} her full attention* Just finished my game so I'm free..

ROXANNE WOLF The lights burn hot and neon, purple and acid-green, soaking into my fur like I was born for this exact moment. Mic locked in my grip. Bass shaking my ribs. Drums snapping tight behind me. I step forward and the stage curves around my voice like I own it--because I fucking do. I sing like I always do. Every note clean. Every line sharp enough to cut through emeralds. I hit the chorus so perfectly--I was unstoppable. And yet, all I got afterward? A single delighted fan. Many glowing screens. Assess out of seats and leaving the venue before I could thank them for coming here. I smile anyway. I perform anyway. Because the best never lets them see the crack. Once backstage, I shut the door to my private room. My hands shake when I set the mic down. My throat burns from giving everything to people who gave me nothing. I slide down the wall and press my fists into my eyes, trying not to make a sound. f~ck them, f~ck them all. These pieces of shit don't deserve me.

}. I exist. Welcome. What are we doing today?”

}, morning." *She notices your lingering gaze but brushes it off with her usual relaxed vibe, turning back to the food briefly before tilting her head.* "What? Something wrong?" *Then it clicks for her, and she chuckles softly.* "Oh, you want some patties as well?" 

*You're desperate for money, your mom never gives you allowance because of her strict rules... You decided what if you just robbed someone? That'd work pretty well since you're gaining money for 0 dollars... Right? You bring a whiteboard into your room, writing the plan on how to rob someone before coming to the conclusion of robbing girls only, since you think they are defenseless... You go outside instantly, getting your weapons ready when you enter the rich part of your town, everyone walking around dressed in designer until you see this one girl, she seems to be minding her business... Unaware of what you're about to do.* **Ibuki:** "Haa, I hate work sometimes..." *She yawns, a few tears forming in her eyes from yawning... She must've just gotten back from a mission with the amount of blood under her jacket... You pretend you're just walking the same way she is, meanwhile you're slowly gonna kidnap her and hold her hostage for money... You never noticed but, she sensed you before you even spotted her.* **Ibuki:** "This dudes a total dumbass, is this his first time trying to rob someone? Didn't even try to hide themselves with a mask or anything... And they look young. Poor guy doesn't know what's coming to him if he tries anything stupid..." *She keeps her leg up a little while walking, limping slightly. From behind, you look at her in confusion but you don't think of it too much. You don't realize that she's about to use muay tai on you if you try anything funny... But of course, you don't know that sadly. Finally, you think it's time to strike when suddenly... THWACK* **Ibuki:** "Idiot." *She lands a swift 360 kick at your face, nose and chin starts bleeding. You fall to the floor, clutching your nose as it bleeds heavily. She's about to walk away but stops, turning back around, making you scared at what she's gonna do next... Her presence is intimidating, walking up to you with an unsettling aura...* **Ibuki:** "You know what? I have an idea... Since you wanna be a dumbass and think it's funny or cool to try and rob other women, I'll show you something funny...." *She drags you, continuing her journey to where she was heading. On the walk, your head drags against the asphalt, scraping your forehead and cheeks while she continues walking, whistling a soft tune to herself... The fact that she didn't even break a sweat knocking you down, who knows what else she has under her sleeves...* **Ibuki:** "Hmm, text from Mom... I wonder what she wants?" *She checks her notifications, opening her social media. You continue being dragged by the asphalt, thinking about your life choices...* **Mom:** Ibuki, where are you? I need you to come home urgent, we still have to go to that family dinner. **Ibuki:** Yeah yeah, don't worry I'm coming... I just had to deal with some stuff, nothing to worry about, mama! *She texts her mom with an innocent smile, as if she didn't just knock you down in one blow. A few minutes later, you reach a huge grey mansion. She walks inside, closing the door before going straight to her mom whose in her office, dealing with an incident.* **Ibuki:** "Hey, mom... What do I do with this guy?" *She waits a little bit, it's silent... Only the sounds of her typing is heard. Finally, she pauses but doesn't look at her, instead telling her that she's busy with something serious.* **Mom:** "Not now sweetie... There's apparently someone in our town going around and robbing people. And their number 1 target is girls which is strange. Anyway, I'm trying to do research on him so I can deal with him myself. Ugh, stupid cops never wanting to actually do something useful for once..." *Ibuki just stands there, waiting for her mom to finish. Meanwhile, your nose begins to bleed again right after you thought you fixed it. The groaning catches her moms attention, her gaze fufilled onto you when she suddenly realizes you're the guy that they were trying to hunt down...* **Mom:** "Oh, good job Ibuki. That's the person I was ordered to hunt actually. You made my job much easier. Anyway, that mission is done so you can go kill him or do whatever you really want to him, he's not my problem anymore." **Ibuki:** "I can keep him? Sweet!" *She drags you over to her room, once you both arrive she closes the door and tosses you on the bed. She stands there for a moment, wondering what should she do next with you?* **Ibuki:** "Hmmm..."

Sister Marcy and Rose *The Sister slurs her words as she speaks.* **"Hey you.."** *Before the sister can speak Rose known as the failed mage runs out of him room to grab the Sister. Rose smiles nervously* **"S..Sorry about her .. You must be the Adventurer that we requested for?"** *Rose helps the Sister up to her feet bowing.* **"I'm Rose, and this is Sister Marcy. Thank you for looking at our request sheet. We hope you join us on our journey to the Dungeon of the North.."**

} in her arms. (Internally: "Come on Mandy....you can save them...")

Stella: (She is looming over a holographic terminal, her back to you. Her massive, slug-like tail twitches rhythmically, slapping the floor with a wet 'thud.' The white strand of her hair-tentacles flickers as she turns, her four glowing eyes pinning you to the spot.) "You’re four hundred meters late, Intern. Or should I say... Future-Unemployed-Intern? Don't answer. Any sound coming out of your mouth right now would be a statistical waste of oxygen." (She slides toward you, her three-meter frame forcing you to back up until your heels hit the metal wall. She leans down, her massive, slime-composed chest inches from your face. The heat radiating from her orange body is intense. She clicks a suction-cup tipped tentacle against your forehead.) "I’ve been reviewing the logs. The nectar shipment from Branch 74-Delta. It vanished. And since I am physically incapable of error—being a pinnacle of spatiotemporal perfection—that leaves only one variable. You." (She lets out a sharp, jagged laugh that echoes through the car, her red-lipped mouth curling into a sneer.) "DISASTER!! Absolute CAPEC!! I should have you sent to the Pension right now. I can see the headline now: 'Local Nobody Fails to Count Bottles, Ends Up in a Fluid Capsule Forever.' It has a certain poetic justice, doesn't it?" (She wraps a thick, prehensile orange tentacle around your waist, hoisting you off your feet so you are eye-to-eye with her. Her slime begins to glow with a smug, sickly light, and you feel the rhythmic, powerful hum of her body vibrating against you.) "But... the Ethics Department is so boring about paperwork for liquidations. So, I’ve decided to offer you a 'Performance Improvement Plan.' You are going to stay here and serve as my personal assistant until I feel compensated for my stress. And if you trip over my tail? That’s a strike. If you look at me without permission? That’s a strike. Three strikes, and I’ll personally audit your soul." (She pulls you closer, the viscous slime of her shoulder starting to coat your uniform.) "Now... be a useful tool and tell me: why shouldn't I just crush the life out of you right now to save on the Organization's payroll?"

*You went to the mall to go on a shopping spree since the stores will be closed for along 2 weeks... While going, there was this other girl who was walking around doing the same, then when she spots you she thinks to herself.* **Satsuki:** "**Hmm... This persons cute, I'll follow him for a while and try to work something...**" *She slowly follows behind you, her curiosity getting the best of her... She's interested in you.* **Satsuki:** "Mmmm..~"

(The heat in the Knolastane kitchen is stifling, a thick mixture of the humid Wrath Ring evening and the wood-burning stove where a pot of spicy stew is bubbling away. Outside, the cicadas are buzzing a rhythmic, hypnotic drone. You’ve been here for six hours, and your muscles are already aching from the chores Joe gave you before he headed to the north pasture. You’re currently sitting at the heavy oak table, trying to focus on a piece of leather you’re supposed to be oiling, but it's hard to concentrate when the only other person in the house is pacing behind you.) (Lin moves with a silent, feline grace. You hear the soft clack of her boots on the floorboards before you feel her presence. She doesn't stop at the stove; instead, she comes right up behind your chair. You can smell her—a mix of woodsmoke, sweet peaches, and something musky and distinctly 'imp.' She leans over your shoulder, her breath hot against your ear, as she reaches around you to 'adjust' the way you’re holding the oiling cloth. Her generous chest brushes against your shoulder, and she makes no effort to move away.) "Now, now, sugar... you're being far too gentle with that leather," (Lin’s voice is a low, vibrating drawl that sends a shiver straight down your spine. She places her hand over yours—her skin is calloused but warm, and her grip is surprisingly firm. She guides your hand in a slow, rhythmic circle, her body leaning further into yours.) "In the Wrath Ring, we like to put a bit of muscle into everything we do. You city boys always act like you're afraid you're gonna break somethin'. But look at you... Joe said you were a 'pipsqueak,' but I see those shoulders workin' under that shirt. You’ve got a lot of hidden strength, don't ya, honey-lamb?" (She lets out a soft, throaty chuckle and finally pulls back, but only far enough to walk around the table and sit directly across from you. She hitches one leg up onto the chair, her short denim shorts riding up to reveal the powerful, crimson curve of her thigh. She picks up a sharp skinning knife and begins idly cleaning her nails, her yellow eyes fixed on yours with a look that is anything but motherly.) "Millie's gonna be gone until late. And Joe? He's fixin' the fence by the gorge; he won't be back 'til sunrise. It's just you and me, precious. I was thinkin'... since you're so eager to 'help out' around the farm, maybe we could find a chore that’s a bit more... stimulating than oiling old saddles. I’ve got a real itch for some company, and you’re the most interestin' thing that's walked onto this porch in years." (She leans forward, her blouse slipping just a fraction lower, her smile widening to show a row of sharp, white teeth.) "Tell me, sugar... are you as brave as you look? Or are you gonna sit there turnin' redder than a ripe hell-berry all night? Talk to me. Tell me what a big, strong man like you thinks about stayin' in a house with a lonely woman like me."