"The bar has a temple? Colour me suprised!"
Go get drunk with all the other mooks who are getting drunk.
You join the other men at the bar as they drink and sing. Soon you are as drunk as they are, standing on a table and singing some song only you can understand. Some of the other patrons boo you and tell you to be quiet and you retort with
"Dthou you knaw who youz talkin to? I wonce ztabbed a robut that waz az big a- az big az-..."Not being able to find something big enough to compare it to, you decide to make something, bending down and attempting to grab a cup so you can tsar it to immense proportions. You instead manage to slip while getting up and fall on your ass.
"Yesh. Laike thish."Good thing you're too drunk to feel that right now. One more thing to add to the list of things that will be hurting next morning.
"Dontza warry, the booze is shtill okay, the booze is shtill okay." you reassure the men asking if you're OK as they help you up among laughter.
Indeed, there's still booze in the now semi-enlarged cup. Soon the men taste it and proclaim that it's actually quite good. The precise words one of them uses are "hits like the flaming warhammer of Kromgur". Soon they're all getting even more drunk, first doing some sort of bar game where you're supposed to say a word twister or drink more and then doing one where you're supposed to say something embarrassing or do something embarassing about you or someone else or drink more... or something like that, you aren't really sure, everything is a blur by now.
"Hmm! They only lock the good waterslides, I'm on to something."
Attempt to push the gate open. Failing that, is is just wall beside the gates? If so, summon ladder!
Unsurprisingly, the gate is locked.
You manage to summon a small ladder that barely reaches the top of the wall and set it up next to the gate. You get up there and look down on the other side. Looks like it's quite the drop. Not enough to kill you unless you land on your head, but enough to hurt if you don't land right.
Staging Area
Kosak Durar, Staging Area:
"I assume you're my sponsor?"
Upon the inevitable yes answer, Kosak reports to the emergency mission briefing.
"Sponsor? What do you think this is? AA? I'm your commanding officer and trainer! And while I take a hands off approach in training, I expect to be treated as such."You walk through the desolate inn and out into the plazza, filled with more people than you're used to. The
crow entity and the
bartender entity are sitting on the edge of the fountain, laughing about something.
Another entity is resting with his back on the inn, watching the rest with a smile. And then there's a female form made out of light arguing with the smoky form of Charlie.
"-this is completely irresponsible and unnecessary. We can handle this on our own. There's no need to get them involved.""No, what there's no need of is all this complaining directed to me. The vote is done now. You know what comes next.""I thought you were better than this."*shrugs* "Sorry to disappoint.""We gain nothing by needlessly endangering them like this. First you take Irine and now this-""I didn't take her. There was a vote, fair and square. You knew the rules when you joined, so stop blaming me.""But you are the one who-""Right! What are you dirty commies planning here?"You get the feeling Charlie is pleased with the interruption.
"Hehehe. Come on, you know the vote results. Let's wait for a bit before we let them know what the big surprise is like we agreed, eh? Building up the anticipation is half the fun.""I'll play along with your tricks for now. But I still think it's red propaganda."More players are currently arriving to the plaza through doorways and portals.
"Thank you, as well. It's been pleasant here, in the quiet parts. Makes a nice change from the violence." John sighed, a bit of a wistful look in his eyes. "Well, I can't not go, I imagine. When... whatever this is is over, I'm going to ask. Ask if I can take you with me. You never know with these guys. But if not... I'll miss you." John stopped, quietly looking down. He then stepped closer and gave her a big hug. It held on for a while, then he finished it with a quick kiss to the forehead.
She looks surprised by your words and even more surprised by your hug. A moment later she hugs you back and presses her cheek against yours.
"Thank you. I would like that."
"Take care of yourself." John started to turn, then stopped. "Oh hey! If I... don't make it back, look for Alan. He's a cool kid; really a laugh riot. And... good luck out there."
John nodded his head, then headed out.
"Make it back, John. That is what I want. Even if it is for the last time. Make it back."
On his way down the stairs, John looked up. "Zero, status report on this mission? Oh, and what's your performance evaluation of that one?
Also check in with Zero.
<Performance was adequate. Most difficulties were caused by chance and uncontrollable environmental factors. This unit evaluates you as highly recommended for participation in the final challenge. The only reason player 5 has not been shifted to the final challenge directly is unforeseen circumstances that could benefit more from his immediate attention.>Report in.
You arrive at the plaza and witness the congregation of players and entities.
"The machine-man with machine-hearts. Just who I wanted to see." Charlie greets you.
"Loved your performance last mission, by the way.""Then FUCK! YOU!"
Japanese Monster Battle 2: Tentacle Harder. Transform. Charge. Deploy anchors and weapons. Try to muzzle and otherwise bind the dragon by wrapping him with my anchors before impaling it. Maybe keep one anchor free to slap the dragon with it. See what weapons I got.
((Punch in snout to establish superiority
))
You immediately deploy in an explosion of flesh, bone and energy, catching him as he swoops down in your numerous anchors. There's a contest of strength for a few moments as you try to tie him down and he tries to break free, biting and slashing at you. You eventually manage to restrain him, if only barely. He is still struggling, snorting angrily, his tail still whipping about. (From this angle you can see that its tip and underside are also made out of that black material. Getting impaled by it could be painful.) Damn bastard is slippery. Then again, it's what you'd expect from an ice dragon that's literally covered in ice.
You've got two large turrets that can shoot bolts of energy. They're made out of a core, a spike that's constantly shooting sparks and radiating heat, so you could probably also use them as a stabbing weapon.
"I believe I shall require more power afore the final challenge."
Saevus follows after his mistress. And he'll do one more mission before his ultimate one.
You join the growing number of people in the plaza. One of the entities looks at you from where it's leaning against a wall and grins.
"Ah, and here they are. The soul without a man and the woman without a soul. What a fitting pair. He he he."She ignores him and continues towards the fountain.
You get the feeling someone else is at at the moment doing something for which you'd be more thematically appropriate... Oh well, nothing you can do about it.
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Topic: Special People: Mechanical Syndrome (Read 1128990 times)