>Make some actual fucking coffee

>>41310646
By Hakumen of the Six Heroes, nothing tastes better than a cuppa joe after the sort of shit you've been through.
Except maybe booze. Or coffee and booze together.
There's a name for that, you think. 'Liqueur' or something?
Never mind.
A search for some actual coffee beans and find that the cupboard is empty.
You turn around to see that Kokonoe, the cat-girl scientist with pink hair, has already taken the measure of filling the grinder with beans.
As it turns on, she glares at you.
She's still on edge, for whatever reason. You wonder why.
"What the hell are you looking at?" she hisses. "It's not like you're the only person that can make coffee."
Her tails seems to be raised in the back, and she crushes the candy sucker she's eating in her jaws.
Is she trying to assert herself?
Either way, she hisses at you. "Come on. I asked you a question. Or are you going to just stare at the machine until the coffee is ready?"

>"I might be." Wait for the coffee)
>"What's your deal? What have I done to you?"
>"There's something you know about me that Rachel hasn't told me, isn't there?"
>"Do you do this to everyone?"
>Remain Silent
>Walk into the other room
>Write-In

>>41310977
There I go, dropping my trip again.
Sorry.

>>41310977
>>"I might be." Wait for the coffee

Slow day huh?

>>41310977
>>"I might be." Wait for the coffee)
>"Do you do this to everyone?"
or are you threatened because I use my brain for more than a hat wrack and called you out that one time?

>>41311205
>>41311394

"Maybe I am." you stare back at her.
There's another of the famous awkward silences you're so good at making.
Kokonoe stares at you. Just stares.
It's a bit unnerving, something in-between judging an ally and analysing an enemy.
You hope you fit into the former category, mostly because that would make most of this endeavour easier.
The coffee maker continues to grind.
Kagura sits down with his drink, Rachel having her own tea and temporarily ignoring Kagura for his plebeian behaviour of drinking so early.
Soon, the grinder comes to a halt, and Kokonoe immediately snatches up the results, putting them in a filter and starting the machine.
"Smartass." she mutters.
She seems oddly defensive and never really takes her eyes off of you- rather than being attracted to you, it seems her 'interest' seems to be one of making sure you don't do anything sketchy.
Once again, you're left holding the bag as she waits for the machine to drip.
"Do you do this to everyone?" you ask. "Or are you somehow *still* mad that I used my head for more than a hat rack and called you out in front of your subordinate?"
She smirks in a smug disbelief. "You really think that's what's bothering me? No, pissant, it's because you're so similar to that scum Terumi that it's uncanny."
You're curious, more than offended at this, for some reason. "Mind explaining that?"
"Sure." She puts down her coffee. "You come out of nowhere and suddenly you're a big deal. Kick Ragna's ass, capture Terumi. Beat Jin."
Her eyes narrow at you. "And I'm not supposed to believe it's a trap? Your Azure is almost the same as Terumi's- but weaker."
"Excuse me?" Rachel flutters at this. "Do you not trust my judgement?"
"I don't think *you* made that Grimoire. It doesn't follow. There are too many holes in how it got here."

>"Where else could it have come from?"
>"Doubt all you want. I'm not buying it."
>"Is that your real reason, or an excuse?"
>"I'm getting coffee."
>Write In

>>41311678
>>"I'm getting coffee."
>I'm smart but wibbly wobbly timelines and metaphysics are way too far out of my area of expertise. Although if I from a failed future timeline you or Relius or anyone else who's a genius could have made this at Little miss Vampire's bidding.

"Doubt all you want. I'm getting coffee."

>>41311755
>>41311821

At the first hint of complex concepts, you bolt for the coffeepot to ensure that your brain is online for the conversation.
"I'm gonna ask that you give me the chance to wake up a bit before continuing."
"No, please, anything that shuts you up for a moment is fine by me." She rolls her eyes.
You shrug in response. "Doubt all you want- I'm getting coffee." You smell it, and your heart is already speeding up. Damn, that's good.
"Like I said, all we have is its word that it came from another timeline. It doesn't really even have any details on where it came from- I know, because I checked."
Something occurs to you. "Wait- are you saying that you scanned the Grimoire's memories in the past? While it was attached to me?" You drink the coffee a little faster than you should.
"Yes..." She seems hesitant to reveal this. "That doesn't matter, though."
"Well, what if you or someone else, like Relius, made it and sent it back in time?" You scratch your chin. "I'm not great at timeline-related shenanigans, but it might have worked."
Kokonoe shakes her head. "If it was me, I would have labeled it with some data. Everything seemed hackneyed together." She refills her cup and sips again. "If it was made by someone we know, it was made in one hell of a hurry."

>"A messenger sent back to prevent something? What, then?"
>"So suppose I was made by one of your enemies. How did my true allegiance manage to bypass your little deep scan?"
>"Someone else, then? Who would have interest in this universe?"
>"Technically, the Azure I carry isn't *really* me. I could remove it, if you need me to."
>Write-In

>>41312065
>Well the world was ending so time likely wasn't on anyone's side.
>>"So suppose I was made by one of your enemies. How did my true allegiance manage to bypass your little deep scan?"
>"Someone else, then? Who would have interest in this universe?"
>"Technically, the Azure I carry isn't *really* me. I could remove it, if you need me to."
Although that would make me next to bloody useless in a fight.

>>41312144
Second

File: Kokonoe_Alarmed.jpg (13 KB, 250x300)

13 KB JPG

>>41312144
>>41312259

"Allegedly, it was the end of their world, so time wasn't exactly on their side." You mutter.
Kokonoe glares at you, but you simply drink your coffee.
Rachel picks up on your side. "I should expect not. Something as cataclysmic as that would barely grant even as much as returned."
She returns to drinking tea as you continue. "Let's suppose that Relius or Hazama sent the Grimoire back. How did that information escape your deep scan?" You ask Kokonoe.
Kagura shrugs. "Those guys can be pretty tricky, to be honest. It may have simply been somewhere she didn't look or something she didn't see."
"Kagura, I will literally pay you not to put words in my mouth." The cat-woman looks you over again. "I'm honestly not sure if you still have some hidden data or some sort of 'add-on' they know how to put in."
"And if it were someone else? Who would have interest in this universe?" There's a slight tug in the back of your mind, as if someone's watching and you can't put your finger on who it is.

Kokonoe seems to be at a loss, and thinks for a bit before ceding the argument. "Fine. I guess I can trust you. But on a need-to-know basis only, in case there is something still up."
You shrug. It's better than nothing. "If you need my Azure, it's not technically part of me, so I could remove it if need be. It would really take the wind out of my fighting ability, though."
"I'll consider it." Kokonoe still seems nervous, but puts down her coffee and leaves. "I have some coordinates to confirm, so I'd appreciate it if you didn't interrupt me."
You end up sitting down at the table with rachel and Mutsuki, and there is still a single, desperate pancake left.

>Put the pancake out of its misery.
>Get more coffee.
>"So what's the plan, General?"
>"I think she likes me."
>"Who else is in on this?"
>"Who in the NOL do we need to get on our side?"
>Write-In

>>41312508
>Put the pancake out of its misery.
>Get more coffee.
>"So what's the plan, General?"
>"Who else is in on this?"
>"Who in the NOL do we need to get on our side?"
>Before you ask grimoire says Imperator is never gonna happen.

>>41312508
>Put the pancake out of its misery.
>Get more coffee.
>"So what's the plan, General?"
>"Who else is in on this?"

>>41312573
>>41312747

You get more coffee. Another cup can't hurt.
"So what's the plan, General?" You drink. "I assume you know more about the details of how this little affair and execution works than I do."
He nods. "There's a lunch from noon to one, with some nobles in a special dining hall on a balcony overlooking most of the city. We're expected to attend."
You finish off the pancake still left, using the plate it was on to eat off of. "Okay. What then?"
"Then there's going to be the transition period, where we set up. You'll be expected to be in the arena, sitting near Colonel Clover and myself. If he does something, we take care of it."
"He'll be expecting that." Your eyes narrow.

"Right." Kagura nods. "He's probably going to have that doll of his do something in the mean-time. Ragna is going to be executed, and you've been requested to give a speech. Something about justice and the NOL."
he draws in a deep breath. "Instead, we've got a list of evidence condemning Hazama. They're expecting that Ragna's going to be executed... but we need to take care of Hazama first. Force his hand."
He smirks. "The best part is that I can do this legally- I have reign over military affairs here. When Hazama inevitably resists, we get Ragna to take him out of the picture, with all of the backup we can spare."
"At that point, it's a matter of cooperation. If Relius resists, we deal with him, preferably not with violence."
It seems solid enough. "Anyone else besides Ragna in on this?"
"Some Ikarugan ninjas, led by Bang Shishigami, a portion of the Duodecim, including the Kisaragis and Yayois, a few other families."
This raises an eyebrow. "Don't Ikarugans hate the NOL?"
Kagura answers this. "I explained some things to them. They're on our side. the speech should tell you all you need to know."
(Cont.)

"Who else do we get on our side? And... the Grimoire told me the Imperator is our enemy." You finish your cup.
"It talks?" Mutsuki balks at this. "But... I already knew that. You see, the Imperator isn't really supposed to be in the position she's in."
He closes his eyes. "Lord Tenjo Amanohokosaka used to be the Imperator- he was an Ikarugan before the coup d'etat made by the current Imperator during the Second War of Ars Magus- you know it as the Ikarugan War."
"His son is in my care- the rightful Imperator."
"And recruiting?" you ask.
"I've already taken care of most of it, but just make sure that when you're at lunch you try to get on people's good side. Preferably any of the Duodecim-their tables are labeled."
Mutsuki falls silent before asking, "Any questions?"

>"No. Let's do this."
>"So I assume the speech will reveal the betrayal?"
>"What about the Imperator? She's supposed to be powerful herself. Who deals with her?"
>"When do I get the speech to read?"
>"Can I tell the others, or is this between us?"
>Write-In
Stop being a bitch Firefox.

>>41313382
>>"So I assume the speech will reveal the betrayal?"
>"What about the Imperator? She's supposed to be powerful herself. Who deals with her?"
>"Can I tell the others, or is this between us?"
>Also Keep them away from Noel. Grimoire said if they manage to mess her up to much she'd turn into something that make Ragna look like a kid playing with a bb gun. Wouldn't put it past Terumi or Relius to try and due it on the spot or kidnap her to do it alter.

>>41313665

You nod. "So I assume the speech will reveal the betrayal?"
"Yes." Kagura explains. "In front of so many people, it will be hard to deny. At the least, it buys us some disarray to carry out our plan. If they don't believe us, we'll likely be branded as traitors."
"I know." You lean back. "What about the Imperator? She's supposed to be powerful herself. Who deals with her?"
"Rachel and Kokonoe, mostly, then everyone after we pull off our plan."
"Can I tell the others, or is this between us?"
"I'd prefer this to be between us for now." Kagura fishes into one of his pockets.
"Before and after we go to lunch, I need you to check on Hazama. Right now, you're the closest excuse we have to monitoring him without eliciting suspicion."
He hands you a special passcard. "This should get you past any security you need to."
"Something I need to tell you- Keep them away from Noel. Relius and Hazama."
Kagura raises an eyebrow. "You mean about her... nature?" he looks around to make sure no-one else is present.
Notably, Rachel has left.
"Yeah. She's supposed to be dangerous if they screw with her head. I don't want them hurting her or trying to make her fight us."
Musuki swallows and draws in a deep breath. "Ben... If she turns... You need to kill her. Right now we don't have any way to un-do whatever it is they do to Murakumo Units."
He stares at you.
"Can I trust you with this?"

>"It's not going to happen. I won't let it."
>"Yes. Only as a last resort."
>"No. I can't promise you that."
>"Yes." (Lie: Roll 2d6, DC 9)
>Write-In

>>41313914
I Doubt I could do it from a moral or technical standpoint, She'd have me outclassed in about every standpoint imaginable. Hell she nearly does that as her normal self. I'd try to knock down and keep her back but going toe-to toe with her would be like me fighting Taeger, Ragna or Hakumen in cqc. I'm not that good.

>>41314066


You considered the issue before responding in the negative. "No. I can't."
Kagura didn't seem to be surprised. "Can't or won't?"
"Both." you scoot the bottle Kagura has over to you and pour some into your empty coffee cup.
Initially, it tastes a little strange due tot he coffee, but it soon seems to simply be some sort of rum.
"Even with my Azure, she would completely outclass me in combat- she's already as good or better of a shot than me. There would be no way for me to get close to killing her."
You shrug your shoulders and empty the mug before pushing the bottle back over. "I might be able to do some damage, but a death blow would be out of the question up against that scale of power."
He sighs. "Then we'll have to find some way to get around it... I can't think of how, though." Standing up, he puts the drink back.
"Regardless, we've got a little time before lunch." He picks up his dishes and prepares to place them in the kitchen. "If you want to do something else, now is the time."
You're soon left with a slightly dirty table and an empty plate.

>Clean up
>Talk to Kagura more. Maybe there's something else he can tell you of use.
>Talk to Kokonoe more. Maybe she knows something about Noel.
>Search out Noel and the others.
>Go check on Hazama.
>Return to your room.
>Write-In

>>41314328
>>Go check on Hazama.
Hey Kagura can you give my friends from here an exemption to showing up, baring that a reassignment? I really don't want to have them used against me, which is something they will do if given a chance.

>>41314496
Can I get a clarification of what exactly you'd like them to be exempt from?
Most of them are around your power class, and technically, Jin is stronger than you- or would be if he stopped derping around.

>>41314568
I meant our friends from Iwatsuchi.

>>41314593
Ah, yes, 'orphanage soldiers'?
All right.
Writing...

>>41314496

"Kagura, before I go..." you stand up and walk after him.
He stops to listen. "What is it?"
"There are two soldiers in the nearby area... You might not know them, but their names are Greg and Shelby. Greg does rounds near an orphanage, and Shelby directs traffic."
He seems confused. "I don't know them, but I can find them. Why?"
"I'd like to make sure they're not involved with this." You express your worry to him in a calm fashion. "They were close friends of mine when I was younger, and I think Hazama might try to use them as leverage."
He thinks for a second and nods. "This isn't nepotism, just to be clear. It's precaution. but yes, I can do that."
"Good. Thank you, General." you salute.
"Thank you, Major." he mock-salutes back.
You leave out the way you came, slowly making your way through the busy crowd to a holding block within the branch.

...

After a few explanations and elevators down, you find yourself in a deep, barely-illuminated area.
Only sparsely-distributed spotlights and lines of lined so crates are here. The air is thick with seither, though not dangerously so. You wonder why.
"Are you sure this is it?" you ask. It must be half a kilometer under the surface.
The grunt with you shrugs. "Sorry, sir, I only operate the elevator."
You dismiss him and step off. The elevator begins to return to the surface.
You sense danger near by, but of what type seems to escape you.
After a few seconds of concentrating, you hear footsteps coming from your right, about 100 meters away, from behind a stack of hundreds of steel and wooden crates that's taller than you are.
The area you're in is marked E2.

>Move left to E1
>Move right to E3
>Search E2
>Meet the source of the footsteps
>Attempt to evade the source of footsteps (2d6, DC 7)
>Attempt to surprise the source of the footsteps (2d6, DC 9)
>Write-In

Rolled 1, 6 = 7 (2d6)

>>41314981
>Attempt to surprise the source of the footsteps (2d6, DC 9)

>>41315128
>>41314981
autosuccess?

>>41315182
I'm going to assume you're not samefagging for the sake of sanity.

>>41315229
same guy who rolled was just asking for it since you never said before or after.

>>41315310
I'll let it pass, either way, because you seem to be the only current player and this is an important point.
Continuing to write.

>(AUTOSUCCESS SPENT: 2 REMAINING)
As you approach the corner on the junction between E2 and the path the source of the footsteps are on, you silence your approach with your Drive's control over sound.
The footsteps draw closer, and you crouch, your gun strapped to your back.
Your nerves begin to act up as the footsteps reach you- mnot more than ten feet away, around the corner.
The second after a figure steps past you, you immediately step behind them and grapple them, placing your left hand over their mouth and binding their right arm so they can't move.
However, after a second, you realize who it is, an what you've accidentally done.
"N...Noel?" You lift your hand off of her mouth and let go of her arm, and she gasps in surprise.
"B-Ben!" she turns around, a bit angry. "What was that for?"
"I thought Hazama had gotten out or something!"
She's still a bit nervous and angry. "Well, don't surprise me like that again! I..."
She looks away from you for a minute, before turning back.
"Ben... We're alone here, aren't we?" She takes one of your hands and looks at it. "Just the two of us?"

>"Why do you ask?"
>"Noel, are you okay?"
>"Did... Did you want to tell me something?"
>"I have something I wanted to tell you, Noel."
>"I don't think so."
>Write-In
>What's wrong with your eyes?

>>41315438
>"Why do you ask?"
>"Noel, are you okay?"
>What's wrong with your eyes?

>>41315554

"Why do you ask?" You're a bit suspicious. Something's not right here- and as she looks up, you have proof.
Her eyes... They're blue.
They were green before, and now they're a very strong blue.
Suddenly, you feel that you are in great danger. Your Grimoire pulls at you to get away.
But that doesn't make any sense- Hazama hasn't had the chance to do anything to her... Has he?
Wait... How did she get down here?

You're shuddering a bit as you ask, "Noel, are you okay? What's wrong with your eyes?"
She seems to be unaware or uncaring of your panic, embracing you softly. "I'm fine, Ben... In fact, I feel better than ever. I... I have something to show you."
Smiling genuinely, Noel steps back, leading you forward by grabbing your right hand. "Come on. It's not far from here."
Your heart feels like it could tear in half... Is this really Noel doing this?
If you're wrong, you could be fighting her and not whatever it is Hazama did to her- if he did anything at all.

>Trust Noel
>Pull Back
>Write-In

>>41315704
>>Trust Noel

>>41315845
Addendum keep our eyes open for threats and treachery and use navigation technique to see if we're close to a cauldron.

>>41315902
...Roll 2d6 for the navigation technique as she guides you, DC 5.

Rolled 5, 5 = 10 (2d6)

>>41315953
In b4 4 or less

>>41315975
Skin of the teeth

Rolled 6, 5 = 11 (2d6)

>>41315953
Dang I came in late.

>>41315997
Also, hey Spike, commitedanon here

>>41316090
Christ, my grammar seems to have taken this badly as well.
Fixed:

...No.
It can't be, but it is.
She, smiling, almost drags you past E-1 and through a hall that passes through five other sections, labeled D, C, B, and A. After this, there's a bit of a dark hall.
As you look at the markers on your Ars-produced map, you know what the signal means immediately. Almost instinctively.

It's a Cauldron.
Noel, a Murakumo Unit, is leading you, a man who carries an Azure Grimoire, to a Cauldron.
The trap- this trap- was set to go off early. Did they know?
How could they?
You unconsciously halt, and Noel is stopped as well, tugging on you slightly, each time becoming more and more scared of your reaction.
"Ben? Ben? What's wrong? BEN?"
She looks at you and sees true fear in your eyes.
"Ben... are you afraid of me?"

>"No, Noel. I'm scared FOR you."
>"Noel... I have to stop you. I'm sorry."
>"Noel, you know what this means. Please... don't."
>Write-In

>>41316014
Thanks for joining us.

>>41316090
>"Noel, you know what this means. Please... don't."

>>41316090
>>"No, Noel. I'm scared FOR you."
Someone or something has affected you, your eyes are blue, and you leading me to a cauldron. A grumpier bearer to a cauldron. This is a trap, one I hope you were duped into. I love you but I am not going in there.

>>41316090
>"No, Noel. I'm scared FOR you."
>"Noel, you know what this means. Please... don't."
>Write-In
"Did you tell hour family about me?"

>>41316143
Grimoire* not grumpier

>>41316133
>>41316143
>>41316155
>>41316167

"No, Noel... I'm scared FOR you." You tug her in the other direction before embracing her.
"Please... You know what being around a Cauldron means... Don't."
She's not saying anything, just clutching at you and breathing softly.

You share a bit of a tender moment. "Did you tell your family about me?" you ask. "I'm afraid I haven't really done so, yet..."
"No... Not yet..." She replied, in what seemed to be monotone. "I... wanted to show them who you were..."
She begins to shudder, and her grip tightens on you. "Noel?"
She's going cold. You try to shake her. "NOEL!"
"I... Wanted to show them... The person who... Makes me... Complete."
"Noel, don't give up! NOEL!"
"I feel cold, Ben."

Suddenly, a crackling of power appears besides you two.
Bolverk is being summone, one gun on her left and on her right.
But this isn't like before. It's like something's tearing.
You shake the weak, sluggish body of the woman you love in a panic. "Noel, are you okay? Noel? NOEL? NOELLLLLLLLLLLLL?"
"Ben, I...."

There's a silence. A snapping sound can be heard, and Noel slumps in your arms.

>Healing Ars! Do we know that?
>Call for help!
>Get her to the elevator!
>Write-In

>>41316370
>>Call for help!
>>Get her to the elevator!
Once in it and it starts moving
>Healing Ars! Do we know that?

>>41316370
>Healing Ars! Do we know that?
>Get her to the elevator!
Lets go people, controlled sonic vibrations to keep that heart pumping and lungs breathings while we move towards safety

>>41316370
>Call for help!
>Get her to the elevator!

>>41316426
>>41316442
>>41316496

You're on the verge of tears as her eyes close.
"SOMEONE, HELP!" you scream and hold her. She seems to be in a sort of shock.
There's no response, so you pick her up to carry bridal-style.
As you lift her up and begin to carry her towards the elevator, Noel's eyes suddenly bolt open.
They are not sane.
"Ben... I'm so sorry for scaring you. You thought we had been separated... for good, didn't you?"
Faster than you can react, she swings her legs around and uses your neck as a pivot to throw you off your balance and slam you into the floor.
Your head feels like it explodes in a bolt of pain and confusion.
As you try to stand up, she grabs you by the neck and begins to tighten her grip.

This seemingly frail girl has somehow become inhumanly strong, easily starting to restrict your windpipe.
She closes her other hand around your neck to pin and straddles you.
"It's okay... Just a little while longer and we'll be together... You won't have to worry one bit, Ben. I'll take care of you..."
She begins to laugh, first a girlish giggle, but quickly turning into a maniacal howling.
"Now nobody can take you away! Not Tsubaki, not that girl, NOBODY! YOU'RE MINE! MINE! AND I'M YOURS! YOURS! FOREVER!"
She's crying a bit- You're not sure what kind of tears they are.

You have to think fast- your gun is on your back, and you're blacking out.

Roll 2d6:
>"Noel, please... This isn't you!"
>Try to force her off of you.
>Try to activate your Grimoire
>Pull her towards you.
>Write-In

Rolled 3, 5, 1, 1 = 10 (4d6)

>>41316736
>>"Noel, please... This isn't you!"
>Pull her towards you.

Rolled 5, 6 = 11 (2d6)

>>41316736
>"Noel, please... This isn't you!"
>Pull her towards you.

>>41316844
Each action is 2d6

>>41316844
>>41316867
This is true. Which action do you want that 11 value to go towards?

>>41316867
would another 2d6 roll work or does that mistake just make it all invalid?

>>41316897
I'll go with adding that 11 to >"Noel, please... This isn't you!" Sorry for the mistake.

>>41316897
>>41316900
Can he roll another 2d6?

>>41316928
I only take best of the first two on any action, but yes.

>>41316950
Not like he can do worse than 2 1s

New guy here, l-lurking the thread. What's the point in rolling for this in particular?

>>41316950
I'll just stick to adding the 11 to >"Noel, please... This isn't you!"
I'll try to remember this for the next time sorry for the trouble guys.

>>41316767
>>41316844
>>41316982
Different actions produce different results.
>>41317003
Very well.

"Noel, this isn't you- ARGH!" She pulls your neck up and slams your head into the ground.
"Of course this is me, Ben? Who-who else would it be?" Her resolve seems to have been damaged, but she continues to press down on you.
"We're going to be married, right, Ben? Married, happily! That's what marriage is supposed to be..." More tears. Faster. Some of them drip onto your face.
You try to pull her towards you, but it takes a while for you to get a solid grip on her.
"Noel... Please..."
"I'm trying to make this quick, Ben! I really am! But you're resisting me too much!"
She screams at you, her face turning crimson. "Don't you want to be happy?"
You're not sure how much longer you can take this... maybe a minute?
Every action you take costs six seconds of air.
Make them count.

>"You... You said a marriage... Who else do you want to see at the marriage...?"
>"If Makoto or Tsubaki was looking at you... What do you think they would do?"
>Try to kiss her.
>"Noel... I'll go to the Cauldron with you... Just stop."
>Write-In
I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore- this shit writes itself.

>>41316982
Well the second action got 2 1s which is really bad a higher roll attached to pulling her closer may save our butts.

>>41317003
Just roll another 2d6 it counts for the pulling her closer not the it isn't you.

>>41317024
>>"You... You said a marriage... Who else do you want to see at the marriage...?"
How would your father give you away, what about Tsubaki and Makoto being your maids of honor? What about us being together on a honeymoon ? Hell what about kids? You're throwing every chance at that away, because the cauldron will destroy us.

>>41317024

Shit, there should be a 'Roll 2d6' in there.
I'm on this ride with the rest of you, now.

>>41317024
>"You... You said a marriage... Who else do you want to see at the marriage...?"
I'm not sure which'll make her think more.

Rolled 4, 4 = 8 (2d6)

>>41317086
>>41317024
Rolling

Rolled 4, 1 = 5 (2d6)

>>41317024
>"You... You said a marriage... Who else do you want to see at the marriage...?"

>>41317086
>>41317097
>>41317157
>>41317118

"You... You said a marriage... Who else do you want to see at the marriage...?"
"Who..." her eyes glossed over and her grip released, slightly.
"How would your father give you away, what about Tsubaki and Makoto being your maids of honor?"
"I... We don't...."
"What about us being together on a honeymoon?"
"This... Will fix..."
"Hell, what about kids?"
That last thought stopped Noel dead in her tracks.
"You're throwing our chances of that away, because the Cauldron will destroy us."
Her hands are shaking. You're staring to do some serious damage to whatever is deluding her, now.
"Don't lie to me! You're trying to trick me! Stop It! STOP IT!"
She begins to refocus on choking you.
"I'm doing this... Because I love you! Don't forget that!"

Doubts are beginning to form in her mind, you can feel it.
You've got forty-eight seconds of air left before you black out.

>"Can't you see you're hurting me?"
>"Noel... I'll never forget that you love me."
>"Do you really think I'm trying to trick you?"
>Write-In

Rolled 1, 3 = 4 (2d6)

>>41317257
>"Do you really think I'm trying to trick you?"

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>>41317288
You struggle under her grip. "Do you really think I'm trying to trick you?"
She re-asserts herself over you, and smiles at you fiendishly. "Not so much as you're thinking the wrong sorts of things..."
Letting go of your neck with her left hand, she strokes your face and coos, "You think that we need to not be in the Cauldron to do all those things... It's fine. I'll take care of it."
Then she goes back to choking you with both hands. "All you need to do is black out, and everything will be fine..."
She cackles and then smiles as if she didn't have a care in the world.
However, the tearstains on her face betray her feelings.

You consider your options.
>"All you need to do is black out," she said...
It would be risky, but you could try to pretend to black out. You have little over half a minute of breath left.

Roll 2d6:
>Pretend to black out
>Try to struggle again
>"Noel... I want to help you... So listen to me..."
>Write-In

>>41317257
>"Can't you see you're hurting me?"

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>>41317456
Dammit, meant to post this.

Rolled 3, 1 = 4 (2d6)

>>41317456
>"Noel... I want to help you... So listen to me..."

Rolled 4, 5 = 9 (2d6)

>>41317456
>"Noel... I want to help you... So listen to me..."

>>41317496
>>41317549

You're running out of air. However, you are able to still speak coherently. "Noel... I want to help you... So listen to me..."
The sincerity in her voice stirs something in her. "Ben... I don't want to fight any more.. I just want to be happy."
Her grip only lightens slightly. "This... is what I have to do... for both of us."
She's choking down tears. "If there were another way... I... I would..."
She's almost coming out of it. One good push ought to bring her back to her senses.

You're coming down to the line. You can hold out for less than half a minute, now.

Roll 2d6
>"You don't have to fight me any more."
>"Does this... make you happy?"
>"Noel, it'll be just a little while longer."
>Write-In

Rolled 6, 3 = 9 (2d6)

>>41317669
>"Does this... make you happy?"

Rolled 6, 4 = 10 (2d6)

>>41317669
>>"Does this... make you happy?"

>>41317700
>>41317709
You're seeing in blurs now. but you still have enough strength to ask her, "Noel... does this... make you happy?"
After a second or two, her eyes open in realization and she relases her grip on your neck.
"No! NO! What have I done? Ben! I'm so sorry!"
She gets up and claps her hands over her mouth in horror. "Are you okay?"
She kneels down and checks your breathing.
Slowly, you regain your full range of sight, and your body returns to functioning as normal... whatever normal is.
She's on her knees besides you, filled with shame.
"I'm sorry. I- It's fine of you don't want to talk to me for a while." She covers her face with her hat.
"Don't... pity me, though... You were the one who got hurt, not me."
You're able to stand, now.

>"Noel... I don't pity you."
>"I'm fine. This body comes in handy some times."
>"We need to leave, now."
>"Never knew you were that strong..."
>"Please don't do that unless I request it."
>"What happened? You just sort of broke for a second, there."
>Write-In

Last post(s) coming up.
All aboard.

>>41317874
>>"Please don't do that unless I request it."
>"We need to leave, now."

>>41317874
>"Please don't do that unless I request it."
>"We need to leave, now."

>>41317927
>>41317938
Writing....

Also relevant:
http://strawpoll.me/4964098

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>>41317927
>>41317938
So you insist.

You rub your neck to work out the pain. "Ow... Please don't do that unless I request it."
Noel lowers her hat and stares at you for a bit. Her expression changes between worry, disbelief, relief, and a bit of embarrassment between the span of three seconds.
"I... Okay." She stands up, still visibly conflicted.
"We need to leave, now." You look up, and your spirit, relieved, is now put to the flame. Again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBvzJLJTYKc
Your body's immediate response is a surge of anger. "Are you shitting me?"

Masked under the noise and struggle before, the refined footsteps of Relius Clover are now perfectly clear.
Striding towards you two like he owns the place, his eyes pass over you in disgust and the puppeteer turns to Noel. "You had but one task, and you failed. Is there a more useless sort of doll?"
"Doll?"
"Yes, doll. An artifical being like yourself enjoys no human rights."
His eyes are inperceptable behind the mask, but more likely than not they are focused in anger. "But I suppose that extends to you, too, Major, considering your origin."
Tiltiing his head, studying you as one would a specimen or a painting.
"Impressive as your manipulation of Noel's emotions might be, you have proved to hinder my plans too much to let you go. You will, however, serve as an excellent test subject."

>"Doll?"
>"Manipulating her emotions? the only one doing that was you! I was showing her the truth!"
>"No. Fucking no. I am not dealing with you right now."
>Fuck it. It's Azure Grimoire time.
>"Shove it up your ass, Relius. We're leaving, and you're not stopping us."
>A More Creative Insult (Write-In)

>>41318169
>>"No. Fucking no. I am not dealing with you right now."

>>41318169
>"No. Fucking no. I am not dealing with you right now."

>>41318169
>"No. Fucking no. I am not dealing with you right now."

>>41318253
>>41318266
>>41318360

Your blood boils. Not now. Not right now, of all times. "No. Fucking no. I am not dealing with you right now."
Clover smirks,. "Indeed. This much is true. You are not dealing with me. I am dealing with you."
He snaps his fingers. "Ignis."
The pinkish purple machine appears by Colonel Clover's side and displays its claws.
Relius himself reveals the machines he keeps under his cape for self-defense. "I'd prefer it if you didn't struggle. You''ll be easier to analyze intact."

Noel stands up. "You're not taking anyone anywhere."
Relius sneers at the young woman. "Excuse me, did I say you could-"
"Shut up! I hurt Ben, so, as amends, I'm not letting you get your slimy hands on him!"
She rolled past Clover and snatched up Bolverk from the ground, taking a battle stance.

"Insolent fools- You're nothing but toys!!" the colonel snarled and held out an arm, to which a machine jumped.

>THE WHEEL OF FATE IS TURNING!

---

That's the end for tonight.
Any questions?

>>41318402
How long are we out of this fight?

>>41318421
Actually, it's 2v1 here. You fight for Ben.

>>41318402
So how long was Clover watching us? Does Hazama know what has happened?

>>41318466
>So how long was Clover watching us?
He was the one that 'accidentally' got Noel down here.
So, like, the whole time.
Had you evaded Noel, you might have been able to find him.

>Does Hazama know what has happened?
Not yet. He's too busy doing something else.

And before you ask, the emotions that overloaded Bolverk in this case were Noel's feelings towards you.
You get three guesses as to when they were highest throughout this whole quest, and the first two don't count.

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>>41318517
Archived.

>>41318517
Maybe the day we asked her on the date?The morning after sex? And anytime she talked about us to someonw else?

>>41321129
Either that or talking to her folks about us. Sex is mostly likely though.