>>45423679
Interlude: Shining, Powerful

The throne beneath you is cold yet wrought as fire against the endless darkness. Endless darkness...from this seat that is an illusion. Upon the axis you feel the ebb and pull of countless lights forcing against each other and yourself as a great machine. Celestial clockwork spinning into the finite music of the spheres.

Only the great distance begets darkness.

Awareness of the spiral floods you, unprecedented power you have since attained in penance for your past corruption. Rekindling so many lights among the infinite left you upon the edge of oblivion, yet it was the remembered love of those who saved you and those you have in turn saved that drove you to the brink. Conquering your own end, and in turn finding the truth of your heart amid the illusory darkness.

It is distance that creates this deceptive endless night. Even above the center axis if one were to look casually they would see only darkness; with eyes more accustomed to the task you readily sweep through the shining beacons by the billions. Those that serve as safe harbor for life numbering fewer, though these numbers were different once and will be different again. Not even you are eternal…

Though you were once saved by a miracle who is.

Thoughts of that time make you painfully aware of the scar on your soul, settling your now vast awareness on the hollow weight left there by the presence of…

“It cannot be,” your voice booms across the plane of your vigil, above and outside of space.

From here, atop the vast span of creation to which you serve as guardian, you feel the pull. Chaos return, fragmented and spread to grow new avatars across the reaches of space. A spike in its power, used for unknown and fell purpose, has made you aware of it and a seeding of presence across distant stars.

>>45423734
Where was that spike? Where has this menace returned enough to draw your initial attention?

Casting a glance across untold distance of soulless void bridged by uncounted points of life birthing solar fire, your eyes fixate on the place that proved a crucible to your fate and the fate of the many worlds that had fallen. It is not the greatest of the powers that have drawn your eyes, though it is active.

There are now greater threats that would require your attention first, and that place has more shining starseeds than it should by your reckoning. Just as well, you can try to tip the scales for a friend even if you cannot go yourself.

Rising from your throne, the projected void of your awareness clears to reveal a court of assembled souls from across your finite demesne representing their stars and worlds. Some are projections from afar, others stand among you truly.

“Papillon,” a figure steps forward while you regain terrestrial quality and form, your voice seeks her out as a trusted soldier, “You are dispatched to Earth, observe the situation and warn them of what we have seen. Lend a hand if you are able,”

As gold plates clasp around you and take familiar shapes, she is gone in an unfurling beat of blue wings.

“Now, the rest of us will protect what we have only just finished restoring,” you say solemnly, “this, our Shining Galactica,”

A cheer and call to arms erupts from all directions. Even now they would stand with you, though your penance is not truly complete. Fear grips your heart, along the familiar ethereal scar...no.

It will not take hold of your heart this time. Chaos will be rout across these stars.

Interlude End

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>>45423757
Interlude: Powerful Embrace

Walking with a cane is, as you expected it to be, difficult. Despite the timeless qualities you possess, guiding you through all the time you have spent before the gates since long ago, this is the thing that makes you feel your age for the first time in over a thousand years.

You are Setsuna Meioh, and with purpose you walk the streets of Nerima Ward toward one of your private residences. Since tethering yourself so fully in this era after the schism with the Small Lady’s future, having multiple places to rest was at first simply a pragmatic move on your part. Sensible to help prevent you from becoming too familiar and attached to the world where you would rest your head when not at your vigil.

Without the certainty of Crystal Tokyo to look toward, that vigil became less necessary. Before this newest enemy, you were just watching for major shifts in the timeline. Thankfully those were few until this latest bout.

However, with the vigil relaxed and freedoms ordered to you by the woman who chose not to be your Queen, you found attachment. After the betrayal by one of the first friends you had made outside of the relatively small circle of guardians you have long existed to be a part of, you made short attachments. Quite familiar with the unrequited love you would bare in another time, you instead sought fleeting comfort.

Most of these entanglements went as you foresaw and planned.

One did not.

Given your tendency toward reclusiveness, you were able to keep the others from noticing. Both carrying that which was not expected, and living as such after. Time split between a quiet house in Nerima and the Gates of Time when not briefly and enigmatically appearing before your comrades, so far away in Minato ward.

>>45423775
The first place that had ever truly felt like home to you had been when you took care of Saturn reborn alongside Haruka and Michiru. You know you truly feel that here as well as you open the door.

Before you, the house is a mess. This was expected, you didn’t have time to call between falling back to earth and regaining consciousness. Nor were you ever alone long enough to do so without raising suspicions. Still, such odd bouts of no contact are expected of you. The state of your living room is a testament that everything is normal.

Such irresponsibility. Smoothing your pencil skirt you sigh and close the door behind you with enough force to make the catching of the lock noticeably audible.

More than that, as you trade your pumps for slippers, there remain familiar flats on the mat. School started at least an hour ago.

“Just because I was caught up with work, that is no excuse for you to skip school,” you scold to the house you know isn’t empty.

A jumble of motion and scrambling limbs sounds in the near distance. You ignore this initial reaction to your return and instead set about picking up the area around the couch. The leg Mikage Chiba removed the enemy’s infection from still hurts and proves to give you some trouble leaning down to the task.

She explodes into the room, long hair in a shade matching your own pitching forward ahead of her as she skids with difficulty to a stop on the carpet. The padded feat of the costume pajamas you think she is simply too old for now not offering her the best of traction as she hurriedly sweeps the room and locks onto you as you kneel in front of the couch.

>>45423806
“Mom!” she dives over the back of the couch toward you, arms wide.

Irresponsible, loud, and lazy though counterbalanced by a warm friendly demeanor and intelligence that had her auditing an AP class while still in her first year of Junior High and an incredibly friendly demeanor. Very much unlike your own youth. Still, you wouldn’t trade her away for anything. Even as you drop your cane and let out a dignified yelp of pain at her impact as you fall over, thankful to not have a coffee table placed among your casual seating.

That alone served to remind you why you have kept her secret, and so far away from the others. If what held true for the children of the Inner Senshi held true with your own, then you will keep her from that world until you know she is needed. Until you know she is ready to bear your burden and wield power over a fundamental force of the universe.

“Oh no,” she sparks up frenetically as she helps you up in sheepish apology for knocking you down, “I just didn’t want to miss when you got home,”

She pauses as you grope for your cane and use it to help steady yourself as you rise and return her hug, earnestly.

“It’s okay,” you sigh and lace your fingers through her hair, “I’m home now,”

She eyes the cane with worry before tilting her head nearly straight up to meet your eyes.

“What happened?”

Interlude End

>>45423831
Quest Start

“I figured as much,” the dark haired boy in front of you sighs with certainty as his eyes dip for more than a second closed behind his glasses as he holds out the envelope containing your expected items, there is due hesitation as uncertainty takes his features before he trails off, “Say, are you free to talk about…”

~Yoshi?~ you question while taking the offered item, containing your show ticket and backstage pass for tonight and presumably tomorrow.

In all likelyhood thanks to your vague answer of availability he made arrangements for both.

“I understand if it’s a bad time,” he hesitates again, always trying to remove urgency or immediacy from his queries to you, perhaps afraid you would shut him out again, “Or if talking about it isn’t good for you to do, but...can we talk about what you tried to tell me about Kal before you had a panic attack?”

Is there guilt behind that hesitation? Does he feel in part responsible for the way things went by not forcing the issue after you snapped at him to leave you alone so long ago? In your presence now, he’s stepping across a sheet of ice uncertain where to find sure footing or cold death beneath a surface to thin to hold the weight of his worries. All because you tried to shoulder everything. All the things he doesn’t know about you and that time. Why you felt you didn’t deserve to be-

You are Mikage Chiba, second year High School student fifteen years old. After a traumatic experience you gave up your double life as the magical champion of love and justice known as Sailor Moon. After your mother and elder sister you were the third woman to carry that name, which in your absence is now carried by your younger sister.

>>45423853
Sailor Moon wasn’t the only thing you abandoned after your trauma, you also gave up on yourself, and in your mind created better fractions of yourself to deal with and in the things you could not. With the aid of magic, you became those fractious selves when needed or wanted. In doing so, you ignored the people you knew and distanced yourself from your friends.

You couldn’t face the one you thought you failed. You couldn’t face the things that reminded you of that night which once gave you meaning. You couldn’t accept being...accepted. Being loved.

Not by your friends. Not by your family. Not by...by someone whose intentions from back then are now clear to you.

However you’ve been putting yourself back together, and have already reacquired the parts of yourself that could let you love yourself again and be loved.

Which brings us back to this moment, this boy and your own scattered conflicted feelings. Shutting him out back then hurt both of you, and it changed him from the person you knew into someone both familiar to you and yet different. More than that, you’ve let others into your heart and are unsure of where your own ultimately lies.

If it lay anywhere at all.

There is another boy, who takes things at face value and seems to live in the moment. Who thrives in conflict and in meeting him you felt challenged. He feeds your competitive nature, and for the bluntness of his personality you enjoy his company.

There is another girl, who knows everything about what is going on...and despite the guilt that still lingers over past events in your soul accepts you. She is your best friend and is willing to be something more if it’s what you want, it will become what she needs.

And certainly besides them there are others you have growing potential emotional attachment to and physical attraction toward. To be young and so uncertain, it almost feels normal.

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>>45423918
Normal. Ha!

Tonight is supposed to be about reconnecting with Yoshi and getting to know him under his stage persona, and him to see you as the The Red Eyed Beast. Previously the two of you had a rather sharp and heated exchange before the two of you knew who the other was. Hearing The Damned, his stage name and disguised persona, relate his story to Venus-chan set you off with some amount of familiar guilt over what happened between you and Yoshi. True to the form of the Beast, she lashed out angrily about it.

How will she be tonight, you wonder?

He’s still looking at you as you stand in deep thought on his doorstep, the urgency of the moment briefly forgotten amidst the deluge of your baggage in all of this. You declined his mother’s invitation to come in, mostly because you wanted to avoid her potential queries and getting drawn into something too deep with Yoshi this early.

Especially considering you aren’t Red Eyes right now.

>It's exactly like I told you, just be careful
>I want to talk more about it, if you’re free to walk with me a bit
>We can talk about this more easily when my game face is on, tonight
>Yeah, I’m just a jumble of crazy. Don’t put stock in what I said before a panic attack
>No, but I wanted to talk to you about something else (What?)
>Write in

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Opening post voting window: 30 minutes from the first vote unless I note an extension.

Subsequent story post voting windows: 15 minutes from first vote cast.

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I should expect the long wait for votes, I have dropped a ton to read with three interludes and a long Opening Post.

>>45423948
>>It's exactly like I told you, just be careful
>>I want to talk more about it, if you’re free to walk with me a bit
How much does "Kal" know about who The Damned is?
Try not to show concern for the Beast around Kal.. I don't want him to realized he could use you against me.

>>45423679
>fiercely and uncharacteristically taking notes and being attentive in class
I'm scared.

>>45423734
I'm concerned and wondering how deep down the rabbit hole Chaos' involvement is.

>>45423775
>>45423831
She is totes adorbs.
And smart.
I have a feeling this injury is going to lead her into some interesting questions.

>>45423948
>>It's exactly like I told you, just be careful

>>45423948
>>We can talk about this more easily when my game face is on, tonight

>>45424672
I think we should warn him a bit about that game face while there are less people around.

>>45424699
>>45423948
I guess that is a vote for talking now.

Counting up.

Distracted by a phonecall, how is everyone doing tonight?

>>45425528
Doin' alright.

>>45425528
Might chop a hole in the floor and say hello to my downstairs neighbor's stereo with violence.
Otherwise good.

>>45425528
Doing pretty well. How about you?

>>45425785
Feeling much better about myself and life in general right now.

~It’s exactly like I told you,~ you says with a certain finality, ~just be careful,~

He nods though perhaps a bit concerned with your answer. For a moment you want to ask how much his manager knows about him, but you recall an earlier conversation in which he mentioned that Kalunite did in fact know who he was when he was not The Damned.

“Alright, Mikage,” he sighs a bit, “I’ll be careful,”

And just like that, he doesn’t press the issue. He might be at risk in some way, but he’s trusting you. It’s the way he is, just because you warned him and aren’t pressing it yourself he’s going to continue on.

Holding the envelope he gave you low, you offer him a quick thank you and turn to head away. Pausing mid step, you glance back. Yoshi is watching you leave and waving with, to your eyes, a cautious goodbye.

~Hey, Yoshi,~ you offer an extra warning as you turn back to face him, ~Just be careful around me tonight. I mean, acting like you already know me,~

Confused for a moment, he nods again.

“Alright, I’ll see you at the show, Mikage,” and he smiles.

You’ve warned him about evil magic being used at his show, that his manager is some kind of super magic zombie man, and that you’re kind of crazy and magic yourself...and he smiled because he knows you’ll be there.

It’s the kind of continued complication in all of this that makes you both happy and frustrated to no end.

Walking out of sight of the Sakurada household, you consider what you’ll do next. It’s not even lunch...and you have so much and so little to do…

>You have a FEW things to talk to Tomoe-sensei about
>Hang out at the Crowne for a few hours. Snacks, games, & secret lair
>See if you can meetup early with Kairi
>Hang out in Akihabra for the day before the show
>Get an early start on being Red Eyes
>Go home and hang out with Diana
>Write in

>>45426984
>Go home and hang out with Diana
>Hang out at the Crowne for a few hours. Snacks, games, & secret lair

>>45426984
>>Hang out at the Crowne for a few hours. Snacks, games, & secret lair

>>45426984
>a FEW things to talk to Tomoe-sensei about
What am I forgetting?

Barring a reminder, I'll go with:
>Go home and hang out with Diana

Getting dinner, be back and were after.

>>45426984
>You have a FEW things to talk to Tomoe-sensei about
Tell her about the vision we had after we had our tea.

>>45427573
Oh yeah!

>>45427206
>>45426984
Get Tomoe updated first.
Then off to Diana!

If we need a combo, I am not opposed to taking Diana to the Crowne..

Having said dinner and then counting on this now closed vote.

Alright, now if I'm uninterrupted for the rest of the evening we can proceed.

Tomoe Sensei & Then bring Diana to the Crowne takes it.

Unlocking your phone, you decide the best thing to do is talk to Tomoe-sensei. Shooting the older woman a text, you find she is taking patients at the practice your mother opened when you were younger. The nostalgia of when she opened her own private pediatrician’s office is a happy memory for you. You were so proud of your mother, and excited that she was working with Tomoe-sensei.

It was nice.

Still, the office is nearby in Juuban. A much shorter trip than if she were making round at the hospital or doing administrative work at Infinity Academy, it’s a wonder she gets anything done honestly.

As you walk to the outwardly nondescript office, despite the adorably ostentatious and cute bunny laden sign hanging over the doorway, your mind drifts back to exactly what you need to speak with Tomoe-sensei about.

While you are upset about the tea and rum incident, you know she didn’t expect you to pass out then and there as though drugged...and that she was genuinely worried and on the internal edge of panic when it happened thanks to the glimpse into her mind you have from unconsciously feeding on her negative emotions. Honestly you need to at least give her grief about that.

Besides your own vindications, you think you’ll tell her about the progress you’ve made with the crystal and that you’ve discovered that with the last local intersection of ley lines you’ve tapped into you can free yourself of these abilities, and this need.

You imagine she’ll ask why you chose to keep these powers in the meantime though. When given the option, it was because you thought you would still have need of them. Especially to deceive the enemy in your coming gambit.

Entering the office, you are greeted by a few familiar receptionists and nurses. You remember them from when your mother ran the place, which is to say she still owns the practice and has been on an extended sabbatical. The young men and women are wearing bunny ears along with their scrubs.

>>45429042

Mom thought it would help put kids at ease, she was right...though looking at the rest of the waiting room and the pervasive bunny and moon motifs painted on the walls you cannot help but think someone should have stopped her while she was ahead.

“Oh, Chiba-san,” says one of the nurses, a tall fellow with a scruffy beard who looks absolutely ridiculous wearing bunny ears, “Tomoe-san is with a patient, she told me to send you to her office,”

Holding your laughter, just to be polite, you thank him and tread the familiar path through your mother’s old building. As you turn the corner toward your destination, you see Tomoe-sensei ushering a mother and son out of an examination room. She chats plainly with the woman and the child sports a displeased face and exceptionally and obviously drippy nose before sneezing fiercely into a wad of tissues.

You are not braced for the thin and violet eyed woman ahead of you to also be wearing bunny ears.

You are not braced at all.

The patient and mother pass you as your sensei approaches, looking down at you with a faintly visible tinge of guilt and embarrassment. Quickly snatching the fake rabbit ears from her head, she welcomes you.

“Mikage,” she says worriedly as she leads you into her medical office, “I wasn’t expecting to hear back from you so soon,”

It amuses you that Tomoe-sensei has an office here, a secret office beneath Infinity Academy, & a proper administrative office in the Academy tower.

>You need to fake her out with faux upset about what happened, how do you suggest you do that?
>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out
>Why couldn’t she have just told you about the rum & chamomile?
>She can make all this up to you by giving you a snack...you haven’t eaten that way yet today
>Write in

&

>Cover both of the topics on your mind
>Tell her about the crystal progress only
>Tell her about the Holy Tree’s power of purification
>Write in

>>45429077
>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out

>Tell her about the Holy Tree’s power of purification

>>45429077
>You need to fake her out with faux upset about what happened, how do you suggest you do that?
>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out
>Tell her about the Holy Tree’s power of purification

>>45429077
>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out
>Why couldn’t she have just told you about the rum & chamomile?
And:
>Tell her about the Holy Tree’s power of purification
>Tell her about your vision, and the boy in the tube

>>45423679
>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out.

and

>Cover both the topics on your mind.

I live.

>>45429077
>>Plainly tell her you’re upset, but understood it wasn’t her fault you passed out
>Cover both of the topics on your mind

Keep to business, maybe tell her she owes us lunch sometime. Either kind.

>>45429212
I want to add

>Tell her about your vision, and the boy in the tube
To >>45429163

Because that's a good idea.

>>45429212
Oh the boy in the vision. Forgot about him.

>>45429208
I forgot to put down how we fake her out.
We use Usagi-level whining to guilt trip her, then we explain that it wasn't her fault we passed out.

Counting and writing.

>>45429688
Almost done.

~Well, you know how I get when school is closed,~ you shrug and take a seat across from her as she settles into her desk.

“Yes, you can be very driven,”

The dark haired woman takes to her desk uncomfortably. Rather than drag this out you decide it's better to be direct with your feelings.

~I’m upset,~ you state plainly and lean the distance to lay your hands on the desk as you meet her eyes, ~but I understand it isn’t your fault that I passed out,~

She nods.

“I’m sorry for the deception,” she admits quietly, “The way Mori-san presented things to me it would have been in both of your interests to ensure a peaceful rest,”

You roll your eyes and sigh.

~Didn’t you just chew out Ves Ves about getting me drunk,~ you question with a slight mocking grin to your tone.

“Yes, though while you were otherwise distracted she also presented a good case for it being a good thing to do in a safe environment and among friends,” she glances away, “Citing embarrassing circumstances of my own youth shared with her and your sister that undercut what I had to say,”

~Oh?~ you snicker, ~Is there a story there?~

“Yes,” she nods and lifts a paper coffee cup off of her desk before taking a short drag on it, “It was an embarrassing story,”

There is a finality to the statement, as if that’s all she’ll share with you on the matter.

~Anyway,~ you pause and extend your fangs and run your tongue along them for effect, ~We did claim that earth node we left behind the other day. The tree, turns out it has incredible powers of purification. If I so choose, I can use it to get rid of these,”

This perks your teacher’s attention.

“Really?” she questions, “Is there a reason why you haven’t done so already?”

~Well, I think these powers are still necessary,~ you explain, ~I need them to deceive the enemy and...I don’t think I should give them up just yet,~

>>45431153
She nods, slowly.

~And, I had a more complete vision in my sleep,~ you continue and relate to her the image from within the escape pod, slowly filling with crystallizing miasma some countless ages past.

She listens and nods, no comments or further counsel. Once she finishes her tests on the hair you gave her, you’ll probably have a more complete answer.

A moment of quiet passes between you after you finish your tale. She closes her eyes and sighs.

Concluding your counsel, Tomoe-sensei asking after the location of the tree to inspect the counsel, you make your way back home to acquire your guardian. Its getting close to lunch, so after that somber meeting with Sensei peppered with your attempts at levity you believe a few hours of video games and sweets at the Crowne are in order.

Opening the door to your home after a walk back from Tomoe-sensei’s office; you are surprised to find your guardian moon kitten, Diana, watching television. Not surprised that she is in human form, not surprised that she is watching the TV in the living room with an open tupperware container of the cookies you and your mother made before she left for the moon.

You are surprised that instead of an adorably squat toddler, you are faced with a short girl with bunned purple hair seemingly of elementary school age.

“Oh,” she hops down from the couch and charges at you in sneakers before leaping at you all smiles, “Mikage!”

Mid flight, she shimmers from a child shaped missile into a slightly larger purple gray kitten. This adjustment of mass shifts her trajectory and she lands firmly upon your shoulder. Still moving, she pads around the back of your neck to your other shoulder and nuzzles against the back of your head and cheek.

~Hey Diana,~ you scritch beneath her chin, prompting a purr from the young mau, ~Want to go to the arcade?~

>>45431176

“Yesh!” she nods mid nuzzles and through her pleased purr.

Quickly getting changed, you and your cat guardian make your way to the nearby Crowne Arcade. Its busy, what with this part of the city’s central high school being closed on a weekday. To that effect, you find upon entry to the blinking and active place of youthful rest and respite that you are being given a wide berth.

The events of the other day still probably fresh in people’s minds, you don’t blame them for avoiding you out of embarrassment, shame, or guilt about their actions or goals while spider possessed.

“This place is cool,” your companion cat whispers into your ear.

>Look around for any familiar faces in the Crowne
>Play some video games
>It’s almost lunch, hit the snack bar
>Head to your amazing secret Karaoke Lair
>Write in

>>45431211
>Head to your amazing secret Karaoke Lair

>>45431211
>>Play some video games
>>It’s almost lunch, hit the snack bar
>>Head to your amazing secret Karaoke Lair

I feel like lunch is the big part, but yeah kinda show her around the Crowne, try some games together and grab lunch.
Relax in secret lair afterward, or even during lunch I guess if the right attendant is on hand.
How cool is it that her parents made that place? lead in.

>>45431211
>Play some video games
And look for peeps.

>>45431445
Apologies for the "everything!"ish answer. Just felt like the notes the visit could be.

Writing. Some how. Some way. Beep boop

Rolled 12 (1d100)

75-100 encounter chance.

~I’m thinking lunch and videogames to start,~ you smile and with your shoulder bound partner make your way first to the snack bar counter and cafe.

Your cat nods firmly.

Making your way to the busy counter, you find that a few attendants amid a flurry of activity between the assembly area and the deeper kitchen. The circus of teenagers ordering food continues around you as you get an order in for a light tuna wrap with some pulled out on the side.

“Hey, this is a dining area,” scoffs someone you don’t recognize amid that circus, you don’t think he goes to your school and is just some jerk from elsewhere playing hooky.

Mostly because he’s wearing a Juuban West High School uniform.

Before you can retort, the haggard and annoyed looking woman directing employee traffic behind the snack bar leans over in exasperation.

“Crowne policy,” she explains as though it’s a common occurrence and jerks a thumb over to a sign in the window, “Cats allowed, same kind of license Cat Cafe’s have,”

The impolite young man kindly fucks off with his drink as your own order eventually comes up. Feeding the eager diana and enjoy your own light meal, you meander over to the arcade. Diana falls in love with the flashing lights of the games as you again go through a few games you’ve had fun with in the past.

She’s a bit skittish after a round of House of the Dead, so you opt for something a bit more colorful and kid friendly. Playing a few rounds of the classic Sailor V cabinet. Diana even takes a crack at the game, after a quiet corner transformation into her small but bigger than she used to be human form.

“This is fun,” she cheers sitting in your lap to reach the controls as you steady her sides so she doesn’t knock herself off to the floor.

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>>45432304

After many rounds, you decide to take a break from the crowd of the arcade proper and slink into the back. True to form the Karaoke Lounges are open, and in a quiet moment you swipe one of the doors with the golden side of your card and open the way to your lair and lounge.

The gold motif is relaxing to you as Diana bounds down the short flight of steps in a single step and pounces onto the springy central mat of the room. Mid bounce off of the training mat, she shifts back into her natural moon cat form.

You can’t help but laugh joyfully at her unending energy.

Hmmm...what to do next.

>It’s a Karaoke lounge, see if she wants to sing. Not that you’re up to it.
>Ask Diana to test you with her cat reflexes
>Just rest a bit
>Play with Diana on the Mat
>Write in

>>45432340
>>Play with Diana on the Mat

>>45432340
>>It’s a Karaoke lounge, see if she wants to sing. Not that you’re up to it.
>>Ask Diana to test you with her cat reflexes

Okay, leaving vote open until the next vote.

>>45432340
>play with dianna

>>45432340
>It’s a Karaoke lounge, see if she wants to sing. Not that you’re up to it.
>Just rest a bit

>>45432340
>>45432786
>suggestion unrelated to other votes
I kid, I kid.

Er, how about >>45432467
singing and music are nice.

Not sure how she'd test our reflexes though.

Writing

>>45432858
Oh, more votes showed up, >>45432836
is nice too.

Karaoke is my core vote.

Music makes it happen.

<play with Diana

<play with Diana then tie her to bed

<play with Diana then tie her to bed and viciously rip out her teeth with rotten pliers

<play with Diana then tie her to bed and viciously rip out her teeth with rotten pliers then proceed to use her internal organs as a pillow

<play with Diana then tie her to bed and viciously rip out her teeth with rotten pliers then rip out her internal organs and use then as a pillow then proceed to sodimize Diana

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>>45433083
>>45433203
>>45433254
>>45433283
What the fuck.

>>45433395
Don't acknowledge shitposting, it's not worth the bother.

Walking over to the main computer console of the room, you switch from the analytic functions you were using last time you were here and to the Karaoke song list. Scrolling through some cutesy songs, you sigh a bit and glance at the microphone.

It isn’t for you, even in such limited company. Not yet anyway.

~Say, Diana?~ you look over to the laughing and bouncing kitten and grabbing up the microphone, ~How are you at singing?~

Shortly, after walking her through what songs she knows from her surprisingly short life, you actually settle the girl into performing a number of songs including Venus-chan’s hit single. It amuses you that this will probably be only one of the renditions of the number you’ll be privy to today.

The cat turned child ahead of you does well enough, better with each successive song actually. Pulling the couch along the wall out to watch, you settle into a relaxing and quite wonderfully adorable show.

Across the main console monitor the karaoke video that was released for the song plays, and amid its shifting lights across the room slightly darkened for the performance you catch sight of a light behind you. It’s the portal.

Padding onto the couch beside you is a familiar white cat, Artemis. He says nothing, but nods to you, as he sits on the cushion and watches his daughter dance about out of step with the displayed image of Venus Aino behind her.

“You two seem to be having fun,” the older Moon cat observes as Diana leaps off the stage and into the couch, her arms wide.

“PAPA!” she cries out and tightly hugs the white cat readily.

>>45433610

~I think we are,~ you reach over and pet the struggling cat as he is squeezed by his daughter’s human form, ~How is the Arcade business treating you?~

“Well enough,” he explains as Diana stops squeezing him so tightly and merely sits on the couch beside you and holds her father, “Taking advantage of the secret bases I crafted you girls?”

~Mhmm,~ you nod, ~I quite like this place. I think I’ll make a habit of using it more often,~

“It’s the bestest secret base,” your guardian agrees.

>It’s time to go get ready for the show
>You have a bit of time, and can probably arrive fashionably late
>Actually, you wanted to ask Artemis about something, what?
>Write in

>>45433631
>Actually, you wanted to ask Artemis about something, what?
Express curiosity about how a place like this is made.
Ask how he has been, we see Luna a fair bit, but I don't think we've talked really with Artemis since he thanked us for watching out for them when Diana was born.

>>45433631
>get ready for the show

<tell Artemis to clean up Diana's dead body by means of eating the body then pour hot candle wax down Artemis's throat while beating him senseless with his own arm while wondering how fucked up a shitpost this is.

>>45433631
I'll back >>45433772

>>45433850
Go home, Satan, you're drunk.

Writing

~Say, Artemis?~

“Hmm?” the cat glances back to you from his daughter’s embrace.

~How does one go about building all of this?~ you gesture to the Karaoke room around you, including the lockers and the impressive computer array.

He squirms free of Diana’s grasp as the girl sits down curiously and observes him. Pacing a few feet ahead of her, he sits attentively and clears his throat.

“Well, over time Luna and I have been able to recover some old world equipment and make use of tools brought to us from Crystal Tokyo to construct spaces such as this,” he explains as he shimmers and assumes his tall and slim white haired human form, “To be certain, relearning this trick has helped immensely as well. This structure was actually grown under the foundation of the Crowne with programmed crystals,”

He explains a number of tools and devices, most capable of local form shifting or remote magical operation that you imagine goes over little Diana’s head, but you have a fairly solid grasp of with your knowledge of magical theory. The lecture lasts a bit as Artemis excitedly explains this or that about how this stuff has made his work so much easier.

Eventually, he sits down on the couch and props up Diana on his knee. A noticeable contrast to how she was the larger figure in their interaction moments earlier.

~How have you been anyway?~ you lean over and ask the cat turned man, ~I see Luna all the time, especially recently, but I know so little about what’s going on with you,~

He shrugs as Diana buries herself into his chest and hugs him widely.

>>45434279
“I’ve been busy helping set all of this up and helping out Luna when I can,” he explains, “And magical construction aside, running this place is fairly time consuming, especially when I often do so unseen. Though I did just spend some time helping Helios acclimate himself to the world,”

~Oh?~

“Yeah, showed him a few sights and tried to see if there was anyway for him to find his way back into the dream realm if whatever the enemy did to him stops holding on,” he sighs, “Though I got to show him Kyoto,”

~No luck on that front?~ you question.

“Not quite yet,” he shakes his head as it becomes quite clear that the child in his arms has fallen asleep.

It's about time.

Thanking the white moon cat for his time and for taking care of his now sleeping daughter, you excuse yourself. Its late into the afternoon, and you’ve a matter to attend to in Akihabara.

The only question is if you’re going to don your disguise now or later.

Eclipsed Moon Quest Episode 121
Thread Pause

Alright, gonna grab some sleep. See you guys in the morning.

>>45434313
Presuming we're afloat come the morn ofcourse.

Diana a cute.

>>45434293
>The only question is if you’re going to don your disguise now or later.
I'd say find a quiet rooftop and meditate on what is to come as we don the guise of The Beast.

As I see it we have a few goals the evening:
1) Salvage a decent evening out of this despite everything else on this list.
2) Watch out for trouble, because damn are there a bunch of people with ties to us here at this event that has an undead shadow construct former Royal Guard arranging things.
3) Try not to go full escape from ourself, even if there are a lot of social and love related landmines in play.
4) Somehow not throat chop Kalunite as the Beast or deal with any Shadow threats as her directly. The urge will be there, but could spoil the chance to get answers.

Good morning before work.

Struggling to wake.

Up, doing stuff, followed by thread resume.

and writing. Once Thread resumes, first voting window will be thirty minutes from the first vote.

Into work I go. Catch ya'll in many hours.

Good luck out there!

Exiting the Crowne Arcade, the sun hanging late in the sky and beginning to cast the faintest sparks of orange and gold, you turn toward the train station and begin the journey toward Akihabara. The show doesn’t start until after sundown, and the way ahead isn’t too terribly long. You imagine the venue will be open early, though the night ahead leaves you held with anxiety and uncertainty.

Fiddling with the disguise pen in your hand, you board the train and note the still mostly empty place. Invoking your ability to appear as no one of consequence, you glance at your reflection in the window. The Red Eyed Beast stares back at you as the city beyond begins moving against the glass.

She is nervous, not baying or growling at you in her way. In your way. Her hair is of course a perennial mess, though the eyes you can see through the curtain of her bangs are less focused than you remember them ever being when you hid behind them. The mask seems as lost as you, and not just because of the potential for disaster you know awaits you tonight.

>It is time to become the Red Eyed Beast
>Before this, engage with the Beast. How do you begin?
>Ignore her for now, wait to change when you’re at the show.
>Text someone, who?
>Write in

>>45440832
>Before this, engage with the Beast. How do you begin?

What do you want from me?

>>45440832
>Before this, engage with the Beast. How do you begin?
How are you feeling?

[x] Give her a damn hug. She needs one. (How? Figure it out, you have spooky and non spooky magic!)

>>45441196
Derp, meant to preface with
>Before this, engage with the Beast. How do you begin?

Writing

give me dice+1d20+10 best of 3.

Persuasion test, 1s and 20s wild

Rolled 4 + 10 (1d20 + 10)

now whammies, no whammies!

Rolled 14 + 10 (1d20 + 10)

>>45441448

Rolled 17 + 10 (1d20 + 10)

>>45441448

File: Sunako.jpg (15 KB, 300x326)

15 KB JPG

Standing rather than sitting on the train, you grab the handrail and watch the beast in the glass carefully. Frequently glancing away from you, she doesn’t meet your eyes for more than a second at a time.

~How are you feeling?~ you whisper to yourself, opening yourself to her in hopes she does the same; that she may know the sincerity of your heart.

Of her heart.

Her eyes widen beneath her bangs in shock for a second before she shakes it from her face with a wild twist of her mane. Aglow in the reflection, sun looming behind her and cutting the solidity of the reflection, she snaps and snarls before her shoulders slump. Leaning forward, phantom hands pressing against the outside of the glass, as she looks back up at you.

~I’m scared,~ she coughs, ~I’m scared because I failed,~

Your eyes spark at that.

~You didn’t fail,~ you reach a hand out to the glass and press your palm against her own against the glass.

~They never came looking for me,~ she whines, ~I had to come to them. I kept making scenes but nobody came for us,~

~It’s okay,~ you fold your fingers over her hand and pull her out of the window slowly and wrap your arms around her, ~It’s going to be okay,~


The phantom sobs into your shoulder, invisible to the few other riders on this late afternoon train. A few glance at your odd pantomime, but that doesn’t concern you right now.

>>45442278

~Before this ends~ you ask her softly while one of your hands pats down her wild hair, ~What do you want~

She sniffles. Her want for attention, to be noticed be it positive or negative. Perhaps why she never got along with Miki, after a fashion they were just too similar. They were just you.

~What do you want from me to make tonight easier for you,~ she’s so close to you, but always fighting.

Intangible in your arms, she feels like she’s on the cusp of that moment when Miki came back to you. Unlike her, the Beast continues to fight and resist. As she cries you are negotiating her end, what she needs to depart her individuality and return to you.

Tears quiet and unreal hands grip you tightly but do not sink within you.

~A piece,~ she croaks out, ~A piece of Miki to help me through this, a piece of what she gave back to you. I want to feel that on my own before I go,~

A piece. A piece of what she gave back to you.

The Beast wants to feel loved. To love herself. You’ve come to the end of your anger and all but resolved your own broken feelings, but unlike Miki she has hung on until this small want.

Able to love yourself, you hold her tightly. She is you. Even if still apart.

>Of course, even the beast can have a moment in the sun
>No, I think it’s already in you, don’t be afraid
>Write in

&

>Time to get changed
>Wait until you’re at the venue
>Write in

>>45442296
>its already in you
>wait till the venue

Extending voting period

>>45442296
>No, I think it’s already in you, don’t be afraid
>Wait until you’re at the venue

scribbling

~No,~ you tighten your grip around her back and your hold on her hand as your voice takes on a familiar and smiling cadence, ~because it's already in you, Beast,~

The memory, projection or hallucination, bristles and goes rigid in your grasp before shrugging free and crossing her arms. She stares at you, indignant, before she blows some of her bangs out of her eyes.

~Of course you’d say some kumbaya shit like that,~ she grouses and wipes tears away from under her eyes, ~Come on and make with the makeup girl,~

~I’m serious,~ you sigh, mildly frustrated at dealing with yourself, ~I know you, you have everything that you need. If you want to feel it, just feel it,~

She growls at that and sits in a huff beneath the window you pulled her from. There is uncertainty in her body language as she is unable to sit still as you come to another stop. One of the passengers disembarks, watching you worriedly as you sit down next to yourself. Another still watches. You pay no mind to anyone who boards.

~What if you regret what I wind up feeling?~ she questions looking away.

~You’re me,~ you take her hand again, ~Whatever you want to feel tonight, no regrets,~

She groans and hangs her head. Huffing, she vanishes as the lights inside the car appear to flicker. It would appear she’s done talking to you.

Just as well, after arriving at the station and walking through Akihabara, you spy the address of the show venue tonight. It isn’t a proper dive club, it’s a multistory repurposed office building converted into multiple music halls. There’s a line formed already, and at a glance you can see a few expected familiar faces there which don’t recognize you beneath your disguise field.

>Get in line and change inside
>Look for a way to sneak into the venue first
>Find somewhere nearby to change
>Look for one of your friends. Which one?
>Write in

>>45443766
>Find somewhere nearby to change
Then:
>Look for a way to sneak into the venue

>>45443766
>Find somewhere nearby to change
>Look for a way to sneak into the venue

Writing.

After I chop up a Jalapeno

Hands washed and milk rinsed. Writing

Breakland report: looking good.

There are plenty of alleyways and corners around the neon lit portion of the city to duck into while the sun dips below the comparatively low local building line. Taking the pen you’ve been fiddling with since you left the Crowne Arcade, you take a deep breath and brace yourself. Trusting tonight to her, because you believe in her.

Activating the pen, you slip to the back of your own mind in a swirl of pink light and shadows.

Standing alone in the dark corner you chose for the task, you stow the pen and check yourself over as you take on a more comfortable posture. You aren’t wearing your customary middle school style uniform or the skirted outfit you wore with Venus-chan. Instead you’re clad in ripped jeans, a black nondescript t-shrt with the decal of a middle finger being displayed stretched across your chest, and a studded black vest.

More than that, you wear some spiked bracelets and your hair is teased up and out of your face. Its weird. What the hell was that girl thinking?

~Whatever,~ you groan and shake out your tired limbs.

You cried to her, got hugged.

She believes in you. You’re of two minds about her belief in you; that it’s bullshit and damn right she should believe in you. Tonight you are a woman of contradictions, and if you make a violent scene it can’t possibly end well.

Glancing out at the line forming, you easily pick out a few of Miki’s ganguro friends along with the frustratingly expected invitees, two girls you recognize from Zodiac, Kairi-chan hanging out at the back by herself, and a gaggle of people you don’t know.

Hmmm...no sign yet of Keiko or Midori.

~Tch,~ you click your tongue and think better of just standing in line like someone who plays by the rules.

>>45445665

Slipping your VIP pass around your neck, you kip back and forth between the walls of the alleyway and settle on the roof of the venue. Unlike the last place, there is not a walking stairwell from the roof but a hatch probably to a ladder.

It isn’t locked.

Slipping on down into the building, you grouse and skulk about with ease. Relying on your abilities of invisibility you go unnoticed and get a basic layout of the place and figure out where to go. The place is sparsely populated, doors aren’t opened yet.

>Second floor main performance hall
>Third floor lounge overlooking second floor main hall
>Second floor auxiliary performance hall
>Second floor backstage area
>The assorted green rooms on the first floor
>First floor ticket master & offices
>unlabeled rooms?
>Write in

>>45445683
>Second floor backstage area

extending vote a few more minutes.

Alright, writing.

Heading down to the second floor, you loop around a back hallway to the backstage area. Down a staircase at the back you can hear some activity of bands getting together, ahead in the area are instruments and drum kits for three different bands laid out for the various performances.

Poking around you glance out onto the stage and are amused at the still empty venue space. It is decorated, and there’s a bar set up against the back wall with water, soda, and spirits. You imagine the doors will be opening soon.

The sudden whine of feedback catches your attention.

Moving over to the other side of the backstage area, you see a wall bank of XLR cable ports and switches into what you assume are the building’s sound system. A familiar figure in dark leather strapped jacket and black bondage pants is swapping a few things around and humming to himself. You can’t quite see his face, but the familiar boots and a lengthy white wig falling off his shoulders and if he weren’t crouched down it would hang about below his knees.

“Alright, these channels are clear,” he nods to himself with a stoic and intentionally graveled voice.

The Damned, Yoshi, already gotten into character. You, ball of rage that you usually are, haven’t interacted with him since you learned the truth. Admittedly it annoys you that you couldn’t scare him...and that he probably pitties you because of who you are and what he assumes.

He also stood up to you, stood his ground and shut you down before little miss pink took back the reigns.

>Shadow him now that he’s done
>Have a little fun, get the drop on him and try to steal a jump scare
>Have a little fun, reveal yourself and tease him
>Let him go about his business and go somewhere else
>Try to get his attention, to talk
>Just stand somewhere and see if he notices you
>Write in

>>45446873
>Shadow him now that he’s done
Well, this was in part to learn more about this side if him.
And it seems like he doesn't jump scare.

Maybe so exploring elsewhere if something presents itself.

>>45446873
>Shadow him now that he’s done

Grabbing dinner and turningover laundry then writing

Keeping up with your powers of invisibility, you quietly follow him as he rises and stretches from his work on the assorted audio cables in likely preperation for the show tonight. He heads to the stairwell at the back of the backstage area, past the instruments and restful queueing area for the talent, and descends to the floor below. A few other people pop in and out of the assorted green rooms and dressing rooms in the well lit hallway. You recognize the members of Malefic Black among the flurry of activity.

The Damned offers a wave to them, and pauses in front of one of the dressing rooms and crosses his arms with a tired expectancy. Rapping against the dressing room door once, there is a scramble of sound within.

“House opens in twenty,” he says with an aura of finality and command you aren’t used to hearing from him, “Cut it short or finish up, I don’t care,”

“Buzzkill!” a pouty falsetto cry manages to muffle through the door, you think it belongs to his bandmate Black Witch.

The crossdresser who propositioned you.

“You can’t rush art!” gasps a far more disheveled voice fluctuating between a natural high pitch and forced depth, Red Devil probably.

The other crossdresser, who corrected Black Witch’s proposition to include herself.

“Whatever,” The Damned Rolls his eyes and storms into the green room across from the occupied dressing room.

While you are used to seeing Yoshi conduct himself with authority as a Class Representative, there is a greater edge to his actions here. At school he has a granted authority, here he seems so much more certain and sure of himself.

Inside the green room you spy the massive and blue form of Ogre, Daigo Endo, sitting nervously on a tarp covering this green room’s couch.

>Slip into the greenroom after Yoshi
>Check out the band you don’t know
>Check out Malefic Black
>Interrupt the Witch & Devil, how?
>Search around for Kalunite
>Write in

>>45447961
>Slip into the greenroom after Yoshi
'Sup.

>>45447961
>Slip into the greenroom after Yoshi

Writing

File: 20160215_202100.jpg (2.69 MB, 4128x2322)

2.69 MB JPG

On the upside, looks like the mobile network is allowed again

>>45449220
Frosty rain escaped for now, looks like things are going alright. We'll probably want eyes on Kalunite at some point though.

Slipping into the green room after Yoshi, you slide over toward the small craft service table and lean against the wall beside it. The Damned looks over to the Ogre slowly, the larger man fidgeting with his spiked armor pauldron straps across his otherwise bare painted chest.

It’s a fairly nice green room, doesn’t feel as backroom dive as the last place you snuck into. It feels, more furnished for one thing, and more sterile perhaps? Converted office buildings always have that quality when they’re repurposed.

“You doing okay?” the skull faced boy asks the blue goliath as he snatches a bottle of water off of the craft table.

“I’m nervous,” he sighs, “I invited Takeda-san to the show, how are so calm about this?”

Yoshi shrugs and takes a drag of his drink.

“She’s a busy body, and she’s social! She probably hasn’t come alone,” the larger boy teeters on the worried edge of panic, “I know how important this is for you to keep this secret, Yo- Damned. Sorry,”

Yoshi sighs and drops onto the couch next to his friend and bandmate, the plastic covering beneath loudly crinkling. You imagine it can’t be comfortable. Its interesting, normally Yoshi conducts himself so rigidly and properly. Here is is conducting himself with an expected sternness but otherwise physically acting casually.

“Don’t worry about it, I’m revising those priorities of privacy,” he explains and leans back into the couch.

>>45449996
Ogre seems genuinely shocked by this.

“What? But you just started talking to Chiba-san again,” the larger boy gesticulates and turns toward his band leader, “I invited someone to the show, who heard you play in the gym. She can put two and two together and then word would be all around school. Doesn’t that put your chances with her at risk? Why aren’t you even the least bit mad?”

>Continue to keep quiet and see how Yoshi responds
>~Yeah, inviting a girl like that to your show was pretty reckless,~
>Just casually appear and wait for them to notice you.
>~I dunno, if I were you I’d be happy he wasn’t mad,~
>Slip out to check something else out.
>Write in

>>45450014
>~I dunno, if I were you I’d be happy he wasn’t mad,~

>>45450014
>~Yeah, inviting a girl like that to your show was pretty reckless,~

Yay home! Gimmie a moment.

>>45450014

>~Yeah, inviting a girl like that to your show was pretty reckless,~

>>45450014
>~Some people can keep a secret, Blue Boy. You should relax and be happy he wasn’t mad~

I want to stay quiet, but the urge to say things is strong (and the vote is leaning that way anyway).

Writing

>>45450369
Dangnabbit, and I thought I was avoiding Cabal Country by including be happy, missed another vote dropping.

>>45450446
Well it was just different enough that the beast is going with the more teasing snarky option.

>>45450466
Perhaps "pretty reckless"/"be happy he isn't mad"?
Secrets definitely lost though.

Ah well, time to warm up dinner.

>>45450548
A why not both may work out nicely

Before Yoshi can answer his friend, a strange thought takes you as you let your invisibility expire without your nigh constant refreshing of the power. Leaning over and picking up a few flat sugar embedded biscuits. Playing with it a moment as you fade back into sigh you speak and continue browsing the table for fruits, drinks, biscuits, and little snacks.

~I dunno, if I were you I’d be happy he wasn’t mad,~ you laugh sharply to yourself as you snap the thick cookie in have and take a nibble of the crumbling broken edge.

“Eh?!” Daigo Endo leaps from the couch and stares at you in a fright before he recognizes just who you are as the Red Eyed Beast and glances around the room curiously though still nervously, “Oh, Beast-san? Did Aino-san want to speak with use again?”

“She isn’t here with Aino-san,” The Damned turns from where he sits to look at you, “And she’s right, you should be happy I’m not mad,”

~Yeah. Although,~ you muse to yourself with a sinister smile as you lick your lips while you decide if the biscuit was enough to your liking to finish, ~inviting a girl like that to your show was pretty reckless,~

Yoshi’s face doesn’t crack. You know it’s because he’s settled into character, but it kinda pisses you off right now. Maybe because you’re jealous it’s just a character for him. An artistic expression. What are you?

“Ugh, maybe I’d prefer anger to this grief,” Diago Endo whines in his stage guise turns pleading to the now sighing Yoshi Sakurada before glancing back to you, “She isn’t going to break another mirror, is she?”

~Night’s still young,~ you shrug trying to play casual, ~So, when do you guys perform?~

The Damned turns in his seat to face you. Impassive face beneath white and black makeup with eyes that betray no emotion.

“We’re actually up last tonight,” he answers, “I’m a little surprised you snuck back here so early. The house isn’t open yet,”

>>45451394

~I go where I want,~ you quickly crunch down the two halves of the biscuit and haughtily posture while holding up your pass, ~When I want, besides I didn’t make a big scene this time and I do have this,~

The Ogre glances rapidly back and forth between the two of you. Perhaps surprised by your backstage pass. Trying to behave is a bit boring, maybe you should do something to create tension between you and the Damned. Even though he knows who you are.

>Ask Ogre, in your completely and entirely sensibly polite way, to give the two of you privacy
>Reveal in boast to Ogre that the damned gave you a pass. Aren’t you special?
>Take a seat and act like you own the place, what do you want to talk about?
>Wish them a good show, you’re gonna go somewhere else in the venue. Where?
>Start some shit, you want to see how the Damned reacts to you acting like you.
>Write in

>>45451402
>Ask Ogre, in your completely and entirely sensibly polite way, to give the two of you privacy

>>45451402
>>Wish them a good show, you’re gonna go somewhere else in the venue. Where?

>>45451609
>Where?
Just outside first, to see how the Ogre reacts.
At least Yoshi has a friend that can be shaken up.

>>45451402
>Wish them a good show, you’re gonna go somewhere else in the venue. Where?
Let's jump scare the two in the dressing room then explore the place some more.

Alright, looks like well wishing and then combo option for right now.

give me an intimidate roll for that jump scare.

best of 3, dice+1d20+8

Rolled 7 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>45451996

Rolled 4 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>45451996
Creepy door open, invisible, WAY too close BOO.

File: Sailor Soldiers Motorcycl(...).jpg (49 KB, 508x580)

49 KB JPG

Rolled 15 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>45451996
The Beast will be mad if we aren't a little scary.

Rolled 20 + 8 (1d20 + 8)

>>45451996

Rolled 4, 2 = 6 (2d20)

...oh boy.

~And where I want to go isn’t here anymore,~ you roll your shoulder and stride past the confused blueberry toward the door before locking eyes with The Damned.

Lock nothing, you lean down and smile widely and manically at him.

~You guys have a good show,~ you beam with a maddening and threatening gravelly edge, ~I’ll catch up with you later,~

Stepping out of sight, but leaving the door to the green room cracked open, you listen for the gears to stop turning in Daigo Endo’s head. You stifle a demon’s laugh in your throat at your mischief, trying to rile up Yoshi by all but calling him reckless to his face.

If you stuck around and kept things up, maybe he would have challenged you. Not physically of course, but he would have...or would he.

He knows who you are. Does that change the way he’ll handle you? Should...should you tell him not to just give you a pass for your spooky bitch-tastic ways because he knows? Or is he going to try to be kind and understanding Yoshi and not take you to task for acting out of line.

And even on your best behavior, the beast is always out of line.

“Yoshi, what the hell!?” the Ogre shout whispers to his friend in worry, “Is she a fan or stalker or what?”

“I’m not sure yet,” he says calmly and perhaps a bit wistfully, “I’m still trying to figure her out,”

“Did you give her that pass?” the Ogre questions after a moment of quiet.

“Yes,” Yoshi says quite simply and tersely, “And you gave one to Nui Takeda. This should be an interesting night,”

The sound that escapes Endo-kun’s throat barely registers as it hits a pitch or pained exasperation you can appreciate. This night is already worth the effort and you haven’t had to hurt anyone yet.

>>45452558
Though, you still want to be frightening. The want to be feared tugs at you as your eyes settle into sinister focus on the dressing room across the thin hallway. Even amid the bustle of the green rooms and other dressing rooms, you can hear the vigorous activity and breathing within.

To be quite honestly, one of your favorite things about horror movies is when the monster or serial killer interrupts the rhythm or mood of such intimate moments.

Luckily for the two beyond that door, you aren’t a serial killer or the kind of monster who would tear them to ribbons just because they thought they had a private moment together. Maybe you’re jealous and want to exact an amusing revenge, they’re obviously two of a kind who are lucky to have found one another.

And perhaps that, and their casual invitation, annoys you.

Slipping back into invisibility, you extend your fangs and minorly tweak and control your natural shadows effortlessly among the night time hour. Crossing to the door in a step, you slowly open the door and blush a bit at the scene before you.

Creeping upon the distracted duo amidst a private and illicit tableau of half dress and action between leather straps and bespoke silk tailoring, you take control of the shadows of the room and darken the place save for the profile of the half open door behind you.

Through otherwise distracting gasps, the devil tilts her hat back and glances to the open door in confusion. She remains remarkably neat and put together considering what she is in the middle of, and her face is already made up a deep race car red and sporting a fake mustache.

And the witch, aside from the abandoned leather skirt, is also pristine in how they are made up despite their current disposition and position. If not for that current exposure, you’d think him a woman at first glance.

>>45452568

“What?” the devil is drawn from her enjoyment and artfulness, as she so eloquently put it through the door earlier to Yoshi, at noticing the door has been left ajar, “Shit!”

“Hmm?” the witch wonders as his eyes follow his partner’s, though while distracted trying to keep his pace.

Thier attentions both toward the door, and the beginnings of interruption and discordance upon their pacing, you fade into sight as you twist the shadows around you to beget terror and let your glowing eyes center their attention.

~Boo!~ you snap with your fangs as the two uncouple with a start and both flatten their backs to the makeup mirrors, knocking loose supplies on the counter all about the dressing room in their startled action.

Their heart rates are practically audible, and the witch’s face a wonderful combination of pale terror and blushing embarrassed shock. You cannot tell if the devil has a similar disposition beneath her own makeup.

With a laugh, you lean back and relax your hold over the nearby shadows. Turning toward the door to explore more of this place as the house is about to open and the show soon to start, you offer the still panting and gasping couple some words of encouragement. For the show.

~Good luck with tonight’s set,~ you tease them, ~I’ll be watching,~

Eclipsed Moon Quest Episode 121
End

Interlude Vote
>Wisdom
>Emerald
>Wolf
>Needle

>>45452582
>>Wolf

>>45452582
>>Emerald

>>45452582
>Wisdom

Thanks for the thread, guys.

I hope the content of the dressing room while understandable was tasteful, and the scene enjoyed.

>>45452582
>Needle

Cabal of cats, returns.

>>45453190
Meh, we'll find more voters.

>>45453736
[Insert Tired Ritual of Vote summoning here.]

>>45455499
Which Ritual is that?

>>45456537
The one where I talk about summoning people to vote and then fall back asleep, secure in my task.

>>45452582
>>45452582
If they aren't traumatized, they probably have a new fantasy/fetish.

Drawn between:
>Wisdom
&
>Emerald
Wisdom sound like a thing we should have more of, and Emerald is likely about Esmeraude..
Wait.
I feel suspicious squinting coming on.
Wisdom, Wise.
Wiseman?
>shadowruns intensify

No guesses on Wolf and Needle, I'm usually better at this game.

>>45457063
Ah, a good ritual

>>45457522
You think they regret issuing that invite?

>>45457522
Well regardless of where you're torn between, settle. We can all play this game but we need a choice man, a choice!

>>45457522

Yes, shadowrun. Let them grow.

>>45457522
No guesses on Wolf & Needle at all? I enjoy watching this game be played, and giving a brief glimpse at what didn't get picked sometimes.

>>45461662
Would Needle be the fashion designer and/or her model.

>>45457522
This night can't end well for Flowers.

>>45462675
We are at a concert, could be drugs?

>>45462675
Well, Saori will be at the show. I don't think Akiyama will be.

>>45461662
Could Kal be the Wolf here? On hunt?

>>45462716
It might end great, but lead toward terrible things.

>>45465658
She's going to hear music potentially describing her nightmares, and see a guy she may find herself obsessed with who himself might become obsessed with Mikage, her mother, or her sister.

The love dodecahedron increases in complexity

>>45465643
Is he hungry like the wolf?

Oh I'm not too late

>Emerald

No reason, Esmeraude is cute.

>>45465899
Maybe. Is there a musical theme we could draw to the rest?

>>45466035
A fair reason.

Shame that the Caffeine Kid couldn't join the night's festivities.

>>45466035
Is this quest's version as cute? Flowers I mean.

>>45466702
If that's the case I can't stop thining of Needle into a Bug from Repo the genetic opera

>>45467563
A healthy amount of weight on her and some fun fashion, enjoys parties and not cleaning up. Seems fun.

>>45468321
I knew fashion interested girls like that in college, clothes everywhere and general mess everywhere.

>>45468926
Art imitates life.

>>45470061
Pulled it from a similar source, one of my Ex's roommates who oddly enough dated my former roommate.

>>45468321
A fun whirlwind.

>>45467551
Wonder why we didn't invite him?

>>45471535
Without his acceptance, wouldn't be as good for him to be there.

>>45472812
True

>>45466702
Would the musical theme also applied to wisdom and emerald? They seem kind of blatant.

>>45474089
Are you thinking it is somehow Wiseman related too? Or you have different theory?

>>45475116
None to speak of, honestly.

Aw hell. I'm sitting here wondering how the person that would become Wiseman/Death Phantom in another time would even even become involved with the Black Moon that could have been. Then it hits me.
-What if they aren't the only ones receiving dreams?-

Which makes the question of where the dreams are coming from even more curious.

>>45475577
Death Phantom just had power...was it ever explained where it came from in the first place?

Well, we have a winner now, so I may as well divulge a brief glimpse at the others after I double check a name.

Alright, Emerald has won the day, so lets look at the other runners up, if briefly.

>Wisdom
Aoi Hoseki backstage, composing his thoughts for a song about the imagery of a cloaked figure with a crystal ball.

>Wolf
Hisako Ito's mental perspective & personally excitedly anxious thoughts for tonight's show as she waits in line with Hanako Minami.

>Needle
"Haven't you heard, being able to take a dip into someone else's head is the best high on the street now,"

>>45475577
Maybe from Usa's timeline because she keeps moving back and forth?

>>45472812
Though he could have enjoyed the show, if he's into that.

Also, I might have a comedic aside in me tonight if this is still up when I get home.

>>45476810
>Needle
Oh dear.

>>45476001
Main things that I am aware of was that he was a human in Crystal Tokyo that went out of his way to revive murder in a kingdom without death. The Queen banished him to Nemesis because she couldn't bear to have a person die.
Skip ahead a length of time and the Black Moon disconents were banished there as well.
Some where in between this person was largely forgotten, and as we would later learn he had merged with the heart of Nemesis. And wants to kill all the things.

>>45480865
That's the problem with eternal kingdoms

>>45480865
Guess this set of interludes were not music references.

Home, news, dinner, & writing.

>>45482815
It seems not.

>>45476810
Hisako, was that RepostYankee?

>>45477868
Or just the connection in general.
My standing concern is that Chaos and Galaxia were only withstood and avoided through stasis in that timeline.

>>45484035
The shadows!

>>45485368
The shadows?

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>>45486484
The shadow.

Comedic Aside

A woman strides, laughing, out of one of the dressing rooms. It was a laugh that could curdle milk, or cause small children to cry. Not a few seconds earlier you just watched her with certain predatory glee vanish in thin air and probably enter that dressing room after coming out of the Unrepentant Damned’s dressing room.

Gulping, in fear, you imagine that this woman was the mysterious red eyed beast. Not that you’d admit being afraid. You’re Hideki Akamatsu, bassist for Malefic Black.

Whatever her purpose in waiting outside of the green rooms, and then causing a commotion she finds hilarious within that dressing room can’t be good. And she has a backstage pass!?

While most would think your decision to follow after her stupid, you’ve never been one for thinking things through.

So she’s the beast, so what? Marching after her, you pause in passing the open dressing room door and glance inside. Seeing first the stricken faces of The Damned’s bandmates, and then their state of undress, you pause.

“Oh...uh, sorry,” you say in some apology for the intrusion and close their door and turn down the way the Red Eyed Beast went.

Wait.

Turning back to the door, you pull it again wide to take stock again of the fearfully frozen duo.

Nodding to yourself, dumbly, you close the door again and walk away back toward your own green room.

Curious interest in that woman forgotten, you walk slowly trying to process that the Black Witch was a guy and Red Devil was a gal. It was no secret that the two were an item...but…

Just damn...hell of a trap.

Was gonna do a Saori in line bit, but I think I'll give that girl a break for right now and spent a little while trying to zero in on a funny scene.

>>45486934
Pfft, heh.

>>45486993
I have been amused this day.

>>45489020
I don't think any existing Rubeus images can properly convey the expression on his face.

>>45489782
Probably not.

>>45489782
I wish I had to artistic skill to pull that off.

>>45492349
Do you have the photo manipulation/photoshop chops?

>>45489020
Excellent.

>>45493467
You have reminded me that I have not reinstalled any software for that since my last upgrade some months ago. I should do that.

>>45495106
Does this mean you'll be doing some image manipulations after you make your reinstallation?

>>45495898
I think I'd need a face to work with. My skill is not at making a new face level.
And that face would be one of the blankest.

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>>45496421
Photoshop or similar programs can be fun with the right blanked face pieces.

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>>45496489

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A jumping off point.

So anyone here watch RWBY?

>>45496647
I am several episodes behind.

>>45496671
....How many is several?

>>45496671
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rcmeMxxGYw
This about accurately sums up the season.

>>45496727
last I saw was Yang's one on one fight & the Fall Maiden getting ganked by team bad guys I think

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>>45496754
Oh my sweet summer child you are in for a wild ride.

>>45496647
Was waiting for the season to end to binge it. Though a friend that had been watching has recommending forgetting season 3 happened.

>>45497283
Please see:
>>45496748
and
>>45496876

Also this for your friend who is just recommending Season 3 ever happened: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdNI0_cx22s

>>45496624
That seems to be the appropriate amount of blankness of expression.

>>45498567
yfw you have no face.

>>45496876
I am not afraid.

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>>45500379

I have a sudden urge to combine a ranged weapon with a melee one.
Mikage already favors relatively light precision weapons, but also a flare for the dramatic.

Staying with light, a needler-type ranged attack could fit, but part of me thinks a grenade launcher would be suitably ridiculous and flashy when needed.
Though in-theme a literal example of either wouldn't be fitting, so really more the magical equivalent included in a melee weapon.

It also occurs to me that we have not seen much in the way of weapons, really.
The Prince's sword, Tuxedo's cane, Moonlight's short-scimitar, the four General's with sword and board when attacking the Moon, Chibi-Chibi, Uranus' sword. Various monsters sometimes have some built in. Am I missing any big examples?

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>>45500972
Haha that'd be awesome. Scythe dex build? Scythe dex build. For maximum kek.
Also Arty is like the only QM that could actually pull off a RWBY quest. Planefag maybe, but he'd just turn it into trolltastic trope inversion. Not that that isn't funny, just not what I'd be looking for in a quest like that.

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>>45500972
Forgot Pluto's Staff and Saturn's Glaive.
Outers got the cool toys.

>>45501234
Was there a way for scythe under Dex? I feel like there was but I can't remember how that would work.

Would go with my long-standing dream of a character with a throwing-returning scythe of distance. For some reason this dream also insists on being from Sandstorm or Frostburn materials while adventuring in the other. Like a cleric in blue steel plate tromping around the desert or a fiery fellow complaining about the cold in the frostfell.

On topic more, I suddenly feel like Setsuna's daughter would be a great one to take up a scythe. Young, rambunctious, and, well, Pluto has certain afterlife connotations.

After some thought, I would have to say I agree with this assessment.

If this is what comes of thinking about RWBY, can't wait to see what comes of binge catching up on the DC shows.

>>45502976
I've been watching them live and I'm caught up everywhere but Lucifer.

Fucking ZOOM

>>45501234
Aaargh, Ruby is so disgustingly cute if drawn right, but the RWBY fanbase is fucking shit. I haven't watched a single episode of season 3 and have tried to stay away from anything RWBY-related, but I feel the urge rising. *sigh* Why am I so attracted to a fictional 15 year old??

>>45501234
I'd love that Especially the part where all the good characters die

>>45503319
Lack of Batman makes drawing comparisons harder.

Wasn't aware Lucifer was in the DC set. Haven't watched so far.

>>45503756
Officially Gotham is just another page of the multiverse. In Arrow we have all but confirmed Bat Senpai is happening elsewhere and progressed further into their story than Ollie has.

>Ollie telling Felicity that he gave her Overwatch as a codename because Oracle was already taken.
>Blonde bubbly pigtailed prisoner with a Brooklyn accent at Argus claiming to be a licensed therapist.
>Future newspaper in Flash reading a Queen Wayne corporate Merger ten years in the future.
>Legends of Tomorrow: "I have seen Men of Steel die and Dark Knights fall,"

Bruce has been successfully urban mything his way around in Arrowverse.

>>45503933
...why the hell did I write Senpai?

Seriously why the hell?

>>45503959
I could have sword I wrote Bat Senpai

>>45503979
Oh shit, there is an auto filter that turns f-a-m into Senpai.

>>45504001
This makes me happy to learn.

>>45504119
Just imagine the implications beyond my use of the Abbreviation for the Bat Family.

"Yo, my senpai was deep up in the club"

Oh god, this is hilarious to learn.

Though now I wonder if anything I wrote is wildly incorrect in the past few months because of other potential word filters that could be in use...

No need to worry about it, senpai

>>45503933
Aye, the Arrowverse has done a decent job of hinting at while not directly saying things. The Oracle crack was the closest.

bae senpai test

>>45504394
Bah. Eh, 1 out of 2 of my least favorite slang ain't bad.

>>45503933
That does remind me that I've left Gotham out of my catching up so far.
Longer expiration on that, I'll get around to it. Left off after the hand off.

Did anyone come up what other domains we should consider?

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>>45500972

>>45503540
Go see this posted about the fanbases reaction to the season finale and mfw.
>>45497303

>>45506706
The hard part on that is, staying limited to Pathfinder domains/subdomains, there aren't a lot of sets that fit our themes. Resurrection, yes, but after that is tricky.
The Restoration domain lacks any of the Restoration spells, in fact the only instance I can find of Restoration is in a third party full domain.
The Knowledge suggestion is interesting, some fairly powerful options for finding things out. Perhaps too good.

Also, in sifting through things, while 3rd party, I am pretty sure Usagi has cast a Mythic version of Steal the Painful Memory at the end of the first arc.

How is this thread still alive.

>>45508014
Due, usually, to low player participation when running and relatively little to no player to player banter or arguing or discussion during threads when they are active we rarely hit the bump limit even when the quest pauses on night and resumes for a full day the following day. Coupled with slow boil conversation on the back end and the QM occasionally writing extra material to post including comedic asides of other characters or interludes, we manage to hang around.

I think the longest we managed was a few hours shy of a whole week.

>>45508115
I'm pretty sure we managed to hit 10 days once.

>>45507613
So everything went to shit after Monty died, is that what you are saying?

>>45510115
I hear it got sad. I'll form my own opinion when I get to that binge.

>>45508014
Magic

>>45510115
>>45510908
Sad isn't the word I would use. And actually in my opinion Volume 3 is a DRASTIC improvement over the last two. We'll see how good Volume 4 is, since it'll be the first volume done completely without Monty's involvement.

>>45511060
Fuck you 4chan, stop dropping my name.

>>45501234
Could I? Why do you think?

>>45512094
Well because you've already proven that you can effectively write an ensemble cast of characters while keeping the screen time for all of them balanced, and having each character be unique and remaining within their own character, in such a way that doesn't feel forced or "samey" characters like a few other QMs tend to get.

Also because while I feel like the instinct would be to take a RWBYquest in the direction of freeform combat, I actually feel like it would be much better with a hard system for combat resolution, which you've already managed to do with Pathfinder and EQM. I mean, for RWBY Anima might be a better choice of system but that's entirely up to finding the books online which I don't think they are.

Lastly because unlike some other QMs I can name, you understand the concept of tone and how to use it. Also because your writing style is definitely predisposed to both character interactions and crazy animu-tier combat.

>>45507785
Going up Artifice and Construction leads to Limited Wish, but seems like we're burning a lot of choices to cast one really useful spell once a day.

>>45512764
Wouldn't say we'd be burning them. A bunch of ones we wouldn't be using on the go would be cool for literally handwaving some downtime stuff.
Hey, the creation spells could be used for making temporary arms, armor, or outfits for allies when unexpected need arise.

>>45512177
I guess ensemble casts in an academic setting is my strong suite.

>>45513979
>>45512177
dropped my trip

Thanks, Melee, I appreciate the confidence in me.

Also, I want to try and roll out next thread monday, but don't know if I'll have time between the shit ton of things I'm doing this weekend to get prewriting done...and I might be giving blood on monday as well and that's an energy and time sink.

>>45511060
It really was a step up so far.

>>45510115
The interactions aren't as strong, the reveal was good but that was going to happen whether he was alive or not.

I wasn't really impressed with how it was handled and felt the dialogue and character interaction was just weaker for the second half.
Volume 4 will be where their writing abilities come to bear.

Meanwhile, I'll be hiding from the spoiler tagged material.

>>45520673
Embrace the darkness

>>45522970
Depends on the darkness.
Shadows and mystery? Gimmie a hug pal.
Stealth and skullduggery? Bear hugged.
Spoilers? No hugs.
Depressing stuff? Who gonna hug me afterward?

>>45522970
>Attempt find imagery to go with this statement
>Find that it is also the name of a Playboy movies series
>Everything comes back to bunnies.

>>45524583
It got big nasty teeth!

>>45524583
>>45525063
Bunnies? Bunnies! It must be bunnies!

>>45525339
..or maybe midgets..

>>45525620
some call me...tim

>>45525620
It helps that bunnies start out as midgets. Just look at how short Usagi and Usa were for their ages. Usa shot up because Mamoru is tall, but small lady is small. Though I hope, HOPE, Mikage never needs to deal with her own future babies...wait. New Pluto is teased for this quest's second season...time travel is probably likely. Young and irresponsible time travel.

>>45527056
Are you enchanting?

>>45528447
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fRqeA4ah6Mk

>>45528447
I'm still interested in a Crystal Tokyo vacation.

>>45528953
Yikes

>>45530525
That option will be some time after season 2's first arc

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>>45530525
>>45531661
YYYEEESSS GOOOOODDDDD.

>>45531661
>>45532031
Was thinking during a short vacation break, but I would imagine things are brewing that will require more focused attention there as well.

Maybe we can hit that secluded getaway on the coast for a short trip.

>>45532725
Then again, with all the build up with the current and the next, maybe we're closer to that point than I would have guessed.

>>45532031
That would be cute with Mikage & Koyomi

>>45532725
That would be nice. Maybe a family trip to the beach.

>>45537047
Be interesting to see how things are going there.

>>45538397
It would be comfy I hope.

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>>45540812
We can hope.

Politely saging my thread as it comes to the close. Of course the rest of you may bump and discuss as you will.

I am just posting this to congratulate review anon for completing his binge before he puts to words his review of our journey together.

And, knowing some of my faults. to apologize for a few things.

The frequent reworking of and then almost never using social combat.

The unnumbered thread that was supposed to lead into the crisis on multiple quests idea I was organizing but fell through and I dropped the ball on when my marriage was disintegrating.

The plot holes.

The thing with some side characters that was supposed to just be beating up characters inspired by other media that I turned into something else.

The borrowed characters, though with permissions, from other QMs because I hit a weeb overhype and spastic it seemed like a good idea at the time that I hadn't hit since high school.

Fornatting errors and just everything because I don.'to think well of my work and I want to do better and I hope this review can help me.

Generally, I'm sorry and thank you for all your effort. Now give me hell you beautiful bastard!

>>45544753
One day I'll figure out the Pimroses reference.

>>45545027
It will not be this day

>>45544753
Well, Sasha was integrated early on and fit in well.
Certain other characters I had thought to have more to do with the big crossover thing that was building at the time.
Still, seemed well placed though.

>>45549763
which other characters do you think had more to do with the crossover, Nakajima?

>>45550321
I had thought the Precure inspired lot at the time, particularly with the dimensional rift and such.

I did know know there was a page 11. Cool.

>>45556418
Huh, kind of the eleventh hour moment before a thread entirely falls off board. Last chance before archive the bump.

>>45556812
We were in auto-sage too. Did the limits get changed at the last moment?

>>45557250
Autosage is like 310-315 now. We weren't in autosage, Artemis just saged his previous post.