Reading

Open fileNeed to knowMy clearance

A.Journal

Checks

774 checks

A flash of Tempo and his child-logic loyalty, bestowed upon a strictly-chosen few.

A sudden crack across the thin glass of trust.

She's trade curious. Tempo never could resist a little off-the-books hustle.

Gauging you. Hard. A Mega Gauge.

A nod. Uncharacteristic gratitude.

Her safety catch flips to 'OFF'.

She's holding other things back from you, but this is the truth.

You glimpse him. A giant shadow, hulking behind her.

Cigarette haze cloaks her face.

As she speaks, a tiny shiver passes through her.

You have noticed her eyes avoid mirrors and windows -- anything with a pronounced reflection.

She's used to dealing with peripheral creeps, but this one's unsettled her.

That's your cue. To know what this is.

She has iced over with sarcasm.

Hit, point awarded.

She was going to say another name there.

As she speaks, a tiny shiver passes through her.

A glancing flash of a person overlayed upon another -- like a stencil nudged off its overlay.

You're still under consideration.

But she has stiffened slightly.

Worse, they both know it.

As if they might be waiting just outside it.

But now it's precarious. Friendship under review.

This will be a personal call.

Behind the black cigarette, the girl's features soften.

This is her Brave Face, for your sake.

He's calling him a masturbator.

No self-awareness whatsoever.

He hits you with a wink.

He smiles at you, a benevolent and kindly expression.

Eyebrows knotting, unable to imagine a desire. Look at you.

He doesn't give a FUCK.

Finally. You've found something he fears.

Feet rooted to the ground, hands slack. He's not interested in firearms. Or the afterlife.

A dithering, anxious desperation to be liked. Are you this pathetic?

Like a stray dog.

Listen to yourself. Pure erotic cowardice.

A completely different person from her upstairs version.

She's about to start machine-gunning questions.

Her face resets, unnaturally fast.

Unsteadied her, at least.

She's very good. You're better.

Obvious bait, don't take it.

Apart from when it's her detainees talking.

The watcher has abandoned his station.

The Liquidity Mage needs liquid.

A flash of lucidity as he takes you in.

Hard to tell if he's downplaying the labour trafficking, or just unaware of it.

Hard to tell if he's downplaying the imprisoning operation, or just unaware of its scope.

774 skill checks - ZERO PARADES field manual - Page 7 of 16