Gardsorm

Yep, I'm fully aware of your variability. : p My first assumption would be 'All of the Above' tbh .. maybe minus Angels unless they're of the Fallen Variety. My gut says monsters and other such otherworldly unpleasantness may take on a great many forms, maybe even inspired by things others might be concerned or fearful of (which reminds me of a plot point from one of the later expansions of FFXIV). But this is also me just being very presumptuous and running with vague notions. Might be best to wait to see if Satai wants to be a bit more specific/narrow about what's allowed for the sake of making it easier for us to plan or not. Me, I'm already in a good spot to ruminate, so I'm not as worried, but I'm all for trying to help you zero in to be more decisive about ideas.

That's pretty understandable, given of the two different worlds, one seems a bit more limited in potential, while the afterlife seems to have the greatest potential variety. Without a clear vision of what kind of world we'd be throwing our characters into, I can understand the sentiment of not being able to formulate an idea of what to go with. Right now, Satai saying the afterlife has a bigger variety of creatures and entities gives me the idea to assume environments/worlds could be just as varied. Like, beyond 'Fire and brimstone and pits of lava' depictions of hell and all.

Oh, another few things I should ask before I get too far ahead of myself: Are all characters expected to be normal, or are there expected to be any number of abnormalities about them (potential magic, technology, mutations, ect.)? Like, anything to keep characters anything but entirely normal before or after death? Is the world full of purely humans or is there more than that?

Not a problem! It's been like 5 months since I popped in, and going back to school has taken a nice chunk of my focus. Really isn't easy at all, I feel like I'm sorely lacking now compared to myself a decade ago... As long as Warning, Chiyako, and Elie are getting along in life as best as they can, that's fine by me! Ah, so they're still gonna be alive and struggling in their own way, so little to bo chanve of meeting them on the other side unless something happens. What's the 'Witch' route though? Something else from their past?

That sounds fun to me! Also, no rush on getting things together, I really don't expect things to jump into activity just because someone new posted in here, and there's always the off chance it won't take off. But I'm gonna still get my things together on the off chance it does take off, and if so, figure out a long term plan to make the world work in my favor than just 'Exist and survive'. xD What are these other characters of yours like? Just so I know what to expect going in. ^^

Alrighty, since I'm unsure if TS will proceed from here without asking the associated persons involved (And believe me, I would understand if not given my lengthy absence and how few were still involved, so no hard feelings from me!), current idea for Rufus is that he will be the same from TS, but does during a what-if situation later when he overloads the special system on his Wolfhound mech to overcome a dangerous enemy. Though he achieves victory, he dies in the process, hence his appearance here in this game. He would likely arrive with erased or else heavily damaged memories, unable to recall many important details of his previous life, and leaves him a bit of an agitated wanderer as he struggles to survive his newfound afterlife. Whether he winds up in the straight hell of the story or the other, purgatory like place, I haven't decided on yet, but I imagine he'll go from one to the other over the course of his ventures while he formulates a plan of what to do next and where to go.

I didn't expect, as soon as I'd popped back in to read the old writing, that I'd also find something that sounded interesting to join. An afterlife story of sorts wasn't on my bingo but I'm glad I managed to see it, even if it looks like it's been a long time. ^^ At the least, I could give Rufus a new life through a struggle here, or bring up characters I might have played on another forum here. Although I don't want to just 'dump' them here, I need some time to figure out a plan. Might do that while I browse the forum and see what else catches my eyes.

Her childhood home sounds like plenty of trouble to be found. : p If we're adding potential locales to visit, then I'll need to include Dalton's home, and perhaps the place he's employed with the special operations division he works out of to deal with certain unnatural cybercrimes in the city... The hacking thing does sound kinda fun, although for semi-obvious reasons Dalton wouldn't be as keen about such a thing initially, but he might be open to it later. ^^

I was stunned to see how many pages of the OoC came up. x_x Like, I knew it had been a couple of months but I did not expect so much discussion on the possibilities for things that could be slipped into here. xD I'm slowly getting used to the slightly longer commute to and from work as well, and with colder weather setting in today, I'm starting to feel more energy to get back into things. While I was out, did we actually agree on any new additions or changes to things? Also, it was sprinkled in some pages back, but I saw mention of Troubled Youths, I think? This is more for Satai and Warning, but yes if youre both not enervated by the lack of activity there, I can get back to posting there as well so you two aren't deadlocked anymore. ^^ But yes, so far that game, and this one here are my primary focuses, then I have to get some background and plot stuff for my magical knight guy in Satai's magical girls game because the downtime has been showing me I need to take a different approach to it, and find a way into activity properly there. :3

Testing, testing, does this still work? *ahem* Okay, I'm finally back! I actually was supposed to be back and trying to get into things yesterday, but I got sidetracked by settling into new place and some administrative hangups. I see I have a huge amount of posts to look through here, but first up: Thank you very much, Satai, for being my go-between to keep people abreast of my situation, while trying to keep certain aspects a proper secret! And I apologize to everyone I left hanging due to my sudden absence back in August, it really has not been the most pleasant of times since then. It's gonna take me just a little bit to acclimate to having the privacy to write again, but I'll be resuming posting at my earliest convenience this week, in here and other clubs. ^^ An absence like that should not be happening again anytime soon. x_x

And post in. :3 Dalton's probably going to be confused about what kind of infidelity case involves showing papers and flash drives to other people ... Unless its blackmail material... <.<

'Hm, maybe we got off on the wrong foot because she was drunk... I'll apologize to Ryoko when Evi's mission is done.' Dalton assured himself inwardly as Ryoko seemed to catch his look and almost threatened to pull something else down. Damn it, why did such a nice dance have to be happening while he was trying to help Evi with her work?! ... No, this was more important, making sure the catgirl got what she needed to further the case she was hired on. Just because this club openly welcomed all forms of decadence within reason didn't mean he could shirk his responsibilities as an agent of law enforcement, even if he wasn't true police... Not that proper police often had good records as it was. When it came right down to it, private workers like Evi and him were often responsible for greater things because they didn't allow corruption to lead them astray. He had inadvertently spooked Evi with his sudden head movement, preparing himself to get hit by her tail... Or worse, kicked. But he breathed a momentary sigh of relief as she said he could do what he needed to. To many, that would hVe been an open invitation, but for him, it was a last resort Incase he needed to make sure neither of them could be accused of spying. "I'm keeping it under consideration... But I'm not interested in ruining a good partnership, however much of a trial experience it is." He admitted from between her legs. It was torture though... Being so close, seeing her lithe bottom poised before him, it was just begging for something! Even down below, a certain part of him was screaming for attention, a passive hand idly reaching down to gently pat and rub down his pelvis, grumbling. 'Your time will come, but not now.' 'Why do you talk to your phallus, Vandal? Is that a normal thing to do?' 'Graf, godsdammit! Stay on the cameras!' 'I am! I don't have your limited processing power, so it isn't like I can't do two things at once... So, why do-' 'I'm not dignifying that with an answer.' 'So your dick gets answers but not me? Is it because we haven't been that long together?' 'Ugh, seriously, not right now, you're killing my vibe.' Always at the most inopportune times did his sentient virus like to interject. Thankfully, Evi posed a question that helped distract him, a hum escaping his lips. "I'm trying to remember... I'm pretty sure it was either on television or online, but... Ugh, it's right there." He grumbled quietly, trying to track his brain for where he could have seen the woman. She was more dressed civilian-like, less like her professional self, but he was pretty sure her appearance was something others could have seen. As Evi snapped her pictures, she would catch glimpses of Julius looking left and right before reaching into his jacket to pull out... Papers? As well as a box... Wait, was he going to propose to her?! Surely that was too soon... Unless this was going on for a while now. While Dalton could not see the woman's hand, however, Evi likely had much better eyesight, and she could see a ring upon the fourth digit of the woman's hand... Signifying she was married too. Perhaps there was two layers of cheating going on, but that didn't explain the papers... More to it, when the box was finally opened, it didn't hold a ring... But instead some sort of flash drive? "What are you seeing, Evi? I don't have a good angle on the woman from here..." Not without inadvertently pushing her up a bit, at least. Even just keaning forward, Evi could feel his sheer presence inching dangerously close to her pelvis.

Heh. : p Glad to see the main bar and dance floor topic pick up again! Picked up a new game today (which I should have gotten last month, but this month is closer to something else), but I'll get my post in again before I start to sink my teeth into it.

Mweheheh, okay, finally posted! Is this simply what it looks like, or something more? Who knows!

Phew! Okay, there were fallbacks to ensure nothing went too far here. On one hand, Dalton felt the excitement almost boiling over at what could happen, but on the other side, he knew he needed to leash that excitement. This was purely business and cover... And maybe a little bit of curiosity and interest. Close enough to the stage Ryoko danced upon, it allowed him and Evi to look downbthriugh the glass floor that would allow others from down below to look up to see the dancers on stage. It might have been dangerous to them if Julius looked up, but between their activities and how close to Ryoko they were, he would surely think nothing more of it than them simply enjoying the environment. The subterfuge was reasonable from his point of view, but when it came to executing the plan, who knew what might happen ... "Okay... This position seems good, so we can- Oh!" Dalton blinked as Evi was moving faster than he expected, unclasping her belt and allowing her pants to come down easier! Moving close for a kiss mercifully allowed him to reach down and grab her pants, holding them up before they slipped down further! "Hold on, I haven't... Prepared myself yet..." He admitted quietly. Gosh, anything resembling a confident personality he might have shown her was beginning to crumble under what he believed was someone far more confident. "The heads-up is appreciated, but let's hope it doesn't go that far... I'd like to leave something for more private spaces..." Evi was going to make him dizzy, in a good way! Thankfully, something else helped distract him from what was begi to swell in his trousers. 'Sorry to interrupt the possibility of being allowed to use your fleshbag phallus between thighs like the pornos you download, but it seems like your Evi friend might be right. Her target seems to be waving down a female.' 'You having fun poking at my situation? ... Wait, what?!' Dalton blinked and pulled Evi into a huge, looking over her shoulder down at the man named Julius, who indeed seemed to be with a second drink at the bar, waving at another woman a short distance away. Dressed with a turtleneck and glasses, she didn't look like someone who belonged in the clubbing scene, but nevertheless she seemed to be approaching Julius. "Ah, get in position, Evi, looks like you might be right. He seems to be meeting a woman..." He whispered, helping to turn the catgirl around and find an ideal position to look down at Julius. Meanwhile, he knelt behind her, running his hands along her thighs, while sticking his head just between her thighs. He didn't start licking yet though, using the angle and cover to look down as well... Feeling there was something familiar about the woman. "... Why does she look familiar to me...?" He mumbled, leaning in just a bit and accidentally bumping her mound with his head. "Ah, sorry, I'm trying to get a better look..." He whispered, trusting her ears to try and capture what he was trying to convey. He looked up toward Ryoko for a moment, capturing her eyes on them... Did she know what they were trying to do? He hoped not... These were private, legal matters and getting civilians involved might have caused more trouble than not. Still, he moved a free hand to make a ring gesture with his index and thumb, as if to tell her 'thank you for setting the mood'. Hopefully it would be enough to ease any curiosities she had. Fron Evi's point of view, she could see Julius leaning in, beginning to whisper to the woman who he met as she reached for the spare drink he bought. She pushed her bag between the two of them as they seemed to set on discussing something between them, a matter made slightly difficult by being closer to more auditory disturbance from the music playing downstairs.

Finally, I'm back in action again. >.< Posts coming out slowly where they're owed, the week in passing was not great at all. Also I wanted to follow up on this, but I agree with expanding the world beyond the Garden too, and fully support the idea. : ) I brought up mentions in private and feel a greater world, or at least city, scope could help many characters in the story.

Perhaps not, but that's what makes what will probably happen even funnier. >:3 Speaking of what will happen, I've been thinking about what might actually come about if what Evi is planning to check. I have a simple approach, and one that probably makes things not as simple as they probably hoped it was. : p I still gotta work out the angles a bit though.

Good lord, Dalton is not prepared for what he believes Evi is capable of... xD

I understand that feel. : p Managed to get some game time with my father in Warframe, finally got the new spider lady assembled, and soon I'll have Titania Prime. Now if only the rest of my life would sort itself out so I could get more time and focus, but this week is gonna be a little lax mercifully, so I aim to get in a few posts through it!

"Wait, what?" The nip against his ear had already weakened him, but he could never have anticipated what he just heard. Dalton knew the idea he proposed was... Probably not easy to excuse, especially for someone new to all of this! However, it had merits for the reasons of cover, but not just anyone could easily agree with it. Yet... She agreed to it! She really, seriously, agreed to it! The blue-haired male just looked like he blue-screened for a moment as he processed the audacious catgirl so readily agreeing to his proposal! She was indomitable as someone with more experience than him! But with that experience came a willingness for him to see just how much she possessed, and how much she would allow him to experience! His easily-seen eye practically lit up with a mix of wonder and delight, but he quickly revealed himself in and cleared his throat. She was more experienced, he couldn't seem like an inexperienced brat learning from her! He needed to be more mature about this! "O-okay... So, all for the sake of appearances, I can do this. Your control over your tail is good, right? You can use it to let me know if I'm going to far, or if you need to focus. For now, let's find a better vantage point..." He nodded, moving his hand to hold hers as he helped her up, before they started to approach the bar area. Although it put them closer to Ryoko, he gave her a quick look as if to let her know to not too anything too strange. He didn't want to test if Evi would truly try to bite Ryoko like a cat or not... But the moment he saw her and realized she was topless, he lost what he intended to say and nearly stumbled into Evi. A quick clearing of his throat allowed him to compose himself, shaking his head. "Sorry, lost my footing there for a second... Okay, from up here..." He trailed off, looking down through the glass floor to see their quarry Julius, approaching the downstairs bar. The seat infront of them would be able to be leaned over by Evi, giving her a clearer view of Julius downstairs. If he was approached by any company, they could be seen from here too. "Okay, this looks like a good spot. It... Does look like he's waiting for someone, though." Dalton noticed, the man simply ordering a drink of some sort with a wandering waiter... But he seemed to be looking left and right. Either he was worried about someone following him, or he was anticipating company of some sort. Was Evi right about this whole situation? "Last chance to change the arrangement, are you sure you're okay with this? It's one thing to be as experienced as you are, but it's another to commit to something like that with others around... Especially with someone you barely know." Especially given they were also close to Ryoko now... Arguably close enough for him to touch, but he just needed to make sure she helped maintain the facade of enjoying hedonistic activities at the Night Club. Observing a dancer would easily be one more passtime enjoyed her, so without realizing it, the girl would be helping them maintain their cover. But if she tried to slip in... Well, he would probably have to take the fall and put himself in Evi's place as a law-minded operative. He had the angle figured out, or so he believed. He could maintain Evi's secret as an Investigator, and perhaps by outing himself, maybe Ryoko would choose to distance herself. 'You know, if you wanted two girls, you could just ask them...' 'Damn it, Graf, that is NOT what this is about! I'm just helping Evi with her investigation, and I'm just thinking of contingencies to protect her secret. Who knows how this Ryoko girl will act if she finds out we're both connected to investigative agencies in this city.' 'Oh, relax, you know I love teasing you, hah! Anyway .. No sign of anyone else approaching this Julius guy, but I have to wonder why he looks a little shady. You only look like that when you know you're doing something wrong, right? Think the guy really is cheating?' 'We'll find out, and if so, that'll be between him and his lady to figure out. For now... We're just waiting and enjoying each other's company '

Gets away from you easily, huh? : p Wish that was my problem this week, but work week was especially tiring, and rampant fireworks spam is triggering my irritability something fierce (doesn't help I can't sleep as much as I should). Gonna try to get my responses in while I can now!

There we go, Dally attempts an escalation and work wombo combo! Whether he regrets it or not remains to be seen. : p

"Oh, come on, you have got to be messing with me now..." Evi wasn't just playing the part of a cat due to her ears and tail, she almost seemed to actually be a cat. Predatory creatures who knew how to play with their food when they set their sights in something, and now Dalton had inadvertently done that. On the other hand... It was fun to see! If she was a sign of what animal-like people could be going forward, then life truly would never be the same. Still, it was difficult to tell if she was either truly new to all of this or- No, wait, the way her tail flicked... No, she was just messing with him! He should have seen it coming, given how experienced she said she was... So wouldn't it make more sense if she knew how to poke and claw at him to make him squirm? ... If only he knew the truth of just how confident she was! But if she was going to dangle her skill over him, then Dalton would have to push himself out of his comfort zone and try to keep up with the kitty cat. There was a lingering sense of wondering if he was overstepping her boundaries, but the fact she wasn't pushing on him or telling him off... Maybe she was trying to draw him in. There was a giddy feeling that caught in his being, anticipation making him more audacious. Just what could he do? What would she let him do? Even just kissing and licking at her neck, feeling her reactions was empowering him in ways he could only dream of! Being with an experienced woman like this was exhilarating! 'Thia is officially the best night I've ever had at the Garden!' 'I hate to ruin it, then. Your friend's company just showed up at the Main Entrance, and seems to be heading to the Main Bar.' 'Ugh, Graf, can you not- Wait, seriously? Damn... I'm gonna get cockblocked by work again, aren't I?' 'At least it's not like last time when you were watching that girl getting ready to yank her panties down after letting her massive tits wobble about on the stage. I'm an AI and even I would have been angry to get called away from that. Can't imagine how you felt.' 'I could really do without being reminded about that...' He wanted to enjoy this so much more, but he was obligated to tell her about the arrival of Julius. This concerned her work, and he was not about to make her suffer because he wanted to play around more than usual. Still, it wouldn't stop him from answering her question, pulling his head away and fixing his hair a bit. "Right, I almost forgot you were new here... I need to think straighter... In any event, all I can tell you about is what I've observed, but really it depends on the people involved. If there are private rooms, I've never seen them, but most of the time... People aren't ashamed to have fun out in the open. As innocent as making out on the couches to full blown intercourse on the tables and even in the pools. I've seen a lot, but I've also seen couples walk out to go find places nearby to have fun if they don't want the world to see." Like right now, they were already getting into the spirit of the Garden, curiously playing with one another, even while someone danced for their entertainment. He had to admit, Maray was right about Ryoko: A bit of alcohol and she made a very good dancer! It made the fact that they needed to move all the more painful for him... But then an idea hit him. They didn't need to move far. There were ways they could see down below, the see-through floor present and the raised view of the dance floor and bar providing a perfect birds eye view of everything down below as long as one was surreptitious in trying to observe. Ugh, hearing her curious question was hurting him, not knowing how to really answer her... His inexperience in the matter could eithee be a bad thingbor a good thing. Should he lie? "Well, speaking theoretically, I wouldn't mind trying to experience the proper life and activity of the Garden, but I'm not someone with experience on that... Well, yet anyway. Bed is more romantic though, the dance floor would be more for warming up... Actually, I have a fun idea if you'd be willing to try?" He asked, before leaning in to whisper. "I've been told your quarry has shown up... The one named Julius, correct? He's presently at the bar below us. If you'd like to investigate... You can find a good spot from up here to look down, and I..." God, she was going to think he was a predator or something, wasn't she? ... This was no time for cold feet, if he asked, it might work out! "I can... Come behind you and... Um, lick you... Down there. Don't get mad, let me explain! If he looks up and sees you staring, it might weird him out, but if you steal looks and he looks up to see us fooling around, he'll just think we're patrons giving a show and he won't be any the wiser. I think it's a sound plan... Although it might give that Ryoko girl the wrong idea if we have to get closer to the dancing stage for a better view down below..." 'I'm going to regret this, aren't I? Maybe I should have just made a normal proposal instead of trying to mix work and pleasure...'

Mostly contending with summer heat and working hard to make payment for upcoming bills, but scrambling to get posts that I need out over the weekend before the heat picks up over the next few days. -.-

"True words of the day, if I heard any." Dalton sighed softly. Whether he knew or didn't, Evi's words gave him a little bit of insight that the work they undertook would always be dangerous, no matter what he did. Whether she was dodging bullets or sexual advances, he could neither tell at a glance nor ask her about, it was personal information. He was glad to be a guy in that he only really needed to avoid bullets and violence primarily. Perhaps in a way, he had it easier than Evi did... But that was all the more reason he needed to make her experiences here tonight memorable before she returned to work. If there was something he could be sure of, he had the impression that Evi seemed to be in a decent enough mood... At his expense, at least. 'Pretty sure my coworkers would be poking fun at me too for not being able to handle a girl smaller than me...' Inwardly he rolled his eyes. Luckily for Evi, the music did indeed cover up his ability to hear the purring, although how long that remained true waited to be seen if he kept his head closer to her for any length of time. Did she really think he was someone who could have all the action he wanted? Well... It was all up to how much fun he wanted to have... "I give that impression? Now you're just trying to flatter me... But no, I'm very much a watcher or observer. If I have company, it's usually to talk about other subjects, or admire the same things. I don't usually find myself getting too frisky, except to slip a few bills toward an exceptionally good dancer exceptionally close to me." He remarked with a knowing smile. "Otherwise, I try to keep myself in a short leash. Considering my occupation, I would prefer to avoid doing something here that would get in trouble with work. But you are making it... Very difficult to stay on a short leash." It was difficult to discern how he should approach. Slow and steady? Be brave and audacious? Wait and see? Ladies could be fickle, and he had no idea what Evi preferred more... But elaborating on her experience helped his curiosity. 'Oh, you are REALLY dangerous.' Evi could see how his eye went unfocused a bit with how stunned he was to see her lick his digit and make him shift uncomfortably. That absolutely made him want to sigh and just submit himself to her actions, but... It wouldn't be proper to him. Making a lady work first when she didn't even know him all that well... It didn't sit right with Dalton. "I can't very well say something isn't provoked now... But I actually had something else in mind first..." He admitted, before he inhaled and steeled his nerves. If he wanted to feel less guilty about receiving any attention from Evi .. He had to put himself out there first and show he was worth it. He turned toward her slightly, forgetting for a moment they were in full view of Ryoko, as he leaned forward and pushed his face against her neck, parting his lips to kiss along the pulse running through her neck... And giving it a little, teasing lick of his tongue similar to how she teased him with his digit. 'It's now or never... Grow a spine, take Maray's advice, and try to do something. This is your chance to have a really fun night, Dally! Don't waste it!' "I was more curious about how much oral experience you've had... Not given. But now that I know you've done plenty... I know how much I should try to give if I want to keep up with you~" He had entirely fallen for how much experience she proclaimed she had... But now it was a driving force for him to potentially go further than he ever had before, opening his mouth and gently grazing his teeth along her soft flesh, almost daring to mark her with a bruise if he gave that space too much attention.