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>>47355753
“Well, that’s the best way to do your killing…and shut up.” Zephyr says. She leans back. “And I suppose if you let these two bundles of laughs hitch along with you…no sense that I couldn’t do the same.” She rolls her eyes up and tilts her head back and forth. “Maybe I could live with that…although I don’t think you’re the type to go quietly. Also, if those two are disgusted with you like that,” she grins. “Then that means you fight dirty, I am very proud of that by the by, and I know enough about fights to know that they can’t be predicted. Not when two Joys go at it.

“So…the question is: Am I willing to risk a fight, in order to do a very bad thing?

Gotta admit it, Joy-of-my-Own, it’s really tempting. There’s no comparison between being dead and being alive. So…any arguments of your own?”

> Start with how Zephyr will be unable to survive
> Start with how Zephyr's plan just wont work
> Start with the fact that there's no point, due to the Global Cooling.
> Other

Made it on time for this! Today is a great day!

>>47355762
>I am very proud of that by the by

Best Granny!

>>47355762
Now for the real vote.

[x] Start with asking her how she would have dealt with some of the encounters we came across and point out how her methods no longer work so well in a brutal era of kill or be killed, but how it can be used to hone our ways of doing things.

And call her best granny.

>>47355762
This world is kill or be killed, the people of joy hunt me, and when I tired talking to them I nearly died for my efforts. They are extant everywhere, and will track me down eventually.

For the other anons, how will Granny react to knife time and how happy we get from it?

Will granny like the bear?

>>47356194
"So, you did a lot of tricking, spy work, and subtle moves to succeed in your world?" You ask.

Zephyr nods.

"That kind of stuff won't work. Not as well, not any more." You say. "People don't argue or plot over who gets the last can of cat food. They just pull weapons, and someone either backs down, or people end up dead. That's just the normal stuff, there's the Hubris as well. You've never seen them, never seen what these things can do, what they turn into, and how they can mess with your mind.

"You're obviously the best grandmother I could have hoped for...and you have so much you can teach me. But...I don't think your mindset is ready for what's out there.

"You see the fact that I don't feel things like Despair is a sorrow. It's not, it's a survival tactic." You say. "Ask them," you gesture to the other two. "If they've been watching me, like they claim, then they know all about this."

"Ugh, it's true. We’ve seen it. There are dangers out there, and Joy doesn’t work the same way it used to…not completely.” Civility says.

“If we keep her with us, I can use her knowledge of the world.” Zephyr says. “If I’m clever enough that I was only caught thanks to a mind reader, I think I can survive long enough to learn the lay of the land.”

“That’s a large risk.” Meadows says.

“Well…first, I’m willing to risk it for a chance to breathe again, but I’m also thinking she’ll want to help because it would still be her body and consciousness dying.” Zephyr says. “Am I right?” She looks at you.

> I'm not afraid of death. (Lie)
> I'm not afraid of death. (Truth)
> You're not wrong.
> Other

>>47356668
> I'm not afraid of death. (Truth)
>And if I go I will make sure to do as much as i can to take whoever/whatever got me to the grave.

>>47356668
[x] Other

I will let you drive once in a while.

>>47356668

Also,
[x] I'm not afraid of death. (Truth)

[x] And if I go I will make sure to do as much as i can to take whoever/whatever got me to the grave.

As the other good anon said.

>>47356668
>> I'm not afraid of death. (Truth)

>>47355753
Man I gave up hope on this coming back, this is really nice.

>>47356668
> I'm not afraid of death. (Truth)

>>47356668
>And if I go I will make sure to do as much as i can to take whoever/whatever got me to the grave.

BUMP

>>47356692
>>47356722
>>47356894
>>47356962

"I've been surrounded by death since I was 4." You say. "People dying is the rule, not the exception. I'm not scared of it. I don't even care about it."

You say that with such calm, and you dead eyes look right into your grandmother's ghost and you can tell that she believes you and is incredibly disturbed by that.

"Also, there's one thing that we've learned to do." You say. "That's to ensure with all our power that if there's a person or critter that takes US out, it's considered...good manners...to take IT out as well. In that regard, I have been VERY polite."

"I told you." Civility says. "It's a waste. They've all gone savage at best, religious zealots, and military dictatorships are the only forms of stability that they have. There's no community, no sense of belonging."

"She was rejected by her Sisters." Meadows says.

"Seriously?" Zephyr says. "Then she looks at you. Is that true? That's...how do you manage to do that? Even if you oppose your sister-in-Joy...there's supposed to be a link, a shared bond between us all." She look thoughtful. "True, that's probably what killed them...but still...is it true? Were you rejected by your sisters?"

> It's true.
> It's more complicated than that. (And Zephyr will want you to provide further explanation.)
> Old social norms no longer matter, remember?

>>47357596
> It's true.
> Old social norms no longer matter, remember?

>>47357596
[x] It's more complicated than that. (And Zephyr will want you to provide further explanation.)

Not sure if this is in character or not though.

>>47357596
You lot killed that link with this mind meld stunt

>>47357596
> Old social norms no longer matter, remember?
> But even now people hate monsters.

>>47357596
> It's true.
> Old social norms no longer matter, remember?
>There are 3 Other "Natural" Joys besides me. Joy in Embers who is terrified of me, because she was raised in place where she was shielded from how the world works. Joy in Ruin who was infected by a Hubris, who still bears the scars after I brought her back, and Joy in Thought, who persists because she is more Machine than woman. All the others are dead, or puppets. No joy can exist with this disconnect, otherwise they die. If they are lucky they die before the go insane and go on a bloody rampage. The dolls the people of joys make out of lesser joys are puppets under their control, used as their mouth pieces. Connecting now is death, and doing so for even the smallest second is dancing on the ragged edge of disaster. Bearing that in mind I have gone into your mind, the mind of a bear, and purified Joy-in-Ruin. What does that say about my resolve?

>>47357711
[x]

I am for this anon. Excellent work.

>>47357596
That's rich given that you trained and bred cannon fodder and another who just fucked around in her mansion while the world burned

>>47357711
>>47357683
>>47357618

"Old social norms no longer matter, remember?" You say.

Zephyr nods, with a 'point' expression on her face.

"But it's true, and the reason for that is that link, thanks to HER," You point to Unity. "Is toxic. There are 3 Other "Natural" Joys besides me. Joy in Embers who is terrified of me, because she was raised in place where she was shielded from how the world works. Joy in Ruin who was infected by a Hubris, who still bears the scars after I brought her back, and Joy in Thought, who persists because she is more Machine than woman. All the others are dead, or puppets. No normal Joy can exist with this disconnect, otherwise they die. If they are lucky they die before the go insane and go on a bloody rampage. The People of Joys make dolls out of lesser Joys. Puppets under their control, used as their mouth pieces. Connecting now is death, and doing so for even the smallest second is dancing on the ragged edge of disaster.

"Now, I have gone into your mind, the mind of a bear, and purified Joy-in-Ruin. What does that say about my resolve?"

Zephyr sits there for a while, thinking. Then she nods. "Never fight against someone who's willing to die. I've seen people do suicide runs. Granted, yours is a little longer term than most...but I recognize the look."

"We might be able to help." Meadows says. "We could take her."

"No...no, we'd end up brain dead, and if she got control back for a second she'd slash her own throat." Zephyr says.

"Alright, new argument." Zephyr says. "So...I can see some of your thoughts, and I know why you came here. You want to use Joy-In-Time to fix this...all of this. Correct?

(cont)

>>47357859
"You know that's a suicide mission of its own. No Event, no you. If anything, I have a heavier investment, as it would give me a second chance at life." Zephyr says. "Now, you're good at surviving, but face it kiddo, when you hit OLYMPUS, that's going to take something more. I know how tech works. I know how to infiltrate places. I've dealt with AIs and how to work around them. I can't help you if I'm just a hazy voice in the back of your mind."

"You want to fix this so bad? Let me take over, and I'll make sure that this world doesn't happen. You'll be gone, and victorious...and I get my life back. Sound good?"

> It does...it really does...
> No. It has to be me.
> I'm not doing what Wren says because I want to fix this.
> Who says I'm going to use Joy-In-Time to fix this?

>>47357907
> No. It has to be me.
> Who says I'm going to use Joy-In-Time to fix this?

>>47357907
> No. It has to be me.

>>47357907
[x] Can we not share, Grandmother?

>>47357907
>sharing is caring

>>47357907
> No. It has to be me.
>If you want more lee-way just ask, I mean none of the others have even tried. I am keeping my body and mind, but I won't turn down help when offered.

>>47357987
Sadly, due to how it works, not an option. If you tried, both of your minds would be...altered and it's unlikely you'd come out the other side sane. Also, swapping back and forth isn't an option as well, for the same reasons.

>>47357987
>>47358009
Fuck that we got our own life and Family and friends remember?

>>47358055
[x] I am for this anon.

>>47358055
"No...no, it has to be me." You say. "Anyway, why didn't you two tell me you wanted more lee-way? I won't turn down help, but I am keeping my body and mind."

"You don't think we've been trying?" Meadows says. "We scream, and bang on the 'walls,' use any kind of power or Expression that we think might work. You never hear us. Not unless we're doing something like this."

"And we don't feel anything either." Civility says. "Nothing but looking at eyes we can't control."

"So...if I shoved her back...that would happen to her? I wouldn't be able to get her assistance?" Zephyr asks.

"You're different Zephyr." Meadows says. "We still have the Sisterhood link."

"Hmm." Zephyr says. "I don't...like the idea of being stuck like that."

It's clear that she's wavering on the idea. She's obviously tempted, but the downsides are heavy enough to throw her some doubt.

It's clear that Zephyr isn't going to accept a 'backseat' role. So, you have to either be not here, or get her to drop the link.

> Bid your grandmother good day, and walk away.
> Bolt for the door and run for it.
> Tell Zephyr that you're dropping the link.
> Forcibly drop the link.

>>47358357
> Bid your grandmother good day, and walk away.
> Tell Zephyr that you're dropping the link.

>>47358357
>> Bid your grandmother good day, and walk away.
> Tell Zephyr that you're dropping the link.

>>47358357
> Bid your grandmother good day, and walk away.
> Tell Zephyr that you're dropping the link.

"Love ya Grams, but you had your shot."

>>47358388
>>47358407
>>47358421

"Well...I have to say that it has been pleasant to know you." You say. "But I have people waiting for me, and this building isn't going to hold for much longer. I'm dropping the link."

Zephyr just stands there looking at the ground.

"Do you promise?" She asks.

"What?" You say.

"Do you promise to fix things? Use Time to make it so that this cold nightmare doesn't exist?" Zephyr says, not looking up from the floor.

>Zephyr's too smart, and not willing to hear long 'I'll do my best' and 'I'll try' answers. She wants a one word answer, or else she'll attack.

> Yes (Lie)
> Yes (Truth)
> No
> Don't answer
> Attack

>>47358509
> Yes (Truth)

>>47358509
> Yes (Truth)

>>47358509
> No

>>47358509
>Don't Answer

If we can, say something like "You already know the answer" and leave it at that.

>>47358509
> Yes (Truth)

>>47358509
>> Yes (Truth)

Believe in your grand daughter.

>>47358509
>Yes (Truth)
If the world is doomed and this is the best way to fix it, we should be the one to do it.

>>47358537
>>47358559
>>47358745
>>47358783

"Yes." You say.

"Alright." Zephyr says.

"Pfft. You can't trust a word she says." Civility says.

"She's a child of the air, they flit from one promise to another. Something will come up, or change." Meadows says. "The sick part is, right now? She isn't lying."

"Enough." Zephyr says.

And suddenly, all three of them are gone.

You're alone in the room again.

The building rumbles, and you can feel the floor tremble underneath you.

Time to leave. Hang on...you check Zephyr's corpse.

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>47358900

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>47358900
HWG

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>47358900
Dammit gramma, don't be a miser now

Can we communicate with them at any time?

>>47358955
Grandma is great.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>47358900
rolling to see what was

File: 1405722944078.gif (135 KB, 434x400)

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>>47359004
Slightly less of a bitch than I though she would be from last thread.

So, does dropping the link mean we'll never see her again then? Or is she somwhere in our head with the rest?
I'm sorry, i'm too tired to fully comprehend everything right now.

>>47358955
Underneath her Peacekeeper glove, you find that Zephyr's wearing a white hoop bracelet around her wrist. It's subtle and matches the uniform, but you Feel its different. It Belongs to someone like you, or her.

You carefully take it off Zephyr and put it on your own wrist. And you feel it, all the little eddies and flow, the churning of the little dust spirals, and the vibrations of the rumbling building. The air is mapped for you...and...you close your eyes, turn yourself into a mostly solid cloud, and fly.

You soar through the rooms, sliding down the currents, and weaving around the building. Then you pass through the cracks in the door, and solidify, standing outside. Looking at Musor, who was sitting there, patiently waiting.

You're smiling. That felt...marvelous.

The bracelet is in near perfect condition, and working at peak capacity. It's probably useless in combat, but there's a lot of juice in this thing, or it's designed to feed and boost your own Joy. So, it's not impossible that you could take maybe one more person with you on these rides.

So...not a useless trip at all.

You head back to the RV, the Bike, and the others.

You see that Pytor, Ray, and Amelia are arguing.

"-an't just run away!" Ray says. "Lupa says we need to go back and get that wise-woman! Otherwise this was for nothing."

"We don't have TIME for detours!" Amelia says. "We need to get back and HELP!"

"We do not go into danger." Pytor says. "We canno...she's back!"

"Lupa!" Ray comes up to you, and hugs you. You stand there, a little startled. Thankfully Ray ends the hug swiftly. "I'm so glad you're safe!"

"What's going on?" You ask.

"There's a wide band morse signal coming out over the radio." Amelia says. "Standard emergency protocol. It's a distress call. Genesis is under major attack."

(cont)

>>47359211
"I'm saying we need to go back to your friend in the college. You said it was important." Ray says. "Amelia says that we need to go to Genesis immediately, and Pytor...he just wants to run."

> Side with Ray, you may need to tell them more details as to why you need to talk to Wren.
> Side with Amelia, this can't be a coincidence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.
> Side with Pytor, you've had enough of this nonsense. Also...if you side against him, there's a good chance he'll just leave. For good.

>>47359263
> Side with Ray, you may need to tell them more details as to why you need to talk to Wren.

>>47359263
> Side with Amelia, this can't be a coincidence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.


From a coldly analytical perspective, the survival of Genesis is less material if we reset the world. And we don't have the manpower to contribute to what Genesis has already defending her, including Ember. But it could get on Ember's good side.

Therefore, I trust in side quests. Pytor will come back to his dear daughter in time.

>>47359263
>Stick with Amelia, this can't be a coincedence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.

They know Emmy is In On It by now, and this is probably taking a chance to kill her by having us out of position, because she's still got E-rank luck, transformed or not. She may not WANT our help, but she has to know it's coming.

>>47359263
>> Side with Amelia, this can't be a coincidence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.
Question can we fly ahead with Ray, have him snipe from a distance while we wreck face?

>>47359263
>Side with Amelia, this can't be a coincidence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.
Embers is a real magnet for disaster, huh?

>>47359263
>Side with Ray, you may need to tell them more details as to why you need to talk to Wren.
We have a mission to fulfill, can't take too many detours when time is not on our side.

>>47359263
> Side with Ray, you may need to tell them more details as to why you need to talk to Wren.

This might be a distraction so they can try and breach Wren's compound without interference.

>>47359337
We have several years to beat the ice age, and frankly if we fuck up the mass assault we'll slow the PoJ down too.

I was just watching entwined trailer and thinking of buying it, so the flying segment seemed more magical to me.

>>47359330
I am with this anon.

>>47359353
The ice age isn't the clock, it's the PoJ getting access to joy in time and getting her sacrifice off - and damning us all since there'll no longer be a way to turn back time.

>>47359350
Do they know were Wrex is? Can we ask her to evacuate?

>>47359353
Well, my reasoning is more that compared to those we work against, we have a less number of actions we can to compared to them in terms of speed, which means they may be able to do two things, while we only have time for one.

Just got here, mildly annoyed I'm not reading Zephyr Quest despite not expecting this to end any other way after the last thread.

>>47359263

> Side with Ray, you may need to tell them more details as to why you need to talk to Wren.

>>47359263
> Side with Amelia, this can't be a coincidence, and you can contact Wren over the radio.

>>47359415
Zephyr is old and busted. Ashes the new hotness. I want her to give me a gritty, ashy hand job with Small Joy blood as lube.

>>47359415
It would have been a fun change of pace for a while. Maybe have ashes be grumpy in our mind while we're at it.

>>47359469
Ew.


That said Ray might go for that.

>>47359469
That's a weird thing to say fampai.

>>47359397
But if we sacrifice our ally, we will be worse off.

>>47359378
>[
>>47359332
>>47359330
>>47359315
>>47359306

"We can't let Genesis fall." You say to Ray. "I can give Wren the information that she needs over the radio. We need to go."

"Thank you." Amelia says.

"No." Pytor says.

"What?" Amelia says.

"I do not drive towards wars." Pytor says. He stares at the RV. He thinks for a bit and then he nods. "I will take some supplies, and I will take Lupa's bike. You may have the RV."

"How generous." Amelia says, with scorn.

Ray just scowls.

You are...kind of finding it hard to breathe. This is...this is different than Emmy and Ruin going back to Genesis. If you let Pytor go...he'll be gone. Gone for good, and you'll be alone. Well...not Alone alone, but...you...you don't think you can handle the idea of Pytor Leaving you.

You're also not sure if you have the words to make him stay.

Of course...although you've always seen Pytor as an endless source of strength and restrained violence...maybe you can MAKE him stay with you.

> Let Pytor go. (You will have to roll to fight through the panic attack, if you lose, Ashes loses one of her powers permanently.)
> Try to talk Pytor into staying. (This will end in another roll, modified on how strong your arguments are, and if you fail, Pytor leaves and you'll get a penalty to the Panic Attack roll.)
> MAKE Pytor stay. (You'll have to fight him.)

>>47359501
Maybe, it's hard to know for sure which option benefits most in the long run. For all we know, they still won't help us, or blame us for something stupid.
Or they will be greatful, who knows?

>>47359550
> Try to talk Pytor into staying. (This will end in another roll, modified on how strong your arguments are, and if you fail, Pytor leaves and you'll get a penalty to the Panic Attack roll.)

>>47359550
>> Try to talk Pytor into staying. (This will end in another roll, modified on how strong your arguments are, and if you fail, Pytor leaves and you'll get a penalty to the Panic Attack roll.)

I believe in you, diplo-anons!

>>47359550
>Try to convince Pytor to help guard Wren while we deal with Genesis. He can set trap and scavenge and we can deal with the attack.

>>47359550
> Try to talk Pytor into staying. (This will end in another roll, modified on how strong your arguments are, and if you fail, Pytor leaves and you'll get a penalty to the Panic Attack roll.)

>>47359617
Please remember that Wren is trapped in her Colloege because the rest of the campus is covered in Clean Energy Fallout, regular humans cannot survive so much as entering the area.

>>47359550
> Let Pytor go. (You will have to roll to fight through the panic attack, if you lose, Ashes loses one of her powers permanently.)
For some reason i want Lupa to suffer.

>>47359649
>>47359603
>>47359578

Pytor takes a few steps towards the RV.

"Pytor..." You say.

He pauses, but does not turn around.

> Your argument? NOTE: I won't be combining your statements into one cohesive hole, and I wont accept arguments that are combinations of two already posted statements. You have to come up with one plea, and agree on it.

>>47359485
Ashes is pretty edgy

>>47359712
What if I make it worth your while?

What if there are a few old world tech that can make you the king of a small kingdom or survive off hookers for life?

Also, ask Grandma how she would handle this.

>>47359806
Grandma is lying dead in a collapsing building Anon.

>>47359712
There is no going back

They will always hunt us till either were dead or they are dead

Easier to kill them while there attacking genesis then if their focused on us

>>47359712
I need you for this, you don't even have to get close to the city, just please don't leave me.

>>47359822
I thought she is with us in the same way Civility or Meadow is with us?

>>47359894
Not sure if appealing to emotion works for him, but he probably can see how much it is affecting our poor ash girl.

>>47359712
They have numbers on their side and siding with Genesis may be the only time we have numbers on ours

>>47359924
Thought tht response might be interesting since Lupa usually don't show emotions and he probbly knows it.

>>47359951
We can do it through our body language unconsciously leaking through. If this was granny she would have it perfected.

>>47359712
If we don't save Genesis, one of the few places we can sell our scrap will be gone. And then what? If they get rid of Genesis they might go take out *the place Ray is from I forgot the name of.* We can't just ignore them and drive off this time. We can't stop the PoJ all by ourselves, and if we help Genesis they'll probably be extra happy with us and give us free stuff.

>>47359712
Pytor they know you're one of my allies. Furthermore you killed many of theirs. Even if you flee they'd hunt you down to make you pay for it, or to catch you to use against me. They cannot abide someone like existing and wounding them. You can run now, and hope against hope they don't find you, alone and easy prey, or you can come with me, and we can break their backs while their gazes are turned. They want a fight, doesn't mean we have to play fair. Besides when we win you'll get a hero's welcome and a hero's reward.

>>47360008
I am for this anon.

I am proud of you.

>>47359990
>>47360008
Either of those two is good.

>>47360008
Add Genesis will give us good stuff to this and I will take it.

>>47360008
I suppose this one works if we need to agree on one.

>>47360190
That's implied with Hero's reward

>>47360210
Ok sounds good.

Playing to his heroic side won't work anything. Playing to self-preservation is...probably better. Playing to his almost merc-like tendencies is probably the best way to get him to actually consider it, but it seems anon wants the former.

Hopefully with the penalty to the roll we'll escape with everything intact.who am I kidding, rip in rip knife chase

>>47360398
We have a couple of skills we never use anyways.

Aw shit Nigga. Glad you're back.

I just listened to Trip the Light again.

It is a very nostalgic song.

>>47360008

You take a deep breath. "Pytor they know you're one of my allies. Furthermore you killed many of theirs. Even if you flee, they'd hunt you down to make you pay for it, or to catch you to use against me. They cannot abide someone like you existing, and wounding them. You can run now, and hope against hope they don't find you, alone and easy prey, or you can come with me. We can break their backs while their gazes are turned. They want a fight, doesn't mean we have to play fair. Besides when we win you'll get a hero's welcome and a hero's reward."

Pytor pauses for a moment. You're not sure that you've been overly convincing. Pytor's never been one to be afraid of people coming after him, also you know that he thinks himself as smart enough to avoid people. The 'hero' nonsense has no purchase whatsoever.

However, he's not so ego-blind that he'll discredit a credible threat. Even if he thinks that they would focus more on Genesis than himself.

You guess it's up to him.

DC: 17

> Roll 1d20

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>47360695

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>47360695

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>47360695
>17 or higher to pass
>best of 3 on a 4 out of 20 to hit
>48.8% to pass, barring crits.

Guess it was pretty good. HWG

>>47360721
>tfw rolling the dc passing roll on my write in

Feels good man

>>47360747
yes but it's a trial board meaning it's liable to be shut down, and considering it's more toxic than /b/, /v/, and 9gag combined I'm guessing it will get shut down sooner rather than later.

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>>47360721
Pytor stands there for a moment, and then he just goes to the RV.

"The boy should take the bike, since you will be using the radio." He says.

He enters the RV, leaving the three of you just standing there.

"Huh." Ray says.

"Wonder about the monster's heart later." Amelia says. "We need to move now!"

A few minutes later, you're all on the road. Musor is napping on the top of the RV as it goes as fast as it safely can. Ray is using the bike to scout ahead, to make sure that there aren't any surprises.

You call Wren.

She's not happy.

"First of all, I need time to learn about all the data you've collected. Not to mention that it's not unheard of that the People Of Joy would attempt to assault me with their Augmented soldiers." She snaps.

"If the People of Joy take Genesis, then they take OLYMPUS." You say.

"Which does them no good. They can't enter the damn place without...oh I KNEW I shouldn't have let them leave!" She swears. "You HAD to be the only remaining Joy-In-Heart with any useful field utility!

"Anyway, more concerning is where they got this army from." Wren continues. "They had some Hubris infected zealots, but not with numbers high enough to assault Genesis openly. I don't know where they got this many people. Damnit...I loathe the man, but he MUST be in Genesis somewhere.

"Along with stopping the People of Joy, you need to find Gaft. We'll need his help. Also, you'll need to access Genesis radio controls. I don't have access that deep into the area. In the meantime, I suppose I'll try and get the data ready here."

> Do you have any further questions for Wren before you go outside of her current radio contact?

>>47360721
I love you anon.

>>47361000
Did she know about the whole ancestor possessing the descendant bit? Anyway we could smoke Gaft out easily? Could he have infected the caravans or Ray's settlement to do this? Anywhere to snap the doctored up small joys out of their control, that we could abuse in a fight?

>>47361000
Any way to stop the control they have over the small joys? And turn them on their former masters?

I know how broken Lupa is, but I cannot help but like her.

>>47361384
She needs some relief mentally and emotionally. Possibly physically too.

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>>47361056
"Did you know that ancestors could mentally take over their descendants?" You ask.

She blinks. "Yes. Of course, there was a huge scandal about it and Love personally exorcised the culprit." She sighs. "That's probably information you already needed, wasn't it. Who was it that you ran into? Sirocco? Tempest?"

"Zephyr." You say. "She was tempted but changed her mind."

"That sounds like her." Wren says with a sigh. "She could be quite silly when it came to morality, especially considering her career choice."

"Alright," You say. "Anyway we can smoke out Gaft? He's quite good at hiding."

"Not as good as he thinks." Wren says with a smirk. "He has a suite in Salome that he purchased under a different name. He goes by Professor Heart." Wren tsks. "Such a silly old man."

"Huh." You say. "You know, I just remembered that there's a woman in East Gate that has the same name as you."

"Not surprising. Countless people named their children after me, Love, and the other originals as a strange form of silly tribute or hope for power or favor. It's not unlikely that those names continued past the End, although thankfully people don't know the reason behind them."

"Alright." You say. "Do you think the PoJ's army came from the Caravans, or the Confessors?"

"Possible, but...the Caravan's numbers are very small and the resources needed to convert them don't match the payoff. Also, the Confessors are all Accepting, which means they've got some innate resistance. There's not enough data, and we're making silly assumptions."

"Alright." You say. "Last question, if the PoJ have any more Small Joys that they've brainwashed or enhanced, is there any way to free them?"

There's a pause and you know that Wren's running information. Then she comes back with a sigh. "Not with your powers, you need a Healer. Find Ruin and she might be able to help with that...possibly."

"Alright...anything else I need to know?" You ask.

(cont)

>>47361428
Think she will get any rest in the new world after we reset time?

>>47361466
>Sirocco? Tempest?"

I am curious about our ancestors now.

>>47361470
perhaps she wouldn't even be broken!

>>47361470
Probably. Hell she might get some chance to rest after the big battle. Or at least knock boots with Ray to burn off stress.

>>47361466
>Confessors are all Accepting

Ohh hoo, personal superhuman army from a friendly faction. We made the right call to string Ray along.

>>47361470
Well, she won't exist so sure.

>>47361501
We have to take some time to spend time with Ray. He went through a lot for us. Lupa understands the need to keep ally around now I think.

>>47361520
>>47361501
>>47361485
I have a hard time imagining a non-broken Lupa. Lupa doing girl things and going out for shopping dates and coffee?

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>>47361466
"Almost certainly," Wren says. "But it's silly to try and predict what information you need before you need it. Believe me...I've tried."

You hear alarms go off over the radio.

"Damnit, I hate it when I'm right." Wren says.

"What?" You say.

"I'm picking up two jeeps of hazmat people approaching the campus. The PoJ's Augmented. Strange that they could sacrifice so many." Wren says.

"We'll come right aw-"

"No you wont." Wren said. "I thought about what you said, and you're right. It's silly to approach me, and wastes time. The PoJ cannot gain control over OLYMPUS. If they do, we're sunk. I doubt they're here to kill me, and I have plenty of automated defenses. Worst case scenario, they capture me...alright, that's being silly, the worst case is they kill me...but I have my doubts that Augustus and Melpomene want me dead. I have too much utility to them, and I am the closest thing to divinity for them."

"Who?" You ask.

"The new leaders of the PoJ. Needless information for you." Wren clucks her tongue. "And my flame thrower sprinklers just incinerated one of them. I'll be fine.

"Good luck surviving the war, Sister Ashes. Contact me as soon as you can." Wren says. "It seems that's what you're best at."

Wren signs off, leaving you very worried.

You are still miles away from Penninsular and Genesis. However, you swear you can hear the echos of gunshots, and the setting sun looks like a fire.

You try to sleep, and have no dreams.

END PART 23

Ending Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycsgmGkg_mM

>>47361531
he is accepting, and a decent shot. Plus he left his whole world for her.


>>47361586
>Overly affectionate girly Lupa
does not compute

>>47361646
>flame thrower sprinklers
I love Wisdom.

Also, thank you Echo. It is good to have you back again. I enjoyed that session.

>>47361646
Thanks for running Echo.

>>47361652
How about teen Lupa sitting in her room by herself and reading books all day?

>>47361689
I am Ok with that. Then teen Ray comes and nag at her to go to church.

>>47361646
Thanks for running Echo. We miss any really blatant questions?


>>47361689
I could see that. Of course that means Ray would probably be a greaser analogue with a bike.

>>47361711
Ray would be the Pastor's son still, and still have a crush on Lupa, and they still would've fucked that one time.
Ray's pretty much exactly the same really. He is suprisingly normal for the post-apocalypse.

>>47361762
And still feed her rabbit stew?

Remind me again, other plans for global cooling, such as underground bunkers, are probably too late?

>>47361787
Of course, he helps at at the town's soup kitchen after all.

>>47361762
You know...I'm a little surprised that no one's called me on the horrible joke that Ray started as.

I probably made it a bit too hard to catch, admittedly, by swapping the name around from originally 'Billy Ray' to 'Ray William.'

But no one caught the joke, so might as well tell it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-3p6QsCbr0

>>47361808
Lacking the tools, the industry to build them and a way to keep them working. If we could unite everyone together for it, maybe. But as it stands? pffft right.

>>47361762
There are two ways a preachers kid can go. Either a goody two shoes, or a hell raiser. Since Lupa would now be a quiet good girl, he'd probably be a loud bad boy. Opposites attract after all.

>>47361809
I am Ok with that.

>>47361878
Is it bad that I am learning about the classic songs from this quest?

>>47361880
Or she can be a kuudere and no one could talk to her except with Ray around.

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>>47361880
I think it'd more be Lupa's the quiet girl who doesn't ever talk to anyone, adn Ray's the only person who really tries to talk to her. I can't see Ray ever being a 'loud bad boy'.
Also fuck captcha.

>>47361966
Point

>>47361985
So nothing changes on that front then?


>that captcha
pfft
So odds on Lupa getting sent back in time to stop this and all hell breaking loose because of it?

>>47361985
And Pytor is the down on his luck uncle who has great stories to tell from the war?

>>47362013
>So odds on Lupa getting sent back in time to stop this and all hell breaking loose because of it?
Wouldn't it be easier to send Joy in Time back? I know Ashes is the protagonist, but that doesn't mean the world revolves around her.

Though considering Joy in Time is probably in no way suited to stop anything, I could see her sending Ashes back.

>>47362045
That or a cross country RV driving serial killer.

>>47362056
More like Time would have to overload herself to take anyone or anything back, so she has to send someone else. After all Unity tried to do shit while under suicide power, and it ended poorly.

>>47362080
Who always gets along with Lupa for some reason.

>>47362091
>Lupa why do you hang out with Pytor, he's strange.
>He seems nice enough to me.
>Lupa, his RV smells like blood and bleach.
>Hm, does it? I've never really noticed, just feels kind of like home for some reason.

>>47362140
Anons need to write the ending scenes to more novels. They have a skill for it.

>>47362140
Smells more like ash these days.

>>47362186
And Lupa's bed is always covered by a thin layer of fine ash.

>>47362228
Ok, that just doesn't make sense. And sounds annoying. It'd make more sense if she had a fireplace in her room that she never properly cleaned so the room always smelt of ash.

>>47362140
>>47362154
>>47362186
>>47362228
Would they even exist if time was altered? Thier forebears might never meet if things change.

>>47362273
Good point, I like that better.

Is Lupa mom still a terribad prostitute mom? And did Pytor bring Lupa to child protection services then adopted her?

>>47362278
Depends on how timelines work in this. Has that been mentioned anywhere in the story?

>>47362335
Nah, she'd just be a single mum who doesn't do much with her daughter, and leaves Lupa to her own devices most of the time.

>>47362350
Nope, Only that retcon'd people out of existence she did not like.

>>47362370
Better than Lupa's mom by a hundred. Of course her mom could just be a Joy.