>>30470454
"Good work."

You feel a cold sensation on your cheek and open your eyes. Claire is looking down at you, holding a carbonated drink to your face. You're not feeling particularly thirsty, not really, but you take the drink anyway and help yourself. Claire nods at you and takes a seat beside you, setting down a basket on her lap. You can smell food inside, and you can already tell that it's home cooked. You see where this is going, but you're not sure if you want to go along with it.

"It's early, but I wished to bring you some snacks, Captain. Nobody worked harder than you this week, and so I decided to reward you."

Claire puts a hand to her collar and pops open a few buttons.

"I'm prepared to reward you in a different way if you have a different sort of hunger. Don't worry about preparations...I'm ready to go, any time."

>...Just the snack will be fine.
>Didn't you need to catch up with the Chief?
>Rin was working on the track, wasn't she?

[ Twitter is here https://twitter.com/DXR27291052
Setting document is here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rqpLh08K6gZ2EgxGs3oxAzWeh7ZsuSGlKC2sk755928/
Archive listings are here http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive.html?tags=Double%20Cross%20Quest
As usual, we're going to give this first prompt a little longer than usual, to make sure everyone makes it here on time.]

>>30470468
>...Just the snack will be fine.

This is the last thread of this arc! I'll try to do some longer posts to make up for not doing much this last week, so I might miss my usual 15 minute response time.

>>30470468

Damnit Claire

>...Just the snack will be fine.

>>30470468
>...Just the snack will be fine.

>>30470468
>>>...Just the snack will be fine.

>>30470468
>...Just the snack will be fine.

She might be crazy, but she is a damn good cook.

>>30470468
>...Just the snack will be fine.
Damn you making delicious food and not being an irredeemable nuisance.

>>30470468
>>Rin was working on the track, wasn't she?

>>30470517
Thanks for the heads up OP.

>>30470468
>Rin was working on the track, wasn't she?

why are you people actually acknowledging her advances

>>30470468
>Rin was working on the track, wasn't she?

>writing

>>30470468
...Just the snack, please.

"Understood."

Claire opens up the basket, taking out a pastry. It's still warm, even though she must have made it hours ago. The crust looks flaky and is cooked to a beautiful golden brown. You smell the hint of butter and sugar in the air as Claire turns to you. Instinctively, you reach out to take it, but Claire stands up instead.

"Please let me, Captain."

Let her what? Claire positions herself in front of you, dusting the flakes of pastry off her skirt. She leans over, presenting the snack to you. You now see why she popped her collar as she pulls her blazer away. She doesn't just want to feed you, she intended to give you a peep show either way. That's sneaky, Claire.

"Say 'ahh'..."

Sneaky, but not sneaky enough. You won't be tempted by such an obvious ploy. You bite down on the pastry and tear it free from her grasp. A few crumbs tumble down into the crevice behind her blouse, an act which you're sure she's engineered somehow as you begin to enjoy your snack. It's great. It's like her food gets better every time you eat it. You'd better stop taking her food so much, you feel like you could get addicted to this stuff.

"So forceful...Do you really like it that much?"

Well, it is incredibly good. But you can't tell her that. You grunt and turn away, finishing your snack before choosing to face her again. As you look at the rows of chairs, you realize you only have a couple dozen or so more to go. It shouldn't be long before you can really relax and take it easy for the rest of the day. You get up to go pick up more folding seats, but Claire catches the back of your jacket.

"Why don't you let me do that, Captain? I'm sure you'd rather look around the grounds instead of being here all day."

>...You really should finish this job.
>Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.
>You could kill some time jogging around the track, you suppose.

>>30470983
>Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.

>>30470983
>>Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.

>>30470983
>>...You really should finish this job.

Just finish it ourselves then avoid everyone for the rest of the day

>>30470983
>Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.

>she's adding narcotics to her food
oh god

>>30470983
What's the event schedule again?

>>30470983
>You'd better stop taking her food so much, you feel like you could get addicted to this stuff.
fuck she's drugged it

Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.

>>30470983
>Why don't you go take a look at the soccer fields? There's supposed to be a good game later today.

>>30470983
>...you really should finish this job.

>>30470983

Soccer fields, it will get us away from Claire. I was hesitant to leave her, as she always seems to get into trouble on her own, but I decided that was too meta.

>>30471039
>>30471052
You know that drugs don't work on you any more. Whatever Claire's secret ingredient is, it's not some kind of narcotic.

>>30471044
The list of events that were going to be attacked is

7:00 Archery meet.
10:30 Track meet.
14:00 Soccer Match
20:00 Finale

There are other events, but these are the main attractions.

>>30470983
>...you really should finish this job.
Come on, we don't want Chief adding time to our sentence I mean parole I mean "observation period" for negligence when we're so close to being done with this chore.

>>30471106
>You know that drugs don't work on you any more. Whatever Claire's secret ingredient is
Shining Void is in on it.
[shadowruns intensify]

>>30471106
what about what's her face, that can make drugs that effect overed?

>>30471147
>>30471150
You'd notice if your food was drugged. I promise.

>>30470983
>>...You really should finish this job.

>>30471147
>mygoodnesslookatthetime.png

>writing

>>30471166
Even if the drug was love?

>>30471248
>Claire has found a way to distill love into a physical form and is attempting to get Cap out of his depression
D'aaaww

File: 1393306195167.png-(72 KB, 250x250, douk.png)

72 KB PNG

>>30471248

>>30471248
It's probably her period blood/

It came up in the last thread, but it bears repeating. Rin is very close to going insane and we should do something about it.

>>30471554
Hand her a copy of Persona. tell her social links work

>>30471554
Why?

>>30471554
50% encroachment isn't that bad. As long as you return to <100% after combat you aren't going full gjaum. She could use some help with dat baggage though.

>>30471570
Because she's psychologically unstable and doesn't have any friends.

>>30471554
I don't think DXR would send a character off the deep end so soon after introducing her.
I mean, we've had exactly one chance to interact with her, which we took.

>>30471570
Having her sane is less work than dealing with another psycho.

>>30471603
How is that the Captains problem?

>>30470983
You were never a big fan of soccer, or any sport really, but maybe you should go see the soccer field? The teams there should already be warming up, maybe you can see something interesting.

"A splendid idea, Captain. Do not worry one second about this task. I shall finish it to your level of expertise or die trying."

Okay, Claire, whatever. You wave to Claire and head off in the direction of the soccer fields, intent on killing some time with the least amount of effort possible.

--

As you expected, the soccer teams are out in full force, all readying themselves for the big game in a couple hours. There are two fields being used, one for the boy's teams and one for the girl's. Given that you're a somewhat healthy young man, you find your eyes drifting over to the girl's fields for the most part. Looks like it's your team facing off against one of those private schools. Their blue and white uniform is much cleaner looking than the standard gym wear that the girls from your school are forced to wear. They look a lot better at the game too...well, except for one girl that keeps tripping every five steps. You watch her for a bit, amusing yourself at her expense until, finally, she is sent over to the bleachers with you to rest.

>>30471603
It looked like she got paired with Fallen Angel, like we are with Claire.

>>30471632
Upon closer inspection, you realize you know this girl. Isn't this, Rin? She heads up to the rows above you and begins fussing about in a bag, mumbling about a water bottle or something like that. She doesn't seem to have noticed you yet, so you try your best to keep a low profile. Or you try anyway. It's a little hard to go unnoticed when she falls over and bashes her head into your own. Cradling your freshly cracked skull, you turn around to bark at her out of reflex and find she's already blubbering. It's only after she wipes her eys that she recognizes you.

"W-Wild Card, sir! I-I didn't think you'd be here...I'm sorry!"

It's not like it's her fault. Well, it is, but you're not mad.

"Ooh...I've already messed up so many times. They really should have asked someone else. I'm such a klutz. A stupid klutz."

You weren't mad, but you will be if she keeps this pity party up. You try to think of something to change the subject.

>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.
>How did she get on the soccer team anyway?
>Why did she join the UGN? She must know that they're all crazy.

>>30471632
>she is sent over to the bleachers with you to rest.
SHIT SHIT SHIT SOCIAL INTERACTION WITH OUR PEERS ABORT ABORT ABORT!

>>30471648
>>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.
Looks like Rinfags got their wish.

>>30471648
>>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.
>>Why did she join the UGN? She must know that they're all crazy.

>>30471648

>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.
No seriously we were not going to really rape you

then
>Why did she join the UGN? She must know that they're all crazy.

>>30471648
>Apologize for Claire being Claire at her...

>>30471648
>Why did she join the UGN? She must know that they're all crazy.
These are the hard-hitting questions that need answers.

>>30471648
>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.

>>30471648
>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.
Letting her be in the same room as Claire was a horrible miscalculation on our part.

>Why did she join the UGN? She must know that they're all crazy.
Seriously. Rin's self-esteem might be dangerously low, but she's enough like a normal person to realize that the inmates are running the asylum.

>>30471648
>You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.

>>30471632
Hmm, I do believe Claire is about to go full evil on us. Probably got infected by whatever was puppeting Diablo when she fought the sadololi.

>writing

>>30471953
I had the same thought, but then I dismissed it, not believing a puppetmaster could pull of the full Claire experience. If it is a sleeper-effect though...

>>30471953
I fully endorse killing her to save her.

>>30472030
I don't know, she's acting rather tame for Claire...

>>30472051
Nah, we finally figured out how to generate new skills with her.

>>30471648
...You should really apologize for that time Claire tied her up. She must be traumatized.

"Huh?"

Rin looks confused for a few moments, screwing up her face as she searches her memory. Suddenly, she practically glows red and looks away from you, nervously spinning the water bottle in her hands. After a short pause, she looks down at her feet.

"I'm sorry!"

She's sorry? For what? She really didn't do anything wrong in this case, it's Claire that was--

"I was j-just nervous, that's all... I must have hurt your feelings."

Now wait just a minute here. You're completely lost, and Rin isn't making a bit of sense. You ask for Rin to tell you her side of the story.

"R-right, so...After I woke up in your room, B-Bullets told me you were, um, interested in me. I told her I'd never done anything before so she made some suggestions and...I was overwhelmed. I mean, you're good looking...your fur is so nice...and nobody ever showed interest in me so I, uh, I just didn't know what to do and got scared..."

Is she even blaming herself for this? This is ridiculous. You tell her that you were never going to do anything to her in the first place and she has nothing to be worried about.

"O-Oh. Yeah, I get it," Rin looks away, forcing a shaky smile, "Yeah. That's right. Nobody would really want to. Especially not after that. Sorry. Sorry!"

Rin leaps to her feet and runs down the bleachers back onto the field, shouting apologies the whole way. You're not sure if you'll ever understand why she's so hard on herself, but eventually, you come to the conclusion that it's not your problem. You get up and leave the soccer fields behind, not wanting to be connected to that weirdo by society at large.

--

>>30472124

You still can't believe you already drove off that attack. It just felt too easy. But then again, didn't you want something easy? As you walk through the fields, you begin to see people filtering in and taking seats. Your watch tells you it's 6:45, so the day will be officially starting soon. A nagging feeling in the back of your mind tells you to be alert, but you know that you're in the clear. Shouldn't you just go find some place to take a nap?

>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
>Screw that, time for some sleep.

>>30472062
[I'll kill this shadowrun. That really is Claire. She's just still "satisfied". However, you can tell she's already getting hungry for Captain again.]

>>30472149
>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
[SHADOWRUNS INTENSIFY]

>>30472149
>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
The gut knows. Obey the gut.

>>30472149

Nap time

So does Rin really have Stockholm syndrome? Or did she lust want to fuck us?

>>30472149
>>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
There's still an Orcus at large and possibly an unidentified contact, if it wasn't Diablos in another face.

>>30472149
>Keep awake and listen to your gut!

File: 1393308440307.png-(109 KB, 496x606, touchfluffytail.png)

109 KB PNG

>>30472186
>So does Rin really have Stockholm syndrome? Or did she lust want to fuck us?
What do you think?

>>30472149
>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
Damnit Rin.

>>30472227
Ahhahahahahahaha!

>>30472227
oh god we ARE a harem protagonist!

>>30472149
>Keep awake and listen to your gut.

Trust our gut, it hasn't lead us wrong yet.

And dear god, Captain is kinda dense.

>>30472149
>>Keep awake and listen to your gut.
DON'T YOU FUCKING SLEEP ON ME

>>30472227
...well. It's a good thing we were able to resist Loony's fur that one time.

>>30472261
Probably the greatest harem protag in existence since we don't even give a fuck about crazy bitches.

>>30472227

Thank fucking god we didn't fight Lolidiablos

>>30472268
I can just imagine. It would have been a very tsundere love. Stupid disgusting Luna, it's not like I like it when your fur brushes me during training.

>>30472308
On that note, you should think about everyone who has seen you use your powers.

>>30472341
I was already shipping yandere Diablos/Cap regardless of gender as soon as that second fight started.

>>30472341

STOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPITSTOPIT

Oh poor captain

>>30472341
So Yeager loves us...that's going to be a plot point down the road. Speaking of which we should call that girl he was besotted with to make sure she's still ok.

>>30472341
The fur only applies on contact, and I don't think we've used the howl since we got it.

>>30472396
No. No we should not.

>writing

>>30472341
This Fur is an Eyesore

This Fur THis Fur thIsFUr
SO LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, HOW DO WE AVOID THE WAIFUS?

>>30472341
I think about no one. They're all shit.

>>30472479
Tell them we're gay.

>>30472479

We should get scales instead. Make them hard as steel too.

>>30472510
Not all of them are female.

>>30472479
I believe an applicable term is "By fire be purged."

>>30472520
or chitin


XENOMORPH 2 ELECTRIC BOOGALOO

>>30472538
Mechasexual then.

>>30472538
Tell them we're asexual.

>>30472565
You know there are robot girls, right? Don't give me a reason to use them.

>>30472565
>Rin starts taking those cyborg Black Dog enhancements.

>>30472581
Xenomorphsexual?

>>30472565
Before you suggest necrophilia, remember there's a dead girl working for Chief that's already slightly into us.

>>30472612
Also exists in girl form.

>>30472581
leave-me-the-fuck-alone-sexual

>>30472612
Isn't sadololi more or less a red xenomorph?

>>30472630
DO WANT
ALSO
CHITIN WHEN

>>30472630
>>30472613
>>30472612
>>30472583
>>30472581
>>30472565
Look here.
>>30472570
Love how everyone ignored the only one which actually works.

>>30472613
Wait, when did the ghost indicate an interest in us?

>>30472652
because that's not fun to talk about

>>30472632
None of them are going to believe that. Really, that answer would just be taken as us playing hard to get and encourage them to beget more aggressive and extreme.

>>30472652
Because they're trying to be funny, I guess.

>>30472652
See >>30472665.

>>30472149
You can't just sleep with this feeling in your gut. You have to go investigate this. Pushing past the crowd, you begin unconsciously sniffing the air. You don't know what you're looking for, really, but you're sure you'll know it when you see it. The strange looks of your peers don't bother you as you go on the prowl, beginning to pace the perimeter of the athletic meet. Someone, something is here. You're sure of it. It may just be those instincts Claire mentioned, but you can feel this wrongness. This intruder.

Your eyes scan the crowd, glazing over everyone you know to not be a threat. Students, their parents, their friends, people from out of town, visitors from abroad....none of them are what you're looking for. What you're trying to find is that 'void'. Yes, that absence behind this entire situation. The one who spoke to Rin and that mysterious informant. He's here, you're sure of it.

You check your watch. If he's going to strike, it would be best to strike...

>At the 7:00 Archery meet.
>At the 10:30 Track meet.
>At the 14:00 Soccer Match
>At the 20:00 Finale.

>>30472639
Well, I don't see an issue with that, Sadololis are outside of the zone that I'm willing to find ways to avoid.
Renegade Beings also fall into that zone.

>>30472689
>>At the 10:30 Track meet.

>>30472689
Damned if I know.

ok, what events do the traps we already found correspond to?
I remember electro bleachers, but not what they were bleachers for,
and the orcus tar, was that the parking lot?

>>30472689
Is this a "go back and look at the clues" decision, a "wherever we pick, the bad guys retroactively picked it too" decision, an "I'm not telling" decision, or something else? I'm not sure which disarmed traps correspond to which events.

>>30472689
>>At the 10:30 Track meet.

>>30472689
I'm going to go with
>At the 14:00 Soccer Match
solely because Rin seems to be involved in it and I wouldn't be surprised if they wanted to get rid of her since she's joined the UGN.

>>30472790
I shouldn't tell. I won't screw you guys just because you couldn't pick something out, though

>>30472689
>Go to all of them, in order, because fuckit you don't want mass casualties on you're head for being wrong.

>>30472689
Can't be the Finale, Finale is too obvious, if an attack hasn't happened by then everyone is going to be focused on defending it.

Archery Meet isn't crowded enough, it's not the most interesting thing to watch, and I doubt that everyone is here, there are going to be stragglers.

The Soccer Match is separated into two fields which might make it hard to catch all of them at once.

So I'd personally go after Track meet.

>At the 10:30 Track meet.

>>30472689
Okay, reviewing the previous threads, we took out the traps at the blacktop and the bleachers, and discovered another two (which the UGN disabled) at the playing fields and the tracks.
So, I think the only possible targets are the archery meet and the finale, and we can easily observe both.

>>30472901
It also can't be the soccer match because our instinct would have kept us there rather than leading us away.

File: 1393310298055.jpg-(42 KB, 500x419, 1362895008205.jpg)

42 KB JPG

>writing

>>30472689
>Archery.

>>30472983
So those missing students WERE melted down to use as asphalt! I KNEW IT!

>>30472983
I take it we failed.

>>30473014
I fail to see how we could have possibly succeeded. QXR is acting like he's given us clues but I haven't noticed shit.

>>30473053
I believe the clues where in the previous threads from this arc. Basically we're looking for an area we haven't cleared yet.

>>30473098
So I'm supposed to open up all the previous threads, scour them for clues, and come back here to post before the time is up.
Right. Okay.

>>30473136
No, it's not like that.

>>30473160
Well the only way I'm going to figure it out is if you tell me because I haven't got a fucking clue how any of the options are different to each other.

>>30473192
It doesn't matter, he's writing already, you missed your chance, they're all dead because you were too dumb.

>>30473192
I wouldn't give you a choice that was pass/fail with no clue. The choice affects something else entirely

>>30473192
This is what you get for not voting "finish the job" earlier.

>>30472689
>At the 20:00 Finale.

Everyone's gonna be there, gathered in one place. Best time to strike, really.

>>30473213

FUck it was too pick our partner for the fight

>>30473213
Who we get partnered with to deal with the final bosses?

>>30473232
Let's see, we chose the track right? Should be Fallen Angel.

File: 1393311099462.png-(131 KB, 355x596, kireisource2.png)

131 KB PNG

>>30473232
>>30473234

>>30473232
>>30473234
>>30473259
>>30473262
FUCK
LUNATIC WHERE?

>>30473316
Passed out drunk somewhere.

>>30472689
It has to be the track meet. Fortunately, even though you spent so long combing the area, you should be able to make it back to the meet in time. You dash through the crowds to make your way to the long, looping track and the many families waiting to see their children run. This is where the Chief and Rin were setting up earlier...just looking at these rows upon rows of seats reminds you of the hours you spent unfolding these stupid lawn chairs. But that's not important right now...

--

As you expected, this is where most of the people are today. The events are over so quickly that people come and go all the time, and the crowd never really gets bigger or smaller. The audience is lined up in a nice loop around the track and they're tightly packed due to the lack of elevated seating. The roar of the crowd hurts your ears as your strain your senses to find that one person who doesn't make a sound. What you're looking for here isn't really some sign, but rather the utter lack of it. A quiet spot in this sea of noise.

...

And you find it, the one perfectly silent place in this entire field. You instantly rush it, grabbing for an otherwise empty space with your hand. You feel the softness of cotton and snatch the invisible target without a second thought. It's at that moment you feel it. You struggle to move, but everything happens in slow motion. You can see a sphere of muted colors spread out over the fields, grabbing everything as it expands. This is...

"Yes. This is my territory now. You've gotten on my nerves for the last time!"

This will end in tears.

>>30473338
No, I want to know which option was Lunatic option.

>>30473388

You can see this person for what they are now. A young boy in a hooded jacket. He jumps from your slowed grasp and lands a few feet away. Even in your slowed state, you release your Warding. There's no way you can let him get away now, especially with this kind of control. Before you can move, you see him raise a hand. The chairs around him levitate and contort, forming a large mass of twisted metal and plastic.

"Even you will die if you can't move. Get lost!"

He's right, there's nothing you can do right now! The ball of junk hurtles towards you and--

A bright crimson lance falls from the sky and pierces it to the ground. A small figure hops down in front of you, her shining blonde hair instantly recognizable.

"How shameful, Wild Card. He would have killed you with no resistance."

The Chief turns around and suddenly bites you on the shoulder. Is she crazy!? Instantly, though, you can feel your blood begin to move again, and your strength returns to your body She must be releasing whatever hold he has on you. After a moment, the Chief pushes you back and wipes her mouth with a handkerchief.

"Bullets will be here soon. For now, why don't we take care of this terrorist?"

[Typing up first turn of combat. Sorry this is taking a while, so much to write]

It's not like you have a choice.

>>30473416
CHIEF
maximum excite

>>30473416
>Chief
We picked well anons, we picked well.

>>30473416
>chief
oh my god yes
so the options were completely unrelated, then?

>>30473416
"Even if there's two of you, I won't be so easy to beat. This entire field is my Domain. I make the rules! Up is down, down is up! Don't think you know what to expect!" You suddenly feel a strange sensation wash over you, and the colors of the world suddenly invert. What is..

[ENEMY SKILL USED]

"Here I come, UGN bastards!"

He leaps forward, the world crumbling around him as he advances. With a wave of his hand, he rips up a track of land, casting the people stuck on it to either side. You try to dodge left but...you move right? That's not what you meant to do at all! Confused, you don't notice when the smashes you with the wall of earth. You look to the Chief, who seems to be having similar problems even standing. Eventually, the Chief bits down on her arm, letting loose a torrent of blood. It forms a mist around the two of you, and the terrorist jumps away from the crimson cloud.

"This is just a stalling tactic, Wild Card. Go occupy him while I figure this out!"

You don't need to be told twice. On shaky legs, you jump out of the blood mist and back into battle. However, the moment you get there, you already see a tree hurtling towards you. Your body won't respond right, everything's going wrong. Even so, you must...

>Strike
>Crash
>Guard

[New Partner Skill:

Embrace: The Chief bites you and takes a portion of your blood. In return, she grants you unnatural vitality. Declare as part of any move. You recover one point of damage against you or resolve one status effect.]

>>30473534
totally

>>30473416
>The Chief
FUCK YA

>>30473582
>Strike

>>30473582
We're probably dealing with reversed move matchups.
>Guard!

>>30473624
This

>>30473582
>Strike
Toss the tree back at him.

Again, I am so sorry for being slow tonight.

>>30473582
>>30473624
Good point
>Guard

>>30473582
Okay, it's a Crash, but we can't Strike.

If we Strike then we'll end up doing something else, that's my guess as to what this guy's ability does to us. It reverses the matchups.

So Guard will beat Crash, Crash will beat Strike, and Strike will beat Guard.

So Guard, if we're wrong then we'll have more data on his ability and Chief's Embrace allows us an extra fuck up along the line.

>>30473662
It's fine. You're writing more.

>>30473582
>Howl

>>30473582
Guard with Domination Howl.

This is the last thread of the arc anyway. Let's use it.

Looks like you want to Guard
>Writing

>>30473698
Oh yeah that's true. USE THE HOWL

>>30473582
You may as well have rolled for it, in that case.

>>30473698
+1

>>30473698
Good point.

>>30473582
Guard + Domination Howl.

>>30473732
Howl too

>>30473739
I'm kind of uncomfortable with using the howl for this, because what if *that* gets reversed?

>>30473732
oh man, well maybe next move could use howl.

Guess I'll use the Howl too. Never know how long to wait for these combat choices.

>>30473754
That was my worry as well. I don't want to use it when we have no idea how it well interact.

>>30473782
No worries. Sometimes someone just squeaks a timely argument in at the end.

>>30473802
only one way to find out anyway.

>>30473754
Hmm, chief can still talk normally, so we should be fine.

>>30473859
Really don't think that is a good metric.

>>30473883
Maybe, but it's all we've got to go on.

>Domination Howl Successful

You don't know how to move your body yet, but you're just not going to throw in the towel yet. You dig deep within yourself, gathering up all the resentment, frustration, and rage you've built up these past five days. All of this...no, everything is this punk's fault! He's the reason you got electrocuted! He's the reason you got impaled! He's the reason you had to sit in a tight, stuffy box with Claire! He's the reason you had to set up chairs! He's the reason why you're not taking a nap!

Your rage reaches its peak and you let loose a howl. The sound almost bursts your own eardrums, but you don't care. All you want is to let this idiot know that he's ruined your week, and you intend to ruin his life for it. The boy stops cold, dropping his payload of debris prematurely. He hits the ground and scrambles back as you approach. The colors of the world return to normal, his concentration apparently broken by fear.

"I...I won't let you take me! Time and space are mine, you won't even touch me!"

A black sphere appears around him and the air contracts. With that, he vanishes. You spin around looking for him, and see him appear behind the Chief. He raises a hand, warping the air around it as he readies some kind of haymaker blow. Before you can call out to the Chief to warn her, she's already at his back...no, wait...She was behind him all along! The Chief sitting on the ground bursts into a bloody mist as the true Chief bites down on the terrorist's neck. She only drains him for a moment before the dark light swallows him up again and he reappears many yards away.

Damn! You'll never catch him at this rate.

"Offering support."

A storm of gunfire and light falls down upon the boy-terrorist, pinning him in place. Claire jumps out of the frozen crowd and helps the Chief gain her footing.

"I'm here, Captain. Make use of me however you will."

>>30474004
Right now, you need to stop this guy. He flashes back and forth, delivering blows to your blind spot before contracting space and vanishing again. Even Claire is having problems keeping her eyes on him, and the Chief has once more slipped into her bloody sea of mist. Before you know what's happened, he's reappeared behind Claire, ready to strike again.

>Strike
>Crash
>Guard

[Claire has returned, and with her, a new skill!

Battle Instinct: Claire's tactical foresight mixes with your own killer instinct to predict the enemy's moves. Declare as part of any move. On the following turn, you are made aware of the enemy's true move, as well as any Renegade Powers they are using. Only usable once per scenario]

>>30474004
>He's the reason why you're not taking a nap!
Damn right, Cap.

>>30474034
>Guard
Jump to Claire and GUARD.

File: 1393313813077.jpg-(30 KB, 350x162, Death_Note_In_A_Nutshell350px.jpg)

30 KB JPG

>>30474004

>>30474034
>Guard, with Claire's power.
It's the final battle of the arc, unless there's a secret boss fight or something. Might as well go all out.

>>30474034
>Guard
Use Battle Instinct this turn to have the next turn ready.

>>30474034
I don't even know what he's doing.

It looks like evasive maneuvers, so maybe he's Guard.

But it's also fast and he's about to hit Claire, so it looks like Strike.

Unless that was all charging up an attack and he's really Crash attacking.


Meh. Fuck it.
>Guard
>Battle Instinct

>>30474127
The secret boss is Lavos.

>>30474055

Seconding.

>>30474034
Hmm, this feels more like a Guard than a Strike to me, sure it's fast and accurate but attacking and vanishing feels like more like a delaying tactic.

So Crash.

>>30474138
Pretty sure it's a strike. Certainly doesn't look like a crash since he's expending a lot of energy instead of charging up.

>>30474034

"...ready to strike again."

Claire's skill? If so, it doesn't count as our one use I assume.

>>30474166
If it's a strike or guard and we guard then we get a point of damage no matter what. Even if it is a guard and we take a point, we have the Chief to heal us.

If it's a strike or guard and we crash, we either do no damage or one damage.

Guarding is better.

>>30474203
True, and if we use Claire's power then we have a pretty much guaranteed 3rd hit which should finish this kid off.

It's his fault we have to actually work, what a jerk.

So, Guard + Battle Instinct, yes?
>writing

>>30474139
OP, would you mind detailing the combat system in the setting resource document? I never seem to remember the defining features of guards and strikes...

>>30474228
I will. It's one of the things I got lazy about this week, but I really promise I will this time.

>>30474166
It feels pretty guardy to me too, but I voted guard anyway. If it is a guard, I wonder what a successful crash against it would look like. He's already right behind Claire, so we don't have time for anything big and slow before his hit lands. Perhaps Claire would counter and hold him in place.

>>30474139
T-twelve thousand BC Lavos, or 1999 Lavos?

>>30474254
Maybe a successful crash would be grabbing him and hammerthrowing him into a wall or something. Or spinning and then jumping into the air to throw him at the ground.

>>30474034
You've got to protect Claire...even if you really don't want to.

You tear up the ground as you run forward, kicking up big chunks of dirt and grass behind you. Claire looks at you strangely, her eyes momentarily widening before she simply nods and lets her body go limp. You tackle her and push her to the ground, covering her body with your back. You don't imagine this guy can really hit that hard but..

You feel your spine shatter. Alright, so you were wrong about this guy hitting hard. His fist felt like it weighed a thousand kilograms. Just what in the hell--

You almost black out from a kick to the face. Damn, you're having trouble even thinking straight. Out of sheer stubbornness, you clamp your teeth down on the leg that just caved in your face. You glance down at Claire, who raises her pistols up, aligning them with either side of your head. Bells ring in your ears as she pulls the triggers, sending round after round into the boy. He's thrown backward, as if there was no weight to him at all...is that how he was so fast? The colors of the world begin to shift again, and you can feel the boy summoning up more power.

Never mind that, you've got to go finish him. You turn to Claire, you can already tell what she's thinking. She motions with her eyes over to the target. He's going to go all out with speed in this last attack, using his powers to confuse you. That's his only option left. That's right...he's so simple-minded. Why couldn't you figure him out before? You give an affirmative nod to Claire and decide to take the initiative for once. You already know what he's going to do, so that means you need to...

>Strike
>Crash
>Guard

BATTLE INSTINCT READING: The enemy is using the special skill "MAD WORLD", which reverses the normal match ups. His next attack will be a Strike.

>>30474401
Might as well start writing the next update.
>Crash!

>>30474401
So Crash him?

>>30474401
HAHA TIME FOR A CRASH FINISH

>>30474401
>Crash
HA HA TIME FOR MURDER

>>30474401
>Crash

>>30474401
I thought Guard beats Strike, Strike beats Crash, Crash beats Guard.

>Guard

>>30474401
What kind of attack was that, anyway?

>>30474445
>The enemy is using the special skill "MAD WORLD", which reverses the normal match ups.

>>30474401
>Crash
Can Captain pull a piledriver?

>>30474445
FUCK NEVER MIND

>>30474401
>Crash

>>30474401
CRASH!

>>30474445
MAD WORLD reverses the normal matchups.

>>30474446
I'm guessing we tied with that Guard.

>>30474446
The enemy's attack? It was a Guard. He was running away, collapsing space with gravity control to continually teleport and get in a cheap shot.

>>30474485
So, we'd have caught him with a reversed Strike...darn.

>>30474427
Ha ha. Well, you could always pick wrong if you wanted.

But yeah

>writing.

>>30474503
I don't think Mad World was active for that round.

>>30474401
The boy once more seizes control of reality, shifting everything to its polar opposite. But...you're ready now. You won't be fooled by his little trick. You just have to think in reverse. Beginning with your finishing blow, your mind works backwards, going through the necessary steps to win. You've already seen it in your thoughts, now you just have to do it.

Like a shadow, Claire moves along with you, copying your movements with eerie precision. You calmly walk to the boy, raising your clawed fist. Your arms bulge with muscle, and your breathing becomes calm and smooth. Beside you, Claire cocks her weapon, ejecting an unspent case. She holds the round in her hands until it shines brightly with a rose-colored light. Without taking her eyes off the target, she replaces the round into the magazine and loads it into the chamber.

"You UGN dogs! I won't--"

He won't anything. Claire's shining bullet slams into his chest, and your fist follows shortly after. The boy is sent hurtling into the distance, slamming into the large, bright lights over the soccer field. You can swear you hear the crackling of electricity, but that must be your imagination. They wouldn't be on this early in the day would they?

>>30474652
In a few moments, the boy's hold over time fades and the world returns to its normal hues and speed. You suppose you can count this as one more victory, can't you? Claire jumps on you, hanging off your neck.

"You were so dashing when you saved me, Captain. Now, please, take me to the storage shed so that I can give you your just reward. I'm more than ready, so you don't even need to bother with any warm-ups."

Claire leans in, aiming for your face, but you push her off. You've had quite enough of that.

"Yes, well, Wild Card, impressive showing as always. I must admit, you do have the knack for combat," the Chief says as she approaches, dusting off her clothes. She eyes you and Claire for a moment before crossing her arms, "Unlike Claire, I can't really reward someone who isn't part of our organization. So congratulations is all you'll get from me. Be grateful!"

You'll be grateful when you can go home...

[Small break for nicotine and the bathroom. Hope that was a good combat for you guys]

>>30474666
>So congratulations is all you'll get from me. Be grateful!"
Bitch. I hope Diablos breaks out and stabs you first.

>>30474666
Yeah! We beat up a child, fuck that kid.

It was an enjoyable fight, I liked Mad World.

Do you guys think that there's anything we can compliment Claire on that she won't take as us returning her affection?

Like her combat skills, for instance?

>>30474688
>Doesn't appreciate a jealous, frustrated icequeen.

>>30474688
Aww, you don't like the Chief's charms?

Anyway, back and
>writing
I like watching you guys chat.

>>30474783
Ignore him, the vampire queen is clearly best girl. I just prefer to to engage in discourse with savages.

>>30474783
I like the Chief's charms, she's amusing.

Though I might like Claire the most, sure she's a bit loony, but she's a remarkably nice person, she even tried to wingman for Rin, she's a good cook, and I like her interactions with the Captain.

Chief is best. Lunatic close second.
threesome when

>>30474708
And just to be clear, every inch given will be stretched a mile. We go home and give in to sleep or hunger, whichever is stronger.
Plus that tackle-guard had to have been, like 5-10 headpats. She's got to be just chuffed.

>>30474666
You have a seat on one of the folding chairs, watching Shining Void minister appropriate mind-altering substances to the crowd. Although they didn't witness any of the fight and there were no casualties or serious injuries, the recently destroyed athletic fields need to have some kind of explanation. Void seems to have decided on an errant mini twister ripping through the field, and is in the process of blanking people's minds and filling it with suggestions. The Chief has told you a more permanent solution is coming in from out of town, so you figure that this will wrap up cleanly.

Your stomach grumbles. That's another fight this week and even more hunger clawing at your mind. You could eat anything right now, but you're too stubborn to admit it. Claire is normally already shoving food down your throat, but she appears to be helping direct the crowd to their routine memory bleaching. The meet will resume as normal after this gets cleared up, so you suppose you could stick around for the Finale if you wanted, or maybe just take this opportunity to head home and catch some early sleep. Either way, you consider this case to be closed, and resolve yourself to never become a private investigator in the future. Far too much legwork. Far too much talking. Far too much everything.

>Stick around for the show. It's not like you have plans.
>Go feed yourself before you go crazy.
>Screw this, you're going home.

>>30474866
>Go feed yourself before you go crazy.

>>30474866
>Go feed yourself before you go crazy.

Fuck it, hunger wins. Follow our bestial desires.

>>30474866
>>Go feed yourself before you go crazy.
Fooooooood

>>30474866
>Drag Chief off to find food.
>Ask her what happened to those missing students.

>>30474904
This.

>writing

We could also go fishing.

>>30475006
Too much work.

>>30474866
It can't wait anymore. You absolutely have to eat something or you'll lose your mind out here.

You get up and head over to the picnic tables to see what food is left after all that carnage. There were piles and piles of food there, enough to serve these thousands of people. There's got to be something good left, right?

Wrong. All that's left are a few slices of bread and a lot of fruit punch. Everything else has been scattered across the lawn and mashed into a pulp. You feel your stomach growl at you. Well, even if it's been on the ground, it's not like you'll get sick from it, right? So what's the harm? You get down on the ground and begin to search for scraps large enough to eat.

"How disgraceful."

You look up to see the Chief with a plate of hot food in her hands. You sniff the air. Is that...steak? Where did she get steak!?

"Does it matter where I got it? I was thinking that perhaps you earned a hot meal, but seeing you crawl around in the dirt like an animal...I'm not sure you deserve it, Wild Card."

You practically jump off the ground and grab at the plate. The Chief pulls it away and sets it on the table. She sits opposite your side and puts some silverware down by the plate.

"Promise to eat like a human being, and then I'll let you have it."

You're not really an animal. You were just hungry. Nevertheless, you do as you're told and sit down, cutting up the meat like you used to before this damn Renegade took over your life. The Chief silently stares at you, eyeing your neck and shoulder for a moment before speaking up.

"So, again, I'd like to tell you that you've done a great job. You've really outdone yourself as a simple volunteer. Are you truly certain that you don't want to join us? I could give you a higher rank than normal, given your efforts..."

>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no.
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

>>30475085
>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no.

>>30475085
>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

If we play our cards right we could end up doing even less work.

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

>>30475085
>>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no.

>>30475085
>Refuse.

>>30475085
>>30475085
>>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no.
Fucking homo are trying to ruin this.

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

Samefags trying to ruin the quest please go away.

>writing
Stopping count now

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.
On the condition that Claire does all the paperwork.

>>30475108

Yep, seconding. I suspect these "volunteer" assignments are going to get less and less agreeable if we continue to refuse. The Captain has worked the system (maybe in his mind, anyway) his whole life, how could the UGN be any different from those dopes at school? (in reality the captain has no idea what he's in for)

>>30475136
Stop taking things so personally, m8. No one is trying to ruin anything.

>>30475085
>Give in already. Turning her down so many times is too much work.

Come on. What could be the harm? We might even get Claire off our back.

>>30475085
>>Refuse. No matter how many times she asks, no means no.
You're really going to have to make a more compelling argument, Chief.

>>30475138
>>30475139
godfuckingdamnit piece of shit internet drops out right when I need to vote.

These are the votes I counted, so there can be no dispute.

Refuse:
>>30475097
>>30475104
>>30475118
>>30475128
>>30475129

Accept:
>>30475106
>>30475108
>>30475115
>>30475130

>>30475155
Yah, I chose the wrong time to go get a sandwich. In all fairness, Captains hunger stoked my own.

>>30475138

I'm okay with whatever result, but that was a pretty short window for voting (~5 mins). I guess you're trying to deter samefagging, and that's laudable, but this seems like a pretty major decision. If it's not a major decision, then sorry for bitching and continue as before.

>>30475171
Oh thank god. So close. Anti-mediocrefags trying to ruin shit.

>>30475171
It's my fault for not being her to vote OP. I'm sorry.

>>30475171
Man. With the next three votes, we would have had a tie.

>>30475175
It's kinda big, but not so big that it would drastically change the dynamic. Think of it more of a choice to influence Chief's disposition.

>>30475171
Despite not making the cutoff, I hope you still read my comment.
because I do want Chief to try and get more... compelling

I'm glad no drastic choices were made while hungry.

File: 1393319436385.gif-(905 KB, 500x728, 1.gif)

905 KB GIF

>>30475171
Thank you Based God for guiding us through these horrible, trying, waifufaggot times.

>>30475216
You have no idea what you just did to yourselves

>>30475227
We got eaten. Pretty obvious I think.

>>30475227
Whatever it is, it's still better than joining the UGN.

>>30475227
We just pissed off the Chief pretty badly, huh?

>>30475227
I remember you saying that before.

>>30475227
I hope the chief hates us. It'll help dispel the waifufags.

>>30475238
We're the protagonist, either we join the good guys or we join the bad guys. There's no lazy middle ground for us to slack off in.

>>30475254
You've clearly never read vampiric hatesex smut.

>>30475171
so going into the next arc as neutral.
eh.

>>30475227
Joining the UGN at this point would be completely out of character.

>>30475260
Then what have we been doing in the past few threads? All that work was done for the express purpose of slacking off once this whole thing was over.

>>30475227
You only excite me further. I was fantasizing about chief getting her epee out for some regenerator heart-skewering after the last one.

>>30475254

she'll do more than hate us, she's going to hurt us.

>>30475260

yep

>>30475287
Yeah, but joining the UGN would result in us not being allowed to slack off EVER AGAIN.

>>30475260
>There's no lazy middle ground for us to slack off in.
You clearly weren't here for the the majority of this quest.

>>30475272
i have a feeling some people will take it that captain is a member of a far superior secret organization and just makes him their target.

>>30475293
Hopefully she bursts into tears and runs away crying. Might or might not make Captain feel like a total shit.

>>30475297

what do you think lunatic high and shining void do all day?

>>30475274
Not really. Joining on the condition that we never so much as see a sheet of paperwork would be in character. As is we just pissed away any free time we might have had as our class president will be shifting a substantial portion of her work load to us and docking all the extra hours Claire put in for us because she caught on to her scheme awhile ago.

>>30475305
fuck and drink.

>>30475305
Hmm, you have a compelling argument.

>>30475307
>she caught on to her scheme awhile ago.
What? When did that happen?

>>30475300
Have you noticed how we've slowly been forced to do more and more work? Yeah, I'm totally off base there.

>>30475307
We've denied 2 or 3 requests to join before this one. It would be out of character no matter how you rationalize it to yourself.

>>30475317
Let's see, Chief knows how much we slack off. She reads Claire's reports, including how many hours of over time we're putting in. She call bullshit on us only sleeping 8 hours a day.

Very simple.

>>30475331
Did we take a nap instead of hunting around for little Mr. Teleported? Characters change, Captain is slowly realizing that you have to put some effort in if you want to reap time to slack off. And he actually gives a shit about civilian casualties now.

>>30475332
That theory doesn't really hold considering that the Chief has been involved in several of the events that have occurred while the Captain was on overtime.

>>30475085
No way in hell. Didn't the Chief straight up bite you and drink your blood today? Why would you want to work on someone who gets a sick thrill out of sucking blood?

The Chief smacks her hand on the table and gets up. Even at her full height, she's not very imposing. She turns red in the face and opens up her mouth to shout at you, her fangs already bared.

"I don't want to hear that from someone who was crawling on the ground for scraps! Do you think I liked your blood? Do you think it tasted good? Well, it didn't! It didn't at all! In fact, I feel like I want to throw up just thinking about how I have you inside me!"

The Chief flips your plate over, knocking the food across the table. She scowls at you, sticking out her tongue before marching off to rejoin the others, leaving you to eat the steak off the table.

Hm. It's still pretty good.

--

>>30475347
>And he actually gives a shit about civilian casualties now.
Does he?

>>30475347
>Characters change
Little things change. Basic fundamentals don't. Captain is the leader of the Go Home Club. Changing is against his very nature.
>And he actually gives a shit about civilian casualties now.
lol

>>30475355

Several weeks later, you open your front door to find the Chief staring back at you, still wearing the same scowl she had on that day. Behind her are scores of her servants, each carrying several bags and a few holding up rather large pieces of furniture. Just what is she getting at here?

"Step aside, Wild Card."

It's less of a question and more of a greeting, Chief shoves you out of the way, letting her parade of servants rush into your home. They immediately get to work rearranging your furniture and putting up the Chief's own in their place. While it's not your style, you have to admit--they're pretty good at this interior decoration thing. But that's less important. What's important is what the hell the Chief is doing here?

"I'm moving in. A powerful Overed like yourself requires more supervision than just Bullets can offer alone. The threat of that last attack made the UGN council realize that our Island needs more branches. They've since established two branches on the outskirts of New Zanzibar and have allocated new Overed from overseas to staff it. Simply put, I don't have to do all the work anymore, so I can give you my full attention."

She what?

"Yes. Since you utterly refuse to join us, I feel I simply must keep a close eye on you. From here on, your house is my headquarters. Claire will be my assistant on your case. She has *so* much experience with you, after all."

>>30475351
>Chief has been involved in all the events where Captain worked over time, therefore she won't be suspicious about him working overtime without her involvement!

Pretty sure I don't follow.

>>30475364
Wait, Claire's what?! But..but what about your parents? They can't be okay with something like this!

"Your parents? ...Ah, yes, don't worry. Extra welfare has been allocated to take care of all of these arrangements. Now, now, come show me which room will be for Claire and I. There's two of us, so we need plenty of space. Let's not forget the desk and the armoire and..."

You put a hand to your head. You're already losing your mind. You sit down and try to think. As you attempt to process this situation, someone hands you a cold drink. Without thinking, you drink it down and look up.

There stands Claire, in all her glory. She leans over and looks you dead in the eyes, her face slightly flushed with excitement.

"I'll be in your care from now on, Captain."

Please. Please, no.

[THREAD END.]

>>30475364
Look where your refusal has gotten us, jackasses.

File: 1393320713692.gif-(2.67 MB, 236x467, 1385161935070.gif)

2.67 MB GIF

>>30475364
What the fuck is even happening anymore

>>30475364
We need to go vagrant.

>>30475364

what glorious irony. waifu haters vote not to join the UGN, now the chief (and probably claire by default) move in with us.

>>30475378
We're going full anime.

>>30475375
I take it back. We made the right choice guys, sorry I ever doubted you!

>>30475364
Time to go rogue. Or join False Hearts.

>>30475387
Does that mean Rin is moving in as well?

I almost voted to join, but instead I just closed the reply box and watched without voting.

I'm so glad that I got cornpops instead.

>>30475381
>waifu haters
I'm pretty sure most of those people just wanted to keep up Captain's character.
I don't really mind this. DXR probably planned to pull something similar either way.

>>30475387
Wait, if Chief moved in does that mean Ghost Girl Zombie did too?

File: 1393320899359.jpg-(58 KB, 251x251, 1392621636789.jpg)

58 KB JPG

>>30475375
IT BEGINS