>>456302
>>The entire city block's going to go up in flames if you don't do something!

>>456302
>>The entire city block's going to go up in flames if you don't do something!

>>456302
>The entire city block's going to go up in flames if you don't do something!

>>456315
>>456318
>>456340

What I want is for this burning building to not become fifteen burning buildings! And that's what it's gonna be if you don't DO something!

"Oh, so it's MY fault that something flammable got Pushed in? You're the one that's actually there, so fixing this is on you."

This...whatever it is, a Voice for now, it's not making sense. And what's someone like ME supposed to do about a raging inferno?

"...Fair point. I suppose I'll need to give you something to deal with this. Consider it a gift, this time at least."

A gift? I mean, taking some disembodied voice at its word is pretty high up there on the "things you should never do in any story ever" list, but that fire's getting bigger and closer...and if it's a gift, there's no real agreement or anything, right?

"Precisely so. No strings attached for this one, and if you like what you see then we can talk more later. But for now close your eyes, reach out with your left arm, and give it a tug!"

...That seems way too suspisciou-okay those flames are REALLY close now.

>I gotta get out. Call the firefighters, they're professionals and the station is close enough. They ought to be able to keep this contained. But saving my own ass is paramount.
>Books can be recovered from water damage a lot easier than fire damage. If I could just drench the place, then no more threat to anyone. Saving this place is paramount.
>This blaze is out of control. The library's a lost cause, but maybe I can get rid of enough to make a fire break, keep it from spreading.
>Other (Please post a line of thinking for this)

>This blaze is out of control. The library's a lost cause, but maybe I can get rid of enough to make a fire break, keep it from spreading.
>Reach out
I'm thinking something destructive could be nice.

>>456355
>>I gotta get out. Call the firefighters, they're professionals and the station is close enough. They ought to be able to keep this contained. But saving my own ass is paramount.

>>456415
>I'm going to wait 10 or so more minutes for someone to to add another vote before we go with this.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>Right then, let's just roll it and move on.
1 is >>456415
2 is >>456460

File: __kazumi_mahou_shoujo_kaz(...).jpg (477 KB, 819x819)

477 KB JPG

>>456415
Okay. I need to get out and make sure this fire doesn't spread. This thing's fully involved, and no matter how good anyone is, the building's a goner. Best I could do is somehow use that to make sure it doesn't spread. That's what I have to do - get out, and make a firebreak.

I reach out, and something slim seems to fall into my hand, a burst of...I don't even know how to explain it, like a wind but not moving any. But when I open my eyes, there's this long black...there's no other word for it, it's a staff. A staff with a cross-shaped tip, the intersection of the two parts glowing blue.
...Somehow I know that this'll get the job done. I swing the staff to clear some space, and a beam of light appears, smashing into a wall as it starts to buckle.

...holy shit, I need to be careful about aiming this thing! Get outside, blast any flames that get too close...the building's gonna collapse anyway, who cares if I break it a bit more?

Once I'm actually out and can breathe again, I can see where I need to stop the flames - just need to line it up properly, as a pair of words comes unbidden to my mind. By the time I even catch myself, I've already said it.

Limit Esterni

The recoil from the laser bream almost knocks me on my ass, but the back end of the library isn't there anymore...and that rubble isn't going to catch. So crisis averted...sorta.

>Call out to the voice if it's still around
>Take in your surroundings first
>Stare at the staff - what else can it do?

>>456544
>Run away from the scene of the crime. People are going to ask questions;
>Tell the voice that you're satisfied with the boom, uh, boon.

(In the char's own voice, I hate when write-in's don't get the voice right.)

>>456558
Okay, need to not be here. Even if no one saw the fire, SOMEONE had to see or hear that wall being vaporized.

Voice, whoever or whatever you are, I hope you're happy with the big boom.

"Not especially. Not even a token effort to save the Library? That thing's important!"

Not as important as my life, I mutter to myself. And moreover, the hell is with this outfit?

"Hey, that's all on you. MAYBE if you'd gone after someone else's power set you'd have gotten somethign less revealing? Not that it matters, it'll be gone soon enough."

That's partially a relief, but I'm more curious about how the hell I just...whatever I just did.

"That's not part of the gift. If you want to know more, you need to commit more."

Lazy little...whatever it is. Still can't see it.

>Why don't you show yourself and we can talk woman to...whatever you are.
>If it means understanding this, Fine, I'm in. Now talk.
>Screw it, I need to sleep before I even THINK about touching this again.
>Other

>Whose power set did I get?

>Respond, then 'What do you want from me?'

>Commit.

Power....

File: __kazumi_mahou_shoujo_kaz(...).jpg (580 KB, 800x816)

580 KB JPG

>>456720
Okay. What do you want from me?

"We don't have much time to explain it fully tonight, but I'll give you the basics. Your job, if you accept, will be to make sure that whatever torched that library doesn't do the same to other libraries."

Okay, that's...weird, but then again all of this is weird. How did I even blast that wall down with a magic laser beam?

"Silly human, magic doesn't exist here on Earth."

Then what was that thing I just did?

"Magic, of course."

...This makes no sense.

"It will become clear once you agree to my request in full.

On a darkened night like this, after what just happened? No, not doing anything crazier than what just happened.

>So who or what are you?
>Why libraries? Sounds like some F451 bullshit.
>I'm still waiting on an explanation for this godawful costume.
>Other

>Just so you all know, I'm still here and will post if anyone responds in the morning.

>>456810
>>So who or what are you?

>>457479
>Alright, so what's in it for me?
>And what's the catch?

File: Spoiler Image (31 KB, 379x246)

31 KB JPG

>>457020
Let's make one thing clear, I'm not agreeing to anything until I know who or what I'm supposedly signing my life away to.

"Tch, so untrusting. Alright, lemme Push something over to explain it."

There's that word again, what do you me-
"Hey! Turn around, babe, I'm right here!

...are you kidding me? This is what you look like?

"Not really, but given what you decided to Pull out, seemed like a reasonable idea. Unless you want a beady-eyed white furry thing that's used to makin' horrible contracts with or without your consent."

...No, I think that wouldn't be a good idea at all if you want me sticking around. Also you still haven't answered my question.

"Okay, so basically how it goes, is that me and others like me look over libraries and make sure that what happened over there, doesn't happen. And to do that we bring in people like you to make stop 'em before things get outta hand."

People like me? As in...

"As in people who even in this day and age can appreciate a good book, and can understand the value of a story. Call it old-fashioned if you want, but results speak for themselves. But I'm not giving you the full history until you're all the way in."

...This still seems shady. But damn if it ain't a good salesman.

>Listen, I can't promise anything tonight, but I'll get back to you after I sleep on it.
>Alright, so what's in it for me?
>Why the hell d'you think I'm still interested after that bullshit?
>Other

>>457481
Okay. You have my interest. But I'm not commiting anything until I know your angle. What's the catch for doing this for you?

"Well, the catch is that whenever something happens that needs you to take care of it, kinda need you to drop everything and take care of it. Unless you want the next library that burns down to have a LOT more people trapped inside."

rotten little...okay, suppose I do agree to this. What's in it for me?

"Well, we'd pay you for your time and services rendered. That's what's in it for you."
Well okay, but how MUCH pay are we talking about?

It tells me.
...I mean, that's a decent part-time annual salary, I guess.
"That's not annual. That's monthly. Multiply it by 12."

...okay, wow. That is...that is not a bad deal at all.

>...When can I start?
>Let me get my affairs in order, then you might have a deal.
>Money isn't what I want. I want (state your request)
>Other

>>457517
>>...When can I start?

>>457517
>...When can I start?

>>457521
>>457540
...Okay, you've made your point. When can I start?

"Ordinarily I'd say tomorrow, but since the library's not there anymore..."
You say that like I had a lot of choice in the matter. When all you've got is a hammer...
"I know, I know. Fine. I'll talk to the Librarian in Nova, next town north of here, see if she's willing to let you play around in her backyard. Might be tomorrow, might be the day after. Depends on the kind of mood she'll be in."

That's...not a good sign. One more thing - how do I get out of...you know, this wacky-ass costume?
"Just 'magine yourself in your street clothes. Oughtta pop right off. Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do, unlike SOME people."

...stupid winged bear voice...thingy. The hell am I supposed to call it? At least the wardrobe issue's sorted out.

>It's 11 PM. I really need to get home, everyone's probably worried sick by now.
>I need to try and dig up some dirt on this...whatever it is. There's got to be some places I can look online.
>You know what sounds really good about now? A long walk in the park with no one talking to me.
>Other

>I'm headed in to work, but I'll be back tonight and most if not all of tomorrow!

>>457546
>>It's 11 PM. I really need to get home, everyone's probably worried sick by now.

>I'm back, gonna give people a chance to chime in before writing the next part.

>>457556
Alright, it is getting late, and someone's bound to have periscope'd the blaze, or tweeted about it, or something. At least if anyone can see me they won't know it was me...I think.

My parents are just glad I'm safe, worried sick that I was going to die. I think I'm gonna keep the part where how close I was to myself.
At least they both have full time jobs, which gives me a fair bit of freedom during the day, which I expect I'll need.

In my bedroom, there's not a lot to write home about. Bed, desk, closet, laptop, lamp and a big old bookshelf - that's pretty much it. I could go to sleep, I suppose...but there's still plenty nagging at me.

>Replication is an important part of science. See if I can cause...whatever that was to happen again.
>Someone has to know something about...whatever it was. Check the internet.
>I've had too much excitement for one day, and there's no way I won't get more tomorrow. Let's just sleep.
>Other

>>459327
>Replication is an important part of science. See if I can cause...whatever that was to happen again.
>Someone has to know something about...whatever it was. Check the internet

Go to sleep.

>>459426
>>459455
>Welp. I think I can get this to work.

I need to get some sleep eventually...but there's just too much I wanna find out, I can put that off until later.

First things first, I'm gonna need to see if whatever I did, I can do again. What was it that thing said? Stand, close my eyes, and reach out with my left hand?

>This is a 1d100 luck roll, best of 3. If I don't get enough rolls after 30 minutes I'll roll the remainer myself.

Rolled 23 (1d100)

>>459500

>>459574
>Thanks for that. I'll wait another 15 minutes to see if we can't get 2 more rolls.

Rolled 80 (1d100)

>>459500

Rolled 38 (1d100)

First 4chan roll of my life...

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>459500

>>459592
...and it sucked.

>>459574
>>459583
>>459592
>That'll do. Writing.

>The 80 plays.
Okay, deep breaths. This should be fine, right? Just focus, and trust that it can still work.

...I feel...something. It's a really hard thing to describe, like there's this odd aura right in front of me. If I didn't know better, I'd call it magic.

...That voice said I used magic back there, didn't I? It doesn't exist, but I still used it, what else could that blast have been?
And then, everything goes bright white as my arm goes numb. It's like everything's spinning around me...but for what?
>Roll 1d100, taking first roll ONLY.
>You're rolling on a table, so a lower or higher roll isn't necessarily better or worse.

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>459615

File: Spoiler Image (273 KB, 800x800)

273 KB JPG

>>459618
It's...there's music ringing in my ears. Almost like a song, a comforting melody. One of those things that...

Wait...that's...is that MY voice? am I singing this?

The light fades away as I can finally see what's in my hands - or rather, what's on them. It all feels so weightless, like I could run all day with these on. As for the rest of me...I guess it's an improvement over the last time.
Tachibana Hibiki - Iron Fist of Gungnir

...waitaminute, how the hell did THIS happen? What kind of bullshit is this?

>Bear head voice thing, I know you're around, start talking!
>Okay, try not to panic. Try not to panic...it's just...okay, this isn't working. Panic.
>Maybe I can do something different with this? It's worth testing...
>Other

>>459639
>Bear head voice thing, I know you're around, start talking!
>Maybe I can do something different with this? It's worth testing...
In that order.

>Break off heels.
>This isn't the same costume I had on before!

File: __tachibana_hibiki_senki_(...).jpg (207 KB, 640x861)

207 KB JPG

>>459645
"Alright you stupid...what the hell am I supposed to call you, anyway?" I'm getting the distinct feeling that something needs to be punched. Some of it may be due to this...costume? Can I really just call it that?

"Given the form I picked, Kero will work. And you didn't tell me you had your own personal library!"

I don't have my own library! Just a big old bookshelf...and it is pretty full...wait, so is that all it takes?

"Books are sources of Knowledge. Knowledge is Power. Ergo, when you have a bunch of Books in one place..."
"You get a well of power." I say, finishing the thought. "That's how it works - I've got enough books for a big enough power source to change into..."
What is this even? I'm still me, but my body's different, my voice is different...it's like I actually AM this girl.

"What you call it isn't relevant, but right now in every aspect, you are Tachibana Hibiki, with all of her abilities and powers."

...Powers, huh? I mean...I can test it out, I suppose.
>I'm in a punching mood, and pillows aren't going to cause too much ruckus as targets.
>That strange music...that music I was singing...maybe it can be useful?
>Focus inwardly, there has to be something else I can do, right?
>Other

>>459690
>I need to find somewhere to try this, considering what that laser did. Any of these could be more destructive than expected
>That strange music...that music I was singing...maybe it can be useful?

>>459828
Okay, I think my bedroom is not the best place to do any of this testing. That said...singing didn't feel too bad. Maybe that's not as much of an offensive power? Taking a deep breath and closing my eyes, I start to sing...

>Singing I'm going to call a charisma test, 1d100, best of the first 3.
>I'm also going to head off for tonight but will be back tomorrow morning.

Rolled 89 (1d100)

>>459874

Rolled 16 (1d100)

>>459874
we become the people? hmm this could be fun

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>459874
Let's get this rolling.

>>460239
>>460299
>>460335
>I really need to remember to attach my trip for this. Anyway...89, huh?

I was never great at singing. I mean sure, I did choir in high school, easy credits as long as you weren't literally tone deaf, but I never thought I was exceptional at it or anything. And it's also really awkward to try to listen to yourself sing while you're actually doing it...

But to call the melody I'm hearing anything short of angelic would be a straight-up lie. It's like I actually feel lighter and faster - more than I already do while wearing this. And if someone heard it and didn't have to worry about singing...

>Any allies in hearing range of Hibiki's Relic Aria get a +20 bonus to their next action. She herself gets a +10 bonus.

...I'm exhausted. Blinking a few times, I let this strange armor fall off, before practically collapsing into bed. Maybe next time I should have a bit more to eat before trying things like this. Or something like that, Hell if I know how it works.

>The day is over for our heroine, but the thread is not.
>Do you dream? If so, of what?

>>460356
> Dream of sheep covered in lilies.

>>460362
...It's hard to actually fall asleep, despite being exhausted. Counting sheep tends to work, I guess...

1...2...54...3,262,103...3,262,104...

"Does that actually work?"
Huh? I mean, it's supposed to. Wait...who are you again? You're not...Kero, was that what it called itself?

"It's not nice to ask a lady's name without introducing yourself first, you know." The voice sounds pouty - almost like it's a kid talking. "Though, since you're in on this, I figure it might not be a bad idea to let you in on a little secret."

...I'm listening.

"The adventure you're about to go on isn't the only adventure that ever was, is or shall be. You're special, sure, but plenty more have gone down this road before, and they'll be watching you along this little quest of yours. Though...in the right situations, some of them might be willing to drop by."

So what, allies I never knew I had? Seems like a good deal.

"Perhaps...then again, depending on their mood, they might only show up when you need help, or when you impress them. And they don't show up for just anyone either. What I'm saying is, try not to freak out if one of them DOES pop in, alright?"

...I'll try, I suppose.

"Good! Now, if you'll excuse me...a lady doesn't like being kept waiting..."

>The rest of the night passes without incident in mostly dreamless sleep.


...Okay. I'm not sure how much more weird I can take today, after what happened last night. But I expect I'll get more than that.

>Any plans for today? (Write-In)

>>460482
>Do normal things one normally does on days like this.

File: 1297564691926.jpg (217 KB, 800x1103)

217 KB JPG

>>460655
That's...that's actually a good idea. If the crazy is going to come to me, then I don't need to go looking for it. Let's try to act normal, take today like it's a normal day, and brace when it ends up being the least normal thing ever.

"My name is Claire Marie Selanor. I'm eighteen, am going to college in the fall, and today is going to be another day in my life."
I repeat this a few times, mostly for my own sake. Gotta stay grounded so I don't lose it. I accept that last night happened, I just need to think about it calmly and rationally - it happened, but let's not make a huge deal about it to everone. Keep things normal.

Normalcy lasts until just past noon.
"So, done playing dress-up for a while? Because ONE of us has been busy, and it ain't you."

>Kero, I've committed to helping you out, now give me some answers or I'll punch the stuffing out of you. And you know I can do it.
>I was done, but now I'm gonna do it again just to spite you. (will require a roll)
>I've been plenty busy, what have YOU been wasting time with?
>Other

>>460709
>>I've been plenty busy, what have YOU been wasting time with?

>>460709
>>Kero, I've committed to helping you out, now give me some answers or I'll punch the stuffing out of you. And you know I can do it.

>>460716
>>460755
Alright Kero. I've been plenty busy today, even if it had nothing to do with you. I can't see anything you've been busy with either, so don't get on my case. Remember, I'm still MUCH bigger than you.

"That can be changed, you know."

Look, just for once stop talking in circles and answer some questions for once. For one, how I was very clearly able to use magic when you said magic doesn't exist.

"...Okay, this is going to take some time, and I can't read your mind. So lay it all on me, and I'll answer what I can. I can't promise complete answers but I'll give you as much as I can - nothing's off limit."

...Nothing, huh?

>The following questions will all be asked, but please add more if you have anything you want to know.

>What's the deal with magic that isn't magic?
>How come I got two very different...costumes? Are there more?
>What the hell caused the fire last night?

>Other{Write-in)

>>460709
"You haven't told me what I need to do. So far you've just said that I'm supposed to protect libraries and that's it. Considering I'm still -human-, I've gotten as much done as I need to."

File: __kero_kyubey_and_yuuno_s(...).jpg (203 KB, 760x760)

203 KB JPG

>>460896
"Oi, it's rude to be hiding out wherever you are. If you're gonna talk the least you could do is be here and answer me with a straight face."

"You humans, so predictable." Yeah, you say that now...in any case, now that the little fuzzball is here, may as well get to asking what's on my mind.

"Alright, first things first. You said I used magic at the library. You also said magic doesn't exist. How does that work?"

"You're forgetting one key element - I said it doesn't exist on Earth. It's not a naturally occuring thing, which is why you can't use it without some help - namely, a source of power that lets you tap into it."

That explains the library being so important, then. Though the way you talk it seems like there's only the one source of this power - but the two...okay, until I think up a better name I'm calling them 'costumes', the two costumes I had looked very different and worked very different. Is it keyed to which library I used?"

"Not a bad guess, but no. The better question is, have you ever seen a library with just one book?"
So there's a lot more possibilities than just those two.
"A lot might be a bit of a stretch, but there's a good amount. Once you start to understand how it works better you won't be stuck blindly picking from a random shelf."

"That's something else I've been meaning to talk about. I'm still just human. I've been given a really vague goal to pursue and know nothing about it, other than you're promising me to pay me s-"
"If you were only in it for the money, I never would have offered. We both know that's not it. You're doing this because you want to know what you've been missing out on.

The truth is, we don't know exactly what set that blaze, and we don't know why exactly they're being pushed over here, but we DO know that for the time being, removing them before they do things like that is our best bet"

All this they they they crap. Who or what are 'they' and how are they getting here?

"...Okay, I'm going to need to draw something. Gimme a minute, still not used to holding things like this.

>Any other questions come to mind?

>>461770
>Are you the only 'contractor' working on this, or are you part of a group?
>Is there one person per library, or will I be covering all libraries in an area?
>If it's one person per library, how easy would it be to team up?
>does a book store count as needing protection?

File: tegaki.png (76 KB, 800x600)

76 KB PNG

>>461770
"Okay. Forgive the oversimplification, but it'll explain what we know quick enough. There is, for lack of a better word another dimension, with beings that are being pushed through to this word. They then go batshit crazy and do terribe terrible things that necessitate being put down. The optimists among us think that it's not malice, they're just throwing bodies through a portal with hopes that one of them will be able to explain or describe what they see. Three guesses as to what the pessimists think and the first two don't count."
They see something to conquer and that's what they're trying to do. And the bottom part means...
"These portways appear to be mostly a one-way street - they can get pushed in on that side and pop out here, but we can't do the same. What we CAN do, though, is push in at one point and pop out somewhere else on the same side - and while we can't get all the way through, we can grab something and Pull it back with us, which is how you get to do what you do."

"...This whole thing seems awfully reminescent of a Pratchett novel or six."
"We kind of stole the analogy from his concept of L-space, good catch. And again, overly simple way of looking at it, but it's a close enough approximation to explain the basics."

That's actually...not the worst explanation, I guess.

>>461776
"So, I obviously am not the only person who's doing this. What's the rule, one person per library? Can I expect to meet anyone else who's in this? What about book stores, if my bookshelf has enough to power something then they have to have the volume to need protection."

"We try to work things out so you work in small-ish groups covering medium-ish areas. You'd make number 4 in what would be a 3-town area, between the various school libraries and such things - and yes, book stores count too...you're looking at about 5 or 6 per Librarian on average."

...That sounds like way too many.
"Well keep in mind, it's not like you have that many that you and only you are assigned to. If you're closest to one that has something happen, you'll get called on. If another one goes hot, one of your new teammates will get the call. So on and so forth. If it's close to them but they're busy, you might get told to take care of it."

...one other thing. Is this one of those awkward things where only girls can use magic because of some purity crap?
"Oh Gods no. A guy can get picked for this just as easily as a girl - plenty of male heroes from works of fiction to call on."

That's a relief. I think.

>So tell me about these 'new teammates' of mine, so I don't make an ass of myself.
>Didn't you say you were setting up a meeting last night?
>So really, you haven't done jack shit have you?
>Other

>>461836
>wait, from works of fiction? Why can only fiction be called on?
>does that include apocryphal accounts of real people, or is real history completely out of the question?
>Didn't you say you were setting up a meeting last night?
>Also, if all of you know so little what is there for you to do?

>>461987
"So, why fictional characters?"

"Part of it's because, again, magic doesn't exist naturally here. The other part is that we feel it's probably best that you don't go around and leaving, say, Anne Frank's fingerprints on anything you touch. Causes a lot more trouble than it's worth, so as a general rule anyone from actual history is out."

When you put it that way, it makes sense. What about this meeting you had planned? Hell, for that matter what do you even DO when you're not busy making me want to punch the stuffing out of you?

"There's a big difference between what I do, and what I tell you about. You're still new and there's a buncha bombs that aren't good to be dropping first day. I can promise that they're not dangerous or blatantly immoral, we just don't need you going off the deep end this early."
...that you needed a qualifier makes me a bit more nervous than I ought to be, I figure. So about the meeting?
"She's in a mood. Might be better tonight, might still wanna kick your ass. Worse comes to worse I'll arrange someone else."

>I don't care if she's in a mood, getting this out into the open is priority number 1. Let's go.
>On second thought, let's just arrange something with one of the others - you said I was number 4 here, so there's two others that aren't all pissy right now.
>I'm here and apparently my bookshelf is big enough. Give me the primer yourself.
>Other

>>462817
>>I don't care if she's in a mood, getting this out into the open is priority number 1. Let's go.

>I'm heading to work, but if anyone else wants to vote feel free! Gonna run this thread until it hits auto-sage, then work out a more consistent questing time for next thread.

>>462817
>there's more than one. Let's meet with the others while she cools off.
>wait, she wants to kick my ass?
>It's because I didn't know to not let the library get destroyed, isn't it?

>>462823
>>463695
Okay. She's in a mood. I'm not sure that we can wait, so we ought to just get this over with. That said, can you call one of the others, get a bit of a buffer?

"It'll take some time, but I ought to make it work."
That will work, I guess. So what, a few hours?

"Sounds about right. Want me to just get your attention when it's set?

I like it. A bit more normalcy might be what I need.

>Normal is good. Let's not do anything crazy until this meeting is ready.
>On second thought, what harm could one more experiment be?
>Time to do some research - and with all the libraries online, I have to dig up something.

>>464127
>>On second thought, what harm could one more experiment be?

>464961
Alright Kero, you get that set up. I'm going to try something in the meantime. Just...don't look, alright?

"That's not how it works, and I'm pretty sure you know it. But whatever, if you're that dead-set on playing with fire..."

Now you're just trying to bait me. Facing my bookshelf, I take a deep breath as I reach in...

>roll 1d100, first roll only counts.

Rolled 98 (1d100)

>>465130

File: Spoiler Image (399 KB, 557x811)

399 KB JPG

>>466397
>A mite unfortunate that it's a table roll and not a skill roll, something cool could have happened.
>Well, something cool is still gonna happen, I guess!

Another burst of...this has to be magical energy, I think, sweeps around and through me as everything falls into place. Arcane formulae and sigils burn themselves into my mind, spells and chains dropping exactly where I need them, as if my mind's a giant Tetris puzzle being solved.
It's still strange, reaching out and grabbing what ends up being nothing, but the swell of magic I feel in my heart's proof enough that I managed it.

Arle Nadja - Puyo Puyo Princess

Huh. Actual armor that isn't embarrasingly revealing. A welcome surprise, for sure. That said, I'm not getting the sense that there's something safe to test out in the confines of my room like last time.

>"Kero, since you claim to know so much, tell me a bit about this costume."
>There's gotta be somewhere open and not all that populated where I can experiment a bit more freely, right? Let's do that.
>"I think I like this. Can I keep it?"
>Other

>>467277
>"Kero, since you claim to know so much, tell me a bit about this costume. Also about places where people train without destroying everything forever."

File: 44485970.jpg (440 KB, 747x800)

440 KB JPG

>>467299
"Alright, there's no way you can't give me SOMETHING to go on, here. I'm not familiar with this girl's story, so I don't know what powers she's packing, other than they're pretty destructive. So talk before I try them out on you."

"So demanding..." Look you lazy furball, don't think I won't do it!

"Fine, fine. For what you're concerned about, and in the interest of not giving spoilers, Arle is your archetypical elemental blaster caster. Fire, ice, lightning, all that jazz. Though...that's a bit odd."
That doesn't sound good.
"It might be something, might be nothing. But as you stand, there's something odd - a protection against darkness and black magic. She doesn't have that normally."

Odd, but protection from anything is useful. So how am I supposed to practice any of that without blowing shit up?

"Have a little patience, Claire. We'll get to that. Though now that you're all dressed up, what are your thoughts on showing it off to your new teammates?"

Hmm.

>This smells like a trap. No thanks.
>Alright, as long as you can tell me how to keep normal folks from freaking out.
>You know what? Sure. That way even if they get pissy I can say it was your idea.
>other

>>468238
>>You know what? Sure. That way even if they get pissy I can say it was your idea.

>>468238
>>Alright, as long as you can tell me how to keep normal folks from freaking out.

>>468238
>This better not cause me problems
>There should be a few hours until we're supposed to meet though, right?

>>468624
>>468762
>>471218
Well, it's your idea, so if it turns sour then I'm blaming you.

"And if it turns out to be a good idea you'll take all the credit because you actually took the initiative?"

Now you're getting it. But one thing that I figure needs touching on, how do I go about this without normal people looking at me like I'm crazy?
"There's a trick to that, someone like you shouldn't have much trouble figuring it out. But I can't make everything TOO easy, can I?"

...fuck it. I mean, this costume at least doesn't look that bad. A bit more ornate, just short of being passable as normal clothes. And somehow I don't think Arle's magic would be helpful in fixing that. Something to ask later. Speaking of things to ask...
"Yo Kero, there isn't any danger from this, right?"
"Not as such, no. Staying transformed like that for extended periods of time isn't going to be pleasant, but shouldn't be actually harmful."

>...Shouldn't be?
>Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something?
>Screw it, let's meet them and get this over with.
>Other

>>471787
>...Shouldn't be?
>Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something?

>>471787
>>Why do I get the feeling you're hiding something?

>>471982
>>472675
Okay, I know that you're hiding something. Is it really that damned important that you keep it a secret?

"Claire, you have to understand that you've spent less than 18 hours aware of this whole thing. I know it feels like it's been a lot longer but that's the truth of the matter.
Right now, you're still an unknown. And we're still trying to figure out what's appropriate to tell you, what's safe to tell you, and how to work around what doesn't fit into either of those categories. It's a very personalized thing and even we aren't omniscient about it."
I hate to give the little furball the satisfaction, but truth be told he's right. I'm the outsider here, and even though I know I'm not planning to kill them all in a power coup, they don't know that.

"So what, just don't ask questions?"
"We both know you would keep asking even if we told you otherwise. Best we can do is make it clear that we can't always give you an answer, and even when we can it might not be an answer you like."
I thought you said you weren't omniscient.
"We're not, but that doesn't mean we're clueless. Plus some things we don't really need to guess about."

>Pout and wait until meeting time. Give the furball the silent treatment.
>If I wanted to save this to show it off later, how would that work?
>Other

>>473793
>>Pout and wait until meeting time. Give the furball the silent treatment.

>>473793
>If I wanted to save this to show it off later, how would that work?
>Also having powers I can be sure of calling on would be very useful.
The furball may not be fun, but giving him the silent treatment results in more negatives to us only.
Also he gets props for not going QB on us.

>>473797
>>474378
Stupid jerk winged bear doll...thing. Maybe if I pretend like he's not there he'll lighten up.

...


Okay, it's been 4 hours, this isn't working. I just feel more pissy about the whole thing.

"Kero?"
"Yo."
"If I wanted to save this costume to be able to use it later, how would I go about doing that?"
"Was wondering when you'd ask about that. There's no surefure method other than just being good enough to know what to pull. You may as well be trying to crack a book to a specific page from just eyeballing it - though if you're close enough it'll work anyway."

OOC Note: To get a particular costume with the skills Claire has now, she'll have to roll close to the range of what she's aiming for. However, Arle being at the top end of the table makes it a bit weird in this one case - to bring hers up again you'll need to roll either really high, or really low.

...Okay, so tell me you have a meeting set up, at least.
"Yeah, it took some doing, but they're ready for you. Gonna let them take over for the time bein', I've got work to do you know!"
Work that likely involves a PS4, if I don't miss my guess.

>Go as you are, I don't give a shit if people stare a bit.
>Detransform and try to recall it later.

What do you do when you arrive at the meeting?
>Act shamed, you did kind of blow up a library and they likely aren't a fan of that move.
>Act neutral, you're gonna listen to what they say but they weren't there.
>Make an "entrance".
>Other.

>>476640
>>Detransform and try to recall it later.
>Act neutral, you're gonna listen to what they say but they weren't there.

>>476689
this

>>477739
>>476689
I sigh and let Arle's costume go, a sudden weight lifting itself off my shoulders. Was keeping it on for so long that much a drain on me?

"Yes and no. It wouldn't have been a realistic threat to your life on its ow , but if you're in the middle of combat happens..."

Enough said, I mutter as my face goes pale. Really don't want to think about morbid stuff right now.

"As for the meeting...think I'm gonna be a bit reserved. Not gonna attack them for no one covering, but I *will* defend myself if they wanna talk shit. They weren't there, and if they had...well, I think we all know how that would have gone.

I suppose I have time for one more question before we get there...
>So the other three, what are they like?
>Do all of us Librarians pull from the same costumes?
>I know you have dirt on these guys. Gimme something I can fire back with if they get dirty.
>other (Write-In)

>>479042
>Do all of us Librarians pull from the same costumes? and is there a chance I might be dressed as a boy?

>>479074
"So do all of us Librarians pull from the same pool of costumes?"
"Sort of, in the sense that everyone has access to all of fiction to pull from. In practical terms, it's fairly rare that you and another Librarian in your vicinity share one, and it's even less likely you'll both turn into her at the same time. There's been a couple dozen known cases, but I wouldn't worry about it."

That does seem awful low, I guess. Wait...so are you saying that I'm always going to change into another girl?

"Yes. Absolutely, unequivocally, yes. Remember, for all intents and purposes you turn into these people. I'm sure I don't have to tell you how much confusion it could cause if things like that started happening."

...Yeah, good point. But wait, what if s-
"I do my best to not think about those things, and you shouldn't either."

...okay.

>Gonna post the actual meeting tonight, feel free to make any comments/critiques, or pose any questions you have.

>>479434
>"I do my best to not think about those things, and you shouldn't either."
lol
I assume the cut off part is 'what if someone wants to?'.

>>479434
Just posting to let QM know that we're still here and we're still waiting.