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>>35168085

(Gentlemen: I'm honestly quite surprised by this, myself, but - thanks to high rolls - the ASSIMILATION FACILITY has been unlocked.)

HOLLOW SUN: 0.6% (UPDATED)

http://pastebin.com/UM5e72fV

RESEARCH:

[X] MASS DRIVER
[X] INDUCTION BLASTERS
[X] DISINTEGRATOR CANNON
[X] MACHINE CANNON
[X] MICRO-SCALE SUSPENSORS
[X] POSITRON LANCE
[X] DISTORTION CANNON
[X] REACTIVE PLATING
[X] RESEARCH: HELIOS MATRIX
[X] FIRMWARE UPGRADE
[X] RESEARCH: SUPERHEAVY CHASSIS

RESEARCH COMPLETE:

> [X] ASSIMILATION FACILITY

VOID ANCHORS:

ORIGINAL HIVE
THE TRIBUNAL
NARAKA
THE VAULT
TUSITA

HOLDING: 1

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/LJAfQmXy

UPDATES:

- [KURA] added to Equipment Guide.
- ASSIMILATION FACILITY unlocked.
- CORTEX SPIKE unlocked.
- ASSIMILATION ENGRAM I research available.

>>35168124

You've called it the Assimilation Engram in your post but in the pastebin its called the Augmentation Engram.

>>35168102
>the ASSIMILATION FACILITY has been unlocked
Now there's a surprise.

Okay, a few questions: does the process work on Corrector-like Players, and is it possible to hold a Corrector in stasis and carry out augmentation at a later time?

Oh, and will it be possible to analyze Corrector threat levels before without first staking them?

>>35168189
Are you seriously thinking about kidnapping Kraken and making him into a robot?

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>>35168189

(Unfortunately, it's Correctors-only. You can hold Correctors in stasis for as long as you like, however. You do have to use the Cortex Spike to get the reading, however.)

>>35168170

(My apologies - I mistyped. You're right: It's the AUGMENTATION ENGRAM.)

STAGE: TIR NA NÓG

"Joker-kun..."

Cybele's voice is low, pensive - Her hands folded before her, stray strands of dark hair swaying in the breeze. Fabric rustles; the lace-trimmed hem of her kimono playing against her smooth legs, brown eyes holding your gaze for a moment longer...But compared to the solitary green line of your mono-optic sensor, it's no true contest.

Gravel - smooth, white pebbles - crunch underfoot, beneath her sandals. She moves with an easy, effortless grace, untroubled by the change from wood to stone to grass, the echo of her words lingering in the autumn air.

Something - Not quite a smile, not quite a frown - plays against her lips, as she drops her gaze. Then, in a small voice:

"-I'm sorry."

You feel the slight pressure of her gaze - Even through your armor - at your feet, where the husk of Iron Ogre used to be: Now wiped away, reduced by an anonymous, untroubled stretch of white stone.

"Zayin - she caused you a lot of pain, didn't she." It's not a question, just a simple statement; a soft breath teased from Cybele's lips, as she paces forward - Almost within reach, now, her brow ever-so-slightly furrowed.

"I wish I was there to help. You've been fighting alone, for all this time..."

(Continued)

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>>35168124
>the ASSIMILATION FACILITY has been unlocked.

>>35168294

A pale hand moves - For a moment, you think she's about to touch her hand to your cracked cuirass, the rents slowly yet surely sealing up, though cracks still flaw the discolored crimson metal. Cybele looks up at you; her gaze oddly vulnerable, the question already in her eyes before she gives it voice.

"Joker-kun..."

"-Did you miss me?"

[ ] "You sound...different. Lucid."
[ ] "A little."
[ ] "Of course."
[ ] "-I didn't expect to see you again, this soon."
[ ] Say nothing.
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35168304
>[ ] "You sound...different. Lucid."

>>35168236
The word "robot" comes from a word for slave originally. But I'm more curious than anything. Now, a Blade Wolf on the other hand...

>>35168304
>[X] "You sound...different. Lucid."

Pity about the Assimilator. Oh well.

By the way, good evening. How was your week?

>>35168304
>"You sound...different. Lucid."
>A little."

>>35168340
He's got a new magical girl themed quest idea. Seemed surprised I knew it was him when I called him on posting anonymously.

>>35168304
>[ ] "A little."
"I'm currently trapped in a nasty Catch-22."

>>35168480
Man even if she can't get that reference, that's playing with a live grenade. Let's not.

>>35168501
I have no idea how to handle the situation.
I'm against lying to her, but I'm also not in favor of telling her that she might be a just a backup option in case Mio doesn't work.
(I'd wager that we'd want a Chalice Queen, even if it costs the schoolgirls their lives)

>>35168304
Adding in a vote to grind Iron Ogre's signature in the Grinder.

COME ON JOKER CLOSE COMBAT MODE

>>35168431
It's kinda rude to call someone out when they're posting as anon. Fun when you get it right though.

>>35168537
I honestly wonder. Old Joker is the example we most closely should want to emulate except for the part where he lost and he didn't let Hellebore go through with it. Honestly, if he and the Chalice Queen couldn't do it last time, I don't know that any Chalice Queen would help.

>>35168556
Voting against.

>>35168556
Hellllllll nah.

>>35168321
>>35168340

> [X] "A little."

"-Just 'a little', then." It's soft, at the very edge of perception. The corners of her mouth turn down, for a moment - "...Fine."

> [X] "You sound...different. Lucid."

"I *feel* different." Cybele's slim fingers spread; Motes of black sand dance above her palm, in a twisting spiral - Just for a moment, a swirling double-helix pattern - before she snuffs it with a curl of her hand.

"-It might be because I've just woken up. Or-"

And there's the faintest note of hesitation to her voice, now.

"...It might because of the others. Like - Their Demenses are part of this one, too." She looks up, at the false sky - Robin's-egg blue, without the faintest hint of cloud. Autumn leaves swirl in the breeze, overhead - A complex, drifting ballet.

"I feel...I feel more balanced, somehow. Everything's clearer, now-" A soft laugh, as Cybele allows herself a faint smile. "...Maybe it isn't going to last. But - The fog has cleared."

There's a quiet clarity to her voice, as she ascends the brief flight of steps to the pavilion. Carefully, she arrays her robes just so, easing herself into the seat; Her elbows resting on the table, one hand rising to cup her cheek.

Then:

"I dreamed about you," Cybele says, quietly. "I thought I would sleep forever, but...Your voice called me back. So...Joker-kun, thank you for that."

Her smile becomes more honest, more genuine - Like the sun coming out from behind the clouds. She indicates the other chair, with a casual gesture:

"...I know it's just for show. But - Please, take a seat." A little laugh, quickly stifled. "-It's the least I can do, now."

> "I'm currently trapped in a nasty Catch-22."

"-Really?"

(Continued)

>>35168595

Curiosity enters Cybele's voice, now - There's a teapot on the table, red clayware, a wisp of smoke coiling from the spout. Carefully, tilting her wrist, she pours a measure into the small cups - Holding one in both hands, the steam curling upwards in fragrant tendrils...

-But she doesn't drink. Instead, she regards you - with a level gaze - across it, warming her hands.

"You can tell me, you know," she says, lightly. "I know I haven't been the best partner, but..."

And her smile turns a little shy.

"-soon I'll be by your side. When you win, that is."

Her voice is perfectly confident - She doesn't seem to doubt it in the slightest.

"The next fight will the last one, I think. Just the black Player - The dangerous one. But-" A lilt to her words, a lift of her chin. "...Not as dangerous as you, Joker-kun."

[ ] "You mean...I'll be fighting Bishamon next?"
[ ] "How much do you already know?"
[ ] "You're awfully calm about this."
[ ] "-What will you do when you win?"
[ ] "He's my friend, Cybele. So was Iron Ogre."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35168589
>>35168578
What? WHy not?

>>35168609
>[X] "You mean...I'll be fighting Bishamon next?"
>[X] "How much do you already know?"
>[X] "He's my friend, Cybele. So was Iron Ogre."
"Did you dream?"

>>35168537

Don't mention Mio to her. AT ALL.

Just ask how she feels about potential killing hundreds of schoolgirls. That way, we can gauge what she thinks without giving too much away.

>>35168609
>>[ ] "You mean...I'll be fighting Bishamon next?"
>[ ] "How much do you already know?"
>[ ] "-What will you do if you win?"

>>35168609
"I found out what happens if I win.
And, truth to be told, I really don't like the idea of sacrificing schoolgirls. I would like to avoid it if possible.
If it's just essence, I could easily help you gain it in combat. It wouldn't be hard with my help."

[ ] "You mean...I'll be fighting Bishamon next?"
[ ] "How much do you already know?"
[ ] "He's my friend, Cybele. So was Iron Ogre."

>>35168635
I would love to see a potential defensive relic and it could be a way of honoring Ogre, but we really don't want to flood ourselves with relics. We already need level-ups much more than Relics and Ogre was likely a high-essence target.
Grinding him down would be a massive essence loss. We are possibly about to level up after that fight.

>>35168643
OP, can you delay my line about not wanting to kill schoolgirls, to have the question asked *after* we asked Cybele about how much she knows/how she feels about it?

>>35168609
[X] "How much do you already know?"
[X] "-What will you do when you win?"

>>35168609
[x] "He's my friend, Cybele. So was Iron Ogre."
[x] Free: "I won't kill him if I can avoid it. If you can help me with this, you'd better tell me."

>>35168635
Joker's not a melee build, firstly. Second we have three near-perfect melee weapons already, and one more in the Hollow Sun. We don't NEED to grind him, and probably shouldn't.

>>35168643
Just saying, I don't think we CAN win enough essence to keep her manifested. Plus she's not like Pythia, so she probably can't siphon off Essence someone else wins. She probably can drain everything around her if what Hellebore said about them being a blight is right, but that'll just kill more people.

Honestly, the longer this arc goes on the more I'm convinced we shouldn't bring a Chalice Queen into play unless it's with Hellebore's alternative plan.

>>35168643
>>35168687
You guys know that the Hyades aren't very nice, right? What makes you think she cares at all about anything but getting out?

>>35168713
>Honestly, the longer this arc goes on the more I'm convinced we shouldn't bring a Chalice Queen into play unless it's with Hellebore's alternative plan.
Wonder how that would work. Mio made it pretty clear that she doesn't want to and I doubt she would of much use if we forced her to take up the role.

>>35168713
>>35168659
I forgot that grinding an item removes that essence. Alrighty then.

>>35168713
And this is how it is. Our lighter armor is at an disadvantage in melee combat, even without the Carnifex.

>>35168713
>Just saying, I don't think we CAN win enough essence to keep her manifested.
Doesn't hurt to ask, though.

This arc is getting more and more depressing.
We have the Mio/Hecate/Cybele three-way of metaphysical NTR, where Cybele could be forced to spend an eternity in solitude, Hecate could be forced to stay in limbo for decades (With the possibility that she could be a living Hyades to replace Mio/She can actually see what we are doing, making her suffer even more at our apathy) and Mio is just suffering a lot and might go berserk or something.

>>35168643
>"I found out what happens if I win.
>And, truth to be told, I really don't like the idea of sacrificing schoolgirls. I would like to avoid it if possible.
>If it's just essence, I could easily help you gain it in combat. It wouldn't be hard with my help."
Wasted words. Veto.

>>35168733
>What makes you think she cares at all about anything but getting out?
The fact that she's a former human and knows that we aren't brainwashed.
Basically, her best bet is to treat us like an ordinary human being. And if another person puts in as much effort as Joker did - Like the whole "Let's show you the real world despite that being impossible" thing, you'd at least trust them a bit.

Getting out is her motivation. But she isn't antisocial.
She will, however, get very pissy if we tell her that we won't get her out. Which is totally understandable.

>>35168676

(Sure.)

>>35168636
>>35168640
>>35168643

> [X] "You mean...I'll be fighting Bishamon next?"

She nods.

"Uzume's pet swordsman...She's really sunk her hooks into him. Where she found him, I don't know..." Cybele's voice trails off, as her slim shoulders lift in a little shrug. "...But it doesn't matter now."

> [X] "How much do you already know?"

"Um-" Cybele's gaze goes distant, for a moment - A shuddering breath teased from her silky throat.

"...Some of it," she admits. "-I can feel the Simulation Bodies gathering, for the harvest. And - I can feel the black moon..." she looks up, and you know that her gaze goes far, far beyond the false sky. There is a look of indescribable longing on her features.

"Joker-kun...My armor - My *self* - is up *there*, somewhere. It's so close - I can *feel* it, now..."

"-I could hear it in my dreams."

> [X] "-What will you do if you win?"

A pause, a quizzical light in Cybele's eyes as the question forms; It's not that she doesn't know what she's going to do - It's that the question is too vast, too complex, to be easily answered.

"...A lot of things," she says, at last. The segmented bracelet on her wrist - The violet gems dull, lightless - slides against her long sleeves, as Cybele pushes it back up. "I want to...I want to explore the city. I want to go places, to meet people - To..." and she looks slightly embarrassed, at her confession. "...Try new foods, new clothes - To walk around, under my own power...To read books, to..."

She falters, almost tripping over herself in her eagerness to finish - Her hand moving across the table, to rest lightly on yours.

"And...I want to spend time with you, Joker-kun...No - Anon-kun." A flush lingers in her cheeks. "I - I know it's greedy of me...That we can't be together *all* the time, but - When I have enough power...I want to *see* you again-"

(Continued)

>>35168739
I'm thinking we could open the door to Cybele's vault and plant a Void Anchor on the armor. That would destroy the armor, and with time consume the rest of the vaults.

This isn't exactly ideal since it does leave Mio without protection should she be pulled into the Red.

>>35168740
Really wish people would have remembered that after Aegis. Probably could have leveled off of him and Ogre.

>>35168765
>knows that we aren't brainwashed
Don't think that's true. Pulling her out of the Red at her request during the sex scene almost certainly convinced her that Joker IS bent to her will, since he's continued to do everything she wanted.

By the way, wasn't that flower for Cybele?
Can we access it in the Red?

>>35168791
Is there a time limit to the fight ? What happens if it doesn't finish in that time ?

>>35168839
Next dialogue point.

>>35168791

Her pale fingers squeeze lightly against your armored digits, in a touch you can't feel. Cybele ducks her head, letting her long hair hide her face for a moment-

"-To see the *real* you. The gentle side of you - The one that can hold my hand."

There's a stammer in her voice, quite at odds with her words; she pulls back, just a little, her hands coming to rest in her lap again.

> [X] "He's my friend, Cybele. So was Iron Ogre."

A long, thoughtful silence. Then:

"Oh."

To her credit, Cybele does attempt to sound sympathetic - A sympathy she clearly doesn't feel.

A soft exhalation of breath, as her eyes meet your optics - "...I don't see how that changes anything." Her fingers tap lightly against the surface of the fine-grained wood; "-He's still going to do what he has to. It's just the way things are."

"Joker-kun, it's too late for that - Don't you think? You've come too far to stop, now. So has everyone else. Even if he's your friend...He still has a wish of his own, one he wants to fulfill."

> [x] Free: "I won't kill him if I can avoid it. If you can help me with this, you'd better tell me."

Cybele allows herself a smile - Tight-lipped, unyielding.

"Or what?" she says, softly. "...Joker-kun, will you let him kill you?"

She lets the question hang in the air, as it seems to echo in the open-yet-confined space.

"-I can't. And even if I could - I wouldn't." A glance down, at the table. "...If Uzume wants to die for him - I won't get in the way. But other than that..." Cybele spreads her hand, her fingers splayed around her open palm.

"...There's nothing I can do."

> Is there a time limit to the fight? What happens if it doesn't finish in that time?

Her brow furrows. She considers this, for the longest time.

(Continued)

>>35168982

"-If the fight doesn't finish, before the Demenses reach their critical point..." she brings her cup to her lips, takes a swallow - But all the while, her gaze settles on you. "...They'll annhilate each other. We'll both die."

Her fingers are very pale against the red clayware of the cup.

Then, softly:

"Joker-kun..."

"...is that what you want?" there's a note of hurt to her voice, now - Cybele's eyes dewed with tears. "...Do you *want* me to die?"

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169029
(I'd say yes, because I prefer Bishamon over Cybele. But that's my opinion. Remember, the Joker ALWAYS has a choice. Or makes one.)

>>35168839

Don't give it to her, seriously. We're going to abandon her as a lost cause, don't give her something with a lot of plot importance.

I think we should save it for Hecate. If not, just hang on to it.

>>35169029
"No. But I don't want Bishamon to die. Or Ogre. Or Zayin, or Uzume. This system is beyond vile. If I ever meet the one who designed it I'll see they *writhe*."

"Cybele, where is Kraken?"

"I've a gift for you Cybele."

>>35169057
Well yes, but we'd never tell her that.

>>35169029
>"A war is coming, Cybele. And my goal is to win and survive, no matter what."

Check for the Zinnia.

>>35169029
"I don't want you to die.
But neither want I my best friend to die.

If I had full control over this scenario, I'd give everyone a happy end.
But it seems more and more like I will have to sacrifice some people.

I still have a few tricks that I can use, but I will have to consider them carefully to get the most out of them."

>>35169029
"Of course not."

Give her the flower.

>>35169088
Yeah where is Kraken?

>>35169086
>I think we should save it for Hecate. If not, just hang on to it.
Hospital visit after the festival?

>>35169092
Ugh, no. Do you even know who anon's best friend is?

>>35169086
>>35169110
Oh man, someone wasn't reading two threads ago.

>>35169086

Yeah, let's not give it to Cybele for now. This is going to be bad, no matter how we slice it.

>>35169086
>>35169110
>>35169125
You DO remember that the flower is for the path not taken, right?

>>35169124

> Oh man, someone wasn't reading two threads ago.

Read it, but I don't like her. We're going to maroon her at the end of the arc anyway, so it's simply not worth it.

>>35169029
"No. But this has to end." And yeah, give the princess her flower.

>>35169124
>Do you even know who anon's best friend is?
Kazuya.
Kouchi is just a good friend.

>>35169136
Well, then.
Give it to her. Let's hope that it has a nice magical effect that makes things easier for everyone.
Maybe allow her IRL access or something.

>>35169029
>They'll annhilate each other. We'll both die.
Better keep this in mind, if the Misericorde fails to change his mind.

>>35169142
The flower is for the girl we don't choose between Cybele and Mio.

>>35169150
Give it to her

>>35169183
Athame. Misericorde is for killing Joker.

>>35169088
>>35169090

> "A war is coming, Cybele. And my goal is to win and survive, no matter what."

"-Oh," Cybele says. A shadow passes over her face, as she looks away.

"...And I thought you were fighting for me."

> "Cybele, where is Kraken?"

"He..." A moul of frustration twists her lips. Her expression takes on that distant cast, once again - "...He doesn't exist any more." Her fingers slide against the table, her voice troubled, puzzled:

"...It's strange - Normally, there should be *something*, but...It's like he's been erased. Like they've all been erased..."

Cybele's voice trails off, and she shakes her head.

"If I had more power, maybe I could-"

> "I've a gift for you Cybele."

"A gift?" for a moment, she sounds almost startled - Her eyes widening, ever-so-slightly, as you produce the glass blossom. She cups her hands together to receive it; the delicate crystal bloom catching the light, now a rich magneta.

"It's beautiful," Cybele murmurs - And this time, her smile is a heartfelt one. Her slim fingers cradle it, gently - "Joker-kun, thank..."

-A glow filters through the demense. Violet light, a bubble of reality - A *realness*, a significance that gathers; Cybele draws back, taking her hands away - But the zinnia blossom is already coming apart in her hands, becoming swirling motes of gleaming dust that dance on the wind, then gone.

But instead - When Cybele lifts her wrist, the tiny gems set in her silver bracelet burn with new fire. From smoky grey to blazing violet; Recharged, refuelled, a gasp of surprise pulsing from her lips.

(Continued)

>>35169282
>this kills the Joker

>>35169282
Wow fuck me, I even checked the pastebin for the name and still ended up using the wrong one.

>>35169284
>"...It's strange - Normally, there should be *something*, but...It's like he's been erased. Like they've all been erased..."
Wait, what if they are in the Black?

>>35169284
>> "I've a gift for you Cybele."

ah, hell. To her, really?

.... did we ever open the box Mio got?

>>35169284

"...Almost a full charge..." she says - Her voice startled, taken aback - twisting to look up at you. "Joker-kun, what was..."

Somehow, she registers your confusion. But even when she subsides, Cybele turns the bracelet against her wrist, the faint light permeating her surroundings.

"-Amazing." It's hushed, almost awed. "...I didn't think there'd be so *much*-"

[ ] "What just happened?"
[ ] "How do you feel?"
[ ] "-Be careful with that."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169328
>"What just happened?"

>>35169328
>[ ] "-Be careful with that."

"...I don't know what it was, but..."

>>35169307
Yeeeeeeep. If it means they're missing the Hyades tournament entirely I won't complain. It probably just means that they have a bye.

>>35169322
No, though we have it on our person. Half suspect it'll be important on day 3 if we're able to talk with Mio at all.

>>35169328
>[X] "What just happened?"
>[X] "-Be careful with that."
"Where did you get that bracelet anyway? It looks like the Sphere."

>>35169328
>[x] "What just happened?"
[x] Can you do *more*, now ? Because I will need you to use this power.

>>35169341
>Yeeeeeeep. If it means they're missing the Hyades tournament entirely I won't complain. It probably just means that they have a bye.

It means they got Kraken OUT of the tournament - so he can do shit while we're stuck in it.

Smiler's Cheat, remember?

>>35169343
Near, no. Bad write in.

>>35169347
Oh yeah, I'm not doubting that at all. Of course any of the champions CAN leave the premises since Joker did yesterday in game, but I doubt they can avoid the fights without really being somewhere else.

>>35169369
So they have a Hyades that can leave her demense and actively avoid the tournament.
Fuck, that would be very helpful for us.

>>35169369
>Oh yeah, I'm not doubting that at all. Of course any of the champions CAN leave the premises since Joker did yesterday in game, but I doubt they can avoid the fights without really being somewhere else.

So, how do we prevent mio being kidnapped during this?

Because that's their play - kidnap her, infect her with black joker, let it spread on six years of essence and #rekt the world - which kraken can then mind control and rule over.

How the fuck do we stop that shit?

Do we just interrupt their schedule by Athame-ing Bishamon out of the fight, and scoring an early win?

Also, I like your idea of void achoring the moon.

>>35169369
>but I doubt they can avoid the fights without really being somewhere else.

So, we need to find a smiler at the festival, and steal their info via Reap; and go batman o their asses?

I'm sure bell zephyr would come if we called her.

>>35169399
>we need to find a smiler at the festival
LIMITER ENGAGED

>>35169389
Honestly, I'm kinda doubting that their aim is something as simple as destroying the world, especially considering that Enfer implied that even after the third day we will have several months if not a year of time to realize why we should stay away from Mio.

>>35169414
>LIMITER ENGAGED

The nihl sphere was MADE for breaking rules.

Remeber, we can see the skies of arcadia from the real, there.

I'd be all for heading to the orphanage and ganking enfer - since he knows what the plan to fuck mio up is - and batmanning into the endgame that way.

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>>35169423
>d, especially considering that Enfer implied that even after the third day we will have several months if not a year of time to realize why we should stay away from Mio.

Where did he do this? Because, uh, pic related. That sounds a lot like something he'd lie about to keep us away from their lynchpin of the endgame.

Honestly the smilers have been taunting us about 'lol its too late' 'you know nothing, it can't be stopped, just stay away and you won't get hurt' etc for ages now, and despite having the tools to rip the info out of their brains.... we haven't done shit about it
Pretty much giving them a free ride to the apocalypse tbh.
>>35169423
>Honestly, I'm kinda doubting that their aim is something as simple as destroying the world,
Well, yeah. Black joker+alura makes world correctors; kraken controls correctors. L2read, scrubbie. Destroy =/ Rule.

>>35169377
All the Hyades can. We saw Cybele during the fight with Helix. They just use that bracelet or their equivalent.

Actually, I bet that's how they got Alura out: They can recharge her hairpins.

>>35169389
I don't think they're going to infect her. I think Kotone needs a vessel with very specific characteristics, and I'm willing to bet that Mio fits the bill since she has Essence+no armor.

And finishing the Bishamon fight quickly won't matter. Red World time moves at the speed of plot.

>>35169399
>>35169414
Unfortunately only champions can enter Arcadia. Kraken is the only Smiler champion. We could leave the festival grounds, but I suspect that there's stuff left to do here.

If we have any actions left tonight, after first checking on Mio, we probably could go have a talk with Enfer. Just him, Joker, and Leukocyte followed by Exec_Reap.

>>35169338

> "What just happened?"

"I'm...not sure. But, that flower...It held a charge, somehow. And...Now I have it."

> "...I don't know what it was, but..."
> [X] "-Be careful with that."

"Ah, that's not fair~" Cybele pouts - Actually pouts - with the delighted laugh of a little girl with a new toy. She holds your gaze for a moment longer...Is that mischief in her eyes?...before she looks away, her smile still playing around her lips.

"Fine, I promise~"

> "Where did you get that bracelet anyway? It looks like the Sphere."

At your mention of it, Cybele draws back - Just a little, a gesture of instinctive defense, before she relaxes.

"I...woke up with it," she says, reluctantly. "-It reminds me of..." A catch to her voice, now. "...Something I used to have - *before*." From the edge to her voice, you get the feeling that she doesn't want to discuss it.

"This Relic...It's my treasure."

Her touch lingers on it, fondly. "It's the only thing that can't be change - As long as I have this, I know what's real. So..."

Abruptly, Cybele changes gears - Her voice becoming softer, almost shy, her gaze demurely downcast.

"Joker-kun...I mean, Anon-kun. Will you be...staying?" she fidgets, in place, pinching the hem of her trailing skirts. "-It's all right if you don't want to, but...I've been asleep for a *really* long time, and..." When she looks up, her eyes are almost imploring. "-I want to talk with you for a while longer."

Something seems to occur to her, mid-sentence, and she adds - a trifle hurriedly:

(Continued)

>>35169453
>followed by

Hard mode: No booster.

Reap, verbatim, verbatim

I seriously like the idea out out-bombing him with the distortion cannon, though.

>>35169453
The altercation at the festival was a little vague. We gave Enfer a wad of money, but we didn't hire him ?

>>35169476

"Or...Since I have enough charge, now - C-could we...Could we meet on the other side? Like before?" Cybele bites her lip, a flush blooming in her cheeks. "...I - If you don't mind, that is. But - well..."

[ ] "-I can stay for a while, yes."
[ ] "I'd love to, but...There's still things I need to do. Send me back."
[ ] "...I don't think that's a good idea."
[ ] "I suppose it couldn't hurt."
[ ] "You should conserve the charge, for now - Just in case."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169476
>Her touch lingers on it, fondly. "It's the only thing that can't be change - As long as I have this, I know what's real. So..."
INCEPTION

This is actually a dream inside of the Utopia Ruler dream.

>>35169488
>[x] "You should conserve the charge, for now - Just in case."
[x] "There's still things I need to do. Send me back."

>>35169488
>[ ] "You should conserve the charge, for now - Just in case."
>[ ] "I'd love to, but...There's still things I need to do. Send me back."

>>35169488
I wish we could cut the timeline in three.
One Joker follows Hecate. One follows Cybele. And one follows Mio.
And then we merge the timelines and have triple Anon merge into single Joker whenever they enter the Red.
So, IRL these girls would each have their own Anon. But the Red would still only have one Joker.

I played too much Eternal Darkness.

>>35169488
>"I'd love to, but...There's still things I need to do. Send me back."

>>35169423
Don't they want to leave? The entire planet I mean. I always thought their objective was to crash the worlds together so they could jump to a different planet entirely.

>>35169448
Keep in mind that we've only had Reap for a handful of days, and we've never met a Smiler we could beat who knew enough to make it worthwhile. We probably could have reaped Megumi, but we were on the verge of hearing from her what they planned before Armaros interrupted, and after that we were more concerned with beating the ever-loving shit out of him.

>>35169481
No. Tried to, but he not only refused he said he was still loyal to the Smilers.

>>35169488
>[X] "I'd love to, but...There's still things I need to do. Send me back."

Sorry Cybele. For once, it's not even that we met you too late. It's what you are.

>>35169507
Jesus, I still remember that game freaking out on me, and me freaking out on that game.

>>35169481

He bummed some dosh off of us, we tried to hint at some shit, and he left us with a cryptic warning to stay the hell away from mio tomorrow - IE - smilers are moving on her.

>>35169488
>[ ] "You should conserve the charge, for now - Just in case."

"I'm glad you're awake, but.... I have a feeling that the world might end tomorrow. The smilers are .... up to some bad shit, and having you back in the world doesn't mean a lot if they turn it into a shithole."
"So... please bear with it a while longer. "
*sigh* "I just.... i just wish I knew what they were up to. I need to know more, and I can't do it while I'm stuck here at the tournament - and "
"....I've burnt bridges with friends who can help. I'm fighting my best friend tomorrow. I don't want to kill him, but I don't see a way out - either he dies, or ends up hating me for killing his girl."

>>35169535
Your write in is bad. Vetoed entirely.

>>35169535
Veto.

>>35169548
You don't get to veto unless you have an alternate suggestion.

Way to jump straight to the biggest cannon for anything that doesn't fit your narrow strip of waifu-land.


Its reasonable; she's someone we can vent to, and hyades-supervision may give us a lead.
Poorly written, but reasonable.

>>35169535
This is "Such defiance!" tier. How about we have nothing to do with it.

>>35169532
>Jesus, I still remember that game freaking out on me, and me freaking out on that game.
Bathtub

>>35169568
If you want someone to accept your write in then don't write like some 14 year old emo.

>>35169586
No, stop. I know what you're trying to do and it's working.

>>35169535
>...
>...
>...
>*heavy breathing itensifies*

>>35169573
"Such defiance!"?

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>>35169573

Or, we could be human for once?

We poured our heart out to mio, only to have her crush it over the grave of her ghostly mom's whishes.

Turning to another girl - even if it isn't real, and we aren't going to go anywhere with it - is totally fitting after rejection.
Sometimes having a shoulder to cry on helps you realize what you really want.

TG cannot into feels

>>35169548
>>35169565
>>35169573
>>35169591
So much shitposting. I wonder, if someone reports one of you, how many oh so very similiar voices will be silenced by the probation period.

>>35169601
...Are you seriously threatening to report people because your write-in lost a vote?

>>35169535
Every part of this true no matter how it is worded.She needs to know. If you have a better specch, let's see it.

>>35169601
M8 if you're going to shitpost at least try to be a little more subtle. You lasted three posts.

>>35169613
She doesn't need to know.

>>35169613
>Every part of this true no matter how it is worded.She needs to know. If you have a better speecch, let's see it.

Someone with better word-fu than I do re-write it.
Or let JQOP work his word magic.

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>>35169499
>>35169503
>>35169519

> [X] "You should conserve the charge, for now - Just in case."
> [X] "I'd love to, but...There's still things I need to do. Send me back."

Her lips set in a thin line.

"-Fine," Cybele says. "Fine."

The air shimmers. The world blurs at the edges, as emerald light swallows the world...

And then there is only the black oblivion of the deepest descent, a sensation of falling, falling into the dark.

-----------------------------

"...non..."

Everything aches. Your bones, your head, your *teeth*...How is it possible for your *teeth* to hurt like that.

"...An..."

Through the bloodshot darkness of your eyes, the world rocks back and forth. The sensation makes your stomach churn, like a ship pitching and rolling in a turbulent ocean. It's actually quite distressing in its intensity, and it's only getting stron-

"-Anon!"

Oh, right. It's not all in your head.

-Someone's shaking you awake.

You open your eyes - Your bleary, aching eyes - and look up into Kouichi's face. He's looming above you, towering like a giant...And then the perspective clicks, and things slot into place.

You're lying on the floor. Dried blood crusts your lip.

"...Still alive, then," Kouichi says. You detect the frission of a sigh; He sounds almost disappointed. "For a moment, I thought..." His eyebrows draw together, and he looks away - then back.

"-Come on. Up you get."

(Continued)

>>35169613
>Every part of this true no matter how it is worded.She needs to know. If you have a better specch, let's see it.

Better speech?

Okay, fuck it, sure. Start with a call back to the time where we told her that we had a real life on the other side, friends, family - that we couldn't have her in it all the time because of it.

It works because she's already accepted not being our SOLE JEALOUS GIRLFRIEND WAFU forever here - looks like she's toned her obsessive personality down a bit after her nap.
>>35168791
>"I - I know it's greedy of me...That we can't be together *all* the time,"

Use THAT as a lead in to our current woes - the smilers, our friend , minimize mio's impact because jealousy - ramble a bit as we say goodbye with all the other votes.

See? easy

>>35169601
>Sometimes having a shoulder to cry on helps you realize what you really want.
Or Joker could grow up. He knew this was coming and Cybele won't show any sympathy anyway. It's not human, but childish.

>>35169624
"Orright cunt it's noice you're awake 'n all but the fuckin' world's prob'ly gonna end tomorrow thanks to them fuckin' Smiler cunts, so there ain't much point in you crossin' over, eh? So just hang the fuck on 'ere for a bit right. Just wish I knew what those fuckin' cunts were up to, but I can't do shit while i'm stuck in this fuckin' tournament. Too bad I've burnt all me fuckin' bridges, not to mention I 'ave to fight one o' me best friends tomorrow. Plus, I 'ave to kill the cunt or kill 'is missus. Pretty fuckin' shit situation."

>>35169657
You are a good man.

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>>35169657

.... oh god, Ork'd Joker is just as beautiful as russian joker

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>>35169657
Noice one

>>35169653
>looks like she's toned her obsessive personality down a bit after her nap
Actually it seems that an increase in her essence charge solidified her. There's literally more to her now. Half wonder if that's why Mio tried to tell us to wait until the last day. Would she change that much with a Demense's worth of Essence?

>>35169657
Fucking hell I laughed. Just needed one COR BLIMEY to make it perfect.

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>>35169672
>Ork
Nah I just forgot to replace "friend" with "mate".

>>35169635

You lurch upright - You make it as far as the pew, and it's a relief to have something solid beneath you. Your head is still spinning, and your stomach churns - But when you lean your forehead against the cool wood, you feel better.

Just a little.

"Are you all right?" Kouichi's asking - His perpetually-serious face troubled. There's a reserve in how he handles you, a new distance - The measured concern of an outsider checking the results of a bad fall, without actual compassion.

The pew creaks lightly, as he seats himself.

"-You're...not looking good, Anon," he says. A master of understatement, like always. "...What did this to you...?"

[ ] "-The floor."
[ ] "Mio."
[ ] "A run of bad luck."
[ ] "-Let's just say that the truth hurts."
[ ] "Kouichi? What are you doing here?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169687

... well fuggen get to it, you gits!

>>35169700
>[x] "-Let's just say that the truth hurts."
>[x] "Kouichi? What are you doing here?"

>>35169700
>"I think I was just rejected."

>>35169700
>[ ] "Kouichi? What are you doing here?"
>[ ] "-Let's just say that the truth hurts."

[ ] Free "So do girls. But ssh. Dont tell anyone"

>>35169700
>"Mio."
>"Kouichi? What are you doing here?"

>>35169700
>[X] "-The floor."
>[X] "-Let's just say that the truth hurts."
"Come to visit the saint? Or were you looking for me?"

>>35169717
Don't say Mio.

>>35169713
>>35169717
That's tactless and none of his business. Kazuya we can tell, Kouichi we ahould not.

>>35169700
Oh right, do we still have the ringbox?

PDF when?

>>35169751
Honestly? Never.

>>35169704
>>35169713
>>35169726

> [X] "-Let's just say that the truth hurts."

He raises an eyebrow, waiting for you to elaborate...But then he lets it pass without comment. It's clear that's that least of his concerns right now.

> [X] "I think I was just rejected."

"Really? Someone like you?"

Paper crinkles, as Kouichi offers a pack of tissues. Your nose has stopped bleeding, but it's an effort to rub away the crusted blood. You're actually feeling a bit better, now - Before, it felt like you'd taken an immense body shot, or had the wind knocked out of you.

The end result is the taste of poisonous insects in your mouth, a numbness to your arms and legs...Which still feel clumsy, leaden, as if they don't really belong to you. A little more, and all you'd see is an Indian with an extra horse, beckoning you into the woods.

>>35169748

You look down. It's in your left hand, your fingers viced so tight around it that they're cramped.

> [X] "Kouichi? What are you doing here?"

He sighs. It's a low, long sound, his shoulders stopped beneath all the burdens of the world.

Then:

"...I saw you kill Iron Ogre," he says, at last. "After that, I followed your beacon to...Well, here. As for *why*-" There's something different, in the way he looks at you. Reserved, guarded - As if he's sizing up a potential opponent. And perhaps that's exactly what he's doing.

Quietly, now - "...I'm not sure. Maybe - I just wanted to talk to you. Before."

Kouichi massages one hand with the other - It's not clear if he's nervous, or resigned. Perhaps a bit of both.

"Volt Regios wants to talk with you, too - Outside. I'd tell you where, but...That can wait for a while. There's some things - Though you should see for yourself. It's easier than explaining."

Small talk, just to fill the vast silences.

(Continued)

>>35169820

"-So...It's going to be tomorrow, then." Kouichi says, at last. "I...I have to admit, I didn't think it'd be this soon. But - It feels like a lifetime. Isn't that strange?"

He looks up, at the vaulted ceiling. A philosophical mood seems to have taken him. "Outside - They're all going on with their lives. One way or another, the world will keep turning...No-one will know that anything's happened. That anything's *wrong*."

He graces you with a nod.

"Well...Except for us, anyway. One of us..."

Kouichi's voice trails off, lamely. A deep breath, a sidelong glance-

"If - ah, if it comes down to it - is there any chance that...Would your Hyades-"

[ ] "Cybele? No. No, I don't think so."
[ ] "Not a chance."
[ ] "-Would yours?"
[ ] "I'm...not sure, exactly."
[ ] "I think she just might."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169865
>"Not a chance."
>"-Would yours?"

>>35169865
>[X] "Cybele? No. No, I don't think so."
"I just finished asking her, actually. She all but told me to go to hell. Nicely of course."

>>35169865
>[ ] Free

This is bishamon, right?

Tell him about the Athame.

Tell him there might just be a way out of it for both of us.

>>35169887
...I don't think there is. He's asking because he wants to win for her.

Ask by all means, but he's going to say no.

>>35169887

His Hyades might use it to fuck with us. And we're not sure if we're going to use it on him, yet. We might need it to use on Cybele, because apparently the backlash from breaking your contract is NASTY.

>>35169865
He won't accept, so don't bother. The only way to do this is by forcing it on him.

>>35169887
Please don't tell him about the fucking Athame. He's a swordsman, we're already going to have a hard enough time of stabbing him with the fucking thing.

>>35169865
"That's a dead hope."

>>35169890
>Ask by all means, but he's going to say no.
This.

We should at least put it on the table. A gentlemen's bet, a way to end this peacefully without hating either of us.

Our alliance with the tri-stars....? we owe him an explanation at least.

>>35169907
We don't have to tell him exactly what it is, though. "Hey, so, i found a way to sever a hyades pact - undo the bit that makes you like them. Interested?" is all it takes.

>>35169905
Meant for this >>35169887

>>35169917
Of course he's not going to be interested if he's still under the effects of it. He's not like Utopia.

>>35169917
>"Hey, so, i found a way to sever a hyades pact - undo the bit that makes you like them. Interested?" is all it takes.

+

"It was supposed to be my way out of this, if things went sour. But I found out there's more at stake than just my heart. Why don't we share stories?"

>>35169925
>Of course he's not going to be interested if he's still under the effects of it. He's not like Utopia.
Uh. Contradiction. Players obviously have free will, and can self-recognize the influence - and we've told him its a thing before, so he knows about it. Friendship > Women. If ourselves and utopia can do it, so can he.

I don't see why we can't bring it up as a possibility; without giving specifics.

And you don't know what he'll say without asking.

Since he wants to share News with us - return the favor.

>>35169940
Neither Joker nor Utopia are mentally healthy, plus our armour made us completely immune to it.

>>35169940
I'm usually not for the paranoia route, but Bishamon isn't himself right now. He can forgive us after we surprise stab him- or not.

Maybe we can make the decision to tell him after hearing what volt has to say.

>>35169928
>there's more at stake than just my heart
Anon, that's exactly what's at stake here. If a hero's memory is a treasure, how much is his heart worth?

But anyway, the extra sentences are entirely unnecessary. >>35169917 has the right of it.

>>35169940
>Friendship > Women
Not these women. Utopia and Joker share a certain condition that gives them some resistance to the Hyades effects: they're both heartless. Even if Joker would prefer to have his and Utopia would prefer that the vestiges of his go away.

>>35169890
>...I don't think there is. He's asking because he wants to win for her.
>Ask by all means, but he's going to say no.

Honestly, that just sets the scene for this final duel. Its between friends who don't want to fight, both who want to win for ulterior reasons - they could settle their differences peacefully, and in another world they would be in on the same side, bros and companions.
And at the same time, its about the COMPETITION as much as the feelings and reasons behind it.

Couch it in terms of a contest, without sharing the delivery mechanism. "Loser gets the easy way out. May the best man win."

(of course, there's the idea of using it on kraken, or ourselves, but did we really want to throw bishamon to the wolves? It was going to come down to this choice no mater what. Are you guys okay with killing him? Because now's when we decide how hardcore we need to be for the sake of the apocalypse.)

>>35169875
>>35169884

> "Not a chance."
> [X] "Cybele? No. No, I don't think so."

"-Oh." Kouichi looks down at his shoes.

> "-Would yours?"

He doesn't answer. Not right away, at any rate - He just looks up, a thousand miles away.

Then - A deep breath, a steeling one.

"Volt's prickly, but he means well. He'll grumble when you ask him to do things, but...He'll do it anyway. He just likes to complain, that's all." Kouichi's smile twitches, pained but honest. "Tyrian's smart, but...He needs someone to take care of him. He's not really a fighter, you know - But if you tell him, it'd break his heart. Keep him away from trouble, is what would be the best idea...But if you can't do that, keep him safe."

"I guess what I'm saying is-" Down at his feet again. "...They're good people. You can trust them. And...I think they'll trust you, too."

A pause, gathering his thoughts before he goes on.

"I...Anon, I don't really have anyone else. Most of us don't. I guess - One of the seniors can probably take over from me; I, uh, there's a list in my desk, back at school..."

Kouichi looks around for it, then seems to recognize the futility of the attempt.

"...I didn't think that was all there was," he mutters. "I didn't think there was so *little* to a life-"

[ ] "Kouichi, stop."
[ ] "Wait, wait. Hold on - Why are you telling me all this?"
[ ] "That's...awfully fatalistic of you."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35169975
>[ ] "Wait, wait. Hold on - Why are you telling me all this?"

>>35169975
>[ ] Free

>>35169967
>>35169917
do those.

Find out what he's going on about - it sounds like he knows he's going to die - and offer him a way out. Just.... talk to him. As someone he can ask advice of, like he used to.

>>35169975
>"That's...awfully fatalistic of you."
Don't reveal the Athame. Please.

>>35169975
>[ ] "Kouichi, stop."

>>35169985
>Don't reveal the Athame. Please.

Vetoing.

Reveal the pact-severing, but not the dagger itself

>>35169991
I think this is the best way to do it. Show we can stop it, but not how.

>>35169975
"Who do you love more, your Hyades or your life with all your friends?

Tyrian might die without you, in fact."

Did we tell him about Tyrian's fate?

>>35169971
Bishamon's been told to kill Joker outright.

>>35169975
>[X] "Kouichi, stop."
"You know what happens when you leave two of the Black Tri-Stars alone with the Red Comet."

>>35169985

I agree. It is a very, very bad idea to reveal it. If we can pop it on him as a surprise, all well and good. Letting him know might give countermeasures to it.

>>35170011
People seem to be forgetting the last option: Transferring and knifing him with it right this second.

>>35169985

Veto'd.

Bishamon is our ace in the hole. Remember, he's STRONG. Strong enough to be the second finalist vs us.
If we boot him from the tournament - which is what will happen if he loses his ticket to it - he'll be free to roam and engage the smilers with the tristars - even bodyguard mio. I think this is our play. If we can talk him into it.

>>35170003
>Did we tell him about Tyrian's fate?
I don't recall, but we should if we haven't. This is the time for final requests.

>>35170011
>I agree. It is a very, very bad idea to reveal it. If we can pop it on him as a surprise, all well and good. Letting him know might give countermeasures to it.
Thats stupid. see>>35170007
>Bishamon's been told to kill Joker outright.

He doesn't give a fuck. He knows our weakness, and thinks he's gonna die anyway.

There's literally no reason not to level with him.

>>35169971

What purpose would it serve to tell him? We're still going to have to fight. His Hyades wants out, and she's not just going to roll over and die/lose out so she can make it.

>>35170028

No-hostility zone, remember?

>>35169991
Seconding this

>>35170038
>No-hostility zone, remember?
Does the Athame count as a weapon?

>>35170038
>No-hostility zone, remember?

But we're fated to fight. We could jumpstart the duel RIGHT NOW if we wanted to. Its no-fight for spectators. We're not spectators.

We know the smilers move tomorrow. If we resolve this now, we get ahead of the plot train.

>>35169991

Don't give away the game. He can't change his mind, and his Hyades is going to be mad.

>>35170038
Yes, I remember... that Utopia Ruler demanded the Athame (or rather, our cure) the second we stepped out of the Panopticon. I think it might count as a utility item, and not a weapon.

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>>35170055
>Don't give away the game. He can't change his mind, and his Hyades is going to be mad.

You're dumb. Hyades can't see the Real, only the red. Mentioning being able to break the pact isn't the same as revealing how we do it.

Any other shitty excuses want to throw out there?

>>35170054
>We could jumpstart the duel RIGHT NOW if we wanted to. Its no-fight for spectators. We're not spectators.
Not true. Anyone who's in Arcadia is unable to draw weapons. The fights don't happen in Arcadia, they happen at specific times in Tir Na Nog.

>Mikogami wants to get his daughter back
>Hellbore screws over his plans using her daughter
>Mikogami's successor's plan is to screw over Hellebore's plan by turning Hellebore's daughter into Mikogami's daughter.

Man, these people are petty.

>>35170087
Why don't we just solve everyone's problems by killing them all?

>>35170082
Wasn't the behind-the-scene stuff also part of Arcadia?
The one where we meet the thief again.

>>35170095
Because two of them are already dead, and it's not them that are causing the current problems, it's the ideas and plans they left behind.

And let's be totally fair, Hellebore's fault is not killing Mikogami hard enough when she had the chance.

>>35170082

That sounds an awful lot like someone isn't thinking outside the box, taking advantage of our rules-breaking sphere, or our ownership of the terrain the fight's on, or hey, looking at the smilers who ignore those rules anyway.

Only plebs take the rules at face value, without trying to break stuff.

Stop limiting your thinking to stupiduser-tier when we can be joker-tier or smiler-tier.

You don't know unless we try.

Remember the teams we hired to plan stuff around the place? I bet they fought too.

>>35170107
It was a separate zone.

>>35170111
>And let's be totally fair, Hellebore's fault is not killing Mikogami hard enough when she had the chance.

Speaking of shit from the last cycle. Do we want to ask argent about this? He was involved last time, and was one of the finalists.

He might know a way around, or to defuse the smilers shit too. We should give him a call - we warned him the smilers had an endgame, and our specific words were that they were faster than he was.

Now that he's had a chance to SEE rook's condition, how insidious and evil it is, you'd think he'd want to fucking know about the ship full of black oil about to dump on the world. His project to raise the veil won't matter for shit if it hits first.

>>35170107
The Diadem. Technically part of it, but a stage unto itself.

Weapons were permitted there, notably.

>>35170114
Anon, I suspect you've not been paying attention. Most of the supposed observations you used have in fact been confirmed not to work.

>>35169991

> Reveal the pact-severing, but not the dagger itself.

He coughs out a laugh - A brittle laugh.

"...It'd be nice if that was true," Kouichi says, that note of resignation to his voice. "Look-"

He swallows. "...The thing is. The thing is - I *want* to win. More than anything - At this moment - I want to free Uzume. My...Hyades." A gaze directed at the high-vaulted roof, as if addressing the distant starts.

"-I have to. It might not be possible, but-" and he looks pained - "Anon, I have to *try*. I can't...I cannot - not. Don't you understand? You know how it feels, too. That willingness, to do anything for someone..."

"And-" His hands bunch into fists. "...If I stop here, if I stop now - It'd all be for nothing. All those people, all those Players - What did they die for?" Kouichi's voice is low, now - Hushed. "...It's - already too late."

(Continued)

>>35170128

Well gee, problem solved.

>>35170138
I do wonder if codebursts will work, though, as they work by having the Hollow Sun increase our access level on the Red.

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>>35170141
>You know how it feels, too.

>>35170132
>Speaking of shit from the last cycle. Do we want to ask argent about this? He was involved last time, and was one of the finalists.
Not in the Hyades game he wasn't. Argent was involved in the actual finals, which comes after the Hyades game.

As for the rest... I don't think we can contact Argent anymore. He's doing something in the Red, and he's not coming out until it's done. We probably would have to go in person, and it's kinda late on this side. Both temporally and otherwise.

Armaros might be more pliable now, come to think of it.

>>35170147
They're purely an internal function. The Hollow Sun fixed up the armor, which had a side effect of unlocking more.

>>35170141
>You know how it feels, too
I will punch anyone who attempts to rectify this misconception. It would be the nuclear option on our relationship.

>>35170141
>What did they die for?
A beautiful lie. Oh Kouichi, you poor romantic fool. You're Tristran chasing Lenore, and both of you one of many.

>>35170141
>What did they die for?
Why, level ups, of course.

>>35170138
>Anon, I suspect you've not been paying attention. Most of the supposed observations you used have in fact been confirmed not to work.

Counterpoint: When have we tried any of this, tho? His point about taking the shit JQOP says at face value stands.

>>35170215
I could make you a list, but I'll give you the evidence needed to prove you weren't paying attention: None of our raid members planted a Void Anchor anywhere near the limiter zone.

>>35170141

> [X] "Kouichi, stop."

At last, he subsides - Into an uneasy silence, leaning forward with his hands clasped together, as in prayer.

>>35170003

Kouichi's expression is pained, exquisitely so. He clearly doesn't want to say this, but:

"-If it comes down to it...If it really does - I...I have to choose her. I have to - I *have* to-"

He cuts himself off, mid-sentence; It takes a series of deep breaths to calm himself, as he rises to his feet. His parting words:

"Whatever it is - Whatever you're trying to do...I don't know if it's possible. I don't know if it *can* be done. But - I need to do this. I need - She needs-"

Kouichi's jaw locks. There's the distinct grinding of teeth, as he stalks to the doors. A hand comes to rest on them; It's a wonder that his nails aren't outright raking against the wood.

"-Before this, no-one ever needed me," he says, quietly. "I just...existed. Just survival, like an animal. I...can't give it up. Not now. That...It would be *wrong*."

This time, the doors creak as they swing back behind him. He's hurrying - As if he wants to be clear of this place, or perhaps he's afraid of what else you might tell him.

And then, with perfect synchronity - A blurt of electronic noise so jarring as to be completely disruptive - your phone beeps with a new mail. It takes you a moment to turn it in your hand, to open the screen; Isao's message keyed in with all caps.

> WE HV PROBLEM
> GEST NT RESPDNG
> MT SN?

You move to rise. The tide of fatigue that assails you nearly drives you to your knees. It's already growing late, and you're not in your best shape tonight - The question remains, however: Where would you go?

[ ] Visit the Hospital
[ ] Visit the Salvation Children's Home
[ ] Visit the Sterling Industries building.
[ ] Visit the Sterling Industries Reclamation Facility.
[ ] Meet with Volt Regios.
[ ] Meet with Isao.
[ ] Look for Mio.
[ ] Sleep. It's a bad idea to push yourself.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

35170261▶
>>35170141
>*want* to win. More than anything - At this moment - I want to free Uzume. My...Hyades.
>>35170161
Yuuuup. going off of this.

"I hear you. Its a bullshit system - trapping people here, forcing them to fight and die. I want.... I want to free them all. I'm not sure if its possible, but ..... its all Essence, right? that's all it is. I want to hijack the servers, the cores where the girls run - I've seen it. Racks upon racks - If I could figure out a way how, I'd steal them all and bring them to the sun. Build them their own bodies; feed the essence they need to live and grow a different way than this fucking meatgrinder. Hell, maybe even break into the moon itself."
"Or maybe just for the important girls. Like yours. Kraken's hyade can burn in a fire. If I knew how to stop this shit, I would. I want off this train, but you don't get the ending you want unless you take it with your own two hands."

Finally, after a thousand refreshes, i get to hit enter!

>>35170261

(My apologies, there should be a few more options.)

[ ] Look for Kazuya.
[ ] Look for Natsumi.

>>35170261
>Meet with Volt Regios.
Then,
>Meet with Isao.

>>35170261
Looks like the Athame *will* work on him. It's definitely only the brainwashing that makes him forsake his life.

> WE HV PROBLEM
> GEST NT RESPDNG
> MT SN?
We have Problem
???? not responding
Meet ???

Can someone decypher the rest?

>>35170276

This. Important things first. Maybe we can ask Volt to bodyguard Mio tomorrow.

>>35170261
>[ ] Visit the Hospital
>[ ] Meet with Isao.
Joker needs to check himself for any internal damage.

>>35170278
Last word is pretty clearly soon.

>>35170269
At least talk to Volt. He's already near.

>>35170278
>> WE HV PROBLEM
>> GEST NT RESPDNG
>> MT SN?

Its either Geist or Guest.
Geist is one of the mercenaries, right?

Meet soon?

Sounds like we should reply.

Text back, call volt, look for someone? Mio, enfer?
Get our shit straight and our ducks in a row for tomorrow.

We NEED the tristars guarding mio - and tihs is probably where tyrian is fated to die btw.

>>35170299
>and tihs is probably where tyrian is fated to die btw.
Only if Bishamon isn't there to support them.

So, let's do this:
- Text Hisao
- Meet Volt
- Meet Hisao

>>35170261
Oh man this is mean. We get one, I presume?

Can we tell Regios to meet us with Isao? I suspect the problem will be much the same.

Oh, and please send two text messages. One to Kazuya and one to Mio. To Kazuya: "Help me. I lost her." To Mio: "You heard the truth. Will you listen to my feelings as well?"

>>35170278
Geist and soon.

And no, this isn't brainwashing. It's love, and that's a thousand times worse.

>>35170315
>Oh man this is mean. We get one, I presume?

I hope not!

we have a phone. Better use it

>>35170312
Maybe to add:
- Text Natsumi to keep an eye out for Mio, as she might be in danger and is emotionally vulnerable right now

>>35170315
>And no, this isn't brainwashing. It's love, and that's a thousand times worse.
Huh, I got the exact opposite idea from it - That his actual self wants to live his life, but the brainwashing gives him the urge that he *has* to help the girl.

>>35170315
>To Mio: "You heard the truth. Will you listen to my feelings as well?"
We should leave Mio alone for now. Asking her to answer now will only push her further away.

>>35170315
Oh yeah, they probably both want to talk about the arrow guy.

>>35170299
>Its either Geist or Guest.

geist. geist. WHo the fuck is geist. Why is this familiar?

.... were they on the smiler oil plant raid? one of the team leaders?


Looks like smilers agents may be waking up tho. Like ogre.

>>35170315
How about texting Mio that we are fine?
"I'm fine. Try to calm down and think it over."
Or something like that. You can bet your ass that she's not only emotionally vulnerable right now, but also thinking that she might have killed us.

>>35170335
>We should leave Mio alone for now. Asking her to answer now will only push her further away.

Uh.

uh.

Guys.

This is pretty clearly the kidnapping attempt on her - losing contact with friend + midnight smiler kidnapping + no joker escort.

SMILERS CHEAT RULES, NOBODY SAID THEY WOULD WAIT TILL DAY

>>35170343

You mean Vector Geist, the guy we fought alongside in the rig? You know, we were with his squad?

>>35170354
>How about texting Mio that we are fine?
>"I'm fine. Try to calm down and think it over."
>Or something like that. You can bet your ass that she's not only emotionally vulnerable right now, but also thinking that she might have killed us.

This is totally reasonable, and a smart plan to boot

>>35170299
>tyrian
Regios is the one raising the death flag.

>>35170335
Setting things up for day 3 anon. We shouldn't meet her now; but we do want to talk with her.

Though, actually, we do have a treasure box that should properly be hers... Maybe mention that?

>>35170343
Vector Geist. Uses two Pulse Carbines. We teamed up with him and his during the raid.

>>35170354
Honestly I doubt she noticed. Panic attacks cause awful tunnel vision.

>>35170362
Enfer implied they were moving on day 3.

>>35170384
>Enfer implied they were moving on day 3.

Midnight is day 3.

>Vector Geist. Uses two Pulse Carbines. We teamed up with him and his during the raid.
was he one of the people in charge of anchor-planting? Didn't we send four out? What has he been up to, and who is the text from.

Call back and/or number recognition, maybe?

>>35170261
Get wasted. Have that drink we were supposed to have with Ogre.

>>35170384
>Honestly I doubt she noticed. Panic attacks cause awful tunnel vision.
Yes, but she constantly blames herself for people getting hurt around her due to her correctors.
She might be realizing what happened to us in this exact moment. She would be too scared to come back and check on us and feel absolutely guilty.

>>35170384
>Regios is the one raising the death flag.
Huh, I thought it was Tyrian.

>>35170384
>Enfer implied they were moving on day 3.
It's technically day 3, though.

>>35170393
>Isao's message keyed in with all caps.

>>35170406
Soon, anon.
Soon.

Can the Hollow Sun brew us some acid that damages processing units?

>>35170315

No need to drag Kazuya into this, but definently text Mio.

>>35170393
>>35170409
Can't remember his exact words, but the implication was that he wanted us to not be around her during the daytime.

We sent four Anchors out. They were given to Ogre, Cross, Oriole and Gigant. Ogre failed to plant his. Geist should be off doing his own thing. Or preparing.

>>35170442
>Geist should be off doing his own thing. Or preparing.

if he was just assassinated.....

>>35170332
Texting Natsumi is a good idea.

I think anon might want to invest into a Blackberry or a smartphone.
Something with QWERTY or the Japanese equivalent.

>>35170440
You know what, I'm actually for texting Kazu. He's been behind this relationship for a long time. He'll have advice if nothing else.

>>35170474
We don't need advice. We need someone to check on her safety.
Currently, we are about to leave the school grounds.

>>35170485
>Currently, we are about to leave the school grounds.

This seems like a veeeerry bad idea.
If she returns to the orphanage - where she ran away from school to go - back to enfer - this is a seriously bad situation in the making.

We should gun for enfer NOW, ambush him at the orphanage, and kick his ass.

>>35170485
She'll be safe for tonight. That's not the problem. The problem is that she's going to be alone with her fears.

So actually, we ask Kazu for advice and get on our metaphorical hands and knees for Natsumi to look for her.

>>35170508
Who is better for this?
The guy who knows nothing or the girl who knows everything?

>>35170492
You know, we DID specifically mention that Ren was one of the people she was in danger from. The problem at hand isn't that she didn't believe us, so she's not likely to go running for the Children's Home.

>>35170508
I admit the image made me laugh. But it's a good idea, on both counts.

>>35170375
>>35170354
>>35170315

> How about texting Mio that we are fine?
> "I'm fine. Try to calm down and think it over."

It takes you a while, to leave the chapel. Longer, to retrace your steps through the Maiden's Labyrinth...But your vision clears, the numbness to your limbs diminishing, as you pick your way forward. The gardens are even more lovely in the full swell of evening - But the illusion of tranquility is dispelled by the noise of the festival in the distance.

She doesn't call back. When you call her, all you hear is the low, dull beep of the dial tone.

But - When you emerge from the hedge maze - an answering chime sounds.

> OK.

Two letters. Just that.

You're not sure where she is, or what she might be thinking. That she's willing to reply at all...It's a bit of a relief.

> Meet with Volt Regios.

Right. Regios is closest - Somewhere in the school, as you push your way through the crowd. The location is familiar; The same cafe you visited with Mio, mere hours and a lifetime ago...Was it just a few hours?

It occurs to you that you've never met Regios before. Not in the flesh. Today, it appears, is a day of revelations.

> You have 1 (ONE) voice message.

Isao's voice is harried, rasping with a perpetual cough that wasn't there before.

"Anon-" there's the roar of traffic in the background. He's on the move. "-Uh, listen. Just...Geist - He was supposed to be ready, here, but - He's gone. So I left the school and...His icon's still active, but-"

His voice lowers.

"...The signal's coming from - underground. He's not moving - He's triggering it regularly, and..."

(Continued)

>>35170546
Shitshitshit

...I guess we'll take Regios and go rescue Geist with his help.

>>35170537
>You know, we DID specifically mention that Ren was one of the people she was in danger from. The problem at hand isn't that she didn't believe us, so she's not likely to go running for the Children's Home.

seriously, do you trust stupid emotional girls to do the right thing?
NO.

backup plan.

On a side note, I really like the idea of the Aquila system.
It would perfectly complement our ranged combat and allow us to shoot backwards while running away.

>>35170578
When they've been proven several times over to be intelligent and observant? Yes. Christ, do you not trust her at all?

>>35170596

I trust NPCs about as much as anon

>>35170594
of all the things I hope we get our hands on by the end of the quest - i want to see what the Fatal Abyss does, since we've been getting so many melee weapons recently.

That, and the hovertank stats. Truly ,that is what the second vehicle bay was for.
.... JQOP, can we get manufacturing costs for the Dominion, now that we've planted void anchors, and started to get 150%+ options?

>>35170594
Probably would have taken Ogre apart if we'd had it. No more moving terrain aim penalty.

>>35170618
One too many escort missions gone the way they usually do?

Fuck. Geist may need rescue,although this could be a Smiler diversion. Do we have Kouchi's number,so we can get Volt's ?

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>>35170640

A gulp. "I think he might be hurt. Or in trouble. Just - Get here when you *can*, all right?" Isao's voice dissolves into a bout of ragged coughing. "-I can't...I'm not going *down* there by myself-"

> To Kazuya: "Help me. I lost her."

He doesn't answer right away - Or at all. You get the feeling he has his hands full.

>>35170332

Natsumi's response is rather faster, though you can almost make out the bemusement in her reply - Keyed in with commendable speed and admirable spelling, just like always.

> She's back with the President.
> What's wrong?

...So that's where she is.

You push those thoughts aside, as you enter the cafe: One of those unpronounceable English names you can never quite catch, though the soothing smell of spun sugar and caffeine lingers. You look around - After the initial wave of people, this place is still rather quiet; the murmur of casual conversation filling the air, as you look around...

You have a table number. It's sited at a quiet nook, tucked next to a plaster fireplace and a shelf of books - You actually miss it twice, though that might be just be your blurred vision. The table's sole occupant strikes you as familiar; Light hair, almost teal, perfectly composed, very proper - But a fierceness to her eyes, her expression somewhere between measured impatience and quiet frustration, her black coffee left untouched.

When she feels the pressure of your gaze, she turns in your direction - And frowns, regarding you the way she'd consider something scraped from the bottom of her shoe.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35170651

... is this Volt? Have we never met in person before?

>>35170651
It just occurred to me everyone must call us レドジョカ. That probably shouldn't be as funny as I find it.

>>35170677

We've only met Bishamon in person. We never met Tyrian Edge or Volt Regios before.

>>35170651
Haha, of course.

"He never did tell you what was going on, did he? That idiot. On your feet Volt Regios, this is going to have to be a walking meeting."

>>35170651
Volt's a chick?

Go over to her, just say "Volt?"
If she responds how we want her to, get her to follow us. It'll be a walking meeting.

>>35170651
Oh, and respond to Natsumi: "I told her. The Smilers want her. It's starting."

>>35170728

Yeah, that's a bit too paranoid. We still have one day left to go, remember?

>>35170638
>One too many escort missions gone the way they usually do?
The only good escort missions are the ones where you are escorting a real person with actual skill.

>>35170728
>Oh, and respond to Natsumi: "I told her. The Smilers want her. It's starting."

This, plus 'tell argent? maybe.

>>35170733
vetod. Do you WANT the smilers to win?

Again, 12:01 is "tomorrow."
Moving on mio may happen then, but its NOT the only piece of their endgame.

>>35170697
Good.

Speaking of paranoia: Check out everyone else at the restaurant. Be wary of being shadowed.

>>35170733
It's not paranoia if they really are out to get you. Well it is, but it's justified then.

And we know it's the beginning of the end, Convergence is the signal.

>>35170736
That never happens though.

>>35170651
"I thought you would be taller.

Do we need a quite place to talk? Because right now I found out that some guy needs rescuing. Can you tell me on the way?"

>>35170681
>レドジョカ
Now I'm hearing this in the voice of a Kamen Rider voice actor, with Gaim music in the background.
A bit like "Overlords".

>>35170752
>That never happens though.
It happens in FPS and RTS during clan play.

>>35170728

> Seriously?

Then:

> I'll keep an eye on her.

>>35170717

She tenses, visibly, as you approach. For a moment, you can't help but wonder if it's something on your face...No, you've washed all the blood away.

> Go over to her, just say "Volt?"

Her eyes widen, slightly - Then spark, in recognition. She *knows* who you must be.

>>35170717
>>35170697
>>35170754

Volt Regios smiles at you. It's startling - She's already striking, but her smile banishes the piercing eagle-fierceness to her eyes, lends a softer cast to her aquiline features. Her chair moves back, as she stands...

-And then she hits you.

There is a CRACK like a rifle shot, and the entire world reels sideways. Regios is tall, more slender but strong, but there's a lot of force in the slap; You actually *feel* her hand leave a red imprint on your cheek, an imprint that is cold with shock at first - Before it begins to burn, to sting.

(Continued)

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>>35170917

You don't fall down, but it's a close thing. Your hand spasms on the railing, and you manage to catch yourself without upsetting anything, but the impact rattles your teeth and shoots sparks through your field of vision-

You're pretty sure that your nose is bleeding again.

"-That," she says, evenly, massaging some sensation back into her hand. "...is for keeping me in the dark."

Heads turn - There's a round of laughter from a gaggle of schoolgirls at the far table, with sundaes and bubble tea, until Regios silences them with a glare. It's probably even colder than *Yui's*-

Regios settles herself back into her seat - Her arms folded across her impressive chest, the silver spoon in her coffee chiming as it clatters.

"Well?" she says, irritably. "-What have you been plotting, Joker?"

[ ] "I - ow - didn't deserve that."
[ ] "You hit *really* hard."
[ ] "-I'm sorry, I'm too busy bleeding."
[ ] "...I have a name, you know. And I can't keep calling you 'Volt' in public."
[ ] "You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
[ ] "-As I was *trying* to tell you..."
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>35170917

My apologies, a spelling error: It should be 'more slender than strong'.

>>35170933
>"You're a real piece of work, you know that?"
> "-As I was *trying* to tell you..."

>>35170933

Regios is a chick? And a girl like that, no less? God damn. She's kind of a bitch, but I'm attracted regardless.

>>35170933
>[ ] "-I'm sorry, I'm too busy bleeding."
Look her dead in the eye. Long enough to be uncomfortable. Then turn and make for the door. She can follow if she wants, but we're trying to save someone's life. If she wants to take out her frustrations she can do it on her own time.

>>35170933
>"Got a tissue or something? I think I've already bled enough earlier."
>"-As I was *trying* to tell you..."

>>35170980

Let's not walk out on her. We're going to need to convince her first.

>>35170969

Probably a lesbian.

>>35171001
That's what the stare is for. Most human conversation is non-verbal, after all. The stare gives her time to think and remember exactly who she is dealing with and why. Walking away tells her "I came as a favor, but I have much better things to do than be insulted. You have made a terrible mistake and will regret it if you do not take action immediately."

>>35170933
>[ ] "...I have a name, you know. And I can't keep calling you 'Volt' in public."
"Currently? I'm trying to find a way to not kill Kouchi and not make a few girls very sad and possibly prevent a few additional death flags."

>>35170980
Hell, I'll back this. She knows how to get what she wants, and if she wants to blow her chance that's on her.

(Gentlemen: My sincerest apologies, but I'm rather more exhausted than I expected. I'd love to continue, but I'm afraid that the quality of my writing is likely to suffer beyond this point.

Additionally, there looks like a significant stretch of conversation coming up: I'll keep your input in mind for the next thread, to start off.

At any rate, good night and God bless: I'll hope to continue this very soon. You've been a wonderful audience, and I hope to see you again next time.)

>>35171184
That's too bad. We going to be getting any more Hollow Sun charge next time?

>>35171199

(Most likely - In the last cycle for the day.)

>>35171184
Thanks for running OP. Have an ETA for the next session?

>>35171218

(Most likely 02/10/2014.)

>>35171184
What a shame. Thanks for running, OP. I can't wait for what happens next.

>>35171245
Joker Quest followed by a period of pure hype until Sm4sh? Perfect.

>>35170933

Why do the best girls always show up so late?

>>35171276
>pure hype
>Sakurai's super wankfest
Choose one.

>>35171276
You mean a period of pure hype until G-Reco.

>>35171427
Guys, the real hype is for Star Citizen FPS module.
Because most vidja franchises have turned into shit and I don't even have a modern console or a PC that could play Space Engineers or Titanfall or Planetside 2.

>>35171309

What would happen if you'd shuffled the cast? All the secondary girls like Yui, Regios and Natsumi first, the main girls later?

>>35170933
>...cool hair.

>>35171475
Truth.

Name my idris, jqop

>>35171184
So are we calling Plague Boy on the way to help us ?

>>35171900
We are going to plague boy, actually.
With thunder girl.

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>>35168124
>ASSIMILATION FACILITY has been unlocked

My dreams.. They're finally coming true. Thank you Based God. I want either a wolf corrector or a dragon one pls

>>35173160
>Wolf
>Dragon

Dude...you're thinking too simple.

We can make our own corrector

There is so much more that can be done with this

I want a fucking beholder.

>>35173160
>>35173477
We need Synicles. Then we reshape them to look like Hecate.
MAXIMUM DENIAL ENGAGED
The only true choice after Mio's reaction and the update on Cybele's situation.

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>>35173519
>be Hecatefag
>Have given up all hope, nearly become a Miofag
>Read this

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>>35173519
That would be hilarious. I'm all for it.

>>35173599
Uhhh.... dude, we don't get to reshape them. It's an automated process.

>>35173840
It doesn't matter in the face of lost love.

>>35173840
>millions of hecates marching down the street
>not heaven

>>35173865
We can have one robo corrector.

>>35173907
Then we make one and use it as a basis for a new Hellion type.

>>35173917
Doesn't work like that. Each one is unique and can't be copied.

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>>35173477
Listen Anon don't try to take this from me I'll fite. Even if you kill me I'll still fite you for this.

>>35173960
It can't prevent us from realizing true love.

Shun the non-believer.

>>35173989
Sure it can. After all, you've tried to ignore the actual description of how it works at every point in this conversation. All it has to do is keep working exactly the way it does.

>>35174024
>After all, you've tried to ignore the actual description of how it works at every point in this conversation.
You must be legitimately autistic.

>>35173960
Then we make one for each friend we've lost.
A Hecate, a Brogre...

>>35174073
Cherubim could be made into Ogres.
Support class could be made to look like Hecate.

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>>35174073
>Brogre
>JJ's face when

Damn JokerOP's late night hours.

In any case, I've been working on something for archival and reading purposes, especially since a lot of the earlier stuff wasn't archived very well.

/tg/entleman I present - Joker Quest the Light Novel!

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_e9fK2kOhsNdGljMjJEemNadms/edit?usp=dosclist_api

I included as many images as I could (some slightly altered or replaced) as well as some grammar and editing so dialogue flowed better.

Comments? Good? Shit?