>>20668169
Give me a few minutes, need to read the last thread.

Just a quick question: will we get a chance to do a sidequest to kill the fuck out of those Black Rock cultists? I want to stake them out in the desert for the vultures to eat.

>>20668169
Im here lets roll

>>20668297

>Don't worry, there will be plenty of chances to kill bad guys in the quest.

Also Faust cant make it, he sends his regards but keeps his bad rolls

File: 1347254186260.jpg-(86 KB, 600x600, Asuka Wants It In The Face.jpg)

>>20668169
I'm here!

You walk back into the hangar, and you see Dervish setting out a pair of reinforced wooden swords.

With him are Steve, Jessie, and a thin man with red hair and glasses you've never seen before.

"Good, Alex." Dervish says with a nod. "You all are ready?"

"Laurie's getting Elsie and Ari from the sims." Dave comments from one side. "Mooch said he'd be over when he finished diagnostics in just a sec."

"Awesome." Steve says, doing some basic aerobic stretches. "So we have a minute to set up."

Dervish turns to you. "Any questions before we begin?"

>Go ahead.

>>20668559
"Why are you getting out training swords?"
And start stretching out, so we don't hurt ourself if the swords are for what I think they are?
What length are the training swords? Width? About how large is the hilt? What's the blade cross-section look like from where we are?

>>20668559
So you shall teach us the ways of the Anti-Ninja Sensie

>>20668599

"Because We're starting with Melee combat, since it's my specialty and something of a weak-point for your team on the whole."

>The swords are basic long-sword replicas: 'blade' is roughly 3 1/2 feet, the grip extends 8 inches past the cross guard and, the guard itself is bout six inches across.

>>20668614

>Is that a question?

>Is that it for questions?

File: 1347255677150.png-(14 KB, 741x589, Dave fan art.png)

>>20668614
it was supposed to be a snarky remark on how we keep saying we need to ninja proof everything, why not stat with ourselfs

>Since that seems to be an end to the questions...

After a couple of minutes, the four remaining members of your team wander up, and Dervish gestures you to take seats.

"Let's start with the basics, since I don't know how much you know, and a little review never hurt anybody." He begins, casually twirling one of the swords in his off hand. "How many ways to attack are there?"

>Go.

File: 1347256745015.jpg-(55 KB, 640x480, ballskick.jpg)

>>20668968
As many as you need...... or one good shot to the nuts
>ntshts great yes thats what im implying captcha

>>20668968

Isn't it Eight angles of attack? Horizontals, verticals, and diagonals?

>>20669052

This sounds like a great way to piss off our new Sensei.

>>20668968
Well there are infinite ways to attack someone but I asume you mean with a sword which I think is 8 as >>20669105 said

>>20669105

Dervish gives a nod in your direction, and a quick left handed slash along the lines. "And how many forms of defense?"

"Three for each possible attack." Dave answers. "You can block, parry/counter, or simply dodge." He looks at your slightly surprised expression. "My Dad made me take fencing when I was younger."

Dervish continues. "Eight attacks, three defenses. All Melee combat can be broken down into one of those steps. There are other ways of approaching it, different styles of feinting and guess work, but it all boils down to that simple core."

Laurie snorts. "Come on, it isn't that simple. There's a million ways to attack and defend."

"There are a million variations on the basics." Dervish responds calmly. "Each one is viable, but still only an expression of the basic forms."

Laurie shakes his head. "Come on, you've got to be bullshitting me."

"By all means," Dervish says, gesturing to the other sword with his free hand.

"Didn't you just get out of the hospital? Because you broke your everything?"

"The day I couldn't best a kid in a sword-fight with one foot in the grave is the day I longer deserve to breathe." He responds in a calm tone that holds no malice or ill intent, as if merely stating a fact.

Laurie shrugs and stands up.

[ ] Stop him.
[ ] Watch him.
[ ] POPCORN!

>>20669175

>Actually, the eight angles of attack is accepted by most formal martial arts, especially the armed ones.

>Some debate that a straight thrust should be considered a Ninth, and sometimes is, depending on who you ask.

>>20669297
>[ ] Watch him.
While I'm sure what's about to happen is POPCORN! worthy, we need to learn as much as we can, as fast as we can.

>>20669297
>[X] Watch him.
When I said infinite I was thinking of all the multitudes of ways one could possibly attack someone physically and mentally, not just with a sword. Don't want to limit my thinking when dealing with Dervish.

>>20669297
[x] POPCORN!
Looks like we're about to see an ass whoopin'.

>>20669297
Laurie is a big boy, he can deal with is own problems. But lets not humiliate him with popcorn though. So just watch.

Who knows, he took down a ninja with a wrench once.

>>20669297
[X] POPCORN!

> 50/50 split between just w2atching and getting popcorn.

>>20669297
Popcorn!

>>20669515

>Popcorn it is then.

>Need to go AFK for a minute.

You lean over to Dave and ask if he has any Popcorn while Laurie walks across the floor and picks up the other sword.

YOU ARE LAWRENCE BRENNER.

Holding your recently acquired training sword, you look across at your opponent.

He's holding his sword in his left hand limply, and is watching you calmly.

Out of the corner of your eye, you see Alex, Dave and Mooch huddled around a tub of Popcorn. Dave appears to have acquired a pair of Cardboard #D glasses.

[ ] Set a defensive stance.
[ ] Charge!
[ ] Feint low, strike high.

>>20669695
>[ ] Feint low, strike high.
Not that it's gonna make any difference in the asskicking that will ensue.

>>20669695
>[X] Set a defensive stance.

>>20669695
[x] Feint low, strike high.

>>20669695
>[x] Feint low, strike high.

>>20669695
I say we set a defensive stance, check out how Dervish moves instead of just blindly striking. He's expecting us to strike right now, so lets not.

rolled 55 = 55

>>20669712
>>20669719
>>20669732

>Beat my roll by ten.

rolled 21 = 21

>>20669772

rolled 65 = 65

>>20669772

rolled 88 = 88

>>20669772

File: 1347261797408.png-(14 KB, 741x589, Lawrence fan art.png)

rolled 36 = 36

>>20669772
here goes everything

rolled 67 = 67

>>20669772

rolled 51 = 51

>>20669781
>>20669783
>>20669801
Average 58. Welp.

>>20669781
>>20669783
>>20669801

Your blade starts a low sweep, and then doubles back into a vicious blow straight down once he starts to move.

But then you spot as the wooden blade comes down that he never glanced in the direction of your sword, watching only your face.

His blade swept up at an angle, loose in his grip and then suddenly slammed into the side of your sword with shocking force. Off balance, you step back, but he's already in your reach and shoulder checking you. After you fall on your ass, he politely extends a hand to help you up.

"Again?" He asks.

[ ] Yes.
[ ] No.

>>20669772
Damn, I don't even get to try to fuck it up before I go to bed. Stupid Darksiders, being distracting.

>>20669849
YES.

WE ARE LAURIE.

WE ARE MANLY.

>>20669849
[x]Yes.

And now I sleep. Good luck, gais.

>>20669849
>[x] Yes.

>>20669862
>>20669866
>>20669882

You take his hand and nod. He helps you up, and retreats a few steps with a quick hop.

[ ] Defensive stance.
[ ] Charge.

>>20669902
Defensive stance, let him come.

>>20669902
>[ ] Defensive stance.
We just got bounced harder than a goddamn superball, time to back off and get our head straight.

>>20669902
[x] Defensive stance.

>>20669902
Screw it, charge. Give him no room to maneuver towards us, and try to box him in somehow to limit his mobility.

rolled 54 = 54

>>20669922
>>20669929
>>20669939

>Beat my roll by 10.

rolled 50 = 50

>>20669956

rolled 88 = 88

>>20669956
WE CAN DO IT

File: 1347262863441.gif-(104 KB, 651x426, I Came To Laugh At You.gif)

>>20669962
Not with rolls like that we can't.

>>20669967
>>20669962
Without Udz taking all the worst rolls, it's my time to shine as a quest ruiner!

rolled 73 = 73

>>20669956
Fuck it, I'm rolling.

>Aunacti cried

I'm sure this will end in tears too Captcha.

rolled 2 = 2

>>20669956

>>20669975
FUCK

Can we use a fate point to lock this in?

>>20669973
Personally, I find the mental image of a 5' 8-9" punkish girl with no breasts cosplaying as Char getting their ass beat by a generic-looking white man with an Adam Jensen arm who dresses somewhat like Emiya Kiritsugu absolutely glorious. But then, I'm easily amused.

>>20669981
Does Laurie even have fate points?

>>20669990
He has manly points.
He uses them to do manly things.

>>20669990
All characters in our team have 2 fate points per thread/fight.

>>20670000
Sadly, he is not a manly guy. Well, he is. But he doesn't look it. Therefore, the punchline is NOT machismo.

>>20670000
Then on with the manly point usage!

Except that we can't lock in a roll outside of the first three, so we can only actually just attempt a reroll.

>>20669974
>>20669962
>>20669957

You take a deep breath and set a defensive stance.

Dervish comes for you after only a moments hesitation. His first overhead strike seems almost lazy, as he steps in, and you deflect it easily. The next one comes from the side, and it seems like it only gets it's teeth at the last moment, but it still shakes you.

The next five you're amazed you block at all, with the twists and quick turns feinting and dancing around your desperate defense.

Then suddenly you overstep trying to block a swing and he casually lets go on the upward stroke, tossing the sword overhead. Your eyes dart after it, and you realize that you took your eyes off Dervish just in time for him to calmly twist your arm and flip you onto your back.

He catches the sword in his right hand as he offers you help to stand.

"Again?" He asks, calmly.

>>20670019
"Yes, god damn you."
WE WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!

>>20670019

>Heh, whoops.

[ ] Yes.
[ ] No.

>>20670025
Yes

>>20670025
[x] Yes

>>20670025
Yes.

>>20670025
[x] YES

rolled 21 = 21

>>20670019
yes

>>20670025
Yes.

rolled 96 = 96

>>20670036
>>20670035
>>20670027
>>20670024
>>20670043

You growl an affirmative, and he sighs gently before hopping back to just out of reach like before.

Your temper finally getting the better of you, you rush him, blade coming out in a nasty horizontal slash which is when you notice two things:

The first is that Dervish's eyes are closed, and he seems to be completely relaxed.

The second is that he's switched from wielding the sword in his left hand to his right.

>Beat my roll by 20.

rolled 53 = 53

>>20670054

rolled 79 = 79

>>20670054
WE CAN DO IT

rolled 95 = 95

>>20670054
What, is he going to intentionally allow us to win?

rolled 67 = 67

>>20670054
Dice gods, I have never prayed to you be- wait, yes I have. You know the drill. "Grant me one request. Grant me success. And if you do not listen then to hell with you." and et cetera.

>>20670070
>95

why

>>20670066
lock it

File: 1347263985917.png-(32 KB, 1201x806, Team Snaps bro's fan art.png)

rolled 29 = 29

>>20670054

>>20670066
>>20670069
>>20670070
75,66

WE DID IT

rolled 75 = 75

>>20670070
>>20670069
>>20670066

>You guys beat the target by less than one.

Dervish's parry catches your first strike, and your second. He's forced to block the third and forth, and duck under your fifth. Your sixth he only partly deflects, and the tip of your sword snatches the glasses right off his face.

You smile at the victory, and then Dervish opens his eyes, as though startled awake from a pleasant dream.

And the eyes focus on you.

And your blood runs cold.

>Beat my roll by 20.

rolled 98 = 98

>>20670112

rolled 34 = 34

>>20670112
Ahhhhhhhh, shit. And I wasted my dice god prayer, too.

rolled 35 = 35

>>20670112

>>20670116
oh wow i rolled bad, well i guess its a sign to call it here for the night, i make sad fan art of the rest of team snaps for the next thread

>>20670116
>98

The dice gods punished you for your terrible pics

>>20670116
>>20670120
>>20670121
55 and 2/3 average.

>>20670126
I dunno about that, all the dice rolls that i made while posting my shameful fan art got good rolls, maybe they are upset with the lack of it for that roll

>>20670121
>>20670120
>>20670116

>And now you lose by less than one.

>I find this fact amusing.

Suddenly you leap back, like a frightened animal from a loud noise. Your arms lashes out instinctively from the way his body shifts slightly, back and forth.

You're rewarded with shaking blows that make your entire arm feel like it's on fire, one after another. The blade and the arm it's held in are moving so fast you can't even properly see it. It's a miracle you last for more than a few seconds against the onslaught, even in a full retreat like you are.

Then suddenly you feel a breeze on the back of your hand as suddenly the blade you're holding is wrenched from your grip by an inside hooking blow. Your back slams into a crate, and you see Dervish's whole body twist as the tip of his sword springs into tight focus, and you realize that you're staring at your death. That he can and will end your life right here.

You close your eyes, and hear a sickening crunch about an inch to the left of your head.

When you open your eyes, you see that Dervish struck the wooden crate behind you with such force that it literally shattered almost a third of the crate behind you, sending dry splinters flying like a shotgun blast. His hand releases the hilt, still sunk into the crate beside you.

>>20670228
"Lawrence," He begins, expression neutral and tone calm and quiet. "I am not here to prove anything to anyone. I am not here to rub my skill or aptitude in anyone's face. I am here because I was asked to help you improve. That does not mean swinging wildly with a sword desperate to get a hit in, or endangering the health and safety of your teacher or fellow students. Especially for the sake of pride or to make a point. I will write this off as a learning experience and forgive this misstep. This once." He says, holding up a finger, and tapping you gently on the chest with it. "Everybody gets a free pass, and you just used yours." He then calmly pulls his sword, still undamaged from the remains of the crate, before walking back to the rest of your team.

Meanwhile, your knees quietly give out and you slump to the floor while you watch him retrieve the blade you had been using nearby.

>>20670233
Welp. Laurrie just got put in his place.

>>20670233
Take note about Dervish manlyness.

Now it's Mooch's turn!

>>20670233
so this was supposed to be a one-way humiliation training?

You are Alex Raston.

And suddenly you have a new appreciation for Dervish's skill.

Dervish hesitates and looks at Steve. "My glasses?"

"Ruined." He responds, shaking his head. Dervish lets out an irritated sigh before pulling a second pair out of his bag and putting them on.

>Give me a perception roll.

>>20670260
We would have won if SOMEONE didn't roll a fucking 98

rolled 9 = 9

>>20670265
It's 1d100 right?

rolled 91 = 91

>>20670265

File: 1347265665929.gif-(428 KB, 500x322, 1308335841330.gif)

>>20670233
lesson learned, then.

rolled 14 = 14

>>20670265
>Dervish lets out an irritated sigh before pulling a second pair out of his bag and putting them on.
Now THAT is prepared.

rolled 77 = 77

>>20670265
Go

rolled 9 = 9

>>20670265
eyes see everything.

>>20670260

I read it more as Dervish trying to prove his point, and Laurie refusing to accept it until he got fucking curb-stomped.

I mean, Dervish never lost his temper or anything, he told Laurie at the start that he wasn't going to be able to win, and he then proved it TWICE before Laurie lost his temper and almost hurt him with a training sword.

>>20670266

>Actually, you would have smacked Dervish upside the head, and Laurie would've been told off for not treating it like the supposedly harmless sparring it was, and actually seriously hitting someone.

>>20670279

>As someone who wears glasses and needs them to function, having an extra set in case the ones you're wearing breaks is just something you DO if you can afford more than one pair.

>>20670286
it was very much "I am the teacher, you are the student, and that is how it's going to be."

>>20670300
>Actually, you would have smacked Dervish upside the head,

VICTORY AT ANY COST

rolled 60 = 60

>Everyone in my family wears glasses
>Except me

Haha, I have a perfect sight!

>Get diagnosed with color-blindness

Goddamnit.

>>20670325
Your suffering pleases the dice gods.

>>20670269
>>20670271
>>20670279

>38's enough.

Something about the way he was fighting seemed off. You replay the first few exchanges in your head, and remember something odd.

Dervish would begin a swing lazily, or from weird footing, but always seemed to be gripping the sword hard and having solid footing under him every-time the blades met.

Also, why the hell is he wearing glasses, he has magic-robot eyes.

You decide to go with the more immediate concern first.

"Hey." You say, getting his attention. "What was with the way you were wielding the sword?"

Dave turns to look at you, Dervish crosses his arms and smiles.

"What do you mean?" Dave asks.

"I mean, it seemed like he was almost about to drop it or something, but...." You look at Dervish, who smiles and gestures you to continue. "... every time the actually hit something with it, his form and grip were flawless."

"I'm surprised you noticed that." He responds easily. "You must have really good eyes. Tell me Alex, have you ever heard of 'impact theory'?"

>>20670340
Puff up our chest like a turkey when he says we have good eyes.

>>20668508

>How did I just notice the file name?

>>20670340

>Goddammit.

>What say?

>>20670340
"Not really, no."

>>20670380
"Nope, Dervish-sama. Please explain and enlighten our gaijin minds."

File: 1347267039224.jpg-(91 KB, 704x528, Asuka Is Less Than Impressed.jpg)

>>20670380
"I can't say I have."

>>20670396
Really?

>>20670362
>>20670396

I'm not sure why, but every time you talk I feel the urge to slap you.

>>20670406
I'm doing this on purpose, I'm actually a quite nice fellow.

Should I stay like this or switch to my not irritating personality?

>>20670399

>.... what the hell? They aren't even looking at each other. Asuka's looking at his neck like she's a vampire or something, and Shinji's looking over her head at... something. A seagull?

>I know original Eva wasn't exactly known for it's production quality, but sometimes that shit just grabs your eyes.

>>20670424
If I remember that shot correctly, that screencaps from the middle of one of those "look them up and down, then decide they're worthless" things. But I'd have to check to be sure. And I really don't want to dig out my Platinum Perfect DVDs (Seriously guys, when are we getting a Blu-ray release?).

>>20670420
No offense, but the world is irritating enough without people intentionally adding to it so please drop the annoying persona.

>>20670424
Also,
>like she's a vampire or something
That would explain so much.

>>20670445
Personally, I think that you consider the world annoying only because you have chose to.

Once you get past the "get all these idiots out of my way" phase it gets quite enjoyable.
Note that with this I don't mean that you should put up with stuff that you find annoying, just... Have an eye always looking for the next opportunity.

That said, onward with the sword lesson!

>>20670395
>>20670396
>>20670399

You shake your head. "Can't say I have."

He shrugs. "Not really surprised. The core principal behind impact theory is that nothing matters until the exact point where it matters."

Mooch pipes up "I'm not sure if that's like really philosophical and deep, or just really confusing."

Dervish sighs. "Alright, look at it this way: you can pack an umbrella with you, but it's pointless if it isn't going to rain. You can wear a bullet-proof vest, but it's not going to do anything but make you uncomfortable unless you get shot."

"That's... pretty obvious." Ari contributes.

"Well, yeah. The idea behind impact theory is completely do away with unneeded action, since it doesn't count for anything until the 'point of impact'. You don't need to constantly have the muscles in your arms tense, just when you're using them for something, like when you deflect a blow from a sword." He punctuates this with a few swipes from the practice blade he's holding. "A tight grip wastes energy and hurts your hand if you do it for long periods. A loose grip makes it easy to adjust your hand and swing the sword. So you keep the grip loose until the point of impact."

"That seems like it could get complicated, fast." Elsie comments, clearly going over the fight mentally.

"It can be. After a while though, it starts to bother you less and less. Honestly though, any attempt at something like that is above and beyond what I intend to talk about today." He say with a shrug.

>I'm gonna end it there for tonight: standard fare, keep thread alive and I'll try and continue it as long as it's alive.

>>20670485
Heh, I can see Dave learning that.

>>20670479
Not to keep phrasing things like an angsty teen (and I admit that how I sounded in that last post) but I am really sick of people telling me that the world is only (insert thing here) because I chose to view it that way.

But, yes, let the sword training continue.

>>20670522
Well, I phrased it in a wrong way, too.
I'm not saying that the world is beatiful and full of ponies and rainbows and chocolate falls, but if you just rage at it... I don't know how to explain it, I just feel like nothing will change if you keep looking at this from this side.

I know that this sounds like the usual optimistic speech you are probably used to (and sick of), but what I'm saying comes from my personal experience so heh, I'd be happy if it could be of any use to you or to anyone else who might happen to read this.

Requesting more fanart

I don't even know if the thread needs a bump, but here one is.

Ten bucks the glasses are prescription eyesight-fucker-upper glasses.

He's handicapping himself because his robot eyes are too damn good, so he'd catch things instantly as they happened and would thus react perfectly. This way he has to think about it.


Or something.

Maybe I'm just retarded.

>Did the crunch thread die?

>>20675661
ayup looks like it went tits up

>>20675709

>And here I was going to type up a couple paragraphs explaining some new mechanics I'd been working on during my lunch break.

>Oh well, guess it'll have to wait a week weeks for the next one.

>>20675661
i think it did

>>20675729
awwwwww

>>20675661
I was up at one point this morning (like 3 AM after 2 hours sleep, or something), and saw that it was on page 10, but I was sadly too tired to care. I entirely blame myself.

>>20676521
I was intending to bump both threads before going to sleep, but it slipped my mind. I share that blame, Udz.

>>20678852
>>20676521

>Well at least you pretended to care.

>Not sure how fast this thread's gonna be, since I can smell dinner cooking and feel an oncoming Migraine.

>I am ready to run in the meantime though, if y'all are ready to play.

>... So nothing then?

File: 1347337313822.jpg-(60 KB, 750x600, 1333156100954.jpg)

>>20679191
yup im here lets do this thing

>>20679395
I'm here.

File: 1347337590575.jpg-(57 KB, 640x480, Foool!.jpg)

>>20679395
Im here Ac-Bro im here

>>20679464
Bitchslaps: a common disciplinary practice in the Earth Federation military.

>>20679464
>>20679453

>Fuck, alright then. Here I was thinking I might get the night off since nobody was posting...

>Gimme a second, and we'll get started.

"Right then." Dervish begins. "Let's start with some basic attack and defense." He tosses a sword to you, gripping the other one loosely in his left hand. "You want to start on the attack, or defend?"

[ ] Attack.
[ ] Defend.

>>20679596
"Defend, you've seen me attack."

>>20679596
[x]defend

>>20679596
>[ ] Defend.

>>20679605
That's as in "I can at least pretend to be a competent melee attacker."

>>20679191
I'm not pretending, I was just tired.

>>20679596
[x]Go to bed
No, wait, that's me.

[x]Defoond

Attack

>>20679605
>>20679615
>>20679627

"I'll start on the defense," you respond easily, giving the sword a few practice swings to get a feel for it.

You aren't entirely sure what that's supposed to accomplish, since you've never actually held a sword before... but it seems the style of the thing. It's what Laurie did, and he seemed to know what he was doing.

You continue to mimic his stance, when you come to the realization that Laurie got his ass kicked.

>Give me a d100 roll.

>Before anyone asks 'why no opposed roll', it's because this is a training scene, and those work differently.

rolled 45 = 45

>>20679690
Oh boy! It's my time to shine!

rolled 26 = 26

>>20679690
Come on, 1.

>>20679701
Dice, I am disappoint. Why have you let me down so?

rolled 75 = 75

>>20679690

Imma do some dicing.

rolled 31 = 31

>>20679690

>>20679765

I should not have done some dicing.

Maybe slightly drunk.

>>20679774
Did you poor one for the dice gods?

rolled 5 = 5

Kick,his ass, alex

File: 1347339524776.jpg-(48 KB, 224x257, EVEN NOW THERE IS HOPE FOR MAN.jpg)

rolled 19 = 19

>Come home in a bad mood
>Find AC-quest running
>Night doesn't suck so much anymore

inb4dervishbitchslapsus

>>20679701
>>20679709
>>20679765

You manage to block one blow before Dervish disarms you.

"Don't watch the sword, watch me." He responds calmly, returning your blade. You manage three the second time, when he slaps your blade high and gives you a light tap on the neck. "You're still not watching me."

"I don't get what you mean." You respond after a moment.

"You're watching the sword, not the man weilding it. It's a natural reaction, you want to identify the threat and deal with it. But the weapon isn't the threat, it's the man weilding it. You've been in a fistfight before?"

"Couple of times." You respond, thinking back to a couple of times where you had to step into a conversation on Ari's behalf. Or When Dave didn't realize that there was a jealous boyfriend behind him.

"Your opponent's movements give you clues at to what their next move will be. It makes it easier to spot a feint or stop a quick thrust." He explains. He then steps in and begins to dance his sword around you, while you keep up a solid stream of parries. He's clearly slowed down a bit to better illustrate the point. "Always be aware of the sword, but it's a branch of a problem. No gun or knife bears any danger unless they're wielded. It's the MAN you need to be concerned with."

Another couple of quick exchanges, and you begin to understand what he means much better. Seeing you get a better grasp on the basics, he then replaces you with Ari on the rotation.

It is hilarious.

>>20679873
Oh, God. Ari's unbalanced as her Core. $10 on her overbalancing because of her chest and falling over.

>>20679873

First she holds the sword wrong, and Dervish gently corrects her.

Then she tries to attack, and manages to trip herself coming in for a sideways slash.

After a long moment, you realize that the only exposure she's had to hand to hand combat is the very limited training she got from Mooch, and old Errol Flynn movies.

Dervish spends a good deal of time parrying with a bewildered expression on his face. Generally it's better to build off of what they know, but she's getting it so wrong you're amazed she isn't trying to grab the blade and use it like a club.

About the time she manages to hit herself in the back of the leg and trip herself trying to parry an overhead strike, Dervish has Steve and Jessie take her to one side. Probably to try and build up something resembling a survival instinct, but it's possible they needed to have a chat with Old Yeller out behind the barn.

Elsie does only slightly better at first, but she seems to learn quickly. After a few minutes she seems to be something resembling competent.

Dave forces Dervish to switch hands, but otherwise is only good enough to barely keep pace.

Mooch immediately blindfolds himself and pinches the tip of the sword like it's a throwing knife, setting the hilt against the ground. Then he smiles. "Your safety is NOT guaranteed!" He declares with something of a dramatic flourish "I have done this only ONCE BEFORE!"

>>20679991
Goddammit, Mooch, what're you planning?

Also, goddammit, AC-Guy, now I'm out $10.

>>20679991
>grab the blade and use it like a club.
Well, that WAS a thing in some schools of longsword fighting...

>>20680039
Mordhau is the one most people are familiar with (Not that many people are familiar with the concept)

>>20680070
That's the one!
Been too long since I spent any time thinking about this stuff, couldn't remember the name.

File: 1347341577022.jpg-(515 KB, 852x2880, 1308000341237.jpg)

Pardon me while I lurk, and have pipe dreams about running a Super Robot Quest in Giant Guardian Generation.

I swear, AC-Guy, you and your quests have inspired so many campaigns I've never gotten to run, I don't know whether to love you or hate you.

Bump?

>>20679991

He then charges Dervish, and twists his whole body in a swing, using the sword like the club on the end of a flail, with his whole body for whipping leverage.

Dervish dodges the first three swings, before stepping in, trying to counter attack. Mooch, feeling the momentum changing, kicks the hilt from the ground to his hand, and blocks like the bar of a quarter-staff. Dervish retreats a step.

"Mooch, what in the actual FUCK are you doing?"

"This is ancient sword technique, taught to me by Chinese masters of the craft!"

"Don't try and Bullshit the Bull, son."

Mooch comes in for another attempt, swinging and flailing wildly, but this time Dervish sees something, and steps inside his reach, dropping the sword to the ground as he does so.

Mooch spins but Dervish calmly catches his arm and flips him, while his other hand takes the blade away.

"... trying to blend elements of Longstaff fighting and Capoeira into a type of... Mordhau?"

"Mordstreich is a Germanic style. I got mine outta china."

"So I'm only mostly correct. How on Earth did you think such a ridiculous technique would work?"

"You're a lot better than me in pure skill. I was hoping an unconventional angle would catch you off guard."

Dervish nods slowly. "Makes sense, in theory. But now lets go back to Alex...."

A few hours later, and he's packing up for the day.

>You have gained a permanent +5 to your Melee skill.

>>20680166

>Sorry, Captcha was fucking with me.

>>20680181

Looking at the clock, you're headed into early evening.

>What do?

>>20680234
Make sure Ari's okay. Her ego's probably pretty bruised. And also make sure Dave hasn't had a heart attack from watching her bounce around for several hours.

>>20680246
Agreed.

>>20680246
>>20680269

You decide to check on your sister, and see how she's doing. You find her on the couch, taking a minute to rest before headed home.

"I'm not very good at fighting like that." She says when you sit down next to her.

"No, not really. Did Steve help?"

"A bit. He told me the first step would be to completely forget anything I knew before then, and start over."

"Ow." you wince.

"When he asked me where I learned to hold a sword, I told him about watching old Errol Flynn movies, and he laughed for ten minutes straight."

"Uh-huh." You return, scratching the back of your head.

"Apparently they were surprised I was so bad while still knowing what part of the sword to grab." She says, and then she lets out a giggle that seems oddly out of place. "Apparently I have no idea how to defend myself. Who'd 'ave thunk?" She then collapses into your side laughing. "Oh wow, that was terrible. Laughing hurts with bruised ribs."

"You're alright then?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Better to learn it here than out there where it matters right? Dave promised to help me a bit in his spare time, since apparently he actually knows some of this stuff." She says.

Reassured that your sister's doing fine, you....

>What?

>>20680403
>Ask Dervish what happens next. Like, just waiting for the Composers to make their next move seems like a bad idea.

>>20680440

>He left. You'll have to do that later.

>>20680440
Also, we don't know where that "prize" money came from (though I suspect Dervish was involved) and Vegas can't be in good shape.

>Alternate, half-serious answer:
Ask Dervish if he ever built himself up a 50,000 credit debt.

>>20680445
Shit. Um..

Take a nap. Nothing urgent's happening, and what was the last time we just let ourselves relax for a bit? We'll need the rest before crunch time.

>>20680478
>Shit.
And do that, too, I guess.

>>20680464
I thought it was ARCHIMEDES/whatever his name is, the guy who talks in our head when we're out, that sent us the dosh.

Or, if the thread's dying, Q&A? Or just let ACGuy get some sleep.

Didn't Elsie want to talk to us tonight?

Hey, ACGuy, if I get bored later, I might put together some of the cast in GGG, to see how it pans out differently. Would you like me to pastebin those, and send them to you through Twitter or somesuch? As a somewhat amusing point of comparison, if nothing else?

>>20680511
FUCK YOU'RE RIGHT SHE DID

Talk to her! Talk to her like the wind!

>>20680522

>GGG?

>>20680496

>I'm here, just got distracted for a minute.

>>20680511
>>20680528

>This the plan then?

>>20680538
>>This the plan then?

yes

>>20680538
>>This the plan then?
Yup.

>>20680538
Giant Guardian Generation. It's Super Robot Wars, the Tabletop game.
http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Giant_Guardian_Generation

You find Elsie in your room, sitting on the bed, leaning against the wall. She seems to be lost in thought, not quite talking to herself like she's trying to decide on something.

You give the door-frame a light tap, and she jumps slightly at the noise. The surprise turns to embarrassment when she realizes it was just you.

"You said you wanted to talk?"

She looks away. "Yeah."

You walk over to the bed and sit down next to her. "What's up?"

"I just... I've spent most of the day trying to find the best way to bring this up.... I'm not really sure how."

[ ] Take your time.
[ ] Just say it then.
[ ] You're concerned about how I'll react?
[ ] Oh god, are you pregnant?

>>20680650
>[ ] Take your time.
Supportive boyfriend mode, activate.

>>20680650
[X] Take your time.

>>20680650
As much as I'm tempted for #4...

Close and lock the door, then
[x] "Just say it, then. It can't be any worse than tearing yourself up over it."

>>20680650

>[x] Oh god, are you pregnant?

The Hue... it calls to me...

>>20680650
>[x] You're concerned about how I'll react?

>>20680696
Can you feel it overtaking you?

>>20680711

I've seen AC-Guy engage trolling mode before.

You don't... you don't understand how hard he can go.

It's like watching a train-wreck in slow motion, except no train-wreck is as catastrophic and glorious.

Go read a Bromont thread where he goes batshit. Now imagine that but worse, and delivered in the most insane way possible.

He is to Hue/Trolling what Cuban Pete was to SS13 when he flexes his muscles.

>>20680671
>>20680679

>Looks like this one wins, gimme a sec.

>>20680650
>[ ] Oh god, are you pregnant? this is a very bad choice.
[X] You're concerned about how I'll react?

>>20680694
>>20680696
>>20680824

>I honestly have no idea why you guys think that's a trap answer.

File: 1347346755851.jpg-(11 KB, 251x251, 1344321758605.jpg)

>>20680861
..................... It makes us sound like were going to fucking run out on her

>>20680861
Not so much a trap as a REALLY bad choice. Assumptions are a very bad thing.

"Take your time." You say calmly, watching her.

"I just... about a week ago, I missed my period. I panicked, got one of those home pregnancy tests. Got it checked out. I came out positive and flipped the fuck out quietly for a few days." You looks at you. "Then when I was in the middle of trying to figure out how I was going to tell you... I had my period. It was just late, probably because of my hormones being all fucked up because of us happening and the stress and...." She slumps slightly. "I don't know. When I found out it was a false alarm, I was just so... relieved."

"Because you weren't pregnant?"

"Because I didn't have to tell you about it. Because it was something else we didn't have to worry about, along with everything else. I didn't even think anything of hiding it from you until this morning, when you were talking about how it was important that we were open and shit with each other. I know you meant the team but...." She suddenly leans into you, and starts crying gently into your shoulder. "I don't know. I just... I didn't lie, but I shouldn't have hid it from you. It doesn't matter, but.... it matters, you know?"

>What do?

>>20680868
>>20680916

>It's also the sort of thing that could be played for laughs to diffuse a stressful situation, lead to an emotionally bonding shared panic attack, or even lead to a serious but loving conversation about the relationship.

>I have seen all of those happen, from the exact sentence I used.

>You people and your assumptions....

>>20680920
Alex Raston, you hug that woman right now.

>>20680920
Embrace her and run our fingers through her hair gently

>>20680920
Hug. Hug like the fist of the north star.
Actually, don't do that.
We don't want her to be already dead.
So just a regular hug.

>>20680920
"Well, I wouldn't be unhappy if you did get pregnant. Sure it will be one more thing we needed to worry about, but you know what? That would be the most joyous little trouble I will ever have. So don't worry about it.

Besides, you did tell me about it in the end. So you weren't hiding anything from me."

>>20680920
"It's okay, it was a week and news like that it can take a while to process. I'm not mad."

Hug her.

How much later are you gonna be running, AC?

Also, what happened to the other opener image?

>>20680998

>Probably until right after this scene gets played out.

>....What other opener image?

>>20680954
>>20680974
>>20680978

>Hug seems to be consensus, but do you want to say anything? like >>20680988
>>20680992
>Suggested?

>Just wanted to clarify before I tried to do the next bit.

>>20681030
maybe some soft cuing sounds for comfort, just let her get it all out before we hamfist words around

>>20681030
Hug+>>20680988 would be great I believe.

File: 1347348082355.jpg-(234 KB, 635x659, callyouacguy.jpg)

>>20681030

>>20681030
Hug and >>20680988 combined seems good.

>>20681030
Everything people have suggested for words sounds cliche and forced.

>>20681059

>The crunch thread died.

>Also, that's still the funniest fucking picture ever. I literally can't stop laughing when someone else posts it, partly for reasons I don't want to get into.

File: 1347348465661.jpg-(41 KB, 673x339, mehgameface.jpg)

>>20681069
what happen to that one guy who was all eloquent with words n'shit... i think best i came up with were classics such as, what is our acceptable loss rate and if we end up killing it what do our savaging writes look like

File: 1347348490099.gif-(1.79 MB, 425x319, 1347061096059.gif)

>>20681069
>>20681062
>>20681051
>>20681050

>Did we seriously manage to both have a consensus on action AND a tie vote at the same time?

>Fucking seriously?

File: 1347348632596.gif-(357 KB, 400x300, TiedVotes.gif)

>>20681129
motha fucking tied votes

>So, uh.... are you guys going to decide a course of action here?

>>20681242
I already voted, but since no one else seems inclined to, silent hug?

>>20681123
You mean the guy who kept puttin' stuff out in the first few threads?
"NO. Don't you dare think like that. I told you last night, but I guess I have to say it again, I LOVE you. YOU didn't do ANYTHING wrong. The ones to blame for this are those traitors. They let the Black Rocks in, and they kept us from saving the colony.
We'll get them all, Elsie, I promise you. They won't get away with this. But we need to be there for each other."
and
"I... I don't know. But there's no point in dwelling on it now. We have to keep moving forward. If you look to the past all the time, all you'll ever see is the place where you started getting further and further away. That's no way to go on with our lives."
That guy?

>>20681270

I know we used to have a guy like that for MSQ.

What the hell happened to him? Clever lines, funny situations, and incessant MST style inane commentary.

Fucking Negayate man, we need him here.

>>20681270
We love you Asukafag.

Also, I need to go to bed. It's already 4 AM, and my girlfriend's gonna be pissed I'm up this late. Night, guys. Night, ACGuy. Thanks for running.

>>20681311
I'm still here, I'm just not normally that eloquent. At all.
Also in that second one I was paraphrasing Kamina of all people. Like I said, I'm not normally an eloquent guy, I just get inspired at random sometimes, but it's unreliable as all hell, I'll usually go months between bouts of good shit.

Not sure about the guy from MSQ, still working through the archives.

>>20681129
I vote for the hug and telling her that a baby woyldn't suck

>>20681311

>That was me. Or at least I'm the guy they were generally referring to when they used the term 'Negayate' for one of the players.

>>20681314

>I'm glad you enjoyed it, but my headache and apparent fever will make me regret running this in the morning.

>>20681322
>>20681270

>Don't worry about Eloquence. The fact that you're able to use that word correctly in a sentence makes you better than most.

>>20681327

>Do you guys just want me to re-write the dialog and go with the INTENT behind the words?

>>20680951
Its hard to determine intent from words unless made obvious.

I find it funny that people bitch when they don't like what someone else wrote as an answer, yet at the same time they don't feel like writing a better one themselves.

>>20681355

>Do you guys just want me to re-write the dialog and go with the INTENT behind the words?

PLEASE. I am drunk, and noibosdy else can write for ship right now.

Hoo boy.

You slowly wrap your arms around her, and pull her into a hug. She returns i immediately, and looks up at you, while you give her a gentle kiss on the forehead.

"Alright, first off you did tell me. Even if you were just going to hide it away or whatever, you decided to tell me even though it was hard for you. You did the right thing, so don't be so hard on yourself." You let out a sigh and look at the wall while she leans back into your chest. "Yeah, a baby would kinda suck right now. Not exactly a healthy environment for kids, and we have enough to worry about." You continue, absently stroking her hair. "But at the same time, it isn't some thing we wouldn't be able to deal with. We've got each other, we've got friends who would gladly help us along, we've got my Mom whose first talk to me about you involved the term 'grandchildren' twice." Elsie giggles slightly. "I'm not joking. Twice, and once in a note. This was before we hooked up even."

"Really?" She asks with a smile, pulling away to look at you.

"Yeah, actually a bit creepy." you reflect, looking away for a moment. "But come on, it's not something to be worried about. Well, actually it would be.... but you should never have to worry about me like that. If I'm alive, I'm going to be there for you." You gently grab her by the shoulders and look into her eyes. "I love you. I loved you as a friend for years, and now as something more. Don't ever think for a second you need to worry about how I might react."

>>20681606

She's quiet for a moment, looking at you. Then she starts to smile and pushes you onto your back on the bed, crawling on top of you. "Thanks Alex. I think I kinda already knew, but it helps when someone else says it." She says, kissing you before snuggling into your chest.

"That's what I'm here for right? Support and love. Sometimes talk-y bits too, but I seem to be getting worse at that lately." You say, reflecting back to your aborted attempt to try and help Laurie the other day.

"Nah, you're fine. you can't always be good at everything, right? You've got it when it matters." She says, before falling silent for a minute. She's quiet for so long that you almost think she fell asleep, when she talks again. "Hey Alex?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you too."

You smile. "I know."

"I don't think I say it enough...." she says, trailing off. After a moment you realize she has fallen asleep this time, apparently the day's taken a lot out of her.

>>20681663
>>20681606

>[Dat terrible grammar.]

>Yeah, I need sleep. If the thread's alive tomorrow I'll either continue this or do a Q&A or something.

Fuck, I missed it. I hate being in a different timezone.

Well, bump, though I have no idea if this thread actually needs it.
Can't hurt, I guess.

>>20682497
Can't hurt indeed.

I think only AC-Guy and his local friends are the ones that actually share his timezone, but who knows?

Uh, hey, what about our prize from the tournament? Shouldn't we spend it for the refugees from Hope?

>>20685081
I figured we'll divide it up like we did with that first bit of money.

Bumptime!

File: 1347398832289.jpg-(101 KB, 400x500, 1237644894454.jpg)

>>20685358
Im fairly sure Dave Said something about having already given it to the townfolk in the last thread, or at least that we got it anyways,
Regardless bump

I started working on Alex in GGG, but somehow ended up making a hot-blooded action hero in a giant t-rex.

So, apparently, I made a Zoids protagonist. Whoops.

>>20687537
But Alex did pilot a giant t-rex.

>>20687561
No, that was his twin brother, Liquid Alex

This thing's strategy is incredibly simple.

Step 1) Be beefy as fuck. Dodging is for sissies.
Step 2) Charge the nearest sap dumb enough to be near you.
Step 3) DRILL TEETH T-REX BITE
Step 4) Find new target.

>>20687639
I'm liking the sound of this. Too bad it doesn't fit the Real Robots style AC-Guy is going for with this.

>>20688251
Also depends on if the cardboard armor issue has been resolved. Sounds like it has though.

>I know at least some of the people who follow this Quest aren't American, but I'd like to take a moment if you don't mind.

>Today marks the anniversary of one of the worst terrorist attacks against my country, in which thousands of people were killed.

>I didn't personally know anybody who was killed in the attacks, but several people I know did lose a friend or family member.

>But there's one horrible little detail added to this, that didn't enter my life until several years later. For all my talk about shit happening to me, which it does.... There is one particular bit I don't think I'll ever top: I don't win the 'worst birthday ever' award.

>So I want you to join me for a brief moment in wishing Mooch a happy birthday, since it's very hard to smile on a day like today in America.

>>20684406
>>20682497

>Alaska time. I think Hawaii has the same as us, but I'm not 100% sure.

File: 1347406919072.jpg-(70 KB, 750x600, 1341951148595.jpg)

>>20688721
Happy Birthday Mooch, dont let the actions of few ruin what should be a great day. For on this day [Blank] Years ago Everyone's favorite Madman was brought into existence
> Descendants extreme, That sounds about right Captcha

>>20688721
Happy Birthday, Mooch.

>>20688721
Well, shit. Happy birthday, Mooch.

>>20688851
Yeah. And so far as I know, there isn't any one in Hawaii partaking.

Unrelatedly, I'd like to pick your brain about running a quest some time, ACGuy. Particularly, how to prepare for an opening where you're not entirely sure what kind of character /tg/ will want to play.

http://pastebin.com/mduyj1Uc

In case anyone was interested in seeing the stats on the robot t-rex.

>>20688721

Happy birthday Mooch.

I wonder if Alex's mother has said anything to Ari about grandkids.