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HOLLOW SUN: 49.8%

http://pastebin.com/ZFTaz5eQ

RESEARCH:

[X] FALSEHOOD ARRAY
[X] RESEARCH: ASSAULT HARDSHELL
[X] DIRAC TRANSMITTER I
[X] MASS DRIVER
[X] SCRANDER PROPULSION SYSTEM

VOID ANCHORS:

ORIGINAL HIVE
THE TRIBUNAL
NARAKA
THE VAULT
TUSITA

HOLDING: 1

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/LJAfQmXy

UPDATES:

- Minor corrections to the Equipment FAQ
- Removed TERMINUS SCANNER from the list of research options.

(Gentlemen, a quick note. Over the course of the past few sessions, the level of Hollow Sun charge accumulated beyond the 150% cap. Upon consideration, I feel that it would be unfair to 'waste' the additional charge - As such, the initial 150% has been put to use.)

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>>34572095

INTERLUDE:

Quiet noise.

The light beeps of machines keeing track of breath rates and pulses. The faint hiss of an air hose, the buzz of overhead fluorescent lights. A tangible quiet, lingering in the climate-controlled air.

The Sterling Industries company clinic.

Reclamation Facility Designate #1-08.

"How is he?"

There is a kindness in Aoba's expression, as he looks through the glass. Only a little, but it is there: Perhaps not much beyond a cigarette before the firing squad, but it lends the cold lines of his face an essential humanity, his gaze fixed on slumbering form beyond. The shadows beneath his eyes are more pronounced that ever, a worn, weary set to his shoulders. But it is his voice that matters, and that remains as firm and unwavering as ever.

The clack of a clipboard, the rustle of papers.

"Stable. Signs of unusual brain activity, but..."

Reiji's voice trails off, and he shakes his head. His white coat hangs loosely on him, a sterile sliver beneath the harsh lights. Bandages cover Shuya's wrists and torso, lining his neck thick enough to resemble a plaster neck brace. Already, they show signs of black seepage. It is unclear if he is asleep, or awake; The difference, too, seems to be academic.

"-He's continuing to, ah, express the...substance. We're changing his dressings every hour, but-" the doctor lowers his voice. "...We don't think it's about to stop."

Always, the faint notes of tension, of wariness. Always, the dread of what it might portent.

"And his vitals?"

A low hiss of indrawn breath. "That's the thing. He seems to be - Well, the fact is..."

"...He seems to be growing stronger."

"Stronger?"

(Continued)

>>34572110

"-It's becoming harder to restrain him. Rook's isolation cell has been cleared - The infection is quite belligerent. At times, it recedes...But the - growths - respond with extreme aggression. Dampeners are at full power, but..."

For a moment, the quiet noise returns. Only for a moment.

"-It might be time to consider a permanent solution."

"No." Aoba's voice is firm, his fingertips touched to the glass. "We're not at that point yet."

"He's been compromised. If I was you, I'd never trust him again." A pause. "...I'd probably kill him, to be sure."

"Noted." Aoba exhales, slowly - Turning away, drawing his coat a little closer, as if the chill has finally reached his bones. He reaches up, to adjust his tie...And then a brief bark of laughter saws from his throat, and he lets his hand fall to his side. "-But like it or not, he's family."

"And you don't give up on family."

-------------------------

INTERLUDE:

STAGE: THE HOLLOW SUN

For Tyrian Edge, the charm of the Hollow Sun has worn off. The alien lines of the inner core, the silent rows of Hellions, the strange machinery at the very edge of perception...It fuels the unease, the disquiet, that grows within him - The thought that, very soon, all of this might be gone. It is something that he only dimly intuits, that the end approaches with the ponderous unstoppability of destiny...

-But mostly, it's the screaming he hates.

(Continued)

>>34572095
>the level of Hollow Sun charge accumulated beyond the 150% cap
Huh. That's almost a 200% gain. OP, would you say how many instances of charge we had?

>>34572095
IT IS TIME

>>34572231

(Counting the beginning of this episode, 5.)

>>34572135

The Terminus Chamber is ablaze with light. Writhing arcs of electricity, a riot of plates and spines and ominous mechanisms. Unknowable technologies at work, humming and pulsing, a cowl of needles rotating the central sepulcher, the red granite underfoot polished to a mirror-bright sheen.

Within the sepulcher of molten gold, rippling and flowing - pendant in an invisible stasis envelope, sealed behind containment fields - the subject continues to scream. It is high, agonized and utterly without shame, the sound of a soul in mortal and unending agony. In the ebb and flow of the fluid form, Tyrian Edge imagines he can see the contorted shape at the very heart of it all, riling, thrashing, that monotone howl dopplering across all frequencies-

It has been an hour.

It has been a lifetime.

Tyrian Edge just wants it to end, end, *end*-

The humming chains of energy flicker, as the control sphere ceases motion. Regulator columns retract into the ground, armored shutters closing; A gaunt form momentarily silhouetted against the honeyed light. It takes a faltering step forward, then another - Then crumples to its knees, wisps of sickly vapor uncoiling from shoulder-mounted vents. Syringe-tipped fingers scritch against the ground, clawing...Finding purchase, servoes whirring as the survivor hauls himself to his feet.

And all Tyrian Edge can say is:

"*How* are you *alive*-?"

"I-" Distortion Haze's words are a rasp. The eyeslits of his helmet burn yellow, yellow...

-Green.

"-I don't know."

----------------------------------------

Joker.

Joker.

It's time to wake up, Joker.

And when you open your eyes, you'll already be-

[ ] In your bed.
[ ] At the stage.
[ ] Safe.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34572095
And you decided to tell us NOW? And not let us decide how to use the charge?

Fuck you JQOP, I hope you choke on an aids infested dick

>>34572262
>At the stage.

>>34572262
>At the stage.

>>34572262
>"I-" Distortion Haze's words are a rasp. The eyeslits of his helmet burn yellow, yellow...
Holy shit.

>>34572262
>[X] Safe.

For the charge we have... Endosteel Interals and Leukocyte's Solaris Charging Matrix. Move Core production and Cherub production to off.

>>34572266
Cool it, this is the only way we were ever going to use a full 150 Terminus upgrade. Haze was the best candidate for it being so low level, so he's gained the equivalent of maybe four or five levels.

>>34572266

(I understand where you're coming from, but the issue is that you had no way of accessing from your location at that point in time. It's something that happened as a result of Distortion Haze's independent action.

Technically, you shouldn't be able to utilize the Hollow Sun at all, given the distance from Seisin High and the need to be physically present at the access location.)

>>34572313
No Fuck that Watashiwa.

There could have been other ways to use the charge Fuck.

>>34572266
I'm guessing he randomly rolled for Haze and ended up getting a crit before deciding to put it to use.
I don't particularly mind since now our apprentice has grow at least twice as strong.

>>34572334
Since when the fuck did we let him be our apprentice?!

No. FUCK THAT.

Do you know how many void anchors we could have?

>>34572313
Why those two?

>>34572346
Since we agreed to train him? Also, what the hell do we need more VA's for now?
Besides, now that we have a total of 5 planted, we'll be getting a lot more charge either way.

>>34572375
We can never have enough VA's. NEVER ENOUGH

>>34572328
I agree, there are lots of things that 150 charge could buy. Among them is the option of upgrading Haze. While I am somewhat put out over not being able to start all the Hellion research options simultaneously, this means that ~50 charge that would have been completely unavailable to us remains to be used. Since we were going to have to decide how much to use on Haze anyway, we get the benefit of going all in on him and some extra energy on top.

>>34572352
Evasion is better than armor sinceplenty of enemies have weapons that chew through any amount of it without issue. We have ways of mitigating Leukocyte's targeting time already, but not the charging time.

>>34572375
We'll want several more anyway. Ruler and Bishamon ought to contribute, and we might look into planting one at the Manor ourselves, particularly if Rockman is there.

>>34572325
The point still stands you're a fucking asshole. And I hope you suffer the worst for this

>>34572416
The we throw Haze into the essence grinder instead

>>34572416
Guess that makes sense. I'd rather get a Relic, but we can't do that and the satellite cannon. I'll second.

>>34572431
So are you going to whine, leave or play? Because no one else seems to mind and all you're doing is wasting time being a whiny kid.

>>34572416
I'm pretty sure Ruler isn't going to be planting VAs for us any time soon.

>>34572431
That would be a waste.

>>34572449
If we point out that everyone else is doing it, peer pressure will force him to! But seriously, he works for Joker Industries now, and those that don't work get the axe.

>>34572448
I'm just frustrated that we won't get to optimize on using the charge you fucking nitwit.

>>34572468
Not to me you dickriding asshole

>>34572325
>the need to be physically present at the access location
Hang on, I thought we were using the Arsenal Beacon to deliver instructions and pull created items?

>>34572509
Then leave the thread for a while. Your post are obnoxious and no one else here cares.

>>34572510
OP done fucked up now

>>34572522
>>34572510
He did say "Technically".

>>34572509
In absolute terms, this IS optimal. More energy has been put to work by the Hollow Sun than could have been otherwise. The only drawback is that we didn't get to decide how it was allocated. Since this way Haze gets a level up in every category open to him, AND we get charge to spend, it's really hard to feel anything more than wistfulness.

>>34572509
Wait what, this IS optimized. We have 50 charge available that would have been lost.

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> Hang on, I thought we were using the Arsenal Beacon to deliver instructions and pull created items?

(Pull Hollow Sun weapons, yes. The others, no: The Arsenal Beacon can't be used to deliver instructions or draw items from the Vault. It's meant to give access to Hollow Sun guns, not to be a remote terminal.)

>>34572295
>>34572309

Onstage: The clash of swords, the dull chiming of blade-on-blade echoing in the cool air. Kouichi's voice, strident, laden with portent - His blade moving in sweeping arcs; Parrying Kazuya's (telegraphed) swings, batting them aside. In his black cassock, he strides: His long, grim shadow stretching out before him, a relentless straight-ahead march that batters down his opponent.

They hew at each other, mightily, never quite making contact. Gasps, and a spatter of applause, arises from the audience as a flick of his wrist disarms Kazuya - His sword twirling in a gleaming arc, as it *clangs* to the ground just out of reach. The surrusation of waves against the hull of the great ship mounts to a crescendo...

And you can't-

You can't-

You can't get the costume *off*-

You'd think that weeks of practice would make it more comfortable - Or at least get you accustomed to it - but it smells of mothballs and old sweat, and you think you might actually be suffocating. You're not sure which moron designed the zipper, but you can't reach it; The sounds of the audience muffled and warped, as you try - You strain-

A hand latches onto the zipper, and *pulls*. The rush of cool air that follows is like a gale, as a firm tug peels the shark costume down to your waist - Your arms are *still* trapped*, which makes for a few moments of desperate, undignified fumbling before you finally get them free.

(Continued)

>>34572607

You'd think that weeks of practice would make it more comfortable - Or at least get you accustomed to it - but it smells of mothballs and old sweat, and you think you might actually be suffocating. You're not sure which moron designed the zipper, but you can't reach it; The sounds of the audience muffled and warped, as you try - You strain-

A hand latches onto the zipper, and *pulls*. The rush of cool air that follows is like a gale, as a firm tug peels the shark costume down to your waist - Your arms are *still* trapped*, which makes for a few moments of desperate, undignified fumbling before you finally get them free.

"...Need any help, Anon-kun?" Natsumi's voice is low, measured and entirely amused as she regards you - Her lips curved in that little line which means that she's trying *very* hard not to laugh. *Her* stage costume, of course, is rather more comfortable.

When you finally turn to face her - The shark's head flopping forward, against your chest - surprise, then concern, flits across her features, a hand going to her mouth to stifle a gasp.

"You look terrible," she murmurs, hushed, leaning forward to regard you. "-Are you *sure* you're all right?"

[ ] "-It was a rough night."
[ ] "Bad dreams, that's all."
[ ] "I'll be fine - Once rehearsals are over, anyway."
[ ] "That bad, huh?"
[ ] "Never mind me. How are you?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34572622
>[ ] Free
I'm fine... let's get this over with

>>34572622
>[ ] "-It was a rough night."
>[ ] "I'll be fine - Once rehearsals are over, anyway."
>[ ] "Never mind me. How are you?"

>>34572622
>[X] "That bad, huh?"
>[X] "Never mind me. How are you?"
"I want coffee."

>>34572622
"I had a few unexpected meetings.
But really, it's the lack of sleep that's killing me."

Man, we almost have all the basic Hellion upgrades.

OP, do Hellion upgrades affect the modular frames?
i.e. can a Hellion limb provide more durability if we have Reactive Plating?
Also, can we attach the Photon Shield generators to our frame?

> [X] "-It was a rough night."
> [X] "I'll be fine - Once rehearsals are over, anyway."

She nods. "...You too, then," Natsumi says - "-I...don't really sleep well away from home. Even with everyone else around - it just feels lonely, somehow." A yawn begins, before she can stifle it - Rubbing lightly at her eyes, forcing levity into her voice.

"But - Cheer up, Anon-kun. After all, it's almost the last time..."

She's right about that. One last rehearsal, before the real thing; there was some grumbling, but Yui put her foot down. For good reason, too - The Seisin High concert hall is a *very* different place from your school's modest facilities. It's massive, the lights dazzling. Just the thought that so *many* people are going to be watching...

-Well, it's a little intimidating.

> "I want coffee."

She laughs.

"-Catch."

It's an underhand toss, a casual flick of her wrist; You get your hands up in time to intercept the can. It's cold, ice-cold milk coffee, and possibly the best thing you've ever tasted - Fresh from the vending machine, still fuming with condensation.

> [X] "Never mind me. How are you?"

"Well..." Natsumi glances to the side - But her faint smile lingers, her hands clasped behind her back. "-I've been thinking about things," she says...A statement that's ambiguous enough to mean anything. "But...Anon, you've helped me a lot. At least..."

Her level gaze settles on your, for a moment - A soft laugh teased forth.

"...At least, I think I understand you a lot better, now."

> [X] "That bad, huh?"
>>34572759

"...You look like a panda," Natsumi offers, unhelpfully. "Well - Just a little," she amends, her shoulders lifting in a shrug - "Ah, it's a good thing your costume hides your face...If they had to *see* you..."

Her words trail off, with a brisk shake of her head. "-It'd be a shame to sleep through the Festival, though..."

Right. The Cultural Festival.

(Continued)

>>34572808
>"...At least, I think I understand you a lot better, now."
Telling her was only a dream.
Or was it?

>>34572795
>can a Hellion limb provide more durability if we have Reactive Plating?
More armor, durability is the endosteel, but OP said the upgrades carry over if we snap a limb on.

>>34572826
Don't even go there.

And she's known for weeks now.

>>34572795

(Yes. The upgrades carry over to augment the Hellion limbs, making them more effective when they're attached. I'll note that they generally aren't as powerful as your own, of course. They're meant more as temporary replacements than anything else - But can be very useful if you sustaining a crippling injury.)

>>34572808

Even from here, in this soundproofed auditorium, you can hear the noise - There must be hundreds of people at the school, flooding into the pastel-coloured carnival of stalls and stages and amusements outside. You're pretty sure that the rest of the trope can't wait to get there; It's probably why everyone's been on their best behaviour, hoping to get this *over* with as soon as possible.

Or maybe it's the small crowd that has gathered, to watch - A mix of students and stragglers, a few Seisin High students amongst them; A number that has been gradually growing. As far as you can tell, things are going pretty well...At the very least, they haven't started throwing things at the stage, yet.

...You'll consider that a good sign.

"-So, I don't think you'll have time to sleep. Just...Don't wear yourself out, all right?"

Natsumi's about to say more - But then the curtain rustles.

"Natsumi, we're changing scenes-"

> "I'm fine... let's get this over with."

"One moment~!" Natsumi calls, in answer - She straightens, patting down her costume. She draws a deep breath, visibly steeling herself...

And then she's gone. Ready for the final scenes of the play, where Montaigne - The well-meaning, passionate friend of the doomed hero Auguste - awakens on the shore, nursing grievous wounds. At last, too late, he learns the depth of his former friend's obsession...The Eye of Night grasped in his fist, on a broken silver chain. The illumination changes, outside - Spotlights narrowing to focus on the narrow tableau, the final scenes of the tragedy playing itself out.

...At least you're well out of it, now.

(Continued)

>>34572914

You shrug off the rest of the scratchy, constricting costume. Dark spots dance in your field of vision; You're so very, very tired, and your head is so very, very heavy. If you rested your eyes...

Just for a while-

--------------------------------

The chapel is starlight-dark and midnight-silent. Sounds breath through the black space - The varnished wood of the pews cool to the touch, cool and solid and reassuring. There is a sound - The suggestion of a sound - like the crush of breakers on an ocean coast.

Something black and oozing, something that isn't dust at all, streams down the chamber walls. Beyond the stained-glass windows, there is the suggestion of motion: Something dark and vast and uncoiling, like the depths of a primordal abyss. The sensation is oppressive, somehow - There is a *presence*, a vastness that you can only dimly intuit, that dwarfs all else with it's significance.

A voice, in the gloom:

"Anon-kun..."

It's soft, a whisper.

The skirts of Kotone's dress rustles as she moves. Her pale hair is pinned up - Her face hidden behind a veil of black gauze, so fine it hangs like smoke. You can't see her features - Just the pale, slender rise of her neck, her hands folded on her lap.

"-Anon-kun, can you hear me?" Her voice is a hushed whisper, barely audible - As if she's afraid of being overheard. There are shapes in the gloom, shapes that roil and writhe like twists of night.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34573013
"Yes. Should you be talking to me while he's here?"

>>34573013
>"I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see you again."
Speak quietly. Wouldn't want the ghosts to notice.

>>34573013
Finally, best girl back in the spotlight.

>>34573013
"I haven't seen you in quite a while. I'm glad to see you again."

>>34573031

> "Yes. Should you be talking to me while he's here?"

Her veil trembles, in the gloom. Through the fine mesh, you feel her eyes fix upon you - Her breath catch in her throat.

"-No," Kotone says. For a moment, you think she may be about to cry. Even from here, you can feel the chill of her; the black silks of her dress a vague outline. Through her veil, her breath shows through as vapour - Your own breath is starting to smoke, too.

"He's-" she begins - then her head lowers, her fingers interlacing together. "...It doesn't matter any more. None of it matters any longer..."

> "I was afraid I wouldn't be able to see you again."
> "I haven't seen you in quite a while. I'm glad to see you again."

"-I missed you." Her dress, that long mourner's dress, shivers. She raises her right hand to lift the corner of her veil...And then stops. "I...really, really missed you. There's so little of me that's left...It's so hard to remember anything..."

Kotone swallows.

"I'm - I'm being eaten, Anon-kun." Her silver hair shimmers in the gloom. "Or, I'm the one doing the eating...I'm not sure." Her fingertips press to her heart - "So, that's why...Before the very end-"

"...I wanted to see you again, too."

A silence descends. And then, slowly -

"Anon-kun...This is the last time I can see you. The last time, ever." There are thin grey shapes, shadows made of dust, formless spectral figures cut from twilight in the rows. Lingering by the pews, or hovering in the central aisle of the chamber.

"It's because-"

"Because-"

Her slim fingers rise, trembling. She teases stray strands of her hair back, as soft and as smooth as the gauze of her veil.

"...Tomorrow is my wedding day."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34573168
Unclasp the crucifix, take her hand with it.

"What do you mean by that?"
"How much of you is left on the other side? Is there anything I can do to help?"

And because this might be the last chance to ask: "Kotone, what happened to us six years ago?"

Still not sure if I'm asking the right questions.

>>34573233
I'll second this, I can't think of anything to write myself.

>>34573168
"And here I am without a present. You must think I'm a terrible person."

>>34573287
Holy hells, that's not a thing to say here even for levity. Vetoed.

>>34573287
Veto

>>34573233

> "What do you mean by that?"

"Tomorrow-" Kotone's voice is low, fragile.

"Tomorrow, I'm going to be born again. Tomorrow, he promised me - He promised..." Her words are lilting, singsong, like a child's lullaby - You're not sure if she's the one speaking, or if something is speaking through her.

With a visible effort of will, she steels herself. Her veil trembles, made to ripple by her breath as she falters.

"Anon-kun, I can't remember. All I know is...When I think about tomorrow - When I think about this dress..."

"...It feels like my heart is going to burst with joy."

Her fingers curl against her palm. "That's why - That's why I'm more scared than ever before. I know - I just *know* - that I'm not someone who could feel like this...This joy in my soul."

A soft sound, a sad laugh, pulses from her lips. Kotone's slim shoulders tremble.

"Anon-kun...I think something terrible is going to happen."

> "How much of you is left on the other side?"

A surrusation of breath. "I don't know - I don't *know*..." Frustration knots in her voice. "It feels like...Pieces of me are missing. Moments like this, I know how I am. Fading - not always there - there are blanks. These long...Intermissions. It's very frustrating."

> Unclasp the crucifix, take her hand with it.

Kotone stiffens, as you take her hand - The edges of the crucifix biting into your palm. Her fingers are cold, not cool, like a doll's. There is a smell to her; A sweet, sickly scent, at the very edge of perception. Her flesh-

-slides-

-beneath your touch-

Then, hushed - "...And the missing pieces - They're being filled in. A little bit at a time, a little more - Until there's nothing left. So...When the moments of clarity come, I use them. Use the moment, seize the moment, like my Papa always said...Because I don't know if I'll ever wake up again."

(Continued)

>>34573415

> "Kotone, what happened to us six years ago?"

"Six years-" the words seem to echo in the gloom. "-It's been *six years*-"

She's breathing hard, now - So hard that the front of her veil is sucking in and out. Her hand pulls away from your, as she opens her palm towards you: And you hear-

-Drip.

Droplets of thick, dark blood glitter like rubies.

"Six years ago-"

"I think - I think I was sleeping. I was sleeping, for the longest time, and then-" Softly, as if it's only now dawning onto her - "...I heard Papa's voice. From far away - So far away - Telling me to, to..."

"...To wake up."

Her throat works. The cold makes frost glitter on your coat, now.

"So I tried - I tried *so hard* - But I couldn't stop dreaming. I wanted to reach him - I wanted to see him again - and then..."

"And then - I found myself here. Ever since then-"

You can feel her gaze from behind the veil.

"-I've been waiting for him."

> "Is there anything I can do to help?"

She pauses - You've surprised her, you can tell. Kotone hesitates - For an eternal moment, she says nothing. You sense an immense inner conflict, as she says, at last:

"Anon-kun...I just - There's just two things."

"Is...Is it wrong to be saved? If it means other people will suffer - If it means that other people have to bear the burden...Is it wrong to want it?"

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

So... are we going to be doing any research at all, or did asshole anon irritate OP enough that we're back to going to the Sun to start it?

>>34573524
>"Is...Is it wrong to be saved? If it means other people will suffer - If it means that other people have to bear the burden...Is it wrong to want it?"
It is wrong to let others suffer against their will.
But if they want to bear that burden with you, it is justified.

>>34573531
Pretty sure most people were just distracted by his whining. I think Watashiwa proposed something earlier, if you want to vote on it.

>>34573545
Yeah this

>>34573524
"Of course not. Do you want to be saved?"

>>34573531
So not the time for this. Wait until after the creepy-talk.

>>34573531

(Sure, by all means: As long as there's a consensus.

The present system in place is meant to streamline the use of the Hollow Sun, so that there isn't a need to 'set aside' time to access it: Generally, I'll only disallow research or use of the Hollow Sun when there's no way you could reach it, so to speak.

This is partly my fault, due to the super-compressed nature of the Quest - Research is meant to take real-life days, instead of gaining ticks every session. Unfortunately, as each thread doesn't cover the same span of time, it leads to oddities in the timeline.)

>>34573552
For lack of anyone else suggesting anything, sure.

>>34573545
I'd... like to point out that she's not talking about people volunteering to share her burden. With what we know about her situation she probably means that for her to be saved we'd have to unleash hell.

>>34573573
MST3K mantra. Plus since we're not playing out the timeskips of days, it just about evens out, up to a point.

>>34573524
"Everyone deserves a chance at being saved."
"Kotone, do you want someone to save you? Because there is at least one who will not hesitate top do so.."

>>34573599
>I'd... like to point out that she's not talking about people volunteering to share her burden. With what we know about her situation she probably means that for her to be saved we'd have to unleash hell.
I got the same vibe.
But maybe there's a "Joker takes up the burden" scenario or something.

>>34573667
Probably going to have destroy the Black for that.

>>34573704
If it were that easy it wouldn't be a burden.

>>34573728
I don't think killing a continent-sized Eldrich Anomination and annihilating an entire realm is an easy task, but I guess you're right.

RESEARCH:

> [X] ENDOSTEEL INTERNAL STRUCTURE
> [X] SOLARIS CHARGING MATRIX

HOLLOW SUN: 9.8%

CHERUBIM HARDSHELL PRODUCTION:
[X] OFF

ESSENCE CORE PRODUCTION:
[X] OFF

>>34573545

A soft, sad laugh.

"Anon-kun...I was afraid you'd say that," Kotone murmurs - Words you have to strain to hear, words directed only at herself.

> "Of course not. Do you want to be saved?"
> "Kotone, do you want someone to save you?"

"-More than anything."

Her voice is soft, yet somehow ashamed - Her head lowered, beneath her veil.

"Even though it's wrong - Even if it hurts other people...More than anything, I want-" A catch to her words, her fingers trembling where they press against her heart. "...I still want to be saved."

> "Because there is at least one who will not hesitate to do so."

A silence descends - One of those extraordinary silences that could mean anything, soft and sweet in its brief tranquility. Her folded skirts rustle, as she turns her veiled face to yours.

"Anon-kun..." there's a shyness to Kotone's voice, now - A shyness, and something like sorrow. You feel the faintest tremor of tension through her palms, her silver hair glimmering beneath her veil.

"For my second wish..."

Her eyes meets yours, the gentle pressure of her shrouded gaze a palpable force.

"-Can you..."

Her lips move, quietly.

"...Can you kiss me?"

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34573773
Kiss her, dont see why not and it'd comfort her

>>34573773
Now I really wonder if Cybele can see this.
Or Hellebore.
But can we really not give a dieing person her final wish?
And what if the kiss does some funky shit to our soul?

>>34573773
"You know I'm spoken for. The crying girl. Can you accept a kiss knowing even that will cause an innocent pain?"

>>34573805
>>34573812
Kindness can be a cruelty. It's a test of sorts for Anon himself.

>>34573773
>[x] Kiss
I wonder what's under that veil. I sense headcrab
>>34573812
We're not in our Player form, so I doubt anyone can see.
>And what if the kiss does some funky shit to our soul?
We unlock a new color.

>>34573832
>The crying girl
Who?

>>34573832
This... is a good point. It's such a simple thing, and so innocent, but does that make it right?

>>34573847
Mio. Kotone appeared during the birthday date after Joker made her cry.

>>34573847
Mio. Kotone's last appearance was during their date, and we have promised to wait for Mio's response.

>>34573876
>Mio. Kotone appeared during the birthday date after Joker made her cry.
In that case Joker isn't "spoken for"? as the last encounter established that the relationship is on hold until she can make her decision.

>>34573893
It's the spirit of the thing. There's nothing at all wrong with granting her wish, but if we're serious about Mio at all, is it right?

>>34573905
Wasn't the whole point that Joker can't be serious in his feelings towards someone who rejects him?

>>34573915
Part of it, yes. But Mio hasn't rejected him. So why behave as if she has? We agreed to wait. If there's going to be any relationship there it has to be serious on both parts, and not just when convenient or easy.

(Gentlemen, I'll give it about ten more minutes for a consensus.)

>>34573773
Sure, might as well.

>>34573948
I hate to say it but I'm against kissing her. Even if it's not fair, we want to get that relationship right.

>>34573943
It's not really about convenience is it? While it may be cruel to Mio, it is essentially Kotone's last wish, something she can treasure while she still retains her sanity. Joker also just said that he will not hesitate to do anything for Kotone even it simply helps her think that she may be saved.
Either choice is cruel, really.

>>34573971
But it is all about convenience. It's easy to kiss Kotone, we all like her. And it's consequence-free. But we told another girl that we'd wait to hear her response. If we're at all serious about her we have to act like it.

Look, I'm not a Miofag but this is relationship 101. We've made the mistake of taking the easy way out before, and we all hated it.

She is losing her mind and its the best thing we can do to make her last moment happy so im down for it

>>34573773

Voting not to kiss her. We already have plenty of girl problems, and we don't need any more dishonesty.

>>34574000
Eech, you're right. Voting against kissing my favorite girl.

God damn you.

>>34573948
This >>34574010 is me, sorry.

>>34574000
So we should prioritize our maybe someday girlfriend and not give a girl how is losing her mind a slight bit of happiness and also its only a kiss nothing major

>>34573832
I'll vote for this thing. At least that lets her down gently.

>>34574032
Yes. Because we said we would. Being an adult sucks, huh?

>>34574000
I think this is more about tying up loose ends. Now that the decision entirely lies on Mio, Joker might as well give his final goodbyes to those he couldn't save.

>>34574049
Same here.
I have no better idea.

>>34574067
Would we kiss Kotone with Mio in the room? Of course not; but we'd do it somewhere Mio could not see.

I think there is a solution of sorts: Kiss her on the forehead. A neat bit of symmetry, that.

>>34574088
I guess this works.

Being a Kotonefag, this is gonna kill me inside

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>>34574137
I've been dead for a long time now.

>>34573773
LET'S NOT THINK WITH OUR DICK

"I'm sorry...I'm kinda spoken for." Sheepish, somewhat playful smile to go with it.

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>>34574166
You're worse than any of them.

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>>34573905
>>34573970
>>34574000
>>34574008
>>34574010
>>34574049
>>34574056

> Don't kiss her.
> "You know I'm spoken for. The crying girl. Can you accept a kiss knowing even that will cause an innocent pain?"

"Ah-" A low, soft sound - A murmur, a whisper.

"-I see," Kotone says - Her voice almost inaudible, her slim fingers coming up to trace her gauzy veil. There's a complex melange of emotion, in her words; Disappointment, the beginnings of hurt...But beneath that, a strange kind of relief. She curls her fingers against her palm, to stop the bleeding - And, almost to herself, she whispers...

"Why couldn't we have met *sooner*...?"

The darkness closes in from all sides - A dimming, a diminishment, your field of vision narrowing...As if the lights are going out for the last time. She doesn't vanish so much as fade into the gloom; her form receding, melting away, until Kotone's silhouette and the chapel are one.

"Anon-kun; Thank you for everything."

"-This is goodbye."

And the strangest thing of all - A smile. A pure smile, in spite of all else; A smile that lingers, that follows you down, down into the oblivion of sleep.

(Continued)

>>34574149
Isn't that supposed to be a humorous reaction image? I remember that scene.

>>34574174
You gotta go low to stay in character here. Then again, staying in character would be banging here right here and now and fuck the consequences and ensuing awkwardness.

>>34574187
That is definitely not IC.

>>34574187
Cybele was the out of character moment, except in the minds of the "Muh Tuesday" spewing QTG faggots. It's always felt like a jarring wrong note.

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>>34574184
I don't have any sad skeletons.
You can also interpret it as laughing at my own misery.

>>34574220
That is literally one guy. The Cybele thing happened as a result of people panicking, more than anything else.

>>34574231
Now that you mention it, I don't have any either. I think if you cropped the left half of that one you could fake it.

>>34574252
Lesson learned: Keep your copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide in plain sight at all times for memory refreshment purposes.

>>34574308
It contains less information than Wikipedia.

>>34574360
It might just, but it's also professionally vetted. More importantly, it has DON'T PANIC inscribed on the outside cover in large friendly letters.

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>>34574308

Awake. Eyes closed, breathing steady.

Under your head - Rounded, firm but softly yielding, warm as flesh...

-This feels familiar, somehow.

"Anon-kun...Are you awake?" Mio's voice, just above a whisper. Slim fingers running through your hair - From the top of your head down to the base of your neck, in long, slow strokes; Gently massaging your scalp, with a slight tremor to her touch that's both tentative and pleasant at once. The scent of...vanilla, maybe. Strawberries.

Your head is on her lap.

It's quiet, now - The last rehearsal is over. To the side, you glimpse the half-light of the stage, the rows of seats empty at last. The background murmur of the crowd has faded to nothing; the vast space should be oddly lonely, but the fall of the crimson curtains seals off this area - The left wing of the stage - and makes it almost...

...Cozy, somehow.

You can feel her shift, in the wan light. Leaning forward, maybe - A hand against the small of your back, lingering for the space of a second...Coming to rest on your shoulder, the cascade of her hair brushing against your cheek.

"Even if you're not..." Mio murmurs, her voice gone to a hush - "...Even if we can only be this close..."

"-Even like this, I'm happy."

A low sigh. "Anon-kun...I'm - really terrible."

"It's only when you're like this - Only when you're asleep - that I can be honest..."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34574410
Just listen, for now.

>>34574410
This is familiar. Reach up and caress her cheek, again. "Morning princess. I can't imagine this is what you had in mind when you asked me to accompany you at the festival."

"Nightmares, you see. In the first one, I found out we were brother and sister. The second one managed to be worse, somehow."

>>34574447
Ah, actually, yeah. Give her some time to unwind, god knows they both need it.

>>34574410
Keep "sleeping".

>>34574410
Pretend to still be asleep

>>34574461
Later on, we can say, "What if I told you I knew why these things were happening to you? And that there's a way for you to keep something very bad from happening?"

>>34574410
I'm a Kotonefag and I'm suddenly really glad we decided not to kiss her. That would have been mean as hell.

>>34574484
Joker implied as much in the Maiden's Labyrinth. Pushing her now won't help. We should probably deliver Hellebore's message though.

>>34574539
That's why I said, "Later On." No message, yet. It'll just raise questions.

>>34574410
Keep sleeping.

Let's see what her take on the situation is.

this whiplash

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>>34574447
>>34574461
>>34574469
>>34574473

> Just listen, for now.
> Keep "sleeping".

From the shift in the soft timbre of her voice, you can tell that she's closer, now - Her hands resting lightly against your collarbone, your shoulder, as if even that fleeting contact takes all her courage. Through the palms of her hands, you feel the faint tremor; Drawing closer, so close that her breasts spread softness against your arm.

Mio's soft breath tickles your ear.

"Anon-kun - I..."

"-I know that you're not like the others. I know that your world is a strange, lonely place...A place that's frightening, that's cruel - A place that I can't be part of."

"But-" Her voice catches. "Even if you're strange, sometimes. Even if you don't want to-"

You can actually feel the flush to her cheeks, the shiver of embarrassement that courses through her at her own boldness.

"-to k-kiss me, or touch me, or..." Mio's words trail off, as she musters the courage to continue. "...or be with me - I'm fine with that." Her breath hitches into a quiet, half-stifled sob - A sob she muffles, gone as quickly as it comes. "-It hurts, but...but I'm fine with that."

Then, very softly:

"Anon-kun...I love you."

"I...really, really love you."

"-I love you so much, I'm afraid; I don't want to lose this feeling, this happiness. Even if I can't join you - Even if I can't go to where you are...I'll still love you." A drop of moisture touches your cheek - As soft as dew.

(Continued)

>>34574783

"That's why...I - I know I'm selfish. I know I'm a coward, who can't do anything - I know that..." She has to stop, her throat taut with emotion. "...that there might be someone else."

"But - Ever since that day...Since the second time we met-"

"Anon-kun...I've been happy. I've been so, so happy - It's like every day is a dream. Even if you turn away from me..."

"...Even if you forget about me..."

"-I'll always, always love you."

The only sound in the world is the gentle surrusation of her breath.

"So, Anon-kun...Thank you."

"-Thank you so much-"

"-for making me happy."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

The women in this quest make me despair.

>>34574797
Awwww. Do Wata's thing here. >>34574461

Add "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't forget you. We're connected."

>>34574797
Keep trying to sleep, keep trying not to just hug her and love her.

Fail

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>>34574826
You and me both, anon. It's a bleak future that awaits us.

Now it's even more obvious that Mio couldn't be Chalice Queen.

Also, how the fuck are we supposed to tell her that we have a message from her mother?

>>34574862
Don't. Wata's choice is too cheesy and flamboyant for this situation.
>>34574797
>"Thank you"
Sit up and hug her, let her cry until she's content.
>"With this have no reason to hesitate. Even if you can't stand by my side, I'll make sure to do my best so that you never have to face what I have."

>>34574921

For god's sake, don't let her know. I suggest that we stir slightly, as if we're only beginning to wake up. Give her all the time she needs to compose herself.

>>34574921
Too cheesy.

"I will do my best to protect your smile."

>>34574940

If we let her know we heard, she's going to be mortified. We weren't meant to hear that at all.
>>34574929 has it right.

>>34574797

How the fuck did i miss this until now!

Hey, JQOP. I'm sorry to hear about your hard drive crash.

However, you should check out GetDataBack - there's a solid chance, depending on the nature of your disk failure, that it can copy things of fan otherwise dead drive, or even from one formatted, or that's lost the master file table.

Now its time to backread, and make dialogue up on the fly!

>>34574929
Im with this

>>34574897
I think this kinda seals the deal. Mio is no longer a viable options unless we're going to sacrifice her.
Now we either finish the tournament of look for an alternative.
>>34574929
Good point. I veto my own decision.
Just stay still until she calms down and then start moving to indicate that Joker is waking up.
>>34574940
>"I will do my best to protect your smile."
I actually did a spit-take.

>>34574797
"I met a ghost last night. She had blue eyes and dark blonde hair, and she had your face. She left a message for you: That she loved you very much, and that she was more proud of you than you can imagine. And she asked me to take care of you."

"You are your mother's treasure, her hope and her gift to the world. What was her name? I knew her by Hellebore only."

>>34574997
This is not a good time, Wata.

>>34574997

Watashiwa, I like you. But we probably shouldn't drop that bombshell on her, given her condition. It just ain't the time, and I don't think it might ever be.

>Lovey dovey scene
>Instead of any rational action, we suddenly snap up and say "yo gurl I met your dead momma last night, she loves you lots"

why

>>34574954
If this was real life, the best option would be to either play the sleepyhead if your response would be negative or show that you are awake if the response is positive.
This kind of situation normally happens when a person wants to get something off their chest but is afraid that there might be negative repercussions. It's basically Russian Roulette with emotions and Schrödinger's sleeper.

Our role is note to pretend that it didn't happen. It's to optimize the outcome for Mio.
Either we give her a pleasant surprise in response or we prevent any consequences from following out of her monologue and pretend that it didn't happen.

>>34575020
I laughed .Only Wata is going for that.

>>34574992
>I actually did a spit-take.
Wasn't that a meme a while ago?
I never found out what it's based on.

>>34575020
Roleplaying. Anon actually has crippling autism, which is why that Hyades freaked the fuck out when she read his mind.

>>34575031

Basically this. It's either:

> "I love you too."
or
> "I didn't hear anything."

>>34575020

No shit.

>>34574997
Nice idea, wrong timing.

>>34574797
Stir a bit. Reach for whichever part of nearest us, warmer - a hand, a shirt hem. Close hands, tug gently.

Act like we're just waking up, then smile up at her. Tell he we had a dream about her, but don't elaborate. Let her guide the conversation.

Acceptable morning pillowtalk involves things like a dreamy"hey." "hi", and.... oh lets go with "Hey. I was just dreaming about you. and.. you're still here. " while smile like the morning sunrise.
stay like that a bit, let her react/talk - and if we get up, make sure to give her a hug when we do.

>>34575046
That's not how autism works.

>>34575013
>>34575017
Whoops, connection dropped, conversation got ahead of me.

I think we should deliver Hellebore's message in some form right now. You can take or leave how I phrased it, but that ought to happen, after deciding how to react according to >>34575058.

>>34575082
CWC-tier autism. She found all his Mariomon ideas.

>>34575094
>I think we should deliver Hellebore's message in some form right now

maybe over breakfast?
come on man.

you're in a rush to get to the PLOT.

Lets enjoy it a bit.

>>34575094
>>34575058
> "I love you too."
Pretty sure that one is out now. The agreement was that Mio had to accept Joker and be willing to step into his world so that he could be honest with her and sincerely learn to love.
Since she decided against it, this is the end. A one-sided relationship will only crash, so it's best if they just remain friends and Joker will keep her feelings close to his heart.

>>34575081
>>34575031
>>34575058
>>34575020


superior suggestions here.

The right answer isn't do say we heard or whether we didn't, but to just be there and supportive and reminder her why she likes us.

>>34575136
That's not a given, though, and we still have time to persuade people.

Especially in light of new information.

This is in fact, probably the BEST time - when she's getting screentime and is in a thoughtful, loving, self-reflective and not self-hating mood - just NOT immediately after waking up, christ. Give it a few minutes of IC time, then... maybe think about bombshell phrasing.

>>34575136
I wonder. Isn't her problem that she can't go to where he is? She says so in the dialogue. That's obviously not true, but she doesn't know that.

>>34575132
>>34575094
This is the kind of thing we can just slip into the conversation if she ever brings up her mother again.

>>34575183

She means metaphorically, you know. She's saying "I can't be like you. I can't comprehend the mindset you clearly have, but I'm in love with you anyway."

>>34575132
A fair point. Guess the imminent apocalypse has me moving at panic speed instead of thinking speed.

>>34575183
That's a metaphor. She's saying that she doesn't have the courage to try and step into RJ's world.

>>34575194
Usually I'd agree. In this case I'm not so sure.

>>34575169

I'm really saying that we need to drop a bomb here. I'm talking about our actions, not words.
Mio herself understands what Joker meant when he offered to reveal he secrets. There is no need to tell her.

>>34575240
>I'm really saying that we need to drop a bomb here
Sorry, meant
>*I'm not really saying that we need to drop a bomb here

>>34575204

Alright, here's what we do.

Enjoy some tender/caring/last-moment-before-the-apocalypse high school girlfriend moments with her.

Then... finally open up and be honest with her - i wasn't here for the last conversation, but it went less than stellar, and some things weren't said which maybe could have been.

We don't have to give her full infodump. Just tell her that... we're not as close to her as we could have been, because of the Other Side. Reveal that we're one of the big name players - the ones that even those who don't play have heard of, whispers from their friends, gossip, talk - and we've been keeping it secret because we didn't want it to get between us. And we didn't do a good job talking to her last time because of it, and because we were still a bit self-afraid of it.

But.... tell here there's a good chance that in the next few days, we might actually die, that's why we've been wierd lately - and we need to drop the shields and get things off our chest while we still can.
Explain that when people die on the other side, their luck runs out in the real - and that we'll never forget the look on her face when she tried to blame herself for the car crash in the restaurant - she couldn't see the battle, and blamed her own powers, and apologize for not saying it sooner because we didn't want to.... involve the Other SIde at all when it came to her.
Tell her that she has a guardian angel on the other side, that it isn't her fault people die around her - they're people who wished her harm, to the point where her guardian angel stepped in.

Just warn her that some heavy shit may go down in the next day, and if she sees anyone dying under mysterious, unlucky circumstances to.... don't blame herself, keep her wits about her, and find us.
And if things go very, very smoothly, tell her the name of her guardian angel, that its a dragon, not a butterfly.

Honesty, communication. Engage her, making her WANT to start to care about The Red.

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>>34574929
>>34574954
>>34574962
>>34574992

You stir, slowly; a faint murmur, a shifting of your weight. Mio gasps, lightly, in the back of her throat...Your questing fingers closing around her hand, giving the gentlest of tugs. As your eyes open, a kind of mingled trepidation and surprise flits across her features - A breathless, wordless: Did he hear that?

...And when you smile at her, relief and disappointment chase each other across her face.

"Hey," she murmurs, in answer - Her voice is tight, husky...But lightening, as a soft laugh peals from her lips - Ducking her head, to rub at her eyes. Mio rallies, magnificently...Her sunny smile returning, soft and sweet and without obligation - A smile that comes from the release of pent-up tension, her slim shoulders relaxing at last.

You sit up, taking your time. You make a show of blinking away the mists of sleep, as Mio smoothens down her skirt; Her blonde hair almost luminous in the light, her silver barrette pinning her tresses to the side with an ameythest gleam. "...Good morning, Anon-kun~" she says, a soft giggle teased from her silky throat; Then, with the faintest blush-

"Sleepyhead~"

She hesitates, as if wondering how that's going to come across - The ease of your response reassuring her.

"-You didn't miss anything, you know," Mio offers, by way of explanation - "The others wanted to wake you, but you were sleeping so soundly..." Her fingers trace the little badge she wears - the festival pass - as she fidgets in place with a kind of pleasant nervousness. "And I said - I said..."

"...that I'd take care of you..."

[ ] "They left without me? That's harsh."
[ ] "Well, I can't say I blame them."
[ ] "How was the play?"
[ ] "What happened to your classmates?"
[ ] "-Did anyone else say anything?"
[ ] "Were you waiting for me?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34575360
>[ ] Free

Give her a hug and a kiss good morning. Seriously. We just slept on her lap, she was watching over us.
Its the least we could do, and the first thing we should respond with - especially after the last time we spent the night together, and deliberately DIDNT.

Fuggen wrap our arms around that chick, give her a hug, bury our face in her neck - and give her a kiss on the cheek.

Then, a twist on
[x] "You were waiting for me?"

>>34575360
Kiss her

>>34575419
>>34575421
Seconding these. Just sleepily lean forward and kiss her.

>>34575360
>[X] "What happened to your classmates?"
>[X] "-Did anyone else say anything?"
>[X] "Were you waiting for me?"
Recycling some of my earlier suggestion: "This can't be what you had in mind when you asked me to accompany you."

>>34575443

Her lips or her cheek? She gets incredibly disappointed whenever we kiss her on the cheek or the forehead.

>>34575360
>[ ] "How was the play?"
>[ ] "-Did anyone else say anything?"

>>34575459

Cheek. Let her decide if she wants a second one on the lips.

Forehead is demeaning, and the kind of thing a child would get. Cheek is acceptably intimate.

>>34575459
Obviously both. Miss the lips the first time, while she's sighing about it go for the lips.

>>34575360
>"How was the play?"
>"What happened to your classmates?"

>>34575419
>>34575421
>>34575443
>>34575459
>>34575484
>>34575476
What the hell are you people doing? Veto.

>>34575492

We can't help it, this girl is an incredible catch.

>>34575360
>[ ] "How was the play?"
>[ ] "What happened to your classmates?"
>[ ] "-Did anyone else say anything?"

>>34575492
I just came out of the shower.
I have no idea how the fuck the hivemind moved into this direction.

>>34575492
Working through regrets about Kotone. Someone's getting kissed good and proper this thread.

>>34575492

I'm going to veto your veto, because you're not proposing an alternate plan of action.

Sorry, but this is the one girl that can stave off the apocalypse.
Making her care about us, and willing to accept that mantle, even if it means some manipulation , is the red joker's play right now - and you don't get to go 'waaah, i don't want to do this, this isn't my waifu, etc ' without fucking contributing.

>>34575509
It is not a "catch". She made her decision. Don't be an asshole.
>>34575514
Neither do I. I'm guessing some lurkers popped up the moment a decision that didn't require though appeared.

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>>34575492

>>34575527
>Making her care about us, and willing to accept that mantle, even if it means some manipulation , is the red joker's play right now
What the fuck?

>>34575531

I'm not being an asshole. I mean that I literally want to ask this girl to marry us.

>>34575526
>>34575546
Go away.
>>34575527
>I'm going to veto your veto, because you're not proposing an alternate plan of action.
because I already posted my chocie?

>>34575555
You very much are, considering context.

>>34575360

Kiss her. Cheek, then lips.

>>34575360
>[ ] "Well, I can't say I blame them."
>[ ] "How was the play?"
>[ ] "What happened to your classmates?"

>>34575514
>>34575552

Shit happened anons. Read up.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/33882636/#p33890885
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/34028344/#p34033196

>>-WILL NOT KILL EVERYONE JUST USING THE CHALICE QUEEN SUIT
>>-LIKE, HOLY SHIT THIS IS A BIG DEAL

>>34575527
>veto your veto
You fool, we sealed that power for a reason!

But seriously, what we call a veto is actually swinging opinion in the opposite direction, and the vote is going your way. His veto is likely overruled.

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>>34575556

>>34575580
Don't kiss her. It's a stupid decision.

>>34575593
Everyone is aware, numbnuts.
The point is that it makes no sense right now.
The whole fucking reason we made this whole fiasco is to respect Mio's decision and not be a dick by ruining fucking everything for everyone we love.

>>34575593
Mio doesn't want the Red, for fuck's sake.

>>34575632

The alternative is 'killing everyone in the school'.

>>34575360
>[ ] "How was the play?"
Don't kiss her. Seriously, why the hell were we trying to be so considerate up to this point if you're going to ruin everything right now?

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So are we getting raided by trolls or something?

>>34575677

Not trolling, but I think we should kiss her.

>>34575640
Another option is "not giving Cybele the Chalice armor". That would limit her lifespan to until her remaining essence runs out.

>>34575677
Anyone got QTG open?

>>34575595

Well yeah. its meant to quash INSANELY STUPID ideas, and serve as an 'everyone look at this plan of action and review it' marker, but really its just used frivolously.

>>34575593
Anyway, Continued Backraeding from The Last Mio Discussion:
>"Whatever you decide - Even if you don't choose me...T-tell me on..." "...the last day..."

>>34575632
>Mio doesn't want the Red, for fuck's sake.

Bullshit. She told us to tell her on the last day - at the start of the discussion - and then we TOTALLY BOTCHED the follow up.

We didn't reveal ANYTHINg of ourselves. We didn't tell her we were the joker. We didn't alleviate any of the blame she puts on herself for 'killing' people around her. We just hit her with hellebore, and went for the nihl sphere , without any actual DISCISSION.

Saying 'mio doesn't want the red' is shortsighted, and doesn't actually read into the conversation.

We tried to shove it down her throat, not ease her into it.
Basically everything we SHOULD have said there is pointed out here.
>>34575354

And you guys want to do the same thing AGAIN by jumping straigh to the 'momma's ghost' bombshell without any sort of easing into it.

Fuck no, not again.

>>34575642
I don't see how kissing a woman who's literally just said 'we love you' won't make her damn day, and put her in better spirits for not dying in the apocalypse.
Just straight up, its not about what WE want. Its about making Her day, even if the ending is bittersweet.

>>34575360
[ ] Free
Were you waiting for me?
Did you enjoy seeing me up on stage?
Did they... leave a plan for the day, or is it just us two? I know our last outing wasn't exactly what you expected... can I make it up to you?

>>34575593
I agree that Mio is by far the best choice for Chalice Queen, but you made the case poorly until this post. Point out instead that the Hyades game is rotten to the core, and an outside context solution seems more likely to shake things up. Point out that we're seriously considering destroying the Red World, and that Cybele (who requires the Red to continue existing) will not acquiesce, while Hellebore's power is tailor made to do it.

Point out that if we don't make Mio Chalice Queen, she'll go her entire life with the Hellebore's power activating at random intervals and making everyone around her hate her. The best reason in my opinion to make her Chalice Queen is that it's the only way to give her CONTROL.

>>34575601
Stallion, you're only funny when someone's cosplaying as you.

>>34575680
Why? it's really unappropriated and goes against everything we've been aiming for. It just doesn't make sense IC or OOC.
Weren't people trying to learn not fuck up any further relationships?

>>34575698
>I don't see how kissing a woman who's literally just said 'we love you' won't make her damn day, and put her in better spirits for not dying in the apocalypse.
It will turn into bitterness later down the line if we don't go for her.
You are saying that we should potentially play with her feelings.
I do agree that our approach was way too fucking extreme, but your kiss idea is on the same level of idiocy.

>>34575698
>Just straight up, its not about what WE want. Its about making Her day, even if the ending is bittersweet.
For the same reason why we refused to kiss Kotone. It's in extremely bad taste because it means that we're leading her on without being sincere and she will understand.

>>34575704
>but you made the case poorly until this pos

I've missed the last 5-6 threads. I literally haven't been here to be the voice of reason.

Mio fucking loves joker to the bottom of her heart.
If you want her to even THINK about accepting to be the chalice queen, you have to open up to her as the JOKER, not anon - if she can accept the half of us we've been keeping on total lockdown, she'll be willing to accept the red a little more in the rest of her life
joining US on that side is how we make her more willing to accept that armor.

Sorry, but if we want to stave off the apocalypse, we gotta engage in some more bullshit social manipulation by baiting Shoujo Jesus with our heart.

There was a time, oh, 50 threads ago where you'd be all for this kind of stuff.

>>34575734
Well here's the thing.

We may very well die in the apocalypse today/tomorrow.

This is literal last chance to set things right.

Don't you think she deserves to know anon-kun might die?
She blames herself for the kills Megeara gets, because she can't see the red.
If we don't pull out all the stops and get through this by being batman, she's literally going to think her runaway powers that she wished would go away, killed the love of her life.

put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Bare minimum, she needs to know the truth about how people die in the red, and what it looks like on the other side, before the shooting starts.

>>34575791
>Don't you think she deserves to know anon-kun might die?
THAT STILL DOESN'T MEAN THAT WE SHOULD KISS HER.
For fuck's sake.

>>34575791
>Bare minimum, she needs to know the truth about how people die in the red, and what it looks like on the other side, before the shooting starts.

And the best way to broach this topic is to re-tell the story of us, her, the papillion, and enfer trying to blow it up from the other side.

we were close, hugging, and said in very vague terms we had to go, pay attention to the other side, to not take what we said on autopilot(but in vague-er terms) very seriously.

that was a-grade serious but vague talk, and filling in what we didn't say then is a GREAT throwback.

Imma try to find the relevant posts in the archive. BRB.

>>34575791
It's not about deserving. She doesn't want to know. And it's not about what the players did in the lost encounter. Mio's opinion is not based on that alone. Her confession makes it clear that she has put a lot of thought into this and has peaced together everything she has learned about Joker.
She's not afraid simply because we tried to dump everything on her. She already vaguely understood that Joker belonged to a cruel world even before the encounter in the Labyrinth.

>>34575360
>YOU HAVE CONTROL

Kiss her.

The last person we smooched was -cybele- for christs sake.

Let snot let that stand.

>>34575704
>Point out that if we don't make Mio Chalice Queen, she'll go her entire life with the Hellebore's power activating at random intervals and making everyone around her hate her. The best reason in my opinion to make her Chalice Queen is that it's the only way to give her CONTROL.

This is a very valid point, and you would think we would have talked to her about her powers last time, but no, we just shoved the nihl in her face!

>>34575870
>This is a very valid point, and you would think we would have talked to her about her powers last time, but no, we just shoved the nihl in her face!
I still don't get why people were so insistent on using the Nihil in that instance.

>>34575842
>The last person we smooched was -cybele- for christs sake.
That is a shit reason and you are a shit person for using it to justify this kind of choice.

>>34575704
>Point out that if we don't make Mio Chalice Queen, she'll go her entire life with the Hellebore's power activating at random intervals and making everyone around her hate her. The best reason in my opinion to make her Chalice Queen is that it's the only way to give her CONTROL.
Didn't Hellebore imply that it will only work until she accumulates the necessary amount of essence.

>>34575883
>I still don't get why people were so insistent on using the Nihil in that instance.

Because they were treating it like a battle, and tg as a whole lacks social-fu, and tends to downvote people who are actually persuasive.

I'm pretty sure nobody here has ever cuddled someone good morning.

The entire school thinks we're dating That Creepy Girl We Hate.

At least act the part.

>>34575791
Fifty threads ago Cybele happened and I realized some people couldn't differentiate between playing a practical character and playing the Practical Incarnation.

>>34575930
IIRC she made lots of references to "six years worth of essence in preparation for ascendance" or somesuch. There's no upper limit on how much Essence she can absorb this way, I think; after all there's still the option of making Mio queen and then feeding her the schoolgirls for a power boost.

Note: This is a very evil action and not to be undertaken.

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>>34575419
>>34575421
>>34575443
>>34575459
>>34575476
>>34575484
>>34575580

> Give her a hug and a kiss good morning.
> Just sleepily lean forward and kiss her.

"I-" Mio begins - but then the rest of her words are lost in a soft, surprised "Oh-" as your arms go around her, and pull her close. She turns against you: Your lips against her cheek, just long enough to spread that sweet blush...

And as the shivery gasp purrs from the very core of being, as her eyes widen in belated response, you find her lips with your own.

"Mmmm-" It's a low sound, a soft sound; She stiffens, in absolute, utter surprise...Just for a moment, just long enough to steal a breath as her lips move against your mouth - And then her arms go around you, and they tighten as if she's never going to let you go.

"Nnnn-*nnnn*..."

Her eyes squeeze shut, the honeyed cascade of her hair caressing your skin. She goes red - Not blushing, but *red* - as her lips part just a little more...Her tongue tentative, questing, as it brushes against yours, feather-light and delicate...The slightest arch to her back, as she melts against you - As she melts *into* you, warm and yielding as the shiver thrums through her.

It lasts...*forever*. The passion of it is dizzying, the low - half-embarrassed - moan that follows coursing through you; Mio's self-conscious enough to tremble, at the intimate contact - Slim fingers stroking the back of your neck, as she holds it for as long as she can...

When her lips slip away from yours, when Mio leans back - Just a little, as if she can't bear to break the contact - there's a soft, hazy glow to her limpid eyes. Her chest rises and falls, with each slow breath - her head coming to rest on your shoulder, all tension draining away as she relaxes with a soft, shivery sigh.

-And the smile she gives you is filled with so much warmth, that you can feel it beneath your skin.

(Continued)

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>>34575942
You aren't any better than them, to be honest.
This isn't about being social, it's about being honest and not further fucking up shit by dicking around with girls.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23935995/#p23941953>>34575901
>That is a shit reason and you are a shit person for using it to justify this kind of choice.

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23935995/#p23941953

We've already done it before. Man up and become a repeat offender.

Why would joker change his mind now?

>>34575984

(Oh my god.

Apologies, gentlemen: I lost the connection for a moment. I, uh, didn't expect there to be quite this many responses.

Would you prefer me to continue, or should I check to see if it's still the consensus?)

>>34575942
>The entire school thinks we're dating That Creepy Girl We Hate.
>At least act the part.
So we should act creepy and get them to hate us?

>>34576003

Continue, man.

All's good in the world.

>>34576003
Continue

>>34576003
I would say that a higher power decided on this course of action.
I voted against it, but now I can force everyone to play Mio's boyfriend. I guess it allows us to finally take a stance.

>>34576003
Ahahahahaha. No, it's still the majority vote, the topic mostly changed to "Should we make Mio queen" again.

Your input on that topic would be greatly appreciated, by the by.

>>34576003
I think you should go with a compromise and just have Joker kiss Mio on the cheek before going to dialogue.
The kiss thing will leave a bad taste in the mouths of many players.

>>34576005
>So we should act creepy and get them to hate us?

yeah dude, kissing your girlfriend isn't creepy. Like, at all.

are you in middle school?

Because damn, son, you cannot into people.

Also, JQOP is on the feelz train. Let the good times roll!

>>34576034
Holy shit you are a fucking faggot.

>>34576003
>Would you prefer me to continue, or should I check to see if it's still the consensus?)

This is EXACTLY why i said
>>34575476
>Cheek. Let her decide if she wants a second one on the lips.

we'll put it on the table, and let you decide how far to go.I have faith.

But yeah, watashiwa nailed it. >>34576029

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>>34576034
>yeah dude, kissing your girlfriend isn't creepy. Like, at all.
>are you in middle school?
Would you mind showing me where the fuck i said that?

>>34576003
It's complete chaos up there. You should probably recount and either compromise or go with whichever you think is more appropriate.

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What was the fucking point of leaving the decision to Mio if you're just going to force yourselves on her?
It goes against everything we've been doing and what Joker wanted. We can work on easing in Mio into the Red, but there is no reason to manipulate her love by kissing her out of the blue when we're supposed to pretend that we didn't notice her confession.
Are you guys trying to fuck everything up again?

>>34576058
>Would you mind showing me where the fuck i said that?
>>34576005
You implied that being affectionate with our girlfriend would be creepy and make people hate us.

That entire train of thought is very WTF and it makes me think you don't pay attention.

Remember: we had the school president chewing us out/warning us against being a perv and trying to sleep with her in her dorm room. NOBODY GIVES A FUCK, except you.

>>34576003
Don't stop now, man.

>>34576136
>but there is no reason to manipulate her love by kissing her out of the blue

>>34575993
>http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/23935995/#p23941953

I think you're missing the part where we've done this before.
This isn't out of the blue.

>>34575459
>Her lips or her cheek? She gets incredibly disappointed whenever we kiss her on the cheek or the forehead.

In fact, anon's reversal of waifu priorities between then and now is what led her to back away from us - because we DIDNT lip kiss her when she was in our bed, when we HAD on the date before.

JQOP keeps track of characterization WAY more than anyone here does.

>>34576139
No i really didnt, all i asked was should we act all creepy. Should is future tense which implies we arent already

>>34576180
>I think you're missing the part where we've done this before.
>This isn't out of the blue.
Did you miss the rest of my post? The whole reason we let Mio make a decision was so that the waifu wars would end and we would naturally either go for her or finally stop leading her on.

>>34576003
>-And the smile she gives you is filled with so much warmth, that you can feel it beneath your skin.

Dude, my heart. I wasn't for this before, but I am now.

You have a way with words.

>>34576209
>The whole reason we let Mio make a decision was so that the waifu wars would end and we would naturally either go for her or finally stop leading her on.

Sorry, but you handled it really poorly. You didn't tell her anything relevant TO that decision, scared her off, and hold that up as a shining example of the directions you want things to go.

No, fuck that. Actually read the conversation and think about how to do it better

>>34575984

> [X] "What happened to your classmates?"
> [X] "-Did anyone else say anything?"
> [X] "Well, I can't say I blame them."

You're not actually sure if she's listening. Her only answer is a murmur, almost a giggle - A low, half-coherent "-Hmmmm?" purring from her lips as her cheek presses against yours, as soft as down.

> [X] "How was the play?"

Mio stirs, at last - Your words cutting through the haze, her lips moving lightly against your throat.

"-I...really like it~" she says, softly - Her hand coming alive, warm, sliding behind your neck as she nestles closer. Her other hand tugs lightly at your shirt - fingertips tracing your chest. It's sleepy, somehow, the words free-flowing...As if she doesn't really care what she's saying, only that this moment continues.

"...Even if you're just the shark-"

You wince.

A pause - A slight tension thrumming down the sleek arch of her back; Lifting her head, just a little, so her eyes meet yours. Then:

"Anon-kun?" There's a kind of...confident vulnerability to her voice. Aware that you might say 'no', but knowing that you'd say yes. "Will you-" A hitch to her breath.

"...Will you go out with me?" New roses bloom in her cheeks, and Mio drops her gaze - Her words murmured into your chest. "-Just for today...Just for the Festival. I want - More than anything - t-to..."

"...To go somewhere with you..."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>34576280
I don't like this...this feels like a trap.

But then...who would we piss off?

The other chicks. Those non-combatant red-world girls. If they figure out Anon - Red Joker, they might...take steps.

>>34576274
Because that was IC for Joker. It has been displayed time and time again that he considers the Red to be atrocious and didn't want his friends to be involved in it. He still has a hard time accepting Natsumi as Chrome Cypher.
Most people were trying to scare Mio away, as that made the most sense within the context of the situation. They wanted to see if she has the courage to actually do it for the sake of love. That would prove that she may accept the Red and not go crazy.
Fine, I'll sit down and agree that we should give a proper explanation, but there is no fucking reason why we should kiss her in the given situation IC or OOC. it's just people gripping their dicks and hoping for more D'aww moments instead of moving things along.

>>34576280
I was one of the guys who was against the kiss.
But now I want you fuckers to be consistent.

Do we have any other plans for the day?

"That's a good idea. Let's enjoy the festival.
I already experienced enough bad stuff during the last few months."

And we need to think about how to ease her into our identity.
Independant of any choice on her side, she really needs to know about the autopilot. That's vital knowledge for a girlfriend.

>>34576325
>Fine, I'll sit down and agree that we should give a proper explanation, but there is no fucking reason why we should kiss her in the given situation IC or OOC. it's just people gripping their dicks and hoping for more D'aww moments instead of moving things along.
I'll chalk it up to sleep deprivation.
What is done, is done.

>>34576320

/tg/ cannot into girls.

>>34576280
Say yeah and ask her where she wants to go, in between kissing her

>>34576280
>[ ] Free

" When you asked me here the first time, you said... you wanted me to escort you to the festival. Like some kind of prince. Of course I'll go with you, its why I'm here. Promise me you won't freak out if anything.... if anything *wierd* happens. I just... have a feeling. Like I did that other time, back when we first met."

>>34576325
>Fine, I'll sit down and agree that we should give a proper explanation,
thanks for agreeing to that anyway, especially since we have new information we didn't then.

>>34576373

How about:

> "Yes, I'd love to."

>>34576383
Second.

this and nothing else, let's not talk so damn much.

Lengthy exposition a shit.

>>34576412
I'm in favor of talking about the autopilot thing along the way, though. She already saw it a few times, after all, so it won't be hard to give her a rough explanation.
Because Murphy is a bitch and she might tell us something vital while we need to murder another dude.

>>34576280

> "...Even if you're just the shark-"

Oh, Mio. Never change.

>>34576383>>34576412
Screw you guys.

because she's gonna freak out, run away, and get herself killed - or other players ded by dragon - the second someone challenges us.

we need to make sure she'll be by out side - our autopilot's side - after the inevitable red world challenge happens.

Remember, we still have a match-up with Bishamon today. Its gonna happen in the middle of the date.

>>34576433
This. So much this.

We need to at least explain the autopilot, or basic stuff that might happen.
We've told her a bit before, in all the previous dates - just elaborate.

>>34576433
Please no...she'll just think it an over-complicated excuse for us to be distracted.

Can we just try and play it by ear until we stick her in the suit?

>>34576280
Haha, here's another callback: "I'm all yours."

>>34576469
Yeah, it's not like this approach has *ever* gone badly.
You know what kind of person tends to do this?
Villains in their backstories. Their unwitting victim of the upgrade to superhuman proportions generally dedicates the rest of their existence to fuck their shit up.

Please stop being a condescending fuck to her. I'm not saying that she needs the entire story right now - She did opt out of the Red stuff, after all - But she's our girlfriend and she *absolutely* needs to know that we might not be mentally available during portions of our date.

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>This entire thread
>Sans shitstorm

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>>34576383
>>34576412
>>34576372
>>34576336

> "Yes, I'd love to."

She doesn't answer, not right away. Instead - Slowly, tenderly - her fingers wind against yours, as she take your hand in both of her own.

"Anon-kun..." It's soft, sweet, the curve of her cheek against your palm - Her gaze holding yours, for a long, long moment. Her hair, like spun gold, haloes her features; Mio's smile lingering, the faintest curve of her lips. A secret smile, somehow - The kind she can only show to one person.

> "I'm all yours."

A laugh, a giggle, low in the back of her throat. She shakes her head, slightly - Her eyes lowered, her long, long lashes fluttering as her expression turns inwards. In a whisper-

"...Even if it's just for today..."

But then the brief shadow of longing is banished, and her smile is more radiant than ever before.

"Please-" It's a murmur, almost a prayer.

"For as long as you can..."

"Anon-kun - Please accompany me."

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 104

TO BE CONTINUED

>>34576555
...Isn't Convergence tomorrow? She's on the shortlist of "people most likely to be pulled into the Red," particularly given her heritage.

>>34576619

(Gentlemen: My sincerest apologies, but it's extremely late on my end, now - And I have an early start. I'd love to continue, but I'm rather exhausted - Also, this looks like a natural breakpoint for night.

I'll admit, this session went in a very, very different direction from what I'd initially expected. Still, that's why Quests never cease to be interesting.

Good night and God bless: You've been a wonderful audience, and I hope to see you again soon.)

>>34576656
Thanks for running OP. Got a time for the next session?

And how DID you expect the session to go? Is this what you thought the Labyrinth would be like?

>>34576656
>I'll admit, this session went in a very, very different direction from what I'd initially expected.
Do we ever act according to your expectations?

>>34576696

(Most likely the weekend.)

>>34576705
Joker killed Baphomet pretty good...

>>34576619
...She thinks Joker's going to forget about her. That's what the other Seisin girl was pressing her about, and why she was pitying Joker. How deep does the curse tunnel go?

Could also be crippling lack of self-esteem, we've seen that before.

>>34576769

To my view, I think she's already certain that we're not going to be her boyfriend. So she's willing to take anything she can get.

is there a place i can go to read some of this from the start ?

>>34576833
Self-esteem does seem more likely, but I can't get that conversation we overheard out of my head.

>>34576922
Are you for real?

>>34576922
The episode guide in the OP is the best way to go. Has links to all the threads and pastebins. No ebook or anything.

To shake the discussion up a bit, let's look at Haze:

>>34572262
>shoulder-mounted vents
>Syringe-tipped fingers
I guess those are two changes to his frame.
Does that mean he'll be a really awesome brawler with an acid touch?

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>>34576922

>>34576989
I'm thinking Scarecrow actually.

>>34576989
He's most likely a slightly more durable type of glass cannon now. With a few tricks up his sleeves. Maybe could drain essence from someones core if he really jams it in there.

>>34577110
He did get multiple additional upgrade paths and one point in each path.

I wonder if a non-maxed Joker wouldn't have the SURVIVE, METER and DEFEND options.
Ordinary players might have only three or so paths.

We don't know if Haze was a ranged character prior to that. His gun seemed like a mid-range weapon and his missile was his only other attack.
The upgrade likely gave him something atypical.

>>34577199
>>34577110

It's more likely that Haze is a quadratic character compared to 'linear' characters like Bishamon. As in, he's basically useless at the start but becomes very deadly once he has a few levels.

>>34577199
>his missile was his only other attack
Until the Hive Raid he'd never acquired a single mote of Essence, and his missiles were his ONLY weapons. He's probably gained levels in his Evol equivalent(s) and at least one defensive option.

>>34577249
I'd imagine most players are like that once they start building in directions that match them. Imagine if Bishamon had put his idiot head vulcan levels into swording or dodging.

>>34577249
Nah, I imagine that starting power is equal in point value.
Haze just had the "luck" of having all his points in a single weapon. A weapon of a grade that is comparable to our strongest Quantum Singularity Cannon.
And he had it as basic equipment. WITH THREE SHOTS.
It just so happened that he didn't have the play to win mentality and likely never even tried to win via melee. Also, it's possible that he didn't even know about the essence upgrade thing, due to the nature of his main attack.

>>34577282

> Imagine if Bishamon had put his idiot head vulcan levels into swording or dodging.

That never fails to amuse me. The train of thought must have been amazing.

> "Let's see, I can either get better at killing people with swords, or avoiding getting killed with swords."
> "But you know what I really need? HEAD VULCANS."

>>34577337
Nah, it was likely "Do I invest into FORCE or do I go with EVOL?"
I bet the head vulcan is his EVOL option.

>>34577337
Well, the first would be a blind selection, like when we voted for Evol the first time. The second was either "Maybe they won't suck if I put another level in them" or "Maybe I'll get something else if I put another level in".

But the image of him actually choosing head vulcans is much more amusing, so that's in my headcanon now.

>>34577384
Well, we are supposedly the guy with all the weapons in the world. And player armor is a soul thing.
So maybe he had a latent love for head vulcans. He's a sword guy, so maybe he didn't know better when his armor first formed.

>>34577479
Anon became Gilgamesh. Originally he was One-Shot Icedeath Fistpuncher.

Bit of a non-sequitur, but I have two suggestions for next thread. First is to buy all of the weapon researches we can afford minus fusion cells,and put the rest into Hellion models Second is to convert Armiger. I just realized I'm highly curious about what he could do for us.

>>34577563
I just want the motorcycle. Apocalypse is coming soon, we've started getting really good charge per thread, and a bike will be great for outrunning the apocalypse.

>>34577563
But eating Armiger steals food from Daegal.

But yeah, I'm all in favor of getting all the guns.
It will clarify the extent of available Hellion upgrades.

Recently I read that Red Rider from Accel World actually had the ability to craft items, as one of the only players in the game. He specialized in crafting guns.
What if Red Joker is partially based on him?

>>34577563
That would be a lot of new guns. Would that include the suspensors?

>>34577616
I want a War Machine-style Gatling mount.

I wonder if one of the transformation Servoes would fulfill that role.
Also, I really want to know what those servoes do.

>>34577604
Riders ride towards apocalypses, not away from them. And I'd really prefer to get GP-03, but thread after next we'll do one of the fun time item buys so vote for it there.

>>34577609
>But eating Armiger steals food from Daegal.
Armiger was kind of a pushover in person. Remember the last time we refined a weakling? Best Relic dropped. Since we're headed for a mass combat. I wouldn't worry too much about not having things to feed the armor in the long term.

>>34577616
Yep. I wonder if it modifies the guns or Joker? The former would mean more heavy weapons for everyone.

>>34577653
The Cherub ones do exactly that, at the cost of disabling the Interceptors iirc.

>>34577684
>disabling the Interceptors
Is that a cost or a reward?

>>34577717
Technically it lower tactical options...

I'm more interested in the grips. They likely provide charging elements.

>>34574137

It's pretty funny how /tg/ acts, sometimes. Like they passed up on the temptation to kiss Kotone, so they kiss Mio instead.

I'm glad we did, though. The way she responded is amazing.

>>34578130
>The way she responded is amazing.
It won't stay amazing, though, if you don't keep on that route.
Now that we went for Mio, I will not accept any deviations from that path.

>>34578255

I think it might be a problem, though. She's stated that she doesn't want to accept the Red, but she still likes it. It's kind of frustrating how this girl is deliberately putting herself on the sidelines as a helpless love interest.

>>34578130
She's been the quest waifu for more than two-thirds of the quest, I imagine OP was working out his own frustrations about the situation. I'm just glad /tg/ finally decided to be at all serious in pursuing her and to hell with the consequences.

Wonder if the old man would approve.

>>34578306
But Muh Hecate!

Muh Kotone!

Man, I really, really hope they aren't actually both the same person. That would be quite a twist.

>>34579486
Dead for two years IRL, and our every realistic chance to follow up on Kotone came when we were preoccupoed by Hecate. And we know they're not the same person, we've seen both of their real bodies.

>>34579558
Clones!

They could be creepy undead clones, or time clones, or twins who share a soul!

I'm not really putting that out there as a serious suggestion.

>>34579652
>I'm not really putting that out there as a serious suggestion.
Thank you for saying this, sometimes it's hard to tell.

>>34579685
I love the waifu rage that happens in this game. JQOP handles it exceedingly well. He makes our collective autism shine!

So I feel okay, at the end of the thread, to post ridiculous conspiracies.

>>34579486
That theory doesn't make sense. Also, Hecate is a Hyades now.