>>173753
Wake up.

>>173753
Don't wake up.

>>173756
no, wake up.

>>173753
Feel bad.

>>173759
Wake up and feel bad.

Wake up, feel bad, and try to figure out where the dream came from. Is it a latent desire, an ancestral memory, did it come from your powers somehow, or something else?

Also make sure Fizz('s body) is okay and not being sleep-strangled by you or something.

>>173754
>>173756
>>173758

...What the hell was that.

>>173759
>>173760
>>173764
...

I have not had a dream or a nightmare in decades. I cannot determine anything about it.

Fizz's body appears to be fine, and asleep. I can see her chest rise and fall as she breathes. I am in relatively the same position as I was when I fell asleep.

...Eiko is also sleeping here, as is the volto. Eiko is contacting my thigh, I can determine that she is physically healthy.

>>173769
Touch Fizz's body to be sure. If she's fine, you should make some breakfast for her.

>>173766
Check on Kav and the volto. Check the time, too.

After that, if it's not too early, wake Eiko. We should get to know her better, both personally and in terms of her being a Enuzian.

>>173770
Run your fingers over Eiko's head as if you were running them through hair.
With your emotions dampened, can you feel affection? Or love?

>>173770
Well. Yesterday was the first time you drained someone's blood... and now you dreamed about it.

What was it that you were almost finished doing in your dream?

Also: You've mentioned before about 'configurations' that determine what magic people use. What exactly does that mean? Can you describe your configuration?

Do you still have the book on demons? While everyone's asleep you should look up Vengeance and Morphic demons.

>>173774
Yeah that's not creepy or anything.

>>173771
>>173772
I touch the kobold. She is still asleep, and completely healthy.

The volto is still in the coma I put her in. Aside from that, she is anemic, but slowly recovering blood.

My biological clock indicates it is around... 12:41 PM. We must have slept in a good deal.

>>173774
>>173785
That is a decidedly humanoid instinct. Ezilots would be more liable to stroke a lover's mane, or play with their tail. I cannot dampen my emotions, merely my sexual urges.

>>173778
The specifics of the dream are difficult to remember, but I know that it related to fun in some way.

There are many things I can do... let me list all I can remember.

Deal with the noise. Hunt animals, possibly gather a supply of blood for later use. Search for a new job at a butchery. Change my species to completely remove all suspicion. Research demons, exorcism, and possession. Find a soul mage. Interrogate the volto. Speak to Eiko. Speak to Kav. Find a new place to stay, or practice blood magic.

Interrogate your captive so we at least have a name.

And don't change your species. You'll just have to keep changing it.

...wait, what noise?

>>173818
.... read the last chapter.

>>173807
Research demons WITH Eiko, whe should be a great help, seeing as how she is one herself. Try to focus on what ever Kav is.

>>173807
Still in support of talking to Eiko first. She's the one who we're actually on good terms with. I'm curious what she can tell us about demons, the cult, and what happened to Fizz yesterday. Also herself, of course.

>.... read the last chapter.
Oh, THAT thing. I thought it meant like a sound.

Hey, can Ram just move the void to his hand and then chop it off and grow a new one? We can drain the prisoner again.

On that note, we need to feed her. People don't just grow blood from nothing.

>>173843
Removing the void from Ram's body could have severe consequences. We need to know exactly what it is and how it pertains to Ram's abilities before we do anything.

Right now we should read what the book has to say about Vengeance Demons and Morphic Demons. Even though it's out of date it should give us something useful.

Hey Ram, you said you hadn't had a dream in decades. What kind of dreams did you have before? ...exactly what age did you stop dreaming? 9? Did it happen RIGHT when your ability first manifested?

>>173821
>>173822
>>173823
I lift Eiko and set her down on the pillows in the living room. I search for and find the book.

Page 157...

...

There is absolutely no concrete information here. Should I read the anecdotal tales, or wake up Eiko to help me decipher them?

>>173818
>>173843
I will feed and interrogate her after conversing with Eiko, there is certainly enough food here.

>>173853
I already read the chapter on morphic demons. It mentioned different types, likening them to configurations, but did not provide much concrete information. It seemed to suggest they were rare, or at least difficult to get information on, not to say that the rest of the book was particularly helpful. As for my configuration... configurations are difficult to judge, and the idea of them at all is just a well-supported theory. I have not had enough practice with blood magic, nor had enough reference to base deviations on to recognize my own configuration.

The dreaming stopped around when I was four. I remember vividly having both dreams and nightmares before then, but none after. My magic started manifesting some years after that.

>>173862
Fuck it, we'd need to get the up-to-date demon book to get any usable information on Kav.

Do a little more experimentation with the void. Try to force it into your skin or fur so you can see what it looks like visually.

Read up on Core and Golem demons. After all, Fizz was supposed to be turned into a Core Golem.

Go ahead and wake up Eiko to get some information.

Also, assess feasibility of moving the bad-void to your hand and then chopping it off and growing a new one. Beats having holes in your brain.

>>173862
Yeah, wake up Eiko. Going to suggest against experimenting with the malevolent force of creation and destruction naturally moving through your body, though. Apparently, when you feel 'pretty good', it's related to slaughtering and draining the life out several people. I worry about what 'fantastic' indicates.

Wait, before you wake anyone up, you have three lovely and unconscious women at your disposal. Time to increase your sexual urges.

>>173977
Dude. No. BAD.

Ram should wait until he gets emotionally attached to someone to reactivate that. He's right, sexual urges are distracting, and emotions give the most meaning to sex anyway.

Oh wait a second. Ram, you gave Eiko kindof a long hug. Are you getting attached to her?

Eiko can look like anyone or anything. While physical attraction is but one aspect of a relationship, it's definitely a big plus.

>>173981

You're just like those fools back at the institution!

>>173869
...My fur seems to resist it, somehow.

!

It is very subtle, but I can see a kind of haze. It is difficult to describe...

...But my arm feels incredible again.

>>173870
...I don't think that would be possible. The feeling could be compared to... a bottle filled with saltwater. Shifting the bottle would cause salt to collect on a side, but the saltwater would still fill the entire bottle.

>>173977
>>173981
>>173990
>>174027
>>174032
I would... rather not. None of us know each other very well, extenuating circumstances aside. Eiko is physically attractive to me in any form, particularly how healthy she is. If she needs to eat, I am curious as to how her metabolism functions. But I still know almost nothing about her.

...As for the hug, I have not... had much physical contact in a while.

>>173876
I turn to the chapter on golems first.

...

From what I can tell, golem is a term applied to any demon that is inhabiting anything other than their own body. It says it is different from possession in that golems are complete demons.

On core demons there is quite a bit more information. There are no pictures, but it says that they are heavily related to the center of the planet, revel in heat, and can send waves of it out from their body at will, or sap it from an area, though the latter is apparently more difficult. It also says they can be various sizes.

I trigger Eiko to start waking up. What should I ask her?

>>174128
...you said it was hot recently right?

I think the cultists are gathering Core Golems and having them generate a heat wave. Why, though?

Ask Eiko about Vengeance Demons and then more about how she controls her morphic powers.

"Would you like to go out with me?" Make her some breakfast, first, so it's not as awkward.

Wait. Uh. Ask for help deciphering the book for clues on how to deal with Kav... or if you should learn to get used to your new sidekick.

Speaking of sidekicks, ask if she's okay with staying on as your partner, or if she's helping you out as more of a one-time boon. Also if she'd like to go out with you.

>>174128
How she slept, of course.

See if she knows anywhere else we could hide out. The cultists probably know about this place, and since we mentioned Fizz to the captain (why did we never get her name?), the police might be interested, too.

Seconding asking on limits to her shapeshifting. She seems to be able to get mass from nowhere. Biologically mass. Y'know what'd be pretty cool? If she could make that into blood.

@ Ram 2010/05/08(Sat)17:15 No. 175182 ID: 0b2a05
File 127336412652.png - (49.46KB , 676x676 , pillows.png )

>>174138
It has been hot recently...

>>174148
"Eiko?"

"Mmh. Oh, hey Ram."

"How did you sleep?

"Not bad. The bed could have stood to be larger with four people, though."

"Can I ask you some questions?"

"Sure, I did say I'd tell you stuff later after all."

"How does your shape shifting work?"

She props up some pillows behind her.

"That's a pretty big question, anything specific?"

"You lost mass before, I felt it. Where did it go? Could you remove mass and recreate it?"

"I didn't actually lose anything, it just changed into a different form. As for removing it, that wouldn't work very well. If I get hurt I lose... power, I guess. Feel really weak and tired, not to mention the pain. Kinda hard to explain."

>>174139
"Do you know anything about vengeance demons?"

She shakes her head.

"Very very little. I remember something about blades and quests, but that's about it."

"Is there any way to... expel them, or exorcise them? Or maybe suppress them?"

"I really don't know. But I might be able to find out."

I am... hesitant to ask her out. Rejection could make things awkward.

"Eiko, are you going to keep helping me?"

She shrugs.

"Well, everybody's got stuff to do, but I'll be around if you need me."

"Are you hungry?"

"Yes, and could I ask you a question?"

"What is it?"

"How does blood magic work?"

'i wish i knew, that's why i asked about your shape shifting, i was wondering if it worked the same way.'

>>175182
Well... what do we know so far? It requires physical contact for all but the weakest possible interaction: Nausea. All changes require pain to be felt, and can be shared between the user and target. Any large-scale physical changes require blood to fuel.

There seem to be no side effects on the target. However... well, just show her the 'haze' by pushing the void into your fur.

We also know that blood itself is not the problem. Blood from animals is weak. Blood that is created manually via Blood Magic holds no power and thus dilutes the power of the blood in the target. Blood power regenerates over time.

There are things we don't understand yet. 1) why your body is emaciated despite eating when needed. 2) where the extra food goes when you overeat. 3) why Blood Mages are so rare (though we suspect it has to do with the complexity/precision of the configuration) 4) why it felt so good when you drained someone else's blood.

Go ahead and explain, and tell her about the void.

Maybe the void exists because Ram isn't consuming as much blood as he really needs.

...or maybe that exists no matter what and going nuts with blood-drinking only provides temporary relief.

>>175182
>I am... hesitant to ask her out. Rejection could make things awkward.
Tell her a few things about blood magic - then tell her that you'd be happy to talk more about it if she'd go out with you on a date.
Nothing can go wrong with this plan. It is foolproof.

>>175201
That seems a little misleading since we don't actually know a whole lot.

>>175202
[There's always "learning together" and "when I find out more, you'll know".]

You might not want to tell her you're helpless without touching someone. Just in case. You could tell her about the anemic thing though, and how you seem to need to consume something in blood in order to achieve a supernaturally fine control over your and other's metabolic functions.

>>175182
Tell her everything you can. Honesty is an important part of building trust.

Oh, and ask if she was born here or if she was summoned here.

>>175182
Tell her what you know of how it works. Which isn't really alot.

By the way she said she is hungry. Well do the gentlemanly thing and offer to cook something up for her. Ask her what she wants.

>>175185
>>175186
"...I do not know much about it. I had hoped shape shifting was similar. From what I've been able to gather, I determine specific details about a person's body with any physical contact, and recall them at will. With physical contact, I can change them in different ways almost instantly. I know intuitively that each change will cause pain to one or both parties, and difficult things will use up blood. The blood can come from anything, but animal blood is far less powerful."

>>175189
>>175201
>>175202
>>175207
>>175232
I stand up.

"Scary stuff."

"I have absolutely no idea why it's like that. I do not need to eat very much, and I lose mass somehow if I overeat. I do not appear this emaciated on purpose. And one more thing..."

I bring the shifting... stuff into my hand and show it to her.

"...I don't see anything."

>>175488
"Nevermind. What did you want to eat?"

"Anything, really. You're going to cook?"

"Yes."

>>175278
"Eiko, were you born here or summoned here?"

"...Okay that's a surprisingly difficult question to answer."

"Do you want to go somewhere with me to talk about these things later?"

She blinks.

"I... sure so? I mean, what did you have in mind?"

>>175840
A walk in a park could be quite nice and it's a pretty good place for a private talk as well. Lots of places where you can be a bit seculded and it's unlikely that people will overhear you. If you want to spice it up you could bring a picnic basket.

But before you take her out I think you might need to speak to Kav. She has information that you need. And if you leave her paralyzed on the bed while you go out and have fun I think she will be very much pissed off, and it's been hinted at that she won't stay weak forever. Having a pissed of vengence demon after you is probably something that goes under very bad things.

>>175840
If you wind up going to the restaurant while you're out, you may want to change your fur color beforehand so you don't get stared at by the staff. In fact maybe you should do that right now so the police don't recognize you if any happen to randomly see you. Have you ever wished your fur was a different color? You could even change your face or height.

Hey, is Fizz's scar on her back still visible? You could ask Eiko if she can see it. If she can't, then perhaps the haze and the scar are related somehow.

Eh, the prisoners will be fine. Just take some precautions.

Visiting a park or woodland area sounds good. Maybe some people will attack and you can beat them up together. It'll be romantic.

Then you can eat the attackers. Bonus.

Don't leave the demon in Fizz hanging too long. I don't care if I'm Mother Theresa, if you leave me a quadrupelegiac for an extended period of time I will not hesitate to disembowel you when able. The demon probably feels the same way.

>>175842

Yes. This.

>>175840
While you're out, keep an eye open for anywhere you could move to in case someone comes looking around Fizz's. Actually, where was Eiko living?

I'd say it's time to find a trustworthy Soul mage. Demonic possession is serious, and it would be quite wrong to just let it continue inhabiting Fizz's body. Fizz is your friend and her life and possibly soul is at stake. A soul mage may be able to help deal with it.

>>175857
>>175842
"A walk in the park?"

"Alright, that sounds good."

"Picnic basket?"

"...You continue to betray my expectations, Ram. Why not."

>>176069
"Where are you living?"

"I'll... tell you later."

>>176108
"Do you know of a soul mage?"

"...I might, actually. Or if not, I know someone who would."

>>175850
I change the color of my fur. Now I am a deep orange copper, and slightly shiny. Changing my face and height would be more difficult. Ezilot faces are not usually paid much attention to by other races anyway.

>>175864
The kobold... was not paralyzed when I touched her this morning.

>>176440
I think it's time we woke her up, then. The immediate question would be "Why aren't you still paralyzed"

Then some other stuff.

>>176440
Well that is a bit intriguing. Seems like Kav can make her host regenerate. Wake her up and see what she has to say.

This makes me questions whether or not she had something to do with your dream.

>>176442
>>176443
I go back into the bedroom. The kobold is in the same position as she was before. She looks at me.

"Good morning."

"Good morning."

"Is there something you wanted to ask me?"

"Why are you no longer paralyzed?"

"I already told you. We heal fast, remember?"

>>176496
Possibly... But why?

>>176501
"Well, okay. Hey, look at this."

Show her the 'void'.

to show you what happens if you lose control and just follow impulses.

>>176501
"You must understand; Fizz is effectively dead as long as you control her body, and I cannot allow that to continue.
I bear no enmity towards you, but as long as you are holding my friend hostage I cannot allow you meaningful use of her body.
I wish to create a new body for you so you can live without taking the life of another. The only requirement is that you tell me what I need to know; once you are in the new body and Fizz has been restored you will be free to leave.
Does this proposal meet with your approval?"

>>176517
Or we could just... ask her what she wants in return for just leaving Fizz's body and going back home.

I think making a whole new body could be... difficult. Possibly impossible. It took two peoples' worth of blood to resurrect someone. Fabricating an entire body would be harder.

>>176523
No, it took around 15% of the blood of two people; any more than that would have caused far worse things than anemia.

He sneaks into a slaughterhouse, absorbs all the animal blood he can, bleeds into a gas can, absorbs more, repeats until he has gallons of blood, creates new body, refills the cans, heads home. Since he doesn't care about contaminates or age he doesn't need to be picky about it.

>>176505
She was the one who told us about the void in the first place. Why would we need to show it to her? Especially considering it seems like something that's not visible, anyway. Ask her what it is, though.

I think we've got more important matters to deal with with her, though. Who is she? Why is she in Fizz, or, more specifically, how did that sigil get onto Fizz? What does she want, and how can we get her out?

>>176501
Well now it's time to ask her some questions. Like what the whole void deal means and how is it killing you. Also ask her if there is any more effective way she knows of for you to use your power.

>>176748
The void is 'killing' Ram because it is damaging him constantly, forcing him to repair himself constantly subconsciously.

>>176751
Yes, but what is it? Why is it there? Those are things we need to know about it.

>>176506
...Mmh.

I step around and sit on the bed next to her.

"Why haven't you moved?"

"You made it clear that you didn't want me to."

"..."

>>176505
>>176753
"You said you would tell me about this noise."

She nods.

"It's a leak, taking up nearly half of your power. You're unconsciously directing yourself to annihilate your own existence, while simultaneously reconstructing it."

>>176595
>>176517
I would rather learn about this void first...

"How do I fix it? What do you want in return for helping me fix it? How do I know you'll really help me fix it? You want another body? How about that Volto? She's taller, and doesn't involve being the enemy of a Blood Mage."

>>176780
Ok, that's rather odd. Ask her if that's normal for blood mages, it seems like she has seen it before. Also ask if there would be any side effects of removing or fixing it.

>>176780
Do you hate yourself, Ram?

Yes, do ask what she wants in return for telling you about yourself. Also, ask her how she knows this stuff in the first place.

Tell her she can move around if she wants but you really don't want to lose track of her. Fizz is our friend so we don't want to lose her, and this demon could be dangerous.

uhm... isn't it fairly normal for most creatures to vent some kind of waste energy? Have we considered that this may be a normal process to avoid 'exploding with power"?

I mean, it doesn't seem natural to just keep accumulating and accumulating energy without some kind of pressure release now does it?

>>176787
if we know how to turn it off we should be able to turn it back on. so if things start going bad we can.

>>176780
>learn about this void first
Ram, this void has been in you since you developed your powers. It's doing nothing but wasting energy and limiting your blood magic, something that's be shown to easily be able to overwhelm you and lead you down a path of death and destruction.

On the other hand, Fizz is currently unconscious and possessed by an incredibly powerful demon. We have no idea what she wants, and yet you're completely trusting in her telling you about unlocking said deadly power.

One of these is an urgent issue. The other isn't.

>>177036
Yes. Of course. But if I do not ask now before antagonizing her, I may never know...

>>176781
>>176784
"How can I fix it?"

"Simple. Just... stop. Allow your magic to still and settle. Think of it like stopping your heart."

"What will happen when I do?"

She smiles wide.

"Nothing bad, merely something... interesting."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I'm interested in you. I want to see how you do."

She stretches on the bed.

"You cured someone's fever. I've never heard of any blood mage do anything even remotely like that before. And since I'm stuck here..."

"Why? Can you not change bodies? Why not use this volto, it would be much more suitable for you."

"No. I'm stuck here. I don't... remember how to leave."

>>176787
I believe regular magic is rather like a wave. Buildup and waste should not be problems.
...At least, for conventional magic.

>>176785
Why... would I hate myself?

"Listen... you can move around if you want to. Just don't go far, I do not want you to get lost."

"I know the area well, but if that is your will..."

She hops down off the bed.

"Are you going to get rid of that noise now? Because I want to watch when you do."

i... actually want to see what happens more then i fear what happens, let's do it!!

>>177628
Hell no. Not until you mention what's so interesting about it. Until then, why don't we shift the topic onto you?

>>177631
i don't think it would lie to us about it's effect. we are the ONLY blood mage it has ever seen that has helped someone.

>>177630
Yes, but first ask "The previous blood mages. Why did they all go mad and turn evil?"

>>177629
Ask for a hint about what will happen. Preferably the sort of hint that tells you if doing this is going to turn you into some kind of bloodthirsty killer or something. :V

>>177632
Is it that Ram is the only Blood Mage who's helped someone, or is it that Ram is the only Blood Mage who has been able to cure a fever?

'Cause there's two different meanings, there. One is that Ram is different because he helps, the other is that Ram is different because his magic is different.

>>177634
Or if nothing bad will happen then sure go ahead and do it. :V

>>177629
Interesting she says. Hmmm, go for it.

Of course bad things differ alot depending on your point of view. She might think what will happen to simply be interesting while others would say it's the end of the fucking world. Still, it should be, interesting, so go for it.

Can't be worse than holes in your organs. (Probably)

Go for it.

>>177629
The 'do you hate yourself' question was asked because... it might've been why you were trying to kill yourself without realizing it. Sortof a subconscious reaction to a conscious thought. I thought perhaps you despised your magical ability for all the fear it causes in others (and thus yourself), and that resentment might have been self-destructive in nature.

However, it seems you are more well-adjusted than that.

@ Ram 2010/05/17(Mon)11:00 No. 178697 ID: 0b2a05
File 127411925994.png - (23.78KB , 682x682 , ribs.png )

>>177740
I do not despise my magical ability.

>>177630
.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

>>178697
GAH

Turn it back on!

>>178697
What the hell did I say!?

Okay, okay... Ram, you okay? Can you put it back or something?

>>178697
Well that's funny, all of a sudden you look alot more cadavarous, we can't hear you and Kav has a very diabolical smile on her lips.

You should probably turn it back on and leave it on. Then kindly ask her to closer explain what just happened.

>>178697

OH MY GOD RAM YOUR HEAD'S GONNA POP

>>178697
Huh... last post said she hopped off the bed. But now she's back on the bed.

Interesting.

Is your eye bleeding?

Obviously something is wrong.

Maybe you are constantly creating blood as part of your magic, and destroying enough of it that it wont be a problem. Turn off the blood creation and the destruction will keep going.

Ram, are you still there? I don't like the lack of sound coming out of you. If you can I'd stop doing that until we can quantify the effects.

Oh, and do tell us what you felt during this experience.

>>178700
>>178702
>>178704
NO!

>>178775
I feel better than I ever remember feeling before, like some kind of prison holding me has been annihilated.

I feel like screaming, laughing, and crying at the same time. Everything is open, I can feel the smallest anomalies in my body, and the c- and I e- cch-

"Breathe!"

"Aaghhuaha ahhha hhahha..."

The air tastes sweet...

...I fall to the floor.

"What... what happened..."

"You just doubled your magic."

>>178709
"Why did you... get on the bed?"

"I wanted a better view. I'm not too amazed you didn't notice."

>>178753
Those... those are tears.

>>178934
Are... are you okay?

>>178934
Oh. I see.

Did you get MORE emaciated? That's odd. You may have to use your power to change that just so that people don't stare at you.

>>178934
Alright, pull yourself together, man.

Clearly this is something you're gonna have to work up to if you plan on seriously pursuing it.

>>178934
How do you feel different? Everything. List it.

Why was half your magic constantly reconstructing your body? What purpose was that serving? Why were you able to stop it just by knowing about it? Can you turn it back on? How did Kav know about it in the first place? None of this makes any sense right now.

first you need to calm down. then, fix any little defects you may have. do you think you can finally put on some weight so you stop looking way too thin?

Okay, wow, well, so maybe Kav can be your sidekick for awhile...

I think we should keep Kav around. She seems to be genuinely helpful. Putting her into the Volto would be great, as soon as we can manage it. Ask her why she's called a Vengeance demon anyway.

>>178934
Ask Kav what she meant by "I've never heard of any blood mage do anything even remotely like [curing someone's fever] before".
Is it because you did something for someone else, or because you have more 'skill' or greater 'control' than other blood mages?

Furthermore, just how many other blood mages has she heard of, and how? Fizz didn't seem to have this knowledge, so it's something Kav must have had on her own....
So where did the knowledge come from?

>>178934
Ah, you just looked so odd, it seemed like you needed it back on again. But now we know why you looked odd, it's probably the first time we have seen you being happy.

Now I think it's time to ask Kav how she knew these things. And if she has any other helpful pointers for a relatively young bloodmage.

I'm glad this worked so well Ram.

But be careful. Power is a heady brew and we don't want you turning into a monster. Make sure to maintain your self control.

>>178936
Yes... Apart from... minor suffocation, I am far better than 'okay'.

>>178937
I always... look this way.

>>178938
Already done... perhaps I should have tried to do this... gradually.

>>178948
I feel stronger. Much stronger, in fact. All the little defects in my body are apparent to me now. I was aware they existed before, but not to this extent. The... voidlike feeling is still there, more prominent than before. It feels somehow comfortable to me though... I can still move it around like before, even easier now.

I am lost for the reasoning behind any of this.

>>178955
I fix all the defects and catch my breath. I could always put on weight, but it seemed to gradually disappear before. For some reason I get the feeling that it won't anymore, though I do not know why.

>>178965
>>178986
>>179078
>>179203
"Kav... why are you called a vengeance demon?"

She leans up on the bed.

"It has to do with how we can summon ourselves here."

"What?"

"Look it up, I'm sure you can figure it out."

"What else do you know?"

She hops down off the bed, and starts towards the door.

"Ever tried the blood of a mage? I recommend it. As for me, I'm going to get something to eat from our delicious kitchen. Do you know how good the food this 'bold cooks is?"

"...Kav."

She stops in the doorway, pauses, and looks back at me.

"How do you know all this?"

She smiles again and swiftly exits.

>>179345
Contrary to most logic, I feel as if I have more control now...

we mean don't get corrupted by power. just because you CAN do things doesn't mean you SHOULD.

>>179582
You still haven't asked her the most important question. What does she want?

I've got to say, I really don't like her. Or trust her. Be careful, Ram.

Eat all the food.

Eventually you will run out of food.

Kav will be begging you to vanquish her so that Fizz can get back to cooking.

This is a perfect plan.

I don't understand. I thought you shut down your power so you'd get rid of the void, since it was your power destructively turned on yourself... but it's back? Can you tell what it is?

Anyhow. Kav could have escaped during the night, but chose not to. So go have your picnic with Eiko. Maybe you'll get to fight street thugs and drink all their blood.

>>179610
talked about it on #rubyquest
the void was simply noisy this made it shut up.

Well, if the voidlike feeling is more comfortable now, and it was the source of the 'noise' before... then the void must be directly related to your power itself. Maybe even a physical manifestation of it. Perhaps the reason you cannot detect it with your power is because of that. I mean, you can't look directly at your own eyeball.

>>179582
Well follow her and keep pressing with the questions. Also, as she said she has a perfect recall of what Fizz knows she should just as good at cooking, so you could ask her for some picnic food.

>>179585
I think she hinted at that earlier. She wants simply to exist and have a body. Changing bodies is apparently a rather difficult process so she's staying with Fizz for the time being.

Say, is it possible for you to reach out to someone with the void?

>>179584
...

>>179585
She said that she was interested in me.

What exactly that implies remains to be seen...

>>179587
That would... I do not even know how killing the demon would affect Fizz.

>>179644
Actually--

I cannot detect it because it does not seem to be a 'thing', more a specific absence... or maybe it is a thing. Trying to examine it proves... difficult.

>>179734
... It would seem no. It does not extend very much farther than my fur.

>>179722
I walk through the doorway to the living room, noting that Eiko is in the same place that she was before. The kitchen is in use; the demon appears to know what she is doing, though she definitely seems to be lacking something.

>>179610
No. The void is still there, but it is less... oppressive now. Something definitely happened.

I said I would make breakfast. The kobold seems to have commandeered the kitchen now...

explain to eiko that kav seems to have fizz's memories on cooking so she decided to cook.

Instruct Kav that you're making breakfast for four. Help make breakfast.

>>179889
Try moving all the void you can to one hand, and try changing something in your other hand.

Conversely, try changing your hand while there's a lot of void in it.

>>179889
Well then help Kav with the breakfast, that way you're still making it, just with some extra help.

Press with the questions while cooking breakfast. Where did she learn all of this, and if she knows of anything else that would be good to know for a bloodmage.

@ Ram 2010/05/28(Fri)20:24 No. 184664 ID: 0b2a05
File 127510345323.png - (59.78KB , 682x682 , ironchef.png )

>>179895
I will change the light from blue to green.
...!

It is definitely more difficult to make changes without the void.

>>179892
"Eiko, the demon seems to have at least partial memory of how to cook."

"It does look that way."

"I will make pancakes."

She gives me a thumbs-up. I walk into the kitchen and prepare to cook.

>>179894
>>180176
"Four people to cook for, oh my."

I didn't say that.

"Banana pancakes."

"But of course. Bowls are on the top shelf."

I remove two mixing bowls.

"You seem to know quite a lot."

She takes flour from a cupboard.

"Flattery will get you everywhere."

I put a pan on the stove and start melting butter.

"So much information never comes this easily."

She puts the flour in the bowl and shakes some salt and baking powder into it.

"Everyone gets lucky, hearing, reading... Get eggs, they're in the coldbox."

I put milk and egg into a bowl.

"I know. Historians, archmagi, and alchemists have worked on discovering for decades what you told me in minutes."

She whisks some sugar into the flour bowl.

"I am very smart. What is there to say? Don't mix the bowls until they're all mixed individually."

I cool the butter and mix it into the milk bowl.

"I know. For all the things you've told me, you have yet to mention the most important one. How you know any of it."

She mixes the bowls together while I get a few bananas from the refrigerator.

"Maybe I read it in a forgotten journal, or a friend of a friend managed to escape a blood mage. What you should really be asking yourself is, does it matter? I am here, and I will make you undefeatable before I leave. Get bananas, they are--"

"I know where bananas are."

"..."

"What else is there? How much more have you held back? Any re--"

"Oh, spare me the performance. You want power, and I know how to get it. There is nobody around to hear, so drop the saint act and be honest for once."

wanting power and being nice are not mutually exclusive.

>>184664
Do you want power?

Do you really even know? Do you want to be known as some sort of super-Good-Samaritan, using your abilities to appear out of nowhere and commit random acts of good faith? Do you want to take control of the local area, and live as the blood mages of old?

...

Do you want to live in peace and relative anonymity?

What do you want, Ram?

>>184664
Time to be honest. Tell her the truth. I think that is... you don't need more power. You want control. Understanding. You're no saint, but you sure as hell aren't going to go down in history books as 'just another crazy Blood Mage'.

Mainly though... you just want to live in peace. Like most people.

Also, I think that the demon was a Blood Mage. She died and went to hell, and became a Vengeance Demon. Now she has no power, but wants to use you vicariously to do the 'fun' stuff you saw in your dream. That was HER dream, leaking into your head.

"Being undefeatable sounds nice. But I also want my friend back."

Since that will get you nowhere, also say "Undefeatable how? I can't affect people without touching their vitals. Very flexible, but no range. Not really much more lethal than a knife."

Remember how that geomancer fucked you up.

>>184664
Sigh.
"What have I done to earn so much mistrust from you?
Was it standing up for my friends? Saving lives without asking for anything in return?
I'm not claiming I'm a saint, but I'm not a monster."

Yes, now is a good time to decide what you want.

If you want to be happy, the best choice is to be a force of good.
A nice bonus of this is that once you've established yourself as a good person people won't believe any accusations of you being a blood mage. Eventually, they won't even care.

Being evil generally doesn't turn out too well. I would strongly advise against it.

Ram, I don't think you really want power. I've never seen you do anything to suggest you were trying to become more powerful. I think you want to understand your power, and you should relate that motivation to her so she doesn't misunderstand you.

It's almost like she's expecting you to have certain motivations just because you are a blood mage. Maybe she is trying to promote that line of thinking?

>>184664
Fine, tell her you mainly want understanding. To understand what your power is, how it works and how it originated. Beyond that you mainly just want to live your life in peace, maybe get a nice acting job or two. Normal stuff.

>>184664
"An act that never ends isn't any different from the truth, is it?" I've never seen you want power, Ram. If anything, you've avoided it. You wanted to hide from the fame, the notability, the fear of it, maybe even the responsibility it would bring. If there's anything she could do, it's to tell you about this power so you can't sure you don't get it.

"Be honest."

"The faster you say what you want, the easier it'll be to get."

I take the mixture and pour some of it into the pan.

"I don't know what I want."

"...?"

"For the last two decades, I have tried to stay as mundane and unnoticeable as possible. I suppressed my ambitions to the point where I can no longer remember what they were."

I put some banana in the pancake.

"Then, something exploded. My apartment burned down. Somebody threw a poisoned knife at me. I learned that I may be a demon, everyone I meet seems to be, or is at least in some way related to a demon, and I brought intense physical harm on myself bringing back to life what turned out to be a demon."

"Y...you're serious, aren't you?"

The pancake bubbles.

"I want to know how I work. Why are blood mages so rare? What makes them special?"

The pancake sizzles.

"Beyond that, I haven't a clue. But I am not yours or anyone else's pawn."

She slowly steps away from me... and turns to run out of the kitchen.

The pancake is ready to flip.

>>186482
"Ask Eiko."
Flip the pancake
"Oh, and tell her breakfast is almost ready."

>>186482
I think she was greatly disturbed from hearing that you brought Eiko back to life.

Turn off the stove and go make sure she isn't trying to send Eiko back to dead.

>>186483
Go with this, play the straight man.

Maybe also tell Kav that she shouldn't lie to you again about how much of Fizz's life she knows, if she can't remember bringing Eiko back to life.

After all, Fizz played an important part in that.

>>186482
If the demon in Fizz's body considers the fact that Eiko is alive again to be a threat, then resurrecting her was not a wise decision.

You know what you must do. All it would take is a single touch. Just a single touch. She has enough misplaced trust. A friendly pat on the back. That is all you will need.

>>186495
Ignore that voice. It's out to get you killed.

>>186482
Well then flip that pancake man. You don't want burned pancakes.

Yell out for Kav and ask her why it's such a big deal.

>>186483
I call after her as she leaves.

"Ask Eiko if you don't believe me."

>>186506
>>186491
...I hear the bedroom door shut.

>>186495
A threat to what? She was only dead for a little while, and it was before the demon was brought out of Fizz. She may be a demon, but I trust Eiko far more than the vengeance demon.

I flip the pancake and make some more.

...

Eiko is still sitting on the pillows. The other demon is presumably in the bedroom.

>>186522
Make sure the breakfast is ready and then go see what's up with Kav. Seriously this seems a bit odd.

>>186522
Bring Eiko some pancakes, and share a meal.
"So, I'm curious. What made you pick a Goblin form? Aesthetics?"

>>186522
my bad missed the last moment in your life.

And yeah Eiko appears to be trustworthy. Presumably saving her life (twice? if that whole bit in the caves counted) is pretty important to her.

As for Kav, uh. I think she was not expecting that answer.

Anyway, I'd say to finish up breakfast and then go ask Kav what's making her act so oddly. If she locked the bedroom, then, uh, just hang with Eiko?

I don't know what in your response set her off, but if I had to guess... she was going to offer you power. Now that you've made it clear power isn't your interest, maybe she feel she has lost her only bargaining chip.

I really can't think of anything else about how you responded that would set her off. Maybe she realizes you aren't just going to let her keep Fizz's body and is suddenly frightened of that.

Regardless I'd press the point with her. Her running off mid cooking is strange.

Is it possible that Fizz is regaining control of her body? That could be why the demon ran.

>>186523
>>186536
>>186542
I finish the pancakes and bring a plate to Eiko.

"Hey, thanks."

I try to ope--

The door to the bedroom is indeed locked. I cannot hear anything on the other side.

Knock knock

knock...

She does not answer.

>>186829
...Mm.

>>186525
Eiko is eating the pancakes rather fast...

"Eiko? May I ask you something?"

"Mmh. Ram, can it wait till our picnic? I've remembered I need to be somewhere. What time did you want to go walking?"

Was there a window in there? Kav locking herself in is fine, but if she's trying to run away we'll want to stop her.

Ask if she's alright in there; if she says anything at all then it's probably fine to leave her alone. If she won't answer at all, get Eiko to pick the lock or something.

As for what time for the picnic... well that's pretty flexible. We don't have much we need to do today aside from visit the library yet again. Hmm, how about 11 or 12?

>>187131
Man it was 12:40 when we woke up. :V

>>187121
Give Eiko a time, say 16ish.

Then I think we have to figure out what's up with Kav. Tell her you just want to find out what's up. If she doesn't answear give her say 30 mins, ask again and if she still doesn't answear then use your powers to unlock the door.

>>187121
Yeah, you're going to have to break in there. Ask Eiko when she'll be back, and what's she's doing (though I doubt we'll get an answer.)

Give Eiko an hour. Break into Kav's room.

yea-NO, breaking into someones room when they want to be left alone is mean. just let her have some alone time.

>>187572
Just as a reminder:
Kav is a demon. A demon who is possessing our friend's body.

At the very least I don't want her running the fuck away with Fizz's body. That's not cool.

>>187578
well sure, just like jam a chair in the door so it can't be opened and then seal the windows to that room if any exist. and announce through the door that you are locking it from this side because you still kinda don't trust her alone. then check to make sure the volto will stay out or immobile while you are gone.

Hey, speaking of the volto, perhaps we should feed her? Wake her up and let her eat, but keep a hand on her so she doesn't try anything. Perhaps we should find out her name so we don't just keep referring to her as 'the volto'.

If the volto's name is Falto kill her in her sleep.

>>187131
There weren't any windows. In fact the only window I know of in the apartment is in the bathroom.

>>187136
"Some time around 16:00?"

"Okay, I'll meet you back here."

>>187160
"What do you have to do?"

"Ah, you know... just some 'me' stuff."

>>187579
I bring a chair and use it to hold the door closed. A kobold alone should not be able to get out.

>>187591
"Eiko, where is the volto? I did not see her in the kitchen."

"I put her in the bathtub and locked the door."

Hmm...

>>187968
Can you sharpen your hearing or something to keep track of Kav? Enough to at least hear if she tries to break out or something?

But, yeah, go bring something to eat to the volto and wake her up. We can try talking to Kav again after her. Try not to be intimidating at least as long as she's waking up.

>>187968
Lets feed the volto something. She won't be a useful minion if she's underfeed, and she won't really produce alot of blood then either.

yeah, get some food and wake her but keep her leg's locked so she can't run.

@ Ram 2010/06/11(Fri)20:06 No. 192315 ID: 0b2a05
File 127631199290.png - (65.92KB , 682x682 , stare.png )

"Can you unlock it?"

"Just a second..."

Eiko gets up and moves to the door, putting her hand on the knob.

"All opened. Hey Ram?"

"Yes?"

"C--uh... never mind."

She walks back and finishes the pancakes.

>>187978
If I am going to be in an echoey bathroom, that could cause some problems...

>>188130
>>188131
I bring a plate of pancakes into the bathroom and set it down next to the bathtub. I reach over and touch her head, waking her up, taking the opportunity to paralyze her legs.

I lead back and sit on the floor. She stirs slowly, and opens her eyes. She just looks at me, expression fixed in a catatonic stare.

"i'm not going to kill you or anything really horrible. i brought you some pancakes."

>>192315

...I think she's broken. Try poking her in the cheek.

>>192315
Thinking she might still be pretty screwed up.

>>192320
oh, and if that doesn't work then touch her and see if you can detect anything broken with your new power.

>>192315
"Hello again. The police will be rounding up the rest of the cult members in your little hideout. You, however... are mine. I'm going to use you as my little guinea pig. Don't worry though... I'll make sure it doesn't hurt too bad. Now eat up."
The plan is to practice harmful things on her, but causing numbness in the area we practice on first. Granted that will cause pain in Ram but since we can't always transfer the pain to other people Ram is going to need practice tolerating the pain anyway.
Questions:
What's the goal of the demon cult?
How many demons are already summoned?
How long has the demon cult been doing this?
Are there any other hideouts in the city?

>>192320 >>192330
No and no.

Let's get off to a good introduction here. Don't talk about what you are or aren't going to do. First, ask her name. If she doesn't respond, make sure she's actually okay. Once you've gotten her name, give her the pancakes. Ask about the cult after she's eaten. Focus on her for now: why she joined, what she did there, etc. Once we figure out who she actually is we can decide what to do with her.

Say "Here's how it works. My friend, partly through the fault of YOU, ended up with a demon dominating her mind and body, possibly forever. I hold you partly responsible, so as far as I'm concerned, your life is basically forfeit and I can do whatever I want without feeling bad. But, I am looking for a servant as well as a test subject. You do what I want, I pump pure hot liquid joy right into your brain..." And give her a bolt of pleasure to demonstrate. "You don't cooperate, well, I've wanted a living person to experiment on for YEARS... So, what's it going to be? You can be my servant or you can be an experiment. It is, by no means, a rhetorical question."

If she refuses, work out your frustrations by trying to shift her species.

>>192458
Ergh... can we lay off the pleasure/pain treatment? It... bothers me.

>>192475
Agreed. We used it because we needed information quickly, and that is the only reason.

Make it clear that she is a prisoner, but beyond that be polite and a gracious host.
We're going to be experimenting on her, not torturing her, and we need to convince her we're decent people if we're to get her help removing Fizz's rider.

>>192458
I support this course of action.

jeez, no, be nice.

I will start slow, at least.

"Hey, what is your name?"

"..."

I reach over and touch her head, looking for problems. I can sense the slightest nuance of her physiology now, her eczema, damaged kidney, and scars, and damaged leg, as well as minor defects in individual cells all throughout her system. Nothing would make her mute.

She makes a noise and I remove my hand.

"I brought you pancakes."

I put the plate of pancakes on her abdomen. She does not say anything, but she does change her expression to one of confusion.

"What's your name?"

"...Rosaline."

I remember the other cultist mentioning that name...

>>193806
Tell her "You have some kidney damage. Hold on, this will sting a bit."
Then share the pain while you fix her kidneys and her leg.

"Ok, that should do it. So, what can you tell me about yourself?"

Inform her that she's your captive, but that you have several entry-level cultist positions available.

Ask for her resume.

Also mention that her buddies were going to feed her to a golem for being tainted. Whatever that means.

>>193806
Hey, she was a sacrifice. Either as part of summoning the golem or to feed it (?) based on context. So, y'know, she might not have even been a willing member of the cult.

Which is what you should ask her. "Why where you there?"

>>193810
this is fantastic

I'd feel a little guilty for essentially using her as a mobile battery there, under the pretense that she was a willing evil cultist.

Not that Ram could have known, really. Still in hindsight, that action was a bit hastily cruel, perhaps.

>>193806
Fix her up and then do this >>193810.

"You haven't eaten."

"..."

She very slowly starts to eat the pancakes.

>>193811
"You may have been unconscious at the time, but back there your friends mentioned something about feeding you to a demon."

She nearly chokes, but manages to swallow. She does not respond in any other way.

>>193807
>>193984
"I made you a paraplegic so you wouldn't be able to leave."

She shies away, but I touch her head again and reconnect her nerves and reverse the damage I caused when wrenching her leg. She tenses. I keep my hand on her head.

"Something damaged your kidney."

I restore the damage. It hurts.

"Ah!"

I remove my hand.

>>193810
>>193819
...!

"Right now you are my captive. I could turn you over to the police, or do far worse. Instead, why don't you work for me?"

"...Wh...what?"

"What can you do?"

"...I'm a... ritualist? I can make rituals, use some spirit magic?"

Hm, I am rather proud of how this is turning out. What should I say?

>>194000
"That should be useful.
Your former compatriots summoned a vengeance demon into one of my friends, and I'm looking for a way I can transfer it to a new host.
...
Not you, a vegetable from a hospital or something.

Ah, I should apologize; I'm sorry for being so cruel to you before. I was worried for my friend's safety, and that made me... rash."

>>194000
Well that seems rather useful.

Tell her that you can probably find some use for those skills. Give her a slight jolt of pleasure and tell her that if she's good at what she does and useful you're sure she will come to like her new place in life.

>>194009
No. Completely aside from the fact that it made her uncomfortable last time, we really don't want her to think of Ram as that kind of manipulative asshole.

Before we accept her as someone who works under us, we need to understand her motivations. Ask her why she was working for the cult.

>>194036
Still seconding this.

>>194009
Still opposing this.

Tell her that her friends no longer have use for her. They said she was burnt out. You, on the other hand, can heal anything wrong with her, short of magical ailments. If she agrees to be your lackey, you'll use your very considerable power to keep her healthy.

Leave to give her some time to think it over. But stop at the door and say that if she rats you out, not even the gods will recognize her corpse.

>>194036
Seconding this. And Ram, if you feel the need to, you can threaten her later. For now, just play nice.

"Why were you there in the first place?"

"..."

She does not seem to want to answer. I ask again.

"Why?"

"...I wanted to be strong. Demons are strong. The elf, she told me we were going to become demons."

"After you finished the ritual, you were no longer any use to them. They never intended to bring you any kind of power."

"..."

Should I still ask her to join me? Give her time to think about it? Paralyze her legs again to keep her from leaving?

>>194559
"They didn't tell you that you don't become a demon. Instead the demon takes over your body and leaves you helpless to act. It's similar to death, but without the peace of rest.

Right now I could make you stronger, faster, and maybe even smarter, but I won't.
Not until you can give me a good reason to grant you power, and prove that you can wield it responsibly."

>>194559
Well, tempting her with power would be the obvious choice, but it's not really fitting of route Saint Jesus. Instead, inquire why she needed strength at all.

>>194559
If we do leave without making a decision, give her the choice of how we are to ensure she cannot escape. Either we knock her out again or paralyze her limbs.

Also... she's a spirit mage? That means we already had a taste of blood from a magic user.

power is a means, not an end. why did she need it?

I believe that if you have any intention of "recruiting" her, you should show her some trust at this point. I see no reason for her to lie at this stage of the game, and you know better than any of us if she were lying. You're practically a breathing lie detector, except probably more accurate.

Let her move freely and make her own choice now. Her place with the cult has thoroughly dissolved by now, so she's no longer a threat to you anyway.

She'll be taken aback by your kindness and will be likely be compelled to trust you in return if she's at all worth keeping around.

Tell her that you can make her strong.

Start thinking of a stronger/faster species to turn her into.

>>194562
>Well, tempting her with power would be the obvious choice, but it's not really fitting of route Saint Jesus.
Well there's your problem! Healing people at the cost of our own health, with no ambition other than to be a penniless benefactor, isn't what we should be aiming for. Let's set up a base of power.

>>194585
it's not at a cost, it hurts for a moment then it's over with no lasting problems.

anyway, no offers of power until she already wants to join. otherwise she will just be here for the power not real loyaltt.

>>194585
Seconding this.

>>194585
Saint Jesus is impractical. However, establishing himself as benevolent is something he needs to work on. People are less likely to hunt him down and kill him if he gets outed after curing a whole bunch of people of horrible diseases.

Actually, how about we set him up as a faith healer? People come to him with problems, an offering of blood "to provide the needed life energy", and a small fee to make it seem like he makes a modest living from his work. He pours the blood on an altar rigged with a drain and a gas flame, does 'rituals', gives them a feeling of 'divine presence' while healing them, and lets them walk out of there healthy and blissfully unaware that a blood magic just helped them.
This serves a few purposes:
1: It provides a legal way to obtain blood, albeit mostly animal blood.
2: It establishes him as person who is kind and caring.
3: It provides a little bit of income.
4: It allows him to establish an alternate persona for use in an emergency.
5: If he can tweak his chemistry so that he doesn't need sleep, then he can have one persona work at night and the other in the day, which tidies up the normal issues with alter egos.

>>194589
>faith healer in a world where magic exists
Try again please.

>>194592
>Faith healers not being in a world with clerics
Yea, I'm not seeing a problem here. Besides, it seems like there's not much widespread use of healing magic.

>>194594
What clerics? Anyway my point was that people will immediately be able to call bullshit on what he's doing or it will largely be ignored.

>>194585
You know what, I agree that we should begin organizing a team and get some kind of hired muscle going. It's easier for us to stay off the radar if we have underlings doing our work for us!

Also, supporting tempting her with power that we can give her. Though of course we should find out what she's going to do with that power. We want to remain in the shadows and if she's going to run off and attract tons of attention that would come back to bite us in the ass.

Don't ASK her to join you. She was in a cult. She should be used to being subservient. Politely explain that she has no choice in the matter and she IS one of your lackeys now.

Remember to remain polite. She doesn't have to LIKE you. She just has to know that you intend her to work for you until that demon is out of Fizz. In a way, she's somehow responsible for all this.

I don't think further displays of force and power are necessary, she should be entirely aware of what you're capable of at this point. But if coercion is required, do it. I mean, you can fix the damage afterwards anyway.

>>194559
Tell her that she has a simple choice. Death, or the chance to gain alot more power than her former "friends" ever offered her.

>>194589
This is actually a great idea. As for the criticism, consider how popular faith healers work in a world without magic, where it's almost conclusively proven as fake. People will believe anything if it's good for them, and especially if it works. Just make sure to com up with a lot of other ritualistic bullshit to downplay the blood. Rose is ritualist, maybe she could help with that. ((Also if it wasn't obvious I'm voting against giving her power, especially by force.))

So Ram, give us a history recap. Was there ever a large war between Blood Mages and some other magely group?

And also, how paranoid would the people be about that faith-healing thing if blood were any part of it?

>>195291
There is thought to have been about three or four blood mages in the total of history. The first is the only one that is confirmed and set the baseline, information about the rest is too scattered to determine if they were blood mages, demons, or other things entirely.

>>194565
...That is true. I did however have it before the noise was removed though, that may have something to do with it. I did feel... strange, afterward. Very strangely good.

>>194589
>>194679
>>195291
...I do not think that would work very well. The only thing that seems to be agreed upon about blood mages is that they all use blood to power their magic, unlike other mages that simply use drawn energy.

>>194594
Healers are widespread, they are usually doctors as well. My magic is far, far more powerful though, and nearly instantaneous.

"Why did you want power in the first place?"

"..."

She seems very uncomfortable. I do not think I should press her about this.

"Regardless, working with me will allow you more opportunities to strengthen yourself."

I stand up and walk to the door.

"I will give you time to think about it. I will return later, you may not want to leave as your previous associates may have drawn attention to you."

I start out the door.

>>194561
"Oh, and becoming a demon does not give you demonic powers. It merely suppresses you within your own body as it is taken over by another entity. If you're going to work for me, try to think of a way to reverse it. Your victim was my friend."

I close the door behind me as I leave and sigh. Now what.

>>195638
How long has it been since you left Kav alone? If it's been more than twenty minutes, go check on her. Even if it hasn't, make sure she's still there.

Have Eiko hold down the fort while you take a walk. In a bad part of town. See if you can get someone to try murdering you, so you can practice your magic.

Oh, we kind of burned this bridge, but maybe Rosaline and the demon stuck inside Fizz could form some sort of mutual situation? It's definitely not your magical forte all this bloodless demonic extradimensional stuff, but if you can figure out how to fuse the two I'm sure Rosaline would be pretty ecstatic, if not Fizz's demon. It would at least get you another ally in your hopes to restore your friend's mind into her own body.

>>195640

OK don't do this. Unless you want that crazy earth bender to throw you in the clink again! She'll be pissed if she sees your ass walking around as free as daylight.

Huh, matter of fact if you could sneak back into your cell, that'd probably drive her right over the edge, and then she'd be safely held in a sanatorium freeing you to go about your business. Well, that's a pretty long shot anyway. Better to stay off the radar or even just skip town.

Or no, wait. You still haven't practiced shape shifting! She could round up all the fire rats in town, but if there are enough you might be able to alter your features enough to walk around without her (or the assassins trying to kill you) recognizing you.

Among other things, I think you should still keep investigating this cult so obsessed with summoning demons. I doubt that all this happening around you is just a coincidence.

Possible courses of action:

a)Go back and investigate your old burnt down aparment. Look for any clues about what started the fire. I suspect that you might find another symbol there.

b) Look for information about the flight curelian with an eyepatch. You could ask Eiko to hang around the police station (without her goblin disguise, of course) and get familiar with the cops going in and out.

Once she's learnt their schedule, she could shapeshift as any of them, and look in their archives and stuff. It could be a valuable source of information for us.

>>195640
Do this; but change your physical appearance a bit more. Just a color change can be seen through if someone is actively looking for you.

We should definitely check out the library though. We need to get information about Vengeance Demons from that updated demon book.

For instance I believe you are the only person around who is as thin as you are. Put a bit more meat on those bones, and you should be safe.

>>195638
Go and check up on Kav again. You don't want her running off through some demonic portal with Fizz body.

>>195640
Don't do this.

>>195640
Eiko appears to have left...

>>195639
>>195767
I press my ear against the door...

...Enhancing my hearing, I can hear the sound of mattress springs. She is definitely still in there.

>>195658
Skip town... I admit the idea is a little tempting. I just arrived in Paroza; there are few things holding me here.

>>195654
...That may be a solution. I do not know how easy it is to transfer demons between bodies, but it could be worthwhile to research the possibility.

>>195744
Ergh. I build up my muscles. Hopefully they won't deteriorate this time.

I take the fireman badge, but neglect the jacket, pants, and hat. Is there anything I should do before going to the library?

>>197039
Conceal that badge or consider leaving it behind. Yes, if it goes off, you won't be able to help anyone... but what's the point of disguising yourself if the badge will give you away - especially if anyone who saw your badge last time is at the library today?

Also, because there probably won't be a good time anytime soon, do you think that making sculptures out of blood (likely animal blood, and I'm sure there are ways it could be done) to sell would set off the same alarms as "faith healing" with blood donations?
...Even if you were to say you were, say, a spirit mage with some form of telekinesis?

No matter where you go, you're going to need money sooner or later, and it's a possible source of income - as they say, there's a market for just about everything.

>>197039
Become a super hero. You've got comics, movies, cartoons, right? The outcast who is feared for his powers has to prove himself by taking on a secret identity and saving the population.

There's a couple of steps you'll need to take first, though. You'll need a secret identity. Unless Ram is supposed to be the secret identity? I never remember how that works. Whatever, superhero name and theme. We should try to avoid the blood theme, though. Use your magic to bulk up, make yourself flexible and resistant to pain (speaking of, why don't you do that when you do regular blood magic?), and only actually perform blood magic when grappling or striking so it seems like you're just hitting hard and well.

What we want to do is play up the flair as much as possible. Get a famous super hero around and adored by the public, reveal he's a blood mage, maybe you can change the opinion of them a bit.

I suggest you change your appearance as much as possible for the identity? Any races specifically thought of as generic? Goblins, Humans, maybe?

More ideas to come later, probably.

>Is there anything I should do before going to the library?
Get into a fight and win.

Travel through a bad part of town, get someone to mug you, refuse to give them any money, then turn them into a meat puppet when they stab you.

>>197039
Change your fur colour and your facial features as well as the leangth of your tail. That should do for now.

>>197048
A tempting idea. Save that one for later though.

>>197045

I support a life of superheroics wholeheartedly. Time to take back the "blood mage" name, make it be a symbol of hope and justice rather than fear and oppression!

>>197146
I don't. Ram should work from the shadows, whatever he decides to do. Attracting attention can only lead to hostility.

Did we just leave Rosaline in there without making sure she couldn't leave? Brace another chair against the door, I guess.

Hey Ram, you've been commenting on the pain resulting from using Blood Magic a little more now... does it hurt more, or is it just more of a shock since you feel better in general now?

>>197045
>>197048

I support the idea of Ram as a superhero under a secret identity. But aim for more of a "don't fuck with justice" superhero as opposed to a "I AM SAINT JESUS" superhero. Like, I dunno, Batman or something.

Do what Test Pattern said in the early days to build up some notoriety. Strike fear into the hearts of the criminal underworld. Maybe even make it seem that you're so terrifying they get heart attacks or something just by your mere presence. ...That last bit is optional and depends how grim-antihero you want to go.

I still think you should investigate the mystery at hand rather than waste time walking around waiting for some lowlife to mug you.

Also, have you ever considered, why would anybody want to mug Ram? He looks famished and walks around naked.

I stick to my idea, even if nobody seems to like it. Investigate old apartment; infiltrate the police and do research about the one-eyed Curelian.

>>197042
I put the badge in my pouch. Hopefully it will not be very apparent.

Sculptures made out of blood... They would be fragile, but I think it would be possible. I think there are enough avant garde artists as to not arouse undue suspicion...

>>197048
I just moved here, I do not know the area enough to find something like that so easily. Many buildings are empty, and traveling through alleyways alone does not guarantee that someone will attack me. Besides... there isn't much on me to be a target for thieves.


>>197149
...No, actually. Quite the opposite. It feels more pronounced, but the pain is... different now, like it's somehow more controlled.

I brace another chair against the door to the bathroom, like I did with the bedroom.

>>197087
I lengthen my tail to far longer than average. Hm... I modify the muscles to increase prehensility. I already changed my coloration.

Both the doors held shut, I set off towards the library.

>>197045
>>197146
>>197158
I... That is very dangerous thinking, it would be nearly impossible to keep a hidden identity, and besides... I am not sure if the image of blood mages should be changed...

...

I finally arrive at the library. I move through the doors and look around. There are quite a lot of people today, the library mages look to be helping multiple people simultaneously. I do not see the thri-kreen from last time...

>>197541
Well then, lets start looking for a book on vengence demons. If anyone asks why you're looking for it then tell them you're writing an essay on them for a course you're taking.

>>197541
You can completely change your appearance! How hard can it be to maintain a secret identity? (Though considering you just revealed yourself as a blood mage to like six people in the last two days...)

>>197552
This is a good idea and cover. If you can get the attention of a library mage, ask if there's any Soul Mages around you might be able interview for it. You heard there was a new one in town.

Also get some some superhero comics, or maybe a book about the genre.

>>197541
Go find that same book from before. If the Thri-kreen isn't here today then it should be freely available.

Wait, you have chairs propped up on doors to restrain a grown cultist and a demon? I'm pretty sure they can just rattle the doors open. Also that's kind of demeaning.

Check out some promising looking books QUICKLY and take them home. You can Bluff your way past the library lady, right? If not, stretch your arm to stick the books on the sill of a high window, leave empty handed, then yoink them off the sill from the outside and go home.

If you don't find anything promising in a serious hurry (I can't remember what you're researching) then just go home.

(Granted, I don't know what to do about either Kav or the cultist. And where the heck is Eiko?)

>>197906
(Eiko said she "needed to be somewhere.")

Hey, here's a thought. Kav is going to keep causing trouble, and she's going to stay in Fizz's body because she likes the body, right?

So, let's just change that body around. Like, turn it into a horse or whatever riding animal they use around here. No thumbs, so she'll get in less trouble, and will (hopefully) eventually agree to leave, or at least cooperate. Or maybe just not sneak out the window, like she's surely done by now. Hurry back and maybe you can catch her.

(Also, we can see if Ram can do magic other than healing, nerve-lock, and minor tweaks to his own body)

>>198673
oh god, she may be possessed right now but that is still his friends body, i don't think turning it into anything would be nice.

>>198685
We can turn it back, later.

Kav already tried to go into the Volto. She let it slip that she was "stuck". So Fizz's problem and her problem aren't all that different.

Also I doubt we'll be able to meet the shapeshifting prowess of Eiko, whose very nature is heavily defined by that. It's blood magic, emphasis blood, not transformation magic. More general in scope, but probably harder to jury rig to act like another type of magic.

Also superhero what what are you guys on and can I have some.

Ram, you could become an archaeologist and a historian. In other words, since you're curious about what motivated past blood mages to have such a bad rep (really, only the one), go find out about it! Well, maybe after saving Fizz. And getting the demon case closed so the police stop hounding you. You might make a good private investigator too; blood magic aside, you're very perceptive.

@ Ram 2010/07/03(Sat)19:37 No. 202845 ID: 0b2a05
File 127821103196.png - (87.97KB , 682x682 , scream.png )

I am so sorry for taking so long to update, let's just say I have quite a lot to do as of late

>>197596
I suppose holding a secret identity would be easy for me... but more than minor changes could make me anemic, and that link would be easy to investigate.

>>198673
>>198685
>>198691
>>198695
...Turn Fizz into a horse? That seems exceptionally painful, possibly for both of us. Turning her back would be painful as well, but it is presumably something I can do with perfect accuracy.

It is more than difficult to find references to blood mages, in any form.

...But I guess I'm not doing anything else with my life.

The demon did say that it could not leave Fizz's body, but I do not know enough to judge how accurate that is.

Yet.

>>197606
After some searching, I find... uh...

I find the book on a different... shelf, someone must have... uh...

...There is a lumera here staring--

"RRAHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAGH!!!"

--He just screamed in what I can only understand is pure agony, clutching his head and running. He knocks an olao into a bookself on his rampage through the library, I believe he is running towards a back door.

>That seems exceptionally painful, possibly for both of us.
Only because you aren't using external sources of blood to fuel your magic. So, get some. Get a lot. She is an evil mind-control creature and we can't trust her.

More pressingly, run after the guy, shouting very clearly "MISTER, ARE YOU OKAY? LET ME HELP," so no one thinks you're the cause.

chase him! if you can magic yourself faster then do it.

>>202845
...This man may be some kind of mage that can see your magic configuration. We have to catch him. We have to either kill him or calm him down or SOMETHING just catch him! Leave the book behind, we can get it again later and besides stealing it would mean a bunch of library mages would try to stop you.

>>202845
Ignore him. Chasing a guy who's running away from you and screaming is not a good way to keep a low profile. If he does think you're a Blood Mage, it probably lends a lot more credence to it than "I saw this guy in the library! You've got to believe me!"

Tell somebody to call an ambulance, then start after him at a decent clip. Not a run, though.

Don't turn her into a horse. That would be silly. Bellyfication is much more hindering and humiliating.

Any chance you had of keeping your cover was blown when that guy screamed at the sight of you and ran off. Even if you pretend innocence I'm sure you don't want him to try to prove his case that you're a blood mage... or whatever it is that caused him such misery. Plus maybe he's got vital information you need to know and is about to run to his death! You might never see him again until it's too late!

Chase and catch him; once you touch him you'll at least have a good idea of what's causing him pain. What innocence you lose in chasing him is far offset to you figuring out what the heck is bothering him, because if people have that reaction to you, you won't be able to disguise yourself at all!

I call out. "Hey, are you alright??" He is running very fast, but if I run I think I can catch up. I abandon the book for now and rush past the bookshelves, narrowly avoiding the olao, who shouts in protest.

...That voice sounds familiar somehow.

>>202935
Stop and apologize, and ask him to call an ambulance for a possible stroke victim.

>>202935
...what

Look at the Olao. Is that the girl you knew when you were young? Or is it the one you talked to in the fire station?

>>202937
Shout this, tell them to wait here, don't stop running. No turning back now.

keep running! shout back that you will be right back.

Keep following him.

>>202937
>>202940
>>202942
>>202965
No time.

"Sorry, wait there a minute. Be right back!"

I run at the lumera, jumping over a pile of books. He weaves left, but I have to dodge a curelian carrying a stack of books. I push off from one of the bookshelves and brace against another to make a sharp right turn.

...Damnit, there are two back exits, one to my right and one to my left. The one on my right is closer, but the one on the left looks more clear. Which should I go for? Or should I head for the main entrance?

>>203004
Right.

>>203004
Left. If you don't see him when you get outside, give up and talk to that Olao.

Go left.

Always go left.

>>203004
He seemed to be in a state of panic. Which makes it a bit more likely that he took the closest route which was the right one. So go for that one.

Hmm, I wonder what triggered that reaction? Possibly either the fact that you have been close to demons for quite a while and somehow it has rubbed off some sort of Aura thingy on you, or he can sense bloodmages.

>>203009
Do this.

>>203006
>>203009
>>203014
>>203030
>>203087
I run to the left, hoping his instincts match mine. Adrenaline surges through me as I pelt down an aisle. When I reach the end, I nearly hit the wall as I skid around and through the back door.

The door opens up into a large alley.

...Looking in all directions I do not see him.

>>203471
Did you look up, too? Is there anything he could be hiding behind?

If not, let's go back and talk to the Olao.

Look for one of them teleport runes!

>>203471
Run right. Get out of the alley and take a look there before giving up.

>>203475
>>203478
>>203481
These actions in this order.

>>203484
You can't do those in that order, we would initiate the conversation with the Olao before there's any hope of catching the guy with the other actions!

>>203495
Clearly, I meant except the part about Olao.

>>203475
The alley is surprisingly clean, I cannot see anything he could hide behind.

>>203478
Nothing that I can see without examining the area closer.

>>203481
I run down the alley on my right, forcing my body to move as fast as it can. With no obstacles in my way, I accelerate. As I reach the edge, I look to the left...!

There, he is running through the streets. I think I can catch up to him.

excellent! full power speed!

>>203538
We've made too much a scene to stop now! Keep going, full speed!

>>203538
Full speed ahead! We have to catch him and ask why he ran away.

Try shouting something that will allay suspicion as you chase the Olao. You want people to think that you have a perfectly reasonably explanation for running down the street.

Your best option is obviously "I told you to stay away from my sister! Touch her again and I swear I'll break your scrawny neck!"

>>204443
no no. until we get close to the olao seeing a random person running is no big deal.

>>203540
>>203550
>>203572
I run. I run fast. The world seems to spin underneath me as I sprint towards the lumera. People quickly move out of our way as we run through the streets and alleys, but I am rapidly catching up, fast as he is.

>>204443
"If I ever catch you near my sister again, I swear, I will shove your head so far up your--"

He suddenly turns into an alley, and I follow quickly. ! It's a dead end. Not slowing, I match him and place my hand on his exposed back--!

He tenses up sharply as I touch him. I can feel his heart pump blood through his body powerfully enough to rupture his own veins. He has so much adrenaline coursing through him his adrenal glands are damaged from producing it.

...I think I should do something about this before he smashes into the alley wall ahead of us.

>>204450
There's only one thing a true hero would do in a situation like this! Cushion the impact with your own body! Distribute fat and muscle to absorb as much of the blow as possible!

force him to stop with you, paralyze his legs, and start questioning him, why did he run, where was he running to?

>>204451
Try grabbing him around the waist, then position yourself so you can run up the wall to flip off of it. Or try shifting the momentum to jumping.

>>204454

Paralyzing his legs while he's running at full speed will have very painful consequences for him. I mean, we don't even know why is he running away, I don't think we should break his face already.

Seconding the idea of outrun him and cushion his impact.

>>204456
then make his legs less powerful. so that he has to slow down before impact.

Halt him. Make him decelerate smoothly to a standing stop. Calm him down. Make him not kill himself. Put your arm comfortingly around his shoulder and puppet-walk him somewhere quiet where people won't see you, so you can question him, forcing his voice to stay low. The city's population is too low for it's size, so there must be plenty of abandoned places tucked away.

Ask him his name and who or what he's running from. Fill him with calming chemicals to make him cooperate.

Be prepared to make him explode if he turns out to have a demon inside him.

You need to drop his blood pressure sharply. If he hits that wall with all those straining vessels it could cause gads of internal bleeding. So consume the blood in his body just as you consume your own, to power the creation of shock absorbing fat padding, grab him and shield him as you both hopefully engage the wall nonfatally. It will make both of you anemic, but that is *good* at this point.

Subsequently you need to lower the adrenalin as it has consequences aside from high blood pressure, but think about that later PREPARE FOR IMPACT