Boseman High School Shenanigans: Episode 1

Boseman High School Shenanigans: Episode 1!

It's fall 2022. In fact, it is Monday, the 19th of September, and school has been back in at Boseman High School for three weeks. Today marks the start of a big week at the school -- several teachers are hitting the seniors with their first tests, it's Homecoming Week, and it won't be too long before the Michigan weather turns... which means the kids are doing everything they can to cling to summer.

Biceps bulge, barely-there shorts and skirts put juicy butts on display, shirts are doffed so washboard abs can see the sun, and teenaged tits are everywhere -- revealing tank tops are like a uniform for the curvy set, and they are legion. Kids are arriving at the school on bikes and skateboards, the buses are disgorging the students who don't have their own means of transport and live too far away to walk or bike, and there's a steady stream of cars. Parents dropping kids off, seniors and juniors arriving in their own vehicles, ranging from junkers to mommy and daddy's Lexus, Benz, and BMW rides.

The freshmen are starting to get used to the nearly overwhelming spectacle of it all, but there's still a tremendous amount of gawking at the older and bolder kids as they arrive to start the week. It's sunny and in the low 80s today -- and is supposed to stay that way all week. Spirits are high as we join our four teenaged protagonists...

Zach

"Here you go, son," Zach's dad says to him, pulling to a stop in the drop-off circle. It's bedlam -- there are kids everywhere, cars coming and going -- but Mr. Tidwell doesn't seem to mind. He's steady on the tiller, as always. "Good luck on that math test! I'll be back at four for pick-up!"

Turning to look over his shoulder, he adds, "You too, Rose! Have great day!"

Rose, a sophomore, gets out without a sound, pissed off to be at school at all today. She leaves her brother behind as she fixes her hair, adjusts the spaghetti straps of her top and heads for her friends.

Watching his sister go -- they get along at times, and at times they don't -- Zach spots a few of the jocks he's been attaching himself to lately, standing in a group, picking on nerds and undoubtedly commenting crudely on girls.

Lily

Today was the Lins turn to drive, and Mrs. Lin looks at the girls in the back as she waves, smiles, and shoos them out of the car along with her son, in the front seat. "Have a good day at school! Bye!"

Justin adjusts the set of his pack on his shoulder, then heads for some of his friends throwing a frisbee around. "See you two later I guess," he says as he goes.

"Yup, see you later," Wendy says to her brother, before making a face to both him and Lily behind his back. "You are so wrong about things sometimes, you know that?" she says with a fetching smile.

Emily

Over at the student parking lot, there's a cloud of smoke as Emily Richardsen and her brother arrive in their rust bucket mini-van. Steve smacks his sister before he piles out. "I told you this piece of shit wasn't going to make it through the school year! Fuck, it's not gonna make it to October!"

As they walk in from the parking lot, he ogles a bunch of girls and gestures at a few to his sister. "Oh man. You need to meet her... her... and especially her... so you can introduce me!"

Freddie

Not too terribly far away, Freddie Solomon glides his Tesla Model 3 into a parking spot. His two sisters have been quietly using their phones in the back the whole way to school, as usual, and he has to clear his throat to let them know they've arrived. Then, as the three of them get out, Fred sees her: Priya. She's not dressed as suggestively as a lot of the other girls -- her parents would never allow it -- but she still looks really cute. She wears canvas Converse, a pleated skirt, and a long-sleeve, fitted tee. Her dark hair is in pigtails, and he watches as she makes eye contact with him, then purposefully looks away.

"Burn," Sarah says quietly, making Debbie giggle.

OOC:

We're under way! This is a bit of a low-octane start... feels like we need to get feet on the ground a little before I start whomping you all with stuff.

So let's play! (And let me know if I've forgotten something key.)

Some things to bring up in your first posts...

🔸 What are you wearing today?
🔸 Do you have plans after school?
🔸 You have a math test first thing. Did you study? If not, what did you do last night?
🔸 How late were you up last night?
🔸 Lily, does Wendy know about Zach?

Dec 12, 2022 2:00 pm

Zach spends the drive to school silently going over what he studied for his math test these past days. He's a diligent student, so he didn't have to spend all day yesterday cramming, as he's been going over his notes a bit every day for the last week and now he's feeling confident that he should do fairly well. He even went to bed relatively early so he'd be rested, though his texting with Abby did keep him awake a bit longer than initially planned.

When their dad stops the car and tells Rose and Zach to get out, Rose seems all to eager to be gone from the car. As she's climbing out, Zach tells her, "I'm pretty sure those straps are against dress code." He worries about her. It's nice that she feels more free to explore herself now that she doesn't feel like she's living in his shadow anymore, but he's concerned about how she explores herself.

Rose dramatically rolls her eyes, then says, "That hoodie should be against dress code. You look hideous."

Zach looks down at himself. He's just wearing loose, heavy jeans and a thick grey hoodie, pretty much his uniform since he started here, as much as it stands out among all the sexy, revealing clothes everywhere. The more he can hide his body shape, the better. "I guess," he replies. "But I manage to do that regardless of what I wear."

Rose actually cracks up at that and throws him an amused grin before she gets out and walks off. Zach thanks his dad for the drive, even though he doesn't even want to be driven by his parents every day, then gets out as well. Shoulders drooping, hands in his pockets, he looks around and spots some of the boys he's been hanging around with recently. They're jerks but they're also popular and they let him hang out with them, so he just gravitates to them. As he approaches them, he tries to figure out whether they were looking at his sister. She's not the most attractive girl in school, but she's cute and trying to be hot, which can be a dangerous combination.

He hovers somewhere near them, hoping not to have to get involved in the petty bullying they're engaging in and that he can just wait it out. As he approaches, he nods at them but then positions himself not right with them, just kind of around.

Dec 12, 2022 3:17 pm

He grabs his heart staggering at Priya's scathing rebuke. "I am wounded. She wounds me," He replies to his sister. "You girls have a good day, and stay out of white vans. Free WiFi is a lie!"

He's wearing these dorky don't leg capri pants, but they are exactly right to show off his legs and ass. His burgundy fashion tee is semi transluscent, enough that you can see his nipples and the brush of hair that trail from belly to waist. Laceless deck shoes complete the dress code pushing ensemble.

"Clutch!" he calls out to Tyke Tailor, the power server from their team. He's called him clutch since one game in junior year when he slammed the winning points in a come from behind victory against their arch rivals from Mill Creek. No one else calls Tyke 'Clutch', except the occasional junior trying to act cool, right up until they're pantsed. They trade an elaborate handshake. He sees the new kid Zach hanging around. "Zach, oh shit, we have a math test don't we. Quick, tell me everything. No hold up, I have to talk to Clutch."

Dragging the friend two paces away he says, "What's going on with Priya, have you heard? Anyone ask her to Homecoming?" He runs a hand through the side of his hair and looks after the pretty girl walking away. And boy, can she ever walk away, he thinks.

Dec 12, 2022 3:22 pm

"Bye, Mrs. Lin. Thanks!" Lily says quickly, as she closes the back door of the car.

"Yeah, see you later!" she chimes to Justin, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear before throwing him a wave goodbye, that he doesn’t quite see. It hangs in the air a moment, and then is snapped back quickly.

"Oh, come on." she says, immediately embarrassed at having been left hanging. "He’s nice… sometimes! Even you have to admit to that!" her face flushing another shade of red again.

She pulls her unbuttoned cardigan in around her as she watches the student body filing by.

"Jesus. Look at them." she remarks, bordering on a holier-than-thou sneer. Wendy’s parents would have a fit of the two girls tried to show up to school like that. Still, it wasn’t that cold just yet.

"I asked dad to come a little later today! I want to go over that story with you!" She doesn’t look, but she knows Wendy’s eyes must be wide, as Lily is finally ready to reveal some more of this secret project.

"After school!" she reiterates. "I’m still working on some of the details!

Alright…" she says, finally with a sigh. She tugs her backpack up onto two shoulders.

"Let’s get this test out of the way!" she says with a roll of her eyes and then a smile. A knowing smile that said she didn’t do a damn thing for this test, and didn’t care all that much either way!

Last edited December 12, 2022 3:24 pm

Dec 12, 2022 4:02 pm

"Brilliant Steve, like you looked at your crystal ball or something. Obviously. Why do you think I want to get a network going here and if you want something better than this piece of shit, help me out will ya instead of letting your eyeballs fall out ogling the girls? For Chrissakes you'd swear you never saw girls before."

Emily takes a deep breath to settle her nerves as she tugs at her long sleeves, a new behavior that's becoming a habit. It's a lot. New school, new friends, new neighborhood, new customers. She's feeling anxious. Driven as she is to be the best at anything she does she puts undue pressure on herself but it's who she is as much as the pert nose on her face that sits below deep-set brown eyes framed by dark almost square glass frames and a short neat haircut that accentuates her jawline.

"Mom and dad made it clear that they aren't interested in helping with a new car. Does the car run?" Emily mocks their mother in a nasal twang. "It does? Well then.... In other words Steve she's telling us to fuck off."

Emily's parents are incredibly self-centered which gives Steve and Emily almost free reign to do whatever and as long as they are smart about it their parents won't make much of an effort to find out what their kids are up to.

Another sigh, this time louder as Steve parks the car and Emily grabs her bag, adjusting her tight navy blue tee that gloves her slender frame stopping just shy of the waist of her snug blue jeans. She's already regretting her choice of long sleeves on what promises to be a warm day but it's autumn. Smoothing her hair she says, "Don't make me wait for you this time. I was up all night studying for the math test today and I want to go home and take a nap after school. I'm exhausted already."

As they hurry along the sidewalk to the main entrance, Emily jabs Steve in the ribs with an elbow as he makes no effort to hide his eyeing of the large-breasted freshmen girls wiggling their butts as they saunter through the doors. Could you at least not be so damn obvious?"

Dec 12, 2022 6:41 pm

Zach

"Hey!" Zach’s dad says from his rolled-down window as the boy walks from the car. "Don’t say that, son! You don’t look hideous, ok? And it’ll… it’ll get better."

Over closer to the broad steps that lead up to the school’s main entrance, Zach innocuously attaches to the edge of a group of a half-dozen boys. Tony, Toby, Gus… Noah, Colter, Banks — big names, all starters on the football team. They were classic meatheads — tall, buff boys who were popular, and who were well aware of their status.

"Zach, right?" Noah says after making brief eye contact. "Sup?"

The sees that, indeed, a couple of the boys in the crowd are pointing at, and commenting on, his sister. Rose is some distance away, talking with some girlfriends, and Banks jokes with his friends. "Wouldn’t mind a little of that, right? I bet she fuckin’ parties."

Then, Zach watches as Aaron Connery, some distance away, stops on the sidewalk to look at his phone. He wears a big backpack and it blocks the boys’ view of Rose.

"Hey!" Banks calls over to the smaller, younger boy. "Geekweed! Keep walkin’, dipshit, you’re ruining the view!"

Freddie

Just a short distance away, Fred Solomon presses Clutch on what he knows about Priya and invitations she might have to the upcoming Homecoming Dance.

"I dunno, dude, I mean… is she still grounded or whatever? Second base, then straight to the locker room for a cold shower, man. Harsh!"

Lily

"Did you study?" Wendy asks her friend — just as Lily lays eyes on a couple of people she often has lunch with. Fred and Zach!

Emily

Steve shakes his head as he and his sister make their way in from the parking lot, and as he keeps drinking it all in. "Can’t help it! I think I like this school already. No dress code, Emily! Oh my — check out the girl with the green hair! Why can’t you have friends like her? And invite them over to study at like a pajama party or some shit?!"

Emily is only half-listening to her horny brother as he goes on — and on — about the student body. She’s thinking of the math test… and of Mr. Edge. She thought of him often, as she had been late last night when a thunderclap had shaken the house and scared the crap out of her. Going to her window had shown the girl that it wasn’t raining, but there was some weird-looking heat lightning lighting up the low-lying clouds that had moved in after sunset.

"Are you even listening to me? Hello?" Steve says. "The girl there with the halter top. And the green-haired chick… and — oh, and that gothy-looking babe with the eye makeup and the boots. Looks like she might have a dude, but you can find out when you invite them all over for like a pot party, right?"

Ahead, Emily picks out of the crowd the three kids she’s been playing games with at lunchtime. Freddie, Zach, and Lily.

Dec 12, 2022 6:53 pm

"Honestly Steve could you just shut it? You have no class." Emily rolls her eyes and knows she's being mean. She has the smarts to know that he is going through the same shit that she is but he's so freakin' annoying. Meanwhile, she's been day and night dreaming about Mr. Edge so she can't be too critical.

"Tell you what. Find me some stoners and I'll see what I can do. The parents are due for one of their weekend getaways..." Emily makes some exaggerated air quotes for getaway ... "So we can have a small party then. SMALL Steve. Ok? Deal?"

"Alright, there are my friends. I'll see ya later. Don't be late!"

Relieved to see Freddie, Zach, and Lily, Emily approaches with a smile. "Hey guys. S'up? You see that insane lightning last night? Creepy as hell."

Dec 12, 2022 7:15 pm

When Noah recognizes him and remembers his name, Zach just casually nods, trying to play things cool. He does feel out of place next to the jocks, dressed in his thick clothes while they seem to be trying to show off every muscle they have. Not that Zach doesn't wish he could do the same. If only he looked like them.

"That's my little sister you're talking about there!" he protests when the boys start making suggestive comments about Rose. "She's off-limits, alright? There's plenty of cute girls around. I mean, look at..." He glances around. This would be a lot easier if I wasn't gay, he thinks to himself. The scantily dressed girls flaunting their bodies all around them just don't do anything for him and he's concerned that the one he'd point out to them would be a weird choice. He also notices Emily come up towards them and nods in acknowledgement to her greeting, directed not just at him but at the nearby Lily and Freddie as well. Emily is attractive, right? But he likes her, so he's definitely not going to offer her up to the boys' comments.

Luckily, he seems to have been spared from having to come up with an example when the boys turn their attention to someone new. Some geek kid they've decided to let out their frustration on, it appears. Zach is relieved until he turns and sees who their current target is. He feels heat rushing to his cheeks when Aaron looks up from his phone and sees him standing next to the group of jeering teens. Zach throws him an apologetic smile that he hopes won't look like a sneer from the distance.
"That one's cute!" Zach quickly exclaims, hoping to redirect the boys' attention after all, now not only from Rose but from Aaron as well. He gestures to a rather conservatively dressed Indian girl who's just walking past. She is pretty, but, Zach frets as soon as the words are out, probably a weird choice. "Although," he then continues. He raises his voice to let her hear him as well. It's awkward. He hates it. But anything to fit in and keep the other boys' focus off Rose and Aaron, right? "She could totally show some more skin, right?"

Dec 13, 2022 1:36 am

"Find out for me, okay? I've got an idea, okay check this out. She goes to Homecoming with someone else, me too, but we can be together at the dance." He claps Clutch in the shoulder and heads back to the others.

"Zach, you gotta fill me in. What's going to be on the test? Emily covered it with me in Friday but I'm royally blank! Completely!"

He sees the thin boy looking at Priya. His hands clench like vices and he sees rain and a cliff. He shuts his eyes. Taking a deep breath, he exhales the unbidden rage. "That's Priya. She's cute isn't she?"

Dec 13, 2022 6:56 am

Zach turns to Freddie. "You know her?" he asks, cursing at himself. Please don't let her be someone important to him. The last thing he needs right now is to make one of his few proper friends here at the school mad because of some off-hand comment. He decides to quickly move on to the other topic he brought up, the test. "I can show you my notes if you want. It's a lot to all catch up on now, though."

Dec 13, 2022 7:18 am

"No!" she says emphatically, and then laughs!

"But you did. Don’t lie!" she follows up, and then a teasing jostle.

"Come on; there’s Emily!" and then she stops Wendy up short. "Did you try that stuff she gave us? I didn’t. Not yet! Did you?"

Waiting for the answer, she takes Wendy by the arm and crosses over to Emily.

"Can I use that quote for the story this week? Creepy Storm Batters Boseman, says one student!" and then she clicks her fingers like a camera towards Emily!

Lame…

Dec 13, 2022 7:32 am

Everyone

Steve heads off as Emily walks towards her friends -- a little less obvious and a lot less vocal about feeling like a kid in a candy store. His eyes still bug from time to time, though.

Over near the main steps, Aaron looks a bit mortified when he gets yelled at, then he quickly moves on after making eye contact with Zach -- who then calls attention to Priya, and that draws a mixed reaction from the jocks as Freddie comes over.

"She's cute, but she's stooone cold!" one of the boys says with a laugh. "Just ask the Fredseter here! Right Freddie? Swing and a miss, yeah?"

"I heard she got a arranged marriage thing goin' on! Back in India, soon as she like turns eighteen! Fuckin' aye!" Tony swears.

Gus's eyes are on Priya closely, and he claps Zach on the shoulder. "Oh yeah. Fuck yeah lot. A lot more."

"Waitaminute," Banks says to the transgender student as he narrows his eyes. "That's your sister? Oh, I'm sorry dude. Sorry I'm gonna keep you up all night bangin' dat ass in the next room. She's aight!"

Noah shakes his head. "Come on, dude. Don't be a shithead. Sisters are off-limits, you know that."

The whole crew quiets a little, calming their racy language when Emily arrives...

"Hey," Noah says, checking the girl out in a not entirely unpleasant way.

OOC:

Lily can also just arrive and plug right in here if she so desires, or she can steer clear of these lunkheads who I enjoy writing far too much.

Dec 13, 2022 1:44 pm

Zach laughs off Banks' comment about Rose, despite not finding it funny in the least, then he nods towards the school entrance. "Look, guys, I gotta go in. Can't miss that fucking test, you know."

He looks at Freddie, Emily, Lily and Wendy in turn, knowing they all share that class with him. "Ready, girls, Freddie?" he asks them. Once a bit more out of earshot of the jocks, he leans in to Freddie and says quietly, "Sorry about that Priya thing. I didn't know..." He vaguely gestures to Freddie and doesn't finish the sentence.

Dec 13, 2022 1:51 pm

As the boys get into full swing, Freddie pantomime along with them, acting devastated by their banter. He nearly cries laughing at Banks' joke. "No sisters!"

Fred nudges Zach, and says, "We used to go out, but her parents are a bunch of cockblockers. Thanks about the notes, just a scan will help me."

Last edited December 13, 2022 1:52 pm

Dec 13, 2022 5:38 pm

"Sure, I guess so." Emily smiles at Lily and then realizes too late that photos are a bad idea but it's only an air camera so what's the harm as long as she doesn't ask for a real one? She even makes a goofy smile and poses, hand on her hips, head cocked at an angle. Her mother did talk to the school administration about photos being off-limits, some excuse about it being a religious thing.

"Oh wait. Try now," she says as she removes her glasses for the pretend pic, dances around in place, and then puts them back on. "Seriously though, are those weird skies normal from around here? I was half expecting a tornado."

Emily ignores the boys being boys and overhears Freddie asking about notes and a scan. "I thought you were all set with that test after all the work we did? Why do you need more notes?"

To Zach she says, "I think I'm ready." But she's being modest, she knows she is ready and hopes her salacious thoughts won't distract her.

Dec 14, 2022 8:15 am

Everyone

The football players nod, joke, high-five, and fist bump as Freddie and Zach move off, and soon enough the five friends have a moment to themselves. It's just a few minutes until the first bell rings -- and the second one will ring five minutes later, when they'll be expected to be in their first class: math.

There are a few teacher encounters on their way towards the front doors -- Mr. Myers leering out his second story office window at the student body, Mr. Kilvert can be seen watching imperiously from the side entrance near his and the princiapal's office... and of course, the hurricane that is Coach Murdock.

Coach Murdock

"Freddie Solomon! Fred! Missed you at try outs! Sorry about your dad, son, heard what happened. Listen, you ever need to get your mind off things and stop messing around with that pussy sport and play a man's game, you know where to find me, right Fred? Yeah you do! Come on! See you at the game Friday, right? WOO! GO BADGERS!"

OOC:

Don't need to converse long with this gent, just acknowledge his interruption and carry on. :)

Dec 14, 2022 1:11 pm

Lily appreciates that Emily seems equally corny as her, if not more so! She just hoped the girl wouldn’t ask if Lily tried that weed yet. She’d have to lie and say yes!

"Ha! I think that’s a front page shot, right there!" she continues, playfully.

"The skies… I guess I’ve never thought to much about it."

Besides getting a quick snap to put on her Instagram live reel, Lily hadn’t noticed anything unusual about the storm skies here. But then… what did she have to compare it against?

"Ugh…" she says, seeing the coach barge into the morning. She pulls Wendy along by the arm, and would do the same for Emily, but she doesn’t know the girl that well, yet!

She passes the man without a word. When the coast is clear, she looks back and mutters:

"What a pig." to Wendy.

The man was barely keeping his shit together; first thing in the morning. He sent a shudder up Lily’s back. Bad enough she had to cover the game, she didn’t want to be around all that any more than necessary.

Last edited December 14, 2022 1:12 pm

Dec 14, 2022 1:15 pm

"I didn't notice the sky," Zach admits. "But I did go to bed pretty early, so maybe that's why." Not wanting to sound lame, he quickly adds, "I didn't sleep early, though. Obviously. I was texting Abby. My girlfriend." Nudging Freddie, he adds, "You know what kinds of texts." The thought of sexting with Abby of all people makes Zach cringe internally but it's all part of keeping up appearances as just another regular straight guy.

When the coach approaches and starts talking to Freddie, Zach just gives him a friendly nod. "Morning, Mr. Murdock," he says, but otherwise keeps out of the conversation.

Dec 14, 2022 2:05 pm

When Emily asks about the notes, he says, "It's just nerves. I can't picture anything we learned this semester at this very moment. It just helps to visualize the field of play before you're supposed to perform, you know? Like warming up. I left my own notes on my desk."

After they head inside, Freddie laughs at Zach's banter, as unexpected as it is. "Not a bad alternative!"

Fred laughs at the coach's antics. "Yeah coach I know where to find you. Near the stage at the Foxy Box, right?" He offers the man a fist bump, and then adds, "Seriously though, thanks. I'm working hard to get back into shape."

Freddie knows the coach is a bit of a sleazoid, and cringes inside at going along with his antics, but that's the role he plays at the school -- the popular kid that is always looking to see the best in people. Is it a role he wants anymore? Or is that just who is he now is after playing the part so long?

Last edited December 14, 2022 2:37 pm

Dec 14, 2022 3:02 pm

OOC:

First roll of the game: studying for the test!

Forgive me for kicking the tires here, but it's my first time GMing Savage Worlds and I'm going to explore a bit. For studying, I'm going to model that as the Support action -- you're supporting your future self! That means if you pass an Academics test, you get +1 when you roll shortly to actually take the test. A raise would get you +2, and a critical fail would mean -2... you studied the wrong stuff!

So for those who studied some -- roll. For those who studied a -lot- and stayed up late, make that roll at +1. For those that didn't study at all, and who are cramming *right now* (Fred), make the roll at -2.

Sound fair and make sense? Once you're in the math class and settled we'll see about rolling to see how well you do on the test.

Dec 14, 2022 3:07 pm

OOC:

I'll just make the roll without mods. Zach studied, but a reasonable amount

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Academics - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (1) = 1

Dec 14, 2022 3:10 pm

OOC:

Test prep method win or fail?

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Academics - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (63) - 2 = 7

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Dec 14, 2022 4:02 pm

OOC:

Yeah I like it.

OOC:

Edit:Now I don't.

Last edited December 14, 2022 4:23 pm

Dec 14, 2022 4:22 pm

Emily shakes her head at Freddie. What a scatterbrain, she thinks but instead she says, "Yeah I get it. Nerves can be rough."

That sounds really dumb though and Freddie is kind of cute so she latches onto Lily in the hopes that her flushed cheeks won't be noticed.

"Hey ... did you get a chance to try that ... you know .... thing yet?"

OOC:

She will take the mod of +1 cuz she's a study hound and did stay up all night.

OOC:

And then she will roll horribly.

Last edited December 14, 2022 4:22 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Academics - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (4) - 1 = 3

Dec 15, 2022 6:26 am

OOC:

Rolling! I’m already at -2. So -4?

That’s a 9… maybe a 7!

Last edited December 15, 2022 6:27 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Academics - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (65) - 2 = 9

Dec 15, 2022 8:39 am

OOC:

That was at -4, so indeed: 7. So -- success on studying and prepping!

When you roll for the test here shortly, everyone except Emily will have a +1 bonus. Emily, I think you were up too late, distracted by that weird weather, and maybe thinking about Mr. Edge a little too much...

Once the bell goes and the kids all start finding their way into the school, chaos reigns for a few moments. The halls are packed, people are rushing to lockers and classrooms, and various teachers with upbeat attitudes are present to say good morning.

Brittany Maidstone

Ms. Maidstone is there, in fine form in her shorts and tight tee, and looking good, at least to Fred's eyes. Super-fit, the gym teacher knows practically every kid in the school by name. "Good morning students! Happy Monday! Zach, Freddie, good to see you! Hello Emily, hello Wendy and Lily!"

Ms. Garcia Gonzalez

Ms. Garcia Gonzalez, a new teacher to the school this year, stands outside her classroom in a dress that's really a bit short for a teacher... and she is gorgeous, attracting the attention of students, parents, and teachers alike when they meet her. The woman lights up a room.

"Buenos Dias!" she greets everyone as they walk past.

Mr. Dubois

Mr. Dubois just has this winning smile, and his biceps strain his shirt when he folds his arms in front of his muscular chest.

"Morning kids. Hope you enjoyed you weekends and are ready for a good week at Boseman."

Wendy Lin

Wendy peels off for her first class after saying bye to Lily, then the quartet makes their way to Mr. Edge's math classroom... which they find open, but empty. Very unusual -- Edge is a prompt, on-time kind of guy, and with a test on the menu, it's strange that he's not present.

OOC:

No hurry, btw, to get right to the classroom. Take your time getting there if you want, conversing, etc. When you do arrive, it'll be as described above.

Dec 15, 2022 1:46 pm

Zach greets the teachers welcoming them to school but it's only Mr. Dubois on whom his eyes linger for a moment longer. As they pass the teachers, he has a thought that he doesn't want to voice but at least part of it slips out.
Maybe it's the T, but... "Teachers at my old school weren't all this young and hot," he remarks.

Dec 15, 2022 4:54 pm

Freddie is brushing through the notes Zach meant him, noting one by one that he seems to be prepared for the topics. He nearly stumbles into Ms. Maidstone and when he looks up he is suddenly presented with a direct shot of her boobs in that tight top. He blushes and looks her in the eyes. "Oh, good morning!"

He hands Zach back the notes, mumbling a thanks, and then sees the hemline in the new hot teacher Ms. Gonzalez. His ears burn red and he smiles awkwardly at her, before moving along.

When Wendy peels off he follows her with his eyes for a moment. She's not the type to draw a lot of attention, but there is something about her, and those freckles. Do I have an Asian fetish?

Dec 15, 2022 10:10 pm

Emily peels off to class, looking forward to seeing the subject of her dreams but the classroom devoid of the glorious Mr. Edge makes her frown with concern.

"That's odd. Where is Mr. Edge?" she asks nobody in particular.

In her short time at Boseman High, there was one thing she was sure about and that was the fact that Mr. Edge was never late, and with a test on the slate, it was even more unusual. Warning bells started to go off in her head. However, Emily could be her own worse enemy with her very vivid imagination and she knew this so she took a breath and found a desk to sit at and wait while she convinced herself he probably spilled his coffee on his awesome sixpack that she was sure existed underneath his shirt.

Dec 16, 2022 12:34 am

Lily runs the gauntlet of cheery and encouraging teaching staff. She liked to be on their good side, for the most part… and she was. But she had this test… That thing that was just sitting there, waiting to be done. Once that was all over, she’d perk up some more.

Having said her polite good mornings, she spots Fred eyeing Wendy. She pushes him, to get his attention.

"Don’t even think about it, Solomon!"

And she makes the ‘I’m watching you’ motion, pointing her two fingers at her eyes, and then at his!

"Not a chance!"

And then she turns to Emily:

"Maybe the copier broke. It’s always acting up." extra cheery, to drive home the point to Fred!

Last edited December 16, 2022 12:35 am

Dec 16, 2022 2:09 am

Math Class - 835AM

"That's odd. Where is Mr. Edge?" Emily asks nobody in particular.

Kelly Unger

"Hopefully sick," Kelly Unger says from where she's leaning against the wall near the windows, checking her phone. Kelly's long, wavy blonde hair is perfect. It has to be, of course -- she's the head clearleader at Boseman, and the top of the food chain when it comes to Mean Girlness. Her flouncy skirt shows off her long, tanned legs, and her baby doll tee does the same for her flat belly and in-your-face curves.

"Who gives a test this soon in the semester, anyway?" she wonders aloud. "Guy needs to get his shit together."

Dave Moore

"Right!?" Dave Moore chimes in as he walks into the lime green colored classroom. Wearing his varsity jacket, Dave is big man on campus, the quarterback of the football team and a burning hunk of masculine hotness. "I saw him this morning, though -- we had an early workout on the field. Big game is Friday night, woo! Yeah!"

Mr. Polensky

Moments later -- after the second bell has rung and class is already supposed to be underway, a teacher appears in the doorway holding an armful of papers. It is not Mr. Edge, but rather Mr. Polensky -- another teacher in the math department. He doesn't look himself; his hair is unkept, he's wearing a polo and a down vest instead of his usual button down shirt and tie, and his eyes are glassy. If the kids had to guess, they'd say he looks exhausted... or maybe stoned, or hungover.

"Mr. Edge isn't going to be here today," he says, proceeding into the room. "So... I'll stand in for him and -- and administer your test." Handing portions of the the stack of tests to the kids in the first rows of desks, he adds, "pass these back. You have until the bell to turn them in."

Dec 16, 2022 2:20 am

Zach chuckles in response to Lily's reaction towards Freddy. He says, "I would listen to her if I were you. If you get on her bad side, she'll write an article and share all your darkest secrets with the whole school."

He found himself a seat in the front of the room, so when Mr. Polensky hands him a stack of papers, Zach asks politely, "Are you alright, sir? You look tired."

Dec 16, 2022 2:58 am

"Dark secrets, man, no! Lily, you need, anything, anything at all, I'm your guy, just no stories." He pantomimes getting down on his knees and begging, which is a feat as they walk to the classroom.

Freddie sits at the side near the windows, and claps hands with Dave. "Friday night, baby! It's Badger Time."

When Polensky comes in looking full on Chucky Manson, Freddie frowns. He winks at Emily. "Good luck," he mouths with his lips, his eyes warm with gratitude for the work she's done for him.

Dec 16, 2022 3:13 am

This place is a mess…

Lily’s head starts to hum with all the screaming thus far about the big game. And while she shared the sentiment about early tests, she didn’t hope the man was sick.

And then Zach is bigging her up! Kind of…

She looks at him, with understanding passing between the two!

"Yes!" she says then, curling her fist in some comic book villain fashion.

"I could make you or break you, Solomon."

And then a villainous chuckle, that she quickly cuts short, in case she gets labeled as overly weird. She slinks into her desk and takes a test.

Scheisse…

Dec 16, 2022 3:31 am

Emily huffs out an exasperated breath and glares at Kelly Unger.

What a mean thing to say. Pretty girls get to say all the shit they want and get away with it.

Totally not what she expected to see in this classroom today. But oh well.
Taking the sheet she slaps it down on the desk and rubs her eyes wearily.

Ok get it together and ace the test Emily. Her own little cheerleading section.

"Thanks Freddie. You too," she mouths back.

Dec 16, 2022 5:47 am

The Math Test - 838AM

It doesn't take long for the students who aren't already "in position" to find and take their seats. Calculators are out, pencils are ready, names are written at the tops of the first page... and then they begin!

Mr. Polensky stands at the front of the class, watching, looking from teen to teen as the class starts working. He doesn't answer Zach, but the boy, sitting up front, does see that the man's shirt is stained. Definitely should have gone through the wash before wearing it to school.

Minutes pass -- five... ten... twenty... thirty... and it becomes clear that the test is no simple affair. This is Precalculus, and anyone who knows better realizes that Mr. Edge is just trying to prepare the kids for college-level math...

OOC:

Academics check, please, to see how you do. If your studying was successful before, add +1 to you roll!

Dec 16, 2022 5:49 am

Zach focuses on the test, forgetting the room around him for the time being. He studied all this. He knows math. He should be able to do well.

...And as he gets deeper into the test, Zach realizes that every problem is exactly what he studied for. He moves through the test very quickly and confidently and even ends up handing it in early, a satisfied smile on his lips.

Last edited December 16, 2022 5:54 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Academics - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (7) = 7

1D6 : (6663) = 21

Dec 16, 2022 5:54 am

OOC:

I daren’t dream…

OOC:

Re-roll that shit!

Last edited December 16, 2022 7:14 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Academics - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (2) - 1 = 1

Lily Palmer: Academics - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (3) - 1 = 2

1d6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

Dec 16, 2022 12:16 pm

Fred knows the material well enough, but he's hoping for excellent grades and this is a lot more than he was ready for. The questions swirl through his head enough that he isn't sure he got them all covered, but diligently makes his way through the exam booklet.

His eyes pass once or twice outside, watching the sky. Come on, brain, work better. Focus!

Last edited December 16, 2022 12:19 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Academics - (1d6+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

1d6+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

Dec 16, 2022 3:21 pm

Emily swallows her disappointment after taking a quick look at Mr. Edge's stand-in.

He's a poor substitute, especially with his stained shirt. Gross!

She glances at her new friends and then begins. School is generally easy for her and math is her best subject so it should be a cakewalk.

OOC:

Benny time!

Last edited December 16, 2022 3:22 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Academics - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Emily Richardsen: Academics - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Dec 17, 2022 1:19 am

Period 2 - 930AM

Mr. Polensky

The room grows warm as the minutes tick by, pencils scratching and erasers erasing. It almost seems like the heat is on, but then the bell rings and Mr. Polensky wordlessly collects the tests. (He'd only answered Zach, earlier, with a deadpan look.) When the students, some of them disheartened by how hard the test was, start to flie out, the teacher just walks to Mr. Edge's desk, where he opens a drawer and deposits his armfull of papers.

OOC:

Failures are just that. Fred will end up with a C or a B... Zach gets a perfect grade and an A+. And hey, for that crazy roll, Zach, take +1 Benny. Speaking off -- you'll need to adjust your sheets I see, as you can have more than three Bennies.

Have a scene here where you talk and then have to head off to different classes. We'll resume at lunchtime shortly.

Dec 17, 2022 3:53 am

"That was great!" Zach announces as the group gathers outside the classroom, a huge grin on his face. "I hope every test at this school will be as easy as this one."

OOC:

Harrigan claims he looked over my sheet but didn't see my edges...

Dec 17, 2022 4:07 am

Emily shakes her head as she looks at the first page of the test and then the next...did she study the wrong material or what? Sure she can skate through half the test, do it in her sleep almost, but what was this? And this?

Laying her forehead in her hand, the page almost swimming before her eyes she resolves to do the best she can and make it up later.

Relieved by the bell she rushes into the hall. She needs air and her blood almost boils over when Zach mentions the test was great.

"It wasn't great and it wasn't easy, Zach come on." Ordinarily she'd let something like that go but she was very disappointed in herself and her anger boiled up and took a swing at Zach.

Dec 17, 2022 4:29 am

"Oh," Zach says when he sees Emily's reaction and realizes that not everyone felt the same way he did about the test. "Shoot, sorry, I... I guess I just studied the right stuff."
He turns to Freddie and puts a hand on his shoulder. "How did you fare? Did my notes help at all?"

Dec 17, 2022 4:54 am

"Well, whatever…" Lily says, to no one and everyone, as she leaves the class.

"He can’t be bothered to show up and give us the test himself. It should have been delayed."

And then she lets out a deep billow of air, and tries to shake things off.

"It’s just the first test. Who cares." and she meant it.

"Anyway… Spanish should be easy." she says, to the others, trying to chirp up.

"Oh! Zach! Can you swing by the paper later and help me move some copies to the cafeteria? Pleeease! Sorry to ask!"

Her words say one thing, but the eyes she gives him tell another story.

Tell another story…

Last edited December 17, 2022 4:54 am

Dec 17, 2022 5:05 am

"Uhm," Zach turns his head to look at Lily. Why is she asking him? Freddie is right there and he's clearly the stronger one between them. But when he looks at Lily, there's something in her eyes that tells him there is more to it than just help moving stuff. "Sure," he agrees uncertainly. "Meet you there at the start of lunch break?

Dec 17, 2022 11:48 pm

Freddie scowls as he leaves the test. He did alright, but clearly Mr. Edge was punishing them for something. The surest way to keep them from their university dreams was to crash their GPAs. Hopefully he does better on the SATs when they come up, but this was a real blow to his plans. I've gotta get out of this place, if it's the last thing I ever do. The only consolation is that Emily looks more miserable than he feels, so it clearly wasn't his nerves. He pulls a bottle of antacids from his shoulder bag and pops too.

"Ugh, I don't feel well. I better go find Wendy, maybe she can rub my temples." He throws the unexpected shot over at Lily, after "The Look" she gave him earlier.

Dec 18, 2022 3:38 am

Emily sighs when Zach responds to her angry snap. She wishes people would shut up about the test already. She doesn't do well at failing at anything let alone her best subject. Maybe she should lay off the toking for awhile and be nicer. Besides it wasn't good for business.

"Hey, sorry Zach. I'm having a bad day and it's barely started. Ugh!"

What's with Freddie now?

She shrugs her shoulders when he makes the comment about Wendy and heads to class.

Dec 18, 2022 9:48 am

"Gracias!" Lily chimes, clearly happier now that Zach has agreed to help. She spins on her heel, waving the rest goodbye as she heads off to Spanish!

For Fred, she reserves a beautifully cast middle finger, into which she pours all of her annoyance at the test. Her face is all smiles, as she doesn’t rise to the bait.

She knows that by lunch they’ll all be their usual selves again, with stories of the morning’s classes to swap and share.

Dec 19, 2022 6:37 am

Period 4 - 1130am (Lunch B)

The quartet of friends all go their separate ways after math, heading off to their respective classes -- two of them, in fact, before the 'B' lunch period that starts at 11:30am. Lily has Language Arts with Wendy before they split and the freckled teen heads to her German class with Zach; Emily and Freddie have Mr. Lee's painfully boring history class, then they both end up in poly sci -- with Mr. McKenzie's often entertaining and sometimes inappropriate antics. Fred sees Priya in that class as well, and her pointed ignoring of him makes it really hard to concentrate. Almost as much as the skirt and the fitted tee worn by his former squeeze.

After the slightly weird experience in first period, the rest of Monday morning is mostly same-old same-old -- there's a routine already, even though school hasn't been in for a full month yet. The jokers joke, the flirters flirt, the wallflowers try to not be noticed, the rebels either just don't care, or pretend they don't when in fact they really do.

As the bell rings and the lunch period starts, the four friends come back together...

Harrigan sent a note to bowlofspinach

OOC:

Describe where your usual lunch spot it, and what game is on tap for today...

Dec 19, 2022 9:56 am

After German class, Zach wanders the halls on autopilot as he thinks about his teachers' weird behavior today and finds himself already with the hand on the cafeteria door handle when he realizes he promised Lily to help her out. He quickly turns around and searches for the rooms of the school paper instead. He hasn't been there before so it takes him a couple of minutes before he gets to it. As he approaches it, he remembers that strange look on Lily's face when she asked him to come here earlier, like there was clearly some other motive behind the request. As he knocks on the door, certain that Lily would already have gotten here before him, he closes his eyes and silently prays that she's not about to confess a crush on him or something. He's not sure he'd know how to navigate that.

Dec 19, 2022 10:09 am

"There you are!" comes the flustered cry of Lily, as Zach opens the door. She already holding a bundle of papers, which she pushes into his arms quickly.

"This is prime time for us, you know? Lots of traffic through the cafeteria at lunch." she says, grabbing up her own bundle of papers and closing the door of the room behind them.

With a sigh, she sets off. She pushes individual papers into the hands of students she passes in the hall.

Queen Elizabeth Dead; Boseman Reacts

She reads the front page headline with an exaggerated sigh.

"Not much of a story, is it?" her eyes search for Zach’s.

"‘One hundred year old woman dies’. Doesn’t scream 2022, does it?"

Dec 19, 2022 10:19 am

Zach dutifully takes the pile shoved into his hands, then reads over the title when Lily comments on it. "Well, it is news. She was pretty important," he says, not sounding convinced. "Not sure what you mean by 'doesn't scream 2022'. I mean, this literally happened in 2022." He shrugs. "I guess you could write an article about how monarchies shouldn't exist anymore in the 21st century, but we don't even live in one. Not sure how relevant that would be to your readership." He keeps watching Lily's face as they're walking and talking, trying to get any hint of what this might be leading towards.

Dec 19, 2022 10:26 am

"Right, right! You’re so right. Relevance. That’s what we are after!" she says, chirpy and flattering.

"We need a story that’s more relevant to us these days. Know what I mean?"

Dec 19, 2022 10:33 am

Zach tries to offer papers to passing students as the two are walking but without Lily's enthusiasm and urgency behind it, he goes ignored and the pile in his arms does not shrink, unlike Lily's. "You sound like you have something in mind?" he suggests.

Dec 19, 2022 11:46 am

"Well…" she says, turning the corner and then standing in the doorway of the busy cafeteria. Not a second passes before someone barges passed.

"Asshole. Well…" she continues "… just have a think about it. If you think there’s a story that needs to be told around here, Wendy and I would love to hear it!"

She drops a stack of papers on the closest table to the exit. And then she grabs the other stack off Zach, and plops them down alongside. She meets his gaze as they pass off the papers.

"Just think about it!"

Last edited December 19, 2022 11:47 am

Dec 19, 2022 12:01 pm

Zach blinks at her in surprise. He thinks for a moment, then says, "I can't think of anything right now but if you want, I'll try to think about it." He genuinely tries to come up with any idea but comes up empty. He glances over to their group table and already wants to suggest to just join the others there but then doesn't. He still has the feeling there might have been something else. After all, Lily could have just asked the full group to brainstorm ideas if that was all. He puts a hand on her shoulder and squeezes supportively for a moment. "If you do have any ideas, feel free to run them by me any time." He puts on a playful grin for a moment. "And no worries. If they suck, I won't tell anyone."
Then he nods to the table. "Let's go see what weird game Fred dug out today?"

Last edited December 19, 2022 12:02 pm

Dec 19, 2022 8:00 pm

Freddie chews his antacids. Ever since the accident he's been a nervous wreck, no matter how well he conceals it from the student body with his practiced suave charm. After the poor math performance though, he's greener than usual.

"Emily, that was way harder than we prepared for. I think I did okay, but oh my god that's going to wreck my average. I need comfort food, a sub sandwich or something, maybe from that Vietnamese shop on third? You want to come?"

He wonders briefly what she looks like without those Dorkmaster 3000 eyeglasses.

Dec 19, 2022 8:14 pm

"Don't worry. It's just the first one. I'm sure if you ask nicely, Mr. Edge will give you a chance to make it up. Maybe some extra work or something. Don't laugh but your tutor studied the wrong material."

Emily was unsure of what to do next. She didn't want to be pushy but she really needed to move some product if she was ever going to start her own operation. She also was developing a crush on the boy. This one was at least attainable unlike her infatuation with Mr. Edge.

"I have an idea, Freddie. It's not comfort food exactly but how about we smoke a joint after school?" Emily's mouth went dry. It looked like her nerves were starting to jangle too.

She quickly added, "It really helps to calm frayed nerves and you seem a little... um ... tense, if you don't mind me saying so."

She caught Freddie studying her and managed to fend off a blush as she waited for an answer to what she hoped wasn't too forward a question..

Dec 19, 2022 8:23 pm

"At lunch time, or after school? Wow. You know, that sounds really good. I can drop my sister's off at home then we can go down to the riverside. That should be a good spot."

He shrugs. His experience with pot has been a few tokes mainly for show at a party.

Dec 19, 2022 8:59 pm

"We have the games at lunch I think, right? But yeah, that sounds like a good plan. I love the river here. It's really peaceful. But I have to run home first though. I don't ... you know ... have it on me. You'll like it. It's mellow. So it's a date then?"

Gah!

She didn't mean to say date and all the connotations it implied, but it slipped out and hung in the air like a big awkward question mark.

Dec 19, 2022 9:18 pm

Freddie blinks at her but his face lights up. "You're on, it's a date!" She's into me. I could ask her to the dance so I can meet up with Priya, if Clutch comes through.

Dec 19, 2022 10:16 pm

"Do we have time to get to that Vietnamese place you mentioned and get back in time for the rest of lunch? You've been holding out on me Freddie. I love Vietnamese food. I didn't think there would be one here in this small town. That's great!"

Emily didn't mind Vietnamese food but she didn't love it. She had no idea who was doing the talking. I mean the words were coming out of her mouth but they weren't really hers.

Dec 19, 2022 10:21 pm

"Damn, no. Shit, I was really set on that. After school then, good munchy food. I brought a game to try, it's called Carcassone. Should be savage. I think you try and kill the pope."

His stomach revolts in the change in plans and the thought that if they were late for lunch they might have to eat that macaroni war crime.

Dec 20, 2022 2:50 am

The Lunchroom - 1150am

Clutch

"Fred! Yoooo Freddie!" Tyke Tailor says as he spots his teammate and that mousy girl he sometimes hangs out with. Clutch isn't aware that he's interrupting a bit of a moment between the pair, nor that he's just cut off Lily and Zach on their way to the table.

"Dude! DOOD. I talked to Priya. She is totally going to the Homecoming dance, and she totally doesn't have a date! I mean, she does... but it's Cameron Bakshu. Her chubby gal-pal, man! They're like just going as friends. Door is wiiiiiiide open, Brah!"

Dec 20, 2022 3:22 am

Fred high fives Clutch, and says, "You're the bomb, dude, you're just..." he begins his trademark chant, "... so ... Clutch!" He laughs, and then his neck goes super hard and stiff. "Later dude!" He almost doesn't want to look, but has to look at Emily.

He shrugs, and says, "I have a hard time letting go. Loyalty is a virtue, right? Right?"

Dec 20, 2022 3:53 am

Emily thinks Freddie is cute in a goofy sort of way and not at all stuck up like a lot of the kids from her old school. She's also glad he doesn't think she's a dork with her silly date comment.

"Um, yeah, sure. Loyalty." She tries hard not to make it obvious that she's a little uncomfortable with that concept.

Dec 20, 2022 4:11 am

Zach also somehow looks a bit unhappy about this. "So, Freddie, you're asking out Priya for the dance?" he asks, sounding nervous.

Dec 20, 2022 4:28 am

"Priya? Nah, she's off limits. I'm hoping to dance with her though. Why, were you going to ask her out? Hey that would be great. You should do that. Just, if you're okay and know that I'm going to horn in on her." Fred isn't sure what Zach is going on about. He had made that "she's cute" comment about Priya so he was probably just sweet on her.

Dec 20, 2022 4:56 am

"Me? What, no," Zach replies. "No, I'm going with Emily, remember?"

He hesitates a moment, letting his eyes move around the cafeteria in search of someone. "I was actually going to ask you something." He pauses when he realizes that might sound like he wants to ask Freddie out. I wish, he thinks.
"You know my sister, Rose?" Zach asks, pointing her out at a table across the room where she's sitting with some of her friends. "I was wondering... She's definitely going to show up with some jock from our year and, well, I would really prefer that to be you rather than, say, Banks. Someone who would treat her like a gentleman." He shrugs. "I don't know. Probably a lot to ask. You're cute enough that you must have girls lining up to go with you."

Dec 20, 2022 5:02 am

Lily sees Wendy, tray in hand, and waves her over. She subtly puts a finger gun to her head, and pulls the trigger, as Clutch and the boys go about their business.

"Ugh… that looks grim." she says, eyeing the tray of lunch food.

"And they never think about anything else." she says, rolling her eyes.

Lily and Wendy had agreed to be ‘dates’ for the Homecoming dance. There was year book stuff to get done, and the following week promised to be a big one for the paper. They’d even gone ‘dress shopping’ together.

Smart casual…

Taking Wendy by the arm, Lily plops down beside Emily.

"So what were you two talking about?" she says, innocently enough.

Dec 20, 2022 5:42 am

Freddie stops and looks at Zach? "Seriously dude? Your sister?" He looks at the girl but wonders what the catch is.

"Why do you think I'm a gentleman? You could be setting her up with bae who's crae crae." He chuckles and shows Zach the box. "Carcasonne! Been on my shelf for years but no one want to play it."

Dec 20, 2022 6:04 am

"Dancing with my sister," Zach points out seriously. "Nothing more." He then shrugs. "I just trust you more than most of the other guys she might be interested in going out with. Would I prefer if she just stayed home or went with one of her girls? Obviously. But that's not going to happen."

He takes the box from Freddie and opens it, digging around for the instructions. "As I said, just a thought."

Dec 20, 2022 6:11 am

Across the lunchroom, Rose can feel her brother's eyes on her, and she offers him a smile and the finger without thinking twice about it. Her friends laugh, but they all straighten up when Fred looks over as well... making all the smiles turn prettier.

Clutch

"Zach's sis is okay!" Clutch comments. "Might make Priya pretty jelly..."

Mr. Gromn

Across the cafeteria, the sound of banging, of a hammer or pipe pounding on the old heating registers sounds throughout the room. Mr. Gromn, the school's main janitor, is beating on the heating system. It's been on all morning, making the whole building unpleasantly warm.

Dec 20, 2022 9:09 am

"Next, they’ll be deciding what she’s allowed to wear to Homecoming…" Lily mutters to the other girls, as the boys haggle over Zach’s sister.

"Honestly."

Dec 20, 2022 4:17 pm

Emily listens to the group discussion intently but tries to let on that she is only sort of paying attention. She had forgotten that she agreed to go to the dance with Zach.

When did they decide that? She really needed to lay off the pot. It was doing a number on her memory. There was literature to support that but she had chosen that strain for other reasons and had pooh-poohed the memory side effects. Between the math test and now the dance date something had to change.

Meanwhile, as much as she was used to crude boys, she was in no mood for Clutch. He was so obnoxious.

"Let's try this game, Freddie .. Carca whatee now? I'll play. Never heard of it."

Then Lilly pokes her nose in and Emily responds. "Oh not much. We were going to get Vietnamese but we ran out of time. So who wants to play?"

Last edited December 20, 2022 4:19 pm

Dec 21, 2022 12:41 am

Lily gives Wendy a knowing look, and then responds to Emily:

"Oh yeah! That would have been nice!"

Then she turns to Wendy more fully and brings her two index fingers together at a point.

"Did you know?" she mouths, silently.

Then she snaps back around:

"Yeah, let’s play! We’re running out of time!"

Dec 21, 2022 2:56 am

Setting up the board with their bowls of soylent macaroni, Freddie explains the rules wrong, but Zach is there to actually read them. "Oh yeah, that's right," he says about four times.

"So you all have dates for Homecoming? I ain't got but shit, since Priya's parents caught us out by the ... well, they're not very pleased with me."

Dec 21, 2022 6:40 am

Wendy Lin

Wendy's eyes go from Lily to Emily, from Emily to Fred, and from Fred back to Lily. No, she answers with a subtle shake of her head. Lin is a good non-verbal communicator. She and her bestie can often make whole plans for after class with just a series of exchanged looks.

There's more banging and clanging from the work that the janitor is doing while the kids set up the game and get started, but then Zach sees it. Rose is inbound!

Rose Tidwell

"Hey bro," the short-haired brunette says as she comes close. She's wearing a spaghetti-strapped top, almost, it seems, to show Zach that she can. Sometimes the siblings are supportive of one another, and sometimes... well, they just aren't. "Little hot in here for a hoodie, ain't it? They say there's something wrong with the heat. Playing your little game or whatever, I see. Cool, cool. How was your test?"

Then turning to Fred, barely allowing Zach time to respond, Rose adds, "And hey, who's your friend? Are you going to introduce us or what?"

Dec 21, 2022 7:23 am

"You know how it is," Zach replies, acting cool despite his cheeks turning red at her calling out his hoodie. "I take this thing off, suddenly every girl in school is drooling all over me. Hard to get anything done that way."

When Rose turns to Fred, Zach throws the boy a look as well, giving him a smile and a nod in Rose' direction when she can't see him. "That guy's a jerk and definitely nobody you should want to know, Rosie," Zach then says as if trying to get rid of her. If he displayed any sign to his sister that he'd approve of her and Fred, she would lose all interest. "Go back to the kiddie table and let the grown-ups talk, alright?"

Dec 21, 2022 12:30 pm

Yeah, let the grown ups get back to their game of Carcassonne…

Lily chuckles to herself, and when Wendy gives her a questioning eye, she just shakes her head.

"Nothing!"

And then she turns to Freddy:

"Here’s my date, right here!" she says, putting an arm around Wendy! Then, she laughs!

"She asked me before the boys started lining up!" she follows up, with an exaggerated flick of the hair.

"Off the market!" she sighs!

Dec 21, 2022 12:49 pm

Zach turns his eyes to the two girls and looks them over curiously for a moment at that comment but then turns back to the conversation with Freddie and Rose without commenting.

Last edited December 21, 2022 12:50 pm

Dec 21, 2022 6:28 pm

"Freddie's right. The macaroni sucks." Emily lets the rubbery macaroni slide off her fork back onto the plate as she examines it with her head leaning slightly to the side as if it is a science experiment while she listens to the rules of the new game. They confuse her at first because of Freddie being all wrong but eventually, she gets them.

"You got caught? Doing what exactly? Inquiring minds wanna know, Freddie." Emily wears a shit-eating grin on her face. Wasn't teasing the way to a guy's heart along with a good punch on the arm? She also notices Zach's eyes wander to the other girls and wonders if she can get out of the dance date and try to go with Freddie instead. It was not that she didn't like Zach because she really did but Freddie was kind of a bad boy or pretended to be one and she liked that being an instigator herself.

Dec 21, 2022 8:13 pm

"Hi Rose. Wow you are a rose,, aren't you. Are you sure you're related to Zach? I'm glad to see that the hoodie thing isn't a family uniform, I think you look nice without it." He lets that awkward gem dangle a little.

"Hey, Rose, I've got a question I've been mulling over. Kind of private through. Do you have time after school for a bit of a head to head?" He gives his best charming smile.

He is ignoring Emily'a question for a better moment.

Dec 21, 2022 8:39 pm

Emily's brow furrows as she becomes briefly mystified. "Uh Freddie, weren't we planning to ... um ... study after school down by the river? Biology of estuarine diversity or something?"

Too late she realized they needed to be near an ocean as well as a river to be a proper estuarine environment but she hoped none of the kids knew that. She was surprised and maybe even a little hurt that he had forgotten their date already, or was he really just a cad? And did she sound like a total nerd with her estuarine biology? She wanted to sell to the rest of the kids too but this was kind of an alone thing, or so she had hoped.

Dec 22, 2022 12:15 am

Lily gives Wendy a sad face, and puppy dog eyes on Emily’s behalf. There’s a look between the two for a second as they do some practiced telepathy.

"Wendy and I are hanging out at the paper after school. If… if you need a study partner. Partners." she says, exaggerating the ‘s’.

Dec 22, 2022 12:38 am

Freddie nods at Emily, waiting for Rose to agree to the meet up. "And that will be great! All those estuaries to memorize, over vietnamese subs."

Dec 22, 2022 1:08 am

"Riiight. Great."

Three's a crowd. Emily heaves a mental sigh but on the other hand, it's business and Freddie was either a dummy or just not interested in her. But hell, they'd have fun and get high, munching on subs.

Dec 22, 2022 8:44 am

Rose Tidwell

"Rude!" Rose says to her brother when he basically tells her to run along, then she quiets for a moment as a bunch of other chatter flits this way and that. Then Fred -- OMG Fred asks her to meet after school?!

"Um... yeah!" she says quickly, but then her eyes are on Zach and she draws him close for an urgent whisper. "Can you just tell dad I'll find my own way home? That I'm staying after for a teacher meeting?"

Before Zach can do much more than nod or shake his head, there's talk of this other girl coming, and Rose narrows her eyes slightly at Emily. The pot girl.

"Oh. So three of us? What's it... what's up?" she asks Freddie, ignoring Lily, who is now going on about another after-school meeting.

Mr. Gromn

"Listen Romero, it can't be fixed here!" Mr. Gromn shouts to himself after a final crash scares half the lunchroom. Looking thoughtful for a moment after gathering up his tools, he snaps his fingers and heads out of the cafeteria, muttering to himself about how he might know what the problem is.

Dec 22, 2022 8:58 am

"And why would I do that?" Zach challenges his little sister with a huge grin. "Lie for you, I mean. What's in it for me?"

He then also looks confused between Emily and Freddie. "Yeah, what the hell are you playing at, Solomon?" he asks the boy. Then, leaning conspiratorially towards Rose, he stage-whispers, "See, told you he's a weirdo."

Dec 22, 2022 1:43 pm

Lily shrugs, unperturbed by Emily’s shaky committal in response to Lily’s gesture to not have her swinging in the wind in front of everyone.

"Well, thats where we’ll be."

She tosses her game pieces back into the box, as they’re clearly not actually going to get to this today, and picks at Wendy’s tray.

"Gross." she laments.

Last edited December 23, 2022 1:17 am

Dec 22, 2022 3:36 pm

Emily's glare meets Rose's but rather than stare daggers at here she offers a weak smile and lightens up on the daggers. She's new and has to fit in or life here will be miserable.

Suck it up buttercup, her dad used to say and that phrase crossed her mind now.

"We are studying by the river. You guys can go ahead after school and I'll stop home first or you can come with."

Dec 22, 2022 6:27 pm

Freddie is suddenly caught between a rock and a hard place, and how did this happen? No wing man. Norm would have his back, rather than these sharks.

"It won't be long, Rose, just a few minutes to talk before you slap me and we all laugh and cry and hug and grow. Emily and I do have to study this afternoon, and I have to drive my sisters home first anyway."

He looks at Lily, watching her put the pieces away. He can't blame her, and offers her an understanding half smile.

Last edited December 22, 2022 6:28 pm

Dec 22, 2022 7:21 pm

Wendy smacks Lily's hand away from her food, then they begin a quiet fork duel while Rose just looks puzzled.

Rose Tidwell

"What?" she simply says, wrinkling her nose a little as she looks at her brother. Is she actually looking to him for support? Maybe.

"The river," she says, slightly questioningly. "I don't have a car. I mean I just got my license. But I'd need a ride if we're going there. But why are we going there? So... we can talk for a few minutes?"

Wendy Lin

There's the sound of an entire box full of board game contents being accidentally elbowed from the table, and suddenly Carcassonne is allll over the floor.

"Ep!" Wendy manages, the instant after she mistakenly knocks the box from the table. She was defending a particularly deft fork-thrust from Lily and spazzed out for a moment. "Sorry!"

Getting up and kneeling down, she starts collecting all the pieces off the gross cafeteria floor.

Clutch

"Brah, I gotta bounce. Text later," Clutch suddenly says, heading off before he can be pressed into clean-up service.

Dec 22, 2022 8:35 pm

Emily wonders if Rose is deaf as she already mentioned they were going to be studying.

"Some studying for an estuarine project, Rose. It might be longer than a few minutes though. You might get bored."

Then the game lands on the floor and Emily squats down to help pick up the pieces. Shaking her head at Clutch for being such a dufus with his hip lingo and not offering to help, she decides he's an idiot not worthy of any more attention.

Dec 22, 2022 8:44 pm

"Look, you want to talk to my little sister, fine," Zach says to Freddie. If Rose is feeling weird about that, of course he'll support her. She's his sister after all, even if she's a bit of a pain in the ass. "But you don't need to drag her to some river for it. There's enough quiet corners in the school to exchange a handful of sentences."

When the game lands on the floor, Zach sighs. He throws Rose another look, then ducks under the table to help with picking the pieces back up.

Dec 23, 2022 1:24 am

"Hey!" Lily exclaims, laughing, as Wendy slaps away her hand.

"I didn’t know you’d defend some rubbery macaroni with your life!" she continues, stabbing at the stuff with the spare utensils.

And then the pieces are everywhere. A mocking cheer goes up from the surrounding tables.

And then Lily is on the ground with Wendy, picking up slightly sticky pieces; having to really pry some off the floor with her nail. Her hands come back all gunky!

"Looks about as good as that Macaroni up there!" she says, looking at her hand, and then sharing a look with Wendy, as she frantically picks up the pieces.

"Hey…" she stage whispers to her friend.

"… let’s go wash up. They…" she says, throwing her eyes to the others "… seem busy today."

Last edited December 23, 2022 1:26 am

Dec 23, 2022 1:54 am

Freddie looks at Emily. "Did I invite everyone to the river? What's happening here?" He laughs, and loses interest in Rose, she's clearly a bit strange, and he's too nervous to sort this out.

Dec 23, 2022 4:36 pm

Emily sighs and resists the urge to shake her head and merely says, "Did you?" Inspecting her hands she realizes that some gooey macaroni crud is on her fingers.

"I'm going to wash up. You have to wonder what this stuff does to a body. It's pretty gross."

Last edited December 23, 2022 4:36 pm

Rose Tidwell

Dec 24, 2022 5:48 am

Rose Tidwell

Rose panics a little when the invitation -- to whatever -- starts to evaporate. She's sure they aren't going to study whatever it was Emily was talking about, and if it was any kind of party or chance to get wrecked... innocent-looking Rose was in. She hip-checks Zach to bump him out of the conversation and smiles at Freddie.

"Wait -- what? No, I'm in -- and I'll find a ride to the river, okay? Cool? Just tell me what time. Like four, four-thirty?"

OOC:

As we wrap up here, who is doing what after school? I have Emily heading home to get drugs, then heading for the river. Fred planning to be there... what about Lily and Zach? Maybe another meet up at the school paper office?

Oh, and yes, KCC, American kids would absolutely laugh if the board game got dumped on the floor.

Dec 24, 2022 10:29 am

OOC:

Yep, Lily and Wendy exiting to wash up, with Emily in hot pursuit (unless she goes to another bathroom). And then on to the paper after school.

The only people not invited to the event of the century down by the river. Whatever it may end up being!

Rose Tidwell

Dec 25, 2022 9:40 pm

After School (335pm) - Rose and Zach

Rose Tidwell

Rose's eyes are on their dad's car as she speaks lowly to her brother, like they are a pair of spies in the cold war.

"Alright, so you're clear? I'm studying Spanish at Stacey's, I'll have dinner over there, and Stacey's mom will drop me off later. Don't screw up my story, okay? I'll text him when I know what time I'll be home."

OOC:

Don't feel pressured to just break and go here -- cool to converse about other things with your sis as well.

Wendy Lin

Dec 25, 2022 9:43 pm

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

"So... we are going to the thing together, right? The homecoming soiree?" Wendy is asking as the two girls head for the school paper office. It's warm in the building -- uncomfortably warm. The heat is absolutely on, and has been all day. It's mid to high 80s at least in the school.

"You're sure you don't want to hold out hope that Captain Dorkalot doesn't ask you? I mean he's not going to, but it might be amusing to watch your hopes and dreams get shattered. Again."

Mr. Edge

Dec 25, 2022 9:52 pm

Mr. Edge

Emily

After the last bell, Emily is waiting for her brother near the main doors as the minutes tick by, and as the kids who don't have extra curricular practices and other activities clear out, climb onto busses and otherwise head home. There's no sign of Steve, but she does catch sight of Mr. Edge. He's smartly dresses as usual, but she's not sure what's he's doing -- standing near one of the large flower beds beside the school... smelling pansies, and the chrysanthemums?

Brittany Maidstone

Dec 25, 2022 9:58 pm

Freddie

Fred's sisters are waiting for their ride home after school ends, but as the boy heads towards where they are waiting on a bench, he hears someone say his name.

Brittany Maidstone

"Freddie Solomon? Got a minute?"

It's Ms. Maidstone. Her hair is up in a ponytail as she's just finished teaching a gym class, and she looks ridiculously hot in her t-shirt and dark, hip-hugging yoga pants.

OOC:

Do Fred's sister know about Maidstone acting as a bit of a mentor for him?

Dec 26, 2022 1:25 am

"Of course!" Lily chimes, chirpy as anything.

"Why?" she says, suddenly changing her tone! "You… you don’t want to go with me?" she says. She stops walking then, and crosses her arms. She starts to stomp her feet.

"You can just say so!" she pouts. And then she breaks the act of the slightly unstable girlfriend and laughs.

"You have someone you’d rather go with?"

Lily didn’t know what answer she hoped for…

Then she laughs awkwardly.

"Dreams shattered! Yep, that’s me!"

Wendy Lin

Dec 26, 2022 2:23 am

Lily and Wendy - Outside the School Paper Office

Wendy Lin

Wendy's expression is incredulous as Lily pantomimes being a psycho girlfriend with disturbing ease. "How about anyone!" she fake-shouts at her friend when she's asked about who she'd rather go with, and then the Asian-American girl is laughing as well, making the moment more awkward still.

It's hanging in the air between them. Are they serious? Kidding because they are serious? Kidding because...

Lily puts a lid back on the box they've both been toying with peeking into with her Dreams shattered! comment, but but before Wendy can respond, she sees something over her friend's shoulder that widens her eyes.

"Um... uh... check that out..." the freckled teen says quietly, gesturing with her dark eyes. Her voice is a whisper then. "Be subtle! No sudden moves!"

OOC:

Stealth check please, Lily!

Dec 26, 2022 2:27 am

OOC:

How many bennies will I need to save this thing?

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (6664) = 22

Dec 26, 2022 2:38 am

Oh man, where the hell is he already? Watching the kids filing out with that school is over energy she searched for Steve's car. Patience was never her strong suit and she started pacing as she became more and more annoyed at her undependable brother.

No doubt he's chatting some girl up leaving me looking like a lump.

She was still subconscious about being the new girl and waiting around alone made her squirm.

"Is that ....?" Emily whispers to herself as she thinks she sees the delectable Mr Edge which totally makes her annoyance with Steve disappear. Squinting and craning her head in his direction she realizes it is him and walks over, her curiosity peaked.

"Hi Mr. Edge. How are you? I ... we missed you this morning for the test. Were you ... do you mind if I ask what you are doing with the flowers? Is everything ok?" Her words tumbled out and she realized she was flustered and now she felt foolish. "I love pansies. Need some help?"

Dec 26, 2022 2:50 am

Lily and Wendy

OOC:

With that roll you can probably crawl up into the ceiling and plant a mic and camera! Also, take a Benny.

Lily can tell by the look in Wendy's eyes that her friend is serious, so she is the very embodiment of subtle as she turns and chances a look behind her.

The door to the school's Language Center is open, and Palmer can see two people inside, standing face to face. Face to face about one foot apart, and completely motionless as they stare into one another's eyes. It's Mr. Polensky and Ms. Romanov -- both looking disheveled and like they had skipped showers and fresh clothes this morning. Rumors abounded about the way the married math teacher would sneak lusty glances at the younger Russian-American; rumors that often included them getting it on during various field trips, like the ski trip last year.

Whether the rumors were true or not, Romanov rarely showed romantic interest in the man on school premises, so if that... was what this... weirdness was... it was weird.

Mr. Edge

Dec 26, 2022 3:05 am

Emily and Mr. Edge

Mr. Edge

Turning when he hears a voice, Mr. Edge sees his student and squints handsomely for a moment before he smiles.

"Emily Richardsen, one of my most accomplished students. It's nice to see you, Emily. Sorry I missed the test this morning, something came up."

When the girl asks what he's doing with the flowers, whether everything is okay, and if she can help, the man's charming smile widens.

"I'm just appreciating beauty, Emily. Appreciating fragrance." His eyes are locked on her as he says this, and suddenly the teen isn't sure he's talking about flowers...

He's closer to her now, so tall, and he smells so good. "Sometimes we're so busy, Emily, that we look right past the most amazing things. The things that are sometimes right in front of us."

His smile has become wistful as he cocks his head. "Do you know what I mean? To not realize how you feel about something until you slow down and really pay attention to it?"

Dec 26, 2022 4:27 am

Freddie looks over and sees Ms. Maidstone.

He holds up a finger to his sisters at the car. His relationship with them is strained, a household full of dark corners no one shines a light into. He knows that he's got to be something more to them, but he had no idea on how to do that. Every ride he thinks of ways to break the thickening ice, but they end up mostly driving in silence.

"Ms. Maidstone, hello. How was your day?" Lame! Think of something chill to say. He moves over to her and concentrates on looking her in the eyes. "My lats seem to be loosening a bit. Those exercises you suggested might be doing the trick." The accident had left him with several odd muscle knots that he is trying to undo with physio, and she's helped him a lot.

Dec 26, 2022 4:43 am

"Or maybe I'll just tell him that this really cute older boy invited you to hang out at some secluded river with his other girlfriend," Zach grins, bumping Rose with his elbow before speeding up his steps to get to the car waiting for them.
Rose doesn't have time to complain before they're in earshot of their father and both climb into the car, Zach taking the front passenger seat, relegating Rose to the backseat.

"How was your test?" Mr. Tidwell asks as he navigates off the overpopulated school parking lot.

"Easy," Zach says. "I got into some trouble with Emily for saying so. She apparently had some trouble. But I'm pretty sure I should have a near-perfect grade."

"I so hope your smug ass failed it," Rose comments, earning the siblings an eyeroll from their father.

The drive to their small house near the edge of town passes mostly in silence, with Zach almost able to feel the glares Rose is shooting into the back of his head. He has no intention of telling on her, but he enjoys the fact that she doesn't know that for certain. They get out of the car and both teens head into their respective rooms. With an exhausted breath, Zach takes off his hoodie as well as the T-shirt underneath, then he peels out of his binder before quickly throwing his T-shirt back on. Luckily, he doesn't have a mirror in his room, so he doesn't have to look at himself. But as much as he loves his binder, it gets painful after a full day at school. And even though his home isn't nearly as hot as the school, getting out of the hoodie is a bit of a relief as well. He can't wait for winter when it will be a lot more appropriate.
Now feeling even more insecure about his appearance than the baseline at school, Zach gets up from his bed again and stretches. It's just his family here and as much as he'd love to be a perfect boy around them as well - it would probably help with the occasional she still slipping out about him - he can't do that at home, 24/7.

He then heads out of his room and towards Rose', knocking on her door. "Panicking about what to wear to Stacey's?" he teases through the door, pretty certain that she is fretting about her wardrobe right now. "I'm pretty sure she liked your tanktop well enough during lunch."

Brittany Maidstone

Dec 26, 2022 4:29 pm

Freddie and Maidstone

Brittany Maidstone

"Good," Maidstone says with a smile when asked about her day, and she follows up with the same response when Fred brings up his rehab. "And good, keep up with them. You're coming along nicely, but you have a ways to go yet."

Having Maidstone as basically a personal trainer at times has been quite the experience for Freddie Solomon -- she's unquestionably helped him recover physically from the accident, but her proximity in those sessions, her hands on him... it was about all a teenaged boy could take.

The woman's eyes -- where the boy continues to focus, despite that being a challenge -- go to his sisters on the bench. "I just wanted to ask how everything was at home. With your sisters, your step mother. With you." Her hand goes to his muscular shoulder and rubs it warmly. "Physically, you're recovering well. But how is everyone doing emotionally? You have access to counseling services through the school -- don't forget that. Make sure Belinda knows that, okay?"

Rose Tidwell

Dec 26, 2022 4:41 pm

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

Opening her door without a word, Rose reaches out, grabs Zach by the hand and drags him into the room. She's in her underwear, and sure enough, has her closet door open. She's trying to choose an outift. It's been a little while since Zach has seen her not wearing much, and he notes that she now looks a lot less adolescent and a lot more young woman.

"You think?" she asks, glancing the tank top she peeled off and dropped on the floor. "I couldn't tell. I couldn't tell a lot of things in that conversation -- it was weird! But I'm still trying to find my peeps at the school, so... like why not go? Right?"

Seeing that Zach has removed his binder, Rose gestures a little with her eyes. "How are things going... for you? How are you handling gym class or whatever? Does anyone know yet?"

Dec 26, 2022 5:29 pm

"It was weird," Zach agrees. He walks next to his sister to look into her closet with her. "I'm not really sure what to think about that conversation, or his weird maybe-half-invitation to the river." He puts an arm around his sister's shoulders - something he's been doing less often since she started getting more annoyed at any big sibling behavior he displays towards her. "Emily is nice. I'm sure you two will get along. And Freddie... Well, he is a jock, but at least he's not a total asshole. I think. So have fun today. Just... don't be disappointed if it doesn't go the way you want. I really can't tell what Freddie's intentions were during lunch."

As she asks about gym class, he lets out a heavy breath. "It's been going okay so far," he says. "I'm scared to death every single time I enter that stupid changing room but nothing bad has happened yet. Except the smell of course," he adds with a grin. " Nobody at school knows yet." He lets go of her and leans towards her closet, looking over the clothes inside. "Now, let's pick you an outfit." He reaches inside and pulls out a top that, while still sleeveless, reveals a lot less skin than what she was wearing at school. "Maybe something that won't make him wonder what you charge for an hour."

Dec 26, 2022 6:35 pm

Freddie tries to be breezy about these things. Honestly, he has a hard time thinking around the inordinately hot teacher. His ears buzz, and it is mostly the pain and the work of the physiotherapy that she has guided him through that made her presence tolerable. At least once, she had to have seen he had a boner, but never said anything about it.

"My sisters are coping. I wish I knew what to say to them. There is a such a wall between us, all that pain and confusion. Belinda is I don't even know what's going on with her. If she was day drinking I'd at least have a handle on her."

He thinks about the counseling and inwardly shudders. He has too much guilt feelings from the accident to even know where to start dealing with that. And what would the girls say? Would it all come out? "I'll talk to Debby and Sarah, and let them know there is help."

Dec 26, 2022 6:43 pm

Emily's face instantly flushed into a deep red color at the unexpected compliment from Mr. Edge. Her thoughts turned to sap and she resisted the urge to drop her jaw in astonishment.

Was he really talking about her?

Now she knew what was meant by a deer being caught in the headlights. Big time. She couldn't move, she couldn't think. Were their breaths mingling? Did she just feel a tug of desire?

Finally emerging from her stupor she replied, "Um ... I ... think so?" But she couldn't look at him and instead stared hard at a flower.

Last edited December 26, 2022 6:44 pm

Rose Tidwell

Dec 27, 2022 7:05 am

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

"I don't even know how I want it to go," Rose says as she makes her I'm not twelve face and rejects Zach's suggested shirt. Ignoring his hooker comment, as she always does, the teen grabs a Forever 21 babydoll tank top that her parents don't know she has, then starts looking for a short skirt that'll go with it. Something to barely cover her thong.

She eyes her brother's chest during the process. "How... has no one noticed in gym class? Are they blind? I mean I know you wear a binder, but still. I guess maybe people don't see things where they don't expect to see them. I think what you're doing is brave, Zach. But... someone's going to find out at some point, right?"

Soon enough, two skirts and a pair of short-shorts are laid out on the girl's bed, and she's using her phone, checking her texts before she tries on her outfits. "Ah! Macro is almost here! He's going to be my ride! Do not tell mom and dad that."

OOC:

Why doesn't Zach like Marco, other than the fact that he has already graduated from high school but seems to mostly like hanging out with high school girls?

Brittany Maidstone

Dec 27, 2022 7:14 am

Freddie and Maidstone

Brittany Maidstone

Brittany Maidstone's already warm smile turns gentle, and a little sad. "I can't imagine what it's been like for you three. Both of my folks are still alive, and we talk all the time. Just make sure you're there for each other -- and yeah, let your sisters know about counseling." There's a moment of pause and things get a little weird before Maidstone lifts her eyebrows. "And make sure their brother knows too, about the available counseling. It really can make a difference, Fred."

She doesn't comment on Belinda or the day-drinking -- or the various passes Mr. Solomon made at her over the years. Some things were better left unsaid.

"Alright, I'll let you go, I know they're waiting for you. Keep up the good work and see you in gym tomorrow."

Mr. Edge

Dec 27, 2022 7:32 am

Emily and Mr. Edge

Mr. Edge

Mr. Edge continues to look at Emily Richardsen intently -- so intently that she can't meet this eyes and instead focuses on the flowers she saw him enjoying. They are pretty, but it's difficult to focus on anything beyond imagining the man's hands, his lips on her. She's thought of him often, after all. At night, in the shower, that one time at--

"Emily," the suave math teacher says as he carefully picks a posie and lifts her chin so he can put it behind her ear while he looks her in the eyes, "here."

His fingers linger for a moment on her face, her cheek. Strong but gentle fingers that make her skin tingle, and promise of what might be.

"Beautiful," he says as he eventually drops his hand, grazing -- accidentally or otherwise -- the outside of one of the girl's breasts. "You should come for tutoring sometime. Not that you need it for the math we're doing. But I could help you with more advanced... subjects."

Dec 27, 2022 7:46 am

"You know the binder makes a difference," Zach says meekly. Rose' comments are making him queasy. And they definitely won't help his confidence the next time he has to change for gym class. Maybe he should get himself excused again. It wouldn't be the first time. And Ms. Maidstone is one of the few teachers who has been told about him so she is generally understanding. "And I guess I change quickly. I..."

He shrugs uncomfortably and breaks off, instead eyeing his sister's choice of clothing unhappily. "You don't need to dress like that, Rose," he tells her, even though he knows it won't change her mind. It never does. "You're really pretty. You have beautiful eyes. Let boys look at them instead of your boobs for a change." He sits down on her bed. "Marco?" he then asks, feeling even worse about his sister's choice of outfit now than before. He can already imagine the guy's greedy eyes wandering all over her body the entire ride. "I don't get why you even give this guy the time of day. Just because he has a car? He's just a creep who's way too fixated on highschool girls. And feels the need to carry a gun everywhere he goes for some reason. Seriously, does that not make you uncomfortable?"

Dec 27, 2022 9:40 am

Lily turns back around and gives Wendy a look that’s half bewildered, full smirk.

"They’re so… weird." she sniggers.

Then she stops dead, and her features becomes plain and expressionless. She jerks her arms up sudden, robotic-like.

"You… will… join… the… Borg. Do… not… resist."

She’d never seen Star Trek, so she wasn’t sure that’s what they did. At at glance, an onlooker might think she was doing a Cybermen impression from Doctor Who.

"Do… not… resist… Wen… dy!"

Then they both look back and watch a moment, to see how long it takes for them to stop.

Dec 27, 2022 5:21 pm

Emily's eyes continue to be fixated on the flowers. There is no way she's meeting those eyes but her peripheral vision picks up their intensity. Her palms are sweaty now and there's a lump in her throat. She thinks she might be holding her breath but she isn't sure as her heart is thundering so loudly.

This is wrong!

His voice wraps around her senses especially when he says her name and when he grazes her cheek she feels as if she will melt into a puddle on the ground. The other noises, kids talking loudly, cars zooming away, are reduced to a distant muffle. Her world is right here, right now and she's terrified.

This is soooo wrong!

She finally regains the ability to talk. "Uh, tutoring? Um, sure. So college calculus?"

Dec 27, 2022 5:55 pm

Freddie smiles gratefully at Ms. Maidstone, using that uncertain shy smile boys have of trying to convey sincere gratitude while maintaining the required appearance of manly detachment.

He looks for Rose but doesn't see her. I guess she wasn't interested.

He texts Emily as he walks to the car. One bar? Stupid Cricket, I've got to switch, as soon as I cash in my points, he says, a daily mantra.

Em, meet at river? let me no if need pin

At his car he sees the girls. "Hey, howza?" He holds out his fist for a bump as the car unlocks itself. "I'll drop you off at home then I'm going to study. Think Belinda cooked today? Oh, and what do you know about that new girl, Rose? Zack's little sister."

Rose Tidwell

Dec 28, 2022 7:52 am

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

"Jeeze, look," Rose says as she slides on her top and pulls on the first skirt, "just because you're..."

The girl stops herself before adding bothered by breasts for obvious reasons, so she just lets that hang for a moment as she looks at herself in the nearly full-length mirror on the wall. Drawing a deep breath, Rose turns and admires her figure for a moment in the clingy tank top. "They're just body parts, Zach. That's all. Turns out boys kind of like them, and I kind of like boys, so... yeah. It works out."

When the talk turns to Marco, she rolls her eyes. "Oh, whatever. God! You can find something wrong with the best situation, can't you? He's okay. Marco's okay! He has that gun because there were gang members at the school last year, did you know that? He carries it for protection."

Wendy Lin

Dec 28, 2022 8:03 am

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

Wendy, who also has no idea what the Borg are, or how they assimilate other species, chuckles and starts doing her own version of the robot. "It is the year 2000!" she jokes, referencing a Kiwi duo she's always liked. "The humans are dead!"

As one, Romanov and Polensky turn towards the girls and stare for a few long seconds before the math teacher walks swiftly towards the joking teens. He doesn't enter the hallway, however, and instead closes the door to the Language Center and looks briefly through the narrow window in the door. Then his face disappears, and the two friends are alone.

"OMG. What WHAT the heck is going on with those two?!" Wendy asks, finally ceasing her robot moves.

Dec 28, 2022 8:14 am

Emily and Mr. Edge

Mr. Edge

"Yes," Mr. Edge says softly, close to Emily's ear. "College calculus... and some other things I'd like to teach you about."

Is that his breath on her cheek?

Is that his hand on her side, slowly but surely moving up towards--

Mr. Kilvert

"Edge!" Mr. Kilvert calls from where he's walking quickly towards the pair, the teacher and the student who are so inappropriately close to one another.

"I need a word with you! I heard you missed all of your classes today!"

Mr. Edge

Emily hears Mr. Edge sigh, but he doesn't back off much. Turning towards the vice principal, he shrugs. "Yes. There were things that came up today. I was occupied."

Mr. Kilvert

Kilvert frowns as he comes closer. "Emily Richardsen, is that you? Go home, girl. Mr. Edge and I have things to discuss."

Dec 28, 2022 8:25 am

Freddie and His Sisters, Debby & Sarah

"Hey Freddie," Debby says as she and her sister get off the bench as Fred cruises by, heading towards the Tesla.

"Do you mean cooked, or do you mean burned?" Sarah says in answer to the boy's question about whether their stepmother would have prepared dinner.

Debby makes a bit of a face as they all get in the car, and as Freddie silently pulls out of the parking space. "Don't be so hard on her, Sarah. She's trying."

"I heard Rose Tidwell gives head," Sarah says while staring out the window when her brother asks about the girl. "And will do other stuff."

"Ew!" Debby cuts in, preventing her sibling from going on. "Don't be gross! Fred was just asking what she was like. She's nice, Freddie, she's in my home room and science class. I like her. Don't know how well she and Zach get along, though."

Dec 28, 2022 9:01 am

"I just want you to be careful," Zach sighs. "I know you're not a little girl anymore, but you'll always be my little sister so I just worry about you. There are lots of creeps at school." With a thought to Marco, he adds, "Or out of school. Trust me, I get to hear how these guys talk when there are no girls listening in. I just don't want you to get hurt."

He's given up on trying to police her wardrobe for today, so rather than watch her, he lies back on her bed and looks up at her ceiling. "Do you have a homecoming date yet?" Mostly just to annoy her, he adds, "I do, but if you want your big brother to go with you, I'm sure I could cancel on her."

Dec 28, 2022 9:54 am

"They’ll let anyone work here!" Lily says, with a roll of the eyes.

"If that test screws me over, at least I’ll be able to get a job here."

Then she pauses, and snaps her head to Wendy:

"Assimilating… students…"

And then she grabs the girl by the shoulders and replicates the two teachers’ behavior. Staring at Wendy from a few inches away.

And then she snaps out of it, and jostles her lightly!

"Wish I had my camera for that. Let’s go, before they grab us!" she says, starting to scurry off. She’s joking, but a shiver goes up her spine nevertheless. That shiver that makes you want to run upstairs once you’ve turned all the lights off behind you.

Last edited December 28, 2022 9:56 am

Dec 28, 2022 4:08 pm

Emily startles from her trance when the principal calls out to the math teacher. Stepping away from Mr. Edge without realizing it, she is about to say something to him, but before she can her phone pings with a message from Freddie. The spell is broken and she yanks out her phone almost dropping it, her palms slippery with sweat. She taps back a response to keep busy with something as she has no idea what just happened.

Yes, no pin. You know where it is. Cya soon.

"Hi Mr. Kilvert. Yes I'm going now."

With her heart still thumping madly, she walks toward where she thinks Steve's car might be, anything to get away from the math teacher, not that she really wanted to but what was going on with him? Was he really into her? Missing his own test and being so forward with her. Fantasies were one thing, but acting on them?

Steve! Where are you? she taps out impatiently.

Dec 28, 2022 4:34 pm

Freddie isn't thinking about Rose, or Priya, or even Emily, but on what Ms. Maidstone said. Words tumble through his brain, and he impulsively makes a decision. He slows down and pulls over to the side of the road. He turns to look at his sisters. Every intended word in his heart chokes up, vanishes, so he looks up at the ceiling of the car.

"We haven't talked about dad. Not really, not since I got out of the hospital. I know you blame me, and you should. It's all my fault." He wanted to say more, but that all came out wrong, and he missed the important part. Be strong, this is about them, not you.

"Maybe we all need to talk to someone. I don't know what you need, and you deserve it. I owe you everything." Tears blind him, his voice wavering.

Rose Tidwell

Dec 28, 2022 6:55 pm

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

"What? I am careful," Rose says, lying to herself as well as her brother. "I know there are creeps out there, but I also know how to handle them. I'm... better at that stuff than... you were."

When the boy asks about the dance, Rose lies down as well, in the opposite direction to her sibling, putting her feet on her pillow. "I think there are like three different guys about to ask me, but they haven't worked up the courage yet. Marco wants to go with me, get me to like sneak him in, but I haven't said yes yet. And then there's Freddie." Lifting herself a little on her elbows, she adds, "So... I'm good. Thanks for offering, but stick with your... wait a minute?! Your date?!"

Rolling over and crawling up towards Zach's face, Rose hovers right over him, on all fours. "Who is she?! And I thought you liked boys... and speaking of boys, what are they saying about me?"

Wendy Lin

Dec 28, 2022 7:13 pm

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

"Oh no, no no no. You are not going to be one of those people who never leaves their little town, Lily Palmer. And who ends up working at the high school they went to! Nooooo way!" Wendy says sharply as they stand in the hallway.

Lily keeps up her antics with the assimilation nonsense, and soon the girls are face to face. "Do you think... they're going to have sex in there?" Wendy asks quietly, looking away for a moment, towards the Language Center, almost as though she can't stand the mock intensity in Lilly's eyes.

Then Lily has broken the entrancing stare, and the pair head into the dark newspaper office and close the door behind them. Wendy heads over to power up the old PC that they use to layout the paper, and it seems like she's ready to get down to business.

"Weren't you trying to get Zach to come in today for an interview or something? What's that about?"

Dec 28, 2022 7:19 pm

Emily and Steve

"I'm right here, sis, and WHAAAAAAAT WAS THAAAAT?!" Steve says to Emily, appearing as if out of nowhere as the girl steams towards their old minivan. "Was Mr. Edge just puttin' the moves on you!? I was in the trees over there, watching the girls track team stretch out before they headed to the field... and I saw you two. What the heck!"

Dec 28, 2022 7:25 pm

Freddie and His Sisters, Debby & Sarah

When Freddie pulls the car over and turns around to face his sisters, as he struggles to get words out, Sarah turns and looks out the window, tears welling in her eyes. Debby meets his gaze and her lip trembles when she tries to answer.

"It is your fault," she finally manages as tears suddenly streak down her face. "And talking to someone won't bring him back, Fred. It won't! It fucking won't!"

The girl screams the end of her brutal retort, and then it's quiet in the car... until Sarah says something softly. So softly she almost just mouths it, but both of her siblings hear it.

"I'm glad he's dead."

Dec 28, 2022 7:26 pm

"Marco should at some point figure out that he's not in school anymore. Seriously, don't you realize there's something creepy about how he seems exclusively interested in highschool girls? I mean, he's - what? - five years older than you? He could be your grandfather."

Zach pushes himself out from under Rose, putting a bit of distance between himself and his sister before he sits up and leans against the wall. He deliberately ignores her question about what the boys at school are saying about her. He doesn't feel like relaying those things. "Emily," he says. "The girl who'll be at the river as well. It's not really a date, just, you know, we're both new and don't know many people yet. And no, I didn't suddenly turn straight. But I can't really ask Freddie out to the dance, now, can I?" He lets out a dreamy sigh. "Or Aaron." Then he freezes and looks at Rose. "You did not hear that last part."

Rose Tidwell

Dec 28, 2022 8:03 pm

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

"Just... don't worry about Marco, okay?" Rose says, watching with some interest as Zach retreats away from her. Moving on her knees, she closes the distance again, even as she files away the interesting things she hears about Freddie and someone named Aaron.

"Hey. Am I making you uncomfortable? You know I'm totally cool with your decision, right? But... how come you seem so disgusted just in general by female anatomy?" Sitting on her knees in the middle of her bed, Rose decides to not press the issue seconds after raising it.

"You know what? Nevermind. Let's do something fun instead of wringing our hands in here. Come with me. Come down to the river tonight..."

Dec 28, 2022 8:11 pm

"Shut your pie hole, Steve! I mean it. What do you know about anything? You should mind your own business. And you should talk about what was that's. Do you have any idea how ridiculous you look? Your eyes are practically hanging out of your head staring at those girls. If I set you up with someone will you leave me alone then?"

She had no idea how or with whom but it was the only way she could see getting nosey pants brother off her back and minding his own business.

Last edited December 28, 2022 8:11 pm

Dec 28, 2022 8:48 pm

"I don't have a problem with 'female anatomy', I just don't need my half-naked sister crawling all over me," Zach replies.

He raises an eyebrow at her offer. "As if you would actually want me there," he says. He shakes his head. "No, you just go there and enjoy yourself. Not too much, though. I'll just talk to Abby. Or maybe go out and get myself a burger later. I don't really feel like anything too social today." Suddenly, he has a thought. "Speaking of social, did you notice that Romanov and Polensky both showed up hungover and looking like a mess today? Pretty sure they had some kind of social encounter last night."

Dec 29, 2022 6:19 am

Freddie's eyes are a blur and he accepts the rebuke from Debby. It's what he wanted isn't it? A reaction? An acknowledgement of the elephant in the elephantine room of their house.

And then Sarah, unexpectedly, bitter. The one thing he most wanted to hear from them and the one thing he refused to admit he knew. It was a trap, a stupid trap.

"I know," he blurts out, trying to hold his own fragmented composure together. "Every night, when it happens over and over in my nightmares, I think there is a moment when I could avoid the cliff, get control, and ... I wonder if I hesitated. On purpose. And I don't know!"

There it is. The big lie to hide the monstrous truth. Out in the open.

Dec 29, 2022 6:32 am

Emily and Steve

Steve is cowed by his sister's outburst, and just follows her to their humble ride through the parking lot. "Sorry," he says sheepishly as they climb in, dropping the subject entirely. They've been through a lot together, this pair of kids whose family is in the witness protection program, and Emily has always been the leader, the one who makes decisions, and the one who protects her younger brother. Steve looks up to her, and when she lays down the law... he listens.

On the drive home, though, he works up the courage to say, "Uh... just wondering who you would maybe set me up with? What does she look like?"

OOC:

Feel free to transition to home and do whatever you've gotta do before heading to the river. Or just continue to freak out a little about Mr. Edge.

Rose Tidwell

Dec 29, 2022 7:05 am

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

Rose meets Zach's comment about her being half-naked and crawling all over him with a weapons-grade eyeroll, but she at least leaves the boy be, rolling off the bed and heading back to her closet to pick out the right pair of shoes.

"You need to get out more," she comments as she digs into her large shoe collection. "You never feel like doing anything social. I'd be totally cool with your coming tonight if you wanted to. You should totally come, and keep Emily busy."

When the conversation turns to the two teachers, Rose pokes her head back out of her closet. "Ohmygod. I heard that too! And I mean -- Ms. Romanov is usually together, right? I saw her at lunch and she was a wreck! What do you think all that's about? Did they just get loaded last night and just come straight to school?"

Dec 29, 2022 7:14 am

Freddie and His Sisters, Debby & Sarah

Debby glares at her sister, emotions boiling inside her that she won't let out, then she looks back at Freddie after he wonders aloud about the accident... and whether he could have prevented it.

"How can you not know?!" the older girl says, leaning forward. "How can you not know?!"

Sarah puts her forehead on the glass with a thunk and closes her eyes before she says, "Can we just go? Can we go home? Can we not talk about this?"

Debby places a reassuring hand on the girl's back, then she lowers her voice so that she hopes only Fred can hear her.

"How can you not know?!"

Dec 29, 2022 9:38 am

"Aww, look at you," Zach replies when she repeats her offer. "You're so sweet, trying to take care of your big brother." He knows she's right. Ever since moving here - hell, ever since he started transitioning - he's been spending a lot more time just at home, since that's easier. And it is tempting to come along just so he can have an eye on Marco during the ride. "But I don't think they want me there, Rose. Don't worry, I'll be fine by myself."

He's glad when Rose gets sufficiently distracted by his comment about the two teachers. "Probably. My guess is Polensky's wife is out of town so he invited her over and they enjoyed each other's company all night." He chuckles before adding, "And then poor, hungover Polensky got roped into math class first thing in the morning. Edge never showed up, even though he was apparently at school."

Dec 29, 2022 10:37 am

"No! Don’t…" she says dramatically then.

"It’s too late for me! Promise… promise you won’t forget about me! Promise you’ll visit!" and then she wiped an imaginary tear from her cheek.

"Ugh, I don’t know what they’re going to do! Should we… go back and check?" she says, conspiratorially.

"Ugh. Yeah, I was thinking he might come and talk to us. You know… fitting in in a new town and all that." she says with a shrug.

"But I guess not! We could… grab my camera and see what we see back there. Is that… legal?"

Dec 29, 2022 2:07 pm

He wants to ignore the "you know" questions, but he nods quietly, his face burning with shame. His nervous stomach roils and churns but he turns back to the front, and engages the car. He doesn't throw up.

"We have to talk about this. But, I know I ambushed you. This weekend, okay? Make time for me? We need to heal from the wounds our father left. Somehow."

Wiping the tears away, he drives them home.

Dec 29, 2022 8:46 pm

Now Emily feels bad. Their life hasn't been a bed of roses, in fact quite the opposite what with their parent's selfish pursuit of their agendas with little to zero regard for them, and now here they were in a new town with new names and new lives. Life was hard.

I'm sorry too, Steve. Look, I'll find someone, I'll ask ... um ... Zach, or Freddie. Just try to be a little more ... subtle with your admiration, okay? Don't make it so obvious. You'll get a reputation and girls don't like to be leered at, at least not the kind you'd want to get to know."

As the car goes silent, hopefully with Steve taking in her advice, Emily has to hold back a chuckle at the irony of the situation. Here she is telling Steve to lighten up and find a nice girl, and yet she is replaying the meeting with Mr. Edge on a continuous loop but imagining different outcomes with each replay.

For God's sake Emily he's old enough to be your dad and he's your math teacher!

She chides herself and then proceeds to imagine yet another scenario. She's annoyed that they were interrupted by the principal yet she wasn't handling herself as well as she would have hoped to either. Would she really have gone to a tutoring session with the attractive man? Her reverie is interrupted by their arrival at home with their Dad doing something entirely mundane, washing the car. It was hard to believe that he had been laundering money for a cartel and with Emily's help.

"Hi dad. I have a few things to do and then I'm going out to study for a bit with friends." Racing into the house she puts together a few baggies of buds and grabs her pipe, quickly descending the stairs and leaving the house with a bang of the screen door.

"See ya later daddy."

On the drive to the river, Emily wonders what Mr. Edge was doing to make him miss his own test.

Last edited December 29, 2022 8:49 pm

Wendy Lin

Dec 31, 2022 6:59 am

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

"Are you serious?" Wendy asks when Lily mentions getting her camera and...

"No way! Ew! I mean... that's totally illegal. Isn't it?" She raises and eyebrow and looks towards the door that leads back to the hall... and across the hall, there's the Language Center.

"I mean we could look without taking pictures, though. Right?"

Dec 31, 2022 7:08 am

The Banks, 6pm (Freddie & Emily)

The river is running swiftly down by The Banks, the old campground that Boseman high schoolers tend to like to use for parties, cookouts, making out and general misbehaving...

OOC:

Who arrives first? Fred? Emily? Feel free to describe the scene a bit to get us started. You probably have an hour and a half of light.

Rose Tidwell

Dec 31, 2022 7:16 am

Zach and Rose

Rose Tidwell

"Just trying to... I dunno... help?" Rose says when Zach awwws her. She shrugs when he turns her invite down again, giving up on having him come along. She knows when his mind is made up.

About Polensky and Romanov, the brunette nods as she pulls on her chosen shoes and starts to head stealthily for the front door. "Yeah. You know, Danika said she saw them arriving together this morning, in his car. You might be exactly right."

Dec 31, 2022 10:38 am

"Have fun, Rose," Zach calls after his sister as she leaves. Once he hears the front door click shut silently, he lies back on her bed again. Maybe he should have gone with her. He doesn't like how careless she is around creeps like Marco.

He takes out his phone and texts her,
Zach: Let me know when you get to the river
Zach: And if you need anything. A ride home or whatever. I'll get something for you sorted out
Zach: Be safe
He then decides to clean up a bit, sorting all the clothes Rose tried on but didn't end up picking back into her closet and throwing the tanktop she wore at school into the laundry, before returning to his own room where he just spends some time hanging out. At one point, Abigail texts him, asking about his test, so they start writing back and forth. Abby mentions that she has a date this evening, which makes Zach remember the uncomfortable lie he told Freddie about their texting the last night. He doesn't bring it up to Abby, though. Obviously.

Eventually, he grows hungry so he decides to actually do what he told Rose he'd do earlier and go out for a bit and get himself something to eat. He throws his hoodie back on before heading into the bathroom to inspect himself in the mirror. It looks mostly fine. Luckily, he doesn't have too much of a chest in the first place - less than Rose even, as he noticed earlier - but it still looks visible to him, so he resigns himself to a bit more discomfort. Heading back into his room, he takes off hoodie and T-shirt again, puts on his binder and then those two pieces of clothing again as well. Then he stops and takes the hoodie off again before returning to the bathroom. It looks fine like this, right? He wears a shirt like this for gym class and nobody ever noticed anything. And how many people is he realistically going to run into? It's not like school where hundreds of eyes are on him at all times.
He considers his options for a moment longer, then decides to just go for it. He takes his phone and quickly shoots another message to Abby.
Zach: Sorry, had to get changed. Going to get myself something to eat
Then he makes his way to the front door. "Be right back," he calls out to his parents before slipping outside and closing the door before they have time to fuss over him. It's a bit of a walk to get to that one burger place Freddie recommended, but Zach doesn't have anything else to do for the rest of the day, so he just starts walking, phone out and continuing to text with Abigail about everything and nothing.

Dec 31, 2022 4:36 pm

After a long uncomfortable drive the rest of the way home, Freddie drops the girls off at home and tells them he'll be back later, but doesn't explain.

When he arrives at the Banks, he has a pair of Vietnamese subs and a couple of bottled drinks. He sits down on the grass, and watches the water, trying desperately not to think. The weird vibe with Emily, the plan with Clutch about Priya, Zach's request about Rose, the dismal math score setting him back from his dreams, and then the strange attraction he suddenly had to Wendy. He decides to focus on Ms. Maidstone, her kindness is only topped by her hotness, so there is plenty for him to consider. Maybe I should ask her to Homecoming! The ludicrous plan brings a smile to his mouth, but he imagines how jealous Priya would be with her in his arms.

Ah, Priya. His boyish mind moves to her. They had dated awhile. She was prim and proper, a real joy for her parents, who he also really liked and they seemed to accept him as a proper young man, somehow. But when they were alone, with no risk of getting caught, she was a minx and loved to neck, their hands roaming freely.

They'd gotten carried away, here at the Banks, and he'd thoroughly rounded second base headed for third (new territory), her lips groaning into his with the forbidden pleasure, when the lights flashed. They'd struggled to arrange their clothes, but her bra was in the front seat plainly visible when her father yelled through the window. The devastated look in her eyes told him everything he needed to know about how she would react. Disappointing her parents was something she never wanted to do.

His mind runs through these over and over, with only the occasional glimpse of a cliff face flashing in the rain, his father reaching into the back seat...

Dec 31, 2022 5:51 pm

Pulling the beat-up van beside Freddie's car, Emily realizes she is famished but she's also relieved to see no other girls have shown up. She thought Rose might be there and for some reason, she didn't like the girl. She had a feeling that she was a little on the loose side when it came to boys and boys being boys .... she let that line of thought drop though because she was no saint herself and she did like Zach.

"Hey, Freddie. I could eat a small horse but we might want to save some food for after." Sitting down beside him Emily pulls out her stash and loads her pipe. "I brought some goodies. Want some?"

Whipping out her cheap bright yellow lighter she points it at the bowl and takes a deep drag holding it in for what seems an impossibly long time. A long trail of pungent smoke makes its way out of her mouth and she deliberately angles it so that Freddie has a few tendrils of it wafting under his nose. "Doncha just love that orange glow? Um ... word of warning, this stuff hits hard and fast. You might want to go easy on the amount you inhale."

Dec 31, 2022 6:41 pm

Freddie smiles at Emily. For all her brains, she wears these ridiculous glasses that seem to hide her best features. And that haircut, just not attractive. But then she whips out that bowl, and starts puffing. Suddenly, the nerdgirl image vanishes and he sees the girl behind the mask. Thoughts of Priya and Brittany float away like smoke.

"I got two subs from the Vietnamese place I was telling you about. One beef satay, the other their veggie special. Don't know what you'd like. Couple drinks too, Dr. Pipps and an Arizona Ice Tea."

He takes the pipe when it comes to him and contemplates it. He's had puffs off a joint at a couple parties, but never this kind of complicated device. He flicks the flame and holds it to the bowl, and draws the way Emily did. A light puff at first, he holds it in keeping the reflexive coughing in his throat and not letting the smoke out until he gets a little dizzy. On a whim, he leans toward her, his mouth to hers, lips an inch apart, and exhales it directly into her mouth, assuming she goes for it.

Jan 1, 2023 4:00 am

Emily watches Freddie struggle with the pipe while trying to be cool about it. It was odd that she'd never noticed his cute smile before. Or was it the weed going to her head? She started feeling the familiar lightheadedness and devil may care who gives a shit attitude. She started to relax and felt her lips form into a goofy smile. He had such nice thick hair and imagined her hands running through it.

She was about to giggle and ask him if he had much experience with weed when he unexpectedly shotgunned it at her, opening her mouth just in time to inhale it.

Wow, Freddie. She kind of whispered that and didn't move away, the subs forgotten for the moment.

Jan 1, 2023 10:24 am

"shoot first, ask questions later!" came to mind, but wasn’t verbalized.

"Ew! You’re such a perv! I knew it!" she jokes, and then leads the girl on.

"They’ve probably forgotten about us by now! They’ll be busy!"

Lily almost licked her lips. This had the makings of a great story for next week!

Jan 1, 2023 4:02 pm

Freddie saw two girls do this at a party, and thought it was cool and sexy. Emily knew what to do, so maybe she had done the sharing smoke thing before. Had she done the next part though? Did he even know how?

He leans a little closer his lips brushing hers in a sensuous kiss, and then forms a seal over her mouth, ready to breathe in her exhale when she's ready. His lips tingle with the rush of blood, and his head buzzes with the exhilaration of a first kiss. His hand rests lightly on her side as if to steady them, but mostly just for the touch.

[ +- ] Lines

Jan 1, 2023 6:56 pm

Surprised yet not, and feeling a little dreamy, Emily responds in kind, her mouth parting ever so slightly as a low moan of pleasure escapes and she releases the smoke back to Freddie's mouth followed by a tentative probe of her tongue as it explores and then abruptly withdraws.

Hell! Am I being too forward? she asks herself in a semi-haze of reality.

Damn this pot strain. Should have taken the other ....

Leaning back, wearing a goofy grin she says "Whoa! This stuff is strong ... isn't it? It's not what I usually smoke." She was definitely not comfortable in her sexual skin and the pot had served to remove some inhibitions.

"How do you like it? I mean the pot." Quickly reaching for the subs and a drink, she unwraps hers, hands Freddie his and puts the pipe down on the grass. "It does give you cotton mouth doesn't it? I'm trying to breed that out of it."

[ +- ] S'all good in da line hood

Last edited January 1, 2023 6:58 pm

Jan 1, 2023 7:07 pm

Freddie holds the smoke for a little more, a lot less harsh for being passed through two sets of lungs. He wonders how much THC remains in the smoke after each inhalation. And what is THC? Tri-Hydroxyl-Chloroqinine or some shit? He snorts out the smoke off to the side, lying on the grass laughing while holding his half-forgotten sub.

"The pot? Oh, umm, Iwas thinking of something else," he says, and looks at her lips slyly. A smile teases the corner of his mouth, and he rolls onto his side to face her. "It was smoother than I thought. Maybe the pipe helps with that? But the sharing was nice, too. Of the smoke, I mean."

Jan 1, 2023 7:38 pm

By now Emily has sucked down a few thirsty gulps of her drink and offers Freddie what's left of the Dr. Pipps.

Yeah, sharing is fun. She's into the double-meaning conversation. This is a comfortable way for her to let him know she's into him. Plus it takes her mind off of Mr. Edge. But she has a reputation to build and she doesn't want to be considered loose so she decides if there is to be a next move, Freddie would have to make it.

Jan 1, 2023 7:49 pm

He sips the sweet beverage and unwraps his sub. "I thought you'd be different, when we first met. You know? Not that you, that you, wasn't fun, but this Emily, the weed breeder? A different kind of fun. What other secrets hide behind those disguise worthy glasses?"

He bites into the sub and lies back, groaning in pleasure. He chews the mouthful down and swallows, then says, "I've been waiting for this taste all day. And it's so better after that smoke."

One hand snakes over and touches her far side, fingers confidently holding that soft spot just above Emily's hip. He eats the sub quietly one-handed, his attention split between the feel of her side, trying not to get sub crumbs all over himself like a slob, and the dancing river water matching the ebb and flow of the THC in his ears.

Jan 1, 2023 9:14 pm

Zach

Moments after Rose slips away, Zach hears the faint grumble of Macro's old 1990 Z28, its V8 rumbling as the boy waits, as Zach's sister undoubtedly runs across the road and jumps into the coupe. The burnout behind the wheel knows enough to not gun it near the Tidwell home, so the car's takeoff is a measured one that doesn't attract parental attention.

The teen gets a simple text back from his sister, eventually.

Rose: I'll be fine, chill
A little later, when Zach tries to slip out himself, his getaway is less successful.

"Son?" Mr. Tidwell says from the front door after his son heads out. Zach is already almost at the street, and Abby's replies are buzzing his phone. "Where are you headed, Zach? You... we talked about this. It's really better if you... stay close to home when you're not in a group. And it's a school night."

OOC:

Don't mean to cut you off at the pass here, but you do have "Overprotective Parents." If you don't want to argue with him about it, or have him and your mom be upset about this later, make a Persuasion check, please. Bennie in it for you. (+1)

Rose Tidwell

Jan 1, 2023 10:27 pm

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Freddie and Emily's extra awesome, drug-and-hormone-fueled after school special (needs) moment is soured, at least momentarily, by the roar of a speeding car coming up the road that leads to the dirt parking lot where the Tesla and the van are already parked. It's loud, and there's a cloud of acrid black smoke trailing behind the Camaro as it comes, a two-door muscle car from the 90s that pulls to a skidding stop, pelting the other two vehicles with gravel. As the dust clears, Rose Tidwell gets out and waves at the pair before she starts jogging towards them.

Rose Tidwell

"Freddie!" the girl calls, and the pair on the river bank can see that the driver is remaining in the vehicle as Rose closes the distance. The smell of pot is in the air as the brunette arrives, and she's all grins -- and all boobs, Fred notices. Her tank swoops low in the front, and 21st century bra technology is on fine display... or rather it puts her on fine display. He's pretty sure he could lose half his sub down there.

"I knew you guys weren't coming here to study," Zach's younger sister says as she smells the air and sees the paraphernalia, a little breathless as she joins them. "Is there enough to go around again?"

As she talks, though, Rose's eyes start to add things up. The closeness of how the pair is sitting. The two sandwiches and the two drinks. The look on Emily's face...

Jan 1, 2023 11:08 pm

"I'm just getting something to eat," Zach replies. He throws a glance at his phone, then turns off the screen and puts it in his pocket with a sigh. "I'm seventeen. I can go out for a burger by myself." He indicates that he's going to continue his walk but his dad still doesn't look satisfied, so Zach decides to be petty. "This is ridiculous," he complains. "Rose can go out whenever and however long and with whomever she wants and I have to justify myself to get a quick bite to eat without a police escort?" He crosses his arms, then opens his mouth to give some neat concluding argument, but fails to come up with one and so closes it again. Instead, he just stares at his dad, waiting for his answer.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (5) = 5

Wendy Lin

Jan 2, 2023 12:15 am

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

"I am not a perv!" Wendy retorts, along with at least two arm-smacks. "But yes. I bet they have, and we owe it to the... student body to make sure we report the news. All the news."

Back into the hallway the pair creeps, and as time goes by, the school seems quieter by the minute. That quiet makes the fact that something is going on in the Language Center all the more obvious. The door is closes, but both Wendy and Lily hear it as they reenter the linoleum-floored corridor. A quiet thumping. A grunt, maybe a pant? The scraping sound of a piece of furniture being moved on the floor... a squeaking?"

The girls share a dead silent glance at one another as they contemplate approaching the door to look into the narrow window...

OOC:

Give me a Notice roll, Lily. You are Distracted by what's going on across the hall, so make the roll at -2, please. If you succeed, you'll notice that someone is approaching from down the hall -- out of sight / around a corner, but walking your way. If you fail, you won't know that. Roll and post up what Lily's doing!

Jan 2, 2023 12:24 am

Zach

Mr. Tidwell looks like he has more to say... about a variety of things, but he decides his son is right. He's just going out for a burger, after all. He does defend his suspect parenting, though.

"Okay, okay. Please just -- let us know if you need a ride home or anything, and steer clear of... you know, kids from the wrong side of the tracks. And watch for traffic. Oh -- and Rose? She's at a friend's studying, Zach. She's always very good about letting us know where she's going and who she's with."

As he walks along the side of the road, towards the service station with the diner he doesn't hate, Zach looks again at his phone.

Abby: Oh? Whacha gonna eat?
Abby: And how was the day at school?
Abby: Meet anyone cool yet? What was the cute boy's name?
Abby: ...
Abby: Hullo?

Jan 2, 2023 3:27 am

"Rose?" Freddie says, and sees only that amazing shirt. "Who was your dillhole friend? My car better not ... ah fuck it I don't care. Come on over. We're watching the river and contemplating the control math has over our lives." The image swims before his mind, vibrating with his pulse.

He'd rather contemplate math alone with Emily, but Rose is Zach's sister, and that's what he does, isn't it? Protect little sisters. Sexy little sisters. My God that girl could wear a shirt like there was a Nobel prize in play. Little sister... Oh no, am I my father? He claps his palms over his eyes pressing hard until he sees red, trying to reset his brain like clearing the cache.

"Rose! Come on over. Oh this is Emily. My math bong." He looks at her, his mind echoing something not quite right. "Haha, math bong!" He snorts a giggle, and falls over his head laying Emily's her lap.

Jan 2, 2023 3:48 am

"Right," Zach replies with a shrug. He doesn't argue the point about the very clear difference in the way his parents treat the two siblings. It's not worth the risk of his dad changing his mind right now. "I'll let you know if I need anything."

Then he pulls his phone back out and gets to walking.

Zach: Sorry, couldn't answer for a second
Zach: I got violently stabbed to death for wearing a T-shirt outside
Zach: Or at least that's how my dad was acting...
Zach: There's this burger place Freddie told me about. Going to try that
Zach: School was good. Test went well
Zach: (God, teachers are so hot at this school)
Zach: Which cute boy? There's so many
Zach: Aaron. Still not sure he knows I exist
Zach: But I did mention Freddie before, didn't I? He's actually really cute as well. Not going to get into romantic rivalry with Rose though
Zach: Also, why am I the one answering questions if you have a date? Tell me literally everything

Jan 2, 2023 4:10 am

OOC:

Roll now! Post later!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (663) - 2 = 13

Jan 2, 2023 6:18 am

Zach

As Zach walks, and cars whistle by, he texts.

Abby: Um, why were you stabbed again? Was it an offensive tee?
Abby: Burger! Make it a double! I want a burger.
Abby: Slow down! Hot teachers. Hot Aaron! What's he look like?
Abby: And yeah, you mentioned Freddie. Is he gay tho? WAIT IS ROSE INTO HIM?!
Abby: Date is going good, thanks for asking! I don't know what I'm looking for right now, you know? But... something.

OOC:

Who might Abby be on a date with? A dude? A girl? An old flame?

Rolls

The Date! - (1d6, 1d4, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d4 : (2) = 2

Jan 2, 2023 7:28 am

As Zach and Abby continue texting, progress on learning anything about either one's questions is impeded by the fact that rather than just answer them, they both try to pull info from the other, meaning a lot of circular questions, avoiding answering and making small trade deals for information. It could be incredibly frustrating but it's just how things go sometimes between them and they both find this style of conversation very amusing.

Zach discovers that Abby is going out with her ex, Dan. Zach remembers them breaking up when Abby initially came out as lesbian before she later realized that she's actually bi. Zach isn't sure what he thinks about that, considering all the yelling and crying he remembers during the breakup, but aside from that, there was never really anything wrong with Dan, so if Abby wants to give him another chance, he doesn't have any real objections to give beyond a gut feeling.

Abby in turn manages to get a description of Aaron out of Zach that is probably objectively far too flattering and she gets him talking about Freddie a bit.

Zach: I don't know if he's gay
Zach: Probably not. He seems to be a bit hung up on his (female) ex
Zach: But he is pretty cute. In a clueless jock kind of way
Zach: Him and Rose is complicated. I asked him to ask her to HC since I know she'd otherwise roll up with the biggest douche in school
Zach: Or with that creep Marco
Zach: Anyway, he kind of invited her to this thing today but I'm not sure if he meant it and I'm a bit worried it'll turn out super awkward
Zach: Rose seemed really excited about it

Jan 2, 2023 3:44 pm

"Wouldn't you like to know," Emily says in response to Freddie's comment about what lies behind her glasses. "Why don't you take them off and find out."

Just when things were getting interesting along comes Rose. Emily under the influence stares dagger at her.

Shit timing Rose.

Emily's dagger stare switches targets after Freddie refers to her as his math bong but then decides she likes the idea of being his anything and lightens up. She's kind of stuck and she does want to gather customers.

"Yeah, sure, plenty to go around. Weed that is." She felt she needed to qualify that but she also she noticed some kind of struggle going on with Freddie. His face grew dark for a moment and some innate response welled up within her like almost an urge to protect him but from what she didn't know. Sliding her hand possessively up his arm she needed something to say.

"These subs are really good."

Rose Tidwell

Jan 2, 2023 10:44 pm

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Rose Tidwell

"Just a... guy I met this summer when we moved here," Rose says quickly, gesturing back towards the parking lot and the still idling car. There are some serious mixed signals going on. Fred's eyes on her chest. That's good. When he then acts like someone has thrown acid in his face, and when Emily touches him affectionately on the arm -- less good.

Then Freddie invites her over, and introduces the other girl.

"We've met," Rose says, not unpleasantly, and she smiles when Richardsen mentions that there's lots to go around. "Oh cool! I kind of owe Marco for driving me. Could I buy like, a little bag or a couple of joints? Like a quarter ounce or something?"

OOC:

Fred, you know Marco and HE'S A DOUCHE. Now you recognize the car! Guy is like 19. He graduated last year, and repeated a grade in middle school. Why don't you two get along?

Jan 2, 2023 11:42 pm

Zach

Abby: Wait. Don't know if who is gay? Freddie or Aaron?
Abby: I think you mean Freddie.
Abby: Who is Marco? That older guy with the car
Abby: OMG, that's the guy with the gun!
Abby: She's not still hanging with him is she?
Zach is about to answer when a car roars behind him, swerving dangerously close to him. It's truck, actually, and there's a teenager in the passenger seat leaning out as they go by. "Walking's for faggots!" a boy in a muscle shirt shouts as he takes a swing at the innocent pedestrian!

OOC:

Give me a Notice roll, Zach, to step back out of the boy's reach just before he gets to you. At -2 for being Distracted by having your nose in your phone, and because the truck is -moving.-

Welcome to Michigan!

Rolls

Smack Zach in the Head (+2 since Zach is Distracted / Vulnerable, vs. Parry 4) - (1d6+2, RA)

(1) + 2 = 3

Confirm Crit Miss for Extra (1) - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Jan 2, 2023 11:56 pm

Zach: Don't know if either is gay
Zach: Leaning towards no for Fred and towards no fucking idea for Aaron
Zach: She is. And she has me cover for her

He's very occupied with typing so he barely notices the car at first...

...or at all until it's too late.

Last edited January 2, 2023 11:57 pm

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1D6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Zachary Tidwell: Common Knowledge (-2) - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1D6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jan 3, 2023 12:50 am

Freddie looks over at the car. "Marco? Rose, what in the world are you doing with him? He terrorized the sophomores when I started at Boseman, and not in a funny way, more of a wreck your stuff and laugh way. Just being a bully, at least until four of us jumped him after school and beat his loser ass to a pulp. I carried a knife for a month after that, but he never pushed it, at least not with my friends." Freddie has a vengeful streak a mile wide, and his eyes narrow at the car. Even through the mellowing haze of the pot, his anger riles up.

He's about to tell Emily not to sell her anything, but stops himself before he puts his foot in his mouth. "By the way, where were you after school? I thought we were going to talk."

Jan 3, 2023 3:02 am

"You didn't really did you, Freddie? Beat him up?" For some reason Emily didn't think he was the type to beat people up or carry a knife. She was pleasantly surprised at to learn he might be a bad boy but she was also mildly annoyed at the continued attention Rose was getting.

"I've got a bag if you've got the cash, Rose."

Jan 3, 2023 8:15 am

Zach

"...faggots!" cries the angry boy trying to cuff the unsuspecting Zach hard on the ear as the pickup he's leaning out of races past. Zach didn't even know the blow was coming, but the feeling of the boy's open hand missing his head by inches alerts him immediately that something is going on. It happens so fast he doesn't have time to react, but it also happens so fast that when the driver steers back onto the road, he overcorrects. Which sends the truck partially into the oncoming lane, where a black Escalade is driving. There are sparks and a terrible sound as the two vehicles side-swipe, causing the SUV to spin out and the pickup to nearly go into the other ditch. It swerves back onto the road, though, and blasts away as the panicked driver mashes the accelerator.

Two men emerge from the damaged, now stationary Cadillac, guys from the big city from the looks of it. Well dressed, well-groomed -- one of them jogs to see if he can see the plate of the disappearing truck while the other spots Zach on the roadside.

"Kid! Hey kid you see that?!" the man calls over. His shades, flat-top, and dramatic widow's peak make him look like a character from a mob movie, but none of that helps to alleviate the small amount of shock that Zach is in. "Kid, you hear me? You happen to know who was driving that truck there, a local?"

OOC:

A Critical Failure! And hey Trouble Magnet!

Edit: sorry — yeah, the crit failure that wasn’t. Was referring to the swing attempt by the guy in the truck. Wasn’t a crit failure after all — which probably would have seen them actually crash, so all good.

Don’t love that rule for Extras, as it means they Crit Fail less than Wild Cards who have some expertise in a skill…

Rose Tidwell

Jan 3, 2023 8:21 am

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Rose Tidwell

Rose doesn't quite know what to say to the string of stuff that Fred looses, so she shrugs and then looks mortified when Freddie mentions the plan to meet after school.

"What?! No! Wait. WHAT?! I thought you wanted me to come here, not meet after school! I'm so sorry -- did I miss something cool?! Can we do it now?"

When Emily pipes up regarding the dime bags, Rose just lifts her eyebrows and mouths how much?

Jan 3, 2023 9:38 am

Zach feels his heart race, and not in a nice way, but from pure adrenaline. He's still puzzling together what just happened. Someone tried to attack him. There was almost an accident. Faggots!
He's staring down at his phone, a half-written message to Abby on screen, when the man addresses him. Zach blinks and looks first at him, then in the direction that the pickup disappeared in. "I, uhm, I didn't see. I was looking at my phone," he says. "Ah, sorry."

Jan 3, 2023 5:16 pm

Emily rubs her hand on Freddie's arm again in an almost possessive manner and as a way to signal that nope, he doesn't need to go anywhere now with Rose. Was Emily jealous already or was it a case of alpha females jockeying for attention?

She was going to say ten bucks as she withdrew a baggie but changed her mind.

"Twelve bucks on special. This is really mellow if you're into that sort of thing. You got the cash?"

Emily lights the pipe again taking a deep draw and then offers it to Freddie.

Jan 3, 2023 5:36 pm

Taking the pipe, he watches the low stakes drug transaction go down. He takes a smaller puff, knowing he's got to drive later, and he's not used this. He breathes it out slowly.

"Sorry Rose, I guess we got our wires crossed. You look really nice. So, my date for Homecoming fell through, and Zach mentioned you didn't have any plans. If you're going to go, do you want to go with me?"

He holds up a hand before she can respond. "There is a catch, though. I am hoping I can talk with Priya there. She's probably going to tell me it's over over, but I don't know for sure. Either way, I won't be leaving with her, as her parents are probably going to be waiting out front."

Jan 3, 2023 5:54 pm

Now regretting her decision to go to the dance with Zach she grabs the pipe from Freddie and fills her lungs with the last of what's left in the pipe bowl. It glows an angry red as she composes herself.

"Will you save a dance for me, Freddie? I'm sure Zach won't mind."

She's well and truly blitzed now and tries to hold Freddie's gaze, her eyes showing some kind of hope and promise.

Jan 3, 2023 6:14 pm

Zach

"Goddamn it, I just had this fuckin’ thing waxed!" the taller man nearer the big black vehicle says as he inspects the deep scrapes along the rear door and quarter panel.

Flat-top, the man who called out to Zach, crosses the road and approaches as the boy apologizes. "No worries, kid," he says. "Not your fault, and what was that idiot tryin’ to do, drive-by punch you or somethin’? Fuckin’ morons. They better hope I don’t see them again. I’ll be looking for that truck."

"Speaking of, let’s go!" the other man shouts as he climbs back behind the wheel. "C’mon! We can go after them!"

"Hold up, shit for brains!" the man in front of Zach says to his friend. Lowering his voice, he turns back towards the teen and continues, "Why were they doin’ that, you think? You um, you new to the area? High school, right, what are you, like sixteen?"

Rose Tidwell

Jan 3, 2023 6:51 pm

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Rose Tidwell

If Rose had been confused by Fred’s quick-fire commentary around Marco, she’s positively dumbfounded by his complimenting her and then asking her to the prom — but not really. All while hanging out and getting stoned with another girl who is clearly into him. She holds a twenty dollar bill towards Emily as the red-eyed girl puffs and puffs, but she’s not quite sure what to say.

"Ah… oh. Thanks? Thanks. So you kind of want to go with me to the homecoming dance so you can try to get back with your old girlfriend… is that right? Do I have that right?"

Then, before Freddie can answer, Rose turns to Emily and extends her hand. "Hey, can I have a hit? I need a hit."

Jan 3, 2023 8:32 pm

"Uhm, no idea why they'd try that," Zach replies evasively. Despite the two guys acting nice towards him, he has a bad feeling about them, so he doesn't really want to tell them anything about himself that he doesn't have to. "Look, I'm meeting some friends, so I should get going. Thanks for stopping to make sure I'm alright." He then starts walking again, hoping they'll just let him go without any more questions.

Jan 3, 2023 8:53 pm

"Oh sure. Just let me repack it first."

Emily takes the twenty, folds it and slides it into a pocket and then hands Rose the baggie. Removing some bud from the other bag she packs another bowl and hands it and the lighter to Rose. If Emily is lucky, Rose will inhale too much, get paranoid and make a fool of herself.

"Take a nice big toke of that stuff and hold it in as long as you can," she adds while removing her hand from Freddie. He seems like a lost cause now but in his defense, he thinks she is going with Zach, which as far as she knows she is unless she can wrangle her way out of it but that's risky if she wants to have friends and customers.

Jan 4, 2023 1:00 am

OOC:

Rolling!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Jan 4, 2023 1:47 am

Freddie shakes his head, smiling with mirth. This was a huge mistake. Sure she's cute, but she's also jailbait and radically impulsive.

"You're really cute, Rose. Any boy would be lucky to go with you. It's probably better you didn't come, the cool kids we'd be hanging with can be predatory." He leans closer to her as Emily have her the pipe. "But we're all very good dancers."

Jan 4, 2023 3:13 am

Lily and Wendy creep over to the window of the door that the hungover teacher peered at them through. First Lily presses her ear to the door, and then Wendy does. One at either side of the glass. And then they chance a peek. They both crouch, ready to jump out of sight.

Lily presses her face into the window, and then Wendy barges her own face in there so that each girl can get one eye on the prize. The skinship, the soft tingle of cheek against cheek…

The eye widens as they see what they see. And then a squeak of rubber shoe sole against linoleum flooring, and the girls jump back, and fix themselves. Taking Wendy by the wrist, Lily pulls her away from the door and around the corner.

A toilet… she looks for a toilet and the two girls head that way to speculate over what they saw!

Jan 4, 2023 7:46 am

Zach

"Yeah, sure kid," the closer of the two men says to Zach. "Not a problem. You go see your friends, enjoy yourself. Best years of your life, right here -- you know that? High school -- those were the days! Enjoy it!"

The teen keeps walking as the two men climb back into their SUV, then pull a u-turn and head down the road after the truck that sideswiped them. That is, of course, the same direction Zach's walking in, and he hears the truck slow down to a crawl as it reaches him.

"Hey! Buddy!" the man he was speaking with says, leaning out his window as he searches the streets. "Need a lift? We're going the same way, and -- well you know. Happy to give you a ride somewhere."

Jan 4, 2023 12:13 pm

Zach nods at the man's comments about best years of his life. They don't feel like that to him. He breathes a sigh of relief when the men get into their car only to immediately feel anxious again when the SUV slows down next to him and the man leans out of the window towards him.

"I'm good, thanks," he replies, slowing his steps down further to indicate for the men to just drive off. "It's not far." At the same time, he takes out his phone again and unlocks the screen. After a (hopefully) final awkward smile at the men, Zach focuses his attention on the phone, hoping that makes it clear that he has no intention to further engage with these guys.

He quickly scrolls past the messages he got from Abby in this time and types to her:

Zach: Kind of freaked out. Some guys tried to randomly attack me out of a car
Zach: They're gone but now these other weird guys who saw the whole thing won't leave me alone

Rolls

Random - (1D6, RA)

(5) = 5

Jan 4, 2023 5:18 pm

Lily and Wendy

Tumbling into a girls’ bathroom, Wendy and Lily both have their hands over their mouths to keep from AHHHHHing and their hearts are pounding.

"Did you see—" Wendy begins, but she doesn’t even bother finishing when her friend nods vigorously. They both saw it, the lewd scene in that room. In the Language Resource Center, where they will BOTH HAVE CLASS TOMORROW!

It was hard to even tell what was going on. The lights were off, clothing was strewn around… and Mr. Polensky and Ms. Romanov were on the floor in a tangle. A sweaty, grunting, thrusting tangle. Romanov’s legs were in the air, maybe? She was white-knuckle gripping the leg of a table as her mouth was open wide in ecstasy… and then there was Polensky’s hairy butt. His pumping, clenching, hairy butt. They were like animals rutting!

Outside the bathroom, in the hallway they’d just run down, comes the sound of footsteps. Heavy ones. Closer, and closer…

OOC:

Please make a Common Knowledge check! Want to see if you can ID these footsteps. (Get a 4 on either die, success!) Also, oh yeah, feel free to react to what you saw, Lily.

Rose Tidwell

Jan 4, 2023 5:41 pm

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Rose Tidwell

Rose wrinkles her nose and brow at Freddie, then makes a bit of a flicking motion at the boy while Emily reloads the pipe. "C’mon," the brunette without the glasses says to the other girl, "let’s walk down to the point. We’ll be back, Freddie. You enjoy your sandwich."

As the pair wanders down closer to the water, to the bit of shore that juts further into the river, Fred hears the rumble of the V8 back in the parking lot cease. A car door closes, and a tall young man in a tight white t-shirt gets out of the IROC Z. As he starts winding down to the picnic / make out area, Solomon sees that Marco has been hitting the gym. The guy is 6’2" and must be 250lbs. He’s a piece of beef.

"Fred, it’s been a while," the weedy-mustached nineteen-year-old says. "Where are they going?" he asks, gesturing to the girls. "That chick has weed, right? Rose told me she’d have weed."

Down at the point, Emily relights the freshly-packed pipe, and Rose takes a deep hit. It’s clear she knows what she’s doing, and she holds the smoke a long time before releasing it.

"Oh yeah. Nice… oh… oh yeah. This is good shit!" she says with a smile. "Where’d you get it?"

After Emily answers, Rose looks back at Freddie and says what she pulled the other teen with her to say. "Hey… I know this is kind of weird, right? The two of us… both here. I thought Fred might have been interested in me. Maybe you thought he was interested in you. But… he’s kind of a jackass? I think we should both ditch him."

Another hit and the Mary Jane really starts to cloud Rose’s mind. She steps in closer to Emily, so that her breasts brush against the other girl’s. She tilts her head, perhaps inviting a kiss.

"Or we could make out. Make him watch."

OOC:

Notice roll, please, Emily.

Rolls

Rose - Notice - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Jan 4, 2023 5:55 pm

The Roadside (Zach)

Abby’s text response is immediate.

Abby: what? Are you okay
Abby: can you call 911? Do you want me to call 911?!
Back in meatspace, the scene grows increasingly weirder as the SUV moves along at a crawl, matching Zach’s pace.

"Okay, kid. Suit yourself. I know your momma has probably told you to not ride with strangers and all that, right? I get it." The man then says something quietly to the driver, and the SUV pulls forward — and then over onto the shoulder, blocking the teen’s path. The talkative one gets out of the vehicle, and he’s got his phone in his hands. He holds it up so Zach can see it. It’s a zoomed-in picture of Emily and Steve Richardsen. Looks like maybe a posed family photo from a couple of years ago?

"Hey. Sorry to bother you, but we’re actually looking for someone. These two kids. Both high school age. You know ‘em? The girl is good with numbers, and, well, she won this contest and we’ve been looking for her to arrange the prize money."

OOC:

Zach, please roll me a single d6 to randomly determine something. Higher is probably better.

Jan 4, 2023 6:52 pm

"I don't know," Zach lies. "I might have seen the guy at school before, but I'm not sure. I'm new in town so I don't know that many people yet." He feels sweat run down his back. What the hell did Emily get herself into?

He then holds up his own phone, not showing the man his screen, and takes a step backwards, away from him. If the man follows, Zach will try to keep a bit of distance. "Look, I'm calling my dad now. I'm feeling a bit weird about this."
Obviously, he doesn't call his dad. He can't. Not if he wants to leave the house again at some point this year. Instead, he calls Abby. She'd pick up pretty much immediately, so unless the man interferes, Zach is going to say into the phone as soon as the connection is made, "Dad? It's Aaron." He's using the first name that comes to his mind that's not his own. "Can you come and pick me up after all? You know where I went."

Jan 4, 2023 7:02 pm

Freddie's nervous stomach rolls over when Marco approaches him, despite the mellowing influence of the pot. He doesn't acknowledge the hello other than a nod, but right away says, "They're just going to talk about me I think. Rose said she's got weed? Well, you can see they're smoking some now."

His instincts that this Rose girl was not worth the trouble are panning out. Dating this douche bag, and narcing on Emily are high crimes. He decides to withdraw the offer, he doesn't want that kind of drama in a high profile venue like Homecoming.

His bloodshot eyes turn to the Z28. "Why don't you show me your car? A Camaro right? Sweet looking ride." Where the hell did that come from? Stupid pot.

Jan 4, 2023 7:14 pm

The Roadside (Zach)

"Hold up, kid, don’t do that, we’ll leave you be," the man out of the SUV says, but the phone is already ringing. Abby’s phone!

"Hullo?" she answers, and when she hears Zach’s voice — and his carefully chosen words — she knows to play along. "Oh, hello son! This is your father! I’ll come right away, just stay put!"

The man in the suit grimaces. "I said fuckin’ don’t do that!" he growls, reaching for Zach’s phone.

OOC:

Draw an Initiative Card, Zach!

Deck Draws

Init

Jan 4, 2023 7:19 pm

[ +- ]

Last edited January 4, 2023 7:19 pm

Deck Draws

Initiative

Jan 4, 2023 7:48 pm

The Roadside (Zach)

OOC:

Initiative to the two guys in the SUV with a King. Zach follows with an 8.

Zach moves back and avoids the man’s grasping hand, but he can see from the snarl on the guy’s rough-hewn face that he’s just going to keep coming. "Give me that!" the man growls. "Hang up that goddamned phone!"

"Coming right away!" Abby says into Zach’s ear in her lowest, manliest voice. "Hang on, son!"

Down the road a ways, another car is approaching.

"Vinnie! C’mon! Stop fuckin’ ‘round!" The driver calls out from inside the car. "Someone’s comin’!"

Rolls

Shorter Goon Grabs for the Phone (-4) vs. Parry 4 - (1d6-4, 1d8-4, RA)

1d6-4 : (4) - 4 = 0

1d8-4 : (7) - 4 = 3

Deck Draws

Mystery Participant

Jan 4, 2023 8:00 pm

Zach continues to step away backwards and he holds on tight to the phone, curling up a bit as he tries to protect himself against the guy. "Leave me alone," he tells the men, trying to sound more angry than scared and not sure if he's succeeding at that.

OOC:

I'll just do a defend action for now

[ +- ] Defend

Marco Corbitt

Jan 4, 2023 8:30 pm

The Banks (Freddie)

Marco Corbitt

"I see them smokin’ it, numbnuts, I’m talking about that bitch selling. I drove Rose here because she said she’d score me some pot."

It’s an uncomfortable moment. Fred and Marco have never gotten along, especially after that day when a bunch of them ganged up on the troubled, shit-disturbing kid. But after that, there were almost always enough of them around in a group to discourage any kind of reprisal. But now… with the girls right down by the water… it was just Marco and Freddie.

"Detroit, shit for brains. Fuckin’ De-troit steel," Marco says when the other boy asks him where his car came from. "S’gotta V8, five liters. Gonna put a blower on it. S’gonna be fuckin’ radical." He shakes his head though, when Fred suggests they go check it out.

"Naw dude. I’m here for weed, that’s all, not show and tell." Spitting on the ground, Marco smirks as his eyes go to Emily, who is suddenly almost nose to nose with Rose. "You fuckin’ her?" he asks. Another spit. "She’s new in town, right, like Rose? She any good? She suck? Rose does. Like a fuckin’ Hoover."

Jan 4, 2023 8:57 pm

"Rose has got some pot for you," he says, hoping to forestall Marco marching over there.

After Marco rattles off the sticker specs on his Z28 Freddie doesn't really listen. Gasoline is dead, who cares, moron, he thinks.

However, when he starts to go on about the girls, his hackles rise. The creep that Zach mentioned suddenly makes sense. Marco is a big guy, with a beef against him, and dangerous. But the vengeful streak kicks in, along with the lack of self-preservation that comes from smoking weed infrequently and being stoned.

"You and Rose? I asked her to go with me to Homecoming. That's going to be awkward."

Jan 4, 2023 10:59 pm

"It is good shit as you say. I grow it, or grew it and I'm growing it again. You have last year's plant. But this year's a clone so it should be the same ... mostly."

Emily offers a hand for the pipe but realizes she has to chill a bit or they will have to carry her home and that would be downright embarrassing.

"Yeah I kinda was interested in him and thought he might be into me but he seems like a bit of a prick, ya know? He was really nice to me when I got here. Showed me around town and stuff but now ... he wants to play the field it seems. Typical guy. All they want is the one thing. He's no exception I guess," Emily says biting her lower lip. "Not that I don't enjoy that," she adds quickly. "Who doesn't love sex?"

Maybe Emily was warming up to Rose. She wasn't so bad and talking with her was nice as she really didn't have any close female friends yet, but maybe her buzz was making her a little more accepting than she would normally be.

"We could ditch him. That might be fun and only what he deserves. He'd see us leave though. But maybe that's even better." As Rose gets closer, a little too much closer, Emily takes a small step back and almost loses her balance. But then it becomes obvious that Rose might be hunting for a kiss.

"Eww no! I'm not like that. I like guys." Regretting her outburst she backpedals. "But I'm up to trying. I've never kissed a girl. Just be gentle." Bursting into laughter she doubles over, her giggles becoming uncontrollable, tears rolling down her cheeks. "It would be funny to watch his eyes pop out of his head. Don't guys love that girl-on-girl stuff?"

Jan 4, 2023 11:52 pm

The Roadside (Zach)

Flanking the road on both sides is a ditch and trees beyond that, and as Zach continues to retreat and protect himself, the dark-haired man who tried to take his phone just tries to shove the boy down before he turns and runs back towards the Escalade. The push is a violent one, and Zach goes down hard, ass over teakettle as he tumbles down into the ditch, his phone going flying.

"Dumb punk!" his assailant yells from the SUV, then the big engine roars and gravel flies as the truck pulls away.

Officer Yvonne Bentley

A siren blasts at that moment, and lights flash as Officer Yvonne Bentley, approaching from the other way in her patrol car, witnesses the high schooler being shoved into the ditch. The Cadillac, though, just blasts past her, accelerating away before she can block their escape with her cruiser. Radioing in, she turns the car around and skids to a stop near where Zach is still on the ground, likely groaning.

"Hey!" she shouts as she gets out and runs to the top of the ditch. "You okay! Kid, you alright?!"

Down the road, the black SUV is speeding away.

OOC:

Okay! That’s, surprisingly, a hit and two raises on the damage roll. That will leave Zach Shaken and with Two Wounds. Though Zach can try and Soak the damage by spending a Benny and making a Vigor roll…

And if it’s not clear, Bentley is trying to quickly determine whether the civilian needs help, or she can focus her attention on apprehending the perpetrators.

Rolls

Vinnie tries to shove Zach to the ground (vs. Parry 8) - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (63) = 9

1d6 : (3) = 3

Damage (vs. Toughness 4) - (1d8, RA)

(85) = 13

Officer Bentley Notice… - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Jan 5, 2023 12:30 am

The Banks (Freddie & Emily)

Marco Corbitt

Perhaps surprisingly, Marco shrugs when Fred mentions maybe inviting Rose to the dance.

"Whatever, bro. We’re not exclusive or nothin’. I got all kinds of bitches now, Freddie, more than I could ever want. Rose’ll be Rose. You don’t know that yet, you’ll learn soon enough."

Rose Tidwell

"You’ve never made out with a girl?" Rose asks Emily incredulously, down at the point — like eeeevvvveryone had done that.

"You’ve had sex, but never even kissed a girl? Wow. And hell yeah guys think it’s hot! He’ll want us all the more, both of us — but then we leaving him hangin’, right? Boner city, high and dry, no action coming his way." Moving forward, pressing herself lightly against the other girl, she grins, kisses Emily surprisingly passionately — there’s tongue — then she breaks away and giggles. "He’ll think of us when he masturbates tonight!"

Standing back a little, Rose draws a deep breath and closes her eyes. "Now you try," she says.

Jan 5, 2023 12:58 am

Zach pushes himself to his feet. He flinches when his palms push against the ground. They're hurting, pretty bad, and when he looks at them, they're bleeding. He must have tried to catch himself with them when he was going down and scraped them on the pavement.

He bites his tongue, trying not to break into tears from the pain, surprise and fear of the moment. With a noticeable bit of delay, he looks up at Bentley and nods.
He then scrambles to find his phone again after he must have let it go in his fall. When he has it, he puts it up to his ear.
"Abby?" Even his voice sounds weak and close to tears and... girly. "Abby, they're gone now. I have to hang up."

And then he does without waiting for her answer. And instead, he calls Emily's phone.

OOC:

Not attempting to soak, but assuming that since we're out of combat, Shaken will clear after a moment

Last edited January 5, 2023 1:07 am

Jan 5, 2023 3:21 am

"Um ... nooo. I mean I've kissed my mom on the cheek but no. No girls."

Emily almost felt like she'd missed some expected rite of passage and suddenly felt excluded.

"And uh yeah, of course, I've had sex. Hasn't everyone my age?"

But the giggles attacked her again. It was one of the nice side effects of this pot, or not nice depending on what you were into. The idea of Freddie getting a boner as the two of them unexpectedly kissed suddenly felt like the perfect revenge and absolutely hilarious at the same time. The titillating image turned her on so she had no problem returning Rose's kiss in kind as her tongue tried to chase Rose's around the inside of her mouth.

Rose Tidwell

Jan 5, 2023 7:15 am

The Banks (Emily)

Rose Tidwell

Rose groans a little when Emily kisses her, exploringly, and the girl lets her hands roam just a little as the boys watch. A buzzing vibration makes her grin and break the deepening kiss, and she needs a moment before she can say, "Uh... that was nice. And I think that's your phone?"

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Jan 5, 2023 7:22 am

The Roadside (Zach)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"Oh! Hey, young sir, stay there, don't get up!" the policewoman says emphatically as she climbs down into the culvert. Zach notices there is actually blood all over as he dials Emily Richardsen, and that that's probably what has panicked Officer Bentley.

"Take it easy, you're hurt, but I've got help on the way! Who were those guys? Why'd they do this?" she asks as she reaches him, concern marking her face.

OOC:

That's two wounds out of three, so Zach is indeed pretty hurt, nearly incapacitated.

Jan 5, 2023 8:01 am

The more Zach tries to move, the more he feels pain all over his body. His elbows scream at him when he tries to straighten his arms, there's wetness by his knee that can only be blood and when he tries to stand up, his legs don't support him, whether from shock or actual injury he can't tell yet, so he stays on the ground. He has no idea how he could have fallen so badly but he feels more like he was hit by car than shoved to the ground. Not that he's ever been hit by a car to compare, but still. He blinks up at the officer. "I don't know," he whines and he hates how his voice sounds. Suddenly, a thought comes to him and makes him panic. He still hasn't really determined where all the blood came from, so he reaches up and touches his head, hoping not to find a bleeding wound there of all places. "There... there were these guys and they tried to attack me and these other guys saw it and at first they acted nice and all but then they got really pushy and wanted me to get in their car so I pretended to call my dad and then one of them tried to take my phone and he pushed me," Zach recalls, rattling off the whole story as he still fights with tears. "This hurts," he then admits.

The phone is mostly forgotten in his hand for the moment, so if Emily picks up, she might be able to make out parts of the conversation.

Jan 5, 2023 8:35 am

Lily rubs her tongue against her palm. Phantom hairs sit on her tongue, tingling.

"Blegh! Blegh! Blegh!"

Her stomach feels a little woozy.

"It was… it was like looking into a black hole. I think I’m gonna be sick!" she says, slumping down into Wendy’s side.

"Hold my hair back, alright!" and then she’s smiling again.

"That was… a lot. This place…" and then she laughs a little. Which is quickly silenced by the sound of footsteps!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (5) = 5

Lily Palmer: Common Knowledge* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (61) = 7

Jan 5, 2023 2:30 pm

Emily was relieved when her phone buzzed. The kiss was nice and all but the roaming hands she wasn't sure about. Still, she found herself wondering what the boys were doing in response to their shenanigans.

Yanking out her phone she only smiles at Rose's comment and looks to see who it is. Using the opportunity to casually throw a glance the boy's way, she looks to see if their tongues are hanging out.

"Hmm, I better take this. Uh ... hi Zach, what's up?"

Last edited January 5, 2023 5:09 pm

Jan 5, 2023 3:02 pm

OOC:

Emily -- trust you know that it's Zach on the phone? Now if Zach's number isn't in your phone, it'll come up Unknown Number... but since he had your number, chances are good it's in there?

Jan 5, 2023 3:38 pm

Freddie watches the girls flirt with each other. His first instinct is to leave them to their privacy, but his protective nature won't leave Emily with the possible narc. His second instinct is to make small talk with Marco, but again it's Marco. He instead just reaches down and gets his food. The Vietnamese sub won't eat itself.

Jan 5, 2023 7:55 pm

When Emily picks up, it sounds more like a pocket dial than an intentional call. Quietly, from farther away, she hears a voice that she only after a moment identifies as Zach's. He sounds scared and maybe even close to tears. "...so I pretended to call my dad and then one of them tried to take my phone and he pushed me. This hurts."

Rolls

Where's the ouchie? - (2D6, RA)

(32) = 5

Jan 6, 2023 6:01 pm

"Zach? That is you, right? Are you ok? You don't sound ok? What hurts? Where are you? Who is them?"

Anxious now that something feels wrong she immediately starts heading toward the van. "I think Zach might be in trouble. Freddie! We might need your help," she shouts over to him, ignoring Marco.

Wendy Lin

Jan 6, 2023 11:18 pm

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

Wendy doesn’t even pretend to hold Lily’s hair for her pretend barf, instead making a face herself over what they just witnessed. "Ew. EW! Frickin’ ew! I don’t know what I expected to see, but… augh! EW! Gross!"

The footsteps — they’re recognizable. The scuff-clomp, scuff-clomp… Lily thinks she knows who it is that’s coming. Mr. Levitt!

OOC:

Your favorite teach!

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Jan 7, 2023 7:17 pm

The Roadside (Zach)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Turning back towards the road for a moment, watching as the big SUV tears away, Bentley radios in the situation, asks for paramedics, then climbs down into the ditch where Zach is trembling.

"Hey, hey -- help's here, okay? And more's coming," the office says as she reaches the injured teen, even as another voice on the other end of Zach's phone suddenly sounds.

"Lie back back, right here -- I want the paramedics to look at you once they get here, okay?" Bentley adds, her voice comforting and her concern genuine. "Now tell me again -- what guys did this? The ones in that SUV, right?"

OOC:

What do you think caused the injuries? I'm pitching the ditch being a deep one -- 5 to 8 feet deep with sloping earthen / grass-covered sides. Did he land on something at the bottom, or perhaps twist something? If you want inspiration, roll 2d6 and look at the Injury table on p95. (It's for more serious wounds, but we can use the location if you want.)

Marco Corbitt

Jan 7, 2023 7:24 pm

The Banks (Freddie and Marco)

Marco Corbitt

"What's up dude, check that out," Marco says as he points at the two girls down by the water. It's hard to tell exactly what's happening, but there's definitely a kiss or two.

Rolls

Emily - Notice - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (4) = 4

Rose Tidwell

Jan 7, 2023 7:28 pm

The Banks (Emily and Rose)

Rose Tidwell

"What?!" Rose says when Emily answers her phone, and as she starts back towards the boys and the parking lot. Running to catch up, she adds, "Zach like Zach Zach? My brother? What happened?!"

OOC:

Rolled Notice for Emily in the last post. When you were down at the point, that vantage allowed you to spot a vehicle parked at The Lookout -- a bluff on the other side of the river has an area to 'park' and party that is way more secluded than the Banks. It's a couple of miles to get into it, hiking or with a Jeep or other 4x4. The vehicle you saw looked abandoned, and was indeed a Jeep. Roll Common Knowledge to recognize it, please!

Jan 7, 2023 8:09 pm

"I don't... no paramedics," Zach grunts. Once those get involved there is no way his dad won't hear of what happened. "I'll be fine. I just need to sit and catch my breath for a bit..." After he made sure his head isn't bleeding, he tries to sit up again but is stopped by a pain in his gut. He's not quite sure what happened, but it feels like he landed on something. As he looks around the ditch, he notices that it's full of trash. In fact, it seems like it would have been a miracle for him not to land on anything. Judging by all the blood, he's almost certain he got himself at least partially impaled on something, but he doesn't dare to look. He takes in a sharp breath, then nods. "Two guys in suits who were in that SUV," he confirms. Then he tries to get up again. Most of his injuries are minor scrapes from a really unlucky fall, but that one spot he doesn't want to look at really hurts. "Really, I'm fine," he lies, not very convincingly. "I'll take a quick break and then I'll be good as new."

As he already knows that the officer is not just going to let him go, another thought occurs to him that makes him break into a cold sweat. The paramedics are going to want to check him over. They'll need to take off his shirt for that. "I'll refuse any medical examination," he tells Bentley. "You can't force me to accept it."

Jan 7, 2023 9:48 pm

"Yeah Rose. I don't know but he doesn't sound good."

As she closes in on the van. With her phone clutched tightly to her ear she asks again, "Zach? Zach you still there? Who is with you that I hear in the background?"

"There's someone or someones with him Rose but I don't recognize their voices and can't really make out what they are saying."

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Common Knowledge* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Jan 7, 2023 11:19 pm

Freddie stops chewing not due to Marco's dude speak, or the undeniable allure of the two girls trying to make out, but as the nature of their body language tightens when Emily's phone rings. Concern radiates from them both.

He steps up the sub and his over when Emily calls for him. In clearer thinking days, he might have sexy ideas on just how exactly he can "help" them, but those don't surface at the moment. "What's going on?"

Jan 8, 2023 4:50 am

"You okay?" Lily asks, her tone no longer jokey or dramatic.

"They shouldn’t be doing that here. Do you want to complain to someone?"

And then she’s quite a moment, listening for the steps. She sits on the floor of the girls bathroom, and knows it’s Levitt.

"That’s Levitt now. Do you want to tell him about this? You know he’ll raise hell for us! He’d probably march in there right now and catch them in the act!"

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Jan 8, 2023 6:07 am

The Roadside (Zach)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Officer Bentley's eyebrows raise when Tidwell starts to protest, but she's someone who can keep a cool head when stress levels start to rise. "It's okay. They're just gonna check you over, make sure you don't have a serious injury."

When the boy presses home the point, though -- when it makes it clear he doesn't want any kind of examination, the policewoman looks at him sideways. "You can refuse their help if you want, but why would you want to? What's your name son? I think I recognize you from Boseman High, right?"

Jan 8, 2023 6:18 am

The Banks (Emily, Freddie, Marco and Rose)

Rose Tidwell

"Where are you going?!" Rose says, trying to keep pace with Emily, who is moving quickly. Pulling out her own phone as she walks, Zach's sister sees no messages or voicemails from her brother. "Where is he?" she asks again. "What happened to him? Can I talk to him?"

Marco Corbitt

Marco just grunts a little and looks annoyed that a) there's no longer a girl-on-girl show going on, and b) there's no sign of his pot yet. "Who's Zach?" he asks as he follows Fred up towards the cars. "And Rose -- Rose! Where's my quad?"

OOC:

Zach, is your phone still connected at this stage?

Wendy Lin

Jan 8, 2023 6:27 am

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

Wendy nods when Lily asks if she's okay, but she's still sticking out her tongue and pretending to vomit when the other girls ponders some kind of formal complaint.

"Should we?" the Asian girl says, wide-eyed. "Can we?"

Then there's the question of having Mr. Levitt break it up. Wendy isn't ready for that either, and her eyes go wider as her voice drops further. "Do you think he'd do that?! I mean... they really shouldn't be doing that in there, right? I have class in there tomorrow!"

Jan 8, 2023 6:46 am

"Zach. Zachary Tidwell," he tells the officer. There's no use in lying about who he is. "I'm new in town, but yeah. High school." He then bites his lip, hesitating before revealing the reason why he doesn't want to be examined. The main one, since at this point, even Zach has pretty much given up on the hope that he'll be able to keep his injuries from his parents. Even if he got Rose to sneak him out a spare set of clothes, they'd have to be blind not to see that he's scraped and bruised all over. In a shaky voice, he admits, "I don't want anyone to look at me." He gestures vaguely towards his upper torso and chest. "Here." He does not explain why that is, though.

Instead, he finally notices the faint voices coming from the phone in his hand and he realizes that he was going to call Emily. He moves his arm and the screen turns on, revealing an ongoing call with Emily. Shit. He puts the phone up to his ear. "Emily?" he asks. "It's Zach. Sorry. I'll have to call you later. There's something really important." He wants to hang up but then adds, "Maybe it would be best if you just go home. Like, right away."

Jan 8, 2023 6:59 am

"Hey." she says softly.

"Stay here. I’ll talk to Levitt about it. I’ll be back in a sec!"

Checking that Wendy agrees, Lily will push off from the floor and exit the bathroom, hopefully in time to cross paths with the English teacher.

Jan 8, 2023 4:31 pm

Emily ignores Rose and speaks into her phone."Wait. What. Go home? Why home?" Emily waits frowning in dismay. None of this was adding up and the snippets of conversation she was picking up made no sense.

Shaking her head she replies to Freddie, "I have no idea what's going on. Nothing good is all I can figure out, but Zach just told me to go home and that he'd call me later. I think I'm a little too stoned to drive though."

Jan 8, 2023 5:30 pm

Freddie senses there is something odd there, after all, what does Zack know about Emily he doesn't? There is only one thing that makes sense -- her house might be on fire or the scene of another disaster. Maybe ambulances are there. "Your home. Your family, are they all right?" He shakes his head, and says, "I'll drive you. The Tesla nearly drives itself, just let me rinse my face to sharpen up."

He'll go to the river and splash water over himself. This is a bad idea, Freddie. But if you don't do it, she will drive herself.

Rolls

Notice - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (61) = 7

Common Knowledge - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benny to reroll Common Knowledge - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Jan 8, 2023 6:22 pm

At the Roadside (Zach)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Bentley shakes her head slightly and gestures to Zach's chest when the boy says he doesn't want anyone looking at him. "Uh... okay. Why? What's there?" she asks after he talks to Emily on the phone. "And who is that you're talking to? Hang up, okay? I think you're in shock."

OOC:

So Bentley will understand the whole transitioning thing really well -- if she ever figures out what's going on. She didn't notice anything strange about Zach's chest, what with all the blood and all.

Rolls

Bentley Notice - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Bentley Common Knowledge - (1d6, RA)

(62) = 8

Jan 8, 2023 6:32 pm

Lily and Wendy

Wendy Lin

Wendy nods again when Lily says she's going to tell Mr. Levitt, just managing to say, "I've got your back! Also ew! Ew!" as Lily slips out into the hallway -- perfectly timing an interception of Mr. Levitt!

Mr. Levitt

Always a cool cucumber, until he wasn't, Levitt just gives Lily a short nod as he walks on past her and the entrance to the girls' restroom. "Ms. Palmer," he says, "you're looking well. I trust this week's edition of the paper is well underway?"

OOC:

He's saying this as he's walking by -- doesn't look like he's intending to stop for a chat.

Jan 8, 2023 7:31 pm

The Banks (Emily, Freddie, Marco and Rose)

Jogging down to the river, Fred splashes water on his face. It's cold, invigorating, kind of surreal in some ways. Maybe it's the pot, but it's been quite a day. The test, the talk with his sisters, smoking up with Emily, kissing Emily... then her and Rose Frenching, seeing Marco, this phone call -- wtf, brah?

Lifting his face from the water, the boy draws a deep breath and spies something he missed before, from where he and Emily were smoking, smooching, and eating. A Jeep -- an older Wrangler -- is parked across the river and downstream, at the lookout that Freddie knows is really difficult to get to. There's The Banks, the easy drive-up party and make-out area behind him, and then there's The Lookout, where people went if they really wanted privacy. It was a few miles from the road on the other side of the river, reachable only by 4x4 or a couple of hours of hiking.

Rose Tidwell

"Here," Rose says to Marco, throwing him his little bag of pot. She's about to say more when Marco interrupts her. He heard Emily say she was too stoned to drive, and when Fred goes back to the river...

Marco Corbitt

"I'll drive you. I'm sober. Where do you wanna go? Emily, right?"

OOC:

Fred, straight Vigor test to see if you're still buzzing.

Jan 8, 2023 7:39 pm

"Emily, I need to hang up," Zach says into the phone. "Go home. I'll come by your place later to talk. And make sure Rose is safe." Of course, it's unlikely that he'll be able to visit her later, both due to his injuries and the fact that he's probably not going to be allowed to leave his house again until he's eighteen. But that's something to worry about later.

"Nothing's there," Zach lies in response to Bentley's question. "I just don't want anyone to look at me, okay?" He lies back again, looking up at the sky for a moment before letting out a heavy breath. "You better call my mom," he then tells the officer, unlocking his phone and offering it to her. He prefers it to be his mom, even though the outcome will probably be similar regardless of which parent gets the call. Just, he didn't have a conversation with his mom only minutes before, telling her it's perfectly safe. "Get this over with."

Jan 8, 2023 8:29 pm

"My home is fine. No, Zach says for me to go home. None of this makes sense. He's in some kind of trouble. Maybe someone is holding a gun to his head. I don't know."

But Emily pulls up short for a sec. "Wait. Maybe he does mean for me to go home because something is wrong there. Shit! Shit!

Jan 9, 2023 12:55 am

Freddie sees the Wrangler, and wonders if someone is making out. It's that kind of day, but he doesn't see anyone there.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Vigor to sober up - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (2) = 2

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Jan 9, 2023 7:25 am

At the Roadside (Zach)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"We'll get you patched up, Zach, get your parents out here as well, okay?" Bentley says as she takes the boy's phone, looks at the number and keys it into her own smartphone...

Some time later, after being treated nominally by the paramedics, and after giving a formal statement to Bentley, Zach is in the back of the family car as his mom and dad drive him home. The teen's father's eyes are on him, in the mirror as the man shakes his head a little.

"Zach, remember when you were leaving and--"

"Honey," Zach's mom interrupts. "Not right now, okay? He's been through a lot. Let's let him just recover. Then we can talk about things."

Zach's phone is suddenly vibrates as texts come through -- two different conversations.

Abby: Hey! What's going on? Did my impression work?!
Abby: Zach?
Abby: You there? Lost you
Abby: ZACH!?
Rose: Hey big brother. Is everything okay? Did you just call Emily, the other chick Freddie was with at lunchtime?
Rose: What's going on?

OOC:

Hope you're okay with me moving things along. If there was something specific you wanted to cover we can cover it via flashback if necessary. Using the "Group" rules for the two paramedics trying to heal Zach -- meaning they get a Wild Die. Result: One wound is treated / removed!

Also, what are your parents' names?

Rolls

Paramedics Treat Zach's Wounds - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jan 9, 2023 7:33 am

The Banks (Emily, Freddie, Marco and Rose)

Even a brief looks tells Freddie that the Jeep looks abandoned -- or at least like there's no one around at the moment. When he catches up to the others, his head is clearer and they are all about to get into Marco's Z28, which is now rumbling and belching smoke...

Rose Tidwell

Rose is looking skeptically at Emily as they stand outside the car. "A gun to his head? More likely he's locked himself in the bathroom. Again. What did he say, exactly?"

Jan 9, 2023 8:14 am

OOC:

Nope, happy with moving on

"It wasn't my fault," Zach tells his parents defiantly. "And it wasn't about me being trans either before you start thinking that. How would those guys even know?" he reads the messages on his phone and frowns before quickly typing responses to both of them.

Zach: Hey Ab
Zach: Sorry for worrying you
Zach: Got roughed up a bit but it's fine. I'll call you later
Zach: I need to talk to Emily first
Zach: Make sure Emily goes straight home and stays there. Tell her I need to talk to her
Zach: And stay there as well. Don't go wandering around the city
Zach: I'm fine mostly
Zach: But you'll hear all about what happened when you get home
Zach: And then again every day for the rest of the year
He looks up at his parents. "I need to talk to Emily," he tells them. "Can you drive me to her house in a bit? That's where Rose will be too, so we can pick her up."

Jan 9, 2023 1:03 pm

"Almost!" she answers with feigned nervousness. She was building the act for when the reveal came. Though she had to wonder if the man had heard something as he marched passed the offending room. Heard, and ignored…

"There’s an ethical concern in one of the stories. We wondered what you might think of it!"

She waits to see if the mention of journalistic ethics is enough to get the man to stop, or if he continues to walk on.

Jan 9, 2023 10:39 pm

"I don't know!" Emily was feeling a little panicked. Something was up and her needing to be home was weird and making her feel paranoid. Was it the people they were fleeing, the reason why they were in the WP program? Were her parents even ok?

"I was only catching bits of the conversation between him and someone else and then he sort of forgot about me for a bit I think. I think he said go home, make sure you were safe and he'd come by later, and then he said he better hang up. So we better go straight to my place. He seemed pretty adamant about that. I guess something is happening there or is going to happen there and now I'm worried."

Jan 10, 2023 1:10 am

Freddie is concerned about Emily riding around with Marco, although that's probably safer than them driving. He does feel better though, he thinks.

"Emily, are you sure you want to go with them? Stay a bit longer, will you? I can drive you home in a little. Call your folks and see if they're all right." That's a lot of excuses, but he has a gut feeling they need to talk some more.

Jan 10, 2023 1:20 am

"I ... naaa ... I can't. I feel like I need to go home. Something in Zach's voice. Alarm bells, you know?" She offers Freddie a weak smile for caring even though she thinks he's a dolt.

"I'm not thrilled going with Marco but I'm too fucked up to drive. I'll have to get a ride back later to get it."

She had thought of calling her mom but she never calls her and that would alarm her mother so she didn't feel like that was the right thing to do. "I'll know pretty soon what's up so I better get going. If you want you can come over when you're able to drive."

Jan 10, 2023 1:42 am

"Okay, let me know if everything is okay. I'll hang out here then. Maybe go for a swim."

He's not excited about this plan, but what's Marco going to do?

Jan 10, 2023 8:14 am

On the Way Home (Zach)

James Tidwell's lips press together as he stifles his anger when his son asks to be taken elsewhere. Mary, Zach's mom, answers instead. "No, Zach dear -- we're going home."

"Who is Emily?" Zach's dad asks. "And what are you talking about with Rose? She's over at Stacey's, studying Spanish."

Mr. Levitt

Jan 10, 2023 8:19 am

Lily and Mr. Levitt

Mr. Levitt

"Oh?" Mr. Levitt says when there's mention of trouble with ethics. He stops in his tracks and instead turns towards one of his favorite students. "What's going on, Lily? How can I help?"

Jan 10, 2023 8:28 am

The Banks (Emily, Freddie, Marco and Rose)

Marco Corbitt

"Get in," Marco says to Rose and Emily, "I'll take you home."

The boy just gives Fred a flick of his head -- it's hard to read what he means, but it'll likely nothing good. Soon enough the girls are in the two-door car, one of them stuffed into the back, and the Z is peeling out of the dirt parking lot, throwing stones with its wide back tires as Rose waves out the window at Freddie.

"Tell me where I'm going," Marco says to Emily, shifting gears and accelerating down the dusty road.

Rose Tidwell

Turning so she can climb up and look over the front bucket seat and into the back, Rose makes meaningful eye contact with the other teen. You okay? her eyes are asking.

OOC:

Okay, Fred, you're staying. Post away! Emily, you're directing Marco to take you straight home?

Jan 10, 2023 8:47 am

Zach rolls his eyes. "No, she went to hang out with Emily," he says. "Emily Richardsen. The girl I'm going to Homecoming with. She's new in town as well and Rose wanted to make some new friends."

He hesitates, then he adds, "Well, and the fact that Freddie was going to be there as well definitely didn't hurt. He wanted to ask Rose out for the dance and I'm pretty sure that's the main reason she went." He feels just a tiny bit guilty at throwing Rose under the bus but if it gets at least some of his parents anger off him and onto her, that would be a relief. "Also, Marco drove her. I told her not to go with him because he's a creep but she wouldn't listen. You know how she is."

Jan 10, 2023 2:42 pm

The dramatic scene ends as the beater Camaro takes off. Something about Marco's look tells him that the confrontation isn't over. Whether the man comes back later, after getting hoover-head from Rose, Freddie doesn't know.

He grabs the leftovers from the subs and his extra drink and tosses them in the trunk of his car. He peels.off all of his clothes and tosses them in, leaving his tight briefs on and keeping his car key. He grabs the towel from his exercise bag and closes the trunk.

That Jeep. A swim is good physio for him, although a river isn't the safest choice. He stands the key under a bush and walks to the river. Leaving the towel on the bank, he wades in. His body shows little scarring from the accident, airbags saved him from much of that, but the impact was still formidable. His soft tissues have a way to go before he's back to normal, if he ever recovers fully from the tears and sprains. His once daunting athleticism is a shadow of what it once was.

He swims, aiming upstream of the Jeep, knowing the water will carry him downstream.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Jan 10, 2023 3:22 pm

Emily catches Rose's look but quickly looks ahead to direct Marco who is making her nervous. Was the pot making her paranoid? She felt terrible, almost shaky and her heart was banging against her chest. Wishing that Freddie had come with them she glances back at him through the rear window. She had let her disappointment with him get the better of her good judgment and now here they were, two girls alone in a car with this man she didn't know.

Gathering her wits about her, trying not to imagine some horrid scene at home she tells Marco where to go.

"See that turn up ahead? Make a right and a quick left. You'll run out of road in a few miles. Just stay on that and you'll end up at our place."

She pictured the drink she'd left at the river bank. Her mouth felt like cotton and she would have loved a sip of it right now.

Jan 11, 2023 1:17 pm

Now that his curiosity had been piqued, and Lily was on the spot… it occurred to her that she didn’t really know how to tell this story.

"It’s just…" she starts, as the gears start to kick into overdrive. She looked to Wendy, and knew how slimy the girl must feel. A million ways to trick the man into stumbling upon the scene himself. Or to try and metaphor the whole thing and make it for and have him understand. And…

She stops then.

"Mr Levitt…" her face drops then, and she looks at her shoes.

"… Wendy and I just saw something disgusting and… gross… and inappropriate in the Language Resource Center. We thought someone should…"

Without looking up then, she steps to the side, in case the man wants to move beyond her to investigate the whole thing.

Jan 12, 2023 5:01 am

On the Way Home (Zach)

"She what?" Zach's dad says while keeping his eyes on the road. "Homecoming? You have a... a date for homecoming?"

Zach then goes on at length, outing his sister in all sorts of other ways, and as he speaks he watches his father's cheek redden as as the man gets more and more flustered.

"Zach," his mom says evenly, turning around again so she can look her injured son in the eyes. "Leave Rose out of this for a moment, okay? We're worried about what happened to you. Rose can look after herself. So how do you think those boys... the ones that shouted at you -- how did they know?"

"When did you get a date for the dance? And who is Marco?" James Tidwell asks, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter.

Jan 12, 2023 5:14 am

The Lookout (Freddie)

The water is cold and Fred's teeth chatter as he climbs, shivering for a moment, up on the shore on the far side of the river. It wasn't a short or easy swim, but the river snaking through town only usually ran hard in the spring. Climbing the bank isn't a simple task either, but it takes him just a few minutes to reach the top of the forty-foot bluff -- where the blue Jeep he spied is parked.

The cloth-topped, two-door Wrangler is an older model -- probably from the nineties -- and it sits empty with the doors closed As the last of the water drips from the boy. The ground is soft and muddy -- the Jeep's tracks are plain as they wind into the woods, onto to the 4x4 trail that connects to the road.

Jan 12, 2023 6:34 am

"They didn't fucking know!" Zach replies, his voice raised to almost a shout, which he's sure is a bad idea but can't stop. Forcing himself to sound more calm again, he adds, "It was random, okay? They were probably drunk or something and looking to be idiots." He does not mention the f-word being thrown at him. That might undermine his case, even if he thinks that was not personally related to him. He hopes.

"She's just a friend, dad. Emily's new in school, so am I. We figured we might as well go together. Safer than asking anyone I'm really interested in, you know." He tries to meet his dad's eyes in the mirror as he says this. After that, he sighs. "And Marco is just Marco. Some asshole who likes younger girls. Doesn't matter anyway. Rose could get wasted at a college frat party full of perverts and you'd just tell her what a pretty dress she was wearing. I walk to get myself a burger and get in fucking trouble for being reckless somehow."

Jan 13, 2023 2:23 am

The Richardsen House (Emily, Marco and Rose)

Boseman isn't a huge town, and it doesn't take long for Emily to direct Marco to her house. It was weird, driving with Marco -- who she'd never met -- and Rose, who she'd just met and who she was just making out with. Really weird.

The house is quiet as they pull up, the Camaro chugging and blugging to a stop. Marco's eyes are on the house number as Emily gets out quickly and runs for the door. Her brother appears in his bedroom window, and he does not look panicked, afraid, or in any kind of distress.

"Hey!" Steve says after opening his window. "You're back early!" His eyes go to the car, and the other girl who got out. "Whoa! Sweet ride, sis! And... uh... who's your friend?"

Rose Tidwell

"Everything cool?" Rose asks Emily from where she's standing near the Z28...

Jan 13, 2023 3:01 am

"I'm not sure, Rose," Emily says, her back to the girl.

As she nears Steve, Emily lowers her voice. "Are you sure everything is okay? Where are mom and dad? I got a call from Zach that was really weird and he told me to go directly home. Something is off. I can feel it."

Last edited January 13, 2023 3:29 am

Jan 13, 2023 3:28 am

Lily, Wendy and Mr. Levitt

Levitt waits patiently as Lily musters her courage and her words. Well, mostly patiently. That eyebrow is up when she finally just blurts it all out.

Wendy Lin

"Really gross. So gross!" Wendy chimes in, appearing from the bathroom behind Lily.

Mr. Levitt

"What do you mean, girls?" the teacher asks, his eyebrows coming back down as he looks past the girl, back towards the Language Center. He takes a step, then two, towards the door.

"What did you see? Is there a spill or a mess of some kind? I was just looking for Mr. Gromn to see about this accursed heat. Should I get him to bring a mop?"

Jan 13, 2023 3:51 am

On the Way Home (Zach)

"Zach! Language!" Mary Tidwell says to her son, scolding him for his outburst.

The car is quiet for a moment as the three ride in awkward near-silence, then Zach's mom turns around to look out the front windshield again. "Well, son, if it was random then that means this town isn't as safe as we thought."

His father is stewing about various comments Zach has made about Rose.

"I'll find out who Marco is, and where Rose is tonight," the man says to his wife as they approach their house, then turn into the driveway.

Their home is quiet as they get out and head inside. Zach's father walks into his office, but his mother stokes his shoulder in the hall near the stairs. "I'm sorry that happened, Zach, and that you got hurt. Can I make you some dinner? Your favorite?"

OOC:

What is Zach's favorite home-cooked dish?

Jan 13, 2023 3:57 am

The Richardsen House (Emily, Steve, Marco and Rose)

Steve looks again at Rose, appreciating her attire, then lowers his voice as his sister comes closer. "They went out to dinner. I made frozen pizza and hot pockets if you want some."

He shrugs when Emily mentions Zach. "How would he know what's happening here? I certainly haven't seen him. It's be quiet since mom and dad went out around six." Then the boy frowns. "Hey -- where's the van? Oh man -- you didn't wreck did you?"

Jan 13, 2023 4:26 am

Freddie is tired from his tough swim and isn't eager to repeat it right away. He checks out the Jeep, looking through the driver side window for signs of what might have happened.

The encounter in the other side of the river echoes in his mind. The sexy shotgun with Emily that nearly turned into a full-on make out session. Something was there, and his loyalty to Priya nearly gave way to the dual he sensed.

Then Rose. The sexy young girl seemed into him, which was nothing new. Her obviousness was endearing, honest, and the story from Marco about her cocksucking skills definitely hovered (hoovered?) in the back of his mind. So young though.

Lastly Marco. An ass kicking was coming his way, no doubt. They were even, as far As Freddie could tell, but that math rarely satisfied a bully.

"Man, Jeeps are sweet. I should have bought one of these instead," he tells the quiet woods around him. He tries the door.

OOC:

If there is nothing there, he'll rest a bit then swim back to the car.

Jan 13, 2023 4:32 am

"I don't want any dinner," Zach replies, his arms crossed and his voice still whiny. He never actually got the burger he went out for, so he would love some of his mom's feta cheese and spinach lasagna, but he's too mad at his parents to show it. "This is really important. But I guess you don't actually care. All you care about is keeping me locked up and making sure I never leave the house." He stomps towards his own bedroom and before slamming the door behind himself, he tells her, "You're just ashamed of me!"

He then drops down on his bed, hard enough to make him wince in pain from his injuries before pulling out his phone again. He eyes it for a long moment, considering whether he should call Emily. In the end, he doesn't. This is a conversation that he needs to have in person, where she couldn't as easily deflect if she doesn't want to tell him. Instead, he just texts her,
Zach: Got locked up like fucking Rapunzel
Zach: No way I'm getting to your place
Zach: Stay inside, stay safe. We'll talk at school tomorrow
Feeling like he's trapped and has nothing else he can do, he decides to just wait for the day to end, until he'll be able to leave the house for school the next day.

Jan 13, 2023 1:15 pm

Lily feels quesy at the mention of a mop.

"It was Mr. Polensky and Ms. Romanov… They were…" she stops, wondering how much she’d have to actually say for the man to take up the task himself (and hopefully usher them out of the building right quick to boot). Her face flushed red. This was a teacher, a grown man. And she was… well, she was her. And Wendy was Wendy. They weren’t supposed to be talking about this kind of stuff together.

"… you know. Busy in there! We… Wendy and I… we just happened to see it and… blegh…"

Last edited January 14, 2023 1:44 am

Jan 13, 2023 9:51 pm

"Oh yummy...NOT. I had some Vietnamese something or other earlier. I'm not hungry and quit drooling at Rose."

In answer to her brother's question about Zach, she replies, "That's a good question and that's why I am baffled. Something was definitely wrong." Glaring at Steve when he mentions the van she simply says, "Fuck off, Steve."

Last edited January 13, 2023 9:51 pm

Jan 15, 2023 5:19 am

The Lookout (Freddie)

Freddie finds the Jeep open... and briefly pokes around inside. There are no keys, but the glove box is open and the boy spies a leather briefcase and what looks like a couple of jackets in the back.

OOC:

Sorry this took a minute and it's short. Don't want to assume too much here.

Mr. Levitt

Jan 15, 2023 5:29 am

Lily, Wendy and Mr. Levitt

Mr. Levitt

"Romanov and Polensky? They were... what, exactly?" Levitt asks, but when Lily goes on (and Wendy EEPS and literally runs away, down the hall, unable to bear the converation), realization dawns on the man's jowly face.

"Stay here!" he then says firmly, pointing a finger before he turns and marches over to the door in question. The teacher visibly shudders and blanches after he looks through the window, then calls out to Lily again. "Change of plan! Head home, Lily, and make sure Wendy goes too. I'll handle this!"

Jan 15, 2023 5:38 am

The Two Teens at Home (Zach and Emily)

At the Tidwell residence, Zach settles in for a long, miserable night. He's in pain and his parents remain overbearing -- taking Rose's phone when she gets home and sending her to her room so they can't even communicate by text!

OOC:

Cutting the night here if you're okay with it, bowl.

Over at the Richardsen's, Rose and Marco eventually just leave as Emily lets herself into the house and finds exactly nothing amiss -- except for the messes Steve has made in the kitchen. Her high is fading now, as is the rush of adrenaline. As a result, she's not feeling great as she lies on her bed in her room, waiting for her parents to get home. The sound of Steve masturbating in his room doesn't help her mood, and when her mom and dad finally get home, they're clueness, as usual, that anything might be amiss.

OOC:

Planning on doing anything else tonight, Emily, or can we wrap?

Jan 15, 2023 7:15 am

"Yes, Mr Levitt. Thank you, Mr Levitt." Lily says, still looking at the floor. She spins on her heel, and while she doesn’t run, she certainly moved as if someone had lit a fire beneath her.

She tracks down Wendy with heatseeking precision and takes her by the arm.

"He saw. He saw. He saw. Let’s go. Now!" she mutters without looking at the girl.

"I’ll message dad!" she says, one hand fishing through her pockets for her phone, the other hooked on to Wendy.

"Feeling okay?"

Jan 15, 2023 2:28 pm

Harrigan says:

The Two Teens at Home (Zach and Emily)

OOC:

Planning on doing anything else tonight, Emily, or can we wrap?

OOC:

We can wrap.

Last edited January 15, 2023 2:28 pm

Wendy Lin

Jan 15, 2023 4:20 pm

Outside the School (Lily and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

"I'm okay," Wendy says with a final shudder as they find the nearest exit and bolt outside. "But I can't believe now Mr. Levitt knows we saw that... and then he saw that... we all saw that!"

Just a little later, the girls are both in their homes, contemplating the day...

OOC:

Okay to timeskip for you too, Lily?

Jan 15, 2023 6:45 pm

Freddie searches the briefcase first, then the glovebox second. I'm just looking for the owner's name, so I can let them know where their jeep is. It's probably stolen and ditched here after a joy ride. Are these lies he's telling himself? Maybe. Maybe not, that's for the future to judge.

OOC:

Freddie searches the Jeep thoroughly. Jackets, briefcase, glove box, under the seats, cupholders, etc.

Jan 16, 2023 1:02 am

OOC:

Absolutely!

Jan 16, 2023 7:55 am

The Lookout (Freddie)

It doesn't take long for Solomon to determine the owner of the Jeep -- Mr. Polensky! His name is on school paperwork in the briefcase, and on the car registration in the glove box. And just when he's about to stop searching the car, believing there's nothing else to find... a tube of lipstick. Found on the floor on the passenger's side.

Getting out of the Jeep, Fred does a once-around the outside before he eyes the setting sun and thinks about swimming back across. But then, there! Two sets of tracks in the soft earth, leading away from the Wrangler to the dark woods that come right down to the water on the northern side of the river.

OOC:

Should have asked for a Notice roll. Made one for Fred... success!

Just have to wrap here, but I'll start prepping the next day's posts.

Rolls

Rolling Notice for Fred - (1d6, 1d4, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d4 : (3) = 3

Jan 17, 2023 6:08 am

Tuesday -- Lunch Time (All, but Fred to join late)

A lot had happened in the last twenty four hours, when the friends last had lunch together and failed to even get a game played. Today might end up being the same, they all knew. They all had a lot to talk about, such as what happened to Zach, why Zach had so alarmingly called Emily, whether Zach and Emily were still going to homecoming together, details on Emily making out with Freddie (and then Rose!)... and then everything Lily and Wendy had seen!

Fred wasn't at the table yet, but that was typical for a Tuesday. The room was particularly crowded, sweaty and loud today, so the group had to raise their voices to even hear one another...

OOC:

Just giving you three something to chew on while Fred finishes up.

The school was, and is, unbearably warm again today. The heat is on, there's no question! But no sign of Mr. Gromn beating on old radiators today. And Mr. Levitt was a no-show for his class. Who was in that class, Lily or someone else?

Jan 17, 2023 6:29 am

The atmosphere in the Tidwell household during their brief breakfast together and the drive to school is frosty and uncomfortable. Zach is mad at his parents for how they use his misfortune to feel justified in their overprotectiveness of him. Their parents are upset with Rose for lying to them in order to meet with some dubious people. And Rose is probably planning Zach's murder for ratting her out to their parents.
Not a single word is spoken on the entire ride to school and the second they got there, Rose gets out and leaves. Zach doesn't say anything either as he climbs out of the car.
He limps to his first class of the day, trying to avoid the curious looks of the student body who all wonder what happened to him.

Getting to lunch slightly late - limping takes a bit longer than walking - Zach is stuck with the macaroni special when he sits down. "What's up with the teachers here?" he asks, trying not to bring the topic to his injuries. Though Emily notices him stare at her. And not for the first time today. All day, every time their paths crossed, his eyes were following her every move. "First Edge doesn't show up to class and now Levitt."

Jan 17, 2023 8:54 pm

Emily sits at the lunch table frowning and somewhat lost in thought while she wonders why Zach was so weird on the phone yesterday. She has bags under her eyes from a fitful sleep and the intuitive knowledge that something was seriously amiss but she couldn't put her finger on what. Yes, she wondered about Mr. Edge's crazy behavior despite liking it and now she finds out that Mr. Levitt is also missing. Pushing the macaroni around on her plate she blurts out what's on her mind.

"What happened yesterday Zack? You scared the living shit out of me. Why did you want me to go home so badly? And what the hell happened to you? You sounded ... I dunno ...strange. Scared or something."

Jan 17, 2023 9:11 pm

"I was lying in a ditch and bleeding," Zach replies grimly, indicating his bruises. He really had fallen in the worst possible way. "Is that not enough reason to sound a bit scared? Plus I knew my parents would ground me for a year as soon as they found out what happened. They're already so fucking overprotective of me."

He then hesitates, his eyes briefly darting to Lily before returning to Emily. "As for why I called you... I don't know if you want to talk about that here or in private."

Jan 17, 2023 9:51 pm

"What? Then seeing his bruises her eyebrows shoot upward as she examines them. "Did you let Rose beat you up again? Jesus."

Smirking but then feeling like a bitch she backs off. "I'm sorry, Zach. I shouldn't make fun of you. I use bad humor and insults when I'm nervous. My parents tell me that's a bad habit like they can talk. Anyway, we can meet outside if you want? After we finish our lunch slop."

Jan 17, 2023 10:18 pm

Fred sees the lipstick and smiles a bit to himself. Mr. Polensky scored himself a grocery store MILF!
Since it would be awkawrd AF to run into them, he goes back to the river and prepares himself for the hard swim back.

Last edited January 17, 2023 10:23 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jan 17, 2023 10:25 pm

OOC:

You gonna Benny that? If not, you'll take one level of "Bumps and Bruises" Fatigue, which will stick with you for 24hrs. (That's -1 to rolls. Does the sheet auto-calculate that somehow? If not, just include it if you end up Fatigued.)

Oh, and feel free to join the lunch scene.

Jan 17, 2023 10:53 pm

OOC:

I'll take it like a boy-man!

Following the exhausting swim, a closer call than he'd like to admit, he climbs onto the bank on the right side and stays on all fours for a bit. Retrieving his keys from under the bush, he gets dried off and redresses (commando), before checking his messages and driving home.

The girls have locked themselves in their rooms and he stands a moment outside Debby's room before deciding to just go to bed. He's fucked things up enough for one day.

Belinda is watching TV and he sits with her a moment, but their conversation, as always, is strained and meaningless. He does then head for bed and watches porn for awhile but his mind is adrift in a sea of self-pity so he goes to sleep.

Lunch hour...

Freddie comes in late. Physio has kicked his ass especially after that reckless swim and he grabs the Moscow macaroni almost without complaint. He barely has enough wherewithal to reminisce dreamily over as Ms. Maidstone's amazing choice of lycra tops -- some time, of course, he's not a monster.

Plopping down in his chair, he smiles grimly at the others, and waves at a few of the popular kids. Some kind of confrontation is brewing between the homecoming date partner types.

"Trouble in paradise?"

Jan 18, 2023 12:56 am

Lily is about to open her mouth to explain about Mr Levitt, but quickly shuts in when the other two start speaking in riddles. She sits forward, giving Wendy a ‘get a load of this’ eye, and then watching the two carefully.

"Wh… what is it? What happened?"

And then she feels a little deflated when they agree to meet later. She rolls her eyes internally.

Who does that?…

She thinks to herself, annoyed that something just slipped away from her!

Then, she perks up again. She opens her mouth a second time, as Freddie sits down:

"Mr Levitt is probably talking to the police this morning, or something." is all she says, leaving the morsel hanging for the others.

Jan 18, 2023 1:27 am

Zach nods at Emily. "Let's do that," he agrees to her suggestion to talk after lunch. Then he turns to Lily with a curious expression. "Police? Why?"

Jan 19, 2023 2:59 am

"Well…" and without putting Wendy, or herself, off lunch, she recounts the event of yesterday afternoon.

"So… yeah. We were on the way to the paper, and all that happened! They were being so weird beforehand though. So, maybe they were on drugs or something.

Anyway… I guess Mr Levitt turned them in, or something. Don’t you think?"

Jan 19, 2023 3:51 am

Freddie laughs, his mouth nearly open. "I went down to the banks, last night, and swam across the river. Mr. Polensky's jeep was parked there, and inside, a lipstick stick. Two pairs of footsteps lead away into the woods. Strange, eh? Wherever they went, they left the Jeep there." He thinks and says, "If Lily saw Mr. Polensky and Ms. Romanov yesterday afternoon, then do you think they went out there into the woods for some bare ass nature? Anyone see them today?"

Jan 19, 2023 5:19 am

Emily's eyes widen as she looks at Freddie. "You swam across that river and alone? Jesus."

She had been wondering what Zach was going to tell her that had to be so private but then Freddie launched into his little investigation.

"Teachers fuckin around. What kind of school is this?"

Nevermind that Mr Edge was flirting with a student.

Jan 19, 2023 5:26 am

"Rose and I actually talked about those two yesterday," Zach says. He makes a face when he thinks of Rose. He wonders how long it's going to be until she will speak to him again. "I noticed they both came into school hungover and messy. I'm pretty sure they also did it the night before yesterday. Isn't Polensky married?"

Jan 19, 2023 6:27 am

"What time did you see their jeep?" Lily asks, sounding a little unsure of herself.

"They got caught by Mr Levitt and the first thing they do is go to the woods?"

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (64) = 10

Jan 19, 2023 7:11 am

OOC:

Little randomization here...

Lily -- you saw (or had) Ms. Romanov this morning. Make a Notice check, please.

Zach, your phone buzzes with a text. It's a one-liner from Rose: DICK

And before I forget, the heat is still malfunctioning. It's HOT in the school.

Rolls

Teacher Spotting - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Teacher Spotting 2 - (1d6)

(4) = 4

Who? - (1d4, RA)

(1) = 1

Jan 19, 2023 10:30 am

"Maybe the van was already there from the night before yesterday," Zach suggests. "They could have driven out there to have sex and in the process gotten so wasted that they decided not to risk driving back and instead walked. They both looked really messed up yesterday."

Jan 19, 2023 1:33 pm

Freddie says, "We were there when you called Emily. 5:30 maybe? And I was there at least a half hour after that. Your probably right, they must have left the Jeep there before Lily left the school, right?"

He looks at Emily, "Hey, you got home okay? What was up, everybody okay?"

Jan 19, 2023 3:44 pm

Zach glances at his phone when he notices it vibrate with a message. He sends a quick reply to Rose.

Zach: I wish

Jan 19, 2023 8:37 pm

"Oh Zach you should ..." she was about to say should get out more but that would have been mean so Emily resists the urge to say that and instead just rolls her eyes. Apparently, he has little experience with the world. Heck, that kind of thing was pretty common on TV shows. Not that she was any great shakes at being worldly herself, but wasn't the divorce rate something like fifty percent because of cheaters? She had read that somewhere recently.

"Yeah Freddie, I got home okay and everything was the usual boring normal."

Jan 20, 2023 1:56 am

Lily mutters with Wendy for a moment, while the others discuss Emily’s home life. They go back and forth, clearly figuring something out.

Wendy gestures a hand at the group, and Lily rolls her eyes then and says:

"Fine." before clearing her throat and turning to the group.

"We’ve been trying to decide since yesterday. Do you think we can include this in the paper? I mean… the students have a right to know, right? About all the weird shit that teachers do here?

Right now, the top story is ‘School is Hot!’

Not exactly breaking news!" she says, beginning to fan herself down.

Jan 20, 2023 5:04 am

"I don't know about that," Zach replies to Lily, putting his phone down again. "Most students at least suspect this already anyway but it still feels like a big invasion of privacy." He thinks for a moment, then makes a face. "If you do want a more engaging story, how about 'Older ex-student creeping on young girls'?" He turns to Emily and Freddie. "Did Marco do or say anything weird yesterday? I hate how familiar Rose is with him."

Jan 20, 2023 6:29 am

"That depends!" Lily chimes.

"Are you going on the record?"

She makes exaggerated headline hand motions then.

"‘Boseman Beware!’ says new student, Zachary Tidwell."

Jan 20, 2023 7:53 am

"Right," Zach mutters. "Because I want the guy with the gun to be pissed at me."

Jan 20, 2023 7:54 am

OOC:

Lily -- when you saw Ms. Romanov earlier this morning? She looked just as disheveled as before if not moreso -- and she's wearing the same clothes she was wearing yesterday.

Jan 20, 2023 9:43 am

"Girls, beware of young horny douchebags isn’t exactly a fresh story! But if I could put a name to the story. A face…"

She looks at Zach, and sees it won’t fly!

"Oh, that guys a puppy dog, anyway! Since Freddy and his ‘bros’ beat him up… quiet as a mouse!"

She sighs.

"I’ll guess we’ll just do a running tally of how many days Romanov has been wearing the same outfit!"

Jan 20, 2023 9:56 am

KCC says:

"Girls, beware of young horny douchebags isn’t exactly a fresh story! But if I could put a name to the story. A face…"

"Trust me, I'm aware," Zach sighs. He considers it for a moment, his eyes moving around the room, subconsciously looking for his sister, then he adds, "I'll think about it and get back to you, alright?"

In response to her comment about the running tally, he snorts in amusement.

Jan 20, 2023 4:48 pm

KCC says:

"I’ll guess we’ll just do a running tally of how many days Romanov has been wearing the same outfit!"

"Ew gross, Lilly. You can't write stories like that anyway without absolute proof. I think that crap falls under the heading of libel or slander. I always get those two words mixed up."

Meanwhile, Emily is becoming more and more curious about what Zach wants to tell her in private but she doesn't want to appear too enthusiastic. She glances at him with raised eyebrows hoping he'll get the hint.

Jan 20, 2023 5:00 pm

Freddie ponders Zach's question, and she, "Yeah, Marco said some stuff about Rose. Probably the stuff a brother doesn't want to hear, you know? Maybe it was just guy talk. And maybe that's the kind of stuff he tells other guys too. I don't know. "

He laughs at the running jokes about teachers getting busy in the paper.

Jan 20, 2023 5:10 pm

Zach is really tempted to ask Fred for details, but the boy is probably right. Zach doesn't want to hear those things about his little sister. He bites his lip, considering it for a good moment longer, then just gives Freddie a nod and turns to Emily instead, who looks like she's eager to finally find out what all this secrecy and his call yesterday is about. "Hey Em," he says, trying to sound all casual. "Can I talk to you for a second?"

When she agrees, he gets up, wincing as his bruises hurt again at this, and leads her into a corner of the lunch hall that's not out of sight from their table but out of earshot. And, as far as he can tell, out of earshot of anyone else as well. He hesitates for a moment, trying to figure out how to broach the subject. He's thought about it for a while now but hasn't come to a satisfying solution yet. "So, uhm, yesterday..." he begins, kind of awkwardly. "Nothing, like, weird happened when you were out, right?"

Jan 20, 2023 5:25 pm

"No, what? Look Zach spill the beans already will you? Stop with the cloak-and-dagger stuff okay? The only weird thing was your behavior on the phone."

Admittedly Emily was too stoned to drive yesterday but that was neither weird nor unusual.

Jan 20, 2023 5:38 pm

Zach takes a deep breath, then he says, "Those guys who were bothering me, the ones that pushed me into this ditch and..." He indicates his bruises to let Emily know that these 'guys' he's talking about were responsible for them. "One of them showed me a picture. He asked me if I knew the people on it." His eyes are fixed on Emily's as he tries to read if she can guess what he's leading towards. "It was you and your brother on that picture."

Jan 20, 2023 7:16 pm

Emily drops the attitude when Zach starts describing where he got his bruises but her blood runs cold when he mentions that they had a photo of her and her brother.

"What kind of photo?" she croaks. "Like ... where were we? Any background details in the photo or anything? Describe these men ... what did they look like. What did they say exactly?" She fires off questions rapidly, fear crawling up her spine.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Persuasion* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

Jan 20, 2023 7:55 pm

"I don't know," Zach replies, his curiosity piqued even more now that he sees Emily's reaction. "You looked younger in it. It was probably a few years old. A family photo, definitely posed." He shrugs. "As for the guys, they kind of looked like..."

He stop mid-sentence, his eyes focused on Emily as he instead says, "You already know who they are." He crosses his arms. "Whoever they are, they attacked me. I deserve to know."

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (62) = 8

Jan 21, 2023 1:12 pm

"What’s up with those two?" Lily asks Fred and Wendy, as they cross the room and start a private conversation.

Jan 21, 2023 4:47 pm

"They're going to Homecoming together, so I bet he is asking her about touching protocol."

He switches to an awful impression of Zach. "Waist, great. Ass? Yeah? Boobs? No, are you sure? Damn."

Jan 22, 2023 4:47 am

"That’s something we need to discuss!" Lily jokes with Wendy! She nudges the girl with her elbow, and then winks.

Let’s bully Fred…

"Later! Who are you going with, anyway? Did you decide?"

Jan 22, 2023 5:05 am

Freddie sighs. "No it's getting desperate. I don't want to go alone, but I doubt there is anyone left. Who wants to be a last minute choice? It's a -- what do you call it? -- a conundrum."

He nods at the table where Rose usually sits. "Zach's sister has got a real reputation, according to my sister. I'd ask her but then Priya would think the worst of me. And rightly so!"

He rubs his head. "You two are lucky."

Jan 22, 2023 5:13 am

"Why do you say that?" she asks, in reference to his last comment!

"Is Priya going with anyone?" she says, tenderly enough.

Jan 22, 2023 4:03 pm

"Some people don't like my parents, that's all. I'm sorry you were involved." It wasn't a lie. But Emily needed to text her parents. She'd wait a bit so it wasn't obvious and then let them know. In the meantime, she had better chill.

"Thanks for letting me know about this. I'm just going to go the bathroom." She decided not to wait.

Jan 22, 2023 4:05 pm

Freddie blanches. Did he misinterpret things? "Oh, I thought you were going together. My mistake. Well maybe one, or both of you two would like to go with me? We can go as friends, but still have a proper time, right? And if you want to dance with other people or even hang out with others, that's cool with me."

He looks around, and adds, "I don't know if Priya is going. I am hoping she does get asked and goes, so I can talk to her."

Last edited January 22, 2023 4:06 pm

Jan 22, 2023 4:13 pm

"No, Emily!" Zach says, trying to step into her path and stop her from leaving, if necessary by blocking the door. "There's more going on here. These guys were dangerous. You need to tell me who they are. Am I in danger? Are you in danger?"

Jan 22, 2023 9:40 pm

"I don't need to tell you anything. Look I have to ... to go to the bathroom. Please let me pass." She refuses to say anymore and her eyes say that she will push her way past Zach if it comes to that.

Last edited January 22, 2023 9:40 pm

Jan 23, 2023 12:50 am

"I was attacked, Emily," Zach reminds her. He's already grabbing her arm with one hand to stop her from leaving when he realizes that he might be going too far.

Jan 23, 2023 5:33 am

"Oh, right! We are! You… want to go as a trio? What would the people say, Fred?" she jokes!

"Why don’t you just talk to her right now! Or…" she casts a conspiratorial eye at Wendy.

"We could speak to her! Or we could all speak to her! The trio!"

"We could!" Wendy follows up, encouraging Fred!

Jan 23, 2023 3:14 pm

Freddie remembers the look that Lily gave him when he was checking out Wendy, and suddenly knows he stepped in it, and says, "It was unfair for me to try and weasel between you two. You'll look great together, hot even. Who doesn't like cute girl-girl couples?"

He laughs to cover his own embarrassment.

When Lily offers to speak to Priya, he sighs. "Thanks, that's really sweet. I just want to talk to her, you know? Not, like exchange information. If she's mad at me, then I want her to say that to me, and maybe she'll get it off her chest and feel better about everything, does that make sense?"

He puts his palms over his eyes, feeling his stomach surge with guilt. "I'm an idiot." He digs an antacid from his pocket and dry chews it.

Jan 23, 2023 4:10 pm

bowlofspinach says:

"I was attacked, Emily," Zach reminds her. He's already grabbing her arm with one hand to stop her from leaving when he realizes that he might be going too far.

Emily attempts to shake off Zach's attempt to stop her and if she gets by him she strides toward the bathroom and says over her shoulder, "Look I'm sorry that happened to you but I really have to go unless you want to clean it up. I'm sure those goons won't bother you anymore."

She had answered Zach's question well enough in her mind. Her parents would handle it. Somehow they always managed to fix things. Always managed to stay one step ahead of disaster.

Jan 23, 2023 4:28 pm

When Emily shakes Zach's hand off, he lets her go. She hadn't answered his questions well enough in his mind. But there is still one more person he could ask, who might be a bit more forthcoming if Zach is lucky, even if they don't know each other all that well.

After Emily has left the cafeteria, Zach looks around, trying to find Steve. If he can spot him, he walks over to where he's sitting and asks, "Hey man, can I talk to you for a second. Alone?"

Jan 23, 2023 4:42 pm

Emily finds a stall and starts frantically typing to her mother.

We've been made. Some goons roughed up one of my friends. They have a photo of me and Steve! That's NOT ok. Call me right back! I'm scared.

She decides to wait in the stall, wishing she had a joint. Maybe one of the other girls would come in with one and they could smoke it out the window. It calmed her nerves and they were very frazzled at the moment.

Jan 24, 2023 1:01 am

Lily goes bright red, and simply stares, stock still, into her plastic, gross lunch.

"Yeah…" she finally answers, when he mentions that he wants Priya to get it off her chest.

"Yeah. Better to let her… get it all out. Whatever it is."

She clears her throat then, and chances a side eye at Wendy.

"I mean… we’re all idiots at this age, right? That’s kind of the whole point."

Her face still bright red, she makes a cover for herself.

"Phew! It’s hot in here!"

Jan 24, 2023 1:23 am

Freddie leans back and gestures to himself like a WWE star. "I mean, if you want a piece of this luscious arm candy, who would I be to deny you? I'm nothing if not a philo- a philla- a philanthropist, yeah, that's me to a tee. I'm all about the people."

Jan 24, 2023 8:09 am

The Bathroom (Emily)

Emily waits -- and waits -- for a response from her mother. But after a few minutes, she can tell one isn't coming. Either her mom doesn't have her phone on her, she let it run out of battery again, or...

Emily didn't like thinking about that third option.

Rolls

Die of Fate - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Jan 24, 2023 8:22 am

In the Cafeteria (Freddie, Lily, and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

At varying points in the conversation with Fred, Wendy is smiling and laughing, she's looking away from the boy and her friend in embarrassment, and she blushes a little when Fred calls them cute... and harder when Lily also turns red.

"It is!" she finally says, standing up, intending to clear her tray. "Really hot! We should get to--"

Clutch

"Yo yo, Freddie boy! I gots news!" Clutch say from behind Wendy, making her jump and yelp a little. The tall volleyball player ignores her as he brushes past her, so he and Fred can clasp hands loudly in bro-like fashion. "I got the dope, man! I know who she's going with! You gotta guess. You gotta guess!"

As he says this, Clutch has his back to Lily and Wendy... more or less behaving like they aren't there.

Jan 24, 2023 8:28 am

Elsewhere in the Cafeteria (Zach and Steve)

"Uh..." Steve barely manages when Zach addresses him. The boy was glued to his phone, and wasn't expecting anyone to talk to him at his secluded corner table. He has pizza stains -- or some kind of red stains -- on his chin without seeming to know about them. "Uhhhhmm -- Zach, right? You're Rose's brother? What's... what's up man? What can I do for you?"

Jan 24, 2023 3:04 pm

Elsewhere in the Cafeteria (Zach and Steve)

Zach looks briefly surprised at this. He would have expected Steve to know him more as Emily's friend, but he nods as he takes the seat opposite Steve. "You know Rose?" he asks, rubbing his own chin with his thumb to indicate to Steve about the pizza stains.

He decides to go for a slightly less direct approach than he did with Emily. Apparently, that might be necessary if he wants to find out anything. "I'm sure Emily mentioned that I'm taking her to Homecoming," he says. Then, after briefly trying to figure out how to continue, he awkwardly asks, "You know I care about her, right?"

Jan 24, 2023 4:21 pm

In the Cafeteria (Freddie, Lily, and Wendy)

Freddie claps him on the shoulder. "You're killing me, who is it?" Memories of Marco swim in his mind how he said Rose gave him head, then the image of Priya's head bobbing up and down in the front seat of that beater Camaro. The sudden dichotomous feeling of imagined betrayal that hasn't happened rams him enough he feels faint. "Is it you?"

Jan 24, 2023 5:13 pm

Emily twirls in a tight circle, eyes glued to her phone as she wills it to ring.

"Fucking hell!" she says quietly while now dialing her dad. As she waits she realizes that she should text Steve too.

Steve! We have a problem. Don't talk to anyone! Zach has a photo of us from some goons that roughed him up. Where are mom and dad???

Last edited January 25, 2023 3:05 am

Jan 25, 2023 12:33 am

Lily catches Wendy as she stumbles from being barged by. She waits a moment, and listens in on the conversation, deciding not to say something snarky just yet.

Then there’s a series of hand gestures and silent speaking to Wendy.

Alright. But come back. Maybe we should…

A shrug then.

… make sure he’s okay?! Shhh… Go, go! I’ll stay here. Be quick!

OOC:

Lily makes for a surreptitious mime!

Jan 25, 2023 6:52 am

Elsewhere in the Cafeteria (Zach, Steve, sorta Emily)

Steve, not picking up the pizza glorp clue, nods, a little wide-eyed at Zach. "Yeah, I know her. And what? Emily?" The boy looks like he's just been asked a quiz question after waking up in class. "You're going to the Homecoming dance with my sister?"

At that moment, Steve's phone bzzzert-bzzzert-bzzzerts twice, and he looks at his texts. He goes a little pale when he reads it.

"Um... Zach, sorry, but that's Emily now. I think she needs my help. I gotta go!"

Then he's texting back.

Where are you? I haven't seen mom and dad since we left the house.

Rolls

Steve tries to keep his yap shut - (1d6, RA)

(63) = 9

Jan 25, 2023 7:06 am

In the Cafeteria (Freddie, Lily, and Wendy)

Clutch

"Uh, what?! No brah! I wouldn't do that to you. I mean Priya's hot, but the chance of getting in her pants or feeling up those titties now is virtually nil, right? You made sure of that, dude!"

Realizing that Wendy and Lily are present, Clutch suddenly offers a short wave to both of them. "Oh, hey you two."

Then, back to Fred, he says, "So, so -- it's Moore, man, Dave Moore! The QB! I heard he and Kelly broke up, so he's on the hunt!"

Wendy Lin

Wide-eyed as she looks at Lily, Wendy admits she doesn't know what her friend is suggesting they get up to. "What?!" she whispers.

Jan 25, 2023 9:51 am

Lily waves back overly-sweet. Once he’s turned back around, she pretends to stick a finger down her throat and get sick.

"He might be… you know… upset!" she whispers back.

"About the…"

Priya thing… she mouths, so she can read Lily’s lips.

"Shouldn’t we stay, and make sure he’s okay?" she say, with a shrug!

Jan 25, 2023 5:18 pm

"Thank fuckin' god!" Emily says in a low sort of relieved voice.

Steve! Something bad is going down. We should get home. Cut class & go. Those goons fuck, and they aren't answering. I'm in the girl's room. I'll meet u at the van. Hurry and don't say anything to any1.

Emily hightails it out of the bathroom hoping no one spots her and if they do fuck 'em. She's leaving with Steve.

Last edited January 25, 2023 8:48 pm

Jan 25, 2023 8:19 pm

In the Cafeteria (Freddie, Lily, and Wendy)

"Moore's not a bad guy. I mean, I'm sure I can take him," Freddie laughs because it's so ridiculous. "Thanks Clutch, you always come through. Call me later, we haven't done a COD kill squad in a couple weeks."

He winks at the two girls, engaged in their secret language of half spoken dialog.

Jan 25, 2023 10:43 pm

Zach sighs. He'd really been hoping to get a chance to talk to Steve, but that seems like it's not an option anymore. At least not right now. Rather than repeat what he did with Emily, he says, "Steve, I mean it. If Emily... If you are in trouble... If I can help..." He doesn't finish but the implication is hopefully clear.

When Steve moves to get up, Zach interrupts him with a quick, "Wait." He leans over the table and cleans Steve's chin with his own thumb. "Pizza," he explains. Then he gestures for the boy to go help out his sister. "Let me know if everything's alright. Please."

Jan 25, 2023 11:47 pm

Elsewhere in the Cafeteria (Zach, Steve, Emily)

Coming out of the bathroom in a rush, Emily has a good view of what happens next. There’s Steve, sitting with… Zach? Zach is wiping Steve’s face, and then her brother is scrambling to pack his things up — his books, his phone, his tray — and he leaps to his feet and is charging off for the exit… when he runs headlong into a cheerleader. (She is easily identifiable as such from her cheerleader uniform, which includes a little blue and white tank top and a tiny, flouncy skirt that provides anyone who wants with an eyeful of her tiny, color-matched cheerleader panties.)

Kelly Unger

And it’s not just any cheerleader, though, it’s Kelly Unger, the apex cheerleader. The self-proclaimed hottest and most popular girl in school, a senior, and a Royal B to anyone she doesn’t like. The collision is a big one, and it knocks the blonde sprawling into another table full of kids with half-eaten lunches. Food and drink goes flying as Steve’s own pizza crusts and his very full BIG GULP of Sprite goes sailing… right towards Zach, slow-motion style. The cup will explode like a bomb full of sugary liquid when it lands…

OOC:

Zach, roll Athletics to avoid the soda-bomb, please. Emily, are you leaving the school pronto, or sticking around to see this?

Jan 26, 2023 12:03 am

In the Cafeteria (Freddie, Lily, and Wendy)

Clutch

There’s more hand-slapping, a bro-hug, and a fist bump before Clutch moves off. "Got you, man, you knew I’d come through!"

Wendy Lin

Wendy, still a little baffled by her bestie’s behavior, just nods at Lily. "Yes," she says quietly. "Yes, we should totally do that. Wait — what should be do?"

Lily isn’t able to answer before the sodabomb goes off…

Jan 26, 2023 1:51 am

Zach tries to quickly duck under the table before he gets sodabombed but it comes too quickly for him to react in time.

Last edited January 26, 2023 1:52 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (3) = 3

Jan 26, 2023 3:09 am

Emily sees Zach and Steve and then the collision, but none of it matters as she stomps over toward the chaos just in time to see her younger brother get slammed into the wall. Under normal circumstances she might have taken a swing at the kid that shoved Steve regardless of his size but right now she has only one purpose in mind. Grabbing Steve by the arm she yanks him up off the floor.

"We have to go."

Last edited January 26, 2023 3:30 am

Jan 26, 2023 3:20 am

The Cafeteria

A sixty-four ounce Double Big Gulp, Steve's preferred weapon of carbonated beverage choice, holds a lot of Sprite, Zach finds out the hard way. He's drenched virtually from head to toe as the assembled crowd in the cafeteria howls. There are cries of outrage as a few others are splashed, there are people laughing at Kelly and at Zach, there are people hooting and pointing at Steve...

...who looks beyond mortified. "I'm sorry!" he says to the red-faced, angry cheerleader as she's helped from the ground. "I'm so sorry!" he says to Zach as his drink drips from the boy and pools on the floor beneath him. "It was an accide--"

"You fuckin' idiot!" Banks shouts, jumping up from his table as Noah and a few of the other jocks help Unger back to her feet. The much taller, much stronger boy shoves Steve, sending him stumbling until he slams into the wall and slides down onto the floor. There, a little stunned, he manages to say, "Ow."

Zach suddenly has a fist-full of napkins offered to him -- it's Aaron Connery, and the boy's face is sympathetic as he wordless offers to help.

Nearby, Noah calls over. "Zach -- yo Zach! You alright?"

Jan 26, 2023 5:44 am

"Hey!" Zach shouts, taking a half-step towards Banks. "Leave him alone. It was an acc-" As he's speaking, he reaches for the napkins held out to him and turns his head, his words getting caught in his throat when he recognizes the face looking back at him. And with such a sympathetic expression. Zach can feel his cheeks turn slightly red as he momentarily forgets all about Steve. "Thanks," Zach mutters quietly. He takes the napkins from Aaron, brushing his hand but resisting the urge to linger. He begins drying off his face and neck as Noah addresses him.

Zach tears his eyes off Aaron to look at the jock. "I'm fine. It's just Sprite. A bit gross but no big deal. Can you rein in Banks a bit before he goes ballistic?"

Jan 26, 2023 3:52 pm

Freddie dashes over. The huge mess seems to be spreading to a possible fight.

Freddie gets between it all, blocking Banks from Zach (intentionally) but focusing on Kelly. "Oh Kelly, you're all sticky!" he says. "I've had dreams like this, but there was more ice cream involved." He winks at her. "Do you need a ride home?"

He looks over at Zach, who seems to be blushing. Good, he's okay.

Jan 27, 2023 2:20 am

The Cafeteria

"I'll try," Noah says to Zach, shrugging his broad shoulders as he leaves Kelly in Freddie's capable care. He tries to put a restraining hand on Banks, who is walking towards Steve and Emily with purpose. "Banks! Cool it, bro -- it was an accident!"

"It wasn't," the bigger boy says, shaking his head. "I've seen his jerkoff ogling the cheer squad before, Noah! He was trying to feel up Kelly!"

To Steve, who is just getting back to his feet with the aid of his sister, he says, "Admit it, you little piece of shit! You were all up against her on purpose! I seen you! I seen you sneakin' around, perv!"

Near Zach, Aaron just watches the unfolding drama, not quite sure what to make of it -- like most of the kids present. There's a subset of morons egging Banks on, and some still laughing, but many students are now wondering whether Banks is actually going to beat the shit out of Steve, and some are calling for him not to.

Kelly Unger

Standing near Fred, Kelly Unger looks more annoyed than anything. There are gross food stains on her outfit, on her skin and in her hair, but she doesn't look as upset as Banks. She's also not reigning the boy in, and when Freddie jokes and asks if she needs a ride home, she manages a small laugh and nods, tucking some hair behind an ear. Across the room, Dave Moore is watching carefully.

"Yeah. Yeah, Freddie -- I need to go clean up. Will you take me home?"

Jan 27, 2023 3:06 am

Zach throws another look at Aaron, trying to meet his eyes for a moment and giving him a nervous smile. Guys like big stupid heroes, don't they? he thinks to himself before stepping forward. It looks like Freddie stepped in to keep him and Banks apart but he got distracted by Kelly, so Zach approaches Banks and tries to put himself between him and Steve. "Leave him alone, Banks!" he demands, making his voice sound more certain than he feels. "He was talking to me. I distracted him. That's why it happened. Do you honestly think he managed to cop a feel in that collision?"
He glances back over his shoulder. "Emily, get him out of here!" Then he turns back towards Banks and waits for his reaction, trying to stand tall.

Please don't let me get beat up twice in two days!

Jan 27, 2023 3:43 am

Lily scoops up her camera from the table. She wipes down the few spatters of Sprite with the cusp of her T-shirt. She squeezes by Wendy, and just mouths:

"Wait."

She steps towards the ruckus, and raises her camera for a shot. Her face blushes in preparation for her interruption.

"Hey, asshole." she calls out to Banks.

"Say cheese!" and she snaps a shot of the enraged boy.

"Boseman Fucking Loser Meathead Beats Up New Kids. I can see the story now! Bet it looks good on those college scholarship applications!"

She hides her red face behind the camera, as she carries on this cringy Peter Parker routine.

Jan 27, 2023 5:12 am

Freddie escorts Kelly away, not looking at Moore. "You can get changed and cleaned and we'll be back in time for next period."

Assuming they make it outside the cafeteria, he'll ask about Dave. "I heard you broke up with Dave. A thousand hearts beat faster, if you're back in the wild."

He looks at the pretty girl and thinks of his romance with Priya. "I am sorry if it's hard to talk about. I get it, I really do."

Jan 27, 2023 4:04 pm

"God dammit Steve, LET'S GO!" Now Emily is yanking him hard enough to dislocate his shoulder ... almost ... as she attempts to drag him toward the exit.

If they find a little breathing room, Emily says, "You need to control your hormones little brother or you'll end up with a smashed face, you know? I know that was an accident but still, you're a little obsessed. We have bigger problems and we need to get home right now."

Jan 28, 2023 5:34 am

The Cafeteria

Freddie and Kelly slip away as the drama in the cafeteria builds to a breaking point. Emily is trying to pull Steve away, but there's Banks, getting ready to pummel the smaller, younger boy. Then Zach, soaking wet, is in the middle of things... and then there's Lily Palmer, taking pictures and hurling verbal darts at one of the biggest jocks in the school!

OOC:

Lily, you're trying, in your way, to persuade or bully Banks to stop being aggressive. Zach, you're trying to stand up for Steve and maybe gain a little rep and cred from the crowd. Emily, you're trying to gather up your bro and GTFO. Skill checks all round!

Zach: thinking kind of a combo thing here. Roll Performance or Persuasion -- and a success will give Lily +1 on her roll.
Lily: depending on your approach, roll Intimidation or Persuasion vs. Banks's Spirit Roll.
Emily: depending on your getaway approach, test Athletics or Stealth. Steve isn't helping. The roll is at -1.

Make sense?

Rolls

Banks Spirit to Resist Lily - (1d6, RA)

(64) = 10

Jan 28, 2023 5:40 am

OOC:

I dumped all my points in here!!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Persuasion* - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (103) = 13

1d6 : (1) = 1

Kelly Unger

Jan 28, 2023 5:45 am

Outside the School

Kelly Unger

"Whatever," Kelly Unger says sharply as she bursts through the school's double main doors and walks briskly towards the parking lot. Her long, shapely legs eat up the ground and Freddie has to hustle to keep up.

"Dave's a dick. He's so jealous. It's ridiculous. He thinks I'm cheating on him with, like, everyone." She glances sideways at the boy briefly as she adds, "What happened with you and Priya, anyway? Meagan Cogswell told me her parents caught you doing it. But Megan Murphy said it was because she's got like a husband waiting for her back in India or something..."

Jan 28, 2023 5:48 am

OOC:

Nice roll, Lily. You'll move Banks from Hostile to Unfriendly. If Zach succeeds you'll get +1 and a raise -- moving him further, to Uncooperative.

Jan 28, 2023 7:04 am

OOC:

Well, let's see if I can give that +1 😅

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1d6-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (3) - 1 = 2

Spending a Benny - (1d6-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d6-1 : (663) - 1 = 14

1d6-1 : (2) - 1 = 1

Jan 28, 2023 3:28 pm

Outside the School

"Dave's great, but he's an ass. If he can't bring himself to trust you, then that's on him."

"We were just making out at the Banks, and her parents caught us. We were getting a little physical, more than they'd tolerate, you know? They're traditional, right? Want her to marry a rich Indian boy. She just adores them, too, can't stand the idea of disappointing them or living her own life. Family is everything, that's what she believes, too. It's a fucking shit show."

He grins as they near the parking lot where his car is, and says, "Speaking of cheating, have you heard anything about any of the teachers fucking each other? I heard a rumour, you know?"

Jan 28, 2023 5:25 pm

"COME ON STEVE!" Emily yanks her brother hard in an attempt to extricate him from the mess.

OOC:

As much as I would have preferred to roll stealth with the better stat, I can't get that to fit narratively. Forgot the minus 1 of course but it doesn't matter. I'm not bennying that.

Last edited January 28, 2023 5:30 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4-3, 1d6-3, RA)

1d4-3 : (2) - 3 = -1

1d6-3 : (3) - 3 = 0

Jan 28, 2023 8:21 pm

The Cafeteria

Banks's hand is up, his fist is balled... but it's Zach in front of him, not Steve. Emily is dragging the wide-eyed boy away when Lily starts taking pictures, and when the crowd suddenly gets behind her -- and behind Zach.

Leave him alone! they cry. Back off! Quit being a jerk! Wow, look at Zach! they call, and then finally, Fucking loser meathead! is repeated, not once, but again and again.

Banks lowers his fist, confused by all the reactions. Noah is try to get him calm down too, and finally the boy relents, throws double middle fingers at Steve as Emily pulls him out of the room, and heads back to his table... beginning the process of the dust settling.

"I didn't do anything!" Steve whines to his sister as they run down the hallway. "I was just trying to meet up with you! And what's going on, anyway?"

They're rushing for a side exit that will take them from the hall outside, but before Emily can answer, two people exit a classroom and approach: Ms. Romanov and Mr. Gromn, the custodian. The man is wiping his hands on a rag -- one that looks like it's covered in... blood (?), and Romanov cocks her head at Emily.

Ms. Romanov

"Where are you two going? School isn't out yet," she says, pulling her heavy sweater tighter around her.

Mr. Gromn

Tucking the rag into a pocket in his coveralls, Gromn cocks his head too. He, like the teacher beside him, looks... terrible. Like he's hungover, like he hasn't slept in days. He licks his lips and adds, "Back to the luinch room, both of yous. Eat your lunches."

Kelly Unger

Jan 28, 2023 8:28 pm

On the way to Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

Fred and Kelly get into the Tesla, and in short order she's thanking the boy for driving her home. The blonde's skirt is really short, and he's not sure if he's ever seen so much thigh. And what thighs.

"Teachers doing it? Kelly asks. "Who? There was that rumor last year about Ms. Gonzalez and Mr. Edge on the school trip... and I know Coach Murdock has a huge thing for Ms. Maidstone. Or do you mean Polensky and Romanov?"

Jan 28, 2023 8:54 pm

On the way to Kelly's House

"Polensky and Romanov, right in a class room. They got caught yesterday afternoon." Freddie says, looking at her thighs. "Hey are you getting my seats sticky? Synthetic leather doesn't grow on trees, or animals, or ... Nah, I'm fucking kidding. That stuff is easy to clean. "

"Can you imagine Gonzales and Edge? Wow, what a debacle that would be. I'd think they'd be fighting more than fucking. Hey, maybe that's the attraction."

He watches the road, and exceeding the speed limit a bit says, "You're on Riverpark, right?"

Jan 28, 2023 9:11 pm

Zach lets out his held breath and leans on the nearest table. His knees feel a bit wobbly as the relief over how well this went kicks in. And over how he didn't get his ass kicked in front of half the school.

He is still drenched from head to toe in Sprite, though, which is only getting more gross the longer he's soaking in it. Unfortunately, Emily and Freddy, the two friends of his who have cars and could drive him home to change, have both left, so he's a bit stuck here.

Deciding to try and make the best out of this situation, once his legs feel a bit more stable again, he strolls back over to Aaron. "I had to quickly take care of that," he says. He's really trying to make his voice sound casual, like that was no big deal. "Didn't want my friend to get hurt, you know." Zach smiles at Aaron, realizing that this is definitely the most words he's ever exchanged with the cute nerd. "But I didn't mean to just leave you standing here. After you helped me out, I mean."

Last edited January 29, 2023 3:11 am

Jan 28, 2023 11:00 pm

"How do you do it Steve, Why does trouble always find you? Did you see those photos being taken? That's all we need. I'll have to talk to Lilly later."

Relieved that they are finally getting away, Emily's heart begins to slow but only a little. It could very well be a case of out of the fat and into the frying pan when they talk to mom and dad. Just when she thinks they are home free Mrs. Romanov and Mr. Gromn accost them.

Emily doesn't have an answer but she needs one desperately. Looking them over and somehow noticing Romanov's hasty sweater adjusting, she takes a chance. A BIG chance. "We have to get home ... family emergency. You wouldn't want us to tell anyone about you two, would you?"

Fuck, fuck, fuck, I hope I'm right...

Kelly Unger

Jan 29, 2023 8:24 am

On the way to Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

"Whaaaat?!" Kelly says, shocked at the news. "Seriously?! Are you fricking kidding? Who caught them?!"

When Fred makes a comment about his seats, Kelly unbuckles and lifts her butt, shifting around so she can make sure some kid's lunch isn't staining the Tesla's leather upholstery. "Nope, looks okay," she says, plopping back down and buckling back in. The way the girl moves, it's not hard to see why she makes Dave jealous.

When they come to her street, she nods. "Yup, turn right here."

Riverpark is a long, quiet road with lots of trees and huge properties lining one side. The river dominates the other side, and there's a walking trail and some some private wharfs and boathouses. It's the rich part of town -- richer even than where Freddie lives, by a hair, and the houses are huge and ostentatious.

"Right up there," Kelly says as she points to one of the nicer homes, a brick mini-mansion set well back from the road. "Pull right in, my dad's at work and my mom is seeing her sister this week."

Jan 29, 2023 8:35 am

Lily spins on her heel, bright red and then back to the table.

"Oh no…" she laments to Wendy.

"This place… it’s making me… one of them!"

Them…

One of the many weirdos that made up this school.

"Why is there always something happening in here?" she asks, then, a little less red and laughing.

Jan 29, 2023 8:53 am

The Cafeteria

Noah

After Banks has calmed down and returned to his douchey entourage, Noah stops by and interrupts Zach as he's talking to Aaron Connery.

"That was solid, man. You're good people, Tidwell. Banks can be an ass. People just have to stand up to him when he's like that. Like you did."

Aaron Connery

And when the dread-headed teen fist-bumps Zach and then moves off, Aaron speaks up again, finally answering.

"No worries. That was crazy brave. I'd never be able to do that, especially in front of everyone. Those guys seem to like you. The football guys or whatever, I mean. Some of them, anyway."

Wendy Lin

Some distance away, Wendy is quietly squealing with delight. She's pulled Lily off center stage and she's going a mile a minute.

"I can't believe you did that! I can't believe you took pictures! And got right in his face! And you said that! What the heck got into you!?"

The girl's eyes narrow.

"Who are you and what have you done with Lily Palmer? And most importantly, are you still willing to go to the dance with me?!"

Jan 29, 2023 9:07 am

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

It's a gamble, what Emily is doing, but she's desperate to get outside, to get home, to check on her parents. They'd had a close call or two before, and the frantic calls to pack and run for the car had been terrifying.

She doesn't get the reaction she expects from the two adults, though. There are no red-faced glances, there's no embarrassment or concern lining their mostly impassive faces.

Ms. Romanov

"You know?" Romanov says with a raised eyebrow... and then she's looking at Gromn... who suddenly explodes into motion and rushes forward, trying to grab the girl!

Mr. Gromn

"Come here!" he growls, reaching for her as Steve squeaks and prepares to bolt.

OOC:

Combat rounds! Now I need to remember how to pull cards...

Ah, but first, to determine if this catches you off-guard, Emily, we'll use the SURPRISE rules. Please make a Notice check.

Deck Draws

Romanov, Gromn, Steve

Jan 29, 2023 10:55 am

Zach takes Noah up on the fist bump and replies with a non-committal "Yeah, man!" Usually, he'd gladly soak in the positive attention but right now he's soaking in Sprite he only really cares about talking to Aaron. When Noah leaves, Zach turns his full attention to the cute boy again. He quickly brushes past the compliment before it makes him blush too hard. "Oh, yeah, some of them are pretty cool." He shrugs. "When they're not bothering people. Sorry for what Banks said to you yesterday. That was uncalled for." Zach briefly wonders if it's weird that he remembers that. Hopefully not. He also wonders whether glasses get in the way during a kiss.

He then sighs and spreads his arms a bit to indicate how dripping wet he is. "Dumb question, but the guy I'd usually ask for a ride just left with Kelly Unger. You don't happen to know anyone who could give me a quick ride home to change?"

Jan 29, 2023 2:28 pm

[ +- ] Alertness Edge

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (7) + 2 = 9

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Jan 29, 2023 4:00 pm

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

There are times when Emily's paranoia works in her favor. This is one of those times, in spades -- her on-edgeness and hyper-awareness of her surroundings not only lets her read Gromn's aggressive body language before the man even moves, but there are other details of this scene that the girl will later remember.

There's the pumping heat that's making the school days so long and unbearable... and the fact that the main hallways are a little cooler at least, with kids coming and going through exterior doors and such. And there's Ms. Romanov, pulling a heavy sweater tighter around herself. And the janitor? He's wearing a fleece-lined hunting vest, the one he keeps in his truck and normally wears during the winter months.

Other things pop as well, highlighted in her teenaged HUD. Both of them still in the same clothes they had on yesterday. Something dark or wet on Gromn's chest -- it almost looks like he's thrown up on himself. And finally, the most obvious thing of all:

These two just don't seem themselves. Emily hasn't known either of them long, but this behavior is just so weird...

OOC:

Extra details for your raise, and you are NOT surprised, no ma'am! Pulling your Init cards for you to keep this rolling...

[More coming after I see the cards]

Deck Draws

Emily's Init

Jan 29, 2023 4:47 pm

Kelly's House

"Some of my friends. They were traumatized I think, seeing that much old person flesh," he says, adjusting the way he sits as she squirms. Dave's definitely gonna kick my ass.

He pulls in as directed, and whistles appreciatively, saying, "Oh my god, you live in squallor!" He desperately tries to think of a way to get inside her ... house. "Hey can I raid your fridge for an apple?"

Last edited January 29, 2023 4:47 pm

Jan 29, 2023 5:17 pm

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

Mr. Gromn

Romanov moves to block the exit the two teens were heading for as the sturdy but older custodian reaches for Emily!

"I said come here!" he growls again, trying to seize her by the arm.

OOC:

He's trying to grapple with Emily and entangle her -- which is opposed rolls using Athletics or Fighting (RAW is just Athletics, but I think Fighting makes loads of sense here as well). Please roll your choice, Emily!

Rolls

Gromn's Wild Die - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Gromn's Fighting - (1d8, RA)

(84) = 12

Jan 29, 2023 5:33 pm

"Get off of me!" Emily shrieks.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (442) = 10

1d6 : (1) = 1

Aaron Connery

Jan 29, 2023 8:52 pm

The Cafeteria

Aaron Connery

Aaron shrugs when Zach mentions Banks's behavior yesterday. "Ah, it's okay. Kind of used to it from his type, you know? He doesn't feel good about himself, so he takes it out on other people. Like he was just doing."

Glancing at least two tables full of jocks, many of which are still buzzing about what just happened, the boy adds, "Aren't you worried that talking to me like.... hurts your image with them?" Then, there's something in his eyes that's hard to read. "After that first time... you probably don't remember... but lately you don't seem like you're the kind of guy to hang with all the athletes. Do you play a sport?"

When Tidwell mentions needing a ride, Aaron shrugs his shoulders. "I usually walk or bike. I don't have a car I can use." Then a lightbulb goes off. "I have Uber, though, for like emergencies. My mom set it up. Do you want be to call you an Uber?"

Kelly Unger

Jan 29, 2023 9:44 pm

Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

At the mention of wrinkled old flesh, Kelly just shivers and makes a face. And when they park and Fred comments on her house, the cheerleading queen just smiles as she gets out. "Yeah, it's okay. You know though, I think... it's not like money solves all problems, right? And yeah, come in! I won't be long showering and changing."

So just like that Freddie Solomon finds himself being led into Kelly Unger's house. Her empty house, the one with -- he now sees -- the grand staircase in the main hall, the huge bay windows overlooking the massive back yard with the pool and tennis court... the big, open, restaurant-grade kitchen, and the balcony on the second floor that overlooks the big living room with the central hearth. It's a really sweet setup, and it's immaculate -- like a rich person's house in a movie.

"Help yourself to anything in the fridge, make yourself comfortable," the gorgeous blonde says as she leaves that large sitting room and climbs the winding staircase that must lead to the bedrooms. She disappears briefly as she ascends, then is back in the boy's vision when she walks along the balcony, obviously heading for her room. But her tank top is already off, and as she walks Fred sees her stop briefly and loosen her little skirt... which drops to the floor so she can step out of it. Solomon glimpses the girl walking down the second floor hallway, away from him, in her thong and bra... and then he watches her turn and check to make sure he sees her. There's a look in her eyes... a smile on her face... a flick of her fingers?

What did that mean? the boy wonders, standing uncomfortably in the downstairs living room. He's bonering harder than he has since that night with Priya (or maybe that morning when he watched his stepmom do yoga in the yard), and it almost hurts...

OOC:

Made some assumptions here, Q -- Fred going in, watching, etc. Just let me know if there's anything we need to tweak.

Jan 29, 2023 9:50 pm

The Cafeteria

"That first time? You mean, when I knocked you down on my first day at this school?" Zach asks, his eyes lighting up at the memory. Or rather, at that fantasy version of the memory he has created in his mind since then. "Of course I remember. That was like in a movie." He lets out a nervous chuckle as he realizes a bit too much of his private thoughts might have slipped out there. At least he didn't mention what kind of movie.

When Aaron asks about whether Zach plays any sport, he replies, "I don't. I used to play basketball in elementary school, but lately..." He shrugs, not wanting to say any more. "They're just cool, you know? The cool guys everyone looks up to. So I kind of try to hang around them. I, uh, I wasn't all that popular at my old school, you know." Which is an understatement when looking at the time after he first came out. "Not that popularity is everything!" he quickly adds. In an attempt at a playful tone, he continues, "I mean, you're smart as hell. I find that way more impressive than whatever Banks does with his balls."

He then considers the offer of an Uber. "If you wouldn't mind," he agrees. "I'll pay you back, I promise."

Jan 29, 2023 10:07 pm

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

Shriek and fight as she might, Emily can't shake loose of the janitor's iron grip once he has hold of her. He grits his teeth and grunts, straining to bring the girl completely under his control as Steve yells too.

"Leave her alone! You old perv! Let my sister be!" Steve cries, but then, suddenly, Ms. Romanov darts forward and grabs him, restraining him as well!

OOC:

First round, Gromn grapples Emily and she's ENTANGLED. That means she's DISTRACTED, which is -2 to actions until the end of her next turn, and she can't move until she breaks free. Romanov was holding her action, but seeing her pal grab Emily, she's done thing with Steve!

Emily and Steve are up to finish Round 1. If Emily wants to break free, she needs to roll Athletics or Fighting at -2, or Strength at -4 vs. a similar roll from Gromn.

Oh! If your opponent grapples your again successfully -- you'll be BOUND and therefore vulnerable to attack and even being clonked on the head and knocked out... (see the grappling, entangled, and bound rules on p98 and 101)

Rolls

Steve resists being grabbed - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Romanov's Wild Die - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Romanov's Athletics - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Jan 30, 2023 12:18 am

Kelly's Empty House

Freddie's heart hammers in his chest, and he wonders briefly if something is going on in the town, but then he's taking the stairs three at a time before he can decide what. This whole encounter was telegraphed hard, full of promise and deniability by both of them, and he's going for it all, a game of chicken or honest playfulness -- for his part, he's entirely honest. He scoops up her clothes and follows her into the bathroom, his own shirt coming off in a smooth tug. "Do you want me to help you wash ... these?" The playful pause is full of his own desire, the subtlety fading as their continued talk about sex and hookups leading him to this moment. "Or those?"

Aaron Connery

Jan 30, 2023 12:22 am

The Cafeteria

Aaron Connery

"Uh... yeah," Aaron says with a hint of a smile when Zach mentions the first time they 'met.' His brows knit above his glasses a little when the other boy talks about it being like a movie, but the conversation is flowing and he starts packing up his stuff and tries to not grimace at the mention of Banks's balls. Connerly does make a slight face when Zach talks about how cool the jocks are.

"Being popular doesn't make you cool," he offers, not trying to make the other teen feel conscientious. Shrugging, he adds, "And smart doesn't either. Cool is just kind of... cool, right? Kind of its own thing. James Brown was cool."

He nods when Zach accepts his offer to call an Uber, and soon enough he's on his phone, arranging a ride in the app. "So... what school did you come from?" he asks as he waits for a driving to pick up the ticket. "Is your family from out of state?"

Jan 30, 2023 2:08 am

The Cafeteria

"Not that far," Zach replies. "We're from Lansing." He wonders how much he should tell Aaron but their conversation is flowing, so he adds, "I had some trouble at my old school - like I said, I was not popular - so we moved to give me a fresh start." He doesn't argue on Aaron's distinction between cool and popular even if he's not fully sure he agrees.

Instead, he asks, "Hey, Aaron, would you like to come outside and wait for the Uber with me there? Unless you're still eating or something, I mean. I'd just... appreciate the company."

Jan 30, 2023 2:20 pm

"Smart!" Lily says, tapping her forehead!

"You’re making sure it’s locked down before all the offers start rolling in." she says, puffing out her chest.

"Any minute now, everyone will have heard about what I did and be just dying to go with me!

Sorry, everyone. Taken!" she looks around at the crowd of absolutely no one watching her!

"And… I’ve no idea!" she says, suddenly wide eyed. "I’m just so tired of everyone being so loud and obnoxious and dumb."

"Sorry. You wanted to go somewhere, right?" suddenly remembering that quickly forgotten oddness with Fred.

Last edited January 30, 2023 2:21 pm

Jan 30, 2023 3:09 pm

This was a little more than Emily had bargained for. She really didn't expect the custodian to hold onto her, what with all the sexual misconduct rules and all. So she shrieks, taking a clue from Steve.

"Gromn is groping me! Help! Someone help!"

OOC:

Whoopsie, wonderful benny roll, yep.

Last edited January 30, 2023 3:10 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Benny Time!! Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Kelly Unger

Jan 31, 2023 4:42 am

Kelly's House

All of Fred's woes are forgotten as he races up the stairs, and as he plucks slinky garments from the floor and moves down the hallway towards the beautiful blonde's bedroom -- towards the promise of Kelly's arms, her lips, her supple body. As he enters her room, risking everything, he finds the girl nearly naked. She's in her blue and white panties and has shed her bra as she turns to face the boy, cupping and barely covering her bare breasts with her hands.

Kelly Unger

"Fred Solomon," she says with mock outrage, trying to keep from grinning when he poses his question. "Just what do you think you're doing?!"

OOC:

Alrighty, Freddie. This is Persuasion, and unless somebody smacks me with an X-card, the results will determine just what happens in Kelly's room...

Jan 31, 2023 5:24 am

The Cafeteria

Aaron Connery

Aaron nods and holds up his phone so that Zach can see the map and the blip of the approaching car. "Yeah, I'll come out. I've shared my location with the driver so they'll come right to the main doors if I'm out there. And just tell the driver you're me, okay? That's easier."

As the two boys head for the exit, Aaron pulls on the thread that exposed by the other teen moments before. "What... uh, what trouble did you have? At your other school. If you don't mind talking about it, I mean."

Wendy Lin

"Yes, totally," Wendy says, nodding vigorously at her friend. "You are going to be inundated with invitations, including from Banks! Don't accept his, though, because I think he wants to kill you! And that would suck if you died. There's no way I can make the paper deadline this week if you're dead."

Does the Asian-American girl blush a little when Lily says she's taken? When the joking is done and Palmer asks about going somewhere, Wendy nods emphatically. The energy in the room is weird and she wants out.

"Yes? Yes. YES! Let's get out of here!" she says, grabbing Lily by the hand and leading her towards the exit. She's saying, "I think Fred is gone, though. Took Kelly Unger home, I think?" as they nearly bump into Aaron and Zach, who are also leaving the cafeteria...

OOC:

Don't bust out into the hallway yet (in your next posts) until I have time to get a post up for Emily, please.

Jan 31, 2023 5:58 am

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

The scene outside in the hallway is an ugly one, with Emily and her brother being bodily restrained -- being assaulted by Mr. Gromn and Ms. Romanov. Sneakers squeak loudly as Emily especially is fighting like a polecat, but the custodian is just too strong. His grip hurts and he's dragging her towards the classroom he and the haggard-looking female teacher emerged from.

OOC:

Moving to Round 2. Both are grappling still, and if they are each successful, both Emily and Steve will be not just ENTANGLED but BOUND. Opposed roll here, Emily using Athletics or Fighting. You're at -2 for being ENTANGLED/DISTRACTED.

Depending how this unfolds, and what happens with Zach and Lily, I'll likely be drawing them into the combat with cards.

Suddenly breaking free from Romanov, Steve rushes towards the tall janitor and tries to pull him off of his sister -- but the stronger man swipes at the boy, driving him back!

Rolls

Romanov Athletics - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

Steve Athletics - (1d6-2, RA)

(64) - 2 = 8

Gromn Fighting - (1d6, 1d8, RA)

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d8 : (82) = 10

Cries for Help -- Heard by others on a success - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Steve's Athletics to help Emily - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Jan 31, 2023 6:05 am

OOC:

Lily and Zach, Notice rolls will let you hear the screeching and commotion out in the hall.

Emily, you need to meet or beat a 10, Gromn's result, to avoid being BOUND. Steve tries to help (SUPPORT), but failed. No one else in the hallway / school has heard Emily's cries yet.

Jan 31, 2023 6:28 am

Zach is quiet for a long moment after this question. He can't tell Aaron the truth. Right? Just when Aaron probably thinks he won't get an answer at all anymore, Zach says, "People don't always accept people who are different." He's wrestling with himself about whether he should say more. He doesn't have to tell Aaron that he's trans. He can't. But maybe he could subtly let him know that he's gay? Just to feel out his reaction. Leaving enough deniability in case it goes badly. He opens his mouth to say something else when he has to suddenly stop in his tracks as he almost runs over Lily by the door.

"Oh, sorry!" he says. His eyes wander to the girls' held hands, then dart first to Lily's eyes, then Wendy's. Is this what he thinks it is? Even without knowing, he feels a little sting of jealousy that they could show their affection openly like this while he's terrified of doing the same. He swallows those feelings, though. First of all, he doesn't even know if he's right. And second, they're pretty mean even if he is. "Where are you two headed?" he asks. Emboldened by what he perceived - or thought to perceive - between them, he puts his hand on Aaron's arm, trying to be as casual about it as possible. "Aaron is helping me get home to change," he explains. Then, "Oh. Uh, right. By the way, this is Aaron Connery. Aaron, Wendy, Lily," he briefly introduces them. "I don't know if you've all met." Then he clears his throat nervously, still not taking his hand off Aaron's arm unless the boy indicates discomfort about it.

OOC:

Throwing in a Notice, but regardless of outcome, will wait for KCC to post before acting on it

Last edited January 31, 2023 6:35 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D6-1 : (5) - 1 = 4

Jan 31, 2023 9:29 am

OOC:

A roll now, and a post after dinner!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jan 31, 2023 10:23 am

Letting herself get pulled from the cafeteria with a laugh, Lily follows along behind as Wendy leads her by the hand.

"Oh, hi!" Lily says, taking a step back from where she almost bowled over Zach. Her eyes meet his, and then she looks at Aaron, and back to Zach.

"Us? Great question. Where are we going?" the young reporter asks Wendy, breaking the staring contest.

"Oh, right! The Sprite!" Lily follows up, seeing the hand go to Aaron’s arm. It takes everything in her not to wink, or make it obvious.

"Yeah, it got us, too. But not as much as you." she says, waving a hand up and down towards Zach.

"Aaron, right! Yeah, we’ve met. Kind of! You were on the cover late last year for that… that thing, right?" she says, a little distracted.

And then the girl cocks an ear, as if she heard something beyond the conversation.

Jan 31, 2023 1:37 pm

Kelly's House

He's been in similar situations before, he thinks: those moments at a party where the bottle points to you; numerous girl friends in most grades, his intense and more mature romance with Priya; even stolen kisses in the river side. But this is Kelly Fucking Unger, and she had been ruling the hearts of Boseman for a long time with all the skill of a sexy despot.

"Hi, um," he takes a step forward, dropping her clothes and his shirt to the side, "Did I tell you that I really love the taste of," (dramatic pause) "Sprite?" His tongue moistens his lips ever so slightly.

[ +- ] Attractive

Last edited January 31, 2023 1:41 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Persuasion* - (1d8+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d8+1 : (85) + 1 = 14

1d6+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

Jan 31, 2023 2:40 pm

Emily's eyes look pleadingly at her brother as he tries unsuccessfully to help her get away from the maniac teacher.

"You can't do this! This is sexual harassment! Leave me alone!" She tries to claw at the teacher's face and arms, anywhere she can latch onto. She even tries to bite and kick. This shit was getting serious.

OOC:

Forgot the -2 again but I'll benny.

Last edited January 31, 2023 2:41 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jan 31, 2023 3:38 pm

When Lily cocks her head, Zach listens as well. "That sounds like... screams?" It's muffled and there's enough noise in the cafeteria that he isn't sure. But it's enough to make him uneasy. He quickly glances around, trying to check if Banks is still accounted for. Zach wouldn't put it past the jock to find someone else to take his anger out on after Steve got away.

"We, ah, should probably check that out, right?" he asks hesitantly, glancing between Aaron and Lily. To Lily, he adds, "Maybe keep your camera ready, Lois Lane. That worked pretty well the last time."

Feb 1, 2023 5:24 am

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

Hearing those screams, Zach and Lily burst through the door into the hallway -- and come upon a pretty bizarre scene. The school's head custodian, Mr. Gromn, has Emily Richardsen in a headlock-clinch thing, and he's dragging her towards a classroom. Emily is unwilling and she's screaming, as is her brother Steve as he tries vainly to pry his sibling free.

Ms. Romanov

Ms. Romanov, looking like a homeless and crazed version of herself, stands in the hallway facing the four kids recently arrived who stand shocked, witnessing all this.

"There's nothing to see here," she says ridiculously, putting her hands on her hips as she blocks their view and their path. "Move along kids. Get to class. Focus on your academics."

OOC:

Init is Romanov, Zach, Gromn, Emily, Lily, Wendy, Aaron, Steve. Romanov is holding her action; for his, Gromn will drag Emily into the classroom. Zach might be able to prevent that, but he's also got Romanov to contend with if he's feeling fiesty.

Rolls

Commotion Gets Attention - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Deck Draws

Zach, Lily, Aaron & Wendy

Feb 1, 2023 6:11 am

Zach stares at the scene in disbelief. These are two adults, employed by the school. Why are they attacking students? And then it clicks. Somehow, they must be working with these guys from yesterday. And if that's the case, he can't let them take Emily and Steve to do whatever the hell it is they're planning to do with them. "Let go of them! You can't do that. My friend has a camera. You'll both get fired!" he threatens.

"Aaron!" He turns to the boy next to him. "Go find Romero. Or someone. Get help!" Then he tries to move past the waiting Romanov to help Steve pull Emily out of Gromn's grip.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (2) = 2

Kelly Unger

Feb 1, 2023 6:21 am

Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

Fred feels like he's entered some kind of dream as Kelly grins at him and reaches out for his lean, muscled body. Awesome music is blasting, angels are sighing, Kelly Unger is right in front of him, nearly naked!

The boy won't soon forget what follows, an afternoon that's pulled straight from a teenaged boy's fantasy, from a cheesy teen sex romp movie in the 80s written by a dude, for dudes.

"No one can know about this," Unger says softly as she licks her lips and stops just short of kissing the boy, and as her fingers lightly trace the muscles in his arms, shoulders, and chest. "This can just be... something... special. Something just for us..."

OOC:

So Kelly is willing to go all the way if Fred is. (Two raises!) But it will unfold over an hour or two. Picture her taking her time, not letting Fred touch her for a good long while, raising the fine art of cock-teasing to a whole new level. Then things might rapidly get serious, tongue kissing in shower as second and third base are rounded... ending up on -- what?

What are Kelly and Fred doing, and where are they doing it, when all this is finally interrupted?

Ms. Romanov

Feb 1, 2023 6:29 am

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

Ms. Romanov

Romanov doesn't sit idly by as Zach tries to get past her...

OOC:

She was using a HOLD action, and is now trying to INTERCEPT.

...and then, faster than expected, she darts up to the boy and tries to grab him and shove him down!

OOC:

She's using a TEST to trip Zach up -- which is her Athletics vs. Zach's Agility. Awarding her +1 from her raise just now.

So Zach -- roll Agility.

Rolls

Athletics - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (64) = 10

Athletics for a Trip - (1d6+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d6+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d6+1 : (5) + 1 = 6

Feb 1, 2023 6:36 am

Zach manages to dodge Ms Romanov's attempt to stop him and continues right past her to Gromn. "Let go of her, you creep!" he tells the man, then he reaches for Gromn's fingers, trying to pull at them to try and bend them back and make it uncomfortable or painful for him to continue to hold on.

Last edited February 1, 2023 6:43 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Agility - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (7) = 7

1D6 : (2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D4-1 : (2) - 1 = 1

1D6-1 : (3) - 1 = 2

Feb 1, 2023 4:04 pm

Kelly's House

It starts with a chase through the upstairs of the house, with Freddie loudly threatening to lick her clean of Sprite. "Head to toe!" With a squeal she charges away and the chase is on.

When he finally does catch her, or she allows herself to be caught, the game turns into One Quarter of An Inch -- how close can you get without touching. After the most erotic twenty minutes of his life, Freddie "loses" that one, and that turns into him being forced to pay the penalty, to give her a foot massage. Then a back massage. When they cum together the first time, it's her face down on her yoga mat and him entering her from behind.

It's the second time when they're in her shower, her legs wrapped around his waist leaning back and rinsing her hair as he both tries to balance and fuck at the same time, that they're surprised.

From just outside the bathroom door, "Kelly? Why are you home during school hours? Are you okay?" comes a man's voice.

She freezes and her breasts stop jiggling which might be the biggest shame of it all. A crime? Perhaps.

Feb 2, 2023 7:02 am

OOC:

Blerg -- I think I missed an action for Emily at the end of round 2, and we're technically in Round 3 now. Some of these rolls are hard to track when they don't call out what they're for, so I'm going to ask everyone, myself included, to be a little more descriptive on what you're rolling for.

Before going on here, let's see if Emily can squirm away...

Edit: Nope.

Rolls

Round 2 - Emily using Fighting to break the grapple (-2 for being Bound) - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Gromn opposes the above roll with Fighting - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (5) = 5

Mr. Gromn

Feb 2, 2023 7:13 am

The Hallway Outside the Cafeteria

Mr. Gromn

Gromn, half-carrying Emily by now, is beset by both Steve and Zach, but the man is strong and moving with fiendish purpose. "I'll take you too when I'm done with her!" the man growls to Zach as he muscles the mousy teen he's grappled into the classroom he and Romanov emerged from. It's a science lab, and long workbenches dominate the room, along with big storage cubboards that line one wall.

OOC:

Round 3, Romanov and Zach have taken their actions, so we're onto Gromn, Emily, Lily, Wendy, Aaron, Steve.

Gromn has Emily BOUND and moves into the classroom. Emily is up, though pretty much all she can do is break free.

Edit: This is Emily's opportunity! Steve got two raises on his SUPPORT roll! That's +2 for Emily, which cancels her penalty for being BOUND/DISTRACTED. Also, Gromn rolled a 3 to resist her breaking free! Beat that with Athletics or Fighting and you'll get free, Emily!

Rolls

Steve tries to help Emily break free on her action - (1d6, RA)

(662) = 14

Gromn (preemptively!) resists Emily's attempt to break free with Fighting - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Feb 2, 2023 7:21 am

OOC:

Lily -- Romanov is still in the hallway, but Gromn, Emily, Zach and Steve have all gone into the classroom. Aaron looks to be maybe about to bolt for the Principal's Office.

Still in Round 3, feel free to take your action.

Kelly Unger

Feb 2, 2023 7:50 am

Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

Water is running down Kelly's body as she bucks and writhes, her hair full of shampoo as her tits bounce in a way that just mesmerizes her young lover. She was trying to actually clean up when Fred had other ideas and decided round two couldn't wait. It was slippery, stupid-hot sex for long, muscle-arching minutes before--

"Oh shit... that's my dad!" Kelly hisses, wide-eyed as she looks at the bathroom door she's suddenly very glad they closed. Fred slips free of the girl as she unhooks her legs from around his waist and puts her feet on the soapy floor of the shower. Placing her finger on her lips, then Freddie's, she opens the shower door and creeps out into the bathroom, putting her back to the boy with the raging erection.

"Dad? What are you doing home?" she says through the door, approaching it, leaving a trail of water on the floor as the shower still runs. "Don't come in, I'm naked! There was this big grossness at lunch today, like a fight, and I got doused in food and drink. Dave gave me a lift home to clean up!"

"Since when does Dave drive a Telsa?" the girl's father's voice sounds, and that's when Freddie realizes two things. First, his clothes are strewn all over Kelly's room... and second, just how fucking hot she looks right now, with her wet hair running in a tangle down her back...

Rolls

Does Dad see boy underpants? - (1d6, RA)

Feb 2, 2023 2:02 pm

Science Lab

Emily picks her moment. When Steve and Zach come to her aid, hoping the boys distract her captor she again tries to bite Gromn on the arm, her legs still flailing as they look for a target.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting vs 3 - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (42) = 6

1d6 : (1) = 1

Feb 3, 2023 1:29 am

Feeling totally unsure of what to do, Lily goes back and forth for a moment. Things had gotten physical, and her friends were in trouble. And there was the question of why she was here, but Levitt wasn’t. Something felt wrong, in the pit of Lily’s stomach.

She removes her camera, and passes it off to Wendy.

"Get a shot of this!" she says, before turning and charging at Romanov.

OOC:

Lily wants to bowl the woman over! Not sure if it’s fighting or something else!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (61) = 7

Feb 3, 2023 2:35 am

Kelly's House

Freddie wonders about Kelly and Dave's relationship. Did her father just accept that Dave would be showering with her? His cock aches with the sodden sight before him, and the thought that her parents were just okay with her having guys in her bedroom, in her bathroom, with her naked as all get out.

Belinda would probably accept that kind of behaviour. She's probably a party girl, that would at least explain her lack of parenting experience.

Still, even though he wants to slip out of there and start spanking that luscious ass, he hangs out in the shower, knowing he's got nowhere to hide behind the frosted glass.

Feb 3, 2023 4:33 am

Emily felt her teeth break skin and the grip the maniac teacher had on her body faltered long enough for her to break free.

"Run Steve! Get to the van." Panic consumed the girl now as she crashed through the exit doors and out of the building.

Mr. Gromn

Feb 4, 2023 3:54 am

Science Lab

Mr. Gromn

"Yeeaaaaooow!" Gromn yells as Emily bites him, and as Steve pulls one of the man's arms away. Just like that, the man's grips loosens and Emily is gone, bolting towards the lab exit. She almost slips in something nasty on the floor, but reaches the doorway just in time to see...

OOC:

Emily can't escape the room fully let along the building just yet... (Her ection was to escape. She could move after that, but not as far as usual.)

Feb 4, 2023 3:58 am

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Ms. Romanov

...Lily charging towards Ms. Romanov, trying to bowl her over! The teacher is distracted by the commotion in the lab, and so doesn't see the diminutive girl coming... or the wall Palmer shoves her into face-first! It's a painful, crunching impact for the woman, who slides down onto the floor with a groan, leaving a slight streak of blood behind on the lime green paint.

Wendy Lin

"Holy cow!" Wendy cries, trying to get all the pictures she can, and meanwhile Aaron takes off, running for the principal's office.

Aaron Connery

"Mister Romero! Anyone! We need help!" the boy shouts as he goes, turning to look back over his shoulder at the melee. Despite being smashed into the wall by the little fireball Lily, Romanov is already on her hands and knees, trying to rise...

OOC:

A trip (which I'm treating this as, basically a knockdown attempt) is actually Athletics vs. Agility -- which would still be d6 and d6 for Romanov, so I'll just leave the roll. (I mistakenly rolled Athletics.) Which means Lily succeeds with a raise! Lily, you can choose whether she is Distracted (-2 to her rolls) or Vulnerable (+2 for those attacking her), and your raise means she's also Shaken. (While Shaken, she'll be able to move, but not take actions. And come to think of it, I'll presume you're taking Distracted, because that'll make it harder for her to recover from being SHAKEN.)

Steve's already acted, so Wendy and Aaron go... and that takes us to...

Round 4. Romanov tries to shake off SHAKEN and get up...

Rolls

Romanov Opposed Roll vs. Lily -- Athletics at -2 - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Romanov Spirit roll to recover from SHAKEN - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Ms. Romanov

Feb 4, 2023 4:24 am

Ms. Romanov

Emily appears in the doorway to the lab as a woozy Romanov grimaces and manages to get back to her unsteady feet in the hallway...

OOC:

Romanov is still SHAKEN, and will be DISTRACTED until the end of her turn... which is now. Zach is up next, then Gromn and on down the line...

Feb 4, 2023 4:37 am

Kelly's House

Kelly Unger

"Kelly," the girl's father says through the door as she's wrapping a towel around herself, "is Dave in there? We've talked about this, right? You and your mother?"

From the shower, Freddie hears something else beyond the door -- another voice, but much quieter, harder to hear.

Kelly's response is immediate. "No! What?! Dad! Jesus! Dave went for a walk on the trail! He knew I'd be a minute getting cleaned up, so he decided to not just sit on his butt and wait! Now can you please clear out so I can come out and get dressed?"

OOC:

Notice roll at -1 please, Fredster, to hear and possibly recognize the other voice.

Feb 4, 2023 4:49 am

Seeing that Emily managed to free herself from Gromn and that Romanov looks out of commission for now, Zach decides to put himself between Gromn and Emily. "You and Steve, get out of here!" he tells her.

OOC:

I want to hold my action in case he tries to attack Emily again (or me, I guess). Basically the same thing Romanov did to me

Feb 4, 2023 5:04 am

OOC:

If he comes after Emily you'll be able to do that... if he goes after Steve, well, they're still in the classroom.

Tune in soon to find out! I need food.

Feb 4, 2023 6:54 pm

Freddie tries to hide his rager, as he feels vulnerable, and wonders again at what her parents have witnessed in this room, with her and Dave. This does not help him 'calm down'. If this gets out, then his shot at reconciling with Priya is gone. Priya. Dave. Hey, Clutch said they were going to the dance together. Maybe Kelly and I should double with them. He stifles a snicker.

He strains to hear the voice, wondering if that is her mother.

Thinking of Priya, he feels a stab of guilt. While he knows they're over, they haven't had that talk yet, and he feels like he should still be loyal to her. Fuck!

Last edited February 4, 2023 6:56 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benny to reroll - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (1) = 1

Feb 5, 2023 2:04 am

The Science Lab and Hallway

Mr. Gromn

Angered that Emily had escaped his clutches, Mr. Gromn tears after the girl as she runs. The teen bolts out the door, and as the red-faced janitor follows her, Zach looms in front of him...

OOC:

Steve is still in the lab. Zach, you're in an Opposed Athletics test with Gromn to see who goes first (that's how HOLD actions work if you want to interrupt someone later in the round. Cool, but yet another corner case rule!)

Rolls

Gromn goes after... 1-3 Steve, 4-6 Emily - (1d6, RA)

(63) = 9

Gromn's Athletics to see if he acts before Zach - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (3) = 3

Kelly Unger

Feb 5, 2023 2:44 am

Kelly's House

"Kelly," the girl's father says, still through the door, and somehow imparting a more serious tone, "open the door. Put on a robe and open the door."

Kelly Unger

Turning around to look at Freddie, wild-eyed and on the verge of panicking, Kelly mouths, GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE! NOW! GO!

There's a moment of what?! how?! between them, but the blonde jabs a finger at the window over the toilet. The small window that Fred thinks maybe he can fit through.

"Fine! Hang on dad, jeeze!" the girl says, hustling over to open the window...

OOC:

Couldn't quite hear that other voice. And if you end up going out the window, I think that's Athletics to squeeze out and onto a low roof -- it'll be a 10-15 foot drop to the ground from there.

Feb 5, 2023 2:58 am

Zach tries to stop Gromn from getting to Emily by tripping the man...

Last edited February 5, 2023 3:46 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (42) = 6

1D6 : (2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics vs Agility - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (2) = 2

Benny: Athletics vs Agility - (1D4-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1D6-1 : (2) - 1 = 1

Feb 5, 2023 4:22 am

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Mr. Gromn

Gromn just about runs squarely into Zach Tidwell when he comes out of the classroom -- there are suddenly students everywhere, it seems! The two jostled with each other for a moment, with the teen trying to trip up the custodian, but instead Zach finds himself trying to avoid getting grabbed himself!

OOC:

He's trying to grapple you, Zach, at +1 from his Raise on the trip attempt. Please roll Athletics to oppose his 7.

Rolls

Agility to Avoid Being Tripped - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (61) = 7

Fighting to try and grapple Zach - (1d8+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d8+1 : (6) + 1 = 7

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

Feb 5, 2023 5:09 am

Now Zach is on the defensive...

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (42) = 6

1D6 : (63) = 9

Feb 5, 2023 5:14 am

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Zach is too elusive to catch -- Gromn can't lay a finger on him!

OOC:

Emily and Lily! Go, you're up, ladies! Gromn is just outside the classroom, swiping at Zach, and Romanov is back on her feet, but unsteady.

Feb 5, 2023 10:11 am

Lily extends a hand out to Wendy, beckoning her to follow and stick together. She waits, until the girl has gone by the shaken teacher, watchful that she doesn’t need to serve up seconds.

Assuming she doesn’t have to, she races to the door of the classroom, and sets about yanking Emily’s brother out of there!

She glances at Zach’s face as he stands, intently dodging the grapple.

OOC:

Let me know how much I can do! Maybe the Wendy stuff is just narrative? Who knows. Maybe you!

Feb 5, 2023 4:30 pm

OOC:

Steve will be trying to escape too -- if you want, your turn can be collecting Steve and Wendy, then rushing outside. Emily would be able to get outside and further from the school if she wanted. But all of that leaves Aaron and Zach inside.

Feb 5, 2023 4:35 pm

OOC:

Great. And Aaron has run off. So I'll be left alone to take a beating again. Maybe if Aaron returns to find my mangled corpse, at least he'll shed a tear for me 😆

Feb 5, 2023 4:45 pm

Kelly's House

Freddie grabs a towel and mouths, "THROW MY CLOTHES OUT AFTER!"

He swears as he kisses her quickly before she can react, and climbs out, towel tossed out before he shimmies his wet, soapy, nude body out the window. He cringes momentarily, knowing this will likely cost him weeks of advances in physio if he falls and lands wrong.

He'll try and climb out onto the low roof, and then hide out of sight to the side of the window while he towels off.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

This is why we have bennies, right? - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Exhibitionist - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Feb 5, 2023 4:55 pm

Stopping short when she realizes Steve is not behind her, Emily realizes she has to go back to that shit show and what she sees is total mayhem. Only Steve knows what kind of temper she has, it's been a problem in the past and she's kept it mostly under wraps until today but the chaos in the hallway flips her switch.

Ignoring Romanov, Emily grits her teeth and charges Gromn roaring, "Get away from Zach you motherfucker!"

OOC:

Emily will attempt to shove Gromn against the wall or onto the floor using the momentum she gained from running down the hallway.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting or Athletics - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (443) = 11

1d6 : (4) = 4

Emily Richardsen: Strength - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (65) = 11

1d6 : (4) = 4

Feb 5, 2023 7:10 pm

KCC says:

OOC:

Let me know how much I can do! Maybe the Wendy stuff is just narrative? Who knows. Maybe you!

OOC:

Also, some clarity here -- each round in combat you can move, and you can take a regular action. Movement is equal to your Pace x 2 in meters. If you run, that's -2 to your action and you get to add 1d6 to your pace.

Yet another super-specific corner case rule.

Feb 5, 2023 7:33 pm

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Gromn, engaged with Zach, doesn't see Emily coming -- and she plows the man over, sending him sprawling! In that same moment, Lily is helping Wendy and Steve GTFO, and Aaron is nearing the principal's office...

OOC:

Grown is trying to avoid being put on the ground by Emily, and I'll call him Distracted by his current foe. He fails, and two raises means he ends up prone, DISTRACTED, VULNERABLE, and also SHAKEN. Nice work, Emily!

Everyone, with both foes now Shaken, you can all get away if you choose to do so. Though that would be leaving Aaron behind... though he's not nearby, but way up the hall near the main office.

Rolls

Agility Check vs. Emily's Knockdown Test - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Aaron's Persuasion roll to get Romero on the case... (-2 for sprinting) - (1d6-2, RA)

(64) - 2 = 8

Principal Romero

Feb 5, 2023 7:42 pm

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Principal Romero

With the teacher and the janitor both knocked senseless briefly, there's a moment when the whole cast of kids can escape outside. But they also hear, "What the hell is going on down here?!" from up the hall, where Aaron went.

It's Principal Romero, and he's on his way!

OOC:

So the question becomes, are you fleeing or sticking around? We're out of combat rounds now.

Feb 5, 2023 7:49 pm

The Hallway Outside the Science Lab

Zach looks down at the teacher and janitor in shock at what just went down. He's pretty terrified that they're all going to get in trouble for this. It's going to be hard to prove what happened. "I'll talk to Romero!" he tells the others. He's not about to let Aaron deal with that by himself. "You all..." He stops, unsure what to even recommend to them. "I don't know," he finishes, then he turns and jogs in the direction of Aaron and Romero, still soaked in Sprite.

Last edited February 5, 2023 8:07 pm

Feb 5, 2023 8:03 pm

Kelly's House

Kelly nods and rapidly starts searching for any of Fred's clothes as the still slippery and soapy boy climbs out the window -- and immediately looses his footing, sliding off the roof's steep slope outside the window's dormer. There's considerable racket as Freddie claws at the shingles, trying to keep from falling -- only managing to catch himself on the aluminum gutter, which partially buckles under his weight. The boy's towel goes sailing as he hangs, naked as a jaybird, and a glance down below shows him it's still a long fall.

Inside the bathroom, wide-eyed and on the verge of true panic, Kelly can't find any of his clothes so she just closes the window and runs for the bathroom door, desperate to prove her innocence.

OOC:

You're hanging by one hand, Fred! You can try to climb back up by testing Athletics at -2, or drop down in a controlled way by rolling Straight Athletics. Failure in the first case will mean you're still hanging there (unless you crit fail), failure in the second case will result in 1d6+1 damage, double that if you crit fail.

Feb 5, 2023 9:10 pm

Kelly's House
Freddie hangs there a second waiting to see if the eavestrough holds, or comes loose in a squeal of tortured metal. His old body could manage this easily, a swift pull-up, but the internal damage he took has rendered him much less athletic. Still, the prospect of falling reminds him too much like it would be crashing into an airbag/cliff at sixty miles an hour, and he's not emotionally ready for that, so he tries to pull himself up. His strained tendons and muscles scream in protest.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Feb 6, 2023 10:28 am

Lily, content that she can leave Steve in Emily’s care, huddles with Wendy. Heads together and hands shaking, they quickly thumb through the ◀️ button on her camera to see what Wendy had managed to catch of the action. Her breathing is a little frantic, as the adrenaline starts to wean, but she’s looking for something incriminating.

Last edited February 6, 2023 10:28 am

Feb 6, 2023 4:57 pm

With the coast sort of temporarily clear, Emily bursts into the lab, yanks Steve by the arm, and says through gritted teeth, "Come ON Steve! Let's go."

It seemed like Zach was going to take care of the principal and Aaron so she could leave with a clear conscience with whoever chose to follow her. Staying in school right now was not safe. Something creepy was happening but she didn't have time to dwell on it now.

Feb 7, 2023 4:58 am

The Hallway

Principal Romero

"Answer me!" Principal Romero says angrily as he closes the distance to where the fight has just broken up, to where several students have just slipped out the door, and where the two adults have now regained their senses. "Ms. Romanov! Mr. Gromn! Connery here says you physically assaulted several students?! Explain yourselves — what’s going on?!"

Then, seeing Zach approach, Romero asks, "Are you alright son? What happened?"

Mr. Gromn

"Nothing happened," Gromn says, interrupting. "Just some kids up to no good."

Ms. Romanov

"No good," Romanov says with that blank look she seems to have lately.

Aaron looks like he’s about to say something, but his eyes land on Zach first, as he waits for the other boy to speak up first.

Feb 7, 2023 5:08 am

Outside the School

Wendy Lin

Outside, in an alcove off to one side, hidden from view, Wendy and Lily go through the pictures. "I don’t know if I even turned it on, Lily!" Wendy is saying. "That was crazy! And you like pancaked Ms. Romanov!"

OOC:

Let’s see how Wendy did taking pics…

Across the parking lot, Emily and Steve, both breathless, are climbing into the family van.

"What the HECK was all that about?!" the girl’s ‘little’ brother exclaims. "And why did you call me in the first place? Are mom and dad okay? What’s going on?"

Rolls

Wendy’s Pics - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Feb 7, 2023 5:42 am

Kelly's House

Try as he might, Fred can’t get himself back up onto the roof. The metal gutter screeches and comes partially free as the naked boy struggles, and Freddie grimaces as he’s dropped another foot or two closer to the ground. Worse — worse? — probably worse is that he’s now hanging right in front of a window, one that he thinks looks in on the stairwell that he chased Kelly up and down. There’s a scream from inside the house, and it’s… a woman’s scream. A woman’s scream that Fred recognizes.

Belinda Solomon

Then their eyes meet, through that window, as Fred dangles, offering up a full frontal to… his step-mother.

And to say their eyes meet isn’t exactly accurate, at least for very long, as the shocked teen sees that Belinda’s gaze is in fact… a little lower than eye, or even waist, level.

And that’s when the gutter gives way completely and Freddie plunges down towards the ground.

OOC:

You’re a little closer to the ground now, at least, so roll straight Athletics to resist the fall damage of 1d6+1.

Feb 7, 2023 6:59 am

The Hallway

Zach suddenly isn't quite sure how to begin. "We heard screams from the hallway," he says. "Aaron and I." He decides not to mention Lily and Wendy right now. It's unlikely they'll come out of this story without their names being mentioned but at least he won't be the one to do it. "So we went out here and found those two assaulting Emily and Steve Richardsen. Mr. Gromn was trying to drag Emily into that science room over there. I told Aaron to get help and then helped Emily get free. As soon as she was out of Gromn's grip, she and Steve ran away. Can't blame them."

After finishing his brief and not quite complete summary of events, Zach turns his eyes from Romero to Aaron. "Are you okay?" he asks the boy in a soft tone.

Feb 7, 2023 12:23 pm

"Now she knows not to mess with me!" Lily jokes with some bravado.

"I took Taekwondo in first grade! It really stuck with me! Oh… oh… look at this…" she says, putting a hand tenderly on the back of Wendy’s.

"You really got my good side in this one!" she says, showing her the photo of Lily slamming her shoulder into Romanov’s chest.

She thumbs further.

"This one! This is the one! Gromm looks crazy in this one. It’s perfect."

Lily didn’t know how to do a lot of things. But she did know how to tell a story with a single picture. Gromm yanking Emily hard, with a mad look on his face.

Perfect…

"Staying here?" she says, before marching back into the school building. Then she turns, and takes Wendy by the hand.

"Nope. Stay together. Just in case!"

They approach the principal and the two boys, waiting for an opportunity to break into the conversation.

Feb 7, 2023 3:55 pm

Kelly's House

Freddie blanches, as he makes eye contact with Belinda, with his step-mom. He can't see but he's sure that he's still flying full mast and when she looks (NO, SHE LOOKED!) he's confused - - turned on, embarrassed, terrified he's been caught - - but then the whole neighbourhood is likely alerted when the eavestroughing gives way in the loudest screech ever.

He plummets to the ground.

He drops and rolls elegantly, unscathed, runs to the side and grabs the towel. Now he's still fucked, but not in mortal peril.

Except, Kelly's dad probably has all the guns and Freddie is a daughter fucking intruder who also knows he's cheating on his wife. FUCK FUCK FUCK, run!

Freddie books it. Where? He doesn't know, a back alley maybe.

Last edited February 7, 2023 3:58 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (63) = 9

Damage - (1d6+1, RA)

(5) + 1 = 6

Feb 7, 2023 5:12 pm

Harrigan says:

Outside the School
Across the parking lot, Emily and Steve, both breathless, are climbing into the family van.

"What the HECK was all that about?!" the girl’s ‘little’ brother exclaims. "And why did you call me in the first place? Are mom and dad okay? What’s going on?"

Emily smacks her hands hard against the steering wheel and looks at Steve. To say the girl was frazzled would be an understatement.

"What was that about? That's a fucking good question, Steve! Have the teachers lost their fucking minds?" Emily is rubbing her hands that she hurt bashing the steering wheel. Turning the key in the ignition she guns the accelerator and peels out of the parking lot leaving a loud screech and tire rubber behind.

"No. I don't think mom and dad are okay. They aren't answering their phone. The goons that manhandled Zach have a photo of us. Someone is onto us and neither mom nor dad is answering their phone."

Feb 9, 2023 3:53 am

The Hallway

Principal Romero

Romero stands and listens as Zach tells his story, eyeing Romanov and Gromn with anger as the details come out. Aaron is nodding and agreeing at various points, reinforcing what Zach says, and when Tidwell takes a momentary break in the conversation to ask how he’s doing, Connery just lifts his eyebrows and shrugs. It was quiet an experience, the fight with the pair now standing just a few feet away, seemingly cowed by the Principal’s admittedly fierce presence.

"Alright, thank you Zach, Aaron. I’ll make sure to get hold of the Richardsens as well, so I can—"

Ms. Romanov

"They’re lying," Ms. Romanov blurts. "Poor mister Gromn here was just trying to work on getting the air conditioning to work in the lab. Those kids, the two that are gone, they’re on drugs."

And at that moment… Lily arrives!

Feb 9, 2023 4:06 am

Kelly's House

Booking it straight away from the house, metallic sounds resonate in Fred’s head as he plunges into the woods. These are imagined cues, not real ones, but the sound of a slide being worked, a shotgun being pumped, a bolt-action rifle being racked — they all drive Freddie forward. His feet are bloody and stinging after no time at all, but the towel-wearing boy moves through the forest, heading downhill into stands of trees that get larger and thicker and wilder as he goes.

It’s not long before the boy hears the river, and before he spies something on the bank that he doesn’t recognize. A tent or a lean to? Someone, at some point, has been camping down here.

OOC:

Fred, your raise on your Athletics check has given you a clean getaway. If pursuit is coming, it’s quite a ways back.

Feb 9, 2023 4:17 am

On the Way Home

The Richardsen’s van screams down the road as the two siblings shout and vent at one another.

"I know it’s a good question, that’s why I asked it!" Steve shouts.
A half-mile later, he’s calmed a little. "You don’t think… you don’t think they found mom and dad do you?"

Seconds later, the boy adds, "I mean… how would they find us?"

OOC:

Emily, feel free to describe arriving home. What would your parents normally be doing at this time, in the middle of the school day? Does Dad work at home? What’s his job? Same question for Mom…

Feb 9, 2023 8:48 am

"Take a look at this, Principal Romero." Lily announces, like a soap-opera deus ex machina.

"I think you’ll see everything you need to see right there." she says, presenting the camera screen for him to look at. She keeps the camera in her own hands, however, as she wasn’t sure how the other photos might look.

"I… I know Wendy and I would be willing to undergo a drug test, if you wanted to get the police down here, sir. If it would help clear our names, I mean." she gives her best innocent voice as she says so.

Feb 9, 2023 1:36 pm

"Uhm, I guess I'd be up for a drug test, too. I don't have anything to hide," Zach adds, trying to get a peek at the picture as well.

Then he gestures down at himself, "Although I was in a bit of an accident in the lunch hall and was hoping I would get the chance to go home and change before the next block of classes starts."

Feb 10, 2023 2:17 am

Kelly's House[/b]

He refastens his towel and notices that his erection has mostly faded, which is good. Rubbing one out in front of this squatter's tent is likely a way to get molested.

Is this someone's from these estate homes, or is it a rando homeless peep? Hoping they have spare sweat pants, he moves toward the tent, investigating the tent. "Hello?" he calls quietly, not wanting to alert the probably-a-God-damned-SWAT-cop Mr. Unger, "Anybody in the tent?"

Feb 10, 2023 2:41 am

"Steve, for fuck sake, I don't know. Stop asking questions and let me drive!" A few minutes later the van enters the long driveway and bounces to a hard stop leaving skid marks on the gravel driveway.

"Yeah, yeah I know dad will be pissed." Emily yanks out the keys and slams the door as she stomps toward the house. "Don't forget to roll up your window," she shouts back.

She stops on the front door steps afraid to go in. They always answered their phones. Always. It was a rule in their situation. Her mom was always home working some inane IT job and she loved to blast music while she did it. She said it eased the pain of boredom. But the music drove Emily nuts because it was some ancient horrible rock. There's no way her mom would miss a call because her screen would light up when a call came in. Dad worked at the library stacking and checking out books. He said it beat staying home and was a good cover. Someone had to appear to be working or people in town would get suspicious.

Last edited February 10, 2023 2:41 am

Principal Romero

Feb 10, 2023 4:49 am

The Hallway

Principal Romero

"Police?!" Romero says with surprise to Lily, even as he stares and clenches his jaw at the pictures she's showing him, "no need to involve them from what I've seen." When he sees a fourth, and then a fifth picture, he shakes his head and holds out his hand. "I need the camera, Lily. Hand it over."

There's mention of drug tests and Zach is asking to go home, but to all that the Principal holds up his other hand. "Hold on. Hold on!" Then he's pointing at Gromn and Romanov. "My office, you two. Now!"

Silently, the disheveled pair nods and walks down the hall, headed towards the man's office.

"Lily?" Romero asks again. "Unless you hand it over, they won't believe the photos weren't doctored. You'll get your camera back."

Feb 10, 2023 4:52 am

Kelly's House

"No!" comes a gruff voice from inside what Fred now sees is a ratty old tent. There's an old camp stove nearby, and a few empty cans of beans. "No one in here! Leaves me alone! I never saw nothin'!"

Feb 10, 2023 5:11 am

The Richardsen House

Frantically trying to roll up his window as Emily slams her door and stalks towards the house, Steve can't seem to give up his line of thinking, despite his sister clearly telling him to. "Maybe someone was... caught... on camera or something? But still, how would the bad guys know where to go?"

At the same time, the girl's phone buzzes. It's her mother!

Mom: Honey! Just seeing your message! Sorry... was at the grocery and you know how bad the connection is there
Mom: Coming home now
And then Emily's phone starts to ring -- caller ID says it's her mom.

OOC:

Roll Notice, please, to see if you can tell what's going on with Steve.

Feb 10, 2023 2:50 pm

"Oh my God, Steve what the hell is wrong with you?" At the same time that she is exasperated with her little brother she realizes that he does have a good idea. They could check the security footage.

Just then her phone rings, breaking the tension between the siblings. Glancing at Steve with a hopeful panic she rummages for her phone. It slips out of her hands, lands on the stoop, and skids down a step.

"Oh fuck me .... " Mom blazes across the phone screen ....."It's mom!"

Mom! What the hell? You scared me half to death. Someone is on to us. Come home quickly!

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice with alertness edge - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (7) + 2 = 9

1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Feb 11, 2023 2:41 pm

Kelly's House

"Fuck dude, what the fuck? Are you living here? What did you see? Come on, talk to me, maybe I can help you out."

Freddie thinks he should offer him money, but he's naked and that would be a fake promise.

"I'm just hiding from the angry father in the house. If you want to stay in there then you do you. But I'll be here a little bit, until it's safe for me to make a run for it."

Shit, I sound like a hardened criminal.

Feb 11, 2023 6:53 pm

The Richardsen House

"Nothing!" Steve says from the van where he's still in the passenger seat. "Nothing's wrong with me, stop saying that! Stop being a bitch!"

A glance back shows Emily that her brother is pale, has his nose in his phone and is frantically scrolling.

A text comes through at that moment as well.

Mom: Shit. I'm on my way! Is your brother with you? Are you both okay?

M. Chandling

Feb 11, 2023 7:07 pm

Kelly's House

M. Chandling

The tent unzips and a wild-eyed face with crazy grey hair and a scraggle of a beard appears. It's old man Chandling, the nutter who lives in the woods!

"Help me?!" he says, again gruffly. "What's can yous do to helps me?! You gots any food? Booze? Cigarettes? Lysol? Boy, you gots you some Lysol?"

When Fred explains he'd hiding, and when the man's eyes focus long enough to see that the teen is just wearing a towel, he sniggers. "Heehehehehehee. Where's yours clothes, boy? Half naked in the woods. Not good! Tried it one year. Not good!"

Suddenly the unsettling chuckling is gone, and the man disappears back into this tent. The zipper goes up, and he says, muffled now, "I ain't seen nones of those lights in the sky neither! Nope! Yous barking up the wrong tree, kid!"

Feb 11, 2023 7:22 pm

Yeah he's here but something is going on with him too. Hurry!

"Ok look, I'm sorry. I'm a little tense, you know? But what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost." Emily takes a few deep breaths to calm herself or she'll blow a gasket. It's too many things at once what with the crazy violent teachers, the photo, and now her little brother is acting strangely and his face is too pale.

"What are you reading on your phone? What is going on?" Like they needed yet another disaster to add to the mix.

Feb 11, 2023 7:38 pm

Kelly's House

"Holy fuck," Freddie mutters after that tirade. "Thanks for your time, bruh. What do you need Lysol for out here? Strange place to be living if you're worried about germs."

Since he's not in immediate threat of being shot, he sits down on the bank and contemplates life briefly. I hit Kelly fucking Unger! Best. Day. EVER! The contemplation ends as quickly as it started, especially as his body reacts to the afternoon's stickier activities. Think of Call of Duty combinations...

Freddie decides to engage the crazy nutjob and thinks about some of the conspiracy theories he's heard. "Tell me about the lights. Don't worry man, I've seen some really weird shit, too. Have you ever looked really closely at red lights? There are cameras in them. That's how I know 911 was an inside job, and ... Bill Gates is sticking tracking devices under your skin with routine vaccinations!"

Feb 11, 2023 9:24 pm

The Hallway

"The whole thing happened like a minute ago," Zach argues. "How and when would Lily have doctored the pictures?" He looks at Lily and suggests with a shrug, "But I guess there's no harm in giving him the camera..."

OOC:

Lily, you should insight check him. I think he's working with the Borg

Feb 12, 2023 7:26 am

"Well… they can just check the CCTV to corroborate the pictures, right? And I’m sure the police have a guy that can check if an image has been messed with, sir!"

She hold the camera out of reach for now, eyeing the man suspiciously. Her instinct was to warn warn him. Warn him not to go with those two alone. Not with Mr Levitt not showing up today….

But she held the camera close to herself and took a good long look at the man.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Feb 13, 2023 6:31 am

The Richardsen House

Steve looks up from his phone to his sister, and suddenly she sees something else there -- in his face. Not just fear, panic, and worry.

Guilt.

The boy draws a trembling breath, then he holds his phone up so Emily can see. There's a selfie-style picture of him on Snapagram, on one of the many social media platforms the whole family had promised they wouldn't use. Promised to themselves, and actually signed agreements for with the Feds.

"It's under a puh-seudonym," he says, mispronouncing the word. "Not my name! I mean... they couldn't find us through that could they?!"

M. Chandling

Feb 13, 2023 6:40 am

Kelly's House

M. Chandling

The tent's zipper comes down slowly -- very slowly -- and then the old man's hand appears, motioning the boy inside.

"Come ons. If we're goings to talks truths, we needs to dos it quiet-like."

When Freddie doesn't immediately head into the tent, for any number of reasons, Chandling's face appears again. "Looks. If you wants to talk about thems lights, we haves to do it in heres. I haves it all wired up. No scanners can hears us, no satellites can spies, no mind-readin' fields can penetrates my defenseses!"

Feb 13, 2023 6:49 am

Freddie is wearing just a towel and smells like, well probably just shower scents, and treesap. Sitting in that tent might be safer than standing in the open where Unger can sniper him like a, a, a multi-point buck.

"If you have it all wired up, then sure," he says, playing along. "I wouldn't want all this picked up by those satellites."

He crawls into the tent, trying hard to keep the towel securely fastened at the waist and not revealing to much stuff in case the guy is a total perv.

Principal Romero

Feb 13, 2023 6:54 am

The Hallway

Principal Romero

"That's my point, son," Romero says to Zach. "If I take it into my possession now, no one will be able to question the veracity of the pictures."

The principal smiles when Lily mentions CCTV footage. "Lily -- you'll get your camera back, intact," he says. "And maybe you don't know this already, but Boseman High School doesn't have a CCTV system. There are cameras in a couple of key spots in a pilot program, but the PTA and the school board... let's just say we're a long way from installing that kind of tech. Personal freedoms and all that, Ms. Palmer."

OOC:

Lily, from what you can tell he's A) not behaving strangely or out of character, and B) appears to be forthright in what he wants.

Feb 13, 2023 7:08 am

The Hallway

"Mr. Romero," Zach asks. "This seems to be between you and Lily right now. Can Aaron and I leave?" He looks at his crush. "The uber is probably already waiting, right?" Then, turning to the principal again, he adds, "This is getting really gross, you know? Being soaked in Sprite."

Last edited February 13, 2023 7:08 am

M. Chandling

Feb 13, 2023 7:36 am

Kelly's House

M. Chandling

The inside of M. Chandling's tent is something to behold. The man is barefoot and shirtless, and the smell makes Fred gag twice as he looks around, marveling at everything the man has dragged inside. It is a veritable junkyard of stuff. Things thrown away by campers, complex-looking electronics wired together and powered by leaky car batteries... reams of dot-matrix computer readouts... not less than about fifty old flip phones and smartphones.

It's the roof of the tent that's most special. Fred was half-expecting it, but it's literally one big tinfoil hat. It's a patchwork of aluminum, to be sure, but the bearded weirdo has full coverage. Wendy's burger wrappers. Gyro foil. Wrinkled sheets of used tinfoil, some with evidence of the cookies baked on them. Gum wrappers. Shiny, colorful foil from chocolates and a dozen other suspect sources. And in many places a mesh of wire with a few strategically placed pieces of duct tape seals the deal.

The two settle in to the disturbingly damp and humid bedding that lines the floor, and Chandling offers Fred an old pop tart.

"Delicious! I have mores if you're hungries!" the woodsman says, biting into his own breakfast pastry. "Now," he continues around bites, "you says you wants to talk about the lights, yeah? Fews nights ago, during the storms. Big light in the sky, lit up the forest likes it was day! And thens... thens it fookin' hit the ground! Somethings crashed in the woodses!"

Finishing his pop tart, the man reaches up and adjusts a few of the knobs and dials he somehow has afixed to the silver roof. "Theres we go. The Greys was trying to snoops! Anyways. And so offs I goes, the other night. To investigates, to sees what it was!"

Lowering his voice to a whisper, Chandling leans closer to Freddie and nods vigoriously. "That's rights. It was. A space ship!"

Feb 13, 2023 3:14 pm

"Jesus Fucking Christ, Steve!" Emily bats the phone out of her brother's hand. Devoured by rage she doesn't let up.

"Ever hear of facial recognition software? You're a moron, you know that? Want to get us all killed? Wait till mom and dad hear about this? I hope you didn't like it here because we might end up on the run again."

Groaning, she grabs her head in her hands and asks the question she doesn't want to hear the answer to. "Did you snapgram any photos of us together under a pseudo-fuckin'-nym too?"

Feb 14, 2023 1:41 am

Near Kelly's House

"No thank you, I ate before I came," he says, his stomach rolling. Kelly's luscious ass leaps into his minds eye when he says he ate, and he quickly thinks of the gross blankets to avoid an inappropriate uprising.

"It crashed in the woods, did it?" He remembers the Jeep parked by the river. He holds out a hand and twists it, orienting himself. "That wouldn't be over across from the Banks would it? That old campground? I saw some tracks of people that went there a night or two ago. People have been acting peculiar since that storm."

Quote:

"And so offs I goes, the other night. To investigates, to sees what it was!"

"Where was that, was it where I said?" Despite his own problems, he is getting interested in leans closer to the man so he doesn't miss a word.

Quote:

"That's rights. It was. A space ship!"

"You saw it? Wow, I'd give anything to see something like that." He remembers what he's doing. "They've been keeping this stuff from the people for too long. It's time to find out what is real and what is ... uh, propaganda of the military industrial complex."

Feb 14, 2023 1:01 pm

Lily almost rolls her eyes at the mention of personal freedoms.

The freedom to get assaulted by faculty with no incriminating evidence…

But she’s already working on sliding the janky latch that holds the SD card. There was a knack. With a huffy sigh, she eventually gets it to spring free.

Pushing in, she frees the card from its slot, and palms it. She looks to Wendy, and the others, and then hands it over.

"My uncle would kill me if I let this camera out of my sight."

She didn’t know if it was a lie, really.

"But you can have this." she says, of the card. "I’ve got more, so…"

Principal Romero

Feb 16, 2023 8:04 am

The Hallway

Principal Romero

"Yes," Mr. Romero says to Zach and Aaron. "But come see me after school. After I speak with Mr. Gromn and Ms. Romanov -- well, I'm sure I'll want to talk to all of you again."

Accepting the SD card from Lily, the man holds it up and looks at it a little suspiciously. "You too, Lily, and Wendy." The man is good with names -- there are a lot of kids at Boseman, and he doesn't seem to struggle with knowing who's who at his school.

"Fine," he says to the hopeful girl finally, pocketing the flash card. "And since you're not soaked like Zach here, I want you to head straight to your next class, okay? And no discussing this or publishing articles in the school paper! Let me get to the bottom of what happened. And be at my office after the last bell -- all of you."

OOC:

You're all free to go. And I think you know time is short for me this week for posting. You can do a little group scene, split into pairs, etc.

Feb 16, 2023 8:09 am

The Richardsen House

Pale Steve goes paler when he sister tears a strip off of him. "You... you think that's how they found us?!" he asks, worried. "Man, I don't wanna move again! We just got here! This sucks! We can't even live our lives!"

When Emily asks about another picture, he shakes his head vigorously. "No way! Definitely not!"

OOC:

Emily, what -will- your parents do when they find out?

M. Chandling

Feb 16, 2023 8:20 am

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

M. Chandling

"Yups, yups, that's the spot!" Chandling says, nodding -- and that nodding continues as Freddie talks to him about conspiracies.

"So yous was there, but yous didn't sees it? Covered it up, I bets they did. Yup. Mens in Black!"

Outside, back towards the house (which isn't even visible through the trees), comes a man's distant but insistant voice.

"Fred Solomon! I know you're out here! Show yourself!"

Feb 16, 2023 8:50 am

The Hallway

Zach says goodbye to Romero and promises that they will be there. Knowing that Aaron has also been called there helps get him a little bit excited about what is sure to be an otherwise unenjoyable conversation. At least it will put them back together.

Once the principal has left, Zach turns to the other three students. "That was crazy, right? I mean, Romanov has been acting weird for a while, but this was something else. I wonder if it had anything to do with..." He interrupts himself before he finishes his sentence. He probably shouldn't share the Richardsens' secrets with the others, as little as he himself knows about them.

He smiles at Aaron, then says, "We really should get going." He does make sure to say we, even if technically, there's no reason for Aaron to stay anywhere near him for now. Then he turns to Lily, a nervous expression on his face. "But I would like to talk to you about something, alone. Could we meet at your newspaper office after school? Just for a couple of minutes."

Last edited February 16, 2023 12:21 pm

Feb 16, 2023 12:45 pm

Lily extracts herself from the conversation without verbally agreeing to the meeting with Romero after school. He already had her card, so she didn’t feel like giving up her time, too.

Until Zach says he wants to speak with her. She keeps a cool head, and tries to not make a face.

"Oh yeah? Sure. Sure. No problem." she says, trying to sound even.

"You finally going to agree to pass out those copies near your place?" she says, trying to come up with an unnecessary (maybe) cover story for the others present.

Feb 16, 2023 2:49 pm

The Richardsen House

"Are you sure? Because mom and dad are going to go ballistic when they find out some goons have our photo. Well, more mom than dad but it won't be a fun time."

Emily chews on a nail as her eyes dart around following the stray thoughts whizzing about in her head. "Maybe the Feds will just chase these goons down. I don't know what happens next."

Last edited February 16, 2023 2:50 pm

Feb 16, 2023 2:54 pm

The Hallway

"Uhm, sure," Zach replies. "But that's not... I just..." Lily catches him glance towards Wendy for a moment before he turns to her again. "Yeah, that's it," he then says, after ruining the cover story with his initial hesitation. "Cool, yes, I'll see you there then." He claps her on the shoulder with his hand in a gesture that immediately feels really awkward to him, so he pulls his hand back. "Have fun. Lily, Wendy." He clears his throat, then starts slowly moving towards the front door of the school, wishing he had just kept his mouth shut, nodded and walked off.

Feb 16, 2023 4:50 pm

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

"Thanks, Chandling, keep up the good work. I am glad someone has got an eye out. Those bastards want to get with anything they can, but not if we get the word out, right?"

When he hears the shout, and his name, he figures he's got no choice. The guy knows his name, his car is parked in the driveway, and he doesn't have his fob or phone. In a word, he's fucked up the ass by an electric drill with a wire brush on a wobble.

"See ya," he says up the kook, and leaves the super sticky and gross tent.

"Coming!" he yells back in a breezy upbeat manner that belies the severe nausea he's feeling. His nerves are shot since the accident and ... incidents that lead up to that ... and he doesn't have any antacids in his towel. He breathes deeply and makes his way back to the house. His reflexes on a razor wire, he waits for the sound of a shotgun cha-chinking and him needing to duck and run.

Wendy Lin

Feb 18, 2023 5:45 pm

The Hallway

Wendy Lin

As she does, Wendy keeps to the background as all this unfolds with the Principal, and with Zach and Aaron. The freckled girl watches Lily hand over the card, then nods at Romero when he asks them to come after school. When Zach and her best friend have their weird exchange and the two boys leave, she leans in close to Palmer.

"What is going on this week?! Things just seem... I dunno. Wacko! This stuff with Romanov and our creepy janitor? What the HECK!? And now you and Zach are like speaking in codes, Emily is running off school grounds in the middle of the day... this is bananas!"

Aaron Connery

Feb 18, 2023 5:50 pm

Outside the School

Aaron Connery

Outside, Aaron catches up with Zach as the boy heads to the half-circle drop-off / pick-up lane where he can see a waiting car -- his Uber.

"Hey!" the boy says, trying to get Zach's attention. "Are you alright? That was all... something. First that jock almost pummeling that other kid, the soda, the teacher and our custodian attacking your friend. Are you just going to stay home?"

Feb 18, 2023 5:56 pm

The Richardsen House

"I mean... yeah. I'm pretty sure I don't have any pictures of you up on this account, or ones of both of us," Steve says.

They make their way inside the house carefully, and find it secure and empty -- just as it should be if mom's not home.

After checking his room to make sure no one has found and removed the items that are dearest to him, Steve reappears in the kitchen. "I mean... how do you... know they know? Who manhandled Zach? And who is Zach again? Wait! Zach is like... Rose's brother, right?"

Mr. Unger

Feb 18, 2023 6:13 pm

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

Mr. Unger

Chandling nods vigorously at the mention of getting the word out, and he's about to go on at much further length when Fred hears his name and decides to face the music, pay the piper, and generally fess up. At least partially.

A hundred free from the homeless man's tent, away from the water, he comes face to face with Mr. Unger, who is six two, ripped beneath his dress shirt, tie and slacks, and who has his fists balled and a vein throbbing in his temple.

"What happened with you and Kelly, Fred?" the man asks, his square jaw tightening when he sees Solomon has just a towel wrapped around him. Unger has his sleeves rolled up, and he looks mad. "You tell me, and you tell me right now, boy. What happened? Did you just fuck my daughter?"

Feb 18, 2023 8:22 pm

Outside the School

"I... I don't know," Zach admits in response to Aaron's question. "I was planning on coming back. I mean, I guess I have to, now that Romero wants to speak to us. I was just planning on going home and taking a shower to freshen up. You should come." He freezes for a moment, then quickly adds, "Not into the shower, obviously." He gives a nervous chuckle. "But, uhm, I'm going to need to uber back as well. I'll need someone to call it for me. And we..." He bites his lip. "...have soda? Chocolate?" It's a weak offer, so he strengthens it by adding, "You can be late to your next class and have a good excuse."

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (4) = 4

Feb 18, 2023 9:04 pm

"Pretty sure?" Emily glares at her brother. "What about ones of just you? Hmm? You're a moron. Oh my God." Emily charges into the kitchen, swings open the fridge door and clatters around in it looking for a can of Coke Zero. Finding the last can she pops the top and takes a large swig.

"Look, all I know is what Zach told me. Some goons roughed him up a bit and showed him a photo of us that was maybe a few years old. That's all I know. And yeah, he's Rose's brother you dimwit."

Feb 19, 2023 12:03 am

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

Freddie's teenage mouth nearly gets him into trouble just then. The words form at the back of his mouth, but before they burst forth, he feels his jaw clamp shut. Different words hiss out.

"You god damned motherfucker. Or should I say step-mother. WHY WAS BELINDA GOING UP STAIRS WITH YOU?" He steps close to the man, not touching him but really wanting to. Anger burns within him, anger that blinds him to the asskicking he's demanding.

Last edited February 19, 2023 12:09 am

Aaron Connery

Feb 19, 2023 6:27 am

Outside the School

Aaron Connery

Connerly turns and looks back towards the school when Zach asks him if he'll come, and it doesn't take someone with a finely honed EQ to realize that the boy is concerned about missing class, which is about to start. He chews his lip just briefly, then turns back to Tidwell and nods.

"Yeah. Yeah -- okay. It'll be easier if I'm with you to come back for sure, and my parents will be okay with the charges given everything that's happened. I'm having a hard time believing we just saw that... and they're just acting so weird, those two."

The two boys get into the back of the Uber and it pulls away from the school after the driver confirms his passengers and starts the ride. Behind them, visible out the back window of the Hyundai, columns of white smoke are pouring into the blue Michigan sky. The stacks at the old steam plant that serves the school are working overtime, and Aaron just shakes his head as he settles into this seat beside the other boy.

"So. Are you... going to the game on Friday, of the homecoming thing on Saturday?"

Feb 19, 2023 6:41 am

The Richardsen House

"Come on! I didn't mean it! I didn't think about freakin' facial recognition or whatever!" Steve complains when his sister continues to verbally berate him.

"And we don't even know that's what happened, right? Maybe it was something you did. Maybe one of the kids you sell pot to took your picture and posted it somewhere! Maybe your like dealer or whatever knows who you are!"

Mr. Unger

Feb 19, 2023 6:49 am

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

Mr. Unger

Fred's words are like a bucket of cold water in Mr. Unger's face, and it almost seems like he's rendered speechless for a moment, but too quickly he's back in Freddie's face, back on the offensive.

"What did you just say to me?! What did you just say?!"

Unger is close now, right up in Fred's grill, looking down at him as his face reddens. "You mother -- your stepmother -- is here because she was worried about you. The school called, Fred, reporting your absence. Kelly's too, which is why I'm home. Which is why we thought maybe you might be together."

The two are close enough to touch now, and Kelly's father tries to seize one of the teen's wrists and hold it. "So tell me, Fred. Tell me what you're doing out here in a towel!"

OOC:

This doesn't have to get violent, but pulling init cards in case they are needed.

Oho! Take a Benny, Fred, and you have the initiative.

Deck Draws

Fred, Mr. Unger

Feb 19, 2023 7:53 am

Outside the School

Zach confirms his address with the driver, then watches Aaron settle into the seat next to him. Holy crap, Aaron freaking Connery is coming home with me! Of course Zach knows nothing will happen. Nothing could happen, even if they both wanted it, and Aaron has given no indication that he is interested like that. Well, aside from agreeing to come home with him.

Zach tries not to let his thoughts spiral and derail and instead focuses on Aaron's question. "Oh, yeah. You know I'm friends with some of the guys, so of course I'll go see the game." He feels slightly awkward about mentioning this, knowing that Aaron's not a big fan of the jocks. "And I wouldn't miss the dance," he continues, then very quickly adds, "I'm only going with a friend, though. Not a real date." He watches Aaron closely as he asks, "What about you? Who are you going with?"

Last edited February 19, 2023 8:28 pm

Feb 19, 2023 10:57 am

"Right?" Lily says, with a roll of her eyes.

"Don’t worry. If I know, you know." she says, sticking her pinky out so they could form the promise link. Then, she sighs:

"How long until we have vacation? Maybe it’s something in the water."A chemical spill or something." she jokes.

Now that would be a story…

Feb 19, 2023 4:00 pm

"I am the dealer, you idiot. It's the stuff I grew at our previous house. Some clones I've been experimenting with." Shaking her head she glares at her little brother. "I'm very careful. It wasn't me."

But she wasn't so sure. Someone with a massive lens could have taken pics of her at some point somewhere. Maybe even by the river. But she'd never admit that to Steve. Not in a million years.

Aaron Connery

Feb 20, 2023 6:10 am

On the Way to Zach's House

Aaron Connery

Aaron listens as Zach talks about the game and the dance, but he shakes his head when the other boy asks who he's going with.

"Uh... no one? Those kind of events aren't really my thing, you know? I don't have plans to go."

OOC:

Spinch, help me flesh out Aaron. What are his interests? Movies? RPGs? Camping / hiking? Art? Writing? Music?

Wendy Lin

Feb 20, 2023 6:16 am

The Hallway

Wendy Lin

Wendy smiles as she completes the pinky link and Lily asks how long before Thanksgiving break, but she makes a face when she spots something nasty on the floor. A fluid of some kind, tracked out of the classroom where Gromn had dragged Emily.

"Ew. Speaking of spills, what is that?" she asks, pointing at the still-wet footprints that lead back into the lab.

Feb 20, 2023 6:19 am

The Richardsen House

Shrugging about it all, Steve starts making a sandwich while they wait for their mother to come home.

OOC:

Okay to wrap, Windy? The others will be close behind.

Feb 20, 2023 3:16 pm

OOC:

Yep!

Feb 20, 2023 3:47 pm

OOC:

Quote:

Spinch, help me flesh out Aaron. What are his interests?

Well, Zach would have no idea. This is literally the first time he's talking to Aaron. I'm happy to let you decide. But he's brought up a singer before, so maybe he's into music. If he's into RPGs/board games, that might make him fit in with the lunch group. Now that you mentioned hiking, he does kind of feel like that kind of guy.
Gosh, I love being so helpful

"No, you have to come!" Zach turns his full body in his seat to face Aaron now. He reaches out to touch his arm again, pulling back if he senses discomfort with that from the boy. "I mean, it would be great if you came. You can just go with me and my friends. We'd all be happy to have you with us." Of course he can't actually speak for his friends, but why would any of them mind? Especially after Aaron's help with Gromn and Romanov today.
Indicating towards his sprite-soaked hoodie, Zach asks, "Plus, do you really want to miss your chance to see me in a suit instead of this?" He throws Aaron a nervous smile. Then, gathering all his courage, he leans in and offers in a whisper, so the driver won't hear, "I'll dance with you. If you'd like."

Feb 20, 2023 4:19 pm

Freddie is ready to lash out again, but he can't throw Kelly under the bus. "Your daughter was splashed by a giant container of pop in the cafeteria, and I offered to drive her home to get cleaned up. She graciously offered to allow me to clean up as well."

He steps a little closer nearly face to face with the bigger man. "So you were with my stepmother when the school phoned, were you? Was that in her bed, or at the Motorlodge on the highway?" He picks the skankiest, low-rent hotel he can think of for that one, layering insult with the implication of shame.

"When I heard you outside the door, given my state of dress, I panicked and fled. Can you blame me?"

Rolls

Persuasion for bullshitting the angry dude - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benny! - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aaron Connery

Feb 21, 2023 5:54 am

On the Way to Zach's House

Aaron Connery

Aaron reddens a little in his seat, not quite knowing what to make of Zach's attention.

"I mean... it would be cool to see you dressed up, but dancing isn't really my, uh..."

The car stopping to wait for oncoming traffic before it can turn into Zach's lane breaks up the awkwardness for a moment at least, and Aaron smiles a little nervously. "Why are you so keen on me coming, anyway?" he asks. "I'm a year younger than most seniors, and not exactly the most popular guy in school."

Rolls

Aaron's Notice Roll - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Feb 21, 2023 7:22 am

On the Way to Zach's House

Zach hesitates. He really had hoped his whispered suggestion would make his intention clear. The fact that it didn't means that he now has to decide between on the one hand staying the course of trying to make himself understood and making himself even more vulnerable in the process or on the other just giving up for now.

As he tends to, he's leaning towards the latter. The only thing tipping him over to the former is the adorable blush on Aaron's cheeks, which also might possibly indicate that the boy is interested as well. Or so Zach hopes at least.

"I told you I was really unpopular at my old school," he explains quietly, swallowing nervously. "Because I have a secret. And I'm terrified of that secret coming out at this school as well. So I just asked a friend to the dance, because that's safe." He moves his hand down Aaron's arm and tries to link his fingers with the other boy's. "I'm too scared to actually ask out the one I'd really like to go with," he admits. "But I would still like him to be there. And I would still like to maybe get a chance to dance with him."

Feb 21, 2023 12:29 pm

Lily looks at Wendy with a kind of resigned do-we-have-to? face. Half whimper, half puppy dog eyes, she looks to her co-Editor…

"Haven’t we had enough spillages in classrooms to last us a lifetime?" she says, grimacing as she remembers the beast with two backs that they both saw yesterday.

But the two teachers that attacked them were preoccupied in the principal’s office right now…

Feb 23, 2023 3:46 am

In the Woods Near the River, by Kelly's House

Mr. Unger

Some of the anger drains out of Unger's face when Fred explains, when his story turns out to be somewhat plausible... though in truth, perhaps it's the second mention of something going on between the taller man and Freddie's stepmother that blunts his ire.

"Look," he says, quieter, "let's go up to the house. Maybe this isn't... what it looks like."

It's unclear if he's talking about Fred and Kelly... and he and Belinda.

At the house, Fred's 'mom' is waiting, with his clothes in her hands. Kelly is nowhere to be seen, and Belinda hands over the boy's clothes so he can dress on the other side of the car after Unger goes inside, saying he needs to talk to Kelly again.

Belinda Solomon

"So..." the gorgeous blonde says as Fred zips up his pants, looking at his butt through the tinted windows of the Tesla, "drop me back at the house before you go back to school, loverboy?"

Rolls

Spirit Roll to Resist Persuasion - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Aaron Connery

Feb 23, 2023 4:10 am

Arriving at Zach's House

Aaron Connery

"A secret?" the bespectacled boy asks, looking right into Zach's eyes. So steadily. So warmly. Zach can already tell -- if anyone is going to understand him... it's Aaron. Before the boy is able to ask what secret, the brunette next to him slides his hand down to his... and Connery doesn't pull away as Zach makes his feelings clear.

Swallowing hard, chewing the inside of his lip just briefly, Aaron waits a painful beat or three before he answers with an almost imperceptible nod.

"Okay," he says softly as the car pulls up to Zach's house and the driver looks at the two boys in the rearview mirror. "I'll go..."

OOC:

Scene, Zach?

Wendy Lin

Feb 23, 2023 4:19 am

The Lab

Wendy Lin

"So gross!" Wendy says as she gets down to better examine the fluid. It's slightly viscous, opaque, and greenish-yellow, both girls see.

"And yes, we totally have, but what is it?!"

Then, sitting back on her haunches, Wendy raises a single finger. "This might be a clue as to what's going on around here. It might be important! Get a test tube and a popcycle stick, Lil! We've gotta get a sample!"

OOC:

Close us out, Lily, whether you get the sample or not, let's fade out on this scene...

Feb 24, 2023 2:23 pm

Kelly's House

"You bet," Freddie says as he speed-dresses and then throws the towel onto the lawn behind a tree. Climbing into the car, he waits for Belinda to buckle in. He pops a couple antacids (daily recommended maximums are for losers).

He wants to be mad, but Kelly Unger!

"Home it is." He drives away, then says, "You and Mr. Unger, huh? He's not good enough for you, you know." He smiles at the cheesy line, but can't shake the good mood.

Feb 25, 2023 12:26 am

"How come you get to be Sherlock and I’m stuck as Watson? The lovable sidekick…" Lily jokes.

"Fine! Let’s grab some!" Lily rushes into the room and grabs up a test tube, a stopper and a one of those dropper things for gathering liquids.

Returning, she sucks some into the dropper thing, and puts it into the test tube.

"Blegh! It’s so thick! Can we please get out of here now? I feel like I need to be hosed down!"

Feb 26, 2023 10:41 pm

End Scenes!

OOC:

New ones coming shortly.

Feb 26, 2023 11:59 pm

After School

After the final bell, the school doors are thrown open and most kids blast out of them, anxious to be done with the day, to escape from the blazing-hot classrooms and all the stresses of high school in 2023. A few remain behind -- held after class, in clubs, on the practice fields... and in the main hallway outside Principal Romero's office, gathered in a small group as they wait to be called in. Lily, Wendy, Zach and Aaron are all back again, hours after the incident that landed them in this predicament.

A Few Minutes Before That

Moments before, Lily and Zach have a moment to catch up alone, in the newspaper room...

Now...

Minutes tick by; Romero's door does not open... and that's when they all see Freddie heading down the hallway towards them, a distinct spring in his step.

OOC:

Emily -- your parents never got a call from the Principal, despite (I imagine) Lily or Zach texting to say you should expect that to happen. We'll set your scene up next.

Feb 27, 2023 12:27 am

In the Parking Lot

The family meeting had been something else, and with Steve now grounded and phoneless and fuming in his room, Emily had checked her texts and decided to head back to the school to meet up with her friends, maybe settle some of the rough waters she'd left behind at lunchtime when she and Steve had bolted.

She's moving against traffic as buses and cars are pouring out of the parking lots surrounding the school, but by the time she parks and is on-foot, heading for the main building where the group said they were, things are starting to empty out.

OOC:

Please make a Notice Check, Emily, at -2.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Feb 27, 2023 5:45 am

A Few Minutes Before That

After that conversation in the car, ending with Zach holding Aaron's hand and him accepting his eventual show of affection and agreeing to come to the dance - for Zach! - Zach feels like he's floating. He briefly warns Aaron that his parents are weird but luckily, neither of them is home when they get out of the uber. Inside the small house, Zach gives Aaron a very brief tour, then finds some snacks and a can of soda (definitely not Sprite) for him. As he picks out some clothes from his wardrobe, he obscures the view to make sure Aaron doesn't even have a chance to catch a glimpse of Zach's binders, as well hidden as they are under his shirts. He grabs some clothes, but, feeling like about a million bucks right now, Zach decides not to go for another hoodie but instead grabs a simple grey button-up his dad had bought him a while back, promising it would make him look manly, and which he has basically never worn because it requires a good bit more confidence than his loose hoodies do.

Zach hops into the shower, making sure Aaron is occupied in his room and won't have cause to start searching it and potentially find anything that could give him a clue as to Zach's second secret, which he is not yet ready to reveal like he had the first. After his shower, Zach gets dressed and inspects himself in the mirror for a long time. He does look pretty good, he judges, and despite the much more form-fitting shape of the shirt, nothing is visible that shouldn't be visible. He thinks.

Aaron and Zach return to school taking another uber. Neither of the boys mentions what they talked about during the first ride, but there are some blushes and awkward looks, so both definitely remember. Once they reach the school, they split up unceremoniously, heading to their respective classes.

- - -

When Zach arrives at the newsroom, some of his uncharacteristic good mood and confidence leave him as nervousness sets in. He hesitates for a long moment before finally knocking and entering. Lily is already there. "Hey there," he greets the girl. "Crazy day, huh?" He clears his throat. "How are... things?"

Feb 27, 2023 5:41 pm

Emily was still fuming with Steve and the whole parental whack job of a scene with her parents by the time she arrived back at school. With balled fists, she slammed the van door and stormed red-faced toward the building to find the others.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Feb 28, 2023 2:43 am

Freddie walks down the hallway, chipper. Maybe it's the narrow escaping from death, either at the hands of non-load bearing eavestrophing, or by angry fathers with Rambo-esque arsenals of automatic weapons, or by towel-stealing homeless pervert-hermits who live in the woods.

Still, his afternoon couldn't have been better. Spending time with Kelly, naked time, and then Belinda called him 'Loverboy'. In his head, he's marching to his own song.

Well, you can tell by the way I use my walk
I'm a woman's man, no time to talk
Music loud and women warm, I've been kicked around
Since I was born
And now it's alright, it's okay
And you may look the other way
We can try to understand
The New York Times' effect on man

When he sees Lily and Wendy (Definitely the two of them on my arms would make Homecoming so badass!), Zach and Aaron, he waves and joins up with them.

Last edited February 28, 2023 2:44 am

Feb 28, 2023 12:55 pm

"Things are gooood." Lily chimes back, slotting a spare memory card into her camera. She shoots a few shots of the editing room and checks them through to make sure everything’s working correctly.

"Crazy day. But that’s hardly new around here. Feels like there’s something brewing! But how are things with you?"

Feb 28, 2023 1:28 pm

Zach can't stop a somewhat goofy grin from popping up on his face for a moment as he remembers his time with Aaron. It hadn't been a date. But it had been closer to a date than anything he'd ever done with a guy before. "Good," he replies. "Really good."

Then he gets more serious as his nerves kick in once again. "Lily, can I ask you something? It's a bit... personal. And you don't have to answer." He bites his lip. "I saw you and Wendy earlier. I mean, obviously I saw you, we were sitting at the same table. But before we found Emily and Steve and that whole situation, I mean. You were, uhm, holding hands. I was just wondering... Do you like her? Not as a friend. Or, well, also as a friend, I guess, but..." He stops his rambling and lets out a long breath to calm down. "I guess what I want to ask, and I hope you don't mind: Are you... gay?"

Mar 1, 2023 5:04 am

OOC:

Gonna give Zach and Lily a minute if that's okay, since the result of that convo could color the later on in the hall outside Romero's office...

Mar 1, 2023 6:47 am

Lily puts down the camera, once Zach says what he wants to say…

"Mmm… am I… I guess well… I don’t…" she starts, stammering a little, working the thing over in her head.

"Not… usually, maybe. If that makes sense." her face reddens a little, as she doesn’t sound particularly confident or charismatic.

"What am I trying to say? I…" she takes a deep breath then. "…‘ve been friends with Wendy for a long time. I used to like her brother. But… I don’t know. We just kind of feel nice together."

She stops then, and pauses:

"We’ve never… you know… or anything. We’re just kind of… figuring it out as we go.

Why do you ask?"

Last edited March 1, 2023 6:47 am

Mar 1, 2023 7:00 am

"That's nice," Zach says, trying to sound reassuring. He's worried Lily will think he's judging her or that he has a problem with it. "Exploring who you are and what feels right."

He takes a shaky breath, then says, "I'm gay." He wants to wait for her reaction but then can't stop himself from adding, "I only like boys. In that way, I mean. I like you, but as a friend." He chuckles, definitely more from nerves than humor, then he says, "You can't tell anyone."

Last edited March 1, 2023 9:25 am

Mar 2, 2023 8:52 am

"So you won’t go to the dance with me?" Lily says, joking with feigned disappointment!

"I knew there was something going on with you." she follows up.

"… and Aaron." she quickly adds, not trying to make it feel accusatory!

"I won’t tell anyone. You know… this place is crazy, but the people aren’t all bad. You know what I mean? You could maybe…"

Mar 2, 2023 9:21 am

"Go to the dance with you?" Zach asks, blinking in surprise at her joking comment, which takes him completely by surprise. "I mean, we weren't going to anyway, right? We..." His expression turns thoughtful, until she pulls him back out of his thoughts when she mentions Aaron's name. His cheeks turn deep red. "I... Well, I mean... was it that obvious?" he asks. He lets out a breath and that same goofy grin pops up again for a moment. "He's really cute, isn't he?"

He listens to Lily's words, then shakes his head. "I suffered endlessly at my old school after I came out." He doesn't clarify that it wasn't gay that he came out as there. "I don't want that again. Not when things are going so well here. I have friends. I'm moderately popular. I'm not the butt of every joke." His expression drops as he says, "Which is why, as much as I'd love to, I can't officially go with Aaron to the dance." He swallows, then adds, "But you kind of gave me an idea. It's probably stupid, but..." He drifts off and doesn't finish.

Mar 2, 2023 12:17 pm

"It was a joke. Because… well…" she points a finger at herself and then him.

"Obviously, right? Because of what we are talking about right now!"

She listens then for a moment, nodding her head, or making a sympathetic pained expression when he says they won’t go together.

"It helps that I’m moderately unpopular. Being, whatever else I am, I’m the editor of the school paper. Nothing lower than that!" she chuckles to herself.

"Oh… did I? What were you thinking?…"

Mar 2, 2023 3:54 pm

Zach takes in a steadying breath, then says, "I know you seem to be confident going with Wendy. And that's awesome. And I'm sure you'll be fine. I mean, you're girls. It's different. People won't start talking just because you go together as friends. But I was thinking..." He trails off again. "We'd have to talk to the others as well. To Wendy and Aaron. Obviously. And well, only if you think it's a good idea. And I guess I'd have to say something to Emily as well."

He shakes his head, forcing himself to stop rambling and get it out. "What if we did go to the dance together? You and I, I mean. And Wendy would go with Aaron. And then the four of us just... well, if it turns out you and Wendy spend more time together and Aaron and I do than we do with our respective dates... That wouldn't be too weird, right?"

Last edited March 2, 2023 5:22 pm

Mar 3, 2023 10:04 am

Lily makes a kind of quizzical face as Zach explains the plan.

"Mmmm…" she starts. "Everything else aside… won’t taking the two editors to the dance be a blow to your ‘cred’?"

Mar 3, 2023 11:16 am

"I wouldn't think of it like that," Zach quickly replies. "I'd say we'd be taking two attractive girls to the dance. That could do nothing but boost our reputation."

He gives her a smile that's only half as nervous as his previous one. "You don't have to decide anything right now. Maybe just think about it. And ask what Wendy thinks. Unless you think it's totally stupid."

Last edited March 3, 2023 10:11 pm

Mar 4, 2023 4:45 am

Back in the Now...

Zach and Lily have only just rejoined Wendy and Aaron as their other friends arrive -- Freddie strutting down the hall like a young John Travolta, Emily coming in from outside with clear stormclouds over her head.

Wendy Lin

Wendy blows some dark hair out of her face as she looks at her bestie with more than a little curiously.

"Is... everything okay?" she asks quietly as Fred and Emily join them.

Aaron Connery

Aaron Connery waves to the new arrivals -- he doesn't know them well, but he's seen them hanging with Zach before. His attention, though, is on the Principal's office. It's getting to be late afternoon and the sun is getting lower, throwing parts of the school into shadow. The hallway outside Romeo's door is one such place... and those shadows make it clear that the lights are off inside the office.

"Do you... even think he's in there?" the boy asks, checking his watch. It's a little after four o'clock. This is unusual for a man as punctual and organized as Principal Romero.

OOC:

I -think- y'all have a lot to talk about, so... feel free!

Mar 4, 2023 7:06 am

When Zach and Lily join the others, they all notice that Zach is in an uncharacteristically good mood that he hadn't been in before lunch. He's a bit more thoughtful than he was before his talk with Lily, but for the usually so reserved boy who's always hiding in his hoodies, the smile and nice button-up are a pretty big change.

He takes his place next to Aaron, though there is definitely no touching between them and not much more than a quick look exchanged.
"We could knock," Zach suggests in response to his question. "But it doesn't look like anyone's there." He turns to Freddie, who also appears to be having a pretty good day. "Were you also called to the office?" he asks the boy. He hadn't been there earlier. "Any crazy teachers trying to kidnap you as well?"

Mar 4, 2023 8:41 am

"Yeah! Yeah. Fine!" Lily says, with a smile, but there’s a stillness in her eyes when they meet Wendy’s that says ‘I’ll tell you later".

And then she moves on.

"I heard that if they don’t show up after 15 minutes, you’re allowed to leave. Is that true?" she asks the group.

"Let’s just knock." she says then. She felt both brave and sick to her stomach. She knew the knock would go unanswered, for the same reason her favorite teacher wasn’t in school today. And… she suddenly realized, she was responsible for that.

Whatever the hell that is…

Mar 4, 2023 5:32 pm

"Hey there mi compadres, que pasa?" he says in a friendly voice. He suddenly realizes he's been leaving Norm and the rest of student council with all the Homecoming organization. Bah, I'm sure they like it.

He claps Zach on the shoulder and waves at Emily as she approaches. He winks at Lily and Wendy. "Aaron, you're looking splendid in these lights. What's your secret?"

Mar 5, 2023 11:16 am

"You’re chipper!" Lily says, not returning the wink.

"Maybe we ought to check the school for a gas leak?" she teases back at the boy!

Mar 5, 2023 3:26 pm

Freddie takes the bait willingly. "It's turned into a wonderful day. The best part is you still haven't handed our asses to us in Caracasone."

He sniffs the air. "Gas leak? Maybe that's Melman, he eats sourkraut for breakfast, I swear to God Almighty!"

Mar 5, 2023 3:41 pm

Emily feels a little disheveled even if she doesn't quite look that way. She's sullen from the tongue-lashing at home and pissed off at her brother. Since she doesn't want to be a total buzz kill she decides to adjust her attitude and at least pretend to be someone the others might like to hang around with.

"Hey guys. What's going on? There's a gas leak?" she asks, feigning a laugh.

Mar 5, 2023 3:49 pm

"The day has turned out pretty nice," Zach agrees with Fred. He throws quick, almost conspiratorial glances to Aaron and Lily.

When Emily arrives, he greets her and then explains, "No gas leak, at least as far as we know. Though with the janitor gone mad, who knows? Lily is just being Lily." He smiles at a joke in his own head. "Which is awesome."

Aaron Connery

Mar 5, 2023 7:09 pm

Aaron Connery

Aaron blushes slightly when Fred compliments him, glances briefly at Zach and just says, "No... secret? Just being myself over here."

To Emily he asks, "Is your brother okay?"

Then to Fred he adds, "Things got wild here. Ms. Romanov and Mr. Gromn attacked Emily. There was a whole, like, melee. That's why we're here, outside Principal Romero's office."

Mar 5, 2023 7:27 pm

"What the hell?" Freddie's popular kid, know-everybody demeanor falls away and his eyes blaze. His worst trait is his vengeful streak, especially when coupled with his protective nature.

He turns to Emily as she comes up. "Emily, my God, are you okay? What did the police say?"

Mar 6, 2023 1:55 am

"Oh yeah, we took care of business!" Lily says, faux-cracking her knuckles.

"I’m trying out for quarterback after this! I slammed Romanov pretty good! Didn’t I?" she says, with some genuine pride. She looks to Wendy to back up her brag!

"I’d show you a picture but… it’s in there." Lily says, pointing to the door of the principal’s office.

Mar 6, 2023 5:41 pm

"Speaking of in there," Zach says, stepping up to the door. "I mean, just because we think nobody's home, doesn't mean we can't at least try, right?"
He pauses just a brief moment, then knocks at the door.

Mar 6, 2023 5:48 pm

"I'm just peachy Freddie." Didn't Emily just get done telling herself to be nice. "It's fine, I'm fine. Really. Just got a thorough yelling at which was mostly directed at my idiot brother. There were no cops. So how's everyone? What did I miss?"

Mar 6, 2023 6:25 pm

"Nothing here," Zach replies to Emily's question. "I just went home and got changed." He can't stop himself from throwing another big smile at Aaron, hoping nobody notices. Then he turns his attention back to Emily. "Why were your parents yelling at Steve? He didn't do anything wrong!"

Mar 6, 2023 9:29 pm

Freddie is baffled by this, and waits to get the whole story. "Here I was worried about you getting a ride with Marco when we should have been worried about the faculty. Mind-blowing," he says, and makes the trite explosion gesture from his head.

Mar 6, 2023 10:19 pm

"Oh come on with the drama llama already. We were fine." Emily doubted that Freddie was really worried and now he was just annoying.

Be nice Emily. Be nice.

She does.notice Zach's smile aimed at Aaron and wonders briefly about it. "They're always mad at Steve," she says shrugging.

Mar 7, 2023 3:39 am

Aaron Connery

When Zach makes eye contact with Aaron more than once the bespectacled boy gives him a look as his cheeks pinken slightly.

He looks like he's about to say something when Wendy, long seconds after Tidwell's knock, tries the doorknob to the office. It turns loudly and the teen swats away Lily's hand as she tried to keep her friend from peeking into the room.

Wendy Lin

"Empty!" the girl says without removing her head from the threshold. "I think. It's dark in there!"

Mar 7, 2023 6:49 am

"Well, that's dumb," Zach says to Emily. "Steve seems like a good guy. And he really didn't do anything wrong. It was just an accident, and I doubt it had anything to do with why you were attacked."

He shrugs, then, as he's still standing close to the door, leans past Wendy into the office. He hits the light switch. "Weird," he says. "Where could he be?" An idea occurs to him and he throws a look at his friends. "You don't think those two attacked him after we left, right?"

Mar 7, 2023 11:56 am

Lily gives Wendy a disapproving look for being so brave/foolish.

"After what we say yesterday!" she reminds the girl.

"It could have been the three of them this time!" she scolds, and then makes a disgusted face!

"Let’s just grab my SD card and get out of here! I bet they did, Zach. Creeps!"

Mar 8, 2023 2:32 am

The light flickers and then stays on in the office -- which anyone who visited before would know consists of two connected working spaces. The outer waiting room with the bench and the desk where Mr. Romero's administrative secretary normally works, and, visible through an open door, the Principal's office proper. That back room is dark and looks unoccupied.

It's the heat that Wendy and Zach notice, really, pouring out of the front office. And there, on the floor... more of that strange fluid that Lily collected earlier.

OOC:

You'll all free to move into, or away from, the office at this stage...

There's no sign of an SD card in the waiting room.

Mar 8, 2023 6:35 am

"Eww," Zach exclaims with a frown. He takes a step into the room, careful to avoid stepping into the liquid, and squats down to take a closer look at it. "What is that?"

Mar 8, 2023 1:28 pm

"Splooge? Hey, I ran into this crazy guy Chandling down by the river today. He said that he saw a UFO crash in the woods a few nights ago I think, during the storms, yeah. The same place, across from the Banks, that old campground, where I saw Polensky's blue jeep, and when I swam across, from it I saw some tracks of two people that went there into those same woods."

Freddie is kind of rambling but he's freaked out by all the crae crae in the air.

Mar 8, 2023 5:34 pm

Zach is obviously fishing and she doesn't plan on saying anything more about it. "Meh ... he's my little brother. What's to like?" she asks, shrugging. Her interest is piqued when she hears Zach say what is that?

"What's what?" she asks as she too steps into the room, her foot just missing a pool of the gross liquid. "What the ..."

Last edited March 8, 2023 5:35 pm

Mar 9, 2023 6:24 am

Mr. Romero's Office

In short order, the whole gaggle of kids make their way into the Principal's office. Someone noses into Romeo's office proper, the room in the back with his desk and filing cabinets and stacks of papers. A flick of the lights there shows that the room seems undisturbed -- but that a micro SD card sits on the large green blotter that dominates the chief administrator's desktop.

Back in the waiting room, Emily is looking with distaste at a puddle on the floor... a puddle of yellowish fluid that does not smell good. It's the same stuff Lily collected earlier, in t he lab, but there's more of it here.

Mar 9, 2023 9:23 am

"Right," Zach says, looking at Freddie. "So you're saying Gromn and Romanov attacked Steve and Emily because they've been replaced by aliens?" With a chuckle, he adds, "I know something weird is going on, but that seems like a stretch."

Mar 9, 2023 12:32 pm

"Well… maybe it wasn’t aliens. But something could have crashes there, right? A weather balloon or a satellite." she says, letting journalistic instinct take over.

"Could be worth a trip out there to see?" said with a shrug, and then her eyes light up.

"Theres the card! You guys won’t believe this picture! It’s front page stuff!!"

She heads into the office to grab the SD card, noting that it doesn’t look like there was a struggle here.

Mar 10, 2023 12:15 am

"Aliens? Nah, that's too on the nose. Look, you gotta see this guys tent. It was covered in tinfoil and electronic gadgets. This guy was Chronic with a capital C. But that doesn't mean he didn't see something, right? Like, look at it this way. Say he saw a helicopter with crazy lights, and couldn't hear it cuz of the river noise, right? Then as the lead poisoning or whatever his problem is kicks in, he's like, 'Hey, aliens!' But, that doesn't mean that there wasn't a helicopter."

He looks at the goo on the floor, and points. "Oh! Oh! Maybe it was a blimp spraying chemtrails!"

Mar 10, 2023 12:46 am

"A blimp?" Lily says, her eyes trained on the card.

"What year is it again? Helicopter sounds way more likely."

She creeps forward.

"But whose helicopter?"

Mar 10, 2023 6:08 pm

Emily starts to retch. "What the fuck is this crap on the floor? I'm going to barf." Holding her stomach she backs away from the goo. "Aliens? You guys are being ridiculous," she says once the nausea spell passes. "It's more likely they took some drugs that were tainted with some weird-ass hallucinogen. I think Freddie is close but I don't buy the blimp theory. The things are huge and obvious. It would have been seen and heard."

Mar 10, 2023 6:27 pm

"At any rate, we should probably let someone know that Romero isn't here," Zach says, stepping back out of the room. "And that there's something weird in here. Anyone want to talk to Mr. Kilvert?" Zach did not seem very eager to involve the strict vice principal. "Alternatively, maybe we just find a teacher somewhere around."

Mar 11, 2023 9:12 am

"Um… Sorry, Mr Kilvert. We were supposed to get detention from the Principal because we got into a fist fight with two teachers. But he’s not there. Oh, and we found some… alien jizz on the ground." Lily acts out the prospective conversation. Her tone is dripping with yeah… I’m not doing that-ness.

Then she slots the SD card into her camera, and checks that the photos are still there!

"I say we get out of here. If he wants us that bad, he’ll get us tomorrow, right?"

Mar 11, 2023 9:36 am

Zach hesitates for a moment. He's a pretty rule-abiding guy, so just slinking off after they were summoned here doesn't feel right to him. "I guess if he's not here, that's reasonable," he eventually concedes. "We'll just come back tomorrow and see if he's in then. He can't really blame us for not waiting around all day." He looks at Aaron for his opinion, since he seems like even less of a rule-breaker than Zach himself.

Mar 11, 2023 3:56 pm

"Here, Lily, let me take your picture in front of the empty office, then you can prove you all were here." He pulls out his phone and gathers the gang of miscreants and troublemakers, angling to get a clock and the empty office in the background.

"Say, 'Romero's butt smells like cheese!."

Mar 11, 2023 8:46 pm

"Talk to an adult in this school. Hell no." Emily turns to go when she sees Freddie wanting to take a picture. Her heart pounds at the thought especially given what recently happened with the goons.

"I look like crap in photos so count me out." She makes sure she is well away from that nonsense.

Mar 11, 2023 9:03 pm

Seeing Emily refuse the photo gives Zach an out as well. "Me too," he quickly adds, stepping away as well. He hates photos of himself. They always give him too much opportunity to overanalyze. My cheeks look so feminine here. No guy would have a chin like that. He makes a face and follows Emily out of frame.

Mar 12, 2023 5:28 am

Lily rolls her eyes as the others scarper off.

"Kind of defeats the purpose, guys!" she says, standing between Wendy and Aaron. She throws a hand over each of their shoulders, and pulls them in close!

"Looks like it’s just us three!" she says, getting ready.

"BUTT CHEEEESE!"

Last edited March 12, 2023 5:29 am

Mar 13, 2023 1:42 pm

After taking the shot proving (at least some of) the students had come to the office on time, Freddie says, "Do you all want to come to my place for board game night? We've missed a could days and I'm jonsing to get just wrecked by Lily's Machiavellian maneuvers. I'll spring for take out if Belinda hasn't cooked anything big enough for all of us." Belinda didn't really "cook" per se, so he was already thinking of places that deliver.

Mar 13, 2023 3:07 pm

"I'm pretty sure my dad is expecting me right home," Zach frowns. "The only reason he's not already in the parking lot, sending me angry messages about where I am is that I wrote him that I have an appointment with Romero after school. But technically, I'm still grounded." He then thought about it for a moment longer. "I guess if he drove me to your place and picked me up again, that might be safe enough for him." The others may have already heard complaints from Zach about his overprotective parents now and then, but for emphasis, he gestures towards his bruises. "But it definitely sounds like fun." His eyes wandered over to Aaron, silently trying to ask both him if he'd like to come and the others if it would be okay if he came, without daring to ask either question out loud.

Mar 14, 2023 9:56 pm

"Im game," Emily says, not realizing she had punned. "A diversion from all this craziness might do us some good actually. What were we playing again? " Emily decides that she will have to cool it with the weed. It was affecting her memory. But hadn't she decided that before?

Emily's parents are a pain in her ass but she wouldn't trade them for Zach's dad any day. Emily again notices something passing between Zach and Aaron and feels like doing a good deed. "Hey, Aaron. Want to come too?" If it turned out that she didn't go to the prom with Zach it was fine.

Last edited March 15, 2023 1:37 am

Mar 15, 2023 3:25 am

"Yeah!" Lily chimes in.

"Busy tonight, Aaron? Friday Night Board Games doesn’t sound like much, but you haven’t seen me play yet!"

Mar 15, 2023 5:42 am

Aaron Connery

Aaron looks like he doesn't quite know what to say -- so much has happened today...

He eyes definitely go to Zach's, then he says, "I... I can ask?"

But before the others can respond, Wendy swoops in.

Wendy Lin

"Don't worry if you're not a big board game player. Aaron. I'm not either. We'll find something else to do while these four geek out if you want. It'll still be fun. I bet Fred has a biiiiig TV."

Mar 15, 2023 5:51 am

That Night, Chez Freddie's

It's after dark by the time the group re-gathers at the Solomon residence, and the smell of pizza wafts from the huge, open-air kitchen when the last of them arrives, let in my Fred's smiling stepmom, the distractingly-fit, surgically enhanced and smiling Belinda.

Belinda Solomon

"Come on in!" the tanned blonde says, leading the late arrival through the palatial house, heels clicking. "The kids are all downstairs in the game room. Tell them the pizzas are here and you can all eat whenever you want, okay?"

OOC:

This can be any of you (except Fred) arriving. And let's take a moment to describe the Solomon semi-mansion and big downstairs room that might have a bar, home theater, pool table, exercise room, etc...

Anyone should feel free to add cool and surprising deets about the house, and Fred... would your sisters be around?

What game is about to be played?

Mar 15, 2023 10:41 am

"Yeah, something for us to do after someone flips the table. Sore losers!"

Lily had been known to sulk off to a movie with Wendy and whoever else had thrown in the towel, once things went against her at the table.

Lily enters the house with Wendy, arms hooked into each other, as they wait for the doorbell to be answered.

"Eyes ahead!" she warns Wendy, as she stands stock still, waiting for you know who…

Once the woman answers, Lily yanks Wendy with her elbow gently as a reminder.

Eyes up here…

There was a pang of jealousy there maybe. A comparing… A judgement being made about the woman to cover over insecurities of her own.

Maybe…

"Thanks, Mrs Solomon. And thanks for having us! This place is so great! Really!" she says, pulling Wendy out of the room at a jog, eager to join the others, and be away from the woman upstairs.

Mar 15, 2023 8:38 pm

Once the group breaks up in school, Zach calls his father to be picked up. As he climbs into the passenger seat of the car, he asks, "Dad, there's this-"

"You're wearing that nice shirt," Mr. Tidwell replies. "I thought you didn't like it."

"I do like it," Zach frowns. "I just usually don't think I can pull it off. I felt good about myself today."

"That's wonderful, Zachary," the man replies, reaching over and ruffling Zach's hair, to which Zach replies with an uncertain frown. "What were you saying?"

"There's this thing, at Fred's house. Just some board games. Emily and Lily will be there. You could drive me there and pick me up. It's safe. Just me and my friends."

"Any boys I need to be worried about?" James Tidwell asks, raising an eyebrow. "How about this Fred?"

"Dad!" Zach replies, his cheeks turning red at the suggestion. "Can I please just spend the evening with my friends?"

Zach's dad does end up relenting, under the condition that he drives Zach there and picks him up at an unreasonably early time. But it's better than nothing, so Zach agrees. When he arrives at the Solomon house and Belinda leads him inside, Zach doesn't notice anything about Freddy's stepmother. Unlike the eyes of most male friends of Freddy's - and some of his female friends - Zach's eyes don't linger on her at all. He thanks her for leading her to the basement door, then enters. "It was a struggle," he announces as he comes down the stairs. "But my dad did agree that I could come, for a short while at least." He glances around, pretending to just casually be assessing the scene while he's actually only looking for one specific face, Aaron's.

Mar 15, 2023 11:58 pm

Emily drives whoever needs a ride to Freddie's and the group is together again. She tries not to let her eyes widen in amazement at the palatial house. It oozed money and Emily immediately started putting dollar values on everything she saw. The Monet on the wall, the sculpture by the spacious hallway, and when she passed the theatre room she stopped short and gawked. Several speakers and a massive woofer sat in various strategic locations. Four rows of plush reclining armchairs sat facing the screen and a massive selection of DVD's were stored neatly in a cherry cabinet on either side of the screen.

What I wouldn't give for a room like that!

The basement was more of the same. Completely finished, a large pool table sat at one end, a ping pong table at the other, and a real gaming table with the softest-looking green cloth she had ever felt. At one end of it stood a GM screen and behind it a thick book. In the middle of the room, recessed into a wall stood a shiny marble-topped bar counter with various beers on tap right behind it.

"Whoa. This house is so cool. I wonder if we can pour ourselves some beer?" she asked no one in particular. Enily also wondered if she could maybe sell the parents some weed as she wandered over to the gaming table to take a look at the book that sat on it.

"Oh! I've always wondered about this game. Pathfinder." Hefting the volme she said, "Yikes, it's heavy."

Mar 16, 2023 1:14 am

Freddie has Carcasone laid out (and even read the rules again) because they might be expecting it, but he also has Betrayal at House on the Hill since it's evening and getting dark and someday he'll get to be the villain if he just keeps playing it. But the highlight is the Pathfinder setup, with dice for everyone, pre-printed premade character sheets, and a module he knows enough to run.

The downstairs family room is brightly lit. He's got the big screen playing a playlist of bunch of retro hits from 2012 off YouTube Music. Below the TV is his father's liquor cabinet, locked, and no one knows where the key is. Inside are probably a bunch of treats, but who knows. Several scented candles burn because teens in a basement, 'nuf said.

Upstairs, the pizza is ready, the drinks are ready. His stepmother is (sooo hot its awkward) playing hostess with the mostess.

Even Debby and Sarah are down with him, making fun of his playlist. As he sings along to Skyfall, Debby says, "You love, Adele, don't you? Chubby chaser!"

Sarah chews on her gluten free crust, free range tomato sauce, artisan cheese and organic veggie pizza (she insisted!), she shakes her head, "No fat shaming! That became a no-no before 2012."

Last edited March 16, 2023 1:16 am

Mar 17, 2023 1:30 am

Lily and Wendy get settled downstairs, and try to shake off those first few minutes where you feel awkward for intruding into someone else’s place. Once they start to chill out, Lily starts too much on some snack food.

"So… do we bring the pizza downstairs, or are we supposed to eat up there?" she asks, innocently enough. But her mind did turn to the woman above, and spending more time up there.

Then the song changes, and Lily turns to Wendy, and deadpan delivers the lyrics:

"Hey. I just met you.." she starts.

"… and this is crazy." she follows on, and then Wendy joins in, mirroring her.

"But here’s my number…" Lily says with faux embarrassment, passing across an imaginary piece of paper.

"… so call me maybe?" Wendy chimes, twirling her hair in mock sweetness. And then they laugh.

"Pizzaaa?!" Lily asks then again!

Mar 17, 2023 2:43 am

"Yeah good question and ..." Emily leans close to Freddie, "Will your mom come down once we are all down here? I brought some weed."

Mar 17, 2023 6:37 am

Zach sits down at the table. Once Emily is done with the Pathfinder book, he starts flipping through it. With Freddy's sisters around as well, it's starting to feel like a party, which makes him a bit nervous, so he prefers to stay at the edge of it for now. He does look up from the book at Lily and Wendy's antics, smiling at the two of them for a moment.
At Emily's suggestion, his eyes widen and he shakes his head. "If I smell like weed when my dad picks me up, he's going to kill me." He's also never tried weed before, so the thought makes him nervous. But he doesn't need to tell anyone that.

Mar 17, 2023 6:24 pm

Freddie considers the household rules: there are no rules. Belinda was largely kept out of any parenting decisions from his father, and since his death, everyone has been a little withdrawn. Still, she was an extrovert and loved people, especially people her mental age. I.e., teens. That was mean, she's awesome, he thinks, thinking mostly of her amazing wardrobe choices.

He catches Sarah's eye and they probably share the same thought. "Yeah, she'll probably come down. She might even toke. She won't want to play a game though. Much too nerdy to be associated with."

Mar 17, 2023 6:59 pm

Surprised by that piece of news Emily double-checks with Freddie. "Are you sure she won't mind us smoking? I mean, wow. She sounds super cool."

Emily starts planning how she would approach selling the woman a baggie. She was trying to save up for a car to replace the piece of crap van that her mother insisted she drives because vans were for grownups and pussies.

"I got gum Zach. Just go outside and put your back to the breeze and you're good."

She wasn't sure if that was entirely true but it sounded good.

Mar 18, 2023 6:32 am

Freddie's Mom Has Got It Goin' On Freddie's Basement

Once the last of Fred's nerd friends arrive, it doesn't take long for Debby and Sarah to head back upstairs where they plan to watch a movie while they eat pizza. Turns out there's a great setup up there, too, for flick consumption. That big screen TV is the one Belinda does yoga in front of, and that's something that's always difficult for Freddie to witness.

Wendy had definitely noticed the parental hotness quotient, but it's all she can do to try and calm Lily down about it. The song provides a nice distraction, but both of them want pizza and a little more time with the blonde knockout upstairs.

There's talk of Pathfinder, of pot, and of that delicious-smelling pizza, but there's no discussion, somehow, of everything that had happened today. At the school, at the Unger household, in the woods. Just like there's no sign of Aaron, much to Zach's disappointment. And in fact it might be that Tidwell is wondering just how long he'll stay when there's a creak on the stairs and Aaron Connery descends them, coming into the large room.

Aaron Connery

He looks self-conscious as all eyes land on him, and he smiles nervously, making eye-contact with Zach.

"Hey everyone. Sorry I'm late. I had work tonight, but I decided to tell my boss I had too much homework." The boy's cheeks are red and his hair is ruffled. He perhaps jogged over, or biked?

OOC:

Random question, and maybe I asked this before, Emily: what kind of smartphone do you have?

Mar 18, 2023 9:09 am

Being aware of Zach's feelings, Lily is easily able to recognize the look of total adoration on Zach's face as he looks at the red-cheeked Aaron. "No worries," Zach tells him. "You haven't missed anything yet." Holding up the Pathfinder book, he asks, "Do you know this? We might try it out after pizza."

He then turns to Emily again. "Does it work like that? The weed thing, I mean?" He fights with himself about it. "I don't know. I'll see," he then says. He's not super excited about the prospect, but he might get peer-pressured into it later. "How is Steve by the way? Hope he didn't get in anymore trouble. He really didn't do anything wrong. Oh, we should have invited him to this." With a chuckle, he adds, "I was considering inviting Rose, as a peace offer. But I'm pretty sure she wouldn't want anything to do with this kind of nerd stuff."

Mar 18, 2023 12:58 pm

With fake outrage, Lily winds up:

"He missed our gorgeous cover of ‘Call Me Maybe’!" to which Wendy slaps her arm.

"Oh, right. Yeah, you didn’t miss much."

Then she ponders a second:

"Is weed good for pain relief? Only I kind of shoulder barged whatsherface pretty hard earlier!"

Mar 18, 2023 3:24 pm

Freddie waves to the girls as they leave, not quite daring to give them hugs as much as he wants to. They haven't finished that conversation, and he needs to make that a priority.

When Connery shuffles down the stairs, he offers Aaron a manly handshake, welcoming him to the party. "Pizzas upstairs, you saw. Help yourself to drinks in the fridge." He sees that Aaron is more interested in someone else so doesn't take any more of his time.

He stands by Emily who doesn't seem to be pushed up with anyone the way Wendy and Lily hang close, and the way Aaron and Zach seem to be friends.

To the group he says, "So there are what, six of us? Lots of choices. What does everyone want to do? Got a few tasty boardgames, good for playing and talking, or Pathfinder which can be more involved?"

Mar 18, 2023 7:50 pm

"Oh hey, Aaron. You made it."

Emily gives him a warm smile and then answers Zach's question honestly. "Probably not. I don't really know since I've never had to hide it. It's worth a shot if you want to try it. Could work I suppose. And don't worry about Steve. He'll be fine." Emily ignores the bit about inviting her younger brother.

Emily shrugs at Freddie who seems to be standing a little close. Maybe he enjoyed that kiss more than he let on, she thinks. "I'm fine with whatever for games but I probably wouldn't mind taking a look at Pathfinder."

Last edited March 18, 2023 7:58 pm

Mar 19, 2023 5:02 am

Wendy waves to Aaron as well, and with all the warm welcomes the boy moves into the room from the stairs. He shakes his head when Zach asks about the dense and virtually unplayable roleplaying game Fred has laid out, the game that Wizards of the Coast mysteriously didn't challenge in court, even after it robbed virtually all of its fans away from the fourth edition of its well-known game. Word on the street was that there were no Feats left in the world; they were all in Pathfinder.

Aaron Connery

Aaron approaches the table, and chooses to ignore the discussion about pot.

"Pathfinder? Nope. Never even heard of it. What is it?"

Wendy Lin

"The neutron star equivalent of nerdness," Wendy breaks in. And when Lily tries to speak up, the dark-haired teen grins and puts her finger gently on the other girl's lips, quieting her as she continues.

"It's the most dense, intense packaging of geekitude on the planet. One teaspoon of Pathfinder is like fifty tons of dweeb. It's kinda cool, but it's not for everyone."

Mar 19, 2023 4:25 pm

Freddie turns the music to an instrumental-only fantasy playlist, filled with rising horns and drums, and then turns it down a little.

He retrieves a stack of stapled papers together from a bag on the floor, and sets them on the game table. "The world of Golarion is like the world of Conan the Barbarian or the Lord of the Rings in technology, with similar lands as any found on Earth, and some far stranger. It is full of diverse species and a ton of dangers. You are Pathfinders, members of the Pathfinder Society, a guild of explorers and trouble-shooters. And best of all, the world of Golarion is full of magic..."

He begins to describe the land of Osirion, based entirely on ancient Egypt, where a necropolis, a city of the dead that has been closed for 1800 years (following a devastating plague), has been opened for exploration and to recover what funereal treasures were lost in the shadowed past. The party has gathered together and formed a licensed group of explorers and have made their way into the Tomb of Akhentepi....

"As you stand before a well reaching down into the darkness of the tomb, a few feet of severed rope hanging from a piton driven into the stone, you take stock of each other. Why don't each of you describe the character that you chose from the stack, give them a name, and maybe a few key things about your character that the others would know, such as your species, class, gender, and a couple abilities listed. Don't worry if you don't understand how any of this works, we'll learn as we go."

He looks at the others, seeing how they sat and which ones seem eager and which reluctant. He's good at reading people, drawing them into groups and getting them to open up when they would otherwise stay silent. Hopefully they are all comfortable enough with each other (other than Aaron who may need some schmoozing to drop his many barriers) that they don't hold back.

Mar 19, 2023 6:07 pm

Zach listens to Freddie explain the game. He still doesn't really know how it's supposed to work, but he decides he can probably learn as they're going. At least none of the others seem all that familiar with it either, except Freddie of course. He briefly chuckles at the idea of Rose being here. She would definitely not be playing along with something like this.

When Freddie hands the character sheets around, Zach makes sure to look through them together with Aaron, leaning closer to him so they can both read at the same time. As Zach discovers, it is unfortunately impossible to do this without at least some accidental brushing of fingers. The longer it's going on, the less he's able to concentrate on the papers, his eyes moving up to Aaron's face more and more instead, so he just goes with the first sheet that had caught his attention. The character sounds pretty cool, after all.

When Freddie asks them all to introduce themselves, Zach hesitates briefly, then decides to just go ahead. "I'm, uh, this character, his name is... Well, I haven't filled it in yet. What would a half-elf guy be called?" He clears his throat. "Anyway, he's a guy, he's a half-elf and he's a bard. Which, well, like Jaskier in the Witcher, I guess, if you've watched that show. So, if I understand this right, he can help you guys out with songs. Fred, you'll have to explain how that works when we get to it. I'm not sure why he'd be going down into some dark tomb, but I guess because we're friends and you'd be screwed without his magic songs or whatever." Eager to get out of the spotlight, he quickly adds, "Anyway, who are you all playing?"

Mar 19, 2023 6:21 pm

Emily looks a little like a deer in the headlights. "So we are kind of like acting then, huh?" She's a little nervous about doing that in front of everyone lest she make a fool of herself. She also thinks how fun this game would be if they were all high but decides to cool it before she gets a reputation of being a pushy pest. The more she listens to Freddie setting the scene, the more she is taken away by her imagination into the world being created by his words. It's also surprising to see Freddie so immersed in his task. It was another side of the boy she hadn't seen or expected ans she liked it.

Rifling through the stack of character sheets, she comes to one that appeals to her the most and asks,"Um... can I be a rogue?"

Mar 20, 2023 5:45 am

Aaron finds himself at the table without even agreeing to play the game, but he's a better sport than Wendy, who refuses to play, but then bumps Lily over a little in her chair so she can sit with her friend and help her pick -- and probably play -- a 'player character.'

Aaron Connery

Connery leafs through a few pages as he listens to Fred start the game, saying, "Go-larion," to himself after darting his eyes to Zach when their hands inadvertently touch a couple of times. He picks the sheet based on the art, pulls it in front of himself and picks up a pencil.

"Okay. I've got a... ranger? I think he's like an archer or a hunter maybe?" Hesitating a moment, he looks at Zach again. "He needs a name, though. Have any ideas?"

Wendy Lin

"Nope, maybe, no, oooh!" Wendy is saying to Lily as they go through the remaining sheets together.

"This lady with the tattoos and the boobs is hot -- what is she, some kind of magic lady? And this pretty, pointy-eared elf chick. She's badass too though no one would design armor like that. Who you gonna take, Lil?"

OOC:

Go GM Fred!

[ +- ] The Ranger!

[ +- ] The Magic Lady!

Mar 20, 2023 7:20 am

"Me?" Zach asks. "I haven't even come up with a name for my own character yet. I'm terrible with names." It took me months to settle on Zachary, he thinks but doesn't say.
But then he thinks about the question. After a while, he says, "Well, you're a ranger, like Aragorn, so maybe something similar. Like... Aarongorn." He snorts dorkily at this thought, then shrugs.

"But seriously," he then continues. "How do half-elf names even work? Does it have to be like half human name and half elf name?" He makes a face. "Dave'ythiel? Urgh, this game is hard."

Last edited March 20, 2023 7:21 am

Mar 20, 2023 4:15 pm

To Emily's question he says, "There is definitely a rogue in that pile, but if someone else grabbed it first, you'll need to Rochampbeaux for it." He mimes rock paper scissos as he says that.

Freddie scratches his head. He hasn't have thought that names would be a hold up. "You can choose any name, from movies or books, whatever. Just something that helps you feel like the character. As to half-elves that may just rest on who raised them? Raised by a human mother only? Or raised by an elven parent? Or found by wild intelligent wolves and raised by then in the mountains?"

Last edited March 20, 2023 5:03 pm

Mar 20, 2023 7:00 pm

"Ok, if no one has or wants the rogue I'll take him." She finds a sneaky eyed good-looking character and withdraws him from the pile.

"Oh he looks fun I think. Not that I have any idea what that fun looks like or even if I know how to do any of this."

Mar 21, 2023 9:09 am

Lily rifles through the sheets, trying to get a read on what each of them do.

"Hmmm…" she says, stopping on a human barbarian: all muscle.

"BRUTALITOR!!" she names him, in a gruff, manly voice.

She flips to the next one, tongue sticking out.

"Or…" she rasps. "… perhaps, I’m Gandarry Potterdolf, esteemed wizard." she croaks, dusty and suddenly hundreds of years old.

"Or this… This one looks good."

She shows the sheet to Wendy, like it was a hand of cards at a poker game, waiting for the go ahead.

"Ora Rusk. Oracle. What’s an Oracle?!"

She places the sheet down, and tosses the others back into the middle.

"Dibs!"

Mar 25, 2023 2:17 am

As the party makes their way down into the tomb, past mechanical traps, and tiny animated warrior dolls (hilarity ensues), and then giant bugs (Ewwww), they find themselves in a chamber with a golden sarcophagus.

Freddie narrates, half reading from the pdf on his phone. "The center of this large octagonal room is a raised square platform a few inches above the floor, with a stone pillar at each coroner. A gold-trimmed sarcophagus sits in the canter of the platform, flanked by two status of humanoid beings with canine heads, each of which holds an ankh in one of its crossed arms. Stone double doors exit the room to the north and south."

He leans back, spinning a d20 casually with one finger. "What do you all do?"

Mar 25, 2023 2:28 am

"What's ank?" Emily asks innocently as she looks at her rogue character sheet and numbers swim over the page. She's not sure how it all works but she thinks she is having fun.

Last edited March 25, 2023 2:28 am

Mar 25, 2023 2:37 am

Freddie draws a symbol on a piece of paper. "Here, it looks like this," and he shows her the symbol.

"It represents eternal life, or something."

Mar 25, 2023 6:19 am

During the game, Zach is mostly quietly listening along. He's having fun, he just feels awkward interjecting, so he stays mostly quiet. "Well, we are looking for treasure, right?" he says. "So that sarcophagus seems like the best place to look?" He glances at Aaron, then says, "I guess my guy goes there and tries to open it."

Mar 25, 2023 1:10 pm

Taking the sketch, Emily examines it. "Oh. Nice." Thinking about what Freddie had read she chews on a lip and hands the sketch to the others. "Seems like we might want to get that gold sarcophagus. Do we have to, like fight for it?"

Mar 25, 2023 2:45 pm

"There doesn't appear for there to be anything to fight. At least, nothing obvious, but you're no doubt expecting some kind of trap or other defense." His mouth twists into a smile, but he clamps that down, not wanting to give much away.

He then responds to Zach, "Okay, as Dave'ythiel gets close to the platform," rolling a d20 five times before speaking....

"Zach, Dave'ythiel sees the edge of a secret door on the other side of the platform, on the east side of the room. Meanwhile, Aaron, your character, and Wendy's Ora Rusk you both see the outlines of secret doors on the western wall."

He then lifts a d20 and says to everyone, "However, when Dave'thiel opens the sarcophagus, it animates! The sarcophagus moves like a living creature and tries to swallow Dave'thiel.." he rolls the d20. "But barely misses you, snapping closed on your sleeve with tears."

He looks around at the others. "The rest of you barely notice as a grate opens in the north part of the room, and a torrent of water comes pouring in. It's a heavy flow, enough to fill the room like a bathtub, at the rate of about an inch deep every second.

What do you all do?"

Last edited March 25, 2023 2:53 pm

Rolls

Freddie rolling Perception for the players in alphabetical order of player names - (6d20, RA)

(1621416163) = 67

Swallow Dave'thiel whole> - (1d20+9, RA)

(5) + 9 = 14

Mar 25, 2023 3:13 pm

Aaron Connery

"You need a name," Aaron says to Zach quietly, before clearing his throat a little and speaking up louder. "Um. It says Aarongorn has a bow. So I use that to cover... Zach's guy... as he heads for the sarcophagus. Can I do that?"

Wendy Lin

Wendy hasn't -- and isn't going to -- pick a character... but she is perhaps more into Fred's opening description than anyone. And she is going to 'assist' Lily hard.

"OMG. This is cool. It's like a scene in a movie! Lily, Lily! What can your character do? Is that a spell? You should cast that! Can you burp? What did Ora have for dinner? She has a backpack?! What kind of backpack is it?! And what does it smell like in his nasty old tomb?"

Mar 25, 2023 4:15 pm

"Uh, uh..." Zach seems kind of overwhelmed by this, suddenly being the target of this weird monster. "I have a rapier. I could poke this thing. But, like, that seems kind of useless. Maybe I can sing at it. Freddy, didn't I have some song that would distract it and make it easier for the others to fight it? Or something. There's so much on this sheet. Oh, I also get away from it. While singing. Is that allowed?"

Mar 25, 2023 5:52 pm

"You bet, does Aarongorn shoot his bow when Dave'thiel is attacked? (Or whatever you name it, Zach.)"

He laughs at Wendy's antics. He makes a show of reviewing his notes. "It smells like, let's see here, ass."

"Zach, your character runs away, as the sarcophagus looks like it will shoot. Your magical song buoys the others, gifting them increased competence."

Mar 25, 2023 11:08 pm

Wendy Lin

"Ass?! Gross!" Wendy cries, but then she's bumping herself into Lily. "Do something! The thing is going to eat Dave the Eel!"

Aaron Connery

Aaron has a harder time keeping up. "Wait. There's water coming in? And... the coffin, the sarcophagus tries to eat... Dave'thiel? Do I have a clear shot? I'll shoot if I do. But what's... how is the sarcophagus moving? Is there any kind of weak point or mechanism I can see? I'll aim at that if so."

Mar 26, 2023 2:46 am

Emily bursts out laughing. It smells like ass. I think this game will be a fun." Looking down at her character sheet she twirls a strand of hair and cries, "Oh yeah! I have a dagger and I'm going to fling it at ... at .. uh ... who am I flinging it at? Should I impale the sarcophagus with it?"

Mar 26, 2023 11:50 am

"Nobody listened to the lady who can see the future?!! Who could have seen this coming?" Lily says, rifling through the sheet for an effective spell!

"Will this work?" she says, letting Wendy read over the description quickly before passing it to Freddie.

"Come on!" she says, picking up some dice with anticipation.

OOC:

Can I cast {Oracle thing/Oracle Spell}?

Mar 26, 2023 3:32 pm

"You're faster than it, Zach, but as the water gets deeper, you'll get slower. Will it?"

Anyone who wishes to attack it while it chases, roll a d20 and add your attack bonus. For most of you, that's +5. Aaron, you're not sure there is any real vulnerable spots, so you'll just hope to cause enough damage so that the magic animating it fails."

When Lily suggests she uses Cause Fear, he looks at the stat block and nods. "Nice! It gets a save, but sucks at making those."

OOC:

haha, roll again was on. Still, natural 20.

"Wow, it needed at 18 or higher, and got a 20. It is Shaken, Lily, so it's less effective for the moment, but not hilariously galumping away from you, which would have been awesome to imagine."

Last edited March 26, 2023 3:34 pm

Rolls

Will save - (1d20-4, RA)

(205) - 4 = 21

Mar 27, 2023 4:03 am

Wendy Lin

"Lame!" Wendy cries when Fred rolls a 20 on the thing's saving throw.

OOC:

Cause Fear?! Classic case of the GM just not listening!

Does Lily have the equivalent of Wizard Lock or Hold Portal?

Aaron Connery

Rolling his own die, Aaron grimaces as he reaches across the table to he can pick it up and read it.

"Uh... not great. I'm trying to roll high, is that right? I rolled a 4. Plus 5... that's a 9. Does that do anything? And does that include Zach's song?"

Rolls

Aarongorn's Arrow Attack - (1d20+5, RA)

(4) + 5 = 9

Mar 27, 2023 4:08 am

OOC:

As you're playing, everyone also please throw a Notice check, please, at -2.

Mar 27, 2023 4:35 am

OOC:

No, Aarongorn!

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1D6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Mar 27, 2023 4:38 am

OOC:

You mean Zach is too -distracted- by Aarongorn...

Mar 27, 2023 4:44 am

OOC:

That seems about accurate

Mar 27, 2023 8:50 am

OOC:

I, Oracle, see all.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Mar 27, 2023 9:35 am

"Whose dice are these? I need new dice!! Has anyone even blown on these for good luck? Honestly!"

Mar 27, 2023 1:23 pm

"A what 20? A D? A dice." Oh. Emily shakes the single d20 in her palm and lets it drop in front of her. "I'm stabbing that sarcophagus. Stab, stab," she says will mimicking a dagger-stabbing action.

Last edited March 27, 2023 1:24 pm

Rolls

Dice roll - (d20+5, RA)

(16) + 5 = 21

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (882) - 2 = 16

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Mar 28, 2023 12:58 am

"Good shot, Emily. Your weapon chips a chink out of the sarcophagus. Aarongorn's arrow however, sails overhead and if there was a window it would go out the window and hit a pigeon or something, but you're underground so it just richochets off a pillar and clatters to the ground."

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Mar 28, 2023 2:22 am

Rubbing her hands together with an almost genuine feeling of glee, Emily squeaks. "I got it! Oh but it's not dead. Come on you guys. Let's kill that thing."

Emily liked the way Freddie was controlling things. She thought about their kiss down by the river. Maybe he wasn't so bad.

Last edited March 28, 2023 2:23 am

Mar 28, 2023 9:49 am

"Yoooooou. Shall not. Paaaaass!" Lily drones deeply, as she spreads her arms wide, wizard-like!

She clutches up some dice, and presents them to Wendy. Still channeling Gandalf, she croaks:

"Blow! Make haste!"

Wendy rolls her eyes, and jostles Lily with her elbow before blowing on the dice.

"Fly, you fools!" she commands the dice, as they clatter down the table!

Mar 28, 2023 10:55 am

Everyone is smiling and having a great time as Fred runs the game — there’s no doubt about it… Pathfinder is a hit!

Harrigan sent a note to Windyridge

Mar 28, 2023 1:54 pm

Lily is a hoot to see in action. "You should take acting classes, Lilly, you're really good at this stuff."

The game was way more fun than she had anticipated so she decided to really get into character. How hard could it be? Wasn't she a little roguish in real life? The thought made her chuckle and while she was thinking of what voice to use she saw some movement outside on the other side of the basement door window. A wicked smile spread across her face as she turned her attention back to the game.

Mar 28, 2023 2:07 pm

Zach laughs at Lily's and Wendy's antics and is starting to feel a bit bad about how he himself doesn't get as wildly into character. He does have the thought of actually starting to sing, but he hasn't sung outside the shower in years so he's not quite sure he's comfortable with the idea. He does lean towards Aaron and, testing the waters on his earlier idea, he gestures over to Lily and Wendy and asks, "Those two are pretty fun, right?"

Mar 29, 2023 12:26 pm

"My talents are wasted in the editor’s room!" Lily remarks, putting the back of her hand to her forehead.

"Did I do it? Did I slay the wee beastie?" she says, suddenly a gruff Scottish Dwarven warrior.

"It’s thirsty work!" she says then, in her own voice. "I’m parched."

Mar 29, 2023 3:13 pm

Freddie continues to lead them through the funny battle. The foe is deadly, especially as the water rises to their knees and Zach had a harder and harder time running away from it.

The scene is hilarious to Freddie, as Zach is running from the coffin in a circle assertions the room, singing his heart out, while the others throw everything they have left at the creature.

When the animated coffin collapses, the water is two feet deep, and seems to have stopped filling.

"You know this is a death trap, but it was designed 1,800 years ago. Maybe the river is lower now, or maybe something broke. Either way, you're now only soggy instead of possibly drowned."

Mar 30, 2023 3:58 am

Aaron Connery

Connery is grinning and nodding at Zach as they watch Lily and Wendy perform, and as the battle continues and finally wraps up.

"So… the water’s not still coming in, it’s not getting higher?" he asks. "What else is in here? Is there an obvious way out?" Looking at Zach, he adds, "Is Dave still singing? Does he know any songs about this place?"

Wendy Lin

Also laughing, Wendy stands up and is going to get Lily a drink from the bar when a loud crash sounds from outside — loud enough to make the teen yelp and jump, and potentially scare the pants off the rest of the group!

The sound came from the patio outside — which would be visible through the sliding glass doors that lead outside if it wasn’t so dark out there…

OOC:

Everyone make a Fear Check, please — roll Spirit! Remember to check to see if you have Edges or Hindrances that apply. If you fail, also roll a d20. Emily, you’re rolling at +2.

Mar 30, 2023 4:10 am

OOC:

Rollin

...

OOC:

Ruh Roh

Last edited March 30, 2023 4:11 am

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d6+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

Mar 30, 2023 4:48 am

"No," Zach replies. "He stops singing when the fight is over. He also says, 'Hey, there was something on the floor over there, like a trapdoor,' and points to where he saw it. He saw something like that, right Freddie? Before the water flooded in. But that's a good question. Songs in those times were often old stories and stuff, right? Did Dave'ythiel ever hear anything about this-"
He's interrupted by the crashing sound outside and Wendy's reaction to it inside, which startle him for a moment.

Last edited March 30, 2023 4:50 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (5) = 5

1D6 : (1) = 1

Mar 30, 2023 12:26 pm

"Between you, you saw two secret doors, one in the east wall and one in the west wall. In the walls, not on the floor. You could--" The loud crash males him jump mid-sentence.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Spirit - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (4) = 4

Mar 31, 2023 3:20 am

OOC:

Goin’ on up to the Spirit in the sky!!

"What was that?!" Lily says, leaving her sheet without a second thought. She crosses to Wendy, and checks she’s alright. She looks around for a cause to the sound nearby; a dropped bottle, or a knocked over plate.

"Outside?!" she asks everyone, but knowing the answer. She gets a shiver, but shakes it off, as all she can see are her and Wendy looking back at themselves, with the others arranged behind.

"Hey." she whispers, unnecessarily. "Turn off the lights for a sec!"

Last edited March 31, 2023 3:24 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Spirit - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (61) = 7

Mar 31, 2023 12:28 pm

The crash sends Wendy under the table with a yelp, but Aaron, while he jumps a little, nods at Lily and heads for the light switch. And when the lights go off, two things are revealed as the crew in the basement can suddenly see much better outside.

The weather has turned. A light rain is falling, and an obscured, silvery moon is lighting up an overcast, light gray sky. Silhouetted against that stormy backdrop is a figure, standing right in front of the glass door. They carry a hatchet in one hand, and a garden trowel in the other, and they are wearing a raincoat with the hood up. Their head is cocked, and their face is cloaked in shadow so that only a chin is visible!

OOC:

Kind of cheating on my part to use the Fear Check / Table in this situation (for the sound), but bear with me as I continue to kick the tires on SWADE, please.

But to this scene’s specifics… Emily, please react accordingly on the result you got for your Fear Check — Minor Phobia: The character gains a Minor Phobia Hindrance somehow associated with the trauma. Everyone else, please post your immediate reaction while making *another* Fear Check and bounce a d20 if you fail. Remember Bennies and such. And then, on top of that, everyone but Emily make a Notice check, this one at -2. (If you fail, just carry on with the Fear result. If you pass, incorporate, one way or another, that it looks like there might be more than one person outside.)

Cool? Questions to Discord if you’ve got ‘em.

Rolls

Aaron Fear Check - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Wendy Fear Check - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Emily’s Fear Result - (1d20, RA)

(19) = 19

Mar 31, 2023 12:47 pm

When the person outside becomes visible, Zach jumps up from his chair in shock. "Is that... You don't think that's Gromn, right?" he asks.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1D6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Too scary for me! - (1D20, RA)

(12) = 12

Mar 31, 2023 8:32 pm

Emily smiles devilishly at the figure outside. She's still pretty sure it's a gag to scare the players. She continues to watch the gamers, waiting for them to see and be terrified by the "killer' on the other side of the glass door but her enjoyment was to be shortlived.

Looking outside again she sees two men behind the girl. Suddenly Emily's heart feels like it's bouncing against her chest. Her mouth goes dry. She can barely swallow. Ignoring Zach's comment about Gromn she cries,"Zach, Zach! Are those the guys that shoved you? The guys that had the photo of me and Steve? Can you see them? Is that them?" She had to wonder if they were here for her. And why here at a house full of people? What was going on?

"Shit shit shit. I bet they are after me. Fuck." Emily knocks over her chair as she shoots up and away from the table and hightails it to the bathroom to lock herself in.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (6666665) = 41

1d6 : (1) = 1

Apr 1, 2023 2:57 pm

Freddie's head is filled suddenly with the crazy jokingly-concocted conspiracy theories he's been softballing. The encounter with Chandling has shown him how far crazy can go, and with the silhouette in the rain (bringing him memories of the crash, the death), he could be excused if he yelps a little.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Spirit - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (5) = 5

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (41) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Apr 2, 2023 8:22 am

OOC:

Rolls! I’m guessing I negate the -2 with my +2 that I’m now remembering to use!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Spirit - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Apr 2, 2023 8:39 am

"Shoved you??" Lily asks as it’s the first she’s heard of it. She’s keeping one eye on the figures outside.

"And after you??!" she says, thoroughly confused by what Emily is talking about.

"What the hell are you guys talking about?" she asks, stepping in front of Wendy, so that she’s between her and the figure beyond the glass.

"Who the fuck are they?" she asks, looking to Freddie, as if he might know.

Then she looks around the room for something heavy. She grabs a pool cue and resumes her position between Wendy and the glass door.

"Freddie… Have you got a gun somewhere around here? That might scare them off!" Her eyes go to the hatchet as she asks, and the pool cue suddenly doesn’t feel sufficient.

Apr 2, 2023 2:05 pm

"A gun? What the fuck?" He thinks about that. His dad had one in his nightstand, but would Belinda have kept that there? "I'll go get it."

He dials 911 on his skeevy Cricket service as he runs up the stairs. Someone tried to grab Emily and Steve? And got violent with Zach? What's going on?

Last edited April 2, 2023 2:05 pm

Apr 3, 2023 5:04 am

The Basement

A lot happens in that span of seconds, when the lights go off and the figure outside is revealed. Exclamations are made, Zach is up out of his chair, Lily arms herself, Emily bolts, Wendy's under the table, Fred is running for the stairs, Aaron looks mortified...

The figure raises its arms as it smiles, holding the axe and the trowel out to the sides... before pointing them at Lily.

Behind them, in the shadows, two other figures are visible to the girl with the pool cue. Emily saw them too, but now the bathroom door is between her and the excitement...

OOC:

Zach gets Shaken. Also, pulling Init Cards.
Round 1: Lily, Fred, Shadowy Figures, Emily, Zach (Shaken), W&A, Axe-Murderer

Lily's up! Fred, since you're racing along and I think heading for the bedroom, we can play that at the same time.

Rolls

Wendy Fear - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Aaron Fear - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Deck Draws

Lily, Fred, Emily, Zach, Wendy & Aaron, Axe-Murder

Apr 3, 2023 5:33 am

Outside Belinda's Bedroom

It doesn't take Fred long to tear upstairs, run through the kitchen, then take the stairs that lead to the bedrooms two at a time before he finds himself approaching his stepmother's closed bedroom door...

OOC:

I've assumed you've spend the whole turn moving / Running, Fred. Let me know if that's not true. Roll a d6 for your extra movement, and on a 4-6, you'll end up right at the door -- please make a Notice roll and let me know if you're opening the door. If you get a 1-3, you'll need to spend some time next turn moving to the door. Make sense?

Apr 3, 2023 4:46 pm

Outside Belinda's Bedroom

Freddie tears through the house. His physio has been helping him recover but he can feel instantly the loss of athleticism.

When he gets to Belinda's room, he nearly hesitates, respecting her privacy, listens for a split second but then continues at full speed.

Last edited April 3, 2023 4:58 pm

Rolls

Extra movement - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Apr 4, 2023 6:31 am

Putting her head under the table, Lily shouts to Wendy:

"Move! Upstairs!"

And then she tries to push the table up against the glass door, making a more solid barrier between them… and them.

OOC:

Worst person to go first! I’m not a leader! :D

Apr 4, 2023 7:57 am

OOC:

The shadowy figures do something shadowy. Emily, what are you doing in the bathroom? You're up.

Apr 4, 2023 5:24 pm

Emily sits wedged between the toilet and the wall, biting her nails as she tries to hear what's going on. It's not like this is the first time the family has been pursued given their type of work, but this was her alone and she had already been spooked by the photo.

Grabbing her cell phone she punches out 911 and hopes it's the right move. There was no time to analyze her options.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Survival? - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (63) = 9

A single d6 - (1d6, RA)

(63) = 9

Apr 5, 2023 1:55 am

"Uh, help!" Emily whisper shouts to the 911 dispatcher. "I need help. I'm at a friend's and there are intruders outside."

Apr 5, 2023 5:36 am

Zach stares at the people outside the window, frozen in place for a moment, but then he manages to snap out of it. Instinctively, he grabs Aaron's hand and pulls him into a corner where he positions himself in front of Aaron. Is it a good hiding spot or will it help them defend themselves? Not at all. Is he too scared to come up with anything else? Definitely.

Last edited April 5, 2023 5:40 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (5) = 5

1D6 : (4) = 4

Apr 6, 2023 6:07 am

The Basement

The Pathfinder materials go flying as Lily wrestles and bumps the table over towards the sliding doors, and as virtually everyone else flees the immediate vicinity. So then Lily is there, armed with her pool cue, nearly face to face with some psycho as Emily, Fred, Wendy, Zach and Aaron all retreat to different parts of the basement and house.

In the bathroom, Emily gets through to 911, starting the near-immediate dispatching of help to the Solomon residence. Wendy, terrified, goes on all-fours up the stairs, and Zach and Aaron back into the shadows, holding one another as the figure outside raises the hatchet and waves it around, threatening the glass.

Aaron Connery

"We should help her!" Connery says to the boy holding tight to his hand. "She's alone out there!" he adds, but his body isn't following through on his words -- he's scared. And maybe, just maybe, it feels good to be so close to his friend.

And that's when Lily, ferocious little Lily, notices a few things.

The axe-murderer... isn't very tall. Or very big at all, really. Mabye they are Lily's size... or even a little smaller. They're also hesitating strangely. Long seconds have now passed since the first moment of terror when everyone freaked... and the figure is just sort of still hanging around outside, waving the axe in a way that makes it seem like they don't really know how to handle the weapon.

Before Lily can really make sense of what she's seeing, one of the two shadowy figures behind the slicker-wearing nutball suddenly bolts to action, running from the trees where they were hiding, sprinting across the backyard quickly. It looks they intend to slam straight into the... the... into one of Freddie's sisters, Lily suddenly sees!

It's a long way to run, though, and the fast-moving figure rushing the Solomon girl slips in the wet and stumbles through the yard, tripping a little on a hose and knocking a lawn chair and small table flying with their momentum. The girl with the hatchet and trowel hears something behind her, and turns to face what she discovers to be a much larger attacker...

OOC:

End of Round 1. Zach recovers from being Shaken.

Round 2, pulling cards. Init order is Zach (with a Joker, can go whenever he wants), Lily, Fred, Wendy and Aaron, the Shadowy Figures, the Axe-Wielder, and finally Emily. With the Joker pulled, I'll reshuffle the init deck.

Rolls

Tackle! (vs. 2, +4 for The Drop) - (1d6+4, RA)

(1) + 4 = 5

Miss or Critical Failure? - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Deck Draws

Lil, Fred, Emily, Zach, W&A, Axe, Shadows

Apr 6, 2023 6:34 am

Outside Belinda's Bedroom

Upstairs, Fred hears the bath running as he gets to his smokin' hot stepmother's bedroom door, and he half-processes what that might mean as he rushes through the door and into the room.

It's a lavishly decorated bedroom. There's the huge four-poster bed, expensive art on the walls, high-end dressers and vanities, a walk-in closet, and the master bath. The door to the master bathroom is open, and while Freddie can't see into the room from his vantage point near the door, he can hear the water running clearly, he can see and feel the steam in the air, and there's some indication of motion in the bathroom, someone moving and creating enticing shadows.

All the way across the room, past that open door: the bedside table on what used to be his father's side of the bed. Is it still there, the gun?

OOC:

Your move, Fredster. And forgot -- Zach is at +2 to actions this round because of the Joker, and EVERYONE gets a Benny!

Apr 6, 2023 7:19 am

"Shit!" Lily shrieks. "Fred! Quick!"

She lunges for the table and jolts it out of the way carelessly. She unlatches the door, and throws it open too.

And while the figure is distracted with the commotion, Lily puts her all into a swing of the cue aimed at the head.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Apr 6, 2023 2:51 pm

Meanwhile, Emily feels a teensy bit better knowing that the cops are on their way. She wonders if she should stay put or take a peek. She thinks she hears a commotion beyond the bathroom door. Maybe it's the kids running up and down the stairs, a shriek or two, she's not sure.
Getting a hold of herself, it not being her first rodeo, she gently turns the knob and pushes the door open, listening and peering out through the crack, deciding to remain standing there that way as she waits for the cops to show up.

Apr 6, 2023 6:03 pm

Fred holds a hand to the side, to give himself a defense if she sees him, and races across the room. He tries to be silent, but regardless, he's going for the nightstand and the possible gun.

Holding his hand there and blocking that potentially ecstatic view is the hardest thing he's ever had to do in his life, swear to God!

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Agility for speed - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (61) = 7

1d6 : (4) = 4

Luck roll - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Athletics is a d4 not a d6 - (1d4, RA)

(1) = 1

Apr 7, 2023 2:50 am

The Basement

When the door slides open, Lily is struck with just how cold and wet it is outside -- the weather has really turned since suppertime. But that doesn't stop the girl from stepping out into the drizzle and just clocking the hatchet-wielding figure with her pool cue...

OOC:

Lily, the axe murderer being distracted by the other figure has given you THE DROP. +4 to hit, and +4 to damage. For a pool cue, let's call that a Medium Improvised Weapon, which does STR + d6 damage. The target's Parry was 2 and your result was 8, so that's also a raise, which does another 1d6... and you get the +4 from The Drop. So, roll some damage dice: 1d4+2d6+4.

Apr 7, 2023 3:21 am

OOC:

Thank Christ you did the math!

Rolls

1d4+2d6+4 [ RA ]

(3) + (53) + 4 = 15

Apr 8, 2023 5:30 am

In the Lioness's Den Belinda's Bedroom

Fred slips into the room unseen, and he somehow keeps from peeking into the bathroom the way he desperately wants to. Reaching the bedside table, he opens it up and finds... that Belinda, or someone else, must have moved his father's gun. It's not there. What he does find, as he hears his stepmother humming warmly above the sound of the water running, is a pair of battery-powered vibrators...

OOC:

You're not up in the action yet, just wanted to complete the failure to find the gun. :)

Apr 8, 2023 5:50 am

The Basement and the Back Yard

The sound of Lily's pool cue striking the diminutive axe-wielder on the side of the head is sickening, and it's impossible to deal if the crunch comes from the splintering of wood or bone. The figure goes down in a heap on the back patio, like they've been shot through the head with a bolt gun used to kill steer. They end up face down and unmoving as the shadowy figure that had been coming at them steps into the light and throws back his head in laughter.

Marco Corbitt

"Aw, fuck yeah!" Marco Corbit yells at Lily, throwing her a pair of devil horns. "You fuckin' smoked that dude!"

Bending down, the tall teen pulls the hatchet from the prone figure's nerveless fingers and then brandishes it menacingly, holding it up in the air gleefully.

Lily barely knows this guy -- a senior deadbeat from last year who barely graduated, maybe? He looks juiced on something, and it's hard to tell what he's going to do with that axe as the second figure he was with starts to also come closer...

OOC:

Zach and Emily to go. Aaron holds station and Wendy has vacated the room.

Apr 8, 2023 6:12 am

Somehow, despite how much Zach hates Marco and is afraid of him, knowing who is attacking bolsters him. He squeezes Aaron's hand reassuringly and throws him a quick look, then steps forward and up next to Lily. "Marco, what the hell?" he asks the older boy. "You think this is funny? Yes, you got your laughs. Hah hah. Now you should leave before the police get here." He doesn't know that any police are called yet, but it's still a valid point to make. "Someone already got hurt and as the only adult here, I don't think they'll be happy with you." He usually wouldn't speak that way to Marco, but Lily with her pool cue next to him gives him some extra courage. "Besides, don't you have some underage girls to creep on?"

Last edited April 8, 2023 8:45 am

Apr 8, 2023 4:09 pm

Emily having pushed the bathroom door open, hears a thunk that she thinks comes from the back patio since she also can hear a few muffled voices. Male voices apart from her friends.

Fucking hell where are the cops!

Out she steps, furtively, with only the toilet bowl brush as a weapon gripped tightly in her right hand and creeps toward the patio stopping short of the door.

"What the fuck? Marco? And who's that?" she asks, pointing at the body on the patio floor. "The cops are on the way, fuckhead."

Apr 9, 2023 5:57 am

The Basement and the Back Yard

Marco Corbitt

"Cops?!" Marco says, a little taken aback when suddenly Zach appears through the door as well, and then there's that Emily girl, armed with... a toilet brush?

"Cops!?" he repeats, before adding, "GOOD!"

Tossing the hatchet aside with a clank, he points to the unconscious or perhaps dead body on the patio. "This fuckin' psycho prick was about to crash your little party and murder the fuck out of you. I was just going to help, but chick here with the pool cue fuckin' wrecked that guy!"

Rose Tidwell

The second shadowy figure comes forward then, revealing that it's none other than... Rose Tidwell, Zach's sister!

"Is everyone okay?" she asks with concern, moving closer to her brother. The wet weather has her hair plastered to her head and her windbreaker hugging those generous curves Fred was eyeing earlier.

OOC:

I think we're out of combat rounds! Both groups can post freely. Under Lily gets pool cue happy, in which case she has "The Drop" on both Rose and Marco.

Apr 9, 2023 6:11 am

Zach does not buy Marco's story for one second, so when Rose reveals herself, he turns to her. "What the hell, Rosie?" he asks her. "Is this still about me getting you grounded? I said I was sorry. But this is insane. Getting Marco and whoever to attack me and my friends with a fucking axe?" He moves over to the unconscious body and pulls the hood off their head to see if he recognizes someone, maybe one of Rose' friends.

Apr 10, 2023 1:16 am

Lily brandishes the cue at the others, caught up on the moment for a second. Then the others arrive, and she takes a second to try catch view of Wendy. Wet and rain begin to coat her hair and face.

When Zach initial goes to move, Lily says:

"Wait!" but he goes on, and so Lily stands over the body, cue raised, ready to strike if the figure lunges.

Apr 10, 2023 2:44 am

Fred comes back down, his hands empty, his face flushed.

He takes the stares down three at a time and then sees the door open, and some kind of fight going on. My friends!
Swallowing his breath, he runs out to join them.

Apr 10, 2023 3:13 am

As things simmer out in the yard, in the drizzle, Emily, Wendy and Aaron come to the doorway as well. Any immediate threat of, say, being axe-murdered, seems to have passed... but they can tell tensions are still running high.

Rose Tidwell

Rose shrugs at her brother and comes to his side as he checks on whoever it was that Lily brained. "I snuck out. I heard you asking mom and dad to come over here tonight and I knew you guys would be having fun of some kind, so I asked Marco for a lift. That's all. We were just going to crash your little get-together. I have no idea who this is."

Marco nods and stands back a little as Lily exclaims the way she does, then raises her cue again... as Zach pulls back the hood and reveals the unconscious face of one of Fred's sisters. It's Debby, and there's blood on the patio beneath her bruised face.

"Oh holy shit!" Rose says, and that's when Fred arrives...

Apr 10, 2023 3:23 am

Freddie's heart literally stops. He can't breathe as he sees Debby's face. After everything he's done to protect her and Sarah, to see her destroyed by ...

And that's when he sees Marco.

In a rage, he attacks the older boy. Murder is on his mind.

Apr 10, 2023 4:09 pm

"Good?" she blurts out at Marco. Something wasn't making sense. She wasn't surprised to see Rosie of course but who was the ... dead guy?

"Zach, shut the fuck up. You guys can fight later. Who the hell is this?" Emily sees Lilly's bloody cue about the same time Zach pulls back the hood and her eyes go wide with shock.

"Holy fuck!" and then Freddie goes for Marco. She lunges toward Freddie, hoping to grab him somehow ...

Apr 11, 2023 4:12 am

OOC:

Drawing initiative cards for Marco and Fred. Next round, anyone wishing to join the fray in one way or another will also draw.

Edit: you're up first, Freddie -- take your action, and since Marco wasn't expecting a bum rush, I'll rule that he's Distracted. Not Vulnerable though, because tensions and high and everyone is more or less humming... (So his actions are at -2 this turn.)

Deck Draws

Fred, Macro

Apr 11, 2023 4:20 am

Freddie stream rolls or if the house into the rain, lowering his shoulder and driving it into Marco's abs. "You psycho, no one hits my sister!"

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Fred Solomon: Fighting (Benny) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (63) = 9

Apr 11, 2023 6:53 am

Lily jumps back, with a shriek, as the boy comes rushing towards Marco.

"Fred, no!" she tries.

"I hit her! I hit her!" she protests uselessly as chaos erupts. She looks around at the others, panic starting to build inside.

"I hit… her. You all saw her, right?!"

Apr 11, 2023 7:15 am

OOC:

Marco's Parry is 5, so Fred hits and Aces after spending the Benny, which gives him a raise. Is this an unarmed attack, Fred? If so, that's STR damage, + 1d6 from the raise, I believe...

Apr 11, 2023 7:19 am

Freddy's rage is unchecked even as he hears Lily's cry.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength plus raise - (1d6+1d6, RA)

(3) + (64) = 13

Apr 11, 2023 7:29 am

OOC:

Oh my. Marco's Toughness is also 5, so that's two raises... that's 2 Wounds + Shaken, which really means Fred gets to take out Marco however he wants. Likely knocking him cold, but it's up to Fred.

Similarly, Lily, you get to decide what happened to Debby when you took her out. Is she dead? Does she need to be hospitalized? Or what she 'just' knocked out?

Either way, after Q posts Fred's whomping of Marco, we're out of combat rounds and Emily gets to tackle him and make out with him for a bit as everyone watches uncomfortably...

Apr 11, 2023 7:38 am

Freddie's shoulder connects with Marco's solar plexus. He hears a rib crack as the tough hits the ground, momentarily unable to breathe. They roll across the wet grass, demolishing a small perennial garden and banging into a tree.

Marco gasps emptily before finally gaining some air from his spasming diaphragm. He rolls to his side bile leaking from his mouth.

Freddie gets up, ready to wallop the boy into oblivion, but sees the threat is out of him. He turns back and sees Debby lying there in the rain. Was it Lily? That makes no sense, why would she say that. It had to have been Marco.

Apr 11, 2023 8:31 am

Lily shrinks back when the enraged Fred turns around. She’s still holding the cue, but looks uncertain.

"I hit… she had the… axe…"

Which Marco had taken…

"And… and the trowel." she utters, as she stoops down to show him it in her hand.

"You all saw her! She was… there."

Lily looks at the face, and then the blood.

But… why?…

She tosses the trowel aside, and then puts an ear to the girl’s mouth, checking to hear from breathing.

"She’s okay. She’s… breathing. She’s… why was she out here?!"

Apr 11, 2023 12:34 pm

Zach stares at the scene, frozen in surprise until it's already seemingly all over. Marco is lying toppled over in the grass, Lily is checking Debby's lifesigns. "Someone call an ambulance!" he shouts into the house, to no one in particular. Then he turns to Rose. "Are you hurt, Rosie?" He doesn't think she is, but right now, he's too pumped full of adrenaline to be sure. Once she tells him she's fine, he takes her by the arm and leads her over to Marco. He can't stand Marco, but Zach still won't leave him lying there unattended. "Did Marco tell the truth?" he asks his sister as they're moving. "I won't be mad if you were trying to prank us, I promise."
Once they reach Marco where he's lying, Zach goes down next to him. "Marco?" he asks. "Are you alright?" He checks him over to see his condition, whether he can stand or is even conscious.

OOC:

I have a D4 in Healing if you need me to roll for first aid

Apr 11, 2023 2:56 pm

Too late Emily watches the scene unfold as if it's in slow motion. Her hair is dripping wet, her glasses now askew from the unsuccessful attempt at grabbing Freddie and she swears she can hear a crack when he makes contact with Marco. Then Lilly screams and appears to be losing her shit.

"The cops are coming." The scene was too surreal with the rain and the blood and Freddie and Marco fighting and Rosie and a bloody pool cue. "Are you okay Freddie? You really gave him the business. Should I call an ambulance? I better call an ambulance."

Punching 911 into her phone for a second time today she tells the dispatcher that a man is injured and unresponsive as far as she can tell from her view in the rain.

Apr 11, 2023 9:15 pm

Shock is the overriding emotion as the group gathers in the yard, as Lily checks on Debby, and as Zach prepares to tend to Marco, who is still on the ground wheezing, panicking and on the verge of passing out. Nearby, looking cute in the light rain if Freddie had to be honest with himself, Rose shakes her head at her brother. "No! Marco just drove me up here so we could crash the party!"

Emily dials 911 again as Wendy comes forward and puts herself between Fred and Lily… and then she slowly reaches out and takes the pool cue from her friend’s hands. From above, up on the deck that acts as a partial roof for the walk-out basement patio, Sarah Solomon suddenly wails and sobs, looking down at her sister’s prone, unmoving form…

OOC:

Making a Vigor test for Debby. If she passes, she’ll just need a bit of treatment from the EMTs. If she fails, she’ll need to be hospitalized overnight. A 1 will see her roll that die again, and another 1 will mean she’s been critically injured and is in bad shape.

For Marco, Zach, make your Healing / First Aid roll. If you’re successful, tell us how you stabilize Marco before the EMTs arrive. If you fail, Marco’s going to be taken to the hospital in serious condition.

Fred and Lily are partly facing off… Sarah is bawling… Aaron is probably now outside and with Zach, perhaps even helping, Emily is hanging up the phone…

Some distance away, two police cars and an ambulance start racing to the scene…

Rolls

Debby’s Vigor test - (1d4, RA)

(2) = 2

Apr 12, 2023 12:06 am

When Wendy grabs the pool cue, Emily sees her chance to slide in next to Freddie. With things becoming less traumatic, and cops and ambulances hopefully on the way, Emily relaxes a bit and grips Freddie's arm. Looking smokin' hot, dripping wet as he is, she is reminded of their kiss by the river and decides she wouldn't mind doing that again sometime soon.

"That was pretty brave the way you stood up for your sister." The only reason she doesn't bat her eyelashes at him is the incessant rain.

Apr 12, 2023 4:15 am

"You could have just asked," Zach tells Rose, rubbing her arm. "Though you wouldn't have liked our party. We were doing nerd stuff." With that, he bends down over Marco to check him over and see if there's anything he can do until the ambulance arrives. He's taken a basic first aid course some time ago, but he's not sure how much of it stuck.

OOC:

Rolling and then narrating further...
Is Marco worth spending a Benny on? Nah

Zach remembers the cracking noise he heard when Fred rammed into Marco and he notices the raspy, troubled breathing of the older boy, so he decides to check his chest. He opens Marco's jacket and pulls up the boy's shirt. There is a nasty bruise forming on his chest. It looks like it hurts. Unfortunately, Zach has no idea what to do about it. If Marco was bleeding, maybe he could put a bandage on, but this... He has no idea. He does, to his dismay, notice, however, that Marco's chest looks really good. As much as Zach dislikes the older boy, he does look in pretty good shape. Pretending to be inspecting the bruise, he lightly lets a hand brush over Marco's chest before catching himself and pulling back. He pulls the shirt back down and looks up at his sister.
As he does, he notices that Aaron has approached as well by now and he's standing right next to Rose. It worries him a bit, considering he did namedrop Aaron as someone he finds cute to Rose recently. "I'm not sure what to do," he tells them both. "It looks pretty bad, but I think we'll just have to wait for the actual paramedics."

Last edited April 12, 2023 4:40 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Healing - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (3) = 3

Apr 12, 2023 4:57 am

Rose Tidwell

Rose kneels and takes Marco by the hand after her brother declares there's not much he can do, and as the boy wheezes and gasps, looking up at her. "Hang tight, Marco, she says. "Help's coming."

When she notices Aaron standing next to Zach, the girl raises an eyebrow. "So is this the guy you were telling me about? He is cute..."

Aaron Connery

"..."

Wendy Lin

Some distance away, as Emily moves closer to Fred, trying to calm him down, Wendy puts her arm around Lily, trying to do the same for her friend, trying to defuse the situation...

OOC:

Letting Fred and Lily take it from here...

Apr 12, 2023 5:18 am

Zach's cheeks immediately flush bright red. "What?" he asks her. "I don't know what you're talking about!" His eyes dart between Aaron, Rose and Marco. Of course she would embarrass him like this in front of his crush. But did she really just out him as gay in front of Marco? Zach clears his throat, having no idea how to react to this situation. "Well, uhm, this is Aaron," he says to her awkwardly before turning to him. "Aaron, this is Rose, my little sister."

Apr 12, 2023 10:13 am

"You saw her, didn’t you?" Lily says, with pleading eyes as she looks at Wendy. Her nose is wettening, and she sniffles heavily.

Then, she looks back to the scene. Anger begins to bubble in place of fear.

"Why was she out here?" she asks Wendy, sudden hardness in her voice.

"I was scared for you, and I just hit them."

She relives the whack in her mind for a moment. She feels the weight of the blow, and the animal instinct that was driving her.

Apr 12, 2023 3:34 pm

Freddie acts like he's surprised that this all happened so fast. He stares daggers at Lily, but in his mind, he sees only Marco dragging Debby into the darkness to predate on her like he does Rose. Rose seems to be willing, even into it, but Debby is different for so many reasons. "Fucking child rapist come to my house, to mess with my sisters? Give me that cue, Lily, let me finish him off." He struggles to get away from Emily, just not too hard.

And Lily, how does he even process that?

"They created this mess, Lily. Dialed it up to 11, and you reacted. It was an accident, wasn't it?"

He blinks the rain and tears from his eyes, and feels his stomach revolt. Puking into the bushes, he sees his father go through the windscreen, dying instantly. In the rain. So much blood. Blood in the rain.

"Debby!?" he bawls.

Apr 12, 2023 9:40 pm

Emily tries to keep Freddie with her, settle him down. Truth be told his devotion surprises her, and in a warm and fuzzy way. But she loses her grip on him after he halfheartedly tries to shake her off but then the barf attack happens and she lets him go. He's been triggered, and suddenly he's vulnerable, making her want to soothe him even more, but after he brushes his teeth.

She does go to him though.

"You'll be okay, Freddie. Come on. Let's get you into the house and get you dried off," she suggests, offering a hand. "The cops will be here any minute."

Last edited April 12, 2023 9:42 pm

Apr 13, 2023 5:17 am

Aaron Connery

"Hi Rose. Nice to meet you," Aaron says not a little ridiculously, given all the circumstances. The girl smiles sweetly as she holds Marco's hand, then Connery gives Zach a bit of a helpless look, digging his nails into his palms.

Wendy Lin

Over by Debby's prone form, Wendy's heart breaks as she listens to Lily agonize over what she's done. There's a tremor in Palmer's voice that's just not usually there. Tears streak down Wendy's face as she tries her best to comfort her friend.

"I saw her, yes, Lily! I absolutely did! We all did! We just didn't know it was her. None of us knew! This isn't your fault! It isn't!"

.

In the distance there is the sound of sirens approaching...

Apr 13, 2023 5:24 pm

Freddie falls to his knees beside his sister, and resists pulling her into his arms -- never move the injured if you suspect a spine or head injury. He pulls his shirt off, and holds it to her bleeding head to staunch the bloodflow. "Debby, stay with me!" he pleads.

Apr 13, 2023 6:32 pm

"She'll be ok." Emily has seen worse but she wasn't going to mention that.

"Hear that? Help is on the way." She is now down on her knees beside Freddie rubbing his back.

"I think she'll be fine. You guys being hysterical won't help though," she says, glancing up at Wendy and Lilly.

Last edited April 13, 2023 6:50 pm

Apr 13, 2023 6:47 pm

Seeing that there's nothing Zach can figure out to help Marco anymore and that he has Rose to look out for him, Zach now takes a moment around. Wendy is working to calm down Lily, Emily is comforting Freddy, so he heads over to Sarah, who is by herself, crying in shock over her injured sister. He doesn't actually know the girl, beyond those few minutes she and Debby hung out in the basement with them earlier, but he puts a hand on her shoulder. "She's going to be alright. Head injuries always look worse than they are," he says, trying to reassure her a bit. He takes a breath, then, trying to remove her from the scene to give her a chance to calm down, he suggests, "Maybe we should go get your mom."

Apr 14, 2023 3:19 am

Emily looks over to see the hard face of Lily watching the downed sister.

Does she look… disheveled?…

Lily wonders, thinking back to the strangely violent tendencies of the disheveled teachers at school.

Then, as Wendy speaks, Lily gives in to the softness… the reassurance. She allows herself to sink into Wendy for a moment, as the adrenaline of it all starts to taper away. She doesn’t want to break the silence of it, but she does wonder:

Should we call our parents?…

Apr 14, 2023 5:41 am

Sarah sobs as Fred tends to their sister, but she doesn't pull away from Zach as he touches her on the shoulder, reassuringly. She's just come down from the deck above, and the boy suddenly notices what she's got in her hands -- a rubber bat on a line connected to what looks like a short rod and reel...

A short time later, Belinda is out in the yard with the kids, the police, and the paramedics. Neither Marco's nor Debby's injuries are life-threatening, but both are taken to the hospital regardless. The kids are packed into two large police SUVs and taken to the Boseman Police Station for statements... for questioning. Fred's stepmom follows behind them in her car, and all the other parents are notified.

It's a right mess.

OOC:

Okay, moving ahead a couple of hours. If someone wanted to make a run for it, or hide, they could have. I can retcon above as need be.

Sheriff Akins

Apr 14, 2023 6:00 am

At the Police Station, Late Tuesday Night

Sheriff Akins

"Alright kid," Sheriff Akins says, chewing gum hard, scowling behind his sunglasses in the interrogation room. Okay, maybe it's not actually an interrogation room, with like two-way glass and everything, but it sure as hell feels like that, with the bright lamp aimed at the teen, the other officer (with the gun) standing silently, threateningly, in the room, and with the locked door.

Zach

"Why don't you tell me what you were doing at the Solomon's, Zach? How long have you been playing the Dungeons and the Dragons? It's not a good look for a kid who's new to town, devil-worshipping."

Emily

"Why don't you tell me what you were doing at the Solomon's, Emily? How long have you been playing the Dungeons and the Dragons? Or were you just there tonight because Fred promised you something? He's a slippery one, that Fred."

Fred

"Why don't you tell me what was really going on at your house tonight, Freddie? How long have you been playing the Dungeons and the Dragons? Is this some kind of cult? Were you and your sisters teaching those kids some magic spell?"

Lily

"Why don't you tell me what you were doing at the Solomon's, Lily? How long have you been playing the Dungeons and the Dragons? Is this for research, for the school paper? Are you trying to infiltrate Fred's little cult, you and Wendy Lin?"

OOC:

Please write your responses into a Note tagged for me, so that only I can see it. Once we've done a bit with this scene, we can reveal the discussions and maybe have a chuckle. Cool?

Apr 14, 2023 12:48 pm

"It's not devil-worshipping," Zach says defensively. He blinks in surprise at this strange start to the investigation. He's heard of those types of accusations, but thought they fell out of fashion thirty years or so ago. "It's more like a boardgame." He clears his throat. That's not important right now anyway. "Well, we - that's me, Emily, Lily, Wendy and Freddy - usually play boardgames at school, during lunch. But today, we got interrupted and didn't get to, so we decided to meet up at Freddy's place to do it instead."

Last edited April 20, 2023 4:29 am

Apr 14, 2023 2:14 pm

Fred is shirtless, his (one and only) dragon-themed shirt having been tossed somewhere by a paramedic when they treated Debby. He feels vulnerable, and the rage he had felt is gone. Until he thinks of Marco coming to his house when Debby and Sarah are out. Those girls are still healing, intensely vulnerable, and the images Marco planted in him of Rose giving him head and more immediately get his blood boiling. The holding room is cool, but he just goes with it, remembering swimming the chilly river. That was cold, this is nothing.

The sheriff has asked him something. He looks at the cop, eyes swimming with barely controlled ire. "Sorry, did you just ask me about a board game? Are you were serious. Look, there's no such thing as magic you fucktard, so why don't you go chain that pedophile to the hospital bed so he doesn't sneak down to the kiddie ward and spoil all your best marks!"

Okay, Fred, that was a bit much.

He switches his voice to a poor mockery of southern yokel-speak. "Pizza and soda, just like at Salem. Jesus H. Christ, Earl, it's a God Damned cult is what it is!"

That was definitely too far. Think of something softer.

Emily. What had she whispered, when the cops rolled up? Something like, "Let's meet at the river after this." The river, where they had almost made out, an unexpected kiss, not rebuked. Until she did rebuke him and went off with Rose, giving him dark looks. They hadn't talked seriously since then.

"Sorry, I was busy thinking about Jesus' love. Could you repeat that?"

Last edited April 20, 2023 11:48 am

Apr 14, 2023 2:14 pm

Emily is pretty tough when it comes to cops and isn't intimidated. With all the family has been up to she's seen and heard things and fancies a career in less than legal undertakings. This particular cop is annoying and disgusting with his lips smacking gum chewing and his concealed eyes behind those ridiculous sunglasses.

A detective wanna-be no doubt.

"Don't I get a glass of water or something?"

"I haven't ever played the Dungeons' and Dragons, officer. Besides it was Pathfinder. I know how you guys like to be accurate. I've seen it on TV." She smiles sweetly like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Her wet hair is still dripping though, which is makes a little dark spot on the thighs of her jeans. "Um, what was I doing there? That's easy. I was playing Pathfinder."

She knows what that cop is doing with his Freddie comment and decides to have a little fun with it.

"Freddie is a nice guy. Yeah, he kinda promised me something. We arranged to meet at the river and finish what we started." She leaves that dangling.

Last edited April 21, 2023 2:37 pm

Sheriff Akins

Apr 14, 2023 2:59 pm

Sheriff Akins

Fred

Akins listens as Fred goes off, as he goes on and on, pushing the limits harder and harder. When the boy finishes, the Sheriff shares a glance with the deputy in the room, who nods almost imperceptibly, then turns, unlocks the door and leaves.

Across the table, the sunglasses-wearing lawman pulls a toothpick from his shirt pocket, inserts it into his mouth, then levels a squinty-eyed glare at his detainee. "You call me a fucktard, boy? In my house? Say that again. One time. Come on. Put your brave on, boy. Say it."

Zach

"That why you were all out there?" Akins says, his eye twitching. "Play some innocent game? I read all about these games, kid. I know what they do. Make you can’t tell fantasy from reality. Make people get lost in their minds, and in places they shouldn’t be. Make you hurt people. That what happened tonight? Was Debby Solomon and Marco Corbitt part of this game?"

Emily

Akins signals to his deputy, who unlocks the door and leaves — presumably going to get a glass of water. The Sheriff cocks his head at the girl when it’s just the two of them in the room, then he leans forward, putting his hands on the metal table that separates them.

"Oh?" he says, "And what’s that, that you started, Emily Richardson? What were you and old Freddie Solomon planning to do down by the river? Boy has a reputation you know. You need to know that. Girl who’s new in town, has to look out for things. Her reputation, her safety." Hesitating, he then smiles and adds, "Course, there’s a little more to you than meets the eye too, right? You and your family."

Apr 14, 2023 3:15 pm

"Not long, sir! Not really!" Lily starts, playing up the model student act.

"Wendy and I were just having fun… trying it out.

I… I don’t think there was any cult stuff, sir. There was a flying coffin, or something like that, but no cult stuff!"

Last edited April 20, 2023 7:05 am

Apr 14, 2023 3:20 pm

Freddie's temper has got him in hot water. He's a vengeful bastard, he knows that about himself, but he's usually smarter than this. He needs to smooth this over and if he feels needs to get even later, he can do so with a plan.

"You're right, Sheriff Atkin, that was an awful thing to say. I'm so angry about what happened tonight and I lashed out at you. My sisters have been through so much, since the accident, and to see Debby laid out on the ground? I don't know that I'll ever get over that. I am sorry, and if you want to take a swing to teach me a lesson, I'll tell your deputy I tripped."

Stop digging!

Last edited April 20, 2023 11:48 am

Apr 14, 2023 3:32 pm

"What kind of reputation? Has he been here before? What do you think we were planning down by the river?"

Dirty old man. Ok if he wants titillation, I'll give it to him. Maybe I can get him off his line of questioning about my family.

She has to suppress a giggle at the pun, if he was smart enough to get it. She surprises herself with her audacity.

As to my reputation, I have a healthy attitude toward sex. If it feels good do it, is my motto. So yeah, that's what we were planning. Going all the way, if you know what I mean.

Last edited April 21, 2023 2:36 pm

Apr 14, 2023 3:34 pm

"It's not actually like that," Zach says. Then he shakes his head. "No," he then replies to the actual question. "We invited Aaron, but not them. Debby and Sarah hung out with us for a bit but they left before we started with the boardgames." He's not quite sure how to act about this whole Satanic Panic thing, so he hopes to just brush past it. "Marco is my sister's... friend. Apparently, she wanted to see what we were up to. She has a thing for Freddy, so that's probably why. I guess she asked Marco to drive her. And I think Sarah and Debby wanted to prank us and scare us a bit, but it worked too well. Lily panicked and hit Debby with the pool cue, trying to protect us. It was kind of self-defense."

Last edited April 20, 2023 4:29 am

Sheriff Akins

Apr 15, 2023 12:51 am

Sheriff Akins

Lily

The Sheriff's eyes are difficult to read behind his glasses, but from his expression Lily can tell he's skeptical but listening... until she finishes her response the way she does.

"A... flying coffin," the man says, slowly. "What do you mean by that, Lily? Are you on drugs right now, Lily? Were you all smoking reefer in that basement? Was it ludes? Shrooms? Acid? What about oxy, or heroin? Fentanyl? Be straight with me, young lady."

Fred

"That's what I thought," Sheriff Akin says smugly, settling back into his seat like the giant asshole that he is. "Apology accepted, Fred. I've always felt bad about what happened with your father. Leaving behind a fine woman like that with no one to look after her. Crying shame, that was."

Drawing a deep breath, the man releases it and scratches at his ear, digging deep to get some ear wax. "So. Now that you worked all that out of your system, what don't you tell me what happened tonight? All of it. This game you were playing. Your sisters and there doins'. Why Marco Corbitt and Rose Tidwell were there. And how two of those people ended up in the ER."

Emily

Akins shifts in his seat, a little uncomfortable as Emily gets frank on him. "I'm not -- I don't... look," he stammers, pointing at the girl with two fingers, mimicking holding a gun, "focus on tonight. What you were all doing in the Solomon's basement on a school night. Where these other kids came from, and why. How they got hurt. What happened, Emily? You words. What happened?"

Zach

"So it was Lily. With a... pool cue," the Sheriff says slowly. "Now why did she do that? What led little Lily to nearly taking that girl's head off? They have history? Was she high?"

Apr 15, 2023 2:33 am

"N… No, sir! I don’t even know what those things are!" She protests, lying through her teeth.

"All I remember is that I was a holy warrior, or something. And… and… well, we were in real trouble. And everyone was basically… asking me to pray. And… well, my character did! And then we won! Basically…"

Last edited April 20, 2023 7:06 am

Apr 15, 2023 2:37 am

"Well, as I said," Zach replies. "Debby and Sarah were trying to scare us so Debby was wearing a hood and had a hatchet in her hand and was skulking around outside. We didn't recognize her, so we just thought it was some dangerous intruder. And no, Lily wasnt high. None of us were." And Zach is very glad they never got to the suggested weed-smoking. "I don't know if Lily and Debby have history or know each other at all. But even if, it wouldn't matter because we didn't know it was Debby."

Last edited April 20, 2023 4:29 am

Apr 15, 2023 2:39 am

Emily succeeded in her little game. It was fun to watch the cop squirm under her promiscuous glare.

"Look it was an innocent game. That's it. That's why we were there. A bunch of kids playing a game. End of story. And about the injuries, at first, I thought it was a practical joke until I saw two other shadows outside and then I took off and hid in the bathroom.

She was being deliberately vague and feeding him a little info. It wasn't an unfamiliar ploy.

Last edited April 21, 2023 2:36 pm

Apr 15, 2023 3:19 am

The fight is out of him, he's not willing to get beaten up by the hick sheriff over this. "I invited my friends over for pizza and games. We usually play at school, but missed the last couple times. Lily and Wendy, Zach, Aaron, and Emily. My sisters joined us for pizza but went upstairs when we started playing. I had a bunch of games out, they chose Pathfinder, and so we played that for an hour or two, and then it started raining. I don't remember who saw it first, but someone was out there with an axe, so I ran upstairs. My dad used to keep a gun but it was gone, Belinda must have moved it. So I ran back down, and saw the walkout door open and Debby lying on the ground. She wasn't moving! I saw that molester Marco then, and I figured he was at fault but I didn't see what happened. So I plowed into him before he could feel her up or whatever he does." He winces, feels his ribs. "I heard something crack when he went down. I --" he stops and rubs his head. "Debby was bleeding I just want her to be okay." He takes a deep breath. She's okay, it worked out. "Emily called for an ambulance. That's when your boys and then the ambulances came."

Last edited April 20, 2023 11:48 am

Sheriff Akins

Apr 16, 2023 3:08 am

Lily

Sheriff Akins

"Are... wait," the lawman says, taking off his shades, revealing very narrowed eyes. "Are you talking about your Dungeons and the Dragons game?" Sitting back, he shakes his head. "You're mixing up reality and fantasy, Lily. It's a good thing we confiscated that game. There are two kids in the hospital tonight because of that nonsense."

Putting his sunglasses back on, he scratches at his temple. "Alright. So why don't you describe what actually happened with Debby Solomon. And with the skid, Marco. Who hurt them, Lily?"

Sheriff Akins

Apr 16, 2023 3:15 am

Zach

Sheriff Akins

"You didn't know it was Debby," the Sheriff says, trying on what he clearly thinks is a lie for size. "And she -- and her sister -- were dressed up. Well, Zach, I happen to know that people dress up for this Satanic game, the Dungeons and the Dragons. Little thing called research. Little thing called know your enemy. But I'll play along. Why would Lily go after someone she didn't know with the pool cue? Why not call the police? Why not just keep them locked outside?"

There's a pause, and the man adds, "No, I think you were all turned around in your little fantasy world. I think Lily was on something, and forgot that Debby was dressed up as one of the monsters in the game."

Sheriff Akins

Apr 16, 2023 3:27 am

Sheriff Akins

Emily

"And what was it," Akins responds, "about those two shadows that made you want to hide in the bathroom? Hm? And who was it that cracked Debby Solomon in the cranium, and broke Marco's ribs? You must have seen something."

The door opens then, and the deputy comes back in with Emily's water. He gives it to her and returns to his position near the door.

"Well?" the Sheriff presses. "Who was it? Even if you didn't see it happen, I'm sure your friends were taking about it. We're just trying to get the story straight here, Emily. Only the truth will help with that. We'll know if you're lying."

Sheriff Akins

Apr 16, 2023 3:42 am

Sheriff Akins

Fred

Fred looses a blast of information, infodumping all over the Sheriff once he gets hold of his anger. Akins winces several times throughout the outburst, and eventually ends holding up his hands in classic 'whoa, whoa' fashion.

"Fred -- listen. Slow down. You were playing your Dungeons and the Dragons game and you saw someone outside. And rather than, say, tell your mother, or call 911 -- that was Emily did that -- you decided to go for your father's gun?" The man rubs his temples a little, then he continues.

"Imagine what might have happened, Fred, if you'd gotten hold of that gun. We'd be talking about your sister and Marco in the morgue, instead of intensive care. Your mom even know how to handle a firearm? Pretty woman like that, kind of unlikely, right?"

There's a pause as the deputy reenters the room, then Sheriff Akins continues. "So where's the gun now, do you know? Is this a pistol you're talking about? And why do you think your sister was outside, dressed that way?"

Apr 16, 2023 6:28 am

"Why don't you test Lily for drugs then?" Zach asks, getting frustrated. "She didn't take anything. And the reason she attacked Debby was that we saw three creepy people outside, one of them armed, and she wanted to protect Wendy - I mean, all of us. Because that's the type of person that Lily is!" He slides his chair away from Akins a bit, then adds, "Where are my parents, by the way? I'm seventeen. Are you even allowed to question me without them present? And besides, nobody even believes that stuff about Dungeons & Dragons being satanic anymore since, like, the '90s."

Last edited April 20, 2023 4:29 am

Apr 16, 2023 2:34 pm

"I'm not saying another word. I want my lawyer." Emily also didn't like the fact that the other cop was guarding the door.

Last edited April 21, 2023 2:35 pm

Apr 16, 2023 2:45 pm

Freddie crosses his arms. Tell me everything, no, slow down. I'm being interrogated.

He looks at the sheriff in some confusion. "Emily called 9-1-1. I'm not sure how much good it would have done if six scared to death kids all called 9-1-1 and started screaming about what was happening. All of them had cellphones, everyone knows the number, so I ran for a weapon."

"Would I have shot someone? Maybe, if they had been an actual axe murderer and started chopping on my friends. Otherwise, I was really really hoping that I could just kind of wave it around and scare them off to go axe murderize someone else."

He frowns at the last question. "I don't know. It's Belinda's room now, and she's redecorated it some. I guess she moved it. I don't know, I've never talked to her about it since ... well, since Dad. It's a gun, kinda like you and your deputies have. I don't know guns. A handgun, with a clip that goes in the bottom, I think. Not like those old-timey ones on TV with like a part that spins and you put bullets in. A proper one."

Last edited April 20, 2023 11:47 am

Apr 17, 2023 2:59 am

"All I know is that Fred said praying would work. So I prayed! I prayed with all I had!"

Lily rolls her eyes internally, hoping against hope that the sheriff was a praying man. It seemed like no, so far.

Then she takes in a deep breath, for dramatic effect.

"Well, like I said. I was praying, and Wendy was with me! We… we all heard a bang then! When we looked outside, someone had a weapon! Well… what can I say. I was afraid. But this is America, I thought. And I had to defend myself!

When I found out who it was, I felt so stupid. I guess she was playing a silly prank on us. Trying to scare us! As for… Marco, was it? I didn’t see. I was so busy tending to Fred’s sister!"

Last edited April 20, 2023 7:07 am

Sheriff Akins

Apr 18, 2023 2:05 am

Zach

Sheriff Akins

"Now now, hold on there, Zach, no need to get upset. Your parents are on their way, they'll be here soon. And we're not questioning you son, not officially. Just taking your statement. I'm just tryin' to make sure it was really an accident."

The burly man pauses, stifles a burp, then goes on. "So okay, little Lily was protecting her friend you say. Then tell me what happened with these other two, your sister Rose... and the boy, Marco. They a couple, are they? How he end up hurt?"

Sheriff Akins

Apr 18, 2023 2:10 am

Sheriff Akins

Emily

"Lawyer?!" Sheriff Akins says with a smile he can't contain. "Girl, you don't got a lawyer. We ain't accused you of nothin'. Just what is it you think you need a lawyer for?"

The sunglasses come off. The stare is steely and penetrating. He leans closer, his breath sour.

"What'd you do, Emily? What's got you so riled?"

The girl can't tell if the lawman is asking about tonight or about witness protection... but that doesn't make any of this easier!

Sheriff Akins

Apr 18, 2023 2:17 am

Sheriff Akins

Fred

Reaching for his pen and notepad, Sheriff Akins scribbles something down, squinting as he focuses on his handwriting, then he looks at Fred over the top of his glasses.

"I'll ask your sweet mom about the gun. She'll give me the, uh, skinny. But you never answered my question about your sister, Freddie. What was she doin' trying to scare everyone? And you really think this Marco character was dangerous, huh? You two got a history?"

Sheriff Akins

Apr 18, 2023 2:23 am

Lily

Sheriff Akins

Sheriff Akins frowns as he listens to Lily's story, and there's one bit in particular that seems to be of great concern to the man.

"You prayed," he says lowly, adjusting in his chair, making his police rig creak and jingle. "Because Fred told you to pray. That's interesting right there. So tell me. Who was it you were prayin' to, Lily? Am I correct in assumin' this might not be our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Almighty above in Heaven?"

Apr 18, 2023 5:08 am

"They're not a couple. They're just friends," Zach says, his voice sharp as he feels like he needs to defend his sister. Of course, he's aware that friends doesn't quite cover those two. But they're also not an actual couple, so he's not lying, he tells himself. "And you can call it whatever you want. I'm not answering any more questions until my parents get here." He crosses his arms, then uncrosses them when that quickly feels awkward. "How are Debby and Marco?" he then asks. "Will they be alright? When will we be able to see them?"

Last edited April 20, 2023 4:29 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (4) = 4

Apr 18, 2023 3:26 pm

Freddie thinks about it, and tries not to think about the sheriffs 'skinny' anywhere near Belinda.

"I don't know what Debby was doing. She's been unconscious since I knew it was her outside. I thought she was ... Well, hurt bad. And Marco, sure, he and I know each other. Had a few runs in when we were young, same school. Never had much care for him as a boy and as a man doesn't seem like he's improved much. I know he says he has been macking on Rose, Zach's younger sister. She hangs out with him an awful lot."

Freddie is careful about that.

OOC:

I won't judge if the following applies:

[ +- ] Attractive

Last edited April 20, 2023 11:47 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Persuasion* - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (83) = 11

1d6 : (2) = 2

Apr 18, 2023 6:39 pm

"Are you detaining me? Can I leave? If not, I want a lawyer. If I can leave, I'm out of here. Make sense?" She wants to end that sentence with motherfucker but he's not getting another word out of her without a lawyer or her parents. She knows her rights. God knows they were drilled into her enough by her father.

Last edited April 21, 2023 2:35 pm

Apr 19, 2023 12:25 am

"Thats who I was prayin’ to, sir. Who else ? Why… was I not supposed to do that?" she puts her head in her hands.

"Momma always taught me to pray to the good lord when times were bad! Like… like when I thought we were getting attacked."

Last edited April 20, 2023 7:08 am

Apr 19, 2023 5:56 am

OOC:

Alrighty, to each of your last posts, please add a roll...

Zach: Persuasion
Emily: Intimidation
Fred: Persuasion
Lily: Faith or Performance

Apr 19, 2023 1:17 pm

OOC:

Blegh!

OOC:

I’ve got like a million Bennies so…

Last edited April 19, 2023 1:17 pm

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Faith - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Lily Palmer: Faith - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Think I’ve like 4 of these altogether! - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Apr 19, 2023 2:15 pm

Fuckin' cops

Benny 1

Last edited April 19, 2023 2:17 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Intimidation - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Emily Richardsen: Intimidation - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Sheriff Akins

Apr 20, 2023 4:05 am

Sheriff Akins

Fred

Rising from his chair, Akins walks over behind Fred and puts his hands on the boy's bare, muscular shoudlers. "Okay Freddie, okay. I'll have a good talk with Corbitt. Make sure he understands the law in this town prosecutes lowlives like him, preying on young high school girls."

All

The Sheriff finally relents.

"Alright, alright. Look, ah, your folks is here now, so why don't you go on out and see them?"

Eventually, all four teens are reunited with their families, and one another. Sheriff Akins raises his hands to quiet the din in the waiting area where the small crowd is now gathered. It's after midnight, and everyone is exhausted.

"Look, look -- it's been a long night. Word from the hospital is that both Debby and Macro are fine. They're keeping them both in overnight, but they're through the woods." Pointing a finger at Lily, and then at shirtless Fred he adds, "Now, we're not going to know about charges and such until tomorrow, until we can speak with the injured parties. So no leaving town. Understood?"

Apr 20, 2023 4:26 am

When he's being led into the waiting are, Zach waits until Rose is also returned there, then hugs her. "Are you okay?" he asks his little sister. She always acts pretty tough but between Marco getting hurt and being interrogated, today was a pretty rough day for her. He sticks close to her if she lets him as he checks on Aaron and the rest of his friends while keeping as far away from Akins as he can.

Apr 21, 2023 3:09 am

Rose Tidwell

Rose hugs her brother tight, a little uncharacteristically. There are tearstains on her cheeks, and Zach can tell his parents have been talking to her while he was being questioned.

Aaron Connery

Across the room, Aaron is with his (clearly worried and unnerved) mother, and he makes eye contact with Zach as the boy hugs his sister.

Rose Tidwell

"We weren't trying to ruin your party," Rose says quietly. "Honest, we weren't."

Apr 21, 2023 5:06 am

Zach throws Aaron a nervous smile as he's holding Rose in his arms. He then turns back towards her when she speaks. "I know, Rosie," he says. "I'm really sorry for what happened. But Marco will be alright."
Keeping Rose close, he then walks up to Freddy. "Hey man," he says quietly. "I'm glad Debby will be okay. I... I'm sorry for how things played out. If you need anything...?"

Apr 21, 2023 2:49 pm

Finally, out of that claustrophobic interrogation room, Emily listens to Aikin's update, sees that the others survived their own Q&A, then makes a bee-line for Freddie. "That's a relief about Debby, huh?"

Unfortunately, just then her parents make an appearance and they don't look happy for so many obvious reasons. Her mother is glaring daggers at her and dad wears his bored and annoyed expression but his eyes show disappointment.

"Can we just leave please?" she pleads in the hopes that she can fend off a scene in the police station.

Last edited April 21, 2023 3:00 pm

Apr 22, 2023 12:17 am

He thanks Zach for his kind words and says, "Gonna go see her. You alright?"

Freddie gets in the car with Belinda. He marvels at the plush leather interior of the Range Rover. "Thanks for picking me up. Can we go to the hospital? If that asshat sheriff kept me past visiting hours, I'll ... well, I guess I'll do nothing. But I won't vote for him!"

He leans back, allowing the cold air to finally make him cold. He closes his eyes, and thinks. Emily

He pulls out his phone, texts her.

Going hospital. Debby. Meet river later?

Last edited April 22, 2023 2:35 am

Apr 22, 2023 2:53 am

Lily wasn’t sure if Wendy hadn’t been brought in, or if her parents had come and scooped her away before the main culprits had been released, but she wasn’t there when Lily got out.

"I didn’t do anything wrong. I was just trying to keep everyone safe." she says, as she hugs her parents. She knows that now, with a few hours of time to clear her head and arrange the details.

"Just a sec…" she says, and pulls out her phone to message the girl.

"Couldn't bear to see me brought out in handcuffs? 😋

Apr 22, 2023 3:03 am

"I'm alright," Zach replies to Freddy uncertainly. "We're both okay. Just worried." He looks over to his parents, then says, "We, or rather I, might be grounded indefinitely after this happened while I still was grounded from the last time I left my house and someone tried to kill me. But if we can, we'll come to the hospital as soon as possible."

He lets Freddy walk off with his family, then says to Rose, "How about you go ask our parents what's going to happen next. They'll be much more likely to be cool if you're the one asking."

He then looks over to Lily, checking if she looks okay. Today must have been difficult for her, after being responsible for hurting her friend's little sister. When she is on her phone, probably texting Wendy, he decides to give her space. Instead, he walks over to Aaron and his mother. He's never met Mrs. Connery before, so he has no idea what she's like. But he smiles at her politely and gives her a nod before addressing Aaron. "Hey," he says softly, resisting the urge to reach out and touch him. "How are you feeling? Was that cop as weird to you as he was to me?"

Apr 22, 2023 3:43 pm

Emily's eyes follow Freddie as he leaves with the beautiful Belinda. Getting into her parent's car with a huff, she stares out the window until her phone pings with a very pleasant surprise.

Oh, wow. Her heart skips as she thinks of what to text back. He must have snuck that text in so Belinda wouldn't see.

She chuckles inwardly at Freddie's sentence construction or lack thereof.

Biting her bottom lip she wonders what to say without sounding too needy.

Yeah, I'd love to! No, that's definitely too needy. Sure. No, that's too cold.

Instead, she settles for ...
Ok, what time?

Apr 22, 2023 9:41 pm

Dont know. I'll let u know when we get to hospital. Maybe closed 4 visiting. you okay? Sherriff was a total dick. I called him a fucktard tho so didnt help lol

Apr 23, 2023 12:53 am

Emily taps her foot furiously on the floor, a habit that drives her parents crazy, as she thinks about a response.

Yeah I'm fine. Haha. U did good. Cop was a fucktard.
A fearful thought came to her right after she hit send. What if she got grounded? Her busy foot stopped abruptly.

Apr 24, 2023 4:54 am

Still at the Station, Very Late Tuesday Night

Wendy Lin

Wendy texts Lily back almost immediately.

"Not quite. I just couldn't convince my dad to let me stay until everyone was done. What's happening? I couldn't get the Sheriff to tell me much of anything."
Emily and Fred have already left with their families as, nearby, Zach meets Mrs. Connery for the first time.

Aaron Connery

"Zach, this is my mom," Aaron says. "Mom, this is Zach. The, uh, kid I was telling you about."

Mrs. Connery looks tired. She's an attractive if plain-looking middle aged woman of average height with brown hair who is still dressed for work -- her nurse's garb.

"Hi Zach, nice to meet you," she says. "Are you okay? Sounds like you all had a tough night."

"Mom, we should go. You had to leave work and everything," Aaron breaks in... and in short order he's ushering the woman towards the door. Throwing a look over his shoulder as Zach's sister and parents approach to collect him and get going as well, he silently mouths, "I'll text you."

Belinda Solomon

Apr 24, 2023 4:58 am

In the Range Rover

Belinda Solomon

"So..." Belinda says as she drives, and as Fred texts beside her, "big day. Want to tell me about it? And yes, we're going back to the hospital. I want to check on Debby again before we go home."

In the back seat, Sarah is slunk down, sulking silently.

Apr 24, 2023 5:04 am

On the Way to the Richardsen House

"You know," Emily's father says, from beside his stewing wife in the front seat as he drives, "we're trying to lay low. First your brother is a dumbass with his phone, and now... I don't even know what went on tonight. This game appears to have gone extremely badly. Maybe it's time to give this group of friends a little space? Maybe at least until all this blows over?"

It's late and the roads are very dark, Emily notices as they drive, then her mother speaks up.

"Did Lily really do it? Did she attack that other girl, Fred Solomon's sister? That family just can't catch a break."

Apr 24, 2023 5:32 am

"It's nice to meet you too, Mrs. Connery," Zach replies politely to Aaron's mother, offering her his hand. He notices that apparently Aaron told her about him and he wonders what exactly he said to her. "It has been a long day, but I'm okay. I'm just glad my sister didn't get hurt." He nods over to Rose.
He then says goodbye to the Connerys, blushing slightly with excitement when Aaron mentions he's going to text Zach. His eyes linger on the other boy until he disappears through a door and out of sight, then he turns to his parents. "Are we going to the hospital or straight home?" he asks. On the one hand, he does want to check in on the two people who got hurt. On the other, he's getting really tired.

Apr 24, 2023 5:47 am

Still at the Station, Very Late Tuesday Night

Zach's father shakes his head. "They'll just be letting family in this late," he says. "It's been a long, long night. Let's all get some rest and get up early tomorrow..."

"Family meeting in the morning," Mrs. Tidwell adds as the four of them head for their car.

It's some time later -- after two in the morning, that Zach's phone buzzes with a text.

OOC:

Were you up waiting, Zach, or should we have you test Vigor?

Apr 24, 2023 5:54 am

After getting to bed, Zach tries his best to stay awake, waiting eagerly for Aaron's promised text. But it has been a long day and it's getting hard to keep his eyes open. Maybe he can just close them for a moment...

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (4) = 4

Aaron Connery

Apr 24, 2023 6:11 am

Zach's Boudoir

Aaron Connery

Zach's eyes have closed and he's just about to drift off when his phone buzzes. Glancing at it, he sees the time, and Aaron's message.

2:24amUnknown Contact: You still up...? Sorry it's late. It's Aaron.

Apr 24, 2023 6:26 am

The moment Zach hears his phone vibrate, he reaches for it and unlocks it to check the message. He reads it through once, his eyes catching Aaron's name at the end, so he yawns and makes himself sit upright in bed, trying to get himself more awake again. He then reads the message again before typing up a response.

2:27amZachary: Barely. How are you? Hope you didn't get in any trouble with your mom
After that, he also quickly saves Aaron's number in his phone.

Apr 24, 2023 11:54 am

Well… they’re talking two or three years minimum…
Lily smiles as she sends the message, knowing Wendy will jump out of her skin.

Yeah.. Court ordered ban from The Dungeons and The Dragons 👮🏼‍♂️
She waits another minute before sending another.

Yessir, random home inspections for any dice, pens or paper. If they find any, I’m off to maximum security. You’ll never see me again

Your parents being cool? 😬

Apr 24, 2023 7:20 pm

In the Range Rover

"I wouldn't even know where to start. I'm just glad the girls are going to be okay," he looks back at Sarah and winks affectionately. "When I saw her on the ground, I just lost it on that loser that was out there. If Debby had looked any worse, I would have killed him, I swear to God. And I hurt the wrong person."

He runs a hand through his hair.

"Thanks for picking me up. It means a lot."

Aaron Connery

Apr 25, 2023 5:49 am

Zach's Boudoir

Aaron Connery

Aaron: No. My mom's cool. It sucks that she had to leave work and everything. But she really is cool -- we kind of get one another. She's not one of those out-of-touch mothers.
A long minute passes, then the next text comes in.

Aaron: Sorry to write you so late. There's no way I can sleep after everything tonight. And hey. I have the car. Do you want to go for some food? There's a twenty four hour place I know. I know you'd have to sneak out.

Wendy Lin

Apr 25, 2023 6:10 am

Lily

Wendy Lin

Lily and her family leave the station, head home, and eventually settle in for the night. Wendy and her friend text the whole time.

HAR HAR... not funny lil
but u know, u were good at that Pathfinders game . . . like a natural
my parents are doing their usual... debating on what the consequences will be. Saying they might not let me go to the dance. so why are we using this app? It sucks! Wait
GROSS I hear my brother farting in his room he's suck a pig!
*such

Belinda Solomon

Apr 25, 2023 6:18 am

In the Range Rover

Belinda Solomon

"No problem, and okay," Belinda says, not pressing her stepson too hard. She never does.

Turning into the hospital, the trio parks and goes inside to discover that Debby is in stable condition, resting comfortably... and asleep. She'll be released in the morning, they're told, so soon enough they are headed home.

OOC:

Just let me know if there was anything specific you wanted to do at the hospital, Fred. Like a nurse or three.

Back in the car, Belinda picks at a loose thread. "What did you mean, Fred? That you hurt the wrong person..."

Apr 25, 2023 6:19 am

Ill get my mom to talk to yours
butter her up and get us back on track!!
mom and dad are being surprisingly cool.! Not exactly shouting it from
The rooftops but they get why I did it
you’re good though, yeah? That shit was fucking weird. Everyone played it off like a big misunderstanding. But that crazy bitch WAS out there with an axe

Apr 25, 2023 6:27 am

Zach is already halfway through writing his response to Aaron when that second text arrives. Zach has to read it three times until he's sure that he understood it correctly. Aaron freaking Connery is asking him to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night to go on a date? Sure, he didn't specify that it's a date, but what else could it be?

He quickly deletes his half-written text and responds,
Zachary: Yes!
Which immediately feels super awkward to him. Too eager? Too weird?

Zachary: I mean, that sounds nice. Gives us a chance to talk and all. There was something I meant to ask you but then all this stuff happened and you knowZachary: I'll meet you in front of my houseZachary: Just need to get dressed

He screenshots the conversation, cropping it before his awkward responses to Aaron's request and sends the screenshot to Abigail before getting up and quietly taking off his pjs and putting on a set of clean clothes, including a fresh binder and hoodie.
Zachary: Holy crap!Zachary: [Image Attached]Zachary: Holy Crap, Abby!

Apr 25, 2023 3:24 pm

On the Way to the Richardsen House

"Mom! Please! Just leave it alone okay? It was just a bunch of misunderstandings," Emily whines.

"I am well aware that we have to keep a low profile but I have to have a life too. I'm not staying away from them!" Now visibly upset, Emily's voice gets louder and louder.

"They are the only friends I have. I am sick and tired of not having any close friends because we keep moving! This lifestyle was your choice. Remember? And your kids are paying the price. I'm not talking about this anymore."

Glaring out the window into the dark night, she stews about her circumstances, her ridiculous parents and the life they chose.

"I'm going out later to meet some friends." Defiantly crossing her arms over her chest she adds, "I'm going and you won't stop me."

Apr 26, 2023 1:22 am

In the Hospital

Freddie kisses his sister's forehead gently as she sleeps. He loves her deeply and there are no lengths to which he will not go to protect her, and Sarah, too. He's failed them once, and never again.

He's tempted to look in on Marco, too, but to do what? Apologize? He doesn't see how he could do anything but aggravate the volatile man.

In the Range Rover

Quote:

Back in the car, Belinda picks at a loose thread. "What did you mean, Fred? That you hurt the wrong person..."

He looks at Belinda as she drives. She's gorgeous, growing more beautiful with age, he's certain. The flashing lights highlight her features and he looks away. How much does he owe this woman? He destroyed her life, in most ways, leaving her to pick up the pieces as best she can.

"I didn't see Marco attack Debby. I just assumed it was him because he's an asshat. I don't know what happened tonight, but when I find out, I'll pay them back smart. No more cops, I promise."

Wendy Lin

Apr 26, 2023 6:58 pm

Lily

Wendy Lin

The two girls keep up their texting as the hour grows later and later.

u know
u are right
she was totally menacing, freaking axe and everything
u were really brave… kind of amazing
i’m going to the dance whether they say i can or not

Aaron Connery

Apr 26, 2023 7:26 pm

Zach

Aaron Connery

Aaron’s response comes quickly.

Aaron: Ok. I’ll head your way, and park a few houses down. Let me know when you’re coming out.
Then, when Zach is nearly ready to go, his phone buzzes and chirps again. It’s his pal, Abby.

Abby: znork… mmmmwhatAbby: middle of the night over here… over there tooAbby: 😴 >>>> 😮Abby: waitwhat?! A date? In the middle of the night? Is this a freakin booty call?!

To leave the house, Zach has to slip by the front room… where he hears the television still on. His father is probably in front of it, asleep. He could also try the back door, but that presented its own problems…

And then there was the problem of trying to slip out at all without Rosie hearing!

OOC:

Zach, why is the back door problematic? Are there wind chimes the door hits? Do you have a dog who sleeps near there? Is the door creaky?

Either way, when you go, roll Stealth.

Apr 26, 2023 7:45 pm

Zachary: It's not a booty call!Zachary: Right?Zachary: I mean, Aaron's not the type for that. I thinkZachary: I'll keep you updated, Abby! Wish me luckZachary: He's so freaking cute <3
With the TV still running, Zach had a decision to make. Should he go out the front, past the living room where his dad was probably sleeping, or out the back? The latter would mean taking the sliding garden door, which often got stuck and needed force to be opened. He could open it no problem. The question was whether he could open it silently. He wasn't sure.

It still seemed like the better option to him and so he turned to the back door, quietly sneaking up to it and then trying to push it open without alerting the whole house to what he was doing.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Stealth - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (2) = 2

Apr 27, 2023 2:17 am

Emily

"Misunderstandings?!" Mrs. Richardsen says, turning to look at her daughter in the back seat as the van turns into the family drive. "Emily! There are two people in the hospital! Jesus Christ! And this is after everything else today at the school, and you panicking because your friend saw a guy in a dark suit!?"

"Easy now," Emily's father says to his angry wife, but she doesn't relent as he parks.

"You're not going anywhere. Everyone needs to cool off tonight! We'll have a family meeting tomorrow, and we're going to get to the bottom of this shit! Some things are going to change, Emily!"

Then, like that, the woman is out of the car and stalking furiously towards the house, searching for her keys. Inside the house, Steve sleeps soundly, snoring a little.

Belinda Solomon

Apr 27, 2023 2:30 am

At the Hospital, Visiting Debby

Sarah hugs her sister as well, holding her hand during the visit. She still hasn't said anything to Fred about what they were thinking, about why the two girls were outside, and why Debby was dressed the way she was.

In the Range Rover

Belinda Solomon

Belinda keeps her hands on the wheel and her eyes on the road as Fred responds... her luminous eyes, reflecting the vehicle's bright gauges in the darkened cabin. When he makes his promise, she answers without looking at him. "Just... Fred, don't do anything stupid. It's wonderful that you feel protective of your sisters, but... make sure your facts are straight before you do anything else. Let the authorities handle this."

Soon enough they arrive home, and without saying much more, the trio turns in.

Debby's absence is palpable.

Apr 27, 2023 3:26 am

Seething now, Emily ignores her parents, slams the car door, stomps to the house, and up to her room where she slams that door too, knocking a picture off the wall. The glass shatters as the frame hits the floor.

"Fucking marvelous," she says, ignoring the broken picture which she hated anyway. Sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard, she wraps her arms around her knees and vows quietly. "I'm going out tonight if I have to climb out the window."

Apr 27, 2023 5:58 am

OOC:

Emily, when the time comes to escape and rendezvous with Freddie, if that's the plan, that will eventually be either Stealth -2 to escape as your mom is on the lookout... or Athletics to get out via the window. ;)

Apr 27, 2023 12:07 pm

i know 😎

what would have happened if I wasnt there? 👊🏻💥

Hope Fred’s alright about it. Dude kind of goes missing every time there is a bust up though…

What are you doing now anyway? Sleep?

Last edited April 27, 2023 12:08 pm

Apr 27, 2023 4:38 pm

At the Solomon House

"Sarah, wait," he says as she heads upstairs. Her leads get back down to the tec room and starts cleaning up the games and the plates and glasses.

He can't bring himself to blame his sisters for anything. He'd forgive them the moon.

"Are you okay? I don't know what happened tonight, not really. Were you and Debby trying to scare us?" He looks at her, concern in his eyes. "My friends and I have been on edge because there's crazy shit going on. What happened to Debby was a nightmare. I'm so sorry."

Last edited April 27, 2023 4:41 pm

Apr 29, 2023 3:39 pm

Zach

Abby texts more as she wakes...

Abby: It's like 2amAbby: its totally a booty callAbby: which is okay because you've got booty!🤣
These come while Zach is navigating the house quietly, slipping out the back successfully.

The yard is dark and the boy has to be careful to avoid tools left on the ground and the sensor that will turn the lights on in the back. He creeps over to the gate, opens it, and slips outside.

Aaron Connery

Down the street, he sees an old Honda Civic hatchback from the 80s, and there might be someone in it. A quick text to Aaron turns the vehicle's lights on, and the car pulls forward, meeting Zach at his curb.

Reaching over, the boy in the car turns the manual window crank on the passenger side so they can talk.

"Ready?" he says simply, his expression hard to read.

Zach's phone makes a sound.

Abby: What's another word for pirate treasure? WELL I THINK ITS BOOTY!

Wendy Lin

Apr 29, 2023 4:24 pm

Lily

Wendy Lin

nuthin
cant sleep
u?
A pause then, making Lily wonder if her friend has fallen asleep, then another bunch of short text messages:

you didt talk to fred yet?
what will he say?
what was last word about debby...

OOC:

Where do these two live in relation to one another, KCC?

Apr 29, 2023 4:26 pm

At the Solomon House

Sarah quietly returns to the basement with her big brother, though he can really tell she doesn't want to. Her cheeks are red and stained from the visit to the hospital, where she cried again, and she struggles for words when they get downstairs and Fred tries to console her, or get her to open up -- anything.

At first she's stony and will have none of it, but then she starts shaking and crying again, balling her fists as the tears flow and her chest heaves with each rapid, hyperventilated breath. "W-w-we... duh-duh-d-d-didn't m-mean to r-really scare any-anyone!" is all she can manage. "Wuh-wuh-we thought b-be fuh-fuh-funny!"

Rolls

Checking something... - (1d6-2, RA)

(5) - 2 = 3

Apr 29, 2023 5:03 pm

At the Solomon House

Freddie sees Sarah break down and that breaks him inside. He gathers her into his arms, although they've never been a hugging family, for reasons.

In a wavering voice, he says, "I'm sorry. This is such a mess. It would have been funny, too. We'll all laugh about it when Debby gets home, you'll see." Tears leak from his eyes, too.

"I love you," he says, unsure he's ever said it out loud before. Since the accident (Murder!) he's walked on egg shells around them, afraid to say too much and wreck his cover story. She knows, doesn't she? I'm her brother, of course she knows. Doesn't she? But has he been gone, emotionally absent when they needed him most?

Apr 29, 2023 8:41 pm

As he walks over to the car, Zach reads Abby's texts, smiling to himself at his friend's enthusiasm. He misses their sleepovers, evenings spent together gossiping and having fun. Text conversations and occasional calls have taken the place of those, but they're not quite a replacement. They can be fun, however.

Zachary: It's not a booty call, AbbyZachary: Plus, he doesn't know I'm you knowZachary: It's a *date*
Reminding her of why he couldn't sleep with Aaron even if they both wanted puts a bit of a damper on the fun, but not too much. He just focuses on her enthusiasm. And on Aaron's face when he sees the boy.

"Hey!" he says to Aaron, leaning into the window. "That invitation was a surprise. A nice one, though." When his phone buzzes again, he chuckles. "Sorry, that's just my friend." Gesturing to the still closed passenger door through which he's leaning, he asks, "Can I come in?"

May 1, 2023 9:48 am

Christ… I’d better text him. What if he’s mad???. 😧

I’m the one that should be man

*mad

I’ll be downstairs in five…. Come out for a minute and we’ll message him together!!!! 🫣
Lily tells her parents that she’s just heading out for two seconds to check on Wendy. She expected hesitancy. She got some… but she expected more. Maybe they understood the desire to check she was alright.

downstairs! 🥶
She waits, doing a tippy tappy dance in the cool night air as she waits for Wendy.

She already has the message written. But she only sends it once Wendy has come down.

hey, Fred! How is she? How is everyone? 😰😰 hope everyone’s okay! 🫤

Last edited May 1, 2023 9:49 am

Kelly Unger

May 2, 2023 3:54 am

At the Solomon House

Kelly Unger

Sarah hugs Fred and cries for a good long while... and not just about Debby. Then, finally, the girl heads back upstairs, sniffling but feeling a little better.

And that's when Freddie notices he has some other texts on his phone. From Kelly Unger. Shit -- was that only just this past afternoon that all that happened?

Kelly: Heads up. My dad's going to see Romero about what happened.
Kelly: he's pissed. Wants to try and get you suspended or something. He's a douche.
Then the boy sees the two pictures that Kelly sent. One of her bare belly, her lovely navel with her fingers resting on her skin... and a second a little lower on the girl's bare abdomen... with her hand clearly creeping down further.

Kelly: thinking of you... want to come over?

Aaron Connery

May 2, 2023 4:03 am

Zach

Abby sends one last text that Zach sees before Aaron waves him into the old car.

Abby: Well you better tell him before he finds out the sexy way!
"Who's your friend?" the boy behind the wheel asks as Zach gets in. "It's late. Old... boyfriend?"

Thirty seconds later, the car is pulling away from the curb and there's a bit of an awkward silence in the vehicle... until Aaron clears his throat. "Uh. Thanks for coming out. I'm not... I don't... do this very often." Then, turning to look at Zach as they come to a stop sign in the dark, he adds, "Okay... I've never done this. Where should we go?"

Aaron Connery

Wendy Lin

May 2, 2023 4:20 am

Lily

Wendy Lin

uh
what? now? like NOW now? srsly?
ok
A short time later, when Lily is outside, texting Fred in the frosty night air, Wendy arrives. She's wearing flannel jammie bottoms, Mr. BunBun slippers, and the tank top she was wearing in bed.. over which she's wearing the hoodie she quietly grabbed on her way the way out the door. Her brother's.

"My parents would FFFFFFLIP if they knew I was out here," she whispers as she darts up to her friend. Wendy and her family only live up the street, but late night shenanigans are not their style.

"Did you write Fred yet? What did he say?"

May 2, 2023 4:38 am

Zach reads Abby's last text and he feels an uncomfortable turn in his stomach. Of course he'd have to tell Aaron. Eventually. But the thought scares him. He just hopes his nervousness doesn't show on his face as he climbs into the car.
"Oh," he says in response to the cute boy's question. "No, just... No, her name is Abby. She's my oldest friend growing up, from my old town." He swallows nervously. "I've never had a boyfriend."

He lets out a breath and looks ahead for a moment but when the stop sign halts the car, he turns to Aaron the same moment Aaron turns to him. "I, well, you, uhm, said you know a place?" Why can't I sound cool when I'm around Aaron? He swallows, then puts his hand on top of the one Aaron has on the gear shift. Trying to sound like his heart is not beating twice as fast as its supposed to in his chest, he says, "Anywhere."

May 2, 2023 6:43 am

Lily passes the phone over to show Wendy. She scrunches up her face, and points out the words:

Sent: 01:13

"He hasn’t seen it yet. And… just tell your parents I’m dropping over your…" she taps her pockets to see what’s inside. She curses herself for not bringing a prop.

"… lip balm. Managed to save it from being processed into evidence!" she says with a smirk then.

May 2, 2023 1:06 pm

At the Solomon House

Freddie watches Sarah go upstairs, then grabs his phone to text Emily.

Free now. Home. Still want to meet?

Then he sees the other texts.

To Lily: She seems to be ok. Hope to bring her home tomorrow. Pathfinder isn't supposed to end up in real fights, just so you know 😆

Then the tantalizing teases from Kelly.

Romero. Thanks for the warning.
hello, that's a great look on you. Almost as good as me. On you.
Tonight is a bust. Sister in the hospital. Stressful. But I can send you this.
He lifts his shirt, lowers his shorts on his hip, and takes a snap of the reflection in the glass doors. He sends that to her.

Last edited May 2, 2023 1:09 pm

May 2, 2023 3:03 pm

Harrigan says:

OOC:

Emily, when the time comes to escape and rendezvous with Freddie, if that's the plan, that will eventually be either Stealth -2 to escape as your mom is on the lookout... or Athletics to get out via the window. ;)

Still clutching her knees the phone buzzes and scares Emily out of her haze which had become a mix of fatigue, horniness, and anger. Anger at her parents, the asshole sheriff, and anyone else she could think of.

"Finally!" she blurts out when she sees the text is from Freddie. A jolt of excitement snaps her out of her funk. She grabs a prerolled joint from her stash, switches to a front clasping bra, checks herself in the mirror, texts Freddie back with, How about now? I'm on my way, and slowly creeps down the stairs. She knows every squeaky board on the steps just because and tries to avoid them, gritting her teeth as she practically tiptoes toward the door.

Last edited May 3, 2023 2:38 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Stealth* - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (65) - 2 = 9

May 3, 2023 2:24 pm

haha! Tell me about it! 😩

did they say what they were up to?! just trying to scar us?

*scare 🫠

I feel so dumb… but you know… after everything at school.

"No, he doesn’t know!" Lily scolds as she types, rolling her eyes to Wendy.

"Because he wasn’t there! You don’t think he’s in on this do you??"

Last edited May 3, 2023 2:25 pm

May 3, 2023 2:34 pm

Back to Lily:
It's all fucked up. I was ready to kill someone. Sorry I lost it. Hope I didn't scar you

Scare lol

He checks that he had his wallet and keys, and then whimsically a towel from the rumpus room bathroom, and slips out the patio door. Creeping into the Model 3 like a ninja, he gratefully appreciates the near silent electric motors, and pulls around Belinda's SUV and out into the street.

Time to meet Emily at the river and finish that ... conversation.

May 3, 2023 2:36 pm

"What do you think of that?!" Lily says, coming in close again to show Wendy the text he fired back pronto!

Aaron Connery

May 7, 2023 5:37 am

Zach

Aaron Connery

"Okay," Aaron says, smiling a little when Zach's hand touches his. "I do know a place. A truck-stop diner, if you're cool with that."

It's not a short drive, and the roads are dark this time of night. There are no streetlights, so the road and surrounding woods are lit only by the car's headlights as they travel out towards the interstate, and the 24-hour diner located near the on-ramp. It's brightly lit and there are lots of trucks with sleeper cabs in the parking lot.

Connery parks the car some distance from the diner, in a dark corner of the parking lot... and the boys never even get inside. The sexual tension has been rising with each passing minute, and suddenly the two teens are kissing -- sending their hormones raging further.

OOC:

Zach, to keep some control and not get -too- hot and bothered, make a Spirit check. Then make a Persuasion check to keep a lid on Aaron's roving hands and such. If you fail you Spirit check, make that Persuasion roll at -2.

May 7, 2023 5:40 am

Zach isn't quite sure how it happened. One moment they were driving, hands touching, eyes meeting as often as the road allowed it. And then they're parked and Zach is suddenly free of his seat belt, shifted over to the driver's side, awkwardly half-sitting in Aaron's lap as their lips touch, their tongues intertwine and Zach's hand runs through Aaron's dark hair. It feels incredible, all those pent up emotions and hormones bubbling to the surface as they kiss, hidden in the shadows of the truck parking lot.
It does turn out that Aaron's glasses do get a bit in the way, so, as much as Zach likes them, he reaches for them and carefully takes them off before his lips meet Aaron's for the second time.

Unable to shut his mind off completely and just live in the moment, Zach worries that, this being his first ever kiss, he might be terrible at it. Aaron doesn't seem to mind, or if he does, he doesn't show it, but it keeps Zach grounded enough in the moment that when he feels Aaron's hands starting to roam, he knows to not let himself get lost in the touches.
He lets Aaron explore his body a bit but every time one of the boy's hands slides underneath his hoodie or gets too close to his chest, Zach gently guides it away and back to a safer area.

Eventually, he pulls back from the kiss, his face hovering just centimeters away from Aaron's, close enough to still feel the boy's warm breath on his lips. He locks eyes with Aaron and once again runs his hand through the boy's hair as he only barely resists the temptation to close the distance again immediately. "I wish we could go further," he breathes. "But we can't. I can't. I..." He breaks off, then leans in, kissing Aaron's lips again, but gentler, less passionately this time.

Last edited May 7, 2023 6:05 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (63) = 9

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (4) = 4

Wendy Lin

May 7, 2023 5:44 am

Lily

Wendy Lin

Shivering a little in the cool night air, Wendy just grins and shakes her head when her friend shows her her phone. "This is good, right? He's not blaming you. I mean how could he?"

Lin's expression changes and she quiets, before adding, "Hey. Sorry I ran. I was freaked. It was kind of incredible what you did. So brave... I mean you didn't know that was Fred's sister, and that's kind of mind-blowing."

Glancing back over her shoulder, she continues, "So... why'd you want me out here?"

May 7, 2023 5:47 am

Fred and Emily

OOC:

Feel free to describe your meet up!

May 8, 2023 3:05 am

The Banks

Freddie rolls over into his back, one hand still entwined with hers until she yanks it free. His eyes roam her naked back as she too rolls, but onto her side. Her hands present a small pipe and she flicks a Bic to light the bowl. The hiss of flame as she draws it in, the flame curving perfectly into the bowl of the pipe. When she passes it to him, he takes his own drag, but not a lot.

They had arrived simultaneously, and she was mad about something. Distraught too. They fought for a few minutes, both aggravated even if not by each other, and then they were kissing. Kissing and more. The towel he brought served as a bed on the Banks, in the star and moonlight by the roar of the river.

Their lovemaking was sweeter than the fighting would have foretold. For his part, he desperately clung to her in a way that made him feel small, and yet adult too. None off the clumsy pawing as at a party, or the acrobatic erotic performance he'd had with Kelly (was that really the same day)? And certainly none of the guarded resistance of getting even to second base with Priya and feeling like a thief for that much. No, this was true somehow.

He let out the smoke, and lay down. "Are you okay? Really? "

Last edited May 8, 2023 3:07 am

May 8, 2023 3:41 pm

Emily had trained lungs from years of smoking and only after Freddie exhaled did she do the same. An immediate light-headed euphoric sensation slammed into her like a brick.

She had planned to plunge into a host of complaints starting with her pain-in-the-ass parents until the high rolled over her in waves leaving her super mellow and feeling great. A smile stuck to her lips as she thought about the amazing sex they had just had. It had never been anything much up until now. Freddie knew his way around a girl's body apparently which made Emily wonder how many of them he had been with which caused feelings of jealousy to rear up in her head.

"I'm okay ... now. Just feeling a little jealous. You know so much, I mean I've never ... that was really awesome."

She instantly regretted telling him she was jealous but pot did that to her. Pushed any inhibitions she might have away, revealing her true self most of the time.

May 8, 2023 6:54 pm

The Banks

Her comment and question sounds like a trap to him; no not a trap but at least deserving of a delicate response. What would someone else do? Zach would kind of flounder and mumble and then not really answer. Marco would causally brag about his skills and how many side girls he has. Clutch and Norm and Dave and the others from school would probably brag, too, or make fun of her and call her naive. He wasn't really like any of them.

"I don't know what I'm doing, not really. I mean in general. I watched some porn on like Pornhub and tried to figure out what I'd be expected to do. But I'm not that experienced either."

He watches the cloud wisps float in front of the stars. "It's never been like that for me either. It was more ... I felt close to you, like really close."

Aaron Connery

May 9, 2023 7:12 am

Zach

Aaron Connery

Aaron's not an experienced kisser -- his heart is racing and his breaths are coming quickly at the start of it all -- but he settles in nicely and groans softly into Zach's hungry mouth as the moment extends. When he finds his glasses removed and round two underway, the boy is better prepared and he meets Zach's intensity with his own. The teen does get handsy, as horny boys with almost painful boners tend to do, but Zach manages to keep the roaming limited. Still, Aaron's hands on his thighs, his waist, his hips, his sides -- it's absolutely thrilling.

When the boys finally break and come up for air, and when Tidwell taps out, Aaron kisses his neck. "It's okay," the excited boy says. "No pressure... no worries..."

It's easy to say that, but when Aaron Connery is kissing your ear, your cheek, your neck...

Before Zach needs to say anything, though, Aaron stops and finds his glasses... puts them on and sits back in his seat.

"Wow. Wow. I didn't -- I wasn't... I really though we'd just go for ice cream. I didn't know that was going to happen. I mean I wanted it to happen, but..."

May 9, 2023 11:15 am

Aaron

When the moment ends, Zach falls back into the passenger seat, pulling up his legs and leaning sideways against the backrest, facing Aaron to look at him, at his flushed cheeks and flustered expression, which must be mirrored on Zach's own face. He's unable to form any words for a long moment, just trying to calm his breathing as he watches the boy he's been crushing on for a whole month now, the one who he just made out with.

"I didn't know you would want to kiss me," Zach finally says. He reaches out his hand and lets his fingers move over Aaron's arm, brushing his fingers but also sliding up to his shoulder, just appreciating Aaron's presence. "I've been dreaming of this since the first time we ran into each other," he admits, hoping it doesn't make him sound too much like a creepy weirdo, fantasizing about someone he barely knows. In an attempt to add some levity to the moment, he adds, "Literally ran into each other."

He lets out another long breath, then says, "You're a really good kisser." Not that Zach has anyone to compare Aaron to. "Have you..." The thought fills Zach with some irrational jealousy, but he's also curious. "Have you had a boyfriend before? How long have you known you're... you know, gay? Or bi. Bi is great, too."

May 9, 2023 12:02 pm

"Right? Right! I mean… it could have been worse. He could have shot her… or the police could, or… I don’t know!"

She jostles in to Wendy then, finding herself looking for some reason.

"Don’t worry about it." she says, and then flexes her muscles. "Ive got enough for the both of us! What do you think of the guns?"

She giggles, and then looks at Wendy standing there. She found that, when it was just the two of them, she couldn’t hold Wendy’s gaze for long. Like a constant game of chicken, if she looked too long…

"I…" she stammers. "I… was just worried that Fred was going to come beat my ass!" she says, looking away, chickening out beneath her look.

Last edited May 9, 2023 12:12 pm

May 9, 2023 3:26 pm

The Banks

With Freddie's bravado put away for the moment Emily grew pensive, looking up at the stars, the flowing river providing a comforting babble. He was really sweet, and amazingly he was sharing his feelings. Guys were so weird about emotions as if they had to display a tough exterior all the time lest they be called pussies. Emily knew about horny boys and how it was different for them than it was for girls. Hadn't she caught her own brother choking his chicken once in the bathroom when he had forgotten to lock the door? She had burst in one morning when rushing to get ready for school, painfully embarrassing them both. She and her girlfriends had such a good laugh about that later, back then, in another life, and that's when she learned that hilarious expression.

Still drifting along in a pleasantly stoned haze she turned to the handsome boy, suddenly bleeding emotions that their coupling had broken loose in her.

"You're really nice. I felt close to you too and I need a close friend. A friend with benefits even." Nestling into the crook of his neck she burst into giggles.

"That sounded so corny and forward. But I wonder if....ah ... naa ... nevermind. I'm just being sappy."

May 9, 2023 4:16 pm

The Banks

What guy doesn't want to hear that?

"I'm game," he says lamely. "I mean, you're already my friend but this closeness we have right now, I want it to continue. Get deeper. It's important." Why it's important he doesn't say, maybe he doesn't really know, but it feels right to say it.

"Maybe we can dance on Friday. A slow dance. Only you and I would know."

He thinks about her, and how little he knows. New to town, a sketchy family, the minor drug dealing (if pot even counts, being legalized most anywhere). A girl with secrets.

"I like you sappy."

Wendy Lin

May 10, 2023 6:56 am

Lily

Wendy Lin

"With these guns," Wendy says, coming forward a little so she can reach out and touch the outsides of both of Lily's biceps, "Fred doesn't stand a chance."

The moment, already a little awkward for some reason, gets intensely more so in the few heartbeats that the girls stand there, so close together. But rather than them both just waiting out the moment, as they normally do, Wendy leans forward, so she can whisper in her best friend's ear.

"Thank you. For protecting me. It was kind of romantic."

Then Wendy's kissing her! It's light, it's brief -- but it's sensual and holds unmistakable promise. It's over almost before it begins, and Wendy Lin is hustling back home.

"Uh... see you tomorrow!" she calls over her shoulder, afraid to look back.

Aaron Connery

May 10, 2023 7:02 am

Zach

Aaron Connery

"I..." Aaron begins, but then he hesitates. "I don't even know. A while, I guess. Maybe a long while. Since I was eleven or twelve? What about you?"

He shakes his head when asked if he's had a boyfriend before, and then he smiles when Zach asks if he's bi. "I don't know -- I've never been with a girl! I just know... I dig guys. Maybe the right girl? There hasn't been one yet."

May 10, 2023 9:00 am

Aaron

Zach should have known that Aaron would turn the question around on him, but it still makes him squirm a bit. He had always known he liked boys rather than girls. He just hadn't always known that that made him anything but straight. "It's complicated," he replies. He tries to answer without lying. "I guess I always liked boys." Looking into Aaron's eyes, he really wants to come out to the other boy. He's so close to it, but he can't get the words past his lips. Instead, he says, "I've had some crushes over the years, but I've never been with anyone. Or kissed anyone."

He bites his lip as he feels himself lean in closer again. "Should..." He makes himself look away from Aaron, towards the 24-hour diner before returning his eyes to Aaron's. "Should we go in?" he then suggests. "Because if we stay in here, I won't be able to resist kissing you again."

May 10, 2023 8:31 pm

The Banks

A little embarrassed now at her frankness, she takes the pipe from Freddie and inhales deeply, smiling lazily once the high is renewed, her discomfort already forgotten. Definitely surprised at how honest he was being with her, she throws a leg over his hips, thinking about the dance.

"Wouldn't that be awkward though, you know for your date? I mean, we are going to be different with each other now. Comfortable for having ... you know ... and the other kids might notice. Am I being paranoid or what?"

Last edited May 11, 2023 12:27 am

May 11, 2023 12:31 am

The Banks
"I don't even have a date for the dance. And you're going with Zach, right? He's probably going to put the moves on you."

He thinks then about Aaron and Zach and how close they were. Were they interested in each other?

"I asked Wendy and Lily to go with me, both. You should have seen the looks they gave me! It was like I was trying to strangle Santa Claus!" He starts laughing and loses it completely, until he starts coughing.

May 11, 2023 8:37 am

Lily stiffens as the kiss hits her, and then melts at the knees a little as she feels a slight tug on her lips, as Wendy pulls away. Before she can say anything, Wendy has turned and made for the house.

Her heart thumps in her chest, and she feels like she could power an entire city with the energy coursing through her body. It sets Lily shaking out there in the Lin’s garden; the energy screaming to be used up somehow.

"Goodnight!" she calls, but it comes out small and breathless, as if she is was calling out to her in a dream!

She turns to walk back home, and then turns again to go back to the Lin’s; to beg Wendy to come back out. Suddenly filled with bluster, Lily would take her turn as the kisser, and Wendy the kissee.

No! Be cool…

Her mind races. With great determination, she forced herself home, her shoes wet with the night’s dew from the Lin’s green.

May 11, 2023 3:24 pm

"I'm not so sure. I kinda got the feeling at the party that he might be into guys." Emily runs her hands slowly up Freddie's chest as she disappears into her own thoughts for a minute. Handing the pipe back to Freddie she groans in frustration.

"Can you keep another secret? Has anyone strange approached you and asked about me or my family?"

May 11, 2023 4:30 pm

The Banks

"That's cool. Not so much that he needs to hide it if its true. Kids are jerks but I could help him adjust and own it."

Such a long day. Such a peaceful night. He hasn't had to chew an antacid for an hour.

Then she asks. "Your family? I mean, I guess someone asked me about Steve on Monday, but that was just at school. He's kind of a dillhole around girls. Why, what's up?"

He waits and then adds, "I'm am expert at keeping secrets." It isn't a line. He says it with conviction.

May 11, 2023 9:34 pm

"You would do that? You're not like ... you know ... embarrassed or anything? You're so sweet." Emily slides her leg from over Freddie's hips and sits up abruptly when he mentions the someone. Looking down at him her eyes narrow.

"Someone?" Her heart thuds and this time it's not a good thud. "Who was it Freddie? What did he want with my brother?"

May 12, 2023 12:41 am

The Banks

"Whoa, it was Darryl, number 5 Darryl. His girlfriend is Trish Whitman. Said she complained about Steve looking down her shirt in class. Darryl is one of Banks' friends. Maybe that's why that scuffle happened in the cafeteria."

A scuffle that lead him to white knighting into Kelly Fucking Unger's panties. Best scuffle ever! Just the thought of that began to put ideas into his lower body.

May 12, 2023 2:20 pm

Emily's shoulders visibly drop as her tension eases. Freddie hadn't seen any goons. It was some other harmless dude.

"Yeah, Steve is like this energizer bunny of horniness. It never quits. I'm just glad I'm not a guy having to deal with that all the time." She would have embarrassed herself with that remark had she not been so wasted. Instead, she was happy to have shared something real with the boy. Something deeper.

"I am glad I can trust you. It makes life a lot easier to be able to confide in someone." She wanted to tell him more about her family but she didn't want to risk losing him. She had done enough confiding for one day anyway.

Last edited May 12, 2023 2:20 pm

May 12, 2023 5:58 pm

The Banks

The conversation is sidetracked then, by bare skin and roaming hands.

It's way too late when Freddie gets home, and he wonders if he can even arouse himself to go to school. A problem for 7am Freddie, so he washes up and hits the sack.

OOC:

If our fair @Harrigan had other ideas for a nocturnal interruption, happy to retcon.

Last edited May 12, 2023 5:59 pm

Aaron Connery

May 14, 2023 5:15 am

Zach

Aaron Connery

"Yes," Aaron says with an emphatic nod. "We came here to eat and talk, so... let's go do that. The BLT is awesome here, and my mom really likes the turkey melt."

Leaning over, the boy gives Zach one more gentle, long, passionate kiss... then he gets out of the car and waves his friend out and towards the diner.

May 14, 2023 6:34 am

Aaron

Zach closes his eyes, letting himself melt into the kiss until it ends far too soon. He gets out of the car along with Aaron and follows him inside. It's too late for Zach to really be hungry, but he orders something anyway, then the two boys find a booth out of the way. There isn't much talking happening, mostly just wistful looks into each other's eyes, but they do talk a bit, feeling each other out as they really don't know much about each other. Aaron talks about his hiking and interest in nature, which Zach finds fascinating but can't contribute much to, having grown up in the city and not really done much about since. They talk about music, with Zach mentioning that he used to sing but doesn't really anymore. They talk about the upcoming dance. Zach tells Aaron about his arrangement with Lily and about Lily's interest in Wendy.

But as they're sitting and talking, Zach does feel the long and exciting day catch up with him. He was already mostly asleep when Aaron messaged him and he's now finding it harder and harder to stay awake, so soon Aaron decides to take him home. At some point in the car, Zach must have fallen asleep because Aaron wakes him when he's parked in that same spot near Zach's house again. "This was incredible," Zach tells the other boy. "I... uhm, I'll see you tomorrow." He takes Aaron's hand, then leans over and kisses him again before getting out of the car, feeling regret that the night had to end, that he couldn't just spend the rest of it sleeping in Aaron's arms...

He quickly makes his way back to the house and in through the backdoor. Everyone has to be fast asleep at this point, so he gets back to his room and gets changed into PJs. It's past four in the morning now, but he'll need to catch at least a bit of sleep if he's going to survive the next day at school.

Once in his PJs again, he quickly sends out messages to three people - Aaron, Abby and Emily - then falls into bed and is asleep practically the instant his head hits the pillow.

Zachary: Thank you for tonight, Aaron. We need to do something like that again soonZachary: Maybe not quite so late
Zachary: That was amazing, Abby! I'll tell you all about it tomorrowZachary: It kind of was a booty call
Zachary: Hey Emily. We need to talk. Tomorrow before school?

May 16, 2023 7:11 am

OOC:

Sorry for the delay. New posts coming soon, but in the meantime, let's make some rolls to determine who oversleeps and is late for school the next day since you were all up so late.

Everyone roll Vigor, please. Fred and Emily, you were up especially late, so make that roll at -2.

No requirement, but if you want to show a slice of life regarding waking up, your morning routine and such, go for it!

May 16, 2023 7:18 am

Zach's Bedroom

Zach is pretty much dead in his bed. He usually goes to sleep at a fairly reasonable time, so staying up all night, the stress, the excitement, the raging hormones, it all took a toll on him.

He could probably sleep all day, but he's woken by a painfully loud screech into his ear. Scrambling into a sitting position, heart hammering in his chest, he looks around and finds the grinning face of Rose right next to his pillow. "What the fuck?" he asks his sister. He then stretches and lets out a yawn. "Why are you screaming in my ear? And why are you already fully dressed for school? Well, what passes as fully dressed for you."

"Question is why are you still in bed?" Rose grins. "Dad is fucking pissed at you. He tried to wake you up. For our family meeting, you know?"

Zach rubs his eyes. "What time is it?"

"About fifteen minutes after we usually leave for school," Rose says with a sweet smile.

Zach finds his phone and unlocks it. There are some messages, as well as a notification about his missed alarm, but he focuses on the time for now. "Oh shit," he mutters, climbing out of bed. "I'll be ready in ten minutes."

"Take your time," Rose says as she moves out of the room. "If you're lucky, that vein in dad's neck will explode before you're done, saving you from having to talk to him."

Last edited May 16, 2023 8:51 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (2) = 2

May 16, 2023 1:27 pm

Lily hadn’t rushed to bed. She wanted to stay up, and savour the day a little longer, and so she took her time, finding little excuses to stay awake a little longer. She wondered if Wendy was doing the same. She found, of all the things that happened that day, her mind was full of her.

The next morning, she wakes and prepares for school. She looks in the mirror, and debates if she should brush her teeth, or wash her face. To do so felt like it would be scrubbing away something. Some trace of the night before.

She did clean up in the end. She thought, with the dam now broken, that more might follow today, and so it was best to be prepared. She runs downstairs, dressed for another day at school, gives each of her parents a big hug and kiss good morning, to some confused looks, and waits for them to hop in the car and go pick up Wendy. It was their turn to drive today.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

May 16, 2023 2:05 pm

"Just five more minutes, mom."

Did he dream that? Did he say that earlier? Clawing his way from sleep he struggles. His body is done, he thinks, pain lancing through his chest like there is smouldering coal in his bones. He can't move. Just give up. It's not getting better. I'll never be whole.

He rolls to the edge and half falls onto his knees. He checks his phone. Fuck, it's first bell! Ignores the half dozen messages.

He crawls to the shower and rinses himself, then only takes ten minutes on his hair, getting it to look like it's messy, but purposefully so.

Dressed, Sarah isn't in her room, and Belinda's SUV, it's gone. Did they let him sleep in?

He struggles to the car with two pieces of cold pizza in a paper towel. Each step is agony. Sitting in the Tesla is a relief, and he leaves the door open, unable to comprehend there will ever a time when he can lean over and pull it closed. Breathe through it. You are healing. You just need more sleep.

With sheer willpower and self-hate, he closes the door and heads to school.

Last edited May 16, 2023 2:32 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Vigor is his dump stat - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

May 16, 2023 2:09 pm

Emily awoke feeling pretty pleased. She smelled like pot but she didn't care because she also smelled like Freddie. She was so tempted to forget about a shower but that would have been too gross, so reluctantly she grabbed a fresh set of clothes and hopped in the shower, the feel and taste of the sexy boy washing away down the drain.

That's ok. There's more where that came from.

Downstairs she flicked her fingers at Steve's head. Mom and dad were nowhere to be seen.

"Are you ready dufus? Let's get going."

Emily couldn't wait to see Freddie. No doubt they would exchange knowing glances at each other.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

May 17, 2023 2:50 pm

Wednesday — Halfway Through First Period (Math), 905am

There was a weird vibe in the room, the school, and maybe even the whole town today. The homecoming game and dance were just around the corner — tomorrow night for the football game, Friday night for the soiree — but two people were now in the hospital, there had been police grillings, there more random people missing classes and appointments here and there, and there had been a lot of making out… and in some cases a lot more than making out. Eyes were bleary as Mr. Edge sat in front of the class, having told them he wasn’t going to teach today, that they could just all have a study period and do whatever homework from other classes they had.

Wendy and Lily had arrived late and barely said much to one another after having an eye-to-eye moment in the back seat of the car that stirred memories and pinkened cheeks.

Zach had been a few minutes late as well, and he’d gotten up too late for the family meeting his parents had wanted. It would have to wait until after school now, and the boy had caught quite a glare and head shake from his father in the mirror as he’d driven Zach and Rose to school. For her part, Rosie seemed like teflon, as usual. She hummed and looked out the window as she toyed with a curl of hair; Zach felt like he was going to melt into a puddle.

Emily had been on time — and in fact was the only reason why her brother had even made it to school today. After the incident in the cafeteria the day before, he just wanted to stay home and play video games. The Richardsen parents weren’t around to actually… parent (as usual), so the girl had to be the mature one. Again.

Fred was absent. In fact…

The Parking Lot

Pulling his Tesla into the school lot, fully thirty minutes late, Fred wondered if it was even worth going to Math at this stage. As he parked, a couple of things took his eye — his stepmother’s Model X was parked in visitor parking… right next to the vehicle he’d seen parked at the Unger’s yesterday.

OOC:

Little rushed, so apologies if this is a little incoherent. And that it’s late in coming. We’re back on track! Three of you are in math but free to talk and interact… Fred’s in the parking lot. And oops, I think we’ve given Belinda both a Tesla Model X and a Range Rover at various points. That tracks. Leaving it.

May 17, 2023 3:42 pm

Math Class

As Mr. Edge does not seem to care in the slightest about what his students are up to during his class today, Zach spends most of it on his phone, hiding it under the table as he recounts every last detail of the previous night to Abby in detail many times over many text messages. He can still barely believe that it happened, that he got to make out with Aaron Connery. That the cutest boy in school is not only gay but interested in him.

He hasn't spoken to Emily yet. Both of them were too late to talk before class and Zach does not want to talk in class about what's on his mind. He'd rather do it in private. He does keep glancing over to her regularly, however. She never replied to his 4 am text so he has no idea what she's thinking. He decides to catch her once Mr. Edge lets them out after this 'lesson'.

At one point, he leans over towards Lily, indicating for her to lean towards him before excitedly whispering to her, "I kissed Aaron!" He needs to share it with someone in person. Talking to Abby is great, but it's not the same if she's in another city and he can't see her face. And Lily is the only person in this town, except Zach's family, who knows that he is gay. "We went out last night and... ohmygod!"

Last edited May 17, 2023 5:47 pm

May 18, 2023 12:25 am

The Parking Lot

What was Belinda doing here? And with Mr. Unger again? He hasn't forgotten the message from Kelly, that her dad was going to make trouble for him. He is tempted to just let the chips fall where they may, but his entire future resolves on getting good grades and qualifying for a good school. He doesn't need such grades as to get a full ride, but he does need to be accepted. Competition was stiff, and any blemish on his record could see him passed over. Charges of sexual malfeasance, or whatever they called that in school records, would be the end of his favorite schools.

He chews three antacids, and stashes the full bottle in his pack, then heads inside. First, he needs to find Belinda. Visions of her and Mr. Unger flash through his head, along with the near tantalizing peek that he should have taken last night, and his heartrate increases.

Entering the school quickly, he makes his way through the halls, trying to intuit where they would be hanging out for some kind of depraved, kinky, party time. He heads for the office. His mind races, trying to see a way out of this. He talked big about wrecking the Unger marriage by exposing an affair, even the idea of such, but it was just talk. How far would he push that, knowing that his family would be caught in the crossfire? Even if he was willing to sacrifice Belinda's reputation (and he wasn't) would he risk any further embarrassment and upheaval with his sisters? He had a bad hand in this game of poker; he had a three.

May 18, 2023 2:32 pm

Math Class

"Steve you'll be fine. Chill out. Yesterday was yesterday. I know it's going to be a little weird at school but you'll be fine."

Emily uncharacteristically gives Steve a playful shove to send him on his way as she hurriedly walks to math class. She doesn't particularly want to bump into anyone and seeks the shelter of the classroom. Along the way, she feels the strange vibe hovering in the atmosphere. Too many odd things have been happening, from the cafeteria incident to the disaster at Frediie's, and speaking of Freddie.... the girl lets a smile play on her lips as she remembers.

As she steps into the classroom she notices some of her her friends are late. Slumping into her chair, she shoves a few errant strands of hair away from her face and pulls out a book from her bag. Delighted that Mr. Edge doesn't want to teach she avoids looking at him and daydreams out the window. When Zach arrives he looks particularly excited. She throws him a puzzled look each time he glances at her. Then she remembers the text and gives him a nod and a thumbs up the next time he looks over at her. She'll see what he wants after class.

May 18, 2023 11:20 pm

Lily is stuck in her own thoughts, while sketching the outline of next weeks front page into her copy book.

Your Homecoming King And Queen:

And beneath that stand two silhouettes, persons as yet unknown!

When Zach leans ins, she grabs up a spare pencil, ready to hand it to him. Then he drops the bomb, and all Lily can do is make her eyes go wide, and mouth:

WHAT?!…

She makes a motion of spinning her hand. She smiles at the boy.

Tell me more. Tell me more.

May 19, 2023 3:47 am

Math Class

Lily's reaction is exactly what Zach had hoped for and he can't stop a huge grin from growing on his face. He leans in closer to her and whispers in her ear, "After I got home last night, I went to bed. I was basically already asleep but then Aaron texted me. I thought we'd just text each other for a bit, maybe exchange some cute bedhead selfies or whatever if things went well. But then he asked me to meet, so I got dressed and snuck out and he picked me up and we went to this truck stop and then... I don't even know how it happened. I was in his lap, we were making out, his hands were all over me, it was incredible!"

A few minutes earlier

Zach and Rose climb out of the car and tell their father goodbye. Zach has managed to avoid his eyes the entire trip to school, but it's still been pretty obvious that the man is annoyed at his son. Zach hopes he'll calm down before school ends. He probably will, right? Zach just overslept.

As the siblings enter the school, Rose immediately turns to go in the direction to her classroom. "See you later, dork."

"Rosie, wait!" Zach interrupts, grabbing her arm to stop her. She turns to look at him and he explains, "We're already late. No need to rush to class now." Rose doesn't keep going. She looks at her brother with a raised eyebrow. "I've been wanting to speak to you. About, like, everything." He sighs, then says, "First of all, I'm really sorry about getting you grounded earlier this week. I was so mad at our parents because they always treat you like an adult and me like a little kid, so I lashed out. Except I lashed out in the wrong direction. You didn't have anything to do with what happened. That was a dick move on my part."

Principal Romero

May 19, 2023 5:06 am

The Hallways > Outside Principal Romero's Office

The school is strangely quiet as Fred makes his way inside; later in the day, when kids have various periods free, there will be more teens roaming and hanging out here and there. During first period? Everyone at school is in class. Kids who have that off, well, they aren't here yet. All the classroom doors are closed as Fred makes his way instinctively towards the office. If Mr. Unger was going to complain, it was going to be to Romero.

Somewhat surprisingly, Freddie comes upon the door leading to the Principal's office -- and it's open. The strange bit is that the room -- the waiting room, which several of the gang had had a closer look at yesterday, is empty. Strange because Romeo's office is also empty... except for Mr. Romero, who is sitting behind his desk. Romeo is normally a very together kind of guy, but Solomon notices that the man is disheveled. He looks like he slept in his clothes, and maybe didn't get much sleep at that.

Nearby in the hall, old hot water radiators tick and creak as they throw off serious heat, driving the temperature inside the school to uncomfortable levels.

Principal Romero

Mr. Edge

May 19, 2023 5:13 am

Math Class

Mr. Edge

"You can talk," Mr. Edge says to a few groups of students in his room who have gathered together to chat about various things. "Just keep it down."

Emily isn't sure, but after yesterday... is Edge watching her, looking at her?

May 19, 2023 1:42 pm

Principal Romero's Office

He walks in comfortably, although his guts are churning, and sits in the chair opposite the man. "Hey buddy, you okay? A lot going on this week isn't there?"

He runs a hand through the side of his hair.

"Is there a parent meeting today? About the strange events?"

He's spoken to Romero before causally, but this is off the charts. Maybe it's because he's tired, or worried about Debby. Or maybe the crazy guy by the river had gotten to him and he was trying to find out if there was something odd going down, other than drug fueled parent teacher sex parties.

May 20, 2023 3:50 am

Lily snorts when Zach mentions ‘beadhead selfies.’

"Oh, yeah right!" she says, giving the boy a mischievous side eye! Her mind went to Wendy.

Should I send her a selfie?…

"A truck stop!" she interjects when it’s mentioned, with a hand to her mouth in faux-shock! Then she winks!

"Nothing else?" her eyes narrow, knowingly! "I’m a reporter, you know! I can smell when there’s more to a story!"

Last edited May 20, 2023 3:50 am

May 20, 2023 6:34 am

Zach's cheeks go red at that but he still can't get that smile of his face. "What do you take me for, Lily?" he asks her playfully. "On the first date?"

He chuckles along with her when she acts shocked about the truck stop. "Yeah, looking back, I should have taken him to the Banks, probably. But I didn't realize that things were heading that way so quickly. I thought we'd just grab a bite to eat or something. I didn't realize he was actually into me like that."

He grows a bit more serious as he says, "So yesterday was kind of a rough day, but my night was amazing. How about yours?" His eyes involuntarily dart to Wendy, who is probably watching them and wondering what these two are whispering about so excitedly. "I noticed you came in late as well. Everything alright?"

May 20, 2023 11:21 am

"Oh, please." Lily waving her hand like some dismissive dame. "Everyone has their first date at the Banks. So cliche!"

And then she chances a look at Wendy, and her face reddens. Then she looks anywhere but at the girl, but not before giving her a quick smile:

"Oh… yeah. I had her phone charger. Put it in my pocket when the cops told us to grab our stuff. You know… we live a few doors down so I just dropped it off when I got home. No big deal…"

May 20, 2023 1:59 pm

"Really?" Zach asks. "Because people don't blush like that about 'No big deal'." He nudges her with his shoulder. "I mean, maybe I do, but not you. Something happened. Did you kiss?" His eyes widen at this. "Please tell me you kissed. You'd be the cutest couple in the whole school!" He's looking more obviously at Wendy now, an excited smile on his lips. He meets her eyes, then indicates towards Lily with his, a silent question on his face.

Rose Tidwell

May 20, 2023 2:51 pm

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

Rose Tidwell

Rose lifts her eyebrows when Zach apologizes. She wasn't sure what she expected as her brother pulled her aside, but it wasn't... this.

"Uh... whatever. Don't worry about it, bro. I know that... you're..."

Rose chews her lip briefly, then leans closer and lowers her voice. "I know it's not easy, what you're doing. It's stressful. For all of us, but I know especially for you. Let's just support one another, alright? No more dick moves. On either of our parts. This school and these kids are weird, but I kind of dig it all already."

Principal Romero

May 20, 2023 3:03 pm

Principal Romero's Office

Principal Romero

Looking up as Fred Solomon moves through the waiting room and then comes into his office, the school's principal doesn't rise from his chair. He does wet his lips and lift his eyebrows. Fred's sneaker squeaks on the floor, and, looking down, the boy sees a small puddle of something under his foot -- some yellowish fluid.

"No meeting I'm aware of. And... what events are those?" Romero asks mildly, his eyes meeting the teen's.

May 20, 2023 4:12 pm

Principal Romero's Office
"What the hell? Did you spill soup in here?" Fred steps back out of the goo. His mind leaps to the strange events, and his boyish imagination recalls some old timey movie about adults going apeshit due to some ooze or alien virus or something -- he never watched it, but now it seems like something he should have.

"You haven't noticed that your faculty are completely off the charts messed up this week?" He's incredulous so he has to unleash the big gun. Accompanied by moving his head back slightly and up, he says, "Dude."

May 20, 2023 4:22 pm

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

"Thanks, Rose," Zach replies with a smile. "I know it's hard for you as well. You had to move because of me. And I know we've been fighting more often recently, but I couldn't ask for a better sister."

He then chuckles at her last comment. "This place is kind of weird, isn't it? But I like it too. There are some great people here." Of course his thoughts first go to Aaron, but instead, he says, "I came out to one of my friends. Only as gay, but still. It went really well. You remember Lily? She's the one who knocked out Freddy's sister yesterday."
At that, he lets out a heavy breath. "Speaking of yesterday... How are you doing?" He demonstratively looks around. "No mom and dad or friends around who you have to act tough around. Just your weird big brother."

Principal Romero

May 20, 2023 5:04 pm

Principal Romero's Office

Principal Romero

When Fred asks about the behavior of some faculty, Romero just looks at him. He doesn't respond, he doesn't react. A moment later, he smiles a little.

"I think you should get back to class. Focus on your studies," he says simply, nodding a bit.

Rose Tidwell

May 20, 2023 5:12 pm

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

Rose Tidwell

"Whatever," Rose says with a smile when Zach tells her he couldn't ask for a better sister. Punching him in the arm lightly, she's about to say more when the boy tells her the rest of his news.

"What?! That's awesome! I mean awesome if they were cool with it. They were cool with it, right?"

The girl just blanches and nods when discussion turns to Lily -- she clearly knows Lily -- and what happened the prior night. Overall, she seems fine. "I'm good. You?"

Rose is nothing if not resilient, so it's no surprise to see her brush off the evening's events. "We really weren't trying to fuck up all of your nights. I just wanted to see if I could get with Fred a little more... and moron Marco is my only ride."

May 20, 2023 5:30 pm

Principal Romero's Office

I was just glad I wasn't getting torpedoed by Mr. Unger. Unfortunately, that meant that my step mother probably was. I swallowed a retort about my therapist giving 15% off on referrals and instead turned and sloshed out of there. I had to find Belinda and this time I was going to walk in on her and she some shit. I mean, I was going to stop a woman in my life from being damaged by an abusive man. One thing was clear, that in order to get to the bottom of the crae crae at Boseman High, I was going to have to go full Veronica Mars. That's right. Full. Veronica. Mars.

Freddie internal monologues his way to begin searching for sexy hidey-holes around the school. There is the space under the west stairs in the basement, the volleyball storage room off the side of the gym, and behind the curtain on the stage in the gym, too, and of course, any number of classrooms that were free this period.

He'd start with the gym.

May 20, 2023 5:59 pm

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

"She is cool with it," Zach replies happily. "More than that. I'm pretty sure she's actually crushing a bit on her friend Wendy." This is a weird place to have a conversation, a completely empty school hallway, but it's nice, after a couple of days where he and Rose barely talked after he pissed her off, just them hanging out again. "Lily's really cool. I think you'd like her as well." He would have felt confident in that statement, if not for Rose' weird reaction to the name. He doesn't question her about it, but keeps it in mind.

He then nods. "Yeah, I'm good, too. It was stressful when it happened but it all turned out alright, I think. I'm sure Freddy's sister will be back from the hospital any moment." He then throws her a knowing smile when she comments about her motivations the previous evening. "I get it. Fred is pretty hot. But you know, next time, you can just come with me. I'll introduce you to all my nerd hobbies with my nerd friends." He half-turns towards the direction of his math class, indication that maybe by now they should start heading to class. Before he goes, however, he adds, "Come have lunch with us today. We might play some dorky boardgame, but maybe kicking his ass at Carcassone is the way to Fred's heart."

May 20, 2023 7:21 pm

Emily sees her friends animatedly whispering but doesn't wonder for too long what's going on. Instead, she is filled with the idea of Freddie as she keeps revisiting certain scenes beside the river and looks forward to seeing him again.

But what in the hell is up with Edge? She could swear he was stealing glances at her. She was getting that icky feeling and it made the hairs stand up on the back of her neck. Frowning, she decides the next time he looks at her she would stare him down.

May 22, 2023 3:42 am

Lily sends her nose skyward, like some snooty toff.

"A gentlelady never tells!"

But the giddiness erupts inside her, and bursts out in the form of a laugh. She claps both hands over her mouth, and ducks her head before the teacher’s eyes scan the room to correct her.

"You’ll have to ask her! I’m innocent in all of this!" she whispers, throwing her hands up in the air.

The kissee not the kisser…

May 22, 2023 4:14 am

That response does nothing but make Zach even more curious. He was already looking at Wendy for her thoughts but in addition to using his eyes to indicate between them, he also mouths, "Are you two...?"

Rose Tidwell

May 22, 2023 4:23 am

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

Rose Tidwell

Rose rolls her eyes, turning it into a classic mean girl eye-flutter when there's mention of board games at lunch. "Ew. Don't say that. That makes Freddie less hot. I think he just plays those games to get the nerd girls. Like your pal Emily. You know, I think I interrupted them at the Banks on Monday. What's up with them?"

OOC:

One more post here and wrap!

May 22, 2023 4:36 am

Earlier, in the Parking Lot (Emily)

As Emily parked the van, after driving herself and Steve to school, she noticed her brother was unusually quiet. And then, when she turned off the vehicle and prepared to get out, the boy stopped her.

"Wait! Emily, wait. There's something... there's something I've been keeping from you, sis. Something you need to hear."

Now, Math Class (Emily)

Mr. Edge

Glaring at Mr. Edge, essentially daring him to look at her, Emily Richardsen doesn't look away when the handsome teacher finally looks her way -- and meets her eyes with his. Edge has that smolder in his eyes, that panty-drenching look that can glue a teen girl to her seat. The look extends far longer than it should, and Emily is about to wonder if anyone else is noticing when Mr. Edge runs a hand through his unkempt hair and smiles.

"Emily Richardsen," he says, holding up an obviously random paper from his desk, "I need you to stay after class. We need to talk about this assignment."

Brittany Maidstone

May 22, 2023 4:46 am

The Gym

Fred checks a few empty classrooms and other private places where his stepmother might be having stand-up sex with Kelly's father (ugh!), but he comes up empty and heads for the gym. The double doors are open and he can hear that a class is going on, that Ms. Maidstone is in there, teaching. Then, suddenly, there she is. In those yoga pants and that sports bra top thing. No panty lines. All firm flesh and lean muscle and curves beneath what fabric there was.

The class was a group of freshmen, and they were flailing like spazzes as the gym teacher was trying to get them to stretch out and cool down after the run, chin-ups, and rope climbs she had them all doing. Out of the corner of her eye, Brittany sees Fred, and she tells the struggling, red-faced students to take five as she jogs over to the senior. Her face is glowing; there's a sheen of sweat on her skin.

"Fred, what's up? Shouldn't you be in class?"

Brittany Maidstone

May 22, 2023 7:11 am

A Few Minutes Earlier (Zach)

"Fred and Emily?" Zach asks, looking surprised. "I don't think there's anything going on there." He considers it for a moment longer. "But I could ask her. I need to talk to her anyway, cancel on her for homecoming. I hope she'll take it alright, but it was never meant to be a date anyway, so it should be fine. Even though it's pretty short notice."
He smiles at Rose, then playfully punches her shoulder. "Get to class, Rosie. You're young and have much to learn," he teases. "I'll see you at lunch later."

May 22, 2023 2:31 pm

The Gym

Fred struggles viscerally to keep his eyes on her face and not watch her bounce her way over. He's been thinking of an excuse, and only had one card to play.

"You know Belinda, my step-mom? She's here at the school but we got our wires crossed, so I was just glancing around for her. Have you seen her, or Mr. Unger? Kelly's dad? I saw his car was here too, but Romero said there wasn't a meeting here today."

He flips his hands over, shrugging his shoulders, and says, "Debby was in the hospital last night," as if that explains everything. It was true, he wanted to know how she was doing and hoped Belinda could fill him in.

As he tries to keep looking at her face and not drink in the whole Concentrate! package that was the hottest teach in school, pop song lyrics pop into his head.

Okay, now he was close
Tried to domesticate you
But you're an animal
Baby, it's in your nature (Meow)
Just let me liberate you (Hey, hey, hey)
You don't need no takers (Hey, hey, hey)
That man is not your maker (Hey, hey, hey)
And that's why I'm gon' take a good girl (Everybody get up)

May 22, 2023 8:23 pm

Earlier, in the Parking Lot (Emily)

Removing the key she opens the door until her brother stops her."Oh hell, Steve, I don't like the sounds of this. What's up this time?"

Now, Math Class (Emily)

When Edge looks her way again she does what she intended to do if he gaped at her again. She stares back stubbornly. But she's not prepared for the scorchingly sexy look he gives her. She starts to regret catching his eye, or does she? Her cheeks grow hot and her heart feels like it's tumbling, and that smile.

OMFG he's so freakin' hot.

When he runs a hand through his hair it's almost her undoing as she sits there squeezing her thighs together, caught in his seductive gaze. Surely this was all in her head.

"Wha ... what? Stay after school. She's still under his spell. Uh-huh," she says in a low voice that's almost a whisper.

Wendy Lin

May 23, 2023 9:45 am

Wendy Lin

Wendy nods almost imperceptibly to Zach, and then looks to every corner of the room at once. Finally, she suddenly takes a great interest in whatever is outside the window, as her face reddens and she can’t possible meet the boys look.

May 23, 2023 12:18 pm

Zach breaks into a huge grin. He leans a bit closer towards Wendy and then whispers loud enough for both girls to hear him, "This is so awesome! I'm so happy for you both! You know what? We should all go out together. You two, me and Aaron, I mean." He scans both girls' faces looking for their reaction to his suggestion. "Somewhere out of town where nobody will recognize us and we can just do what we want."

Last edited May 24, 2023 4:26 am

Brittany Maidstone

May 24, 2023 3:57 am

The Gym

Brittany Maidstone

"The hospital?!" Ms. Maidstone says with concern, closing the distance with the boy. "Your sister? Fred, what happened?! Is she alright?"

Good giiiirl!

When Fred answers, she sweatily continues, just a little out of breath. "I haven’t seen Belinda today, no, but I was in my office until class started." Thinking, she adds, "Is it possible Kelly took her dad’s car to school today?"

May 24, 2023 4:11 am

Earlier, in the Parking Lot (Emily)

The inside of the van is quiet for a moment as Steve looks into his sister’s eyes and lifts an eyebrow. Then there’s the horrendous sound of the boy ripping a fart that last for several long seconds, and that peters out with a bubbling dribble that makes the boy giggle. The strench is immediate as Steve starts laughing, leaving his sister wondering why she’s fallen for this… again!

Mr. Edge

Now, Math Class (Emily)

Heat builds in Emily’s cheeks as she shares the look with Mr. Edge, and he nods. "Not after school, Emily. After class. Your next teacher will understand. I’ll talk to them if need be…"

Wendy Lin

May 24, 2023 4:18 am

Wendy Lin

Math Class (Zach & Lily)

Suddenly wide-eyed and beet red, Wendy sits up straight in her seat and puts her eyes forward, trying desperately to pretend that Zach cannot possibly be talking to her…

May 24, 2023 3:31 pm

"Jesu H Christ, Steve. Do you boys ever grow up?" Emily waves her hand around her nose to swat the disgusting smell away and heads to class, kicking Steve lightly on the rear end before he gets away from her.

In class, Emily is mortified. How did she mishear Mr. Edge? Was she that infatuated that she said what she was thinking instead of actually responding to what he said? She hoped the other kids weren't paying attention.

With her cheeks on fire, and wanting to disappear into a hole in the floor, Emily replies meekly, "Sure thing, Mr. Edge." Meanwhile she imagines the kids sitting behind her staring into the back of her head, making her cheeks turn an even deeper shade of red.

May 25, 2023 12:51 am

The Gym

He nods. "She's recovering, it was an accident with a stick, and she got hit in the head. Luckily we Solomon's don't have much going on upstairs!" He feigns humour, but he is really worried about her. His stomach rebels from the nerves. I need another antacid.

He doesn't answer her questions about Kelly, but just nods thoughtfully. "Thanks for the help, Miss Maidstone, you're the best teacher here." He flushes red, wondering if she sees right through him.

He waves and dashes out of the gym, and closes the door behind. He fumbles his bottle from his pack, and tosses two of the coloured pills into his mouth, dry chewing them.

Mysteries abound! If Kelly did drive here herself, then where was Belinda? He continues the search.

May 25, 2023 9:48 am

"So, not the truck stop then?" Lily teases the boy.

"But yeah, that could be cool. This weekend? Or what were you thinking? Busy week for the paper, you know?" she says with a flutter of the eyelashes that said any help would be appreciated!!

May 25, 2023 3:02 pm

Zach chuckles when he catches Lily's hint. "I'll have to ask Aaron, obviously. But this weekend should be fine," he agrees. "Ooor..." He draws out the word. "How about I come help you at the paper today after school and then maybe we'll be able to do something afterwards? I could even use working at the school paper with you as an excuse with my dad." He's pretty sure that won't work, not with the family meeting and his dad's frustration this morning, but he's just too excited. Not only did he make out with Aaron but also two of his new friends here at school turn out to be queer as well. But he sighs. "Or maybe I'll go home after the paper and we meet in the evening. I'll probably have to sneak out again."

May 27, 2023 1:38 am

Lily feels for the maneuvers Zach has to make just to visit the paper…

"I think all of our parents are going to be on edge for a while." she offers.

"Maybe we don’t jeopardize going to dance? I wouldn’t want you to miss it because your dad throws a fit after… well, everything!"

Lily couldn’t help but feel that their parents probably had a point in being angry. They’d gotten away with fighting with teachers, it seemed, but it was shaky ground…

May 27, 2023 4:22 am

"Maybe you're right," Zach concedes. He looks disappointed. "I'm just really excited. For you, for Aaron and me. For us being friends." He gives a self-conscious chuckle. "I'll still ask my dad if I can stay a bit longer after school to help you out at the paper. He probably won't agree, but he might."

May 28, 2023 6:31 pm

The Gym > All Over the School > The Basement

Leaving Maidstone behind (two words Fred loved to put together), the boy searches in earnest throughout the school. Belinda's car is outside, and so is the Unger vehicle. They have got to be here somewhere.

Giving up on the idea of making even the last quarter of his first class, Fred moves quickly throughout the halls, peeking in rooms, checking bathrooms and empty labs, nosing into the teacher lounge, looking the auditorium, the cafeteria...

Finally, as the end-of-first-period bell is about to ring, Fred finds himself in the basement. That's where all the industrial arts classes are taught -- metal shop, woodworking, automotive... and after frustratingly discovering no sign of his stepmother there either, Solomon hears a heavy door opening at the other end of the basement hallway. The door is labeled "Steam Plant," and through it comes none other than Mr. Gromn, the custodian. As he watches, the janitor uses a key on his huge ring of keys to lock the door, then he starts coming down the hallway towards the classrooms and the stairs leading to the main level.

OOC:

He hasn't see you yet, Fred. What are you doing? And are you intending to make your second class?

May 28, 2023 6:36 pm

Math Class, End of First Period (Emily, Zach & Lily)

The buzzer goes to end class, and as usual there's a rush to pack up and get the heck out of the room. Kids are closing books, folding papers and zipping bags as they make ready to leave, then head for the door and their next classes.

Mr. Edge, who has ignored all the chatter between Zach and Lily, and a bunch of other kids, is looking mildly and expectantly at Emily -- to see whether she packs up, or comes forward to see him as he requested.

May 28, 2023 8:32 pm

Math Class, End of First Period (Emily, Zach & Lily)

With the class ending, Zach packs up his things. "I'll see you at lunch, Lily, Wendy," he tells them. "And by then I'll know whether I can help out with the newspaper for a bit after school." He glances over to Emily but remembers that Edge asked her to stay after class, so he leaves the room and just waits in the hallway outside the door. Whatever the teacher needs to discuss with her probably shouldn't take too long.

As he's waiting, he pulls out his phone and texts his dad.
Zachary: Hey dad, my friend Lily asked me to stay for a bit after school to help her out
Zachary: School newspaper. Super busy this week
Zachary: So I'll be home a bit later. I'm sure her mom can give me lift home

May 29, 2023 11:05 am

"Great!" Lily chimes! "Let us know!"

While packing up her stuff, she asks Emily, as innocently as she can possibly manage:

"Want us to wait for you outside? We’re going the same way, right?"

Her eyes go to the teacher for a second, and then she looks at Wendy. Wordlessly, with just a look, she implants a thought into the girl’s head:

CREEP…

May 29, 2023 4:36 pm

The Basement

Freddie continues on, and hefts his bag on his shoulder. He prepares a lie about getting there early for metal shop for next period, having switched, beyond where the Grommster is just locking up.

What is he locking up? Why is it so hot in the school?

He changes his mind. "Mr. Gromm, a moment? Student Council is wondering why the school is so hot. Students are complaining, and we would like to give them an answer on when repairs will be complete. Can you comment?"

May 29, 2023 6:17 pm

Math Class, End of First Period (Emily)

After the class clears out, Emily, who had been somewhat frozen in her seat after she misspoke, now feels anxious about this upcoming discussion. After the way he had acted outside the day the school went a little crazy, she didn't know what to expect. Would he make a pass at her and would she be receptive?

She couldn't just sit there though, so she gets up and approaches the handsome teacher. Quick shallow breaths accompany the walk which feels like it's taking forever.

"What did you want to tell me about the assignment, Mr. Edge?"

Mr. Gromn

May 30, 2023 5:21 am

The Basement

Mr. Gromn

Mr. Gromn eyes Fred Solomon warily as the boy approaches, and his shakes his head when Freddie wonders aloud about how hot the school has been, and the heating system repairs.

"Still working on it," he says, clearly brushing the teen off as he walks past him, towards the stairs. "Might be a while yet," he says over his shoulder. "Still working on it!"

Mr. Edge

May 30, 2023 5:36 am

Math Class, End of First Period (Emily)

Mr. Edge

When the other kids have all bolted, walked, or shuffled out of the room, Emily walks towards the front of the class, where Mr. Edge awaits. Mr. Edge, whom she's been crushing on since first laying eyes on him. He was just so sophisticated and suave. So charming and smart -- so different from most of the dunderhead teen boys and failed-at-life male teachers that she walked forward despite Lily's look... and the alarms sounding in her head.

Edge just smiles as Emily asks her question, and then he gets up and walks to the back door, which his straggling students have left open.

"The assignment, Emily, is meaningless. A waste of time, yours and mine." Closing the back door, he makes his way back to his desk, where the teenager awaits. "There are other things in life than academics, Emily. Other things a man can teach a young woman. Even things a young woman can teach a man."

He's suddenly right in front of her, bigger than life. He doesn't smell like that awesome cologne, though, and his hair is... off. And he needs a shave. The man is still 29 flavors of sexy, but something is different.

He's reaching out then, and his hand lands on the girl's shoulder, where it stays. Firm, and warm.

"Did you have something you wanted to tell me, too?"

May 30, 2023 5:36 am

OOC:

Zach and Lily, you're loose for the moment. You can stick around, talk, go to class -- all up to you!

May 30, 2023 2:59 pm

"Mmm me? Uh ... no, I don't think so?"

His hand is on my shoulder!

He's not the same. Something's wrong!

Emily is glued in place. She's frozen with indecision. She is attracted and repulsed at the same time. Her feelings fight each other causing a swirling messy turmoil in her mind and body. Somehow she breaks from her catatonia and speaks, but her words sound muffled and far away.

"Wha ... what do you mean the assignment is a waste of time?"

May 30, 2023 4:34 pm

Fred eyes the locked door with some suspicion. Impossible horror movie scenarios flash in his mind, but he just chuckles and keeps going. He quickly searches the basement, intending to cut that short and head to next class on time. He's wasted enough time.

Mr. Edge

May 31, 2023 4:41 am

Math Class, End of First Period (Emily)

Mr. Edge

"Emily..." Mr. Edge says without removing his hand, which seems heavier and hotter by the second. And is his thumb now kind of on the top of her boob? "Human life is too short to worry about things like math assignments. There are moments you shouldn't ignore. Experiences that will pass you by if you let them. Regrets you'll have for your whole life when you think of the missed opportunities."

His other hand comes up then, and he tucks a piece of stray hair behind the girl's ear.

"Do you know what I'm saying, Emily?"

May 31, 2023 4:42 am

OOC:

We'll finish this scene, let Zach and Emily do their thing, then zoom to lunch. Cool?

May 31, 2023 2:23 pm

Suddenly things become clear. This is a TEACHER! What he is doing is WRONG no matter how much she may or may not like it or want it. And something is still off. She can't quite put her finger on what it is exactly but her paralysis suddenly ends. Accompanied by a spearing rush of adrenaline, her arms fly up knocking Mr. Edge's hand away from her chest. Shuffling quickly back she shrieks at the man.

"What the hell is this? You're a teacher. I'm a student and you're coming onto me, touching me inappropriately. You're disgusting! I'm going to the principal right now!"

Emily doesn't wait for a reaction, blows through the door, and runs down the hall to the principal's office.

May 31, 2023 2:51 pm

Zach is just idling on his phone by the classroom door when it is suddenly thrown open next to him. By the time his brain catches up, Emily is already stormed halfway down the corridor.
"Emily!" he calls for her, jogging to catch up. He puts a hand on her arm to get her attention once he's with her. "Emily, what's wrong? What happened? Is everything okay?"

Mr. Edge

Jun 1, 2023 4:04 am

The Empty Math Class

Mr. Edge

Lifting his hands off the girl like he's been scalded, Mr. Edge shakes his head as Emily reacts, as she exclaims what she does and bolts! He simply shrugs as she goes, clearly surprised by her reaction.

Jun 1, 2023 2:04 pm

Halfway to the principal's office, Emily skids to a stop.

What am I doing? All the teachers in this place are whacked.

She turns on her heel and stomps over to Zack. Flustered, angry, and confused she says. "What?! Nothing, I'm fine." Glancing at the doorway to the classroom she just exited she takes Zach by the arm and drags him further down the hallway.

"That fucking teacher just put his hand where it doesn't belong."

Jun 1, 2023 2:28 pm

Zach's eyes go wide. "Edge?" he asks, looking back towards the classroom as well. "Really? I mean, no, I believe you. 100%. But I wouldn't have expected that from him. Some of the others maybe, but... shit. Are you okay?" He looks Emily over, trying to gauge how upset she is. "Do you need to... I don't know, get a coffee? Or get somewhere soundproof to scream?" He looks in the direction she was just heading in. "Or talk to Romero?"

Jun 1, 2023 2:47 pm

"Yeah, Edge. Sleazeball." she replies a little wide-eyed. "No, Romero is a waste of time. Ha! A soundproof room would be great, yeah."

Emily blows out through her lips and sighs. "This place is nuts. Naa, let's just meet up with the others next free period. Did you want me for something else?"

Jun 1, 2023 3:18 pm

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask, alright, Emily?" Zach asks. "We're friends."

He then hesitates, unsure how to start - or whether to start. "There was something I wanted to talk to you about," he says, searching her face. "But maybe not now? I don't know. I don't want to make this even weirder for you after that Edge thing. I guess it can wait. But waiting might make things even more awkward..." He meets her eyes, hoping for her to take charge as he is getting mixed up by his worrying.

Jun 1, 2023 6:05 pm

"Things can't get any worse, honestly. Go ahead and ask me, Zach. And thanks. You're a good friend. Likewise, I am here for you."

She at least hoped she would be.

Jun 1, 2023 6:18 pm

Zach nods, then swallows nervously, avoiding Emily's eyes as he searches far too long for the best way to start, drawing out the silence awkwardly. Eventually, he says, "You know how we thought it'd be great to go to the homecoming dance together?" He frowned, then corrected, "Of course you know. You're not an idiot. Anyway, you know how we said it wasn't a date and we're just going as friends?" He waits for her to give a sign of confirmation, then he continues, "I, uhm, I know it's on really short notice, but I actually have to cancel on you and I'm really sorry. But there's someone I really... someone I like and..." He forces himself to meet her eyes again. "Would it be alright with you if I went with Lily?"

Jun 2, 2023 1:22 am

Emily switches gears when Zach starts talking.

Fuck that creep, Edge.

When he mentions the dance, Emily realizes she hadn't thought about Freddie for an entire hour. Her mind flips back to their shenanigans and maybe a slight smile escapes from her lips.

"Yeah, sure," she replies about the dance. "Yep we were planning to go as friends."
"Lilly, huh? Good for you. No that's fine. Maybe Freddie will take me. He probably will now. Win-win for us both, huh?"

Jun 2, 2023 3:40 am

"Freddie?" Zach asks. Then he chuckles. "Well, it sounds like Rose was right about you two. That's pretty cool, even if she'll probably be disappointed." He smiles at her, then says, "I'm glad you're okay with this. We're still friends. The two new kids! But..." He lets out an overdramatic sigh. "...we should probably get to class. Before we go, are you sure you're alright? Seriously, if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask me."

Jun 3, 2023 2:59 pm

"All's fair in love and war, as they say." Emily always loved that quote and this was her first chance to use it in real life."She'll get over it. I'll give her some weed. She can smoke it off."

That was a dumb comment she realized but she wasn't feeling herself, whatever that was these days.

"Of course we are still friends. Friends forever! Yeah, I don't need any more attention from teachers. Let's get to class, er lunch."

Last edited June 6, 2023 4:08 pm

Jun 5, 2023 4:53 am

Wednesday 11:55am - Lunch Period (All)

There's a weird vibe in the lunch room at mid-day. The chaos from the near fight/beating prior day, the rumors swirling around what happened at the Solomon household last night, the ongoing and increasing teacher absences, and now, the fact that no one seemed to know why Kelly Unger wasn't in school today.

OOC:

You're all together. Time to discuss... everything!

And sorry to not cover this earlier, Zach -- no response back from your dad yet.

Jun 5, 2023 6:25 am

Zach joins his friends at their regular table, a bit later than usual since he met up with Rose first to again offer her to sit with them, despite them all being terrible nerds. He drops into the chair next to Lily and throws a quick greeting into the round. He also can't stop himself from grinning again for a moment when he looks at Lily and Wendy.

"Crazy day yesterday," he then comments, referring to all the rumors floating around about the fight at lunch and the events at Freddy's. "How is your sister, Fred? Any news?" As he waits for the boy's answer, his eyes wander around the lunchroom, searching for Aaron. He hasn't seen the boy all day yet and he's not sure how it will go when they do run into each other. Could they just pretend everything is normal after last night?

Jun 5, 2023 10:25 am

Lily had just been telling the rest a story, when Zachary sat down.

"… so we’re beginning to wonder if there’ll even be a Homecoming!"

When Zach sits down, she spins on her heel and follows up Zach’s question with her own. One which she had been too afraid to ask unprompted:

"Yeah, how is she? How’s her head? Is she okay? Is she coming home today?"

Jun 5, 2023 2:30 pm

"She's coming home today, yeah," Freddie says as he sits with his tray of mystery potato hash. He glances at Lily as she pipes up, and feels that conflict. He still isn't positive what happened only that it was a whole bunch of shit show with a side order of WTF.

"Any of you seen my unreasonably hot teen nightmare of a step mom here this morning? Or Kelly Unger's dad? Their cars were in the parking lot but, I haven't find them." He looks around, then leans closer conspirat. "Strange things are afoot at Boseman High."

Last edited June 5, 2023 2:31 pm

Jun 5, 2023 3:10 pm

"Your stepmom?" Zach asks. "Oh, yeah, she's hot." He doesn't sound quite convinced, more like he feels obligated to agree. "No, I haven't seen her. And I don't even know what Mr. Unger looks like, to be honest." He nods over to the table where the football team is sitting, to the quarterback in particular. "But we could ask Dave. He used to date her, so I'm pretty sure he knows Mr. Unger. Maybe he's seen him."

Last edited June 5, 2023 3:10 pm

Jun 5, 2023 7:39 pm

He looks at Lily, refrains from asking her to cover her ears, and then says to Zach, "Dave and I are in a difficult place just now. He might want to take a swing. After all, I drove Kelly home yesterday and then we ended up missing part of the afternoon. I'm sure the rumor mill is churning out juicy, uh, sacks of, uh, rumour flour? Rumflour?" He frowns at the awkward turn of phrase.

Jun 6, 2023 11:04 am

Lily stops herself from rolling her eyes as Fred calls his own mother hot. She had to tread carefully on that front.

And yet, she can’t help herself:

"Oh? I didn’t hear any rumors this morning. Did your car break down or something?" she says with a wry smile.

Jun 6, 2023 2:43 pm

He realizes he's said too much, and had to walk carefully. "Girls take forever in the shower. I went for a walk along the river behind their place and saw that crazy guy I told you about, that had said he'd seen the UFO?"

Jun 6, 2023 2:47 pm

Zach eyes Fred suspiciously when he comments about his time with Kelly and then mentions his excuse. He's not quite sure he believes him and while he usually would be happy for his friend, the fact that Emily seems to have an interest in him makes him a bit hesitant. Still, Fred's excuse is reasonable enough that Zach doesn't outright question it, but he does file the thought away for later.

Jun 6, 2023 8:43 pm

Emily greets everyone, then sits and stares at the mush disguised as food on her tray. She isn't the least bit hungry as she looks up at Freddie, ready to give him a sensual smile. That is until he mentions his hot stepmom at which point what started as a sexy smolder turns into a narrow-eyed frown. Then comes the part about the missing afternoon and she's ready to kill him. But rather than make a scene she decides to steal the limelight herself with a bit of steamy news of her own.

"Mr. Edge put his hand on my tits."

Then she looked at Freddie with a smirk as if to say, Yeah not you. The part about her running away and being disgusted she did not reveal and only Zach knew about the incident. She hoped he would go along.

Meanwhile, she was still trying to figure all that out. She had a major crush on the teacher, but when the opportunity arose she faltered. But something was wrong. He smelled off. He was no longer as sexy. Something had changed and it all fed into the weird atmosphere that had developed at the school and was getting weirder by the minute with inexplicable happenings.

Jun 6, 2023 9:01 pm

Something about the way Emily phrases this makes Zach uncomfortable, as he suddenly imagines himself in Emily's place, Edge's hands on his chest, and that alone is enough to make him feel nauseous. He hopes it doesn't show too much on his face as he looks down at his food tray. "Fucking creep," he mutters. "Someone should do something about him."

Jun 6, 2023 11:52 pm

"What the fuck? Do you want to call the police? That's ... well it's entirely illegal, as it should be." He's flabbergasted by this events.

"The fuck is going on in this school."

I should jump up onto the table and deliver a speech that rouses the student body into a cohesive unit. They we can march on administration and demand an end to Moscow Macaroni. No, to the abuse of the students by faculty.

Jun 7, 2023 10:18 am

Lily just makes a face at Wendy when mention of Edge and tit occurs.

"Congrat… ulations?" she asks/says. "He’s a little high on his own supply for my tastes." she says, not sure which way the conversation is going. Then, she pulls a Blue Steel.

"Emily…" she suddenly says, full of deep, faux-smoldering. "… see me after class." as she runs a hand through her hair, and plays at opening the top few buttons of a shirt.

"Give me a break." she laughs then, rolling her eyes.

Jun 7, 2023 10:26 am

Zach wants to chastise Lily for making light of the situation by congratulating Emily for it, but then she gives her spot-on Edge impression and he can't help but burst into a short laugh. "Okay," he says. "That was pretty great."

Jun 7, 2023 4:33 pm

"Fuck no, Freddie. No police. They're just twerps. They are all probably in it together. The faculty, the cops. Who knows who else. This place is too fucked up. Something else is going on here but I'm damned if I know what it is."

Yeah no cops. Her heart started galloping at the idea of them being near her or her family.

Jun 8, 2023 9:46 am

"Yeah… I don’t think the cops will be wanting to hear from us."

She looks around, to make sure no one is listening, and then leans in.

"All the teachers are acting weird, right? Maybe there’s something happening in the Staff Room? A gas leak or something? We could…"

She makes eyes at everyone, raising her brows to finish the sentence.

"… you know… sneak in!"

Jun 8, 2023 6:31 pm

Freddie leans closer to Lily, and says, "Earlier, I saw that Grom was locking up this door in the mechanical room. Maybe it's to keep kids from making bath salts with his stuff, or maybe that's where all of this is going down. The heat in here is getting worse."

Jun 8, 2023 8:06 pm

"Right?" Emily says to Lilly. Freddie's observation was interesting but Emily wondered why he wasn't making eyes at her after their meaningful riverbank meeting.

"We could break the lock and go look. Yeah it's getting like a sauna in here. Let's finish and case the area by the mechanical room at least."

Jun 8, 2023 8:15 pm

"I'm not sure what you're expecting to find down there," Zach points out. He's not feeling all that comfortable breaking into an area they're not allowed in. "I mean, yes, the teachers are all acting weird and creepy. Don't forget how Gromn and Romanov tried to kidnap Emily and her brother yesterday. But what do you think he could be hiding down there? Some mind control... thing?" Zach doesn't quite look convinced.

Jun 8, 2023 8:23 pm

"Look, no one is going to help us because whoever can, won't. It's up to us kids to do the sleuthing."

Emily was good at sneaking around so she wasn't uncomfortable at all, in fact, she welcomed the distraction and maybe a little showing off for Freddie.

"I don't think we have any idea what we will find but that's part of the problem isn't it? Crazy shit is going on so it's anybody's guess."

Last edited June 8, 2023 8:24 pm

Jun 8, 2023 8:30 pm

Zach frowns, still not willing to commit to this whole idea. He turns to Lily, waiting for her thoughts. Part of him realizes that turning to her to make the decision means that he already has decided. Obviously, she's going to agree to the plan. And so he will as well. "Gromn might attack us again," he points out vaguely.

Jun 8, 2023 9:09 pm

"Then we have to be ready. Anyone got a baseball bat?" Emily looks around for anything they might use as a makeshift weapon in case they have to defend themselves.

Last edited June 8, 2023 9:09 pm

Jun 9, 2023 3:22 am

"The equipment room!" Lily announces.

"For Gym class. They have a bunch of stuff in there. We could grab a few things and then… TO WAAAR!" Lily says, channeling some of that Pathfinder energy from last night.

Jun 9, 2023 3:30 am

"Easy there Lily, we don't want to attract attention like were invading Holland or wherever. Let's just go get a looksy."

He pokes Emily under the table, and gives her a wink. "Gromm won't mess with us all at once. Besides, it sounds like he was trying to grab you and take you somewhere. There? Could be."

Jun 9, 2023 3:38 am

"Please tell me you're not expecting a room full of dead students there," Zach replies with an uncertain frown.

Jun 9, 2023 2:14 pm

"I don't know what to expect. Are students going missing?"

OOC:

Did I miss that plot thread?

Jun 9, 2023 2:40 pm

"Let's quit talking and get moving. Gym first, grab weapons, and then to the equipment room!"

Emily is riled up now and ready to bonk some teachers over the head. Buoyed by Freddie's wink who didn't forget yesterday after all, she stomps toward the gym.

Jun 10, 2023 2:19 am

"Let’s do it. Let’s figure out what the hell is going on around here!"

Lily looks to Wendy, then:

"You don’t have to come, if you don’t want! You keep getting dragged into trouble with… me."

She was going to say us, but really it was Lily that tackled the teacher, and whacked Fred’s sister.

Jun 10, 2023 5:44 am

Wednesday 12:15pm - The Gym (All)

The four friends make their decision, then wind their way through the hot, busy school to the gymnasium -- which they find unoccupied! The equipment rooms are, of course, locked. And the keys? In Ms. Maidstone's office, on a large keyring hanging on the wall. Peeking through the window in the closed door reveals that the teacher is in there, working on her computer.

Rolls

Gym is Empty (1-3), Occupied (4-6) - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Jun 10, 2023 5:53 am

"We need someone to distract her while Lily goes in and snatches the keys," Zach says after the group has cased the situation. He just assumes it would be Lily going for the keys. That's a Lily thing to do. "I could talk to her about my regularly missing her gym classes," he suggests with a shrug. "Unless someone has a better idea."

Jun 10, 2023 2:51 pm

Freddie has an idea alright, (His mind races with an impromptu physio therapy session, her hands working her way across his tender and slowly healing ribcage, down to the hip flexor joints, and to the...) but he's smart enough to keep it quiet.

He looks at Emily and shrugs.

Jun 11, 2023 1:46 am

Glad to see the gym empty because in her haste to go there, she hadn't thought up a plan if it wasn't empty, she meets Freddie's eye briefly, then turns to Zach.

"That's an idea, Zach. You'd really be willing to do that?"

Jun 11, 2023 2:44 am

Zach shrugs. "Sure. It's not a big deal," he says before realizing that it kind of might be. With red cheeks, he requests, "Though I'll have to ask you not to listen in." His eyes briefly meet Lily's before he addresses the group again and adds, "There's a reason for why I sit out so many classes and she knows it. And I don't want you all to hear it."

Jun 11, 2023 3:17 pm

"Whatever you need, Zach. And Lily, are you okay with this? If you get caught, then tell her we dared you to do it."

Jun 11, 2023 3:26 pm

"Yeah, we can do that. No worries, Zach. No one's going to listen." Eyeing the group she asks, "Alright, you two, ready?"

Last edited June 11, 2023 3:26 pm

Jun 11, 2023 3:55 pm

Zach smiles gratefully at his friends when they all agree to stay away from his secret without even questioning him about it. He nods. "Yeah, I guess I'm ready. I'll try to lure her out of the office, maybe for a walk around the gym or something," he says. "You hide over there until we're clear."

Once the others are obscured where the gym teacher probably shouldn't see them if she exits the office with Zach, he heads over to the office and knocks on the door. "Uhm, Ms. Maidstone?" he asks through the door. "It's Zach Tidwell. I... Can we talk about gym class next week?"

Jun 12, 2023 1:31 am

Lily handles her camera, showing the group.

"The big game is coming up. Our readers will want to see where the team keeps all their… stuff." she says with a shrug. It was as good a cover as any.

Official paper business, Miss…

"I’ll be fine! Don’t worry about me!" she says, full-sure, before heading off to enact the plan.

Brittany Maidstone

Jun 12, 2023 5:20 am

Wednesday 12:20pm - Preparing to Raid the Armory (All)

Brittany Maidstone

Through the narrow window in the door, Zach can see Ms. Maidstone look up from where she's typing, glancing towards the door before she gets up and makes her way over to let the boy in. She's the kind of person who moves with grace and athleticism even when she's just crossing the floor, and Fred is not alone in thinking she is the hottest damned teacher in the school. The very epitome of litheness, she wears Lulu lemon tights and a fitted sports tee, and she's smiling as she opens the door.

"Mr. Tidwell," she says mildly. "Missed you in class yesterday. Everything okay? What can I do for you?"

Over the woman's trim shoulder, there it is -- the big key ring and all the keys, hanging on the wall.

OOC:

Alrighty, you're on, Zach!

Everyone else... you're trying to stay out of sight. (Not just from Maidstone, but anyone else wandering along as well.) Let's have the worst of you roll Stealth -- that's either Lily or Fred, and I'm going to go with Lily here as I have something else planned for Fred. Lily, make this check at +1 as there are loads of decent places to hide near the gym. Fred and Emily, you can both Support if you want -- roll a relevant skill to help the group stay quiet and out of sight. Success means +1 for Lily, +2 if you also get a Raise. Fred, to know where the best weapons are, I'd also like an Athletics or Common Knowledge roll from you, at +2 since you know the school well and are a Jock.

[ +- ] In Summary...

Jun 12, 2023 6:29 am

Zach scratches the back of his neck nervously. It's really hard not to glance over at where his friends are right now but he forces himself to only focus on Ms. Maidstone. He can tell she's an attractive woman and he's definitely a bit jealous of the obviously great shape she's in, even if he wouldn't actually want to look like her. Unlike Fred or Lily might in his place, though, he doesn't get distracted by her good looks and elegant movements. "Yeah, about that," he says. "I'm really sorry. I just... I had a talk with Rose the other day and she said something. And yesterday was kind of a strange day anyway." He sighs, not moving into the office but staying right where he is. He also doesn't know how to continue, so he just falls silent, looking at the teacher's face awkwardly.

Last edited June 12, 2023 9:30 am

Jun 12, 2023 9:57 am

OOC:

I assume the help will come, but we can factor that in later! Rolling at +1 for now!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d6+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

Jun 12, 2023 2:31 pm

Freddie does his best to help Lily, such as holding a door for her (so it doesn't click closed) and watching out for her.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Jun 12, 2023 6:46 pm

Emily says "Fuck yeah, you go Zach."

OOC:

Does sending good vibes count as help? 😁

OOC:

I'm going to roll notice as a help function because they all have to be aware of what's going on around them in order to get the sneaking done.

OOC:

Aaaand so much for that and I won't bother with the benny. I'll save those for lifesaving situations.

Last edited June 12, 2023 6:47 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Brittany Maidstone

Jun 13, 2023 1:21 am

Wednesday 12:21pm - Preparing to Raid the Armory (All)

Brittany Maidstone

After all their preparation and hushed planning, the gang outside barely scrambles out of sight as Maidstone opens the door. She listens to Zach for a moment and then invites him in, easily able to tell there's something going on with the student.

"Rose, your sister? Here, come on in, Zach. Have a seat, tell me what's going on."

There's a chair in Maidstone's office, and she gestures to it as she walks back behind her desk with those long-legged strides.

OOC:

Barely succeeded, crew outside!

Jun 13, 2023 1:53 am

Zach nods as he hesitates, then enters the office, taking a seat as well but not looking at Ms. Maidstone. "Yes, my sister," he confirms. "She didn't mean to upset me with it or anything. She's actually really supportive. But, uhm, she mentioned something about there being no way that people don't see... you know, when I'm changing. And it kind of locked me down. And I know I've been missing a lot of your classes, but that has nothing to do with you. It's been the same in my old school." He briefly looks at her but then turns his eyes away again. "Can we maybe walk while we're talking?" he asks, hoping it comes across as natural. "Just around the gym or something. This is awkward to talk about and I think it'd be easier if I had something to do while talking."

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6+1, 1D6+1, RA)

1D6+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1D6+1 : (63) + 1 = 10

Jun 13, 2023 10:49 am

"He thinks she’s sooooooo hot!" Lily whispers to the others as they watch on.

"He can’t even look at her!"

Jun 14, 2023 2:41 am

Zach's shyness was fun to watch. Hadn't they all been there? Of course, they had. She had lusted after Mr.Edge until he went all nutso. Her eyes were now on the keyring and all the keys. Hopefully, they would find the right one and get the door opened quickly.

Brittany Maidstone

Jun 15, 2023 5:40 am

Wednesday 12:21pm - Preparing to Raid the Armory (All)

Brittany Maidstone

Maidstone nods and regards Zach seriously. "You mean your transition. I can imagine how hard that must be at your age, in the middle of all the other high school pressures you're under."

When Tidwell suggests they walk to talk about it further, the Phys Ed teacher voices no objection -- and instead gets up and accompanies the boy out of her office. She leaves the door open, following Zach down the hall away from the stairs that lead to the equipment rooms, and from the shadowy places where Freddie, Emily, and Lily are hiding.

"You should know," Maidstone says supportively, "I don't think a bunch of kids have noticed. I don't hear any gossip, and you're pretty good at concealing the things you want to conceal. Why do you think Rose said those things?"

OOC:

This pair is off and walking... leaving the key ring fully exposed. Zach's Persuasion raise means the keys can be grabbed without incident / needing to roll.

Rolls

Spirit - (1d6-2, RA)

(3) - 2 = 1

Jun 15, 2023 6:31 am

"Let’s go!" Lily blurts out at the earliest opportunity.

"Key, and then equipment room. Three, two…" and she’s off. She swoops into the office and grabs the ring of keys, before returning to the others and jangling them about.

"Anyone know which one it might be?"

Jun 15, 2023 7:52 am

"It was really bad at my old school," Zach tells her. It does help to be walking, even if it had just been an excuse. "I had my best friend, Abby, there. But everyone knew. People were mocking me everywhere, nobody really took me seriously, even as the teachers who had all known me before tried to get my name and pronouns right, often without too much success." He sighs. "Here, I feel normal, like I just fit in. I already found some great friends and all. But every day, I'm scared that someone's going to notice something and it'll all crumble down around me."

He shrugs, still unable to look at her as he's talking. "I don't think she meant to hurt me or anything," he says. "She just... We grew up together. She knows me better than anyone in the world. It's probably harder for her to see me as Zach than it is for people who only met me now. And she's just the kind of person who says whatever comes to her mind."

He glances back towards the direction of the office but they're out of sight of it now. He hopes Lily and the others can make proper use of this opportunity. He then forces himself to look at the teacher's face. Scratching the side of his neck nervously, he asks, "Can I ask you something? Advice, I mean. On something personal."

Jun 15, 2023 2:06 pm

"No, we will have to try them all but for fuck's sake, keep it down will you, Lilly? Do you want Maidstone to hear that?"

Hustling along with Lilly toward the equipment room, her mouth suddenly becomes so dry she can barely swallow. Things were getting serious and she was nervous as hell. This situation was getting more and more unreal by the minute.

Jun 15, 2023 6:28 pm

Freddie follows the others.

This whole plan to weapon up is exciting but he's ultimately unsure they even needed them. After all, isn't weaponing-up before they knew the threat what got Debbie in the hospital?

Still, he's got their backs, cuz that's how he rolls.

Jun 16, 2023 5:28 am

OOC:

Feel free to narrate busting into some equipment rooms, you three, and tell us what you reasonably arm yourselves with.

Brittany Maidstone

As they walk, Maidstone is quiet, just listening to the clearly upset boy. "I'm sure she didn't mean to hurt you," she says when Zach pauses, then she adds, "she's just also dealing with who you're becoming, who you are."

When Zach asks if he can ask a personal question, the teacher regards him quietly and nods.

Jun 16, 2023 7:07 am

"Rosie has changed a lot," Zach says. "And I worry about her. She... I think she always felt she was growing up in my shade and now that I'm... different, she's figuring out who she wants to be. But I think she's not being careful about it and I'm so scared that she'll get hurt one day." He frowns as he thinks about his sister's questionable relationship to Marco.

He then takes Ms. Maidstone's nod as encouragement to ask his question. "There is someone I really like," he says. "And he - they..." he tries to correct himself but it's already too late, so he lets out a sigh. "And he likes me as well. We kissed last night." He bites his lip as he remembers that moment in Aaron's car, in the truck parking lot. "I want to tell him the truth about me, everything. But I don't know if I can." Zach is well aware that Ms. Maidstone is probably not qualified or prepared to have a discussion like this with him and ordinarily, he would never have approached her with it. But since he already got to talking with her for this distraction, it's now all coming out. "I know what my parents would say, to keep it all secret. But if I like him, don't I owe it to him to be honest with him?" He lets his shoulders sag as he turns to his teacher. "And there is someone else as well. Lily. Lily Palmer. We're friends and I think I can trust her with it as well. But should I?"

Jun 16, 2023 6:13 pm

Emily homes in on the baseball gear bags, finding and removing a few bats, feeling the heft of them and then choosing a heavy one. She has some experience with these as a weapon and 'nuff said.

"Bats are probably the best weapons here unless someone can find a javelin. If you think we will need helmets, looks like there are a bunch in that big bag over there," she says pointing to some larger canvas bags that are labeled helmets.

Was she serious? A javelin could kill someone. "Yeah just grab some bats, I think."

Jun 16, 2023 9:47 pm

Freddie nods, and grabs a 32 inch aluminum bat emblazoned with EASTON, the sign of superior quality and general awesomeness. He swings it lightly a few times and then looks in the bag. "Wrestling helmets or batting helmets? Oh, there are football ones over there." He takes a batting helmet, because its important to match.

Jun 17, 2023 6:17 am

Wednesday 12:25pm - The Distraction (Zach)

Brittany Maidstone

The brown pony-tailed gym teacher lifts her eyebrows and then wrinkles her brow a little as they walk, and as Zach lays it all out. It takes her a moment to answer.

"Well. I'm not really qualified to advise your on this, Zach -- we have great counselors, and you should see one about this."

They walk for another few steps, and maybe Zach's shoulders slump a little?

"But," Brittany continues, "I can tell you keeping this all to yourself, all the time... sounds like hell. That's just so much pressure on you, not having anyone to talk to about it. Especially if your sister isn't being as supportive as she could be. And I mean... if you're going to get involved with someone physically... they're going to find out, right?"

Jun 17, 2023 8:53 am

"I know, I..." Zach sighs. "I shouldn't be putting this on you. That's not really your job or anything. But I felt bad about missing your class so often and wanted to apologize, I guess. And you've always been really understanding so I guess when I had to talk to someone..." He shrugs uncertainly. Of course she couldn't just give him a clear answer. "Thanks, Ms. Maidstone," he then told her. "You're one of my favorite teachers here, to be honest."

That suddenly puts a different thought in his head and he asks, "Ms. Maidstone, have you noticed that some of the teachers have been acting... more than odd - creepy? - recently. Romanov and Gromn." He looks at her face to see her reaction, whether she knows anything. "And Mr. Edge as well."

Brittany Maidstone

Jun 17, 2023 2:42 pm

Wednesday 12:26pm - The Distraction (Zach)

Brittany Maidstone

The athletic woman is in the middle of smiling about being called a favorite teacher when Zach mentions the behavior of some of her peers. That wipes the smile off her face and tightens her jaw. It takes a few seconds before she can assemble her thoughts.

"Yes," she says, checking the chonky sports watch she wears on her slim wrist. "Some of us have definitely noticed. It's being addressed. There's a staff meeting today about it. Keep that quiet, please."

The first bell goes, signifying the end of the period and Lunch B.

"I need to get ready for a class, Zach. Did we cover what you wanted to? Do you want to talk again later?"

Jun 17, 2023 7:03 pm

"Yeah, I guess I shouldn't keep you," Zach shrugs. "And I'm glad it's being addressed, you know. Gromn and Romanov really freaked me out yesterday, and it doesn't seem like Romero did anything about them attacking us, to be honest." He hesitates, then moves in a bit closer. "I don't want to name any names because I don't know if she'd want that to be known, but Edge, uhm, after class today, he touched one of my friends. Like, groped her."

He then lets out a breath. The bell should have alerted the others to the fact that people would be coming into the gym, so hopefully, they'd have cleared out by now. "Thanks, Ms. Maidstone. This, uhm, helped. It's good to know I can talk to you."

With that, he walks out of the gym, taking out his phone and sending a text to Emily.

Zachary: She's coming back. Where are we meeting up?

Brittany Maidstone

Jun 17, 2023 9:25 pm

Wednesday 12:26pm - The Distraction (Zach)

Brittany Maidstone

"What?!" Maidstone says as Zach drops a bombshell as they finish their talk. "He what?! Listen -- tell her to see Romero! Or the guidance counselor, the nurse -- or me. Make sure she reports it!"

OOC:

Not dragging the convo out, Zach, we can end it here. Just know she'd take that seriously!

What's the plan for somehow staying incognito, all you with helmets and such on? A few kids are coming into the hall now, and you have about two minutes the place is lousy with teens... It's worth noting that at 1230pm the next classes start.

Jun 17, 2023 9:33 pm

"I'll tell her," Zach says. "I don't know if she will. She doesn't trust Romero anymore, I think, after he failed to do anything about that attack yesterday. But I'll tell her." He shrugs, then thanks her again before he leaves.

OOC:

That OOC is for the others to worry about 😎

Jun 18, 2023 6:58 am

Lily tests the bats for herself, and grabs up a helmet, copying Fred. The bell rings, and she looks around the room.

"Crap." she moans, as she looks around the room.

"Lets stuff the stuff in here!" she says, grabbing a gear bag off the floor. She dumps the contents, and stuffs her helmet and bat inside. Then she holds it open for the others.

"Grab something for Zach, too!"

OOC:

I’m guessing Americans have similar gear bags we use in Ireland for Hurling. Figure a baseball bat and a hurley are around the same length!

Jun 18, 2023 3:38 pm

OOC:

We do, same size as a hurley and same weight for the most part I think.

Emily decides against a smelly helmet which could also have lice.

"Ok, yeah. Let's stuff 'em in this bag." She drops her bat into the bag that Lily is holding open.

Jun 19, 2023 6:48 am

OOC:

Alright, love the gear bag, which will let you move amongst the other students without raising eyebrows. What's the plan then, where to next?

Jun 19, 2023 9:44 am

OOC:

Fred’s going to lead us in and we bust open this boiler room door, right?

Jun 19, 2023 11:24 am

OOC:

Might have gotten a bit buried but I sent Emily a text asking where to meet above

Jun 19, 2023 1:56 pm

Freddie leads the impromptu student baseball team away from the gym and down the hallway. Taking it careful at each intersection, he makes his way to the back of the school and the stairs down.

"Everybody settled on their Homecoming dates?"

Jun 19, 2023 3:46 pm

bowlofspinach says:

OOC:

Might have gotten a bit buried but I sent Emily a text asking where to meet above

OOC:

It did. Sorry

Falling in behind Freddie Emily says "Yeah, Homecoming should be fun, if we're all still alive by then. Oh," Emily says as she fishes out her vibrating phone.

"Zach wants to know where to meet us."

Jun 19, 2023 4:31 pm

"Here? Or no, in the stairwell just there. Out of sight."

Jun 19, 2023 4:35 pm

Emily texts the rendezvous point to Zach.

"Ok I told him."

Jun 19, 2023 4:48 pm

After sending the text to Emily, Zach keeps his phone unlocked and the chat window with her open until he sees her typing, which sends a wave of relief through him. They made it out undiscovered. When her message arrives and tells him where to meet, he hurries over there. "Did you get what we need?" he asks them, though, to be honest, he's not really sure what they need. Part of him feels like this entire arming up thing was kind of pointless. But at least it went smoothly. And it allowed him an opportunity for an actually nice talk with Ms. Maidstone.

Jun 20, 2023 1:46 pm

"Eh… Not exactly. It’s still up in the air…" Lily says about the Homecoming, as she hadn’t yet spoken to Wendy.

"Oh yeah, we’re good to go! Where’s the room you saw, Fred?"

Jun 24, 2023 12:59 am

Wednesday 12:30pm - The Basement (All)

Their ruse successful, the now-armed quartet of students navigates the suddenly crowded hallways as other teens move to their next classes, from the cafeteria and other classrooms. By the time the second bell goes off at the bottom of the hour, only a few stragglers are left, other than Fred, Emily, Lily, and Zach — all of whom are now late for their next class.

OOC:

What class is that, each of you?

Reaching the school basement, where Fred saw Mr. Gromn come out of the door that lead to the steam plant, the foursome moves quietly down the hall as the sounds of industrial arts classes start to resound. Band saws, welders, drills, torque wrenches — there’s quite a racket as the students approach the closed door, sweat trickling down each of their backs.

Jun 24, 2023 4:12 am

Zach follows the group, looking increasingly worried the more time passes as they enter the basement. "Guys, is this really such a good idea?" he asks. "I mean, what are we expecting to find in there? And we are missing even more classes." As Fred shows them the door that Gromn came out of, Zach is distracted, thinking about the science class he's missing. It's Mr. Carlsson's class and the man already doesn't like Zach, something the boy, who in turn does actually really like Mr. Carlsson, isn't too happy about. "Okay, if we need to go in there, then let's hurry. We can still get to our classes. Just a bit late."

Jun 24, 2023 11:14 am

"I’d hate to miss another study period." Lily remarks.

"Its English for me, and no one’s seen Levitt since yesterday!" (or the day before?!) she follows up, going to unzip the bag of bats again, now that they’re out of the way of the crowd.

"Its something to do with that!" she says, threateningly pointing the tip of her bat at the locked door.

Jun 24, 2023 1:06 pm

Freddie shrugs. "Most of the classes are just on autopilot this week, while the teachers get their alien abduction on. I doubt Levitt was going to wow us with new material today, Lily. "

He points out the boiler room. "That's where I saw Gromn locking stuff up. But I'm not sure that any of us can pick locks using hair pins or whatever we have that's long and thin."

Jun 24, 2023 3:30 pm

"You guys are a bunch of nerds and your missing classes. I'm not even sure what I have next and I don't care. Believe it or not I might be able to pick a lock. We can at least try."

Emily's tight face relaxes a little when she turns to Freddie. "Look, we all know something really fucked up is going on here. We have to do something and hope we stumble across a clue. I get your nervousness but no one else is helping us are they? We have to try."

Jun 24, 2023 10:00 pm

The door looms before the teens, heavy, steel — locked. Picking the lock is one option, breaking it down is not. They might be able to smash the doorknob off with a bat, though.

OOC:

Picking the lock, which is located in the doorknob in this steel door, is a Thievery test. If you don’t have the right equipment to attempt picking it, the roll will be at -4. If you have some sort of makeshift lock pick, -2. Anyone not picking the lock can Support if they can justify it and make a successful roll tied to that justification — +1 to the lockpicking on a success, +2 on a raise. A critical failure on the Support rolls gives the lockpicking result -2.

Smashing the doorknob with an aluminum bat or the like will make tons of racket, and is at -1 for a straight up Strength test. Others can support here too, using the rules above. (Justify it, roll vs. some appropriate skill or attribute.)

Jun 25, 2023 8:45 am

"If you think you can do it, Emily, then go ahead and give it a shot," Zach says, looking at the keyhole skeptically. "Does anyone have anything sharp? That's how that works, right?" He frowns. "But if that doesn't work, I don't really see a way in there. The door is way too heavy to break open."

OOC:

Is there a gap under the door? If so, Zach will try to peek through that into the room

Jun 25, 2023 11:06 am

"Anyone know the credit card trick?" Lily asks from behind, miming sliding a card into an imaginary door handle and jiggling it about until it opens.

"Looks easy on TV!"

Jun 25, 2023 1:53 pm

"I did it once Zach, but I had a lock pick. I've seen the credit card trick on TV of course but I've never tried it. If you think you can do it, have at it, Lilly."

Jun 25, 2023 2:45 pm

Freddie looks around the area. "Maybe we can manage something from the industrial arts shop. Anybody take classes?" He laughs, knowing it's unlikely, then adds, "Or got some amigos down here right now? We could get them to slip us something."

Freddie knows most kids in the school at least to put a face to the name, if not their schedules.

Marco would know what to do, that freaky asshole.

Jun 25, 2023 2:52 pm

"Look, I thought we had a plan," Zach frowns, glancing around nervously. "But if we can't get in here, let's hide the stuff we borrowed from the gym and get to our classes. This was a dumb idea." He looks between Emily and Lily. "And I think for the credit card trick, the door needs to be unlocked. Which I don't think this one is. At least not if there's something important behind it."

Jun 26, 2023 4:00 am

Lily fiddles with the handle, ensuring that the thing is actually locked.

"Happens sometimes, right?"

She puts a closed fist up to the door then, too; holding it an inch away.

"Maybe we just knock?"

Jun 26, 2023 3:53 pm

"Knock? If anyone is in there at this hour they are up to no good and won't answer. I suppose if we are all missing from our classes though, that might stand out. But nothing's normal around here anymore, so maybe not."

Chewing on a lip she struggles to make a decision. "You know what? Fuck it, fuck classes and let's go in. Who wants to try it? What about trying a pen and a credit card. One of us jiggles the pen around in the lock and the other pokes at it with the card?"

Jun 26, 2023 4:05 pm

OOC:

BTW, don’t fret overmuch about this door being a blocker. Don’t be too intimidated to even try to get it open — interesting things can always happen even if you don’t succeed. And like Lily says, many approaches are available — I was just trying to outline some obvious stuff I thought you were headed for.

Remember I am generally not a ‘nothing happens’ GM.

Jun 26, 2023 5:49 pm

"That won't do anything," Zach frowns, watching as the two girls fiddle around the lock. He looks to the bag of sports supplies that the others have brought. "This is a really terrible idea," he mumbles, but then he takes one of the bats that Lily packed. "Get away from the door," he says. "And please don't ever tell anyone I did this."
He lines up the bat with the doorknob, takes a breath, holds it and then swings...

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D4-1 : (42) - 1 = 5

1D6-1 : (5) - 1 = 4

Jun 27, 2023 12:41 am

It’s an accurate and surprisingly violent blow that Zach strikes — the boy puts his all into it, and in one stroke the steel doorknob is torn free and goes bouncing down the hallway. It was frightfully loud, but exposed the inner-working of the lock and in seconds the group has the mechanism defeated and the door opening.

To perhaps their surprise, behind it they find a short hallway and then a set of concrete steps that descend down twenty feet or so… where it carries on straight, out of sight. A bare lightbulb overhead lights the top landing, and light from below indicates the tunnel or passageway also looks at least dimly lit.

OOC:

It really was loud, btw. What do y’all do?

Jun 27, 2023 1:21 am

Freddie grabs the knob and chases the others inside. "Yo, let's close it behind us, no one will know what the noise is if they peek in."

He gets them inside, and closes it, tosses the busted look straight up, catching it. "Hot damn, Zach, that was some sweet swinging. You got balls!"

He looks at the girls. "Sorry, ovaries, cuz girls are tougher, right?!"

Jun 27, 2023 1:49 am

"Whoa! A secret passageway? This is getting very interesting." Emily realizes they have to make a quick decision.

"That was well done Zach but it was really loud. I'm sure someone heard it. Maybe a bunch of people. So which is it? Run back to class and look dumb, or check out where this tunnel leads. I'm for exploring. Fuck class."

Jun 27, 2023 1:58 am

"You saw them yesterday. We need to be ready." Lily handles her bat as she speaks. "If they try to get rough with us again, I mean…"

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Common Knowledge* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jun 27, 2023 3:00 am

Zach picks up the doorknob and tries if he can at least kind of fit it back into where it was so it will look unbroken at first glance. If not, he'll just take it with him as they go in and Freddy closes the door and then he just tosses it on the ground there. He keeps a handle on his bat, even if he's not sure he'd actually be able to use it against any actual person. Then again, after that thing with the doorknob and the praise he got for it from his friends... He follows the others down the stairs, using his phone for light once the door behind them is closed.

Rolls

Doorknob Roll - (1D6, RA)

(4) = 4

Jun 27, 2023 9:10 am

OOC:

Zach, throw a d6 to see if the doorknob can be re-attached in some fashion. On a 1, there’s no hope. On a 2-4, it’s difficult and would take a few minutes (and that’s on the classroom side of the door… I’m presuming you won’t want to do that). On a 5, you can quickly reattach it but any careful visual inspection would immediately reveal it to be broken. On a 6, you can quickly attach it and it looks unbroken.

After trying to re-attach the doorknob, down the steps go the teens. It is hot in the confined space. The humidity is stifling; moisture beads on the painted cement walls and their footsteps scuff and echo slightly as they reach the bottom of the steps and peer down the passage. It goes and goes… stretching on ahead of them for what looks like hundreds of feet — at least! The corridor appears to have something to do with the school’s heating system, as large overhead ducts and a tangle of pipe work line the low ceiling, running in the same direction as the passage itself.

Zach discovers he doesn’t need the light from his phone, as there are ancient-looking sconces with dim yellow light bulbs every fifty or seventy five feet. The place is noisy — there is the general hum and buzz of heavy equipment filling the air.

OOC:

The tunnel is only about six feet wide, and there’s less than seven feet of head clearance if you factor in the pipes and ducts. Do you continue on? Who is armed with what?

Also, everyone please roll Common Knowledge. If you are new to the school, make this roll at -2. Raises will reveal additional information about this space.

Jun 27, 2023 9:35 am

Zach fiddles with the doorknob for a moment but when he can't manage to get it to fit back in, he just hides it in the corridor and hopes that nobody notices the change. He's still carrying the baseball bat he used to get them through the door and even though he doesn't need it to light the way, he keeps his phone in hand.
He's sweating way too much in this heat, wearing his thick hoodie, and as he wipes the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, he suddenly has a thought, "Guys, you think what's going on here, with the teachers and Gromn and all, has somehow something to do with this heat? I mean, it can't be that hard to keep a school from turning into an oven, right? It's weird."

OOC:

I added the doorknob roll to my previous post so I could refer to it here. Rolling Common Knowledge -2

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Common Knowledge - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (65) - 2 = 9

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Jun 27, 2023 2:40 pm

Freddie is a little put out at first that Zach stole the doorknob from him, but ignores that and heads down the stairs. He grips that impressive EASTON baseball bat, the sign of quality, and leads the way.

When Zach asks, he says only, "Aliens," as he heads quickly toward the first doorway he can find.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Common Knowledge* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (42) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jun 27, 2023 3:55 pm

"Dunno Zach, but we should keep going to the very end. We've got to see this through."

Wiping her brow several times, Emily's glasses threaten to fog up. Her bat slides around in her moist hand, so she tightens her grip, her hand threatening to cramp from doing that.

"Shit. Let's hurry."

OOC:

Benny time!

Last edited June 27, 2023 3:56 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Common Knowledge* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Emily Richardsen: Common Knowledge* - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (443) - 2 = 9

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Jun 28, 2023 1:16 am

"Aliens? What kind of aliens do this?" Lily jokes, though not sounding as incredulous as one might expect.

"You think there’s an egg inside all of us? Probably from the lunch food. And it’s going to…

BLEAUGH!!" she says, mimicking an alien bursting from her chest.

"… any minute now?"

Jun 28, 2023 4:59 am

The armed group advances down the old tunnel without hesitation, coming upon a four-way intersection fairly rapidly. Fred knew there were rumors of tunnels beneath the school — something to do with the heating system and the old steam plant that was located a half-mile away. Newer to the school, Emily and Zach had both had it explained to them better when they toured the campus.

The building that is now Boseman High was originally part of a much larger campus of medical, academic and research buildings built back in the early part of the twentieth century, the twenties and thirties. A central steam plant heated all the buildings, and a system of tunnels connected each of the structures. In addition to Boseman, there was the hospital, Boseman General, and the old and now long-abandoned asylum on Birch Street.

Old metal placards with chipped paint on the walls mark clear directions for each of the four passageways: left to the hospital, straight on towards the plant, right to the boarded-up sanitarium, or back the way they had come for the high school.

Jun 28, 2023 5:07 am

"I completely forgot about all this," Zach says, only reminded of the details of the tour now that they come across the sign and he and Emily explain what they remember. "Maybe it is a bit harder to keep the school from turning into an oven if it's such a weird, huge network of heating. Where should we go?" He looks over the signs. "In a movie, the core of the problem would be in the old asylum."

Jun 28, 2023 9:58 am

"Everyone acting all crazy like this? It’s sure to be the asylum.

They say…" she pauses for dramatic effect "… that they never cleared all the patients out of there when it closed."

They don’t say that.

"And that a few of them still live out there!"

Jun 28, 2023 10:13 am

"They told us about it at the intro tour of the school," Zach nods. He then lowers his voice into a spooky tone as he continues in his friend's place: "They only had the worst of the worst there. Serial killers, psychopaths, real monsters. And yes, some are rumored to still live there and to crawl through the tunnels connected to the school, hungering for more victims. And the worst, most dangerous and horrible of them all, who some say is still stalking this city to this day... was named Lily Palmer!"

Jun 28, 2023 2:21 pm

"Fucking hell. Guys! Stop! Seriously, the asylum is creepy as fuck but I'd be willing to bet an ounce of Kush that the problem comes from there." Emily nods her head at the asylum sign.

"People are acting nutty. It's obvious which way we should go. Look for signs of recent use in the tunnel." When her right hand starts to cramp she realizes she is gripping her bat like her life depends on it which it very well may. "Who is coming with?"

Jun 28, 2023 2:51 pm

Freddie grins at the banter. "Asylum it is. Did you all watch American Horror Story, season 2? Wouldn't that be wicked?"

He points at the pipes. "Hot water heating used to be all the fashion. There is a an old steam plant farther along I think."

Jun 28, 2023 2:56 pm

OOC:

It’s a painted concrete floor and difficult to discerne tracks and the like, but you can make a group Notice check if you like to look for signs of passage / use. Pick the best among you to roll; the other three can use Support actions if they want (likely also Notice rolls).

Also, I meant to mention before: +1 Benny for everyone for being action-orientated explorers!

Jun 28, 2023 3:18 pm

Emily glares at Freddie and keeps walking.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Jun 28, 2023 6:38 pm

As Emily is focusing on the ground, looking for clues where Gromn or anyone might have gone, Zach carefully creeps up on her from behind. Once he's close, he forms his hand into a claw and tries to lightly draw his fingernails over the back of Emily's neck. She seemed creeped out by their goofing out over the asylum before, so he's hoping to give her a little scare.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Stealth - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (5) = 5

Spending my newly received Benny, just for a chance at a higher result - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (61) = 7

Jun 28, 2023 7:04 pm

"Jesus Zach! Cut it out!" Emily jumps with a short shriek.

OOC:

FYI just in case:

[ +- ] Guts Edge

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Jun 28, 2023 8:23 pm

Zach snorts, clearly amused by the success of his little prank. "Got you," he grins. "Now, any idea which way Gromn went down here?"

Jun 29, 2023 2:41 am

"When I saw him he was leaving and locked up after he went back up into the school."

Jun 29, 2023 5:24 am

OOC:

Despite the -2 from being Distracted, Emily passes her Notice test. Zach's Raise, though, means that Emily is Shaken. Doesn't mean much in the moment since she'll recover, but if this was a combat round it would be a significant event.

Even with the jump scare, Emily's keen eyes do pick up some detail when her heart rate comes back down and she catches her breath.

First, there's been a lot of foot traffic going to and fro, between the school and the steam plant. It is hard to tell how many people and how recently, but if Emily was forced to guess she'd say at least a half dozen different prints, as recently as today.

Grime and dust covers the passages that lead to the hospital and the asylum, but otherwise the two corridors share little in common other than their construction and age. The one going to the still-functioning medical building looks rarely but regularly traveled by an individual or two; the tunnel that heads for the asylum is different. It's unlit for one, and the tracks are more of a mish-mash. Quite a number of people appear to have been coming and going.

Finally... there are more than a couple of tracks that look almost like someone has been dragged. Long striations on the floor, both in the main school-plant passage, but also in the asylum corridor.

Jun 29, 2023 8:17 am

Lily furrows her brow as Emily points out the whole range of tracks.

"So, this is where we split up and get picked off one by one, right?"

Then she becomes serious; and turns around to the others, bat in hand:

"Looks like there’s something in every direction. No right answer. No wrong answer."

Jun 29, 2023 12:04 pm

"Okay, I'm starting to not like this either," Zach says, now feeling uncomfortable about the situation as well. When the door had led into a tunnel, this had turned from trespassing into exploring for him, which had been fun. Now, the silly stories he and Lily had made up, combined with the fact that there are actual footsteps - and worse, drag marks - leading to the asylum, are making him nervous. There would probably be a cold shiver down his back, if he wasn't sweating so terribly much underneath his hoodie.

He hesitates, considering it for a long moment, then he takes off the heavy hoodie. He's still wearing a binder, tanktop and T-shirt underneath and he's pretty sure his breasts are well-conceiled even without the hoodie. The light is also pretty bad here, after all, and he does manage in the changing room, whenever he dares to go in there.
As he stuffs his hoodie into the equipment bag, he says, "The footsteps to and from the hospital are probably just regular maintenance. Same with the ones to the steam plant. I was joking earlier, but I think if we want to find out what's wrong here, we have to go to the asylum." He lets out a sigh and inspects the drag marks on the floor for a moment, then checks his phone for signal. "Maybe I should text Noah," he offers. "Ask if he can meet us here. He's pretty cool and if there is trouble, I'm pretty sure he'd be kind of a help."

OOC:

Might be a stretch to assume signal here, but I did roll the best phone provider at the start of the game 😄

Jun 29, 2023 1:50 pm

"Asylum it is. Things are getting weird, but before you go cocking someone with a baseball bat, let's be sure of our targets. My stepmom might be down here, and other parents. We don't actually know what's going on. Maybe they're just getting extra-maritally sticky and popping XTC. That isn't justification for going all Lily on them." He bumps Lily fondly with his shoulder at the dig.

"But given what almost happened to Emily in the hallway, don't let them grab you."

Jun 29, 2023 4:37 pm

"Freddie, you're gross. Extra ... bah ...nevermind. But yeah, I agree. The asylum is probably where we should be going and we need to be sure of our targets and very careful we don't get grabbed by a lunatic teacher or some.... well things are getting pretty strange. Maybe some patient's ghost is on the loose."

Emily switches hands with the bat and stretches her fingers. "I'm not sure we should involve anyone else at this point, Zach."

Last edited June 29, 2023 4:37 pm

Jun 29, 2023 8:04 pm

"I don't know," Zach says. "I'd feel better with a bit more backup. I thought we were investigating an old boiler room, not an abandoned asylum that looks like people got dragged there recently."

As he's speaking, he opens his messenger app and texts Abby:

Zachary:

Heading into the old asylum in town. Connected to the school through tunnels in basement. Will explain later. If I don't text you again in an hour, call Rosie

He then turns on his flashlight to illuminate the way forward. "Freddy, Lily, what do you think?"

Rolls

Cell Phone Roll - (1D6, RA)

(2) = 2

Jun 30, 2023 4:02 am

"We've tried asking for help. What do we get? Threats from parents, pushed into ditches, ignored by faculty, attacked by faculty. No, if anyone is going to solve this, it's going to be us. We've got a hardened criminal," he flourishes to Emily, "an ace investigative journalist," another to Lily, "Jose Canseco the home run king," a high five for Zach, "and me, the uh, politician. Together, we fight crime."

Jun 30, 2023 3:34 pm

"He's not wrong," she says, agreeing with Freddie. "It's us or nobody, but uh ... I'm not exactly a hardened criminal. Anyway, let's keep moving. We can use my phone too for light."

Jun 30, 2023 3:38 pm

Freddie wraps an arm around Emily's shoulders and whispers into her ear. "Unapologetic, that's my girl," and kisses the side of her head.

Jun 30, 2023 3:49 pm

Despite the tension of the moment, Emily is both surprised and pleased at Freddie's demonstration of affection. "Thanks," is all she can muster, but then whispers back, "I appreciate that Freddie. I do." She took pleasure in his calling her my girl, and a smile crept across her face.

Jun 30, 2023 3:49 pm

OOC:

Zach, roll a d6 for cell service. Most of you have none, but those with the best carrier have a 1 in 6 chance of getting a text or call out. So on a 6, the message will go to Abby. Otherwise it will show ‘Failed to Send’.

The Asylum

Moving away from the intersection, down the dark, narrow corridor towards the old sanitarium, the teens navigate with the lights on their phones as they go, their senses bristling and skin crawling. The journey is anything but silent — there’s that mechanical background thrum from the steam plant, and the pipes overhead creak and groan with pressure. It’s not long before the intersection behind them is barely visible, a little yellow window in the distance. Mold or something like it spiderwebs over the walls, and the group stops for a moment when they come to a section of wall and ceiling that is cracked and crumbling.

The discolored ceiling is bowed a bit, sagging, and dark earth and roots are visible through the disintegrating concrete in a few places. Lights shined on the damage send a few pale-colored millipedes scrambling for deep crevices, and there’s a moment of concern over just how unstable this section of the tunnel might be.

Beyond, though, one of the more powerful phone lights reveals the end of the passage, maybe forty feet away. There’s a heavy metal door that is brown with rust… and it stands partly open, offering passage within.

Jun 30, 2023 4:40 pm

"Better put those baseball batting helmets on now," Freddie says, and opens the gear bag to pass them out. "Maybe they'll hide our faces a little in case we're all just stupid and this is entirely on the up and up."

He looks at the other three. "Easy to get back. If things look like too much trouble, we run, okay?"

Jun 30, 2023 5:08 pm

Emily's eyes strain at the cracked open door ahead. "Nope Freddie, we all should put on the helmets. That door is open so..."

Taking a deep breath, Emily wipes her sweaty palms one by one on her jeans as she exchanges the bat from hand to hand. "Look, we already agreed, solving this shit is up to us and no one else. I say we keep going and no running back. And let's all hope that crap on these walls is mold and nothing else, and the tunnel doesn't collapse on us."

Jun 30, 2023 7:03 pm

Zach's eyes go wide when he sees that rather intimate interaction between Fred and Emily. He leans in towards Lily. "Did you know that those two... I didn't imagine that, right?" He's not sure what to think about this. Emily told him she might be interested in Fred, but... Am I really this oblivious?

He looks down at his phone again. Failed to Send! He curses quietly, then hits Resend. Maybe they'll hit a spot where the signal will be able to get out at some point.

"Sure, give me a helmet. I don't want to get my face messed up before the Homecoming Dance after all."

Jun 30, 2023 8:14 pm

OOC:

On your sheets, please add any new equipment. Helmets, bats, hurling sticks, etc. ;)

Jul 1, 2023 5:43 am

Lily makes eyes at Zach, trying to wordlessly communicate with the boy in the same way she does with Wendy.

She clears her throat then, and suits up. The helmet sits big on her head, but she pats it down further onto her shoulders.

"Can someone lock us in there?" Lily asks, inspecting the door on either side to see which way it opens and closes.

Jul 1, 2023 5:54 am

Zach blinks at Lily. He realizes that she's trying to do that whole wordless communication thing she does with Wendy, but he doesn't get what she's trying to tell him. If she was Abby, this would work a whole lot better. He shrugs at her, then just watches as she inspects the door.

Jul 1, 2023 5:58 am

Seeing the look of confusion on Zach’s face, Lily quickly moves on before the others notice.

Boys…

Lily thinks, her mind wandering to Wendy then.

They’ll never get it…

Last edited July 1, 2023 5:58 am

Jul 1, 2023 2:09 pm

Entering the Asylum

After taking a moment to get fully equipped, the quartet moves on, walking beneath the crumbling, sagging ceiling to the door beyond. Lily finds that it opens towards her into the tunnel, that it's about three quarters of the way open, and appears to have been recently forced into place. Scrapes and striations on the concrete floor show that it took some amount of force to do that, and that the uneven surface means that it would take quite an effort to close the door, or indeed even budge it further.

A quick flash of LED light shows that the corridor continues on the other side of the door -- a passageway that was once, long ago, painted in a two-tone scheme of light green and dark green. The floor is a checkerboard linoleum, and looks like it has rotted or crumbled away in places. Ahead, no more than twenty feet, are a set of steps going up.

The four slip into that space, and as they approach the bottom of the stairs (there's nowhere else to go), they note two things. First, the steps ascend about twenty feet to an open -- and very dark -- doorway. Second, several small puddles of a foul-smelling, yellow liquid mark a few of the lower steps.

OOC:

I only see one player who has listed their new gear on their sheet. It hasn't come up in the narrative *exactly* who has a bat and a helmet, and I want to clarify that -- is everyone armed that way?.

Jul 1, 2023 2:22 pm

Emily dons a helmet and looks at the door. "Fuck I hope not. That would be like my worst nightmare. Locked in an asylum forever." She wonders how Zach can think of the dance at a time like this because she's pretty freaked out.

Jul 1, 2023 3:29 pm

OOC:

Added the helmet and bat to my sheet

"When this place was still running, they probably would have loved to lock me up here," Zach muses without elaborating. He clears his throat nearvously, then grips the bat in his right hand and the phone in his left tighter. "I'll take the lead," he offers, trying to sound braver than he felt. "Freddy, you watch our back. Girls, you stay in the middle. Not that you need protection or anything." He frowned at the way the words sounded out of his mouth and course-corrected: "I just don't want Lily to have immediate skull-bashing access to any janitor or urban explorer we might run into.

Jul 1, 2023 3:42 pm

"I don't even have a date for Homecoming. What a disaster. At least you all have that sorted out." He shakes his head, images of Priya in a fancy colorful Hindu dress flash before his eyes, then he glances at Emily. "You girls will dance with me, though, right?"

He is about to sneak in first through the half open door, bat held so it doesn't bonk on something. "Okay, show time." When Zach makes the plan, he holds back, letting the others go. Better to act as a team than freelance.

Last edited July 1, 2023 3:43 pm

Jul 1, 2023 3:48 pm

"Wait," Zach says. "You don't have a date?" He can't stop a laugh from escaping. "You're not seriously saying I got a date and Fred Solomon didn't? I thought girls were lining up for you. I thought..." He glances to Emily as he shuts himself up.

Jul 1, 2023 3:53 pm

This was a good opportunity to sneak in a comment without anyone else taking much notice until Zach chimed in. "I'll go with you, Freddie." Why the notice or lack thereof mattered she wasn't sure. Maybe because it wasn't a formal invitation. She also made a mental note to ask Zach about his comment. It seemed strange. But now it was time to investigate the asylum so in she stepped.

Last edited July 1, 2023 3:54 pm

Jul 1, 2023 3:58 pm

"Well, that solves that," Zach chuckles as he continues taking the lead. The way Zach sees it, he has two options right now, panicking or joking. The second seems more appealing. "But that's awesome. You two going together, me and Lily going together." He hadn't been there when Lily denied having a date for the dance yet and in his mind, it's already all agreed upon. "Well, and Aaron and Wendy. It's going to be awesome. If we survive today."

Jul 1, 2023 5:59 pm

"Oh, I thought you and Zach we're going or I would have asked you. You're not? That's great! Yes, I'd love to go with you Emily." To Lily he says, "Sorry, Lily, I'll have to withdraw the offer to take you and Wendy both." He laughs, knowing that they had flat out rejected that plan, but he can't resist teasing her.

Jul 1, 2023 8:58 pm

The nervous girl lets Freddie work through the dance discussion and normally would have been delighted that she invited herself in such an innocuous manner but fear was taking precedence at the moment.

"Ugh. This place is really giving me the creeps."

Jul 2, 2023 9:45 am

"What - no sign that says "I’m Crazy For You? Be My Homecoming Date." the girl says, holding up an imaginary promposal placard. "Haven’t you guys any sense of romance?" she follows up with an exaggerated sigh.

"I’m Nuts About You." could work too. She sucks air between her teeth as she tries to think of some other examples.

Jul 2, 2023 10:16 am

"They locked me in a padded cell but I want to Homecome with you?" Zach suggests. Then he frowns. "No, that one doesn't work, I think."

Then he suddenly starts laughing. He falls back a bit so he's next to Lily and whispers to her, "People can't know I'm gay. Please be my straightjacket." He grins at her, waiting for a reaction. "Oh come on," he then says. "That was funny."

Jul 3, 2023 12:03 pm

"Alright, that was pretty good!" she responds, hoping the others don’t ask to get in on the joke.

"We doing this thing then, or what?" she says, willing the others further down the tunnel. "Let’s crack some heads!"

Jul 3, 2023 2:49 pm

"Too soon, Lily, too soon by far," Freddie says with a wink.

Jul 3, 2023 3:33 pm

Voices quiet a little once all four teens have passed through the threshold, and into the asylum itself. Down the dark, musty corridor they go, to the steps that lead up to the rest of the old building. The air is still and cooler here; evidently the steam plant isn't pushing the same level of heat to the sanitarium that it is the school. The group avoids the puddles of rank-smelling fluid on the steps as they climb, and in short order find themselves (after listening carefully) slipping through the open doorway atop the stairs -- and into the lowest level of the Boseman Insane Asylum.

Fred, Lily, Emily and Zach are in a long corridor going left and right that is as dark as the tunnels they've come from. A set of steps across the hall continues upwards to the ground floor -- the kids are clearly in a basement -- and many doors are visible to the left and right, on both sides of the hallway, lit up by phones held aloft. The doors look identical to one another -- each is of heavy construction, has a robust bolt that shows they lock from the outside, and has a small sliding metal panel at about head height.

In both directions, the hall stretches on into the darkness.

OOC:

Up the stairs to the next level, down the hallway left or right, investigate some doors (there are 20 or so), or something else entirely?

Jul 3, 2023 3:45 pm

Freddie whispers, "Check one of these doors? See any footprints in the goo?" He moves to the first one, and then when the others are ready (unless they object) will try and slide the door panel open and shine a light inside.

He's half convinced that the aliens have kidnapped people and are storing them. Or not, and there is some big orgy rave dance party going on further inside. Those are the two possibilities.

Jul 3, 2023 3:51 pm

Zach nods and follows Fred, bat ready in one hand, phone in the other. "You open it, I'll check inside. If I die, tell my sister she stinks." They had been joking the whole time, but now in the asylum proper, the joke rings hollow. The only part that sticks in Zach's mind is if I die, and it doesn't feel very amusing to him.

Jul 3, 2023 4:02 pm

Fred nods, wondering what kind of eye poking Zach is expecting but then shivers, deciding THAT was a thought thread that did not need to be followed.

He stands to the side and slides the viewing plate open, using both hands to try and do it evenly and slowly, and hopefully not metal-screechily.

Jul 3, 2023 9:13 pm

"We might as well, Freddie. We're here and I'm curious what's on the other side. Imagine being locked up in here. What a freakin' nightmare. Let's check a few or maybe we should check them all, and check one out inside if the door opens?"

Better Freddie than her, Emily thinks, peeking through that sliding door. She half imagines a tentacled limb snaking out through the panel.

Jul 4, 2023 5:58 am

"What if they are… like… snatching people and making a body double?" Lily says, letting her mind run wild with all types of sci-fi ideas; trying them on for size and seeing which one sounds the least ridiculous of all.

"And everyone that got copied is stuck down here in these rooms…"

Jul 4, 2023 4:41 pm

Fred finds that the small metal door appears to have not been used in some time, and it seems like it's jammed shut... until he comes onto it. The resulting metallic screech as it finally opens resounds throughout the nearly pitch black hallway, setting several of the teens' teeth on edge.

When nothing emerges from the dark to consume the kids, Zach shines his light into the hole, and the room beyond. The windowless space behind the door is empty, and clearly used to be a cell. There's no window (no surprise, as this is the basement) and the space isn't bigger than about eight feet by ten feet. Zach sees the rusted remains of a bedframe, some broken pieces of pottery on the floor, and something lying in a heap -- a tangle of straps or a harness of something. The stained walls, he sees as he aims his light around the room, are padded.

Rolls

Secret Roll - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Metal Door Noise Roll - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Jul 4, 2023 4:52 pm

"There's something in there," Zach says as he peeks in through the viewing hole. His quip earlier comes back to him. That he would have been locked up here if he had just been born a bit earlier. Maybe that's an exaggeration, but the thought chills him now. And he also questions why he would have said such a thing to a group of people he's not even out to. What if one of them asks about it later?

Pushing those thoughts aside, he leans forward and tries to nudge the bundle lying on the floor with his baseball bat while continuing to shine his light on it in an attempt to find out what it is, but it is out of reach. "Open the actual door," he says. "I want to know what that is."

Last edited July 4, 2023 5:00 pm

Jul 4, 2023 4:54 pm

OOC:

The bundle is not within reach of the door, even if you put your whole arm and bat through. And for reference, the open slot is *maybe* one foot by one foot.

Jul 4, 2023 5:02 pm

"What do you see? Is it shiny?"

Freddie will jimmy with the latch on the door. "This might be even louder," he says before trying to honestly open it.

Jul 4, 2023 5:13 pm

"Come on. Tell us! What's in there? Is it really bad?"

The horrible place was grating at Emily's nerves but a part of her wanted to explore and know all the secrets that were buried here. She couldn't help but imagine the misery that must have taken place behind these doors and hallways.

Jul 4, 2023 5:20 pm

"It's not shiny," Zach says as he steps back a bit to let Fred try to pull open the door. "It looks like a harness. Maybe a straightjacket." His eyes flit to Lily as he says that word and through his increasing tension, a snort of laughter escapes him even as he's still definitely scared. The weird contrast of being in a damn scary place like this and having his friends with him to joke with is leading to a rather conflicted mental state in the boy.

Jul 4, 2023 5:49 pm

The heavy latch is corroded and difficult to work, Fred finds...

OOC:

Make a Strength or appropriate skill test, Fred, based on your approach.

Jul 5, 2023 3:40 am

Freddie puts some Vietnamese sub sandwiches into the effort.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (62) = 8

Jul 5, 2023 5:17 am

A little teenaged vigor wins the day when Freddie comes onto the bolt and eventually gets it unstuck and working. The classic click-klatch-clack sound echoes in the nearly empty corridor, then the boy is pulling the door open. The smell that comes from the room is unsettling. Not putrid or rancid, but so stale and musty... with some faint smell of the different people who must have been kept isolated in this room, years ago. It's a hard smell to place, but it's one they won't soon forget.

Lights held up from the threshold verify Zach's claim: there's the old bedframe with it's rusted springs and metal slats, there are plainly decorated ceramic sherds on the floor in the middle of the room, and there's the tangle of partly rotten fabric and leather. When the explorers get closer, walking quietly into the room, it does look like some kind of old straightjacket or restraining harness, but a heavy one, something much more robust than a jacket with sleeves that fasten behind the back. For example, this garment appears to have once had headgear as well, based on the remains.

Jul 5, 2023 5:25 am

"Oh damn," Zach mutters to himself. He places his bat down on the ground and then reaches for the restraining gear to lift it up and give them all a proper look at what it looks like in whole. "This thing is a lot creepier than I expected."

Jul 5, 2023 4:59 pm

Indeed, the harness is creepy. While it’s in poor shape, there’s enough structure left to suggest that it had straps for the groin and thighs, the torso, the arms, the head… and some kind of often-used leather bite plate.

OOC:

Does everyone go into the room?

Jul 5, 2023 5:44 pm

Freddie has seen too many horror movies to fall for the old, everyone foolishly goes into the jail cell at once shenanigans. "Let's not all go in there at once. That's a classic alien and ghost trap, then we'd be hooped."

Freddie stays outside.

Jul 5, 2023 6:03 pm

OOC:

Probably clear from context, but for reference: Zach is inside the cell

Jul 5, 2023 6:05 pm

"I'm super happy to stay right here, thank you very much. That thing looks nasty and the room stinks. What the hell did they do to people here? Do you think...?

Emily stops midsentence, then continues her thoughts, a horrified expression beginning to take shape on her face as she thinks the ideas through. "Do you think the patients here have come back for revenge and are terrorizing the teachers, making them go mad?"

Jul 5, 2023 6:19 pm

"It's a more likely idea than aliens creating evil doppelgangers," Zach replies. "Still unlikely, but at least possible." He's still holding up the weird restraining gear, creeped out and fascinated by it at the same time. "Does any of you know what that weird goo was that we walked through earlier? That's what I don't get here."

Jul 6, 2023 12:58 am

"Well…" Lily starts, swallowing the urge to take pictures of this place for a story. "… none of this seems relevant to right now, does it? This is all old. Creepy as shit, but old. It doesn’t seem like anyones been here for a long time."

Lily wonders if they haven’t come the wrong way entirely. They took the obvious route…

Jul 7, 2023 5:04 am

Discovering nothing more in the room, Lily and Zach exit after the boy drops the disturbing harness back to the floor. They close and re-lock the door, then Fred and Emily are at the next... cell? Is that what all these were?

It was the same kind of door, certainly, also locked with a bolt from the outside, and also equipped with a sliding metal viewing plate. This time, though, when Fred opens the plate, there is more to see. It's a similar padded room, likely another place where the mentally infirm were locked so they would not injure their loved ones or themselves, but lying on the floor is a person. The LED light can't quite illuminate the whole cell, but it's not hard to see that a man in a suit lies on his back with his arms over his head... looking like he's been dragged into the room by his feet.

An odor curls Emily's nostrils as she peers at the scene, and suddenly the buzz of many flies sounds. A few streak straight towards the white light of the girl's phone, attracted to it through the small square opening in the door...

Jul 7, 2023 9:54 am

"Jesus! What’s in there?" Lily asks, wafting away some of the flies that scatter out of the spy hole!

"What is it?" she says, moving into to take her own peek when the space opens up!

Jul 7, 2023 3:07 pm

"I think it's a dead man, by the smell. Looks like he was drug in. Drug? Dragged?"

Freddie doesn't need to see a body. The buzz of the flies and he suddenly flashes back to that night in the rain, then the cliff... He steps back, and takes a breath.

"Is he alive? We have to check, don't we?"

Jul 7, 2023 3:14 pm

"There's someone in there?" Zach asks. The door is too crowded for him to be able to get a peek inside. "Shit. But yes, we do need to check. We can't just leave someone in there. But Lily, keep your bat ready, just in case." His heart is thrumming in his chest. "You guys don't think it's one of our teachers, right?"

Last edited July 7, 2023 3:14 pm

Jul 7, 2023 5:14 pm

"Jesus the stink!" Emily yanks her phone back and swats at the flies, her face scrunched up in disgust.

"It's a dead someone but I couldn't see well enough. Whatever, whoever it is has got to be dead and for a while too with that level of stench and all these flies. This shit is just getting worse," The girl says, one hand blocking her nose and mouth from the odor. "What the hell are we getting into?"

Jul 8, 2023 11:49 pm

"Dragged." Lily decides, before nodding to the others about opening it up.

"Who gets to check?" she asks, wondering if they should rock paper, scissors for it. She thinks about her uncle then, and the reporter spirit. Going where the story takes her:

"I’ll… I can do it."

Jul 9, 2023 3:41 am

Freddie gets set to work his muscles, but finds the door to be less rusty than the first one. He opens it, and then when the others are ready, grabs the door. Holding his chest, sore from the still-healing soft tissue injuries, (but better by far than they were thanks to the gym teachers assistance) he opens the door.

Jul 9, 2023 3:44 am

Zach is trying to collect the courage to volunteer, when Lily offers first. He tries not to sigh in relief that he won't have to be the one to check a dead body. "Alright, Lily, you go for it," he says, forcing his voice steady. "I'm backing you up. We all are." He holds his bat tight in his hand. He also quickly checks his phone to see if his message to Abby has gone through by now.

Jul 9, 2023 3:47 am

Lily turns up the light on her own phone, and passes the baseball bat to one of the others!

"Get ready! You know… in case it’s a zombie." she says, trying to sound brave and funny, somewhat unconvincingly.

Jul 9, 2023 3:49 pm

"For fuck sake, Lilly. Zombies are for movies and TV. Besides, I've seen a dead body. Apart from the smell depending on how long they've been dead, it's not that traumatic to look at. I mean their mouths are open and their eyes, well .... Anyway it's the idea that there are bodies in here that's fucked up. This whole place is looney. And there's a connection to this building and the school I can feel it. And it's not the tunnels I'm talking about. The teacher's are up to something."

Sure she's nervous and scared, way more than she lets on, but if they all lose it, they could end up in one of these rooms.

Jul 9, 2023 3:50 pm

"What the...?" Zach asks, turning to Emily. "How have you seen a dead body before?"

Jul 9, 2023 3:59 pm

Freddie snorts. "Looney. That's funny."

Jul 9, 2023 8:48 pm

Who was she trying to impress? Freddie with her dead body admission? She was under a lot of pressure and not thinking clearly but she definitely shouldn't have shared that. Instead, Freddie is laughing at her.

"Nevermind that now Zach. Lilly, you going in or what?" she asks, baseball bat poised and ready to hit something.

Jul 9, 2023 11:12 pm

As the door opens and Lily goes in first, the smell worsens -- as does the buzz of flies, as dozens of the things take flight from the body as Palmer approaches. The things are nasty as they fly into, land on, and bounce off anyone coming into the room, seeming particularly interested in exposed orifices. The smell is bad, but not overwhelming -- the man on the floor does not seem like he's been dead for an extended period time, and no rot is visible on his just-beginning-to-bloat features... which Lily thinks she recognizes.

The silver hair and beard... it can only be one man. It's Vice Principal Kilvert, and he's lying on a blood-soaked tarp.

OOC:

Without getting closer / investigating further, it's impossible to tell what might have killed him.

Jul 10, 2023 12:44 am

"It’s…" she starts, realizing too late that attempting to speak would cause her to puke. She chokes it down, and heaves slightly before continuing "… It’s Kilvert. He’s definitely…" saliva builds up again, lubricating the way for a nice dose of vomit. She struggles to keep it down again. "… dead."

She wafts the bugs away constantly. Nevertheless, she approaches.

Jul 10, 2023 3:04 am

"Oh shit," Zach says, feeling a cold shiver down his back, along with a queasiness that comes not just from the flies and the smell. When Lily approaches the body again, Zach takes a step after her. "Lil," he says, reaching out a hand to put on her back. "Leave him. Let's close the door again. Nothing we can do here. You don't need to look again."

Jul 10, 2023 3:11 am

Lily jumps at the sudden contact, the talk of zombies spooking get suddenly.

"Jesus! Oh…" she pants, shining the light into Zach’s eyes. "… you scared me! We should really check what killed him… right?"

Jul 10, 2023 3:13 am

Freddie makes sure he won't get locked in. "Emily hold the door, I'll science the shit out of this."

He takes a deep breath and goes in. "I wanted to be a biology major. Best get to it. Starts here. Shouldn't be talking. Wasting air."

Tucking his face under his shirt, which doesn't really help, except for the orifice seeking flies, he examines Kilvert for signs of wounds.

Except, this isn't dissecting cow eyes at all!

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Spirit - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jul 10, 2023 3:16 am

"Sorry," Zach mumbles to Lily just as Fred leans down and begins investigating Kilvert's body. "Be careful," he tells his friend. "Can't you get, like, diseases from dead bodies?"

Jul 10, 2023 5:34 am

Fred has seen dead bodies before too. He's smelled blood. He's seen eyes the light has gone out of -- like Kilvert's now.

The amount of blood behind the man's head and in his hair is the tip-off. Someone or something struck the vice principal from behind, crushing his skull, partly caving it in...

OOC:

Fred, because of your Secret, how do you feel about making a Fear (Spirit) check here?

Zach: still no service.

Alone in the hallway now, Emily hears... something. A thumping, or pounding? Coming from down the hall, likely one of the other doors. And then, perhaps more spine-tinglingly, her glance down the hall reveals a glimmer of reddish light in the deep gloom -- well beyond the range of her phone light, but moving, shifting.

Jul 10, 2023 12:32 pm

Lily turns her face away, as soon as the scene is lit up.

"Jesus…" she gasps, horrified at the violence of it. "Who the hell would do this?" she asks the room, looking at each of her friends in turn.

She sees Emily looking off to the side, seemingly focusing on something.

"Emily… what is it?"

Last edited July 10, 2023 12:33 pm

Jul 10, 2023 2:13 pm

Goosebumps rise on Emily's arms as her entire body is gripped in a fist of fear. Her head snaps in the direction of the noise and then her mouth goes dry. She can't swallow, can barely force out a "Guys! Come out here, quick! There's ...there's something out here!"

Jul 10, 2023 2:17 pm

Lily reached a hand back, and grabs Fred by the shoulder without looking. Something in Emily’s voice.

"What? What…" she says, reaching for her bat "Shit. Who is it?"

Jul 10, 2023 2:25 pm

"I'd tell you if I knew," Emily hisses. "A moving glow of red light. Hear that thumping sound? What the fuck can it be? It's creeping me the hell out."

Jul 10, 2023 3:15 pm

OOC:

Added check to last post. Freddie isn't playing with a full deck. He has a three. I'll leave it at here for arbitration of the effect.

Fear check result: Vulnerable: The target is Vulnerable until the end of his next turn.

Last edited July 10, 2023 4:39 pm

Rolls

Fear check - (1d20, RA)

(9) = 9

Jul 10, 2023 3:37 pm

OOC:

Roll a d20 and check the Fear Table on p124 of SWADE, Freddie.

Jul 10, 2023 4:44 pm

Freddie freezes, the obvious signs of head trauma on the vice principal taking him back into that fateful rain storm, that moment of nightmare he can't get past because he can never, ever, tell anyone what really happened. His limbs go limp, his jaw slack as his vision for a moment fades, taking him somewhere haunted inside, until he snaps himself out of it.

Jul 10, 2023 5:31 pm

Zach feels a rush of panic at Emily's shout but Lily is already right there and Zach notices Fred slump by the body for a moment. He can imagine how Fred must feel. There's a reason Zach chose not to look too closely at the body. He puts a gentle hand on Fred's shoulder, deciding to ignore the potential threat in the hallway and just focus on this. This is less terrifying. It's grounding.

"Freddy?" he asks in a soft tone that irks Zach for how girlish it sounds to his ears. "You okay?"

Jul 10, 2023 7:42 pm

"Yeah," he says raspily, then clears his throat, "I just knew him, yano?"

His mind piecing together the last few seconds, he starts and turns, "Emily?" he rushes past, or with Zach, to Emily's side. "Some -- thing?"

Jul 10, 2023 7:58 pm

"Yeah it's like ...." Emily is so wide-eyed that even in the semi-dark by the light of their phones, anyone can see the whites of her eyes.

"Like a moving red blob. I don't know what it is Freddie, hence the something. Jesus."

Jul 10, 2023 8:05 pm

"Let's leave," Zach suggests. After Fred gets up and pushes past him, it takes him a moment to follow. He tries to meet Lily's eyes, see what she's feeling. "We found a fucking dead body. Let's go back the way we came, as fast as we can. We'll call the police, have them search the asylum." His voice trembles on those last words. "I don't want to die," he admits weakly. "Not now that... Now that I finally found someone I like. And who likes me."

Jul 11, 2023 1:18 am

Lily peeks around the corner, curiosity getting the better of her. "It’s probably an animal… right? Probably smelled the body."

Seeing that Zach is helping Fred, Lily rounds the corner with her baseball held up. She noticed Emily’s fear, and so tries to calm her with action.

She stamps her foot towards the thing, as if she was scaring away a big dog.

"Hey! Hey! Go on! Get!" she says, making herself look big. She rattles the bat against the wall a couple of times to make it run off, taking a few steps towards the thing to really startle it!

Jul 11, 2023 3:00 am

"Yeah! Good idea Lilly." Emily starts rapping her bat against the wall too. "That will wake the dead!" She then realizes how very inappropriate that comment is and hopes it's not some kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.

Last edited July 11, 2023 3:00 am

Jul 11, 2023 6:37 am

It takes Fred a moment to shake off the feeling that had come over him, the memory of what he had done -- but the trio in the room re-gathers in the hallway with Emily quickly, leaving Kilvert's body behind.

Emily is right -- there is something coming, and it is... weird. A slowly pulsating red light, growing brighter as it approaches up the hallway... suddenly surrounded by what look like little pinpricks of blue light. Almost like fireflies, though they are the wrong color.

Lily stamps her foot and tries to shoo the entity away as Zach pleas for the group to get the hell out of there, and that's when the thing makes a bizarre, warbling, trumpeting noise that fills the corridor. The red light is vibrating then, coming at them fast as they all try to make sense of what they are seeing.

[ +- ] WTF They Are Seeing

The floating mass looks like a tangle of veins and arteries, a circulatory system pulled violently from its host. The ends of all the waving, cilia-tipped fronds glow a frosty blue, dramatic against the red nimbus of light that the mass of twitching nerves seems to project.

And at that same time, as panic was truly taking hold, there came the noise Emily had heard a moment before. A pounding, desperate, on one of the cell doors from further down the hall -- towards the floating cluster of alien-looking synapses and waving fibers. And then a voice as well, indistinct. A shout?

Jul 11, 2023 8:07 am

Lily holds her bat like she’s stepping up to the plate. Her heart was jumping in her chest. She could hear it, mirroring the thumping from the cell down the way.

"Someone’s down there." she says, chancing to turn her head to the others.

"Someone’s down there!" she says a little louder, distracting herself from the fear. She doesn’t want to be the first one to lose their shit down here in the dark tunnels, as much as she might feel like it.

Jul 11, 2023 2:07 pm

"Cover me!" Freddie says, and doesn't know why he does, or how they might. He's disassociated maybe, or it's the guilt, he can't stand more guilt, no more, so he runs and doesn't think about anything else.

Full sprint to the pounding door.

Because, chances are, it's someone he knows, and his sisters have already lost one parental type figure. They can't lose the better one.

Jul 11, 2023 2:13 pm

Zach is shocked by how brave his friends can be in a situation like this, confronting a... monster head-on to save whoever is trapped in there. He wishes he could be as brave as that, but instead, he just stays where he is, watching for now. But he keeps his tight grip on the bat, hoping that when he needs to, he'll have the guts to do something.

He definitely can't run, like every instinct in his body screams at him to do. Not now that Fred is charging straight ahead.

Jul 11, 2023 2:17 pm

"Jesus, Fred! Stay together!" Lily says, rushing forward too, ready to whack the… thing if it comes within swinging distance.

"Who is it?!" she shouts to the person on the other side, as Fred gets ready to open it!

Jul 11, 2023 2:27 pm

"I heard it too. Oh my God. What should we do? What is that ... that thing? It's not going to where that cry for help is coming from, is it?"

Emily keeps pounding the wall with her bat, hoping to scare the horrible apparition or at least distract it long enough to .... long enough to do what exactly?

Jul 12, 2023 6:19 am

Accompanied by the sound of aluminum bats on walls resounding sharply, Fred rushes forward to the door he believes the sounds are coming from -- and Lily goes with him, preparing to defend him if the weird thing keeps coming. She gets a good, long look at whatever it is as it does just that, moving towards them steadily, at the pace of someone jogging. Forty feet, thirty feet, twenty feet -- piping and bleeping and warbling as its luminescent body shifts, shivers, and undulates. Near the bottom of the red tangle of its body, some kind of organ or mass glows bluely.

Fred slams the viewing door open after another panicked call sounds from inside the room, and he suddenly finds himself face to face with--

Priya Sunder!

"Freddie!" she cries, looking desperate and desperately hot. "Help! Get me out of here!"

OOC:

Fred, it's touch and go with getting her out before the thing arrives. Make an Athletics test at -1 for how close it is, and if you fail -- we'll start initiative and I'll draw some cards.

Jul 12, 2023 6:32 am

Freddie is shocked by this development his mind uncomprehending, only seeing a friendly face. Through the fog it clicks. "Priya?" he gulps, and jams at the door lock, trying to get it open quickly.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (4) - 1 = 3

Fred Solomon: Athletics*, Benny - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (3) - 1 = 2

1d6-1 : (5) - 1 = 4

Jul 12, 2023 6:47 am

Fifteen feet. Ten feet. Lily is practically face to... whatever... with this floating creature when Fred opens the door, grabs Priya by the hand and pulls her into the corridor. The girl looks worst for wear -- her pretty blouse is stained, her normally silky black hair is a tangled mess, her pleated skirt is rumpled and wrinkled.

OOC:

You can all try to make a getaway if you desire to do so -- the strange beastie is coming (just 10' from Lily), but so far is looks like you can all outrun it. Does everyone bolt, or is there some other plan?

Jul 12, 2023 6:54 am

"Okay, you got her!" Zach shouts. He can't tell from where he is who Fred pulled out of that cell but with the long black hair, they look like a girl. "Now run!"

Jul 12, 2023 10:04 am

Lily starts to shimmy back towards the rest, covering the retreat of Fred and Priya.

"There could be more down here! Is anyone else down here?!" she shouts at everyone, but especially Priya.

Last edited July 12, 2023 10:04 am

Jul 12, 2023 12:11 pm

Fred pulls her along, clutching her hand, and hisses at Lily, "Run!" then you Zach, "Questions later!" then he saves his breath for the dash.

They've got someone, someone who can answer what is going on. Someone important.

His eyes fall on Emily as they run. They're all terrified, confused, but this has to be an extra nightmare for her. Out of anyone they could have pulled out of the cells, it is his recent girlfriend for whom she knows he has unresolved feelings.

Priya Sunder

Jul 12, 2023 2:52 pm

The group takes flight with Lily on rear-guard and the eerie, hovering mass of veins and lights coming along right behind them. They are heading back down the hallway the way they originally came, towards the open door that leads downstairs to the tunnels, but also that keeps going past, to another series of doors that look like they also might be cells. Across from that door they came through, lit by the teens' madly bouncing cell phone lights, there is also a set of stairs going up to what must be the ground level of the building.

"I don't know!" Priya half-shouts as she runs, tears streaming from her eyes. "I-I think yes? I couldn't see anything in there once I woke! It was dark! But I did hear other doors opening and closing!" The brown-skinned girl is doing her best to keep up with Fred, but doesn't have her own light and is slowing the boy down. Her blouse, fitted so perfectly to her figure (in other circumstances, Fred would have been very distracted by it), isn't just stained, some of the racing kids notice. It stinks, too -- like the strange yellow fluid they've been finding here and there lately.

OOC:

If not clear, there are four ways to go: through the door and back down to the tunnels, whence you came; straight ahead, down another door-lined hallway; left up the stairs; or turn around and head back towards the thing and the cells you were checking out.

Priya Sunder

Jul 12, 2023 4:24 pm

Emily casts dagger eyes at Freddie as she recognizes who he is dragging along with them. How Emily manages to feel anything other than fear at this point amazes her but the jealousy has infiltrated her brain and has her steaming.

We should have kept on going. Never chased down her cries for help. At least her hair is a mess, haha.

"Eww, what's that stain on her blouse? Freddie, you might catch something! Be careful, will you? Don't get too close to her."

Last edited July 12, 2023 5:18 pm

Jul 12, 2023 5:08 pm

Zach doesn't even hesitate. There is no question in his mind where to go. He turns down the way back from where they came, leading the pack. If the others don't follow him, it might take him a while to notice...

Jul 12, 2023 5:23 pm

Freddie is relieved when Zach turns back down the tunnels away from the asylum. "We'll get to safety, Priya, then we have as many questions as you do." His voice is easy with the jog, his stamina coming back, but his voice is hoarse from the terror and the fugue he danced with.

To Emily, he turns and grimaces, shrugging, his thoughts complex. Understanding and uncertainty war on his features.

He looks back, and makes sure Lily makes the corner with them.

Last edited July 13, 2023 6:07 pm

Jul 13, 2023 1:56 am

Lily rushes after the others, checking over her shoulder that the thing isn’t gaining on them. She thinks of all the people that could be behind each door they pass.

But primary in her mind is Wendy. Just getting back to Wendy and making sure she was still in one piece.

Mr. Gromn

Jul 13, 2023 7:16 am

Mr. Gromn

Through the door and down into the tunnels the team goes, desperate and frankly terrified. Priya does her best to keep up, but despite her drag on Fred, they all escape from the floating mass of Christmas lights. The guardian or whatever it is stops at the top of the steps, framed in blackless as it's fiber-optic-like body appendages writhe and contort.

Through the lower door they go, valuing speed over care, and past the damaged section of the old corridor. But just as several among them begin to think their escape is assured... a familiar figure looms large down the hallway, some fifty feet away, near the intersection with the old signs.

"Lo there! You kids! Just where do you think you're going?!" Gromn growls menacingly. He brandishes a pipe in one hand -- a heavy weapon that looks like it would hurt.

OOC:

He's blocking the way out!

Jul 13, 2023 8:09 am

Lily skids to a halt, though she spares no time on niceties.

"Get the fuck out of the way, asshole!" she brandishes her bat, and hopes the others do the same.

"Or you’ll regret it."

Jul 13, 2023 8:22 am

Zach stops running immediately when Gromn steps in the way. Even after what they've seen in the asylum, a large man with a heavy weapon still scares the teenage boy. But when Lily steps forward, brandishing her weapon and threatening the janitor, Zach follows her example. He doesn't say anything, doesn't trust his voice, but he shows the man that he is armed, and willing to use his weapon to protect his friends.

Jul 13, 2023 9:00 am

"You got reception yet?" Lily murmurs to Zach, before calling out to the janitor:

"You’ve got about ten seconds until every cop in Boseman is running around down here figuring out whatever it is you’ve done!"

Jul 13, 2023 5:18 pm

Freddie stands with Lily, in front of Emily and Priya. He whispers, out of breath, "We could run, to the power plant, but if we fight, follow my lead."

Maybe it's too macho, but he'd rather take the pipe hit than watch Lily crumple. Zach can hold his own, probably, but Gromm was a big guy. It would hurt.

Jul 13, 2023 6:02 pm

Emily needs no help with courage. Her jealousy fuels the rage that's fast approaching epic proportions, and her anger hitches a ride along with it.

"I say we take out the bastard. It's us against him and we have bats." On cue, she smacks the bat against her palm.

And maybe Priya might have an unfortunate accident. One never knew, did one.

Jul 13, 2023 7:25 pm

"Yeah," Zach says, his voice shaking a bit. Out of the group, he's clearly the least certain about this. But he isn't backing down. "We can take this guy." That didn't sound tough enough. "We can take this fucker!"

Mr. Gromn

Jul 17, 2023 4:40 am

Mr. Gromn

Gromn says nothing further as he comes forward, glowering. He does not appear intimidated by the fact that there are five kids, and that four of them have aluminum baseball bats. The custodian's pipe is up, wielded in a white-knuckle grip as he comes...

OOC:

Pulling initiative cards. And the passageway is narrow... presuming it's Lily and Fred in front, Zach and Emily in row two, then Priya?

Edit: Looks like Fred goes first, leading the way for the whole pace of kids, all of whom go before Gromn. So, spending a GM Benny to see if I can improve Gromn's initiative...

Deck Draws

Gromn Draws Again

Jul 17, 2023 4:49 am

OOC:

Wah! I didn't know you could edit a post and draw more cards without it ovewriting the previous cards! Lesson learned.

From memory, the order is something like this, now:

Fred
Gromn
Zach
Emily
Lily
Priya

Fred is up! You're thirty feet apart now, and he's coming.

Jul 17, 2023 2:42 pm

Fred feels that too-familiar tightness in his belly before doing something horrifically stupid, but he ignores it and charges. Kilvert's crushed head and finding Priya in another cell crashes together in his mind. Gromm did it, with that pipe!

The 32" Easton bat in his hands whistles through the closed air as he feints and swings through the red haze of vengeance.

OOC:

Wasn't sure damage. Assumed Str+1d6, but added an alternate 1d4

Last edited July 17, 2023 2:49 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (61) = 7

Fred Solomon: Strength - (1d6+1d6, 1d4, RA)

1d6+1d6 : (3) + (3) = 6

1d4 : (1) = 1

Mr. Gromn

Jul 19, 2023 4:44 am

Mr. Gromn

And just like that, the battle is joined -- a cadre of bat-wielding teens on one side, and the janitor, the man they all somehow know is involved in all this, on the other. In the harsh light of the various bouncing phone lights, the kids get a good look at Gromn. His skin is waxy and a little yellowish, his eyes are bloodshot and have puffy bags beneath. His veins are visible beneath his suddenly thin-looking skin, and he shouts as Fred rushes to meet him.

Gromn raises his pipe to block Freddie's initial blow, but it's a feint, and then the teen is slamming his weapon into the side of Gromn's exposed torso -- his ribs. Foul air blasts from the man's lungs and he staggers back, coughing and wincing, slightly stunned by the force of the blow.

OOC:

Hit, and enough damage to make Gromn Shaken. Let's see if he can recover for his turn. Might be more to come here.

Rolls

Spirit roll to recover from being Shaken - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Mr. Gromn

Jul 19, 2023 5:05 am

Mr. Gromn

The friends come forward as Fred strikes his heavy blow, perhaps thinking that was hard enough that Gromn will be collapsing to the ground any second... but he doesn't. Instead, the custodian recovers startlingly quickly -- but instead of coming at the kids with his pipe, he opens his mouth wide (so terribly wide) and makes a short and absolutely atrocious gurgling sound before power-vomiting a stinking yellow slime at the trespassers. The volume of the stuff is downright unholy -- it's like he's spraying the thick, sticky, mucus-like substance from a hose rather than his mouth, and the teens in the front get it the worst.

OOC:

Everyone make an Agility roll, please. Fred and Lily, make it at -2 since you're in the front; Zach and Emily, make it normally since you're in the rear. You're trying to beat Gromn's number, which is... 7!

Rolls

Vomit Spray (Area Effect) - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (5) = 5

Jul 19, 2023 5:07 am

OOC:

Oh -- anyone failing, make a Vigor roll, please. At -2 if your Evasion result was 3 or lower.

Jul 19, 2023 5:07 am

As soon as the disgusting liquid sprays from Gromn's mouth, zach jumps backwards, trying to avoid getting hit by it...

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Agility - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (7) = 7

1D6 : (1) = 1

Priya Sunder

Jul 19, 2023 5:17 am

Priya Sunder

"Ew!" Priya cries, "this again!"

The girl isn't quick enough to avoid the blast of disgusting fluid, which strikes her full in the face and chest. Coughing and crying, she collapses to the concrete floor.

Rolls

Agility Roll - (1d6-1, RA)

(2) - 1 = 1

Vigor - (1d6-2, RA)

(4) - 2 = 2

Jul 19, 2023 12:46 pm

Freddie was not expecting that, and flails trying to avoid the spewage.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Agility - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (61) - 2 = 5

Fred Solomon: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Jul 19, 2023 12:53 pm

OOC:

Absolute ass ahead! AAA!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Agility - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

BENNY! - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Lily Palmer: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jul 19, 2023 2:37 pm

"What the fuuuu..."

Emily reflexively tries to use her bat as a shield from the disgusting vomitus and dodges the stinky slime hurl.

Last edited July 19, 2023 2:38 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Agility - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (81) = 9

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jul 20, 2023 4:17 am

Fred, Lily and Priya all end up getting sprayed with the vile liquid, but only Sunder goes down, overwhelmed by the fumes and nuclear-powered grossness of the projectile sick that's gotten into her eyes, nose, and mouth. The pair in front nearly lose their lunches and feel beyond nauseous as Gromn finally closes his mouth and stops spraying them, but the adrenaline is pumping: they remain ready for action!

OOC:

Technically the order is now Zach - Emily - Lily, but just take your actions unless you're planning something where the order will really matter. After that, I'll draw cards for everyone again and we'll move to round 2 if necessary.

Jul 20, 2023 4:23 am

Seeing Priya go down to the weird, gross vomit (not that vomit is ever not gross), Zach pushes past her and Fred towards Gromn. "Leave us alone, you fucking creep!" he shouts as he swings his bat at the man's kneecap.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (43) = 7

1D6 : (1) = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Strength/Damage - (1D4+1D6, RA)

(443) + (3) = 14

Mr. Gromn

Jul 20, 2023 5:02 am

Mr. Gromn

Zach's weapon connects solidly with the janitor's knee, pulping it with a ringing sound that reverberates in the hallway. "AUUGHGHGH!" Gromn shouts as he staggers into the wall, using it for support to stay on his feet. His teeth are gritted as he seethes and stews.

"You'll pay for that, human!" he spits through his clenched teeth, his voice suddenly sounding strange. "Dearly!"

Jul 20, 2023 10:46 am

"Fucking gross!" Lily spits, as she flicks goop off of her hands and arms.

"You’ll pay for that, human!" she mocks, in a metallic, robotic voice. She runs then, and aims a blow at the janitor with her bat!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (62) - 2 = 6

Damage - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jul 20, 2023 1:50 pm

"Wait, human? Gromm isn't human?"

Emily raises the bat to swing at the man-not-human, and adds a war cry. "You motherfucker!"

OOC:

Benny time

Last edited July 20, 2023 1:53 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Bat damage - (d4, d6, RA)

d4 : (2) = 2

d6 : (4) = 4

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Bat Damage - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (62) = 8

Jul 21, 2023 3:39 am

"You ever see a human doing that?" Lily asks, mimicking projectile vomiting everywhere. "It’s like Jurassic Park or something!"

Last edited July 21, 2023 3:39 am

Jul 21, 2023 6:29 am

The kids descend on Gromn like a pack of wolves who have been denied getting at a fat carcass for a week. They swoop in and out, taking swings at the custodian with their whistling bats. But while Zachs' shot to the man's leg is clearly effective, Lily and Emily don't manage to capitalize on his unsteadiness, and he fends off their blows with his pipe and free arm.

OOC:

Zach hits for a Shaken + Wound result; Lily hits but does not damage the man; Emily flat-out missed.

Make sure you subtracted spent Bennies, and now -- Round Two!

Deck Draws

Gromn, Lily, Fred, Emily, Zach

Jul 21, 2023 6:33 am

OOC:

Zach has his choice of starting or going later with the Joker... all actions and damage are at +2 this round!

So we have:

Zach - Joker, choice of when to go
Fred - Ace
Lily - King
Gromn - 9
Emily -2

Jul 21, 2023 7:12 am

Going with the momentum and motivation his first successful strike offered him, Zach swings again, this time aiming for center mass.

OOC:

I'm not sure whether additional raises matter for damage beyond the first, but in case it does make a difference, the damage should also be +2 from the Joker

Last edited July 21, 2023 7:37 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4+2, 1D6+2, RA)

1D4+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1D6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting Benny - (1D4+2, 1D6+2, RA)

1D4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1D6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Another Benny - (1D4+2, 1D6+2, RA)

1D4+2 : (443) + 2 = 13

1D6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Damage (StrD4+BatD6+RaiseD6) - (1D4+1D6+1D6, RA)

(41) + (662) + (1) = 20

Jul 21, 2023 12:17 pm

OOC:

Zach likely took him down, but I'll add an attack just in case.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (1) = 1

Jul 21, 2023 2:41 pm

OOC:

Yeah, me too...

When Emily misses, the momentum from the bat swing almost causes her to lose her balance. The stench is overpowering too. Steeling herself for another swing, she grits her teeth and takes another swing at the teacher.

OOC:

Eep, forgot the -2

Last edited July 21, 2023 3:22 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (6664) = 22

Damage and raise - (2d6+1d4, RA)

(263) + (442) = 21

Jul 22, 2023 12:38 am

As everyone starts to wail on the janitor, Lily joins in to what looks like a brutal murder from the outside!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Damage - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Benny Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (2) = 2

Mr. Gromn

Jul 22, 2023 4:41 am

Mr. Gromn

The desperate melee continues for a few more seconds, a mad scramble until Zach leans into a swing that catches Gromn on the side of the head and fells the man like he's been shot.

Lily, Fred and Emily are all ready with their weapons as well, but each of them knows from the terrible ping that the janitor will likely not be rising -- maybe ever again. Then, Gromn's nerveless and unconscious form shudders and tremors for several long seconds. Face-down, the man gurgles and retches despite being out cold, then another round of spasms wrack his body, twisting his fingers and limbs...

OOC:

Out of combat rounds! What do y'all do? Priya is on the ground, as is Gromn, obviously...

Rolls

Benny Spent for Soak Roll - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Jul 22, 2023 5:11 am

Zach feels sick to his stomach when he hears the noise his bat made on the janitor's skull. Did I just kill someone? He wants to throw up but tries to control himself. "We need to get back to school," he manages to press out when Gromn suddenly starts spasming on the ground. "Like, right now."
He has no idea what's going on anymore, but he just wants to get away from here, out of these tunnels, back to where people are.

Jul 22, 2023 7:18 am

Seeing that Zach is ready to take flight, Lily talks to the others. Over the sound of gurgles, she asks:

"Shouldn’t we… finish him off? He won’t forget this."

Jul 22, 2023 7:34 am

"Finish him off?" Zach asks her. "This was self-defense. You're talking about murder." He hesitates, then reaches down and tries to take the pipe away from Gromn so at least he wouldn't be armed, even if he does somehow manage to stand up again. "Let's just leave!"

Jul 22, 2023 8:04 am

"I’m talking about making sure he can’t prepare for whoever comes down here to save everyone else!"

Jul 22, 2023 3:10 pm

"I'm with Zach. Let's go. He's dead."

Emily manages to lower her bat and ignore the disgusting bubbling sounds coming from the man that was once a teacher at Boseman High. Her high school memories along with those of the gang here would be unlike anyone else's, that was for sure.

"Quickly before the adrenaline stops flowing and I drop."

Jul 22, 2023 3:39 pm

"Help Priya, I'll bring up the back," he says, and keeps an eye on Gromn the gurglenator, bat at the ready. His eyes shift back the way they came, cellphone light brought to bear to see what's what.

Last edited July 22, 2023 4:14 pm

Jul 22, 2023 3:54 pm

Zach looks at his hands, bat in one, metal pipe in the other. He offers them both to Emily. "You take these, I'll help Priya," he says. That seems like the gentlemanly thing to do. "Now let's get out of here!"

Jul 22, 2023 3:59 pm

"I only have two hands, Zach. Jesus!" Emily takes the metal pipe in her free hand.

Jul 22, 2023 4:11 pm

With one free hand, Zach tries to help Priya to her feet. "You alright?" he asks her. She doesn't really look alright, covered in weird vomit and all. He reaches for the sports bag, dropping his bat into it and taking out the hoodie he took off earlier. "Here, you can use this to clean yourself up a bit," he offers, then he lends her some support to walk back to school.

Jul 23, 2023 3:58 am

Frustrated, Lily grabs Zach’s bat from the struggling Emily. She tests the weight of them in each hand, wondering if she could rock the dual-wielding looking.

"We should wash that off as soon as possible!" she says, pointing a bat at Priya’s bile covered chest. "Dilute… whatever it is!"

Mr. Gromn

Jul 23, 2023 4:18 am

Mr. Gromn

As Zach is discovering that Priya isn't responding, Mr. Gromn tremors a final time and vomits a gush of blood and reeking yellow pus onto the floor before he finally falls silent. It slowly spreads as it becomes clear that Fred's (indeed drenched) ex-girlfriend is unconscious and will need to be carried.

OOC:

While he's quiet, it's unclear if Gromn is dead.

Jul 23, 2023 5:32 am

Not getting a response from Priya, Zach uses his hoodie to carefully clean her face a bit, then he says, "Can someone help get her on my back? I think that's the best way I'd be able to carry her." He's been growing notably stronger since he started taking testosterone, but despite hanging around the jocks, he himself is not as athletic. He definitely couldn't carry a person in his arms the entire way back to school.

Jul 23, 2023 3:11 pm

Damnit, I don't want to whack him if they're looking.

"Thanks, Zach, but you know what, I can carry her. You did all the work taking down Gromn, so it's only fair I do something." He knows that this is pushing the bounds of his recovery, but if anyone should carry her, it's him, he reasons.

Sticking the bat in the bag, he grimaces to Emily. "Let's get out of here, okay?" he says to her.

"Zach, help me get her into a sitting position." He awkwardly lifts/rolls Priya onto his shoulders, twisting sideways so she's face down across his shoulders, then stands up with her in a fireman carry. "I had to do this with Norm once at a party," he grunts.

Jul 23, 2023 3:19 pm

As Fred offers to take her instead and the two boys are leaning over Priya, Zach says quietly to his friend, "Are you sure? I mean, I know you and her used to... And with..." He nods towards Emily. "Maybe I should take her," he then offers again, but he'll follow Fred's decision and will help him with getting Priya in position if Fred decides to still carry her.

Jul 23, 2023 5:34 pm

"Yeah, it's all bad, I know. I'll carry her and talk to Emily later."

Jul 23, 2023 5:40 pm

Zach nods, deciding it's Fred's business, not his. He then helps his friend lift Priya on his shoulders before taking his hoodie again. "So gross," he mutters before folding it so the vomit is only on the inside before stuffing it into the sports bag again. "Let's get out of here finally," he says, starting to walk now as he checks his phone again for connection.

Jul 23, 2023 6:23 pm

"Shut up. Both of you." Emily glares at Zach first and then Freddie. "We'll be talking alright, Fred." She had never called him Fred.

"Any luck with a signal, Zach? We still aren't free and clear of what this shit is we are stuck in." Emily forges on ahead not sparing any glances at Priya.

Jul 23, 2023 11:46 pm

"Jesus Christ." Lily says, rolling her eyes. "A little perspective here, lovebirds. You want me to carry her or something?" she says, handing Zach’s bat back to him. She moves ahead, following Emily.

Last edited July 23, 2023 11:46 pm

Jul 24, 2023 3:14 am

Emily and Lily carry on up the darkened hallway, towards the four-way intersection they came upon previously. Zach cleaned up Priya as best he could, but the unconscious girl is still a mess, and made the same of Freddie as he situated her, fireman carry style, over his shoulder. The pair is about to set off when a strange, sticky, gooey sound emanates from Gromn. A flashlight beam reveals that he is still face-down and either out cold or dead on the floor... which makes it all the worse that he seems to be moving slightly. Shifting.

It's almost like... it's something inside him that's moving.

OOC:

Only Fred and Zach see and hear this. Emily and Lily are now approaching the intersection. Right to the steam plant, straight to the hospital, left back to the school.

Jul 24, 2023 4:09 am

"Oh shit," Zach mutters. He grips the bat tight. "Freddy, keep going."

Zach stands right next to Gromn, bat raised and ready to strike the moment something seems wrong to him - well, wrong-er.
"I'll be right behind you," he reassures the other boy.

OOC:

Readying an attack for if Gromn gets up or something comes out of him

Jul 24, 2023 11:38 am

"Jesus Christ, can you guys fucking move?" Lily whisper shouts down the hallway at the stragglers. The cross section made her feel like quiet was suddenly more appropriate.

"Back to school, right? Right?" she asks Emily.

Jul 24, 2023 3:01 pm

"Um, shit, yeah I guess so. No point pressing our luck. Did I say luck? Yeah right. We're so fucking lucky." Emily heads left back toward the school.

Jul 24, 2023 11:20 pm

Freddie glances at Zach, and says, "Don't take chances, dude," and hustles after the girls. He settles into a short stepping walk, as he really doesn't want to trip and send Priya flying to the floor. The smell is awful. She could use a shower. He could use a shower. Mmmm, Kelly Unger's shower! He shakes his head a tiny bit. Focus, focus on every step.

Jul 25, 2023 4:34 am

In the Steam Tunnels

At the intersection, which is sparsely lit by bare bulbs like three of the four corridors (just not the one leading to the asylum), Lily and Emily are preparing to head left, for the school -- when a hustling Fred catches up with Priya's small but divinely shapely form over his shoulder. The boy is huffing a little, and Zach isn't with him.

Elsewhere Underground, back in the Tunnel Leading to the Asylum

Using his phone light -- which is about all the thing is good for, considering he still isn't getting service -- Zach watches in disgust as Gromn's body moves again like there's something inside it, like there are unseen puppet strings being plucked. The man's neck swells and bulges, then his jaws are forced open and something starts coming out. Two small worms emerge from between his lips... no, are they feelers? No! Eyestalks! They are horrific eyestalks, and they are followed by the rest of the spotted yellow and gray, foot-long slug that is slowly forcing its way from the janitor's mouth. Slime pools beneath Gromn's face as this happens, and the sound the thing makes when it plops onto the floor is one Zach will never, ever forget.

OOC:

Let's have a Spirit check for a potential fear response please, Zach...

Jul 25, 2023 4:41 am

Zach tries really hard to keep it together in order to smash the slug.

As gross as that weird slug - and especially the fact that it just came out of Gromn - is, Zach manages to keep a fairly level head. He raises the bat Lily handed back to him and tries to strike it down at the weird creature. It's not murder if it's a weird alien parasite slug, right?

The bat hits the slug right in its center. There's a disgusting squelching sound that makes the teenage boy sick to his stomach and not for the first time today, he feels like throwing up. Despite the situation, he closes his eyes for a moment to center himself and keep the contents of his stomach inside. Then he opens them again and finds the slug - or rather the goopy pulp that remains from it under his bat - unmoving. "Fuck," he mutters to himself. Then he turns his attention to Gromn. If this slug was inside of him, maybe he wasn't himself? Maybe it was the slug doing those things. He hesitantly nudges the janitor's shoulder with the tip of his bat, checking for any reaction.

Last edited July 25, 2023 5:09 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (62) = 8

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (42) = 6

1D6 : (1) = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Damage - (1D4+1D6, RA)

(43) + (3) = 10

Jul 25, 2023 6:05 am

OOC:

Throw a d6, Zach. On a 1-3, Gromn is dead. On a 4-6, he's unconscious but alive and likely in need of hospitalization.

Jul 25, 2023 6:38 am

"What the fuck?" Lily rasps, frustrated and pleading with the absent Zach. With great effort, she passes back the way Fred just came and keeps her eyes peeled for Zach’s light.

"Come on, Zach! Jesus! Come on! We are waiting for you!" she says, before banging her bat against the wall a few times in frustration.

Jul 25, 2023 6:41 am

"Go!" Zach replies loudly, trying to keep his voice firm. "I'm right behind you."

Rolls

Gromn roll - (1D6, RA)

(2) = 2

Jul 25, 2023 1:43 pm

"What the hell happened back there, Zach? I presume Gromm won't be following us?" Emily calls behind her, then puts a hand on Lilly's shoulder. "Chill. He's here. We're good. Now let's go! "

Jul 25, 2023 5:33 pm

When Zach's poking gets no reaction, he instead tries it with Gromn's head, the only reaction to which is it limply rolling to the side. His eyes are open, staring up at Zach. He's dead. Zach has no more doubt about that. The realization makes him turn and rush up to the others. It wasn't me! he tells himself. The slug did it!

When he catches up and Emily asks what happened, he hesitates. "You're not going to think I'm crazy, even if what I'll tell you will sound insane, right?"

Jul 25, 2023 5:37 pm

"This whole thing is insane so no. I'd believe anything at this point."

Jul 25, 2023 5:44 pm

As the five teens move back towards the school, Zach explains, "There was some kind of slug inside Gromn. He's dead, so it climbed out of his mouth, probably to get inside me next or something. I smashed it with the bat." He shows off the goo on his weapon. "But it was freaky. You think the other teachers acting weird also have those things inside them?"

Jul 25, 2023 5:55 pm

"Is that why he was vomiting? Spraying slug eggs on us? We've got to get deslugger stuff. What is that, Ivermectin maybe? Let's go fast! To the Fredmobile!"

Priya mostly, but all of them, got some of that goo on them. He feels his stomach lurch at the thought of some space tapeworm growing inside him.

Jul 25, 2023 6:02 pm

"No dummy. Ivermectin is for dogs, cattle, and sheep, and don't ask me why I know this. It might kill humans and fucking hell Freddie, way to make the tension go away. Hey! We can try it on Priya first! What a great idea! If she doesn't die we're good!"

The stress was ratcheting up on Emily now like growing tumbleweed. The worse it got, the worse it got.

Jul 25, 2023 6:14 pm

Zach frowns. "I thought Ivermectin was for anti-vaxxers," he says. "Whatever. We can think about medicine once we're back out of here. Is anyone else in favor of skipping our afternoon classes in order to find a shower instead?" He ignores Emily's pointed comments about Priya. He understands where they're coming from and decides he doesn't want anything to do with that argument.

Jul 26, 2023 5:09 am

Burdened with the unconscious and rather floppy Priya, the foursome move as quickly and quietly as they can down the hallway, heading back to the steps that lead back up to the basement level of Boseman High. Up those rough, concrete stairs they go, until they reach the door that opens into the hallway -- the door that Zach smashed the doorknob off of.

Cracking the door to peer through, the teens see that class is in session... and that the coast looks clear!

OOC:

If you're intending to sneak out of the basement / school and make a clean getaway here, I'd like to run this as a Quick Encounter, which I haven't tried before. That would entail a roll from each of you, depending on your role in the getaway. The lookout would roll Notice, the planner would roll Academics or Common Knowledge to know which way through the school would likely be free of kids and teachers not in class, someone needs to get sneaky with Stealth, and someone needs to carry Priya with an Athletics roll. We'd roll these in order, as the outcome from one can affect the next. (Note, the corrected order is Planning, Notice, Stealth, Athletics.)

Not forcing you down that path though...

Jul 26, 2023 5:10 am

OOC:

I'm up and around want to roll a single d6 in the game

Rolls

1D6 - (1D6, RA)

(4) = 4

Jul 26, 2023 1:15 pm

"Finished swapping Old Wives’ remedies for space slugs yet?" Lily from her spot up ahead checking if the coast is clear.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (1) = 1

Jul 26, 2023 2:18 pm

OOC:

Emily can roll stealth after common knowledge or academics as she sucks in both of those.

OOC:

Didn't mean to roll those yet. Heh. But there you have it. Miserabally noisy gal she is,

Last edited July 26, 2023 2:19 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Stealth* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jul 27, 2023 5:47 am

OOC:

So Zach has to make the Planning roll (Common Knowledge or Academics) to select the bestest and most fastestes way out.

Oh, roll at -1, Zach, since your teammates have chosen to get out and get active before you fully described the plan.

;)

Jul 27, 2023 5:50 am

Quote:

OOC:

Oh, roll at -1, Zach, since your teammates have chosen to get out and get active before you fully described the plan.

OOC:

I should just feed them to a slug at this point smh

Zach takes a moment to think about what the best way out of the school is, ideally passing by as few places teachers are likely to see as possible. He is slightly distracted by his friends, however, who are understandably rather riled up.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Academics - (1D8-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D8-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1D6-1 : (5) - 1 = 4

Jul 27, 2023 5:58 am

OOC:

Alrighty, tomorrow I'll post describing where you all get to, and then we'll have Freddie Fred make the final roll.

Jul 28, 2023 5:25 am

Behind the School

It was a back fire door that Zach remembered, one not far from the stairs the teens tore up when they made their move, and with Lily playing lookout and Emily leading the way, trying to not be seen, the four kids escape the building, stumbling out into the teacher's parking lot behind the school.

Fred, lugging Priya's seemingly increasingly heavy form, is last to escape the building and his breaths are coming hard as he realizes he and his three friends have interrupted four students vaping in the back quad. It's Banks, Noah, Dave Moore, and Clutch!

OOC:

Make your Athletics roll please, Fred. Emily, which of these jokers did you previously sell pot to? Zach -- you're not wearing your hoodie, right? Any worries about being outed? Also, your text just went, finally. Speaking of that, Fred, you feel your phone buzz in your pocket.

Lily -- during your getaway, you think you were all spotted by... Principal Romero!

So picture being in the back parking lot -- Fred and Emily's vehicles are parked out from, so it's a bit of a haul to get there.

Rolls

RANDOMIZILIER - (1d13, RA)

(2) = 2

Jul 28, 2023 5:38 am

Zach freezes for a brief moment when they run into a group of students in the back, but relaxes a bit when he recognizes his and Fred's friends. "Hey guys," he says, trying to sound casual. He realizes he's not wearing his hoodie. He took it off down in the tunnels, where it was dark, and while his binder should do its work, he doesn't feel comfortable in just a T-shirt up here in the bright of day. He awkwardly crosses his arms in front of his chest, trying to make the gesture look casual. "Priya had a bit of an accident and we're taking her home," he says, hoping the boys don't care enough to question it.

Jul 28, 2023 1:44 pm

Freddie leans against the wall. His heart labors from the labor, and he thanks Brittany for pushing him on cardio so much. Still his arms feel like they're on fire and his back sparks.

Last edited July 28, 2023 1:44 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Fred Solomon: Athletics* (Benny) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (4443) = 15

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jul 28, 2023 3:19 pm

Emily shields her eyes from the bright light of day for a second trying to make it look like she's brushing away some errant strands of hair.

"Aw shit," she mumbles under her breath when she sees the vaping boys. She had sold some pot to one of them and hoped they weren't looking to chat about that or anything else. With her car being on the other side of the school they could just be rude and go, feigning concern for Priya.

"Let's move to the cars. Don't talk to those jokers."

Jul 29, 2023 5:36 am

Noah

"What happened to her? Is she okay?" Noah says to Zach as Fred comes out as well, carrying Priya but unbothered by her weight.

Clutch

"Freddie!" Clutch calls to his friend after taking a hit from the weed-pen the boys are sharing. "Hey, did she faint when you asked her to go to Homecoming with you?"

Banks laughs out loud at that, also a little stoned, but Dave Moore looks far less amused. He doesn't waste time or his breath with pleasantries.

Dave Moore

"Hey, have any of you seen Kelly? Her car's here, but she wasn't in class..."

OOC:

You can ignore them as Emily suggests, but they've got other ideas. :)

Oh -- everyone add +1 Benny for surviving your adventures in the lower levels!

Jul 29, 2023 5:52 am

Zach nods for the others to just keep going while he stops walking, hopefully distracting the boys from seeing too much.
"She'll be fine," he says in response to Noah. "She just collapsed. Probably didn't have anything to eat today." He throws a glance to Fred's best friend, uncomfortable with his words, so he adds, "And nothing like that happened."

To Dave, he just offers a shrug. It's not like Kelly is on Zach's radar, so if she hasn't been at school, he didn't notice.

Jul 29, 2023 11:10 am

"It’s a lady problem!" Lily attacks, battering them with the adolescent awkwardness of it all. "Want the grisly details, or can we do what we need to do?!" Knowing what their answer is sure to be, she moves on:

"Bye! she says dismissively. "Oh, and I just saw Romero. He’s coming this way and it looks like he’s on the warpath!"

Jul 29, 2023 2:02 pm

"Romero? Fuck. Zach! COME ON!" Emily shouts, with maybe a little too much panic sneaking into her tone.

Jul 29, 2023 2:44 pm

Freddie is glad to see the other boys, but then his friends start covering up. Why? What are they doing? But the bro-code doesn't allow him to contradict their plan without talking it through. Back their play, question them later.

"Clutch, Dave, if I were you, I'd get everyone you care about out of the school. I think there's a toxic leak from the steam plant," he huffs, and adds, "And the teachers are acting dumb and denying it."

He follows the others toward the parking lot.

Jul 30, 2023 1:30 pm

One moment, it seems like the two groups are going to interact and get tangled up with one another, but the next -- after Lily says Romero is coming, and after Fred drops his bomb -- the boys are scrambling to put away the pot and scatter.

Clutch

"Seriously?!" Clutch is saying to Freddie as Banks pulls him away, urging him to be gone when the Principal comes out. "Okay man, we got it! Will do!"

Dave Moore

Dave is still focused on finding his ex. "Fred!" he calls out as the former sports star and his friends head around the building, "tell her to call me if you see her, dude!"

OOC:

Stand by. One more post coming.

Jul 30, 2023 1:33 pm

The Front Parking Lot

Leaving Clutch, Dave, Banks and Noah behind, with Emily leading the way, the rattled foursome rounds the end of the school and heads into the parking lot where two of them have vehicles. There are a few kids hanging outside Boseman High's front doors, but no teachers in sight.

OOC:

What next? Fred has his Tesla and Emily has the van, right? Is that where you're headed?

Jul 30, 2023 2:49 pm

Emily whispers to the others when she sees the kids loitering outside the school. "Should we warn them or what? We probably all look like shit."

Meanwhile, she is making tracks for the van, her mind already made up. "Who is coming with?"

Jul 30, 2023 2:58 pm

"We're all going, Emily," Zach replies. "And we're not telling anyone anything just yet. We need to talk about what happened first, figure out what to do." He runs a hand through his hair. "I fucking killed someone," he mutters.

OOC:

Once in the car, Zach's planning to use his phone. H, if there's already a response to his text, let me know.

Jul 30, 2023 3:24 pm

Freddie is a modern dude, so doesn't insist on driving. He lays Priya down in the back of Emily's van, resting her head on his lap. "Hospital, Emily!" He gives Zach a sympathetic look, mouth pulled taught grimly.

Jul 31, 2023 7:03 am

The four teens weave through the parking lot and pile into the Richardsen family van with the unconscious Priya in tow; she's laid out in the second row on her back as comfortably as possible as the Emily fires up the engine and the doors are pulled closed. The poor girl stinks -- Zach cleaned her up as best he could when they were still underground, but now it's easy to see just how much of the yellow nastiness has gotten into her hair and stained the once-pretty blouse that's plastered to her chest. Some of the group still had it on them as well -- this now crusty, horrendous goo that Gromn had projectile-vomited onto them.

Gromn who now lies dead in the tunnels. Who Zach believes he saw something crawl from...

OOC:

Emily, if you are headed to the hospital, are you driving normally and calmly, at blistering speed and breaking every law, or something in-between?

And remember how we said not all Perception checks were useless? Just most of them? Here's one now, as the van pulls out of the parking lot! Everyone not distracted by dealing with Priya (so everyone who hasn't had sex with at least two people in the last couple of days), please make a Notice check. Lily and Emily, roll at -2; Zach, make a straight-up roll.

Also, RP your hearts out. There's kind of a lot to talk about.

Jul 31, 2023 7:13 am

Once in the car, Zach leans against the window. He's feeling sick to his stomach after everything that happened. Priya's stink doesn't help but it's mostly the lifeless stare of Gromn's dead eyes that's burned into his mind and that makes Zach want to throw up. Or cry. Or maybe both. For now, he manages to keep himself from doing either.
He takes out his phone, realizing that he needs to let Abby know not to sound the alarms. "What do we tell them at the hospital?" he asks quietly. "I mean, about what happened to Priya and where we found her."

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (5) = 5

Jul 31, 2023 7:56 am

"We should just tell them we found her where we found her. Why would we lie about that when they can just go down there and see it for themselves…"

She chews her thumb as she looks out the window, van moving with increasing speed.

"This isn’t like a movie where everything will be nice and clean when we get back down there. They’ll see exactly what we describe…"

Rolls

-2 for something, +2 for Alertness Edge - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benny - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (1) = 1

Jul 31, 2023 7:59 am

"Yeah," Zach mutters, his eyes focused out of the window. "They'll find Gromn."

Jul 31, 2023 8:04 am

"Yeah…" she sighs. "But once they see the CCTV of him attacking us yesterday in the hall. Or the pictures we took, they’ll understand."

Or maybe…

"Or maybe we just tell them that we found Gromm and Priya. Fucker had it coming."

Jul 31, 2023 2:18 pm

"Fucking hell, it stinks in here." Emily hits the button that simultaneously drops the widows of the van and peels out of the parking lot.

"I'm going to drive nice and steady so we don't attract any cops. Not that they won't swarm us when we get there. We have from now until then to figure out what we plan to say. And Lily's right. We should just tell them the truth."

OOC:

Bennies have been working for me so here goes...

Last edited July 31, 2023 2:19 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Emily Richardsen: Notice * Benny roll - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jul 31, 2023 2:24 pm

"Noah, the others and Romero all saw us coming out of the school with a sports bag full of stolen bats," Zach argues. "One of them is the murder weapon. With my fingerprints all damn over it." There is panic creeping into his voice, even if he's not in full-on panic mode yet. "We can't just... Fuck, I can't go to prison!"

Jul 31, 2023 4:53 pm

Freddie listens to the others, and has no answers. "Look, if you want to get away with something, you have to explain what happened in a way that doesn't contradict the evidence, right? So yeah, we tell them everything. We were looking for missing people, I saw Gromm head into that back room, and so we followed him. We found that Gromm had held Priya in that holding cell, she called for help, and we let her out, then Gromm attacked us. We fought back, and ... Okay, why did we have baseball bats?"

Aug 1, 2023 5:15 am

Tensions are high inside the mini van as the kids debate their next move, and as several of them finally have a moment to check their phones, which have service again.

Fred has a note from his sister in the hospital, asking where Belinda was... telling him that she's ready to be discharged, but that the nurses can't reach their stepmom.

Debby: Do you know where she is? She told the nurses she had some appointment at the school, but that she'd be free by mid-morning.

Lily has a quick text from Wendy:

Wendy: Back from the thing with my mom! Where are you guys? I thought you'd still be at the cafeteria?
Wendy: Hullo? Lil?

Zach, stressed about Gromn and, well, everything, sees a pile of texts when he checks his smart phone.

Abby: You're what? Going to an asylum!?
Abby: Tunnels. What the heck are you guys doing? You're with your friends I hope?
Abby: Hello? Zach?
Abby: Okay, I'll text Rosie if I don't hear in an hour
Abby: Texting Rosie!!

Rose: Zach
Rose: Zach
Rose: ZACH
Rose: where are u?
Rose: Abby reached out
Rose: said you were heading 4 the old aslym
Rose: Zach?
Rose: okay getting worried
Rose: abby says u were in tunnles
Rose: the ones bleow thew school?

The last message was ten minutes ago, and is particularly worrying for the boy... but when he looks up from his phone and out the back window, back towards the school, he sees something else that jars him even more. The distinctive chrome grill of the big black Escalade. The vehicle the two guys he had the run in with on the side of the road were traveling in... and it's right behind them.

Emily's phone buzzes too. She manages to glance at it, and sees that she has messages from her brother, Steve. The first text is a picture of a pretty freshman in a spaghetti-strapped tank top, the next few are messages from the boy.

Steve: know her
Steve: shes hot right
Steve: can you introduce us

Lily sees the SUV as well -- in fact, she watched it pull from a parking spot on the street into a sharp U-turn so it could pursue the kids. Something is up with that Cadillac!

Aug 1, 2023 5:34 am

Zach curses to himself. He should have expected this, but he quickly begins hammering in responses to both girls.

Zach: Rosie, don't call our parents!
Zach: Back out of the tunnels.
Zach: Abby, things happened
Zach: I'm scared
Zach: But I can't talk right now
Zach: I'm okay. Should be safe. With my friends
Zach: I'll call you when I can
Zach: Something happened
Zach: Can you meet me at the hospital asap?
Zach: I'm not hurt. Someone else is
Zach: DON'T say anything to our parents!
Zach: I love you, Rosie
After firing off this volley of texts, Zach's eye is finally caught by the Escalade following them. He leans in towards Emily and queitly lets her know, "That car behind us, that's the guys who asked about you and Steve. The ones who attacked me."

Aug 1, 2023 11:40 am

Where are you? We just left the school. Can’t talk about it over text. Get out of the school ASAP. Find Aaron if you can and get out together. Serious shit. No joke. Meet us at the hospital if you can. We’re being followed.
The text thumps out at insane speed, trying to tell just enough to instill action, and too little to be brought up on anything later.

"You guys seeing this truck behind us?" she asks, scoping it out again.

Last edited August 1, 2023 11:40 am

Aug 1, 2023 5:02 pm

"Brothers. Jesus." Emily shakes her head in disgust and tosses the phone into the tray between the front seats. "Does every guy think about sex every freakin' minute of the day?"

Her raised voice is an outlet for the tension that grips her body like a vice as she tries to navigate the road before her, listening to her friends tap frantically on their phones.

"What? What truck?" Emily turns white when she glances in her rearview mirror. "Fuck me. Does this crap ever end? I can't lose them if that's what anyone is thinking. Not in this rattletrap. And not with you know who there. Maybe they will fuck off when we reach the hospital."

Aug 1, 2023 10:55 pm

Freddie knows he has to go back under the school, into the tunnels. Belinda could be there, and Kelly, and who knows how many of his friends. He texts back to Debby:

Fred: Her car was at the school but I didn't see her. I'll break you out soon, I'm headed there now. Hear from Sarah today?

Aug 2, 2023 3:50 pm

Various text replies come back to the occupants of the van.

Abby: What things happened?! Good things or bad things
Abby: Ah, k
Abby: Be safe… keep me posted on what’s going on
Wendy: whoa
Wendy: WTH that’s a lot
Wendy: i’m in class
Wendy: economics, mr myers
Wendy: he’s just perving on lisa mckendrey anyway bet i can slip away
Wendy: what’s wrong with the school
Wendy: why are you going to the hospital
Wendy: !?!
Debby: Her car is there but you can’t find her? That’s weird. Sarah’s in class and hasn’t seen her either — we talked on the phone a few minutes ago. Thanks for thinking of coming here, but I don’t know if you can get me out? I think B has to sign something.
Behind the van, a reasonable distance back, Emily sees the SUV Zach and Lily mentioned. The glass is dark, but it looks like there are two people in the front. The vehicle appears to be in no particular hurry, and isn’t obviously / closely tailing the van.

Aug 3, 2023 5:07 am

Ugh. He’s the worst. Creep.

‘Gas leak.’ Will tell you the rest later.

Keep messaging until you’re out!

Are you leaving??

🤐

"Maybe they’ll fuck off if we take Priya to the police station and let them take her to the hospital??" she asks the others in the car, absorbed as they are in hurried messages.

Aug 3, 2023 2:54 pm

"Whatever happens, let's have one person recording it with their phone, and someone else ready to dial 911. If they're up to no good, that might keep them honest."

Aug 3, 2023 3:48 pm

"Yeah. Good plan. I don't think there's much more we can do than that. They aren't breaking any laws but I wish I knew what the hell they were following us for, if they actually are." Emily takes a long hard look in the rearview mirror as if all will be revealed, which of course it is not.

"No cops Lilly, for as long as we can avoid them anyway."

Aug 3, 2023 5:33 pm

Zach still holds on tight to his phone as if it was some sort of lifeline, but he looks up at Emily. "Are you sure you don't know what they want?" he asks her. "I mean, they're asking about your family. And when I asked you about them, you immediately told Steve and left school with him." He hesitates and then lies, "We shouldn't have any secrets. We're friends."

Aug 3, 2023 5:45 pm

"Look, Zach, you don't understand and you don't want to. It's for your own safety and you'll just have to trust me on that? Okay?"

She wasn't a hundred percent sure what they wanted but she had an idea. Meanwhile her friends were safer not knowing anything.

Aug 4, 2023 5:49 am

OOC:

What's your approach going to be for the hospital? Roll up and carry Priya into the ER? All of your exiting the van and going in? Feel free to incorporate those actions in your next IC post.

Wendy: whoa
Wendy: ok leaving
Wendy: should I pull a fire alarm?
Ahead, the hospital is in sight. Boseman is a small town; it's only a few miles down the main drag. It's seventies vintage and not a huge building, but it does have a drive up ER...

Aug 4, 2023 5:50 am

"We could stop up ahead and see if they stop too. If they do, well… clobbering time, maybe? We’ve had lots of practice…"

Aug 4, 2023 5:52 am

If it helps…

Just get yourself out of there and worry about everyone else later! We’re almost at the hospital!

Aug 4, 2023 5:58 am

"Our own safety?" Zach asks Emily. "These guys are already after us and I almost had to go to the hospital the other day because they attacked me. I think it's a bit too late to keep us in the dark 'for our safety'." He frowns, looking back at the car. "But if they're after you, maybe you can leave the car and we'll make them think you're still in here. Hide your hair, take off your glasses... I'd offer you my hoodie but I doubt you want to wear that. Then you and Lily could take Priya into the hospital while Fred and I drive somewhere else, hopefully making them think you're still driving."

Aug 4, 2023 5:32 pm

"That's an idea, Freddie but it's just prolonging the inevitable. Let's get Priya to the hospital. Decide what to do after that.

What the boy had said was kind of ironic. She used to be that girl. No glasses and long blonde hair. Maybe back then Freddie would have been pawing at her at the first opportunity.

Aug 5, 2023 1:09 am

"Just go to the emergency, Emily, Lily and I can take care of those assholes while you drag her inside. Just tell them she was exposed to a lot of parasites, swallowed some, and needs to be dewormed or something."

To Lily, he says, "If we fuck up their shit, they'll run I bet. Bats to headlights and door windows." He winks, "Unless they're undercover agents in which case, this was all your idea and you blackmailed me."

Aug 5, 2023 9:52 pm

"Jesus, a parasite. It's not far off is it? Ok, if we are all on board, I am too. You going to sit in the van with your bats ready and come out swinging if they come over then? You sure you're both good with that plan? I mean what if they have guns?"

Coming out of the asylum alive had given everyone a bit of swagger, it seemed.

Aug 6, 2023 5:42 am

"We're not going to assault anyone!" Zach protests. "And we're definitely not going to be swinging around Gromn's murder weapon in public. It's the hospital. They won't attack us in public. And I can always let the security staff there know that these guys attacked me before and to keep an eye on them."

Aug 6, 2023 8:44 am

"Im mighty sorry, officers! That Freddy Solomon is just so gosh darned handsome, ain’t he?" she says, fluttering her eyelashes. "He had me acting the fool, yes he did! He led me astray. I thought… Well, I thought he liked me! I guess I was trying to impress him." she follows on, taking on a southern drawl for the whole thing.

Then she drops the act, and responds to Zach:

"We can’t go around trying to be best friends with everyone! Gromm tried to kill us, and these guys, what… beat the shit out of you once already? Well, they won’t do that to me!"

Aug 6, 2023 5:30 pm

As the teens argue and jabber, Emily turns into the hospital entrance and heads for the ER side of the building, following the signs. It’s getting to be mid to late afternoon by now, and the place looks busy but not overwhelmed. The black SUV makes the turn as well, but it heads into a nearby parking lot when Emily drives the van into the little semi-circle that allows her to stop right in front of the ER doors.

OOC:

This is not the entrance where ambulances drop critical patients, but the main entrance to the ER — where you would walk into an area that has a waiting room and a front desk; where you would let them know the problem, get checked in, take a seat, etc.

What do y’all do from here?

Aug 6, 2023 5:43 pm

"We're just going inside!" Zach tells his friends. "Nobody try anything stupid with those guys in the black car. There are cameras and people everywhere. They'll leave us alone."

He checks his phone and if Rose hasn't sent another message, he quickly writes her another text.

Zach: At the ER. Meet me here as soon as you can
Zach: Don't talk to anyone, especially not some mob-looking types in a black car

Aug 6, 2023 5:49 pm

Slightly troubling, there is still no response from Rose.

Aug 7, 2023 1:38 am

Fred takes a deep breath and picks up Priya as the van stops and the side door opens. He says lowly, "Here goes," and carries her toward the doors. "Help, someone, please!" he calls, as he stumbles (not entirely feigning) into range of the automatic entrance.

Aug 7, 2023 6:29 am

OOC:

Need to know what the rest of you are doing as hospital staff will invariably rush to help Fred and Priya...

Aug 7, 2023 6:34 am

OOC:

Zach stays near Emily for now, whether she goes in or not, since he knows those guys are after her specifically

Aug 7, 2023 2:02 pm

Emily tenses as they pull into the hospital, quickly glancing in the rearview mirror to check on their tail, if it really was a tail and not them being paranoid.

"The SUV just turned into the parking lot, guys." Stopping the car she turns to the group. "I'm not going to drag Priya in there by myself and we need to get our stories straight. She swallowed a parasite. They're going to ask where and how and maybe even why she was such a dumb moron to do that."

Aug 8, 2023 4:25 am

"Look! Why don’t we just talk to the guy at security while Fred deals with Priya?" Lily asks, trying to console Emily.

"We tell him that these guys have been following us… two young women… since we left school. They could be predators or anything. Plus, they already attacked Zach.

One thing at a time."

Aug 9, 2023 6:13 am

At the Hospital

It all happens fast once Freddie gets Priya out of the vehicle and into the ER. There are hurrying nurses, a rolling bed appears and the girl is laid on it, vitals are taken, questions are asked. It's a whole variety of things Fred isn't sure initially how to answer -- what happened to her, how long has she been like this, have her parents been notified, when was the last time she was conscious, does she have a history of fainting spells, does she have ID or an insurance card. And on, and on.

Outside, Emily has the van idling and place as Lily and Zach bark at her...

OOC:

The SUV has parked. No one has gotten out.

Aug 9, 2023 12:59 pm

Emily bangs the palms of both hands above her ears in frustration.

"Why don't you talk to the guy at security." Her irritation is very evident at the barrage of suggestions being hurled at her.

"I'm the wheels and I need to stay right here." Craning her neck around she adds, "No one is getting out of the SUV. Go on Lilly. Talk to the security people although my experience of them is they are useless as tits on a bull."

Aug 9, 2023 1:44 pm

Zach's attention is divided between the SUV and his phone. He's getting worried about Rose after everything that already happened today. She's usually pretty glued to her phone so it's strange that she hasn't written him again yet.
As they're sitting and waiting - and as Lily and Emily are starting to argue - he opens his Contacts and selects Rose' name, giving her phone a call. He puts it up to his ear, his eyes on the SUV as he listens to the dial tone.

Aug 10, 2023 1:25 am

Freddie begins sweating. He's strained himself overtly this day and every instinct says that he has to go back, look for the others.Belinda, Kelly, even her father, and who knows how many. But he's just a boy, he knows nothing about anything, least of all defeating slug based puppetmasters.

The questions come too fast. "I don't know," is too common an answer, and he knows they don't believe him. He tries to sound honest. "Parasites everywhere. Worms in her mouth!"

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Persuasion* - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (63) = 9

Aug 10, 2023 3:15 am

"Well, of course I’d be the one to talk to them. With social skills like yours, he’d probably end up calling the cops on us!" Lily barks back, rising to the bait.

"I’ll talk to him. I’ll fight the teachers. I’ll save us from the axe murderer. I’ll just do everything!" she angrily pushes open the door of the car, and rummages in her coat pockets. She puts her hand to the camera there, and pulls it free.

She steps out, looking back at the SUV. She waves, and holds the camera up. She walks closer, snapping a photo as she goes, shooting from the hip.

She gets closer, though careful to keep her distance so she can run if needs be.

"Say cheese, assholes!" she says, bringing the camera up to her eye, and lining up a shot on the occupants!

Aug 10, 2023 3:25 am

Suddenly, the tension in the car explodes as Lily snaps. Zach turns his head around to look at his friends, phone still to his ear, but Lily is already getting out of the car. "No, Lily, wait!" he calls, but she's already doing her thing outside.
Zach doesn't feel good about it, but he stays in the car, watching. If those guys freak out and attack her or something, he promises himself, he's going to intervene.

Aug 10, 2023 4:52 am

Inside the Hospital

In short order, Priya is rushed away on a gurney, and after Fred stumbles over the staff's questions, he finds himself in an examination room before he even really realizes what it is.

"Just try and relax, have a seat up here. The doctor will be here in a moment," a heavy-set nurse says as she puts on a mask and gloves. She continues as she arms herself with a stethoscope and otoscope. "Then you can tell us what happened and where -- and what these worms looked like... whether she ate something spoiled, or was... infected... some other way."

Aug 10, 2023 5:05 am

Outside the Hospital

Behind the wheel, Emily is fuming a little as Zach stresses about his sister. There's no answer on her phone, and as Lily is suddenly getting out of the van it goes straight to voicemail. The girl's camera is out and she's coming on strong, boldly approaching the black SUV. The figures in the front seats don't react -- until the newsie brings the camera up to her eye. Then the two doors are opening, and two guys in suits are getting out. One is bigger than the other, but they both have that greasy Jersey Sopranos look -- and they sprint for the teen.

"Gimmie that camera!" one of them shouts as they rush forward!

OOC:

Drawing cards for initiative!

Deck Draws

Lily, Zach, Emily, Shorter Goon, Taller Goon

Aug 10, 2023 5:07 am

OOC:

Round One order is Lily, Emily, Zach, Tall Goon, Short Goon. Lily is probably what, 30' / 10m from the SUV? That's after walking 10m, so Emily and Zach are ~20m from the SUV and the onrushing goombas.

Aug 10, 2023 2:34 pm

"Well fuck me. Who stuck a bug up her ass?" Lilly's meltdown doesn't surprise Emily. They'd been on edge for what felt like days already. But when she sees her taunt the occupants of the SUV, she smacks the steering wheel with her fists.

"What the hell? Just stupid! Better grab your bats and watch this disaster unfold, but I doubt whoever is in there will be dumb enough to cause a scene so close to the hospital. Maybe that's what she is counting on but I don't see how it helps us unless she gets a better look at the bozos."

Aug 10, 2023 10:37 pm

Inside the Hospital

Freddie feels panic arise, he has so many things to do, and all of them made harder with this interference. So he argues, "No, I'm okay, look I don't want to be examined. I do not consent to this. I've told you what I know. Slugs and worms, she was splashed by this wicked grody sludge in an abandoned building. She fainted or something, so I carried her out. I've got to make sure the others are alright!"

Aug 11, 2023 5:33 am

Inside the Hospital

The nurse holds up steadying hands when a hint of desperation, or perhaps even panic, creeps into Fred's voice.

"Whoa, whoa. We should take a look at you son, but we're not going to force you to do anything. How many others are there? Are they back at this building? Is anyone hurt or unconscious, like Ms. Sunder?"

Aug 11, 2023 11:42 am

"Kiss my ass, you fucking creeps." she shouts, as the flash blares out and she shoots her shot.

Then she takes off running towards the door of the hospital!

"Help! Help! Someone help!" she screams, as frantically as she can, knowing it will draw ER staff.

Aug 11, 2023 3:01 pm

Teeth clenched, Emily rushes out from the car, bat raised, a collision course set for the goon that demands Lilly's camera. Winding up for a hit to the man's face, she swings.

"Leave her alone asshole!"

OOC:

benny time!

OOC:

Well crap.

Last edited August 11, 2023 3:02 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (1) = 1

Aug 11, 2023 11:31 pm

Inside the Hospital

He starts and says, "More? Yes, there might be, but I don't know. We didn't check every room. I thought it was going to be a party, but it was so musty and gloomy. I have to go back." He holds up his hands. "I'll call the police if there are more, and ambulances if needed. And I'll be safe. Now, thanks, and take care of Priya." He looks at his phone. "I should call her parents."

Aug 12, 2023 5:54 am

Outside the Hospital

OOC:

More weirdness with the SWADE rules. Lily, who is going to run, is supposed to add her "Running" die to her Pace. She doesn't have a Running die. If might be a d6 default for everyone, but I think I'm going to just tie it to Athletics. So she'll roll her Athletics die (only, not the Wild Die) and add that result to her pace. She can travel that number x 2 in meters... and any rolls made while running are at -2 (for running). To get a great shot with her camera before she takes off, I'd like a roll as well -- and it's not clear what that would be. Let's say... Taunt?

If she doesn't want the -2 to the roll, she can forego Running and just Move -- her Pace in meters x 2.

Emily indeed got a crit failure, so I'll post up the results of that shortly.

Aug 12, 2023 6:02 am

Outside the Hospital

Lily is snapping her pics and then bolting, but Emily passes right by her, bat in hand, preparing to take a swing at the lead goon. That's the shorter guy -- the one calling for the reporter's camera -- and he surprises Emily when he takes the bat right out of her hands, throws it clatteringly to the side, and seizes the girl painfully by the forearm.

"Get the fuckin' camera!" he shouts to his companion as he starts dragging the struggling girl towards his SUV.

OOC:

Zach is up, and need Lily's decisions / rolls from my OOC above.

Aug 12, 2023 6:18 am

"Let go of her!" Zach shouts, suddenly panicked at seeing his friend in this situation. He breaks into a sprint to try and reach Emily and once he gets there, he grabs the man's arm, trying to pull at it to give Emily an opportunity to slip out.

Last edited August 12, 2023 6:23 am

Rolls

Athletics to run - (1D4, RA)

(42) = 6

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting-2 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting-2 Benny - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (62) - 2 = 6

Aug 12, 2023 6:30 am

Outside the Hospital

OOC:

The "Running" die doesn't explode, but Zach still rolls a 4, increasing his pace to 10, so he can cross the distance and try to free Emily!

Zach moves faster than anyone has seen him move, sprinting over to where Emily's just been grabbed, and in short order he's trying to pull her free. The girl is a helpless rag doll for a moment, but then the suited man's grip slips and she's free!

OOC:

Going to wait on Lily's rolls before moving to the goons.

Rolls

Shorter Goon Tries to Hold His Grapple (vs. 6) - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

Aug 12, 2023 6:38 am

Inside the Hospital

"Fred Solomon," the nurse says sternly, "do not go back to the place where Priya got hurt, or infected, or whatever! Wait here and we'll have the police come -- they can escort you back and evaluate the place!"

Realization suddenly dawns on the woman's face. "Wait! Your sister is upstairs! Getting discharged today. Fred, level with me: what's going on with you kids?"

Aug 12, 2023 8:18 am

OOC:

Rolls to carry out basic bodily functions! What next?! :D

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Lily Palmer: Taunt - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aug 12, 2023 2:54 pm

"Get your hands OFF OF ME!" Emily shrieks, batting her hands and legs, trying to land a blow anywhere she can.

When Zach manages to free her, she lunges for the bat that the goon took from her. Her forearm screams in pain where the goon twisted it but she shakes it off, adrenaline holding some of the throbbing at bay.

Aug 12, 2023 3:53 pm

Freddie leaves, heading for the front door. "No time," he quips.

OOC:

At this point Fred is just going to leave, and see if he can talk Emily and the others into going back, otherwise he'll call an uber to meet him at a convenience store on the way back -- he really doesn't want to be here when the cops show up and ask even more delaying questions.

Aug 13, 2023 4:58 pm

OOC:

From the Discord, I think I KCC said 'No Running' -- so no -2 to Lily's the roll, and success at snapping some solid candids. So, carrying on with the round, Emily and Zach are engaged with the shorter goon, Lily has run back to the van (range: 20m to the SUV / goons), and Fred is about to join the scene, coming out of the hospital.)

Outside the Hospital

"You again! You weren't involved in this kid," the shorter heavy growls at Zach when Emily is torn from his grasp, "but ya are now!" Saying that, the thug throws a punch at the teen's with a ham-sized fist, slamming it into the boy's stomach, knocking the wind out of him.

The taller man, who's been quiet so far, sprints after Lily, chasing her all the way back to the van. She sees him coming, though, and darts around to the other side of the vehicle -- where she suddenly sees Fred emerge from the Hospital, looking surprised at the scene that confronts him!

OOC:

Zach is Shaken -- the punch beat his parry, and the 7 damage beat his Toughness, but there was no raise / wound. The tall goon cannot reach Lily this round, and since Fred is joining the melee, I'll pull a card for him. Emily, worth noting that you posted about going for the bat -- couldn't do that in Round One, but it's a possibility now. It would be an action to move to the bat and grab it, and another if you want to attack. Multi-action rules tell us you can do all this, but at a -2 penalty to rolls. FYI.

Round Two
Round Two order is Lily, Emily, Zach, Tall Goon, Fred, Short Goon. The shorter goon, Emily, and Zach are 20m west of the van. The tall goon is 3m from Lily -- they are on either side of the van. Fred is 5m east of Lily, coming out of the building. Makes relative sense?

Rolls

Short Goon Tries to Punch Zach with Fighting (Parry 4) - (1d6, 1d8, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d8 : (6) = 6

Tall Goon Running Roll - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Damage to Zach (vs. Toughness 4) - (1d8, RA)

(7) = 7

Deck Draws

Fred's Pull

Aug 14, 2023 12:06 pm

OOC:

How might I go about pulling open the van and tossing a few baseball bats out to the others?

Aug 15, 2023 2:01 am

OOC:

Just post that you're doing that. Use your regular move tp get into the van, and your action to find and grab the (other three?) bats. Anyone close enough to Move to you and grab one can do so with a Free Action. (Like their are drawing their own weapon.)

Aug 15, 2023 2:28 am

OOC:

Yea, sure, start swinging around in public THE GROMN MURDER WEAPON

Aug 15, 2023 2:39 am

OOC:

Right, one of them is fucking blood soaked.

Aug 15, 2023 12:33 pm

OOC:

+3 Psychic Damage!

"Fred! A little help!" Lily calls frantically, as she pulls open the door on her side, and rummaged around for the bats. She scoops them up, with some effort, and scurries back out of the van.

"Here!" she calls to the others!

Aug 15, 2023 2:56 pm

Emily assesses her best chances after Lilly grabs some bats from the van. Her bat that the goon swiped and tossed, or Lilly's bats? Her head snaps back to the goons and their positions. Then she remembers her pepper spray, yanks it from her pocket and goes after the closest goon, attempting a full blast spray to his beady eyes.

"Hey! Fuckface! Look at me!"

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Aug 15, 2023 2:59 pm

Zach is still gasping for air, trying to get himself back under control. Once the stars stop dancing in front of his eyes, he just instinctively grabs Emily and tries to pull her back towards the car, away from those goons.

Last edited August 15, 2023 3:18 pm

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (65) = 11

Zachary Tidwell: Strength (Opposed) - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (4) = 4

Aug 15, 2023 3:41 pm

"Hey ... no ...Zach ..."

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Strength Opposed - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Aug 15, 2023 7:17 pm

Lily says:

"Here!" she calls to the others!

No sooner does Lily emerge with the bats than she's confronted with the grim-faced man who was chasing her. Well over six feet tall, he'd legged around the back of the van and caught up to her. "Hand it over, you little punk!" he growls as he tries to grab for the girl and the SLR camera hanging around her neck.

OOC:

The shorter goon, Emily, and Zach are now 18m west of the van (the teens have 2m of separation from the goon from Zach's push, he'll close that on his turn). The tall goon is engaged with Lily at the sliding door side of the van (the right). Fred is 5m east of Lily, coming out of the building... now behind the tall goon.

For the tall goon's action, he's trying to grab the camera -- that means -4 for the Called Shot. But if he wins the contest *without* the negative modifier, he'll still Entangle Lily. Example: If he rolls an 8 and Lily rolls a 6, he'll miss the camera but grab her.

Lily, please Defend with Athletics. Meet or beat an 11, kid! Actually, while you're at it, make a STR check as well if you don't win the Opposed Athletics roll. Take +1 to your STR roll due to the strap.

Rolls

Called Shot (-4) Grapple with Athletics. - (1d6-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d6-4 : (663) - 4 = 11

1d6-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

Strength Roll to Wrest the Camera from Lily - (1d6, 1d8, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d8 : (7) = 7

Aug 16, 2023 12:09 pm

OOC:

I won’t win this shit, for sure!

OOC:

Roll like fucking dog shit every time.

Something more akin to a panicked squeal escapes from Lily as she’s suddenly overtaken by the large man!

Last edited August 16, 2023 12:12 pm

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Benny! - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Lily Palmer: Strength - (1d4+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

BENNY Lily Palmer: Strength - (1d4+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d4+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

1d6+1 : (5) + 1 = 6

Aug 17, 2023 5:09 am

Lily struggles with the big man briefly, but his rough handling is too much for the girl when he grabs her camera and yanks, pulling her the rest of the way out of the van, sending her sprawling on the ground as the camera strap snaps, leaving the grinning man with his prize.

OOC:

The tall goon got a raise on the grapple, so knocking Lily prone in addition to grabbing the camera from her. He also won the opposed STR roll, so he now has the camera.

Fred is up, then the short goon!

Aug 17, 2023 5:18 am

Fred steps out of the hospital. "Hey, I think there's a pokegym in preteen maternity!" he says, looking at his phone. When he see the fight, he had no idea what's going on, but it's a fighting kind of day!

"Hey let off!" He yells and runs up to donkey punch the tall goon.

OOC:

Didn't add +1 for Gang Up bonus, if it applies

Last edited August 17, 2023 5:26 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aug 17, 2023 5:36 am

OOC:

Fred, he didn't see this coming, do you've got THE DROP on him! (Instead of the Gang-Up)

[ +- ] The Drop

Basically, this adds +4 to your attack, which means (vs. his Parry of 5) you succeed and get a raise -- and so add additional d6 of damage. Roll your damage -- your STR + the extra d6 from the raise + 4 from having The Drop!

Aug 17, 2023 5:39 am

Fred saw this punch on a YouTube video.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength, Raise, Drop - (1d6+1d6+4, RA)

(5) + (2) + 4 = 11

Aug 17, 2023 5:43 am

OOC:

Vigor test to stay conscious... ignoring the -2 I added in error... he still fails and is knocked cold.

Rolls

Vigor Roll - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Aug 17, 2023 5:48 am

Fred's swing, at the end of a sudden lunge, connects right in the back of the goon's head. The man stiffens and then hits the ground hard, his face first bouncing off the quarter panel of Emily's van before cracking into the concrete.

He winces at the sudden stinging in his knuckles, and let's out a wheeze, half complaint, half victory growl as if he couldn't decide what noise to make.

Aug 17, 2023 5:58 am

Back near the SUV the two tough guys had parked, Zach is trying to move Emily to safety as the vicious cold-cocking is going on closer to the hospital. The girl seems to want to scrap despite her pepper spray fritzing and failing, but Zach succeeds in moving her a few feet back -- but it's not enough to get beyond the reach of the man in the suit who seemed to be trying to drag Emily off a few seconds ago. The squat, square-shouldered goon grunts and levels a powerful hook at Zach again, trying to hurt him and put him out of the fight...

OOC:

That's a couple of raises, so rolling damage + an extra d6.

Rolls

Fighting vs. Zach's Parry of 4 - (1d6, 1d8, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d8 : (86) = 14

Strength Damage - (1d8+1d6, RA)

(6) + (65) = 17

Aug 17, 2023 6:05 am

Fred's sudden arrival and knockout punch to the taller of the two men distracts Zach enough that he doesn't notice the other man's punch until it is too late.

OOC:

Let's try to soak.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (3) = 3

Aug 17, 2023 6:10 am

The blow is violent, just bone-crushing in power as the heavy-set man drives his fist into Zach's side, blasting the air from the teen's lungs, and likely cracking several ribs.

"Stay outta this!" the goon shouts at the collapsing boy, preparing to turn his attention to Emily.

OOC:

End of Round 2. Drawing card for Round 3.

The shorter goon, Emily, and Zach are still 18m west of the van. At the van, Lily is on the ground and Fred is standing over the unconscious Tall Goon. Init order is set: Fred, Lily, Short Goon, Zach, Emily

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Short Goon

Aug 17, 2023 1:52 pm

Fred grabs a bat from the van, and runs for the tall goon. Who are these goons? They must be from the asylum, some kind of kiddy snatchers!

"Emily!" he calls out, worried.

OOC:

Pace 6 + 4 from Athletics for Run action. Attacking at -2

Getting close he swings the bat hard, trying to connect with the second goon's ribcage, but misjudges the distance and stumbles, hitting air only. Strike one.

Last edited August 18, 2023 7:54 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Fred Solomon: Fighting (Benny) - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Aug 17, 2023 2:27 pm

Emily has a temper. If it wasn't apparent before it certainly was now. Once the adrenaline started rushing, there was no stopping her. She'd gotten lucky in the past when she'd lost her rational thinking to rage. Maybe she'd be lucky again....

Out of the corner of her eye she sees Freddie wielding a bat, while in front of her the tall goon is wailing on Zach. Her pepper spray was crap but she had her teeth. Lunging at the goon's face she attempts to bite him in the cheek. It's a desperate move sure, but she's furious now.

OOC:

Dice don't fail me now...🎶🎵

Last edited August 18, 2023 1:52 am

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (2) = 2

Aug 18, 2023 12:45 am

Lily stands up, but immediately stoops down again to pick up her camera from the unconscious goon’s hand. She inspects it for damage. Satisfied, she turns the man over with some effort, so that his face is skyward.

She stands over the man, and snaps a portrait of him for later. Assuming the gang didn’t just call the cops right now!

Aug 19, 2023 1:49 am

Stepping back first from Zach's writhing, wheezing form, and then from Fred's banzai club attack, the stocky thug swears as he waits for an opening, then tries to disarm the bat-happy teen. "The fuck is wit you crazy kids! Jesus Christ, you're like a buncha rabid dogs!"

One of the man's big mitts wraps around the base of the weapon, close to Fred's hands. If the teen doesn't hold fast, the bat is going to be wrenched out of his hands!

OOC:

Fred -- Strength check, please. Just don't roll two 1s and you'll keep the bat!

Then Zach, who is Shaken, is up. Emily's already acted.

Rolls

Fighting vs. Parry 4 (-2 for Called Shot to Bat) - (1d6-2, 1d8-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d8-2 : (7) - 2 = 5

Damage to Determine Results of Disarm - (1d8)

(2) = 2

Aug 19, 2023 2:43 am

He wrestles with it. "Fucking pedo!"

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aug 19, 2023 3:48 am

Zach is lying on the ground, wheezing as his ribcage is screaming with pai. He's unable to act.

OOC:

Forgot the -3 for my three wounds. Ignore the second roll

Last edited August 19, 2023 3:50 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor to Unshake - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (42) = 6

1D6 : (4) = 4

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (43) = 7

1D6 : (2) = 2

Aug 19, 2023 3:58 am

"Pedo?!" the thick-limbed man growls as Fred tears his bat from the man's strong grasp. "Fuck you you little cunt! You don't know nothin'!"

OOC:

End of Round 3, drawing cards for Round 4!

And so our order is: Emily, Short Goon, Zach, Fred, Bystander, Lily

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Short Goon, Bystander

Aug 19, 2023 8:13 pm

"Bastard!" Emily makes a grab for the bat she had taken from her before and lunges toward the goon, bat held high and ready for a rage-filled swing.

OOC:

Appealing to the dice gods of explosions...

OOC:

Nothin' doin'

Last edited August 19, 2023 8:14 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Aug 20, 2023 3:57 am

When Emily arms herself again and the driver of the SUV finds himself now facing two teens with bats, the man sighs and draws a pistol from inside his jacket. "Alright," he says, leveling the dark grey semi-automatic at Fred, "drop the fuckin' bat! Now! Both of yous, drop 'em or I'll shoot you dead, you little punk! Don't try me!"

OOC:

Uses his action to draw and then Hold -- he's waiting to see what Fred does. If Fred tries to push the issue / take a swing, and Athletics test will determine who goes first.

Zach, Fred, the Bystander and Lily are now up, and the goon's held action is tied to interrupting Fred.

Aug 20, 2023 4:00 am

Zach tries to gather his strength again after getting the air knocked out of him but even with the sudden threat of a gun, he can't being up the strength to stand or do much of anything.

Last edited August 20, 2023 4:01 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6-3, 1D6-3, RA)

1D6-3 : (3) - 3 = 0

Aug 20, 2023 11:24 am

Lily ducks low, seeing the gun being pulled. She creeps along the side of the vehicle, trying to approach the goon with him unaware.

When she’s close, she will rush out and whack him full force with her own bat!

OOC:

Pace: 6+4.
Penalty: A further -2 to the rolled roll.

Last edited August 20, 2023 11:46 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (665) - 2 = 15

Lily Palmer: Strength (Damage) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Damage (Bat + Raise) - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aug 20, 2023 11:47 am

Fred feels his rage unleash, the gun provoking intense fear and a fight instinct. This goon must be working with Gromn. If they get snatched they'll get stuck in that asylum pit only to die by infestation. He swings twice trying to brain the goon, then hitting his leg on the backswing. "No!" He screams.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (64) - 2 = 8

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Aug 20, 2023 4:14 pm

OOC:

Alright. Let's resolve Lily's attack first. She crosses the distance, like Fred, without rolling her Athletics die. We're going with the flow here and you both owe me a beer. The goon is very focused on Fred and Emily, and I'll say that while he sees Lily coming at the last instant, he cannot Interrupt her. Her attack hits with a raise, and her damage is 10. That will result in the guy being Shaken and suffering a Wound.

He'll take the Wound, but he'll spend his lone Benny to eliminate the Shaken condition. And that means he's going to test Athletics, to see if the gun goes off before Fred comes at him. He needs to beat a 4. On a tie, it's simultaneous.

Rolls

Short Goon tests Athletics to see who goes first - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

The gun goes off! Shooting test vs. Fred's Parry of 4 - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (64) = 10

Aug 20, 2023 4:17 pm

Fred feels the goon's gun go off, the finger tightening as he swings like it's scratching the back of his skull.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength + bat - (1d6+1d6, RA)

(2) + (5) = 7

Aug 20, 2023 4:25 pm

Emily sees it all up close. She's right there with her bat, worried now that the guy has a gun, and he's pointing it at Fred.

From out of nowhere -- there's Lily, and she smokes the goon with her bat. He's able to turn into the blow and take it on the shoulder, but it's a heavy one that will leave terrible bruising.

Fred is rushing forward then, and as he strikes in a fury -- just as the gun goes off like a thunderclap.

The three of them are knocked apart by the violence of it all. Fred staggers back, bloodied from a bullet graze, dazed but satisfied that one of his frenzied strikes landed, catching his foe on the side of the head, stunning him. Lily and Emily are right there now too -- all the kids, surrounding the thug.

Nearby, a bystanders is hysterically calling 911 as they run towards the hospital.

OOC:

After all is said and done, the goon is Shaken from Fred's blow, and Fred is Shaken and has suffered one Wound from the gunshot. Where did you get grazed or winged, Fred?

End of Round 4, Round 5 begins. Our turn order is Fred, Zach, Goon, Lily, Emily. Fred pulled a Joker, so is at +2 for all tests this round, and everyone gets a Benny!

Rolls

Gun Damage - (3d6, RA)

(415) = 10

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Short Goon

Aug 20, 2023 4:43 pm

Fred feels the side of his head pound with the shot, his skull hammered by the bullet but it must have mostly richocheted off the bone. Either that or he's dead in moments when his brain figures that out.

One eye blinded by a torrent of blood, he Aaron Judge's the bat upon the goon furiously, repeatedly, every instinct in his vengeful mind determined to take the goon down with him.

OOC:

Spend the benny to remove shaken, Multi attack, three strikes, -4 MA penalty +2 Joker.

Forgot -1 for Wounded and any gang up bonus

With Joker bonus and wound penalty, 12 damage on the first swing

Last edited August 20, 2023 5:22 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting #1 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (662) - 2 = 12

Fred Solomon: Fighting #2 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Fred Solomon: Fighting #3 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Damage on first attack. Str+1d6+1d6 raise - (3d6, RA)

(542) = 11

Aug 20, 2023 4:47 pm

OOC:

Forgot the -3 on the Unshake, but that's still a success

Zach pushes himself to his feet through the pain. Why does this keep happening to him?
"No, stop," he tells Fred as he sees the boy continue to wail on the goon with the bat. "Police..." He is interrupted by a cough and he expects to see blood. He doesn't, but he still feels like shit.
He doesn't let that stop himself, though as he grabs Fred and desperately tries to pull him away from the goon. They don't need to kill anyone else today. In his wounded state, he can't even properly get a grip on his friend, though.

OOC:

Another opposed strength like before with Lily. This is after Fred's attack, though, so the guy might already be dead.

Last edited August 20, 2023 4:49 pm

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (64) = 10

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4-3, 1D6-3, RA)

1D4-3 : (2) - 3 = -1

1D6-3 : (4) - 3 = 1

Aug 20, 2023 6:22 pm

Fred swings repeatedly back and forth at the goon until he clips him in the jaw and he falls to the ground, then cracks him one more time in the leg as Zach pulls him away.

He stumbles and pulls them both to the concrete, gasping and screaming in fear and rage, blood pouring from his head wound. The bat is still clutched in his fist like its the only thing keeping him aside, and he's holding onto Zach too.

Aug 20, 2023 6:35 pm

As Zach and Fred, both weakened by their rather severe injuries, stumble and fall on top of each other, Zach wheezes in pain, his cracked ribs sending waves of fire through his body as Fred lands on top of him. Tears rush to his eyes, but feeling his friend's anger as well as his fear as he holds on to his weapon as well as to Zach, Zach doesn't pull back or try to push Fred off, but instead holds him, wrapping his arms around the other boy and holding on to him in turn, burning pain in his chest be damned.

Aug 21, 2023 1:17 am

The man calling 911 disappears into the hospital through the ER doors Fred just came out of, and Emily and Lily suddenly find themselves last ones standing as Fred and Zach tumble, both injured...

OOC:

End of Combat Rounds! Both thugs are down, one sucker-punched and knocked unconscious, one beaten to a near pulp. Likely won't be long before cops arrive, FYI.

Aug 21, 2023 9:45 am

Lily goes running too, and worries that the story might get skewed by a late bystander! She races to the entrance of the hospital and starts screaming!

"Help! Help! Someone shot my friend! Jesus! Someone help us!" she screams, sounding as panicked and helpless as she can manage!

Aug 21, 2023 1:46 pm

Fred whispers to Zach, struggling to help him to his feet. "Too bad we couldn't get their fingerprints on the bat you were using." He's mind rings with the shot, and he resists the idea that he needs help.

Aug 21, 2023 2:21 pm

"It was self-defense," Emily mutters as the whole thing goes down almost faster than she can parse it. Two goons are dead, Zach is injured, Lilly is screaming like a crazed teenager and she's ... she feels like she is going to pass out. They had two chances to die today. Once in the asylum and again here. And now they'd have to explain themselves.

Feeling a little shaky and queasy she lets the bat, which she had been clutching as if her life depended on it, lets it slide from her hand. It lands with a hollow thunk on the ground.

"Well that was fun."

Aug 21, 2023 6:05 pm

As Fred gets back to his feet and helps pull Zach up as well, Zach lets out a wistful breath. He's pretty sure that having Fred lie on top of him like that would have felt amazing if his whole chest hadn't been in burning pain during it. "You really shouldn't be the one to pull anyone to their feet," Zach points out, reaching for the bleeding wound on Fred's head. "Holy fuck, you got shot in the head and you're just walking it off. That's fucking badass."

Aug 21, 2023 7:39 pm

Inside the Hospital

Sure enough, Lily finds the scene inside the hospital a chaotic one. The shot was heard and people have scrambled back from the entrance, and the man with the phone is both talking to the 911 dispatcher and the check-in clerk in front of him. When the teen adds her drama to it all, help is quick to come.

Outside the Hospital, Moments Later

By the time two squad cars and, paradoxically, an ambulance, arrive, the hospital staff are already treating both Zach and Fred, and are preparing to move them inside.

Emily and Lily find themselves on the front line of explaining what happened as the paramedics and more junior officers take care of the two injured men from the black SUV. Sheriff Akins — well known for his hatred of kids, deviants, and anything remotely enjoyable, and the far warmer and more reasonable Officer Bentley talk with the two teens near the back of one of the squad cars after offering them water.

Sheriff Akins

"So girls," Akins growls as he takes in the scene — the blood on the ground, the gun being tagged by his officers, Emily’s van with the doors open, the two guys looking like extras from the Sopranos. "What in the name of Sweet Christmas happened here? Did you lead those men on? Where you looking to buy drugs from them? Is this a sex for drugs deal gone wrong?"

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Officer Bentley blanches, nearly chokes, then clears her throat. "A-ahem. Sorry ladies — the Sheriff has had a stressful few days. Lots going on in our little town. First off, are you both alright? You weren’t injured in all this, were you?"

Some distance away, Zach is on a gurney being wheeled into the building while Fred walks beside him, holding a bandage to his face.

"We’ll get the hospital to call your parents right away," a paramedic is saying as they pass through the main entrance, leaving Emily and Lily to their fate.

Aug 21, 2023 8:02 pm

"What the fuck? You can't talk to us like that! I want my lawyer and I'm not saying one fucking thing more."

Under her breath, she says asshole! While her eyes drill holes into the chauvinist pig's eyes. The nice cop doesn't do much to distract the girl from her rage but her face softens a bit as she lowers her voice. "I'm not saying another thing without my parents and their lawyer present."

Then she turns back to the other cop, a hateful sneer contorting her features.

Aug 21, 2023 8:12 pm

"My parents are literally going to murder me," Zach says, feeling a wave of nausea at the word murder as he recalls the murder he committed earlier today, so he softens his statement a bit. "I got fucking hurt like this twice in one week. They'll never let me out of the house again in my life." There are tears in his eyes as he thinks of Homecoming the next day and Aaron. He can't miss that. "Can't you just... patch me up and let me go without telling my parents?"

Aug 22, 2023 1:01 am

Inside the Hospital

Walking along beside the rolling gurney is a short, curvy, plus-sized nurse. A black woman wearing different colored scrubs -- hers are purple. "And how old you say you were?" she asks with a skeptical eye. "Hon, you know we have to call your parents. And they'll be worried about you, won't they? Just relax. We'll take good care of you."

Aug 22, 2023 1:23 am

"We… we’re okay." Lily sighs, acting the part.

"I… I called for help as soon as I saw those guys were following us. I… I called for help. I thought security might come or something. But… why didn’t they come?"

She looks about then, sniffling. In truth, her eyes were searching for Wendy in the crowd.

"We were just dropping our friend off at the hospital. She was sick or something. Maybe a… period thing." she mutters to the female officer. "When we arrived, Zach said that these guys looked like… I don’t know exactly. Like some guys that beat him up or something! So I ran for help…"

She starts to breathe more rapidly and panicked then.

"And then they started attacking us. I tried to get them to go away. I figured they wouldn’t want their pictures taken. But that made them angry.

Look…" she shows her neck, and the red mark from being momentarily choked by the camera strap.

"And… well, this is the United States of America, isn’t it? We tried to defend ourselves. Then they pulled a gun and… oh god, they shot Fred! You’ll see it on the CCTV!"

Aug 22, 2023 2:36 am

OOC:

Love it, Lily. Presume your are trying to Persuade them your story is the truth, to not detain or trouble you, etc. Roll Persuasion, please. You're getting a -1 from being hindered by Emily's attitude, but a +1 from the story all hanging together as well as it does. With your Charismatic edge, you'll get a free reroll.

And before I forget, everyone take +1 Benny for making it through your encounter with Goon 1 and Goon 2.

Aug 22, 2023 2:56 am

Inside the Hospital

Fred can't shake the ringing, his steps a little unsteady, one hand on the gurney for reference. "Leave him alone, baby, I've got all his contact info," he lies. "Just get him wrapped up. I think his ribs are cracked."

He squeezes Zach's ankle. "Sorry baseball practice wasn't as good as I promised. Maybe we can impress the school with nice, low impact feats of swimming prowess." He tries to muster a smile, but moving his face hurts his head wound.

We're going to be stuck here overnight. No one will rescue any others trapped in that place. His stomach rises, gurgling and threatening to escape.

Aug 22, 2023 3:35 am

Zach meets Fred's eyes, a worried frown on his face. He's seemingly having some of those same thoughts. "Will I have to stay the night?" he asks the nurses. Then he turns to Fred. "Can you try to call Rosie? She hasn't picked up since we left school and I'm worried. She's usually never far from her phone. Maybe... maybe she's ignoring me, but she wouldn't ignore you."
His tone makes it clear that he is worried about something far worse than her ignoring him.

Aug 22, 2023 3:51 am

OOC:

Persuasion!!

Last edited August 22, 2023 4:16 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Persuasion* - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (3) = 3

Free-Roll - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (1) = 1

Sheriff Akins

Aug 22, 2023 4:47 am

Outside the Hospital

Sheriff Akins

Akins cocks his head and squints at Emily when she sounds off, then he turns and just smiles at Lily when she attempts to provide what she thinks is a reasonable explanation.

"Shut it, both of you," he says, holding up a finger to Officer Bentley before she can defend the girls. "Who said anything about needing lawyers, hm? Well, you're gonna need one now. Bentley, put Richardsen in the back of your car. Take her statement."

Then, looking at Lily, whose story really sounded plausible -- to someone who didn't know better -- the Sheriff glares behind his shades. "And you... cute story. It's too bad there's a witness that puts you as the one drawing the two guys bleeding on the ground out of their vehicle."

Reaching for the girl's arm, he adds, "You're both coming in. Come on. Get in the car."

And that's when Lily does see Wendy's face -- pale and worried, watching the scene unfold from the small but gathering crowd behind the police cars and their flashing lights.

OOC:

Dear Lord, that second roll! Charismatic my ass! So both Reaction levels go down by two, and... yeah, things aren't great outside the hospital. Sorry I recommended you go for the raise. Have a Benny for your trouble, Lily.

Rolls

Akins (Currently "Unfriendly") Spirit to Resist Persuasion - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Bentley (Currently "Cooperative") Spirit to Resist Persuasion - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Aug 22, 2023 5:25 am

Inside the Hospital

The nurse in purple looks at Fred like he's got two heads after he calls her 'baby,' saying, "Child please. I got food stairs on my scrubs older than you." To Zach, whose leg she pats reassuringly, she adds, "Dunno. Let's see what we see. Y'all need some x-rays."

"In here," one of the other nurses says to Fred, leading him into an examination room where he too will eventually see a doctor.

OOC:

You two are being split up, each having injuries and all. If you both go willingly, we'll get them healing rolls done.

Aug 22, 2023 8:33 am

"Oh, yeah right!" Lily scoffs, backed into a corner now.

"My friends and I have been attacked not once, not twice, but three times in the last few days. And what have you people done? Nothing!"

She crosses her arms, defiant.

"I think the State Governor needs to hear about this. And the Commissioner. This place is falling apart and the people of Boseman are left to fend for themselves.

Don’t arrest the criminals. Arrest the easy marks who try to defend themselves. Pathetic." she aims that last remark at the kindly Officer Bentley, meaning to instill some shame and responsibility into the woman.

Aug 22, 2023 3:12 pm

Inside the Hospital

Freddie nods at Zach's request as doesn't resist the nurses. He texts Rosie:

Fred> Hey Rose, got a minute?

OOC:

Assuming she doesn't text back then we can move ahead.

Last edited August 22, 2023 3:15 pm

Aug 22, 2023 4:59 pm

"You think I'm afraid of you?" Emily says as she taunts Akins. "Well I'm not. My parents have friends in high places. You're fucked."

She's calmer now and enjoying Lilly's threats. While the FBI doesn't really have jurisdiction over these local good ol' boy cops, they can put words in the right ears. This is her thinking anyway as she smugly climbs into the squad car.

Last edited August 23, 2023 6:50 pm

Aug 23, 2023 5:53 pm

At and Outside the Hospital

Rose does not reply to Fred as he starts getting treatment; Zach is taken away and looked after as well, including an examination and set of x-rays.

Outside, Emily and Lily are put in the backs of separate cars while the police secure and investigate the scene more fully. The two injured men are taken into the hospital and guards are posted; Officer Bentley gets the girls’ official statements while all that goes on, one after the other. She speaks with Lily first and takes notes while the girl recounts again exactly what happened.

OOC:

Lily, presume you are sticking to your story. If not, feel free to RP a bit. Emily, I’d like a general Smarts check from you please if see if you can recount Lily’s story and be consistent with it.

For our injured, we’re within the Golden Hour. The doctors have 1d8 in Healing, supported buy nurses with 1d8 in Healing and +2 from the hospital itself. I’ll see if the nurses can successfully support and add +1 more to the healing roll if they can. Multiple attempts are possible from the different doctors present. Hospitals are great!

Fred: Nurses’ Support Provides +2, they love Fred. Two wounds are recovered, and since I think Fred has one, he’ll be fine after an hour of treatment.
Zach: Nurses’ Support for Zach fails. Let’s see if it’s a crit… nope. Zach’s situation is clearly more serious and I think he *does* have cracked ribs. However, the doctors can heal one Wound, and Zach will either be in overnight, or released late. (There’s not a lot doctors can do for cracked ribs.)

Rolls

Zach’s Nurses Supporting - (1d8+2, RA)

(1) + 2 = 3

Fred’s Nurses Supporting - (1d8+2, RA)

(7) + 2 = 9

Do Zach’s Nurses Fail Critically? - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Zach’s Doctor’s Healing Roll - (1d8+2, RA)

(2) + 2 = 4

Fred’s Doctor’s Healing Roll - (1d8+4, RA)

(4) + 4 = 8

Aug 23, 2023 6:04 pm

OOC:

Let’s resolve the girls in the cars, telling their stories, then I’ll move things along a little.

Aug 23, 2023 6:20 pm

OOC:

Actually, Zach can have a different Doc work on the two remaining wounds. There’s enough time in the Golden Hour to make one more attempt.

Nice! The raise means two Wounds are treated — so Zach is okay. Bruised ribs rather than cracked, and he’ll be released and told to bed rest.

Rolls

Nurse Support - (1d8+2, RA)

(5) + 2 = 7

Doc #2 Healing - (1d8+2+1, RA)

(7) + 3 = 10

Aug 23, 2023 6:55 pm

Emily isn't as nasty with Officer Bently as he isn't the dick Akins is.

"Look officer, you seem like an understanding guy and I know you'll listen. We did nothing wrong. We took our friend to the hospital and were followed by these goons and they got out of hand so we protected ourselves. Those assholes came after us so I don't know who your witness is.

OOC:

Using that shiny new benny.

Last edited August 23, 2023 6:56 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Smarts - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Emily Richardsen: Smarts - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aug 24, 2023 4:15 am

OOC:

Yep! Keeping to the same story on my part! It’s all on… video! Whatever that might be called across the water!

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Aug 25, 2023 6:14 am

In the Back of a Squad Car

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"Understanding guy?" Officer Bentley says incredulously from the front seat, looking up from her notepad. "Honey, I get your tough act, and I know a little about your situation -- but you're not doing anyone any favors with the attitude. You don't want to spend the night in the Juve Center, you best drop the lip and smarten up. I'm trying to help you girls, but you aren't making it easy."

When Emily delivers the rest of her statement, which is surprisingly consistent with what Bentley had just heard from Palmer, the cop thanks her and lets her out of the car. Lily is turned loose as well as Bentley turns towards the rest of the scene and aiding her fellow officers.

"Go home," she tells the two teens. "Stay out of trouble and please, just go home."

OOC:

Two other cops are here, looking for evidence, taking pics, etc., but there's no sign of Akins.

Sheriff Akins

Aug 25, 2023 6:30 am

In the Hospital

Fred, released first and his face bandaged, is just coming out of the bathroom when he hears voices that cause him to lie low and listen for a moment.

"She's doing fine, Sheriff," a nurse is saying above the sound of shoes on the tile floor. "We thought her ribs were broken, but the x-rays came back negative. She's lucky though -- it was a violent blow, and she'll be badly bruised and sore for days. If you want to get her statement, you--"

Sheriff Akins

"I thought it was the two boys who were hurt in the altercation," Sheriff Akins says, a bit of confusion edging his gravelly voice.

"Oh," the nurse says. "Well... you see... maybe you can talk to Zach about that."

"I will," Akins says, "then I'll want to talk with the Solomon boy."

Peeking out, Fred sees the pair walk down the hallway, then knock briefly on a door before entering it.

Zach's Room

Zach is resting in a bed with a hospital gown on when a nurse lets Sheriff Akins into the room. Without his binder -- which the ER staff cut off of him -- Zach displays features which clearly suggest his birth gender.

Akins approaches the bed, frowning, his eyes fixed on Zach's chest as he asks, "Zach Tidwell? Just involved in a scuffle outside with a couple of guys from out of town?"

Aug 25, 2023 6:45 am

Zach immediately straightens in the bed, pulling up the blanket to cover himself when the nurses lead Akins in without giving him time to prepare. He then, also immediately, regrets this action as his bruised side sends a wave of pain through him. The doctor reassured him that it's nothing too serious, but it still hurts like hell.

"Those were the same guys who already attacked me earlier this week," Zach replies. "Ask Officer Bentley. She was there." He really wishes his parents were here for this but apparently, they haven't arrived yet. And where is Rose? "They keep creeping on Emily. Emily Richardsen, that is. That's why they attacked us again today." He shifts a bit in bed again to get more comfortable, then he asks, "How is Fred? They shot him. Please tell me he's alright." He glances at the nurses as well at this.

Last edited August 25, 2023 7:56 am

Aug 25, 2023 1:46 pm

Freddie's instincts are all wrong, all tied up. His hands vibrate with the feeling of a bat striking a person. The intent begins it, to harm to possibly kill, is something he lives with everyday. The nausea he feels as his insides chew themselves apart with anxiety was interpreted by the doctors as a part of his mild conclusion. He's on something powerful for that, and standing by the door to his room, he feels like he needs to either GO GO GO or lay down and die.

He opens the door and creeps down the hall, finding a spot on the floor outside Zach's room to wait for Akins, and to listen.

What were the nurses saying? Zach is a she? What kind of nutjobs work here? As he waits for Akins, he ponders the thought that his friend was a girl under there. The delicate features, slight build,... Nah, this isn't a movie. Still, it would be kind of sexy. He shakes his head in wry amusement and regrets it instantly.

Fred> Hey Deb. I b here at the H. Any word from B or Sarah? What room are you in?

Aug 25, 2023 2:15 pm

"Yeah, and uh, sorry about that Officer Bently. You've been decent enough." Did she really say that to a cop? Whatever. It had been a trying day. She could cut herself some slack.

Outside, Emily texts her mom. At this point she has run out of emotions, exhausted as she is. She could use a shower too. Her mom would be livid but again, whatever.

Mom. I need to see you. Had to talk to some cops.

Aug 25, 2023 4:45 pm

Inside the Hospital

As he moves quietly down the hall, Fred tries to position himself so he can hear what’s going on in the room. As he finds a place he hopes will work, Debby texts back almost immediately.

Debby: You’re here? Hang on.
Debby: I’m in 520. But you’ll have to check in at the desk on 5. They won’t let you just waltz down here.
Debby: I’ve been texting with Sarah, she just got out of school. She says Belinda’s car is still there.

OOC:

Stealth roll, Freddie.

Aug 25, 2023 4:49 pm

Outside, a Short Distance from the Hospital

Wendy Lin

"Lily!" Wendy says as she runs up to the two girls — and before Lily can even get a word out, her friend is hugging her tightly. "Is everything okay?! Where are Fred and Zach!? What’s with all the police?!"

The police vehicle lights are off now at least and the scene is fairly quiet as a few last forensics are collected. Officer Bentley does throw the odd glance towards the trio.

Near the two hugging girls, exhausted Emily waits for her mother to respond… and she waits. And waits — until finally her phone buzzes!

But it’s not her mother.

Steve: um sis
Steve: u around
Steve: need a ride home lol
Steve: no see van did you leave already

Rolls

Mom Responsiveness (Yep on 5-6) - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Aug 25, 2023 5:34 pm

In Zach’s Room

Sheriff Akins

Zach can tell immediately that the Sheriff saw something he didn’t quite understand, that’s he’s on unsteady ground as he takes his hat off and approaches the bed. "Right, you’re the kid Bentley found in the ditch, that right?" the man asks, unable to take his eyes from Zach’s now covered chest.

"Anyway, need to get your statement about what just happened outside, with those men that hurt you." He’s at the bedside now, and he’s frowning, looking puzzled. "What’s ah, going on here?" he asks, gesturing to the boy’s unbound breasts. "You have a… condition or something?"

The man’s dark eyes narrow. "You doing that hormone thing? You tryin’ to turn into a girl, boy?"

Behind the slightly befuddled man, the nurse answers Zach’s question about her friend. "Freddie Solomon is okay, dear — he was treated and is about to be released, last I heard."

Aug 25, 2023 5:49 pm

Fred>; I'll be up shortly. Talk then. ❤

Hormones?

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Stealth - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Aug 25, 2023 8:41 pm

Zach nods a thanks to the nurse. As uncomfortable as his current situation with Akins is, at least Fred is fine. "I'm, ah, I'd rather not talk about it," he tells the sheriff in response to the hormones question. "I don't think what happened outside has anything to do with... this. I'm a guy, sheriff. Can we leave it at that?"

He then swallows and says, "Well, I think I told you everything just now. Those creeps stopped me on a walk that day and showed me a picture of Emily and her brother, asking if I know them. I said no and they attacked me. Now, we were just leaving school and they followed us in a car. We stopped here by the hospital and they kept staring, so Lily took a photo of them to get them to leave but they just got mad and attacked her. And then I got knocked down and Fred got shot. You know that part."

Sheriff Akins

Aug 26, 2023 5:49 am

Zach's Room

Sheriff Akins

"Same guys," Akins says with a nod after looking skeptical about Zach's declaration of manhood. "Yeah. I see. And why were you coming here, to the hospital?"

Outside the room, Fred's phone vibrates in his pocket.

Debby: Sarah needs a ride. Should I tell her to find her own way home?

Aug 26, 2023 5:59 am

"Because we found Priya hurt in the school. She was, uhm, lying unconscious in some weird goo and when she wouldn't wake up, we decided to take her to the hospital to be taken care of." To be honest, with everything else happening, he almost forgot about Priya. He turns to the nurses again. "Any news on her?" he asks before turning back to the sheriff. "Fred can probably tell you more about that." It's kind of a dick move, passing on having to explain it to Fred, but it also reduces their chances of saying something contradictory, so he hopes Akins will accept. "He and Priya used to be a thing."

Aug 26, 2023 3:04 pm

Fred> I won't be back there for half an hour, but my car is there. If she wants to wait in there, I can unlock it from here when she's close.

He misses part of what Zach said but hears his name. He stands up and moves to the door. Peaking in he sees the sheriff and says, "Oh, sorry. Just wanted to check on Zach."

He steps back to other side of the hallway, leaning against the wall there.

Aug 26, 2023 3:08 pm

Zach redoubles his efforts to cover up his chest when Fred suddenly appears in the door. "Hey," he says before the other boy disappears again. "I'm glad you're alright."

Aug 26, 2023 3:57 pm

Outside, a Short Distance from the Hospital

Emily ignores the emotional girls and grits her teeth, waiting for her mother to text back. Hugging her shoulders, her phone finally vibrates into her arm.

"Ah fuck, what now."

Yeah, I can come get U. Have to go home to see mom.
Now what? This day has to end sometime...

Aug 27, 2023 11:16 am

Lily sinks into the hug for a moment, letting herself slump at the knees as the day weighs down on her.

"We were followed. I tried to get them to go away but they attacked me… us… And well, Fred got shot." Lily sees the girl’s eyes go wide so she immediately moves to calm the situation. "Everyone’s alright. Right?" she turns, asking Emily.

"Are you alright?"

Aug 28, 2023 4:26 am

Zach's Room

Nurse Williams

Akins wants to ask about Priya further, but then Fred is interrupting and the nurse in purple, who has been quiet to this point speaks up and shoos the Sheriff out. "Aright, Aright, that's enough now, Sheriff. This boy ain't even seen his parents yet, and he's been through quiet a trauma. You can get the rest of his statement later. Aright? Now let's go."

Out in the hallway, Fred sees the door to Zach's room open and Sheriff Akins come out, looking perhaps a little frustrated.

Frustrated until he sees Fred.

Sheriff Akins

"Solomon," the man says as he walks up to where the boy is leaning against the wall. "Just the kid I wanted to see. You've been released, then? I need your statement about what happened out front. And whatever you can tell me about someone named Prius. Some kind of thing with... goo?"

Wendy Lin

Aug 28, 2023 4:42 am

Outside, a Short Distance from the Hospital

Wendy Lin

Wendy supports Lily when the slender girl leans against her, holding her tight, perhaps sneaking a smell of her friend's hair without really meaning to. It's a warm, meaningful embrace, and a lot of signals pass between the friends. They break apart, though, when Lily mentions Fred being shot.

"What?! Is he okay?! Where's Zach?! And wait -- wait! Who followed you?!"

Looking over at Emily, who is texting on her phone, Wendy adds, "I'm fine. No one knew anything about a leak. But are you two okay?"

On Richardsen's phone, Steve's reply is merely a thumbs up emoji.

Aug 28, 2023 9:06 am

Zach nods a thanks to the nurse, grateful for the interview to be over and for the sheriff to be gone before he could ask more uncomfortable questions about Zach's chest. "Did you hear anything from my parents?" Zach asks her. "Are they here yet?" He doesn't ask about Rose, as scared as he is by now about her safety. It's not like the nurse would know anything about her. Hopefully, she responded to Fred by now.
He then clears his throat before, unable to look her in the eyes, asking, "Did you tell Sheriff Akins anything about me..." He glances to the door to make sure it's closed. "...being trans?"

Aug 28, 2023 2:29 pm

The Interrogation Hallway

Freddie's mind is working overtime. Should he enlist the sheriff in rescuing any others from the asylum? Does he do that, lead them to the tunnels and sacrifice Zach's future with the body of Gromn down there? All of them, they would be accessories or whatever, right? And if he doesn't enlist the police, is that sacrificing Belinda and maybe a bunch of others? If he doesn't, what can he even do on his own, him and maybe Emily and Lily? With that red alien floating around.

WHAT WAS THAT? In all the rescue and then getting shot in the head (don't even think about that right now), he hasn't had time to process that.

Then the sheriff is there.

"Hey sheriff. Sure, I don't know how to do this, give a statement I mean. We were bringing Priya, that's Priya Sunder, from the school. And this black SUV started following us. It's been driving around, and the guys in it attacked Zach a couple days ago. Then we got here and I got Priya into the hospital made sure she was taken care of, and came out and those perverts had been beating on my friends. I grabbed a bat from the van and started bashing. One of them drew a gun! I..."

He stops his recitation. The gun is there in his mind again, huge like a reaper's scythe, swinging toward him. Instinctively he attacked, too knock the guy out before the gun. but his muscles won't move. Too slow, trapped in a molasses of nightmare. He swings. The gun fires.

Another memory...

The wall of rock before him, impossibly fast, crashing, the air bag like a sab of bricks in his chest, impossibly loud sounds, he was going to die. But he didn't, exactly according to plan.

The reality hits him, and Fred wilts down the wall to the floor. "I could have died," he whispers.

Aug 28, 2023 8:30 pm

Outside, a Short Distance from the Hospital

"Yeah, Yeah, Wendy, I'm fine, we're all fine considering the way this day went to shit. It's only going to get better when I see my mom later and now my idiot little brother needs a ride. Wait. Did someone say Freddie got shot? Is he going to be ok?"

Wrapped up in herself as usual she wasn't really thinking about her friends, if that's what they were, but she supposed they were and she really ought to pay better attention to all of them.

Nurse Williams

Aug 29, 2023 5:03 am

Zach's Room

Nurse Williams

"They're on their way, I spoke to them a little while ago," Nurse Williams says to Zach, before lowering her voice when he asks about any trans beans being spilled.

"No, 'course not," the large woman says with a wave of her hand. "None of that man's business, mm-mm."

The other nurse in the room, though, the one who brought Akins into the room -- she might as well be wringing her hands.

"I might have mentioned something accidentally," she admits.

Sheriff Akins

Aug 29, 2023 5:33 am

The Interrogation Hallway

Sheriff Akins

Sheriff Akins listens to Fred livestream his account of what happened, then he frowns as the boy starts to feel overwhelmed and sinks to the floor. He has more questions, does the Sheriff, but... dear Lord does he hate dealing with people who are blubbering, so...

"I, uh, need to carry on, see these two assailants and find out what they're all about, Fred. Say hi to your stepmother for me." Saying that, Akins tips his hat at the boy and heads down the hallway.

Aug 29, 2023 6:06 am

"Y… yeah? Didn’t you hear the gun going off right in our faces?" Lily says to Emily, but giving an odd side-eye towards Wendy.

"Do you want to go and see them?" she says, pulling Wendy by the hand towards the entrance. She turns then to Emily:

"Your brother can wait five minutes, right? Come on. Let’s go see them!"

If Emily is willing, then the trio will go to find their friends, while Lily fills Wendy in on the events of the day.

Aug 29, 2023 2:21 pm

"Ah fuck off now," Emily says to Lilly but there's no anger in it. "Yeah I guess I do. Steve can wait a few. Ok, let's go."

Aug 29, 2023 6:46 pm

The Interrogation Hallway

When he mentions Belinda (the colossal perv), Freddie decides he better just package everything into a tiny ball and suppress it. For now. He's got stuff to do immediately.

He pokes his head into Zach's room. "Hey buddy, you on the mend?"

After the initial response he says sheepishly, "I overheard some stuff you didn't want me to know, so I'm sorry. I won't tell anyone but if you ever want to talk I'll be there. Here. Wherever."

Aug 29, 2023 7:01 pm

Zach's Room

Zach nods at the nurse. He's not upset at her, just unhappy about the general situation. He couldn't have expected his secret to stay much of a secret to the police. And it seemed like Akins didn't even understand what was going on in the first place. He thanks the nurses and then, once they leave, Fred suddenly shows up and Zach immediately redoubles his efforts to hide his chest.

"I'm alright," he replies to his friend's initial question. "They're going to let me go home when my parents get here. No cracked ribs, just some bruises." His cheeks then redden noticeably when Fred says he overheard some things. He bites his lip, then asks, "What, uhm, what did you overhear?"

Aug 29, 2023 11:08 pm

Zach's Room

"Oh, uh, nothing I guess. Just medical stuff," he says, suddenly embarrassed, even ashamed.."Ribs, maybe. Nothing that needs for me to think about. Sorry I said anything. So, I got to go see my sister then get back to the school to pick up Sarah. Belinda is still missing."

He backs out.

Aug 30, 2023 4:25 am

Zach's Room

Zach hesitates long enough that Fred is already halfway out the door before he manages to say, "Freddy, wait." He swallows nervously. "Did you hear my talk with Sheriff Akins?" He remembers Fred bursting in at one point, so maybe he was waiting at the door for a bit. "I, uhm, guess you must be confused then. He was, I think." This isn't how he imagined his coming out to go at all, and Fred wasn't the first of his friends he had in mind either, but after everything that happened today, if he can't trust his friends, he's screwed anyway. "Maybe... we should talk?" He nods to the guest chair right by his bed.

Aug 30, 2023 12:05 pm

Zach's Room

Freddie comes back in and sits beside him. His face is wan and tired. "We don't have to do this, Zach. Not if you're not ready. I didn't mean to coerce you into telling me stuff. It just didn't feel fair having overheard private medical details. Whatever is going on with you, it won't change much between us. I got your back. That's all I wanted, for you to know that."

He smiles thinly. "Sorry, that sounded better in my head."

Aug 30, 2023 12:29 pm

Zach's Room

Zach still feels kind of uncomfortable with this situation but Fred is so chill about it and so supportive that it makes a small and nervous smile appear on his lips. "I'm trans," he then blurts out, just to get the worst part over with. "Transmasc, before you get the wrong idea. I am a guy." He takes a shaky breath, then says, "The reason my family moved here is because I got bullied at my old school, so I'm trying to keep it under wraps. But I trust you, Fred." He watches the other boy's face closely. He had been more nervous about telling Fred than Lily and Emily, but his initial reaction seemed really promising and reassuring. After another moment, Zach, his cheeks bright red, adds, "I'm also gay."

Aug 30, 2023 2:32 pm

Zach's Room

Freddie starts to feel weird. He told me! Wow, what do I do with that? That trust? Quick, make a joke!

"No, not gay too!" He laughs. "You're not alone, not even in our school. But even if you were the only person I know going through this, wouldn't be alone, but, that's a lot. How are you dealing with that much?"

Aug 30, 2023 2:54 pm

Zach's Room

Zach chuckles slightly uncomfortably at Fred's joke, initially not sure how to take it. But then the rest of what he says sounds really nice. Except... You're not alone. Is Fred trying to imply something about himself? For a moment, Zach almost thinks he is, but he can't be. He shakes the thought.
"I have Rose," he says. "I know, she can seem a bit like a beast and we fight a lot, but when it comes down to it, I can always count on her. I also have Abby, my best friend from my old school. We text like half the day, every day. I couldn't do it without that kind of support." He pauses, then adds, "And Lily. I told her that I'm gay, though she doesn't know the other thing yet." He then braces himself before reaching out with one hand towards Fred. The movement disturbs the blanket, maybe granting Fred a peek at something Zach definitely doesn't want him to see before he quickly rights it. Then he takes Fred's hand. "And... I guess I have you as well."

Aug 30, 2023 8:09 pm

Zach's Room

"I'm glad you have friends and your sister you can talk to. And me too, not that I know anything about this stuff, but I won't like freak out."

He retracts his hand and says, "I've got to go back to the school. I couldn't bring myself to tell the sheriff, so maybe I need to rally some jocks. But what good will muscles, bad attitudes, and terrible GPAs do against that floating thing? But who else is down there that we left?"

Aug 30, 2023 8:51 pm

"I had an idea," Zach says. "I doubt I'll be able to help implement it. My parents will probably chain me up in my room after I already got hurt again, but maybe it would help. But you should go. I'll text our boardgame group chat so everyone can tell me whether I'm an idiot for the idea or not."

As Freddy turns to leave, Zach has one more question for him first. "Fred, uhm, Rose didn't answer you either, did she? I think she has to be in trouble."

Aug 30, 2023 11:59 pm

Zach's Room

Freddie checks his phone but knows the answer. He's a beep counter, and no notifications have come since he last looked. "Nah, sorry man. This is fucked up. Okay, you text us your plan and I'll gather the Avengers, then we can get back at it. You heal those ribs. There is a chance you and Aaron can still go to the dance.""
He winks and leaves, his fingers already texting Emily.

Fred > Em, are you okay? Zach and I are OK, mostly. I'm headed out shortly. Need to go back to sch00l. <3"

Wendy Lin

Aug 31, 2023 4:03 am

The Hospital Lobby

Lily, Wendy, and Emily are in the lobby waiting when Fred's text comes through -- followed by one from Steve.

Steve: hullo

Wendy Lin

"I still like... I mean... where were you guys? You were like gone all afternoon, right? What happened?" Wendy is saying quietly to her friend as Emily checks her phone.

Aug 31, 2023 4:44 am

Zach's Room

"Wait, you knew?" Zach asks, somewhat dumbfounded, as Fred leaves. But then those parting words make a new source of worry hit the injured boy and he quickly grabs his phone to send a message to Aaron.

Zach: Hey Aaron. You okay? I got kind of hurt but I'll be fine

Then he opens the group chat for their little lunch break boardgame group and writes,

Zach: Thanks for stopping by, Fred
Zach: Emily, Lil, you alright? Did that sheriff give you any trouble?

Aug 31, 2023 6:32 am

"We went under the school. Gromm tried to stop us. He had a pipe. And well, Priya was down there. And more people, I guess. And a body, and… something else."

It was all too much to really communicate fully in such little time. Especially when a comforting touch after today kept Lily’s mind preoccupied. The stress of it all amplified that tender brush against her hand in her mind.

All: We’re downstairs. Avoided another night in a cell 😋 You guys okay?

Sheriff was a prick, but our story was airtight!

Last edited August 31, 2023 6:36 am

Aug 31, 2023 3:14 pm

Emily, busy with her phone lets Lilly recount the tale of what they had been up to, nodding along while reading. Her eyebrows shoot up as she reads the text from Freddie. The heart at the end of the message floors her. A welcome surprise for sure, or did he do that kind of thing with all the girls. How to respond? And he called her Em. Should she end her text in the same way?

Emily: Hey, Yeah I'm OK. We are going to school 2. CU there? <3

There! I did it too. Her heart skipped a few beats. Despite the insanity of the day, she somehow had room to be excited about the boy.

Aug 31, 2023 3:34 pm

To Emily:

Fred > Can I catch a ride?

Sep 1, 2023 4:28 pm

Emily to Freddie; Yeah sure. We're still here.
She hoped for another heart but that would have been silly and too much. Maybe the last one was a typo, she thinks, suddenly unsure and feeling dumb.

"Shit Steve. Forgot him. Man, he's so annoying," she says mostly to herself.

Emily to Steve; Coming soon.

Sep 1, 2023 10:40 pm

After stopping at Debby's room, and making sure she's okay, he tells her he will immediately head to the school and look for Sarah and Belinda. He explains that the he got in a fight outside and took a 'shot' to the head and doesn't elaborate other than he got some stiches and will be fine.

"There are people missing from the school. We pulled Priya out and brought her here, she was in rough shape. I'll go look for them now."

Sep 2, 2023 6:06 am

Debby's Room

"You can't sign her out. Her legal guardian needs to do that," a tall nurse is saying to Fred as Debby throws her hands up in the air in a huff.

"But I was cleared by the doctor, and we can't find our stepmom!" Fred's sister protests... but the nurse is having none of it.

"Sweetie -- it's our policy. You want to be released, find your mom tell her come sign your release."

Sep 6, 2023 3:00 am

"What’s taking him so long?" Lily asks Emily and Wendy. They wouldn’t know the answer, but there was a lot of pent up energy from the day, and it didn’t feel all that good being stuck in a hospital lobby.

Lily felt the need to keep looking over her shoulder…

Sep 6, 2023 2:39 pm

"I don't know but I can't keep waiting or I'll hear my brother whining for the next week."

Emily taps off another text to Freddie, her fingers hovering for an instant, wondering if there is a subtle endearment or emoji she can add. She decides against it and hits send.

Emily to Freddie; Where R U?

Sep 7, 2023 2:15 am

After promising Debby to find Belinda, he heads downstairs.

Wendy Lin

Sep 7, 2023 7:51 am

Wendy Lin

"There he is!" Wendy says, rising from the waiting room seats the girls have plunked down in. "Fred! Over here!"

OOC:

Feel free to narrate getting in the van and heading towards the school as you chat.

Sep 7, 2023 10:42 am

Lily pulls on Wendy’s arm as Fred approaches and gives her the eyes towards Emily.

Just as he arrives, she blurts out:

"Shit. I left my… uh… thing in the van. We’ll just go and… get it." she says, pulling Wendy away from the duo.

"Glad you’re alright!" she calls back to Fred, leaving the two of them alone for a moment!

Sep 7, 2023 2:19 pm

Freddie takes Emily in his arms, squeezing her tightly. He suddenly wonders if she got hit, he hadn't seen that. The blood in his head buzzes with the exertion. "Shit, are you okay?" He steps back eyeing her critically.

Sep 7, 2023 7:11 pm

"Oh!" Happily surprised by the hug and Freddie's concern she was momentarily lost for words.

"I'm fine, but how are you doing? You look ... I don't know, pale and frazzled." She kept seeing the image of his texted heart in her mind's eye and it made heat rush to her cheeks. She leaned in for another hug and whispered in his ear. "I was worried."

Suddenly feeling awkward she steps back as if nothing passed between them. "We have to go get Steve at the school, ok?" Heading toward the van she realizes that her friends are pretty cool. Lily was nice to leave her and Freddie alone for that brief but private moment.

Wendy Lin

Sep 7, 2023 10:59 pm

Wendy Lin

Lin is a little confused as her friend bustles her on out of there, giving Emily and Fred some space. When they get outside, she shakes her head as they head for the van. "Lily, are they… I mean… when did… are they a thing?" she asks.

Sep 8, 2023 12:58 am

"I need to get to the school. Sarah needs a ride, and Belinda is missing. If you can drop me off that's wonderful." He takes her hand and walks with her toward the parking lot.

"Did Akins give you a hard time?"

Last edited September 8, 2023 1:07 am

Sep 8, 2023 1:09 am

"This is all so fucked up," she says as she squeezes Freddie's hand too.

"Yeah he did, asshole. You?"

Sep 8, 2023 1:38 am

"I can’t say for sure, but…" she jerks her head back towards Fred and Emily approaching hand in hand. "… what do you think?" she says with a knowing grin.

"Who knew that Fred Solomon was the type to go steady?" she says, starting to fake weep. "They… they grow up so fast." she says, starting to laugh with her friend, only hushing when the other two pull the door to the van open.

"Heeeeey!" Lily sings.

Sep 8, 2023 7:07 pm

Zach’s Room

"Zach?" the boy’s mother says after knocking on and cracking open the door to his hospital room. When she sees her son inside, she rushes to his bedside and begins doting on him immediately, kissing his cheeks, brushing his hair out of his eyes.

Mr. Tidwell comes in behind her, and the two nurses in the room exit to give the family some privacy. "Zach, we were so worried when we got the call," the man says, coming to the bedside as well. "Are you okay son? What happened? Who did this?"

Sep 8, 2023 8:47 pm

Zach lets his mother dote on him and holds on to her in a hug, allowing himself to not be tough and defensive for a moment but to just let his parents take care of him. He also moves to hug his dad when he gets to his bedside. "It was those two guys, the same as earlier this week. They were harrassing Emily again so Lily and I tried to get them to leave but the one guy punched me in the side and the other"—He decides not to mention that he fought against grown men armed with guns—"hurt Fred." He then forces himself to sit upright, not worrying about his chest in front of his parents, even though he does feel weird about it. "But it's all good now. The nurses said it's nothing serious and I can just go home with you guys."

Sep 10, 2023 3:17 am

Zach’s Room

"What the hell kind of town is this?" Zach's father growls, holding his kid tight. He's protective and wants to know why this is all happening -- but mostly he's glad Zach is okay. "Did they apprehend these guys?"

Zach's mom smiles through her tears as her husband and son hug, but then she remembers her phone and checks it as the pair finally separates. The boy's dad is sending Zach to the bathroom to change and collect his things when Mrs. Tidwell makes a worried sound.

"Have you heard from Rose, Zach? We've been trying to reach her, to tell her to find another ride home, or wait at the school for us, but... she's not responding."

Sep 10, 2023 5:21 am

Boseman High School Parking Lot
510pm - Emily, Lily, Wendy, Fred

After climbing into the van and driving back to the school -- to the building they'd frantically fled from with Priya's unconscious form, Lily, Emily and Fred find themselves wrestling with the fact that they haven't really talked about all this yet as Emily sees her brother and heads towards him.

There are a number of cars still in the parking lot -- including Belinda's, and Fred's.

Wendy Lin

"So Zach's really okay?" Wendy is asking Lily in the back as the van comes to a stop and Steve, red-faced, jogs over towards it. Further away, Fred sees Sarah on her phone, hanging near the main entrance of the school.

Sep 10, 2023 10:19 am

"So what are we actually doing here?" Lily asks the others, as Emily rendezvous with her brother.

"Besides recruiting Zach’s replacement as team quarterback, I mean." she says, looking at Steve and wondering if he could handle… all of this.

"Yeah, yeah. He seems okay." she says, rubbing the back of the girl’s hand reassuringly. "I mean, not okay. But more okay than he could have been, you know?

How did he seem Fred? When you saw him?"

Sep 10, 2023 11:20 am

"They did," Zach answers his father's questions as he heads into the bathroom. "Lily knocked them out. She's really dang tough."

Once in there, he listens to his mother's concerns, mirroring his own. He definitely doesn't want his parents involved in the whole business that he and his friends stumbled into, though, so he tries to soothe their concerns somewhat while he and his friends will figure out their next steps. "She said she was meeting some of her friends right after school. She hasn't responded to my texts in a while either, but you know what she's like."

Last edited September 10, 2023 11:20 am

Sep 11, 2023 2:43 pm

"There are other missing people here. I need to go find Belinda, not just because she's family, but well, otherwise I could lose the girls. No way they'll let me be a guardian for them if we lose another parent." He is glad for the medical grade antacids they gave him, because he'd normally be dry swallowing them by the handful now.

When Freddie sees Sarah by the door, he texts her, telling her he's back at the school.

When Lily asks about Zach, he says, "Well, he's hurt bad, but he was in, you know, Zach spirits. Didn't seem to be a lot of worry from the staff."

He slides out of the van, and says, "What are you all going to do?"

Sep 11, 2023 4:43 pm

"I'm getting this annoying brat," Emily replies to Lilly, grimacing at Steve, "and going home to face the music, and I don't mean David Bowie."

Putting a hand on Freddie's arm, their new affection making her smile despite all the shit that's happened and the hell-storm that's about to occur at home, she puts a hand on Freddie's arm.

"I can drop Steve and come back and help you find Belinda? My parents probably won't even be there and if they are they can wait."

Sep 12, 2023 2:45 am

Boseman High School Parking Lot (Emily, Lily, Wendy, Fred)

"Um, hi everyone. I'm -- I'm Steve," Emily's brother says as he climbs into the van, making it rock with his weight. A little red-faced when he sees the two girls in the middle row, he heads immediately for the way-back, the tiny third row. He farts accidently when he struggles to take his backpack off back there, and nearly melts into a puddle at the thought of the girls hearing. Or smelling.

A moment later, Sarah arrives at the run-down old van and doesn't try to enter. Instead, she just gives Fred a well? look, lifting her eyebrows.

Sep 12, 2023 6:53 am

Zach’s Room

"Well good then. We'll be pressing charges. And yes, exactly about Rose. We'll take you home, son," Zach's father says when the boy comes out of the bathroom, ready to go, or as ready to go as he can be. All things considered. "Maybe she's already home and just doesn't have her phone nearby."

Zach's mom doesn't look convinced, but she agrees with the plan as the trio checks out of and exits the hospital.

Sep 12, 2023 12:48 pm

"Rose doesn't have her phone nearby?" Zach asks. "You don't believe that yourself." He follows his parents as they go through the process of checking out, then follows them to the car. He's keeping his arms crossed in front of his chest the entire time but still keeps looking around, paranoid that he might somehow run into someone from school. When he sits down in his parents' car, he's relieved.

He's silent for most of the drive home, then says, "Mom, dad, I can't stay home today. I have to meet my friends. Fred also got hurt a bit, Emily must be freaking out because those guys keep creeping on her and Lily... Well, she's probably fine, but the point is, I need to meet them again. You can't just keep me home on a day when something like this happened. And the nurses said I'm fine anyway, so no reason to worry."

Sep 12, 2023 4:48 pm

"Oh my God, Steve. Grow Up!" She knows that was mean but she was in a foul mood and who better to take it out on than her annoying little brother?

As she turns the key in the old van along comes Sarah who glares at her Freddie.

"I suppose we can squeeze her in if she needs a lift?" She looks at Freddie, "But it's probably not safe."

Sep 12, 2023 5:09 pm

"I'll jump out here and run Sarah home. I'll come back here after."

He squeezes Emily's hand and then exits.

"Hey Sarah. Let's go home."

Sep 13, 2023 3:08 am

Lily stammers a little, not sure how to proceed. Was there time to drive siblings here, there and everywhere?

"But… that thing knows we know about it. Won’t it try to…" she makes a face "… get rid of the evidence? AKA kill everyone it’s holding down there?"

Wendy Lin

Sep 13, 2023 7:20 am

Boseman High School Parking Lot (Emily, Lily, Wendy, Fred)
Sarah and Fred head for his Tesla, even as Lily is calling out, wondering about -- everything! Her words, though, confuse both Steve and Wendy. The boy speaks up first.

"Um. I'm sorry, what was that? What evidence?"

Wendy Lin

"So -- seriously," Wendy says, squaring off with her friend, getting right in her face. "What's going on?"

Sep 13, 2023 12:52 pm

"So we are just going to drive around town for a while while all this is going on under our feet?" Lily asks… herself maybe. She thinks to get out and pull Wendy out with her; with the intent to go and investigate some more. Yet, she’s stopped by the potential violence that could occur, with just the two of them alone.

With a sigh, she sits back and waits for Emily to take off. To Wendy, she turns and lets out a long, exasperated sigh. She takes a deep breath, and prepares to spill the beans.

OOC:

How are we setting up next? Seems like everyone’s splitting up just to end up back here. Side-scenes that we play out, or the much beloved ‘back to the action’ maneuver?

Last edited September 13, 2023 12:52 pm

Sep 13, 2023 3:08 pm

"Wait, wha..." Emily sighs when Freddie hastily exits the van. But he said he'd see her later so that was good. Still, she was frustrated, anxious about everything, unsure what to do, and now she had her brother to cart around. Somehow she managed to think about Freddie. What insanity was that? Or perhaps it was her mind protecting her from thinking about the horrors they managed to survive.

"Ok look. I'm a hot mess. Who needs to go where? At some point, we have to meet again and figure all this out." Craning her neck around she says to Steve, "It's none of your business. Put your earbuds in."

The girl is close to a meltdown. It's too much all at once. She could use a joint but the last thing she needs is an impaired driver pullover from a cop.

Sep 14, 2023 1:46 am

Did I Say Whitman's Dairy Bar, because I actually meant In the School Parking Lot, 645pm (All)
It had taken a bit of time and was now approaching twilight, but Fred has managed to secure both of his sisters back at home, Emily's dropped Steve off (her parents decided to travel to Lansing without telling the kids beforehand first, there was a handwritten note at home), Lily had checked in with her parents and kept them completely in the dark, and Zach -- well, Zach had ended up having to sneak out, again. His father was out in the car, looking for his sister, but there had been a firm absolutely not when the boy had asked for the last time about joining his friends. So, one of them had picked him up, as another had Lily... and now they gathered in the parking lot of the local burgers and ice cream place, Whitman's.

There was just one problem.

Now what?!

OOC:

Is Wendy also here? Zach, Aaron was off school today for some reason he wasn't wanting to talk about. He's resistant to the idea of meeting up tonight but not totally opposed to it if he can be picked up or get wherever on his bike. Also, Zach, test Stealth to see if mom noticed you leaving the house, please.

Everyone add one Benny to your sheet.

You have both vehicles, the van and the Tesla. Who picked whom up?

Sep 14, 2023 3:37 am

Freddie pulls into the parking lot, knuckles white on the wheel, and looks over at Zach, both of them wide eyed and pale as ghosts. "I can't believe we survived that. Let's never speak of what happened ever again!"

OOC:

Sorry, just love that gimmick.

He clutches his friends arm. "You going too be okay for this? I mean sure, I was shot, but it got me in the head so what damage could it do?"

Sep 14, 2023 3:56 am

Zach chuckles at his friend's comment. "How do you always keep a positive attitude like this?" he asks. Then he nods. "Yeah, I'll be fine. it hurts a bit when I laugh or breathe or move in weird way, like getting dressed, but I'm fine." Zach is dressed fully as himself again, binder and hoodie included, so he looks like a regular teenage boy again. "Thanks for being so understanding earlier, at the hospital. I was nervous to tell anyone. It meant a lot." He smiles at the other boy, then glances around the parking lot. "You think the girls are already here?"

He texted a bit with Aaron earlier, but if Aaron is safe, then Zach has no intention of dragging him into this, as much as the one day he hadn't seen him since their kisses instead seems to feel like a week to him.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Stealth - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (64) = 10

1D6 : (3) = 3

Sep 14, 2023 1:49 pm

"There they are now," Freddie says and gets out of the Tesla. He checks his stuff and goes with Zach over to Emily's van as she pulls up. "That's quite the van, isn't it? Real badass 70s vibe."

Sep 14, 2023 6:02 pm

Emily picks up Wendy and Lilly, glad to be out of the house and away from her loser parents and kid brother. She had managed to sneak in a few tokes of a joint when she went inside to change clothes and freshen up, water splashed on her face helping her to snap out of the strange fog she had been in. Was it a fog of disbelief? Fear? It didn't matter anymore as she had now replaced it with a fog of stone and no longer gave two fucks.

She sees Freddie and Zach and pulls up beside them, rolling down the window which gets stuck a third of the way down. Now she feels like an idiot as she sticks her mouth into the space and asks Freddie, "Meeting here or somewhere more private?"

She could have just gotten out of the van but the stoned factor was making her lazy and her thinking cloudy which had kind of been the goal anyway.

Last edited September 14, 2023 7:13 pm

Sep 14, 2023 6:04 pm

"The van seems pretty private," Zach suggests with a shrug. "We could just come over there to talk. I have some thoughts." He can't stop himself from blurting out, "I think the things have Rose!"

Sep 14, 2023 6:53 pm

"Yeah, I know. Rose, Belinda, how many other of our families and friends are in there?"

When Emily hilariously tries to speak through the window, he chuckles and replies, "Here's good. I don't think we want to waste time going to the asylum directly, do we? Or just get into the school and go the same way?"

Sep 14, 2023 6:59 pm

"There's another place we might want to go," Zach says. "I've been thinking. You all noticed how damn hot this school has been recently, right?" Considering he's the only one who wears a hoodie in those temperatures, he probably appears like the strangest person to point that fact out. "Gromn is - was - in charge of heating. So what if these things need the heat? In that case, it might be useful to head to the steam plant and disable the heating there. Or break it. Before we go rescue our families."

Sep 14, 2023 7:22 pm

"Private as in not in the parking lot where everyone can see us. Jesus, Zach." She's losing patience already. So much for the pleasant fog. "Wait. What? Why do you think ... is Rose missing?"

She only half hears about the heat, Gromn, and the school and instead zeroes in on Freddie's words. She does NOT want to go to that place again. But she doesn't want to look like a coward either.

"Let's talk about a plan before we rush into another disaster, mkay?"

Sep 14, 2023 7:27 pm

"Plan sounds good," Zach agrees. "And I think she's missing because I told Abby where we were headed this afternoon and Abby told Rose and since then, I haven't been able to get a single response from her. I even made sure she's not just ignoring me because she's pissed at me again for some reason by having Fred message her, too. I doubt she'd ignore him."

Sep 15, 2023 2:06 am

"Going down there was bad the first time. It'll probably be worse the second. I have to go. Zach, too, because we have family missing. But do we go alone? Do you three come with us? Or do we call everyone we know and swarm the place with rowdy teens?"

Freddie knows he could call Clutch, and Kelly, and his best friend Norm the school council President, and between them, they probably had the phone numbers for all the jocks and half the school.

Sep 15, 2023 3:26 am

"Hey guys!" Lily calls from somewhere behind Emily. They’d sat in the back when they’d smelled skunk on Emily, in case there were any accidents.

She listens through the tiny space in the window, before finally getting fed up and pulling the van door open. She reveals herself and Wendy in the back, and sits half out, with her feet on the ground.

"Do we want word to get out about what we are doing? What if we accidentally tell a slug zombie that we are on the way?"

Sep 15, 2023 3:10 pm

Emily turns and glares at Lilly sighing loudly while she throws open the van door and emerges, albeit a little flustered.

"We should call everyone and anyone. Make it a game if people don't believe us, which they won't. Strength in numbers and all that. Get the rest of the bats, hockey sticks, whatever gear that can act as a weapon, and go back to that insane place.

She chuckles and glances at Freddie and then the others and wonders whether they notice her ill attempt at humor.

Sep 16, 2023 12:12 pm

"And… what if one of them gets killed? And we are the ones that brought them here?" she says, getting to her feet with some effort, and an appropriately concerned sigh.

Sep 16, 2023 12:15 pm

"There's also the matter of Gromn," Zach mutters, still terrified of what will happen when his body gets found.

Wendy Lin

Sep 16, 2023 2:53 pm

Wendy Lin

Inside the van, behind Lily, Wendy's eyes go wide at all this -- and wider still when her friend wonders about people getting killed.

"Don't we need to understand more about... whatever is going on?" she asks. "I mean... the teachers and other people taken captive by... who exactly?"

Sep 16, 2023 3:07 pm

"You got a better idea, Lilly? Cuz I sure don't." The wheels in Emily's sluggish brain start slowly turning through her drug-induced haze.

"Anyone got a gun? A pistol? Bow and arrows?" She's kidding about the last one of course.

Sep 16, 2023 3:12 pm

"I know someone who has a gun. The guy who shot Freddie," Zach says as the question draws his focus from their task at hand. He looks straight at Emily's face. "Who were those two guys? And don't tell me again you don't know. Because you do."

Sep 16, 2023 3:32 pm

"That's an extremely long story and now is not the time, Zach," she snaps. I can't just walk up to the goons and say: Hey, can I borrow your gun for an hour?"

Sep 16, 2023 3:36 pm

"Those guys put me in the hospital twice in one week, Emily," Zach argues, even though technically, the first time he didn't go to the hospital. He was just treated in an ambulance. It still wasn't fun. "And they shot Fred in the head! I don't need the full story, but I think we deserve to know why they're following you around."

Sep 16, 2023 3:43 pm

As Zach confronts Emily, somehow blaming her for the pedos, Freddie pulls out his phone to dial Norm. "I don't even know what to say," he says to Lily. "I'm not thinking straight."

Wendy Lin

Sep 16, 2023 10:55 pm

Wendy Lin

"Hey!" Wendy says, climbing out of the van as well. "Do we even know how many people have been like -- infected or whatever? What about just telling the cops?!"

Sep 16, 2023 11:10 pm

"I knoooow Zach and I'm sorry, but later. It's not going to make you feel any better. Trust me. And to tell you the truth, I'm not even sure about the details."

When Wendy starts to get curious, Emily looks to the others. How much do they want to tell her? They can use all the help they can get so she would vote yes to bringing the girl up to speed. She shrugs and her eyes suggest they should tell her.

"Wendy, the cops are useless. Been there, done that."

Last edited September 17, 2023 3:06 pm

Sep 17, 2023 7:11 am

Zach is clearly not happy with Emily evading his question and he makes no secret of that in his expression. But he doesn't keep prodding for now. Instead, he turns to Wendy. "Well, we know Gromn was. And then Romanov and Polensky definitely, though it just seemed to make those two want to... uhm, have sex." He looks at Lily. "Didn't you say that Mr. Levitt went to talk to them and has disappeared afterwards?"

Sep 17, 2023 10:28 am

"Right! Whoever bothers to them seems to disappear, or go funny. Same with Principal Romero, right? When he saw us today, he looked wild.

They’d do the same to the cops, if the cops actually got off their asses in the first place and checked this thing out." she says, rolling her eyes at the idea.

"But… it seems like they only infect certain people, right? Not Priya, and they… killed the Vice Principal. How do they decide who to infect and who to kill?"

Wendy Lin

Sep 17, 2023 3:48 pm

Wendy Lin

"So no police. Oookay. And you all think it's... aliens? And they are like picking and choosing who they snatch?" Wendy says, clearly uncertain on the subject as she tries to make meaningful eye contact with Lily. Then, looking at the minivan's driver and realizing just how stoned the teen is, Wendy adds, "Didn't Emily hear or see something a few nights ago, in the sky? I figured she was just high, but... maybe she did?"

Sep 17, 2023 3:56 pm

Freddie perks up at the aliens bit. "I talked to that old homeless guy down by the river. Totally out there, but he said he saw an alien ship the night of the storm a few days ago. That seems to be the only connection that I've seen, but it fits!"

Sep 17, 2023 4:09 pm

Zach wants to make a comment about how ridiculous it is to believe some homeless guy that he's seen an alien spaceship, but then he remembers what they're currently discussing and stays quiet.

Sep 18, 2023 2:27 pm

"Yeah, Chandling. Wasn't that who you said you saw, Freddie? And then the goo on the principal's office floor and the slugs in the crazy house. Maybe there really are space freaks here that landed by the river. I mean none of this shit has been making any sense so far, has it?"

Emily couldn't believe that she was actually beginning to believe in aliens. But what other explanations were there?

"Or a virus but then what happened at The Banks? Where did such a virus come from? Any research labs around here?"

Sep 18, 2023 3:57 pm

At the teens talk and debate, as they theorize and wonder WTF is going on, really, a sound from the dark road that goes past the dairy bar grabs their attention. It’s the growl of a V8 — and one that Fred recognizes. Seconds later, the vehicle comes into sight, then speeds past, down the road, its red taillights fading.

It’s Belinda’s Range Rover!

OOC:

Notice checks welcome to spy further details. At -1 due to poor lighting.

Sep 19, 2023 12:52 am

"Belinda's rover! But, is she driving?"

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Notice - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (4) - 1 = 3

Sep 19, 2023 1:00 am

OOC:

Rolling!

What do my elf-eyes see?

Last edited September 19, 2023 1:01 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (63) = 9

Sep 19, 2023 1:39 am

OOC:

Those making the roll see that there are two figures in the vehicle. For those making it with a raise, you see an attractive blonde behind the wheel, and a handsome, dark-haired man in the front seat. She's probably in her 30s, him in his 40s.

Sep 19, 2023 9:47 am

"Didn’t you see? Looks just like her to me! Does she always drive like that?!"

Sep 19, 2023 9:59 am

"I thought she was missing?" Zach asks, looking at Freddy. "Do you think she got... taken over?"

Sep 20, 2023 12:54 am

"You've all met her at my house. I didn't get a good look at them. Could be she's with Kelly Unger's dad."

Sep 20, 2023 2:03 am

"Taken over? Ya mean like the teachers? Christ. Should we follow?"

Sep 20, 2023 5:30 am

OOC:

Forgot you all met Belinda. It's Belinda, Lily. And Fred, the vehicle (which you last saw parked at home) is coming down the road from your house.

Sep 20, 2023 5:42 am

"I guess so," Zach replies to Emily, though he does not sound certain. "Fred, maybe try calling her as well? Didn't you say she needs to pick up your sister from the hospital?" He frowns. "Though I guess she shouldn't do that if she's not herself."

Sep 20, 2023 2:36 pm

Lily makes eyes at Wendy.

Call her? When she’s driving like that?…

"Maybe everything’s okay? Fred can call her and see if she’s been slugged. Otherwise, there are people stuck down in the basements that need help."

She makes another unsure face at Wendy, wondering what the right thing to say is.

Sep 20, 2023 8:55 pm

"I dunno. Yeah maybe call her Freddie. See if you can figure out if she's okay. You can ask her yes or no questions."

Shrugging, she got the idea from her TV shows but she was pretty proud of herself anyway. Anything to keep her mind off that horrible other place. Going after Belinda would take everyone's mind off the whole stinking mess unless Belinda was involved unwillingly or not. Who knew what the hell was happening anyway?

Sep 20, 2023 11:57 pm

"Nah, I got Debbie home already." Freddie thumbs to Belinda in his contacts and hits dial. He waits for her to answer. "If she's come from home, then she'd know that."

OOC:

Not assuming she will, but if she does, he'll say that he's already gotten Debbie home from the hospital.

Sep 21, 2023 3:46 am

A text comes in on Fred's phone as he rings Belinda, and the boy only sees part of the message at the top of his screen before his stepmother somewhat surprisingly picks up right away.

Sarah: Freddie u there? I think B just came home? She didn't...

Belinda Solomon

"Fred! Is that you, sweetie?" Belinda's voice sounds on the other end of the line.

"Sorry I've been out of contact. I had meetings all day. Where are you?"

Nearby, Wendy is giving Lily a look back, and she shrugs... and then reddens a little when her friend's attention is on her a little too long -- which forces the freckled girl to cross her eyes and stick her tongue out at her bestie.

While Fred talks, Emily's phone buzzes as well.

Steve: hey sis
Steve: sup
Steve: bored 🥱
Steve: will you bring home a 🍕
Steve: xtra cheeeeeeese

Sep 21, 2023 8:08 am

Lily shoots her tongue out in response, while Fred takes his phone call. Her face reddens too; and she forgets, at least for a moment, what they were here to contemplate.

Then she’s conscious that everyone else is busy with themselves, minus Zach. So she asks:

"Heard from you-know-who?"

Sep 21, 2023 8:15 am

It only takes Zach a second to put together who you-know-who is referring to. He blushes very lightly. "We wrote for a bit earlier. I told him I got hurt but that I'm okay. But I didn't tell him anything about the other thing. I want him to be safe." He hesitates for a moment, then adds, "And to not think I'm some weirdo who believes in aliens."

Sep 21, 2023 8:23 am

"Might not be Ancient Aliens!" Lily says; making a pose, yet sounding dismissively matter of fact.

"Could be slug-zombies. Or… mmm…

It could be… miiiiind control magic!" she says, gesticulating mystically towards him.

"Oooh… mind flayers. Could be that, too. If you’re worried about him thinking you’re an alien nut, I mean."

Sep 21, 2023 8:41 am

Zach can't help but snort at Lily's comments. "Shut up, you weirdo," he tells her playfully.

Them he has a thought. "You think if Belinda is back...?" he half-asks Lily before picking up his phone and trying again to call Rose.

Sep 21, 2023 8:51 am

Lily rolls her eyes and flops a hand down on the table towards Wendy.

"Kids these days. Can’t stay off their phones." she says, as everyone else busies themselves checking in with people. The hand remains in front of Wendy; an invitation.

Sep 21, 2023 3:54 pm

"Lilly, come onnn. You're being ridiculous now. Mind control. That's crazy"

But is it?

Emily's phone buzzes.

"For fuck sake, now what?" she says to nobody and looks at her phone.

Emily: hey steve. Will U fuck off!
"Anyone want a free brother? He's going cheap.

Sep 21, 2023 4:00 pm

As Zach is still waiting for Rose to pick up - if she does - he replies, "If this girl answers now and tells me she's just hanging out with some friends and I'm worried for no reason, I'll gladly trade."

Sep 21, 2023 5:36 pm

Freddie tries to read the rest of the text while speaking with Belinda. Not easy, but he's a teen.

He takes a deep breath, and blurts, "Hey, Belinda, just wanted you to know that I snuck Debbie out of the hospital, so no need to pick her up. There is probably some insurance forms needed that you'll need to sign, though. So everything went okay today? I saw your Range Rover at the school but couldn't find you."

Sep 22, 2023 5:20 am

Steve: whoa rude
Steve: dont b a b Im hungry
Steve: u could bring yr friend back her
As Emily looks at her phone in further frustration, Zach has a hard time not feeling the same when Rose still doesn't pick up. Where is she?!

When no one is really paying attention, Lily and Wendy are suddenly and tenderly holding hands, having a moment -- just as Fred reads his sister's full text.

Sarah: Freddie u there? I think B just came home? She didn't even come into the house. I just heard the Range Rover start up and drive off, and saw her Tesla parked by the garage. She came home to switch cars and didn't even stop in to see if we're all okay?

Belinda Solomon

"Ok, thanks Fred," Belinda says in Fred's ear, sounding a little distracted. Perhaps from the speed she was driving? "Where are you now?"

OOC:

No biggie, but Belinda's car at the school was the Tesla Model X. She *also* has a RR, which was at home last you saw it Fred. That's what you just saw drive past.

Sep 22, 2023 5:35 am

Zach hangs up his phone again, keeping it in his hands as he looks silently out the window. Rose can be an extremely frustrating person but she is his sister and he's genuinely scared for her, as much as he tried to play over his concerns. He's trying to blink down tears as he collects his thoughts. Then he quietly says, not really to anyone in particular but with some determination in his voice, "I'm going in there right now."

OOC:

What happened to the baseball bats, by the way?

Sep 22, 2023 6:13 am

With tears welling in his eyes, Zach says what he does... and then his phone buzzes. There's a text -- and it's from Rosie!

Rose: Hi Janina. I see you calling. What's up?

Sep 22, 2023 6:21 am

When Zach's phone buzzes in his hands, he immediately raises it to read the message. Relief floods him when he sees it's from Rose, but then his whole body goes ice cold when he reads the text. He quickly shuts off his screen before any of his friends can read the name in the text.
There's no way this is just someone else messing with her phone. Who else would know that name? But also, Rose would never call him that anymore. He lets out a shaking breath, then says, "Rose isn't Rose anymore."

Sep 22, 2023 2:51 pm

"What did Belinda say, Freddie? What's the text about? What's going on?" Emily's curiosity is peaked along with her frustration with her brother.

"I'm just going to ignore the little fart," she announces and then slips the phone back into her pocket.

OOC:

The bats are in the van I think, I hope?

Sep 23, 2023 12:02 am

Freddie says, "Of, we're about to break into an abandoned building and free some capture people from space alien slug monsters. You know kid stuff."

He hangs up, and looks at the retreating vehicle. "She didn't say anything useful. Sarah said she went home and changed vehicles, didn't even go inside."

Sep 23, 2023 12:32 am

The table comes to life again all at once, and suddenly everyone is moved to action.

"How can you know that?" Lily asks Zach.

Sep 23, 2023 5:56 am

Zach looks clearly shaken as he turns to Lily. "She texted me. She wrote something that only Rose could know but that she would never say to me." He really hopes nobody here asks for an explanation. Would he give an explanation if they did?

Sep 23, 2023 10:41 am

"Very cryptic! Riddle me this, Bats!

Alright, well… we know she’s not underground at least. She wouldn’t be able to message. So, she’s… out there somewhere?

See if she’ll tell you!"

Sep 23, 2023 10:46 am

"What if I ask her to meet me here?" Zach suggests, sounding unsure. "I can tell her I went looking for her and that we should meet up to go home together. If she thinks I'm alone and she really is one of the slugs now, maybe she'll fall for the bait and try to capture me. And if she's still herself and just drunk enough to be even more of an ass than I thought she could be, then she might still come by."

Sep 23, 2023 3:26 pm

"Whadya mean Zach? What could be so terrible that Rose wouldn't tell you? Ohhh..." The light turns on in Emily's head.

"So she's been taken, or taken over." Emily's eyes dart around as her mind fights for an answer.

"That's a good idea Zach. See if she ... it ... falls for that. Ask her to meet us. But if she's ... well we don't want to club her to death. So what do we do if she is ... you know ... not Rose?"

Sep 23, 2023 3:27 pm

"Belinda, Rose, what about Steve, Em, is he seeming normal? We need to find a way to expel these things if we're going to save our families. Fuck! What did you do, Zach, to get the slug out of Gromn?"

Freddie pops open his bottle of antacids, and dry chews two of them.

Sep 23, 2023 3:54 pm

"Yeah I think so. Maybe a little more annoying than usual. But ... shit ...do you think? Oh my God. Maybe we need to go to my place?"

It might seem like Emily hated her brother but every family was like that, wasn't it?

Sep 23, 2023 5:37 pm

Freddie touches her arm. "Annoying sounds like normal for him, but was he trying to get you to do anything?"

Sep 23, 2023 6:17 pm

"If she's not Rose, then we, uhm, kidnap her. I'm stronger than Rose, so I could probably overpower her. And then... someone ties her up? As long as you don't make that weird. Maybe Emily could do it." He sighs. "And then we'll have to figure out what to do. I have an idea or two, but no guarantee that they're going to work." Looking at Fred, he answers the boy's question, "I killed Gromn. But that's not an option with Rose."

Sep 23, 2023 6:58 pm

"You're stronger than Rose when she's Rose. If she's not, you can't be sure. But whadya mean weird?? Sure I can do it, I mean maybe I can. Freddie could help. Couldn't you Freddie?"

As shes' gently stroking Freddie's arm she thinks about the text from Steve. "Hmmm, lemme check." Glancing at the texts, she scrolls up a bit and nods. "Yeah, he wanted pizza and extra cheese and for me to bring my friend. That's normal though. He's always hungry and he always wants to mind-grope my female friends."

Last edited September 23, 2023 6:58 pm

Sep 24, 2023 12:51 am

"Jesus, have you guys even seen a movie with aliens in it??" Lily asks, incredulous.

"You go for the momma bug; the big one! You take out the brain bug, and all the little ones just kind of die off."

"It’s afraid. ITS AFRAAID!" she calls out.

"You know… like in Starship Troopers?"

Sep 24, 2023 5:18 am

"Lily, can you cut the jokes for one second?" Zach snaps at her. "My little sister is infected with some fucking parasite and the only way to remove it that we know of so far is to kill her. I'm really not in the mood for some stupid movie reference."

Sep 24, 2023 5:45 am

"Excuse me, it’s the only way YOU know how to remove it. I haven’t killed anyone. If I need pointers, I’ll ask though!"

She shoots back with defensive venom. She crosses her arms and sits back.

"Don’t act like you know any more than us about fucking aliens because you swung a bat a few times. It could be anything; Hive Mind included, genius."

Last edited September 24, 2023 5:47 am

Sep 24, 2023 5:51 am

"Well, tell me any other way you know then?" Zach fires back. "You don't know any either. Bet you don't even have any ideas beyond 'Oh, look at what movie I watched last night'." He knows he's going to feel bad about this as soon as his emotions calm down again, but he still can't stop himself from being angry right now. "I don't know any more about this than you do. None of us know anything! That's the fucking problem! So just shut your mouth and be serious for one moment while my sister's life is in danger!"

Sep 24, 2023 5:56 am

"Uhhh… How about loud noises? How about germs? How about… um… I don’t know, trapping them in a walk-in freezer until the slugs jump out looking for some place warm?" she sits forward, counting out all the ways they could fight these aliens. They were all movie references, but maybe Zach wouldn’t know that.

"Your sister’s life is only in danger if you swing a great big bat at her head. So… and this is just me spitballing solutions, Zach; but maybe don’t invite her over here."

Sep 24, 2023 6:06 am

"My sister's life is in danger because she has an alien parasite inside her," Zach growls at her. "And of course I'm not going to swing a bat at her. But we need to get Rose here. Who knows what she'll do if we let her roam around like this. And we need to have her here to help her." He lets out a long breath, calming down a bit from his frustration, then wiping some tears from his eyes. "And see, you do have some ideas if you just stop fucking around all the time. The freezer thing was what I was going to suggest as well. You know, because of the whole heating thing."
He takes a couple more shaky breaths, then says, "I'm sorry, Lily. I'm just really scared."

Sep 24, 2023 6:54 am

In the midst of this, Wendy has fallen quiet, not liking it when her friends fight, and Zach's phone buzzes again:

Rose: You there? I saw you called. Are you with your friends? Where are you guys?
A short distance away, Emily's phone buzzes in her pocket as well.

Sep 24, 2023 6:57 am

"I'll text her back and tell her to come here," Zach says, indicating his phone once he's read the text.

Sep 24, 2023 2:02 pm

"Guys, GUYS! Stop arguing and chill for a sec.

Emily's arms stiffen at her sides as her patience wears thin.

"What's the next move? And we need to prioritize and decide if we want to find help."

Sep 24, 2023 3:55 pm

Freddie listens to them argue. "We're all tense. If it is a parasite, then it probably left when it noticed that Gromn's body was dying. So what ways can we safely make it think that? Lily's idea about the cold might work, but inducing hypothermia isn't perfectly safe either."

He claps his hands. "What else? An injection that makes the body unsuitable, like too much vitamin C or something like that, but that's a lot of hit and miss. Umm, what else? Electric zaps?"

Sep 24, 2023 5:36 pm

"We can keep thinking about that," Zach says, "But Rose - or Not-Rose - will get suspicious if I don't reply. I'll tell her to meet me here."

He unlocks his phone again, then types a message to his sister:

Zach:	Rose! Where the hell have you been all day? I've been worried sick
Zach:	I snuck out of the house to look for you. Am at the school now
Zach:	Where are you? Let's meet up and get back home. I covered for you but if we don't get back, we're both screwed

Sep 24, 2023 11:21 pm

Lily secretly mouths to Wendy:

Bad idea… Hive Mind… Our Location…

Then she shrugs in surrender.

"I’m sorry, too. It’s been a really weird few days."

At least Fred was thinking along the same lines as her! She waits for ‘Rose’ to message back.

Sep 25, 2023 2:32 am

Rose's rapid reply is a simple one.

Rose: You're at the school? Now? Where?

Sep 25, 2023 5:23 am

Zach:	Yes, now
Zach:	I'm by the front door, where the car pickup is
Zach:	Rosie, where are you?

Sep 25, 2023 5:38 am

Rose: I'm with a boy. But I can be there soon. Who is with you?

Sep 25, 2023 5:40 am

As Zach is texting, Fred's phone buzzes yet again as well.

Sep 25, 2023 5:46 am

Zach:	I'm alone
Zach:	I was worried about you and just went out to look for you
Zach:	What boy?

To his friends, he says, "I'll get out of the car and wait by the door. Try not to make yourself visible so she doesn't get suspicious." He glances at his phone again. "She says she's with someone. I don't know if that's true or not, but I guess be prepared for there to be someone else."

Last edited September 25, 2023 5:46 am

Sep 25, 2023 6:07 am

OOC:

Traveling this week for work. Will be slower posting. Just let me know if and when and who is going where!

Sep 25, 2023 6:08 am

Rose: You don't know him. Met him today. Arriving soon.

Sep 25, 2023 12:35 pm

When Zach is gone to wait for his sister, Lily asks the others:

"Doesn’t this seem like an obviously bad idea to anyone else? Hey alien, here’s our location!"

Sep 25, 2023 1:08 pm

"Yeah Lilly, it's a terrible idea and would you please stop with the aliens? Anyway, none of us know enough about hypothermia or injecting stuff into anyone." Emily realizes too late that she probably insulted Freddie and tries to walk it back.

"I mean Freddie, good thinking and all but shit, we might kill her. Besides, we'd have to get needles, syringes, and injectable vitamins although I've seen that an air bubble injected into a person can kill them. But we don't want to kill her so...."

Sep 25, 2023 2:12 pm

Fred says, "We only have bad ideas, so let's pick the one least likely to get people killed," and then answers his phone.

"Freddie speaking."

Sep 25, 2023 10:28 pm

Fred finds his sister Sarah on the other end of the line.

"Fred! What do you think is going on with Belinda? She never came to get Debby, and then didn't even come into the house when she finally came home?"

After a paused, she adds, "Should we... track her down? Remember that dad installed that GPS thing in the Range Rover, right? Debby says she knows how to get into it."

Zach's phone is now silent, and Wendy just squeezes Lily's hand, stressed out by all the arguing and their inability to make and stick with a decision.

Sep 26, 2023 3:36 am

"Well then maybe we should all just sit here and let aliens take over the town. I mean… if we are just going to go back and forth all night." Lily says, squeezing Wendy’s hand. It’s not like Lily had anyone to rescue from the basement.

She looks at Wendy, and then wonders what she’s doing here among all these nervous nellies, talking themselves down from every plan Lily and Fred had.

Wendy Lin

Sep 26, 2023 4:43 am

Wendy Lin

"Lily's right," Wendy says, looking at her best friend as they finally stop holding hands. "We need to try something, right? Or it's going to get worse? More and more people affected?"

She recounts the situation. "If Fred's stepmom and Rosie aren't at the asylum, why go there? I think we should either play along with what Zach is thinking and get some answers from his sister, or go after Belinda. If they got her, where was she going?"

Sep 26, 2023 10:57 pm

Freddie looks at the girls, and Zach. On the phone, "I talked to her on the phone, and she seemed like she was headed somewhere fast. And there was a guy in the car. I mean, of course she'd move on. Does it seem fast?"

Sep 26, 2023 11:13 pm

Emily listens and grits her teeth.

"Oh my God, people! Let's do SOMETHING already! I vote we go after Belinda. Now let's go."

Sep 27, 2023 1:23 am

"Booooo that!" Lily starts up. "She was driving a little fast, so we go chasing after her. And what… pull up while she’s having a rendezvous with some guy? Sorry Fred." she quickly adds.

"We know there’s something in the basement. Look… if we are too scared to go down there, let’s just call in a bomb scare or something.

Let them find whatevers down there by themselves."

Then she slumps down into the table, rapidly losing energy:

"Or whatever... It’s not like I’m driving. Let’s just wait for ’not-alien’ Rose to show up!"

Sep 27, 2023 1:35 am

Freddie says to Sarah on the phone. "Cook up that trace, Watson, I'll go see if she's okay, k? I love you, bye."

When Lily talks, he looks a little glassy eyed. He's silent a moment, and then shakes his head. "Sorry, did you say something after 'rendezvous'? I got lost there a little."

He smirks, but regrets shaking his gunshot head.

"We can trip hop in the Tesla and race after her. You wouldn't believe the performance on that bad boy."

Sep 28, 2023 3:05 pm

"Let's go," he says to Emily, his phone on mute as he waits for Sarah to track Belinda.

Jumping into the Tesla, he snaps the safety belt tight (it's literally saved his life) and waits for Emily to get in before driving off after Belinda, at least, in the direction he was driving.

Sep 28, 2023 3:17 pm

Emily grabs her keys and hops into Freddie's Tesla. She too buckles up, more out of habit than any sense of safety. "Shit. I didn't lock the van. Wait! Freddie. Let me leave the keys for the others in case they need it. Gimme a minute."

Removing the house keys and jumping out of the Tesla, she tosses the keys onto the front seat or to one of the others, hops back into the vehicle, and says, "Go!"

Sep 28, 2023 3:29 pm

Standing some distance from the cars, where he positioned himself as bait for 'Rose', Zach watches with confusion as Emily and Fred move between the cars and the Tesla then suddenly takes off. He looks after them, raising his arms to signal 'What the fuck, guys?' to them as they speed off.
He then turns to the van left behind. He didn't see Lily and Wendy leave, so he at least still has them as backup. And really, if you have Lily on your side, what would you need anyone else for?

Sep 28, 2023 10:54 pm

At the School, 730pm (Zach, Lily, and Wendy)

It's unclear in the moment if Fred and Emily think Zach's plan just isn't going to work (he's been outside the main entrance for a few minutes now, waiting), or if the popular but haunted boy just wants to make sure his stepmother is okay, but either way -- off they go.

Lily and Wendy are indeed in the van, with Emily's keys. They have moved the vehicle to the overflow bus lanes, out of sight of someone exiting the school's main doors, and sit with the engine idling, ready. At Zach's signal, they will swoop in!

On the Road, 730pm (Fred and Emily)

"Okay, we'll send her location when we get it!" Sarah had said before she hung up and the pair headed for Fred's car. They aren't on the road five minutes when a text from her comes in, displaying on the Tesla's gigantic touchpad. One touch turns that into a map location, and Emily and Fred see that Belinda appears to be down near the Banks. On the other side of the river, near where Fred swam across and checked out the Jeep. The Range Rover looks like it's halfway up the old dirt road that accesses that more exclusive make-out area, a trail that people normally don't tackle without a four-wheel drive.

OOC:

Fred, with it's all wheel drive system, you think the Tesla might be able to make it. Translation, you'll need to make a skill roll if you attempt it. Oh, and this location is also not that far from Kelly's house, though you have to traverse woods to get there. What do you do?

At the School, 735pm (Zach, Lily, and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

The sun has set by the time Zach is having the thought maybe this isn't going to work, but then the front doors open, and there she is: Rosie! The inside of the school is lit behind her, and she beckons to her brother from the door.

"Come on! Come on in for a minute -- I have something to show you," she says, waiting there.

OOC:

Zach's move, and also... which unlicensed driver is behind the wheel, Lily or Wendy?!

Sep 29, 2023 1:53 pm

At the School (Zach, Lily, and Wendy)

"Rose!" Zach exclaims. His heart is hammering nervously in his chest. This proves it. Why would Rose have been in the school if she wasn't slugged? "I was so worried about you," he tells her without stepping closer. "Why didn't you answer your phone all day? I was in the hospital." He does not like the idea of being lured into the school, away from his bodyguards. "We don't have time. We need to get home before our parents notice we're gone. Come on, Rosie!"

Last edited September 29, 2023 1:53 pm

Sep 29, 2023 3:10 pm

"Remember when I swam the river from the Banks, when you were making out with Rose then left with her and the douchebag? That's where they're going. And the homeless guy said he saw a spaceship land there. Maybe It was a military helicopter and they're all super spies, or midnight hot air balloon enthusiasts, but that's where they are going. We could get stuck, though it's a dirt shithole."

Sep 29, 2023 3:56 pm

Emily's cheeks redden at that memory and the fact that Freddie saw the incident. Maybe he would consider her more worldly and it wasn't so bad after all. One could hope.

"Yup, I remember." Gazing out the window as he puts forth his theories she comes to her conclusions.

"I don't think you're far off. I wouldn't be surprised if the government was involved in some way. I mean I don't believe it's aliens but it might as well be for all the shit that's been going down the past few days. So I think we should take our chances and get to the other side. We can always swim if we get stuck but then the car might be trash."

Sep 29, 2023 5:16 pm

"Let's go. We can go as far as we can. Should we tell the girls? And Zach?" He adds the last bit in.

Sep 29, 2023 5:57 pm

"Yeah in case we never come back. Heh." She doesn't mean the part about never coming back.

Rose Tidwell

Sep 30, 2023 2:18 am

At the School (Zach, Lily, and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

Looking back over her shoulder, it's difficult to tell if Rose says something to someone, but then she's striding forward, walking with a purpose Zach finds unusual and a little unnerving. As the gets closers, he sees that his sister's tank top is stained, and that her hair is uncharacteristically disheveled in a non-purposeful way.

"Mom and dad can wait," she says, reaching for Zach's hand. "Come on. You'll think this is cool."

Sep 30, 2023 2:23 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

It's not a long drive to the back road that leads to the Range Rover, and after Fred drives across the bridge that crosses the river, he makes the turn into the woods. It's dark. The sun has just gone down, there are no streetlights, and the trees overhead are thick blotting out any lingering light in the sky. As they drive branches scrape and rattle against the side of the car, almost as though they are trying to get it -- or stop the vehicle from proceeding.

OOC:

Fred, let's see that Driving roll.

Sep 30, 2023 3:11 am

"It's spooky. Keep you're seatbelt on, I want to try something. I saw it in a cartoon but I'm pretty sure I can do it." His jokes are a lame attempt to calm his own mangled nerves.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Driving - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (64) = 10

Sep 30, 2023 3:36 am

OOC:

Success. Are your lights on? -2 without I should have said, but you'd still succeed.

Sep 30, 2023 4:11 am

When Rose approaches him, Zach closes the distance. He puts his arms around her in a hug as soon as they're close. "I love you, Rose," he tells her, hoping that the real Rose can hear him. "And I'm going to free you from that thing inside you!"
As soon as he says those words, he tightens his hug into a firm grip on the girl. He then tries to move towards the van, pulling her with him.

Sep 30, 2023 7:13 am

Lily watches from behind the wheel, as a nervous Wendy sits in the passenger seat, clutching two bats.

"Is that the signal?" she asks, more than once, as Rose and Zach go back and forth.

Then Zach grabs her, and then it’s all action.

"Shit! Shit! Are we meant to be making a getaway?" she stammers, not sure what the next step of Zach’s plan is.

She sticks the van into drive, and tries to pull the thing up a little closer to Zach!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (43) - 2 = 5

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Sep 30, 2023 8:20 pm

OOC:

Lights on, yeah.

"You okay, Em? This is like the beginning of a bad story about kids about to get murderized by something unexplainable. We get in trouble, you run. An uncomfortable night in the woods is better than being slugged."

Oct 1, 2023 6:09 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Keeping his speed down and watching the unpaved road carefully, Fred successfully navigates up the road about halfway to the top -- where presumably the Jeep was still parked. It's really just a pair of ruts he's following, and the teen is relieved that he hasn't gotten stuck yet as his headlights illuminate the back of his stepmother's Range Rover. It's pulled over to the side of the trail; Fred might be able to squeeze by without putting the Tesla off the road and getting it hung up.

The SUV is dark and there's no sign of Belinda or her passenger. The surrounding pine woods are dark and forbidden, doing their very best to look uninviting.

Rose Tidwell

Oct 1, 2023 6:29 am

At the School (Zach, Lily, and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

"Go go go!" Wendy calls to her friend as she prepares to slide open the side door of the minivan, knowing full well what their friend was planning to do. Lily manages just fine to get the Caravan in gear, and suddenly the van lurches and accelerates towards Zach and Rosie!

"Janina! What are you doing?!" the boy's sister cries when he grabs her, "let me go! Let me go, Janina!"

She's not just crying out, though, she's fighting, is Rose, trying to break her brother's hold on her. At that same moment -- and Zach, Wendy, and Lily all see this, a door on the side of the school, an emergency exit, busts open and several figures pour out into the twilight, running headlong towards the front doors where Zach and his sibling wrestle!

OOC:

Zach, we need contested Athletics rolls here before pulling cards for initiative, so see how good (or not) your hold is on Rose. She didn't see this coming, so is the equivalent of Distracted: -2 to her rolls for one round.

Rolls

Athletics + Wildcard - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Oct 1, 2023 6:38 am

Zach expected her to fight, so he grips her tight and doesn't let go when she begins wiggling. He also tries to shut out her words and ignore the name she's calling him.

OOC:

I have enough Bennies. I'll spend one

Last edited October 1, 2023 6:39 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (3) = 3

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (42) = 6

1D6 : (3) = 3

Oct 1, 2023 6:45 am

OOC:

Initiative!

Round 1: Lily, Zach, Shadowy Figures (3), Rose, Wendy

Deck Draws

Zach, Lily, Wendy, Rose, Shadowy Figures (3)

Oct 1, 2023 3:15 pm

"I'm fine. Compared to some of the shit my parents got us into this is nothing."

Still, Emily was spooked by the grating twigs as they screeched along the side of the car, and the eerie darkness illuminated only by the Tesla's headlights.

Later when they come upon the vehicle,"There's the SUV! Where the heck are they? I don't like this, Freddie. Not one bit."

Oct 1, 2023 3:35 pm

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

"They've got to be near, they weren't that far ahead. Let's get out and listen for cracking brush." He's grateful for his near silent electric car; a big beater like Emily's van would have drawn all ears and warned of an incoming party.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (3) = 3

Oct 1, 2023 3:39 pm

At the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

As soon as the van stops next to Zach, he reaches for the door and pulls it open, then tries to wrangle his sister inside.

OOC:

Moving someone is an Opposed Strength. We discussed it before.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Strength (Multi-Action) - (1D4-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Zachary Tidwell: Benny - (1D4-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1D6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Final Benny! - (1D4-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D4-2 : (443) - 2 = 9

1D6-2 : (62) - 2 = 6

Oct 1, 2023 6:29 pm

At the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rosie and Wendy)

Rosie is still fighting and struggling as Lily roars up in the van and screeches to a halt, and while Wendy is fumbling to get the sliding door open, Zach manages to grab the handle and open it with one hand while dragging his sister inside with the other. The two of them stumble inside, falling into the bench seat while Wendy yelps and tries to work around them to close the door before the racing figures arrive.

Watching anxiously during all this, her foot mashed on the brake but ready to move to the gas in a split second, Lily sees those figures run beneath one of school's exterior lights, and recognizes them! Coach Murdock, Principal Romero, and -- Mr. Levitt! Her former favorite teacher lags behind, but Murdock and Romeo are fast, covering ground quickly as Rose is pulled into into the van.

"Stop!" Romero shouts, before screwing up his face, hawking to clear his throat, and then barfing a jet of nastiness at Wendy in the open door!

He's too far away, though, and the atrocious spray surging out of his mouth and nose falls short -- causing Coach Murdock to slip and fall in the suddenly underfoot pool. The man was about to try and grab Wendy or maybe Rose's kicking legs, but then he's on the ground and sliding -- part way under the van!

OOC:

Yup, opposed STR as we're using the Push rules on p104 of SWADE, Zach.

Edit: And woof, sorry for all those updates. That's a fumble for Romero... which neutralized Murdock's action. And put him in harm's way. Rosie and Wendy are up next, but for clarity I'll craft a new post.

Rolls

Rosie's STR to resist being pulled into the van - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (61) = 7

Athletics Rolls for the Three Pursuers - (1d6, 1d6, 1d6)

1d6 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (4) = 4

Romero Jetbarf at Medium Range (-2), Second Action (-2) - (1d8-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d8-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

1d6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

Oct 1, 2023 7:22 pm

"Crackling bushes, ok, but they could be well into the woods by now. For what I don't know and dread to think about."

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (87) = 15

1d6 : (61) = 7

Rose Tidwell

Oct 1, 2023 11:08 pm

Still at the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

"JANINA!" Rose shouts from atop her brother in the back of the van, fighting him hard now, digging her fingernails into his arms, his sides. She's strong -- stronger than Zach!

"LET GO OF ME!!" she screeches as she tries to break free.

OOC:

She's trying to break the grapple and get away. Opposed Athletics or Fighting, your choice. (Or you can also use Strength at -2, which is what Rose is doing.) We'll call her Bound in terms of the grappling rules.

Rolls

Rosie tries to escape! [Currently Bound] - (1d10-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d10-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Oct 1, 2023 11:23 pm

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Fred grabs the flashlight and beacon from the Tesla's emergency kit, then he and Emily get out to see what they can see. The woods are anything but quiet -- there's the steady, almost electric buzz of crickets, frogs, and other night creatures, but Emily hears something else, something stranger, something artificial-sounding.

She's trying to figure out what that is as they approach the Range Rover and discover it both empty and unlocked. Fred walks past something that the girl sees, a piece of cloth perhaps, and when she bends to inspect the article she discovers a pair of black panties -- a G-string no less. Then she sees footprints that suggest what might have happened here, near the rear quarter panel -- a man's boot impressions behind a woman's heels, both of them facing in the same direction...

Oct 2, 2023 2:06 am

Still at the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Zach tries to keep his hold on Rose.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (5) = 5

Oct 2, 2023 2:53 am

At the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

"Go, Lily, go!" Wendy cries, rolling and slamming the door shut, then grabbing Rose's leg's trying to help Zach subdue the girl.

OOC:

Round 2. Pulling cards...

Init Order: Lily, Wendy, Coach, Zach, Rose, Romero, Levitt

The door to the van is close. Lily is ready to roll as Zach, Rose and Wendy wrestle in the back. Levitt is still running, and the Coach has slipped from view.

Deck Draws

Lily, Zach, Wendy, Rose, Levitt, Coach, Romero

Oct 2, 2023 2:15 pm

Freddie takes a picture of the footprints and grabs the panties, but then he drops them. He does not need to clean up her messes. "Looks like we just missed then, if they stopped for the shenanigans. I don't hear anything in the bushes though, so I don't know if we can follow them."

He points further up the path. "This is where I found Polensky's blue jeep, and there was lipstick in the front. Then you saw him and Romanov looking like they'd had an overnighter, right?"

He looks at Em, smiling. "Maybe this is the secret teacher sex club. Who do you think was with my mom? Step mom?"

Oct 2, 2023 2:36 pm

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Fred doesn’t see it — too much on his mind, perhaps — but Emily does. Tracks that lead into the woods. A footprint, a snapped branch. It looks like Belinda and whoever she’s with went straight into the woods.

Oct 2, 2023 3:03 pm

Ordinarily, Emily loves the night sounds of the woods, but not so at the moment.

"Fred, hear that?" The girl stands and slowly whirls around. "I don't like it. Something is ... I dunno ...off." Following Freddie she sees ... "Are those ... ewwwww! Freddie YUK! Don't touch them. Gross!"

Crouching above the footprints her mind slowly puts two and two together. "Ewwww. They were doing it, right here against the car."

Never mind that Emily would have wanted to be doing that very same thing with Freddie under entirely different circumstances.

"Christ," she mutters, blowing out a long breath as her eyes continue to scan the area illuminated by Freddie's light. "Look! Footsteps! They went that way after their quickie. Maybe they wanted another go at it." Emily fakes a laugh and starts following the tracks.

"Sorry. I know she's your stepmom. Secret sex club. That's funny but you'd know better than I who the guy is."

Oct 3, 2023 1:03 am

"Let’s fucking goooooo!" Lily says, as a tingle travels up her back. Fear, adrenaline and the feeling of the chase meant that she felt it long after she’d pulled away from the school!

She notices Mr. Levitt, but there was no real time to process all that right now. This was a getaway!

OOC:

Brum, brum! Hold on to your hats, folks!

Oct 3, 2023 2:33 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)
Freddie looks where Emily is pointing. He turns to her, and lightly grasps her shoulders, looking into her eyes. "What do you think, Em? This is ... I've got a tire iron, maybe we can grab some sticks in the woods, but we don't know what we're getting into. I'd hate to turn back, but if anything were to happen to you, I'd never stop blaming myself."

Last edited October 3, 2023 2:36 am

Oct 3, 2023 6:43 am

At the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

OOC:

Lily, as you take off please roll 3d6 damage...

Oct 3, 2023 6:46 am

OOC:

Beep, beep!

Rolls

3d6 [ RA ]

(343) = 10

Oct 3, 2023 6:51 am

Lily stomps the gas and the van pulls away from the curb and Mr. Romero's still-spraying puke. There's a gut-wrenching BUMP BUMP as one of the back wheels drives over something or someone, making the whole van lurch and bounce. There's screaming from the Coach on the road as the teens tear through the parking lot, trying to escape!

OOC:

Driving roll needed to escape, Lily. Fail and you'll have a minor mishap and need the *next* round to escape.

Oct 3, 2023 7:03 am

OOC:

I SAY THAT MY PREVIOUS ROLL SHOULD CARRY (if this one fails)

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Lily Palmer: Driving BENNY - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (61) - 2 = 5

Oct 3, 2023 7:24 am

Narrowly missing some parked cars, and both Romero and Levitt as they try to get in front of the van before it gets away, Lily corners sharply and exits the parking lot, tearing onto the main drag as the girls -- and Zach -- keep wrestling in the back.

OOC:

It's Zach's move, and Wendy will assist with most tasks... then Rose will have a go.

Oct 3, 2023 7:29 am

"Wendy, I need you to find something to restrain Rose!" Zach shouts at her as he tries to strengthen his hold on his sister. "Rose, I'm sorry!"

OOC:

Trying to do another grapple to turn her from Entangled to Bound. Also hoping Wendy can tie her up with something. If Wendy counts as Ganging up, add +1 to the result

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (5) = 5

Oct 3, 2023 10:24 am

"We did it! We did it! Did you see that?" Lily cheers, looking in the rear-view mirror to see the struggle continue.

"Try wrapping her up in the belts!" she adds, before reaching to turn down the A/C as far as it will go.

"Lets get her somewhere cold! Try that one first! Should we call the others?"

Rose Tidwell

Oct 4, 2023 5:18 am

Racing Away From the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

OOC:

Wendy is indeed helping, and we can drop out of init now.

Rose Tidwell

"LET ME GO!" Rose shouts, still scrapping for all she's worth. As she fights, her voice changes slightly and she start shouting in tones Zach has never heard before! "LET ME GO LET ME GO LET MEEE GOOOOOOAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!"

Rolls

Strength to resist Entangled to Bound - (1d10-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d10-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Rose Tidwell

Oct 4, 2023 5:21 am

Rose Tidwell

Rose stops screaming when Wendy and Zach finally have her under control, but then she begins hyperventilating, sucking in and blowing out air at a frantic rate. "Don't don't don't don't don't! W-where are you taking me!? W-why are you doing this?"

Oct 4, 2023 5:45 am

Once she is properly secured, Zach takes a moment to breathe, but Rose's panic doesn't let him calm down. Even if this isn't really Rose, his little sister is still in there somewhere, right?

"Rosie," he tells her in as calming a voice as he can manage. "I don't know if you can hear me, but I know you're still in there. I will save you, alright? I promise." He then closes his eyes and lets out a long breath before saying to the thing in Rose' body, "Now, tell me who or what you are."

Last edited October 4, 2023 5:45 am

Oct 4, 2023 2:20 pm

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

"Let's just follow. We're here. That tire iron is as good as anything else other than an actual weapon. If anything happens it's not your fault. It's not like you dragged me here with you," the slightly terrified girl says as she stares into Freddie's eyes.

"They are probably doing it and we have nothing to fear." Emily forces another chuckle but deep in her heart of hearts she doesn't believe that for one minute.

"A nice sized rock might be better than sticks. I'll find something. You grab that tire iron," the girl says as she rummages around for a rock that's not too heavy and should work as a weapon of sorts.

Oct 4, 2023 3:47 pm

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Freddie stashes the key, hefts the tire iron, and the flashlight, and says, "Doors open, key is on the back tire if we get separated."

He looks at her, searchingly. His teenage brain is going if five different directions, but he forces only one thought to more than linger. "Okay, let's go find ourselves a sex cult!"

He heads into the woods, flashlight low to illuminate the tracks, but not to signal passing helicopters where they are.

Oct 4, 2023 4:52 pm

"Yeah, let's hope that's all it is, Freddie.

Following the boy, her anxiety builds to the point where she suddenly wants to turn and run back, but she fights the urge and keeps forging ahead into what she has no clue.

"Hey we better be stealthy. We don't know for sure how many of them are out there. Maybe they were going to a meeting of some kind."

Oct 4, 2023 5:26 pm

He agrees, and tries to be stealthy about it. "You keep those sharp eyes out for anything up ahead, k?"

Oct 4, 2023 7:51 pm

"Kk." She's breathless and wonders why.

"Jesus, I'm out of shape. Or maybe it's nerves. Oh fuck this is scary Freddie. Are we in over our heads?"

Oct 4, 2023 8:25 pm

"I know. And we are. This is terrible, but keep that in mind. If this goes, um, pear shaped? then we run. We're just investigating."

Rose Tidwell

Oct 5, 2023 5:11 am

Racing Away From the School (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

As the van races down the middle of the road, Zach's words finally get through to his sister. Her hyperventilating stops -- instantly. So instantly, it's unnerving, with her panting one moment and then just regarding him with strangely dark, glistening eyes the next.

"We're travelers," Rosie suddenly says softly, almost wistfully. "Survivors. Refugees who have been persecuted and hunted to the far edges of the galaxy. We're the last of our kind."

OOC:

Lily, where are you going?

Oct 5, 2023 5:17 am

Zach turns to glance at Lily and Wendy. "They are aliens," he says. There should be more disbelief in his tone than there already is, but at this point, he's not actually too surprised.
Then he turns his attention back to Not-Rose. "We don't want to hurt you, but this body you're in, that's my little sister. You can't have her. And you can't just take the bodies of those other people either. Isn't there some compromise? Couldn't you maybe live inside a cow or a dog or something?"

Oct 5, 2023 5:25 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

With the darkness closing in around them, Fred and Emily head into the woods, scared but supporting one another. They find the odd footprint here and there, but really the trail is easy to follow as the sound becomes more and more evident with each step they take. It's a thrumming, warbling buzz, just beyond their sense, but somehow the teens hear -- or perhaps feel -- it anyway.

And then they see it: broken tree limbs and downed trees. A huge furrow in the ground lit up by the moon. Something huge came in from the sky here and hit the ground hard. And there, ahead of them, a silvery, metallic shape, smooth and featureless, crashed into and hung up in the roots of a massive, uprooted tree. Is it disc like, or dome-like? Shaped like a tear drop, or perhaps an oval? It's difficult to tell, the eyes play tricks. The spaceship -- for that's what it has to be -- must be fifty feet long.

OOC:

What do you do? If you go closer, please both make Stealth checks.

Oct 5, 2023 10:56 am

Lily is driving aimlessly, sticking to quiet roads; turning this way and that to make sure she isn’t being pursued by any runners.

When the alien speak, the van skids to a halt in the middle of a quiet street, and Lily turns around to take in the spectacle!

Can’t imagine why they’ve been persecuted… she thinks glibly but doesn’t speak.

"Holy shit. Hey, Zach! Ask it… eh, her… ask if they can communicate with each other. You know, telepathically."

Oct 5, 2023 12:53 pm

"You know Lily, we're all in the same car. Why don't you just ask..."
He pauses, then turns to Not-Rose. "Uhm, what pronouns do you prefer?" Is that a normal question to ask an alien? "And do you have a name?"

Oct 6, 2023 12:43 am

Freddie snaps a pic with his cellphone, and then texts Lily and Zach, OMFG OMFG OMFG WTAF! and attaches the pic with a pin of their loc.

He whispers to Emily, "I sent them the pic and where we are. Dare me to go touch it?" He creeps forward.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (4) = 4

Oct 6, 2023 1:00 am

OOC:

With that stellar provider, Fred, let's see if you can get a message out. Roll a d6 and try to hit the usual 4 for success. Oh, -1 for being in the woods, and -1 for Cricket. Nice stealth roll, though!

Emily! Stealth roll!

Oct 6, 2023 1:04 am

Holy fuck! Zach was ... right?

Emily creeps closer but when Freddie starts acting the goof she almost shrieks, "No! Jesus! Don't! Maybe it's ... it's ... I dunno ... contaminated?"

OOC:

Benny up!

OOC:

Yes!

Last edited October 6, 2023 2:15 am

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Stealth* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Emily Richardsen: Stealth* - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (3) = 3

Oct 6, 2023 1:10 am

"Come on bars, come on..." he hisses.

Rolls

Discount phone carrier - (1d6-2, RA)

(2) - 2 = 0

Oct 6, 2023 1:50 am

OOC:

Now hear this! +1 Benny if you kidnapped your sister, drove a van with no license, or explored dark woods like crazy people. (Everyone take a Benny.)

Oct 6, 2023 1:57 am

Stopped on a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

With the van idling and Lily asking her question, Rose might be about to answer -- but then Zach opens a different conversational door.

Cocking her head a little as she listens to her brother, Rose drops her voice to a whisper, and she sounds more like Rose again. "Oh, oh. I see. Come closer, Zach. Why did you do it? Why are you a he now? What's that like?"

Wendy Lin

There's a shift in focus in the scene and we suddenly seen Wendy making wide-eyed, panicked eye contact with Lily. WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! the look says.

Belinda Solomon

Oct 6, 2023 2:16 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Seconds after Emily almost yelps, struck by the enormity of what she's seeing, a door in the side of the silver-hulled space ship swirls and irises open. Standing inside, framed by neon pink light behind her, is Belinda Solomon, Fred's stepmom.

She's a wreck, though an extremely sexy one. Her hair is tousled, her little skirt is rumpled, her black stockings are torn and ripped, and the sheer, form-fitting blouse she wears -- the one that leaves so little to Fred's overactive imagination -- is buttoned up one button askew.

She carries two heavy looking cases, one in each hand, and walks off the ship without seeing the two teens. Steam or frost or something is blowing off the two cases into the night air, which look from this distance like piece of high-tech luggage, complete with blinking LED lights.

OOC:

No luck on the cell service, Freddie.

Oct 6, 2023 2:35 am

Zach awkwardly looks at Lily and Wendy. They already know he is gay, and with this, it probably won't take them long to figure out the rest as well anyway.
So he takes a shaky breath, then smiles nervously at his two friends for a moment before turning to Not-Rose again. "If I tell you about me being trans, will you in turn tell me about yourselves and the others like you?" he offers.

Oct 6, 2023 3:01 am

Freddie pulls on Emily's arm and nods back toward the cars. He whispers, "Come on."

He follows her back through the woods, trying not to make a sound or use the flashlight much. Still, his mind is half full of thoughts of what Belinda has been doing, at the car, and maybe inside the spaceship. Emily is so close, the woods so dark. They could, right here. It would be so dangerous, so forbidden.

They could ambush Belinda near the cars, get the cases, question her. But they might have time for ...

He groans.

Oct 6, 2023 5:23 am

Stopped on a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

"What is happening right now?!" Wendy says aloud to whoever is listening, but mostly to Lily, whose toe is still on the brake.

Aliens?! Zach is trans?! WTF!?

"Seriously!" Wendy cries.

Rose Tidwell

"You would like it," Rosie whispers, "switching bodies. These ones... we like these ones." The girl just nods and smiles when Zach makes his offer.

"Let me up so we can talk. I won't try to get away."

Oct 6, 2023 6:06 am

Stopped on a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Zach's cheeks flush red when Wendy reacts in a probably reasonable manner to the revelation. He swallows, then says, "I've been meaning to tell you. Remember, we made plans to hang out after school today - you two, Aaron and me. Things just went to hell before we had a chance." He closes his eyes, takes a deep breath, then says, "Yes, I'm trans. It's why my family moved here, because I was bullied for it at my old school." He turns his eyes to Rose. "And sure, I would love nothing more than to switch bodies with someone else. But I wouldn't do it unless they also wanted it. I know what it's like to be in a body that's not right."

He turns to Lily. "Can you lock the doors here in the back so they won't open from inside? Just in case." It's clear he's planning to untie Not-Rose.

Oct 6, 2023 1:26 pm

Lily meets Wendy’s eye, and holds it for a second, communicating the necessary:

Don’t ask me! I had no idea…

Then she clears her throat, and turns back around in her seat, as if turning her back would offer the two enough privacy in this small space to hold a conversation like this.

She starts up the car again, and chimes to Wendy:

"Private! Private!" before Zach actually starts telling the story. She listens closely, ears on Zach and eyes on the road. She thumbs the central locking system when Zach asks.

"These probably aren’t the circumstances you wanted to tell us under." Lily broaches. "I hope you don’t mind that part…" is all she can think to say. She knew this would be a difficult process for Zach.

She looks at Wendy in the rear view mirror and makes eyes:

Say something…

Lily starts driving towards her own house as the others talk.

Oct 6, 2023 2:11 pm

"I'm coming, I'm coming. But you sound like an elephant. Don't be so loud and stop groaning."

Alone in the woods. If it wasn't for all the rest of the shit going down it would be such a romantic spot for making out. Banishing her lewd thoughts, she wonders about what they had just seen.

It can't be. This is fucked up. Aliens. No way. Am I still high? Can't be.

She decides that Belinda will have the answers they seek. One can hope...

Oct 6, 2023 3:34 pm

"It's not how I imagined it going," Zach replies to Lily as he begins freeing Not-Rose from the tangle of seatbelts he and Wendy had trapped her in. "But I'm glad you know now."

Wendy Lin

Oct 7, 2023 5:26 am

Wendy Lin

Wendy is just wide-eyed and speechless for a moment as she catches Lily's eyes in the mirror, but then she looks at Zach, kind of numb, from where she holds Rosie by the legs.

"Should I... should I let go of her?" she asks.

Oct 7, 2023 5:31 am

Zach just nods briefly at her as he let's go of where he is holding Not-Rose in place. He watches his possessed sister suspiciously, but unless she immediately begins thrashing around or trying to escape, he then sits down next to her.

Oct 7, 2023 12:01 pm

Lily’s eyes turn to the alien in the backseat, and she asks:

"So, can you all communicate telepathically, then? No reason. Just curious."

She coughs, to break any awkward silence:

"Want me to turn on the heat? You… guys…"

Don’t say things…

"… like the heat, right?"

And don’t like the cold?… she hopes the others pick up on the implication.

Last edited October 8, 2023 2:10 am

Oct 8, 2023 1:50 am

Driving Down a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

The van is moving again as Zach and Wendy relent and let Rose up. Wendy moves to the third row, climbing over the seat as the siblings sit calmly next to one another on the bench seat behind Lily.

Rose Tidwell

Rose looks at the driver in the mirror as she responds to the girl's questions. "Telepathy? Who told you that? And sure, crank the heat. I'm really underdressed."

Turning to Zach, Rose continues and glances down at her perfect teenaged tank-top cleavage. "Clearly I'm a she, right? And I can't even pronounce my name with this body. Human mouths aren't equipped to do our language justice.

Then, before Zach can fully respond, a deep, burbling gurgle sounds in Rose's stomach, and her chest heaves. Her mouth opens and she prepares to spew all over him!

OOC:

Pulling init cards.

In order, that's Lily, Wendy, Rose, Zach. You're up Lily!

Deck Draws

Lily, Rose, Wendy, Zach

Oct 8, 2023 1:59 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Seeing Belinda coming, Fred and Emily fall back to the vehicles -- the vehicles. There's a chance, they realize, that Belinda will see Fred's car parked some distance behind the Range Rover...

OOC:

Letting the stealth rolls ride. What do you do / how do you wait for her as she exits the woods with these cases?

Oct 8, 2023 2:12 am

Lily had been watching the girl in the mirror, while she answered their questions about the heat and telepathy.

When she sees the alien get ready to heavy, she pulls heavily on the wheel, swerving to throw her off balance!

"Hang on!" she shouts to Wendy and Zach before the maneuver!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (41) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Wendy Lin

Oct 8, 2023 2:13 pm

Madly Swerving Down a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

As Lily swerves madly, trying to throw off Rose's aim and timing, Wendy yelps and recoils back further into the third row. The van comes within inches of sideswiping a parked car, then Lily floors it and cranks the wheel the other way -- all as Rose burps and then power-barfs, loosing what looks like a pressurized stream of sick straight at Zach!

OOC:

Wendy is Defending. Rose is barfing. Short range means the target is 4; Lily's maneuvers are making Rose Distracted so she's rolling at -2.

Rolls

Power Barf - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (7) - 2 = 5

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Oct 8, 2023 2:18 pm

Madly Swerving Down a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Zach catches the load of steaming, yellow-green vomit full in the face and chest, and when Rose sees she's hitting the mark, she redoubles her efforts and sustains at least a liter more of high-velocity puke before she's done!

OOC:

Make a Vigor check, Zach, or be paralyzed. If you make it, you're up.

Oct 8, 2023 2:19 pm

Zach pulls up his arms to try and defend against the stream of grossness.

OOC:

Who could have guessed that my tendency to trust every monster we encounter in any game could ever backfire on me?

Last edited October 8, 2023 2:20 pm

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (2) = 2

Oct 8, 2023 9:20 pm

Emily pulls Freddie aside by a tree if there is one nearby.

"So what next," she whispers. "She's yours so it's your call."

Oct 8, 2023 9:53 pm

"It looks bad, but we don't really know what's going on. Not really. We just step out and ask her."

He pushes her against a tree and kisses her. "If she goes all movie monster, you gotta takes my car and drive out of here. I'll delay her. Keys on the back wheel. Okay? Promise me? Tell everyone. Tell them ... Tell them that kids are being attacked by a cult."

Oct 9, 2023 2:07 am

"Ok I guess s..." but she didn't have time to finish. Freddie's mouth was all over hers. As much as she enjoyed the excitement of a stolen kiss in the woods, they had to catch Belinda. There would be plenty of time for shenanigans later.

"If she sees the car first, Freddie we have to go. We'll be fine. We'll handle it."

Oct 9, 2023 2:44 pm

OOC:

Still on the road, but have a moment to pull cards…

And sorry to not call his out before, but that's Rose, Lily, Wendy. So Rose is grabbing Lily before she has time to drive erratically. Er, more erratically.

Deck Draws

Lily, Rose, Wendy

Oct 10, 2023 6:32 am

"Shit!" Lily shrieks, driving more erratically to try and bash the alien’s head against… something. Anything!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Driving - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Rose Tidwell

Oct 10, 2023 6:36 am

Still Driving Down a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

Try as he might, Zach can't keep the spray of reeking bile -- or whatever it is! -- from hitting him in the face and getting into his mouth, his eyes, and up his nose. The boy coughs, he sputters... and then he starts convulsing, losing control of his body and his senses as some seizure grips him, robbing of the ability to do anything.

Wendy is screaming at that point, and then Rose is behind Lily, grabbing at her from the back seat, trying to wrap an arm around her neck from behind!

"Stop the van!" she shouts, fighting to grab hold of the girl.

OOC:

This is a grapple, so opposed Athletics (or Fighting) tests. Roll yours, Lily. You need a 4 or better to resist being Entangled, which would mean you couldn't move, and were Distracted (-2 to Trait rolls). Then it's your turn...

Rolls

Secret Roll

Rose Athletics - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

Belinda Solomon

Oct 10, 2023 6:42 am

Near the Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Emily and Freddie are in their hiding positions as Belinda comes walking up out of the woods, just as they expected her to. She's dressed, Fred notes, like she was when she left the house this morning. A cream-colored blouse, dark skirt, heels, and dark jacket. Unfortunately, her approach allows her to easily spot the parked Tesla, back some distance behind her Range Rover, and she stops in her tracks and does a quick lookaround before coming any closer.

"Fred?" she calls out, peering into the darkness. "Are you here?"

Rolls

Belinda Notice roll for spotting the Tesla (-2 for darkness) - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (63) - 2 = 7

Oct 10, 2023 6:55 am

"Fuck… off!" Lily grunts, as the arm is around her neck! She hits the breaks, bringing the Rose’s body forward, before driving back at the girl with the back of her head, catching her in the chin.

With the car stopped, Lily turns and starts punching the girl for all she’s worth, awkward as it is over the seats.

Last edited October 10, 2023 7:02 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Oct 10, 2023 5:28 pm

"Shit, Freddie, she's seen the car. Quick before she takes off," Emily whispers.

Emily pushes rather than pulls him out from behind the tree, letting him be the first one Belinda sees.

"Maybe I should stay hidden?" she whispers after him.

Oct 10, 2023 10:57 pm

"Yeah, stay here, I'll negotiate." With a squeeze he steps out of the woods.

"Hey, B, fancy meeting you here. Hey, what's in those cases, that looks really odd. You're not selling pills, are you?"

Oct 11, 2023 1:58 am

Emily wished she hadn't suggested that but there went Freddie leaving her peeking from behind the tree, straining her eyes and ears to hear the conversation and see what she could see.

Oct 11, 2023 2:14 am

Careening Out of Control Down a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

There's a lot of screaming and fighting inside the van as Lily's foot mashes the accelerator, and as she races into an intersection and cranks the wheel, trying to throw Rose off of her. Wendy yelps as she holds on for dear life in the back and Zach slides with a wet thump to the floor as the vehicle skids and slides and eventually does a full 360, jumping the curb, missing a telephone pole narrowly, and tearing up someone's lawn as it comes to a juddering stop. Warning lights fill the dash.

OOC:

Bastardizing the chase / vehicle rules a bit here... and that's a 9, they don't essplode. That result:

Quote:

Distracted: Ground vehicles spin out or skid. Airplanes or spaceships stall, slide, flip, or roll
unexpectedly. Everyone on board is Distracted until the end of their next turn.

Speaking of, Round 3, drawing initiative... and remember -everyone- is Distracted (-2) / disoriented.

Rolls

Out of Control - (2d6, RA)

(365) = 14

Deck Draws

Lily, Rose, Wendy

Oct 11, 2023 2:22 am

OOC:

Round 3 turn order is Lily (with the Joker she can go whenever she wants), Wendy, Rose. Everyone is at -2 to Trait rolls, but Lily gets +2 from that Joker -- and everyone in the game gets a Benny!

Oct 11, 2023 5:19 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Belinda doesn't jump when Fred rather suddenly reveals himself and comes forward, but she does look a little startled before she turns and sets the two heavy cases gently on the ground, beside the Range Rover where her stepson can't get a good look at them.

"Fred!" she says, her voice bright as she walks forward, towards the boy. "What are you doing out here? Did you... did you follow me? Is everything okay?"

Somewhere on the ground between them remains the pair of black panties.

Oct 11, 2023 2:06 pm

"I did. I was a little curt with you on the phone, and wanted to apologize in person." He steps closer, and tries really hard not to look at the thong. "I'm worried about you. And Sarah and Debby. I work a lot, I know that, but I've already lost..."

He looks around. "What's going on?"

Lying makes his stomach rebel, but he wants to give her one last chance to come clean.

Oct 11, 2023 2:14 pm

Emily wants to barf. If Freddie's stepmom falls for that she's an idiot. He followed her INTO THE WOODS to apologize. Right.

Remaining behind the tree she continues to watch the scene play out.

Belinda Solomon

Oct 12, 2023 4:59 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Making sure she's between Fred and the cases, and then moving forward so her stepson can't get an angle to even glimpse them, Belinda makes a sympathetic face as she towards the teen. She does look disheveled, her hair and her clothes, but her expression is welcoming.

"You need to be honest with yourself, Fred. We both know why you followed me here. I see how you look at me. I know it's torture for you, living with me, being ashamed of how I make you feel."

Closer now, Belinda comes, and the boy can see in the moonlight that the woman isn't wearing a bra, and that the cool night air is affecting her as it does all women who look like her in teen horror movies. Her voice drops to a whisper and her fingers go to the straining buttons on her blouse.

"We could do it, Fred. Right here. Right now. No one would know."

Oct 12, 2023 5:50 am

Lily flicks the button on the dash that undoes the central locking. She clambers over her seat, and reaches to open the door for Rose.

"Get out of here!" she beckons the girl out of the car.

"You try spew on us and we’ll crack your head open like we did to Gromm!" she threatens, showing the alien the bats they had on hand!

Oct 12, 2023 6:21 am

Spun Out on a Quiet Side Street (Zach, Lily, Not-Rose and Wendy)

Rose Tidwell

It takes both Rose and Wendy a few seconds to orient because of Lily's dramatic spin-out, but as soon as the van door is unlocked and open, Rose is out of there, running off into the darkness for all she's worth, not even looking back.

Wendy climbs over the second row seats and starts looking after Zach. He's not shaking or seizing anymore, but he does appear to be paralyzed, catatonic, and struggling to breathe.

Wendy Lin

"Gross! Ew! FUCKING YUCK!" Wendy says as she wipes the boy's face and clears his airways as best she can with her hands.

"I did not sign up for this! What the heck did she do to him?!"

OOC:

Ending combat rounds?

Oct 12, 2023 6:27 am

OOC:

Unless this hunk of junk can move like a bat out of hell…

Lily breathes a sigh of relief as the girl takes off running.

"He’s going to be pissed about that! But what were we supposed to do?" she asks Wendy.

"Is he awake? Try not to touch that goo. He’ll be pissed if we take him to the hospital too. But we need to dilute that stuff!"

Lily moves back into position, and starts up the van once the door has been secured once again and locked.

She moves off, hands shaking, driving in the direction of her house.

With one hand, she sends a message to her mom:

Lily: Mom! Can you run me a bath, please? 💙

Lily: Be home in five!

Oct 12, 2023 3:14 pm

"What!?" Emily jumps out from behind the tree, lunging for the woman.

"You dirty bitch! You're his mother for Chrissakes!"

Emily, shocked and incensed as she is intends to shove the disheveled woman as far away from Freddie as she can.

Oct 12, 2023 4:39 pm

Freddie is overcome with the offer from Belinda, and immediately flashes to "Dear Penthouse, I've never written you before but I had to tell you about what happened to me. My girlfriend and I were in the woods, when my stepmom showed up and propositioned us..."

Despite his immediate and very attractive first plan to accept and talk Emily into something lurid, he is most strongly motivated by his sense of vengeance and loyalty. He has to figure this out to save Belinda, and well, possibly everyone ever.

From behind Emily's frantic pushing, he says, "We should do it. You show me yours first, would ya? What's in the cases? Is it slug monsters? Did you eat a space slug?"

Last edited October 12, 2023 4:39 pm

Oct 12, 2023 5:21 pm

"SERIOUSLY FRED! Do I look like a pervert??"

Emily is shocked into abandoning her shoving as she glares at Freddie in disbelief while her hands reflexively roll into fists. She is no prude, far from it, but a threesome with an older woman is a little much. She knows him well enough to know what he's thinking.

Last edited October 12, 2023 5:51 pm

Wendy Lin

Oct 13, 2023 5:50 am

At Lily's House (Zach, Lily, Wendy)

As Lily pulls up in Emily's minivan, the smell inside the vehicle is atrocious, and Wendy (who is by now a mess herself) works with a bottle of water and some paper napkins to clean up Zach as best she can. The boy seems close to waking.

Wendy Lin

"O-M-G," she says, quietly, "O-M-G, I cannot believe I didn't see this, Lily. Zach is wearing a binder. He has boobs. He's a she! I mean, he's not. He's Zach, but he's transgender!"

As she gets out, Lily gets a text from her mom, and by the time she pulls open the sliding side door, Wendy is helping Zach sit up and come back to groggy consciousness.

Lily's Mom: Okay pumpkin, it's running! Your father and I are going to keep watching our movie, kay?

OOC:

Zach is awake and aware, but feels terrible and is still nasty. The bath is probably a great idea.

Belinda Solomon

Oct 13, 2023 6:05 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Belinda Solomon frowns when there's suddenly someone else intruding, and suddenly she's fighting off Emily Richardsen's shoves and slaps. Fred is talking, but the blonde's focus remains on the teen in front of her.

She's not supposed to be here, and she's just going to complicate things.

So when Emily turns back to address Fred, Belinda makes her move...

OOC:

Init order for Round 1 is Fred, Emily, Belinda. B is clearing going to try and grab shove, or otherwise manhandle Emily.

Deck Draws

Init Draw: Belinda, Emily, Fred

Oct 13, 2023 7:20 am

Zach groggily opens his eyes, feeling like absolute shit. He blinks and looks around, then turns his eyes to Lily and asks in a weak voice, "Where is Rose?"

Oct 13, 2023 9:41 am

OOC:

If Harrigan says it’s a good idea, it’s the exact thing we shouldn’t be doing!

Lily: TY 😍
"Maybe don’t announce it to the street." Lily whispers to Wendy. She takes a look at Zach then, taking in the whole scene. It feels wrong, and yet she couldn’t help but feel curious. Now wasn’t the time, and yet… whatever came next demanded dealing with this part.

"Let’s just get him inside. Straight upstairs. If anyone stops us, I’ll just tell them he got drunk and called us instead of his mom and dad. Easy."

She starts to help Wendy lug the boy out of the van and up to the front door. Fiddling with her key, she gets them in and makes a break for the bathroom!

"Rose, eh… Yeah, Rose. She…" the girl stammers, taking extra care to avoid mom and dad, and the question.

Last edited October 13, 2023 9:43 am

Oct 13, 2023 12:19 pm

When Lily evades his question, Zach stops walking, though he's still weak enough that the two girls could easily pull him with them if they wanted. He turns his face towards Lily and stares at her with as much conviction as his half-conscious state allows. "Lily," he says firmly. "Where. Is. My. Sister?"

Oct 13, 2023 3:21 pm

Fred jumps his mom. He'll pay a price in therapy for this no doubt, but wants to tackle her to the ground. "Grab the cases and go!"

OOC:

attempting to tie up Belinda, wrestle her, grapple, otherwise keep her from grabbing Em.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Fred Solomon: Athletics (Benny) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (441) = 9

1d6 : (1) = 1

Oct 13, 2023 3:41 pm

OOC:

Thank the gods for bennies.

At first, Emily hesitates. Is he gonna do it right here in front of her? Maybe he's trying to get rid of her.

The cloud of jealousy weighs heavily on her head but she finally realizes how foolish she is being. Besides, wasn't Belinda being a total bitch?

Dying to know, hopefully, not literally, what's in the cases, she does as told and tries to grab them.

"But I can't leave you here Freddie! She's deranged!"

Oct 13, 2023 4:49 pm

"Go, I can't hold her for long, but I've got a plan!"

It wasn't a good plan. Was it even a plan? An instinct maybe.

Oct 13, 2023 6:39 pm

"What plan?" she shouts as her logic pulls her toward the car while her emotions keep her feet firmly planted in place.

Oct 14, 2023 3:40 am

Inside Lily's House (Zach, Lily, Wendy)

"Where. Is. My. Sister?" Zach slowly asks as the trio of teens get to the bottom of the stairs that lead up to the bedrooms, and the bathroom where Lily's mom was filling the tub.

From upstairs and down the hall comes a call. "Liiiily? Is that you? Everything okay dear?"

Lily can tell from the sound of her mom's voice -- her parents are in their bedroom with the door open, watching TV or a movie. Sneaking past their door with Zach won't be easy!

Belinda Solomon

Oct 14, 2023 3:42 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Belinda is grabbing for Emily, she's about to seize hold of her -- when Fred suddenly flattens her, knocking her down and landing on her!

"Fred!" she shouts from beneath the boy, straining and struggling in underwearless, short skirt ways that make his teenaged boy mind E_X_P_L_O_D_E.

"Let me go! You don't understand!"

Emily runs to the side of the Range Rover as Freddie wrestles with his super-hot and bare-assed stepmom, and there she sees... she sees that the two large cases seem almost like large, clear-sided tackleboxes. They have twenty compartments each, with little doors on each compartment. And within each compartment, forty in total? Strange-looking creatures! Foot-long slugs, leeches or wriggling eels of some kind!

OOC:

Fred, that's a raise on the grapple so you basically have Belinda Bound. So, right where you want her. Erm... um...

Oh, Emily! Let's go for a little-used Fear Check! (Roll Spirit!)

Rolls

Belinda Athletics to Avoid the Grapple - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (3) = 3

Oct 14, 2023 4:09 am

"Shh… Jesus. Unless you want my parents to call your parents when they find us!"

She puts a finger to her lips, and mouths the word:

La-ter…

She heads up the stairs. Before reaching the top, she turns to the other two and asks them to wait.

Then she fills the gap in the door with her body, fiddling with it ‘absent-mindedly" as she talks to her parents.

"Yeah, yeah! I’m good. Just a busy day with the paper is all." she says rolling her neck to display tiredness.

"You guys enjoy your movie. Thanks, mom! Love you! Love you, dad!" she says, all the while frantically beckoning with her hand behind the door for Wendy to move Zach up while Lily keeps her parents busy.

Oct 14, 2023 4:13 am

Zach does not follow Lily. "No," he says, taking a step back towards the house's front door. "Not later. You'll tell me right now."
He turns his eyes to the other girl, expecting her to maybe give in easier if Lily continues to refuse. "Wendy?"

Oct 14, 2023 4:17 am

"Ok, night!" Lily hurriedly says, closing the door of her parents room ‘accidentally’.

She turns back and stands atop the stairs with both a look and gesture of what the fuck?…

She tip toes down the stairs with a quietness that betrays years of practice, and approaches Zach up close:

"She ran off! She spewed on you, and tried to choke the shit out of me! Wendy was freaking out…" she puts an hand to Wendy’s arm and feels the warmth there.

Protectiveness blossoms in her gut.

"… and she was going to spew all over us again. I let her out so that we could check to see if you were dead or not!" she whispers urgently!

Last edited October 14, 2023 4:18 am

Oct 14, 2023 4:27 am

"You let her out?" Zach hisses back at her. "Lily, that's my little sister. I promised her I would save her from the thing inside her. The whole reason we're out here tonight is to save her." He's very clearly agitated. "And even if you don't give a shit about her, you do realize that by now, she probably told all her alien friends about us and their whole army is going to come after us." He stares Lily down angrily, even if he is still feeling dizzy. "How could you do that to her, Lily?"

Wendy Lin

Oct 14, 2023 4:47 am

Inside Lily's House (Zach, Lily, Wendy)

Wendy Lin

"Zach," Wendy says quietly, trying to defuse things, and also not rouse her friend's parents. "We're going to find her! But we don't know what's in this stuff, and it's all over both of us! You inhaled or swallowed some, and had like a seizure! We need to get it off, then we'll go back out. Seriously! Also I know you're trans and I think it's cool! I mean -- we're gay!"

Upstairs, Lily's parents' door opens.

"Lily? Do you have someone over, honey?" her mom calls down, sounding like she's come part-way out of her room.

OOC:

Give us a Persuasion roll, Lily, to get your mom to butt out for good here...

Oct 14, 2023 4:52 am

OOC:

Also, Zach, make a Vigor check or prepare for barf. Crit fail and it'll be right here and all over your friends and the stairs. Regular fail and you'll have time to get to a sink or something.

Oct 14, 2023 4:55 am

OOC:

Rolling

Zach still feels sick but keeps it in.

Last edited October 14, 2023 4:55 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (4) = 4

Oct 14, 2023 8:21 am

Lily is about to answer, when she hears the tell tale signs of parental movement above!

"I’m okaaay!" she calls! "Just saying goodnight to Wendy at the door! Don’t mind us! She’s going now!"

OOC:

I’m sure that does it! More coming, if so!

Last edited October 14, 2023 8:21 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Persuasion* - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Oct 14, 2023 3:28 pm

Inside Lily's House (Zach, Lily, Wendy)

"Oh!" Mrs. Palmer calls down. "Goodnight Wendy!"

And with that, the pathway to the bath is clear -- if Zach will go.

Oct 15, 2023 1:30 am

"Yeah, I let her out!" Lily answers, hands going to her hips in a huff. "The alternative was the police finding three half dissolved teenagers in a van that isn’t there’s!" Then there’s a twisted, incredulous look on her face. "How do I not give a shit about her exactly?" she says, remembering to keep all this to angry, urgent whispering.

"Do you see Fred and Emily here? Do you see that creep that sniffs around Rose here tonight? she looks around for dramatic effect.

"No! You see me, and Wendy. And we weren’t the ones who decided to try and play nice with the acid spitting aliens! That was you! Tie her up next time, like I said to do!"

She breathes out:

"Besides… they’ve no idea where we are by now! I got us out of there as soon as she took off running. They won’t know where to look!"

Oct 15, 2023 2:38 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Seeing that Freddie had things in hand, as much as she was seething with jealousy, she stomps toward the Range Rover and sees hideous wriggling things through the transparent sides of the boxes.

"What the fuuuuck is that?" Emily doesn't know whether to barf, run, or scream. Fear snakes up her spine as she stands momentarily frozen in panicked indecision.

[ +- ] Guts

Last edited October 15, 2023 2:55 am

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (65) = 11

1d6 : (2) = 2

Oct 15, 2023 6:05 am

Zach briefly seems baffled by Wendy's comment about his transness and for a moment, it seems like he's not going to say anything anymore, but then Lily speaks up again and his expression returns to anger.
Zach's hands move to his hips, mirroring Lily's pose. "Do you think I'm not pissed at Fred and Emily for leaving right before something this important? Of course I am. But I'm at least as pissed at you." He doesn't much seem to care about whether Lily's parents hear them or not as he doesn't bother to keep his voice down. "Right, tie her up with what exactly? The seatbelts? There was nothing there. And don't act like I was alone into he decision to let her sit up. I asked you and you agreed. And Wendy also let her up."
At Lily's comment that they're safe right now, he scoffs and replies sarcastically, "Right, because we don't have to go to school tomorrow, where they all blend in perfectly and can ambush us. And because they totally don't know who and where our parents and the people we care about are. Do you really think that if Rose shows up at my house with a couple of her friends that my parents aren't going to let her in? They could already be infected as well by now. Because of you."

He turns to Wendy. "What's the point in going out again? She knows we're after her now." Some of his anger seems to have disappeared, replaced by tears that are now rising in his eyes. "We had one chance to save my little sister and you decided to just give up on her out at the first sign of trouble, Lily."

Oct 15, 2023 6:44 am

"She’s not my sister! I don’t have to fucking die for her! It might surprise you to learn that not everyone in this town is interested in getting up close and personal with Rose Tidwell! There are other people that are equally as important." the girl argues back, casting a quick eye to Wendy.

She crosses to the front door, and pulls it open:

"Well, if you’re that pissed off at…" she counts on her fingers "… oh right, everyone, then I guess it’s time for you to get the hell out of here." she gestures for Zach to move himself beyond the threshold.

Last edited October 15, 2023 6:45 am

Oct 15, 2023 6:50 am

Zach follows Lily's eyes when they move to Wendy. "I know," he says. "And if this had been about Wendy, I would have done everything in my power to help her. Not just given up."

When Lily gestures for the door, he only hesitates a moment before, still weak on his legs, he heads outside.

Oct 15, 2023 6:54 am

"Not if you were unconscious in the back seat with a face full of puke, you wouldn’t!"

She stands with one hand on the door, ready to close it after him.

"And it was about Wendy. But you don’t see it like that. If I was dragging her up the stairs to the bath, I’m sure you’d be real sad. But at least we’d have Rose, right?"

Oct 15, 2023 7:13 am

Zach doesn't like getting too aggressive with anyone, especially his friends. But Lily's ridiculous attempts to try and defend herself are doing nothing to make him calm down. "Fuck you, Lily. Seriously." As he turns to walk away, he adds, "At least have the decency to feel bad for sacrificing my sister."

Oct 15, 2023 3:58 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

As eerie and weird and gross as the cases full of squirming creatures are, Emily is made of tough enough stuff that she doesn't turn away, run, or puke uncontrollably. Meanwhile, though, Freddie and his mother are still wrestling on the ground...

OOC:

We're still in combat rounds, and it's still Emily's turn. What's she going to do?

Wendy Lin

Oct 15, 2023 4:33 pm

At Lily's House (Zach, Lily, Wendy)

Wendy Lin

"Let him go," Wendy says softly, a little sadly from behind Lily, inside the house at the foot of the stairs. "I just need a few minutes to clean up and borrow one of your shirts. Then we can contact Fred and Emily, figure out what to do next..."

Oct 15, 2023 4:53 pm

The disgusted girl's indecisiveness ends when she realizes that Belinda and Freddie, well Freddie might actually get hurt by his step-mother. She didn't give a shit about Belinda. The creepy crawlies could wait. It was obvious that they weren't going anywhere.

She moves back to the two on the ground and waits for an opening in the wrestling match, hoping to kick Belinda in the side. At the same time, she demands some answers.

"Belinda you bitch, what the hell are those worm things? What the fuck are you doing with them?"

OOC:

Benny time!

Last edited October 15, 2023 4:53 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Damage - (1d4, 1d4, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

whack! Wam! Bam! - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Belinda Solomon

Oct 15, 2023 5:41 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

"No! Unnghh!" Belinda says, fighting tenaciously, but overpowered but her stepson. "None of... your... umf... business! Leave them... alone!" she shouts at Emily, still fighting to get free.

OOC:

Fred to oppose her trying to break the hold (and move from Bound to Entangled), please make an Athletics check -- at +2 since she's Vulnerable from being Bound.

And come on, you need to describe their wrestling!

Rolls

Break the Grapple! Strength -4 used instead of Athletics -2... - (1d10-4, 1d6-2, RA)

1d10-4 : (7) - 4 = 3

1d6-2 : (63) - 2 = 7

Oct 15, 2023 5:44 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

OOC:

Pulling init for next round.

Round 2 Order: Emily, Belinda, Fred

Deck Draws

Belinda, Emily, Fred

Oct 15, 2023 5:51 pm

OOC:

I choose to fail that roll, since there is no reason to restrain her now.

Freddie sees their chance banish as Emily joins the fight, giving this littler girl kick up Belinda's shin. He struggles, face red, awkward. Her skirt is slipping up and just knows he really really wants to look, but really really shouldn't.

He pushes her away as she struggles and backs away between her and Emily. "Enough! Just tell us what's in the cases!"

Oct 15, 2023 6:00 pm

Outside Lily's House (Zach)

Zach stumbles away from Lily's place. He's still feeling sick and like he might throw up any second. That bath that Lily and Wendy suggested seems like a great idea, but he can't go back there. Not after what Lily did. He only notices he's crying when he takes out his phone and can't make out the screen through the tears in his eyes. He wipes them, trying not to push any alien-vomit into his eyes in the process. Then, once he can see again, he sends out three text messages:

To Rose: Zach: I'm sorry about what happened. I just want my sister back. Can we talk?
To Fred: Zach: Are you and Emily okay? Lily let Rose go. They'll all be hunting for us now. Where are you?
To Aaron: Zach: I need help. Your mom's a nurse right? And I need you

Oct 15, 2023 11:14 pm

"Yeah, byyye!" the chimes with a sweet veneer. "You’re welcome for saving your life, by the way!" and then she closes the door before the boy can comment further.

Then she lets out a sigh, and locks the door after her.

"It’s always something with him. What was I…?" she stops up short, and tries to shake the whole thing off. She looks to Wendy, spattered as she was with Rose-goo.

"Come on." she whispers, taking Wendy by the handing and mounting the bottom step on the stairs.

"Let’s get that stuff off of you. Forget about that asshole!"

Oct 16, 2023 2:24 am

Emily hears Freddie's shout and snaps out of her rage, panting, and angry. But she stands still, composes herself, and then announces, "I'm taking the cases."

Rapidly walking toward them, clearly intending to take them, she glares back at Freddie's stepmom. "I'll find out soon enough Belinda and your secret will be out!"

Oct 16, 2023 3:35 am

Outside Lily's House (Zach)

It takes a moment, but two texts come back as Zach stumbles along the sidewalk.

Aaron: Hey! What's up! I've been thinking about you. I'll come, where are you? Are you hurt?!
Then...

Rose: I know it's hard for you to understand. It's really easiest if you just join us. Where are you now? Come to the school and I'll make everything okay.

Oct 16, 2023 3:51 am

OOC:

does Emily have a signal.

Rolls

Cell service - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Belinda Solomon

Oct 16, 2023 4:00 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Belinda fights free, then quickly gets to her feet -- in time to see Emily grabbing the two cases. Rage contorts the attractive blonde's features as she yells. "Put those down, you little bitch! Right now! RIGHT NOW!"

Fred has tried to position himself between them, but he's not able to intercept his stepmom when she makes a sudden run for Emily. She has to run around the boy, but she swings wildly at the girl when she gets within arm's reach -- and connects with a haymaker that drops the teen like a ton of bricks!

Unfortunately for the MILF, the blow also makes Emily drop the cases, and they land hard, going tumbling. Fred hears... screaming? Coming from those cases as Belinda falls to her knees near them, screaming.

"Noooooo!"

OOC:

Okay, giving Belinda a -1 penalty to her attack because Fred's partially in the way. (Fred actually hasn't had another action to do anything like that yet, but it makes sense so we'll roll with it.)

After spending the Benny, the damage was 12, which is two raises worth vs. Emily's Toughness of 4. That means she is Shaken and now has two Wounds! That's -2 on all Trait rolls, including trying to recover from being shaken on your next turn, Emily.

Fred -- your turn.

Rolls

Fighting (-1 for Fred) vs. Parry 4 - (1d8-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d8-1 : (4) - 1 = 3

1d6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

Belinda's Benny! - (1d8-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d8-1 : (6) - 1 = 5

1d6-1 : (63) - 1 = 8

Better! Damage, with a Raise! - (1d10+1d6, RA)

(9) + (3) = 12

Are the cases okay? - (1d6)

(2) = 2

Oct 16, 2023 4:25 am

Outside Lily's House (Zach)

Zach continues to walk away from Lily's house and finds a nearby store he can use to describe his location. He reads the messages. Not-Rose' isn't much of a surprise but there is a warm feeling in his chest, despite everything else going on right now, when he reads Aaron's message. He types out two replies.

To Rose:Zach: I can't. But there must be something I can do to get Rose back. A trade? Something you all need?
He doesn't really believe that they can make a deal, but it can't hurt to at least be in contact with Not-Rose. Maybe he'll have another idea for how to get to her at some point. For now, he's just stalling. Next, he sends Aaron the location of where he is and adds,

To Aaron:Zach: I'm kind of hurt. It's hard to explain. And I feel lost and scared
Zach: And I had a huge fight with Lily
Zach: Can you be here soon?

Oct 16, 2023 2:48 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Fred sees Belinda brutally punch Emily, and he knows it's all going wrong. She's crazy strong, for some reason. Is it the parasite? How do they get it out? His burgeoning relationship with Emily overwhelms whatever he feels for slug woman.

He rushes forward and grabs a case, then slams it into Belinda's chest sideways so it hits her flat and sends her flying.

Last edited October 16, 2023 2:50 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Fred Solomon: Strength (assuming the case is a d6+str) - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (62) = 8

1d6 : (2) = 2

Oct 16, 2023 3:31 pm

Blumpf! Emily feels the air rush out of her chest as the possessed stepmom whacks her a good one. The cases fly from her grip and she falls to the ground with the strange and terrifying sound of squeals in the background. Squeals that sounded like they were coming from the wiggly things in the cases she had been holding. Her brain screams at her that something is not right. But she hurts from that ridiculously strong punch Belinda threw at her and she's unable to move which further exacerbates her terror.

OOC:

Spending a benny to come out of the shaken state.

OOC:

Soaking!!! Last benny used. Forgot the minus 2 so failed anyway

Last edited October 16, 2023 6:45 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (5) = 5

Oct 16, 2023 4:32 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda is on her knees wailing — strangely synchronizing with the squealing creatures in their compartments. Emily is still on the ground as Fred approaches, grabs a case, and slams it into his stepmother. It’s a violent hit that knocks her sideways, and it also breaks the cases, sending space slugs end over end into the woods!

OOC:

+2 to Fred’s roll for Belinda being Vulnerable, +2 for him being armed and her not. So a 9 hits, but is not a raise. Her Parry is 6, her Toughness 7 — so she is knocked to the side and momentarily stunned — technically Shaken!

Drawing init for Round 3. In order: Emily, Fred, Belinda.

Deck Draws

Round 3: Belinda, Emily, Fred

Oct 16, 2023 4:44 pm

In Lily's Neighborhood (Zach)

Aaron’s response is almost immediate.

Aaron: Oh no! I’m on my way, don’t do anything crazy! I’ll look after you
Aaron: my mom is working tonight. I can take you to the hospital
Aaron: hold tight, I know where that qwiktrip is and will be there soon!
Rose’s text takes longer to arrive.

Rose: Yes. We can talk about a trade. Get your friends. Come to the front of the school. We will trade one for one. Do not call the police or you know what can happen. These bodies are fragile.

Oct 16, 2023 5:12 pm

In Lily's Neighbirhood (Zach)

Zach immediately replies to Aaron's message:

Zach: No hospital. Not again
Zach: I just want to see you
When he sees the text from Rose' phone, it's more difficult to figure out what to say. He can't trade anyone for Rose, right? Briefly, he considers people that it might be nice to get rid of. Marco makes that list. Lily narrowly misses out. He's mad at her, but not mad enough to do something like that. Not that he'd be capable of condemning anyone to being slugged.
Still, it may be some kind of an opening. If nothing else, it could turn into a chance to speak to Rose. He just needs to buy some time to come up with an idea.

Zach: I'll need time. A few hours probably. To find someone to trade
Zach: Can Rose see or hear her surroundings? Can you communicate with her? Can you tell her that I'm not giving up on her?

Oct 24, 2023 6:10 am

Lily leads Wendy up the stairs by the hand, tip-toeing up and beyond her parents bedroom door. Wendy had been her friend long enough to know which of the squeaky steps to skip on the way up.

She goes into the bathroom and feels the heat of the water on her face already. Once Wendy is inside, she closes the door and locks it. The heat has her pulling away her cardigan and placing it in a bundle on the closed toilet lid.

"Come on!" she whispers to Wendy, kneeling down at the side of the bath. "Put your hands in the water!" she says, pulling on the hem of Wendy’s top to get her to kneel alongside her. Lily dips a finger into the water to make sure it isn’t scalding hot, before putting her hand out for Wendy to take.

"Where did it get you?" she asks quietly, looking to inspect the damage!

Oct 24, 2023 2:21 pm

"Ack, Freddie, you let them out!" Emily hurriedly gets up off the ground, lunges for a case, and starts smashing the slugs. Belinda seems to be out of the picture for the moment.

But a thought screams at her. She should whack Belinda in the face before she comes too. She seems to be somehow communicating with the vile things.

Benny be nice

Last edited October 24, 2023 10:30 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting Belinda Vulnerable - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

1d6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

Oct 24, 2023 9:16 pm

OOC:

Even with Belinda being Distracted and Vulnerable, I think that’s a miss, Emily. Parry is 6. Benny time?

Oct 24, 2023 10:30 pm

OOC:

Terrible misuse of a benny.

Oct 25, 2023 1:21 am

OOC:

Teehee. Want to Benny that again?

Oct 25, 2023 1:31 am

As Emily grabs the case and continues to fight, this time viciously attacking Belinda, Fred is torn. While Belinda blocks the blow, Fred can't help but think that this had gone completely off the rails. Anger flashes and he wants to push Emily away: this was his stepmom, the last part for his horribly abused sisters.

But he'd opened that door, trying to knock Belinda aside with the same case.

He decides to go to let the girls get their snacks in and go to town on the slugs.

OOC:

No idea what the slug penalty is, but Fred will multi-attack the slugs! Go DOUBLE HARD!

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Multi attack - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Multi attack - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Oct 25, 2023 1:41 am

OOC:

These Slugs are Distracted, and Fred has The Drop on the wriggling bastards. That's +4 to hit, and damage, Fred. They have a Parry and Toughness of 2. Go to town! Squit city!

Oct 25, 2023 1:44 am

Stomp. Stomp. Stomp.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Strength rolls x2 - (1d6+4, 1d6+4, RA)

1d6+4 : (1) + 4 = 5

1d6+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

Belinda Solomon

Oct 25, 2023 3:10 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

Belinda raises her arm just in time to fend off a frantic blow from Emily, who is also now armed with a case full of space slugs. The blonde then catches sight of Fred's raised foot, and the writhing, helpless creature wriggling on the ground beneath it...

"Fred!" she shouts hoarsely, "don't do it! Stop!"

When the boy's boot comes down, the slug explodes in a sticky mess of green-yellow goo. The pressure, the sound, the spray -- it's disgusting. But not disgusting enough to keep Fred from doing it again. As the second slug bursts and dies, Belinda wails. "Noooooo! Fxrpckw! Gtrkzb! Nooooooooo! Stop Freddie, STOP!!!" Out of her mind with grief, the woman gets back to her feet and runs towards her son, ignoring Emily.

OOC:

Belinda is still shaken. Two slugs are dead. (Playing a little fast and loosen with the rules; they are basically helpless.)

And let's move to Round 4.

Rolls

Spirit to Unshake - (1d6-2, 1d8-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d8-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Deck Draws

Belinda, Emily, Fred, Mystery

Oct 25, 2023 3:38 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

"YOU!" a voice booms from the woods -- from the direction Belinda had come from. "DROP THE CASE! NOW!"

Turning, Emily sees Mr. Unger walking towards her, some ten yards away. His hair is disheveled, his shirt in untucked, he's pale, and he carries another one of the slug-laden cases. In his other hand, though, is a silver and bronze ray-gun-looking thing. The end of it is all lit up with swirling lights, and he's aiming it straight at the high schooler. The hum coming from it is audible.

"PUT... THE CASE... DOWN!"

OOC:

He's holding his action, and will interrupt Emily if she tries anything funny.

Belinda Solomon

Shaking her head, Belinda unsuccessfully tries to gather her wits as she closes in on her stepson...

OOC:

Initiative Order is Mystery Person, Belinda, Fred, and Emily.

Belinda is within arm's reach of Fred. There are squirming slugs all over, and the broken case is on the ground. Unger is aiming at Emily... Fred is up, then Emily, but Unger can interrupt. So please state intentions without following through with a roll so that Unger can react. Joker for the win!

Rolls

Belinda - Spirit to Unshake - (1d6-2, 1d8-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d8-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Wendy Lin

Oct 25, 2023 3:50 am

In Lily's Bedroom / Bathroom (Lily and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

As she's being pulled into the bathroom, Wendy peels off her spattered shirt and starting working on her jeans, which are also covered in slugjuice. "So... gross! SO GROSS!" she says softly as she wriggles out of her pants and Lily tugs at her tank top undershirt, drawing her closer to the heat of the tub.

Kneeling down at the tub's side, the dark-haired girl vigorously washes her freckled face and hands, then gently takes her friend's hand, uncertain of... what's next.

"It... it didn't," she answers. "All that vileness was just from helping Zach. Rose didn't actually get me."

Oct 25, 2023 4:04 am

In Lily's Neighborhood (Zach)

Standing outside the QuikTrip combination gas station convenience store for a few minutes that seem way longer than they actually are, Zach gets a text back from Rose seconds before he spots Aaron approaching in a compact car.

Rose: Come at midnight... don't be late

Aaron Connery

"Zach!" Aaron says, pulling up and practically jumping out of the car, leaving the door open. "I'm here! What's going on, where are you hurt?"

When the boy gets closer and might be about to go for a hug, he smells the remains of Rose's power vomit and makes a face. It's all over Zach's clothes, and in his hair.

"Ugh... what happened to you?! Where can I take you?"

Oct 25, 2023 6:31 am

In Lily's Neighborhood (Zach)

Zach is disappointed when Aaron breaks off his attempt at a hug. Though he's not surprised. It's also probably the better move, even if Zach isn't sure he would have been able to resist the hug if Aaron had gone for it. "It's a long story and not one you'll believe me," he says evasively. "It's Rose - my sister. She's in danger. And I need to clean up somewhere but I can't go home. And I can't go back to Lily."

Oct 25, 2023 11:38 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

"YOU!" Fred says, moving toward Unger lowering himself into a football like tackle. "I fuck your daughter and you put your fat slug my stepmom? Is that the deal? Drop the cosplay toy and I'll tell you how many more slugs you owe her."

Fred is going to charge him, and try and reenact the shitkicking he gave Marco with the same move.

Aaron Connery

Oct 26, 2023 4:04 am

At the QuikTrip (Zach)

Aaron Connery

Putting his arm around Zach's shoulders protectively once he hears the tremor and the emotion in the other boy's voice, Connerly escorts his friend to his car.

"Come on, we'll get you cleaned up, we'll go to my place."

Once Zach is in the passenger seat and Aaron closes the door, the bespectacled teen runs for the drivers seat, jumps in and gets the car on the road. "Now... come on," Aaron says softly, his eyes on the pitch black pavement, on the glowing yellow line, "you've gotta tell me what happened. I'll believe you. How is Rose in danger? Where's Lily, and the others?"

Mr. Unger

Oct 26, 2023 4:13 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Mr. Unger

A mix of rage and confusion marks Mr. Unger's face when Fred shouts at him, and he wails as well when he sees that Fred has stomped two of the extraterrestrial grubs to death. "You -- you! You killed them!?" he gasps, but then he's pointing the weapon at the charging teen.

"Die!" he screeches, fumbling with the gun, trying to fire it but clearly uncertain of how it works.

OOC:

He cannot figure out the weapon. Make your attack, Fred! He's got Parry 6 and Toughness 7. After that, Emily, you're up.

Rolls

Understand the Weapon - (1d10-6, 1d6-6, RA)

1d10-6 : (6) - 6 = 0

1d6-6 : (3) - 6 = -3

Oct 26, 2023 4:35 am

Fred charges the big man, aiming a shoulder for right in the solar plexus. He knows he has to make this count.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (662) = 14

Strength with raise - (2d6, RA)

(22) = 4

Benny to reroll damage - (2d6, RA)

(361) = 10

Oct 26, 2023 5:54 am

Lily lets put a breath that she had been holding, hoping not to see bleached spots on the girls skin, or little flecks of melted flesh.

She stiffens as the girl’s body is close to hers. She’d seen it a thousand times since they’d become friends. Sleepovers, swimming classes, cannonballing into the little splash pool in the back yard during summer vacation.

Now that they were… well, this… she felt more like a deer in headlights than she had ever been.

"That’s… that’s good. And I’m sorry about Zach. I shouldn’t have let him get to me. It’s just all this stuff, you know?" she says, starting to scoop water up onto her hand and rub a bit of gunk off the underside of her arm that she had missed.

Oct 26, 2023 12:26 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Once Zach has put on his seatbelt, he turns sideways in his seat to watch Aaron. The boy has such a focused expression as the eyes behind his glasses are fixed on the road. It's really cute, and Zach wishes he could just focus on enjoying this unexpected time with Aaron. "There's some weird things going on at school right now," Zach says. He has no idea how to package the truth in a way that will sound at least halfway believable, but he has to try. "People are disappearing. Like Fred's ex-girlfriend, Priya. You know her? Well, it's a long story to explain why, but we followed the maintenance tunnels in the basement and they led us into this old asylum in town. We found Priya locked up in one of the cells there. We managed to get her out but she got covered in the same... stuff that I got all over me now, and we had to get her to the hospital. This stuff is really bad. I got completely paralyzed by it until Lily and Wendy helped me get it off." He realizes he's rambling a bit, but there is so much to say and not even half of it is safe to say if he wants to be believed. "And Mr. Kilvert is dead. We found his body in the asylum."
After that, he pauses, hesitates. Now will come the part that will sound really crazy. "And people aren't themselves anymore. I mean, literally. They're not acting like themselves anymore, like they're entirely different people. Remember when Polensky, Romero and Gromn attacked us in the hallway the other day? That's because they're not themselves. And neither is Rose. She's the one who did this to me." He vaguely gestures at the vomit all over himself.

Oct 26, 2023 7:25 pm

Emily's plan had been to attempt another whack at Belinda. That was before she saw Unger and the flashing ray gun pointed first at her and then at Freddie.

Raygun??

What is it with these fucking worms? she screams, barely registering Freddie saying he fucked her daughter, and the slug goo all over his shoes.

OOC:

Emily will charge Unger along with Freddie. The idea is that she will smash Unger's face with the case or what's left of it.

Oct 27, 2023 6:11 am

OOC:

Once we see if Fred is striking to injury or grapple, we'll resolve Emily's attack... but she can make a Fighting roll in the meantime. I believe it's likely his defenses won't be diminished, whether Fred strikes and leaves him Shaken, or whether he Entangles him.

Oct 27, 2023 12:01 pm

Fred is going for blood! To the pain!

Oct 27, 2023 12:54 pm

OOC:

Emily hates the world right now.

OOC:

Benny says....OMG

Last edited October 27, 2023 12:55 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (3) = 3

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Wendy Lin

Oct 28, 2023 11:19 pm

In Lily's Bedroom / Bathroom (Lily and Wendy)

Wendy Lin

Lily is relieved as she helps her friend clean up and notes no globs of nasty, reeking goo anywhere beneath Wendy's clothes... nor marks left behind on her longtime friend's smooth, beautifully freckled skin.

Palmer apologizes about the whole thing with Zach, and then, when Wendy is fully cleaned up, there comes a very awkward moment when the two girls realize -- at the same time -- that one of them is in her panties and undershirt, and one of them is fully dressed. There's a decision to make; a crossroads to navigate. Does Wendy now get re-dressed, or...

There is only the sound of the two of them breathing for a moment, then the black-haired Asian American girl, her heart pounding, reaches out and gently starts unbuttoning Lily's top...

Aaron Connery

Oct 28, 2023 11:27 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Aaron Connery

Aaron listens as he drives, and Zach -- watching the boy as carefully as he is -- sees his face tighten, his eyes blink.

"Uh... whoa," is all the boy can manage at first. "You're... serious? This isn't like a joke right, or a joke someone is playing on you? Like Fred's sisters and Rose when you guys were playing D&D?"

They drive in silence for a moment, then Aaron adds, "Should you... go to the police with all this? You said Mr. Kilvert is dead? People are acting strangely... is it like a virus or something? Something that's affecting their... brains?"

OOC:

Go ahead with this convo, Zach, but do roll Persuasion, please. Take +1 because Aaron *has* seen some weird shit lately.

Oct 28, 2023 11:39 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)
Fred and Emily come at Unger as he can't get his weapon working; the jock hits the man hard but doesn't knock him down -- he's solid! Emily crashes the case she's holding into him, but it's an ineffectual hit, though one that engages her target further.

Mr. Unger

"Stop it! You're killing them!" he screams.

Belinda Solomon

On all fours, Belinda is still dazed as she crawls towards a number of greyish slugs squirming in the dirt...

OOC:

ROUND 5!

Belinda and Unger start the round Shaken.

Edit: Screwed up the draw. Supposed to reshuffle after a Joker is pulled, so shuffling and re-drawing.

Deck Draws

Initiative Draw: Belinda, Emily, Fred, Mr. Unger

Oct 28, 2023 11:46 pm

OOC:

Initiative Order for Round 5 is Unger, Emily, Belinda, Fred

Unger rolls Spirit to Unshake. He's Distracted by the slugs being vulnerable. Success!

Mr. Unger

"You little bitch!" Unger shouts, tossing aside what looks like a space-gun, or a toy. Going after Emily, he tries to grab her arm and break it so he can pull the case from her...

OOC:

Emily's Parry is 4. He attacks at -2 for using Called Shot on her arm / limb, and -2 more for being Distracted. If he's successful and shakes or wounds her, she'll need to make a STR roll at -2 to not drop the case.

Rolls

Unger Tries to Shake Off Being Shaken - (1d6-2, 1d8-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d8-2 : (7) - 2 = 5

Unger's Disarm - (1d8-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d8-4 : (83) - 4 = 7

1d6-4 : (5) - 4 = 1

Damage (vs. Toughness 4) - (1d10, RA)

(9) = 9

Mr. Unger

Oct 28, 2023 11:59 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Mr. Unger

"Got you!" Unger sneers, catching hold of Emily's arm in an iron grip. When she tries to pull away, the big man wrenches her limb violently, trying to break her arm and make her drop the case!

OOC:

You're Shaken and Wounded, Emily! Mark your sheet and please make a STR check at -3 (-2 for his called shot and -1 for being Wounded); if you succeed, you can hang onto the case.

Either way, you're up next and will need to roll Spirit to try and unshake. Remember if you fail you just can't attack or take a formal action. You can still speak, run, etc.

Oct 29, 2023 2:03 am

Shrieking, Emily realizes that if she moves her arm again it might snap.

"What do you want from us?"

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Strength - (1d6-3, 1d6-3, RA)

1d6-3 : (2) - 3 = -1

1d6-3 : (1) - 3 = -2

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Oct 29, 2023 2:43 am

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

"It's not a joke," Zach insists. "I'm so scared I'll never get Rose back. She can be the most frustrating person in the world, but she's still my little sister, you know?"
Tears fill his eyes as he says, "And we can't go to the police... They wouldn't believe a story like this. And I... And Gromn attacked us. I defended my friends against him. He hurt Priya and so I hit him with a baseball bat and... I think he's dead. And then this slug came out of him. It's not a virus, Aaron. It's some kind of parasite."

OOC:

Well, if he doesn't believe me, then I guess straight to jail for murder with Zach

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6+1, 1D6+1, RA)

1D6+1 : (661) + 1 = 14

1D6+1 : (3) + 1 = 4

Aaron Connery

Oct 29, 2023 3:20 am

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Aaron Connery

"Hey!" Aaron says as Zach starts to cry, "Hey, I believe you! I guess I just don't want to... this sounds so crazy." He's perhaps about to say something about Gromn or the idea of parasites as they travel down the road, but something takes the boy's attention and he squints behind his glasses.

Down the road a quarter mile or so, red and blue lights are flashing -- there appears to be a police car blocking the road.

Rolls

Spirit - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Oct 29, 2023 7:32 am

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

When Aaron says that he believes him, Zach looks at him in surprise. He wipes his eyes, then puts his hand on Aaron's on the gear shift. "I know it does," he says. "Thank you for believing me anyway. I'm glad I have you."
He looks ahead at the flashing lights and frowns. "Is there a way around them? I don't want to talk to them if we can avoid it."

Oct 29, 2023 3:05 pm

Having had enough, Emily shrieks again and runs to the car intending to drive away. "Freddie let's get out of here. We're in over our heads.

Belinda Solomon

Oct 29, 2023 5:53 pm

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Belinda Solomon

"You killed them, Fred!" Belinda wails, utterly distraught as Richardsen runs right past her. "You killed them!"

OOC:

Belinda is still Shaken. Emily flees and gets halfway to the Tesla. Fred, you're up.

Rolls

Belinda (Distracted) -- Spirit to Shake it Off - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Benny to Try Again - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Sheriff Akins

Oct 29, 2023 6:05 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

Aaron keeps looking for a moment as he decelerates, then he shakes his head as the cop on the road in his headlights raises both his hands, then waves the car to the side of the road.

"That police cruiser is completely blocking the road," the boy says as he pulls over and comes to a stop twenty feet from the SUV with the flashing lights -- and the lawman that Zach now sees is none other than Sheriff Akins.

Akins illuminates the cabin of the car with a very bright maglight as he approaches, making the two squinting teens turn away briefly from the light.

OOC:

Notice check, please, Zach. At -1 due to the light in your eyes.

Oct 29, 2023 6:17 pm

OOC:

To Ice or to Notice, that is the question

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-1, 1D6-1, RA)

1D6-1 : (3) - 1 = 2

1D6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

Oct 29, 2023 6:31 pm

OOC:

You're free to act here, Zach.

Oct 29, 2023 6:57 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

"I know this guy," Zach whispers to Aaron, trying to sound reassuring, even if he knew how much of an asshole Akins was and the fact that it was him was the opposite of reassuring to Zach himself. "Let me do the talking. Just be polite." He hesitated, then added, "And don't mention that we're gay." Zach did not have the feeling that Akins was much of an ally.

He waited for Akins to reach the rolled down driver's side window of Aaron's car, then said, "Good evening, sir. Can we help you with something? Aaron and I are just heading to his place, to watch a movie."

Oct 29, 2023 8:54 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

"Zachary Tidwell," the Sheriff says as he gets to the open window, blasting Zach full-on with his high-intensity light.

Shifting it briefly to Aaron, nearly blinding the teen, he gruffly adds, "And whoever this is. What's your name, boy?"

Aaron Connery

"Aaron Connerly, sir," the driver answers, blinking rapidly and looking away from the light. He's about to speak when Zach pipes up.

Sheriff Akins

"A movie, huh?" Akins says, his expression belying his suspicion. "Not tonight, you two. Out of the car. Right now."

Aaron Connery

Aaron glances at Zach, then says, "But officer, we were just--"

Sheriff Akins

"GET OUT," the Sheriff growls, "OF THE GODDAMNED CAR."

His hand is on his pistol as he steps in closer, hitting both boys with that brutally bright light.

Oct 29, 2023 9:00 pm

In Aaron's Car (Zach)

Zach swallows nervously. He meets Aaron's eyes and promises, "It's all going to be okay." It feels like a lie. What could be going on here? Is Akins one of them? Did Not-Rose call the police on Zach? Did Lily? Did they find Gromn?
Zach nervously opens the passenger side door and steps outside, his hands raised. "What's this about, Sheriff?"

Sheriff Akins

Oct 29, 2023 9:27 pm

On the Side of the Road at a Police Checkpoint (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

Connery turns off his car and gets out as well, and the Sheriff motions both boys towards his blue and white SUV. When they begin to comply, he walks back to his vehicle and opens the back door so they can both climb in.

"I'll explain at the station. Right now let's just get you two off the road and safe."

Oct 29, 2023 9:40 pm

On the Side of the Road at a Police Checkpoint (Zach)

"Are we under arrest, Sheriff?" Zach asks, looking at the vehicle. He does not like this at all. "We didn't do anything." His eyes meet Aaron's again and Zach does his best to hide his own fear at the situation and look reassuring for the sake of the boy he likes.

Oct 30, 2023 12:09 am

"Yeah I did, you'll thank me when the Molly wears off." Fred grunts and heard Emily's arm crunch. "Dick face!"

He pulls Unger forward and knee kicks him in the face, Muay Thai style. Or rather in a clumsy imitation of something he saw in a late night YouTube MMA binge.

Last edited October 30, 2023 1:58 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (4) = 4

Strength - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Benny to reroll damage because that was sad - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Oct 30, 2023 3:53 am

Lily shivers; the hair on her arms standing on end, and goosebumps running up and down her body. The adrenaline of the moment sets her shaking. It takes effort to swallow that feeling as Wendy undoes button after button. She wills herself to be steady; to stop shaking as if they stood in a freezing cold bedroom.

The warmth of the bedcovers beckons, and Lily takes the girl by the hand, familiar with the messy geography of her room even in the dark, and leads her to the bed.

OOC:

Until Wendy interrupts the mood with an eventual phone call!

Sheriff Akins

Oct 30, 2023 5:07 am

On the Side of the Road at a Police Checkpoint (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

Akins raps the side of the vehicle loudly to answer Zach. "Just get in. You heard me say I'd explain at the station, Tidwell. You're not under arrest. Now get in."

Aaron gives Zach a look back -- he's definitely concerned, maybe more than a little afraid -- but he climbs into the back of the Chevy Tahoe and slides over to make room for his friend.

Mr. Unger

Oct 30, 2023 5:14 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Mr. Unger

Letting Emily go -- it's clear than the man's main concern was that she let the case go -- Kelly Unger's burly father takes the awkward hit from Fred and just shrugs it off.

"What the hell was that?" the man asks, backing up a few steps so he can roll up his sleeves. "You hit like a pussy, Fred. My girl hits twice that hard!" A glance around tells the man that there are still quite a few squirming creatures on the ground. "Belinda!" he shouts as he faces off with Fred. "Fucking get up! Help them, put them back in the case!"

OOC:

Here comes Round 6, which Belinda and Emily both start Shaken! Drawing now...

Deck Draws

Belinda, Emily, Fred, Unger

Belinda Solomon

Oct 30, 2023 5:15 am

OOC:

Round 6 Order: Belinda, Emily, Unger, Fred

Belinda Solomon

Despite Unger calling out to her, Belinda is still a wreck, though she manages to lower her sobs to whimpers. The MILFy blonde crawls on all fours to a spot where three of the slugs are squirming and mewling, but she seems afraid to touch them, like she's afraid she'll injure them...

OOC:

Emily is up, halfway to the Tesla, and still Shaken!

Rolls

Belinda's Spirit to Shake it off! - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Oct 30, 2023 5:47 am

On the Side of the Road at a Police Checkpoint (Zach)

Zach does not like this one bit, but when Aaron gets into the car, there's no way Zach is going to leave him there alone, so he follows. Once Akins has closed the door behind Zach, he reaches over, trying to subtly take Aaron's hand to hold it for comfort and support, hopefully without Akins noticing.
He waits until Akins is driving, then gets out his phone and, hiding it by his legs so the sheriff hopefully won't see, types out a quick message to Emily.

Zach:

Akins arrested me. No idea why. Really fishy. Says he's driving me to station

OOC:

Let me know if you need a Stealth roll or something to sneaky-text

Sheriff Akins

Oct 30, 2023 5:24 pm

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

When the two boys are in the back, Akins closes the door and climbs in himself. The back of the vehicle is intimidating… clearly meant to transport rough characters. The door do not open from the inside, and there’s a metal grate separating the back seat from the front. Another passenger — someone the kids didn’t see — climbs into the passenger seat seconds before Akins turns off his flashing lights and pulls onto the highway, accelerating hard, pushing the V8 in the way many dipshit men do.

OOC:

Sure, roll Stealth — at +2 for being in the back and being sneaky.

Oct 30, 2023 5:36 pm

OOC:

Zach Sneakwell

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Stealth - (1D6+2, 1D6+2, RA)

1D6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1D6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Oct 30, 2023 5:44 pm

Emily continues rushing to the car, screaming for Freddie to follow her. She tries hard not to vomit, but she can't get the vision of the worms out of her mind.

"Freddie COME ON!"

Wendy Lin

Oct 30, 2023 7:34 pm

In Lily's Bed (Lily and Wendy XOXOXO)

Wendy Lin

Breathlessly exploring, teasing, kissing, caressing — the two teen girls fumble their way through an exhilarating experience neither of them will ever forget. There’s a trail of clothes leading to Lily’s bed, and on that bed in that dark room things are starting to get serious. Neither of them knows what the hell they are doing, but it’s beginning to come naturally to them as their bodies yearn and ache for so much more. Wendy is kissing her friend’s… wait.

Wendy is kissing her girlfriend all over as a chime sounds somewhere — a faint sound that is lost beneath the rush of hormones raging in the room. The freckled girl’s hand is busy between Lily’s legs as she kisses her collarbones, her neck, her bare chest. For long minutes the black-haired girl does this, slow, sensual, intense. Lily writhes on the bed, clutching the sheets as her cheeks flush, and as—

"Lily?" the girl’s mother’s voice comes, just outside her door. Then there’s the two-rap knock. The one Lily knows means her mom is about to barge right into her room! "Lily, sweetie? Sorry to wake you hon…"

Oct 30, 2023 7:49 pm

Emily charges the rest of the way to the car. Somehow she remembers Freddie telling her where the key is, fumbles for it, finds it, scratches the paint when her trembling hand misses the keyhole and finally makes it inside the Prius.

Oct 30, 2023 9:43 pm

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Once the message has sent, Zach puts his phone away again. He doesn't want Akins to take it, so best not to draw his attention to it. His other hand is still linked with Aaron's and Zach has no intention of letting that go. The other boy's hand feels so nice in his own. Soft and comforting. He leans over and whispers in Aaron's ear, "I'm really sorry I dragged you into whatever this is." Then he briefly rests his head against Aarons before leaning forward towards the metal grate dividing him and Aaron from Akins and this other mystery person. "Hey," he says, trying to sound friendly. His eyes are focused on the passenger side seat and he tries to make out who it is. He hopes it's Officer Bentley, but he's not very optimistic. "While we're just driving, how about you let us know what's going on?"

Mr. Unger

Oct 31, 2023 1:56 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Mr. Unger

"You know," Mr. Unger says to the angry boy in front of him as he draws a meaty fist back, and as Emily lets herself into the Tesla that she somehow believes is a Prius, "I've wanted to do this since finding you at my house. This is going to feel good! Lights out, you little fucker!"

The blow is hard, fast -- too quick for Freddie to duck, and the bigger man's fist slams into the side of the teenager's head, practically whirling him around.

OOC:

That's a hit (Fred's Parry is 4) for 9 damage -- which is a Raise since Fred's Toughness is also 4. Fred is Shaken and suffers one Wound.

Fred is up. He can try Spirit to Shake it Off, or spend a Benny to do so. Otherwise, he'll still be shaken and can act so long as he doesn't take an actual action.

Rolls

Unger's Fighting to Punch Fred - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (6) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Punch Damage - (1d10, RA)

(9) = 9

Oct 31, 2023 3:32 am

OOC:

I'll spend a Benny to soak

Fred feels the fist connect and his head rattles. Seeing that Emily has finally decided to run he does too. The slug infested adults are too strong and resilient for him to have a hope against. Maybe in his prime, but his body isn't nearly the athletic wonder it once was.

He runs for the car.

OOC:

If Emily is getting behind the wheel, he'll go for the passenger side.

Last edited October 31, 2023 3:35 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (4) = 4

Fred Solomon: Spirit - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Oct 31, 2023 4:08 am

OOC:

She is not because she still shaken.

Oct 31, 2023 5:44 am

The Woods on the Other Side of the Banks (Fred and Emily)

Mr. Unger

As the kids finally flee, Unger walks out onto the road, pointing an accusing finger at the pair, and especially at the boy. "I'll find you, Fred Solomon! I'll find you!" he shouts, and visible behind him is Belinda, starting to collect the scattered slugs, frantically returning them to the case they flew out of.

Starting and reversing the car, Fred does something resembling a bootlegger turn to reverse direction, then he accelerates down the road, leaving his stepmom and Kelly Unger's father behind.

OOC:

Soak successful, Fred, and when you do that you shrug off Shaken as well.

Combat is over. Presume you two and tearing out of there?

+1 Benny for Fred and Emily surviving this. +1 to Lily for getting Wendy between the sheets, and +1 to Zach for going along with Akins when he really didn't want to...

Oct 31, 2023 5:56 am

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Aaron Connery

Despite holding Zach's hand, Aaron is pale and looks like he might get physically sick. An hour ago he was at home, getting ready for bed. Now...

"It's okay," he says quietly when their heads are together. "We'll be okay."

"Hey," Zach says, trying to sound friendly. "While we're just driving, how about you let us know what's going on?"

Principal Romero

The passenger in the front seat turns around, looks through the cage at Zach, and smiles. "Hi there, Zach," Principal Romero says. "Just be patient. You'll see soon enough."

The SUV roars past the turn that leads to the police station, and Zach suddenly knows: they are heading for the school.

Sheriff Akins

"Take their phones," Akins says from behind the wheel.

There's a slot that allows people to pass things between the front and rear seats, and Romero motions with his fingers for the boys to comply.

Oct 31, 2023 6:07 am

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Romero's presence here confirms Zach's worst fears, and he feels worse than ever about involving Aaron. His grip on the other boy's hand tightens but he does not comply with the man's demand. "I have a deal with the one of you inside Rose' body," he says, trying to keep his voice firm and confident. He knows they have no reason to keep to the deal. Not even Not-Rose does. Zach certainly wasn't intending to. But they're aliens, so who knows what will matter to them. For all Zach knows, they might be bound by honor. Not that Not-Rose' behavior was much of an indication towards that. "So you should leave me alone." He throws a glance at Aaron. "And he has nothing to do with this, so please don't hurt him."

Oct 31, 2023 6:15 am

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

The SUV lurches to a sudden stop on the side of the road, then Akins puts the vehicle in park, draws his sidearm and unbuckles his seat beat so he can turn around. The muzzle of his gun appears at the side of that slot, and it's aimed at Aaron.

"Hand over your phones. NOW," the man says through gritted teeth.

Aaron, wide-eyed and terrified, complies immediately -- passing his phone forward to Romero, who takes it and pockets it.

Oct 31, 2023 3:21 pm

"What the fucking fuck was THAT back there?!" Her arms wrapped tightly around herself, Emily stares ahead replaying the unreal events over and over and over in her head, grimacing at the memory of the disgusting creatures while trying to put it all together.

"Your stepmother is whacked. The whole thing is whacked." As the shaken girl unfolds her arms she lets out a squeal. "My arm is killing me. Do you know what's going on? 'Cause I sure don't other than all this shit we've gone through is connected somehow."

Oct 31, 2023 4:20 pm

Freddie drives the uncertain goat trail, trying to keep from getting bogged down or stuck.

"Want me to take you to emerg for the arm? It sounded really bad, are you okay?"

After waiting for a reply, he asks, ["Did they seem slugged? Likes Gromm, or something else?"

Oct 31, 2023 6:54 pm

"NO! Jesus. What would I tell them? I got attacked by a bunch of deranged sex maniacs and their kinky worms? Hell no."

Shaking her head and moaning again from the pain she adds, I can just sling it. My parents are good at that crap. And you haven't said what you think is going on."

Oct 31, 2023 8:06 pm

He scratches his head bandage. "I think alien slugs are turning people into their play things. But what I don't know is if the result is a good thing or not? On the one hand, we have Priya, held captive and starved, and the dead body in the other cell. But on the other, Belinda and Unger were strong, and seemed determined, like themselves, just more energetic."

He gulps, overwhelmed by the enormity of what's happened. "And then those two guys who have been harassing Zach add then us at the hospital. Are they involved? Maybe they're slug hunters, maybe they're even the good guys, but total dicks obvs."

Last edited October 31, 2023 8:53 pm

Oct 31, 2023 9:06 pm

"Sounds as good as anything I could imagine. But how is any of this possible? Aliens? Are there really aliens?" Emily is in denial. It's all too fantastic to be true. She suddenly grabs Freddie's arm with her good one, her eyes wide and pleading.

"You gave me magic mushrooms, didn't you? It was a bad batch. This is all just a really long bad trip. Right, Freddie? RIGHT?"

Last edited October 31, 2023 9:06 pm

Oct 31, 2023 11:04 pm

"Bust-ted," he says in a long drawn out way. "I just wanted you to have a good time." He tries not to laugh. "Girls like a man that keeps them hopping, right?" He can't help but burst into a huge grin.

He looks at the dashboard. "We might be getting cell service soon. Want to try the girls? I mean, Zach and the girls? See if they're like, chillin and nommin the zza. Also, we need tasers. Like, ten tasers."

Nov 1, 2023 12:20 am

"Christ be serious, Fred! Do YOU believe it? This crap about aliens? Worm aliens invading people?"

Last edited November 1, 2023 12:20 am

Nov 1, 2023 12:22 am

OOC:

You two in the car get back to the road from the dirt road leading up into the woods. Now where? Emily also, I think, has a text from Zach.

Nov 1, 2023 3:27 am

Lily jumps up in the bed, sitting with her quilt pulled up to cover herself. Wendy would have heard the voice too, and so she hopes the girl keeps still for a moment. The bunched covers, pillows and the dark room might do something to hide the presence of the girl.

In a haze not brought on by sleepiness, Lily quickly shouts:

"What, mom? What is it? Stay there. I’m not decent!" she says, bracing for the worst, not knowing if she’d bought them some time!

Last edited November 1, 2023 3:27 am

Nov 1, 2023 3:51 am

Harrigan says:

OOC:

You two in the car get back to the road from the dirt road leading up into the woods. Now where? Emily also, I think, has a text from Zach.

OOC:

Both of them have one. He texted Emily the second time because Fred still hadn't received the first.

I'll make a post in a bit but I'll already roll.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Common Knowledge - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (4) = 4

Nov 1, 2023 4:17 am

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Zach realizes that maybe his attempt at friendly communication was a mistake and he should have done what he had been thinking right away. He only has a limited moment of time now, so he unlocks his phone and fiddles with it. As Akins pulls his gun and points it at Aaron, it makes his heart race with fear, but he tries to keep himself under control regardless. If he just does what they tell him to, they have no reason to not infect them as soon as they reach the school. This may well be the last chance he he'll get to save himself and Aaron from that fate.

Just as Aaron hands over his phone, Zach manages to get a live stream to his Instagram page started. When Akins turns his eyes to Zach, rather than hand his phone over, the boy announces, "My name is Zachary Tidwell. Me and Aaron Connery have been unlawfully detained by Sheriff Akins of Boseman, Michigan, and the principal of our school, Mr. Romero. We have been taken against our will and without explanation and are now being forced at gunpoint to hand over our phones." He turns his phone to show Akins pointing the gun at Aaron.

He really hopes that these aliens do not want the hassle that would come with being seen murdering two teenagers live on the internet.

Nov 1, 2023 5:24 am

In Lily's Bed (Lily and Wendy)

"Honey?" Lily's mom says, opening the door a crack, just as she thought she might. Breathes are held. If the light is flicked on...

"I'm sorry to wake you! But there's someone at the door, dear." Peering into the gloom of the room at the indistinct shapes on the bed, Mrs. Palmer adds, "It's the police, Lily. They said something's happened to one of your friends and they want to ask you a few questions!"

Beside Lily, still half-tangled up with the girl, Wendy tries to hold in her drawn breath.

OOC:

While responding, please make a Stealth roll, Lily, to keep your mom from glimpsing something strange and investigating further.

Nov 1, 2023 2:52 pm

bowlofspinach says:

He waits until Akins is driving, then gets out his phone and, hiding it by his legs so the sheriff hopefully won't see, types out a quick message to Emily.

Zach:

Akins arrested me. No idea why. Really fishy. Says he's driving me to station

Only now does Emily feel her phone buzzing the way it does for a missed call or message.

"Oh shit. I better see what the latest disaster is." Emily whips out her phone and sees the text from Zach.

"Oh shit again. Zach has been arrested. He's being driven to the station? What the hell? Should we go there? My arm will keep... I think."

Nov 2, 2023 12:34 am

Freddie grits his teeth. "Fucking Akins. That man is three parts douchebag and one part used douchebag. What do we even do about that? Break him out? We couldn't even steal two suitcases from a trophy wife."

He remembers her panties on the ground, the prints by the car. There was some serious fucking going on alright, and it wasn't him doing it. That didn't sit right with him.

Nov 2, 2023 2:42 am

"That's disgusting, but yeah. What to do? Beats the hell out of me. Find out why Akins has him? I don't know. Maybe tell his parents? I don't trust that fucker Akins."

Emily rubs her arm again and resists the urge to moan. It hurts, and would need seeing to before long.

Nov 2, 2023 4:51 am

In the Back of the Police SUV (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

The gun in Akins’s hand twitches and he drops his voice. "You have TWO goddamned seconds to hand me your phone or you’ll regret it," the man says, taking his pistol off safe as he continues pointing it at Aaron.

Aaron Connery

"Zach!" Aaron yelps. "Jesus, give him your phone!"

Sheriff Akins

"ONE," Akins says through gritted teeth, "TWO!"

OOC:

What is Zach doing in this split-second?

Nov 2, 2023 5:03 am

There's no time to speak or anything so Zach just keeps pointing the camera at Akins and at the same time, he grabs Aaron by his clothes wherever he can grip them and then pulls him close, hopefully out of the way of Akins'shot if the man is actually crazy enough to shoot.

Nov 2, 2023 12:39 pm

"What time is it? Shouldn’t they do that tomorrow, not at like… 2am?" she says feigning sleep grogginess.

She’d have had to fall asleep pretty damn quick, but maybe her mom would buy it.

Last edited November 2, 2023 12:40 pm

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (1) = 1

BENJAMIN - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (2) = 2

Nov 4, 2023 6:07 am

In the Police SUV (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

Red-faced and infuriated, Akins is barely able to keep himself from emptying his magazine into the defenseless boys before he pulls his gun away, holsters it and grabs something from a large cubby in the footwell. Kicking open his door, he loudly says, "it's just a joke, kid! Don't you know a joke when you see one, you're free to go!"

The next thing Zach -- who is all tangled up with Aaron -- knows, the back door of the SUV opens and the Sheriff is there, looming with his heavy metal flashlight. Blocking their exit, Akins prepares to lean into the car and grab for Zach's phone...

Rolls

Sheriff's Spirit check... his ability to hold his fire - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (6) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Deck Draws

Aaron, Akins, Romero, Zach

Nov 4, 2023 6:18 am

OOC:

Init order is Romero -- who is Holding his action this turn, Zach, Aaron, and Akins. You're up, Zach!

Nov 4, 2023 6:23 am

In Lily's Bed (Lily and Wendy)

Somehow Lily's mother doesn't see that there are two people in her daughter's bed, and that -- well, there's a lot that the woman doesn't notice in the darkness.

"I don't know, dear, it must be urgent!" the woman says. "Please just put on some clothes and come down! The officer said it wouldn't take long..."

Nov 4, 2023 6:30 am

OOC:

Reviewing the Benny rules, I'm still being a bit stingy.

Emily - take +3 Bennies (you can have more than 3) for having some mob involvement, and for being both suspicious and cautious recently.

Fred - also take 3, as your secret has been on your mind a lot and has driven some behavior... and also for vengeful and loyal, both of which have been on display very recently.

Lily - I think Curious (with Wendy!), Driven, and Loyal (if you go after Zach) are all in the mix. Take +2 or +3 Bennies, depending on if you decide to go after Zach or not.

Zach - I don't think we Bennied you after that last time your Overprotective Parents were an issue, and you've definitely been attracting trouble. Take +2 Bennies.

Nov 4, 2023 7:32 am

In the Police SUV (Zach)

"We are past the police station on the way to the school. Help!" Zach explains for his livestream as Akins moves to the back door. Once he opens it, Zach tries kicks at Akins, trying to hit between his legs.
"When you get a chance, run!" he orders Aaron.

OOC:

Oh boy, Zach is bad at fighting

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (43) = 7

1D6 : (4) = 4

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4, RA)

(42) = 6

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4, RA)

(1) = 1

Nov 4, 2023 4:11 pm

In the Tesla of Bravely Running Away

"Akins is an enigma, but he's also really focussed. Something about Zach has gotten his ire up. Do you think he knows about Gromm? Shit! This is bad."

He drives faster as the road conditions improve. "Something doesn't add up. It's like we're fighting a war on every front. Slug-people like Gromm and Belinda, the cops, and those dillhole at the hospital that fucking shot me -- were they looking for you? What do they think you did?"

Nov 4, 2023 10:10 pm

"Who knows. Maybe the entire fucking department is in on it." That was a terrifying thought. Who could they turn to?

"It might be time for me to let my parents in on this shit. They know things... people ..." Chewing her bottom lip she blurts it all out. "I'm here ... my family is here because we are in the witness protection program. We have mob connections."

OOC:

Thanks for the bennies!!

Last edited November 4, 2023 10:12 pm

Nov 4, 2023 10:36 pm

In the Police SUV (Zach)

When the Sheriff opens the back door and Zach starts kicking, it's suddenly on. Akins deflects the first blows and is then is trying to grab the boy, so Tidwell is fighting for all he's worth, trying to hit the man in the groin, the face, anything!

All at once, Romero is getting out, and Aaron is shouting, telling the lawman to leave Zach alone as he tries to keep his friend from being pulled violently from the car...

OOC:

Akins is trying to pull Zach roughly from the car, onto the pavement. Make a Strength check, Zach, and take +1 to the roll from Aaron's help.

Rolls

Akins Strength Roll for "Pushing" - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (1) = 1

Benny spent to reroll - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (9) = 9

1d6 : (4) = 4

Nov 4, 2023 11:48 pm

"Alright, mom. I’ll be there in a second. Can you and dad come down too?"

Safety in numbers. There was also the fact that regular cops wouldn’t bat an eye at some parents being witness to a few questions.

Once her mother is gone, she regrettable pulls Wendy out from under the covers, and her mind wonders if she could just barricade the door for a while more. That wouldn’t be received well, and it would give the game away.

She pulls out her phone, writes a message and speaks to Wendy at the same time.

"I think you’d better sneak out the back while I talk to the cops. My parents won’t see you. Don’t worry. I think… I think you’ve been in enough danger for one night." she says; rubbing the girls arm tenderly.

To the others, she writes a message:

Lily: Cops at my place. They say something happened to one of you! Bullshit?

Nov 5, 2023 6:04 am

In the Police SUV (Zach)

"Aaron, don't worry about me!" Zach shouts to the cute boy trying to hold him against Akins. "Find an opening and run. I'll be fine." He lets Akins pull him out of the car, hoping that will leave space for Aaron to move.

OOC:

Zach is not resisting the pull/'Push'

Nov 5, 2023 6:50 am

Lily's House (Lily)

Wendy almost wordlessly slips away before Lily dresses and goes downstairs -- though not before stealing one more kiss, creating one more electric moment neither of them will soon forget.

At the foot of the stairs, the Palmer finds both her pajama-wearing parents and, in the threshold of the open door, Officer Yvonne Bentley.

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"Hi Lily," the woman says gently, almost apologetically.

"Sorry to bother you and your folks so late, but... I'm just wondering if you'd come down to the station with me. We need you to give a statement about some things that have been going on, and it's... urgent. Your friends are in some trouble, and I think this might help them get out of it."

Nov 5, 2023 4:16 pm

In the Tesla of Bravely Running Away

Turning onto the main dirt road back to the street/highway, he hears her revelation and nearly gets stuck in a rut. "Holy shit!"

He breathes hard for a moment? "Really? Witsec? That's nuts. And you ... Oh God, have the mobsters found you?"

He had no idea if she's pranking him, but it seems real. "What do you want to do?"

Nov 5, 2023 4:22 pm

"Probably go get my parents. As much as they are pains in my ass, they know how to handle this shit and my dad can wrap my arm properly."

Talking about her arm makes it throb badly. Rubbing it in any way that makes it feel better she can't help but smile at the boy's expected reaction. Apart from the fact that her parents would kill her for telling him, it seemed like home was the obvious next stop.

You can't tell anyone, Freddie. No one, you understand? I will let them know I told you so we can figure something out but not a word to anyone, OK?"

Nov 5, 2023 5:27 pm

In the Tesla of Bravely Running Away

"Wow," he repeats. "That's a lot to put on me, Em. You must be so lonely will all of that on yourself, and just your weiner of a brother to share it with. I won't let you down. Thanks for trusting me." He rattles off things that he thinks he'd want to hear if anyone knew his secrets, but actually finds that the words feel right, too. He reaches over and pats her thigh, as she rubs her arm.

"Your place it is, but I'll take the back way down Hoeppner street to avoid the main intersections."

Nov 5, 2023 5:46 pm

"It's a burden and now I've saddled you with information that could be dangerous to you. I'm sorry and yeah it's tough. Why do you think I curse all the time. It's bottled up anger."

Heaving a large sigh she places her hand over Freddie's. "Thanks for being a sport. I'll accept any confessions you might have."

Nov 5, 2023 9:09 pm

In the Tesla of Bravely Running Away

"Thanks, that means a lot," he says, adding, "I'll take you up on that later."

He winces, sounding too glib in his own ears for the topic. "Sorry, I do mean that, it's just the secrets I carry aren't my own to tell. I guess yours aren't either. I'll need time to figure out what that means."

Nov 6, 2023 1:03 am

"Urgent?" Lily says, trying not to give away more than she had to. "What kind of trouble? My parents can come too, right? I’m not under arrest or anything?"

She fires off a few questions at once, thinking the slugs have little patience for back and forth. If Bentley was a slug, she’d give it away quick.

Nov 6, 2023 4:47 am

In the Police SUV (Zach)

Aaron Connery

"Zach!" Aaron screams as the boy is pulled from his grasp, suddenly and forcefully. Tidwell lands hard on the pavement, dropping his phone as he uses his hands to break his fall. Akins drags the boy across the dark road as Principal Romero brings his foot down on Zach's phone several times, smashing it to pieces.

Aaron uses that moment to bolt and Zach sees him tear out of the vehicle while the two men are occupied.

"I'll get help!" he cries as he goes, and then Romero is going after him.

OOC:

Round 2. Pulling Init cards...

Deck Draws

Aaron, Akins, Romero, Zach

Nov 6, 2023 4:56 am

Near the Police SUV (Zach)

Aaron and Romero tear off into the dark, running like the wind, recklessly, plunging headlong into the darkness...

OOC:

Not going to use the full Chase Rules for obvious reasons. Falling back to using the Quick Encounterish rules to see if Aaron can get away. Aaron has +2 to his Athletics roll because he has a head start, and because it's dark.

The turn order in Round 2 is Aaron, Romero, Zach, Akins.

Back near where the SUV is pulled over, Akins prepares to lift Zach off the ground and forcibly throw him back into the car. From the darkness, Zach hears an oof and the sound of a painful takedown.

OOC:

Zach is up.

Rolls

Aaron's Athletics - (1d6+2, RA)

(4) + 2 = 6

Romero's Athletics - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (63) = 9

1d6 : (4) = 4

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 6, 2023 5:08 am

Lily's House (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"Sure... that'd be fine," Bentley says with an affirming nod regarding Lily's parents coming. "I don't know all the details, I'm afraid. I think it's a... fluid situation."

"I'll go with you Lily," the girl's father says to his wife. Before he can suggest that his wife not come, that she remain at home, she's grabbing her jacket and her purse.

"Me too. Ready!"

OOC:

Going to the car with her? Hidden in the bushes, you see Wendy watching. She went out the back.

Nov 6, 2023 5:09 am

OOC:

Fred and Emily, where are you going?

Nov 6, 2023 5:11 am

Near the Police SUV (Zach)

Hearing that Romero seemingly caught Aaron, Zach wastes no time and scrambles after them. He's somewhat resigned himself to being taken by the slugs, but he will fight tooth and nail to try and help Aaron escape. "Leave him alone!" he shouts. "He doesn't know what's going on. Let him go and I'll come with you willingly!"

OOC:

I guess I'll also need an Athletics to get there? I don't know exactly what the situation is there but Zach will try to do whatever he can to let Aaron escape so if you need some roll, let me know.

Well, I guess he doesn't get there anyway 😅
Any chance to make a Persuade for his offer?

Last edited November 6, 2023 5:13 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (5) = 5

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics Benny - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (5) = 5

Nov 6, 2023 6:50 am

OOC:

Zach's Pace is at -2 because he's starting the round on the ground. If he sprints, adding his Athletics die to his adjusted pace of 4, he'll need to roll 5 or better to reach Romero and Aaron. And in doing that, his other actions / trait rolls would be at -2. (It's not an Athletics roll -- that was part of a specific Quick Encounter. Keep your Benny.) Also, since his Athletics Die is a d4, and they don't Ace, he can't get there. So -- what's his action?

Quote:

Any chance to make a Persuade for his offer?

Nope.

Nov 6, 2023 6:57 am

OOC:

He'll still run over towards them as close as he can get, just without the Benny

Sheriff Akins

Nov 7, 2023 2:42 am

Near the Police SUV (Zach)

Sheriff Akins

As quick as Zach is up and running for Aaron, who is hears struggling in the dark with Romero, Sheriff Akins is after the boy, trying to grab and restrain him. "Not so fast you little fucker!" the man spits, trying to get hold of the kid...

OOC:

Athletics roll at -2 (for running) to resist the grapple, Zach. Beat a 5 to fend him off.

Rolls

Zach's Run - (1d4, RA)

(1) = 1

Akin's Grapple on Zach - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (5) = 5

GM Benny for a Reroll - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (4) = 4

Nov 7, 2023 3:06 am

Arriving at Emily's House

Fred and Emily pull up to the girl's house in the Tesla, and immediately things look weird to the teen. The family van isn't in the driveway -- no surprise there -- but neither is her parent's car. It's late and the house is mostly dark -- just one light on inside, she thinks, in the living room. Maybe not even a light. Maybe the TV?

Nov 7, 2023 3:07 am

Near the Police SUV (Zach)

Zach tries to avoid Akin's grapple as he attempts to get closer to Aaron to maybe help him escape.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics -2 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Zachary Tidwell: Benny - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Nov 7, 2023 3:24 am

A fluid situation…

Lily pulls on a coat, and exits the house with her parents, and Officer Bentley. Something about what Bentley says has Lily looking at Emily’s van. The back seats would be covered in Rose’s stomach gloop.

"Officer Bentley…" the girl starts, her heart starting to beat a little faster. Was this the right move?…

"I want to show you something." she says, starting to wander closer to the van. If the Officer was a slug, it might show on her face when Lily reveals the goo. If she wasn’t, it might help piece together whatever it was the Officer was trying to piece together.

She pulls open the door, and steps to the side. She lets her parents and the Officer look inside.

"You said it’s a fluid situation. Is… this what you meant?" the girl asks, scanning the faces for any signs of… well, she didn’t know what yet!

Nov 7, 2023 3:34 am

Near the Police SUV (Zach)

Zach yelps as Akins grabs him -- hard, easily overpowering the boy. An arm is twisted, a neck is grabbed -- and just like that the Sheriff has the vainly struggling teen under control.

OOC:

That's a raise on the grapple, so Zach isn't just Entangled, he's Bound.

Round 3, pulling cards. HELLO JOKERS.

Deck Draws

Aaron, Akins, Romero, Zach

Nov 7, 2023 3:48 am

OOC:

Round 3 begins. Aaron, Akins, Zach, Romero. The first two both have Jokers! Take a Benny, everyone.

Aaron Connery

Nov 7, 2023 3:56 am

Aaron Connery

In the dark, Aaron and Romero scuffle...

Rolls

Quick Encounter - Aaron - (1d4+2, RA)

(2) + 2 = 4

Romero - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (82) = 10

1d6 : (2) = 2

Sheriff Akins

Nov 7, 2023 4:01 am

Sheriff Akins

And back towards the vehicle, Akins shoves Zach to the pavement and turns out the boy's lights with a sharp blow from his flashlight...

OOC:

You're out cold, Zach. We'll pick this up shortly.

Rolls

Knockout Blow vs. Parry 4 - (1d8+4+2, 1d6+4+2, RA)

1d8+4+2 : (7) + 6 = 13

1d6+4+2 : (1) + 6 = 7

Damage from Flashlight - (1d10+4+2, 1d6+4+2, RA)

1d10+4+2 : (4) + 6 = 10

1d6+4+2 : (65) + 6 = 17

Nov 7, 2023 5:11 am

Arriving at Emily's House

"I don't like it," Emily says as they pull up to the mostly dark house.

"They are always home at this hour. Always. There's no car either. Fuck. Something is wrong. That one light. Doesn't seem right. I'm scared Freddie, really scared."

Nov 7, 2023 6:14 pm

Arriving at Emily's House

Freddie listens and says, "They're not after me, so get behind the wheel. I'll check it out, take some pics. If I signal you just get out of here. Listen this time, I'll be okay. We'll meet at the Banks, okay?"

He kisses her and if she agrees, he'll sneak over to peek in the windows.

Nov 7, 2023 9:37 pm

"No, I'm coming with you. This is my mess and I'm not letting you go alone. Thanks for being a good friend and looking out for me, but we are going together."

Emily is already out of the car and on her way toward the house, creeping slowly as she nears the door, eyes and ears watching and listening.

Nov 8, 2023 3:47 am

Freddie can't fault her that, he would want to do the same. Even if it's the WRONG CALL, its her call to make.

"Okay, let's be quiet and see what's what. Those people after you mean serious business." She can feel how he says that that he means SRS BSNS.

They approach the house. Stealthily.

Last edited November 8, 2023 4:14 am

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 11, 2023 3:44 am

Outside Lily's House (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Officer Bentley and the girl's parents follow Lily over to Emily's van, and after unlocking the vehicle, the teen pulls the sliding door aside to reveal -- indeed, a nasty stew of slowly drying vomit that stinks to high heaven.

"Uh," Yvonne says briefly, bringing her hand to her face, frowning. "What happened in here? Did someone get sick?"

"Lily..." the girl's father says without thinking. "Who's... who's van is this?"

Nov 11, 2023 3:47 am

Sneaking Up to Emily's House

The night is quiet as Fred and Emily approach the house.

OOC:

Where are you goiing? To the door? To a window to peek in? To a window to climb in? Either way, the lesser talented of you with Stealth, please make a check. Add +2 to your roll. (I think that's Fred, with 1d4.)

Nov 11, 2023 4:04 am

Fred approaches a window with Emily in tow. He peeks in, wondering what kind of digs Witsec gets you, expecting posh.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Stealth* - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (41) + 2 = 7

1d6+2 : (5) + 2 = 7

Nov 11, 2023 6:18 am

Watching the faces and seeing that she may have made a misstep, Lily pivots.

"Yeah, yeah. It’s Emily’s van. Her brother got sick all over the back of it. Emily asked if she could keep it here until she got a chance to clean it out. Said her parents would be angry with… Steve, I think his name is.

I thought… maybe they’d reported it as stolen. Never mind that. Let’s just get down to the station, right?

Sorry about that, Officer Bentley!" she says, going to close the door and get into the car.

Nov 12, 2023 5:10 am

Peeking into Emily's House

As Fred looks in the window, the house he sees is not posh, not compared to what he's used to, or say, the Ungers'. He's looking into the living room, which is lit only by the big screen TV on the wall. Someone is slumped on the sofa in the dark, watching... some kind of raunchy movie with half-naked cheerleaders?

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 12, 2023 5:22 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

After inspecting and then closing up the van, the Palmers all grab seats in the police car and are quiet as Officer Bentley starts driving them towards the station. In the back, Lily's mom grabs hold of her hand, even as the policewoman asks, "You were all... drinking, then? Nothing to worry about, Lily, I remember being a teenager. But I want to make sure it wasn't anything harder than that, and that everyone is okay. Is Steve okay?"

After Lily answers, the radio chirps and the Sheriff's voice comes on the line. "Akins here. Pick up, Bentley."

"I'm here," the officer answers. "Just picked up Lily Palmer, headed to the station now, sir. Her parents are accompanying."

There's a long pause, and Lily can see a frown creep over Bentley's face, then deepen, before Akins finally responds.

"Change of plans. Head for the school. We have a developing situation, and Palmer has information that could be helpful. Keep your lights off, no sirens. But come quickly."

"Roger that, Sheriff, on my way. Give us ten minutes," Bentley says, slowing to pull a u-turn and head back towards the high school.

Nov 12, 2023 2:37 pm

"Freddie! What are you seeing?' She's squeezing his hand probably too hard. " I'm almost afraid to look. I am afraid to look."

With her heart pounding loudly in her chest she envisions all the worst scenarios from dead bodies scattered on the floor to a corpse hanging in the hallway.

Nov 12, 2023 4:56 pm

"I can't really see," he whispers back, and describes the slumped form and the cheerleaders as best he can.

"Does your dad watch such sordid movies? It's probably Steve, isn't it?"

Nov 12, 2023 7:22 pm

"Slumped like asleep or slumped like dead?" Her whispers are beginning to sound a little hysterical. "Uh ... dad doesn't watch TV. He's always too busy. Mom too. So it's either Steve or a robber taking a TV break."

Nov 12, 2023 8:18 pm

Fred nods, "A TV break, eh? That doesn't sound like ... you know what, you've got more experience. Are there any weapons around here? A good sturdy shovel maybe?"

Nov 12, 2023 8:55 pm

"There is a gun safe, but it's inside. I'm going to call Steve. See if the phone rings inside."

Emily pulls out her cell phone and dials Steve's number. Then she texts both her parents and asks them where they are and to come home now.

Nov 13, 2023 3:38 am

"No, no! Just Steve. At least, I guess so… I just know what Emily told me. I don’t drink." she says, looking to her parents then.

"A… developing situation? Shouldn’t you drop us back home before going to another call, Officer Bentley?" she says, looking to her parents again, this time for support.

Nov 13, 2023 6:23 am

Outside Emily's House

Emily waits in frustration as Steve doesn't answer, and as neither of her parents respond to her texts.

Rolls

Secret Roll

Nov 13, 2023 6:33 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

"Officer Bentley, what is this about?" Lily's father asks, nodding at his daughter in the back seat, through the mesh divider.

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"I don't know," the woman admits. "There's something going on tonight, some investigation, but I haven't been part of it. But you heard the Sheriff, he believes you have information that can help, Lily."

Lily's mom isn't satisfied. "Officer, you're not talking us -- not taking our daughter somewhere dangerous, right?"

Bentley shakes her head. "I won't do that, ma'am. You have my word. To Serve and Protect, right?"

Nov 13, 2023 3:39 pm

"A gun safe inside, fuck, I've been shot enough for one forever. So nothing we can use even as clubs in the backyard?"

He begins to look for anything, even a chunk of 2x4 that he can use to club any bad guys. A shovel, a loose fence board, Terry Fox's prosthetic leg?

Nov 13, 2023 7:34 pm

"Um. Dunno, Why don't we go back there and see? I don't spend a whole lot of time back there. Maybe some rocks or wood logs. Steve has had a small fire back there from time to time."

Emily slinks around the house to the back, looking into the windows as she can until she reaches the back, checks for activity inside and then commences her yard for anything that might serve as a weapon.

"I have no fucking clue where my parents are," she whispers. "And if that's Steve slumped over in there...." she won't finish that sentence. Won't even contemplate it. She doesn't hate her brother. Not really.

Nov 14, 2023 3:29 am

Lily pulls out her phone and quickly sends off another text to everyone:

Lily: In cruiser with Bentley and parents. "Developing situation" at school 🫠

you guys need to see this!
"Right. Protect and Serve." Lily says then, trying to sound chirpy and confident. "Will the whole department be there? Is this like in those movies?"

Nov 14, 2023 8:31 am

OOC:

Fred and Emily -- make Fighting or Notice checks to see if you can successfully arm yourselves with, within reason, the improvised weapons of your choice. Also, Lily's text arrives as you're approaching the house again.

Nov 14, 2023 5:48 pm

OOC:

Rolling for gearing up...

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (63) = 9

Nov 14, 2023 7:25 pm

OOC:

rollin...

Scrounging around Emily finds a nice-sized rock that is just heavy enough to do serious damage but not too heavy to carry or whack someone over the head with.

Last edited November 14, 2023 7:26 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (62) = 8

Nov 15, 2023 3:22 am

Fred opens the shed, and pulls out an orange axe, still with a price tag on it. "Yxa. I didn't know IKEA made axes?" He removes the plastic edge guard and tosses that back in the shed.

"Okay, let's check that out. You've got the big rock, you better lead." He snickers and smacks her on the butt playfully.

Nov 15, 2023 3:38 am

"Freddie, Jesus! How can you think of that at a time like this!"

Under different circumstances a playful slap on the butt would have been welcomed.

"Let's go in the back door. Come on."

Nov 15, 2023 7:23 am

Emily's House

After arming themselves, Emily and Fred let themselves into the house quietly. It's mostly dark as the pair creeps into the kitchen wielding rock and axe. The sound of a television playing is noticeable instantly, no surprise given the scene Fred spied through the window.

Emily is frowning at the open and empty pizza box on the counter. A big one, extra-large, from Vinny's... and next to it, a handwritten note from her mother.

Emily! Your father and I have had a really stressful week, and need to start the weekend early. We're headed to Soaring Eagle for a long weekend. I left some gas and food money in the envelope on the fridge -- share it with your brother. I know school has been stressful this week as well -- treat yourselves! See you on Sunday!

Kisses and Squeezes!

-Mom

Fred's phone buzzes while Emily reads.

Lily: In cruiser with Bentley and parents. "Developing situation" at school 🫠
Lily: you guys need to see this!

OOC:

Okay, I love having different fonts, but how can there not be a proper handwriting font?!

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 15, 2023 7:29 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

"Well, it's not like there are that many of us," the officer answers Lily with a slight smile. "And to be honest, there's not much about policing that's like it is in the movies."

On the device Lily holds tightly in her hands, there comes no answer from the others. Still no answer! Where is Zach? Is he just ignoring her? The distance to the school is narrowing...

Nov 15, 2023 5:20 pm

Freddie thumbs a quick reply and pocketed his silenced but vibrating phone.

Fred: Send deets.

He leads their sneak into the living room, as Emily reads her family note with its strange, uniform printing. Ax gets ready for chopping.

Nov 15, 2023 6:30 pm

"Ok, Emily whispers. "My parents literally never do this. Something is very wrong."

She hefts the rock a little higher and puts it in a death grip as she follows Freddie into the living room.

OOC:

She also misuses the word "literally" like every teen.

Nov 16, 2023 5:59 am

Emily's House

Quote:

"My parents literally never do this. Something is very wrong."

Emily says, conveniently forgetting about all the times when her parents have done exactly this.

Following her axe-wielding boyfriend (?!) into the living room, she finds... her brother Steve, dozing on the couch. Pizza crusts are scattered around, there are a bunch of rolling papers on the coffee table, there's some kind of spring break college girl trash on the television, and the boy is snoring away in his tighty-whities.

It's a lovely scene.

Nov 16, 2023 8:39 am

Lily rolls her eyes at the returning message!

How many more deets does he think I have?…

She starts to type up another message on her phone, while trying to shield the screen from her parents prying eyes.

OOC:

How synced up are the time lines. Any notifications popping up?

Zach Tidwell is now going live…

Nov 16, 2023 2:46 pm

OOC:

She's a stoner. Of course, she is forgetful. xD

"Jesus Christ Steve, wake the hell up!"

Emily puts the stone down on a table and glares at the boy, the source of constant annoyance.

"Do you ever think of anything else besides girls? That won't get you a job later in life. Anyway, clean up this mess. Dad will kill you if he sees garbage all over the place. Ugh. I need a glass of water. Want one?" she asks Freddie and snatches the money her parents left on the way to the kitchen.

Nov 17, 2023 1:12 am

Freddie lets the axe hang down, out of sight. It's a good axe, and they might be on the way to some kind of cop party, as he waits for Lily to provide more than just a few crumbs. Still, out of all of them, she's the most level headed, and strategic, so he tries to find where Zack might be broadcasting from. He tries Insta, X, even Tumblr, looking for where the boy might be sending out the signal. He doesn't check Facebook, though, because he's not a grandma.

"Em, Lily says Zach is going to broadcast something. He tell you what's the what?"

Last edited November 17, 2023 1:13 am

Nov 17, 2023 2:49 am

OOC:

I'll totally ignore that grandma comment! 😂😁

"What? No. Do I look like I've been staring at my phone? I dunno, maybe I missed something." Glugging down her glass of water she hands one to Freddie and grabs her phone. The light casts an eerie shadow under the flickering kitchen as she flicks through her messages.

"Oh yeah .. yup. I got a text. What situation? Fucked if I know." Looking out towards the living room the flustered teen sighs. "Shouldn't Steve be waking up by now? Let's go check on the idiot."

Last edited November 17, 2023 2:50 am

Nov 17, 2023 3:51 am

Emily's House

Startled awake by his angry sister, Steve just sits there dumbly and takes it as she admonishes him. He tidies up a little in the living room, then pads, barefoot, into the kitchen.

"Hey! We're supposed to split that money! Don't take it all!" he complains, smelling of farts, pizza, and pot. Then he notices Fred, and leans casually against a kitchen cabinet, acting as if all this is no big thing. "Oh. Hey Fred. Good to see you, man. Rock on, man."

Neither teen is paying particular attention to Steve, as they are watching Zach's shocking and violent video with open mouths...

OOC:

Alright, let's say, timeline wise, Zach posted that video thirty minutes ago.

Lily -- you're in the same timeframe, so go ahead and post finding this same video, and watching the recording of it.

Seize the day here, folks, time to get back together!

Nov 17, 2023 3:55 am

Unknown Location

"Zach?"

"Zach, are you okay?"

The voice is a hushed whisper. It's dark, it's cold, and Zach's head hurts. It doesn't take him long to figure out who the voice belongs to, though... Aaron Connery. Which meant he didn't get away.

Tidwell is on a cold tile floor in an unlit room. He can barely make out Aaron, beside him, and the shadow of a heavy door that looms in one wall of the small, square, unfurnished cell.

Nov 17, 2023 5:38 am

Unknown

"Aaron," Zach groggily replies as he comes to. There is regret in his voice as he realizes that despite all his efforts, Aaron didn't get away.
He sits upright and looks around. It seems pretty obvious where they are, in the asylum. He decides not to tell Aaron that right away, however. "I'm so sorry," he says to the other boy, sliding closer to him. "You shouldn't even be in this mess. I should never have messaged you, but I was scared and angry and alone and I really wanted to see you." He lets out a shaking breath and wipes at his wet eyes. "I'm so sorry."

Aaron Connery

Nov 18, 2023 7:01 am

Unknown Location

Aaron Connery

Aaron holds his friend close as the emotional boy apologizes. "Hey," he says, trying to be comforting. "Hey -- don't apologize, you were scared, and didn't know this would happen. This -- this is crazy, Zach. Someone's going to find us, right? Someone will have to find us..."

Nov 18, 2023 7:50 am

Unknown Location

"Of course," Zach promises, leaning into Aaron's embrace. Right now, he's not even worrying that the other boy might feel something he's not supposed to. There are much bigger things to worry about. "I livestreamed our kidnapping, didn't I? I bet my friends have already seen it and Fred or Noah or..." He pauses briefly, then continues, "Lily are already on their way to rescue us." He looks seriously at Aaron, "Just... don't let them do anything to you. I'll try to protect you if I can." He hesitates, then tilts his head and leans forward, aiming for a brief, reassuring kiss.

Nov 19, 2023 1:22 am

Emily's House

"Steve for fuck sake, go take a shower. You reek! Go on, get out of here."

After her stinky brother leaves she turns to Freddie, opens her phone and the video and watches speechlessly as she angles it so Freddie can see too.

"Those fuckers! IA will be all over their asses when they see this. Shit if that was live.... even better. Akins is fucked!"

Nov 19, 2023 2:21 am

"Holy frick…" Lily says, conscious that her parents and the police may not appreciate any bad language.

She turns the live stream around so the others can watch it, hear Akins and Zach and everything else.

"Didn’t he just ask us to come meet him? Officer Bentley…?"

Aaron Connery

Nov 19, 2023 7:09 am

Unknown Location

Aaron Connery

"What do you mean?" Aaron asks quietly as they break their kiss. "Do to me? We don't want them to do anything to either of us, right?"

Standing up, the boy moves in the dark to investigate the door.

"Where do you think we are? This doesn't seem like the jail..."

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 19, 2023 7:14 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Zach's video is damning, but also dark, chaotic, and hard to make sense of for people who aren't teenagers. Lily's parents look confused by what they are seeing and hearing, and Bentley, who is driving, doesn't even turn around.

"What is that?" she asks, glancing at the girl in the mirror. "Is that Sheriff Akin?"

Out the window, Lily can see that they are only minutes from the school.

Nov 19, 2023 10:13 am

"Seems like it. Sounds like he… took Zach with him." she says, hurriedly swiping off the feed and moving over to her messenger again.

Lily: Arriving to school right now! Akins here. He took Zach. Told Bentley to meet us here.

Come quick. 😨
She wants to say ‘bring guns’, or ‘bring everyone’ but there was no time for much of anything!

Last edited November 19, 2023 10:14 am

Nov 19, 2023 11:27 am

Unknown Location

"Of course we don't," Zach confirms, getting up after Aaron and hugging him for comfort by the door. "But I got you into this mess. If only one of us can get out of this unharmed, that has to be you."
At the boy's question, Zach frowns and says, "We're in the asylum. We rescued Priya from here earlier." Trying to be encouraging, he doesn't mention that they found Kilvert dead here. Instead, he says, "So my friends know this place and can find us here."

Nov 19, 2023 4:10 pm

Emily's House

"Can you see where they are? I'm not sure that looks familiar. Oh wait, that's the school. Shit. If this is related to the aliens, then they're probably going to the asylum through the boiler room."

He takes Emily by the arms and looks at her. "Should we take your parents gun?"

Nov 19, 2023 6:46 pm

Emily's House

"Yeah we should. There are more than one in the gun cabinet. Let's take 'em both. It's upstairs in their bedroom. The key is on the top of the bathroom door frame."

Nov 19, 2023 9:29 pm

Emily's House

There is no reason to do so, but he sneaks with Emily into her parent's bedroom. There is something intimate and sexy about an adult bed, knowing that they bumped uglies enough to at least produce two kids. He half expects velvet paintings of nude women, and maybe a nightstand drawer full of kink, but barring that level of delicious 70s sleeze, he simply swipes the key from atop the doorframe as she suggested and hands it to her.

Aaron Connery

Nov 20, 2023 4:26 am

The Asylum?

Aaron Connery

"The... asylum? Boseman Insane Asylum, on Birch St.?" Aaron asks.

Touching the wall and the door, feeling the old leather padding on each, the boy blanches. "Oh shit. We are in a cell of some kind. What -- what do you think they are planning to do with us, Zach? How long before they come?"

Nov 20, 2023 4:36 am

Emily's House

OOC:

Chuck a regular d6 (no acing) Fred or Emily -- just one of you.

▫ On a 1, the key to the gun safe is missing.
▫ On a 2-3, there's only one gun inside, Mrs. Richardsen's Kahr P9, with one box of ammo that has 20 rounds of 9mm remaining.
▫ On a 4-5, that Kahr is present but so is dad's Smith and Wesson .357 revolver, along with 18 rounds in three fast-loaders.
▫ On a 6, the Kahr and the S&W are present, but so is a twelve gauge shotgun, a pump-action Mossberg 500.

Nov 20, 2023 5:28 am

"Shit. Only mom's gun." she says, obvious disappointment written all over face.

Grabbing the Kahr and checking the chamber she says to Freddie, 'Take the box of ammo would ya but gimme some first. I was hoping Dad's revolver would be here too which begs the question, where's his gun? He doesn't take it with him unless he's expecting trouble."

Her mom's pistol now loaded, she glances at the bed, then at Freddie.

"If it was any other time....," and out the bedroom door she reluctantly goes.

Last edited November 20, 2023 4:13 pm

Rolls

Chuck-a-luck - (1d6)

(3) = 3

Nov 20, 2023 5:56 am

The Asylum?

Zach lets out a shaking breath. He already told Aaron most of the truth earlier and right now, they're in a situation that's absurd enough that maybe Aaron will believe the whole thing. "They're aliens, I think," Zach says. "But they're definitely parasites. They can get into people's bodies and take them over. They're probably planning to do that to you. With me, I don't know. I killed one of them earlier, so they might want revenge for that." He looks down at his shoes, then says, "One of them is inside my sister. Lily and Wendy and I managed to capture her earlier, but she attacked us and vomited this stuff all over me that stunned me. And then Lily decided to let her go, so she went straight back to her alien friends and told them that we know and are a threat. That's why they went to kidnap me." Something occurs to him. "Oh shit, they must also be coming for Lily, then!"

Nov 20, 2023 5:02 pm

Emily's House

He feeds her rounds to fill the clip, and stuffs the rest of the box in his, well, his hands. Carrying them awkwardly, he says, "You and I don't need a bed, the Banks taught us that. A memory worth repeating." He laughs, his eyes sparkling with mirth, but he knows they better go chase after Zach and the po-po.

"We better go. It's a sacrifice to be sure, and Zach will owe us big time for giving up these moments to save his ass."

Nov 20, 2023 5:59 pm

"You can say that again, the twit." Emily smiles inwardly at Freddie's comments then turns to more serious thoughts.

"Let's go find Zach." At the bottom of the stairs she shouts to Steve, "Clean up the mess, or Mom and Dad will kill you!"

Aaron Connery

Nov 21, 2023 6:40 am

The Asylum?

Aaron Connery

Aaron is quiet as Zach explains further.

"Holy shit," he finally says, shaking his head, not sure to make of what he's hearing. "Alien parasites? And this is the asylum where you said you guys found Priya. And Kilvert!"

Searching in vain for a door handle, or a way out, the boy drives his shoulder, hard, into a door a few times.

"We've got -- uff -- to get -- unh -- out of here!"

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 21, 2023 6:46 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Arriving at the school, Lily notices that Officer Bentley turns off her headlights before turning into the parking lot, and that she pulls over well before she gets to the semi-circle that provides access to the main doors. Putting the car in park, she turns around and asks Lily for her phone, indicating the slot for the girl to slide it through.

"Just for a minute. I'll give it right back," Bentley says. "I want to see that video."

Beside Lily, her mom motions with her head and her eyes: go on. Give the officer your phone.

Nov 21, 2023 6:50 am

Emily's House

"What's going on that you need a gun?!" Steve asks, still in his underwear, trailing behind Emily and Fred as they head outside. "And I can't clean up everything in here, that's a lot of work! And you took at the money we were supposed to split! Emily! I'm telling mom!"

Outside, as the couple gets into the Tesla and drives off, heading for the school, the boy shouts from the back deck.

"I mean it! I was gonna order more food and now I can't! And where's the van, Emily? What happened to the van?!"

Nov 21, 2023 7:18 am

The Asylum?

"These cells are made to hold crazy people," Zach reminds Aaron. "I don't think we can just ram our shoulder against the door and get out. Besides, there's some weird thing patrolling the hallway, like a guard robot, but... organic or something." He tries if he can maybe push open the little view window in the door and get a peek of the hallway. "We have to be smart about this. Worst case, we barricade the door and wait for our friends."

Nov 21, 2023 3:37 pm

Lily meets her mom’s look, and then puts the phone up to the lip of the slot. They were already in the car, so there wasn’t much they could do if Bentley was crooked.

In a moment of trust, she slides the phone through into the woman’s hand and tries not to let loose her held breath too loudly!

Nov 22, 2023 9:18 pm

Emily's House

"Did I help you make that mess? Did you see me eating pizza, tatletale?" she snipes at her brother as she heads out the door.

"Jesus. Let's get out of here, Freddie." Once in the Tesla, she can hear him shouting something else but doesn't care. As an afterthought she rolls down the window and shouts back, "Put on some clothes, idiot!"

Nov 22, 2023 9:43 pm

Emily's House

Freddie is happy to escape from Chez Ripe, and even happier they didn't need to axe any mob goons.

Driving away he says, "Brothers, am I right?"

OOC:

To the school and possibly the asylum through the boiler room.

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Nov 23, 2023 5:38 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Officer Yvonne Bentley

Taking Lily’s phone, Bentley holds it so the girl can open it with her face, then the officer furrows her brow and watches Zach’s video intently — twice.

Pulling out a business card, the policewoman hands the phone — and her contact information — back to Lily. "Send that to me, alright?" she says as she turns off the car, opens her door and gets out.

"You three stay here a minute, I’ll be right back. I need to find out what’s going on."

Lily watches as the woman closes her car door, checks various items on her rig and says something into her shoulder-mounted radio as she starts walking for the front of the school.

"What the heck is going on, Lily?" the girl’s father asks, seeming a little lost in all this.

Nov 23, 2023 10:18 am

With just the three of them in the car, Lily both relaxes and tenses up. Bentley was gone, and so she could catch her breath. But then her parents started asking questions. She knew they wouldn’t believe her, but she felt it wouldn’t be long until they would see it for themselves…

"Do you want the long story, or the longer story?" she asks, sheepishly!

Last edited November 23, 2023 10:18 am

Nov 23, 2023 11:32 pm

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

Lily's mom takes her by the hand, clearly wanting the straight story as the girl's father tries to see what's going on at the school. Figures that are hard to make out in the dark are meeting with the woman outside the main doors.

"I'm..." he begins, putting his window down so he can see better, "going to call you two an Uber. Go back home. I'll deal with whatever this is."

Rolls

Lily's Dad Tech Acumen - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Lily's Dad Protectiveness - (1d6, RA)

(4) = 4

Nov 24, 2023 4:13 pm

Freddie's Tesla

"Neverending pain in my ass," the girl replies shaking her head. "I guess we go to the school then."

Nov 25, 2023 6:29 am

OOC:

Okay, Freddie and Emily are headed for the school, Zach and Aaron are locked up... let's get one or two more posts from Lily and crank this sucker up.

Nov 25, 2023 6:47 am

"I don’t think it’s a good idea to disobey the police, right? Won’t they arrest us for disobeying an officer? And anyway… what if she needs help?" Lily asks, squinting passed her dad to try see what he sees.

Nov 25, 2023 7:38 am

In Bentley's Police Cruiser (Lily)

"Who, Officer Bentley?" Lily's dad asks. "I'm not worried about her. She can handle herself. But I don't like any of this. Middle of the night. We shouldn't be here. I should have said no at the door."

Looking out his window, the man adds, "What are all these people doing here? At the school, way after midnight?"

Indeed, there's a commotion of some kind near the entrance, and a lot of figures are visible -- but Lily can't get a good look at any of them from the back of the car, considering they are also a couple of hundred feet away.

Opening his door, Mr. Palmer gets out, clearly with the intention of approaching to try and figure out what's going on. As he goes he keys the back door locks open from the center console <SHUNK!>, then glances at his phone. "Uber will be here in twelve minutes, it says. Just sit tight until then!"

Lily's phone buzzes at that moment too. It's Wendy, asking what the heck is going on, where Lily is, and if she's okay.

"David!" Lily's mom says (yeah, naming him!). "Be careful!"

Nov 26, 2023 11:26 am

"It’s like she said. What was it? A developing incident. Do you think everyone is okay? She said it had something to do with the others, so I want to stay here and find out."

She looks to her mom for backup.

"Mom! Tell him that we are going to stay. Officer Bentley said that only I could help!"

Those hadn’t been the exact words, but they were close enough.

Nov 27, 2023 5:47 am

At the School

And so it is when Fred turns the Tesla Model 3 into the driveway that leads past the parking lot and right to the front doors... he and Emily see a lot of commotion considering the late hour. The pair has no idea that Zach and Aaron are talking and searching their cell for some means of escape, or that Lily is in the back of the police cruiser they see parked in the parking lot, some distance from the main entrance -- where the Sheriff's SUV is parked. They have no idea that Lily and her mom are debating what to do, or that Mr. Palmer is walking towards the small crowd of people gathered outside the school.

What they do see is that at least two cops look to be present in that crowd, and -- there, near the main entrance, pulled into a handicapped spot, is Belinda's Range Rover...

Nov 27, 2023 4:11 pm

"Fuck me, is that your step-mother's SUV?" Emily eyes flit around the parking lot, the school entrance, and the cops.

"What the hell is going on here? It's too late for kids being here. I don't like it. And cops too. What are they doing here? Do you see Lilly or Zach, Freddie?"

Emily is clutching Freddie's arm, probably too tightly, peppering him with observations and rapid-fire questions.

Nov 27, 2023 4:44 pm

"I don't see anyone. Keep your gun hidden, and let's join the crowd. If it's slugfest, we start shooting, and run for the boiler and the asylum. That's the only place we know people are being held."

While he is talking, he's texting Lily and Wendy and Zach and Clutch, using teenage texting magic.

The boardgame group chat
Freddie> We're at the school what's going on? Mob much? Where are you?

to Wendy
Freddie> Looking for Lily, I think she's in trouble. Can u helP?

to Clutch
Freddie> Bro, mob at the school. Bring everyone with bats and sticks. It's a showdown!! Mob rules 🤘🤘

Nov 28, 2023 1:29 am

Seeing the text come in, Lily’s eyes flit about for Emily and Fred. Rather than try and get a message back in time, she calls instead:

"Hey!" she whispers into the phone! "Wait, why am I whispering? We’re over here! Bentley’s cruiser! Look around!"

Lily pushes open the door, keeping the phone between her shoulder and ear. She stoops, trying to keep herself small, and waves, hoping the motion would catch the attention of searching Emily and Fred.

"Over here! Can you see me?"

Last edited November 28, 2023 1:29 am

Nov 28, 2023 6:37 am

OOC:

Rolling for Fred's crappy cell service to reach Clutch (+2 since this area has good coverage)... and whether clutch is awake at this hour (+2 because he's a misbehaving teen who probably sleeps with his phone.)

Clutch: Brah! Dude! Yo yo!
Clutch writes back almost immediately in a much more sensible font.

Clutch: Srsly at the school who's there? I'll get the guys!
Then, Fred's phone vibrates again.

Wendy: omw!

Rolls

Coverage, Clutch - (1d6+2, 1d6+2)

1d6+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Nov 28, 2023 4:08 pm

"What are they saying? What's happening? Hey is that Lilly over there?" Emily strains her eyes to see through the crowd of students and thinks she sees Lilly waving.

Nov 28, 2023 4:51 pm

Fred texts back more metal horns to Clutch, saying, Freddie> It's like a scene from a zombie apocalypse, tots legit

To Emily, he says, "Wendy is coming, and Clutch is going to bring all the boys. If there is a fight, they'll rue the day to picked on the Badgers!" He raises a fist in defiance. "Lily is here? Lead the way. Maybe she can explain this shindig."

[ +- ] Badgers

Nov 29, 2023 2:09 am

Finally spotting them spotting her, Lily beckons more frantically, as if it would help them scurry across to meet up that much quicker.

When they finally arrive, she awkwardly gets out of the car, but doesn’t to now what to do about her mom!

"Oh, ah… my mom’s here. Yeah, Bentley picked us all up.

Mom, you know Fred. And this is his girlfriend, Emily. She was at Pathfinder the other night!"

She answers preemptively, knowing her mother would be filing away details only to ask later.

"Where have you guys been?"

Nov 30, 2023 6:00 am

At the School

Happy to see that her daughter's friends have arrived, Mrs. Palmer gets out and heads for her husband. "Lily!" she calls over her shoulder. "I'm going to get your father! We'll Uber back! You go with your friends, okay! Go!"

Fred's phone sounds as another text comes in, and as Lily approaches the car window.

Clutch: Is it the fkkin cougers
Clutch: i bet its the fking cougers! were coming!

Nov 30, 2023 5:46 pm

"Yeah I see her, Freddie. Over there, let's go."

Waving at Lilly, Emily approaches the car, and greets her mom. Lilly's question takes Emily by surprise even though it shouldn't.

"Uh...," is all Emily manages to squeak out. Waiting for Lilly's mom to look away Emily shakes her head, narrowing her eyes as if to say NOT HERE! When her mom takes off she says, "You won't believe what's happened, but first tell us what's going on here."

When Freddie's phone dings twice Emily leans into him. "Who is the text from, Freddie? What's happened?"

Nov 30, 2023 9:44 pm

"Hey, Missus Palmer, you're looking good. Your skin has a glow. Have you been going to Fabu-tan? " His easy charm rolls off his tongue.

When she heads off, he calls, "Bye, Missus Palmer!" He winks at Lily.

To answer Emily, he says, "Clutch is bringing everyone he can. Let's make this public and difficult. Even if it's just a distraction. But what's going on? We hafta find Zach! He's in the fucking asylum isn't he. This isn't the 1800s, you can't just lock up someone because they're," he sputters out, searching for the right word, "um, like a big nerd. All the best people are nerds! Right, Emily?"

Dec 1, 2023 3:02 am

"Ignore him!" Lily calls after her mother, swatting at Fred in that harmless way! Her mother had heard more than her fair share of stories about Fred around the dinner table.

"So… are we using them as a distraction, or are we going in with them?" she quizzes the boy on the plan.

Dec 1, 2023 4:25 am

At the School

Mrs. Palmer has a little color in her cheeks and spring in her step as she jogs to join her husband, who seems determined to find out what's going on... to find out why his family was awakened in the middle of the night by the police. They share a few words -- and then are swarmed by a large group of people who burst out of the shadows and grab them both! They struggle and call out, but it's clear from sheer numbers that the pair has no chance to escape.

And at that same moment, Officer Bentley is seized and wrestled to the ground as well -- violently, as she fights back fiercely. Her battle too is in vain; there are just too many of them.

It's hard to tell exactly who is in these mobs, but there are absolutely a bunch of teachers -- Mr. Polensky, Mr. Levitt, Mr. Edge, Ms. Romanov, Ms. Gonzalez, Coach Murdock, Principal Romeo and more. There are a lot of them!

Sheriff Akins

Stepping forward and pointing at the shocked trio is suddenly Sheriff Akins.

"There they are!" he shouts. "Get them!"

OOC:

Like I said, ham-fisted!

Aaron Connery

Dec 1, 2023 5:26 am

The Asylum?

Aaron Connery

"What if... what if they just leave us locked in here. What if no one ever comes?" Aaron frets. Zach is at the door, trying to work the little sliding metal cover over the observation window, but it only operates from the other side.

"We might die in here," Connery said quietly, the gravity of the situation pressing down on him.

Dec 1, 2023 8:22 am

The Asylum?

"People are coming to save us," Zach promises, giving up on his attempt to peek outside. He turns to Aaron and once again puts his arms around the other boy, holding him tight. "My friends know where we are. I've livestreamed our kidnapping. Soon, the whole town is going to come looking for us." He brushes a hand softly through Aaron's hair and kisses him again. "We just have to stay strong."

Dec 1, 2023 12:47 pm

Freddie's plans to escape notice seem to have angered the universe. "Run!" he says, pushing both girls in the direction of the football field. There's a side entrance to the school that maybe isn't locked. He hopes.

Dec 1, 2023 5:14 pm

Emily frowns at Freedie and his ridiculous flattery.

"I don't know where Zach is. You're the one whose phone is blowing up."

Then hell breaks loose. "What the fu... We better run! The teachers are all possessed. The world's gone mad!" Clutching Freddie she follows the boy and hopes he is going in the right direction.

Dec 2, 2023 6:15 am

OOC:

The three of you have a fair lead on this pack of teachers, so rather than make this opposed, let's just go with regular checks. Athletics to get the stadium and lose the teachers, please!

Dec 2, 2023 9:12 am

Lily lets out a shriek as she watches her parents, and Officer Bentley get taken down with violence.

Then she seems that they mean to do the same for them. How long until the back up arrived?

"Agh!" she shouts, and sets off like some prey animal racing for its life.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (65) = 11

Dec 2, 2023 3:36 pm

OOC:

Running like a bat out of hell...

OOC:

Benny up! And Wow, she really is fast.

Last edited December 2, 2023 3:38 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Emily Richardsen: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (65) = 11

Dec 2, 2023 4:16 pm

OOC:

Runnin'

Surprised at how speedy Lily is, and Emily too, Fred stops trying to slow enough to keep pace, but instead is struggling to maintain their speed.

Last edited December 2, 2023 4:17 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (441) = 9

1d6 : (4) = 4

Dec 3, 2023 3:19 am

OOC:

Look at all those raises!

Let's not waste them. You can each pick one thing from this list, and after it's picked, it's gone:

1. The side-entrance to the school that Fred was thinking of? The one from the stadium? It's unlocked!
2. Officer Bentley somehow escapes and gets away. You might have another ally in this!
3. Clutch and company arrive *soon*, inside ten minutes instead of double that.
4. Clutch, when he arrives, has 2d6 pals instead of 1d6 pals.
5. Lily's parents manage to slip away to safety and busy themselves looking for Lily, staying narratively out of trouble.
6. Wendy avoids capture as she arrives at the school and you have an ally on the outside.
7. Not only do you race through the stadium and get to the door in time, but you evade / lose your pursuers. They don't know where you are.
8. You find an ally inside the school. An NPC of your choice.
9. Have a Benny!

Dec 3, 2023 10:01 am

OOC:

6. I save Wendy. Sistas before mistas. Sorry Dad!

Dec 3, 2023 4:19 pm

OOC:

1. The door is unlocked, what luck!

Dec 3, 2023 4:41 pm

OOC:

Taking 7. Not only do you race through the stadium and get to the door in time, but you evade / lose your pursuers. They don't know where you are.

Dec 3, 2023 8:52 pm

OOC:

Cool. Will try to get a post up tonight.

Dec 3, 2023 10:02 pm

OOC:

"Do or do not. There is no try,"

😂

Dec 4, 2023 5:26 am

At the School

It's a wild chase as Fred, Lily, and Emily take off towards the stadium. The teens run like they never have before, and the teachers have trouble keeping up with the kids as they race beneath the bleachers, as they tear through the locker rooms, and as they finally bolt across the field, darting behind the fieldhouse and finding their way into the school.

Hearts are pounding and chests are heaving as they quietly close the door behind them, finding themselves in a stairwell, one lit only by Emergency Exit signs. From here, the stairs go up and down, and there's a door that exits into the hallways of the main level.

Aaron Connery

Dec 4, 2023 5:35 am

The Asylum?

Aaron Connery

"Okay," Aaron says, nodding after returning Zach's kiss. There's a moment when it feels like it might become something more, but then there's a sound from outside the door -- the working of a heavy latch!

OOC:

Pausing here to let Zach set up for how he wants to handle reacting to the door opening...

Dec 4, 2023 6:11 am

The Asylum?

Zach breaks the kiss when he hears the sounds, then he pushes Aaron to stand right next to the door against the wall. "I will attack whoever is coming in," he whispers. "As soon as I do, you run and hide somewhere." He throws Aaron a nervous smile, then steps back from the door, readying himself to sprint at and tackle whoever is opening the door as soon as it becomes possible.

Dec 4, 2023 9:51 am

"Shit. Fuck. Shitfuck." Lily wheezes, the words coming breathy through gulping breaths.

"Did we lose them?" she asks, reaching for her phone. She puts a hand to her chest as it thumps, rising and falling.

"Phew!" then she starts to type.

Lily: Don’t come!
It’s all she sends to Wendy as she tries to pull herself together. Looking at the stairs, she turns to the others:

"No point going up.’

Dec 4, 2023 3:36 pm

Freddie drops behind the door, pain lancing through his side. "The asylum. Down. Through the. Boiler room. No bats."

Dec 4, 2023 4:53 pm

OOC:

Presuming Emily is okay with this plan…

The three kids slip down the stairs to the basement level quietly, and once there, creep as quietly as they can through the door that leads into the school proper. Around the corner is the hallway they know leads to the door and old underground passageway that connects the school with the steam plant, the hospital, and the boarded-up asylum.

A quick, furtive look around that corner reveals that someone is standing guard outside the door, about thirty meters down the hall. It’s their gym teacher, the sublime Ms. Brittany Maidstone. The woman wears expensive yoga pants with a print of some kind and a tank top as she stands there, using her phone with one hand.

Lily’s phone software vibrates before the trio can quietly discuss their course of action. It’s Wendy, who offers a 👍 emoji up on Lily’s last text.

Dec 4, 2023 5:11 pm

"I fucking hate bats. There better not be any," Emily says as they creep through the basement. Stopping short when she sees a teacher she whispers, "Who is that and why are they guarding the door to the asylum? Jesus, it's the gym teacher. Do we take her out or what?"

When Lilly's phone buzzes, Emily gives her the hands up who the hell is that, look.

Dec 4, 2023 6:02 pm

Freddie is conflicted. She's really hot, and has also helped him immensely with his recovery.

"She's in on it. We gotta talk to her, but be prepared to point your gun if she's a sluggo. I'll try and snatch her phone so she can't warn anyone."

Dec 4, 2023 6:44 pm

The somewhat terrified and confused girl yanks out her pistol, glad that she had been diligently shooting at a target in the backyard once a week at her parent's insistence.

The cool handle feels oddly reassuring even though she has never pointed it at a human being before.

"Ok. I'm ready. Stay behind us Lilly."

Dec 4, 2023 11:22 pm

"Jesus… Alright." Lily says, eyeing the pistol. She feels naked down here without the bat she had, and had to use, last time around. Her eyes wander to corridor for anything that might constitute a weapon.

Mr. Myers

Dec 5, 2023 4:13 am

The Asylum?

The door shudders, then starts to open -- slowly, like whoever is on the other side is wary. As it opens into the room, a cast of scarlet light makes its way into the dark cell, and then the beam of a powerful flashlight appears, illuminating Zach and landing on his face.

Mr. Myers

"Hello there," the voice behind the light says -- one Zach recognizes. Mr. Myers, the balding, overweight economics teacher. The one who likes ogling teen girls.

"Where's your buddy Mr. Tidwell? Mr. Connery? Come on out where we can see you, please..."

OOC:

Picturing Aaron behind the door and Zach pressed against the wall beside the door on the other side, is that right?

Dec 5, 2023 4:17 am

The Basement of the School

Between the kids and the redonkulously hot and possibly slugified gym teacher are several classrooms -- shop, woodworking, automotive... all the old-school industrial arts are taught down here. If Lily were to be on the hunt for a weapon, there are few better places in the school to be... if the classroom doors are open.

OOC:

And of course getting to those doors (unlocked on a 4-6 on a d6 throw) risks being seen by Maidstone.

Dec 5, 2023 4:52 am

OOC:

Well, sounds like Fred’s walking right on up to her! So, Lily will try, as she falls in behind the others as they move on her!

Rolls

1d6 [ RA ]

(3) = 3

Dec 5, 2023 5:21 am

The Asylum?

"And why would we do what you tell us to?" Zach asks, forcing himself not to throw a glance at Aaron and give away his location. In fact, he tries to throw a quick glance at the wall on the opposite side of the door from where Aaron is, to give Myers the wrong impression of where he should expect Aaron. "I know what you're planning to do to us. There's nothing we can gain by cooperating with you."

Dec 6, 2023 12:20 am

Freddie moves up to her, trying to get close. He rubs his neck as if it is sore, and says, "Miss Maidstone? Are you teaching IA? If you are, I'll drop Bio and switch in." He gives her a big grin.

His secret plan is to get conversationally close, distract her, and then snatch her phone.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Thievery - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Fred Solomon: Thievery, benny 1 - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Fred Solomon: Thievery, 2nd and last benny - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Brittany Maidstone

Dec 6, 2023 4:09 am

The Basement of the School

Brittany Maidstone

Despite his best efforts to get close to Maidstone before she notices him, or at least before she reacts to him, the teacher pushes herself off the wall and holds up a gentle hand for the teens to keep their distance as Fred makes his play.

"Hey! Hold on, hold on," the hyper-fit woman says, lifting her phone, gesturing with it, showing them an active chat from about twenty feet away. She's not biting on Fred's ruse. "Everyone is looking for you guys, do you know that?"

Behind her two friends, Lily tries one classroom knob, then another. Both are locked!

"I think there's been a big misunderstanding," Maidstone goes on. "You guys saw some things you didn't understand, right? Am I right, Freddie?"

Mr. Myers

Dec 6, 2023 4:25 am

The Asylum

Mr. Myers

"Okay, okay," Mr. Myers says from outside the room, bobbing his head. "Ah, hard way then."

"I'm here," Aaron suddenly says, moving off the wall to join his friend in the middle of the room. "But I won't cooperate either! I don't know what you think you're doing, holding us against our will, kidnapping us -- but you're in some serious shit Mr. Myers!"

"Mmm," Myers says with a strange smile, and then he burps, and in the middle of that long burp, forms several strange, alien-sounding words. "Brbbblllfffrpp! Blrrp brrp frrmmbb!"

At that, the source of the red glow shimmers and shimmies into the doorway -- the strange, glowing, hovering thing Zach saw earlier, and it's moving into the room!

Dec 6, 2023 5:33 am

As soon as the first tendrils of the strange red creature curl around the doorframe, Zach whispers to Aaron, "Run. Don't let that thing touch you. Hide!" Then he sprints at Myers, ramming his shoulder into the man's chest and hoping to drive the air out of his lungs to give Aaron a chance to get past, assuming the red thing doesn't catch him.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (41) = 5

1D6 : (3) = 3

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting Benny - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (62) = 8

Damage - (1D4, RA)

(43) = 7

Dec 6, 2023 6:10 am

Seizing the moment, Zach explodes out of the room, slamming into Myers, driving the man back into the wall behind him. "Za -- oof!" the man shouts as the wind is knocked out of him, but the teen quickly realizes just how much trouble he's in. With Mr. Myers is not only whatever the hell that red thing is, but also Mrs. Carlisle, the language teacher who is a little too old her her skirts and that Fred maintains used to make pornos. She comes for the boy while the pulsing red horror moves into the cell, going after Aaron.

OOC:

Initiative Order is Red Thing, Carlisle, Myers, Zach, Aaron. Tough draw.

Rolls

Red Thing Fighting - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (5) = 5

Aaron Fighting - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Deck Draws

Aaron, Carlisle, Myers, Red Thing, Zach

Mrs. Carlisle

Dec 6, 2023 6:54 am

Mrs. Carlisle

"Aw c'mere Zachy boy!" Mrs. Carlisle says in her heavy upper Midwestern accent, trying to grab onto the boy and wrestle him to the ground. She struggles, grabbing onto Myers accidentally in the gloomy hallway...

Aaron gasps and squawks from inside the cell.

OOC:

Resist this with an Athletics roll, Zach! Er, okay, just don't roll double 1s!

Rolls

Carlisle Athletics for Grappling... - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

Dec 6, 2023 6:57 am

Zach tries to fight back against the teacher, not allowing her to grapple him.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (41) = 5

1D6 : (4) = 4

Dec 6, 2023 7:00 am

OOC:

Zach is up!

Dec 6, 2023 7:04 am

OOC:

Forgot Myers' tryin to unshake. -2 from being Distracted by Carlisle grabbing him.

Rolls

Spirit to Unshake - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Dec 6, 2023 12:54 pm

"They've got the gym teacher guarding the back entrance." Lily sneers mockingly, as she fiddles with the door handles. "They could have used her five minutes ago when they were chasing us.

Not the smartest, these slug things. Let’s just get this over with before she tells them where we are!"

Dec 6, 2023 4:25 pm

The Basement of the School

"Fuckin' A we saw stuff, as you call it, Emily says hotly, stepping up to the teacher's face. "Want to enlighten us about this stuff we don't understand?"

The girl has the pistol behind her back, the grip held tightly in a sweaty palm as she waits for Maidstone to answer.

Dec 6, 2023 4:35 pm

Zach throws a glance over his shoulder at Aaron, but then turns to Myers again. He still looks shaken from Zach's attack, so he balls his hand into a fist and punches the teacher's hand as hard as he can, hoping to make him drop the flashlight so Zach can hopefully pick it up.

OOC:

Disarming seems really difficult, especially for someone with terrible combat stats like Zach, but I'll try. I'm attacking the hand, so at -4.

Yea, no way. Oh well, it wasn't really worth a try, but without a weapon, I'm not sure what to do 😅

Last edited December 6, 2023 4:36 pm

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4-4, 1D6-4, RA)

1D4-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

1D6-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting Benny - (1D4-4, 1D6-4, RA)

1D4-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

1D6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

Dec 6, 2023 5:07 pm

The Basement of the School

His face gets red with rage and anger. He explodes on her, regardless of her hotness.

"There is no way that there is a rational explanation, Brittany! This isn't a misunderstanding, so you're fucking lying to me. You're either on our side, or you're on the side of murderers and child molesters. Putting space slugs into people? Holding them in the old asylum and leaving them there to die? You can explain it all right now to us, if you even can, or we're rescuing our friends. There's no way we're letting this happen!"

Aaron Connery

Dec 7, 2023 6:42 am

The Asylum

Myers, Carlisle and Zach are a tangle in the dark hallway outside the cell as they fight over the flashlight, and generally struggle and scuffle. Across from them, in the door, Aaron appears.

Aaron Connery

"Z-zach!" the boy calls, sounding terrified. "It's -- it's making me -- I, I'm not doing this!"

A glance from Tidwell reveals that his would-be boyfriend is standing somewhat limply in the doorframe, shoulders slumped, and that whatever that red, glowing, net-like thing is -- it's wrapped around him, adhering to his skin. The boy takes a step into the hall, wailing, "I'm not doing this! I can't control my body!"

OOC:

Pulling init cards for round 2 in a moment.

Mrs. Carlisle

Dec 7, 2023 6:43 am

The Asylum

OOC:

Round 2! Order is Carlisle, Zach, Aaron, Myers.

Mrs. Carlisle

Trying to capture Zach's wrists in her strangely strong hands, Mrs. Carlisle keeps up the banter. "C'mon there, Zachary. There's no sense in fighting! It'll only make things worse! Settle down there!"

OOC:

Opposed Athletics tests again for her trying to grapple.

Rolls

Carlisle Athletics for Grappling -- No Whammies - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Carlisle spending a Benny for a re-reroll and maybe the dice gods are deaf, but NO FUCKING WHAMMIES - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (3) = 3

Deck Draws

Aaron / Red Thing, Carlisle, Myers, Zach

Dec 7, 2023 6:53 am

Zach tries to not get grabbed by the former pornstar.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (3) = 3

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics Benny - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (4) = 4

Brittany Maidstone

Dec 7, 2023 6:56 am

The Basement of the School

Brittany Maidstone

Confronted by first Emily and then Zach, both see the muscles in Maidstone's legs, shoulders and arms tense as she prepares to act. (Lordy, Fred, those muscles!)

OOC:

Drawing init cards!

Round 1 Initiative Order is Fred, Lily, Emily, Maidstone

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Maidstone

Dec 7, 2023 7:02 am

The Asylum

OOC:

Zach is Entangled. He can't move and is Distracted.

The good news -- it's his turn, and he can try to break free.

Rolls

Carlisle's Strength Check to Resist Zach Breaking Free if Needed - (1d10-2, 1d6, RA)

1d10-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Dec 7, 2023 7:07 am

OOC:

I'm not sure if that's all that good news, given I don't even have someone to distract one enemy an ally anymore, but we have to work with what we got.
Looking on the bright side, once I'm slugged, I'll at least have a D10 Strength to fight the others.

Zach tries to break free from Carlisle's grip, pushing against her to break her grip. "How could it possibly make things worse?" he presses out between his teeth. "I know what you want to do to us!"

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Athletics - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (41) = 5

1D6 : (4) = 4

Dec 7, 2023 7:24 am

The Asylum

Try as she might, Mrs. Carlisle cannot keep hold of Zach -- he's strong when he's desperate!

As they fight, Aaron, still crying out, starts walking down the hall, away from the trio as Myers tries to recover from the heavily hit Zach dealt him.

Rolls

Myers tries to recover from being Shaken - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (87) = 15

1d6 : (5) = 5

Dec 7, 2023 7:50 am

OOC:

Okay, we'll break here and resume in a bit, after we see what happens with Maidstone.

Dec 7, 2023 2:30 pm

Freddie goes all in on the teacher. She's working for the slugs, he's sure of it, and rushes in punching her hard in those rock hard abs.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Fred Solomon: Fighting - benny - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (4) = 4

Fred Solomon: Fighting - last benny - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Dec 7, 2023 6:38 pm

"Don't even think about it, Brittany!"

Emily spits out the woman's first name, glares at Freddie for using it, and attempts to bonk the woman with her pistol in typical pistol-whipping fashion.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (43) = 7

1d6 : (3) = 3

Damage from that whoopin' - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (42) = 6

1d6 : (61) = 7

Dec 7, 2023 10:43 pm

OOC:

We’ll narrate all this in a moment, but Fred missed and Emily hit. Technically, Lily goes before Emily, so let’s check in with KCC before I get Emily to roll damage…

BTW, this is a bit of a crazy stack of rules for those who care.

Emily’s attack is at -2 for using an improvised weapon… but it’s also at +2 because Emily is armed and Maidstone is not. So it cancels out, and damage will be STR + d4.

Dec 7, 2023 11:06 pm

"We need weapons!" Lily cries, not looking to get between Emily and Maidstone with a gun in the mix. Alternatives might ease that problem, so she tries to bust down the door.

She puts her shoulder to the door, classic movie fashion, and starts pushing herself against it. Constant pressure doesn’t do it, so she starts to barge the door, feeling it made of flimsy material rather than solid wood.

She starts to take a two step run at it, before finally busting through.

Last edited December 7, 2023 11:08 pm

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Strength - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (64) = 10

Dec 8, 2023 8:01 am

The Basement of the School

Brittany Maidstone

Fred's assault is an ineffective one; Maidstone blocks and fends off every blow but one -- which just draws a mild grunt from her as he punches her in her incredible abs. Trying to grab at the boy's wrists, trying to settle him down, the teacher smiles and says, "Freddie, please. If you just--"

Maidstone doesn't finish the thought as Emily clocks her with the butt of her gun, right in the side of the head. Falling back against the wall, the gym teacher slides unconscious to the ground as Lily slams open a classroom door. Inside is the woodwording shop, and a plethora of tools-come-weapons to choose from...

OOC:

Those aces on the rolls result in 13 damage, which is a raise -- meaning Maidstone is both Shaken and Wounded. For our purposes, she's taken out of the scene!

Dec 8, 2023 8:03 am

The Asylum

Fighting as hard as he can, unwilling to give up and desperately unset about what's happening to Aaron, Zach is eventually overpowered in the hall by the two stronger teachers. Holding him, they start marching him in the same direction, back towards the tunnels.

Dec 8, 2023 8:15 am

Zach still puts up some token resistance, but by now, he's pretty much given up hope to escape. Maybe his friends will come through. Maybe someone saw his livestream. Maybe another opportunity will present itself... But he doesn't really believe any of that.

"Aaron," he calls out, reaching out a hand in his direction that the puppeteered boy of course does not take. He wants to say something reassuring but can't even get himself to say that everything will be alright anymore.

Dec 8, 2023 10:15 am

"Is she out?" Lily asks, sticking her head out of the door for a second. "Get in here and grab something? We don’t want them to grab that gun!"

Better to keep that thing for a big moment!

She grabs up something suitably heavy, before heading back out to the hall. She crosses to the woman, and bends down to her unconscious form. She tries to pry open her mouth, to see if she can see anything squirming around in there!

Dec 8, 2023 3:49 pm

Freddie grabs her phone, saying, "Yoink," and follows Lily. "This is bad. Good shot Emily, brilliant!"

Last edited December 8, 2023 4:11 pm

Dec 8, 2023 4:04 pm

"Christ!" Emily watches Maidstone slide down the wall to the floor, then stares at the pistol in her hand. The girl had tussles before but had never been responsible for knocking someone out. It was too surreal. Lilly's voice brings her back from her state of bewilderment.

"Yeah, yeah we need weapons for you guys. Who the hell knows what we are going to be up against next." When Emily sees Lilly try to pry open Maidstone's mouth she grimaces.

"Please tell me you don't see anything, Lilly." Grabbing Freddie's arm with her free hand she follows him to the asylum saying, "I don't think I can handle any more of those ... those things..."

Last edited December 8, 2023 4:12 pm

Dec 9, 2023 12:01 am

As Lily carries out the oral inspection, she asks Emily:

"You planning on pistol whipping everyone? What if they grab that from you?"

She shines the light from her phone into the woman’s mouth.

Dec 9, 2023 1:53 am

"I don't plan on letting anyone grab it from me. That would be a dumb thing to try if I was pointing it right at them. Anyway, Lilly, I plan to do whatever I have to do to keep us all alive. I have a feeling that in the process of doing that, we will find out what the fuck is going on here."

At least that's what she hoped.

Dec 9, 2023 4:59 am

The Tunnels

If there was ever any doubt, Zach quickly recognizes that they were indeed being held in the old asylum. He fights and struggles as much as he can, varying from pure resistance to just going limp and being dead weight... but the unnatural strength of both Mrs. Carlisle and Mr. Myers is sufficient to bear the boy along towards his fate, into the tunnels, past where Zach had felled and killed Gromn, towards the intersection leading to the school, the hospital, and the steam plant. Ahead, Aaron and his awful controlling apparatus, whatever it is, outpace them. By the time they near the meeting of the four tunnels, he is heading for the steam plant.

Dec 9, 2023 5:15 am

The Basement of the School

After securing her weapon of choice, Lily looks in the unconscious teacher's mouth as Fred pockets the woman's phone and Emily variably frets and fumes. Nothing unusual is visible in Maidstone's mouth, but lolling her head around and forcing her mouth open does illicit a groan from the woman, and also a loud sound like a stomach gurgle or burbling fart from her well-defined midsection.

Dec 9, 2023 6:18 am

The Tunnels

Zach finds himself surprised by the turn towards the Steam Plant but then realizes that it does make sense. That's probably the hottest place they can reach with these tunnels and therefore ideal for these slugs. "Why are we going there?" he asks with rather little hope of an answer. "Is that where you keep your alien queen?" God, I hope not.
He glances towards the school, briefly wondering whether he should try and break free again to make a run for it, but then decides against it. He's not leaving Aaron behind. "You know you guys are screwed, right? Even if you win and take over this town. Winter is coming and I know you don't like the cold." It's a pointless taunt but what else is he supposed to do?

Dec 9, 2023 9:40 am

"We should totally tie her up, right?" Lily says, keeping an eye for a slug that might come take a look at what’s happening up here.

Dec 9, 2023 4:31 pm

"Let's just go! Backup is coming, we know it. The mob won't give up. We're just not that lucky."

Dec 9, 2023 6:00 pm

"Yeah, forget her. Let's get out of here. Lead the way Freddie." Emily keeps the pistol out, down by her side.

Dec 9, 2023 6:33 pm

The Basement of the School

Freddie hugs Emily around the shoulder, and then touches Lily's arm. "Let's grab some shop tools. If we find any duct tape, we can secure her quickly."

If Lily and Emily go along with that plan, he'll grab a big, sharp chisel and a claw hammer from the toolboard in the wood working shop.

Dec 9, 2023 7:41 pm

"I'll stick with my gun. You guys grab something useful while I wait here and keep watch."

Dec 10, 2023 7:50 am

The Tunnels

It's a quick task to truss Maidstone up with duct tape and other materials taken from the shop (Fred will long remember how she looks right now) -- and just in time, as she comes to and struggles against her bonds, yelling ineffectively into her gag as the three kids head through the still-broken door she was guarding.

Now well-armed, the teens run down the tunnel towards the intersection, intending to turn right when they get there and head for the asylum. But as they approach -- they see figures far ahead, down the passage that leads to the steam plant. Two people dragging or carrying someone?

Then, the sounds of a scuffle.

The underground passage leading to the plant isn't long, and there's a heavy door at the end. One that Aaron must have passed through, and now that Mrs. Carlisle now approaches to open so that Myers can force the boy through. When the door opens, it's like a portal to hell has been revealed. The heat and stink that pours out of the place, the rank humidity, the pallid red light, the weird, sticky, gooey, nasty sounds.

Dragged forward into the threshold, Zach glimpses things he'll never be able to unsee in that dimly-lit room. It's filled with old boilers and piping and catwalks and God knows what, but there also a space on the floor that everything has been pushed back from. There are several empty plastic crates that are stacked up, and four more that positioned near the center of the room that are not empty. Extra-terrestrial slug-creatures writhe and squirm in those cases, behind their little clear plastic doors.

Aaron stands mutely nearby, and two people are tied, back to back, seated on the wet concrete floor. Both look dazed, like they are half-conscious and not at all prepared for the two small, disgusting lifeforms that are slowing making their way across the floor, leaving long slime-trails behind them. They are about to become hosts, Zach knows, and surely he and Aaron are next.

Inside are also two people who seem to be making sure everything is going as planned. Fred's mother, Belinda, and Mr. Unger! Near them, arrayed on a table are a whole number of strange looking tools and devices -- alien-looking implements.

"Come on Zach, dear," Mrs. Carlisle says, holding the door open as Myers tries to muscle the boy into the room.

OOC:

STR test to resist this, Zach, and you other three -- you can hear this scuffle!

Rolls

Myer's forcing Zach... - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (3) = 3

Dec 10, 2023 7:55 am

Zach lifts a foot and tries to stem it against the doorframe to keep himself from being pushed into that horrible room.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (1) = 1

Dec 10, 2023 8:01 am

OOC:

Nice rolls, Zach!

Also, with the final scene(s) coming up, +1 Benny everyone! Here we go!

Dec 10, 2023 11:30 am

Lily looks to the other two, and holds up her mallet, and invitation to the others for them to rush in and bust some skulls.

"We going?" she mouths to the others, trying to keep the element of surprise!

Dec 10, 2023 3:31 pm

Freddie nods at her. "We have to try. Back me up." He knows Lily is a friggin ninja with a bat, but he's hoping he can distract the aggressor long enough for the real muscle to take them down.

Whoever they are.

Dec 10, 2023 3:40 pm

"What the fuck?" Emily sees the figures ahead, the scuffling ... "They have someone! Shit. Yeah, let's go."

Emily raises the gun and creeps ahead hoping to get as close as she can before being spotted.

Dec 11, 2023 5:52 am

OOC:

If this is a stealthy approach, going forward to where you're about to see the figures disappear through a door, let's have the worse of you make a Stealth check. Let's say... Emily.

Fred and Lily can Support. Both of you make Stealth checks too. Each success will be worth +1 to Emily's roll.

Dec 11, 2023 10:10 am

OOC:

Creeping forward, ready to strike…

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Benny! - (1d6, 1d4, RA)

1d6 : (3) = 3

1d4 : (2) = 2

Dec 11, 2023 3:10 pm

Freddie follows Emily, trying to be quiet.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (2) = 2

Dec 11, 2023 3:12 pm

OOC:

Tippy toes but hopefully not tipping...

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Stealth* - (1d6+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Dec 12, 2023 1:28 am

Zach tries to brace his foot against the door to try and keep from being pushed into the terrifying steam plant, but Myers, with that unnatural strength, manhandles the boy through. The teen’s foot catches in the doorframe, and gets wrenched as he’s dragged into the room. It hurts, and will not be fun to run on.

His foot, though, appears to be the least of his worries. This room… this dark, dripping, humid, awful room…

It must be where everyone has been… slugged. Infected with an extra-terrestrial parasite. Subjected to some kind of alien intruder! The smells in here, the sights, the puddles of who knew what, the empty cases suggesting a few dozen humans have been already been… taken over.

Aaron Connery

"Zach!" Aaron cries, still under the frightful motor control of the red thing. "What are those things?! What are they going to do to us!?"

Belinda Solomon

"Quiet!" Belinda shouts at the boy, cowing him. "This ceremony is sacred, the process is delicate! Maintain decorum!"

Mr. Unger

Myers muscles Zach closer to Aaron, walking him past Unger and the tray of weird-looking implements. The bearded man puts something down on the tray, a hand-held, silver, pistol-looking thing. He wears a slightly puzzled and thoroughly annoyed look on his face.

"Doesn’t work, like I said before," the man says to Mr. Myers, who rolls his eyes as he moves Zach forward.

Outside the now closed door, Zach’s three friends successfully creep up quietly to the entrance of the steam plant…

OOC:

Zach, that fumble results in an Injured Foot condition. -1 to Pace, -1 to rolls where running is important.

Emily… that looks like a +1 bonus rather than +2… but you’re still successful. You can extend the success to opening the door and peeking in if you like…

Dec 12, 2023 2:12 am

OOC:

You're right. I wishfully read KCC's benny roll as a success.

Waving Lilly and Freddie to get behind her, Emily steels herself as she prepares to peek at whatever is going on on the other side of that door. Gritting her teeth, the girl slowly pushes it open... just enough to see inside. Her palm starts to feel moist on the grip of the pistol and she fears it might slip.

Dec 12, 2023 7:33 am

Zach howls in pain when Myers just pushes him into the room, twisting his foot in a way it's not supposed to go. He can't stop the alien-possessed man from pushing him into the room and he can feel his heart racing with fear at what he sees in here and what he knows will soon happen to Aaron and him. "You want us to be quiet and respect your ceremonies?" Zach asks, looking around between their captors, trying to figure out who the leader is among them. His eyes settle on Fred's mom, though mostly because he wants her to stop shouting at Aaron. He's not sure of any hierarchical structures here. "Give us a moment then. Tell that thing to let go of Aaron and let us talk for a minute. I'll explain everything to him and then... Then you can get it over with."

Dec 12, 2023 12:36 pm

Zach’s shouting and defiance gives Lily a moment to whisper:

"Lets just go! No point in waiting! They’re distracted!" she says quickly, hefting the mallet and ready for action!

Dec 12, 2023 3:18 pm

Emily holds her gun so tightly now her fingers feel as though they'll have to be pried off. She could fire from the door opening, reload, and fire again. But this wasn't just any target practice. These were ... what were they exactly? She turns wide-eyed to Freddie. Her question is obvious.

Should she?

OOC:

What's the range from the door to the freakizoids? Her shooting stats aren't great and with the penalty for another shot...

Dec 12, 2023 4:27 pm

"Fuck em, shoot to wound."

Freddie charges along the side wall, claw hammer ready to nail Mr. Unger. He won't hold back this time.

OOC:

He's trying to stay out of Emily's sight line.

Dec 12, 2023 4:47 pm

"Jesus, Freddie, I'm no sharpshooter and it's only a pistol, not known for accuracy at this distance. I suppose I could aim for the knees," she whispers."

She takes a deep breath, holds it, and points at Unger's knees when the man is putting things on a tray.

OOC:

Emily will roll. Please apply appropriate distance penalties etc.

Last edited December 12, 2023 4:47 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (42) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Shooting Damage - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Dec 13, 2023 7:06 am

There is quiet, urgent conversation at the door as Zach, across the expansive room, makes his plea and it falls on deaf ears. Anyone looking at the cracked-open door would see the end of a small automatic pistol, and Emily aims for a solid two or three seconds before she fires at Unger and all hell breaks loose.

OOC:

Okay. Lot of rules in play here!

Called Shot: -2 (Emily is aiming for Unger’s leg)
Range: 20m — up to 24m is short range, so all good.
Aiming: Cancels up to 4pts of range and called shot penalties. So no -2 from the latter, above.
The Drop: Unger has no idea this is coming. +4 for Emily to hit, and damage. Unger might be taken out by this shot — has to pass a Vigor test.
Surprise: All foes (everyone in the room, really, we’ll do this for Zach and Aaron too) must pass a Notice check or not act on the first round of initiative.

Based on all this, Emily’s attack is a 10, which is a Raise vs. a short range target number of 4. That means she rolls an additional +1d6 damage… and I’ll note that the 9mm Kahr P9 (which now has 6 rounds left, please track that, Emily) does base 2d6 rather than the 1d6 Windy rolled. To keep this moving along, I’ll roll the 1d6+1d6+4 extra damage.

Rolls

Extra Damage from the 9mm - (2d6+4, RA)

(51) + 4 = 10

Mr. Unger

Dec 13, 2023 7:13 am

Mr. Unger

Emily’s gun thunders once and the girl’s aim is true — everyone in the steam plant jumps in surprise, and suddenly Unger is howling, limping away from the table, grabbing at his bloody leg!

OOC:

That’s 15 damage to Unger, which means he’s shaken and picks up two wounds. Edit: Soak is successful, so just one wound is suffered.

Rolls

Benny spent to try and Soak the wounds - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (3) = 3

Vigor Roll to Avoid Being Knocked Out (from The Drop) - (1d10-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d10-1 : (7) - 1 = 6

1d6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

Dec 13, 2023 7:17 am

OOC:

Notice checks for Initiative — everyone passed except Aaron.

Rolls

Belinda Notice - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

Unger Notice - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (1) = 1

Myers Notice - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (5) = 5

1d6 : (63) = 9

Carlisle Notice - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (3) = 3

Aaron Notice - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Dec 13, 2023 7:20 am

OOC:

Ice or Notice, that is the question

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (2) = 2

Dec 13, 2023 7:22 am

OOC:

Pass! Init… Round 1. Order is Belinda, Unger, Zach, Lily, Myers, Fred, Carlisle, Emily. (Somehow Unger’s name was eaten off the card order. He was last in line to pull.)

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Belinda, Carlisle, Myers,

Belinda Solomon

Dec 13, 2023 7:31 am

Belinda Solomon

Getting low, unable to avoid flinching at the sound of the gunfire, Belinda recovers her senses and moves forward when she sees the three teens busting into the room. Using her body to block and protect the cases full of helpless slugs, the pretty blonde holds up both hands. "No! Stop! Fred, no, stop your friend!"

There’s a crashing sound as Unger, wounded, scrambles for cover, putting some crates between himself and the shooter.

OOC:

Zach is up, then Lily.

Dec 13, 2023 7:33 am

Zach, though surprised by this sudden change in the scene, immediately turns to Aaron, trying to pull the red thing off the other boy.

OOC:

It's probably either Fighting or Athletics, which are both a D4 for Zach

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (1) = 1

Dec 13, 2023 7:41 am

Just touching the strange thing that’s attached itself to Aaron flares the nerves in Zach’s hands, wracking him with pain.

OOC:

Zach is Stunned. At the beginning of his next turn, he’ll roll Vigor to try and snap out of it. While stunned, you can’t move, can’t take actions, and are subject to The Drop. This is due to Zach’ crit fail, btw.

Rolls

Red Thing Stun Attack - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (3) = 3

Stun Damage - (1d8, RA)

(4) = 4

Dec 13, 2023 11:17 am

"Dibs!" Lily says, trying to think of something cool to say, as she aims the mallet squarely at Solo-mom!

Last edited December 13, 2023 11:18 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Benny to avoid that shit! - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Dog shit thing!! - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (43) - 2 = 5

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Dec 15, 2023 4:31 am

Belinda Solomon

On Lily comes, lifting that mallet high — but Belinda catches the descending weapon by the shaft with one hand, then tears it from the teen, flinging it across the room.

"I warned you!" the woman says, and then Myers is moving on Lily, trying to clobber her with a back-handed blow!

Mr. Myers

"This one never even made eyes at me! Not even once!" The man says as he attacks — and barely clips the girl with his fist.

OOC:

That fumble (which you cannot Benny, so keep those) results in Lily losing her weapon.

Fred, then Carlisle, then Emily.

Rolls

Myers Attacks Lily with Fighting (Parry 2, Toughness 4) - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (4) = 4

Damage - (1d10, RA)

(1) = 1

Dec 15, 2023 4:35 am

Freddie tries to finish Unger, lunging with the hammer through the doorway. He hisses, hoping he doesn't kill the man, but not holding back.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (1) = 1

Dec 15, 2023 6:12 am

It’s dark at the edges of the room, and Fred ends up stumbling over something as he goes after Unger. Tripping, the boy crashes headlong into the table with the strange implements on it, and they scatter and rattle onto the stained, wet concrete floor as the teenager falls as well, landing more or less in a heap at Kelly’s father’s feet.

Mrs. Carlisle

Some distance away, Mrs. Carlisle rushes Emily, trying to prevent the girl from firing her pistol again. "No need for that now, dear!" she says as she comes forward, trying to grab the girl’s arm and disarm her.

OOC:

Right — that’s a hit and Emily will be Shaken and will need to make a Strength check at -2 to hold onto the gun. Emily is also up next to finish the round, so she can make her Spirit roll to shake off the Shaken effect, or she can spent a Benny to immediately shake off the effect.

Rolls

Disarm with Fighting at -2 for targeting Emily’s Arm (Parry 4) - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (61) - 2 = 5

Dec 15, 2023 2:18 pm

OOC:

She will benny up of course! Sheet adjusted.

OOC:

And again...

OOC:

Once more ....

The gun slips out of her hands and falls onto the floor as the girls tries to bend down and grab it while fending off the teach.

Last edited December 15, 2023 6:39 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Strength - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Emily Richardsen: Strength - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Emily Richardsen: Strength - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Dec 15, 2023 3:04 pm

OOC:

Yup, the gun hits the floor — but Emily is now up.

Dec 16, 2023 3:40 am

OOC:

Preparing to pull init cards if that's Emily's action (grabbing the gun from the floor), but I'll also ask everyone to make a Notice check when next they post. Zach's is at -2 if he fails his Vigor check and remains stunned.

Dec 16, 2023 6:08 pm

OOC:

Pulling initiative cards!

Oof. Rough initiative round for our heroes!

Round 2 - Unger, Belinda, Lily, Myers, Fred, Carlisle, Emily, Zach, Aaron

Deck Draws

Em, Fred, Lil, Z, Bel, Carl, Myers, Unger, Aaron

Dec 16, 2023 6:32 pm

Mr. Unger

As Emily and Mrs. Carlisle scramble for the gun near the entrance to the steam plant, Mr. Unger remains behind cover -- heavy iron pipes and ducting -- near the rear of the big, steamy, shadow-filled room. "I'm hurt!" he shouts. "I need a new body! They ruined this body!"

Belinda Solomon

"Will you shut up and help us subdue them!" Belinda shouts as she lunges at Lily, trying to grab the girl around the neck with her abnormally strong hands. "You can have one of them! Take Fred. Then he and his mother can have what they've always wanted..."

OOC:

Unger is taking / remaining under cover, Belinda is grappling Lily. Apposed Athletics. Lil.

Rolls

Belinda Athletics to Grapple - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (5) = 5

Dec 16, 2023 6:33 pm

OOC:

GM request for two rolls from everyone. First, make a Spirit Smarts test, then a Notice test, please. You can do this out of order from your upcoming turn -- so please make these rolls now.

And Lily, after you defend the grapple, it's your turn... then Myers, then Fred.

Dec 16, 2023 6:39 pm

OOC:

Spiriting Smarting and Noticing

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Smarts - (1D10, 1D6, RA)

1D10 : (4) = 4

1D6 : (1) = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Notice - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (63) - 2 = 7

1D6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Dec 17, 2023 1:16 am

OOC:

Rolls!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Athletics* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (3) = 3

Benny! - (1d6, 1d4, RA)

1d6 : (61) = 7

1d4 : (2) = 2

Lily Palmer: Smarts - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (81) = 9

1d6 : (4) = 4

Lily Palmer: Notice + Alertness - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (82) + 2 = 12

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Dec 17, 2023 2:48 am

OOC:

[ +- ] Alertness Edge

Also I'd like a reroll on Emily's 3 to hopefully move up in initiative.

[ +- ] Quick

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Smarts - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (83) = 11

1d6 : (2) = 2

Emily Richardsen: Notice * - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (6) + 2 = 8

1d6+2 : (665) + 2 = 19

Dec 17, 2023 6:57 am

OOC:

Requested rolls

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Smarts - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (2) = 2

Fred Solomon: Notice * - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (4) = 4

Dec 18, 2023 7:30 am

Lily swats Belinda's grasping hand away, then darts back out of the frustrated woman's long-fingernailed reach. The student reporter is hearing something then, in her... in her head. Not through her ears. It's a voice, and it's hard to say if it's speaking English, but all four teens can sense and somehow comprehend it in their thoughts.

The Warden

xvaht djkhay
resiSst tHemmm
musT yoU
fatE oF pLanet yOurs tHis oN dEpeNds

Zach hears this the least clearly, suffering as he is from touching the thing that has Aaron trapped. Nor does he sense that the disembodied voice is coming from above -- but Lily, Fred, and Emily do. The ceiling in the steam plant is high, and full of complex shapes and shadows. Pipes and catwalks tangle the space, but among them hangs a humanoid shape -- bound by ropes or chains. Emily and Lily have the best view, and they both see that this figure is not human!

The being has blue skin, no hair, and highly symmetrical, handsome features that transcend any human conception of gender or attractiveness. They wear the damaged remnants of a silver suit -- one might even say a space suit, and there is pain and exhaustion etched on those distinctive features, reflecting in those pupilless silver eyes. And as the girls look up, astonished, the being "speaks" to them again.

It is quickly mastering their language.

tiMe is shorT
Once theY have a foothold on yOUr world they will neVer leave
They are parasites. Leeches. Body thieves, murderers. You must help me stop them! I was their warden, their jailer, and I have failed in my duties! But my weapons are here, now scattered on the floor! They will be the undoing of these brain slugs!

And at that moment, without meaning to, each of the high school students finds images and thoughts pouring forth from their minds. They are all connected in some psionic soup, the four of them, and as the tension mounts in the room, as they start what might be this final showdown, Palmer and Richardsen are suddenly seeing and hearing everyone's thoughts!

OOC:

So from those rolls...
Zach hears the being, but doesn't see it.
Lily rejects Belinda's choke, then hears the being and sees it very clearly because of her raises. Her raise on the Smarts roll connects her with all the other kids, not just the alien.
Emily hears the being and sees it very clearly because of her raises. Her raise on the Smarts rolls connects her with all the other kids, not just the alien.
Fred hears and sees the outline of the being, hanging above them -- probably twenty feet in the air.

Each of you, please blurt out a private memory, thought, wish, or desire for Emily and Lily to see.

Then it's Lily's turn!

Dec 18, 2023 9:52 am

Zach is still in pain, trying to push through, to save this situation somehow, to get that red thing off Aaron in order to free him. But as he's working, he feels a tinge of resentment towards the boy, cute as he is and amazing as their kiss was. It's entirely unfair but ever since Aaron picked him up, from when Akins stopped them, to the moment in the police cruiser, to when they were in the cell and Aaron couldn't even hold his position hidden behind the door, to now, Zach has been doing everything to keep Aaron safe while Aaron - who of course has been thrust into something huge and terrifying without warning - has been nothing but a burden.
As he is still struggling to break free of the electric stun - and part of his brain is trying to make sense of this weird voice - his thoughts briefly and unvoluntarily flash towards that moment in Fred's backyard, to Zach's hand brushing over Marco's muscular, though injured, chest. There's a flutter of conflicting emotion at the memory. Marco may be an asshole, but some part of Zach that even he is embarrassed about wishes that he was here right now instead of Aaron.

Dec 18, 2023 3:32 pm

Freddie struggles, his hands gripping the hammer and chisel stupidly as if this was going to go any way other than him finally dying like he deserved. He looks up, seeing the being in blue floating there, and around them, he sees rain.

The trauma is never far from Fred's mind. The night he drove in the rain, violently nauseous. As he cornered expertly, perfectly in control of his car, his mind flashed over and over on what he'd seen his father had done to his sister. His mind sees the road, Debby crying, the rain on the windshield, Sarah becoming sullen and withdrawn, the speedometer topping 75mph, the sign indicating a corner. He'd planned this, every detail, but executing it was a step beyond.

"Dad, could you grab me a water bottle from the back seat, all this rain is driving me mad with thirst."

Drunk Gill unfastens his seat belt, wobbles between the seats and reaches for the bottle lying there against the back seat. Freddie sees the corner, checks his own belt, hits the accelerator, and turns the car purposefully into the cliff ending a lifetime of abuse the only way he could. As the airbags went off tearing his body more than he'd thought, "No one can ever know, it would kill the girls." But his heart also cried out for his father, how could it not, as the man crashed through the windscreen.

Dec 18, 2023 9:26 pm

Emily sees Lilly successfully fend off Belinda for now and almost at the same time she feels or hears, she's not sure which, Freddy's ... what? Dream? Confession? Wishful thinking? She glares at him, confusion etched in her eyes and her grimacing lips as her head slowly looks up as if she's immersed in a slow-motion playback.

"Oh. My. God. What is it?" She stares ahead and suddenly decides to help it. "How can we get you down from there?" Emily scans the floor looking for the thing on the ceiling's weapons. Somehow she knows her friends can hear her and maybe the alien's communication.

"I fucking knew these teachers were evil fucks. Aliens are here! Freddie, you were right all along!"

Suddenly a memory floods her vision but for only a second. Her parents, Steve and someone. Someone she didn't recognize, loaded with tats. They were being chased by cops. Lights flashing blindingly as she turned around and looked out the back window. When she turned her head back around the tatted guy was dead. His throat had been cut. Cringing, she then felt Zach's wish, that Marco was with Zach.

Dec 19, 2023 12:17 am

OOC:

Pulling a card for Emily...

And actually, this slots her in perfectly right after Lily!

Remaining to go: Lily, Emily, Myers, Fred, Carlisle, Zach, Aaron

Deck Draws

Emily is Quick!

Dec 19, 2023 7:31 am

Lily’s mind swims with flashes of violence and lust and violence again. She rubs her eyes clear, trying to blink out the imagery. Was this thing forcing them to recount memories?…

She couldn’t help herself…

Lily stood at the front gate of ‘Boseman Elementary’. The heaviness of the first day’s backpack threatened to send her toppling backwards. Carefully selected crayons, pencil case and lunchbox mixed with books and other supplies after a summer away from school.

She hyped herself up to try take that first step towards the school, and away from her parents who watched hopefully from behind. No words of rushing but kind encouragement came as they practiced their in her own time… philosophy.

Then an arm linked her own.

"Let’s go!" Wendy chimed, turning briefly to wave off her own parents before marching Lily a step or two forward. The girl dug her heels in, but her friend wouldn’t have it. Stopping for only a second, Wendy whips about and smiles:

"It’s okay! Come on! Let’s get seats beside each-other! Quick before they’re all gone!"

Lily barely has time to turn and wave off her parents, who are already in conversation with Wendy’s. Their fathers… worked together back then. She thinks they did at least…

Then she’s carted across the playground in about five seconds and zipped into the classroom by her best friend.

Dec 19, 2023 8:10 am

OOC:

KCC asked about the implements / weapons on the ground in Discord, but answering here in case we want to refer to it in the future.There are a variety of weird silvery-metally things, including a few of the raygun-looking things Fred and Lily saw Unger try to use before, and a number of wand / baton-looking things that are about a foot long and seem to have a grip, and a busy end with a prod.

Dec 19, 2023 8:31 am

Lily dodges Belinda. Then her gaze turns to the instruments on the ground. Weapons, if that thing was to be believed.

The thing… it didn’t bear thinking about at the moment… All that mattered was survival.

She dives for the weapon then, one of the ones that look like a movie prop ray gun!

She grabs it, and turns on Belinda and the others, trying to keep as many at the other end of the gun as possible.

"Back up, bitches, or I’ll crank this thing to kill."

Last edited December 20, 2023 9:50 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d4-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

1d6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

Lily Palmer: Shooting BENNY - (1d4-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d4-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

1d6-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

Lily Palmer: Shooting BENNY 2 - (1d4-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d4-4 : (41) - 4 = 1

1d6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

Dec 19, 2023 10:34 pm

Emily sees Lilly make a grab for a weapon but she's too keyed in on Belinda to pay much attention. But then she thinks of Freddie and shakes her head. "No. Not Belinda," if there's anything left of her, that is.

Then she realizes Unger is behind pipes and will be hard to shoot so it's back to Belinda.

"Sorry Freddie. We have to kill them all anyway. Everyone grab the weapons on the floor!" The girl shrieks as she fires her pistol at Belinda.

OOC:

OMG last benny

Last edited December 19, 2023 10:35 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (3) = 3

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (5) = 5

Damage - (2d6, RA)

(615) = 12

Dec 20, 2023 4:11 am

OOC:

Target Number to hit with a ranged weapon at short range is 4 -- Emily hits! Roll 2d6 and see if you can kill Fred's hot mom! Also spend another round from the mag. Track that shit, Windy. (7 round mag in the P9, you should have 5/7 noted.)

Dec 21, 2023 8:40 am

OOC:

Nrm. Posting tomorrow!

Dec 22, 2023 6:16 am

The weapon Lily plucks from the ground and aims at Belinda and the other sluggos vibrates and warms when the girl puts her finger on the trigger. It looks a bit like a 1930s ray gun, a futuristic weapon designed by people decades ago. Bronze and silver, the pistol lights up and begins humming audibly.

When the teen tries to fire it, though, nothing happens. For all it's dazzle and coolness, nothing happens!

The Warden

Wait, the blue being hanging from the ceiling says. There needs to be an adjustment for your physiology.

The briefest of seconds pass, an eternity as Emily points her gun at Fred's step mother.

There! They are unlocked for your biology! Now they will--

BLAM!

The shockingly loud boom is Emily's gun reporting, and it forces a short cry from Belinda before the gut-shot woman drops. Blood leaks from her, pooling onto the floor as Myers turns towards her and shouts.

Mr. Myers

"Nooo! No! What have you done?!"

Leaving Lily and the weapon he believes is ineffectual, Mr. Myers rushes Emily and tries to deck her -- missing with a wildly thrown punch!

OOC:

After this, Fred will be up. Belinda has been Shaken and Wounded.

Rolls

Myers Punch (vs. Parry 4) - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (1) = 1

Belinda Wound Location - (2d6, RA)

(261) = 9

Dec 22, 2023 3:58 pm

Freddie rushes forward, his hammer and chisel about to carve him some turkey out of Meyers. Maybe. I've never carved a turkey. Probably don't use a hammer for that. Focus!

"No!!! he yells, though whether that is at what's happened to Belinda or what was tried to be done to Emily, isn't clear, least of all to him.

OOC:

Two attacks.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting Hammer - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (4) = 4

Fred Solomon: Fighting Chisel - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Damage if that hammer his - (2d6, RA)

(632) = 11

Dec 22, 2023 10:20 pm

Mr. Myers

"Gaahhhhooow!" Mr. Myers screams when Fred pounds a chisel into his back, carving a deep gash into the man. Blood immediately soaks the man's ship as the deep wound gushes, but then Mrs. Carlisle comes after Emily from behind, trying to clock her and get her to drop the gun.

Mrs. Carlisle

"Never liked you or your brother!" she says, coming in like a wildcat. "Too good for this town, I think you think! Well now, we'll just see about that, miss missy!"

OOC:

Giving Fred a +1 for Ganging Up since Myers is occupied with Emily... that lands the blow since his target has Parry 6. The damage makes Myers Shaken, and also wounds him.

Rolls

Carlisle on Emily (+1 for Ganging Up with Myers on Emily) - (1d8+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d8+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1d6+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

Dec 22, 2023 10:22 pm

OOC:

#%@^#%$@*&@!

Dec 22, 2023 10:26 pm

Emily senses the woman coming and avoids her attack as well as she brandishes her mom's pistol.

OOC:

Another miss!

Zach is up! Zach needs to make a Vigor roll to recover from being Stunned. Note there is quite a cluster of people fighting now. Around Emily with the gun we have Myers and Carlisle, Fred, and Belinda on the floor.

Dec 23, 2023 1:55 am

Zach manages to shake off the painful effects of the electrical energy that the red creature had sent through him. Without wasting any time, he quickly dives for one of the rayguns as well but doesn't use it just yet.

Last edited December 23, 2023 6:34 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (4) = 4

Aaron Connery

Dec 23, 2023 6:53 am

Aaron Connery

Seeing how badly Zach had been affected by touching him, Aaron grits his teeth and tries to get control of his body so he can move back from his friend... and finds, with great effort, he can take a step! The nerve pain is unbelievable, but the boy fights through it, determined to move under this own power!

OOC:

Bad GM didn't notice Fred's attack was a multi and not a Benny -- but let's just let it slide rather than rework a lot of stuff. Well, let it slide and also give the GM a Benny. Om nom nom!

Rolls

Aaron Hrnnnnnghghgghghghgnnngnnn! - (1d6-2, RA)

(63) - 2 = 7

Dec 23, 2023 6:56 am

OOC:

Shuffling the Deck and Drawing Init Cards...

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Belinda, Carlisle, Myers,

Dec 23, 2023 7:02 am

OOC:

Emily's re-draw since she got a 5. King!

Leaving us with the following:

Carlisle, Lily, Emily, Myers (Shaken, Wounded), Zach, Fred, Belinda (Shaken, Wounded), Unger (Wounded), Aaron

Deck Draws

Emily's Re-Draw

Mrs. Carlisle

Dec 23, 2023 7:08 am

Mrs. Carlisle

"Now you know there's no guns allowed on campus!" Mrs. Carlisle quips as she faces off against Emily -- before her body convulses once, twice -- and then power-vomits a reeking jet of that stuff at the girl!

Rolls

Vomit Blast (TN 4) - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Dec 23, 2023 7:10 am

OOC:

#%@^#%$@*&@!

But wait! Spending her Benny!

Rolls

Benny Spent -- Reroll - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (83) = 11

1d6 : (2) = 2

Dec 23, 2023 7:13 am

OOC:

Better! 11 is a hit with a raise. Emily, make a Vigor check please, at -1 because

Emily winces as the spray hits her in the chest, and then the face as Carlisle 'walks' the stream right into the girl's mouth!

Dec 23, 2023 7:15 am

OOC:

Oh, and after Emily's check (she'll be paralyzed if she fails, like Zach was), Lily and Emily can take their actions.

Dec 23, 2023 9:49 am

"We aren’t on campus!" Lily quips, given that they were, in fact, under the campus right now!

Then she trains her gun on Carlisle and zzzaps!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

DOGGSHITT! Benny - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Dec 24, 2023 8:05 am

Carlisle is just finishing her puke attack when Lily aims the strange pistol and fires -- launching a beam of scintillating, pulsing yellow light that lances into the teacher with dramatic effects. Emily has the best view, and she sees surprise on the woman's face as the vomit suddenly just keeps on coming. Spraying out of her nose, then forcing her mouth open as a bucket-full of bile comes up. And with it, a wriggling, disgusting and helpless slug that splats on the floor right in front of the student. Her parasite explosively ejected, Carlisle collapses on the ground, unconscious as the alien thing squirms in a pool of upchuck...

Rolls

Secret Roll

Vigor Test - (1d10-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d10-4 : (7) - 4 = 3

1d6-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

Dec 24, 2023 3:41 pm

OOC:

Rolling first

OOC:

*&^%$#@!!

Last edited December 24, 2023 3:41 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4-1, 1d6-1, RA)

1d4-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

1d6-1 : (1) - 1 = 0

Dec 25, 2023 6:41 am

OOC:

Oh dear! Will get to that in the next couple of days. Xmas season!

Dec 25, 2023 8:07 pm

OOC:

Emily, as it happens, is in no rush.

Mr. Myers

Dec 26, 2023 4:58 pm

OOC:

Mr. Myers

Despite Lily's aim, and the dramatic effect of her weapon, Emily had caught the stream of vomit right in the face. Some of it goes up the girl's nose, gets in her eyes, and inside her mouth. It's loathsome and she collapses instantly to the floor, still holding her gun, still conscious -- but completely paralyzed! Worse, out of the corner of her eye she sees Carlisle's just-ejected slug's antennae probing in her direction, and then the slimy alien parasite starts crawling for her!

The creature is surprisingly fast when it needs to be, and in just a few seconds it reaches her, slithers up her hip to the hem of her shirt. Screams die in Emily's throat as she feels the wetness of the thing worm beneath her shirt, up her belly, and between her breasts. It's heading for her slack mouth!

The fight continues nearby as Myers recovers from the shock of the bloody chisel attack, and from seeing Carlisle downed by a weapon he believed inert. "I'm going to put you in a detention you'll never leave!" he shouts at Lily as he turns towards Fred, intent on taking the boy down before dealing with the little reporter. "But first, Freddie, boy... oh, the girls love you. Oh they love you! Let's see how they feel about you when your face is smashed!"

Balling his fist, the teacher swings with brutal strength, trying to break the boy's jaw or nose!

OOC:

Oh dear! Have any Bennies to try and soak that, Fred? That's... three raises. That'll be shaken + three wounds otherwise. If Fred doesn't have any left, I'm open to listening to others spending for him if it can be justified...

And after that, here's the remaining init order: Carlisle, Lily, Emily, Myers (Wounded), Zach, Fred, Belinda (Shaken, Wounded), Unger (Wounded), Aaron. So, Zach and Fred coming up.

Rolls

Myers Spirit to Unshake - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (4) = 4

Secret Roll

Myers Punching Freddie (Parry 4) - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (5) = 5

Punch Damage (vs. Toughness 4) - (1d10, RA)

(108) = 18

Dec 26, 2023 7:54 pm

Zach aims his gun at the red creature sitting on top of Aaron. He tries to hold it steady and is already beginning to pull the trigger, when around him, things go to hell. Fred is hit hard and Emily goes down to the same vomit he himself experienced as well earlier. He turns, looking over the situation and spots one of the slugs crawling underneath Emily's shirt. He curses, glancing back towards Aaron for a moment, but then runs over to Emily. "I'm really sorry," he tells her paralyzed face as he reaches his hand underneath her shirt. He tries to pull out the slug and then smash it against the ground. No way is he going to let it crawl inside Emily!

OOC:

Rolling Fighting. If you need something else, let me know.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (4) = 4

Zachary Tidwell: Strength - (1D4, RA)

(2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Strength, Benny - (1D4, RA)

(42) = 6

Dec 26, 2023 9:37 pm

OOC:

Nope, no bennies.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Vigor - Soak attempt - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (661) = 13

Dec 26, 2023 10:05 pm

All Emily can do is look at the approaching slug in disbelief. Her terrified vomit-covered lids reveal unblinking eyes staring out at the grotesque worm, willing it to stop, every limb unmoving and useless. Then Zach's hand is up her shirt. Some deranged part of her brain sees herself slapping at his hand, thinking he's making a pass, as the girl waits for the inevitable horrible end.

Dec 27, 2023 3:05 am

Having downed one of the teacher’s with her alien weaponry, Lily snaps her attention to the man speaking to her now.

Before she can think of something quippy to say that relates to detention, he is swinging his huge fist at Fred.

She tenses up, seeing the size of the man bearing down on Fred!

"Fred! Watch out!" she shrieks, as she pulls the trigger with the sudden tense shock of what she was about to witness. Like watching a car crash in slow motion…

The ray goes wide, but…

Dec 27, 2023 3:23 am

The impact of Myers's fist on the side of Fred's face is meaty and solid, the kind of vicious blow people often just don't get up from. Mr. Myers isn't a fit man, but he's big and the teens know by now that these bizarre slug-things somehow lend the human they are inside an abnormal strength. Blood runs from Freddie's split cheek and he's probably lost a molar, but the boy doesn't go down. Doesn't even flinch, actually, despite his already blackening eye.

There's just too much on the line. Too many people are relying on him. Emily, under some loathsome assault -- looks like Zach is helping her. His stepmother, bleeding on the ground. Lily, calling out to him, concerned for him. Priya. His sisters. Hell... he can't let himself down after all this.

It's fourth down. Inches to go. Fred refuses to drop, to give these alien creeps whatever it is they're after!

Just a short distance away, Zach stuffs his hand up Emily's shirt and feels it close around something warm and slimy and pulsating. It doesn't want to come free -- suckers or hooked feet or something resists the boy's pull, but not for long and then he's yanking the disgusting thing free and dashing it against the floor!

OOC:

See Fred's roll above! Incredibly, he soaked ALL THREE wounds and is not even shaken!

Zach's Fighting roll is enough to grab and deal damage to the slug. Roll damage, Zach!

I'll carry on with turns for Belinda, Unger, and Aaron shortly.

Dec 27, 2023 3:33 am

Zach manages to pull the slug out from underneath Emily's shirt and holds it by its tail end for a moment. He hesitates only a moment. This is a sentient creature, a person, after all. But then he remembers what these things are doing to him and his friends and that they show no mercy to them either.
He swings the slug and smashes its head into the floor. Once, twice, three times, until it is no longer moving in his hand. He let's go of it and tightens his grip around the gun again, readying himself for one of the other slugs to try and take revenge.

Dec 27, 2023 4:17 am

He sees Lily, hears her warning. Her quiet desperation but behind that, a mind like he's rarely seen. Fearless, at least in her mannerism, but her heart is raw and open.

Freddie angles his head just right, somehow and takes the blow. His clock is rung but he doesn't stop moving.

Last edited December 27, 2023 4:18 am

Dec 27, 2023 5:41 am

OOC:

I wasn't clear above -- with Fred shaking this off, it's actually his turn now!

Dec 27, 2023 3:46 pm

Harrigan says:

OOC:

See Fred's roll above! Incredibly, he soaked ALL THREE wounds and is not even shaken!

See, this is why I love Savage Worlds.

Dec 27, 2023 3:47 pm

Freddie doesn't really know what he's doing but shaking off the powerful blow, he continues to hammer with the hammer and slash with the chisel. "Alien scum!"

OOC:

Multi Action x2, haven't added any for gang up if applicable

Last edited December 27, 2023 3:48 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Hammer - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (61) - 2 = 5

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Chisel - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Damage if that hit - (2d6, RA)

(652) = 13

Dec 28, 2023 3:46 am

Just like before, when Emily and Fred confronted Belinda and Mr. Unger in the woods, physical harm to the unhosted alien creatures seems to set the rest of them off.

Mr. Myers

"No! Noooo! Gxrrxl! Noooooooo!" Myers wails when Zach ends one of the things with prejudice, extremely out of character given the boy's puppeteer.

That gives Fred the opening he needs, and the desperate teen comes at the teacher again with hammer and chisel -- and cracks the man on the side of the head with the hammer! Myers staggers, but does not go down as blood streams from his ruptured cheek.

Belinda Solomon

Belinda is rising then, despite the blood on her dress, and she looks every bit as upset and fierce as Myers as she rushes at Zach, her hands raised, claw-like.

"You'll pay for that! Gxrrxl was a gentle soul, a poet, a shining star! You will PAY you little bastard!"

Aaron Connery

"Look out Zach!" Aaron calls out, but the warning isn't needed -- Tidwell sees and hears Fred's stepmom coming, and backs out of her swiping reach.

Emily lies, paralyzed, between them, along with the remains of the thing that had been in Mrs. Carlisle.

OOC:

Fred gets +2 to his roll for Myers being Vulnerable, and hits! Myers is Shaken and Wounded, again. Belinda de-shakes and attacks Zach but misses due to being Distracted.

Unger is up next. Post coming.

Rolls

Belinda Spirit Roll to Recover from Shaken - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (61) - 2 = 5

Belinda Attacks Zach (Parry 4) - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Mr. Unger

Dec 28, 2023 4:19 am

Mr. Unger

Still bleeding from his own gunshot wound, Mr. Unger decides enough is enough when one of his friends is summarily executed, so the muscular man rushes from his cover near the back of the room, stops to grab a strange-looking baton from the pile of spilled tools and weapons, then makes straight for Lily and her raygun...

OOC:

That's his move. Lily, Notice check to realize someone is coming behind you -- or you'll be Vulnerable next round to him. Aaron is up next, then cards will be drawn.

Aaron Connery

Dec 28, 2023 4:25 am

Aaron Connery

It hurts to move, but Aaron's determination grows as the scene gets more and more chaotic. Gritting his teeth, he runs stiffly into the fray, the red mesh of whatever the thing on him is stinging and burning his nerve endings every halting step of the way. "Hold on Zach!" he shouts. "I'm coming!"

OOC:

He's moving towards Zach, Emily, and Belinda, but his Pace is slow.

Dec 28, 2023 4:27 am

OOC:

Initiative. Pulling cards...

R4 - Unger (Wounded, Distracted, Vulnerable), Zach, Lily, Fred, Emily, Myers (Shaken, Wounded x 2, Distracted, Vulnerable), Aaron, Belinda (Wounded, Distracted, Vulnerable)

So, Unger pulls the Joker and is up first. +1 Benny for the GM, and +2 to his rolls this turn. Before he acts, I need Lily's Notice roll.

Deck Draws

Em, Fred, Lil, Z, Bel, Myers, Ung, Aaron

Dec 28, 2023 5:53 am

OOC:

Notice me!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Notice + Alertness - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (81) + 2 = 11

1d6+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

Mr. Unger

Dec 28, 2023 6:38 am

Mr. Unger

Unger raises the metal baton high as he tries to come up behind Lily unnoticed, but she hears him coming and tries to duck away as he swings the weapon brutally!

OOC:

Alright, take two. I forgot Unger has an extra -1 on his attack (and Stealth) roll from his Wound.

So -- Lily gets a raise on her Notice... let's give her a Benny for that.

The attack roll, vs. her Parry of 2, is 5 rather than 6 -- so no raise, no extra d6 of damage.

Which means the damage roll is... 2. And you better believe Imma GM Benny that shit.

Edit: there, that's better! Lily has Toughness 4, so 15 damage is two raises. Unless Lily tries to Soak the damage and is successful, she'll come out of this being Shaken and with two Wounds.

Gonna spend a Benny to try and Soak the damage, Lily? If so, make a Vigor check.

Rolls

Unger Stealth vs. Lily Notice - (1d6-2+2, 1d6-2+2, RA)

1d6-2+2 : (3) = 3

1d6-2+2 : (5) = 5

Unger attacks Lily with a Light Club (vs. Parry... 2!) - (1d8-2+2, 1d6-2+2, RA)

1d8-2+2 : (6) = 6

1d6-2+2 : (1) = 1

Light Club Damage - (1d10+1d4+1d6, RA)

(1) + (1) + (2) = 4

GM Benny to Reroll the Damage - (1d10+1d4, RA)

(103) + (2) = 15

Dec 28, 2023 7:05 am

OOC:

Rolling something.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (41) = 5

1d6 : (4) = 4

Dec 28, 2023 7:09 am

The heavy rod contacts Lily on and shoulder before she can duck away, knocking her sideways and nearly down. The bruise from the hit will be spectacular, but it could have been worse...

OOC:

Up, in order are: Zach, Lily (now Shaken and Wounded), Fred, and Inert Emily!

Dec 28, 2023 7:24 am

After saving Emily from the slug and evading Belinda's furious but clumsy attack, Zach turns his attention back to his original target. "Hold still, Aaron," he warns the other boy as he closes the distance to him, then puts the raygun right up against the red creature and pulls the trigger, focusing only on the shot and neglecting that the move puts him in danger in return.

OOC:

Doing a Wild Attack. +2 to Attack and Damage, but I'm Vulnerable until my next turn

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Shooting (Unskilled), +2 Wild Attack - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (3) = 3

Boo! Benny - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (65) = 11

Aaron Connery

Dec 28, 2023 7:47 am

The same yellow beam that Lily his Mrs. Carlisle with lances out of Zach's space gun, and the effects are almost as dramatic. Aaron power pukes all over himself and the floor, ending up curled in a fetal ball, convulsing and dry-heaving... but the strange net-like entity that covers him peels off and shrivels, congealing into a tangled mass that rolls across the floor towards the cases of waiting alien slugs. It no longer glows or moves; the ray-gun appears to have disabled it!

Aaron Connery

"Th-thanks," the boy manages weakly from the floor.

Rolls

Weird Floaty Alien Vigor (vs. 11) - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Aaron Vigor (vs. 11) - (1d6, RA)

(64) = 10

Dec 28, 2023 7:57 am

OOC:

RANDOM ROLLS GO!

The blow sends Lily to her knees, and the meat between her shoulder and neck throbs something terrible. Without flash or quip, she pokes her weapon between the space at her side; aiming it back at Unger before desperately squeezing the trigger.

Last edited December 28, 2023 8:03 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Spirit - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (3) = 3

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Mr. Unger

Dec 29, 2023 2:04 am

Mr. Unger

Despite being enraged about the death of Gxrrxl -- like the others -- Mr. Unger has his wits enough about him to knock aside Lily's ray pistol as she fires a shining golden blast harmlessly into the corner.

"No you don't!" he growls, brandishing what looks like a baton with blinking and winking lights along one side of it...

OOC:

Like the others, he is Distracted and Vulnerable, so Lily's attack was at +2. Alas, still a failure.

Fred and Emily are up now.

Dec 29, 2023 2:52 am

Freddie goes after Unger, the true enemy, knowing that Lily is the only one who has a chance at stopping these, these, these alien douchebags. "Stay down, old man!"

OOC:

Two action multi attack (-2), wild attack (+2), and he's distracted and vulnerable (+2)

Freddie is vulnerable until the end of his next turn

Last edited December 29, 2023 2:55 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Hammer - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Chisel - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (441) + 2 = 11

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Hammer damage with wild attack - (1d4+1d6+2, RA)

(1) + (1) + 2 = 4

Chisel damage with wild attack and raise - (1d4+2d6+2, RA)

(3) + (54) + 2 = 14

Mr. Unger

Dec 29, 2023 3:53 pm

Mr. Unger

Unger turns when Fred shouts his battle cry, lifting a beefy arm and catching the hammer blow thrown by the teen, but he can't avoid the sharp edge of the chisel, which draws a deep gash across his chest, splitting open his shirt and his skin. Blood spurts and flows as he falls back, injured.

OOC:

Shaken and Wounded, is Unger. Emily is up!

Dec 29, 2023 4:00 pm

OOC:

Ah, I forgot, Emily can just sort of lie there and gurgle. I mean... she can react mentally to what she's seeing, and while he haven't played it up much, she and Lily are still psionically connected!

Dec 29, 2023 7:57 pm

Emily lies there and gurgles. Her eyes are as wide as saucers, anxious and terrified as her friends are attacked and their very lives are threatened. She knows that there is a connection between her mind and Lilly's but what is there to say? A teardrop runs down the frustrated girl's cheek as the mayhem unfolds around her.

Dec 30, 2023 5:49 am

OOC:

Myers and Belinda try to shake off being Shaken.

Rolls

Myers's Spirit Roll - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (6) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Belinda's Spirit Roll - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (7) - 2 = 5

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Mr. Myers

Dec 30, 2023 5:59 am

Mr. Myers

Bloodied but not out of the fight, Myers staggers after Fred again when the boy turns his attention towards Unger, but by now the floor is slippery with blood, with vomit, with whatever slime or mucus seems to accompany the worms when they are ejected from their hosts so forcibly. Myers slips in that mess and his grasping hands go wide, missing Freddie...

Rolls

Myers attacks Fred (Parry 4) - (1d8-2-2, 1d6-2-2, RA)

1d8-2-2 : (4) - 4 = 0

1d6-2-2 : (3) - 4 = -1

Belinda Solomon

Dec 30, 2023 6:11 am

Belinda Solomon

Belinda is still outraged by the death of her friend, and tries to grab at the weapon Zach just used on Aaron and the weird red entity -- but only succeeds in putting herself right in front of the armed boy at point-blank range!

OOC:

Whoops, didn't need to unshake a second time.

Annnnd a critical fumble from Belinda. Zach has her dead to rights -- he has The Drop on Belinda, and she will act at the end of the initiative next round.

Rolls

Disarm Zach, target his arm (-2) - (1d8-1-2, 1d6-1-2, RA)

1d8-1-2 : (1) - 3 = -2

1d6-1-2 : (1) - 3 = -2

Dec 30, 2023 6:19 am

OOC:

Pulling Initiative cards! Aaron is out of action, Belinda is going last... Emily is down but I'll still pull a card for her.

Deck Draws

Em, Fred, Lil, Z, Myers, Unger

Dec 30, 2023 6:23 am

OOC:

Round 5 Order: Emily, Lily, Fred, Unger (Wounded x 2), Zach, Myers (Wounded x 2), Belinda (Wounded, Zach has the Drop)

Emily (still downed), Lily, Fred, go!

Dec 31, 2023 12:43 am

"We’re going to get you out of here…" Lily thinks into the mind of Emily, as she feels the girl’s presence whimpering on the floor.

She turns and stands to get a better shot on Unger this time. She gets him square in the chest, and shoots!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Jan 1, 2024 4:59 pm

Emily, splattered and covered in the vile upchuck that Carlisle vomited all over her before Lily forced the alien parasite out of her, remains paralyzed on the ground -- aware of the action around her, but unable to move a muscle. But then there's Palmer's voice in her mind, and the incapacitated teen is able to twitch a finger...

Lily's shot with the blazing yellow ray lights up the room, but it goes well wide of her target. Unger and Myers were both going after Fred, while Belinda tries to disarm Zach -- but now all three seem very aware that Lily is blasting away freely with the raygun.

Mr. Unger

"I've got Fred, get that bitch there with the weapon! Now!" Unger shouts to Myers.

The Warden

Then, in each of their heads, the kids once more hear the telepathic voice of the Warden hanging above them all. It sounds weaker than it did -- like the effort of this communication is taxing, perhaps even painful.

Fight to your last... do not relent. Your whole world... its fate... lies in the... balance...

Then the voice ceases, and the strange blue figure slumps, hanging limply.

OOC:

+1 Benny for everyone!

Fred, you are up.

Jan 1, 2024 5:45 pm

Freddie wonders about all of this on some level as he faces off against Unger. An alien invasion, a secret mentor unable to directly intervene, and children forced to fight for everything. God Almighty I swear if get out of this I will watch more anime and be better prepared!

He ducks and rolls his shoulders, his sportsball background giving him a sense of movement even if he's never been a good fighter.

OOC:

Two more attacks on Mr. Unger.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Hammer - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Fred Solomon: Fighting - Chisel - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Benny the hammer - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Mr. Myers

Jan 2, 2024 3:11 am

Mr. Myers

Myers comes at Fred as the boy tries to go after Unger again, and it's enough to impede and ruin the teen's hammer and chisel attack. The teacher then steps in close and head-butts the student viciously...

OOC:

Spending a Benny for Myers. Second attempt includes a raise and so +1d6 damage. And that's 10 damage, or Shaken + One Wound. Mark it please, Fred, unless you're going to try and soak.

Rolls

Myers Attack vs. Fred (Parry 4) - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Benny to hit - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (6) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (64) - 2 = 8

Damage vs. Fred (Toughness 4) - (1d10+1d6, RA)

(6) + (4) = 10

Jan 2, 2024 3:17 am

OOC:

Blarg, I mixed up the init order for Unger and Myers. All well -- we'll just switch 'em!

Zach's turn (remember he has The Drop on Belinda), then Unger will go.

Jan 2, 2024 6:07 am

Fred's mom is right next to Zach, and she looks like her failed attack on him has unbalanced her. He tries to take advantage of that, pointing his alien gun thing at her and pulling the trigger.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Shooting (Unskilled+4) - (1d4+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d4+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d6+2 : (1) + 2 = 3

Benny - (1D4+2, 1D6+2, RA)

1D4+2 : (3) + 2 = 5

1D6+2 : (665) + 2 = 19

Belinda Solomon

Jan 2, 2024 6:20 am

OOC:

That's three raises! We'll apply two to Belinda's Vigor check, and also let you bank a Benny.

Belinda Solomon

Belinda is a willful woman, and when Zach shoots her point-blank with the ray-pistol, there's a second when she grits her teeth that makes him think oh shit, it's not going to work!

But then there's a volcano of vomit, geysering from the woman, spraying, gurgling, then just blasting out of her mouth. One wrenching convulsion near the end also produces a squirming, grub-like worm, then Freddie's stepmother collapses onto the ground, unconscious.

OOC:

Zach, since you were so close, make an Agility test, please, to avoid getting splooged. Crit fail and you'll catch some in the face, and you know -that- drill.

Unger is up next.

Rolls

Belinda Vigor Check - (1d10-8, 1d6-8, RA)

1d10-8 : (4) - 8 = -4

1d6-8 : (1) - 8 = -7

Mr. Unger

Jan 2, 2024 6:37 am

Mr. Unger

Seeing Myers slug Fred makes Mr. Unger pump his fist -- damned punk! But then Belinda is dumped her guts, one of his very favorite companions. "No!" he shouts as he runs for the slug. "Don't hurt her! Don't!"

Stooping down, protecting the vomit-mired worm with his body, Unger holds it close to his chest, protectively. "I've got you! I'll get a new host for you! Hold on!" he says lowly to it.

OOC:

That ends the round. Init coming up.

Jan 2, 2024 6:40 am

OOC:

Initiative! Emily, on your turn you can test Vigor to shake the paralyzation off, or spend a Benny to auto-succeed like you can with being Shaken.

Deck Draws

Em, Fred, Lil, Z, Myers, Unger

Jan 2, 2024 6:41 am

OOC:

Emily's re-draw.

With that, order is: Emily, Unger (Wounded x 2), Myers (Wounded x 2), Fred, Zach, Lily.

Deck Draws

Emily Take 2

Jan 2, 2024 6:44 am

😢

Last edited January 2, 2024 6:45 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Agility - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (1) = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor (Benny) - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (2) = 2

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor (Benny) - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (3) = 3

1D6 : (1) = 1

Jan 2, 2024 6:46 am

OOC:

One more card. Belinda the slug. Aw. She'll go last. So Emily, Unger (Wounded x 2), Myers (Wounded x 2), Fred, Zach, Lily, Belinda the Slug.

Deck Draws

Belinda the Slug

Jan 2, 2024 4:33 pm

Freddie feels his nose collapse under the vicious headbutt, starts floating between him and the little blue man.

OOC:

No Benny to soak with.

Jan 2, 2024 4:43 pm

For a minute, Emily feels like she should stay down rather than try to get up and help her friends and perhaps the world. But that's so selfish!
So she tries like hell to overcome the paralysis and ignore the smell of vomit but fails miserably.

OOC:

I'll hold on spending the benny for now.

Last edited January 2, 2024 4:44 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Mr. Unger

Jan 3, 2024 7:24 am

Mr. Unger

Turning this way and that with his precious cargo as Emily fights to get up but can't, Mr. Unger has a panicked look on his face as he looks for a safe harbor for the creature he carries... until he spots one. Zachary Tidwell. The boy was sprayed with vomit, and the paralytic agent puts the teen on the ground where he lies helpless. Unger rushes to the student, then gently places the slug that was inside Belinda onto Zach's chest. It crawls for his face, his neck -- his mouth -- as Unger turns, fists raised, ready to strike at anyone coming close.

OOC:

Unger placed the slug and is using a Hold action to attack anyone approaching Zach / the slug. Beating him to the punch would require beating him at an Athletics roll. (He's at -2 due to his wounds.)

Rolls

Secret Roll

Mr. Myers

Jan 3, 2024 7:30 am

Mr. Myers

Fred's in trouble as he reels from Myer's headbutt, and the teen's blood is on the teacher's forehead as the older man comes in for more, trying to finish the job. The heavy-set man's own injuries impeded him, however, and his kicks and swings are clumsy and easily avoided...

OOC:

Now up: Fred, Zach, Lily. Zach, you didn't get the full-blast this time, so I'll let you recover when you can make a Vigor roll, started with this turn.

Rolls

Myers HTH on Fred with Fighting (vs. Parry 4) - (1d8-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d8-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Jan 3, 2024 7:38 am

Zach's heart pumps with fear as Unger places the slug down on his chest and he fights with all his might to try and break through the paralysis.

But he can't.

Last edited January 3, 2024 7:38 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (2) = 2

Jan 3, 2024 8:05 am

OOC:

Power of Spirit, go!

Lily sees the thing writhing on Zach’s chest and feels almost powerless to stop it. She’d never get the shot between Unger and over Zach to hit the thing…

She reaches for the power that the creature seemed to have unlocked in her. She searches the room, parsing the jumble of thoughts, and makes for Zach’s consciousness.

"We still have to find Rose. You can’t give up until we find her. Stand up! Quick! Do something!"

Last edited January 3, 2024 8:08 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Spirit - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (9) = 9

1d6 : (3) = 3

Jan 3, 2024 8:12 am

Pleading with Zach to get up, Lily is also keenly aware that something needs to be done about the huge man pummeling Fred.

She doesn’t speak, as her mind is occupied. Instead, she marches forward, aiming to put herself between Fred and the man. When she reaches him, she presses the gun into the chest of the large man and fires a laser shot at him!

Last edited January 3, 2024 8:23 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Jan 3, 2024 8:18 am

OOC:

I forgot Fred was Vulnerable. Myers still missed. If you want to use a Wild Attack here you can, Lily. +2 to hit, +2 to hit you until your next turn.

Jan 3, 2024 8:28 am

Zach hears Lily's voice in his head, reminding him that he needs to fight, that he needs to be there to save Rosie. But he can't. He's fought this paralysis as hard as he can and still failed. Tears form in his eyes as he sees the slug inch closer and closer to his mouth and he starts to feel hopeless.
Please, somebody help me, he begs. Silently, unable to even move his lips anymore. His body even less his own than it has ever been.

OOC:

Wasting that Benny KCC so graciously gifted me to speed up the cavalry slightly.

Jan 3, 2024 8:29 am

Lily's energy weapon goes off, and Myers is next -- he's convulsing, then retching and projectile vomiting all over the floor. Once a particularly nasty spotted slug comes launching out onto the ground, the man collapses!

OOC:

Lily did get the +2 from Wild Attack. Fred is up!

Rolls

Myers Vigor Check - (1d10-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d10-4 : (5) - 4 = 1

1d6-4 : (4) - 4 = 0

Jan 3, 2024 2:40 pm

Freddie tries to shake off the head buttery, his senses reeling. He's aware of his predicament but can't get a grip

Last edited January 3, 2024 2:41 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Spirit to shake Shaken - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jan 4, 2024 7:02 am

OOC:

Remember that when Shaken you're not helpless. Fred can move and take Free Actions as well.

Jan 5, 2024 6:42 am

Zach can't move, but Zach can feel the sticky, slimy thing crawling on him. It had been inside Belinda, but now it was crawling, slithering towards his face. Over his bound chest, up to his chin -- and into his mouth the creature slowly goes, spreading Zach's lips and jaws apart as it oozes itself in and begins the journey down the boy's throat...

Fred and Lily see it clearly from their vantage point -- once the slug starts sliding into Zach, it goes quickly, and before they can even react the tail of the thing is slipping from view.

OOC:

So that slugging could have taken a couple of rounds, but...

Rolls

Athletics to Get into Zach's Face Hole (has The Drop on Zach) - (1d4+4, RA)

(4442) + 4 = 18

Jan 5, 2024 6:47 am

OOC:

Initiative!

Deck Draws

Em, Fred, Lily, Z, Belindaslug, Myers, Unger

Jan 5, 2024 6:49 am

OOC:

Emily's re-draw.

Initiative order for Round 6 is: - Unger (Wounded x 2), Belindaslug (inside Zach), Emily (Paralyzed*), Fred (Vulnerable), Myerslug Myers (Wounded x 2), Lily (Vulnerable), Zach (Paralyzed*)

Edit: Whoops, Myers should not be in the init! But his slug should, so...

Deck Draws

Emily Again

Mr. Unger

Jan 5, 2024 7:11 am

Sounds come to the steam plant from the corridor that leads to it -- the sounds of a larger battle, cries and shouts and smacks and thumps of people fighting. It's close and getting closer, and Unger sneers at Lily and Fred.

Mr. Unger

"It's over!" the man bellows. "Drop your weapons and surrender! We'll make all this painless, and you'll see how much better you can be!"

Deep inside Zach, a battle begins as chemicals are released...

OOC:

Spirit roll to resist being taken over, Zach! Opposed by the slug's Spirit roll...

Rolls

Belindaslug Spirit - (1d6, RA)

(3) = 3

Jan 5, 2024 7:13 am

OOC:

After Zach's roll, Emily -- you can try to shake off the paralyzation again. If you succeed you can act normally -- starting from the floor.

Jan 5, 2024 7:21 am

OOC:

Spriting time!

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Spirit - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (5) = 5

Jan 5, 2024 3:27 pm

Tears roll out of Emily's eyes. Tears of utter helplessness and frustration. But somehow she manages to will herself to move. Her body finally responds as she reaches for her pistol and lying on her side, squeezes the trigger.

"Die you fucking bastard!" Her mouth feels like there is cotton in it and her words don't come out quite right.

OOC:

Using last benny.

OOC:

I was looking at my spirit roll when I rolled the raise damage so please ignore. Also, she was shooting at Myers. I typed his name in my head. 😂

Last edited January 5, 2024 3:49 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Spirit - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (65) = 11

1d6 : (4) = 4

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (1) = 1

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Damage (and noted round depletion) + raise damage - (2d6, 1d6, RA)

2d6 : (465) = 15

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jan 6, 2024 12:29 am

It's a wild scene that Emily sees as she rises up, bile and vomit-stained as she is. She has her mom's pistol, and as she raises it, she sees everything before her. Fred, wild-eyed and staggering, still carrying his hammer and chisel. Lily with her sleek ray-pistol and fierce expression. Zach on the floor, his body shifting this way and that slightly like something is inside him. Aaron, Belinda and Mrs. Carlisle down, Myers down -- but his spotted slug squirming in the mess on the floor.

Only Unger stands against them and it's Unger that the girl shoots, straight in the back of the head -- cutting short his diatribe.

And just like that, as Mr. Unger drops and Emily's spent 9mm casing tings on the floor, the trio realizes they have a moment to take a breath -- but only a moment, as something is happening to Zach, there's still one slug squirming on the floor, and the sounds of the approaching fight sound like they are just outside the door. Blood pools wetly beneath Unger, who is lying face-down on the floor, and his head shifts slightly as his parasite starts to make its way out of his body...

OOC:

Whew! Sorry that combat lasted so long! (That was two raises with the damage to Unger; he's down and out!)

So we're out of combat rounds, but there are some key things going on you might need to tend to: Zach, Unger's worm, Myers's worm, the tied up captives who were due to get some worms, the sounds in the hallway outside...

Jan 6, 2024 12:52 am

OOC:

I should note that squibbing a slug, like you've done a couple of times now, just takes a second. No roll required out of combat.

Jan 6, 2024 4:11 pm

Emily shakily rises, the smell of bile and vomit making her gag for a moment. A sudden rush of adrenaline gives her the willpower to overcome the stench, and the strength to motivate her weak legs. She quickly scans the room and her eyes settle on the slug exiting Unger's mouth, then her tied-up friends, then to the hallway where she hears a commotion outside it.

"Ok, It's fine, I'm fine. We got this," she mutters to herself in her attempt to stay grounded and in control.

"Ok, I'm going to untie you Zach. You're going to be ok. We'll get that thing out of you. Freddie shake it off will ya for Chrissakes. Someone squash that fucking worm coming out of Unger's mouth."

Jan 6, 2024 4:41 pm

Freddie tries to get a hold of himself, stomping where the bug alien slug seems to be. "Emily? You're okay? We better hurry, a mob is coming and i don't think we can run away this time. "

OOC:

Yay, big roll out of combat to shake Shaken. Smh

Last edited January 6, 2024 4:42 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Spirit - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (86) = 14

1d6 : (64) = 10

Jan 6, 2024 4:58 pm

Zach stares desperately at Emily when she approaches him and promises to free him. Shoot me! he thinks at her, trying to make her understand. Shoot me with that raygun! He doesn't care about being unparalyzed half as much as he does about getting that slug out of his body.
Of course, Emily doesn't hear his thoughts. But someone else does.

Jan 7, 2024 1:20 am

A laser blast rings out, just as Emily crosses to Zach. Having shot the boy, Lily coolly stuffs the pistol into her back pocket for the moment.

"Squash it when it comes out!" she warns, before looking up at the creature stuck in the ceiling.

Are you alright?… her mind asks the thing. Then she looks about at the carnage. Her eyes go for more weapons.

"Everyone grab some of these. Unger was a creep, but we don’t want to shoot anyone else…"

Jan 7, 2024 4:19 am

Freddie will hammer the slug hard, any of them that he can see. "Yeah! Go back to Canada, you bastards!"

Jan 7, 2024 6:57 am

Zach is suddenly blasted, like he requested, but the shot doesn't come from Emily, so it takes him by surprise. And it's so much worse than he expected. His whole body convulses in pain, his head swims like the worst hangover he's ever had, multiplied a dozenfold and concentrated into one horrible moment. It feels like his innards are pressed out of him, not just vomit being pushed up his throat but also a huge, horrible slug that makes him feel like he is choking to death until it finally, eventually, is pushed out by the load of vomit and it ejects out of him and onto the floor. There are tears in his eyes and he just wants to crawl into a corner and pass out, but at least he's free. And seeing Fred finish off that thing that just came out of him is almost satisfying enough to bring a smile to his weak lips. Almost.
He really owes Aaron an apology for putting him through this.

Jan 8, 2024 7:32 am

The steam plant is coming into better focus for Lily now as she approaches the center of the big room. Without aliens trying to kill or grossly en-slug-inate her, without the adrenaline pumping quite as hard, she sees the wall of what looks like a bunch of stacked plastic containers. Each about the size of a shoe-box but see-through... and each containing one of the slugs.

There are dozens of them, and they squirm and squeak and mewl as she looks up -- at the figure of the being she somehow knows was called the Warden. Blue-skinned, bald... clearly some other kind of alien. He -- they? Hangs limply, like they are dead or close to it. On the floor lie two more ray-pistols, and a handful of what look like stun-batons. And beside that high-tech gear? Two teens tied together, and paralyzed from that same slug slime. Would-be sacrifices Kelly Unger, and some goofy-looking nerd girl who hasn't been in the movie yet, and who the audience won't remember.

Behind Lily, Zach is recovering, and Fred stomps the fourth worm flat, spraying its grisly, disgusting innards all over the floor as it bursts like a five pound pimple. This makes the assembled walls of worms writhe angrily, but there appears to be nothing they can do about it. The boy is wiping is feet when the door to the plant suddenly opens and someone rushes inside. That same someone looks harried, is panting from running, and slams a heavy bolt into place locking the door.

Zach and Emily are closest, and know immediately who it is.

Rose Tidwell

Rose.

The girl turns, takes in the scene, and her eyes go wide. "Oooooh. Uh oh. Hi everyone. The -- the aliens are right outside. We have to escape!"

Jan 8, 2024 9:37 am

"Freeeed" Lily calls to the boy, as if she was summoning him inside for dinner. "You’re going to want to get over here and see this."

And then there’s commotion at the door. Her heart jumps into her throat, and she immediately pulls the pistol.

"Step away from her. I’m going to zap her, just to be safe!" the student journalist announces, aiming for the girl’s chest and squeezing the sleek, metallic trigger of her weapon.

Jan 8, 2024 4:07 pm

Emily untiles Zach and attempts to clean off the vile slime. Helping him up she gets him walking when she hears Freddie make the slug go splat and then none other than Rose bursts into the room.

Emily will ask Rose how many aliens there are if she recovers from Lilly's shot.

Rose Tidwell

Jan 8, 2024 4:23 pm

Rose Tidwell

"Whoa whoa whoa whoa!" Rose cries, lifting her hands as Lily levels the pistol at her, and as she notes the carnage in the room. Zach is just getting to his feet, helped by Emily, as the girl pleas her case.

"Hold on! Let’s talk about this! It’s me, it’s Rose! Zach! Talk some sense into her!"

OOC:

Not trying to rob Lily of her action, just letting the scene breathe a little. Zach can react verbally before Lily shoots if he wants, but Lily does have The Drop on Rose.

Jan 8, 2024 4:27 pm

Zach is just back up on his feet when Rose is suddenly there. Is this Rose?
He takes the rag from Emily and continues to clean himself with it. His clothes are ruined, his hair is disgusting, but he tries his best to get himself clean, though his best admittedly isn't much. He looks at his little sister. "Rosie, this is going to be really uncomfortable for a moment," he says. "But we have to be sure. I know you understand."
With that, he gives a nod to Lily.

Jan 8, 2024 5:54 pm

Freddie grabs another ray gun and checks it out. "We need to kill the rest. Maybe we open them one at a time and then squish each?"

When Rose shows up, he aims at her too. "She's one of them!"

Jan 8, 2024 8:10 pm

OOC:

Fred and Lily opening fire before Rose can react? If so, normal range — hit a 4!

Jan 8, 2024 9:16 pm

Does he make a pew pew noise in his head? Yes he does.

Does he really really hope this blaster is the same as Lily's? Yes he does.

Does Rose look great in that shirt? Yes, yes she does.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Shooting - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jan 8, 2024 10:33 pm

OOC:

I really should pass the gun off to Zach before I blow my own head off!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Rose Tidwell

Jan 8, 2024 10:45 pm

Rose Tidwell

Rose is quick. When it becomes obvious the teens aren’t buying her story, she suddenly bolts, trying to avoid the scintillating yellow beams Fred and Lily both fire at her. The whole room lights from the futuristic pyrotechnics, and Rose seizes up when one of those beams hits her and stops her in her tracks. She fights it — hard — but within seconds puke is jetting out the girl’s nose and she’s holding her mouth. When it finally comes, this technicolor yawn is epic — like Zach’s sister has spent the last eight hours eating mac and cheese and drinking milk. It’s a nasty, frothy, bubbling mess of yellow bile, and in the middle of that soup when Rose collapses, passing out… is a squiggling, twisting, writhing slug.

"Squeep?!" It voices towards the kids.

Rolls

Rose Resists Puking! (Vigor) - (1d8-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d8-4 : (7) - 4 = 3

1d6-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

Jan 9, 2024 1:13 am

"Don't kill this one!" Zach exclaims as he runs forward. He's not sure why. Because he's had a conversation with this one before? It's not like he could stop the others from doing it as he rushes over to Rose and pulls her into a tight hug. "Rosie, I was so scared that I would never get you back!"

Jan 9, 2024 4:05 am

Freddie kills it, stomping on it and looking in the hallway for the sounds of fighting

"That's just the Slughome Syndrome taking."

Jan 9, 2024 5:57 am

Zach cringes slightly when Fred killes the Not-Rose slug. He would have liked to try and talk to her again somehow, but maybe he's right and it's for the best. They still need to get out of here alive after all. He's certainly not going to start a fight over it. Instead, he turns to his siter again, "Rosie, how are you feeling?" He hesitates, then asks, "Were you conscious when Not-Rose was inside you?" If she wasn't, she'll think that's a really weird question. "Can you tell us what's going on in that hallway?"

Jan 9, 2024 6:29 am

Like Belinda and the others who had the slugs in them for some time, Rose is non-responsive to Zach. It appears that she might be okay in time, but her head lolls and her eyes roll as her brother holds her and talks to her. Fred's final slug-stomp is a spectacular one. It's a tough bugger, and the boy has to put almost all his weight down before the wet, slimy skin bursts and shoots gooey innards almost ten feet across the concrete floor.

"Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep..." the creature says softly as it expires.

Just then, the door shudders. Someone is outside, trying to get in -- but Rose bolted it.

"Rose!" someone shouts. "Rose! Goddammit I know you're in there!"

It's hard to say for sure, but... perhaps it's Marco Corbitt?!

Jan 9, 2024 6:39 am

"Marco?" Zach calls out. What is he doing here? How did he get here? Suddenly, Zach feels a light flush of embarrassment as he remembers that stray thought he had about Marco just moments before and he bites his lip. "Rose is in here. She's hurt. A lot of people are." He carefully lays Rose down on the ground, then walks towards the door. "I can let you in, but..." He doesn't finish the sentence as he puts his hand on the bolt. Instead, he nods at Lily, who is still holding the raygun. They'll have to be sure he's still himself.

Jan 9, 2024 9:16 am

"Wait! Here!" the girl says, tossing Zach a stun stick from its place on the floor nearby.

"In case we miss!" she says, nodding to Fred to be ready!

Jan 9, 2024 9:22 am

Zach takes it, then, when everyone's in place, opens the door to let Marco in.

Jan 9, 2024 3:37 pm

Taking it all in, Emily raises the pistol oddly aware of how many rounds she has left, and points it toward the door. Between her gun, the stun stick, if Zach managed to catch it, Lily's ray gun, and Fred's super slug foot, they were as prepared as they'd ever be. The girl didn't want to kill anymore but she would if she had to as she held her breath and waited to see who would come in through the doorway.

Jan 9, 2024 11:51 pm

Freddie stands well apart from Lily, opposite side of the room and levels the gun at the door. Quietly he says, "Remember, he's a bastard without a slug pilot."

Jan 10, 2024 9:51 am

Lily holds her weapon ready, and reaches her mind out into the hallway. She listens for any thoughts that might be seeping into the room from whoever might be on the other side. Perhaps it would hint at what they should expect next!

Jan 11, 2024 6:53 am

OOC:

Alright, let's play with things a little here at the end of the game. Lily has

[ +- ] Psionics!

Her three powers are Mind Link (currently active, cost was 1 point of power), Mind Reading, and Mind Wipe.

[ +- ] Mind Link

[ +- ] Mind Reading

[ +- ] Mind Wipe

Lily currently has 9/10 Power Points remaining. If she's going to try and read the mind of whoever is on the other side of the door, roll Smarts -- at +2 for temporarily having the Mentalist trait!

They will try to beat that roll, then we'll have Zach open the door with everyone in position. If Lily is successful, she'd be able to holler a warning or other info if she learns something she wants to share.

Jan 11, 2024 11:24 am

Lily focuses her mind as best she can, considering how recently she acquired the ability to do so. She’s tempted to reach out and search for Wendy among all the noise, but she must stay focused…

OOC:

Rolling! Harrigan might add an extra +2 if Alertness features!

Last edited January 11, 2024 11:25 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Smarts - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (7) + 2 = 9

1d6+2 : (64) + 2 = 12

Marco Corbitt

Jan 12, 2024 3:32 am

Marco Corbitt

It's a bizarre sensation. Lily can feel someone on the other side of the side. Their consciousness. Like a... static field or something. Zach is mentioning Marco's name, and then the junior reporter's own mental essence is drifting straight through the wall and the door -- and into Marco Corbitt, who stands outside the steam plant with a gun in his hand.

OOC:

Okay! Lily -- not only is that a success, but you have two raises!

For the success, you know this is indeed Marco on the other side of the door, and you can delve into his mind to answer any one question he knows the answer to, like where to get pot downtown.

For each of your two raises, you can then...

Θ Ask another question

Θ Make it so that Marco won't know about your mental intrusion

Θ Have a Benny!

Θ Try to flip this Mind Reading power into Puppet, where you could take control of him. Now... that would be your Smarts vs. his Spirit for that control, so you know, and it would cost you 3 more Power Points. (Power Points are how you cast spells. Lily suddenly has 10, spent one on the Mind Linking, then spent two on the Mind Reading. She has seven points left.)

What'll it be? You can choose the same one twice where it makes sense -- two questions, two Bennies, etc.

Rolls

Smarts! - (1d4, RA)

(1) = 1

Fumble? - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Jan 12, 2024 11:58 am

OOC:

Freebie: Are there aliens out there with you?

Raise 1: A Benny!

Raise 2: Who died out there?

Lily connects with the boy, and asks a series of questions!

Marco Corbitt

Jan 13, 2024 3:04 am

Marco Corbitt

The answers come quickly, whether Marco wants to offer them up or not. He can tell something is wrong, that someone is in his head, but he can't keep from revealing to Lily exactly what she wants to know.

Are there aliens out there with you?

I'm alone out here... I mean for now. The tunnels are crazy, full of insane teachers and a bunch of jocks and sports kids fighting them.

Who died out there?

I... I don't know. I mean -- I saw people on the ground, but I don't know if they were dead! That Noah kid, that Clutch a-hole. That smokin' hot gym teacher... that douchbag Dubois. I dunno, some others. Hey... hey bitch! What are you doing in my head?!

It's at that time that Zach pulls open the door, revealing Corbitt to the assembled crew. The boy is hunched a bit, holding his head with one of his hands while in the other he grips his gun, the one from the car!

OOC:

Stand by, Notice Check for Macro (at -2 for being Distracted) to see if he gets dealt into the initiative.

Rolls

Notice (Distracted by Lily) - (1d6-2, RA)

(4) - 2 = 2

Jan 13, 2024 3:06 am

OOC:

Dealing cards in case on of you pulls a Joker... Marco failed so doesn't act this round -- he's surprised.

Note the fact that we've dropped into combat rounds doesn't mean there has to be combat. I'm doing it just in case. And you know, fucking EMILY is present...

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach

Jan 13, 2024 3:07 am

OOC:

Init order (which doesn't matter much unless one of you wants to do something before the others, in which case we'll respect the order) is Lily, Emily, Zach, Fred.

Jan 13, 2024 4:51 am

"This won’t hurt you. We just need to be sure…" Lily says, nodding to the others as she carries out the plan. She fires the laser at Marco.

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (5) - 2 = 3

Marco Corbitt

Jan 14, 2024 5:50 am

Marco Corbitt

The dazzling ray from Lily's blaster narrowly misses Marco, carrying on down the hall, lighting the corridor as it streaks away. Corbitt looks up, shocked as the presence leaves his head, and as he sees the girl who was trying to get in right in front of him!

OOC:

GO GO EMILY!

Jan 14, 2024 3:53 pm

"Fuck this. I'm not taking any chances.

Emily raises her pistol and fires at Marco. She never liked him anyway.

OOC:

3/7 rounds left

Last edited January 14, 2024 3:55 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Shooting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Damage - (2d6, RA)

(32) = 5

Jan 15, 2024 12:42 am

Emily's nine-millimeter goes off again, a concussive blast that shatters the relative quiet of the steam plant, and Marco winces as the bullet grazes his cheek, drawing a red line across his skin!

OOC:

Zach go go go!

Jan 15, 2024 1:48 am

Lily can feel the thoughts forming in Emily’s mind.

I never liked him anyway…

Jesus, Emily… We’re trying to get out of here…

The girl speaks into Emily’s mind.

We can’t kill everyone…

Jan 15, 2024 2:08 am

"Marco!" Zach calls out in a panicked voice. "Holy shit, Emily, what the hell is wrong with you?"
He steps in front of Marco to defend him with his own body. He had been pretty sure Marco's not a slug before, but figured they need to be sure. Now, that is not the priority. The priority is keeping him alive and making sure he doesn't think they're the enemy. "Someone take her down before she kills someone!"

OOC:

Can I make some sort of Persuade to try and convince Marco that only Emily is insane? If not, Zach will just go into full shielding mode.

Jan 15, 2024 12:59 pm

Lily looks to Fred, uncertain. They need to get out of here. Her mind suddenly returns to Kelly Unger and the other girl tied together behind the group.

OOC:

Oops! Forget about them!

Jan 15, 2024 8:29 pm

"We can if it means leaving here alive," Emily hears Lilly's thoughts in her head and snaps back out loud at the girl.

"There is nothing wrong with me. Is there something wrong with you, Zach? Don't anyone touch me if you don't want a bullet. I'm not kidding guys. Make yourselves useful and untie the others. Marco, don't fucking move. Zach step aside!" Emily orders, pointing the nine-millimeter at Marco's head.

Jan 15, 2024 8:41 pm

Zach raises the cattleprod in his hand in Emily's direction without stepping out of the way between Emily and Marco. "You're fucking insane," he tells her. "There is no reason for you to turn your gun on him. None at all. Even if you think he has been taken by one of them, we have a reliable way to help him without resorting to murder."

Jan 15, 2024 9:05 pm

"Then fucking do it. We don't have all day!" The pistol is still pointed at Marco and Emily's hand is beginning to grow unsteady. Whether it's from fear or exhaustion, she's not sure, but her tough facade might be starting to weaken.

Jan 15, 2024 11:33 pm

"Pick a side Zach, you got another slug?"

He fires the ray gun at Marco.

Last edited January 15, 2024 11:34 pm

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Shooting - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (2) = 2

Jan 16, 2024 6:09 am

Lily winces as the scene unfolds.

"Look, we’re not aliens!" she says to Marco with her hands out in an unthreatening manner.

"We’re just on edge. Zach…" she says to the boy. She had tossed him the stun stick for this very occasion. Neither her or Fred had landed a hit.

"We need to be sure. Emily…" she says as gently as possible. "Maybe you can untie the girls back there?"

Marco Corbitt

Jan 16, 2024 7:06 am

Marco Corbitt

OOC:

Opposed roll, Zach, to keep Marco calm -- you roll Persuasion (at -2 because Emily and everyone is shooting at him), and he'll roll Spirit. In Opposed rolls, the attacker rolls first...

Jan 16, 2024 7:41 am

"Marco, I know this is a big ask, but trust me." Zach turns and reaches out a hand towards the older boy. "I don't want to hurt you. I was hoping you would come."

OOC:

That's a 5 then.

Last edited January 16, 2024 7:44 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion - (1D6, 1D6, RA)

1D6 : (61) = 7

1D6 : (1) = 1

Zachary Tidwell: Persuasion Benny (remembered the -2 this time) - (1D6-2, 1D6-2, RA)

1D6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Marco Corbitt

Jan 16, 2024 7:43 am

Marco Corbitt

Trying to fall back from the doorway, Marco is shaking his head and has a look in his eye that suggests he might be about to shoot back…

OOC:

With the -2, Marco meets the 5 — and isn’t listening.

Rolls

Spirit - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Jan 16, 2024 3:12 pm

Freddie isn't keen on getting shot in there head again. He still has a chisel in his other hand. Even if Marco isn't slugified he's a dangerous element. He tries his own piece.

"Wanna see what's really going on? Or do we end this between us? You and me."

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Persuasion* - (1d8, 1d6, RA)

1d8 : (4) = 4

1d6 : (5) = 5

Jan 16, 2024 3:24 pm

"What is wrong with all of you?" Zach asks, looking between Emily and Fred, unsure what is actually going on here. "Yes, we need to make sure Marco is still himself, but we have no reason to want to hurt him." He points a finger at the raygun in Fred's hand. "We have a safe and reliable way to make sure he's himself." Then, looking at the gun in Emilys hand and the chisel in Fred's, he adds, "But anyone looking to hurt him has to go through me. There's no need for that."

Jan 16, 2024 3:50 pm

"Lilly I'm not moving until Marco answers Freddie." The girl keeps her pistol trained on Marco.

Jan 16, 2024 7:09 pm

It’s a stand-off! Tensions mount as Marco staggers back, fumbling for this gun, and as Zach faces off with Emily, who can’t get a clean bead on Marco through his schoolmate…

OOC:

Pulling cards for the second round of initiative. The crew is gathered round the door on the inside of the room — Fred, Emily, and Lily have all shot through the doorway, trying to hit Marco, who has stumbled back from the door. Zach is now standing and blocking the way out of the room, or further shots at least from Emily, if I’m understanding things correctly. If he’s going to let, say, Fred and Lily ‘zap’ past him, I’ll give Marco a bit of cover from their fire. Fumbles will hit Zach.

Also — you get one try at Persuade (basically until ‘something changes’) and Fred’s already taken his action in round 1, so ignoring his Persuade roll.

Discuss in the Discord if I have something goofed.

Result: Zach (Joker), Emily, Lily, Marco, Fred. Zach gets +2 to actions this round — and all PCs get +1 Benny!

Zach might be up first. With the Joker, he can decide when to act!

Deck Draws

Emily, Fred, Lily, Zach, Marco

Jan 16, 2024 7:23 pm

Zach takes stock of the situation. Emily is still clinging to her gun. Marco looks nervous enough to shoot back at her. Panic begins to swell in him until he does the only thing he can think of to resolve this situation without anyone dying for it. He activates the cattleprod and jabs it at Emily. If she goes down, Marco shouldn't have a reason to use his gun anymore. Right? Then they can talk this out.

OOC:

Wild Attacking. I'm assuming that would prevent him from blocking Marco for the turn anyway, but even if not, he would let Lily and Fred shoot past with their rayguns.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting (+2 Joker, +2 Wild Attack) - (1D4+4, 1D6+4, RA)

1D4+4 : (2) + 4 = 6

1D6+4 : (2) + 4 = 6

Spending the Joker Benny - (1D4+4, 1D6+4, RA)

1D4+4 : (43) + 4 = 11

1D6+4 : (3) + 4 = 7

Jan 17, 2024 1:03 am

OOC:

Aiming for Marco, I guess!

Last edited January 18, 2024 6:33 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Shooting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (4442) - 2 = 12

1d6-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

Jan 17, 2024 7:55 am

OOC:

Emily's Parry is a 4, so Zach hits with a couple of raises. The first will make Emily's Vigor save harder, and the second can bank a Benny if you want, Zach.

Emily, please throw Vigor at -2! Failing with mean a big spew of barf and your being incapacitated. If Zach wants to avoid said spew, that'll be a straight Agility roll.

Jan 17, 2024 7:56 am

OOC:

Holding off on resolving Lily's roll until we resolve the attack on Emily. If she passes, she acts before Lily does.

Jan 17, 2024 7:57 am

OOC:

I'll take the Benny and try to avoid.
But I'll have you know, any Agility that Zach rolls will be gay, not straight

I just realized that I probably should have waited to see if Emily actually ends up vomiting 🤔 Oh well

Last edited January 17, 2024 7:58 am

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Agility - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (5) = 5

1D6 : (4) = 4

Jan 17, 2024 2:58 pm

OOC:

rolling

OOC:

Benny

Emily grabs her gut, and projectile vomit sails through the air in a thick gooey pus colored stream. Then she doubles over and falls to the floor, somehow managing to hold onto her pistol.

Last edited January 17, 2024 3:03 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Emily Richardsen: Vigor - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jan 17, 2024 4:16 pm

Zach manages to avoid getting sprayed by her vomit by stepping away from her. "I'm really sorry, Emily," he says. "But you gave me no choice."

Jan 18, 2024 6:35 am

Lily winces and looks away as Zach lunges for Emily and then the girl is spewing everywhere. Lily closes her eyes to stop the spray getting into her eyes, and squeezes the trigger as a reflex.

"STOP!" she screams into the minds of both Emily and Zach, a moment too late!

OOC:

Roll in my previous post!

Jan 18, 2024 8:38 am

Fred can hardly believe the carnage by the time it all settles down; there is puke everywhere. Emily is down and out, Marco is down and out -- stuck by Lily's hastily fired beam. No slug came flopping out of the young man, but his vomit hit the ceiling of the corridor before he collapsed. It was impressive.

Now, Fred, Zach and Lily hear more people coming from further up the corridor, towards the intersection. The tromping of many feet, the sounds of many shouting voices...

OOC:

Fred is technically up but we're outa combat rounds. What's the plan?!

Rolls

Marco Vigor - (1d6, RA)

(1) = 1

Confirming the Fumble - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Jan 18, 2024 2:51 pm

Fred shoots Zach with the desluginator 5000, as Zach appears to have gone insane or still be slugged. "You treasonous bastard!"

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Shooting - (1d6, 1d6, RA)

1d6 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (61) = 7

Jan 18, 2024 2:59 pm

"Alright, let's get Marco inside and now that we're not shooting at each-"
Zach's words are interrupted when the anti-slug-beam hits him.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Vigor - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (2) = 2

1D6 : (64) = 10

Jan 19, 2024 5:32 am

Zach is mid-sentence when Freddie lights him up with the barf blaster, and despite having little left in his stomach from before, the boy somehow finds more bile and stomach acid to spew onto the floor. It's a brief hurl, though, and while the sensation is awful, the experience doesn't leave Tidwell incapacitated.

OOC:

Giving Zach +1 resistance to the puke-gun for that raise.

And in case you're all going to keep up with this infighting, pulling cards.

Deck Draws

Fred, Lily, Zach, The Crowd Outside in the Corrido

Jan 19, 2024 5:34 am

The sounds of the approaching crowd get louder as Zach finishes puking, leaving Fred to decide on his next move...

OOC:

Order (if you need it) is Crowd, Fred, Lily, Zach. Marco is indeed on the ground *outside* the Steam Plant, in the corridor. You'd have to dart through the door to reach / check on him.

Jan 19, 2024 5:41 am

Zach looks up at Fred from weak, watery eyes, still looking like he might vomit again, not that there is anything left to come out at this point.
"Please, stop," he begs, holding out his cattleprod showing clear intention of dropping it to the ground. "I stopped them from killing each other. Help me get Marco inside and we can talk."

Last edited January 19, 2024 5:51 am

Jan 19, 2024 3:58 pm

"Sure Zach, then why didn't you shock Marco who we don't know isn't slugged? Why Emily? Now move over and get the door. " He grabs Marco's foot and drags him inside, trying not to slip on the growing assorted gore from the pukings and the burst slugs.

"We have to kill the rest of the slugs."

Jan 19, 2024 4:02 pm

"Because Marco was only defending himself while Emily was trying to fucking murder him," Zach replies as he slowly regains enough strength to help Fred pull Marco inside. As soon as he's in, Zach goes to shut the door and bolt it again. "Lily, get Emily's gun before she tries to kill anyone else for no reason."

Jan 19, 2024 11:11 pm

OOC:

Given that Lily pulled a card before Zach, Im going to peek out into the hall to see who is coming and how many, if possible.

Also considering which people are there. The group that Fred summoned. Known aliens. A mix of both (the worst option maybe!).

Jan 23, 2024 8:20 am

OOC:

Lily, test Stealth to see if you can do this without being noticed, please.

Peeking out into the corridor far enough to be able to try and make out just who it is that's coming, Lily is pretty sure she sees the Sheriff, and maybe Ms. Romanov, running down the passage. Definitely a man and a woman, with the man likely a cop. Behind them, some distance back, there's a crowd. It's too dim to know who's in it, but it Lily had to guess she'd say it's at least half a dozen people.

Jan 23, 2024 8:22 am

OOC:

Running down the passage… pursued by our saviors, hopefully!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Stealth* - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (5) = 5

Jan 24, 2024 6:37 am

OOC:

Done stealthily, so you're not noticed.

What's the plan? The Sheriff and the teacher are closing in...

Jan 24, 2024 6:47 am

OOC:

What's the status on taking Marco inside?

Jan 24, 2024 9:44 am

OOC:

Yeah, provided that Lily can’t also open up on these goons from her hidden positions, then I guess we advance along with the pulling of Marco into the room!

Jan 25, 2024 4:12 am

Stepping light-footedly to both avoid notice and all the chunky upchuck left in the corridor by Marco, Lily slips back into the steam plant as Fred and Zach drags the unconscious boy further into the room...

OOC:

Emily is still down and covered in sick if I recall correctly. Fred, Lily, and Zach are the only ones upright, really.

Let me know if there's anything else you need to pull a plan together. Are you closing and locking the door? Looking for another way out? Going to make a stand? Worried about the wall of squirming slugs? Concerned with all the unconscious teens and teachers? Kelly and other kid are still tied up and gagged. The blue dude still hangs limply...

Jan 25, 2024 5:37 am

Zach immediately locks the door when they're all inside again, hoping to give them a moment to discuss what happened and come up with a plan for how to proceed. He points at Emily. "Fred, take away her gun and try to wake her. I'll do the same with Marco." He leans over the tall boy, pulling the pistol from his grip and stuffing it into the back of his pants. Then he tries to get Marco to wake up, first by shaking him, and if that doesn't work, slapping his face. "Marco, come on. We need you!"

Jan 26, 2024 12:15 am

"We do?" Lily says quizzically, as she starts to rummage through the boxes of worms, checking their number.

"We got this far without him, didn’t we?" continues, as she pulls the first box out, flips the lid off, and smashes her foot down onto the creature inside.

"Why does he get the credit?" she says with a grunt, turning her foot on the worm, making sure it’s really smooshed. Then she sets about repeating the process…

Last edited January 26, 2024 12:16 am

Jan 26, 2024 1:23 am

Freddie takes the gun, stuffing it in the front of his pants, gangster style. "Help her Zach. Kill the bugs. I'll hold the door."

With a lingering look at Emily, concerned beyond measure, he closes the door and sticks his back to it, trying to find away to jam it closed. "If we do nothing else, every bug we kill saves someone we love."

Jan 26, 2024 5:43 am

Marco is alive but unresponsive -- like Emily and everyone else the teens shot or electro-prodded with the advanced weapons they found. Whatever it was that seemed to force the space-slugs out, it was also hard on the human body.

Fred hears the clomping of boots outside as he takes up a position near the locked door, and Lily squishes the very of possibly very many slugs. The moment she does, though, the whole loathsome wall of the things starts to squirm and scream. They are all locked in their little transparent plastic cells, but the teen is shocked when several of the creatures slam into the tiny doors holding their cells shut...

Rolls

Slugs Determined to Escape - (2d6, RA)

(562) = 13

5 Slugs Trying to Break Out! - (1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

1d6-4 : (64) - 4 = 6

1d6-4 : (63) - 4 = 5

1d6-4 : (4) - 4 = 0

1d6-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

6 More Slugs Trying to Break Out! - (1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, 1d6-4, RA)

1d6-4 : (4) - 4 = 0

1d6-4 : (3) - 4 = -1

1d6-4 : (1) - 4 = -3

1d6-4 : (63) - 4 = 5

1d6-4 : (2) - 4 = -2

Jan 26, 2024 5:48 am

Sheriff Akins

The door shakes and judders as someone violently tries it from the other side, then Sheriff Akins's voice sounds.

"Open up! Goddammit, open up in there and let us in, there's a mob!"

Across the room from Fred and Zach, Lily leaps back as one of the slugs above her busts out of its cage and comes flying out, flopping onto the floor. Then -- a second, and a third! In sudden and short order, there are three of the wet, writhing space-parasites free!

Jan 26, 2024 7:17 am

Zach lingers with Marco just a moment longer. "We'll get you out of here safely," he promises, his hand somewhere between Marco's shoulder and his chest. Then he gets up and heads over to Lily just as Akins bodychecks the door. "Fred, keep watch of the door. He thinks it's still his allies in here, so if he gets in, you should be able to get the drop on him."

OOC:

Joining Lily with the bugs, so feel free to draw initiative, Harrigan.
Is there anything flammable like gasoline around?

Jan 26, 2024 10:03 am

OOC:

Is the door lock locked or just being held shut? Fred could get in this action.

Draw cards, I guess!

Jan 26, 2024 2:30 pm

Fred has his back to the door, holding it shut and trying to find a way to jam it. "Fucking pedophile cop is who comes? And that mob is nuts. Damnit! What do we do?"

Last edited January 26, 2024 2:31 pm

Jan 26, 2024 2:41 pm

"The mob might be on our side," Zach says. "The sheriff is slugged, so if the mob was also slugged, why would he be running from them?" A thought occurs to him and he adds, "Maybe people saw my stream and that's why they came to the school."

Jan 26, 2024 3:01 pm

"I called my friends too, the jocks. They were coming expecting a fight "

Jan 27, 2024 4:16 am

OOC:

Initiative as Zach and Fred talk, and Lily sees the three slugs hit the floor...

Order is Fred, Lily, Zach, Slugs. If Fred or Zach wanted to help, your normal move would get you over there. They Parry at 2.

Deck Draws

Fred, Lily, Zach, Slugs x 2 (take lower)

Jan 27, 2024 7:37 am

Lily kicks at one of the things; intent on bursting it with the force of the blow!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

Jan 27, 2024 4:04 pm

Having set the deadlock on the heavy steel rusty door, Freddie runs forward to help Lily squeak the escaping bugslugs.

"Don't let them crawl into your orifices!"

OOC:

He tries to stomp on two of them

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Multi Action - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (65) - 2 = 9

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Multi Action - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jan 29, 2024 6:12 am

Fred makes it over in time to see Lily messily dispatch one of the three slugs that are on the loose -- and he stomps another into a gooey oblivion. At these deaths, the walls of slugs comes alive again! The cages rattle and shake as the things try to free themselves, try as he might, Fred can't reach and kill the third slug...

OOC:

Zach is up...

Jan 29, 2024 6:22 am

Zach joins them and, following Fred's example, stomps at the escaped aliens.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Fighting - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (4444444441) = 37

1D6 : (4) = 4

Jan 29, 2024 10:21 am

Lily looks at Zach, and watches the fervor with which he attacked the thing come to the fore. His sister, Aaron and everyone else… Lily figured the boy was finally getting revenge!

"Plenty more where they came from!" she says, hoping they don’t exhaust themselves before the job was done!

Last edited January 29, 2024 10:23 am

Jan 30, 2024 3:51 am

Coiling up in a way none of the teens have yet seen, the third renegade space slug suddenly springs at Lily, flying through the air, straight for the girl's face -- for her mouth!

But before the nearly foot-long alien can reach the girl, Zach steps in an swats it out of the air! The creature squeaks and squeals when it hits the floor, but that sound abruptly ceases when Tidwell angrily brings his foot down on top of the invertebrate, completely pulping the thing, spraying its glowing inwards out in a putrid fan of goo and grisly bits that must be organs.

The door slams but holds not once, but twice.

Sheriff Akins

"Let us in, goddammit! Let us in!" the Sheriff shouts from outside, while the wall of imprisoned slugs continues to erupt in a fury as the slimy parasites slam themselves against their plastic cell doors, trilling and shrieking. The crates begin rocking back and forth as the tiny monsters start moving in time, and the three teens suddenly know they are going to need help, here far underground, to survive!

OOC:

So. EIGHT FREAKING RAISES after killing that third slug, Zach.

If you're okay with it, let's turn all of that into Bennies -- two each -- for our final cinematic scene. A giant combat that will involve rousing and untying people who will help you, slugfighting, and a battle royale with the remaining slugged adults. You'll be aided by whoever you can get on their feet, teens who came looking to help Zach because of his video, Clutch and the rest of Fred's pals, Wendy, Priya, and anyone else we should bring in for a cameo.

Stay tuned for instructions on what to roll!

Jan 30, 2024 4:39 am

THE FINAL BATTLE!

OOC:

We're using a combination of the Quick Resolution and Mass Battle rules to finish out the game, folks. Here we go!

FIRST! Rouse Your Allies
Someone make a Healing Check, at -1 for the sorry condition of your patients, who include Emily, Rose, Aaron, Marco, Kelly Unger, and the kid she's tied to. Two of you can Support if you want -- also a Healing check, which provides +1 to the task leader / roller if you succeed. (+2 from a Raise, -2 from a Crit Failure.)

On a Critical Failure, none of the four can be roused. On a regular Failure, choose one to rouse. Success means you can rouse two, and each Raise means you can rouse one more.

Note: to get Windy back in the game, she can also spend a Benny to rouse. (See my previous post, each of you have +2 Bennies now.)

THEN! Saturday Night Slug Fight
As you finish rousing folks, the wall of slugs comes tumbling down and the fight is on! One of you lead the others in a Fighting-based Quick Encounter that will determine the fate of the space slugs! You would get a gang-up bonus here, you'd think, but you'll be badly outnumbered by the slugs. (They are rolling as well, this will be opposed -- and *they* will enjoy the gang-up bonus.) I'll allow support roles from PCs here, same effect as above.

On a Critical Failure, many slugs escape and someone gets slugged without anyone knowing about it! On a regular Failure, you win the battle but several slugs escape. Success means you win but a single slug goes missing, and a Raise means a complete success. All slugs die!

FINALLY! Battle Royale
The door comes crashing in after the slug fight, spilling into the room the huge brawl that's going on between the slugged adults and all the teens and townsfolk fighting them with bats, tools, shovels and hockey gloves. There's carnage!

It's another Fighting roll, made by one PC with others potentially supporting. You enjoy +3 from Ganging Up and badly outnumbering the slugs, and from your advanced weapons.

On a Critical Failure, we'll randomly determine 2d6 characters who don't survive the fight -- PCs and NPCs are in the crosshairs. The good guys win in the end, but it's a bloody mess, basically. On a regular Failure, you win but 1d6 friendly NPCs don't make it. On a Success, you win but 1d6 slugged adults won't be getting up... on a Raise, you win, everyone lives, and there's a big goddamned party!

[ +- ] NPCs in the Final Battle Royale Scene

Jan 30, 2024 7:12 pm

Freddie helps Zach apply first aid, his enthusiasm for the effort confused by the banging on the door but his caring nature (hey, he has one) at the forefront. He'll offer consoling words and helpful advice from his months of physical rehab.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Healing - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (3) - 2 = 1

1d6-2 : (63) - 2 = 7

Jan 30, 2024 10:52 pm

OOC:

Emily spends the benny to rouse.

"Mother Fuck!" the girl exclaims as she gets up, trying to clear the proverbial cobwebs from her brain and body, while ignoring the splattered goo on her clothing.

OOC:

She will wait for The Plan

Jan 30, 2024 11:41 pm

Lily takes the quiet moment to check on the bound girls, now that the room wasn’t wriggling with worms.

"Quick! Get over here!" Lily shouts as the others are tending to themselves! She races back to start killing the worms, and they weren’t too happy about it!

OOC:

Benny one…

Last edited January 31, 2024 2:59 am

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (1) - 2 = -1

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Lily Palmer: Fighting - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (441) - 2 = 7

1d6-2 : (2) - 2 = 0

Lily Palmer: Healing - (1d4-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d4-2 : (42) - 2 = 4

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

Jan 31, 2024 4:41 am

OOC:

Alright, Fred is successfully supporting Zach as he makes the Healing check. Lily is welcome to try too, and even Emily if she wants to spend the Benny. Just keep in mind there's a chance Zach aces the crap out of the healing roll, which would mean Emily could be rouses without spending the Benny. But if Emily is up and Supporting -- obviously the Benny will be spent.

We need Zach to make the Healing check. (Currently at +2 from Fred's and Lily's help.)

Holding fire on Lily's roll to fight slugs until we resolve and narrate "Rouse Your Allies." (And I will note that, really, we should be making support rolls first if they are coming. The PC making the actual skill check should roll at the end. And in this case, it'll be a contested roll with the slugs comin' at ya.)

Jan 31, 2024 5:57 am

With Fred and Lily's support, Zach begins trying to rouse some of the unconscious people here.

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Healing - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (41) = 5

1D6 : (4) = 4

Benny for Potential Raise, also adding Help Bonus and Condition Penalty - (1D4+1, 1D6+1, RA)

1D4+1 : (2) + 1 = 3

1D6+1 : (4) + 1 = 5

Feb 1, 2024 5:44 am

With the door shaking as Akins tries to break it down, and the whole wall of captive slugs shrieking and wailing as they try to bust out of their plastic cells, the teens set about rousing everyone they can for what is sure to be a desperate final battle. Anyone on the floor is vulnerable to slug infiltration if the things get free!

Emily, Macro and Rose end up back on their feet, and while the girls have both have had enough experience with the slugs by now to keep their wits about them in the basement room full of alien horrors, it quickly becomes clear that Marco is not quite so prepared.

Marco Corbitt

"What the fuck is this?!" the boy with the weedy mustache and beard shouts, recoiling from the wall of writhing, boiling alien flesh. "What the fuck is going on here?! What are those things?!"

As if in answer, the slugs finally get the timing and momentum right and cause their rocking prison wall to tumble forward -- where it smashes onto the floor, cracking open and spilling and freeing dozens of the things into the room! The parasites peep and hoot shrilly as they come for the group, inching along but also springing through the air, determined that this will not be their last stand, that this will not be the end of their species!

Rose Tidwell

Rose has armed herself with a pipe and gnashes her teeth. She's fully aware of what happened to her, and she's seeing red as she answers Marco. "Get with the program, Macro! Smash these little fuckers!"

Rolls

Marco Spirit Check - (1d6, RA)

(2) = 2

Rose Support Roll for the Battle - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Feb 1, 2024 6:04 am

OOC:

Moving on to Saturday Night Slug Fight.

This will be an Opposed Fighting roll, all of you vs. the slugs. Choose one PC to lead the charge, but the other three can make Support rolls. Those might be impassioned speeches, smooches, booby flashes, smart use of weapons in the battle, telepathy, you name it. Each success will mean +1 to the Fighting roll of your fight leader, and each approach will factor in to how things go if you win or lose.

The Slugs will enjoy a Gang-Up Bonus, but before we get to the Opposed Fighting roll -- please make the three Support rolls, describing what you're doing to help!

Edit: Marco is too wigged out to be much help, but Rose supports at +1!

Feb 1, 2024 6:20 am

Squeaking and stretching, slithering and sliding, springing and splaping, the space slugs sally forth and strike!

Rolls

Slug Fighting! (Ganging Up +4!) - (1d4+4, RA)

(442) + 4 = 14

Feb 1, 2024 6:30 am

"Rosie!" Zach wraps his little sister in an almost painfully tight hug as soon as she's managed to struggle to her feet. He wants to say more, tell her that as annoying as she is, he missed her and he's glad to have her back. She is a bit less troublesome than Not-Rose after all.

But there's no time. Suddenly, there's a whole mass of slugs breaking out, escaping, trying to become a danger. Too many to just squish them all. He lets go of her and looks around. Just last year, before he switched schools, they had a class on snails and slugs and those kinds of gross slimies. These ones are aliens, but maybe the same things apply to them. He tries to recall what he knows about their anatomy and possible weaknesses to exploit. Is there salt around? That'd be trouble for them. But there must have been more, right?
If only Zach hadn't shared that particular class with Wade Farran and his distractingly tight shirts...

OOC:

Assist Roll for whoever makes the actual attack

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Academics - (1D8, 1D6, RA)

1D8 : (1) = 1

1D6 : (1) = 1

Feb 1, 2024 7:09 am

OOC:

So, whoever ends up making the final Fight roll, please factor in Zach's results.

[ +- ] TEE HEE

Feb 1, 2024 3:44 pm

Fred slashes with the chisel and tries to kill as many as he can, but he sees the charge focusing around Lily. The first to fire the ray gun that gave them a chance to fight back. The intrepid investigator so adept at figuring out the rules of any scenario.

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting (to support Lily) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Fred Solomon: Fighting (Benny) - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (42) = 6

1d6 : (63) = 9

Feb 1, 2024 4:10 pm

Emily yanks out her pepper spray, finds the most concentrated group of alien slugs, and sprays, waving her arm from side to side in an effort to kill as many of the bastards as she can.

The hiss of the spray is accompanied by her hysterical shrieks, "Die, you slimy motherfuckers!"

OOC:

Support for Lilly.

Last edited February 1, 2024 4:11 pm

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (1) = 1

1d6 : (4) = 4

Feb 1, 2024 4:16 pm

Lily tries to rouse the others from their grogginess, as the slugs come down! Waking them was one thing, but asking them to fight was quite another!

Marco, she has to try and get through to the man, but he’s half dazed; a chicken at the end. She focuses then on rallying the others!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Persuasion* - (1d10+1, 1d6+1, RA)

1d10+1 : (105) + 1 = 16

1d6+1 : (1) + 1 = 2

Feb 1, 2024 8:29 pm

OOC:

Wow! What a roll — describe stomping tons of slugs flat, everyone! Then I’ll have the door bust open and things will get real…

Feb 1, 2024 8:52 pm

Freddie slashes giant slugs in half, the chisel sweeping in long sweeps, as he attacks the left flank and herds those ones to the center. Lily's words and manner buoy him to dig deep, despite the aches coming from his tortured, still-healing body.

Feb 1, 2024 9:01 pm

Trying to follow up his pretty impressive success in smashing those slugs before, Zach swings the cattleprod at them, not to electrocute them, but just to use it as a dull weapon. That, however, turns out to be a bad idea when the prod hits the ground hard, snaps and a piece of it hits him in the face, cutting into his skin. He lets out a yell of pain and stumbles backwards, not ending up being a great help in this slugfight.

Feb 2, 2024 6:29 am

Lily tries to move about the room, giving people a chance to catch their breath or check their wounds as the battle drags on. She thinks to try and puppet Marco’s body, to force him to fight, but the worms drive it from her mind as they press the attack. All she can do is kick, and wallop and wrestle!

Feb 2, 2024 3:37 pm

As the disgusting bugs curl and contort from the girl's pepper spray, Emily takes a great deal of satisfaction from what looks to her like their great discomfort. As they slither to the floor, she stomps on them, rather like a comical dance, the satisfying crunch and squishing sound making her sneer maliciously. With a maniacal verve, she hunts any of the little bastards that still move.

Feb 3, 2024 6:21 am

The slugs don't stand a chance against the five angry teens; it's a bloodbath, and within just a minute or two every slug has been squibbed, stomped, popped, ruptured, flattened, or pulped. Juice and goo drips from the ceiling and runs down the walls as the quintet finally stops, chests heavy as they suddenly realize the only sound they are hearing is their own panting. There's no shrill, unnatural shrieking, no vile slurping sound from the slugs locomoting... no final peeps or protests from a dying alien race.

Unfortunately, there's no chance to celebrate, to realize just what they've accomplished, or to even see the one lonesome, wounded slime-creature hiding in a dark corner before the door finally bursts open. Akins is there, he has a shotgun, and he looks furious. Several other slugified teachers and adults are with him, but they are clearly harried -- wounded, exhausted, under duress. They all spill into the room, bringing with them a mob of angry townsfolk, teens, and... others.

Bats and knives, crowbars and hockey gloves, guns and teeth and bare knuckles -- it's a brawl to the bitter end! On one side, Levitt and Romero, the Coach, creepy Mister Edge, eyeballing and smiling at Emily... Polenksy, Romanov and the Sheriff. On the other, Clutch, Dave, Noah and Banks... injured Officer Bentley, Wendy, Justin, Priya, Fred's sisters... even the two goons the group had hospitalized. And -- is that? It is! Steve!

OOC:

Battle Royale Phase -- Final Round!

Who is leading the Fight here? One person will roll, at +3 because of all the allies you have, and with any support the other PCs can generate with various actions. What are your approaches and rolls for that support? The leader needs to go last, but otherwise feel free to narrate and get after it.

Final Results: On a Critical Failure, we'll randomly determine 2d6 characters who don't survive the fight -- PCs and NPCs are in the crosshairs. The good guys win in the end, but it's a bloody mess, basically. On a regular Failure, you win but 1d6 friendly NPCs don't make it. On a Success, you win but 1d6 slugged adults won't be getting up... on a Raise, you win, everyone lives, and there's a big goddamned party!

Questions? To the Discord!

Rolls

Slug Army Fights! (+1 from puke-attacks, +1 from high STR) - (1d8+2, 1d6+2, RA)

1d8+2 : (2) + 2 = 4

1d6+2 : (4) + 2 = 6

Feb 3, 2024 4:15 pm

When the battle breaks out, Zach instinctively moves in closer to Rose. She's probably tougher than him, but he still always feels protective of her and he could never forgive himself if something bad happened to her. "Hey, slugs," he calls out to the attackers as he jabs at them with the broken cattleprod. He's not a great fighter and others can use the few remaining weapons more than he can. His intention is to keep their attention off Rose so they won't hurt her, but if he does well enough, he should also distract them from the more skilled fighters around. "If I were as ugly as you, I'd also hide in our much prettier human bodies!" Internally, he rolls his eyes at his own terrible taunts. Why can't he come up with something more clever, like some action movie hero? "I killed the one of you who was inside Gromn. And Belinda. And about two dozen more by this point. Are you mad?"

Rolls

Zachary Tidwell: Taunt - (1D4, 1D6, RA)

1D4 : (4443) = 15

1D6 : (3) = 3

Feb 3, 2024 4:26 pm

"Steve? Steve! My God!" Emily rushes him, bear hugs the boy, and covers him in slime. Then she starts spraying anyone who threatens her or the others.

Rolls

Emily Richardsen: Fighting, supporting, whatevering - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (2) = 2

Benny up - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Benny last - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (2) = 2

1d6 : (3) = 3

Feb 4, 2024 4:26 am

Lily looks for her parents amid the crowd of rescuers. Bentley was there, and so she peeks around the group to find her parents who had been taken along with the officer. Her eyes meet Wendy’s, and then she feels the sudden pressing weight of the shotgun being waved around the room!

She grits her teeth, and reaches out with her mind, hoping to do some damage to the aliens with the powers the blue being above granted to her!

She can’t speak, can’t hope… until that mother fucker with the shotgun is out of the fight!

Rolls

Lily Palmer: Spirit - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (7) = 7

1d6 : (4) = 4

Lily Palmer: Spirit BENNY - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (6) = 6

1d6 : (1) = 1

Lily Palmer: Spirit BENNY 2 - (1d10, 1d6, RA)

1d10 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (62) = 8

Feb 4, 2024 4:31 am

Freddie is supposed to be the jock. He was once, before the car accident. But he surges ahead now, taking the middle as his friends form ranks behind him, fighting for the survival of their school, their town, maybe more. A chisel in one hand, a ray gun in the other he fights, and he fights hard.

Emily with her gun and the pepper spray. Lily with her freaky deaky magic gifted no doubt from the blue space ghost. Zach using his best asset, his smart mouth. They're a team, and he loves them all.

OOC:

With the+3 gang up bonus, a 13!

Last edited February 4, 2024 4:33 am

Rolls

Fred Solomon: Fighting - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Benny 1 - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (3) = 3

1d6 : (2) = 2

Fred Solomon: Fighting, Benny 2 - (1d4, 1d6, RA)

1d4 : (442) = 10

1d6 : (1) = 1

Feb 5, 2024 3:04 am

Lily wrestles with the Sheriff’s mind, as she turns her probing powers on to the bastard’s skull.

Drop the gun! she commands wordlessly, and she can feel herself clawing into the man’s brain; forcing his body to obey under the threat of further pain. Another command, and the weapon is tossed aside and out of reach.

With the heavy weapons out of the way, it’s shillelagh law, and the ruckus breaks out. Sticking close to Wendy and her brother, Lily whips out wild with fists, and raygun; sometimes even using the thing as a club if resistance is stiff. With such a gathering of Boseman’s finest, its quick work.

Lily tries to call off the hounds, holding her raygun aloft for all to see!

"We can save them! Wait! We can still save them!"

Feb 5, 2024 5:46 am

Zach does what he can to protect Rose. Aaron, luckily, is still unconscious in the back of the room. Safe, as long as they don't let the slugged people get past their little line of defense. But he can't let them get to Rose again. Losing her to the slugs once already showed him how much he cares about his annoying little sister. And so he swings his broken cattleprod at any slug-infected-looking face that comes near, even stabs it at one or two people. He's not going to kill anyone, but if a couple people come out of this with some injuries, well, that's better than the alternative of just giving up.
He sees Lily raise the raygun, remind everyone that they have all they need to save everyone. It gives him new energy. All he needs to do is hold the horde back long enough for them all to get cured. And considering all the vomit he's expecting, then he'll likely need to buy a new shirt.

Feb 5, 2024 3:07 pm

When the door opens he sees Clutch and the mob attacking the forces of evil: Mr. Levitt, Romero, Ms. Maidstone, Coach Murdock, Mr. Edge, Mr. Polensky, Ms. Romanov, and of course, Sheriff Akins.

Freddie, having passed the gun back to Emily, welcomes Atkins in, then knees him in the groin, before capping him with the vomit gun. He dives into the hallway, swinging the chisel like a flashy distractionator pulling the trigger as fast as he can. This is no sitting duck shooting contest at the midway, it's a brawl. The gun is fired while pressed against faces, feet, stomachs. At one point he has it jammed down Ms. Maidstone's lycra top and between her bewbs, and he winces to pull the trigger on such fine -- FOCUS!

Caught in between the two sets of unruly teens, the slug squad is on the ropes.

Last edited February 5, 2024 3:32 pm

Feb 5, 2024 3:40 pm

Emily snatches the gun from Freddie and waves it around threateningly, especially at the asshole Sherriff.

"Ever been pepper sprayed, Akins? How 'bout now, fuck face!" Emily depresses the button, a maniacal laugh escaping her vomit-breathed mouth as she follows Freddie out into the hallway, pepper spray in one hand and pistol in the other, like some kind of western showdown at the OK Corral, only this ain't TV, it's reality.

Feb 6, 2024 1:43 pm

OOC:

Alrighty, I'll check in via the Discord, but I think I have enough to wrap this scene and then start in on the epilogues.

Before I do that, however, I'd like you to think about what you would do with two Advances (see p54 in SWADE, "Advancement). As you choose edges, improve skills, etc., think about what direction your teen is headed in, what they've learned about themselves, their friends and the world around them, and what's next in life for them. (I think the epilogues are going to be post-graduation / next phase in life angles, so bear that in mind. There might be some... complications, as well. After you've chosen the improvements from the two Advancements, we'll do a third, but definitely hold off on doing that just yet until we determine what kind of world the kids are heading into...)

Feb 7, 2024 1:47 pm

In the end, the fight is not a close one. The teens and their allies outnumber the alien-infected teachers and cops, and they are fighting for their lives -- for their friends, for their planet. It's an ugly win, vomit-filled and with teachers some of the kids know and love having to be punched, zapped, wrestled, or... telepathically controlled. Groins are kneed, hair is pulled, boobs are "accidentally" grabbed, arms are twisted -- it's a battle royale and the uninfected are fighting for keeps.

Akins is the toughest nut to crack, but Lily, Fred and Emily all team up and when he's finally on the ground disgorging his slug, it's more or less over. That space worm, along with all the rest, is summarily executed by the high school students, ended by and angry stomp of a foot.

Tensions peak and break as the kids unleash for is for some of them years of angst, frustration, denial and shame. It's cathartic, and it will be a night and a moment none of them forget. Back to back and side by side they fight; lifelong bonds are forged.

When it's over, few of the victors can believe what that they been through. What they've seen and experienced, how any of this could be real. But it is, and soon enough it's the men in black who swoop in to take control of the scene -- of the plant, the school, the crash in the woods, the town. Everything is locked down, cleaned up, sanitized. The kids are separated, interrogated, grilled, examined. Parents are angry, they're ashamed at not being more involved, they're incredulous.

Boseman will never be the same after this night, and neither will Fred Solomon, Lily Palmer, Emily Richardsen, and Zach Tidwell.

Feb 7, 2024 1:49 pm

OOC:

In the end, how many slugs remain? I'll roll here later today to answer this and further questions... then you can confirm your Advancements and we'll move to the Epilogue.

Feb 9, 2024 2:52 am

OOC:

And by later today, I of course meant -tomorrow-. Which is now today.

Remaining slugs:
1 - Hundreds aboard the ship
2 - Dozens aboard the ship
3 - A handful of slug-infected adults
4-6: Only the lonely slug that survived the battle royale

Rolls

Remaining Slugs! - (1d6, RA)

(5) = 5

Feb 9, 2024 2:56 am

OOC:

One lonely slug!

Who did it hide inside until graduation?

1. Rose
2. Marco
3. Steve
4. Wendy
5. Priya
6. Aaron
7. Kelly
8. Belinda

Rolls

Who got secretly slugged? - (1d8, RA)

(5) = 5

Feb 9, 2024 3:09 am

OOC:

Was that slug able to take over the world?

Fumble - no, and Priya was killed when the slug was discovered!
Failure - no, and Priya was saved when the slug was discovered and smooshed!
Success - no, but there's a state-wide outbreak that the kids get secretly tangled up in after graduation.
One Raise (8) - no, but there's a multi-state outbreak that goes public... and the kids get tangled up in after graduation.
Two Raises (12) - no, but more of the aliens arrive and war erupts on all fronts across the planet!
Three Raises (16) - Yes! You now all live under Slug Law!

Rolls

Final Roll! - (1d6-2, 1d6-2, RA)

1d6-2 : (4) - 2 = 2

1d6-2 : (64) - 2 = 8

Feb 10, 2024 3:45 pm

OOC:

Right! If you care to write Epilogues that cover you and your most beloved / hated PCs, go for it! If it works, factor in the result rolled above:

One Raise (8) - no, but there's a multi-state outbreak that goes public... and the kids get tangled up in after graduation.

Feb 10, 2024 5:42 pm

Freddie waves goodbye one last time, as Emily drives away. A great deal of attention has fallen on the town of Boseman, and her parents mysterious past had them packed and leaving. They had a good run together, and his eyes sting with salty tears at the thought he'd not see her tomorrow, or the next day, or ever again.

Freddie is still a good looking man, but the scars of war have left him a gruesome shadow of the man he thought he'd be. The burns have healed but left his left arm is a horrible knot of angry tissue. He wears long sleeves even when it's hot to hide the damage. His eyes are shadowed and haunted by terror and drug use.

Belinda is gone, having left shortly after the incident at the school. She was ashamed, horrified by what had happened, and at her own involuntary complicity in the horrible invasion. She electronically signs documents when needed, but that's in exchange for the Solomon children gaining control over most of the estate, and their silence, and a monthly allowance to keep her from living on the streets.

Sarah and Debby are coming out of their trauma. Councilling has helped them heal, along with honesty and care from their brother. He's firm with them, to give them a rock to stand on, but loving as well.

The war. That's what it was. Somehow the Men in Black missed a slug, and it got free. With no tools left to fight the growing cult of the possessed, Freddie and the teens of Boseman became the frontline in essentially a mob war. Disavowed by the government, they were little more than murderers at first. Eventually they found the secret to expelling the ever multiplying slugs with a combination of illicit drugs. Who knew meth was good for anything?

Lily was scary. Her interactions with the blue ghost left her with strange insights and abilities. Still, her tactical teen genius, their Teenius he called her, was the difference in several of the guerilla assaults they made on Sluggo compounds. Every war needs generals.

The four of them, the core four, had survived it all, though many friends were lost. The last shoe would drop soon, Freddie feared, he just hoped if they finally decided to arrest him and drag him to prison, his sisters would be adults. And if he went down, maybe his friends would be spared. He'd take all the blame, in exchange for their freedom.

Yeah, and if wishes were spaceships, slugs would fly.

Last edited February 10, 2024 5:48 pm

Feb 10, 2024 8:58 pm

Life hadn't really returned back to normal after that day. Really, that week, but while things had been brewing for a bit, they all had only come to a head on that one day. The day before what had been meant to be Homecoming.
Somehow, they all had survived. Nobody had lost their lives that faithful day - nobody except Mr. Unger - but even when it had seemed over, things hadn't gone back to the way they had been before. All of them had simply seen too much.

Zach and Aaron became a thing after that day. No Homecoming dance for them, but after fighting off an alien invasion, being the gay kid in school suddenly didn't seem so scary anymore. People even respected Zach anyway, for having been at the heart of it all. Still, that relationship didn't last. After that day, Zach began training, bulking up, practicing to fight. He could have died down there in that asylum or steam plant and he never wanted to be caught vulnerable like this again. And Aaron, lovely as the dorky boy was, didn't fit into this life. Zach's thoughts always turned back to Marco, who was a complete douche, but who at least had fought by Zach's side in that tunnel, who was strong and tough in a way Aaron wasn't.
Of course that didn't work either. They had one encounter, not long before graduation, but it was rough, uncomfortable and brought nothing but regret to Zach. At least it was a final cue to finally end things with Aaron. Another decision followed - to move far away from Boseman, from this cursed city, right after graduation.

But of course, he never got that chance. It all started with Priya. But the thing inside her, somehow, it procreated. Somehow, it all happened again. But this time, there were no miraculous alien wonder weapons.
Rosie was among the first of Priya's new wave of infected and she was the first to be killed by the resistance. Zach held her as she died, pulling the slug from her open chest to have one last moment with his little sister.

He had never wanted to get involved with anything like the slugs ever again. But he did, in her memory. And somehow, his three friends were still by his side throughout it all. Somehow, they beat back the slugs for a second time.
But while the world was celebrating, Zachary Tidwell did not rejoice. They had beaten the slugs once. Twice. There would be a third time. In his heart, he knew there would be.
So he waited.

Feb 10, 2024 10:10 pm

Uncharacteristically, Emily burst into tears after she kissed Freddie goodbye. She hadn't realized how special he was despite his roving eye. She'd miss him, at least for a while. As to the others, Lilly and Zach, probably not.

Once in the car, a few more tears slid down her cheeks and then she snapped at Steve who bore the brunt of all her angst. He was an idiot anyway. She caught her father's glaring eyes drilling daggers at her through the rearview mirror, yet oddly her mother wasn't angry at her at all. Emily even caught something soft in her eyes. Was it empathy? Compassion? Whatever it was, it was welcome. She was going to need all the emotional support from her mom that she could get. Maybe the unbelievable turn of events would bring them closer together. Time would tell.

Feb 11, 2024 9:31 am

"They’re ready for you, ma’am." the shivering intern said over a clipboard, as Lily had the final touches put on her hair and makeup. She swings the chair about, and looks at Wendy.

"So, how do I look?" she asks the woman, with a wry smile. The pink, healed skin across her cheek had been covered. That had been a conversation all of its own…

"Ready!" Wendy remarks, before brushing something off of Lily’s shoulders.

The time after Boseman had been turbulent. Something had awoken in Lily. Something that had helped them, and yet made those around her fear looking the girl in the eye. Everyone except Wendy, and those that had seen the blue man beneath the school all those years ago.

Whatever had awoken had given Lily an edge. Not just an edge in their war against the worms, but also in other avenues. Her senses were sharpened, and she knew how to cut to the quick of things. She had rallied their forces many a time over the various battles, just as she had back then…

"Let’s do this then!" she says, with a heavy sigh, and taking Wendy by the hand. Their planned outfits complimented each other; a united front for the world to see. They exit the backstage room, and make for the stage.

The hustle and bustle from the front of house can be heard all the way back here. An MC drones over the mic, but the crowd is waiting for one thing. The intern that had called for Lily to get ready stood nearby and spoke into his headset.

The crowd up front hushes suddenly. The lights must be signaling that the show was about to begin.

Over the mic, she can hear the words:

"Ladies and Gentlemen, please rise and welcome the 47th President of these United States. President Lily Palmer, and First Lady Wendy Palmer."

And then the crowd is cheering. Lily takes a final deep breath, and then steps out into the blinding lights and deafening applause, squeezing Wendy’s hand as they make for the podium.

Feb 11, 2024 11:05 pm