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Last time on KRSQ we had a training montage, met a few new people, got to see a calmer side of the Helheim Forest, and embarassed ourselves in front of K, before becoming a badass for a minute in front of a mysterious "helper", named Shun.

However, after a long day of rest, you've got a lot of options open to you today. Chief among them is working at Charmant, which is a given. But after work, what would you like to pursue?

>Learning more about Shun and the mixup with the Lockseed theives
>Micchy's challenge to the Beat Rider community
>Patrolling the city for loose Inves
>Practicing with Raid Wild
>Other (write in)

VOTING RULES:
>First to five votes, or highest votes within 15 minutes.
>In case of skill check, best of 5 d20 rolls. Crit failures (1) and crit successes (20) override the other rolls, unless there is an opposing crit - in which case, the crit fail and crit success override each other, and success is drawn from remaining 3 rolls.
>Write-in accompaniments are encouraged, both verbal and physical.
>OOC chat is encouraged.

VOTING OPEN

>>38314361
Amended to wait until there's at least two players before beginning.

>>38314361
>Learning more about Shun and the mixup with the Lockseed theives
>Micchy's challenge to the Beat Rider community
These two go hand in hand!

>>38314361

>Learning more about Shun and the mixup with the Lockseed theives
>Micchy's challenge to the Beat Rider community

Some good 'ol digging for info.

>>38314578
>>38314598

As you put on your uniform for work at Charmant, you ponder the last couple of days. Beat Riding had been at the back of your mind, but with this entire deal with Shun, the thieves last night, and the report of soemone actively trying to hunt high-level lockseeds via intimidation and even the application of violence, you've been mentally pulled back in. If this keeps up, there's a big risk of the entire community potentially being pulled down to gang violence and actual warfare.

You hope that it doesn't have to come to that before you solve the mystery... but as of now you haven't a clue where to start.

Aside from Micchy's collect-a-thon challenge.

...Wait.

The more you think about it, the more it could make sense. You'd have to talk to Micchy about it, but there's a good chance you could take a massive shot at whatever operation there is for stealing Lockseeds with this.

But for right now, as you stumble out the door and climb aboard the Rose Attacker, you've got work to do. Let's hope your body and mind can handle it today...

>Roll 1d20, best of five.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>38314745
Lets go

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>38314745

Dice gods, guide my dice!

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>38314745
Preparing for failure.

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>>38314962
That certainly ain't failure.

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Rolled 17, 2 = 19 (2d20)

>>38315010
Finishing out the rolls, then will continue.

>>38314962
>>38315010

Well, good that we didn't manage to decapitate ourselves at work then.

>>38315116
>>38314962

Over the course of the journey, the chilly air and wind in your face seems to rejuvenate you, setting a flame of determination into your gut that you hadn't felt in a while. THe last time you were there, you had to run out on Oren to end up wrecking a mall. Even though he defended you on TV against popular criticism, that still didn't mean you were out of the bad parts yet.

But fuck that. You're feeling great today, and you're not gonna let some damn worry about the past overtake you today. You've got work to do, on a lot of different things. Customers need you, your boss needs you, and maybe most importantly, you need the money to pay rent.

I mean.

Yeah. Helping the people.

When you get there, you immediately get to work behind the counter. Today ends up being a moderately busy day, but nothing overwhelming - coffee and drinks are served rapidly, pastries almost fly out of the bakery to plates and bags. You really are on a roll with everyone right now, and you can feel Oren's gaze on you.

He's impressed. And that's not something that he is willing to throw out lightly.

>OREN: "Kinushima-chan, a word please?"
he asks, once your shift is over for the day. He pulls you aside for a moment, as you're clocking out.

>OREN: "Look, I know you're getting more involved in the Beat Riding business lately. But I also want to make sure you aren't forgetting your duties here. When you ran out a few days ago, you left a line that extended out the door and nearly around the block - which only got bigger once people heard what happened at the mall. When you didn't come back, I was almost ready to fire you then and there!"
He looks really serious about this.

CHOICE:
>Respond indignatly (write in)
>Respond quietly. (write in)
>Respond affirmatively. (write in)
>Other (write in)

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>>38315362
Forgot pic.

>>38315362
>Respond affirmatively.

"I understand, patissier. I'm surprised that you didn't, honestly. And I was even more surprised to watch you defend me on that talk show."

>>38315362
>Other (write in)
"I know, patissier, I'm sorry. I have a duty to fulfill here, it was wrong of me to just run out like that. But there's no one doing anything about the Inves. The police are helpless, and Yggdrasil is too absorbed in research to care. We're being attacked by monsters from another dimension, and no one seems to have a plan for dealing with that. There were people getting hurt, I reacted on instinct. And afterwards...afterwards I was too freaked out to come back. What happened that day scared me, bad. I was ashamed, and terrified, and I didn't trust myself around other people. But you've been a great boss, and you deserve better treatment from me. Especially after you defended me like that. I'll get it together, patissier. I promise."

>>38315744
Going with this.... Totally this

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>>38315536
>>38315744

>MAKOTO: "I understand, patissier. I'm surprised that you didn't, honestly. And I was even more surprised to watch you defend me on that talk show."
>OREN: "*sighs* If I had fired you, not only would I have lost a great employee but I would have had HELL to pay for the loss. Plus, y'know. Can't really blame you, after all. Those Inves getting loose aren't really something you can ignore."
>OREN: "Just, from now on... be more mindful of yourself, okay? I don't want to come in one day and find out that you've gotten yourself killed because you went farther than youcould have handled and possibly caused irreparable damage to yourself and others. Yeah?"
>MAKOTO: "...I know, patissier, I'm sorry. I have a duty to fulfill here, it was wrong of me to just run out like that. But there's no one doing anything about the Inves. The police are helpless, and Yggdrasil is too absorbed in research to care. We're being attacked by monsters from another dimension, and no one seems to have a plan for dealing with that. There were people getting hurt, I reacted on instinct. And afterwards...afterwards I was too freaked out to come back. What happened that day scared me, bad. I was ashamed, and terrified, and I didn't trust myself around other people. But you've been a great boss, and you deserve better treatment from me. Especially after you defended me like that. I'll get it together, patissier. I promise."

The smile on his face that he gives you is one of the most genuine, pride-based smiles you've seen.

>Your relationship with Oren has strengthened.

The air is colder than before once you leave work. You can see the thick gray clouds of an oncoming storm in the distance, and judging by the temperature, it's gonna be a snowstorm. Now with a sense of urgency spawned by the oncoming weather, you decide to further pursue Micchy's challenge, and maybe hopefully gain some more clues as to what exactly is going on.

>Choice in next post.

>>38315839
However, you've got a couple of options on how to approach this. As far as you know currently, you're the only Beat Rider that's had to deal with these theives. You didn't really score a name, aside from a logo of the Shibata Clan and the knowledge that they're looking for high-class lockseeds.

Where to pursue these threads, now, is the next question.

>Meet up with Micchy and Kouta and discuss this.
>Meet up with Raid Wild and discuss this.
>Put it aside for now and talk with Micchy about his challenge.
>Other (write in)

>>38315926
>Meet up with Raid Wild and discuss this.

Our team comes first. We can talk about it with Team Gaim later.

Gonna shift the vote times back to 30 minutes, hopefully that will help people also jump in.

>>38315965
Vote counted.

>Meet up with Raid Wild and discuss this.

Seems like a good plan to me.

>>38315926
>Meet up with Raid Wild and discuss this.
We've kinda been neglecting our team...

Also,
>>38316045
'Sup Sagara.
What's the source of those pics you've used for Makoto?

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>>38316251
>>38316223
Votes counted.

Also the source is the Idolm@ster anime. There's a character in there named Makoto (oddly enough) that seems to fit the description almost perfectly, short of the hair color, of our Makoto. Not to mention she looks great in a suit.

Writing reply.

>>38316360
I really need to start watching this thing. People on 4chan seem to love it if the memes are any indication, and Ace Combat is already trying to ram those idols down my throat anyway.
I'm also a sucker for girls in suits, so I think I'll like it.

>>38314207
I'm gaim if you are.

>>38316360

>TEXT TO: RAID WILD
>TEXT FROM: MAKOTO KINUSHIMA
Hey guys, sorry I've been out of the loop for a while. I've discovered something, however, that may need some attention. When are y'all free?

=================================

At Drupers, you meet up with Honda and Ryouji - everyone else apparently either hasn't gotten the message, chose to stay home, or something else. The team's looking not terribly great. Honda's not in the best of moods today - looking like a bundled up Baymax almost, given how suddenly chilly it's becoming. Ryouji's not looking great either, though it's mostly his disposition.

>RYOUJI: "It's fuckin' cold, Makoto, what the hell? What's so important that you're callin' us up today of all things? Didn't you hear about the snowstorm that's incoming?"

Honda tries to speak, but the scarf around his face muffles him past any hope of recognition.

You silence the two of them with the spare cellphone you pull from your pocket. The one you swiped from the Shibata clan goons that had tried to mug you.

>MAKOTO: "Got this from a bunch of thugs who tried to mug me and another Beat Rider - a solo one by the name of Shun, with his own Lockseed - for our gear last night. Said that they were on the hunt for high class lockseeds for some guy named Shibata. Didn't know what Drivers were or anything.. but I'm worried. I'm worried that this is gonna start affecting the Beat Rider circle. Especially if it goes unchecked."
>RYOUJI: "And they're not other Beat Riders, you're sure?"
>MAKOTO: "Wielded no lockseeds of their own. But one of them tried hitting me with rebar. Rebar, of all things!"
>RYOUJI: "Tell me you kicked their asses."
>MAKOTO: "They fled like pussies. Left this phone."

CHOICE:
>Hash things out with Ryouji and Honda, discuss recent happenings.
>Inspect the phone for clues
>Other (write in)

>>38316583
>Hash things out with Ryouji and Honda, discuss recent happenings.
>Inspect the phone for clues

We can do both, I think.
Anyway, it'll be better if we can agree on what to look for before searching through the Cellphone.

>>38316683
Going with this.

>>38316719

Same.

>>38316583
>Hash things out with Ryouji and Honda, discuss recent happenings.

>>38316683
>>38316719
>>38316773

>MAKOTO: "I'm thinking of trying my hand at looking in the phone, seeing what we can come up with. I'm not really expecting much, especialyl if they're just grunts, but maybe a bit of insight into how these people work.

Ryoji and Honda nod, and while the three of you order parfaits and sustenance, you begin to browse through the old phone. It looks like it's seen much wear and tear - not helped at all by the fact it was dropped prior to being picked up.

On the phone itself are your typical apps. It's one of those flip phones, so the usage is a bit slow, much slower than your own phone. But between browsing the recent messages, and looking at browsing history, there's a lot more than you expected.

For one, this Shibata guy is apparently styled after one of those bonafide yakuza. Ineo Shibata, a burgeoning entrepreneur with a bunch of smaller businesses under his management according to the internet. And if the rumors and other accusations are true, a potential ringleader of a Lockseed-stealing scheme. Though for what purpose, it wasn't clear.

Ryouji echoed the sentiment.
>RYOUJI: "What could a possible yakuza want with the Lockseeds? Unless they are aiming to try..."
>MAKOTO: "...to do something with the Lockseed market?"
>RYOUJI: "And what, take business away from the Lock Dealers? This makes no sense..."
>MAKOTO: "We shouldn't make assumptions without further evidence. For now, we should probably..."

>Warn the rest of the Beat Riders about potential muggings
>Go after the Shibata Clan ourselves.
>Ignore it.
>Other (write in)

>>38317096
>Warn the rest of the Beat Riders about potential muggings

>>38317096
>Warn the rest of the Beat Riders about potential muggings
Man, I really hope that no one's figured out how to jailbreak Lockseeds yet, I get the feeling that might be related to this.

>>38317096
>Warn the rest of the Beat Riders about potential muggings

Mass text, away~!

>>38317096

Yeah, we should probably warn them, although I wouldn't be surprised if Kouta does something stupid and we have to pull him out of the fire.

>>38317198
What could Kouta do? Start hunting the Shibata?

>>38317198

Shit, forgot to vote.

>Warn the rest of the Beat Riders about potential muggings

>>38317220

Knowing him, probably. Dude's got a big heart and I respect him for that, but at the same time, he's kind of lacking on critical thinking skills.

>>38317268
Are you implying we wouldn't do exactly that after warning everyone about the muggers?

>>38317229
>>38317157
>>38317156
>>38317149

>TEXT TO: ALL BEAT RIDERS
>TEXT FROM: MAKOTO KINUSHIMA

Hey y'all, got a warning out for y'all. A third party is trying to get involved in the Beat Rider circle for profit, and not for competition. If anyone starts asking around for high-level lockseeds, and threatens violence if you don't? Don't hesitate to defend yourself.
Further, be aware of guys that are dressed like they're living in thrift shops that are asking these kinds of questions. They seem to be allied with some group called the Shibata clan, and they're more than willing ot resort to violence to get your Lockseeds. DO NOT START KILLING THEM, they are humans as well.

To be sure, you send off a picture of the Shibata Clan's logo.

And as expected, within minutes the entire /br/ board goes nuts.

Soon enough, even DJ Sagara's tweeted that he's gonna report o n this soon, once more details have been obtained.

Welp, you've now let everyone know about this... where do you go now?

>Talk with Ryouji and Honda about Micchy's challenge.
>Talk more about personal recent occurrences (and apologize for being absent)
>Talk about the team at large
>Other (write in)

>>38317295

No. But at the same time, Mako has at least already told some of her team, namely the boss and second in command, about this. Whereas Mai told Kouta about Team Red Hot jailbreaking their lockseeds, then, next scene we see him in, he's confronting them about it before getting his face slightly kicked in and then getting a power-up.

Not sure how much of this counts as a spoiler, so spoilered for safety.

>>38317473
>Talk more about personal recent occurrences (and apologize for being absent)
>Talk about the team at large

>>38317473
>Talk more about personal recent occurrences (and apologize for being absent)

These guys aren't just our team, they're our friends.

>>38317511
Good thing for us, we don't have a Genesis Core yet. Unlike Kouta, Sagara isn't just going to hand us super modes out of nowhere.

>>38317578

True.

>Talk more about personal recent occurrences (and apologize for being absent)

>>38317719
>>38317574
>>38317547

You resume the discussion with Ryouji and Honda, trying to turn the conversation to something a bit more dealable.

>MAKOTO: "Also, uh. I have to apologize to y'all."
>RYOUJI: "Mm."
>MAKOTO: "I pretty much ran off yesterday to do my own thing. And I'm pretty sure I missed practice yesterday as well..."

Ryouji remains silent, but it's the silence that's accompanied by a stare of "continue talking and we might just see where this goes, if i'm not angrier by the end of it", instead of anything positive.

>RYOUJI: "Mako-chan, I get it. You were trying to get some time to yourself after the mall incident. It's a thing, I understand. But do you understand just how much you put us through with that little stunt?"
>MAKOTO: "Which stunt."
>RYOUJI: "The mall! And then running off the next day!"
>MAKOTO: "Oh for fuck's sake."
>RYOUJI: "Why didn't you talk to us? Why did you decide that you were better suited off cutting contact from everyone instead of just letting us know that hey, you were alright, not worse for wear, and maybe you'd be coming back--"

>Let Ryouji talk
>Try to get Honda to cover you
>Fight back.
>Other (write in)

>>38317956
>Let Ryouji talk

>Let Ryouji talk

>>38317956
>Other (write in)
Come clean about the Dragon. How we've got this thing in the back of our head urging us to fight, and we're not sure if it's real or if we're just crazy, but it scares us. We nearly killed someone, once, when it got out of control. Then we went completely berserk in the middle of a fight, and that got us really scared. We couldn't trust ourselves around other people, not like that. We didn't say anything about how we might be coming back, because we didn't even know if we were going to stay out in the normal world. There was a very real chance we would have had to check into a mental hospital, we still might end up doing that.

>>38318190
Maybe we should wait until we're alone with Ryouji to do that. He seems like he took it the hardest, and we don't want Honda thinking we're insane.

>>38318190

You do know that mystical voodoo mumbo jumbo is definitely not out in the open yet and that we should probably hold off on doing that for a very long time, if ever, depending on how this goes?

Honesty, in this situation, is going to get us put into a fucking straight jacket.

>>38318364
I just don't feel like hiding it any more. It's something we need to get help for. And it's not like people don't already think we're crazy.

>>38318405
It's safe to say that Dragon is its own entity, even in character. The way it physically transformed our armor when we fought against K should be evidence enough. Besides, shouldn't fighting extradimensional monsters on a daily basis sort of redefine what's normal in our life?

I'm seeing mixed reviews on telling Ryouji about the Dragon.

>Tell him
>Don't tell him.

>>38318542
Don't tell him yet

>>38318500
I'm not saying I think the Dragon isn't real. I'm saying Makoto needs to be able to talk to other people about it instead of concealing it like some shameful secret. She's bearing all this weight essentially alone, being able to acknowledge the problems she's facing instead of bottling them all up would help her. At this point people already think she's crazy, at least if she opened up about things she could get some support.

>>38318567
I agree with you, I just think now isn't an appropriate time to do so. With Honda here, and everybody on edge with the oncoming storm, I just think there's a better time to drop a bombshell like that.

>>38318542
>Don't tell him.
I guess we'll save this for later. Let's just let him finish talking for now, I suppose.

>>38318645
>>38318556

Letting Ryouji speak and keeping quiet about the Dragon confirmed. Writing reply.

>>38318748

>RYOUJI: "--to us in one piece, even if you had to take a break for a while and we'd understand. Shit like that isn't incomprehensible, y'know. We just were real worried that you up and abandoned us without telling us. Y'know."

He's clearly running out of steam, but the emotion in his voice is genuine. This man was worried sick about you, and took it as an offense among other things.

You weigh the options immediately, about letting him know about everything - the parasitic Dragon entity that's taken a hold of you and doesn't seem to want to let go any time soon. It's pushing you to greater heights of limits for yourself, and it's getting worse and worse as time goes on. If you don't figure out some way to let it out, it's going to end up in rampages.

Rampages on people, even.

But Honda's here, and you have no clue how he'd take it. Ryoji might have a better idea, but not him. He hasn't donned the Driver and most likely won't ever do so. And it might be for the best that he doesn't. And what's he going to do when he hears that you have confessed to believing in some kind of supernatural entity who's pushing you to near psychosis?

You sigh.
And you lie.

>MAKOTO: "I'm sorry. I just didn't feel like myself after that, and I just didn't trust putting the driver back on after that. I didn't mean to leave you guys out of the loop like that... please forgive me. It won't happen again."

God, you hope you don't have to do that again.

>RYOUJI: "...Look, it's fine. Just please keep us in the loop from now on, okay?"

>Agree.
>Remain silent.
>Other (write in)

>>38319113
>Agree.

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>>38319193
I'm guessing it's a slow night tonight, huh.
Hey y'all, if I'm going too slow for you guys, don't be afraid to let me know. I am open for criticism about the quest, after all.

>>38319113
>Agree

>>38319591
I can't speak for everyone, but I don't mind waiting, if it's for nicely written, long entries. I'd say everybody's just taking a little while to get back into the quest, now that we have a set schedule again.

>>38319801
I'm with you on that. Though he does need responses to write.

>>38319731
>>38319193

You nod in agreement, falling quiet. Ryoji smiles once more, and the atmosphere of the room starts to lighten just a bit.

Snow is starting to fall, crystalline glitter silently accumulating on the sidewalks and roads. Less and less cars are driving by, and the sound of the heating unit can be heard starting up in the back.

Yep. Snow's here, and you're willing to bet it's going to stay a while.

The three of you start sharing what's been going on over the last couple of days. You bring up the occurrence of you running into (and Dempsey Rolling) an accomplished stuntman, and their eyes go wide. Accounts of "I don't believe a damn word out of your mouth, Kinushima" are echoed from one to another, but you have the scars across your hands to prove it.

While you've been gone, Ryoji had been finally getting his dancing back into gear. After so long in the hospital, his muscles weren't quite as used to the exercise as he would have liked, so he spent just as much time training to dance as you had to fight. A strange juxtaposition, you supposed, but the more training y'all had, the better.

Honda, finally, had gotten a job! It was a warehouse position, but was still a job nonetheless. It sounded like he got paid decent money, to be sure. But that would mean he might not spend so much time around the group...

>Continue hanging out and spend the rest of the evening together.
>Go home early, maybe hang out with mom.
>Other (write in)

>>38320127
>Continue hanging out and spend the rest of the evening together.

Gotta make up for lost time, especially after a heart-to-heart like that.

>>38320127
>Hang out

We need some quality time with our team.

>>38320221

Over the course of the next couple hours, the three of you get to talking more and more. The late hours come, and in order to continue the conversation Honda suggests moving the group to a bar or something of the like.

And as much of this kind of tale goes, you stay far later than anticipated. 7 turns to 9, turns to 10, and so on. Beer and snack food flows like water almost, and you can feel your tongue loosening under the alcohol.

Now herein lies the problem with drinking with your friends. Most of the time it's just a good old time to be had by all. But these are friends who have been through turf battles, defending pride and home from other teams, and in the case of Ryoji, even saving a life. They're not just friends, they're close friends.

But right now, there's only a couple things on your mind...

>Ryoji.
>The Dragon
>Paying for the beer.
>Going home and sleeping it off.

>>38320575
>Ryoji.

>>38320575
>Ryoji

>>38320672
>>38320937

Your thoughts turn to Ryoji. The man who may be a miracle unto himself. Surviving what was reported to be a deadly infection that could easily drop him into death. But he bounced back, for the better.

The man's always been a beacon of honesty and passion. With a fervor that would rival even your own. A man who you started to look up to not too long ago.

Though the question begs itself, what exactly helped him survive? Was it his own willpower? Or was it something else?

Regardless, Ryoji's been drinking too, and you can't help but figure...

>THe man's quite attractive.
>The man's got a story to tell.
>The man's needing a night to relax.
>Other (write in)

>>38321066
>The man's got a story to tell.

Now could probably be a better time, but we'll have to see.

>>38321066
>The man's got a story to tell, but he also needs a night to relax.

>>38321170
>>38321237

You shake the lewd thoughts that flit through your alcohol-addled brain away. Now wasn't the time, nor the place. Instead, however, you lean against Ryoji a bit to get his attention.

"So, uh, Ryoji-kun, how exactly did you... uh..." you start to ask.

"What?" he responds, arching an eyebrow at your question.

"Wuh... how did you get better from the infection? The doctors said it was, like, extremely unlikely for you to recover so quickly."

Ryoji ponders the question, before taking a chug from his mug and setting it down. The flush of alcohol on his face was extremely apparent, but while Honda was passed-out on the table, Ryoji looked alert.

"Well, y'see, when I was in the hospital, I was in a coma for a while. You know that, right? And while I was in the coma, I heard you."

The flush on your face grows in heat. He continues nonetheless.

"During that, though, I had some kind of... I dunno what it was. Spiritual journey? SOmething like that. Met a bird, big metallic bird, calls himself Ra or something. Offered me a way out of the dream, if I beat him at Dynasty Warriors essentially. Beat his game, he upheld his offer. ANd here I am."

...

...

"Wait what?" you ask.

"Yeah. Sounds stupid, doesn't it? But it's true, I swear it."

>Disbelief.
>Belief.
>Neutral.

>>38321511
>Belief.
>"Huh. And here I thought I was the only one to have a weird Totem Animal in my head."

>>38321511
>Belief.

HAHA YOUR SPIRIT ANIMAL IS A BIRD

>>38321511
>Belief.
"You too? Huh. I wonder if any of the other Riders are experiencing this. Maybe it's something to do with the Drivers."

>>38321668
>>38321568
>>38321842

"HAHA."

"What's so funny about that, Mako-chan?" He doesn't look impressed.

"Your spirit totem thing is a bird. That's fuckin' hilarious.

"Yeah? I bet mine's better than yours!"

"Mine's a goddamn dragon, yours is a bird! I thought I was the only one with a weird animal in their head!"

While this might seem hilarious to you now, especially with the drunken laughter, Ryoji's giving you a sudden look. The laughter stops, as you two meet eyes... and for some reason, you feel a lot more sober.

"..."
"..."
"I'm wondering something."
"Is it what i'm thinking as well?"
"Ryoji-kun, you said that this bird thing came to you while you were in a coma, yeah? Did it do anything else?"
"Uh, yeah... it let me do Armored Rider shit in my mind, though I don't know to what extent. Like, I had somehow obtained it like in a dream or something."
"Is it possible that any of the other riders are experiencing this? Maybe it has something to do with the Drivers or the Lockseeds..."

Ryoji scratches his stubbly chin, and you rub your arm. Suddenly things got a lot more interesting... But now with this knowledge, why was he suddenly quiet?

>Talk about this with other Armored Riders
>Keep this a secret between you.
>Forget this even happened.

>>38321949
>Keep it between you

The last thing we need is for people to think that the Beat Rider's really are going crazy. Been through enough trouble already with the PR...

>>38321949
>Keep this a secret between you.

The Beat Riders have their hands full with the wannabe Yakuza thugs. Last thing they need is us claiming to see and hear things.

>>38321949
>Keep this a secret between you.
We'll do something when we know more. For now anything we said would just be speculation.

>>38321949
>Keep this a secret between you.

>>38322017
>>38322177
>>38322237
>>38322323

"This probably isn't gonna be somethin' we should talk about with the other riders," you mention, sitting back against the wall. Ryoji nods and agrees with you, pondering this.

"What's yours like, Mako-chan?" he asks, after a couple minutes of thinking. You raise your eyebrows, and he continues. "Like, how is he? What is he like? Is he mean, nice?"

You think for a second. Sure, Dragon's saved your ass more than a few times. Since you swore that you'd get the forest burned to ashes by any means necessary, he's been a lot quieter and even sympathetic. But knowing how he is, he's still hella capable and willing for bloodshed, especially the violent kind.

You ponder your words carefully.

>He's really helpful. He's saved my life.
>He's helpful, but he's scary.
>He's scary. He's part of the reason I was scared.
>Other (Write in)

>>38322454
>He's scary. He's part of the reason I was scared.

>>38322454
>"He's a bit of an ass. Saved my life a few times and gave me power boosts when I needed, but he always wants to fight with no regard to casualties or property damage."

>Captcha: Enves
we can hunt a few Inves later, Captcha. We're busy talking abkut our head animals.

>>38322454
>He's helpful, but he's scary.

>>38322454
>Other (Write in)
"You know, I have no damn clue. He doesn't say much to me. Seems to hate the forest, wants me to burn it to the ground, but otherwise we haven't really talked."

>>38322454
>He's helpful, but he's scary.

>>38322781
>>38322723
>>38322661
>>38322581
>>38322514

You pore over the question a bit. The Dragon, surprisingly enough, is sleeping it feels like. Maybe that's what alcohol does to it. But in any case, you make your case.

"He's a mixed bag. A bit of an ass, but saved my life a few times and gave me power boosts when I needed. When we fight, though, he seems to give no shits about collateral damage or innocent casualties. He seems to want to burn the Helheim to the ground - which is a point we agree on."

Ryoji falls quiet again, and the expression on his face is nearly unreadable. He looks perplexed, not sure what to say for it, other than a "Huh..."

It gets awkwardly quiet between you two all of a sudden, despite the clamor and everything of the crowd of people jammed into this pub.

>"What's wrong, Ryoji?"
>Continue drinking, chalk it up to booze.
>Other (write in)

>>38322932
>"What's wrong, Ryoji?"
Worried Ra is going to be all crazy with him, too?

>>38322932
>"What's wrong, Ryoji?"

>>38322932
>Other (write in)

"What about yours? What's the bird like?"

>>38322932
>"What's wrong Ryoji?"

>>38323212
>>38323108
>>38323035
>>38323015

"What about yours, Ryoji-kun?" you ask, trying to break the sudden silence.

Nothing.

"Ryoji-kun... what's going on? What's wrong?"

Strangely enough, this cold shoulder that he seems to be giving you isn't really feeling cold, more than conflicted about whether or not to give you it.

"I need to head out for the night... I'll take care of Honda. Drive safe, okay?" he mentions, still sounding as confident as ever... but he doesn't look in your direction as he heads over to pay the bill for the night.

Leaving you against the wall, sitting down at the low table, with little but the remains of a beer pitcher and some yakitori still on the plates.

>Accost Ryoji before he leaves.
>Let him leave, he's probably got his reasons.
>Other (write in)

>>38323419
>Let him leave, he's probably got his reasons.
Give him some space.

>>38323419
>Let him leave, he's probably got his reasons.
He's probably going through what we did, let's give him some time to mull it over.

>>38323419
>Let him leave, he's probably got his reasons.

Well... what.... aw shit did we really tell him about the dragon?

>>38323471
>>38323495
>>38323567

You sigh, but wave him a good night. He does so as well, Honda's arm around his shoudler. finally looking you in the eye and giving you a smile... but while it's genuine, there's a sense of regret behind it.

And so you're left with three pints of cheap beer, yakitori going cold, and a deep sense of "you fucked up" super hard. You were sure there wasn't anything you did wrong, but there was also way too much that was incongruous with him. He just admitted he had a totem animal thing, same as you... so what was the issue here?

Ah, it couldn't be helped. Maybe this was shellshocka t the entire thing as well.

...Or it could have been something completely different.

Regardless, it wasn't your place to decide, nor judge. THe man had been through a lot, could you honestly blame him? Even alcohol couldn't let him easily accept this. His life was going ass end up, real quick, and there was little to do to fix it except keep fighting.

You sigh, and finish your mug.

>Finish the rest of the alcohol.
>Pay the tab and leave early.
>Other (write in)

>Captcha: select the beer

>>38323873
>Pay the tab and leave early.
Get some sleep, it's getting late. Makato can worry about how her life is spiraling out of control in the morning.

>>38323873
>Finish the rest of the alcohol.
I think I'll listen to captcha this time...

>>38323873
>>Pay the tab and leave early.

>>38323873
>Pay the tab and leave early.

There's not much point sticking around all by your lonesome.

>>38324058
>>38323934
>>38323985
>>38324208

You peer at the pitcher of beer on the table, slowly getting warm. The temptation to finish it off is strong... really strong. You could indeed sleep like a baby tonight. But in order to do that you need to get home, and drinking further's only going to impede that.

You make to the cashier to pay off your tab - thank god for your job - and start to leave, but there's a feeling of off-balance-ness as you stand up. Sitting in one place apparently hid the effects from you, as you lurch a bit.

Oh this isn't going to be fun.

You make your way up the stairway from the bar, to the street level, and the snow's fallen to about an inch and a half. The air is near silent, muffled by the snowfall on the ground. It's almost magical, were it not feeling somber due to the darkness and the recent happenings.

Cold, alone, and mostly sloshed probably wasn't the best status to be in right now.

>Walk home.
>Call a cab.
>Call a friend to pick you up. (Write in)
>Other (write in)

>>38324322
>Walk home.
We can manage it, it's not too bad.

>>38324370
Since it's getting late, should we call it for tonight? I think we got quite a bit done this episode, thankfully, even though there wasn't really any riding done.

>>38324558
Yeah, okay. I hadn't realized how late it had gotten. Later, Sagara. Thanks for running.

File: to be continued.png (46 KB, 486x110)

46 KB PNG

>>38324580
Thanks for sticking around, friendo. Hopefully see y'all next week.

Archive link: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/38314207/

QM Twitter for questions/thoughts/comments/concerns/feedback: @DJ_Sagara_TG

>>38324644
This was an awesome thread Sagarabro