It's strange, how small a room can feel. Visiting Akira was one thing; To be on the receiving end is, well, something else entirely.

Mr. Fumito's wheelchair hums, softly, as it rolls to a stop - He looks drawn, paler than before, but in good spirits regardless; The brace securing his broken leg tighening and relaxing in time to his motions.

"Ah, Fumito-san! I didn't think you'd be visiting, too..." Mio's saying, oblivious to the unspoken tension in the room; Her voice is almost too cheery, too loud, as she turns to look at them - You hear Mr. Fumito chuckle, amused...But your eyes are drawn to Natsumi, still standing by the door.

She doesn't quite meet your eyes, her arms folded over her chest...When she catches you looking, she looks down and away, as if embarassed or ashamed. It's a far cry from the last time you saw her, but...

"-getting late. I've chartered a cab to send you home." Mr. Fumito is saying, casually, and Mio dips her head in a little bow: Her hand resting lightly on your shoulder, as she turns to go. "Thank you; Anon-kun, I'll see you soon, all right?"

A quick smile - Then the door closes behind her, and she's gone. Mr. Fumito's pale gaze settles on you, next - His hands resting on his lap, as he regards you.

"Well now," he says, at last - With a faint smile that never quite touches his eyes. "...You *have* been busy, Anon."

[ ] "-What's that supposed to mean?"
[ ] "How did you know I was awake?"
[ ] "What's Natsumi doing here?"
[ ] "I have to say...You're looking much better."
[ ] "Thanks for the help; I appreciate it."
[ ] "Bardiel's dead."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21335957
Goddammit, and I was just about to go to bed.

>>21335968
[X] "-What's that supposed to mean?"
[X] "How did you know I was awake?"

He probably knows that Bardiel's dead.

>>21335968

> [X] "What's that supposed to mean?"

Is he making a dig at Mio? Or does he mean something else?

>>21335968

Give a small bow in return.

"I have. Your gift was very useful in getting me out of a bind I found myself in."

"Shindo- Bardiel is no more. He was a good man who became corrupted by the other worlds power."

Pause in thought.

"I discovered something very important to me while he was raving. A... friend I thought dead still lives."

Look away with a sad smile on your face.

"I lost control of my emotions and killed him before I could find out where she is being imprisoned."

Look him dead in the eyes.

"Could you help me find the one I hold dear, Argent Prominence?"

Oh Watashiwa, where art thou?

We require thine aid.

Seriously. I actually haft to sleep tonight at some point. Can't stay up to 6 in the morning like last time.

>>21336043

He's silent, for a moment; Natsumi stiffens, looking up - Emotion flickering across her face, before she visibly steels herself. For a long, silent moment, Mr. Fumito meets - and holds - your gaze, before his features soften, and he rests a companionable hand on your shoulder.

"-Of course I will, Anon." he say, gruffly; His voice low, sympathetic. "Of course I will."

> [X] "-What's that supposed to mean?"

"...Well." He tips his chin in Natsumi's direction. "She's been very forthcoming, about how you helped her...And it was hard to miss your fight with Bardiel." Mr. Fumito smiles, slightly, though there's little humor in it. "-The fight could be seen from miles away, after all."

> [X] "How did you know I was awake?"

He shifts in his chair, and winces - As if at a sudden twinge in his leg. "-I didn't, actually. I was here for a checkup; I'm afraid I'm not as young as I once was...Still, it's a fortunate coincidence."

Abruptly, he looks up - "...It's a shame the Adjudicator was destroyed, but I'm happy it served it's purpose. I'd expect you'd be wanting your Relics back, now?" A note of amusement creeps into his voice - "...I've found that I had rather more time than I've been expecting, the past week - More than I'm used to, I'm afraid."

[ ] "But of course."
[ ] "There's no hurry: I'd prefer to keep talking, first."
[ ] "...Did anything else happen when I was out?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21336145
Sorry dude I just got in from visiting family and I've got work in the morning. Probably can't stay up much longer myself, plus OP's had enough time that anything I write won't factor in to his response.

Still funny to see people associating me with this quest though.

>>21336203
>[X] "...Did anything else happen when I was out?"
Might as well ask

>>21336219

Don't worry, we'll try our best not to fuck everything up.

>>21336203
[X] "But of course."
[X] "...Did anything else happen when I was out?"

>>21336203
Did anything else happen while I was out?
Also
How have you two been?

>>21336219
Your the essentially the voice of anon-kun.
Of course they are going to associate you with this quest.

>>21336203

"Yes, I would like the relics returned with do haste. They have been an indispensable tool for my continued survival."

Look at Natsumi.

"Hello Natsumi. I hope you have been feeling well."

Give a chuckle.

"I've been slightly indisposed for these past few days. I hope I wasn't too big of a burden."

Look down sheepishly.

"Do you have one of those lunch boxes girls always seem to carry around and cook extra food "just in case?"

"I'm famished."

>>21336283
Nope
Stop being so cheery and read the mood.

>>21336303

Gotta break the tension SOMEHOW.

>>21336203
It is a shame the Adjudicator was destroyed, I take it Bardiel's flight system was also irrecoverable?

>>21336321

It got nommed by the sphere.

Yes..

>>21336219
Aww, this sucks. A conversation heavy session and our dialogue expert is unavailable.

>>21336332
But since we're kinda hiding the existence of the sphere we should act like we don't know.

>>21336203
[X] Did you by any chance see the Black Joker?

>>21336219
>Under OP's post
My fucking sides!

>>21336203
"That can wait. First, I have to thank you for the Adjucator. It saved my life, and I'm sorry to have lost it. Almost as much as I am that I had to kill Bardiel; I think there is much I... we could have learned from him. You mentioned that our fight was seen? What can you tell me about that transformation he pulled off? And what about me showing up in the Red World in the flesh?"

>>21336043
Stop being an idiot. Think about the company Joker's in before you break Natsumi.

>>21336278
While flattering, that's a bit weird. Pretty sure that's not how collective games are supposed to lead to character voices. Should I cut back on my posting?

>>21336371

I didn't catch the fact Natsumi was in the room until after I posted.

Just got back from running a Shadowrun session. My players bought me booze. I'm not exactly in a clear state of mind at the moment.

It took me 4 tries to get through the Captcha just for that...

>6 tries

Oh god I am not cut out for this.

I feel we should at least apologize to Natsumi.

>>21336371
>While flattering, that's -

You're his voice (mainly because you're so good at speaking), the rest of us are his ambitions and motivations.

>>21336283

Natsumi looks up - Seemingly startled as you address her. She flinches, an instinctive wariness in that slight motion; There's an uneasiness to her gaze, as if she's in the presence of a dangerous animal of some kind...

"-I'm better now," she offers, faintly, not saying more - Then, abruptly, she straightens, opening the door. "...I'll get them to send some food up, Anon-kun."

Mr. Fumito watches her go, in silence, and sighs, softly.

"I worry about her," he admits.

> [X] "...Did anything else happen while I was out?"

"...Some," he allows. "There's been an upswing in Corrector activity, ever since your fight with Bardiel; It may be linked, I'm not certain. My Players have been managing them well, but...There's an ominous feel to things, I'm afraid."

His gaze goes distant, hooded. "-I believe that Pazuzu may be laying low. Let's hope it stays that way."

(Continued.)

>>21336439
And unfortunately we are his brain too.

>>21336407
>Shadowrun session
I take it back anon you're a pretty cool dude. I had my players raising hell in the Seattle barrens. Their solution to "How remove heavily armed drug dealers who paid off Lone Star" was "call Knight Errant". They were on a Shadowrun. They'll be paying for that one.

>>21336439
Hah, better.

>>21336450

Yeah, I'm not typing anymore. I'll wait until next time when I'm actually sober enough to read the mood properly.

Plus this gutrot is delicious.

>>21336450
Crap! he used that.

>>21336450
OP WE WERE AGAINST THAT

>>21336439
that said, we need to figure what WE need in all this clusterfuck. It seems EVERYONE has some kind of agenda except us.

Also, while Argent seems cool enough, i still cannot shake off the feeling that there is something wrong in how he deals with artifacts. I mean, we met two guys whom he gave experimental tech and they both were, well, bonkers.

>>21336518
He is a mad scientist I can fucking sense it.

>>21336371

"...You only did what you had to. Bardiel was...He was always stubborn. I imagine he was the same way, up until the end - He'd never have let you take him alive."

> You mentioned that our fight was seen? What can you tell me about that transformation he pulled off? And what about me showing up in the Red World in the flesh?"

"The flesh?" A flash of interest, in his eyes. "-Now, *that* I didn't know. All I've heard are second-hand reports - And the explosion that came immediately after, of course."

Mr. Fumito taps a hand against his knee, thoughtfully. "...I must admit, I was surprised to hear that you were hurt." And, in response to an unspoken question - "No, no-one died in the blast." His brow furrows; "No-one died," he repeats, almost to himself...

"-Which leaves the question, of course: What happened to Shindo's body?"

He shakes his head, his chair's frame whirring softly. "Don't trouble yourself about the Adjudicator - I'm glad that it served it's purpose." A shadow of pain flits across his face, as he tries to settle himself more comfortably: "...Nnnnh. This *is* rather uncomfortable, I have to admit."

He extends his hand towards you, as if waiting for a handshake - A now-familiar gesture. "-Accompany me, if you don't mind. The transition tends to dull the pain, I've found."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21336518
That's only the start of the reasons he's ultimately not trustworthy. He's famous in a murder game where people die if they are killed. He's incredibly strong in a murder game where people die if they are killed. And those correctors he says the killing of can substitute for PKing are a new phenomenon.

He's probably the Player most worth our trust who isn't Natsumi (so stop trying to break her trust in us before it's lost), but that doesn't mean trusting him is a good idea. Trust is the color of death...

>>21336548
"How is Cypher? You mentioned being worried about her. Last night--no wait, when I left her--she was in a bad state and I didn't do enough to help. Have you ever seen her like this? I can't remember."

>>21336479

>Forever a DM.jpg

I finally got my players to switch from 3.5 to Shadowrun for the time being.

I ran Food Fight as the start point. I thought the usually subdued muscle wizards and sorcerers I ran would be the same.

Nope. Pink Mohawk right from the start. They blew up the Stuffer Shack, the Lone Star, and are now on the run.

I quietly through out my notes and ran with their shenanigans.

Next session the heat will come down.

>>21336548
[X] OP will carefully read the posts in this thread and notice the the fact that there are about 5 people here and all of them were against this >>21336283

>>21336548

Take his hand, and transform.

> "How did you know it was Shindo? I don't remember saying anything."

>>21336548
>Nobody mention the sphere!

"The reason I was hurt was BECAUSE I was there in the flesh. Everything that got through my armor hit me. Bardiel had something with him, like a fragment of a crystal ball, only black. He shattered it on the roof and I'm positive that's what pulled m into the Red world. I have to admit I was somewhat surprised the air was breathable."

>>21336548

Go for it. I can't wait to see what he's DONE with our Relics, it's going to be awesome.

>>21336587
Err, Bardiel used to be one of his till he switched sides.

>>21336587
Bardiel worked for Argent for years like Natsumi does now. No conspiracy here, I'm afraid, though his track record suggests we ought to get Natsumi away from him if possible.

No need to use that response OP.

By the way.
The transition "there" and back in the restaurant made me think - is it possible to transit back to real world when both parties are alive if they both decide to leave? That would be pretty neat. Because honestly, we could pull off enough intimidation to end the match without having to kill another poor bastard.

Everything above, of course, doesn't apply to Pazuzu - the ability to ignore collectors is too dangerous and using it for PK purposes is just a dick move.

>>21336621
>using it for PK purposes

Especially since it's so inefficient. The XP seems to just be lost if a player is killed by a corrector. You might as well feed a high level opponent to a Nihl Sphere.

>>21336654
Still a bit bitter? The energy doesn't go to waste. The NS was damaged, every time we give it energy it seems to become more like it was when Hecate showed it to us. I'd actually like to take a look at it right now, but obviously we can't do to AP.

>>21336578

"-Neither have I," he says. Mr. Fumito turns towards the door, lowering his voice: "...I was surprised to hear from her again, so soon. Cypher's one of my best Players, but...I can't help but wish she'd be less hard on herself."

He sighs, again. "She said she wanted to help, and I couldn't - in good faith - refuse. There are so *few* of us...I need every Player I can get, to cull the Correctors."

His gaze meets yours: "-Please, do what you can for her."

>>21336602

"A *black* crystal, you say?" He looks interested, all of a sudden. "-It sounds like...No, it *couldn't* be." Troubled, he looks down - Speaking more slowly, now, as if wondering how much to tell you: "...From your description of it - It may have been something the Black Cardinal once owned. The few times I saw him...There was always a...a sphere, you could call it...in his hands. He would hold it when thinking, and...He'd use it to do *things*."

From his tone, he'd prefer not to talk about what those 'things' were.

"If you can retrieve any of these shards...I'd appreciate it if you could bring them to me. They sound *immensely* dangerous - It's essential they don't end up in the wrong hands."

You are suddenly and uncomfortably aware that the Nihl Sphere is tucked away in a fold of your coat - A bag set at the foot of your bed, right beneath Argent Prominence's notice.

(Continued.)

>>21336707

Sweat, but don't you DARE even glance at that bag.

And that's it for me. I'm off to sleep. Polished off the last of the gutrot. Catch you next time OP.

>>21336680
Congrats, you completely misread what he wrote. He was referencing how Joker could end fights without killing if the enemy just agreed to transfer out. His statement at the end was reference to Pazuzu being too dangerous to be offered the chance.

>>21336729
No, I think you mistook who I was quoting.

Also, do we have computer? We need to hit the internets for any information we can find. Preferrably about Sheol or murdergames. Hell, there CERTAINLY should be some site about murdergames.

>>21336654
I say it can be quite efficient - remember how pazzies were operating? They were using confusion in player ranks and, being invisible to collectors, just focused on backstabbing players getting exp for every single one.
If we kill roughly two guys in a week and get so much EXP we level up at least once, those guys, even if they kill just two, get same amount of EXP with no effort whatsoever.
That said, the speech we gave to those in the back alley was pretty evil. I say we should work on it. Next time we're in front of a large audience we gotta use our singularity cannon - it may seriously reduce the amount of tries on our life.
And if we need to grind we always could go and hunt collectors near the hole.

>>21336765
Shit, you're right, I meant >>21336654. You're fine, the guy above you needs to read and I need to learn to stop pressing F5 to reload the page.

>>21336771

I'm actually surprised there wasn't a group there aggroing collectors to grind on.

That's a honeyhole(pot) for the insane powergamers.

>>21336771
Speaking of the hole, we need to make another trip back there, we never actually went to the coords due to deciding to take Natsumi home.

File: 1351488305395.jpg-(33 KB, 640x360, jokerdrive.jpg)

>>21336605
>>21336587

As you reach out - Wincing a little at the discomfort, your limbs feeling raw beneath your bandages - and take his hand, the world shifts and warps around you, shading to red...

STAGE: PANDEMONIUM.

You stand within a great hall, fluted columns and arches rising in disorderly rhythm. Odd, half-heard echoes come to you from all around; You can see grey, ghostly wisps coiling like tendrils of smoke in all directions - Their wordless whispers coming to you like white noise, like static.

"...It feels better, doesn't it?" Argent Prominence - His voice firm, strong - comes to you from the side; Apparently admiring the weird architecture, defying the laws of basic geometry. His silver form hovers, at rest; The placid face turning towards you, as calm as a carved statue.

He's right. The aches and pain you were aware of are...muted, somehow. You're aware of them, but they don't matter...As you make a fist, all you feel is the stinging strength of the Red Joker's armor, the steady *clomp* of your armored boots against the ground.

Mercury pools upwards, like a flower blossoming in slow motion - Forming a flat surface, a shimmering block that bears...

-The shifting, tesselated fabric of the Assault Shroud, coiling as it rests on the 'table'. The grey fabric is shot through with what seems like silver wire, as it lies next to your Tempest Scrander...Now sporting an odd attachment, a...reactor?...that fumes with crimson particles.

With a wave of his hand, he gestures you towards it - "Go on," Argent Prominence says, pride writ large in his voice - "...I do think I've outdone myself, this time."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21336791
Too be fair, that worm probably would have pasted Chrome if she had been on her own. The place isn't exactly level scaled.

>>21336809

(Apologies for the delay between posts: There's a *lot* to take in.)

>>21336813

Hence why I said group. A five or six man group would have no problem pulling two or three of the little ones at a time.

Maybe even a deathworm if they were feeling reckless.

>>21336813
It's spelled WYRM as in MOTHERFUCKING DRAGON.

>>21336817
'sfine. I'm busy too.

>>21336809
Shroud first. Ohhhhh yes, the Shroud first.

>>21336809
"Not having these for a while made me realize just how much I've come to rely on them despite the short time I'd been using them."

>>21336782
Actually no I don't.

If you actually look at the greentext you'll realize I'm referring specifically to the idea of using correctors for PK purposes.

>>21336809
Okay, just how big is the pandemonium stage? cause we've ended up there a number of times despite entering the Red from seemingly distant locations.

>>21336871
Not true. Experience gain in the game discourages grinding: The stronger you are the less experience you get. Pazuzu had Red Joker on the ropes and doesn't give half a damn what the Players he controls do, so unleashing Correctors just means less work for him killing enemies that do nothing for him experience wise and preventing the scratch damage from accumulating.

Haven't found a good place to mention this, but that crystal Bardiel used is probably how they dragged Nara Dreamland's attending Players to the Red World, since Anon appeared there outside the Red Joker armor.

>>21336848

Argent Prominence coughs, lightly, into one gauntleted fist: It's a fussy, old-man gesture, oddly amusing when done by the shimmering silver centurion he's become. "-Well, absence *does* make the heart fonder."

As your jointed fingers brush the surface of the Assault Shroud, the mantle breaks down into a swirl of hexagonal polygons - Reforming, reshaping, into a long crimson duster, the sweeping length of it settling over your armor, as if made for it. A silver circuit-pattern spiders across the surface, like inlay, like quicksilver; It *flows*, making the Shroud curl and twist as if in an unseen breeze, even at rest.

> CONVERSION COMPLETE
> 'ASSAULT SHROUD 2.0' OBTAINED
> UPDATING DATABASE...

> ASSAULT SHROUD: 150%

Mimetic fibers swirl around you, dispersing through the air: Coalescing into perfect mimicries of your form - One, two, three - eerily exact, down to the fluid head-swivel of their motions as they turn back to look at you...Before twisting apart, coming undone.

A heartbeat later, the Shroud itself deploys, fully; Into a semi-spherical barrier formed from floating hexagons, humming with seething force.

a) The Assault Shroud's maximum capacity is now 150%.
b) Part of the Shroud can be jettisoned, to create a mobile decoy - At 50% per decoy. The decoys dissipate after sustaining a single attack.
c) The Shroud can be fully deployed in a 'Fortress Mode', to create a physical barrier - This completely depletes the Shroud, but offers substantial protection until it is destroyed. The barrier is immobile, but can be dispersed at will.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21336984
Only question I suppose is whether the extra material making up Fortress Mode returns to the Shroud state. I doubt it, but it'd be nice to know.

Also, I'm curious, exactly how does one "upgrade" artifacts that don't belong to you?

>>21336984
HOLY BALLS THAT'S COOL.

See that scrander? Pick it up, put that good thing on.

>>21336984
Wait, so it's upgraded its clone ability to not cost the entire shroud and replaced the afterimages ability completely? I'm going to miss those afterimages.

>>21336984
"I have missed this guy. It's part of the whole image, I just don't look quite right without a duster.

I could ask what you did to the Scrander but I think the best way to learn would be to try it on."

>>21336939
That reminds me that Pazuzu isn't relying on skill just raw power. I mean if we improved our skills we might become considerably more effective fighters.

After seeing this I'm a bit worried about our relics. The Assault Shroud has lost what was one of its best abilities IMO. And just from the description of the new scrander I'm worried that it has had it's speed upgraded at the cost of maneuverability. Also, I'm suspicious that he installed kill switches in them in case we turn against him.

>>21337022

(Apologies; I wasn't clear. You still have the afterimages ability.)

>>21337018
>>21337036
>>21337005

Argent Prominence shrugs; You can tell that he enjoys the appreciation, all the same. "Well, *that* I can answer. The Tempest Scrander is an intriguing device, but limited by the lack of power; I've...addressed that issue."

The metal tongues of shoulder-strap buckles seal themselves, with the click of spring-loaded magnetic lockers; Immediately, the pack begins to whine and throb, as if turbine power is building up within it as turbine fans cycle up to speed...

...And then there's a *second* roar, as crimson light fans out from you; Cohered rings of sizzling atmosphere coalesce at your back, and you take flight - Faster than ever before, the twin reactors buzzing in tandem, feeding each other power. Electric charge sparks across your crimson armor, as you touch down - Patient tics of lightning dancing at your fingertips, leaping from knuckle to knuckle.

When you slam down, the ground *ripples* around you, as power discharges - Seething lightnings writhing across the ground, flaring and sparking, before you come to a stop.

Augmented by a particle accumulator, the Tempest Scrander's flight time is now effectively unlimited - Also, after to the installation of vernier thrusters, the wearer is now capable of hovering freely, and performing mid-air changes of direction, with greatest increased overall manuverability.

Sustained high-speed flight will still deplete the Scrander's thrust, forcing a landing. Furthermore, due to interaction between the Scrander's static-based repulsors and the new reactor, the wearer - At the cost of completely depleting the Scrander's charge - can release a powerful bolt of lightning.

The output of the Tempest Crash attack has also been boosted, as has the area-of-effect.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21337188
Ask him if there's any chance of Adjudicator being repaired or replaced. That shield really saved our ass and an HP boost is always welcome.

>>21336984

So we basically have Fast Wheels moeblob of mercury now?

Cool.

Shame it doesn't come with the whip tendrils of death. All the same.

>>21337188

Wow, he bolted on a nuclear reactor to our jetpack. The man's a goddamn genius.

File: 1351490571686.jpg-(6 KB, 300x300, 246193-tesla_coil_large.jpg)

>>21337246

He's obviously Tesla reincarnated.

Just watch your step, comrade.

>>21337246
I've been saying he's a MAD SCIENTIST for a while now.

>>21337274
If he was Tesla he would have built a death ray into our jetpack.

>>21337172
http://www.hark.com/clips/sdljchjvgy-do-you-ever-get-tired-of-being-wrong

>>21337305

Or a Chrono Trooper teleporter unit.

I still prefer the afro-engineered Tesla Coil though we have.

>>21337220

> Ask him if there's any chance of Adjudicator being repaired or replaced. That shield really saved our ass and an HP boost is always welcome.

"-I'll work on it," Argent Prominence allows - You can tell that he's smiling...Of course, the silver mask of his face is *always* smiling. "I'll do my best to make it more...durable, this time. Of course."

He tilts his head to the side; "...Tell me, though: Which aspect of the Adjudicator was the most useful?"

[ ] The Phase Blades.
[ ] The defensive shield.
[ ] The Pile Driver.
[ ] The HP boost.

And...

[ ] "It should be lighter, easier to bring to bear."
[ ] "It should be heavier, and better able to resist large-gauge attacks."

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21337332

Shield or Pile Driver

The shield has been crazy handy, but the pile driver has been awfully useful for cracking those tough nuts. I can't make up my mind.....

Lighter

We're a glass cannon. Extra weight is a hindrance.

>>21337332
[x] The defensive shield.
[x] "It should be lighter, easier to bring to bear."

>>21337375
Yet people don't act like it.

>>21337188
"There's a certain amount of irony that I get this after I dealt with my most dangerous flying opponent. That reminds me, was it one of your people who called me and gave me Bardiel's location? Because if it wasn't I'm confused as to why the Smilers would sell out one of there own."

Rolled 1

>>21337375

Rolling for it.

1 for Shield
2 for Pile Driver.

>>21337396
Crap, I missed it again.

>>21337332
>[X] The defensive shield.
>And...
>[X] "It should be heavier, and better able to resist large-gauge attacks."

>>21337332
[X] The Phase Blades

That's what the booster enhanced for those awesome slashes.

>>21337332
[X] The defensive shield
[X] The Phase blades

"The adjudicator's ability to attack and defend kept me alive through some rather harrowing encounters, such versatility must persist in this new iteration."

and

[X] "It should be lighter, easier to bring to bear."

>>21337375
>>21337388
>>21337409
>>21337413
Damn it you guys the whole reason the shield aspect was so useful was because we didn't have the scrander for quick maneuvering. Now that we have it back the Boostable Phase blades are what was best.

>>21337480

Yeah, but this is to keep Joker alive when the sane players aren't at the helm.

The Leap of Stupidity should have gotten us killed if it wasn't for the fact the dice gods smiling on us that day.

>>21337480
I refuse to choose the phase blades because they made the players stupid.

> [X] Shield.
> [X] Lighter, easier to bring to bear.

"I'll remember that," Argent Prominence affirms. He spreads his arms, turning; "I'm sure you'll put my work to good use, Joker. Let's leave it as that, for tonight - I'm sure you must be exhausted. Rest, and recover; Don't wear yourself out."

You can feel his presence...Recede, somehow, diminishing. He's about to leave the red world, when...

>>21337396

"One of my people?"

Argent Prominence turns back. "-No, they'd have told me first. I'd have been the first to know."

The words hang in the air, in the momentary silence - "...The *Smilers* told you where Bardiel was? That makes no sense." He pauses, consideringly - "Perhaps there's more than one faction of them, or..."

His voice goes low, thoughtful.

"-Or he'd become a liability. Why they would *want* him dead...I can't begin to imagine." Argent shakes his head, slowly: "After all that's happened, and we *still* don't know what they want. I'm afraid that there might be something we're missing, some piece of the puzzle..."

A frustrated sigh saws from his throat - His face remaining as calm as ever. "...I fear that we might find out, soon enough."

(Continued.)

>>21337511

Nah, the blades didn't make the players stupid. It make them far more reckless. We're a medium range gunslinger.

Not a fucking Jedi. The only time we should be using a blade is if we're well and truly *fucked*.

....Nevermind. I redact my previous statement.

>>21337557

You feel like he's about to say more; But reality folds upon itself, red shading to black and...

-And you're back in your bed. The room is dark, and your stomach is empty; Mr. Fumito is gone. You glance over at the clock: It's about 8 PM. You've been gone for almost an hour.

Strange, how time flies - It felt like less. Pangs of pain shoot through your limbs, as you sit up a little straighter; Your burns still hurt, your bandaged arms stiffened from disuse.

Natsumi...She never came back.

[ ] Wait for her.
[ ] Go down to the hospital's cafe.
[ ] Just get some sleep.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21337627
[X] Go down to the hospital's cafe.

>>21337627

[X] Free.
Get our jacket. Check the Nihl Sphere.

[X] Go down to the hospital's cafe.

>>21337627
[x] Go down to the hospital's cafe.

We really need some food. And maybe we can find out what happened to Natsumi on the way. (and maybe we can find a cute nurse to accidentally get a crush on us).

>>21337670
What this guy said.

>>21337627

Go down to the hospital's cafe.

>>21337188
WE GOOMBA STOMP NOW.
WITH LIGHTING!

>>21337627
>Natsumi...She never came back.
She could have just been waiting for us to finish with AP?

[X] Wait for her.

You move to stand, rather shakily, and...

Ow. Ow ow ow *ow*. The IV stand clatters, as you tug it after you - Until you pull the needle out. The pain is...quite something, but it's a genuine relief not to have metal *inside* you. Your hand's still twinging, as you fumble for the bag - You're in a hospital gown, but your clothes feel freshly laundered...Did Mio do it? Either way, you're grateful; Though you feel all kinds of weak and clumsy as you fumble in *proper* clothes.

You haven't eaten for four days. You're *starving*.

The hard black marble of the Nihl Sphere is in your left pocket - It feels warmer to the touch, now, making your skin tingle at the contact...More importantly, you still have your wallet - Though Mr. Fumito's probably footing the bill *anyway*.

It's a brief elevator ride back down to the first floor, and then a briefer walk to the hospital's mall; Perhaps 'cafe' isn't the right word, because it's really more like a food court - To your surprise, there are slightly more people than you thought...They're probably just sick of hospital food.

Fortunately, for a top-grade place like *this*, the food's of good quality - Though there's, as always, the sickly smell of antiseptic. It's hard to resist gorging yourself - You *know* you'd be sick if you did - but you're just *that* hungry...

(Continued.)

Guys. GUYS. I have a crazy theory about Pazzy's ability. Judging from how our options acted in last fight against him his ability (or even one of his abilities, the duder's a walking anomaly) may be turning player's active abilities against themselves.

Also i find it weird that Nihl sphere acts differently in the hands of various players. At first i suspected it's some form of psychic wishgranting juju (Hecate wanted to get away from fights and explore the world so she got portals, Bardy wanted us hurt, so he was able to bring us there in flesh, we wanted Bardy dead so we vacuumed him in), but now i am not sure anymore.

ALSO, WE REALLY SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO NATSUMI, I MEAN SERIOUSLY GUYS. Our swagnetims seems to dissipate into nothing once we are in 10m radius of her.

>>21337849
I'm certain his ability is reality warping.

File: 1351493449113.png-(512 KB, 800x600, jokerschoolgirl.png)

>>21337808

The first food you've eaten - A ham-and-cheese toastie - sits uneasily in your stomach; But it's really just something to take the edge off, as you tuck into a large rice bowl, with omelette and ebi don. It's crisp, deliciously filling, and you're munching your way through it, when...

"Heya."

You hear the faint *clink* of ice - Looking up, to see a girl standing in front of you, balancing a large tray...A soft drink tilting precariously. With large blue eyes, and russet-brown hair done up in tight buns, she's actually pretty cute; And she's regarding you with a kind of amused, unselfconscious interest, as she gestures to the seat across from you.

"-Sorry to trouble you, but...Is this seat taken?"

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21337887

Daawww, she's cute! Sure.

>>21337887
"Nope, go right ahead."

>>21337887
>A cute girl approaches us.

IT KEEPS HAPPENING.

Let her sit next to us. After introductions, ask if she works here or if she's a patient.

>>21337887
>okay, i'll bite
"Sure."

Should have waited for Natsumi.

>>21337941
Just because she is a cute girl I am going to assume she is player.

>>21337941
>IT KEEPS HAPPENING.
at this point i'm pretty sure our main ability is to attract people.
I think we should put it to use. Start a Joker cult or something?
Joker army sounds pretty cool.

>>21337912
>>21337941
>>21337945
Watashiwa! Don't be in bed already! We clearly need you!

>>21337887
>Look around for Natsumi.
"Well... I was waiting for someone, but I don't think she's coming. Go ahead."

>>21337972
What does Watashiwa have to do with this?

>>21337985
He's our face genius

>>21337972
Dude below you has it right. >>21337972

>>21337985
Hell if I know man.

>>21337887

"Sure, take a seat. I'm free, I guess. What brings you here? Sick family member?"

Make small talk.

>>21337978
this.
>>21338000
and this.

>>21337985
i am pretty sure we can handle social situations without Watashiwa OR exploding into spaghetti.
I MEAN, WHAT COULD HAVE GONE WRONG?

>>21338032

But watching Anon spill the spaghetti is hilarious in a very life threatening sort of way.

>>21338032
>/tg/
>Social

Are you facking kidding me?!

>>21338032
You must not have been here last thread. Or the two before that.

Of course even then I was outvoted, so.

>>21338052
I see it as how the average 4chan behaves in real life. It's as enlightening as it is depressing.

>>21337912
>>21337927
>>21337941
>>21337945

> "Sure, take a seat. I'm free, I guess. What brings you here? Sick family member?"
> "Well... I was waiting for someone, but I don't think she's coming. Go ahead."

"Ah, thank you~!" she chirps, with a radiant smile - "Something like that..." she hedges, looking slightly embarassed - Turning to wave, once she's set her tray down."Kou-chan, this way~!"

You follow her gaze - To hear the low rattle of a walker, being pushed from behind. His bandaged hands clenched around the grips - Moving in an awkward stumble - a tall figure in jeans and a white shirt lurches towards the table; He's clumsy, but he lowers his gaze apologetically as the girl helps him into the seat, easing the walker to the side.

"...You're okay, right?" she says, sounding concerned - Stiffly, he nods, straightening in his seat. He doesn't say a word, as he looks over at you - He'd be handsome, if not for the patches of miscolored skin on his face, the way his head has been shaven down to the stubble.

Moving with familiar ease, the girl holds the glass out for him, until he can take it between both hands; The straw trembling with a faint sucking noise, as he inhales the drink in slow sips.

"-Again, thanks a lot," she says, paper tearing as she opens a pair of chopsticks. "Kou and I really appreciate it..."

[ ] "...Sorry, I don't think I got your name?"
[ ] "-He doesn't talk much, does he?"
[ ] "Oh, you're taking care of him?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21337887

Wow, she's really stacked for a schoolgirl.

>>21338069
Does that honestly surprise you?
>>21338066
>[X] "Oh, you're taking care of him?"

>>21338069
Bet she's a slut.

>>21338069
I think Mio's bigger.

>>21338066
Leukemia?

[x] Free: "Hello Kou, I'm Anon. I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name...?"

>>21338066

"No problem at all. It's crowded a lot more crowded than I expected it to be as well."

"So, Kou, what happened to you to get you laid up in here?"

"A building fell on me."

>>21338063
oh, i read them in the archives.
I don't consider myself to be a smooth-talker (hell, i'm crippingly shy), but holy balls that was REAL SMOOTH.

>>21338084

Man, if only you could see the full picture.

It's just *naughty*. And hot.

>>21338066
I'm guessing it would be in bad taste to speculate on his illness out loud.

[X] "...Sorry, I don't think I got your name?"
[X] Free.
Casually glance around. Is this really the only spot they could have taken?

>>21338108
It's a footjob isn't it?

It looks like a footjob.

File: 1351495218698.jpg-(50 KB, 947x229, Capture.jpg)

Time to fap.

>>21338066
>{x}Free
"Ah, it's nothing. I'm Anon, you two are...?"

>>21338106
>obviously debilitating condition
>potential cognitive side effects
"O HAI Y U IN HOPITA?!"

There's being tactless and there's making me think it's intentional.

>>21338114
Good thinking.

>>21338155

Sorry, I'm spilling Anon's spaghetti again. I couldn't resist the temptation.

Was wondering if anyone was going to call me out....

>>21338104
>>21338106

Kou looks at you, then turns to the girl in mute appeal; She says, quickly "Ah, he...He doesn't talk much. He's still recovering..." From *what*, she doesn't specify, though her words linger awkwardly in the air.

> [X] "...Sorry, I don't think I got your name?"
> [X] "Ah, it's nothing. I'm Anon, you two are...?"
> [X] "Oh, you're taking care of him?"

"I'm Megumi - Megumi Nakata; I'm from Mitakashi High, third year. Kou-kun's my..."

She bites her lip, catching herself.

"...He's my friend." she goes on, a little more softly - A gentle, almost sad smile on her lips.

> "A building fell on me."

"Oh, my-" Her eyes widen, and she covers her mouth "...That's *terrible*!" Her gaze darts over you, as if checking for obvious injuries - "You must've been *very* lucky."

You look around; As before, the place *is* slightly more crowded than you'd expected - There are a few empty seats, but they're mostly further in. Given that you're near the exit, they probably didn't want to travel *that* far, given the awkward shape of Kou's walking frame.

And, really...With your adjacent neighbors consisting of a rather prissy-looking woman, an elderly man staring at nothing, between bites, and what looks like a younger family - You're the most approachable of the lot.

(Continued.)

>>21338106
IGNORE THIS BULLSHIT!!!
>>21338165
DON'T EVEN JOKE ABOUT IT YOU ASSHOLE!!!

>>21338177
OP have notice that you are dumb enough to fall for a troll post.

>>21338181
Dude, it's a friggin' quest.
Chillax.

>>21338177

Hm. Chemotherapy? No, the shaved head says not..

Hm.. burn victim?

>>21338204
You must not read many other quests. That is par for the course with /tg/.

>>21338212

Samefagging.

The girl is obviously an airhead.

Or has a really good pokerface to play along with the "Building fell on me" comment.

Should we ham it up or would it be going too far? A little ham won't hurt.

>>21338177
...Really, OP? *Really*?

>>21338220
Not really. Most good GMs (note I say good [and also that I say most]) ignore the Chaotic Stupid or obvious troll posts.

There's a slight clatter of cutlery, as Megumi works with fork and knife to slice up a morsel of food - Part of a chicken chop - offering it to Kou. "Right, say 'Aaaah'~" she coaxes, and he opens his mouth...Chewing slowly, as he washes it down with the drink.

You're a little surprised that Megumi's older than you - She looks younger, somehow, and as cute as a button...Though it'd be remiss *not* to mention how she well she fills out her school blouse. But it's Kou that gets your full attention...

He's a solid-looking guy, seemingly as healthy as an ox...But there's something *off* about him, somehow, something you can't quite...

-It's his hands, and his feet. They're...*bigger* than usual, even when accounting for the swathing bandages - As if his fingers are especially thick. He's barefoot, too, except for how *thoroughly* his feet have been wrapped up.

Megumi notices that you're looking. "-Don't worry," she says, by way of explanation. "It's just, ah, a skin condition...Kou has to go in every few months. We're...I'm used to it by now."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21338229
Hamming it up would be really useful to know whether she or her boyfriend are players.

The question is, do WE want to know whether they are?

>>21338233

(Hey, it was a valid series of questions.)

>>21338255
i think we're just getting overly careful after our SMOOTH MOVES with Natsumi

>>21338242

Elephantiasis.

I know a guy who has it. His legs are massive. He got it working with lead linings of nuclear power plants.

Makes sense.

>>21338255

It's nothing to get bent out of shape about. Every quest has the subtle troll that slips through.

>>21338242
I wonder if Correctors can infect players?

>>21338242
Well, I'm guessing he's suffering from some sort of Elephantiasis. Let's not press the issue since it's pretty obvious she doesn't want to dig into it.

"Ah, it must be really tough. Even though this place is really nice and all, I can't imagine how hard it would be to have to come here regularly."

>>21338229
...What gives you that idea? She obviously took one look at Anon, saw he wasn't dead or seriously hurt, and didn't think he was serious.

>>21338242
Large hands and feet? Odd. Elephantiasis wouldn't explain the other symptoms. >>21338287 asks the question that's going to matter in the next fight.


>>21338255
Not really. You have to say it out loud, but it's obviously not something you'd say to someone ou just met unless you were a real jackass.

>>21338242

Hmmm.... the guy reminds me of that player with huge hands who's girlfriend got hit by a car.

We should watch out with what we say around him.

>>21338242

"Ah, I apologize for staring. It's.. it's just something new, you know?"

Let.. Let's change the subject... so, you go to [insert school here]?"

>>21338339
Before the enlarged hands and feet were mentioned I was thinking Rust Kaiser.

>>21338308

>What gives you that idea?

Well, she chick is an airhead who failed to grasp a joke or played along with our attempts at being funny.

>>21338376

>THE chick

Fucking tablet.

>>21338376
we were trying to be funny?

>>21338388

Make the best out of a shitty comment that the troll created.

>>21338388
Terrible humour is, in the end, humour. Or at least an attempt at it, despite how flat it fell.

It's a shame time in the Red is so erratic cause I'd like to see if this guy shows on the other side.

> "It must be really tough. Even though this place is really nice and all, I can't imagine how hard it would be to have to come here regularly."

"It *is* a nice place," Megumi agrees, simply. For a while, that's about as far as it goes; You eat in silence, interrupted only by the patient clink of cutlery - Kou's hands stay on his lap, beneath the table, as she feeds him one forkful of meat at a time...Enough that you notice she's not eating, herself.

> "Ah, I apologize for staring. It's.. it's just something new, you know?"
> Let.. Let's change the subject... so, you go to [insert school here]?"

The conversation takes a turn for the casual, after that - Mostly, you listen, nodding on occasion as Megumi chatters on. According to her, Mitakashi High is a nice place...It's also fairly near the hospital, but a good distance from your school.

Come to think of it...Yep, your school's probably going up against them in the upcoming atheletes meet. Megumi, apparently, is part of the swim team - An accomplishment she takes quite a bit of pride, in. She sounds like a girl used to filling in the silences... Possibly because of how *quiet* Kou is.

It doesn't take that much longer for the meal to be finished; At length, Megumi peters off, looking down at her watch. "...The *time*," she murmurs, almost to herself - "...I have to leave, soon, or I'll be late..."

Rather clumsily, Kou sways to his feet - He's ungainly, as he supports himself on the walker; Megumi's face troubled, as she moves to support him. "Come on," she murmurs, taking his arm...

[ ] "Need any help?"
[ ] "-I'll see you around, then."
[ ] "Where are you going?
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL.

>>21338434

We're in no real shape to fight, not right now.

>>21338435
[X]"Need any help?"

>>21338435

"I might not look it, but I can lend a hand if you need it. I've been cooped up in here for four days. I could use the fresh air after the meal."

"Plus, I need to weasel all of your school's secrets out before we face off!"

>>21338435

Let's offer to help her. I just found the game she's from, and you were right. The scene IS pretty hot.

>>21338460

> "I might not look it, but I can lend a hand if you need it. I've been cooped up in here for four days. I could use the fresh air after the meal."

Hesitancy flickers across her features, as she considers it - Before nodding, slowly. "...If you could help Kou get back to his room - I'd really appreciate it." Megumi produces an electronic keycard, from her pocket - "It's room 6-F...Not *that* far, but I don't want him to, to...Fall, or hurt himself..."

> "Plus, I need to weasel all of your school's secrets out before we face off!"

Megumi laughs, and claps her hands - Before she sobers, with a brisk shake of her head. "Well, if you're sure you *really* don't mind...If it's not too much trouble for you...?"

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>21338503

Install 4chanx and exlinks. Never search for sauce again.

DAAAAAAIIIIIIZ may be a shitty fansubber who catches the butt of the joke on /a/, but he knows how make fapping easier.

>>21338516
Worst case scenario he turns out to be a player who wants to kill us. Then we kill him and Megumi hates us forever.
Also we're stuck since we can't quite back out without looking like an ass. Fun times.

>>21338516

"Well, Kou, shall we go? I can understand if you don't want to chat, but your lady friend is really nice. I had someone like her, once. Before she was taken very far away. You're lucky to have someone like that."

And yet another girl is touched by our noodly appendage.
I salute you, you magnificent bastards.

Slow thread tonight.

Not a whole lot of Shadowrun levels of paranoia.

>>21338595
after we finish this for today i'll try to make trustworthiness chart.
Because i have doubts about Argent and Hecate (and surprisingly less doubts about Thief - the guy's a dickass, but at least if you're definitely NOT gonna trust him with your life, you can trust him with business.)

>>21338556

He nods, gravely; Well, that might be the only thing he can do.

Megumi takes his hand, and says something, softly - You make out a "-take care of yourself-" before she steps away. "See you tomorrow, Kou-kun," she says - Smiling at you, with heartfelt gratitude. "You too, Anon-kun...I'll visit you sometime."

And then she's off - Turning to wave, as she makes her way to the hospital's sliding doors...Out into the cool neon night beyond, her footsteps making an echoing pitter-pat on the ground below.

As you help Kou back to his room - One hand on his arm, to support him when he totters - you feel...*something* beneath the bandages, beneath your fingers. His skin feels - It feels rough, uneven, as if thick with bumps and growths...Enough that it makes an unpleasant scraping sound as he lumbers forward, his shoulders hunched - as if beneath an unseen burden.

You decide that you don't *really* want to see what his hands and feet look like.

You make it to his ward right before lights-out; That's when he waves you away, drawing himself to his full height. For a long moment, he stares at you, his jaw working as if chewing gristle - When he finally speaks, his voice is thick and clotted, as if filled with phlegm.

"Thank. You."

With stiff dignity, he lumbers back into his room, the electronic lock engaging once again. In the darkened hall, he casts a pitted shadow - Vanishing into the gloom, with the rattle of his wheels and the grinding, scraping sound of each step.

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 26

TO BE CONTINUED.

>>21338639

(Gentlemen: Apologies for stopping here, but this looks like a natural conclusions. I'm afraid that comparatively little happened this chapter - But it's mostly to bridge the time leading up to when Anon-kun is discharged, and capable of free movement once more.

Once again, you've been a wonderful audience - See you next time, and (as always) good night and God bless.)

>>21338622

I'll trust AP not backstabbing us while we're working with him. We're an asset. Something not to be thrown away.

As for Hecate. She's a chick who's found someone to be friendly with. If we piss her off, I can see Yandere girlfriend in the future.

Your description of the thief is what I had in mind.

>>21338649
Night OP.

>>21338639

A quiet chapter is good, too, on occasion. The last ones have had a high level of bloodshed. Megumi is also really quite hot, though Kou is kind of freaky.

>>21338649

Later. Was fun.

>>21338653

Argent Prominence really seems like a fatherly figure. He honestly appears to care about natsumi, but is at a loss as to what to do.

File: 1351499367299.jpg-(3 KB, 300x57, Jesus Christ Captcha.jpg)

>>21338670

Slice of Life is always good after nearly dieing on several occasions.

I think Captcha has been evaded by the boxes that plagued 4chan years ago. Have gotten six of them in this thread tonight.

>>21338649
Good night, OP. Awesome quest as always.
i think i have a feel for that guy.

>>21338689

Yeah, but we're not one of HIS "children." We're an outsider, still. A rogue element. If we piss him off or uncover his nefarious, evil plot, he'll come after us with his posse.

>>21338735

He's been very free with his upgrades, though. He also seems to have been upfront with us.

>>21338781

DON'T YOU SEE MAN? HE'S LURING US INTO HIS TRAP. WAKE UP MAN.

But seriously. Don't get to friendly with him. We know he's a "Lawful" man. Which spectrum does he fall into though; good or evil?

>>21338102

Mio's not as busty, but she has more going for her. Not to mention her cosplay outfits.

>>21338814
Don't be fucking paranoid, sometimes an incredibly powerful helpful old man is just an incredibly powerful helpful old man and not some kind of vicious heartless backstabbing knob gobbler.

>>21338814

I don't trust him, but look at it this way: If he wanted to kill us, we would be dead. He would wreak our shit. At the very least, he kept his word when he gave our Relics back.

I still don't trust him, though.

So. Alright. Speculation time.
First off, the most trustworthy person in this clusterfuck - Pazuzu.
We can trust him to try pulling out our guts through assorted bodily orifices and i am sure he expects the same. It's almost a perfect relationship. Though we met him only once and so far it seems he wants to just win the game. And he works cleverly, using mooks, nefarious artifacts, his own what-the-fuck ability and spheres.
A grat way to know more about him is
a)knowing more about Sheol chain- the whole stuff screams "this is not a coincidence". It also screams "it's a trap", though.
b) knowing more about Nihl spheres. They seem to gather around him and all stuff related to him. This would involve extensive trawling of the pit and red world in general.

>>21338820

>don't be paranoid
>in a Noir setting

Healthy doses of paranoia is what keeps you alive. Sometimes that incredibly powerful old man keeps cuddly teddy bears around packed full of plastic explosives.

Sometimes that old man buries his skeletons under his multi-billion yen mansion.

Sometimes one of those teddy bears shows up on your families front door.

Sometimes an upstart wiseass joins those skeletons for mouthing off.

Yeah, I'll keep thinking of ways Fumito is going to screw us.

>>21338845

We know that he's related to the Black Cardinal. How and why, I dunno. Maybe he's his son?

What is his final goal, really? Why kill so many people at Nara Dreamland, then lie low? What is his connection to Hecate?

>>21338859
There's being cautious about the people you interact with, and then there's being tin fucking foil hat paranoid.

>>21338859

I have to agree. He's up to *something*. Exactly what he's up to, though, I don't think we'll find out...Not anytime soon, anyway.

>>21338872

He's formulating a ritual to summon GIGA-CORRECTOR; WORLD DEVOURER.

A Force 20 Toxic Bug Spirit.

>>21338872

Something we have to consider so far:

Everyone seems to have an endgame scenario.

AP's plan is: "Keep the game going as long as possible, and hope like hell nothing happens."

Pazuzu is doing...Something. But either his group is fractured, actively working against each other, or...Who knows?

Bardiel seems to have been less of a leader and more of an especially powerful mook.

The Thief just wants that fucking magic sword.

>>21335957

Op, can I just say something?

That picture at the top is fucking horrifying.

>>21338845
(apologies for slowness)
Then, connected to every single person in the game, Hecate.
I honestly don't know how to feel about her. On one hand, she is even more of a walking anomaly than Pazuzu. She basically lives in red world, is a noncombatant and makes up for this by assembling killerbots. Hell, we don't even know where she is now (i think it's pretty obvious that she's alive - Bardy, as loony as he was, seemed honest in his hatred.) Then there's the fact that Natsumi SERIOUSLY dislikes her (but make up what you want from that- she could be just jealous)(and us being REAL FUCKING SMOOTH).
On other hand, she seems to genuinely care and she hauled our ass from danger more than once. Flirty attitude i won't touch since this could go either way.
For Hecate all we have is coordinates in the pit and possibly various stuff scattered in the Red world. Either way the answer lies there.

>>21339042
Then Argent.
Leader of small army that fights ONLY correctors (why are they called "correctors" anyway?), makes pretty sweet stuff, seems to genuinely care...
And yet, we already fought two of his "experiments".
Either our guy is a genuinely nice person (hey, it happens!) who is just surrounded by chaotic fuckups, or he doesn't understand what his science is doing (artifacts improved by him may have side effects), or is a mastermind of Tzeentchian proportions.
Leads on him? I dunno. His corporation? His history?

>>21338933
I guess our endgame scenario in this case would be:
1. Get rid of collectors.
2. Plug that goddamn hole.
3.Punch Pazuzu in the face, tear the remaining sphere
4.Save hecate
5.Stop the game.