File: 1357534107371.jpg-(48 KB, 672x345, jokerredbackground.jpg)

Beneath you: The floor, cold and rough. The smell of smoke, of ozone, of fear. The crimson light of emergency lighting stutters and strobes, a forest of legs darting past the corner of your vision - An unstoppable wave of pure, unhinged panic, people kicking and punching and shoving to get to the *door* first...Though in the unsteady light, it seems like everyone has a different idea where it should be.

Something's jamming into your back - The plastic edge of a fallen cabinet, half-toppled on you; It crashes down, fragments splintering off as you shove it to the side, with a weighty grunt. Your muscles burn, your lungs dust-dry: There's a pounding, pounding in your skull, achingly intense - The beginnings of an absolutely *splitting* headache.

-Bizarrely, you seem to be in a tiny oasis of calm: The screams and yells coming as if from far away. The crackle of flames - Something, something *close*, is on fire...

When did you get here? You - Your *body* - was in that cold, silent storage room, filled with the silent, cyclopean rows of discarded arcade cabinets...And then the Amaglam, raging, ripping it's way towards you-

*How* are you here?

Someone, nearby, shouts "-It's the police!" You can almost hear the wail of dueling sirens - Though that might just be the pounding in your skull.

[ ] Get out of here.
[ ] Find Yui.
[ ] Look for the pod you saw earlier.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22442528
[X] Look for the pod you saw earlier.

Leaving now might be a bit of a waste of a good opportunity. May as well see if we can get anything out of this.

>>22442528

> [X] Look for Yui.

What was miss Class Rep doing here? Was she slumming or something?

>>22442546
>>22442562

Both seem equally tempting. Play white knight, or get intel? Can we do both?

> [X] [ ] Look for the pod you saw earlier.

>>22442582

We have to start thinking with our head, and not with our other head.

Impossible to find one random girl in the animal panicking hivemind that is crowds.

Go intel route. What's the worst that could happen?

Who knows, maybe we'll see our Yandere girlfriend, Black Joker.

>>22442528
Goals are to first look for the pod, second find Yui. If we can do both, smashing.

File: 1357535180628.png-(561 KB, 691x572, jokercoffin2.png)

You stagger to your feet - Someone cannons into you, bounces off, sending you lurching to the side. Your vision swims, and you slump against a Street Fighter machine for support...Your skin crawling when you see the deep, gouging slash that carved through the console's innards - Gallowglass's charged machete.

Did *that* really happen? For one frenzied moment - The violence, the destruction of the fight...It *spilled over*. Your legs nearly slip on the deep groove left by your - The Red Joker's - skidding tumble, the ruins of a pachinko machine still burning with the awful smell of roasting plastic...

-You're going against the tide, but no-one seems to notice you; There's a few collisions, but they're almost in passing - You're like a ghost, unnoticeable and untouchable. The exertion leaves you breathing hard, all the same - You feel drained, utterly drained, as you push past the swaying flaps of plastic drapes (The token machine overturned, spilling coins across the tiles) and back into the storage room...

It's gone.

The pod - Whatever it was - is gone. There's no sign that *anyone* else was there, but the entire contraption has...It's simply vanished. Nothing left, except for a few forlorn, frayed cables, swaying in pendulous motion.

(Continued.)

Did someone drag it out? You haven't seen any of the arcade's staff - Except for the luckless clerk - but you have a feeling they've already made a run for it...

-No, not completely gone.

There's a mark on the far wall; A charred black smear, a Hiroshima shadow. Even from here, you can feel the *cold* radiating forth from it - A cold so intense, it *burns*.

Close by: Shouts. More footsteps. The *slam* of car doors. Past time to make yourself scarce. With one last look at the nest of wires, you reach for the card in your pocket and...

****************

THUMP.

"Oy, Anon - Wake up, man."

THUMP.

Your eyes crack open, blearily - The classroom swimming into view, half-glimpsed at the corner of your vision...Kazuya's face looming before you. He looks concerned - But that doesn't stop him from bouncing a plastic bag off the corner of your desk, making it rattle with each impact.

"*There* we go." There's a *scrape* as he pulls a chair up, sinking into it - "...Can't have you sleeping through lunch too, can we?"

[ ] "K...Kazuya?"
[ ] "What time is it?"
[ ] "What's in the bag?"
[ ] "Ugh - Just a bit longer..."
[ ] "Stop doing that."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22442853
[X] "What's in the bag?"

"I seriously need to get more sleep."

>>22442853
"Lunchtime? Already? God, where'd the night go? Good thing I'm a charismatic genius badass or my sleeping habits would get me in trouble."

Good to see you again OP. Long week?

>listening to Zircon while getting smashed on questionable Russian booze
>Trillian updates Twitter feed
>mfw it's time

>>22442853
"I had the weirdest dream... Yui was in it and there were these Kamen Rider rejects fighting in an arcade..."

Eye the bag.

"You bring me lunch? Or coffee?"

>>22442914

(Yep. I've been totally gutted by a flu/fever/throat-infection for most of it.)

>>22442867
>>22442924

> "I had the weirdest dream..."

You catch yourself, at the last moment. It's becoming hard - Harder - to keep them separate...But that *wasn't* a dream. You can still remember; The flashing red-and-blue lights, the smoke rising from the top of the converted warehouse, the frantic scrabble *out*...And, always, the white noise of panic.

You were limping, when you let yourself out - Bone-tired, more exhausted than you'd ever thought possible. You don't recall coming home - You only *vaguely* recall getting to school, nodding off every chance you got...

-You're losing time again.

> [X] "What's in the bag?"
> [X] "You bring me lunch? Or coffee?"

"Sorry, they were all out," Kazuya says, cheerily - He sounds rather chipper, like someone who's got a full night of sleep. Plastic crinkles - "...Big crowd today; I got you two curry soba buns, though. That's a high-tier item."

> "-Yui was in it and there were these Kamen Rider rejects fighting in an arcade..."

He laughs. "-Sounds more like a nightmare to me," Kazuya mutters, leaning back; Poised precariously on two of his chair's legs. "Yeah, the video's been making the rounds, though...That's really more Akira's thing."

His gaze becomes distant, abstracted; "Wonder where he is..."

[ ] "-Video?"
[ ] "That's the first I heard of it. What else have I missed?"
[ ] "...I'm sure he's fine."
[ ] "He'll be back."
[ ] "What do you think?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22443076
>[ ] "-Video?"
>[ ] "What do you think?"

>>22443076

"Akira is Akira. He'll turn up.. maybe... and you said something about a video? What video? Details man. Details. But lunch first."

>>22443076
"Mind showing me the video? I've been out of the loop lately.

As for Akira, I dunno, I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up again soon enough after chasing down some conspiracy that he just had to look into."

>>22443076
Sounds awful. Best wishes.

"Akira'll show up at the worst possible moment to make fun of us and maybe help out if he feels like it. Probably take pictures too, the bastard. I'm more interested in this video, the last time something like this happened was at the amusement park. That's probably not an accident."

File: 1357537363591.jpg-(394 KB, 1366x768, kazuyagrin.jpg)

>>22443144
>>22443165
>>22443194

> [X] "-Video?"

"...You're *really* out of it today, aren't you?" Kazuya sighs; There's a faint boop-boop-beep as he keys something into his handphone, turning the screen towards you.

"-*This* video."

It's a short clip; Just a hair less than thirty seconds. It's poorly shot, and shaky as hell - The already-blurry images rendered even less coherent by jittering hands and the uneven light, but...

-But what you *do* see is harrowing.

There: That's your armored form (Just a crimson smear), describing a parabolic arc - Slamming into a row of arcade cabinets. And *there* is the hazy, half-glimpsed form of the hulking Amaglam - All details thankfully obscured by the thing's fitful nature...The glass-and-steel box of the pachinko machine hurtling through the air...

Before it erupts in pellucid blue flame, as your Boosted Plasma Caster annhilates it. The video ends up, freeze-framed against the light. In an ironic twist - It doesn't even *look* real. It looks like something hammered out with first-generation CGI.

> "Details man. Details. But lunch first."

Your stomach rumbles - You're hungry, even though curry soba has never sounded *less* appealing to you. All the same, you demolish the first one in two bites, the second in three...*When* did you last eat?

You honestly can't remember.

> "Akira'll show up at the worst possible moment to make fun of us and maybe help out if he feels like it. Probably take pictures too, the bastard."
> "As for Akira, I dunno, I wouldn't be surprised if he showed up again soon enough after chasing down some conspiracy that he just had to look into."

He snorts, waving a hand - As if to illustrate *exactly* what he thinks about that. "Yeah, that sounds *just* like him," Kazuya chuckles - Akira hasn't been gone *long* enough for him to be worried.

Not yet.

And you wonder...Where *did* he go?

(Continued.)

>>22443350

>Dance in the Vampire Bund
>Using Akira for Kazuya

You're a funny guy, OP.

The animu was shit. Mango is pretty good.

"Well, if there's nothing else..." Kazuya says - He stands, masking a yawn, hands clasped behind his head. "...I think I'll take a nap. Maths is right after this, you know." You can't help but be kind of envious at how...carefree he is, sometimes.

He's about to turn away - Still, you could ask...

[ ] "Have you seen Natsumi?"
[ ] "How's Asuna?"
[ ] "-Is Yui around, today?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22443407
[X] "How's Asuna?"

>>22443407

Time to check up on Yui. PTSD route is a go!

>>22443407

> [X] Have you seen Natsumi?

AP must be shitting himself in paroxysms of rage, at what we're doing.

>>22443407

> [X] "How's Asuna?"

How's the cute librarian-girl doing?

>>22443407
...We should ask if Kaz knows anything about the "incident" Mio mentioned. At the play, and the girl who was hurt. That has "plot hook" written all over it.

If that's outside our concern, we should ask about Yui. I half suspect she's Inox.

>>22443536
> [X] "How's Asuna?"

"Asuna? She's fine." You must have looked rather dubious, because Kazuya laughs - "Seriously, she's fine! Saw her this morning, in fact." His brow furrows, as if struck by a sudden thought. "...She seems kind of jumpy today, actually. More so than usual, anyway..."

He shakes his head. "Well, whatever. One last thing: Rehearsals are postponed again - Yui asked me to spread the word." Kazuya shrugs, lightly - Clearly relieved by this stroke of good fortune. Anything to stay out of the shark suit...

Now *that's* news - You're not sure if you *did* see her last night...But either way, she seems to have made it out okay.

>>22443561

"Ah, you've been talking to Mio, right? Sorry; I don't know anything about *that*." His - rather lopsided - smile is back...Pretty much the same expression he *always* has when he's wondering about your love-life.

Fortunately - Mercifully - the bell chooses that exact moment to ring; Desks and chairs clattering in the usual confusion that comes *right* after recess...

(Continued)

At least there's a silver lining: Somehow, you feel much better now. The strange malaise - The absolute, numbing fatigue - seems to have receded...Or maybe you've just found your second wind. The rest of the day (As always) seems to blur past...

-Until, with comparatively little ceremony, the second bell rings. School's out.

You straighten, in your seat - Your limbs stiff from hours spent hunched over the table, a crick in your neck. You're just about to stand, when...

"...Anon-kun."

You hear the faint *tap* of Natsumi's shoes on the floor, even before you see her; Her kitbag slung over one shoulder, her expression somewhere between relieved and put-out...Eyes ever-so-slightly narrowed, as if she can't *decide* how much to say. She lowers her voice, slightly...Though that's probably unnecessary, given the noise that the dispering students are making.

"-What *happened* last night?"

There's concern in her voice...But she also sounds - Well, rather annoyed, actually.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22443781
I wish I knew. I tangled with a...thing, escaping by the skin of my teeth. Seems that the smilers were up to something.

>>22443781
"I know about as much as you do. Weird stuff happens in my general vicinity, I stopped trying to explain it all and make sense of everything a long time ago.

But I'm pretty sure I killed a horrific Frankensteinian abomination, so go me."

>>22443781
"I was following a lead on the Smilers and I ran into some trouble in the form of a huge Frankenstein monster. I managed to get away, though.

Also, have you ever heard of the Black Tri-Stars?"

>>22443781
"Another Corrector/Player hybrid happened. Except this one was registered as Amalgam, was made of dead Players, and could shift between worlds, bringing whatever Players were around with it. And unfortunately the field happened to be a populated arcade. I thought Sheol Stars got less popular when the owner left? Sure were enough people there for a riot."

At a later date we need to talk with Kazuya. Last time I saw behavior like his was that one manga about the guy who time traveled after his best friend murdered him. It, ah, seems relevant.

>>22443781

"It was awful! Awful! I could barely.. even.. think straight! It took all of my will just to look it in the Eyes! No, don't talk about it! No no no! Don't look!"

Cue her thinking we've finally cracked and went off the deep end.

"Just joking. No, nothing of import happened, honestly. I just went to the arcade and killed an amalgamation of dozens of Players I and Argent eliminated who were trying to kill *him* when he was in the hospital."

>>22443841
>>22443842
>>22443865

"You..." Natsumi begins...Then she shakes her head, sighing, a grim little smile on her lips. "-You're just a trouble magnet, aren't you?" she says - Managing to sound exasperated and amused at once. Her bag jars against the ground, as she slumps into a nearby chair - Her hands resting on her knees, as she draws them to her chest.

>>22443880

"Hahhhhhhh..." she exhales - It's a lot to take in at once, certainly. Natsumi's silent for a moment, lost in thought; Her eyes half-closing.

>>22443909

She starts, and settles again...Shooting you a Look, though your levity seems to have dispersed the tension a bit.

"...I'm...I'm afraid I'm a bit out of the loop, here," Natsumi confesses - Her head canted to the side, as she bites her lip. "-I haven't heard from Fumito-san for...A *while*, now; He's been really busy with...With *something*, and he's not telling us what it is."

Her eyes flash, at some secret memory.

"-When I finally - *finally* - managed to reach him, to tell him...He *laughed* - That kind of rich-uncle laugh he has, you know what I mean - And told me to give you this number, so you could meet."

Paper crinkles, as she sets it down. "...But he said, there's no hurry. 'In your own time', his exact words." A pause. "...I think he *likes* you, you know? He certainly doesn't seem *worried*..."

(Continued)

>>22443880

>time travel murder manga

....Steins;Gate?
....Negima?
...Boku no Pico?

>>22443909
Quick correction: They were part of the group that put him in the hospital, we killed them just after the put a car through the front of a restaurant.

>>22444013
Hey, speaking of restaurants, we need to find one to take Mio to.

Also, now would be an excellent time to ask Natsumi on that little dungeon raid. She's got way more experience fighting MOBs than we do.

Let's not forget to talk to her about our five man dungeon crawl. We did say we'd ask her.

File: 1357541038371.jpg-(77 KB, 400x600, jokernatsumi.jpg)

> At a later date we need to talk with Kazuya.

Natsumi favors you with a 'Not sure if serious' look of imcomprehension. Still, the message seems to get through: "-You're right. But..."

A glance to the side.

"-It's selfish of me, but I'd rather have him *not* know...A little while longer. I've been thinking - Even if we told him, if he believed us...It'd only make him worry."

> "Also, have you ever heard of the Black Tri-Stars?"

She nods, slowly. "...'Of' them, certainly. Well, here and there." A finger taps against the table:

"-Three Sword-type Players, working together...You've already seen the first one, 'Bishamon' - Then the others, 'Tyrian Edge' and...'Volt Regios'?...I think? In the scheme of things...They're pretty harmless. Not *very* powerful, but..."

>>22444070

Comprehension flickers in her eyes; "-You're talking about the Rift." It seems she's heard of it, too. If anything, Natsumi looks rather more concerned; "...I shouldn't be telling you this, but...We've been ordered - *Ordered*, not 'told' - to stay away from it. I don't even know *why*, but...He's never steered us wrong before."

Her dubious tone belies her firm words, though.

"-It feels like ...Like the calm before the storm," Natsumi confesses. "Everything's so...so *quiet*. There's even less Correctors than usual. That *really* worries me, for some reason..."

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

We really should go and talk to AP.

I mean, if we crossed over once, what's to stop it happening again? What if it happens while we're using the railgun, or even the singularity cannon?

>>22444226
We could also ask him what's up with the rift while we're there.

>>22444226

I think that the combined monster caused it, not us. Not to mention, mio's birthday is tomorrow, we really need to get something for her.

>>22444257

Shit, forgot about that entirely.
DO THIS FIRST.

>>22444204
>Tyrian Edge

Wasn't that one of the guys at the arcade?

>>22444318

It was. Seems like the BTS are rather civic-minded, if nothing else. Gallowglass went for us, Tyriant attacked the monster.

>>22444204

>ordered to stay away

IT'S HAPPENING. YOU COULD HAVE STOPPED IT.

>>22444318
Yep.

>>22444336
Plus, the Tri-Stars in this 'verse seem non-retarded and willingly avoid fighting the totally not Red Comet.

>>22444204
"Natsumi, our lives are made up entirely out of storms and crises with brief interludes of peace between them. You can't let it get to you.

So, does this mean you aren't coming with? I promise it'd be fun. We'd get to go on a dungeon crawl together and fight monsters and everything."

>>22444204
[X] Free

"Well, myself and the Tri-stars are going in, and I'd like you to come. And not just to watch my back, you're a bit better with than I am at taking on non-player enemies"

>>22444318
>>22444336
>>22444382
Hope he got out all right. I wish you guys had helped out at the front instead of trying to go back for the pod.

>>22444010
>...Boku no Pico?
...Clever girl. Not making that mistake again. Not, the link's in the e-mail field.

>>22444204
Amusingly, I was referring to Anon's love life there. Kazuya is right at the bottom of the "needs to know about the Red Joker" list. Though if we ever get a hint he's involved in the game he goes right to the top.

>>22444445
Sorry, I wasn't here, but that pod was really fucking weird.

>>22444226
You're forgetting the Fusion Annihilator. We use that in the city and the news is going to go nuts about terrorist attacks and dirty bombs.

>>22444513

(Ah, my bad. I must have misread that, sorry.)

>>22444398
>>22444400

"It..." she hesitates, averting her eyes. "-It's not that I *don't* want to," Natsumi grounds out, sounding pained. "...I *can't*, Anon-kun. I...really *can't*."

Her hands - folded on her lap - tremble slightly.

"Every time you're out there...You could *die*, Anon-kun. You could die, and then - You'd be gone forever." She rubs at her eyes, a little too quickly; "...I would go with you if I could. But - Please don't make me choose between..."

Her words trail off. "Excuse me," Natsumi says - Standing, abruptly, still sounding choked. It's something you - And Kazuya - teased her about, years before: She gets weepy easily, and she *hates* it when people see that.

...It makes you wonder - A little sadly - when you stopped being a child. Was it after the Corrector Hive? Or was it later still, in the long, long mourning that followed?

The classroom's mostly empty, now; The later afternoon sun hanging low and heavy, enough to banish the cool bite of the air. The spontaneous snow of the past few days have melted...But the season's already turned.

The rest of the day is yours.

[ ] Find the Black Tri-Stars.
[ ] Call Argent Prominence.
[ ] Mio's birthday is tomorrow...
[ ] Visit Asuna.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22444630
[X] Mio's birthday is tomorrow...

We have to prepare and get her a gift. It's the least we can do.

>>22444630

Awww, natsumi. You really have to feel for that poor girl.

> [X] Mio's birthday is tomorrow...

Go with this. AP can wait, for now.

>>22444630

>...It makes you wonder - A little sadly - when you stopped being a child. Was it after the Corrector Hive? Or was it later still, in the long, long mourning that followed?

We're rather mature for our age, aren't we? If we're in high school, second year, we should be sixteen or seventeen at oldest. Now add a hundred years to that.

>>22444630
Time to get Mio things. Books are good things, as is dinner. Reservations for two and Studio Ghibli plush dolls are called for. Every girl loves Totoro.

>>22444630
[X] Mio's birthday is tomorrow...
[X] Find the Black Tri-Stars.

Not in order of importance cause I'm not sure how long either would take. In any case if we're taking Mio somewhere nice then we may need to make a reservation.

>>22444820

I still say a nice sit down Mom and Pop restaurant that serves waffles and pancakes is the best bet. Anything too ritzy and we'll be out of place. Plus it'd simply be awkward.

>>22444782
I don't know about books for Mio. I was actually thinking maybe we should take her outfit shopping before we take her to dinner.

>>22444782

AKB48 is crazy popular over in moonland now from what I understand.

>>22444513

Say, this isn't half bad. I think I'll grab all the chapters whenever I get around to not being lazy.

> [X] Mio's birthday is tomorrow...

Right - It couldn't be closer. The past few days have been...*busy*, to be put it mildly - It's now or never, of course. The cool air is bracing, clearing your head as you exit the school's gates; Well, at least you won't be pressed for time.

>>22444782
>>22444844
>>22444857

You consider your options...There's actually quite a bit to do, when you think about it. For dinner - Apparently, Mio likes Italian food - there's always...

[ ] La Tombola.
[ ] The Cafe 'D'Artagnan'
[ ] The Old Glory Cafe - A family restaurant you've frequented.

And *then* there's the question of what you'd be getting her...

[ ] -You'll handle that on the day itself.
[ ] It's pricey, but there's that European-themed mall, 'Verde'.
[ ] Looks like you'll be visiting the commercial district.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22445052
[X] La Tombola.
She likes Italian food, she'll get Italian food.

And for what we're getting her [X] It's pricey, but there's that European-themed mall, 'Verde'.

We may as well splurge every once in a while.

>>22445052

>A family restaurant

YES, BUT DO THEY SERVE PANCAKES? DO THEY NOT SERVE WAFFLES FRESH FROM THE IRONS WITH BUTTER OOZING FROM THEIR SOFT, FLUFFY, MOIST, HOMEMADE SYRUP SOAKED, HEAVENLY GOODNESS? DO THEY? DO THEY?

This is important. For reasons.

>>22445052

> [X] La Tombola.
> [X] It's pricey, but there's that European-themed mall, 'Verde'.

Let's splurge on this girl, make her birthday something to remember.

>>22445078
That place is way too good for us on our own.

The first option is a no.
The second option is a reference to Love novels if my limited reading of French literature is right...
The third option is obvious.

And for the gift...

Very ungentlmanly to be unprepared.
This seems okay-ish.. I however do not condone being flashy as it sends the wrong message
And the commercial district is shitty irregardless.

Let's go to the Love Novel themed restaurant while taking her to a sappy romance movie.

>>22445052
As much as I love a good Musketeers reference, the second is clearly French food. While what you know is good the last is basically a Denny's, so the correct response is the gamble--La Tombola. (dohoho, language joke)

I think Mio would be happy with whatever we got her. Given her interests she probably wouldn't care much for fancy European jewelry, plus there's whatever stigma she deals with at school. Wearing it wouldn't do her any favors... Commercial district I think, but then again my shopping habits are odd.

>>22445173
>>22445078
Can we even get a reservation at a place like that on such short notice. Shit, do we really only know of one place that serves decent pasta?

>>22445237

Oh, Musketeers! I was wondering why that name sounded so familiar. Huh, who'd of thunk'd. Still, Denny's are fucking delicious.

>>22445052
[X] La Tombola.

Okay, we've been there before but we never actually got a look at the menu, AP ordered for us before we got there, so we don't know how much this will cost. How much can we afford?

>>22445243

Well, I know of three places around here that serve delicious pasta.....

Helen's, Jimmy Columbo's, and Olive Garden.

>>22445326
We are probably going to need to do some recon. We want to make this work well.

>>22445371

Actually, make that four if the one cook at the Mountaineer isn't being a douchebag.

>>22445243
I wonder if this world has a The Old Spaghetti Factory equivalent?

Well, maybe La Tombola has a website?

(Terribly sorry for the delay, gents - I lost the connection, and just got it back.)

> [X] It's pricey, but there's that European-themed mall, 'Verde'.

That's rather more upper-crust than the places you usually frequent, but...Why not? 'Verde' is rather popular - Trendy, if the snatches of gossip you've heard from the girls in your class is any real indication. Never mind that the name is actually Spanish: You'll definently be able to find something there.

...Though you'll probably end up paying through the nose for it.

> [X] La Tombola.

You punch in the numbers, with an anticipatory wince - It looks like it's going to be instant noodles for all of next month, at this rate. As you'd expect, for an exclusive restaurant, it takes all of two rings for someone to answer the phone:

> "How may I help you, Sir?"

Even his *voice* - Clipped, polite - is posh.

After that, it's comparatively easy to negotiate a table for two; You get the feeling that business has been slow, after what happened *last* time. It's pricey, all the same...Not *as* pricey as you expected, but all the more so for the short notice.

-It's when you're giving your billing details (Hearing the faint scribble of notes being taken) when there's a pause on the other line.

> "-There's a Premium Membership in your name, Sir; Would you prefer to pay by card, or have it charged to your Diner's Account?"

[ ] "A membership? I don't recall registering."
[ ] "What's my remaining balance?"
[ ] "...No, I'll pay by card instead."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22445078
>>22445326
>>22445237
>>22445173
Guys that family restaurant probably serves a pasta dish and we'd know what's on the menu and we could afford it AND we wouldn't need a reservation. Seriously, I really think we're outreaching ourselves this time.

>>22445466
I'm betting AP, Mr. Fumito, is watching out for us. Nice guy. May as well take advantage of that, that's what friends are for, right?

[X] "What's my remaining balance?"

>>22445466
[X] "What's my remaining balance?"
Hmm, I think it might be better to pay by card. Though this would leave us more money for Mio's shopping trip.

Speaking of Mio's shopping trip I can't help but think we should ask her where she usually buys her cosplay materials before we take her, just to be sure there's not somewhere she'd rather go.

>>22445466
...Interesting. Guess we're going to owe a favor. Or this is a trap. Paranoia you say, but it's called "caution" when they really are out to get you.

Well, ask what the benefits are. Frequent eater miles?

> [X] "What's my remaining balance?"

The voice on the other end cites a number. It's no less than five digits, in US dollars - High, too. That's...Rather more than you're used to. You're not even surprised when you hear that the contribution was made at the behest of a certain Mr. Fumito Ebara...

-You can't help but wonder, though; When did he do it? And why? A reward for services rendered, maybe? Or...Did he know you'd be needing it?

By the time you've put everything in order, you can't help but feel a little dizzy. Fortunately, it's a short bus ride downtown, to 'Verde' - A magnificent edifice of spun glass and steel that *gleams* in the late afternoon sunlight. It's...actually kind of eye-hurting, but you can appreciate the artistry that goes into it.

(Continued)

>>22445709

(My apologies: I meant a Charge Account, not strictly a Diner's Account.)

This *is* a popular place. It's a bit further from your usual stomping grounds, but - Especially now, not that long after the end of schoolday - you can see plenty of students from the nearby Mitakashi High; Walking, talking casually, loitering...

You're in the plaza proper, when a gleam of gold catches your eye - For a moment, you hear an oddly familiar voice...Though you can't *quite* place it.

"...with us~?" someone's saying - There's about three guys (Clustered together, as if for moral support) - hemming in a girl, her form half-hidden by an abstract twist of metal...One of the sculptures that makes for an impromptu bench. "-don't see the mute anywhere. C'mon...It'll be fun."

"...don't *want* go with you," you hear Megumi say - Annoyance flickering in her eyes, trying to pull her wrist free from an opportunistic grasp. "And don't call Kou-chan *that*!"

Her voice is somewhere between playful and annoyed...Rapidly losing its levity, as she takes a half-step away - Belatedly realizing she's backed herself into a corner.

The small group doesn't seem to have noticed you, drawing little more than a few curious glances...Though you get the feeling that the mood is taking a distinct turn for the worse.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22445903
"Aha, Megumi, just the person I was hoping to see. Mind helping me do some shopping?"

*to the boys surrounding her*

"Look, I'm sure you want to look tough, but you wouldn't be anywhere near her if Kou was here so it's not working. Imagine what he'd do to you if he ever got the ghost of a hint that you'd tried to force her. I can, and I'm seeing pieces. WET pieces."

>>22445903

Walk up behind the trio of cronies. Tap one on the shoulder.

"Are you bothering my girlfriend?"

The tried and true method for getting jackasses to bug off. If it doesn't work, a quick knee to the groin followed by an elbow does the trick quicker. Hopefully she's a quick witted chick.

>>22445903
What's that world? A chance to save a pretty girl? And maybe take advantage of her feminine skills to pick out the perfect gift.

Take a few steps in that direction, see if we have a knife on us, if not scan the area for improvised weapons or parts of the environment that could be used in a dangerous manner, like slamming someone's skull into the sculptures.

"Hey there Megumi, I finally found you. I've been looking all over for you. These guys bothering you?"

They're only willing to go after her because she's alone, they aren't going to be exactly brave.

If they don't leave and they become belligerent turn on the crazy eyes, put on the crazy slasher smile and tell them that we've been wondering what their eyes taste like and want to lick the inside of their ribcage, nobody sticks around long when someone goes full crazy.

>>22445983

>lick the inside of their ribcage

Strangely enough, that is not the first time I've heard that particular sequence of words. Although, it was *taste the inside of your ribcage.

I keep strange company.

>>22446033
I'm pretty sure we both stole it. The Dungeons and Dragons comic is far funnier than it has any right to be. And the original line was "I want to lick the inside of your rib cage."

File: 1357549987099.png-(512 KB, 800x600, jokermegumi (1).png)

> "Are you bothering my girlfriend?"
> "Aha, Megumi, just the person I was hoping to see. Mind helping me do some shopping?"
>>22445983

Your interjection makes them all start; Megumi's gaze snaps up - Her eyes focusing on you, just as the first guy turns. He takes you in with a brief, unfriendly glance...Looking right on the verge of saying something belligerent, before-

"Anon-kun~!" You have to hand it to her: She's certainly quick on the uptake. Pulling her hand free, from a suddenly-unresisting grasp, Megumi shoulders past one of the remaining pair - A bright smile on her face, one that quite eclipses the faint note of relief to her words.

You're surprised, all the same, when she clings to you - "...Aaah, you shouldn't keep a girl waiting - But I'm *glad* you're here~! Thanks for coming all the way to meet me~" Her voice is light, almost singsong - But you feel a gentle tug, urging you away, as she slips her arm into yours...Keeping up the casual, airy chatter.

The guy's still looking at you. You stare back - Holding his gaze, flat and unblinking - until he snorts and glances away, dismissively; One of the others says something under his breath, and - With a shrug - they turn aside.

Once they're out of earshot, you hear Megumi exhale softly -
A faint hiss of expelled breath. "-You *really* saved me, there," she sighs - Glancing up at you with a little half-smile, leaning closer...Making you acutely, and uncomfortably, aware of the *softness* nestling up against your side...

[ ] "-You're welcome."
[ ] "Don't mention it; My pleasure."
[ ] "Who were those guys, anyway?"
[ ] "It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you?"
[ ] "-How's Kou doing?"
[ ] "I didn't think I'd be seeing you here..."
[ ] "They're already gone, Megumi; You can let go now."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22446216

Wow, Megumi is really hot. Not hecate-levels of sexy, but she seems less 'girl you'd take home' and more 'girl you'd totally bang'.

> [X] "Don't mention it; My pleasure."

No harm in keeping up the act a bit more.

> [X] "It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you?"

We could ask her for advice with shopping.

>>22446216
Don't tell her to let go, enjoy the little pleasures we find in life.

"Don't mention it, I always have time to help a pretty girl out of a tight spot.

So, who were the punks and what brings you here?

If you don't mind me asking how's Kou doing? I haven't seen either of you for a while.

I have to admit, finding you was a lucky break on my part. I could use your help selecting a birthday gift for a friend of mine."

>>22446216
[x] "-You're welcome
[x] "They're already gone, Megumi; You can let go now."
[x] "It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you?"

>>22446255
Nobody is Hecate levels of sexy. None of them smell of brimstone, wear stockings that scrape together in just the right way or are quite as sensual as she is.

We can't blame them for that, it's just part of life.

>>22446279
I've already voted this, but don't tell her to let go, if she wants to press her bosom against us who are we to say no?

>>22446291
But Mio has an ace up her sleeve in the form of a fluffy tail.

>>22446216
"I don't like bullies. I especially hate it when bullies pick on people I know. Can I ask you to be a bit more careful about those guys in the future? I doubt you go out of your way to find trouble, but they might go out of their way to find you.

"How have you been? I didn't expect to see you again, but I guess the city is smaller than it seems."


>Play the Zelda item get.
You found FEMALE ASSISTANCE in shopping. Chances of finding an appropriate present rise 20%!

>>22446329
Fluffy tail doesn't trump high heels that make the perfect clicking sound on the ground as Hecate walks, the horns, and pointy somewhat elvish ears.

Hecate still wins.

File: 1357551236263.jpg-(29 KB, 250x300, jokermegumi3.jpg)

>>22446262
>>22446336
> [X] "Don't mention it; My pleasure."

She giggles ~ Blue eyes bright with mischief as she snuggles a little closer (She seems to be perversely enjoying this) before - With a gentle pat to your shoulder - she relaxes her grip, slipping her arm from yours.

"-A gentleman, hmmm~?" Megumi muses aloud - Before a soft chuckle purrs from her lips, taking a single step away...Though she's still smiling, her russet-brown hair framing her heart-shaped features.

>>22446336

"Well..." she looks aside, for a moment. "-We're from the same school, you know? I try, but...sometimes, it really can't be helped."

> [X] "It's been a while, hasn't it? How are you?"
> "How have you been? I didn't expect to see you again, but I guess the city is smaller than it seems."

"-It's a small world, after all," Megumi says, lightly - Her hands clasped behind her back, pacing along beside you. She's slightly shorter, but makes up for it by lengthening her stride, as you slow - Soon, you're just strolling along into the mall proper.

Inside...The floor is polished to a mirror sheen - Half-heard snatches of music playing seasonal melodies, the lights glittering like an entire constellation of stars overhead.

> If you don't mind me asking how's Kou doing? I haven't seen either of you for a while.

"-He's fine," she says - A little too quickly, to your mind. "...It's taking him a while to recover, so - He hasn't been at school for a while. That's why - I'm *really* glad you turned up."

A shadow flits across her face - Vanishing, so quickly you may almost have imagined it.

> I have to admit, finding you was a lucky break on my part. I could use your help selecting a birthday gift for a friend of mine."

(Continued)

"Oh-ho..." There's a distinctly wicked note to Megumi's voice, as she perches her hands on her hips...Her lips curving in a knowing smile, as she leans towards you; A pose coquettish and teasing at once.

"-Is the blonde, the brunette, or the redhead?" she inquires, her voice faux-husky...Wide-eyed and *entirely* innocent, the question hanging in the air - Before she laughs, again.

"Aaah, you have a full set...Lucky~! But... Seriously, which one *is* it?"

[ ] The blonde.
[ ] The brunette.
[ ] The redhead.
[ ] The...Wait, how do you know, anyway?
[ ] I'd rather not say.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22446466
"Are you stalking me or am I actually that famous? No wait, it's from the hospital isn't it? The blonde's name is Mio by the way, and it's her birthday present. The redhead is Natsumi, and she's my childhood friend dating my best friend. The brunette I'm not sure... no wait, it's Kotone, the girl who found me when the building fell on my head.

"You know, when I put it like that, it does sound like a bouquet. I don't know whether I should feel proud or like scum. Guess it's my popularity period, I've never been this lucky."

>>22446466
Jokingly "They have names you know, and I'm not sure whether I should be offended that you think I'm that kind of guy or that you don't think I have girls with black and white hair as well to complete the set.

If you must know it's for Mio, the blonde, I'd be a poor friend if I didn't get her a good present."

>>22446512
I thought Kotone's hair was white last time we saw her.

>>22446512

Isn't the brunette Asuna?

>>22446512
Wouldn't the brunette be Asuna?

>>22446552
>>22446572
>>22446574
>I thought Kotone's hair was white last time we saw her.
>Asuna
Zounds, Anon is correct. I respectfully amend >>22446512 to say "Asuna is the brunette, she's a friend from class."

>>22446574
>>22446572
>>22446552
So we actually do have all of the major hair colors covered, well at least we will once get get Hecate back.

Hecate is black, Natsumi is a redhead, Asuna is brunette, Mio is blonde, Kotone has white hair.

Sure there are colors in between those, but have a pretty full spectrum available to us, not even counting Megumi who is a russet-brown, between Asuna and Natsumi.

>>22446601
Man just thinking of the trouble a slip like that could cause us in certain situations.

>>22446631
We so need a girl with blue hair.

>>22446642
That's not a real hair color and you know it.

>>22446466
[x] The blonde.

Though I have to say, it's a bet unsettling how much you know about my female acquaintances.

>>22446654
Everything is possible with hair dye and girls willing to cosplay.

>>22446512
>>22446574

Megumi listens, wide-eyed, and makes approving noises...At length, she gives a slow, sage nod.

> I don't know whether I should feel proud or like scum.
> "Guess it's my popularity period, I've never been this lucky."

"-It must be *really* tough being popular, Anon-kun," she says, solemnly - Completely serious. "...I think 'Being spoilt for choice' is a better way of putting it...It *definently* sounds nicer, anyway."

>>22446552

"Ah, there's always room for improvement - But let's focus on the now, shall we?" She draws a deep breath, looking up; The mall has six sprawling levels, overlapping shops and boutiques and restaurants like a multi-tiered cake. It actually makes you feel a little dizzy, just thinking about it.

Megumi draws herself up to her full height; "Soooo, where did you want to start?" She catches herself, clears her throat - Though you can tell that Megumi's actually rather excited. "...I mean - What are you getting her?"

[ ] "...A book?"
[ ] "...A stuffed toy?"
[ ] "...A new outfit?"
[ ] "...Flowers?"
[ ] "...Jewellery?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22446675
[X] "...A book?"
[X] "...A stuffed toy?"

Either or both of these, if we have to choose one I think the stuffed toy.

She already makes and wears different outfits all day, flowers are too impermanent, jewelry is both expensive and carries implications and meanings that we might not want to send.

>>22446642
>>22446654
We did joke that one time that Akira would be the Rei clone. And then serious happened. Was pretty funny, in retrospect.

>>22446675
CHOICES MY ANCIENT FOE. I thought the entire reason we wanted Megumi along was to reduce these? Wait, a woman is involved, of course things are complicated.

Oh well, if we get into a battle here then we might not have one during the date.

I say, actually, that we should look into a tennis racket. Mio is in the club after all.

>>22446696
Eh, making cosplay outfits =/= having nice casual clothing. And Books are more Asuna than Mio.

>>22446726
Everybody loves books, and as far as I know we don't know her sizes off the top of our head.

[x] "...A new outfit?"

Chicks dig new digs.

>>22446675
[X] "...A new outfit?"
I'd go with this to start. Outfits that she could wear and stuff she could work into her cosplay.

>>22446671

(I missed that - One moment, a quick addition.)

> Though I have to say, it's a bet unsettling how much you know about my female acquaintances.

Megumi doesn't *quite* laugh, but it's a close thing - "...That's actually the *first* time I saw you - Before we met," she clarifies. "...When I was visiting Kou-chan, I saw..."

She clasps her hands together, before her - In a fair approximation of Asuna's rather prim stance, lowering her voice to a soft stammer: "D-do you think Anon-kun's all right?"

In something that's *almost* like Mio's voice: "-He's going to be fine; Something like *that* isn't going to keep him down...Right, Nat-chan?"

Megumi tosses her head, biting her lip as she glances down and to the side - A striking image of Natsumi's annoyed expression, faux-worry and exasperation in her voice. "...I wouldn't know."

"Like that, wasn't it~?" she catches a glimpse of your face, and giggles. "Ah, it was *exactly* like that!"

>>22446733
>>22446733
Good point.

We probably should have gone to the commercial district or handled it on that day.

Actually now that I think about it, we need to decide when to give her her gift. If we want to surprise her with the gift at the start of the date then we don't want to get her something she'll have to carry around with her while we're out.

>>22446696

Yeah, my vote is for the stuffed toy, too. It seems rather more appropriate for her, to be honest.

>>22446675
[X] "...A stuffed toy?"

It seems the most suited for Mio, and we can always get more than one gift.

>>22446703
I'd agree with you, but I'm not sure we know enough about tennis stuff to get a racket that suits her.

> [X] "...A book?"

"Haaah, really~?" Megumi doesn't *say* no - But you get a distinct sense she feels like that's the boring choice. "...Well, I guess you *could*..."

> [X] I say, actually, that we should look into a tennis racket. Mio is in the club after all.

She seems to think this over, nodding thoughtfully - "...That's actually not a bad idea," Megumi says, at last; "...I don't really know anything about tennis, though - So I can't really help with that."

> [X] "...A new outfit?"

It takes her a bit longer, to mull this over - "Hmmmm. I think it's not bad, but...It might be a bit hard. Unless you have her measurements...?"

She shoots a glance at you - Until you shake your head.

"...Right, I thought so," Megumi remarks. "-We could *try*; But..." she runs slim fingers through her hair, as if considering shaking it out - "...She's a bit taller than me, isn't she~? We're about the same shape, I *think*...Unless you're just going with whatever looks cute..."

-You can't help but notice the way Megumi's eyes brighten, when you mention clothes, though.

> [X] "...A stuffed toy?"

Megumi claps her hands together - "...Ah, *now* we're talking - I know just the place~!" She catches your arm, pulling you along with surprising strength; The escalator whirring softly, as she negotiates a seemingly identical maze of glittering corridors and glass facades...

You're almost completely lost by the time she comes to a stop, before a likely-looking emporium; You glance up, at the fine sign overhead - Limned by hand, with gold leaf:

(Continued)

FANCY SHOP, it spells out - Glass windows framing shelf after shelf full of furry, plush and otherwise *adorable* stuffed animals. "Haaaahhhh~" you hear Megumi exhale, softly - She's paused in her tracks, too, her eyes shining; The softest expression on her face, almost childlike in its innocence.

She shakes her head, as if to stir herself from her reverie; Rather reluctantly, it seems.

"-So, what should we be looking for...?"

[ ] "-I'm not sure, actually."
[ ] "Hmmm...What do girls like?"
[ ] "Something cute, I guess?"
[ ] "What do you like, Megumi?
[ ] "Well, I've seen her with fox ears and tail..."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22446967
"Somehow I think you're here to look at cute stuffed animals just as much as you're here to help me. They are cute though.

I was thinking a fox, preferably as fluffy as they get, it suits her for reasons I am not allowed to disclose."

File: 1357555186965.jpg-(26 KB, 600x570, foxplushtoy.jpg)

>>22446967

> [ ] "Well, I've seen her with fox ears and tail..."

You know what? Let's get her an adorable plush fox. Something like this!

>>22447002

Seconding this. Totally.

>>22447017
Don't tell her that, we don't want to let on that Mio works at a cosplay cafe without Mio's permission. It might be rude.

>>22447049
I don't think she would just jump to the cafe idea.

>>22447002

> "Somehow I think you're here to look at cute stuffed animals just as much as you're here to help me."

"T-that...That's just your imagination!" *Now* Megumi looks flustered. She pouts, mock-offended - Crossing her arms over her chest. "...I take my job *really* seriously, all right~? That's all it is."

Beat.

"...But they *are* really cute, too..." she admits, rather more softly - Glancing away, just for a moment, an embarrassed flash in her blue eyes.

>>22447049
> "I was thinking a fox, preferably as fluffy as they get, it suits her for reasons I am not allowed to disclose."

"R...right." Megumi seems almost relieved by the opening you've afforded her; "...I know where they can keep them ~ This shouldn't take long." She's in the store before you are, moving with an ease born of long familiarity - You have to hurry to keep up, before she gets lost amongst the rows...But it's clear that she knows *exactly* where she's going.

Inside: The place has a warm, friendly glow - Everything's panelled with wood, the shelves lined with stuffed animals...And bins piled high with inexplicably angry avians. It's a kid's paradise...The width of the storefront concealing an interior space that goes on for what seems like miles.

(Continued)

>>22447124
Not immediately, but it'd give her a lead, and I have a feeling this girl would follow that lead all the way to the truth. Besides any made up reasons she thought of for why a fox suited Mio would be far funnier than the truth.

Though you're not really that kid anymore, you can't help but take your time; Browsing through animals of every form and description, from cuddly teddy bears to life-sized St. Bernards (An odd choice, but a strangely adorable one.)

"Over here~!" Megumi calls - You can *just* barely make her waving hand over the shelves, as she stands on tiptoe...Rounding the corner, to find yourself faced with wall-to-wall foxes - More than an English gentleman could take out in a *year*.

After that...There's a spot of mental calculus, as you go down row by row; Looking for the one that's *just right* - Which is pretty hard to do, when so many puppy eyes are staring imploringly at you...With so many fluffy tails just *begging* to be touched. Eventually, you settle on a likely-looking specimen; An adorable plush cub, infinitely soft to the touch, with a tail the bold colors of the Firefox mascot...

-And then you realize, at some point, Megumi's gone missing. You glance back and forth - But she's nowhere in the immediate vicnity. That, by itself, isn't anything special...But you feel the strangest sense of unease, as if something's just brushed by you - Though you can't place *exactly* what it is.

[ ] Look for her.
[ ] Excuse yourself - She probably left.
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

File: 1357556765393.png-(15 KB, 450x210, foxheh.png)

>>22447226

(Forgot my pic.)

>>22447226
Are we going to have to fight someone in the Red World version of this, because that arena is either going to be adorable or terrifying.

[X] Look for her.

>>22447226

>More than an English gentleman could take out in a *year*.

OH NO LE DIDN'T

>>22447226
[x] Look for her.

Oh god if this is another ambush I am so going to bust a nut.

>>22447226
>-And then you realize, at some point, Megumi's gone missing. You glance back and forth - But she's nowhere in the immediate vicnity. That, by itself, isn't anything special...But you feel the strangest sense of unease, as if something's just brushed by you - Though you can't place *exactly* what it is.
Great, we're going to have to kill Megumi.

Or the random punks accosting her.

>>22447226
[X] Look for her.
Those guys from before weren't acting like the type you'd expect to grab a girl who was accompanied.

[X] Free.
"Hey Megumi? Where'd you go?"

[X] Alternate Free.
Transform

> [x] Look for her.

Where *is* she?

Your sense of unease deepens - Your new acquisition tucked beneath your arm - as you scan the rows, moving along; The store really isn't very crowded (Though it *is* large) so it's just a process of elimination...

-There, something moves. You turn, startled to alertness, and see...

It's a giant stuffed panda. One of those *massively* impractical toys - Enough that it actually doubles as a bean bag chair. It's black and white and *really* plush; You eye it carefully for a moment, wondering if you've imagined it...Until the thing's arms *move*...

A second glance tells the story; Megumi's curled up against the overstuffed black-and-white bear, her head resting against the thing's soft belly - Her shoulders rising and falling as she breathes out peacefully, apparently fast asleep...Or just *entirely* happy to snuggle up against it.

[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22447301
>>22447270
>>22447243
>>22447269
She could just be playing around.

>>22447314
We're the Red Joker, paranoia should be our middle name.

>>22447312
Sneak up behind her, lean down, and whisper in her ear "I knew you just wanted to see the cute stuffed animals."

>>22447314
ALL SERIOUS ALL THE TIME.

Damn, I don't have nofunallowed.jpg

>>22447312
Huh. Since we're in the habit of getting involved at least a bit with every girl we know (except Natsumi lol)
[X] Free.
Lean down next to her and say "So, as long as we're here, anything you want me to buy for you? You know, as a thank you for all your help.

>>22447312

Megumi's eyes *SNAP* open - She makes a startled, deeply embarassed *squeal*, standing up so *fast*, she just misses a head-on collision with you by a hair; In fact, she overbalances - And topples onto the panda *again*, though the thing's softness breaks her fall entirely.

"I - aaaaaahhh! - I...Y, you should have said *something*-" she gets out, dusting herself off - smoothening down her skirt - doing anything but looking at you, as she finds her footing. "-It was...I was just *so* comfortable, I couldn't *help* but take a nap...?"

It must sound lame, even to her - But that's her story, and she's (apparently) sticking with it.

>>22447355

"Really~?" Megumi blurts out - Her face lighting up, embarassement forgotten...But then she seems to sober, shaking her head - Not without giving the panda toys a longing glance, though. "...That's really nice of you - But n-no, there's nothing."

A pause. "Really, it's fine; I - I don't want to impose."

You can't help but notice - The sense of unease scratching at the back of your mind, now, oddly unwarranted (You don't feel threatened at all, but you can just *tell* something is wrong) - how worn her schoolbag looks; The line of stitches that tells of home repair, with an inexpert hand.

"...Ah, you found it, right~?" Megumi says, a little too cheerfully to be genuine; "-We should probably go..."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22447405

Damn it. Isn't megs from an orphanage, too? Like bardiel? OR am I overreading it?

> [X] "You're not imposing. I just want to say 'thank you'."

>>22447405
"Megumi, you helped me find a gift and I enjoyed your company. You would not be imposing in the least."

Somewhat jokingly "I'm sorry to say this Megumi but you have forced my hand. You have but three choices, you can tell me what type of stuffed animal you want and I'll get you one, you can stay silent and accept the one I give you, or you can stay silent and not accept a stuffed animal in which case I will set it on fire and no one will have it.

I suggest you pick an animal Megumi before I am forced to buy the most adorable little panda and immolate it."

>>22447424
Oh shit that's what it was. That guy who was hassling Mio at the cafe was looking for Bardiel and the pic he left behind was of Meg and B. You know it now occurs to me that we sort of pointed that guy in the direction of the Smilers. And then not an hour later we burned down the arcade. Wonder if he's gone missing too?

[X] Free
"It's not a problem at all. It's worth it to see your face light up like that."

>>22447424
Yeah, we could ask if she knows anything about Hiroshi Shindo or his friend who was looking for him Izumo Suoh.

Also I'm currently theorizing that Kou might be Rust Kaiser, I'm not sure of course. An orphanage would be a great place to recruit soldiers in the War.

>>22447443

> "I suggest you pick an animal Megumi before I am forced to buy the most adorable little panda and immolate it."

"N-no!" Megumi clutches an especially soft baby panda to her chest, protectively - A quiet laugh teased from her lips, as her expression softens. "Well, if you *insist*...I suppose it can't be helped."

Her lofty tone is *entirely* belied by her smile; She holds her chosen toy *exactly* like the real thing...As if she *really* was cradling a panda cub, releasing it only reluctantly - Her gaze following it all the while, as if she can't quite believe you're actually purchasing it.

...There's the price to consider, which - combined - makes out a substantial sum; Fortunately, someone else is footing the bill for once...Though you can't help but wonder *exactly* what Mr. Ebara must be thinking.

> "It's not a problem at all. It's worth it to see your face light up like that."

She's silent, for a moment; A strange expression flitting across her usually-cheery face. Rather than answer, Megumi just nods, seemingly at a loss for words - Her slim fingers tracing the panda's shape with infinite gentleness, which is all the answer you need.

"-Thank you," she says, at last - "...It really, really means a lot to me." Her lips quirk, in mischievous echo - "Hah, and I was *wondering* why you were so lucky..."

-The sense of unease...Of *wrongness* - is almost tangible, now; As if some sixth sense is clawing against the inside of your skull...As if you're missing something, somehow - But what *is* it?

[ ] "...Oh? And why is that?"
[ ] "You really like pandas, don't you~?"
[ ] "-We still have some time left...Want to check out another store?"
[ ] "Are you hungry?"
[ ] "I should be heading back."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>22447515

(My bad, I missed that; I'll include it in the next post.)

>>22447539
Cool.
>>22447533
Man, I like Fumito, he's footing the bill for us, nice guy.

So this >>22447515

and
[X] "...Oh? And why is that?"
[X] "-We still have some time left...Want to check out another store?"

We can ask if she's hungry after we hit another store.

>>22447533

We can transform, right? We should do it, because something seriously weird is going down. Why else would we be creeped out?

>>22447533
[X] Free.
Okay, under the guise of doing something else, take a look at the people around us. Anyone familiar? Anyone a little to focused on us or quickly turning away when our gaze passes in their direction?

>>22447533

[x] "-We still have some time left...Want to check out another store?"
[x] "Are you hungry?"

Combine these two. "There's still some time left, want to check another store? Or if you're hungry we could get something to eat?"
>>22447558
We could Transform, but that would cut of our conversation. Maybe a quick jaunt to the Red just to check things out? Maybe someone else is fighting in the mall? Or correctors?

>>22447533
>[]..Oh, and why is that ?
>[]"We still have some time left..
>[] Are you hungry ?
>[]Do you know about a game called th e Red World ?
Do also ask her about the two men.

>>22447558
If we transform we might go under for the rest of our time with Megumi and won't be able to get any answers out of her. We're missing something here.

>>22447533
[X] Free
"If you don't mind me asking, what were you here for before we ran in to each other?

> [X] "...Oh? And why is that?"

Megumi glances at you, sidelong...Then turns away, with a sniff. "...I can't tell you~" she teases, loftily; "-It'd make things *too* easy...And that wouldn't be fun."

> [X] "-We still have some time left...Want to check out another store?"

"Eh~? But I thought..." Megumi begins - Before she seems to realize *exactly* what she may be turning down. "I mean, of course~! After all...It's *always* a good idea to have a backup - Right~?"

She nods, a heartbeat later - Wholeheartedly agreeing with herself, from the looks of things.

>>22447515

"-Hiroshi?" Megumi slows, mid-stride; She sounds surprised, but not unduly so. "...Y, yes I know him. We..."

As if conscious of her surroundings, her voice softens. "-We're from the same orphanage," she admits, edging a little closer to you; She sounds ashamed to admit it, her eyes hooded - As all the while, you struggle with a sense of imminent danger.

"...Suoh's his classmate, but - I don't know where he is." Whisper-soft, now; "We thought he'd run away. Most of the older kids...They do that, you know. I just hope - no matter where he is - he's all right..."

Her voice trails off, as you glance to either side - Under the guise of window-shopping, peering through frosted-glass storefronts. There *are* plenty of people around - Couples, or indiviuals. Some of them look your way, but only in passing...Others just happen to be staring in the same direction.

(Continued.)

Two possibilities:
1. She is a player, maybe a Smiler.
2. She. isnt, and there is something else going on. In that case we have to chose between our date or transforming

>>22447688
I hope she isn't a Smiler. It'd be a shame to have to kill her, she seems like a nice girl.

But no mercy to Smilers, no matter what.

Anyone *familiar* - Some faces, you *may* recognize, in passing. No-one stands out to you; For a moment, you have the startling sensation that someone *was* watching you...But it was fleeting enough for you to dismiss.

You've always wondered...How *do* the other Players find you, or each other? You've never been able to detect them, not really, except through the vaguest sense of imminent disaster...Is it some deficiency in your nature, in what you *are*?

You've never found out.

>>22447626

> "If you don't mind me asking, what were you here for before we ran in to each other?

Silence. Strange, considering how chatty Megumi is. You wonder if she didn't hear the question; But when you look in her direction, she starts, seeming oddly guilty - Brushing her hair back from her eyes, with a flick of her fingers.

"Haha, well - Actually, that's..." she says, her smile lingering; But you detect a strange hesitancy in her voice. "...Actually, I was..." she says, again, hedging her words. "-I was just w-"

The world slides sideways, and everything goes red between one breath and the next as the *dread* you feel boils over.

INITIALIZING...

STAGE: ANATOMETA

(Continued)

>>22447695
Have you seen her behaviour ?
I think Smilers are.brainwashed people, not inherently evil, and we might be able to save one or two.

Think child soldiers

I'm trying to recall what's triggered a sense of foreboding for us before and all I can think of is the Black Joker and that time we fought Abyss Charcharias and then met AP. Every other major event I can think of from Nara Dreamland to the Super-corrector got us by surprise. I really think we ought to get Megumi out of here and Transform.

>>22447734
Whoops. Late again.

cont.

Except Rust Kaiser, of course, that one is insane beyond salvation

>>22447722
Too much of a potential threat to let live, if we let one live they'll just try to backstab us, and you remember what happened at Nara's Dreamland.

If she is a Smiler that lends more credence to the theory that Pazzy is using it as a gathering ground for loyal troops, and Kou might still be Rusty.

>>22447757
I do remember what happened at Nara Dreamlamd. Still keeping up hope that one of them is a lot less fucked up then the others, and can be "unbrainwashed".

File: 1357561567292.jpg-(248 KB, 500x667, jokerbellzephyr.jpg)

>>22447716

Around you: The world is a glittering glass carousel, gleaming walls rising on all sides - Hovering globes of witchfire casting a weird, writhing light. The walls are divided again and again, into indiviual cells - Honeycombed in way that defy both logic and physics.

A cheery, tinny tune plays, as your senses light up with motion - You tense, to move, to spring...But there's no immediate threat. There are dolls - Mannequins, elaborate and eerie in their rich, faceless garb - twirling and pirouetting with animatronic grace. You're standing on what looks like a ballroom floor, stark and angular in your crimson armor; In the midst of a waltz of the puppets, the sole stationery point in a moving world.

The effect is surreal, disorientating - Countless ghost phantoms flitting across your targeting sensors...

Until you hear a sharp, buzzing *crack*, the lightning-fast flicker of an electrified lash. The floor descends in tiers, down to an orchestra pit; Black and red, except for a horned mask of yellow ivory, a feminine shape leaps back, turning a desperate handspring in evasion - Molten brass fusing the floor before her to slag, steam rising from the ruin.

She lands, high-heels gouging deep furrows across the tiles; A wrist snaps out with fluid speed, her weapons - A barbed whip in each hand, blazing with living lightning - lashing out, scaling sparks across the *shape* that springs after her...

Her ID tags:

BELL ZEPHYR

(Continued.)

Please be one of the sane players who just want to have a chat.

Something just occurred to me. If Megumi is a player she could have been in a match since we started feeling this way. Remember, the feeling was ominous but it wasn't threatening to us.

>>22447817
She's already fighting something. I did wonder if we could have been sensing a match between other players.

>>22447829
I'm just going to point out that when we first fought Bardiel our Real world body apparently fell asleep.

>>22447801
...Well the breasts are smaller than Megumis but given the discrepancies between Real world bodies and Red world avatars that probably wouldn't mean anything.

>>22447847
That's probably.true.
Could we.try to get their.attention ?
Try to find out which is Megumi, and if one of them is a Smiler

For an instant - One frozen instant - you wonder if she's your opponent; But no, she - And the Player is *definently* female - is already fighting, already striking again and again at the furious shape that thunders out into your field of vision.

-You make out red-glowing eyes, a maw boiling with furnace heat; Great wings spread, glowing veins pulsing molten metal through a corded brass form. It *stalks* out, a low, hideous growl mingling with the superheated shimmer of swirling energies it drags with it, like a cloak.

It's a Corrector - No Player *looks* like that, with a distinctly inhuman shape; A powerful canine form, leering maw crammed full of double-rows of teeth - A segmented tail rearing up over it's back, sporting a lamprey mouth that *hisses* in time to its warning growl. The thing's *massive*, the wicked blades at the end of it's brass wings shearing through the air with a metallic slither, the Corrector stalking towards it's prey, step by relentless step...

Your targeting systems flicker, as they scroll over the beast - Taking in the oil-black chain that loops around its neck, extending behind and *away* from it, into the infinite dark. Bell Zephyr's whips slash into it, again, leaving scars that scab over with sickening slowness...

As if sensing your regard, the Corrector's head swivels; The hell-pits of its eyes glowing brighter, orientating on you at last. In one great bound, it leaves the ground behind - A predator's lunging spring, to bring down prey. The great brazen mass *slams* down, scattering the dancers; Drool stringing from slavering jaws, hissing smoke rising up from the ground.

And at last - As the thing lets out a great, juddering roar, as the eternal heat of the monster's form hammers into you - your systems produce a name.

MEGAERA

JOKER QUEST

EPISODE 33

TO BE CONTINUED

>>22447898

(Apologies for the abrupt ending, gentlemen - However, it is *very* late, and I'm utterly exhausted. Thank you for your attention, as always - I'm afraid that I'm still recovering from a bout of sickness, so I might have dragged on rather longer than I expected.

Hope to see you again, soon: And as always, good night and god bless.)

>>22447801

Holy shit, she's hot.

>>22447905
Thanks for running it. See you next time. Any idea when that'll be, I'll keep an eye on the twitter anyways.

>>22447898
Well motherfucker. I think Megaera is Megumi.

When we fought Alecto, who was also named after one of the Furies, those being Alecto, Megaera and Tisiphone, who we haven't run into yet, Rambling Feather was stuck into the coffin and part of Alecto.

Given the similarities of the situation Megumi is either inside it or is somehow holding the chain.

Saving her is going to be a bitch and a half.

>>22447916

Wait, what kind of Player is that?

>>22447898
Well, that makes things more complicated. Actually now that I think about it we haven't fought a biological player in a while. Anyway, we shouldn't just assume that because Bell is humanoid she must be Megumi. And that chain stretching into nowhere combined with the Player wielding whips bugs me. Sure it could be nothing, but I can't help but think back to the Smilers working with correctors and wondering how the managed to pull that off. Can a Player break and train a Corrector?

>>22447984
The attractive kind.

There's a fair bit of variation in the appearance of various players. I'm pretty sure she's independent, she doesn't look like one of Argent's people or a Smiler.

>>22448029
I don't think the upper level Smilers have to wear a mark. Rust Kaiser and Bardiel didn't.

>>22448052
True, but she just doesn't feel like a Smiler to me. I'm not entirely sure why, it might be because of the setting, a bit of the appearance, and because it's fighting a Corrector, that's probably Megumi. I'm pretty sure Pazzy is behind Megaera and it wouldn't make much sense for his people to fight her.

File: 1357567800705.jpg-(17 KB, 280x407, Beelzebub.jpg)

>>22447801

Damn, I think I have a new favorite girl. She looks like that Praetor in the Phyrexian M:TG set.

Wonder what she looks like under the mask?

Bell Zephyr is clearly a psuedonym for Beelzbub. What is it with japan and moe demon girls?

>>22448525

>psuedonym

I don't think psuedonym is the right word.

>>22448029

That's the question, isn't it? WHY aren't there more Players like Hecate?

>>22448926

BECAUSE ONLY ONE GIRL CAN BE THAT HOT.

>>22448926
Not enough information to do more than speculate. Probably had something to do with how she became a Player. She did mention that she wasn't particularly combat capable, so others like her probably don't survive long.

There's some kind of split between Players like the Joker who have high tech weapons and names that are descriptive of their color and composition, and Players like Pazuzu that are named after a mythological figure, who seem to have magic or sufficiently advanced technology. Figuring out what's up with that isn't a priority, but it might explain a lot.

>>22450252
Don't forget that there seems to be a division between color players and metal players, the later being mostly Argents underlings (but since lately the addition of Rust Kaiser and Inox Fang changed this up a bit)

>>22450252

I don't know why, but I have the strangest feeling that this story isn't going to have a happy ending. Megumi is really cute, but there's no way we can make every girl happy.

Or any of them, in fact.

>>22450426
Point. We already know Player names change though, since whatever Anon was before he sure isn't now. Could be that if a player changes enough from his base form the system re-registers them. More likely it's just that certain kinds of Players are more likely to gravitate to one faction or another. Most likely it's just OP building on a theme.

Unrelatedly I just thought of something: We ought to keep an eye out for the rest of Fatal Abyss. Totenaz wasn't wrong that we tend to stumble into things, and having the other half of the blade is the only way we're getting our hands on the Joker's Memory without Akira dying dramatically in front of us.

>>22450685

I think our name used to be Frost Cestus.

>>22450679

My crackpot theory is that the Red World is the real world, and 'our' reality is some kind of Matrix-esque hallucination

>>22450744
I think the Red World is hell. Most of the stagenames seem to fit to some location in Dantes Inferno. What i am most worried about is the ominous final round. I don't even want to know what we are going to have to face when it comes.

>>22450679
We DID kill her childhood friend after destroying his hand and psychologically crushing him. And her other friend is almost certainly suffering from some Red World contamination, so there's a chance we'll kill him too.

Of the other girls Kotone is the Black Joker so who knows what's going on there, Hecate is quite possibly dead and thus beyond hurt and happiness, Asuna sees the Red World so probably will wind up a target, Mio keeps seeing people's deaths caused by losing in the game and Natsumi is not only dating our mutual best friend on our suggestion but probably likes us better while and on top of that she desperately wants us not to be the Red Joker. Of these we've got the best chance of making Mio happy as long as we keep winning.

>>22450708
Was that it? Didn't know it was named. Who's willing to bet we'll not fight a new Frost Cestus before the story's done?

>>22450956
I am still clinging to the possibility that Hecate is still alive. Otherwise i can see no lovelife working out for us.

I think its honestly horribly selfish to involve Mio with us. The Smilers have already demonstrated that they have no problems attacking players too strong for them in real life, going for their acquaintances is only the next step. And too many people already know or can find out our real identity. Pazuzu could already have tortured it out of Hecate, for all we know.

But you know, i am always too late for the game itself, so all i can do is reading you guys decisions and hope you don't fuck up.

>>22451004

I keep thinking that we're missing pieces of the puzzle.

1.) What was bardiel trying to DO at the hospital?
2.) Who sold him out? Someone wanted us to kill him, and we never found out who.
3.) What did the Black Cardinal do?
4.) HOW did the last iteration of the game end?
5.) Exactly what's Pazuzu's plan?
6.) What are the weird purple crystals?

>>22451166
1.) He was getting professional treatment for his hand, but was also probably planning to sneak attack Argent with the crystal.

2.) Didn't we say it was Kaiser? We never ID'd the voice, but Kaiser was the only person under Pazuzu's banner we know knew Hiroshi would be there. Given the current suspicion that Kou is Rust Kaiser and we only met Kou after we got out of the hospital that makes some (circumstantial) sense.

If we're completely off base it was probably someone from Argent's organization who recognized the name.

3.) Made it to the last round of the game. Beyond that, we really have no clue.

4.) Badly. Extraordinarily.

5.) Acquire the Nihl Sphere for reasons. It probably has to do with the Correctors.

6.) Speculation time: Raw form Nihl Spheres. They pull people into the Red World physically,

>>22451166
We have barely a clue about anything. I don't think we have learned many significant things since we lost Hecate. She was the one who could more or less explain the Red World to us. At the moment all we pick up are shards of a riddle. I have no idea how they fit together.

Maybe we should talk to Argent again. I have a feeling he has a) answers to someof our questions, b) even more riddles and c) a new adjudicator (which would be awesome)

But next thread we end this corrector and then finally finish up with the Tri-Stars before we go ruin Mios birthday.

>>22451166
What i always wanted to know was what was going on with that laser quest thing in Nara dream land where we fought the old Joker. I mean seriously, that was WEIRD. It kinda got forgotten in the Post Hecate Loss period though.

>>22451298
Allied players, and yes especially players, might know more about the Red world than we do.

>>22451387
derp

especially Argent

>>22451289
Field too long nothing, you posted everything but the last few sentences /tg/. Ugh, whatever.

6.) They pull people to the Red World physically, but we haven't seen if they can do anything else. As to where they're harvested and why Pazuzu's faction seems to hold them we can't say.

...Here's a crazy thought. Have we ever considered that maybe Pazuzu isn't the head of the Smilers? He's crazy strong but we would have wrecked his shit if it were one on one. I hate to say it, but he seems more like a... Mid-Boss.

>>22451448
Not to mention that we were already damaged pretty seriously from basejumping with that punching dagger asshole. Might be. But considering his Jester theme its likely that he is teh boss of the Smilers. Doesn't mean he is the boss of the game, though. I am betting on another Cthulhu-Corrector.

>>22451565
Even with that damage if we'd had five uninterrupted minutes with Pazuzu we'd have come out of Nara Dreamland with the stone for Hecate's engagement ring.

As for the jester theme he probably wants to style himself after the Black Joker. If he really wanted to be the Cardinal he'd outfit his people with an inquisitorial theme rather than carnival clowns.

Speaking of killing clowns, Maegara seems to be designed to be killed with the Tau Gun. Ask Baal Zebub/Bell Zephyr if she's Megumi, if she'd like a hand, then kill the thing, preferably after confirming one way or another that it's not chained to something worse.

>>22451694
I feel we could do this more subtle. Maybe just killing it, then dropping her the same line ("Don't mention it, I always have time to help a pretty girl out of a tight spot.") we did to Megumi and then watching her reaction could be tried before actually asking her directly.

I definetly agree about the Tau Gun, by the Way.

>>22451780
...Do we even do subtle? I mean, our suit is based on Char's MS and our interceptors are one step away from being funnels, our regular weapons are a pair of chain guns that spit plasma, our secondary fire mode is the 100-point gun from Gantz, our second most powerful weapon is the positron rifle from Eva except with slugs, and our most powerful weapon is the "Fuck everything in this general direction forever" cannon.

That said your idea is classy as fuck, so let's go with that instead.

>>22451905
>Char's MS

NO. We are actually red, not pink.

That said, my personal favorite of the jokers armory is definetly the Plasma Caster. Always a nice surprise for douchebags that think they can take us in close combat.

File: 1357585527496.gif-(48 KB, 440x480, Sazabi.gif)

>>22451988
Looks red to me. We're even going to have a shield for unlimited reference works. Except this one hides the blade inside it.

File: 1357585996878.jpg-(6 KB, 185x138, 185px-Red_Comet_Kick.jpg)

>>22452039
I present to you the MS-O6 S Zaku II Commander type (Char Aznable custom), the first mobile suit Char was seen piloting. It was basically incapable of scratching the armor on the Gundam, and still Char regularily tied with Amuro.

It is also undoubtely pink.

>>22452180
Yes, but I was talking about the suit with the funnels, which the Zaku II clearly had dozens of.

And yes, Char's Zaku is pink. Which proves he's the biggest badass in the UC timeline, like we didn't know that already. All further discussions of color I relegate to The Sage of Toad's Gran Tomino fanfic, which covers this exact subject with more grace than we could aspire to in the first chapter.

>>22451448
undoubtely Pazzie will have murdered a few players when we meet him again, and thus have leveled up (This isn't even my final form!)