Shin Ghost Note

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain [CANCELLED]

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In the Tyrant Shell universe, the world is dominated by the three Ruling Corporations. Paragon United: Paragon is an organization that is a combination of several different smaller companies with the grand goal of everyone else getting ahead in the current status quo. They have managed to compete with the heavy hitters in the industry and have established themselves as a versatile company. Unlike the other companies, they have no real specialization but produce a wide range of technology from cybernetics, biomedical, to war machines such as Shells. They have functionally declared war on Murakumo Robotics over control over America and Europe. Paragon is controlled by a council of sorts that are headed by the various smaller companies, and they all vote on what decisions to make. Other than that, each organization is free to do as they please long as they don't compete with the other organizations within Paragon. As a result of this, one major issue the Industries sees is that their organization is too chaotic and that there's too much conflict of interest that halts Paragon from getting ahead. The other issue is that they're the largest and they have far too much ground to cover and not even enough men. They're forced to use obsolete and outdated technology at times.

Murakumo Robotics: Rising out of Japan, Murakumo Robotics has added other East Asian countries under their control such as Korea and China. They quickly established themselves as a superpower among the corporations, and have gone relatively unchallenged until they attempted to push into Europe. Which brought them into conflict with both Grand Union and Paragon United, and there are talks that they may clash with the Remnants of the Russian Federation. Murakumo, as their name suggests, specializes in robotics and is the leader in robotic technology. In cities owned by the company, they have robot servants doing menial tasks for the citizens and have lasers and other technology we deem "futuristic" as household items. This extends to their armies, as Murakumo has the lowest population, they have delegated their entire armies to machines. They have an automated army that is controlled by a network of "Operators" that give out orders as if they were real soldiers. This goes from basic footsoldiers, to even having automated Shells and Bastions. However, they are forced to use these robotic soldiers only because they have a much lower population than the other corporations.

Grand Union: Born out of the remnants of NATO, the Grand Union is both the remnants of America and Western Europe. They boast the highest living standards despite how miserable their people are (due to poverty, hunger, and more). The Grand Union is a force to be reckoned with, having an army of foot soldiers and drones that are easily the most numerous and dangerous. Grand Union has a fleet of Bastions that are feared worldwide, and their Shells aren't too shabby, either, as they're the lead in producing Shell technology. Their entire culture is based around war and hero-worship so they don't have a shortage of soldiers - but they do have a shortage of weapons and end up using weapons from other corporations. Grand Union's government is somewhat based on the United State's; with a Senate that elects a CEO. This CEO has control of the company until he either dies, steps down, or is impeached, and then the process begins anew.

WOLFHOUND ENFORCEMENT LLC: When the wars ended, many soldiers took to becoming mercenaries to put food on the table for their families. They worked for whoever paid the most, and soon a man formed WOLFHOUND, the world-famous mercenary group. They act as an arbitration group between mercenaries, and corporations, and anybody else that wishes to hire a WOLFHOUND. They consider themselves to be strictly neutral and will take jobs for anybody long as they pay. WOLFHOUND is notable for having many Shells at their disposal that make many corporations nervous, but many of their forces are combat cyborgs. The mercenaries themselves are practically given free will to do as they please but are responsible for maintenance, ammo, travel, and anything else along those lines.

Human Plus: The very lead in cybernetics, the Human Plus (Stylized as H+) is a neutral entity in the corporate world but they have links to each of them. Almost all of the cybernetics in the setting are made and distributed by them - as they've aggressively pushed out other corporations. They offer a wide variety of cybernetics at a wide variety of different prices... but their practices are extremely predatory and exploitative. The H+ advertisements are seen in almost every major city and media.

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Cybernetics was the development of technology that melded both man and machine together and has come a very long way. Now a variety of different cybernetics is available, from replacing missing limbs and organs, to giving a person superhuman abilities. Cybernetics are capable of many feats that would be impossible in our modern times. It has become a common sight to see on the street as many people have lost their limbs (to war or mutations or to up their marketability to the corporations), but there are more advanced cyborgs out there. Many of these are known as "Combat Cyborgs" and these are cyborgs who have been given top of the line cybernetics that has turned them into super soldiers. They have superhuman abilities and are given incredibly powerful weaponry (which can range from guns to swords) and can decimate a squad of average soldiers on the battlefield. However, it's not an idealistic dream, as the body rejecting the part is still a real possibility. Drugs have been developed that prevent rejection but they are not infallible, nor are they perfect. Many have to cope with the loss of their body parts, or even up to their entire body.

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Shells are powerful robotic war machines that were created by corporations with the intention of waging war with each other. They are highly valued and incredibly coveted as a single Shell can turn the tide of a battle. Highly customizable, the Shells come in a variety of different shapes and appearances as they change to suit the needs of the pilot and the corporations. All Shells are about ten to fifteen meters tall. Generally, the Shells have the same components, a head, chest, arms, legs, weapons, and internal systems such as FCs, radiators, boosters, and even a gravity matrix. The gravity matrix is more or less the "heart" of the Shell and prevents it from collapsing in on itself. Shells can have a variety of different weaponry affixed to their being, however, Shells are incredibly expensive and only certain corporations can reliably manage a Shell.

Bastions on the other hand are legendary weapons. Bastions are, as the name implies, massive mobile fortresses super weapons deployed by the Corporations after being developed in secret. Once the Corporations began their grand offensive against the nations of the world, they were widely successful with not a single Bastion being destroyed. Since then, the Bastion always saw usage as a means of maintaining control over their territory and persuading other corporations from attacking them. Bastions are incredibly powerful weapons capable of giving a squad of Shells a problem. They are the only form of weaponry above the powerful Shells. However, they are still capable of falling to a well-prepared and equipped team of Shells (with rumors having it that a single Shell once defeated a Bastion). Bastions come in many shapes and sizes and can be ground-bound, airborne, or a sea-vessel. Every major corporation has at least two Bastions, with more being developed. However, they are a point of controversy and contention, as many want a limit placed on the amount of Bastion each Corporation may have.

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The Triple-A stands for AI, Automaton, and Android - three different beings that have one common strand: Artificial Intelligence. AIs are self-explanatory but generally, they're used as virtual assistants and planted inside computers. They have varying amounts of intelligence but usually, they're prevented from learning on their own - an AI can be moved from one system to another provided that it can handle their capabilities. Automatons are machines that are not human and come in a variety of different sizes and shapes - some of which are not even bipedal. They are usually assistants but Automatons can be designed to do anything. Androids on the other hand are like automatons, except they are designed to appear human as possible. Usually, androids have the most advanced AI, and some androids are impossible to discern from regular human beings.

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The Judgement War created a lot of problems that the future civilizations have to come to grips with. The Mutants are on top of that list, as they are either created from pollution or are the leftover bio-organic weapons from the war. Some of which are former humans, but anything organic from animals, to plants, can become mutants. They have varying amounts of intelligence... and aggressive, and they make roaming the Wilds dangerous. The Corporations - usually - never have to deal with them in their territory but there have been reports of mutants in the sewers or being brought in by the criminal factions. The cities on the edges of the wilds have to deal with the Mutants the most. However, not all of the mutants are dangerous, some are kept as pets for people in the wild. The humans that are mutated can get their mutations removed and replaced with cybernetics. However, these mutants are more susceptible to cancer and other genetic diseases. However, some are massive monsters that barely retain intelligence or memory of their old lives, and are dangerous enough to be on par with combat cyborgs. However, they barely go past twenty or so feet in height and are no match for a Shell or a Bastion.

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain [CANCELLED]

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"... Answer the rain, forgive yourself." OVERVIEW

Welcome to Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain, the first RP in my new Tyrant Shell Universe. The basis is that decades ago resources were running bare so every nation went all out in one final confrontation known as the Judgement War. The Judgement War was the first war in which highly advanced fighting machines known as Shells were deployed and used against each other. The war went on for ten years until there was literally nothing left and the era of nations came to a fall and Corporations took power from them. This event was known as the Nation Fall/Corporate Rise. In Answer of Rain, the story revolves around a team of Shell pilots under the WOLFHOUND LLC known as the Vulture Squad. The Vulture Squad is a famous team of Shell pilots that any corporation would pay anything to have them fighting for them. However, while the Vulture Squad is skilled, they're damaged people who have to contend with not just their personal baggage but the fatigue from constant fighting with no breaks. They have no choice but to power through to complete the mission. The squad is managed by their mysterious and enigmatic mission control, Ava, a person who has recently taken the position.

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DISCORD SERVER

The latest mission of the Vulture Squad is calling them to the clash over the nation of New Zealand. You see, after the Nation Fall/Corporate Rise, there were independent colonies that formed outside of the grasp of the Ruling Corporations. One such colony became the Independent Oceania Republic (IOR), a paradise free from corporate interference. However, that did not last long as one ruling corporation known as Murakumo Robotics had control over the greater Australian continent. Their rivals, Paragon United, invaded the IOR in hopes of gaining a foothold in Australia. Thus, a massive war erupted between the IOR and Paragon United in which the IOR managed to deter Paragon United... until the latter found a secret facility that was housing a superweapon. In the tussle, the superweapon, known as the Stormrise Project accidentally went off and altered the magnetic fields around New Zealand. Thus creating unpredictable, hostile, and extremely dangerous weather all over the nation - in addition to endless rain.

However, the conflict continues as New Zealand has developed technology to render the nation habitable. That was where the Vulture Squad comes in, Paragon United has hired the team, including others such as the legendary Death God Unit, in order to fight for them and turn the tides of the battle in their favor. However, there are other corporations and forces that are paying out just as much, so it is up to them who they fight for in a conflict that is much deeper than it seems. Other forces are at play here and they have different plans for how the conflict should play out, and wish to eliminate the Vulture Squad. The story of Answer of Rain will have the cast questioning their beliefs, and facing their own personal demons in a conflict that will determine the fate of the world. The tone of the RP will be very somber and lowly, melancholic, to convey the horrors and loneliness that come in a warzone. I won't say this story is inspired by Armored Core because it literally is a rip-off.

RULES & NOTES

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Hider

1. First and foremost I reserve the right to reject anyone from the RP and boot them out at any time. I hate to do this and I will try to avoid it but sometimes some people are too disruptive to the RP or aren't a good fit and have to be removed. 2. Please try to be respectful towards all other players. 3. Answer of Rain is meant to be a somber storyline, about pilots and their struggles in an ever-evolving and strange battlefield. I want everyone to have issues, and more importantly, a solid reason for being here. 4. The tone of the RP will be somber, a mecha-melancholy as you will say. Large swaths of time will be dedicated to building scenes showing how lonely the battlefield is. Not exactly an action-y, anime, mecha rp where people will be having their mechs do backflips n' shit. I want the mech and stuff to have weight and fit the tone. 5. Please no "wip" sheets on the OOC. Post a complete sheet or don't post anything at all. If you need something looked over, feel free to private message me. Speaking of which, the character tab is for accepted characters only. 6. Keep in mind that your character can totally die. If they make the wrong move it can result in their death and I will not jeopardize the story to save them. 7. Two characters per person, max. If you make more than one character please post your characters in the same tab.

8. Let's keep out the over-the-top mecha traits such as transformations or giving your robot superpowers. Everything is meant to be a bit more grounded and everyone will just be using weapons of their choice. 9. I want every mech to fulfill a niche and have drawbacks... if you want to be a fast sniper? Sure. But that railgun will probably shatter your robot. Do you want an armored weapons platform? Well, have fun keeping up with that helicopter! You can have all-rounders but they won't be good at any particular field. 11. PM YOUR CHARACTER SHEETS TO ME. DO NOT POST THEM UNTIL I TELL YOU. My idea for the first chapter of the story is that we will only post the Shell sheets when the IC starts and refer to each other by callsign. Then after the first chapter we post the sheets for the pilots. 12. This RP will strictly be "first come, first serve." Meaning I will not reserve any character/roles/etc, and they will go to whoever finishes their character sheet first. If there's a conflict over it, I will decide the outcome. 13. All I ask for is one post a week. If it's been a week since your last post, your character will be placed into the inactive section until they are written off (mostly by death). Please be aware that once your character is inactive they can be killed off. 14. There are rules that are so beaten into your head that it should be obvious.

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain (An Armored Core Inspired Mechapunk)

loving the cyber mech theme here, and then the worldbuilding is just great

@PiNKPANTHERESS

If you think the worldbuilding is great now, just wait until you see the OOC.

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain (An Armored Core Inspired Mechapunk)

I would love to test the waters and see how things go, as I have more or less been consumed by Armored Core over the last few weeks. Would anyone interested just join the Discord link posted? Or will we be waiting for a separate post?

@AtomicEmperor

You can join the discord at your leisure.

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain (An Armored Core Inspired Mechapunk)

Temptations. I like the aesthetic and vibe here. I've been on a sci-fi kick and have a soft spot for -Punk. I'm not experienced or knowledgeable in Armored Core, do I need to do any homework on that setting/property to catch the vibe you're going for, or do you think I'll be able to pick up on it from the chatter?

@Fading Memory

This is a completely original setting and I will explain how everything works

Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain (An Armored Core Inspired Mechapunk)

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"... Answer the rain, forgive yourself." OVERVIEW

Welcome to Tyrant Shell: The Answer of Rain, the first RP in my new Tyrant Shell Universe. The basis is that hundreds of years ago resources were running bare so every nation went all out in one final confrontation known as the Judgement War. The Apex War was the first war in which highly advanced fighting machines known as Shells were deployed and used against each other. The war went on for ten years until there was literally nothing left and the era of nations came to a fall and Corporations took power from them. This event was known as the Nation Fall/Corporate Rise. In Answer of Rain, the story revolves around a team of Shell pilots under the WOLFHOUND LLC known as the Vulture Squad. The Vulture Squad is a famous team of Shell pilots that any corporation would pay anything to have them fighting for them. However, while the Vulture Squad is skilled, they're damaged people who have to contend with not just their personal baggage but the fatigue from constant fighting with no breaks. They have no choice but to power through to complete the mission. The squad is managed by their mysterious and enigmatic mission control, Ava, a person who has recently taken the position.

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DISCORD SERVER

The latest mission of the Vulture Squad is calling them to the clash over the nation of New Zealand. You see, after the Nation Fall/Corporate Rise, there were independent colonies that formed outside of the grasp of the Ruling Corporations. One such colony became the Independent Oceania Republic (IOR), a paradise free from corporate interference. However, that did not last long as one ruling corporation known as Murakumo Robotics had control over the greater Australian continent. Their rivals, Paragon United, invaded the IOR in hopes of gaining a foothold in Australia. Thus, a massive war erupted between the IOR and Paragon United in which the IOR managed to deter Paragon United... until the latter found a secret facility that was housing a superweapon. In the tussle, the superweapon, known as the Stormrise Project accidentally went off and altered the magnetic fields around New Zealand. Thus creating unpredictable, hostile, and extremely dangerous weather all over the nation - in addition to endless rain.

However, the conflict continues as New Zealand has developed technology to render the nation habitable. That was where the Vulture Squad comes in, Paragon United has hired the team, including others such as the legendary Death God Unit, in order to fight for them and turn the tides of the battle in their favor. However, there are other corporations and forces that are paying out just as much, so it is up to them who they fight for in a conflict that is much deeper than it seems. Other forces are at play here and they have different plans for how the conflict should play out, and wish to eliminate the Vulture Squad. The story of Answer of Rain will have the cast questioning their beliefs, and facing their own personal demons in a conflict that will determine the fate of the world. The tone of the RP will be very somber and lowly, melancholic, to convey the horrors and loneliness that come in a warzone. I won't say this story is inspired by Armored Core because it literally is a rip-off.

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Interest? Questions? Thought?

CLOSED

noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Nomadic Odyssey: Find Your Heart

T H E C O L E P I R A T E S

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Created several years ago in the year 20XX by Captain Cole, the Cole Pirates are an infamous band of thieves and looters that gained world recognition. They stole countless artifacts and other items of value for no reason other than to boost Captain Cole's ego. He wants to be known as the world's greatest supervillain, and thief, and have his exploits go down in history. Once you see their pirate ship expect them to part with everything valuable you have, or expect an invitation to his crew. Captain Cole is known for offering strong fighters a place on his key, to the point where any identified member of the Cole Pirates instantly has a bounty placed on them. His crew is a diverse mixture of Martial Artists, Mythics, and Cyborgs, and they are incredibly powerful as a force and have clashed with MAVERICK, The Justice Riders, and the League of Bounty Hunters.

Recollections: Who Is Eleanor Black [CANCELLED]

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Sybil Harkness

Interactions: Charlie (@FernStone), "Carl" (@Zombiedude101), & Dr. Harkness.

Sybil A. Harkness MD.

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"What's been said here, stays between us, so just level with me. Who are we talking about - people willin' to hurt folks for asking questions?"

"Carl"

Sybil shrugged.

"Beats me," She answered, as she looked at "Carl" with a very flat look on her face. "Quintin has always been a place where... strange and unexplainable things have happened. However, there are not many people in Quintin who have the power to... make people "disappear", if you know what I'm saying?" To accentuate her point, she pointed her pen at Carl, as there was a hidden meaning in her statement.

"You're talking about Mary-Louise her inbred children, mami?" Lily caught on the drift fast, as she placed a hand on her hip. Subtly was something that Lily caught onto very quickly, as in New York running your mouth was a quick way to end up floating in the Hudson River.

Sybil shrugged again.

"I'm not saying I am," She started, "But, I'm also not saying I'm not. I'll tell you what I told those girls: stay the hell away from Mary-Louise and the Black Family."

"Mind telling us why, Mami?" Lily asked again, "You wanted us to get to the point a minute ago; but here you are, talking in circles and wastin' our time."

Lily narrowed her eyes, "Now tell me how that's fair?"

"Whatever that whore... whatever Mary-Louise cannot control; she destroys," Sybil explained, "She has turned the town against outsiders, simply because they ain't in her... "design"." Sybil finger-quoted on the last word.

"They'd be here a few months and then suddenly they commit murder or go on a crime spree," Sybil said. "It's why people have been less than friendly to you... back when I was younger, people would have loved to have someone visit their quaint little town, even for a day or two."

"And how the fuck does Mary-Louise do that, Mami?" Lily put a hand on her hip.

Sybil was quiet for a few moments... upwards to a minute as if there was some turmoil in her head. A decision on whether to go left or right.

"There's a lot more to the Black Family - and this town - than them just being a bunch of rich twits,"

Lily shrugged and stuck her hands up, tilting her head forward a bit.

"Talkin' in circles again, mami," Lily pressed.

Sybil sighed before she just up and said it,

"You're not going to believe me until you see it with your own two eyes, but..." Sybil briefly glanced at the peculiar silver ring on her index finger before she sighed yet again, "... Magic is real, and each member of the Black Family has it."

Lily was awestruck, and she glanced at Carl and Charlie for their reactions.

"There are monsters out in the swamp that wander into town at night, an incestuous werewolf family, an alligator monster deep in the swamp, and I could go on..." Sybil continued to explain.

Lily just laughed, placing a hand over her mouth, thumb over her nose as she shook her head from left to right. Wondering if everyone in this goddamn town was crazy.

"... You're as crazy as that bitch we ran into outside, mami!"

Sybil shrugged.

"You'll find out soon enough,"

"Look, she's just trying to find someone who mattered to her. You figure where these girls went? At least, y'know, I can keep an eye on these two, keep 'em outta trouble."

"Carl"

Sybil was quiet for a moment, tapping her grey pen against her chin a few times before she answered, "I know you all are going to go straight there the second you walk out the door..." Then she shrugged again, "But, that's on you."

Sybil raised her pen in the air as she answered, "I told them if they wanted to find out where the Black Family hides their secrets: they need to go to the Old Black Manor out in the swamp. It's technically abandoned, but Mary-Louise is terrified of the place. I know it's where the Black siblings go to get some breathing room from mother dearest, and where the Black Family keeps their old-old documents. Maybe the Black Family already scrubbed any information on who you're looking for. Maybe not. You'll have to see for yourself because I never really explored the place."

Sybil looked between each member of the group yet again, before she continued, "It's out in the swamp, so be very careful when you go there. Go there during the day. Make sure you bring some type of weapon with you, and definitely bring some water." She glanced at Charlie and started chuckling.

"And... How come you're warning us when talking to everyone else in this town seems to be a death sentence?"

Charlie

"Because I care about people," Sybil answered damn near instantly, "I don't want to see anyone getting hurt, and I know you all aren't going to listen to me when I say you're in over your heads, but I hate to see another person go-" Sybil finger quoted, "-'Missing.'"

Suddenly the door swung over and the nurse from the desk popped her head in and said,

"Dr. Harkness, Ms. Kirk is here for her appointment,"

"I have to go, but hold on," Sybil stood up for a moment as she walked over to the cabinet that had a padlock on it. She bent forward, producing a key out of her pocket, unlocked the padlock, and opened the cabinet. She grabbed a mason jar that was full of a clear liquid (water?) with various herbs and other stuff sprinkled inside of it. At least that's what Charlie and Clayton saw...

... Lily saw that it was glowing, and she tilted her head off to the side for a moment as her jaw dropped.

"Trust me when I say this," Sybil started as she handed it to Lily, "If one of you gets injured, drink it or pour it on the wound - use it conservatively. Trust me, it'll save your life. Trust me."

She walked over to the door and held it open for the tree, "If you need anything, come back here, and my house is right next door."

With that, all three promptly left and Dr. Harkness went about her day.

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Interactions: Wyatt (@Helo), & Neko (@Atrophy)

House on the Edge of the Swamp

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“Got many families here in Quintin named Black? Cause, otherwise, would be strange for so many people to come down here looking for an Eleanor Black in the middle of a swamp. Almost as strange as having such a small town with so many people going missing. A well-connected man like yourself must have some guess about all that.”

Wyatt

"No families other than... you know,"

Blake answered the first question, pushing his glasses up his nose with a finger, and he thought for a moment as he answered the other question. "Well... don't go telling everyone this, but the only people with the influence and power to make people disappear on this scale would only be the Black Family."

He sighed.

“And these missing folks, all out-of-towners? No trouble here for any locals? Any creepy characters lurking around dark alleys?”

Wyatt

Maggy shrugged.

"I don't know why you're looking at me, Carrot-top," Maggy shot a sharp glance his way back, narrowing her eyes and tilting her head. That was when she took a puff of her cigarette and shrugged. "I don't know a whole lot. As far as I can tell, yes, only outsiders are going missing... maybe I know more, but I also need to pay for my room." She stuck her hand out in a gimme motion.

While this was going on, Jen was on the phone with Neko.

"Jen!? Oh thank God you're okay. Sorry, I just got a little spooked. Mr. Thornton said that other people have gone missing, or turned up dead, or I, I don't know, but it sounds like it has been more people than that group of girls. I don't think it's safe for you to be by yourself."

Neko

Jen was quiet for a few moments.

"I'm, uh, fi-fine," Jen started, "Ho-however, uh, um... Yeah, I'm, uh, going to, call everyone back to the Summit Motel. Wrap up what you're doing, and l-let's meet up there. It'll get dark soon. Um... I'll, uh, get back to you. I'm... I'm in the middle of something."

That was when Jen suddenly hung up the phone.

"How long have people been coming here looking for Eleanor?"

Neko

"About... two months," Blake stated, "The first person that came looking for her, it was just a coincidence. Then more and more people started coming... and all of them were 'missing'. Look, whatever you do, be careful out there."

He gulped.

"And stay out of the swamp. Please."

Afterward, the group bid farewell and parted and Maggy went back to work.

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Gas Station ---> Blake Thorton's Cabin.

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Good grief.

Maggy sighed as she stared at the gas station attendant, across the counter she had several things laid out. A couple of packs of cigarettes, some gum, and snacks that were a mixture of meat sticks, chips, and nuts. She didn't say a word as the cashier said,

"$62.83, miss."

"God everything is so expensive here," She moaned as she pulled out a few twenties that she got from Blake Thorton and slid it across the counter. "Here."

He grabbed the money, popped the register open - and Maggy was tempted to pull her pistol on him, but she didn't want to attract the attention of the sheriff... as shitty at her job as she seemed. Maggy had to remember that she was still a death row escapee and she had the virtue of being able to escape into the one place that nobody was going to bother looking for her. Though, she didn't like that she was practically forced to get plowed and blow fat sweaty rednecks for money.

He handed her the change, and Maggy paused (for just a moment) before she took the money from him, turned around, and went out the door as fast as she could. This gas station was about a fifteen-minute walk from Blake's cabin, and while the old bastard offered to drop her off, she wanted a bit of space from him. Maggy stepped outside and it was already sunset... from her experiences in Quintin, the town was about to shut down and if she didn't get her smokes now, she wouldn't be able to last the goddamn night.

She walked alongside the side of the road with a plastic bag in hand as if there was not a care in the world, swaying her hips from left to right. There was the temptation to pick up a new client while she's out here but Blake officially has her for the night and he'll get a little bit suspicious if she's gone for too long. Which was fine with her, because he was also giving her a bed to sleep on - then she would have to figure out how to get another room for herself.

Hopefully, no other weirdos would show up, though she was still getting paid whether or not Mr. Thorton decided to take a break. So, it was no big deal to her, but there were quite a few things that Maggy could have said but chose to keep to herself. Maggy couldn't help but grin as she walked down the side of the road as the night sky hit her. Just like how there were a few things that Blakey-poo was hiding from them, Maggy knew that being a chatterbox would result in her ending up like those girls.

Or at least what the town thinks happens to those girls

Maggy's grin got a little bit wider as she finally approached Blake Thorton's cabin, she was certain that he would be ready for round thirteen by now. So she walked up the stairs and groped her breast as she opened the door with the hand with bags in it.

"O-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-h Blakey..."

She moaned, but the second she opened the door, she saw blood everywhere. Along with bits and pieces of what had to be Blake, in the center of the living room was a hunched-over figure, gnawing at Blake Thorton's dead body. After a moment, the figure turned around and gave Maggy a full view of itself. It was nothing short of a werewolf, with green fur, and strange root-like claws, and stood at around five feet, and it growled at Maggy...

Maggy sighed.

"Good grief girl..." Maggy facepalmed so hard that she almost gave herself a red mark.

"... Just what am I going to do with you?"

The Mansion on the Hill.

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Kill la Kill Soundtrack - Blumenkranz

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A bright light shined through a dark tunnel, accompanied by the smaller light of a cigarette... there was very little light down here and Augustus Ashton Black did not want to flick on the primary lights. He took another drag of his cigarette as he went through the tunnels, and on his right were several cells with thick metal bars - with a door. He shined the light inside and the inhabitants - large, humanoid, rat creatures with knotted, messy grey fur - began scurrying. Loudly squeaking as they quickly fled the light Augustus shrugged and said, "Nope."

He went to the next cell, did the same thing, and repeated himself. "Nope."

Then he went to the next cell, shined the light inside, and then a wide smile appeared on his face as he said, "Ah!"

Augustus cut the light and walked over, he got on one knee, stuck his hand inside the cell, and shouted, "Whiskers!" Quickly, one of the strange rat monsters walked over and rubbed against Augustus' hand, making content squeaking noises. The one rat in question was missing its left arm, and Augustus pets it. "I thought you died, boy!" He laughed as he ran his hand through its matty hair, and then he reached into his pocket to pull out a key ring, which was messy.

"Lemme finds the key and we can-" Augustus was cut off by another person in the tunnel.

"Augustus," Callum said as he leaned up against the wall, surprising Augustus. He probably snuck up on him under the noises that the rat monsters were making. Or was it something else? "You know the Gnawers don't like it when you smoke."

Augustus looked at Callum, as he quickly put his cigarette out on the floor. "So, big bro, how have you been doing?" He asked.

"Mother wants us in a meeting," Callum said.

"Well, Mother can kiss my ass," Augustus smirked, "Unlike you, I'm not on her leash."

Callum reached and grabbed his pocket watch.

"Augustus, come to the mee-"

"If you use your magic on me, Callum..." Augustus gave Callum a narrow look as Callum put his pocket watch back. "Thank you, now if you excuse me..."

"Look, it's important, Augustus and I understand that we haven't seen eye-to-eye growing up-"

"You can say that again."

Callum clenched his fist as he continued, "-but, you know what's going on and we must come together and devise a way to resolve this."

"Yeah," Augustus rolled his eyes, "The mess that she created by being a nonstop dumbass."

"While I'm not arguing against that, it's still something that threatens our very family either way." He said. "Me, you, Maryland, her kids, Justine..."

"And we still have to find a way to fix Levi and his kid on top of that!" Augustus snorted.

"We must stop fighting," Callum said. "Or this whole mess will consume all of us."

"Fine, fine, fine," Augustus said, "... But, then, you're giving me and Whiskers our play time." He patted his favorite rat on the head as a goodbye before he walked alongside his older brother through the tunnels and the halls of the Black Family's manor. As they approached the meeting room, the halls were lined with strange creatures. They silently stood as they walked through their white-lined halls and once they made it to the end - a pair of massive double doors - they opened it for them and revealed their meeting room. Each member of the Black siblings was sitting down with Cody and Genesis standing in the corner... and at the very head of the table was Mary-Louise herself and she looked at the two as she said.

"... How nice it was for you two to join us. Did you two get lost?"

"Could do without your sarcasm, Mom," Augustus sat down and spat the words back. "Would make this a lot more tolerable."

"Maybe if you weren't fucking off we wouldn't have to sit here waiting for your asses," The next to speak was Maryland Black, wearing a black and white striped dress and had her hands together, leaning over the table.

"Don't start with me, Mary-Louise Jr," Augustus shot back.

"Enough." Callum injected.

"Hey! Don't call me that! Why don't you worry about that hit on you!?"

"You shut the fuck up about that! Worry about your damn kids blabbing to every nobody that wanders into here instead!"

"Just ignore him! Both of you are dumb as fuck!" Justine, Augustus' other sister spoke up, rolling her eyes wearing jeans and a white dress shirt. "God, every time..."

"Keep your neck out of this, Justine," Augustus answered.

"I'm just trying to get this over with, but if you want us to discuss your sad, sad, sad little act of rebellion against Mother, then go ahead!"

"Enough." Callum tried to say again.

"I swear every one of you hangs off her teat," Augustus started before he threw a thumb towards his brother Callum. "At least he can say he's the favorite and not some bastard born from a one-night-stand!"

Justine slammed her hands on the table. "You shut your mouth, you stupid bastard!"

"Fuck you, bitch!" Augustus shot back.

"Hey, don't call my sister that, asshole!"

"Fuck you, too!"

"You should have stayed in New Orleans!"

Callum snatched his pocketwatch out of his pocket and raised it high as he screamed.

"E-NOUGH! STOP BICKERING THIS GODDAMN INSTANT!"

Suddenly, everyone stopped yelling at each other and quietly sat at the table... before the silence was broken by Mary-Louise's clapping.

"Bravo, thank you so much, Callum," Mary-Louise spoke again. "I was wondering when you were going to do that."

"I was wondering if my siblings were going to stop acting like children, but I guess not," Callum finally sat down as everyone looked at Mary-Louise. "Now that distraction is out of the way... let's get started."

Mary-Louise sighed as she said, "Another group of people came into town looking for Eleanor Black. They assembled in the Webb Coffee House and then split up. I'm not sure where exactly they went, but two members went to our office and had a little... interesting chat with Callum." Mary-Louise couldn't help but chuckle.

Callum groaned, "Those two were crazy, I'm not even sure what the point of those theatrics was, but we were able to track them to a far larger group. And they're, by far, the largest group of people that came into town."

"And then what?" Augustus asked with a raised eyebrow. "We disappear them too?"

Everyone looked at Callum as he leaned back in his chair. "More and more people are looking for Eleanor, we can't keep making them 'disappear'-" He finger quoted, "-because people are going to, eventually, start asking questions. Start coming into town looking for these people. Hell if the reputation about Quintin is that we're spooky."

Mary-Louise was quiet for a moment.

"... It's better than letting her get to them." She answered.

"We need to find a way to solve all of this," Augustus spoke. "If we keep putting a bandaid over the cracks, eventually that dam is going to blow."

"I hate to say it, but he is right, you know," Callum answered.

"Yeah, especially since this is all your fault,"

Mary-Louise was quiet for a moment.

"... It's not my fault, Augustus."

"How about this?" Augustus started, "I know a few contacts in New Orleans, maybe we can all make a big old trek there and see if anyone knows anything about what's happening there."

Mary-Louise was quiet again.

"I refuse to step foot in New Orleans, and neither should any of you,"

"Heh," Augustus chuckled, "You do know that the people that killed your family are probably old and senile - just like yourself - or, you know, dead."

"How about I, Justine, and Maryl-"

"Don't volunteer me!" Maryland shouted.

"I and Justine go," Callum said.

Mary-Louise was quiet.

"Fine, but before you go," Mary-Louise answered, then she looked at Callum.

"... Wake the dog."

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Eleanor Black is

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Jennifer Caspin

Interactions: The Whole Group.

The Webb Family Coffee House

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Jen stared at the text message as she sat in the very same chair that she sat in yesterday. It was sudden... and it felt a bit odd, to the Caspin. It didn't seem like anything that Eugene would physically write down or say but then again she didn't get a good enough grasp on his personality to tell. However, any attempts for Jennifer to reach out to them proved that she had either been blocked or their phone had no connection. Which was peculiar... however, while Jennifer knew something was up this, she knew that there were more pressing matters to attend to. Like, the mystery of Eleanor Black and the huge amount of leadway that the group had gathered on the mystery. She sat at the table... with the map sprawled across, and waited as the group trickled in one by one.

Once everyone was here, Jennifer got started,

"Uh... you a-all must know why I... uh, gathered you all here today," Jennifer started, then a little smile appeared on her face as she said, "We... we, uh, made some huge progress yesterday! We found some, um, more leads! I've compiled everything that everyone has said and I, uh, believe that theeeeeeee.... the best place for us to look is the, uh, Old Black Manor. The, ummmmmm, only problem issssssssss..."

She looked at the map and traced from the edge, all the way to a brand new circle that she had drawn.

"... It's in the swamp."

CLOSED

Interested