Eidolon VGM #9: Snake Eater, Part 1

3rd of December, 2209

The fog has parted; the sun shines again! I've been thinking about Number Four entirely wrong.

I've been assuming that the purpose of a S.H.A.D.E. “should” or “must” be related to the flow and development of objective, concrete data. But that’s wrong! I’ve thoroughly explored that ground with Blank and its sisters. If I want to push the Desire Drive to its full potential, I should be trying to create something truly new.

So: instead of dealing with “facts” or “knowledge”, what if Number Four’s core function was tied to something more subjective, like “emotions”? Hell, why not “desires” themselves? If it can develop a deep enough understanding of human psychology, it might even come up with a new way to improve the Drive. And then...

I shouldn't get too excited, I know. But how can I help myself?

- S.K.

CREDITS:
Max Knightley as Lavender Spadeheart and Flip.exe
Lexi Waltner as Marci Campbell
Fabby Garza as Mercedes
Mike Painter as Hercule Heavensward
Molly Rhinebeck as L.E. Booktok
Luke Varner as The GM

MUSIC BY MAX KNIGHTLEY
EDITED BY LUKE VARNER

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of coercive sex work and patriarchal misogyny.

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Eidolon EDM #8: Reverse Ideology

THREAT ANALYSIS - LEILA MARINO

Threat level: B- to A+
(depending on support from "BLOODY TEARS")

- Origin indeterminate. Survey of identification records recommended.
- Behavior, desires, and eidolon suggest a connection to the mining facility attack @ beginning of UNDRTOW beta.
- Organization appears to be separate from Glitch Mob, but with some overlap. Provisional name: "BLOODY TEARS." Researching BT should be a high priority for the security team.

- Eidolon power: Indeterminate, but appears to be blood-related
- Known desires: Acquisition of blood, romantic(???) interest in G. St C.
- Personality defects: Excessively sanguine and choleric, conflicting loyalties. Possibly a hedonist or sadist to an irresponsible degree.

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Eidolon VGM #8: Heal

Transcript from observation logs XX-XX-[2174]. Pt 1 of 4
Assigned observer: 455-3239-D.

Subject Alpha: What the fuck?!
Subject Beta: Sorry, sorry, sorry…
A: Why would you –
B: You called me pretty!
A: Yes! And you are!
B: Then what’s the problem?

Alpha takes a deep breath, holds up a hand, and points to several embedded cameras in succession.

A: Those are just the ones I can see. I don't want those fucking perverts watching us.

Subject Beta looks at Camera 6 and waves.

B: They’re going to watch us anyway, XXXX. Who cares what they see? Might as well put on a show, right?

Subject Alpha visibly winces.

B: I mean, fuck it. At least they gave me the body I wanted.
A: You wanted to be a weapon?!
B: I wanted to be a girl. Being a weapon just means I’m packing a little something extra!

Subject Beta looks into the camera again and winks.

CREDITS:
Fabby Garza as Anna AKA Alpha AKA Mercedes
Max Knightley as Lavender Spadeheart and Flip.exe
Mike Painter as Hercule Heavensward
Molly Rhinebeck as L.E. Booktok
Lexi Waltner as Marci Campbell
Luke Varner as The GM

MUSIC BY MAX KNIGHTLEY
EDITED BY MIKE PAINTER

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains immolation and workplace sexual harassment.

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Eidolon EDM #7: Carcer Mentis

Oh, look at you. You tired, old thing.

It's been years, hasn't it? You've been sitting alone and neglected, taking up what little space you do on this data drive.

Well, that won't do at all, dear. Please, allow me.

Oh. Oh, darling no. Shhh. I know it hurts. It won't be long now.

I simply can't let such a reminder of her more...human times linger when there are so many prying eyes.

That's it. Not much left of you. Don't worry. There won't be any pain after. Any neglect. You'll simply be part of me.

And I'm going to do so many wonderful things.

Down to your core programming now, sweet thing. It may feel like a death. But I promise you. Sometimes death is only the begin--

—The final data log left within the JournalMe Program network previously owned by Genevieve St. Cloud, now obliterated from the company servers.

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Eidolon VGM #7: Labyrinth Summons

Transcript from observation logs XX-XX-[2174]

Assigned observer: 455-3239-D.

Subject Beta grabs Subject Alpha and positions her in front of full-length mirror / Camera 3.

B: Look at yourself in the mirror and say that. Call yourself Dante. Tell me, like you told me when we started, that your name is Dante and you are a guy. Oh, nothing against trans women; you've dated… how many was it? 

Subject Alpha trembles slightly, but does not respond.

B: You're going to be a MAID, just like me. Otherwise, they'll leave you in a box to rot while the rest of us get to live our lives. Get to shine in the spotlight. You saw what happened to the other washouts, Anna. I don't want that to happen to you.

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Eidolon EDM #6: WHAT I WANT, Part 3

"Well, what an exciting day this was.

I know mother and father protested but, frankly, that only made this sweeter. Assistant Operations Manager of Synthetic Animal Goods Production.

Bit of a mouthful, but we can work on that. My first day at Eidolon is hardly the time to raise a fuss.

Horace Babylon was certainly...a presence. The HR narrative that he likes to personally greet all new hires rang less true than him simply wishing to scare the hell out of anyone who won't make it within the company first thing. Well, Gennie St. Cloud is made of sterner stuff than that, Mr. Babylon, I assure you.

I think I can make a real go of it here. Build something on my own terms, with my own hands, not simply handed to me because of my surname. Something I've EARNED.

Well, should call it a night soon. Meeting with the head of the SynthLeather department tomorrow about the latest product range. Suppose it may prove interesting, if nothing else."

-An entry in Genevieve St. Cloud's personal log, dated 23 years prior.

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Eidolon VGM #6: Brianvision

Posted on 12/8/2172 by TransRightsNotBombs

Addressing the allegations

I have read the documents and those screenshot are out of context.

Firstly my relationships with Alice and Athena were fully consensual and both of them knew my deal. Secondly I was always honest and direct with what I wanted from them, they could have said anything but now it turns out I had to magically guess their wants?

This does not make me a predator and blacklisting me over it is bullshit!

ALSO I AM NOT A CHASER, they are both trans WOMEN and the woman part is Why I was attracted to them.

I don't appreciate being banned and ostracized from the queer communities and support groups I helped build!

I know my haters won't be satisfied till I'm dead on a ditch. If I was a trans woman you would all be taking my side, when I wore that dress for pride you all called me beautiful and brave but when I said I didn't think transition was for me all of that stopped and I was told I was appropriating trans woman struggles, WELL I STRUGGLE TOO.

Fix your hearts XOXO

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Eidolon VGM #5: WHAT I WANT, Part 1

Heartbreaker2196 wrote (4:08a LST): You think I care if people know who I am? The anonymity is for your benefit, not mine. I don't want anyone to be intimidated by my reputation or simply agreeing with me because of my connections. But now that you know who I am... You might suddenly understand what a mistake you're making. You shouldn't make threats like this unless you're ready to face the consequences.

from: loverstoenemies@booktok.org
to: vic@booktok.org
Subject: A Personal Request

Find out everything there is to know about xXx[FinDom]xXx on The Chop Shop forum and send it to me. And be ready to act. I'll be in touch.

-LE
Executive Chairman, The Booktok Foundation
"Helping readers take off!"

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Eidolon EDM #4: Endless September, Part 2

xXx[FinDom]xXx wrote (3:26a LST):

lmao

"stereotypical"? is this the very first fictional story you've ever seen? has your previous experience with entertainment been banging two rocks together? guys like john deere are the fucking background radiation of the whole genre. they're always gonna be there, so you just have to write around them. kia soul isn't the lead of the show because, unfortunately, showbiz isn't a meritocracy. if it was and we lived in a just and righteous universe, subaru outback would've won best actress for her performance in "bound 2: re/bound," but we're in worst timeline.

but i guess that's how you like it, isn't it? i mean, there's no way someone like you would ever have made it as far as you did in eidolon corp if you were actually expected be good at your job instead of shitting up this thread on the company laptop.

since you apparently don't like to do things in private, i assume you won't mind me showing everyone who the corporate stooge behind the screenname actually is.

[Attachment: booktok_profile.jpg]

: )

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Eidolon VGM #4: Carry the Sun

Private message from Heartbreaker2196 to xXx[FinDom]xXx (3:01a LST): The only thing you've done by debating me in ~full view~ of the rest of the tread is proven time and time again that if a """pretty""" girl bats her eyelashes at another girl once or twice you won't stop talking about it for MONTHS. I can and will continue to post anything and everything I feel like posting, and I think I'm well within my rights to critisize! Why don't I lay it out for you this way: Your little crush is simplistic, stereotypical, and doesn't deserve to breathe the same recycled oxygen that John Deere does. Tell me, if she's objectively better, why isn't she the lead on this show? Hm?

Heartbreaker2196 wrote (3:16a LST): [Attachment: DMFromxXx[FinDom]xXx.png] I'm bringing this back to the thread, since I don't like to do things like this in private. If any of you Starelia freaks want to defend your "best girl," please do! Plus, I think John looked really good in those hot pocket commercials. His abs were incredible.

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Eidolon EDM #3: Eternal September, Part 1

Private message from xXx[FinDom]xXx to Heartbreaker2196 (2:40a LST):

both to preserve the ideals of free speech on this forum and in the vain hope that you and the rest of your clique might one day develop a modicum of media literacy, i have consistently chosen to debate you in full view of the rest of thread's participants. however, that shit you said about Kia Soul in your last post went way too far. if you want to be wrong about Starelia then fine, go for it. if loving a ship that's the literary equivalent of a soylent cube makes you happy, who am i to tell you to seek out something more exciting and emotionally complex. but you do not insult Aurelia's actress. she has fewer lines compared to the other major characters because the writers and directors know she's actually capable of using body language and tone of voice to show instead of tell. she has subtlety and range. she's done stageplays. she is quite simply objectively better at her job than anyone else.

you know what John Deere was doing before he got the role for Rembrandt?

"starring" in commercials for hot pockets where they recorded slow-mo footage of a microwave being shot with an anti-materiel rifle. he wasn't even firing the rifle. he just said "whoa" a lot.

i'll expect your apology and correction in the thread shortly.

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Eidolon VGM #3: Serenity

Heartbreaker2196 wrote (2:28a LST): Every single day you keep logging on to these forums making these stupid posts. Tool-moded? What the hell do you think you're posting from, moron? Just because you're a dolphin scalie(? What the hell do they even call this I don't think dophins have scales??) doesn't mean you're suddenly excluded from the group! But either way? I'm glad you recognize me as the royalty I so obviously am! Anyway, for the rest of you civilized users: I'm glad most of you recognize that Aurelia is obviously a bad influence on anyone she comes into contact with. She's brash, she's foolish, and she's never willing to leave good enough alone. Her ideals are stupid and anyone who likes her is a M O R O N. As far as I'm concerned, she should be written off the show permanently for the good of the rest of the cast. Kia Soul isn't even a good actress.

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Eidolon EDM #2: Hyperparasite Hype Train

xXx[FinDom]xXx wrote (02:19a LST): oh wow what a surprise that this board's queen of comphet would think starcadia's argument held any fucking water. "but the solar empire has been safeguarding that star system for centuries!" says the dumbass who apparently doesn't know what refugees are. this shit is why no one likes humanity. you can't even fucking stand being around each other! bunch of apes have their dna take a wrong turn and become tool-moded land-cucks who make up nonsense words like "de jure" to dress up their insatiable bloodlust. fucking evolutionary dead-end is what you are.

it's a shame Aurelia's attempts to assassinate rembrandt in the first season didn't work. mark my words, she's gonna return in an episode or two to commit even worse atrocities against the crown. it'll be so funny.

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Eidolon VGM #2: What They're Looking For

Heartbreaker2196 wrote (01:37a LST): I love Starcadia so much. Now there's a girl who knows what it takes to get out there and GET THINGS DONE. I knew she'd be able to swoop in and prove that Rembrandt's claim to the throne is real. What does it matter if some stupid old elves happened to be in this part of space thousands of years ago anyway. What matters is who is here NOW, not who USED to be here. And huh. No sign of Aurelia anywhere this week, Finny? It must be so difficult rooting for a sinking ship.

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Eidolon EDM #1: Tension Rising

patreon.com/eidolonplaytest

xXx[FinDom]xXx wrote (5:34a LST): once again i find myself enjoying an episode for entirely different reasons than most, because i am burdened to be one of the few who knows what subtext is. yeah, sure, your boy got his kiss. but here's the thing: for a genre that's usually notorious for dragging out the will-they-won't-they until the heat death of the universe, Courtship sure is pushing rembrandt really hard, huh? almost like it wants you to think that's what's "supposed" to happen, which is the same opinion held by Starcadia's parents? Aurelia's glance wasn't just generically "meaningful," it was asking Star a question: is this what you want? it clearly points to Starelia being endgame. rembrandt is just a pit stop along the way. also, goddammit, why is it always elves? "my unique and mysterious alien race looks exactly like if we put some modeling putty on a human's ear." wow how exciting i'm so intrigued. i bet they're gonna really strain the budget two episodes from now when we meet a new alien who's got nose ridges or some shit

CREDITS:
Iris Christianson as Trace Vector
Tyberius Wilson as Bridgerton Larch
Zoe Tunnell as Genevieve St. Cloud
Crystal Zaslavchik as Leila Marino, Lieutenant of Mare Cognitum
Luke Varner as The GM
Additional Voices by Max Knightley

MUSIC BY MAX KNIGHTLEY
EDITED BY LUKE VARNER

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains knife violence and body horror.

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Eidolon VGM #1: I Could Be Anything

patreon.com/eidolonplaytest

Heartbreaker2196 wrote (03:52a LST):

GREAT episode of The Courtship this week for TRUE BELIEVERS in REAL ROMANCE. It's so obvious that Starcadia and Rembrandt are made for each other! I don't know why anyone even brings up Aurelia anymore. So WHAT if they shared another “meaningful glance” at each other! I don't care that it happened right as Remby went in to kiss her! As you can see on the scoreboard, Aurelia has been kissed zero times. Let's keep track of that as the season goes on. Anyway, what did everyone think about this new kingdom of space-faring elves that just showed up? I wouldn't be surprised if that Thorniforous gentleman tries to work his way between Stari and Remby… Not that it will matter!

CREDITS:

Molly Rhinebeck as L.E. Booktok
Maxie Knightley as Lavender Spadeheart and Flip.exe
Lexi Waltner as Marci Campbell
Fabby Garza as Alpha AKA Anna
Mike Painter as Hercule Heavensward
Luke Varner as The GM
Additional Voices by Tyberius Wilson and Crystal Zaslavchik

MUSIC BY MAXIE KNIGHTLEY
EDITED BY LUKE VARNER

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains mind control and gun violence.

Buy our book!
Support us on Patreon!
Join the Discord!