>>33752535
Your story, the memories now your own which feel foreign despite your intimate familiarity, flows from her perspective. Beryl bristles in the back of your mind at your explanations and the perspective you give her actions.

The accord with the darkness named Metallia. Breaking and conquering the hearts and minds of the kingdom. Assaulting the moon, delighting in the fall of young lovers, and Metallia’s advance upon a fully populated solar system.


How it all burned before the dark was sealed within the silver weapon of the Moon Queen. You recount how the mother of the girl Beryl hated so sacrificed her own life that all those who had perished by that dark power would be reborn in another age, reincarnated.


You don’t remember anything of the next life beyond Beryl. Bolstered by whispers of Metallia, she rose and subsumed the existence of her second chance and continued to spread cruelty upon the world and restore the power of Metallia. She twisted those she could find of her old conquests and claimed herself Queen. Earth would again be her Dark Kingdom.


And it would have been, if not for Sailor Moon. The princess reborn saved Earth at the cost of her court and guardians, after you tore apart the mind of her beloved whom was once your obsession. After all the terrible things you did, she offered you mercy. Mercy you did not deserve. Mercy you spat at in disgust.


“Keiko,” Midori’s words tread carefully, “She isn’t you. Please stop saying that you did those things,”

>>33752569
“I...I hadn’t noticed I was doing that,” you swallow and fall onto the side of your bed to curl up on yourself, “She’s still there, waiting. It surprised her that we’re still separate after she unleashed our memories,”


She remains quiet, as does Beryl. The moment passes as the sun finally dies in a last burst of reds and purples, heralding the birth of night beyond your window. Midori stands up and walks over to the window.


“That’s good, right?” she leans against the frame and watches the pedestrian heavy street of people returning home and going about their Saturday evening business and leisure, “She isn’t strong enough to take over,”


“Maybe...Midori,” you push yourself off and stare at your friend’s silhouette against the light cast on your window by porchlight, “Thank you for believing me,”


“I kind of had too after that guy put you through a wall,” she falls away from the window and drops onto the bed beside you, “So, did seeing Sailor Moon on TV push her over the edge into sharing the memories or-”


“How can you be so casual about this?” you interrupt her question.

>>33752586
“Because it probably won’t help any if I started freaking out,” she sighs and lays back across the bed with her arms propped behind her head.

Considering her words, you try to search your mind for an answer to her question. Beryl burns silently inside of you, her frustration dissimilar from your own. You feel so much closer to her, so much more aware of her. She disgusts you. You believe yourself to be disgusting.


Miki’s words echo in your memory, your real memory, reminding you to decide who you don’t want to be. Well, you don’t want to be Queen Beryl. You may have already been the beautiful girl, jealous of others who found love, but you wouldn’t be that monster. No matter how much easier it would be to give in to it, the power pushing at the edge of your awareness.

“It was her realizing that Sailor Moon had found her happy ending. She put the pieces together when you pointed me to the tv on the train,” you relent.


Midori props herself up on her elbows and looks over to you.


“Not sure if I understand,”


“Its like you said at the theater,” you breath deeply and steady your nerves, “they were already there,”

Interlude End

>>33752615
Quest Start


Butter, sugar, flour, eggs, powder, soda, vanilla, and heart. Huddled together before the bowls it became a competition between the two of you to mix and fold these components. Spatulas whirling in experienced action to cream both the dough and the competition.


A timer dings and you and the blonde madwoman grit your teeth at one another, set your bowls on the counter, and spin in place while pulling matching oven gloves from your matching bunny print aprons. Together you practically dive at the oven and squabble over who's cookies were coming out first.


It had started out differently. The first batch that went in the two of you worked on together. Idle chatter and shared moments of laughter...but then one of you made an offhand comment after the first batched finished cooling enough to try out. At this point neither of you could recall who started it, but a peaceful mother daughter bake off had transformed into a competition of who was the better cook.


The dough was quick to make, and it baked in under ten minutes, so the cooling racks were now piling high with two growing mounds of separate competition cookies betwixt yourself and your mother.

OH I CAUGHT A THREAD IN TIME!

File: image.jpg (47 KB, 580x406)

47 KB JPG

>>33752640
You are Koyomi Chiba, second year High School Student age 15, and you have lost control of your pink haired life. Practically snarling at one another forehead to forehead, you and your mother come to a peace accord and open the oven together and quickly remove the baking trays from opposite sides.


Your loving and supportive mother looks like she is about to unleash a boast of some kind about this latest round of action made confectionery cookie.


>Preempt her with a boast or insult of your own. What do you say?

>Let her waste energy on trying to psyche you out, time is cookies!

>She’s going down, you can win at yelling!

>This is childish and has spiralled out of control, remind her she is the adult here. How?

>This is childish and has spiralled out of control, act like the adult here. How?

>Write in

>>33752681

>Let her waste energy on trying to psyche you out, time is cookies!

And when that doesn't work

>She’s going down, you can win at yelling!

>>33752681
>Let her waste energy on trying to psyche you out, time is cookies!

>She’s going down, you can win at yelling!

>>33752681
>>Let her waste energy on trying to psyche you out, time is cookies!
More haste, less speed!

>>33752615
Oh dear.

>>33752681
>Koyomi Chiba
*cough*Mikage*cough*

>>33752681
>>Let her waste energy on trying to psyche you out, time is cookies!
THIS. IS. COOKIES.

>>33753103
Gah! How did I miss that!

Attention all, you are playing Mikage. Mikage.

Rolled 15

Looks like you're letting her waste her energy. Please give me an opposed 1d20 roll, I'll add modifiers later.

>>33753051
I see it as promising. Beryl hasn't been able to subsume her despite her attempt.

>>33753230

Rolled 5

>>33753230

Rolled 18

>>33753230

>>33753252
Oh come on.

Rolled 17

>>33753230
Rollin!

Rolled 8

>>33753234
That part is good, yes. Though there is also an identity leak for all the scouts.

Okay then, writing.

>>33753266
aw man
>>33753279
>>33753281
thank fuck the dice gods aren't vengeful against us all tonight

File: oven_burning_food_hg_wht-1.gif (120 KB, 350x350)

120 KB GIF

Rolled 12

>>33753230
>the future

>>33753348
More like my kitchen and apartment right now. Was oven 'frying ' some chicken that turned out to have way more fat than usual.

You smirk as you relax your posture, turning away from her likely frontal assault and set about sliding the parchment paper from the tray and onto your side of the dueling cooling racks. Your mother, the ridiculous woman that she is, follows suit a second later on her side of the cooling racks. There is mirth in her eyes once both trays are empty. She thinks she has your number.

"When your father gets home you can get him to judge one of yours first," her words creep up alongside you with innocent enough airs, "So then when he tries my cookies he'll be so blown away that he'll forget your feeble attempts at baking!"

>Usagi Chiba attempts a verbal Feint to leave you flat footed.

You stare at your mother for a second...unable to speak. Who does she think you are, some child who'd panic over daddy not liking her food best, as though she were any authority. And did she REALIZE the horrible double entendre she just walked into? Oh...she did. She's blushing and stammering about that not being what she meant.

>Feint Failed, you are immune to being Socially flat footed anyway. Also your mother is a terrible at lying.

Grabbing the roll of parchment paper, you prepare another tray and immediately being doling out your most recently folded batch of dough onto your secondary tray will the primary cools. You'll use this stuttering as an in to inch ahead when the two of you have been moving neck and neck. To her credit, your mother recovers quickly and follows you down the path of preparation. Your next batch is in the oven just as she's still doling out her dough, you set the timer. She'll be at your mercy, having to do math in her head to figure out how long to reset the timer after your batch is done to make sure her own aren't over or underdone. The two of you had been neck and neck since the competitive portion of this baking night got started, and with no more butter left in the house and almost no more baking soda and sugar this was the final batch.

>>33752615
Wow, she's messed up. Maybe we should distribute cookies to her and Midori. Gai and Kairi as well. This is assuming we do not eat all the cookies.

>>33754215
By that metric alone you've pulled through a crucial turn in this battle. Turning to face your mother, you cannot hide your smug visage. She narrows her eyes at you. Closing the oven with a quick and gentle quick with the back of your heel you set your hands upon your hips.

>"Next you'll say-"
>"You are already dead,"
>Say nothing, just smile at her victoriously.
> This is fun, but you don't want this to become some big personal grudge. What? I'm not aloud to be the voice of reason or love mom?
>"I don't wan to beat you in this way, I want to go cookie to cookie and see who crumbles!"
>"we've gotten a bit out of hand, haven't we," smile
>hug her from behind, whether it is earnest or meant as sabotage we'll leave up to you.
>Write in

>>33754235
>"Next you'll say-"
Joseph the best JoJo.

>>33754235
Scrap that post, I some how missed the JoJo reference.

>>33754285
Is right.

>>33754235
>> This is fun, but you don't want this to become some big personal grudge. What? I'm not aloud to be the voice of reason or love mom?
We should listen to our estranged subconscious.

>>33754235
>"we've gotten a bit out of hand, haven't we," smile
>hug her from behind, whether it is earnest or meant as sabotage we'll leave up to you.

>>33754285
This
I can't resist!

Looks like someone wants to put their inherited psychic powers to use. Give me 1d20+2, best of 3 vs DC 15

1s and 20s wild.

Rolled 11 + 2

>>33754612
Really? Who did?

Rolled 14 + 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6Yn6Qetr0

>>33754612
Ah, was wonder what we were guessing she would say.

>>33754668
Everyone who voted "Next you'll say-" and pull off the Joseph Joestar trick. Even if her favorite comic is the imported HBR, I bet Mikage is nerd enough. Remember, one of her splinters is a Frumpy fujoshit

Still need 1 more die roll.

Rolled 1 + 2

>>33754875
Oh

HERE WE GO

Rolled 4 + 2

>>33754612
Alright, time to roll!

>>33754945
ARTEMIS WHAT IS WITH ME AND ROLLING 1S IN YOUR QUEST? THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME

>>33754967
As long as you roll them at comically appropriate times, we'll be good.

>>33754945
... Nah, I can't be mad. This is gonna be good.

My my, two degrees of failure. You won't have predicted your mother's next words at all. Whose words did find your lips?

I wonder...

Writing, after I check my NPC event timelines.

...ah who am I kidding. I run off the cuff with minimal notes.

>>33754967
Eah, I've had 1s and almost as many 20s. Such is the fickle nature of dice.

On the upside, seems an amusing time to have a poor roll, we are her daughter afterall, and she just as she fails at social fu hard, so must we from time to time.

Either way, don't worry yourself.

>>33755266
Revise that: WORRY.

File: 1370795822406.jpg (179 KB, 510x510)

179 KB JPG

>>33755266
Hey guys where are we at so f-OH SHIT WAT R U DOIN!?

>>33755838
Failing to be Joseph.

>>33755908
To be honest, that is a high bar to bar for.

Laying one hand firmly on your hip, you pivot slightly with the oven behind you and raise the index finger of your other hand before your face before leveling it at mother dearest. Your victory is at hand, so of course you have to do something cool and seemingly supernaturally competent to show this woman that you are no longer just her darling child, but a woman in your own right!

~Next you'll say,~ the clear leylines of psychokinetic possibility stretch before your still developing sixth sense. These lines of fate crisscross about, between the two of you, between the sleeping cat girl mama and her sleeping babe on the couch, between all things that will interact. These threads fold into a ribbon, circling your mother and you can feel the words before she'll say them! But, a thread spikes into your metaphysical third eye. It lances from physically far away but contextually relevant to your existence...and totally flubs making you look cool, ~If we can't trust PIT to not lock you up, we can always call and ask her for help,~

...wait what? You stand there stunned as your mother stares at you in confusion. She quirks her head a bit and just...stares at you concerned. The fiery competitive passion dropping right out of her as a power greater than her fighting spirit takes over.

Setting her tray down on the counter, she's on you in a second. The back of her hand pressed against your forehead as she peers into your eyes looking for anything out of the ordinary.

~M-Mom!~ you bark.

"I'm just checking to make sure you aren't delirious with fever, honey," she says with a warm edge of worry and maybe the tiniest bit of mirth.

~I am not delirious!,~ you push her hand away and huff in frustration, ~I was trying to use my psychometry to predict your next words as a sign of confidence in kicking your ass,~

"Well, failed abuse of super powers for petty conflict aside, you are really warm," you mother scolds with some concern.

~...I'm standing in front of a hot oven,~

>>33756014
"...so you are...well played, well played," she muses before kidding your forehead, "Either way, I AM allowed to worry sometimes, right?"

The question hangs rhetorically between you.

~Still, it was weird...and felt relevant,~ you wonder as your mother gives you a quick hug, pivots you out of her way to the oven, and slides her tray in.

She takes out her phone and turns on it's internal countdown timer. Huh, you didn't expect her to bring in out of kitchen technology into things. Had you still both been in cook to win mode, this would have you worried.

"Well, you did mention PIT. I'm sure whatever it is will come up later. Actually that reminds me! Since you still don't have classes on Monday, would you like to come with your sisters and I to the Metro building? We're going to have a big briefing on the state of things; and I figured you might want in...what with you still Eclipsing about,"

-two sets of choices-

>Can we not talk shop right now? (I'll get back to you later).
>Sure. It'll probably put Koyomi at ease if none of you react to Eclipse walking in with you.
>Sure, but I want to see if I can sneak in.
>No, I've got a few leads I don't want to let sit.
>No, I think I need to remain on the outskirts to better operate.
>write in

&

>I had fun, baking with you mom, thanks.
>I'm still winning this.
>shall we sample some cookies?
>write in

>>33756014
Hee.

> ~If we can't trust PIT to not lock you up, we can always call and ask her for help,~
... Not hee.

>>33756059
>Can we not talk shop right now? (I'll get back to you later).
>shall we sample some cookies?

Correction: kissing replaces the word kidding.

I must have rewritten that word there times and I thought it had stuck. Autocorrect, whatcha gonna do?

>>33756059
> It'll probably put Koyomi at ease if none of you react to Eclipse walking in with you, but I think I need to remain on the outskirts to better operate.

>shall we sample some cookies?

>>33756059
>Sure. It'll probably put Koyomi at ease if none of you react to Eclipse walking in with you.
>I'm still winning this.
Dammit, there are too many good reasons to do this and be at least a little bit honest about it. It's pretty much a straight shot towards blowing our fun little secret, but I just don't see an honorable way around that.

>>33756059
>>Can we not talk shop right now? (I'll get back to you later).
and
Cookie time!

>>33756059
>>No, I think I need to remain on the outskirts to better operate.
You guys are the center, I'm just.. the irregular.

>I had fun, baking with you mom, thanks.
Nothing shall come between us, and cookies.

>>33756059
>>Can we not talk shop right now? (I'll get back to you later).

Kinda sad that nobody likes my combination idea.

>>33756482
Mostly because I don't like the "Sure. It'll probably put Koyomi at ease if none of you react to Eclipse walking in with you." option.

Writing

Not Talking Shop, and cookie time

File: 20140724_220831.jpg (2.21 MB, 4128x2322)

2.21 MB JPG

On a related note, the clearencing of mixes has continued, should I make pumpkin spice cookies, pumpkin spice bars, or brownies today?
No idea how I would make them moon themed, but maybe I'll come up with something.

>>33756534
Brownies, to represent the dark side of the moon. Play Kotono Mitsuishi covering Pink Floyd while baking.

>>33756534
Because affecting other peoples kitchens via my blind words over the internet amuse me, I suggest you make brownies today, and draw my avatar upon the uncut surface in white icing!

...I'm a horribly demanding person.

>>33756496
Similar here, would rather try to keep Eclipse and the Scouts separated in the eyes of PIT and anyone else watching.

It is slowly becoming a given, out of character at least, that the girls will eventually all know, but even in that event I'd want them to act like they didn't, at least outside closed doors.

>>33756637
Hmm, I -do- still have a bit of lemon frosting leftover from last time. Trying to do a cat head can't be too much worse than trying to make those darn moon crests.

>>33756719
I suppose that's a good point. If PIT can't break our disguise on their own, they're not good enough at their supposed jobs to be worthy of the knowledge.

File: ARTEMIS.jpg (25 KB, 371x299)

25 KB JPG

>>33756797
Printing a template for reference might help

>>33756835
She wasn't asking you to walk in as Mikage.

File: 1406680247293.jpg (3.43 MB, 4128x2322)

3.43 MB JPG

>>33756797
HAH! For extra amusement, I notice the brand when I went to double check what I needed..

>>33756942
Glorious!

>>33756942
A sign...

ITS A SIGN

>>33756879
Of course we wouldn't attend in our civvie form. The point being, PIT should be a little suspicious of us. If they can't figure out who we are and what we're about when we're just tooling around under a glamour, then they aren't worthy of our trust. We shouldn't trust their intel, their equipment, or their operatives. Which places that briefing somewhere between a waste of time and a complete snafu waiting to happen. We should sneak in.

>>33757109
I wouldn't be that hard on them. However I favor skipping it and seeing about other business while other parties are busy. Also, need to be concerned that the Enemy would have similar ideas

>>33757302
It's not like I consider them actual enemies, but they've given me no reason to respect them. Or to believe that they won't be easily deceived and subverted by any reasonably clever opponent with a little magic to throw at them.

Your reason for sitting it out is also good, though. If we do miss anything important, we can always ask one of the several people we know who will have been there.

>>33757496
Dad seems to be our main point of contact there, along with a bit of eavesdropping.

Considering concern about the original Scouts being turned, we may want to court PIT a bit more, but as a separate dealing than from the Scouts.

>>33757109
Honestly, it would bug me more if they COULD see past the glamour. It'd make me wonder why even bother if they could bypass it so easily.

>>33757109
PIT itself seems to be decent, though with a misstep here and there, but probably the best we could have hoped for out of a joint military taskforce.

>>33757862
About the best thing I can see for them at the moment is that, so far as we know, they still have members who have not been eaten by demons.

~Can we not talk shop right now,~ you sigh and walk over to the cooling racks on the far counter and pick up two cookies at random, caring not from whose pile they’re drawn, ~shall we see how we did?~

Your mother’s smile softens and she embraces you in a gentle hug. Squeezing tightly once around your back, she lets go and places her hand on your shoulders.

“Sure, we’ll talk about it later. Just let me know what you’d like to do before we head out, okay,” she becomes serious, “You’re still a part of this family, and I’m still going to defeat you at cookies! Uh… which one is from my pile?”

~No idea. I think we’ve both already won,~ you smile and place one of the still warm cookies in your mother’s hand, ~On three?~

Your mother smiles and undoes the handkerchief she was using to tie her hair back.

“One,”

~Two~

“Three!”

Its sweet, and good. Warm and soft cookie that hasn’t firmed up. You and your mother sit and keep chatting. Taking out the last batches of cookies, it is a pleasant Eventually you hear a thud, in the living room you see Luna fallen from the couch and onto her face in the space between it and the coffee table.

“Oh no! Diana!”
~Oh no! Diana!~

You and your mother shout as one.

“bu,” coos a sound below you.

There at both of your feet in a fuzzy jumper is a baby with a full head of lavender hair. She pulls at your mother’s pant leg.

“bu?” the child queries.

>Write in

>>33757999
> Pick up the baby and feed it a cookie

>>33758042
We should do this. And also initiate conversation. We've got psychic powers, so we can totally speak baby.

>>33757999
>SOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTESOCUTE.

>>33758094
And the first thing she'll say to us? "If we can't trust PIT to not lock you up, we can always call and ask her for help."

>>33758187
That would be ridiculously creepy.

Give baby a cookie. Gush over baby.

Writing

Funny that some of YOU wanted to make psychic contact with her

>>33757999
>Squee.
Baby Diana!
Also, our own guardian to watch other and she can transform already! She is soooo smart (is smart even needed for that? nevermind those details!)
Scoop her up and fawn over her.

Cookies are a bit hot right now to share.. maybe dip in some milk or something first?

>>33758366
How old is the baby anyways? It's kinda bad to give them solid food before a certain point, and I've lost track of the flow of time in the quest.

>>33758438
>Less than a week old, but she has been growing fast by cat standards. As a human baby she looks almost toddler level.

File: 1406685075774.jpg (2.78 MB, 4128x2322)

2.78 MB JPG

BEHOLD!

(what happens to a bit of icing when it is still hot.. doh! I done goofed)

>>33758791
Are you going to share with the rest of the quest?

>>33758791
The crest was nicer, but it turned into a bit of a blob in the time it took my to simply grab the phone to take the picture.

>>33758828
>The crest was nicer, but it turned into a bit of a blob in the time it took my to simply grab the phone to take the picture.

Heat'll do that

>>33758825
Sure, just photoshop a slice off or stop by.

>>33758855
Impatience was my failing here. The powdered sugar worked out well though.

>>33758791
>Whereever I am, I must also bake.

>>33758914

Oh I agree on the powdered sugar

Baby? Baby! Kneeling down you scoop up whom you assume to be Diana and fawn over her. The small child reaches up for your as you lift her and you and your mother fawn over how quickly she’s grown. Taking one of the cookies that’s been out of the oven the longest, you soak it for a bit after dunking it in milk and hold it up to the cooing and giggling child. Readily she takes the cookie and begins not bite at it softly and suck on the milk. She seems quite pleased and you think she appears to have most of her teeth.

~You are so adorable,~ you declare lift her up while she is focused on gnawing upon the soft and sweet treat with certain care; you momentarily consider making psychic contact with her...but after your earlier flavor you think you better not risk it- wait.

As she is raised up, her eyes lock onto you and away from the confection. They look momentarily serious and the lunar crest upon her forehead glows. A beam strikes out and shines into your eyes. A thread of understanding unfolds between the two of you.

-good-

~Yeah, it is good,~

-more?-

~Maybe. They’re big cookies. Are you sure you can handle that one?~

The child nods vigorously and breaks psychic contact. She continues nibbling and gnawing, but the milk warmed by the cookie soon takes its toll on the baby moon cat. Her eyes droop and her grip on the cookie begins to slack.

“Aw, she’s getting sleepy,” you mother fawns.

Your phone buzzes in your pocket. Who could be calling you now?

>Pass baby to mom and take the call
>Ignore it you can check it later
>Dual wield phone and baby
>Write in

>>33759157
>>Pass baby to mom and take the call
I'm not going to dual-wield a baby unless it does at least 1d12.

>>33759157
>Dual wield phone and baby
Remember, the phone is a light weapon so we only take -4/-4.

>>33759246
Oh am I laughing. *wipes tear* Thanks, I needed that.

>>33759157
Personally, I'm reluctant to let our tiny charge go.
I'm leaning toward holding both at first, though I suspect we man need to hand her off, or perhaps put her to bed.

>>33759384
*may need

'cause chances are, if someone is calling us, we'll have to go to work, in a manner of speaking.

File: Iseenoway.jpg (32 KB, 500x374)

32 KB JPG

>>33759157
>Dual wield phone and baby
What could possibly go wrong?

>>33759157
>Pass baby to mom and take the call
Proper baby etiquette.

Dual Wielding Baby Selected

Writing

>>33759707
Luna is going to exsanguinate us.

>>33759838
At least we have good upper body strength and the baby is falling asleep. It should be like holding a sack of potatoes.

Don't worry, teenagers can use both hands and a phone at the same time as a free action.

File: black_lady_by_a_ka_ka-d3f2pb2.jpg (94 KB, 900x733)

94 KB JPG

Rolled 3 + 8

Making sure the baby Diana is safe and resting against your chest while supported from beneath be a wrapped arm, you slide your phone out of your pocket while bouncing slightly to help the baby moon cat slip back into slumber.

Checking the caller ID on your cellphone, you find yourself a bit surprised to find it’s from Midori.

~Hello?~

“Chiba-san, I’m glad I caught you,” that’s odd, she’s worried about something.

~What’s up? I’m going to be honest here, a little surprised you actually calling me on a weekend,~ you admit with your usual terseness as the sleepy babe squirms against you trying to get comfortable.

“Its...I’m at Keiko’s house and we’re reading lines. She has a presentation with the drama club she’s having trouble with… she doesn’t doesn’t want to read the character as written and is having a problem finding her voice,” there’s something in her voice, a worry.

~And how do I fit into that?~ your confusion is evident, there is a light shuffle on the other end of the line as the phone is passed.

“I was wondering if you could come over and read one of the parts,” Keiko is perfectly calm as opposed to Midori’s nervousness, “Since getting to know you, I think we’d have the perfect chemistry, and I could...well its technical. Acting related and all that,”

>Roll me 1d20+6, best of 3. 1s and 20s wild

File: Precure All Stars DX3 - M(...).jpg (176 KB, 1920x1080)

176 KB JPG

Rolled 13 + 6

>>33760254
Okay, let's do this thing.

Rolled 17 + 6

>>33760254
I wonder if my bad luck with dice extends online...

Rolled 12 + 6

>>33760254
Rollin'

File: Dice mock us.jpg (37 KB, 752x375)

37 KB JPG

Rolled 4 + 6

>>33760254
>>33760449
Looking good.

She’s hiding something. You can weed it out in her pitch, the sound of fear. Nothing hostile, but her voice and Midori’s voice both had that undeniable tremor. Keiko may be a good actress, but right now she’s a terrible liar. Its odd, she’s speaking like she thinks she’s being eavesdropped on.

Diana stirs at your suddenly serious mood and looks up into your eyes suddenly away. In the time it takes to blink she is up and on your shoulder in her much smaller true form, pressing a concerned paw against your cheek.

“So if you’re free anytime tonight or tomorrow that would be amazing and we’d like to see you again,” the hidden pleading would probably be lost on someone less attentive.

>Sure, shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be over in a bit. Do you like sugar cookies?
>Tomorrow would be better for me.
>No. I’m not all that into acting, but thanks for asking
>Cut the crap and double speak. What’s going on?
>Write in

>>33760867
>Sure, shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be over in a bit. Do you like sugar cookies?
Cookies are great for putting out fires.

>>33760867
"Sure, maybe we can make it a bit of a sleepover. I'll check with my mom.. Do you like sugar cookies?"
Keep it sounding normal.

>>33761029
Not sure about the 'sleepover' part. I mean, we know what's up, but Mikage doesn't specifically, though we might have stopped in as Eclipse on a similar subject later, we also have our Midnight meeting to think about.

>>33761029
This. Sleepover and cookies make for the best cover.

File: Diana.png (225 KB, 500x365)

225 KB PNG

>>33760867
Reassure and cuddle Diana for a bit before we head out.

>>33760867
>Sure, shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll be over in a bit. Do you like sugar cookies?
>SUGAR PEES!!!

Writing

File: 1406691725539.jpg (2.8 MB, 4128x2322)

2.8 MB JPG

Cooled off now, tried repairs and using powdered sugar as white out.
No perfect, but better than the blob it became.

>>33761502
SEAL OF APPROVAL.

>>33761502
Investigation results: Delicious.
Though structurally inconsistent.
Was going for the more fudge consistency this time, center is more of a very firm pudding, and the handful of leftover butterscotch chips I added in settles to the bottom to form their own layer.
All is forgiven by it tasting pretty darn good though.

>>33761830
>flavors described as geological strata
Stop that. You're making me hungry.

The only way to sate your curiosity...and perhaps your other needs...is to play this game.

~Sure, I’ll be over in a bit. Do you like sugar cookies?~

“I don’t hate them,” she says with a building hope.

~Good,~ you end the call abruptly and set your phone on the counter.

Running a hand through Diana’s fur you straighten yourself up and begin to untie your apron. Once it’s away you grab a plastic container and fill it to the brim with still warm and chewy sugar cookies.

“Is everything alright?” Mom inquires having sat Luna back on the couch while you were on the phone.

~Yeah, just need to go lend a hand to a friend,~ you’ll omit that said friend is the reincarnation of your mother’s worst enemy. What’s the harm?

Setting Diana down, your mother lays her hands on her hips and stares you down.

“And you’re just going to leave me here to clean up by myself?” your mother clicks her tongue at you while shaking her head.

~What if I said it was important?~

“Many hands make light work. You rinse, I’ll throw things in the wash, we’ll split the counters,”

~...okay fine,~ you had told them you’d be by in a bit, and by the time you and your mother finish its only 7:30.

Grabbing your purse and shoes, you stay in your comfy sweatpants and shirt. If this is going to seem normal you might as well be casual. You’re a recently ex-near-shut in wearing her weekend bum around clothes.

With a skip you are out the door.

>>33761929
“Have a good time!” your mother calls out behind you.

~I will, I had fun tonight mom,~ you smile, and its genuine.

As you briskly walk down the pedestrian street you take out your phone. You still have a few un checked lurk messages, and according to her profile in the school directory, Keiko lives in the same neighborhood as Kairi.

You’ve been putting off talking to her, and probably entrusting her with Nephrite...but whatever has Midori and Keiko spooked...backup couldn’t hurt.

And besides, you do know that Osaka-mama is probably still on stakeout duty.

Hmmm...is that it? Are they asking for help because they noticed they were being followed or watched? You’ll find out soon enough as you press onward with cookies in hand.

>Go straight to Keiko’s.
>Go to Kairi’s first and have THE TALK
>Check your Lurk messages from...oh look they’re all from @ivandragowasright
>Write in

>>33761951
>Go to Kairi’s first and have THE TALK
We know that she's compatible with Nephrite, and we know that she's got a bottle of the Magician's finest. One of these problems solves the other. No more excuses. We've put this off for too long already, and it wouldn't be right to come this close to her place only to go in without our wingman.

File: Artemis plush face.jpg (20 KB, 354x354)

20 KB JPG

>>33761830
All in all, the bit of tweaking came out better than last time I tried this mix.
Here's the reference pic for Artemis I was looking at on my phone while trying to get the head right.

>>33761893
More an impact crater in chocolate, with butterscotch bedrock, that molten material filled back in, and a dusting of powdered sugar topsoil concealing it from the world.

>>33761951
>Go straight to Keiko’s.

>>33761951
Her mom is either home or watching Keiko's, be hard to sneak that conversation in.
Could message/call her, see if her mom might let her our for the evening to help a friend with her drama work.
Outside of that, check Lurk messages on the way to Keiko's.
Have the Shitennou fan out and try to locate surveillance on her and what kind as we near.

>>33762093
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSwS-Ax_pL8

>>33761951
>Go to Kairi’s first and have THE TALK

>>33762056
The problem is that she's been grounded, THAT is why we haven't had THE TALK yet, we aren't ignoring or putting it off.

File: Nephrite.jpg (87 KB, 418x300)

87 KB JPG

Rolled 11

Talk
>>33762056
>>33762307

Straight to Keiko's
>>33762159

Hybrid
>>33762213

Writing

File: 20140730_003803_Richtone(HDR).jpg (2.87 MB, 4128x2322)

2.87 MB JPG

>>33762093
Cross section.

File: Artemis ATTACKS.png (496 KB, 1152x645)

496 KB PNG

>>33762911
>
It looks deliciously molten.

Anon, for your Quest Related efforts of confectionary, first with cookies and second with brownies decorated in a manner which I have found please, bestow upon you a Boon.

You may spend this boon along with a yet seen photo of your now half eaten concoction with your hand extended forwards in a thumbs up.

In the post accompanying this image, you are allowed to name a singular Perk within reason to add to Mikage's reserve, or to increase an existing perk to Roman Numeral II.

Please stick to thematic of recent threads and tread respectfully upon all we have built together as players and QM.

>>33763054
Ye gads!
Cool. Thanks!
Good thing I'm hopped up on sugar now.

I must ponder, suggestions welcome.

>>33763248
In the spirit of the thing, I'd like to point out Ultimate Tsukino Constitution.

>>33763318
Aye, that had crossed my mind as well.

Though naming a new one could be interesting as well. Theme in recent threads we've been doing more social things and dipping into other personalities, while our amped up Id voices some concerns. Hm.

>>33763248
I was actually thinking Path of Illusion which was one of the things from leveling that we chose not to get.

File: 1394418562539.png (2.07 MB, 1192x1400)

2.07 MB PNG

It doesn’t take you long at your quick pace to pass by the Osaka homestead on your way to Keiko’s. The Shintennou have been silent for the past few hours to allow you some peace from a hectic past few days, though you feel the weight of Nephrite’s presence beside you. Striding up to the familiar house, you give three quick raps on the door.

There is no immediate response, but there is a light on upstairs, so you knock again a bit harder. You’ve got a busy schedule to keep, and maybe the idea of not running it alone is appealing now that its a close possibility. You still might try to talk Kairi out of it, and see if you can drink this syringe dry.

Muffled through the door is a confused utterance of your name, it unlocks and opens to slowly to reveal a hiding Kairi in bathrobe and towel wrapped neatly around her hair.

“You know it’s kind of late. You could have called,” she sigh but then smiles and pulls you in before closing the door.

~Cookie?~ you present the now open plastic container.

“...sure. Is everything alright?” She takes a sugar cookie and bites into it.

~Maybe, got a weird call from Keiko and I thought there might be trouble...and since your mother has been tailing her all day I figured it was safe to come over and,” here it is, “talk about...things before I pursue any other business,”

“Mom doesn’t have her own house bugged. In fact I was so bored sitting here alone the past couple of days I did a sweep,” she hums as she enjoys the delicious cookie as she walks into the living room and turns on a light, “Give me a second to get dressed,”

Eclipsed Moon Quest Episode 30 End

Interlude Vote:

>The Life Vantastic
>Catalyst II
>New Geology
>Thunderstruck
>Sportsman
>Zero Sum
>Palaces

Omake tomorrow late morning if we’re still here, usual spiel. Unlikely to resume on the morrow.

>>33763739
>>The Life Vantastic
Though the Catalyst II intrigues me as well.

File: YesIAmOnlyVotingForThisAs(...).jpg (6 KB, 260x194)

6 KB JPG

>>33763739
>Sportsman

>>33763739
>Thunderstruck
Totally Metal.

>>33763570
Not sure that's a perk though.

>>33763475
Also spending time with our Shitennou as well.

>>33763739
>Thunderstruck

>>33763739
>Thunderstruck

>>33763739

>The Life Vantastic

>>33763248
Current thoughts:

Ultimate Tsukino Constitution II, for obvious reasons.

Sensitive II, what with our attempted Josephing and Diana chatting.

And some kind of baking metaphor about bringing ingredients together to make a greater whole. Thinking of my irregular brownie structure and Mikage's disparate selfs (and allies) that need to come together.

*yawn*

Going to bed now. See everyone later. I look forward to the thumbs up picture with the brownie remains and the Perk Name.

Goodnight.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

>>33763903
Arty is it a perk?

>>33764272
Rest well, good cat.

>>33763739
Thanks for the thread

>>33764241
Any thoughts on these thoughts?

>>33765297
Guess not. Well, sugar is wearing off, and I do not have the perk that would allow me to eat more, so with that I shall crash and check back with my brain in the morning.

>>33757109
>PIT should be a little suspicious of us.
Actually, reminds me of something Usa said about Gai, and there not being any legit way for him to get documentation.

Assuming we can trust then, maybe PIT could deal with it? Keeping a registry of aliens known to be living on earth seems like it would be right up their street.

>>33766219
If we could trust them, getting them to run the MIB line would be sensible, yes. If we catch them successfully fighting off a serious attempt to turn them all into monsters, I think that would earn my trust.

And if they fail and we have to help Koyomi purify them, we'd have something fun to hold over Naru and her douchebag boss. It's win-win, really.

>>33766284
>her douchebag boss
Hey, I like Commander Maru.
He seems to have just the right amount of stick up his ass, and his instincts don't trust the same person I don't trust.

File: MiB usernet chat.gif (2.59 MB, 329x342)

2.59 MB GIF

>>33766284
>>33766219
Dunno how much I trust governments with aliens, is hard to keep the right mix of open-minded/not-dissecting and keeping things under wraps/warding off attacks.

In theory at least, government has checks and balances. If there's official documentation, it's a lot harder for third parties to take and exploit these people.

Buffering

>>33764241
Thoughts; both IIs are viable and interesting. The baking metaphor Ibcan certainly work with and have a few mechanical ideas I can narrow down once it has a name

aaagh
I did not know that replacing a meal with chocolate and sugar could result in a hangover before.
I need aspirin and breakfast meat.

>>33764389
A Perk can open up to you a new path of Magic. Just needs the right wording or word.

>>33769541
Acquire your breakfast protein, friend, and return to deliberations.

>>33769541
Mmm, meat. I don't care what other people may say, breaded loin chop is a breakfast meat.
It's meat and I'm eating it for breakfast.

>>33769524
Only other thing that occurred to me while sleeping was an Earth counterpart to Moon Child.

>>33770369
Yes, deliberations. Unfortunately I tend toward the indecisive.

I feel like there is a common metaphor or phrase about bringing ingredients together that I'm just not remembering still.

>>33771025
I assume it's not "Too many cooks spoil the broth?"

>>33771387
Ha, I hope not.

>>33771387
That would be a drawback, in fact.

>>33771826
One which I suspect we're busily working on acquiring, to boot.

>>33771913
Not Necessarily.

>>33771025
Maybe 'greater than the sum of its parts' but that doesn't seem to fit for us.
'Bringing the Ingredients Together' seem awkardly worded.
'Together as a Single Whole'?
Unified Parts?
I love it when a recipe comes together?
'Recipe for Success'?
Gimmie Chocolate? Food Therapy?
That which does not kill us makes us stronger?
Whether is tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous.. wait not one.
..What was I talking about?

>>33772412
>What was I talking about?
Kittens.

File: Diana kitten.jpg (77 KB, 500x380)

77 KB JPG

>>33772621
Kittens? I like kittens.
Fuzzy and adorable.

OMAKE

The smell hits you with considerable force as soon as you open the door to your home. Warm vanilla, comfort, and sugar. Removing your shoes you creep through the living room and into the kitchen where your mother stands filling a wealth of containers with disks of simple confection. A small pile rests on a serving tray on the center island counter. You are Koyomi Chiba, and you know what you must do.

Despite the resonant chill still sitting in your belly, the siren song of cookie smell claws at you. Confident that your mother hasn’t noticed your presence yet, lost in thought while humming to herself a nursery rhyme she once sang for you as a child, you make careful long strides to the platter and with no further hesitation dart you hand forward to snatch up and subsequently devour yet more sweet treats this night.

Your way is barred as a wooden spoon interrupts your intended theft. Turning to the side you see your mother looking both disappointed and understanding.

“Young lady,” she begins, “those cookies are for when your father gets back from the airport with Usa,”

Withdrawing your hand and wringing your pigtails you look up to meet your mother’s disapproval with large, sad, and near to watery eyes.

“But mom, they smell so good,”

1/2

>>33773363

Your mother laughs proudly to herself.

“Of course they do, Mikage and I have reunited as an unstoppable kitchen tag team,”

“...I thought the two of you just got needlessly hyper competitive when cooking together,” you muse and then realize that is just what happened given the ridiculous volume of cookies she was just packing away for storage.

The comment deflates her quite a bit, but she keeps her stance and her pride in accomplished Cookie crafting.

“Anyway, that platter is off limits,” she returns to scolding before pulling a plate from the counter where she was packing her and your big sister’s work, “These are for you,”

You practically leap for joy, arms outstretched, before bouncing over to your mother and giving her a huge hug.

“You’re the best, mom,” you smile excitedly.

“Only because I know my girls so well,” she smiles and returns your hug one handed.

2/2

Cookies are Love.

And now we must wait for our baking anon's decision on a Perk Name whilst I sit here and try to figure out how a completed FTP video transfer is only 2 minutes long on the receiving end.

>>33773814
Cookies are Life.

>>33773904
Hiccup in the transfer type file error?

>>33773925
Maybe. Our FTP client says the entire file was transferred, and it shows up in full size on our ability to read the folder we upload too. Their playback is just only 2 minutes long for some unknown reason. And its a project that airs tonight at 6, so reupload ahoy if we can't sort this out when I have other uploads to manage this afternoon.

File: Cookie cutters.jpg (87 KB, 480x480)

87 KB JPG

>>33773814
>>33773908

Cookies are cute. Or at least they can be.

>>33773961
Sounds like it's possessed.

>>33774578
HAHA! It was a miscommunication. We send out episodes a week in advance and I was uploading next week's show earlier and had a pipleline break. When I noticed and had to go restart the upload, my boss told me he got an email and the content made it seem like they thought it was for tonight's episode even though the file name conventions they gave us include the airdate in the file name. Confusion was had by all. Everything is okay, nothing is bad, and I just wasted 40 minutes reuploading something, so soda time.

>>33775197
Seems like you're having an amusing and/or frustrating day.

>>33775699
Amusing enough

Thunderstruck will be next thread's opening interlude.

Here are some vague descriptions of what was missed.

>The Life Vantastic - PIT Stake Out with Captain Osaka & a few agents.
>Catalyst II - Dr Borealis in new digs.
>New Geology - Hiddenite & 3 others.
>Sportsman - Sasha on the road.
>Zero Sum - Commander Maru & Original Sailor Mercury
>Palaces - In Space

>>33776189
>Missed
>Palaces - In Space
Fact: Space core will never go to space.

>>33776189

>New Geology - Hiddenite & 3 others.

I really want to pick the PIT stake out one, since I assume this is from the little attempted ID check they tried to do and failed during that meetup. But instead, I must ask...

Tell me your secrets, plot

>>33776866
The vote is over. Those are what didn't win.

>>33773904
Gah, fell asleep, sorry! Braincells scattered and fled

>>33777173
So the leading contenders are:

>Ultimate Tsukino Constitution II
>Sensitive II,
>Earth Child/Heir
>a convoluted baking metaphor about unity
>something else?

I'm leaning toward the baking metaphor and Earth Heir a bit.

>>33774577
Ooo, cookie cutters.

>>33777347
They are awesome, aren't they.

>>33777347
However back onto ongoing business,

CHOOSE! Choose the form of your Perk!

>>33777421
I want to choose, but if I do, I"ll probably screw everything up.

>>33777347

I'll put my vote towards Earth Child/Heir

>>33776189
>Catalyst II - Dr Borealis in new digs.

Also, that's troubling

>>33777347
I've said all I intend to on that matter. It's your decision, Cookie Monster.

File: The Traveller has come - (...).jpg (50 KB, 500x329)

50 KB JPG

>>33777421
>CHOOSE! Choose the form of your Perk!

>>33777347
I like the baking idea, but can't think of anything good.

"The Cake is a Lie"

>>33778045
First you will be baked, then there will be cake.

File: ytQPcEx.jpg (52 KB, 500x333)

52 KB JPG

>>33777870
Actually had my dream interrupted by a random Gordon Ramsey yelling at me at one point, my brain is trying too hard.

>>33777735
Earth Child sounds like fun.

Alright, as much as I like a baking/ingredient themed perk, I can't come up with anything that sounds good.

So, let's focus on the Earth, I suppose.
>Earth Child
>Earth Heir
>Earth Princess

Leaning toward the Earth Heir wording, any objections?

It would appear that you are in the final step of your weeding things out.

>>33779139
it's unsatisfactory unless we can turn it into some kind of pun.

>>33779259
heir on earth

>>33779259
We haven't done much puns in the perk department.

>>33779341
All the more reason we need one now.

>>33779341
only Aiha has a punny perk really.

>>33779552
More inside jokes for her.

So then, lads and lasses. What's the verdict?

>>33777870
>>33777347
What about just 'Combined Ingredients'?
Or 'Incorporated Ingredients'?

>>33780473
"Cookie Crafter"

>>33780640
Gingerbread Girl?

>>33780676
hahaha, not bad at all.

>>33780676
Sounds foxy.

File: pink hair.gif (649 KB, 720x405)

649 KB GIF

>>33780676
>>33780690
But what does it mean?

>>33780773
No one can catch us when we're attempting to get home to make cookies.

So, if our selecting anon would be so kind as to post his choice along with a picture we have not yet seen of his brownie, even the casserole dish in the sink or dishwasher, we will conclude this episode of our lives...and I will inform you that you will probably level up at the end of episode 31.

File: BrownieThumb1.gif (5.24 MB, 800x450)

5.24 MB GIF

>>33781037
My apologies Artemis, guess I kept holding out for a food-based idea, sorry for taking so long with your generous Boon.

I guess I shall settle for the one the came to me as I was going to sleep last night:
Earth Heir.

>>33781641

THE CONTRACT IS SEALED.

THE THUMBS UP HAS IT!

It will be added to the pastebin before the next thread.

>>33781712
>THE CONTRACT IS SEALED.
I feel nervous now.

>>33781759
Why would you say that?

>>33781641
Never expected it to be animated. Brilliant.

>>33781993
Felt like the occasion called for something special.

>>33781924
Oh, Arty, you are best QM.

>>33782549
Is it because there hasn't really been an us vs them adversarial relationship in this Quest?

>>33782620
That too, also because it's structured enough where we have rules to fall back on, but flexible enough where we can be creative. Also: We haven't had any "Waifu Wars" drama yet, and we generally resolve stuff in a resonable manner.

>>33782765
I think the tone that we're rolling with was pretty well established before any viable waifu candidates were made available, and as such, any of us who may be inclined towards such things like myself know that we have much higher priorities than chasing tail.

>>33782765
>generally resolve stuff in a reasonable manner
Not counting indecisive bakers taking too long.

Sorry about that hold up, judging from my lack of search success, I think I must have been imagining there was an expression like the one I wanted.

A nifty outlook then, excellent.