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This is a tough call. I mean, from a tactical perspective, it would make sense for me to pair up with Irene since her Synapse range is tiny. But from that same perspective, Lloyd's Branch would make for a pretty good support if things get bad.

And then there's the fact that I really don't much care for Lloyd, while Irene's been nothing but friendly to me ever since that whole "tying me to a chair" thing. But even then, I can't say that I'd be all that comfortable with the idea of Lloyd running off on his own...

c'mon man

irene

please

"Ugh..." I let out a long sigh. "I guess partnering up with Irene would be alright."
"Cool!" Irene replies, as happy as can be.
"Why am I not surprised," Lloyd says, shaking his head. "Of course the adolescent boy would jump at a chance to be alone with a pretty girl."

>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me
>ignore his insults

>>43437072
>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

>>43437072
>ignore his insults

>>43437072
>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

It'll open up some interesting dialogue options and also serve to embarrass our eternal partner (who needs to learn to keep it in his non-existent pants). Head voice gotta learn to keep it down eventually.

>>43437072
>>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

>>43437072
>>ignore his insults

>>43437072
>>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

>>43437072
>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

>>43437072
>the voice in my head's the one with a crush on her, not me

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>writing

>>43437647
Mystia is the best idol.

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"The voice in my head's the one with the crush on her," I say, tapping my forehead. "Not me."
"...huh?" Lloyd's jaw drops and they both stare at me like I just said something insane.

thanks a lot man

"Christ in Heaven, don't tell me that you still have..." Lloyd places a hand to his forehead and groans.
"What?" I look at both of them.
"Well, umm..." Irene looks at me with a pained smile on her face. "Typically, someone who's been at this for y-"
"They're fuckin' dangerous," Lloyd blurts out. "Now I have to worry about you going Trance and murdering everyone."
"Lloyd, that's not always the case..." Irene turns to him.
"Yeah, maybe one in a hundred!"

hey what the hell

why do they think I'd do something like that


>ask what they're talking about
>this guy can go to hell for insulting my buddy

>>43438256
>this guy can go to hell for insulting my buddy
He's had my back since I got my powers and even if we disagree we work together, shove off!

>>43438256
>>this guy can go to hell for insulting my buddy
I'm best bros with the voice in my head, don't get jelly you aren't.

>>43438256
>ask what they're talking about
As much as I want to rise up to take that bait from Lloyd, we need to not get angry.

>>43438256
>ask what they're talking about

Our buddy wants to know what they're talking about. Defending him is great, but he's specifically asked for information so perhaps we should just ask for that.

>>43438256
>ask what they're talking about

>>43438256
>ask what they're talking about

>>43438256
>ask what they're talking about
I bet they are talking about CC's out burst.

>>43438462
Fearing Over-chan? Good, good. Over-chan likes this.

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>>43437670
>Mystia is the best idol.
Mystia is not an idol.
Mystia is METAL.


>writing

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>>43438537
She'll always be an idol in my Gensokyo!

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"What the hell are you talking about?" I ask, glaring at Lloyd. "I've had my Branch for four years and he's NEVER tried to do anything bad. Hell, he's more of a conscience than anything."

Lloyd looks me dead in the eyes and smirks.

"Yeah, that's what they do," he says. "You've got a demon in your head and now it's convinced you that it's your best friend and you're inseparable."
"Lloyd..." Irene reaches out to him, but he bats her hand away.
"No, the little asshole needs to hear this," he says. "Because regardless of my opinion of him, one of our jobs is still to try and reduce the number of people whose souls are consumed by those things."


>[1/?]

>>43438855
>And what makes you think I'm gonna give much thought to the philosophies that had me tied to a chair?

does the voice in Joshua's head have a name it goes by or is it just 'you'/'the voice in my head'?

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>>43438855
>[2/2]

"The demons," Lloyd points a finger in the air, "they come along with your Branch. Without fail," he says. "So you're suddenly able to do all sorts of amazing things but you also have a little voice in your head telling you that hey, you can do more with what you have. Or maybe it'll tell you to take what you want from people who can't do what you can, or lord your power over others or sometimes you just end up falling into hedonism and depravity."
"Yeah, well I don't do any of that," I reply.
"Yeah well in your case it's probably encouraging you to play superhero. You and everyone like you ends up falling for those demons' sweet talk until one day they see an opening. Sometimes they'll wear you down mentally until you're too tired to fight back or maybe they'll surprise you out of the blue and you have no idea that your 'imaginary friend' could even do something like that. So you fall," he says, clapping his hands as loud as he can. "You lose the fight, your soul is consumed and then that demon in your head gets to be the new you."


>how do I respond?

>>43439307
>Seems kinda sad that yours didn't win then.

>>43439307
"I'll let him tell his side"
>proceed to let him in control

>>43439307
Ok so, when did yours take over?

>>43439307
Ok so, when did yours take over?

>>43439307
>"And who do I want to trust, a couple of shady characters from an "organization" that probably want the books for themselves for whatever it is that evil organizations do or the voice that had my back the entire time I was out there?"

>>43439351
I like this a hell of a lot more than asking about Lloyd's demon. Or Irene's.

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>>43439351
fuck it, backing

>>43439351
While this is me and obviously still my vote I, personally, am interested in their demons if for nothing else but to learn how much farther arch's backstories go.
Backstory is always cool.

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>writing

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I take a deep breath.

"You know what?" I say to Lloyd. "I'll let him speak for himself."
"Wha?" Lloyd flinches.

Baton pass.

you sure?

Yeah, go on ahead. I trust you.


>[1/?]

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>>43440040


"You really pissed Joshua off, you know that?" I say to Lloyd. "So much so that now -I- get to deal with you."
"...the hell?" Lloyd lowers those stupid tiny sunglasses he wears and stares at me. "He can't seriously have-"
"Well he did," I say, crossing my arms. "Because he didn't think it was fair to let you talk crap about me without letting me have a change to defend myself."

I kind of wish he'd warned me that he was going to do this beforehand though.

"First off," I say, taking a deep breath, "Irene is absolutely beautiful and I'd love it if she'd like to become my girlfriend."
"W- what!?" Irene stammers. "So he wasn't joking about that!?"
"Eheh, nope," I wink at her.
"W- well umm..." Irene looks down at the ground while smiling in the CUTEST way, "...I really appreciate the sentiment but I'm here on business and I couldn't do that in good conscience..."
"Eh, it's fine," I shrug. "This body's a loaner anyways and Joshua's got his heart set on another girl. So even if you -were- willing to accept my offer, I'd have to turn you down right away."

Being a good person really sucks sometimes.

"That brings me to my second point, by the way," I say, allowing my smile to fade and my expression to go to serious-mode. "Yeah it's true that I'm one of those 'demons' that Mister Dickhead over there was talking about," I glance at Lloyd, "but I'm not and never have been a danger to Joshua."


>[2/?]

>>43440130

"A likely story," Lloyd says.
"I've had four years to do something if I really wanted," I say, glaring at him. "Joshua's been through some really bad stuff that happens to be none of your business and if I really wanted to take over I've had more opportunities than I can count."

I hop off the pew and stretch my legs. It's really nice to get to walk around like this... most of the time when Joshua lets me out it's to do his homework.

"But I'm still here," I say, tapping my forehead. "A little voice in the back of Joshua's head. Because Joshua's my best friend and the nicest person I've ever known aside from his mother and I'd never want to do anything to hurt either one of them."

And just because I can, I take hold of the sound of the blood flowing through LLoyd's head and amplify it to a painful degree. He doubles over in pain right away, then turns to me with the most hateful glare I've gotten since that plant guy last year.

"Demon..." he growls, "Clearly you were too stupid to remember what my Branch is."

With that, he sits back up in the pew and adjusts his sunglasses like nothing had ever been wrong with him at all.


>[3/?]

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>>43440311
>[4/4]

"...eh!?" Lloyd gawks at me. "Why aren't you-"
"Don't worry, you did throw that back at me like you intended," I reply. "It just so happens that my ears aren't affected by loud noises."

His jaw drops once again.

"That's right, dickhead," I say with the widest grin I can pull off. "Your ability is far from perfect, 'that which shares pain.' And on that note, I return you to your previously-scheduled Joshua."

With much regret, I relinquish control of this body back to its rightful owner.


>talk about _____
>time to go

>>43440311
Bro is the best

>>43440434
>"I regret nothing."
>time to go

>>43440434
>time to go
If you're done insulting my best friend straight to my face, lets get moving.

>>43440434
>>time to go

>>43440434
>>time to go

>>43440464
I like you

>>43440464
Might as well.

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>writing

>>43440434
>>time to go

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Huh. Irene looks really embarrassed and Lloyd looks like he wants to punch me in the face. I guess you must've got them good.

"Alright," I say to then, "if you're done insulting my best friend straight to my face, I think it's about time that we got moving."
"Umm, yeah!" Irene blurts out. "Lloyd, are you going to be okay by yourself?"
"Yeah, whatever," he mumbles. "Have fun with the demon-possessed boy, IRene. You already know that it's hot for you so watch out in case it tries something."
"I, uh..." she glances at me, "I don't think I really need to worry about that but thanks for the concern."
"Hmph."

While Lloyd fumes, Irene gets up from the pew and follows me to the door.

"Call if you find anything, okay?" Irene says.
"That goes double for you," Lloyd replies.

I don't say anything to that asshole myself, instead strolling right out of the church without a word.


>ask the irene what our plan of action is
>come up with something myself

>>43440730
>come up with something myself

>>43440730
Lets start by getting me within hearing range of the brothers. If we decide to move in you should stay behind me so I may be able to mask our approach.
I doubt the two of them has already mastered their abilities enough to sense the tremors we make through the earth or feel our approach through the wind, but it wouldn't be impossible.

>>43440730
>>ask the irene what our plan of action is
>>come up with something myself
Let's both contribute to the plan.

>>43440730
>Just go around and listen to the inside of the building.
>Irene looks more conventionally, she’s probably better at that mundane detective work.

In short: We do long-range, Irene short-range and decides where we move.

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>writing

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"Eheh..." Irene smiles and looks up at the sky, "this is going way quicker than I thought it would."
"Really?" I turn to her. "I would've thought that you guys would have a system down for this stuff."

You know, protocol or whatever.

"We do," Irene replies, "but that only applies -after- we've located where the target might be. Actually searching for leads and all that usually takes a lot longer than this, especially without someone with a Branch specifically suited to tracking."
"Hm," I nod. "So you and that other guy are..."
"We're a team suited for fights!" she replies in the same tone a gradeschool teacher would use towards a kid who just got a right answer. "Since we've gotten a lot of reports of dangerous types around here."


>[1/?]

>>43441034
Bringing along at least one tracker would really speed up their work. Can't believe they still haven't learned that in the future.
I wonder how many Irenes are currently in active duty.

>>43441069
They don't have the people. I don't know how many trackers they have working for them, but there's no way it can possibly match the demand. And in any case, for their purposes, anyone who doesn't have a piss-poor Synapse range is good enough at tracking. I don't remember what Lloyd's is but I'm pretty sure it's at least average.

>>43441034
>[2/2]

"I... see."

She's probably talking about some of the people that I've fought.

"So how exactly are we doing this?" I ask. "you cover shortrange while I take care of longrange surveillance? Get a lock on their heartbeats or whatever?"
"More or less," Irene shrugs. "My hope is to find the air kid first and actually, y'know, try to work things out like reasonable people."
"Out of four years of doing this," I say, "things have only gone that way a grand total of once."
"Eheh, that sounds about right..." she groans.


>friendly conversation as we make our way to the searching-type area
>the joshua is all business

>>43441112
>>friendly conversation as we make our way to the searching-type area

I don't know why you put these talk don't talk votes in. Unless this is a trap and talking will get us screwed.

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>>43441112
>friendly conversation as we make our way to the searching-type area

>>43441112
>friendly conversation as we timeskip our way to the searching-type area
Literally a pointless promt. You need to stop doing this Arch.

>>43441126
In this case, it affects the level of affection that Irene has for Joshua and vice-versa.
strictly platonic, of course

>>43441112
>>friendly conversation as we make our way to the searching-type area
"So… you to been a team for long?"

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>>43441148
>strictly platonic, of course

Is this never not a lie?

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>writing

>>43441148
Oh. I want that to be high so Joshua gives the book to her without complaints instead of keeping it as a dick-analogue for his girlfriend who never asked for it, doesn't need it, and has no use for it.

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Might as well try and attempt to be friendly... I guess.

"Hey," I turn to Irene.
"Hm?" she flinches a little. "What's up?"
"You and that Lloyd guy," I point back in the general direction of the church. "Have you two been a team for long?"
"Mmmmm..." she taps her lips with her finger.

so hot

"I've known him for about three years now?" Irene says. "We've been partnered up a few times over the years, but nothing really permanent."
"Ah," I nod. "So what, it's like random assignments?"
"More like it's 'who can be spared for this case,'" she replies. "Especially in this situation with the books, they've been spread all over the world and we don't have that many people to begin with so it's pretty rough," she sighs. "EVen my sister's been put on assignment for this and that NEVER happens."
"Wow."


>[1/2]

>>43441218
We promised to give her the book, so that's what we're going to do.

>>43441317
Even if we have to fight Irene and Lloyd for it? Lorelei would probably prefer he not endanger himself for such a stupid reason.

>>43441310
>[2/2]


"Now it's my turn," Irene says, humming to herself.
"What?"
"You asked me a question so it's only fair that I get to ask you one."
"......" I sigh. "...fine, as long as it's nothing touchy."

she's totally gonna ask you out

Quit dreaming.

"Your, uh... -other self- mentioned that you had a girlfriend?" Irene says. "Is that true?"


>that is exactly the kind of touchy question that I'm not answering
>answer her (how much to tell her?)

>>43441338
Just disable them with a moderately weak sonic attack, then leg it and hide the book somewhere.

>>43441354
>"Sort of, though we didn’t get far yet… I hope you understand I won’t really go into more detail on that."
Let’s give her *something* but nothing incriminating. Show good faith, but mostly deflect.

>>43441354
>Yes, but that's all you're getting.
>How about you?

>>43441354
>Yeah. (Talk about her personality)

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>writing

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"Yes."
"Yes?" Irene leans in.
"Yes I have a girlfriend and that's all you're getting."
".........." she begins pouting like a little kid who's just been tricked.

so cute

"C'mon, I gave you more than that!" she pleads. "It's no fair if you just leave it at that!"
"Ugh, fine," I grumble. "She's kind of a flake and kind of irresponsible but it only serves to make her seem even cuter than she already is," I say.
"Oho!" she laughs. "You're the kind of guy who likes a girl who he has to take care of?"
"Not so much that..." I mumble.
"Haha, you're blushing!" she teases. "You like her that much, huh?"
"Obviously," I say, rolling my eyes.
"So she's 'irresponsible,' huh... is this like the 'little sister you need to look after' type? I hear that appeals to guys' protective instincts..."

Ugh, this is how the girls at school get when they gossip about each other's lovelives.


>[1/?]

>>43441582


"No," I groan. "She's older."
"Ooh!" Irene giggles. "So -that's- where the 'irresponsible' part comes in, I take it?"
"........."
"So how much older is she?"
"I have no idea now let's just drop it already," I say in a huff.

I regret talking to her at all, not even you're this bad.


>[2/?]

>>43441612
>[3/3]


After a while of walking, we reach the general area that Irene wanted us to check out. It's a kind of crappy area of town with lots of abandoned buildings and all that... and I've actually fought Branch holders around here a few times in the past, now that I think about it.

it's like that one parking garage in rider shows

Now is not the time for fanboying.

"So now we get to work," Irene says, looking ahead with a sharp gaze. "I'm counting on you to back me up, okay?"
"Yeah, alright," I nod. "Just talk in a low tone of voice and I'll hear you, there's no need for phones."
"Gotcha," she nods.


>split up now
>follow her for a while and then split off

>>43441682
>follow her for a while and then split off

>>43441682
>>follow her for a while and then split off
I’m not sure why we would split off at all. We can do our thing at range after all.

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>writing

>>43441806
Who is this semen demon?

>>43441816
What I wanted to say. Without the semen demon.

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>>43441824
>Without the semen demon.
What phrase would you use to replace it, then?

>>43441868
No phrase. Just "Who is this?" After all, why state the obvious?

I am partial to Middle Leg Major, though.

>>43441885
>I am partial to Middle Leg Major, though.
That's a good one. Personally I prefer Fluid Druid or Scrotum Totem.

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"Hm?" Irene looks back at me. "We're not splitting up? I thought we were going to try and gave two sets of eyes out."
"No point." I reply. "Since my ears are just as good."
"Heh, makes sense," she nods.

This place is really depressing after a while. Concrete buildings with all the windows broken out, the heartbeats of homeless people squatting in them for shelter, the occasional stray cat... my Mom used to say that this city used to be bustling once upon a time but now it's like we're exploring its corpse.

I'm careful not to let my melancholy affect my senses though, as eyesight isn't exactly enough to keep ourselves safe around-

My arm darts out and my hand clamps around Irene's.

"Wha!?" Irene jumps at my sudden action... that I'm just as surprised by. "I- is something wrong?"
"......" I look around and focus on the soundwaves created by every living thing around us.

three o'clock

heartbeat

familiar

"Over there," I point in the direction that the voice in my head stated.
"And here I was hoping that we wouldn't find anything today," Irene laughs uneasily.


>approach with caution
>try and create some more distance between us

>>43441908
>Fluid Druid
Must have skipped that one. Rolls over the tongue like "Glans Flans".

>>43441920
>Your call: Do you want to approach and talk this out, or should we get some distance between us?

>>43441920
>approach with caution

Looks like activity's died off so that's all for tonight's thread. I think I'll run another one sometime this week before going back to Cecile.

Not sure what day that'll be though.


and now for questions

>>43442024
Been so long that I can't remember, but did Irene and Lloyd find out our full name?

>>43442024
How much did we fuck up when we had other!Joshua take over?

>>43442024
Sorry, had to step out for a moment.

Question: As I recall if Person and Other!Person are similar enough, the Other can start switching and later merging / taking over. Does that mean Other!Joshua can take over whenever he wants?

>>43442024
Is there a way to find out if a branch holder has been taken over by their "demon" or not?

>>43442048
>Been so long that I can't remember, but did Irene and Lloyd find out our full name?
Yup.

>>43442053
>How much did we fuck up when we had other!Joshua take over?
Complicated some things but it wasn't a fuckup.

>>43442110
>Question: As I recall if Person and Other!Person are similar enough, the Other can start switching and later merging / taking over. Does that mean Other!Joshua can take over whenever he wants?
It's less "being similar" than it is "having similar motives/desires." And yeah, most of the time he has an easier time than Theresa's alternative personality does in asserting control if he so desired.
Fortunately for Joshua, he rarely does so.

>>43442129
>Is there a way to find out if a branch holder has been taken over by their "demon" or not?
Yes.


And now I sleep. Thanks for playing!

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

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

>>43442140
>Yes.
Just leaving me hanging like that...

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>>43441868
>Mayonnaise Maiden
>Dick juice Masseuse
>Sket Treat
>Nut Slut
>Male reproductive organ gorgon

>>43442140
Thanks for the thread!