>>1383855
>>[PITY] Burn her. Hopefully that’ll allow her to pass on.

15 minutes to go due to start of thread. Good to be back, hope everyone had a nice weekend.

A bit slow. We'll probably try to resume again tomorrow since we didn't really give much notice after the first delay (and I have to leave in like an hour and a half or so anyway.)

>>1383855
>[PITY] Burn her. Hopefully that’ll allow her to pass on.

>>1383855
>[CURIOSITY] Take the sword- why is she so keen to get it?

Working with an amateur like Purps, doing this job solo might have been better.

>>1383855
>Kick the sword away, leave me-gan and look for the wizard thing responsible

Might be a bad idea to grab it or let her take it and I got a feeling that there is more to the whole zombie thing here that chopping her up more or burning I'd excessive. It's some freak illusionist, what's to say we aren't under a spell and we maimed someone else

Alright, some responses, so if nothing else I can lock in 5 minutes just to be safe, and I'll write from there.

Locked, writing. One captured, one toasted.

>>1383855
>>1383897
>>1384052
[MIRANDA]
>Current Mana: 6000/11000

Before anything else, you want to know what’s happening here. If this is her- actually Billie, and not just some illusion or trick- then just killing her again won’t answer the big question of ‘how?’. It’s clear she didn’t come back on her own; someone raised her somehow, and confronting them is the key to stopping this at the source. Problem is, how to convince them to get out here...or at least perhaps get them closer that you can track them down?

Well, they took the trouble of reanimating these two...maybe if they think they can still keep them under control…

You breath deeply as you stretch your arms out, and a bubble of mana shapes around her revenant. She barely seems to register it, and moves to step forward-

-only to quickly get thrown off balance as you keep the sphere she’s in still, resulting in her thumping against the walls of the Great Barrier you’ve put up. There...now it’s just a matter of figuring out just what her-

A quick tearing sound distracts you, and as you look behind you, still keeping the barrier up, a wave of heat hits you as Purps shouts out.

“Minvera’s Lantern!” ...she really needs to learn to not call her attacks.

Nonetheless, the room lights up in bright violet colors as the flames wash over what seems to be the dessicated remains of the other girl, still moving. At the very least, she doesn’t look all that happy about it- which surprises you a bit. “These were the only two I saw,” you note to her as she stares at the pyre. “So I’m wondering if the puppetmaster is around here somewhere...” You motion to your captive. “If they value their actors, I have to imagine they’ll be cross at what you did- and want this one whole.” The flames are still going, and the charred flesh doesn’t smell at all pleasant. Never does, really.

> “...do you know if these are just shells, or...what?”
> “Tch. You didn’t like her, huh?”
> Say nothing. For now, anyway.
> Other

>>1384334
>> “...do you know if these are just shells, or...what?”

>>1384334
>“...do you know if these are just shells, or...what?”

>>1384334
> Say nothing. For now.

>>1384334

> “...do you know if these are just shells, or...what?”

File: Seers Shade.png (142 KB, 340x340)

142 KB PNG

>>1384337
>>1384394
>>1384518
>>1384544

PURPS

“Do you know if they’re just shells or what?” Verde asks you as you both stand by the imprisoned zombie; the girl isn’t resisting too hard- though she seems to occasionally poke at the barriers with her sword.

“No idea.” you answer, watching the girl behind those green domes curiously. Suddenly, you notice movement out the corner of your eye; a hulking man landing on all fours atop one of the trundling screaming machines, as silently as you please. “I know who we can ask though.” You say, indicating the black clad figure resting on it’s haunches like an animal.

“Well, damn.” Verde rolls her neck and takes up position to your left, both of you standing in front of the stage protectively. Across the large room, the phantom begins to sing, a harsh industrial noise that makes you clench your teeth instinctively. This one is different, however. He has long blue hair that defies gravity, and his white mask only covers his mouth, with two bright blue circles where his eyes should be.

As he rises to his full, impossible height, you notice the eyes of the mask are in fact opaque lenses. How he sees you is beyond you, but judging by the surge of cold hatred you feel storming towards the stage behind you, you’re certain he is completely aware of you.

PURPS
> [PRIDE] Minerva's lantern; give yourself a little extra oomph and try to beat him at his own game. (+1 to rolls)

> [DETERMINATION] You’re not giving an inch- he can try to intimidate you all he wants.

> [LOVE] You have no idea what this emotion does yet.

> [ZEN] Activate Zen form and take him on. (+2 to rolls but must be maintained)

> Write-In

MIRANDA
>Try to talk to the black clad figure. You still have SOME principles...maybe.

>Forget it- toss Billie towards the crooner and get the phantom off balance.

>You can play that game, too. Energy Channel. See how he reacts.

>Other

>>1384570
PURPS
> [PRIDE] Minerva's lantern; give yourself a little extra oomph and try to beat him at his own game. (+1 to rolls)

because we need everything we can get with these dice.

MIRANDA
>You can play that game, too. Energy Channel. See how he reacts.

cause...hell, it matches

BTW since I'm running two quests at once I'm being very lax on the vote times.

For the curious; >>1381463

>>1384570
>[PRIDE] Minerva's lantern; give yourself a little extra oomph and try to beat him at his own game. (+1 to rolls)

>You can play that game, too. Energy Channel. See how he reacts.

Writing

https://youtu.be/kTeYoaJXNkM?t=34

>>1384570

PURPS
> [PRIDE] Minerva's lantern; give yourself a little extra oomph and try to beat him at his own game. (+1 to rolls)
This purps is on fire

>You can play that game, too. Energy Channel. See how he reacts.
MIRANDA

File: Lantern.gif (862 KB, 500x284)

862 KB GIF

MIRANDA

Tch. Fine. He wants to play some sort of ‘look how spooky I am’ game? All he's been doing is proving an irritation. You've already been yelled at, and this is probably going to end up as one of your more unfortunate jobs, with how things are going. But even with everything that's happened, and probably GOING to happen, that doesn't mean you're going to just let this ghost run over you until you get lucky.

That's just not professional. And if nothing else, you are professional.

With a derisive snort, you let your mana flow out, a smoke turning into a spark turning into a flame, as your body is enwrapped in flowing, twisting energy, flaring off your body like a steady fire.

He wants scary? You can do scary. You can do scary just fine.

And as you see wisps of purple from one side of you, you recall you're not the only one.

“MINERVA’S LANTERN!” Purps roars from your right; her voice reverberating like some kind of possessed creature as her eyes and mouth begin glowing. In less than a moment her pores explode in purple flame that envelops her in an intense, and dare you say majestic heat- you can feel the power burst forth from her conflagration even here. She idly runs a hand through her hair, before beckoning on the phantom before you.

With a snarled noise not quite able to be described as anything more than guttural, the phantom responds.

The slaughterhouse goes silent, only leaving the Sirens’ invisible chorus behind you.

Fantastic. Near-silence is never good…

That suspicion is confirmed as Billie and Me-Gan begin crawling out of one of the machines, the black rubber strips parting for them as they emerge from the mechanical womb; and perfectly recreated - the two of them bear the lethal stains of their original death and that strange ceramic esque sword.

For a second you're confused...and then it all just gets worse.

Billies and Me-Gans begin emerging from all of the machines, dragging their way onto every conveyer belt in a sheer desperate bid to exist once more. All told, you're watching mass produced undeath, and it is only when more than four dozen siren zombies emerge from their twisted fabricators that the siren drops down and advances behind his meatshields- even as more continue spawning.

Cripes, you hope they’re the mindless berserker types and not actually semi intelligent. Handling this many without friendly fire and keeping everything intact could be...dicey. Still, the twin flames that make up you and Purps burn bright against the horde; you just have to figure out a plan of attack.

[OPTIONS BELOW]

MIRANDA
>You don't have a shotgun or anything, but your fists will be just fine for this massive horde. Trash them all!

>It's practically a forest of these things- good thing you've got Magi-waves to clear a path.

>They still need to see. Time to light things up.

>Other

PURPS 1d20+1

> Let Verde do offence, you’ll hold back the tide

> [PRIDE] Expend lantern for firebreath, you can clear out a lot of this horde.

> [CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

> Write-In

>CUSTOM COMBO (Will require a roll.)

>>1384948
>They still need to see. Time to light things up.

>[CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

>>1384944
> [PRIDE] Expend lantern for firebreath, you can clear out a lot of this horde.
Purps

MIRANDA
>It's practically a forest of these things- good thing you've got Magi-waves to clear a path.

Try to froce them toghter to make the most of fire breath

File: a delapitated wagon.jpg (42 KB, 426x640)

42 KB JPG

Heading to bed. Got college and D&D tomorrow, but I'll be around.

No idea when Handler will be home from work, but next post is his.

- Star

>>1384948
>It's practically a forest of these things- good thing you've got Magi-waves to clear a path.

>[CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

>>1384948

MIRANDA
> Flux wave. It's shifting of reality. Just... fuck up their magic!

PRUPS
> Hold back the tide.

>>1386274

Seriously. Why not use Flux wave?
> fairly wide area- roughly a city block
It stopped this kind of madness before.
In fact, it was the only thing that was abled to stop it.

If I also may...
Has anyone seen the other sirens?

>>1384948
>>It's practically a forest of these things- good thing you've got Magi-waves to clear a path.
>> [CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

>>1384948
>It's practically a forest of these things- good thing you've got Magi-waves to clear a path.

> [CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

>>1384948
Purps
> [CURIOSITY] With your agility you might be able to take the seers shade out before this gets out of hand

Miranda
> Flux Wave
Just interfere with the control spell.

>>1386286
>>1386285
>>1386281
>>1386274
>>1385063
>>1385037

[CURIOSITY] and Magi-waves take it.

Gonna need 2d20.

Purps first Miranda second. Purps is getting +1 from lantern

Rolled 8, 9 = 17 (2d20)

>>1386459

I am of sad now.

Rolled 1, 15 = 16 (2d20)

>>1386459
something something nat 1s

File: Sick of your shit.gif (267 KB, 400x310)

267 KB GIF

>>1386466

Getting sick of your shit Purps Dice.

- Star

Rolled 5, 20 = 25 (2d20)

>>1386459

>>1386472

At least Miranda is on her game.

>>1386474
This only proves that Purps an amateur shit, Miranda is an ice-cold professional.

>>1386501
Was there ever any doubt?

>>1386501
>>1386511

This crossover has taught me purps should just be the mc of idol quest and not political upheavel shonen quest.

Fucking dice.

>>1386511
I'm just trying to determine the most professional course of action, whether to carry the team in spite of the amateur dragging us down, or to cut her loose.

Regardless, maybe if we had acted as if we were alone on this contract and had better defenses around Me-gan, we wouldn't have this black mark on our record.

As a heads up, waiting for Handler before we write.

- Star

And now I'm here. Interesting to wake up to.

-Handler

Oh, and Flux Wave is indiscriminate. If Miranda uses it, there'll be friendly fire.

>>1384948
>>1386459
>>1386462
>>1386466
>>1386472
PURPS

Verde begins tearing into the zombies with green blasts, sending bodies flying and tearing limbs from their sockets. She grits her teeth a little and you can just [i]feel[/i] the power increase with every blast.

You take the opening and stride forward, letting your saws fly free behind you and cleave a few enemies as you sprint forward in a purple blur. With a hop, you jump onto the top of the machinery in a crouch. Recalling your saws to hand, the shade turns to you just as you strain your calf muscles and ready a leap.

Only to urgently redirect to the side as hands grasp at your ankles with desperate need, a Billie emerging from square port that is pumping out the zombies. Twisting your body in an effort to land your hasty dodge in somewhat of a safe position, your reward for your quick escape is a series of lancing pains shooting through your chest.

Biting back a scream, you look down and see several red ceramic blades emerging from your chest and stomach. Even clenching the saws, your hands shake as your ragged breath has bubbling blood emerging from your wounds and mouth; your vision dims for a second as the shock of being impaled four times hits you.

MIRANDA

Alright, first thing’s first- you need to clear these things out. They’re numerous and spreading, and you don’t have a whole lot of time before they start doing the revenant zombie thing up close and personal.

You quickly lash out with a Magi-wave; the edged magic results in a swathe of bodies several yards deep collapsing in front of you as the energy cuts through them. Good, they’re not magic resistant or some crap like that. You start launching wave after wave, and the group of zombies begins to fall like wheat against a thresher; the waves are moving faster than the horde can reach you, and all spawning aside, you’re clearing an easy path to the cowardly puppetmaster.

Wonder if he separates just as easily. That’d be a NICE thing to happen for once.

A gurgling on the side distracts you briefly, and it’s largely instinct that lets you swat a nearby Me-Gan away as you turn to the noise. Purps had separated from you briefly, from the looks of it to gain a height advantage- but seems like she paid for it, too, getting swarmed and dogpiled as she’s been pincushioned at least four times, and judging by how they’re climbing for her and still emerging from their hidey holes, they smell the blood.

Possibly literally.

MIRANDA
>Hop to her and get them off her back! If she dies here...well, that probably won’t be great.
>Sooner this ends, sooner she can get medical attention- go for the phantom; no time to screw around.
>Other

PURPS

> 1d20+1 to Not Die

Rolled 6 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>1386705

Friendly Non-lethal fire.
I don't see anything wrong with that.

>>1386721

> Sooner this ends, sooner she can get medical attention- go for the phantom; no time to screw around.

For now.

Rolled 19 + 1 (1d20 + 1)

>>1386721
>>Sooner this ends, sooner she can get medical attention- go for the phantom; no time to screw around.

5 minutes to go, I'll say.

I'm driving this boat for now.

only 2, but Calling, and locked.

Writing stuffs.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>1386772
Want me to make another roll, in case of a nat 1?

File: No Sell.jpg (137 KB, 1280x720)

137 KB JPG

Pray that my D&D dice are more favourable than purps'

Bright side,

"Purps face wen 19"

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>1386721
>Sooner this ends, sooner she can get medical attention- go for the phantom; no time to screw around.

Like almoat ever time

>>1386721
>>1386726
>>1386751
>>1386894
MIRANDA
It’s not exactly the best situation to find yourself in, but you’ve got a job to finish. She certainly came off as tough earlier...or at least fairly capable, if those strange smells meant anything, but you’ve seen folks capable of tanking stab wounds.

Hopefully she’s one of them, and if not...well, it sucks (a lot), but that’s the dangers of the business. If nothing else, she does seem to still be standing and moving; that’s a good sign.

Oh, wait. That’s a lot of fire she’s making. Okay, yeah, that’s looking positive.

You put her out of your mind for now, as you continue laying waste to the multitudes of fodder this thing’s been throwing at you. The way they’re sticking around after being cut into pieces makes you wonder, though- just what’s being used here? If it were magic, they’d dissipate after being destabilized...but that’s not happening.

It’s going to be REALLY annoying if they’re all actual people...although you don’t think they are- bah, enough of that. You can feel a heat on your back as your ally shows just what she thinks of their attempted murder; there’s a lot more of that charred flesh smell going around suddenly, and you can hear more body parts being separated from their owners.

Finally- there he is! You fire off a Magi-wave at him, hoping to reduce him to the same as his puppets, but he leaps it easily, his strange, near joint-less gait making you think he’s not even trying to be all human. Interestingly, he seems to be trying to shift his attention between you and Purps, the both of you billowing in energy quite nicely.

And then he’s pointing at you, and suddenly everything freezes for all of a second.

You hear -something- a gentle whisper with no words. But that whisper is filled with hate and malice.

Well, shit.

In unison so complete it legit makes you startle, the horde outside of your little bubble of space descends upon you like a legion of robots, their charge artificial, but their synchronicity total.

You don’t have much time to react.

>Current Mana: 6000/11000

MIRANDA
>Avoid, avoid, avoid! You can leap like a flea, time to do it!
>Hell, if it gives Purps an open shot...might hurt later, though. Start blasting!
>Break through- you’re not letting this thing control the pace. All these bodies are just projectiles.
>Other

PURPS
>[DETERMINATION] Polesaw. Fuck this, fuck him. Do your best to make him a funeral pyre.
> [Zen] You need to calm down. You’ll only make things worse on yourself if you keep this up now. +2 to rolls
>[PRIDE] Detonate Lantern. You CAN handle this- you refuse to let Verde take all the glory! It’s time to strike!
>Write-In

>CUSTOM COMBO for both (will require a roll)

>>1386917
>Break through- you’re not letting this thing control the pace. All these bodies are just projectiles.

>[DETERMINATION] Polesaw. Fuck this, fuck him. Do your best to make him a funeral pyre.

>>1386917

MIRANDA
>Avoid, avoid, avoid! You can leap like a flea, time to do it!
Can she be blasting at the same time?

Purps
>[PRIDE] Detonate Lantern. You CAN handle this- you refuse to let Verde take all the glory! It’s time to strike!

We will rise from the fire

>>1386917
>>Hell, if it gives Purps an open shot...might hurt later, though. Start blasting!
>>[PRIDE] Detonate Lantern. You CAN handle this- you refuse to let Verde take all the glory! It’s time to strike!

Huh. Purps will be goin' asplode, (locked for that) but there's a tie for Miranda's action.

...this is a strange feeling. I'll give it 10 minutes to resolve itself.

>>1386917
>Break through- you’re not letting this thing control the pace. All these bodies are just projectiles.
>Other: use light barriers to create a tunnel towards our target
Ignore Purps, assume that she's not here and we have to do this solo.

>[PRIDE] Detonate Lantern. You CAN handle this- you refuse to let Verde take all the glory! It’s time to strike!
I legit hope that Purps gets taken down a peg or two, and people around her admit that she should never have been brought on board this contract.

>>1386917
Miranda
>Break through- you’re not letting this thing control the pace. All these bodies are just projectiles.

Okay then!

Miranda's gonna be trying to beat a motherfucker with another motherfucker. Writing!

>>1386917
>>1386925
>>1386957
>>1386959
>>1386989
>>1386991
MIRANDA
Alright, then. One against the world- so to speak.

You can’t say this isn’t uncommon, at least. As soon as the first one closest to you thrusts forward, you sidestep, grabbing the rapier it wields, and quickly swing it in a circle- the immediate chargers are bowled over as you let go, your aura-infused body causing a burning sensation of its own as your impromptu target goes flying, causing a line of charges to fall like dominoes as well. Actually, that’ll make a good start.

You leap through the small gap, stomping on the heads of unfortunate bodies to crack them and render them dead again, a number of the puppets chasing after you as you bull forwards through the throng. Several abandon actively using their weapons entirely, instead trying to bodily leap on you- you can feel some scrapes from some close calls, but you grab a second doppleganger by the arm and sling her forwards as well- the damn phantom’s just trying to dodge you at this point, the way it’s moving around and staying at the back.

You’re forced to continuously battle back against stabbing rapiers- even with your aura, you can feel close shaves as you keep moving, several scratches showing up on your face upper body as you move to keep them distracted- it stings, but you can’t afford to worry right now. The battle gauntlets gifted to you by the Leftennant (and only formally given to you by Switchwick shortly before the event) help immensely, preventing everything up to your forearms from getting too injured, but it’s little comfort as you blast and punch your way through the throng in a continuous attempt to chase the orchestrator of this madhouse. Still, you DO notice that the more he focuses on avoiding you, the less zombies that seem to show up- he seems to only be able to focus on one issue at a time…

And suddenly an explosion rips through the area- not a huge one, but enough for yourself, the shade, and even a couple of the fakes look back at the source of the sudden massive heat and force.

That proves to be a mistake, at least on the phantom’s part. What greets him in particular is a smoking Purps, charging full tilt at him without the tender mercies of the zombie girls to worry about- their charred remains telling the story there. She nearly collides with him entirely as her fist- now bedecked out in a gauntlet as well- does its level best to cave in his face, and as he flies back, you swear one of its eye-goggle things was cracked.

cont.

>>1387229
She doesn’t leave it there- as you quickly blast apart two other approaching zombies, she leaps towards the shade yet again- it dodges to the side, avoiding her immediate follow up, but it’s not quick enough to avoid her pursuit as she leaps after it with a scream, managing to deliver another shot to the face- it deflects the next two shots, and lashes out with a clawed hand that results in a small line on the cheek from her, and as it attempts to gain space from her you’re left with a couple of choices.

MIRANDA
>Keep the fodder off of her; she seems to be doing halfway okay.
>Now might be a good time to join in, somehow. Maybe long-range support.
>Poke at both of them- get in hits wherever you can.
>Other

PURPS
> [DETERMINATION] Don’t give him a single inch! Keep him on the back foot!
>[ZEN] Be careful not to overcommit. You need to keep yourself aware of all threats.
>[GRATITUDE] Magnetic Pulse. 4 SWORDS FOR ME? GET IMPALED ON 4000 SWORDS!
>Write-In

BOTH
>CUSTOM COMBO (Will require a roll)

>>1387234
>>Keep the fodder off of her; she seems to be doing halfway okay.
>>[GRATITUDE] Magnetic Pulse. 4 SWORDS FOR ME? GET IMPALED ON 4000 SWORDS!

>>1387234
>Poke at both of them- get in hits wherever you can.

>[GRATITUDE] Magnetic Pulse. 4 SWORDS FOR ME? GET IMPALED ON 4000 SWORDS!

Huh. How many of the audience will be dead by the end? How badly will this mission fail?

5 minutes to go.

Let's see how things might progress, huh?

>>1387234
>Keep the fodder off of her; she seems to be doing halfway okay.

>[GRATITUDE] Magnetic Pulse. 4 SWORDS FOR ME? GET IMPALED ON 4000 SWORDS!

Locked. May be a minute since I need to head off to work. Star will be around to at least post this last one. In the meantime, though, we need us a set of 1d20 rolls, best of 3!

Good luck!

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>1387324

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>1387324

D&D just finishing up. Gotta write an update for WCN & this at same time after I piss.

LOCKED by the way.

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>1387324

Well I'm liking how things are turning out so far. It's interesting to have a mission not going completely well.

File: Purps Drawfaggotry.png (633 KB, 1060x1720)

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PURPS

You hop forward with a devastating haymaker, managing to plant your feet on the machinery below you with enough force to bend the stained heavy duty metal chassis. As you pivot your weight around, through, and behind the punch, you manage to add just that little twist to your blow, just enough added venom to tear two teeth from the Shade’s gums in an arc of blood.

He continues to retreat before you, but you don’t follow. Instead you channel your energy into the gauntlets you carry, and bring them to your side until they begin reverberating gently. You feel your teeth begin to shake and you shut your eyes as you raise your arms like a conductor bringing all his orchestra to a crescendo. The room starts to crackle with the outpouring of power, and the siren sends what remains of his mass produced puppets towards you in what you take to be desperation.

They surge towards you like a tidal wave of flesh, a soundless fury to their soundless unnatural movement as they swarm in lockstep. Green energy scythes through them as Verde’s blasts take out a dozen or more at a time, the zombies flesh seemingly to slough and part easily from the assault.

[CONT]

File: Gratitude of Babylon Comp(...).gif (7.36 MB, 512x288)

7.36 MB GIF

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOGkZsuFILU

Four swords embedded within you are savagely torn free from their makeshift scabbard, pain ignored and already forgotten as your gaze is drawn to the four red lines contrasting sharply amongst the multitude of the strange white swords your ability holds floating in the air across the whole slaughterhouse. Blades are forcefully ripped from the hands of undead sirens and the fallen zombies alike.

Soon, you are in command of a battalion of blades that ominously float in the air; slaved to your whim whilst you remain stationary and protected by Verde’s expert aim. You simply raise your hands to the sky like some fervorous priest or grieving widow.

But you are not grieving. Nor are you praying.

You point both hands at the siren.

Four impalements for you.

Over a hundred for him.

Escalation is something you are no stranger to and it is a concept you most deliciously employ here. Thousands of white lines streaking towards the Shade, passing through undead flesh and machinery alike as every single blade that has been fabricated or wielded by one of his minions is turned on him in an avalanche of fury. It is a rainstorm that travels, horizontal, vertical, upwards, downwards, diagonally and every single incarnation of a direction.

It is a white death.

A merciless monsoon.

A meatgrinder of frightening efficiency.

It is a massacre.

Billies and Me-Gans alike are turned into nothing but stinking and rotting piles of organs and offal. No blood pouring from the infinitesimal holes and wounds inflicted upon them. The machines are silent as you focus in on the only red in the room beyond the rapidly growing pool at your own feet.

The Shade. Pincushioned by his own manufactured armaments, forced upright by the sheer volume of swords protruding from him. He stands like some broken and malformed reminder to a long gone tragedy, some twisted figure from a storybook written to scare unruly children. His mask is shattered on the floor, two swords have pierced his lenses; his skull has been pulpled and gibbed by the sheer weight of metal.

If he was anything other than what he is... you’d be certain you killed him. After all, he has more orifices than the capital now.

But you’re not certain.

And you’re not feeling so hot after expending so much in one shot.

PURPS

> [DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.

> [WORRY] Verde, status?

> [RELIEF] Rest. Passing out means the girls won’t have protection, play it safe.

> [PRIDE] “Fuck You, Asshole.”

> Write-In

MIRANDA

> Well. That was impressive. Not that she has to know. “...You’re about to pass out from blood loss, y'know that, right?”

> Kind of surprised she's still up. You should probably move to support her. “Not bad.”

> The danger isn't over yet. You need to keep her conscious and thanks to Izumi, you might have an idea how. “Hold still for a minute…” (Will require a roll.)

>Other

>>1387497
>[DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.

>The danger isn't over yet. You need to keep her conscious and thanks to Izumi, you might have an idea how. “Hold still for a minute…” (Will require a roll.)

>>1387497
>> [DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.
>> The danger isn't over yet. You need to keep her conscious and thanks to Izumi, you might have an idea how. “Hold still for a minute…” (Will require a roll.)

>>1387497
> [DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.

> Kind of surprised she's still up. You should probably move to support her. “Not bad.”

Not the time to test something new out. Also wow Miranda, tsun much?

>>1387497

Purps

> [DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.

>>1387497

Purps

> [DETERMINATION] Confirm the kill.

MIRANDA

> The danger isn't over yet. You need to keep her conscious and thanks to Izumi, you might have an idea how. “Hold still for a minute…” (Will require a roll.)

Calling and writing last post for me.

File: Purps 14.jpg (100 KB, 700x600)

100 KB JPG

>>1387537
>>1387531
>>1387520
>>1387505
>>1387504

PURPS

Need. To. Make. Sure.

Four words that repeat over and over in your head as your drag the polesaw behind you. Every breath hurts, every second is a new wave of pain. You stumble off the machine and land face first on the pile of corpses with a resounding bomf.

But you find your feet, getting to a knee and then your full height, it’s hard to ignore the weakness in your legs or the rapidly encroaching black spots at the edge of your vision; but dragging that saw to the Shade is all that matters.

Need. To. Make. Sure.

Parting the scrap metal; the corpse of your foe’s inventive evil - picking your way through the dismal aftermath of your massacre with nothing but your slow lumbering stride and momentum.

The Shade doesn’t move, broken in all ways to your eyes.

Your raise your saw with Herculean effort, opening the wounds across your chest and stomach wide and spilling your bleeding guts. It is an executioner’s axe as you bring it down on his pulled skull and hold down the rev button until you’ve carved through his body. Treating him like the meat of his own slaughterhouse, you continue carving him up even after he begins to disapparate into smoke.

You don’t register Verde’s approach…

Everything’s gone

cold again.

You might be about to break the promises you made in Rono Pass…

“You're not dying on me just yet. Don't panic, and hold still.”

MIRANDA
>Roll 1d20 for Experimental Mana Link. You've never done this before, so who knows what will happen..

*Perspective Change Once Handler Returns*

Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>1387660
Mediocre rolls incoming.

Rolled 11 (1d20)

>>1387660

Rolled 1 (1d20)

>>1387660

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>1387660

fuck me
purps died again!!>??
little birdy is gona be pissed

File: 1462919748906.jpg (55 KB, 401x403)

55 KB JPG

>>1387733
what have you done!!???

Even when Purps wins she loses, damn.

>>1387749
I rolled a 1

Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>1387667
>>1387733
>>1387707
>>1387737
FUCK
This mission is fucked

>>1387770
>777
>rolls a 7
lel

>>1387775
You got 770

>>1387788
777
damm thoe trips

Okay so critfail. Handler doesn't do crits normally, so...what happen anyone?

>>1387813
purbs gose to see the guy that puts her back together

>>1387813
also theres a runing joke how purps cant/has anything to do with magic couse we have rolled ones every time for it and her back story
guse having mana linked counts as magic so heance a one

Work sucked donkey balls. I'm too angry to sleep, so if anyone's still here I'll write/post.

>>1388326
Hi

>>1388326
One more person here.

>>1388326
Three's a crowd.
That poor donkey.

Neato. Welp. I'm writing, then.

Hi.
Just gonna drop this little factoid here: Kayaba is back.
https://anonkun.com/stories/pokemania/fBdYs8yirFPN6jTdz/fight-or-flight-or-fuck/MLhnj2SMwwFwxdxrp
Apologies for shitposting in a quest, but this is where I was most likely to find parties that cared.

>>1387660
>>1387667
>>1387707
>>1387733 (Dun dun DUN)

>>1388344
>>1388355
>>1388359
[MIRANDA]

Okay, okay...you don’t exactly have enough time to just up and heal her. No, you need to, at the very least, stabilize her. You don’t have that kind of medical expertise, either- Izumi, ironically, would be the closest bet for that. But you need to do *something*. And risky as it is, it’s better than letting her die, at least.

You’re not entirely certain what this’ll do to someone with as non-existent a mana signature as hers, but considering about the theoretical process will come later. For now you just need to take action. If she has no real mana signature, then...hell, just using yours as is without should work fine, right? Worth a shot…

Don’t let GO of the flow, merely...string it? Tie it to her person. She might not have mana, perse, but she can do something with energy- you just need to find that valve, that node that lets her channel it, nudge your mana right beside her inner-

-she writhes violently, and you’re already thinking this may have been a bad idea. When her eyes snap open, looking less than clear, that’s when you’re positive. The surrounding slaughterhouse suddenly starts bleeding away like dripping paint- you can see the walls surrounding the square you were in start to melt back into view- if only slowly. The stage you can start to see back to normal again, and even some houses are slowly melting back into view.

That doesn’t seem to help the growing, frothing girl beneath you as her eyes shrink, and her hands brace herself as she sits up, the look in her eyes all too familiar to you. It’s the look of a wild beast, hurt and willing to kill to escape.

You try quickly to snap the connection- hell with it, you’ll have to give your condolences later, but she’s not going to…

…

...

The connection refuses to snap.

cont.

>>1388485
You can see a wisp of greenish energy trailing from you to her, steady and yet intangible. The paint seems to slow to a molasses level, and soon you find yourself becoming surrounded by a surrealist painting made real; a wet, bizzare mishmash of the reality of the town square and the fantasy of the slaughterhouse,not one or the other entirely.

Somehow, someway, this DAMNED GIRL is siphoning your mana to keep herself alive- you can already see some of her injuries healing, if slowly. It’s not hers, can’t be hers, SHOULDN’T be hers, but she’s using it anyway- and without your permission, as of now.

You’d be annoyed if she wasn’t up and staring at you, posture hunched low and she in a feral stance. You can hear muffled, unintelligble voices nearby; they seem to both come from behind you and yet all over, in surround sound. One you recognize as Switchwick. There’s another, gruffer voice you can presume is the old man. You’re not at all certain what’s happening or what’s about to happen.

You are, however, certain of two things as you square off against her, your brow starting to sweat: one, that you need to either calm down Purps or incapacitate her without killing her.

Two: that this particular job sucks.

>Current Mana: 5000/11000 (CONSISTENTLY DRAINING)

>Try to talk Purps down...she can’t be that far gone, can she? Maybe you can get to her somehow...
>Don’t attack first; let her come at you and prepare to counter. You’ll, hopefully, knock her out non-lethally.
>Try to restrain her- it’s mana intensive, and you don’t have a lot of that right now. But hopefully it’ll allow her allies to realize something’s up, or for you to come up with a better plan before passing out yourself.
>Other

>>1388489
>Try to talk Purps down...she can’t be that far gone, can she? Maybe you can get to her somehow...
Least mana-intensive method first.

>>1388489
>Don’t attack first; let her come at you and prepare to counter. You’ll, hopefully, knock her out non-lethally.
Keeping Purps alive isn't part of the contract. While it's frowned upon to teamkill, this is a situation where it's either her or us.

>>1388489

>Don’t attack first; let her come at you and prepare to counter. You’ll, hopefully, knock her out non-lethally.

5 minute warning!

Alrighty, locked and writing! It's not Aikido, but...

>>1388489
>>1388497
>>1388517
>>1388519
Alright, you need to keep yourself calm. She doesn’t seem to quite register that you’re- shit nevermind!

As she charges you, you quickly jump to the side in order keep your eyes on her- the lunge speed of hers is impressive, to say the least- she blitzes past you in a flare of your own energy, and she’s quick to rebound in your direction as well- your forearms and chest rattle as you’re forced to take a wrenching punch from her that make you glad the battlegauntlets are taking the brunt of it. Fortunately, she struck the arm out too long- she tries to drag it back, but you quickly grab the retreating fist and pivot, spinning to pin her to the ground- a claw then twists your own arm as her legs flip to wrap around your neck in some sort of choke, forcing you to release her to slip out of it.

She scrabbles back to her feet, and lunges towards you again- this punch is quick and sloppy, and you slip it with a head bob and retaliate with an shot to the chest- she’s still healing, thanks to YOU, and you’re still losing mana, but it’s enough to make her back off briefly.

And then she breathes deeply.

>Current Mana: 4500/11000 (CONTINUOUSLY DEPLETING)

>Sun’s Flare! She won’t see what’s coming.
>Close the distance ASAP, punch to the gut! She might crumple.
>You can dodge her for a bit more- and those voices are still shouting...
>Other

>>1388635
>Close the distance ASAP, punch to the gut! She might crumple.
Put her out of comission as soon as possible.

>>1388635
>You can dodge her for a bit more- and those voices are still shouting...
Specifically, her mobility should be decreased at least somewhat while she's prepping her attack, which means now would be the most optimal time to slip behind her and grapple her into a chokehold, if such a thing is even possible.

>>1388635
>>Other
>jump far away. maybe with enough distance, the link will break.

>>1388635
>Close the distance ASAP, punch to the gut! She might crumple.
>Other: all limiters on force off. Kill her if that's what it takes.

Locked. Writing.

>>1388635
>>1388654
>>1388665
Alright, no. Whatever she’s doing, you’re not looking to know what it is.

A quick dart forward results in her practically choking on the air she inhaled as she moves to dodge out of the way- she doesn’t quite get there, and your gutshot ends up more near the ribs.

Doesn’t mean it didn’t clearly hurt, however. Her injuries are healing, but certainly not healed up entirely- you turn away slightly as she coughs up a smattering of blood on you as your fist indents on her, but to her credit she doesn’t move back but a step. You can still feel her draining your mana, but even FASTER now...damnit, what’s it going to take to-

-suddenly, her arm lashes out, and that’s the least of your concerns.

“DAMNIT!” Pain blooms along your entire face, forcing you to disengage her- you can hear her crumple to the floor but you do too because FUCK this hurts! Whatever the fuck she just did with those damn claws it FUCKING gaahhhh…

Fucking shit, you’re bleeding, fucking…!

Crimson stains your sight, but you’re not sure what’s going on, what’s happening and this IS ALL GETTING REALLY FUCKING FRUSTRATING…

Suddenly the heavy air you’d been feeling since the slaughterhouse showed up vanishes, and cool air replaces it- it’s a welcome reprieve, as bloodied as you are, and you can still hear someone talking- yeah, that sounds like Switchwick at least, and a host of other girls…

You try to stand up- but it’s rough. You can barely stop yourself from slumping over as the pain is still fresh- but you’re doing your damndest to ignore it. That, plus your prior injuries, and the mana drain on you is more than wearing on your...stamin…yeah no there it goes. You can feel the link snap; a very quick and sudden shut off, practically.

You collapse to a knee as you’re swarmed by concerned parties, none of which you can still make out clearly thanks to the blood and cold sweat. Purps, you think, is also being swarmed, if the footsteps you hear passing you are any indication.

> “...just...get her...looked at.” Time for a nap. You’ll recover. Eventually.
> “...It’s dead. Again.” Above all else…
> Say nothing, because just ugh.
> Other

Think I'm done for tonight. Post-battle shiz tomorrow.

...Writing a crit-fail was slightly more interesting than I expected.

Oh, almost forgot, for posterity.

>Current Mana: 3500/11000

>>1388719
>Other
"Is everyone safe?"
Remember the mission.
We're still on the contract, still on the clock.
We're a 90-year veteran, not some rookie that fails a simple bodyguard contract just because she's near death.
We have our professional pride.

>>1388719
>“...It’s dead. Again.” Above all else…
Information is key for anyone acting while we're incapacitated.

File: O Fuck.jpg (191 KB, 737x778)

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>>1388723
>>1387733

Purps just cannot catch a break in magic, or this crossover. She had literally 1 moment before it all came tumbling down.

Post Crossover I should mak Starborn Purps Idol Quest. Geez.

>>1388719
>> “...It’s dead. Again.” Above all else…

>>1388719
> “...It’s dead. Again.” Above all else…

>>1388915

Starborn Purps Idol Quest
I know il be into that
Thats how we rise the funds to over thow the evil overlord

Howdy, folks, hope all is good. Should be starting in not too much longer- a half hour or so.

>>1388719
>>1388775
>>1388925
>>1389040
MIRANDA
You end up taking time to clear your head as best you can, trying to blink out the pain, the dizziness, the everything.

It’s not really working. But that’s irrelevant. Above all else…

“It’s dead. Again.” And now comes a number of new things they’re trying to ask you or tell you or...something, but you can only make out a couple of them. Two of the girls are lifting you back to your feet, supporting you on both sides. You’re tempted to shrug them off. “Any civ…” you take a second to spit out some blood that got in your mouth. Hated that taste. “Any civilian casualties?” Your voice is dry, strained, and lighter than you’d like.

Something cool and wet- you can only presume it’s a towel- is placed against your face, and you give a small sigh of appreciation even as it yet stings horribly. Damn, but those were good cuts. “Nah,” one girl’s voice rings out; finally you can put a name to it- Mono. “Everything’s fine except you two- one second we’re cheerin’ and wonderin’ what’s next, an’ then you both suddenly r’ all lookin’ like you came out a war!”

You cough a bit- your torso is starting to complain, too, thanks to the number of scratches you god. You’re gonna need to see a tailor, too. “Good. We did.” You’re not exactly up to long talks, but… “I can stand. Leggo of me.”

They do, and there’s a brief cry of concern as you stumble a bit, but you raise yourself up to your full height again, wet towel quickly removed as you’ve practically dyed it red already. “Come with me,” you hear a voice- the Leftennant. “We can get you and hopefully the girl healed up and out of the public eye.”

Thank goodness.

“I’ll also require a detailed report of exactly what happened.” Not so good.

cont.

>>1389481
PURPS

You’re looking at a ramshackle ceiling. The same ceiling you’ve been looking at for five hours. This ceiling has two hundred and eighty seven stone blocks within your turn radius and sight - two spiders have crawled out of a crack that indicates a high velocity impact.

Moving your legs aren’t possible, but you can roll your feet.

Your arms aren’t really moving anymore but you can clench your fists.

Which you cannot bring yourself to stop doing now that you’ve worked that out.

Situation is fucked. That’s the status update for this hour; time to start counting stone slabs again. 1 , 2 , 3 , 4...

Someone’s in the room.

“Shut up and drink.” Lex whispers as he tips a potion over into your mouth, thick red liquid that borders on jelly streaming into your mouth. You swallow obediently, trusting your boss. “This potion could buy me a fuckin’ mansion and three councillors’ loyalty. So ye better appreciate it.” He moans.

You simply glare at him with red eyes as he continues holding the bottle for you to gulp from.

“Aye, the fact you’re doin’ me a favour is why I’m givin’ you it.” He concedes. “Potion will take an hour or two t’ fix your chest.”

Expressing doubt nonvocally is easy, but with only your eyes visible and his glasses reflecting the candlelight so intensely, you have to put forth some effort. “Hona and Luc also threatened to sell all my stuff t’ buy one if I didn't,” He grumbles. “Your girlfriend looked she was gonna kill me when she saw state of you.”

You… unclench your hands and try not to let your feelings show. She cared enough to threaten an ancient arch wizard? Fuc- Damn.

“Now I got to go.” He says, retrieving the empty potion bottle and stashing it in his clothes. He produces a strange cog shaped object from a pocket and prepares to wind it up. “Good work Purps. Whatever this is… scrying says it’s bad news.”

Before you can drily retort, he twists his gear, the metal crank smooth and silent in it’s rotation. Before your eyes, Lexington seems to dissolve into nothingness.

“Thanks.” You mutter at nothingness. Usually being alone is comforting to you, but it’s becoming a lot less so.

Why did they even tie you down anyway?

MEANWHILE

Outside, the moon begins its ascent.

A guard lies on his face, drugged. Unbeknownst to anyone, the Godswatch radio set transmits a call to the capital; enquiring about a certain assignment from a very long time ago.

MIRANDA
>After everything...your mana’s low, you’re in a lot of pain, no one was injured, and the phantom was dead. Staying 100% is important on the job as well. Rest.

>Little rest for the weary. Despite your lack of mana, you’re not one to slack on the job. Keep it to light watch and patrols, but aside from a small nap here and there, stay on task.

>Other

PURPS

> Dreamwalk. Dreams might help you make sense of this...
> Burn your way out of these straps. You are NOT staying down after all this.
> Count the blocks. Just...count the fucking blocks.
> Write-In

>>1389482
>>After everything...your mana’s low, you’re in a lot of pain, no one was injured, and the phantom was dead. Staying 100% is important on the job as well. Rest.
>> Count the blocks. Just...count the fucking blocks.

>>1389482
>After everything...your mana’s low, you’re in a lot of pain, no one was injured, and the phantom was dead. Staying 100% is important on the job as well. Rest.

> Count the blocks. Just...count the fucking blocks.

10 minutes due to run start.

>>1389482
>Little rest for the weary. Despite your lack of mana, you’re not one to slack on the job. Keep it to light watch and patrols, but aside from a small nap here and there, stay on task.

> Dreamwalk. Dreams might help you make sense of this...

>>1389482
MIRANDA
>After everything...your mana’s low, you’re in a lot of pain, no one was injured, and the phantom was dead. Staying 100% is important on the job as well. Rest.


PURPS

> Dreamwalk. Dreams might help you make sense of this..

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Flipping for Purps.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

Flipping again because I realized at the very last second I forgot to declare.

1- Dreams
2- Dreamless

Locked, writing. We movin' on, movin' out.

MIRANDA
There’s little you can do for the time being- with everything at a calmer status, you’re allowing yourself some time to rest. It’ll at least let your wounds heal up- they’d mentioned something about stitches, but you’d begged them off. As harsh as they were, they likely wouldn’t scar so long as you healed it correctly. And you had time to do that.

Purps seemed to be back on her feet quicker than you expected, herself. She seemed just as annoyed at the situation as you, judging by the grunts she’d given as she showed up in your medical area- she’d nearly yelled a bit, your own face swathed by bandages, and yourself silently sitting, working on healing- slowly.

You were low on mana as it was, and that’d just take time to build back up. On the plus side, it allowed you to talk a bit more with the Sirens. You had more than a couple of suspicions as to who it could be now, and in a moment of perceived weakness? Well, that’d probably make whoever it was feel confident in themselves. The garrison had seen fit to get you all out of there sooner than later because of the issues, which had resulted in you all leaving the next morning.

“Keep ‘em.” the Leftennant says as you offer the battle gauntlets back. “It sounds like you had it rough, and bein’ frank, no one uses those things as intended anyway. They’d just take up space otherwise.” Well, never going to turn down free gear.

As you keep your eye on the girls, the Sirens are all waving and saying their byes and all that star stuff, while Purps in particular hangs back, closer to her girlfriend, the old man, and the other kid. Alice is quick to get in, sending her fans a smile and a wave goodbye- when she turns away from them you can clearly see her mood shift, however. Velth merely has her hands clasped over her ears, and Jaqeline just looks frustrated in general and Mono just grumbles a bit, Lita and Loti wave as brightly as they can, Trisha blows a kiss (and is yanked in by Alice) and Pina just gives a quick two-fingered salute.

Switchwick simply bows to the crowd magnanimously- you can hear a snort from the old man’s direction at that. With that, before much longer, you’re finally off. “Next stop, Leno!” Switchwick calls before she shuts the door. With that, you step in last; the carriages are finished loading, and everyone’s off.

Everyone’s got a bit of a pensive look on their face once the carriage gets moving. It seems like everyone wants to say something, but no one wants to break the silence.

>You’re not going to say anything.
>Try to prompt someone to talk.
>Try to reassure them- you hate this just as they do.
>Other

>>1389730
>You’re not going to say anything.

>>1389730
>>You’re not going to say anything.

>>1389730
>>You’re not going to say anything.

>>1389730
>You’re not going to say anything.
Don't draw attention to yourself, and keep an eye on everyone else.

Locked in. Stay background.

There's been a bit of a delay, we'll let everyone know when we're writing again.

Should be posting momentarily.

File: Luc 2.jpg (62 KB, 500x500)

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MIRANDA
The countryside rolls by steadily, the picturesque scenery providing a stark contrast to the only just buried turmoil inside- in here is a boiling kettle of restrained emotion. Switchwick might be playing the part of the dignified matron, and her group might be doing their utmost to hide it behind smiles and smalltalk, but one look at Jaqeline is all you need to know what’s coming next.

Doesn’t take long for the pot to finally boil over. “So that’s it? We’re all just going to pretend this is normal!?” She asks, clearly on the verge of tears.

Surprisingly, it’s Trish who tries to shush her. “Jack, it’s-”

“No!” She shouts, her arm slamming into Mono’s lap, who just glowers over at her panicking friend, “It’s not fine! You said it yourself; he’s some kind of unkillable, unfeeling monster! THEY KILLED HIM TWICE, TRISH!” She screeches.

“So they say.” Lita mutters.

You just quirk an eyebrow up at Lita, but you refuse to do anything to draw attention to yourself right now; the most you let your displeasure show is a slight frown, and you say nothing otherwise.

“Look, ladies. This is distressing, but this is why we have professional help.” Switchwick says, leaning over and trying to placate Jaqeline by squeezing the young woman’s hand in both of her own. “If it wasn’t for Verde and Purps putting their bodies and lives on the line, well - who knows what would happen.”

Alice, who has been uncharacteristically quiet interjects sternly. “Billie and ME-Gan know.”

No one has a response to that, plunging the carriage back into silence. You huff silently- this whole thing’s turning into a powder keg. And where the hell is Purps?

PURPS

“Purps, why are we going to the front?” Luc asks from your shoulders innocently. According to the little noble, you needed training to make sure you don’t get impaled anymore. How carrying him on your shoulders with half healed wounds all over your chest helps, you will never know.

“Because, I have to protect them. Even if I am spending time with you.” You answer robotically, straining your ears. It sounds like shouting up ahead. Luc really makes it difficult to hear when he starts ruffling your hair. “Seriously! I have to stop people dying kiddo.” You protest weakly as you grab for his kicking legs.

Wouldn’t do to let him fall.

Luc’s went silent.

Oh.

Dying.

Smooth as silk Purps.

“Look… Luc.” You begin, flushing in [SHAME] “I didn’t mean to…” Five star apology.

“That wolf woman looks angry.” Luc says pointing ahead. Great, he wasn’t even feeling sad and you made an ass of - Oh shit what is going on up there.

> Mono is going off on her own. Pursue.

> Someone else is getting out. Sitrep.

> Defuse the situation. Preferably by intimidating whoever is being a bitch.

> Write-In

>>1390164
>> Mono is going off on her own. Pursue.
moon lover what you doing

>>1390164
>> Mono is going off on her own. Pursue.

>>1390164
>>1390231
>>1390265

MIRANDA
You’d let things fester plenty enough to see where the wind was blowing- but you hadn’t expected Mono to get so frustrated she outright bailed out of the moving carriage- much to the cries and shocked expressions of the rest of them as she barrels towards the forest treeline.

You’d already made it halfway out of the door in pursuit before you saw Purps running in the direction she went, that kid friend of hers seemingly conflicted standing around; he’s clearly thinking about whether to pursue her or not. Regardless of what he decides, you’re going to need to-

“Miss Verde?” You turn around, still leaning out the edge of the doorway of the carriage now slowing down- apparently more than a couple had noticed the runaway darting off. Switchwick in particular is the one looking at you. “You’ll have to forgive her for that; but before you head off, I do have a bit of a question or two for you…”

“And those are?”

She looks back at the group, then turns back to you, frowning as the carriage finally comes to a halt, the kid finally making his decision as he darts off. “Do you mind if we have a bit of privacy?”

You nod, and she quickly disembarks after a quick warning to the girls to stay put ‘or else’. She leads you nearer to an isolated area near the back of the carriage, and when she turns back to you, she looks you square in the face. “I need you to be direct with me. I understand you’re doing your best to protect us- I refuse to fault you for that. But...I need to know. Will any more of my girls die before this is over?” She looks despondent and desperate, and you’re not entirely sure how to respond.

> “That...I’d prefer to wait until Purps gets back to answer that. I’m not sure.”
> “I’m sorry to say it’s entirely possible. I’m not confident this death will stick any more than the last one.”
> “We’ve got a decent idea of its MO, and we know we can kill it if it comes back. With some planning, I’m positive we can prevent any more deaths.
> Other

>Roll 1d20 regardless of choice.

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1390492
>> “We’ve got a decent idea of its MO, and we know we can kill it if it comes back. With some planning, I’m positive we can prevent any more deaths.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>1390492
>“I’m sorry to say it’s entirely possible. I’m not confident this death will stick any more than the last one.”
The problem is that we're still playing reactionarily right now, which means that it can dictate when and how it engages us. In order to prevent more deaths, we need to correlate everything we know so far to find and stop the killer.

5 minute warning! Let's see what trouble turns up...

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>1390492
>> “We’ve got a decent idea of its MO, and we know we can kill it if it comes back. With some planning, I’m positive we can prevent any more deaths.

>>1390535
>>1390584
>>1390610
Locked up. Writing.

File: Purps 15.jpg (30 KB, 480x360)

30 KB JPG

PURPS

As you leave Luc behind with a leap, you immediately regret this decision and settle for a long loping gait. You still make progress, and Mono’s not exactly being stealthy right now; in fact the sticks and bushes being trodden on make you think she’s just attacking the forest.

But eventually you find her, after… a painful walk. She’s kneeling in prayer, voice rising and falling as a willow tree seems to dance before her under a - quite frankly unnatural - wind. It sways and twirls just for her, it seems.

You decide this is just her letting off steam; probably for the best. But as you take a seat between the roots of a particularly large oak, something catches your eye in the distance. A great Fir, rising higher and higher ever to a point is prominent on the horizon, but what you notice is the sunshine behind it - reflecting off metal.

Straining your eyes, you pick out a figure; hunched upon it to the point of almost lying prone. It is in silhouette, but even the shadow bears a striking similarity to Mono’s clothing. You can see the prominent wolf ears even from this distance, reflecting the sun.

Some kind of helmet perhaps?

> [CURIOSITY] Go check it out. Why’s it so similar?

> [WORRY] ‘Mono, we need to get back.’ You’re not in any shape to take risks.

> [ZEN] Admire the striking image. If nothing else, it’s an impressive silhouette.

> Write-In

>>1391015

> [WORRY] ‘Mono, we need to get back.’ You’re not in any shape to take risks.

Fucken wer people
Thats most likely her mate the sneaky girl

>>1391015
> [WORRY] ‘Mono, we need to get back.’ You’re not in any shape to take risks.

Last post of the night upcoming. Will go 5 more minutes for further votes.

>>1391015
MIRANDA
Alright, you need to focus. Everything has a method to it, that much you’ve seen. You just need to plan around it. “We’ve got a decent idea of its MO, and we know we can kill it if it comes back.” That much you know for certain. “With some planning, I’m positive we can prevent any more deaths.”

Switchwick sighs, in some measure of relief, although the look on her face is still guarded and concerned. “I suppose that’ll do. I guess we’ll have to be far more careful when we get to Leno. Thank you, again.”

You shake your head. “Really, I’m sorry I failed already. I don’t like how Me-Gan died like they did.” That just pisses you off, really. “I’ll have to talk with the girls on the way on how we can prevent something like that happening again- but I’ll need to talk with Purps on deciding on the best way to go about that, first.”

You walk her back to the carriage entrance, where the other girls are no doubt waiting worriedly. “Understandable. I just wanted some reassurance,” Switchwick says. “I think we can head back now. Unless you’re going out to make sure Purps and my Mono aren’t in over their heads.”

Hm. Yeah, they might be, considering her luck. And you’re starting to think that it probably wasn’t the best idea for Purps to have gone out by herself, even if it’s unlikely Mono would’ve wandered too far off. Might be best to-

Your steps are halted briefly by the rustling of leaves and footsteps, Purps holding her chest where her injuries were and Mono back and looking incredibly afraid. The look on her face is familiar, and you’re taking her off before she can say anything to the older lady. Sure enough, when you get back there? “I saw something,” is the first thing she says. “And it looked a little like Mono.”

...Fantastic.

Done for tonight. I might not be available tomorrow. Depends. For now...well, things are pressing along, for better or worse. What happens next? Kinda up to you.

Night!

>>1391543
Night.

Thanks for thread, boss(es).

Shoot. Sorry QM, starsector updated and I forgot about everything else happening.