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/tg/ - Traditional Games


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You are Clarissa, a high-school student, Kimiko's Substitute Shinigami, violent murderer, and one of Karakura Town's spiritual protectors.

You wake up, though it's more accurate to say that you open your eyes. You don't feel like you've slept at all. The vividness of your inner world didn't resemble a dream in the slightest, so it must have kept your mind fresh and awake during your brief stay there.

As you recall the conversation you had there, with whoever that man was, you grimace. Looking back at it, you don't think that the biggest problem was the awkwardness of it all, and not even the audacity of his tone which seemed to assume that you'd be happy to carry out his strange suggestions - it's how the goldie spoke as though Kimiko isn't coming back. Well, that's not to say that you're not bothered by those other things, though.

Your body feels a bit numb. You weren't sleeping, but you were still lying around without moving for...

...A few hours. You think you went to 'sleep' somewhere between two and three. It's six in the morning now. Not really enough time to get anything out of closing your eyes again. Not that you intended to, though - you don't feel tired, and you never really wanted to sleep in the first place.

You should just get up and start getting ready for school. You could probably make up an excuse to not go there, what with all the commotion that's been occurring in Karakura lately, but you won't. Going there is better than staying at home, because, well, what the hell are you going to be doing here all alone? Even though you're in no shape to study, your friends will be there; that's reason enough not to skip. Just not being alone is good enough.

The thick clouds dim out the sunlight. The poor lighting smears your room with a dull, gray tint. It looks like it's going to rain soon.

(1/2)
>>
>>40835791
You hear the soft creak of the door handle. You were shuffling a bit in your futon, getting ready to get up, but that stopped you instantly. The door into your room slowly and carefully opens. From the small gap, someone's head cautiously peeks in. A softly smiling woman with short blond hair. When she sees you, her smirk grows brighter, like she's trying to act as a replacement for the sun hidden behind the clouds.

It's Keiko, your mother. Your parents did say something about coming back today, didn't they?

Although she's in her early forties, she looks young and energetic. Her height is average for the parts, that is, quite short, especially when compared to you. Her figure is slim and wearing a stylish, thin coat; looks like she didn't bother to change before checking up to you. Pretty typical of her.

"Cla-ri-ssaaa! I'm back!" She hisses out in a giddy whisper and begins to walk over, abruptly stopping midway as something catches her eye. Her happy eyes spend a little time blinking in quiet confusion as they look at your bed, which is currently occupied by Nemu, and not you. The smile wavers, though it doesn't fade completely. After a brief pause, she tiptoes her way towards you and crouches down.

"Um, who is that girl? A friend of yours? How come you're on the floor, and she's in your bed?" Your mother chuckles a bit. It seems that she considers the situation to be humorous rather than somehow worrying. She keeps her voice to a whisper, probably to avoid waking the mysterious visitor.

...


>"She's a friend. We're having a sleepover."
>"I found her injured, and, well, she needed help."
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40835807
Say she's a friend or at least establish that we know her, like even if it's that she just works at a nearby store, and say that her place collapsed in an accident/fire/strange localized earthquake recently.
>>
>>40835807
>Friend, sleepover
>>
>>40835807
>"She's a friend. We're having a sleepover."
Sorry mom, top secret!
>>
Checking in even before changing? Guess she might be a doting mom.
>>
>>40835807
Voting over, writing!
>>
Hope you've had a good week Mushroom!
Just as I hope Gil leaves us alone. Gil please!
>>
>>40836115
...But he's the embodiment of our power. If he goes away, this quest suddenly becomes boring as shit.
>>
>>40836609
Well he can stay, just all quiet-like.
>>
>>40836664
We're gonna have to do stuff pretty soon you know. Like waiting for Kimiko is NOT a valid option.
>>
>>40835882
>>40835929
"She's a friend. We're having a sleepover." You try to give a nonchalant, quiet answer.

She snorts. "Really? I didn't think you had a friend who you were this close with. I mean, other than Ren."

"What do you mean? I've got a lot of friends."

"I meant as good as Ren! You guys are always together, and for so long, too! Well, either, way it's good that you have tons of friends. You should introduce me to more of them sometime!" She looks back at Nemu after a bit of consideration, probably to make sure that she didn't wake her up with her overly cheery whispering. "You both ate, right? Here? Did Paul complain about needing to cook for extra people?" She giggles a bit. You shake your head. Paul did complain a lot, even if not about this particular scenario.

"...Or did you give cooking a try and it finally worked out?"

That's a joke. You're not actually allowed near the kitchen anymore. The last time you gave it a try, the house almost burned down. It'd be funny if the joke wasn't at your expense.

"Sorry, sorry!" She apologizes with a smile, probably because she realized that your gloomy face isn't just an exaggeration. "D-don't take it so seriously, I was just kidding! And besides, now that I'm back, we can try learning again! If we try hard enough, it'll work, I'm sure!"

"It's fine." You tell her and start getting up.

"Um... are you sure?" Your mom asks after a brief pause, her smile replaced with a concerned frown. "You look like something's wrong."

"I just woke up. 'Course I look like crap. Don't worry about it." You reply.

"Well... alright," She finally mumbles after yet another pause. The blonde walks on over to you as you're dressing up and gives you a big hug. "I'm glad to be back home! I'll tell you all about dad's business trip when you freshen up, okay?"

"Sure."

(1/2)
>>
>>40836938
...She's not letting go, though.

"Nooo... there's something really wrong here, isn't there?" She rocks you side to side for a bit, then looks into your eyes; she's more worried than suspicious. "...Are you suuure that it's nothing?"

...

>She won't understand your situation, and she can't do anything about it, either way. "Yeah. Don't worry about it."
>"Yeah, something's wrong. I... can't really say what, though."
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40836979
>She won't understand your situation, and she can't do anything about it, either way. "Yeah. Don't worry about it."
>>
>>40836979
>"Yeah, something's wrong. I... can't really say what, though."
Get some mom-support
>>
>>40836979
>>She won't understand your situation, and she can't do anything about it, either way. "Yeah. Don't worry about it."
>>
>>40836979
>She won't understand
"Yeah. Don't worry about it"
>>
>>40836979
>"It's complicated."
>>
I'm sure mom can make everything better anons!
>>
>>40836979
>"Yeah, something's wrong. I... can't really say what, though."
>>
>>40836979
Voting over, writing!
>>
Must be a relief for Clarissa to at least have some friends to unload on, can't imagine how stressful this would be if she had to keep everything secret.
>>
>>40836995
>>40837023
"Yeah. Don't worry about it."

"...Well, alright," She finally gives up and reluctantly lets you go. "But if there's anything..."

"I know, I know, mom." You say, and your mom finally leaves the room to let you change.

Nemu woke up in the slight commotion. You tell her to keep resting, or, well, if she's hungry, to put something on and go downstairs. She politely refuses and goes back to sleep.

The morning goes by peacefully. Mom chitters on and on about how bad the trip was: about how the flight attendants were kind of mean to her, about how they couldn't find a car she was comfortable in, about how the climate was something she wasn't used to, about how the local food wasn't all that good, and about how dad didn't get to do much but work while they were there, leaving her all alone for the most part.

She's probably just over exaggerating; she tends to do that a lot. Alexander, your father, does confirm that he had to deal with a lot of work, though. Strangely enough, that seems to be something uncommon for the trips they go on. He is the head of a company, and he's apparently good at it, so he usually gets everything done before everybody else expects him to, so the rest of his time abroad is spent like a paid vacation. He even takes your mother with him even though she has nothing to do with his business, just to see new places. Well, he started doing it on her insistence, however.

Your father's a tall and well-built westerner, black haired and wearing glasses. He's almost like a bigger Paul, really, but your brother gets very upset if you say it that way for some reason.

When it's time for you and Paul to head off, mom isn't even halfway through with her story, or so she claims. She smiles and says that it's okay to skip school since this is a special occasion, but your dad and brother sandbag her really hard.

So you set out and get on with your day.

...

(1/2)
>>
>>40838075
Just as you expected, studying is all useless. You can't listen to the teachers even when you get bored of ignoring them. Is it because you haven't slept in... two days, was it? You just can't seem to think about anything. Your mind is completely blank, or like you're forgetting everything you think of instantly. It's a strange feeling. Your head feels tingly and a bit light, but it's probably nothing to get worried about. You're not dozing off, so you're not sleepy.

"...-issa, are you going? Hey, are you alright?"

"Huh? What? Oh, lunch? Yeah, coming."

A lot of people are absent from school today. It's because of those strange nausea waves; some people still haven't recovered from them fully, apparently. Your friends are all present, though. Despite the dark clouds hanging above, you all meet up at your usual spot - on the corner of the school roof. Looks like the staff forgot to lock it up, or maybe they expected students to use their heads and not go out with the clearly impending rain up in the air.

Well, if that's what they were counting on, they were almost right. The six of you are the only ones here right now, hanging out in your usual corner.

...It's still no use. You just can't seem to keep track of the ongoing conversations. Not that you were particularly trying, though.

...

>Don't threaten anyone else's mood. Put up a smile and try to get into it.
>Don't push yourself and hope nobody notices.
>>
>>40838127
>Don't threaten anyone else's mood. Put up a smile and try to get into it.
Smile smile!
>>
>>40838127
>Don't threaten anyone else's mood. Put up a smile and try to get into it.
>>
>>40838127
>Don't threaten anyone else's mood. Put up a smile and try to get into it.
>>
>>40838127
>Don't push yourself and hope nobody notices.
>>
>>40838127
Voting over, writing!
>>
>>40838127
>Don't threaten anyone else's mood. Put up a smile and try to get into it.
>>
>>40838167
>>40838190
>>40838324
Why are you guys encouraging Clarissa's self-destructive behavior? Fake it til you make it doesn't really apply here.
>>
>>40838853
This isn't really the time for a heart to heart, any worries should be discussed with Naoko/Ren in private. Even mom would be a better idea than here and other anons already shut that down so.
>>
>>40838167
>>40838190
You get the corners of your mouth to stretch and move apart from one another a bit and form something akin to a smile. It must look really dumb, because everyone suddenly looks at your strangely, so you knock it off. You're not really good at faking smiles.

"Yeah. I'm fine." You interrupt Tomoko, who opened her mouth just now to no doubt ask a question about your behavior.

You don't need to smile like an idiot, that's just going to tip everyone off. You don't do that sort of thing. You blink a few times, as if to shake off your doziness, then take a look around - feels like you haven't noticed a damn thing until now, like you were just zoning out in a dream or something - and pull yourself together.

Something stands out. Akemi usually always sits next to you, or, well, during the times she can't, gives it her all before giving up. But right now, she's sitting directly in front of you, quite possibly the most opposite sitting spot that it can be from "next to you".

You look at her, and when the girl notices, she starts puffing and pouting dramatically. When Akemi's upset about something, she doesn't really hide it.

"...What the hell are you doing? Are you, like, ten?" You ask, though it doesn't look like she's about to give a reply. Ren seems to understand what's going on or maybe it came up in the conversation already and you just missed it, but she tries to explain.

"Akemi's mad because you-"

She's immediately interrupted. "I'm mad 'cuz you didn't call me durin' the sick waves and didn't ask me if I was okay! And you're pretending to be Moriko and sleeping right now instead of paying attention!"

(1/2)
>>
>>40839302
You lift a brow, not really getting what the big deal is. "That all?"

"Don't just 'that all' it off like it's nothing! I didn't know if you were okay, either, so it's a big deal to me!"

"I didn't call you because Ren did, and she was around to tell me that you were okay."

"Well wh-... oh. I guess that makes sense..." Akemi calms down for a bit and thinks before springing up again. "B-but still! You didn't answer my calls, either! Your phone was always busy!"

Well, she must have been calling during the times you were frantically trying to get through to Kimiko, or... something.

"Sorry about that, then. My phone's been pretty busy lately, yeah. I'll make sure to call you first the next time something happens, Akemi."

The ever sleepy Moriko lets out a chuckle at that. "You two are bickering like a couple."

"We're not a couple at all!" Akemi denies it. "Clarissa doesn't even care about me!"

The others break out into laughter. You smile, too. It's a little less natural than you wish it was, though.

(2/3)
>>
>>40839341
Akemi's a very open person, honest to a fault in everything she does. When she's having fun, her enthusiasm rubs off on everyone nearby. When she's upset, it's almost never in a way that can dampen anyone's mood. Unfortunately, even though you're trying to relax and have fun with your friends, you can't really get yourself to do that. Akemi's mood can only become so good when confined to the tedious school grounds, so you can't leech off on her cheeriness.

You have to cut lunch short because Moriko felt a few raindrops fall on her. After you finish your food indoors, you head to the next class, and go on with the day.

...

Today is an average day. Still, it feels harder than that because of the effort it takes to keep yourself strained and at attention. Well, it seems that no one's suspected anything. You haven't received a single "Are you okay?" kind of question ever since lunch. During the break, Naoko approaches you with a question.

"Karakura still doesn't have a Shinigami. I think if one doesn't come by tonight, then we patrol instead. What do you think, Clarissa?"

>"We'll patrol the town tonight, then."
>"It's not really any of our business anymore."
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40839375
>"We'll patrol the town tonight, then."
Maybe we can find some new shinigami and ask for a way to SS. Or chat with Naoko about our worries.
>>
>>40839375
>We'll patrol the town tonight then.
>>
>>40839375
>"We'll patrol the town tonight, then."
>>
>>40839375
Voting over, writing!
>>
>>40839411
>>40839419
"I guess nobody fired me from that job yet. Yeah, let's meet up tonight and patrol the town." You say, and Naoko nods.

"I think I can teach you something when we'll be out," She mutters something like that, but doesn't really get the time to elaborate. Ren approaches your desk, probably having overheard your conversation just now.

"Hey, um, can I come with you guys?" She kind of meekly asks, in a way sounding almost like she's a third wheel in all of this. You glance at Naoko; she meets your eyes and shrugs. "I've never been to one of those patrols, but do you guys do them a lot? Well, since we're all together, I want to come with you and help out, too."

"Are you sure you can handle it, Ren?"

"W-well, of course! I mean, I've got a special power and I can see ghosts and all. And I want to help!"

You trade glances with Naoko again. There's just... you're not really sure if you should have her come with you. Ren's not particularly strong or fast, and until very recently, she couldn't even do the two things she's talking about right now.

"It's a late-at-night thing, though." You say, trying to deter her from it.

"No problem!" She answers with determination. Your hesitation is still pretty apparent, though. "Stop looking at me like that! I can help and I won't get in the way."

It seems that, with another shrug, Naoko's leaving the choice all up to you.

..

>"Well, alright. You can come with us on the patrol tonight, Ren."
>"...I just don't think it's a good idea for you, Ren. It's seriously dangerous."
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40839953
>"Well, alright. You can come with us on the patrol tonight, Ren."
Eh, fuck it.
Also, given recent events, would SS really leave this place without a shinigami?
>>
>>40839953
"Well, alright. You can come with us on patrol tonight, Ren."

We shouldn't treat her like an invalid. She's our friend and we need to not push her away.
>>
>>40839953
"You get that I can walk on air right? And am invisible? And thanks to her techniques, Naoko can leap from roof to roof? If we'd want to cover a respectable amount of ground, I'm pretty sure I'd have to literally carry you."
>>
>>40840150
I fail to see the problem anon.
>>
>>40839953
>"Well, alright. You can come with us on the patrol tonight, Ren."
>"Just remember it's dangerous, and don't do anything risky.
>>
>>40839953
Voting over, writing!
>>
>>40840150
So the question is

princess or fireman?
>>
>>40840165
Even with all the romantic and a sexial frustration Clarissa has been bottling up, you don't see how anything embarrassing from clutching a fine lass to our chest in a high adrenaline situation?
>>
>>40840401
It's a point, but honestly I don't expect that to actually be that big a problem now that Clarissa is aware how it works.
>>
>>40840016
>>40840086
"Well, alright. You can come with us on the patrol tonight, Ren."

"Cool!" She exclaims, making you sour up a bit.

"It's not 'cool', Ren. It's tedious as hell, and dangerous when it's not. Make sure to stay as close to us as you can at all times. Are you even sure if you can sneak out of your house at night? It's not a problem for me, who can just leave myself behind, or for Naoko, who lives alone."

"Oh, you live alone, Naoko? That's pretty cool." Ren says, and Naoko nods in response.

"Pay attention, Ren."

She's the one who frowns now. "I know, I know. I'm ready for it. You don't need to act like Poru and nag about it to make me understand."

"I'm nagging about it 'cuz it's important. Seriously. Just what am I supposed to do if something happens to you?" You say, and Ren's frown gives way to a smirk after a little resistance. "So don't do anything risky, alright?"

She nods with determination. Looks like your friend is really enthused about it. When the bell rings and Ren heads back to her seat, Naoko whispers something.

"Are you sure that's a good idea? Ren might want to come with us, but... she can't really do much if we get in a fight with a Hollow. And her ability seems more likely to hurt her than do anything useful."

You shrug. "We probably shouldn't be worried about it. We can take out any normal Hollows easily. And I guess Ren'll get experience from watching us do it," You tap the table a bit, realizing something. "You should have said this before, y'know. You're the more experienced ghost buster here."

"...Sorry."

"It's cool. We'll just get it done. Ren'll probably get tired of it after one go, anyway. The patrols are boring as hell when nothing happens." You tell her, and Naoko nods before walking back to her seat.

(1/2)
>>
>>40841353
After school, you head off to buy Nemu some clothes, as you agreed to do yesterday. Maybe Ren did some scouting beforehand, or maybe she knows the local shops so well that she already knew what was being sold where, but the shopping trip doesn't take much time at all. Really, more time was spent on Naoko failing to get convinced by Ren to try something new on. Naoko's clothes are pretty plain, loose and baggy. When she's finally convinced, Ren's choice of outfit for your quiet friend ended up a bit of an unexpected blunder that the two of you couldn't help but giggle at.

Naoko seemed hurt by your reaction, though. She wasn't willing to put on another, either.

In hindsight, the outfit wasn't really all that bad. There must have been something funny about Naoko wearing it, though. Maybe it was caused by the novelty and contrast of her actually wearing something stylish, or by how uncomfortable she looked while being scrutinized.

...It really was better than the plainly dark jacket and pair of trousers she's wearing right now. Well, maybe next time.

With the purchases complete - and Nemu's new and fashionable clothing suiting her really well - she prepares to set out.

"Thank you very much, but I really should go. I need to find Mayuri-sama."

...

>"Alright, you can go."
>Try to be helpful. "I think that guy left town, so he's sure as heck not in Karakura anymore. Do you remember which bus he went off on, Naoko?"
>"Is there really no way I can convince you to not go after him?"
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40841381
>"Is there really no way I can convince you to not go after him?"
Cause he's really scummy.
>>
>>40841381
Ask how she plans on finding him, especially if he doesn't currently want anyone to find him.
>>
>>40841459
Yeah, this seems like a very reasonable question. Maybe he has other lairs and she knows where they are.
>>
>>40841381
>"Is there really no way I can convince you to not go after him?"
>>
>>40841381
Is there really no way I can convince you not to go after him?
>>
>>40841381
Voting over, writing!
>>
>>40841381
>"Is there really no way I can convince you to not go after him?"
>>
>>40841662
>>40841546
You guys realize this is an invitation to use our mind powers right?

God.
>>
>>40841841
It's like you don't want to mind control everyone and have a good time or something.
>>
>>40841875
Seeing as that's what we established last thread then yes.

Like are you guys just dumb/not really paying attention, or are you actively trying to make things worse?
>>
>>40842015
We are asking her a question. We are not actively trying to manipulate her will. We said cut the passive manipulation out already, I don't think this will mess with her head/
>>
>>40842015
I'm not gonna stop voting for reasonable shit 'just in case'. We have the knowledge of what's going on now and thus the means to handle it should it happen, Gil even said we just need to avoid repeat influences for a bit for the effect to dissippate.
>>
>>40841407
>>40841459
>>40841546
"You say you need to find him, but do you even know where to look?" You ask her, but she remains completely composed.

"There are several hundred potential locations for a new base scattered across Japan. I memorized them and I intend to look through them all until I can find him."

"Several hundred, all across Japan? That's pretty crazy..." You whistle, but she's unwavering in her determination.

"Japan isn't that big of a region, fortunately." Is what she responds with.

Well, it's not big if you look at it from a "world map" kind of perspective, but for one person, it's still gigantic. And not just that, but the region is littered with islands. Can she even get to those? She probably doesn't have any money for boat trips, so does she plan to swim across? It's pretty ridiculous.

"Is there really nothing I can do to convince you not to go after him, Nemu?"

She shakes her head. "I'm afraid that's impossible. I need to find him."

It's ridiculous how far she's willing to go for some bastard she shouldn't have such an attachment for. Her expression is blank, but there's a certain spark in her eyes that's present only now, in the face of potential hardship before a goal that must be reached no matter the cost.

You think she hesitates for just a little bit, though it's not because of doubts concerning her primary goal. The uncertain curiosity is directed at you; at your words, perhaps. In the end, though, she remains quiet and the trace of hesitation quickly fades.

(1/2)
>>
>>40842369
If she was going to ask why you wanted to stop her, she must have decided against doing so. In all likelihood, she probably decided against asking you for your reasons - after all, they can't convince her to stay, no matter what, so why force someone to waste their breath?

She's pitiful to look at. Letting her go like this is making you pretty uneasy, too. Maybe it's because you're letting her go to an abuser, or because you just can't do anything about this. What's the point in letting her go? So that she can get cut up and ditched like a broken toy again?

...Well...

...Is there really nothing you can do?

From what you understand - and if the encounter with that goldie wasn't just an extremely convincing dream - then your power can control people's minds. What that guy wanted you to do with it was pretty straightforward, and heck, you unintentionally accomplished it once before, but that's not all that this ability can be used for, right? If it can be used to accomplish something so drastic as what happened to Yuuko, then maybe you can resolve this situation, too?

Of course, you've never tried this before, at least not willingly, and you never practiced with it. But maybe you can pull it off without necessarily doing the same thing you did to Yuuko?

...

>Don't risk it.
>Make Nemu see their relationship from your perspective.
>Make Nemu hate Mayuri.
>Make Nemu love you.
>Other. (Write-in).
>>
>>40842395
>Don't risk it.
Tempting but doesn't seem smart.
>>
>>40842395
>>Make Nemu stop thinking of Mayuri (Mayuri's orders) as highest priority..
>>
>>40842395
>Don't risk it.
>>
>>40842395
>Make Nemu see their relationship from your perspective.
>>
>>40842395
>Don't risk it.
Yeah no, I'd rather not mindfuck more people
>>
>>40842395
Voting over, writing!
>>
Man, using our powers for emphatic connection sounds so sweet, but it could fail in so many ways.
>>
>>40843124
If we could make it so we could see things from through her perspective as well, that'd make it more balanced, but honestly I think Nemu has a better understanding of what sort of person Mayuri is than even we do. Like I don't think she deludes herself into thinking his actions are other than what they are.
>>
>>40842738
Can we offer that she can always come back here if she needs a place to rest?
>>
>>40842446
>>40842536
You furrow your brows at her, but in the end, only let out a sigh. Something like this... probably isn't worth it. You nod in resignation, and Nemu bows in return, as if to thank you for understanding.

You can only see her off. Nemu leaves without turning back.

Is she brainwashed into following him without question, or does she really see something you don't, and probably never will? Maybe she simply doesn't have anyone else. In that case, you really might have pulled it off. That goldie said that a willing subject is easier to affect, didn't he? If she's just lonely and convinced that she can only be useful to a specific person, well, it'd probably be easy to prove her wrong with this.

But if that determination in her eyes really was a reflection of genuine feelings, then would your power be able to break through to her even if you used it? Somehow, you doubt it. In a way, you hope that it's the case. Otherwise, this ability would be inhumane.

If it's genuine, then you suppose that, in a way, you really can understand her choice. In that case you're really not someone who should get involved. Unreasonable it may be, despicable and vile it may be, but if it's honest, then you won't be able to stop it.

You want to see Kimiko. If it's for her, you feel like you can also look at the entirety of Japan as a trivial speck of land. How many islands? How many cities? How many buildings? The numbers wouldn't matter. You'd simply go through them all if you had to.

...Damn it, the lack of sleep must be getting to you if you're trying to justify Nemu's situation like this. The girl has long left your line of sight. Of course, she's not going to come back. You should just forget about her.

You spend some time with your friends, and then they leave as well. A few hours are remaining before the patrol tonight; honestly, you can't wait for that time just to see them both again. Somehow, you feel even more lonely than usual.

...
>>
>>40844741
After coming back home, Naoko planned on doing her schoolwork before the nightly patrol. She pulls her bag closer and takes out her notebooks and writing utensils. Her grades are average, and she intends to keep them that way. If something like this suddenly pops up in her head as a concern and distracts her during a serious situation, that would be a disaster.

Not that she was always concerned about things like that; not ever since very recently, a matter of days ago. But now she believes that it really can become a problem, and the only solution is to resolutely get rid of this potential doubt.

Just as she's about to begin working, she hears a noise. Like someone knocking against a window in the other room. She goes to check up on it, silver cross in hand. Just in case.

But the room is empty. It's not that there's nobody here. The visitor simply knocked on the window of this room as a way to make sure that the resident is aware of his presence; rather than hogging up the limited space of the kitchen, he instead went to the considerably more spacious living room. He hid his presence well - if it wasn't for this notification, Naoko would probably never even notice.

"Good evening, young lady. Please forgive me for the intrusion." The blond Shinigami wearing a white, now tattered and torn, coat over his black uniform greets her in a polite way. He stands in the center of the living room, just as politely refusing to boldly take a seat on the couch.

He shows no signs of hostility, but Naoko has already prepared to attack. She's not doing so because she's seen the man before; of course, that experience painted him as everything but trustworthy.

But Naoko knows what the so-called 12th Division Captain is capable of doing, so she won't engage in a losing battle if she can help it.

(1/2)
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>>40844780
Welp
>>
>>40844780
"I'm not here to fight. The truth is, I'd like to help your friend." Urahara begins, his tone calm and polite, as if the girl in front of him isn't fully prepared to smash through his skull the instance he shows a hint of hostility.

"I think she has something of mine, and I'm afraid that it's this specific item that's causing her to act the way she had before. By removing that item, it will never occur again."

Naoko listens; she might be unwilling to admit or show it, but the current subject, to her, is interesting.

"Your friend isn't normally like that, is she? She seemed like a good person when I spoke to her," Urahara pauses briefly to make sure that Naoko's not about to deny his assumption. "However, I can't really rely on her kindness to let me do as I like with her - especially not when she can do something as scary as that, and not with that item guiding her mindset. I am ashamed to ask for your involvement, but I don't think that I can do it without your help."

The girl doesn't respond with anything. The blond Shinigami continues.

"I'm not so bold as to come here empty handed. You see, your friend is an illicit Shinigami. Her existence as a human Shinigami, once known, is reason enough for getting hunted down. Not only for her, but the Shinigami responsible for her transformation. If you agree to help me, then I'll do everything I can to prevent that information from leaking."

Is he blackmailing her? Naoko doesn't want anything bad to happen to Clarissa, so she continues to listen. But she also listens because she never wants to see her friend like that again. With that frightening flame in her crimson eyes, with an urge to kill so all-consuming that it simply doesn't belong on a human. Blinded by whatever sickening bliss she was going through, she must not have even realized that something was wrong; Clarissa simply didn't comprehend how much of a vile monster she seemed from another's perspective.

(2/3)
>>
>>40844872
It was at that moment that Naoko found herself doubting her friend's innocence; she hates herself for that, still.

"What item?" Naoko finally speaks up, almost catching the Captain by surprise.

"A rival of mine might still have eyes and ears in this town. Forgive me, but I cannot disclose that. If he catches wind of it, your friend might end up in even more danger. It is an invention of mine, however. One that I am responsible for. So it would be appropriate for me to be the one to solve this predicament involving your friend."

"What do you need from me?"

"I need you to knock your friend out. It's a little more effective and reliable than trying to catch her while she sleeps, and should be easy to do in your position," Even Urahara Kisuke feels unease as the quiet girl's glare turns into something absolutely vicious. "Don't worry. I need less than a minute. She won't be hurt in any way during the process. In return, I'm offering her absolute safety from Soul Society and the Shinigami. And safety to her family, friends, and loved ones from them as well. And of course, from herself, as a result of that purification."

"Why not do it yourself?" She speaks up again.

"I've been caught in a bit of a predicament, unfortunately. The truth is, as I am, I can't move even half of my body. If I botch the negotiations with your friend, I really might die. And as your friend is right now, I'm afraid it might happen even if she doesn't wish for it to."

Standing upright and covered in robes like he was, it really did seem like he was normal. Even Naoko's sharp eyes couldn't perceive anything out of the ordinary.

...

>"I don't trust you. Scram before I turn you into fucking dust for even suggesting that I hurt her."
>It's possible to make it look like an accident. "...If you really promise that she'll always be normal after that, then I'll do it."
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>>40844943
Aw shit, Clarissa's got the Plot Rock.
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>>40844943
>"I don't trust you. Scram before I turn you into fucking dust for even suggesting that I hurt her."
Urahara could be the Aizen of this story....
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>>40844943
>"I don't trust you. Scram before I turn you into fucking dust for even suggesting that I hurt her."
>>
>>40844943
Ending thread for tonight, it's late for me! Voting will continue until the 15th minute of the hour, meaning it will end 15 minutes after this post!

Next thread will be announced on twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mushroomgami
But I'll try to run tomorrow!

If you have any questions or feedback, shoot them my way! I have to head out right away, but I'll answer them if the thread is still up when I return, or on twitter!

Thanks for reading!
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>>40844943
>"Could you really not just suggest it to her peacefully? Even if you're scared of her you could send some kind of message right? It wouldn't even impede this as a reserve plan since she wouldn't be careful around me."
>"Out of interest, would she stop being a shinigami if you did this?"
Impressed you're still writing!
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>>40845119
Thanks for running!
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>>40845119
Thanks for writing, Mushroom!
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>>40844943
>"Why take the risk and approach me first? If I were to refuse and tell her, your chance of success in either diplomacy or force would plummet. Quite the risk."
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>>40845291
>>40845131
I feel like these work. Also, what's Naoko's opinion on Kimiko?



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