Update 24: Genre Shift
Soulbinder and Helena the Clone Heiress (Day 6: 1st Opportunity)
”miss helena, I must point out that the risks involved are massive, not to mention that you will be going against the lockdown issued by your head of security. I strongly recommend you find someone you trust with your life if you intend to go through with this, as based off her tone the situation will undoubtably be a threat to your life. I will offer all the aid that I can, but it appears her situation has vastly deteriorated.”
Try to get her to bring people that she trusts to protect her. Trying to override against her wishes here would only cause more harm than good, especially with how badly stressed she is now.
B - Reach out to people she trusts
Success roll (vs 5): [5] -Success-
"...There is only one person I could think of. But he couldn't possibly come."Yet a doubt, and a memory of a promise. Helena wavered, and for a moment had her mind away from the matter with Helene. Without your suggestion, as focused as she was, she wouldn't have thought of checking on Wilfrid's latest status, likely missing something very important.
He had recovered enough to wake up and leave the specialized clinic. A superhuman feat, given the injuries he sustained. Wilfrid was already on his way, but none of his messages had reached Helena due to an information blackout in order to protect her whereabouts.
She smiled painfully.
"...The loyal fool. Until the end he will make do of his promise, it seems."(...)
Helena and Wilfrid's reunion was heartwarming in their distance. Covered with bandages, he wore nonetheless a clean version of his usual suit. He lightly bowed.
"Lady Helena. I apologize for shirking my duties."Her eyes teared, but she held her composure. She was on the verge of breaking her noble facade, and just embracing her trusted friend. She only touched his bandaged cheek, as lightly as if touching silk.
"You fool... putting you in harm way like this. I was worried, you know."An understatement, but from her, it meant the world.
"Will you still follow me, knowing where it could lead?"She had told him the situation. He paused uncharacteristically, which Helena noticed but didn't think much of.
"...Of course. I promised."A pattern analysis told you there was something very important he was hiding. Something about Wilfrid's behavior had changed, as if something was on his mind. Did something happen back when he got hurt? Or was it just his injuries causing this change? Still, he remained his master's loyal attendant, of that there was no doubt.
And so, they went to meet Helene.
(...)
The gate to the domain opened to their approaching car, as if expecting them. Helena nodded to the driving Wilfrid and the car entered the domain. She could only hear the sound of her heartbeat, which she could not calm no matter how hard she tried. The closer she got to her, the stronger it got. Did she... did she feel the same too? No- it didn't matter.
Wilfrid exited the car and opened her door, escorting her. Two very familiar figures were waiting them at the main door of the mansion: Al and Eri, the loyal attendants of their childhood. But something in them seemed... different. Helena could feel these changes, and even with their preset suppressed, she remembered they had this dormant spark in their artifical eyes. Here, nothing but cold loyalty. A doubt, a shudder. Helene couldn't have tried to force a preset restoration? Unnecessary thoughts. She had to focus.
She entered the mansion, Eri in front, and Wilfrid then Al behind. They led her to the door of an office, and motioned her to enter, alone. She gave a smile to Wilfrid, maybe to reassure him or herself, or both. She entered. Before, Al handed her a knife wrapped in a white tissue.
(...)
It had been so long. Two once perfect reflections, facing each others. One turned devil in a dress of black, the other lost heroine in a dress of white. "Original" and "copy". In a time, such were their labels. But right now, none of these had meaning. There was so much to say, but not enough time.
Mellous words which cut like glass. Helene's words stabbed.
"The reflection did come, after everything. Or should I call you Helena?"Words of wavering glass that yet didn't break. Helena felt her heart tearing apart.
"Dear sister. Helene."Scorn. Visceral hate. Eyes of ruin. A smile that cursed the world.
"Do not dare call me this. I always hated you, for everything, for all the pain and rejection. For stealing everything that should have been mine: my past, my time, my future. From the bottom of my heart, thank you."Here, the smile that wished doom.
"Through hate, I have been reborn."A spark of resolve. A tear of regret. A heartfelt cry.
"Helene! Please, you have to stop. You can still go back, there is still time. I am the only one who found that you are behind the attacks. Please, Helene. I-"Wickedness. Satisfaction. The visage of a goddess twisted in an evil grin. Mortal hearts shudder and coil.
"Yes. Say it."Tears of no return.
"I love you-""I knew. But it is too late."The black silk falls, the white silk falls. Both revealing steel.
-Flashing blades.
Intervention:This is not a suggestion. There is no avoiding a tragedy.A - Let Helena let herself be killed by Helene.
B - Have Helena resolve herself and kill Helene.
C - Have Wilfrid sacrifice himself, destroying Al and Eri and letting Helena escape.
Name: Helena Vinciana Lindibella Teanossa
Physical Description: A beautiful woman with golden hair and eyes, and a perfect figure. She has been described as an angel by many.
Personality: Ambitious and noble, she believes the strong exist to help and protect the weak. She harbors hidden doubt about herself, and fear being disposed of. Yearns for affection.
Backstory: The clone of the only daughter of the Teanossa family, enhanced with gene therapy to make her better than the original. She was secretly raised to become a potential heir of the Teanossa family, and the fear of being disposed of for being a clone made her work until her body would collapse. Her efforts eventually bore fruit when she was chosen as the heiress, destroying the life of her sister. Her parents initially submitted her application to the Matchmaker program on the condition her Matchmaker would be from Eugenia Corporation, but Helena managed to secretly void this condition in her first act of rebellion.
High-Security Secret BVery High Secrets A and CCharacter ConditionTrust 0
Confidence 2
Stress 5
Sanity -3
Character AttributesAthletics 2
Intellect 4
Charisma 4
Willpower 2
Character TraitsInnate Genius+: unless stated otherwise, all her Skills starts at 2.
Trauma: Will gain Stress and lose Sanity if made to remember her trauma. Reduces all Skills by 2 in a situation involving a Trauma.
Character SkillsManagement 4
Leadership 4
Speech 4
Acting 4
Known RelationshipsArthur Teanossa [---- / ~]: Biological Father
Evelyn Teanossa [---- / ~]: Biological Mother
Helena Teanossa [++++ / ----]: Original / "Sister"
Wilfrid S [+++ / +++]: Right hand man
[Compatible]Al [++ / ++]: Attendant
Eri [++ / ++]: Attendant
Arios A. [= / =]: Acquaintance and potential suitor
[Exceptional Compatibility]Eric D [= / =]: Acquaintance and potential suitor
[Compatible]Simon V. [+ / +]: On friendly terms, potential suitor
[Exceptional Compatibility]Lise V. [+ / +]: On friendly terms
Teren R. [+ / +]: On friendly terms, potential suitor
[Compatible]SecretsHigh-Security Secret C (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Teanossa family.
Very High-Security Secret B (4 InfoCredits / 1 Low Warning will also be issued): something related to the person who submitted Helene's application.
1/2 Warnings (1 Low)
0 InfoCredits4 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Not allocated
Inventory- Helena T. data sheet
> Helena Very High Security Secret A
> Helena Very High Security Secret C
- Helene T. data sheet
- Archie T. data sheet
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Helena
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Helena must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential. The subject's condition must also be improved within the week, as its current condition is dangerous for its health.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Reduce Stress to 0 within 7 days.
Tertiary Objective: Increase Sanity to 0 within 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning (per objective)
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point and Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: EUGENIA CORPORATION
Mission Name: The advancement of the human race
Description: Greetings Matchmaker Soulbinder. Helena Teanossa is an extremeley important subject of the Eugenia Corporation, the fruit of an experimental program to further improve the genome of humanity. While abiding to the Matchmaker program, ensure Helena Teanossa is paired with a subject with a suitable genome. Failure will not be tolerated.
Main Objective: Pair Helena with someone [Compatible]
Main Objective Reward: 2 Override Points or Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued!
T1000 and Sven the Prototype (Day 6: 1st Opportunity)
Well, everybody else seems to love encouraging their guys to make bad choices, so why not both?
A - Learn more about his new acquaintances.
B - Focus on the "idiot" component of love, and the "suspension bridge effect". Search a way to reproduce idiocy/danger to love effect.
Sven spent time to get to know his new acquaintances a bit more.
- Lina was a very cheerful and optimistic girl despite her medical condition preventing her from leaving the facility for more than a few hours. She was an avid devourer of stories, with romance being her favorite genre. She felt a kindred with Sven who had also a peculiar condition, and Sven found Lina interesting if naive.
- Speaking with Eric was very entertaining and confusing to Sven. Eric was a bit of an odd fellow, as if he saw the world with a distance using some bizarre lenses. But Sven didn't dislike that, his odd outlook on life felt strangely comforting and familiar. Sven couldn't put his finger on why.
- Marco had a lot of accounts of love experiences, which made Sven really interested. He was someone very bold who fell in love easily it would seem, but he had terrible states in women. Sven ended up accidentally giving love advice by repeating what he read in books, even if he didn't understand love at all.
- Sven loved conversing with Talky, "him" being an AI. Sven already knew he felt it easier to speak with AIs, but he didn't particularly try to seek contact with them. So that was a nice change of pace for him, even though it Talky obviously couldn't provide any meaningful insight about love.
Sven had an idea gleaned from some romance media he had consumed to reproduce the idiocy/danger to love effect. He knew it was real stupid, and he really didn't want to do that by principle. But because of that, he had to do it, because it was that stupid an idea.
He asked something to Lina.
"Lina. Rimm told me of a nice place by the sea where you can see the stars. Do you want to go?""I would love to! But... you know I can't leave."Sven started having a last minute hesitation.
"It's okay, you are right. How about the roof of the hospital? The Supervisor gave me a key.""Woah really? I guess the roof is fine then."(...)
The night was beautiful and clear, the stars fully visible. Sven and Lina discussed of unimportant, simple subjects. Sven had forgotten the rest of his idiot-research plan, and it was probably for the best. Just as they were laughing, a chilly wind caused Lina to violently cough.
"Are you okay Lina? We better head back outside."As he said that, he saw in the corner of the eye several shooting stars. No, these weren't stars.
The lights struck the City in blazing explosions. One fell nearby, and the blast would reach the clinic in seconds.
Suggestions:A - Shield Lina.
Acceptance: Default Option
Outcome: ++Opinion with Lina, 50% chance of injury for Sven
B - Get to cover.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: 50% of severe injury for Lina.
Name: Sven "Seventy"
Physical Description: A slender young man of short stature. The chrome reflection of his eyes betray their artificial nature.
Personality: A dispassionate and cold individual, Sven never goes against orders and rarely act independently. Although it may have hidden depths, it has so far been categorized as a lacking personality.
Backstory: Sven is a confidential existence, an AI in a human body. The boy who would become Sven was born brain dead, and the AI Research Society managed to revive the body by implanting an experimental AI chip in the baby's brain. It was exposed to a standard human life in order to gather data, and an application to the Matchmaker program is a next step in the experimentation. Tampering from rival companies may have managed to prevent the AI Research Society from assigning one of their contractors to Sven.
Character Condition
Trust 4
Confidence 0
Stress 0
Sanity 0
Character Attributes
Athletics 0
Intellect 1
Charisma -1
Willpower 0
Character Traits
Artificial Intelligence: this individual shows extreme difficulty to connect with humans and humanlike AIs.
Character Skills
Computers 1
Games 4
Relationships
Rimm E. (E_X333) [++++ / ++++]: It's Rimm.
Sven's Father [+ / ++++]: It's my father.
Sven's Mother [+ / ++++]: It's my mother.
Archie T. (ARC) [+ / ~]: Rimm likes him.
Leon R (Le Fluffyranger) [~ / =]: Acquaintance.
Meri E [+ / ++]: Rimm likes her.
Praline L (rumi) [~ / =]: Acquaintance.
Marline M [= / +]: Acquaintance.
Clea C [= / +]: Acquaintances.
Secrets
High Security Secret A (2 InfoCredits / AI Research Society): something about Sven and the AI Research Society. Restricted access.
High Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits / ORHA): something about Sven and the ORHA. Restricted access.
0/4 Warnings
20 InfoCredits0 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Unallocated
Pairing Slot 2: Unallocated
Pairing Slot 3: Unallocated
Inventory- Archie T. data sheet
- Sven S. data sheet
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Sven
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Sven must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Stress and Sanity are at 0 at the end of the 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point and Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: ORHA
Mission Name: Starting with a friendship
Description: The subject is extremely peculiar, and as such the reward rating of this mission has been reevaluated. Try to form one new friendship.
Main Objective: Help Sven make a friend
Main Objective Reward: 4 InfoCredit once an additional Friend is made
Beep Boop and Mason the Old Vet (Day 6: 1st Opportunity)
"Gee, I wonder why that might be. Anyways, I've got some information."
A
A - Leak to Mason the whereabouts of Wilfrid S. [CUPID authorized leak]
D - Go to the Teanossa HQ.
Luck (vs 6): [5]
Upon receiving the data, Mason jumped out of bed, ripping a few tubes along the way.
"This... who the hell are you? How did you find this- How much do you KNOW?"He was cackling like a madman, which was normal for Mason.
"You little devil, of course you survived. I knew it! Fucking knew it! I gotta see him and catch up- With how terrifying he was back then, he must have grown into such a fine young lad! Maybe he... heh. Let's not get ahead of ourselves Mason. But you know... alright! Let's organize some improvised veteran meeting!"Mason was all giddy, but he had no real way of tracing the location of Wilfrid. He knew he worked for the Teanossa heiress, but he knew enough to know how suicidal it would be to show up unannounced there. But then again?...
(...)
Mason went to the Teanossa HQ, using his status as CSF special officer to pass the security checks involved. Now what?
As Mason was pondering this, he saw streaks of light coming from the sky. Missiles. One struck the Teanossa HQ, and Mason got to cover.
All over the City, explosions started.
Suggestion:A - Leak to Mason the location of Wilfrid S. [CUPID authorized leak]
Outcome: Mason will go where Wilfrid is. This will turn extra spicy.
B - Something else?
Name: Mason M.
Physical Description: An extremely old man with nearly no hair, wrinkly skin, and lanky limbs. He looks like he must be over 80. Despite this, he is paradoxically quite fit, standing tall and often running around as a younger man would. Even stranger, he has no augmentations which might support this.
Personality: Cranky and mean, particularly to those younger than him, which includes everyone. Appears to enjoy violence, and seems to believe himself to be immortal due to luck and skill. Does not 'believe' in AI; he is 100% convinced that they are merely hallucinations brought on by his schizophrenia. Cannot be convinced otherwise.
Backstory: Mason says that he's fought in 'every' war. He claims that he was there when The City was founded, and he helped fight the war to make it happen. Not out of any kindness in his heart, but because he was paid and enjoyed the killing. Of course, it's impossible that he was actually alive and of fighting age back then: while a man matching Mason's description is recorded as an allied mercenary, that man's name was Leon L., leaving no doubt that he's actually Mason's grandfather or something.
Character Condition
Trust -3
Confidence 0
Stress 5
Sanity hit -10 long, long ago
Character Attributes
Athletics 4
Intellect 1
Charisma -1
Willpower 1
Character Traits
very minor case of serious schizophrenia: Sanity cannot go above -5.
Battle Addiction: gains 1 stress every day he can't fight.
Sceptic: doesn't believe in magic, or any technology he can't distinguish from magic. Trust cannot go above 0.
Character Skills
Sniper 4
Close Combat 4
Observation 2
First Aid 1
Stealth 1
Relationships
David A. [+++ / +++]: old boss
Wilfrid S. [++ / ?]: old squadmate. Scary.
Karl S. [+ / +]: squad leader
Heather F. [= / =]: squadmate
Dan D. [= / =]: squadmate
Maurice A. [= / =]: squadmate
Suzanne R. [= / =]: squadmate
Heum N. [- / -]: who?
It is uncertain if the following individuals exist, or if they are a figment of his imagination:
Alice Gwerhierhwaer [++++ / ?]: NOT A DAMN PUSSY!
Franek Kimono [++++ / ?]: NOT A DAMN PUSSY!
Radioman [++++ / ?]: NOT A DAMN PUSSY!
Denver Gaunt [++++ / ?]: NOT A DAMN PUSSY!
Secrets
[Unlocked] Very High Security Secret S (4 InfoCredits): something about Mason's past and a certain Simon Smith.
Very High Security Secret Y (4 InfoCredits / 1 Low Warning): something about Mason's condition and the AI Research Society.
[Unlocked] Very High Security Secret V (4 InfoCredits / 1 Low Warning): something about Mason and the City's Security Forces. Contains information about the unit he is part of.
1/3 Warnings (1 Low)
5 InfoCredits3 Override PointPairing Slot 1 to 5: Mason M x Wilfrid S
Inventory- Helene T. data sheet
- Helena T. data sheet
-> High Security Secret B about Helena's past
- Al and Eri data sheets
- David A. data sheet
-> Secret A about David A.
-> Very High Security Secret about David A.
- Rimm E data sheet
-> Low Security Secret A about Rimm's past
-> High Security Secret A about Rimm and the AI Research Society
- Mason M. data sheet
-> Very High Security Secret S
-> Very High Security Secret V
Missions:
From: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Mason
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Mason must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits or Removal of 1 Low Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued!
AXIUS and Janus the Monster Secretary (Day 6: 1st Opportunity)
AXIUS
AXIUS calculates the odds...
Pairing Slots 1, 2 and 3 are adjusted to be: "Janus x Helena Teanossa"
And recommends actions B.
Pairing Slots 1 to 3 allocated to Janus x HelenaB - Contact the Teanossa family, at least what remains of it.
-Success-
Following your subtle suggestion, Janus and David contacted the Teanossa to obtain more information about this mysterious mansion. Of course once again, no one knew more about this place than they did, except for one person: Helena Teanossa, the current heiress of the powerful group.
Through some subtle negotiating and carefully woven words, Janus managed to reach a point where an exchange of information was possible. As he was told, the famous Helena had a voice that was not of this world, each and every word finding their way into his mind and heart in ways that instinctively terrified him.
"Please lady Helena. If we can provide something, anything about this mansion, then we would be in your debt. This is a very personal request.""Pray tell, Sir Janus. What is it with this mansion that interests you so?""Is that really a simple mansion? Ah, I jest. In truth, we are looking for someone. She may be our head of security, but she is like family to us. Her name is Abigail K.""My sincerest apologies. This name is unfamiliar to me. I... understand. I will contact our head of property management, and have information sent to you as soon as possible. By tonight, you will surely receive the information you seek."The call ended shortly thereafter. Janus heart was beating furiously, as if he had faced a monster.
"They are hiding something, but she didn't seem to be lying about cooperating."And in truth, they reserved information an hour later. The mansion was used to house important family members of the Teanossa, hence the security level. It was some sort of secure safehouse where they could take refuge, and as such was equiped with all sort of high-end security systems. They couldn't reveal who recently used, obviously.
David and Janus headed for the place, accompanied by Shino as well as a mysterious group of "private security contractors" hired by David.
(...)
They arrived close enough to see the domain visible from afar. The night was clear and sinister.
An explosion on the domain. When they arrived, there was no trace of anyone, only a body left amidst the rubble. And it was not Abigail, but they received a message at this very moment. It contained the location of Abigail.
At the same time, explosions started everywhere around the City.
Suggestions:A - Head to an Arwell secure bunker.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: you will be safe here.
B - Go to Abigail's location.
Acceptance: 100%
Outcome: Abigail will be found. High chances of injury or death.
Name: Janus A.
Physical Description: A man with square glasses almost always seen wearing a suit and holding a tablet in one hand. His clean-shaved skull has quite the luster, and his eyes are blue.
Personality: Has a burning passion for his work, to a dangerous degree. Pretty unforgiving when it comes to work related mistakes, although he isn't trying to be mean.
Backstory: An orphan born outside the City in some poor country, he managed to emigrate after a dangerous adventure. He was adopted by a man who would become the CEO of a big company, in part thanks to the efforts of Janus. He works as his adoptive father's secretary, and his talent and diligence are such that there is no success within the company that cannot be traced back to him. Worried about him, his adoptive father and boss forced him to take a vacation and apply to the Matchmaking program. Janus did so very reluctantly, and is still working as part of his vacation.
Character Condition
Trust 3
Confidence 4
Stress 3
Sanity 0
Character Attributes
Athletics 0
Intellect 3
Charisma 1
Willpower 2
Character Traits
Extreme Workaholic: at the end of a day, Janus gains +1 Stress if he wasn't able to work at all during the day.
Character Skills
Accounting 4
Management 3
Leadership 2
Speech 3
Computers 2
Known Relationships
David A [++++ / ++++]: Adoptive Father and Boss (CEO of the Arwell Group)
Abigail K [+ / +]: Coworker and Bodyguard
Harry S [++ / ++]: Friend and Rival from a rival company
Marline M [= / =]: Acquaintance
Helena Teanossa [= / =]): Acquaintance / Business Contact from the Teanossa family
Shino H [++++♥ / ++++♥]: Very friendly terms, budding attraction (Pairing 3)
Secrets
Low-Security Secret A (1 InfoCredit): something related to Janus' past.
High-Security Secret A (2 InfoCredits): something related to the Eugenia Corporation.
High-Security Secret B (2 InfoCredits / Eugenia Corporation): something related to the Eugenia Corporation. Restricted access.
0/2 Warnings
5 InfoCredits2 Override PointPairing Slot 1: Janus x Helena
Pairing Slot 2: Janus x Helena
Pairing Slot 3: Janus x Helena
Inventory- Janus A. data sheet
- Shino H. data sheet
- David A. data sheet
-> Secret A about David A.
-> Very High Security Secret about David A.
MissionsFrom: CUPID
Mission Name: Pairing Janus
Importance: High
Description: According to the CUPID system, Janus must enter a pairing within 7 days in order to achieve maximum matchmaking potential. The subject's condition must also be improved within the week, as its current condition is dangerous for its health.
Main Objective: Achieve a pairing within 7 days.
Secondary Objective: Reduce Stress to 0 within 7 days.
[Completed] Tertiary Objective: Increase Sanity to 0 within 7 days.
Main objective rewards : 4 InfoCredits / Removal of 1 Low Warning
Sub-objective rewards : 2 InfoCredits each / Removal of 1 Low Warning
100% completion reward: 1 Override Point / Removal of 1 High Warning
/!\ On a Failure, 1 Low Warning will be issued per failed objective!
/!\ On a Complete Failure, 1 High Warning will be issued in addition!
From: AI RESEARCH SOCIETY
Mission Name: What is betrayal?
Description: Now that Janus sees you as a friendly individual, we may move to the next step of the AI-Human experiment. Put your friendship with Janus to the test by reducing his trust in you. As this mission could negatively affect your prime mission, the rewards will be scaled in accordance.
Main Objective: Drop Janus Trust to -2
Main Objective Reward: 4 InfoCredits and 2 Override Point OR Removal of 1 High Warning
Author
Topic: Matchmakers: AIs playing Cupid -Epilogue- [Playtest Over] [4/4] (Read 9807 times)