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File: Miranda Styles #37.png (340 KB, 577x894)
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Hello, fight fans, and welcome back to Magical Girl For Hire Quest!

Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Magical%20Girl%20For%20Hire%20Quest
General Pastebin: http://pastebin.com/u/MGFHQHandler
Character Details: http://pastebin.com/9J70gqM2 - UPDATED
Miranda's Techniques: http://pastebin.com/eTu7U2PZ
FAQ: http://pastebin.com/8unLWUjF
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MGFHandler

You are Miranda Styles, a relatively unscrupulous magical girl currently working for Silver Eye Solutions, a umbrella corporation for magical girl mercenaries such as yourself, located in scenic The Intersection, a dimensional nowhere and everywhere where you rest, recuperate, live, and get details for your next job.

Today, you and your friends Izumi and Lorelei had decided to spend the day in The Intersection in a festival held by the (much bigger) mercenary corporation Interdiction, designed for the purposes of exhibiting their skills, and possible recruitment for their outfit. You'd been having a pretty decent time actually, meeting and fighting with an...interesting character who went by the name of Zander, before taking a bit of time out to talk to Lorelei, and returning back to see a combat exhibition by members of the team itself - a combat exhibition which now seem to include your friend, the weapons master and all-around good girl, Izumi Yayoi.
>>
>>1928352
You're not exactly sure what's going on here, but you don't like the incredulous look that Izumi wears as the spotlight is literally on her now. Approving cheers go up, surrounded by people who are looking to her with various expressions of interest and excitement on their faces- although you suspect it's partially because some people are just interested in seeing someone get beat up. They had made sure to make their display flashy and look rather intimidating.

You get the distinct impression Interdiction is trying to make a point. What that point is, you don't know, and you're not really sure you care. But that doesn't mean you're not kinda pissed.

From the way she looks around, it's clear she's looking for you, but can't seem to notice you. The expression on her face says that she's not entirely interested in fighting right now, either - but knowing her, that's not out of a fear of defeat, more out of a desire to retain decorum. Gah, sometimes you hate your short statue...!

"Man, why're they putting her on the spot like that, huh?" Lorelei grouses. "Ya'd think they wouldn't just yank someone out the crowd...although I don't think this was all that random. Bells going off in my head big time." She actually looks antsy, like she's about to tell them off herself.

>Try to speak up for Izumi. Motivate her!
>Interrupt the proceedings and try to fight yourself.
>Encourage Lorelei if she's that eager.
>Other
>>
>>1928355
>>Encourage Lorelei if she's that eager.
>>
>>1928355
>Try to speak up for Izumi. Motivate her!
Izumi is the better fighter, and I don't want Lorelei's defeat to tarnish our company's image.
>>
shit how much mana do we have left? we're (possibly) not in good condition to support her

>>1928355
>try to speak up for Izumi. Motivate her!
are they going for a 2 vs 1 fight?
better yet how about a fucking 3 vs 2 battle
>>
>>1928374
>Mana: 7600/11000
>>
Also, 10 more minutes due to start of thread, as always.
>>
Been writing, sorry.
>>
>>1928355
>>1928373
>>1928374
You have to admit, you hate seeing her like this. She looks almost worried. She really shouldn't be. And you're going to let her know it.

"Izumi!" Your voice is loud, clear, and reaching, to the point that several others look for the source and you can hear the crowd quiet down just a bit. Izumi's quick to follow the sound, and you can see her face twist into a bit of relief at the sight of you after a couple of people surrounding you give you a bit of space. "You know full well you can do this! Don't be scared, and don't hold anything back! Show who 'em what we're made of!"

At your words, you can hear a few people muttering in surprise. 'Wait, she knows her?'

'Wasn't she just in a fight?'

'Yeah, it was pretty incredible! Nearly wrecked the ring!' Okay, that one was exaggerating.

'Whoa. Wonder if they're on the same level...'

'This gonna be good!'

Judging from the fierce blush on her face, Izumi is hearing similar statements around her. Claudi just grins at the spectacle of it all. "See? Even got friends out there that are cheering you on! C'mon in and introduce yourself!" Nero just relaxes on the back ropes, although he doesn't say anything in response to any of this.

Taking a deep sigh, Izumi quickly makes her way to the ring, the cheering intensifying when she steps in and waves to the crowd. "There ya go! So, champ, how about a name?"

"Ah, right." she bows formally, and gives a prim smile. "My name is Izumi Yayoi, and yes, I am an Outgoer. I currently serve under Silver Eye Solutions, although I also do librarian work from time to time in the Learner's District." She doesn't say which library, which is probably for the best if she still wants any semblance of quiet in her life.

"Well, well? So we should be callin' you a rival, then, huh?" She chuckles as though it's a joke; but it's really not and you're actually kind of sure most in here realize it. "But nah, we're all here trying to do what we can. It's all in good fun, and hey, we're glad you be willing to check us out! Who knows, maybe if ya get tired of 'em..." she lets the question hang and has a silly expression on her face, which gets the desired results as a few chuckles go up from the crowd.

"Bastard," Lorelei says out of nowhere. You quickly turn to her, and she meets your gaze fiercely. "That dildo on the ropes just smirked at us."

"He does that," you placate. "Don't get caught up."

cont.
>>
>>1928432

"Anyway!" Claudi shouts, causing everyone to quiet down. "I say let's get this show on the road, huh? Let's show ya just what Interdiction is all about! Now, I'm sure you realize, being an Outgoer yourself, that it's all about using what you got, and effectively, right? Right. So, here's what'll happen. Me and Nero here are already exhausted-" here she wipes her brow as though she really is tired, when you know full well she isn't - "while you're fresh, so to make it fair, me an' him will set up a little tag team action!"

What.

"WHAT?!" Lorelei roars.

"I beg your pardon?" Izumi asks incredulously.

"Not together, though!" Claudi quickly clarifies. "That'd just be cruel. He'll hang out outside the ropes, and I'll have to tag him in physically, fair and square. I don't touch him, he doesn't show up. And to make things even more fair, no matter how bad things get, I want tag him for the first three minutes at all!"

"Ah...that is...challenging," Izumi says diplomatically, but her face is tense, like she's trying to figure out a game plan.

"But fun!" Claudi adds.

"Oh, THAT is BULLSHIT!" Lorelei yells. She tears from your side, and you're about to decide whether to stop her or to join her-

"...But I accept those terms." Izumi's voice is cold, hard, and resolute, stopping Lorelei in her tracks. "I will do my best."

"Fantastic!" Claudi yells. "Alright, then, let's get this party started, people! To corners!" With a mighty cheer from the crowd, Izumi and Claudi both take up respective positions in opposite corners. Nero takes his place behind his sister, leaning on the turnbuckle, looking supremely confident and lackadasical at the same time.

"I cannot believe this. I CAN NOT believe this, why is she going along with this?!" Lorelei looks like she's about to tear her hair out, and as Nero looks over again, you notice this time he snickers outright. Ugh...warning bells going off in your head, too. This might not be pretty...

>You have to wonder how she's feeling right now... (Perspective swap to Izumi, play the fight out)
>Maybe you should just focus on keeping Lorelei calm.
>Ugh, maybe you can at least get Nero to cut it out real quick...
>Other
>>
>>1928447
>>You have to wonder how she's feeling right now... (Perspective swap to Izumi, play the fight out)
>>
>>1928447
>>Ugh, maybe you can at least get Nero to cut it out real quick...
>>
5 minutes till call!
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

Hm. Flip for it, then.

1: Perspective switch
2: Try to dig into Nero a bit.
>>
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>>1928447
>>1928452
>>1928454

>You are now Izumi Yayoi.

Why in any shape did you agree to this? Miranda has a way of speaking, sometimes, that makes you think she's absolutely right, that's why. She sound so sure of herself and so absolute that you kind of feel funny for second-guessing whatever comes out of her mouth, even if it's categorically wrong. That has to be it. The explanation for why you agreed to engage in a fight in a disadvantageous position, regardless of what they claimed. They weren't weakened. They weren't even out of breath. This will be a fight against two opponents who were essentially warmed up and waiting for you.

If nothing else, then at the very least you don't think they know about everything you can do, which would be a plus. Although at the way you caught Nero looking at Miranda, you have to suspect that there's something going on here. At the moment, you can't really do anything about that, though.

Not with Claudi staring you down like a lioness stares down a gazelle. No guns, no extras- you don't even have your sword with you.

Which means that you'll have to make due.

Claudi positions her hands as she prepares to cast one of her modification spells right out the gate. You prepare yourself in a self defense stance as well.

The drone drops down to the center of the field, glowing a bright red...then yellow...green!

>Shape a melee weapon to start- keep her in close range so she can't get started.
>Shape a small firearm to start- you'll be able to snipe anything she throws out of the air.
>Shape a large firearm to start- She won't expect it, and you'll likely be able to deal huge damage out the gate.
>Go in for a physical assault- save your weapons shaping for a surprise.
>Other
>>
>>1928519
>>Go in for a physical assault- save your weapons shaping for a surprise
>>
>>1928519
Large firearm
won't be able to outlast 2 people have to go big fast
>>
>>1928531
Never mind go with >>1928529
>>
Hm. Alright. Writing!
>>
Although I still think this match might as well have a three minute time limit cause no matter how much we stall and conserve energy a fresh fighter is coming out putting izumi behind unless we can stop the tag
>>
>>1928519
>>1928529
>>1928531

You don't want to risk showing off your major advantage so soon - fortunately you've got more than that up your sleeve. You might be a weapons master, but your body can be plenty a weapon too. Time to use it.

You race forward in preparation to strike- she seems to flinch slightly and immediately sling an arrow shaped bolt of something at you, which you're fortunately ready for, if only barely. Whatever it's made of is chilling, as you can feel a coolness across your cheek as it passes. She's more experienced than to let that dismay her however, and as soon as it's from her fingertips she's bracing herself for a close combat encounter. She needs it- a quick palm strike to the face is deflected, and she tries to wrap the responding arm around yours, only for you to slip it and move into her space in order to try and throw her- she's quick to realize however, and and spins around you, shoving you near against the turnbuckle- however, she chooses to back off instead.

A great choice. Not really. You quickly plant the foot against the turnbuckle and use it as a kickoff, launching yourself at higher speed directly into her path again, a flurry of kicks erupting from you as you close in on her. She manages to block or deflect the lot of them, lashing out with a knee when you land; the impact is heavy, but braced against your palm as you do your best to deflect her own strikes. She's good enough to keep pace with you, which dashes your hopes of a quick victory. Still, you manag to press the advantage you have as best you can, and after another exchange you finally manage to hit flush with an elbow to the gut, which causes her to double over- you're quick to slip your leg between hers and push, tripping her fully and causing her to fall flat on her face, to the roars and shock of the crowd. You can hear Lorelei cheering wildly, too; that can't help but bring a smile to your face.

Claudi's far from finished, however; she's quick to spring up, actually pushing off with her hands to shove herself backwards as she rises- you're quick to dart forward to keep up the pressure, but she manages to make a one-handed hand sign, pointer and pinky finger extended, and you have to stop yourself from running into a mirror-like barrier. She's quick to make a sign with her other hand, and you know that's the beginning of her setting up her relays. To your surprise, she extends two fingers from the other hand, thumb and pointer, and a spark of magic erupts from both, two relays setting up on either side of you.

>Actions?

>Mana: 8500/8500
>>
>>1928632
>use Palms of Succor to launch an energy wave at re relays and jump over the barrier to attack her
>>
>>1928632
I don't think we ever saw her shoot a bolt in a direct attack befor so the may require the relays to do thier thing so disrupting those should take priority.
>>
Gotcha. Writing.
>>
Didn't know you were running today. You started a lot earlier than normal, got the day off?
>>
>>1928663
Where is Izumis stats and skills?
>>
>>1928632
NVM found it.

Also

> Ki Union:

Via harmonizing with the mana flow of someone nearby to identical levels, she can 'share' her mana with them, and under her control, allow for a much more massive power boost to any mana-based attack than any non-specalized mana crystal or mana condenser can supply.

Oh boy we have to learn this to add to our Flux wave. Targeted fluxing and destabilizing of an opponents mana?
>>
>>1929052
I'm pretty sure you're misunderstanding how those skills work.

Li Union doesn't harmonize the other person's mana frequency, it forces Izumi's to get closer to the other person's.
>>
>>1929062
No that's just the first step, after harmonizing with them then we can destabilize them easier/more precisely.

Like playing in tune then out of tune to counterpoint someone's music instead of randomly playing noises at it.
>>
>>1929090
I think the ability is just the ability to let someone "over channel" with her providing the extra mana

But I can see where your coming from
>>
>>1929122
Yeah I mean. If it's anything like electrical then you could really mess it up by putting in random power surges. Suddenly it's flowing too fast and then less fast etc.

Or if it's like music then you could harmonize with it which could cause weird as fuck shot with magic - or nothing at all because magic. But it might disorientated the person badly while they're trying to blow something up that's preferably not themselves.

Just ideas.
>>
Emergency came up. Will resume tomorrow. Hell, later tonight if everything goes well because I'll be feeling really happy.
>>
>>1929173
Yeah syncing with someone else's mana let's randa cheese her self heal to a touch range spell

it could have a lot of funky interactions if the underlying process was applied to other spells
>>
>>1929204
Sure thing boss good luck with the stuff!
>>
>>1929231

AFAIK She theorized a lot of stuff based off of the crossover. After seeing what happened when she messed up using this technique with Purps.

You'd have to ask MG though.
>>
Boy do I hope Miranda is keeping watch on
that Nero guy.
Maybe during the fight Izumi should constructs some temporary sentry guns/homing guns so when the second player enters we have some kind of advantage. I know they drain mana, maybe Izumi can hold it on for 1 minute or two?
>>
This whole thing is a big setup they lose they can blame how tired they were from the exabition fight the win and Izumi and by extention our group loses some face

Need to do some brain storming on how to spin this so even if Izumi can't pull out a victory, which is a tall order in and of it self, we don't lose to badly in public perception.

If she does win tho it will be like we hijacked the whole fair right out from under them with no real scheming on our part which would be hilarious
>>
I just finished archive diving. Glad I can finally participate. Dunno what you guys were thinking even coming to this fair-thing though. There were wayy many too risks for little gain.
>>
>>1929805
This is also my first thread live heh what risks are you talking about tho I don't think anything to sinister is going on just a little posturing from the big guys.
>>
>>1929805
i don't know why people wanted to come when there there was practically nothing to gain.
>>
>>1929828
Making contacts and scoping out how a large organisation does a big pr event.

Also we made quite a splash with our fight word is getting around already.

Although now that I think about it they made a big deal about who Izumi works for the guy might be a much bigger fish than he let's on. Now I'm getting bad vibes and I'm not sure if I'm over thinking things.
>>
>>1929880
>Making contacts and scoping out how a large organisation does a big pr event.
Not sure why we care about either of those things. We're not short on work or personnel. We're nowhere near a "large" organization, and won't be for a long time. We don't care about fame. There was nothing to gain here.
>>
>>1929880
i would have voted for staying a smaller organization if i was around for that vote preferring to be able to know our employees.
>>
>>1929880
>the guy might be a much bigger fish than he let's on
He's part of Interdiction's B Team, which is heads and shoulders above us bringing our A game.
It's a little late to be realizing that.
>>
>>1929880
As for the actual fit I'm thinking about the way it's set up they gave us the first three mins of no tagging why would they do that maybe to make us go all out so we tip our hand early while using a lot of resources and pull out the big guns which I personally fell for hard

they may be pretty sure that their first fighter can last that long at least wearing us down and then send in the much more offense focused fighter afterword to take us out

So to counter maybe we appear to use all our tricks while trying to take advantages we gain without losing much for it maybe even use one of our mid tier moves (haven't seen the move list)right before the three mins are up as a fake desperation attack then when they switch we go ham when we see an opening. I think the blade trail thing Izumi will be very helpful for zone denial of the teleporter so maybe keep that back.

Thouhts?
>>
>>1929915
So would I but that's what happened if anything I'm going to try to be around to make sure things don't get to crazy. So far all we really have committed to is a office and being sorta in charge

I only really bring up those points because I like to think this isn't a waste of time. It's not exactly what I would have wanted but things are happening in a quest I like so I tend to look on the bright side.

>>1929917
Shoot I forgot about that started reading hive quest after catching up on this one so my brain is full of conflicting tones and lore
>>
Well, I'm back, kinda. Feeling happy, but more drained than expected. Hope everyone here will be able to be here tomorrow, I'll be running early again.

Hope you've got some good strategies in mind.
>>
>>1930046
I'd like us to try and be flexible using our more basic capabilities. Remember that this is a show and nobody really expects us to win against the Interdictions top dogs. We should avoid any clashing of raw power since we'll inevitably fail it.

Better to show off as being inventive and resourceful, and not get baited into trying to win before the tag out or anything.

Heck it might be best to try and draw it out UNTIL then so that we can claim that was our goal all along, "We wanted the opportunity to fight someone fresh".

Also we should ask if we can tag in Miranda. She already fought, too, so she's just as exhausted no?
>>
So there are no restrictions to Shape Weapon? I want to make use of that. Are there restrictions on how or where Izumi can create something? Do they always appear in one of her hands for example?

I'd like to get up close and force Claudi to remember the basics of CQC. We're going to be so up in her face, literally, and use Shape Weapon to create a whip, lasso, garrotte or anything that's basically a rope around her legs and then we yank it and capture her legs. Once she's on the ground we go for a choke hold and make her tap out.

Now that's too easy so we probably won't win just like that so after they recover and we re-engage we once again get Right In Her Face, only this time we use Palms of Succor in addition to Shape Weapon to create tonfas, batons, nun-chucks and the like. We increase our range and power out of thin air at a range there really isn't anything she can do about it effectively.

Bonus points if we shape the first weapon behind her, out of her vision after we let her parry a strike on purpose and then we nail her right in the neck.

We keep the sword and guns for the next guy or if this plan isn't working.
>>
>>1930348
I agree with your strategy. We should utilize our speed and be on some aggressive defense.
My worry is the "*teleports behind u*" Nero, maybe use long lasting homing magi-blasts or sentries to distract him? and maybe we can be constantly on his sisters ass so he can't attack without hitting her/be on her way while we have power sense on to detect his whereabouts.
>>
>>1930709
we could concede the match the moment he appears
>>
>>1930709
>>1930348

Also has the advantage of making us look like a good sport. Remember, this is just a friendly match. Better to look like we're part of the show than being the show. Also it'll deflate their big moment of having their "exhausted" member dramatically hold out against Izumis assault before managing to tag out and having us get curb stomped by the "Cavalry".

Play up us being the under dog a little bit. Enough so that we look sympathetic but not bad. Plucky.
>>
>>1930046
I'll back "play defensive and fast/counter until the three minutes are up" so that it looks like Claudi is the one who can't beat us, not that we can't beat him.

Then go all out on the second guy because there's now way he isn't getting tagged in. Pretend that was our plan all along, with the goal of just getting to fight him so that it's a "fair" fight - although people will note at that point that WE'LL BE the "worn out" player so there'll be some doubt about when we lose if that affected it. Makes us also look good planning wise because we "saved some juice just for him".

Unless he just stomps us which would make them look bad anyways since they're known to be the top dogs.

Let's go off script.
>>
>>1930728
It's worth noting that after 3 min they can /freely/ tag in and out. Trying to fight teleporting guy is a losing battle, I think. Even if we do wear him down, it'd be easy for him to tag out again, catch his breath, and tag in again.
>>
>>1930728
I'm fine with that, just fingers crossed Claudia isn't actually better or stronger than Izumi.

Also I don't think we need to be worried about that crap about them being tired or worn out. Any actual outgoer, or people who work closely with them, knows what a load of bullshit that is. The people whose opinion is worth a damn know the lie for what it is. Wouldn't be surprised if Lorelei starts heckling them about it at some point.
>"Even C rank Couriers have more stamina than you!"

>>1930737
We just need to defeat Claudia when she's tagged in. Without his partner he can't tag out
>>
>>1930737
Yeah but if we make him put his pride on the line, like we were waiting to fight him, then we change the "win" condition.

If he tags out after that, he's pretty much admitting a fresh fighter can't take us on alone after we fought someone else for 3 minutes.

Winning here means looking good, not beating them in the ring. Gotta think strategic not tactical. There's not even a prize for winning.
>>
>>1930741
Yeah I'm pretty sure they expect us to do that, therefore it's a trap.

Thin about what people will talk about after they leave. We want them to talk about how awesome our fight was, not how overpowered they were that we couldn't beat them.

Throw out the expectation of us beating them right away and then they won't know what to do.
>>
>>1930719
All I want from this is to show these interdicks that we maybe small time to them, but we ain't pushovers. We're gonna lose so gracefully that'll they think they lost (some) face or reputation or something.
>>
>>1930751
That's what I'm talking about. We're too good to fight seriously with their tired out member, we want to bite off a piece of the Fresh Meat.
>>
Glad folks are around! Writing for a bit, and we'll go from there, yeah?
>>
>>1930756
I hope Interdiction isn't too predictable and shows some actual smarts here.
>>
>>1930747
>>1930750
>>1930751
They're going to hate us. Let's make doubly sure that they'll get chewed out by their bosses tonight.
>>
>>1930760
They're probably trying to gauge our abilities while also seeing if we have any actual skills besides thuggin' & buggin' out in the field. Like. Are we actually a serious business or just a bunch of magical muscle starting to hit the next rung on the ladder.

Remember, it's playing smart that makes money, not playng hard. Although sometimes it's smart to play hard.

But yeah, we aren't here to make them look good for free and they clearly have a plan they're working to. Not knowing what that plan is, our best bet is to just try to not play along.
>>
>>1930765
If you can't beat 'em, troll 'em.

We should offer to heal them up at the end, after all we don't want them looking ragged when they're hosting the event.
>>
>>1930765
>>1930770

Also it makes them look like they picked a fight with our teams healer and got messed around with. Now I'm not saying people are prejudiced against healers. I'm just implying it.

Combined with fighting defensively, and our furious blush, we can just say we didn't really want to fight but we were too embarrassed to say no. After all, Izumi honestly doesn't like hurting people or fighting for the wrong reason.
>>
>>1930775
>I'm the cook.

Haha Izumi really needs to say something like that after the battle
>>
>>1930756
Oh! And just before I head in to work, at the end we should privately tell them that if they want our help to put on a show, we have very reasonable rates. They can even decide if or how they want us to let them win.
>>
>>1930775
Let's try to pump up Heavenly Aura so much it seeps through the barrier and affects the crowd too, to really drive home the point.

>>1930782
Done
>>
>>1930756
> Sal offers to sell them idol pamphlets with general descriptions of our abilities and roles in the company, along with our preferred jobs and favourite foods.
>>
>>1930784
>Miranda is VERY secretly overjoyed to be featured as a popular trading card.
>>
>>1930687
The limits are the more complicated or large the weapon is, the harder it is to maintain. Expected firepower is also a factor. For example, she's internalized how semi-automatic pistols and most typical assault rifles so hard that if she really needed to, she could construct one and hold its form for a day or so. Bigger things such as a cannon are simple, but they're pretty large, and so take more. The biggest thing she can craft and fire is basically a howitzer. Melee weapons are ridiculously easy to craft for her, although they have the added issue of being affected by repeated impacts a bit.
>>
>>1930790
So my plan to materialize a lasso around the opponent is actually feasible?
>>
>>1930790
Oh, and not so much always in her hands, but she is always in contact with a part of it on creation.

Aside from those, no real particular limits.
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>>1930747
That is... optimistic. It's clear they planned this out beforehand, they're not going to let us change things like that. They both have the "excuse" of being worn out, if we focused on him and he doesn't last as long
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>>1930807
He just rested for 3 minutes while we fought.

Besides, an unsure result is still a win for us. We don't have to make it a loss for them.
>>
>>1930807
Also you think we don't care about PR? That's how small companies live and die.

And anyways it's even more optimistic to think we can just outright beat them. Especially if we don't roll well. You want to leave it all up to the dice?

This ain't D&D is what I'm saying.
>>
>>1930818
Thankfully we're back to purely narrative combat. Don't give him any ideas again
>>
>>1928632
>>1928663
>>1928675
You can't delay for very long. You're going to have to take this fight to her, but with such relays up things will just get worse for you. They're going to need to take priority whether you like it or not. A deep breath- you need focus and quickly. An opaque glow surrounds your hands, and becomes as small spheres surrounding them. A quick thrust and swipe out to either side, and the trails trails that they leave - brilliant glowing crescents of a shield - grants you a brief and moderate area of protection as they slowly move forward to interrupt the relays. You're not looking to give her a chance to use them anyway.

Another dash forward has Claudi looking surprised, yet in control as the hand that controls the mirror shield stays out, which is perfectly fine by you as your mental plan begins to form. Your hands glow a bit brighter, and your hit the ground and leap off with a a burst of mana, rocketing quickly via forward handspring to flip over the obstruction. About as you expected, the shield comes up to follow you, as does Claudi's eyes and posture - but you're not intending to try and get past the mirror shield just yet. As you land, you give it a experimental strike. The mirror seems to wobble somehow as your mana-coated fist impacts, but Claudi seems unafraid, and in fact grins as you can see the mirror glow briefly as well. Her hand makes another sign, but she doesn't get to finish it as you launch another kick towards the mirror, causing it to wobble again and her to briefly lose her focus. Hm...

A triple series of palm strikes to her now water surface mirror has her back up for a second, and she, much to your surprise, retaliates by shoving herself forward, causing the mirror itself to move forward in an attempt to shield bash you. You have to dodge out the way of it, barely doing so with a juke to the side, but that's enough for her to get some space as she quickly turns halfway and tosses out a blast straight for one of her relays- only for it to get absorbed by the remnants of one of your palms. To her credit, she doesn't even flinch, making another hand sign and attempting to split off more relays as the circle appears in front of her again.

You're already starting to get tired of that game plan, and you charge forward, and this time you are ready for her to swing around with her mirror.

You don't think anyone expected you to catch it on the side, the edge digging into your gut a bit. At first a yell goes up - you think you heard Lorelei for a split second - but as you pull yourself around and over, you have the distinct pleasure of catching a look of sheer surprise on Claudi's face as you reorient yourself horizontally, using the momentum of both the mirror swing and your own body defend yourself sailing feet first into a missile dropkick square into her once-smug face. The yelp of surprise is equally satisfying, you're ashamed to admit.

People without any humility just irk you.

cont.
>>
>>1930824
However, she seems to have excellent focus, as even when she lands tumbling, she has enough wherewithal to orient herself upwards, though still on her back, and this time with a clear shot to her various relays. Two quick blasts as the mirror crumbles into nothing, and both quickly ping off the relays- it's only your remarkable reflexes that allow you to see what they're transmuted into just before they fire: one a lengthy bolt of fire, the other a triplicate blast in a spread pattern, both angled in a V pattern. Lovely.

> Try to take to the air, quickly!
> Stay grounded, dodge as best you can.
> Perhaps you can try to defend through them in time.
> Other
>>
>>1930829
>> Stay grounded, dodge as best you can.
>>
>>1930829

> Stay Grounded, try to dodge

Rush her again maybe?

Taking to the air is a trap as we saw in Mirandas fight.
>>
>>1930829
What happens if we make like cloth or throw discs discs or fill the arena with balloons to place between her and her relays?
>>
>>1930829
> Stay grounded, dodge as best you can.

Another question about Shape Weapon- I presume it can create shields as well. How sturdy are they, on average, if she doesn't pump it chock full of mana?
>>
>>1930818
>Also you think we don't care about PR?
I mean, our clients only know about our company via Sal. Almost all our business is with people and groups that won't have heard of us prior, nor will they hear anything after. We have way more job offers than we can fill. All of our new hires have been from outside the Intersection. PR does have its uses, but it doesn't really affect us.

>beat them
I don't disagree, but I think it's worth attempting.

>dice
That reminds me, I was doing dice calculations for another quest, and discovered something interesting. Bo3 1d20 with crits has a 14.2% chance to crit fail, as opposed to 5% like you might expect.

>>1930829
> Stay grounded, dodge as best you can.
>>
>>1930837
Cloth and balloons? How?

>>1930829
Tag and send a short burst of magi-blasts at one of the relays to test their durability as soon as there's an opportunity after dodging.
>>
>>1930829
>Stay grounded, dodge as best you can.
>>
>>1930837
You can do that.

>>1930838
Roughly the defensive capabilities of an inch thick plank of wood. It'll block a few light shots, but it's nothing grand. About 500 mana or so turns it into a proper shield, if a small one.
>>
>>1930840
. . . .are you new here? The dice slant is well known.

Second we've gotten our most lucrative contracts from other, bigger outfits. I don't think we should be shaking down teenagers vs. Dealing with Nations.

Third, it's not worth winning the fight if it makes you lose the battle. The "fight" isn't the combat in the ring, but messing up whatever their plan is and looking good to others while doing it.

Maybe if we had a better reputation, we wouldn't have to pick up people who no matter how talented are still untrained broke as fuccboi scrubs compared even to some dude who is just a fucking cook here.

Seriously why do people keep acting like reputation in the Intersection isn't important?

Like. Can we have a discussion with Sal about this to put the matter to rest? Because if I'm wrong about reputation nattering then I'd like to be able to stop arguing about it.
>>
>>1930840
Sorry I don't mean to get heated. But the subject keeps coming up ever since we got pinged by Dynamic and it's stressing me out.

>>1930842
>>1930844
Same way we make weapons I assume.

And hey. It couldn't hurt to fill the area with balloons to blind her and make the Festival seem . . . Festive.
>>
>>1930851
It's alright, we've all been there. I /am/ new, for what it's worth. If these are old arguments, I'll leave them be until something changes.
>>
>>1930852
Fair enough. There's a lot of good stuff in the ask.fm too.
>>
>>1930852
I meant the FAQ. Also I mixed up Dynamic & Interdiction.
>>
>>1930848
For what it's worth I'm gonna do what I can to make sure we win or lose with style. I'm not clear on if what you want to do is lose on purpose though, just because they said they're "tired"?

As far as the audience knows, it's a show match against a randomly picked opponent. Two strong fighters from the fair's organizers, no matter how you slice it losing in this game isn't a victory for them or a defeat for us. Seeing how Miranda got disqualified for going too hard unless we nut up and use Demon's Roar it is understood by everyone in attendance that it's a fight where both parties are holding back.
>>
>>1930863
Yeah doing it with style is what I want to do as well. Grinding. Infuriating. Slippery nor quite hard fighting style.

Then going out with a bang as soon as they switch so as to not drag it out.

>>1930844

> make a bunch of balloons with Silver Eye Solutions logo on them to block her vision and foul her aim to her relays.
>>
DOOOOODGE.

Writing. Good luck!
>>
>>1930829
>>1930833
>>1930835
>>1930838
>>1930840
>>1930843
Nothing for it; you going to have to dodge as best you can. The fire's not the threat, despite what it might look like to the outside, that's simply a ferrying tactic to get you into the path of the shot that's more likely to actually hit. It's a common trick, and for good reason; it's rather a fact of whether someone wants to be or not. Unfortunately, you've seen what could happen if you take to the air, and you're not inclined to try your luck. The bolt of flame is easily dodged; as you expected it was a very directed shot- but the spread shot that fired off immediately afterwards is harder to dodge. You make make to dodge to the left; it was the area with the most headroom, but you can still feel yourself get clipped by one of the bolts, enough for you to stumble over yourself briefly, your own momentum causing you to orient yourself badly; in the time it takes you to face your opponent again, she's already fired off another two transforming bolts of magic to her relays.

As your head clears from the brief pain, you hop to avoid another bolt of fire, this time having enough distance to dodge spread shots sent at you, your agility allowing you respite from any other strikes for now as you swerve to close in on your target again.

By now she seems to have cottoned on to the strategy as she immediately leaps away, causing her and you to start engaging in a deadly dance of you trying to stay close to her and her darting away to attempt to get a shot off. You're actually kinda surprised she's not trying to take you on close range, but you won't question it too much; she's not really able to get a shot off before you can catch up to her. If she would have followed through, you'd be able to lay into her.

This chase lasts for at least a few more seconds than you feel comfortable with; considering that you're on the clock, every moment you spend is valuable. You risk a glance off to the side as Claudi jumps back yet again- Nero isn't even looking at you, rather looking upwards like he's bored. You don't have time to think about it beyond that- Claudi has her hands out again, and this time you're forced to launch a very small magi-blast if only to distract her. She manages to swat it out of the air, but it at least keeps her from firing. It also has the effect of allowing you to finally close in on her, grabbing her wrist right before she can get out of your range. A yelp escapes her, and almost immediately she forms a sign with her free hand; you do your best to yank her but this one is quick, resulting in a tiny circle far less elaborate than any of the others.

cont.
>>
>>1930940
And then she suddenly shifts her weight, and similar to your own actions earlier, she leaps up and over your own body, twisting you unnaturally as you try to face her again. It's only then you realize she's mutually grabbed onto your own wrist, and quickly throws out a sharp kick to the midsection you manage to deflect slightly. A swing at her head misses and is retaliated with a backhand, what you sway out of the way of before you pull her in, trying to get her with a knee to the gut. She manages to slip that one as well, still holding onto your wrist as she tries to circle behind you, and before you can turn, she's slips a leg around yours, the positioning of her hips preventing you from turning as she seeks to grab your other arm from around you, resulting in the both of them crossing in an X shape as she grabs you from behind in a straightjacket hold.

You hate that you know what's going to happen next. You do your best in hooking your leg to her leg to prevent the suplex, but she lifts too fast to really get a good grip, and even though the trajectory is thrown off, she manages to convert it into a back to belly suplex regardless. You have a brief feeling of weightlessness before she slams you on the mat to the rollicking crowd's approval, and you can practically feel the grin on her face as she struggles to keep you under control.

Which is why you surprise everyone when you tuck your knees and *kick* off the mat, sending you both flying through the air and into the nearest turnbuckle. You can hear a groan of pain as she lets go of you involuntarily, and you're quick to spin around and follow it up with a kick to the gut that has her doubled over for a second. She manages to block the followup, however, and her hand goes out as though she's about to form another sign-

- as soon as you react to it however she slips pass, you kicking at the back of one of your legs to drop you to a knee briefly before getting some space, breathing hard. You get the feeling it's partially and act, partially legit concern. She's smiling, but it's a thin one.

Considering Nero's looking at you with interest now, as Claudi backs up towards him, however, it might not matter soon. Interestingly enough, you can see a shock of green hair not too far behind him. Miranda's near the barrier! And she's looking up, too...

You'd love to see what's up there, but...yeah.

"Time's up!" That.

>You've got to stop her from tagging! Toss any magi-beams you can!
>Prepare yourself. No use in getting caught out of position. You've just got to wear him down.
>Try to feint an attack towards her that's for Nero instead...that should be fair, right?
>Other
>>
>>1930972
>Prepare yourself. No use in getting caught out of position. You've just got to wear him down.
>>
>>1930972
>Prepare yourself. No use in getting caught out of position. You've just got to wear him down.
>>
>>1930972
>>Prepare yourself. No use in getting caught out of position. You've just got to wear him down.
This is unsurprising, if annoying. If she was on the opposite of the ring, we might be able to keep her away from him, but not if she can just back into him.
>>
>>1930972
>Prepare yourself. No use in getting caught out of position. You've just got to wear him down.

>Tag him to make magi-blasts homing, before he enters the ring.

>Flip on Power Sense and find his scent ASAP. Keeping it on could give early warning on his teleportation BS.
>>
Locked. Writing.
>>
>>1930972
>>1930975
>>1930979
>>1930984
>>1930999
Damn. No time to do anything about it, unfortunately. You do your best to slowly begin moving back to the center of the ring- the second part of the fight looks like it starts now.

The roar of the crowd rises to a deafening volume as Claudi slaps her brother's hand with a bit of a flourish. Nero doesn't even step in properly; he simply *poofs* past the ropes, hands in his pockets like it's no big deal.

You really hope you can make it a big deal. He moves too fast for you to really be able to counteract consistently; just from watching him fight earlier you can tell that. You take a deep breath as your senses expand and focus- you're not sure that it will help a lot, but any is better than none. If you can get any sort of heads up as to teleport from...

"I'm still kind of feelin' a bit winded," Nero says casually, and you find it exceptionally hard to believe him as Claudi leans on the ropes as well, smugly grinning. "So I think I'll letcha make the first move."

You're sure that that's some kind of trap, but as for what kind you have no clue. You notice that Claudi's relays are still active; you're going to have to be careful if she gets tagged back in. And hope that she doesn't feel like cheating. As the two of you slowly circle each other, you find yourself surprised at the cold, iron look in Nero's eyes; on the outside he appears to be lackadaisical and whimsical, but those eyes tell a different story. One that says he's he's smart, he's dangerous, he's experienced.

'COME ON!'Lorelei yells. "TRASH HIM! HE CAN'T POOF FOREVER!"

"Ouch, I heard that. Seems like your friends don't like me." He says with easy body language. You're still focused on him as a whole. You need to wear him down somehow without trying to overstep your own skill level. Perhaps more hit-and-run techniques? Try to beat him at his own game? Just make yourself annoying to hit..

>Actions? Open possibilities...

(Writing will take a bit longer than normal for a couple hours.)
>>
>>1931089
Try to create as much energy chaff as possible in the ring, using a combination of Palms of Succor and Shape Weapon to create weak yet large shields in order to limit the area of space he can teleport to. Create and obvious hole in the chaff that he'll ignore as a trap, and a second one that he'll also ignore as a trap. He'll go after the third one that looks the most like a mistake we made, and that's when we tag him with our homing energy beacon and start hitting him with homing magi-blasts.
>>
>>1931089
>>1931096
Sounds pretty solid. Not something I would have come up with but I have no better ideas.
>>
>>1931096
Solid plan I'll agree with this one
>>
>>1931089
this >>1931096
>>
Seems unanimous. Like I said, posts will be delayed a bit. Locked, though.
>>
>>1931139
Talk it up a bit. Ask if he is a one pimp chump if it takes him this long to get ready. Point out that we were just fighting the opponent who "exhausted" him ourselves.
>>
>>1931181
No, don't. Doing any trash talk just invites looking like a fool after our inevitable defeat.
>>
>>1931250
backing
>>
>>1931250
Yeah and I think he won't be rattled anyway I'd say if things are getting too out of hand walking away would be better than getting defeated as well
>>
>>1931250
Yeah on second thought you're right.
>>
Back. Apologies for the wait.
>>
>>1931089
>>1931096
>>1931099
>>1931121
>>1931136
You have to think. He's going to be teleporting all around - that was easily his primary form of movement and attack last time he was in the rain. So you're going to have to think about and account for that. How best to dissuade a teleporter...ah!

Your hands glowing, you're quick to activate your palms yet again, the light from them glowing and then growing up to your forearms. You going to need a lot of mana for this one.

With an immediate spin, you throw out two small waves, and you can see Nero's eyebrows raise in mild curiosity. He doesn't say anything though, and instead you see him simply shrug and begin to walk forward. You're going to have to do this quick, too... more thrusts, and a more waves come out, inching through the air, but just as dangerous to impact as any blast, and in the space of two seconds you're surrounded by rings more like them, all moving slowly through the air, threatening any who dare to get close.

As you breathe a deep sigh, you concentrate, letting your mana coalesce and harden as a familiar shape forms in your head - and then in your hand. As the katana finalizes, to the (likely mocking) whistle of Claudi, you take up a defensive martial arts stance none the less. He could still get past them, although that was, in truth, something of a hope of yours. You have a plan...

Nero, indeed, just nods his head appreciatively. Then he disappears. You have about half a second of realization as his sent seems to blink off and then reappear to your left as he jumps from where he was to the space in protection you left. One of them, anyway. A flick of your wrist has a kunai sling forward, created from nothing but mana; he's quick to dodge it, before teleporting you again as one of the slow blasts nearly grazes him.

With this, you realize that he's not sure what you're doing- but he refuses to take the obvious hole in front of you. And you realize what HE's doing. He's falling into your trap.

cont.
>>
>>1931385
You nearly turned before he actually teleports, but you're staring him in the face yet again as you turn to your back and the 3rd hole in the slowest bullet hell ever. A fingertip is all you need as a small spark of light emits from your finger - you can see his eyes widened on impact, and he manages to teleport away, amidst some sudden shouting from ringside.

It doesn't matter now; you raise your hand in the air and immediately fire off of a volley of magi-blasts, the silvery energy coming off of you like fireworks and curving like living beings as they seek their marker.

What follows is a rapid-fire teleporting from Nero as he deftly, repeatedly vanishes to avoid the tracking blasts. You can see a lick of intense concentration on his face in the flashes that he appears; he can't even afford to attack you to you due to how the blasts are buzzing around like angry bees. Too risky.

It's then that you hear a yell at ringside yet again, and this time a commotion seems to flare up; still you ignore it as you see your opportunity.

He poofed a touch too close- will be poofing a touch too close, and you're moving to meet him as he returns to realspace. He's only there for a second, maybe not even that long, but it's enough as swing, and your makeshift blade makes impact; the sound of cloth tearing is music to yo-

"AGH!" That...was you. As you sprawl to the ground, a stinging sensation in your upper back, you're...what...is...huh? Fuzzy, everywhere...

Ow! ow ow ow that huuuurts! Its fire, fire it's all down can't think why can't you think now, it's all down your back and it hurrts!

Everything is blurry. everything hurts now. you're confused and it hurts.

>Stop it stop it stop the burning
>Where...he...have to fight. You...
>Help...please...
>Other
>>
>>1931389
>>Where...he...have to fight. You...
I'd wager his sister is cheating. Why didn't we clear out her remaining circles after she left? I would have suggested it it, but it seemed obvious.
Cheating should be punished...
>>
>>1931389
Well that's a thing
Let's try to stop being on fire so we can figure out what the hell happened
>>
>>1931389
> Mana infusion and attack the nearest person as fast as possible

Buff up and lash out
>>
>>1931403
Well if she is cheating then we can take a page from pro wrestling and become the good guys I don't know much about it but we did get suplexed heh
>>
Bit of a tie going on. I'll extend it for 10 minutes. After that I'll roll.
>>
>>1931389
>Other
ket out a blood curling scream. if they're not going to play fair, then neither are we.
>>
>>1931389
>> Mana infusion and attack the nearest person as fast as possible
>>
Locked. Writing. Let's see what we can do here...
>>
>>1931405
>>1931455
You know that's going to end up hitting Miranda or Lorelei, right?
>>
>>1931466
Comedy at its finest.
>>
>>1931503
Falling right into Interdiction's trap.
>>
I really wish we went doing a blind attack with all the PLOTTING going on but what are ya gonna do
>>
>>1931511
Nah if it happens now I'll blame >>1931466 for giving Handler the idea

>>1931525
Sometimes the best plan is a blind attack.

Then we can put out the fire afterwards.

Besides nobody but us should be in the ring right? Can't blame us if they are.
>>
>>1931389
>>1931455
>>1931434
>>1931405

No..no...too much...can't...stop...it hurts it hurts it HURTS

"AAAAAAAAHHHHH!" You're not sure what you feel now, numbness and burning and fear and everything else, and something's rumbling beneath you, and for the briefest of moments you can see clearly- you can see your friends right outside right there, and the other girl too, you can't see Nero at all, and part of you fears where he might be. But you still smell something, something strange, something strange. Shouldn't be here, that's the thing that made you hurt, and you turn to lash out at it with a massive wave. The smell is blown away for a moment, although it's still there, and there's more shouting, more pain, and you're finding it hard to stand up and-

"All right. I do think that is quite enough, quite enough." And...you feel better. Immediately. You're not sure why nor how, but the sudden voice lends an idea to it- and you're not sure you like it.

"Quiiiiiite. I think things have gone a biiiiit off the rails, hmm?" Oh...oh dear.

Two silvery figures seem to start to materialize from out of nowhere, as if though they're suddenly *dripping* through the fabric of reality itself... Which they just might be. As your vision is clear, you can see that Miranda and Lorelei are both holding off an irate Claudi, now in the ring, and you look behind you to see Nero in a sitting position against the ropes, looking both angry and fearful at the same time as the Deal-Makers form themselves.

The one you don't recognize reminds you of a snake; no arms, but a strange mohawk like protrusion on the top of their head. Its eyes are empty yet glowing green with power as it wiggles in place slowly. Sal, in his usual lizard-like form and sunglasses, simply has a smirk on his face as he tsks.

The snake Deal-Maker turns to the audience- many of whom are frozen in shock. "I'm terribly sorry, but I believe we will have to cancel this event. Please feel free to enjoy the rest of the festival if you care to do so."

EVERYBODY immediately makes for the exits, save your friends, Nero and Claudi. The look on everyone's face is the same- one of abject worry as she speaks to you all specifically. "We have much to discuss."

Whatever was about to happen, it wasn't going to be pleasant.

>Stopping for now due to sudden family issues. Will be back tomorrow!
>>
>>1931581

Oh damn whatever this is its totally not our fault.
>>
>>1931587
this might even work in our advantage. Depending on how things go, we could make claudi and nero owe us a big favor at the very least.
>>
>>1931581
I don't even see what they are so pissed about not like anyone was going to get killed izumi's not that kind of girl.
>>
>>1931649
Since we don't actually know what the two idiots did (accidentally? hopefully accidentally) to Izumi, it's probably not wise to make statements about the level of danger posed by whatever it was they did. Oh, sure, Izumi was in enough control of herself there was no risk she'd cause any deaths... but who even knows what the hell kind of bullshit Nero stirred up.
>But you still smell something, something strange, something strange. Shouldn't be here, that's the thing that made you hurt,
I'm guessing something from outside The Intersection tried to get in. Or maybe the separation grew... thin between The Intersection and the complete absence of reality that surrounds it.

Either the arena itself inherently caused it, or Nero and Claudi's bullshit did. (Izumi's definitely innocent here.)
>>
>>1931720
Yeah I was just wondering why claudi is so pissed off trying to charge the ring

Things defiantly didn't go to their plan tho

Can't wait to find out what the heck happened
>>
I just thought of something is it perhaps possible we miss read the mood and this was suppose to just be a Simi friendly match and we cranked it up to eleven...
>>
>>1931830
Well, they started with the team tag and the psychological burn... so, yeah.
>>
Hey folks. Starting in about an hour. Ended up staying up late due to, well. Family medical issues, as I said.
>>
>>1933197
Hope things work out. Are things stable for now?
>>
>>1933225
Stable as can be for the moment. Got my phone nearby. Writing up the post now.
>>
>>1931581
You're not quite sure what's going on anymore as the arena empties, but judging by the look on Nero's face, he seems to have something of an idea. Claudi is glaring at Lorelei- the both of them in fact look like they want to strangle each other. You're still not quite sure what the burning was...

"Nero dear, could you get up, get up?" He's quick to do so, as Sal moves a bit closer to you.

"Nooooot quite what was intended here, was it? I wouldn't worry about yoooooou, though." Sal reassures- while giving a meaningful look to the other three girls.

Miranda's managed to shake off her fear, and now she just looks affronted, Claudi's still gritting her teeth, and Lorelei is just looking at you like she wants to run over and hug you. "We dooooo have much to discuss, however..."

The snake Deal-Maker nods. "And we must deliberate, deliberate. Determine who deserves recompense."

>Forgive my ignorance... who are you, madam?
>Pardon, but what happened to me?
>What kind of recompense, if I may ask?
>Stay silent.
>Other
>>
>>1933268
>>Pardon, but what happened to me?
>>
>>1933268
>>Pardon, but what happened to me?
If we don't know what happened, how can we assign blame?
>>
>>1933268
>>Pardon, but what happened to me?
>>What kind of recompense, if I may ask?
>>
Gonna go ahead and lock it. Writing!
>>
>>1933268
>>1933274
>>1933277
>>1933282
You're not sure if it would be considered rude persay... but surely they wouldn't fault you for asking, right?

"Excuse me?" the two Deal-Makers look at you calmly; seems like you're on the mark. "Pardon my curiosity, but what exactly happened to me?"

To your only mild surprise, it's Lorelei who speaks up. "This bitch dropped something on you from the ceiling! Some kinda glowing drop- like acid or something!" Wait, what?

"It wasn't acid, bitch, if it was it would have burnt through her!" Lorelei responds quickly. "And you're the one who made me do it with how you were about to interfere! I was just removing something I forgot!"

"Yeah, right! Besides, we were just asking you about what you kept looking at!" Lorelei huffs.

"By the two of you walking up to me and accusing me of sabotage? Yeah, right! And she didn't have to lash out with a cheap shot like that!" Before Lorelei or Miranda can dispute that, both Sal and the other one smoothly slide in between the two.

"Llllllladies, I think it's time for everyone to return to their respective corners. And by thaaaaat I mean we're going to have to leave." You can't help but feel a bit dismayed at that, and it's clear your friends are feeling similar. Claudi seems more frustrated than anything still, and Nero is back to his school collect itself. "I and Vesquala will get the details from eeeeeeeveryone in due time. Then we'll taaaaaalk, and see who needs to offer recompense, and to what extent. Until then, I suggest everyone take a niiiiice lie-down, hmmm?"

The mercurial snake slithers closer to Claudi, likely in an attempted this way to anything further. "I agree, I agree. Emotions must be calmed for the truth to come out. Payment will be rendered for any offences, any offences. Should they be determined to be so."

Ahhh... This seems like it's a great deal of trouble. Part of you wonders if maybe you can say anything to ease tensions...but then again it might not be your place. The Deal-Makers, from what you know, take this kind of issue between companies rather seriously.

>Anything to say?

>No.
>Yes (What?)
>>
>>1933352
>>Anything to say?
>>No.
Nope, this is above our pay grade.

It seems clear who's at fault , seeing as she interfered with the fight while outside the ring, and we were in so much pain we couldn't think straight, but this is the Dealmaker's wheelhouse.
>>
>>1933352
>To Claudia
You dishonored an already unfair duel. Good day to you.

Let's just go. They did this to mess with Miranda and stacked the odds in their favor hard to make SES look like losers. We'll want nothing to do with them.

She can make whatever excuses she wants, I don't doubt Lorelei was about to get involved but you don't solve it by dropping magic acid on a contestant. Underhanded little cunt
>>
5 minutes to lock!
>>
>>1933352
I'd just like to know what their intentions were from this whole thing but I doubt thay would be honest if they were trying to steamroll us.

Best to just let it get sorted out by the higher ups
>>
>>1933359
>They did this to mess with Miranda
What's weird is that they were initially friendly. I can't tell if that was a ruse to lure SES here, or if they decided we weren't worth the trouble when Randa said she wasn't looking to jump ship.
>>
>>1933352
No. Shut up and don't make this worse.
>>
>>1933370
It seems at least one of them felt snubbed. Miranda wasn't even entertaining the notion and was decidedly unimpressed by the tour, I guess they took it personal.

In any case, either our group is very anonymous or they were so cocksure about themselves that they didn't think they needed to research their mark. They're sloppy.
>>
Mostly a no, then. Writing!
>>
>>1933352
>>1933356
>>1933359
>>1933372
You're not at all happy about this. It was an unfair duel at the start, and to do such an act is just utterly disgusting to you... But it's not your place to state anything. Not here, and not now. Instead, you remain silent as the two eldritch beings lock eyes with each other- as though speaking briefly- and then turning away from each other simultaneously. "You doooon't have to go home, but you can't stay here." As for Vesquala, her eyes glow a brilliant green, and she and the siblings are teleported away in an eyeblink.

"That...could've gone better," Miranda grouses. You have to agree. "I don't even know what they were getting at with all that. What was the purpose of it?"

"Bah, they just needed a reason to humiliate someone," Lorelei scoffs. "They're just overhyped and underskilled. I mean, seriously? Izumi was doin' fine, but I wouldn't have called it a beatdown or anything. No offense."

"None taken." You had been fighting just to land that glancing blow. The idea that they would feel the need to cheat in order to secure a win...

"Come on," Miranda says tiredly. "Let's get outta here."

"Good callllllll. I'll contact you laaaaaaater. Perrrrrrrsonal suggestion? Take a jooooooob or two. Siiiiiimple stuff, clear your mind. There'll be a bit before we need to get the record straaaaaaaight. Although I doooooo think we've got the right of it easily enough..." Twisting in on himself, he vanishes, ending the discussion for now.

As of the three of you trudge out of the fairgrounds, you can't help but feel a bit riled up. Maybe you should try and go meditate or something...

>You are now Miranda Styles.

Well, that ended horribly. You still confused as to why they'd try and sabotage an event like that, but you suppose that Sal'll figure it out himself and tell you later. In the meantime... "Okay, so what do we do with the rest of the day?"

"I'll...I dunno." Lorelei shrugs. "Probably go eat cookies to calm down a bit. I can't believe they'd do Izumi like that. I was way too worried." you can see she's not exaggerating either; her face has all the lines of stress in it.

"I appreciate that, really," Izumi offers. "I suspect I'll keep to myself for a bit." You can't really blame her, although you're not sure if that's entirely the right call. "What about you, Miranda?"

Well, he did say you might as well look for another gig...it doesn't sound like the worst idea. Then again, you probably wouldn't think so...

>Solo.
>Multiple person.
>Hold off for now. (Do something else.)
>>
>>1933439
>Hold off for now and vent our frustations/focus on the sticky bomb proyect.

tommorrow
>>Multiple person.
lets take mono on a simple mission where she can make some desitions
>>
>>1933439
>Multiple person
More training for the new kid!
>>
>>1933439
>Hold off for now. (Do something else.)
Practice magic, train Mono in teamwork and get her accustomed to everyone's skill set.
>>
I'd like to go on a Precure job or something, one where we just beat up mooks that explode in a flower show and where we tie up the bad guys. I think both Izumi and Mono could use something like that.
>>
>>1933439
>>Solo.
It's been too long since the last solo job.
>>
>>1933439
Yeah we haven't done a solo in a while let's go with that something that looks simple
>>
>>1933439
>Solo.
The other girls need time to vent anyway.
>>
3 minutes till lock.
>>
>>1933466
Actually taking mono on a lighter mission would be a good idea don't need to crush her spirit all at one maybe even just hang around as her backup would be cool
>>
>>1933476
We can take an easy job where she does the work, and we just loot the place and tag in if she needs help.
Mono fights a team of mooks, Miranda is window shopping in the background.
Mono fights a fiendish lieutenant, Miranda is lying back on a deck chair, drinking margheritas and eating pizza.
>>
So, it seems like it's more angled towards Multiple person, with specifically something for Mono that she can handle, then?
>>
>>1933439
>>Solo.
>>
>>1933496
Let's take the dog for a walk.
>>
>>1933496
Yeah, something light hearted and enjoyable, with Miranda as a lazy chaperone
>>
Gotcha. List coming up, then!
>>
>>1933496
hmm, It's pretty split. Maybe do something with Mono this time, and take a solo next?
>>
>>1933496
Mono
>>
You guys want to take Miranda or make it Izumi and Mono? I actually want to play more as Izumi, we haven't done that since the cross-over last year. Those little snippets from the last job don't really count.
>>
>>1933519
Miranda. the others are fun, but I feel like she doesn't get as much screen time as she used to.
>>
>>1933513
Yeah I agree next time we should for sure get some solo adventure in with randa
>>
>>1933522
Can't save it for a solo job? We can go on a Big One next
>>
>>1933519
We need to imprint some fine mercenary values into mono with miranda.
>>
>>1933519
Miranda is the one that recruited Mono, so raising her up as a proper SES Magical Mercenary Girl is Miranda's responsibility.
>>
>>1933512
As a sidenote, how to the "company" funds get refilled? Is it a part of Sal's cut taken out of every job, and he automatically adds it? Or is there some other system in place?
>>
>>1933454
>>1933455
>>1933493
>>1933507
>>1933508


Let’s see...something relatively easy might work. And the newbie needs to really cut her teeth. Maybe something like that. You set the search parameters to ‘simple’. Mind, even simple jobs for your sort can be troublesome for the locals…

>Recommended Outgoers: 2
>Raven Hunting: This is a job for those that can be discrete, yet thorough. I have some...friends that pose a particular threat to a dear friend of mine. However, I do NOT want to risk him finding out of my...dalliances should those things go wrong- and they may well be going wrong. Exterminate a certain set of individuals, and avoid her notice.
>Riders Added: Minimum Collateral Damage
>Total Offered Payment: 20 Large Motes

>Recommended Outgoers: 1
>Chasedown: A particular hero is proving rather...troublesome to my efforts due to their incessant luck and guile. I have exhausted valuable minions and local mercenary forces to contain them, to no avail. I refuse to debase myself as to attempt to capture this idiotic individual myself. However, I yet have much coin to spend. A portion of it will be yours if you can capture and release them into my custody.
>Riders Added: Minimum Collateral Damage/Non-Lethal Force Requested
>Total Offered Payment: 15 Large Motes

>Recommended Outgoers: 2
>Hunting Hawks: The Five Forest Lords have great magic, and great strength on par with, it is said, the very forces of the Demon World itself. I call forth mighty warriors of my own, to assure their destruction and the beginning of my plans!
>Riders Added: None
>Total Offered Payment: 25 Large Motes

>Recommended Outgoers: 1
>Blood In, Blood Out: We got a new recruit. Which means we have a new trial to begin. Their task is to get through the temple- from the bottom to the top, without getting killed. As always, we summon forth a Warrior from Beyond to test them. The materials to summon may be new, but our hearts, minds, and sacrifices are ever the same. In the name of the eye from Beyond!
>Riders Added: Minimum Collateral Damage
>Total Offered Payment: 12 Large Motes

>>1933554
The price shown is -after- Sal's cut is deducted.
>>
>>1933560
>Blood In, Blood Out: We got a new recruit. Which means we have a new trial to begin. Their task is to get through the temple- from the bottom to the top, without getting killed. As always, we summon forth a Warrior from Beyond to test them. The materials to summon may be new, but our hearts, minds, and sacrifices are ever the same. In the name of the eye from Beyond!

This sounds fun
>>
>>1933560
Recommended Outgoers: 2
>Hunting Hawks: The Five Forest Lords have great magic, and great strength on par with, it is said, the very forces of the Demon World itself. I call forth mighty warriors of my own, to assure their destruction and the beginning of my plans!
>Riders Added: None
>Total Offered Payment: 25 Large Motes

Let's get the Cook to come with us.
>Recommended Outgoers: 1
>Chasedown: A particular hero is proving rather...troublesome to my efforts due to their incessant luck and guile. I have exhausted valuable minions and local mercenary forces to contain them, to no avail. I refuse to debase myself as to attempt to capture this idiotic individual myself. However, I yet have much coin to spend. A portion of it will be yours if you can capture and release them into my custody.
>Riders Added: Minimum Collateral Damage/Non-Lethal Force Requested
>Total Offered Payment: 15 Large Motes

Sounds like a job for Lori.

Izumi should stay to get checked out a out that weird "doesn't belong" stuff to make sure she isn't contagious or poisoned or anything. Also she should get pampered. I say we get Owlia and Cylica to hang out with her.

Lol "cheap shot" BTW.
>>
>>1933560
I assume the 1-man jobs we'd just escort?
Considering Mono's temperament, anything "Evil" won't sit well with her. We can work on that (if we want), but it'll have to be small steps.

>Blood In, Blood Out
sounds like fun, though Mono's not much of a straight fighter. Might have her Set the Stage , and us do the actual fighting.

>price
right, I was asking if we could figure out how much the "company" fund gets based on our cut of a job.
>>
>>1933560
>>1933573
Also 5 hawk lords? We can make a beg with the Cook about who can take down the most fastest since there's an uneven number and we have a fight to resolve anyways.

If they're putting the Dicks into Interdiction then we might want to start getting allies there.

Personally I just want a date Miranda style.
>>
Giving 30 minutes for this one to allow a bit more discussion.

>>1933574
Yup, the one-manners you're just there to drag her buns out of the fryer if she gets too stuck in.

As for price, nope. Sal's never said. He's assured you that you get the majority, though.
>>
>>1933574
>>1933560
I'll support Mono doing Blood in, Blood out.
>>
>>1933580
>Personally I just want a date Miranda style.
Bleh, why? I detest that guy, and Miranda's not much of a romantic type anyway; goes against her core philosophy. Lori's the one to play matchmaker with.
>>
>>1933601
you're speaking to a woman
>>
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>>1933608
>>
Remember to warn Lorelei about getting anywhere near Interdiction. Give her the death glare if we have to.
>>
>>1933560
Blood in, Blood out.
It's not Miranda's style, and the payout is pretty weak.
But, it's a good mission for Mono.
Low risk, she's not being asked to do wetwork or assist a villain in making the world a shittier place.
She's putting on a show to give a rookie an initiation, something her theatrical background would be good at.
All Miranda has to do is sit back in a Director's chair and make sure nothing goes wrong.
>>
>>1933560
>Blood In, Blood Out
>>
>>1933560
It's interesting that Blood In, Blood Out doesn't have the "stay in character" rider. Seems like the sort of thing that you'd want for an initiation.
>>
>>1933623
Now I'm just imagining executive producer Miranda styles having underlings bringing her coffee and staring at a monitor frowning decked out in that suit we didn't pick that one time

It's glorious
>>
>>1933640
Yeah, it's odd, and it's something we can try to upsell (another important skill to impart to Mono).
>>
Well then. Locked. Veeery interesting.
>>
>>1933673
Those e's are making me nervous
>>
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>>1933673
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>>1933673
So it's one rookie giving another rookie a hazing, while their seniors both look on and laugh at them.

Before we leave, we need a device that lets us project on a wall all the action. So that Miranda can comment on it while eating popcorn.
>>
>>1933723
We'll, maybe not the popcorn part. It isn't professional.
>>
>>1933706
NO. That quest is a happy one now. We just had a major success.
>>
>>1933608
Do I need to give you a picture of my dick Anon? I just like dating. Is the concept alien to you? Some times you just go out to have a fun time and competing at what you're good at is also fun.

And we DO have an unresolved fight to fins out who is harder.

Personally I think dude McName would be alright to hang out with it doesn't mean routelock.
>>
>>1933560
>>1933567
>>1933574
>>1933582
>>1933623
>>1933638
...hm. Slim pickings. But you can see one of that might work out- if not for you then for the junior. You decide to accept the job labeled 'Blood In, Blood Out.' "This," you say as you check the confirmation. "Me and Mono going to go have ourselves a bit of a live training session."

"Ha, goin' out on a job like he says, huh?" Lorelei smirks. "Not surprised. Seems kinda interesting, too! Lemme know how it goes!"

"We will," you promise.

As the three of you split your separate ways, you're quick to call the wolf-girl up, and she answers panting. "H-Hello?"

Hm. "Hey. Are you busy?"

"Nah...just got out from a run. Figured I'd go on a long jog and see a bit more of the city." Ah. Good initiative. "Well, get back as soon as you can. I have a job, and you're doing it."

You can hear her make a sound of confusion. "Wait, what do you mean by that?"

"I mean you need a bit more training than what we went through last time," you explain. "I picked out something that you should be able to handle with a bit of oversight. So I'm going to be there and it's technically under my name, but you're going to be the one actually doing the hard lifting. Clear?"

"Ah? R-really? I mean, I guess, sure, you're the boss..." Yeah, you keep forgetting that. Mostly because you don't like thinking about it. But you're not wrong. She needs some practice. And you're not sure, but she might need a little hardening up too... "When do you need me back?"

"As soon as possible. Never let a job wait. Meet me at headquarters." Now, time to- wait. "Do you still have some money left?"

"Some, yeah. Haven't bought much since I know how important it all is." Good girl. "Why?"

She really should remember this stuff. "You might want to pick out some clothes for yourself this time. Remember what I said about them? I'd suggest something-"

>Intimidating
>Otherworldly
>Hotheaded
>Other
>>
>>1933737
Miranda isn't like that off the job.
She doesn't like dating, even if you do.
>>
>>1933744
>Otherworldly
>Other: if she can't find something good, she can borrow from our wardrobe.
>>
>>1933744
> otherworldly

We god-entity now?
Yes.

Maybe add a bit of intimidation.
Something nice, for the tribal (?) Look.
>>
>>1933744
Never had a chance to do one of these votes myself but it always seems if we overload to much in one direction things get complicated but a bit intimidatein and a bit otherworldly always seems to work for Miranda alright just don't stack it to crazy
>>
>>1933744
>intimidating
>>
How people react to you is always important...especially in a place like this.

10 until lock.
>>
>>1933744
>>Other
Plainness at E-
>>
>>1933774
Seems like this world does this a lot is there any way to look up like reviews or something from past opperators?

Picking jobs has always seemed vague to me
>>
>>1933737
You like thing =/= character like thing.

>>1933744
>Otherworldly
with a touch of
>Hotheaded
would work well I think.
>>
>>1933744
Wait, can we use the Farsight to look up the world we're going to and the organization that contracted us, as well as details on this initiation? We need to dress right.
>>
>>1933799
Not reviews, no. You can ask for further detail on a job, though, that'll detail the level of magic, the individual/organization contacting you, and some general information about the location.
>>
>>1933808
I admit, I'm not sure, practically, how Hotheaded and Intimidating differ.
>>
>>1933819
Then let's get that info. We should get into the habit of providing that info now that we have the company's only Farsight.
>>
>>1933819
Heh let's check that out then.
Has no one ever asked about that befor?
>>
>>1933808
>>1933745
I think Miranda likes competing, getting cheap help, and doing her job as manager and building allies in the community especially if things are getting fucky.

I also don't see it as being romantic so much as comedic.

>>1933744
> Otherworldly
>>
>>1933849
>competing
doesn't care
>getting cheap help
We're paid by the job not by the hour. Higher quality help would be better for multitude of reasons.
>doing her job as manager
she hates paperwork, and doesn't like being in charge of people.
>building allies in the community
That's Lori's wheelhouse. Randa isn't much of a talker.
>comedic
for us yes, but we're making decisions /as her/. She has to reason to date, and isn't inclined towards such things in the first place.
>>
>>1933822
How individuals treat you differ, as well as a couple other bits.

>>1933835
>Details For Blood In, Blood Out

>Contract Holder: Darklight Society- Coalition of religious assassins and subversive agents.

>Magic Level: Moderate (Roughly 4000 mana restored in 8 hours)

>World History: World name is Arian. Medieval technology. World is divided into three major continents: Nerima, Ungolos, and Baphram. Current nations are at relative peace barring mild land disputes after an event known as the Dead Moon.

>Darklight Society is a secretive society that seeks to upend the world balance via the disruption of governments and important peoples in the name of bringing their god to the mortal realm. Base of operations is a hidden temple inside a mountain. Currently seeking to train new members due to an individual known as Markus reducing their numbers severely in a hideout raid which culminated in the loss of the majority of their higher administration.

Hope that works. Anyway, locked and writing!
>>
Actually, shit, can't. Scratch that. Will be back in 3 hours IF anyone will be there- if not, I'll continue tomorrow, since this will be a new 'arc' anyway.

...I'm gonna enjoy it.
>>
>>1933887
Plus one for being around in 3

Also hmm this is bound to be interesting
>>
>>1933885
>that seeks to upend the world balance
That's... irritating. I largely chose this due to it's lack of evilness. Miranda wouldn't care, but Mono will.

Are all the listings evil this time? If so, we should reconsider taking Mono with us for this round.

>>1933885
>How individuals treat you differ
Well, yes, I got that much. I meant /practically/. They have the same general effect: making you less approachable. the reason for unapproachability is even the same: "They'd kill me if I got in their way"
Only difference I can tell is that Hotheaded also makes you seem unable to be reasoned with.

Not trying to rag on your system, just trying figure out why we'd ever use Hotheaded.
>>
>>1933920
No, Raven Hunting is neutral/good. I wouldn't necessarily overlook any just due to morality, though. Then again, up to you.

Hotheaded isn't necessarily unapproachable- in fact it can be attractive to certain types of people and can convince certain individuals to help you easier. I called it Hotheaded, but I guess a better term for it would be 'Boldness' or folks more into anime, BURNING SPIRIT.
>>
>>1933920
I think part of the point was acclimating Mono to being the bad guy. For this we're working with some shady people, sure, but we're not personally knocking down orphanages or anything. That's how you start this sort of thing. First get her used to doing normal stuff with evil people, then help them fight off other evil people, then help fight good guys, then be the bad guys. Baby steps.
>>
>>1933920
Mono doesnt need to know about them doing "evil" stuff.
>>
>>1933927
>morality
When we do multi-man missions, seems like at least common courtesy to consider other's stances on those sorts of things, especially as Miranda doesn't care either way. Why needlessly cause your teammates stress?

>but I guess a better term for it would be 'Boldness'
Ah, that makes much more sense, Hotheaded to be brings to mind street thugs, gang members, and the like; thus my confusion.
>>
>>1933957
Mono never struck me as someone who wouldn't play the bad guy role- in fact with her background I think she'd be good at it. She's just inexperienced.
>>
>>1934073
Play a bad guy? No problem. Be a bad guy? Might have some trouble.

Her background included being told she could rape someone to death if she left her compound without a solid guard, and that she was only left alive because she was born this way.
Knowing you live, despite being a danger, because of other's kindness, would foster a moral heart, I'd think. But maybe I'm overthinking it.
>>
>>1934073
>>1934204
In our last mission, she had a lot of reservations about the death of civilian bystanders just to get at the target.
>>
>>1934204
On that whole rape to death thing is that just not a problem anymore or what? I know she was always well behaved but is that an urge she constantly has to deal with or what
>>
>>1934244
From what i understood, being in the intersection nullyfies that aspect of her, but it might appear on missions where we have to be deployed for several days.
>>
>>1934282
I see well I have no idea how to deal with that if it happens to come up. Sex demon blood is weird
>>
>>1934204
To be fair, she also jumped the barricade more than once, amd while I understand why, that's still a risk. You're not wrong, but I feel like she could at least do this much. Especially looking back over the job. Get through without getting killed. Seems to me that if she offs him, oh well. Might be wrong though.
>>
>>1934349
>Seems to me that if she offs him, oh well
The contract seems to want an opposition, and they don't want the initiate to die.

We should confirm with our clients once we're on-site.
>>
If mono is gonna be the operator how do we wanna present ourselves

I was thinking if we could get a good combo of plain and otherworldly we could appear to be a normal person who gives of an unsetteling aura like there something wrong here but I can't put my finger on it kinda vibe
>>
>>1934487
we could be Mono's guiding spirit. Or a summon. something along those lines.
>>
And back!
>>
>>1934646
yuss
>>
>>1934646
welcome back
>>
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>>1934487
We could be an Auditor; they said themselves they always summon a Being from Beyond for an initiation.
Well, we could tell them that there have been "discrepancies" in that accounting books with their account, and the eldritch gods who we pledge fealty to want to be sure that such discrepancies are balanced out.

Basically Miranda plays the part of a Lovecraftian accountant hailing from a Black Pharaoh-headed IRS, and they just had the misfortune of triggering our audit flags.
>>
>>1934710
eeeeh... that can become way too complex way too soon. let's try to keep it simple.
>>
>>1934710
Heh I don't know if we have to go that elaborate I just wanted to be a spooky g man type charter
>>
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>>1934727
So you want Miranda to be wearing a suit skirt and tie, and have a briefcase, and speak in cryptic phrases?
"Wake up, Darklighter. It's time to wake up, and smell the ashes."
"The wrong woman at the right time, Darklighter. The wrong woman...at the right time."
>>
>>1934710
While hilarious, that would complicate a simple job rather quickly. A striped down variant, or something like
>>1934727
might be simpler.

As long as we don't spend more than the job's worth dressing up again, I'm game. Actually, if we're just riding shotgun for this, I don't know if we'll be paid at all.
>>
>>1934785
lets be her guardian angel or something like that. that is way easier to explain, and allows us to protect her and have decision making option.
>>
>>1934764
Maybe not the whole thing but I would like to jack the vibe he has
>>
>>1934810
Come on, that's going to undermine our image for the contract.
The client wants a Warrior from Beyond, and us being a guardian angel makes it look like the Warrior they hired is either a newbie herself by having a supervisor watching over her shoulder, or not that much of a warrior if she needs someone stronger to be with her on what is essentially a physical exam.
>>
I'm honestly a little tempted just to say "This is an initiation for both one of yours and one of mine." Could that work for the G-man vibe we want to establish?
>>
"Otherworldly. Something ethereal." That should work well considering the general attitude of what your clients are like. "Stuff that glows stuff with unnatural construction - you'll know it when you see it. And if that doesn't help there is usually some description that let you know about it, and you should be able to figure it out from there."

"O-oh. Gotcha. I...guess I'll try to look for somethin' good, then." She seems unsure, but you're confident she'll be able to figure out something. "What's the job?"

"I'll tell you when you get here. Oh, and I shouldn't have to tell you this, but just in case, don't try to spend everything you've got. Just one or two things should be fine." Don't want her spending all her money on one outfit.

"Right, will do." Good. With her settled, you need to figure out your own outfit. All things considered...hm.

>Go straight to equipment selection. https://pastebin.com/R263U7Hp
>Maybe buy something new... https://pastebin.com/9J70gqM2
>Other
>>
>>1934834
the contract doesn't know who we are. if they ask, we say that mono is the one that got hired, not us.
>>
>>1934844
Handler, what stats would we need to get a creepy business suit?
High Plainness and Otherworldiness?
>>
>>1934873
Yes. Also you reminded me I forgot to update the shop. One moment.
>>
>>1934873
If those are the stats to get something theme appropriate we can go

Broach headband rapier for otherworldly

And clear glasses and buy a fighters gi for plainness
>>
>>1934844
Equip
>Clear sunglasses
>Glowing headband

Buy
>Pleasant necklace

And I'm not sure if hothead or plainess would work for "approachable otherworldly being" otherwise I'd go for heavy boots and celestial robe.

before we go, We should have Izumi check her injuries and maybe convince her to go on a mission with Owlia and Cylica. mostly to give Cylica some lessons on how to tone down her pride and try to make them feel like staying with us for the long run. I don't want any interdicks or whatever establishment stealing our co-workers
>>
>>1934873
It's going to be hard to actually get both of those high; many items that boost one, reduce the other.
>>
>>1934935
You realize that those purchases are more than our cut of the contract, right?
>>
>>1934844
Guys, before choosing, WHAT IS GOING TO BE OUR DISGUISE?
because being a fucking eldritch accountant or anything of the sorts is just going to raise questions.
>>
And updated shop, sorry about that. https://pastebin.com/R263U7Hp
>>
>>1934956
They get two for one I don't see why they would wanna question it it's a great deal for them.
>>
>>1934956
usually, that goes the other way. We go for a feel by changing stats, and are given a role based on those stats.

If our 'charge' if going to be Otherworldly, should we should be the 'intermediary'? High plainness, moderate Otherworldly?
>>
>>1934947
Third Eye Brooch (Otherworldly +3 / Hothead -3)
Clear Sunglasses (Plainness +2 / Intimidation -2)
Baron's Rapier (Otherworldly +2)
Flamebringer Sword ( Intimidation +1 / Otherworldly +1 )

Without buying anything new, that's +6 Otherworldly, +2 Plainness, -3 Hothead, -1 Intimidation.
With a baseline of:
Intimidation: B
Humor: D-
Otherworldly: E
Hothead: C
Plainness: D

>>1934964
MG, could you remind us/write into the pastebin how much a +1 increases a stat rating? Since you have Rating+ and Rating-.
>>
Seems like there's a lot of unsureness?

I do see Clear Sunglasses to be equipped, but that's it.
>>
>>1934978
Done, it's in the pastebin now. Thanks for the suggestion.
>>
>>1934947
Broach headband rapier is plus 6 otherworldly

And clear glasses and a fighters gi is plus 5 plain and another 1 if we don't wear our jacket

it tanks hotheaded and a little less intimidating
>>
>>1934935
5 motes for the necklace to too rich for a job like this.
Don't forget, we can buy company equipment with company funds, though I'm loathe to do so for this.

>>1934978
I think each +1 goes like C+>D->D>D+
>>
>>1934978
This sounds good to me. We really need to work on our Otherwordly stat if all those buffs result in just an E.
>>
>>1935002
That caught me as well; he posted the baseline, not the modified.
>>
>>1934995
>>1934978
So with that loadout, our stats would be:
Intimidation: B-
Humor: D-
Otherworldly:C
Hothead: D
Plainness: C-
>>
>>1935016
Hothead would be
>D-
but otherwise, yea.
>>
Oh, another thing I forgot. *Mastercrafted* items have hidden bonuses. You can't know exactly what they are until you buy them, though...

Finally came up with a reason for that.
>>
>>1935023
No, Hothead starts at C. With a -3 it's:
C-
D+
D
>>
>>1934978
Going to go with this, to move things along, if that's okay?
>>
>>1935028
Hey, when we start getting company equipment, shouldn't we need somewhere to store it? Something like an Armory (or a Wardrobe for clothing)?

>>1935035
Shoot. I double-checked and everything.

>>1935041
Sounds good to me.
>>
>>1935041
Fine with me
>>
>>1935041
I'm ok with it.
>>
>>1935041
I want to buy the Warrior's Gi to increase our Plainness.
>>
>>1935045
You're right. There should be an armory in due time...
>>
>>1934978
Wait does the stat change reflect things like our jacket (I assume we're wearing something on the unindicated slots)?
>>
>>1935070
Yes. What we wear isn't what will show up at a client site.
>>
>>1935070
>>1935077
I should qualify that non-attuned items will keep their form and function.
>>
>>1935077
Right, but you don't have anything on the body slot in your loadout, for instance. Does that mean we keep what we wore last time, or are we going without for that slot?
>>
>>1935087
we go empty
>>
>>1935041
I only put up that loadout to show how close we were to getting our desired stats with equipment we already have, not as an actual loadout to take, since it's missing a Chest Slot item.

I wanted to get the Warrior's Gi so that we're not going to meet Mono without a shirt on.
>>
Argh. Well, it's late, but...alright, I was gonna be up for another hour anyway.

Also you're not going shirtless, you'll just have your normal shirt/jacket on. +1 Intim/-1Plainness
>>
>Current Stats:
>Intimidation: B-
>Humor: D-
>Otherworldly:C
>Hothead: D
>Plainness: C-

No need to buy anything this time. Two swords maybe a bit excessive, but considering what you're planning to do, it's more for style and showcase than real substance. You were never really a fan of dual wielding, but you're good enough if needs be- not that you think that's going to happen.

It's about an hour or so until you make it to the headquarters, and it's about a half hour after that when Mono shows up. She's got a circlet with a glowing gem inside it, and she's wearing an overcoat that seems to disappear when you look at it from the wrong angle. You have to admit, it's a good set up for what you asked. You're quick to scan her with the FarSight...

>Mono Current Stats:

>Intimidation: B-
>Humor: D+
>Otherworldly: C
>Hothead: A-
>Plainness: C

Huh. That works out nicely. "I thought this'd would work out pretty well... I know I was kinda weirded out just lookin' at it." Yup. "So, what's the job?"

You huff a bit. "We're going to a temple. Client wants to make sure a new initiative their little gang is up to snuff. You're going to be handling that."

"Oh...I think I can handle that, then. Good thing I bought my sword." Well, hopefully. "When do we head out?"

You tilt your head upwards a bit. "Now. Sal?"

There's a blink, and the both of you are gone.

JOB STARTED
>>
>>1935180
It doesn't look entirely weird, actually. Fairly fancy, even. Very nice and clean, circular, marble stone platform, lit by torches. There's a few pillars in a circular formation, but the only other presence is that of a quintet of individuals in black masks. They're surrounding you, and all have their heads bowed in what you can only presume is supplication. Hm. You take a quick look at yourself. First thing you can do is that you're wearing your sunglasses, still- transparent round gray ones. You're in a loose, light, cloth overcoat that's colored a mix of black and green, and your undershirt seems to be a black as well. You're wearing pants, loose and frayed at the bottom, going from black to dark green, and has a rope belt. Your shoes are leather and rather fitting, and you can feel a choker around your neck as well, with a small dip towards the chest area. It's got a strange eye symbol on it that makes you think of an eye that's being shaped into a lightning bolt.

Mono looks entirely different, however. She's wearing a ragged black overcoat, thicker than yours from the look of it, and indeed, you can see what appears to black smoke roiling inside the very weave itself, a similar undershirt beneath it. She also seems to have a new haircut, thick jet black prongs of spikey hair streaming from her head and going down to her tailbone. Even her face is different, her face paint being translated to more than just a few marks; she's got black designs all across her face, lining her eyes, nose and mouth and going around to the back of the cheeks- kind of reminds you of a skeleton. She's got some sort of fuzzy, frayed black pants on, loose similar to yours, and her fingernails are sharpened and you can actually see them dripping black ichor. Her feet are only covered by what appear to be more feet wrappings than actual shoes.

As you turn back to the masked man in front of you, he lifts his head, and makes a small sound of wonderment. "...Two? Truly? Have we been so blessed?" The others raise their heads as well, all making similar awed expressions. "Have you deemed our initiate to be so worthy that you would need two to defend against his skill?"

>Well, it's Mono's show from here. Let her take the lead. (Switch perspective to Mono)
>"She is here to test. I am here to observe."
>"First. Explain in full why we are here."
>Other


>Done for tonight, will resume tomorrow!
>>
>>1935293
>simply nod and change perspectives to mono
>>
>>1935293
>"No. You have summoned, she will train, I will judge. His worth matters little to us."
>"Explain in full why we are here."
>>
>>1935315
don't break their expectations and hopes. That's bad for business.
>>
>>1935293
>>Well, it's Mono's show from here. Let her take the lead. (Switch perspective to Mono)
>>
>>"First. Explain in full why we are here."
>>Well, it's Mono's show from here. Let her take the lead. (Switch perspective to Mono)
>>
>>1935293
>ask about the initiation and reason for having us here.
>Well, it's Mono's show from here. Let her take the lead. (Switch perspective to Mono)
>as Mono, ask what are they expecting from their new recruit. What potential we should get from them. What type of tests did the members in the past have done?
>also how many floors does this tower have.
>any traditions should we be taking note of?
btw, what kind of character are we gonna play? Soft spoken mysterious girl? Haughty spooky girl? or we could just change characters as the rookie gets higher up the tower?
>>
>>1935293
>Other: "Ssshe is...here for the tessst. Now, explain in full your...inititiate."
>Let Mono take the lead after the question.
>>
>>1935293
I can support this >>1935469
though perhaps a more normal accent could be appropriate.
>>
>>1935453
What this guy said
>>
>>1935469
>>1935293
Yeah this. We don't have to explain anything to them. No weird esses though
>>
I found >>1934710 pretty funny and combined with
>Currently seeking to train new members due to an individual known as Markus reducing their numbers severely in a hideout raid which culminated in the loss of the majority of their higher administration
We can definitely be a bit theatrical.

>>1935293
>Other

>"Perhaps. You may address me as M̴̺̟̬̤̞̮̱̒̓͊͌̐̓͌̎̽͜į͚̙͙̖͈́̈̎͑̾̒̐̕͠d̡̩̟̗̩̗̣̎̈́̾͗̿͘͜a̵̡͚͍̻̻͚̓͐̿̿̓́͊́̚͝s̢̟͎̹͍͓̪͈͗̇͊̂̆͢͡, and my companion as ̧͉͔̣̖͎̪̯͔͑̔́́̋̾̕͡G̢͖̣̮̖̻͙̭̈́̉̄̈́̊̋̍̋͘̕r̷̡͉͈͇̜̣̈́̌̏͊̋̏͟ͅe̢͎̮̮͓̠̊͋̂͒̌̏̕͞ṇ̷̡̧̙̜̣̩͍̗̞̀̏̽̔̕̕̕͞ḑ̷̥̟̦͇̼̗͖͓̃͛̆͌̑̓̇̚͞͡ͅe͕̯͙̯͉̠͓̙̮̎̄̌̽͌̉̑̾͝͞l̴͇̭͍̹̪̈́̀̇̕͝. ̧͉͔̣̖͎̪̯͔͑̔́́̋̾̕͡G̢͖̣̮̖̻͙̭̈́̉̄̈́̊̋̍̋͘̕r̷̡͉͈͇̜̣̈́̌̏͊̋̏͟ͅe̢͎̮̮͓̠̊͋̂͒̌̏̕͞ṇ̷̡̧̙̜̣̩͍̗̞̀̏̽̔̕̕̕͞ḑ̷̥̟̦͇̼̗͖͓̃͛̆͌̑̓̇̚͞͡ͅe͕̯͙̯͉̠͓̙̮̎̄̌̽͌̉̑̾͝͞l̴͇̭͍̹̪̈́̀̇̕͝ will be responsible for testing your initiate. It has come to our understanding that your organization has met with great failure. A single individual is responsible for your near destruction. Can you confirm or deny this information? My purpose is to oversee ̧͉͔̣̖͎̪̯͔͑̔́́̋̾̕͡G̢͖̣̮̖̻͙̭̈́̉̄̈́̊̋̍̋͘̕r̷̡͉͈͇̜̣̈́̌̏͊̋̏͟ͅe̢͎̮̮͓̠̊͋̂͒̌̏̕͞ṇ̷̡̧̙̜̣̩͍̗̞̀̏̽̔̕̕̕͞ḑ̷̥̟̦͇̼̗͖͓̃͛̆͌̑̓̇̚͞͡ͅe͕̯͙̯͉̠͓̙̮̎̄̌̽͌̉̑̾͝͞l̴͇̭͍̹̪̈́̀̇̕͝'s training of your initiate and determine if you are truly making good use of our services. If the initiation is considered subpar we must reconsider our current agreement.
>>
Howdy, all. Writing, will start in hopefully around 30 minutes.
>>
>>1935293
>>1935719
I also support our purpose here being an eldritch auditor.
>>
>>1935293
Just tell them that you will be present as an observer, nothing more nothing less.

Don't want them to think they're worthy of testing our people, but I also don't want to freak the crazy people out. Crazy people react wrong sometimes.
>>
>>1935719
Oh shit actually let's do the opposite of this and tell them that they have an opportunity for one of their own to ascend if they perform well enough. They might be allowed to join our ranks.

It'll make them call us more often and we can get them to pay us to come "test" them more regularly. It will also give us a possible recruitment pool if we need a bunch of people suddenly. Ideally, they'd work for cheap if we can sell them on it as being part of their religion in keeping balance through the multivariate.
>>
>>1935774
They just got fucked up by a hero, they're all a bunch of schmucks.
>>
>>1935774
This group doesn't sound terribly... stable. I dunno if we'd want any of them in the Intersection. And we'd literally be poaching people off our client.
>>
>>1935794
It's how business works. Besides they would have the prestige of having one of their own "ascend".

Also it's not like anyone in the intersection is really stable either.
>>
>>1935835
I think we are approved for like 2 more people Id prefer we wait and see and get quality ones this isn't Pokémon not trying to catch me all
>>
>>1935293
>>1935315
>>1935397
>>1935421
>>1935453
>>1935469
You fix the speaker with a neutral stare, although you don't think he can exactly see your eyes beneath the glasses. "SHE is here for the test." you motion to Mono, who glances at you, but otherwise stays silent. "I will observe. Now explain your initiate in full."

"As always, warrior, the great Temple of Thorns stands ready to challenge all who think they deserve entry into the Darklight Society. The fifty floors are primed, and awaiting your...associate's entry. He will attempt to climb from the depths into the truelight, and in order to prove his worthiness or unworthiness, he must eliminate the homunculi, avoid the traps, and surmount the obstacles we have crafted and placed to waylay him. We bid you hunt him throughout the tower- every tenth floor, strike at him with all your might. Should he prove unworthy and fail to withstand your power... he is to be eliminated, as per our rules."

Oof. Rough going for the kid. "No mercy, then?" Well...that's something.

>You are now Mono.

As Miranda looks to you, you can't help the suddenly feel a sharp sense of unease at what you're supposed to do. Then again... You did pretty much ask for this. Maybe...egh. Well, they're not great people. Honestly, you're kind of torn on whether to go all out at the start and get this over with quickly as possible, or to otherwise just try and actually TEST him...

"What am I doing, then? Martial ability?" you ask. Jeez, your voice is kinda raspier than normal...

He looks at you, jumping a bit in surprise. Perhaps he wasn't expecting you to speak? "You are meant to be the unknown. The unknowable. Any skills you have at your disposal, so long as they do not aid the initiate, and we do have one rule. You need not present yourself to him, but he must have a way to sense your presence. Whether by sight, by sound, by feel, or by smell, it matters not. Should anyone be able to hide all those things, any training would be quite hard-pressed to defend again such perfect concealment. None are perfect on this earth."

Oh boy...

>Any further questions?
>"Show me to where I should begin."
>Other
>>
>>1935859
>"Show me to where I should begin."
>>
>>1935859
Seems strait forward enough where do we begin
>>
>>1935859
>>"Show me to where I should begin."
>>
>>1935859
>Any further questions?
how many floor are there? they said every 10, but are there 100? 500? 20?

Seems straightforward enough. I figure we do the job right; slowly scaling up the difficulty as we go, adding strength and new abilities, make it a proper test.
We will need to stay light on our feet though, when 'defeated' on each floor, we need to be able to disengage and 'flee', we we aren't 'defeated' prematurely.

Mono isn't particularly stealthy, I don't know if she'll need to manufacture a tell.
>>
>>1935882
He said there was fifty

We could do one tell for each of the 5 senses, if we're doing it every 10 floors.
>>
>>1935882
There are fifty floors this basically seems to be a rogue like dungeon which is very cool
>>
>>1935859
> Show me where to begin.
>>
>>1935886
>>1935887
...Maybe I should just go back to bed
>>
Well... Mono's main ability has a pretty obvious audio cue. So there's that.
>>
Fair enough! Locked, writing.

Also it's time to play 'Guess what Handler's been playing recently!'
>>
>>1935916
Let it die?
>>
>>1935925
Wait no I don't remember what it's called just something with death heard about it on a podcast
>>
>>1935925
...
>>
>>1935929
Was... was I right?
>>
>>1935929

HuniePop Obviously. This whole Job is Mono playing Match 3.
>>
>>1935916
Hyperdimension Neptunia?

Salt and Sanctuary?
>>
>>1935859
>"Show me to where I should begin."
>>
>>1935916
Uh
Heat Signature?
>>
>>1935929
XCOM?
>>
>>1935916
Disgaea ?
>>
>>1935859
>>1935873
>>1935874
>>1935876
>>1935889
>>1935983
"Show me to where I should begin." Okay, time to get in character. You're a hunter, a terror, a relentless force. You're stalking...pursuing, all that dangerous stuff. You got this. You absolutely got this. The man nods, and he heads out, the both of you following him and his followers taking up behind you.

It's actually a really pretty place; canary-colored marble once you get outside of the room, and the place looks like a palatial estate. You kinda want to see what's behind everything, but the masked men seem to step with purpose and speed, and you just know you're going to get lost in this place if you don't keep up. Frankly, you don't think that would be an entirely horrible thing, but you ARE here on the job.

Job. That's still having a hard time settling with you. Might be best not to think about it quite so much for now...

You pass through a few hallways with similar coloring and style, and a few nondescript statues of individuals in various poses; some standing up nobly, some in a thinking position, some a hunting position, and so on. It seems like all of the rooms are very wide, but was very little purpose to them. It's only after you pass through one circular room, and there's a MASSIVE giant of a creature resting off to one side - it seems to be some sort of an amalgamation of a boar, a giant, and some sort of big cat. "Fear not. It is under our service, and will do you no offense." Whoa. Is this what he was talking about earlier with 'homunculi'? You don't even know what those are, but if that's an example of one, YIKES.

It's like this for several floors, as you walk down a number of sets of stairs, at the end, all of them marked by double doors with some strange etchings in them. Fifty floors of this?

No, as it turns out. After exactly ten floors, you pass thought a giant set of double doors, and suddenly the decor changes markedly- from brilliant golds to soft blues. You also notice that it seems as though there's no more marble here, instead everything smelling of oak and other wood. "All begin at the bottom, and so we have some ways to trek," is the only thing he says.

cont.
>>
>>1936013
Each of the floors are rather large with multiple rooms, and multiple heights to work from- probably good for you and the guy you're after. You're also seeing more strange beings simply idling around, many looking like they've been stitched together from various people or animals. You're not sure how to describe half of them, but if nothing else they don't seem to bother you any, creepy as they might be.

Lower and lower you go, and the fancy woodwork turns to basic stone work, then clay, and by the time you reach the lowest floors, it resembles more a series of damp, dark caves than a temple. Everything echoes, and it seems like there's a number of nooks and crannies. "Here. Here in the dark recesses of the earth- this is where it all begins," he says proudly. "Our initiate will be here in but a scant hour. He will be blinded and deafened until we allow him otherwise. Then he will be released, and the trial begins. He must find and obtain the keys to each great doorway, to allow him passage to the next floor. Some will be in the possession of opponents. Some will be simply hidden. We request humbly that you do not touch these keys."

You nod. Fair enough.

"No traps will harm you." He continues as he moves a large- yet surprisingly light- rock aside to reveal something akin to a sitting room, complete with wooden table and chairs. "No enemies will attack you. We have made sure of this. After his first hour in this floor, you are to exit this room, and pursue him. Should he escape the floor, we request you wait a half of an hour before resuming the pursuit. As he ascends higher, half the time yet again for each floor. Is this understood?" Right Easy enough...but that means he won't have any rest time by the last floor... "Allow him no quarter but that which we have requested. We will handle the rest." And here he turns to Miranda. "Lady Observer, we have methods to keep an eye on our initiate remotely, if you would care to use our methods."

She nods. "Excellent. Show me."

"At once." Here, he looks back at you one last time. "Warrior, we look forward to witnessing your incomparable skill. Lady Observer, this way," he says finally, and begins to walk away.

>Any last questions?

>Time to hunt.
>>
>>1936021
Time to hunt
>>
>>1936021

> Hunt

The fact Mono's first proper job is a hunt makes me smile.
>>
>>1936021
>>Time to hunt.
>>
>>1936021
>Time to hunt
So this is Silent Hill and we're Pyramid Head?
>>
Welp. Starting out. Let's see how this ends up...
>>
>>1936021
>>Time to hunt.
So we're the /thing/ that chases you through the dungeon, pushing you forward? Cool.
>>
>Huh. This is...very luxurious.

>Indeed, Lady Observer. All for the eye. Here, this sphere is how we will witness his struggle. With a base application of magics...

>Ahh. A nice view. And from any angle?

>Indeed. What one can easily mistake for stray marker lights is our method of witness to his trial.

>Impressive. I'd like a drink. Something hot. One of you bring it.

>Ah? Uh... of course! Brother, if you would prepare our finest warm drink! Is there anything else you desire, great one?

>Hm...
>>
>>1936084
Yes a thousand times
>>
>>1936084
Looks like she's getting into character just fine.
>>
>>1936084
As long as we don't become like Zuthulu.
>>
>>1934311
Well, if that ever happens i just hope we can deal with it or at least lead her away from us
>>
>>1936021
>>1936029
>>1936034
>>1936036
>>1936055
>>1936064
It's a long wait, it seems like to you. Two hours never felt so long... The only thing that lets you tell the time is a hourglass, which was already going when you got in here. As it runs out, you flipped it over, and it's almost out now. You heard some shuffling around outside earlier, but you have to presume is the initiate. So now it's just waiting.

There's not exactly a whole lot to do in the room... Maybe they figured that you wouldn't need any particular kind of distraction. Maybe you can just practice a little bit, get some warming up in. Your training with the other girls was...rough, at times, but they were good instructors...you think. At least for fighting. You still had to practice with your singing, but maybe you could try out something new here. It WAS intended to be a bit of practice for you.

Not like you've done this before...crap, what if they really, actually expect you to...kill him? Can you? Miranda's probably expecting it...

Ah, damnit. The hourglass ran out. Time for your debut.

As you push aside the hidden rock face, you find that there is a low hanging fog around the floor of the caverns that wasn't there before; it's not thick enough to obstruct anything, though, and only comes up to your ankles at best. Right. Character. In-character. Deep breaths. In and out.

"And so it begins..." you hunch over, letting the huntress inside of you take over, and you move to find your prey. Quietly, quickly...

>Roll 1d20, Best of three for skulking about.
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>1936222
>>
Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>1936222
sneak sneak sneak
>>
Couple more minutes. Need one more roll.
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>1936222
>>
Writing, sorry.
>>
>>1936222
>>1936234
>>1936245
>>1936289
It's not very long before you can see exactly who your target is; he's busy doing his best to sneak around, trying to use the fog as best he can and cover his steps. He's not masked, like the others, instead he's dressed in very form-fitting clothes, and his weapon seems to be a sort of machete. He's not really all that stealthy, however, as the steps he takes are plodding and obvious, and aside from trying to step lightly, the only thing you can really called stealthy about him is the fact that he has the sense to peek around corners before engaging anything that's their. He does seem to have some skill with a blade, however; if the fallen dog-like creature at his feet is anything to indicate. At the moment, he's in a hallway, but you can see just beyond is a more open area, that seems to have a bit of water in it and large rock outcroppings surrounding it.

He clearly hasn't noticed you; and by the way he's looking around he seems to be somewhat confused. This could be your chance to make you her big entrance for him. Ah- that's right, though. You need to allow him a small tip-off somehow before you engage.

>Maybe try humming?
>Your sword should make good noise.
>Perhaps you can just say something....
>Other
>>
>>1936423
Super spooky humming
>>
>>1936423
>>Maybe try humming?
something simple with 2 or three notes, to amp up the suspense.
>>
>>1936423

> Dramatic Monologue from seemingly everywhere.
>>
>>1936423
>Your sword should make good noise.
The sound of metal scraping along the floor.
>>
>>1936423
a low, droning hum to get the spook going while scraping the sword on the ground.
>>
2 minutes until lock.
>>
>>1936423
>>Maybe try humming?
If we can, see if it can modify something very minor: the thickness of the fog, the color of something, etc.
>>
>>1936517

I like this.
>>
>>1936517
Oh, make spooky skulls form from the fog
>>
Right. Shame we don't have axes.

Dead By Daylight joke.
>>
>>1936423
>>1936434
>>1936436
>>1936451
>>1936517

Thinking about it, you can't help but find yourself humming a bit - and then it hits you, not long after you see him perk his head up. Well...it IS one of your strengths... "Hmmmm, hmmmm, hmmm hmmm..." your low, simple humming isn't enough to cause any particular major changes, but you can see the fog rise slightly, and darken- something that he realizes as well, and he immediately backs away from the opening to the other room; blade in hand as he backs up into the center of the room, turning around in a circle. That entrance is the the only way in, though, so...

Here goes. You let the blade drag on the ground a bit as you lurch forward, to his surprise. He backs up briefly, and here you can finally see what he looks like; a silver-haired youth, with bright green eyes. Eyes full of fear. You can see his mouth moving in shock, enough to read his lips:

'It's...its...the hunter!' So that's what you're called...? Alright! Here goes.

>Stay slow, menacing, and regular. Make him paranoid and clumsy.
>Try to assault him as fast as possible. Hit and run.
>Let him run, but show up when he's fighting something else.
>Other
>>
>>1936631
>Let him run, but show up when he's fighting something else.
We Nemesis now. should've brought a rocket launcher.

let him run, sing to make subtle horror movie effects
>>
>>1936631
>Try to assault him as fast as possible. Hit and run.
>>
>>1936631
>>Stay slow, menacing, and regular. Make him paranoid and clumsy.
>>
>>1936631
>Stay slow, menacing, and regular. Make him paranoid and clumsy.
>>
Locked. Loaded. Slowly, gently. This is how a life is taken.
>>
>>1936631
>>1936655
>>1936656
>>1936645
>>1936644
Your slow, plodding gait is more than enough to make him realize that it's time for him to run- and run he does. Which is just what you want, as you begin the pursuit. He won't be paying as much attention to his surroundings as he should if he's constantly looking over his shoulder for you. So you make certain to keep him within earshot - his thudding steps making sure you have an idea where he is at all times.

A number of beasts end up in his way as he darts down a corridor- he manages to vault them with a surprising grace, while when you come upon them you're able to just walk past. It's then that you hear a thump and a groan of pain. You're not quite certain what happened, but that sounded like he made a mistake. As you turn the corner, you see him rising back to his feet. As he looks back, his eyes widen and he grits his teeth. He quickly turns and puts on an extra burst of speed, although you notice that he's putting a bit of extra weight on one leg, which makes his fleeing difficult.

You're not entirely sure if this should be fun or not. But you feel something stir inside you...

>...okay yeah, this is kinda fun. Wonder if there's another way you can freak him out...
>It's just a job, and you've gotta keep remembering that. Whatever happens, happens.
>Geez, the guy looks scared as heck. Maybe you can make him more calm...
>>
>>1936982
>>...okay yeah, this is kinda fun. Wonder if there's another way you can freak him out..., but It's just a job, and you've gotta keep remembering that. Whatever happens, happens.


This is how we kill him by a heart attack.
>>
>>1936982
>...okay yeah, this is kinda fun. Wonder if there's another way you can freak him out...

We should start singing to make it hard for him to see. Slow him down and make the monsters more dangerous.
>>
>>1936982
>...okay yeah, this is kinda fun. Wonder if there's another way you can freak him out...
>>
>>1936982
>>...okay yeah, this is kinda fun. Wonder if there's another way you can freak him out...

>>1937013
I figure as we go along we slowly add complexity to the humming, making it more potent, until we reach the limit of humming, then switch to singing, following the same pattern.
>>
>>1936991
Nah I want to see if on the first level we can spook him into killing himself through inattention/panic.

Next level I say we sing "shortcuts" to jump ahead of him and force him to fight all the monsters before attacking him and then fading away. Hit and run.
>>
>>1937036
We could slowly dull his senses one by one.

Or sing illusory doubles of the monsters.

Or sing the rooms to extend the door farther away from him the closet we get.
>>
>>1937037
Oh I love the shortcuts idea
>>
>>1937037
maybe shortcuts that send him to the beginning of the room.
>>
Locked. Writing!

Interesting.
>>
>>1936982
>>1936991
>>1937013
>>1937027
>>1937036
...Okay, you've gotta say you're having a lot more fun than you thought you would have. To the point that it's kind of inspiring. Maybe you can try something else a bit...spookier. Or maybe heart pounding. Or even disgusting maybe- something reaallly gutchurning and fearsome!

>Roll 3d100 for potential inspirations!
>>
>>1937056
>>1937067
Anyone ever play F.E.A.R?

After he gets used to illusory monsters and fighting while ignoring them, we do the same on the next level but make them solid so they can hurt him.

Then on the fourth level we sing a shortcut into EVERY room from the last room. Each room he enters there's a door that opens slightly wider to show us waiting for him there.

His dead body on the ground before us killed in different ways.
>>
Rolled 17, 30, 88 = 135 (3d100)

>>1937124
>>
Rolled 83, 6, 12 = 101 (3d100)

>>1937124
>>
Rolled 79, 43, 93 = 215 (3d100)

>>1937124
See >>1937136
>>
>>1937124
Or if we REALLY want to mess with him

> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ji9qSuQapFY
>>
Rolled 44, 22, 50 = 116 (3d100)

>>1937124
>>
Hmm.

83, 43, 93.

Nice. Writing!
>>
>>1937124
>>1937136
>>1937137
>>1937141
>>1937142

>Current Mana: 2000/3000

You feel yourself humming something deeper, something heady and dark- a few vocalizations slither from your mouth, wordless sounds that nonetheless whisper promises of unknowable things, blasphemies against the rules of man on earth and angels above. Hissing, guttural noises that seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere all the same. You can see him look around in abject confusion as a well that was just there now isn't, and a body he just passed seemed to spring back to life. Another one, this one real, slams into him- he's quick to slice it to ribbons, however. And- oh. He leans down, grabbing something shiny and glittering- a key!

Ah, but he's tarried too long, and he shakes his head as the creature seems to rise again, but this one he has none of, marching onward gamely. He stumbles past another open area, holding his stomach now as it churns and roils, walking faster now, and as you keep pace with your demonic whispers, he turns around only briefly. Too long for him.

Your dark eyes meet with his, grab them, strangle his sight so that only you exist for critical moments as you approach, the void become real and choking and vile. Your words are not even whispers anymore- mere soundless chaos as he tries with all his effort to back away from the edge, cease the horror; you can feel a tug at your own self as the song is starting to prove straining, tiring. Your voice is oddly hoarse and your eyes strain, though he doesn't seem to notice.

>Mono's actions have inspired her to learn: Demonsong- a single target song that requires immense focus to activate and sustain. Only the specific target hears this song, and they proceed to hallucinate differences in their environment- Mono cannot control these hallucinations. Should they hear the song long enough, it induces nausea and debilitation. (Requires a sacrifice of Mana: 50 Mana per second.)

>Continue Demonsong? Y/N
>If yes, for how long?

>Try to attack him!
>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
>>
I'll have to leave you all on that note, actually. (Hah!)

I'll resume running tomorrow. But it might be a short one.
>>
>>1937386
>Continue Demonsong? Y/N
N
>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
There's 4 more times we attack him, after all.
>>
>>1937386
>Continue Demonsong?
N

>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
Time to plan.
>>
>>1937386
> N

End with a shriek. A "Normal" one but using our trained voice to do so. We should really learn Izumis roar.

>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.

Don't want to ruin the magic by letting him think he can fight us yet.

Save that for the next level.
>>
>>1937386
>>Continue Demonsong? Y/N
>N

>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
>>
>>1937386
>>Continue Demonsong? Y/N
>N
>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
Make sure to end in a way that implies this is only the beginning.
>>
>>1937386
>N
>Let him go for now and rest...this HURTS.
It hurts? Bad idea, let's back off.
>>
>>1937386
>N
>Rest
I want to try >>1937136's idea of making shortcuts and doors that lead to us on our next floor. Bonus points if we use this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wYyNhBa714U

>>1937136
F.E.A.R scared the loving shit out of me as a kid, I still close my eyes when I go up ladders in shooters. My PC was shit too, so the graphic effects telling you there is a jump scare was invisible, with the obvious results. Jesus
>>
Howdy, folk. Writing it up now.
>>
>>1937386
>>1937407
>>1937416
>>1937421
>>1937560
>>1937814
>>1938200
>>1939667
No, no you can't keep this up. Not that you even need to; he's so terrified that you could probably break off and still have the memory of it remain. He's I got the fear of you buried inside of them now- he'll know to keep an eye out and fear the sound of you to his core.

It's pretty cool...and a part of you like that, but another part of you feels kind of ashamed about it. But, you will worry about that later when you don't have someone looking over your shoulder and probably judging how much you should get from this. As you back off, you let yourself growl a bit... And before you know it it turns into a howl- something long and strong, and the sort of thing that marks the beginning of the hunt, not the ending. You can tell he knows, too, if the way he his face contorts tells you anything. It's the face someone makes when they know that their troubles are only beginning... and they're only going to get worse.

He makes a break for the exit; those large double doors that are still two rooms away. Ah, well. It'll be fun to track him down for Round 2.

...oh yeah. You have to wait for a half hour. Gah, you should've brought that hourglass with you or something. Maybe you still have time to go back and get it...

It's not really that long to go at least. Keeping track of time in your head isn't something you're new to.

Before very long, you I feel like it's about time. The Hourglass is a little under half way done, and considering the time spent going back, getting it, and coming back, you think you're up for a bit more. Let's see if you find him as quickly this time - although there's still fog, there's also more verticality, too; raised levels and cubbyholes and crawlspaces... more places to hide means things will be more difficult for you...unless you're clever.

>Roll 1d20, best of three for stalking. Hidden DC to immediately find him.

(>>1939667. huh?)
>>
>>1940535
>>
Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>1940535
you can't hide from me.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1940535
>>
>>1940548
Hopefully I have it this time
>>
>>1940562
dice+1d20
in the options field
>>
>>1940562
Wanna try to reroll?
>>
Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>1940562
Once more
>>
MEDIOCRE. Which means you have some searching to do and things to decide.

Writing.
>>
>>1940582
Weird it worked when I copy pasted but not when I typed it in I have no idea why
>>
>>1940587
It's case sensitive; did you make sure it's all lower-case?
>>
>>1940594
Ah yeah that's probably it I'm on my tablet and it "helpfully" makes the first letter upper case
>>
>>1940602
I've had that happen on my phone a lot.
>>
>>1940535
>>1940549
>>1940561
>>1940582
He's learning. Maybe it's your humming, maybe it's the sound of your sword, or maybe he's just getting far more paranoid, but you can't find him anywhere. The place is slightly better well-lit than before...in some places, at least. The larger rooms have better torches, but that doesn't stop the fog. Is it magically made? Hm. Gah, either way you can't find where he is. The door you came out of- the same one he came through- let up to a narrow corridor with an archway above it; this heralded the entrance to a very very large room which you can only assume is some sort of general hub. You took a corridor off to your right, and made what you feel is a loop of the area, walking through a few large rooms, only to find nothing so far.

There's a second floor to this room, and you're near a ramp that you can only presume takes you up there. You can see two hallways on the second level; one is an open hallway, the other is a door. Across from you is another hallway exit, and the place is filled with old pottery- some smashed, some not. One of those smashed pots is near the entrance across from you. There's also a few etchings on the sides of the walls. A quick look tells you that they don't seem to be old ones, either, but you can't say what they're supposed to be.

Suddenly, you can hear some growling somewhere distant on the second floor, but you're not certain what that might belong to. It doesn't sound like the man. And there's no sound of a struggle beyond those growls...

>Head through the hallway immediately ahead of you.
>Head in the direction of the growling.
>Try the doorway on the second floor.
>>
>>1940655
>Head in the direction of the growling.
The monsters here don't attack us, safety in numbers.
>>
>>1940655
>>Head in the direction of the growling.
>>
>>1940655
>Head in the direction of the growling.
>>
>>1940655
>>Head in the direction of the growling.
seems like the best lead. We should keep an eye out or the floor exit; if we can't find him, we can play door guard.
>>
>My, my...quite interesting. I know not what she's doing, but this warrior seems to be unlike others sent. It seems she assaults the mind moreso than the body...yes, quite fascinating.

>She is good at that. Often people disregard that avenue. A very vulnerable area, more than most care to admit.

>Quite, quite...our teachings to harden our mind are both to prevent illusions from taking full hold of our senses, as well as to embroil the purity of our cause into our very souls.

>Speaking of embroiling... you're not very good at cooking meats, are you? This is reminiscent of wood more than meat.

>W-what? I will have him executed for this slander-

>You don't need to do that. Have him repeat the process but better. Tell him I will see to it personally if he fails this time.

>O-of course!

>...well, so far so good. Dunno what she did there with the gutteral speech, but it did nice. Let's see if she can keep it up and find him again.
>>
>>1940655
Hrm. I wonder if he doubled back.
>>
>>1940655
>>1940668
>>1940679
>>1940685
>>1940686
Might as well check out the growling first. If none of the monsters here are hostile to you, then that just makes an extra ally just in case things go south.

As you proceed upwards, humming both to yourself and to anyone who can hear, you start to see blood stains on the walls - you not quite sure who they belong to, but the dark coloring and the thickness makes you think that it's not the initiate's. Or at least not all of it...

There's a few winding hallways that you end up going through, along with a number of fallen creatures, these resembling nothing more than giant snakes with wings, all of them gutted and sliced up- some with clean cuts that resemble to you a blade, others far more viscerally. Seems like he's been through here, at least...

As the growling gets closer, you find yourself entering a larger room; this one circular end with a balcony area of sorts in the back. A wooden staircase leads to an outcropping with several smashed pots- to its left seems to be a VERY cracked wall- to the point you can see a hole back there. And nearby... is a massive, wounded bear/snake combination, its head and torso that of a bear, but where is rear legs with d is more akin to a python. It's got a large, golden collar on it that seems to have some sort of empty slot inside it. It seems like whatever this thing is, it's not dead- but it IS pissed. The growling and still dripping wounds make you believe that couldn't have been that long ago...

It looks over to you, still growling, and you swear it makes a face that embarrassed to be seen in this state.

>Investigate the collar. It might give you a hint to what the goal is.
>Continue to follow the trail immediately- maybe he's still nearby.
>Investigate the hole. It had to have been there on purpose, right?
>Other
>>
>>1940969
>Investigate the collar. It might give you a hint to what the goal is.
>Other: Tell it everybody's got off days, and shit happens.
>>
>>1940969
>>Investigate the collar. It might give you a hint to what the goal is.
>>
>>1940969
>>Investigate the hole. It had to have been there on purpose, right?
The slot in the collar is clearly where the floor key was.
>>
>>1940969
> Ask the monster where he went

Wondering if we should just wait at the exit.
>>
>>1940969
>>1941049
This

This fucking zelda dungeon tho
>>
Locked, writing. Sorry, got distracted for a bit.
>>
>>1941145
>>1941015
>>1941021
>>1941035

Well, the large individual with the massive collar/necklace probably WOULD be a bit of a clue. The Beast allows you to approach calmly, but then turns its head away in but you can only presume to be shame. It takes a few minutes of you trying to meet its face with its on for it to finally settle down and lean down to your height.

As you guessed, there was in fact something that went inside it- you can tell if only due to what looks to be some sort of scratches inside it. Definitely looks like something's been taken out. So whatever was in there he's carrying around - and that's something that's about as big as a your torso. You don't know how heavy it is, but by all intents it seems like it's going to be something he's saddled with. So that's something to know. 'Why' is a question, but it's something to know. You're probably going to have to make sure to look around for a lock of some sort... Although you'd be so much surprised if that was the key itself.

As you leave, the creature gives a soft rumble and slithers away from you- resting in front of the broken wall, it lays down; for a moment you're worried that it's dying, but looking at the scratches and all, it seems like it might just need a bit of rest. You're not entirely sure whether that's a good or a bad thing. Well, moving on. You going to need to look around a bit more.

The door behind the creature leads to a hallway, and you can here running water after a minute or two of walking. It leads to a large bathing area, of sorts- a great big pool of water with a trio of exits. You can see blood in the direction of the water, but no trails leading out of it. There's one exit with yet more broken pots around it, another that seems to have cracks surrounding the entrance, and one that seems entirely clear, save for a bit of a bloody handprint and a symbol of the an eye shaped into an lightning bolt.

>Take the hallway with the symbol.
>Take the cracked entrance.
>Take the entrance with the broken pots.
>>
>>1941339
>>Take the cracked entrance.
>>
>>1941339
>>Take the hallway with the symbol.
>>
>>1941339
>Take the hallway with the symbol.
>>
>>1941339
Broken pots
>>
>>1941339
Do we have any hearing or smelling abilities? we're wolfy right?
>>
>>1941399
Far better than average folks, but not quite to the extent of Hearing Boost, and Power Sense is a completely different thing. You're wolfy, but not a full-fledged wolf.

You may be able to learn these techniques, and if you do...woof.
>>
>>1941414
Mono needs to learn to smell fear if she's gonna go full slasher spook

>>1941339
>Take the hallway with the symbol.
>>
>>1941366
>>1941384
>>1941399

Okay, need to you roll 1d20. Best of 3.
>>
>>1941414
Hrm. Can we boost our senses with humming?
>>
Rolled 7 (1d20)

>>1941438
>>
Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>1941438
>>
>>1941439

Maaaybe. Won't be easy, though. You'll need practice and training.
>>
Rolled 14 (1d20)

>>1941438
>>
Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>1941438
>>
Hmmmm...

Writing.
>>
>>1941442
>>1941446
>>1941455
Well, better to try what you can. The hallway with the symbol seems like a good enough option. Maybe he figured it would be a good next stop. As you head down there, you keep your ears peaked for any unusual noises - grunting or other sounds of exertion, anything in particular. Pictures of strange individuals are on the walls as you forward; unusual caricatures of people and beasts, and you kinda wonder exactly what the history is here.

That doesn't last very long though - you can hear a panting noise in the distance. Faaantastic! "Hmmmmm hmmmm hmm hmm..."

As you might have expected, his breathing hitches for a brief moment, and then...yup. There he goes! You pick up your pace just a little bit as you begin the song again; you can just see him turn the corner as you enter the big room, a large engraving of several individuals offering up something to a clouded individual, with the gem right where all their hands are outstretched. Impressive, but that's not the target. Actually, You've got a bit of understanding of the area by now - and you can estimate that in the direction he's going, if the hallway holds up, he'll be going right back towards the main foyer.

>Actions? Do the shortcut thing now, or maybe you have something else in mind?

I get I'm updating a bit slower than normal, which is why I'm also running longer than normal.
>>
>>1941657
Maybe try to give the beast guy a round 2 or am I miss understanding the layout?
>>
>>1941657
>Do the shortcut thing now
Might as well strike while the iron's hot.
>>
>>1941657
Can we change his body directly?

Like could we put an eyeball into his hand that he can see through and tell him that he better keep an eye out for monsters? Like in the movie The Gate. Or put a mouth that harmonizes with us on his hand.

I want to see if we can get him to cut off his hand.
>>
>>1941785
That seems like some stuff we would have to train for learning tech from others and adapting to do other things with already known tech seems to be a lot easier than coming up with new stuff
>>
>>1941657
How creepy would it be if we tried to seduce him. But like. With the smell of rot and sulfur while we flicker between looking like different women and our current appearance.

But I'll back round 2 with the Beast.

My concern is we don't have a lot of Mana to work with.
>>
>>1941797
I mean it could just be an illusion.

The eye would be tricky. But it would sell the mouth. We already controlled his vision once which is what gave me the idea.
>>
>>1941799
Don't know we are trying to traumatize this guy but mono has been fighting that part of her self her whole life we don't wanna break her just toughen her up.

I don't think something like that would sit well with her we have already gotten some hints that she isn't exactly in love with what she is doing right now pushing to hard would negativly impact her desu
>>
>>1941657
Hey has anyone ever done Ketamine?

We could chase him while holding an unsteady song so that he isn't stuck in a stable alteration but instead one that just constantly changes things like distances and dimensions of objects slightly.

Fucking shitty to try and run from something when a step is suddenly an inch lower or higher and the centre of gravity keeps shifting and the colours are changing and the room is getting brighter and dimmer.
>>
>>1941657
Just take a shortcut and do some non-powered swordfighting with the initiate. We're not supposed to go all out yet, and we need to show a gradual increase in power the higher up he goes.
>>
>>1941807
That's true something to think about
>>
>>1941819
Honestly I skipped out on the Planet Namek crossover. Really no idea about Mono's back story besides "Wolf girl with magic singing shit".

But I guess her maybe raping someone to death was mentioned earlier. The fuck is her problem?
>>
>>1941822
We can just run him down really.

>>1941657
I am changing my vote to run him down and fight him a bit.
>>
>>1941819
I don't mean actually try to seduce him. More like "act like an alien being that doesn't understand humanity" uncanny valley sort of Lovecraft shit.
>>
>>1941829
She's a siren; it's what allows her to do the singing magic. It also means her nature is to use that singing to lure, ensnare, and rape. Some sirens will occasionally go into "bloodlust"-type states, where they unthinkingly hunt and rape the unwilling.

Sirens are only allowed to live in special compounds, and are only let out under guard. She came with us to get out of that compound, due to wanting to travel and see new things.
>>
Let's get to fightin'.

>>1941829
What >>1941862 said. The intersection nulls that part of her, and it sticks even if we go somewhere else for a while, but we don't know what happens with prolonged exposure in a normal world. It might regress, or it might never be a factor.
>>
>>1941862
>>1941883

Good to know.
>>
Okay, back, sorry.

>Hm. He got a lot done in that free time of his.

>He now understands the stakes. Your Hunter should intensify her pursuit.

>I don't doubt she will. She also knows the stakes.

>Ahh. Even powers such as yourself have that which they are beholden to?

>In ways.

>Aha, so it is ever true. All the more reason for us to give him no quarter. Let us see how he avails himself.

>...I'd like more of this drink. It's spicy. I like it.
>>
>>1941903
Yeah let's run up and hurt him.

Can we cause pain with our voice? Like just have it be super loud? We understand acoustics right so we could sing up a room or parabolic dish to amplify our voice?
>>
>>1941923
Again, you'd need to learn how to do that properly.
>>
>>1941990
Just checking. We got options.

I kind of was hoping this would be a chance to see how Mono's power set could be used.

Could we sing the ground to turn to sludge to slow him down? Just until we can wound him.
>>
>>1941995
That is available, yes.
>>
>>1941990
can we sing something akin to death metal? Something deep and gutural.
>>
>>1941657
>>1941883
>>1941836
>>1941822
This time. This time you need to see him up close. Not just a back, running away. You can't deny you're a bit curious about him, but even so, you get the feeling that avoiding directly attacking him until the last minute won't exactly go over well - with Miranda or with the clients. That's something you're going to have to always remember...

So it's time to see what he can do personally. As you sing carefully, a slow, mournful tune drips from your lips; wordless, nameless, but certainly not formless, and you can see exactly what the result of it is as you can hear him yell in surprise; a slow, dripping, viscous song means a slow, dripping, viscous environment for him to traverse - whether he wants to call it mud or slime or whatever else, you'll have to suffer through it - and that's all you need. Around the corner to face him, and yes- he's only just getting out of it; enough for you to close the distance before he can reach the doorway, and at last brandish your blade properly. You barely get the first swipe out as he manages to free himself - you don't get much more than a brief nick of clothing, but it's enough for him to find the strength to attempt to flee again.

Part of you kinda wants to let him go and say you tried...but...no, can't. Not now. Besides, you know that they know it will be a lie. You got to put this out of your head- you're a hunter, right? HUNT!

Your pace picks up, and you can see his retreating form growing closer. He looks behind him, only to see you closing in, and his face fills with dread. Closer, closer, closer...

With a yell he breaks into a bigger room, and as you guessed he's managed to find his way back to that area with the three hallways. He stops briefly - likely to consider his options as fast as possible - but that's a moment too long. Taking a breath that you're not who's for, you swing with a curdling shriek as the thick fog underneath you, and he swiftly ducks; in his panic, he decides that better to try and get as much distance as possible, and leaps off of the second floor, which you're quick to follow. He lands actually rather gracefully- immediately tucking into a roll, and gaining some distance with his blade bared, while you land in a three point stance; fortunately it wasn't exactly a mile up.

As you recovering, and rush foward, you open the fight with a strong diagonal slash. Your first strike is parried, though- his response swing is quick, but the reach afforded by your own blade is what prevents him from scoring a strike of his own on you as you back up. You're going to have to figure out how to break his defense...fortunately, you've at least gotten a bit of training so far, so you've got some ideas of how to do this...

>Stay in his face and make sure you can pursue if he dodges.
>Keep him at a distance and make him have to reach you, not the other way around.
>Try to disarm him more than anything. That dagger looks dangerous...
>Other
>>
>>1942172
>>Stay in his face and make sure you can pursue if he dodges.
>>
>>1942172
>Keep him at a distance and make him have to reach you, not the other way around.
He should know that defeating us now means nothing; we'll just be ready for him at the next checkpoint. So see if he realizes all he has to do is beat us back a bit before running for the exit.
>>
>>1942172
>>Stay in his face and make sure you can pursue if he dodges.
Keep up the pressure, and don't give him a chance to slip away.
>>
>>1942172
>Other

Sing out sword into a spear and stab at him.
>>
3 more minutes. I'll do this last one and then I'll stop for tonight.
>>
>>1942172
>>Try to disarm him more than anything. That dagger looks dangerous...
>>
>>1942187
>>1942243

My spear idea is for

>Keep him at a distance and make him have to reach you, not the other way around.
>>
>>1942172
>>1942184
>>1942189

You're quick to close in and attempt a few slashes; he seems to be surprised by your sudden flurry, the first few swings pushing him back. As you take a step further to approach him he moves to the left and try to catch you from that side, but you shift your grip and manage to block in time, though it's a close call. It's pretty clear you have the physical advantage, though, at least in raw strength. Your blades are only locked for a bit before you manage to shove him back, and you use those few seconds of him being off balance to attempt a second series.

He's not interested in it yet again though, instead darting away from you- you only have a second to think about how to catch him before suddenly, he darts in at an angle, trying to cut at you in what you can only presume is an intentionally passing blow. It catches you buy a bit of surprise, causing you to stumble backwards, and you can feel a bit of something touch you. At first you're pretty sure that it's only a glancing blow, you didn't feel any blade to skin contact - but then something starts to sizzle a bit on your arm; and it's then that you realize that some sort of acid is burning away part of your cloak!

He charges forward yet again, and this time you can see some confidence in his eyes. I swing from you convinces him to stop his head on attack, but he doesn't lose his momentum and instead rolls to the left in order to get at a weak side of yours; you're forced to turn quickly and you take yet another cut on the side, this one actually hitting skin. You have to grit your teeth in order to not will in pain at the cut, but to your fortune, it's not a deep cut; but DAMN the burning hurts!

As he turns to face you again, he's far calmer than he was before; although you notice he's keeping his focus on your sword and away from meeting your face. He's also trying to edge away from you a bit, you noticed...more towards the exit near the back of the room. But his speed...this won't be a simple fight.

>(I'll continue this tomorrow! Thanks for playing!)
>>
>>1942599
Thanks for running.
>>
>>1942599
Thanks for your hard work see ya around
>>
>>1942599
Thanks for running! We spooked him good hey. We failed to stab him though.

This time.

Fucker wants to play dirty tricks though hey?
>>
>>1941829

Other people got the gist of it.

But to add on why this whole instinct thing is still so prominent in centuries diluted blood;

Sirens are descended from Succubi in a setting where Demons can go toe to toe with Gods.
>>
Hey folks, will be running in about a half hour or so. Eating cereal.
>>
>>1942599
>>1942610
>>1942619
>>1942831
>>1943598
You don't necessarily need to stop him immediately, you don't think- but you do have to put in some serious effort. And that means you can't let him get too many hits with that acid blade of his. Regardless of what you're supposed to be, that still hurt! And by the look on his face he seems to realize it. So that means that you're going to have to play this smart.

Question is, how? You've got your sword, your songs...and not much else. Your hand grips your blade tightly as you force yourself to considering- wait. Your claws. With a sword, he might not be expecting you to go hand to hand. That might be something worth considering...although it'll probably be just as risky as anything else.

As he carefully moves backwards, blade in a defensive position, you get the feeling that whatever he did in the other room probably is going to be reflected somewhere else - considering how he's backing up near the hallway, probably down there. And if he gets away from you there without you doing much damage to him? Well... you'd prefer not to think about that. You might be able to sing again, as well, but you can't help but be worried he'll try to put a stop to that rather quickly- you'd have to move fast.

>Try to get deceptive with your strikes, lash out with your claws!
>You know hearing you sing again is going to cause him to panic. Maybe you can use that!
>Try to use your physical presence to move him away from the hallway he's been edging towards.
>Other
>>
>>1944602
>>Try to get deceptive with your strikes, lash out with your claws!
>>
>>1944602
>>You know hearing you sing again is going to cause him to panic. Maybe you can use that!
sing in a deep voice. make him realize that him hitting you was a TERRIBLE mistake.
>>
>>1944602
>>You know hearing you sing again is going to cause him to panic. Maybe you can use that!
switch to a different song style, maybe like
>>1944630
Simultaneously,
>Try to get deceptive with your strikes, lash out with your claws!

We should shift to the "2nd stage", like a game boss might. He injured us, time to shake things up, put the fear back into him.
>>
15 more minutes for first post of the run.
>>
>>1944602

Start singing to get Him to rush in then hit me with the claws
>>
Locked. La dee da.

Writing!
>>
>>1944602
>>1944616
>>1944630
>>1944647
>>1944656
You've gotta put some kind of fear into him; something to make him think that he's up against someone far beyond him - a hopelessly insurmountable obstacle that he can only temporarily deny. What you end up with is a guttural roaring sound - something that you recall hearing on one of your trips down the road back in the Intersection. It was rough, painful, and very very weird... but it had a strange melody to it, thing that you couldn't deny was interesting and addicting in a madcap way. If there was anything that would frighten him, something like that would be it. You don't even think it actually had lyrics - or if it did you couldn't understand them - but it's rather easy to recreate the sounds. Growling and snarling and yelling aplenty, and the air itself goes black as he does just as you expect; upon hearing the first few notes out of your mouth he realizes what's about to happen and charges.

But this time you're ready for him. You meet his blade with your own, with a growl and a clap of thunder from nowhere. The area has become a realm of anger, a symphony of storm and lightning, and in this moment you are its conductor. He strikes twice, both immediate thrusts intended to pierce your cloak and your hide, but you bat his arm away each time, and strike with your own. Black ichor paints from your nails paints a scar through the air as you rake his shoulder, blood spilling freely from it and the inky substance settling as well.

He lets out a cry - something of both surprise and pain, and as he reels back, clutching his shoulder, you barrel forward in pursuit; a beast angered and looking for recompense. He can just barely get his blade up to deflect your own, and as you push him back you can see the tension in his face and the sweat falling down his brow in rivulets. With a cry of intensity he manages to push you back, just enough to try and deliver a kick to your side; a sharp and desperate gambit that actually causes you to flinch. It's then that you shift to the right and strike with your left- he barely sees it coming, managing to duck, but you manage to clip a bit of his hair as he rolls back, closer to the wall now. You attempt to close in the distance again, but he proves resourceful - there are broken pots nearby, and he quickly gathers a couple of shards and tosses them towards you like they were knives or shuriken. One or two actually connect, and while they don't injure you severely, manages to hit you in the face, and that's enough to distract you momentarily.

Enough for him to attempt to flee. He kicks off, using adrenaline to fuel him, and you barely have time to clear your vision before he's out of sight down the corridor.

>Pursue him; there's no way that was satisfactory. For you or for anyone else.
>...Maybe that's enough for now. He knows the score and he's wounded.
>Other
>>
>>1944956
>Pursue him; there's no way that was satisfactory. For you or for anyone else.

How good is Mono at running on all fours, does her physique allow it? I forget just how many % furry she is. If she can, we should stay in Boss 2nd form. Try to howl and snarl that her magic makes her look like a real hell wolf
>>
>>1944956
>>...Maybe that's enough for now. He knows the score and he's wounded.
>>
>>1944956
>>Pursue him; there's no way that was satisfactory. For you or for anyone else.
Even if we can't catch him, we can chase him out of the level.

Does all singing drain mana, or is it only the special types?
>>
>>1944956
>Pursue him; there's no way that was satisfactory. For you or for anyone else.
He needs to do something that would make Nemesis or Pyramid Head stop chasing the MC for a bit before we can let him go.
>>
>>1944995
The special types. Any new tech you figure out will be a mana cost. Basic 'Set The Stage' will be free, but require sustaining rolls.
>>
5 minutes till lock.
>>
>>1945010
Cool. If we pursue, could we try to misguide him, either by 'making' hallways connect to different places, or route him in a circle, or something? How difficult would that be?
>>
Pursuit is locked and writing.

>>1945038
Yes. Need a roll, though.

>Best of 3, 1d20. If you want to go for that tactic.
>>
Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>1945057
>>
Rolled 8 (1d20)

>>1945057
>>
Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>1945057
let's give it a try then.
>>
Huh. Neat!
>>
>>1944956
Hrm. Another thing to maybe learn - singing to make blood flow faster or wounds seem worse than they are.
>>
>>1945062
>>1945068
>>1945085
Not yet. You're not finished yet. You can't be! You were just getting into it! You're not letting him run away from you that quickly.

The chase is on, and you know exactly how to handle it. After all, it's better if he knows you're chasing him... but doesn't know exactly where he's going. A delicate hum that elaborates into proper song starts from you, as you pick up speed to pursue him. Abnormal stops and starts, pauses in the theme only to restart after off beats, bouncing, high notes that transition into sorrow, nothing is off the table, and it shows as you can see the hallways appear to readjust themselves at will. You hear a shout from ahead, and the sound of someone trying to stop from a dead run.

Perfect.

Sure enough, you turn the corner, and that seems to lead into a long corridor, lined with various clay statue each as big as he is. Ahead of him he looks confused as though something that was just there vanished - which is more than likely the case, and now he only has one other way to go, to the right. As soon as he looks back at you, he realizes the choice has been made already, and darts down the new hallway- though not before shoving a statue over to block the hallway in an attempt to stay your hand for a moment. It lasts for only that singular moment as you cut it in two, still singing all the while.

You turn the corner, however, only to get something stinging in your arm, causing you to cut it short - nothing so much as a needle, several inches long, buried into your left arm. The thickness of your cloak helps, and you feel little more than a prick, fortunately... but that's still possibly more blood drawn from you. As you focus on the man in a tossing position, his hand blurs, and two more sing out towards you- one of them sticks you in the leg, while the other misses entirely as you jerk to the left. His eyes widened as his projectiles seem to have no effect, and he races ahead, seeking some kind of shelter. As your changes start to multiply, you realize you can probably direct him to wherever you please...

>Try to get him back to the big monster- maybe it can help and get revenge!
>Try to get him back to the aquatic area- maybe trick him into falling in that pool.
>Run him back to the crystal area- if he breaks it, that might make his escape harder!
>Other
>>
>>1945475
>>Try to get him back to the big monster- maybe it can help and get revenge!
>>
>>1945475
> Try to get him back to the big monster- maybe it can help and get revenge!

Inappropriately pleasant human laughter this time while we chase him. Like the needles were a clever joke. It's worse when the eldritch monster does normal things on occasion.

Chase him slow enough that we don't catch up until the monster if possible. See if he realizes we're herding him.
>>
>>1945475
>>Try to get him back to the aquatic area- maybe trick him into falling in that pool.
I'm sure we can do all sorts of fun things with water.
>>
>>1945475
Hey. Can we imitate voices? Like the voice of the cult leader?

Like when he said

> None are perfect on this earth.

We could mimic his voice then slowly distort it.
>>
Locked. Rawr.

Writing!

>>1945523
You mean perfect imitation? No, but that's something you can learn; in fact considering her experience I might be willing to allow an 'inspiration' roll if you get people on it next opportunity.
>>
>>1945475
>Try to get him back to the aquatic area- maybe trick him into falling in that pool.
>>
>>1945607
Yeah something like Predator. I mean she's already copying something she heard.

I figure we can try it out and see how close we get. Even if it's not perfect, he's probably heard it said before by the Cult and able to recognize it.
>>
>>1945475
>>1945503
>>1945507
Convenience. It's something you can kind of force if you really want to. You have to force him to take a few extra turns, and it seems like he doesn't even realize that he passed through the foyer yet again; that'll just make the surprise reunion with his big 'friend' all the more exciting. He stopped briefly to toss a few more needles at you; these you see coming due to his haste, and you're capable of putting up your arm to block or deflect most of them, though one DOES manage to find your hide, you can't quite seem to muster up any particular fear or pain right now - not when the chase is so exciting! You find yourself letting a small giggle loose, if only because you're glad that those needles can't quite pierce through your skin entirely; it seems to have a surprising effect as he seems to hitch a bit, stumbling over the stairs in front of him.

You actually manage to get ahold of him with that unfortunate gaff- if only briefly- you managed to grab him by the hem of his cloak- in his panic he manages to turn, twist, and with a flash of his blade cuts part of the article of clothing off, leaving him with a tear of clothing on his back...but racing right where you wanted him to.

The big beast is still against the wall, but not asleep anymore; back it's quite wide awake and seems to be rather surprised that both you and he showed up yet again. Of course, the second it sees HIM...the growl that erupts from it is far more pleased than you'd expect a beast like that to be able to emote.

"How did...but I wasn't anywhere NEAR the..." he looks around wildly, seemingly unable to choose to focus on you or the bearsnake, and as you keep your black storm singing- although you're starting to get tired from it all- it is no longer a plain room that he is in, but rather a black dungeon of an area; wicked inky stone and strange vine-like growths that seem to be half burnt yet still strong. Smoke spins and writhes, and you have to wonder if he's going to get out of this at all...

>Continue singing, not until he falls or escapes!
>Taper off a bit, conserve your energy.
>Other

and

>Assist the creature directly in its revenge.
>Stay on the sidelines, let it handle it itself.
>Other
>>
>My, my, my...it seems things are already going rather badly for our young potential.

>Quite. She's not letting up on him.

>Alas, such is fate, at times. Possibilities squashed and dashed.

>You're giving up on him so soon?

>Mmm...perhaps not. He yet has other skills he hasn't shown in combat with your own. Why, though, I do wonder...?

>Likely figured the early stages of this test wouldn't require all that much effort. He DID handle the chimera nicely by himself, I'll admit.

>Aha- glad you approve, Great One! Indeed, his martial skill is impressive enough- he holds pace with your own warrior well. Unless perhaps she is restraining herself...?

>...She might be. Have you anything softer to sit on?

>Ah, of course. Allow us to have to finer seating as we witness this second clash...
>>
>>1945833
>Taper off a bit, conserve your energy.
>Stay on the sidelines, let it handle it itself.
>>
>>1945833
>>Taper off a bit, conserve your energy.

>other
>Stay on the sidelines, assist minorly.
The humming is sustainable, right? Drop back to it.

We've got, what, 3 more encounters? No need to rush things.
>>
>>1945833
> Conserve your energy

>Stay on the sidelines, let it handle it itself. Unless it looks like it's losing then help it until the Initiate escapes

Only round 2.
>>
Back, we're gonna chill mostly. Writing! Sorry for the delay.
>>
>>1945863
Naturally we don't want to reveal everything at once.

We haven't even started to be mean yet. We could sing the floor into knives or a vacuum around his head.
>>
>>1946183
Baiting him into revealing what he can do.
>>
>>1945833
>>1945873
>>1945911
>>1946177
Considering the situation, you're pretty sure you can just the big guy handle things on his own. He seems rather eager to settle the score, anyway.

It seems to agree as you stay in the doorway, roaring mightily as he prepares himself and precedes to charge again for his second fight. The initiate spares one more glance at you before diving out of the way of the rampaging beast and prepares his blade yet again. Despite the current environment, it's actually fairly open for him; but considering how long you've been singing you're not really inclined to try and adjust to things any further. In fact, it's probably a good idea to ease up before you mess up your throat. And so instead of full throat singing you dial it back to basic vocalizations, something that you can handle for a bit longer without affecting yourself too badly. What ends up resulting is that the edges of the room slowly turn back to normal, leaving the center of it some sort of strange oasis of darkness and chill that provides a natural obstacle for him.

As the fight starts you have to admit that you can see how he managed to injure it so badly earlier; he's not only quick, but it seems that the Beast has rather simplistic styles of attack, simply charging him repeatedly and trying to bite him when he gets close. It's rather easy for the initiate to use his advanced agility to leap away from his charges and deliver a series of debilitating cuts against his hide. Especially with that strange acid coating on his blade, which makes things all the easier.

A second charge causes the creature to crack into the back wall when the man dodges again, shearing away more of the wall- you can guess that he'd fallen for that one more than once already. He tries to recover quicker, but the man is already on his tail quite literally, slicing at it a few times as he tries to climb its back.

The sudden panicking the preacher shows tells you that this isn't the first time that's happened, and it immediately goes into a death roll to try and shake him off; it does this only partially successfully, as you can see him stab down along the creature's back and drag the blade for a bit, before hopping off before he's crushed in the opposite direction. As the creature sprawls out and roars in pain, spasming, you swear you can hear a sizzling sound coming from the monster...

You're honestly kind of surprised he's moving so quickly and dynamically when you seemed to have a handle on him decently well earlier. Was he really holding back? Kind of embarrassing...

He lands heavily, sweating, and you can see him breathing strongly, but the fact that he managed to do that do such a thing has to mean there's more to him than you've been privvy to.

And then his hands and feet start glowing.

cont.
>>
>>1946670
As you feel the air get slightly heavier, something about the man changes briefly, a silver glow radiating from his body. You don't quite get a chance to figure it out before suddenly he lashes out with a salvo of knives- far more than he seemed to have at first. The beast, who had only just stood up and was charging yet again, attempted to screech to a halt, instead trying to whip him with his massive tail. The man manages to dodge those, as well, unfazed as he throws yet another series of glowing knives.

It's only when several of them seemed to dissipate upon impact that you realize they were magically made - duplicated, you think. And judging by the sizzling that increases, they all have that same element within them. A flurry of knives; a veritable storm really. All of them impacting and disappearing, but not without leaving gashes and gouges that seem to burn the creature from the inside out.

He's actually going to beat this thing! Well...can't have that. At least not like this. Time to ditch the slow act for a little bit.

You rush into the room as he's still throwing, and your sudden presence seems to distract him long enough to lose the glow entirely. As you quickly close in on him, you see him grit his teeth in confusion and frustration and he quickly swing was yet another salvo towards you- you're forced to dive out of the way before they impact, and you can hear a roar of effort from his lips as he turns to run. You're not too apt to let him though; you charge him, and there's a brief strike flurry as you seek to bloody your own blade. Two strikes are deflected, a pommel attack is held off and responded to with a knee, causing him to double over- you attempt to make another claw cut at him, but he grabs the sleeve of your cloak and throws you past him- although barely still on your feet, you have to take time to properly right yourself, and by then he's gone.

...and NOW you're starting to feel everything catch up to you all at once as you heave a great sigh, leaning against the wall perpendicular to the exit. Heck, that needle is still in you. Maybe you SHOULD take a breather...
>>
Whoop, forgot to post this.

Done for now, will continue either tomorrow or Tuesday. Thanks for playing. Thoughts and critique and whatnot are welcome.

I like how people are coming up with ideas for spellsongs and whatnot. Keep at it! Once you get a solid repertoire, I'm sure Mono will become quite the force.
>>
>>1946690
Huh.

Looks like we should do some first aid.

And maybe not engage him directly. Ouchies.
>>
>>1946698
Considering the lack of nano-medkits and healing potions in our toolkits, Mono needs something to heal herself.
So far, Siren powers affect the surroundings and clothing. Can it be used to affect the Siren herself? Like a lullaby as a healing song.
>>
>>1946767
I mean if Lucio can do it...
>>
>>1946767
Sounds like an named ability, and something that we'd want to practice before trying. A bad heal is worse than an open wound.

Don't see why we couldn't try it though.

>>1946698
Her ability is has a much wider potential application than Randa's, and can be tested easier. I suspect that's why.

Thanks for running.
>>
>>1946698
I didn't ever expect that we'd turn Mono into a slasher villain but it is really cool. After this job we need a movie night for inspiration... with no mysterious pornos.
>>
>>1948097
Shut up, the mysterious porno section is a classic.
>>
>>1948097
>with no mysterious pornos.
That was an accident! And someone else recommended it!
>>
>>1948109
>>1948112
>Mono gets dead drunk and the only thing she takes away from movie night is raunchy songs and learns to summon stripper poles and porn sets at will
>>
>>1948317
I see nothing wrong with this
>>
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16 KB
16 KB JPG
>>1948740
I see a lot of things wrong with this
>>
Making a new thread!




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