>>40576122
>What was it that Kimiko said about 'speaking' to swords? Try that again.
Buriichi time!
Falchion eh, that's cool.

>>40576122
>>What was it that Kimiko said about 'speaking' to swords? Try that again.

>>40576122
Voting over, writing!

Guess we've got a slow start, oh well. Hopefully we can get somewhere with Clarissa's inner sword.

>>40576234
>>40576278
"Talking to a sword, huh?" You skeptically murmur, bringing that same falchion back into your hands. It seems that it doesn't have to be a random sword if you wish for a specific one. You glance over it again, and then briefly close your eyes in an attempt to focus. Sending it thoughts does nothing; neither does actually speaking to it.

You've wasted hours on this before, and it doesn't seem like anything's changed. Well, this is a flawed idea to begin with - you're not a proper Shinigami like Kimiko, so it's probably a given that methods which worked for her won't work for you. The other thing is...

Which sword do you talk to? You have dozens of them. Maybe more. You've never tried to get them all out, so you can't know for sure just how many you have. But regardless, it would take too much time to try 'talking' to them all, not to mention that you don't even know if you're doing this thing correctly.

And yet another thing is that, right now, you aren't in your Shinigami form. Maybe your powers have nothing to do with it, and only look kind of similar at a glance. Everyone's said it, too - two swords is already unusual and an oddity.

Your weapons are genuine and each of them is unique. You're not materializing shapes on the spot, and your arsenal isn't just a single sword split into countless smaller blades. That blond scientist confirmed it. You don't trust him, but in this specific case, you have no reason not to believe him.

So to hell with this 'talking' business. There is something you can talk to, somewhere out there, but the swords aren't it. If there's an 'object' you're supposed to be talking with, then you'll have to speak to the armory itself, and not its individual items.

"Do YOU hear me?" Your whisper brings no response. Is it because you have no need for it? Because you aren't 'cutting loose'?

(1/2)

>>40577009
As incredible as it felt the previous times you've tried it, the idea of letting yourself run wild... it scares you. It's not like you at all. And in the first place, you don't know what it'd take for you to do it now. There's no urgency or desperation, no need to force your way through an obstacle to reach a goal that you desperately want to achieve. It's not a matter of vengeance or survival.

You glance at your occupied bed and the lonely girl covering herself with your blanket. The only method you can think of right now is reprehensible. It would have no consequences for you, but that makes it even worse.

She won't refuse. Just like the other girl didn't.

...But that's what it means to 'cut loose', doesn't it? What drove you into it before was a desire to kill and destroy something you despised or feared. You wanted to do it, and your power blossomed and helped you carry out your desires.

To stop being concerned and to simply do as one likes. To make it so that even the darkest, vilest thoughts come up to the surface and join the repressive and sensible ones as viable beliefs.

Whether something like that is worth it, though, is probably the biggest question.

...

>Forget this. Go outside and practice.
>Go to Nemu.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40577009
Oh boy.
Hope Paul doesn't see this and think Clarissa is crazy!

>>40577031
I'm divided. On the surface it seems an obvious choice, but we've really gotten nowhere with ignoring spoilervoice so far. If picking the crazy choice here still gives us a chance t back out, the information gained could be invaluable...but, maybe that's not necessary either.
>Wake Nemu up.
Maybe we can ask her for advice, she has been around a mad scientist for a while after all.

Man, this is slow...
Guess anons aren't around much this week, has a slowish start last night as well.

>>40577080
supporting.

>>40577031
Voting over, writing!

>>40577227
It's fine!

>>40577294
Well, here's hoping we didn't make a bad choice!
>Hey Nemu...I think I'm crazy, you know any cure for that?

>>40577080
>>40577230
You stand up from your futon and go to Nemu, but not to do anything bad to her. You wake her up with a gentle nudge. "Sorry for waking you up like that, but we should talk."

She rubs her eyes and sits up, waiting for you to speak. You sit on the bed, taking a moment to think of a proper question.

"Did Mayuri learn something about me? About my ability?"

The girl shakes her head. "Only that it increases your spiritual pressure." You sigh, disappointed. But, well, maybe you should feel relieved that the psychopath doesn't know anything about you.

"I... well, I'm trying to learn more about it. I remember talking to... to someone in a dream a few days ago. Do you have any ideas what it could have been?"

"That's probably your Zanpakuto. Has it told you its name, or tried to?" She suggests, but you really doubt that.

"It said it doesn't have one. I... don't really think that it's a Zanpakuto." You say, and Nemu seems a bit surprised at that.

"Why is that? Mayuri-sama inspected your sword, and while it might not be unique, it's still a proper Zanpakuto. You're not a 'unique Shinigami', either. That kind of thing might not be an impossibility." She explains, and you furrow a brow.

You could just show the amount of swords you can pull out of thin air and shatter her theory completely, but... should you? Mayuri doesn't know anything about you, and maybe it'd be a good idea to keep it that way. Why would Nemu keep this secret for you? You let out another sigh, somewhat annoyed by your paranoia. That mad scientist still freaks you out a bit.

...

>You need an explanation, and a little risk might pay off. Show it to her and continue discussing.
>Drop it. Mayuri threatened to get back at you, and you don't need to make it easier on him. "Yeah, I guess you could be right..."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40577621
>"Look, I'm not doing well Nemu. I need to know if it's my magical sword spirit or an equivalent urging me to murder, or if I should check myself into a mental ward. Any help would be very much appreciated."
I'm a little tired of dancing around it.

>>40577621
>>Drop it. Mayuri threatened to get back at you, and you don't need to make it easier on him. "Yeah, I guess you could be right..."

We really could use more voters for big decisions like this.

>>40577621
>Drop it. Mayuri threatened to get back at you, and you don't need to make it easier on him. "Yeah, I guess you could be right..."

>>40577621
Voting over, writing!

>>40577756
>>40577932
Nemu doesn't know anything. She's probably not a scientist like Mayuri, so it's unlikely that she can figure it all out for you on her own. The only thing she'll most certainly do is relay everything to that madman.

You shrug and agree that it might be possible. The girl doesn't continue on with the discussion and, seeing you step away, lies down on the bed.

Whatever that 'truth' might be, it's not worth it if it puts you in danger. Last time, the 'conversation' began of its own accord. You didn't need to go through anything like meditation for it to happen. For all you know, it might simply be impossible to force it.

You still don't feel sleepy, but you have to waste the hours on something. You gaze out the window, looking at the empty, dark streets. Have you ever felt this helpless before? You can't find or contact Kimiko, meaning that your only option is to wait for her to return. You can't figure out whether you're under the influence of a bad spirit or are simply insane, which means that your only option is to, once again, wait for something to happen.

Or... to cheat on the most important person in your life with someone you don't care about in the slightest, all on the off chance that it'll give you a hint. No, that's deplorable. You won't do it.

This tedious wait is going to drive you crazy. The night feels longer than it ever has before. Like a single minute is worth ten. A single second worth a hundred. There has to be fucking something you can do.

...

>Go take a walk.
>Try to sleep.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40578545
>Go take a walk.

>>40578545
>>Go take a walk.

>>40578545
>>Try to sleep.

>>40578545
>Go take a walk.
Ahhh, how stressful.

>>40578545
>Try to sleep.

>>40578545
Voting over, writing!

>>40578591
>>40578605
Maybe some fresh air might clear your head. Or maybe you'll run into a Hollow and get to take out some of your frustrations on it. You dress up and step outside. If Nemu noticed, she didn't say anything about it.

The night air is chill and unfriendly. The pale moon hangs in the air, occasionally hiding behind a cloud.

You hang out near your house for a bit, looking around, constantly expecting - and hoping - to see a girl approaching. No, not a single person or soul in sight. You don't feel any sleepier after a short while, so you head further out. It's about midnight right now. The streets are completely empty. After the bizarre occurrences that have been haunting Karakura Town, nobody's willing to walk about at such a shady time.

You see a wandering soul, but you're not about to send it off to Soul Society. Kimiko mentioned it a while back, but apparently something like that can be tracked. You don't spot the signs of any Hollows, so he'll probably be fine until a real Shinigami comes around to help him out. The spirit, a man in a suit, continues on his way without even noticing you.

You suddenly hear a scream coming from elsewhere. It belongs to a woman, no doubt. You dash there, the sound leading you to an alleyway. It looks like you're not the only one out on a stroll, after all - a lady, probably a few years older than yourself, is being confronted by a trio of thugs.

Must have wandered off into the wrong neighborhood while on her way home from work, judging by her formal dress code. Well... not really a spiritual problem or something you expected to come across, but since you're here, you might as well help out.

...

>Scare the thugs off by launching a Zanpakuto barrage at them. Don't hurt them, though.
>Take out swords, but don't use them on the thugs. Just figure out if it makes you stronger, and then fight them.
>You can take them out by yourself.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40579408
>You can take them out by yourself.
If they're regular people, we don't need zanpakutos. Clarissa is trained in martial arts, and Shinigamis are pretty damn strong.

>>40579408
>Scare the thugs off by launching a Zanpakuto barrage at them. Don't hurt them, though.
Why take risks?

>>40579408
>>You can take them out by yourself.

>>40579408
>>You can take them out by yourself.

Guess we're gonna see how Clarissa handles herself in a regular fight then!

>>40579408
Voting over, writing!

>>40579714
Oh boy.
Let's not lose at least.

>>40579522
>>40579544
You step forward, quietly approaching the commotion. The loudest of the three thugs is blabbering about the approaching end of the world, probably trying to justify his crimes. Since you're not going to be using anything special, you'll just play it safe. You could blurt out a sick one-liner and charge at them, and heck, you'd still most likely win, but you're really not in the mood.

You'd rather risk your life than enjoy yourself?

There's a thick guy a little bit further back from the others, resting a pipe on his shoulder. If he's supposed to be on the lookout, he failed miserably, because you sneaked up on him while barely even trying. A simple shove and trip from behind sends the guy falling, back of the head smashing into the pavement.

The 'leader' - the most enthusiastic harasser - turns around and draws a knife on you. Maybe a week ago this would have spooked you some, but you've been up against far scarier things than a switchblade in the hands of some thin douchebag. You swing the pipe at his frail-looking hand, and the weapon flies out of his grasp. He lunges after it, leaving his friend behind. The third one raises his fists, getting ready for a fight. The insult he uses as a battle-cry falls on uncaring ears.

His charge doesn't last long enough to matter. With a practiced movement, you send your leg at the side of his head. He really wasn't expecting that, or maybe it was simply too quick for him; after he falls from the impact, he doesn't get back up. The remaining criminal runs away after picking up his weapon, but you give chase and knock him out with a single swing of the improvised weapon you've picked up.

All those days fighting giant monsters paid off - you're basically invincible to chumps like these. Nothing they did made you flinch. You kept a cool head all throughout the encounter. Your movements were quick and efficient. It was way too easy, honestly.

(1/2)

>>40580408
You throw the iron pipe away, grimacing. It clangs against the ground and rolls away. What an unpleasant weapon. Should have just used your hands for everything. Well, you've had your fun.

But you could have had way more. What are you so afraid of? These thoughts are no one else's but your own.

You help the lady up to her feet, but instead of thanking you, she shivers and warily steps back. The poor woman's probably still too shocked; honestly, you can't even blame her. Ando her, you must be just another dangerous stranger who hangs out in the middle of the night.

You should walk her home and then help her calm down. She won't refuse your company. Just like that other girl didn't.

...

>"Want me to walk you home?"
>Just let her leave.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40580429
>>Just let her leave.

>>40580429
>"Want me to walk you home?"

>>40580429
>"Want me to walk you home?"
I don't want to do more, but we probably should offer to escort her.

>>40580429
>"Want me to walk you home?"

>>40580429
Voting over, writing!

>>40580429
>"Want me to walk you home?"

So I'd say it might be looking more likely that we really did kill Aiko, if our power seems to want to shred our impulse control more than the dark side of the force.

>>40580999
Yes, it sure does seem that way, except I'm not sure the thing that's making us all homicidal/rapey (for lack of better word) are necessarily the same thing.

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>>40580459
>>40580465
"Hey. You okay? Did they hurt you?" You ask the woman, and she nervously shakes her head. You're not sure which question she's answering. Maybe both. "I'm Clarissa. Everything's okay now, don't worry. Want me to walk you home? I'll keep you safe... and all."

She reluctantly nods. "I-I'm Yui. T-thank you for your help." The woman starts walking after that. Maybe she's trying to be subtle about it, but you can clearly see that she's keeping you at a distance.

"So why're you hanging out at a time like this?" You ask her, to maybe distract her a bit from the state of near panic that she's still in.

"I... I fell asleep on the bus, a-and... missed my stop. By a lot..." She meekly says.

"Hard day at work?"

"...Yeah. A lot of my coworkers haven't recovered after those... those incidents, but the work still needed to get done. And what about you?" Yui seems to become a bit more frightened at her own question, and quickly adds. "I-if you don't mind me asking, of course."

Maybe she thinks you're up to something sketchy.

"I can't sleep." You answer and let out a sigh.

"I see... i-insomnia? When I went through that, a shower usually helped..." Her speech is still jittery and frantic.

(1/2)

>>40581800
"I'm not going to bite, you know," You chuckle, and she smiles at your joke, though it's forced and nervous. "I dunno if it's insomnia. I'm just stressed out."

"I see... well, t-this is my house. Thank you for the help."

"You've already thanked me, Yui."

"Sorry."

There's a bit of a silence. Yui seems to be thinking about something. You're just waiting for her to say goodbye, or, well, something along those lines.

"Are you going to be okay?" She suddenly asks. "You've... got a home and everything, right?"

You laugh at that. "Do I really look that bad? I'm not homeless."

She goes quiet again, nervous as always, but in a different, less scared way. Probably mentally bashing herself on the head for blurting out something like that.

...

>"If you want to thank me, just treat me to some tea or somethin'."
>"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40581842
>"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out."
No risks, just a nice little good deed!

>>40581842
>>"If you want to thank me, just treat me to some tea or somethin'."

>>40581842
>"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out."

voice pls

>>40581842
>"Hey, don't worry about it. It was nice of you to ask, maybe one day the girl you run into WILL be homeless, right? If you show kindness to some poor homeless kid sometime that's more than I could ask for as thanks."

>>40581842
>"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out."
>Exchange phone numbers to keep in touch.

>>40581842
>"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out."

>>40581842
>"Try not to sleep through your stop again."

>>40582079
>>40582084
Not a bad combination, if an exchange of numbers is going to be a thing that happens.

>>40581842
Voting over, writing!

>>40581886
>>40582079
>>40582084
"Well, if everything's cool here, I'll head out." You turn away and offer her a wave.

"O-okay. If everything's... cool." Yui still looks like she hasn't calmed down, and that's kind of bothering you.

"...Do you want my number? You can call me if anything comes up again."

"Sure... I'll probably feel a bit safer with a superhero in my contacts." She finally makes a bit of a joke and laughs, still nervously. Yui gives you a wave as well.

"Try not to sleep through your stop again." You call out to her as she walks away, and she briefly stumbles in her way.

"I-I won't!" She smiles at you again. This time, it feels a lot more genuine.

That was a pretty weird encounter. You're kind of happy for it, though. A distraction is always nice, especially when you get to do something good.

...

(1/2)

>>40583545
I'm sure with good deeds we'll regain sanity!

>>40583545
Mushroom died on the way to the second half of this update.

>>40583545
You missed your chance. The chance for pleasant company and further diversion in the comfort of a cute woman.

"You're seething, you know," You off-handedly mutter as you make your way down the streets. "I don't think you understand a very important thing. Even if I can make someone go through with it without forcing them to, doesn't mean that I have to or that I will. I'm refusing to do what you're suggesting not because I fucking love torturing myself, but because I don't want to betray Kimiko."

Talking to yourself feels a bit weird, but... you're sure that it's listening. Maybe your biggest flaw when trying to talk to your 'sword' was expecting a reply.

"You know, you're not lying. Those were all my thoughts. But most of the time, I can tell when it's you. They're my thoughts, but they never stand out like that. They never turn into glaring eyesores, like black fucking bars on white paper," You stop walking and let out a smirk. "Is that the only way you can talk, or did you think you'd manage to annoy me into doing those things?"

Then where is she when you need her? Where is that girl for whom you're willing to turn into a withering husk?

"You're exaggerating. I'm waiting for her to come back."

But that wait is painful, and it's threatening your mental health; even you can tell. No one who goes without sleep for two days is fine, or is going to get better from it. You'd put yourself at risk just to avoid having fun?

...This 'conversation' is giving you a headache. You can't tell if you've just gone completely bonkers and are literally talking to yourself, or those thoughts are actual replies from a different speaker. Either way, they're making you furious. It's as if someone's trying to make you a fucking favor with all of this. Why are you even bothering with this? You don't think that anything good is going to come out of talking to this thing.

(2/3)

>>40583685
>black bars
Dohoho

>>40583685
...

>"...If things like that are all that you care about, then never try talking to me again. I'll keep waiting for Kimiko. She'll come back, I'm sure."
>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"
>Other. (Write-in).

>>40583727
>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"

>>40583727
>"...If things like that are all that you care about, then never try talking to me again. I'll keep waiting for Kimiko. She'll come back, I'm sure."

>>40583727
>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"
Ignoring it hasn't helped so far as least. Not that I plan to listen to its suggestions.

>>40583727
>>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"

>>40583727
>>40583727
>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"
>"Why is this so important to you anyway?"

>>40583727
>"...Is there a better way for us to talk?"
Very inconvenient as it is.

>>40583753
>>40583795
Sleep. Well, of course. That's how it happened the last time. Maybe now, instead of a nightmare, you'll end up in the fog again. You hurry back home, making sure to be quiet and to not disturb any of the currently present sleepers.

After you lie down, you realize that you're not any sleepier than before, but you close your eyes and wait, regardless.

Just like it always happens, you don't notice the moment you fade out into a dream; but with how vivid it all is, you're surprised that you've missed it. There's a clear distinction between what you're currently experiencing and what a dream is usually like; this is nothing like any dream you've seen before. You feel like you're still awake, and yet what you're seeing certainly assures you that you're not.

The fog you've been expecting isn't present anymore. What it concealed was a castle's rich throne room: walls and floors of the smoothest pale marble; red carpets with which those very same walls and floors are decorated, adorned with golden threads with which are drawn shapes akin to paintings, impressive and complex, but also beautiful and mysterious; on display are proudly presented the most finely made swords, perhaps the ones found to be most appealing in their appearance to the owner of this all.

A dreamlike haven of unabashed luxury. Built by a genius of craftsmanship, and sold to the wealthiest of rulers.

(1/2)

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>>40584606
And on the throne sits the king in question, his golden hair abolishing the need for a crown, and his crimson eyes making even the carpets seem dim and bleak by comparison. The smile on the young man's face is both daring and friendly, as if eager to resolve the dispute by proving himself right. His voice is clear and confident, and the large hall doesn't tarnish it with an unpleasant echo.

"Finally, we may talk without any distractions. The fog had dissipated long ago, and yet you haven't bothered to visit this place ever since our last encounter. Well, let us begin. I'm certain that we have plenty to discuss, even though we are one and the same."

...

>>40584651
Weeeeeelp
Thanks for writing. Stupid cliffhangers...

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>>40584651
Ending thread for tonight, it's late as heck for me!

Next thread will be announced on twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mushroomgami

If you have any questions or feedback, shoot them my way! I have to head out right away again, but I'll answer them if the thread is still up when I return, or on twitter!

Thanks for reading!

>>40584651
In hindsight, I really should have seen this coming.

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>>40584651
>Mfw our zanpakuto/spirit is fucking Gilgamesh
ALL OF MY YES!

>>40584696
Wat?
And thanks for running.

>>40584704
>>40584725
>>40584729
Wouldn't be the weirdest thing to come out of a Bleach quest.

>>40584943
Are you sure, anon?
This certainly explains much though, and at the same time surprisingly little.

>>40585028
HQR had the MC travel into the Canon universe, forcibly adopt Yoruichi due to misunderstandings, and set up Ichigo with a yandere harem. ImprovAizen had everyone turn into Vizards, all at once.

So long as we don't cross the streams in this quest, I'll be happy. Because shit gets weird, quick.

>>40585261

Does that mean this is number 2 of the bleach quests on the weirdness scale then?

>>40586248
Considering HQR isn't technically over yet, I'd say it's third. So far Shinigami Savant Quest is most normal.

>>40586410

Shinigami Savant started at a point far in the past and just diverged slowly from canon, just the player decisions and existing has thrown all sorts of things into a causality train wreck when the series is hit.

Substitute Shinigami seems to have a lot of new and different personalities and interactions between existing characters.

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> Our Zanpakuto Spirit Is Gilgamesh
> Doesn't have a name yet.
> Ea doesn't actually have a name, Gilgamesh just calls it that.

Welp, this is probably our "unique" Zanpakuto sword