File: Joy-In-Embers.jpg (117 KB, 500x411)

117 KB JPG

>>42111565
She went on a bit after that, explaining things, and drawing lines on the whiteboard, but you didn’t understand any of it. As far as you understood, it was not possible to change the past.

But Joy-In-Time seemingly could…or do something so similar that it equated to the same thing. It certainly explained why Gaft wanted access to her.

“Obviously, Gaft wants to use Time’s power to stop the Event from occurring.” Wren had said. “It also explains why he wouldn’t trust me with this secret. I wouldn’t have approved.”

“You wouldn’t?” You ask.

Wren shook her head. “No, I would have seen it as too dangerous, silly, and a bit of an insult to everything that we stood for.” She drummed her fingers. “However, between my last contact with Gaft and now, I’ve discovered the Cooling Effect. That changes things.”

“Why wouldn’t Love tell you?” You asked.

“Because she knew I would suggest immediate euthanasia.” Wren said. “Again, different time, different situation. The question is ‘how do we proceed with this situation?’ Then what steps do we take, once we’ve decided?”

She sent you off to bed at that point. You were too tired, and full of turkey, to argue.

But now it is morning, and you are awake.

> Find Wren and talk about future plans.
> Find Emmy (or Embers, if she’s out) and see what her plans are.
> Find Ruin, if she dropped her Regalia, she may need help with her identity being reset again.

>>42111580
> Find Ruin, if she dropped her Regalia, she may need help with her identity being reset again.

>>42111580
>> Find Ruin, if she dropped her Regalia, she may need help with her identity being reset again.

>>42111580
> Find Emmy (or Embers, if she’s out) and see what her plans are.

>>42111580
>> Find Ruin, if she dropped her Regalia, she may need help with her identity being reset again.

>>42111580
>> Find Ruin, if she dropped her Regalia, she may need help with her identity being reset again.

File: Joy-In-Ruin.jpg (8 KB, 236x337)

8 KB JPG

>>42111609
>>42111630
>>42112079

You find Ruin looking out one of the large windows in one of the empty rooms that Wren's turned into workshops. She's out of her Regalia, and she's just tracing her finger over the thick plastic-like barrier that separates the compound from the rest of the world.

"Hey." You say.

"Hey." She says.

"So..." You sigh. "Anything? A name?"

She shakes her head. "Nothing, or everything if you want to look at it like that. I've tried calling myself Kayla, Irene, and Charisma...they all feel right. Which probably means that none of them are."

"Any memories?" You ask.

She shrugs. "Flashes, nothing clear, and nothing that's consistent enough to make me think that they're actually mine, and not something the Hubris grabbed from someone else."

"Sorry." You say.

"It's not your fault." Ruin says. "Actually," She smirks. "It kind of is...but the alternative was worse."

"Ha ha." You say.

"Something you wanted?" She asks.

1.
> Advise Ruin to stay in her Regalia, at least then her identity is stable as Ruin.
> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.

2.
> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.
> Keep the Global Cooling Secret.
> Keep Joy In Time secret.
> Keep quiet about everything.

>>42112336
> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.
> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.

>>42112336
> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.
> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.
Need her input on this

>>42112336
> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.
> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.

>>42112336
>Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.

>Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.

>>42112336
>> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.
Is her Joy and her human persona on agreable terms? as much as one can be agreable in this particular...predicament?

> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.
Well maybe not everything, but enough for her to connect the dot

>>42112336
> Tell Ruin to stay normal as much as possible, she's creating her new self, and eventually her actual memory will filter in.
> Tell Ruin about everything that Wren told you last night.

>>42112463
"I think you should stay normal as much as possible." You say. "The brain's a funny thing, and tough too. You'll get yourself back together, as long as you don't keep scrambling it."

She nods. "I suppose."

"Do you...when you're in your Regalia, do you have a second voice in your head?" You ask.

Ruin shakes her head. "No, it's just the echoes of the babbling of the Hubris. Anyway, I asked Wren about that, she thinks you and Embers' 'secondary egos' are unique. Part of how you're not 'normal' Joy-In-Hearts."

"Huh." You say. "Well..." You take a deep sigh. "Wren told me a few things too."

You explain to her about the Global Cooling, and about OLYMPUS and Joy-In-Time.

Ruin takes it all in. She just stares outside at the rainbow sheen that covers the glass that's on the other side of the thick barrier.

"So we're doomed." She says.

"Well...I wouldn't say that's quite accurate..." You say, rubbing your arm.

She doesn't look at you. "Either we all freeze, or we use Time to make the Event not happen...which means none of us will be born. Tell me how that isn't accurate?" She asks.

You don't answer.

She nods. "Well...I suppose that makes things easier, in some respects." She turns and looks at you. "You CAN'T tell Emmy. Any of this. It'll destroy her. Or worse, she'll go tell Genesis, and then they'll do something stupid."

"Arthur Rozen and the Council aren't stupid." You say.

Ruin shakes her head. "Everyone's stupid, especially if you dangle that kind of power in front of them."

> She deserves to know the truth. We can't treat her like a child.
> You're right. I won't tell her.

>>42113016
> She deserves to know the truth. We can't treat her like a child.
Even if Embers is.

>>42113016
>You're right. I won't tell her.
Caution is usually a good thing and Ruin's been spending a lot of time with Embers lately, so I'm inclined to trust her call here.

>>42113016
She deserves to know the truth. We can't treat her like a child.

>>42113016
>> She deserves to know the truth. We can't treat her like a child.
she should know, we'll deal with the fallout if/when it happens.

>>42113203
>>42113162
>>42113061

"Embers is a bit of a brat, but you know that Emmy's as tough as any of us." You say. "She grew up cold, hungry, and she works every damn day. She can handle this."

Ruin shakes her head, and turns her back on you. "Go. Just...just go. I don't think I can talk to you right now." She says in her usual, calm, voice.

You can tell she is furious with you.

You're angry at her too. Just because she's super fragile and has a complex about having no memory, doesn't mean everyone else is too. That's the problem with people, they always assume that everyone else in the world is like themselves. Pytor told you that once.

Anyway, you know that Emmy's tough. She's been through bad things. She's a survivor. She can deal with unpleasant things.

You find her in the same workshop room that she was in last night. She's loading up large boxes, filled with water purifiers, dried food, and other prime salvage.

"Hey." She says to you.

"Hey." You say. "Need help?" You ask.

"I'm good." Emmy says. "Just loading up everything so I can leave. Wren says that there's a truck I can use, and she'll give me a map back to Genesis."

"Leaving so soon?" You ask.

She shrugs. "I don't want to overstay my welcome, besides...I'm still missing. My parents are probably terrified that I'm dead. I want to get back to my home, and just...forget this whole experience." She sighs. "At least with all this stuff, there was some point to it."

"I'm sure Genesis will be happy to have you back too." You say.

"Yeah." Emmy looks at the ground. Then she looks up at you. "I don't want you to come back with me."

"What?" You ask.

"If you want to come back to Genesis, fine. Not like I can stop you...but we're done. I never want to see you, again. Ever." Emmy says.

"What?" You say. The room getting slightly dizzy.

"Where to start? You ruined my life, fucked up my head, and took me through one nightmare hellhole to another!" Emmy's shouting.

(cont)

>>42113575
Weeeeellll

>>42113575
>That's the problem with people, they always assume that everyone else in the world is like themselves. Pytor told you that once.
>Oh, Emmy can handle it.

>>42113575
"I never had a say, and you're one of the most horrible people I've ever seen! You walk up to total strangers like an idiot, and then when THEY freak out YOU rip them to shreds!" Emmy says. "You're the worst human I've ever met...and I'm not ever certain about the human part!

"So yeah, like I said, we're done. Thanks for at least not getting me killed, and all this nice crap that Wren's letting me have. Have a nice life...away from me."

She turns her back on you.

You feel sick. Emmy's just...dropping you. She's leaving you alone, and she's not even THANKFUL. You HELPED her...if you hadn't SAVED her WORTHLESS hide all those times?

She just used you and now she's throwing you away.

You can't let her get away with that. It's not fair. It's not right.

> Hurt her physically
> Tell her about how Genesis is doomed
> Both
> Try to fight the impulse, and walk away (This will require dice rolls. Hard ones.)

>>42113711
>Try to fight the impulse, and walk away (This will require dice rolls. Hard ones.)

>>42113711
>> Try to fight the impulse, and walk away (This will require dice rolls. Hard ones.)

>>42113711
>Try to fight the impulse, and walk away (This will require dice rolls. Hard ones.)

>>42113771

> Roll 1d20,
18< to walk away,
15-18 you mildly insult her and storm off,
11-14, you have to pick one
10 or Lower you do both.
Crit fail, you grab something solid before you hit her.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>42113869
HWG.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>42113869
Here goes nothin'

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>42113869
ok

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>42113869

>>42113976
You have saved us!

>>42113983
but it's best of three.

>>42113983
wasn't in the top 3

>>42114022
>>42114030
Shit, oh well.
We're fucked!

>>42113711
>> Try to fight the impulse, and walk away (This will require dice rolls. Hard ones.)

>>42113966
>>42113949
>>42113939
>TFW we're about as competent diplomatically as Embers is in combat.

The dice really do have a very strong and consistent will of their own.

>>42113949
WHACK! You give Emmy an open handed slap across the face. HARD. She reels back and drops to the ground covering her head.

"Genesis is doomed." You say. "The temperature is going to keep dropping. Slowly, but it's not going to stop. Everything is going to freeze. Crops, animals, people. Go ahead and ask Wren about it. She'll tell you the truth.

"And you'll be there to see it. You'll see your settlement die, you'll see you parents die, and you'll see Genesis die. There is no hope for any of us. So go...take your shit, and go. Enjoy what little there is left." You walk away. Leaving Emmy on the floor, wide eyed and clutching her red, stinging, face.

You don't even feel bad.

You don't really feel anything.

> Go find Wren
> Go to your room and read the books that are there
> Leave the compound

>>42114324
> Go to your room and read the books that are there

Are they fancy old books in civ?

>>42114324
> Leave the compound

>>42114324
> Go find Wren

>>42114324
>Go to your room and read the books that are there.
No need to make our escape just yet.

>>42114324
>> Go to your room and read the books that are there

>>42114324
>> Go find Wren

>>42113711
Wow she is a bitch.

>>42113711
>You walk up to total strangers like an idiot, and then when THEY freak out YOU rip them to shreds!" Emmy says. "You're the worst human I've ever met...and I'm not ever certain about the human part!
>Attempts diplomacy.

Your not even human.

Also did she forget the part were she was also trying to kill mole girl and that prior to knifestorm it looked like WE would die.

Not caught up, but I just read that last update and if Embers still having different opinions from Emmy is still a thing I'm really curious what she thinks right now.

>>42114584
I'm kinda confused that if she really thought all this why she took so damn long to say anything about it.

>>42114653
Emmy =/= Embers. Embers thought it was cool, Emmy? Not so much.

>>42114631
Embers thought that when we were hot when we SAVED HER LIFE!

>>42114653
She was depending on Ashes for protection. She couldn't say anything or there was a real risk she'd stop.

>>42114584
You're assuming that angry people use logical thinking.
>>42114368
>>42114465
>>42114477

You go to your room, and close the door, flop down on your bed, and look at the host of books that Wren has piled up around it. They're all old books, written in civ.

Again the dialect is a little unfamiliar, but you can at least easily make out the titles.

> Sorrow War History
> Joy-In-Love and Joy-In-Unity's essays on how to end the Conflict Age
> Biography of Joy-In-Love (Second Incarnation)

>>42114744
> Sorrow War History

>>42114744

> Sorrow War History

>>42114744
>> Biography of Joy-In-Love (Second Incarnation)

Time to see how much like her we're not.

>>42114744
>> Joy-In-Love and Joy-In-Unity's essays on how to end the Conflict Age

>>42114744
> Joy-In-Love and Joy-In-Unity's essays on how to end the Conflict Age

>>42114744
>Joy-In-Love and Joy-In-Unity's essays on how to end the Conflict Age

>>42114744
>> Joy-In-Love and Joy-In-Unity's essays on how to end the Conflict Age

>>42114913
You pick up a book filled with essays about the conflict age, and how to resolve them. It starts up with essays by Love, with notations from Unity, and then Unity's parts get longer and longer. By the back third of the book, she's the one writing the essays.

That must have been about the time when Love discovered Time and spent all her time in OLYMPUS.

> Translate Roll 1d20

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>42115118

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>42115118

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>42115118
as if we need a 3rd roll

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>42115118
HWG

>>42115162
3 seconds too fast anon.

>>42115137
>>42115147
>>42115162
>>42115163
When it rains, it fucking pours

>>42115163
>>42115162
>>42115147
>>42115137
That's odd.

>>42115353
RNG says emmy a shit and we should focus on more important things

>>42115137
It's easy to read. It's clear that Love had a really good grasp on politics, and that some degrees of conflict were inevitable. She also had faith in other human beings, that people would do the right thing when given a choice. She also wasn't an idiot, a person would do the right thing if given a choice...provided that they weren't scared, had someone watching them, or it was clearly telegraphed that the moral choice would come with a reward, or acceptable hardship that would be acknowledged by others.

Bravery is key. That is her core thesis. She's apparently written other books about it.

She's rather brilliant.

Unity is also brilliant. Her insights into the geo-political world are deep and nuanced. She doesn't make a strawman out of any one nation. Also, she has a deep passion for this. It's as if the idea of war is a personal insult to her.

Which is why it's slowly clear that Unity became a little unhinged as the Conflict Age got worse, and Love's presence faded. Her essays stop being suggestions and more pointed instructions.

Unity KNOWS how the world works, and she KNOWS how the world can be in peace. So if people would stop being stupid and listen to her and follow her, then things would be better.

One essay is a long rant about how Meadows and West Wind are horrible people and hypocrites. Pretending to have 'honor' and minimizing the Penninsular/Tributary war. However, to Unity, there's no such thing as a 'Warrior's Honor.' It's a made up excuse and justification for people to hurt each other, and then brag about it, or feel good about themselves.

The second to last essay sends your eyebrows up. You wonder how long it's been since Wren read this book.

(Cont)

>>42115538
'Binary thinking is the enemy of all peace makers. People stop thinking about the other person, and stop thinking of them as 'people' at all. There is only 'Their Side' which is Righteous and Pure, and the 'Other Side' which is the embodiment of evil.

It is this thinking that all Peacemakers must defeat. As Love has said in her writings many time, when we realize how another soul thinks, when we see the world through their eyes, that is when we come to understanding. Once we understand another, there will be peace.

However, there are those who do not want to learn from each other. They have their view, their gospel, and to say otherwise is heresy. These people, in their myopic drive, are the source of this strife, and the reason that We, the Peacemakers, will always fail.

Bravery is the Key. That is what Love has told us time and again. We must be brave enough to stand before that which would destroy us. We must be brave enough to take the steps to save us, no matter the price. We must be brave enough to face, and forge, our future.

We Peacemakers must be brave enough to take the ultimate step.

Binary thinking, single vision, must be defeated by any means possible.'

The last essay is one of Love's earlier ones.

However...you may be an overly paranoid, emotional trainwreck, but you can put together the dots from all the little pieces of the puzzle that you've managed to decode.

Okay...that last metaphor got a bit scrambled, but you know what you mean.

> Go to Wren with your suspicion
> Consult Meadows
> Try and salvage something with Ruin
> Try to go and apologize to Emmy

>>42115710
> Try and salvage something with Ruin

>>42115710

> Go to Wren with your suspicion

>>42115710
> Consult Meadows

>>42115710
>Go to Wren with your suspicion.

>>42115710
>> Try to go and apologize to Emmy

>>42115710
> Try to go and apologize to Emmy

>>42115710
>> Go to Wren with your suspicion

>>42115710
> Go to Wren with your suspicion

>>42115710
>> Consult Meadows

>>42115710
>> Try to go and apologize to Emmy
Do you want her giving her version of events to genesis?

>>42115743
>>42115779
>>42115799

You find Wren working on drawing a map of OLYMPUS. She's trying to figure out what does what, based on information that she's gleaned over the years.

"Is there something?" She asks, not looking at you.

"Have you read this book lately?" You ask, holding up the book.

Wren looks, and wrinkles her nose. "No. Not since the early days of the Event. I thought it might point towards the responsible party. After it was clear that the Event was as devastating as it was, It seemed rather silly."

"Well...here's the thing," You say. "I think you might not have been wrong about that." You hold out the book and point at the last essay by Unity.

Thought reads the essay, and her brows knit. She closes the book and nods. "It's nothing conclusive. It's silly to assume anything based on the ramblings of an overly frustrated diplomat. You can look at almost any political speech and twist it to appear ominous."

She sets the book on the table. "However...it is a hypothesis that's not completely out of bounds."

"What was Unity's power?" You ask.

"Telepathy." Wren says. "She was Mental/Water. That's why I think there's trace merit to your idea. Although, I will not commit to anything without further information."

"So, you're interested in this?" You ask.

"Yes." Wren says. "Without knowing the cause of the Event, OLYMPUS and Time are worthless to us."

"Does Gaft know then?" You ask. "What about the other People of Joy?"

"I think Gaft is putting the cart before the horse. That or he thinks a generic warning will suffice. I suspect his fetish to the mythological got the better of him.

"As for the other People of Joy...I have theories. None of them good." Wren says. "I assume that they either wish to control Time to make themselves in power, or they feel they have a way to both avoid the event, and any possible temporal erasure. Whatever it is, it certainly entails the death of Time. Most likely through forced use of her Sacrifice Power."

(cont)

>>42116561
"Are you sure about that?" You ask.

"Gaft would see that action as the ultimate heresy. It's the one thing he wouldn't allow." She says. "It best explains the schism. Gaft has become attached to Genesis, but he'd sacrifice it for this...I believe. He may have changed."

"So...what now?" You ask.

"Well, I have no choice but to remain here." Wren says. "But you have options. You can go confirm your theory by traveling to the site of Unity's Peace conference."

"Or?" You ask.

"Ruin told me she's planning on returning to Genesis with Emmy." She frowns. "She informed me that I was to tell you that you were not welcome to come. I am ALSO telling you that, were Love here, she'd tell you to try and gain your friend's forgiveness."

"And go with them?" You ask.

She shrugs. "If you do return to Genesis, you can gain access to the OLYMPUS site." She sighs. "Also, I have some good news for you."

"What?" You ask.

"I came into contact with the gentleman you call Pytor." She says. "He was indeed looking for you. He's been hitting People of Joy facilities in Tributary. I can contact him, and have him meet you there. Obviously, he can't come here, as he'd expire."

"What's the least silly option?" You ask.

She shrugs. "Often it's hard to tell."

> Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event
> Try and get Ruin and Emmy to forgive you and return to Genesis and the Confessors
> Go back to Genesis on your own and enter OLYMPUS
> Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy

>>42116810
> Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy

>>42116810
>Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event.

That aside, I'm interested in hearing what Ashes and Meadows have to say about this decision.

>>42116810
NOTE: Emmy and Ruin have NO desire to have anything to do with OLYMPUS. If you go with them, you will have to lie about it and find some way to get away from them and the drama that they'll bring with them. Otherwise, they'll inform on you to Arthur Rozen, and the Council, and you'll have to deal with Genesis knowing about Joy-In-Time.

If you go on your own, the pair will not say a word about Time, and no one will know.

>>42116810
> Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event

>>42116904
>you'll have to deal with Genesis knowing about Joy-In-Time.
Why is this bad?

>>42116810
> Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event

>>42116810
>> Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy

>>42116902
The route that Emmy and Ruin are going to take is nowhere near where Pytor and Ray are. If you go with the girls, and then contact Pytor and Ray, you will be putting the girls in immediate danger from the People of Joy.

They WILL get to you three before Pytor and Ray will.

>>42116810
> Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy

>>42116810
>> Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy>>

>>42116810
>Reunite with Pytor and Ray in Tributary and continue to fight the People of Joy

>>42116810
> Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event

from waaaay back in thread 2
>DO THEY KNOW ABOUT OLYMPUS/HESTIA/J-I-T?
Just to confirm, that J-I-T stands for Joy in Thought, NOT Joy in Time, right?

>>42116810
> Go to Unity's Peace Conference and learn the truth about the Event

>>42117510
No J-I-T was Joy-In-Time. Plath and the other People of Joy know full well who's inside OLYMPUS. They just can't get to her. They thought Thought was sufficiently contained.

>>42116810
Can we go tell Emmy what a shit she is?

>>42117558
>>42117106

You're split between going to Unity's conference, and rejoining with Pytor. You voice your split to Wren.

"It's risky, but I can give the others directions to meet you at Unity's Peace Conference." Wren says. "However, the People of Joy will know that you're there and they'll be coming for you."

You shrug. "I've fought them before." You say.

"You fought their flunkies, and one of their lieutenants." Wren says. "The reason that the three of you have had such a simple time getting to be is because Pytor and his associates have been harassing them. They know how to fight Joy-In-Hearts, and incapacitate them. They won't fight fair, and they'll make sure that the odds are always favoring them."

You nod. "That's fine." You say.

"You also killed one of their own Joy-In-Hearts." Wren says. "That's not something they can forgive. You said that there were multiple small joys, correct? If they've converted them into full on Joy-In-Hearts that can survive fallout...they might not need you alive."

"Will they get to me first, or will Pytor?" You ask.

"All other things being equal...it seems to be even." She looks at you. "Are you sure you want to take that risk? You'd be putting yourself, Pytor and his associates, and any hope of us learning the truth, all at risk. The People of Joy won't pull punches, and they'll bring out the nasty surprises...sniper fire just to start with."

> I'll risk it.
> Better just send me to Unity alone
> Send me to Pytor directly

>>42118266
> Better just send me to Unity alone

>>42118266
>> Send me to Pytor directly

>>42118266
>Better just send me to Unity alone.

>>42118266
> I'll risk it.

>>42118266
> Better just send me to Unity alone

>>42118266
>Send me to Pytor directly

>>42118266
>> Send me to Pytor directly

>>42118266
> Send me to Pytor directly

>>42118289
>>42118346
>>42118367

You shake your head. "I don't want to risk it...or Pytor and Ray. I suppose I'll just go to Unity's alone."

Wren nods. "If that's your choice. I'll get the servitors to get you a vehicle, and supplies. It shouldn't take long."

You nod.

"The other two are going to leave soon." Wren says. "If you want to, you can go tell them goodbye."

You frown. "Do I have to?"

Wren shakes her head. "You can use the intercom, if you don't wish to speak to them face to face. Or not at all."

> Go talk to them
> Use the intercom
> Just let them go, and get ready to leave.

>>42118569
> Go talk to them

>>42118569
>> Go talk to them
we have to try, at least.

>>42118569
> Just let them go, and get ready to leave.

>>42118289
>>42118346
>>42118367
Three for unity

>>42118331
>>42118431
>>42118512
>>42118530
four for Pytor.

>>42118569
>Just let them go, and get ready to leave.

>>42118648
>>42118696
Are you trying to make this as miserable as possible?

>>42118726
We passed this when we decided to go alone.

>>42118569

> Go talk to them

>>42118784
No we did not, and you're trying to force the edgy alone and suffering wankfest that has become the new hip thing for Magical girls.

>>42118683
This one was a first to three. I had to step out and come back for the last one, and it was a big one, so I let the vote go long.

>>42118569
> Just let them go, and get ready to leave.

>>42118815
>and you're trying to force the edgy alone and suffering wankfest that has become the new hip thing for Magical girls.
No I am trying to stop it.

>>42118815
But anon, we aren't alone. We have not one but two voices in our head.

>>42118589
>>42118613
>>42118808

You meet the girls in the garage. It's outside of one of Wren's airlocks, so you have to change to Ashes. Joy is notably silent, you get the feeling that she has no idea as to what to say.

They're loading all of the boxes and crates into a large flatbed truck. The thing looks like it could ram a building and keep going. It's heavy duty and perfect for them.

They stand there, in the back on the truck, looking down at you.

Ruin just looks at you with no emotional at all, not hate, not pity, just...that same look her followers gave her when they were freed from her control.

Embers has a mixture on her face. It looks like she wants to punch you in the face, but she also looks like she'd feel guilty about it. Also, she's just plain unhappy about this whole...'thing.'

They say nothing. It looks like they're waiting for you to speak first.

> Goodbye, take care. Be safe.
> I'm sorry...goodbye.
> Say nothing
> Write in

>>42118930
No, you're intentionally trying to isolate her. That'd be causing it.

>>42118932
Not what I meant and you know it.

>>42118961
> Goodbye, take care. Be safe.

>>42118963
>you're intentionally trying to isolate her
No I am not.

>>42118961
>> Goodbye, take care. Be safe.

>>42118961
Embers Tell Emmy I am sorry, I lsot my Temper. She called me a monster and from what she said I felt used. I should not have struck her or told her about what Joy in Thought told me in that way. Both of you be safe. The People of Joy were hunting Emmy even before she manifested, they will surely be after you now.

>>42118961
>Goodbye, take care. Be safe.
Honestly, their prospects are a lot worse than ours, as the trip back to Genesis is by no means safe and they're both urbanites at heart. Might as well wish them luck.

>>42118961
> Write in
Supporting >>42119015

>>42119015
Sure,

>>42119015
>>42119059

"Ummm, goodbye, take care, and good luck." You say. "Embers, tell Emmy that I'm sorry. I lost my temper. She...she called me a monster, and she made me feel used. I shouldn't have hit her, or told her what Wren told me, like that." You sigh. "Be careful, the People of Joy were hunting Emmy before you manifested. They'll be after you without a doubt now."

Ruin and Embers look at each other. Embers gives Ruin a 'Come on, be nice' look. Ruin sighs and then nods.

"Good luck to you, as well." Embers says.

"We'll keep an eye out back in Genesis." Ruin says. "If anything goes wrong, we'll call Wren. Be safe, yourself."

"Okay." You nod.

"Awww...fuck it." Embers jumps down from the truck and gives you a hug. "You're mean, and you're a jerk, and you're kind of crazy, and really scary, and you smell like burnt cigarettes, and sometimes you make me want to cry because you always look so sad, and you're one of the most miserable people I know, and y-"

"Embers!" Ruin says. "She gets it."

Embers rolls her eyes, hugs you again, and kisses you on the cheek. "I love you big sister. Don't forget that. Emmy loves you too. She's just sad, scared, and alone."

You smile. "Who isn't?" You ask.

Embers hugs you again. "Come home. We've got many more fights to get into, and I owe you two ass-kickings now. Promise?"

Your ashes must have gotten into your eyes. They're scratchy and you're blinking a lot.

"Promise." You say.

Ruin gives you a nod and a wave. The girls get into their truck, and with a loud rumble. They're off.

You stand there for a moment. Wiping the ash out of your eyes.

(cont)

>>42119679
"Ready to go?" Wren asks over an intercom.

You nod. "I think so, are we?"

"As we'll ever be." Joy says. "Who knows, maybe we'll meet a new corpse that'll like us."

A door opens in the garage, and you see what Wren has prepared for you.

"It's a modified Indian Scout." Wren says. "The color's a happy accident."

You check the packs and bedroll that are securely strapped down.

"Are you sure I can drive this?" You ask.

"I can!" Joy says. "And now you can too."

"May Joy follow in your heart." Wren says. "You know...there's a belief, was a belief I should say. I think Gaft holds to it too. That's why he's alright with changing things with Time."

"What?" You ask, as you get on the bike.

"Souls are eternal, and inevitable." Wren says. "There's a lot of other silly things associated, but...that's something that Love believed in. Anyway, I think...I think Gaft believes that when he changes the past, all the souls that exist now...will exist in the new future as well."

"I'm...not sure how I feel about that." You say.

"Me neither...I never understood religion. It was always so silly." She sighs. "Ah well, civilization has collapsed, and the world's already ending. What better time for false hope?"

"Let's see if we can find some of the real stuff." You say as you rev the bike, and take off across the toxic flower field.

END EPISODE 18

>>42120040
thanks for running Echo

Thanks for running, op! Don't forget to archive (like you did last time!)

>>42120040
Thanks, as ever, for running, Echo.

>>42120040
What was the color? Did the apology help? What do Ruin, Embers and Emmy think of us? How are Pytor, Ray and whatshername doing? Word got back to the POJ about how we shanked a bitch? Knives still on the fritz?

>>42120295
I assume the colour would be ash grey.

File: The Bike.jpg (132 KB, 749x499)

132 KB JPG

>>42120295
Sorry, I forgot to put in the picture.

>>42120411
That's hot.

>>42120411
Cool. Can you give answers to the rest of my questions or too meta/things we'll learn next thread?

>>42120295
>Did the apology help? What do Ruin, Embers and Emmy think of us?
A little. They think you're an anti-social psycho-bitch. However, Embers loves you as her sister, Ruin is still grateful for saving her, and Emmy will be mad at you for a LONG time.

>How are Pytor, Ray and whatshername doing?
They are a solider, a psychopath, and a zealot. They are exceptionally good at violence, and two of them are augmented. They're doing fine.

>Word got back to the POJ about how we shanked a bitch?
Well, you did let Ribbons get away...

>Knives still on the fritz?
They'll be working the next time you have to shank a critter.

>>42121362
>anti-social psycho-bitch

Well, that's kinda true I guess