>>29298297
>Approach calmly

Ask Sally for advice since she's had to deal with this insanity the longest.

>>29298297
Approach cautiously, he might not be alone.

>>29298297
>Approach calmly. He might be stronger than he appears.
FUCK I'M READING ALL THESE QUESTS AT ONE TIME

>>29298297
>cautious approach
"what the fuck do you want, shithead?"

>>29298461
>>29298409
>>29298406

Writing.

>>29298297
>Approach calmly. He might be stronger than he appears.

See if Sally has any ideas on what and who this guy is. She's been at this longer than any of us.

Scan the perimeter, make sure there aren't any ambushers that we haven't noticed.

See what he wants first. I'd like to know if this guy is allied with other people or not.

How did the Japanese Rebels even know about us or Carrie?

I really hope Fury Gold and Heart Silver aren't double agents.

>>29298542
You approach calmly, and the man rises, easily seven feet tall. He hitches the blade to his side, then turns to face you.

"ようこそ日本へ、放浪者。"

"I don't understand Japanese, tin can."

"ああ。あなたがピルを受けていない...恥。"

"Goddamnit, can anyone of you translate?"

"I can." A beetle steps out onto Thomas's shoulder. "He's welcoming you to Japan, and he just mentioned some sort of pill."

"Oh, hey Diablo." Thomas says.

"You never want to talk..." he grumbles.

>"How did you know about me and Carrie?"
>"Why are you doing this?"
>Take the blue pill.
>Writein

>>29298642
My guess is Jean, either directly or indirectly. I'm not sure I trust that guy she hired to play her father.

>>29298722
That's some stiff moonspeak.

>>29298722
>Take the blue pill.

>>29298801
Google translate is a shit, but it's all I have.

>>29298722
>>Take the blue pill.
You leave me no choice.

>>29298722
>Hi Diablo. Thanks for translating.
>Why are you doing this?

>>29298816
I'd help. But I'm only a beginner. Reading is something I can do somewhat okay but composing sentences is a little beyond me.

>>29298722
"Give back his sister and my Girlfriend you fuckin zippo."

>>29298722
>How did you know about me and Carrie
>Why are you doing this

>>29298722
Take the blue pill so we won't have to see more google translated Japanese.

>>29298851
>>29298811
>>29298885
Writing.

>>29298963
"Fuck it." you say, tossing the pill down your throat.

You feel things shift in your mind, then blink at him.

"<That's much better.>" he says. "<Now we can understand one another.>"

"(English)" Thomas says, pure gibberish. "(Louder English!)"

"<Now that you can hear me, welcome to Japan.>" he says.

YOu stare him down.
"<Why are you doing this?>" you ask, frowning.

"<I was assigned to do it by by superiors.>" he says stiffly.

Thomas is now yelling at you.

>And who might they be?
>Why?
>Thomas, I can't understand you!
>Writein

>>29298963
...how long does the spell last and how easy are they to come by?

>>29299069
>>Why?

>>29299069
"Carrie plz."

>>29299069
"Bart, have his shadow whisper to him to surrender."

>>29299069
>If you would be so kind as to excuse me for one moment. Diablo, please tell Thomas that I can no longer understand him and please translate for him, thank you. Now, Mr. I-Have-Yet-To-Introduce-Myself, you said something about superiors?

>>29299201
This

>>29299069
>>And who might they be?

>>29299069
Ask Diablo to tell Thomas how the pills work.

Ask the samurai if he could kindly release Carrie now that we are here.

>>29299201
sure

>>29299069
>And who might they be?

>>29299069
This
>>29299201

Oh fuck, we forgot to leave dad a note didn't we? There anyone we could send to check up on him?

>>29299405
Jean?

>>29299462
I don't think she has her new legs yet...

>>29299201
"<Diablo, tell Thomas I can't understand him?>"

"<Sure.> (English.)" he speaks to Thomas, who sighs, and he and Bart get into an argument in gibberish.

"<Who are your superiors?>"

"<They are called the Shadow Council. You might know them as the Umbral Rebellion.>"

"<Just give me back Carrie.>"

"<I'm afraid my orders don't allow that.>" he says, squaring his stance.

"<At least introduce yourself.>"

"<I am Steel.>" he says. "<That is all you need to know.>"

>If you don't give her back, I'm going to have to hurt you, Steel.
>Why did you get these orders?
>Signal Sally.
>Signal Thomas.
>Signal Bart.
>Attack.
>Writein

>>29299590
>>If you don't give her back, I'm going to have to hurt you, Steel.

>>29299590
>>Why did you get these orders?

>>29299590
>>If you don't give her back, I'm going to have to hurt you, Steel.
>>Why did you get these orders?

>>29299590
>If you don't give her back, I'm going to have to hurt you, Steel.

>>29299590
Now might be a good time to read that moon speak invitation...or talk to Carrie to make sure she's ok.

>>29299590
>Why did you get these orders?

"Why Carrie?"

>>29299590
Did we pick up the shotgun? Can we just shoot him with that?

I doubt he'll be expecting that. Hopefully.

>>29299704
He's wearing heavy magic armor, I doubt our shotgun will phase him that much.

>>29299590
"So what, do we fight now or are you going to ask me to join you first?

What exactly do you hope to accomplish with this?"

>>29299758
"<What do you hope to accomplish here?>"

"<It's said that in times of stress, the human mind is more capable of finding connections.>" he says. "<We gave you a gift, not long ago. A special friend placed something for you to find. You should read it.>"

"<How can I trust you?>"

"<Don't trust me. Trust the truth.>"

"<If you don't give me Carrie back, I'll have to hurt you.>"

"<And if you fail to comprehend what's happening around you, she will get hurt whether you rescue her or not.>"

>The truth is that you're all kidnapping, crazy perverts!
>...Read the file.
>Attack.

>>29299976
>...Read the file.

>>29299976
>>...Read the file.

>>29299976
>...Read the file.

>>29299976
Read the file.
"Let me guess, you're the good guys."

>>29299976
>...Read the file.

>>29300034
>>29300015
>>29300006
>>29300004
You open the file.

"<This was recovered a few years ago.>" he says.
The text shifts from gibberish to readable japanese in a few moments. Names are blanked out, along with most of the text.

< _______ says that we should be able to test the effects of the Key on normal humans within as soon as a few years. While we have every bit of faith in Magus _______, we should have ____ handle the facility we will use. We will begin testing then, to see what occurs.

If we are lucky, the presumed effects will allow us to operate with Deputized Magi more freely, in accordance with the rules set forth by the Magi Round Table, without losing effectiveness. If things go even slightly better than that, we may be able to _______ them __________ through the ________ and the _____ .Defending the _____ will be paramount in this time, if Demons attack them during this time it will all come up in our face.

There will be individuals who rally against us. Make certain they are eliminated.>"

Something seems wrong here.
"<So what do you surmise from that?>"

>It's meaningless. You planted it, after all.
>I should investigate this...
>I don't care. Why are you wasting my time?!

>>29300307
>I should investigate this...

>>29300307
>It's meaningless. You planted it, after all.
>And anything actually incriminating has been blanked out.

>>29300307
"Am I supposed to care? I'm in it so I can retrieve my hyperweapon with the thirteen core wish."

>>29300307
>(sigh) "That as I was already painfully aware there is too much going on and I know next to nothing useful about it all. I also know that you chose about the worst possible way to contact me if you wanted to persuade me of anything, so I have to factor in the fact that despite this being a legitimate document our entire interaction here is still some sort of calculated trap. Why don't you explain exactly how this relates to my girlfriend? Please."

>>29300472
This

>>29300307
seconding >>29300472

>>29300307
>I should investigate this...

"It's worth looking into, though there's too much redacted to prove a single thing, and its origins are somewhat suspicious.

But you still haven't explained why you decided to kidnap my girlfriend. What is the Key and what does it have to do with her?"

>>29298297
Is Patience still doing the lewd scene, OP?

>>29300307
"I mean... yeah that's suspicious. But kidnapping my girlfriend and asking for a showdown at Tokyo Tower doesn't exactly make you seem better.

Like... even if the Magi are doing some shady stuff, that doesn't automatically make you a hero. You could just be a different kind of jackass."

>>29300472
fourthing

Rolled 1, 5, 8 = 14

>>29300472
I like this.

>>29300472
this

>>29300307
>I should investigate this...

>>29300595
This.

>>29300307
Is it just me or was that really tame for a conspiracy. I mean I may not have understood it but was there anything in that file that looked like a threat to us? if not then why should we care?

>>29300595
agreed

>>29300595
>Like... even if the Magi are doing some shady stuff, that doesn't automatically make you a hero. You could just be a different kind of jackass."

I really like this line. Make sure it's in there.

>>29300697
Yeah, a little.

>>29300307
"I don't really have any reason to believe that whatever effects they're testing were done without informed consent. And that blotted out sentence could mean anything.

Also, you kidnapped my girlfriend and left a threatening note."

>>29300472
You sigh.

"<That as I was already painfully aware there is too much going on and I know next to nothing useful about it all. I also know that you chose about the worst possible way to contact me if you wanted to persuade me of anything, so I have to factor in the fact that despite this being a legitimate document our entire interaction here is still some sort of calculated trap. Why don't you explain exactly how this relates to my girlfriend? Please.>"

"<Complaining to me does little good. I was hoping things would not come to this, but time is of the essence, and if we chose any other way to speak with you, I would have died.>"

"<Seems to me you're awful ready to die anyway!>"

He sighs.
"<I see. Then the world does not matter to you...>"

"<Just return Carrie to me, damnit! Even if the Magi are doing some shady shit, that doesn't make you guys heroes! Just different breeds of jackass!>"

"<...>" he meets your eyes. "<I only ask that you do not end the lives of my friends and allies, then. This is not from the Council. This is... From my own heart. They are... emotional, reactionary. But they are my precious allies.>"

He cuts through Carrie's bindings, stepping away from her.

And then his head explodes.

>WHAT
>CARRIE
>WHO

>>29300595
seconded

>>29300820
>>CARRIE

>>29300820
>>CARRIE
OH GOD WHAT THE FUCK HEAD EXPLODING BULLSHIT
CARRIE

>>29300820
call the cops because he just got #REKT

>>29300820
>CARRIE
lol dumbass we're assigned to demonsquashing

>>29300820
>>CARRIE

>>29300820
Man I'm not even shocked by this shit anymore. It's like I'm floating in some kind of dreamlike state, everything completely normal.

>>29300820
>"We have a sniper!"
>Cover Carrie

>>29300820
>WHAT

>>29300820

>CARRIE
>HOLD AND COVER BECAUSE JESUS FUCKING FUCK
>WHAT THE FUCK HIS HEAD EXPLODED
>WHO THE FUCK EXPLODED THAT FUCKERS HEAD

>>29300820
Well, we've just confirmed that these guys have massive martyr complexes...sounds well intentioned but morally inflexible and ultimately shortsighted to me. Still, we ought to check this out on our end.

>>29301017
Or Thomas killed the guy without even hearing what was going on.

>>29300960
>>29300906
>>29300885
>>29300981
You blink as the headless body slumps over, a woman stepping out. Her hand is surrounded by runes in the air, glowing softly. You recover Carrie quickly, when your pocket heats up, and you reach inside - pulling out ashes. The woman points her finger at the body, a blast of heat turning it to ash as well.

"<What...?>"

The woman stares at you, body covered by heavy black clothing. She wears an ushanka, and Sally looks very surprised.

Carrie is shaking, stammering, her eyes staring at nothing. Her face is covered with blood, a bit of brain sliding down one cheek.

>Comfort Carrie.
>Leave
>Talk to the newcomer.
>Writein

>>29301098
Hand Carrie off to her brother, then talk to the newcomer.

>>29301098
>Comfort Carrie

>>29300820
>Carrie

Also, it doesn't mean we don't care about the world.

It just means that we don't respond well to threats.

>>29301098
>Comfort Carrie.
>Talk to the newcomer.
"Did you really have to splatter brains and shit all over my girlfriend?"
HA HA TIME FOR SOME JEAN-BRAND SANITISING MEMORY-WIPES
NOW CITRUS-SCENTED

>>29301098
>Write in
"Diablo, please ask Sally who this is."

>>29301098
>Comfort Carrie

Okay the whole "prisoners are for suckers" thing does seem a bit suspicious.

Like you'd think there'd be a way to depower magical boys and girls.

>>29301194
There is a way. Kill the magus that gave them power in the first place.
Of course, this leaves you with a dead magus and depowers ALL of their deputies.

>>29301179
You hold Carrie close, wiping away the blood and gore as she cries into your chest.

"<Diablo, please ask Sally->"

"<My name is Magus Otto." she says, "<This is my district.>" she says in clipped, terse speech. "<What are you doing here?>"

She tilts her head, regarding Sally. "<Even with those circumstances, this is a deep breach of protocol.>"

>Fuck your protocol!
>And?
>Writein

>>29301371
"So?"

>>29301371
"I'm here because I got a written challenge telling me I could either show up or let my girlfriend come to harm. Good job on burning the evidence, by the way. Totally not suspicious at all."

>>29301371
"I have not been informed of that."

You'd think Mephy, Diablo, or Sally would have said something.

>>29301371
seconding >>29301471
explain about how we were about to be sent here anyway

>>29301457
>"I'm here because I got a written challenge telling me I could either show up or let my girlfriend come to harm. Good job on burning the evidence, by the way. Totally not suspicious at all."

This works.

>>29301371
>>And?
If you know why we are here then I do not think we have anything else to add.

>>29301371
"Seems like you need help keeping your district under control. You should take this up with Atropos."

Also, how fast were we flying to get to Japan so fast?

>>29301457
If she was a Magical Girl, that'd be fine.

But she's a Magi. You don't talk shit to Magi.

>>29301578
She's not OUR Magi so we have no reason to give a single fuck.

>>29301471
>>29301457
a combination of these

>>29301666
Except she's a lot stronger than us and might just kill us for funsies?

>>29301371
"A innocent's life was in danger Magus, and I had not been briefed fully on the situation in Tokyo.

Speaking of protocol, is there a protocol regarding burning evidence?"

>>29301371
>"Magus Otto, thank you for your assistance and I apologize for my reckless breach of decorum, but I was challenged to a duel this night by the man you just eliminated with stakes I could not bring myself to refuse. I take responsibility for bringing my second (indicate Thomas) and two observes (indicate Sally and Bart) with me as I rushed to this location. Had I known this area was under your jurisdiction I would have passed a request for aid through my supervising magus, Asti was I did not know and thought I did not have the time to find out. Please accept my apology and thanks."

>>29301719
This

>>29301752
I love you verbose anon.

[x] This.

>>29301714
And then Atropos escalates.

>>29301371
This
>>29301752

Being a smart ass won't help right now.

>>29301775
Remember we are nothing to Atropos. We are little toy dolls he can remake in the blink of an eye.

>>29301471
>>29301457
"<You think my Familiar would have informed me."

"<It is likely they forgot that Japan is under my general jurisdiction.>" she states. "<I will let this slide, seeing as you are a member of the strike team. However, someone must be punished.>"

Sally moves forth as the Magi raises her hand.

Pointing at Thomas.

"(Panicked English)" he manages, inching back.

"(English.)" she replies.

"<Hold on, shouldn't there be a trial of some kind? Come on, he didn't do anything!>"

She looks to you. "<I...I...>" you take a deep breath. "<Magus Otto, thank you for your assistance and I apologize for my reckless breach of decorum, but I was challenged to a duel this night by the man you just eliminated with stakes I could not bring myself to refuse. I take responsibility for bringing my second and two observes with me as I rushed to this location. Had I known this area was under your jurisdiction I would have passed a request for aid through my supervising magus, Asti was I did not know and thought I did not have the time to find out. Please accept my apology and thanks.>"

You pant heavily at the end of this.

"<So he came of your accord?>" she asks, nodding to Thomas.

>Yes.
>No.

>>29301880
>>Yes.

>>29301880
The taken hostage was his sister. He would have come whether I chose to or not.

>>29301880
>Yes

>>29301880
Prepare to cast shield on ourselves

<Yes>

>>29301880
"It was his sister."

>>29301880
>Yes.

>>29301880
>Yes.

>>29301880
>Yes.

>>29301927
Let me rephrase this as "Yes, though the hostage taken was his sister, Thomas would not have been aware of her theft had I not called on him for aid as my second. He is may responsibility and any punishment you would level against him against any of them, should rightly fall on my head."

>>29302018
>"may responsibility"
Darnit. Always a typo...

>>29301968
>>29301945
>>29301935
>>29301927
>>29301911

"<Yes.>"

She raises her hand, and you feel a deep, searing arm at your shoulder, almost making you scream. You feel flesh and bone burn and crack, you feel tendons snap, and when you look down - Your sleeve slips down your arm, showing a black band with white dots.

"<Once your mission in Japan is concluded, you will pay the price in full. However, I cannot risk the mission here with simple judgement.>" she states. "<I will now send you home.>"

She raises another arm, and-

-You blink as you're all in your room, stumbling. Bart stumbles on your table.

>What now?

>>29302127
Call up Atropos. He has some serious explaining to do.

>>29302171
This

>>29302127
>where is Carrie and the rest of the gang?

>>29302127
"So what kind of trouble did I get into?"

>>29302127

>What the fuck is this?
>What the fuck does this do?
>What the fuck?

>>29302127
Is she literally going to take our arm for trespassing?

That's insane.

>>29302127
>White dots

You have acquired <leprosy>

>>29302127
>Call up Atropos. He has some serious explaining to do.

>>29302195
>you're all in your room

>>29302224
Probably worth it though. Thomas owes us big now.

>>29302127
Let's just quit the mission now then.

>>29302127
>Ask Sally or someone what you have gotten yourself into. What can you expect for the full punishment?

>>29302127
seconding >>29302171
also, what the fuck did she do to us?

WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON

>>29302221
>>29302204
these.

>>29302306
>>29302204
>>29302221
>>29302224
Writing.

>>29302127
>Cuddle Carrie
>Ask Diablo to ask Sally what we just got ourself into with this arm thing

she's a bitch and I hope she dies.

>>29302407
We talking Otto, Carrie or Sally?

Mike?

>>29302346
(I'm going to assume Diablo Translates all your dialogue.)

"<What even just happened?!>"

"You've been cursed." Sally explains through Diablo. "Otto does not like incursion. Once you finish your mission, your arm will be severed."

You don't even have words.
"<What... What even... Why!? This is insane!>"

Sally says nothing, looking a little ashamed. Thomas looks worried, and can't say anything. Carrie is shaking in your arms.

>I just... I don't understand!
>This was planned. The Shadow Council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like.
>This was planned. The Magi wanted to eliminate evidence.
>I just want to sleep...

the bitch who hit us is who I want dead.

>This was planned. The Shadow Council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like.
>This was planned. The Magi wanted to eliminate evidence


a mix of these two please.

>>29302525
>I just... I don't understand!
>This was planned. The Shadow Council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like.
>This was planned. The Magi wanted to eliminate evidence.
All three, and also, fuck that bitch, we are keeping our arm

>>29302525
This was planned. The shadow council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like. Otto is a dick.
This was planned. The Magi wanted to eliminate evidence.
After Otto severs my arm I'm going to beat him with it.

>>29302525
"I'm sick of this whole thing. Fucking Shadow Council, fucking Magi. It's all a bunch of schemes and bullshit."

>>29302611
No reason it couldn't have been both.

>>29302525
>This was planned. The Magi wanted to eliminate evidence.
>This was planned. The Shadow Council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like.

Honestly, they're both fucking with us. The Shadow Council wants us to join them, and used to to try to sway us, the Magi want to eliminate evidence and not have anything upset the status quo.

Also, Otto is a fucking cunt.

Call up Atropos, demand an explanation for this bullshit involving our arm.

>>29302525
[x]This was planned. The Shadow Council wanted to show me what the Magi really are like.

They are good. We need to be better.

Now we can see if Atropos care about us at all. Would he jeopardize his standing with the magi for his little girls.

>>29302525
>I just... I don't understand!
ATROPOS. HALP.

>>29302525
"Why me? Why would the Shadow Council send one of their own to die just to tell me how ruthless some Magi can be?

And do they not get how that doesn't really make them look any better as an organization?"

>>29302707
>Demand explanation why the fucking hell we weren't told what the fucking hell the military strict rules were with all this shit. Would we have lost an arm or something similar if Bart's contract had killed him?

>>29302525
>This was planned. I don't know by whom, but I'm going to find out. Oh god this job is making me paranoid...
>(Sally) What kind of options for limb replacement are there that don't rely on that Magus?

>>29302743
this one

>>29302743
sounds good.

Also cuddle Carrie. She just saw another person die.

"<What even the... Why wasn't I told about this!>"

"Different Magi have different laws. I had hoped the deflect the blame upon myself." Sally explains through Diablo. "I am... I am very sorry."

"<Don't blame yourself.>" you grumble. "<Someone planned this. Someone has to pay, I don't know who. Bitch didn't even help Carrie.>"

You hold her closer. "<Is there any way I can get the arm back? Would Atropos help me?>"

"He... might. Among the Magi, he is the kindest." Sally explains again. "I would suggest giving him a call."

You call him.

"<Atropos speaking~>"

>Explain the situation.
>Accuse him and the other Magi (Writein)
>Writein

>>29302964

>Explain the situation
accusing anyone won't do us much help right now.

>Explain the situation.

>>29302964
>Explain the situation

>>29302964
>>Explain the situation.
No use blaming the most helpful Magi we know.

>>29303000
Plus i think after how excited he was about bart we are probably on his good side

>Explain the situation

>>29302964
Explain the situation.

"It seems like for some reason, the Shadow Council want me on their side. Though it seems like they don't get that while a Magi like Otto could be a lot more touchy than most, having an organization deliberately send one of their own to die just to convey some kind of shitty lesson, after kidnapping someone I care about, kind of still makes them bad guys."

I mean seriously, that's not how logic works.

>>29302964
>Explain the situation.

>>29302964
>Explain the situation.

This isn't going to work, because what we SHOULD have done is contact Atropos FIRST. Now it's our own damn fault.

>>29302964
>>29302964
Explain, but leave out the document and what the dead man told us.

>>29302964
>Explain the situation.

"Atropos, I am in a very bad mood right now. Forgive me if I seem on edge.

My girlfriend was captured by an Umbral Rebel. He said some interesting things before Magus Otto killed him. In addition your colleague put a curse on me so I'll lose my fucking arm after this mission in Tokyo. For the 'crime' of being in her district.

I'd like some answers, and I'd like to be able to look you in the eyes when I'm talking to you."

>>29302964
[x] Explain, sniff a little to trigger his protective instincts.

>>29303105
We contacted Sally first. SInce she's so experienced, you'd think she'd know the proper way to handle the situation.

>>29303097
>>29303083
>>29303044
>>29303033
>>29303032
>>29303013
>>29303000

"<Ah...>" he says once you finish. "<You've suffered a terrible fate, haven't you.>"

"..."

"<Sorry. You'll have to lose the arm either way - rules is rules, even if you're ignorant. But...>" you hear a book hit a table. "<Hmmmm. Ah. Yes. I can supply you with a new arm, if you like. Mechanical, Implant, or Biological.>"

"<What?>"

"<I suggest asking Jean. She'd be better at explaining this than me. After all, she went through the procedure herself.>"

>Nah, I'll pick right now.
>I'll call you back, then.
>Care to explain this shit with the shadow council and the file?
>Writein

>>29303105
Agreed, so then we ask how many hero souls or whatever it'd take to barter healing from him. When he names either Carrie or Bart we respectfully say "no."

>>29303239
>>I'll call you back, then

I am the type to ask...which arm are we likely too lose?

>>29303062
Like Otto might not be indicative to the Magi organization as a whole, but Steel's fate indicates how the Shadow Council handle things.

I mean they have a lot of conviction in what they believe in, but so do suicide bombers.

>>29303239
>"I'll do that, thanks Boss."

>>29303239
>I'll call you back, then.
We should do our own investigation for the file and council. We need unbiased information.

>>29303239

>Actually, if you can do Biological implants, could my arm be severed above the curse line, the curse line cut off of the remaining arm, and then a biological implant be used to bridge the gap? Just as a letter of the punishment but fuck the spirit there of to Otto?

>>29303239
>pick now, biological

>>29303239
>I'll call you back, then.
Ring Jean, ask her about it, congratulate her on her new legs too, I guess.

>>29303239
"Biological please."

>>29303239
>I'll call you back, then.

>>29303239
>>29303239
>I'll call you back
Don't say anything that would imply Umbral sympathies.

>>29303239
>>Care to explain this shit with the shadow council and the file?

>>29303319
yes this

>>29303239
>Call back
No reason to pick blind right this second. I mean we won't lose the arm until the mission's over anyway.

>>29303239
>I'll call you back, then.
Not like I have to worry about it until I complete the mission.

>>29303319
I'm pretty sure the curse is going to burn off the entire arm below the speckled line. Otto doesn't like leaving evidence, remember?

>>29303239
"This is bullshit Atropos and you know it. You're actually letting a psychotic Russian cut off my arm.

Why in the hell is my biggest injury coming from the Magi Association? The agreement was that I hunted Demons for you, not that I had to worry about you lot chopping my limbs off."

>>29303239
>I'll call you back, then.
We need to get Jean to wipe Carrie's memory. She's pretty fucking traumatised right now.

>>29303239
>>29303239
>>29303239
>>29303239
>>29303239
jean knows about this...and atropos...is tricky ask the experienced one

>neirbab arms

>>29303394

Only if we get Carrie's permission. And if she asks what happens later we won't lie to her...we just want to spare her the fucked up nature of our new world

>>29303394
Messing with her memory is setting a bad precedent. We will cuddle the trauma out of her.

>>29303392
This, pretty much, we were never told this when we contracted.

>>29303239
"Boss, what is a Key? I heard the Rebel mention it before Otto killed him.

I'm going to lose an arm, the least you could do is give me an honest answer."

>>29303450
This.

>>29303392
Why do you still think we can talk shit to Magi?

>>29303518
He doesn't trust us nearly enough to answer and us asking that question to begin with raises all kinds of warning flags for him.

>>29303525
youthful optomism and desperate clinging to it...I blame comic books

>>29303518
We know what a Key is.

>>29303593
I don't.

>>29303525
He's not going to paste us for talking back, he's the nice one.

And we have a legitimate grievance, how can we be expected to risk our life for him if he doesn't even stop the organization we work for from hurting us.

>>29303239

>You've suffered a terrible fate, haven't you.

You sonuvabitch.

IMHO this implies

1) Atropos is not sympathetic to our cause
2) We can Game Over with Michael

>>29303239
"WOW AND YOU WONDER WHY YOU HAVE REBELS."

>>29303623
Then pay better attention. A Key is a non-magic human with a sort of alignment to a Font that influnences all the magic in the area.

>>29303649
There's an innocent explanation: He's a huge fucking nerd.

Writing.

>>29303685
"<I'll do that.>" you say.

"<In the meanwhile: Domus.>"

"What."

"It's nothing. Just remind me to say that again before you leave for Japan." he says, hanging up.

You stand up and with Carrie in arms, head to Jean's house. Jean answers the door in a long skirt, smiling at you.
"You look... Bad." she manages. "What happened? What'd I do this time?" she asks, worried.

>Writein

>>29303679
So is Carrie a Key?

>>29303756
"Not your fault this time. Some samurai dude kidnapped Carrie. I went to Japan to rescue her. Otto was a gigantic cunt."

>>29303756
Where did she get her legs from.

They were burned off. Now they are back. She can walk again.

>>29303679
Oh dear. Is Carrie a key? Is that why she's capable of getting shadow tokens.
Oh fuck, I can feel the paranoia now.
Magi are supposed to keep a super close eye on the font - Did they put the demon jean fought in it, with the intention of using her shadow to experiment?

>>29303756
>"Nothing, tonight's fuck up is entirely on me. Mind if we come in?"
>Explain situation, complement her on the new legs, and ask for her to explain our replacement arm options.

>>29303756
"Nah, this isn't your fault. Just a bunch of other idiots who though the best way to ask for help was to kidnap Carrie. No offense Bart.

Anyway, my arm is going to be removed here in a while so I need some help picking a replacement."

>>29303819
...Atropos just told us.

>>29303756
Show her the arm.

"So I met a new magus today. Long story short she's a huge bitch and I'm going to be down one arm in the near future for breaking petty rules no-one had the decency to even tell me about. Atropos said it would be worth asking you about what sort of replacement to get."

Also use this as an opportunity to check out dem new legs.

>>29303756
No it's not your fault. We just happened to break a rule we didn't know about.

>>29303756
[x] >>29303807

>>29303759
Probably. Which is why we need to either cut Jean's shadow out of her and strict it back to its original owner, or we need her to chose to become a magical girl and then prefom the shadow surgery so she doesn't end up with two of them.

>>29303864
this combined with this >>29303877

>>29303835
>>29303864
These.

>>29303756
Whatever else we do, we really need to get Carrie cleaned up, poor girl's probably still got brain matter on her face.

>>29303947
Christ, this. first things first, help Carrie. Wipe it if you have to, she really doesn't need this.

>>29303889
If Carrie gets kidnapped again, we might want to re-raise the subject of her becoming a magical girl.

Though if she is a Key, I don't know if Atropos would allow it.

>>29303947
Fuck you're right, I didn't realize that we hadn't already taken care of that.

>>29303877

"No it's not your fault. We just happened to break a rule we didn't know about."

"Otto?"

"Otto."

"Ah. She is... Unkind. Runs one hell of a ship, though." she says, She'd have to, with the Dragons." she lets you all in. "And... What happened?"

You explain, leaving out the documents for now.

"Ah... A new arm. Well... Biological is for a simple replacement. Implant is... interesting. It takes a bit of a demon we have stored away in the Tower and grafts it to you, granting you more power. Mechanical is what it says, a mechanical arm. Possibly with upgrades."

"Downsides, upsides?"
"Only the biological works perfectly." she admits. "But the Implant accelerates change and is very powerful. Some of the greatest Magical Boys and Girls had only a single Implant. Meanwhile Mechanical allows for more flexibility and enchanting, it even counts as a Magical Weapon you can channel spells through!"

>Ask questions
>Writein

>>29304130
>>Ask questions
What do you recommend?

>>29304130
See >>29303947
If Jean will let us inside, we really need to comfort Carrie and get her cleaned up.

>>29303889
Ugh, we're gonna have to choose between the world and our relationship.

Though maybe if we restore our proper gender, Carrie might be more okay with us.

>>29304130
>Can you help Carrie?
>Carrie, do you want to forget?

>>29304130
Biological sounds best, since at this point in time we're still thinking we'll put this behind us when we get our wish.

>>29304189
this

>>29304130
>Ask questions

"How did it all go so wrong Jean? I'm doing what I can, and now someone who is supposed to be on my side is going to chop my arm off so I have to plan what to replace it with.

How obvious are each of the replacements?"

>>29304130
>>29304130
So, biological is normal. Mechanical is a magic prosthetic, with some upside, but not a lot over holding a weapon in a biological hand, and some substantial downside. Implant is powerful, but accelerates our deviation from normalcy. I'm thinking we want biological, but for now,
>Carrie

>>29304130
Ask her which she went with and get her to show off her new legs.

>>29304343
This.

>See if we can get Carrie talking. She's been quiet a long time now.

>>29304130
I want mechanical, but only because I'm hoping we can get like a rocket punch or a batarang launcher or something.

>>29304362
No flirting when Carrie is still traumatized, no casually shopping for replacement arms while Carrie is still traumatized.

She should be the highest priority.

You clean up Carrie's face, and get her something distinctly vegetarian to eat. When asked about memory removal, she shakes her head earnestly, mumbling about how it hurt.

"What did you go with?"

"Prosthetic." she says, lifting her skirt. Beautiful, shining crystal legs, as long and soft-looking as her old ones, shimmer beneath. "Very useful for my Element." she admits, then flushes as you laugh and she chides you playfully.

"What do you recommend?"

"I think... Implant. Most of them can be hidden anyway, and if you get your wish, you can just revert it anyway, right?"

>Writein

>>29304465
Once we calm Carrie down though, lewd might be the best way to cheer her up. I mean Carrie DID express an interest in seeing us with Jean, if the mood seems right...

>>29304514
Well, a demon arm would be pretty badass...

>>29304514
>Implant

>>29304514
ya implant sounds gud

>>29304514
>Implant.
"When, not if."

>>29304514
We will let Carrie decide in this.

>>29304514
>Bio
If we get our wish. We might be doing this a lot longer than expected.

>>29304514
Thinking Bio

>>29304514
Implant does sound good.

>>29304514
Implant sounds good

>>29304514
>Implant

Give Carrie a hug. Don't let go.

"You're probably right. I just hope it isn't too obvious.

Why does being a Magical Girl have to suck so much?"

>>29304588
Good point.

Like we don't have to decide this now, since we still have our normal arm.

Instead we should still focus on our girlfriend who I think may have gone into shock?

>>29304514
Implant

Implant means more darkness, which is always fun.

>>29304514
casting vote for bio....we all love sally I know but we do not want to become her

>>29304514
I'd say Bio.

>>29304514
Implant does sound okay if you take that into account.

OOC: I think we should wish for our unchanged normal body back but, whether we intend it IC or not, still turn into a changed magical girl when we transform.

>>29304818
At least we know that no matter how strange we end up, Carrie will still want to fuck us.

>>29299069

>Bio, gotta say.

>>29304847
I still stand by my earlier suggestion. Our wish can be to change genders at will, best of both worlds.

>>29304847
The thing is that our fetish is exhibitionism, but our old body... wasn't exactly the kind of thing you show off.

I mean I feel like that makes us the guy in the trenchcoat who flashes people in public parks, and I don't wanna be that guy.

Definitely ask Carrie's opinion.

>>29304514
>Implant

>>29304514
>Write in
"Oh they're beautiful Jean! Do they have full sensory functions? You're probably right about me getting an implant."

>>29304847
OOC, I think we should try to stay as a girl permanently. Use our wish on something more important, like saving the life of someone close to us.

You hug Carrie tightly and she leans into you, closing her eyes as she softly snuggles closer.

"Implant, huh?" you ask.

"They have all sorts. I'm sure Atropos can explain." she sighs heavily, hugging you and Carrie, who smiles a little at all the affection.

"You should not hate Otto - the stakes are much higher in her area than here. Problems are far more dense despite the size of it."

"Why are you justifying this?"

"Because you need to understand that while she's cruel, what she does is important. She could have killed you."

"So it's fine for her to hurt an innocent and sever my arm?"

She looks at her feet.
"You're probably right." she says, but her heart's not in it. "Being a magical girl isn't fun. It's not safe. It's not happy."

You sigh.
"Well, it's a damn sight better to have you around than not." you say, smiling at her.

>Stay here, help Carrie.
>Return home and call Atropos, then help Carrie.
>Return Carrie home and help her.
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.
>Writein

>>29304514
Ask our fucking girlfriend you fucks.

She's the one who's going to be holding our hand, and she deserves a choice of what exactly she'll be holding.

>>29304932
>Return Carrie home and help her.

>>29304932
>>Stay here, help Carrie.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie.

>>29304932
>Stay and help Carrie

>>29304932
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.
At times like this, you need friends.

Lewd friends.

>>29304932
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.
Pure and chaste cuddles. No lewd.

>>29304956

Yeah no, she doesn't. Our body, our call.

>>29304932
Drawfag here. I realized I really fucked up the neck in the OP pic and am currently fixing it, but I think I'll wait to add the new arm before postin' it. Whenever you made the decision, could you include a reference pic of some kind for it?

>>29304956
>Asking our traumatized girlfriend who just saw something horrific and gory which replacement arm she'd prefer for when we get a limb chopped off.

Yeah, I can see why you're so indignant, what a bunch of assholes we are.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie.
"It's important that you understand that I'm not saying the Shadow Council are any better, or that the work the Magi do don't protect innocent people. But that doesn't mean you have to believe that everything every Magi does has to be justified."

>>29304932
casting support for these 2 actions

>>29304956
>>29304983

>>29305018

No offence dude, but compared to the images before, yours needs a lot of work. Good on you for pursuing that improvement though!

>>29304932

chanving my vote from >>29304976
>>29304977
>>29304978
(idk which one is mine) to
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.

>>29304932
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.

Max cuddling. No sexytimes. Unless Carrie initiates them.

>>29304932
Either stay here or go home. Ask Carrie what she thinks about our new arm.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie

>>29305066
Go with this.

>>29305057
Well that last image was by Deculture. Who got the tits completely wrong. And the ass just looked weird, not phat.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie.

>>29304932
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie.
Not really the fucking time to be pushing for harems.

>>29304932
>Stay here, help Carrie.
>Ask for Sally and Jean's help with Carrie.

"We'll talk about it later. I'm just frustrated that there isn't anything I can do."

Keep hugging Carrie, don't let go of her, we'll make it through this. And honestly, we've had a pretty fucking horrible day as well, we need some time to express emotion, cry, and get ourself back together.

>>29305066
Sounds appropriate.

File: 1388972201578.jpg-(97 KB, 960x540, 1364792244944.jpg)

97 KB JPG

>>29305066
Getting Carrie into the middle of a magical girl cuddlepile?

>>29304514
Implant sounds awesome, and powerful. We've got dragonfire, we could use a hand up with offensive power.

Stay with Carrie. Hold her hand, or whatever. Nothing lewd, just enough to let her know we're with her.

>>2904932
Stay here for now. Jean's help would be appreciated since we're at her place and they're friends, but no sense calling Sally over.

>>29305227
Magical Girl Cuddlepile is the best cure for any trauma.

>>29305238
Hmm. True.

>>29304932
>Stay here
Sally can wait a bit?

Or maybe we can ask Carrie?

File: 1388972480054.jpg-(6 KB, 350x350, Darkness2.jpg)

6 KB JPG

>>29305260
Sally smiles, enveloping you, Carrie, and Jean into a wide wing hug, resting her head on Carrie's shoulder as Jean comes in from the side and Thomas hugs from the front. Bart excuses himself to make us all something to eat. Carrie manages a giggle at all the attention, but slowly, steadily falls asleep, along with the rest of you.

---

Hello, hello, hello. We gotta talk.
You're in a strange dreamscape, again, with the tall, fanciful buildings, the wide alleys, the bright lights and black shadows.
I have another proposition!

>>29305368
wat

>>29305368
Oh fuck. Alright, tell us Shadow.

>>29305368
"Well, let's hear it. It can't be as bad as all the other horrible deals from everyone else in this whole damn business."

>>29305368
"I'm concerned but also intrigued."

>>29305368
What's on your mind?

>>29305368
Again?

>>29305368
...Do tell?