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>"Well yeah," Lorelei says like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "They all know the risk before they get into it so they're all supposedly prepared for it. And since something like seventy percent of natural Overgrowth attempts fail, the odds are already pretty good to begin with."


There's no sense in letting Lorelei's carelessness get to me now. I mean, she's been like this since I first met her (and apparently has been that way for a LONG time prior to that) and it's not like she's about to change any time soon.

"Alright, I guess," I say seconds before shoving a bagel into my mouth.

with a smile of contentment on her face, Lorelei rests her elbows on the table as she watches me stuff my face.

"So was there anything else you wanted to ask me about?" she asks. "I'd forgotten how nice it could be to have an actual conversation that didn't involve business or attempts to get into my pa-" She flinches.
"Huh?" I immediately rise to my feet. "Lorelei, are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine," she says, waving me off. "Someone just popped up in the center of my detection range, that's all."

Lorelei points off in the distance.

"There's one over there..."

She then shifts her finger just a few degrees.

"...another over there..."

And finally, she points right at me.

"...and besides you, there -were- two waaay further out in that direction but now there are three of them."


>one of those asshole brothers probably used the book again
>it's probably something involving those tree people
>I have no idea what's going on

>>46680148
>>one of those asshole brothers probably used the book again

>>46680148
>it's probably something involving those tree people
I am hoping that was CC and her crew.

>>46680148
>>it's probably something involving those tree people

>>46680148

>it's probably something involving those tree people
Did we ever figure out why she doesnt like them?

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>writing

>>46680692
Probably because they act like the law enforcement of the psychic underworld.

I turn around and look in the direction that Lorelei was pointing. Unfortunately, I'm not really able to figure out my bearings respective to the rest of the city from here in this unfamiliar hotel lobby.

"Three over there, huh..." I say.
"Yeah," Lorelei replies. "They're all together now."
"Hm."

I think it over for a few seconds.

"It's probably something involving the Tree of Life."

I can hear Lorelei making a face at the mention of that name.

"Damn it..." she groans. "I -really- hope they don't know that I'm around here. Knowing them, they'd try to find some way to blame -me- for this entire situation."


>I should probably contact them
>I'll leave them alone for the time being

>>46681647
>>I should probably contact them

>>46681647
>I should probably contact them

>>46681647
>I should probably contact them

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>writing

亀好き

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"...I should probably try to get in contact with them," I say with a reluctant sigh. "See if they got reinforcements sent in or what."
"Great," Lorelei groans. "Let me guess, you're going to go back to that church while I'm stuck waiting here for you to come back."

I turn around to face my pouting girlfriend.

"Well you could just come with me, you know..." I say to her with a carefree smile.

And the change in her heartbeat that results from my saying that makes my blood run cold. The way that her usual calm, steady melody warped into what may as well be steady howitzer fire... it's freaking horrifying.


>[1/2]

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>>46683033
>[2/2]

"Hhhhey, calm down!" I stammer while throwing my hands up. "I'd never seriously suggest that, I know how you feel about them!"
"......"

Lorelei takes a deep breath and her internal melody shifts back to what it normally is. Mine is still completely thrown off, though...

"Sorry," Lorelei mutters, "but I've had more than a few close calls with them thanks to people who said things like what you just did but in earnest. I'm rather jumpy when it comes to that kind of thing as a result."

Yeah, I will make a mental note NEVER to joke around like that with her again.

"I'll definitely keep that in mind for the future," I reply.
"I'd really appreciate it if you did," Lorelei nods.


>split off from the waifu for now
>try and call up the church the treefolk are staying at
>[OTHER]

>>46683205
>>try and call up the church the treefolk are staying at

>>46683205
>split off from the waifu for now

>>46683205
>try and call up the church the treefolk are staying at

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>writing

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I pat my pants pockets and check my jacket. And just like I thought, I left my phone in Lorelei's hotel room.

"Tell you what," I say to her, "I know where they're staying so I'll just look up the phone number of that church and check in on them like that."
"......"
"That way, I'll be able to figure out what's going on with them -and- not have to leave you by yourself. Makes sense, right?"
"I suppose so," she mumbles.

After grabbing a couple of pieces of toast to munch on along the way, me and Lorelei leave the not-quite-luxurious hotel lobby behind us and return to our room.

>[1/?]

>>46683912
>[2/2]

"I don't know why you trust those people," Lorelel says while I look for my phone.

And of course the stupid thing slid underneath the bed.

"They just do whatever they want while pretending that it's all in the name of 'justice.' Stupid hypocrites who think that they're better than everyone else, that's all they are."


>respond to the lady's griping
>just nod my head and let her be annoyed

>>46684068
>respond to the lady's griping
The one's I've met have given me a fair shake, so I will in return. Still given their like the police but with powers, not surprised there's corruption in it.

>>46684068
>respond to the lady's griping
>They seem like well intentioned extremist whose higher ups are a bit loony.

>>46684068
>>respond to the lady's griping
Isn't that what I do too?

Last I checked, this protagonist was running around playing hero. He's not so different.

>>46684068
>respond to the lady's griping
Bad bosses, but good workers it seems.

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>writing

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"I dunno," I shrug, "what they do doesn't seem to be all that different from what -I- do.
"......." Lorelei lets out a long, exasperated sigh. "...you're looking at it the wrong way, Joshua. You beat up crooks and muggers and rapists- people who victimize others. And since the Tree of Life -does- fight those exact same people, your first thought is that you're the same. Even after I specifically warned you about them."

she's not wrong, you know

"But while they may do the same thing that -you- do, those things aren't the -only- things that they're up to." Lorelei says.


>[1/?]

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>>46684500

"Hunting down and 'dealing with' people whose Branches they deem 'dangerous' regardless of whether or not they've done anything wrong, pressganging people who possess abilities that they'd find useful, 'disappearing' certain undesired elements..." Lorelei growls. "The Tree of Life has done and continues to do all of those things."

something tells me that all those examples she just listed apply to her specifically

Yeah, you're probably right.

"Stupid bastards... I wish they'd just leave me alone."


>[2/?]

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>>46684633
>[3/3]

Lorelei lets out a little squeak as I approach her from behind and wrap my arms around her slender waist. And as her back presses against my chest, her heartrate begins to slow down from the accelerated tempo that it had just been at.

"Don't worry," I say to her, "it's not like I have any intention of joining them. This's just temporary cooperation, that's all."
"..." Lorelei rests her arms over mine.
"The ones I've met personally seem to be alright people, but I can definitely believe that there'd be a lot of corruption with their higher-ups. So it's not like I don't believe what you've told me about them, okay?"
"...if you say so," she mumbles.


>give the lorelei some more attention
>time to get back to business for now

>>46684859
>>give the lorelei some more attention
Kissu

>>46684859
>>give the lorelei some more attention

>>46684859
>give the lorelei some more attention

>>46684859
>>give the lorelei some more attention

>>46684859

>give the lorelei some more attention

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>writing

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>>46684859
>Suplex the lorelei

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I place my hand on Lorelei's chin and lift up her head, then lean in for a kiss. As our lips press together, her sweet scent fills my nostrils and the sound of her racing heartbeat resonates through my entire body...

...and then she spins around and pulls me in for an even deeper kiss. With tongue.

you have awakened a sleeping monster

nice work


>[1/?]

>>46685381
Are there any pictures of adult Kuro?

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>>46685381
>[2/2]

Short of breath, I'm finally able to force myself away from Lorelei after what seems like forever. I mean it was definitely a NICE "seems like forever" but I am not yet able to keep up with how, umm... -passionate- she seems to be about making out.

"You really are sweet," Lorelei says, giggling to herself while licking her lips. "If you didn't have to look after your sick mother, I'd be seriously tempted to have you come along with me as on my travels... "

She tilts her head and taps her finger against her chin as if she's thinking about something.

"Come to think of it, I -could- probably look around and see if there's somewhere you could send her that could actually help her instead of just maintaining her condition."

say what now

"Or even possibly locate a Branch holder who could heal her outright..." She takes my hands. "...and then you'd be free to come with me wherever I might go! What do you think, isn't that a good idea?"


>good idea
>bad idea
>I dunno...

>>46685545
>>good idea

>>46685545
>good idea

>>46685545
>good idea
>But also suspicious. If we do that it would be best to heal in stages or have a cover story or something.

I might consider it in character to get angry at her to only offer this now, and only for egoistical reason, but I’m pretty sure our dynamic duo could have gotten that idea himselves and she would have helped.

>>46685545
>>I dunno...

>>46685642
As an addendum, we shouldn’t abandon the mother just because she isn’t sick any more. She would be extremely alone if left… alone.

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>writing

>>46685545
>good idea

>>46685752
Nice to see you back on track

>>46685171
>>Suplex the lorelei
why would you want this

>>46685397
>Are there any pictures of adult Kuro?
why would you want this

>>46685856
>Nice to see you back on track
It's nice to finally be on the path to getting back on track.

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For a second I start to get mad at myself for not coming up with this idea first. And then I start to get mad at Lorelei for not suggesting such a thing earlier. I mean, the possibility of my mother finally being able to leave that stupid hospital and actually DO things again like a normal functioning member of society is the only thing that surpasses marrying Lorelei on my personal list of "things that I wish would happen the most.

and removing the person who put her in the hospital is #3 on that list

But then I remember that Lorelei isn't the type to think anything through EVER and this is probably the first time the idea even crossed her mind. I love the girl to death but she is capricious to a fault.

"That does sound like it could be a good idea," I say to Lorelei.

And the way her eyes light up when I say that is enough to melt my heart.


>[1/?]

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>>46686025

"...but even if you do get my Mom to a better hospital," I say, "or even cure her outright with a healing Branch, it's not like I can just ditch her to run all over the place with you."

That beaming smile turns into a disappointed pout. It's still adorable, though.

"Yes, I understand," Lorelei sighs. "Because you're a mama's boy."
"Damn straight I am," I reply, puffing out my chest with pride. "For most of my life it was just the two of us and it's not like there's anyone else in the world who'll look out for her if I'm not around to."
"You're lucky that I find that endearing about you," she says.


>[2/?]

>>46686121


"So after this current mess with the book is dealt with, I promise to look into that," Lorelei says, smiling at me.
"Thanks," I nod. "And speaking of which..."

Quickly, I hurry to the place under my bed where my phone fell during last night's "festivities" and fish it out.

"Ugh, tell me when you're done," Lorelei says as I pull up a search on churches in this city.

she really has some mood swings

you sure know how to pick them

Shut up.


>[3/4]

>>46686160
>[4/4]

It doesn't take long to find out the exact address of that church that the Tree of Life is using as its base, and from there its phone number. And I'm -quite- grateful for this, as the only way I'd be able to check on what's going on there if I couldn't find the number would be to show up in person and Lorelei would -not- appreciate that at all.

With the number in hand, I close the web browser and dial it in.

It rings and rings and rings and rings and God damn it I bet it's disconnected or something and-

"Hello?" a man's voice answers on the other end of the line. It's not a voice I recognize, either. "How can I help you?"


>how do I respond?

>>46686199
Ask if we could speak with Irene? I mean, that’s what we called for, right?

>>46686199
>>46686306
It's been so long I can't even remember if we know Irene is dead or not.
>Ask if Irene or Lloyd(?) is there

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>writing

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"Er..."

just ask for irene like normal

"...is Irene there?" I ask.
"Irene?" the man repeats.
"Umm, yeah," I nod. "Irene Lindegaard. Or Lloyd."

I have no idea what that guy's last name is.

"And who exactly is calling?" he asks.

Though I'm loath to give my real name to this unnamed stranger, I do so anyways and am promptly put on hold. While I wait, I glance over at Lorelei... who seems to be in the midst of typing something into her phone. Her old-type flip phone. Hunt-and-peck style, too. It'd be enough to make me laugh at her, if not for the scowl she has on her face right now.

mood swings

this is what you wanted


>[1/?]

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>>46686407
>[2/2]

"Ummm... hello?"

A familiar voice emanates from my phone speaker.

"This is Joshua, right?"

it's her

timbre intonation pitch pronunciation accent tone breathing pattern

all the same

Great, and now tears are streaming down -my- face. Thanks for that.

"Yeah, it is," I reply. Fortunately, the voice in my head's sobbing in my mind isn't affecting my actual voice.
"Oh man..." Irene groans. "...I am SO sorry for how all that turned out. My sister just got done chewing me out for being inconsiderate and I made me apologize to Lloyd for not giving him the heads-up about how my 'not dying' thing works, and then she told me that she told -you- about how I'm... you know..." her voice trails off.

a vine

"...so I was convinced that you wouldn't want anything to do with me ever again," Irene sighs. "I really hope I didn't end up traumatizing you too after getting impaled and everything."


>no, I'm fine
>no, I'm fine after holing myself up in my room for a week straight

>>46686473
>I’m fine now. You really really shouldn’t let people who care about you think you’re dead so long. Please promise me you’ll try not to traumatize people that way in the future. Calling or visiting doesn’t hurt.
She has our phone number, right?

Don’t go into detail, but really, this is something she should learn.

>>46686473
>no, I'm fine after holing myself up in my room for a week straight
Maybe you should've considered how much it'd fuck me up seeing you die like that!?

Alright, folks. It's really late and I have business to attend to in the morning so this is where this thread is going to end.

It was nice to finally get back to questan, though as usual I didn't really hit my stride until after midnight. Yay for wasting early starts.

The next thread will probably be on Sunday night, with more Joshua. I think I'll run two or three more of these before going back to the main quest.


and now questions

>>46686619
Thoughts on Batman vs Superman?

>>46686619
Would past-you be proud of you knowing how the quest has turned our so far?

>>46680137
Hi arch, hi questers.

I'm really upset today because I was having fun on another website but I got banned from it. Right in the middle of the fun I was having, too!

>>46686635
>Thoughts on Batman vs Superman?
I saw it on opening weekend with a free ticket I got from The Flash's season 1 BD set and it was absolute trash. Like, the kind of bad movie that isn't even fun to make fun of.

>>46686644
>Would past-you be proud of you knowing how the quest has turned our so far?
Probably be alright with the plot developments but horribly disappointed that Song of Unison is still going on after all this time.


And now I sleep. Thanks for playing!

For further questioning:
http://maouzenigame.tumblr.com/

Game production blog:
https://studioarchelon.wordpress.com/

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>>46684500
That feel when u waifu 1300 years old and she involved in the tree game most her life but she still think she innocent

>>46685951
>>>Suplex the lorelei
>why would you want this
Rape

Like, I see Lorelei has a very anti-rape view, believing that rapists victimise others. Clearly she's only been seeing the bad side of rape. Being raped by someone you love and someone who loves you is awesome, and can change your entire view of rape.

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>>46685951
>why would you want this
I think you know.