The Penumbra Podcast

A family is formed. A journey begins. A new era dawns. And out here, past the boundaries of City or government or law? Nothing stays guaranteed for long. Everything can change -- so you'd better hope you can keep up, or you might just get left behind. It's crime time, baby. Let's go.

Reduce all to what is most essential. A debutante's ball. A Gilded Globe. A ballroom floor, approximately 3000 square feet. An auction gone awry, An ex-detective shouting his cover at the top of his lungs, spitting it on the floor for all to see, an ingrate, an immature... And my debts, mounting. Even now, with every second. File it away. Reduce all to what is most essential. A debutante's ball. A Gilded Globe...

In a quiet breeze amidst red leaves, Fate deals a new hand.

There is no Fate, where the Universe is considered; there is only Intention. Things may have their proper place, of course, but once they get there... what they do is anyone's guess, including the Universe that brought them there in the first place.

Strong hands to work the dust Long days -- in body I trust My tools have turned to rust...

All dressed in evergreen Ah yes, the birth of Spring What will your garden bring?

Untold years ago, a monster woman and a human man witnessed the end of the world. It went like this: one explosion; then two explosions; then a great rumbling; and then, darkness. And that should have been the end of it, and them, and everything. But today, one-and-a-half monsters and two-and-a-half humans will witness that end again -- and if they aren't careful, it might be their end, too.

In thirty minutes, the Bridge at the end of the world will be destroyed. It will go like this: there will be one explosion; then there will be two explosions; then there will be a terrible whistling, a shriek from beyond the stars; and then... silence. And thirty minutes after that the Bridge will fall again. And again. And again. And unless Olala, Damien, and Arum can race up that Bridge and find their way back to a stable present before their thirty minutes are up, this end of the world might claim them, too.

Vespa Ilkay's best days are behind her. It doesn't matter if this statement is actually true; she has convinced herself that it is. Whenever Vespa looks at herself today all she can see is the woman she used to be: a galaxy-class doctor and assassin. A legend. It doesn't matter if Vespa ever was a legend, or if she really has fallen as far as she thinks she has. She has made her decision, and tomorrow, she will act on it. Although that may not matter, either. Because if the visitor in the night has their way, tomorrow will never come.

Sometimes seeing the truth is enough to make you miss the blissful blindness that is ignorance.

Every city has its secrets that it keeps under lock and key--and that's why Quanyii, Witch of the Wastes, has no interest in those. If every city has them, they're not exactly special, are they? The big secrets though--those are a little more hidden. Like...two locks and two keys. And Quanyii has one secret of the Second Citadel just like that that he wants. All he needs is an accomplice.Oh, hello, little girl. Do you have a minute?

A whisper from the darkness: "One good turn deserves another, and so I'll give you two; Allow me this one favor and I'll do its twin for you."

WANTED: Six members of newly-established Aurinko Crime Family. Though we are unclear on their capabilities, suspects should be treated as if they are ARMED and DANGEROUS. Current location unknown. Those with information leading to the capture of the suspects should immediately contact [REDACTED] Welcome to the Penumbra, dear Traveler. We hope you enjoy your stay.

WANTED: Six members of newly-established Aurinko Crime Family. Though we are unclear on their capabilities, suspects should be treated as if they are ARMED and DANGEROUS. Current location unknown. Those with information leading to the capture of the suspects should immediately contact [REDACTED]

Milltown. The darkest night, when villains walk freely to spread their evil in the cover of shadow. In this cursed land, at this cursed time, is there no one who will take a stand for Truth, Justice, and the Citadel way? Put on your masks. Tonight, justice hides his face.

Love is, of course, the most heroic emotion -- but only if you're a hero while you're feeling it. If you're evil it's just... icky? Has anyone checked if evil people can feel love? Regardless: love and justice are exactly what's in store for the Vigilant He tonight, as he attempts to save Milltown from its masked captor once and for all!

While the rest of the Aurinko Crime Family is on their big heist to steal the cure mother prime, Buddy recalls their final preparations and possibly the last hours of her life…

A legend can only die when the stories surrounding it stop being told. But a life, even one that generates legends in its time... a life is very, very fragile. Which is worth saving, then? A legend that will go on for ages... or a life, fleeting and delicate and precious?

On the eve of the Kite's assault: a story of two awakenings.

In which boundaries magical and fatal are transgressed.

Juno Steel has been feeling a little out-of-body, lately. Kind of like... well, it's been so busy he hasn't even had time to listen to his own thoughts. But the day of a wedding demands reflection: on where we came from, and where we are going. And at the end of a good thing, is there any question scarier than "where are we going?"

SUSPECT NAME: Juno Steel OCCUPATION: Former police detective and private investigator INCIDENT DETAILS: Found in possession of Class X radical (see form DM10-894-91) SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION: ERROR. PLEASE ENTER SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION: DIRECTOR. PLEASE ENTER SUGGESTED COURSE OF ACTION.

Sunset. The precise moment the Kite promised his assault on the Second Citadel would come. Two women now return to a land that does not want them to save it from itself... but why? We can't choose our families and we can't choose our homes. But we can choose how much of ourselves we give to them.

The hour of judgment is upon the Second Citadel, and its self-appointed judge, jury, and executioner sharpens his blade in wait. It may not be true that might makes right -- but if the mightiest are wrong, who can stop them from saying otherwise? Some people will do anything to protect their home. The trouble arises when others who live there disagree on what they must be protected from.

In which the world gets a little bigger, a little meaner.