Another Cup of Oil AU

Alternate Universe based on @dovewingkinnie song. Made by @marisiss and @strangedinostuff This is where the corporate terror begins.

[anothercupofoil]

MASTERPOST

Some facts and lore:

PART 1 (teeth bait, food canons, toxic oil's invention and company's backstory)

PART 2 (company's structure, mutants, infection process, coworkers and Teto's backstory)

Reason of wearing gloves: ASK

About mutants and their animal characteristics: ASK 1, ASK 2

About Teto: ASK 1

About Neru: ASK 1, ASK 2, ASK 3

[anothercupofoil]

Excerpt from here, since I'm TOO lazy to draw a full-fledged comic YET

*Kaito shitting himself from jumpscare with Miku turned out to be the last straw for him. Somehow tearing out of his CELL, he ran unnoticed to the office of Neru*

— M-Miss Akita, I can't do this anymore. Fire me, I beg you!

* Neru sits quietly in the Gendo pose and grins at the plea*

— Tsk-tsk-tsk, hah, you know perfectly well what "fire" means

— ... I know, but—

— That's it, go back to your office. It's not for nothing that I chose you as an observant guard.

—But I'm human! I can't melt and turn into oil...

— ... I ALWAYS have the opportunity to make you a mutant for my profit. You're not the first one here in your position.

* She comes up behind him and puts her hand on his shoulder, which is massive even for him*

— So, be a good boy and work

[anothercupofoil]

I'll be hated fr

So, in one post we mentioned what Neru can observe the coworkers. So, she hired Kaito for this case. In fact, like everyone else, he received a job offer from a closed part of Japan, and he lived in an open part before. Before he started working, he was a pretty cheerful guy, but after getting a job, he became a frail, maybe even sickly, person. He has sunken eyelids and stubble on his chin due to the fact that he doesn't actually go home (only sometimes) and sits in his office for almost the whole day, watching the section of the department where our main characters are, so to speak.

His favorite food is spicy pepperoni pizza and strong black tea without sugar, but often prefers soda or energy drinks. He doesn't feel anything for coworkers only fear and stress constantly.

Also, he often comes to Neru to report on what is happening in the department, most likely so that there is a reason to fire one of the employees.

He often had nervous breakdowns and paranoia while being in home or "resting" in his office.

You can notice, what he doesn't have gloves. Why? Neru decided for ONLY him to not wear any gloves as for being in his office most of time and as for scaring to not become one of these coworkers, because he's becoming too vulnerable to them.

Then why Neru protects and ensures his safety? She needs someone to look in cameras for firing as i said. But being promoted is on the contrary is good, yeah? Well yeah, but in the hierarchy of this company, humans are higher than mutants.

That's all for now, I will update some facts and add more IF YOU WANT.

[anothercupofoil]

Idk, should i post about new character in au, because we still didn't answered ask in inbox....

Tell me, if you want to see and some lore about this character

[anothercupofoil]

We're not dead if anything. Neru getting poisoned, eeeeee

[anothercupofoil]

"Hey-y, wanted to note that you can also ask questions to the members of company themselves!...

If you'll survive hazard environment there. I'll recommend you to prepare something for it..

Good luck"

–?

[anothercupofoil]

Has Neru ever doubted to heal one of her workers?

Well, quick answer would be—no.

Since laboratory incident, when she started to control her infected coworkers and haven't ever tried to try save at least one person, it become her main tactic and life goal.

Sure, you can think, if she would cherish anyone from her workers so much, or get too much attached to her worker, would she rethink it?

Well..No.

Let's return to Miku's case.

Neru had some "sympathy" to her, but did it changed anything? No. Moreover, she find a potential in her "sympathy's object", so she decided to "unlock this potential", develop it in something beneficial, something "wonderful".

She feels herself better, when she has control over her people, so making them vulnerable and even more "productive".

The only exception is Evil Gifted Miku(I have told about her before), because she need her to be in this state, so she can fulfill her function.

Though, this process exhaust her body, and Neru doesn't care about it.

Tho, like bonus, I can mention that we had idea that oil creatures can be donor of oil, willingly pumping out small doses. Excess oil in their body can lead this to lethal case, so it could prevent their deathes..for a while.

However, this idea is contradictory, so we're not use about making it canon.

[anothercupofoil]

I think I've never seen Neru in dino's style... wearing her suit i mean. Can i see??

Actually, I think that I posted enough of Boss Neru arts in last post, but I did this silly doodle for ya:

Tho, I would still mention this art:

It's should be like analogy of those riches, who save their asses in bunkers, feeding on people's deaths.

Funfact:there is problem with bunkers. Researches says that riches, if they'll enter bunkers with their bodyguards in some world apocalypse scenario, have a big risk to become workers for bodyguards, because money doesn't have value anymore in such case. And they still dunno what to do to avoid it.

[anothercupofoil]

Oh yeah... Sorry for too much asking but.

Did neru gets infected too? If not, WHY... and how she can't get infected... Whehe... Eh...

WE'RE SO BACK-

Uhem, it's actually ok, don't worry.

I was waiting for this question to be asked actually, so thank you again for it:)

So, firstly, no...not yet.

Secondly, Neru trained herself how to not get infected since she was working on that oil formula back then, when she got infected but cured herself, cuz hazards power was lower in creating process.

Since then, she tends to isolate herself as much as possible from worker's segment as much as possible. There is shield glass in her cabinet, though which oiled workers can talk to her and even push documents through this hole. You could see it in the last post with Una.

More comment about it:

"Neru is in the office, but you can't reach her directly; you can only communicate with her through glass, like in some offices or banks, etc.

This is how she shields herself from these "oil creatures ", and when she leaves, she quickly passes through the employees and runs away. And yes, the glass is very strong, without a single crack. Therefore, Neru is completely safe; they will have to figure out how to get to her directly."

I think she has security camera system, so she can stalk her workers. Also with help of that she doesn't need to leave her cabinet. But if she needs so, she tends to just quickly skim through hall. We thought that she could even wear mask or special costume in such cases, but it would be strange for newbies to see their boss in mask, so..she uses it when it's actually possible fo do it without any suspicions.

Also, the other key of her succes to not get infected—she eats separate, clean dishes. Neru's personal cookers are doing those for her, and also transfer to her cabinet through the most cleanest halls in the building.

...But, in the end, karma would get her anyway. However, this is other story for another time.

[anothercupofoil]

Silence of the big office room was broken by loud clap of a firm handshake:

—I'm so glad to be able to finally meet you, Ms. Akita! I heard so much about your company and now I have a chance to take a look!

—It's pleasure for me to have a deal with you too, Ms. Otomachi. I think we're really gonna take benefit from our meeting.

—Yes-yes, I believe so!!

—Since you're guest in my company, maybe I will give a tour for you?

—Yes, it would be so nice, thank you!

...

The sound of shoe heels echoes across the parquet floors of the corridors, reaching distant corners of the department..

—So, Ms Neru.. Your company's main product is a oil, right?

—Yes, and still we need this office to control our sales, budget and...Oh, look, here's our pride

—Huh?

Una could see how they approaches silhouettes of familiar workers to her.

—Oh, it's Miku and Teto! Hey-y guys, how are ya'll doing? Are ya two still bickering like my dumbasses?

—H-huh? Actually it's prohibited, we can't..

—Or else we're gonna be FIRED—nervous glasses owner have been sharply interrupted by blue-tie worker

—Oh, wow! Your boss have such strict strategy, I can respect it..

Neru was only just smirking satisfied, maybe even proudly, spectating their conversation. However, she decided to intervine:

—It's just a part of discipline. But let's move forward, we can discuss it later in my office. What about another glass of wine?

—That would be nice! Bye guys, don't lose that spirit of yours—Una waved at them sweetly, turning around to join Neru...

...But she wouldn't ever notice, how one specific member's heart of this "duet" sank after mention of dismissal.

...

Business relationship can unusually quickly strengthen after some simple friendly talks and...Placed trust.

—Do you think that I can handle this place?

—Una, are you kidding me or do you seriously forgot that you're a boss of your own company?

—Yeah, sure..—she take a glance on familiar office desktop, but then looked up at protective glass in front of her—Is it necessary?

—Oh, of course. Soon you'll see why. But don't worry, you're safe, you just need to do your job as you always do it. Did you wanted to take a better glimpse into work of my company? Now you have the best chance for it.

—Yes-yes, thank you-

—No need to mention it. Now good luck, I'm going away on business meetings, as I said. I'll see you tomorrow!

—Yeah, I hope so..

Despite the familiar surroundings and familiar work, Una couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness. What had made this cheerful and optimistic person so anxious for no apparent reason? Perhaps it was the security glass. It was the only element missing from her own office, creating a Chekhov's gun effect...

Knock-knock

—Come in

In front of her was the same familiar person to her—Miku with papers in her hands, gripping it carelessly, rolled them into a tube. Ordinary case. She was worrying over nothing, isn't it?

—Hey bo...Oh, it's you again.

—Yes, today I'm replacing her, let's say I'm her deputy for today.

—I see...—blue-tie worker said with scrutinizing gaze—so, how I see..You're not like a boss, you look someone more..close to us.

—Huh?

—You're on our side, right?

—Oh, I guess so..

Una spend this tense moment of pause under Miku's attentive, sharp look.

Silence...Deep sigh.

—...GEEEEZ, I can finally relax!—she exhaled it, relaxing her posture and mouth, revealing her teeth.

—WHAT THE-—Una almost jumped in her seat

—Huh? Oh, don't ya have teeth too?

—I-i, I mean, I sure have them!

—If that's so, can I see them?—Miku raised her eyebrows with animalistic curiosity in her posture, leaned little bit closer.

—Uh! Well..Sorry, but I need to have appointment with my dentist

—...Weird.

Despite that, she pushed the papers through a small hole in the glass:

—Well, give our boss this quarterly report, which WE, AS A WHOLE DEPARTMENT, diligently completed, yeah. SOMEONE can denie it, but don't mind it..—after it, she pointed at the door with a hint of despise—Oh, also this SOMEONE going to visit you after me. Good luck, Boss.

After the door slammed, our newly appointed "deputy boss" only had a couple of minutes to catch breath and collect thoughts...

WHAT THE HELL IT WAS RIGHT NOW?!-

Knock-knock

—Ahem..May I..

—Come in.

God, this new visitor's figure looked too pathetic and shaken, like she's going to faint or explode before telling anything next. Una already had an urge to call ambulance or do anything else, just to prevent Teto's collapse.

    

—So..

—Don't worry, go on.

—May I assume that you're close to our boss? I mean, don't get me wrong, please..

—Yeah-yeah, you can say so—despite the familiarity, Una gained strange empathy toward her, which made her being little bit..less professional.

—So..I just have one question. I know it's bold to ask such thing just after the month of work, but I wanted to know any requirements to get..promotion. My colleagues dismiss me everytime, even Miss Akita says something abstract and standard about it and..That's all.—she noticed slight bewilderment in Una's gaze and continued with more stutter—I-i am not begging for it, or, God save me, I don't want to offer bribes. If I need to work more harder, take overtime hourses or work with any important projects, or..just anything, I'll do it. I..Yes, I'm shamelessly admitting that I'm desperate for any chances to grow up, so...I just hope if you'll raise this topic with boss and if it would help to make her just notice me...I'll be very grateful, I'll owe you, I swear...

Una was so overwhelmed with it, she thought that Teto would drop to her knees any time. Of course, in some way, it looked pathetic, almost disgustingly pathetic, but one detail in intern's monologue mind troubled her mind, which made her feel some..sympathy?

—Ok-ok, calm down, no need to go being sappy..—Una heavily sighed, leaning back in her chair, trying to put professional facade again—I can mention this theme with your boss tomorrow, but I don't promise anything

—Thank you! Thank you so much, I-

—Now-now, you're free now. Go back to your work until I'll change my mind

—Sure..Bye, boss

...

—So-o, Una, how it went?

—Oh, smoothly, no incident have happened!

—Oh, great, good job! Thank you, I know I could rely on such professional like you

—Yes-yes, thank you..By the way, I have something to discuss.

—Hm?

—That worker of your, Teto..I don't know what plans you have on her, but she was asking about her promotion, and, well..she was quite desperate. Pathetically desperate..So-

—Oh, good question, my friend. Don't worry, we are working on it right now with whole department.

—Woah! Team work? It sounds quite interesting...

— Yeah, sure, you may say so

...

The clicking of heels on the parquet floor gradually gave way to the noise of running and talking, the clicking of keyboards, and the hum of various computers.

—..So, here you can see our main department. In a matter of months, it formed and grew before my eyes, and most of the office work is based on it.

—Wow..It's quite impressive.

—I know, my friend. Turn left, turn right—you can take a glimpse of their important work-

—HEY! GUYS! ARGH, GUMI, MEIKO, ANYONE, PICK UP YOUR LAZY ASSES AND COME HERE!

—DAMN, MIKU, I SWEAR, IF YOU WOULDN'T STOP SCREAMING, MY MIGRAINE WOULD KILL YOU-oh dear, again-

—Hey, c'here please, call someone else!

—Roger!

—Huh?—Una turned around to see what's going on, but her blood ran cold in next moment, when she took a "glimpse" of ordinary work routine there.

Several workers, almost whole department, were carrying someone's lifeless body. The sight become more worser, when Una took a closer look. It was Teto! This fact made her breath take away. Moreover, the picture of Kasane's condition imprinted in her mind for a long time, and Otomachi just didn't want to know exactly what she saw in that moment on worker's face.

—Gosh, I didn't know she could be so heavy...

Multiply voices were ringing in her ears. She felt herself dizzy and returned to reality only after a snap of fingers in front of her nose:

—Hey, Una, are you here?

—H-huh? Wait, this is my turn to ask questions...W-WHAT THE HELL IT WAS?! WHAT HAPPENED TO TETO? IS SHE OKAY? IS SHE ALIVE AT ALL? AND WHY THE HELL YOU ARE SO DAMN CALM ABOUT IT-

—Shhh, don't worry, you don't need to get so heated up. She's okay, and actually she's doing pretty good—she has promoted right now!

—W-wha-

—I told ya, she will get promoted. Don't worry, soon she'll be able to continue work on her new job title. Maybe let's celebrate it in my cabinet with bottle of champagne?

—...I'll prefer something stronger right now.

...

Ordinary workday in office can't exist without coffee break time. However, something have changed in basic routine of this department—no one were running with several cups of coffee, no anymore. Moreover, one tall figure with bright red tie and glasses appeared in this location, casually chilling there. But something interrupted her moment of calmness:

—KASANE?! NO WAY, IT'S YOU!

—Huh?-

Teto hadn't time to react before someone smaller crashed her in tight hug, knocking the air out of lungs

—GOSH, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so fucking sorry...

—Hey?..

Teto looked down to be surprised by the sight – it was THAT "deputy". She felt herself unusually awkward, not knowing how to handle someone with higher rank in such vulnerable moment, so she carefully placed comforting hand on her back.

—I'm so sorry, I didn't wanted it for you..

—Hey, it isn't your fault. You didn't know..like I'm too. Actually, I don't complain, I..reached my goal with your help, and—she frozed after feeling...wet dump on her jacket?

—...I-i swear, I'm going to protect you! Protect everyone! Protect anyone from-

—No, you don't need to. Actually, you have your own workers to..protect

—Huh?—Una pulled up her face with glossy eyes from the chest at that moment—Oh..You definitely grow up, Teto.

...

Balcony. Immitational sunset. From this place you can spectate a wondering sights, inhaling hazardous smoky air, fresh smell of which you can sense only in evenings. You can also enjoy a bottle of expensive exclusive wine, because only you can have such amazing balcony in this office's building.

—Are you sure you don't want to take a sip? You look unusually uptight today.

—Today I will abstain.

Tense silence. Several gulps.

—You know..

—Split it out already, Una

—I hate you.

—Come again?

—I was thinking a lot about you, about everything..—her voice's unusually cracking, while hands grips the rail shakingly tight—And I come to clear conclusion. I..I hate you, yes, I hate you, I hate you so much, I...I just hate you so much, you..you..

—Hmm, I'll take that into account, but we still have a trade agreement—she states, nonchalantly taking another sip, meeting almost insane gaze of her partner.

—Oh, well..I didn't believe, that I would say it, but..

—But?..

—Fuck you

Shrug.

—..Oh, I see it's your such poetic way to say about termination of contract?

—Indeed.

—Well, I fear it's too late..I'll break it up for you, but

—Huh? What now?..

"...You can't do it anymore, Una. Moreover, you know too much already for your own good..."

Text by: @strangedinosstuff Art by: @marisiss

[anothercupofoil]

Congratulations on getting the job!

[anothercupofoil]

Well... I was thinking about teto on your AU... Is she will be one of them? Like miku or meiko? If yes, what animal teeth she will have? :3

O-o-oh, I'm glad that you asked this question!

Sorry for lore dump, but I waited for chance to reveal information about Teto..Because I forgot to reveal normal stuff in main lore post;p

[click on pick for better quality!]

So yeaaah, this is missing info, which I cutted to..make suspence ig.

Sooner or later Teto would become infected in near future — this is Neru's and company's goal to infect every newbie workers.

I want to add that she hate coffee cuz of nauseous smell and work, so she tends to bring thermos with tea to work. Cuz of the same reason she avoids office's food and tends to bring lucnhes from home also. Tho, it would become object of jokes, like, "no way your mommy still prepare food for ya". This factor reducing her chance to be infected, make it way lot harder..

Talking about your question, yeah, how you see, she would have animal teeth. Lion't teeth. Why she has king's teeth?

Well, we were thinking that teto would have teeth of some "highest predators", tho actually lions doesn't have the most powerful fangs. In top 10, they have been on the lower place. They tend to live in prides and hunt together, so they don't need that much powerful bites as predators, who tend to hunt separately(and shark's fangs are way lot stronger).

Also, yeah, she would grow, but still she wouldn't be higher than Miku!

[click for quality]

Answer by @strangedinosstuff

[anothercupofoil]

Why Is Una the boss? Well, The superior of Teto, Miku, etc.

We didn't quite understand the question, because in our AU, the boss is not Una, but Neru.

And what did you mean? Like literally what you asked or forgot to put "no"?

But, Una can't be boss here, because she's too much a goofy blobery for such setting.

We hope, we get it right.

[anothercupofoil]

Hey, dear guests

Just you to remind, that we are open and you can always ask us a question while we prepare new facts and lore!

You're always welcome here

[strangedinosstuff]

Uhm so... In your another cup AU oil, is there any more stages that makes them more aggressive? Like an actual animal?

Example miku, when she's got too much oil, is she going to be a monster/ humanloid? Or maybe she can attack someone... I'm very curious and excited to read your another cup AU!! Eheheh

I see there's some tendency for animalism in questions there, he-he..

Well-l, sorry for breaking up it for you, but this is the last stage, they're not going to evolve physically in something more animalistic, monster or humanloid.

They can get wild because of their own aggresion, which could be the result of pent off bitterness and rotten body, which affects the condition of their soul. So, actually they can attack people or themselves, or even devour them(?)

Considering their toothy mouthes, big height and incresead speed/power and etc, they already have impressive combat skills and already are a deadly threat to an unarmed person, who consists..the office environment.

Yeah, such things are very unprofitable for Neru. It destroys discipline and "productive office corporative" atmosphere. She would lost control over big amount of workers in this case.

Tho, "overoiling" can create other effect—their body can cannot withstand too much quantities of oil; they lose their ability to function, and then the body completely loses its stability and bursts, turning into a puddle, which helps Neru to grow money. Maybe they could "donating" oil like blood donors at the risk of “bursting,” but that won't help forever.

Talking about their bodies—they're quite fragile in some way. They can tolerate little cuts, but their oil can flow out like blood in more deep injuries. which is way more dangerous than blood loosing for humans, again turning them into puddles. Tho, they can "heal" themselves with coffee in this case. Also, talking about combats, they can grow claws and little bit deform their body for better attack, cuz they're literally ballons with oil inside(like increasing flexibility for better speed or mouth expansion). Btw, they can connect to body tearead off limb.

We limit their abilities to make everything +- reasonable for office settings and to not create chaos from it. So, no, they don't have tentacles(lol).

Sorry for the lack of pictures. We're with @marisiss busy rn on new blog, in which we'll have official ask blog and more content!

[strangedinosstuff]

About another cup of oil... is in the same universe of your my toy AU?

Also, does the mutants (like miku, rin, gumi, or luke) have more animal characteristics or skills?

I'm so sorry for delaying answer, I had dome problems.

Tho..You're lucky, cuz while I was working on art part, I'm and @marisiss made a new lore dump!

For first question...

Well, yeah, but there are a lot of nuances.

Firstly, I glad that you know about My Toy Au too! If someone's, he-he, newbie and doesn't know about it, you can found out more

THERE

Originally we thought that they just gonna live in open part of Japan.

I need to note that this closed city is very strict about their exits. You can easily move to there, but you can't leave it.

Especially, it's strict for mutant and infected residents. Also, there is little chance of you getting out of there through document permission, but it's very hard to get it(Glory to Arstotzka!)

But then we thought that actually Evil Gifted Miku could live in this city. We jokingly thought that Evil Gifted is evil tvin twink of original Gifted, but I offered other idea..

reference to this post

Here's the lore:

Gifted Miku received invitation, which promised her huge career growth, unlocking potential, recognition, and, simply put, mountains of gold. It made her lightheaded, so she decided to try this new job. She reassured Teto that she'll just move to here for a while, and then of course she would come back. Tho, Teto have not been asking for reassurance, but Gifted still did it..

And after it she got trapped there and never come back.

Because of environment, bitterness and actual possibilities to "unlock potential" through dirty job in this city,her way of mind became more wicked, so soon she got job from Neru.

She works as local doctor, whose actual job is lying to new workers about hallucinations and accomplishment of anything, whatever Neru asks her to do as doctor.

Evil Gifted is a only worker, who gets treatment from Neru after getting first symptoms(cuz Neru already has experience with it in past). But it's still affects her health, so sometimes..She coughs, and also she looks little bit..sick.

Idk still about My Toy Teto, but Gifted misses her, tho..she has new grumpy and anxious Teto.

Btw, we thought Toy Teto and Neru could know each other, cuz Neru could sometimes visit open part of Japan to find investors and etc.

For the second question...

Well, mostly workers don't need those animalistic traits, cuz it's weird for office environment. But there are few things about them..

Firstly, they can bite back if you made them mad too much.

Secondly, mutant body has some advantages over human form. They're taller, faster and stronger(that's why Miku and other are quite..huge). Also, they have quite developed sense of smell.

Thirdly, they subconsciously divides "ours/theirs"(mutants/humans). Tho, they don't have hostile instincts toward humans. They actually unconsciously want to be closer to them, cuz it can infect people. Their main goal is to infect person, to make them "their-alike". It is up to the mutant themselves to decide how to deal with this. Maybe that's why Gumi pours coffee on Teto's head(btw, I forgot to tell about her food and drinks preferences, but it's for other post, if ya want).

Fourth thing about animal traits, contuining bites theme...

They can gain urge to claim someone of something, so they can mark person for example.

So...I took this think as reason to show their bites(I took references for it from the real animal bites!)

Non-canon scene with non-canon meeting with original Gifted for joke's sake

If I'll gain more questions, I'll make separate tag for it

[strangedinosstuff]

for the another cup of oil AU, do the gloves continue to be part of the uniform for aesthetic purposes? or is there an actual practical reason why they wouldn't want their workers to touch stuff with their bare hands?

Oooh, that's good question!

There is reason for them to continue wear gloves not just for aestethic or dress-code. You know, Neru hides the truth as much as possible, so if you can explain their looks by hallucinations, you can't explain...

this. For example, you can see Teto's and Miku's handhake. Yeah, cuz of oil, their hand are too much soft, sticky, slimy and little bit unstable. You can't explain this as normal human quirk. Also those hands can make stains on any objects, esoecially something important. Neru is still human, despite of her being the boss(and there is a reason too!), so she doesn't want to touch "dirty" paperwork.

(click for quality)

Teto and other newbies don't know it of course, thinking that this is just dress-code. Strict dress-code.

first and third pic by @marisiss