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YOU- It is one of your few days off, and you and Kim are making your way around Jamrock, shuffling through alleyways and side streets as you relearn the city that once was your lifeblood.
SHIVERS- STILL IS. I RUN THROUGH YOUR VEINS AS YOU RUN THROUGH MINE. YOU ARE MY BLOOD, I AM YOUR BONES.
KIM KITSURAGI- He notices you shiver and a slight flash of questioning passes through his eyes.
EMPATHY- His manners keep his curiosity at bay, but he still wonders.
KIM KITSURAGI- "Detective, do you have a destination in mind?" He is sweating slightly, his hair damp in the summer heat. It's not quite autumn yet, but thankfully the "dog days" of summer have passed into a slightly less oppressive heat.
ESPRIT DES CORPS- Your caseload has been filled with crimes of passion, desperate and terrible things.
PERCEPTION (SMELL)- And the smell…
ENDURANCE- You are not going to be sick thinking about the smell of rotting corpses.
VOLITION- You're not going to think about it at all, you're going to enjoy your day off with Kim.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- Kim, who looks amazing in that t-shirt.
LOGIC- You say that about everything Kim wears.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- What? It's true!
REACTION SPEED- He asked you a question.
YOU- "Oh uh…not really?" You look around, you're on a nearly empty street at the outskirts of the garment district.
PAIN THRESHOLD- The uneven streets are hard to navigate with your cane.
EMPATHY- Kim is silently grateful for the slower pace, although he hates that it's harder for you to navigate.
INLAND EMPIRE- Kim Kitsuragi contains multitudes.
YOU- "I just…I have a feeling." You shrug, and Kim sighs.
DRAMA- The sigh is for show, sire. He enjoys exploring the city with you.
ESPRIT DES CORPS- It makes him a better detective.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- Also, he likes the excuse to look at your non-existent ass.
INLAND EMPIRE- Wait. Stop. In there.
PERCEPTION- You look around at the unremarkable street around you. There are a few stores with dirty windows, one of the windows on your left side is broken and boarded up. Another window shows an advertisement for shoes that boasts "New Styles for a New Year! Bring '49 in with Pizazz!" the door next to it has a sign that reads 'CLOSED.'
INLAND EMPIRE- No, that's not it.
VOLITION- We should make up our mind soon, it's not fair to make Kim stand out here while we stare at nothing.
ESPRIT DES CORPS- The lieutenant is feeling rather warm.
YOU- You shake your head like a dog shaking off rainwater and walk into the closet alleyway on your right.
SHOP WINDOW- There is glass door and a dirty window to your left, looking into what appears to be a dress shop. The letters on the window have long since worn away.
INLAND EMPIRE-Something about it compels you.
-
Look closer
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Ignore it
YOU- You look closer, wiping your sleeve along the grimy window to get a better view. Kim makes a displeased noise as you do so, no doubt imagining cleaning your jacket up later.
REACTION SPEED- Wait? Are you sure you want to do this?
YOU- Why wouldn't I?
INLAND EMPIRE- Some doors, once opened, can never be shut.
HALF-LIGHT- Some wounds can never be closed.
SHIVERS- YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY CHILD.
HALF-LIGHT- Run. Forget this.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- Ignore them, this is going to be amazing.
INLAND EMPIRE- Something beautiful is going to happen.
HALF-LIGHT- Things can be both beautiful and terrible.
VOLITION- This is your choice, Harry.
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Keep going. (face the truth)
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Stop. I'm scared. (run like the coward you are)
YOU- You continue to wipe the window down, until you see a mannequin facing you.
PERCEPTION (SIGHT): It's a dress, made from a slinky, leopard print material.
ENCYCLOPEDIA- The style is old, what the teens would charitably call "retro" and everyone else would call "outdated." It was popular in the 30s, during the height of disco.
INLAND EMPIRE- It calls to you…
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- You NEED it! You need to buy it now!!
LOGIC [FAILURE]- For what?
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- Get outta here with that girly shit! Unless you're getting it for the bino—
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- Ough…Kim in a dress…
ESPRIT DES CORPS- The lieutenant wouldn't be caught dead in a dress.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- Because he's a real man!
EMPATHY- Because it would make him feel uncomfortable.
SAVOIR FAIRE- Would it make you feel uncomfortable?
New Thought: Pig in a dress
You are a man's man. So much so, that you're been having sex with another man. Very masculine. But lately, you're gotten the sense that masculine isn't all you want to be. You have a vast soul, perhaps you're meant to be something else. Something more? A different kind of animal.
Temporary Research Bonuses
-1 physical instrument: girly shit
+1 electrochemistry: girly shit
+ 1 Inland Empire: a different kind of animal
Duration: 1 hour
KIM KITSURAGI- "Detective, are you alright?"
YOU- You wrench you gaze away from the leopard print dress in the shop window.
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"What do you think about that dress?"
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"That's the kind of animal I am."
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"That looks really ugly."
YOU- "Kim, what do you think about that dress?"
KIM KITSURAGI- He looks the dress up and down.
EMPATHY- Trashy, he thinks.
[- 1 MORALE]
KIM KITSURAGI- "It's…distinctive." He finally settles on. "Why?"
COMPOSURE: [FAILURE]- Your cheeks burn with embarrassment.
-
RHETORIC [IMPOSSIBLE]: Explain to Kim why you are interested in the dress.
-
COMPOSURE [DIFFICULT]: Brush it off.
RHETORIC [FAILURE]: You suddenly can't think of a single good explanation for why you feel so captivated by the tacky garment in the store window. But now Kim is looking at you and your open mouth, flapping silently.
YOU- "I uhh…I just…It umm…" You fail to come up with anything meaningful.
KIM KITSURAGI- He waits patiently for your answer. When you don't respond, he clears his throat.
HALF-LIGHT- He hates you.
ESPRIT DES CORPS- The lieutenant is confused. A part of him wonders if this is about your ex-something, and he mentally steels himself for the possibility that you might pass out.
ENDURANCE- Not today!
EMPATHY- He cares about you, and he likes it when you're happy. If looking at an unfashionable dress will make you happy, well, he's done weirder things.
INLAND EMPIRE- You have a vast soul. he likes when you share it.
-
ELECTROCHEMISTRY [TRIVIAL] Go into the store.
-
VOLITION [GODLY] Ignore it.
YOU- "Kim?"
KIM KITSURAGI- "Yes, detective?"
YOU- "I'm going inside." You turn and walk into the run down dress shop before you can change your mind.
WORN DOWN DRESS SHOP- The building is pre-revolutionary, and has clearly seen better days. You can spot a water stain in the furthest corner of the shop ceiling. There's rust on several of the racks of dresses in different fabrics and styles. Your eyes catch on an array of cotton sundresses in pastel colors.
PAIN THRESHOLD- She would have loved those.
VOLITION- Not now.
WORN DOWN DRESS SHOP- You drag your eyes away to look at another rack holding satin dresses, probably for fancy parties or something. You like the slight glitter of rhinestones on some of the garments.
PAIN THRESHOLD- You do not look at the display of wedding dresses.
PERCEPTION (SOUND)- The sound of the sewing machine coming from the back room stops.
TAILOR- A woman, probably about a decade older than you ducks through a curtain behind the check out counter. "Hello, gentlemen. How can I help you?"
YOU- You look to Kim, but he is looking at you.
COMPOSURE [FAILURE]- "Just looking." You manage to squeak out.
CONCEPTUALIZATION- Like the sound of an un-oiled hinge.
HALF-LIGHT- Like a mouse being squeezed by a boa constrictor.
TAILOR- "I see, are you looking for something, or someone, specific?"
YOU- "Nope! Just looking." You turn and face a nearby rack, avoiding eye contact.
KIM KITSURAGI- You hear Kim sigh beside you.
TAILOR- "Alright. Well, I'll be in there if you need anything." She awkwardly nods and goes back to her sewing. A few moments later, the sound of the sewing machine starts up again.
PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [CHALLENGING]- You look around the racks of clothes, taking your time to examine each rack. Then you see it! A flash of animal print hidden in the back corner.
INLAND EMPIRE- The leopardess shivers as you approach, an animal out of it's element.
YOU- You touch the dress, softly, reverently, like you're handling a holy relic.
YOU- Hello, Leopardess Dress.
LEOPARDESS DRESS- Hello. Have you come to tame me?
YOU- No, I don't think so.
LEOPARDESS DRESS- No? I'm an animal, you know. You'll be one too if you put me on. But then again, you're already an animal, are you not? If you allow my pelt to become your skin, the whole world will be able to see it. They will know exactly what kind of animal you are.
YOU- Is that a good thing?
LEOPARDESS DRESS- There are no truly good or evil things in this world. There are simply things, and the reactions people will have to them.
YOU- Kim is good.
LEOPARDESS DRESS- Yes, he is. But, he does not know the animal you are.
HALF-LIGHT- You can never let him find out.
YOU- I trust him.
LEOPARDESS DRESS- Hmm, very well. Choose wisely my warm blooded friend.
YOU- You allow the silence to stretch for a few seconds, hoping the dress will say more, but nothing happens.
PERCEPTION (TOUCH)- The dress is smooth and silky and you rub your fingers across the fabric in your grip.
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- It was made for you Harry! It was made to be yours!
LOGIC- It won't fit.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- Of course it won't! It's made for some chick!
HALF-LIGHT- Of course it won't, it's beautiful.
LOGIC- No, I meant it literally won't fit.
VISUAL CALCULUS- You try and size up the dress in your mind, but you know that even with the fabric's stretch it won't fit over your shoulders or stomach.
[-1 MORALE]
KIM KITSURAGI- Kim leans in closer to you and hands you a handkerchief.
COMPOSURE [FAILURE]- Oh yeah, you're crying. Sorry.
KIM KITSURAGI- "Detective?" He seems uncomfortable.
YOU- "I—"
-
don't deserve it
-
should go die
-
have something deeply wrong with me
-
don't deserve you
-
don't want to be any kind of animal
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want to leave
YOU- "Kim, I think there's something wrong with me."
KIM KITSURAGI- "What do you mean?" His hands seek out yours as he tries to subtly take your pulse.
ESPRIT DES CORPS- He's worried you're having a medical emergency.
YOU- "No! I'm fine it's not that. There's something wrong with me. In my head." You see his eyes turn understanding, but you know he doesn't understand. "No, not that. It's—it's in my soul."
KIM KITSURAGI- "In your soul?"
YOU- "Yeah…" You're not sure how to continue, so you don't.
KIM KITSURAGI- Kim sits down on the floor next to you, not letting go of your hand. He lets you sit in silence for a few moments. "Tell me what you're thinking."
YOU- "The voices, well— some of them, say that I need this dress. That it's important. But—" Kim looks at you without judgment in his eyes. "I'm scared."
HALF-LIGHT- OH MY GOD why would you tell him that?! Quick! Run out of the shop and throw yourself into oncoming traffic! It's the only way…
LOGIC- There's no traffic in this part of town?
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- We can run far and fast brother.
ENDURANCE [FAILURE]- Not right now we can't.
KIM KITSURAGI- He's noticed that you've zoned out and puts a gentle hand on your leg. It startles you.
EMPATHY- He's not usually physical in public like this.
INLAND EMPIRE- He really trusts you…
KIM KITSURAGI- "What are you scared of?"
YOU- "I don't know. Whatever it means, I guess."
KIM KITSURAGI- He takes a moment to think. "Does it have to mean something?"
YOU- "Huh?"
KIM KITSURAGI- "Khm. It doesn't have to mean anything if you don't want it to. Not everything has some grand meaning behind it."
YOU- "I think this does. I think it might change things."
KIM KITSURAGI- He hums. "Well, everything changes. That's not always a bad thing."
YOU- "It doesn't matter, it won't fit me anyway."
KIM KITSURAGI- He casts a quick glance towards the door the store clerk disappeared through.
HALF-LIGHT- He is ashamed of you
EMPATHY- He doesn't want to ask you something you might feel embarrassed to be overheard by others.
KIM KITSURAGI- "The dress?" he asks, voice carefully neutral.
YOU- You manage to nod your head. You are afraid to look at Kim's face.
KIM KITSURAGI- He pauses. "We can ask if they have it in another size."
YOU- You look up at his face. His expression is carefully neutral, but you can see a hint of something in his eyes.
EMPATHY- Fondness.
ESPIRIT DE CORPS- Confusion.
HALF-LIGHT- Fear.
INLAND EMPIRE- He does not understand, but he wants to. He is scared, not of you, but for you.
HALF-LIGHT- The world can be cruel.
EMPATHY- But he is not.
YOU- A sudden wave of gratitude washes over you. How did you get so lucky? How is it that you deserve a man like him?
ESPRIT DES CORPS- Lieutenant Kim Kitsuragi lies in bed, allowing the sound of his partner's breathing to wash over him, calming him. He rolls over to face the man next to him, softly brushing a lock of hair out of his face. 'How did I get so lucky?' He asks himself, with no one there to witness it but the moon.
COMPOSURE [Godly: Failure]: Somehow, you're crying even harder now.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- Listen coach, this is great and all but you do still need to breathe.
YOU- You drag in a shuddering breath then another.
PERCEPTION (TOUCH)- There is a hand rubbing soothing circles into your back.
[+1 MORALE]
KIM KITSURAGI- Kim allows you another few moments to collect yourself.
COMPOSURE- You manage to calm your breathing down to something resembling normalcy.
YOU- "Sorry," You murmur.
KIM KITSURAGI- "Khm. It's alright detec—Harry. It is alright, Harry."
ESPIRIT DES CORPS- The lieutenant struggles to handle others emotions. It is easier for him to be a cop in these moments, instead of a person.
EMPATHY- You make him want to try to be a person.
CONCEPTUALIZATION- Isn't that what love is about? Trying to be people together?
ELECTROCHEMISTRY- And…well…other stuff.
VOLITION- Not now!
YOU- You sigh and look towards the back.
LOGIC (Failure)- You have no clue how this shop is truly organized. If you want to find this dress in a different size you would need to ask the woman who works here.
HALF-LIGHT- You cannot do that! You will die!
EMPATHY- You can ask Kim.
PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT- Not if you want to remain a true man in his eyes.
SAVOIR FAIRE- You're literally crouched in front of him crying over a dress, the time for dignity is through.
[- 1 MORALE]
VOLITION- You can do this, just ask him. He won't judge you.
YOU- "Kim, could you…" You trail off, a little unsure of how to finish the sentence.
KIM KITSURAGI- "Khm." He takes off his glasses and cleans them on his shirt. "I can ask her."
YOU- Your lungs swell with gratitude. "Thanks, Kim."
KIM KITSURAGI- He nods, giving you a small smile. "Of course."
[+ 1 MORALE]
YOU- You swing the brown paper bag back and forth as you walk back through the streets.
INTERFACING- The dress (in your size, thanks to some sweet talking by the lieutenant) slides back and forth inside, creating a soothing secondary movement.
SAVOIR FAIRE [SUCCESS}- You manage to keep you balance despite the rapid swinging.
KIM KITSURAGI- Kim watches you with a glint of amusement in his eyes. "Having fun?"
YOU- You grin at him, a lopsided thing that bears no resemblance to The Expression. Then you allow it to drop from your face, looking at your partner.
KIM KITSURAGI- He meets your uncertain gaze with a steady gaze of his own.
YOU- "Thank you." The words aren't enough, they could never be enough, but Kim's face softens regardless.
KIM KITSURAGI- "What are partners for?"
EMPATHY- He doesn't fully understand whats happening inside of your head, but he knows it's important to you, which makes it important to him.
INLAND EMPIRE- He will stay by your side no matter what.
YOU- Even if I'm different?
INLAND EMPIRE- Even then. Especially then. To be loved it to be changed, Harry. You're not the same person he met in Martainaise, nor is he the same man you met.
YOU- A different kind of animal…
INLAND EMPIRE- Or perhaps an animal that was buried deep within you all along.
Breakthrough Imminent: Pig in a dress
Does it really matter what you are? Does it make a difference, when the most important thing is that you are loved? By the city, by Kim, maybe even one day, by yourself. You have been so many things in your life, don't change scare you now. There's an animal you've kept caged inside of you for so long, it's time to let it free.
Bonuses
+1 Pain Threshold: Found the ache
+ 2 Inland Empire: A different kind of animal