File: Thread017a.jpg (492 KB, 1000x700)

492 KB JPG

Welcome to a new thread of Advent Soul Quest!

>What is this?
A quest based on the setting of Bleach. Deviation from canon depends on the MC’s influence, and some other additions are to be expected as well.
>Who are we?
Nakashiri Koharu, a former high school trap, now a co-Lieutenant in the 5th Division, a pawn of the two masterminds Aizen and Urahara, host of two ancient spirits, new queen of one’s realm in Hueco Mundo.
>When are we?
Currently it is 1989, ~11 years prior to the events of canon.
>Dice? Challenge?
Prompted after deciding on an action. Usually 3d10, best of 3 (Bo3), against a set DC and sometimes a crit-DC. Write-ins may affect the DC as well. If a character stat (in the char sheet) is directly related to the action, it will substitute the lowest die in rolls if it is higher (will be always explained when prompted to roll).
>Updates?
Daily updates, with long voting period times. I will strive to update in my evening, leave voting on for overnight, and prompt rolls in the morning. Sometimes if I have the proper time, I may do an extra update in the morning. My timezone is UTC+3 (summer time).
>I have questions!
Ask away and I’ll do my best to answer! You can also address questions to characters, which I’ll answer in-character!
>What do?
Have fun, vote on what feels the best, roll some dice and chill.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/QmTrippy
Archive: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?searchall=advent+soul+quest
Char Sheets: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DQUOuJbOgzrjIKQLjMFxdmsQh3WIKMMFJQ8fO5-biYM/edit?usp=sharing
Social Links: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HXWo1bA7rplcTIJSkE850qzEE55b-W36tuL_qtT0b00/edit?usp=sharing
Character Questions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S1RrQ6icjeWSV2MIb6EUwuZjzGx0QvuFjoxB1bN_tlU/edit?usp=sharing

>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.
>But make it as uncomfortable for her as well
I don't know. Throw our footwear off and stink up the place? Ask "are we there yet" a million times? Make popping noises constantly?

>>5269971
>>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.
No waves.

>>5269971
>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.

>>5269971
>>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.

>>5269971
>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.
>Ask how Yukiko's been doing to help pass the time

>>5269971
>Best to keep in line for now and be on your guard for anything.
Being a shinigami involves guarding assholes. It's just part of the job.
Can we flip Senzen on while walking? Maybe do every once in a while.
>Ask how Yukiko's been doing to help pass the time
>Ask about Yukiko's brother, see what her mother says

>>5270082
>>5270105
>>5270109
>>5270126
>>5270356
>>5270488
Not rushing wins, with a bit of extra talk with Yukiko. Gonna need a roll
>Roll 3d10, Bo3, DC 18, crit 23, Social (8) may replace lowest die
She regards you a friend despite beng tsun-tsun about it, but revealing family secrets is another matter

Rolled 6, 9, 1 = 16 (3d10)

>>5271021
Rolling for friendship dominance!

Rolled 1, 9, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>5271021

Rolled 5, 1, 7 = 13 (3d10)

>>5271021

>>5271077
Friendship successfully dominated. Zilya should be proud(?)

We’ve popped a lot of crits off the Shiraka line. Back-to-back crits off the mom when we were first retained and threatened, a pretty-much-crit open roll establishing friendship dominance with Yukiko during training, and now this. I wonder if “Shiraka-speaker” should go on our skill sheet…

File: astolfocute4.jpg (88 KB, 750x856)

88 KB JPG

>>5271077
>16(23)
>>5271079
>15(22)
>>5271095
>13(20)
Very nice, very good.
>Writing

>>5271243
>Zilya should be proud(?)
You have no idea how much of a spiderboner she gets out of the thought of you making the Shiraka heel. She hates their type
>We’ve popped a lot of crits off the Shiraka line
Yup, it's a bit insane. Yukiko was supposed to be more of a rival/enemy, but you just had to put her on the redemption arc, didn't you.

File: Shiraka Yukiko 1.jpg (85 KB, 564x1003)

85 KB JPG

You decide it’s best to stick to the plan, as infernal as it is wasting hours for this farce parade. You do find yourself a new way to pass the time though, taking inspiration from your new little squirrel friend.

>https://audius.co/QmTrippy/04-oh-so-tired-93770

“Are we there yet?”

“Hey, you think we are there yet?”

“Are you sure we’re not there yet?”

You can feel the fumes coming out of the palanquin, where Yukiko is trying to stay calm and dignified in front of the servants. She fails.

“In Reiō’s name, could you PLEASE, just..!”

“Okay.”

She remains tense for a few minutes, and just as you feel her relax…

“R’we there yet?”

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!” And she falls apart, going to her normal self. You throw cheap quips at each other. To an untrained ear it sounds like you’re arguing, but both of you can read in between the lines.

“So how’s the 6th Division? Has ‘senpai’ noticed you?”

“Hmph, frankly, I do not know what you’re talking about,” she says with a slightly more cheerful voice. “I have finally become a seated officer, you know.”

“Ohhh, so he has! Must be quite nice! Well? What seat?”

“...”

“Sorry, I didn’t quite catch that.”

“F-Fifteenth.”

“It’s still a step up you know!” you grin. “I’m quite proud!”

“S-Shut up! I do not want your pity.”

“I’m honest! As your retainer, it fills me to the brim with joy to see you go places.” You give her a very elegant smile, hiding your amusement.

“I hate you.” Despite that, she looks quite happy right now, even while trying to look out the other window to avoid your eyes.

File: astolfoandventi.jpg (139 KB, 540x681)

139 KB JPG

Short update today, but hopefully I can write more tomorrow. Busy day at work, a nap took most of my day out and then SOMEBODY had to start a tomboy vs trap debate. The nerve!

Well, I got kidnapped into a bar after work. If you don't hear from me tomorrow call the cops

>>5272458
Are we going to need a BTL for the QM now?

File: conehatsamurai.jpg (36 KB, 800x800)

36 KB JPG

“So I hear little Shiraka-kun is in the academy now.”

“Yes, he… was enrolled in. It’s still his first year, but I do hope he will fulfil mother’s expectations. That would be quite miraculous.”

So Yukira is trying now with her son after Yukiko failed her.

“Well? Surely your otōto has told you all about it.”

“Pfft, as if. I’ve never been able to peer into his mind with his aloof nature. But… I did inquire with the academy about him, if you must know.”

“Do spill the juicy details then!”

“Hmph, fine, I’ll humor you. He’s faring just as I expected him to.”

“It was sure smart of Shiraka-sama to have him join the academy then.”

“Quite so.” She rolls her eyes. “His brilliance is unparalleled in his class. I’m sure he’ll graduate within a few round years.”

You can’t help but wonder, could it really just be so that he can report to his mother about what’s happening in the academy? If so… then not only Tokiko-chan is in danger, but Toru-kun as well. At least Konuma-sensei promised to look after him. Ugh, you still have to produce his ‘payment’ that Izumi was so kind to promise in return.

You continue this little double-meaning chat with Yukiko for quite a while, until you are stopped by a group of ragged men.

“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” a guy with a large conical hat says, brandishing a rusted blade on his shoulder. “Looks like Reiō decided to give us a gift, boys!”

“...Are they serious?” Yukiko peers out slightly, whispering in disbelief. “Can’t they see I’m a noble?”

“That’s exactly why,” you say.

“Alright missy, I’ll only say this once. Why don’t you just go your merry way, and nobody gets hurt.” You’d be confused where his confidence is coming from, but you pick up some rustling from around you. There’s more men ready to attack waiting in the alleys, and they probably don't expect Yukiko to be a shinigami as well. Some of the simple Rukongai citizens have also come to spectate. Specifically, all their eyes are on you.

>Defend Yukiko, you are her retainer after all.
>Do as they say and have Yukiko fight them on her own instead.
>Try to talk to these thugs despite their threats.
>Other?

File: astolfocovering.png (392 KB, 464x621)

392 KB PNG

Okay, I survived somehow. Yesterday was Finland-Sweden ice hockey match but thankfully I slipped away. Don't really care for the sport

>>5273522
>Are we going to need a BTL for the QM now?
7. That's all I'm going to say.

>>5273569
>Defend Yukiko, you are her retainer after all.
Don't see why we should back down here. I guess we could try talking but I doubt we will get through to them.

>>5273572
I glad you made it out, I was starting to wonder if we would need to call the police after all.

>>5273569
>Defend Yukiko, you are her retainer after all.
I half want to ask Yukiko if she wants to "stretch her legs a little"
>>5273572
>7
I guess it's a good thing you escaped the hockey game

>>5273569
>Defend Yukiko, you are her retainer after all.

>>5273569
>>Try to talk to these thugs despite their threats.

>>5273569
Backing >>5273600 on the idea of asking if Yukiko wants to do the honors instead.

We could also tease her about it. It’s a shinigami’s duty to defend the the SS. Can’t have bandits assaulting people on the roads, she’d better get out and do her duty to safeguard travelers like us. We’re a fair maiden that deserves protection too!

>>5273569
>>Defend Yukiko, you are her retainer after all.

>>5273599
>>5273600
>>5273658
>>5273662
>>5273774
>>5273807
Defending wins. No rolls needed, these guys are way over their heads
>Writing

>>5274674
>My IP reset again
And here I thought I fixed the issue with my router..

File: thug.jpg (94 KB, 750x422)

94 KB JPG

“Do you want to do the honors, or should I? Stretch your legs maybe?”

You can see that she desperately wants out of the damned carry-box, but adamantly refuses to break her noble character. “It’s your duty, my retainer.”

“But you’re a shinigami too. These bandits are assault me, please save me from this peril! I’m a fair maiden in distress too, you know.”

“Shut up,” she grumbles, failing to hide a smirk behind her hand.

“Suit yourself.” You shrug and take a step closer to these thugs who are rather confused by your little exchange. “Hey there big guy. You don’t look the type to listen, so please, just get on with it.”

He spits onto the ground. “Tis’ your own funeral!”

He must’ve hoped for his additional thugs to either overwhelm or intimidate you, but you’re way ahead of them. Once they’re in an acceptable range for you to consider your own fair maiden to be threatened, you get to business.

Bonk.

Bonk, bonk bonkbonkbonk…

At the end of it, the thugs are in a neat pile, with huge lumps on their heads. Perhaps you should’ve left out all power from hakuda…

You left the big guy out of the pile, but did not spare him from an extra-large lump on his head.

“C-Chief, this ain’t how tis’ suppos’ t’go!” one of them says from the pile.

“I-I thought we had a deal, why didn’ tha shinigami leave?”” another one says.

“Oh? I was supposed to leave? Funny, nobody told me.”

“R-Really? Those damned farts at the fort messed it all up!”

“Messed up what?”

The guy doesn’t respond, so you slowly raise your first with a cheerful smile. “Bonk time?”

“T-They were supposed t’get incompetent shinigami ta escort the nobles, like last time!” He panics, waving his hands. “Quick ‘n easy extortion, an the Rukongai gets enough t'go by! Ya shinigami get a cut and all are happy! Right? Right..?”

At this point Yukiko gets out of her palanquin. It’s odd seeing her in her family’s traditional multilayered kimono instead of her shihakusho. Her zanpakutō however is of course at her hip.

“How despicable. Truly there’s never anything too low for you scum.”

Uhhh, Yukiko, you’re not exactly helping here, you think to yourself as you take a few glances towards the public. They’re scared, but disgust and hate still dominate their expressions, especially after Yukiko opened her mouth.

“Hmph, let’s go.”

>Follow suit, you’ve got places to be.
>Other?

>>5274697
>>Follow suit, you’ve got places to be.
We should take her aside later and talk about PR but right here all we can do is embarrass her I think. Would she pick up on it if we tried dropping hints that she should throw them a bone or something?

>>5274697
>>Follow suit, you’ve got places to be.

>>5274697
>Follow suit, you’ve got places to be.
Supporting telling Yukiko about her image issue once we're farther away

>>5274697
>>5274722
Backing this, but I’ll try throwing the bone.

Point out that we have several failures here. Bandits on the road, a public that supports them, corruption with the shinigami, and (the funny one) nobles who are apparently getting robbed and not reporting it. If I had to guess, it’s too embarrassing for the robbed party and whoever administers this region (I’m guessing a minor noble) so they kept quiet. Or maybe the administrator is also in on the take with the shinigami.

We fixed the immediate bandit problem. We can investigate the shinigami corruption. Not because it’s our job to do that, but because whoever IS supposed to do it is doing a shitty job. We’re seated shinigami, we’re held to a higher standard of workmanship anyway.

The hardest thing to fix is the public supporting (and becoming) the bandits, but Yukiko can see if the administrator here is taxing them too heavily. She was the target of a robbery, she can leverage that as an excuse to dig into root causes. Again, not her job. But she’s aware of it, and we’re aware she’s aware of it. We’d consider it a favor, at least, if she looked into it so we didn’t have to march up to a government official with our sword in hand and demand answers.

And while I wouldn’t say this, I would think less of her if we pushed her to look into corruption for us and she blew us off completely. I hope the same thought a) occurs to her and b) matters to her as a friend.

>>5274697
>>5274852 +1

File: astolfoflustered.jpg (67 KB, 969x868)

67 KB JPG

>>5274722
>>5274743
>>5274779
>>5274852
>>5275826
Going forward wins.
>Writing
Sorry about the delay, got kidnapped. Again. This time by my Turkish neighbor who had his birthday today. Tomorrow I'll be spending my own birthday though so I can't guarantee an update then, but I'll try

>>5276739
Happy birthday Trippy

>>5276739
Happy birthday!

>>5276739
Happy Birthday!

>>5276739
Trippy’s BTL (birthday threat level) status of the day, 10/10
Happy birthday Trippy

File: astolfoexhausted.png (144 KB, 495x581)

144 KB PNG

>>5277359
>>5277865
>>5277868
>>5278392
Arigato anons!

I have to disappoint today as well though. Had a lot of work piled on me today and I need to check up on my family now in the evening. Mum's leg has problems so I need to help with chores. This however means I'll likely get home quite late

And here I thought stepping into the adult life would give me more time, where did I go wrong guys?

>>5279026
Happy belated birthday, Trippy!

If it’s any consolation, you probably didn’t make any missteps. You just swap to different responsibilities that may or may not take more time than before. Dealing with aging parents is one of mine, and I say that knowing they’re way more upset at the “getting old” thing than I am!

File: Shiraka Yukiko 3.jpg (51 KB, 564x1002)

51 KB JPG

You leave with a tinge of guilt, escorting Yukiko in her palanquin as it’s carried by the pile of unconscious bandits. With enough distance, you decide to have a small talk with her.

“Yukiko-sama..” You sigh deeply. “We’ve got to work on your PR.”

“Pee-Arr? What do you mean?”

“The way we work with things. See, there’s three problems here. One, the bandits, which we dealt with. Two, the corrupt shinigami who supported those bandits. It might not be our job to investigate that, but somebody out here is doing theirs very terribly. As seated officers, we are expected to keep things in order even more, no?”

“Hmph. I suppose you are right… It is quite odd I’ve not heard about anything like this.”

“However, that’s not even the biggest problem.”

Yukiko looks at you with confused eyes. “Three, the public. They support, and even become the bandits. Not a single person in the gathered crowd was against their actions.”

“Hmph, well we can’t expect much of lowly rabble, can we? They’re uneducated scu-” she says, before realizing something. “Um-”

“None taken.” You wave her off. “However, what you think of the Rukongai is absolutely irrelevant, like it or not. The problem will persist unless something is done. And consider this: if a Shiraka manages to solve this problem, not only will your family gain support of a large group of Rukongai folk, but also of the nobles that have been getting kidnapped.”

Her eyes widen. Yosh, the seed’s been planted. “I.. see. How would.. one go about resolving something like this?”

“Follow the money. Rukongai is all about food, clothes and shelter. I’m sure you’ll figure out the rest.”

Yukiko’s actually thinking about this. Good, perhaps this will make her actually learn about their life, but also keep her occupied while you deal with the Tenjiso. She’s there for some rite, but from what you’ve gathered it’ll be drawn out over multiple days.

Very nice.

File: astolfochibi1.png (136 KB, 351x383)

136 KB PNG

Ended up visiting my senpai today as well, but here's at least an update, even if not as much as I had hoped to write

>>5279251
Yeah, no kidding. Well, thankfully I live close, 10 minutes by bus, so I can always come help out when needed

File: northtemple.jpg (1.18 MB, 1800x876)

1.18 MB JPG

You arrive at the North Temple the next morning. This temple is… to put it bluntly, a huge palace. A lot of effort and materials have been put into it clearly, with multiple tall structures, walls, gardens. You could almost call it its own miniature district at this point. Especially compared to the South and West Temples.

“Welcome to Hokutentera. We hope your journey has been pleasant,” a priest greets you and Yukiko, who by now has finally gotten out of her palanquin. With basic formalities out of the way, he leads you past the great gate. It’s subtle, but you notice the multitude of barriers that protect this place, originating from the walls.

It looks more like a castle awaiting besiegement rather than a temple. You can’t deny that it isn’t pretty though.

“Of the four temples, Hokutentera is the most modern,” your guide explains. “Ōshizumira-gūji has put a lot of effort so that it can stand beside the other temples. That’s why ours is in such pristine condition.”

“That must’ve taken a lot of work, building it from the ground up again,” you say.

“I see you know our history, I’m honored. Indeed, very little remains of the original one. However, sometimes the ashes of old are needed for something new and brilliant to be born out of it again.”

You are taken into a large chamber filled with miniature shrines set within walls. Ornate chandeliers light up the room, and a painting of a glorious rising sun is portrayed on the wall behind the large shrine to Amaterasu-Ōmikami herself.

Performing some sort of ritual in front of it, you can only assume her to be Ōshizumira Haruko, the chief priestess of the temple. However, it is those beside her that make you stop in your tracks for half a second.

“Oh, Koharu-oneesama!” you hear her turn around, a bright smile spreading on her face. Tokiko almost goes to run up to you, but is stopped by the chief priestess.

“Now, now, I know you must be eager, but we must oversee proper etiquette. Welcome to Hokutentera on behalf of all the priesthood here,” Ōshizumira says, bowing lightly, as do her two aides. As your eyes drift on the other one, you find that there’s no mistaking it.

It’s Kameko. And her eyes are lifeless.

A bit short today again, BUT we have a holiday here tomorrow, so I'll have more time to write finally

File: Oshizumira Haruko.jpg (7 KB, 191x263)

7 KB JPG

She does not react to your presence, at all. Bowing her head with Ōshizumira and Tokiko, she doesn’t make the faintest sound even.

“Thank you, it is an honor to be here,” Yukiko responds with a bow, and you follow suit. “

“Now, I’m sure you must be tired from your journey.” Her eyes move to the priest that guided you. “Please show them their room.”

You give Tokiko-chan a smile with a wink. At least it’s good to see her in good health, but seeing Kameko shook you, even with Hisashi’s forewarning.

“We hope you find the room to your liking.” The priest slides the door, and you see two neat bedrolls on the tatami. Thanking him, the two of you are left alone inside. That’s when Yukiko’s noble facade drops.

“W-W-Why didn’t they give us separate rooms?!”

“I am your guard, you dolt. Where else would I stay?”

She’s shocked. You’re not sure why, considering she must’ve already experienced the barracks in her own division at some point, right?

“Whaaat? Are you perhaps… nervous to sleep in the same room with me? Fufufu..”

“N-Not at all! Me? Nervous? A-About you? Don’t make such bad jokes!”

You tease her some more, but decide to cut back to the business at hand after making sure to adjust your voice, in case of eavesdroppers..

“So, what do you think?”

“About what?”

“About all of this. This is some rite of adulthood for you, right? Why now? We both know she wouldn’t arrange this without something in her head.”

Yukiko goes silent, and a little dejected. “I’m pretty sure I’m a pawn in some scheme of hers. I’ve never been anything else in her eyes. There’s nothing really that I can do either.” She clenches her kimono in her fists. “She didn’t even see me off.”

You take a good look at her. This is the most vulnerable you’ve seen her. Perhaps… this could be the moment to finally push her over to your side.

>Urge her to figure out her mother’s plans and go against them.
>Suggest she play along and check out the corrupt shinigami stuff.
>Other?

Also
>Tell her about the shady stuff the Tenjiso have been up to.
>Don’t tell her anything.
>Other?

>>5283194
>Suggest she play along and check out the corrupt shinigami stuff.
C'mon, this is our bread and butter at this point. Open rebellion is a good way to get stomped out and executed.
>Tell her about the shady stuff the Tenjiso have been up to.
If possible leave out the whole "our existence as a harbinger of a hollow is highly responsible for this" part

>>5283194
She’s a friend. Not right to get her involved in too far over her head!

>Tell her to figure out what she really wants
The important thing for her to figure out is what she wants for herself, but that’s hard to guide her on. I lean more towards the “investigate the mom” side of things since that’s more immediate, but she could try and use the corrupt shinigami investigation to get info on what her mom plans too. If she wants to go to the garrison, will she be stopped? What is the reason? Traveling nobles would probably be traveling here, nobles and Tenjiso are buddy-buddy. Did the robbed noble come here? Was there anything around here where civilians, shinigami, or nobles spent more freely than usual? Are there records in the temple? If she can get access to those, can she also find anything that might hint at her mother’s dealings here?

Leads into the next point,
>Tell her we’re looking into shady stuff too.
I don’t want to throw the Tenjiso into the mix since, y’know, we’re in their temple. But if it isn’t clear from earlier today and now, we’ve looked into this sort of stuff before. Still are, and we should tell her that! But it isn’t fair to her if we bring her in fully if she doesn’t know what she wants. What we do is stressful, and not easily walked back. If she’d rather stick to being a exemplary shinigami or an actually-decent noble, we’ll make sure our business doesn’t tar her. Because we’re not a shit like her mom.

The hardest lesson to swallow in spycraft is that you learn how to manipulate your friends, and can’t quite tell if you say things just for their long-term benefit or if it’s also because you expect to cash in a favor later…

>>5283194
>>Suggest she play along and check out the corrupt shinigami stuff.
>>Tell her about the shady stuff the Tenjiso have been up to.

>>5283194
>Suggest she play along and check out the corrupt shinigami stuff.
>Tell her about the shady stuff the Tenjiso have been up to.

File: astolfocapeonly.png (1.16 MB, 1200x1600)

1.16 MB PNG

>>5283268
>>5283483
>>5283527
>>5283773
Bringing her up to loop (to reasonable extent) and having her doing her own task wins
>Writing

I've been feeling quite shit this whole day, but it's kinda getting better by the evening. Let's see if I can get an update out

File: Shiraka Yukiko Open 1.jpg (51 KB, 564x1128)

51 KB JPG

“I know it must be frustrating, but you’re wrong on one account: There is something you can do, something that is not open rebellion against her and thus the Central 46. Remember the whole nobles, bandits and shinigami business?”

She nods. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“Well, for starters, do not underestimate the power of having a good public reputation. If you can resolve that mess in a way that everyone’s happy, you’ll have resources. And those can be later used to get a better handle on your mother’s schemes. In the mean time, I promise you I’ll find what Yukira-sama has cooked up with the Tenjiso. This place reeks of trouble.”

“How come?” She raises an eyebrow.

And so you explain to her vaguely but with enough details what kind of trouble you’ve bumped into so far with the Tenjiso. Being a target for some reason for their ordeals, the death of your caretaker Kameko, who now just so happens to be here. Tokiko-chan as well, despite the fact that it seems she’s all okay. For now.

“Considering their history, it’s not unlikely that they might be plotting against the Central 46, or at least the current iteration of it. Tell me, what do you think Yukira covets the most?”

Yukiko puts her hand to her chin. “That would be becoming one of the great noble families.”

You nod. “This is speculation, but it would be beneficial for both your mother and the Tenjiso, especially if they wish to become a major power in Soul Society again. It’s… likely that you’re here as leverage.”

She looks down at her legs, as you both sit in seiza opposite of each other. “If I’d heard we would be talking about my mother like this back in my academy years… well, I’d call that person a lunatic. But.. here I am.”

“To be fair, I never expected you to ever come around either.” You lean back. “You can be awfully thick-skulled sometimes.”

“Rude.”

Both of you share a laugh, before you eventually get down to your respective businesses.

Today's fucked. Insomnia fucked shit up for me, but thankfully I got some sleeping meds prescribed now which I'll pick up on monday.

The question is though, how the fuck do I cut up 1/8th of a pill without pulverizing it?

>>5285210Only options I know of are to cut into four pieces in one direction, then cut in half the other direction, or just keep sectioning in half. Depends on the shape of the med.

Alternately, pulverize the whole thing, dissolve it in a drink, and measure that out instead.

File: shitsfucked.jpg (30 KB, 500x500)

30 KB JPG

As you possibly have guessed by the lack of an update, I have to postpone it until my sleep cycle stabilizes again (hopefully with the meds) which will hopefully also then stabilize my currently weakening mental health. Been staring at a blank page for over an hour, and brain does not function

Hit a very bad low today, so uh, here's to hoping it won't go down even worse

File: corridorhallway.jpg (129 KB, 999x1326)

129 KB JPG

After waiting in the room alone for an hour after Yukiko left, you prepare to go figure things out. Yukiko will hopefully only arrive tomorrow morning, before the first part of the rite, so that gives you plenty of time to dig around. You owe Tokiko-chan a visit too.

You slide open the door, and quietly go about your business.

At this time of the evening there’s hardly anybody around, but unlike that time in the West Temple, you don’t seem to be observed by any tenjiso. Well, that does make it easier for you, but it’s a bit strange. Would you really be allowed to go around unobserved? Strangest yet is how easily you locate Kameko walking nearby.

“Be careful,” Cel says in your head.

“I know. It looks like a trap, doesn’t it?”

“You know best what needs to be done with traps.” You give Zilya a mental smack.

Still, you have to assume that whatever this is, somebody somewhere is aware of you. Talking to her directly could perhaps give you some clues to her situation. Then again, if you’re certain that this is a trap, perhaps doing something else entirely is for the best?

>Confront Kameko
>Follow Kameko
>Other?

I managed to get a proper long night of interrupted sleep, but I still feel super weird. But, let's try continuing the quest

>>5288375
>>Confront Kameko
The best way to deal with traps is to spring them.

>>5288375
Mediate her

>>5288375
>Confront Kameko
No one else (should) know about the note she left us, so we can act as though we haven’t seen it for now. Maybe focus on what she did to deserve coming here, what her new roles is, and what her opinion is of how she treated us way back when is. This is all assuming she even remembers us.

Either way, being angry at her is either what they expect and we confirm a (false) assumption of how we feel, or it’s not what they expect and they hopefully deviate from their script later on.

>>5288467
I do want to mediate her, but it leaves us vulnerable and we have no backup. Maybe we can coordinate with Tokiko or Yukiko to cover us while we mediate her tomorrow?

>>5288375
>Confront Kameko

>>5288375
>Confront Kameko

File: astolfomonster1.jpg (102 KB, 707x1131)

102 KB JPG

>>5288394
>>5288467
>>5288748
>>5288762
>>5288785
Confronting wins
>Writing

File: anime-girls-anime-inuyash(...).jpg (77 KB, 728x1168)

77 KB JPG

You move to intercept Kameko, catching up to her from the opposite side of the hall, just at the corner.

“Hey.”

“...How may I help you?” she says with a bow.

Now that you’re close up, you can get a better look at her. She’s paler than what you remember, and feels much more feeble.

“I wanted to ask a few things,” you say, bowing lightly as well. “What’s your name?”

“I am called Komi.”

“No other names?”

She shakes her head.

“Pleasure to meet you, I am Nakashiri Koharu, but I believe you know that.”

She shakes her head. “I was only informed that a noblewoman with a shinigami guard would be arriving.”

You watch her intently, to the point that you might be making her uncomfortable. She feels genuine, even if somewhat apathetic. You never knew whether Kameko had a surname of her own or not, but whatever this woman in front of you would call herself, you’d recognize her as Kameko. Even if her reiatsu feels somewhat different.

“You said you had questions for me?”

And so you proceed to probe her a bit more, asking questions about the temple but also some things which you know how Kameko would react to. Yet, Komi does not, so you can safely conclude that she does not have any memories related to Kameko. This isn’t a big surprise, given how normally souls that pass on from the world of the living lose all their memories so they can more easily drift away and be recycled into new life.

But something does not add up, namely Komi’s weak condition and her appearance at the temple of those that killed her.

“If you’ll excuse me, I was on my way to see Ōshizumira-gūji-sama.”

She looks uncomfortable and even a bit fearful now, showing emotion for the first time.

>Insist on joining her
>Let her go and do something else (what?)
>Other?

>>5289824
>>Other?
Shadow her
This will out us as having memory of our previous life but we could play it off as just a feeling at this point.

>>5289824
>Let her go and track down Tokiko
>Other, let her know we knew her, offer to help with her weakness later
I’m not averse to letting her know we remember her. It’s not like anyone listening in could assume we remember other stuff from it since memory isn’t all-or-nothing when crossing over.

We could tell her we knew her as a priestess way back when, and we honestly hated her. But it’s clear she doesn’t remember and… we have to accept that. That said, she seems weak given her history. Our shikai is unique, maybe it can help diagnose a blocker. I don’t really believe that, but it’s a plausible excuse to mediate her and I could be wrong. Since she’ll wonder why we offer if we hated her, tell her she’d be helping us too. Trying something to help her with her duties here feels like proving we can move on, even if it turns out we couldn’t actually help. It’s selfish, but we’re uncomfortable here too!

… would this exchange come off as tsundere? I think Yukiko is rubbing off on me.

>>5289824
>Let her go and track down Tokiko

>>5289824
>Let her go and track down Tokiko

>>5289903
>>5290082
>>5290751
>>5290752
Finding Tokiko wins
>Writing
Can't deliver an update today though sadly. Finishing up a presentation to present results of a research project tomorrow

File: astolfomonster3.jpg (249 KB, 2048x1638)

249 KB JPG

I only just got home, so shit's looking a bit fucked for today. I apologize. Presentation went well despite waking up every hour last night. Here I hoped the meds would help

>>5292145
Anxiety or similar messing up your schedule? Wish I could offer advice, but I had the opposite problem when I dealt with depression.

Yay for the presentation going well, at least!

>>5292145
No need to apologize Trippy, take care of yourself.

File: astolfoangry.jpg (9 KB, 229x220)

9 KB JPG

And looks like I caught some shit flu now (hopefully not corona this time). Bad news is I've had a massive headache, good news is that at the very least the next 3 days I don't have work. No promises but I will try write when I don't feel shit

>>5292199
>Anxiety or similar messing up your schedule
Anxiety most likely, despite that I thought I was chill about it. Also
>depression
Yeah fuck that thing. Hope you're out of that pit, it ain't fun

>>5294921
Paved over that hole several years ago, but I know it's still there and likes to gnaw at the foundation. Just something to pay special attention to when other things pile on nowadays.

I thought I was chill with anxiety until I had a couple weird break-down-and-almost-cry episodes while stocking shelves at 2 AM in a Target in the middle of the depression thing. Described it to my doctor and they said (paraphrased) "yo, that's not depression, that's acute anxiety attacks" and I thought "shit, now I have two things to deal with for the rest of my life". From my limited experience with that and how my actually-anxious friends have described their issues, I got off light (even with later flare-ups) and I'm happy about that.

Good luck with the flu, though maybe if it kicks your ass enough you can trick yourself into a normal sleep schedule? Trying to find a bright side, I know it'll suck either way.

File: OPprof_smol.jpg (119 KB, 700x700)

119 KB JPG

Okay, instead of getting ridiculous with the constant delays, I think it’s best to disclose my current situation and see where we go from there.

Health-wise it looks like I’ve gotten complications, possibly corona after-effects that appeared after this flu hit me. Haven’t been able to properly sleep again due to feeling like suffocating without very strained manual deep breaths. It generally seems to be okay when I’m awake, but I still feel it and it has fucked shit up. Next stop with that is checking in with the doctors and hope for the best.

This has been very problematic since I’ve already been struggling keeping up with the quest for the past month. After two years of questing and looking back I’ve started seeing a lot of holes and problems with my notes and writing, not to mention falling into the kubo character problem. This has fucked with my motivation a lot.

Originally I intended to bring this arc to end before making this post, but as it stands, forcing myself to write right now will produce only crap and just be torture. So here’s the options we have:

>Quest goes on a long-term hiatus, to which I’ll only potentially return after I’ve done my thesis and graduated (2023 Spring earliest)
Pros of this is that I can watch through Bleach anime and read the manga for the canon arcs and to get motivation, cons is that I don’t know if any of you will stick around for such a possibility, or if I forget about the ins and outs of my quest.

>Quest is concluded now and life moves on, but I’ll spend the rest of his thread answering questions about whatever you want to know about the quest, reveal notes/spoiler stuff etc.
Pros is that there will be a definite end without leaving anyone hanging, but the big downside is that quest ends.

I’m fucking mad though that it’s come to this. So much for going till the end, and it sucks letting you all who’ve read and voted down. I’m really sorry.

Vote
>hiatus
>end

>hiatus

>>5299195
It’s a hard thing to run for this long when the quest isn’t in the slice-of-life vein and you can safely move past things.

I’ll vote for
>hiatus
but I know I’ll forget to check in 2023. I’ll pick it back up once I notice it in the archives though!

>>5299195
>hiatus
I'm sorry to hear that it has come to this, but don't feel bad Trippy, and certainly don't apologize. In my experience there are few things that fuck with a person's motivation more then persistent health issue, or lack of proper sleep for that matter.
Your health and IRL obligations should come first, the quest can wait for another day, no matter when that day is. And I think no one would enjoy it if you forced yourself to write, and it didn't come out the way you wanted.
I can't promise I'll remember to look for this quest by next year, but if I see it in the catalogue I'll be sure to join in! Take care of yourself until then.
And if you decide to end the quest beforehand, then it was a pleasure. I hope you enjoyed running the quest as much as I enjoyed playing it.

>>5299195
>>hiatus

I would much prefer you to get the rest and time you need rather than wrap up, 8f uou feel like you will be ready. Also, having a time frame in mind is good and gives me hope for the future. As someone who just got thier masters degree I wish you the best in your studies

>>5299195
>Hiatus
I think doing a rushed end will just leaving everyone unhappy. It's a tough call, but I respect you admitted you're going through something rather than disappearing.

File: AFC57055-FF83-4F75-88B7-A(...).jpg (290 KB, 1055x807)

290 KB JPG

>>5299195
>>hiatus
I can wait, especially for this quest. I’ve been here since near the beginning and I’ll definitely make sure I’m here for the end. Hope your health gets better and wish you the best on your studies Trippy. Thanks for the run and all the other runs before boss, take care

>>5299195
>hiatus

File: huh.png (804 KB, 1187x729)

804 KB PNG

>>5299210
>>5299255
>>5299267
>>5299272
>>5299357
>>5299717
>>5299971
Hiatus it is then, frens

As I said, 2023 Spring is the earliest time. I don't know what situation I'll be in 6 months since hell, I didn't know I'd be here six months ago. But in any case, I'll try to sometimes put something on the twitter account. You can also poke around King's, Spook's, or Cochrane's discords (or threads if you're brave enough) since I hang around and read their quests. Oh right, since we have the character sheets and social links, I'll also put a notice on both, and update it if I have something new.

The next thread (whenever it'll be) will be a recap one and I'll narrate this arc to some conclusion, since I don't see us continuing from our current situation working after a long waiting time. The good news though is that next arc is canon / ichigo one, so it should be quite fun. Siberian bount arc won't be happening, at least not with my current thoughts since I don't want to introduce even more characters.

Thank you all once more for reading, voting, and responding in such a positive way, gives me warm fuzzy feelings. I definitely did not tear up, nope. I'll stick around the thread till it falls if you want to still ask about something or just banter

See you space cowboy

>>5300450
I guess for banter topics, anything in particular that you loved/hated about our choices over the past couple years? Could be for any reason, be it cleverness, missed opportunities, dumb luck working for/against us etc.

File: astolfocooking.jpg (225 KB, 850x1189)

225 KB JPG

>>5300731
I can't say I hated anything really. I don't know if it's my health situation but I'm having a hard time remembering many choices. It did slightly frustrate me how little you used Zilya, but that's very much understandable. OH, I did really like how you dealt with Yasutake, that was nice. In general I've really loved how much write-ins there were for almost every choice, it brought me pure joy, even if headaches at times. I remember wanting to use Yukiko more against you, but you kept critting socially against her, so those plans flew out of the window

I'll think on it more, hopefully after I finally get to the doctor tomorrow I'll be able to get out of this daze and think properly again

>>5302351
If you’re still around, who was your favorite character write?

File: Lahela 2.jpg (305 KB, 2550x2550)

305 KB JPG

>>5304607
Has to be Lahela. A bundle of innocent joy was really nice to write while it felt like the world around went downhill. She a sweet girl. Drianni comes next due to the mental image of her being kind of the mom of the Wailing Forest

For character interactions, I really liked writing Koharu & Kaizar's interactions (with partial help & suggestions from you know who), and also Koharu & Grimmjow. Didn't expect it to be that fun

Also update health-wise: it looks like I can breathe again, docs couldn't figure out what it was though. Maybe I'm developing allergies, who knows. Gonna try restarting my sports routine and see if it helps. Biking should help with it especially, right?

>>5299195
>>hiatus
Please take care Trippy! The quest has been great so far and I'm fine with waiting a while.

Just noticed that the thread’s not archived yet, someone should probably do that

File: astolfowink2.jpg (32 KB, 340x454)

32 KB JPG

>>5308314
Thanks for reminding, thread is archived now!

File: astolfosalute.jpg (360 KB, 1350x1800)

360 KB JPG

Thread's gonna get pruned soon, so one final post on my part. Thank y'all again and see you hopefully in Spring 2023 if all goes well. On top of my thesis I recently got the news that I'll have to move to a new place as well before next year, so yay more stuff to deal with

Also now after not writing for a while, I realized the biggest problem in the end was doing an update every day, and that made me think about what/how to write 24/7. I'll switch back to sessions when I return, don't want to repeat this mistake. Hopefully we'll figure out a time that works best

Have a good year

>>5313958
Best of luck Trippy, catch you on the other side.