[Party Pals] Armed Rivals

The second group I played against on-stream. Oliver, Willow, and Magus are a group of friends that either play against or with Brustle. Since I can't change their CPU difficulty, they're all different inverses of Brustle, who can control magic and is a tamed cat: Oliver uses his science skills in ways that are basically magic, and is a tamed dog, Willow controls technology, and is a wild dog, Magus pretends to do real magic using practical tricks, and is a wild cat.

Profiles

Oliver Saint

Oliver is an apothecary, with an astute knowledge of elements and chemistry. He may seem uncaring, but he does care, and wants people to be as healthy and comfortable as possible. A side effect from what he's seen is that he is pretty stoic. It's hard to tell if he's relaxed or not, but he's thankful that he has friends to help him get relaxed. He's never seen who his real parents are, and was never really adopted. If it weren't for his friends being there and caring for him, he's afraid to think about who he would've become. He was brought into Bhuster's Buzz by Brustle, who wanted to have more places to hang out in with him.

Oliver is a Saint Bernard, albeit a very small one. I wanted him to look like a healer in a fantasy videogame, but they all look like priests, and so I settled on something that looks formal and doctor-esque while not being an actual doctor. He's a purplish blue, on the opposite side of the color wheel from green, which Magus is. It's also about a quarter away from the teal/cyan color that Brustle is.

His previous design actually did have him as a priest, but I didn't want him to be fully into religion. I also fixed his colors some. However, I did keep his talking sprite in the same pose as it was before.

Willow Cypher

Willow is a hacker, who works as a freelance pen tester for corporations that are prominent in the digital world. She gained her skills through bypassing restrictions on her home computer, and learned quite a lot about the inner workings of technology since then. Her parents, disappointed at first, soon became supportive of her career, with her mom even making her a hoodie with a special logo on it. She is, for lack of better terms, quirky and wild. Unapologetically shameless, she hates having to suppress her personality just so that she wouldn't upset others. Heard about Bhuster's Buzz and hacked into the head computer to get herself a spot.

Willow is a gray wolf, though she ain't gray. The only real hacker outfit that isn't from a cyberpunk-esque style is having that dark gray hoodie, that they usually have on over their head, so that is mostly how I convey that she's a hacker. Besides the logo she has with the moon (connected to wolves) and the hat (like a white hat, gray hat, or a black hat; different kinds of hackers). Her outfit besides the hoodie is based a lot on scene emo, a fashion that was around when I was on YouTube watching LP's. No I wasn't in on the fashion, hell I didn't even know that there was a name for the aesthetic, but it is a look that many people in that time gave to their OC's, and since Willow's personality is pretty unrestricted and wild, I thought it would fit her. Sadly, the crop top shirt she has on is covered by the hoodie, and because it's the formal outfit she isn't wearing the spiked collar, nor the neon bands. Her color is orange, opposite of the teal/cyan that Brustle is.

I didn't really know what the aesthetic was called when I first designed her, so she only had the neon-magenta and black striped leggings to convey it. She was also red because I couldn't figure out how to make her not look like a fox, so changing the color made her look less like one.

Magus Ashton

Magus is a street magician, who once aimed for the spotlights on the stage. Having done some dubious things in the past to make do, he found that people enjoyed his skills if they were done for the purpose of entertainment. He always thinks he's clever than he is, though he is more cunning than people think. While he can be arrogant and egotistical, he is actually quite the gentleman. Chivalrous and respectful, for the most part. Doesn't talk to his family much, as he wants to distance himself from them. Walked into the Bhuster's Buzz establishment with enough confidence that it was assumed he had already applied.

Magus is a lynx, a type of wild cat that isn't a tiger, cheetah, leopard, jaguar, or ocelot (which have too much detail that I don't want to repeat over and over), while also not being a panther, cougar (which is almost all one color, two at most), or lion (didn't want the mane to get in the way). His outfit is a typical magician's attire, without the bowtie. His whiskers are in a more distinguished shape, like he tried to make it look similar to a mustache. His color is a green color, opposite to the purplish blue color that Oliver has, and is a quarter away from Brustle's teal/cyan.

This is his first design, however, the character he's replacing, Ruth Bloodwood, is a green lion summoner. I didn't really like that character, hence the replacement.

Interviews

Oliver Saint

Good to see you, Mister Saint. How're you today?
I believe I am doing okay. You?

Not too bad myself. Now, let's get this going shall we? First question: Who are you and what do you do?
The name's Oliver Saint, but Oliver, or Ollie, works fine. I am a professional apothecary. If anything ails you, I'm your guy. I can prescribe both modern medicine and old remedies. I can also do diagnoses of varying symptoms and ailments.

Ah cool, so you're in the medical business. How did you get into medicine to begin with?
I didn't really get into it. It's more of a way to help people and still get paid.

Oh. So there's no passion about it then?
Not much. I enjoy the chemistry and biology more than the job. I just do the job because I want to help people, and I can use this knowledge to provide assistance. I just don't like seeing people suffering, and being in the kind of work that I do, I see it a lot.

I see. I respect what you do. Did your parents help you find this career?
Never knew my parents.

…I'm sorry to hear that. Your adoptive parents then?
No one would adopt me.

…Uh, sorry, I seem to be chewing my foot off. Is there anyone that you're close to? That you'd consider a friend or family?
I have two very close friends. Brustle and Pepper.

That's good to hear. I'm sorry, I don't know if I'm making you uncomfortable by continuing on this topic. I-
Don't be. You didn't know… Are you curious what it was like for me growing up?

Yes. You don't have to answer, I'm curious and occasionally a bit nosey, so you don't have to answer any question you don't feel comfortable answering.
It's fine, I don't mind. I spent most of my time studying in the orphanage, with my heart dead-set on entering a college. However, I had to have money for that, of which I had none. I met Pepper at that time, and he hooked me up with several part time jobs. Despite all my efforts, I could never afford to go to such a college. Instead, I took an apprenticeship from what turned out to be a relative to Brustle. Of course I met her after finishing the apprenticeship, and I don't intend on telling her that I did so in the first place; she's already mad enough at her family for not letting her work in their shops.

Hmm. You took an apprenticeship from the Brooks family. What was it for? Was it apothecarying, chemistrying, healing?
Oop, my apologies. Yes it was to become an apothecary. Of course, once I started making enough money to go to a college, at that point I didn't really need it. Funny how that works, huh?

Who exactly was it that mentored you, and why did they choose you? Did it cost anything?
I think it was Brustle's second aunt, her first name… it rhymed with venice. I can't fully remember, I just called her Misses Brooks. She took me in because she kept seeing me at several stores and asked me why I was working so many jobs. There wasn't really anything she requested from me seriously, but she did joke about making my payment be the sandwiches that me and Pepper made at that sub shop. I know I didn't have to, but for the entire time I was her apprentice, I brought her favorite sub, the way we made it, to my classes. At that point, I left all but two of my jobs, one of which being the previously mentioned shop. Since I was actually getting lessons in the subjects I was interested in, it was the first time I could actually relax.

Very nice, I'm glad that worked out for you. Let's jump back to current time. Anything you do for fun?
I tag along with Brustle and Pepper, for the most part. I like helping people, but I struggle with social interactions. It gets tiring, dealing with people I don't know. Brustle and Pepper are people I know, and wherever they go, I go. Usually I have to be the one that reigns back Pepper's enthusiasm and Brustle's feistiness. Occasionally Brustle will come to me with certain topics and we'd discuss them. My favorite was the one with the gods Sol and Luna. I didn't figure witches would follow gods, so it was an eye-opening debate.

Do you play any games with your pals?
Yes. I've played a variety of games with those guys. If we're playing together, usually I'm the one that does the more technical aspects. They first introduced me to a co-op zombie game, that one's my favorite. Many good memories.

I believe I know the game. Okay, we're just about done, just one last question: what made you want to come here and get interviewed?
Brustle wanted me to join.

Of course she did. Thank you for coming by, and I hope to see you again soon.
Bye.

Willow Cypher

…Oh hello. What are you doing here?
Hi! I'm here for my interview!

Interview? You don't have an inter… what.
Yea, it's right there silly. Just between you an' me, you should get better security for your computer.

…You hacked CPU27?
Damn straight I did! Saw this place and thought it was interesting enough. Do you mind taking someone like me in?

…Y'know what, I'm afraid of what you'll do if you don't have this interview, so I'd rather have you on the team instead of being antagonistic towards us. Follow me.
Ooo, neat little place you got here! Wait, we're going in there? Looks a bit casual for an interview room.

Well, I'm sorta in the middle, and I'd like people to be relaxed as I ask questions. Have a seat, if you don't mind.
Comfy couch. Comfy comfy comfy.

…okay. So, Miss… Cypher. It's my pleasure to meet you. I'm Bhuster Eby. How has your day been?
It's been fucking boring! But hey, at least I'm not doing terribly.

Okay, fair enough. So I guess we'll start this rather abrupt interview. First question: Who are you and what do you do?
Call me Willow. Willow Cypher. I'm an ethical hacker. Well, mostly ethical hacker. I've worked as a freelancer to test companies' network firewalls. It's pretty fun, but I'm looking for some more excitement in my life.

Hacking, huh? What got you into hacking to begin with?
You ever had any restrictions set on your tech?

…Yes? I've had some.
I absolutely hated them! When I was very young I had to use the family laptop, which was very meh in my opinion, but oh my gods when I was in the computer class it was just heaven. I got a real taste of the internet there, and it made me really really want my own laptop. I got something even better when I was in junior high: a personal computer! Well, I thought it was better at first, but to my surprise (and not yours) I had restriction apps put on my one source of freedom! Now, in my young-ass brain, I thought to myself, "well this cannot stand!" I started doing everything I could think of, which initially was just me trying every possible combination on the keyboard to try and get something to happen. Ctrl Alt Del, Shift Tab, Ctrl Print Screen, Super Key Esc. I didn't know much at first.

As much fun as it would be to hear you describe everything in as much detail as possible, keep in mind this is an interview, not an autobiography. I take it that it was a while before you broke in?
Yes, multiple times I was caught and grounded. Multiple times I broke my computer, then was grounded. Multiple times I thought I was close, but the settings were locked anyways. I had to get creative, because at this point my parents knew what I was attempting to do, and thus any suspicious activities would make them come into my room and ground me. So I thought I could use the school computers. I-

Hold on what? Not to be hypocritical, but couldn't you just use the school computers instead of trying to crack your computer?
I only had it for a few classes. My parents wanted me to get a well-paying career, so they had already picked out my classes for me. They thought it would do me well if I had some skills with computers, specifically those document and spreadsheet applications. After doing my work, I thought I could just do some research on them, but they also had restrictions. Different kinds, but restrictions nonetheless. Man, you know how angry I was? I was fuming. I had encountered a completely separate problem, that would require a completely separate research session, and I had less time to do it. What a fuckin' waste of MY time, I tell you what. It was at that point where I had a classmate come up to me, saying they noticed what I was trying to do, and wanted to help.

How kind of them.
Actually I think they were just staring at my figure, and when I sat my head on my desk they saw my screen for the first time. Just so happened to have the specific knowledge for what I wanted to do.

Oh. Uh, were they-
They were very nice. We're still friends, they work in IT. I got their number and everything.

Okay. So did they eventually help you unlock your internet shackles?
…the fuck? Who says "internet shackles?" Sorry, yes they did. It took some planning, and some separate learning sessions. I don't really know what it took for them to convince their parents to have me over for those nights, but it was strong enough for me to get a- wait, don't wanna phrase it like that. I soon had a knack for bypassing all sorts of shit. After that, it was smooth sailing until I got to college.

Wh-what happened in college?
Well, I got caught big time by my parents. I can still remember the look of disappointment in their eyes. You see, I had tried getting myself my own classes without their influence, but they went back to check something. They caught me red-handed, changing it. I felt I could just die right there, it was not a good night. They took my computer away from me in dead fucking silence, save for my father telling me in a stern manner "Good night." Then comes next morning (well, afternoon), where I finally dragged myself out of my room, I didn't get a good night's sleep because I was crying, and I find my parents waiting for me. They had cooked me some food, and they didn't look as disappointed as they did the night before. Turns out, once they calmed down, they went and did some research on what my classes I was choosing would get me. They saw how much I would be making through it, and wanted to ask me if I truly knew that I was able to complete those classes. I said I was confident, and to my surprise they took me at my word. They apologized and everything about the night before, and even for trying to keep me on the path they wanted for me. But in all honesty, if it weren't for their app restrictions, I wouldn't have gotten so invested in breaking it in the first place.

I see. So your parents wanted the best for you, but didn't know what that best was?
Yea, something like that. Just a bit misguided, I'd say. When I became a freelancer, my mother even custom-made some hoodies for me, that have my little symbol on it. They're very supportive now.

That's nice, glad there was a happy ending. I think, through telling a supposedly short version of your life story, it covered some of the other questions I have. There's only a few more. Now, is there any other hobbies you have?
I browse a lotta places online. Mostly some of the older sites and such, like for example, I'd much rather be on a forum board than any sort of "social" media. I have a friend circle that I constantly game with and share funny little pics and videos. However, if I feel like I'm getting too cooped up, I make time for a walk. Especially if it's a windy day, there's just something about it that takes me back, and it allows me to reflect on things.

The wind does that to you too, huh? I understand. You said you game with your group, what kind of games? Any you like, or do you not care what the game is?
I personally will play anything they wanna play. PvP is one of my favorites, and I guess PvE is the same way, I guess anything that involves other people, whether it be co-op or versus.

Would it be wrong to assume that you first encountered video games through the internet?
No sir, it wouldn't.

Okay, that just about wraps this… up. One last question though: what made you want to force your way here and get interviewed?
Heard about it, and got in.

Ah, well then. I guess I hope to see you again?
Oh you will. I promise you that.

Magus Ashton

Good to see you, Mister…
The name's Magus Ashton, my good man.

Um, did you apply here? I can't seem to get any confirmation on it.
I'm sorry, I wasn't aware that I had to apply. I can leave if you-

Nah, it's fine. I need one more person here, and you seem respectable enough.
Thank you, my good sir.

No worries, I've just been busy trying to get things sorted with that hacking incident. Now let's start from the beginning: Who are you and what do you do?
I am the fabled street magician Magus Ashton, occasional partners with stage magician Ruth Bloodwood.

Can I just ask, are Magus Ashton and Ruth Bloodwood performer names?
I can't say for certain about Sir Bloodwood, but I use my real name.

Thank you for indulging me. What got you onto this path to begin with?
You'll have to forgive me for not going too much into it. Let's just say that I had to make do when I was a young lad. I had learned the art of deception on my own to feed and shelter myself, but it was at some point I realized that people better appreciate the skill if it's being used as a source of entertainment. So I tried out some acts out on the street, and gained enough money for the entire week. That was when I knew I was onto something, which has led me to where I am now.

Did you have any help with any of that, like your parents?
Alas, they are not the kind of role models I needed in that particular era of my life. I doubt they have changed. My family doesn't look out for each other, only themselves, and even then I don't think some of them did that. They were more willing to have others do the work than to work themselves, so I distanced myself from their grasp.

I'm sorry to hear that. Have you at least found some people you'd consider as family, or at the very least some close friends?
…I never thought about it too much. While I never found a replacement family, I do have a close circle of friends. Sir Bloodwood is one of them. Not all of them do the same things we do, but rest assured they are all very like-minded people.

That's nice. Do you have anything else you do, like hobbies or something?
Believe it or not, I'm pretty good with a guitar. I play in a street band with some of my pals called Lamb of the Carnivores. The titular lamb is Betty, she's our singer. It's a hobby for me, primarily because I want to help them make it big, but they've been discussing having my spot on guitar be permanent. They haven't found anyone else for that position. I like music, you can't really have a show without music to enhance what is happening. I listen to it, play it, discuss it, and dream it.

I can't agree more. Have you heard of video games?
Yes I have. I don't play them often, but they're fun nonetheless.

I've felt the same way about music for video games. Sometimes you just can't fully experience a game if you don't have the music.
Very astute. I can follow that logic.

Would you say that you have a favorite genre of game?
I have a fondness for puzzle games. Puzzles, strategies, anything that requires me to think, really.

Alright, I think we're about done here. I do have one more question for you though: what made you want to come here and get interviewed?
I've been looking for someplace stable to start working at, and I thought this fit the bill.

Thank you for coming through! I hope to see you again.
Pleasure talking with you, good sir.