>>1881442
"So when you'd get that one?" Walt asks hastily, before moving to help Sofia regain her composure. The soccer coach and David is helping Keith and Ruth up, and Principal Brown is also here, surveying the area.

Rather than a bumbling dean, he looks like a man who's seen dozens of such battles. "No telling where this guy you were describing went, but I can see what he did," Brown considers the damage and asks Crew, "Got a read on his position, by any chance?"

"No, sir. He's simply vanished, and not in the 'concealed by a Dreamcatcher' way. I think he left the Witching Hour as soon as we showed up."

"Fantastic," he mutters, and asks you, "You all right? Sorry we didn't get here in time to catch him."

>>You all right?
>Better than ever.
>For a given value of 'all right', I guess.
>What about the others?
>He can do that- just leave and enter the Witching Hour whenever he wants?
><Write-In>

>>1881446
>I'm fine
>What about the others?

>>1881446
>He can do that- just leave and enter the Witching Hour whenever he wants?
>So... What the fuck just happened?

>>1881470
>>1881526
>He can do that- just leave and enter the Witching Hour whenever he wants?
"Yeah..." Brown frowns. "I know only one guy that can do that, and I don't like the implications if it turns out to be him." He seems hesitant to speak about this man. "Look, if it is him, I'll let you know. What would be worse is if it's not him..."
>So... What the fuck just happened?
The Principal thinks for a second and then conjectures, "If he really can devour Myths, then we're dealing with some megalomaniac who's eating Myths, Monsters, and Curses to build up power to do something big- my bet is take over the world. Given how he fled when he saw us, he probably hasn't been doing this for a while, or he's not strong enough to take us all on. But what about you, Read? You haven't answered my question."
>I'm fine
Brown almost doesn't believe you at first, but your composure convinces him. "All right, fine. You're obviously tougher than you look."
>What about the others?
Sofia is crying- if you had to guess, most of the damaged during this was emotional, and she's still calming down from nearly watching you all get killed. Brown turns to Bennett to check her status, and the computer teacher warns him to leave her be for a bit.

Ruth is quietly standing with the soccer coach, who's advising and comforting her through conversation.

Keith gets back to his feet soon enough, but he breaks away from the coach's conversation with Florez and is obviously extremely angry at being denied his chance at revenge. "That fucking coward! If I ever find out who he is, I'll beat him to death with my bare damn hands!"

"Save it for when we fight him again," Brown shakes his head. "Outlook's not great... Someone who gets stronger whenever he comes in, and can enter or escape whenever he likes. I think he's stolen those powers from other unlucky folks."

"Well how do we corner him, then?" Keith asks angrily. "We can't just hope he pops in whenever we're here and we can trap him before he bitches out."

>>How do we corner him, then?
>We find out who he is in the 'real' world and catch him there so he can't escape.
>A honey trap where we'll be ready to keep him from fleeing when he shows up.
>We've got to cut off his source of strength and destroy as many Curses and Monsters as possible.
>We've got to get stronger so that when he finally does whatever he's planning, we can beat him down then.
>Speaking of which, what happens to people who lose their Myths?
><Write-In>

>>1881577
>We find out who he is in the 'real' world and catch him there so he can't escape.

>>1881577
>>Speaking of which, what happens to people who lose their Myths?
>Seemed like he was going after the Curse in charge of this floor. It might be a safe bet to say he'll go after the ones in charge of any more parts of Babylon that open up.

>>1881577
>>We've got to cut off his source of strength and destroy as many Curses and Monsters as possible.

>>1881582
>>1881595
>>1881605
>We find out who he is in the 'real' world and catch him there so he can't escape.
"Easier said than done," Brown grumbles grimly. "Anyone who knows about this world and the relationship between Myths and Curses would have done their homework. Which means that this is most likely an inside job- someone who has access to what the government knows about the Witching Hour."

"Doesn't that make it simple?" Keith asks. "I mean, there's only a small list of those, right? Just line everyone up and have Bennett scan them."

"I... I'm not sure that will work," The Principal admits. "He-if this person even is a he- would probably have countermeasures. It's worth a shot, but we're going to have to either catch them in the act or convict by plain logic and evidence."

>Speaking of which, what happens to people who lose their Myths?
"Their memories are gone. All of them." Bennett states, shocking Sofia.

"They-they don't die?" Carrollo coughs, trying to finish weeping.

"Not usually," Bennett says. "I only know because someone did a volunteer experiment in the late 70s. It causes an identity crisis, for sure, and if you know how to restore the Myth, you can 'bring them back'. The stress of losing your entire set of memories is usually enough to kill those in bad enough health. Technically, if you did so with someone else and then put them back into opposite bodies, you'd have a memory swap. I don't know whether that sort of transfer would make their identities different, though."

"I remember something like that was done for-" Brown begins, but then shuts himself up when his eyes fall on David for a second.

"Suffice to say," Walt points at you, "You all are really lucky he decided to pick the guy with multiple Myths to go after. If it were anyone else, I suspect you wouldn't be getting them back."

>Seemed like he was going after the Curse in charge of this floor. It might be a safe bet to say he'll go after the ones in charge of any more parts of Babylon that open up.

"That seems right," the soccer coach states. "I'm Mrs. Moore, for those of you who don't know." She gestures to Sofia, and Carrollo walks over.

>We've got to cut off his source of strength and destroy as many Curses and Monsters as possible.
"To get to them before he does," Ruth follows up. "Yes, that seems like a good plan. Which makes our need to go down a floor even more immediate. Where are Vergil and Beatrice?"

"Who and what?" Brown blinks.

"We are at their service," Beatrice states calmly, and then walks up to you. "I specifically yours, Mr. Read."

"She can talk?" Carollo asks, now more surprised than sad.

The red-clothed 'waitress' brushes her hair aside disdainfully as she rolls her eyes. "Obviously."

>>A sudden Beatrice appears!
>I don't think "I specifically yours." is a complete sentence.
>Where the FUCK were you?
>I'd like my elevator down, please.
>Remind me why you sound like my ex-girlfriend?
>And I suppose you're here for Dante.
><Write-In>

>>1881676
>>And I suppose you're here for Dante.

>>1881676
>Remind me why you sound like my ex-girlfriend?

>>1881676
>I don't think "I specifically yours." is a complete sentence.
>And I suppose you're here for Dante.

>>1881686
>>1881688
>>1881695
>I don't think "I specifically yours." is a complete sentence.
She replies immediately with a terse, "My intent was clear."
>And I suppose you're here for Dante.
"Astute as always," she says only partly seriously. "You have awakened to your true potential. The Faust you began your journey with was what you might call a shadow of Dante. You were not able to access the full power of your repertoire, but from this point onwards, I will aid you in properly mastering the powers of your Myths."

Everyone else is confused except for Brown, who seems to be reminiscing, and Ruth, who remains silent.

David speaks up. "So wait, you didn't do this earlier because he hadn't awakened to Dante? That seems sort of counter-intuitive."

Beatrice does not answer, provoking Keith to ask as well. "Well?"

Your server seems aggravated. "Well what? Be clear in your requests."

"Why'd you hold off on talking until now?" Keith queries, losing his own patience.

"Because I do not waste words on unimportant matters," the caustic reply comes.

>Remind me why you sound like my ex-girlfriend?
"You are projecting her mannerisms upon me," she replies.

"EX-girlfriend for a reason, apparently," Keith grumbles, staring at Beatrice and mumbling under his breath.
He has a point. Irene, for as much as she cared about you, could really be a gigantic pain in the ass when she wanted to be. Irene's cold in the same way, which makes you wonder how exactly Beatrice got assigned to you. At least her rack is nice.

Donna walks up panting. "Hey, don't leave me behind! You're all too fast!" She leans on one of the walls.

"Some of us can keep up a sprint," Bennett shakes his head. "So what now? We call it in for the day?"

>>We call it in for the day?
>Yeah, I need to talk to Beatrice about this new arrangement and everything.
>Yeah, my nose is starting to hurt again.
>No, we need to press our advantage while we're all here.
>No, I think we need to re-assign teams if you three are available to help us. We could have two full or three split active teams that way.
><Write-in>

>>1881786
>Yeah, I need to talk to Beatrice about this new arrangement and everything.
>Plus everyone's beat

>>1881786
>At least her rack is nice.
kek.

>Yeah, I need to talk to Beatrice about this new arrangement and everything.
>Plus everyone's beat
>But we need to get back in here as soon as possible, we can't let him gank any more powerful curses like that critic woman.
>Speaking of whom... What's going to happen to her?

>>1881792
>>1881810
>Yeah, I need to talk to Beatrice about this new arrangement and everything.
"Indeed," Irene- you mean Beatrice- states, her attitude pissing off all the women and most of the men within hearing range.
>Plus everyone's beat
It's true, even as their strength is restored by Crew. You can't keep this up after that fight.
>But we need to get back in here as soon as possible, we can't let him gank any more powerful curses like that critic woman.
>Speaking of whom... What's going to happen to her?
Bennett, Moore, and Brown all look between each other nervously. "We'll handle it," the last one says, though he obviously thinks that nothing good can come of it.

"Let's head out," Bennett suggests, before the situation gets any worse. It doesn't take his mind-reading to tell he's concerned for the woman as well.

"Yeah," Sofia begins to leave, her fists clenched. She smiles at you, but her hatred for Beatrice's sudden voice and attitude is obvious. "Be safe."

"There is no safer location for him than next to me," Beatrice assures her, causing Carrollo to grit her teeth and everyone but David and the adults to give Beatrice their own dirty look. She is unconcerned with their anger, and when they leave, she turns to you expectantly.

"Shall we begin, then?" she snaps her fingers and a door appears near you two. It's crimson and partly ephemeral. "Come this way, so that I might be your legal council."

---

Inside, you can see an entire room themed in different colors of red. Its tone is similar to Faust's laboratory, and there are two couches, a small water cooler and similarly-sized refrigerator, another door labeled 'Witnesses', and a set of double doors with a threatening aura about them. On the table between the couches, the Commedia lies closed.

"You are in moderate peril," your server speaks. "While you have awakened to the true nature of your powers, your previous deal still stands. You will be apart from our other guest."

>>Legal Counsel?
>So you know about my original bargain, and you're trying to help me get out of it?
>Witnesses... that for summoning Myths?
>What's in the fridge?
>Other guest? Is Vergil with him?
>Could you serve me by standing to be less of a bitch to my friends?
><Write-In>

>>1881880
>So you know about my original bargain, and you're trying to help me get out of it?
>Other guest? Is Vergil with him?

>>1881880
>Witnesses... that for summoning Myths?
>Could you be less antagonistic to the others?

>>1881884
>>1881906
>So you know about my original bargain, and you're trying to help me get out of it?
"Indeed. We have no reason to aid such a force, and every reason to protect you- and antagonize him in the process so he does not attempt such a deal again."

>Other guest? Is Vergil with him?
Beatrice nods. "The other guest is under the protection of my brother. Unfortunately, privacy rules prevent me from speaking any more on the matter, even whether to confirm or correct you as to their sex." she shrugs. "It's simple procedure."

>Witnesses... that for summoning Myths?
She smiles to you warmly. "Indeed it is. Yes, when you have need of another of your Mythic allies, I will call upon them from there. However, they will often expect repayment for being on call, of trinkets or sometimes in cash."

>Could you be less antagonistic to the others?
Beatrice almost seems hurt by this, but you feel like she's faking it. "If you insist and it aids these proceedings, I will be more careful with my phrasing."
Twiddling her thumbs, she waits on you to suggest something. "Do you have need of my services? Here, I can heal you, summon Myths you have collected memoirs of, and fuse them or convert them into other materials. I assume this is a preferable alternative to the laboratory you are used to." Her mood has shifted to cold around others to much sweeter while just with you. Though you naturally enjoy the attention, it's a little concerning how fast the change is.

>>Do you have need of my services?
>Yeah. What do I have to pay to get the Myths I lost in that battle back?
>I have some Myths I'd like to fuse.
>I have some Myths I'd like to summon.
>I need some other advice.
>What do you and your brother do when you're not serving us?
><Write-In>

>>1881947
>Yeah. What do I have to pay to get the Myths I lost in that battle back?

>>1881947
>Yeah. What do I have to pay to get the Myths I lost in that battle back?
>What do you and your brother do when you're not serving us?
>So you're supposed to be my legal council? What about the prosecutor, or the judge?

By the way Judge, did we ever interrogate the businessman curse we captured before the Paladins tried to snipe it?

>>1881948
>>1881953
>Yeah. What do I have to pay to get the Myths I lost in that battle back?
"Most of those Myths were relatively simply acquired. They can be regained at a cost of about twenty dollars each. At this time, you may also recover Captain Hook at the same cost, but you must also recall that holding more than six Myths at a time besides Faust and therefore Dante is impossible at this time."
You have three openings, then.
>Current Cash: $275.00
>Currently Held:
>>Faust/Dante (Locked): +1/+2/+1/+1
>>Blackbeard: +2/+0/-1/+3
>>Velveteen Rabbit: +0/+0/+2/+1
>>The General: +3/-1/+0/+3
>Known:
>>Captain Hook: +2/+0/+1/+1 ($20)
>>Demon in The Bottle: +1/+0/+3/-1 ($20)
>>Friar Tuck: +1/+1/+0/+2 ($20)
>>Red Riding Hood: -1/-1/+3/+2 ($20)
>>Kronos: +5/+3/+4/+6 ($9000)

>What do you and your brother do when you're not serving us?
Beatrice looks aside as if she's not sure how to answer. "We simply exist, I suppose. Sometimes we monitor Babylon, or walk about, or speak with one another." This question has unsettled her deeply- she's obviously never given it any thought.
>So you're supposed to be my legal council? What about the prosecutor, or the judge?
"I think you can guess who the prosecutor is..." Her uncomfortable body language tells her she means the being you've made the deal with has intended to represent himself, then snicker at the usual legal advice associated with that.
Beatrice frowns at you for apparently laughing at her fear, but relents when you explain. "Oh. I've never heard that before." She tries to laugh and fails. "And the judge... He's the only person that could possibly arbitrate on the matter of a soul's destination."
You feel as though you've found yourself unfortunately in the middle of a supernatural tiff against all odds.

>>Summoning Witnesses
>Purchase Myths <Write-In>
>Can you tell me more about what each Myth does besides their stats?
>You want to come outside, then? It must be boring being here all the time.
>Actually, I want to try <Fusing/Converting Myths/Transmuting Objects>
>I think I'm done here. See you later.
><Write-In>

>(By the way Judge, did we ever interrogate the businessman curse we captured before the Paladins tried to snipe it?)
No, you haven't. I don't think we've gone through with that yet. That can be next, if you want.

>>1882016
> Buy Captain Hook
>Red Riding Hood
>You want to come outside, then? It must be boring being here all the time.

>>1882016
>Purchase Myths <Write-In>
>>Demon in The Bottle, Red Riding Hood
>Can you tell me more about what each Myth does besides their stats?
>You want to come outside, then? It must be boring being here all the time.

>That can be next, if you want.
Sure, when we get the chance.

File: The Lover.png (70 KB, 500x500)

70 KB PNG

>>1882018
>>1882019
>Buy Captain Hook, Demon in the Bottle, Red Riding Hood ($60)
Captain Hook returns to your side with a nod, the Demon bounces off the floor and into the open Commedia, and Red Riding Hood peeks out from behind the door before the ink that makes her up jumps onto the page.
>Can you tell me more about what each Myth does besides their stats?
"Now that you have awakened to your new power, you have gained greater access to your Myths' potentials."
>>Faust/Dante (Jester): Devour/Scribe- Faust consumes a Myth, Monster, or Curse to gain a part of its power. Dante instead sketches it and gains a lesser insight, but adds it to the list of known Myths.
>>Blackbeard (Ruler): Master of Fear: Negates Frightened when active Myth, can cause Frightened (Succeed on Courage roll, more difficult for all targets).
>>Velveteen Rabbit (Caregiver): Fever Resistance- Negates Poisoned condition while active Myth, can heal (Succeed on Charm roll).
>>The General (Hero): No Man of Woman Born- If active Myth, survives a deathblow once and returns to full health.
>>Captain Hook (Ruler): Good Form- If active Myth, immune to knockdown.
>>Demon in The Bottle (Jester): Drinking Problem- while held may choose to add (-2/-2/+1/+3) modifier to self (lasts until end of expedition, cannot be removed while Bottle is held)
>>Red Riding Hood: Innocent Maiden- Automatically succeed on one Negotiation per expedition with a Hero-race Myth.

>You want to come outside, then? It must be boring being here all the time.
Beatrice considers this idea with some eagerness. "Very well, but I will not stay there long, and I do not wish this to be an excuse for you to hand me off to someone else. If I leave this realm, I want you to guide me as I guide you here until I feel completely comfortable."

For some reason, her acceptance of your offer causes her to become happier.
Thou hast forged a new bond with the power to understand another.
The Lover now stands beside you as well.
Emotions serve to both empower and degrade...
...This is also a part of you.

"Did you want to begin now, then? Did you have a place you wanted to go?" The server is now very eager to follow up on this. Apparently she didn't think it was possible, but now the genie's out of the bottle.
Oh boy, this is gonna be 'FUN'. You almost regret the suggestion as soon as it was made.

>>Did you have a place you wanted to go?
>Uh, actually, I was thinking maybe another day. It's kinda late.
>Yeah, I think we could to Sarpino's just to start off.
>I guess we could go to Olympia?
>I had somewhere else in mind. <Write-In>
>Actually, I need to speak with my teacher about something.
><Write-In>

>>1882066
>Yeah, I think we could to Sarpino's just to start off.

>>1882080
>Yeah, I think we could to Sarpino's just to start off.

"Well, then, I'm ready when you are," Beatrice stands up and moves to the door, waiting and intent on leaving with you. Unfortunately, you realize after you've said this that her apparel will turn gazes, and not in a good way. You try to think of an excuse for why a high-school girl would be wearing almost all red, but the only reasons you can provide is a costume or a job uniform. Let's hope that's good enough, and that your impromptu date doesn't raise questions.

---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeDUBxEVDXM
---

When you enter Sarpino's, it's quite late and there are only a few people here. There is a rotund woman in fancy clothing here sobbing and drowning her sorrows. Sarpino attends to her and her seemingly bottomless wallet with a mixture of speed and cautiousness. The other customers seem to be trying to ignore the distraction and eat quietly.
Sarpino sees you, and gives a sigh of relief. And then he sees Beatrice and confusion runs over his face. Your attendant sits down and waits for you to do the same and order.
"Is always the crazy customers in this city," Sofia's uncle mutters before taking you aside and asking, "So, Read, who is this strange girl and what are-"

"This strange girl can name herself as Beatrice, thank you," Beatrice interrupts, and you can almost see Sarpino's eyepatch expand in surprise.

"Oh, boy, I understand now." He lets you go and whispers, "Good luck, my friend. Do not be dying, my niece will miss you."

He hurries off to take another order before you can protest, and Beatrice gives him a dirty look, which she then turns to you as if demanding rather than requesting you sit down.

Shit.
---
That'll be it for the night, will continue tomorrow same time and Friday instead of Thursday. Now is the time for any questions.

>>1882130
"Well?" Beatrice suggests in a manner that mkaes you feel as though you're facing down a firing squad. "You did offer to bring me here." Her fingers drum on the table furiously. You're not sure whether this is some sort of feminine bravado or her actual intent, but you feel as though your server/served positions have been reversed suddenly.

>>You did offer to bring me here.
>So, uh, do you have a favorite food?
>(Man up and order the damn pizza already)
>>Order a small vegetarian pizza, close to Irene's tastes
>>Order a supreme pizza with extra meat and cheese, the sort you like.
>I have to use the bathroom. Like, urgently.
>Can I call a friend?
><Write-In>

>>1884760
*makes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsfHuSqLIEw

>>1884760
>(Man up and order the damn pizza already)
>>Order a supreme pizza with extra meat and cheese, the sort you like.

>>1884760
>(Man up and order the damn pizza already)
>>Order a supreme pizza with extra meat and cheese, the sort you like.

I can only imagine how a harem route would end if Beatrice were involved. There wouldn't be enough left of Solomon to fill an urn.

>>1884773
>>1884815
>(Man up and order the damn pizza already)
>>Order a supreme pizza with extra meat and cheese, the sort you like.
You decide to bet on the idea that Beatrice and Irene don't share all their mannerisms and tastes, and thank your lucky stars as you're proven right. As soon as the pizza comes to the table, she ends up digging in.

"Ah, this is perfect! I need to develop a method to get this regularly. Perhaps once a week or once a month- I sense this is both fattening and expensive." Sarpino overhears this and gives her a hateful stare out of his one good eye. It's like if you put three Sofia gazes together and then concentrated them to one pupil.

She eats faster than you. She eats faster than David. She almost eats faster than Keith. The pizza is gone almost as soon as it arrives, and Beatrice had three times as much of it as you have. When she wipes her mouth and hands with the provided napkins, you stare in horror at this she-beast that not only demands your attention, but your share of food. It hurts your pride as a man, dammit! No girl you know eats that much- except Lilina.
You're not sure what that means, but it can't be good.

"That was enlightening! Where next?" she asks, hands in her lap, and you're not sure how to answer the girl in red. You hope that she stops offending people soon, or at least that she's satisfied enough with this world to wait until later to deal some real damage to your reputation.

>>Where next?
>Uh, I guess we could go to the arcade?
>My school, maybe?
>There's the rollerskating rink.
>We need to get you new clothes.
>I think that's enough for today.
><Write-In>

>>1884916
>>There's the rollerskating rink.
Let's try something that will last a bit longer than food in front of this black hole.

>>1884933
second

>>1884933
>>1884937
It's almost closed by the time you get there but you manage to get skates just in time. Beatrice wears the skates with her usual eagerness towards almost everything she finds novel, twirling around before falling over onto her bottom and shaking her head to clear her dizziness.
"Interesting. I've never had footwear like this. Unfortunately, I haven't mastered them yet." your server looks over the floor and comes to a giddy conclusion. "Oh, Solomon, you shouldn't have." When she takes your hand, you realize that she's judged that this was supposed to be a romantic experience.

You skate with her for an hour, during which time your hand goes numb, and are finally removed from the area by the closing of the rink.

---

She walks with you throughout Crescent City, and you realize that you need to get back to Olympia before the curfew. It's Wednesday, after all, not a weekend. And then there's getting her back to the Witching Hour... Bennett has probably locked his office by now.
"Isn't this city wonderful?" Beatrice smiles. "There's always something going on. I've never seen it like this." She rests her head on your shoulder. Normally, you wouldn't be opposed to feminine attention, but this is getting really annoying.

>>Isn't this city wonderful?
>Yeah, it really is.
>You should get back to the Witching Hour, it's getting late.
>Wait until you see New York.
>Uh, Beatrice, you may have misunderstood what I meant by bringing you here...
>Has your brother ever been here?
><Write-In>

>>1885030
>Has your brother even been here

>>1885030
>>Yeah, it really is.
>Uh, Beatrice, you may have misunderstood what I meant by bringing you here...
And if that doesn't piss her off overmuch:
>Has your brother ever been here?
>Can you still get back to the Witching Hour?

>>1885034
>>1885040
>Yeah, it really is.
"It really is romantic," she cups her face in her hands and dances a bit.
>Uh, Beatrice, you may have misunderstood what I meant by bringing you here...
"What do you mean?" she asks innocently. You know she knows exactly what you mean, and prepare your mental will accordingly. When you finish explaining that this isn't a date, just a method to get to know her better, she smiles and laughs as if you were joking. "Thanks for being concerned about my feelings. You should be."

You change the subject.
>Has your brother ever been here?
"Nope. I ought to convince him to come here."

>Can you still get back to the Witching Hour?
"I can, but I'd rather stay here with you." she pouts. You tell her that's not an option and she narrows her eyes again. "Very well. I will be patient. After all, we wouldn't want to get off on the wrong foot, would we?" Beatrice winks and waves to you. A red door like the one you entered when you first went to the red room. "See you in the Satin Room." the waitress steps inside with a saunter and then closes the door behind her, causing it to vanish.

Creeps you the fuck out.

---
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mdh2p03cRfw
---

You get back to Olympia and take a long cold shower before going to sleep.

AFTER SCHOOL Friday September 21st (Weather: Sunny. Forecast for tomorrow: Sunny.)
This will be the last opportunity for people to submit speeches and apply as candidates for Student Council elections. You time working at Home Economics has also improved your skills in cooking and precision skills.

Your Proficiency has increased! (+2: 5/7 ->7/7!!))
(Your Proficiency has increased to Advanced- Steady Hands! (+3: 0/15 to advance))

You've finally managed to set aside time to interrogate the Curse you captured so long ago, and signed Keith up for the boxing competition. He was hesitant at first, but eventually thought it was a good idea. You've also gotten a text from Kenneth.

>KENNETH: Dude some weird shit happened at midnight. Is this what you guys were talking about before?
>KENNETH: Where do you guys meet?

There's still some time left. Do you have a speech to submit?
>>Do you have a speech to submit?
>No, I think Hall can handle this himself
>Yeah, I've got one.
>Send Kenneth a message <Write-In>
>Assemble everyone
>Speak to someone specific
><Write-In>

>>1885165
>Send Kenneth a message
>>Mr. Benett's room.

>Assemble everyone

>>1885183
>Send Kenneth a message
>>Mr. Benett's room.
>Assemble everyone

Kenneth shows up, still nervous. Bennett is unfased as usual, and points the football player into his closet. Not believing it at first, he soon comes to the truth when he sees the whole group enter.

Following you inside, he stares at the room Bennett's set up, and especially at the Siege Perilous. Running his hand along the armrest, he stops when Bennett speaks up. "Don't touch that." Bennett is protective of his special chair, and explains why. "That thing is designed specifically for me. It'll fry basically anyone else here- safety measures to prevent someone from stealing important information."

"Okay, uh, sorry." Kenneth steps away from it with his hands up. "So, uh, what's going on? What is this place?"

---

A few quick explanations later, Kenneth is mostly up to speed.

"Damn, that's some crazy shit. Can't believe that's happening here of all places."

"It would be absurd wherever it happened," Bennett points out, and then motions to you. "The Curse. Release it here. I'll keep it in place."

Following the Dreamcatcher's obscure combination to unfetter the Curse you captured, you release it out in front of the rest of the group.

"P-Please..." It takes the form of the groveling salesman. "Don't hurt me..."

Sofia says soothingly, "We're not going to hurt you. We just need to ask you some questions."

>>Don't hurt me...
>What can you tell me about the man who killed you? Any physical description?
>There was another salesman he killed. Who was that?
>Why did he want the papers you brought to him? What was in them that was valuable?
>Where did you meet him to make the trade?
>Why did you have to leave Japan in the first place?
><Write-In>

>>1885299
>What can you tell me about the man who killed you? Any physical description?
>There was another salesman he killed. Who was that?

>>1885299
>Why did he want the papers you brought to him? What was in them that was valuable?
>What company did you work for? What can you tell us about it?
>Did you have any other associates in Crescent City?

>>1885299
>>>What can you tell me about the man who killed you? Any physical description?
>Why did he want the papers you brought to him? What was in them that was valuable?

>>1885327
>>1885354
>>1885365
>What can you tell me about the man who killed you? Any physical description?
"He was shorter than the average American. Definitely a man."

>There was another salesman he killed. Who was that?
"I don't know! I don't remember his name! I don't remember my own name! He obliterated them from my mind!"

>Why did he want the papers you brought to him? What was in them that was valuable?
"Look, we..." The salesman falls to a prostrate position. "There was a conspiracy to use this world as a political tool to control and kill Japan's enemies, internal or not."

"Yo, what?" Keith stares at the Curse and then at Bennett. "This guy for real?"

Walt verifies it. "I think I heard about that. You guys didn't think we knew as much as we did, so you thought you could push over the US with a couple of deaths or some mind control."

"Yes. The papers were research done on such techniques."

"So you either gave him mind control or he already knew how?" Donna barks at the Curse. "You stupid motherfucker! Why'd you think he'd spare you?"

"These guys were hilariously misinformed, partly because most of the people that already knew about the Witching Hour were their enemies." Bennett pops an Oreo in his mouth. "Most of these goombahs were businessmen and politicians, not psychologists, in-the-knows, or mystics."

>What company did you work for? What can you tell us about it?
"It's dissolved now, so a name is useless, but we were in on this as well. Legally, I sold Pachinko machines, but I also collected any information on the location of certain people that might be valuable to our cause, or to eliminate."

>Did you have any other associates in Crescent City?
"There was... There was a Milani! One of the Milani men. They supplied... Resources. I don't remember which one I usually met with. Clover, too. He sold us tech we couldn't get in Japan. He was on the conspiracy's control list. If we got him, we'd have a foothold in America. And that's all I know!" The Curse cowers.

"Is that it?" Ruth asks. "It seems like he's leaving out a lot of information."

>>Is that it?
>Let's not push it.
>I think we can squeeze some more info out of him <Write-In>.
>We can ask him later. Now we need to focus on Kenneth joining up.
>(Devour the Curse)
><Write-In>

>>1885449
>Was the Milani named Sostrato? Or was it a thug named Leroy?
>Was there anything else about the man who murdered you? Like what his voice sounded like, or what he wore? Did you ever hear him mention anything interesting?

>To Walt: Once we're finished, what should we do with him?

>>1885494
>Was the Milani named Sostrato? Or was it a thug named Leroy?
"Yes, it was Leroy. He hated us, though. He only did it because he was ordered to. Never fun to talk to. Always liked to pretend he was going to kill one of us."
>Was there anything else about the man who murdered you? Like what his voice sounded like, or what he wore? Did you ever hear him mention anything interesting?
"He was wearing a suit, and he had this reflective mask on. His voice was artificially altered. He said the papers I brought him were 'useless' and spoke about how 'They thought they could kill me'. Then he started gloating about his powers. He said he could 'control this world' and 'dealt with the assassin'. I don't know what any of it meant. I guess the conspiracy tried to have him killed?" He shuts up again, and this time you don't think you can get anything else out of him.

>To Walt: Once we're finished, what should we do with him?
"Up to you," Walt replies. "Release him, I guess. So this guy is Kronos. He really is in charge of the droids." He pulls out his phone and stares at the screen. "Heh, keep forgetting this thing doesn't work here."

>>Up to you.
>Release him
>Destroy him
>Devour him
><Write-In>

>>1885580
And before you get confused, yes, Bennett is referring to the murderer as Kronos

>>1885580
>Release him
>>Fair warning, if you stick around in Babylon, kronos or one of his Droids will probably kill you. Again.

>He pulls out his phone and stares at the screen. "Heh, keep forgetting this thing doesn't work here."

I feel like I'm either reading to much into things or this is a subtle detail we really ought to pay attention to.

>>1885592
That's the impression I got, so no worries.

>>1885604
second

>>1885604
>Release him
>>Fair warning, if you stick around in Babylon, kronos or one of his Droids will probably kill you. Again.
The Curse vanishes without another word, leaving you and the rest of the group in Babylon.

Kenneth, seeing that this is over, is still mostly confused. "So someone else named Kronos has similar powers and they've been wreaking havoc?"

Donna nods. "Yup. It's possible they may have caused the strange events that caused you to act so bitterly. And if we hadn't gotten to you before he did..." She makes a head-severing gesture with her hand.

Martinez doesn't like the sound of that. "You guys really saved my skin." He holds out a clenched fist. "All right, I'm in. You said Hall is up next, right? And we don't talk to anyone else about this?"

"Yes," Sofia says. "I'm the secondary leader- I lead the second group if we split. If there are any problems, discuss them with Solomon or I."

"But first, Walt needs to awaken your powers," David says. "Oops, I mean Bennett."

"Never mind," Bennett states. "Kenneth, I need you to focus..."

---
We'll continue Friday at 7 PM. I'll stick around for questions. Sorry for the slowdown at the end.

>He pulls out his phone and stares at the screen. "Heh, keep forgetting this thing doesn't work here."
>>I feel like I'm either reading to much into things or this is a subtle detail we really ought to pay attention to.
If you knew who he was thinking of calling it might be more significant.

>>1885681
And of course I didn't tag this post.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhe0ULrAHIw

>>1885714
Thanks for running, see you on Friday, Judge.

After some time focusing his mind and mental energy, Kenneth finally seems to make a breakthrough and the General slowly forms around him. After a small flicker of static, the power secures itself to him, and you feel the General leaving your control.

(The General has returned to Martinez, and has left your set of Active Myths.)

"Hm. This feels strange," Martinez says, and blinks out of his new form for a few seconds to make sure he can change to and fro at will. "Okay, I think I've got a handle on it, at least a little bit." The quarterback clenches his fist with determination and takes a forward stance. "We've got to handle Hall's problem, right? Same thing as me? Then let's get started."

"Are you all ready, then?" Walt says, and then sits down in the Siege Perilous. "I'll keep a tighter eye on things in case our friend shows back up."
He focuses and says, "I see lots of Rulers, Rebels, and Explorers. The area seems to be... Nautical in nature." He grimaces. "Expect a lot of Wind and Electric attacks."

You prepare yourself for battle and consider what you have to work with.
>>Base Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: +3/+3/+3/+3
>>Armor: Hero's Armor, +1/+0/+0/+0
>>Weapon: Ultra Greatsword, +0/+0/+0/+1
>Myths:
>>Faust/Dante (Locked): +1/+2/+1/+1
>>Blackbeard: +2/+0/-1/+3
>>Demon in the Bottle: -1/-1/+3/+2
>>Velveteen Rabbit: +0/+0/+2/+1
>>Red Riding Hood: +1/+0/+3/-1
>>Friar Tuck: +1/+1/+0/+2

Non-Myth Powers:
>Every member of the party can aid you during Negotiation.
>When you score a critical hit in battle:
>>(Sofia) Maiden’s Judgement: Hand-to-hand assault on one target with high chance to strike fear in other enemies.
>>(Sofia) Lady’s Gift: Heal all allies greatly.
>1 use per day each:
>>Devil's Own Luck- Re-roll failed/unacceptable check.
>>Soul Shield- If David is in your party during battle, he will take and survive a lethal blow in the place of another party member.
>>Seize the Truth- Remove debuffs all party, remove buffs all enemy
>>Tear Up- Massive physical-type damage one enemy

When everyone is ready, you decide who goes with you.
>>Party Composition
>Sofia
>Keith (Great Condition)
>David (Great Condition)
>Ruth
>Donna
>Kenneth
>Tell Sofia to take secondary group <Write-In>
>Ask Bennett to take the field
>All together
>We're not ready yet.
><Write-In>

>>1890277
>Keith
>David
>Kenneth
>Sofia takes the rest
>Equip BlackBeard pre-emptively since Faust is weak to Elec

>>1890277
this>>1890299

>>1890299
Support

>>1890299
>>1890311
>>1890332

"Heading a floor down?" Virgil asks. Beatrice merely stands nearby and smiles at you as she sees you.
>Floor 3: Avarice
"Ah, this casino on the sea is a scenic attraction for anyone looking to escape from the droll simplicity of ordinary life. Humanity often desires wealth- it is the basis of modern power in all too many cases." He bows to you as you approach the floor level. "I assure you, there is always something exciting going on on the Caveat Emptor, and the casino provides the opportunity to win -or more likely lose- a fortune. Keep yourselves safe."

---
>Rio - Duran Duran (1982)
---

The sound of waves hits your ears, and then the scent of seawater on the air. This is a huge cruise ship of opulent design. Anything that could be made of gold without looking tacky is, and no expense is spared. The Curses here take the form of wealthy and powerful individuals, images you've seen on the news shifting and fading in and out of existence.

In fact, you even see Richard Clover here. He doesn't seem to be enjoying himself. Sitting next to him is Christopher Hall, but the technological mogul isn't listening to him. A second of focused vision reveals Clover to be an ordinary Curse that has been selected by Christopher's Monster for projecting his concept of the man on. Christopher's Monster looks gaunter than the real student, almost to the point of physical illness. He's also two decks down, which means you'll have to move through the ballroom and the casino before you can get to him.

There are guards everywhere. How do you proceed?

>>Caveat Emptor (Roll 2d10+stat)
>Try to sneak down to the bottom floor (Proficiency +3)
>Introduce yourselves as guests of Hall (Charm +3)
>Seek out a secret or rarely-used path down (Knowledge +3)
>Jump down a floor and use your Myth to stick the landing (Courage +3)
><Write-In>

Rolled 5, 9 + 3 = 17 (2d10 + 3)

>>1890443
>>Try to sneak down to the bottom floor (Proficiency +3)

Rolled 3, 9 + 3 = 15 (2d10 + 3)

>>1890443
>Try to sneak down to the bottom floor (Proficiency +3)

Rolled 5 + 3 (1d20 + 3)

>>1890443
>Try to sneak down to the bottom floor (Proficiency +3)

Watch out for mousetraps... Fuck that mechanic

Rolled 2, 3 + 3 = 8 (2d10 + 3)

>>1890475
Wrong dice, whoops

>>1890454
>>1890457
>>1890484
>(5, 9 +3 = 17 SUCCESS)
Like any good boarding crew, you bide your time, hiding whenever guards show up and generally trying to go as far low-profile as you can wearing your armor and carrying your sword. You manage to get to the bottom deck before you stop the other three from going any further.

The VIP area is blocked off by three burly dudes in suits. They're definitely Curses, and they don't look like the easily banished sort. Looking around, you see a crane and winch off the side of the boat. It seems the lifeboats have been forgotten, perhaps deliberately.

You could move to the control panel platform to get to the other side of the guards, but it's dangerously positioned. If one of you could get to the controls, the rest could simply move into the water and get pulled up one by one.

"Looks like you've got a plan?" Kenneth asks.

>>Looks like you've got a plan? (roll 2d10)
>Keith, get out to that panel...
>David, I need you to listen carefully...
>Kenneth, you're good at this sort of thing...
>I'll take a shot at it.
>Yeah, we have to do this the hard way. (Attack Curses)
><Write-In>

>>1890610
>I'll take a shot at it.

Rolled 9, 4 = 13 (2d10)

>>1890610
>>I'll take a shot at it.

Rolled 2, 6 = 8 (2d10)

>>1890610
>>I'll take a shot at it.

Rolled 2, 5 = 7 (2d10)

>>1890637

>>1890656
>>1890658
>>1890686
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4n93nLKmi9M

You slip over the side of the rails and look at the jump you have to make to get to the platform. It's quite a ways, and the wind blows pretty hard, but you figure that with your training you should be able to clear it without falling face-down on the water...

...Let's just say it's REALLY far below.
Bracing your nerves, you step back before getting a running start and attempting to make the jump. You do your best to maximize distance- height isn't really important here.

>(9, 4 = 13)

The half-second you spend in the air is nerve-wracking, and you feel gravity pull on you far sooner than you had anticipated. Your stomach clenches, and you almost begin to flail as you feel yourself headed towards the controls. Judging the distance in your head, your nerves tell you it's not going to be enough.

Oh God, it's so high up... and even if you survive the fall directly with the way you're positioned, someone else has to try and succeed before you drown. There's no time to panic- it's now or never- but your heart clenches as you reach out to catch a grip on the rails surrounding the platform. Your hands make contact, but one of them slips, and you hear David cry out over the pain you feel in your chin.

(Continues...)

File: Cruise Ship.png (786 KB, 612x612)

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>>1890833
>(13+3 Courage = 16 SUCCESS)

You put aside the pain and hold onto the nearest piece of metal you can as your body finally stops trembling long enough for you to realize that you're no longer in free-fall. Quickly, you manage to put one leg inside the platform and then the other, then tuck your head under the bars and shove yourself into relative safety.

"Jesus Christ, dude, you scared the everloving SHIT out of me!" Keith roars, partly out of anger and the rest out of relief. David is basically on his knees praying at this point, and Kenneth is still in shock that it was as close as it was.

You rub your arms and move the controls so that the crossing is simplified for everyone else. "Let's go," Kenneth gives you an incredibly impressed smile. "That was pretty badass of you."

Now that you're in the VIP section, you look around for Hall. He's not more than thirty feet out from your position when you get close enough to him that you think he'll find you out.

"Walt, got any suggestions?" David whispers.

"It's Bennett," the teacher grumbles. "But yeah. The girls have decided to, uh, perform percussive maintenance on the ship's engine."

"Wait, what?" Keith is unable to follow up on that question as there is a boat-shaking explosion from far-away. Everyone stands up, including Hall's Monster, who becomes enraged and nearly changes from human form. "What are they doing to my ship? Capture them and throw them overboard?"

"No time!" Bennett declares. "Hall's Monster is Ruler-race and has an affinity for electricity. That fake Clover is a Rebel-class, but will follow his commands. Get ready for battle."

>>Get ready for battle!
>Attack Hall's Monster
>Change Myths
>Give a special order to initiate combat
>Wait for the girls to appear
><Write-In>

>>1890912
>Attack Hall's Monster
>Hold back and conserve energy
>Our job is to hold out out until the girls arrive

>>1890912
this>>1890928

>>1890928
Support

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9 KB JPG

>>1890928
>>1890935
>>1890959
SO I had a completed post but then my browser wouldn't post it and the word document software I had it stored in didn't save it.
Basically, be right back.

>>1890928
>>1890935
>>1890959

"No way am I waiting on the chicks to save us!" Kenneth declares. "We can take him ourselves!"

"They've got our best healer, idiot! And besides, more of us is always better for odds!" Keith replies.

"We'll do fine until then," David states, then hurls a chair with both hands at Christopher's Monster while he's barking orders. It hits with the force of a small cannonball and shatters over the Monster.
Hall's Monster shifts into a navy captain's uniform, though not directly from any set of armed forces you've ever seen. His body crackles with electricity, giving him a semi-inhuman visage.
"Mutiny? Piracy? On board MY ship?" he growls. "I'm in control here!" He orders the fake Clover, "Destroy them!" The Rebel Curse shifts into a pirate with a parrot and his left leg replaced by the use of a crutch.
Losing his temper, Hall's figure begins to boil as he states with utmost certainty and rage, "I'll see you all keel-hauled for this!"

Avaricious Monster Jonah

COMBAT ENGAGED!
--!!!WARNING!!!--

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Blackbleard (+2/+0/-1/+3) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+6/+3/+2/+7)
>Bombard the titan with cannonfire (Proficiency +6)
>Damage the ship to distract the Monster (Knowledge +3)
>Try to negotiate with the servant Curse (Charm +2)
>Fight the fake Clover or the Monster hand-to-hand (Courage +7)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, David, Kenneth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 10, 3 + 6 = 19 (2d10 + 6)

>>1891301
>Bombard the titan with cannonfire (Proficiency +6)

>>1891308
adding
>Order David to hit it with wind attack

>>1891322
>>1891343
>Bombard the titan with cannonfire (Proficiency +6)
The increasingly large Monster is struck in the chest by a flaming cannonball and lurches back with a huge burn mark on his uniform and a mixture of anger and fear in his eyes.

"I think you've found an effective element!" Bennett cries out. "Fire is powerful against him! Keep it up!"
>Order David to hit it with wind attack
Joshua uses a horn blast to push back Hall's Monster, but the other pirate stands his ground in the midst of the attack. Keith follows up the wind attack with an ice blast, and Kenneth smashes the captain's face with the butt of his sword before drawing it across his face.

Jonah raises a fist to the sky. "BEHOLD THIS!"

Several bolts of lightning course through your comrades, dealing moderate damage but not enough to stifle them in the face of their resolve.

"Hah! You've earned no place among my crew! I've done everything necessary to become the perfect leader. You should be honored to have me tell you what to do!" He opens his arms in a boastful gesture. "The golden rule- gold makes the rules! If you don't have any talents or money? TOUGH SHIT, you sit with the rest of the plebians until your time comes!"

"Damn, how can he actually believe that?" Allan pants.

David doesn't think it's an honest response. "I don't know."

"I've never asked for a handout!" Hall's hand crackles again. "Unlike you, I've never needed one! I worked my way here like any good self-made man!"

>>Command? (Roll 2d10 and add modifier, * options do not take up a turn)
>Proficiency/Knowledge/Charm/Courage: (+3/+3/+3/+3) + Blackbleard (+2/+0/-1/+3) + Armor (+1/0/0/0) + Weapon(0/0/0/+1) = (+6/+3/+2/+7)
>Focus more fire on the Monster (Proficiency +6)
>Try to coordinate the girls' arrival (Knowledge +3)
>Try to negotiate with the servant Curse (Charm +2)
>Force the attack Jonah is charging up back on him (Courage +7)
>*Change Myth <Write-In>
>*Ask Mr. Bennett if there's anything he can say about them
>*Order (Tell another person to do something specific (+2 condition bonus): Current party- Keith, David, Kenneth)
>Flee (Sealed)
><Write-In>

Rolled 1, 6 + 6 = 13 (2d10 + 6)

>>1891762
>Focus more fire on the Monster (Proficiency +6)

Rolled 4, 5 + 6 = 15 (2d10 + 6)

>>1891762
>Focus more fire on the Monster (Proficiency +6)

Rolled 3, 2 + 3 = 8 (2d10 + 3)

>>1891762
>>Try to coordinate the girls' arrival (Knowledge +3)

>>1891776
>>1891777
>Focus more fire on the Monster (Proficiency +6)
(4, 5 + 6 = 15 SUCCESS)
You barely score a hit on the Monster as he continues to send searing bolts of lightning coursing within inches of your face. Damn, that hurts. Thankfully, he's looking much worse for wear. Fighting him with his weakness has helped greatly.

"What the hell, you ass?" Keith duels with the Rebel Curse, who has become apparent as Long John Silver to you. "I've had t' work my way to where I am too!"

"And so you earned the place you're in!" Jonah grunts and leans on the side of the deck. "But don't expect me to cry for you! You only get what you're given and you have to make the best of it!" When Kenneth tries to charge him with the General, Hall's Monster catches the attack and nearly throws Kenneth overboard before David catches him. "Life's not fair! That's why crippled success stories are so inspiring! Because they had the power to work past their wallowing!"
>>18917970
>Try to coordinate the girls' arrival
When you fire another volley, your eyes widen as you see the girls charging down the stairs. Pythia has some random nobody Curse in a vice grip bolstered by fire, while Cordelia is blowing up random mooks with her weaker instant-fatality powers. She ends up dodging accidental friendly fire on your part. Ruth is in front, and nearly runs to your position before hitting the deck. A table tossed by Silver shatters into splinters just beyond her, and D'Artagnan punches and then stabs the pirate in response.


"You guys have the upper hand!" Bennett states. "Keep it up! I've got a shot in the arm for you to help finish this!"

---
That'll be it for the week and the thread. Sorry I couldn't get that error fixed any faster. I'll stick around to answer questions and fix any leftover issues.

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>>1891797
Ah, as usual.
Makeup music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBs-lPvk3Zk
Have an approx of the generic uniform Hall is wearing.