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YOU are Takamichi Akari, and on this morning of the second of August, you find yourself reflecting on the dreams that plagued your sleeping mind last night.

Even the ever-pleasant company of Mato, who may or may not have been a little too enthusiastic in her cuddling yesterday evening, was not enough to stave off the bizarre, twisted nightmares that filled your unconscious ruminations with visions of fire and chaos and raging seas.

You would be remiss, however, if you claimed to have slept poorly; in fact, you slept just as well as you usually do, if not even better.

You dreamt of many things. Of war. Of lies. Of dragons' fire.

But the dream that sticks out to you the most- the most prominent one, the one that retains near-perfect clarity even now, as you wake, is the one that entailed...

>A journey, long and arduous; a quest for something, through unforgiving places and times.
>A war that dragged on for far too long, consumed many lives, and solved very little.
>A monster; a great beast that wrought destruction and sewed chaos wherever it went.
>A mystery; a grand conspiracy, a tangled web of lies and deception so convoluted none could hope to find even a snippet of the truth.
>No... it was something else. It was (Write-in!)

>>36607847
>A war that dragged on for far too long, consumed many lives, and solved very little.
A history of the Tau, now in dream form!

>>36607847
>>A monster; a great beast that wrought destruction and sewed chaos wherever it went.
If there is a Kaiju option then why pick anything else?

>>36607847
>Of dragons' fire.
What sort of dragons? We talking Glaurung or Ancalagon here?

>>36607847
>A journey, long and arduous; a quest for something, through unforgiving places and times.
because i like it and four-way tie

Rolled 4 (1d5)

>>36607847
>>36607952
Aaand I forgot to include the actual roll.

>>36607847
>A war that dragged on for far too long, consumed many lives, and solved very little.
Relevant, so why not.

>>36607964
>>36607952 wasn't a vote, it was me fucking up an insight check. Still got a three-way tie though!

>>36607847
>A mystery; a grand conspiracy, a tangled web of lies and deception so convoluted none could hope to find even a snippet of the truth.
A bit late but eh.

>>36607890
>>36607983
>War!

>>36607907
Monster!

>>36607964
Adventure!

>>36608082
Intrigue and stuff!

>>36607952
Scales. Four legs. Two wings. Pointy claws and teeth. Fire breath. Big-ness.
Giving me names that are so impossible to pronounce that I can only assume they're Tolkien doesn't give me much of an image of what you're talkin' about, anon.

Anyways, it looks like WAAAAUGH has the (tenuous) lead!
I'll give it another two or three minutes, just to be safe.

>>36608188
More like Ancalagon then (dude was so big he crushed an entire mountain range when he died), good to know. More strength, less subtlety.

Alright!

Looks like War's our winner.

Writing!

…

Right.

The one about the war sticks out above all the others, if only by a margin that, depending on one's perspective, could either be very large or very small.

Then again, that's the problem with fractions and percentages- and, indeed, ratios in general.

They're all subjective. Relative. Twenty-five out of fifty and one out of two are the same, but adding one to the numerator of the former would be largely insignificant, while adding one to the numerator of the latter would be a drastic change.

You suppose, then, that the question is thus: Is the proportion more important than the value, or is the inverse true?

…

You shake your head when you realize that you're just trying to distract yourself from thinking further on the subject of the dream.

The war you dreamt of was...

>A war of attrition.
>A war of conquest.
>A civil war.
>Hopeless- a fool's errand.
>... something else. (Write-in!)

>>36608494
>A war of attrition.
Sounds like fun!

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>>36608188

>>36608494
>A war of conquest.
Any war with the Tau would be such, even if they don't admit it.

>>36608494
>A war of conquest.
Being Akari is all fun and games when she's awake, to an extent. She find no joy in going to sleep, though, not even with Mato there to share a bed.

It's sad, if you think about it.

>>36608494
>>A war of conquest.
Let's pick the cinematic option.

>>36608515
Attrition

>>36608582
>>36608609
>>36608613
>conquest

>>36608551
That's pretty metal.

Conquest is currently leading rather handily.

I'll give five or so more minutes, then close voting and write words!

>>36608188
A good size comparison would be to watch the second Hobbit movie and see how Smaug moves around in the treasure chamber.
Now consider that Glaurung would've barely fit in the same chamber, and Ancalagon would've been MUCH bigger than the mountain itself.

>>36608494
>A civil war.

>>36608515
attrition

>>36608737
civil war

>>36608582
>>36608609
>>36608613
>Conquest!

Okay, writing!

I think I'm gonna start choking down on the voting times, little by little. So watch out!

>>36608852
Might not be a bad idea, honestly.

… Yes, that's right. It was a war of conquest.

Land, resources, religious significance, political power... you wonder just how many wars can be attributed, deep down, to petty squabbles over such things.

Greed, like so many other things, can be a powerful motivator.

Powerful enough to send nations to war.

You either don't know or didn't care what motivated this particular conflict, however- as one might expect of the construction of his or her own mind, this dream was largely focused on you, individually.

It's nothing to be ashamed of- the subconscious mind just... tends to work that way.

Besides, it's not like it's surprising, given the dream had you in a particular role...

What was that role?

>Leadership. You were the boss, the head honcho, the puppet-master. The commanding general.
>Insignificance. You were just one soldier among many- and you followed orders and did your job.
>You were... an instrument of destruction. An avatar of calamity. Perhaps you were an 'Equalizer', or an 'Ace in the hole', or even a 'Superweapon'... or perhaps you were something else entirely.
>You were... something else. (Write-in!)

>>36609250
>You were... an instrument of destruction. An avatar of calamity. Perhaps you were an 'Equalizer', or an 'Ace in the hole', or even a 'Superweapon'... or perhaps you were something else entirely.

>>36609250
>>You were... an instrument of destruction. An avatar of calamity. Perhaps you were an 'Equalizer', or an 'Ace in the hole', or even a 'Superweapon'... or perhaps you were something else entirely.
The force of nature desperately trying to restore the balance.

>>36609250
>You were... an instrument of destruction. An avatar of calamity. Perhaps you were an 'Equalizer', or an 'Ace in the hole', or even a 'Superweapon'... or perhaps you were something else entirely.
We were... the Firebird!

>>36609269
>getting specific

Patience, anon.

Such things will come soon enough.

>>36609250
>Leadership. You were the boss, the head honcho, the puppet-master. The commanding general.
>You were the God-Empress.

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>>36609250
>Leadership. You were the boss, the head honcho, the puppet-master. The commanding general.

Hail Empress Takamichi!

>>36609268
>>36609269
>>36609280
>you were fire; you were death

>>36609335
>>36609453
you were in charge

Okay, writing!

… Power is a funny little word.

Sometimes, it just means 'the ability to do things.'

Other times, it means something a bit more complicated- 'the ability to direct, control, or influence things.'

Still other times, it means something a lot simpler and easier to understand. Those times, it means 'Strength,' or 'might,' or even 'an entity that is strong or mighty.'

… Whatever it might mean, though, it's almost certainly something that applied to you.

You had power.
You were powerful.
You were a power.

And you had a reason for your involvement in this... conflict. This war.

But, before you get to that... you stood on one side of this conflict in particular, whether you wished to or not... or was it a choice you made?

The hows and the whys can come later, though.

For now...

What side of this conflict were you on?

>You were on the side of the conquerors.
>You were on the side of the defenders.
>You weren't on either side.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36609867
>You weren't on either side.
The Firebird is above such things as "taking sides!"

>>36609867
>You were on the side of the conquerors.
Akari take!

>>36609867
>>You weren't on either side.
See my earlier post >>36609269

>>36609867
>You were on the side of the conquerors.
As long as the Conquerors were Mankind.

Wait. Idea.
>You were on neither side. You helped and punished both, always siding with the one that acted with justice in their methods and good in their hearts.

How about it? Good? Bad? Needlessly Meta?

>>36609867
>You weren't on either side.

>>36609972
>>You were on neither side. You helped and punished both, always siding with the one that acted with justice in their methods and good in their hearts.
Seems pretty good, we were aiming more for amoral force of nature but we can potentially get behind this if everyone else is on board.

>>36609867
>You were on the side of the defenders.

>>36609867
>You weren't on either side.

>>36609899
>>36609924
>>36609982
>>36610077
>Neutral

>>36609909
>>36609972
Conquerors

>>36609972
>>36610028
... also neutral

>>36610051
Defenders!

Okay, writing!

… You weren't on either side.

At least, not as far as they were concerned.

A different perspective might have placed you on the side of nature, or peace, or some other /thing/, with both of their armies arrayed against you.

Or perhaps each of them claimed to have some ability to influence you, or your actions, whether to direct you against their foes or simply to make you less inclined to attack their own forces.

Lies and propaganda can do a great deal with a series of coincidences, a lack of contrary evidence, or even just a completely fabricated story.

But you cared little for such things.

No, neither side had any sort of influence over you.

You don't remember if you even recognized the two sides as being distinct from one another, come to think of it.

What you do remember, though, is...

>Destroying them- burning both forces to ash and scattering their charred remnants to the winds.
>Ending their quarrel by the sheer terror you alone caused by way of your very presence.
>Watching them grind one another to nothingness as time went on, uncaring and unsurprised.
>Brokering peace as a mediator, and quelling any who opposed your peace by means of superior firepower.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36610622
>Watching them grind one another to nothingness as time went on, uncaring and unsurprised.

>>36610622
>Destroying them- burning both forces to ash and scattering their charred remnants to the winds.
Akari becomes the personification of the cycle of death and rebirth!

>>36610622
>>Destroying them- burning both forces to ash and scattering their charred remnants to the winds.
When in doubt, go for the straightforward approach.

>>36610622
>Ending their quarrel by the sheer terror you alone caused by way of your very presence.

>>36610622
>Brokering peace as a mediator, and quelling any who opposed your peace by means of superior firepower.
God is in His Heaven, Afraid of Our Superior Firepower.

>>36610626
Watching. Waiting.

>>36610640
>>36610661
>BURNINATING

>>36610721
Putting the fear of you into 'em

>>36610783
Bringing peace- the only way you could

Okay, writing!

>>36610622
>Ending their quarrel by the sheer terror you alone caused by way of your very presence.
Akari scary!

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… You... were not merciful.

You're not certain whether or not you were capable of mercy... or even if you could understand the very concept.

What you were, however, is thorough.

You razed it- all of it.

Necessary, it was not. It was effective, though- there can be no debating that.

Every survivor of your all-consuming, fiery wrath was another soul left alive to spread the word- where men wage war, hell on earth soon follows.

By the end of it all, you had many names, and the stories told painted a different picture of you every time.

Some painted you as a vengeful god of flame, come to wreak chaos and destruction upon mankind- your repayment for abandoning you in favor of newer, kindlier gods.

Some claimed you were a girl gifted- or cursed- with unimaginable power, lost and confused and afraid of the loud noises caused by the violent clashes of war.

Others said you were a force of nature- something akin to an earthquake, a thunderstorm, a tsunami, or even the eruption of a volcano. An all-consuming blaze caused by the gathering of too many instruments of war- too much iron and steel... or even the presence of too many people in a small enough area; their combined body heat causing the air itself to burn.

Some believed you to be a demon, come straight from hell to remind mankind that its reckoning was nigh, and its manifold sins would be punished.

Some claimed you were a magnificent, scaled beast, with terrible fangs and claws, wings that could create gales that would make hurricanes pale in comparison, and fiery breath that could cook a hundred men in their armor in mere seconds.

The truth of the matter, however, was...
>You were a dragon, wrapped in blood-red scales.
>You were a little girl, wielding powers beyond your understanding.
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.
>You were... something else? (Write-in!)

>>36611276
>You were a little girl, wielding powers beyond your understanding.

>>36611276
>You were...
>Akari
Not more, not less.

>>36611276
>You were a little girl, wielding powers beyond your understanding.

>>36611276
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.
Firebird!

>>36611276
>You were a little girl
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.
Those are pretty much the same, little girls give no shits.

>>36611276
>You were a dragon, wrapped in blood-red scales.
>You were a little girl, wielding powers beyond your understanding.
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.

>You were all that, but you were truly Fire itself, the flame that would burn all in creation so that new things may grow.

>>36611276
>>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.
Gaia's Wrath made manifest.

>>36611276
>You were a little girl, wielding powers beyond your understanding.
>You were a dragon, wrapped in blood-red scales.

>>36611366
The Flame Imperishable? As awesome as Akari is, I think that might be overselling it a bit, especially in a setting where there are big-g Gods running around.

>>36611392
It was a dream.

>>36611276
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.
Pretty sure we're only supposed to pick one guys.

>>36611406
>Bowing down to the tyranny of the QM
NEVER

>>36611402
Yeah, but this is probably going to affect our self-image, and too much ego in an esper can lead to Bad Things.

>>36611392
Never heard of that, but it sounds like close to what I had in mind.
Not really a Dragon, or a girl or a firestorm, but Fire itself. The concept of Fire, of Cleansing Flames and of the Fiery Conflagration that turns all to ashes so that new wonders may rise in their place.

A really big thing to be, I know, but like >>36611402
It's a dream. We could be a big fiery Goat with a Moustache for all Dream Logic cares.

>>36611360
They're literally not the same.

They have the same effect, sure.
But that's not the point.

>>36611366
if you're going to do a write-in, then do a write-in, please.

>>36611346
If a firebird is a literal bird, then that should be a write-in, too.

>>36611383
... I guess I didn't specify that you were a little 'human' or otherwise 'not-a-dragon' girl.
So I accept your vote, comrade anon...
For now...

>>36611461
Sometimes I really don't know how you put up with us boss.

>>36611461
Nah, just referencing Fantasia, the Firebird itself isn't even a bird so much as it is the personification of nature's wrath that happens to sometimes looks like a bird.

>>36611461
>But that's not the point.
My point was more a being a little girl that does understand her powers and wields them callously because she doesn't care.
Might have been misleading by not making it one option, I guess.

>>36611461
Is it too late to change my vote to
>You were, a big fiery Goat with a Moustache
?

>>36611491
Honestly?
I'm good with kids.

Still, this is an important decision, and I don't want to press you guys into it without giving you time to discuss and decide.

The options represent things, both good and bad.
Choose one, or do a write-in.

I'll give you guys some time, okay?
I gotta go to the bathroom anyways.

>>36611461
I apologize for the poor write-in, Boss.

>>36611551
And suddenly, Akari became Demonbane Cthugha

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>>36611586
>I am Akari! Fear my Flames!

>>36611276
>>36611360
Changing to
>You were, a big fiery Goat with a Moustache

>>36611556
>discuss
>implying we're capable of reasoned discussion

I suspect most people are picking whatever sounds coolest to them and that's about it.

>>36611795
And that represents what to Akari's subconscious?

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>>36611276
since my Write in to for us to be Conceptual Fire itself was found wanting, I'll go with
>You were a force of nature- as malicious or benevolent as a blizzard or a hurricane.


>>36611828
That she is adorable, silly and incredibly deadly.
On a tangentially related note, I imagine Burning Glory looks like the Cthugha Handgun, but with a Revolver's Cylinder instead of a normal Pistol chamber.

Okay.
I wasn't expecting much discussion, to be honest, so the bit that has gone on is rather a nice surprise.

Now, let's do a vote.
Pick ONE option. If you wish to do a write-in, then pick the option with (Write-in!) in it, and put your write-in in those parenthesis.

>You were a big ol' fire-breathing dragon.
>You were a little girl with awesome powers.
>You were a little (dragon) girl with awesome powers
>You were a force of nature- i.e., a firestorm
>You were fire itself- the very concept of it.
>You were some other thing. (Write-in!)

>>36612031
>>You were fire itself- the very concept of it.
Force of nature was pretty awesome, but this is even better.

>>36612031
>You were, a big fiery Goat with a Moustache
No, now I'm sticking to it.

>>36612031
>You were fire itself- the very concept of it.
Looks like the Flame Imperishable it is!

>>36612031
>You were a little (dragon) girl with awesome powers
I'm sticking with it!

>>36612031
>You were fire itself- the very concept of it.
You are far too kind to us, Boss.
I wonder, What did we do to deserve you?

>>36612031
>You were fire itself- the very concept of it.

>>36612031
Y'know what
>You were, a big fiery Goat with a Moustache
Because dragons are overdone, and Akari is a bit strange like that.

>>36612095
I don't expect you guys to put a whole lot of thought into this stuff, but, for the sake of this whole exercise, could you possibly give me a reason as to /why/ you're sticking with your improperly-formatted write-in?

I mean, at least we've previously established that, when Akari tries to 'be' the fire, she behaves in a manner very much like fire.

And if you all want to choose that, for some reason that is beyond me, then, sure.
Whatever.

But, seriously.

One anon makes a point- in defense of being the concept of fire- and you take his absurd 'well, we /could/ be [absurd thing]' and latch onto it?

I don't even know what to do with that.

>>36612095
>>36612149
Guys, EsperQM's post is very clear on how he wants Write-ins to be structured.

>>36612207
People are weird, Boss.
It ain't even the stupidest thing I've seen people do on a quest, really.

>>36612207
I don't see how fiery goat is less fitting then dragon. I can't remember Akari having shown any affinity to dragons at any point, and yet, here it is.
I find it kind of odd everytime you of all people complain about someone making not completly serious write-ins.

>>36612207
I'm not quite sure what's up with the goat thing either, but we voted for "being the fire" because that seems to be the best way to be an amoral force of destruction that doesn't care for either side and just wants to restore the balance. It's not like destruction has to be an evil power or anything.

>>36612263
>I can't remember Akari having shown any affinity to dragons at any point, and yet, here it is.
There was that whole "let's steal Mechagodzilla! What was that, we cant? And because of good, sensible reasons too? NONSENSE!" Thing where Anon's insistence was passed off in character as the Fire influencing Akari into acting greedy like a dragon after a hoard.

>>36612336
That was stupid. I don't know how that would justify it at all.
And if we want to be strictly non-meta about it, then Akari lives in city that is culturally largely asian, and would therefore not automatically associate dragons with fire nor greed.

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>>36612296
>It's not like destruction has to be an evil power or anything.
GaoGaiGar approves of this message.

>>36612263
>I can't remember Akari having shown any affinity to dragons at any point
She has referred to her mindset when she gets too into her own sense of power, like when she was convinced it was totally a good idea to try and steal a precariously built giant robot, as being like a dragon.

Everything has symbolic meaning man.

>>36612263
'Fiery goat' is less fitting because it has no reasoning behind it.

You're making a decision about the psyche of the protagonist, here, and you've provided me a lolsorandumb write-in without even bothering to tell me why.

An 'affinity' to dragons is irrelevant, and has been demonstrated in the past- in a sense, at least.

I don't care if your write-in is silly.
Hell, I wish one of you would give me a silly write-in on every post.

What you're doing right now?
It's a lot like if you were playing, say, D&D, and you told the DM that your plan to rescue the princess was to "fly to the moon, gather up as much cheese as possible, and use that."

And, when the DM asks what kind of plan that is, you tell him he's a big faggot and he's not letting you have any fun.

So, when I ask you for a simple goddamn reason- it doesn't have to be serious, or reasonable, or even fucking relevant.
I just want an answer, an explanation. Something to go off of.
And you're just telling me to fuck off.

I don't know what to say.

>>36612384
Yeah, that's what we were thinking of, "the infinite possibility of a new start" or something like that from FINAL.

>>36612296
>just wants to restore the balance
I don't think it makes a lot of sense to choose something impersonal that doesn't have a agenda, if you want to give it an agenda and motivation. And restoring the balance is definitly a agenda.

>>36612440
Anon, I could hug you right now.

>>36612419
I guess it was a mistake I invited, I didn't vote for it. I just said that it isn't any less random than dragon. Thats just my opinion regardless of the vote.

>>36612377
It is also a very western influenced society that is very familiar with both the traditional eastern dragon and the D&D/Tolkien influenced western Dragons.
That isn't really that stupid. Also, the resemblance between that mindset Akari slipped into and that of a Dragon was not really remarked upon in-character, but in a later post of the GM where he admitted they were similar because o e of the anons commented on it.

We aren't going anywhere, guys. QM, the fire itself option won.

>>36612491
>It is also a very western influenced society
That is true, I'm just saying there is no reason for her to subsconciously associate dragons with fire nor greed. Sure you could bend it that she maybe is just really that much into western style dragons, but you could also argue that goats are often used as symbol for satan, who in turn is represetnive of hellfire, which makes a lot of sense considering the previous choice of being a "punishing fire". And I would argue that association makes actually more sense, since christianity is definitly more influential in Japan than western fantasy or the Nibelungenlied.

>>36612440
Yeah, that was my thinking, it's something without agency, but also not entirely destructive like the firestorm/natural disaster.

It's not a fear of her own worst aspects, of not having control or of just being destructive, it's more a fear of being used to do harm, or at least that's how I saw it.

Alright, that's the end of the vote.

We've got three votes for being fire.

One vote for being a little dragon girl.

And

Two votes for this quest needing more goats.

Which means that being fire itself won.

I'll get to writing after I find something for this headache I've inexplicably developed.

>>36612576
>t's more a fear of being used to do harm
Someone should have made a write-in of her being represented by a sword or a weapon of some sort.

>>36612614
>needing more goats
But Mato is already GOAT.

>>36612614
Sorry for giving you headache. For what it's worth, I'm glad you're such a patient and understanding guy.

>>36612621
>Akari is the Innocent Blade.
>[Demonbane Intensifies]

>>36612614
If you don't like a write-in, or think it doesn't make sense based on established choices, which is definitly something that can be said for the "I'm fire, yet I punished people", then don't allow the write-in.
Simple as that.

>>36612684
It's fine. I'm not upset, just...
I don't even know.
Maybe I am upset, and I just don't want to admit it to myself or some shit.

>>36612713
I would've been fine with the write-in if it had included a 'because (reasons and/or thoughts)' like every other write-in ever tends to have.
But it didn't.

Dream-logic is fluid and malleable, but things happen for reasons, and I can't be expected to come up with reasons for random shit about flaming goats.

If you want a write-in, you have to either give one that makes sense in some way, or tell me why you think it's applicable.

Of course, nobody will deem following these rules necessary, just like all the other ones I've included.
But I'll still explain, because I'm a naive motherfucker.

>>36612814
>but you could also argue that goats are often used as symbol for satan, who in turn is represetnive of hellfire, which makes a lot of sense considering the previous choice of being a "punishing fire"
Sounds like sound reasoning for the fire goat thing.

>>36612904
Oh for fuck's sake, just drop it already.

>>36612713
>>36612904
I see references to merciless and indiscriminate, not punishing, actually.

>>36612904
And you wish for Akari to be subconsciously associating herself with Satan?

I mean, at least you gave a reason.

I wouldn't call it 'sound,' but it's something for me to go off of.

>>36612904
It's irrelevant now, anyway, since Conceptual Fire won.

>>36612961
No, with punishing, and since she has a lot of guilt issues in regards to how she uses her fire, she could very well demonize herself.
Dragons aren't very cheerful critters either.
Man, I didn't even vote for the that, but my on-the-spot explanation grows on me, I kinda regret it.
>>36612999
>>36612936
He asked for a explanation.

… it's kinda weird, now that you think about it, but... you /were/ fire.

The concept of fire, even.

All fire was a part of you, and you were a part of all fire.

Which is really crazy, and a little disconcerting, but... it was just a dream, right?

It probably doesn't mean anything!

It's not like there's anything wrong with being a sentient, amoral force of destruction and death... right?

…

There's nothing evil about it, at least.

…

Is... is there?

Your thoughts are interrupted by a familiar 'voice.' [Abilities aren't inherently good or evil... it's how you use them.]

You open your eyes to see the Eye of Judgment floating above you, glowing slightly and thrumming gently.

>[How very wise of you. I'm impressed]
>[... Thanks. I needed that.]
>[It's nice to say things like that, but...]
>[I see. But I'm more concerned about my usage of my power than the power itself.]
>[... You're right. It's just an excuse.]
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36613194
>[... You're right. It's just an excuse.]
Our power does not define us, we define our power!

>>36613194
>[I see. But I'm more concerned about my usage of my power than the power itself.]

>>36613194
>[I see. But I'm more concerned about my usage of my power than the power itself.]

>>36613194
>>[... You're right. It's just an excuse.]
We can't let our fears control or define us.

>>36613194
>[I see. But I'm more concerned about my usage of my power than the power itself.]
The Eye of Judgement ithe best Bro.

>>36613252
>>36613285
it's an excuse

>>36613273
>>36613282
>>36613355
>I see

Okay, writing.

File: The Eye of Judgment (or S(...).jpg (109 KB, 1152x864)

109 KB JPG

You afford the Eye a small smile. [I see,] you reply, [but I'm more concerned about my usage of my power than the power itself.]

The Eye bobs a little. [Ah, I understand. I apologize for attempting to teach you a lesson you have already learned.]

[It's perfectly alright.] You pause. [Maybe it's just what I needed to hear.]

[… Perhaps it was.] The Eye pulsates slowly. [The fire becomes more integral a part of you every day,] it notes. [I do not know what to think of this, but I feel that exercising caution would likely be a wise course of action.]

You frown. [… What do you mean by that, exactly?]

The Eye rolls, making a few revolutions without moving from the spot it's floating in. [I am uncertain... perhaps I can better relate the idea with a proverb?]

[Go for it.]

['Fire in the heart sends smoke into the head.']

…

You blink.

That's...

Interesting.

[Was that helpful?]

>(LIE) [... Yes. Very much so. Thank you.]
>[Um... maybe? I'll have to think on it.]
>[... No, I don't think so. Thanks for trying, though.]
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36613919
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]

>>36613919
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]
It's a good point, the sentient fireball is dang smart.

>>36613919
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]
Do we have power, or does power have us?

>>36613919
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]
We've been letting our power control us when it ought to be the other way around!

>>36613919
>[I... yeah. Yeah, it was.]
Count on the Eye to help us out when we're facing a quandary.

>>36613949
>>36613998
>>36613999
>>36614024
>>36614075
>... yeah.

Okay, writing.

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

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[I...] You find yourself trailing off without meaning to. [Yeah. Yeah, it was.]

The Eye thrums and bobs up and down. [Good. I am glad that I was able to render assistance.]

You nod.

You're glad, too.

You thank the Eye, and, after regarding you for a moment or two longer, it floats off.

The Eye had a good point, but...

You can't help but feel like...

>like... you /are/ fire.
>like... fire is an integral part of you. Like your muscles or your bones.
>like... fire... destruction... they're just part of who you are. They're in your very nature.
>like... fire isn't actually what your abilities are all about.
>like... you're perfectly in control.
>like... something else? (Write-in!)

>>36614798
>like... fire isn't actually what your abilities are all about.
We have quite a lot of abilities that aren't actually 'fire'.

>>36614798
>like... fire... destruction... they're just part of who you are. They're in your very nature.
The infinite possibility of a new zero... it's not an inherently evil power.

>>36614798
>like... fire isn't actually what your abilities are all about.

>>36614798
>>like... fire... destruction... they're just part of who you are. They're in your very nature.
And then Akari was Genesic.

>>36614798
>like... fire... destruction... they're just part of who you are. They're in your very nature.
Time to break the tie.

>>36614868
>>36614934
Not fire, but...

>>36614878
>>36614944
>>36615077
>BURN

Okay, writing.

>>36614798
>like... fire isn't actually what your abilities are all about.

File: u wot.png (337 KB, 823x720)

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… like fire- and all that it entails- are part of who you are.

Whether or not they're the defining traits of your existence...

You shake your head as you get out of bed and dress yourself.

That... that remains to be seen.

Like it or not, the future won't be known to you until you get there, so you see little point in worrying about things you can't really change.

You leave your room and make your way to the kitchen, following the smell of waffles to its source.

… Mato...?

…

You tilt your head at this.

That's definitely Mato, standing there, humming and shaking her bottom as she prepares food. You'd recognize that bottom anywhere- and the rest of her, too, but that's not really the point.

Since when can Mato make food without causing mass hysteria?

…

>Staaaaaaaare.
>Hug her from behind.
>Touch. Her. Butt.
>“... Mato?”
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36615652
>Hug her from behind.
I think Akari probably needs a hug after all that.

>>36615652
>Touch. Her. Butt.
Butt! Mato butt! it sings to me!

>>36615652
>Hug her from behind.

>>36615652
>>Hug her from behind.
Hugs are always good.

File: Akari- WHOOP WHOOP.gif (281 KB, 500x500)

281 KB GIF

>>36615684
>>36615706
>>36615710
>Pure

>>36615694
Anon has fallen to the butt side of the force

Okay, writing!

You follow your instincts, moving over to her and pressing your body to hers as you wrap your arms about her midsection.

She reaches a hand back behind herself and pats you on the head. “Morning, Akari~!” She sing-songs, “I'm making waffles!”

You nuzzle up against her back affectionately. “I noticed,” you say, and she laughs.

“Really? I kinda got the feeling you were looking at my butt.”

…

“Only a little,” you reply, not untruthfully (which, now that you think on it, is rather unfortunate), “but it was the smell that lead me to the kitchen in the first place.”

Mato looks over her shoulder at you and pouts.

“... Only a little?”

You blink. “I know it like the back of my hand. I don't need to look at it much.”

Mato makes a 'HMPH' noise and tosses her hair- which, given it's done up in those same looooong twintails as always, only manages to look rather silly.

“If you're gonna look at my butt, you need to do it right!”

>... What?
>Ask her if she's feeling alright.
>Hug her HARDER.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36616274
>>Something else? (Write-in!)
>Drop to your knees and give her butt a good inspection.

Wow that sounds even lewder than I intended it to.

>>36616274
>Hug her HARDER.
More hugs!

>>36616274
>Hug her HARDER.
>Staaaaaaare at her butt.

>>36616274
>>Hug her HARDER.
When in doubt, go for more hugs.

>>36616349
>>36616382
>>36616376
Maximum overhug

>>36616324
wow

okay, writing

You give her a squeeze. “And what if I don't?”

“I'll... I'll...” She pauses for a moment. “I won't talk to you! We'll have to communicate in sign language, and-”

You interrupt her 'threat' with a laugh. “Go ahead. It's nothing I'm not used to.”

You give her a moment to let your statement sink in.

…

“W-well... fine,” she says, breaking your grip on her midsection by inhaling deeply and puffing out her chest, “you win this time.” She turns around, placing a plate of waffles into your hands and a container of syrup on your head. “But, mark my words, next time, you'll be less used to me not talking like this!”

…

You blink at her.

“Are you... warming the syrup... with my head?”

“... Maybe.”

>POUT.
>THREATEN TO WRITE A STRONGLY-WORDED LETTER COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS
>Overheat the syrup so it's all runny and gross. You monster.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36616967
>POUT.
Then grab her butt. If she so wants attention to it, who are we to deny that work of art?

>>36616967
>POUT.

>>36616967
>Something else? (Write-in!)
>Try to moderate the flame so as to produce the ideal syrup

>>36616967
>>Something else? (Write-in!)
>>Try head-cooking

>>36616998
>>36616999
>POUT

>>36617052
>>36617071
You are awful at play-fighting, anons

Anyways, writing!

>>36617223
Hey, it's good practice for controlling our power!

You pout at her, and she nonchalantly swishes the syrup around in the container.

“Hmm. Needs to be a bit hotter...” she mumbles.

You snort. “I'd like to see you /try/ and make me heat up!”

You can practically see the light-bulb clicking on above her head.

“You would, huh?” She's grinning, more smugly than you've ever seen her before.

In fact, you're almost surprised Mato's capable of smugness.

The way she's looking at you right now reminds you a bit of the way a cat looks at a mouse, right before it starts playing with its soon-to-be food.

… You... you kinda like it.

Heh... hehehehe...

N-no!

You can't heat up! Especially not just because she's being smug!

What would Nee-chan say?

…

…

Wait, that's a good question. What /would/ Nee-chan say?

…

Probably something like, 'Adventure? Heh. Excitement? Heh. A Jedi craves not these things.'

… Wait, why is Mato lifting her leg?

“Akari~” Mato sings as she finishes raising her leg up, over your shoulder, and straight up.
You manage to remain silent, somehow, but... wow.
She lowers her leg after a few moments, hooking it around your head and over both shoulders, so that your neck is caught in the crook of her knee.

As if that wasn't enough, she leans forward, bringing her lips right next to your ear, and whispers, “I need you to heat up for me, okay Akari?”

>[Blustering noises]
>Comply.
>FIGHT THE POWER!
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36617634
ROW ROW
>FIGHT THE POWER!

>>36617634
>[Blustering noises]
This is an unexpected development.

>>36617634
>Comply.
FLAME ON!

>>36617634
>>Comply.
What Mato wants, Mato gets, especially if it gives us an excuse to burn.

>>36617664
heresy

>>36617685
cute

>>36617784
>>36617804
AYE-AYE, CAP'N

Okay, writing!

She sure is elastic.

>>36618039
Yep.

She always was, really.

But now she's perma-tall, too, and she knows it.

Ah, there's that fascinating heat in your cheeks again.

You manage to stammer an “O-o-okay,” which earns you a “Good girl!” and a kiss on the cheek.

…

You're preparing to heat it up further when she removes the container from your head and says “Perfect! Good job, Akari!”

…

You don't say anything.

Both because you don't want her to revoke her praise, and because admitting you heated up out of sheer flustered-ness would be embarrassing enough to kill an elephant.

She lifts her leg away from your neck and returns it to its rightful place below her torso, with her foot resting on the floor, and, after noticing your lack of volition, she places a hand on your lower back and guides you over to the table.

She sits down in a chair, then sticks a leg straight out to one side.

You look at her like she's a crazy person, and she gestures for you to have a seat...

On her leg.

…

>“... Okay, now you're just showing off.”
>Comply.
>Sit down in a chair, like a normal person.
>Something else? (Write-in!)

>>36618193
>“... Okay, now you're just showing off.”
>Comply.
Why not both?

>>36618193
>“... Okay, now you're just showing off.”
Mato is really enjoying that amp, huh?

>>36618193
>>“... Okay, now you're just showing off.”
>>Comply.
There's no reason we can't call her out and still play along.

Anyone want to place bets on what kind of power-ups we got this time?

File: awwww yeah.png (100 KB, 434x244)

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>>36618209
>>36618234
>why not both?

>>36618216
she sure is

Okay, writing!

>>36618359
Maybe something like Kaiser Nova or the Shi Shi Hokodan? No attempts at such lame concepts as "aim" or "control," just pure unrelenting FUCK YOU in area form localized on Akari.

>>36618429
>Kaiser Nova
That reminds me - we put it off in the dream, but eventually we're gonna have to decide whether to be a god or a devil and I'm slightly worried as to what /tg/ will ultimately choose.

>>36618584
Akari is a good girl and a friend of JUSTICE, even if certain anons seem to be obsessed with making her a fiery mass murderer.

You set your plate on the table and roll your eyes at her. “Okay,” you say, reaching down to dust off her leg (just like you would an actual chair!) “Now you're just showing off.”

She grins widely as you take a seat on her leg, on the thigh-side of her knee.

“Of course I'm showing off! I can talk! Imagine if Superman couldn't fly, but, one day, he could! Why wouldn't he take whats-her-face on a... y'know, a flight?”

You blink.

“Oh, and if he got even stronger, too! Don't forget that, that's a big deal.”

You can't hold back a laugh at that one.

She's so... enthusiastic. Like a puppy.

“So, basically, what you're saying is that you can /talk/ and be super-strong at the same time, now, and it'd be a waste not to use that power to... flirt? With me.” You raise an eyebrow. “...your girlfriend.”

She nods. “Exactly.”

“But... I'm already your girlfriend. You don't have to-”

“I know, but it's fun, isn't it?” She smiles innocently. “Also, Akane-neesan told me that you'd be really-”

You stop her short by shoveling a fork-full of waffle into her mouth.

You... don't really want to know.

Mato swallows the gag easily. “... You sure? It was really interesting. For some reason, she seems to know a lot about what gets you-”

HERE, HAVE SOME MORE WAFFLES.

Huh, well that was a sudden ending. Well, thanks for running EQM.