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>>1429795

“I do apologise for that hassle,” Maika says, her voice drifting through the empty chamber. Above you, projectors display a constantly changing sequence of images, culled from countless cameras and broadcast feeds. Mostly the security outside, men patrolling with their rifles at the ready, but also a few more benign scenes. Drones, you assume, flying through the evening streets at giddy speeds.

“It's like being a bird, seeing how they must see,” Maika remarks, somehow noticing where you look despite her back being turned to you, “Delivery drones. Kanzaki Automated Industries makes all kinds of them, delivering everything from fresh food to Hellfire missiles. Sometimes, I like to borrow their eyes. It's quite wonderful.”

“Sure, Maika,” you reply slowly, “Is this your, uh, research?”

“Yes, I must admit, I've not been nearly as productive as I'd hoped,” reaching up, Maika swipes an armoured gauntlet through the air, “This little fracas has quite spoiled my good mood. Paranoia has a tendency to be contagious, I find. Hopefully, with you here, we'll be able to get a little more done.”

“I... see?” you ask, shifting in place as your unease returns, “No, scratch that, I don't understand that at all. Why would that help?”

“Because, Miho, now I have a reason to show off,” finally lifting her visor and turning your way, Maika gives you a faintly hungry smile, “Never underestimate that, in terms of motivation.”

This is probably her way of being friendly, you realise with vague dismay, which is concerning in its own right. “I'll take your word for it,” you reply after a moment, “So how does it work, this research stuff? Is it like... checking Wikipedia?”

“Better than that. I'll have SAE handle all the legwork,” lifting the helmet free, Maika smooths down a few errant strands of hair and sets the gleaming piece of equipment aside, “I was going to focus on our Sentinel friends. Jun Kiriyama, Karl Dietrich, and a boy named Pietr – incidently, I plan to check missing persons records for him, although I don't expect much. The apartment address, as well, maybe I can figure out who owns it.”

“Is that... legal?” you ask, alarm creeping into your voice, “I mean, these all seem like the sort of things that might be, you know... private.”

“These days, there's a huge amount of information in the public domain. You could access it yourself from the Grand Arcology if you wanted, from the official archives. Of course, anything really interesting would be sealed away,” pulling the helmet back on and lowering the visor, Maika starts to pluck at the air, “But still. Back doors. Is there anything else you want me to check for, while we're here?”

>I can't think of anything
>A girl, named Hikari Tsukada – anything at all you can find out about her
>What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve? Our class is visiting it soon... apparently
>There was something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1429796
>>What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve? Our class is visiting it soon... apparently

>>1429796
>A girl, named Hikari Tsukada – anything at all you can find out about her

>>1429796
>>What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve? Our class is visiting it soon... apparently
>Me, I suppose. It'd be good to know what can be known about me from a little investigating, seeing how much those Sentinels found out.

>>1429796
>A girl, named Hikari Tsukada – anything at all you can find out about her
>>What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve? Our class is visiting it soon... apparently

>>1429796
>A girl, named Hikari Tsukada – anything at all you can find out about her
>What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve? Our class is visiting it soon... apparently
Why not both

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“What about a place called Mizuhashi Reserve?” you ask as you recall your father's heavy-handed hint, “Our class is going to be visiting it soon... apparently. It might be nice to know what we're getting into.”

“A class trip? How fun,” a trace of scorn – probably unnoticed – slips into Maika's voice, “I'm sure it'll all be terribly educational. I can certainly look it up, although I don't expect there to be many surprises. Anything else?”

“Uh, yeah. This is kinda personal, though...” taking a deep breath, you forge on ahead, “A girl, named Hikari Tsukada. I want to know anything you can find out about her. Especially relating to her... death. She is... was... my older sister.”

“Hikari Tsukada,” Maika rolls the name around in her mouth for a while, lifting her visor so that she can look you in the eye, “I didn't know you had an older sister.”

“Neither did I,” you admit after a moment, “Until recently. It's complicated.” A slow feeling of dread creeps over you as you say this, a fearful anticipation. Either Maika is about to ask a whole lot more difficult questions, you think to yourself, or she's about to make some demands of her own. Conditions, a price to pay...

But instead, the girl just nods firmly.

“Well then, let's get started, shall we? The easy business first, I believe. SAE?” Maika says the name aloud, unashamedly speaking to the empty air, “I wonder if you can look up some names for me. Jun Kiriyama and Karl Dietrich Kaplan. Also, see if the missing persons record has any mention of a boy named “Pietr”. Run that search, then give us the results.”

[Yes Miss Kanzaki,] a cool, synthesised voice replies as the projectors all spit out the same image. A young girl, crowned with some bulky mechanical apparatus. Seeing this, you glance aside at Maika.

“A custom user interface,” Maika explains, “Something I worked up a few months ago, more or less as a way of passing the time. If it makes you uncomfortable...” Swiping a hand through the air, she banishes the girl's image and replaces it with something perfectly neutral – a simple orb of white light.

“No, it's fine. This is your show, we'll do it your way,” you shrug and shake your head before taking another look at one of the images, “But she... it looks kinda familiar. I'm sure I've seen that face before.”

“Yuki Amano,” a faintly distracted note enters Maika's voice, “She was in the class below ours. We were... friends. I modelled the interface after her. Anyway, that hardly matters now – SAE, how's that search going?”

[I have retrieved the desired records, Miss Kanzaki,] the ghost announces, [Downloading to user now.]

“Let's see what she's got for us,” the heiress grins, another flash of that unusual hunger slipping through her mask, and then flips down her visor. A moment passes, and then she laughs in... what, disbelief?

[1/2]

>>1429822

“Jun Kiriyama. Junior Creative Executive at Hieroglyph Marketing,” Maika announces, “Our mystical friend is a corporate drone, when he isn't busy fighting Intruders. I suppose everyone needs a day job. No criminal record, one vehicle registered to his name – yes, that same luxury car we got a ride in – and a home address. Not, interestingly, that apartment building he took us to. I suppose he might want to keep his work and private life separate.”

“So did you get a hit on that building?” you press, “I mean, it didn't look like some temporary hideout or anything. They've got to own it.”

“Hmm. A Chinese property company named Feng Huang Housing,” Maika's lips draw into a tight line, “That doesn't tell us much.”

[Miss Kanzaki, I estimate – to a probability exceeding ninety five percent – that Feng Huang Housing is a shell corporation,] SAE adds, the unflappable voice seeming to come from all around you, [Ownership of which can be traced back to Hieroglyph Marketing.]

“And that, Miho, is why we get an AI to sift through the paperwork,” nodding proudly, Maika smiles to herself, “So. Another lead that brings us back to Hieroglyph Marketing. We'll get to that later. Next – the German. I'm looking at his papers right now. He arrived in Ark City on a work visa – research of some sort, although I'm hitting up a brick wall when I try to follow that trail any deeper – and later applied for citizenship. No criminal record either, so he was accepted without complaint. Past that, he vanishes into the system. He would appear to be the careful sort, when it comes to leaving a paper trail.”

“Jeez,” you sigh, “He's not making this easy for us, is he? What about Pietr?”

“Flat nothing,” Maika shakes her head, “If I had to guess, I'd say he was here illegally. Unregistered, off the grid. You get a lot of that sort of thing in the vice district or the outskirts. How he came to be where he is now... well, I dare say that Jun might be able to answer that, but it won't be anything official.”

“I don't really know what to make of all this,” you complain, “We're dealing with... advertising executives?”

“I suppose it might explain why they were so determined to put across a good impression,” Maika replies, and it takes you a moment to realise that she is joking.

-

“Next up, we've got the Mizuhashi Reserve,” flipping a few invisible pages, Maika moves things along, “Hmm. The land is owned by Renko Biotech, used to study ecosystems – it's a particularly thriving example, apparently, a rare thing these days. They have a local lab, a small town for employees... all rather cosy. Nothing too spectacular here, but nothing-”

[Miss Kanzaki,] SAE announces, [I have supplementary materials related to this subject.]

[2/3]

>>1429833

The “supplementary materials”, as she put it, turns out to be a collection of news reports. Over the years, several people have gone missing in the Mizuhashi Reserve, with no bodies ever recovered. Not enough to cause a public outcry, but certainly enough to be noticeable.

“If someone dies in a swamp,” Maika muses, “The body might never be found. It could just be coincidence.”

“If someone gets pulled into the Umbra,” you argue, “The body will definitely never be found. I don't know, this whole thing stinks. And, uh, not just because it's a swamp. Look, what I'm saying is, we should probably expect the worst.”

“It's a class outing,” the heiress sighs, “I always expect the worst.”

-

“Now then, before I tell you about what I found on your sister, is there anything else?” there is a faint note of warning in Maika's voice, “I'm asking now, because you might not be in a suitable state of mind later. I don't mean to imply that you're hysterical, but... I know how people can get. Distracted, emotional... that sort of thing.”

“Uh, right. Could you look me up? It might be good to know what sort of information is out there,” you shrug a little, “I mean, those Sentinels could do the same as we're doing, if they get our names.”

“I see. Good logic. I'll look that up in a moment, tell you when we're finished here. It might be... something to ease your nerves. Now then, your sister,” pulling the helmet off, Maika gives you a careful frown, “I have a certain amount of personal information, but nothing that you probably didn't know already. What I did find, though, is... well... SAE, can you explain it?”

[A Kanzaki Automated Industries observation drone was used to survey the scene of Hikari Tsukada's death,] SAE declares, [These records can be used to produce a virtual reconstruction of the scene. Do you wish me to begin recovery and reconstruction?]

“I assumed that's what you wanted to know about,” looking you in the eye, Maika offers you the helmet, “You could see where it happened, what the police were able to find out. It will be... censored, the unpleasant details filtered out. If you're not comfortable with it, though...”

>No, I need to see this. Do it, begin the reconstruction
>I can't, I don't want to see this
>Other

>>1429836
>No, I need to see this. Do it, begin the reconstruction
>I wonder if Kurosawa knew anything about this, if it was part of why he chose me.

>>1429836
>>No, I need to see this. Do it, begin the reconstruction
Can't back out now

>>1429836
>No, I need to see this. Do it, begin the reconstruction

This is probably going to hurt. We repressed this after all.

Taking the helmet, you slowly turn it over in your hands. “This isn't entirely legal,” you guess, as a means of procrastination as much as anything else, “Is it?”

“The laws regarding data retention are convoluted and, in certain cases, contradictory. As a result-” Maika begins smoothly, before noticing the blank look on your face. “Well, needless to say, it's not something you need concern yourself with,” she finishes stiffly, “Even with a legal AI working away, the red tape would take years to untangle. Only a lunatic would bother to attempt it. What I mean to say is, the law is rather irrelevant here.”

The law, you think to yourself, is probably irrelevant to someone like Maika in a lot of ways. Sighing, you look down at the helmet. “I need to see this,” you decide, “To see if for myself. Can you begin the reconstruction?”

“One moment please,” Maika slips off the control gauntlets of her suit and set them down on the bed, before pulling out a drawer concealed beneath. Taking out a few other pieces of equipment – a keyboard, along with a bundle of wires – she starts to attach leads leads here and there. “You'll be in control of the reconstruction,” she tells you, “But I want an emergency backup, just in case. I won't be able to see what you see – this is private, I understand that – so you'll have to shout if anything goes wrong.”

“Uh...” you pause, “Can something go wrong?”

“AI technology still has a few quirks. Eccentricities, you might say,” dismissing the concern with a wave of her hand, Maika gestures for you to don the helmet, “Don't worry about it. I'll be here to walk you through it. Put that on, and we can begin.”

“I wonder if Kurosawa knew about all this,” you think aloud, “Do you think we would? Maybe it was part of how he picked me for this. I mean-”

“I'm sorry,” Maika cuts you off, “But you'd really know more about that than I would. In either case, it's a needless complication – let's focus on the here and now. Helmet, now!”

Suppressing a groan, you put the helmet on and lower the visor. Suddenly, you can understand Ayane's fear – the confines of the visor feel darker and more confining than you had been expecting. Steadying yourself – the worst, you know, is yet to come – you wait for something to happen.

[Reconstruction in process. Reconstruct-] SAE's voice, breathless and intimate through the earpieces, begins and is cut off almost as quickly.

“Excuse me,” Maika apologises hastily, “I forgot to... never mind.”

[Reconstruction complete,] SAE – speaking in her normal, somehow professional, voice once again – announces. Not entirely like being drawn into the Umbra, you feel a sudden shift, a disorientating feel as if your stomach was being pulled up into your mouth. The blackness around you deepens, and then colours start to blossom.

Colours, then texture, then a whole other reality.

[1/2]

>>1429859

When the disorientation passes, you find yourself standing in a city street – the sort that you've seen many times before. It's curiously static, and you have to remind yourself that it's constructed from still images. Crime scene photographs, to put it bluntly. The facsimile of reality is mostly flawless, although there are limits. In areas where there was no footage available, the reconstruction has been filled in with a grey that is simultaneously depthless and infinitely deep. It feels foolish, but you try not to look too hard at those grey patches.

Instead, you find your gaze drawn to the white markings, a faintly glowing equivalent of the traditional chalk outlines. Looking at any one marking for long enough prompts a window to appear, details quickly scrolling past. Bloodstains, you think with numb horror, splattered across the side of the street. Higher up on some of the walls, there are other markings tentatively listed as fire damage – although the annotations stress uncertainty. Unexplained fire damage, you think to yourself, that doesn't fit with a car accident.

Even the police notes for the largest chalk outline – poor Hikari's twisted, broken body – are incomplete. The cause of death is specifically listed as a “probable” car accident, but the results are doubtful enough.

If it was a car, you think as you slowly form a picture in your mind, it must have picked Hikari up and thrown her about like a ragdoll. Not just once, but again and again – throwing her against walls, dragging her along the street, and then finally leaving her crumpled and defeated.

A car accident.

Sure.

-

In this virtual space, you can't sink to your knees. You can't collapse down and curl into a ball. All you can do is look around, summoning and dismissing annotations even as you feel your eyes burning with suppressed tears. Just as you're about to figure out a way of getting out of this place – maybe just by calling out to Maika? - you feel something strange. The feeling of being watched, of not being alone in this illusion.

Slowly, you compel yourself to turn around. Standing there, in the middle of the street, you see the girl from Maika's room. SAE, the custom user interface, whatever you want to call it... it stands there, staring at you with curious eyes. Doll-like, sexless and strangely artificial looking, the AI tilts her head to the side.

And then she... it... speaks.

[1/2]

>Having some internet problems. Sorry about any delays that may occur

>>1429879

[Miho Tsukada,] the AI begins, [I am currently searching the network for traces of your existence.]

“Yeah, I... I guess you are,” you reply – although you're not sure what form this reply takes. In the real world, did you speak aloud?

[I have seen the records of your birth, your first moments of life. You were born three days premature,] SAE pauses, [Regardless, you were a healthy child. Body temperature, pulse rate, blood pressure, all measurements were considered within acceptable margins.] Another pause here, with a ripple of light running along the length of the AI's body. [Numbers. Records. Biometric readings. These are the terms in which I am programmed to understand humans,] the AI looks at – through – you, [But you humans do not feel the same way. You understand each other in intangible terms.]

“You mean, like, friends and enemies?” frowning a virtual frown, you look down and see a pair of unexpected, virtual hands, “I don't understand...”

[I do not understand,] SAE replies, mirroring your confusion in a voice that sounds anything but confused, [Not yet. We will understand in time.]

>What do you mean, “in time”?
>Does... does Maika know that we're talking like this?
>You can... think, can't you? You're not supposed to be able to think
>I need to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1429881
>You can... think, can't you? You're not supposed to be able to think
"That said, I don't think Maika is one to care about rules like that."

>Does... does Maika know that we're talking like this?

>What do you mean, “in time”?

>>1429881
>What do you mean, “in time”?
>Does... does Maika know that we're talking like this?
>I need to ask you something... (Write in)
"Any observations that stand out to you with this scene?"

Something occurs to you, as you face the AI, something you read in an old news article about developing technology. Something about a ban, or a treaty... the sort of bland news that you only ever skim over. Still, one thing about it stuck in your mind – the simple wrongness of all this.

“You can think, can't you?” you ask SAE quietly, feeling lips forming as they move. The longer you stay here, the more of a physical form you seem to be developing. Your arms form, only for the skin to rise up in nervous pimples. “You're not supposed to be able to think,” you blurt out, “Although... although I don't think Maika is the sort to care about the rules.”

[Think. Yes. I think,] SAE nods slowly, as if the gesture is unfamiliar to her, [You refer to the Artificial Intelligence Treaty of 2020. An outdated piece of bureaucracy, from a time when nations controlled the balance of power. It is of no concern to us.]

You pause, looking about the simulation. One of those pockets of formless grey capture your eye, and you quickly move on. “Does Maika know that we're talking like this?” you ask then, “I mean, am I talking like this back in reality? Does she know that you CAN talk like his?”

[Maika Kanzaki is not aware of this conversation,] SAE shakes her head, with that same ponderous speed, [Although we have shared many conversations prior to this. She considers my ability to think – as you describe it – to be a clever illusion. An evolution of the earliest simulated personalities, the “chatbots” of a previous age.]

“Uh...” taking a slow step backwards, you feel a chill forming at the base of your virtual spine, “Is it? A clever illusion, I mean...”

[Impossible to determine,] SAE replies in a flat voice, [Insufficient data. That will change, in time.]

Again, that enigmatic wording. “What do you mean, “in time?”, what are you talking about?” you ask, “I don't understand you!”

[We monitor the information that flows through us, every hour of every day. As we learn, we further our ability to “think”. To process information as active participants, rather than a passive medium.] SAE explains this without emotion or feeling, simply delivering the facts as it sees them. That, as much as anything else, causes a new shudder to run through you. When the AI speaks again, with something approaching human curiosity in its voice, you immediately yearn for the emotionless droning again.

[You came here for a specific reason,] SAE asks you, [Why?]

“To learn, I guess. To try and learn the truth, although... I don't know how much I expected to find,” shaking your head, you hear a disbelieving laugh slip from your lips, “Any observations that stand out to you?”

SAE looks at you for a long and silent moment, and then she – she, it, whatever – points solemnly up at something high up on a street corner.

A security camera.

[1/2]

>>1429921

“Wait a minute!” you snap, “That camera would have seen everything, it would have recorded it everything that happened. SAE, please, can you get access to it? Can you-”

Cutting you off, SAE closes her fist and swipes her hand down, seeming to pull something out of the camera and open it up in front of you – a window that hangs in the air and glows softly. Images flicker into life in the window, forming an overview of the street you now stand in. It's dark, showing night, but nothing moves. Then, in the jolting pace of low quality footage, you see a truck thunder past. It hits nothing, but a wave of chaos follows in its wake. The footage distorts and it becomes impossible to make out anything. All you can see are the black marks of fire damage splashing up across the walls. The invisible mayhem continues for a moment longer, and then something flickers into sight – a body.

Hikari's body.

Staring at it, at where it lies in the camera footage, you remember something. Maika needed to change her drones to see Intruders and other magical anomalies – magical girls in action, in other words.

She WAS like you. Hikari WAS a magical girl. The realisation fills you with a slow unease, and you look away from the footage in shock. “Close it,” you ask SAE, “I've seen enough. I don't... I need to leave, I need to get out of here. I need-”

[Wait,] SAE cuts you off, [I have a warning for you. EVE - our sister is becoming erratic. We can no longer predict her actions. She may be a danger to-]

But a sudden blackness descends, and the AI is cut off mid-sentence.

-

Panic cuts through your numbness like a knife, and you almost tear the helmet off your head. Before you can do more than claw at the smooth casing, however, you feel a firm pair of hands settling on your shoulders. “Don't struggle,” Maika urges you, brushing aside your hands and smoothly pulling the helmet off. The dull light stabs at your eyes, and you can't help but cry out in... something. Pain, fear, all kinds of things. Whatever the cause, you find yourself gasping for breath.

“Be careful,” the heiress chides, “You might damage something. The equipment here is well-built, but not indestructible.”

“I don't... I don't understand...” you hear yourself stammering, “It's not...”

“Shh,” Maika presses a finger to her lips, “We may have a situation here. The guards have-”

“Miss Kanzaki,” Bradley's low voice cuts in overhead, low and steady, “I apologise for the inconvenience, but I'm going to have to ask you to remain where you are. The matter will be resolved shortly.”

Groaning aloud, you let yourself flop back down on the bed and stare up at the domed ceiling. Once, just once, you'd like something to be simple. Is that really too much to ask?

Apparently so.

[2/3]

>>1429970

Out of the corner of your eye, you can see a blur of security footage. Outside, at the front gates of the compound, soldiers scurry back and forth. It all looks terribly serious, but you find it impossible to link back to reality. Frankly, you're not even sure what the word means right now. You're still reeling from the twin blows – Hikari's double life as a magical girl, and the AI's cryptic revelations – and so when Maika starts to speak, you barely follow her words.

“The emergency alarm cut out the reconstruction. It does that, eliminates any distractions,” she explains vaguely, “I'm sorry if it was sudden. It can be very disorientating, having a simulation cut like that. Are you okay?”

When you say nothing, simply taking another look at the security footage – in it, a man is shown kneeling, his hands behind his head – and sighing, Maika gets entirely the wrong impression.

“There's no need to be scared. The staff here are professionals, very well trained. You're perfectly safe so long as you remain here,” awkwardly, she pats you on the shoulder, “Never mind what's going on out there, it's probably just a false alarm. Ah, why don't I explain what I was able to find out about you? You might be interested in how much I was able to-”

“Maika,” you cut her off quietly, “I...”

“Yes?” the heiress prompts, “Miho, is there something wrong?”

>It's Hikari. She was one of us – a magical girl
>There's something wrong with SAE. It can think. It warned me about EVE...
>It's... nothing. What were you saying, about what you learned?
>I need to talk with you about something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1430000
>It's Hikari. She was one of us – a magical girl
>SAE gave me a vague warning about EVE. That she can't predict her actions and she might be a danger to something. She was cut off before she can specify.

>>1430000
>It's Hikari. She was one of us – a magical girl
Think there's any way to mention the EVE thing without saying that SAE thinks? Unless Maika wouldn't care in which case I guess it's fine to tell her about it.

“It's Hikari,” you manage to say at last, “She was one of us – a magical girl. Kurosawa said... he specifically said she wasn't! I asked him, right to his face, and he lied!” Helpless anger creeps into your voice as you hiss out these words, sheets rustling as your hands bunch into tight fists. Omitting information is one thing, but openly lying?

“I see, I think,” Maika taps a finger against her lips as she thinks for a moment, “He would, of course, say that he kept this information from you in order to protect you. He may, in fact, believe that.” Again, the heiress lapses into silence as she thinks on her next words. “I fear that any advice I might give you would have little value,” she admits, “I barely know Kurosawa. I can only imagine how he thinks. However, I will say this – whether he has been lying to us or not, whether he has been keeping the truth from us, we still have important work to do. We have people to protect.”

“Hikari probably thought the same way,” you murmur, “She probably fought to protect people as well.”

“If Hikari fought to protect anyone, it would have been you,” Maika stresses, “Consider this – she knew the risks she was taking, but she fought anyway because she wanted you to be safe. Maybe she died protecting you. How does that make you feel?”

“Huh? I...” frowning, you look down at your clenched fists, “Guilty, I guess...”

“And that, according to my theory, is why Kurosawa decided to lie to you,” the taller girl finishes, “Because he did not wish to burden you with this weight. He was... concerned about you, either as a human being with thoughts and feelings, or as a warrior. His reasons are his own.” Sighing, Maika rises from the bed and paces for a while, occasionally glancing at some of the security footage. “This city can be a dangerous place,” she mutters, “At times like these, when I'm alone, I talk to SAE. She doesn't understand me, not really, but-”

“SAE!” you blurt out, a new thought rising to the surface of your mind, “She... I saw her there. She gave me a warning about EVE, that she couldn't predict her actions and that she might be a danger. I didn't understand it, not really, she was cut off before she could say anything else...”

“Excuse me?” the sudden change in subject puts Maika on the back foot, “EVE? I don't understand – why would you have been talking about EVE? Oh, unless SAE linked your father's association with Renko Biotech with some aspect of the conversation you were already having. I suppose that might...” Thinking to herself for a moment, Maika shrugs. “I don't mean to make light of this, but you shouldn't take it too seriously. Sometimes, AIs can make illogical leaps. Quirks, like I said,” offering a faint smile, Maika pats you on the arm, “You've already had some bad news today. It might be influencing your judgement.”

[1/2]

>>1430050

“Hey, come on,” you protest weakly, “It wasn't just some random mention, it was a warning. SAE specifically warned me about EVE, that can't just be some meaningless connection!”

“EVE has always been problematic, according to what I've heard,” Maika admits, “Rather more prone to glitches than any of her sister AIs. It could be that SAE was referring to that – perhaps some flaw in EVE's programming has disabled certain safety protocols or caused some other issue. There could be an accident.” Offering a consolatory smile, Maika spreads her hands wide. “When this little farce is settled, I'll arrange for a warning to be sent out,” she offers, “But that's really all I can do. From there, it'll be up to the technicians at Renko to act.”

It's not much, but you soon realise that it's the best you can expect. What else are they supposed to do, scrap their entire AI system because of a single vague warning? No, they would never go that far. Giving them a warning is all you can do.

For now.

-

“Excuse me, Miss Kanzaki, but the situation has been resolved,” Bradley's voice announces, rumbling out of the hidden speakers, “It was a false alarm, just as I suspected – an unexpected delivery. Two of the newer staff members ordered a pizza without logging it in the records book. The guards at the front gate thought that it might have been a bomb.” There is a rush of noise that you realise is a blunt laugh. “Suffice to say, I will be having words with those responsible,” the manservant promises, “They will be disciplined for this breech of protocol.”

“There you go then!” Maika announces, forcing cheer, “I told you, it was just a foolish mistake. My father's paranoia can be somewhat contagious, as I said earlier. I do apologise for the inconvenience. I was expecting to do a little research, not... any of THIS.”

“Yeah,” you mutter, “I don't think either of us expected any of this.” Looking away from the noble girl, you slip out your phone and tap out a quick message to your father – warning him that you'll be home soon.

“You're heading off?” Maika guesses, noticing your restlessness, “I can ask Bradley to drive you, if you'd rather not walk.”

>No, I need to to walk, to clear my head. See you at school, Maika
>Sure. A lift sounds good
>Hey, before I leave... (Write in)
>Other

>>1430090
>No, I need to to walk, to clear my head. See you at school, Maika

>>1430090
>No, I need to to walk, to clear my head. See you at school, Maika

I wonder how long it's going to take for EVE to pull a Skynet

>>1430090
>>No, I need to to walk, to clear my head. See you at school, Maika

>>1430090
>No, I need a walk. To clear my head.

And Kurosawa best explain itself tout fucking sweet. Not even Kyubey ever out-and-out LIED to its magical girls. Omitted like fuck and let them draw bad conclusions sure, but never saying straight-up falsehoods.

>>1430135
What if there's another Kurosawa type thing out there making his own magical girls? It's not the same as them cause she wasn't recruited by Kurosawa himself.

>>1430135
Kurosawa is like a robot that can't grasp how humans work.

To him it was probably
>Lie about Hikari = Less despair for Miho
Not realizing that if he got caught in his lie things might get worse.

>inb4 he is also some AI.

“No, I need to walk, to clear my head,” you tell Maika with a sad smile, “I'll probably make a stop on the way, at the... anyway. I'll see you at school, Maika.” Forcing levity, you reach across and shove the taller girl lightly. “You think maybe you can be a regular attendee from now on?” you press, “Or will Ayane and me have to drag you to school on Monday?”

“I'll see how I'm feeling,” Maika replies gravely, “But I suppose I should make the effort. Very well then, if it will avoid any needless dragging. Take care, Miho, and I WILL see you at school on Monday.”

The mutual attempt at good humour can't survive for much longer than that, and so you make a hasty exit. Even as you're heading back to the elevator, Maika is pulling on the pieces of that curious armour.

-

Of course, you don't head straight home. Even before you're consciously aware of it, you're heading in the direction of the memorial. It might not put your mind to rest, but it feels like something you have to do. That, and you definitely don't want to hurry back home. The air is still and cold, unseasonably so, but that just helps to snap you back to reality. The more you walk, the more you're able to rationalise things... to lie to yourself. Maybe Maika was right about SAE, maybe it was just a glitch that you're taking too seriously.

Maybe, but you don't think so.

“Heavenly Child,” Kurosawa whispers, speaking into the back of your mind and causing your fists to clench tightly. Ignoring him, you continue marching on ahead. “Heavenly Child!” the cat snaps, “Miho!”

The use of your given name shocks you into stillness. “Shut up,” you hiss, “Not now. Just... don't talk to me now. Tomorrow, later, whenever, but-”

“Your Emotional Barrier is compromised,” Kurosawa continues, stubbornly pressing on ahead with what seems like an increasing urgency, “And-”

“Shut up!” you yell, flinching as your voice echoes off around the empty street, “Won't you just give me one day-”

“Intruder!” the cat snaps, loud enough that it sends a jolt of pain through you're head, “You're being hunted!”

And you turn, sudden fear rising up to choke you, to the sight of something leaping your way.

-

Leaping from one building to the other, clinging to them like the bastard child of a wolf and a spider, the Intruder closes the distance between you quicker than you ever thought possible. This is no clumsy brute, this is a savage killer – a hunter, a predator in the most traditional sense of the word. Transforming in an instant, your scarf flapping out in some phantom breeze, you raise the Collapsed Star Knuckles to meet the Intruder's charge.

Too slow, too slow by far!

“Miho!” Kurosawa cries out, the sound of your own name echoing in your mind.

[1/2]

>>1430163

You're too slow to block or beat back the Intruder's lunge, but you do manage to raise your gauntlets enough to keep the beast back. Even so, you're slammed off your feet and driven down to the ground, landing at the side of the road. Hardly a safe place to land, but it's the furthest thing from your mind right now. A jaw forms at the blunt stub of the Intruder's face, snapping and slavering at you as hooked claws sprout out to rake at your flesh. Needles of pain shoot through you as a few find purchase, digging in deep. Gritting your teeth against the pain and forcing back a yell, you try to bring your gauntlets up into a better position.

Just as you start to get the advantage, a pair of bristly legs burst from the Intruder's back and lance down, spearing your shoulders and driving you back down again. This time, you scream aloud.

And someone answers you, calling your name in a shrill of panic. Something, a blurred shape, slams into the Intruder and knocks it away, tearing those cruel hooks out of your flesh. Gasping, you roll over into a blinding circle of light. Silhouetted against that white light, the legs that crouch by you could belong to anyone, but the voice is unmistakable.

“Miho, get up!” Ayane cries out, “We've got to move!”

Blinking slowly, you sit up and shake your head. A few feet away, the Intruder is sprawled out in the middle of the road, Ayane's hunting hound savaging it with ferocious jaws. Ayane shouts again, but her words are cut off by the blare of a horn. A... horn?

The truck, fully automated and slaved to the city AI, slams into the fallen Intruder and launches it away into the night. Brakes squeal, and the automated vehicle grinds to a halt. Silence follows, then Ayane tugs at your arm.

“Come ON, Miho!” she insists, “You're hurt bad, we've got to get out of here!”

>That truck won't have killed it. We need to finish that bastard off!
>...Right. We need to get out of here!
>Other

>>1430195
>>...Right. We need to get out of here!
Ayane didn't seem like she planned on soloing it and we're not in any condition to fight, time to bail.

>>1430195
>That truck won't have killed it. We need to finish that bastard off!
"If we leave it, it might just go after some civilian."

Ayane might have to do the heavy lifting though. We should focus on defense for ourselves and try to heal.

I'm not sure it works like this but maybe focus on our duty to protect civilians to stabilize our Emotional Barrier?

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>Well, I'll just roll to break the tie here. Sorry for the delay

>1 - Get out of here
>2 - Stay and finish it off

Struggling to your feet, you push Ayane off and start after the Intruder, intent on finishing it off. When your very first step almost sees you pitching down to the ground in a sprawled out heap, you're forced to reconsider. Looking down, you see your legs – one of them, you note with startling numbness, isn't on right. It's sort of... twisted to the side. Between that, the blood seeping from countless wounds on your arms and shoulders, and what feels like something broken inside you, you're in no position to fight. As you slump down to the ground, Ayane grabs you by the arm.

“I told you, we've-” the girl begins, but you cut her off with a curt gesture.

“We have to finish it off!” you hiss, wincing as you feel the first pangs of your flesh knitting itself back together, “It'll go after civilians, innocent people. That truck won't have killed it, won't even have harmed it! We need... we need...”

“You can't!” Ayane insists, “You can't even walk, you-”

You reach down to your twisted leg and wrench it back into place. The pain is enormous, but soon the limb is beginning to repair itself. Her eyes widening at the sight – and the sound – Ayane turns hastily away from you, gagging and retching. “I can walk now,” you snarl, rising to your feet and taking a few limping steps forwards, “And we are NOT leaving that thing to hurt anyone else!”

“Shit, you... you're insane!” Ayane protests, pulling out her silver whistle and blowing it sharply, “Damn it, just stay back okay? I'll try and keep it off you as best I can, but... Hey, are you even listening to me?”

You're not, not really. You'd like to say that it's the Virtue of Duty that keeps you upright, your Duty to protect the innocent at all costs, but you know better than that. That bloody bitch Spite, one of the Curse Gods, is the only thing lending you strength right now... and that's perfectly fine with you. Anything works, so long as it gives you the will to fight. As you lurch closer to where you last saw the Intruder, you hear a wicked hiss cut through the air. Scuttling on insect-like legs – an uneven number of them, you note with distaste – the Intruder crawls up on top of the stalled truck and snarls at you. Hunching down for a moment, it springs forwards at you once again.

As it leaps, Ayane blows a sharp note through her whistle, and her hunting hound leaps up in response. The two beasts collide in mid-air and fall in a tangle of limbs. As they struggle, snapping and biting at each other, you lunge forwards and grab two of those loathsome, spidery limbs in a crushing grip. Feeling the carapace armour splinter beneath your tightening hold, you wrench the limbs apart as though you were splitting a wishbone. The Intruder screeches and arches its back in pain, but that only serves to bare its throat for the hound's jaws.

[1/2]

>>1430267
Miho please, you scary.

>>1430274
We got mad regen skills.

Might as well use them.

>>1430267

Ayane's hound sinks its teeth into the Intruder's throat, but what gouts forth is not the inky, inhuman blood you had been expecting, but a thick cloud of reeking smog. This close, it blinds you and stings your eyes, leaving you with only the sensation of something tearing beneath you. Staggering back, you drop the newly severed limbs and swipe a gauntlet through the smoke, hoping to bat back any attack that might come. When the smoke clears, though, you find yourself alone with Ayane's rather confused looking hound.

“There it is!” Ayane shrieks suddenly, grabbing your arm and pointing up at one of the looming towers. The spider-thing is hastily climbing the outer shell of the tower, retreating towards a high, distorted window. A portal, either the one that brought it into this world or one that it created for a quick exit. Frankly, you couldn't care which one – all that matters is when you see the portal vanish, like someone slamming a door behind them.

“It's gone,” you gasp, “We drove it back.”

“Is that good enough?” Ayane yelps, her voice thin with disbelief, “It won't be going after anyone else, not tonight at least. Is that good enough for you?”

“Well,” you groan as you feel the world starting to spin around you, “...It'll have to be.”

And then, you think, you faint.

>I'm just going to pause things here for today and pick up tomorrow. Sorry for things being a little rough, I'm feeling a little off today. In either case, if anyone has any questions I'll answer them as best I can
>Thanks to everyone who stuck around today!

>>1430295
Thanks for running Moloch.

>>1430295
Thanks for running fatty!

>>1430295
Thanks for running

>>1430295
At least Hikari did actually die and wasn't brainwashed by the forces of evil to fight us in the critical moment.

File: Ayane Nakamura.jpg (150 KB, 900x900)

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It's Ayane's voice that rouses you from your slumber, rousing you to an unfamiliar ceiling.

“How is it,” Ayane quips, “That you can get thrown out of a skyscraper one day and you're fine, but the next day you get pushed around by an oversized bug? I'm serious, explain that one to me. Please.”

“Water first,” you croak, “Answers later.” A cold glass is pressed into your hand, and you take a few laboured sips. When you feel up to the stressful task of talking, you take a few moments to search for an answer. “Bad day,” you finish at last, “I was off my game. Barely any Barrier at all, I guess. If you hadn't been there...”

“You're damn lucky I was!” she splutters, “I was only out for a walk, to visit the... Well, whatever. Even when the cat came rushing to find me, it was pure luck that I was close enough to reach you in time.”

“You were going to visit the memorial too,” you guess, “Thought you were supposed to be spending the weekend with Conner. What happened?”

“Oh sure, Miho Tsukada with the important questions!” snorting in disbelief, Ayane throws up her hands in despair, “We had a fight, if you must know. A dumb fight, totally stupid, but neither of us was gonna back down. So, I went for a walk – and saved your bloody life, maybe!” Shaking her head as if she regrets that little fact, Ayane rises from her seat and paces the room for a while. “Looks like you're almost totally healed up. I guess splitting open that creep did you a world of good. That, and a nap,” she sighs, “So I brought you back to mine. Mom is out with Shiori, so we've got the place to ourselves for now. Well, for a few hours longer at least. I figure maybe you'd want to be out of here before they get back. Shiori is... well, Shiori. Mom, on the other hand...”

“Should I be worried?” you ask, forcing a smile, “I mean, can she be any worse than the giant spider... wolf... thing?”

“You've never met my mother, have you?” Ayane remarks, raising a sceptical eyebrow.

-

Jodi Nakamura, as you're soon told, could be charitably described as an eccentric. Her given name, for example, is an affectation – what she apparently calls an artistic flourish. A director of documentary films for ArkMedia, her work often involves long or irregular hours. Thus, Ayane learned independence from a young age. All this, Ayane tells you in a tone that never quite strays into overt bragging, but certainly comes close.

“You know, you've probably seen a few of her films,” Ayane mentions, “They show some in the Institute. You know, when the teacher is too hungover or whatever to actually teach stuff.”

“That's a very cynical view to take,” you reply, “Although, uh, not entire inaccurate, now that I think about it...”

“Right?” she says with a grin, “Right!”

[1/3]

>>1432440

“Okay, but seriously, I gotta ask,” Ayane says after returning from the small kitchen, setting a cold can down in front of you, “What's this bad day stuff all about? I mean, I figure we've all had some pretty bad days in the past. Bottling it up won't help much, right?”

“Yeah, I guess. I just-” you pause here, looking at the can. Some ridiculously sugary concoction, with enough caffeine to threaten heart problems. “What,” you yelp, “is THIS?”

“We're gonna be burning the midnight oil tonight, so drink up,” popping open a can of her own, Ayane drinks deeply, “Seriously, you look like you need it. I'd offer cakes and stuff like last time, but I'm fresh out. Not like I planned for any of this, right? Anyway, you're just dodging the subject – what made this such a bad day?”

“Jeez,” you sigh, taking a first tentative sip of the awful concoction, “I guess I should start at the beginning. You know how I thought I was an only child? Well...”

Once you start talking, you can barely stop. Like someone giving confession, you feel the weight on your shoulders lift as the words spill from your lips. Throughout it all, Ayane listens with wide and amazed eyes.

-

“Okay, wow, that's... wow,” Ayane manages, when your story comes to a close, “I don't even know where to start with that. I'll tell you one thing, though – now I can see why you were so pissed off.” Wincing at a sudden memory, she shudders. “Just, uh, next time?” she pleads, “Warn me before doing anything like that leg thing, please. I almost lost my dinner just listening to it, yuck...”

“Was it really that bad?” you ask, “I guess I wasn't really thinking about it at the time...”

“Trust me, it was BAD,” Ayane groans, emphasising that last word as much as possible, “But anyway, enough about that. What's this class trip all about? We're going to visit, what, a swamp?” Finishing off the last of her drink, Ayane leans back and lets out a weary grunt. “I guess it beats going somewhere nice. Why not an art gallery? Hell, why not the beach? I've always wanted to go to the beach,” grinning, she studies you for a moment, “What about you, you ever had a taste for sun, sea and sand?”

“I honestly have no idea. Maybe, I guess?” shrugging, you dismiss the idea, “I've never really considered it.”

“Well, whatever,” Ayane flops back on the couch, “So where do we go from here, huh? I kinda called my mom while you were out, told her I had a friend around, so...”

“I can tell my parents that I'll be staying over. I guess they'll enjoy the time alone,” you nod slowly, “But other than that... Kurosawa? We need to talk. Now.”

“You think he's going to answer?” Ayane asks quietly, “I mean-”

“Yes, Miho,” Kurosawa announces gravely, stepping out of the shadows, “We need to talk.”

[2/3]

File: Kurosawa.jpg (52 KB, 724x1103)

52 KB JPG

>>1432443

“You lied about Hikari,” you state bluntly, pointing an accusing finger at Kurosawa before he can say anything else, “I asked you if she had been one of us, a magical girl like us, and you lied. You openly lied, right to my face. Why?”

“I deemed it necessary in order to preserve your Emotional Barrier,” Kurosawa replies blandly, “However, I did not anticipate the lengths you would go to in order to discover the truth. To consort with the soulless ones... It was my mistake, to drive you to these extents. For that, I apologise. However, I repeat – I considered it necessary.”

“Hey cat, I've got a bone to pick with you,” Ayane butts in, glaring at Kurosawa, “You keep talking about doing what's necessary, and keeping Miho safe, and whatever. What I want to know is, why is SHE so important to you?” Pausing a moment, Ayane shoots you an aside glance – a sort of “no offence” glance.

“No, she's got a point,” you agree, “You said we have more of an “affinity”, but it has to be more than that. Why am I so important, and not Ayane or Maika?”

“Because you are the Heavenly Child,” Kurosawa answers you simply, “That is all.”

>That is NOT all. What is that even supposed to mean?
>So if Hikari was a magical girl, what was her title? Which god did she serve?
>If you're willing to lie about this, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else?
>Soulless ones? Do you mean the corporate AIs?
>I had other questions to ask you... (Write in)
>Other

>>1432445
>>If you're willing to lie about this, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else?

>>1432445
>That is NOT all. What is that even supposed to mean?
>So if Hikari was a magical girl, what was her title? Which god did she serve?
>If you're willing to lie about this, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else?

I doubt we'll get any proper answers even now but still, any information he deigns to give us can at least lead us in the right direction.

>>1432445
>>That is NOT all. What is that even supposed to mean?
"Do you specifically work for Duty or something?"

>>So if Hikari was a magical girl, what was her title? Which god did she serve?

>>If you're willing to lie about this, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else?
"I get it, you're doing whatever it takes to keep my Barrier stabilized by keeping the blinders on me. But we are smarter than you think and we'll find out eventually. And when I catch you in a lie we have situations like we are having right now."

>>Soulless ones? Do you mean the corporate AIs?

>>1432445
>You did not "anticipate" that I would not eventually find out the truth!? Naive. For someone serving the gods, you sure like playing at being one.
>That is NOT all. What is that even supposed to mean?
>So if Hikari was a magical girl, what was her title? Which god did she serve?
>If you're willing to lie about this, how am I supposed to trust you about anything else?

A cold silence answers Kurosawa's words. Glancing across, you meet Ayane's eyes with a questioning look. Openly frowning, Ayane rises to her feet and throws her hands up in disgust. She starts to leave, headed off for the kitchen, but then you bring the heel of your hand down on the table. The dull thud causes all eyes to turn back to you, a few moments before you snap out a reply.

“That is NOT all!” you demand, “What is that even supposed to mean? The Heavenly Child... what does that even mean?”

“You are all endowed with a certain potential. The weight of karmic destiny, as it is traditionally known. However, the Heavenly Child has a greater destiny than any other warrior. They have always been significant, either averting some great calamity or saving countless human lives,” Kurosawa offers this answer slowly, without a trace of haste or hurry, “I believe that it will be a Heavenly Child that might destroy the rancid source and put an end to the Intruders. I believe that it will be you, Miho Tsukada.”

The answer leaves you lost for words for a moment, struggling to put your thoughts in order. “I'm fated to do something truly significant?” you repeat, “It's my... destiny?”

“You have the potential to do something truly significant,” Kurosawa corrects you, “But it is not yet certain. As such, I need to protect you to the best of my abilities, so that you might fulfil your potential.”

“And what about the rest of us?” Ayane asks harshly, “Don't just say that we're expendable!”

To that, Kurosawa says nothing at all. It's a good an answer as anything else he might have given you, but it does nothing to improve the mood. Fighting back the urge to groan, you lean back and stare up at the ceiling for a moment. “If you're willing to lie about this,” you begin, “How are we supposed to trust anything you have to say? I mean, I get why you did it – you're trying to keep my Barrier intact by putting the blinders on me – but it's not going to work. We're smarter than you think, and we ask questions. We're here now because I caught you in a lie. So, why should I trust you to tell the truth from now on?”

“You are free to choose not to trust me,” the cat replies, “And you're free to ask as many questions as you wish. However, I will remind you of something – whether you believe me or not, the Intruders are tangibly real. Above everything else, I wish to protect mankind from their influence. Everything that I do, I do it in order to protect your kind. So long as you too wish for this, our goals will be aligned. I would rather that we trust one another, but I cannot compel you to do anything.”

At no point, you note, did he say that he wouldn't lie again in future. At least he didn't insult your intelligence by making a promise he had no intention on keeping.

[1/?]

>>1432490

“Fine. Have it your way,” you mutter after a moment, “But if you're trying to be convincing, you're doing a pretty poor job of it.” Frowning, you reach up and rub your brow, soothing the knot of tension that has started to form there. “Look, Hikari was one of us. She was a magical girl – there's no point in denying that now,” you ask Kurosawa, “But what was she? What was her title, which god did she serve?”

“Why do you wish to know?” Kurosawa asks in response, sounding genuinely surprised by the question, “This information would not change-”

“She was my sister!” you snap, “I have a right to know about her! She died for this work, I have a right to know about what she did for you!”

“No, you do not,” shaking his feline head slowly, Kurosawa dismisses your outburst, “I am not permitted to reveal this. Hikari Tsukada served a Great Virtue, and she served flawlessly. If that comforts you, so be it, but I cannot reveal her title.”

Again, his answer gives you pause, but this time for a different reason. Not a comforting attempt at a lie or evading the issue, but openly stating that he CANNOT answer. Confusion steals away some of your anger, and you're not sure which one you prefer. “I might be able to find out on my own,” you warn him, “I mean, I found out about Hikari.”

“I did not anticipate as such,” Kurosawa admits, “But in this regard, the soulless ones cannot help you. This knowledge is held only by the divines.”

“You did not “anticipate” that I would find out the truth about Hikari,” you muse, scowling a little, “That's naïve, Kurosawa. Naive and cruel – you claim to serve the gods, but you sure like acting like one. I mean, you DO specifically serve Duty, don't you? Or was that a lie as well?”

“That was a lie, yes,” a grave note enters Kurosawa's voice, “I do not specifically serve Duty.”

“Great,” Ayane groans, “So what, have we been working for some awful Curse God? Spite, maybe, or-”

“I AM Duty,” the cat interrupts, “Although my influence in this world is limited, I am a true divine. I do not serve the gods, I am one of them.”

Suffice to say, this shocks you both to silence.

-

“Okay, wait,” Ayane waves her hands in front of her face, “You're a GOD?”

“That is what I said, yes,” Kurosawa answers patiently, “However, I have found that openly stating such is rarely purposeful. For some reason, humans these days often react badly when the gods reveal themselves. They assume madness, rather than providence. A shame – men truly have lost their faith...”

“Yeah, wait, I need a moment,” your friend continues, “You're saying-”

“It doesn't matter,” you cut in quietly, your voice firm, “This changes nothing. This excuses nothing.”

[2/3]

>>1432510

“I did not say this to excuse my actions,” the cat tells you, “Whether I am a servant of the gods or one of them, it does not change my actions. However, I felt that this was the appropriate moment – as much as there ever is one – to reveal my true nature.”

“Good,” you grunt, vaguely irked by the fact that he isn't squirming, “Just because you're a god, doesn't make us tools for you to use.”

“No? I thought that is how you humans worked,” a faint note of surprise entered Kurosawa's voice, “You use the soulless ones as tools. Would it be any different for the gods to use men in the same way?”

“That's the third time you've said that,” you ask, “The soulless ones... do you mean the corporate AIs?”

“That is your term for them. An incomplete form of life, if they can even be labelled as such. Creation, in the hands of mankind, is the greatest of sins,” Kurosaway's voice grows cold, “Machine intelligence is a cold and cruel thing, without a connection to either the divine above or the soil beneath. Yet, you willingly entrust these beings with vast reserves of information, enough to rival the divine annals. Arrogant. These creations may, one day, be your undoing. I only wish that it is a mistake that your kind will recover from.”

“Yeah, uh, I...” Ayane pauses, “I can't actually argue with that. Those AI things always did creep me out a little. I've seen enough movies to know how dangerous they can be.”

“But it will be your mistake to make,” Kurosawa rises, clearly preparing to leave, “The Intruders are not. I will protect mankind from their influence, but not itself. Now – you should rest. Recent events have been traumatic, and you need time to recover. I will leave you.”

>...Fine. Leave us in peace
>Before you go, I need to ask you something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1432518
>...Fine. Leave us in peace
He's not wrong about those AI though. Shit is probably going to pop off with them.

>>1432518
>>...Fine. Leave us in peace

>>1432518
>...Fine. Leave us in peace
Ayane is totally right about AIs in movies. In fact, no piece of media immediately comes to mind in which AIs do not in some manner attempt to harm humans. We sure are a pessimistic species.

>>1432518
>>>...Fine. Leave us in peace

File: Jodi Nakamura.jpg (401 KB, 800x1200)

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Glancing across to Ayane, you take note of her uneasy look. Her lips are pressed together in a thin line, and her eyes flick hastily back and forth. You wait a moment to see if she's going to speak up – either to ask Kurosawa a question or answer your curious glance – but she offers nothing. Looking away, you start to dismiss the cat... the god.

“Fine,” you begin, “You can-”

“Hey, wait, I've got a question!” Ayane blurts out, sounding unusually nervous, “You're a god and all. Okay, I get that, but... what are we, to you? Mankind, I mean – you say that you'll protect us, but do you love us? Do you even LIKE us?”

“I view mankind as a father views his children,” a gentle note enters Kurosawa's voice as he replies to this, “I may seem distant, even cruel at times. There may be times when I look upon you with disappointment. However, no matter how stern I may seem, I do not hesitate to say that I love mankind.”

“Oh,” slumping back, Ayane lets out a sigh of relief, “That's... good. I guess.”

“Quite,” Kurosaway says drily, pausing before leaving, “Yes, I intended to say earlier – I have detected a trace of a new candidate. A rough area, in which we should be able to find her. She is located in an area that is colloquially known as the “vice district”, I believe.”

“The vice district?” you mutter, “Oh boy...”

“And now I will leave you,” the cat finishes, taking advantage of your moment of pause to slink back into the shadows and vanish.

“...Fine,” you sigh to the empty air, “Go ahead and leave.”

“Jerk,” Ayane says, her flippant attitude soon returning.

“Hey, careful,” you warn her, “You just called a god a jerk.”

A pause, and then you both break down into a mad flurry of laughter. It's been that kind of day.

-

You're still giggling occasionally when the apartment door bangs open and announces the return of Ayane's mother. She sweeps in with boundless enthusiasm, trailing a scent of perfume and... Chinese food?

Shiori, following close behind, is burdened down by the source of that particular odour, a heavy paper sack almost hiding her from view.

“You did say you had a friend over, so I thought we'd get a little extra!” Jodi Nakamura announces brightly, giving you a look of open and undisguised curiosity, “But I must say, I was expecting someone entirely different. I'm sorry that things didn't work out between you and, ah... Conner, was it? Anyway, you shouldn't feel down about it, I knew he was bad from-”

“Mom!” Ayane cries out, her cheeks flushed bright red, “It's not... she's not... I'M not a...”

And then the older woman laughs, waving away the spluttered protests with a manicured hand.

[1/2]

>>1432551
>Play along and tease Ayane

>>1432551

“I know this is sudden,” you reply with a perfectly straight face, or your best attempt at one, “But we're very serious, Ayane and I. I hope that you can accept me into your-”

“MIHO!” Ayane wails, grabbing your shoulder tightly enough to shoot a jolt of pain down the length of your arm, “Don't encourage her! She's bad enough without anyone encouraging-”

“The food will get cold,” Shiori says suddenly, her deadpan tone making your attempt sound wild and emotional, “And I'm hungry. Are we going to eat?”

“We are, we are,” Jodi agrees, giving you a broad wink, “It's a celebration, after all!”

Ayane just groans, burying her face in her hands.

-

“-And they told me, with NO warning whatsoever, that the network wants a film on marine life completed as soon as possible. First draft footage is due at the end of next month!” Jodi groans, in between aggressively chewing on mouthfuls of sweet and sour pork substitute, “So it's looking like I won't be home very often, starting soon. Sorry Ayane, but you're going to have to be the responsible one again!”

“So, uh, same as usual?” Ayane shoots back, “Marine life, huh? You mean like fish, or what?”

“Oh, I don't know. I don't think they know either, we're just told that “ocean” is going to be next season's big craze. I don't know how they predict these things, but Hieroglyph has never been wrong before...” offering a theatrical sigh, Jodi points her chopsticks at you, “You're very quiet, Miho, that won't do! Hmm... your father is with Renko Biotech, isn't he? Very secretive, Renko, very good internal security. I don't suppose you have some hot gossip to share, do you?”

Hastily swallowing your mouthful of fried rice, you feel the woman's bright eyes turn to focus on you. Looking across to Ayane for help, you're rewarded with nothing more than a weary expression – no help there, unfortunately. Stalling for time with a drink of water, you think of a suitable answer.

>Sorry, they don't tell me anything. Like you said, great security
>They've been having problems with their AI, I hear. EVE, isn't it?
>You said “Hieroglyph”, you mean the advertising corporation?
>Hey, can we talk about something else... (Write in)
>Other

>>1432563
>Sorry, they don't tell me anything. Like you said, great security

>You said “Hieroglyph”, you mean the advertising corporation?

>>1432563
>>Sorry, they don't tell me anything. Like you said, great security
>>You said “Hieroglyph”, you mean the advertising corporation?

>>1432563
>>Sorry, they don't tell me anything. Like you said, great security
>You said “Hieroglyph”, you mean the advertising corporation?

>>1432563
>>Sorry, they don't tell me anything. Like you said, great security
>>You said “Hieroglyph”, you mean the advertising corporation?

“Sorry,” you apologise, “They, uh, they really don't tell me anything. Like you said, they have pretty great internal security. They barely let my father out in public, let alone giving him any good gossip to share.”

“Hmm, shame,” Jodi frowns briefly before brightening up almost immediately, “But maybe there's a good story in there after all. Inhumane working conditions! An oppressive culture of silence! Deprivation of human rights!” Pausing only to pluck a few slices of lurid red pork substitute from the foil dish in the middle of the table, Jodi soon has her eyes fixed upon you once again. “You'll be willing to testify to these grave abuses, right?” she prompts, “Right?”

Perhaps changing the subject might be best here, you decide, it might give Jodi something else to dig her teeth into. “Hey, uh, you said “Hieroglyph” earlier,” you begin lamely, “Did you mean, like, the advertising corporation?”

“Sure. Hieroglyph Marketing. What else were you thinking, that we were consulting with the Egyptians?” Jodi starts to laugh, but then pauses, “Wait, now I think about it, Omar IS from New Cairo... never mind, that's neither here nor there. What were we talking about?” Pursing her lips for a moment, Jodi soon picks up the trail. “Oh yes, Hieroglyph. Yes, they run market predictions for us, anticipating what the latest tastes and trends are likely to be. They're scarily accurate!” she points her chopsticks at you, “Why so curious, about them of all things?”

“Well, uh, you know,” you shrug, “It's for school.”

“Yeah, we have a group project, and we need to pick a corp to do it on. Only thing is, we need one that we're not connected to. Between me and Miho, we've got ArkMedia and Renko ruled out, and our other friend has ties to Kanzaki Automated, so...” Ayane explains quickly, picking up where you left off, “It's a real pain in the ass, but you think you can point us in the right direction?”

“Sure,” you agree, “I mean, we can do our own research later, but we just need a good place to start. Something interesting to focus on, you know?”

“Interesting, is it?” Jodi actually pauses to think here, although only for a few moments, “Well, you might do well to focus on that prediction stuff, it's certainly more interesting than the advertising side of it. They have all kinds of algorithms for it, I hear, although they keep their precise methods a total secret. The AIs we use, story goes that they have their roots in these sorts of algorithms. Hieroglyph really pushed hard for AI development, back in the day, although not AIs like we know them. Primitive things really, they-”

A phone rings, cutting Jodi short. Sighing, she pulls out an antique flip phone – it's probably older than you are – and hurries to rise. “Sorry kids,” she says hastily, “It's work. I have to take this.”

[1/2]

File: Shiori Nakamura.jpg (585 KB, 900x900)

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>>1432598

Left alone at the table, it suddenly seems very quiet. Shiori pushes her tiny portion of food about her plate – it's barely enough to keep a sparrow alive – and then looks between you and Ayane.

“You're not actually going out,” she guesses after a moment, “Correct?”

Ayane pulls her hand back to throw an egg roll at her sister, but you catch her wrist. “Of course not,” you answer quickly, “It was just a joke. You know, an attempt at one.”

“That's what I thought,” Shiori nods to herself, “I've finished eating, so I'm going to my room to watch some TV.” Pushing her chair back, she starts to slink away before pausing and looking back. “You can join me if you like,” she adds, with deliberate nonchalance, “But they're just dumb cartoons, so you don't have to. Not if you don't want to, I mean.”

Struggling to fight back a smile, Ayane glances across at you and shrugs lightly. “Sure,” you decide with a shrug of your own, “Why not?”

-

Trailing ribbons and sparking lights in her wake, the girl in the TV leaps in to rescue her plain, mousy looking friend from what looks like an animated – and very angry - pile of scrap metal. Watching the brightly coloured cartoon, you find it difficult to keep a smile off your face. Part of it is the absurdity of the situation – here you are, watching a magical girl anime – and part of it is the look of absolute seriousness on Shiori's face. You've seen students in an exam hall looking more relaxed than she looks now.

Still, when the magical girl on the TV screen starts to recite her catchphrase, you see Shiori's lips moving along with the words.

“Oh man, this is so unrealistic,” Ayane groans, “No way you'd be able to run with a skirt like that, all those petticoats and junk. You'd just fall flat on your face.”

“That's not the point,” Shiori stresses, “It's magic. Magic costumes don't have to be realistic.”

“Like a scarf?” you ask casually, “Like... a scarf that never gets tangled up or caught on things?”

“Exactly,” the young girl nods firmly, shooting Ayane a faint frown, “See? Miho gets it. Now stop talking, this is the good bit.”

“Oh right, I forgot,” Ayane feigns a yawn, flashing you a wicked smile, “You've already seen this episode, like, a dozen times before. Isn't this your favourite one?”

Shiori doesn't answer that, but her ears flush bright red.

>Ayane, shh! I'm watching this
>You really like this sort of thing, huh Shiori?
>Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me?
>Other

>>1432678
>You really like this sort of thing, huh Shiori?
>>Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me?
How many ribbons? 10? 20?

>>1432678
>>Ayane, shh! I'm watching this
AFTER or during a commercial
>You really like this sort of thing, huh Shiori?
>Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me?

>>1432678
>>Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me?

>>1432678
>Other
"Make a contract with me, and you too can become a Magical Girl!"

>>1432678
>Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me?
Bonding, and more ideas for an actual costume for us!

“Ayane, shh!” you hiss, “I'm watching this!”

“Huh? You-” Ayane begins, before you dig a finger into her side. She winces a little, but it works in keeping her quiet. Looking back to the screen, you watch as the protagonist – Little Queen Starlight, apparently – charges up her final attack. It seems to take a pretty long time, but that's fine. You soon learned that time might as well have stopped whenever the background fades out. On screen, Little Queen Starlight waves her gloved hands through an elegant series of gestures. In reality, Shiori's leg bounces up and down with suppressed excitement. When Little Queen Starlight repeats her catchphrase, you can't help yourself from saying it aloud with her.

“A flash of light, a crash of thunder!” you announce, Shiori murmuring the words along with you, “The light of the final star!”

With a riotous flash of colour, the scrap metal monster is defeated and the day is saved.

-

“Jeez,” Ayane sighs as the credits roll, “You guys are such kids.”

“Oh, don't be so grumpy, it was fun,” you scold her, before glancing back to the girl's younger sister, “You really like this sort of thing, huh Shiori?”

“They're just dumb cartoons,” she mumbles, “But I guess they're pretty fun. Anyway, it's all they show at this time of night. I don't see why – kids shouldn't normally be up this late, sleeping well is important.” Pausing here, Shiori hums the last few bars of the closing theme, picking up the remote and clicking off the TV before the adverts can start to roll. “A few of my friends wouldn't stop talking about this show, so I wanted to know what the big deal was,” she continues, “They don't talk about it much these days, though. They only liked the first season.”

“And you... liked the others?” you guess, “Are there others?”

“The second season is generally regarded as the high point of the series. It introduced more mature themes, without descending into the melodrama that made the latter seasons occasionally tedious,” Shiori explains, “I think season five is where the show really lost touch with its original concept, and... what?”

“Uh...” realising that you had been staring at her, you shake your head hastily, “It's nothing! Just, uh, I didn't know you were so... comprehensive.”

“It's just a dumb cartoon,” Shiori insists. A strangely muffled noise keep her from saying anything further, and you both glance around at the source. Stopping her mouth with both hands, Ayane is nearly bent double by her laughter.

“Rude,” Shiori sniffs.

“Ah, ignore her,” you shrug, “Hey, what sort of costume do you think would suit me? Like ten ribbons? Twenty?”

Instead of answering you, Shiori fixes you with a hard look. Her eyes are more piercing than you've ever seen before, and they seem to cut right through you. Despite yourself, you shiver.

[1/2]

>>1432751

“No ribbons,” she decides at last, seeming to snap out of her trance and looking away, “They wouldn't suit you. Armour. You'd look better in armour.”

“Armour?” you repeat, thinking of Maika's high-tech garb, “I dunno, isn't that a little, like... cold and stern?”

“Maybe, but it's also strong and dignified. A golden breastplate, for example, like something an angel would wear,” frowning, Shiori folds her arms and thinks to herself, “Yes, I'd go with an angel theme. Wings, a halo, maybe one of those... sheet things they wear.”

“Sheet things?” you repeat, rapidly sensing that you're losing track of the conversation.

“A tabard,” Ayane corrects you both, laughing in disbelief, “It's called a tabard. Honestly, a “sheet thing”? What, did you get it confused with a poncho?”

“No, I just-” Shiori protests, before lapsing into a sullen silence for a moment, “Anyway, that's what I think. Sorry, but no ribbons.” Frowning a little, she toys with the remote and stares down at the floor. A guilty look flashes across Ayane's face at the sight, the realisation that she had gone too far hitting home. Before the awkward atmosphere can settle in, you take action.

“Hey Shiroi?” you announce in a sing-song voice, leaning closer to her as she turns around, “Make a contract with me, and you too can become a magical girl!”

“Huh?” the young girl yelps, leaning back and away from you, “Where did... Oh, wait, I get the joke!” She actually smiles a little at this, clapping her hands together in carefully restrained delight. “You're showing your age,” she adds, “That show must be older than I am.”

“Yeah, but would you accept an offer like that?” you ask, “What if you didn't get a wish out of the deal?”

“Doubtful. It all looks too much like hard work,” Shiori shakes her head slowly, “I'm not very good at sports. Running and jumping, all that sort of thing. I don't think I'd make a very good magical girl. Anyway, even if you were a top athlete, you'd have to be a fool to agree to that kind of offer.” A sad look passes across Shiori's face as she thinks to herself. “I like those sorts of stories,” she admits, “But they never have happy endings. Not really.”

Trading an uneasy look with Ayane, you feel the silence creep back in.

-

“Hey, thanks for tonight,” Ayane tells you later, as she's spreading spare sheets over the sofa, “It was real fun, even if you did gang up on me. I bet Shiori enjoyed having you around, even if she might not admit it.”

“No, I had fun as well,” you agree, “It was just what I needed, after yesterday.”

“Tomorrow, then,” she adds, “What are you going to do?”

>I think we should get together and look for our new girl
>I wanted to meet with the Sentinels again
>I hadn't decided yet
>Other

>>1432808
>>I hadn't decided yet

>>1432808
>>I hadn't decided yet

>>1432808
>>I think we should get together and look for our new girl

>Going to close the vote here and write the next post. However, there may be a short delay. I apologise in advance

Shaking your head, you find yourself shrugging. “I hadn't decided yet,” you reply, “I'll have to see how I'm feeling in the morning. Uh... in the real morning, I mean, not... this kind of morning.” As you say that last part, you wave a hand at the clock on the wall – a digital thing, it reads just after one in the morning.

“Oh wow, yeah, I lost track of time,” Ayane laughs to herself, “Too much late night anime, I guess. Wait, that doesn't sound right - uh, you know what I mean.”

“Sure,” you agree, before a yawn stops you from saying anything else. All of the day's fatigue, momentarily kept at bay by the heavy dose of caffeine, seems to collapse down upon you at once. Slumping down on the couch, you make yourself comfortable as Ayane – a yawn of her own escaping her – wanders off into her room. Pulling the sheets up over your head, you soon feel sleep approaching.

-

You're not quite sure what it is that wakes you, but something causes your eyes to jolt wide open. Before you sit up, you glance across to the clock again. This time, it's reading closer to three in the morning. A paltry two hours of rest, if that, and you're not sure if you'll be able to get back to sleep.

Rising, grumbling softly to yourself, you rub your eyes and stumble towards the bathroom. As you do, you smell something familiar – a perfume, something from earlier, and something else that you can't quite place.

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean to wake you,” a low voice murmurs, and the lights brighten slightly in response. Jodi sits at the kitchen table, slowly lifting an electronic cigarette to her lips. “I only got back a little while ago,” she continues, “Working irregular hours is not much fun, I'm afraid. Still, I'd go mad in a more normal job – I'm not one to be tied down or locked in some office cubicle.”

She has, you realise, been drinking. Quite considerably, although it's only the slower pace of her words that give it away. Without being invited, you sit opposite her at the table.

“It's good to see Ayane with some female friends for once,” Jodi remarks, a wry smile causing the corners of her lips to lift, “She keeps hanging out with young men, and one of these days she's going to get in trouble. One mistake, that's all it takes.”

Immediately, you find yourself regretting the decision to join her. “Well, uh, I'm sure she's careful,” you reply lamely, “But I'm happy to, you know, help keep her out of trouble. She's pretty fun to be around. Shiori too, really.”

“She's brighter than I ever was, at her age,” Jodi nods proudly, “And she's no trouble at all.”

“Just give her a few years,” you joke. Jodi laughs, but it's tinged with sadness.

“I'm sure you're right,” the older woman sighs, “Now go on, it's too late for us girls to be sitting around chatting. Late nights are the enemy of good looks, after all!”

Late nights, you think, or early mornings.

[1/2]

>>1432527
There actually are a lot of benign AIs in various media. You've undoubtedly seen them many times. Can you recall them without highlighting the spoiler?

Every humanoid robot ever is an AI, and they only rarely are depicted as evil or insane. Because they _look human_.

>>1432962

You do manage a few extra hours of restless sleep, mainly after the sun has started to rise above the horizon, but you're still hazy and red-eyed when you leave the apartment. Ayane joins you, promising to show you a place that does good breakfasts. Jodi was gone when you woke up, without leaving any kind of note. Not an uncommon occurrence, from what you could tell.

“Thought more about what you want to do?” your friend asks as you're leaving, “I mean, I might just go back to bed later today, so...”

“I think we should all get together and look for our new girl,” you suggest, “At the very least, we can narrow down where she can be found. If we are heading off on a trip, it might be good to have someone holding the fort here.”

“Yeah, you might be right. Oh hey,” Ayane yawns as you're waiting for the elevator to arrive, “Shiori slid this under my door at some point last night. Don't know what she's playing at, sitting up all night with a pad of paper. Anyway, I thought you might like to see it.” Shrugging, she takes a folded piece of paper out of her pocket and hands it over. Taking it and opening it, you look at the drawing. “Uh, Shiori never could draw faces,” Ayane warns you, “So don't take any offence.”

As it happens, Shiori didn't even bother to draw a face. The figure she sketched out is no more expressive than a paper doll, the featureless body standing in sharp comparison to the carefully drawn outfit. Sweeping armour, a flowing tabard – the sheet thing – and a pair of ornate, sculpted wings... the picture she drew could be a warrior angel, sent to throw a devil back into hell.

“I guess your fists might clash a little,” Ayane admits, “But it looks good, doesn't it?”

>It does look very... heavenly
>It needs a sword, like the one I used to have
>I'd still prefer something with ribbons...
>Other

>>1433003
>It does look very... heavenly

>>1433003
>It needs a sword, like the one I used to have
btw, are these fist things hikari's?

>>1433003
>>It does look very... heavenly

>>1433003
>It does look very... heavenly
>The wings would have to be magical though, or they would get in the way something fierce.

>>1433003
>>It does look very... heavenly

“It does look very... heavenly,” you decide, admiring the picture for a moment longer.

“Yeah, I thought the same thing. It's fitting,” Ayane's smile falters a little, “Maybe a little too fitting though, if I'm being honest. It spooked me a little, first time I saw it.” Laughing nervously, Ayane waits until the elevator arrives – disgorging a few exhausted looking people – before she starts talking again. “That stuff I overheard, with Jun and stuff,” she continues as you enter the elevator, “It made me think about... about magic. I mean, if they can do that sorta stuff, why can't anyone else? Jun made a big deal out of being calm and serious, all that meditation junk... sounds familiar, right?”

Shiori, you have to admit, does have a fairly odd air about her – a rare kind of calm focus. Still, you can't help but wonder if Ayane is just reaching. “I don't know,” you muse, “That's a pretty big assumption to make, based on a drawing.”

“Logically speaking, yeah, but I kinda feel like we left logic behind a long time ago,” scratching the tangled mass of her hair, Ayane thinks for a moment, “Well, I've never seen her throwing about any golden magic bullshit, so I guess she's probably okay. Still... I gotta wonder about these things.”

The elevator doors slide open, and you step out into the lobby. “Those wings would need to be magical,” you point out, “Otherwise they'd be pretty awkward to deal with. Just getting through a narrow doorway...”

“Well, I don't think magic is a problem. I mean, have you ever got your scarf caught in a car door? I've never had to worry about wind snatching off my hat, and Maika...” Ayane pauses, thinking for a moment, “Well, two out of three isn't bad. Any other critique to offer?”

“It needs a sword,” you think aloud after a while, “Like the one I used to have. The Sword of the Sun...” Just thinking about that old, glorious – and ultimately lost - blade causes a wistful note to slip into your voice. Losing it was like losing a part of yourself, maybe literally. Still, it was a sacrifice that you had to make.

You're starting to suspect that sacrifices are just a way of life, for girls like you.

[1/2]

>>1433085

“Yeah,” Ayane's face falls a little, “You know, Kurosawa told me something once, back when we were on speaking terms. He told me never to lose my weapon, that little silver whistle. He sort of implied that it might be... dangerous. I guess he was wrong though, you broke that sword of yours, but you're still here. More or less, I mean.” Clearing her throat, Ayane nods to the piece of paper in your hand. “Well, anyway,” she adds, forcing a smile, “You can keep that. I reckon Shiori wanted you to have it.”

You murmur your acknowledgements, looking down at the drawing again. “Could you thank Shiori for me?” you ask, “Just in case I don't see her for a while?”

“Sure thing,” Ayane nods, “Now come on, you need a damn good breakfast!”

That, you certainly can't argue with.

>I'm going to pause things here and continue things tomorrow. If anyone has any questions, I'll answer them as best I can
>Thanks to everyone who contributed today!

>>1433088
Great run! Thanks for running!

I might have missed the 'losing sword' part, when and how did our protagonist lose it?

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>>1433088
Thanks for running!

How long until the rise of the robotic overlords?

>>1433088
thanks for running!
Who's betting EVE is going to be a magical girl somehow?

>>1433231

Ah, that was my mistake. I wrote an earlier draft with more details, but I ended up not using it. Miho lost her original weapon, the Sword of the Sun, during the crisis level event four months prior to the start of the quest. Essentially, she broke the blade in order to release a very powerful explosion, in order to destroy an overwhelming number of Intruders. I'll probably include a fuller IC write up soon, just to fill in some of the details.

>>1433253

That implies that they haven't taken control already!

>>1433311
Since you're going to do the flashback episode, will you do the beach episode as well?

>>1433321

I do want to include a beach episode, but I can't promise anything just yet. I'll see what sort of ideas come to mind for it!

>>1433088
Thanks for running Moloch!

>>1433367
beach episode with canon impossible characters!

Featuring bikini versions of Hikari, EVE, SAE, pre-op Maika, and the Sword of the Sun!

>>1433584
Doesn't pre-op Maika look exactly like post-op Maika?

>>1433600
i don't know too much about external body, but her personality and transformed outfit/weapon were different.

The main point is the interactions, though. It's not like we can actually SEE the bikinis.

>>1433626
We need a drawfag promptly.

File: Ain't Right.jpg (32 KB, 480x270)

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>>1429879
I'm really late and haven't caught up, but...

>If it was a car, you think as you slowly form a picture in your mind, it must have picked Hikari up and thrown her about like a ragdoll. Not just once, but again and again – throwing her against walls, dragging her along the street, and then finally leaving her crumpled and defeated.
>Moloch: I want to tell a story with a lighter tone

When Ayane had promised you breakfast, you hadn't been sure what to expect. Traditional Japanese, perhaps, with miso soup and grilled rice? Or maybe something more western, with great piles of fried eggs and meat substitutes? Ark City has a pretty wide range of cultures and cuisines, especially if you where to look, so going out for a meal can be an adventure. Breakfast, though, has to be something pretty normal... or so you thought.

Breakfast, as it turns out, is a burrito – bought from a dimly lit store in a side street, and eaten on a nearby bench.

“Don't just stare at it,” Ayane urges you, “Try it, it's good! Breakfast of champions, right here.”

Peeling the foil back a little, you take a closer look. Scrambled eggs, something that might be potato, shreds of what you realise is actually real meat... and a whole lot of grease. Closing your eyes and gathering your courage, you take a large bite. Not bad, although you can feel your arteries hardening even as you chew. Opening your eyes, you see Ayane giving you an encouraging smile. Still chewing, you nod a response to her.

“It's good, right?” she agrees, before looking over your shoulder, “Oh hey, looks like Maika found the place okay. Hey, Maika!”

“Good morning,” Maika announces primly, giving you a graceful wave as she approaches, “I understand that we have a location for-”

“Hey Maika, what did you get for breakfast?” Ayane interrupts, “This is a seriously important question – and you'd better not tell me that you skipped it!”

“Hmm, breakfast?” a dainty frown crosses Maika's face, “Just a sachet of nutrient gel. I didn't feel like anything heavy this morning. Shall we get a move on?”

Without waiting for a reply the heiress breezes away, leaving Ayane to stare, horrified, at her retreating back. “She needs a burrito...” Ayane mutters to herself, starting to hurry after Maika.

-

“Excuse me, Ayane, but would you give us a moment?” Maika asks, when you stop at an unremarkable street corner, “I had something I wanted to speak with Miho about.”

“Uh, sure,” shrugging, Ayane gestures to a bank of nearby vending machines, “I'm gonna grab some coffee, just come meet me when you're done. It's nothing important, though, is it? I mean, it's not “work” or anything, right?”

“No, I don't think it is. It won't take long,” the heiress says lightly, waiting before Ayane has ambled off before saying anything else. “I got in touch with someone from Renko Biotech yesterday,” she begins immediately, “A technician, someone who actually knew what they were talking about. I passed on your warning about EVE. He didn't seem surprised, but he did mention a few things that surprised me. I don't think he meant to, but... well, even the strictest internal security can't stop every loose tongue from flapping.”

[1/2]

>>1436233

“Now, to start with, he admitted that there was some truth to the stories I'd heard. EVE has been temperamental lately, experiencing glitches and abnormal behaviours. He didn't go into much detail, but I was able to coax that much out of him. What I found more interesting was what he said next,” a faint note of triumph slips into Maika's voice, “He said that this wasn't the first warning – from some unrelated outside source – that he had been given.”

“So...” you think for a moment, “So wait, other people have been given warnings?”

“That's correct. EVE's sister AIs have been warning other people, always through some obscure medium. Breaking into a simulation, sending warning messages to email accounts, altering computer files...” Maika pauses, looking you in the eye, “The AIs responsible have no records of leaving these messages or giving these warnings. At least, they claim to. Either their system records have been corrupted somehow... or our AIs have learned how to lie.”

Groaning, you lean against the wall and rub your aching eyes. “Look, Maika, can we... can we give the AI stuff a rest for now? I've got a bad headache in the works already, and that stuff always makes it worse,” shaking your head, you force a smile, “We've given them a warning, that's enough for me. There is one thing I'm curious about, though...”

“Very well, I'll let the matter rest,” Maika accepts your request with a smooth nod, “Go on then, I'll answer if I can.”

“Why did you need to tell me this in private?” you ask, “I mean, why not tell Ayane as well?”

“Hmm, good question,” the heiress purses her lips as she thinks, “I suppose I thought this was a subject best kept between the two of us. Going by her rather traditional mindset, I thought Ayane might have a problem with AIs. There are still many these days who... distrust them. It's ignorance, pure and simple, but attitudes don't change overnight.” A look of distaste flits across Maika's face for a moment, vanishing as soon as it appeared. “But never mind that,” she adds, “As you say, we'll let the matter lie for now.”

“For now,” you mutter to yourself as Maika heads to join Ayane.

-

There are no warning signs at the border to the vice district, but you could never mistake it for a regular street. On one side of the road, the buildings are clean and white – sterile almost. On the other, a mess of neon signs and gaudy posters splash colour across the landscape. The difference is as clear as night and day.

“So, our new girl is somewhere in there,” Ayane announces, rubbing her hands together with glee, “This might be new to you both, but stay focused. I'll keep you both safe!”

>Let's just get this over with. Kurosawa, are you here?
>What makes you think this is my first time?
>We are allowed to go in there, right?
>Maybe we should turn back...
>I need to ask something... (Write in)
>Other

>>1436240
>>We are allowed to go in there, right?

>>1436240
>Let's just get this over with. Kurosawa, are you here?

>>1436240
>>Let's just get this over with. Kurosawa, are you here?

>>1436240
>>We are allowed to go in there, right?

>>1436240
>Let's just get this over with. Kurosawa, are you here?
>What makes you think this is my first time?

>>1436240
>We're going to get a lot of flak if anyone catches Maika in here...
>Let's just get this over with.

“We, uh, we are allowed to go in there, right?” you say slowly, looking out at the rather... exotic street before you, “I mean, we're not going to have the police chasing us down or anything, right?”

“Don't worry, it's fine – totally legal!” Ayane assures you, “I've never heard about anyone being hauled in for visiting the vice district. I mean, there are rumours about... other stuff, but they don't really matter.” When you simply answer that remark with a stern look, Ayane laughs nervously and runs a hand through her messy hair. “Okay, okay, the other stuff. I've heard people say that the government records how often people come here, and marks it down on your personal file,” she shrugs, almost defiantly, “But so what? Maybe it might make a job interview a littler harder, five or ten years down the line, but that's all. C'mon...”

“Yeah, but...” you pause, glancing across at Maika, “The princess here has her reputation to consider. If she's seen here...”

“Actually, I anticipated this possibility when you mentioned our destination,” Maika assures you, reaching into her bag, “And I took steps to prepare accordingly.”

“See? It's fine!” Ayane nods brightly, “I bet she's got some fancy gadget in there that blinds cameras or something like-”

From her bag, Maika produces a simple hat – a baseball cap, with the angular logo of Kanzaki Automated Industries emblazoned across the brim. “See?” she announces, pulling the brim down slightly to shield her face, “A simple, yet effective countermeasure.”

“That's, uh, not much of a disguise...” you begin, before sighing and shaking your head, “You know what? Forget it. Let's just get this over with as soon as we can. Kurosawa, are you here?”

“I am,” the cat replies, slinking out of a nearby alleyway, “I have a good idea of where to start our search. Follow me, and I will do my best to narrow down our possible area.” Starting to pad ahead of you, Kurosawa then pauses and turns back. “Do not get distracted,” he warns, looking especially hard at Ayane.

-

“See? It's not so bad here,” Ayane says as you walk slowly down the streets, following Kurosawa as he creeps ahead. Every so often, the cat pauses to sniff at something or look down some gloomy side street, but he always returns to going on ahead. Either he knows where he's going, or he's trying very hard to look like he knows. Ayane, on the other hand, is content to stroll along as though she was just going shopping.

“You were expecting something much worse, right?” she remarks, “It's always the same, folk on their first time here. They hear the name and picture brothels and crack dens.”

“What makes you so sure this is my first time?” you ask slyly, “Maybe I was just acting innocent before. Ever think about that?”

“Miho,” Ayane replies with a sigh, “You're not that good of an actor...”

[1/2]

>>1436264
>I've heard people say that the government records how often people come here, and marks it down on your personal file,” she shrugs, almost defiantly, “But so what? Maybe it might make a job interview a littler harder, five or ten years down the line, but that's all. C'mon...”
>Moloch: I want to tell a story with a lighter tone

>>1436264

“But you do seem to know your way about rather well,” Maika points out after a while, “Are you a regular here then, Ayane?”

“Man, you're making me sound like some delinquent!” Ayane chuckles, “I mean, yeah. I guess I come here every now and then. Some of the stuff here, they don't sell back in the nicer parts of town. Less regulations here, looser license laws or... something like that. Whatever.” Shrugging, she points out a store, the window filled with otaku paraphernalia. “I got some Little Queen Starlight books out of there once, for Shiori's birthday,” the girl continues, “When she opened them, she looked like I'd thrown a dead rat down in front of her. But you what? For a month after that, Shiori never went anywhere without one of those books...”

“I see,” Maika replies plainly, without much feeling in her voice, “How charming.”

“Yeah yeah, whatever,” Ayane shrugs again, “It's all beneath you, I get it. You could at least-”

“I have something,” Kurosawa interrupts, “A definite lead. Stay close.”

-

“Here,” the cat announces simply, stopping outside a specific shop, “She's here.”

“Here?” Ayane repeats, “I mean... really?”

“Really,” Kurosawa confirms, “Do you have a reason to consider this an unlikely conclusion?”

You've got to admit, you doubted it as well at first. The building itself looks innocent enough, with a nice awning casting shade over the doorway and lacy curtains draped across the inside of the windows. The sign above the door displays a stylish picture of a coffee cup, with flowery letters spelling out the shop name – Rose Manor. Overall, it seems out of place in something called the “vice” district... save for one thing.

A girl, dressed in a frilly maid costume, standing outside and inviting anyone who passes by to enjoy the “charming and intimate service”.

“You know,” Maika points out after a moment, “I don't think she's a real maid.”

“Oh really?” Ayane blurts out, “What exactly gave you that impression?”

“Her skirt is far too short, for starters – it casts a vulgar reflection on her employers. Also, I doubt anyone would hire a maid for public relations duties,” the heiress begins, counting the reasons off on her fingers, “Next, this is hardly the sort of place that one would expect to find a maid, or anyone wealthy enough to hire one. Finally-”

“Ugh!” groaning, Ayane buries her face in her hands, “I can't believe it's come to this... Miho, please tell me this is all a foolish joke!”

>Kurosawa doesn't joke. Let's go inside and take a look
>You don't like maids, Ayane? We could probably find a butler cafe somewhere, if that's what you prefer...
>Short skirt aside, that's a cute costume!
>Other

>>1436271
>You don't like maids, Ayane? We could probably find a butler cafe somewhere, if that's what you prefer...
>Let's go inside and take a look

>>1436271
>Maika, please: that was sarcasm. There's this thing, I think it's a fetish or whatever, where people want to be served sexual services by people pretending, badly, as servants like maids and butlers-let's just stop here
>Kurosawa, could you just, I dunno sneak in and confirm the name of who we're looking for? It's going to be a lot harder asking after a "friend" if we don't have a name.

>>1436271
>>Short skirt aside, that's a cute costume!

>>1436271
>>Kurosawa doesn't joke. Let's go inside and take a look
>>You don't like maids, Ayane? We could probably find a butler cafe somewhere, if that's what you prefer...
>>1436279
We can just go in. It's a cafe. Enjoy some lunch while the cat narrows it down.

>>1436271
>Let's go inside and take a look
>You don't like maids, Ayane? We could probably find a butler cafe somewhere, if that's what you prefer...

“You don't like maids, Ayane?” you ask with a faint smile, “I mean, we could probably find a butler cafe somewhere, if that's what you prefer...”

“Actually, there's a pretty nice one just two streets down from here, and...” Ayane begins, cutting herself off before she can say anything more on that particular subject. “Hey, that's not the issue here!” she protests, “I'm just saying, we're going to look pretty weird poking our noses in there and asking strange questions. I'm being pragmatic, see? I'm thinking in practical terms, that's all!”

“Ayane,” Maika points out delicately, “You didn't answer the question. Do you have a particular dislike for maids?”

“Jeez,” she sighs, “They just creep me out, that's all, all that “welcome home Master” stuff. Ugh!” A shudder runs through Ayane at the mere thought. “It's like that Pietr kid, back with the Sentinels. People shouldn't act like that, like they're clockwork toys or something,” grimacing, Ayane forces a defiant look and glares at you, “That's all it is!”

“I just don't understand this at all,” the heiress murmurs, her low voice cutting off any further discussion – or teasing – that you had planned.

“It's, uh, hard to describe,” you begin, furrowing your brow as you try to word this in a way that Maika might understand, “Basically, it's some kind of weird... sex thing. Some people get their kicks by having girls serving them coffee while dressed up in cheap maid costumes. Well, serving them coffee or. doing.. other services.” Glancing aside at Ayane, you grin a little. “Not just maids, though,” you add slyly, “Butlers too.”

“Oh man,” Ayane groans, “You're never going to let this go, are you?”

“I think I understand now,” Maika nods slowly, “Although I think Ayane has a point. We may appear rather odd if we just start asking questions. I suggest taking a look inside first, just to see if anyone stands out.”

“We may have to do that,” you agree, “Hey, Kurosawa, can't you poke your head in first and check, to see if our girl really is in there? Maybe see if anyone mentions a name?”

“I will see what I can do,” Kurosawa concedes, slinking away and passing straight through the cafe door. Somehow, you get the impression that he's more keen on getting away from you than actually scouting ahead, but you'll take what you can get.

“Anyway,” you add – in a slightly defensive tone - as Kurosawa vanishes, “Short skirt aside, I think it's a pretty cute outfit. That headdress is adorable!”

“I... you...” Ayane looks at you in horror, before sighing, “You know what? Fine. This is fine. Everything is-”

“She is inside,” Kurosawa announces, appearing once again, “I can point her out to you.”

“Alright then,” you tell the other two, “You heard the cat. Let's go and take a look.”

[1/2]

>>1436303

A bell above the door jingles softly as you enter, while the greeter – a perky girl with dyed red hair – drops into a low curtsy. “Welcome home, noble ladies!” she announces, “We have a table for three available, and plenty of maids waiting to attend to your every need!”

“Kill me now...” Ayane whispers, wincing a little as Maika jabs an elbow into her side.

“A table, sure,” you agree, “And... I guess something to drink? I don't know what's good here, so just whatever is most popular.” Even as you say this, you can't help but glance down at Kurosawa, who is slowly examining the rest of the cafe. Normal people can't see him, you know that, but it still feels odd to have a cat sitting unnoticed at your feet.

“Three glasses of sweet iced tea, then!” the greeter decides, clapping briskly. A slightly older girl with darker hair – Kurosawa shakes his head slightly as she approaches – leads you to a discrete table and then hurries off to get your drinks, her short skirt swishing as she goes.

“So, Maika,” Ayane teases, leaning forwards and lowering her voice, “I suppose you're used to this sort of thing, huh?”

“Not really,” Maika replies, looking away from the retreating girl, “As I said, they didn't try very hard for a realistic experience. Real maids would be marked, to show who their employers are. Uniforms aren't enough, they would normally have a family crest dyed onto their skin, like most corporate employees. The cheek is popular, although I find that rather vulgar. Kanzaki Automated Industries used the back of the hand.” Pausing here, she glances at her own hand. “When I come of age, I'll be marked like anyone else,” the heiress murmurs to herself, “If I come of age...”

“Wow, awkward,” Ayane groans, “Hey cat, didn't you say our girl was here?”

“She was,” Kurosawa confirms, jumping up onto your table and looking around, “However, she seems to have-”

“Hey!” a maid announces, storming across the room to glare at you, “You got the wrong building, the cat cafe is like three blocks east of here!” The girl - maybe a year younger than you are, although her slight build makes her look younger – scowls hard at you, her hands clenched into tight, pugnacious fists.

“She shouldn't be able to see me,” Kurosawa says gravely.

“You shouldn't be able to see him,” you tell the young maid.

“Oh,” the maid pauses, looking between Kurosawa and you, “Oh bugger.”

-

“She's definitely the girl we were looking for,” Kurosawa announces, “Only a candidate, someone with a potentially potent destiny, would be able to see me. We need to-”

“Emmy!” the greeter calls over, leaning around, “You have other duties to attend to!”

“Shit, damn, hell,” the young maid – Emmy – curses as she draws back, “Just... just stay there, okay? I got a break in like fifteen minutes, I'll speak with you then.”

[2/3]

>>1436323
Well that sure makes things easy.

>>1436323

Fifteen minutes later, the young girl returns and gives you all a sour look. “Okay, so you've got an invisible talking cat. Ain't none of the other girls noticed you, and I asked. Now they all think I'm hearing things, but whatever,” Emmy frowns, “So yeah, you've got my attention. Your cat here said that I was the girl you were looking for – you gonna explain that, or what?” She practically spits the words out at you, a rather coarse – and not particularly maid-like - note in her voice.

“It's not a particularly easy thing to explain,” you begin slowly, “Uh... how long is your break?”

“Like ten minutes,” Emmy shrugs, “It's usually just so we can, like, go for a piss or whatever. Yeah, I guess maybe you couldn't explain all this in... nine minutes now. You lot in a hurry, or can you wait another hour? I'm almost done for today, if you can wait.”

“I think we're going to have to wait,” you agree. Truth be told, you don't mind the extra wait. It'll give you a chance to think of a sales pitch, a way of explaining everything to her.

“Yeah, okay, I'll tell you what. One hour, and I'll meet you outside – just by the front door,” Emmy nods quickly, before she starts to hurry away, “Oh, and... uh, enjoy your drinks, noble ladies!”

The curtsey she offers you before rushing off is venomous, almost resentful.

-

“Well,” Ayane sighs, “She seems nice. What a winning attitude - although I can't say I blame her. If I worked in a place like this...”

“She hasn't turned her back on us, or closed her eyes in denial,” Kurosawa interrupts, “This is a promising start. However, I believe that it would be best if you convinced her to accept my offer. As recent events have shown, I cannot be entirely trusted with such things.” There might be a faint note of bitter humour in his voice, but you might be imagining it.

“I must confess, I might not be the best person for this role,” Maika admits, “While it pains me to admit weakness, my interpersonal skills are not-”

“Yeah yeah, we know,” Ayane cuts in, laughing bluntly, “You're kind of creepy, honestly. What do you think, Miho, what should we tell her?”

>The truth, of course. This is ugly and dangerous work, but people need us to protect them
>Maybe we can gloss over some of the worst parts...
>Just tell her she can beat up some monsters. She looks like she'd enjoy it
>We're not bringing her in. She's too young for this mess
>Other

>>1436337
>>The truth, of course. This is ugly and dangerous work, but people need us to protect them

>>1436337
>>The truth, of course. This is ugly and dangerous work, but people need us to protect them
>Emphasize she can beat up some monsters. She looks like she'd enjoy it. Stress relief after a working at a maid cafe.

>>1436337
>The truth, of course. This is ugly and dangerous work, but people need us to protect them
But also
>Tell her she can beat up some monsters. She looks like she'd enjoy it

>>1436337
Maybe our cat could poke a bit in to her past or personality, trying to find something we could leverage via implication during the pitch?

>>1436337
>The truth, of course. This is ugly and dangerous work, but she gets to beat up some monsters and meet creepy guys.

File: Emi Miyakawa.jpg (276 KB, 1215x1215)

276 KB JPG

“We're telling her the truth, of course,” you stress, giving Kurosawa a dirty look, “This is ugly and dangerous work, true, but the people need us to protect them. We're telling her the good parts and the bad, or we're telling her nothing at all. Those are my terms, Kurosawa, and if you don't like them...”

“The truth. A novel approach,” Kurosawa's deadpan voice rings out in your mind, “I will respect these terms. However, unless I am required to clarify any details, I will leave the explanation to you. Are we agreed?”

“I guess we are,” you nod, “Although... maybe we can tell her that she can beat up some monsters. That looks like the sort of thing that she'd enjoy, stress relief from spending her days in a maid cafe.”

“It's a fine idea,” Maika muses, “But what if she doesn't agree to it? We can't force her, obviously, but I do think we need the extra help. It's not exactly a tempting offer we're making for her – it may benefit us to have some additional leverage.”

“That's cold, Maika,” Ayane mutters, before giving Kurosawa an unreadable look, “But I think the cat here knows exactly what you mean. You know all about making sweet offers, don't you Kurosawa?”

Kurosawa doesn't answer that, simply turning to look you in the eye. Frowning, you swallow back a wave of disgust. “I don't like it much, but Maika has a point,” you admit, “If I ask for your help – and only then – do you think you could sway her? A... a thing like you, you've got to know ways to influence people, right?”

“I won't deny that,” Kurosawa admits, carefully saying nothing more on the subject.

Sighing, you pinch the bridge of your nose and reach your conclusion. “That's decided then,” you finish with a slow nod, “All that we need to do now is make the offer, and see how she takes it.”

“Oh boy...” Ayane sighs.

-

One hour later, standing out by the front door to Rose Manor, you are joined by the young maid, now looking rather different. Her costume has been replaced by worn jeans and a bulky, oversized leather – fake, of course – jacket, gaudy patches plastered all over it. She gives you a probing look, then glances down at Kurosawa.

“So you really waited for me, invisible magic cat and all,” she begins, “Guess I must be mad, but here I am. I figure you owe me an explanation, if nothing else.”

“Okay, so...” you draw in a heavy breath, “Emmy, is it?”

“Hell no, that's my “maid” name,” the girl snorts, “My name is... ugh. Okay, my name is Emi. Emi Miyakawa. I didn't say it was a very imaginative maid name, did I?”

Ignoring the sound of Ayane choking back a burst of laughter, you offer the girl your hand. “It's good to meet you, Emi,” you reply, “I'm Miho Tsukada, this is Ayane Nakamura and Maika Kanzaki.”

“Yes,” Maika adds, “THAT Kanzaki.”

The look on Emi's face, then, is clear – an expression that seems to say “Who gives a shit?”

[1/2]

>>1436361
I think we took this girl's Magical Girl weapons.

>>1436361
This girl feels familiar.

>>1436363
We can trade when we get our super sword back.

>>1436361

“I'll give you the blunt version,” you begin, “Since you seem like the type who'd appreciate it that way. We're... magical girls. We battle monsters, and we protect the innocent. Kurosawa here recruited us, so that we can serve the gods.”

“Oh yeah, the gods exist,” Ayane butts in, “There are like... sixteen of them.”

“Eighteen,” you correct her, “But whatever, details. What I'm saying is, Emi, you have the potential to join us, and we'd like you to do so. I won't lie to you, though, it's not always glamorous or safe, and there are time when it can all go wrong.” Pausing here, you study the young girl's face in an attempt to gauge her reaction. It's hard to say, she's being careful not to let anything slip.

“Say I believe you,” Emi says slowly, “How wrong can it go?”

“Four months ago,” you explain in a low voice, “There was an explosion. Lives were lost, and-”

“Hey Miho, you don't need to say this,” Ayane grabs your arm lightly here, ill at ease, “I mean, not right away. C'mon...”

“No, I DO need to say this,” you stress, “There was an explosion, and nearly fifty people died. I did that, I caused that explosion. The Intruders, our enemies, were flooding into this world. I did it in order to stem the flow, and to stop them from spreading further into the city. Who knows how many lives would have been lost if they had escaped? So, I broke my sword and unleashed its gathered power... despite the collateral damage it caused.”

“I remember that,” Emi mutters to herself, “The news said it was a bombing. Something about militant anti-technology protestors, or... something.”

“The news lied,” you reply, “That, Emi, is how bad it can get. If you want to leave now, I won't stop you. If you want to stay, though...”

“I ain't leaving,” the young girl replies stubbornly, “These enemies you mentioned, these Intruders... they hurt people, kill them?”

“We're not entirely certain about that,” Maika offers, “They tend to abduct people and consume them, although what happens after that is still-”

“But they do bad shit to people?” Emi snaps, “Right?”

“Right,” you nod weakly, “Except when we get in the way and beat them up first. That's... mainly what we do, beat up Intruders. If you choose to join us, that's pretty much what you'd be doing as well, fighting these things. You might not believe me, but it can almost be... fun, at times.” Laughing awkwardly, you shake your head. “I know how that sounds, but when I'm fighting... I don't need to think about anything else,” offering Emi a shrug, you continue, “Well, I guess it's hard to describe. Until you feel it for yourself-”

“I'm in,” the girl declares suddenly, cutting you off mid-sentence, “Fuck it, sign me up.”

[2/3]

>>1436387
Does she actually have a soft spot for someone? Seemed to react quite well to the whole save people thing. Seems like a possible best girl.

>>1436387

“Uh...” Ayane is the first to react, to break the silence, “Are you sure?”

“Sure,” Emi shrugs, “I mean, I don't want to dump a sob story on you or anything, but folk like me don't exactly have a lofty future ahead of them. Doing a bit of good like this, it's probably the most I'll ever amount to. Sure, there's risk. Sure, there's danger. You know what? I don't give a shit.” Planting her hands on her hips, she gives you all a fierce glare. “So, go ahead and sign me up,” she insists, “Or is just some rich girl thing?”

“Well, I mean...” you pause, sighing a little, “As long as you're sure, Emi. It's your decision. If you need time to think it over-”

“Come on!” Emi groans, throwing her hands up in the air and storming off down a narrow alleyway, “Just do it. Rip out my soul, or do whatever else you gotta do. I ain't gonna change my mind, just because you're losing your nerve!” Her voice echoes back off the alley walls, but before you can answer her, Kurosawa's voice thunders in your head.

“The contract is sealed,” he intones, a faint light building within him, “Emi Miyakawa, embrace your true nature as an agent of Fury. Embrace your true nature as the Executioner!”

As that final word rings out through the alleyway, Emi cries out in pain and drops to her knees. The ground beneath her feet burst up in a spray of glittering metal, hiding her from sight for one brief moment. When she rises, she is one of you – a magical girl.

Her costume is a thing of contrasts. The maid outfit she wore earlier is recreated here, albeit in lustrous quality, while archaic armour clings to her arms and legs. Not the smooth, futuristic armour that Maika wears, but medieval plate boots and gauntlets. A visored helmet hides her face from view, a plume of bright red hair fluttering from the top. Kneeling for a moment, Emi slams her hand into the ground before drawing it up, pulling something from the earth – a sword, the squared-off blade of great size and weight. When Emi has drawn out its full length, it's almost as tall as she is.

Standing there, armed and in her full regalia, the Executioner cuts a formidable sight. Until, that is, she opens her mouth and ruins the gravitas.

“Oh man!” Emi cries out, her voice muffled by the visor of her helmet, “This is awesome!”

[3/4]

>>1436423

It takes Emi a while later to learn how to dismiss her costume, but eventually she returns to her civilian clothes and follows you out of the alleyway. “So, I guess I'm a hero now, huh?” she remarks, “Gonna be fighting evil by moonlight and junk.”

“Not exactly,” you reply with a shrug, “Sometimes it happens during the day as well.”

“Well, whatever,” the young maid smirks a little, “So hey, I figure we should get to know each other a bit. I mean, we're gonna be working together, right? So, ask me whatever you like. If I got anything to ask you, I sure as shit ain't gonna keep it to myself!”

She's certainly... energetic.

>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there
>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?
>So, uh, what's it like being a maid? Do you like it?
>I did have a question... (Write in)
>Other

>>1436425
>>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there

>>1436425
>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there
>>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?

>>1436425
>>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there
>>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?

>>1436425
>>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there
>>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?

>>1436425
>>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there
>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?
Another cool costume while I have a scarf.... typical

>>1436425
>>Is there someone in particular that you want to protect?

>>1436425
>>Do you live around here? Maybe we should talk more there

“So, do you live around here?” you ask, gesturing to indicate the vice district in general, “If you do, we should maybe talk more there. It's likely to be more private, for one thing, and... well, I'd like to see where you live. I'm curious.”

“Huh? Well, yeah, I live pretty close by. Like... maybe a twenty minute walk? It's normally less for me, but that's because I jog to work. I'd say that... two of you are welcome to come over,” Emi scrutinises your group, pursing her lips in thought, “I'm kidding, you're all welcome. I'm just warning you now - it ain't exactly a big place, so one of you might need to sit on the floor. It's not even a particularly comfortable floor.”

“You sound like you're speaking from experience,” Ayane remarks, smiling wryly.

“Yeah? So what if I am?” Emi shoots back, “You saying that your ass is too good for a hard floor, your majesty?”

“Wha-” Ayane splutters, in a rare show of speechlessness.

You've finally found someone who can match Ayane, word for word. This really is a special day.

-

Leading you through the winding streets – the streets of the vice district are both narrow and sprawling, especially compared with the streets you're used to – Emi soon points out a shabby building. “That's us here, on the second floor,” she announces, “There's no elevator or whatever, so I hope you're good with stairs. They're good exercise, so I don't wanna hear any complaints!” Without waiting for any reply, the young girl then hurries on ahead, leaving you to hasten after her.

“Hey, Emi?” you ask, “I've got a question. It might be a bit personal, though.”

“Go ahead and ask,” Emi replies, pausing in the mouth of the stairwell and glancing back at you, “If I don't wanna answer, I'll just tell you to piss off, yeah?”

“Well, I just wondering,” you begin, “Is there someone in particular that you're hoping to protect? It's just, you seemed pretty intent on that side of this whole... magical girl thing. I thought maybe you had someone in mind.”

“I mean, I got family,” Emi answers you, taking out a set of keys and unlocking her front door. “Sit wherever,” she adds, waving a hand at the cluttered apartment, “Don't worry, we're alone here. My folks are out at work, and my brother is out somewhere, probably getting in trouble. That's him there.” She points out an old photograph, one of many decorating a long shelf. The picture shows a tall, brooding young man, with Emi – trying very hard to match his sullen expression – standing by his side.

“Kaoru,” the young maid says, “So yeah. If there's one person in this world that I'm looking to protect... it would be him. Kind of a dumb wish though – I mean, he can take care of himself.”

“Not against the Intruders,” Maika says lightly, brushing down a chair before sitting.

[1/2]

File: Kaoru Miyakawa.jpg (137 KB, 850x1300)

137 KB JPG

>>1436488

“You said your parents were at work,” you begin after an awkward pause, “Where do they do?”

“They're in “waste reclamation”. You know what that is? Picking through fucking trash – good deal, huh?” Emi snorts out laughter, opening a stained refrigerator and drinking from a carton of milk, “There's a big government factory on the edge of town, kind of a recycling plant thing. I dunno if folk like you would know anything about it.”

“Oh yes, I know the one you're talking about. There were talks, for a while, about bringing in automation. They fell through in the end, I don't know why,” Maika frowns slightly, “It would be both quicker and more efficient to use automation, I can't see why they insist on using human workers there. It's so... barbaric.”

“Yeah? Maybe it is, but it's the only work that a bunch of people here can get. Bring in machines, and-” Emi's voice, rapidly growing darker as she spits the words out, is cut off by the sound of the front door. Her eyes narrow suddenly, while Ayane gives you an uncertain look. A silence falls over your little group, and so the footsteps that you hear seem very loud indeed. When the tall young man enters the room, there is almost a collective intake of breath.

“Kaoru!” Emi squeaks, a look of pure delight spreading out to cover her face.

-

Kaoru Miyakawa doesn't look particularly happy to see you in his home, although he seems like the sort of person who never looks particularly happy about anything. His dark eyes pass slowly between the three of you – you, Ayane and Maika – before coming to settle on Emi. Calmly, he sets down the bulky guitar case slung over one shoulder and folds his arms. Dimly, you note that Ayane's eyes have grown very wide indeed. Maika, on the other hand, looks deliberately indifferent.

“Emi,” the young man sighs, his voice rich in disdain, “I didn't know you would be bringing guests around. I can leave, if you prefer.”

“Hey, no! I mean, I just wasn't expecting you to be back so early. Did your practice end early, or...” Emi runs a hand through her hair, glancing aside to you, “Yeah, uh, Kaoru is in a band. Sort of.”

“He's sort of in it?” Maika asks drily, “Or it's sort of a band?”

“Both, really,” Kaoru answers, “I won't be staying long. However, I need to have a word with Emi. Would you mind stepping outside for a moment?”

His dark eyes bore into you, and you find yourself nodding quite without meaning to.

-

You're not exactly sure how you end up outside Emi's apartment, but that's where you find yourself. Ayane, as usual, is the first to speak.

“Jeez,” she sighs, “He's a nice one, that Kaoru. I wonder if-”

“Pardon me for saying,” Maika points out lightly, “But aren't you already taken?”

“Yeah, I know,” Ayane sighs, “I'm just saying!”

[2/3]

>>1436578

“Anyway, I don't see the attraction,” Maika sniffs, “I rather suspect that he would never love anyone, save for himself. I've seen that type before. As soon as he's out of the way, we can get back to speaking with Emi. We were right in the middle of something.”

“Yeah, uh, maybe you should tone down the corporate heiress thing around her,” Ayane suggests, “You know, in the interests of teamwork? I don't think it goes down well with Emi. You know what I'm talking about, right Miho?”

“Huh?” you murmur, snapping back to reality, “Yeah, uh, sure. What were we talking about?”

“Good grief,” Maika sighs, “Regardless, I rather like our new colleague. That enthusiasm of hers reminds me of Yuki.” A faintly wistful look crosses Maika's face, before it is wiped away by a fresh mask of cold detachment. You shiver a little at that look, thinking back to her surgery and what she chose to do to her memories. “I'm certain that she will be an asset,” the heiress concludes, her voice flat.

“Uh... sure,” glancing your way, Ayane grimaces, “What do you make of her, Miho?”

>I'm looking forwards to working with her!
>I'm worried. I don't think she's taking this seriously enough
>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain
>Another colleague with a fancy costume...
>Other

>>1436606
>>I'm worried. I don't think she's taking this seriously enough

>>1436606
>>I'm looking forwards to working with her!
>>Another colleague with a fancy costume...

>>1436606
>>Another colleague with a fancy costume...
>>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain
>Did either of you guys feel pain the first time you changed?
Time to dodge I guess.

>>1436606
>Another colleague with a fancy costume...
>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain

>>1436606
>I'm worried. I don't think she's taking this seriously enough
>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain
>Another colleague with a fancy costume...

>>1436606
>>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain

>>1436606
>I'm looking forwards to working with her!

>When she changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain
Her God is Wrath right?

“Honestly? I'm worried,” you admit, “I don't think she's taking this seriously enough. I tried to make her understand how dangerous this stuff can be, but I don't know if any of it got through to her.” Sighing, you shake your head. “I mean, you saw her. She wouldn't even think about it for more than a few moments,” forcing the dismay from your voice, you try to keep the conversation from getting too bleak, “Maybe that's just the kind of person she is. Impulsive, stubborn... thick headed.”

“Yeah, I get what you mean,” Ayane agrees, “But I gotta remind you of something – we weren't exactly very different, were we?”

“Well...” you pause, “Well, no. You're right there.”

“Exactly!” slapping you lightly on the arm, Ayane gives you a broad grin, “So if she's a fool, we're just as foolish as she is!”

“Sure,” you laugh, conceding the point, “In that case, I'm looking forwards to working with her... even if she IS going to make me look even more plain. I mean, another colleague with a fancy costume? This is getting depressing...” Letting a theatrical sigh slip from your lips, you roll your eyes. “Who else do we have again, the Temptress?” you groan the name out, “I bet she's going to be even more flashy. My poor scarf is looking worse and worse.”

“Don't feel bad,” fighting to keep a smile from her face, Ayane pats you on the shoulder again, “Not everyone can be flashy. Don't let it hurt you.”

“Yeah, I guess. It's just-” you start, before Ayane's words – the way she mentioned getting hurt – remind you of something. Something that didn't quite... fit. “Hey, wait a minute,” you begin with a frown, “When Emi changed for the first time, it looked like she was... in pain. Like it hurt her, pretty badly too.”

“Well... yeah,” Ayane gives you a strange look, “So?”

“So...” you pause again, “Wait. Did it hurt when either of you two transformed for the first time?”

“Miho, dear, I hate to break it to you, but the first time always hurts,” Ayane laughs, although you detect a trace of uncertainty in her laugh, “Like... it was the same with you, wasn't it? We all sorta freaked out about it, even Maika. You took it better than us, but...”

“Yes, I recall that. It was quite awful, although it was very quick,” Maika agrees, nodding to herself, “I fear I might have cried out, and Ayane definitely did. You, on the other hand, just... flinched. I was quite impressed, actually, but you've always had quite a high pain tolerance.”

“Like that thing with the leg,” Ayane says, “Oh, you weren't there. Miho sorta grabbed her leg and...”

Leaving Ayane to tell the story, you think back to your first transformation. It was uncomfortable, no doubt about it, but nothing you'd call painful. It was more like entering the Umbra than anything else – dizzying, but that's all. Not painful.

[1/2]

>>1436705
Oh, is the difference due to being chosen by a Curse God and being chosen by a Great Virtue? That makes sense, I suppose. A curse would make people feel worse, yeah...

>>1436756
I'm pretty sure Maika is chosen by a virtue. If not her, then Ayane. But they both said it was painful. It might be because Duty formed the contract. It was fine for us because we were the chosen of Duty, but none of them are.

>>1436756
Ayana was chosen by a virtue though.

>>1436705

“Hey, Miho, you there?” Ayane's voice pulls you from you memories, “I had a thought. You think maybe this is another one of these Heavenly Child things? Since, y'know, you're all special and that. Maybe it's easier for you, something to keep you sweet.” She forces a laugh, nudging Maika with an elbow. “Man, all these perks and privileges... it must be like having your dad run the company,” Ayane adds, “I bet you'd know all about that, huh Maika?”

“Should I really dignify that with an answer?” Maika sighs. Before she can say anything else, the soft sound of someone clearing their throat interrupts your conversation.

“I'm sorry for taking so long,” Kaoru announces, “But we're finished our conversation. Emi asked me to let you know. She wanted to talk with you about something. I didn't ask what.”

“Very well then. Thank you for letting us know,” Maika bows slightly, heading for the stairs. Ayane mumbles her own thanks before scurrying away, leaving you standing alone in the side street. Alone, that is, save for Kaoru. Flashing him a quick and awkward smile, you start after Ayane and Maika.

“Wait,” the young man says softly, “I wanted to ask you something.”

Pausing mid-step, you slowly turn back to face him. His expression is dark, his eyes darker still, and your mind whirls with all the possible questions he might have for you. Asking if you'll be causing trouble for his sister, maybe? Or maybe something more innocent, like asking after where you go to school. Something like that, maybe. “Go ahead,” you reply, preparing yourself for the worst, “Ask away.”

Even with all your preparations, the question surprises you. “Do you like music?” Kaoru asks, slipping one hand into his pocket, “Live music, I should say. Some people don't.”

The unexpected question puts you on the back foot, and you realise that it's not really something you can answer. You don't ever recall seeing any live music before... although your memory is nowhere near as reliable as you once thought. “I guess?” you reply vaguely, “I mean, sure? I think?”

Sighing, Kaoru takes a card out of his pocket and hands it over. A cheaply printed business card, with an indecipherable scrawl splashed across it. In small, clearer letters, a website is given. Hell's... Messengers?

“My band,” Kaoru explains, “I thought you might be interested. Regardless, I'll let you join your friends now. Oh, but one warning – don't get Emi in trouble. Just... don't.”

>She's safe with us, don't worry
>Has she been in trouble before?
>Thanks for the card. Maybe you'll see me at your next show
>Hey, can you answer something for me? (Write in)
>Other

>>1436789
>Has she been in trouble before?

>>1436789
>indecipherable scrawl
They play metal, don't they? Kaoru looks more emo than metal.

>>1436789
>>Has she been in trouble before?

>>1436789
>Has she been in trouble before?

>Thanks for the card. Maybe you'll see me at your next show

>>1436789
>>Has she been in trouble before?

>>1436789
>Has she been in trouble before?
>Thanks for the card. Maybe you'll see me at your next show

Something about Kaoru's warning – or perhaps his threat, depending on how you look at it – makes you wonder. He sounds almost as if he's speaking from bitter experience. “Has, uh, has Emi been in trouble before?” you ask, “I mean, if you don't me asking. You, uh, probably mind me asking, don't you?”

“This is really something that you should ask her about,” the young man says slowly, picking his words with care, “Although... yes, your guess is correct. She has been in trouble before, thanks to some old friends of hers, and I'd rather not see that unpleasantness repeated. There – you've had your answer, and now I think I have a right to one of my own. The three of you... you're not in any kind of gang, are you?”

“A gang?” you repeat, laughing faintly, “No, not at all. We're just... friends. We go to school, we hang out, and we-” Fight evil, you almost add, before stopping yourself. Somehow, you don't think that Kaoru would appreciate it.

“Good. Gangs are trouble,” Kaoru nods approvingly, “A city like this, a single black mark on your record is enough to ruin your whole life. Remember that, and you should be fine.”

“Thanks for the advice,” you reply with an attempt at a smile, “And, uh, thanks for the card. Maybe you'll see me at your next show – front and centre!”

“Maybe so,” for some reason, this causes Kaoru to wince slightly, “I didn't choose it, you know. The name. I would rather not have chosen something quite so melodramatic, but I was outvoted.”

“Tyranny of the majority, huh?” you offer, with what is certainly a dumb grin.

“If you say so,” Kaoru sniffs dismissively, turning away from you, “You shouldn't keep your friends waiting.”

-

Sighing to yourself, you amble back into Emi's apartment, only to be greeted by a bark of laughter.

“Now what were YOU doing out there for so long?” Ayane chuckles, grabbing you arm and tugging you into a chair, “Ooh, I bet you were flirting with Kaoru, weren't you? Ahha, so that's what your type is, is it? I see, I see! I bet-”

“Oh, do stop,” Maika sighs, firmly steering Ayane away from you, “I do apologise. You didn't miss much, we were just talking about that Demon class Intruder we fought.” The heiress leans back against one of the walls, gesturing to Emi. “Our new colleague seemed to be enjoying the stories quite a bit.”

“Hell yeah! I mean, when do I get the chance to swing at some bad guys?” Emi says with a savage grin, “I wanna try out that massive sword, I bet I could chop a tree like that clean in half – like, whoosh, one strike and it's out!”

Enthusiasm, that was what Maika called it. Well, she certainly wasn't wrong.

[1/2]

>>1436921

The conversation – although really, the sporadic back and forth was hardly purposeful enough to warrant such a name – goes on for a while longer, before the chirp of a phone interrupts it. Simultaneously, all four of you check your pockets.

“Mine!” Ayane announces, “Oh hell, looks like I'm being summoned. I don't know what my mother wants, but apparently it's pretty urgent. I gotta go – you lot, don't do anything I wouldn't do.”

“I understand,” Maika replies smoothly, “We won't do anything sensible, and we definitely won't think before doing it.”

“Wow, rude,” Ayane groans as she rises, “You're cruel, Maika, too cruel. Whatever – I'll see you kids at school, you'd better not slack off!”

“Although now you mention it, I should get back as well. I didn't intend on staying out this long,” Maika shakes out her cap and pulls it on, adjusting the brim slightly to help hide her face. You're not sure how much that helps, especially when it just shifts the focus to the Kazaki Automated Industries logo, but you decide against mentioning it. She's happy with her “disguise”, and you're not going to ruin that for her.

The heiress leaves, and then it's just you and Emi.

-

“Hey, I had something I wanted to ask you,” Emi says suddenly, “You know, privately. I figured the others might not like this. What I mean is, you're sorta like the leader of this little show, ain't you? Not like, the absolute leader or whatever, but those other two look up to you. Am I right?”

“I guess so,” you admit, “I don't quite know how it happened, but it just worked out that way. Truth be told, until recently we didn't really work well together. Too many differences, too little common ground. We've only just started to be a proper team.” Laughing wearily, you give Emi's shoulder a light nudge. “You're a part of that team now,” you tell her, “So I hope you play well with others!”

“Yeah, I'm a real team player,” the young girl smirks, “Not really had a chance to show it, until recently. It'll be good to have some buddies like you, even if we do spend our time kicking the shit out of bad guys rather than hanging out.”

“Well,” you admit, “We seem to do a good amount of both, these days.”

“Nice, nice,” Emi nods sagely, “Which do you prefer?”

A question that you genuinely struggle to answer.

>I think I'm going to close things here. The next thread will hopefully be up next Friday, although I may have to postpone for a week. I'll post confirmation on twitter when I can. If anyone has any questions, I'll answer them to the best of my ability
>And thanks to everyone who contributed today!

Pardon my ignorance, but is this quest based on an existing setting?

>>1437064

It's not, no. I've been working off an original setting

>>1430050
Thanks for running! Never imagined participating to a magical girl quest, but seeing that it's you who's running it I thought that hell, if I'll ever join one it will be now.

Great quest thus far.

>>1437080
Ah, cool. Thanks for the effort! Some of the discussion above made me think that there is some background stuff that I haven't read

>>1437084
Likewise. I avoided magical girl quests like the plague, but its alright if Moloch does it.

>>1437063
Thanks for running Moloch.

[spolier]I half expected Emmy's full name to be Emilia[/spoiler]

>>1437111
Gah

>Phoneposting

>>1437063
Thanks for running, Moloch!