>>41239231
The Hype has returned

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The sky today is the color of a television tuned to a dead channel, bright blue and clear as day.

It's a muggy, humid kind of midsummer day, as you rest upon the balcony of your little apartment. The cicadas are loud, even in the inner city of Zawame City, and there's a really strange kind of still that's settled over the town today.

Strange, really, that the last few weeks have been relatively quiet on the "other dimensional monsters from an alien forest" front. Very few mentions of Inves in the news, no Kaiju Inves attacks at all, and in the lull of the threat to Zawame, the Beat Rider teams have fallen back into a lot of their older rivalries once more - dancing and sabotage and ruling of territory and stages.

But in the last few weeks, Makoto, what have you been doing?

>Traveling to the Forest and training against Inves any chance I can get.
>Getting back into the Beat Rider lifestyle with dancing and bonding with Raid Wild
>Working extra hours at Charmant to earn some pocket change.
>Training with Lau Chang for practical martial arts experience.

Y'all know the drill for voting. Majority in about 20 minutes, write ins accepted.

>>41239514
>>Training with Lau Chang for practical martial arts experience.

Gotta get fit, and Last post with trip on.

Whoo we're back. And that's it for tripposting for now.

>>41239514
>Traveling to the Forest and training against Inves any chance I can get.
Can't get rusty against the Inves even if it's a time of "peace"

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>>41239576
>>41239527
Sup guys, glad to see you.

Should I advertise in /m/ like I've been doing or should I just do my ads on Twitter and keep the clutter down?

>>41239615
Good to be back Sagara-Bro, The Questing machine is working for now, and Do all you can to gather all folks for the hyptrain.

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Doing such.
Let's wait for a couple more people, before we get started.

Yo, what is this?

>>41239728
A quest based upon the TV Series Kamen Rider Gaim.

>>41239728
It's a CYOA (choose your own adventure) based on Gaim, AU featuring a rider from Raid Wild.

Has a lot of hype stuff, trying to hold onto the spirit of what Gaim is.

Feel free to ask any questions about what is going on. :D

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Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>41239527
>>41239576
In the interest of progress, let's do a coin flip on tihs one, and then write from there.

>>41240039
Chilling, you would think people would flock back here eh Sagara-Bro?

>>41240039
>Traveling to the Forest and training against the Inves

The summer has been mostly busy, for you. You're still covered in minor scratches, rashes and burns from your training, and while it might hurt to sit down and rest, whatever time you can get is extremely important to recover.

You've been practicing for the last few weeks, practicing to the bone. Training with your Rider arsenal, working on learning the Inves of the local Forest and memorizing their weaknesses, their strengths. More than a few Evolved Inves you've had to fight and repel - and not all of them were slayed on the first try. You've felt your suit rend and dent and tear, and there were nights where you were this close to dying.

But against better judgement, you pursued and persevered. On the last trip, you...

>Went alone, armed to the gills
>Went with another Rider specifically (write in)

to train...

>>41240146
>>Went with another Rider specifically (write in)
>Stupid Sexy Banana-Teme

>>41240146
>Went alone, armed to the gills

>>41240146
>Went with another Rider specifically (write in)
Kouta. We had to get him another Orange Lockseed to make up for the one he lost fighting Otachi with us.

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>>41240146

Holy shit it's back.
And I'm not horribly late to the party.

Today is a GOOD day.

>Went with another Rider specifically (write in)
>Hase

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>>41240214
>>41240222
Welcome back, y'all! I'm glad you could make it!

>>41240169
>>41240171
>>41240214
>>41240222
While the votes for different people are cool, and typically I'd allow a group to go, in this situation I'm gonna limit to one accompanying rider.

>Hase
>Kaito
>Kouta

>>41240222
It's a bad day for me, though, because I've got a commitment to do some things today, and am going to miss the next few hours of this. I'm sad now. So you guys have fun for me while I'm gone, okay?

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>>41240291
Banana time it is.

>>41240291
>Kouta
Could we even take Hase? Last I checked he was still missing a Driver.

AW SON OF A BITCH I FORGOT THE OPENING THEME

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOHPxphYepE

>>41240297
Understandable, bro. We're gonna be running tonight and tomorrow, hopefully (since I have Thursdays completely off) so we'll be around!

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>>41240324
>And tomorrow.

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>>41240340
Yep! I hope it works out for that kind of format, to be honest!

>>41240318
>>41240312
Correct, I forgot, Hase is missing a Driver and still has been rendered unable to use one yet. My bad.

>Coinflip
>or bring both of them?

>>41240389
>bring both banana and orange!

>>41240389
Bringing both of them would be hilarious. Do it!

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>>41240429
>>41240436

Compared to the idea of bringing one of the pair of male riders with you on your last run, bringing both of them wasn't as good of an idea as you thought it was.

Admittedly, you hadn't been so deeply involved in the politics behind the Beat RIder teams (that was more Ryouji and now Honda's schtick) as you've been focusing on preparing for the Inves. And, you had thought, they had been on alright terms the last time they were in each other's vicinity --

But the way they were stiffly walking next to each other betrayed another feeling entirely. Neither looked at each other for more than exchanging a grimace or a sneer, and you could swear they each shot glances towards you that silently asked "why". A firm reminder of the stakes that were up with the looming threat of the Inves and the Forest at large shut them up for a while, but the tension was very real and able to be felt.

You had chosen for your prey that night to hunt for -

>A horde of lesser, Elementary inves, to practice mob combat.
>A few of the more Advanced Inves, to practice specialized combat.
>A full-size Evolved Inves, to practice large-enemy combat.

>>41240550
>A full-size Evolved Inves, to practice large-enemy combat.

Fuel on the suffering.

>>41240550
>>A few of the more Advanced Inves, to practice specialized combat.
+ Possibly hunt for lockseeds. We must always be armed

>>41240550
>A few of the more Advanced Inves, to practice specialized combat.

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>>41240573
>>41240785
Kaito had protested, citing that it wasn't worth our time to be hunting the "small fries" and instead needed to focus on the big potato kind of Inves. He stomped his foot a bit, tried to give a meaningful response - something you don't remember all of, but consisted of what you couldn't help but view as whining, in a sense.

You remember that you were feeling bitterly tired and frustrated with the two of them, bickering most of the way through your wander. Sometimes you'd bicker alongside, throwing in your two discolored yen into the argument. Even though you couldn't recall, at the very moment, what it was that you were arguing about. Possibly some video game that had been popping up about Inves battling, it was inanity, that was for sure.

But soon enough, a clearing, with the varieties of evolved Inves of all kinds. The deer-like one you had fought the first time, some that were starting to resemble cats and rhinos and other predators as well.

And they all turned to you as soon as you stepped into their range.

"Look, we don't really have the time to argue about stupid bullshit," you muttered, swiveling your head to keep an eye on the creatures. "We've gotta train, we've gotta keep sharp, and that's the end of that. Let's save the married couple act until we get out of here."

>Focus on crowd control
>Focus on single-target DPS
>Focus on supporting Kaito and Kouta

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>41240961
>Focus on single-target DPS
Maybe if they actually have to rely on each other they'd stop their bickering.

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>41240961
>>Focus on single-target DPS
Here's some galbadian stronkness

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>41240961

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>>41241205

Rolled 18, 11, 4 = 33 (3d20)

>>41240985
>>41241003
>>41241205
Crit fumble, but thankfully that was just for the initiative.

Rolling for Kaito, Kouta, and the Inves

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>>41241343

>Initiative order; Kaito, Kouta, Inves, Makoto

Thankfully, when it came to the mutual interest of destroying Inves, the three of you could at least agree on something.

>BANANA!<
>ICHIGO!<

rang out from the respective Rider's Lockseeds - Kouta's Orange one still not having been recovered, nor a suitable replacement found in time - and a fastening of the devices ot the Drivers.

But your arms wouldn't move. Something... some hidden force, some mental block, SOMETHING - was holding your arms at your sides, no matter how many nerve signals you sent towards them. Your mouth wouldn't move, your eyes were fastened upon one of the Inves - a fox-like one, now fast approaching.

And no one else moved.

No sound, no movement of wind upon your skin.

And it morphed, before your eyes. Its visage melting, reforming, its shape into something more...humanoid? No, it couldn't be. The thing's tails were still there, displayed proudly.

A clever smirk, though, and a whisper-light movement of her hips, and a voice you thought only you could hear through a tiny movement of her lips, a raised finger signaling quiet.

>The White Lady requests thine audience, if thou would be so kind as to follow me.<

She reaches out her hand, and you feel the stopped time start to loosen around you...

>Accept the invitation
>Decline, focus on fighting the Inves.

>>41241547
>Accept the invitation

>>41241547
>Accept the invitation
>Warn Kouta and Kaito that something weird is going on and you need to follow the Inves.

Because we can't just bail on them to follow an Inves out of Nowhere.
Besides, you don't turn down an invitation from Fox Spirit in the service of a Goddess. That's asking for trouble.

>>41241547
>Decline, focus on fighting the Inves.
We'll come once we're done here, we're not going to abandon our friends in the middle of a fight.

>>41241547
>Accept the invitation

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>>41241570
>>41241670
>>41241879
>>41241873

You move your arm, just a little. In the... is it an Inves anymore? Certainly has at least some intelligence in its form, but whether it still counted as a denizen of the Forest--

Little time to think. The Fox is upon you within a blink of an eye, taking your outstretched hand in hers. Her skin is soft, but chill to the touch - but feels very human-like. Whatever this was, it knew how to mimic itself very well, to disguise itself as one of your own kind.

You try to force some kind of protest, a warning to your compatriots, or at least some notification - but a slender, cool finger is pressed to your lips. The Fox smiles that enigmatic smirk, anticipation dancing behind its slanted amber eyes, and shakes her head silently.

And before you're even able to say a word, or even see if Kouta and Kaito saw you, you're in another place. All you could feel was the sensation of wind past you, but

Another part of the Forest, judging by the colors... but a place you've never even seen before in your travels. The first thing that strikes you is just how COLD it is - much more than the mountains you used to hike up with your family to visit shrines in the winter, much more wintry than any winter that you've ever lived through. Powdery snow fills the air, paints the ground white, rests heavy upon the branches of the part-dead trees that line the path you're on.

The Fox has let go of your hand, standing in front of you with her hands firmly in her clothing once more, looking expectantly at you.

"I must apologize from pulling you from your duties, Dragon-bearer, but the White Lady is in dire desire of your presence. She is eager to discuss something with you." the fox speaks - a voice that is ageless, feminine in timbre but almost elusive to trace an origin for the slight accent upon it.

>[Free Response]
>

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>>41242005
Another picture of the fox for reference.

>>41242005
>"It'd have been better if I could warn my comrades, you know?"
>"So, where's the White Lady?"

>>41242005
>"So uh, is it always this cold here?"

>>41242052
That ain't an Inves. That's an actual Kitsune. Even more reason to listen to whoever the White Lady is, because some Kitsune are servants to rather important gods.

Or she's a Gumiho and we need to be careful either way if we want to leave with our liver where it is.

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You can almost feel ice crystals forming in your mouth as you open it to speak, voicing your thoughts. The fox doesn't seem affected, its ears wiggling a bit with the slight snowy wind.

>>41242106
"So, uh, is it always this cold here?" you ask, shoving your hands into your pockets in an effort to retain and conserve body heat.

The fox nods, gesturing with her head to the forest.

"It is the White Lady's domain, it is cold to suit her desires and requirements. She expresses her sympathies that she is not able to accomodate you further, but as you are the Dragonbearer, I would venture a guess to assume the cold could offer little resistance."

You shrug a bit, though internally try to prod the Dragon awake - perhaps it can offer at least some warmth --

<< BE ON YOUR BEST BEHAVIOR, YOU ARE IN THE COURT OF ONE OF THE SIX, >> Jormungandr's immediate reply is. He almost seems... restrained. Though it's hard to tell what it's for. Though he does provide some measure of internal heat in your bosom, you can feel his wariness and anxiety, knotting your intestines and heart a bit.

>>41242091
"It'd have been better if i could warn my comrades, you know?" you mention, looking around the path, lined with traditional stone lanterns that remain lit with internal flames.

The fox nods, but speaks, "The White Lady prefers her meetings with her... guests to be as private as possible. The less that know, the better."

"So where's the White Lady?" you ask, looking into her eyes - and almost drowning in them, how deep they look of those amber pools. Her gaze is fixated upon you, unblinking.

"Down this path, her Ladyship resides in a residence."

>Anything else? Further questions?
>Follow the Fox

>>41242281
>Follow the Fox
Yep, confirmation we're meeting one of the bigwigs. It's best we don't leave our host waiting.

>>41242281
>Follow the Fox.
Good manners, let's not make anyone angry.

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>>41242362
>>41242437

Stiff, working to counteract the snow and chill, you nod, keeping hands firmly shoved in pockets. The fox grins and turns to walk away, down the path directly.

You're not sure how long you're walking, but it feels like an hour at most. The path starts winding up a mountain, but before long you and the Fox come across a tiny village - no more than a couple houses, maybe an inn of some kind - that looks extremely run down, far beyond repair and far beyond any sign of life living within. The only thing that shows any signs of life is a cave set into the mountain face, lit with sparse flickering torches that seem to brighten as you pass them. The Dragon paces. Jormungandr shows very visible signs of frustration, of pondering.

Soon enough, the two of you come across a small shrine-like room in the cave - and unbelievably, it's even colder than it was outside. Jormungandr fights to try to generate enough body heat to keep you awake and alert as you inspect everything --

The room is lined with gravestones along the walls.

In the center of the room, kneeling upon a relatively ornate pillow before a pristine black table of unknown material, is a woman. Graying-white hair, blood-red irises, wrapped within many layers of formal clothing, all as white as the snow outside. The fox retreats behind the woman, standing stoically as her mistress looks up at you.

"Ah. At last. Come, please take a seat." her voice is quiet, worn, but most certainly Japanese.

A pillow appears on the other side of the table, which looks equally as ornate and pristine as everything else. A simple tea set, all curves and lacquer and cylindrical, appears on the surface.

>Free response.

>>41242828
Alright, back from my various obligations for today. Now I can focus on this.

>Free response.
Take the seat and thank her for her hospitality. We're in the presence of the primordial evil of our religion. Be respectful.

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>>41243112

You quietly sit upon the offered pillow, making sure it's comfortable for you. No idea how long this was going to take.

"Thank you for having me," you say, as smoothly as you can muster, to the woman. You've got a good idea of who she is already, judging by the presence of the gravestones, the Japanese aesthetic and everything. This has to be Izanami, the one that contracted with your mother.

"Of course, Dragonbearer. I apologize again for taking you away from your... duties, but it was an urgent matter, and one that could not be ignored."

"And this matter would be...?"

"Well, since I am fairly aware that my anchor already informed you of my presence," Izanami says, a bit bitterly, though it's hid quickly. "the formal introductions are unnecessary. Which allows us to skip to the heart of the matter."
You remain quiet, staring at her with more than enough fear and worry.

"Kyuran here -" - a gesture to her kitsune attendant - "has been keeping an eye on the goings on in your world. Specifically, when it comes to an organization tasked with penetrating the Helheim and discovering some of its secrets - Yggdrasil. She reports that there is some progress that is being made that is... troubling."

"Specifically, regarding their research and harvesting of a substance present within the creatures of the Helheim. Word is that they have dubbed it 'Inves Green', or something of the like. A substance that is not inherently harmful... in small doses. However, it requires the slaughter of Inves in droves."

"And why is the slaughter of Inves in droves a problem?" you blurt out - an utterance that catches Kyuran and the goddess by a bit of surprise. She blinks before continuing.

(continued)

>>41243506
"Because, as you saw five weeks ago in earth time, when there is a mass slaughter of the Forest's denizens... the forest fights back. The forest's antibodies - the "Kaiju Inves" will begin to appear in much bigger numbers, and threaten those within the forest - Inves, or otherwise - in an attempt to rid the offenders. And that, of course, includes any Yggdrasil members who are in the vicinity. Not to mention, any other humans in the Forest at the time."

A strange chill... a shiver upon your spine, as you consider her words. She continues.

"I may be a...patron of the Forest myself, mind you, but the Forest still fends for itself, and will lay to easy waste thousands of lives with no real benefit. And so I ask of you, to go to these researchers, and convince them to cease their exploration of the Inves Green. It will only endanger them even further, and will make the future of both of our worlds in higher danger."

She leans forward, and you can't help but catch a whiff of what smells like... rot, covered by perfume and makeup.

"I don't know about you, but I would be wanting to prevent another attack of a massive Inves within your town walls."

>Questions for Izanami?
>Questions for Jormungandr?
>Accept
>Decline

>>41243601
>Questions for Izanami?
"Do you know what they're harvesting the Inves Green for? Is this stuff useful for something, or are they just experimenting out of curiosity?"

>>41243601
>Questions for Izanami?
"Of course I'd love to accept, but..."
"What exactly is that green stuff, and why is the Forest even crossing over in the first place."

>>41243601
>Questions for Izanami?
Could there be a way of harvest Invess green without causing the appearance of Kaiju invess?

>>41243601
Hmm..Kaiju Inves go after regular Inves, too. I feel like there must be a way to take advantage of that. But it's probably too risky to try.

>Questions for Izanami?
"Is that what caused the destruction of the previous cultures to explore the forest? They were too successful at fending off the Inves, and that woke up the antibodies which were too much for them?"

>>41243601
>Questions for Izanami?
"Have you asked my mother about this? Because, you know, she's the one you made a contract with, I'd expect her to be the first person you'd ask of this. Also, she works for Yggdrasil. I think she'd have better luck convincing them than I would."

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Your mind swims with questions, and you begin to voice them accordingly.

>>41243788
"Of course I'd love to accept, but... what exactly is that green stuff, and why is the Forest crossing over even?"

Izanami sighs, shaking her head before speaking. "The Forest will do as it pleases, as long as it remains unchecked and unruly. And with the power stored in your devices and gadgets, its spread into your world is hastened further.

"As for the substance, it is to an Inves what blood and plasma is to a human. Many call it 'vitae', for lack of a better term. It fuels them, keeps them living so long as they consume Helheim fruit. As I understand it, humans that come into contact with the substance suffer negative effects, however - it, and human blood especially, do not interact beneficially except in the most rare of cases."

>>41243668
"Do you know what they're harvesting the Inves Green for? Is this stuff useful for something, or are they just experimenting out of curiosity?"
"I am afraid I don't know. Kyuran has just seen your people carrying canisters of the substance through a portal to a building that appears to be very heavily staffed... and defended."

>>41243803
"Could there be a way of harvesting the substance without causing the appearance of the Kaiju Inves?"
"Yes, theoretically. But I don't believe the humans in charge of the experimentation would agree to any relatively sustainable methods... when the creatures they study are openly hostile to them."

>>41243896
"Is that what caused the destruction of the previous cultures to explore the forest? They were too successful at fending off the Inves, and that woke up the antibodies which were too much for them?"
Izanami nods. "And each time, the Forest grows stronger in return. As humans grow resistances to diseases, so too does the forest grow resistance to humans."

(continued)

>>41244037

>>41243995
"Have you asked my mother about this? Because, you know, she's the one you made a contract with, I'd expect her to be the first person you'd ask of this. Also, she works for Yggdrasil. I think she'd have better luck convincing them than I would."

Izanami shakes her head in a slow, composed motion. "I have not. For she has not faced off against more than 1 Inves, and doesn't know how they are like in the wild, like you and the Dragon that resides within."

She leans upon the table, cup of tea held by the rim with her fingertips, a hand resting upon her cheek.

"You are, indeed, the Dragon's anchor, and he may have his own ideas. But I would strongly recommend at least approaching this task - not for my sake, but for your own."

There's no sharp tone belied by her voice, but you can't help but wonder what prompted the "but for your own" remark.

>Accept
>Decline
>Ask for more information (write in)

At around 4:45 I will be signing off and OOC time will start, as I go to work for the evening.

>>41244120
>Accept
"Alright, I'll do my best. I can't make any promises about this, I don't exactly have much pull with Yggdrasil. But I'll try."

>>41244120
>Accept
"I want to stop it, I don't want anyone to get hurt by the Forest again, that's why I keep using the power I've got."

>>41244213
>>41244184
"I don't want anyone else to get hurt... That's the reason I use the power I've got. I'll do my best, though I've little pull in Yggdrasil. But I'll try."

She offersoffers her hand to you and you accept it into a handshake with your own-

Her skin is ice cold, so much so that you almost recoil as soon as your fingertips make contact.

Regardless, you feel something snap into place inside.

>You've accepted Izanami's quest!

"A word of caution for the future, though," she says, standing to usher you out. Her bloodred eyes gaze into yours - almost directly into your soul.

"When next we meet, it may be under less fortuitous circumstances than these. Let it be known, however, that we work towards the same goal."

>OOC TIME IS GO! FREE DISCUSSION

>>41244635
Oh, that's not ominous, coming from a death goddess. Nope. Not worrying at all.

>>41244635
There can be only one survivor.

>>41244635
>Her skin is ice cold, so much so that you almost recoil as soon as your fingertips make contact.
>Regardless, you feel something snap into place inside.
>>You've accepted Izanami's quest!

Nope, nothing suspicious or ominous here, just your pal, the Goddess of Death!

Who would have thought Jormungandr would be the nicest guy to live in your mind, at least when compared to the others?

>>41245401
That's just until he decides to take over and we go on another murdersphree.

>>41246257
Well, yes, but at least he's upfront and honest about it, we give him too much influence and he makes us go into murdersprees with a lot of collateral damage. But he also helped us get a sweet new Super-mode and is willing treat our relationship as a partnership.

Izanami, on the other hand is doing all this without her Anchor's knowledge, most likely because she knows Erina would object and try to see past any deceptions she tries to use because Erina is very, very sharp and incredibly competent.

Erina is like an incredibly powerful and smart villain who just happens to be on the protagonist's side. Her theme is Snakes and the Garden of Eden and she has an Evil Goddess inside her head for Christ's sake.

>>41246543
It'll be interesting to see if we come to clash with Yggdrasil in that case.

>>41246543
could it be possibly because Erina's so sharp that Iza's goinf behind her back?

>>41246543
Ra seems pretty nice, too. A bit arrogant, but he is a sun god so that's to be expected. But otherwise he's been quite friendly with Hase, from what we've seen of their interactions. Pilot, willing to answer questions, seems interested in his anchor's life...cool dude, that Ra.

>>41248332
I'd say that's the likely reason, DJ "Savara".
Your name's wrong, dude.

>>41248593
Yeah, Ra seems like a cool dude too, but we just haven't seen enough of him yet. He might be feeding Hase wrong info to manipulate him or something, we just don't know.

>>41248332
Plot Intensifies

>>41248593
I feel like they've only shown themselves from the side they would want their anchors to see. It's easier to get what you want if the person you're tied to doesn't think you're just waiting to pull out their heart.

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Alright, I'm finally back at my computer. Got off of work a bit early.

When last we checked, we had just accepted Izanami's quest, correct?

>Try to return to the location you entered
>Explore Iza's domain
>Other (write in)

>>41250369
>Try to return to the location you entered
We're already in one spooky otherworld. We don't need to get lost exploring a second. Let's head back and try to find Kouta and Kaito before they start fighting.

>>41250369
>Try to return to the location you entered

>>41250440
>>41250545
Given that it's getting dark, you figure that time is of the essence right now. Thankfully, you still have your LockVehicle on your Driver's belt - apparently the Patissier had little use for it after Otachi was defeated, no surprise there.

You climb on after it unfolds, revving the engine and driving down the path...

>Roll 1d20

Rolled 4 (1d20)

Rollin' it. Also making it known that I'm lurking here. RNG be with me!

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>41250609
We should look into picking up a Dandeliner at some point. Flying motorcycles are cool.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>41250609

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>41250609
Let's do this

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>41250609
Here We GO

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>>41250788
>>41250660
>>41250636
>>41250633
>>41250805

>18 - success

The trip is relatively long, about 30 minutes, but uneventful altogether. You pass out of the snowy foot of the mountain, back into the high trees and cold forests of the...

...wait, this place has a cold north? That's odd.

You mark it for later in your mind, but given your phone's still bugging out like it typically does in the Forest, it's not much except a couple cuts on some of the thicker trees on your way out. Notches to remind yourself that indeed, someone has traveled here before, and knows the path.

>You know the path to Izanami's Hideout now!

It takes a few passes, however, and you find the clearing that you had been aiming to train with Kouta and Kaito. Sadly, no sign of them - but thankfully, as you inspect the place, no broken material, pieces of Lockseeds, or Drivers though.

There's a note from Kouta, on blaze orange paper - "Yo Makoto, we're headed home, call me when you get back to Zawame if you got a moment. Good luck with that Inves!"

You waste no time speeding the Rose Attacker through its normal routine, Back to the Future-ing onto the paved roads of Zawame with no sweat...

>Head directly home
>Head to Gaim's garage
>Head to work
>Head somewhere else (write in)

>>41251034
>Head to work
Call Kouta when we have a free moment, too.

>>41251034
>Head to work

>>41251075
>>41251156
Agreed. It isn't a good idea to keep the Patissier waiting. Ever.

>>41251034
>>Head to work
An angry frenchman is the worst

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>>41251075
>>41251156
>>41251162

It might be getting late, but you're just in time - you've got a shift tonight working at the store. It would be bad form if you were to skip out because of some goddess trying to co-opt your time right now.

Besides, you're sure that she'd understand if real-world things come first.

You drive up to the bakery, as fast as you can without hitting the magic number that sends you hurtling back into the Forest, and almost scramble to get out your work clothes from your duffel bag as you park the bike. It might be late-notice, but maybe the patissier wouldn't really notice if --

"Kinushima-chan?"

God fucking dammit.

"Why're your clothes all wrinkled and... kinda... did you even wash these?"

>Explain what you've been up to, give him full disclosure
>Make up an excuse for the clothes
>Ignore, get to work
>other (write in)

>>41251508
>Make up an excuse for the clothes
No one must know about the Fox lady!

>>41251508
>>Explain what you've been up to, give him full disclosure

Let's be straight and on the level. He deserves to know

>>41251508
>other (write in)
"I did, yes. I'm not sure what happened to these. They must have gotten messed up on my way here, but I can't think of how. Damn it, is that fox pranking me? Way to play to the stereotypes, Kyuran."

>>41251539
>>41251549
>>41251616

"I did, yes. Not sure what happened to these. Must have gotten messed up on my way here, but I can't think of how." You say to him, trying to push past the broad shouldered man.

"Kinushima--"

"I'll be fine, don't worry. Just got back from training with Kouta-kun and Kaito-kun. I'm not hurt or nothing, I'll be fine."

From the corner of your eye, you catch him crossing his arms with a worried expression, but he doesn't stop you. It does feel kind of awkward, though.

Since you've been getting training among the stations in the front, the Patissier has been considering letting you have free choice of what you would like to pursue each day. Today, it doesn't seem to be too busy to warrant being at the front of the house - but you never know with Charmant, this place can fill up quicker than anything at the drop of a hat.

>Work at front of the house
>Train to work in the bakery proper
>Other (write in)

>>41251838
>Train to work in the bakery proper
>Other (write in)
Don't work on any majorly involved projects. Just assist the other bakers, so we can go out to the front if needed without abandoning anything important.

>>41251838
>>41251911
>>Train to work in the bakery proper
This

>>41251911
>>41251921

Expo is your role today - a middleground between the smiles, conversation, and boredom of front, and the bustle and quiet focus on back. In truth, it ends up being that you're mostly forced to do a lot of both, as people need to focus on customers and aren't able to prevent that espresso from fucking up within the next five seconds.

However straining it might be, however, it's a welcome relief to the people who are stuck in one place or another. The middle-school student who's trapped behind the cash register, with a housewife who just won't stop ordering cakes for her friends (and, you expect, keeping a good portion for herself), is especially grateful --

And, as it turns out, so is the struggling Jonouchi, who is still getting the grasp of just how many types of coffee can be made in the strangest combinations. You've heard the excuse of "it's my first job" enough out of his lips, by now..

Time flies as you bridge the gap, 4 PM bowing to the dusk of 8:30 before you know it. It's still warm outside, and even warmer inside, and your clothes are stained with sweat and stress from the sheer speed of it all.

ONe more hour, and you're out.

>Go help the bakers with the cakes.
>Make some cookies.
>Focus on the front of the house.
>Other (write in)

>>41252122
>>Make some cookies.
It's time for mad scientist Mako-chi to return.

>>41252122
>Make some cookies.
Did we ever show Oren the chocolate-sweet potato scones?

>>41252160
My vote is for this.

>>41252122
Actually, change my vote here >>41252237 to
>Focus on the front of the house.
It occured to me that we're getting late in the day, doing fresh baking is counterproductive. We should manage the register for people coming in for evening coffee.

>>41252122
>Focus on the front of the house.

>>41252259
>>41252160
>>41252276
>>41252435
>>41252435
Tied.

>>41252472
Roll a d2 for it? 1 for cookies, 2 for register?

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41252478
Sounds like a deal.

>>41252606
The line is non-existent, three customers within the last hour and no necessity for making new required case foods.

Time to experiment.

You put on an apron - hey, it even has your name on it, in gold embroidery on the black fabric! When did this get here?

As you wash your hands, you mull over what you'd like to make. Those sweet potato and chocolate scones were a massive hit, but since this is in the middle of summer, something warm would probably not be the best idea. Probably also don't want to use too much in terms of dough, if this is going to be an experiment.

>Experiment for yourself
>Experiment and show it off ot Jonouchi (SL+)
>Experiment and show it off to the Patissier (SL+)

>What woudl you like to make?

>>41252823
>>Experiment and show it off to the Patissier (SL+)

Let's go for Cookies and Creme Cookies with some creme frosting stuffing.

Also Sagara-Bro did you see the ad's for the Lemon lockseed/Marion Energy Lockseed

>>41252823
>Experiment and show it off ot Jonouchi (SL+)
See if it's good before we show it to Oren.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>41253010
>>41252865
We at a tie again.

Thinking to call it soon, btw, and possibly continue tomorrow.

>>41253244
Alright, that's fine. It is getting sort of late.

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>>41252865
>>41253244

It's sometihng that you typically like having in milkshakes - cookies and creme. Yeah, people have made oreos before - it's a staple of American sugary snacks.

But something's clicking as you're making the dough - a reverse cookie, if you will. Something like mixing cookies and cream and, well, cookies.

It's silly. It's outright absurd in a sense - why make a reversion of cookies that already exist for no other purpose than experimentation. How is this going to benefit--

IT'S FUCKING GOOD.

Okay, yeah, that was a bit of an overstatement. It was pretty damn good, if a bit crude and rustic - but it seems that the Patissier does like it. Most of his comments concern the appearance of it, worrying that it's not gonna stand out as much compared to the pastries and bread...

But there's an appreciative smile upon his face.

>Your relationship with Oren has improved!

Alright, we're gonna call it for the night, and come back tomorrow at around 11 AM. Sounds good to everyone?

>>41253545
Yeah, sounds great. See you then. Thanks for running, Sagara, it's good to have you back.

>>41253589
See you then, man. Thanks for having me back.

>>41253648
It's good to see you back Sagara-Bro, Hopefully things will settle down much less the laptop will co-operate so I can get back into the QM Saddle myself.

...it just hit me that it's gonna be almost impossible to keep this alive for 10 hours unless someone stays up.

oof. need to plan these things out beforehand. oh well, new thread if it comes to it.

In the case of the thread dying, thread archived at suptg.

>>41254283
Be sure to Archive this thread Sagara?