File: 192.png (357.4 KB)

357.4 KB PNG

"What is your plan with Margaret, anyway?" Zul says, "I love her to death of course, but she isn't exactly the 'motherly' type. What did Tamako say when you mentioned her?"

You glance over to the changeling and the goddess ahead. They are looking into a nearby store window and talking about what's inside. It appears to be a second hand clothing store, and though you don't know much about anomalies you doubt what you are looking for is in there. You mutter that you haven't actually told her about it quite yet.

"Oh. I just assumed with how gung-ho she was about finding a mother she'd know." Zul replies, "Well, if it doesn't work out long term that's probably for the best."

You ask a bit defensively if it's so bad to have a little fun while trying to find a mother for Tamako. Honestly, you've never been in a position to play the field so you figure you might as well enjoy it.

"I suppose checking your options isn't a terrible thing. Just be careful which fairies you get 'friendly' with." Zul says, "Some Fae are pretty well known for drama and jealousy after all."

You ask if fae are evolving due to how modern perceptions are changing, if she thinks that anomalies might also be evolving alongside with them. You might be the first known living anomaly, but that doesn't mean you are the first ever. Maybe the ones that came before just exhibited it in much more subtle ways.

"It's possible I suppose. There are some well known humans in the past that are suspected to have carried anomalies. Perhaps they were just one themselves?" Zul says convesationally. "Hopefully we don't get any more human anomalies for a while though. One is enough."

Deciding to get back on business, you say that researching the Gravel Family while you wait for the ghost tour seems the most sensible. Between having an archivist and a researcher on your team it seems to fit the skill set well. You wonder outloud to Zul if the old man might know about the Gravel Family.

"I suppose he might, if he's been around here for a while." She says with a sigh. "Just take what he says with a grain of salt."

>>6358837
>"well, we definitely have the time, we can get some info from the old man and crossreference it with whatever we or the MiB can find to be...well, maybe not 100% sure, but as close as we can get"

glad to have you back EggOP! hope you had some nice holidays

Weeee're back!

>>6358842
+1

>>6358842
Support

Welcome back Egg OP. Happy New Year

>>6358836
We're back! With an adorable and fun OP image!

>>6358837
>Go talk to the old homeless fellow again while the others are nerding out at the library
Sure, why not? I don't think he'll tell us much, but the other anons love this guy, and you never know.

File: 193.png (392.9 KB)

392.9 KB PNG

You wander back towards where you saw the old man, finding him and his chair across from where you were before. You approach him again, and he eyes you warily before giving you a look of recognition.

"Oh, it's you again. Couldn't resist the allure of immortality, eh? Like I said before, I'm not telling." Ted says.

You say you wanted to ask about something else. You ask the man if he's lived here for a while, and if he knows anything about the Gravel Family.

"Lived my whole life here, and yeah I know about Ol' Otto and Jess. People say they were murdered, or just up and left one day. I know what really happened though." He says, leaning forward conspiratorially. "The mines were too successful. They were digging too deep. Too greedily."

You ask what happened.

"Taken by the mole men." Ted says with a serious glare. "After that I don't know what happened, but it probably wasn't something good. Those things aren't very found of surface dwellers."

You heard there was no sign of a struggle or break in, and ask if it could have been the ghost. Or that the Gravel Family themselves became ghosts.

"The mole men are clever, and well equipped. They've teamed up with the aliens and they've swapped technology." He says, giving a piteous shake of the head like this was the most obvious thing in the world. "Like I said, I haven't personally seen this ghost so I don't know if it's any of the family returned from the grave. Heck, maybe the ghost everyone is talking about is just a mole man? Like I said they are pretty smart."

Also, Happy New Year everyone :)

>>6359023
>Molemen
oh fuck! this actually makes sense! we dealing with mines, people digging, we know there is a huge chance those are actually real, the lack of evidence could be because they took everything down with them, it there are reports of weird sounds coming from a house (cant remember if that was mentioned before, its been a while since the last thread) those could have been cause by molepeople digging around and then disappearing and covering their holes, elaving everyone wondering why there is nothing.
i say this is something worth considering and discussing with Zul

>>6359025
Happy New Years.

>>6359051
I dunno... He also thinks that they're trading technology with the aliens, and we know that "the Aliens" are just fairies. Unless... Maybe the Unseelie making these robot duplicates is involved here, too?

>>6359060
Their disappearance happened a fair while ago, so the likelihood of bots being involved is rather low.

>>6359067
But maybe the Molemen or ghosts who got them have been trading technology more recently with the Useelie robot manufacturer and THAT'S what Steinsson saw?

>>6359060
>Maybe the Unseelie making these robot duplicates is involved here, too?
i say its a real possibility.
>>6359067
>the likelihood of bots being involved is rather low.
but not 0...afterall, we ARE an anomaly magnet

>>6359023
I suppose get more info on his understanding of the Molemen and the aliens. Hate bright lights, don't like loud noises, etc.

File: 194.png (359.1 KB)

359.1 KB PNG

Maybe it's because of all that you've gone through recently, but an underground race of tunneling fae doesn't seem like that strange of an idea. You ask to know more about the mole people.

"They are a civilization of strange, subterranean creatures. Despite their name, they look more like lizards. " Ted begins, "They are scaly and humanoid with big, light-sensitive eyes. They also have sharp, thck claws that could rend a person into ribbons, though they mostly use the claws to dig. Instead they have a variety of weaponry they use for that purpose. You know... Guns and the like, like we have."

You ask if they got that from the aliens.

"Sort of." Ted says pointing to you and giving a nod, "They were mostly on par with us when it came to technology, but the aliens gave them a slight boost."

You ask if they regularly take people like they apparently did to the Gravel Family.

"Mole people usually keep to themselves. Not because of any sort of pacifistic reasons, but because they are gathering their strength to seize the surface." The homeless man says adjusting himself on his chair. "They only show themselves to stop us when we start to intrude on their domain like the Gravel Pits started to do."

You ask with some alarm why the mole people would want to conquer the humans.

"They really dislike surface dwellers of all kinds for some reason. I don't know why." He says with a shrug. "I heard humans tried to enslave them once, maybe it's a vendetta?"

You ask if they have any sort of weaknesses.

"Well, like I said they have light sensitive eyes, though sunlight burns them." Ted says with a thought, scratching his chin. "I don't think they are any stronger or more durable than humans are, so you could probably just shoot'em."

You admit that Ted seems rather calm, considering there is apparently a whole civilization of creatures that want to destroy humanity.

"I mean, there are quite a few creatures that want to do that. Even other humans." He says with a shrug, then pointing to the top of his head continues, "You should probably be more worried than me. I'm an immortal Psychic Shaman, and I have this hat to hide me. I'll be fine."

>>6359379
for a crazy homeless man, he sounds rather put together...
if we are actually going against mole people, we need strong flashlights and maybe some guns.
We have some good info, perhaps now we can crossreference it with whatever the MiB can get for us if we manage to contact them?

>>6359385
I think we should be careful not to buy what he's selling entirely. He still doesn't REALLY know what's going on behind the veil of reality. Let's just go to the library and ask Zul if she's ever heard about fairies like that?

>>6359379
>Thank him, and go to the library.

File: 195.png (271.6 KB)

271.6 KB PNG

You thank Ted for his time, and say you should probably catch up to your friends.

"No, thank you! There aren't many people who want to hear my truths. I can see it in their eyes, they may listen but they don't believe." Mr. Steinsson says, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "It's kind of nice."

As you walk you sort all this new, dubious information in your head. These mole people might be the culprits, but what sort of anomaly could they be trying to find or be using? You'll have to see if Zul can get someone to deliver some weapons and high powered flashlights.

You glance into the consignment store, but don't see your compatriots inside. Walking ahead you spot a slightly older style, single floor building with a hanging "Gravel City Local Library" sign. The inside is barely larger than the bookstore you went into, but probably has just as many books. The only difference is the lack of a stage and cashier, instead having an information desk and a few vintage desktop computers. Sitting in a chair at one of these is Zul, with Tamako and Seshat standing behind her observing.

"This device can only use a keyboard and mouse as an interface device." Zul says in a library appropriate voice as Seshat pokes the CRT screen.

"S-so no voice commands either? These are way different than the ones at base..." The goddess says, her decibel level already appropriate for a library naturally.

"It sorta works like Dad's!" Tamako says, the disguised alien shushing her. In a slightly quieter voice she continues, "This thing is fatter though, and the graphics are worse."

"As long as we can use it to search the library and access the internet it should be fine." Zul says, typing.

"Who is Dewey, and what is his decimal system." Seshat says adjusting her glasses. She spots you, and gestures you over.

"How was your talk with that homeless man?" Zul asks.

You explain what Ted told you, and ask what she thinks about the Mole men.

"What he says is mostly correct as far as we know. Mole People are uncommon and insular, even in the fae realm and we don't know much about them. It doesn't help that they are Unseelie and don't usually wish to speak with us."

You ask if mole men could be the ones that have the Anomaly they are looking for.

"They could? The MiB said there wasn't any other fairy activity in the area. Did this Ted fellow actually say he saw a Mole Person?"

You have to admit that he didn't, but you ask if there is a way to get some weapons or at least very strong flashlights just in case hostile mole men appear.

"We can try to contact the MiB and ask. We still have some time before this ghost walk we are doing." Zul says, and asking how she'll get in contact with them she says, "We have a liaison for the MiB back at base. I'll have to send a message back to base, and I'm sure we'll have to find a nice secluded area for them to appear at."

>>6359793
>Sit back and relax for a change. We have our theory, leg Zul and Seshat work on theirs!

>>6359797
+1
we did out part of the job and gathered enough info the have a starting point and theory for our investigation, surely Zul and Seshat can take care of it for now, maybe we could go get something for everyone to eat, like a pizza? what time is it anyways?

>>6359793
If we're going for flashlights, you could also consider lasers, maybe something like dazzlers, or perhaps something like a lasgun or raygun? Or just something conventional like the handheld ones styropyro has (eye protection required).

File: 196.png (228.3 KB)

228.3 KB PNG

You ask if they can get a hold of any sort of light based weaponry, such as a laser or plasma gun.

"We don't bring future tech to real space." Zul says firmly. "And honestly, I'm not sure our current team is built for battle."

You can't argue with that. Zul is rather small, and Seshat would probably just freeze up in a fight. And of course, you don't want to put Tamako in danger. You ask if they can dig up any information on the Gravel City, and on the Gravel family in particular.

"That's why we came here, right?" Zul says nodding. "Let's see how much truth there is to this."

You ask what you can do to help.

"Don't worry about it, this is our specialty!" Seshat says excitedly, though still only above a whisper. "We got this!"

You decide to let them work. They seem to be far more experienced in this regard than you. Tamako eventually wandered off from Zul and Seshat and into the kid's books section. You lean back and give a relaxing sigh. Glancing over to an old clock above the information desk you see it's nearly noon.

Lunchtime!

Since you aren't doing anything in particular, you approach your smaller coworker and say you'll grab them some food. Zul and Seshat seem to like the idea, and the little green woman provides you with a bit of money. Before you leave the library, you ask Tamako if she wants to come look for lunch.

"I'm good, I trust you to get something yummy." She says, not looking up from her book. She is reading some manga, but there are also some other books. They are all comics, but a few are in Japanese, there are even some regular books in French and ASL.

You step out of the library and look around for your meal options. There is an thai place as well as a bakery, however you spot a chain pizza place just across the street. That's probably your best bet for a four person meal. The inside of the chain is what you expected. Sterile, with just enough room to sit near the counter while you wait for some take out and advertisements for their various deals and signature desserts and dishes. Overhead, there are several flashy screens giving the pricing of each item. You approach the cashier, a rather sleepy looking young woman, and ask for a large cheese pizza half meat and half cheese. Seeing as you are waiting anyway, you ask the cashier what she knows about Gravel City and it's eponymous family.

"I guess I know a little." She says, leaning on the counter a little bit as she returns your change. "Why? What did you want to know?"

You explain your plans for the night, and how your family is going to go on the ghost walk.

"Ah no way I run those tours sometimes after work. That's kind of why I know about that stuff." The cashier says with a grin. " I think The old Gravel place is on the rotation now. Hope you like spooky mansions."

>>6360193
Wait, what does it mean for a book to be in ASL? wouldn't it just be in English?

Anyway, our pizza-slinging tour-guide is a cute.

>Ask her if she believes in this stuff, and if the tour is likely to be too scary for a young girl

>>6360193
oh shit, pizza lady is also teh spooky lady of the tours? neat!
>"be honest with me, how much of it all is actually real? we are kinda looking for "the real stuff" and we were hoping this could point us in the right direction"
>"Also, anything we should know or bring before going on those tours?"

>>6360193
Woman with eyebags...cute...

>>6360193
Ask her opinion on Pineapple pizza.
>>6360206
same

>>6360206
>>6360291
Excellent taste, also anchovies, this is important.

File: 197.png (293.9 KB)

293.9 KB PNG

You ask what she thinks of pineapples on pizza, or anchovies.

"Canadian Bacon and pineapple is one of my favs." She says, "Never tried anchovies though. We have them here, I should toss some on a slice sometime."

You ask if you can get a personal pineapple and anchovy pizza, handing over a little bit more money.

She makes the transaction with a chuckle and says, "Can't say anyone's ordered that before. Your crazy man."

You ask if the tour will be too scary for your daughter. And thinking on it a second, you mention your wife is a bit jumpy as well.

"Nah man they'll love it." The pizza server says waving off your question. "We can always tone it down a bit if things get too spooky."

Considering her position, this young lady might have some useful information To check, you ask if any of the tour is true. You say you are rather interested in the supernatural and are hoping to see the real thing.

"Oh yeah man totally." the woman says nodding. "A lot of people have seen the ghost."

A bit surprised, you ask if she's seen it.

"Well... No. But with that many sightings there has to be something, right?" She concludes.

You ask if there is anything you should bring to the tour. Flashlights perhaps?

"Nah, we let you borrow some of ours. I would suggest using the bathroom before you go though. The one's in the mansion are off limits." And grabbing the pizza box just pushed through the serving window she finishes, "Also no outside food or drinks on the tour."

>>6360604
>pineapple on pizza
aaaand there she goes as a possible option...shame, she was cute.
anyways, that went as i expected it to go, not much left to do other than go back and deliver the pizza and information we got

>>6360606
She's cute, but we have enough of a borderline harem situation going on as-is, without bringing in a human who can't even hang out on jobs or at base.

>>6360604
>Better eat fast, then! Thank her and get back to the others.

>>6360604
>"Canadian Bacon and pineapple is one of my favs." She has good taste

>>6360607
>She's cute, but we have enough of a borderline harem situation going on as-is
Good one, made me chuckle

>>6360604
>"Also no outside food or drinks on the tour."
Wait, does that mean the tour offers food and drinks?
Also, why is the bathroom off limits?
Moaning underage "Keyhole Kate" toilet ghost?

>>6360606
Pineapple on Pizza is shallow water tier. You haven't known horror until you've seen the shit Brazilians will put in their pizzas.

>>6360606
>>6360954
Or East Asians lmao.
I don't know why some people treat pizza as somehow sacred; it's flatbread with shit on top. Tomato sauce wasn't even a thing until Europeans got to the Americas.

File: 198.png (222.7 KB)

222.7 KB PNG

You ask if that means the tour supply food and drinks for the walk.

"You get a bottle of water, yeah. It's more that they don't want to get the mansion messy. It's a historic building after all. Same goes why they don't want anyone using the bathroom. I don't even know if it has running water actually." The pizza vendor says thoughtfully.

Your lunch in hand, you return to the library, but realize they don't want any outside food or drink either. You manage to get Tamako's attention from a window and she comes outside. You ask her to get the others to come outside for food, and when she returns you both sit at a bench. She opens the bigger of the two boxes while you take the smaller one.

"They say they'll be out in a minute. Hey why do you get your own?" Tamako says, watching you open the personal pizza box, as she grabs two slices from the large.

You show her the pizza topped with fruit slices and small fish. She looks more confused than anything.

"Can I try it?" Tamako asks. You let her have a bite, and she actually seems to like it. "Hey, not bad! I still think I like the other ones better though."

You try it yourself. Your daughter was tellng the truth, it's not bad. The flavors actually complement each other nicely.

Seshat comes out of the library first. As she grabs a slice of pizza you ask her how the research is going.

"There isn't much on the disappearance that I've been able to find yet... The history of the area the library has involves the larger metropolis as a whole rather than Gravel city itself... I-I'll keep looking though."

"Jimiko! Try this!" Tamako says, handing over a paper plate with a regular slice of pizza as well as a sliver of the pineapple and anchovy one.

"Oh my. That fish has quite the strong flavor doesn't it? I-I must admit I quite like it!" Seshat says, though you notice as she gets up to return inside that she picked off the pineapple pieces on the slice that Tamako gave her.

Zul switches out, and your daughter about forces a small piece of the pizza onto her as she approaches. The changeling explains what it is, and the LGM gingerly eats the small bite.

"The pineapple is nice, but that fishiness is overpowering." Zul says, abstaining from taking another bite and opting for the plainer pizza. "Oh yeah, base returned our call. the MiB are still in the area, and they say they'll send an agent. We are to standby and wait for more instructions."

>>6360990
>Just sit tight and wait
I'm not sure what else to do.

>>6361000
>trips
nice.
anyway, yeah +1 to waiting, maybe ask whats the ETA for the MiB to arrive and perhaps watch a movie or go to some small arcade depending on the expected waiting time

>>6360990
Well, we could (sort of) make a date of it by seeing if we can rent some bikes and ride around the town, take it the sights together.
Quality time together + light reconnaissance.

>>6361013
Hold up there anon. We already got a date today..

>>6361145
We're still a free agent, so I don't see that as a problem, but we should probably focus on the matter at hand.

(Tryin' to get back on schedule, so no update today. Instead though, I"m curious.

If you guys could have another companion who isn't interested in Marty would you prefer

A.) Male Bro
B.) Female (Lesbian wingman?)

who is

A.) A fae
B.) Not a fairy

>>6361326
>A.) Male Bro

No preference on the other, but Marty hasn't really made any guy pals, and since female fairies are all varyingly thirsty for him, it makes normal platonic friendship a bit tricky because we're always debating them as waifu options.

>>6361330
+1 to this
not that im complaining, but there are too many clams in this party, another sausage wouldnt hurt

>>6361326
>A.) Male Bro
Hate yuri, even for side characters

>>6361326
The only time I want to see a lesbian character is if she's gonna end up with a man.

>>6361326
>>6361330 +1

>>6361326
>A.) Male Bro
B.) Not a fairy

>>6361373
>>6361373
Fucking this

File: 199.png (511.8 KB)

511.8 KB PNG

You ask Zul how long until the MiB will come.

"If they are still in the area, probably not long. Just relax a bit. I'm sure we'll hear from them soon."

Unsure of what else to do, you sit and wait. You and Tamako polish off the rest of the pizza and then just sit and enjoy the midday sun.

"Hey I learned some new words in ASL! Look!" Tamako says. She then spread all five of her fingers wide. She then touches her thumb to her forehead.

You ask her what it means.

"Guess!"

You throw out the words "anime", "pizza", "lunch", "manga", "Fairy"... But none of them are right. You give up and ask what it means.

"Not gonna tell! Keep guessing!"

You throw out a few more guesses, and about half an hour later Zul reappears out of the library entrance. She says, "The MiB wants to meet in the alleyway behind the library. The codeword is 'white zinc spider'."

You ask Tamako to go back inside and stay near your two co-workers, and then head off. You head around back and peek down the alley. There is one there but some pigeons, who scatter as you walk in. The last time you went down an alley didn't end too well, and you nervously look around. It's a narrow, concrete path with between the backs of buildings with little more than the occasional dumpster or trashcan. It's actually cleaner than most alleyways you are used to. Unsure of what to do, you whisper the words Zul told you. As you glance around you see someone step near you out the corner of your eye.

Had you not half-been expecting the incredibly quiet well dressed gentleman with a briefcase he would have scared you half to death. In fact, his generically faced appearance brings you a comfort for some reason.

You greet him. He nods back, and then lifts his bag. Holding it flat, he presses some buttons and there there is a satisfying click. Inside the briefcase are two long, solid looking flashlights as well as a single handgun and a box of ammo being held neatly in place with EVA foam.

"Two 10k Lumen tactical flashlights, a SIG Sauer P365, one twenty round box of 9x19mm Parabellum rounds. Do not lose the gun." He says, pushing the case into your arms. "We heard something about Mole People. Are you sure? Our agents haven't had any contact with any other fae while investigating the area."

>>6361737
>"Nothing confirmed yet, but given the area, the involved sites and the...info...we got from a local, its not entirely out of the realm of possibilities"
>Take the case, thank them and go back

>>6361737
>"It's that or a ghost, I think"
>Have they got gear to deal with ghosts?

>>6361737
The talk of a local that get fantasy and reality confused. But maybe he actually witnessed something that other people would interpret in a more "normal" manner, so a non-zero chance.

File: 200.png (459.5 KB)

459.5 KB PNG

You explain your reasoning to the mysterious agent, mentioning your talks with the people around town. About a lot of rumors about ghosts. You were Mole People, and possible murders and deaths. No to mention what you found out about the Gravel Family's.

"But your team hasn't spotted a ghost or Mole Person?"

You admit that you have not.

"Well, the gun is not going to be helpful against a ghost. The flashlights might be." He says in a

You ask if they have anything to fend off ghosts.

"Of course we do, as does the SHR. But until we see some evidence of either a ghost or mole person this is all the aid i can offer." The Man in Black says. "Zul seems to think this will lead somewhere, so let's hope your hunch is correct."

You ask him what a good explanation might be, and he responds. "I can't say for sure, but my guess might be something more mundane. A group of you humans must have obtained the anomaly and are hiding it."

With that, the fairy walks away, turning and walking behind one of the dumpsters. There isn't anywhere for him to go from there, so you go and take a peek. He's gone. You were kinda hoping he'd still be there hoping you wouldn't check. Hefting the briefcase, you walk back towards the library. Inside you spot Tamako reading in the kid's corner while your two co-workers look over a small pile of paper. They've went from the computer station to a small table near the back.

"Oh? What do you have there?" Zul asks as you join them.

Suddenly realizing you've brought a weapon into a government building, you murmur softly what the contents of the attache are.

"Ah, you can take that gun. Seshat and Tamako can take the flashlights." Zul says, nodding.

You ask what she is going to do about defending herself.

"I have a raygun." she replies.

You ask what happened to the ban on future tech.

"Do you have a weapon that warps back to base if it's taken too far from you or your life signs stop? Didn't think so." She says, with a satisfied grin.

You turn your attention to the stack of papers and ask what they are.

"O-our findings!" Seshat says happily. Zul goes on to explain, "It seems there have been quite a few disappearances in the area, and mostly after the Gravel Family went missing. There doesn't seem to be any links between the victims, but they do seem to be linked to the forest to the east and the mines."

>>6362131
>Mole People theory intensifies
Alright, ghost tour time!

>>6362131
>they do seem to be linked to the forest to the east and the mines."
well, looks like thats our next stop

>>6362131
if we have time lets go to forest, otherwise of to the ghost tour

File: 201.png (507.3 KB)

507.3 KB PNG

You nod, satisfied that mole people are a real thing. As you still have a little time left, you look around the files that the pair gathered up. Like Zul mentioned there doesn't seem to be much of a link between the disappearances, other than most were workers or regular townsfolk who wandered into the tunnels or the nearby forest.

It appears they never found any of the missing people. The most they ever recovered from them were the occasional wallet, discarded piece of clothing, or broken electronic such as a camera or phone. There aren't even any witnesses to the events, just to the last time the victims were seen. Seshat and Zul even went through old newspapers, though these don't seem to add any more information. You glance up at the clock and see it's about time to head over to the tour meeting place, which seems to be the nearby Gravel City's old town hall. Tamako (and funnily enough, Seshat) try to convince you and Zul to let them check out some books. Zul points out that you probably won't be coming back to this place any time soon, and then set off.

You don't even have to step into the brick town hall until you see the gathering spot for the ghost tour. They have a small table with canopy set up in a tastefully spooky purple and orange. Several posters are set up along the sides of the fixtures reading hours of operation and pricing, as well as contact information. One even reads "Things you might experience: Floating Objects! Horrible Wailing! Pale Visages! Fear!"

You recognize the lady standing at the table as the same one from the pizza place, except wearing a bright orange vest with "GUIDE" on it as well as a a hat advertising the tours. At her side is a bright red backpack with a patch that also advertises the tours.

"Nice, you made it. I don't think anyone else signed up so we can head off whenever." She says, and spotting Tamako comments, "Hey kid, if things get too spooky on the tour just say something and we can come back."

Tamako seems to take offense to this and says, "I think I'll be fine. It can't be any worse than the other ghost I've met."

"Is that so? Ha-ha. Cool, cool. Anyway..." The lady clears her throat and raising a hand towards the four of you. She announces, "My name is Ann and I'll be your tour guide this evening. A few rules. No food inside the house and don't break anything. I have first aid and some water, though we probably won't need either. What you will need are some flashlights."

You and Zul take a flashlight, but Ann sees the ones Tamako and Seshat have and say, "Ah got your own? That works too. Might wanna switch down the lumens if you can. Might ruin the atmosphere."

>>6362505
>Might ruin the atmosphere
aaand this is our first hint that she might have something to do with this
>inform Zul QUIETLY AND DISCREETLY to keep an eye on her, just in case

>>6362530
She may just be concerned for ambience! But we should totally

>>6362505
>try to find an excuse for one of us to sneak off and check the bathroom while the others distract our guide

>>6362530
Getting a bit paranoid there

(Forgot I had a work thing tonight so no update, my bad.)

>>6362727
No worries. See you tomorrow, QM!

File: 202.png (341.1 KB)

341.1 KB PNG

"Alright, everyone ready? No one has to use the bathroom? Let's set off!" Ann says, motioning you to a nearby van with "Gravel City Town Hall" decaled onto it's side. After a short drive off the main road the van turns east. You note the grocery store and old housing as you pass. The dwellings become fewer while trees increase in number, and soon you can spot the mansion sitting on the side of a hill. Past it down the road in the distance you spot an area stripped bare of forest with a factory beside it, likely the mine.

The mansion is three stories high, and about the size of a small apartment building. Despite it looking to you like any other mansion you've seen in movies it does have a heavy, looming atmosphere to it. It's well kept, and done so under a historical society's dollar, as a plaque informs you.

The tour guide unlocks the door and though you see a foyer with a grand staircase, however your party is quickly lead into a side chamber. In this room sit a polished wood bookcase with several elegant armchairs and a table complete with decorated porcelain tea set. In a corner is what you think is a mirror, though you can't tell for sure as it is covered in a silk cloth. There is a window, but the velvet curtains are shut tight enough across it that the evening sun barely illuminates the room at all. There is a taste of dust is in the air, and the creaking floorboard groan with every step. The atmosphere is ruined a bit when Ann lights a flashlight under her chin standing in front of the door across from the one you entered. Though she looks appropriately spooky like this it allows you to see some of the decorations on the around the door that seem to come right from a Halloween supply store.

"Good evening, my friends." Ann starts in her best theatrical voice. "Welcome to the Gravel Family Mansion. I'll be your guide through a place most locals only talk about in hushed tones or when they've had a little too much to drink. We start here in the Drawing room of the mansion."

At this she reaches near her and flicks on a light switch. The old glass fixture lights up, but with some very dim bulbs, casting dark shadows on the furniture of the room.

"They lady of the house liked to greet guests here and relax. No business, no debates. Just pleasant conversation. At least, that's what she liked to pretend." Ann starts in a deeper, more serious voice.

The guide is mostly giving this speech in Tamako's direction, which suits you fine as she seems to be enjoying it. You lean over to Zul and Seshat and ask if they sense anything. Funnily enough, the goddess' attention is on Ann as well and she doesn't seem to hear you. Zul responds,

"No... And is our plan just to follow along with the tour, or did you have something else in mind?"

>>6363384
>that face
>still wearing the pizza place hat
holy cute! she is adorable...
anyway
>"follow her for now, at least until we get deeper into the mansion, highly doubt there is anything in the first rooms"

>>6363384
Dang, Ann is a cutie patoot. And so is Sehsat!

Oh, right, planning. Uh..

>try to find an excuse for one of us to sneak off and check the bathroom while the others distract our guide
Still this.

>>6363384
>>6363394 +1

File: 203.png (209.4 KB)

209.4 KB PNG

You comment that you want to sneak away and look around a bit. You should probably wait until you get a bit deeper in as any of the good stuff is going to be better hidden. Zul nods, and you re join the group just as they are about to leave for the next room. There is a short hallway leading to a two doors, one of which is a bathroom. The hall also turns and comes back around to the grand staircase. You mention these to Zul as you enter the other door that leads to a room filled predominantly with a long table and chairs.

"The Gravel Mansion's dining hall hosted any banquets, though under the levity and celebration they were deciding the fates of those not only working at the mine, but the people of the city as a whole. Some say, you can still hear the clatter of silverwear and the scraping of chairs at night, and the smells of succulent roasts and flavorful soups with seep into the rest of the house."

Ann continues to an enthralled Tamako and Seshat, and as you watch your alien co-worker nudges you in the side and motions that this might be a good time to break off from the group.

You slip away, backtracking through to the hallway and to the other door. You turn the handle, but the door doesn't budge. It's locked it seems. The door has a sign hanging from a nail. It reads:

"For display only. Fixtures are brittle and are not connected to waste system. Do NOT use!"

The rest of the sign is just a flowery description of it's construction materials. Seems like you aren't getting in there without a key. Should you head back? Or maybe go back out the staircases?

>>6363780
We can't let a little lock stop us, surely? Anons... Ideas?

>>6363780
How can something be for display if it's be behind a locked door?

>>6363780
How about we sabotage the front door so it can't be locked and we can get back in after the tour?

>>6363796
I'd be down to give that a go.

>>6363794
either its a decoy or a cover up, there might be something in there!
i wonder if we should finish the tour to sus out the place and then come back later at night when everything is closed so we can inspect everything with more time and detail

>>6363796
Seconded, though depending on the nature of the lock and security elsewhere, we might not need to sabotage it.
If the MIB were around, I'm sure they could pick it if necessary? Or have some gizmo to unlock it? Otherwise we could use the tour to scope out the place, look for potential entrances, security devices, etc.

>>6363813
It's an old door lock. A piece of random debris in in the lock is enough

>>6363813
As an anomaly that attracts fairies, though, we'll see stuff that the fairy-feds won't.

As usual, Wednesday is my day off.

That doesn't mean I don't have a question though.

Out of curiosity, is there any constructive criticism or comments you have for the quest? Any questions, comments, or concerns?

>>6364153
I sometimes am not really sure what to do when it seems like we're already on an agreed-upin course but not much as has seemingly changed, like when we were waiting to start the ghost tour. I think that at times like those, when our ducks are in a row, it might make sense to skip to the next natural decision-point.

Beyond that, no notes. I'm loving the quest! Just keep doing what you're doing. maybe shill i the QTG if you want more players, I guess?

>>6364153
Just don't flake and I'll be happy, I need to see Tamako her get her moms

>>6364154
>I sometimes am not really sure what to do when it seems like we're already on an agreed-upin course but not much as has seemingly changed, like when we were waiting to start the ghost tour.
pretty much this, on that same topic tho, sometimes it feels like the updates are too open ended or vague for us to choose or do something else, but besides that, no complains

>>6364513
I would also say that it's also because most anons usually don't like doing write ins. This is why most quests have set options + write-in.

Still, that's pretty much a non-problem.

File: 204.png (206 KB)

206 KB PNG

You wonder why the bathroom would be locked away if it was part of the tour. You know you've heard of toilet ghosts, you are sure they could of have worked something in. Very suspicious. For now, you leave the bathroom and head back towards the front door. Because of it's age it's rather simple. You decide to just shove a bit of debris from the floor into it so you can get back in later if needed. Glancing to the side, you see one of the curtained windows. They don't appear to be particularly modern either. Worse comes to worst, you could probably jimmy them open from the other side. With that complete, you turn the tour provided flashlight to the rest of the area.

The foyer is quite large and elegantly tiled, atop which is worn and faded carpet. There are several french provincial accent tables against the walls with expensive looking vases on them. It doesn't appear they've had flowers in them for quite some time.

You see quite a few doors along with the staircase from before. The last of the daylight flows in from the courtyard door in the back, slightly illuminating the foyer. Luckily, many of the doors have plaques similar to the one outside the bathroom so they are easy to identify. Other than the rooms you've seen, there is a den connected to a study, an unlit hallway going east. North of the dining room is a kitchen, with a ballroom across the foyer from it.

You suppose you could go back to the dining room and continue the tour, but perhaps a little bit more poking around is in order?

>>6364560
>Rejoin the tour
Let's not create undue suspicion. After all, edging the door was so we can come back and check out whatever isn't on the tour, or requires a longer look, at our leisure.

>>6364560
maybe take a quick look at the study? if there is any info regarding the past of the family and their activities, is should be there, right? after that we should go back to the tour to not raise too much suspicion

>>6364560
Rejoin the tour

>>6364560
Rejoin the tour, no need to cause trouble now, it'd make coming back later more difficult and may give us a bad reputation around town.

File: 205.png (450.2 KB)

450.2 KB PNG

You decide it's probably best to head back to the group for now. You can always come back later and give the place a good search. You head back, making sure to turn off your flashlight before slipping back into the Dining Room.

Ann doesn't seem to notice you re-enter, and she is walking back towards what you now know will be the kitchen.

"At first glance, it will look harmless enough, maybe even 'quaint'... But don't be fooled. The Gravel Family were thought to have a very eclectic tastes." She says in a spooky voice.

You ask if you missed anything.

Zul opens her mouth to answer, but before she can Ann wobbles worringly, and then collapses. You all rush over. Zul already has some sort of machine in her hands. You have no idea what it is, but it appears like a thick, rectangular tablet with a radar dish on top of it. Seshat stands back a bit, a look of worry on her face.

"She's fine." Zul says, focusing on the handheld device. "Other than the fact that she's, you know. Passed out."

"Hey, wake up!" Tamako says, who had been propping up the tour guide's head. She then smacks her a few times. You tell her to stop it, and then ask Zul if she knows what happened.

"I'm not sure. This can only diagnosis most common conditions." She says, quickly putting the device away as Ann starts to stir.

The guide sits straight up, a very dazed look on her face. Turning to you she says, "Can we speak alone for a moment?"

"U-um, we should probably get you to a hospital." Seshat offers.

"There is no need for that." She says, standing up and dusting herself off. She starts towards the door leading to the foyer. "Anyway, shall w-"

The tour guide is interrupted as she walks back into the middle of the door instead of opening it.

"I... Do think we should probably get you some medical attention." Zul says, an eyebrow raised.

"Opps. It's fine. Anyway, shall we?" She says, looking to you.

You should probably do something.

>>6364916
Ask Zul if she has any way to check for fairy activity

>>6364916
placing money on her getting some sort of message magically transmited into her brain somehow
>"Zul, be ready to call for back up, im going with her"

>>6364916
Motion to the rest of them to secretly follow, then agree to be "alone" to talk with Ann.

>>6364920
+1

>>6364917
>>6364950
I think the others will sort of know without a signal to be on alert for other fairies, and to be ready to lend us aid.

File: 206.png (293.2 KB)

293.2 KB PNG

You say that you'll agree to talk. Ann gives a glazed smile and nods, fumbling with her keys As Ann clumsily unlocks the door, you murmur to Zul and ask if she can sense any fairy activity.

"Yes. Sorry, I got interrupted by this young lady collapsing." Zul says.

You ask her to follow surreptitiously if she can. You then ask them to watch Tamako while he's gone and go to follow the tour guide. Once Ann gets to the Foyer, she looks around, and then starts to walk towards the front door, turning and going into the already unlocked Drawing Room. You follow and make sure to not close the door all the way as you enter.

She spins around and with an annoyed but still slightly dazed look says, "So... Who is that?"

Confused, you ask Ann what she means.

"The new one! I can tell that's the little green grandma in disguise , and Tamako isn't trying to hide." The tour guide motions to herself and then says, "And this is just some human. But who's the bookish, plain one? The one that the alien says is your 'wife'?!"

You are quite certain you introduced Seshat already, but as you are still trying to figure out what's going on you realize something... The way she is standing and the wide-eyed glare seem familiar. The jealousy. Looking into her eyes for any signs, you ask with a bit of alarm if she's actually Camelia.

"Come now, you know it is." Waving the question away as it was the most obvious thing in the world. "But don't think you can change the subject. I already let you wander around with that... Large demon, and here I see you bringing another woman to the real world? This was supposed to be OUR trip!"

You say that Seshat is just a co-worker. She doesn't seem to be entirely convinced, but you ask her if she's the ghost that Ted was talking about. The one that has been wandering around town.

"What are you talking about? No, I followed you after you left the base. And it's a good thing I did. Hmph." Camelia says, crossing Ann's arms. Noticing this, you ask why she had to take the tour guide's body anyway if she can just physically manifest.

"It's harder for me to do in the real world. It's one of the reasons I asked for a body in the first place." Camelia pouts, "This one is fine and all for a little bit. But I'll need to properly prepare a vessel if it's going to be permanent."

Absentmindedly grabbing at your exorcist charm. Shouldn't it be keeping her away? You don't remember the priest saying anything about having to actively use it. What do you do?

>>6365379
Cute yandere ghost wife. I suppose the sooner we track down the ghost in question the sooner our trip can begin. After all she went to that magic academy I bet shes so smart.

>>6365379
Listen, uh, honey...we're just pretending for the mission. Obviously we're not related to Zul either, so it's clearly fake.

But you really shouldn't do that! If they found out, they'd probably exorcise you, or make things really hard for us. If you go around following us, all it takes is running into a Fae with ghost sight.

So let's make a deal...you stop following me around, and I'll uh...do something? Any ideas here?

>>6365389
I think making a deal with Camelia beyond what we already have done is dangerous. Likewise being any more cutesy with her than we have to in order to assuage her ego. We don't necessarily want to feed into her fantasy more than we have to as as to not die.

>>6365386
+1, make it clear we're on a mission, and she's interfering in it to our mutual detriment. We can discuss a trip when work isn't in the way.

>>6365395
I'm just worried if we don't get her to stop following us she'll see our date with Margaret and go berserk.

>>6365379
Fellas...i got an idea
>"You know that you doing this is only gonna make it harder for them to agree to give you a body, right? if anything they might even separate us for ever because you are interfering with official business here! But i have a plan, we might be dealing with a ghost here, and since you are a ghost, perhaps you could help us track it and trap it...or whatever we might need to do, so we can get this over faster and get back home!"

>>6365398
I though we were getting her exorcised first?

>>6365401
That's a good way to phrase it, I think. Good work, anon.

(No update tonight, sorry.)

>>6365927
No worries, we will remain patient
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlQfIZQUNa0

File: 207.png (200.6 KB)

200.6 KB PNG

You tell Camelia that possessing people randomly is only gonna make it harder for the SHR to agree to give her a body. if anything they might even separate the two of you forever because she is interfering with official business. You say you have a plan that might get her in their good graces. Your team might be dealing with another ghost here, and since Camelia is a ghost, perhaps she could help you track it and trap it...Or whatever it is we might need to do.

"I didn't sense any other ghosts here." She says, but tilting her head slightly continues, "I did sense some sort of obfuscating aura hiding... Something. I don't know what though."

You ask what Camelia means, and say that if a spell that hides things cast an aura that sort of makes it useless doesn't it?

"I doubt any of those MiB cronies or any of you could sense it. I'm beginning to think you don't know how strong I am. For instance, this little bauble..." She says, giving your charm a poke. You notice a little sizzle and some smoke from her finger, but it quickly dissipates and she seems otherwise unaffected. "Against me? Nothing. Though, it might scare away any ghosts you were looking for."

Your heart sinking slightly for a moment. You lie and say that it's good it doesn't keep her away. You ask why it won't stop her and if there is anything you should watch out for.

"Oh honey, don't worry! There isn't anything you can do that'll keep me from you!" Camelia says grinning and giving a creepy laugh. Straightening up she proudly says, "I'm a Scholomance elite, after all. If I was at my peak, I could talk to animals and master the weather. I could even ride and command dragons."

She already seems to have forgotten how the base and Kamiko kept her at bay. After all you are still alive, something you wouldn't be if Camelia knew about the date with Margaret. Remembering something else, you ask how Kiki was giving her such a hard time if she was so strong.

"Hmph... Is that that broom rodent's name? How original. If I had a body she would be nothing, but in my current state and in her lair I don't stand much of a chance, especially since it's inside that blasted SHR's base's wards." She mutters something about Kiki under her breath, but you couldn't hear it.

>>6366225
I'm starting to think that the only way to stop this woman is to give her a body and fuck her crosseyed

>>6366236
So it seems. To tame the maiden heart of an evil magic princess.

>>6366225
She can sense the aura maybe we can find the source. If its a spell maybe theres still a magic circle or whatever it is people use somewhere nearby, and hopefully that can tell us something. We can tell the others and then pursue this lead since shes the only one who can sense it. So helpful, such an asset.

>>6366225
Supporting >>6366254
>Try to get Camelia to play bloodhound for you

>>6366254
supporting, using her as a hound dog is the best option
i knew my plan was a decent idea!

File: 208.png (217.3 KB)

217.3 KB PNG

You ask if there is anyway Camelia could track down what's being hidden by that aura. It sounds like just the sort of thing that might hide an anomaly.

"Anomaly? I thought you were looking for a ghost." Camelia says, "Nonetheless, If it gets you away from that bespectacled harlot quicker I guess I could took a look around. You should come with me! It could be our first real world date."

You say it's probably best to not leave the others behind. You aren't even sure you can. Technically you are being held by the SHR. You wouldn't exactly say you are a prisoner, but you don't have complete freedom of movement.

"You saved me, and yet you are being confined yourself..." She says, sadly. "My poor baby... Once I get a body I can free you. Anyway, I shall be off."

You ask when you two should meet up again, maybe in an hour or two?

"If I find something I'll come to you. Don't worry, I can always find my way to you." She says giggling to herself. Ann suddenly starts to slump, and you go up to catch her. As you drag her over to one of the Drawing Room chairs you see the others enter from the door you left open.

"B-bespectacled harlot? What did I do...?" Seshat asks, looking at the tour guide with some concern.

"Ugh... She's so creepy. Don't worry about her, Jimiko." Tamako says with a loud sigh.

"Who even was that?" Seshat says,

"NOT my mother." Tamako exclaims.

You say you'll explain later, but she's something like an ex-wife. Seshat opens her mouth to say something but you all go quiet as Ann stirs. She sits up, and then attempts to stand. She stumbles down to her knees and confusedly says, "A-ha... Whoa. What happened?"

"You passed out, so we brought you back to the Drawing Room to rest." Zul says quickly. "Take it slow, we aren't in any rush."

As you help Ann up you ask the tour guide if she is okay.

"Yeah, ha-ha... I'm fine, I think. Might just be a little tired." Then leaning closer to you Ann whispers, "Between you and me, I smoked a bowl before coming and I guess it might have been a little too strong. Don't tell my bosses."

She then claps, checks herself for her possessions and says, "Anyway, shall we continue?"

>>6366771
>"Anyway, shall we continue?"
guess we should at least check the rest of the tour to check the place around and make a bit of time in case Camelia finds something

>>6366771
Holy moly, a dorky-cute stoner who slings pizza and haunted mansion tour guide? If she was a monstergirl, she truly would win the Martinbowl.

>>6366775
+1

>>6366771
Before the tour begins again, I'd like to ask about the contradiction we noticed about the bathroom door.

>>6366775
support