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So this kid... his name is Marshall and I guess he's some kind of weed dealer or something. And he seems to have an interest in occult stuff according to that conversation I overheard, which would explain how the hell he got his hands on that book Lorelei warned me about.

Now that I have an actual lead to work from, the question now is what to do from here. My lunch period just ended, but I could always skip next class...

you should call irene and tell her what you found

...or I could go down to the library and try to look this kid's information up in the school directory.

irene can probably dig up more information than you can

easier too


>back to class with me
>head to the library for some detective work
>call the irene now

>>43418005
>head to the library for some detective work

>>43418005
>>head to the library for some detective work

>>43418005
>back to class with me
>call the Irene now
Gotta keep the cover of us being a normal kid up.

>>43418005
>head to the library for some detective work

>>43418005
>head to the library for some detective work

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>writing

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I can call Irene later when I have more information, she isn't going anywhere.

laaaaame

While taking the most crowded path in order to try and blend in with the crowd, I make my way on down to the library. Unsurprisingly, it's pretty empty when I get there... though that adds to the overall sense of unease I've been feeling ever since getting that stupid synapse

he's on the third floor

nowhere near here


>[1/?]

>>43419071

Getting a copy of the school directory isn't a problem, much to my relief. The librarian lady doesn't even suspect me of the horrible crime of skipping class, she just hands me the (surprisingly thin) bound volume and goes back to reading her tabloid. Unfortunately, that's where my easy time ends. Because, well... these are listed by grade and then name. LAST name. And I'm pretty damned sure that "Marshall" is windboy's first name.

should have asked irene

Shut up, it's not like she'd have any more luck than I did.


>[2/3]

arch is asleep, post lewd Iori!

>>43419264
>[3/3]

In the name of thoroughness, I start with the freshman class and work my way from there, scanning through name after name after name after name. And since this stupid place has like 1500 students, I have plenty of listings to look at.

wait

is this it?

My hand stops on a listing in the Senior class...

"Marshall Buccelli?" I say out loud.

yeah that one

The name fits, I guess... but there's no picture. Or address listed. I know that's an option to do when they ask for your information in the first place, but without any visual confirmation I can't really be sure if this is the right guy.

probably is though

we haven't seen a single other "marshall" so far aside from those two girls in sophomore year

"!!!"

Oh man, that was the end-of-period bell. I can't believe I've spent this entire time looking in this stupid book...


>go to my next class like a good student
>keep looking in the book just in case
>call the irene now

>>43419623
>go to my next class like a good student

>>43419623
>>go to my next class like a good student

>>43419623
>go to my next class like a good student

>>43419623
>go to my next class like a good student

Ha! Ha! Time for FDQ - and Song of Unison, no less!

>>43419623
>go to my next class like a good student

>>43419623
>go to my next class like a good student

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>writing

>>43419901
>Dat silhouette

Is...is that Kain?

>>43419965
It certainly looks like some form of FF Dragoon.

I've got a name and a face and a grade, that should be enough to work with. Besides, I've already skipped one class today and I'd really like to avoid the off chance that I get unlucky and they call my uncle's house.

And so, I close the school directory and hand it to the librarian lady as I head out into the hallway. Much like before, I stick to the heavily- populated areas in order to keep from being seen (as well as the room of the class I just skipped) and head to my destination.

And because I really need a break, I let the voice in my head take over instead of struggling to pay attention in class.


>[1/?]

>>43420204
>[2/2]

One (I assume) boring class later, I find myself back in possession of my own body.

you're welcome

With the end of the school day comes the end of my social obligations. Too bad I can't exactly celebrate my freedom like usual, what with the potential for superpowered fights breaking out and all.


>call the irene
>solo pursuing actions

>>43420611
>call the irene

>>43420611
>>call the irene

>>43420611
>Call the Irene

>>43420611
>call the irene

>>43420611
>>call the irene

>>43420611
>call the irene

THE HIVEMIND DECREED IT.
AND I SHALL OBEY.

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>>43420611
>call the irene

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>writing

>>43420786
Is that the third waifu?

>>43420864
>Is that the third waifu?
No.

Note her name and what she's doing.

>>43420950
aww shit. we seein' josh's waifu soon?

>>43420950
Ah so your third waifu is someone else.

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Taking the exit on the opposite end of the building from where Marshall is right now, I make for my usual post-leaving-school route just like always. Once I've gotten far enough from the school building that I feel somewhat safe, I bring out my phone and pull up Irene's number.

"Hello?" Irene calls out, having picked up on the first ring.
"Hey," I say. "This is Joshua from the other day."
"Oh, so it was you!" she laughs. "I answered it without checking who called..."

She's talking to me like we're close buddies or something, it's really weird.


>[1/?]

>>43421296
Does she ever not pick up on first ring?

Does her number connect to all the Irenes and we merely speak with the one who first picks up?

>>43421360
All Irenes have their own phone lines to keep things from getting too confused.

She answers on the first ring because every so often it's a matter of life and death.

>>43421296

"So what's up?" Irene asks. "I assume you didn't butt-dial me."
"Uh, no," I say, taking a moment to get used to Irene's cheerfulness. "It's about a certain someone we ran into the other day."
"Oh," her tone immediately goes serious. "What happened, did one of them attack you?"
"No," I reply, "but the kid with the wind Branch apparently goes to my school. I got a Synapse right when I got there today."

The line goes quiet for a long while.


>[2/?]

>>43421448
>[3/3]


"Sorry about that," Irene sighs. "I'm just mad at myself for not expecting something so obvious..."
"Hey, I feel the same way," I reply.

For real, I've been at this for HOW many years and somehow got blindsided by this?

"You didn't confront him, did you?" Irene asks.
"No, I'm not that stupid," I reply. "I tracked his movements while staying as far away from him as I could."
"That's good, we don't want an incident around a bunch of civilians."
"I also got his name," I say.


>give her the name now
>wait until I see her face-to-face

>>43421571
>>give her the name now
Team Irene probably can run some additional checks on the guy.

>>43421571
>give her the name now

>>43421571
>>give her the name now
No reason to drag this out. Still not sure what the procedure is for confronting previously violent but momentary not violent branch-holders. Can’t exactly throw them in a normal prison and killing them all seems kind of excessive.

>>43421571

>give her the name now

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>Joshua thread
Hell Yeah!

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>writing

Fuck yeah! Joshua is back!

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"Wha!?" Irene gasps. "You did!? How!?"
"Overheard someone talking to him and then looked him up in the school directory," I reply.
"Wow, nice work!"

she's so nice

"So what's his name?" Irene asks.
"Marshall," I say. "Marshall Buccelli."
"Alright, I've got that written down," she replies. "With a name to the kid's face, this should go a lot quicker. This is the Divine Breath kid, right?"
"Yup," I nod.

the other kid's name was eric

Oh hey, nice looking out.

After I give Irene the name of the other kid, she heaps on even more praise and cheers for my "amazing detective work" and asks me if I'd like to come help out.


>meet up with the irene
>go to the hospital to see my mother

>>43421942
>>meet up with the irene
Let's work on some JUSTICE.

>>43421942
>meet up with the irene

>>43421942
>>go to the hospital to see my mother
"Can we do this a bit later today?" I’d like to make at least a short visit to the mother beforehand. (Unless that is extremely far away)

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>writing

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c'mon

c'mon

pleeeeeeeeeease

Ugh, fine. But don't think I'm about to indulge your stupid crush any more than this.

"Yeah, fine," I say to Irene. "I guess I can spare at least a little bit of time.
"Great," Irene says in the cheeriest voice ever. "Me and Lloyd are at the church where, well..." she trails off.
"The church where you kidnapped me and tied me up after I saved your life," I finish her sentence. "Yeah, I'll be over there after a while."
"Thanks for not holding a grudge~"

With that, I hang up my phone and start the longish walk to the church.


>[1/?]

>>43422266
>[2/2]

I end up using my Branch way more than I usually do. From negating most of the shock of my footsteps in order to reduce the stress to my feet from such a long walk to keeping a wide perimeter of surveillance for anything weird since I'm entering the neighborhood where I got jumped before... by the time I reach the church that Irene's at, I find myself feeling more than a little fatigue.

But the peace of mind is more than worth it. Too bad that goes right out the window when I see Lloyd's stupid face when I open the door to the church.


>try to be friendly since we're presumably going to be working together for a while
>ignore him and look for the irene

>>43422364
>>try to be friendly since we're presumably going to be working together for a while

>>43422364
>ignore him and look for the irene
We work with Irene, not this cunt

>>43422364
>try to be friendly since we're presumably going to be working together for a while

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>>43422406
>Namefagging

>>43422364
>ignore him and look for the irene

>>43422364
>>try to be friendly since we're presumably going to be working together for a while

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Why the hell does it always take until the wee hours of the morning for me to find my stride...


>writing

>>43422481
Poor sleep cycle?

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>>43422481
The curse of one who has had is laifu ruined by having too many waifus.

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"Hey," I wave to Lloyd. "Irene asked me if I could show up so here I am."
"Yeah, I bet she did," Lloyd rolls his eyes. "She was going on and ON about how you actually came up with some information on those asshole kids who attacked her the other day."
"Yeah," I reply. "I got their names. First and last."

Lloyd actually seems stunned for a moment.

"Well congrats for actually making yourself useful," he says with a huff. "I have to admit that I'm surprised you actually did."


>yeah well I've been "making myself useful" for a long time now
>ignore the backhanded compliment

>>43422481
You're a night turtle archelon. of course you're going to get going in the wee hours.

>>43422551
>ignore the backhanded compliment
Don't lower yourself to his level.

>>43422551
>>ignore the backhanded compliment
Pay no attention to this small-minded pleb.

>>43422551
>>ignore the backhanded compliment
Rise above b8.

>>43422551
Seems to me you should be more thankful that I'm doing your job for you lazy gits.

>>43422551
"It’s more than I can say about you from what we have seen of each other so far. But unlike you I’m not assuming the worst, no matter how ridiculous it is, and instead assume that you are probably useful in some way."

>>43422551
Our turtles sometimes wake me up, running around in the night and bumping against things.

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>writing

>43422551
>>ignore the backhanded compliment

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I will choose to ignore his smartassed remark. It's not like he has any idea what the hell he's talking about anyways.

"So where's Irene?" I ask.
"In the back," Lloyd replies. "Last I checked, she was on the phone with her sister."
"Huh?"
"Yeah she has a sister," he shrugs. "Every bit as hot as Irene is cute with tits just as big, but she's twice as gay and a thousand times bitchier. You oughta be glad she didn't get sent here instead of Irene, goggle boy. I know -I- am."
"......"

I resist the urge to shoot him a glare and head in through the inner doors of the church towards the sound of Irene's voice.


>[1/?]

>>43422745
>[2/2]
Even though she's several rooms away from where I am, I can tell just as easily as I was there that Irene's sitting on a bed with her shoes off, talking on her phone with someone with a very similar voice to hers. I dunno if it's the phone distortion or what, but the person on the other end of the line sounds older?


>use my mastery of soundwaves to eavesdrop on the irene's conversation
>use my mastery of soundwaves to announce my arrival to the irene
>walk into the room and say hi like a normal person

>>43422810
>use my mastery of soundwaves to eavesdrop on the irene's conversation

>>43422810
>>walk into the room and say hi like a normal person

>>43422810
>>walk into the room and say hi like a normal person
It

>>43422866
…would be rude to eavesdrop, is what I was going to write.

>>43422810
>>>walk into the room and say hi like a normal person

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>writing

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Though I sure as hell can't say the same for her partner, Irene's been fairly decent to me. So I guess I'll try and show her the same courtesy and not eavesdrop on her phonecall. Instead of doing that or announcing my arrival by "throwing" my voice into the room where she is, I walk up to the door like a normal person and peek my head in since it's cracked open.

"Hey," I call out, my voice wavering with unease. "Irene?"

With her legs dangling off the edge and her phone propped against her ear, Irene lies relaxed on the bed. Instead of getting up when I call out to her, she just kind of tilts her head upwards to look at me. As a result, this causes her back to arch and her...

they're huge

even bigger than lorelei's

Dammit man... get your head out of the gutter.

don't act like you're not enjoying the show too


>[1/?]

>>43423045
>[2/2]

"Hi!" Irene says to me with an awkward upside-down wave. "Sorry, I lost track of time..."

Pushing herself upright, Irene says goodbye to whoever it is that shes talking to (her sister?) and stands up so that we can properly talk.

"Nice seeing a friendly face after that..." Irene sighs.


>ask her about the phonecall
>I am here for business, not to make friends

>>43423106
>>ask her about the phonecall

>>43423106
>ask her about the phonecall

>>43423106
"Hi, how’ve you been?"
Don’t want to be nosey, still want to be friendly. Also, would this be the kind of situation where branchy takes over the body 'cause of his crush?

>>43423106
>>ask her about the phonecall

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Joshua is a boy who has a voice in his head that loves big boobs.


>writing

>>43423168
>Joshua is a boy who has a voice in his head that loves big boobs.
Thank you for that new and exciting information.

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"So I guess whoever it is that you were talking -wasn't- friendly?" I ask, trying not to sound too nosy.
"Eheh, nope," Irene replies while drooping her shoulders. "Relayed the information you gave me and got chewed out in return for relying on an outsider to the organization... pretty much the usual."
"Huh."

I don't know why they're mad that I'm actually cooperating with them, but I guess that's par for the course for an evil organization and all.

"What if he wants the book for himself, what if he's with the Qliphoth or the mafia or a new faction that's just now making itself known, that kind of paranoia," she grumbles.
"You seemed pretty relaxed for someone who was just getting yelled at," I say.
"I've been dealing with this for a LONG time now," Irene shrugs. "I'm more than used to it."
"...I see."

I guess it's just in one ear and out the other.


>[1/?]

>>43423225
>[2/2]

"So how's it been with you?" Irene asks. "Lloyd didn't give you too much trouble when you got here, did he?"
"Less than I was expecting," I reply.
"Heh, I guess he's learning how to behave," she says with an amused smile.


>get the lloyd and let's talk business
>business nao, screw that guy

>>43423270
>business nao, screw that guy

>>43423270
>>get the lloyd and let's talk business
Speaking of Mr Grumpy…

>>43423270
>get the lloyd and let's talk business

>writing

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"Speaking of which," I say, "maybe we ought to talk about whatever it is that I'm here for with him actually present."
"Oh yeah," Irene laughs, "we probably should do that."

Irene grabs her coat and slides it on as she walks past me and through the door, then motions for me to follow her. Fortunately, we don't run into anyone else on the way to the sanctuary where Lloyd's waiting.

"Took you long enough," Lloyd grumbles when he sees us approaching. "Katrine didn't let you have it too bad, did she?"
"No worse than usual," Irene replies with a shrug. "And luckily for me, I was able to use Joshua here as an excuse to end that call."

Lloyd simply rolls his eyes.


>[1/?]

>>43423426


"So now what, seeing as how the guest of honor's finally here?" he asks, glancing at me.
"We work out what to do from here, that's what," Irene replies. "Katrine's found an address to work with so now we actually know where those kids are supposed to be staying at."
"Great," he nods.
"Wait as minute," I interject. "Is it really safe to be talking about this stuff out here in the sanctuary?" I ask.

I can't hear any heartbeats in the immediate vicinity aside from the three of us but I still worry.

"This place is owned by the Church," Irene says to me, "but its congregation and clergy were moved to another location on account of low attendance. And since it's vacant, they're letting the Tree of Life use it as a base of operations while we're here."
"No worries about lookie-looks," Lloyd nods.

I'd almost forgotten that this is all part of some kind of Catholic conspiracy.

quit being so paranoid


>[2/?]

So what are we going to do with the book after we steal it from right under the nose of Irene and Lloyd?
I guess we should find somewhere safe to hide it while we wait for Lorelei to get back

>>43423474


"If that takes care of your concerns," Lloyd glares at me, "how about we get back to the matter at hand."
"Sure, whatever," I reply.

I take a seat on the back of a pew close to an aisle just in case I need to make a quick getaway while Irene and Lloyd sit down like they have nothing to worry about.

"Business..." Irene yawns, revealing a mouth filled with VERY sharp-looking jagged teeth, "...we've got their address and the older one goes to Joshua's school so we've got both their base location and a confirmed place where he frequents."
"Do we have any other info about these punks?" Lloyd asks.
"The wind-user sells weed I guess," I shrug. "And it sounded like he was into occult stuff."
"A goth..." he sighs. "and a pothead. Great."


>[3/?]

>>43423527
>"A goth..." he sighs. "and a pothead. Great."
A killer combination

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>>43423527
>[4/4]

"Probably some little shit who thought it'd be fun to try and 'expand his mind' or some similar nonsense," he grumbles.
"Not like it'd be the first time we came across something like that," IRene replies. "Remember that cult that figured out how to acquire Seeds through meditation?"
"Please don't remind me," he says, clutching his temples. "That was a gigantic clusterfuck."

sounds like they've been through some stuff

"Anyways" Irene says, "I was thinking that we could try and scout out their neighborhood first," Irene says. "Get a feel for the place before we move in, you know what I mean?"
"Makes sense," Lloyd replies. "Assuming they don't find us first."
"Eheh, yeah," she sighs. "My other thought was that we could try and back off for a little while, make them lower their guard."
"Or we could try and negotiate," Lloyd says.

Both me and Irene stare at him.

"Just a joke," Lloyd shrugs. "edgy teenagers and violent brats are the last types to actually cooperate with us."


>this is a scouting mission
>let's hold back for a while
>[OTHER]

>>43423574
>>this is a scouting mission

>>43423574
>this is a scouting mission

>>43420786
Q. Why is Arch posting Mystia Lorelei?
Not that I am complaining. Mystia is a decent 2hu. But I had always figured Arch to be FAR more of the Yuyuko type.

>>43423604
>Mystia Lorelei
>Lorelei

>>43423574
>this is a scouting mission

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>>43423604
>Q. Why is Arch posting Mystia Lorelei?
Mystia LORELEI. And she's singing.
It just kind of fits with the theme of the thread.

>But I had always figured Arch to be FAR more of the Yuyuko type.
Yuyuko is one of my favorites, yes.


>writing

>>43423634
Let me guess. Alice, Yuyuko, and ... Komachi?

"Scouting sounds like an alright enough idea," I say. "I can do that."
"Great, so that's one less thing out of the way," Lloyd says. "Now that just leaves how we're gonna go about doing that."
"Maybe we should split up into teams?" Irene says, holding up the index finger of either hand. "...well one team and one solo thing since there's three of us."
"......" Lloyd lets out a deep, bellowing growl. "...fine, that's logical. But I don't trust -this- kid," he points at me, "by himself. For all we know, he'll run straight to those kids' house and steal the book for himself while leaving us to clean up the mess."

I can't say that the thought hasn't crossed my mind.

"Ugh, fine," Irene rolls her eyes. "Joshua goes with one of us while the other is solo. That work for you?"
"Yeah, sure."

Don't think I didn't notice that she didn't defend me at all from his insinuations.

you just admitted that you were thinking about doing what he said

Yeah, but it's not like I actually WOULD.


>I partner up with irene while the lloyd goes it alone
>I partner up with lloyd while the irene goes it alone

>>43423667
Not sure about this one. We'll work better with Irene, but I don't trust Lloyd on his own.

>>43423667
>I partner up with irene while the lloyd goes it alone

>I partner up with breasts while not-breasts ... is ... other thing. Breasts partnership nao.

>>43423683
agreed especially considering Irene's horrible synapse range.

>>43423667
>>I partner up with lloyd while the irene goes it alone
I say Lloyd as neither he nor us trust each other and Irene is generally fine on her own. We can keep tabs on her anyways.

>>43423695
What if we look at it like this:
Lloyd is a hothead that should have someone to cool him off with him, but the only one who can do that is Irene, and the two of them teaming up isn't an option. Going with Lloyd will only further agitate him, so therefore we should go with Irene.

I think this is a decent enough point to end things for tonight.
I'm pretty surprised by the turnout and activity this time around, especially since the last few Joshua threads went really slowly and also I was kind of struggling during the beginning of this thread
But I managed to hit my stride and things seem pretty clear from my point of view so hopefully I won't have those issues during the next Joshua thread.

Speaking of which, I'll leave it up to you guys as to if the next thread (either Monday or Tuesday depending on how I feel) is another Song of Unison or a return to the main quest. Votes to be taken until this thread dies.


and now for questions

>>43423761
>and now for questions
Who are your top 3 2hus, anyway?
And how do they rank compared to your top 3 boatsluts?

>>43423761
I'd prefer to finish this chapter of Song of Unison.

>and now for questions
Which characters should I put in my next Artificial Academy class?

>>43423773
Charlotte, Cecile, Joshua, Theresa, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, Irene, and Irene

Optionally add Gabrielle just to troll arch.

>>43423761
I'd like to try and catch up Song of Unison.

>>43423768
>Who are your top 3 2hus, anyway?
Suika, Alice and Marisa.

>And how do they rank compared to your top 3 boatsluts?
I have no interest in shipsluts.

>>43423773
>Which characters should I put in my next Artificial Academy class?
I wouldn't know.


And now I sleep. Thanks for playing!

For further questioning:
http://maouzenigame.tumblr.com/

Game production blog:
https://studioarchelon.wordpress.com/

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>>43423907
>I wouldn't know.

>>43423667
>>I partner up with irene while the lloyd goes it alone

>>43423667
>I partner up with Tittytitty gangbang.

>>43423761
>Song of Unison

This arc has been going on for over a year. You're crazy if you think I'd care about CC's fires over this (even if CC's is more interesting, it's more of a matter of completion at this point).

Irene's sister is the original Irene. The one we know was just the first clone, which has lasted so long it's developed its own separate personality.

>>43425109
But aren't all the Irene's a hive mind?
polite sage for dead thread

>>43423761
I want the main quest but it seems I lose.