>>41907943
>>See what Carnby wants

>>41907943
Have a chat with Ripper. What, er......CONSTRUCTIVE things does he like doing?

>>41908033
failing that, he could maybe teach us some of his more practical-for-humans skills. Dodging gunfire/taking cover, for instance.

>>41907943
>>See what Carnby wants

>>41907986
>>41908085

Right, it's not good to keep the professor waiting. It's not that he'll get mad at you or anything – frankly, you're starting to suspect that he needs you far more than you need him – but it might be something important. Some new information that might prove vital to your success, perhaps – he was supposed to have been studying the fairy prophecies while you were away, so he might have learned something new.

As you're walking, you consider summoning up Ripper – somewhere safe, obviously – and trying to talk to the thing for once. You've never once heard the demon actually speak but he seems to understand your commands, so there is at least some knowledge of language there. Maybe you could draft in Undine as an interpreter, or devise some kind of code based around stabbing. One stab for yes, two stabs for no? Ah, but somehow you imagine Ripper would disagree a lot under a system like that. Something to think on, perhaps, you tell yourself as you walk.

So, you make your way down the maze of corridors until you find the male guest room. It seems strangely old-fashioned to segregate the two sets of rooms like this, but you're not going to make an issue out of it. If this is the most unusual thing you see in the fairy kingdom, then so be it. As you're approaching the door, however, it opens swiftly and a tall figure glides through. It's Titania, queen of the fair folk and possibly the last person you expected to see here.

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>>41908137

So, should you bow, or...?

“Good day,” the queen offers you the smallest of smiles as you stare at her in confusion, “I trust you will be reporting to the court later?”

Yes, yes of course, you fumble the words out.

“Excellent. It's best to keep official business to an appropriate setting,” Titania's polite expression doesn't waver as she watches your awkwardness, “Then I shall await your news. Farewell, Amelia Bishop.” With those parting words, the tall monarch glides away down the corridor and out of sight. What was THAT all about, and what was she doing here of all places? Shaking your head in bemusement, you find Carnby's door – it has a little tile engraved with his name on it, the same as your room - and knock firmly before entering.

You're not sure you like what you see.

Carnby is sitting at a desk, surrounded by the various computers and pieces of mysterious machinery that he dragged here. Laptops mostly, but a few devices of even less obvious purpose. You hardly pay any attention to his gadgets, however, as your attention is snared by his unmade bed, tousled hair and dishevelled clothes – oh yes, and the expression of mingled amazement and delight still playing around his features. You try not to jump to any irrational conclusions but, to be honest, it's pretty difficult to stop your mind from whirling in shocked fascination. Maybe... maybe it's better just to pretend you didn't see anything.

“Oh, Amelia,” Carnby can't quite meet your gaze as he stands up, smoothing down his clothes in a desperate attempt at looking casual, “You got my message, then?”

>Out in the corridor, I saw Titania...
>Yes, the message! What did you want?
>Just what the hell is going on here?

>>41908148
>.....You can't be serious. Please tell me this isn't what I think it is.

>>41908148
>Cover you face with your hand, "I saw Titania out in the corridor, please tell me you didn't just do what it looks like you did and jeopardize our safety."

>>41908148
"Should I just pretend I didn't see anything?"
>Yes, the message! What did you want?

>>41908179
>>41908191
>>41908184

Out in the corridor, you begin awkwardly, you saw Titania leave. Was she...? Were you...?

“Ah, yes,” Carnby pats down his hair, returning it to something approaching normality, “She's really quite, uh, fascinating to talk with. That's what we were doing, you see. Talking. About things.”

Sure thing professor. You believe him – thousands wouldn't, but you believe him. You start to sit down on the bed before thinking better of it and dragging across a spare chair instead. There's definitely a hint of perfume in the air – unmistakable, really. Please, you beg, this isn't what it looks like, is it?

“I hope you're not getting the wrong idea,” Carnby continues to ramble, “We were discussing, ah, prophecy. Fate, predetermination, those sorts of things. It's a big debate within the fairy court, whether you can willingly go against a prophecy or not. Some say that trying to avoid your fate will only put you further down the path destiny has laid out for you. It's a view some human cultures had, as well. The Ancient Greeks, for example...”

He's rambling again, probably hoping that you'll either lose interest or wander off. You do neither, instead choosing to change the subject directly. What, you ask him, did he want with you? He asked you to come down here, after all.

“Yes, of course!” relief washes over Carnby's face as you move onto safe ground, “I was able to rewrite several parts of the DevilSP app using fragments of ancient summoning spells kept within the archives here. May I have your phone?” Taking the device from your hands – pretty much as soon as it leaves your pocket, in fact – Carnby plugs it into one of his computers. A few moments later and a quiet tone chimes.

“There! It should be more effective now. I've also installed a new program that you should find very useful.” Grinning like a fool, Carnby pulls the cable out of your phone and hands it back to you.

>Demon storage increased to 8

>>41908312

Right then, you mutter, glad for the opportunity to look away from Carnby. His shirt isn't even buttoned up correctly, for god's sake! The new program seems to be called Goetia, and the icon is that of an open book – the kind of book you'd probably read about in some gothic horror story, maybe described as a “mouldering tome” or “font of eldritch lore”. Something like that at least.

“Goetia's main function is to provide information on the various demons you encounter. Strengths, weaknesses and other bits of available data,” Carnby explains, “It's not a complete encyclopedia just yet, so there might be missing data here and there, but it's an ongoing project. Try it out sometime, and make sure everything is working right. There might be a few, eh, bugs as well, but they shouldn't be anything crippling.”

Well, you'll just go and play around with this, you say, already glancing towards the exit. One last thing, though. Please, you implore, he didn't do anything that might... jeopardise his position here? After all, you worked your backside off making sure you were granted sanctuary here, and you don't want Carnby messing things up because of some... indiscretion.

“I don't know what you mean, our position is completely secure,” Carnby turns back to his laptop and huddles over it. You recognise THAT little piece of evasive body language all too well. “I'd advise against listening to any gossip you hear, however,” he adds, “To say nothing of spreading such nonsense.”

Right. No gossip for you. Nodding hastily, you back out of the room and lean against the wall, struggling to get your breath back. Something that lies between a laugh and the urge to throw up grips your chest for a long while. But, eventually, you feel ready to move on.

>See Oberon and Titania
>Try talking with Ripper
>Other

>>41908438
>>Try talking with Ripper
Alright buddy, lets see if this works.

>>41908438
>Try talking with Ripper

>>41908438
>There might be a few, eh, bugs as well,
AHHHH

>Try talking with Ripper

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>>41908459
>>41908511
>>41908621

Yeah, this might just work. You're interested in what Ripper might have to say at least and, really, anything that lets you delay seeing Titania again is worth a shot. The thought of having to look her in the eye and deliver your report on Cernunnos' fate is not a comfortable one. You could always try looking at Oberon, but that feels worse somehow. Why did Carnby have to put you in this kind of position?

Forcing the matter out of your mind – as much as possible, at least – you search around a bit and find an empty room. It might have been a storage closet once, although it's larger than anything you'd consider a closet, and pleasingly barren. Sitting down on a dusty table, you take out your phone and tap Ripper's icon. For all the damage he suffered in the fight against Cernunnos, he forms without any sign of discomfort or difficulty. Well then, time to get started.

Can you talk, you ask Ripper, looking straight into the cold points of light that serve as the thing's eyes. A moment passed before the demon shakes his head dolorously. Right – no easy communication then. What about an intermediary, you ask instead, could you talk through another demon? Using, you don't know, telepathy?

This, at least, gets a grudging nod. So, that's a start. You waste little time in calling up Undine and sitting the nervous looking demon in front of Ripper. Now, with your translator in place, what's your first question.

>That was a tough fight last night. How are you feeling?
>Can you tell me anything about demons in general?
>Do you have any other skills?
>Other

>>41908651
>That was a tough fight last night. How are you feeling?
>Do you have any other skills?

>>41908651
>That was a tough fight last night. How are you feeling?
>Do you have any other skills?

Question to both of them.
"Is it me or is 'demon' a catch all term for all of you guys? I didn't really associate 'demons' with faires, elementals, and serial killers until now."

>>41908651
>What do you want? I mean, it's relatively obvious, but I was looking for specifics. I've only heard so much about Jack the Ripper.
>Is it possible to give you a different weapon? Like, maybe get you an even better knife forged by some deific blacksmith?
>That was a tough fight last night. How are you feeling?

>>41908692
>>41908744
>>41908780

So, last night huh? Pretty rough, right? You laugh a little, trying to hide the sudden rush of nervousness that stirs in the back of your mind. You're not sure what you're afraid of – Ripper is under your control, he's not going to leap up and slit your throat or anything. Perhaps this is how Cassandra feels all the time, always wondering what her servant is going to do next if it gets the slightest hint of control. No, you've got to focus. Put those dark thoughts out of your mind and do this.

“Um,” Undine coughs lightly, “He says... I enjoyed that fight. It's not often that I get the chance to put a beast like that down with such a large audience. My wounds were severe, but I heal quickly. Worry not.”

That's good to hear, you smile to cover up any uncertainty you feel and move onto the next question. What kind of stuff can Ripper do? Outside of, you know, violent stuff. Knife stuff. What you're trying to ask is, does he have any more general skills?

“Stealth,” Ripper “says” through Undine, “It's quite tasking, but I can snuff out sources of light and create a blanket of darkness to hide in. Not subtle, but a knife in the dark...”

Is worth a thousand swords at dawn, right? Ripper nods, his eyes widening slightly in a strangely approving look. Ah, moving on, you were wondering – do you, Ripper, have anything you “want”? What are your desires?

“To hunt and shed blood,” is Ripper's simple answer, “To do it in your service is as good as any other way. Without the moment of the kill, my existence would be meaningless.”

That's... pretty edgy actually. You don't mention that, though, and move onto the next question instead.

>>41908780
>>41908651
Might be a good segque into asking if there is a way Amelia could get her weapons to work better against demons, like her gun or anything else she picks up.

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>>41908880

If you came across some new weapon – a legendary knife, say – could Ripper use it as a weapon? Or any other physical object, for that matter?

“Unfortunately not,” white light shimmers at the end of Ripper's long arm as he conjures a straight razor into existence, “These blades are a part of my own being. Mortal swords are of no concern to me.” As quick as it appears, the razor disappears from Ripper's hand, only to be replaced by a cluster of scalpels, spread out with a hand of cards. He could throw those, you realise, as easily as you'd throw a paper aeroplane.

Well, what about your weapons, you continue, is there a way you could get some weapon capable of harming a demon? Leon was waving some strange looking axe about when you last saw him but, well, it couldn't have done him much good - or maybe it did him too much good.

“Demons can enchant weapons,” Undine explains, a relative lightness of tone suggesting that these are her own words, “So you could hurt a demon that way. Or, they might make their own weapons – profane weapons that kill angels, divine weapons that kill demons. That kinda thing, you know?”

Interesting. That brings you to your last question. You've heard these words thrown about – demon, devil and angel – but what about fairies and such? They're not exactly demons, so what are they?

“Demon is a general term,” Undine explains, “For any otherworldly spirit. Angels are technically demons – just don't call them that to their faces! Devils are the creatures of Hell, servants of Chaos, while angels are God's agents. Fairies and sprites like me are mostly neutral, but we're still demons!” Winking, Undine offers you a thumbs up, “The more you know!”

Well, you guess that's that. Thanking Ripper and Undine, you return them to storage. Now, you've got a meeting to make.

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>>41909086

The audience chamber, when you arrive, is empty save for Oberon and Titania, with a few scant guards lurking within the shadows. A private meeting, perhaps. Probably so the masses don't have to see their leaders thanking a human for all the help. You hold your head up high as you march to your podium, just a few metres away from the pair of monarchs, but you can't totally hide your nerves. Shuffling feet and your gaze – fixed just slightly above and beyond Oberon's shoulder – are obvious cracks in your poker face.

“Cernunnos crawled back here last night, while you were sleeping,” Oberon announces, “I was... surprised to see him alive, to say the least.”

“Pleasantly surprised,” Titania corrects him gently, “For all his flaws, Cernunnos is a nobleman and a member of this court. His life should not be so casually discarded.”

“Regardless,” Oberon snaps back, “He is now a nobleman in the deepest dungeon beneath this castle, and the only court he can call his own is the one where I shall convict him of treason!” The young king's beautiful features twist as he spits the words out. So, he was hoping you'd act as his assassin after all. Tough luck, then. “Tell me, human, why did you choose to spare his life?”

That's a good question actually. Even after seeing him mauling Ripper and knowing what he threatened to do, you had no regrets about sparing his life. Why should that be?

>Mercy is crueller
>You just didn't want to dirty your hands
>Whatever else, Cernunnos didn't deserve to die

>>41909255
"I had thought since he was a member of this court, you two should get the final say."

>>41909255
in a way
>Mercy is crueller
but really
>You just didn't want to dirty your hands

>>41909255
>You just didn't want to dirty your hands
>Because we were afraid of losing control

>>41909344
Losing control of Ripper?

>>41909255
>Mercy is crueller,
mixed with >>41909298

>>41909389
of ourselves. Put it another way, of letting our power over Ripper control us.

>>41909511
You mean becoming bloodthirsty? I dunno I think Amelia would want to avoid being Leon as much as possible that even if she did have Cernunnos killed it wouldn't be out of bloodlust. More of 'ending a threat' or getting in good with Oberon.

>>41909342
>>41909298
>>41909344
>>41909457

You just didn't want to dirty your hands, you announce boldly. And, your majesty, it was not your place to decide the fate of a member of this court. That power should lie only with the king and the queen. Oberon is silent as he considers your words, but you can tell that he's pleased by then. At the very least, his irritation has been soothed somewhat by the reminder that he's the one in charge here. You're not so sure, a subtle glance at Titania's impassive face confirming your suspicions. Doubtless she petitioned to have Cernunnos imprisoned rather than executed – but why?

Of course, what you don't mention is that part of the reason you didn't have Cernunnos killed was that you were afraid. Afraid of losing control of yourself the same way that Leon lost control of himself. Violence, in this strange new world, seems to be addictive, eroding at the sanity of whoever lets it into their heart. Or perhaps you're just all too human, brought up with the idea that taking a life is not something to be done easily – whatever the reason, the result is the same. Cernunnos is alive, and awaiting whatever mercy Oberon bestows upon him.

Perhaps that is a fate crueller than death. You'd like to think that you haven't just escaped one insane king to seek sanctuary in the domain of another, but seeing the suppressed rage in Oberon's eyes, you're not so sure. Maybe it's time to start researching places to escape to, especially if Carnby is going to get you all in trouble...

“Well, with THAT matter out of the way,” Oberon brushes his hands together dismissively, “Your requests have been granted, human. Safe haven for you and your friends, as well as access to the archives our kind have gathered. Knowledge freely given, friend. There is one last matter, though.”

Here we go...

>>41909557
Not specifically bloodthirsty. Ripper is Amelia's power, and killing the things that threaten to take away that power offers a feeling of safety. Only to be replaced by fear when more things arrive that could potentially take away her ability to defend herself.

In terms of sanity, preventing yourself from murder is the easiest way to make sure you don't murder so much that killing doesn't make you feel guilty anymore. It's important to note that the distance of ORDERING the kill rather than doing it yourself is beneficial to mental health in the short term but extremely dangerous in the long run.

>>41909653
Got it.

>>41909678
I think it's similar to the chaos route of Nocturne? That ends with the Chaos NPC as king but continually afraid because challengers keep trying to kill him/her, right?

>>41909580

“One other service, a task I have to offer you – if you choose to accept it,” Titania announces. That's a surprise – you're actually being given a choice this time? “An item of ours, a relic that belongs to the fair folk, was stolen from our kingdom a long time ago. Now, we have located it at long last. Should you bring this artifact back to us, we would reward you with an item of equal value.”

“And this might interest you,” Oberon smiles coldly, “I believe you know the person who has taken this item. Perhaps you wish to settle your affairs with them?”

Settle your affairs? Wait, is he talking about...

“Yes, the demon king Forneus,” Titania nods, “In his avarice, he took that which belonged to us, in the hopes of trading it away. Recover this weapon, please. In the interests of continued cooperation, we offer you the services of one of our subjects. She will know what to look for, and where to find it.”

“A fair offer, is it not?” Oberon asks, “But, this is entirely your choice. We do not wish to force your hand.”

Well, it might not be such a bad idea to hunt down Forneus once and for all. He might be vulnerable after the battle, and this would be a good opportunity to – how did Oberon put it? - settle your affairs. The reward is just a bonus. Then again, you're not so sure you want to march into battle again quite so soon.

>Accept the mission, and the new companion.
>Reject the mission
>Ask if you can delay the mission until later. You've got other things on your plate.

>>41909726
>Accept the mission, and the new companion.

>>41909726
>What is this weapon?
Because if it's fucking Alice, that shit is too hot. WAAAY too hot for us right now.

>>41909726
>>Accept the mission, and the new companion.
Lets do it.

>>41909725
Actually there wasn't the standard Law-Chaos-Neutral in Nocturne, but Reasons instead.

One of them was Yogusa which was a standard World of Strength which ironically the angels flocked to.

>>41909762
>>41909726
Yeah make sure it isn't fucking Alice, holy shit.

turning in for the night, but if it IS Alice and we're STILL doing the job, chalk one vote to not dicking over black and red suit to do it. They were pretty cool.

>>41909984
I doubt its Alice, since they implied it was still in Forneus's possession but yeah I don't want to mess with Nebrios or Belial either.

One more thing: next time we see Carnby, grill him about Mom. What exactly was their relationship, what was she like, etc.

twist that knife

>>41910042
Kay'

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>>41909743
>>41909762
>>41909793

This weapon, you begin carefully, you noticed that Forneus was quite a collector. Could they, perhaps, tell you what you were supposed to be looking for? What you don't mention is that you've seen one item of Forneus' collection in action, and you're not eager to see Alice again – certainly not if you're going to need to smuggle her out of the Hellfire Club. Sure, you smuggled the dead girl from one demon to another, but you're not going to graduate to kidnapping!

“We seek the remains of the Gae Bolg, long since lost and only now recovered,” Titania informs you.

Okay, you're glad that it's not Alice, but you're still no further forwards. Not to be vulgar or anything, but it sounds like they just asked you to look for a gay bulge. That's not cool. You keep that little quip to yourself – after all, you're not totally ignorant of courtly manners.

“Gae Bolg,” Oberon explains, stressing the perfect pronunciation, “Is the spear of Cu Chulainn, hero to all our people. You recognise the name, I see,” a smile plays around Oberon's mouth at you agape expression, “Not even we know what happened to him, only that he has not been seen in a long time. His spear, rusted and ruined, has only recently surfaced as part of Forneus' collection.”

Very well then. One legendary spear, coming right up. Who's this new companion of theirs, anyway? You're always looking to make new friends.

“It is a custom, among our people, for adventurers leaving on a quest to take a pixie as a companion,” Titania tells you calmly, “Their magic can be a great boon to those suffering in darkness.” At that, she steps to the side and ushers forwards a pixie, much like the ones you've seen all over the palace.

Maybe you should try out this Goetia thing...

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>>41910364

Tapping the book-like icon on your smartphone, you point it at the pixie and read the words that appear on the screen. They pop up quickly and smartly, in a font that's just the perfect size to read easily. The only fault you can see if a fine layer of static on the screen, so light as to be almost unnoticeable. The description reads:

Although slight in stature and build, pixies are gutsy companions and loyal friends. Believe the stories, these girls can pack a real punch! With the power of lightning at their command, and magic to heal all wounds, a pixie is never without a use. Just make sure to keep her safe, as they are ISEEYOU quite fragile!

Wait, what the hell was that? You shake your head and blink furiously before going back to reread the description. Everything seems... normal. Nothing untoward here. Huh. Maybe you should see Carnby about this.

>Gained demon: Pixie

>Stop by Carnby's room
>Start heading back to the hospital
>Ask if Cassandra wants to come along with you

>>41910461
>>Stop by Carnby's room
the "bug" came back on Goetia.

>>41910461
>>Stop by Carnby's room
NOPE.jpg
Grab Cass on the way to his room.
>Ask if Cassandra wants to come along with you

>>41910461
>Stop by Carnby's room
"I saw that bug again! What is the cause, and who sees me?"

>>41910492
>>41910502
>>41910703

Nope, you're not putting up with this shit for a moment longer. You're going to march over to Carnby's room and if he doesn't take you seriously, you're going to smack him in the head with your phone until one of the two breaks. Knowing the armoured case it has, you wouldn't put money on your phone giving out first. As you're stomping your way to Carnby's quarters, you bump into Cassandra.

“Oh, Amelia, I was-” the girl starts, tucking a heavy book under one arm. You're sure she had something very interesting to say, but it's not her lucky day.

Sorry Cassandra, you interrupt, you've got important business with the professor. She's welcome to come along, if she wants, but there's no guarantee that it's going to be pleasant. There's bad business in the works.

“I, ah, I'll pass then,” Cassandra pales a little at the scowl on your face, “You know where to find me when you're finished.” Then, head down, she hurries off towards the female guest rooms.

When you reach Carnby's door, you don't even bother knocking – you just barge in, and damn the consequences. Fortunately for you both, he's alone this time. The sound of your violent entrance causes him to twist around in his chair – clearly, he's still not gotten used to not having a swivel chair – and ask what the problem is.

That bug he mentioned, you snap, it hit you again. A message, blaring across the screen, saying “I SEE YOU”. Now, you were concerned about it before, but twice is too much. You want some answers, and you're not leaving until you get them. Carnby knows something, more than he was willing to tell you before, and now you want in on his secrets. Kicking the door shut behind you with your heel, you sit in the same chair from earlier and cross your arms, frowning severely at the flustered professor.

>>41910830

“Well, ah,” Carnby begins, pursing his lips in thought, “It's possible that some malevolent force has entered through the Goetia program. I did use some of the magical formulae I found here to finish up the last of the code, but...”

Nope, not good enough, you shake your head angrily, the first glitch happened long before you installed Goetia. This was something that's been in there ever since the very first moment. Something lurking within the DevilSP app. But, you watch Carnby carefully as you spit the words out, he already knew that, didn't he?

“Okay, yes,” he admits, “I suspected that there might be some issues with DevilSP. Lingering problems that we couldn't quash, no matter what we tried. Things only got worse after the... the accident when Dr Vespucci was killed. There were rumours, stupid things really, but people always talk, you know?”

Is he suggesting that your phone is haunted? Haunted with the ghost of one of his lab buddies who seems to have a real grudge against you for some unknown reason?

“That's patently absurd!” Carnby snaps back, his anger barely covering up a sudden nervous tremor.

Certainly, you agree, it's absurd to think about ghosts. After all, there's nothing else supernatural going on. No demons walking the earth or fairies doing fairy things. Ghosts, well, those ARE absurd!

“Yes yes, okay,” Carnby gripes, “Sarcasm, wonderful. That's going to help, isn't it?” Seemingly unaware of his hypocrisy, Carnby continues to complain, “I've got limited resources here, so I can only do so much. If I was back in my old lab, I could put this matter to bed in an instant.”

So you're going to his old lab, no question about it. What Carnby doesn't seem to realise, you remind the professor, is that when your phone bugged out the first time, you almost died! So, if there's even the slightest risk of that happening again...

“Fine,” Carnby swears, “We'll head out at once. Back to Saint Sebastian's.”

>>41911061

The long walk back to your old school is surprisingly uneventful, free from any lurking demons or other people – not that you were expecting to run into many of those. That mysterious horse rider, perhaps, but Carnby probably would have pulled you into an alleyway at the first sight of them. The professor himself walks in silence – unusual, for him, but appreciated. Still, it's boredom that prompts you to speak up first.

So, about him and Titania... You're smirking a little, but really you're far from happy with the situation. It's going to cause problems eventually, you just know it.

“I hope you've not been listening to gossip,” Carnby warns.

Gossip? You didn't need to listen to any gossip! Just in case he's forgotten – or scrubbed it from his memory – you ran into the queen outside his room, not to mention the shameful state you had found him in. So... you repeat, him and Titania?

“Looks like we're here,” Carnby ignores the question, pointing up at the square building in front of you. Most of Saint Sebastian's campus had been fairly ornate and nicely decorated. Like a modern university campus, but with the ornamentation you'd expect from a church, but the computer building was a modernist abortion of a building – all post-war concrete and hard edges. Time hasn't softened its edges any, if anything, they seem sharper and more defined than ever. Like you'd cut yourself just by rubbing your hand across a wall. Freaky.

It's strange, but as you push your way into the desolate building, you wish Cassandra had chosen to come along. You had offered, but she had claimed that visiting her old school would have been too disturbing to bear. You can understand her position, certainly, but having someone to watch your back would have been nice. Carnby doesn't offer much in the way of reassurance.

“Down here,” Carnby announces, pointing to an open lift shaft. A ladder clings precariously to the wall.

>>41911343

Of course, you mutter as you begin your descent, that's because you've never actually seen Carnby summon a demon. You're starting to have your doubts about that, actually. Maybe he's waiting until all the “errors” have been wiped out before risking his life with the technology. You don't much like the idea of being his guinea pig.

So, you call up as you climb down the rattling ladder, what exactly is he going to do down here? He said that he could wipe this bug thing out in an instant, but he didn't exactly offer much in the way of concrete detail.

“Do you really want the technical details?” Carnby asks as he takes his first few steps down the ladder, “It might take longer to explain than to fix. Can't you just trust me on this?”

Sure, you'll trust him. You'll trust him as soon as he explains why he needs you here. For protection, obviously, but protection from what? Unless... he's expecting something to jump out of your phone and attack? You laugh at the idea, but your mirth soon vanishes when Carnby doesn't shoot down your idea. Oh hell – he really is expecting something to jump out and attack.

“It MIGHT happen,” he admits, refusing to elaborate. Great. Fantastic. You climb down the rest of the way in silence, save for the occasional grunt of effort or muttered curse. When you're both finally at the bottom, Carnby hurries ahead of you before glancing back, “You might want to summon something. This could be trouble.”

What should you expect, you ask as you look around the room. It's far more high tech than anything your school ever had, but wrapped in a thick layer of cobweb. The place looks like its been untouched for years.

“I don't know,” Carnby shrugs, pulling out a computer chair and hitting a switch. Amazingly, the screen lights up, but it does so with a sickly, unnatural light. He's right – you can feel something coming.

>Choose two demons to summon

>>41911672
Jack, undine

>>41911672
Jack and Undine.

File: Minotaur.jpg (159 KB, 698x1280)

159 KB JPG

>>41911688
>>41911709

Might as well stick with your old favourites, you think to yourself and call out Ripper and Undine. Ripper appears as silently as ever, shaking the creases out of his coat and straightening the brim of his hat, while Undine shivers.

“Boss, I've got a bad feeling about this,” she hisses, “There's something coming-”

Before she can finish her sentence, a bright burst of light fills the cramped room and knocks Carnby away from the computer. A giant figure, skull-faced and wide with muscle, rises up from the floor and bellows out his rage. Then, hooves stamping against the ground, it turns to Carnby and speaks.

“Professor,” it growls, “Don't you recognise me? You're the one that cast me into this labyrinth in the first place, after all!”

“Amelia,” Carnby snaps, looking increasingly panicked, “Kill it. Kill this thing!”

>Have your demons attack it
>Try talking
>Wait and see what happens

>>41911920
>Try talking
Jack if it tries to attack, deal with it as you see fit. Undine heal as necessary.

>>41911920
>Try talking
Let's get some info. Knowledge is power.

>>41911945
>>41911959

Hey big guy, you yell, causing the lumbering beast to turn around. It snorts at you, steam and tongues of flame curling out from its nostrils. If he even thinks about attacking, you'll take him down. You've beaten tougher sorts with just one demon, so he won't stand a chance against two.

“Amelia...” Carnby whines, backing away from the demon. You ignore him for a moment, not taking your gaze from the threat.

“You're arrogant, for a human,” the demon – the Minotaur – growls, “What if I don't attack? Shall we all sit down and have TEA? Do you really think you can talk your way out of this?”

Maybe not, you admit, but you're curious. Something went down here, and you want to know what.

“Amelia, don't listen to that thing!” Carnby yells, “It's a demon, it'll try and trick you! It'll say anything it can to deceive you!”

“Ah, professor,” the Minotaur grunts, “Always so clever. Always so cunning. What HAVE you told this student of yours? An accident, perhaps?” Another rush of heated air comes from the thing's hollow skull of a face, “I see you, Carnby, and I see your lies. You see, child, this man is to blame for what you see before you. For my... death.”

You're saying it wasn't an accident, then, you struggle to keep your voice calm and level as you face the raging creature. Your death was Carnby's fault, and it wasn't an accident?

“Oh, but the professor is a merciful soul. He didn't want me to suffer,” a low, rumbling laugh escapes the demon, “That's why he put a BULLET in my back!”

“Amelia!” Carnby shrieks, his attempts at reasoning with you breaking down into open desperation.

“Let me kill him. That's all I want. All I wanted. I'll trouble you no more,” the Minotaur growls, looking away from you to glare down at Carnby, “He's all I want.”

>No chance.
>Then he's all yours
>Other

>>41912244
>>No chance.

>>41912244
>No chance.
Sorry can't let that happen.

>>41912244
>No chance.
If you are who I think you are, your daughter is out there looking for you, or Looking for him. Wouldn't you have be back with here than after him? Because I need him to survive, So you can't have him. Either leave freely or in pieces.A Fairy lord have fell to Jack, and the only reason you're not cut to pieces is because I told him not too, yet.

>>41912294
>>41912338
>>41912261

There might be more here than you've been told, and Carnby might not be entirely innocent here – Carnby yelps a little at the sound of those words – but you're not just going to turn around and walk out of here. If he is who you think he is – if he is Marco Vespucci – then his daughter is out there somewhere, walking the wasteland. Why not give up this pointless fight and try to protect HER instead?

So, you repeat, you're going to give him one last chance to back down and live. Otherwise, you're going to destroy him. What's it going to be?

The Minotaur laughs, quietly at first, but the sound soon builds to an uproarious thunder. “I've gone too far now, too far down this path to turn back,” he snarls, “Only his death – and yours, if that's what it takes! - will grant me peace! Foolish human, you had your chance, now die!” Flames play around the demon's fists as it raises them to the roof and prepares to attack. You've got a moment, a brief window, to guide your demons.

Ripper:
>Dodge and fight defensively
>All out attack

Undine:
>Focus on healing
>Focus on using ice magic.

>>41912483
>>Dodge and fight defensively
>Focus on using ice magic.

>>41912483
>Dodge and fight defensively

>Focus on using ice magic.

More Press Turns, less problems assuming SMT4 weaknesses

>>41912507
At least we don't have Walter spamming Fire at it.

>>41912483
>Dodge and fight defensively
>Focus on using ice magic.

>>41912583
>>41912491
>>41912507

Ripper, stay low and avoid those attacks, you murmur. For some reason, no matter how loud the background noise gets, your commands always seem to reach your demons. Maybe you're using telepathy yourself. You test that thought by thinking your next orders to Undine: try and freeze the damn thing. You're about to repeat that order out loud when she turns and salutes you.

“Sure thing boss!” she chirps, jumping back to put some distance between her and the Minotaur as Ripper slides in close like a malevolent shadow. As soon as Ripper approaches, the Minotaur swings a burning punch his way, but the blow sails easily over your demon's head. First blood, yet to be spilled.

>Please roll 2D100. I'll take the highest of the first 3 results. The first result is Ripper, the second Undine.

Rolled 97, 19 = 116 (2d100)

>>41912679

Rolled 55, 59 = 114 (2d100)

>>41912679
Rollin

>>41912687
Attaboy Jack

Rolled 80, 32 = 112 (2d100)

>>41912679

>>41912687
>>41912702

Ripper ducks under the next blow just as easily, and you catch a glint of light as he produces a knife – maybe a scalpel, maybe a straight razor – from his sleeve and lashes out as the Minotaur's leg. He's aiming to hamstring the beast, just like when he fought Cernunnos. It worked then, but this time his blade barely leaves a mark on the Minotaur's iron hard flesh. Shoulders squared with frustration, Ripper instead ducks to the opposite side – dodging another flailing blow in the process – and plants a firm kick into the back of the opposing demon's knee. That certainly gets a result, causing the beast to buckle and drop low.

That's when Undine casts her spell, sending a wave of ice crystals rolling across the ground. The crystals gather, bunching up around the fallen Minotaur's legs and rapidly hardening. The beast grunts and snarls, tugging his frozen feet and pounding at the gleaming ice with his fists, but to no avail. He seems to be stuck fast. Ripper slowly paces around it, his cold eyes flickering across the Minotaur in search of a weakness. The razor in his hand looks hungry, and Ripper himself seems eager to feed it.

>Have Ripper execute the Minotaur
>Talk with it some more
>Other

>>41912967
>Talk with it some more
Last chance<
Telepathically tell Ripper if the Minotaur so much as cracks the ice execute him.

>>41912967
>>Talk with it some more

>>41913010
>>41913037

Looks like it's your lucky day, you tell the trapped Minotaur, he gets another chance. Not many people get that. You look up at Ripper and exchange nods – if the Minotaur so much as cracks the ice it's trapped in, your pet killer will cut his throat open from ear to ear. Looking down at the kneeling demon, you can tell that he understands the situation. There's not much to get confused about, in his position.

So this is his second last chance to put this stupid feud behind him and live to see another day – what's he going to do with it? You wait quietly as the Minotaur wastes the last of its energy on struggling with the ice and watch as it slumps forwards in defeat. Now, you say, tell me everything.

“Amelia, no!” Carnby protests, seemingly appalled by the display of mercy, “Think about this, that thing tried to kill me! Tried to kill us both!”

“And he DID kill me,” the Minotaur grunts, “No lab accident, nothing. I found him here one night, long after everyone else had gone home. He was stealing technology, stealing the results of all our hard work.”

Carnby, you ask, is this true? The professor hangs his head, but doesn't respond. That's enough of an answer for you.

“When I confronted him about it, there was a struggle,” the Minotaur – Marco – continues, “In the end, he shot me in the back and left me for dead. Yet somehow, I ended up inside the program we had created, inside that dark labyrinth of code and ancient script. It's where the demons call home, but it changes a man. Changed me.”

So that's that. You don't even need to ask Carnby if what Marco is saying is true. The mortified look on the professor's face is proof enough. Then, the next issue is, what to do with Marco.

>Let him leave, IF he promises to leave you both alone
>He's too much of a risk. Kill him.

>>41913357
>>Let him leave, IF he promises to leave you both alone
Go find your daughter, She's still alive. If she loves you and you love her, your form won't matter. You'll still be her dad.

>>41913357
"Would you be willing to join me? I can't promise anything, but in the event I meet your daughter you could talk to her again."

If no still
>Let him leave, IF he promises to leave you both alone

>>41913357
>Let him leave, IF he promises to leave you both alone

"He is an evasive, lying jackass who has his own agenda, but I need him, and he may be my father. Don't you have your own daughter to find? Carnby murdered you, but you're still here. Very few people get a second chance like that, let alone this third chance I'm giving you."

>>41913357
>Join me and it'll be easier to find your daughter

Otherwise,

>Let him leave, IF he promises to leave you both alone

>>41913405
>>41913417
>>41913534
>>41913526

So here's the deal, you say as you kneel down to look Marco in the eye, you're willing to let him go. Let him go, right here and right now, if he promises to stay out of your life, and to stay out of Carnby's life. It's not such a bad offer, when you get right down to it. In fact, it's probably the best offer he'll get in his entire life. This way, he might just see his daughter again. You don't know where she is, but you're certain she's alive out there. After all, her father gave her everything she needed to survive, didn't he?

“That's right,” the words slip from Marco's fleshless mouth in a low rush, warm and sickly against your skin, “We all knew what was coming, and we all did what we could. That's why you were there, wasn't it Carnby? You were looking out for your own blood.”

Carnby is quiet for a long time but when his whispered answer comes, it seems to reach your ears easily. “Yeah,” he murmurs, “That's right.”

Chest tightening up painfully, you're not able to speak the order but a quick glance to Undine is enough for her to get the idea. She lets her spell fade, and the ice quickly melts away from Marco's heated flesh. Unless, you clear your throat awkwardly, unless he wants to tag along with you? You're going to be travelling all over London, you imagine, so it might help him find his daughter. How about it, you offer, why not?

“I cannot,” Marco rumbles with what seems like genuine regret, “This is a path I must walk alone. Until, of course, the day I find my Mia. Perhaps we will meet again, child, and I can repay this favour. But,” he warns, “If you harm a hair on her head, nothing in this world will stay my fury. Nothing.”

>>41913750
"Got it, good luck out there Marco."

>>41913750

That seems fair, you agree. You're a little disappointed that he won't be travelling with you – Marco smells a lot better than your troll does, at least – but you understand. There's more human in him than demon, no matter what he might look like. Bowing his head one last time, Marco flickers out of view, to reappear – where? Wherever he decides to search first.

“That was a mistake,” Carnby croaks eventually, picking himself up off the ground and dusting himself off. You can't bring yourself to look at him, let alone respond to his spiteful little comment. Instead, you call Undine and Ripper back into your phone and head back to the ladder. He admitted it, then, when Marco was talking. He stole technology – the same programs you've been using all this time – to keep you safe, and why? Because you shared the same blood. Because, as you'd long started to suspect, he was your father.

Where did that leave you? And did that leave him with a clock above his head, ticking down until Ankou decides to claim the debt that brought you back to life? Could it be that you're to lose your father mere moments after meeting him? No, you tell yourself, Ankou wasn't that spiteful. He was hard but fair, as death is supposed to be. Still, perhaps that's a good reason not to hold a grudge. Maybe Carnby deserved your forgiveness.

>No. He still murdered a man
>It's not your place to decide that
>Yes, you can forgive him.

>>41913867
Punch him really hard.
>>Yes, you can forgive him.
Then hug him.

>>41913867
>I'm going to need some answers.

>>41913867
>>It's not your place to decide that
But WE are going to punch him once really hard for all the God damn secrets he's kept. If we can't trust each other we're all going to fucking die, or worse.

>>41913867
"Why did you have this nebulous relationship with Mom when I was growing up? Why couldn't you just have been my dad earlier? Do you have secrecy issues or something?

>>41913909
>>41913994
>>41914031

You stop a few inches short of the ladder and force yourself to take a deep breath. Carnby will be called to answer for the things he's done, one way or another, and he doesn't need you dangling a sword above his head either. If nothing else... you want to forgive him. You want him to be a part of your life, no matter how little time you might get to share with him. He was never there for you as a father, but he was always there for you as a teacher. That's all you can really say about him.

“Amelia?” he asks tentatively, reaching out to touch your shoulder. That's when you spin around, fist outstretched to land a good, solid blow in the middle of his face. At least, that's how you imagined it. You'd punch him in the mouth and then, after the stunned silence, you'd fall into each others arms and enjoy a cathartic sob, only to pull yourselves together a moment later, father and daughter reunited.

Instead, you manage to punch him in the ear, and there's not much of a stunned silence afterwards. A chorus of grunted curses and stammered apologies, perhaps, but at least you get the hugging part right. Carnby stiffens with confusion as you wrap your arms around him and hold him tightly, just long enough for you to start feeling awkward. It's not what you imagined it would be like, hugging your father for the first time but, well, it's still pretty good.

You don't know if you can forgive him just yet – maybe you can, maybe it's not your place – but what you are going to need are some answers. It'll give you plenty to talk about on the walk back to the Fae court.

>That's where I'm going to halt for today. Next thread on Tuesday, I think, and I'll lurk here for a while.

>>41914124
Thanks for running!
Confusion scale for Carnsby, Us and Marco?

>>41914124
Thanks for the run boss.

Is I SEE YOU fixed?

>>41914166

Carnby and Amelia are pretty much off the charts, but Marco is relatively calm and happy.

>>41914170

Yep, that was Marco being all "ghost in the machine" on us. Though, now I think about it, he'll probably still have the ability to mess with DevilSP and such.