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Recap: You are ANON, the RED JOKER - Currently visiting your friend, AKIRA, at the KUCHIKI METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL. There, by chance, you ran into the mysterious HECATE again, who seems to be on a visit of her own...Coming face-to-face with NATSUMI in the process.

File: 1345358404330.jpg-(77 KB, 400x600, natsumi.jpg)

"-Ah, Anon-kun~! Sorry for the wa- Oh."

You've known Natsumi for the longest time - ten years, give-or-take a few months - before there was a Red Joker, back when each day seemed as infinite and perpetual as an endless summer. In all that time you've known her...

-You've never seen an expression like the immediate and inexplicable dislike that flits across her features, as her gaze settles on the girl at your side. She hides it well; By the time the hospital's automatic doors have cycled shut behind her, it's gone so quickly you could almost have imagined it.

...But still, it makes you wonder.

> "Hey Natsumi, Akira's fine. This is... (to Hecate) I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name? She's visiting someone here same as us, and we were talking on the way down."

"-It's 'Tsukimi'; Kaname Tsukimi~" Hecate supplies, sweetly; A playful note to her voice as she steps forward, dipping her head in a little bow - "Natsumi-chan, is it? It's nice to meet you."

Natsumi returns the bow; Both hands on the handle of the black-lacquered box she's carrying, as she straightens. "You too; I'm glad you're getting along with Anon-kun," she answers, with a matching smile - one that lingers, growing just a little fixed as she glances over towards you.

...Wow, things seem a little tense, all of a sudden.

[ ] "-I'm glad you could make it; Kazuya was getting worried."
[ ] "I thought school was cancelled today?"
[ ] "What's in the box?"
[ ] "...Shall we go?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20382514

> -You've never seen an expression like the immediate and inexplicable dislike that flits across her features, as her gaze settles on the girl at your side.

Oh, wow. I saw this coming.

>>20382514
[x] "-I'm glad you could make it; Kazuya was getting worried."
[x] "What's in the box?"

>>20382514
"So, what's in the box? A gift maybe?"

>>20382538
Oh so did I.
>glad you could make it ...
>what's in the box?

>>20382538

Being the childhood friend is suffering.

> [X] "-I'm glad you could make it; Kazuya was getting worried."
> [X] "I thought school was cancelled today?"
> [X] "What's in the box?"

> [X] "-I'm glad you could make it; Kazuya was getting worried."

"Sorry ~ My phone was off. I thought there was practice today, before, well..." She smiles, a little sheepishly.

Right, you remember now; Natsumi's part of your school's Naginata Club, after all - They usually have one round of training before school actually 'starts', particularly in the run-up to the end-of-year tournament.

> [X] "So, what's in the box? A gift maybe?"

"-Oh, this?" A quick glance downward. "I made lunch for Akira-kun; I know he doesn't like hospital food...Though I probably made too much, again."

Well, she's right about that. Akira's a picky eater, by anyone's standards; Come to think of it, you've never seen him eat in the canteen, not once.

[ ] "...That's really nice of you."
[ ] "I'm sure Kazuya would love to help you with that."
[ ] "-I'll be glad to help him with that."
[ ] "Wow, it must've been a long day for you - I should've dropped by to tell you earlier..."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>20382718
[X] "...That's really nice of you."
[X] "I'm sure Kazuya would love to help you with that."

>>20382690
"Maybe you made too much intentionally, so you could share a romantic meal with him, perhaps?" smirking playfully "In all seriousness though, that was nice of you. I suppose it's been a long day for you? I should have called earlier."

>>20382718
That must have made for a long day...
Kazuya should be able to help...

> "Maybe you made too much intentionally, so you could share a romantic meal with him, perhaps?"

"Mmm, maybe..." Natsumi giggles ~ There's a contemplative light in her eyes, as the momentary tension eases...Well, until you hear Hecate make an odd sound, like a choked-off laugh, from the side.
She's drawn away a little, to give the two of you some privacy - Seemingly engrossed in the various brochures pinned to the hospital's message board.

> "In all seriousness though, that was nice of you. I suppose it's been a long day for you?"

"-Just a little," she admits...Which is probably understating it. A trip to school and back, then making lunch, then to the hospital - All things considered, she's got here in record time.

> " I should've dropped by to tell you earlier.."

"N-no, it's all right," Natsumi cuts in, hurriedly - "I, I wouldn't want to cause you any trouble."

She looks away, towards the elevator at the end of the hall; "...We probably shouldn't keep them waiting, I guess." Then, more softly - "-You should say good-bye to Tsukimi, first, before we go..."

[ ] "...Sure, I will."
[ ] "-Actually, she's coming with us."
[ ] "Is something wrong? You...don't seem comfortable around her."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20382842
[X] "Is something wrong? You...don't seem comfortable around her."

[X] "-Actually, she's coming with us."

>>20382842
Frowns slightly "Sure, but, I have to ask - is something wrong? You seem to comfortable around Tsukimi. Have you two met before?"

>>20382842
>Is something wrong? ...

> [X] "-Actually, she's coming with us."

"...Oh." This time, Natsumi can't quite hide it - Her brow furrows, a little twist to her lips...As if she's just bitten into something sour. "-Well, if you're sure..."

> [X] "Is something wrong? You...don't seem comfortable around her."
> [X] "Have you two met before?"

Now *that* gets a response. There's a guilty flash to Natsumi's eyes, before she looks away - Absently swiping her hair back from her face.

"No, nothing like that," she says, too quickly; "-It's just..." You hear a tiny hiss of breath, a contemplative note to her voice...As if she's struggling to explain something she can't quite put into words. "...I don't think she's a good person."

A quick, furtive glance, to the side; "You don't think there's something...strange about her?"

[ ] "Strange? What do you mean?"
[ ] "...That's quite a thing to say."
[ ] "-Are you sure you've never met her before?"
[ ] "...Maybe you're right."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20382981
I prefer to think of her as unique and interesting. I don't think she's a bad person.

[X] "-Are you sure you've never met her before?"

>>20382981
"What makes you think that she's a bad person? Or atleast, not a good one? What do you mean by strange? I'm not saying that your feeling is wrong - because there is a strangeness about her, but I want to know what you're feeling. Are you absolutely sure you two have never met?

>>20382981
Yes, you are probably right that she is strange. As for being a good person, I believe that she is, at least after a fashion. In any case, I trust her.

> [X] Are you absolutely sure you two have never met?
>> 20383017

"O...of course we haven't!" Her response is a little more heated than you expected - Enough that Hecate hears it too, turning back in her direction, head canted at a curious angle. Natsumi's face colors, just for a moment...Clearly aware she's been a little louder than she's meant to be.

> "Yes, you are probably right that she is strange. As for being a good person, I believe that she is, at least after a fashion. In any case, I trust her."

There's a complex cast to Natsumi's features; "You...trust her?" she echoes, biting her lip - Looking faintly upset, yet oddly relieved. "...Well, the thing is..."

"-Are you finished yet?" Hecate inquiries, sweetly - Her voice ever-so-slightly quizzical. "...I *was* hoping to meet Anon-kun's friends, but if you'd rather not..."

That gets Natsumi's attention. "N, no, please - Sorry to keep you waiting," she offers - with a kind of strained politeness. The pleasant *chime* of the elevator's arrival is a welcome distraction...Though the brief ride to follow is *anything* but comfortable.

Still, the oppressive atmosphere lifts slightly when you get to Akira's room - Even from outside, you can hear the white noise of the television, fading out as you push the door open...

(Continued)

>>20383174
surelyOPwilldelivar.jpg

"Anon-kun! Thanks for bringing Nat-chan here, man - A little longer, and I'd have gone down myself." Kazuya's as gregarious as ever; He can't hide his relieved-yet-grateful smile at Natsumi's appearance, waving you both in...Then stops, momentary confusion flitting across his face. "...And you'd be-"

"Tsukimi." Hecate supplies - "-It's good to meet Anon-kun's friends, too; He's been really nice to me."

Inside, you - Just barely - quite distinctly hear Akira mutter, under his breath, "...Another one."

"Well, please come in - The more the merrier, I guess?"

As both girls step into the room, Kazuya lingers in the doorway a moment longer...Before he hooks an arm over your shoulder, companionably, turning it into an impromptu headlock.

"...So *that's* the mystery girl, huh?" he chuckles, sotto voice - "When were you going to tell me about her?"

[ ] "It's not like that, we just met."
[ ] "Well, you *did* tell me to keep it a surprise..."
[ ] "-What do you think?"
[ ] "Natsumi doesn't really like her."
[ ] "Sorry for the wait."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

(Apologies for the delay - Things get a little wordy.)

>>20383256
[X] "Well, you *did* tell me to keep it a surprise..."
[X] "-What do you think?"
[X] "Natsumi doesn't really like her."


Technically we never said to Natsumi that we never met her before so it's just a lie by omission which I suppose is a good thing.

"Well, you *did* tell me to keep it a surprise... also sorry for the wait."

(Hopefully Hecate and Natsumi can here us, after all Hecate wanted us to her self.)

>>20383256
"It's not like that. And I did just meet her. She kinda stalks me, it's creepy. Apparently Natsumi doesn't like her."

>... suprise ...
>What do you think?
>Natsumi doesn't like her ...

>>20383270
But she isn't that much of a stalker, by this point she definitely isn't.

>>20383269
This, plus introductions. Watch Natsumi's reactions.

> [X] "Well, you *did* tell me to keep it a surprise..."
> [X] "-What do you think?"

Kazuya snorts, clamping down tighter - Before releasing you, with a hearty slap to your back that sends you reeling. "-I think you have *all* the luck when it comes to girls...I've never seen a beauty like *her* before."

He's smiling, all the while - Flashing you a grin, as he heaves a mock-sigh. "Well, whatever ~ Good on you, man. Anyone else would be jealous."

> [X] "Natsumi doesn't really like her."

"...Is that so?" His face clouds a little, just for a moment - "Ah, maybe it's just one of those things. I'm sure she'll come round." He shrugs, as if to say 'What can you do?', glancing in their direction; "...At least Akira doesn't seem to mind."

You follow his gaze - The three of them are chatting, with Natsumi and Hecate on either side of the bed; A distance the girls effortlessly sustain, as Natsumi begins to unpack the bento box. You hear Akira laugh, quietly, at something Hecate says...Before she glances back at you, offering a small - But significant - shake of her head.

[ ] "Come on, let's help that with that."
[ ] Take Hecate aside for a moment.
[ ] Check on Akira.
[ ] Chat with Natsumi.
[ ] Keep talking to Kazuya.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20383354

(Apologies, I didn't catch that one in time. I'll include it in the next update, after this decision.)

[x] Help Natsumi then check on Akira.

>>20383375
Just fine, I misunderstood the setup for that last prompt anyhoo.
>>20383358
If we are out of earshot of the girls, ask him if he has met Thief, as we are not certain who they are and there may be some significance.

>>20383358
Okay, she shook her head so I think that's an indication for us to keep talking to Kazuya for a bit and let her do her thing.

[X] Keep talking to Kazuya.

Kazuya, I will admit it. I have no idea how I managed to find a woman like her, and even less of an idea of why she likes me. Maybe I'm just extremely lucky.

>>20383433

> Before she glances back at you, offering a small - But significant - shake of her head.
> [X] Keep talking to Kazuya.

Let's do this for now. Give her the time she needs to scan him.

> Kazuya, I will admit it. I have no idea how I managed to find a woman like her, and even less of an idea of why she likes me. Maybe I'm just extremely lucky.

"*That's* for sure," he chuckles - Rolling his eyes at your words. You do notice Hecate's pointed ears twitching...Her skin coloring slightly, as if she's overheard - And likes what she's hearing.

Fortunately, Kazuya has the good sense to lower his voice, stepping slightly away as he goes on: "Let's see...That makes, what, three so far?" He shakes his head, disbelievingly "...How you keep them *all* on the go at once, I'll never know."

> [X] Help Natsumi then check on Akira.

After another moment - Which seems about long enough - you sidle to Akira's bed, helping Natsumi pour out a thermos of steaming soup; The heat coiling up and outward from a small bowl, as she shoots you a quick, grateful glance.

"Hey, Anon." The company seems to have revived Akira; He's looking noticeably better now, less pale than before. "-I was wondering what kept you, but I see I shouldn't have been surprised." His smile takes the sting out of his words...Then again, Akira's always been sarcastic, so he's clearly feeling more like himself.

> [X] This, plus introductions. Watch Natsumi's reactions.

Akira nods, agreeably, at the round of introductions ~ Shaking Hecate's proferred hand, though Natsumi noticeably abstains. For her part, Hecate sketches a little curtesy; Straightening as Natsumi inquires, casually -

"...Which school did you say you were from again, Tsukimi-chan?"

"-Seisin High, of course," Hecate answers - Looking right back at Natsumi, her gaze fixed for *just* a hair too long.

(Continued)

>>20383596

"Mmm-hmm~" Natsumi goes on, with apparent unconcern. "...Well, it's too bad your school lost yesterday's match ~ Isn't that right, Anon-kun?" Her voice is entirely innocent, as she turns her wide brown eyes to you - An unspoken message in her gaze.

...Well, you know for a fact that they won - But from the looks of it, Hecate doesn't. She hesitates, as if sensing a trap - But about to say something, anyway...

[ ] "-Yes, that's right."
[ ] "I don't think Tsukimi-chan's heard about it yet, honestly."
[ ] "...Actually, they won, remember?"
[ ] "Natsumi, there's no need to bring that up."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

(Sorry, trip fell off.)

>>20383609
"Yes, that really is too bad - but there's no need to bring that up now Natsumi-chan."

>>20383609
[X] "I don't think Tsukimi-chan's heard about it yet, honestly."

I don't think that she follows their sports program at all. Sure they won but given that someone got hit in the head and concussed I'm guessing the celebrations were quieter than usual so I doubt she would have heard about it in passing.

>>20383609

> [ ] "I don't think Tsukimi-chan's heard about it yet, honestly."

Cover for her.

>>20383609
"I don't think Tsukimi-chan's heard about it yet, honestly."

>>20383701
>>20383673
We're the Red Joker, not the White Knight. Is a little bit of schmoozing and the promise of maybe getting some poon really enough to blind us to the fact that Hecate does things for Hecate only? How are we not trusting out childhood friend over this cunt?

> [X] "I don't think Tsukimi-chan's heard about it yet, honestly."

"...Yes, that's right," Hecate says, quickly - picking up on your cue. "-I'm not really a fan of sports, so..."

> "There's no need to bring that up now Natsumi-chan."

"You're right; I shouldn't have mentioned it." Natsumi's voice is light, as if dismissing the subject ~ Though her gaze lingers on Hecate, for a moment longer.

"-What did I miss?" There's the heavy *clomp* of Kazuya's footsteps, as he drags a folding chair up - Lowering himself into it, with a faint *creak*. "Hey, there's lunch..."

Hecate takes the chance to withdraw, out of earshot ~ Indicating the trio, with a little nod. Her voice low, she informs you - without preamble:

"...You were right; Two of them are Players." A pause, as she corrects herself - Drawing a slow, deep breath. "Well, there's a *definite*, and a probable...I *think* there may be two, but there's at least one..."

Hecate's voice is worried - But she flashes a small smile, all the same. "...You keep dangerous company, Anon-kun."

[ ] "*Two* of them?"
[ ] "...What did you mean by 'probable'?"
[ ] "-Can you tell which ones?"
[ ] "Which one's the Thief?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20383727
Natsumi has done nothing for us. She's probably a nice girl with good intentions but that doesn't mean she's right.

Hecate helped us lift the Curse of the Black Joker. She literally saved our fucking life. We would be DEAD if not for her.

She has her own goals, she fully admits to that. But those plans involve us remaining alive and healthy. She seems to like us quite a bit and is one of the few people involved in the Game that we can actually ally ourself with as almost everyone else will try to kill us immediately to take our position. Because she's such an enigma we're able to work with her.

>>20383762
Okay, I'm 90+% sure that Kazuya is Chrome Cypher. Is he your definite?

Of the other two which one do you think is another probable Player and do you know if they are likely to be the Thief?

>>20383727

Hecate did save us. As in, she literally helped us out at no apparent gain to herself. While natsumi's our friend, she's acting rather strangely.

>>20383762
[X]Free

*Smile*

"Well, I hang around you, don't I?

>>20383762
"Can you tell which ones? And what is it you mean by 'probable'? Knowing my luck it'll be Natsumi who's the thief.

>>20383766
So you're fine wit being used so Hecate can get ahead? And who's to say Hecate won't fuck us over when we're vulnerable next time? I'm not saying shove her off completely - but we should keep an arms length out.

>>20383787
>No apparent gain
Hecate doesn't seem like the kind of girl to do something without gaining something. Maybe we just don't understand what it is she gained from that little excursion. Maybe it was our trust. Maybe that's what she needs to take what we have.

>>20383832

she wants a protector, we want an ally that can find things for us. It would be silly not to go along with this.

>>20383832
So far the only thing she has gained from us is our trust and our company. She has shown a vested interest in keeping us alive and successful. If she wanted us dead she could have done so.

What she needs is someone to protect her, someone to supplement her unique and specialized skill set. In exchange we get to make use of her knowing quite a lot and being able to go anywhere. She needs us just as much, if not more, than we need her.

Making it to the end of this successfully will be next to impossible without an ally, and she's the best one available.

Also I doubt that all of her signs of affection are a complete fabrication meant to draw us in.

(Slightly edited, for clarity.)

> Okay, I'm 90+% sure that Kazuya is Chrome Cypher. Is he your definite?

"Kazuya?" Hecate sounds faintly doubtful - But then nods, thoughtfully. "...Yes, that would make sense. Chrome Cypher is *definently* in this room, with us; It has to be one of them."

There's a tension to her voice, now - A faint furrow to her brow, though she tries to appear casual.

> Of the other two, which one do you think is another probable Player - And do you know if they are likely to be the Thief?

"...It doesn't work that way. I can tell that a Player's close - but not the host. As for the other one..." Her frown of concentration deepens, before Hecate shakes her head, slowly.

"-No, I can't tell. There *is* one more in this room, but it's...obscured, somehow. Like it's hidden, or...or sleeping." Her words trails off, uncertainly...

> *Smile*
> "Well, I hang around you, don't I?

"-That's true." She sounds slightly amused, now...But then her slim fingers grip your wrist, a new urgency in her voice. "Anon-kun; There's another Player in the hospital, right now...A powerful one.
I - I can *feel* him from here."

More quietly, now: "-I think he may be looking for you."

[ ] "-What about you?"
[ ] "What's he doing?"
[ ] "I'll handle it, if it comes to that."
[ ] "...We'd better get out of here, then."
[ ] "I should warn the others-"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20383906
Really, in a hospital of all places. No sense of decorum.

[X] "Where's he going?"
[X] "...We'd better get out of here, then."

We fight in here there'll be collateral damage, that is an extremely bad thing in a hospital. Keep an eye on him, we can get him out of here, and if needed I'll handle it outside.

>>20383727

I honestly don't trust either of them. Not anymore, after all the shit that has happened. However, it's only good sense to stay away from your best friend's girl.

>>20383921
[X] "Then I'll find him first."

>>20383981

This.

SEARCH and DESTROY.

> [X] "Where's he going?"

Hecate's green eyes go distant, sinking deeper into a haze of concentration. "He's upstairs, but drawing closer. I think he's taking the elevator down..." There's a clear tension writ large on her elegant features; As if to punctuate her words, or perhaps to illustrate just how ruinous a fight *here* might be, the lights crackle - They dim, flickering fitfully for a moment, before coming back to full glow.

"...What was that?" Akira says, sharply - His head's up, as if sniffing the air. "-Did anyone else see that?"

Kazuya shrugs; "Maybe a spike in the mains..." He begins...Only for Natsumi to cut in. "-It's running off an uninterrupted feed, from the generator," she observes - "Different circuits..."

Her voice trails off, uncertainly.

> [X] "Then I'll find him first."

Hecate gives your hand a quick squeeze - A motion thankfully unnoticed by your friends, who are universally looking upwards. She whispers a quick "Be careful." as you brush past, heading for the door...

"Anon? Where are you going?" Kazuya sounds confused, though not quite worried, yet; His expression quizzical, as the lights flicker again. Close by, you hear Natsumi say - "...Should we call a nurse?"

[ ] "...I'm going to check it out."
[ ] "-Bathroom break."
[ ] "I just remembered - I left something downstairs."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384034
[X] "...I'm going to check it out."

This is pretty strange. I'm going to see if anyone knows anything about it.

>>20384034
[X] "Hunting."

Take the stairs, make him come to you.

>>20384074
>>20384046

Kazuya exchanges a glance with Akira - Before he stands, stiff-legged from being seated for so long. "Maybe I should..." Natsumi begins, on the verge of rising, too...

"-No, we'll be right back," Kazuya soothes; "...Keep him company, will you?" He flicks two fingers together, in a little salute, before he opens the door to let you out.

Outside Akira's room, the momentary disruption seems to have lifted - It's oddly quiet, though you can hear bustling footfalls, as if the staff are busy just around the corner.

You're already heading for the concrete-cut steps of the stairwell, each one perfect perpendicular, like a 45-degree ramp.

Close by, there's a mechanical *grinding* sound - Then a low *judder* that makes the ground vibrate. "-I think that was the elevator," Kazuya says - Sounding serious for the first time.

"So, where to?" he asks...Cocking his head to the side.

[ ] "...Good thing we're taking the stairs, then."
[ ] "-Downstairs."
[ ] "Upstairs."
[ ] "We should check on the lift."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384114
[X] "...Good thing we're taking the stairs, then."

We want to lure this threat to the stairs, limit the collateral damage.

>>20384114
[x] "We should check on the lift."

>>20384114
[X] "Keep calm, take the stairs."

File: 1345373825178.jpg-(379 KB, 563x791, kaijinsword.jpg)

> [X] "...Good thing we're taking the stairs, then."
> [X] "Keep calm, take the stairs."

"Tell me about it." Kazuya grimaces - "I don't like cramped places - If we were inside *that* when it stopped..." He mock-shudders. The levity's drained from his voice - He still looks slightly confused as to where you're going with this, but your urgency has clearly affected him; He takes the steps two at a time, holding to the railing as you turn onto the next landing.

> [x] "We should check on the lift."

"Yeah, I'm not sure what happened ther-"

He never finishes his sentence, as reality warps and reforms around you. It's different, this time; When your foot comes down, you see a fizzing distortion - Red pixels fuming forth, sweeping out like a sonar wave. The shuddering change makes metal groan, the ground quiver beneath you like a live thing...

-The world you open your eyes to isn't red, but black.

You stand on a long, winding staircase - Supported on nothing, turning sharply into the precise shape of a square - forming a border to the oversized platform at the heart...A platform, you realize, that must be the elevator's reflection - Far larger here than in the real world.

There's a shape at the dead centre of the platform - A kneeling shape, the slate-grey of a shark's skin, the cross-shaped hilt of a long, straight sword clenched in gauntleted fists. A hard-edged light glitters from the pommel...Or rather, a kind of anti-light, coming from the black pearl set in his sword.

RED JOKER

VS.

ABYSS CARCHARODON.

And still he kneels, as if in prayer.

You look around - But there's no-one else; Just the black chasm, where the steps end, and the lozenge of the field at its heart - Now frozen in place, possibly in mimicry of the real lift.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384263

(Correction: It's ABYSS CARCHARIAS.)

>>20384263
Well, this is not exactly the optimum place for a fight for us.

Get as much height as possible while he's praying, don't open fire just yet, get to as strong a defensive position as possible.

When he gets up here through a hail of withering fire we can use our new jetpack thing to jump down and get more distance and also use it to pop up higher.

>>20384263
[X] Briefly nod in his general direction, then arm your vulcans.

> [X] Briefly nod in his general direction, then arm your vulcans.
> [X] Get as much height as possible while he's praying, don't open fire just yet, get to as strong a defensive position as possible.

*Is* that armor? It looks like...cartilage, and you can hear the faint drip-drip-drip of seawater, as Carcharias remains on his knees - Even as you ascend the steps, to take up a better firing position. As you move, you see his armor visibly *thicken*, taking on the color of old ivory, of shagreen...The overlapping scales gaining a new sheen.

You can hear the fitful purr of his blade, as it mutters in complaint - A sound that matches the brittle *clack* of your forearm sheaths retracting, the Vulcans within cycling up to full rotation...As you nod at him, a nod that's respectfully returned.

He rises to his feet, with a faint grinding of joints - The toothed edge of his blade cycling slowly, but not quite raised to attack yet.

"You," he says - His speech is oddly archaic, the multiple eyes of his mask like jags of black obsidian. "-You were not my prey."

[ ] "-You're not here for me?"
[ ] "Why are you here, then?"
[ ] "...That *sword* of yours - You're not?"
[ ] Free.

> HP: 100%
> METER: 5%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 100%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 100%
> INTERCEPTORS: 3/3.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>20384363
[X] "...That *sword* of yours - You're not?"
[X] "Why are you here, then?"
Who is your prey?

You have no idea how strange it is for someone not to be after me. If possible I'd rather us not fight.

>>20384363
[X] "And what prey would that be?"

Try asking him what's the sword name...
from distance.

>>20384363
"Why are you here, then?"

> [X] "...That *sword* of yours - You're not?"

For a moment, there was an overwhelming impression - Intuition, maybe - that the graphite-grey sword in his hands is what the Thief was after. A second look tells you that it *can't* be; It's not a Relic, just his weapon...

-All except the pommel-stone, which throbs with a cold anti-light that stands out against the endless black.

"...Phantom Edge?" Abyss muses aloud - shaking his head, no. "Not yet."

> [X] "And what prey would that be?"
> [X] "Why are you here, then?"

His bruise-colored helmet is featureless, but you can hear the hunger in his voice. "-Because the silver one is *here*," Carcharias growls - Bringing his sword up to guard, the edge buzzing with a low, keening song.

It makes the air *ripple*, around it; Somewhere, in the dark bordering the floating steps, you *feel* something move...Like an unseen beast, lurking beneath black waters.

With his free hand, he beckons: "But silver or red, it no longer matters. Either is enough."

He actually *smiles*, and it's a pretty gruesome sight to watch - The maw of his helmet splits open, and you can make out the jagged-tooth nightmare within, in the heartbeat before it thankfully closes, sealing shut.

"Now...Come for me."

> HP: 100%
> METER: 5%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 100%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 100%
> INTERCEPTORS: 3/3.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384496
So he's after our bro and willing to fight in a hospital. Jerk. Also he's trying to reconstruct Phantom Edge, maybe through taking out other players.

Waste him, open fire with the Vulcans. Turn on the afterimages of the Assault Shroud.

Bring out 2 interceptors to go after him, harry him and make him keep his distance. Keep the third as a surprise.

>>20384496

> "-Because the silver one is *here*,"

Oh shit, Argent Prominence is here? Don't play this guy's game, start shooting at him. He's clearly a close-combat monster.

>>20384496
Try knocking him off the platform with your vulcan fire.

He's a stationary target - The twin crosshairs of your Vulcans settling squarely on him, unleashing scorching bolts of seething plasma from all four barrels at once. At the same time, your Interceptors undock from your shoulders, hurtling off on their spinning, speeding paths...

There's a blur of bruise-colored lightning, as Abyss's arm *moves* - From stationary to blinding-fast, faster than your sensors can follow. Your hear a superheated *hiss* as your shots detonate before him - Steam fuming in the air, as the serrated sword whirls out in a figure-eight stroke, and smashes the first five shots away.

Your plasma rounds punch into the ground around him, and explode against the faintly-glowing floor underfoot - The streaking blurs of each searing bolt deflected, as you fire a half-dozen bursts in rapid succession-

Your Interceptors whirl towards him, cutting fields engaged, and give you the opening you need. The first drone shears apart with a *squeal* of tortured metal, as Abyss's sword goes *through* it in one unfurling sweep - Before impact sparks sheet from his armor, as you keep up a pummeling barrage of fire.

He parries the second Interceptor, as it comes at him...But your constant fire harries him, makes him stagger as he dives sideways, ducking the drone as it hurtles over his head - Going right back to parrying your hellstorm of fire, though not before a lucky burst explodes against his greaves. You can hear that grey blade whining fractiously as it soaks up the power, the pommel-stone's unlight flaring...

> HP: 100%
> METER: 10%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 100%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 100%
> INTERCEPTORS: 2/3.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384636
MOVE. NOW.

Use the Tempest Scrander to dodge the incoming attack and ascend to a higher point on the stairs.

Keep applying pressure and return fire while evading.

>>20384636
I think he's about to shoot a laser beam from his sword or something along those lines.

Be prepared to dodge it, with the Scrander and Afterimages we should be okay.

Keep on firing, aim for places he can't parry as easily, legs, feet, blindspots, his arm that doesn't have a sword.

The jump pack on your back purrs to life, the turbines humming as your Vulcans light up with blowtorch flame; Each cohered plasma bolt smells of ozone and the death of suns as it leaves the barrel, lines of fire stitching towards him, scorching the ground to molten slag on all sides-

...How the hell is he *blocking* your shots, anyway? The rising whine of his sword reaches a crescendo, as Abyss lets out a muffled grunt of effort - Throwing out a crosswise *sweep* of his old-ivory sword, the steel carving through the darkness-

You've seen this a million times before, as you leap from the steps; And you're not wrong, as there's a visible *ripple*, a flaring crescent of scything energy that slices out from him in a white-hot plane - It carves through your plasma fire, swelling as it comes towards you...

-But then the Tempest Scrander flares to life, and hurls you in a violet parabolic arc. Behind you, you hear the stairs come apart - Part of the winding steps splintering like marble beneath a hammer, white-hot shards punching through your afterimages, the sharpnel stabbing in your back. The damage is almost incidental, though, as you slam into the higher-up steps with bruising force, your legs taking the impact...

Before there's another solid *thump*. When you look back, the central square is empty - Where did he -

He's above you, an impossible leap - Descending blade-first, his sword spearing towards your skull in a steely blur.

> HP: 96%
> METER: 17%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 100%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 92%
> INTERCEPTORS: 2/3 (1 ATTACKING.)

TIER ONE WEAPONRY UNLOCKED.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384771
Plasma Caster him right in the center of mass. Use Cobalt Booster to enhance it.

Once he's hit by that I want the interceptor we have kept in reserve to follow right after it and aim for his sword hand.

>>20384792
Probably would want to sidestep first and hit him once he lands. I got the feeling his sword will tank most the damage if we try shooting from under him.

You sidestep - Coming perilously close to the edge - as Abyss comes down, the air singing a tooth-grinding whine as his blade stabs down. It plunges down through your left pauldron - He was aiming for your head - as you jerk away, carving off a chunk of armor as the sword cuts through your Assault Shroud, and into the floor as if the steps are soft cheese.

Whatever that sword's made of, it's ridiculously sharp...But it still takes him a moment to pull it free, a moment when he's unguarded...

The blunt ingot of your Plasma Caster shimmers into being - Supercharged, humming with power - and you fire it *right* into his face. At this range, he takes the spread head-on; A plasma blast would've spent itself against his armor of the depths, but the cobalt-blue energy is made of sterner stuff - You actually see some of the tiny flechettes punch *through* him and out the other side...

-He falls back, tumbling and rolling down the steps. His blade licks out, braking his fall as it sinks into the steps - But his rotation means that the Interceptor meant for his swordarm slices against his helmet, shattering the side-lens of his mask.

You can make out patches of char on his scaly armor, now; Unhealthy-looking ichor bubbling from the punctures, as he surges back to his feet. His remaining eyes flit between your circling Interceptor and you - You have the higher ground, but he's not trying to close the distance...

> HP: 86%
> METER: 13%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 90%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 80%
> INTERCEPTORS: 2/3 (1 ATTACKING.)

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>20384917
Have both of our active Interceptors go after him, keep his sword arm busy.

Open fire with our Vulcans. I think this fight is getting close to an end so enhance them with Cobalt Booster, let's see him try to parry that.

Let's fire off a missile salvo at him, since his sword willjust eat up energy attacks. If he trys to parry the missiles away, send in the interceptor to hit him from behind.

Your final Interceptor uncouples, speeding away from you in a elliptical trajectory; It loops around, its path criss-crossing with the other, as they come at him at once...

Abyss has both hands on his sword, the buzzing blade coming up in a two-handed rising parry the forces their cutting fields over his head ~ He slices out, without subtlety, and his own weapon overloads the monomolecular field - Oozing smoke, one of the paired Interceptors careens away, slamming into the steps below at it thrashes itself to pieces.

The other one comes back, shears through his guard; Sparks fly as the riochet makes him stumble, his defenses down as you turn your enhanced Vulcans on him-

The bolts that stab forth are solid munitions and energy rounds at once, the muzzleflash the ferocious blue of a supernova. You hear him snarl, as they punch into him - *through* him - making ragged wounds in his torso and limbs, as two missiles lift off from your Triskelion launchers...

And then you're hit, from the side; An impact as tremendous as it's unexpected. You see nothing, just the suggestion of a massive shape in the dark, a blunt-nosed hammerhead slamming into you. Your feet fly off the steps, and you pinwheel through the dark, the stairs and platform whirling end-over-end, to the distant *roar* of your missiles detonating, the concussion punching you down-

> HP: 80%
> METER: 24%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 82%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 73%
> INTERCEPTORS: 1/3 (1 ATTACKING.)

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>20385031
Sharks, there are sharks now and we're flying into the black. This is not a good place to be.

Orient ourself towards the platform and the stairs. Active our Tempest Scrander and hope we aimed right.

There's a heart-stopping moment of free-fall, as you just *plummet* - The drag of your limbs evening out your fall, as the steps flash by...But then the Tempest Scrander *kicks*-

It's sheer, blind luck that you're headed in the right direction, but the brief blurt of thrust is anything but gentle; You surge towards the central square on corkscrewing jets of thrust, landing so hard you *bounce* once, then twice - Armor scraping against the glowing floor, hard edges cutting into the ground with a shrieking of tortured metal.

The Scrander is *still* flaring as you cross the ground on your face - Mercifully, it cuts out before you tumble over the far edge, taking you only halfway across it...

The blackness is churning, with the turmoil of a tempest-tossed sea. You can see Abyss standing atop the blasted steps, raising his sword in one hand; The missiles must have done something to him, because his other arm hangs loose from his shoulder, even as he gestures with the sword like a conductor's baton.

It's then - right then - you realize that Carcharias is not alone. He never was.

By the time you find your feet, the void is alive, with silent, looming predators - Sensing blood in the water, drawn close by ethereal tides. The black pearl of his sword's pommel sheds its lightless glow, like a beacon; Enough for you to make out the blank, black eyes, the sharp teeth.

Coming for you.

> HP: 71%
> METER: 32%
> COBALT BOOSTER: 82%
> ASSAULT SHROUD: 65%
> INTERCEPTORS: 1/3 (1 AVAILABLE)

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 14

TO BE CONTINUED.

>>20385195

(Unfortunately, due to time constraints, I have to stop here for the night; It's around 11 PM my time, an hour before midnight.

Once again, I apologize for the delays between posts - I'm still recovering from a throat infection and the sniffles, and I'm afraid it's affected my posting rate and quality of writing.

I'll run the next session this coming Thursday, at the usual time - Hopefully, I'd have made a full recovery by then. My apologies for the inconvenience; I hope to see you again next time.

Good night, and god bless.)

>>20385209
Take care, hope you feel better.

Also there's murder sharks everywhere. This arena is most definitely not favored towards us.

>>20385222

Our opponents are getting increasingly lethal. This guy is incredibly fast, incredibly good with that sword of his, and he's brought help.

>>20385209

Awwww, sucks to hear that, Op. Being sick is a downer, hope you get better soon.

>Natsumi in naginata club
>Chrome uses spear thing
>asks if we see anything strange about Hecate

How did you guys not pick up on this?

Bloody hell. I didn't even realize this was going on.

Does everybody still have an intense hate-on for the Thief?

>>20388821
Chrome uses a spear?

>>20391745
More precisely a polearm - halberd to be specific.

Augh, this happened on vacation. I had some great dialogue suggestions and a possible Black Joker. Anyone think the other player in the room might have been hiding Player status with a Relic?