8.x (Interlude; Coil)

8.x (Interlude; Coil)

Coil, ever paranoid, exists in two realities. In one, he’s in his secure underground base, monitoring news and stocks. In the other, he’s an ordinary suburbanite, preparing for work after a city-wide disaster. He’s a man of routine, using a fabricated identity to navigate the world, a stark contrast to his costumed self, hidden away in an electrician’s van driven by his loyal underling, Creep.

Coil’s philosophy revolves around control, using people’s primal needs to manipulate them. He values those desperate for something only he can provide, like the Travelers or Creep. For others, wealth suffices. His base, a hidden project within the city’s construction, is nearly complete. He converses with his “pet,” a girl named Dinah, who provides probabilities of future events. She confirms minimal immediate danger, allowing Coil to collapse the less restful reality.

He splits realities again, assigning his captains to exploit the divided Empire Eighty-Eight while surveying the base’s progress. He learns the containment facility for Noelle, a troubled Traveler, is ready, and she’s agitated. Coil plans to introduce Tattletale to assess the situation, but her team’s internal issues prevent it.

Visiting Noelle with Trickster, he finds her distraught and demanding a fix for her condition. A violent outburst underscores her deteriorating state. Coil cancels the reality, shifting back to his captains. He orders preparations for an assault, then instructs Mr. Pitter to ensure Noelle’s comfort and reinforce her containment.

Back in his quarters, Coil checks for updates before splitting realities again. He questions Dinah about his plan’s success, learning it’s improved since Leviathan’s attack. The Undersiders’ involvement remains uncertain, but changes in the team could increase his odds. However, the chance of resolving the Travelers’ situation has decreased.

Coil, irritated by Noelle’s outburst, contemplates his next move. He owes a favor, a week’s service, and worries about the potential cost. He dismisses the reality with Dinah, indulging in a separate world, free of consequences. He summons Mr. Pitter, splitting realities once more. In one, he orders a low dosage of “candy” for Dinah. In the other, he locks the doors, preparing for a private indulgence, a reward for his patience and a reminder of his control. He’s replaceable, after all. No such thing as being too paranoid.