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HOLLOW SUN: 30.2%

http://pastebin.com/eWiyHevy

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/7vzY4Zp2

Updates:

- Reduction in research costs.
- Reduction in weapon priming costs. (Revolve Bazooka can now be fired one-handed.)
- Reduction in Foundry cost for Void Anchor and Light Fusion Cell. (Void Anchor cost has been refunded.)
- New research: Weapon Research
- New research: Red Comet Upgrade

Joker-OP, I binged this quest in one day... need I say, shit has truly gotten real

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In the crimson space before you, MEGAERA looms.

The air shimmers with heat-haze, as the walls of your flat - An anonymous chamber in the Red World, now, just one of the empty, echoing hallways set within the obsidian towers of the sleeping city - glow red with heat. Superheated steam coils upwards, like incense, as brass scales rattle with a serpentine hiss: The afterbreath of atomic flame, stoked by the nuclear fires kindled within the Corrector's brass heart.

Chains writhe through the air, in a sinuous ripple - Like the many heads of a coiling hydra. Metal plates clank into place, overlapping scales clattering as jointed limbs articulate with a cackling werewolf growl-

Eyes like pits to hell lock onto you, red tracers jagging forth. The Corrector's talons gouge the cobalt-blue tiles, leaving long, molten furrows across the surface that smoke and *hiss*.

It's superheating everything around it: The heat that boils forth from is a palpable force, one that makes warnings flash on your HUD, that makes your sensors flicker as they lock onto the target. The Sinistral's surface ripples with liquid flame as the thunderous exhalation of the Corrector's breath weapon dies away: It's sliced a deep, weeping gash along the walls, through a support pillar, eating through into the floor below.

MEGAERA is hunched over, folded upon itself: It's twice - No, three times - your size, the horns sprouting from its crest scraping against the high-vaulted ceiling, the brutal shape wrenching itself forward, expanding to fill the chamber. It's enormous - It's *grown*, tremendously, so much that every motion judders with pent-up fury.

And then it spreads blurring shard-wings - A fractal blizzard of buzzing, buzzing flechettes, resolving in and out of visibility a thousand times a second - and the space becomes smaller still.

(Continued)

>>28463796

The mace of it's spiked tail lashes the ground - Just once, a warning - and then accelerates to a *blur*, with a ripping crack. MEGAERA's great mass surges forward, all at once, jaws splitting wide to roar - The sound blitzing your sensors, talons raking outwards towards you as the Corrector's limbs dig into the crumbling floor, driving headlong in one brutal surge.

HP: 192.7%
COBALT BOOSTER: 150%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 141%
METER: 17%

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28463818
back, to the left, stay low and avoid the shardwings. can you describe the location? is it enclosed, open, cluttered?

good to see you back, i hope exams weren't too brutal?

>>28463874

(I'm just glad they're over.)

The chamber's a vaulted hallway - About two storeys tall, with six support columns (Three on each side, at regular intervals) - bracing the ceiling. There's no apparent door. Megaera is at one end of the hallway, and you're at the other. At your back, there's a great panel of smoked-glass braced by a black iron lattice, leading to the brief platform of the balcony. Beyond that, it's a straight drop.

You'd estimate that you're at least ten storeys up.

>>28463971
okay, thanks.

Strafe backwards, suppressive fire with the vulcans, back towards the window. keep reasonably close to the left wall, and when Meg is within about a second of us, cobalt-boost a leap to the opposite wall and circle around. avoid flying for the moment

>>28463971

Shit. It's kind of a tight spot. I say we smash through the windows, and take the fight outside so we can use our jetpack.

Welcome back, Op!

>>28464035
i'd rather avoid flight, if we get those flechette wings through the jetpack i think its dead, so keeping on the ground and doing a david & goliath might be a good idea.

I'd also rather not kill the beast, since that might destabilise Mio

oh god i need to sleep wh are you running this tonight

Reminder we need to get ahold of Enfer and ask him what the fuck is down in that hole. He's been down there. He referenced Kraken's Hyades and also hinted at the things down there. Being the crystals that affect the real from the red.

Also god damn does it feel good to finally finish a campaign.

>>28464071
>i'd rather avoid flight, if we get those flechette wings through the jetpack i think its dead, so keeping on the ground and doing a david & goliath might be a good idea.
>I'd also rather not kill the beast, since that might destabilise Mio

RIGHT

THIS is the brilliant idea i've had since last time

Okay so we're fighting MEGAERA

Who is mio's pet, and shows up - like last time, we were in her arms when we hit the Red World and she came and helped - and now she's attacking.

Which means she's not sure what she wants, or if we're an enemy, and as always the red reflects the real.


HERE IS OUR TRUE OBJECTIVE:
We tame the dragon.

We do not KILL her or mio. We take the leash, take the reigns, and ride it until its exhausted.

its the only way we get a good end out of this.

Find the person holding megaera's leash, and take it - or convince them to back off.

>>28464180
or, y'know, we try to tame it and it eats us. how about we just beat it up a bit and GTFO, because who knows what is happening in the real world

>>28463818
>The mace of it's spiked tail lashes the ground - Just once, a warning - and then accelerates to a *blur*, with a ripping crack. MEGAERA's great mass surges forward, all at once, jaws splitting wide to roar - The sound blitzing your sensors, talons raking outwards towards you as the Corrector's limbs dig into the crumbling floor, driving headlong in one brutal surge.

Afterimages ON.

Its a corrector, not a player. We can hope its sensors aren't up to snuff.

>Behind it - Like the mirage cast by a heat-haze - you glimpse a tall, ebony figure; Just for a moment, the shroud form dwindling to nothing in the space of a few heartbeats. You bring the Sinistral up, as MEGAERA'S tail smashes into the shield - Hard enough to send you skidding back, your feet digging in for purchase.

Find hellebore, since she had Megeara under control last, yeah?

This means argus scan to on

>>28464201

Another reason to use our new found allies. Send a signal through the symbol Spaghetti-san gave us. They can get Mio and help us track the leash back to it's owner while we keep Old Yeller occupied.

>>28464201
>or, y'know, we try to tame it and it eats us. how about we just beat it up a bit and GTFO, because who knows what is happening in the real world

Because this is mio's pet dragon, and we don't want to kill her.

Also, megeara is made to be tamed - every time she shows up, there's a player with a leash/collar through the portal.

Its an epic boss sure, but if we want to get to the bottom of things, we need to find the lady in charge of it.

I'm not saying don't shoot it or anything - I'm saying play the angle here. Fight, but look for our lead and opportunity

>>28464266

Also, Mio is the reason we need the Cassete Player back.

Because we can talk to her while transformed.

I'm thinking next time we see Megumi at school, we buy her a drink and ask for it back - in person. Be nice, mention that she can keep the wallet if she reallys wants it, but that we're asking for player back because its important and has sentimental value.

If she refuses - we point out that we're not dead, and she is stealing it.

And if that doesn't work?

We challenge her in the red, since that means there's no redemption for her.

Claim the school for us with a void anchor and smiler corpses. Bonus points if we get the Arena/spectator stage, and the anchor can suck essence from the spectators

>>28463874
>>28464019

You duck back, as the air fills with blades - They swirl towards you, slicing the air with the brittle metallic noise only razors can make. Two steps take you behind a pillar, the swarm splintering against the obsidian surface...But you can hear the grinding shriek of deep gouges being scored into the stonework, the shards chewing into the surface like whirring saws-

But then your forearm sheaths snap open, and your Vulcans spit plasma. Searing green bolts stitch across the distance, erupting against MEGAERA's brass armour in roiling emerald fireballs: A long, satisfying burst slams into the Corrector's armoured skull, snapping it around, making it growl and snarl - Even as one great paw rises, and comes smashing down...

Your Cobalt Booster flares in your chest, and you hurl yourself to the side. You hit the ground, in a tumbling shoulder-roll, and swoop to your feet: Bracketing MEGAERA with another long, explosive hail of gunfire, waste heat gouting from the cooling vents in your Vulcans, each bolt slagging against that glowing armour-

And then the Corrector's tail comes around, and smashes you off your feet.

(Continued)

I just had a thought. Our mech plus Mio's pet against the Smilers doom fortress.

The possibilities make me giddy. Rook's face when we single seize the McGuffin before he gets there.

>void anchors are now 15%
>spongebob with wallet.jpg

We have enough for two of those things now. Are we saving our Hollow charge for the raid or we grabbing those now?

>>28464344
remember, we may be the jaded antihero type, but Mio is a shy girl who'll probably be just as terrified of all this as Asuna (i think?) was

MEGAERA's tail is a length of segmented metal vetebrae, like a spinal column - Ending in a knot of dense brass, sickle-blades sweeping forth from either end in a lethal half-moon. You get the Sinistral up in time, as the mace-tail snaps in a wide whirl; There's an audible *crack*, a whistling shriek, then a terrible impact-

If you had lungs, they'd be crushed. Instead, sparks flare from your shoulder joint, as you're slammed into the floor - So hard you rebound, as the mace circles to strike again. Your Assault Shroud stiffens beneath the impact, so that the blades only manage a shallow gouge into your side - But when they wrench out, fractured nanomaterial swirls around you, crisping in the air like burning leaves, ignited by the awful heat radiating from the Corrector's form.

Somehow, you get your legs beneath you: The Sinistral's field collapses in a concussive blast, a palpable ripple of force that forces away the churning shard-storm, blasting aside the mace before it can come sweeping down onto you...

-But you're out in the open, momentarily. The serpent's head ratchets - You can hear overlapping metal plates, fuming with heat, *clank* with each motion, control wires drawing taut - as that brass skull swings in your direction-

The thing's jaw opens. The world holds it's breath, as immense heat gathers - A high-energy warning flaring across your sensors-

HP: 177.8%
COBALT BOOSTER: 127%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 130%
METER: 21%

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28464235

(My apologies, I missed this one. I'll include it in the next post.)

>>28464477

Fish-Eye. Blind the Beast. Scrander out of the incoming flamethrower. Pulse the nihl and use the Argus to scan to find the hole Old Yeller's master is hiding in. We have more than enough capability to fist a tear in reality to get to Hellebore. Do it.

We're not here to kill it. We're here to TALK to Mio's alter-ego and get this shit under control.

Not sure if we should get our new buddies in on this shit, but we can if we really haft to. Only to insure Mio is alright. Spaghetti-san would see to it no problem I think. We can contact them through the Tri-Star symbol.

>>28464477
ummm, would disrupt do anything against firebreath?

>>28464410
>We have enough for two of those things now. Are we saving our Hollow charge for the raid or we grabbing those now?

You have to ask?!

>>28464579

I seriously, seriously doubt that we can control this thing. We can't take any chances with it, because IT KEEPS COMING back.

I vote that we get the hell out of here, take the fight outside. The place is too small to have a throw-down.

>>28464501

Please do!

>>28464579
Seconding this as well.

>>28464618
Eh. But WHY does it keep coming back? We need to cut to the bottom of this, not run away.

>>28464591

(You're not sure.)

>>28464579
>lets TALK to the giant flaming dragon guys!

seriously, lets blow the window and leave

>>28464618
>>28464665
seconding blowing the window, since im >>28464591
and i dont want to risk it

>>28464618

Hence going for the Master. Kill the lich, the skellingtons are toast. We've gotta get this under control or Mio is going to end up getting herself killed. The death flags are already set.

>>28464665

We're not talking to the doggy. We're talking to the master. There's a big difference.

>>28464693
but the doggy is in the way and i seriously doubt we can beat said doggy in an enclosed space. you're forgetting we have to get past this beast, and id rather not be a scrap of molten metal while doing so

>>28464630
>We need to cut to the bottom of this, not run away.

Remember when mio came to us?

She said she killed someone by accident, pushed her off the building?
And freaking out because of it, because it wasn't her?

Guys.
GUYS.
GUYS.

Megeara ate her classmate and leveled up. That's what happened.

And you know how mio says she's a bad luck curse? She's scared of her powers, and freaked out about the car accident, because she thought SHE was to blame?

Her pet dragon gets hungry, kills stuff, she doesn't know it and blames herself.
She's been living like this her entire life.
Every person who's died near her 'accidentally?'

Its fed megeara. that's why its so powerful.

>>28464591
Actually, uh.
Rend.

If we're going to use any codeburst, its Rend.

Because mio's alter-ego is here, then a partial opening to the red world may just be enough to bridge the gap and get her to back off.

>>28464665
>>28464685
see >>28464693
We're not talking to the doggy. We're talking to the master. There's a big difference.

This FTY.

We're not talking to the dragon, but we are shooting to end this fight in a different way than your coward fleeing plan wants to.

Also, there's so much at stake here we can't run away.

>>28464724

Fighting it in the air seems a lot better than fighting it here. I'm >>28464618

We can probably outfly the thing, and shoot it from a better distance.

>>28464717
>but the doggy is in the way and i seriously doubt we can beat said doggy in an enclosed space. you're forgetting we have to get past this beast, and id rather not be a scrap of molten metal while doing so

We're in an enclosed space because we're in the real world of our apartment.

if we move outside, our body won't stay in the same spot.

We NEED to attempt to reach mio - whether through leashportal or yelling at her with Rend - while we're still next to her.
That means right away before this fight drags on.

>>28464717

Which is why we blind it with the fish-eye giving us initiative and opportunity to get out of Dodge, and allows us a window to scan the area with the Nihl and Argus. We have too much at stake here, namely Mio. The OP is more than willing, however reluctantly, to kill named characters. We need to play this smart. Fleeing will only increase the distance we will be required to traverse to get to Hellebore. If we can get to her NOW, we can stop this dead.

>>28464579

> We can contact them through the Tri-Star symbol.

What do you want them to do? Die messily all over it?

>>28464779
>fish-eye

The what?

Other than that, yeah, i agree wholeheartedly

>>28464477
Joker op, can we use Rend to open an opportunity to talk to mio?
We have some experience with world-bridging because of Cybele, and I'd imagine the cost is slightly difference because we're not sending an *entire attack* through - either less because effort or more because sustained.

But can you give us some insight/feelings, if the red joker thinks its possible?

I want to try it, at least.

>>28464806

No. Get Mio out. Track the leash back to Hellebore. They're far more useful in support rolls than actual front line combatants. Shit, Tyrian may even be able to circumvent the orders Hellebore is sending down the leash and bring it under his control if he can get close enough.

>>28464828

>The what?

It's the flash grenade powered by our Booster. Think Iron Man.

>>28464579

In the instant before it fires, you trigger the Tyrant Eye - A flash of furious light filling the chamber, so brilliant that it bleaches everything to white. Your Tempest Scrander kicks, crimson particles fuming as the turbines whirl to life...

And then an ear-shattering blast sucks all the air in the chamber into a whirl, that follows the sideways column of flame roaring from MEGAERA's maw out towards you, as the Corrector's head wrenches to the side-

The scorching shaft of atomic fire - Like an arc-welder's flare - sears past you, and slices through two pillars at once. Somewhere, there's a deep, tectonic groan...A rumble from within the tower, as the ray goes wild; The floor's slagged, too, a widening cavity opening up into the depths below...

As your Sinistral flickers back to fitful life, you turn your Vulcans onto the window behind you. Three shots, and an expanding wash of plasma fire fractures the glass outwards - Right before you hurl yourself against the weakened frame, and out into the night. For one dizzying moment, you're free-falling; The wind howling in your audio receptors, the Tempest Scrander's charge fighting to cohere...

But then electric blue flame roars forth from the Scrander, and - You pull out of your lethal dive, surging skywards on twisting columns of superheated air.

(Continued)

>>28464893

That is by far the most useful defensive mechanism we have. Seriously.

>>28465061
keep on gaining altitude, keep alert for the blast. keep the boost ready for the scrander.

once we dodge the blast, drop down from above with crisis arm onto its face. when it's extracting itself from the ground, we can go and find the puppetmaster

>>28465061
Evasive manuevers, keep shooting. We need to gain meter.
We should also conteemplate the option of using Level 2 Sinistral to absorb the Dragon Breath. That thing is a pretty obvious OHKO attack and it's best if we can neutralize it.

>>28465061

"Call off your pet! I want to talk, damnit!"

Our fish-eye will be far less effective a second time. Save it for a really hairy moment. Gain altitude and be ready to pull evasives when it fires. Scan the area with the Nihl and Argus to find the hole Hellebore is hiding in. Find it damnit. We're going to fix this damnit.

Good evening OP. Hope tests didn't drain you too bad. Been looking forward to a long session for a while.

>>28464307
>next time we see Megumi at school
Megumi goes to a different school.

Also you don't want to be dropping Void Anchors left and right: A location's essence charge does have an effect on the real word. Places like Argent's favorite restaurant are built opposite of Red World stages. Using the Void Anchors should reduce a location's effective charge to zero, so it could counteract the urban blight caused Corrector Hives and other corrupted stages. But it's not so good to use it in places we actually like.

>>28464828
>can we use Rend to open an opportunity to talk to mio?
The last time we used it (also the first time) it caused excruciating agony and left Red Joker unconscious for an unknown amount of time. We're talking with Mio once Megaera's dead.

>>28465178
>"Call off your pet! I want to talk, damnit!"
Isn't Megaera off the leash?

(My apologies - I didn't include the Nihl pulse/Argus scan in the first reading. Correcting it.)

>>28464828

> Joker op, can we use Rend to open an opportunity to talk to mio?

(You're uncertain. EXEC_Rend lasts for a very brief period of time - Effectively, you momentarily 'blink' out of phase with the Red World. You can try, of course.)

>>28464743
>>28464717
>>28464685

The Tempest Scrander flares, you twist - Dipping your rising body to bank left, pulling out of your plunge, turning it into a hover - as the shaft of searing annhilation licks out from the tower, sweeping back and forth before it dwindles. For a blank moment - As your Sinistral reachs full charge, as the charging coils of your Vulcans cool - there's nothing...

And then MEGAERA smashes out of the collapsing facade - As you hear the groan of the ceiling falling in, an internal collapse like a house of cards - and comes after you. There's no grace to it's flight: Just a raw, awful effort, as muscles bunch and propel it from the balcony, with a force as blunt as a grunt of pain. Those scrap-metal pinions spread, and the great, furious shape takes wing.

It flies in defiance of all physics. It flies *straight* at you, like a rocket - You gun the Tempest Scrander, spiralling upwards in a twisting roll, as the mace-tail whips past you. You can hear the great furnace of it's internal reactor churning, marshalling another death-blast: It's hideously tenacious, all claws and snapping maw - You're a much smaller target, but your plasma shots have done little more than to dent the scorching brass plate that sleeves the Corrector.

(Continued)

>>28465178
yes, talk to the mindless beast. it may have a leash, but a leashed beast is still very able to break us into little pieces and munch on the remains.

its not gonna work, basically.

>>28465228
im kinda liking the dodge followed by aerial piledrive with the crisis arm idea, but keep gaining meter with the vulcans

>>28464579

The air boils beneath you - A surge of dizzying acceleration - as you jink *hard*, caroming away from a sweep of great claws; Bringing your right arm up, the metal shutters of the Helix Gauntlet irising away. The Nihl Sphere glows with sickly violet light, as you trigger the Argus System-

And MEGAERA's horned head swats you aside. It's like being hit by a battering ram: You actually *pinwheel* through the air, your cuirass crumpling beneath the blow's careless force - A jet of thrust kicks you away from a violent collision, but sparks shoot from the ragged hole in your shoulder, matching the puncture in your side.

The radar sweep scans MEGAERA, coming back with high-energy returns: Whatever's *powering* the thing, it's internal - And with an yield like you wouldn't *believe*. Somewhere, through the tangled nest of conflicting readings, your sensors pick up the spike of an usual reaction; An effect emanating, constantly, somewhere above and *behind* the flying chimera...

This time, when it's tail whips at you, spikes fill the air. It lashes out, and your knee joint explodes; The second shot connects with your Sinistral, the field flaring dully as it soaks up the impact - You bank, and bank *hard*, fighting for altitude as your Tempest Scrander sputters. It must've been hit by a glancing blow - The stabilizers are acting up, and it's taking all your concentration to keep flying on a level keel.

HP: 165.4%
COBALT BOOSTER: 104%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 112%
METER: 26%

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28465212

Yeah. Mio's avatar is here though. It's a futile gesture, but worth a try.

>>28465242

Got you. And it only cost Joker his jetpack, leg, and arm.

Run damage control with Cybele's emblem. We need that Scrander to maneuver or we're barbeque. The knee can wait.

Fish-Eye the Beast once more and fist a hole in reality with the Nihl to get to Hellebore. We end this right now.

>>28465242
>blown knee
>damaged Scrander
I liked the last version of this post better. Since this is an aerial battle now we don't (k)need legs* so activate Cybele's Emblem to regenerate the Scrander.

An unusual reaction behind Megaera? Interesting. Switch to the Nova Cannon and give Megaera a broadside. Fly under Megaera and use the targeting beam to score it and then blow a chunk out of its center of mass. That should distract it enough to maneuver into position for investigation.

*I'm not apologizing.

>>28465242
regen the scrander, blow a hole with the Nova, basically watashiwas plan

>>28465177

It's relentless - You buy yourself time, flaring the Tempest Scrander's afterburners, clawing for height; At last, you manage to draw a bead on MEGAERA, swinging your plasma vulcans into line. The quad-barrels spit superheated death, in long, searing sunflare trails - MEGAERA spreads it's wings, and *swoops* towards you, that awful maw splitting wide...

You hit it head-on, again and again - It's too big a target to miss. But it has the relentless unstoppability of a locomotive; At the very last instant, you realize it's not going to *stop*-

>>28465141

The Cobalt Booster flares, the neon channels of it's circuitry igniting with cold blue light. And suddenly, you're not where you *should* be: A violent surge of thrust hurls you skyward - Actually picks you up and *hurls* you, the tremendous g-forces making your armour *groan* as stress warnings flicker redly at the very edge of your vision...

You don't have the chance to close with it - The sunflare corona of heat boiling from the Corrector's form is punishing, even at this range - but schematics sketch themselves into existence, and the solid weight of the Tau Gun settles into your armoured fists-

You have one shot.

You take it.

(Continued)

>>28465447

The tracing beam goes wide. It scorches right past MEGAERA - But it gives you the chance to correct your targeting, the sharp chime of a target lock echoing in your helm as you center the Nova Cannon on the small of the Corrector's back, right between the wings, at a place where the plates of armour don't quite overlap-

-You fire.

The Tau Gun *kicks* in your hand, the recoil only partly dissipated by the weapon's integrated suspensors. Reality ripples as the antimatter round crosses the distance, seemingly a mere pinprick against MEGAERA's form...

The explosion comes a heartbeat later. Suddenly, the air is filled with flame - Rotating brass sharpnel hurled out from the fist-sized wound you've punched in the Corrector's back. It hurtles forward, flight path violently disrupted - Green motes boiling out in frenzied confusion from the gouting wound...

-As MEGAERA's mass slams into the tower, with the demolishing force of a wrecking ball. It hits the blank, obsidian surface...Then goes *through* it, in a careening flurry of thrashing limbs, slashing scythe-tail and churning flame, an engine of destruction; Just smashing through, tumbling and rolling as it struggles to right itself, claws digging into the ground, giving rise to shrieking sparks as it arrests it's motion.

(Continued)

>>28465178

Your words echo hollowly in the night, as you hover in the air. Cybele's blessing remakes you, as you wait, tautly - Your flight stabilizers, smoke no longer trailing from your Tempest Scrander; Neon light flickering, as schematics overlay your limbs, writing them back into wholeness.

MEGAERA's horned, crested head swivels towards you. The mace-tail whips out in agitation, slamming into the wall as it shakes it's skull - But it doesn't attack. It's maw opens to flame...And the oily black chain collar around it's neck - Or rather, around the corded fibres that makes up it's neck - jerks taut.

There's a visible frustration in the Corrector's form, now, as it snarls - A sound like steam escaping a boiler - straining towards you...Only to be held back, just as visibly.

A hazy smoke-light radiates from it. From *behind* it; Like a shimmering haze, half-glimpsed, taking form.

Waiting.

HP: 171.4%
COBALT BOOSTER: 62%
ASSAULT SHROUD: 98%
METER: 37%

TIER TWO WEAPONRY UNLOCKED

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28463381

(My apologies, one point I missed in the update, earlier: The Grinder no longer has a cost.)

OP, two questions. Did you mean to remove the Essence cost for activating the Grinder? And could we scan and modify the Halo Shroud the way we are Red Comet?

>>28465657

(The Hollow Sun energy cost. It still requires an Essence signature to convert into a Relic, but there's no additional cost.

The latter is already being scanned, but the process isn't complete yet: It'd be included in later upgrades.)

>>28465624
Do a second scan and move closer. Make sure that we have a good aim on the damn thing's maw and are always ready to dodge.
"Hellebore, I presume? Long time no see, Queen."

>>28465624

That actually worked? That really, really just worked? And you people wanted to kill it. I even said going for Hellebore would've been easier than dealing with her pet, but if she's willing to actively engage in dialogue instead of fisting our way into her pocket dimension, that'll work as well.

Keep on guard. Maintain our position and allow her to come to the fore. We take no overt actions until she does. Allow her to open dialogue as it is only polite.

>>28465699
Hah, this time I manually refreshed. Yeah, I meant HS cost.

Thanks for the clarification.

>>28465624
She's actually here? There goes my understanding as to what's going on. Again.

"Hello Hellebore. I'm curious, why have you been protecting me? Just looking at this frame proclaims what I must have done to the Red Joker you knew. Add that to the reputation I've built over the last seven--no, it's still six--years and I'm someone whom most people would rather kill. And yet you intervene on my behalf even when I fight against you. It makes no sense, unless you know who I am in the real."

>>28465756
>>28465768

You land, the Tempest Scrander's turbines falling silent, at last. This close to MEGAERA, the Corrector's presence is oppressive: It bleeds power into the air, like a radiation leak. It smells like the death of suns.

Emberous eyes lock on you, as it stirs - Steam wisping from the beast's joints, rising upwards to join the swirl of black smoke. It seems to shudder...

And then it breaks apart. Not violently: The molten flesh dissolves, disintegrating into swirling motes - The metal of its armoured shell beginning to move, lifting and twisting and *fusing* themselves into a web-work archway that anchors itself upon a fused brass ring. The azoic spark within - The furious essence of MEGAERA's core - lofts high, and disperses; An eldritch, blurred reality whorl distorting the view through the arch.

When the view stabilizes, there's something - someone - on the other side.

For a moment, you make out gleaming ebony; The gauzy flutter of a white veil the only break in the gloom...Ribbons of the same material coiling outwards, in constant writhing motion. Twisting chains, too, with the oily black sheen that marks them as the same ones coiled around MEGAERA's throat...

(Continued)

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>>28465957

Something's happening to your vision. It's like you're seeing *two* things at once - Through your sensors, you can make out the faint, ghosting signature of HELLEBORE - but your *eyes* tell another story.

Your eyes - Or rather, your optics - tell you that there's green grass and blue sky on the other side. On the other side, it's a perfect day, with the robin's-egg blue - The more-real-than-real unreality of Cybele's personal heaven.

And there's a woman. Green eyes; Soft, sweet features. An exquisite gown, draped to settle *just so* over her lissome form - An unruly lock of silken hair falling between her eyes. She looks like a fairy-tale princess, but there's something in her gaze...

>>28465845

She doesn't talk. When her eyes settle on you, her face lights up - She actually takes a step forward, one hand raised...But then she catches herself, just in time, and just smiles. It's as soft as a caress, but a little sad, somehow - As if she's mistaken you for someone else.

She shakes her head, and touches a finger to her lips - A hushing gesture.

Your sensors register...Confusion. She's not *here* - Less than a projected image - and yet you can *see* this. Your systems are telling you that none of this actually exists.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28466046
She looks kinda like Mio

What the fuck is going on?

>>28466046

Give a helpless gesture. "How do I fix this? How do I help you?"

>>28466090
The previous Chalice Queen?

>>28466046
Gesture at her, or write with the vulcans.
>Who are you?
>>28466109
Are we really going to white knight for someone who's been trying to kill us? Can we at least wait until

>>28466046

Oh wow, she's gorgeous. Is that what Mio's player form looks like? She grew up REALLY nicely.

>>28466046
If she's telling us to be quiet I will be, except something doesn't add up. "Wait, he *won*. Isn't the rule that the Queen goes free? Or was that another assumption I swallowed because I didn't think for my goddamn self?"

>>28466129
I've been thinking for a while that Old Joker might have been Mio's father...

>>28466046

"Hm. Hyades perhaps? No. Chalice Queen turned Hyades? Possible. Former champion being this armors predecessors? Likely. Mio former Hyades who escaped Her Ship? Likely. Well, Hellebore, it's been a long road getting to this. Can we finally talk?"

So..a ghost from the past, a part projecting the larger whole. The Hyades have no idea what the hell they're chasing when the armor is right here. Should really ask Cybele who told her that she needs to find the armor and that it's on the moon.

>>28466046
>She doesn't talk. When her eyes settle on you, her face lights up - She actually takes a step forward, one hand raised...But then she catches herself, just in time, and just smiles. It's as soft as a caress, but a little sad, somehow - As if she's mistaken you for someone else.

She thinks we're the Previous Red Joker

You know, the huge bro that everyone thought was a big damn hero.

I think.....
megeara's her prison? She's kept inside it?

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>>28466109
>>28466178

The vision flickers, wavers. Her brow furrows, in taut concentration - And you feel something *change* within you. There's a sensation; Not *quite* pain, but an echo of it - that radiates through your limbs, micro-contact in your arms, at the base of your spine, deep down.

A new light flares into existence, and you take a step back, instinctively-

...It's coming from you. Cybele's Emblem glows, with cold blue light - Cold blue light that wavers, lightening to a pale, luminous illumination. For a moment, as you glance down, you see the Hyades symbol *shift*...Subtly, twisting upon itself, warping into a new configuration as it blurs before your eyes.

Then - With a suddeness that startles you - it seems to *snap* back.

Blue is ascendant. The glow lingers, for a long moment, then fades.

(Continued)

When this is finally done running, I would love to go through OPs world notes. I have half a mind to talk my players into playing in this setting. Running this would be a blast. Just need to figure out which system to use..

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>>28466259

>>28466243
>She thinks we're the Previous Red Joker
She knows we're not. Too different, in combat philosophy and loadout. Doesn't mean that she doesn't have a softspot for Joker for whatever reason. I admit, my ideas about how this session was going to go is completely shot.

Well played OP.

Oh damn, we haven't done anything to help Mio. Hopefully we get at least one more What Do, need to ask Hellebore to back off on the helicopter parenting.

>>28466265
GURPS.

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>>28466259
Time for coffee.

>>28466324
>GURPS.
We could write a JQ GURPS module.

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>>28466259
I have absolutely no idea where this is going.

>>28466324
GURPS is too.. well, generic. I was thinking of digging out my notebook of butchered/dumbed-down Dark Heresy. They wanted me to run a F/SN game that fell apart after the Master of Assassin killed four of them in a session.

>>28466344
I'd rather purpose build a system.

>>28466344
I think I've still got my calculus book somewhere.

>>28466362
>Master of Assassin killed four of them in a session
The Master killed four of them at the same time? What, was he the second coming of Kiritsugu mixed with Kirei in full rejoice mode?

>>28466385
We have a system where characters can upgrade indefinitely.
GURPS was made specifically for cases where you can build anything while keeping it balanced.

>>28466362
>GURPS is too.. well, generic.
That's what modules are for.

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>>28466259

On the other side, the woman - who can't possibly exist - sighs, soundlessly. The furrowed line of her brow smoothens out, and she exhales - A shiver coursing through her, that fleeting smile returning.

She's beautiful when she smiles. Beautiful, and very familiar.

Her gaze locks with yours, as she begins to fade. Her lips move-

Two words.

Find.

Me.

And then the world goes away, as the Emblem of Cybele's serrated sun glows before you: Changing, devouring itself, becoming something new.

*********************

It's dark, where you are. You know you're awake, because your dreams have never been this quiet. Under your head - Rounded, firm but softly yielding, structural, warm as flesh...

-It *is* flesh. Your head's on someone's lap.

"Anon-kun...Are you awake?"

Mio's voice, just above a whisper. She's leaning over you - You can feel her soft, honey-blonde hair caress your cheek, as she giggles, softly: Low and deep in her throat. Your clothes feel rumpled, stale - You must've slept in them. You have your socks on, but not your shoes; Yesterday's clothes...

Yesterday?

You feel...Actually, you feel pretty good. The pleasant sleepiness that comes with a restful waking, without the faintest hint of strain. How long have you been out?

"Well...This is all right, too," Mio muses, to herself. She smells good - Her scent fresh, clean, with the slightest hint of soap. There's the faintest dampness to her touch, as her hand moves up to stroke your forehead - The mattress creaking, faintly, as she makes herself comfortable.

[ ] Say nothing.
[ ] "I'm awake."
[ ] "What time is it?"
[ ] "Last night - What happened?"
[ ] "Are you...feeling better, now?"
[ ] "We didn't - We didn't *do* anything, did we?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28466393

The magus controlling Assassin used Assassin to his full advantage. The dude scouted, located, and used himself as bait to lure out the other Masters one-by-one. He specialized in illusions specifically to screw with people. It worked far too well.

>>28466435
>>28466259

What just happened? Did she tamper with our mark somehow?

>>28466435
>And then the world goes away, as the Emblem of Cybele's serrated sun glows before you: Changing, devouring itself, becoming something new.

WELP it looks like another Hyades just hijacked us.

>[ ] "Are you...feeling better, now?"

>>28466435
>[x] "Last night - What happened?"
>[x] "Are you...feeling better, now?"


>And then the world goes away, as the Emblem of Cybele's serrated sun glows before you: Changing, devouring itself, becoming something new.
Did we...just change patrons? Because that would be hilarious.

>>28466435
>[X] "I'm awake. How're you feeling?"
>[X] "We didn't - We didn't *do* anything, did we?"

>>28466435
>Changing, devouring itself, becoming something new.
Poor Cybele.
Her new champion will try to torture us.

>[ ] "What time is it?"
>[ ] "Last night - What happened?"

So did we just go unconscious when we entered the Red?

>>28466435
>Changing, devouring itself, becoming something new.
That didn't last long. Joker-kun, you're the *worst*.

Reach up and run a finger along her cheek. "I'm inclined to agree. Role reversal is fun. Feeling better?"

>>28466435

Don't fucking tell me we're building a Harem of Hyades now. What? If we meet Spaghetti-san's she's going to want a slice of Joker pie.. God this is going to get even more sanity robbing.

"So uh... any funny dreams while I apparently slept?"

Check to see if the burns are still there.

>>28466502

>check to see if her burns are BETTER

Totally not ass tired or anything. And not double checking to see what I post.

>>28466435
"Did something explode or turn Red while I was unconscious?"

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> [X] "I'm awake. How're you feeling?"

"Ah-" Mio starts - Just a little, her lips shaping an 'O' of surprise - you can almost hear her blush, but she doesn't pull away. As your eyes adjust to the gloom - It's growing light out, gradually - you can make out her face at last...She's smiling, a little shy, looking down on you fondly.

> Check to see if the burns are still there.
>>28466555

-Your eyes are drawn to her arms. The smooth, *unmarked* flesh of her arms.

Mio notices the focus of your gaze, and she dips her head; "-It doesn't hurt any more," she says, in the same soft hush - Her warm gaze meeting yours. "Anon-kun...I'm all better." For a moment, you think she's about to say more...But then she lapses into silence again, apparently content with the moment.

> [X] "What time is it?"

Mio blinks, once - She glances at the window, then at her wrist. "Early," she offers, by way of answer; Her slim shoulders lifting in a little shrug. "Ah...It's about 6 AM, I think. Around that..."

>[x] "Last night - What happened?"
>[X] "We didn't - We didn't *do* anything, did we?"

"Anon-kun~!" She sounds scandalized - Blushing deeply, her expression distinctly embarassed. Mio shakes her head, looking away for a heartbeat; Then-

"...N-no..."

She draws a slow breath. "-I must've...We must've fallen asleep, somehow. I don't - remember - anything." The flush has crept up to her ears, now. Does she look...disappointed? No, that's probably your imagination.

Probably.

(continued)

>>28466628
>"Anon-kun~!" She sounds scandalized - Blushing deeply, her expression distinctly embarassed. Mio shakes her head, looking away for a heartbeat; Then-
>"...N-no..."
>She draws a slow breath. "-I must've...We must've fallen asleep, somehow. I don't - remember - anything." The flush has crept up to her ears, now. Does she look...disappointed? No, that's probably your imagination.
>Probably.

Wait, so we both went unconscious and thought that we fucked?
Or maybe she *also* went into the Red and we both went automatic and actually fucked but don't remember?
Technically, it would be possible to find out if anything happened... But I don't think Mio would be okay with that.

>>28466602

She pouts, playfully. Apparently, she thinks you're joking.

>>28466499

Mio's breath catches, as she leans into your touch. Her eyes close, for a moment - But then her expression becomes faintly troubled. "Yesterday..." she begins, slowly.

"...Yesterday, I - I must've sounded *really*..."

A pause.

"-Really *strange*, right?" For a moment, you're not sure if she's going to go on - But then she forges ahead anyway. "Saying such - crazy things...Getting all worked up..." Her gaze goes to the side.

"...Can you - forget about it?" There's an imploring note to her voice, now. "I don't - I don't want you to think...Well, to think I'm *strange*..."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28466662

Well, we're still wearing our clothes from yesterday. I don't think she'll be so composed if we actually had sex with her.

>>28466663
>"...Can you - forget about it?" There's an imploring note to her voice, now. "I don't - I don't want you to think...Well, to think I'm *strange*..."
"Don't worry. I'm worse."

>>28466679
But she said herself that she doesn't remember anything.

>>28466628

D'awwwww. Mio, you really are too good for us. A man could wake up to that face for the rest of his life, and not be bored.

>>28466663
>"...Can you - forget about it?" There's an imploring note to her voice, now. "I don't - I don't want you to think...Well, to think I'm *strange*..."

This. This is the moment we talk to her about the Red World.

>>28466663
>"...Can you - forget about it?" There's an imploring note to her voice, now. "I don't - I don't want you to think...Well, to think I'm *strange*..."

Start off with tihs.
"Don't worry, Mio - I'm just as bad, maybe worse. I don't think I could forget such a pretty butterfly." (reminder: she summoned something/one of them in the REAL)

"...but I get the sense that you're scared of them."
If she is, then reach up and hold her. Ask her why.

>>28466663

> "I don't think you're strange at all. But I'll forget about it, if you want me to."

>>28466737
I know that some people will veto talking about the Red out of principle.
But mentioning the butterflies is fucking important. I will strangle anyone who vetos THAT.

>>28466663

"No. Burying this would only let it fester and become worse if it should ever surface again. We're going to work this out together, okay? Don't run away from it. Face it head on and beat it, Mio. Together with me."

>>28466754
>But mentioning the butterflies is fucking important.

I've been tempted to ask her to imagine a yellow dragon, instead.

Get her to, at some level, accept the dragon.

And.... possibly ask if she ever dreams of them.

There's obviously SOME connection there, like how asuna dreams of the future. there has to be - even if she buries it and tries to forget about it.

And yeah. butterflies NEED to come up.

>>28466663
"You're the least strange thing in my life right now. It's perfectly normal to be worried and afraid after what you saw yesterday, and I'm happy I could be here for you.

"On the contrary, I should be worried about you finding me strange."

>>28466737
>This is the moment we talk to her about the Red World.
How about no. What you've got there is fine, but we're not going further.

Also, she likes the butterflies, she mentioned that when she showed them off.

>>28466779
>>This is the moment we talk to her about the Red World.
>How about no. What you've got there is fine, but we're not going further.

how bout we start with that, and see how she responds?

I don't mean droppingi the WHOLE RED on her shoulders, but...
man, she killed a girl yesterday...

.. and this anon has a point about the dragon getting hungry, and her not knowing when its feeding. >>28464724


when you think about it like that - that you murdered someone - not that you won a fight - hell yeah the topic needs to be broached a ~little~

>>28466628
>-Your eyes are drawn to her arms. The smooth, *unmarked* flesh of her arms.
>Mio notices the focus of your gaze, and she dips her head; "-It doesn't hurt any more," she says, in the same soft hush - Her warm gaze meeting yours. "Anon-kun...I'm all better." For a moment, you think she's about to say more...But then she lapses into silence again, apparently content with the moment.

For our physical action, just rub her arms gently, and then give her a questioning, concerned look. See if she opens up a bit more

>>28465212
>>next time we see Megumi at school
>Megumi goes to a different school.

uh, yeah, she pickpocketed us while we were at school, didn't she?

that implies we both go to the same place.

Are you sure you're not thinking of someone else?

>>28466852
>uh, yeah, she pickpocketed us while we were at school, didn't she?
On the street. In front of the cinema.

Almost, they're at least in the same city.

>>28466803
She didn't murder anyone. Murder is a legal term used for premeditated killings of another person.

Mio hated this Chiyo girl, and Megaera acted. If Mio could have prevented Megaera from acting, she would have. Megaera reacts to strong feelings. So, to control Megaera, Mio needs emotional stability. Right now, she needs time to process the whole situation. If she should be brought into the loop, it shouldn't be now when the memories are fresh and the chances of relapse or angry Corrector in the city are high.

>>28466832
This is a good idea.

>>28466852
She pickpocketed us at the movie theater, where we were to see a samurai movie/meet the Tri-Stars right before the Smiler attack.

>>28466663

If she opens up about the murder-pushing off the edge incident... open up about the Inox fang incident, where we won a fight and caused someone in the theatre class to die from a falling object from the set's rigging.

aim for a kind of "wait, that was YOU and i'm not just crazy" moment of reassurance

>>28466852
>pick-pocketed at school
You should reread the last few threads. It happened outside the cinema.

>>28466866
>She pickpocketed us at the movie theater, where we were to see a samurai movie/meet the Tri-Stars right before the Smiler attack.
>>28466875
>You should reread the last few threads. It happened outside the cinema.

Apologies, i'm full of derp

>>28466866
>So, to control Megaera, Mio needs emotional stability.
Let's start by showing her that we accept her supernatural powers.

>>28466463
>Did we...just change patrons? Because that would be hilarious.

A joker represents a wild card. It can choose to be any card it desires, but only one at a time - and the guaranteed endgame invitation...

It makes sense that the red joker would be able to pick their sides. Be the wildcard, the unexpected element that makes everyone else reevaluate their plans

>>28466901

a fucking greed

>>28466872
What. No. First off, no one at the show died. We know someone at Seisin had *something* happen to their twin, but we don't know who it was or what happened.

Second of all, Jesus Christ, you do not tell a pretty girl that everything is okay because you're both killers, that's not at ALL comforting or reassuring.

Thirdly, Mio is not responsible for things she did not do, among which is pushing the victim into the street where a car could hit her. That is the horrific killing machine unknowingly tied to her soul

>>28466901
We already DID that when we didn't freak out at her light show. This is not manipulating light, this is horrific killing machines bound to the soul.

>>28466919
We didn't pick Hellebore's side; she manipulated the Emblem that was already there.

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>>28466686
>>28466737

> "Don't worry, Mio - I'm just as bad, maybe worse. I don't think I could forget such a pretty butterfly."

She blushes, satisfyingly.

"-You remember," Mio murmurs, almost to herself - Then laughs, a silvery little sound. "...Ah, it's silly - How could you forget?"

>>28466779

> "On the contrary, I should be worried about you finding me strange."

"Oh." From the way her eyes widen, slightly, you can tell she probably didn't think about that. "Well..." Her expression goes coy, a little playful - Amused, really - as she lowers her eyes, half-hidden behind her long lashes.

"Anon-kun *is* a little strange...But I lov-" A shallow hitch to her breath. "-I like it, anyway." There's her smile, again - "...Somehow, you always make me feel better..."

> "...but I get the sense that you're scared of them."

...And then she stiffens, slightly. You can feel the micro-tremor in her arms, a faint tension thrumming in her form.

"It's not..." she begins, her voice uncertain, tentative - "...I mean, I-"

>>28466832

When you sit up - Your hands resting lightly on her arms, rubbing gently - Mio seems to relax; Just a little, enough to coax the rest out of her.

"...There's strange, and there's - There's not 'normal'." Her voice is softer now. "Anon - I don't always understand what you're saying. But...That's all right, you know? It's not something to be scared of."

She smiles, with her eyes. "You always seem...You always seem like you know what you're *doing*, you know? As if - Like everything makes sense to you. That's...It's reassuring."

"But-"

"...Anon-kun, I don't *want* to, to be..."

Her face works. "...Abnormal," she says, hushed, as if it's a dirty word. "I just - I want to be like *everyone* else. That's all I want."

[ ] "...I see."
[ ] "But - That's part of who you are."
[ ] "That...Might be a little difficult."
[ ] "No one's actually 'normal'. They just pretend to be."
[ ] "I used to want the same thing, too."

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28466919
We are truly the random encounter of the Red.

If we do the GURPS module, there needs to be a 0.01% chance at encountering the Red Joker instead of the person that we challenged.

>>28466934
>She smiles, with her eyes. "You always seem...You always seem like you know what you're *doing*, you know? As if - Like everything makes sense to you. That's...It's reassuring."

I think she's picked up on our Autopilot mode

>>28466435
>>28466628

Hnnnnngggghhh. If I knew a girl like Mio, I would marry her in an instant. Just sayin'.

I don't think the truth will make her happy, actually. She seems like the kind of girl who is desperately looking for stability in her life.

>>28466937

I was trying to explain this game to a friend who would like it.

I came up with this phrase.

"you know those games that have secret bosses and random encounters? Yeah. We ARE the hidden miniboss pinata. Mixed with a dating sim"

>>28466934
>"...Somehow, you always make me feel better..."
"I guess that makes us very similar. I could say the same for you."

>"I just - I want to be like *everyone* else. That's all I want."
"Would it help if I told you that you are far from the only abnormal person in this city?
When everyone is abnormal, abnormal becomes the new normal."

No, this isn't about the Red. Just a general hint at people like Kazuya and Asuna and all the players.

>>28466934
>[x] "But - That's part of who you are."
>[x] "That...Might be a little difficult."
>[x] "No one's actually 'normal'. They just pretend to be."

Time to face the facts. Just don't start blabbling about the red this early, let her digest that she's special.

Normality is an illusion that teenagers love to cling to.
It's too bad that we can't just wait a few years for her to accept herself. Shit might be going down far earlier than that.

>>28466952

Doubt it. Think about it this way: We are a HUNDRED YEARS OLD. We have seen more combat than your average veteran, and we fought our way out of Hell.

We have seen so much shit we are literally unshittable. The little crisis's that come with daily life don't matter after you saw a guy die from drinking acid.

>>28466934
"No one's actually normal. You add us all up and divide by our number and you get normal But no one--okay, maybe there is someone--no one is actually at that average normal. We're all out on the edges and that's fine.

"You and me both, we're normal in all the ways that matter in this world. We don't like being hurt or seeing friends hurt, we like to be happy and spend time with the people who make us happy. We want to live long lives. Mio, you're not *just* normal, you're magical. And if you were just like everyone else, I wouldn't have been allowed to meet you, and that would be terrible."

>>28466952

Everyone with a functioning brain picked up on it. It's been said we seem like two different people at times.

>>28466934

"Normalcy isn't something you can wish for. Normalcy is something that happens over time. Our daily routines, who we interact with, the places we go to school and work. Those are normal. No. Normalcy is dull. Strive for the sky and further. Achieve what you want and more. Being normal is nice, but it didn't get me now did it? You're okay the way you are."

>>28466934
>Her face works. "...Abnormal," she says, hushed, as if it's a dirty word. "I just - I want to be like *everyone* else. That's all I want."

Give her a hug.

Seriously. Give her a hug.
Gently trail our hands up her arms, and give her a non-overwhelming, gentle one with a chin on a shoulder.

[ ] "I used to want the same thing, too."
[ ] "No one's actually 'normal'. They just pretend to be."
I feel like this is the one that rings true for us the most.

[x]free: "that's part of being alive. everyone wants to fit it. THAT urge is the real normal. "
"I'll never forget that time I nearly got hit by the car. You had this look on your face, for just a moment... almost like you blamed yourself for it."
"Its morbid, I know - That look - that concern, relief, everything - it made me want to see more. You're special. Its not a crime to be that. "

>>28467040
>"I'll never forget that time I nearly got hit by the car. You had this look on your face, for just a moment... almost like you blamed yourself for it."
>"Its morbid, I know - That look - that concern, relief, everything - it made me want to see more. You're special. Its not a crime to be that. "

Forgot to mention this - I'm not sure if this part is something to be said, but someone else may want to embellish it into a train of thought worth pursuing.

I also meant to add a bit.... explaining that moment in the Papillion. That moment where we went to fight enfer and said something bad was going to happen - that was one of our butterfly moments.

>>28467007
>Mio, you're not *just* normal, you're magical. And if you were just like everyone else, I wouldn't have been allowed to meet you, and that would be terrible."

Dawwwww.

Do this

>>28467069
>I also meant to add a bit.... explaining that moment in the Papillion. That moment where we went to fight enfer and said something bad was going to happen - that was one of our butterfly moments.
You mean the part where the sky went Red?

I wonder if we should just tell her that we were involved with that but aren't yet ready to talk about it in full.

>>28467092

Oh. Yeah, that may be a good moment to share that happened, but not the details of - as a way to explain

>>28466602
>"Did something explode or turn Red while I was unconscious?"
>>28466663
>She pouts, playfully. Apparently, she thinks you're joking.


"Do you remember that one day, (x day @ time), when the sky turned wierd colors. That...was kind of me, and kind of an accident"

>>28467092
>You mean the part where the sky went Red?

No, i meant the one where he was sneaking in to bomb the place, we noticed with the tape player, and fought him.

Wasn't the Manifold Tower part a different fight? Where we each parted our seperate ways?

>>28467105
Absolutely not, that's terrible.

>>28467112
We've seen two towers. One was after the Enfer/Asura fight, the other was Mirage Sylpheed and the Manifold Guardian. Both involved someone we intended to kill going in walking out.

>>28466963

> "I guess that makes us very similar. I could say the same for you."

Mio's hands go to her cheeks. "See? When you say it like *that*-" she's coloured, but it's a happy flush. "-It makes me embarassed, but..." A quick glance, sidelong. "But...It means *more*, when it comes from you."

> "Would it help if I told you that you are far from the only abnormal person in this city?
> [x] "No one's actually 'normal'. They just pretend to be."

She gives you a dubious look - The kind that means that she hears you, but you might as well be talking in a different language.

>>28467028
>[x] "But - That's part of who you are."
>[x] "That...Might be a little difficult."

"Who I *am*..." Mio's gaze goes to her open palm, now, as she curls her fingers against her chest. "I don't...Anon-kun, I don't *like* who I am. I'm not-"

She draws a shivery breath. "I'm - I get worked up easily, I'm a crybaby, and, a-and...And I want silly things. If...*if* I'm really different..."

She bites her lip, shaking her head.

"-I don't want to be like that."

>>28467040

You can feel the slight tension - not unpleasant - in Mio's arms, as your touch lingers; When you hug her, she squeaks - A soft "Oh~!" thrumming from her lips. It's so different from how she was, last night - You can almost feel the heat of her blush, as her chin rests on your shoulder. She doesn't know what to do with her hands, which rest lightly against your chest, as if afraid of touching...

"Ah-" Mio sounds a little choked up, now. She sniffles, her nose a little wet...But then, slowly, her arms slide up to encircle you. You can feel her relax, self-conscious and a little shy; But even when she draws back, slightly, she doesn't pull away.

(Continued)

>>28467128

well, how would you break it, man?
give us SOMEthing

>>28467148

Oh! what about pulling up some youtube clips of the Sheol Star Arcade?

iirc people were phone-recording the fight, and a bet a lot of them went onto youtube.

kind of a "hey, did you see X" thing?
Because that breaking through of reality...
well, it kind of illustrates what the red world is like normally.

Not right *Now* but in general, it may be a good tact.

>>28467007
>>28467082

"R-really?"

Her voice is very, very soft. A tiny whisper, young and lost but still thinking it might be found.

"Do you - really think that?"

She's so close, now - Her lips close enough to yours that her breath warms your cheek in a slow, sweet rhythm. When her grip tightens, slightly, it's to stop *you* from pulling away...

And then there's a peal of sound, distressingly loud: In the quiet stillness, it sounds like a firecracker going off. Mio flinches - Actually *flinches*, her back going taut - as she pulls back, nearly falling off the bed.

"I...I'm sorry," she says - As she fumbles for her bag, her fingers made clumsy by surprise. "I - I just..."

She shoots you an apologetic, entirely embarassed look, as she cups the receiver to her mouth; The voice on the other end blurred to indecipherability. "Y-yes," Mio says, sounding distinctly ruffled - Then lowers the phone to the mattress, as the line cuts out.

"Ah..." She's blushing too badly to look you in the eye. "Anon-kun, I'm sorry. I'm really, really sorry...But I have to go. I - I was about to leave, but...I didn't want to go before you woke up..."

[ ] "Wait, what?"
[ ] "Did something happen?"
[ ] "-Well, I didn't see *that* coming."
[ ] "It's okay, I understand."
[ ] "Who was that?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28467204
>[ ] "Did something happen?"
Job, probably?

>>28467148
I wouldn't break it at all, if possible. It's pretty damn obvious that telling Mio the truth would become the biggest Death Flag for her and would obviously NOT end well.
Not like we have a chance of escaping that, anyway.

DEATH FLAG STILL NOT AVERTED. FUCK.

>>28467204

"Mind if I walk with you?"

We need to see Fumito after this no matter what. He's probably pacing his office brooding about that Crazy Kid in the Red Armor.

>>28467223
NOT breaking the truth is a "let's brainwash her" flag.
It makes her vulnerable of our enemies ever take a closer look at our real life.

>>28467187
Ten seconds of shaky crapphone video is not convincing.

>>28467148
THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL SUGGESTION Yet.

"Mio, it isn't fair that you showed me your secret and I haven't shared even one of mine. It's nowhere near as wonderful as yours, but you might like it anyway."
>produce Nihil Sphere, and think very hard about not doing anything Red World related
"Light."

>>28467204
"I'm glad you did. I would have hated to wake up without you. Though I do wish I could have you for myself a while longer, Mio-chan is everyone's idol and--breathe Mio.

"How important is it? Do you need money for a cab?"

>>28467270
>NOT breaking the truth is a "let's brainwash her" flag.
Hense me saying that we have no chance of escaping the "break the tragic truth" scenario.
>It makes her vulnerable of our enemies ever take a closer look at our real life.
She's vulnerable either way and considering her personality, she would either end up more paranoid than Takumi from Chaos;Head or end up getting herself caught up in an attempt to help RJ.

>>28467220

> [X] "Did something happen?"

"N, no, not really," Mio says, quickly. "It's just that...When I woke up, I thought - That is, I realized - that..."

She catches herself, then starts again.

"I'm, ummmm, not *supposed* to be away from the dormitory on a school day." Her blush is back, in full force - "...If they found out I was - I was over at a..." she sneaks you a glance. "-At...a *boy's* house..."

Mio's words trail off.

"Ah, well...It'd be bad for me."

>>28467225

She shakes her head.

"It's all right," she says. "I, ummm - There's a friend of mine, who's willing to drive me back...Before roll-call. My friend's already here, so...Anon-kun, I have to go."

>>28467283

> "I'm glad you did. I would have hated to wake up without you. Though I do wish I could have you for myself a while longer, Mio-chan is everyone's idol and--breathe Mio.

Just in time: She's going red in the face again.

> "How important is it? Do you need money for a cab?"

"I...didn't want to trouble you." The bed's springs creak, as she stands up - "After everything - It'd be *really* embarassing, to ask Anon-kun for...Well..."

There's a distinct hurry to Mio's motions, now, as she looks around the place...Wondering if she's left *anything* behind, as she snags her schoolbag.

She hesitates, all the same. "But - I'm happy. I'm...really, *really* happy. For - everything." Her words are a little shy, but her smile's sincere enough - Warm, guileless, her gaze lingering on yours.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28467323

"Sure you don't want to stay for breakfast? Well, if you have to go, you have to go. Take care of yourself, all right?"

>>28467323
"You're not the one asking, I am. Plus, if you get in trouble, it'll be harder for us to meet later. Just take the cab fare. I'm sure I'll be able to think of *something* you can do to pay me back."

"I'm glad I could help. As long as you're happy, things will be all right. Trust me?"

"Oh, and if Rena asks, I was a perfect gentlemen and a lady must have secrets. Wondering will drive her crazy. It'll be great."

>>28467323
ok, vote-do we kiss her?

>>28467403

It's tempting, but let's not. We're still not sure if we're going with Mio's route or not, yet.

>>28467403
On the forehead.

>>28467403
>>28467418

Careful, she might get pregnant.

>>28467403
>>28467418
Do it faggot. Her reaction will be priceless and overload on positive emotions means she is less likely to unconsciously send Megaera after the next slag who pisses her off.

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>>28467427
That's hand holding, Anon.

>>28467418

I vote forehead.

>>28467453
Control yourself, this is a goddamn blue board. My fucking heart almost vacated my chest.

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>>28467403
Forehead. It doesn't imply much and should boost her emotional balance.
>>28467453
Why is every single damn girl in that series so lovable?

>>28467453
I love you. Don't go.

>>28467511

Awwwwww. If only we could tell her that, but that's a massive commitment. If only things were clearer, then we could be absolutely sure.

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>>28467499

Except for Merry. She's bro-tier.

>>28467519
Shh, he's confessing to Watashiwa, don't interrupt.

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>>28467519
Honestly, with how things are going, I'm expecting any romance subplot in this quest to spiral down the same path as the one in the White Album 2 "Closing Chapter". Only with a lot more mindbreak and blood.

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>>28467523
She's both, in my opinion.

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>>28467395

She nods. "-I will," she promises.

>>28467400

Mio giggles - A soft, smothered sound.

"Mmmn~!" she agrees, her hands folded together - Mio hesitates, when you offer her the cab fare...But then she accepts, though it seems to be more for the sake of argument. "Haaah, well..." she ponders aloud - "...I'm sure I will."

> "Oh, and if Rena asks, I was a perfect gentlemen and a lady must have secrets. Wondering will drive her crazy. It'll be great."

"Anon~! That's *terrible*~!" Mio sniffs, and gives a little toss of her head...But her eyes sparkle, quite belying her look of her mock-pique. There's a happy flush to her cheeks, as she considers it...Then laughs, that silvery, guileless sound that quite becomes her.

"...I might do that," she confides, in a whisper - With the small, mischievous smile of a shared secret.

>>28467418
>>28467473
>>28467438

Mio's breath catches, as you lean in towards her. She tilts her head back, her eyes fluttering closed; A little shiver to her form, her hand clutching at your shirt. Her lips are very full, very soft, a soft, hushed sound thrumming in her silky throat...

-As you kiss her on the forehead.

(Continued)

>>28467558

"...?" When she opens her eyes, her fingertips brush against her brow - Her expression is a fond pout, as she rests her free hand on her hip. "...Haaaauuu - I'm not a little girl, you know~" Mio says...So softly, that you're not sure you're supposed to have heard it. But it doesn't stop her from smiling, as she lets go.

"So...I'll see you soon, Anon-kun," she says, hesitating right on the threshold. For a moment, she seems like she's about to say something more...

-But then, from below, you hear the blare of a horn.

Mio's smile becomes a little resigned. "Then...Bye-bye, Anon. Thank you for everything."

She looks back, as the elevator doors close before her - The lift rumbling as it begins to descend. Down below, the horn blares again, the sound loud enough to make you wince...

There's a *buzz*, from close by. A phone, again - Yours, this time.

[ ] Answer it.
[ ] Watch Mio leave.
[ ] Get ready for school.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28467523
>>28467556

I am so disappointed in myself. I could not find Cross Panel Brofist in my folder. ;_;

>>28467565
>[x] Answer it.
>[x] Watch Mio leave.
Do both yo. Talk while being near the window.

>>28467565

That's probably Fumito. Answer it.

>>28467511
Don't do this to me Anon.

>>28467565
Keep an eye out for her, answer the phone. We're waiting for the shoe to drop.

>>28467511

This quest has the weird relationship of a girl being in love with us, and us keeping her at arm's-length. We kind of treat Mio like an adorable little sister.

She's very attractive, very pure, but also very immature.

>>28467565
Answer while keeping an eye on Mio.

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>>28467590

We could always boot the problem.

>>28467630
Not without putting your feet in your mouth.

Oh, and:
CARLOOOOOOOOOOOOS

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>>28467630
Fuck, I laughed. You win this round Carlos.

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>>28467630
Stop shoehorning puns where they don't fit the leg, Carlos

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Your phone's in the charging cradle, by the bed. You lean against the windowsill, looking out at the carpark below. At this time of the morning, it's mostly still...Which it's why it's impossible to miss the motorcycle below. It's a solid-looking number, like a landbound torpedo; Chrome and grey finish, the rider in black riding leathers and a lined coat, his face anonymous beneath his helmet.

The dawning sun catches the gleam of Mio's blonde hair - She waves, as the rider unfastens his full-face helmet, returning the gesture with a gloved hand.

The engine grumbles, as Naoya's motorcycle idles; It's early in the morning, but he looks fresh as spring grass, raking his fingers through his hair.

He says something that makes Mio laugh, as he holds out another helmet to her; She looks at it a little dubiously, as she approaches - Tentatively, clearly nervous around the machine, but fascinated, too.

>>28467576
>>28467571
>>28467590

"It's me."

Akira's voice is as flat - As curt and serious - as ever.

"If you're quite done, I'm downstairs."

Before you can reply, the line clicks shut.

Mio's just finished securing her helmet, as she settles herself on the pillion seat - Her legs folding beneath her, as she tries to get comfortable. Naoya's helmed head swivels around - From this distance, you can't hear what he's saying, but Mio puts her arms around his waist; Lightly, at first, but her grip tightens - In surprise, more than anything else - as the engine growls.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28467704
>[x] Meet dat Thief
Might want to ask him about this Naoya guy, he might know. It's suspicious how often he's around us.

Also tell him about Ixion.

>>28466435
>She's beautiful when she smiles. Beautiful, and very familiar.
>Two words.
>Find.
>Me.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaait a moment.
Random thought:
What if it's Hecate?
Her avatar form could have changed.

>>28467704

FUCK

Ffffffffffffffffuck.

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>>28467704
And the shoe drops.

No point in staying to look as Akira is obviously observing everything from within an earshot.
Glance at Naoya and go down quickly.
, check if we have everything we need and

>>28467720
What're you so FFFFFFFFFF about?

>>28467704

Go and greet our erstwhile.. friend.

"Naoya listen to me here, Akira, you don't need to be so rude. We're still pals, right?"

...

"So what brings you to my neck of the woods? It sure as hell isn't to catch up. And if it's about retrieving another piece of your pig sticker, I'm tied up on another job at the moment. Smash and grab. The sort of thing where someone who can scout out the location would be highly priced....."

>>28467720
The demon code prevents me from declining rock-off challenge...

>>28467754
>"Naoya listen to me here, Akira, you don't need to be so rude. We're still pals, right?"
wat

Jesus Christ, doesn't anyone here trust Mio? If she doesn't show up at work we can freak out; unless that happens have faith.

>>28467704
(Quick) Shower, then head downstairs. If Akira's going to be a prick about it, he can wait until we're ready. First words out of Anon's mouth to Akira: "I thought you'd be a little more interested, the guy on the motorcycle is probably Pazuzu."

Then go get coffee, this is going to be a three cup conversation.

>>28467718
No don't. We claim Ixion's shard or Akira keeps the Memory.

>>28467719
It's not.

>>28467704
>"Noooope."
>"Don't wanna, too lazy, you're gonna have to come up and pay your friend a visit."

>>28467794
>No don't. We claim Ixion's shard or Akira keeps the Memory.
I don't follow.

>>28467794
>>28467754

(Just to clarify, you did message him about the location in the last chapter.)

>>28467803
Akira wants to trade the shards of the Fatal Abyss for the Joker's Memory. If he claims the final shard, what reason does he have to transfer the Memory? We didn't come through with our side, so why should he?

>>28467809
About the new Hive, yes? My comment was more in line with the fact that we're going to start from there and move the conversation elsewhere, if past history is any guide, and some of it will be long, disconcerting or difficult. Coffee and cleanliness help mitigate all three.

>>28467824
>We didn't come through with our side, so why should he?
What utterly stupid logic. Going by this the memory is already lost because he recovered more than one piece on his own already. He enlisted us to help not to fetch all of them. Telling the location is a part of helping, especially if we don't know where the tower is. Not that it matters, since we apparently told him before.

Still, get a grip.

>>28467839
>since we apparently told him before.
Oh, is that what OP was referring to? Well then /ignore. Terrible bargaining, but what's done is done.

>>28467591
>very pure, but also very immature
About that...
>>28467565
>"...Haaaauuu - I'm not a little girl, you know~"

>>28467794
>>28467754
>>28467742

You shower. Find new clothes. Down a cup of black coffee - On second thoughts, you down a second one.

The lift lobby downstairs - At this time - has always struck you as a strangely desolate place. It's empty, except for the dead leaves swirling in the breeze, and the half-enclosed shape means that it's always cold, all the time. Even the wan rays of the dawn sun don't really do much to banish it.

It looks to be a cold, rather grey day...But recently, they've all been like that.

Akira's waiting - Standing still, his hands in his pockets. Apparently, he does feel the cold, too; He has the hood of his coat drawn up, but he pulls it back - With an impatient gesture - as you arrive. The sight of him, well...

He doesn't look good. He looks...Very intense. It's like he's been hollowed out since you last seen him - His slight features are gaunt, gaunter than before, making him look unhealthy. But there's something in his eyes-

Again, there's that intensity to him.

> "I thought you'd be a little more interested, the guy on the motorcycle is probably Pazuzu."

"He's not a Player. I checked." And thus irrelevant, he doesn't say - But it's implied in his voice.

>>28467754
>>28467782

> "Naoya listen to me here, Akira, you don't need to be so rude. We're still pals, right?"

He smiles. It's the kind of smile that could mean anything, but it seems friendly enough to form an assumption.

(Continued)

>>28467908

"I suppose we are," he says. For a moment, Akira's eyes close - For an instant, he looks very, very tired. "...This close to the end, it's hard to remember the...niceties." With an effort of will, he composes himself; Beneath his calm facade, he's liked a coiled spring. There's a massive, pent-up tension to him, gnawing at him from the inside.

> "The sort of thing where someone who can scout out the location would be highly priced....."

Akira jerks his head to the side, no.

"Jok - Anon," he says, with a terrible icy calm. "Whatever you want. Listen; It's *almost over*, you hear? I almost - I'm so *close*, Joker. There's just.

One.

Left."

His hand - His *right* hand - trembles in his pocket.

"Anything - Everything - comes *after that*."

[ ] "-Are you sure you're all right?"
[ ] "The...last piece of the Fatal Abyss? It really *is* there?"
[ ] "What do you want, exactly?"
[ ] "...You don't look well, Akira."
[ ] "That's rather abrupt, don't you think?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28467915
>[ ] "...You don't look well, Akira."
"I'm worried about your condition."

>>28467915
>[x] "...You don't look well, Akira."
Are you sure you know what is that you're collecting? Phantom Edge might have left more behind than just his weapon and he was as close to an unstoppable monster as they come. How can you be sure the sword doesn't start calling the shots once finished?

>>28467915
or, you know, you could stop speaking half truths and avoiding just telling me whats going on. So close to fucking WHAT? What 'comes after'? getting reaaally sick of pussyfooting around here, 'Thief'

>>28467908
>> "Naoya listen to me here, Akira, you don't need to be so rude. We're still pals, right?"
>He smiles. It's the kind of smile that could mean anything, but it seems friendly enough to form an assumption.
Great, now he thinks that we are on drugs.

>"He's not a Player. I checked." And thus irrelevant, he doesn't say - But it's implied in his voice.
"Are you SURE about that? Some people seem to have Red-related powers and I had some weird experiences when he first cropped up."

>>28467915
"Fair warning: freak out and I deck you for your own good. My punches are therapeutic.

"Now, where's the stage, is Ixion still there and when did you last sleep?"

>>28467915
"Akira, are you sure this is worth it? You should know better than me just how dangerous the relics of the past are" draw a breath and mutter "I'd hate to see you experience what the Black Joker did." sigh "On second thought, forget it. I should know better than to try and convince you. Your resolution is as beastly as Phantom Edge's strength, haha."

>>28467922

"I'm fine," he says, curtly. You notice that he keeps his right hand out of sight, when he says it.

>>28467927

He cants his head to the side, frowning.

"Did Argent Prominence tell you that?" Something in your expression must've given it away - It's hard not to feel uneasy, when those lightless eyes are focused squarely on your face.

Akira laughs, a sharp, mirthless bark of laughter. "He's lying, you know. He's lying because he's afraid. Of everything."

> How can you be sure the sword doesn't start calling the shots once finished?

Akira exhales. It's a 'chuff' of breath, with a patience that calms just before axe-murdering. "That," he says, in a voice of iron control - "...isn't going to happen. It is not a possibility."

"It will *not* happen."

>>28467929
>>28467936
>>28467966

> "Are you SURE about that? Some people seem to have Red-related powers and I had some weird experiences when he first cropped up."

His teeth make a grinding noise.

"Do you want me to kill him, to be sure? Because I can do that, after."

...You can't tell if he's joking or not. You're not sure if you want to know.

"Listen-" Akira lowers his voice. "-I can't explain it. Not now. But once I have it - You'll have the Joker's Memory, and I'll have...I'll have what I want. What I need. That's all there is. The rest - The rest, is just details."

>>28467957

He seems to calm, slightly.

"...The Memorial," Akira says. "-He's at the Memorial."

(Continued)

>>28467996

There's no need to ask which Memorial, when says it like that. After the disaster six years ago - When two hundred thousand people died, in an eyeblink or by inches - there's only one memorial that matters.

"Oh, he's *there*, all right." There's a grim smile on Akira's face - Which makes him look remarkably like a skull. "I know he's still *in* there, because no-one can *leave*. No one can enter the stage, either...And that's where you come in."

[ ] "...You can't get *in*?"
[ ] "What kind of place is it, anyway?"
[ ] "-Are you serious?"
[ ] "What do you expect me to do?"
[ ] "I thought...Breaking into places is your thing."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28468000
>[x] "...You can't get *in*?"
>[x] "What kind of place is it, anyway?"
Da fuck man.

>[x] "I thought...Breaking into places is your thing."

>>28468000
>And that's where you come in.
Time for boss pinata mode!

>>28468000

Two hundred thousand people? Holy shit.

>>28467996
>It's a 'chuff' of breath, with a patience that calms just before axe-murdering. "That," he says, in a voice of iron control - "...isn't going to happen. It is not a possibility."
Wonder if he's aware of the steady slipping into the abyss.

That being said, I wonder what the restored blade can do. It must wreck so much ass.

>>28468000
"Are you seriously telling me to blow that goddamn place to kingdom come?" Head tilt "Wait... if no one can enter or leave, then he must have been there ever since the last round?"

I think we just stumbled on another character that has been in coma for at least 6 years.

>>28468010

> [x] "...You can't get *in*?"
> [x] "I thought...Breaking into places is your thing."

"I can't get in," Akira confirms. There's a silence, as he looks down at the ground - Then back at you. "...And breaking things is *your* thing," he says, sharply enough; "Well, there's something that needs to be broken, this time."

>>28468046

> "Wait... if no one can enter or leave, then he must have been there ever since the last round?"

He shrugs, with the irritated cant of his head that says - Rather eloquently - that he doesn't care. "-It'd be all the same to me, once he's dead."

> [x] "What kind of place is it, anyway?"

Akira...hesitates, for the first time today.

"It's..." A pause. "-I suppose it'd be easier to show you."

He turns, abruptly, and starts walking. "Come on."

[ ] "Wait, we're going now? It's a school day!"
[ ] "Akira, I have things I need to do. Can this wait?"
[ ] "This is insane. I'm not coming."
[ ] Follow him.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>28468083
>[x] Follow him.
Fuck school, plot calls. Show me your stuff hombre.

(Gentlemen: I would love to continue, but I've just realized that it's extremely late on my end - And I have a flight to catch tomorrow.

Fortunately, my exams are over, so I should be able to return to a more regular schedule. As always, you've been a wonderful audience - I apologize for the delay between posts, as I'm still getting back into the swing of things.

Good night and God bless - I hope to catch you again soon.)

>>28468083
>"Well, there's something that needs to be broken, this time."
Give me 100% Meter and I can break anything.

>>28468135
Thanks for running OP.

Holy shit, what just happened this episode? Was that the Chalice Queen? Why does she look like Mio? WHAT DID SHE DO TO US?

She's pretty cute, actually. She looks like a more mature version of our girlfriend.

You guys should totally have kissed Mio. Wasted opportunities, there.

>>28467704

This guy has the douchiest face ever.

>>28468229

My guess is that she altered our hyades symbol, for some reason. It doesn't seem like we got any new powers out of it tho.

>>28467453
I hate you for sending me on an archive binge at 2AM in the evening, Watashiwa.

>>28468999

There's a full link to each episode on Watashiwa's guide, if it helps.

http://pastebin.com/DNGtTt04

>>28469053
I mean for Yumekui.

If Naoya isn't a Player, that means his swag is all-natural. We have to step up our game.

Why do we even bother with archiving?
The downvotes are getting stronger each time.

>>28472021
Tradition and discoverability. It's much easier to search suptg, so someone could go through and read the whole thing on their own without much trouble.

>>28468999
I'm not apologizing.

I brought it up earlier in the thread, but repeating myself as I had to leave before the thread got really going...

Need to contact Enfer. He knows what is down there being a former mercenary under the employ of the Smilers. Could use his knowledge and his for hire status to our advantage IF we can find him.

And oh look. We have ourselves an information broker right in front of us.

>>28475336

I don't know, do you REALLY trust Enfer? That guy is a mass-murderer, and the closest thing to 'friendly' he's been is not killing us immediately.

I wonder what's going to happen when we complete Akira's sidequest.

>>28475490

I trust him as much as I trust Rook and the others going on this raid. He's been burned by the Smilers. If he slips us a little bit of info, accidentally of course, that could assist us in wreaking as much havoc as possible when we do shoot up the place, it'll be a win-win. He gets to screw with his former employers and we get much needed intel about the place.

>>28475987
The problem is that Enfer is ideologically aligned with the Smilers. He agrees with their goals and wants to survive to see their world come into being. He's bitter, but not to the point where he'll work for free.