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>"Don't worry," I say. I'll find whoever has the book and get rid of it before it can fall into the wrong hands. That's what a hero would do, right?"
>"I suppose so," she laughs. "But while you may have an experience advantage over whoever gains a Branch by reading the book, you should still be careful, okay? Watch out for the new Branch users, and also the people who were sent to weed them out."
>"Got it," I nod.
>"Especially the Tree of Life," Lorelei says. "They and I have a lot of bad blood between us... it's best that you not mention my name to anyone you meet who's with them."

>The Tree of Life, huh... I'd expect something more along the lines of "Yggdrasil" for the name of an evil organization.


"It looks like I'm going to have my work cut for me," I say with a long sigh. I mean, it's true that I used to dream of fighting against an evil organization when I was little, but the past four years of tough battles against Branch holders has made me kind of wary of things like that.
"Well it's not like it's -your- responsibility to take care of this," Lorelei shrugs. "I mean, you could always step back and let the others fight over the book, all I wanted to do was warn you that you might be mistaken for the person who has it."


>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and get rid of it
>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and give it to you
>yeah, I think I will try and stay out of this one
>[OTHER]

>>33927350
>>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and give it to you

>>33927350
>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and give it to you
Lorelei has Joshua whipped.

>>33927350
>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and give it to you

>>33927350
>>no, I'm going to find the book before the the others and give it to you

As a dowry!

>>33927633
But we are playing a boy anon!

Just a heads-up, this thread's going to run extra late but updates will probably be slower than usual because I'm leaving tomorrow morning and need to pack.


>writing

>>33927839
Have fun at otakon.

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"No," I shake my head. "I'm going to find the book before those organizations can get their hands on it, and then I'm going to give it to you."
"Wha?"

For the first time in all the years that I've known her, the steady rhythm of Lorelei's heartbeat speeds up a bit.

"Joshua, are you sure?" Lorelei says with a nervous smile that I've never seen on her face before. "I don't have any use for such a thing myself, and it's not your duty to go after the thing to begin with..."
"No, this is what I want to do," I reply.
"...but I just don't see why..." her voice trails off.


>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her
>it's because I can't think of anyone else who I'd want to give it to

>>33928380
>>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her

Mess it up by saying because I love her then catch yourself and correct it.

>>33928380
>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her

>>33928380
>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her

>>33928380
>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her

>>33928380
>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her

>>33928380
>take her hands in mine and tell her that it's because I trust her
Get on one knee, boy. Do it.

>>33928611
I am for this. But we need a ring too.

>>33928668
The book shall be our ring

>writing

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>>33928611
>>33928668
>>33928678
This is perfect!

>>33928678

It certainly seems like it bring enough troubles for that comparison to be valid.

"It's because I trust you," I say, taking Lorelei's hands in mine. "More than anyone else aside from my mother, I lo-" I cut myself off before I let THAT slip. "I mean, I trust you more than anyone else with this."
"Trust..." Lorelei looks down at her hands. "Believe it or not, you're the first person in a very long time to have said that to me," she laughs. "It's kind of embarrassing, actually..."
"Well I mean it," I reply.

do it

tell her how you feel


>[1/?]

>>33928991
>"Believe it or not, you're the first person in a very long time to have said that to me,"

There may be a good reason for that one.

>>33928991
>tell her how you feel
yes, listen to the voice of our branch

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>>33928991

>>33929028
And we don't care....

>>33929028
Unreliable superpowered waifus are the best kinds. Imagine all the shenanigans.

>>33929082
>Unreliable superpowered waifus

So Cecile?

>>33929119
Lacks the older and more mature but unreliable aspect.

>>33928991
Branchua knows what the deal is. I wonder if he's the Branch that likes tummy rubs...

>>33928991
>do it

>tell her how you feel

OK, so Branch users that got their Branch from a Gardener get the voice/split personality too. Good to know.

>>33928991
>[2/2]

Slipping free of my grasp, Lorelei takes a few steps back and pulls her hat down so that the brim's hiding her face from view.

It doesn't hide the fact that her heartbeat is starting to speed up even more, though.

"...and here I thought this would be another of our usual meetings," Lorelei mumbles. "Just a nice way for me to relax after my usual running around."
"Eh?" her words hit me like a punch to the face. "I- If I'm making you uncomfortable or something, I really didn't mean to!" I stammer.
"No," she shakes her head, "I suppose you've gotten a little bit of courage since the last time I saw you and it's kind of surprising, that's all."

Courage, huh.


>time to man up and tell her how I feel
>no, I'll tell her when I hand over the book to her

>>33929331
>no, I'll tell her when I hand over the book to her

>>33929286

I get the impression every Branch User get one and it's just that some are louder than others.

They seem to be the personification of the power itself and to use their Holder as much as the Holder use them.

>>33929331
>time to man up and tell her how I feel

It's pathetic to do that over an unrelated gift.

>>33929331
>time to man up and tell her how I feel

DO IT!!!
the other choice is a death flag!

>>33929331
>time to man up and tell her how I feel

>>33929286
May be the voices are bro instead. Or bros who sometimes like to stalk people. But without your permission like a certain someone.

>>33929331
>time to man up and tell her how I feel

>>33929331
She is excited but her words seem like she is disappointed.

We will just angst over this while getting the book.

>>33929331
>time to man up and tell her how I feel

>>33929331
[x] Try to tell her how you feel but fail and spaghetti all over the place.

>>33929484

I thought that was implied already.

This isn't how I intended to start this thread out, it just kind of got that way.

Not that I'm complaining.


>writing

>>33929522
There are no waifu wars here, only love for the reckless wizard

>>33929522
Thanks for letting us have SOME bit of light, hope, and love in this grimdark paranoia setting.

>>33929596
I don't really feel the "grimdark paranoia" yet.

>>33929628
Most of it is in the main story.

>>33929628
This one anons will try to keep lighthearted. We will ignore paranoia or any post prophesying the coming of happenings.

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Yeah. Courage.

"Well..." Lorelei adjusts her face so that I can see it again, "...I'm sure that you'll find it," she says, smiling at me. "The book, I mean."
"Of course I will!" I say, tapping a fist to my chest. "I just made a promise to the girl I love, I'm not gonna screw it up by not deli..."

Lorelei's staring at me.

"...vering..."

I wish I had retroactive noise cancelling. Oh desr God, I wish I had retroactive noise cancelling.


>[1/?]

>>33929685
It's not grimdark at all. Dark, yes, and a little grim, but not grimdark.

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>>33929774
That could not have gone better

>>33929628
>split personalities who seem to be various shades of insane and must not be addressed lest they get worse
>clandestine factions with mysterious goals and bitter rivalries
>implications that any fuckup will have dire consequences

It's not truly grimdark but it's getting close, as >>33929786 said.

>>33929786
>>33929834
More grimbright, to be honest

>>33929834
Over Shine isn't crazy, it's primal.

Job done, I guess.

>>33929852
I still think it's more on the dark side than the grim side. Nobledark, maybe?

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>>33929774
FINISH IT! Be the man!
>>33929786
Well, archelon wants it to head that way.

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>>33929774
that went perfectly

>>33929897
I still remember the first thread we had about all these designations.

>>33929901
I love the Canadian flag. Is this a hockey game or Vancouver getting the Winter Olympics?

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>>33929874
Which does explain why its main threat response is murder-death-kill with lasers.

>>33929949
Just so that people remember it:

Nobledark is when the world suck but has plenty of heroes and good guys. Think Silmarillion.

Grimbright is when the world would be wonderful if not for the overwhelming majority being assholes. Something like a Fae Court.

Grimdark is when both the world and most of the people suck. So 40k.

Noblebright is when the world is pretty awesome and most of the people are good. The villains are mostly ineffective. Think saturday morning cartoons.

>>33929774

"Ehehe..."

And now she's laughing at me. This couldn't have possibly gone better!

"Well well well..." Lorelei adjusts her hat as she walks up to me. "...it looks like you've gotten a lot more courage than I thought!"
"S- sorry," I stammer, "It just came out and uh-"
"I guess this means that my little hero's all grown up, huh!" she laughs.

Her little...

"Yeah," I nod. "That's right, I have grown up a lot... but my feelings haven't changed since that night we first met."
"Oh?" Lorelei tilts her head.
"Yeah, I've loved you this entire time, and umm..."

>[2/?]

>>33929975
Most likely a WWE match. Not sure if it was in Canada.

>>33930049
YES! YES! Say it!

>>33930051
I see.

>>33930049
I wonder if she feels like a cradle robber?

>>33930101
I wonder how old she is
Does she even age?

>>33930158
She probably was around since the beginning of the trees.

>>33930158

When asked that one, the turtle just laughed.

>>33930202
>>33930211
It does not matter, love transcends age.

>>33930245

Go away Adrien. I don't care what archelon think, you're a creep.

>>33930272
The name is Raoul

>>33930049
>[3/3[

While I'm busy fumbling with my words, Lorelei walks over to me and kisses me on the cheek.

"Wha-" I touch my cheek where she kissed me just to make sure that it actually happened. "does that mean that you-"
"Thank you, Joshua," Lorelei says, smiling at me. "But I think that it's still a bit early for you to start thinking about marriage."
"M- Marriage!?" I stammer. "No, I wasn't about to-"
"You really are funny..." she laughs.


>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious
>I've already confessed to her, that's enough spaghetti for one night

>>33930315
>I've already confessed to her, that's enough spaghetti for one night

Kissing her would probably backfire, methinks.

>>33930315
>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious
Be prepared to appologize like crazy

>>33930315
Ask if she can give us a kiss as a thanks after we get the book.

>>33930315
>>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious
Moar spaghetti!

>>33930315
>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious

>>33930328

Oh yes it would. Which is why we must do it to get on the path of darkness.

>>33930315
>I've already confessed to her, that's enough spaghetti for one night
When Joshua brings back a book he'll present it on one knee.

>>33930358
The path of darkness will be hilarious and adorable. This is a fun side quest after all.

>>33930315

>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious

"Tonight can be the last time we will see each other, so..."

>>33930315
>I've already confessed to her, that's enough spaghetti for one night
don't push it

>>33930315
>kiss her back to prove to her that I'm really serious

>>33930315
>>I've already confessed to her, that's enough spaghetti for one night

>writing

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"That's why I love coming here," Lorelei laughs. "I could just stand here and watch your reactions all d-"

Before Lorelei can even finish her sentence, I reach around her, wrap my arm around her slender waist and pull her close to me. As she looks up at me with a shocked look on her face, I lean in close and kiss her soft lips...

>[1/?]

>>33930744
please don't hate us please dont hate us please don't hate us

>>33930744
On a scale of one to Speedwagon, how coolly did we do this?

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>>33930859
Even Speedwagon is approving!

>>33930744

And right after I do, I start to feel incredibly guilty because I don't know if she even likes me that way and maybe I'm being presumptuous, but then I feel her tiny hands pulling me close to hers as she reciprocates the kiss.

yes

finally

I knew you could do it

As Lorelei backs away from me, I stare at her in shock. I mean, I didn't expect her to-

"You know, it's no good if you lose your drive halfway through," Lorelei says, licking her lips. "Still though, it wasn't bad for what I assume was your first kiss."
"Uh-" I gulp. "Y- yeah, it was-"
"Wonderful!" she laughs. "I think that a first kiss is the perfect thing for us to part ways with!"

Turning her back to me, Lorelei pulls the brim of her hat down with either hand as she looks up at the moon.

"...and perhaps we'll greet each other next time with a second kiss."

>[2/?]

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>>33930910
Good job kid, I knew you could do it.

>>33930910

Of all the things that we will regret of not having done if we end up dead, this will not be one of them.

>>33930910
I voted against this. This is why I'll never get laid.

>>33930910

The shady organizations are completely fucked.

>>33930960
Yes, but we mortals will never be able to riva your eldritch powers.

>>33930910

While I stand there dumbfounded, Lorelei waves goodbye to me as she walks off into the moonlit night.

I- I don't even- does that mean that she likes me back? Or maybe she's just playing around with me again... but she said that thing about a second kiss and I don't know why she'd do that if she didn't intend to...

My brain is just a pile of mush right now, I swear.

thumpthumpthumpthump

thumpthumpthumpthump

Is that me? No, it's coming from the direction where-

"Eheheh... eheheheheh..." I start laughing with a big goofy grin on my face. Lorelei's heart is beating just as fast as mine! It wouldn't be doing that if she was just playing around, so-

Raising my fists to the air in victory, I take a good long while to calm down before I start on the long walk home.

Grampa would be so proud of me... I mean, I kissed a girl! I kissed the BEST girl! And then she kissed me back!

My emotional high lasts the rest of the night, and I end up going to sleep in a better mood than I've been in years.

>[3/?]

>>33931076
Best powers, best girl, best life not really

>>33931076
>[4/4]

I wake up bright and early, and my good mood's still intact to boot! And since it's Saturday, I don't have to worry about going to class so I can spend the entire day doing whatever the hell I want.

And as always, "what I want to do" mostly involves going out and doing my hero thing. But now I have a new goal to keep in mind as well... still though, keeping the city safe from assholes of all types takes precedent over giving my girlfriend a gift.

...is she my girlfriend? Dammit, I never even thought to try and talk to her about how a relationship would even work out...


>head out into town and listen out for trouble
>watch the news, looking out for anything strange
>[OTHER]

>>33931192
>Check the news for anything strange
>head out into town and listen out for trouble

>>33931192
>watch the news, looking out for anything strange

I'm curious to see if news are different in this universe.

With a bit of chance we'll get a helpful joke about fishes.

>>33931192
>head out into town and listen out for trouble

Dude has got a pretty good range. He can probably fight crime and find new Branches at the same time.

>>33931192
>watch the news, looking out for anything strange

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>>33931192

>watch the news, looking out for anything strange

We can confirm stuff ourselves if it looks like something weird.

Or hear about tongues.

>>33931192

>head out into town and listen out for trouble

The news will probably only talk about what already happened.

>>33931192
>watch the news, looking out for anything strange

>writing

After taking a quick shower, I turn my TV to the news so I'll have something to listen to as I get dressed. Besides, there's always a chance that they'll talk about something suspicious that ends up being Branch-related.

That's probably my best bet to find that book.

Weather report...

Fluff piece about baby bunnies...

...ooh, here's something interesting.

"Yesterday, police were called to an abandoned building downtown where they found several young men who were brutally beaten," the reporter lady says. "Police first believed this to just be the result of a gang turf war, but further searching of the building found several purses which match the description of the ones that were stolen during the recent rash of pursesnatchings in the area."'


>[1/?]

>>33931473
"MOOOOOOOOOOM! I hit the news!"

>>33931505
Shes still in the hopsital, anon.

>>33931516

If there's anyone who can shout loud enough it's good ol' Joshua.

>>33931473

"The wounds on two of the alleged gang members match the type of fractures which were present on the alleged serial rapist who terrorized the city for two months... we've asked the police department if they believe that the two incidents are proof of some kind of vigilante, but they have declined to comment," the reporter says.

Haha, I made the news again! And it looks like those ladies will get their stuff back, so all's well that ends well.

I wonder if Mom's watching this...

"In other news," the anchorman says, "let's take you to an event that's currently unfolding on the Upper North Side."

The feed switches to a reporter standing behind caution tape that's blocking off what looks like a bunch of rubble.

>[2/?]

>>33931568
did she died

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I'm watching Megazone 23 while I read this, so I'm imagining FDQ in its art style now. Kinda cool, really.

>>33931568
>[3/3]

"Last night in this very location," the reporter says, "this building which was under renovation suddenly collapsed," he says, pointing to the rubble. "Loud noises like some kind of explosion were reported by people in the neighborhood, but the sheriff's department tells us that the forensic department's found no sign of any sort of bomb. We'll bring you more information as it comes."

Huh, that certainly looks suspicious. Dunno if it's worth checking out, though.


>head out to see the busted-up building for myself
>go and do my usual patrol instead

>>33931627

Personally, I'll picture next PGQ thread as this:

http://archive.foolz.us/tg/thread/33899057/

>>33931659
>head out to see the busted-up building for myself

>>33931659
>head out to see the busted-up building for myself

>>33931659
>head out to see the busted-up building for myself
one does not simply ignore a lead

>>33931659

>head out to see the busted-up building for myself

Explosions aren't normal in America yet.

>>33931718

TV lied to me!

>writing

I don't really feel like going all the way out there, but there's no sense in passing up a potential lead. Not to mention that a Branch holder out there with the power to blow buildings up would be pretty awful to have running around here.

With my immediate plans now set, I throw on my jacket, put my goggles in my pocket, and make my way out into the big wide world.

"Hmm..." I mumble as I look at the map that I pulled up on my phone. "If my house is here and this is North, I just need to keep on going in this direction..."

Damn, this is a long way to walk just for a -potential- lead. My feet are already starting to hurt.

>[1/?]

>>33932116

Joshua needs to master the Banshee method of flying so he never have to walk again.

>>33932116
>Not to mention that a Branch holder out there with the power to blow buildings up would be pretty awful to have running around here.
You mean like someone capable of manipulating Harmonic Resonance?

>>33932116
>[2/2]

After what seems like forever, I see some familiar buildings that serve as a sign that I'm finally in the right area. There used to be a bunch of construction in this part of town, but then the company that was funding it folded and it's just kind of been a giant maze of unfinished buildings ever since.

Then again, the entire city's like this... I still like it here, but the crappy economy's only serving to make things worse.

SHIT.

I just got a Synapse.


>nope, not dealing with this today
>try to sneak in as best I can
>play dumb and walk in casually
>find out where they are and rush in

>>33932224
>try to sneak in as best I can

>>33932193

It seems that many Branch Holders have attacks more harmful than they are themselves tough, so you've got to fear one who may attack you regardless of your own firepower.

If, say, Cecile and Joshua fought each other the one who would shoot first would have the advantage.

>>33932224
>try to sneak in as best I can

>>33932163

Or a skate.

>>33932224
>try to sneak in as best I can

>>33932224
>>find out where they are and rush in

we must fight

head

on

>try to sneak in as best I can

What a way to start Saturday.

>>33932224
>try to sneak in as best I can

It's just one alert level, we've still probably got this.

>>33932224
>find out where they are and rush in
they know that we are here, so better rush in before they can react
>inb4 it's a trap!

>>33932224
>try to sneak in as best I can

Do a sonic ping, see what we can pick up.

Since I actually had a Synapse, that means that whoever this is has already been in contact with another Branch holder before... shit.

Basically, I have two possibilities here. One is that I'm dealing with evil organization types, and the other is that whoever has the book shared it with a friend, and I'm going to have to deal with multiple Branch users.

And I don't want to have to put up with either one, to be honest.

>[1/?]

>>33932380
>Since I actually had a Synapse, that means that whoever this is has already been in contact with another Branch holder before
...wait, what?

>>33932394

I'm a bit confused about how Synapses work too, but that's probably out of not paying attention.

>>33932380
So you'll only trigger the synapse headache after the initial eye-contact synapse?

>>33932380

After putting on my goggles, I tap my foot on the ground and send out a lead pulse.

one

two

two humans

not moving

"...shit," I grit my teeth. Two people, at least one of them's a Branch holder and neither one is moving which means that either they have garbage Synapse range or they're waiting for me to make the first move.

Still, though... even if they happen to know that I'm in the area, it's not like they know -where- I am. And on the other hand, I happen to know -exactly- where they happen to be.

Alright, let's go Joshua. This is a sneaking mission, and I happen to be the best at sneaking!

>[2/?]

>>33932464

josh is kill

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>>33932464
>[3/3]

Cancelling any and all noise produced by my footsteps, the change in my pockets, and even my breathing, I slowly approach the rubble site where my two targets are (maybe) waiting for me.

There's someone standing with their back to me wearing a puffy jacket with a hood that's covering up anything that I could use as a distinguishing feature, and a guy with orange hair and sunglasses.

"We've been here for a while..." the jacketed person says. Sounds like a girl from the voice. "Are you sure you felt something?"
"No doubt about it," the orange-haired guy replies. "I felt the Synapse about ten minutes ago."
"Want me to go flush them out?" she asks.
"No, I have this," he shakes his head. "If it's the person who bought the book, they've most likely shared it with a friend," he sighs. "And if it's someone from an opposing organization, I'm more suited to face them than you are."
"You think it's the same one who did this?"
"Well they -do- say that a criminal always returns to the scene of the crime... though I have no idea how true that saying actually is," he laughs.

After giving a parting wave to his associate, the guy slowly walks away from her and around a corner...


>find the guy and incapacitate him as nonviolently as I can
>while the guy's gone, try and incapacitate the girl
>approach one of them out in the open
>[OTHER]

>>33932690
>while the guy's gone, try and incapacitate the girl

Probably not the one with the Branch.

>>33932690
>Neither of these jokers seem to know anything, best to leave them be

>>33932690
is that Irene and Archibald?

>>33932690
It doesn't sound like they're particularly guilty of anything other than wanting the book. If we show ourselves they'll probably just assume we're attacking them.
Might as well just go somewhere else.

>>33932690

Can we talk to them without giving away our location?

>>33932690
>while the guy's gone, try and incapacitate the girl

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>>33932749

Archibald is blonde with regular glasses.

>>33932690
>[OTHER]
Keep eavesdropping for now, see what we can learn. No use in revealing ourself at the moment.

>>33932733
>>33932750
>>33932756
these, let's just have a nice chat where nobody gets hurt and everybody leaves happy

>>33932772
Ah. Coulda sworn it was orange hair. Thank you Mr fact checker.

>>33932772
Looks like it could be orange enough to be him.

>>33932690
>OTHER
>Throw your voice
>"Looks like I'm not the only one investigating this, huh? Where are you guys from?"

>>33932814

You wouldn't use "orange" to describe a person's hair over "blonde" or "redhead" unless it was bright orange.

Bleh. Three-way tie.

And that means that it's FINAL DESTINATION TIME. You know the rules probably.

>1: try and incapacitate the girl while the guy's away
>2: try talking to them
>3: leave them alone

>>33932876
3

>>33932876
2

>>33932876
2

>>33932876
3

>>33932876
3

>>33932876
3

>>33932876
1

>>33932876
2

>>33932876
2

>>33932876
2

>>33932876
3

>>33932876
1

>CLOCK OVER

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we hae another tie.

FINAL ROUND since the two are kind of mutually exclusive.

>2: try talking to them
>3: leave them alone

>>33932960
3

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
3

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
3

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
3

>VOTE MAKING STOP

>>33932960
3

2
>>33932969
>>33932975
>>33932977
>>33932991
>>33932999
>>33933004

3
>>33932968
>>33932990
>>33932996
>>33933005

>>33932960
I did not expect a second final destination vote...

>>33932960
2

>>33932960
3

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15 KB PNG

I should probably try to avoid fights when I can, especially when I don't know what I'm going up against. But at the same time, I -would- like to know what these two are up to...

After making sure that the orang-haired guy isn't going to get the drop on me, I clear my throat and use the "speaker" trick that I learned a few years back.

BZZT BZZT BZZT

The ground beneath the girl starts to shake.

"Wha!?" she shouts. "Lloyd, we're under attack!"
"Just be careful, I'll be right there!" the guy who I'm assuming is this "Lloyd" replies as he rushes to her side.

>[1/?]

>>33933204
>"under attack"
>let's all rush to the same spot to get one hit koed

>>33933255
kekeke

>>33933204
>[2/2]

"Hello there," I say, channelling my distorted voice through the ground itself. "It looks like I'm not the only one investigating this..."
"Who's there!?" Lloyd shouts. "Show yourself!"
"And why should I do that?" I ask.
"Damn it, he's screwing with us!" Lloyd growls.


>ask them who they're working for
>ask them if they're after the book
>ask them if they know who did this
>ask them what lloyd's branch is
>ask them something else

>>33933271
>ask them if they know who did this
>ask them who they're working for
>ask them what they know about the book

>>33933255

I assume he just want to protect his friend.

>>33933260

... nevermind that, we gonna die.

>>33933271
>ask them if they're after the book
>ask them if they know who did this

>>33933271
>>ask them if they know who did this

>>33933271
>I'm not "screwing" with you
>>ask then who they're working for

>>33933271
>>ask them who they're working for
>ask them if they know who did this
Don't ask about the book, we really don't need to give them more info then we need.

>>33933271
>assure them that you're not picking a fight
Then whatever else is voted on I don't care much, but we don't need them freaking out too badly

>>33933300
Seconding this

>>33933271
>ask them who they're working for
>ask them if they know who did this

>>33933300
Agreed.

>>33933284

Changing vote to:

>ask them who they're working for
>ask them if they know who did this

and >>33933300

>>33933271
>ask them if they know who did this
>ask them who they're working for

also
seconding this >>33933300

>>33933300
>>33933271
Yeah, give them the old can't we all get along speech.

.writig

"Don't worry, I'm not trying to pick a fight with you," I say. "If I was, I wouldn't have bothered to give away my presence by talking to you."
"Your presence was already given away by the Synapse," Lloyd says, looking around to try and see if he can find me. "I know you're somewhere in here."
"And that's where I'll stay," I reply. "And now I have a few questions for the to of you, if you don't mind..."

Lloyd's heartrate is going through the roof, I guess he's about to blow his top. But then his female associate places a hand on his shoulder and he seems to calm down some.

>[1/?]

>>33933414
Listening to their heartrate is really practical

>>33933414


"Alright, ask your questions," the girl says.
"Ah, some cooperation!" I clap my hands... which causes the ground to rumble QUITE a bit. "First off, do you know who did this?"
"Who did what?" Lloyd scoffs.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about," I reply. "The pile of rubble that you're standing on used to be a building up until yesterday. And the next day, two suspicious types start loitering around he area?"
"It wasn't us, you jackass," Lloyd replies. "We're trying to find the culprit ourselves."

Regular heartbeat, not to mention that he said more or less the same thing back before I made my presence known. Good.

"And why's that?" I ask.
"The culprit may happen to have something that we're looking for," the girl replies.

>[2/?]

>>33933468
I bet Joshua is awesome at poker

>>33933482
>[3/3]

Yeah, I have a pretty good idea of what that thing is.

"Another question," I say. "Who are you two working for?"
"And why should we tell you that?" Lloyd asks, crossing his arms. "We have better things to do than talk to a mysterious ground voice, you know."
"C'mon, cut it out," the girl sighs. "We don't have anything to hide, we're working for an organization called the Tree of Life."

.........that's the evil organization that Lorelei warned me about. And just like she thought, they ALREADY have their operatives snooping around here.


>step out in the open and confront them
>longrange attack
>run away
>[OTHER]

>>33933561
>>step out in the open and confront them
A hero doesn hide

>>33933561
act like you don't know their organization.
ask them about it, we need to see if they are openly evil or not

>>33933561
>LOUD NOICE
>DEAFEN THEM
>MAKE THE GROUND CRUMBLE UNDER THEIR FEET

>>33933561
>[OTHER]
Ask them about the culprit. That's what we're here in the first place AND what we want them to believe we're here for.

>>33933561
>[Bluff] Who are they?

>>33933561
>Thank them and announce that of they've no other information for you, you're taking your leave
No reason to run, that just makes them pursue us.

>>33933583
These

>>33933561
Feign ignorance and ask what they're looking for. Also about who they think did the building in. Also all their preliminary investigation info like how many people are doing the same thing. If they tell you about the book ask what they intend to do with it. If they lie about the book attack from long range.

>>33933594
please no

we dont want them to think we are clueless

>>33933561
>"Thanks for being open with me. Have a nice day."
>Leave

>>33933561
>>step out in the open and confront them

>>33933561
>>run away

>writing

So this is in the same city as Cecile and the others, right?

>>33933685
yeah

enemy

they are the enemy

lorelei's enemies

"...Tree of Life?" I repeat the name, ignoring the voice in my head. "And what exactly is that?"
"The good guys," the hooded girl says. "We fight people who would abuse Branch abilities to harm innocents."

A likely story.

>[1/?]

>>33933944

"So is that why you're here?" I ask. "To find the person who destroyed this building?"
"Not that in particular," she shakes her head. "They might have a certain thing that we're looking for, that's all."
"So you're more interested in looking for some mystery item than catching the person responsible for doing this?" I ask. "What kind of thing would that be that's -so- important?" I ask.
"You know damned well what kind of thing!" Lloyd shouts. "Now quit screwing around and show yourself!"

>[2/?]

>>33934047
>"You know damned well what kind of thing!"

Maybe Joshua isn't good at poker after all.

>>33934065
Knowing their tell is only half the battle

>>33934065
We probably tipped them off when we didn't follow up with a question about what they're looking for from the culprit as soon as they mentioned it.

Am I the only on that thinks that Blind Spot sounds like that friend that's generally fun, but tends to have bad ideas in Theresa's head? But in this case, in stead of "dude you can totally make that jump" it's "dude you can totally get in her pants"

>>33934047
>[3/3]


"Calm down already, dammit!" the girl punches Lloyd in the shoulder. "Mr. Mystery Ground Person, we're looking for the Book of the Gardener. We think that the person who destroyed this building is a Branch holder who came about through reading it, and we'd like to get to him before we have a population explosion of Branch users on our hands."
"For all we know, THIS guy's the one who has the book and he's just toying with us," Lloyd mutters under his breath.
"Anyways," the girl continues, ignoring her associate, "you seem to be interested in the public's safety... how about we team up?"
"What!?" he stares at her. "You've got to be kidding-"

And then she punches him again, decidedly harder than the first time. He only seems to feel it for a second, though...

"We help you find the person who did this, you help us retrieve the book!" she says. "It's win-win, right?"
"I don't know," I reply. "I have no idea what you people plan on doing with the book once you get it, after all..."
"We're going to hand it over to our superiors, and that'll be it. So how about it?"


>how do I reply?

>>33934087
Yeah, we're obvious as fuck. Which is funny, since we actually are looking for the culprit.

>>33934128

We know too little for now. But I suspect "Another Theresa" had a role in encouraging Theresa with the Kaitou stuff. Not that this was a particularly difficult task, but these voices seem to have a thing for reckless LG fanaticism.

>>33934154
It's either going along with them and stealing the book when we have the chance, or leaving right now.

>>33934154
no

>>33934154
Lorelei told us not to trust them, and we trust her
I say we either attack or leave without any reply

>>33934201
Or pretend to help them and then steal the book.

>>33934154
Ask them if they know a man who can make his arms huge

>>33934210

Our main advantage is stealth. For all we know they could both kick our ass the moment we show ourselves.

Lloyd's way too jumpy. There's no way he won't backstab us/be totally expecting us to backstab him. I don't think it's a good idea to even pretend to play nice.

>>33934154
First ask more about their organization. Having them be on our side, at least nominally, would be useful. Accept but only on the condition that we dictate the meetings and communicate indirectly because we don't feel comfortable revealing our identity yet.

>>33934214
Preferably phraise it a bit better
Gotta find out who put mom in the hospital

>>33934154
nope nope nope

>>33934214
>>33934229
this is good

tell them there was a guy who makes his arm huge around here 4 years ago, and if they know something about it

>>33934242
Like that's totally not going to be specific enough for them to follow up on, right?

>>33934154

"Nope. Too risky, but maybe we'll see each others again."

>>33934251
so what if they follow up on it?

>>33934295
>use mom as hostage
>???
>bad end

>>33934295
They may find out about mom if the police includeded the "nonsense" our younger self said in the police report, or if any papers wrote about it.

>>33934154
>by you I meant your whole organization, not just what you two are going to do with the book

>>33934242
Why not a favour for a favour. Tell them you'll help them track down the book if they help you track down the Branch user who hospitalised your mum.
It's kind of their job anyway, him being a Branch user who abused his power.

We're totally setting this kid up as a villain by siding with Lorelei
I love it

>>33934336
All Joshua has on them so far is that the one he loves says they are evil and these stranger's words that they are the "good guys". Are you saying he's actually going to trust them to not use his mom as leverage?

bleh, too many choices to work through.

>yeah, team up
>team up with them now, steal the book later
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again
>run away
>fight

>>33934322
>>33934321
how would they know which specific incident was us? 4 years ago is a pretty wide bracket of time

how would they know we specifically were involved in it in the first place?

they see themselves as the good guys, why would they hold a mother hostage?

what would they have to gain from holding our mother hostage?

and so on

>>33934366
The "4 years ago" part doesn't really add any useful context, they either know about someone with a HULK SMASH branch or they don't.

Remove the reference to 4 years ago and it becomes a safe question.

>>33934365
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again

>>33934365
>team up with them now, steal the book later

>>33934365
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again

>>33934365
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again

>>33934365
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again

Lloyd seems paranoid enough that I don't want to risk trying to worm our way into their good graces.

>>33934378
they likely know a bunch of people with similar branches

4 years ago is a perfectly safe question

now, if we gave them the exact incident (punching a car) and the exact day it happened, i would see a problem

>>33934365
>no thanks, but maybe we'll run into each other again

>>33934401
No, it isn't. Not everyone has the investigative skills of a chimp. If we just hand them free context and they do know something we can kiss our secret identity goodbye.

Like, did you even pay attention in the last interlude? Josh has been searching for info on this guy and has turned up NOTHING. If there were a bunch of GIANT HULK ARM SMASH branches running around he would have known about it already.

>writing

>>33934462
we are not handing them any context

any number of people could have seen a guy like that in any number of incidents

they dont know anything about us to make a connection, not even our age

>If there were a bunch of GIANT HULK ARM SMASH branches running around he would have known about it already.
pfft, right, exactly like how we knew about all of the other branches and branch related things like what the biggest branch organization is out there?

we dont know shit

"I have one final question," I say.
"The fu-" Lloyd slaps his forehead. "C'mon, let's just leave this asshole."
"Wait," the girl grabs his arm. "Voice guy, what's this one final question?"

If there's any chance on finding something out, I need to take it.

"A Branch that lets you grow your bodyparts," I say. "Like growing an arm several times its original size so it could smash through a wall. Do you know of anything or anyone like that?"
"Grow an arm...?" Lloyd throws up his hands in disbelief. "I've never heard of anything like that!"

Steady heartbeat.


>[1/?]

>>33932224
We are in Detroit?

>>33934540

We're somewhere in the middle of the West Coast.

>>33934540
Yes.

>>33934540
I would never set a story in Detroit.

>>33934552
But have you set a story in Detroit prior to this post?

>>33934552
shots fired

>>33934552
You got beef with The D, turtle?

>>33934552

Don't you have relatives here? I thought you said something about this once.

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4 KB JPG

>>33934563

>>33934552
Base turtle. And man i am surprised you're still running now.

>>33934588
I said "The D" not the d.

>>33934557
Just like in Detroit

>>33934602
>he has a small d

>>33934522

"Titanic Shift," the girl says. And her heartbeat's completely steady so I know she isn't BSing me. "That's the name of a Branch that can do the thing you said. Now what about my question? Will you team up with us or not?"
"Sorry, it's too risky for me to do something like that," I reply. "But who knows, we might run into each other again."

And with those last words, I make my retreat. I hear Lloyd screaming a loud chain of curses in response, but his insults are the last thing I care about right now.

Because I finally have a name.

I have a NAME for that Branch. And the next time I see Lorelei, I'll ask her what its specific abilities are, and then I'll be prepared.


>[2/?]

>>33934627
Victory!

>>33934627
>not thanking her
Josh, what the fuck?

>>33934548
Ahhh my bad.

>>33934648
The kid has no manners

>>33934648
They're the bad guys. Who cares if yo BM them.

>>33934627
I hate to be paranoid but gotta move mom's hospital. You know they literally have CIA as their helper in tracking people down right?

And through ground voice they can make a reasonable guess to our power.

>>33934664
It's the principal of the thing! You might not like them, but be polite none the less.

>>33934627
>[3/3]

"Hey, voice guy!" the girl yells. "I hope you change your mind!"

Not likely.

"My name's Irene!" she shouts. "And my friend with the sunglasses is Lloyd! If you need us, just ask around!"

manners

"Thanks, Irene."

>>33934677
Either something sound related, some illusion stuff or some sort of earth control
That'd be my guesses, at least.

>>33934677
>And through ground voice they can make a reasonable guess to our power.
Which doesn't give them any kind of connection. The only other person who knows that we have a branch at all is Lorelei.

Likely going to change as soon as we synapse somewhere visible, but that would have happened no matter what.

>>33934693

What a twist!

>>33934693
Poor Irene, getting stuck with all the male assholes.

>>33934703
>twist
You're kidding, right?

>>33934693
>>Irene
fffffffffffffff

>>33934708
Can't waifu her now. Gotta stay loyal.

However, she can be the cool older sister role.

>>33934693
Irene confirmed for being the only one in her organization who isn't a trigger happy asshole.

>>33934693
>"Thanks, Irene."

Was this said out loud or what? Thought we already got too far for powers.

>>33934693
Irene, best girl in worst organization

Well, that's it for this thread.
Though I was kind of hoping that you would have trie to fight Irene and Lloyd, it was still fun.

I have no idea when the next thread will be, as I'm leaing for Otakon in less than an hour and will be gone for an unspecified amount of time.

But I guess I'll take questions until I leave, so ask away.

>>33934730
She seems to be the adult chaperone sent to look after at least Doritos and Lloyd.

>>33934693
Well, well.

>>33934777
Will you be posting pictures of the goods your clammy otaku money is used to purchase?

>>33934777
Didn't expect us to waifu Loreli did you?

>>33934777
Thanks for running!
Have fun at kite oh land!

>>33934777
Would you have sided with the Tree of Life if you had a branch?
They kinda seem like my type of organization, even though I don't want any of the PCs to join it.

>>33934777
thanks for runnin!

>>33934777
Oh! btw, be on the look out for Iori Puchi stuffies at Otakon!

>>33934777

Have fun. Not sure if I'll be able to deliver on the character chart due to personal stuff in my life so let's hope somebody else do it if I don't come back here.

Can people randomly just get a branch?

>>33935644
It seems people can randomly "awaken", yes.
That's at least what Irene and Charlotte said.

>>33935644
yes thats how charlotte got hers and we told her we got ours.