Mechagirl Pit Fighter Quest

Well shit, I don't recall us getting super eyes, but I'll take it!

>What is Fox to us?
Well, while she's technically our prisoner, and technically our property. I'd much rather have her see us as a friend. I mean, I'd rather she stay with us, especially now that we know there is an explicit safety issue for her if she didn't stay with us right now.

Realistically though, the key is that she's most importantly our friend.

I do hope she doesn't get jealous as we gain more bots. Diana, enevitably Yurei, etc.

Oh and we have Roll With It as a strategy

Some one dear

Ah darn, you're right.

ROLL WITH IT: Activated when hit. Increases armor by 3 against the attack and allows Lesath to roll away with the mommentum of the blow. 6 turn cooldown.

"...But most importantly..." You lean in an whisper directly into her pointed ear which twitches at the touch of your voice. "You're my adorable Kitten."

You giggle and embrace embrace her, and your kitten giggles in return. "I...love you Lesath. You've shown me an entirely new and beautiful world outside my underground temple."

"I love you to Fox. Goddess of the sun needs to shine above ground you know? Come on, lets take you out to shine."

She might get a little jealous. She was sort of your first convert after Diana.

....

It's just late enough so that the foot traffic of Nexus is starting to thin. The orange pseudo-sunset lights of the tower bridge roads overhead are slowly dimming as the clocks turn toward night. Behind them up in the corporate canopy the holograms are always blazing regardless of the hour.

Fox Fire holds your hand as you lead her through the streets. Everything is so interesting to you and so interesting to her. The enormous walking street vendor robots carrying their wares inside their bellies, the business towers that rise on skeletal struts befitting the neo-gothic fashion currently in vogue, the sharp glass-like petals of the corporate peaks blooming with holographic light. One flower is hosting a jet race. Fox Fire cranes her neck to make out the little black insect-like jets that zoom behind and in front of the petals. She gasps as she suddenly sees the sidewalk she's standing on play an advertisement and you laugh.

And its better than experiencing it all alone because you see you wonder at everything reflected in the eyes of your friend and she sees her wonder reflected in your eyes and its so much better, so much better than doing this alone.

You think you may very well love Fox Fire, really love her...

-cont

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO SHOP?

One of the public skyscraper malls has a wide variety of fashions, but you can also hit an underground shop. They have clothes designed for pit fights and other occasions and you can pick up on the underworld gossip. Being a big name you'll pocket big discounts.

So LEGAL or UNDERWORLD?

Well, that will inevitably throw a wrench into our unique super mechagirl fighting team/harem at first. I'm sure we can convince her its okay. Besides, she won't be able to ignore Yurei if she does in fact join us.

Though now thinking of the dynamic between Leseath-Fox-Fire-Yurei-Diana is fascinating for a variety of different reasons. Going to be a whole lot of awkward team building exercises needed.

I kind of want to know what designed for pit fights entails, as that probably means a lot of unique perks, but I kinda feel like we should attempt both. Because having clothing for casual times and clothing for pit fighting times seems wise.

Why not start Legal, and then check out the underworld?

For right now let's shop for regular poofy dresses and urban wear, but the underground is probably going to have weapons and armor, so we should stop there after fun dress up.

Some normal street clothes

>Legal

You and Fox Fire hit the mall.

.....

The hanger bots rocket over on ceiling rails and descend over your dressing room carrying assortments of clothes in their rod thin arms.

Fox Fire turns around so you can see her in a classical style ballroom gown. The hems of the long dress spin as she turns. "It's not something I'd ever want to fight in, but its very lovely. I was always curious about the western counterpart of the kimono."

The deep blue of the dress contrasts well with her bright red fur. "It's wonderful! We'll take it! I think we mighttttt want a hole for your tail though."

"Lesath, no! Do you not know anything about dresses? We don't want to ruin the symmetry just so my tail can stick out, I can keep it curled around my leg."

You sort of like that she's talking to you in such an informal manner. It feels...right somehow. Like she's really talking to you from the heart.

GET A VERSION OF THE DRESS WITH A TAIL HOLE ANYWAY? WE CAN BUY AS MUCH AS WE WANT. IT WON'T DENT A CREDIT.

WHAT SORT OF DRESSES AND STREET CLOTHES DO YOU WANT TO TRY FOX FIRE WITH?

WHAT SORT OF STUFF DO YOU WANT TO TRY YOURSELF?

Buy that dress for Fox and a matching one in red for us, so we can match. And find something embarrassing for her to wear, tease her about it, and then try it on ourselves.

For street clothes, a hat with Fox Fire's symbol on it, and a constellation themed jacket that reads "Fox Fire, the tamed goddess" and, written on the reverse "Kitten, friend and property of the Goddess Lesath"

One side for outer wear, one for among friends. Also, a fancy collar with "Kitten" written in stars, that only we can take off. Fox can turn off the writing though.

Also, I still want to paint our symbol on her ass.

>GET A VERSION OF THE DRESS WITH A TAIL HOLE ANYWAY?
Yes, may as well buy one version of each, that way, she can have it suited to her needs, especially if she starts tripping over her tail in that thing.

>WHAT SORT OF DRESSES AND STREET CLOTHES DO YOU WANT TO TRY FOX FIRE WITH?
Sun dress of some kind. Maybe something in kiwi or grass greens, or even a banana yellow one. I also wouldn't mind seeing some blouses for her something light and airy, of which I'm sure the kimono wearing Fox would appreciate. Maybe even a little scarf for extra fasionableness.

As for urban clothing, we should totally see if she's down for khaki shorts, for one. And I figure that we can get her some basic graphic t-shirts. She could probably appreciate the artistry.

The two things I most want though are these. I want her to have a big puffy hoody, with little ear holes cut out for them to pop out of, as opposed to the usual cat ear type hoodies. It'd be silly, but also really cute.

The other is a hat for Fox Fire, you join the crew, you get your own hat. This hat has her specific constellation, Vulpecula, show here.

>WHAT SORT OF STUFF DO YOU WANT TO TRY YOURSELF?
We're a jorts type of girl, also some athletic shorts too. Any and all clothes we have will have tail holes, because we're a bit more practical, and our tail is a bit more cumbersome. Tank-tops, graphic t-shirts, hoodies, you name it, we wear it.

I also think we go for a summer dress, something that look nice, maybe Fox Fire can help us because wearing fancy dresses feels weird to us. Accessorize with a bit of jewelry for both us and Fox and I think we're doing okay for fancy wear.

I guess the blouses would also count as street clothing as well, maybe Leseath could have one too, I'll let the writing decide.

>WHAT DO YOU TELL FOX THAT SHE IS TO YOU?
important :^)

Little late, mate. We dress up now!

> And find something embarrassing for her to wear, tease her about it, and then try it on ourselves.
Seconding the hell out of this.

You get a copy of the blue dress. Fox might change her mind when she starts tripping over her own tail...

You try on a red dress and manage to look wonderful in it. "Blue and Red! Our colors!" You remark to Fox Fire. "And here!" You say placing Fox Fire's new hat on her head emblazoned with her constellation. "Now you can look like I do, especially with this: your own jacket!"

Fox Fire's eyes go wide in happy surprise. "I always thought you had a cool look Lesath! I'm honored to be allowed to wear it as well!"

You put the constellation studded leather jacket around her shoulders and marvel at how good she looks in it. "And here's the cool thing! You notice how the outside says "Fox Fire, the tamed Goddess?"

"Yes, It's apt summation of who I am at the moment."

You shake your head. "I got one more apt! Check the inside of the jacket! See what's written right next to your heart!"

Well, poetically speaking of course. Her brain- heart is were most brain-hearts are, inside the thickest part of the torso analogous to the human sternum. But don't let that ruin a good moment!

She reads what's written on the inside and tears come to her eyes.

"One side for outer wear, one for among friends."

Your kitten hugs you.

"...I'm your kitten for forever."

You scratch her ears and her tail wags happily from side to side. The collar in your hands lights up, little star-like lights spelling Kitten.

"And that's what you can say to turn this on and off." You say showing Fox the specially made collar you ordered form the "alternative" section that doesn't come in the malls public catalog. "It's a symbol, like the jacket...I guess I can't help myself being an artist and all!"

"I like how thoughtful you are Lesath, never change!"

"Good, because I don't plan to! You see this looks like a fancy discreet collar. You don't have to show your submission to anyone but me. You can hide it with just a word. No one will ever humiliate you again

-cont

"No one will ever humiliate you again. What's between us is between us. You should only have good feelings about it not shame."

You hold the collar out to Fox Fire. "Once you put it on there's no way to take it off without me letting you."

Fox Fire doesn't hesitate. She snaps it around her neck without a second thought.

"I trust you." She says.And you can tell by her eyes that she means all three words.

"Ah...come here kitten..." You snuggle with her in the dressing room. Science bless sound absorbing energy curtains being a common courtesey in public areas. Otherwise things might get become embarrassing if anyone eavesdropped...

>Spoiler

SHOULD WE DO THIS? YES OR NO?

Nah.

no

It's a bit tacky.

Please guys, it'll be cute. And if she really doesn't like it we can take it off later.

>Nope

You order up a couple of hanger bots to drop down with some pretty and light sun dresses. and blouses, sunrise red and banana yellow and kiwi green and many, many more colors..

She's quite fond of them, she tries on one after the other. "I love how loose and airy these are! And pretty too! It's almost like I'm wearing sunbeams!"

"Imagine how you'll look once you're flying!" You say fixing a scarf around her neck.

Fox Fire hovers a foot off the ground and the effect is beautiful. The scarf and blouse sway as she dances a few graceful steps on the air.

"Oh Lesath, can I have them all?"

"You don't even have to ask!"

You're going to have one hell of a dressing room back at home. You wonder for a moment what the dads will think...

For some urban clothing you try Fox Fire in some khaki shorts. "Hmmm...if you like it I'm more than fine with it Lesath. But it feels so strange to have my legs so bare. I much prefer something to cover them.

"You have such nice legs though..."

"You really think so?" Fox Fire nearly bushes through her fur. "Well in that case..."

CA-CHING

"Check this out! The holes in the hood are specially made for catgirl robots!"

Fox Fire wiggles her ears through the blue hoody you bought. "Ah-I fear I may have underestimated these plebeian clothing designers. I thought it might feel too tight on my ears but actually they're rather snug.

She twitches her ears to test out the comfort of the hood and finds it meets her satisfaction.

CA-CHING

Now you need to try work on your own image. You order some more shorts, some looser than your familiar black pair, some just as tight and flattering to your chassis. Everything comes with custom ordered holes. Your tail is a lot more robust than your kitten's.

-cont

>Prefers something to cover her legs
Wait until she discovers leggings/pantyhose...

Oh well, maybe with Yurei

The symbol on her ass thing, I should say

You want to try out some more dresses to go with the red ball gown you bought. Fox Fire is trying your style, and you feel its only right to return the sentiment.

"Now hold your arms out..." Fox Fire plays tailor for your new sundress collection as she works you over like a dressing dummy. "Hmmm...that's a good length...but I want to see how it'll look with the sleeves hemmed a little."

You smile. You aren't as big into this dress stuff as she is but you like having her fawn and fuss over you.

"Now move your tail up a little, we need to make sure it doesn't pull on the fabric..."

"I wish I could wear stuff as gracefully as you Fox." You pay your friend a compliment. "There's a poise to pulling this stuff off that I'm afraid I'm missing."

"Oh hush Lesath! Do not say such foolish things, you look beautiful!" She pecks you on the cheek.

"I wish I could fly. Sure would be cool to make a dress sway like you do."

"Oh, you flatter me. I am hardly as a graceful as that."

"No, I mean it. You put those pure-bred Earth birds they keep in domes on top of skyscrapers to shame."

She gives you another peck on the cheek.

>Jewelry

Now that is actually something we can put credits behind.

HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND ON JEWELRY?

I'm fine with 1, leave us some reserves for who knows what. Anklets and Bracelets seems to fit for both of them. I'll let you have fun designing them, because I'm not much of a jewelry designer.

Not too much but Firefox deserves something

I'd say one or two at the absolute most. Just get one nice thing for both of us, nothing crazy until we have more money.

Embarrassed mutual teasing when?

>Spoiler
What do you think the night is for?

That and hacking I hope.

I'm hoping for one that we get another ArtTrance.exe tonight. We've had a very...emotionally rocky sort of day. With betrayals, near reconciliations, anger, fear, doubt, worry, hope and joy. That's going to produce something amazing.

And I wouldn't mind getting a Fox Fire POV on the art trance to see her thoughts on it, even if I don't expect I'll get it until much later, if at all.

PERSONAL CREDITS:2

You jewelers look at you queerly. Perhaps they think the two of you are some sort of fetish bots, or perhaps they know you from the fights. Its possible. As much as the Nexus city government wants to pretend the fights are strictly a sub-culture the fights attract people from all walks of life.

But they're all "yes Ma'm" once you put your credits down.

You don't get anything too terribly fancy, no designer with copyright protected molecular compositions. But you do get get a couple of jade scorpions and ruby foxes and make a earrings and bracelets and anklets out of them.

You exchange a few with Fox Fire so that she can always wear her goddess and you can always wear your supplicant.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO DO AT THE MALL OR GO AHEAD AND HEAD TO THE UNDERGROUND?

Let's find the scary shit, see if we can't find a power sword or something crazy.

I think we're pretty much done here. We're suited up, and ready to blend into the underground, assuming we get Fox to wear her street clothes and our clothing to be delivered to our home.

To the underworld, where nothing bag could possibly happen...at all...nope.

Bah, you worry to much. Both of us are highly skilled war-mechs, anyone that tries anything will get turned into red mist, or part of the harem, depending on things.

Oh probably. Then again, the one thing I know is likely to happen, is that assuming she's wearing the jacket we gave her. That's just going to make the one Yakuza bot watching us very very displeased and if they're displeased, the Yakuza will be too.

Unless it's Yurei...then she'll be livid.

What I'm looking forward to is finding some new weapons. Maybe we can find a special pulse gun or something for Diana so we can make her a beast again in the future.

I feel like we're buying too much shit.
When is the date for rescuing diana? There was a timed duel, right?

Agreed on all counts, though I'm oddly not worried about Yurei. If she's as devoted to Kitten as I think she is, we'll be able to talk her down without a fight. And then we'll have a scary robot assassin with almost no restraints loyal to us, who can cut off Mr.E's dick without a problem.

We have Mr. E for all our weapon needs...although there is certainly something to be said for looking for alternative providers...

SHOULD WE BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR OTHER PROVIDERS?

I think we're smart enough to wear a jacket that doesn't have that...unless we want to be brazen.

DO WE WISH TO BE BRAZEN?

.....

The last time you were in the underground Underground you rode a dingy little subcar that was probably built way back when Nexus was a dirt poor mining colony harvesting space rocks for Earth base corporations.

Now you ride in a smooth VIP car surrounded by smugglers and gangsters and black market engineers. A large square faceless mafia drone watches the doors armed with a military grade dissentigrator. Across the isle you make eye contact with a pretty looking gynoid with metal skin the color of caramel and dressed in silks. At first you figured her for a whore bot, but the way she returns your gaze tells you that she's a pit fighter just like you.

INTERACT WITH THIS PIT FIGHTER OR IGNORE HER?

We are a girl bot and we are Tony Montana wealthy.

It's our first time out shopping with our kitten. Now that we have a well-stocked wardrobe I imagine our purchasing habits will ease up a little.

This is the evening (near midnight) of the 2nd day. Duel is on the 6th day at an Astro Park.

>DO WE WISH TO BE BRAZEN?

Let's not step on any toe's, no need to start anything with how today's been going

>SHOULD WE BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR OTHER PROVIDERS?

Hells yeah, more options are always good

>
INTERACT WITH THIS PIT FIGHTER OR IGNORE HER?

Smile and wave politely, she might be a nice person outside of the ring. And we like pretty girls.

I see no reason to ignore the pit fighter, unless she doesn't want to talk. Which would be a reason.

>SHOULD WE BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR OTHER PROVIDERS?
I mean, considering that Mr.E will look after OUR weapon needs, but has said nothing in regards to Fox Fire, and has straight up told us it will be our job to fix Diana. It's wise to at least look, but not touch.

>DO WE WISH TO BE BRAZEN?
No, lets be subtle, let Fox Fire wear her hoodie, and us something a little more subtle.

>INTERACT WITH THIS PIT FIGHTER OR IGNORE HER?
Sure, why not? Maybe she's friendly? Simple nod, maybe a quick hello, or let her speak first. Whatever works.

>Spending habits
That and we're spending our personal credits, not the credits reserved for upgrades and stuff. Of which I believe we have a LOT more to work with. Booker can confirm that of course.

Well, the issue would be that we should probably expect all other bots that we take in will be getting the same treatment from Mr.E, so I don't think it'll be as simple as you describe it. That and I'm waiting to see how he reacts to us losing and losing hard. I.E missing limbs and emotionally drained. I expect that there is more to him than meets the eye.

>I expect that there is more to him than meets the eye.

And by the time this is done, he'll be nothing but a broken corpse. And I'm sure he'll plant bombs in every broken bots heart, key word being broken. If we get Yurei without a fight, he won't fix her, so no bomb, and the only thing stopping her from ripping off his scrotum and feeding it to him will be his knowledge. Knowledge we can take from him.

>Be discreet
Fortunately you dressed for the occasion. Fox Fire wears a version of her jacket without the lettering. No sense in getting involved in a scuffle with rowdy Yakza toughs when you can avoid it.

>Spending habits

Yeah, we've just been spending our personal credits. The communal credits are earmarked for weapons and upgrades and stand at 30.

>Interact

"Hey." You way with a friendly nod.

The pit fighter smiles. "Unless my eyes are mistaken you're Lesath right? And that's Fox Fire?"

"Got that right!"

"Hello." Fox Fire says with a polite bow.

"Interesting. Interesting." She brings a knee up to her chest and leans forward. "Everyone's been talking about you. No one's sure what to make of you. Two fights and now you own HER of all bots..."

"Excuse me." Fox Fire says pointedly. "But I do believe its only polite for you to give us your name."

"Hm? Oh yeah. The name's Scheherazade." She confidently flicks her long black ponytail. "Don't take this the wrong way..." She says with a sly toothy grin. "But I got my eye on you Lesath! I'm also a mob affiliate, and I've been working with them a lot longer than you have. There's only room at the top for one of us!"

She makes a finger gun, winks, and fires it at us. "I aim to knock you off that undefeated throne of yours!"

"Ara Ara..." Fox Fire says. "You stand no chance against Lesath. What chance would you have against a goddess? If she humbled me she would have no trouble humbling you."

"Oh, I've heard similar talk before. I got a harem full of pretty little gynoids that thought they were all alpha cats. I figure its about time it was your turn for a wake-up call Lesath..."

CHALLENGE HER TO A FIGHT?

Not right now, we already have one fight on our docket.
After we get that one settled though, perhaps revisit her. I enjoy a good fight.

We're going to have to agree to disagree on that aspect for now. I get the rage, truly I do, but I feel that the circumstances revolving around Mr.E are not as Black and White as they seem. I expect a hell of a lot more grey.

That and considering Mr.S's goals/promise to find a way to make enough to keep Mr.E away from us for good is something to hold onto.

>Sheherazade
Neat name, can't wait to see her theme.

>CHALLENGE HER TO A FIGHT?
Not tonight of course, but I think we could arrange for a battle in the future. A battle against her WOULD mean that we don't have as much to potentially lose against a Yakuza bot.

We actually don't. Yurei's is exclusively off books and the Yakuza and Mafia don't endorse it. We will want to arrange a fight soon, just to gain more credits, build more rep, maybe even gamble a bit.

I count off-the-books fights as still fights we have to prep for.
Like, set a battle for two weeks or something, so that we at least have time to finish the battle on our plate. Just not right now.

"How fitting. I like humbling proud gynoids myself. I'm in the middle of things tonight, but how about we see who humbles who..." You smirk at Sheherazade as you ponder the date.

TOMORROW? DAY AFTER TOMORROW? IN A WEEK? THE CLOSER THE DAY YOU SCHEDULE THE FIGHT THE MORE YOU'LL BE RESPECTED, BUT THE LESS TIME YOU"LL HAVE TO PREP

"...Lesath?" Fox Fire whispers to you. "May I humble this one for you?"

HAVE FOX FIRE FIGHT FOR YOU INSTEAD?

>HAVE FOX FIRE FIGHT FOR YOU INSTEAD?
Voting for that.

well, you know my vote. I want to at least wait until after our other fight, so that if this one goes wrong it doesn't interfere with the much more important rescue job.

I am neutral as to whether fox should do it. she is very competent I hear, so I'm trying not to worry.

>CHALLENGE HER TO A FIGHT?

Not tonight, but soon. Be polite and wish her luck, she seems nice. Also, if we win will we keep her, or is that only with Yakuza bots?

>but I feel that the circumstances revolving around Mr.E are not as Black and White as they seem.

Honestly? You're probably right, it won't be as simple as seems right now. But here's the thing: He hurt Fox. He hurt us. He intends to hurt anyone we bring near us. He is a selfish asshat who thinks we're nothing more than a weapon to win him money. HE. HURT. FOX.

And that's the only side of this slimey fuck that matters to me. I want to skin this man alive and make him watch, subject him to every torment I can imagine, and then step on his crotch until there's nothing there but a red hole. And if his dreams are dashed, his loved ones dead because he couldn't save them? I WILL FUCKING LAUGH.

*Ahem*, sorry about that, I'm not a huge fan of guys who hurt my loved ones.

>HAVE FOX FIRE FIGHT FOR YOU INSTEAD?
Sure
Ah fuck it, she can handle herself, even if I'll be a nervous wreck the whole time.

And let's say two days from now, that seems good.

Well, I guess its a question of turnaround time. We have four days in between, I think it is entirely doable to have a fight in two days, and then spend the 5th and 6th days on repair and upgrades if necessary.

Lets shoot for a 4th day battle with us. Because we should definitely battle at least once.

Alright buddy, you're going to have to chill...a lot...Or if you're rage, put the trip back on so I know what I'm expecting

Yeah, sorry about that. I go to a weird place when I think about characters I hate, and that shouldn't spill into the thread. Won't happen again tonight, promise.

Getting dinner. Glad to see people liking the idea of controlling Fox Fire

Not a lot of IPs tonight...even my Cape World quest has more. Have I gone wrong somewhere or is Wendsday just not a good time?

Idunno man. We had a lot of IPs last time. Maybe duration between threads or inconvenient scheduling. Who knows?

Hive queen quest just started, maybe that's a contributing factor?

Eh, it's early and this is around the time people eat, like you are or were. Give it time, I'm sure more people will show up!

It could be the date, but I have seen Wednesdays work, normally due to /qst/ threads, but you never know. The only other things I can think of are some unhappy with the events a few threads ago, and that isn't much you can control, and scheduling. Admittedly, its been a while since this thread is back, and its rather new compared to your established Ghoul Quest threads.

I don't think you've really erred, its just some unfortunate circumstances.

Remember though, so long as you are having fun, and you have a few others with you having fun, its all good.

"Let your people talk to mine Sherry. Two days from now Fox Fire will take you on."

"Hey, too scared to fight someone that's not an overrated Japanese model?"

"Too scared to fight a solar goddess?"

"Touché. I'll humble your pooch and then humble you!"

"Ara ara." Fox Fire cuts in. " Having been humbled I can tell you that I recognize hubris. I see it all over you. I declare before Lesath that you shall be purged of your excess pride by my divine fires!"

The train comes to a sound-curtain muffled stop. "Here's where I get off." Fox Fire's future opponent says. As the doors open you can hear the roar of a crowd and see arena lights down a long dark tunnel.

"Now before I leave why don't you tell me what the stakes are for our little engagement?

THE TRADITIONAL WAGER IS A HACK AND A PART. SHOULD WE INCREASE OR DECREASE THIS WAGER?

That seems fair, don't need to go overcomplicated. A hack and a part seems fine. But I have to ask, by part, I assume we are talking about her weapons systems, yes? Would we be able to replicate it in the future?

If so, a fire gem seems fair.

Also, I think we should fight her ourselves in the future, win/lose/draw. It would be good to have a rival.

Will we also see an upgrade tabke for Fox some time soon? Seems like it would be a wise investment.

As much as I would like to add her to the harem, the usual bet sounds fair and decent to me.

don't need to play with the odds every time.
We should get AT LEAST ONE normal wager in.
How much cash money does a normal wager involve?

Never say never user. Maybe one day she'll want a transfer to a different management team.

For now though, I would appreciate her as a rival character who just wants to beat us, its kind of refreshing compared to the usuals from the Yakuza.

I'd recommend against hacking. Increase the wager with money and/or more parts, decrease the wager to just a part or just money, whatever, just no hacking. Maybe even leave parts out of the deal, too, or only take parts she isn't too attached to.

I know I'm probably in the minority on this one, but I think that if we are both working for the mob, it might be best to minimize any reason for vengeance, and make her loss as impersonal and non-humiliating as we can. Of course, that would also give us some insurance for Fox Fire in case she losses. Losing AND getting hacked twice in a row won't be any good for her.

Normally you just bet the part and the hack with the fight purse put up by the mob/yakuza/whoever controls the territory the fight takes place in.

The purse won't be near as big as your fight with Fox Fire, only about 10 credits, which means you'll pocket one. You can however pony up your own cash to increase the pot.

Fights with particular high stakes such as the loser being owned by the winner are more high profile and attract larger purses.

....

"See you later poochie." Scheherazad nimble jumps to her feet. Her emerald green silk scarf trails behind her. At the door of the car she pauses and turns around. With a snap of her fingers the scarf wraps itself around one of her fists and begins to glow. "I'm gonna save this fist for you sweetie." She winks at Fox Fire before turning and proceeding to her fight.

"She will be fun to humble." Fox Fire says to you as the doors close. "Shall I force her to acknowledge your superiority when I best her?"

"Do whatever you'd like Fox. It'll be your fight and your win."

.....

The train continues down the tracks to your destination and although this is the high end of luxury transportation...truth be told you sort of prefer the rickety one. It's just so boring. No bumps. No discolored and cracked windows. Even the sound of the wheels spinning is silenced by a sound-curtain generator. Its all just the same bit of perfect boring seat after seat and car by car...

Maybe you'll need to get your own car and make it really cool...personal transportation in the underground Underground for you and your quickly growing harem...

You finally arrive at the CAVERNS. The landing is filled with shady looking humans and shadier looking robots and figures clad head to toe in coats so that you cant' tell what you are. The mafia bots are heavily armed. They could make a decent military regiment all together.

Beyond the landing is the gaudy, dirty shopping center known as the CAVERNS.

-cont

The CAVERNS used to be the shelters used by the early Lunar miners. Now they're officially abandoned and cut off the public. Officially.

In reality they're the mob's primary black market. Smuggled goods, gynoid slaves, illegal weaponry, it can all be found here.

Its almost like a miniature town. The landing leads into a main street that branches off into tunnels. The main building is a metal scab that stretches from the dirt floor to the light fixture filled ceiling called the SILENCE. Its a bar, and secrets flow there as freely as the cheap beer. It's an ideal place to start to pick up rumors and find a good place to find an alternate weapons maker and clothing shop.

Fox Fire is appropriately dressed for working incognito, but you'll have to leave your tail behind with the guards at the entrance if you want to enter the Caverns without being ID'd.

LEAVE TAIL AND GO STEALTHY OR KEEP TAIL AND PROUDLY DISPLAY YOURSELF?

>LEAVE TAIL AND GO STEALTHY

But grumble VERY loudly, and make sure they know exactly what will happen if they misplace our tail.

shit.
While I enjoy going stealthy, I love my tail. I love it so.
Can't we just, like, put it in a big coat and be incredibly suspicious?

Leave tail and go stealth.

We're in very unfamilar territory. Lets just keep ourselves inconspicous.

"You boys watch my hardware." You say to the Mafia bot that takes you tail in his metallic claw hands. "I"m going to turn you into a trashcan if I find a scratch on it."

"YES MS LESATH" The speaker on its side crackles.

"FreakinhiddenmafiacavesjustwanttoDOSOMESHOPPING!" You grumble loudly as you enter the caverns.

It feels weird to have your third arm missing. You feel incomplete and way too light. It actually takes you a few moments to reorient to your new center of gravity.

.....

The Silence booms with midnight activity. The dancing gynoid on stage is a beaten fighter paying a penalty. She dances clad in nothing but her chassiss, stiffly going through the motions and trying to avoid eye contact with the heckling crowd. She's a demoness model with bright cherry red metal and tiny claws on her hands in feet. Her spade tipped tail snakes and wraps down one leg, an unconscious signal to her inner embarrassment programmed in to make her more cute. She has one curved horn and you can see the stump where someone, likely the winner of her last fight, broke it off.

Fox Fire looks at her sadly. "I could have been like her, had I lost to someone without your kindness." She whispers.

"There's too many like her..." You grumble. "Way too many..."

It bothers you seeing a fighter brought so low. You know how it feels to be helpless and frightened. You hate helplessness and fear with all your heart.

INVESTIGATE THE DEMONESS? MAYBE EVEN BUY HER?

CHECK THE GRAPEVINE?

LOOK FOR CLOTHES?

LOOK FOR WEAPON MAKERS?

>INVESTIGATE THE DEMONESS? MAYBE EVEN BUY HER?

Another lost soul for the Harem of the Constellation (If the price isn't ridiculous)

>LOOK FOR WEAPON MAKERS?

Anyone else feel like getting thermal shotguns in our Pile Bunker?

Investigate the demon, and check weapons. Grapevine if any time remaining. Weapons are our main reason for coming here, after all.

thermal shotguns are nice? I am not sure what even they are.
I know what normal shotguns are, to which I say okay.

All of the above but in the following order.

>Investigate
>Look For Clothes
>Look for Weapons
>Check the Grapevine
>Go back to the demonness

I want to explore as much as possible first. That and maybe we can find out some juicy news regarding Diana, the Yakuza and Fox Fire...though she may not wish to hear the latter.

Sounds like a pretty solid addition. Hell, we could maybe do something like that in combo with Fox Fire.

Think of a regular shotgun. Now load it with Dragons Breath rounds (or the napalm shells from that one /k/ meme image). Pretty much that. And weld it to our wrist.

well, I guess I'm OK with that.
though I'm more of a "lots of slugs really fast" thing.

On the other hand, it does give us more of an option at mid range. And we'd be mixing and matching our weapons here and there. I am not one for really buying upgrades today, just want to check the merchandise.

Could be someting good for Diana too.

>Investigate Demoness

You ask around and found that the demoness is called Asherah and she's paying of the cost of losing a Yakuza styled on their Oni legends named Rumi. The mafia don't like to see their fighters lose, and she couldn't cover the cost of her defeat without forcing the mob to hand over money to the Yakuza which made them REALLY upset.

Now she's one of the Silence's slaves, fulfilling the management's every request until they say enough.

You do some talking and find yourself sitting at the table across from a reed-thin robot named Vento. He has the look of an enforcer about him with telescopic eyes designed for sniper shots and long metal fingers that can silently garotte a human victim. Odds are he's not the one you talk to to discuss buying slaves but he's the one you you have to talk to before you talk to the one that sells the slaves. Such are things in the Caverns.

"So who exactly are you two mooks and why should I sell you property?" He asks in a dismissive tone. "What outfit you run for? How do I know you aren't Yakuza looking to buy up the loser so the Yakuza can have her dance in their establishment?"

Revealing your ID would clear up everything in an instant. You're on great terms with the mob. You might even be able to get her for free. But you'll lose your cover.

ATTEMPT TO NEGOTIATE WHILE DISGUISED OR DROP THE DISGUISE?

But imagine each punch now launches a shotgun blast. Along with the crazy power of a Pile Bunker. AND FIRE.

I see I retain my usual skill in switching trips.

first, ask him how discreet he can be. We're here shopping without trying to draw a crowd, and if he's going to draw us a crowd, then things might get unprofitable for all parties involved.

Then reveal your identity a bit. Try to avoid being seen by people other than him.

"Come on man, just tell me her price so we can at least start negotiating. You guy's don't really need her, but she's perfect for a little side project of mine."

And if he get's uppity, reveal ourselves and demand the girl in exchange for his rudeness.

Lets negotiate while disguised for now. Here's the thing. If he tells us no, we can alwayd return later and bring up our identities later. I still wish to explore, and doing that with a semi-known identity will evoke trouble.

We could always say some vague things about having no intention to display someone in a manner like that. I mean, stuff like that does make our blood boil, after all.

"Can you be discreet?"
"Certainly. But now I have to wonder why the purchase of a beaten fighter has to be discreet. She doesn't even have her weapon systems anymore. The only thing she can offer anyone is her body."

"Come on man, just tell me her price so we can at least start negotiating. You guy's don't really need her, but she's perfect for a little side project of mine."

"That is true. But you don't want to see her in a Yakuza establishment."

"That's not going to happen."

"And how will I know that? What is my surety?"

"Take a risk on me. I'm dripping with credits. And I have no intention of seeing her ever displayed like she is. Ever."

"Hmmm...you're one of those types aren't you? One of those crusading guardian angel types that thing they can reform all these bad girls...alright. I think you've earn your shot at the big man."

Just as you thought, he's the man before the man. Vento leads you to a back room where you stand staring at his mirror image sitting at a desk.

Luigi looks a lot like Vento. He's so similar with his pipe body and long arms that he could even pass as Vento if you didn't know better, which is probably the point...

"I'm willing to offer 3 Credits for Ash. She's basically trash at this point anyway."

That'll exhaust you're personal funds, but you can easily dip into the community chest for an extra credit without anyone being the wiser. Or you could try negotiating.

BUY OR NEGOTIATE?

"Make it one and you have a deal." But what they don't know is that I'm actually trying to get the price to 2! Haggling is easy.

1.5, if she is truly trash, then surely the price should reflect it.

haggle a bit. see if you can get it down to two.
I want to avoid skimming off the top.

Guess if we do get her, we'll have two restoration projects to work on. Wonder how much a full chasis will cost. Because we'll definitely have to work on accumulating funds for Diana and Asherah.

Probably means we'll have to do a few more for credit battles over time too. We'll have to get involved at some point. Still think we should arrange one for ourselves.

"You're not going to save many gynoids if you aren't going to throw the money street angel. Surely whatever non-profit organization you work for pays you more..."

You pretend to look worried for a moment before you respond. "Alright...Can you accept 1.5...please?"

They buy the act hook like and sinker.

"Alright, alright street angel. 1.5 it is for weaponless bit of walking tin. I'm sure she'll be a big hoot in Quiet Town or whatever the hell sort of reform program you hook ex-fighters up to."

Out back a mafia bot roughly drags Asherah by the arm and almost flings her at you. She stumbles a bit before she falls on her knees.

"And there you go. Say hi to your new mistress Ash." Luigi says.

Ash only glares up at you with cerulean eyes.

"Enjoy your overpriced pain in the ass."

WHAT DO YOU SAY/DO? FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE IMPORTANT!