you're dreaming about home in a place far from it.
>>5835892>suggestions will be siphoned through radio ear. making it audible to others.
>>5835892>>5835894>*extremely loud radio static that almost makes your ears bleed* Wake-y wake-y sleeping beauty, time to stop dreaming about Kansas, cuz you’re not in it anymore.
>>5835909you briefly scourge through your life to find anything deserving of this, however you couldn't since there were nothing about past you could remember.your next instinct move was to somehow "turn it off". but there were no switch present in your little ear radio.thankfully the sound eventually departed. well, it's your first memory as of now! not a cherishable one though.
>>5835920*skim through, sorry.
>>5835920>Pffffff HAHAHA, sorry ‘bout that rude awakening kid-o, my bad>But yeah, you should probably never try to turn it off again. Unless, you know, you want a gaping hole in your head.
>>5835967you know it's a mean bluff, yet you find yourself slowly lowering your hand.it seems like the hole is already wide open. it's just that bunch of words are plowing out instead of innards."uh, are you willing to help?" you respond to the radio in uneasy voice.
>>5835979>CAN I help? You don't look like you could use birthday tune right now.
>>5836004a birthday tune*
>>5836004you were about to ask the meaning of birthday, but it was quickly subdued.putting aside your pathetic call for help earlier,it is odd to hear a radio talking back at you, and seemingly know what you're doing in the moment.these god-like abilities made you grasp even firmly into the idea that radio is a helping hand here.you respond to radio, "i think you can."you then gently ask, if there's any way or clue to get out of this metallic coffin
>>5836060>Look around. You don't need me to tell you everything, do you?
>>5836151aware of your indolence, you look around and discover a doohickey resembling speaker down below.you try to crouch in awkward position to get near it.
>>5836186it seems like rather rudimentary code is being spewed out here, repeating in patterns. however you cannot decode, or recognize what it is. i don't think it involves space-standard cryptology.you also notice two button displaying Y/N below. you ask the radio if it's capable of decoding the code.
>>5836189>just say yes
>>5836237alright
>>5836278>the .- -..- . reveals itself.should you dare try wielding it?
>>5836284DO IT
>>5836374you manhandled it!
>>5836486Get up, will you? Seems you're not the first.
>>5836502that seems true.you feel somewhat mixed.you walk down toward left and discover a large pile of uniforms poorly stacked in corner. there's also a neat binocular you could reach with a little boost in height.>go for binocular>climb up uniforms for no reason>do something as "radio">do something else
>>5836555>stack the uniforms so that you can get the binocular
>>5836567you use the uniforms as a stool and see through the binocular.serene stars are surrounding what seems to be a broken down escape pod, hopelessly marooned.while you enjoyed some scenery, it also filled you with some bad omen.
>>5836611>Look at the moving uniform
>>5836622you stopped gazing at space and turned head around.you're met with someone.
>>5836643>do something as radio>provocative expletives at the unknown figure
>>5836656"wish i had a food chain to tie you down, Rat"you feel like you just lost in an unfair way.the unknown figure refuses to respond to radio's vulgar line. just a slight variation on eyebrow.
>>5836691Talk to the dude and ask what's happening and why he was under uniforms.
>>5836692( it aint obvious but shes a chick )stranger briefly presents a theory that we're both discarded experiment left to die in a space lab.the reason for act in question was simply to hide from you. until it became clear that you weren't much of a threat.she also mentions how exit is firmly sealed by some other dude and there's a odd quadrupedal footstep noise from outside corridor bothering her sleep.what should you do with all the information?
>>5836841Investigate. Or at least find a way to investigate before going into stuff.Do we still have our axe?
>>5836895you're still not exactly sure where emergency axe went after use.you return to chambers and have a good look ( including the other side.)you notice..a pipe connected to every chamber.hideous security camerapiles of canned food.futile attempt to escapea vent.
>>5836932Check the other pods. Can they be opened? Then look at the security cameras to see if they're still functional.Also what's up with the ratgirl? Is there anything on her that could help? Seems like she's in the same boat as us.
>>5836938from what you've seen, pods lack the feature to open and close door by itself, so it's probably being controlled from somewhere elseyou wonder if damaging these pipe would cause the pods to react.ratgirl seems uninterested in the concept of escape yet still observes you while digging through canned food.she says shes ok with sharing the food.
>>5836938>>5836954you ask ratgirl if cameras are functioning.she responds "it probably is, it's blinking."
>>5836961Eat some canned food, then stack the uniforms again to peek into the vent.
>>5836976after drinking who-knows-what in the can to replenish your strength, you begin to move pile of uniform next to the vent. it only took about 8 minute. /aha! you find a dusty key card inside the vent in relatively easy spot to reach, you think you're one step closer to getting out.simultaneously, a worrisome part of you admits that this room seems relatively safe and it might be dumb idea to get out willy nilly. the previous mention of quadrupedal footstep only adds to that sentiment.
>>5837013
>>5837020Look around for what's going on. If you can't see anything or hear something bad then dive into the uniforms and hide like ratgirl did.
>>5837038you quickly abscond into back of the pile without much time to spare. it's volume has noticeably shrank after utilizing most of the uniforms to reach the vent. it's barely providing any coverage but this is the only protection you can lean on for now.you can hear it lurching forward. a concerning cacophony. you imagine the beast actually being tender in heart. then you wonder which tale you took that bit from. memories are returning. the fact that rat isn't here worries you.
>>5837073Make the pile of uniforms into a primitive padded armor and wear it for protection. Wear multiple shirts, wad them under your clothes, things like that.
>>5837075in a frantic manner, you've melt down useless fortress for set of armor. hopefully this will fare against whatever arsenal that thing carries inside it's mouth. yes, and the "thing" is slowly building upon it's form in your audio-visualization. as it nears it's destination.
>>5837087it's here.
>>5837134Radio: Play "lofi hip hop radio - beats to go away/please let me live to"
>>5837140cacophony responds."i really don't like your taste. and i haven't even took a single bite out of you yet. ""dessert will be that rat then."
>>5837150Please don't eat the cat and rat, mr monster, we can come to an agreement, what would you like in exchange for their freedom?
>>5837158as the WISE ONE(me) once said...only fair exchange for giving up blood is MORE.. blood..!...or canned soup. i like those.
>>5837163Gather as many uneaten cans of soup as possible from the pile
>>5837179one person holds about 1.2 gallons of blood. so at least more than 2.4 was needed.you and the rat sweeps around the floor, wishing for the bountiful harvest of canned soup.lack of light source made this annoyingly difficult, but eventually quota was somehow met.you whisper to rat in pure curiosity. " how are there so many canned soup?"she replies, " somebody keeps dropping them off when i go to sleep. "huh.anyways the deal was met and cacophony left the way it came in.
>>5837196Find a way to turn on the lights. Is there a switch?Also pry open the cameras for useful electronics or at least outright wreck them, I don't like how they're blinking, watching. Unless that's a pit under them.
>>5837229that camera IS pesky. however you decide finding light shall be priority.you try searching for a switch, skimming through walls with your flaky arms. instead of meaningful discoveries you just end up ripping a hole in the posterjudging from how other side is visible, it seems rat actually made quite a progress on her escape until she stopped for some reason. suddenly, wave of orange radiance leaks through the lonely dot.it begins to resemble of all the stars you've seen through the binocular. maybe you created one right here. you feel kinda happy even when you're aware how illogical all this seems./i will come back after sleep.. hope you guys are somehow enjoying this.feel free to leave comments on what to do next.
>>5837260Carefully remove the poster from the wall, roll it up, and keep it for motivational purposes
>>5837260Can we throw some of the uniforms over the cameras?
>>5837330you've decided to take the poster along, the innate radiance remained intact.it's not incandescent, however enough to serve your needs for now.
>>5837362you turn relatively unscathed uniform into makeshift utility belt to store your flashlight and future tools.then proceed to throw most of the extra uniforms toward metal pervert.the missed shots fell through the abyss below. a cruel fate to those who failed to accomplish your command.now that you hold a portable light, it is tempting to go out and venture. will you?
>>5837744First check out the uniforms, see if there's anything special about them like an insignia.Then ask the ratgirl why she stopped digging that hole. Also I suppose we should ask what her name is.
>>58377521/2uniform seems banal to you. it's a white linen shirt with two rubbery black stripes plastered onto ithowever you do find a distinguishable symbol on right sleeve of the uniform.
>>5837853>>58377522/2you ask ratgirl her name, it is revealed that she doesn't have one. she asks you the same and the conversation mirrors in role.you both agree that naming each other would make nice pastime, and might help adjusting ourselves to this crooked circumstance.what would you name her?
>>5837859Name her Brisby yes this is a secret of nimh reference I can't think of anything else for a rodent chick.
>>5837859>CannyCause she showed us the canned soup.
>>5837909Actually I think I like this one too.
>>5837909>>5837914canny seems indifferent about her name. however she accepts it without hesitating and thanks you.canny proposes the name "outis" to you, she took it from the story of an ancient hero who really tried his hardest to go back to his domain, and did!she says her ear radio used to spew out buncha tales like that, before it broke down one night. you accept the name in the hopes of being bestowed upon similar fate. ..what should you do next?
>>5837952Ask her about the radio on her ear and ask if she remembers anything else from her past.
>>5837975canny claims radio has been part of her ear since the very beginning.her past was mostly listening to forced radio sessions, using binocular, trying to come up with new games involving empty cans. developing insomnia.as for the memory beyond the pod, null.
>>5838037sorry, pic was corrupted so here's reup
>>5838037Ask her about that ancient story more. Where did she hear it from? Was she not able to sleep because the lights were on? Now might be a good time to take a nap if that's the case.Try to see if we can remember anything as well. Also, let's throw some uniforms on the cameras so we aren't being constantly watched.
>>5837260>hope you guys are somehow enjoying this.Quest is great, chief, really enjoying it.>>5838037Outis, you should grab that card from the vent earlier. Also see if there's a card reader near the door where Cacophony came from, maybe you can use the card to open it. Or did Cacophony break down the door entirely? Did Canny succeed in digging to another room or is the hole behind the poster a dead end?
>>5838059you've already took care of the camera although it was a sloppy job.( >>5837744 )while you had more questions for canny, she silently lies down flat and all worn out. you think it'd be best to let her rest for now.alone in the room. you suspend your vision and recall how today went through. it's maddening easy yet same can't be applied to yesterday, and the days before that.. all adjoined into one bygone blob.
>>5838177you imagine yourself near a house drowned in lake.you stare blankly at the surface of the rippling, trembling deep blue. hoping for your former treasured belongings to float up one by one.. in any moment.. in just any given moment.. all quite vivid.
>>5838101Damn, we should've done this first.>>5838177Huh, didn't think we managed.>>5838178>Consider the house and all that was in it.
>>5838178What belongings did you have?
>>5838199>>5838206you can't keep such a list. as things pile up on their own as you continue to live on carelessly.however, one thing that you cherished was a pocket radio. listening to whatever the formless people had to say, blabber, teach and sing had a tantalizing resonance on you.a belief that idea can truly travel so far. across whole world of our own. maybe even a bit further than that.that exact lovely toy soon emerges from water. you're lured into static sea...you're now awake.
>>5838101you remember the hole being hollow. didn't pay much attention to it at the time though. the door is mangled by cacophony and has ceased to function. still, you're interested in what the key card can offer. you retrieve the card from vent and walk down to former gate. there is a card reader indeed, however unactive. you think the lack of electricity caused this. then came to wonder what caused the lack of electricity.
>>5838247idk dude, Outis, do you have any ideas? Did you notice anything odd or changing when the electricity died?
Well, time to follow the cables to see what went wrong.
>>5838271>>5838258no oddities were taking place when power went down. except for cacophony's footsteps maybe.there were no exposed cables near card reader to backtrack, perhaps you could find some clue regarding that in corridor.also, after a quick search inside the room you're now aware that canny is gone.you convince yourself that it's about time to head outside.//i'll head out as well. (for now)again, feel free to leave suggestions for tomorrow. goodbye
>>5838327>Look behind you
>>5838349someone's scurrying towards you. do you say hi, or goodbye?
>>5838852Point the motivational flashlight right at em, let's try to get a better look before they're much closer. Do they also have a radio?
>>5838868you dismiss the surrounding uncertainty with help of motivational poster.you examine the disgruntled stranger. looks like he doesn't has a radi- oh.. that's where it is.he seem fairly pissed off.
>>5838903The radio isn't making me feel as safe as I'd hoped. I think it's time to get out of there.
>>5838923taking sharp turn, you choose to avoid ominous one eyed dog. canine's response was immediate pursuit. the sound of footsteps gets closer and closer until the point of resembling a centaur if judged from audio alone.down the steep stairs presented upon, a corner with functioning light and door makes it's appearance.you think you should hide somewhere.
>>5839000Can we hide beneath the stairs by grabbing underneath them?
>>5839016you seal tip end of the spotlight and use stair's vulnerability to conceal yourself.the dog fails to spot your trickery and is dumbfounded in stair landing. this idle does not last long as he soon starts assaulting the nearby door til it lets him inside.you are split in half whether to leave now or wait out bit more.>keep hiding>climb up and go somewhere else
>>5839040>>climb up and go somewhere elseGo towards where the dog came from. Try to be quiet about it.Main reason I'm not for continuing to hide is because we might let go from the strain.
>>5839040>climb up and go somewhere else
>>5839066>>5839120you pull yourself up, sneak to upper floor. then continue from that point.the corridor is shaped half circle, hub of four rooms. including the one you got out.two door is ajar, one isn't illuminated. and other is.where should you head on?
>>5839133Peek into the room that is illuminated.
>>5839133>>5839141Yep, let's do that.
>>5839141>>5839148you decided to visit illuminated room, hoping it wouldn't initiate another round of hide and seek or tag. this is a bad neighborhood.
>>5839171
Illuminated will let us see what's insise without raising attention
Oh, hello fellows, how are you doing?Was that black dog with you?
>>5839175GET A STOOL AND DESTROY THE CAMERA, NOW
>>5839191immediately, you picked up the nearest stool and threw it toward the camera, completely wrecking both.you have hard time breathing for moment, then stammers your speech trying to justify what just happened.
>>5839178>Oh, hello fellows, how are you doing? Was that black dog with you?a half minute of radio silence was broken by your radio. questioning the crowd in an innocent, clueless manner. like an local homeboy if you may say so.it made these two stranger lower their guard on you even after witnessing such an act of abrupt violence.the fox answers. ".. oh yeah, his name is argos and he's our boss. he just left without words after watching us play a game of "chairs." and that.. that's not how you play it."he finishes his sentence while pointing at pieces behind, the former "chair".the badger tells you there's a spare so all is good, and offers you a spot in the session.
>>5839225Okay, now that I think about it, if we ever get into the observation room they may come in handy, better not destroy them in the future.>>5839228I think a more productive pastime may be further exploring the facility.However, we won't intervene if you want to play and rest for a while, Outis.
You guys have names yet?Do you want to come explore with us?
>>5839669+1
>>5839234>>5839669>>5839710you ask their names and if they're willing to join you.the fox and the badger respectively introduces themselves as Renart and B. Edgar.edgar dissuades you in rather compassionate voice." i get that you're curious and all. you've just been freed from coma for the first time, but this is just bad timing man.grid is fried, monster infiltration, and argos is quite manic about anyone roaming on their own these days. he ordered us to stay here, and i think you should too. "renart briefly adds to that sentiment. " yeah that mutt has a leash on us."you have hard time following what they're saying. the lingering impression of "home" is getting blurrier each sequence. that's all you're so sure of.> what to do next?
>>5839782Ask these pitiful chair humpers if any of their radios are also giving them incredibly good and useful advice.
>>5839782Ask if there were any others before that were killed by cacophony?
>>5839867as for the casualties, edgar cannot confirm any. "we're all scattered around, and some of us did cease to respond. but that doesn't guarantee anything.">>5839803he then informs you of the channel used for communicating through radio, " we don't get external advice like you claim to hear for some reason, but we try to cover each other's back." however you and canny lack the dials to manually flip through the frequencies."your ear is certainly minimalistic. well, i advice you to learn how it functions asap."...just as he finish his talk, both him and renart's ear trembles in noticeable magnitude. you can sort of see their face turning rigid. now devoid of any hospitality it once hosted. "cat and rat, do you like staring at stars?" you both nod."then why don't you fellers go do that while me and B have some private discussion outside. it's no big deal. we'll be back soon."the duo is now absent.>go stare at binocular.>do something else.
>>5839939>Go stare at binoculars.
>>5839939Stealthily listen in on their conversation.
>>5839984you didn't had to step on top of something to reach it this time.what these vibrant specs mean to you is vague. tiptoeing around limbo. not a single one minding about the end. while smaller beings like you can't help but always do. if urge to run from death stemmed from the unique value in us yet to be freed, why would it cower inside weak vessels to begin with?the stars organize into formation asking you to "come home". but which one of you is such a place? you ask.they answer. "we're merely here to lead the lost. many have leaned onto us, and we allow you to do the same." you now hold some sort of compass made of flimsy silver wires that's almost too light to keep it on your palms.it's pointing behind of you as of now.
>>5840092you try to hear through the wall, nothing is heard.
That thing on the table in >>5839171, have a closer look at it.
>>5840116This.
>>5840112Grab a stool and check what's in the vent.
>>5840116>>5840121despite it being concealed by wrapping paper, you're somehow awfully familiar with this cylindrical item labelled as "winner's prize." it's only fair to put the prize back to where it was.>>5840135you grab and stack two stools and climb up to examine the vent. and was able to hear faint,recent echoes, presumably caused by movements inside the air duct. intrigued, you were about to examine the remaining vent as well, but pair of footsteps retreating back to this room distracts you.
>>5840153Scurry under the table that the winner's prize was on.
>>5840228the radio warns you to hide beneath the table. you follow the command.soon,renart and B. edgar barges into the room in quite hasty manner. failing to notice your position.renart asks canny whereabouts of you while edgar stands nearby keeping a taser behind him.she simply does not respond. it's your only chance to>fight>flight
>>5840783Sneak up behind the big one and swipe that taser
>>5840783Keep hidden and see what happens. Reveal ourselves if they start threatening Canny or something.
>>5840783>>5840792Yeah, it's time to>fightcan't abandon your rat friend, Outis.
Nice drawquest OP, the best kind of quest
>>5840792>>5840804>>5840837you hesitate, till you cant.
>>5840975... you are now standing still in the grainfield. lofty golden crowds sporadically bow down to you.barn kid is reading his hardcover to few languid livestock and his dog." 'Pray do not apologise,’ said the Stork. ‘I hope you willreturn this visit, and come and dine with me soon.’ "the audience seems uninterested.>what will you do next?
>>5840976>Consider the audience and the barn kid
>>5841006barn kid turns around after your intense gaze smacks his back, you ask what he's doing."we've made up so many fables with them animals yeah?.. yet they've never had a chance to read such books themselves. that's why i'm doing this."he turns less avid."wish they could listen and understand. just as much as i can... otherwise god ain't fair."he seemed to sort of regret muttering out that last bit of sentence.
>>5841060>"There is no point in doing this for those that do not appreciate it. Let them be. Enjoy the stories and sharing them with fellow conscious beings.">Run in the wheat field towards the barn
What if you turn them into people, like in the island of Doctor Moron?
>>5841290 "now you're making fun of me. but i'd pay docs good money to make that happen really, if i ever make it big out there.">>5841165 "yeah. conscious beings. my folks are far from that. mom and dad turns into pair of husk after days work, cousins and bros runs away from words to woods. it's visitors like you that is, my silver lining. good luck on your way back mr." you waved and he waved back.after reaching the barn, you slide open it's rusty door.
>>5841321..you're now awake.
>>5841326See if Canny is awake, look at our surroundings.
>>5841326Check out the notes.
>>5841353you can hear silent snoring, not much else from her.as your utility belt vanished with items it held, it's hard to examine the room.>>5841380table is bright at least, you try to read the book left on top of it....you doubt the author's ownership of sanity and functioning hands. sole thing you could discern from this mash note was" i miss you father. "
>>5841444Remove the motivational poster from the wall and examine it under the light
>>5841444>>5841469Yep, let's do that. Also what's on the other end of the room (that we're looking from)? I don't see a door.
>>5841469>>5841494you're met with de-motivational concrete wall instead of it's kinder cousin.
>>5842032Maybe the other way around would work better? Get up on the table and use the light to look around.
>>5842053yep, that's better.the poster has four crimson arrows that leads to center portion which has been cut out.the camera is blinded with something. whoever did that, good job!
>>5842078I've been hesitating to ask, but this light is just a flashlight on a string, right? Can we untie it and carry it around?
>>5842159you free the poor dangling flashlight from it's bind.what will you do with it now?
>>5842188Ascend the pile of boxes. Claim the ominous (formerly motivational) poster.
>>5842206.. ubiquitous postivity it once handed out is no more,sucked right back into this tiny square.you've witnessed birth of the star last time. perhaps this is the demise of it. both too grand for mere copy of paper, you thought.the hole is large enough to fit through some stuff, but do you trust this void enough?
>>5842289Put it aside for now. Use the flashlight to look around the room properly.
>>5842364you've memorized noteworthy things after scanning the room.door is jammed.a jar is beneath that table.vent and camera. the usual.yet to check what's inside the boxes...canny is now awake after you've dazzled her eyes multiple times.
>>5842469Apologize for waking her from her sleep. Ask if she knows what's going on.
>>5842482your apology and inquiry was sent through one mail, both was accepted. hooray. "i dragged you to downstairs to find another room to hide. i think that's when your stuff got lost. sorry" she then stares at the inactive door and light above her and murmurs," they were alive and well before i fell asleep."
>>5842517>Who were?
>>5842517Check what's inside the boxes.
>>5842563the monologue was just about lights and door working prior to nap. nothing esoteric, she claims.>>5842655you begin the unboxing. 2 out of 3 was mostly filled with dusty books similar to the one on table. maybe you'd "get it" if you read the whole series in chronological order. twice.last box contained some stale hard tacks and macgyver knife with "argos" imprinted on it.... is this his room?
>>5842734Check what's in the jar. Also restack boxes to reach the vent and check inside.
And while we are at it, Canny can read the diaries in chronological order. Twice.
>>5842753+1 the vent thing
>>5842753>>5842851series of cryptic journals were handed out to her. you go under table to reach the jar.it holds some fangs and husk inside, you keep the lid shut as it reeks of metallic odor. semi- translucent marking indicates that this was once home of the "buddy".
"i am in your place now, what now?" canny persists to read, cover to cover. occasionally saying out loud some lines for you.you worry that she'd turn crazy after few more volumes.>>5842753>>5843196the light reveals lengthy air passage wide enough to fit inside and crawl, perhaps this is the sole exit as of now.
We may have to do a cursory investigation of where it leads.Shut the flashlight off if you see light.
>>5843388you've succeeded in uncovering the lid with argos's army knife ( which you've just stolen.)will you investigate by yourself, or will you bring her along?
>>5843576Before we go, I want to test something on the ominous poster in case it could be useful. Tear a page out of one of the books, crumple it up, and try dropping it into the poster's hole.
>>5843576Let's bring her along. It would be bad just leaving her after she's helped us so much.
>>5843589that specific page is now lost. but for how long? the hole does not answer. if a distant astronomer ever happened to find a star that weren't there last night sky.chances are that it's a reincarnate of what you've just dropped.so uh, teeny black hole.
>>5843640Well, I hoped for a bag of holding and got exactly that. If only I had also hoped it was a bag of letting go. Still want to keep it, to be clear.Seconding >>5843593
>>5843576>bring Canny along>"Ladies first"
>>5843675you didn't think that. the radio did.yeah.
>>5843672>>5843593you grab the poster and tell her it's time to go.walking on four is surprisingly ok. like it was meant to be. almost like a....crocodile. you'd fit right in swarm of that.https://youtu.be/5ffk_uEwSng?feature=shared after about 5 minutes, or two pep talks with your bud. cheery melodies are starting to march along the duct from all the away over there, probably where the end is.it seems like that singing man could really use someone right now. maybe you're the one who's gonna come out and play?
>>5843738the source of music is lying flat in what seems to be a cafeteria table.his heart is still pumping. off beat to the tune.>help him now>wait for bit
>>5843773>>help him nowNot sure what we could do, but we can at least try.
>>5843773>help him now
>>5843888>>5843927you try to become a helping hand. the wounded is losing substantial amounts of blood each and every second. off beat to the tune. with the last remaining bits of vigor, he plea."call".. "help".. "radio" "channel"...>how will you help?
>>5843932Well, we can't do that, they'll probably want to kill us for disobeying. Search the cafeteria using the flashlight for any medical supplies.
>>5843936right, we're on the lam. sending out signal is too risky.you two swiftly split and look for supplies ( or anything that works )..you only have time to grab 4 and return
>>5843977Pick up napkins, flag string, chair pole and matches.Cauterize the wounds with matches, bandage the rest up with napkins and flag string. Chair pole can be used as a splint for any broken limbs, probably, or as burning material for the cauterization if it's wooden. It'd be better to wash the wounds with water before bandaging them up, but we're limited in what we can take.
>>5844000SecondingOP, what program do you use to make your drawings and animations?
>>5843977I'll support this.
>>5844000>>5844121>>5844133canny was awaiting for your return with bottle of water and cheap liquor, side by side like angel and demon sitting on your shoulder....mostly following the radio's instruction, you've tried your best really. from makeshift rinsing to H20 tourniquet. removal of fangs in injury, making army knife glow like sun.you took some rest staring at ceiling till your patient regained consciousness and spewed out one word. "what."
>>5844170>"Hello. You almost died."Introductions might be in order.
>>5844121drawings..? animations..? what are you talking?you're making me scared, radio.
>>5844186>"Radio stuff. Don't worry about it."
>>5844170Hi. Feeling better now? You were dying, we patched you up, so you owe us. Tell us your name and how you ended up like that.
>>5844404+1>>5844186Everything is okay, catboi. Thanks OP
>>5844184>>5844404>>5844613you tell him what happened, and your name. urging him to do the same." the name.. i'll. i... of course i'll tell you. outis."he then proceeds not to, shutting his mouth for few minutes before resuming with different subject." i got ambushed by a four legged creature, fought and lost. it left after messing with my radio till it started playing old musics. i tried to turn it back to comms, but my body didn't listen. it still doesn't. ha.""thanks soooo much for saving me." he said to both of you. with bare bones lucidity, or lunacy out of nowhere. grinning like a fool.
>>5844778Ask him if he knows about anyone else. Maybe a certain dog guy, fox, or bear?Also he didn't tell us his name.
>>5844833"yeah i know them, they know me. we're all buddies stuck in a rotten ship. "you ask his name again.".. call me john. "
>>5844892>"Really? They didn't seem all that friendly to me.">Ask him if he knows anything about this ship and why we're here.
>>5844904john grins even wider."outis, where were you all this time? tell me. "
>>5844964I was dreaming.
>>5844964Ok, he's some grinning psycho or got brain damage, abandon him and look for an exit out of the cafeteria. I got a feeling he's trying to occupy our time while the other fuckers find the place we're at.
>>5845031>i was dreaming"try to stay awake this time bud."what an addled guy. or was that a genuine advice? nonetheless he's too neurotic to keep talking to.>>5845056you two walk away from the cafeteria. till john is reduced to a dot.
>>5845109Look around and try to figure out where we are.
>>5845154>>5845154it didn't took much time before your flashlight hit a wall.the cone of light revealed a familiar staircase you've once hid under. and the door now slightly open.
>>5845179Go and peek inside. Ask Canny to keep watch so we don't get jumped.
>>5845194
>>5845213Look at the control panels.
>>5845213Well, we don't need to tell you to go inside and look around the room for useful stuff, do we?
>>5845314" right, but having your approval makes me bit more confident. and i really need that sometimes.."you look around. a dingy throne room for the observer. monitors bear the perspective you've once feared, and some already destroyed.>>5845296the control panel has a built in screen too, currently showing a dome where the escape pods surround a circle of milky way. like how guards might do to their beloved queen.the leaving way.
>>5845345Well, if it makes you more confident we're happy to oblige.Check what's the poster on the wall (that's a poster, right?), also look what's in the dark corner. Is that a hole? Is there anything written on the controls, especially that lever or button under the glass?
>>5845357you check the dark thing. it wasn't a hole, wasn't a shadow. merely a grocer bag filled with canned foods. some brands are recognizable/you stare at the poster. it's a photo of earth. the name you've just retrieved from the back alley of mind palace.but you're not quite sure why it was dropped there in first place./the control panel doesn't have a word written on it. also why make a button if you're gonna seal it over? you thought.
>>5846036Call Canny in and let's check that vent.
>>5846063this vent was quite lengthy one. only to betray you with steep 90 degree curve at the end.now you two are sort of stuck there, saving some energy to crawl out backward. minutes passed." can i ask you something " canny quietly uttered while lying down. you nodded but she couldn't see it. still, her question made it out anyways." just where is your home, outis? do you think i'd have a spot or no? " how do you answer?
>>5846171I think I might have lived in a barn. Maybe I should be the one asking for a spot in your home.
>>5846171>I'm not entirely sure where I lived, it might've been in a barn, or in a flooded house. But either way you're welcome to live there.
>>5846171>>5846289>>5846296Yep, pretty much this.>It may be Earth, the planet we just saw on that poster. You're welcome to come along and live there.
>>5846289>>5846296>>5846304"a barn in earth."she smiles, you smile back. that's enough for now.we turn around.
>>5846360..as you peek out, light suddenly blinds you." get out of the vent."" you have 10 seconds. "
>>5846366Looks like they got us by the balls. Better follow the instructions, unless other anons have better ideas.
>>5846366>>5846373Yeah no choice but to comply for now and find an opportunity to escape later.If we get a chance of returning to the vent we should try climbing like pic related, maybe it would work.
>>5846366>Use the black hole to defend ourselves from the bullets.We could probably manage if we do this stealthily and quickly.
>>5846416that might've worked, sadly the poster is on your back. quite unreachable without drawing serious attention.>>5846373>>5846378"alright, alright. kneel and stay still while we get some leash on ya, rabid dogs."that foxy voice./" the lady got nothing on her, and you... what's this..? uh, creeps.. ANSWER ME!"renart seems to be bit dazzled by your ominous poster. he demands to know what he's holding right now.
>>5846429>It's a storage compartment, I think.
>>5846429>>5846450Yes, this.
>>5846450>>5846455..oh so you're saying this is your loot stash, then I'll have to seize it all, thief./...his arm went so far, far away. somewhere even his loudest scream couldn't reach.
>>5846522"i.. i'm gonna do the same but worse, both to you and her." renart is no longer in jovial mood.however edgar reminds of him a crucial detail. " no, no, wait. argos told us to bring them alive and unharmed."/"unharmed...? I'M FUCKING UN- ARMED BY THIS WET SANDWICH. DO YOU THINK I'LL LISTEN TO WHATEVER THAT MUTT SAID?! I'LL SHOOT THEM. ""you really can't, man."" I CAN DO WHA-"thump.edgar knocks him down. clean one hit...." .. thanks for saving john, he weren't always like that. "
>>5846565We couldn't just let him die.Why is this Renart guy chasing me and Canny so much?Do you know what happened here? I mean, in the spaceship in general.
>>5846565Yeah, well, can't just leave innocent people to die.It wouldn't have come to this if only you were honest with us from the get-go. Why attempt to stealthily taser us? Outis and Canny did nothing to deserve that.Could you at least explain what you want with us?
>>5846654 ".. i guess you should know about this too."/"why we're here and why we're MADE is simple. to listen to space. to collect and archive every stray signals we may intercept, and maybe reach out to source of these to feel " immense joy ". the man who's responsible for all this was an idealist. a crook who gifted us this fate by commissioning a chimera artist." />>5846754 "..argos warned us that you two were unstable prototypes supposed to be locked inside the pod, that's why we were hostile. but i don't quite believe in his words anymore. you guys were fine. and the database never backed his claim." / "but... well. go talk to argos. maybe you could change his mind."
>>5847512Radio: Ask Edgar to be a goodger and untie your two friends/minions.
>>5847558 "..who's on the radio?.. some secret comrade? i'll tell you that your friends are safe and well. and it's my duty to capture and bring them to my boss. so i'm afraid i can't free them."/Edgar's eyes twitch, as if he hasn't got a good night's sleep in forever." ...ok. how about... I'll let them visit one place accompanied by me. after that, no protesting, no escape attempts. tell me if you're decided."well, do you have any idea?
>>5847605There wouldn't happen to be a particular room where you do all your signal listening and archiving, would there?
>>5847605Just bring them to your boss and let's talk it out first before showing them around the place.
>>5847673>>5847705"we listen all the time, you know how there's no turn off button. and archiving is mostly done in dedicated room.but yeah, let's do the talk first."/you step outside. immediately, eyes are having trouble adjusting to glaring world. the once scarce light had been restored, legs totter as your sight suffer./you've became curious about how john was before his deterioration. edgar simply answers, "he was kinda like you."but what's that supposed to mean.
>>5847722In which ways?
>>5847814+1
>>5847814>>5847904" he wanted to leave here. and i stopped him. "then he adds,"i stopped john several times from taking escape pod. because I'd lose a lifelong friend if he really did that. ... it was just terribly selfish thing. i regret."
Who made us? What's a chimeric artist? And what are those monsters who run around here?Uhh..is it too late to take Renart to the med bay with John?
>>5848037What's that bloody bathroom stall?
>>5848037>>5848207Yes, this. Looks suspicious.
>>5848204"what I've told you is all i know. and renart.. i'm sure he can get there on his own."/>>5848207>>5848222your radio informs of the gruesome stall."huh?"edgar pauses his walk, then turns around to the stall while you two stay still.he knocks and asks "is someone inside? are you alright?"....
>>5848634Uh, do we have any soup on us? Fighting sounds like suicide, but I don't want to leave Edgar to die.Though I think it might be time to book it, our hands are tied (literally).
>>5848634No good can come from getting cacophony's attention now. We need to head back to wherever the MacGyver knife is, I think Argos' room. As much as I'd like to go for Renart's gun, we need our hands free first.
>>5848641you do feel sorry for the badger and his fate.>>5848730but there's something you cannot risk./>>5848678with our hands tied, we won't even score a tie against our misfortune.we flee and run to a place where the knife is, Argos's room. no time or courage to look back.
>>5848759you two untied each other's hand, experiencing severe grogginess due to all the sprinting and crawling done in the vent....what should we do now?
>>5849094Ask Canny how she's holding up
>>5849094This >>5849105Then let's try to see what we have in our inventory. Do we still have our black hole thing?And I don't think we ever got that key from the first room that was in the vent, unless I'm missing something.We should probably try to get Renart's gun or something.
>>5849105"my knees are sore. otherwise fine. you?"you are relatively "fine" too, but starting to feel bit empty. last meal you had was a lukewarm canned soup in the first room./>>5849105only thing you own as of now is a macgyver knife.key card was lost, and black hole poster is dropped at observation room.perhaps you should go search for these. or food.
>>5849194Check to see if the door works now that the power is back on
>>5849194>>5849209Support.
>>5849209>>5849358yeah, seems like the door and panel is operating. with one click, it will open.
>>5849893Naturally I will ignore this foreboding feeling and open the door right away
>>5849929alright.you disabled the door.
>>5849958Greet them cautiously
>>5849979"hello?" the bat heard you and ran away./the dog who's glued on the floor did not show any tangible response.
>>5850025Reassure him that you don't mean any harm and call Canny over. See if he's open to talk
>>5850031the dog simply nods in response to your assuring words.not quite talkative guy it seems.
>>5850049Headpat him to break the ice, then ask about the bat girl that ran away. Is she friendly?
>>5850049Let's unglue him first.
>>5850064your gut says this is a weird approach, but you went for it anyways. the dog remained to be quiet./>>5850226sadly, figurative glue is one of the hardest to dissolve.maybe if you ran away with his book, he'd stand up. but that's just mean isn't it?
>>5850257Check out the weird machine opposite of the dog. Is that an electric panel?
>>5850275a glossy ceiling monitor is connected to box with square hole.as you stare at the machine for a bit, the dog quietly hands you a ripped out page with words written on it."please grab "Patrasche" too, if you're heading to database. "
>>5850257(Hah, I also thought the 'glued' bit was literal) Introduce yourself and Canny. Ask him if he's unable to speak or just chooses not to
>>5850298>>5850299Is Patrasche the bat that just ran away?
>>5850299after introducing yourselves, you went on to question his ability to speak.what you heard back from him was a short bark./>>5850301the dog snatched away the letter he gave, then soon returned it back to you.a small wriggly arrow sprout from the word "Patrasche". pointing to the newly added line " that's me. "this only adds to confusion. but at least you now know the taciturn one's name.
>>5850333Huh, I guess we should grab Patrasche and go to the control room.But first let's ask how he did that and what he wants.
>>5850333Can he walk or do we need to carry him?
>>5850336Patrasche shows you his translucent pencil that was definitely not there few seconds ago. huh./>>5850345he also seemed to be bit annoyed with your obliviousness. till you muttered" i don't even know where the database is."patrasche then arose and started walking away by himself....what should you do?
>>5850366I guess we should follow him.
>>5850368...led by a kid, you're now at the local library. the database, control room, archive... whatever.on the left of the entrance, a terminal device awaits for your command. it's green blinking letters magnetize your attention.>SEARCH :
>>5850392Input>Earth
>>5850430>FOUND" Earth was the starting point of our voyage. home planet of the founder.once prosperous, now not so much. nothing too worthy. "search also provided piles of archived signals that originate from earth.it was mostly rigid beeps with unknown purpose, or someone's voice trying to sell you this and that. either way artificial./you've also found an archive of two kids toying around with their walkie talkies constantly boasting how cool it was to chat through one. even though their voice echoed, as if they were only about 5 feet apart from each other./you've learned a bit about earth. it's no longer just a barn. and you feel mixed about that.
>>5850774Look at the excerpts/recordings/logsSee what Patrasche and Canny are doing.
Well, let's search:Founder.Objective.Crew.Cacophony.Centipede.Current date.Distance from Earth.Distance from objective.
>>5850782the recordings were just more ads and beeps.and the logs seemed like they were typed out by the ship's dwellers themselves. vast majority connotes baseless nostalgia or complaints for the planet's output./>>5850812you've conducted further search with radio.>Cacophonyno results. probably because you've made up that name.>Distance from objective, Objectiveonly official guideline is "preserve all signals", some self contemplating logs popped up regarding objective, but you're not in the mood to read through that.>Distance from Earth.0.78 lightyears far away.>Current date.99-NOV-3. bit inept for a spaceship clock.>Crew,Founderfounder was a man named oddie seuss. once a humble child of wheat farmer, now an enthusiastic owner of telecom conglomerate who planned and funded this project.the crew consist of 16 chimeras with built-in device on their right ear, designed to attract and store whatever signals it may encounter.>Centipedeit shows centipedes. you're not sure why radio asked you to search this./>>5850782dog already found what he came for, walking out with tiny square box labelled "patrasche" on his hand.and canny is sitting on the staircase with her distinct stale gaze toward the opposing wall.she says "i'd like to contribute to here, but all my memories start from end, or end at start."
>>5850840Memories seem to be wonky for everyone here from what I can tell.Do you want to talk about it?
>>5850840Another search: prototype
>>5850840Search for: "Chimeras", "Radio", "Signals", "Map"
>>5850840>>5850840Search for: immense joy; God, purpose.
>>5850843"as long as i can remember you start to finish. I'd be fine, cat." her words would be more relieving if she called you by your name. but it is what it is.you then go back to terminal for some more digging.>>5850923>chimerasmultiple results. mostly excerpts from pre-launch documentation work.these are too wordy for you to fully comprehend. but you notice that 87% of all test subject died within a week. morbid."circe bio institute" is credited as the company responsible.>radioit's mostly archive of radio programs from earth. soap opera take up huge chunks, followed up by sport broadcast. you start to imagine how "football" would actually look..>mapsome varying maps of earth and other members of solar system.you've also found a map for this ship. it does not support preview but it can be printed out.>signalstoo broad, almost 52% of whole data./>>5850936>immense joyfound another snippet from official guideline.it explains the concept of "end signal" which is a signal that resonates with you alot,enough to inspire you to venture out to source of it.the end of that voyage will provide you not only the further context but also immense joy from becoming part of something that was once fata morgana.>god, purposeyou aren't sure if you are god's creation or circe bio institute's. maybe 50 50.there are some logs seeking god, expressing aimlessness. you did feel similar back then and still kinda do./>>5850870>prototypean interview with founder briefly mentions about the prototype. which goes,"now, early attempts are lookin pretty neat. although some did show wacky behaviors, it's all in the realm of probable outcome.i think we're gonna see actual prototypes soon. maybe make em dogs because i'm quite fond of them, had a pet dog when i was a rural boy."
>>5851013Might as well print the map out and have a gander
>>5851016bit hard to discern, but it's quite nice to have one.
>>5851124Look up 'memory'.A part of me thinks that we should try to look for some food soon. Maybe we can save Edgar still if we're quick enough?
>>5851124>>5851161Anons have been messing around in the database for a long time now while I was sleeping, I think Edgar is dead. Either way, we should find Argos and inform him of cacophony going around killing people.>Wander around the station exploring what we haven't seen yet to find Argos, preferably staying away from the bathroom.
>>5851124Look up "ear radio" before leaving, just in case there's any info about us formless voices.
>>5851161>memoryyou've found reports of gradual amnesia experienced by chimeras with damaged ear device./>>5851238>ear radiono claims of mutual communication between a chimera and external output.so what we have between us is nothing short of a small miracle....that was bit corny wasn't it? sorry./you consider all the factors before leaving database.>>5851233even if edgar is still alive, it'd be no use trying to lift up that guy all by you and canny. so you'd rather find argos first.others refered him as the boss. so chances are that he's at the capt's room.>>5851161for foods, storage or plant habitat sounds promising. you'll head down there when the hunger becomes unbearable./it took few minutes to get to navigation room. the door was locked. so you knocked at it several times quite annoyingly and some low grunts were heard.a big guy greets you." .... what for? "
We want to talk to Argos.B. Edgar got killed by the centipede chimera and Reinard lost an arm.Hmm.. 16 crew, and Cacophony killed at least two of them. Has he killed more?
>>5851296"...wait here."the cow pushed you away and left hurriedly after hearing out some details. he did not let you through the door." radio could you play some intermission music. selection is up to you." you ask.
>>5852052https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1sruEnQ9HkU
>>5852083the tune is quite nice, you thought.the tune is quite annoying, you thought after it's fifth loop.you ceased to think after that. till the trumpet suddenly became enjoyable again, then it didn't. then it did.
>>5852178..."wakey wakey. "you must've dozed off while waiting. where is this? oh. the captain's domain.you're tied down to a pole while argos stares down at you. scent of grease and rubber accompanies him like two putrid escorts./" I've been busy dancing with leccy. quite a terrible partner but our life would be pitch black without her. "argos then pours down your belongings to the floor. even the ones thought to be lost." how did you get hold of this key card. or my personal army knife?"..." why did you disable all the cameras you've encountered? "..." why did edgar die when i sent him to get you? if that was the monster's doing, why was he tased before?"" why did fox lose his arm? "" why did you run away when we first met? "the term between questions only gets shorter./he demands the answers now. but your mouth refuses to talk although it is trembling.
>>5852182Ask where Canny is.Attempt to answer the questions to the best of our abilities.
>>5852210you gave answers, from start to finish...."so it wasn't a mutiny, you meant no harm and the fox was just dumb with his paw."you nod." i accept your plea, outis. but you missed one crucial point. you've did all that because voices in the radio told you to. and that's what makes you an unstable prototype.""if you're going earth. feel free to take the escape pod with your girl.that's two less burden for good ol argos."/"where's canny?"argos replies as he unties you." I've sent her down to plant habitat. ...y'know, to get her some fresh air. "
>>5852382Radio: Has cacophony been dealt with or do we need to be careful on our way down? What was that being, was it one of the chimeras? An unfortunate experiment?Radio: May we talk for a bit before we depart, if we will even do that? We suggested all that we did because we wanted what was best for Outis (at least, I did, don't know about the other voices). We're from Earth itself, and I think it's a wonderful planet full of opportunities. I thought Outis would like it here more than on some isolated ship drifting in space, bound to monitor for uncertain signals with no art, no entertainment, and only a small group of acquaintances until the end of his life. Moreso considering it seems to be his home. Do you not wish yourself to go somewhere where you could have more freedom? Are you content with the task given to you by your creator? Is it that you still hope to receive the "end signal" that will provide "immense joy"?
Maybe the "end signal" is the friends we made along the way
>>5852382Thank you. But what exactly is going on here? Who is this radio? And why are memories so odd for Canny and I?
>>5852695" go to lab. there's someone who can answer all that. a knowledgeable chap."/>>5852659"cacophony, cute name for such a bastard. smuggled in as a hatchling,then grew up to be real threat. don't ask me what it's supposed to be. i don't know anymore."he sounded bit miserable during last few words./" oh yes. I've been listening. listening. but the end signal never came. same for many others in this ship. outis is lucky to have a place he'd rather be, delusion or not. "he pauses his rant to take a breath." till i receive new purpose, im obeying founder's command. taking care of this ship and it's crew, continue archiving. I have my own freedom. i could give up and shoot myself to sun if i wanted to. but i'm not doing that, no. and leaving without purpose is exactly that."
>>5852742Well then, let's get Canny from the plant habitat and go to the lab, I guess.
>>5852742Thank him, then do >>5852765
>>5852765>>5852813you leave the captain's room and walk downstairs after reclaiming your belt and posters... also army knife. argos allowed you to keep it for some reason, you thanked him for that and few more reasons./... you're now at plant habitat.you ask canny if she could follow you to the lab." canny....? oh. I'll come with you, cat. lead the way."you're not ok with that response.
>>5852842Let's go to the lab and see if something can be done about our iffy memories.On a side note we should try to keep Canny mentally stimulated. Maybe ask the crew if there's a toy available to keep her busy, like a ball or a yoyo, or just talk to her about stuff. Anything to keep her mind from straying away.
>>5852842Ask if she has damaged her radio. Was that the reason the voices from it stopped?
Let's her about things she likes doing. We have kind of taken her for granted and she's clearly not having a good time.We should also ask if she wants to keep going with us or if she's like to hang out with someone else.
>>5853375this
>>5852868" did you ever damage your ear before? "" what? "/>>5852848>>5853375>>5853467while you two walk to the lab, you ask her what she really likes.she answers, " any sort of tale. "/" do you know the story of a lost hero who tried to go home?"canny shakes her head. "No."" it goes something like this. a hero gets marooned in a stray island after nameless war has been fought and won.it's ingrained in him that the land he was born is awaiting for his arrival once more.however he became lost and impotent, as the isle never revealed her exit./"his only companions were the moon and her servants projected onto the sea. the very thing that isolated him. ""but it didn't take much time till he found out that he wasn't truly all by himself." ...now you're just making up story that you have no idea how to finish.you feel like you should stop.
>>5853375Judging by the vent conversation I don't think she dislikes our company, it's just she's really tuned out. Her insomnia doesn't help much either, lack of sleep can turn us apathetic as hell.Must be hard to determine what you want or what you like doing when you don't really have a past history. Might as well start building nice memories if we can, and if she's willing to. A journey of self-discovery, starting from zero.
>>5853514This lost hero might be you, Outis.Don't leave the tale unfinished, just let the words flow freely. It may not turn out great, but at least try to end it on a positive note.
>>5853514From the depths of the sea arose a giant beast - a sea drake of enormous size.So he asks the hero."Who are you and what are you doing on this island, the Isle of the Lost, one from which there is no escape?"And the hero told the drake his name and how he got there."The tale is curious. I will help you if you answer 3 of my riddles."And so the hero answered the drake's riddles, and the drake allowed the hero to ride him through the sea. Yet as they pierced through the waves, swiftly approaching the hero's homeland, there appeared a ship of hunters. They pursued the drake and killed him with harpoons and magic. And so the hero ended up on the hunter's vessel after they rescued him from the waves."Why did you kill the drake? He tried to help me reach my homeland.""Don't be silly. Drakes don't help people." answered the hunters.They took the hero to port, and as he stepped upon the streets and soil of his home, he was happy. And yet there was also sadness in his heart that the drake died. He made a living taking upon odd jobs, and when he could afford it, he bought a boat.He started venturing out to sea in hopes of meeting more sea drakes. And one day, he got into a storm. The waves were high, crashing against the boat and filling it with water. The hero tried to reach the shore, but feared he would remain at the sea forever. And then appeared a phantom, a spirit akin to a giant, long, scaly beast - indeed, it was the old drake.So the hero asked him"What can I do to honour your death? To give my thanks to you?"And the drake answered:"Remember me and share the memory with others."The storm disappeared with the drake's spirit. The hero got back to shore safely. It was a long time ago. The hero conversed with many people since then and to those he trusted, he told the story of the sea drake that rescued him. And perhaps with time, the peoples' view of sea drakes changed, and they coexist peacefully now instead of hunting for each other.The end.
>>5853704"i like your continuation, radio. can you tell me what the riddles were? ">>5853603"i'll try, you'll hear it when it's done. so please bear with me till then. " /you've made it to the entrance of balcony.now, you haven't walked inside yet because some shadowy figure with pointy ears is standing absolutely still in the middle of the room. how do you approach?
>>5853711With a knife at the ready in case they jump us. But say hello and ask who they are openly and from some distance.
>>5853711I forgot to reply about the riddles.>can you tell me what the riddles were?I'm not sure. I have two of them ready from my qming days if you'd like... we can say they were the ones the drake asked. Here they are:First one:When blankets riddled with holes cover the earthA watercolour painter comes forthTo pain a choir of hues over the great divide.What is his painting that sets the land alight?Second one:One day they're cliffs, next day they're plains,A watchman oversees these landsAnd guides lost strangers through the hazeWith stalwart blazy gaze.What is this watchman?Tell me the answers when we get to another peaceful time stretch. I'll leave inventing the third one up to you.
>>5853717".... hello?"with army knife on your palm, you approach the stranger.closer, closer till it isn't a shadow anymore.the bat almost flees like last time, but you were able to persuade her not to."oh, i thought you were here for a dead bat. glad it's not."you ask her if the lab is operating." yeah, dr is always up and running. seriously, he's like machine."" i work as his assistant, sort of. do you need anything from us?"
>>5853752>Yes, we want to know about memories and such. My friend Canny seems to be forgetting hers often and suffers from insomnia, and I can't really remember much from before coming to this place.Also let's put away the knife.
>>5853754you withdraw your knife." may i store that knife for you?, doc is paranoid about sharp stuff."you accept that." thanks for your cooperation.., hehe... I'll wait outside."/isn't lab supposed to be clean? this is polar opposite of that.a short, bespectacled boffin introduces himself shortly after your arrival." uh, i'm squealer. argos told about you two fellows through radio. well, there's nowhere to sit. so just loosen up and spill the details."he surely is questionable for a doctor.
>>5853781Ask about memories and what Canny might have.
>>5853781I'd like to inquire as to this man's field(s) of study and where he received his education. You can let him know it's the radio asking if he gets offended.
>>5854196" I'll be explicitly honest, that i received no formal education from any institution.it was all trial and error, thousands of hour in database. my dear friends."" but my work speaks for me. i'm the one who transplanted argos's radio from his ear to his eye. otherwise he would've been dead.i also recovered john's memory and identity after his attempted... what's the point of blathering this? "/>>5853819" she suffers from memory leak. probably caused by outdated internal storage chip. "" and it is perfectly normal that we don't hold memories prior to boarding this ship, outis.as we were merely animals back then. correct? "/squealer pulls out a giant drill that makes you catatonic." if you're hoping to preserve her last remaining bits of memory, i recommend that we start without delay.we gotta pry open her device. do you consent?/canny turns to you and lets out concerned, murky plea. " i don't know why we're here. can we go back? "
>>5854394Hm. So our memories are contained in chips.>and it is perfectly normal that we don't hold memories prior to boarding this ship, outis.We've had reminiscenses of a place that we strongly feel is our home so this is not entirely true.In any case, if surgery performed by questionable doc is the only way to preserve our bud's mind, I don't see much of an option other than proceed with hope.Tell doc to wait a moment while we talk with Canny outside the lab. Help her calm down, then explain in simple terms what's this about and that she'll feel much, much better when it's done. It does look scary, but reassure her we'll stay by her side the whole time.
>>5854394Ah so John's behavior comes from his surgery? I'm not sure if it should be done, she doesn't seem to like the idea much.
>>5854488What's the alternative tho, if doc speaks truthfully her condition will worsen if we leave things as they are.Then again maybe these are just the effects of severe insomnia kicking in. Which is treated with good sleep, not invasive brain surgery. Can't we ask doc for a more in-depth medical examination?
>>5854509>Can't we ask doc for a more in-depth medical examination?We can ask, but I don't know what his definition of 'in-depth medical examination' could be.
>>5854513Asking is worth a shot. If things smell fishy we can leave this on standby for a while.
>>5854537That's fair.
Wait a minute...>>5851271>you've found reports of gradual amnesia experienced by chimeras with damaged ear device.Canny told us that her ear radio broke down one night. What if repairing it leads to her amnesia being cured? We wouldn't have to mess with her internal chip or whatever turned John partly insane. Aside from the medical examination bit we should also ask doc if he or someone among the crew knows how to repair these radios.
>>5854488>>5854509you ask doc if he could do analysis before full on procedure, also told him some concerns stemming from john.".. if the surgery sounds that risky. i won't force it. but there really isn't much to examine further. "" and john... well he never saw the brightest outcome, yes. but his radio was mangled when he was brought in, so consider that first."/>>5854596squealer then adds," not sure who's talking there but repairing requires you to tamper with the chip. and as far as i'm aware, i'm the only one who can tamper it juuust right."/we're now back to balcony. perhaps she just needs some good sleep. but what if your name gets lost in one of her unspoken dreams?then, is trusting squealer fine idea? he didn't seem to feel much remorse for john. a quack he might be./her flaky eyes fixated at the vast space. from cradle to grave, we are stuck here.>bring her to doctor now.>let her sleep for awhile.
>>5854743We should let her sleep. If this procedure turns out to be necessary, then she should at least be well rested for it.If the bat assistant is nearby I'd also like to ask about getting some food.
>>5854743>let her sleep for awhileDamn idk, either option sounds like a risk to her memories.
>>5854743>let her sleepDon't see many options here unfortunately.Before we met she hanged in there for days with her radio broken, what's a few hours extra gonna do?Let's bring her somewhere dark so the lights don't disturb her sleep, or at least find some piece of clothing to cover her eyes with.Are there any cushy beds in this facility? Sleeping on the floor sucks. Let's ask the bat assistant about the private rooms and if there's one available for Canny
>>5854766>>5854849>>5854936" is there a place to sleep, or at least a blanket? " you asked the bat." rooms are quite far. and creepy monster is still roaming around. i heard... balcony is ok place to nap, i do it all the time!"she then left and brought a blanket, three cup of hot soup, few sleeping pills from the lab.you thanked her and took the mug. it felt warm and nice but you couldn't swallow any.canny says good night. she spared a pill for you. " i'll be awake in my dream. "" good night. " you replied./..." radio, aren't you tired as well? you've been with me for quite awhile now."
>>5854960I can't get tired I think. Or at least, I go to sleep while you do.
>>5854960There are many voices using your radio, Outis. When one of us gets tired, there is always another up and ready.How are you holding up? Last few hours have been crazy.
>>5854960It may be that time flows differently for us as well as what the other voices said.
>>5854960Monster energy drink™
>>5855079if you drink monster energy, and monster drinks my blood. what do i drink from you?/>>5854967right, i keep forget that you're always here watching me somehow. silent or not.... i don't do anything weird while i'm asleep.. do i?/>>5854995oh then you must be living the past or future. i was planning to meet you someday.that won't be happening now../>>5854986sort of guessed that when you started arguing alone. it does make sense. wonder if the first guy who spoke to me is still around.... and i think i'm doing ok, just concerned and sleepy. thanks for asking me./.. you take the sleeping pill and lie down.
>>5855100...
>>5855127..." doc, i need a new arm. "
>>5855129AAAAA WAKE THE FUCK UP AND HIDE, THE FOX IS HERE TO KILL US
>>5855129Wake up, catboy. Potential danger ahead.
>>5855129YOU FUCKING HARLOT WE WILL FUCKING VIVISECT YOU
>>5855164>>5855168>>5855179... you're woken up by the metalic voices. "looks like i forgot to turn you off.." you reach for the switch of your dear pocket radio. but wait, why is it warning against fox in middle of night? harlot? cat boy? vivi- what? you decided to continue listening out of curiosity heightened by moonlight haze.
>>5856109[mind-numbingly loud static]Up and at 'em, farmer Brown! Say, looks like we actually might be in Kansas this time.
>>5856158"here is not kansas. my names not brown. but okay. "of course, you know radio isn't talking to you, but pretending to follow someone's order is fun excuse to stay awake.you put on your straw hat and took some leftover beef jerky for argos." we already got rid of the foxes last winter. are you saying they returned? " you ask the radio jokingly.
>>5856219Looks like you missed one, but a three legged fox shouldn't be too much trouble.
>>5856219Outis wake up, you and your friend is in trouble
>>5856286"another shot at guessing my name? ya missed, radio boss. nobody i know is named outis."/>>5856257"three legged fox... a poor fella. must i kill it? we could just scare him away with my dog."you leave the ranch and head straight to the barn. argos follows your back for more jerky crumbs while your rusty birthday rifle jingles as you march forward.
>>5856326Give Argos a scratch behind the ear.
>>5856333
>>5856341Good dog.I guess it's time to enter the barn.
>>5856341>>5856349Yep, let's do that
>>5856326Set the barn on fire
>>5856349>>5856372
>>5856460Phew, doggo saved us just in time.
Let's tell Argos about our dream, see if he and the rest of the crew have them as well. Also express concern for your safety and Canny's regarding Renalt
>>5856460Thank you, mr Argos.
>>5856460Is the assistant okay?
Wait! Reynard, come back! We [i]can [/i] get you patched up!There is already people getting out there, don't become part of problem, please!
>>5856534>>5856582you thank argos for his intervention." all i did was some staring. you're lucky that foxes are wimp by nature" >>5856691he then goes to check up on the bat. she was probably victim of chokehold. but otherwise unharmed.>>5856931as much as you'd like a peace treaty........no. you'd rather see him get locked away. at least that's how you feel right now.. you don't want to lie to radio about this./>>5856552" don't know. i did not sleep for days. also you need to leave soon. " argos warns you.canny is still asleep and the fox just barged inside the lab.
>>5857282Quite a tight lipped guy.We can't leave until we deal with Canny's amnesia. Ask the big guy if he can please protect you from the fox in the meanwhile. Be ready to offer doing him a favor in return, just in case. Surely there is stuff we can help with, particularly involving a certain monster that threatens the entire crew.
>>5857306you ask argos for protection in exchange for favor maybe."you won't be any help unless you're volunteering as the bait. you're bite- sized.look, i'm going to pull renart out from there. and you'll wake canny up, get her fixed and leave."/the dog goes in. you shake canny till she opens her eyes." sorry for waking you up, but we have something to go through. it won't be necessary if you can remember things. like your tales, past days, ...my name ..anything." ... " please say something " "... heh, cat." well. she did what you've asked.
>>5857522Well, surgery it is then. Try to keep her calm when she enters the lab
>>5857522Alright. Let's get it done and stop being an eyesore to Argos.
>>5857522Give canny a hug before she undergoes surgery. I’m going be sad she dies :(
>>5857632you hugged, she hugged back. that's enough for now./>>5857566>>5857605you were told to wait outside.renart and argos goes on their own, leaving you alone
>>5857669Did you think of the answer to those riddles, Outis? Did you come up with the final one?
>>5857669Time for some self-introspection. What do you think these dreams are about? How do they make you feel?... You still want to go to Earth, or are you interested in this "immense joy" signal sought by Argos and the others?
>>5857706i wanted to see them myself before answering. but it would take ages, and i fear that you'd be a goner by then.so here, rainbow and lighthouse./" one yet many, near yet far. " the last riddle. i'm no good at making these./>>5857737i think i'm receiving founder's memories through the dream. i don't know why. maybe he built a machine that keeps sending out evidence of his existence.i feel like i'm an extension of that. a vivid and proud footprint left by my creator. aren't i? /visiting earth is my end signal. i refuse to think otherwise...
>>5857669Do you think she will be fine?
>>5857768We are with you on this journey buddy, regardless of what your end signal is.If the bat is still around go chat with her. Maybe there are others who feel the same as you and John .
>>5857788Also inquire on what kind of dreams she and the others have, since Argos don't tell us mucho.
>>5857768Rainbow is incorrect. It is actually sunset.Though I see how the wording may have given that idea.As for your riddle, I have no idea. I'll have to think on that and tell you later. If we're still alive by then, that is.
>>5857821"sunset huh. yet to see that one as well. good luck on solving that riddle, mate."/>>5857769" i think so. " because that's all you can do. />>5857788>>5857790 the bat indeed was here, back to normalcy. " are you feeling alright?. what are you doing now ?" you asked. " my back hurts a little, but it'll go away after few naps." " i'm staring at the stars, i know there's super fancy binocular next to me. but bare eyes just suits me better." bat replies. / " i guess that's your hobby. do these delights appear on your dream too? " " of course. sometimes i confuse between dream stars and real stars. what's the difference honestly. both are unreachable for me. "
>>5857824Ask her name.Tell her that the stars told us to "come home", most likely Earth. >>5840111Do stars tell her something different or similar?
>>5857824I think I got the solution to the riddle.It's our voices, isn't it? We're near, since you hear us, yet far, because space separates us. There are many of us here, yet you hear a single voice.To the bat: what do you think your end signal might be?
>>5857870"huh, I'll believe you because that sounds neat. that never happened to me. you can call me betty."/>>5857875" i once heard a voice from my radio. i can still recite it word to word. 'what a beauty, what a blessing. come along and lie next to me. garish dancers of the upper ballroom you'll soon see. how coquettish.'yeah. i want to lie down wherever he was that night." betty bites her lips./"grats. you solved it, radio. however you're still a riddle to me."as you stop talking and the room falls silent, squealer makes an entrance to announce the fate." .. i've tried my best, really. "
>>5858469If canny’s dead then turn squealer into canned food.
>>5858574she isn't dead, at least....she says your name, at last." outis where are we ? "does it matter?we're leaving anyways.
>>5858672Ask her how she’s feeling.
>>5858672Thank the doctor on the way out
>>5858672Ask a few basic math questions to test her brain function, ask her how she's feeling, check her memory by asking questions about what happened in the past.Ask the doctor what could be the negative consequences of the operation.
>>5858780" how many fingers am i holding?" / " ..3 " " what is 12+ 5? " / " 17 "" multiply that by 4. " / " ..68 " " i... think you got it all correct, right doc?" / " ...yes." doc seems to be concerned about your algebra skills./>>5858678" how are you feeling?"" mouth tastes odd and right ear hurts. but... it's ok. i just have no clue."" we had to replace your organ. sort of. "" oh."" can you recollect past few days? "" i... yea. mostly, till we went to library."/>>5858709" the chip i installed is 2.3, it's prototype right before the final product. so receiving signals can be a little.. flaky.but otherwise there shouldn't be a problem./our manufacturer went bankrupt in ye olden days. so i recommend you to live prudently in earth."" thank you doc." it sounded pretty awful as you couldn't stop whimpering.
>>5858871>Check to see if Canny can stand up on her own, see if she's alright.>Tell the doctor about strange dreams you've been having about earth.
>>5858871Alright, let's roll to the escape pods and pray we don't stumble upon cacophony.
>>5858871Ah, actually the other anon is right, we should probably ask about the dreams first.
>>5858878canny left her plastic bed without any problem. " well, my legs aren't complaining. we can go. " she ensures you. still that murky voice.>>5858894" there's a signal that manifests in receiver's dream. quite hi-tech. it was intended as immersive experience, but was too disruptive. enough for it to be outlawed in most territory.I'd say you are receiving one of these. how poor."squealer did not comment on contents of your dream. " it's out of my insight." he said.you wave to betty and doc on the way out." give her a raise, doc." your bantering fades away. so does their presence. all too fast.
>>5858974Did betty give us back our knife? We need to be prepared in case cacophony attacks us on the way to the escape pods. If we can get a hold of a pistol like Renalt's even better.
>>5858974I’m not sure how to feel about the escape pods considering you saw a broken down one earlier when you escaped your pod. What do you plan doing when come home, if even remember where that is.
