>>29987287

HOLLOW SUN: 14.3%

http://pastebin.com/z93fyLYa

RED COMET GUIDE:

http://pastebin.com/7vzY4Zp2

(Gentlemen: Apologies for the delay. I had to assist in the filing of an insurance claim - The process of which was rather more extensive than I expected. I'll update the Pastebins with information on the new CODEBURSTS and the TACHYON DISINTEGRATOR next time.

Also, while I can't definitively confirm the information, a kind Anon has written an insightful review on the options available at the HOLLOW SUN:

http://pastebin.com/v0WcMF0K

>>29987342
>http://pastebin.com/v0WcMF0K

I just finished reading that in the previous thread and I agree with that anon that Emulator Module should be a priority since we just got like 5 amazing codebursts we can only use once per fight currently.

Best case scenario the Emulator Module will give us a cost discount for all of the codebursts.

>>29987342
Can you confirm the foundry thing? Knowing whether or not the other research options will open up new foundry relics could swing opinions around.

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>>29987431

(Yes - My apologies, I should have been clearer. The Foundry's options expand as you conduct research: The items available for construction are deriatives of unlocked Hellion technology, prototypes and production models reverse-engineered for Player use.)

It's late. The twilight hours have long given way to true night, the fury of the dust-storm diminished by the biting cold; A thick, cloying fog descending upon the city, the sky dappled a bloody red glow. As you labour onwards, your feet scuffing new tracks through the dust, your eyes sore and bleary from the abrasive winds, the apartment block looms from the mist like an accusing finger - The mechanisms of the lift groaning as it ascends, juddering like the chambers of a faltering heart.

Home, at long last.

The lights in the elevator flicker, as floor after floor rolls past. As one of the mass-produced, prefabricated housing projects thrown up over the course of the last six years, there's a harsh sameness to the new residences; Made all the more jarring where the new city overlaps with the old. It's a place without ornamentation, singularly without charm - A place built to forget, rather than a place built to last.

Still...

-It's not much, but it's yours.

(Continued)

>>29987526
Well that settles it, we're running all the research we can until the Hollow Sun explodes.

Does the same apply for the Red Comet upgrades? Stuff like Argus Bits?

>>29987526
>The items available for construction are deriatives of unlocked Hellion technology, prototypes and production models reverse-engineered for Player use.)

Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

>>29987526
>(Yes - My apologies, I should have been clearer. The Foundry's options expand as you conduct research: The items available for construction are deriatives of unlocked Hellion technology, prototypes and production models reverse-engineered for Player use.)

Fascinating.

Also I've noticed the Hollow Sun meter ticking upwards.

If it reaches the requirements, can we still purchase more of the resources for the raid?

>>29987612
>If it reaches the requirements, can we still purchase more of the resources for the raid?

I'ld rather not even if we could. Helion upgrades and Relics are a bigger priority for the HS.

Evening OP. Sorry to hear about your troubles.

>>29987612
Dunno that we'll have time for it, this is research and production. We'd have time to get a Foundry item or a Relic, but probably not get one of the research items or any of Tyrian's special projects. They'd be ready by the time we get back, maybe.

>>29987612
>If it reaches the requirements, can we still purchase more of the resources for the raid?

Hollow Sun Review writer here, i'm glad it was well recieved!

From what i understand, that change - the hollow sun income meter - was made to be on a per-thread basis instead of arbitrary behind the scenes time.
It think it may be the same amount overall, but it just appears to be more because it ticks up a little bit every time. OP's mentioned rolling for it, though, so it also mean there's more variance

>>29987612

(Thinking about it: I'd say that you won't have sufficient time to disseminate resources for the raid, even if the Hollow Sun meter is high enough. However, you'll be able to make one final set of personal purchases before you begin. (i.e. No squad upgrades, but other upgrades are allowed.))

>>29987526

It's amazing how *quickly* this place became dilapidated. The events of the past few weeks have not been kind; For a moment, you're reminded - forcibly - of time-lost Cocytus, crumbling buildings beneath a domed sky of rushing, splintered cloud. The air is heavy with ash and decay - It clings to you, puffs of grey vapour coiling from the corners of your jacket, shed with each motion.

The familiar corridor is empty. Some of the lights have gone out; Sandflies circle a blinking light, the faint *sizzle* of each contact a counterpoint to your weary, plodding steps.

Not much further, now.

You're right at the door of your student apartment, fumbling for the keys, when you feel-

Something, at the base of your spine, deep-down. Something touching your eyes. Micro-contact in your arms - A cold shudder that spreads through your limbs, waking them up, as the hairs on your neck lift.

Your hand is on the doorknob, but you've stopped.

-Something is wrong.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29987676
>-Something is wrong.

lift the nihl sphere for light.

>>29987676

...Kotone?

Remove hand from doorknob, look around the area, see if we can spot her or anyone.

>>29987676
Do a tactical retreat and see if the bad mojo is only coming from inside our apartment.

Do we have our knife with us? Cause we might need it.

>>29987676
>[ ] Free

Look around. Signs of forced entry, windows broken, lightbulks out that shouldn't be. Pull out our cell phone(on silent mode) and dial our home line - spook whomever's in there THEN go in.

>>29987676
Touch a finger to the sphere. Anything?

Then pull out the Carnifex and open the door. If it's hostile, we put on the mask. It's probably Akira though.

>>29987674
He was asking if we could get another special project, the ones from two threads ago.

>>29987676
We don't get bad feelings for nothing. We're not -that- lucky.

>>29987768
This is a good idea, but I'd also like to
>Check the periphery, around the corner and the like.

Last time we came across a trapped apartment it was extraordinarily bad news and Akira was involved. Let's hope nobody turned our place into a murderportal while we were out.

>>29987587
>Well that settles it, we're running all the research we can until the Hollow Sun explodes.

There's a reason I put this down as a Luxury Good in the hollow sun - we get billed twice for it. Once to discover the fruits of our research (15-20%), and then AGAIN to actually build it.(another 15-25%?).

For the cost of 25-45% hollow sun we can get a lot of other things. In the IMMEDIATE future, that means void anchors, and THEN doing the research

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>>29987792

Agreed.

I've honestly been eyeing the emulator module for the longest time, what with the mentions of code in its description.

That might be the last thing we might get before the raid since we can interrogate any smilers we kills down there for more intel.

>>29987792
In the immediate future it means Emulator Module because we can't use Exec_Smite at all with our current ability.

>>29987676

Excuse me sir, how many void anchors do we have currently?

is it 1 or 2? I know we can only carry one at a time, but I was wondering if we made more than one last time

>>29987825

Yeah we can. we have 150% CB, and a bit of a discount from the helix gauntlet

>>29987834

We have one.

>>29987820

is it just me, or did we get shortchanged on Secrets Swapping?

New codebursts are nice, maybe we shouldn't have revealed as much if we took his entire inventory

>>29987792
The main benefit of the research is empowering the Hellions. The Foundry items are a tasty side benefit. We want to complete as many research options as we can before we fire the Sun gun, and we don't know when that will be. It's a balancing act between resource gathering and needing to do things with said resources.

>>29987825
Pretty much this, but do note that we get a 20% discount with the gauntlet.

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>>29987867

A little?

New weapons/codebursts are very nice but I was really looking for intel. Secrets for secrets and all that.

>>29987834

(Just one, at present.)

>>29987716

You let go. The wind scuds through the thick dust; A fragment of tattered paper rustles past. Behind you, the elevator doors close, as the lift begins to descend - The other doors in the corridor closed and barred. To your left, you can see the countless windows - Row upon row, tier upon tier - of the next block, giving back no reflection, stained black by the fall of night.

The howl of the wind stops. You are alone in the silence, as your hand closes around the Misericorde's tape-wrapped hilt.

>>29987770
>>29987715

Carefully, you withdraw the Nihl Sphere, the lightless violet illumination casting long shadows against the walls. It...*thrums* in your hand, cold enough to burn your fingers - Moving, twisting, like a living thing. You can feel the freezing power against your skin, coursing through you-

...The Nihl Sphere is reacting. You sense - Hunger. Need. A sharp tug, as you set your heels, urging you forward...

>>29987770
>>29987768

Everything seems in order, as your gaze flits over the cracked paint of the facade. No sign of forced entry; The windows closed, the curtains drawn. Except...

-The door. The door isn't locked.

The sharp edges of the Carnifex bite into your palm; From deep within your apartment, you hear the phone ring - A high, shrill sound, again and again...Uninterrupted, until the sharp *click* of the phone being lifted from the hook-

And with a groan of hinges, the door swings inwards. It creaks, a slice of light cutting across the tiled floor. Inside, it's pitch-black; Half-glimpsed shapes rising out of the gloom like submerged rocks exposed by the tide. The slightest flicker of motion...

"-Shut the door," a voice rasps. It's low, hoarse, and weary beyond belief.

It sounds like Akira.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29987904

Close it.

"Christ man, are you alright? I've been worried sick."

>>29987902
>New weapons/codebursts are very nice but I was really looking for intel. Secrets for secrets and all that.

Yeah, he kind of shortchanged us there. Or he owes us

>>29987904
"Glad to see you're still alive, Akira. Just what the fuck happened?"

>>29987904
>It sounds like Akira.

YOU OWN US A RELIC YOUNG MAN

AND AN APOLOGY TOO I GUESS FOR GOING ALL EVIL

Go inside.

>>29987904
" 'It's not working', huh? Why did you think the sword was the cure?"

>>29987902
Codebursts ARE secret. How to cast them, where to get them. That was the deal. Secrets "for codes...Like the one you used on Iron Ogre."

>>29987944
Why do people keep thinking he went evil/got possessed? Is it just assumptions?

>>29987904
"Evening Akira."

Close the door behind us.

"Haven't seen you since you went kinda crazy, how's that been working out for you?"

>>29987961
>Why do people keep thinking he went evil/got possessed? Is it just assumptions?

Because he went on a killing spree after the storm came out - the corpses in argent's bunker are from his left hand.

He was a thief, but not friggen raiden before. We hope

>>29987983
>>29987944

Lets try to be a little polite at first.

>>29987961
>Why do people keep thinking he went evil/got possessed? Is it just assumptions?
He has our number. Coulda called. Its not him driving.

>>29987931
>>29987983

From the darkness comes a slow scrrt of steel on flint, an amber flame that grows from a shoulder-high fist; Red-shading gaunt features, as it touches the wick of a lamp on a side table - Shedding a bloody, emberous glow, illuminating the figure slumped on your couch.

Akira -

Akira looks bad.

He's wearing the same clothes from the day before; Caked with dust, now, bleached of all colour. His hair has gone whiter than you remember; His cheeks sunk close upon his teeth, his skin pale and sallow - His eyes drawn deeper within their sunken sockets. But his eyes gleam, like embers at the back of a cave.

He looks sick, fever-shot - Raw, as if he's been hollowed down to the very core of his being, something pitiless and razor-sharp and utterly without mercy. When the lighter vanishes into the folds of his coat, he winces; Blood seeps up against his side, a red splotch that grows with languid slowness.

He has the Fatal Abyss across his lap.

(Continued)

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>>29987989
Did you read the part where the injuries were caused by talons? If he'd been possessed by the sword, he'd have used the sword to deal the injuries. If the sword drove him crazy, he'd have used the sword. Lastly, his player form doesn't HAVE talons, so it couldn't have been him.

Oh, and the corpses are identical to Asura's after he was drained by Exec_Consume.

Chances are equally good that it was Pazuzu, the Black Joker, or something that Ixion had sealed in Cocytus.

>>29988016
His modus operandi is making these mysterious appearances. Or did you miss his appearance at the museum?

>>29988083
>He has the Fatal Abyss across his lap.

Awwww shit, Fatal Abyss confirmed to be in th same league as the Nihl Sphere.

>>29988083

Neat. Called it. Fucking called that shit. Also damn OP, short notice on the thread. Didn't know it was going to be running tonight.

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>>29988164
>Also damn OP, short notice on the thread. Didn't know it was going to be running tonight.

Shit i knoooow. Twice in a week though? Holy shit :D :D :D :D

>>29988179
>Holy shit :D :D :D :D
Cut that out.

>>29988094
Didn't Akira use his left hand to rip a players essence to make a sword?

>>29988179

>:D :D :D :D

Stop that. A reaction image is more than enough.

>>29988225
>>29988241

No! furthermore, why? I can't actually post two reaction images at once, so in this case reaction spillover is actually appropriate.

>>29988083

The sword is a sliver of black in the gloom - It drinks in the light of the Nihl Sphere, rippling shadows racing across the surface. His hand - His *right* hand - is curled around the grip, and...

-It's ordinary. Five fingers, the skin pallid but whole; His knuckles scraped raw, his hand shaking so hard it remains still.

-It's a horror. It's a fleshless *thing*, blackened bone and dried sinew - You can actually *see* the exposed muscle tense and relax with every motion he makes, the long fingers sprouting into talons, the flesh long-since crisped away.

You see...

You see *both*, at the same time. The two images - Whole, and ordinary. A fleshless, ashen claw - exist simultaneously, the beginnings of a migraine throbbing at your temples. It hurts to look at it - It's nauseating, acid roiling in your stomach, as you fix your eyes on the Fatal Abyss instead; It's better than looking directly at him.

> "'It's not working', huh? Why did you think the sword was the cure?"
> "Haven't seen you since you went kinda crazy, how's that been working out for you?"

Akira laughs. It's a dry, dusty sound; Thick, clotted. It sounds like he's choking, his shoulders heaving as he hacks out his laughter, something that begins deep within his chest.

His eyes squeeze shut, for a moment - Long enough to make you wonder if he's ever going to open them again. "You never change," he rasps; Threads of blood trickle down from his sleeve, across his left arm - Hanging down over the side of the couch. Wearily, he nods towards the far table:

"The Joker's Memory," Akira murmurs, without inflection. "It's yours, now. Take it."

(Continued)

>>29988256
>so in this case reaction spillover is actually appropriate.

This isn't an anime forum, excessive emoticons are shitposting.

>>29988225
He punched into someone to make their core into a rod of flesh-melting, but that didn't involve talon scratches.

Actually, now that I think about it, it's similar to the ability Red Joker used to make Frost Cestus's armor into a weapon to kill the Red Joker. Direct essence forging.

>>29988256
Site culture, basically.

>>29988179
See the twitter for updates. Also, OP mentioned it at the end of.the previous thread.

>>29988289
>-It's ordinary. Five fingers, the skin pallid but whole; His knuckles scraped raw, his hand shaking so hard it remains still.
>-It's a horror. It's a fleshless *thing*, blackened bone and dried sinew - You can actually *see* the exposed muscle tense and relax with every motion he makes, the long fingers sprouting into talons, the flesh long-since crisped away.
wat

>>29988334
>The sword is a sliver of black in the gloom - It drinks in the light of the Nihl Sphere

Nihl Illumination is showing us what's happening

>>29988289
Holy shit, put the Nihl Sphere away.

>>29988316
>Site culture, basically.

Noted, thanks. People demanding reaction images for everything tho, don't realize they're invoking the sacred rule of :effort:, i'm not going to google up everything I don't have on hand, and demanding I bow to your standards pretty much makes them a groglord.

>>29988390
You could always, you know.

Not post anything.

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>>29988256

Pic related.

>>29988256
>>29988334

What >>29988359 said and he hacked his real hand off and replaced it with the original Fatal Abyss owner's hand.

>>29988289

>that hand description

FUCKING CALLED IT.

>>29988390

Lurk more.

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>>29988390
You'll notice that only a small fraction of posts across all 4chan contain reaction images. Certainly no one expects them. "Reaction images" are a way to express your reaction in a different medium, you only need to post one if you feel the need to.

A lot of us build reaction image folders as we surf or see images we like. Here's one I frequently find useful.

>>29988415
What. No he didn't. His LEFT hand was replaced, and not by him. He's been dying for god knows how many years, the Nihl Sphere is showing this.

>>29988289

You're already looking. It's instinctive; Your attention drawn to it, like a moth to candle. You sensed it even before you entered the room.

At a distance, it's not much to look at - A solid cube of ivory, of marble. Smooth, small enough to cup in the palm of your hand; It's heavier than you expected, with a texture like warm, dry ice. But then you see the mark upon it, the symbol etched in an achingly familiar hand-

The mark of the Red Joker.

It's yours. The harlequin smile, the smirk of comedy or tragedy - Yet different, somehow. It's a subtle thing, the lines of the grin drawn a little wider, a little fuller; The strokes broader, richer, in a confident and unwavering hand. The base nestles against your hand as if it was made for it - And if you listen, if you pay careful attention, you can hear the faint thrum-thrum of your own heartbeat in your ears.

>>29988364

As your eyes adjust to the gloom - The light of the Nihl Sphere mercifully quenched - the Joker's Memory sheds a glow of it's own. You can make out, faintly, the striations deep in the stone; A circuit-pattern fanning out in impossibly thin filaments, radiating from the center of the crest...

Like against like.

It feels like coming home.

"You feel it, too," Akira rasps - His dry, raw voice cutting through the moment of perfect tranquility, as he shifts his grip on the Fatal Abyss. Wearily, he nods at you:

"The Fatal Abyss. The...Nihl Sphere." With a grunt, he draws himself up from his slouch - Sitting a little straighter, as you turn to face him once again. He looks haunted, as if he's glimpsed a world he can't understand.

"Somehow...They're the same thing."

[ ] "...I don't understand."
[ ] "What did you *do* to yourself?"
[ ] "What happened?"
[ ] "How are you here?"
[ ] "What's going to happen to you?"
[ ] "The Joker's Memory...It's the real thing."
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29988480

It's not as if 4chan is an image board or anything...

>LEFT hand

ARE YOU SURE MAN? ARE YOU SURE? IT COULD BE A MIRROR IMAGE MAN. Or it's not really Akira, but Phantom Edge himself inhabiting AKira's animated corpse.

>>29988415
>pic
clearly that's not :((((
that's :(((D

>>29988545
>[ ] "What's going to happen to you?"

"I've heard that the previous wielder went around killing every player he run across. Is that starting to happen to you too?"

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>>29988545

>[ ] "What happened?"
>[ ] "What's going to happen to you?"

Also, clothes off, get in the shower.

We're getting him a fresh set of clothes from ours (if they fit) and dressing up that wound of his. Maybe fix him some food too.

>>29988545

"I thought you were a dead man. It's good to see you're.. mostly alive, if more corpse like than anything. What the hell happened? Would it be easier to discuss this in the Red?"

Get him a glass of water or juice or something if we stay here. I really want some backstory.

>>29988545
>[ ] "The Joker's Memory...It's the real thing."
"I was worried you forgot, akira. You'll have to tell me how you came by this - i thought the last I'd see of the old joker was in Hell."
"But first, you - you look exceptionally unwell, and I don't need the sphere to see that - what did you do to yourself?"

>>29988545
>[X] "What's going to happen to you?"
"People are starting to notice the things you've done recently. The other you. ...is it even still the other you at this point? I don't want to think about it; the point is it's not going to be pretty.

And I'm a little worried you're actually kind of looking forward to it."

>>29988606
>"I was worried you forgot, Akira. You'll have to tell me how you came by this - I thought the last I'd see of the old joker was in Hell."
This is a thing I'd like to ask as well. We know he's a procurement specialist, after all, but how he got his hands on THIS one is still a bit of a head scratcher.

>"Somehow...They're the same thing."
...I'm not sure I want to know about the doors that the Fatal Abyss opens.

>>29988647
>...I'm not sure I want to know about the doors that the Fatal Abyss opens.

Doors to the spirit - he's a thief of souls, after all

>>29988545

"Can I examine it? Can I get a picture? It's not often that one of the most legendary relics in the entire Game shows up in my apartment now."

"I had a run-in with another info-broker, Akira. Does the name Vertigo Trisagion ring a bell?"

Argent is going to lose his shit when he finds out we had this thing in our apartment.

>>29988545
"They're keys. They work differently though, this one and its twin interface, yours.. cuts? Both devour essence. I'm guessing the pommel stone is made of the same material. Didn't have it for long so I can't be sure.

"So then why is the Sword a ticket to the finals while the Spheres aren't? Are they supposed to join one of the other pieces?

"What was supposed to happen when you put the sword together?"

"How long do you have left?"

>>29988659
I'm a little worried that this is going to end up working a little like a no-strings-attached (aside from the deterioration and insanity, that is) cast-on-kill EXEC_REAP.

>>29988666

For even more player stupidity, snap a picture with out phone and send it to Argent's phone. Just caption it "Wish you were here."

>>29988729

Nooooooooooooooooo

>>29988698
>"So then why is the Sword a ticket to the finals while the Spheres aren't? Are they supposed to join one of the other pieces?

We are missing one pair, tho. Only got half that.

>>29988736

I still say we should get a picture at minimal. We do have a picture of Cybele we took stored in our Joker Camera's memory when we first met.

>>29988753
I acknowledged that. Even so, the Spheres were not one of the items that gets a Player into the finals.

>>29988768
...No we don't. What are you on about?

>>29988768
No.
Pictures.

>>29988780

>>27497056

Blink-click. A moment captured - The lines of her face slightly distorted by the neon glow, like a filter.

It's thread 62.

>>29988780
>...No we don't. What are you on about?
>>29988807


No, i remember this too.
The whole thing with argent not knowing about the Fifth Class - we decided to get actual proof, and somehow managed to slip a cameraphone action in there somewhere.

and then we failed at following up at telling him about it when we saw him.

Possibly a good thing but....

>>29988595

"I...don't know."

It's an admission of defeat. Akira's brow furrows - His lips drawing into a thin line, as his face slumps. "It feels...It feels like something's missing. Something's *wrong*." His words hang in the air, until the echo fades to nothing; He holds the Fatal Abyss as if he longs to hurl it aside, as if he will never let it go - Love and loathing in equal measure.

"I thought," he says, carefully, half to himself - "I thought it would *speak* to me. That I would finally understand, finally *remember*..." His left hand spasms, convulsively, curling into a fist.

"-But it doesn't. It's *here*, now...*I'm* here."

There's a frustrated edge to his voice, hateful and suppurating.

"...Why can't I hear it?"

>>29988601
>>29988603
>>29988606
>>29988647

When you move towards him, Akira makes a violent gesture - Every fibre of his being going taut with tension, as if in anticipation of an attack. He sweeps the blade of his left hand across, warding you away; His teeth bared in something that's almost a snarl.

> "Can I examine it? Can I get a picture? It's not often that one of the most legendary relics in the entire Game shows up in my apartment now."

"Stay. Away."

It's a growl, deep in his throat. A possessive *hiss*, his hackles rising. Akira seems to catch himself - A spark of surprise in his eyes, as the spaces between his words grow longer.

>>29988698

"Joker, *listen*. Just...listen."

He cocks his head to the side, as if listening to a voice only he can hear.

"-I don't have much time," Akira says, articulating each word slowly, carefully; The whites of his eyes bloodshot, his breathing shallow. "I can feel it in my blood. I can feel it *upon my soul*."

"Anon - There's something after me."

(Continued)

>>29988836

For a moment, the mask slips. For a moment, Akira looks utterly terrified; You can hear the raw horror in his voice, his outstretched hand trembling. He swallows, hard, his Adam's apple bobbing; "I'm *not here*, you understand? I need to keep moving - Keep running. I have to find another place."

His fear is desperate, gnawing - Like a rat in a trap, ready to chew off it's own limbs to escape. There's rage in it, too; An absolute, blood-boiling rage, when you know you've done every last thing you could, and it's *not enough*...When you've done everything *right*, and somehow - somehow - you're still wrong.

When he leans forward, his form seems to waver; Growing drawn, translucent. For a moment, you think - Just for a moment - you can see the back of the couch through him. A trick of the light, perhaps, as the red flame within Akira's rusted lamp wavers. It's an old, baroque thing, shuttered and bound in brass - The flame twitches, as if in an unseen breeze.

[ ] "What's after you?"
[ ] "You mean...It's coming *here*?"
[ ] "What are you going to do?"
[ ] "-Is that why you're hurt? Did...it...do that to you?"
[ ] "Is there anything I can do?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29988874
>[ ] "-Is that why you're hurt? Did...it...do that to you?"

Social link GO!

>>29988874
>[ ] "What's after you?"

"Is it the Black Joker? Or the White one?"

>>29988874
"What's coming after you? Is it coming in the Red, the Real, or both?"

>>29988874

"Akira, you're my friend. Calm down. Take a breath. Breath in and out. One. Two. One. Two. Okay? Calmed down? Good. Now *tell me what's wrong*. I can't help if I don't know, damnit. You're in safe hands with me, but you *must tell me what's wrong.* We've been through worse than this, Akira. We can beat the odds again."

>>29988874
>"I'm *not here*, you understand? I need to keep moving - Keep running. I have to find another place."
Is he just saying this like "I was never here"? or...
> Growing drawn, translucent. For a moment, you think - Just for a moment - you can see the back of the couch through him.
Is he REALLY not here? There's no reason for him to be carrying a brass lamp with him everywhere, really, unless it's a Relic. It wouldn't be the first time we've come across something that shows you what's going on in the Red from the Real.

Either way, there's nothing for it unless we know what he's talking about.
>[X] "What's after you?"
>>[X] and is it coming -here-? Is it close?
>[X] "-Is that why you're hurt? Did...it...do that to you?"
>[X] "Is there anything I can do?"

"I don't know if I -can- even help you, not this time. But it's not going to stop me from trying."

>>29988874
[X] "What's after you?"
[X] "Is there anything I can do?"
"Do you need sanctuary? There's a place I know that's absolutely safe. I control who gets in, who gets out. You can't see it unless I let you."

"If not, find a Vitruvian Device. Hecate used one to undo something that had been done to her. I used one to break a curse. It might purify your essence, buy you time."

"After that... find the Fatal Abyss' sheathe. All magic swords need a magic sheathe."

>>29988971

>Spaghetti-san's face when he sees Akira carrying the Fatal Abyss

Oh god the fucking reaction will be priceless. Will he run and never stop?

>>29989003
He'd damn well better be looking for Mio.

>>29988971
>"If not, find a Vitruvian Device. Hecate used one to undo something that had been done to her. I used one to break a curse. It might purify your essence, buy you time."

Yeah, that might be helpful.

>>29988895
>>29988914
>>29988918

He shakes his head. It's not that he doesn't want to answer: You sense, dimly, that he doesn't have the words for it. He doesn't know - But he has the fixed, drawn look of a man facing his own execution, from a force that he cannot stop.

"It was swift and terrible," Akira whispers. "-and full of horror."

>>29988931
>>29988960

He breathes out. He exhales, slowly - His chest working, a dribble of blood sliding from the corner of his mouth.

> "I don't know if I -can- even help you, not this time. But it's not going to stop me from trying."
>>29988971

You're not sure he hears you. Akira's eyes stare, unseeing, at something only he can see. His lips move, his voice at the very edge of audibility - You have to strain to hear him, and even then - Even then - you can't be certain.

In an inaudible murmur -

"...wants more than the sword. It wants - Everything."

> "Do you need sanctuary? There's a place I know that's absolutely safe. I control who gets in, who gets out. You can't see it unless I let you."

"Wait-"

Akira glances away, one hand up. "-Did you hear that?"

He's looking away - Looking past you, at the blank walls. Or rather, he's looking *through* them, at someplace beyond; With the intensity of a man hunted, his body tensing as he half-rises...

And suddenly, he pitches forward. It's a spasm, a convulsion - His teeth clenching so hard they nearly crack, his left arm grabbing at his right. His fingers twitch against the hilt of the Fatal Abyss-

The lantern goes out.

(Continued)

>>29989038

".... you can't remember something, and your time is limited. Sounds kinda like Argent. Seen any alien metals recently?"

>>29989100
>"It was swift and terrible," Akira whispers. "-and full of horror."

Yep, Black Joker.

>>29989100

Absolute darkness descends. It's sudden, inexplicable - All light snuffed out in an instant, the pall of night falling. You hear, distantly, sounds; Scuffing feet, harsh breathing - And then a brassy *crash*, a sound like...

-Like an antique lantern being heaved, full-force, as a distant wall.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29989127
The ones that make his sword, I assume?

>>29989146
I'm thinking White Joker actually. That's the one we thought might be the sword user. Going by the description you're probably right though.

That, or whatever Ixion was keeping locked in Cocytus is out.

>>29989163
Sphere out. Transfer!

>>29989163

"Akira, we have a better chance of killing or escaping this thing on the other side. Transform."

>>29989198
>"Akira, we have a better chance of killing or escaping this thing on the other side. Transform."

"We have two options. Fight here, or run for a safer stage, THEN fight."

"Got your car nearby?"

>>29989163
>>29989180
>Sphere out. Transfer!

This, but make sure to grab the Joker Memory too.

>>29989218
>This, but make sure to grab the Joker Memory too.

DO NOT FUCKING FORGET THIS HOLY SHIT.

guys. Now Miiiiigghhttt be a good time to tell akira we destroyed the black joker's pistol, tho. Piece may be missing :V

>>29989180
>>29989198
>>29989215

Should we run for the Joker Cave or head for Fumito's tower? On one hand, we'd have the little bit of Hellions we've produced as cannon fodder for backup - on the other, we'd have Argent as backup.

>>29989218
>>29989235
Thirding this.

>>29989245
Argent doesn't live at the tower, presumably. And I'd rather save our thousand-odd Hellions for the Correctors. Still, we control the Hollow Sun completely. We go there and teach it why thinking with portals is so dangerous.

That said I'm pretty sure we're not going to actually fight this thing.

I will laugh if it's Megaera.

>>29989287

[spoiler>Megeaea

That's be karma.

>>29989245
>>29989287

Now would be a good time to put the one codeburst to use. When we hit the other side, target Akira with LOGOUT.

>>29989198
>>29989215
>>29989218
>>29989235

Silence. All-encompassing, total. Your hand closes on the Joker's Memory, shoving it into a pocket; The world blurs at the edges, and-

...And the red rushes in.

Your armoured boots stomp fissuring cracks into the tiled floor - Auto-senses coming alive, as your forearm sheaths unlock, fists closing on the stirrup-grips of your Plasma Vulcans...

-There's nothing.

You stand in a high-vaulted hallway, with a window of shimmering glass at your back. The wind howls, the abrasive force scraping against the curved surface - Shedding crimson light into the empty chamber.

Empty. There's nothing here; Just you, and the...

Wait. Your foot kicks against something, that spits and flares fitfully - The remnants of a brass lantern, shattered by a terrible impact. Vapour coils upwards from the wick, as it glows once, feebly...Then goes out.

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29989348
Use Nihil Sphere.

>>29989348
>[ ] Free

Light the way with our cobalt booster. Argus system to ON.

do those -very- quickly, give us a status update once we get perceptions up

>>29989348

Argus Scan and Nihl. We need to ID the threat and fast.

>>29989307
Irony.

Karma would be Alecto.

Actually holy shit, this might be Tisiphone. That one's name means violent revenge.

>>29989348
Called it. Scan with the Argus System, use a Nihl Burst. Pick up the lantern. We'll want to scan it in the Hollow Sun.

If nothing is around, install the Joker's Memory.

>>29989348
>Wait. Your foot kicks against something, that spits and flares fitfully - The remnants of a brass lantern, shattered by a terrible impact. Vapour coils upwards from the wick, as it glows once, feebly...Then goes out.

Grab that. No sense wasting it, and akira will hate us if we lose it

Also, can we get an item description for the Joker Memory?

>>29989348

Oh, god damn it. He really wasn't here. Was he projecting himself, somehow?

If we don't find anything, let's say something like:

> "Cybele? Can you hear me? I need to talk to you."

>>29989348
Looks like he flew the coop.

Might as well try and illuminate the place with the Nihil Sphere, especially given the fact that he said it and the Fatal Abyss were cut from the same cloth. Maybe whatever it is is only visible under this sort of illumination.

If it's still empty, we should probably pocket the lantern for later inspection, whether in the Hollow Sun or with Argent.

>>29989378

Actually, combine those two.

Use the Nihl Scan

>>29989400

We were going to contact her, weren't we? Almost forgot about that entirely. If the Thief isn't around, we should drop in on her. How do we reach her, anyway? Maybe if we said we were sorry, even though it's not really our fault?

>>29989438

That's one place whatever is after him won't reach. Bridge a gap with the Nihl, deposit him there.

>>29989438

If she's constantly watching us, just saying something would be enough.

>>29989438
We either go to the hospital and hope the moon is in range or we get invited. I suppose we could try to activate the recall feature on the Crest, but I suspect she's the one who controls it.

>>29989454
>Bridge a gap with the Nihl
Absolutely fucking not.

>>29989400
>> "Cybele? Can you hear me? I need to talk to you."

Actually, this is a good start. lets assume she's watching us.
"Cybele, if you can hear me - you saved me by letting me go. Storm cut off the red and the real, and my body nearly died while I was there with you. I got back just in the nick of time - thank you"
"You deserve some answers, though..."

>>29989438
>>29989454

Bad bloody idea. Of the Fatal Abyss is being hunted, and its the same as the Nihl Sphere, that means we're gonna get hunted, and we either need to deal with this NOW or we're gonna just lead it straight to the other places.

Remember The Warning:
the Black Joker said we'd blame ourselvs for the death of Regios - do NOT lead the joker to him

>>29989477
>"You deserve some answers, though..."

"I was a jerk to mention my real life, the other people in it, since you don't - can't - have one. Yes, there are other people in it. But they know me for my real face.... not the Joker. There's only one person I've met who knew the joker first, accepted the -real- me, not the...persona I wear at school. "
"And they're gone now. that's why.... That's why this isn't easy for me. "

"I don't expect you to forgive me, but you should know "

>>29989558
Please, no.

Besides, I don't think the Hyades can hear through their viewscreens. Wasn't any sound when we watched Argent's faction battle the Correctors.

>>29989558

Yeah, let's go with that. We're really going to have to crawl to get back into her good graces.

>>29989604
>>29989558

We should say something along those lines, but let's not mention that we have another girl. If we do, Cybele will be absolutely fucking furious.

>>29989598
>>29989604

Its not about getting in her good graces - its about putting her on the path to accepting us. At some point we have to give some Give, and not just be all take.

I chose my words carefully there - the joker IS a multiwoman-womanizing jerk, the reason he fell for hecate is because she accepted the JOKER
- this way gets the important messages across while being light on the details. We can see how she responds, if at all.

Watashiwa, if you think this is a bad idea, then start coming up with alternates, and how we're going to broach the subject in PERSON, because that's even harder.

>>29989477
>>29989558
Its an initial step, that's all. If you've got other alternatives, let's hear em.

>>29989477

"Cybele, I'm *sorry*."

>>29989650
>We should say something along those lines, but let's not mention that we have another girl. If we do, Cybele will be absolutely fucking furious.

Oi.
That was a reference to Hecate, without giving a name out.

In retrospect I should have said "she's dead now" or "they passed away" to make it more clear they won't be a rival.

>>29989680

That doesn't really cut it, anon.
Saying sorry isn't enough to someone who loves you.
If you don't say something beyond those words, they're hollow, they don't have meaning - its not an APOLOGY.

>>29989378
>>29989371
>>29989366

Blue light washes over the area, as you engage the Argus System - Your optic sensors buzzing with green illumination, the Nihl Sphere shedding it's violet anti-light. You turn, slowly; A full sweep of the area.

Nothing.

>>29989382
>>29989383

The lantern is shattered, dissipating slowly into the ether: Metal shards dissolve in a swarm of motes, fatally compromised. It looks like it was cut in half before being shattered - Half of it remaining here, the other half...

-Somewhere else.

> Also, can we get an item description for the Joker Memory?
> If nothing is around, install the Joker's Memory.

The air shimmers, as the Joker's Memory takes form. It's made of a smooth, striated white stone - Like marble, perhaps, or jade. It feels *right*, in your hand - You can feel the warmth even through your gauntlets, the circuit-filament lines glowing a faint red. But as you reach for the trigger point in your mind...

It fails to respond. The crest flares a little brighter, as it comes into contact with the charging elements of your gloves...But that's all.

You're missing something. Some key, some code - Something to make the Joker's Memory yield it's secrets.

>>29989400
>>29989469
>>29989477
>>29989558

Your words echo in the silence. For a long, long moment, there is no answer.

You wait a little longer, and all you hear is the howl of the wind. The seconds crawl by, each moment extending into infinity; Your shadow tracking against the tiled floor, like the hands of a sundial.

> "Cybele, I'm *sorry*."

A pause. Dust motes dance on the air.

(Continued)

>>29989674
There's two problems with Cybele right now: First, she's realized that the imprinting failed. That's dangerous because now she doesn't know if she can control us. Who knows what she'll do to make things right again?

Second, a speech I wrote before we had more info about the Hyades exacerbated things.

The name Saori didn't bring up any hits in the hospital database. She doesn't have any knowledge not relevant to her immediate situation, she's in a special environment, she barely understands humanity, and she's designed to be attractive. That sounds like the Hollow Sun more than anything else.

Serious question: How much do you trust Argent Prominence? He said that things in the Red World that look human have a reason for it. She isn't a failure of a Player like Hecate, she's a creation of the Red World manufactured to attract a human partner.

We lie like motherfuckers until we know what's going on.

>>29989765
>It fails to respond. The crest flares a little brighter, as it comes into contact with the charging elements of your gloves...But that's all.
>You're missing something. Some key, some code - Something to make the Joker's Memory yield it's secrets.

god
DAMN

>>29989765
>You're missing something. Some key, some code - Something to make the Joker's Memory yield it's secrets.
Well, the only person we really know who knew the Old Joker is Argent.

I'm a little leery about showing this to him, but short of feeding the damn thing to the Hollow Sun and praying it pops out something Jokery aside from his Beam Magnum, it's probably our best lead.

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>>29989765
>It fails to respond.
Say what. Back when it was on fire it kept trying to reach for Red Joker. Goddamn it Akira, you broke it.

>>29989765
>You're missing something. Some key, some code - Something to make the Joker's Memory yield it's secrets.

The misericorde. its the sacred method to pass the armor along to someone else, fresh and raw. For something from the old joker? That's the key. If there's any part of it that would resonate with it, it remains in that knife.

>>29989827
This is good thinking, actually.

Having it on us would help, but I don't know that I'd want to risk cracking it open with the knife if it doesn't open to mere proximity.

>>29989765

>some key, some code

The Nihl is a key, right? Pulse some anti-light on it and see if there's a "keyhole" or "crack" we can exploit. Short of that, we take it to the Joker Cave for analysis.

>>29989827
Could be our best bet but it could also completely destroy the memories too.

>>29989827
>>29989849
>>29989851

We should get it analyzed by the Sun beforehand too. Might reveal a way for us to crack open the Emperor's fridge and get at that armor without it killing us.

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>>29989765

Blue light gathers. It's slow, fitful - Almost reluctant, like the shimmer of distant moonbeams, slanting down on you from a great distance, through the intervening stone of the cyclopean building. Reality flickers, as the light takes you to pieces.

Dimly, you hear snatches of distant plainsong - Glimpse lambent flame and corposant, the impossible sensation of falling *up*, across a vast distance...

STAGE: TIR NA NÓG

...It's freezing. You're aware of the cold, distantly - From the way your armour vents smoking vapour into the air, swirling around you in white cloud. The trees of Cybele's autumn paradise are bare, skeletal...Stripped down to their black bark, the leaves lost beneath a layer of thick snow.

It isn't perfect: Your boots crunch on the clear path that winds it's way to the raised pavilion, above the frozen lake - The black ice slick, treacherous, shapes moving beneath the murky surface.

"-Don't come any closer."

She's seated at the edge of the pavilion, her long, bare legs hanging over the edge - Just above the ice, her reflection shimmering as it moves. The cold doesn't trouble Cybele at all; When she exhales, her breath doesn't steam. The hem of her kimono whispers against her thighs, trimmed with lace - Her head turned away from you, midnight hair cascading down the sleek curve of her back, hands laced together on her lap.

(Continued)

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>>29989875

Cybele's lovely - She always is. But her eyes are red, at the edges, as she wipes at them with her trailing sleeve; It spoils her prettiness, her voice low, choked-up. You can make out the marks on her cheeks, her gaze downcast - Staring at the ground, at nothing in particular.

Doing her level best not to look at you.

[ ] "-Are you crying?"
[ ] "Why is it...What happened here?"
[ ] "Aren't you cold?"
[ ] "Why won't you look at me?"
[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29989947

Approach her from behind, but keep a respectable distance. Let her be the one to break the silence.

We can't stay here for too long. On the clock to break Akira's death flag.

>>29989947

Great, she's sulking. Can we use the nihl sphere to pull her into the real world? It worked the last time, didn't it?

>>29989947
>[ ] "Why is it...What happened here?"

>>29989947

> [ ] "-Are you crying?"

Oh boy. This is going to be awkward.

>>29989947
"That's no good. Girls are always prettier when they smile."

>>29989965
Completely out of our hands. We've no way to follow him.

>>29989976
Absolutely not.

>>29989814
>Say what. Back when it was on fire it kept trying to reach for Red Joker. Goddamn it Akira, you broke it.

Yeah. Either that, or this isn't the time

>>29989976

I'm with watashiwa here- we literally cannot afford the cost.

nor is it appropriate.

>>29990001
Or it's been retconned.

Has it been retconned OP?

>>29990022

(My apologies, I'm not sure what you mean: Could you clarify?)

>>29989947
"It doesn't feel right like this, you know. No color to it. It doesn't suit you."

>>29990030
>(My apologies, I'm not sure what you mean: Could you clarify?)

When we first encountered/were informed of it, there was a clear/visible resonance with us - it seems to be far diminished now.

We're just wondering what's going on, or if this is a hint something is different.

Oh duh.Slot it into the carnifex. Thats the other relic of His.

>>29989965
>Approach her from behind.
No, let's not startle her.

>>29989947
"Evening Cybele. It's been a bit, I've missed you.

I'm afraid to say that crying doesn't really suit you nearly as much as smiling."

>>29990030
When the Thief first introduced the Joker's memory, it reached out for us.

I don't have the exact quotation yet, but the Thief was described as keeping his hands sealed to hold back wisps of some kind, as though the memory were gaseous.

Has the Memory been changed from your initial presentation of it?

>>29989947

>[ ] "Why is it...Wha- >[ ] "-Are you crying?"

>>29990085
don't rub it in.

oh god, there's gonna be a lot of WORDS very shortly.

Try to keep the spagheti in, guys!

>>29990062
>>29990089

(Ah, that's what you meant. Yes, something *is* different - It doesn't react as strongly, now. But it's less that the resonance has diminished, and more like you've grown. It feels comfortable; Familiar, and deeply reassuring.

The reaction, perhaps, is less violent because you're synchronized with it. In other words, your compatibility has increased.)

>>29989965
>>29989977

She ignores you, resolutely turning away.

>>29989995

> "It doesn't feel right like this, you know. No color to it. It doesn't suit you."

Cybele's shoulders tremble - Her hands tighten on the edge of the platform, her head dipping down; She seems to quiver in place, as she draws her arms up and around herself. She rocks forward, hugging herself - You hear her sniffle, the sound muffled by a rustle of rich fabric.

> [X] "-Are you crying?"

"*I'm not*~!" Cybele shrieks, her voice rising - Clearly lying, oblivious to it as her face reddens, her tears splashing down. For a moment, she seems about to bolt - Her form stiffens, but she holds herself still, with an effort of will.

"I'm not - *crying*!" she manages, her voice tangled-up, twisting upon itself; Each breath broken by sobs, as she draws her knees to her chest - Curling into herself, in a ball of misery.

"I don't...I don't *care* about you any more, Joker~!" she snaps - Another lie, pique warring with frustration. Her brown eyes glisten with tears, as she turns away again. It takes a while, for her sobbing to stop - Longer, before she can form words.

"W, what-" Cybele sniffles, begins again. "...What do you *want* from me?"

Her voice is a thin, reedy thing - Her lips trembling, her expression intent. She's still weeping, a hand pressed to her chest; "Is it - Is it because I didn't *give* you enough? Is that why?" Her form begins to blur at the edges, in a heat-mirage shimmer - Becoming drawn, wispy, a shadowy silhouette shot through with distant light.

(Continued)

>>29990200

This is going to end horribly or horribly.

>>29990200
>She ignores you, resolutely turning away.
>>29990200
>"I don't...I don't *care* about you any more, Joker~!" she snaps - Another lie, pique warring with frustration. Her brown eyes glisten with tears, as she turns away again. It takes a while, for her sobbing to stop - Longer, before she can form words.

Kneel, and listen

>>29990200

Within her -

Within, Cybele's filled with stars. Her form is a mass of coiling vapour, coalescing around a constellation of stars - The pellucid core of her being, linked by the faintest strands of light. There's a quiet desperation to her voice, a desperate desire to *please*:

"I can...I can change my hair," she whispers, her voice echoing, distant - "...I can change how I *look* - I can change *everything about myself*-"

The curve of the domed sky overhead flickers, giving way to the flat, lightless black of space: You can make out the vast, vague shape of the black moon, hanging in distant skies like the harbringer of things to come.

"What do I - What do I have to *do*?"

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29990305

Wow. Just wow. This is messed up. SHE'S more messed up than I thought.

>>29990305
>"What do I - What do I have to *do*?"

"Just be yourself, you never did anything wrong." Tell her everything that happened between Hecate and us, I think she deserves to at least know.

>>29990305
I sort of want to tell her >whatever you want to but that seems like a great way to get yandere'd on.

>>29990305
>"What do I - What do I have to *do*?"

"its not you. Its NOT you. The only person who accepted me for who i am, the red joker, the killing machine, the bogie man of the red world? Is dead & gone. Very recently. "

"i've been keeping you at arms length because its... its just too soon. I keep EVERYone at arm's length. . You just... bad luck. You met the joker first, not my real face.."

>>29990354

Guys, I don't think it's a good idea to tell her. She's not going to be happy about that. She wants us to love her and ONLY her.

>>29990305

"What can you do? Hmm... now this may be hard for you to accomplish and it may cause you physical pain to perform it, but I can't think of anything else that would fix this... Smile. A girl shouldn't cry."

Then cover the remaining distance before she can protest and give 'em a hug.

>>29990305
"You don't have to do anything. Though I would like to see what you really look like.

"The Red World isn't a good place. Anything that comes here from the other one is twisted beyond recognition. People. Memory. Ideals. Fate. You and I were meant to meet. If not for this world there would have been nothing but joy between us. Instead you're trapped here and I'm all but. And I need you, Cybele."

>>29990354
>>29990372
I don't. Talking about the dead girlfriend is a GREAT way to tell everyone that they're not good enough for us. Veto Hecate talk.

>>29990389
Good lord no.

>>29990354
>>29990372
I vote for those two.

>>29990372

It's like you want her to go yandere on us. You're aware that she's completely insane from isolation, right?

>>29990401

Go with this one instead. Tell he what SHE wants to hear.

>>29990372
>You just... bad luck. You met the joker first, not my real face.."
"Or rather, the reverse. The joker IS my real face."

"... I was a little upset you thought I was.... a toy, a doll, to do what you want and win your battles. I've friends who are with other hyades. I don't relish the though of having to fight them because someone else told them too"

>>29990374
We NEED to explain why we've been so distanct, but NOT full disclosure.

>>29990389
>Then cover the remaining distance before she can protest and give 'em a hug.
No. Fuck off. Do not try to wash this under the bridge. No cutesy shit. This is serious.

>>29990305

"Be yourself. I've never once stopped being my stupid, suicidal self."

>>29990419

>yandere
>completely insane

Don't forget she spies on us near 25/7.

I'm wondering what her reaction is going to be once we tell her we've allied ourselves with two other champions. We did tell her we had every intention of breaking this game....

>>29990305
"You never did anything wrong. It was always just me. I've always been more trouble than I'm worth; probably even before all of this.

But you must have known that already when you picked me, didn't you."

"Even now that you know the truth, I still want to help. Even if that's cruel of me. Because you were really, truly happy back then when I brought you down there, and I think that's something worth fighting for."

...or if we want to be just as meta as we are insensitive...
"...Cybele, I just want you to be *happy*. Is that...Is that so terrible?"

>>29990401
This seems alright.

>>29990401
>Talking about the dead girlfriend is a GREAT way to tell everyone that they're not good enough for us.

That's stupid, how did you reach this conclusion?

>>29990428
>We NEED to explain why we've been so distanct, but NOT full disclosure.

This. The main source of her fears are that she thinks that Joker doesn't like her because SHE isn't good enough,

We need to show her that Joker is pushing her away because he has ALOT of emotional baggage.

>>29990401
>I don't. Talking about the dead girlfriend is a GREAT way to tell everyone that they're not good enough for us. Veto Hecate talk.

I can agree with that, and that's kind of made me change my mind - the angle I wanted to play up was that we've been hurt before, in this avenue of closeness, and the reason why is its just.... too soon. Feelings are there, but its a fresh wound.

She NEEDS to know its Not Her, and that we're slightly calloused.

if you can help me rephase this to something more palatable, please help!

I was also kind of hoping that mentioning it would guilt her into maybe telling the truth about whether she lied about hecate or not.She totally would to give herself a better chance.

>>29990459
>This. The main source of her fears are that she thinks that Joker doesn't like her because SHE isn't good enough,
>We need to show her that Joker is pushing her away because he has ALOT of emotional baggage.

SO MUCH bloody this

>>29990459
>>29990465

And why, exactly, are we pushing her away? She isn't going to take 'no' for an answer. We're going to have to say 'yes' in a way that does the least harm.

In other words, we're going to have to lie.

>>29990487
Holy hell man, way to be insensitive.

>>29990487
>And why, exactly, are we pushing her away?

We push EVERYone away. all the girls at shool interested in us - we kissed kio on the forehead instead of the lips.

Emotional baggage is what we do best.


And no, we don't have to lie. We do have to take this one step at a time.

>>29990502

We need her powers. That's what it comes down to. If we can't regenerate, we're in deep shit. We go into the dungeon tomorrow, and we need all the help we can get.

>>29990305
Sit down nearby her.

"You don't have to change anything Cybele. You didn't do anything wrong, we just expected different things.

You watched me for a long time, you fell in love before we even met, and I'm sorry to say that love isn't that quick for me, I didn't know what you truly wanted from me. I've been hurt before, and I'm not all that good at opening up to people or trusting anyone. I just didn't understand you, and we never had enough time.

But I do like you, and I want to be with you. Your smile is worth fighting for."

>>29990428
>"Or rather, the reverse. The joker IS my real face."
I don't agree with that statement actually.

>We NEED to explain why we've been so distanct, but NOT full disclosure.
We actually don't. We tell her a reason that she wants to hear, that she can process and accept. Whether it's true or not is irrelevant.

>>29990450
>"...Cybele, I just want you to be *happy*. Is that...Is that so terrible?"
Laughing hard here. Yes, because I'm a bastard.

>>29990459
By speaking with people who've recently lost loved ones. You really AREN'T good enough to fill that void. If you want to relieve someone, you don't bring up how much you miss them, ever.

And we're not trying to make her understand us, we're trying to make her help us.

>>29990487
Precisely.

>>29990502
>>29990511
To quote totally-not-JokerQuestOP,
> It's like...Sometimes, being a bastard really is the best solution, even if it means that you don't get to sleep well at night.

>>29990535
>By speaking with people who've recently lost loved ones. You really AREN'T good enough to fill that void. If you want to relieve someone, you don't bring up how much you miss them, ever.

I disagree, everyone goes through a mourning period when their loved one dies and not wanting to date ANYONE during that time is a completely natural thing!

>>29990535
>We actually don't. We tell her a reason that she wants to hear, that she can process and accept. Whether it's true or not is irrelevant.

The thing is, if we win the game, she gets to become real again.
Either we lose, or

We should at least help her try to become a better person - understand somethings about people. I'm also the person who suggested giving her a commnode. She desperately needs friends to talk to - you want her to help us? bloody red-world realtime spy feed + radio = win.

There's no reason we can't do both at once.

>>29990526
>We need her powers. That's what it comes down to. If we can't regenerate, we're in deep shit. We go into the dungeon tomorrow, and we need all the help we can get.
While this IS the crux of the issue - we should expect to blow the negotiations and to never have this power again the way things are going.
The angle to try later, once the emotions are slightly out of the way - is she treats us the same way, kinda - a tool to fight her battles against the other hyades. We're NOT going to get her to give us healing access on charm alone this time, and every time we keep trying it its gonna bite us in the ass later.
A working business relationship with conversations on the side is the best we should aim for.

>>29990592
>I disagree, everyone goes through a mourning period when their loved one dies and not wanting to date ANYONE during that time is a completely natural thing!

Seconding like the fist of the north star and vetoing everyone who says otherwise.

We don't have to make it obvious its about hecate. We can lie about girls in the real world she can't see, if it makes it better. But either way the message needs to get across that its NOT HER FAULT and we're being human.

>>29990592
Who cares? Our goal isn't to be emotionally open with Cybele and to talk about all of our feelings, our goal is to get this LUNAtic woman to get her symbol back up and running so we can patch ourself back up.

I'd prefer it to be a stable fix, but that doesn't mean we have to, or even should, be honest.

>>29990535
>It's like...Sometimes, being a bastard really is the best solution, even if it means that you don't get to sleep well at night.

You are just being stupid here. Lying that we like her will come back to bite us in the ass HARD later on.

>>29990614
She isn't a fucking lunatic, she is just really fucking depressed! Are you autistic?

>>29990592
That's what I mean. But do you ever like hearing that?

>>29990621
From a purely practical and coldblooded perspective, I don't think it will.

>>29990614
>Our goal isn't to be emotionally open with Cybele and to talk about all of our feelings
> our goal is to get this LUNAtic woman to get her symbol back up and running

OI. OIIIII.
To get B, we have to do A. Sorry, but she's an emotional wreck that can call BS on us for anything we do in the red world.

Lying is the answer, we NEEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed to attempt to resolve some of her fears, misgivings, neroticisms, self-blame and shut-in nerd lifestyle(crude, but apt).

Fuck our stick treatment, she needs a carrot

>>29990638
The lunatic thing was a joke because she lives on the moon.

And she is kinda crazy, view of reality is different from the standard by a number of margins, and she's not going to take the idea that we're still in love with a dead girl all that well.

Helping her fix her problems doesn't mean we throw our problems at her, it means we reassure her and tell her what she needs to hear, whether it's the truth or not.

>>29990646
>From a purely practical and coldblooded perspective, I don't think it will.

>Wants to lie to chick that sees our every move in the red world
>confident none of the anons will never ever slip up.
>confident JOP won't throw monkey wrenchs in the works, like cybele wondering who the hell pythia is, why she calls us by first name, and getting insanely jealous over nothing

No, fuck you, sir.

we started this conversation off with 'i'm sorry', bloody deliver on it.

>>29990430

The shifting, swirling blackness gathers. It coalesces, gaining tangibility, resolving back into Cybele's form. She looks...Confused. Uncertain. Her brown eyes are very, very wide.

"I don't-" she begins, haltingly - Glancing away, a complex expression flitting over her pretty face; Something unquantifiable, elusive, in her gaze. For a moment, she looks very, very small - And vulnerable beyond belief.

>>29990529

> "But I do like you, and I want to be with you. Your smile is worth fighting for."

"You-" She trembles, in place - The pale heart of her face upturned towards yours. The wild light in her eyes is something you're beginning to recognize, something more terrifying than despair:

-Hope.

> "The Red World isn't a good place. Anything that comes here from the other one is twisted beyond recognition. People. Memory. Ideals. Fate. You and I were meant to meet. If not for this world there would have been nothing but joy between us. Instead you're trapped here and I'm all but. And I need you, Cybele."

"You-" Cybele's voice is very, very soft. "...you need me?"

It's a whisper, soft and shy - The word 'need' hanging in the air, as fragile as a spiderweb; She doesn't blink, as if afraid to miss a single moment. "You *need* me," she murmurs, tasting the word - The beginnings of a blush in her cheeks, her lips curving in a soft, sweet smile.

Then:

"Joker-kun..."

(Continued)

>>29990646
>From a purely practical and coldblooded perspective, I don't think it will.

Wata no.

If we say that we love her just to get the emblem working then she will fucking blow up when Anon inevitably kisses another girl.

Are you seriously telling me that ain't going to happen?

>>29990679
Oh, but I did. >>29990683

This still could go hilariously wrong of course. Red Joker vs. Bardiel, anyone?

>>29990707
You'd kiss and tell? You're the worst, Anon-kun.

>>29990726
You are just being an asshole now, stop posting.

>>29990707
>Are you seriously telling me that ain't going to happen?

This situation is already pretty primed.
>Redworld memory pool said hecate was aliv
>cybele said hecate was dead
>joker rescues hecate finally
>cybele specator modes the reunion
>Dramatrain forever.

The situation is -already- primed to blow up. No, we need to set the groundwork to not have her revoke power in a fit of spite again - be a little more emotionally stable when it comes to Next Time.
Because this IS Cybele. There WILL be a next time. There will keep being a next time until she gets back to the real world, develops friendships, a sense of normalcy - hell, i bet she doesn't even sleep here being logged into the RW constantly.

Cybele isn't insane, a nutnob, or a lunatic. She's an incredibly stressed, loney human going through her own Red World Hell scenario.
We got ours out of the way early.
She's still in the middle of hers 100 years.
Have a LITTLE compassion and humanity and stop treating her like shit. Just a tiny bit, that's all i ask.

>>29990726
>You'd kiss and tell? You're the worst, Anon-kun.
you're forgetting we got this meeting by speaking to midair, wata. How did she know. HOW DID SHE KNOW?

>>29990778
>How did she know. HOW DID SHE KNOW?

now apply this logic to everything we do from now on.
Smile, you're on camera!

>>29990683

Her hands - Pale, with slender fingers - close around yours. She can barely lift your gauntlet, but she doesn't try to; Instead, she just holds your hand in both of hers, as she gazes up into your optic sensor.

> "...Cybele, I just want you to be *happy*. Is that...Is that so terrible?"

Her breath catches: Her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Emotions chase each other across her face - Surprise, dawning realization, belief, hope...

...And then joy.

"I know - I've always known - " Cybele's voice is low, husky with emotion - She leans towards you, into you; Her head against your cuirass, her shoulders heaving as her arms snake around you.

"Joker-kun, I've always..."

A soft hiss of indrawn breath, gathering her courage.

"-I've always loved you." When she looks up, her eyes are shining - Her voice a soft, intimate whisper. "Always, always...Even like this. You're the *only* one...The *only* one - If you rejected me..."

Cybele's eyes brim over with tears, again - She looks like she's about to break into tears.

"I'm so, *so* sorry...I'm *so* sorry - I knew you wouldn't put me aside, I *knew*~!"

You can hear the relief in her voice; The relief, and the love. It washes over her, as her body relaxes against yours - She doesn't mind the unyielding metal of your armoured form, or the sharp edges of your armour. She doesn't care at all.

(Continued)

>>29990834
>JOP use the "cybele I want you to be happy" suggestion

Goddamnit.

>>29990683
We're bad people!

But then, we knew that already, didn't we. And we've honed it to a fucking monomolecular edge.

>>29990834
...I didn't want us to ACTUALLY say that, jeez. Figured spoilering it as a joke was safe enough, but I guess since Ixion nothing's sacred.

That said, it's just too appropriate to the situation at hand if our end goal is maximum dramatic irony, so I really can't complain.

>>29990834

This is going to end in Meguca.

>>29990834
Oh boy, this is going to utterly fall apart at some point. But for now we have a happy moon lady.

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This could end horribly.
Let's go.

>>29990888

Just think, we can ask Spaghetti-san for advice on how he appeases his moon-lady. The ironing.

>>29990917
"Well, uh, I stammer and look at the floor and shuffle my feet mostly.

And she SAYS I blush, but keep telling her I'm wearing armor and there's no possible way I can be blushing in armor, but apparently she can tell and it she says it just makes the blushing worse."

>>29990751
Look--there's more than one way to manipulate someone. You can control them directly in science fiction, but lacking mind control you can still do a lot. You can manipulate their expectations, like Akira did to himself, or feelings, like I am here.

I suspect that the Red World (and Joker Quest OP) is preying on our preconceptions with Cybele. We see a pretty, lonely girl. We want to help. That's NOT the desperate, all-consuming love the Hyades and their partners share, but it is something. Argent warned us that things like the Hyades look the way they do for a reason.

Am I (and through me, the character) a bastard? Sure. But she's happy and we've got our power back. That is, in the here and now, exactly what we wanted.

>>29990917
All he has to do is be himself and she loves him for it. Sort of like what happened here.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

>>29990834

Her hands slide down, as she draws back - Just a little, reluctant to release you. Cybele's pale fingers come to rest on your right arm, with an impossibly gentle touch...

-Your right arm, and the Helix Gauntlet.

"So..." And her voice is a whisper, now - Almost shy, the roses blooming in her cheeks. "...Can you - Prove it?" Those brown eyes meet yours, her expression sweet and filled with infinite trust; It's a little shy, a little mischievous, a girl who knows she's being forward...

-But resolved, all the same.

"I want-" Cybele begins, almost stammering over the words - She has to look away, but peeks back from the corner of her eye, her long hair shrouding her face. "...Joker-kun, I want..."

"...I want to be *with* you."

[ ] "...What?"
[ ] "Do you mean-"
[ ] "I don't...No. No, that's not a good idea."
[ ] "That's - That isn't *possible* is it?"
[ ] Free.

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29990949

Fuck.

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>>29990949
Awkwaaaaard. Time for Shirou?
>[X] "...What?"

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>>29990949
Weeeelp.

>>29990949
>[ ] "That's - That isn't *possible* is it?"

I hate every godamn one of you chucklefucks, this is Anon kissing Mio just days after Hecate died all over again.

>>29990949

How does that even work?

>>29990984
>this is Anon kissing Mio just days after Hecate died all over again.
Except, you know.

More exxxtreme.

Rolled 43

>>29990949
[ ] "That's - That isn't *possible* is it?"
Oh shit. Rolling for robo-penis length

>>29990976
Seconding..
Let's try to squeeze a bit more info out of her before comitting.

Goddamn, I knew Red Joker was a heartbreaker casanova but not this much.

What's wrong everyone? Aren't you all cold hearted "bastards"? Why not give her a pity fuck as well? It's far from being the worst thing that you did to her, why do you have cold feet?

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>>29990834
>>29990949

>>29990989
We brought her to earth with the Nihil Sphere once before.

>-Your right arm, and the Helix Gauntlet.

She wants us to again. But longer. And harder.

>>29990949
>[X] "...What?"
>[X] "I don't...No. No, that's not a good idea."
"You told me 'even like this' and then... I can't just..."

>>29991023
While needlesly passive aggressive, I totally understand your anger.

>>29990949

"What? How?"

>>29991023

You know what? Sure. Let's do that. I mean, she's an impossibly hot girl, isn't she? It's not like it's a bad thing.

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>>29990949

"What?"

>>29990949
"You are a naughty thing aren't you? I've never been any good about temptations. Unfortunately, it's not possible. The time I could pull you to the other side was the outer limit of what I can do, and the sphere still hasn't regained its luster. With both I might be able to manage it, but Pazuzu hasn't made himself available for killing."

>>29990984
You know... this is reading exactly like the scene with Mio. Eerily so. And we know that Mio is associated with Hellebore, who is the current Chalice Queen and potentially the old Joker's Hyade partner.

Is Mio an escaped Hyade?

>>29991023
Don't be a jerk about it anon. Some people would take you up on that out of spite. Oddly enough, not me. There's getting what you want, and there's being evil about it.

>>29991064
Oi.

>>29991073
>Is Mio an escaped Hyade?

Wasn't this obvious to everyone? I mean, the girl that modified our cybele emblem looked exactly like her

>>29990976
>>29991067

No, Anon isn't Shirou or Natsuru dense. He's as dense as that one faggot from Big Fat Cat Tats.

>>29991099
That was Hellebore, yeah. But there's a difference between "being associated with a powerful player" and "being a Hyade on Earth".

If Hecate ends up being the most normal girl Joker knows, I don't know what I'll do.

>>29991073
>Is Mio an escaped Hyade?
So it wasn't our Joker swag but rather her Hyades status that made her fall in love with us?

I never considered this quest to be all that dark.
But this thread is turning it all around. The suffering is reaching levels that I can feel.

>>29991151

OP is secretly Urobutcher and is getting ideas for his next animu.

>>29991148

I've personally been harbouring suspicions that argite (maybe I got the name wrong) might be our fan wielding play director. The way she tried to hold back laughter just reminded me of her.

>>29991031
>We brought her to earth with the Nihil Sphere once before.
Oh yeah that's right. Guess we'll have to go with>>29991073's response then. Though, does this mean we have to actively use EXEC_Consume during battles now since we now KNOW she's watching? Can she also see us in the Hollow sun?

>>29991148
>If Hecate ends up being the most normal girl Joker knows, I don't know what I'll do.
Be sad that she's in a coma?

Pretty sure Natsumi is still the most normal, even in spite of her player status and general Anon-related melodrama.

Which is saying a lot.

>>29991181
>Though, does this mean we have to actively use EXEC_Consume during battles now since we now KNOW she's watching? Can she also see us in the Hollow sun?
And now our new girlfriend that we only pretend to love - With another kidnapped and another possibly dead girl on the side - forces us to eat souls in order to accumulate time for her to enter the real work to fuck us.
Joker also gained mind control powers, the ability to look into a dying person's soul and the ability to kill someone by looking at them.

This is a fucking rollercoaster.

>>29991008
>>29990984
>>29991051

> [X] "...What?"
> [X] "That's - That isn't *possible* is it?"

She laughs, softly. It's a gentle sound, her eyes demurely downcast - But with a kind of shivery excitement, a complex blend of trepidation, resolve, delight flitting over her lovely features.

"But, Joker-kun..." Cybele whispers, low and sweet and sultry - Her fingers tremble, slightly, as she traces the silver lines of the Helix Gauntlet. A violet glow awakens beneath her touch, a sullen, sweltering light.

"...You have one of the Eyes of Nihl, right here."

Her eyes glow in the light; Shadows dappling her pretty face, her expression measured and composed and utterly guileless.

> "You are a naughty thing aren't you? I've never been any good about temptations. Unfortunately, it's not possible. The time I could pull you to the other side was the outer limit of what I can do, and the sphere still hasn't regained its luster. With both I might be able to manage it, but Pazuzu hasn't made himself available for killing."

"I...know it's selfish of me," Cybele says - In that same soft tone, her hands against yours. There's something intimate in the gesture, in the way she holds herself; Her kimono whispering against her silken skin, not-quite baring one pale shoulders.

"-Even if it's just for a while..."

"...Even if it's just for one night..."

"I - really want to be with you." She bites her lip, her eyes beginning to moisten; Her shoulders trembling slightly, her voice growing taut. "I...I want to touch you, Joker-kun. I want - I want to *feel*...A-all of you..."

Cybele's going red, now - Embarrassed, at her own bold words. "You said...You wanted to make me *happy*, right?" she presses; "Even if you're...r-rough with me-" she draws a deep breath, her eyes squeezing shut for a mere heartbeat-

"Even if you despise me afterward..."

"-I'm okay with it..."

(Continued)

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>>29991209
Yup.
I'm looking forward to this.

>>29991209
>>29991222

I have the popcorn ready. This drama is going to be better than the Meter/Interceptor shitstorm.

>>29991209
Well, we've killed people for worse reasons than pity fucking a magical moon girl. She's a real sweetheart, pity she fell in love with us.

>>29991161
pls make this happen. Gaim so far is not giving me my Urobuchi fix. Although it's only on episode 16.

>>29991250
>She's a real sweetheart, pity she fell in love with us
Bit of a theme here.

(Gentlemen: Apologies for the delay. For some reason, captcha is becoming extremely complex.)

> [X] "I don't...No. No, that's not a good idea."
> "You told me 'even like this' and then... I can't just..."

"Am I - Not good enough?"

There's a catch to her voice - Her hands squeezing yours, just a little harder, as if afraid you'd let go. "You said...You *said* - You'd accept me like this, right?"

"That's why...That's why-"

"I w-want...I want to give - All of myself - to you."

[ ] Free

YOU HAVE CONTROL

>>29991212

You fuckers. You absolute fuckers.

>>29991275
Well, here's a possibility. Can you convince her that there's something more intimate (and not sexual) she can do for the Joker?

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>>29991250

>pity she fell in love with us

YOU DON'T SAY

[X]Free
At least kiss her on the cheek.

>>29991275
Give her the d. Fantasize about your regenerating health the whole time

>>29991275

> [x] Free

"Cybele, if you're absolutely sure that this is what you want. If you're certain about this...Then, all right."

Activate the Nihl sphere.

>>29991275

JUST FEEL HER PLAYER FORM UP A BIT AND THEN LET US MOVE ON

GODFUCKINGDAMNIT

>>29991212

OP, this is not cool. This is not cool at all.

>>29991212
>>29991275
>"Even if you despise me afterward..."
>"-I'm okay with it..."
"You wouldn't be okay with it. Not really. You told me as much just a few moments ago."

...and as long as we're being a total bastard in order to secure her cooperation, we can even go so far as this:

"Besides..."
Put our gauntlet over our arm where her Emblem is.
"I thought this meant you already were mine. All of you, like you said."

No way she ever retracts Hyades protection in the future if she's got it firmly in her head that it's a true symbol of the bond she has with us.

Either go all the way with her or give the emblem back. But don't lead her on.

>>29991275

I think we can no longer dance around this situation, and should just get it over with. If we do end up dead, we can always take solace out of the fact we didn't die a virgin. Though... What if we mention us always imaging us marryeing first before intercourse or something? ...Nah, that sounds like it'll get us in even more trouble. Forget about it. Just give her the D and make DAMN SURE no one can enter our house. Double- no tripple check that shit.

>>29991275
>(Gentlemen: Apologies for the delay. For some reason, captcha is becoming extremely complex.)
Even captcha feels involved in this.

Fuck, what the hell are we supposed to do?
This is cheating on Mio AND Hecate.

Can't we take her somewhere romantic or something? Something that gives her more stimulation? Maybe shopping?

>>29991361
It's our fault. We knew that she is desperate fro affection, that she is more deeply and crazily in love with than most yanderes. We brought this upon ourselves!

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>>29991275

She'll do anything he says just for a night, even ok if joker hates her afterwards?

>>29991275

"You know, if we're going to be boyfriend and girlfriend, we should wait. I still haven't taken you on any dates. I know this great Italian restaurant...."

Even I'm losing my spaghetti at this point.

>>29991275
>>29991367
This is pretty nice, actually.

>>29991361
Where do you think you are? This is joker quest where hearts get broken just as much as any other body part.

>>29991339
>Fantasize about your regenerating health the whole time
*Hecate

>>29991275
"This body of mine was not made to bring comfort to anyone, it has been stained red with all the blood it's spilled. Its touches are unyielding metal, and I have no lips to kiss you with, no eyes for you to look into.

But if that's enough for you, and I wish I could offer more, then I give myself gladly. Your symbol already proves that you are mine, and I am yours."

Pull her into an embrace, and it's time for awkward robo-fondling.

Don't burn Nihl Sphere juice on this, we have precious little of it, and it won't last long anyways. And remember, don't engage the vulcans.

Wait, if we fuck her...
Isn't our apartment currently possibly haunted?

>>29991386
NO "we"

YOU

I told you fuckers to not lie to her.

>>29991380
>>29991385

I think we have to do this. I don't think we can back out now, without being exposed for the lying fuck we are. We have to fuck her.

And here I was thinking this wasn't dark enough. Treat her as gently as you can, and make love to Cybele.

Wait a moment, guys!

Does she really love us? Didn't we have a theory a few moments ago? Of her being some kind of construct or something? Something intended to lure us in?

>>29991367
This is good, but still iffy.

>>29991151
Keep following that path of logic. Her being a Hyade is what attracted her to Joker in the first place. Natsumi subconsciously recognizing a superior player is what attracted her. Asuna/Pythia was attracted to his strength. Whatever Yui wants up being, more of the same. Megumi probably knew Anon was a strong player from the moment she met him.

Maybe none of them actually like him. They justify liking him after the fact, but it's all the Red Joker's power.

>>29991161
This would not be a bad thing. Gone, gone the form of OP! Arise the Demon, Urobutcher!

>>29991275
"What did I just say about temptations? You've just ensured that I'll suffer a long, hard, cold night without you. In its current state I can't guarantee your safety. I'll not risk you to the sphere's hunger."

>>29991340
What part of "No charge" do you not understand? Absolutely not.

>>29991425
I'm slightly concerned that she's trying to get at our body to make direct alterations.

>>29991380
>Either go all the way with her or give the emblem back. But don't lead her on.

This. Funny how all the "I'm such a heartless bastard, I'm going to lead this depressed girl on in order to gain power" fucktards like Wata and the others are completely chickening out of pity fucking her.

I guess you aren't as cool as you thought now retards?

I think I need to stress, even if we all know the mantra.

Never stick your dick in crazy.

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>>29991406
More stimulation if she's a massive masochist.
>>29991411
I wasn't even around for that part. I'm just accepting it because if things are going to hell, might as well go all the way.

>>29991424
I don't know why you think we have to acquiesce to this when she literally just broke down crying about how she wouldn't have known what to do if we rejected her completely, and is now telling us that she doesn't care if we hate her afterward. Which obviously disagrees with what she JUST said.

She's just fucked in the head and trying absolutely everything she can think of to secure us alongside her.

All we need to do is let her know that she doesn't need to do anything else, that what she is and has done for us is enough, and she'll probably be fine.