiine I'm fast

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Hey.

 Spiral: I'm fast and I've got this.

 Steady: Are you sure dude? Like...

 Steady: I don't want to lose someone on their first job like that, you know?

 Steady: It’d be miserable.

Spiral: I got you as the best teacher I could have right?



Steady: Aww well…

Steady: When you put it that way, I can try my best right?

Spiral: I promise I can do this.

Steady hands you a dagger.

Steady: I’ll warp you back as soon as you touch it.

Steady: Just grab onto it tight so it transports with you.

Spiral: Roger.

You step outside. The cool air is really nice.

Spiral: So far so good, how’s it looking?

Steady: Good.



Two probes appear out of your bag. They hover near you.

The options you chose to take with you are now active.



Spiral: Hey uh… is that normal?

Steady: They auto trigger when the danger level goes up. They’re both under your command and can fly around, pick up things, and shoot with a stunning bolt. You’ll be fine but if you feel them vibrate hard tell me. I’ll warp you back


You take in a deep breath and start running on.

Needless to say the vibrations start kicking in as you get closer. They are currently on the lighter end.

There’s nothing within sight that seems to be a danger but you should be careful.

Pick your approach thoughtfully.

[skinstealer]

when you get close enough to your target, use the probes to pick it up! keep your distance where you can

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

You send in your drones to pick up the box safely. They wobble a little,all the goods clearly pushing what they can carry.

You have no cover fire while they’re busy.

You start heading back, Steady in view. You give her a little wave.



Spiral: Got it nice and easy.



Steady: Good… take your time alright? Don’t want ya falling…

Spiral: Doing my best!

You cautiously walk the rest of the way with no interference, whatever magic those gates have must really work… at least for now.

The drones hover with the massive crate slowly into the room before dropping with a thud.

Your drones need to recharge before next use.

Steady: Was expecting more of a struggle there..

Spiral: Maybe the creature can’t detect machines?

Steady: Could be. We can ask fiddle when we drag this back..

She starts grabbing the crate. You help her out with lifting it.

Steady: Don’t push yourself too hard, just a bit of a walk back to the room.

Spiral: Doing my best.

Spiral: Think folks would appreciate a little bit of a break before we go and have to fight the thing tomorrow…

Steady: Yeah.

Steady: If we do well we could set up a hub nearby. Sure the townsfolks wouldn’t mind if we saved them.


Steady: Also means we could visit folks here when we;re on break.

Spiral: That’d be nice, Cabinetta seems like she’d like that too.

Steady: Think so? I mean she’s pretty friendly, maybe.

Spiral: What do you think of her?

Steady:  Me? I mean she’s adorable, she’s got a good sense of style and taste in games..

Steady: Pretty good vampire, would let her bite.

Steady: Unless you want dibs, I dunno. Maybe you’ll become a vampire too.

Spiral: That’d be cool.

Steady: Did manage those scans, right? Fiend abilities are pretty popular with some of the vets back at the base.

Steady: Shared some of mine but shhh, lab staff get heated about people trading them around like that. Say it makes the ability pool less diverse by making folks just jump straight to the good powers early on. I say eff it.

Steady: Don’t tell people though. Shhhh.



Steady: Least I can do anyway. Haven’t been a good teacher so far I don’t think…

[skinstealer]

you're helping me out a lot, and going out of your way to be my friend even though it's my first day!

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: You’re helping me out a lot and offering to be my friend, even though it’s my first day.

Spiral: I think you're doing a great job.



Steady: You deserve the best start you can get!

Steady: Besides, get the vibe you want the easiest route out of your debt right?

Steady: So at the very least I can make sure you’re given every chance possible.

Steady: You know.. I don’t know that much about you though. It’s your first day and all but I wanna get to know you a bit more.

Steady: Whatcha make of this whole job? Your new body, the crew, Cabinetta and her people, this whole job.

Steady lay it on me.

[skinstealer]

the body's nice, suits me well enough...the company's good too.

and i think cabinetta's really cute

not sure what to make of the whole job though...hanging out with vampires wasn't what i expected

[Ignispark]

cool guns??? for 'free'?????? cool magic for 'free'...

this is basically like a cool job that finds you-

if you ignore any of the implications, which

i mean

sure!

company is definitely good

[ThreadLurkingComorant]

 Spiral: Body’s been fine, suits me well enough I think?

Spiral: And the company’s been really good so I don’t mind. You Fiddle.

Spiral: Can’t say I was expecting to hang out with vampires though. Not sure what to make of the whole job itself really…



Spiral: Cabinetta’s pretty cute..



Steady: Yeeeah. She is.

Spiral: Have to say though, free guns and magic? Not too bad there.

Steady: Nothing’s free like that, you’re working it off right now.

Steady: Hopefully there’s a bonus for all our trouble. A Re-evaluation does that.

Steady: We’re almost there, just…..



Cabinetta: Just what?

Cabinetta: Did you actually go out there?

Cabinetta: It's a big risk even with the fence....

Steady gives you a wink, she's giving you the chance to weave the narrative in your favor here.

[Ignispark]

Well, you see,

Ah um, it was right out there, so- You know,,,,

anyhow this box sure is important

[skinstealer]

This is an important job and time is of the essence- and I made it back okay in the end. If trouble came up, Steady would have helped bail me out, we had a plan