>>41084340
>>NOL Major Ben Herald

>Major Ben Herald: 1
>Ninja Ben Herald: 0
I'll field the vote a little while longer before setting on the path you all have chosen.
Dates for later games will likely change to Friday or Saturday because of my new (And hopefully final) work schedule.
But besides all that, I hope everyone is having a good night.

>>41084640
I am. You done running tonight?

>>41084755
No way. The session has just begun.
At 9:00 I'll tally the vote- at this rate, probably singular.
But it's gonna keep going- it's not like I was just gonna ask you guys one question and go. I'd put a poll up on my Twitter if that was the case.

>Major Ben Herald
The expected choice. After all, you have spent a lot more time with him than with the other.

...

You're asleep in the bed granted to you by your foster mother before an alarm wakes you. The sun has just come up, and there are several other small beds around, filled with the children of the orphanage.
You suddenly query to yourself what time it is, and you suddenly realize that you've completely forgotten the schedule of events for the Iwatsuchi meetings.

There was a speech you were supposed to give at one point, but you don't remember whether it's today you have to give it or if it was yesterday you should have given it.
Goddamit. Can you get one day where you don't get up and everything begins to suck again?

A few of the children stir. No-one else seems to be awake, and you glamor from a clock in the corner that it's about 6:10 in the morning. Everything you brought is at your bedside. You have the feeling you need to get going and explain yourself soon.

>Find your foster mother and explain the situation
>Find Shirley and explain the situation
>Find Greg and explain the situation
>Wait for the others to wake
>Leave quietly without explaining
>Write-In

>>41084929
>>Find your foster mother and explain the situation

>>41084946

If anyone deserves to know, it's Trish. You remember she has her own room. The problem is that it's across the house. You slowly dampen the noise you make to prevent waking the children and open the door. In the corner of your eye, you see that Shirley and Greg are sharing a bed, and nearly cry out in surprise. That line of questioning needs to be answered another time.

You carefully open the door and prevent the creaking from waking anyone. Entering the hall, you slowly make your way to Trish's bedroom. Lightly sleeping as you enter, the orphanage director wakes up as you step inside.
“Ben? What's wrong?” She looks concerned, turning towards you.

Loathe to answer because she's just gotten you back, you phrase your words carefully to ensure she's not offended.
“The NOL has some business I need to attend to. I'm sorry, but I need to get back and help them as soon as possible. It was nice seeing you again.” You swallow a bit to contain your hesitation. It's been so long, and now you have to leave?

She smiles, and slowly sits up in bed. “It's fine. I'm just happy that I could see you again as well. I was so worried that...” She shakes her head away from that train of thought. “...Just make sure that you do the right thing. That's all I can ask of you all any more.”
Trish frowns, her age showing as she gazes out the window. “After you're done with that business of yours... Do you think you can come back and help Greg and Shirley with the orphanage?” She asks you. She seems to be holding back something she wants to tell you.

>”I'll do whatever I can.”
>”Wait... You're moving the orphanage over to them? Why?”
>”I don't know. I'm not even sure I'll be able to walk away from this.”
>”I'm going to be taking care of a lot of dangerous people... I can't put you all in danger like that.”
>Write-In

>>41085220
>”Wait... You're moving the orphanage over to them? Why?”

>”I don't know. I'm not even sure I'll be able to walk away from this.”
facing things that make Ragna loo tame, Mom, but if I do manage it
>”I'll do whatever I can.”

>>41085282

”Wait... You're moving the orphanage over to them? Why?” You raise an eyebrow, but Trish looks at you knowingly.
“I was already a bit of an old bird when I was raising you... I can't in good conscience be director of the orphanage at the age I am.” She asks you, “Imagine that one day I don't wake up... What do you think happens to the little ones? They have to deal with their only parental figure dying, with no immediate help or comfort.” She looks at you with hard eyes. “I know those two. They have the heart to aid these children, even if Shelby won't admit it to herself.”

She returns to the previous subject. “So will you help them?”
You shake your head, honestly. ”I don't know. I'm not even sure I'll be able to walk away from this. Right now, I and those of us in the NOL helping me are facing things that make Ragna look tame, Mom, but if I do manage it I'll return and do whatever I can.” You lay your concerns before her.

She nods, again. “You have my blessing. Now, give me a hug.”
How can you refuse her?
Afterward, she tells you that she'll explain the situation to Shelby and Greg before giving you a toasted bagel.
You focus and make your way to the tram to the NOL headquarters.

When you get there, there are some whisperings. You try not to draw any attention.
Who are you going to try and find first?
>Noel
>Newton
>Tsubaki
>Jin
>Makoto
>Relius
>General Mutsuki
>I need to find my room.
>I need to find breakfast- actual breakfast.
>Write-In

>>41085566
>I need to find my room.

>>41085604

First things first- find your room. You can work from there, get changed, and the like. Right now, it's a little after seven, and you make your way to the NOL wing's information center without much trouble.
You greet the receptionist, and she's surprised, but gives you your key and points you in the direction of your room without much talk. It's an ordinary key, labeled with the number 407. You take an elevator up to the fourth floor and quickly find the room- though you're surprised the doors are so far apart.

The reason as to why becomes very apparent when you open your room.
It's fairly large for what would normally be considered a hotel room, and it has a table and some seats for reception, as well as a side bedroom and a writing-room, complete with a small bookshelf and desk.
You can't help but think that this is related to your nature as guest of honor.
That reminds you. You had that schedule here somewhere, didn't you?
This would be day two.

Day Two:

5-7 AM: Transition Period
8-9 AM: Breakfast
9-12 AM/PM: Transition Period
12-1 PM: Lunch
1-2 PM: Transition Period
3-5 PM: Arena
6-7 PM: Dinner
7-9 PM: Reception
10 PM: Transition Period

Good news is that right now, you have time to get breakfast. The bad news is that you missed the last day's dinner and reception. Let's hope that little faux pas goes unnoticed in the light of recent events.
You've unpacked. Now what?
>Find your friends
>Go directly to breakfast
>Search the room for bugs or monitoring devices or Ars
>Consider Relius and Hazama's plans
>Write-In

>>41085914
>Search the room for bugs or monitoring devices or Ars
then
>Find your friends
and
>Consider Relius and Hazama's plans
while doing so.

>>41085914
>>Find your friends
Here I am! Anon 2

>>41085990
>>41086053

Thank you too.
You scan the room. No apparent cameras.
Honing your hearing with Ars Magus, you try to seek out the hiss of a mechanical bug or the hum of Ars Magus. After a little detective work, you've narrowed down at least one of them to under the table, and dispel it after a little tinkering. You don't know if there are any more, but your brain is too muddled by listening for white noise to check.

Stepping outside, you shake your head to clear your mind and look for the location of some of your friends' rooms. (Un)fortunately, they're not labeled, but you assume them to be on the same floor as you.

As you roam the hall, it is not them you run into first.
Instead, it is a young man with black hair. He's wearing a black cloak that has golden edging and an inside that's colored dark red.
He looks at you for a few seconds before smiling. “I think I know you. Are you Ben Herald?” His voice is calm and cocky, and his arms are crossed. He doesn't seem to be an enemy, but still studies you curiously.

>”Yes, I am. I apologize for not being at the meetings yesterday. I had urgent personal business to attend to.”
>”Should I know you?”
>”Are you Kagura Mutsuki, by any chance? Jin talked about you.”
>”No, I'm not Ben. Sorry, you must be mistaken.”
>"I'm, just Newton, actually. Ben must be out."
>”Would you happen to know where Jin Kisaragi and Tsubaki Yayoi are?”
>Write-In

>>41086368
>”Yes, I am. I apologize for not being at the meetings yesterday. I had urgent personal business to attend to.”
>”Are you Kagura Mutsuki, by any chance? Jin talked about you.”

>>41086368
>Write-In
"Should you know?"

>>41086368
>”Are you Kagura Mutsuki, by any chance? Jin talked about you.”

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>>41086464
>>41086513
>>41086616

You are suspicious of this man, even though you have a good idea of who he is. “Should you know?” Raising an eyebrow, you look him over as well. He's taller than you, and probably more physically powerful. But you think you could take him down in a straight fight without too many issues.

He seems a little surprised at this, and shifts slightly. “Well, yeah, I think so. You were in on the capture of Ragna, after all. Why? Are you supposed to be secret?”
You shake your head and sigh, looking around for eavesdroppers. “No, I've just had too many dealings with corrupt commanders. You're Kagura Mutsuki, aren't you? Jin talked about you.”
At the word 'Jin', he smirks with nostalgia. “Jinny told me about you? We went to Academy together, you know.”

Kagura thinks for a few seconds before snapping his fingers. “That reminds me. Why didn't I see you there? You seem to be really good at Ars Magus. Why didn't they draft you?”

>”They did. For the military during the Ikarugan War.”
>”I never got the chance to go to Academy.”
>”...Things changed for me very recently.”
>”I'd prefer not to talk about it.”
>”I'm sorry, but my life story doesn’t matter here. Did they talk about our plan?”
>Write-In

>>41086719
>>”...Things changed for me very recently.”
I Literally learned most of my tricks in the past week.
>”I'm sorry, but my life story doesn’t matter here. Did they talk about our plan?”

>>41086719
>”...Things changed for me very recently.”
>”I'm sorry, but my life story doesn’t matter here. Did they talk about our plan?”
And I made it in time

>>41086754
>>41086802
”...Things changed for me very recently.” You embarrassedly explain. “I got dropped into the middle of this mess last week- I've had to rely on a lot of help and learn a few tricks really fast to make it to here.” Despite his surprise, you wave it away. “But my life story doesn't matter here. Did they tell you about our plan?”

“...A week?” Kagura is stunned. “Wh- Never mind. You mean Jin and Tsubaki, right? Yeah, they did. I'm impressed you had the mental vigor through all of those shenanigans to start on a plan. I wonder how nobody noticed you until now.”
You grit your teeth. “...I'm sorry, but please focus. Do we know what they're trying to do, or when?”
He holds up his hands in defense. “Hey, I'm as eager to get this over with as you... but I think you need to relax.”

You look at him with bag under your eyes.
He shrugs. “I guess you didn't have the time to relax?”
“No. Thank you for your concern, General.”
“Well, that's what the after-celebration is for. But back to business.”

His face turns stern. “Well, if I had to guess, it has something to do with Ragna's Azure Grimoire- the 'execution' is the main event, after all. In addition, so many people here for the execution of Ragna apparently prevents Phenomenon Intervention, according to Professor Kokonoe. They may be trying to do something without interference.”
You remember Phenomenon Intervention- it allows a very powerful being to 'rewrite' time to a certain degree.

>”You're working with the Professor? When was this?”
>”Do you think they're trying to make another Black Beast?”
>”Do you think they're going to try to sacrifice the souls of the arena for something?”
>”Do you think they might be trying to prevent the time-line from resetting after a certain point?”
>”What about Relius and Hazama? We need to know where they are so we can stop them.”
>Write-In

>>41087017
>”You're working with the Professor? When was this?”
>”Do you think they might be trying to prevent the time-line from resetting after a certain point?”
>”What about Relius and Hazama? We need to know where they are so we can stop them.”

>>41087017
>”You're working with the Professor? When was this?”
Kokonoe hasn't been the most trustworthy person. Also she comes off as a total bitch.
>”Do you think they're going to try to sacrifice the souls of the arena for something?”
Because quite frankly the hole NOL training regime is just setting our boys up for failure and death. Ragna was a tough S.O.B. yeah, but the application of common sense took him down easily. He's not smart.
>”Do you think they might be trying to prevent the time-line from resetting after a certain point?”
>”What about Relius and Hazama? We need to know where they are so we can stop them.”

>>41087090
>>41087113

”You're working with the Professor? When was this?” you ask. ”Kokonoe hasn't been the most trustworthy person. Also she comes off as a total bitch.”
Kagura shrugs. “She is a bit abrasive, but she actually cares about people, deep down. Trust me.”
You don't trust him, but you continue.

You speak again. ”Do you think they're going to try to sacrifice the souls of the arena for something? I thought it out, and, honestly, there's no reason Ragna should have killed as many people as he did.”
“What?” Kagura is startled at this declaration.
“Ragna was a tough son of a bitch, but the application of common sense took him down easily. He's not smart. All you have to do is hit him hard and often without letting him get close until he buckles.” You look at Kagura with a bit of anger. “Instead of giving our soldiers guns or training them in artillery, what do we do? Give them axes and spears and tell them to rush him or stand there until he gets close enough.”

Mutsuki is without words.
“They're sitting ducks. And Cauldrons eat up souls like breakfast. This whole military is a setup for failure, and seems to be gatyhering souls for something.”
He stares at you with discomfort. “N-Next subject? We'll discuss this later.”
You are a bit peeved that he waved that away, but continue. ”Do you think they might be trying to prevent the time-line from resetting after a certain point?”
“I think so.” Kagura seems distressed after your last assertion. “They would have everything they need in one place and no way to reset things. It would be all or nothing, with them favored heavily.”

You hold up a finger. ”Another thing- Where are Relius and Hazama in all of this? We need to know where they are so we can stop them.”

Kagura stands up again. “That I can tell you. Relius is going to be with us, surrounded by guards. Hazama will be in the holding area of the Arena. That means that we're going to have to cover at least two areas.” He looks around. “I don't think it's safe to talk here. Follow me.”
He motions you off to the elevator.

>”Where are we going?”
>”I need to get my rifle first. I do have my pistol, though.”
>”You seem like you had a bit of a plan yourself. Have you been looking over this as well?”
>”And the NOL's military policies?”
>Write-In

>>41087413
>>”I need to get my rifle first. I do have my pistol, though.”
>>”You seem like you had a bit of a plan yourself. Have you been looking over this as well?”
>> throw up a white noise ars

>>41087413
>”I need to get my rifle first. I do have my pistol, though.”
>”You seem like you had a bit of a plan yourself. Have you been looking over this as well?”
>”And the NOL's military policies?”

>>41087464
>>41087497

You look around, but there doesn't seem to be anyone here. ”I need to get my rifle first. I do have my pistol, though.”
“Go ahead. The more things out of their reach the better.” Mutsuki follows you.
”You seem like you had a bit of a plan yourself. Have you been looking over this as well?”
He glances around again. “I said that it's not safe to talk around here.”

You throw up a white noise Ars, temporarily paining Kagura.
“What the hell was...” He looks off to the side to see a hovering beacon shudder out of invisibility. “Oh.”
“White noise. Thought it might short out any bugs. It worked.” You clean your ears. “Though I'd prefer not to do that again.”
He covers his own ears. “Well, yeah, and don't do that around Kokonoe. Her tech's pretty sensitive.”

You step into your room and pick the rifle up from where it was placed in one of the cabinet drawers, before throwing it over your back.
”And the NOL's military policies?” You look up and exit, closing and locking your door.
Mustuki is hesitant to answer, as before. “Well, we're in desperate need of repairs, yes. But that has to do with the Imperator's decisions on how to implement them.”

He takes you to the elevator. It is needlessly elegant and very slow, with classical music playing as background. When you reach the second floor, the door opens, and Tsubaki steps on.
“Hm? General Mutsuki? And Ben...”
She looks at you sternly. “Where were you? There was a request for your presence by several people.”

>”Funny, because that's the same reason I wasn't there.”
>”Hello, Tsubaki. It's nice to see you, too.”
>”How are you the others doing? Noel and Jin?”
>”You told Mutsuki everything, right?”
>Write-In

>>41087725
>Write-In
"Ah is my big sis worrying about her little brother?"
>”Hello, Tsubaki. It's nice to see you, too.”
>”How are you the others doing? Noel and Jin?”

I'm wearing down a bit.

>>41087778

You smirk. "Ah, is my big sis worrying about her little brother? Hello, Tsubaki. It's nice to see you, too.”
“What? Of course I am! What kind of sibling would I be, otherwise?” Tsubaki is a bit embarrassed at this.

Now Kagura is just confused. “Who even *ARE* you?” he asks you.
“It's complicated.” Tsubaki says. “Very complicated. But we're not going to talk about that right now.”
He's obviously boggled, but stays silent.
“What about the others? Noel and Jin?” you ask. “How are they doing?
“Oh, Noel and Jin are still at breakfast. They were fine- Noel's parents even came. You should go to breakfast as well.”
“Actually, I've decided to treat Ben.” Kagura slaps you on the back a bit too hard. “We're going to get something of my own personal choice.”
Tsubaki looks at Kagura hard. “I swear, if it involves liquor or prostitutes, I will find out.”
The elevator opens right after she says that, leaving no time for a reply.

Tsubaki quickly makes her way into the crowd and disappears from sight.
Kagura looks at you with a bit of worry. “She's your sister?”
You nod. “It's complicated like she said.”
He smirks. “Let's get to breakfast, shall we?”

>”I assume you've arranged things so that we won't be disturbed?”
>”We getting pancakes?”
>”I'll pass on the 'liquor and prostitutes'.”
>”I didn't know you had a favorite restaurant in America.”
>”Let me guess. It's a bit of a private 'breakfast', with some other guests?”
>Write-In

>>41088114
>Write-In
"I'll pass on the prostitutes"
Since when has Ben ever passed on liquor
>”Let me guess. It's a bit of a private 'breakfast', with some other guests?”
>”We getting pancakes?”

This will probably be one of the last posts.
>>41088148
"I'll pass on the prostitutes, but liquor sounds good." You smirk a bit. ”Let me guess. It's a bit of a private 'breakfast', with some other guests?”
Kagura nods. “Now you're getting it.”
You smile in turn. ”We getting pancakes? I like pancakes.”

After a bit of walking, you find yourself in Kagura's room on the ground floor. He knocks, and the door opens.
“Who is it?” Makoto looks from inside to see you and Kagura.
“Huh? What's he doing here? I thought...” She's confused.
Kagura gives her a knowing look. “Everyone's gonna be in on it soon enough, we might as well start with him.”
You walk in to see that the portion of Kagura's room where his desk should be has been requisitioned into a metal staircase that leads into the ground.
Following this metal staircase after locking the door leads into an underground extension that seems hastily-made but still functioning. It groans as you move down its steps.
There are some computers sitting around in one part, and a pink-haired... cat-woman(?) with two tails turns to you in surprise and then anger, crushing the lolipop sucker between her sharp teeth with a crack.

“Kagura, what the hell is this? You brought him here?” Her hair rises on end. It's almost amusing, actually. Her voice indicates that she is Kokonoe of Sector Seven.
Mustuki steps up and defends you. “It's Ben Herald, obviously. He's with us.”
“The hell he is!” The scientist almost actually hisses at you. “No way. Not Rachel's pet dog.”
“Rachel's pet dog?” Mutsuki is confused. “What are you talking about, Kokonoe?”

>”So who are you? Kagura's pet cat? I thought you were with Sector Seven.”
>”Of course the cat is scared of dogs.”
>”Ex-fucking-scuse me if I call you out on your bullshit one time.”
>”I come in peace- at least for now.”
>”Wait- You know about Rachel?”
>”So is she going to make us breakfast, or should I?”
>Write-In

>>41088402
>”Ex-fucking-scuse me if I call you out on your bullshit one time.”
>”Of course the cat is scared of dogs.”
>”Wait- You know about Rachel?”
>”So is she going to make us breakfast, or should I?”

>>41088434

”Ex-fucking-scuse me if I call you out on your bullshit one time.” You roll your eyes. Kokonoe's glare does not relent.
“Well, funny thing about that, I might have been able to get closer to capturing Hazama on my terms and not his if you had stood down.”

“Dog?” Kagura asks.
Kokonoe unwraps another lolipop. “Yeah, the little pooch answers to Rachel. At least kind of. That Grimoire he has belongs to her.”
”And of course the cat is scared of dogs.” You step forwards. “But more importantly, you know about Rachel?”
She snarls at you slightly.“Well, yeah. We... interact from time to time.”
“But Rachel is an ally in this, too.” Kagura declares. “So why not him?”
The scientist glares at General Mutsuki. “Dammit, Kagura! Because-”

“Because Kokonoe is more trusting of my opinion than his, and likely expects me to give him orders.: Rachel steps through a rose-scented portal and tugs you on the cheek. “How is my darling son doing?”
Kokonoe nearly chokes. “What the- SON? Since when? How? Wh-Who's the father?”
“Of no concern to you.” Rachel huffs. “But I should expect you treat him better than this after what he has accomplished.”

“...Can I please get an explanation?” smoke seems to be coming out of Kagura's ears.
”Don't ask.” You wave our hands defeatedly and point at Kokonoe.“So is she going to make us breakfast, or should I?”
“If you would, Ben. I'm sure any child of mine will cook excellently.”
“Rachel, either stop or shoot me.” Kokonoe groans.
The arguing continues as you find yourself in the midst of unlikely allies, some of whom are as confused as you are.
Perhaps the pieces will fall together another time.

…

That's it for the night. Any questions?

>>41088658
Was Noel talking about us to her parents?

>>41088685
Yes.
Favorably.

>>41088708
How's her dad handling it?

What if Ben was there and said that he would be their future son in law?

>>41088708
So what are Ragna and Hazama doing at the moment

>>41088735
Pretty well, all things considered.
He's not going to try to kill or scare off Ben yet.
>>41088754
Wasting away and plotting, respectively.

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Archived!
Alright, I think this ends it.
Anything else?