#amlaty

[mensministry]

Tenir Eco Hotels, Almaty, Kazakhstan,

Tenir Eco Hotels is a modular glamping located 3200 meters (10’500 ft) above sea level, which makes it one of the highest altitude hotels in the world.

Levelstudio,

Photographer: Miras Ibraimov

[allthetribbles]

An Explosive Performance - March 30, 2085

Following the fall of the Pit, security patrols around Seattle are heavily ramped up. With the release of unknown sorcerers, parapsychics, and other creatures, all reports are being investigated - no matter how minor they seem. Alan is given a few extra psych visits due to the reports turned in from the Pit, but... he isn't taken away. There is a lack of personnel and we just can't afford to take someone out of action.

Liv receives a message on the 30th and follows its orders. Rather than following the orders of a secondary note, she brings the retrieved artifact to the Director. Unfortunately he's in a meeting. It takes about half hour before the door is opened and two people walk out - the head of the military and the GIA. The military agent gives Liv a once-over before he walks out.

Liv asks the Director for some of his time, immediately. He says ok and she enters his office and closes the door. This garners a very... surprised look from the Director. Liv quickly takes out the notes and places them on his desk, dissolving into a babble of almost incoherent information. A note meant for the Director came across her desk, with little time to inform and scout the location, she took it upon herself to go in his place. She had concerns that it was a ruse to draw him out and kill him. She places the still-wrapped artifact on his desk.

He offers her a drink, makes a call to Bobby to get him to come down and verify whether what she picked up was the real deal or not. It takes about twenty minutes before Bobby is escorted to the office... with two guards placed outside the door. Liv is still inside. Bobby greets Liv, looks at the artifact and confirms it's real.

Bobby tells Elwood to seal it somewhere because having it here is "bad juju." Elwood will arrange for transport for the artifact out of the office and someplace safe. Liv is dismissed. While the Director is glad that it worked out well, if it happens again find and tell him first.

All in all, it took roughly an hour to an hour and a half before Liv is out of the office. The team looks at Liv curiously, Kory asked what happened - Liv tells her "You don't want to know." Te'ani approaches Liv - "You don't want to know. I was there and even I don't want to know what happened." He gives her space...

Kory gets a call at her desk - a report from dock workers about a creepy old dude and monsters. She asks if we have the authority to check it out - indeed we do! Alan tells everyone that he'll be working without arcane sight. Liv drives to the docks since our favorite pilot is out of commission for the time being.

We meet the worker who reported the incident - Tim Dane. He was loading and saw the ruckus about five or six warehouses down. He got worried and called us. When he got back outside, there wasn't anything there anymore.

Checking out the location - there are a lot of shell casings - A LOT. There is an open door leading in with the definite marks of explosives, weapon fire, and claw marks...

Kory is concerned that maybe the worker didn't give us all of the information and goes back to probe his mind. What the worker saw - A guy that looks like Professor Farnsworth (we identified him as The Ghoul by his description) yelling at a guy with a beard and pointing at the door of a white van. The worker finishes loading up and looks back again to see a monster leaping out of the van. He turns around, hearing noises like car backfire, but faint (which could possibly be gunfire). He returns to the office to hunt for the card with the muffled noise in the back.

The first thing that Te'ani sees entering the warehouse are two dead bodies - one of which is... Isaac Sage. The other is an unknown female with a massive facial scar. Running her face through recognition, it identifies her as Isabella Kachowski - a Russian native presumed dead around seven years ago when the Migou invaded Russian. Te'ani asks Liv to turn on the pips to see what they can find - Liv refuses, stating there are usually security measures against that and if there IS any information it, it would take someone with more expertise than hers to get it out.

Looking around the warehouse, there is a formerly "secret doorway" heading underground. Formerly because it is has been blasted open. Inside they can smell the gunpowder wafting from below. Te'ani leads the way down - it is four stories, but they keep only one story between them.

Downstairs looks like a small warzone and we can see everything - blood splatter, bodies, explosive residues... claw marks. At the end of the stairwell is a doorway approximately six feet wide by eight feet tall. The lights are on and there are bodies everywhere - the closest one is a female that's been burnt alive with a rifle. Most of them have been shot, but others have been dismembered. No monsters - all human, nazzadi or amlati. Most are armed with guns - and there are bullet holes everywhere.

At this point, we decide to call in backup - Kory makes the call to the Director, who has the military and other teams called in. With recent activity, he's not taking any chances.

There is an arena in the middle of the area with cameras pointed inside - it seems to be a blood sport arena, but no way to get into the arena.

There are several doorways/openings leading off of this initial room and the team decides to investigate. The first leads to a corridor with doors every ten feet or so. Looking in, each one opens up to a well-furnished two story apartment. In one of them, there are three bodies - one in bed and two others shot at the door. The second one leads to an armoury, the third a cafeteria.

The fourth door leads to an office. Inside the office is a map of Seattle with a bunch of pins - we all take pictures on our pips. Te'ani attempts to puzzle out what the pins represent while Liv heads to the computer terminal. An attempt to access its information is met with hostile resistance. Liv is hesitant to go in deeper - this wasn't what she was looking for, but the server banks for the security cameras.

The pins seem to correspond with different locations across the city - black pins seem to denote OIS, GIA, and military presence in Seattle. Other colors seem to represent the Dionysus club and locations that we have under surveillance - including the apartment complex where Lt. Gen Kareebi's friend resides.

The last door isn't locked and swings open to reveal an inner set of doors. Looking in reveals....

Books. Lots and LOTS of books. Actual PHYSICAL books. Alan is enamoured. While Alan looks through the books - not touching them! He hears a woman's voice asking, "Who are you?"

He brings the voice to our attention - Liv immediately asks, "Where are you?" We follow the voice behind one of the racks.... to a crumbling and half destroyed statue.

The statue turns around, sees us, and says, "Ah shit, OIS."

We find out the name of the "statue" is Luana Savitski. Alan informs us that she's pretty well known in the occult world for the past 20 years, but hasn't been seen in the last ten. She asks if we're going to help her or shoot her.

Te'ani and Liv look around and see the piles of rubble.... well... it's about like trying to piece together a 10,000 piece puzzle without a picture.

Kory asks how long she's been a statue - and how it happened. Luana replies that she's been this way a pretty long time and is the result of several cumulative magical misshaps. We ask if she knows who the attackers were - she doesn't since she can't move outside of the library.

She doesn't seem to know who The Ghoul is, the attackers appeared human as far as she could tell. When she identifies this place as "The Enclave" - Liv immediately jumps in and asks, "The Tager Enclave?" She seems shocked that Liv knows that word and asks where she heard it. "Tuscon, Arizona. Remember the old guy said he was going to attack the Tager Enclave." Luana literally curses a blue streak - cursing several names including "Beaver, Stone, 8Bit, and several others." Liv tells her Stone is dead.

About this time, we wonder where our backup is - and then it arrives. Liv immediately tells them to not shoot - "This is a high priority witness, do NOT kill." They ask who she's talking about - Luana answers. They're surprised a statute talks.

Te'ani asks her "What exactly is a Tager?" Luana gives him a side-eye at the question, telling him, "I don't know if I should answer that."

Alan really wants to be the one to interrogates her.

Liv leaves to find the server room. One of the things most easily noted... there is definitely a malevolent presence in the server. Te'ani called it earlier - it's a TRUE AI.

Limited AI are okay... TRUE AI is banned and majorly illegal. This Tager Enclave has one - but maybe not intentionally...

Liv begins talking to it - asking it to help them find the surveillance so they can find who did this to its friends.

The AI demands to be taken with them and installed on a server, and then it'll help us... or it'll delete everything. Liv asks if a pip will do - it says six will suffice. Unfortunately Liv is at a stalemate for convincing it to come willingly...

They send Kory out to contact the Director - they're in luck! He's on site. Kory gives him the run-down of the situation. The Director states absolutely NOT - we aren't bargaining with a TRUE AI. Kory asks the Director - "What is a Tager?" His reply - "You don't need to know right now.."

He recants his decision and sends her back with the response, "Only if it agrees to be loaded onto a hardline." The Director confirms dead Sage is dead Sage.

Kory finds out her telepathy is blocked, so heads back to the team. She finds once she crosses the threshold of the large door, it's back to working.

She informs Liv of the Director's orders. Liv and the Computer are back to a stalemate - Liv says no hardlines; it wants freedom and demands them. To show them the knowledge it has access to - it brings up a videos of Sage and Weaver talking. And deletes it.

Liv makes the hard decision to kill it since it doesn't want to go quietly. She goes into the system and hunts it down. It takes roughly ten minutes of real world time while Liv spends days hunting this AI down to its last holdout.... a portable pip. She burns it out before coming back to herself.

The librarian is packed up for shipping under heavy guard - unfortunately in pieces. Alan requests of the Director to be able to interrogate her himself. He agrees.

After the fiasco is wrapped up and Alan has his interrogation, back at the office Director Elwood has us follow him to the roof.

He had some final instructions for us - Do research. Find out what's going on and find the other pieces, get them back. The artifact handed to him earlier has been transported off to a safe location. The Thing can absolutely not be allowed to come through, because if it does... no matter where it comes through you can write it off.

Pick any brain we have to - including Bobby's. Liv asks where the Book from the Farm is being held - it has a location and date encoded. Elwood will put in a request for the book as soon as he lands.

Alan is to report to Subdirector LeAnne (Christine LeAnne). She's currently in Phoenix AZ, but heading back.

He'll be gone for three to four days because there are things that need to be done in person. The enclave is a major find for the OIS - it will open many doors for us. He's proud of our team.

He gets onto the transport... it lifts off.

And explodes.

Well...

....

FUCK.

[allthetribbles]

Pt 1 - Alderwood Teens Missing

September 28, 2019

{{ Pt 1 - Alderwood Teens Missing }}

Players present - Alan (Mike), Te'ani (Jack), Ryan (Jim), Liv (me)

February 05, 2085

The team headed back to Seattle after Tuscon. A new mission was presented - students have gone missing and the OIS has been tapped to find them. The reasoning for the OIS looking into these disappearances: the kids disappearing are high achievers that are being head-hunted by various high-ranking agencies. We are to go in, find out intel about the disappearances and recover the kids. The intial report is for 12 kids disappearing from one school; only from its senior class.

Going back to school undercover - Alan is going in as a guidance counselor, Te'ani as a grief counselor, Ryan as a security officer and Livia as a student (despite her protestations and chagrin). It was recommended that we show up at the beginning of the school week (Mon, Feb 12, 2085).

On site, we gain more intel - all of the disappearances reported were high in mental aptitude, top 5% of their class, approximately two weeks (9 days) after taking their SATs. The first disappearance was approximately three months ago, with a disappearance occuring approximately once a week afterwards.

Arriving, there is nothing unusual happening. Kids close to graduation are concerned about their SATs and their future; some are even thinking about military service. Ryan seemed to take an interest in this and began telling stories of his military service. Through the first day he managed to gain a group of approximately twelve kids hanging on his every word. Not a complete list, but the group consisted of nazzadi - 2 male, 2 female, 1 amlati male, and one white female. A couple of them are seniors, including one named Timothy Long.

Alan and Te'ani get a couple of people coming by to see the new faces. One student shows up to talk about the SATs. Her mental state is extremely nervous. There are rumours about the best people taking the tests are disappearing, but it isn't the government taking them. "A friend of a friend" knew one of the ones that disappeared. Te'ani managed to ease her fears enough that she would be willing to come back to talk to him again.

Liv decides to sign up for SAT study groups to reprise the material.

More intel - looking into the proctor of the SATs for the school. Stanley Beatrix, teaches history and four of the twelve students were attending his class. Three other proctors/teachers at the school have had students disappeared.

The next day (Tues, Feb 13th) a girl approaches Te'ani, concerned about a friend that "ran away." They can't contact her on her pip and according to the girl, she was concerned that she didn't do well on the SATs. Name of the disappeared - Patty Driscoll. Last time her pip was active was two weeks ago, last broadcasting from her home.

Alan brought up the idea of ferriday bags to stop the broadcasting of the pip since a pip is always broadcasting its location. While it is possible to open up and remove the chips, it would set off a tampering alarm.

Intel about Patty Driscoll: she's an orphan under the care of state welfare. She's in school until she's 18, then on a government stipend until she finds a job or career. Since she last disappeared at her apartment, we head over there to check it out. There is a doorman, but he allows us entry with our badges.

Her apartment is a small, four-room setup, but no one seems to have been around for a while. A pot is on the stove that's burnt; the stove shut itself off as a fire prevention. The computer was last used two week ago to access online schooling. The last messages with her friends were complaints about doing poorly on the exams. A look around the apartment reveals that everything looks normal - no signs of a scuffle or forced entry. Alan reveals with his arcane sight that there was no real heavy emotion - no fear. It looks as if she just disappeared into thin air.

Doing more research into the disappearances, we expanded the parameters to include ALL disappearances. All together, a total of 26 kids have disappeared - the other 14 are in the absolute bottom of the class. 90% of the disappearances occurred at the same time the signal on the pips vanished.

Checking their recorded vitals, each individual stayed on the normal baseline, except just after taking the SAT. Those in the bottom, their vital signs had a steady decline as if they were depressed or unhappy. On the opposite end, the ones that did well had a steady increase. Each one of them disappears about the nine day mark. Te'ani's current theory is that a corporation is stealing the kids through the SATs.

Fast forwarding 2 Days (Thursday, Feb 15).

A student comes to Te'ani - he looks really nervous. His sister was one of the ones that disappeared. He was with her when she vanished; he left the room and in less than five minutes, she had disappeared. She was one of the disappeared with a high SAT score, so it didn't make sense for her to run away. She was in the middle of a co-op game - checking the records of the game, she went AFK before logging off in a time-out/lack of movement.

All his attempts to send messages to her pip come back as "user doesn't exist" - Te'ani gets his contact information and promises to contact some friends to follow up. That evening, the OIS visits the student's residence, scouring their home for clues to the sister's disappearance. Until further notice, he won't be attending school.

Liv's study groups have proven somewhat fruitful. She got to know a few of the kids. A group eventually approaches her to strike up a conversation (what are your powers? hey, cool cool... anything else? would you be interested in stealing the SAT exams? We know where they're being stored..) Liv insisted on stealing them alone; they refused. She said 'no' to helping them swipe the test.

Liv posed swiping the tests before the kids could do it themselves. With the help of Ryan (watching the cameras, making sure they're not on video) and Alan, it was an easy task to grab two copies of the official SAT test. The copies were old school booklets - all sealed, ready to use, with a number 2 pencil attached.

Back at the OIS offices, initial looks at the booklets reveals nothing strange about them. Making sure Alan's arcane sight is up, Liv breaks the seal on one of the tests to make copies. His arcane sight reveals a surge of power that tied her soul/rauche to the test. Without hesitation, Liv starts to take the test. Seems to be a compulsion tied in to the test - "it just seems wrong if we don't finish the test."

From the way it appears, there is a constant back and forth from Liv's rauch to the test for two hours (the duration to complete the test). Looking at the pages, there is no arcane symbology, or any visible spell seen with arcane sight. At the end of the test, the flow stops. The pages go back to being pages with no magic detected.

They start monitoring Liv's vitals over the next 9 days. The next day (Fri, Feb 16), Liv checks with the guys that asked her to collaborate with the tests. They didn't have any luck finding anyone willing to break into the school and steal the tests. Liv hands off copies of the tests to the kids - Kostya Vasiliev, Aerin Thomas. "You didn't get them from ME."

Over the next four days, the OIS reports come back from the house raid - there is no unusual DNA evidence, magical residue or parapsychic presence in the house. The only DNA that came back was the family's, their pets, and Te'ani's.

On the fifth day (Wed, Feb 21), Liv's vitals are still coming back perfectly normal. The data is staying the same. She suggests that grading the test would be what is needed to start the countdown to abduction. She didn't do badly on the test; in the top 20%, but definitely not perfect.

(With DM approval - name of the school Alderwood High; mascot Gladiators or Centurions)

[allthetribbles]

Fire Station 5B

September 2079

"You're one of the youngbloods, huh?"

The male voice startled Olivia, pulling her from her mental checklist. A locker slammed on the other side of the room and she hurriedly stuffed her bag into the one in front of her.

"Yeah. Not sure if I'm going to stick with it. It's something to fill out the creds, right?" A brief flash of embarassment went down her spine as she realized she wasn't being spoken to, then realization followed as she eavesdropped on a conversation. She slammed the locker then headed to the breakroom with the rest of the recruits.

She kept her head down, furtively looking up from couch arm. She was one of five that was accepted for the "junior firefighter" positions at this station. She tapped at her pip for a distraction, pulling up a word puzzle game. She kept an eye on the ones her age waiting around - two amlati, two nazzadi; one female amlati in the bunch.

"Welcome to station 5B, cadets!" The booming voice had her slapping her pip and closing the game in reflex as she hopped to her feet on alert. The man that entered was stout, with slivers of grey streaking his brown hair. "I am Chief Randy Childress. I will work with you on assigning shifts - if you are scheduled, you show up. While you are here you will be learning the basics of firefighting."

"And if you're lucky, the value of friendship." The sarcastic quip came from someone that had come in behind the Chief - one of the regular firefighters.

"Absolutely. If we don't have trust in each other, the entire crew is in danger from simple mistakes." Introductions were made, roll was called, and there was a sheet passed out with definitions and procedures. She took pictures with her pip, then passed the papers along.

----------------------- It was the following week before the Chief pulled her into his office to begin the scheduling. Most of what the cadets did around the firehouse was routine maintenance and procedure, checking and double checking everything was in order for a call.

"You're a white. Do you know what you can do yet?" Liv tapped at her ENV badge, lowering her gaze to her feet. "That's not an answer."

"Pyro and electro." Her voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

"You're going to have to speak up. It's loud around here and I want you to be heard."

"Pyro, electro, and telekenesis. Hyperspeed and teleport. Those are confirmed. I'm still being tested." She kept her head down, waiting out his silence.

"Olivia... the next time someone asks that... don't answer. Demonstrate with telekenesis." She chanced a glance at the Chief, who had buried his face in a hand. With a sigh, he continued. "This won't be a career for you. You'll stagnant here. Why did you apply here?"

"My therapist recommended firefighting as a hobby."

-----------------------

April 13, 2080 {17th birthday}

"Liv, what are your plans this weekend?" The amlati's voice sent a tingle down her spine. Being near Vraka had made her stomach do somersaults ever since he had tossed her over his shoulder in training weeks ago. Everyone had laughed, joked, and moved on, but she couldn't stop being tongue-tied around him. She gave a non-committal noise and shrugged her shoulders.

"You don't talk much, do you?" He leaned against the locker, watching as she pulled her bag out and slammed it. "Hey, anyway. So the rest of us were going to go to a club and wanted to know if you wanted to join us?"

"Ah.. it's not really... I mean..." Liv rambled, trailing off as she reeled her mind back, shrugging. "I-I... ngh... curfew."

"Ah that sucks. Strict parents? Maybe if I met them they'd ease up?" Vraka smiled; she felt a blush creep over her cheeks as she looked away.

"I could keep you safe." He chuckled, nudging her shoulder as he left the locker room. She delayed, forming a response that was simple enough to voice - who would keep you safe from me? She repeated it several times in her head before exiting. She saw him in her periphery, along with a couple of others.

"Who-" Her planned response sputtered into a confused noise as he picked her up and began carrying her. She wriggled, but her struggle only made him toss her and adjust his hold.

"You're coming out with us tonight, Liv. No excuses - no curfew." Vraka's tone was stern.

"It's ok, girl. Chill. Chief is calling your parents, telling them we have an additional training exercise to complete." Lory patted her head, making her crane her neck to view the nazzadi.

"?!? CHILL is not something I can do!" She protested. "I really can't. This-"

"Somethin' new to learn then." Marcus chuckled. She heard doors open, and Vraka tossed her into the back of a car, scooting in beside her to prevent her escape. Veronika opened the other side and slid in, leaning in and kissing her on the lips before she could protest.

"Happy birthday, Livia." Veronika's bright red lipstick was smudged as she pulled away, a playful smirk on her face.

Oh... that was today. She had forgotten her own birthday.

[allthetribbles]

Okay, I know my lil slice of tumblr has been silent. I'm hoping to change that. I'll be posting my Ctech/Cthulutech game notes and drabbles I write on Friday. I'm going to attempt to put them in order from the beginning so you can follow along with the adventure. I'll be posting it under the tags: ctech, ois, game notes, liv grasse, and cthulutech, if you wish to block them. Two have tw:rape tags. Random story bits will be under drabbles.

Let me give you some general description on my character.

Name - Olivia Grasse goes by Livia or Liv. Birthday - April 13, 2063. putting her right at 21 years old at the start of the story (22 in 2085!). City of Birth & Residence - Seattle Workplace - OIS HQ, Seattle, WA

Race - Sidoci/White - A rare xenomix between human and nazzadi naturally gifted with parapsychic abilities eyes - white hair - white; shoulder length, usually styled straight skin - white height - 5' 9" weight - 145 lbs

Para-psychic Powers - Pyrokenesis, telekenesis, electrokenesis, gravikenesis. hyperspeed, psychic healing, teleport. psychometry

* These are just her starting powers. As she gains experience, she'll get stronger and maybe, possibly open up more powers.

- Background -

Olivia Grasse is a child of a human and nazzadi union. She never met her biological mother or father - they had been expecting an amlati, but she was... different. She was something new... and the government were keenly interested in keeping an eye on her. At the time, not much was known about these strange white children. Rather than be under the ever present scrutiny of the NEG, OIS, FSB, and GIA, her parents gave her up for adoption.

Rather than putting her in a state run home, she was placed with human foster parents - Jon and Lilith Grasse. It was obvious from the beginning she was gifted - pyrokenesis was her power of choice, giving her foster parents concern over a more literal type of "burn."

Her powers manifested early and surprisingly without much fuss - she listened well to her childhood therapist about controlling her emotions and fear. She has the constant question at the back of her mind - "Am I good enough?" The doubt lingers.

She wasn't a shy child... just detached. It made it difficult for her to make friends - or at least lasting ones. Her adolescent years brought out the worst in her - whether it was depression, rebellion, or just being a kid. She avoided everything she could - the Grasses, her therapist, even school when she could get away with it.

She quickly learned she couldn't avoid her therapist - the OIS and FSB both were breathing down her neck when she did her first "no show" to an appointment... at ten years old. Her first chance at independence and the results did not make her parents proud.

The scrutiny closed tighter for a few years with curfews from her parents and checkins with an OIS handler. Thirteen saw her on probation with the OIS handler, checkins being every other month rather than every month. At sixteen, she was given a clear to not check in with the OIS as long as she kept up with her therapist. { OIS - "Don't skip another appointment." Liv, "Don't want another six years of check-ins to waste your time?" OIS - "Don't do it again." }

By this time, her therapist had recommended Liv a community service path - firefighting. Liv wasn't sure if she was joking or not, but had no real interest in any of the other extracurriculars. Firefighting at least seemed like something she may have talent in?

It wasn't long after her service started, she skipped a few days of school. She had plans to keep her therapist's appointment, but was caught that afternoon. She was caught off-guard at the show of force and offered no resistance, effectively intimidated.

Questions and demands for the truth - and even more interrogation - had her terrified and on the verge of crying. She had nothing to hide! She was telling the truth of why she had skipped! The excuse of "I just needed a couple of days to clear my head" didn't work with the OIS.

They had told her she was in the Pit. That she would be released when they were done with her, not before. A few days later she was released - no explanation, no apology, and no warning not to do "whatever" again.

The OIS had power.

It gave her a desire to be apart of the organization.

She attended community college, with extra classes focusing on honing her powers until she applied for OIS testing and training.

[allthetribbles]

All my Exes - 04.07.2085

Liv was watching the door of the coffee shop, ignoring Kory picking at her muffin as her coffee cooled. The female nazzadi and male amlati walked through the door, the woman ducking under his arm as he held open the door for her. They spotted her and made a beeline for her as she stood.

"Livy? What's going on?" Veronika wrapped her in a tight hug before Vraka hugged them both.

"Thanks for coming - both of you. I have a huge favor to ask." Olivia said.

"We figured." Vraka muttered, kissing her forehead.

"Grasse, spill." Veronika looked over at the table. "Who's this?"

"She's... why I asked for you to come. Let's sit so I can explain." Vraka slipped into Liv's chair and pulled her into his lap as Veronika flopped herself into Kory's lap.

"Hi, I'm Veronika. You can call me Nika, cutie." She winked and grinned, throwing her arms around Kory's shoulders.

"She's a telepath, Veronika..." Liv said softly. Veronika looked warily at Kory, then shrugged.

"Oh well. No funny business with my mind, please?" She grimaced but didn't move from Kory's lap.

"We'll see." Kory muttered. "What's your name?" She nodded at the man.

"Kory, this is Vraka and Veronika. Guys, this is Kory, my coworker. She just recently moved here and doesn't know anyone. She has a teenage sister and she's not really keen to send her to Cuba to live with the grandparents. Would you guys..." Liv looked over to Kory.

"I'd like to look in their minds with their permission."

"Sheesh, buy me a drink first, love!" Nika clucked her tongued. "What's the favor, Liv?"

"If I approve of you... I'd like to ask if you'd check on my sister for the next few days. We might not be able to come back-" Liv glared at Kory, who quickly corrected herself. "Might not be able to get away from our duties for the next few days." Liv began to bounce as Vraka began to shake his leg.

"... Just doing this in the coffee shop, huh?" Vraka muttered. He shook his head, but held out his hand to Kory. "Come on before I change my mind."

"... You trust me in your mind?" Kory questioned.

"We trust Liv." Veronika corrected.

"Besides, you could have already fucked our minds over if you wanted. You asked permission - that says a lot about you." Vraka said. Kory took his hand. The invasion was swift, and Nika shifted on Kory's lap.

"Okay, I trust them. Would you watch my sister for the next few days?" Kory asked politely.

"I dunno. After that I feel like I need a smoke." Veronika joked.

"Yeah, we'll take care of the doll. When can we meet her?" Vraka said groggily.

"... After we go to the bank. I've got a few things to take care of and I need you with me." Liv said.

- - - - -

"... A last will and testament, Liv?" Nika asked as she reviewed the document in front of her.

"I came into some money and just want to cover my bases. You're family to me." Liv shrugged. "This just makes sure you're taken care of."

"Since when did you change your name?" Vraka asked.

"A day or two at most, I promise." Liv sighed and facepalmed.

"..." Vraka squinted. "Who are these people?" He tapped the paper. "Te'ani Fuentes and Alan Shen?"

"Two of my other coworkers."

"And we just give them money if they ask, no questions asked?" Veronika asked.

"Yes." Liv nodded.

"... Okay." Vraka shrugged and signed the paper, followed by Veronika.

"Is there anything else we can help you with, Ms Frostburn?" the clerk asked.

"I need to open up a bank account for these two." Liv said politely. More papers were signed, a new account was opened, and the amount wasn't discussed.

- - - - -

Tory was an absolute delight while meeting Veronika and Vraka - she was on her absolute best behavior. Liv asked Tory to watch over her plants since she could go in and out of her apartment freely.

- - - - -

Zeta { One Voicemail Received - Nika and Vraka }

"Olivia {fucking} Grasse-" "-Frostburn." "She's not a Frostburn. She's our Liv! And {goddamnit} why aren't you answering your pip?! You never leave without Beta-" "She has a new-" "{I don't fucking care}, Vraka! She's not answering her pip! {Bitch} I love you but you have a lot to answer for!" "Nika..." "One million goddamn dollars?? What the actual fuck? Olivia. You know who this is. Call us back."

[allthetribbles]

October 30, 2020 Game Notes / April 5, 2085 (continued)

Te'ani reviewed the GIA report that Director LeAnne has forwarded him and shared with the team. The GIA were conducting a drug raid when they encountered supernatural entities. There were a total of three creatures sighted - they were able to kill it with overwhelming firepower, but two were able to escape. They were extremely fast and mobile.. and luckily not integrity scale.

The descriptions of the creatures are similar to the ones that were seen at the military base. There was also a person matching the description of The Witch that evaded capture. No mention of her "Mister Green" - the muscle from the Gibbering Horror case. While it isn't an entirely solid lead, it's better than what we have had. We put this on the back burner for now.

While he was in the office, Te'ani picked up the latest in the office gossip. Sergeant Malhoune, the director's new secretary perished in a tragic fire in her apartment complex. The fire consumed everything and there were no survivors. Oddly, there was nothing supernatural reported... Looks like the chocolates Liv ordered is going to be delivered to an empty desk tomorrow. Oops.

We went back to attempting to hunt down Bobby, coming up short on ideas. We decide to go through the list of safehouses. Liv says it isn't a good idea - not thinking he'll be there, also worried if there is someone in the houses, their locations will be exposed. Te'ani suggests removal of Liv and Kory's pips to prevent them being tracked. Liv laughs in his face and there is a very in-depth explanation of why that is a VERY BAD IDEA for both parapsychics and the sorcerer. Te'ani quips, "Sucks to be you."

It takes about 6 hours to check the safehouses, but each one is a bust and they don't find Bobby.

Liv remembers that when Bobby was brought in to pick up the "package," there were two agents that brought him in. We interview them (Frank and Barry) and ask where they dropped him off. They're confused and reply, "We dropped him off at his house, like the Director said."

We find the address they took him, but it doesn't appear anyone has been here for weeks. Liv suggests the team heads back to the office to pull up the camera feeds to track Bobby with facial recognition. There's no result, even though we do see him on the cameras. He's dropped off in front of the address of his house and they drive away. He then proceeds to travel into a subway tunnel. Once inside the subway, we lose track of him and we're back to square one.

There's little that we know about Bobby... but one of the things we know is that the Director and Bobby were friends. Liv suggests a wild idea - let's check out where the dead Director lives. Te'ani is skeptical - "Could it really be that easy?"

The only way to know is to go there.

Director Elwood's home is in a very nice section of Seattle, complete with a private security detail. Lights are on and it seems as if someone is still living there. We're stopped at the gate, asking our business.

Liv explains we're looking for "Bobby" - the officer doesn't recognize the name. Then they flip up their helmet to reveal themselves as a white. "Will you submit to a mind probe?"

Liv answers before the others - "Yes." The rest of the team isn't happy with her answer. They're asked to step out of the vehicle. Security is thorough, questioning us and going through our pips. The white quips that Liv is a "walking disaster" - she agrees. When they come to Te'ani, they confirm he has amnesia, then headed off to the side to contact someone.

Te'ani catches the mention of a "Code Blue" before they come back to us to give us permission to head up to the house. There is the off-mention of "ma'am" and Kory thinks that the house was transferred to the new Director. Everyone else is confused what Code Blue means - Te'ani explains that it means that they found false information in our pips. He looks at Liv, who is confused why he is looking at her.

They head up to the house; two cars in the driveway. There is a very brief question of how we're going to approach before Liv just... presses the doorbell. A pleasant looking, elderly nazzadi woman answers the door, asking us to come in and inquiring if we're Elwood's companions for his business. Te'ani says yes, while Liv says "No." She picks up very quickly we have no idea what she's talking about.

She's a sharp cookie.

She introduces herself as Patricia Elwood, Louis' wife. After that awkward icebreaker, we introduce ourselves and introduce ourselves as OIS agents. We express our condolences and make small talk before getting down to business - we're looking for Bobby.

He's not here, and she isn't sure where he'd be. In between all of the family photos (his wife, two female children - one nazzadi, one amlati), one catches Liv's eye - one of Bobby and Louis together at a lake. She inquires about it - it was taken about ten years ago at one of the lakes up north somewhere -  Lake Stevens. It turns out... that's very close to where we originally picked Bobby up.

Liv asks if she can take a picture of the picture, wanting to be sure we got the right house when we head up there. Patricia looks at us like we're stupid. "Why not just ask for the address?"

Te'ani apologizes - "We tend to take the complicated route..."

Liv asks if it would be okay to send flowers as an appreciation; Patricia says yes, she loves flowers. Her favourite flower is dragon tulips.

She says if we find him to tell him "fuck you" from her. Kory gladly accepts! Knowing it will be close to sundown when we arrive, Liv asks for permission for the team to spend the night in the cabin. Patricia says yes.

Figuring out the time, it's expected if we leave immediately we'll arrive close to 5 pm. With it being a possibly overnight trip, Kory battles with herself over getting a babysitter. Instead, she brings her younger sister Tory with them. She is a very enthusiastic teenager and keeps the mood buoyant.

Liv invites Kory into her mind for a private conversation.

{ - - - - - Liv's conversation with Kory. Liv asks Kory what she found while in her head without permission. Relieved that she was kicked out before she found out anything, Liv reminds her that she DID warn her not to mess with her mind. Liv then explains what Kory missed out on the previous day - updating her on the vision she received when she hugged George - going through a skull, and the man in a ruined wasteland asking for help. The skull was being looked for by Weaver's team, the man was recognized as someone Luanne knew and was presumed dead. And Liv thinks the skull leads to another dimension. Liv asks if Kory wants to know more - adamant on not answering until she gets an answer - Kory says yes. Liv, "I betrayed an Elder God." Kory shuts down the conversation. - - - - - }

Kory is shaken by what Liv tells her and immediately tells Tory that she's going to be sent packing to the grandparents, leading to an argument between the sisters. Tory is NOT happy - Liv puts on some bops from her pip to lighten the mood, which utterly fails. Tory asks Liv if she can move in with her; Liv says yes.

Te'ani recognizes that SOMETHING happened. The parapsychics are keeping secrets.

{ - - - - - (From Jona H. (GM)): Knock Knock Knock (From Jona H. (GM)): No problem, you hear it repeat 2x more (To Jona H.): I should thank Daddy for protecting my mind from the probe. So, Thank you. (From Jona H. (GM)): You're welcome (To Jona H.): I'm still undergoing punishment for betraying you. Aren't I? (From Jona H. (GM)): Why ever would I punish you? You punish yourself. (To Jona H.): I can't say I regret it, Daddy. I'm not ready for the world to end just yet. You saw what I saw, felt what I felt? Doubles. (From Jona H. (GM)): There is always something interesting to watch, as you will see (To Jona H.): oh God... - - - - - }

We arrive at Lake Stevens. There's a heavy military presence with at least 3 squads of mecha stationed nearby. They check all of our credentials and it takes at least a half hour before we get a reply back - they wave us through. We find the house and the lights are on.

Te'ani volunteers Liv to go knock on the door. She does so and gets a shotgun to the face as Bobby answers the door.

He's not happy that we found him. He invites us in, asks us what we want. Liv cuts Kory off before she tells Bobby to "fuck off." He's surprised Tory is with us - "Who brought the kid?"

Liv explains that the team needs help translating the Book, looking for the dates and location of the summoning of the Black Goat. He looks at the pictures Liv took of the book. It seems the optimal time to summon Shubby would be anywhere between April 10th - April 24th. Optimal location - "Where pristine forest grows."

The 10th is only when they need to start the summons. All three pieces are required to start - once that happens... a slew of Bad Things will start happening, including Dark Ones - the spawn of Mother herself. We've only dealt with a single chained and dying Dark One.

Bobby says we need to focus on finding the pristine forest and then calling in a military strike to lay it to waste. If they manage to summon Her, you can write off the entire Northeast. Tory isn't happy to hear that - that's where she keeps her stuff!

Liv looks at Kory and emphasizes, "ruined wasteland."

{ Kory opens up a telepathic link to Liv and asks if Shubby is the one she betrayed. Liv says no. Kory, "Fuck." }

The good news - we have time before they have to start the summons and we just need to play "Hot Potato" until the 24th against a massive, dangerous organization that is accumulating the artifacts for the summons.

Liv brings up the maps they had recovered from the Dark One's woods for Bobby to look at, but they're interrupted by loud thumps on the roof. Tory asks if Bobby has a harem up there. He's really baffled why we brought Tory with us. She is ready and willing to join us to find out what is making that noise. Liv and Bobby both tell her no - and Bobby points out that he has a gun and she doesn't.

They manage to make it up the stairs... unfortunately the creatures are aware. The gorgeous praying mantis women from the Farm. Horned Ones came for the artifact.

To Do List:

- Access the GIA notes from their incident with The Witch. Future notes - investigate the location, see if we can track The Witch where the GIA can't. - Update Kory {Find the skull from the vision, track down Weaver's team, possibly recover someone lost } - Find Bobby (done!). Pick his brain about the Summons. -- Dates - April 10-24. -- Location - "Pristine Forest." - Protect Bobby and the artifact

- DM Summary -

Next Game Friday November 13 6:30PM CST (2 weeks from now) The group has found Bobby....they know they have just days to avoid a global end of the world scenario and SAVE THE WORLD! However in the meantime sexy bug ladies are trying to take advantage of their bodies while a minor and a senior are present. What shenanigans will they get up to?! Stay tuned, it's about toe get X rated!

[allthetribbles]

Investigation Game – April 04, 2085

Characters present - Alan, Kory, Te'ani, Liv

April 3, 2085

After Alan puts Liv out of his home, he accesses the message on his pip. He's greeted with 30 seconds of random electronic noise. He's unable to decipher the noise... and he just let Liv leave. He tries to contact her, but she isn't answering her pip. He leaves a message - URGENT, please call me.

She doesn't answer.

April 4th, 2085 4.30a

Liv returns Alan's call. He asks her to come over. "Okay. Sure." She heads over that way. When she arrives, he plays the message back for her - "Can you make anything of it?" She calls electro into play as she wanders further into his home. A message is within the noise and she plays it back on the pip. It's definitely the voice of Elwood from beyond the grave.

{----------------------------

Greetings from beyond the grave. You must have questions. I have very few answers for you. One of which is if you have received this message then I have died. Time is, unfortunately, short. When we had access to Weaver and her team in the Pit I had Athine plant a post-hypnotic into their leader to leave us messages. One of those messages bore fruit. An addition to their team was intercepted and replaced. Currently we have them located at a Safe House here. (insert location) The information we are currently gathering has been kept off site in a separate private facility as if this information gets out it could ignite another facet in the Aeon War we currently live in. I don’t think these “Tager” cultists as they call themselves are as a serious a threat as others might think them. They seem to be involved in a clandestine war with another group of cultists that call themselves “Dhohanoids”. Both sides are engaged in a fight over the artifact pieces. Olivia may be able to shed more light on that subject. You need to find Bobby and protect that arrogant old coot. He’s got the last piece and I don’t think he can hide anywhere they can’t find him with 2 pieces to track the third. Keep an eye on this Tager group. If they become too much of a threat eliminate them. Save with their opposite number. I’m sorry to drop this on you Liv, Alan, Tory, Ryan and Te’ani but you’re the best team I have for when the shit hits the fan. God speed. Also, Liv, I have given you access to a series of funds to help your team. They can trust you with it. ------------------------------- }

The location of the safe house in the letter is located within the arcology and assumed to be under surveillance. To avoid tipping off anyone watching or inside, we don't go there immediately. Alan and Liv go to work to share the new lead with the rest of the team.

We need more information. Liv nudges Te'ani to be a good boyscout and go help Director LeAnne "dispose" of the paperwork from Elwood's office. He is successful and puts the box on Liv's desk - "Have fun."

Luckily Director LeAnne is preoccupied and isn't paying much attention to what we're doing. She also hasn't tasked us with anything so.... we keep busy. Going through the the paperwork, there are receipts, paperwork, accounting information, files on agents that have died.... and restaurant recommendations.

The Director ate out... a lot. One of the addresses looks familiar - the safe house from the note. It was marked as "don't ever eat."

We pull a grand total of about 30 sheets of paper with the places he recommended - there is a mix of "avoid" "liked" and "so-so." The information seems really random - something will be underlined, notations, doodles. Some of the addresses we can match up to locations that we personally know as safehouses. Most of them aren't in the OIS database. The one left in the message WASN'T in the known safehouse database...

While riddling out the mystery of the hidden safehouses, Liv thought about how to access the funds Director Elwood had directed for the group. It had to be something important... that no one else would think was important. Not a birthday, not an address, but it would have to be something important to herself...

... The absolute sneak! He used the one date that would be important to Liv, but not to anyone else. The date she was arrested by the OIS. And now they have access to money (to the tune of Wealth 2).

There was a bit of a debate over which safehouse to visit first - we didn't want to compromise anyone currently in the safe houses. Using the logic of reverse psychology - we're going to check out one of the safe houses marked "eat here" in the hopes that it is empty. The idea pays off and no one's home.

The next thing to scare up would be the information stored off-site. We go back to the note - one of the messages from Weaver "bore fruit." Looking at a list of fruit stands... one is scribbled out, one is labeled "do not use - bad fruit," one is labelled "excellent fruit - sometimes a little extra," and the last one had no notation.

Interesting to note... one place not there at all - the Golden Dragon.

We decide to go to the fruit stand labeled "excellent" ... only to find... well, a fruit stand. Alan says that his arcane sight says there's only a minor enchantment on the fruit to keep it from spoiling - usually a really low-level job for sorcerers. He also says that places like this are usually more watched - not just by the OIS, but GIA, NEG, and FSB.

To catch a spy, we're going to have to think like a spy... Te'ani asks for "a little something extra." The owner tells us that a baker's dozen is on sale, mix and match as we see fit. The freshest fruit is the starfruit that just arrived in the past two-three days. We purchase fruit and leave. The rest of the team wants to go to one of the other fruit stands - leaning towards the unmarked one.

Liv says they should check out the scratched out address, explaining the logic of "You wouldn't want to go to an address that's scratched out, thinking it isn't useful at all." It didn't seem to be a convincing argument, but they agree to check it out.

The location... is not a fruit stand. It's an arcade. The kids hanging around are young enough to make even Liv feel old - humans, nazzadi... a few amlati, but no whites. The owner approaches the team with a shotgun inside his trench coat. After a threat of "do no harm to his kids, this is a safe place" - He introduces himself as Alfie, the owner of the Pegasus Arcade.

Alan sees that runes are hidden, protection against scrying, farsight, and similar abilities and spells. Liv picks up that the games don't necessarily require the entire arcade tower... but there is a lot of stuff going on. The owner warns her against meddling with the information.

The team mentions Director Elwood, but it doesn't draw any recognition from Alfie. Liv mentions that "Louie sent us." He tells one of the kids to watch the front and has us follow him to the back. He keeps the gun trained on all of us... and after we semi-sort of explain to him that we're following the clues. He offers to let them look around. "If you know Louie as well as you say you do... you'll find what you're looking for."

In the lobby there are over 100 games. We seems to be at a loss at what to look for... until we refer back to the note - "If this information gets out it could ignite another facet in the Aeon War we currently live in." We find a game about Thermonuclear War. "Would you like to play?" Alfie comes by, asking if we've made our pick. He gives us an old american 25 cent piece, then walks away.

We go to the game and find the high score for LEWI at number 6 - 561861. We go back to Alfie in the office and give him the code. He transfers information to a drive and hands it over. As they're leaving, he gives Liv a warning - "Be careful using your powers, Little Sister. Not everyone is as obvious as you."

Liv waits until they're in the car before accessing the information on the drive. There are two files - one for Ricky's safehouse (outside the arcology), one for the Tager's (inside the arcology).

Accessing the file for the Tagers, we find profiles on people known to us - only two are unknown to the group - and one is a White. Liv suspects she is the OIS Plant. The other Liv IDs as the contact SunMoon. It also has a copy of all of the messages sent to Elwood from Weaver. The last message was dated two days ago - April 2nd, detailing about how they were having a shared dream and they were going to investigate it.

In the files we find out they have filched several artifacts during their escape from the Pit - The Godkiller Gun, an EOD SAT, The Summoning Artifact (already recovered by Liv), an Artifact Gem of Power (similar to the one on Athine's arm), and a two foot tall pyramid with its apex cut off with a glass plate on top (purpose unknown).

Liv is very enthusiastic to head to the location of the Tagers' safehouse after finding out about the stolen artifacts - "They have things they definitely shouldn't." They head over and decide to observe the house first. After about an hour there doesn't seem to be any activity or movement. Te'ani thinks we should approach from the front door. Liv suggests they split the approach in case they decide to run - she decides to keep watch on the back door while he goes to the front.

Despite the caution, everything is quiet and no one's home. They seem to have left in a hurry - beds are unmade and gear is left behind. Unfortunately, they didn't leave the artifacts...

Alan's arcane sight leads him to Weaver's bedroom, which is greatly infused with magical residue. He also finds a strange creature... it looks similar to a rabbit, but... not. It has four eyes, six ears, and a set of extra limbs under its first pair. It is also very dead... by a day or two. There aren't any signs of violence, but Alan knows a grim truth. If a familiar's master dies, the familiar usually dies. It doesn't look good for Weaver...

Liv applies her psychometry to the beds - she doesn't pick up much except for on two of the beds - Weaver's and another room. She picks up great distress and desperation. The room NOT Weaver's has a lot of scorch marks. It seems they really liked fire... and the scorch marks seem to almost be like footprints, except they're 15"x5." Whoever it was had big feet.

Doing a quick check for the White - there's zero documentation on her. She isn't registered. Liv is 98% positive that the White must be the OIS plant. Whites are automatically registered at birth, the only way she could be entirely off the grid is if the OIS wiped her.

After we're through looking through the safehouse, Te'ani gets a message from Annette, the nazzadi keeping watch on Ricky - he wants a word with us. She seems cranky and Liv suggests that Te'ani send a thank you. As Annette said, she's not his secretary.

Liv tags someone else to drive while she takes a nap. It takes about an hour or so travel to get out of the arcology to the two story safehouse. There is a curious lack of nightgaunt activity as Ricky comes outside... alone.

He invites us inside to talk - "We have a bit of a problem." Alan wonders who would be watching Ricky - Liv just urges the group to follow Ricky inside. Even inside the safehouse, there's a suspicious lack of nightgaunt activity. Kory asks where they are.

Ricky - "On guard duty." Sounds ominous!

He leads us to the basement where the nightgaunts have set up shop protecting.... the missing artifacts. Well, most of them - the gem of power isn't present.

He tells us they got out one night and found a group of people having a battle royale in the sewers. He wasn't sure what happened, but a fist fight happened and led to one nearly killing the other. He demanded the artifacts as payment for healing one of them.

He was hesitant to tell us what he knew about them, fearing telling us information we already have. We relay that we just came from the safehouse they were stashed, where we found Weaver's dead familiar. It made Ricky wonder if SunMoon actually did manage to kill her after all. We told him that the OIS did have a double-agent in the group and he confirmed it was probably Izzy, the white, because she was the only one that didn't turn into a monster. He gave us the descriptions of a spider, a giant burning rockman, and a really tentacley thing that was hard to spot... like a mirage.

We asked if they mentioned where they were headed. Ricky said "The big guy said they were headed towards a big skull. They had seen it before and they were going to check it out."

He was worried when we mentioned they escaped from the Pit with these artifacts ("Uh oh, should I have killed them?"), but we reassured him what he did was the correct thing to recover the artifacts. The most important thing is these items are no longer in their possession. We did tell him it wasn't everything they took, but a good majority - they didn't return a gem of power. He reassured us that they said they handed over everything. Liv agreed with him - "It probably was everything they had. But what they didn't hand over was a gem of power; and if they don't have it... that isn't a good thing."

Liv finally asks to hug George. The rest of the team seems alarmed that she's asking. George pats her head and seems okay with the request. Despite their protests... she does it. She hugs him and he folds his wings around her... She staggers back from the hug when he releases her; she seems a bit stunned. Te'ani catches her, asking her who the idiot is. Her answer, "Not me. Skull."

They seem more than a little concerned for the sanity of their White. Kory even said, "... And this is who my sister chose as her mentor." That got the attention of a few of the minor Nightgaunts. Ricky doesn't know why.

Liv changes the subject, asking if Ricky had received her email. He said he did, but he obviously can't go into the office to check on the statue. Liv says, "We're still working on how to get her out here under the radar of the new Director."

It seems Annette Pahls isn't very fond of the new Director and has expressed that sentiment to Ricky.

{ When George wraps his wings around Liv... there is a major conflict of emotions. She feels torn in what feels like three separate directions, three angles that can't be described well. It's almost like turning pages in three books. All directions feel familiar - two are identical, and one is like looking into a mirror (Daddy is this world, Daddy in another world, and Black Liv).

She very clearly sees herself barreling through a gigantic human skull with fangs that snap shut as she enters it. She's in a blasted, ruined wasteland and sees a tall pale man. He looks at Liv, seemingly shocked. "How did you get here? Who are you? Wait - are you from my world?" He tries to grab her, but his hands pass through as he asks with desperation - "HELP ME. HELP ME. HELP ME." Then he's yanked out of sight and she's back in her own world }

========================================

To Do List:

> Investigate the Safe House {Completed} > Find where the information is being stored. Recover it. {Completed} > Access to the funds left by Elwood {Completed} > Find Bobby and PROTECT > Recoverd Artifacts - What to do with them > Find out where the SKULL is { To Trail the Teases } > Transport Luanne the statue to Ricky

[allthetribbles]

DownTime – April 3, 2085

DownTime – April 3, 2085

The lights were on when Liv opened the door to her place. She was slightly annoyed as she slipped off her shoes at the door, then focused on her guest - no, guests. Three pairs of eyes met hers.

"Hello Sister. We've met Little Sister."

Alarm. Curiosity. Excitement. Lust. -Reign it in, Liv. Priorities.- Her mental voice scolded her. She noted the cake on the counter, missing chunks from what she remembered this morning.

"Tory, have you ate?"

"Yep!" The peppy teen was snuggled between the two men. Liv made her way over to the trio and slid onto one of the brothers' laps, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"... Other than cake." Liv raised an eyebrow.

"... Yes?" Tory questioned.

"You can tell the truth. It isn't like I'm going to tell Kory. She's still out?"

"I didn't want to be in the apartment alone," Tory pouted.

"No worries. I expected you to be here. These two..." Liv raised an eyebrow, "Don't tell your sister they dropped in."

"Is Sister ashamed of us, Brother?" The one furthest from Liv asked.

"It would seem so, Brother." The One she was sitting on responded. She patted One's hair, shaking her head.

"Not at all." Liv purred out. "Tory, did you shower?"

"Yep."

"Good. Time for bed then." Liv stated swiftly.

"But it's-"

"Time for bed." Liv reiterated, a pointed look thrown at the teen.

"But Little Sister isn't tired." Two stated with a grin.

"Yes, let her stay." One insisted with a matching smile.

"She's thirteen." Liv pointed out firmly, then leaned in next to One's ear, nibbling it gently before whispering. "I was looking forward to a -private- interrogation."

"Information-" One began.

"-requires payment." Two finished. Their matching predatory smiles never wavered. Liv felt a pleasant tingle run down her spine.

"Tory, please go to bed."

"Fiiiine..." The amlati pouted and crossed her arms. "But... what'll you give me if I don't tell Kory?"

"I won't give you a knuckle sandwich." The brothers were thankfully silent as the two had a staredown. Liv was the one who relented, breaking eye contact and shaking her head. "Fine. What's your price."

"Front door access."

"... If I do will you stop coming through the window?"

"... No promises."

"Fine. I'll key you in tomorrow."

"Tonight."

"Tomorrow - that is non-negotiable. I'm not taking the chance you'll return in the middle of our visit."

"Eeeeeeh. Fair enough." Kory groaned, standing reluctantly and heading towards the bedroom.

"Eh, no! Your apartment." Kory pouted, heading to the window. "FRONT DOOR." Liv demanded, pointing for emphasis.

"But!"

"No buts. I'll be by tomorrow at the normal time." She waited until the door closed behind the teen, sighing before turning her attention back to the Brothers. "So many questions for you..." She slid off One's lap as she grabbed their hands. "First question - how fast can I get those clothes off you?"

The brothers exchanged glances, their smiles not slipping from their faces. She tugged at their hands, a hopeful look on her face as they focused back on her.

"Dear Sister." - One "Speed is" - Two "Relative." - Together "But wouldn't" - Two "You rather" - One "... Savour..." - Together "The" - One "Experience?" - Two

"Come on, are you afraid I'm going to bite?" Their combined voices had sent a shiver of anticipation down her spine as she released their hands, beckoning them to follow her. "You may like it." She pulled away, luring them towards the bedroom as she undid the top button of her shirt.

Another exchanged glance between her Brothers - this one a little more obvious with its meaning. As one they stood and approached, easily placing her between them in a cozy embrace. Their fingers and hands were defter than hers, undressing her faster than she could undress one of them. She had to admit this was risky. They seemed a bit hesitant about her as well. Fair enough, they could both burn each other. One finger traced her jawbone from her earlobe to her chin, tilting her head up and to the side. Lips met hers, a tongue darted between her lips as she felt another pair on her neck.

They had already unbuttoned her shirt and slipped their hands around her. She was still working on unbuckling Two's pants. Their nails tickled her stomach as she leaned forward into the kiss.

"Does Sister need help?" Teeth nipped her earlobe as she scoffed. Two's pants hit the floor outside the bedroom with One's falling shortly after on the inside. By the time they reached the bed all three were bare. The two men were more skilled at manipulating her than she was of them. It was an experience she didn't mind repeating a couple more times during the night.

{ Cut to Black.... and the next morning }

April 4, 2085 - 4 am

It had been a while since Liv had slept between two warm bodies. She had missed the feeling of company. She shut off her morning alarm before nudging the two Brothers playfully, hoping for another round. No response.

"Fine. I'm going to shower." She wriggled from between them to begin her morning routine. She was left with one thought - work was going to be... interesting today.

[allthetribbles]

For Ryan - 03.30.2085

Hey Ryan,

I'm sorry. I haven't dropped by since the 27th. Things have been busy. Security around Seattle has ramped up - more patrols and all of the reports filed are being followed up on. It's a lot of legwork. Be grateful you're getting a healing sleep. Kory isn't a bad addition to the team, but she can't take your place.

Things have happened... as they do. I'll save you the official reports for when you get back. Got to leave you something fun to read when you get back.

Director Elwood is dead. He was on his way to take care of some business and his transport exploded. We don't know who is going to be taking his place yet. The subdirector Christine LeAnne will be taking over in the meantime, I guess.

I think I'm in shock. I keep hoping that my eyes were decieving me. I keep thinking this has to be a nightmare. But it did happen. That's the truth. And the truth is hard to believe sometimes.

- L

- - - - - 03.31.2085 - - - - -

Liv's nose twitched with the smell of burning toast. Her eyes fluttered open as she glanced at the clock on her pip. 4.37 am. It was too early for this. She sighed, rolling out of the bed and grabbed her robe from the chair on the way to the living room. She slipped it around her shoulders, covering up the tank and shorts she had slept in. The living room was blazing with light and she clapped them off, plunging the young amlati in the kitchen into darkness.

"Tory, go home."

"I just wanted to make you breakfast!" The teen's whine was enough to crack glass and Liv crinkled her nose.

"Fine. Extra challenge mode. Lights stay off... and you make enough for yourself and Kory too. What are you even doing awake? Godssake, girl, it's before 5 am." Liv rubbed her eyes and flopped onto the couch, stretching out. A quick message was sent over her pip to Kory before she closed her eyes.

>> Come get your sister. 768521894 - L

"I'm still on New York time." Tory declared, waving around the spatula before turning on the hood lamp over the stove. "Since you're up, how d'you like your eggs?"

"Cooked." Liv mumbled.

"Hey, hey! What're your plans today?" Tory's chipper voice cut into Liv's precious sleep and she sighed, rolling over.

"Agenda today... prelim report. Visting Ryan. Maybe stop by the firestation to blow off some steam. Need to see if my psy-therapist has an opening." Liv grumbled.

"Ooh, you know Kory's a psy-doc. I'm sure she wouldn't mind listening to you."

"I wouldn't want to be a bother." Liv waved her hand. "It also seems a conflict of interest when she's a team member."

"Wait.. wait.. WAIT. You and Kory are team members?!" If Liv wasn't awake, the dog whistle shriek Tory let out cured her of slumber. "Just when were you going to tell me this?"

"It's on a need to know basis and you didn't need to know." Kory grumbled from the doorway, then stalked over to her sister, tugging on her ear, grabbing the spatula, and scooted her from in front of the stove and took over. "I'll send you some cred to cover the breakfast."

"No worries. Just catch it next time, Kory." Liv muttered, sitting up as Tory came to flop into her lap. Liv tucked a loose strand of neon green hair behind Tory's ear. "It's temporary."

"How do you like your eggs, Liv?" Kory asked, sliding some scrambled eggs onto a plate and cracking two more into the pan.

"Cooked." Liv replied.

"Smartass."

"In cake?" Liv shrugged and leaned back. "Need to go by Gino's too..." she muttered under her breath. "Someone ate my cake."

"You have too much of a sweet tooth. When was the last time you went to the dentist?" Tory demanded.

"November 16th." Liv replied. "No cavities."

"You should get a second opinion." Tory stated resolutely.

"I'm not cooking you cake for breakfast, so how do you want your eggs cooked." Kory waved the spatula at Liv.

"Soft boiled." Liv squirmed out from under Tory, heading to the kitchen to help. "I should have some leftover lentils from last night."

"Kory, what are our plans for the day?" Tory asked as she watched the pair.

"You are going to complete your evaluation coursework instead of dragging your heels like you have been for the last two weeks. I am going to do laundry and that is the plan."

"It's going to take you all day to do laundry?" Liv asked with a grin.

"Most of that time is going to be convincing Tory here to do her work. You've never had a teenager."

"Don't have to have one when I've been one only a few weeks ago." Liv chuckled softly.

"That sounds like a story and a half." Tory stretched.

"A long story." Liv and Kory stated together.

"And highly classified." Liv stated pointedly, tapping her ear absently. Kory nodded, understanding the motion for surveillance.

"Boo. Sluts." Tory pouted, crossing her arms.

"That's not going to change my mind." Liv smirked.

"Whatever. Liv's going to see Ryan. Can I go with her if I get my coursework done?" Tory asked.

"If you get all of your coursework done." Kory looked over at Liv, shaking her head. "She won't. Ryan's the guy who I'm filling in for?" Liv nodded in confirmation. "Maybe I should come along too."

[allthetribbles]

Liv's Journal - 03.26.2085

After the ordeal in the Pit, there was a mandatory therapist visit required on top of the normal session. She gave me homework - an essay. On top of my normal report rehashing the event, now I have to concern myself with putting the answers into words.

I used to know the answers to her questions.

What are my dreams, my hopes, and desires. What is my ideal self. I think it was a way to boost morale and get me to look to the future rather than the past. Focus on what CAN be rather than what IS.

My dream was to become powerful enough that I could help people. I hoped to prove everyone wrong, that I was useful in a bad situation. That I was valuable. My ideal self... is not a white knight meant for saving the distressed, but someone in the background that could be the power behind the knight - be a savior without having all that fame to follow me around.

Those dreams scare me now. Power? Gods, I still want power. It thrills me beyond belief when I percieve it. But now I'm wondering, is it power or is it the thrill of the danger it represents?

I will admit that I've had a slight crush on Annette ever since she joined us on the escort mission for Robert Hill. The way she handled those guns and destroyed the opposition just sent a shiver down my spine. It has faded when I don't come across her, but still that initial thought is always "I loved how she handled those guns."

Unfortunately... my next crushes are two criminals currently at large. I hate it. I hate it so much. I know it's a bad idea - super bad idea. But oh man... what little I know? Electrokenetic, telekenetic, telepathy, probe, mind worm. I suspect pyro and photokenesis as well. Between the two of them their powers are impressive. And between the two of them, quite frankly is where I want to be. Yes, yes. Sirens, I know.. bad, super bad idea. But they have power and come as a pair.

Fucking kinks. Fucking Veronika and Vraka and my 17th birthday. They spoiled me for any normal relationships.

Athine. Even after he got my name wrong - LIZ. Bah. Annoying, but I didn't correct him because I was more concerned with our team-mate buried under rubble. Also, he is very powerful - he can call me anything he wants. But how we first met him? He blasted out a wall and crushed a chiranae's skull. And all I can think about is how I'd like to crush him between my thighs. What are his powers? I didn't look him up - if I would even FIND him in the employee directory, with the Pit being a black-ops site - but telekenesis at the least, possible psychometry. And I will probably never see him again... except in my dreams. So much for the better.

Hell, might as well add this in. Ricky - so nervous and cute! I want to protect him. He doesn't know why he can communicate with nightgaunts. He's a sorcerer - medically trained. He didn't focus in summoning creatures. Mystery surrounds him, which has me curious... but everything is screaming at me that this is a bad idea. Not knowing things is a bad, bad thing.

With all of these crushes? I don't know anything about any of them. Is it the thrill of the unknown? The danger they represent? Possibly - do you know what a nightgaunt can do to you if it's pissed off? And he has GEORGE at his back - double the size of a normal gaunt! Not to mention the rest of his pack - or is flock a better description since nightgaunts can fly? A flock of crows is called a murder - that would be appropriate too.

What are my dreams?

>> I don't know anymore.

Where do I see myself in five years?

>> Still working with the OIS? Gods, I hope so - I don't want to die on a mission, but considering our track record it wouldn't surprise me if that's where I was headed. It isn't like I would leave anyone behind to miss me. Veronika and Vraka have both moved on in their relationships.

My hopes and desires.

>> Did I ever have any hopes? Desires? Both of those concepts seem foreign to me. I can't leave the psych doc's homework blank. Something to think about; something to figure out in concise terminology.

What would I consider my ideal self.

>> Clarification was needed. An ideal self? A perfect version of me would be impossible. In a rephrasing - how do I view myself versus the world. Who would play "me" in a LA film. I have a soft spot for the superhero films of the old days. Fantastic adventures, great characters, and just enough flaws to be good popcorn fodder for debate. I still haven't brought myself around to watching the Avengers: Endgame after the Infinity War's ending. Not even the remakes.

To liken myself to a character from a film? Oh.... Well, there was one character. Rogue. Her power - she could siphon off powers from others. Dangerous, but it was more the actress that portrayed her. She did a few bits with a vampire shtick, but then is another super in another series. The makeup was fantastic - even though they had no idea what the future held, it was an excellent portrayal of a White.... except for the black hair. So, maybe Ellen Page's version of The White Violin?

This has become so wordy and has said so little.

What do I desire?

>> I desire power... and family. I want to be able to protect those I care about and I want to belong.

I have a difficult time getting close to people and the Grasses tried hard to protect me from the world. Already detached from the world, they tried to cut me out of life by not telling me about the mandatory team-building exercises for the 5B crew.

It endangered my civil service and it made me angry because I actually did start to feel like I belonged, even if I knew it wasn't permanent. It's why I don't talk to them anymore. I had contentment for a little while, but their negligence threatened that contentment.

I don't have family - I don't even know what it means. And gods help me if Te'ani's version of a family is the only one I'm able to find... I'd be better off alone.

My hopes...

>> One day find a family. Hell, with as horny as I am for power, I may end up getting with the right guy and making a family of my own. Can you imagine that - me as a parent? Considering most of my crushes have been powerful parapsychics, imagine the possible powers the Blueberry would have. The sky is the limit. Because I'm a white, would that be the dominate trait that holds out? Or would they be normal amlati? Kids - they are the future.

What are my dreams.

>> The pipe dream the NEG keeps spewing, I guess. I want this world to be safe enough for humans to live without fear of Elder Gods being summoned. I want to be able to make a difference in this world... how is just the Question.

- - - - -

Short version:

- CURRENTLY -

Character's dream - To make the world safe for humans to live in/be able to make a difference in this world.

Hopes - To one day have a family to care about.

Desires - To become powerful enough to protect those she cares about.

Ideal self/Hollywood portrayal  - The White Violin / Umbrella Academy {insane power, found family, redemption}

- PREVIOUSLY -

Character's dream - become powerful enough to make the world a better place - without the fame that comes with it. Be an unknown Power.

Hopes - Be alive when the world changes.

Desires - Be power behind a force that has a plan for the world.

Ideal self/portrayal - a phoenix {massive power, rebirth by fire}

[allthetribbles]

Introductions Required - March 25, 2085

Liv rubbed her hands together in anticipation. She had brought in the new piece to the OIS Seattle tech division to get it updated and installed with the necessary parameters. They hadn't destroyed her old one after the Pit incident, but it didn't feel the same. It didn't feel like it was hers anymore.

New pip! New pip! New pip! Her mind chanted in ill-concealed glee. She ran her finger down the packaging, caressing the unopened box.

"Hey, you need a moment alone or can I get to my job?" Yvette joked as she tapped the box. "This the unit, huh? Not the latest and greatest?"

"The newest model still has a few bugs that I'd like to see worked out. This one is good enough and with the customization available, it'll keep me busy getting to know it." Liv nodded, relishing the sound of the box being cracked open and the unit being slid from its protective shell as the tech powered it up.

"Just adding the GPS and destruct units, right? You know you could probably install these yourself."

"If I want it done right, I'll trust the OIS to do it for me." Liv replied with a tight smile.

"Good to be appreciated." Yvette scoffed. "You're going to have a new code."

"And it changes every sixty days. Question about my old unit. The securities won't be watched except by the company once the comm chip is placed in the newbie, right?" Liv kept a tight eye on the new unit as Yvette cracked the case with a practised hand.

"Technically... no. But, it also depends on what you added to your machine whether it'll still transmit stats to third parties." Her fingers made swift work of installing the upgraded GPS chip. "Surprised you don't want me to transfer everything over and scrap the old."

"Beta was a good boy and did as he was told. It wouldn't be right to toss him out." Liv replied, tapping the older model as the new destruct unit was popped into the new.

".. Besides, you want to keep him around for your porn, right?" Yvette lowered her voice, leaning in conspiratorily. "Got any good recs?"

"None, sorry." Liv replied just as softly. "Just keeping him for the games, really." The chatter continued on the tech side, the least of which were recommendations for upgraded security software and protocols. Liv strapped the new unit next to Beta on her right arm, charging both units to full with a thought as she thanked Yvette again.

- - - - -

A few hours later... home sweet home.

Liv was set up in her living room, two new cases and a new dark shield spread out on the floor waiting to be applied. Beta was playing The Mix while Zeta was cloning Beta's pertinent apps. Liv was cleaning her 40 while she bopped her head to the music.

Soon Zeta would be initiated into the family with a case of his own. Then she would install the dark shield on Beta and switch out his case for a shiny new one. He deserved a skin change after their time together. She would refit his current bracelet-band to Zeta and then fit a new anklet-strap for him.

Just a quiet night in with her toys.

// Naming for her "toys." Eta/Theta/Iota to be determined which is named what, depending on which manifests weaponized first. Alpha - Pyrokenesis. Beta - 1st pip. Gamma - Electrokenesis. Delta - Gravikenesis. Epsilon (Eps) - CS-40. Zeta - 2nd pip. Eta/Theta/Iota - Cryo/Photo/Telekenesis. //

- - - - -

Knock knock. Pause. Knock knock.

Liv looked up from Eps's barrel, the background music pulling at her attention as the knocks on the door repeated. She wasn't expecting company and the neighbors didn't usually bother her once they knew she was a white. After the first few building get-togethers she had stopped going altogether. So much for building community...

Always the outsider looking in.

They knocked again and Liv put the cleaning cloth to the side.

"One sec." She glanced around the room, seeing if anything was amiss, then dismissed the concern. They wouldn't want to come in. She crossed the room to the door, looking out the peephole. Two female amlati were at the door. She unlocked the deadbolt, braced the door with her foot, and opened it a few inches to peek out. "Can I help you?"

"Sis! She IS a white!" The teen gasped in shock, immediately rushing the door to bounce back as it didn't budge. "So cool! Did you do that with one of your powers?!"

"My foot." Liv deadpanned.

"Hi, I'm Kory, this is my sister Victoria. We just moved in a few doors down." The amlati extended her hand towards the door, Liv looked down at it.

"Tory. I prefer Tory," the teen corrected firmly.

"... Right. Kory and Tory X, previously from New York? You're a telepath." Kory nodded, keeping her hand raised. "Don't get into my head and we won't have a problem. Liv Grasse." The door opened a little wider and Tory took the opportunity to jump in and cling to Liv in a hug.

"She's a real white! So cool, so cool!" The teen squealed again, Liv stumbling back into her apartment in an attempt to get away, holding her gun above her head out of reach of the teen. "She's got a gun!"

"Tory!" Kory sighed in exasperation, entering to peel her sister off Liv. "Sorry about that, she has a bit of a fascination."

"With guns?" Liv asked as she squirmed from the teen's arms, brushing against Kory. Once inside the apartment, the girl made a beeline for the plants in front of the windows.

"Whites. No idea why." Kory followed her, closing the door behind them as Liv made her way to her pips. "You a telepath too?"

"Stay out of my mind, you don't have my consent!" Tory rounded on her, shaking a finger at Liv.

"Electro. Read your profile on my pip." Liv cracked a smile as she picked up Beta and paused the music. Kory was consulting her pip, no doubt looking up Liv's public profile.

"Pyro and gravikenesis too." Kory confirmed, glancing at Liv, who nodded. "OIS." Liv nodded again.

"I'm OIS too - transferred last week." Kory smiled at Liv.

"Welcome to the team."

[allthetribbles]

Day One - OIS Office Welcome

Apprx April 14, 2018; OIS Ctech Notes {{ Day One - OIS Office Welcome }}

Finally - all the hard work had paid off. Liv enjoyed the thrill of walking through the hall not as a visitor nor as a prisoner, but as a full-fledged member of the OIS. She wasn't the only new recruit - seven others were joining her in the orientation meeting lead by the Seattle director himself - Director Louis Elwood.

Chicago was the main HQ of the OIS, but the Seattle branch was the closest to Liv. She didn't want to relocate - Seattle was her home. Director Elwood gave a rousing speech, a few lines ringing in Liv's head. "The OIS is here to protect humanity. We're the first and last line of defense against the things that lurk in the dark. These threats include, but aren't limited to, cultists, monsters that make it past the NEG, sorcerers, para-psychics and anything else that decides to make humanity its enemy."

She was surprised to see two other whites with the recruits; normally she was the odd one out. One amlati, one nazzadi, and two humans comprised the rest. Before being dismissed to the rest of the orientation, the Director asked if we had any questions.

One of the recruits - Te'ani - asked, "What happens if one of us is compromised on duty?" The ominously vague threat of The Pit was only slightly more comforting than the other option of "immediately destroyed."

Teams will be comprised of four to eight individuals.

He brought us out of the office, introducing us to the rest of the office; the group recieved a standing ovation before the office got back to business. After that, he dismissed us to have us find our way around the office. The armoury and weapon requisition, the library, and the cafeteria were all highlights of the tour.

Special clearances were issued to our pips, allowing us to access the building. Each one is biometrically tuned to us and if removed will have about 24 hours before they self-destruct. To stop the countdown, we will have to enter a 14 digit security code.

After the eventful day, she returned home... and slipped into slumber.

Inside the dream, she was standing on a stone platform. Behind her stood a black stone wall, forward... a ragged corridor with steps leading down into the darkness. The walls and ceilings seemed to be made of stone with sections torn out, revealing a swirling grey mist.

Down the stairwell, just out of view seemed to be something moving outside the mist. Heading down the stairwell, there is a feeling of being watched. Coming to a short landing, the mist doesn't seem to be clearing and it seems to be taking hours to descend.

At the end of the stairs, there is a street lined with doors. Hundreds... maybe thousands. It's the City of Doors. People are moving between them, tending the doors. This city is the City of Knowledge, located on the edge of Gurathnaka.

We turn and look at the horizon.

It is teeth. Teeth and HATE.

When we wake the next day, the dreams fade to nothing.

- - -

Nazzadi - For “aliens” they are not very alien. Based closely off of our DNA, the Nazzadi are graceful Caucasian- or Asian-appearing people with jet-black skin and hair and red eyes that shine in the dark. They have sharp incisors. They have the same internal organs, even if they are in somewhat different places. On a core level, the Nazzadi are so close to us that the two species can interbreed.

Amlati - A xenomix is pretty much what one would expect from a union of the two species. With jet black hair, silvery gray skin, and eye colors straying into lavenders and grays, something about them is simply exotic.

White - Every so often, a xenomixed child would be born that was completely white. Not albino. Truly white. Snow white hair, skin, even eyes. While a normal xenomix is what scientists would expect from a Human/Nazzadi union, they were and still are at a loss to explain why these unusual children are born. Whites, as they are commonly called, are different from other children. There is something innately otherworldly about them, besides the way they look. They are naturally para-psychic, many times from birth.

OIS - Office of Internal Security

FSB - Federal Security Bureau

NEG - New Earth Government

GIA - Global Intelligence Agency

The current year is 2084.

The world is Cthulhutech. Welcome to when nightmares are the reality.