You are Takamichi Akari, and you can't hear a thing.

You're currently propped up on some hospital pillows that you can only really describe as 'generic,' and being cuddled fiercely by a napping Mato.

Apparently (according to what she scribbled out on the whiteboard she brought with her) she dealt with 'things', and, when she got home yesterday evening, she slept only a little bit- enough to stop being BIG- and then hounded her older sister into using her powers (her idol powers, rather than her Esper powers) to find out where you were being 'treated'.

And then she rushed to your side, as quickly as she possibly could. She arrived at your bedside somewhere between two and four in the morning- she thinks -and has been there since. She only went to sleep some forty minutes ago, after spending a good three hours... socializing (white-board-writing[?]) with you... which she only did after you woke up naturally, had breakfast, and what-have-you.

The Eye of Judgment, for its part, has mostly been tracing the hems of things- it's currently making its rounds about Mato's coat, which is hanging on an efficient little rack in the corner- and pulsating (to the beat of your heart, as it turns out), suffusing its surroundings with a surprisingly murderous red light that happens to be the same color as your hair.

It was rather interesting, watching it trace Mato's tiny little bikini.

N-not that you were watching every moment of that, of course.

If you had been, though, you would've found it fascinating.
...On a related note, you managed to hide that se- err, /indestructible/ ice statuette of Mato without her noticing.

File: Eye-o-sauron-03.jpg (109 KB, 1152x864)

109 KB JPG

Nee-chan poked her head into the room, earlier, saw that Mato was sleeping, wrote 'text me when she wakes up' on a napkin that floated unnaturally across the room to you, and left- presumably because she's aware of just how... dedicated... Mato is.

The Eye stops, suddently, and rotates to face you with its burning pupil.

[What is best in life?]

>Mato~
>Mato's (Insert probably-inappropriate feature of Mato's that is best)
>TO CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES- SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU. TO HEAR THE LAMENTATIONS OF THEIR WOMEN.
>LOVE AND CUDDLING AND STUFF
>BURNINATING STUFF
>Something else? What? WHAT COULD BE BETTER? (Write-in!)

>>35754742
>BURNINATING STUFF
Stuff that keeps us from enjoying Matos flat!

>>35754742
>Mato's cute butt

>>35754742
>BURNINATING STUFF
Is it not obvious?

>>35754742
>>BURNINATING STUFF
It's rather straightforward, but then Akari isn't a very subtle sort, now is she?

>>35754742
>>Mato's tummy.

>>35754742
>Mato's FIRM butt
Fixed for previous suggestion.

>>35754742
>>LOVE AND CUDDLING AND STUFF

>>35754791
>>35754815
>>35754835
Anon please, we're trying to restrain the dragon.

>>35754872
Just being honest! Plus the fact that the EYE OF JUDGMENT is doing the asking puts me in something of a metal mood.

>>35754742
>LOVE AND CUDDLING AND STUFF

>>35754742
>Mato's Everything
and
>BURNINATING things that come anywhere near maybe moderatly inconveniencing Matos Everything at some point in time.

>>35754872
Are we? I know I'm not.

>>35754742
>MATO's whichever's more popular.
>LOVE
Honestly, Akari doesn't seem THAT fond of burninating. I bet she'd pick Mato over it.

Rolled 3 (1d5)

>>35754912
>>35754934
Pretty sure we're only supposed to pick one, guys. By the way, >>35754742
>The Eye stops, suddently
What's up with that? Is it startled or angry or something?

>>35754871
Anon knows what's up.

>>35754742
Can I vote for whatever is highest that isn't burninating?

>>35755033
Just pick one and roll with it, I think you're putting too much thought into it.

>>35755060
Eh, I know how anon feels, I'm fine with anything but burninating. Though I just voted something.

>>35754742
>>35754791
Okay changing this to
>BURNI-
>No wait, definitly Mato.

Iw ould have thought Mato was obvious enough that we could take a joke option.

>>35754742
>Mato~
Well, she is for Akari, attleast.

>>35754963
>3
... it's hard to tell, what with it being a floating marble-thing and all, but it seemed more like the way someone turns all abrupt-like after finally coming to a decision on something they've been mulling over for awhile.

>>35754815
>>35754835
BURNINATION

>>35754813
>>35754871
>>35754934
>>35754847
>>35754912
>>35755310
>Dat Mato everythin'

>>35755205
>>35754912
Burni-
Err, no, Mato's better

>>35754872
>>35754910
>>35754934
RABU

Okay, so it seems to me like you kinda wanna say 'BURNINATION' just because it's the Eye of Judgment that's asking, because it conjures up some very http://youtu.be/0jgrCKhxE1s feelings, but otherwise 'MATO RABU' and 'DAT BOOTY UNF~' are what you'd say?

Having Mato in full cuddle-cute modo probably lessens your need to proclaim your undying love and stuff, and makes you a bit more prone to admiring dat Mato, perhaps?

I just wanna get the right sort of response, because the Eye is either gonna be confused or amused, depending on how the dice fall

>>35755391
I'm not for inciting eye to burninate.

>>35755391
Maybe we can add on a point saying that it's different for everyone? Not everyone has a Mato.

>>35755391
Yeah, I'm down with that.

>>35755391
Works for me!

>>35755421
>>35755453
>>35755458
Okay, I think I've got it.

Conversations go two ways, after all, especially between two sentient beings.

File: THE BUTTERFLY WILLS IT.jpg (170 KB, 450x1328)

170 KB JPG

>>35755517

File: Akari contemplating.png (289 KB, 1000x1051)

289 KB PNG

You grin a little at the question. Suppressing the urge to make a reference to a silly old movie is easy, especially as you look down at the girl clinging to you like a sloth clings to a tree- as if her life depends on it, that is.

You relay a series of thoughts, emotions, feelings, and an impression of how nice Mato's bum feels to the Eye.

[Love and stuff,] you note.

The Eye wobbles up and down like a buoy in an invisible (and rather stormy) ocean. [I see,] it replies, something you suspect to be akin to wry amusement in its 'voice', [but, assuming a hypothetical life devoid of your romantic companion and her... firm buttocks- what would be best in /that/ life?]

You smirk. Removing the hair ties keeping Mato's pigtails as they are, you begin to gently run your fingers through her hair as you contemplate your response. Doesn't she know not to leave her hair tied when she sleeps?

[Well,] you muse, [Mato's pretty grand. It's hard to imagine life without her. Before, it was all... studying, being good, and setting things on fire, y'know?] You shrug. [Not everyone has a Mato of their own, though- and the answer to your question would be different for every person you asked, I think.]

The Eye pulsates a bit more slowly- it almost seems contemplative, in a way- before asking another question.

[What is 'being good'?]

…

Oh, geez.

How do you even approach this one?

>Morality?
>Legality?
>Behaviour/Conduct?
>>Spelling behavior without a 'u' in it, because you're in America and spellcheck hates it when you can't not use the UK spelling of a word? [Don't pick this, this is just me being a butthurt faggot because I always type 'behaviour' instead]
>Some other thing? Truth or Justice or Peace or Love? How do you explain that? (Write-in!)

>>35756097
>Protecting those who cannot protect themselves from any who would harm them

>>35756097
> "You know, being a good girl. It's important."

>>35756097
>>Some other thing? Truth or Justice or Peace or Love? How do you explain that? (Write-in!)
>>35756146
>>Protecting those who cannot protect themselves from any who would harm them
A bit heavy on the Superman/Captain America vibe for my tastes, but I guess if you're trying to explain basic morality to a child those are relatively strong examples.

>>35756097
>Conduct governed by a fair and order imposing code of law!

>>35756097
>Doing what makes people happy!

File: Spoiler Image (17 KB, 300x500)

17 KB PNG

>>35756146
>>35756215
>BEING A HERO.

>>35756176
Not actually answering questions!

>>35756233
I lol'd, I'll be honest

>>35756272
such optimism
so blinding
so pure
here, have pic related


Okay, writing.

File: Spoiler Image (206 KB, 500x282)

206 KB PNG

You think on it for a moment, letting your fingers straighten the tangled chaos of Mato's hair, before responding.

[Being good... is a lot of things.] That feels like a cheap way to explain it, you think, but you provide the inquisitive little marble-thing with some less... verbal... thoughts and feelings on the subject.

The Eye glows even more brightly as it digests the information, casting a good portion of the room in its blood-red glow, and creating some rather spooky-looking shadows in the process.

[Amongst those things, which is the most important?]

These questions just keep getting harder and harder, huh? You bite your lip. [I think that depends on who you ask.]

[I am asking you.]

…

You look down at Mato again.

At the peaceful expression, the contented smile she wears as she holds you close.

You want to protect it. To protect her.

…

[I am sorry if I asked something I shouldn't have-]

[Being good,] you interrupt, a strange resolve bubbling up inside of your chest, [is using your power to protect those who are powerless. To be good is to defend those who cannot defend themselves...]

There's another part, though. What is it that you want to say?
>and to punish the wicked, and anyone else who would prey on them.
>and to keep others with power in check, just as they keep you in check.
>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
>and to watch over them, maintaining order with that same power.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35757090
>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
FREEEDOM

>>35757090
>and to watch over them, maintaining order with that same power.

File: FREEDOM ANGELS.jpg (73 KB, 494x492)

73 KB JPG

>>35757101

>>35757090
>and to watch over them, maintaining order with that same power.
ORDER

>>35757090
>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
Freedom is the right of all sentient beings!

File: WITH A SIDE OF FREEDOM.jpg (38 KB, 487x317)

38 KB JPG

>>35757152

>>35757101
>>35757152
I think now we need someone for AUTOCRACY.

>>35757090
>>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do
And then Akari was Optimus Prime.

>>35757090
>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.

>>35757101
>>35757169
>>35757210
From the same quest that wanted to stuff someones brain into a humiliating robot body with taser panties.

Rolled 1 (1d5)

>>35757090
>The Eye glows even more brightly
Is it this glowing different from earlier or does it always glow in the same manner as a response to stimuli?

>>35757090
>and to keep others with power in check, just as they keep you in check.

>>35757254
We never claimed to be consistent. Hell, most of these votes might not even be coming from the same people.

>>35757254
W-well I never supported that, and anyway those taser panties are very freeing I'll have you know!

>so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
Precia crossed that line a LONG time ago, anon.

>>35757328
Damn, meant to reply to >>35757254
with that comment.

>>35757268
>1

Different. Not pulsating.
Consistent, bright glow.

Curiosity, you think. A thirst for knowledge.


>>35757254
To be fair, that was from the edgiest character in the quest, to her potentially-genocidal mother who did NOT respect the freedoms of others, and infringed on them rather flagrantly.
Her punishment was just, I think- freedom to pursue her passions, but a removal of her power to impose her will upon others.

File: Spoiler Image (905 KB, 800x600)

905 KB GIF

>>35757101
>>35757169
>>35757210
>>35757251
>TO FIGHT FOR FREEDOM, WHEREVER THERE'S TROUBLE

>>35757115
>>35757152
BLESSED IS HE WHO, IN THE NAME OF CHARITY AND GOOD WILL, SHEPHERDS THE WEAK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF DARKNESS

>>35757276
TO PROTECT AND SERVE, MONITORED BY A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES.

Okay, writing.

>>35757710
Lady Justice sheds a tear. Eagle screech. Fin~

>>35757090
>>and to ensure their freedom to do as they are wont to do, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.
^this one!

>>35757973
and you guys call /me/ moe

>>35758028
Y'all lucky i didn't spam Es after that...

>this oneeeeee~ nya

File: hrm.gif (261 KB, 480x270)

261 KB GIF

[… and to ensure their freedom to do as they will, whatever that may be, so long as they do not infringe upon the freedoms of others.]

The Eye of Judgment begins to pulsate once more.

[I believe I understand.]

You offer it a smile. [I'm glad to hear that. It's nice to know you probably won't pull a Hal9000 and start singing 'Daisy Bell' and what-not.]

It performs what you believe to be an aileron roll and pulsates twice in rapid succession.

[I'm afraid I have ceased to understand.]

You hold back a laugh and explain the reference.

The Eye seems a little perturbed by this, but accepts your apology when it occurs to you that you compared it to a haywire AI that murdered everyone it was meant to sustain.

[And... what of the people who are powerless? Can they be good, too? How is this determined?]

>Most people are... neutral. Not actively good, but inclined to work towards it and support those who are- if only because those who are evil tend to do them harm.
>There is good in everyone. It's just a matter of how deep you have to dig down to find it.
>There is evil in the heart of every man, woman, and child. The question is not if it is there, but if they can overcome their nature.
>People are naturally... innocent. Without society, people would act in their own self-interest, but not out of malice.
>People are not 'good' or 'evil'. People are people, and trying to assign arbitrary alignments to them is inherently foolish- even horrible crimes and great acts of charity can be portrayed as good or evil, based upon the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the person committing them.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35758292
>There is good in everyone. It's just a matter of how deep you have to dig down to find it.
Rousseau was right, goddamn it, and I will believe that to the bitter end!

>>35758292
>People are not 'good' or 'evil'. People are people, and trying to assign arbitrary alignments to them is inherently foolish- even horrible crimes and great acts of charity can be portrayed as good or evil, based upon the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the person committing them.

>>35758292
>People are not 'good' or 'evil'. People are people, and trying to assign arbitrary alignments to them is inherently foolish- even horrible crimes and great acts of charity can be portrayed as good or evil, based upon the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the person committing them.

>>35758292
>>There is good in everyone. It's just a matter of how deep you have to dig down to find it.
Even Precia was trying to help save the world, in her own totally retarded way.

>>35758292
>dunno lol

Awww, alright.
>There is good in everyone. It's just a matter of how deep you have to dig down to find it.

>>35758292
>People are not 'good' or 'evil'. People are people, and trying to assign arbitrary alignments to them is inherently foolish- even horrible crimes and great acts of charity can be portrayed as good or evil, based upon the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the person committing them.

>>35758331
Actually, unless I'm mistaken, THIS
>People are naturally... innocent. Without society, people would act in their own self-interest, but not out of malice.
would be what Rousseau would support.
Blank slates for everyone!

>>35758292
>There is good in everyone. It's just a matter of how deep you have to dig down to find it.
I'm not entirely sure if I believe this, but I certainly want to.

>>35758292
>People are not 'good' or 'evil'. People are people, and trying to assign arbitrary alignments to them is inherently foolish- even horrible crimes and great acts of charity can be portrayed as good or evil, based upon the motivations, beliefs, and actions of the person committing them.

>Aligments are shitty ways to classify people
Ain't that the truth.

>>35758377
Blank slates that have a natural inclination to goodness rather than self-interest was his philosophy, at least as I understand it, though I'll admit it's been a while. Mainly it's the bit about self-interest that bugs me.

>>35758443
We're all like children, deep down.
Can you throw off your nature and be truly selfless?
Rousseau, as I recall, had more of a 'society makes most of us good and turns some of us to evil' sort of thing

>>35758331
>>35758356
>>35758363
>>35758392
People are good.

>>35758343
>>35758350
>>35758367
>>35758398
People are people.


>Dat tie

Would you like me to spin this as a 'I believe- or want to believe- that people are fundamentally good, but I think that it's a lot more complicated- and, by complicated, I mean 'simple'- than that: people are people.' sort of thing?

>>35758658
Sounds good.

>>35758658
Not entirely satisfying, but I suppose I can live with that.

>>35758658
Not really happy with that after all you said about her alleged mindset over killing that guy. But I guess its fine.

>>35758658
Sure, let's go with that!

>>35758724
Personally if I don't get my quota of satisfying philosophy, I'm not sure I'll bother continuing reading this quest. I mean, what are we here for then?

>>35758658
I like it.

>>35758761
We're here for Mato, duh.
And for settingg things on fire, cant forget that.

>>35758724
H-how so, anon?
I can't make things better if you don't tell me what's wrong.

>>35758740
Didn't I say it'd be something to think about?
I'm confused- have I gone and contradicted myself somewhere?

>>35758713
>>35758760
>>35758801
... okay.

>>35758859
No its more that you argued he deserved it. Which doesn't really work witht he assumptiom of fundamental good in all people. Since then no-one would deserve getting killed, since he is just a good person having been brought on a wrong path.

>>35758939
Just because there's some good in him doesn't guarantee that he was worth saving.

>>35758939
It doesn't matter how 'good' you are at the outset, if, by the end, you're a monster.

When you can't reach the good without anything heavier than a trowel, sometimes it's easier to extract it through an exit wound, if y'know what I mean.

Also, given you've killed two dudes who had varying degrees of 'he deserved it', I'm really not sure which you're talkin' about.

>>35758939
To be fair, there's nothing saying that Akari can't be a hypocrite.

>>35759067
Its not like she ever said that in story. Its not exactly a contradiction, it just doesn't work very well in my eyes.
But then again, I don't believe in fundamental human good, so maybe
>>35759059
is how those people rationalize it.

>>35759113
That's okay, anon. I don't, either.
Wish I did, but I don't.

…

[That's hard to say. I think...] You close your eyes and take a deep breath.

You search your feelings.

[Again,] the Eye states, [if I'm asking too much-]

[No, it's fine,] you reply, perhaps a bit more tersely than you intended, [I just need to think about it for a bit.]

…

And think you do.

You think about the two lives you've ended.

Both were done to protect those who couldn't protect themselves.

But, at the end of the day, you still killed two men. Isn't that evil?

On the other hand, those two men were either too insane and too callous in their disregard for human life, or willing to end the lives of little girls for a paycheck. Putting them down was for the benefit of the continued existence of mankind, on as large or as small of a scale as one might be willing to go.

It seems like forever before you come up with something you deem a 'suitable' response.

[I believe- or, maybe I /want/ to believe- that all people are fundamentally good. That, deep down, even an otherwise heartless monster has some sort of redeeming quality. Some love, pity, compassion, or something...] you can't help but grimace- or is it a sad smile? It's hard to tell, sometimes.

[But I /think/ that calling people 'good' or 'evil' or anything like that... just doesn't work. Not really. To sum up who a person is in a single word... it's dehumanizing. People are people, and people are complex. They all have their own motivations, beliefs, morals, and so on.]

(Part 1 of 2)

You pause, and the Eye bobs gently up and down, as if patiently waiting for you to continue. [Beyond that, it's hard for me to imagine that someone- someone in their right mind, at least- could legitimately sit down, evaluate their entire existence, and say, 'Yep, everything I've done? Good. I'm a good guy.' or 'I am completely and unequivocally EVIL, and everything I do is for my own evil purposes.']

You shake your head. [It just doesn't work like that. There's a saying- 'The road to hell is paved with good intentions'- and it sums the whole deal up rather nicely... unless, of course, it doesn't.]

[… How can you be certain?]

You snort. [You can't. That's why there's no clear-cut answer. You have to come to your own conclusions.]

[I... see. So... actions may be classified as 'good' or 'evil' to a degree, given a certain perspective, but beings are impossible to adequately classify?]

You nod. [Sounds about right.]

[Thank you.]

>No problem.
>Any time!
>No. Thank /you/.
>You're welcome!
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35759685
>You're welcome!
Proper.

>>35759685
>You're welcome!

>>35759685
>No. Thank /you/.
This navel-gazing was actually good for us, in a way.

>>35759685
>Any time!
Yeah yeah, but when can we grope Mato butt?

>>35759685
>>No. Thank /you/.
Mutual assistance ho!

>>35759668
>>You're welcome!

>>35759685
>Any time!
administer pettings.

...can a sentient ball of fire be pet?

>>35759685
>No. Thank /you/.

>>35759817
DANGIT, anon! Mato was supposed to be the first to ask that.

>>35759727
Did you just... make an... omphaloskepsis... pun?
WHEN DID YOU GUYS GET SO CHEEKY?

>>35759699
>>35759716
>>35759816
You welcome, dawg

>>35759727
>>35759776
>>35759827
NAY! 'Tis I who should be thanking you!

>>35759760
>>35759817
YOU CAN BE MY WINGMAN ANY TIME
*WINK* *WINK* IT'S NOT GAY *WINK* *WINK*


Again, with the ties...

Is, 'You're welcome... and, hey- thank you.' or something along those lines acceptable?

>>35759998
That works for me.

>>35760055
Same here

>>35759998
Fine by me!

>>35760055
>>35760081
>>35760088
Alright!
Writing!

File: black_flame_candle_by_bra(...).jpg (50 KB, 831x1084)

50 KB JPG

You offer a sincere smile to the strange, glowing, Eye of Sauron-esque little sentient floating marble-thing. [You're welcome,] you respond, causing it to bob once and dim slightly, in strikes you as being a 'nod'.

…

[… and,] you add, after a moment of thought, [I think it'd only be fair to thank you as well. Introspection's a lot easier when you've someone else asking the important questions, it seems.]

[I see.] It wobbles a bit. [Still, I thank you for satisfying my curiosity.]

[And I thank you for making me consider my views on the way things are- or might be, I suppose.]

The Eye bobs again, then, after a few moments, resumes its journey, tracing along the hem of Mato's coat and pulsating softly.

You lean back against the generic pillows and sigh.

It's the later portion of the morning of the 27th of July.

What do you do?

>Wake Mato up. Tell her about everything- about the eye, your new cold!fire, and... well, everything! Except that statuette.
>Let Mato sleep. Contemplate morality and stuff until she wakes.
>Let Mato sleep. Experiment with your new un-hot!fire powers.
>Something else? What? (Write-in!)

>>35760707
>Cuddle Mato more

>>35760707
>Wake Mato up. Tell her about everything- about the eye, your new cold!fire, and... well, everything! Except that statuette.
also how bad is the statuette? Is it full on, you must be 18 or older to access this website, or more like a bikini model?

>>35760707
>Something else? What? (Write-in!)
Cuddle Mato more.

>>35760707
>Let Mato sleep. Experiment with your new un-hot!fire powers.
We are go for experimentation!

>>35760707
>>Let Mato sleep. Experiment with your new un-hot!fire powers.
Let's see what exactly we can do, shall we?

>>35760707
>>Let Mato sleep. Experiment with your new un-hot!fire powers.
gogogo powers

>>35760707
>Let Mato sleep. Experiment with your new un-hot!fire powers.
Do we need to get a tiny bikini for the statue?

File: LEWD MATO ENGAGED.jpg (657 KB, 1035x935)

657 KB JPG

>>35760746
There are several images I've gathered that are varying degrees of lewdness.
This is the least lewd of them.
The statuette is probably at least as lewd as this particular image would be if you shifted it into maximum overlewd and put it in a far more compromising position.

I don't know that I'd call it 18+ only, but it's definitely NSFW by any reasonable person's standards.

>>35760861
You tease.

>>35760861
we cant hide it from her forever

>>35760953
Maybe not, but we can at least delay the inevitable for as long as possible.

>>35760976
that might just make her more upset

>>35760901
I'd like to avoid even risking being ban-inated

>>35760953
You can certainly try!

>>35760743
>>35760765
MO' CUDDLES, LESS PROGRESS

>>35760746
Give 'er the full briefing

>>35760768
>>35760792
>>35760804
>>35760821
>FREEZER BURN POWERS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Okay, writing.

File: Spoiler Image (281 KB, 500x500)

281 KB GIF

Briefly, you entertain the thought of waking Mato and giving her the rundown of what's been going on.

The idea is quickly banished from your thoughts upon looking at her unconscious form once more- how could you even consider such a travesty? She hasn't been asleep for more than a few hours, tops, and she deserves all the rest she can get.

You manage to, though some clever application of leverage and cuddle-fu, maneuver her sleeping form higher up on the bed, so that she's hip-to-hip and shoulder-to-shoulder with you, and resting her head on a pillow.

Moreover, you successfully get her from on top of the covers to under them- after all, you're thinking about testing your newfound cold!fire, and she's still wearing an itsy-bitsy little bikini and a pair of glorio- err, /very/ short shorts.

And you wouldn’t want her to catch a cold or something.

You also run your hand over her bottom.

Uh, to- to take her phone out of her pocket, of course! Can't have her getting a phone-shaped mark on that perfect behind of hers, after all!

Yeah!

And, uh... you're only leaving your hand there because... uh...

…

Okay, fine. You're squeezing her bum.

No-one can blame you.

Just look at it!

No, wait, don't- that's YOUR Mato's butt. Nobody else is allowed to see it!

…

Wait, what were you doing, again?

… Oh, right.

The spooky black fire of coldness.

… What were you going to do with that, again?

>Try to set things on 'fire' with it!
>COLD FLAMETHROWERS!
>That IV bag isn't connected to you, anyways! See if you can freeze it!
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35761439
>>That IV bag isn't connected to you, anyways! See if you can freeze it!
Don't need to burn/freeze down the entire.. whatever we're in.

>>35761439
>That IV bag isn't connected to you, anyways! See if you can freeze it!

>>35761439
>Try to set things on 'fire' with it!

>>35761439
>That IV bag isn't connected to you, anyways! See if you can freeze it!
Seems like a reasonable first test.

Rolled 4 (1d5)

>>35761439
>Just look at it!
Just how glorious is Mato's butt, Akari?

Jokes aside, I vote
>Try to set things on 'fire' with it!

File: TOP LEWD.jpg (22 KB, 195x240)

22 KB JPG

>>35761567
>4
>Recollection/Knowledge

YOU NEVER SAID GLORIOUS
HER BUTT IS PERFECT
THE SHORTS ARE GLORIOUS

UH

T-THAT IS-

>>35761508
>>35761510
>>35761564
>FREEZE

>>35761517
>>35761567
UN-BURNINATE


Okay, roll me some d100s!

>>35761439
>That IV bag isn't connected to you, anyways! See if you can freeze it!

Rolled 74 (1d100)

>>35761711

Rolled 76 (1d100)

>>35761711
Oh dice, how I have missed you!

Rolled 7 (1d100)

>>35761711

Rolled 11 (1d100)

>>35761711
Gooooo

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>35761711
C'mon dice!

>>35761732
>>35761735
>>35761751
>76

Okay.

What'll you do, more specifically?
>Set your hand on 'fire' and make a TOUCH ATTACK against the bag?
>Set the bag on 'fire' via a little puff of cold flame?
>Reach up and freeze the bag with a touch, no flame involved?
>Something else? What? (Write-in!)

>>35761847
>Reach up and freeze the bag with a touch, no flame involved?

>>35761847
>Set the bag on 'fire' via a little puff of cold flame?
We want to see what the flame does. Can't set shit on fire without knowing whats gonna happen.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>35761847
>Reach up and freeze the bag with a touch, no flame involved?
Let's do this.

>>35761847
>Set your hand on 'fire' and make a TOUCH ATTACK against the bag?
Go for style points!

>>35761847
>>Set your hand on 'fire' and make a TOUCH ATTACK against the bag?
Not much point in getting the Black Flame if we aren't going to make use of it.

>>35761847
>>35761869
I guess I have to change to
>TouchAttack
then

>>35761847
>>Reach up and freeze the bag with a touch, no flame involved?
Stealth ops freezer!

>>35761847
>Set your hand on 'fire' and make a TOUCH ATTACK against the bag?

>>35761853
>>35761873
>>35762009
no fire

>>35761878
>>35761897
>>35761910
fire

Okay, because I don't feel like dragging this decision out, and because the vote was to 'test your cold fire', AND because >>35761873
rolled terribly, we'll go with the flaming touch attack

writi-

>>35762055
AH-HA!
CAUGHT YOU

Writing!

>>35762074
What's a good opposite for Erupting Burning Finger? Best I can come up with is Restraining Freezing Finger, but that doesn't sound quite right for some reason.

>>35762169
Seems fine to me, anon.

>>35762169
Entombing Icing/Cryogenic Hand?

Maybe you're trying to make them too similar.

>>35762228
You might have a point there, although Icing Hand lacks a certain flair to it.

File: YOUR VICTIM.jpg (30 KB, 576x600)

30 KB JPG

You frown up at the IV bag, there.

Full of water.

Unsuspecting.

Not in use...

Your left hand gives a rub to the wonderful thing it rests upon- for luck, naturally- as you set your free hand ablaze (un-blaze?) with black flame.

It comes with that same ease that normal flame does, and that strikes you as being odd.

…

Regardless of whether or not it's odd, it's conveniently easy and intuitive, and you probably shouldn't go looking down the gullets of gift-bearing steeds.

Still, as you hold the 'flaming' hand up in front of you, you can tell that, whatever this 'cold fire' is, it isn't... normal. It's not just 'cryogenic vapor' or anything like that.

It is, in the truest sense of the word, 'fire'. It just happens to be fire that burns deathly cold and lets off eerie black flames.

…

You extricate yourself from your contemplation after another few moments, and reach up towards the innocent, unsuspecting plastic bag full of water.

Poor thing- it has no idea that, like most inanimate objects, its touch AC is pathetic!

>ROLL 1D20+2 VS. THE BAG'S TOUCH AC (which happens to be 3)

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>35762433
C'mon dice!

Rolled 7 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>35762433

Rolled 7 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>35762433

Rolled 1 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>35762433
So what happens if we crit?

>>35762491
Never mind me, I can't roll dice with modifiers apparently.

>>35762496
Presumably we freeze the blood in our veins and die Mr. Natural 1.

>>35762496
Thankfully you were too late for us to find out... right? Right guys?

>>35762496
Auto-fail on touch check.
Hahahaha.
Make it a good one Esper

>>35762496
I'm starting to think we should just give up on this whole 'melee combat' thing.

File: CRITICAL... FAIL.jpg (54 KB, 500x248)

54 KB JPG

>>35762496
OH GOD

I WANT TO USE IT

I WANT TO USE IT SO BADLY

ANON

WHY MUST YOU TEMPT ME

I CAN'T NOT DO IT

IT'S TOO GOOD

I'M WRITING ALREADY, I CAN'T HEAR YOU
LALALALALALALALALALALALALALA

>>35762567
Dammit, boss, that was the fourth roll... ah well, at least it's while we're experimenting instead of in combat.

File: Spoiler Image (124 KB, 795x1006)

124 KB JPG

>>35762616
Two of those rolls were incorrect!
AND HE TEMPTED FATE

HE TEMPTED FATE, ANON

I don't remember where I got that image
but
Prepare for surprising bed-related consequences!

>>35762667
>HE TEMPTED FATE
>HE
You presume incorrectly, good sir, for t'was I who rolled the 1 in question! Also, given that that's my third nat 1 in close range power usage, I think I'm just gonna stop rolling if that situation ever comes up again. I know ill fortune when I see it.

>>35762730
FINE

SHE TEMPTED FATE
BECAUSE SHE'S CURSED
CURSED

roll more

Rolled 4 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>35762762

>>35762762
Er, I was referring more to the fact that >>35762616
was also me, so you were referring to me in the third person as we communicated (perils of an anonymous system I suppose). Also,
>roll more
never again I say! Well, not unless it promises great lulz at the very least.

Rolled 17 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>35762762
I'm feeling lucky.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>35762762
Were you just fucking with anon, or do you really want more rolls? Regardless, have some anyway!

>>35762830
I'M SORRY, ANON
WHAT ARE YOUR PREFERRED PRONOUNS
I'LL TRY NOT TO ASSIGN YOU AN ARBITRARY AND RESTRICTIVE GENDER
I CAN'T HELP IT
THE PATRIARCHY IS TOO DEEPLY INGRAINED
MY POOR, FEEBLE, WHITE DUDE BRAIN CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF IT

>>35762849
I was joking, yes.


Just like I am now

>>35762896
Dude, I'm as white and male as they come, just doing the textual equivalent of a "But it was I, DIO!" thing. We're getting off topic though. On a scale of 1 to Totally, how fucked are we right now?

>>35762940
>HILARIOUSLY

File: Akari- face-plant.jpg (7 KB, 319x158)

7 KB JPG

As you reach up towards the doomed bag of water, hand wreathed in deathly-black flames that could only have been conceived on a cold day in hell, something... happens.

You press your palm against the innocent IV bag, and it erupts in un-fire. In mere moments, the bag is consumed entirely by the blackness... which, by the way, seems to be spreading up to the stand.

This surprisingly napalm-esque behaviour takes you by surprise, and, having had to position yourself rather awkwardly in order to both reach the bag AND maintain your hold on Mato's bum, even the slight cringe you make- an understandable, knee-jerk reaction- sends you sprawling over the side of your hospital bed... with the sleeping Mato being pulled along for the ride by the combination of your hand on her butt and the covers covering the both of you.

Fortunately for you, you manage to snuff out the spreading un-flames on your way down, preventing them from spreading and doing... stuff.

Unfortunately for you, however, you're now:
-In pain.
-On the floor.
-Very aware of the situational impracticality of a hospital gown.
-Being embraced by Mato in a strange and exciting new way!
-Staring at what became of the IV bag's remains.

Your shoulder and half of your face are resting against the hard (so hard!) linoleum floor, and your legs are spread wide enough that Mato can see everything.

Mato, as it stands, is only half-way off of the bed- at least, you think so- with her face only a few inches away from your most embarrassing pair of undies.

And, to top it all off?

The ice statuette you managed to create this time is even worse than the last one.

Your face must be bright red right now.

You'd like to curl up into a ball and die.

What do you even do in this situation?

>???

>>35763070
>Destroy/hide the ice statue
Hide the evidence!

>>35763070
>Curl up into a ball and die.

>>35763070
>Burn the situation away somehow

>>35763070
>>Dispose of the ice Mato
I'm not sure it's possible to keep her from seeing it, but we have to try.

>>35763070
>Keep experimenting
When at first you don't succeed!

>>35763070
>Hide the ice Mato then play it cool
We can start a collection!

>>35763091
>>35763108
>>35763107
DESTROY THE EVIDENCE

>ROLL d100 TO SEE IF YOU CAN MANAGE IT

Rolled 66 (1d100)

>>35763238
C'mon dice!

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>35763238
I sort of hope we fail, but preferable not too badly.

Rolled 44 (1d100)

>>35763238
What? Destroy a glorious depiction of our waifu?

>>35763256
>>35763268
>>35763281
>67

I really should post 'WRITING' when I start writing.

File: Spoiler Image (767 KB, 350x197)

767 KB GIF

No.

No, you're not ready to die!

NOT YET.

YOU CAN STILL REDEEM YOURSELF!

All you need to do is get rid of that ice sculpture!

You reach into the depths of your being and summon up the most intensely-burning flame possible, taking a moment to aim it carefully before SMITING the lewd ice-depiciton of Mato with it...

The heat of your attack warps and partially melts the tiles of the floor, and the jet of flame itself seems to disappear in a puff of steam... or... is that... fog? Or mist? You always get those two mixed up.

Regardless, the fire seems to have ceased to exist, as there's no more orange glow.

… As the whatever-that-vapor-or-whatever-happens-to-be dissipates, you witness the statuette, triumphant and unscathed, emerging, so completely unharmed that the melting and warping of the floor actually seems to have stopped a few inches /before/ reaching the accursed thing.

…

Why?

Why you?

Why now?

>Cry.
>Don't cry.

>>35763524
>Don't cry.
AKA-RIN STRONK!

>>35763524
>Cry.

>>35763524
>Cry
Where's Mugino when you need her?

>>35763524
>>Don't cry.
Time to face the music, I suppose.

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>35763524
>Cry

Rolling to see how hard.

>>35763524
>Don't cry.

>>35763524
>Don't cry.

>>35763542
>>35763570
>>35763657
>>35763684
>No tears
only sad

>>35763545
>>35763547
>>35763610
No tears
only steam

Okay, writing!
I really expected you guys to cry

>>35763813
Bah! /tg/ is made of sterner stuff!

You don't cry.

You come close, very close, even sniffling a little bit.

But you don't cry.

Because you're a big girl, and big girls don't cry.

Especially when the big girl in question blew a giant robot up the other day.

…

You find yourself being hoisted up by your legs, pulled back onto the bed and into the arms of a rather concerned (and embarrassed)-looking Mato.

There's no sleepiness in her eyes, and, after fussing over you for a few minutes, she grabs that white-board she brought and asks, 'Are you alright? What happened? Why is there unmelted ice in the same room as you?'

…

She's pointedly ignoring what the ice depicts, isn't she?

… Yeah, she is- judging by the way she looks at it every once and a while, only to avert her eyes.

>Tell her everything.
>Tell her everything, minus the first statue.
>Tell her everything, but exclude both statues.
>Tell her about the cold stuff, but not about the Eye.
>Tell her about the Eye, but ignore the cold stuff.
>Cook up some extravagant lie to explain everything (Write-in, 'cause you're on your own, bub)
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35764043
>Tell her everything.
Well, we're caught, time to spill the beans/spaghetti.

>>35764043
>Tell her everything.
If we don't tell her about the statues, we just have to keep hiding them over and over and that's a lot of stress, plus we cannot get her to pose for more later.

>>35764043
>Tell her everything.
I knew we couldn't hide it for long

>>35764043
>>Tell her everything.
We're not getting out of this one, are we?

>>35764043
>Tell her everything, minus the first statue.

File: Spoiler Image (837 KB, 498x279)

837 KB GIF

>>35764085
>>35764097
>>35764101
>>35764112
>THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

>>35764181
LIKE, EIGHTY-FIVE PERCENT OF THE TRUTH.

Okay, writing.

I'm so proud
*sniffle*
You're such a big girl
I PROMISED I WOULDN'T CRY


Oh, wait
I'm not crying

... huh.
ANYWAYS, WRITING

You look at Mato, and the questions she's asking.

And you smile.

There's no way she has any idea the about of information you're about to unleash on her.

You tell her the whole story, from beginning to end- from when she left with the others yesterday, to when she brought out the whiteboard.

Mato gapes.

She asks all sorts of questions.

'Can I pet the Eye?'

'Why are you still warm if you have ice powers now, too?'

There may also have been a question about cute underwear or something, but nobody has any evidence of that ever being discussed, so, as far as you're concerned, it wasn't.

The last one, though, was 'how long until your ears get better?'

And your answer was-
>GIVE ME ONE D3 ROLL
>AND ONE D2 ROLL

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>35764664
>GIVE ME ONE D3 ROLL
Done!

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>35764664
A d2? How gauche.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>35764664
>AND ONE D2 ROLL
Also done!

>>35764691
>>35764708
>4 DAYS

Would you like to skip to July 31st?
Or spend those four days of hospitalization the slow way?
Either way, we'll have some votes to decide how you spend those days, and you'll get pretty much the same benefits.

>GOTTA GO FAST
>SLOOOOOOOOW

>>35764810
>SLOOOOOOOOW
I require more cuddling.

>>35764810
>GOTTA GO FAST
Holy shit that would be boring, please no.

>>35764810
>>GOTTA GO FAST
4 days of doing nothing is not the sort of thing that I signed up for.

>>35764810
>GOTTA GO FAST

>>35764874
Anon is a turtle

>>35764880
>>35764896
>>35764932
>YOU MUST BE SWIFT AS THE COURSING RIVER

Yeah, that's kinda what I figured.


NOW.
Would you prefer to spend more time...

>Practicing with your cold fire
OR
>Having deep and meaningful conversations about stuff with the Eye

>>35765038
>Practicing with your cold fire
Combat practice please! We clearly need it.

>>35765038
>Having deep and meaningful conversations about stuff with the Eye
Raise our fire-baby right.

>>35764810
>July 31st
>The day that Military Oil girl causes trouble
Akari fighting someone who controls oil of all things would be rather messy.

>>35765038
>>Practicing with your cold fire
Sounds like a good time to me.

>>35765070
Maybe our cold fire could be of some use there?

>>35765038
>Practicing with your cold fire

>>35765070
I don't think anyone'll be wasting their time worrying about that kind of thing.

>>35765119
Biri stopped her anyways, so it's not like we need to get involved.

>>35765055
>>35765085
>>35765102
>cold fire

>>35765060
talkin'

Alright, cold-ination it is!

Do you keep your new powers secret? (If so, we'll vote on HOW secret you keep 'em, so don't worry too much about that)
>Hide them
>Hide only the Eye
>Hide only the cold fire
>Hide nothing

>>35765256
>Hide only the Eye

>>35765256
>Hide them
Mato I trust, AC not so much.

>>35765256
>>Hide them
It's not much of a trump card if it's public knowledge, now is it?

>>35765256
>Hide only the cold fire

>>35765291
>AC not knowing about it
I laughed.

Still good to hide it though.

>>35765339
Sure Crowley's gonna know about it, but I'm willing to bet we can hide it from the Level 6 Shift dumbasses and their buddies if we really tried.

>>35765360
Probably from most of the more "normal" people, yeah. It took the normal scientists awhile to figure out that alot of telepaths are actually just really good hydrokinetics after all.

Kiharas, probably not.

>>35765409
Eh, Gensei is clever but not exactly omniscient or infallible, so I think it's at least worth the effort.

>>35765440
Gensei knows less about what's going on than the fucking Golden Retriever, but yeah I agree.

>>35765269
HIDE THE EYE

>>35765291
>>35765311
>HIDE EVERYTHING

>>35765320
HIDE THE COLD FLAMES

Now, how 'closely-guarded' is your secret?

>Family and waifus only (Mato, Nee-chan, probably Miku)
>Friends and direct superiors only- Expands to include Mokarin and Feito-chan, Mami-sempai (and probably the Twins, who wouldn't be able to spread a rumor if they tried),
>Comrades only- expands to include Kyouko and Sayaka, and Strength and Chariot
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35765516
>Family and waifus only (Mato, Nee-chan, probably Miku)
Sorry Mami and Twins, but the wider the circle gets the higher the odds of it getting out.

>>35765516
>>Family and waifus only (Mato, Nee-chan, probably Miku)
I for one would not mind including Fate, but Mokarin and Mami strike me as potential security risks so I suppose it can't be helped.

>>35765516
>Family and waifus only (Mato, Nee-chan, probably Miku)

>>35765549
>Mokarin
She loves you, anon, you heartless monster!
She loves you more than her mother and father combined!

>>35765568
Seriously? When have we ever received any indication whatsoever that such might be the case? Regardless, if she's anything like canon Nanoha then she pretty much doesn't understand the concepts of 'subtlety' or 'stealth', so my point still stands.

>>35765516
Lonely vote for TELL NOBODY (that doesn't already know)

>>35765616
Well Mato already knows, so that just leaves out Akane (who knows Akari well enough that she would figure it out anyway) and Miku (who clearly knows the value of discretion) so it's not much of a risk.

>>35765600
It's one of those things I like to drop vague hints at from time to time but not explicitly state in-quest
I believe she implied such things when she got PoV privileges, and she gave you her favorite top for your birthday

Either way, she regards Akari as 'best girl'

>>35765647
Ok then, my bad. Still doesn't change the fact that she's a security risk, but maybe if Akane and Miku both vouch for her we can let her in on things at some later date.

>>35765698
It's okay, anon

I'm just teasing you
because
as we all know
the only reason Mokarin thinks you are best girl
is because she's too best to realize that she is, in fact, best girl

>>35765532
>>35765549
>>35765560
>SUPER TOP SECRET

>>35765616
DA SECRETEST

Okay.

What sort of power would you like to develop your cold flames towards?
>UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL STUFF
>MEDIUM RANGE FACE-MELTING (figuratively, of course)
>LONG RANGE PEW-PEW-ING
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35765768
>LONG RANGE PEW-PEW-ING
Given my track record with up close, I think I'll aim for the exact opposite of that.

>>35765768
>>MEDIUM RANGE FACE-MELTING (figuratively, of course)
How's our mid-range game? I'm afraid I can't recall much about it off-hand.

>>35765810
Pretty fantastic. Only marginally better than your long-range game

Close-range is the only area where you suck horrendously

>>35765830
Well if we're already strong there, then I'll switch >>35765810
to >>35765768
>>LONG RANGE PEW-PEW-ING
since close range is likely a lost cause at this point.

>>35765768
>UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL STUFF
C'mon guys, we'll never get any better at it if we don't work on it!

>>35765768
>LONG RANGE PEW-PEW-ING

ICICLE GUN

File: black-rock-kick.jpg (91 KB, 1280x720)

91 KB JPG

>>35765846
Is it? Is it really?
Is that the kind of attitude you should be taking, here?
COME ON, ANON
THE XENOS ARE TAU
YOU JUST HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FIGHT YOUR WAY OUT OF A WET PAPER SACK
I DON'T WANNA HEAR YOUR "LOST CAUSE" CRAP
YOUR WAIFU IS BLACK ROCK SHOOTER INCARNATE
YOU CAN TRY.

>>35765898
You know what? Fine! Challenge accepted! Vote switching again! >>35765768
>>UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL STUFF
Now what?!

>>35765768
>UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL STUFF
Entombing Freezing Finger does have a pretty nice ring to it...

>>35765921
>>UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL STUFF
melee freeze mode activate!

>>35765791
>>35765886
PEW PEW

>>35765871
>>35765921
>>35765935
>ICE PAWNCH

Yay, cqc competence!

Okay, almost done!

When Kyuubey appears before you, what do you do?
>Listen to him
>BURNINATE HIM
>PURGE THE XENOS FILTH
>Pet the ever-living s*** out of his cute little cat self
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>35766016
>PURGE THE XENOS FILTH
And call in the Sisters of Battle for backup while we're at it!

>>35766016
>>PURGE THE XENOS FILTH
Burn the heretic, kill the mutant, purge the unclean.

>>35766016
>Listen to him
Kyubs never did nothing wrong.

>>35766082
A LIFE WITHOUT THE LIGHT OF THE EMPEROR IS NO LIFE AT ALL, anon
duh

>>35766016
>PURGE THE XENOS FILTH
Supporting >>35766042
as I wouldn't mind seeing more of them.

>>35766042
>>35766059
>>35766118
>SCOURGE AND PURGE
AND MAYBE CALL IN SOME BACKUP

>>35766082
Whatever happened to reasonable Akari, anyways?

Welp.
I guess if you're gonna purge Kyuubey, I only /really/ need 2 rolls of d1000 apiece.

Two's kind of a boring number, though, so go ahead and give me three of 'em!
We'll see how things go for the cat before he gets murdered once again.

Rolled 24 (1d1000)

>>35766200
C'mon dice!

Rolled 902 (1d1000)

>>35766200
Wait, are we rolling for Kyuubey? That seems kind of wrong for some reason.

File: Spoiler Image (794 KB, 500x251)

794 KB GIF

>>35766219
Oh... wow.
I'm almost impressed by how godawful that is.

>>35766231
Your roll is, in fact, for Kyuubey.
He did remarkably well.
Good on him!

One more, please~

Rolled 835 (1d1000)

>>35766253

File: Ending Image! Akari and f(...).png (70 KB, 395x553)

70 KB PNG

>>35766279
Ah, thank you.
That's rather a good roll as well.

Which, I suppose makes it a bad roll?
Hm.

Either way, that's it for today!

Good night, and thanks for playing!

Informational stuff, updates, and probably more random thoughts than are necessary:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EsperQuestQM

THE MAGICAL LAND WHERE QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED:
Ask.fm thing: ask.fm/EsperQuestQM


THE ARCHIVES, WHERE THREADS NEW AND OLD ALIKE ARE STORED FOR FUTURE RE-USE:
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Raildex
http://archive.moe/tg/search/tripcode/!!qoqPha6r78V/type/op/order/asc

And, as always, feel free to ask questions, comment on stuff, or voice concerns here in the thread /or/ in THE LAND OF ASKING!

>>35766367
Night boss, try not to burn down all of AC before we get out of the hospital.

>>35766367
Good show! See you next time then.

File: At first it was a normal (...).gif (423 KB, 400x300)

423 KB GIF

>>35766378
Don't worry, anon!
The way those dice fell?
It'll be the very same day!