>>2087536
>‘That last part does sound appealing.’
Full serious face here

>>2087536
>>‘What’s wrong with treating them like human beings?’

>>2087536
>>‘What’s wrong with treating them like human beings?’

>>2087536
"These defenders derserve to a life on their own, there's something wrong on treating them like people, human beings?"

>>2087536
>‘What’s wrong with treating them like human beings?’

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Also, repostin' iowa lewds.


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDqJyONei7UeaWNOQc6GCeFnwOwRSJdnytv8OnBwvc0/edit

>>2087688
I usually have lewds that are optional, but there's info/character exploration in there that is actually relevant to the character, so it's worth a read ... but not a lonely hand.

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‘What’s wrong with treating them like human beings?’

The Shaman stops in his tracks, before whirling around with an annoyed glint in his eye.

‘They are not human beings, Commander,’ he breathes, crossing the street with haste, prompting you to follow. A buggy halts mid-journey, its driver honking impatiently as the both of you make your way to the other side. ‘They look like us and they act like us … but make no mistake that the KanMusu have nearly nothing in common on this spectrum with humanity.’

You frown. You didn’t agree with that at all. You’d seen Shigure weeping in your arms; Takao imploring for something that no mindless automaton would in the recognition of her late sister’s service; Nachi’s anger at the maltreatment of her own kin even with the best of intentions behind them; even Nagato’s relationship with The Admiral was a point of contention for the appeal. If they didn’t operate with any of the commonality that the Shaman had just stated that they lacked. The both of you walk along the road overlooking the beach, your present companion—Nee-san had disappeared in the rush out of Mamiya’s, evidently taking position in your head again—who was grumbling loudly enough that civilians sitting on the low wall on your path gave the old man a curious look of their own.

‘The position of Commander, Vice-Admiral, Admiral, however you wish to take it,’ he states matter-of-factly, his ire not quite dead, but leaked less significantly into his vocals. ‘They operate on the point of familiarity, Lagrangian points of the spiritual spectrum. You are given those titles to familiarize and ease the spirits of beings that have little to nothing in common with your existence in this realm. You are the fixed point, the tether, to which their attachment and connection is paramount to continued performance and adaptation—not to play the role of a husband, brother, father or lover.’

His words are firm; restrained but otherwise unyielding from the point.

‘KanMusu spirits are brought here with purpose. Unlike you and I … we don’t know ours until we’ve tumbled through our mess of clockwork and even then we don’t know which gears turn where and what is up or down. They were brought here for one purpose … and while I do not support cruelty, mistreatment or abuse of them, I cannot believe that you would compare them to an existence on this spectrum. Which parts of otherworldly guardian revenant from another world leave your sense of judgement in this courtship? The part where their link to you is nothing like a child’s to its parent or the part that traditional courtship entails spiritual balance and not just a date on the beach with a glass of wine and two buckets of clams, paid for the paper in your wallet?’

>>2087876
>‘All of them, I guess?’ (Joke)
>‘Right. You’re right, this is … this isn’t right.’ (Agree with him)
>‘You’re arguing from one perspective.’ (Diplomatic)
>‘Neither … but when the other side is kind, considerate, and willing to take more than one bullet from you …’
>‘I think I’ve gone past the titles now, haven’t I?’
>Write-In

>>2087887
>‘Neither … but when the other side is kind, considerate, and willing to take more than one bullet from you …’

>>2087887
>>‘Neither … but when the other side is kind, considerate, and willing to take more than one bullet from you …’
>>Write-In
"They might not be humans but they are sentient beings. They bleed, they cry, they and when it does find their way to them, they express joy.

They are a people... and once one sees that it is impossible to treat them indifferently."

>>2087906
this

>>2087906
This.

>>2087906
This

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‘Neither,’ you answer calmly, the pace of your stride slowing down as you continue your walk alongside the older man, ‘but when the other side is kind, considerate and willing to take more than just a bullet in your stead, what were you expecting?’

‘KanMusu are as all Souls imprinted with the Mark of Service, Duty and Guardianship,’ he explains stoically. ‘They think the best of those that they protect; they never think the worst of us even though their annoyance boils to the surface; the conditions to the drawing of their non-compliance are relegated to extremities and any development on the spectrum of behaviour is made on the exposure and the bestowment of available knowledge. Almost everything of the KanMusu is built from the ground up … none of their inclinations echo with the needs and tendencies of humans. Pursuit of it is a folly.’

‘You didn’t answer my question,’ you counter, meeting his gaze. The Shaman doesn’t look offended or angered, but … in a way, defeated. It’s as if the question had been one that he didn’t have the patience or thought to answer … and to tell the truth, outside of the standard bouts of reasoning, you didn’t have a proper answer to the query either.

Maybe that’s why you’d asked in the first place.

Only idiots asked what they already knew for themselves.

‘In some ways, Commander, we are better,’ he sighs, kicking a pebble onto the pavement. ‘In many more, we are worse. Infighting, greed, pride … KanMusu have little to no leanings to those unless taught, unless observed. They have better things to do than delegate the directions of your lust, your desires. The KanMusu love humanity, Commander—as a whole and by design; what you’re pushing for is selfish and unnecessary. It is a distraction by nature alone.’

‘When did holding a hand out to someone doing the same count as a distraction?’

To your surprise, the Shaman chuckles at the words.

‘When it causes the one on the other side to deviate from its purpose.’

‘You’re saying that in returning affection given,’ you gesticulate—subtly, by wiggling your fingers, before continuing, ‘that I’m somehow tearing through the mojo that makes them, them?’

‘I wouldn’t be going that far with my reasoning,’ he concedes, setting the staff behind him and looking forward, his expression troubled, ‘but you are setting a dangerous precedent of which the repercussions are of thus far, an unknown. KanMusu were not brought here to emulate the desires or designs of humans. They are not as lost as we are … and you cannot risk making them any more off course than the distractions that this world has already given them.’

‘How does that work?’

‘Would you,’ he clears his throat, ‘think the man who invented firearms would be pleased that some punk in a town by the sea is sticking his pecker in a slot not meant for it?’

>>2088164
>‘I … wouldn’t go that far to bring that comparison up.’ (Disgust)
>‘Come on, that’s not … remotely related.’ (Evasive)
>‘You’d be surprised.’
>‘They’re not firearms.’ (Defiant)
>‘All right, all right, you win,’ (Concede)
>Write-In

>>2088164
>>‘You’d be surprised.’
i want to fuck that bote

>>2088179
>>‘They’re not firearms.’ (Defiant)

>>2088179
>If he didn't want somebody to screw it, then he shouldn't have made it look like a supermodel.

>>2088179
>They’re not firearms.’ (Defiant)

>>2088179
>>2088195
Oh god yes this

>>2088179
>‘They’re not firearms.’ (Defiant)

>>2087887
>Write-In
"If they had concience he would give them another name, one different from a objecte's name. They are soldiers shaman, and soldiers are people"

>>2088195
/k/ pls. Also voting.

>>2088284
Replying the wrong post, but the point still stands.

>>2088284
>>2088293
Sorry, what was this about?

>>2088191
>>2088197
>>2088212

>>2088195
>>2088203
>>2088289
Flipping the coin. Coin flipped.

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‘An argument against that is that he didn’t make weapons that could pass as supermodels on off days,’ you quip, raising an eyebrow in amusement.

He doesn’t return it.

‘My point persists past aesthetic perception.’

‘So does mine,’ you return, prompting the old man to turn towards you, his brown cloak following him like a pheasant’s tail. ‘You don’t put out something with more empathy, more kindness, more humane than any of us can manage on a good day and try to make it out as something that doesn’t deserve reverence in return.’

‘You are focusing on an attribute that is outside their intended scope,’ he smacks your shoulder lightly with his staff. ‘They were brought here for a purpose—not to be as we are, not to feel as we feel. It is that because they are beyond that which we have been … that they are who they are—and why they were brought here; with that purpose in mind. You are perceiving their actions based on your eyes and your morals when the mere adjustment of their mannerisms is based around a simulacrum of our behaviour. Do not have yourself led astray … and do not lead them astray. The KanMusu here came to fulfil their mission. Don’t make it any harder than you already have for them.’

You frown; you couldn’t help but feel a little offended at that.

‘Friendship and companionship’s suddenly making it harder for ourselves?’

The Shaman’s face turns purple, the wrinkles on his features creasing as if he was being crushed.

‘Attachment,’ he smacks you in the shoulder again, ‘is making it harder for you—as well as for them. The path that you’re willing to take extends beyond maternal, paternal or mere friendship. You are imitating stances and forcing them onto beings who operate on a different plateau of existence and perception. You can give yourself the excuse of love, compassion, a bond that will not break … but it will only—and only—end in tears for you, and for them. That is my warning. Whether you choose to heed it or not, I will not pursue—only that you will not be prepared for the consequences, no matter what you think.’

‘I’ll cross that burning bridge when I get to it.’

He sighs in a defeated manner, rubbing his temples. You yourself are surprised by your answer—another example of your mouth moving before your brain could get a say in.

‘You know, when I gave her that phone number, I thought that she’d have someone more reasonable in mind when she said that there’d be one that could make use of it when the time came,’ he snorts, ‘not a snot-nosed cub who sees the violation of a thousand years of dogma as something excusable flawed reasoning.’

Before you can get an answer, he turns his back to you.

‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning,’ he calls out, ‘wake up early or I’ll make you.’

You blink—and just like that, he was gone.

>END INTERLUDE (END DAY)
>INITIATE END DAY SEQUENCE

>>2088718
>>INITIATE END DAY SEQUENCE

Wonder if we should tell the girls about the shaman.

>>2088718
>>INITIATE END DAY SEQUENCE

>>2088718
>INITIATE END DAY SEQUENCE

>>2088718
He’s focusing on what they’re meant to be in the grand scheme of things and loses sight of what they are.

On the other hand he’s got benefit if having seen them as fresh summons before they learn/are imprinted. Then again, what does a newborn know?
And does our purpose override what we are? And who gave us an authority to determine purpose of someone able to decide for themselves any more than parents can decide purpose of their children?

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You rub your shoulder as you head upstairs, keen on getting a nap. To your surprise, you weren’t that hungry. The conversation with the Shaman—if he was who he claimed to be—had taken a lot of you, but for some reason you didn’t feel peckish … or even thirsty. Akashi had been right: your body was slowly changing its habits, its needs … to suit the new you. You couldn’t feel it, of course, you couldn’t even tell when something was on your nose until someone pointed it out, but it couldn’t have been anything else. Your body was changing by the second … rapidly enough for the changes to be noticeable, but subtle enough that your sense of balance wasn’t too—

You grab the railing as you almost trip over the last step.

‘This’ll take some getting used to.’

A pause overtakes you, expecting a reply from a certain denizen … only for nothing to return. Either the day’s events had taken as much out of her as they had you, or she was just not in the mood for some idle chatter. Shaking your head, you make your way down the hall and towards your room; if she wanted to talk, she could do so on her own volition. You wouldn’t force her to—

‘Shigure-nee, that’s not fair!’

‘It is, see?’

‘Now, now, you two, calm down—it’s just one round.’

‘There’ll be plenty more chances … but that means you’re the, uh … arsehole.’

‘Nagato-san!’

You open the door to your room, revealing the four of your Division members. Iowa was seated on the edge of your mattress, in her tank top and short-shorts, shuffling a deck with a grimace; Samidare, who looked sombre as Nagato gave her reassuring pats on the back, although she herself couldn’t help but shake her head at the display of tearful disappointment that was on the former’s features … and surprisingly, Shigure, who was in an odd-looking hospital gown, a surprisingly smug expression carved onto her lips as she observed her sister’s distress.

‘That makes it three times in a row now!’

Nagato’s the first one to notice you.

‘Oh, hey, Commander!’

You furrow your brows. That was the least formal greeting you’d ever received from Nagato since your appointment as her superior. Iowa hands the deck of cards—freshly shuffled—over to her, only for her to shuffle the cards again. You look to the smirking Shigure to the amused Iowa, before realizing just what was going on here.

‘Are you guys playing Arsehole?’

There was no need to question their presence in your room. At this point, you’d held your hands up in defeat at it being in unwilling dictation to an open door policy.

‘Samidare’s losing,’ Nagato smiles fondly, giving her hair a playful tussle.

You sigh in defeat, closing the door with a thud and seating yourself next to a tearful Destroyer, promptly cracking your knuckles.

‘All right, Iowa,’ you hold your hand out, ‘deal me.’

She’s only too happy to oblige.

INTERLUDE

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>>2088857

Accompanied by a picture of Nagato for posterity ...

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>>2088866
With Iowa for company ...

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>>2088868
And Shigure who can't help but be smug because elder siblings love showing the younger ones who's boss.

>>2088718
>INITIATE END DAY SEQUENCE

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That's the ending of this session. See y'all in a few hours.

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>>2088857
>Samidare, who looked sombre

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>>2088881
Science has gone too far. Too far.

>>2088885
Shes not eating a burrito.

yet.

>>2088857
Minor correction:

END DAY 55

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On the Discord, a kind soul offered some criticism that your relationship with the girls is proceeding much too fast, to which I agreed. So you can accept one of these four reasons to justify why it is so. Whichever one you decide for yourself, just take; or if it suits you, you can take them all as reasons. This is not a vote, but it is something that deserves some attention. Thank you to the guy on Discord for pointing it out.

1. You're one of the few, few, few few few humans that treat them with more than an ounce of affection and casual camaraderie, to which, being constructs, they are more than grateful for and return the affection in kind because that's probably all they ever wanted. Not that they came to this world expecting cans and buckets thrown in their faces.
2. Their affection for you is a byproduct of the mingling of your minds and souls. They genuinely think that you're a good person underneath it all and didn't need 2 years and a flat wallet to accept you for who you are and have no strings attached.
3. It's all a simulacrum of behavior and courtesy and not real at all, just something they undergo as a process to get the best possible performance out of you. Everything is a lie.
4. They have little to no experience with human behavior of your brand and are thus unable to respond but in kind on an unconscious level.

OR

5. The GM is a CoC psycho and is setting you up for the fall.

>>2087876
>>2089131
The answer is yes.

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>>2089131
>3. It's all a simulacrum of behavior and courtesy and not real at all, just something they undergo as a process to get the best possible performance out of you. Everything is a lie.

well, considering that its a 99%shot that the commander never had a girlfriend or a decnt relationship with a girl

this is pretty much as real love and affection as we will give/recive

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>>2089141
And blood-black nothingness began to spin ...

A system of cells interlinked within cells interlinked within cells interlinked within one stem ...

And dreadfully distinct against the dark, a tall white fountain played.

- YUUDACHI

>>2089131
It's definitely mostly based off no. 2. Being able to see inside the other persons mind take alot out of the getting-to-really-know section of relationships.

Definitely 1 and 4 will affect to some extent but since the admiralty rolled them out as heroes initially, there must have been folks who treated them well.

Perhaps it should be changed slightly, that they do have some memories of being treated well and then folks started distancing from them and treating them like lepers as the war situation continued to go south.

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>>2089131
>It's all a simulacrum of behavior and courtesy and not real at all, just something they undergo as a process to get the best possible performance out of you. Everything is a lie.
>mfw

I'm more inclined to believe the 2 with a slight dash of 1 and 4
if it's 5 then hats off to OP for dedication on investing so much into preparing the ultimate everyone walk the dinosaur

>>2089187
5 was always going to be there anyways.

mech laments that hes yet to kill off a single waifu.

>>2089187
5 was in place the whole time anon, only reason no one has died yet is because we've rolled well on missions and mech won't break rules and railroad tragedy for his own satisfaction, any despair he gets he has to earn fairly.

>>2088904
Correction to the correction: END DAY 53

>>2089283
make up your mind man!

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It was probably morning.

Probably.

You curl up under your blanket, unable to find any part of you that was willing to leave the snug confines of your bed. Shuffling your feet underneath, you let out a contented sigh. Even from where you were standing—lying—you knew it was the perfect weather to just stay inside and get a few more hours of rest. It was cold outside … and the blanket’s warmth, minute as it may have been, provided the perfect compliment to the dry chill that permeated through the walls. The barracks were a reconverted dormitory after spending years as the town’s abandoned store shack … and insulation wasn’t that big a deal. Old building, old properties. Right now, all you wanted to do was catch a few more winks of sleep. Smiling contently, you let out a contented sigh. It was nice to be in here.

‘I believed that I asked you to be ready by the morning, Commander.’

Your eyes fly open, beholding the unexpected sight of last afternoon’s company, perched stoically upon your chair with his staff horizontal on his lap.

‘What the—how’d you get in here?’

‘Nagato let me in,’ he chuckles, wearing a smirk as you toss the comfort of the sheets off your being. The cold instantly greets you. ‘For someone so invested—by his own words—you hide quite a bit from your stock, don’t you?’

‘What?’

‘She’s quite annoyed, you know—that you didn’t tell her about me.’

>‘Didn’t think it would’ve been necessary to explain myself.’
>‘I was told to keep your presence as discrete as possible if I ever contacted you. Glad to see you don’t share the same sentiment.’
>‘It just slipped my mind. I don’t hide things from them on purpose.’
>‘Annoyed?’
>Write-In

>>2090368
>>‘I was told to keep your presence as discrete as possible if I ever contacted you. Glad to see you don’t share the same sentiment.’

>>2090368
>>‘I was told to keep your presence as discrete as possible if I ever contacted you. Glad to see you don’t share the same sentiment.’

There WAS some talk of telling the girls last night. it was never an option after we met the shaman.

>>2090368
>‘I was told to keep your presence as discrete as possible if I ever contacted you. Glad to see you don’t share the same sentiment.’

>>2090368
>>‘I was told to keep your presence as discrete as possible if I ever contacted you. Glad to see you don’t share the same sentiment.’

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‘I was told to keep your presence as discreet as possible,’ you pause, trying to remember the exact words of the First Admiral, ‘if I ever contacted you. Nice to see that you don’t share the same sentiment.’

He chuckles deeply.

‘Oh, I am—but you may need to re-think the standards you’ve installed on discretion … one of Taigei’s Hunters watches you.’

‘The Submarine.’

The Shaman nods.

‘Yes, but all the same, it looks like she could use a lesson as well,’ he snorts his response. ‘Presence Concealment doesn’t work if you’re using boxes and trash cans to hide … although I suppose the ISSF and my peers should be shouldering the blame. Not many KanMusu are able to reconcile the concept of anything outside of the water.’

You want to call him out for the insult … but his expression shows such a mix of disappointment and regret that you can’t help but thinking that that last statement was more on him than it was a jibe to the KanMusu.

‘Still, if you’re worried about her knowing that I am here, you need not be—I’ve taken more than enough precautions to keep my own presence as inconspicuous as possible.’

You fix him with an unamused glare.

‘You mean like barging into the barracks and showing yourself to the whole Division?’

‘I’m not allowed to say hello to some old friends?’

A frown etches itself upon your brow.

‘Old friend—’

‘COMMANDER!’

You’re interrupted by a gaggle of KanMusu in their sleepwear, bursting into your room with expressions ranging from annoyance—from Nagato and Houshou—to casual drowsiness and disinterest—from Musashi and Iowa—each and every one of them pressing through the narrow doorway and knocking over the laundry basket that the crew had so kindly presented for your sanitary needs. Houshou is at the head of the group, her expression turning to one of worry as she turns from you to to the seated Shaman, scooting close to the wall to make way as Nagato moves up from behind her, clad in her female boxers and tank top, her face practically purple as Samidare and Tenryuu step out; the latter looking worriedly between you, Nagato and the Shaman; while the latter crosses her arms and fixes a stoic gaze with both her eyes, her eyepatch gone.

‘I believe,’ the Shaman begins, staring up to the group of newly-arrived females. ‘That I specified that this conversation was just meant to be between the two of us—just some talk.’

Houshou stomps over to you, puffing her cheeks.

‘Commander, I have to protest this avenue of solution. As things are, you’re already—’

‘Commander, do you know what you’re getting into?’

Nagato’s words echo above Houshou’s. You look up at her form to find her glaring at the otherwise chipper Shaman.

‘Look, he’s a Shaman—he’s the best at what he does … and I know that the ISSF and the Admiralty aren’t—’

‘ISSF?’

You frown. That was the implication.

>>2090853
Houshou closes her eyes, before shooting the seated gentleman on the chair a glare.

‘Commander,' Houshou begins, her demeanor calmer this time, 'he’s not with the ISSF. He’s a Heretic.’

>'Get out of my barracks.'
>'That doesn't make sense; why would the First Admiral be aligned with a Heretic?'
>'Get the Admiral.'
>'When were you planning to tell me this?'
>'It doesn't matter. I need his help.'
>Write-In

>>2090862
>>'That doesn't make sense; why would the First Admiral be aligned with a Heretic?'

>>2090862
>'It doesn't matter. I need his help.'

>>2090862
>>'That doesn't make sense; why would the First Admiral be aligned with a Heretic?
>Care to explain shaman?

>>2090862
>>'That doesn't make sense; why would the First Admiral be aligned with a Heretic?'

>>2090862
>>Write-In
"Huh. That'll explain why somethings didn't add up completely. His reactions to various things I told him yesterday."

"Hmm. Houshou, I thank you for bringing this to my attention. The first admiral trusted him and so I am inclined to do so too. If you are worried, would you like to sit in with us."

>>2090905
I'll second asking the Shaman to explain himself as well.

>>2090912
Guys, I know that this is a majority rules quest, but this line of questioning leads to and covers a lot of bases to elaborate, so do you guys want this in lieu of your chosen options?

>>2090932
sounds good to me

>>2090932
Sure, it covers a lot of what I want and if QM gave approval to switch so I'll support

>>2090932
sure, I'm ok with that

>>2090912
Sounds good.

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‘So that’s why things didn’t add up,’ you remark, turning your gaze up to the seated man—now revealed as a Heretic. ‘Should’ve known by the way you were acting yesterday.’

‘You suspected?’

‘Not really,’ you shake your head, ‘but it did feel a little … odd—the circumstances; and you’re a lot more vocal about your stance than I’d anticipated.’

The Shaman chortles, waving a hand.

‘Oh no,’ he denies, shaking his head in return and looking thoroughly amused by you, ‘we’re all blowhards in that aspect—heretic or compliant. Just bunch of old codgers that think they know what’s best for the world … and that our eyes are the only way to see it. Stubborn; dangerous; unchecked of the damage that we do in trying to reach beyond our own realm of basic understanding.’

You throw a glance to the KanMusu, each and every one of them wearing a gaze of worry, annoyance, hesitation or suspicion … except for Musashi, who was at the back of the group and looking like she’d rather go back to sleep than be here—which she does, shuffling past a concerned Yamato (who was under the frame of the door) and an annoyed Nachi, who, even from your position, looked like she didn’t want to bother with this on a weekend morning.

‘But I assure you, I don’t come here with harm in mind—you asked for my help, I come here willing to give it,’ he throws a glance to Iowa, who was standing next to Houshou with a set of thin lips on her person, ‘I mean no harm.’

Nagato looks like she’s struggling with something, twitching in place as if she had some choice words to fire right back.

‘The ISSF—the Shamans—they sent out a warning against any association with you,’ Houshou steps forward, ‘that you broke—’

‘I broke the vow that I felt dehumanized me more than I could afford,’ the Shaman breaks in absently, ‘I did not do it with malicious intent or with the aim to bring down any of society with my ideals nor do I preach them. In fact’—he throws you an amused glance—‘I was finally able to grow some tomatoes in that apartment; the spirits and elementals hardly come around where there is not much use for them. At least the rent isn’t too expensive—you’d think with a war … they’d give an old man a discount.’

You don’t take your eyes off him.

‘Did you ever intend to tell me?’

‘That I wasn’t a follow of the belief but a practitioner of the Arts of the Realms Beyond? No—I did not see how it would apply at all.’

‘Commander, there has to be another way,’ Nagato cuts right in. ‘If the ISSF and the Admiralty find out about … him—’

‘It’s nice to know that you’ve learned to turn pronouns into insults, my dear.’

Nagato grunts, crossing her arms and pouting.

‘You must have questions, then … and I don’t think it would be polite for me to deny what you have on your mind,’ he pauses, ‘within my reason, of course.’

>>2090932
Sure

>>2091142
>'How are you connected to the First Admiral. The truth, please?'
>'What makes you a Heretic?'
>'Is there any real difference between a Heretic and a Shaman?'
>'How do you know everyone here?'
>'What you have in mind for my problem, is it something ... heretical?'
>'So you just split off from the ISSF just like that?'
>'Iowa had an encounter with some Heretics before she came here--are you affiliated with them?'
>Write-In

>>2091159
>'How are you connected to the First Admiral. The truth, please?'

>>2091159
>'Is there any real difference between a Heretic and a Shaman?'

>>2091159
>>'How are you connected to the First Admiral. The truth, please?'
>>'What makes you a Heretic?'

>>2091171
>>2091224
Oh boy, I am not looking forward to explaining this.

>>2091256
Is he her bf or something

>>2091256
my reasoning is we need to establish infront of the girls his relation to the FA. That will create abit more leeway for us to work with him as their mistrust is lessened.

File: Granny Admiral.jpg (57 KB, 840x560)

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You ask the first question that comes to mind, ‘How’re you connected to the First Admiral?’

As he opens his mouth, you raise a hand, tossing the sheets off your person.

‘The truth, if possible.’

He shoots you an annoyed glance.

‘I am going to tell you the truth,’ he fires right back with irritation, cricking his neck, ‘and that it is that both of us shared an identical view on the KanMusu.’

You frown, confused. As far as you knew, their views couldn’t be further apart: you’d seen that the First Admiral had fostered an almost-familial relationship with the KanMusu; in fact, if you hadn’t known any better, you would have seen Prinz Eugen and Bismarck as the spoiled, if disciplined, grand-daughters to a conservative matriarch. Prinz Eugen herself—by the word of the First Admiral—attended what was said to be a fairly normal high school, with none of the students or teachers there aware of her true nature as a KanMusu … and Bismarck was …

‘I find that hard to believe.’

‘The world isn’t as black and white as what you have it as, Commander,’ he continues stoically, tossing a glance in the direction of your Division—who had somehow arranged themselves in more comfortable positions around the room. You don’t know why they would—it’s not as if they wouldn’t know this man’s story by heart if they indeed knew him from before. ‘The KanMusu—all of you, your comrades and your sisters—were brought here for the singular purpose of serving as humanity’s last bastion. You know this, I know this … and the public knows this. You also know that it was at the Fairies’ behest that we decided to lump ourselves in with the rest of humanity at all, but then it happened.’

He shakes his head, as if in disappointment.

‘You are aware of your limitations,’ he nods, ‘and you are aware that they were imposed on you.’

‘Limitations?’

The room—more cramped than sardines in a can—turns to you.

‘KanMusu,’ Houshou offers, ‘we’re given restrictions in this world.’

‘We’re spiritual beings given flesh, muscle and bone to operate,’ Nachi adds on, catching your attention. ‘A lot of our properties are … held back because of our nature as—urgh, the brainies call it Extradimensional Presence, so a lot of the things that tether us to this world also hold us back so we don’t—for lack of better word—fuck it up. It’s something every KanMusu’s educated on when they step onto this planet, this world … that’s not without its side effects of course.’

‘Lack of taste, a higher tolerance to pain and in some …. imbalances,’ he says the last word looking directly at Houshou, ‘and the First Admiral and I, over the course of the war … came to oppose these restrictions. We saw them as bars to a priso—’

‘It’s not your decision to make.’

The Shaman doesn’t answer.

>>2091381
>'Are you implying that the process is reversible?'
>'Nagato, you're saying that you don't want to at least get your taste buds back? That you're for this?'
>'That doesn't explain anything.'
>'Sounds pragmatic, yeah--can't say that I'd want a war machine to be a liability ... no offense.'
>'Go on.'
>Write-In

>>2091381
>>'Go on.'

>>2091382
>>'Go on.'

>>2091382
>'Go on.'
give me all the information
all of it

>>2091381
>What manner of "fucking up" are we talking about here? Social and legal issues? Unraveling fundamental fabric of the universe? Or is it only about controlling KanMusu behaviour?

Drive to pragmatism and caution is understandable, but does it really justify trampling over beings that can think and decide for themselves? Machines don't do that.

>>2091382
>'Go on.'

>>2091382
>'Go on.'

>>2091382
>>'Go on.'

>>2091382
>>'Go on.'
information is ammunition

File: Spoiler Image (475 KB, 500x1064)

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‘Go on.’

‘What he’s got to say isn’t anything that we already know,’ Nachi announces loudly, ‘so if you’re going to talk stuff out, just keep it down. I don’t need this on a morning that I don’t have to run my rounds.’

She leaves … and Shigure, with a respectful bow, follows her out. Samidare does the same, albeit a little more clumsily. Nagato leans against the wall beside Iowa, while Tenryuu comes forward with a smirk on her face, throwing a dismissive glance as she seats herself down right next to you. Murakumo props herself up on the table … and you realize that Takao was nowhere in sight.

Had she even come into your room with the others in the first place?

‘The purpose of restrictions are to ensure that the influence of KanMusu are limited to that of their specified task,’ the Shaman continues, ‘and usually, it’s nothing out of the ordinary. The Arts offer ways to communicate and influence the world around us and to seek assistance as well as to bind the elements to our whims. In the case of the KanMusu, however … many restrictions were given that even some of our number saw as—and you’ll forgive the hypocrisy of this—inhumane. Spirits usually bind themselves to mundane things. A pocket watch, a tree, a person … not so much to feed but to attach themselves. Your spirits, however, in their most raw and unlocked—are more than just destructive … but dangerously influential to the lands you step on. Your blueprints … are purposely made incomplete.’

Murakumo almost falls over.

‘Wh-What?’

‘The Admiral already told us,’ Nagato points out, ‘excessive functions aren’t’—she spares you a quick glance—‘a priority in operational capacities. The shell that we’ve been given is more than enough.’

‘The First Admiral disagrees to that notion.’

You turn to the seated man, who had his eyes closed.

‘You can only see so many bodies fall before you realize that you’re looking at the face of not just a weapon that had been reliable in use … but a comrade and a friend that was willing to die in your place a thousand times more than any other being on this planet. Selfless, unwavering and dedicated to a fault.’

The girls shift uncomfortably in their places.

‘Maybe it’s just the sentimentality I thought I’d burned in taking up my post and,’ he pauses, wearing a grimace, ‘and nothing—but she and I were of the same thought. The blueprints for your structures are incomplete and focused, channelled for your purpose. An exchange if you will; attributes for specialization … and we proposed that in a certain cases—where the risk was minimal—we would … patch certain attributes back together, as much as we could. For as many as we could.’

The gears in your head whirr, faster and faster …

He gives you a grim nod.

Bismarck.

‘Commander?’ Tenryuu looks at you in puzzlement.

>>2093138
>‘You’re the one that gave Bismarck … reproductive … facilities?’ (Reveal)
>‘Oh, nothing. Just an in-joke; you wouldn’t get it …’ (Divert)
>‘So you could … do the same … here?’
>Nod quietly in return and prompt him to continue
>Write-In

I literally have the best ID in the history of /qst/

>>2093152
>Nod quietly in return and prompt him to continue

>>2093138
>>‘You’re the one that gave Bismarck … reproductive … facilities?’ (Reveal)
>‘So you could … do the same … here?’

>>2093152
>>Nod quietly in return and prompt him to continue
Akashi did ask us to keep Bisko's secret

>>2093152
>>Write-In
And what is lost in exchange for the patching?

>>2093152
>Nod quietly in return and prompt him to continue

>>2093138
>Write-In
'You made her fertile...'

File: Yes I MEAN YOU you pervert.jpg (46 KB, 337x350)

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You don’t say a word.

Instead, you nod, prompting him to continue.

‘What did you patch together?’

‘Patch would be too strong a word,’ he chuckles darkly, ‘but many of your biological and biochemical functions are alternated or outright halted to allow for greater combat capacity—you have a higher tolerance to pain, to injury and many of you are able to function as little more than basic capacities. I have seen cases where some of you had survived having your head cleaved.’

‘It’s part of the job.’

Tenryuu’s words are stoic; direct. Professional. It is as though she is merely reciting an understanding rather than making reasons or excuses to justify her stance.

The Shaman nods slowly, before finally letting out a breath.

‘The First Admiral doesn’t see you as tools—and I know that the point in itself is contentious, but I see you as you are: beings with purpose and an unflinching dedication to your duty; to our protection and survival, and for that I cannot deny you the promise of what all of you came here for. To live your lives with the memory of that which you left behind.’

‘Left behind?’

You notice an uncomfortable shuffle all along the room. Murakumo bites into her lip; Houshou grunts; Nagato grows a shade paler, among other things. Only Iowa’s expression hardens, however.

‘Pardon my disrespect, madams,’ he apologizes with a light bow, ‘but the treatment of the KanMusu as mere machines of war was not one that the First Admiral or I would tolerate … and I regret to say my actions in violating the neutrality of our stance in their anchoring to this world resulted in my excommunication and my branding as Heretic. All in all, a much more serious offence than that of the usual lot that get the label … so I suppose, you may call me that. My violation is a clear line that I have drawn. It was not through my stance but my action … one that the both of us undertook because we saw you as creatures that walked on the same patch of dirt that we did … instead of acknowledging you as ones beyond.’

‘What did you actually do?’

Murakumo’s voice sounds, prompting you to shift in discomfort.

You knew exactly what he had done.

‘The details aren’t clear, but,’ Nagato begins with a frown, ‘he did something to one of the KanMusu. Thing is, last I checked, there’ve been no record of abnormalities; Ooyodo, Taigei, Akagi and I were supposed to sort out the mess, but there weren’t … any messes. A lot of blank ink, though.’

They throw him expectant looks.

‘And that is all it would be, I’m afraid,’ he answers stoically, ‘To tell you more would be to …’

You notice the annoyed glance he briefly gives you.

‘Influence the direction of certain parties.’

>>2093316
>‘I’m not the one who did you-know-what.’ (Counter as subtly as possible)
>‘Things don’t add up—yesterday you were practically tearing me apart for … you know.’ (Point out inconsistency)
>‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’
>‘Your reputation’s not exactly squeaky clean, then … how can I trust you?’
>‘I think that’s enough for a lecture. You said you’d help me.’ (Begin the training process)
>‘Am I correct in assuming that the methodology you have in mind for me is of the same cloth?’ (Smart aleck)
>Write-In

>>2093331
>>‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’
more info

>>2093331
>‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’

>>2093331
>>‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’

>>2093331
>‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’

File: Shaman.png (43 KB, 224x242)

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‘So that’s what makes you a Heretic, then? Just not following orders?’

‘It depends on the stance that you take on the definition,’ he grimaces, rolling his staff in his lap. ‘In Basilius, the origin of it meant misuse and perversion of the Arts taught … and by that, I believe—and accept—that I am of the same cloth. However, there is also the political statement. Heresy can come of mere opposition to the standing practice of the Shamanistic Arts … how they are conducted, how the Hunt is undertaken. The point of Shamans has been contentious for hundreds of years—and has spiralled enough to be its own political platform in Basilius. So you have the traditional definition, the political definition and mere opposition to the practice. I believe by the time I took the plane here, there was an I AM A HERETIC movement to protest the stance of the Shamans.’

You frown, finding it all a little confusing … but nonetheless able to process it.

‘So it’s just a brand?’

‘It is what it’s devolved into, yes,’ he sighs, giving a reluctant scowl. ‘However, looking into it from the outside, there is an understanding of the vitriol that the dogma has faced—and it’s nothing new that the Elders and their predecessors haven’t faced in the last thousand or so years. The actions undertaken to be a Shaman are set at a price that few can see the true value of; it has spiralled into such a state that the Elders decreed in agreement of the movement—that anyone who opposed the Shamans and wanted to change them would be Heretics and slandered without mercy.’

He chuckles throatily.

‘In truth, I believe they’re being a little heretical in the matter myself,’ the Shaman jokes, shaking his head, ‘politicizing it this much.’

You frown, gathering your thoughts. The Admiral had said differently when it came to the Heretics—that they were in stern opposition and had different views, but were a lot more dangerous than just mere protestors to the establishment. What the Shaman voiced on the matter painted a more complicated—and oddly more simplistic—picture.

‘I thought that people were protesting against the Heretics—not the Shamans.’

‘It’s a lot more complicated than a mere protest or just opposition, Commander,’ he clarifies further, ‘and not every Heretic shares the same views. Some of them want too much; some only ask for a minute change to the dogma of the Elders and the Arts … and many of the sides have valid points. I can’t say even the Elders are wrong on the reasoning that what we practice isn’t exactly a parlour trick you can just pick up without risk or worry. The Arts are dangerous … and their wielders focused and disciplined.’

That reconciled the discussion with the Admiral … even if it did raise more questions in return.

>>2093455
>‘So what you’re going to teach me … is that going to be dangerous or just the standard brand of Heresy?’
>‘This either makes me insane for trusting you in the first place or just confirming how idiotic or desperate my appointment as Commander is.’
>‘So what about the ISSF? You just got kicked out and that’s it? Aren’t they tracking you?’
>‘Are you … acquainted with the Admiral?’
>‘Let’s get going, then. I think my brain’s got enough crammed in it right now without digesting this.’ (Train)
>Write-In

>>2093474
>‘Let’s get going, then. I think my brain’s got enough crammed in it right now without digesting this.’ (Train)

>>2093316
Well what he did has huge implications for civilian status of shipgirls. I guess we’d be all for having them recognized as fellow sapients but capacity to breed would change way of looking at things for many...

>are there any side effects to the unshackling that are more magical in nature than just making kanmusu more human with all its political implications?

Also it seems Takao took it harder than others how commander expands his division... she’s too pure.

>>2093474
>>‘Let’s get going, then. I think my brain’s got enough crammed in it right now without digesting this.’ (Train)

>>2093474
>>‘Are you … acquainted with the Admiral?’

>>2093480
True. Can you imagine the feminists?

>>2093474
Seconding>>2093480

>>2093480
supporting

>>2093571
>>2093593
Sorry, you two, but your votes came in too slow. I'm already about 80 percent done.

File: BAKA BAKA BAKA.jpg (410 KB, 602x850)

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‘Let’s get going, then,’ you stretch your arms overhead. ‘I think my brain’s got enough crammed in it right now without having to digest this.’

The whole rooms lets out a cry of surprise, save for Iowa and Tenryuu; the former’s expression unchanging and the latter only rolling rolling her visible eye with a look of resignation. Houshou steps out from her position, her face practically blue in disbelief as she marches right up to you with all the annoyance of a parent and a spouse rolled up into one. Even Nagato sits back, mouthing words to herself as she observes the only remaining Carrier to the Division looking as though she was one step away from a thread of her own snapping in half.

‘Wait, what, you’re actually going to—’

‘Yeah, I told you that I’d handle it, didn’t I?’

That wasn’t the right answer, judging with her stutter and rapidly-reddening cheeks.

‘You—but—I—URGH!’

You take a step back, almost tripping over your mattress as Houshou—for the first time since her arrival—stomps pertinently onto the floor, causing it to creak slightly as it absorbed the thud of her heel’s impact. She hyperventilates—the first you’d seen a KanMusu ever doing such a thing—before taking a step back and wearing a very, very, rigid … smile.

‘Fine,’ she chirps, turning on her heel. ‘Fine—do what you want. I’m just going to go to my room … and forget everything that happened here. Because if I happen to jog’—she grits her teeth as she squares up to you, which is pitiable, given her lack of size—‘my memory of this occurrence I am risking the banishment of the whole Division for its acquaintance and the stubbornness of its COMMANDER!’

‘Fascinating,’ the Shaman chuckles. ‘All she’s missing is a ring.’

The whole room coughs uncomfortably. Nagato scratches her cheek, humming off-key. Iowa rubs her knees together as Murakumo covers her mouth with a fist, giggling slyly as she threw a glance to the still-raging Houshou, who was unmoved by the comment. Tenryuu fixes you with a look of amusement before shaking her head and getting to her feet, the ghost of a laugh reaching your ears as she does.

‘While I’m reluctant,’ Nagato finally comments, ‘I respect your decision … although I can’t fathom why you’d choose this method out of all the options at your disposal, Commander. Still, it’s what you’ve decided and I’ll … try to make sure that the noise isn’t so loud on our end.’

She puts a reassuring hand on Houshou’s shoulder. The smaller woman’s form relaxes slightly on touch … and she pulls her away from you with a resigned grimace.

‘You owe us for this, sir.’

You only nod in return.

END INTERLUDE

>>2093637
when this is done we're gonna have to go and beg and apologise to the two.

>>2093641
Apologize for what? Making sure we didn't have to end our link with one of them in order not to die?
We really don't have a lot of other options.

>>2093641
Do we really have to apologize for every single thing? Jeez.

>>2093643
Transfers are a viable option over consorting with someone who is a known antagonist in the case of the presentation that is put forward.

>>2093643
Does it matter if we're completely right?

If the woman's mad, you apologise first.

Don't start off immediately trying to argue logically with someone arguing emotionally. That way lies hell. Sooth them first then reason.

>>2093651
There's also the fact you're:
>Risking banishment or worse for consorting with a known excommunicated Shaman (which he has revealed) instead of taking the practical/safe option and having someone a connection severed
From the outside looking in, it's a silly risk with little gain.

>>2093655
since when peple have done the smart thing for love?

>>2093657
Not since Nixon stepped down in the Watergate Scandal.

>>2093651
It gets rather annoying always having to be the rational one that admits we were wrong, even when we're completelly right.
Can't we for once put our foot down and say that we don't believe we're in the wrong? Always being submisive is what caused the mess with Tenryuu.
We can tell them we understand their frustration, but that we believe this is the correct course of action.

File: Untitled.png (36 KB, 1292x148)

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>>2093660
Not in this case, no.

>>2093661
Would we even be able to proceed with the shaman without our Kanmusu knowing?
And lets be honest, there's no way anyone was picking the other choice. This is a quest, picking the easy way out would be boring as shit.
Or would they feel something was amiss?

>>2093665
The last sentence is supossed to be after "Kanmusu knowing".
Fucking shitty phone.

>>2093661
I've done stupider shit for less

>>2093665
No, he's an annoying prick by anyone's standards. However, since he deduced that Houshou and Nagato were in your Division, it'd be rude to not show himself up on your doorstep and move to deceive KanMusu he once helped find their own two feet.

Huh, judging from how casually he walks around and invited himself into the barracks you’d think it was not quite that bad.


I wonder if we should be making a dead man’s switch with all the dirt we’ve uncovered and work on uncovering more to deter anyone attacking from political angle, although the risks involved would potentially affect innocents, even if we could pull it off.

>>2093679
I am concerned with people seeing a man in robes and a staff walking around the base and reporting it to Admiral. He probably wouldn't be very happy with that.
He also sat with us at Mamiya's yesterday, so its not like he's even trying to keep this secret.

can the shaman teach commander to speak or otherwise communicate with fairy?
would he?

>>2093696
>will be able to understand how they berate us too
Wake me up

>>2093698
>implying they wouldnt be the only ones cheering on us
its a sad day when the only ones cheering you on are the fae frome some unknown plane, but such is the life in command

File: GAINS.jpg (172 KB, 620x349)

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You’d been at it for hours.

‘Ow!’

‘Don’t let the passage of time disturb you—come on!’

You’d been at it for hours.

THWACK!

‘Ow!’

You fall in a crumpled heap from the bars, clutching your shoulder in pain. The Shaman stares from atop the swings with annoyance, deaf and ignorant to your pain. The sand did little to nothing in cushioning your fall—or at least that’s how you perceived it. This was at least the fifteenth time you’d tasted dirt since you’d arrived … and other than a sore back, calves that were so cramped that you felt that there wasn’t any more room in your thighs for them to squeeze through, a neck that felt as though it was going to burst, skulls and shoulders in constant pain from the equally-frequent impacts and tears that could probably be taste-worthy to a KanMusu. You catch your breath as you stagger to your feet … before falling again knee-first into the sand.

Breakfast threatens to rise from your gullet.

You were tired.

You needed water.

‘I believe that you’ve been through more enduring trials than the act of upside down sit ups.’

Before this, you’d argue that you had, yes … but with the cramp slowly building up, you had doubts on whether the Abyssals actually had anything that could compete. You raise your hand for him to give you a moment. The Shaman had been relentless in his coaching of your person—and could probably give the In. For the last six hours, you’d done dozens of rounds around the abandoned park—catching a glimpse of a few KanMusu passing by with their comrades—done pull-ups, sit-ups, climbing exercises and every unsavoury—and they are unsavoury at this point—exercise that you could think off that wasn’t planking.

Through it all, you’d been at the receiving end of the Shaman’s staff every time you’d slackened in your pace or dawdled on your task. You’d thought that whatever he had had in mind for you was sitting down and chanting … not training for a school meet as though you were the last minute substitute for the star track runner.

‘This … is … insane …’

‘Yes, yes, now up you get.’

You throw him a glare … but comply.

‘By Mithra’s Letters,’ you swear—surprising even yourself—as you painfully leap onto the horizontal bar and begin the arduous task of hooking your leg onto it. To be fair, however, given your change in physique over the last two months, it was definitely an easier task compared to when you’d been a fat slob with your belly hanging out.

‘We’ve been at this for six damn hours,’ you grunt, almost tearful as you raise yourself to your knees. ‘How much longer until you—’

He hits you on the knee—and you fall head first into the sand. You get to your feet faster this time, throwing him another withering glare.

‘If you think you’re ready—show me you are.’

He taps the staff against the bar.

>Prove the Shaman wrong (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>2094205
FITNESS MADE SIMPLE~

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>>2094205
The Aztec Gods of Fitness are on our side

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>2094205
PUT SOME GUTS, DAMN IT
(kaga and houshou want those abs too!)

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>2094205

Rolled 2 (1d6)

>>2094205

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>2094205

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>2094205

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>>2094221

>>2094217
>>2094223
>>2094224
>>2094227
>>2094231
That's failure.

>>2094221
No, they're not.

File: Yeah, Yeah, I'm A Hack.jpg (180 KB, 1024x576)

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Another hour; maybe another hour and a half … and you feel like you hadn’t improved your situation; not one bit.

You drop onto your knees, your throat too tired to howl and your feet practically burning from the hundredth lap around the park. You were so thirsty, so hungry … and the Shaman was there, watching you with his eyebrows practically dancing in amusement as he approached you. Your muscles ache—was this what all those football and gymnasts did on their off days? What soldiers practically considered routine? Your body may have been lighter and your muscles stronger than you had been before … but that only meant that the Shaman had seen fit to push further than you even further. The old you would have finished at ten laps and decided that he deserved a nice treat for the effort … while the present you only had a stick smacking the back of your head and some old man rambling over your shoulder. Lunch doesn’t feel like it’s coming up … but neither does it feel like settling, either.

‘Come now,’ the Shaman—the Heretic to his kin—hums as he steps ahead of you, jabbing the end of his stick into the ground, ‘it’ll be some time before you’re going to be able to sort anything out with yourself at this rate. On your feet.’

Despite being more than unwilling to comply, you get to your feet anyway … and begin your run anew. Your lower back and thighs protest. Even athletes had break times, but the Shaman hadn’t given you a single—well, that would be exaggerating; he did allow you to pause once in a while, if it counted … but still! Nagato and the rest of your Division hadn’t pushed you this far this hard; your arms could barely raise themselves and your feet seemed to be going on inertia alone with every step. The afternoon sun beats on you like a beater on raw steak; accompaniment to the Shaman’s punishment.

THWACK!

‘Ow!’

‘Keep the pace up,’ he warns, ‘don’t slacken, don’t trip … focus.’

‘You know, I—’

SMACK!

‘Ow!’

You throw him a glare … before picking up the pace.

‘I … don’t see … the point … of all … this,’ you manage, ‘how … is this … going to help me … at all?’

‘A sound body means a sound mind,’ he declares loudly as you increase your speed further—despite your bodies screeching protests, ‘or do they not teach you such platitudes here?’

You grunt loudly as you run a lap … and stop, before jogging in the same spot at the same pace as your run. It’s not any less tiring … and you feel your belly cramping up again from the action.

‘This isn’t,’ you spit a globule of saliva onto the floor, before looking up at the Shaman, half-expecting him to smack you with his stick again, ‘giving me anything that I … couldn’t … manage on my own …’

‘Impatience and pride,’ he chuckles. ‘To be young.’

>Patience? (Roll a 1d6 each)

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>2095284
calm as it gets...

Rolled 6 (1d6)

>>2095284

Rolled 1 (1d6)

>>2095284

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>2095284

Rolled 3 (1d6)

>>2095284

Rolled 5 (1d6)

>>2095284
for rolling sake

File: Training.png (2.03 MB, 1450x816)

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You’d settled into a pace that didn’t get you a healthy thwack on your noggin. It had been a smooth ten minutes of push ups … and while your arm—your flesh and blood arm—felt like it was genuinely threatening to burst, you yourself felt … fine.

‘Stop.’

You sigh—so much for getting used to the swing of things.

Grunting, you lower your body to the ground before standing up, matching gazes with the Shaman. He peers at you curiously, before rubbing your shoulder as he observes your form, grunting and humming as he eyes you up and down. You rub your shoulder, biting your lip as an uncomfortable silence comes over the both of you—you, personally, out of a desire to not be at the end of another hit by the old man—as he steps back and frowns, scrutinizing you … no doubt with more intense exercises in mind. Was he going to have you leap from ruined building to ruined building now? It was only the next logical step.

‘Your breathing is regular.’

You frown—of course it was. Why wouldn’t it be regular?

‘Good,’ he comments, much to your surprise, ‘now we can proceed.’

‘What?’

‘Sit down.’

You do so, puzzled as you are, you’re not in the mood—or willing—to turn down an opportunity to rest. Especially after the gruelling hours you’d spend alternating between exercises that you could have managed on your own time in the first place. The cold air strikes you—in your physical endeavour, you hadn’t noticed it at all, too focused on breathing and keeping at a pace that would keep the old man’s staff away from your limbs and bottom. All at once, however, you feel the spasms—minute as they are—working their way like ripples from falling leaves onto the surface of a lake. You shift uncomfortably as you hold back a wince, shifting yourself into a cross-legged position as you take a hard, deep breath … and try to calm yourself down.

You’re not sure if you’re breathing in ice or spitting out fire.

‘Calm yourself down.’

‘I know that,’ you counter in annoyance.

‘No, you don’t,’ he annoyingly points out, ‘you are thinking how much of a relief it is to not be running around or hanging from your knees … throw those thoughts out, Commander; breathe.’

You wrinkle your nose in annoyance, only to feel the light thwack of the stick against your shoulder.

‘Do not focus on my voice,’ he says warningly. ‘Empty your mind—you are tired, fatigued and you wish to rest … relinquish the thought. Every cry your body makes is a barrier; a test. You now lie at your limits … and this is where it all begins.’

Breathe.

You can feel something happening. You close your eyes, breathing … breathing … you’re tired. There’s nothing more that you want to do than lie on the grass and just snooze the day away, yet now you … you know you can’t. Something is tugging at you, something is pulling at you.

>>2095461

To let go ... or to hold on. To let yourself be pulled or to pull back.

'There is no wrong here, son,' the Shaman's soothing voice returns. 'It is merely the path of your own making.'

You open your mouth to answer, only to find no voice, not even a sound, able to leave your throat.

>Let go
>Hold on
>Allow yourself to be pulled
>Pull back

>>2095465
>Allow yourself to be pulled

>>2095465
>Allow yourself to be pulled

>>2095465
>>Hold on

>>2095465
>>Allow yourself to be pulled

>>2095465
>>>Hold on

This is a VERY important decision. But you guys already know that.

>>2095465
>Pull back

>>2095465
>Hold on

>>2095465
>>Pull back

>>2095466
>>2095468
>>2095471

>>2095469
>>2095475
>>2095506
We have a tie. Flipping a coin. Coin flipped.

>>2095732
>nagato

>>2095732

>Nagato

Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>2095732
1 = Nagato
2 = Houshou
3 = Takao
4 = Nachi
5 = Musashi
6 = Tenryuu
7 = Samidare
8 = Shigure
9 = Iowa
10 = Murakumo

>>2095732
Samidare

>>2095732
Nagato.

File: confusion.jpg (62 KB, 428x410)

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What happened?

File: Who Do You See In That Room.jpg (28 KB, 480x360)

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You don’t resist. You allow yourself to be pulled.

It is a strange sensation—rather than being dragged along, you feel like you are being lifted, guided. You don’t feel alone, rather, you feel as though you are … surrounded, embraced. The cold air seems to dance around you, tickling and kissing your skin as you feel yourself moving with the flow of your … Stream. Yes, you see it clearly now: this was your Stream. The nexus of emotions, thoughts and fears melded into a shard—the remaining splinter of your spirit that dwelt in the most physical of definitions;

At the same time, however, there is a fear, a worry within you of the pull leading you somewhere you didn’t wish to go; you had relinquished control in favour of guidance; you had abandoned will for the boon of faith … and a part of you felt that you had made a mistake, impossible as it sounded. This was not a mistake—this was you; your surrender wasn’t a show of strength or weakness … it was a mere reflection of who you were. The trust that you had bestowed and been blessed with. It was—is—a reflection of who you are … who you always were.

Rather than a being of Retribution and Strength, of Wisdom and Prudence; more than the rocks that built you on Resolve and Discipline … you were a man of Faith and Trust. Those were your elements. What made your Stream as much part of you as it was part of them.

‘Not much willpower on your end,’ you hear the Shaman’s remark, ‘but I suppose that goes with the territory … you bind yourself in the chain alongside others, willing to be led as much as you are to issue commands. As always, the coin is two-sided … you are a creature that thrives in his connections, but you are also vulnerable to the shattering of those bonds. Not so much stubborn or brave or foolish, but considering just how many … connections I have seen, it would be foolish for me to not presume that it would be anything else.’

You open your eye, feeling a wind dance around you, calming you, as you raise your head to meet the Shaman’s scrutinizing gaze.

‘Did I do something wrong?’

‘No,’ he shakes your head, ‘there is no wrong to be done in seeing who and what you are … every aspect of you has its strengths … and many more weaknesses than we care to admit. This is the reforging of your Stream; the first step in your—for lack of better word—realignment.’

You open your mouth to say something, only to find your voice dying as it leaves your throat.

The Shaman waves his hand—the world grows hazy, misty … and you find yourself seeing a familiar sight: your old apartment.

‘Does being left behind really scare you that much?’

>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)
>‘No.’ (Deny)
>‘A little, I guess.’ (Unsure)
>‘Does it even matter?’ (Dismissive)
>Write-In

>>2095754
>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754

>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754
>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754
>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754
>>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754

>I suppose it does. (Confirm)

What were the other options?
>pull back - strength?
>holding on - discipline?
>let go - wisdom?

(thought Commander would seek to take control after what he's been through rather than let himself be dragged away, but I suppose the faith and trust works well and suits him as he is)

>>2095754
>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095771
id say the faith and trust works as in the whole let them fight thing and the fact that we still hold a candle out for kaga

>>2095754
>>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

>>2095754
>‘Yes.’ (Confirm)

File: Spoiler Image (4.11 MB, 2723x3915)

4.11 MB JPG

You pause for a moment.

This couldn’t have been real.

The stale scent is familiar, but not—no, it was definitely identical. The table is low and the old cushions—second hand—are huddled up in a corner, way past their due date with the laundromat. The television was there up against the wall, unplugged with the bent antennae sticking at the odd angle to a ghost of a reception. You spy your futon, still rolled out on the floor where it should have been put away … or you’d tell yourself before you’d jet out of the apartment to rush for work.

This was your apartment.

This was your life.

And even now, it frightens you.

The place wasn’t banged up and lived in. Rather than life, it reeked of monotony and repetition. Like an assembly line for machines, devoid of anything that you could even latch on to. You couldn’t even call it death—this was a place of someone that did not care for the future or the past … and in turn, they didn’t, either. You get to your feet, running your hand along the wall. Greasy … you should really get to cleaning it if you ever …

No.

This you had been alone. In a world where chaos and fear reigned, you’d done worse than any one of them—you’d given up. In your thoughts, you’d presumed that you were present enough for someone to come running to hold your hand and lead you back out into that mess of a world. You languished in the mediocre and menial, unable to face things alone, and unwilling to look in the mirror to ask just what and where had you done wrong. The room isn’t frightening any more—it probably never was.

It was the shape of you, looking downward and standing still where the world was moving … and that there was no hand to drag you back up there and struggle with you. That in the horror of reality, the only real win was that reassuring smile and that tight grip around your hand—a constant that you’d searched and waited for until realizing it wouldn’t come … without stepping out of the door yourself.

‘Yes,’ you finally answer, stepping back from the scene … and finding yourself wrapped in a grey mist. The Shaman stands next to you, nodding grimly. ‘Yes, it does.’

Your admission has him step forward, lightly raising the staff.

‘I see that there’s someone else here as well.’

You sigh—you suppose it would be hard to deny it at this point.

‘Someone you’d hoped to grab your hand.’

You swear under your breath as you step forward … and find yourself in a bustling crowd of shadows, a woman standing in the middle of the mess, offering that same enigmatic smile.

‘Who is she?’

>‘Are we really doing this?’ (Deflect)
>‘She was a Co-Worker I had a thing for … never said a word, though.’
>‘High School Crush. She had her fanboys, all right … I’d be lying if I wasn’t just someone in the masses to her.’
>‘A friendship that I screwed up. That’s about it.’
>Write-In

>>2097566
>‘A friendship that I screwed up. That’s about it.’

>>2097566
>>‘A friendship that I screwed up. That’s about it.’
Are you gonna channel Minnesota girl MECH?

>>2097575
Nah. Took me five years to get over that, but sometimes you got to realize that you had the chance to make something beautiful happen and you fucked it up. No need to live in regrets for more than five years.

>>2097566
>>‘She was a Co-Worker I had a thing for … never said a word, though.’

>>2097566
>>‘A friendship that I screwed up. That’s about it.’
it is for the best to maybe unlock not!utaha route.....

>>2097582
You have enough vaginas around you, Quester.

>>2097566
>>‘A friendship that I screwed up. That’s about it.’

>>2097582
but utaha.......you already denied me kashima mech

such bewbs, much yan.....sadly it is most likely never be.....

>>2097615
Yeah, it'll never be. Tough luck, dude. Have my condolences.

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‘A friendship that I screwed up,’ you admit with a sigh. ‘That’s about it, really.’

‘Then this will be easy.’

‘What?’

You’re not standing in the field anymore. In fact, you’re not in Yokosuka.

People push past you, their eyes forward, some of them actually pushing people … people in stretchers. The scent that assaults you is too familiar to not give you an indicator of where you are. You are standing in a hospital corridor. Around you there is a mass of people making their way past you … and looking up at the finely-wired ceiling, it’s easy for you to tell by how clean and uncluttered the place was. This couldn’t have been anything but an inland hospital … even if it looked like a positive war-zone right now.

‘MOVE IT!’

You move out of the way, growing confused by the second. Was this another vision? Another memory? You didn’t feel the same sense of remembrance that you had with the room … and you definitely hadn’t been here before. People around you seemed much too busy for it to be Yokosuka’s hospital—that was more the MASH’s flavor. You step into a kind of waiting hall, only for the din to overtake you. Things were more than bustling here. You could see doctors and nurses rushing bodies over stretchers down hallways. Most of them have burn marks, blood was practically dripping from some of the carts being wheeled to their destinations.

Whatever had happened, it—

‘How many more are coming in?’

‘We have four more—how many rooms are prepped?’

‘MOVE IT!’

You step out of the way of a raging doctor, his nostrils flaring as the male nurse follows him from behind. This definitely wasn’t a memory. You look around, searching for the Shaman … why had he brought you here? Where was he? How had he brought you here? Would you have to make your own way back? Did he want you to jog all the way back from wherever he’d dumped you?

‘You look exhausted.’

‘I’m fine … just need a little coffee.’

Your blood runs cold. You knew that voice.

‘I’ll grab you something from the machine—you want anything extra?’

‘I have something to turn in—I can manage myself.’

You turn slowly on your heel to see the haggard form of a woman that was once so familiar to you, sitting on a bench and her head resting against the wall, mere feet away from you, her colleagues walking away and leaving her with a labcoat on her lap … and a mix of notebooks and charts right next to her. She looked more mature, more tired than you’d—well, no, you’d seen her in more psychotic states than this. You’d even had to drag her away from her duties as a student organizer back in junior high once.

She raises her head … and before you can bolt from the spot, you find your gazes meeting again. For the first time in years.

Her mouth goes agape. She definitely remembered you.

You do the only thing you can: you greet her.

‘Hey … Kasumi.’

>>2097707
>‘Where’s the … toilet?’ (Exit, Stage Left)
>‘You’re, uh, looking … nice.’ (Try not to spill spaghetti)
>‘You, uh, still … pissed at me?’ (Try not to spill too much spaghetti)
>‘So, uh, how’s life?’ (You spilled the spaghetti but that’s okay)
>‘Shaman, this isn’t funny.’
>Write-In

>>2097714
>>‘You, uh, still … pissed at me?’ (Try not to spill too much spaghetti)

>>2097714
>...Wassa matta you, Kasumi? (Maximum spaghetti)
Joking

>So...I see you took up doctoring."

>>2097714
Missed two more options.

>'What's going on here?' (Ask about surroundings)
>'You wouldn't happen to know where I am, would you?' (Direct)

>>2097715
>>2097717
You guys can re-choose your options. I fucked up.

>>2097717
>>2097714
This.
maximum spaghetti. =^)

>>2097718
>>'What's going on here?' (Ask about surroundings)
info needed

>>2097717
>>‘So, uh, how’s life?’ (You spilled the spaghetti but that’s okay)
going for this, time to let loose all the spaghetti

>>2097718
>>'You wouldn't happen to know where I am, would you?' (Direct)

>>2097717
>>2097738
This is an odd situation. It seems that your present option still has votes even though you have redacted your proposal. How do we go about this?

File: Argo shrug.jpg (171 KB, 664x1080)

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>>2097772
I revoted, but they didn't. Their votes count as theirs, mine as mine.

>>2097714
>>Write-In
>looks like you followed your dream then, nice to see you doing well

File: 1451079667137.png (251 KB, 661x721)

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>>2097714
>'You wouldn't happen to know where I am, would you?' (Direct)

>>2097714

>>2097849
>'You wouldn't happen to know where I am, would you?' (Direct)
fucking copypasta never works

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‘You wouldn’t happen to know where I am, would you?’

Perhaps that wasn’t the best way to open a conversation with a friend you hadn’t—

SMACK!

You wince as you raise a hand to your cheek. After what you’d been through, it was little more than a needle prick. Kasumi grits her teeth as she glares daggers at you … and it looked like she wanted to do more than just smack you with her hand—you see her throwing a brief glance at the fire extinguisher by the wall—but instead steps back, wrinkling her nose and fixing you with a calculating gaze, but saying nothing else.

‘Kurosaki Research Hospital,’ she reveals coldly. ‘If you need bus fare to get out of town, drop my name at the counter—they’ll bill my allowance. Hope it blows up an inch from wherever your stop is.’

She turns on her heel, grabbing her things before walking away in a huff.

You sigh—all right, you’d definitely screwed up there.

‘Hey, sonny.’

You turn to a man resembling a mummy, his arm in a sling with his body sitting in a whellchair and a torn jacket over his shoulders, wearing a toothless grin.

‘Take it from a pro,’ he nods sagely. ‘Not nice to let your lady walk away angry.’

He’s wheeled from his spot by an apparent acquaintance of his right as you fix him with a tired look. You throw another glance around the room as you rub your shoulder, watching your old friend’s retreating back down one hall as another eye focuses on the counter.

>‘This isn’t funny, Shaman.’ (Call out to the Shaman)
>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)
>Get the money from the counter and leave
>Write-In

>>2097944
>>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)
man how badly did we fuck up this friendship

>>2097944
>>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)

>>2097944
>>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)

>>2097944
>Get the money from the counter and leave

>>2097944
>>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)

>>2097944
>‘God damn it.’ (Follow after Kasumi)

File: Kasumi.jpg (803 KB, 707x1000)

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‘God damn it.’

You let out a frustrated cry, before taking off down the hall—there could only be one reason that you would be sent here … however the Shaman intended for it to be. You dodge interns and attendants, almost knocking over an oxygen tank being hoisted by two orderlies—both of them letting out curses as you almost trip right into them—as you try to catch up to the back of your very annoyed former friend. That had been stupid—that you would expect her to just answer your question with the same non-committal and impersonal stance that you had undertaken in the past instance of an attempt at opening dialogue. You were an idiot who couldn’t make friends but still wanted them more than anything … and here you were, exemplifying your foolishness; your lack of delicacy once again.

There was a reason that you were brought here … even if you were reluctant to admit it.

‘Kasumi!’

Kasumi stops in her tracks, her eyes wide in surprise as you practically trip over yourself—barely able to stop yourself from falling head first into her. She regains her composure quickly, however—she always did—and holds her notes and charts close to her chest, staring down at you with an annoyed expression. You raise a hand, hoping that she’d give you a mo—

‘You stink,’ she comments haughtily. ‘Why do you smell like you’ve just run a marathon through a swamp?’

>‘Seriously? I’m trying to talk here and that’s the first thing that you have to say?’
>‘Close enough.’
>‘I, uh, well—Kasumi. It is nice to see you. Again. How … are you?’
>‘Nice of you to notice the weight loss. As you can see, I took your advice to heart.’
>Write-In

>>2098015
>‘Close enough.’

>>2098015
>>‘Nice of you to notice the weight loss. As you can see, I took your advice to heart.’
Fuck it, banter time

>>2098015
>‘Close enough. As you can see, I took your advice to heart.’
Witty, but not snarky.

>>2098023
this

>>2098015

>>2098023
This

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‘Nice of you to notice the weight loss,’ you chuckle—more to alleviate the situation that it was to actually convey any sense of amusement that you actually had in present circumstance. ‘As you can see, I took your advice to heart.’

She doesn’t smile back.

Kasumi looks you up and down in confusion, pursing her cheeks before letting out a defeated sigh, walking away … and gesturing for you to follow her. With no other option present—and a Shaman that somehow believed that dropping your butt off here was a viable option of some kind with no return journey in sight—you didn’t know where else to turn to. Even the location of the hospital was one that you weren’t that sure of. It looked … neat, in any case; clean, expensive—befitting its bestowment of research hospital. The both of you walk in silence, with about four feet of space between you and her. As you pass by several older doctors, you notice Kasumi bowing to them in respect, and occasionally, they’d give nods in return … although most of them ignored her actions. The both of you make your way up a fancy stairwell overlooking what appeared to be a park—no, a rehabilitation garden, littered with patients and their attendants, doctors and therapists. Judging by the equipment, you’re very sure that this place wasn’t one that you would have been able to afford without the Admiralty footing the bill.

She pushes a door to an open roof cafe overlooking the garden, where you spy several people lining up for their meals. Kasumi turns to you, her lips thinning into a line as her features remain stoic.

‘Coffee and bagel?’

You open your mouth to turn her down … only for your belly to rumble in interference. Before you can protest, she makes her way to the end of line, leaving you to your lonesome. You find a seat for two, tossing the messy tray onto the nearby dumping basin … and sit down to wait. As your eyes travel to Kasumi’s form, chatting with a male doctor—or student-doctor or intern—you can’t help but feel your stomach flip in dread. Why had the Shaman dropped you off here? You were at the park not too long ago … could this have been an illusion? A projection? No—you’d be able to tell at a glance, but your other eye hadn’t so much as peeped. As far as you were concerned, this … was real, for better or worse.

You actually wished that it wasn’t.

The thud of a new tray with bagels and coffee presents itself to you. Kasumi glares at you as she takes her seat, gulping down her—

‘How many cups of coffee did you buy?’

You count eight.

‘Not enough,’ she growls, before glaring back at you. ‘And if you’re here for drugs, I’ll have you know the orderlies find me attractive enough to break your femur and grind it into soup.’

You’re not sure how to answer that.

>>2098086
>'I'm not ... here for drugs.' (Point out the obvious)
>'I'm not even sure why I'm here, to be honest.' (Honest)
>'Kasumi, we're both ... grown up now. I thought we'd put it all behind us at this point.' (Rational)
>'Is that what you think I deserve?' (Rebuttal)
>Keep silent
>Write-In

>>2098092
>'Kasumi, we're both ... grown up now. I thought we'd put it all behind us at this point.' (Rational)

>>2098086
>'I'm not ... here for drugs.' (Point out the obvious)

>>2098092
>>'Kasumi, we're both ... grown up now. I thought we'd put it all behind us at this point.' (Rational)

>>2098092
>'Is that what you think I deserve?' (Rebuttal)
But spoken in a very John Reese sort of way. No indication of anger whatsoever.

>>2098092
>'I'm not ... here for drugs.' (Point out the obvious)

>>2098092
>>'Kasumi, we're both ... grown up now. I thought we'd put it all behind us at this point.' (Rational)

>>2098092
>'I'm not ... here for drugs.' (Point out the obvious)

>>2098092
>>'I'm not ... here for drugs.' (Point out the obvious)

File: Here, man. Here..jpg (144 KB, 850x1190)

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‘I’m not … here for drugs, Kasumi,’ you counter bluntly. ‘I don’t know what would’ve made you even think that in the first place.’

‘Because you’ve either just gone through the stinkiest mire I could imagine in my head,’ she says coolly, her ire noticeably rising with every tick of her eyebrow, ‘or you’ve been sleeping in a dumpster for the last few days and decided to come over here for another fix … to which I’m giving you one. Sip a cup.’

She was prodding you.

It really didn’t hurt too bad. It really didn’t. You’d heard worse from Nachi and your superiors—a brief thought strikes you that despite making peace, she still had the most venom that anyone could muster—but the fact that your confusion and guilt was racking up at a higher rate than you were prepared for … frustrated you more than you were willing to admit. It was bad enough to see her again—even worse that you knew that you felt the Shaman was somehow railroading you into resolving something that you felt had hardly anything to do with your present responsibilities.

You’d manned up and moved on. You’d kicked your demons to the curb and stepped out into the world like any rational being would, so why was it that after all that effort trying to be a better person—a better leader, a better Commander … and surviving long enough for the next sortie. Why were you even here?

‘Wait, is that a …’

You’re shaken from your thoughts. Kasumi was staring at your arm in surprise … apparently it took some cups of coffee for her to finally raise her awareness enough to notice.

‘You … were you in an accident?’

>‘Why do you care? As far as you’re concerned, I’m just a junkie.’ (Annoyed)
>‘You can call it that.’ (Vague)
>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)
>‘No. I lost all function in my hand by intention. That’s why I have a Kantai Steel exoskeleton.’ (Sarcastic)
>Wrrte-In

>>2098532
>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532
>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532
>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532

>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532
>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532
>>‘It’s a little more complicated than that. I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’ (Reveal your station)

>>2098532
>Got into a scuffle over a girl with some ill tempered creature.

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‘It’s a little more complicated than that.’

You can’t help but give a small smile as you lift your prosthesis to your eyepatch … and immediately find your vision assaulted by small branches and rivers. Nothing significant or telling. Not that you could tell that well, of course—this may have been real, but that only made the sense of discomfort in your belly swell even further. Kasumi makes a noise—something dies in her throat as her eye makes contact with yours … which you can tell is at least lightly growing. The cup in her hand drops onto the table bottom-first, thankfully not spilling its contents, as you hear the mutterings of swear words under her breath, the disbelief more than apparent with every passing moment.

‘I kind of … uh … followed my dreams.’

‘You’re kidding me,’ she gasps—and there’s no other way to put it—in shock. ‘You’re actually an … Admiral?’

You put your eyepatch back on, pulling out a familiar set of tags from your pocket—smirched with a sauce or two—and dangle them right in front of her with an amused grin. It had been a long time since you’d seen that expression on her face … and even now, as adults, the shrunken irises and the slacked—slightly anyway—jaw was something to behold.

‘Commander, actually,’ you correct her, putting your tags away. ‘Yokosuka First Operations Division.’

She opens her mouth to say something, before clicking her tongue … and letting out a mirthless chuckle.

‘So, congratulations,’ she smirks, her features contorting into an ugly snarl. ‘It’s nice to know just where my taxes are going.’

>‘Kasumi, look …’ (Diplomatic)
>‘I assure you, they’re well spent.’ (Joke)
>‘The least you can do is actually respond like a mature adult.’ (Annoyed)
>‘So what about you? You actually, uh … made it into medicine, I see.’ (Ease)
>Write-In

>>2098606
>‘So what about you? You actually, uh … made it into medicine, I see.’ (Ease)
play it cool?

>>2098606
>‘Kasumi, look …’ (Diplomatic)

>>2098610
That would be diplomatic. To ease is to try to slither yourself into good graces. It's more sly than an upfront method. Idle chatter and that shit.

>>2098606
>Thank you, I'll make the best I can out of it. Glad to see you've made decently for yourself, too...

>>2098617
This

>>2098606
>>‘So what about you? You actually, uh … made it into medicine, I see.’ (Ease)

>>2098606
Seconding>>2098617

>>2098606
>‘Kasumi, look …’ (Diplomatic)
I'd rather be straight with her