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>>INTERMISSION 1

After you and your fellow Players defeated the invading Rogue Shinobi, a second fog gate at the back of the arena dissipated. The Blackened Void had decreed Act 1 concluded, so now it was time to move on. A cramped stairwell was revealed, its entrance as dark as solitary confinement quarters in maximum security prison facilities. The team swiftly descended down it. For five solid minutes, you treaded on steps as steep as the slopes of Mount Fuji itself. You’d have vocalized your complaints, but the air inside was already dusty enough to choke a small kitten. Plus, everyone else was keeping their mouths shut, including Akikazu—quite possibly the least agile member of the team.

Despite the way he swore like a stereotypical, old-fashioned sailor and his tendency to ditch half his classes, he was surprisingly committed to the whole AETHER business. It makes you wonder how much of a delinquent he really is.

You find yourself in a small, square room. Barely lit, colored grey and with an enamel cold floor…it reminds you of a standard megacorporation office cubicle with all the lights cut. The Forlorn Abyss’s mortal enemy is any form of commercial luminescence, apparently.

“An elevator…” Fumika says to herself, gazing at the opposite end. “One presumes it will take us back to the surface.”

“And that must be the entrance to the second Act, or whatever it’s called.” Celeste says, pointing to a swirling mass of fog on the left. “Um, do you mind if we wrap up today’s exploration soon? I really want to take a shower.”

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You gulp. A bead of sweat forms at the back of your neck. It’s hard to make out your surroundings through the gloom, but you’re pretty sure you’re seeing certain things through the semi-transparent fabric. Things Celeste most definitely did not intend for you (or anybody else) to see. Such as the way the wet cloth clings to her smooth peachy skin, the girly pink lace of her bra and the exposure in her flesh caused by those twin, round—

You bite down on your tongue and jerk your head away before Celeste can catch you and light you up like the fourth of July. Okay, it’s normal for you to have such thoughts towards girls. You’re an adolescent boy with hormones. It’s a sign of good health, according to Shizuka. You’re not a pervert or anything.

Even so, you shouldn’t be directing those thoughts at your best friend. Not without her consent, anyway. Maybe it’s time you stopped thinking? Seriously, you have more important matters to attend to.

“Hey, I ain’t a coward or nothing.” Akikazu says, interrupting your trance with his harsh voice. “But that door over there is giving me the shivers. It feels like I should get away from it ASAP. Takashi, that’s where the Observer guy is, right?”

Fumika closes her eyes and thinks. “I should be able to assess this room’s layout, but something is preventing me from doing so. Summoning Moros wouldn’t help. If I had to describe it, it is as if there are patches of emptiness spread across my sixth sense. Hmm, how appropriate.”

“Guess that door really is only for me, huh…” You mutter, folding your arms.

But before you enter the hallway and converse with a voice embedded in a machine, you should LEVEL UP first.

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>>Takashi: Learn about C. EXP Overflows.

Don’t mind if you do.

>Overflows occur when you hoard C. EXP past the amount needed for a LEVEL UP.
>They will boost the value of the upgrades offered in a LEVEL UP, but at the cost of increasing the C. EXP needed for the next LEVEL UP.
>They are also ranked via percentage values ([Current C. EXP - C. EXP requirement / C. EXP requirement] * 100) as follows:

>0-9%: Normal LEVEL UP.
>10-24%: Minor boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Minor increase in C. EXP needed.
>25-32%: Low boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Small increase in C. EXP needed.
>33-49%: Medium boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Average increase in C. EXP needed.
>50-99%: High boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Above-average increase in C. EXP needed.
>100%-149%: Grand boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Great increase in C. EXP needed.
>150%-199%: Spectacular boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Heavy increase in C. EXP needed.
>200%+: Extraordinary boost to LEVEL UP upgrades. Supreme increase in C. EXP needed.

>Note that all upgrades are based on the QM’s discretion. Precautions will be taken to make sure everything is fair and balanced.

Having said all of that, you may now LEVEL UP.

>>Takashi: LEVEL UP.

You now have the chance to upgrade one of your existing stats or abilities…

[Choose only one]
>Increase STRENGTH to D-.
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Increase ENDURANCE to D.
>Increase AGILITY to D-
>Increase LUCK to B-.
>[LOCKED] Increase DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL to S- (150.00 total C. EXP required)
>Choose nothing.

...and learn a new skill for Ippon-Datara.

[Choose only one]
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)
>Agilao (Medium fire damage to 1 enemy)
>Tarunda (Decrease offense by 1 stage to 1 enemy)
>Sukukaja (Increase hit/evasion by 1 stage)
>Dodge Light (Increases evasion against light moves)
>Choose nothing

>>45284115
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

I'm okay with this.

>>45284115
>Choose nothing.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Dodge Light (Increases evasion against light moves)

>>45284115
>>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>>Increase AGILITY to D-
>Dodge Light (Increases evasion against light moves)

>>45284115
>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Fatal End (Medium physical damage to 1 enemy, bonus if knocked down)

>>45284115
>>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>>Dodge Light (Increases evasion against light moves)

>>45284115
Wait, I thought we were already at S- DEV?

>>45284418
Pretend you didn't see that awful blunder and focus on this strawpoll instead.

http://strawpoll.me/6756775

The results will have no effect on canon...maybe.

So, a list of things we've already asked the Observer, should help us decide what to ask this time:

>What's the purpose of AETHER?
To be played. The Observer's refusal to elaborate probably means it's something deeper.

>Is it possible to predict who will be the players?
They're all people Takashi knows, as the leader he's the transmission vector. He can't prevent this, AETHER is too strong compared to him.

>Who gave Takashi the Wild Card?
A construct of AETHER. It's unlikely we'll ever see them again, and if we do it won't be for a long time.

>What are the Denizens?
Just other things that happen to exist in the Void, not much detail given on them.

>Can other people enter the Data Room?
No.

>Does the game have a time limit?
Everything has a time limit. Enjoy your ambiguous answer. The Observer actually said that last part, the prick.

>>45284454
Should I also ignore the typo of you writing "Rumik Wakui" instead of "Rumi Wakui"?

>>45284454
Well played. Well played indeed.

>>45284495
Yes you probably should because my brain doesn't seem to be functioning properly today.

God I really need to fix that habit.

Anyway, writing now...

>>45284084
>>Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.
>Dodge Light

>>45284470
Thanks

>>45284454
Celeste in the Low cut armor when TT?

>>45284084
>>45284454
Celeste truly is best friend and girl.

>>45284521
Thorn, how do you pronounce Veleis? Vel-ey or Vel-eye? Is the last 's' silent at all?

>>45284600
>Celeste in the Low cut armor when TT?

We need to grind Charisma and the Magician Social Link and then wait for either Christmas or our birthday, whichever comes first.

Question idea: are players the only things in AETHER that weren't created by it?

Figuring out if there are any outsiders and maybe get hints as to spooooky otherworldly beings. Maybe rephrase as not a yes or no question though?

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>>45284454
>No Akikazu

>>45284658
Well we have the charisma that'd get her to wear it when it popped. She is also our highest SL.

>>45284454
>having a best girl strawpoll
>when only one girl had significant screen time

>>45284732
She hasn't had that much more than anyone else really

>>45284115
I'm still confused if overflows are great or not.

>>45284604
Reminder, There is only one competition type Celeste is allowed to come first over Takashi.

>>45284732
Fumika and Sis have had plenty of time too. Fumika is just bad at interaction, and Sis is sis.

>>45284775
Sis is busy at her job and Fumika appeared alter and didn't have much chance to interact.

>>45284732
That doesn't mean she's not best girl.

>>45284775
Like Shizuka being our sister would stop her being waifued. Hell, with the gratuitous physical affection and her mysterious comments about "oh, you don't remember the promise you made to me back when you were a kid?" I half expect her to turn out to have a brother complex.

>>45284775
Speaking of, Thorn, if we get to a lewd scene, will you ftb and will there be a pastebin?

>>45284831
You are right about that but still the competition didn't have their turn to shine yet.

>>45284844
Oh, Shizuka's definitely a brocon. We're just not pushing it.

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>>45284697
He's already best girl for the Student Council President.

>>45284858
Writefags will provide.

>>45284915
Bless you writefags. I expect my TakeshixCeleste smut to include their personas as well.

>>45284900
Worst haganai

>>45284948
Ippon and Sati are pure!

>>45284948
I can't promise anything, but if I think of a way for Ippon-Datara to use his tongs or hammer I'll include it.

>>45284521
Will Celeste's Sati turn into Parvati TT?

>>45284948
And Ippon-Datara should be wearing the maid uniform.

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>>45284948
>>45284967

Falco leader and Aria a best. Veleis is the true best but she is married

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>>45284454
>Not wanting Big Sis
>Not wanting Smartypants McBust to finally open up fight with mystery girl for our affections

Come on guys I love Celeste as much as the next guy but she not for waifuing. Shes Broteir.

So should I make Celeste a Ranger or Psi ops?

And fyi the Fumika character seems to not get that many kills but is god tier at hacking.

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>>Takashi: Increase MAGIC POTENTIAL to D-.

>>Takashi: Have Ippon-Datara learn Fatal End.

You do that.
“Okay, I’ll be going inside now.” You say, “Is there anything in particular you guys want me to ask?”

“There is one thing.” Fumika says, slowly enunciating her words, “While we were traversing Act 1, I couldn’t help but think that the monsters we fought looked suspiciously similar.”

“Thank god, I wasn’t the only one.” Akikazu grumbles from his spot near the elevator.

“I scanned them with Moros to discover their names. They were Mou-Ryo, Slime and Black Ooze. Unless my memory is failing me, which shouldn’t happen for at least a hundred years, they are also the names of Personas. Very weak ones that no man would wish to summon, but Personas nonetheless.”

“Wait wait wait.” Celeste waves her hand around, her disgust at the slime now replaced with shock. “Are you saying the monsters in the Forlorn Abyss are rogue Personas? Like, Personas without masters?”

Fumika bites her lip. “The answer eludes me. The monsters have no Arcana. If they possessed any, I could not detect them. In their place was a piece of information called ‘Race’. All three were labelled as ‘Foul’.”

A chilling silence passes through the room. This bit of news fills your heart with fear. You cannot explain why.

>>45285020
I want Celeste to be our maid of honor.

>>45285020
I find bro tier, outgoing, friendly rival characters extremely attractive. They are the kind of people you want to marry.

>>45284967
.......... the hammer has a handle.


>>45285020
>Not leveling up charisma up to Max so our swag attract them all in
It's the Persona way m8

>>45285028
Psi Ops and Fumika is fitting.

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>>45285043
>“Are you saying the monsters in the Forlorn Abyss are rogue Personas? Like, Personas without masters?”

Demons are coming back baby! I hope.

>>45285020
>not having your best friend as your wife

>>45285043
If they're foul, will we meet the fair ones?`

>>45285043
We SMT now

CELESTE PLEASES OLD MEN FOR MACCA OHOHOHOHOHO

>>45285043
>Are you saying the monsters in the Forlorn Abyss are rogue Personas?
Early SMTIV preview video comments.txt

>>45285128
If by that you mean letting them see her in a maid outfit while she serves them coffee and cake, we already knew that anon. Hell we took advantage of it.

>>45285128
Luvia, please go back to my other favorite franchise

Whoever we end up waifuing, can we at least agree it is to early to do so?

>>45285161
I agree. still want to talk Celeste into and possibly out of that Low cut armor though.

>>45285161
Nope Takashi doesn't seem to think so and neither do I

>>45285185
Low cut armor is shit. We should convince her to wear maid clothes here.

>>45285069
Nah brev after Valentines Day in P4 Golden ill never go Harem again

>>45284757
She's been in almost every single fucking thread.

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>>45285208
>Getting her work clothes dirty, torn and destroyed

>>45285208
>not modding the Low Cut Armor into a Low Cut Maid Armor.

Harem is the only path.

>>45285243
stale bait

>>45284844
Well, Thorn did have a cousin as one of the harem girls in Harem Bro Quest.

>>45285259
It's not a bait, it's fact. Why the fuck would we grind charisma otherwise?

I'm pushing for Celeste, but at the moment I actually want to focus on Brosaragi's supports because having more ranks with Kaz fucking Inaba (even if he is a cool dude) than him is shameful.

>>45285056
speaking from personal experience, trying to have a relationship with a close friend tends to end badly.

>>45285286
Good point as it is we should make a Ramen meal to level up understanding and then have Bro taste test it since he's a Ramen officiando.

>>45285282
Social Links, man. Platonic friendship is just as important. At the very least we need to have it with the guys.

It won't take long until we reach Royal Bodyguard quest bad.

>>45285315
what a shit tier opinion.

May Our Lady and Savior Kaede Kurusu have mercy on your souls.

>>45285315
That's cause you we'rent using the power of bonds. That, or you had reversed the link.

>>45285427
>what gift to give to a crippled child
>running shoes
It was very hard to resist not reversing that link in P3

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“Additionally, that object you found after defeating the Rogue Shinobi…” Fumika takes a deep breath. “It was clearly a tangible soul. According to what little we know about souls, this is impossible. It is the main reason why no-one has ever succeeded in permanently changing a human’s Arcana or Persona. Excluding Takashi, of course.”

“Maybe the soul didn’t belong to a human?” Celeste questions.

“It could be possible.” Fumika says. “I believe this requires more investigation. Takashi, if we ever find more tangible souls, would you give me the chance to study them?”

“I’ll think about it.” You reply, trying to keep your expression neutral. “I’m going in now. Wait for me here.”

You push open the door and step into the darkened corridor. Pale light from a dim computer monitor shines at the end of the tunnel. You follow it and arrive face to face with the Observer’s computer. A single program is loaded on the screen.

The terminal prompt is waiting, the grey line flashing rapidly.

You sit down and rest your hands on the keyboard. The flashing screeches to a halt. Dull grey words flit across the screen.

>Welcome back, Leader.
>Exactly 43 days, 0 hours, 0 minutes and 0 seconds have passed since our last meeting.
>I expect you have a lot of questions for me.
>It is the most likely reason why you would descend the Forlorn Abyss.
>As always, the clock is ticking.
>Let's hear them.

What is your response? (4 posts left)

>>45285315
So you just start a relationship with girls right after you meet them? Obviously you have to be friends first for a little while.

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>most lively discussion we've had in a while
>all about waifus

>>45285480
Why are the enemies we faced here Personas?

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>>45285457
well now I have to repost this.

>>45285480
Let's get Fumika's question out of the way first. What relationship do the monsters here in the Abyss have to Personas?

>>45285508
Never understimate the waifu wars.

>>45285480
What was the rogue shinobi and where did it come from?

>>45285480
>What was the Rogue Shinobi?

>>45285480
Ask Fumika's question first.

>>45285531
This

>>45285480
>Is Kaede Kurusu responsible in some way for AETHER's existence?

>>45285627
Backing.

What is Akikazu last name?

>>45285627
This

>>45285715
Hisaragi.

>>45285715
Osaragi

>>45285715
Osaragi

>>45285715
Katsuragi

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>>45285736
>>45285743
>>45285770

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>>45285715
Kisaragi

>>45285715
Matsuragi

>>45285715
Akikazu Osaragi from the pastebin.

>>45285715
Araragi

>>45285715
Arararagi

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<THE_FIRST> The monsters we fought here weren’t Shadows
<THE_FIRST> They were something else
<THE_FIRST> What are they?
>If you had paid attention to our last conversation, as transcribed in the Observer’s Records section of the AETHER application, you would understand that the Forlorn Abyss is populated exclusively by demons.
<THE_FIRST> Demons
<THE_FIRST> What are demons?
>Any supernatural entity that can bring harm to human beings or interfere with their lives.
>This includes angels, though they tend to differentiate themselves from malevolent demons and folklore creatures.
>Unlike Shadows, demons are capable of rational thought and logical deduction.
>Although, standards may vary across species.
<THE_FIRST> Okay so why are the demons here?
<THE_FIRST> Why aren’t they in any other part of the Blackened Void.
>You are making quite a few presumptions.
>That isn’t healthy.
>Nevertheless, I will answer your question.
>Demons are attracted to a certain substance. This substance is abundant in the Forlorn Abyss. It could take some time to explain it to you in full, so I will shorten it by describing it as the very essence of raw power.

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<THE_FIRST> For someone who claims to always tell the truth you kinda cutting a lot of shit out
<THE_FIRST> I guess this is another trial of the Forlorn Abyss or whatever
<THE_FIRST> Very clever game devs haha you are so funny
>Ranting childishly is of no use. Do you have more questions for me, or shall we conclude for the time being?
<THE_FIRST> Whatever
<THE_FIRST> What is the relation between demons and Personas?
>Once again, the time to explain this to you would surpass the time allocated for our discussion. This is considering your species having not yet discovered the source of Personas. However, I will say that demons and Personas originate from the same source.
<THE_FIRST> You’re talking about the Collective Unconscious are you
>You don’t sound very sure of yourself.
<THE_FIRST> I’m typing to you right now
<THE_FIRST> You can’t hear me
>I am a very advanced being.

(3 posts left)

>>45285845
There are magatamas in the Abyss

>>45285863
>What was the Rogue Shinobi?

>>45285863
Did the twins in the Velvet Room have any part in AETHER's creation?

>>45285873
Magatsuhi, not magatama. Magatsuhi is the substance, magatamas are the symbiotes that feed on it.

>>45285863
What was the Rogue shinobi?

Are you a demon as well?

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>>45285845

>>45285863
What are the twins? Why did the shinobi lose his soul when I beat him? How did I turn a soul into a persona?

>>45285863
Where do the Denizens come from? They definitely act like they have some pre-existing history before this place. Does it take them from other worlds?

>>45285863
Are the players chosen because they're close to me?

>>45285982
What a stupid question

>>45285982
Yes. We already know that, it was in the "things we already asked" list upthread a bit.

>>45285863
>Do the twins in the Velvet Room know you exist?

>>45285982
He's already answered that, and yes

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<THE_FIRST> What was the Rogue Shinobi
>An invader, albeit an NPC one.
>His purpose was to teach newcomers to the Forlorn Abyss about Player versus Player interaction.
>PvP in AETHER is accomplished by using several ‘world-traversal’ items to ‘invade’ another group of Player’s worlds. It can only be done in the Forlorn Abyss.
>One of these items is the Burnt Idol, which upon consumption will summon you into another world as a red phantom.
>That is referred to as a ‘standard’ invasion.
>In a standard invasion, two opposing forces must fight to the death. A red phantom must defeat a certain number of Players to succeed. The invaded Players, on the other hand, must destroy the invading phantom. For balancing purposes, invading phantoms are given power boosts dependent on the number of targets they must defeat.
>In any case, the victorious side will acquire wealth, power and treasure.
>What happens to the losing side depends on whether or not it consists of the invader or the invaded. Invading red phantoms who lose will be sent back to their world and accumulate three quarters of the damage they received while invading. It is likely that this will kill a Player.

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>Losing invaded Players often die. Permadeath is a feature of AETHER, after all.
<THE_FIRST> What’s stopping us from skedaddling the moment a red phantom shows up
>Because it would be very difficult.
>When an invasion occurs, the area becomes locked. Fog gates seal off passageways to safe zones. This is to prevent the invaded Players from escaping.
>There is only one exception to this. If the Players pass through the boss fog gate at the end of the Act, the invading phantom will be sent home. However, the Players will have to deal with the boss, which may be even more of a challenge than the invader.
>Some invading phantoms may be respectful to you, but many others will ruthlessly attack on sight.
>It is recommended you use every tactic to banish them as quickly as possible.
>Lastly, an invading red phantom may return home by consuming another Burnt Idol.

(2 posts left)

>>45286231
Where do invaders come from? And if I was so inclined where would I invade too?

>>45286231
What is the best question we can ask?

>>45286231
this >>45286299

>>45284764
Its a needless complexity for a quest system. In a video game or PnP, yeah it might add some depth but I don't think it adds much in this format.

>>45286231
What other worlds are we talking about, here? Are these other sessions originating from our timeline, alternate timelines, or complete other realities? Some of what we've seen of the Denizens suggests that AETHER has access to universes that are very different from ours. Does the game only harvest them for props and actors, or does it manifest there, too?

>>45286231
THIS >>45286373

>>45286231
Why are wild cards so rare?

>>45286231
Was getting nuked part of Kaede's master plan?

>>45286585
Yes. We know it was. Everyone knows it was, this is a matter of historical record. She let herself be nuked as an intimidation tactic on the world. Don't waste our questions.

>>45286642
What's the next step of her master plan?

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<THE_FIRST> What other worlds are you talking about?
<THE_FIRST> Is this a multiverse scenario where there are a bunch of dimensions stacked on each other like a gigantic pancake breakfast?
<THE_FIRST> Or do alternate timelines exist?
<THE_FIRST> Because those tend to make stories both complex and ridiculously simple
<THE_FIRST> It’s stupid
>Did you believe that you were the only world inhabited by humans? Perhaps in this universe you are, but the same cannot be said across all realities.
>As we speak, AETHER sessions are being initialized, played and concluded in alternate realities. It is the only reason why PvP can exist. If you were the only group of Players, there would be no others to fight you.
>Having said that, you shouldn’t concern yourself with alternate timelines.
>A lot of people don’t.
<THE_FIRST> Then where the hell the Denizens come from
<THE_FIRST> The fact that elves exists
<THE_FIRST> Which aren’t human
<THE_FIRST> Suggests that AETHER has accesses to universes that are very different to ours
>Those are constructs of the game spawned by AETHER itself.
>AETHER sessions are only available to humans.
>The next batch of questions will be the last.
>I do hope this discussion has proved fruitful.
<THE_FIRST> Now I’m convinced you’re doing this deliberately

(1 post left)

>>45286682
So what will be the hierarchy of demons we will run into in the Abyss?

>>45286682
Ask about Kaede Kurusu and her relation to the AETHER.
Alternatively, ask about the rewards of invading and if it's possible to avoid killing defeated players in an invasion - losing invaded players often die does not mean that they die every time, does it?

>>45286682
Why are there things here in the Void that the creatures in the Velvet Room want dead? What's the relationship?

>>45286811
>Ask about Kaede Kurusu and her relation to the AETHER.
This

>>45286682
>Did the twins in the Velvet Room have any part in the creation of AETHER?
>Furthermore do the twins know of your existence?

>>45286682
What did the Velvet room twins do before they acquired it?
Also, how did they acquire it?

>>45286682
>Is Kaede Kurusu in some way responsible for AETHER's existence?

Figured I'd give you guys an update, Akikazu is the MVP of this quest in terms of kills Still not as good as Mami, Celeste hasn't gotten psi powers yet but I am trying to rush it. Fumika got beat up pretty bad saving another member but is still alive.

>>45287084
Brosaragi aw yeah

>>45287084
>your pc can run it
I hate you

>>45287084
How's Takashi doing? Or have you cast him as the Commander?

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<THE_FIRST> Do the Velvet Room Twins know of your existence?
>You would have to ask them yourself.
>I presume these Twins are the masters of the Velvet Room. It is a separate entity from the Blackened Void and as such knowledge about it is limited.
<THE_FIRST> Well that was fucking useless
<THE_FIRST> Fine
<THE_FIRST> Is Kaede Kurusu responsible for AETHER’s existence?
>No.
>I think that should do for now. If you wish to ask more questions, clear Act 2. At your current strength, it should provide a difficult but rewarding challenge.
>You and fellow Players completed Act 1 quite quickly. It is the easiest out of all the Acts in the Forlorn Abyss, but it is a sign that you are taking the game more seriously.
>Overall, you all appear to have gotten the hang of playing AETHER. Explore more and complete your quests.
>I’m sure you will do well.
>Until next time, Leader.

You leap back as the monitor explodes. A notification flashes on your phone, signalling the arrival of a fresh transcript.

Time to return.

>>45287084
Have Takeshi and Celeste banged yet?

>>45287122
My PC can make it its bitch.
>>45287219
>>45287260
Haven't made him yet, no idea how to do the fool.

>>45287252
Takeshi is so fucking salty
Why the hell is he so fucking fulled with salt?

>>45287376
Abducted, tortured(?), forced to fight for his life, forced to drag innocents into said fight if they wish to join or not, forced to deal with smug asshole not giving answers, forced to deal with velvet room assholes.

The man has much to be salty about.

>>45287417
On the bright side thanks to this he proved to his mom and sister that he's not a failure.

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You head back to the small room and distribute the transcript of your conversation with the Observer via wireless transmission. Your fellow Players take a few minutes to read and digest the information. Fumika is the first to respond.

“That was helpful. Thank you Takashi.” She says, “You’ve given us all a lot to think about.”

“But that part about invading…it’s a little frightening if I do say myself.” Celeste shudders, “Killing other Players from alternate worlds? I couldn’t imagine myself doing something like that.”

“It’s no big deal.” Akikazu speaks up. “If they come invading, we’ll beat the shit out of them.”

“Did you miss the part about how they grow stronger the more opponents they have to kill?”

“So what?” Akikazu maintains his stony exterior. “It’s not like we’re weak or anything. We’re fought strong opponents before. I dunno about you Tachibana, but kind of thinking is exactly why some guys die early deaths.”

“…you know, Akikazu, you can be surprisingly understand when you want to be.”

He scowls. “Oh, piss off!”

You sigh. “I’m tired. Let’s go home.”

You parted ways with your friends at the safehouse and walked with Celeste back to your apartment building. The entire time, she tried to keep her slimy clothes out of the sight of the general public. Unfortunately, Akumachi City is one of those metropolises where every square block of pavement is occupied by at least four pairs of feet at a time. In other words, she received a lot of revolted and confused looks on the way home. At least none of them belonged to Akumachi-Kirijo students.

“See you tomorrow, Takashi-kun.” She waves you goodbye with an audible edge in her voice. “I am going to head home and take the mother of all showers.”

“Why didn’t you take one back at the safehouse?”

“It doesn’t have a washing machine or any spare clothes. Ah, to think I have work tomorrow too…”

You eat dinner with your sister and conk out onto your bed straight after. Sleep comes quick and easy.

>>45285043
wait, NOBODY voted to save for 100% overflow!?

File: blue_sky_2.jpg (410 KB, 1280x720)

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[9:00 am, 22-May-2129 (SATURDAY)]

It’s the day of weekend where you actually get the chance to rest. You are sitting at the couching, your stomach full of your nee-san’s cooking. Now then, what to do? Study in your room, train in the gym, read a book or take yet another trip to the Blackened Void? Decisions, decisions…

Someone is inviting you to chat. You take out your phone.

<chocolat_orange> hello takashi-kun!
<chocolat_orange> just letting you know that i’m going to be busy for most of the day.
<THE_FIRST> Is it work?
<chocolat_orange> yes! the lovely eight café is putting on a sort of promotion from a new anime and they’re doing a cosplay stint there.
<chocolat_orange> it’s going to be busy so they asked me to help. i’m not complaining though, they’re paying me for overtime.
<THE_FIRST> I remember you telling me you work at night
<THE_FIRST> Out of curiosity what anime is it?
<chocolat_orange> ummm, i think it’s about a young goth girl with origami powers. i haven’t really watched it and i’m not the one cosplaying.
<THE_FIRST> Oh
<THE_FIRST> Thought it might be one of the few I have seen
<THE_FIRST> Never mind then
<THE_FIRST> Good luck Celeste
<chocolat_orange> i will! see you tomorrow, takashi-kun!

Well, that more or less kills any chance of you going to the Blackened Void. Unless you want to head in there with only Akikazu and Fumika for backup. Speaking of Fumika, she isn’t responding to your messages. You suspected as much, but it still stings a little. Akikazu is in the same boat. Maybe he’s still asleep?

The day is yours. What will you do?

>Study in your room (Increases INTELLIGENCE)
>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)
>Read ‘How to Think Big’ (Increases CHARISMA or UNDERSTANDING)
>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)
>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)
>Call Akikazu and Fumika to the Blackened Void.
>Custom option.

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>>45286682
>AETHER sessions are being initialized, played and concluded in alternate realities
Here's hoping AETHER doesn't blow up the Earth or something.

>>45287851
>>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)
GAINS

>>45287851
>Study in your room

>>45287851
>>Read ‘How to Think Big’ (Increases CHARISMA or UNDERSTANDING)

>>45287851
>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)
social link go

>>45287851
>>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)

>>45287851
>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287851
>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287851
>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)
Let's see what we can find.

>>45287860
Yeah, the SBURB parallels have been increasing in strength ever since the mention of "The Ultimate Reward". I swear, if we have to breed magic frogs I am going to be very cross.

>>45287851
>>Read ‘How to Think Big’ (Increases CHARISMA or UNDERSTANDING)

>>45287851
>Go to the gym

for some reason i want to secure that job at the maid cafe

>>45287851
>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)

File: oh god too cute.gif (1.87 MB, 320x240)

1.87 MB GIF

>>45287626
>“…you know, Akikazu, you can be surprisingly understand when you want to be.”
>He scowls. “Oh, piss off!”
And Akikazu still proves to be best girl

>>45287851
>>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287851
>>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287851
>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287768
It's a shit mechanic and Thorn should be ashamed of coming up with it
>>45287851
>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)

>>45287851
>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)

>>45287851
>[9:00 am, 22-May-2129 (SATURDAY)]
Dude were Japs we dont have off Saturday.

>>45287981
.....then bring it up with him?

>>45287860
>>45287911
Sounds more like AETHER is a training simulation set up to create the next demifiend or something. Turns people into a Fool to help them become stronger than normal people by giving them not just the Wild Card but the ability to form bonds, then forces the person to nurture those bonds by making them players, even going so far as to pit candidates against one another in order to craft one of them into a godkiller (or a Kaedekiller)

>>45287851
>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287851
>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)

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>>45288027
>AETHER as SBURB
>craft one of them into a godkiller
Does this make Kaede Kurusu our Jack Noir or something?

>>45287851
><chocolat_orange> ummm, i think it’s about a young goth girl with origami powers. i haven’t really watched it and i’m not the one cosplaying.
I wonder if the girls who are cosplaying are getting paid extra.

>>45288138
Maybe. The Observer is definitely our Doc Scratch, though.

>>45287851
>>Go to the gym (Trains self, increases WILLPOWER)

>>45287860
>>45288138
>>45288183
/tg/ is the last place i thought id find Homestuck shit but hey i guess the parallels are getting hard to ignore.
Maybe we should ask Thorn to make and inspiration chart.

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>>45288253
>not expecting to find Hussie followers on /tg/ when Problem Sleuth is basically the prototype of all quest threads

cmon duder

>>45287851
>>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)
I'm hoping to run into Akikazu... who is secretly out on a mission to deliver something for the class pres.

>>45287851
Go to the Gym.
We'll work on our gains for the day, then visit the death girl at night.

>>45287851
>>Cook something (Increases UNDERSTANDING, 2 free attempts left)
Let's even out our stats

>>45287851
>>Take a walk outside (Random encounter, may meet someone)

>>45287981
There are a lot of things I am ashamed about my quest. The mechanics may be one of them, mostly because I didn't realize someone had already made a system specifically for quests. If it's any consolation, you don't have to overflow. It's entirely optional. In the meantime, I'm going to do as much as I can.

I'm back from lunch. Will commence writing shortly.

>>45288718
So can we Persona augment now?

>>45288718
It's just an asshole, ignore him your mechanics are great.

>>45289061
If my mechanics are shit, then I'd like to hear criticism about them. I want this quest to be good. This won't happen if I ignore sound advice

>>45289087
>If my mechanics are shit
But they are not.

>>45289087
My only complaint is about the overflow, everything else is fine.

>>45289111
I agree. I personally enjoy the mechanics as we have them right now. I think the hesitation to advance that the Overflow system can encourage is a little annoying to deal with, but I like the mechanics itself. Gives us some interesting options. My only real problem with it is, well, us. We are the problem, since we're indecisive on how to use it.

>>45289087
they aren't bad. Rather, I can't personally claim anything since I need more to go on before passing judgement.

>>45289127
what ABOUT overflow? We can't read your mind through the internet.

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“I think I’ll go the gym…” It’s been a while since you went there. You’ve been so busy with other events, school, exploration and bonds, that you’ve left your gym subscription in the dust. This is after promising Shizuka you’d put it too good use, too. She doesn’t crack down on you as hard as your mother, but last night she brought it up over dinner. You could only fumble with your words and make up some bullshit excuse on the fly. The experience had been rather disheartening, mostly because your nee-san accepted your words without hesitation. It planted a seed of guilt inside of you, which only grew in magnitude as you contemplated spending the rest of the day browsing online.

You pack your stuff and take the short path towards the local gym. There’s a bus you could take, but anybody who boards public transport for a single stop deserves to be punched in the stomach.

While you walk, your thoughts wander to what the Observer said yesterday. Alternate universes existed, huh? Entire realms of unknown possibilities, ready to be dissected to pieces beneath heavy analysis equipment. Supposedly you should feel like an atomic bomb was detonated in your skull, but you can’t muster up the energy to care. Your universe and theirs aren’t connected in any way, except for invasions in the Forlorn Abyss, so there’s no point in dwelling on it. Plus, the Blackened Void is already sort of an alternate realm, so it isn’t too big of a stretch for there to be a billion different other ones.

You’ll concentrate on the troubles in your game session and the other Players (whom you will never, ever meet) can concentrate on theirs. Unless they try to kill your friends, in which you have no trouble in banishing them to whatever filth-ridden hellhole they crawled out of.

Oh, look. The gym is in sight. Better stop thinking about the existence of the multiverse and head in.

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“Enjoy your workout!” the lady at the counter says as you swipe your card through the barricade. You exchange your clothes in the sweat locker rooms and enter the weights room. A little more crowded today. Most of the patrons are adults with bulging muscles and lean figures. They pump iron like their protein shakes depend on it. You feel like a lemon as you stand at the entrance, your thoroughly average body clashing with their toned physiques. Well, you managed to shave off most of your puppy fat from martial arts club and Blackened Void exploration, so it isn’t too bad.

You decide to get down to business. Fifty pushups, thirty lifts with the 10kg weights and forty pull ups on the metal bar. That’s what Shizuka set you and that’s what you will do.

Roll up your sleeves, you clench your teeth and grab the nearest dumbell. “Here we go!”

>Roll 1d20 to work out and get those sweet gains.
>Best out of three.

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>45289382
BLESS US KAEDE KURUSU

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>45289382

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45289382

>>45289387
The previous Fool has seen fit to grant the current one her blessing.

File: 1I3CQ.gif (1.7 MB, 160x120)

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>>45289387

>>45289387
welp, guess she did for once. Guess she hated us being scrubby.

>>45289387
Kaede is still trash.

>>45289387
Sweet YHWH look at those GAINS! /fit/ must be blessing the dice.

>>45289387
damn

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>>45289387

>>45289387

>100 Push-ups
>100 Sit-ups
>100 Squats
>Run 10k

>>45289387
Wow, /fit/ helped us.

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>>45289387

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>>45289387
AWAKEN MY MASTERS

>>45289518
>>45289526
MASTERS-mind

>>45289518
Well, I guess we know who our work out instructors will be then. AWAKEN MY MASTERS!

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>>45289518
>>45289526

>>45289555
Only 26 seconds apart too

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>45289526
>>45289518

AWAKEN MY MASTERS

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>45289518
>>45289526
AWAKEN MY MASTERS

>>45289604
STOP WASTING THE TWENTIES.

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>>45289604

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>45289622
Like this 20?

File: AWAKEN MY EMPEROR.gif (2.75 MB, 480x270)

2.75 MB GIF

>>45289604
SWEET JESUS MAN

>>45289649
Nice try, mate.

>>45289604
Save it for when we need it anon, god damn

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45289667
>>45289679
Don't worry I'll roll a 1 when it matters.

>>45289702
STOP USING THE GOOD ROLLS.

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>45289721
Let's try this again.

>>45289751
You are history's greatest monster.

>>45289751
STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT
REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Guys This is because Takashi was imagining Celeste in her cosplay outfit. Her wearing cute things empowers him.

File: Getting stabbed of a buil(...).jpg (439 KB, 1920x1080)

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So Fumika panicked twice, both times she chose to fire at foes threatening Akikazu, both times she hit, both times she got a crit and a kill.

>>45289751
ANON, WE ONLY HAVE A FEW OF THOSE LEFT. CEASE AND DESIST.

>>45289798
Maybe we'll hit up the cafe after the gym.

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>>45289813
>Chiaki Matsuda

Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>45289839
check my 20

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>45289850
Nope, but those are good rolls you're wasting.

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>>45289850

>>45289850

7/10.

>>45289798
Celeste doesn't have a cosplay outfit, that's some of the other waitresses. Unless she was lying to us because she was embarrassed enough after last time.

>>45289526
>>45289518
AWAKEN MY MASTERS

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>45289850
This is how you do it.

Rolled 15 (1d20)

>>45289850
no, check my 1

>>45289839
Can you stop freaking out? The more you complain the more he'll do it, shitting up the thread and forcing it towards the auto-sage limit, thus shortening what we can get done. Take a shower or something.

>>45289604
Does this count as a 40, Thorn?

>>45289813
So which one's Fumika in the pic?

>>45289939
Face scars
>>45289847
I intend to give her a cigarette once I can.

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You work out. You do it well. Your back is sweaty, your knees are shaky and your lips are in dire need of moisture. Yet, you persist. You lift those weights, grab that bar and press that ground. If your life was a movie, inspiring trumpet music would be playing in the background.

It would not be an exaggeration to say you obliterated your training regime that day.

>Your WILLPOWER has increased by 7 points!
>Gained 3.00 C. EXP!

You emerge from the weights room drenched in salt and bodily fluids, but flushed with a tired sense of revitalization. The morning isn’t over though. There’s more to be done. You enter the part of the gym for practicing Persona skills and sit down on a plastic mat. Then you hold out your right palm and squeeze your eyes shut.

Persona augmentation, as everyone in your school knew, is the art of controlling a Persona’s power without actually summoning it. It is similar to the way humans depicted magic before the existence of Personas became widespread. How adept a person is in augmentation is dependent on their MAGIC POTENTIAL. This is mostly due to the concentration needed to separate the Persona from its magic. A lot of individuals give up and focus on fighting with their Persona normally. This brings its own advantages, such as having two bodies on the battlefield for double teaming. But Persona augmentation has its own positives, such as a lack of a second target (as the damage dealt to a Persona is applied onto the user) and the property of activating spells without shouting the name, which renders one immune to mute. Thieves and assassins tended to favour Persona augmentation for its widespread stealth applications. So did unarmed warriors who liked to break noses first and ask questions later.

Those brochures at the front desk sure came in handy!

>>45289996
Let's celebrate with a mapo tofu!

>>45289996
Celebrate by going to the cafe.

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>Ability rank up! Persona Augmentation I is now Persona Augmentation II. You can now cast weak offensive, single-target healing and single-target buff/debuff skills without summoning your Persona. Your augmentation cast speed isn’t the greatest, but it’s serviceable.

Chi casting, on the other hand, is a set of techniques devised by a Chinese monk in 2045. The principle behind chi casting is that they are skills invented by humans, for humans. They mainly focus on unarmed combat, which is why it syncs so well with Persona augmentation. Chi casting was at first condemned at first for its limited skill pool, but it has slowly been seeing a rise in popularity over the last few decades.

“You’re doing savate, Takashi.” Takauji had commented one lunch time. “Give it a look. You might learn something useful.”

He turns out to be correct.

>Learned Killing Hands!

All this skill does is increase the amount of unarmed damage you do for a short period of time. It’s a very basic skill, one of the first learned. Sometimes though, the simplest way is the best way.

>>45290173
Cool

>>45290045
But the key to becoming /fit/ is diet and exercise. We must eat the appropriate amount of protein. Thus we must eat meat. I still state mapo tofu is the best choice

>>45290227
You fail to realize we can eat omelets at the café, and that Takashi gains power when he is around cute girls dressed in cute things.

>>45290173
Didn't our mother used to be known as "Rumi of the Killing Hands"? She'll be so proud her son is following in her footsteps instead of using a halberd like Shizuka does.

>>45290339
She'll be even more impressed when we use persona augmentation to Parry A and S rank weapons with our bare hands.

>>45290278
If that's the case, let's go to the cafe already

>>45290339
Why are we going with fists and kicks again? Is it because we watched too many jackie chan movies as a kid and thought we could do that too?

>>45290393
She'll be even more impressed when we become the strongest in the school.

>>45290339
She'll be even more impressed when we'll fuck up and reveal that we're a Fool to our family through AETHER kidnapping our sister.

>>45290416
It was a player choice, and /tg/ love fistwizards.

On that note, I like that we've been buffing the fuck out of our Intelligence, but other than that we've basically completely dropped the "Takashi will be the most cunning manipulative string-puller a quest has ever seen" idea that sort of defined most of our early personality and stat choices

>>45290416
I think the in-character reason actually is because of watching our mom. She's pretty badass, and before we fell into depression we wanted to be just like her. Now that we actually have potential we're picking those dreams back up.

>>45290479
Yeah, but that's going to be a long time from now, if ever. Shizuka's high level enough that she wouldn't get entered until the game's difficult has risen a lot more.

>>45290507
To be fair we have everything but understanding at rank 3 and Int IS the most important stat because of tests. but yeah Terumi we ain't.

>>45290507
I didn't much care for it.

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You exit the gym and stroll around the rest of the district. Soon it’ll be lunchtime. Your stomach is beginning to growl. The healthy thing to do would be to head back home and heat up leftovers in the microwave. There’s a burger bar the next block over and the scent of fried meat and melted cheese is becoming more and more appetizing by the second.

Before you give into your temptations and restore your lost calories, you notice a familiar face. Silver hair, large blue eyes, a frail disposition…it’s clearly Aria von Wittelsbach. She’s shuffling along the pavement, staring down at a holographic projection from her phone. Exhaustion and irritation, mixed together into a foul blend, is spread across her doll-like features.

Someone bumps into her. She squeaks in panic and almost drops her phone. You see her stumble into a wall and nearly hit her shoulder.

>Creep up to her and tap her on the shoulder.
>Offer her a helping hand…again.
>Wave hello.
>Leave her alone. You’ve got shit to do.
>Custom option.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.
Yo.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>Creep up to her and tap her on the shoulder.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.
Sigh....Another day, Celeste.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>>Creep up to her and tap her on the shoulder.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.
>tell her not to worry about the malware on her phone and that it'll be gone in a few days

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
>>Wave hello.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.
We're going to get her dragged into the Void whether we're friendly or not, might as well giver her a reason to trust us before the inevitable rescue mission.

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.
>Act like a tsundAkikazu about it

>>45290551
Cute
>>45290611
>tell her not to worry about the malware on her phone and that it'll be gone in a few days
Top hue

>>45290551
>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290611
Oh shit, yeah. We should ask her if that's what's got her attention.

>>45290551
>>Offer her a helping hand…again.

>>45290551
Supporting >>45290611

>>45290611
...no

>Offer a helping hand... again.
>Guess at what's got her attention on her phone, but don't play it off.

I think this is a red herring

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>>Takashi: Offer her a helping hand…again.

The déjà vu the air is palpable like a big head-mounted block of butter. You can’t say you’re displeased with the situation, though. Concerned is a more fitting word. Why? Because Aria has just banged the back of her head against the stone wall and is now sprawled on the ground, rubbing the sore spot with tears gathering in her eyes.

You push through the crowd. Aria notices your shadow and looks up. You smile at her.

“Yo.” You say. “Need a hand?”

She doesn’t take it. Instead, she struggles to push herself upright. She does this by forcing her back against the wall and using it to slowly raise her body upwards. Her knees are wobbly, as if they were twin sticks of jelly. This is not how most people pick themselves off the ground. They usually do it with their hands. It only raises more questions about your new classmate.

“Fine.” She states.

“Pardon?”

“I’m…fine.” She says, “Takashi, what are you doing here?”

“I was exercising in the gym.” You point in the direction of the facility. “It was fun. I learned a new skill. I was going to eat lunch, but then I met you.”

Aria mumbles something under her breath.

“What was that?” You ask.

“…I got lost.” She whispers. It should’ve been a moan, judging from the way she’s frowning like a sad clown, but her voice is too light and soft to pull it off. “Wanted to see District, but took the wrong directions…”

“Uh…okay?”

“…”

“Hey, c’mon. Say something. This is a bit awkward.”

Her expression has shifted into one of mild disbelief. “You won’t laugh?” she asks.

>“Why the hell would I do that?”
>“No, why?”
>“If you say so, princess. Pahahahahah.” (deadpan)
>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”
>“I’m not that big of a monster.”
>Custom option.

>>45291218
>“If you say so, princess. Pahahahahah.” (deadpan)

>>45291218
>>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”

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>>45291218
>>“Why the hell would I do that?”

>>45291218
>>“I’m not that big of a monster.”

>>45291218
>>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
>“No, why?”

>>45291218
>>“Why the hell would I do that?”

>>45291218
>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”
>Custom option.
"You're new in town. Getting lost isn't anything to be ashamed of."

>>45291218
>“No, why?”

>>45291245
>That Filename
kek

>>45291218
>>“If you say so, princess. Pahahahahah.” (deadpan)
or
>“I’m not that big of a monster.”

>>45291218
>>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”
>>“I’m not that big of a monster.”

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”

>>45291218
>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”
muh gains

>>45291218
>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
"Why the hell would I do that?"
We have burned our tongue on mapo tofu, almost drowned swimming once, got chased by crows, and got teased to hell and back by two nutters in a run down room.

If anyone should understand the pain she feels, it's takashi.

>>45291218
>“Nope. Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
>>“No, why?”
>>Now let’s eat lunch together!”

>>45291218
She's a legit autist.

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”

>>45291218
Cast Dia on her.

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”

>>45291218
>“Why the hell would I do that?”
Damn bootleg internet

>>45291218
>>Custom option.
DIA
I
A

We still need to go to the café after this.

>>45291472
What?

>>45291764
Lunch at the cafe.

File: sample-7b873246e582be32a7(...).jpg (162 KB, 850x1193)

162 KB JPG

“Why the hell would I do that?”

She doesn’t answer. Alright, the answer is obvious.

“Look.” You say. “If I really was going to laugh at you, I would’ve done so five seconds ago. But I like to think I’m not a bastard who makes fun of his classmates, so I helped you. Cool?”

She nods, slow yet accepting. “I…understand. Thank you.”

“Great! Now let’s eat lunch together!”

She blinks. “What?”

“I’m hungry now and I can’t be bothered going back home. Want to come with me?”

She rummages around in her skirt pockets. Despair etches its sickening embrace across her face as her search winds up fruitless. “Don’t have enough money.”

Conversely, you have over two hundred thousand Macca. It is enough to pay an entire month’s rent for an average apartment. Somehow, neither nee-san nor kaa-san have noticed. You refrain from mentioning this, because it’s likely to make Aria’s mood worse. Also, you don’t fancy being jumped upon by delinquents.

“Eh, I’ll pay. Consider it payment for picking my eraser off the ground last Friday.”

“Told you it was nothing, didn’t I…”

Aria concedes and follows you to a street of small cafes. None of the food here could be considered haute cuisine, but for two average students with rumbling stomachs it’s enough.

Since Aria is a foreigner, you decide to give her a taste of Japanese cuisine. You take her to a restaurant serving one of your favourite Japanese foods. It is…

>[INTELLIGENCE] Sushi, because raw fish is good for you.
>[CHARISMA] Udon noodles, for classy and refined gentlemen.
>[UNDERSTANDING] A bento. It’s made delicious with the chef’s tender and loving care.
>[WILLPOWER] Teppenyaki (steak grill). Meat makes you buff and strong.
>Actually, you'll let Aria decide.

>>45291776
She bumped her head, he wants to heal her with a (I presume) Augmentation-cast Dia.

>>45291805
>>[UNDERSTANDING] A bento. It’s made delicious with the chef’s tender and loving care.