>>2136519

There is surprise. Shock. And pride in that thought. A comprehension on what you’ve managed to accomplish.

“It worked,” you smile and then quickly focus on the necessary tasks, “Mom, there is so much I need to tell you!”

“Mikage, calm down, what is it?” she questions, in slight worry.

There is no telling how much time you actually have to accomplish this, so you think. You review your relevant memories and communicate them across the void.

The enemy’s involvement with Ellis Unlimted, both by your investigations into Kalunite and your father’s admission about his encounter with their CEO. The danger she and the others may yet be in. The nature of the enemy and chaos, as you discovered within yourself and Koyomi. Their intentions for Queen Kalyke of Elysion and the small miracle you and your sister managed to accomplish with her purification. The things you’ve learned about the enemy’s origins. How much she is missed.

Her expression shifts to one of resolve. Her starseed aflame in resolve.

“I understand, don’t worry. I’ll warn the others and stay on my guard,” she explains with determination before her face softens into an amused swoon, “Though this baby Kalyke looks cute,”

“Well, she’s family, right?” you question, with a bit of pride in what you and Koyomi did.

“Of course,” your mother smiles and through no distance is closed, you feel her arms circling around you in pride, “Look at you, so strong amid all this turmoil I can feel around you,”

“I’m not even sure I recognize myself,” you admit after a moment of basking in the remembered experience of her embrace, “From who I was just a little while ago,”

“You’ve done so much, and I know things aren’t done yet, but I believe in you. I believe in you and your sister and I love you both so very much,” she offers, her voice practically next to you.

>I love you, mom
>say nothing, bask in this and get a little weepy
>mentally hug her back as fiercely as you can
>There’s still so much on your mind, you need to not get caught up in your emotions
>Write in

You worry, about what else to tell her. Should she be distracted by knowing what happened to Koyomi, even if you undid her murder at the hands of Kalunite? Maybe you can loop dad into this telepathic experience that the two of them can have a moment?

You’re unsure about how much time you have left for this.

>Tell her about what happened to Koyomi, and that you undid it
>Confide in her your worries about your own growing distance from humanity
>Seek guidance, on how to help the four shadow girls
>Attempt to loop dad into this mindscape
>Say nothing else and bask in the comfort of your mother’s presence
>Write in

>>2136521
>>I love you, mom
>>mentally hug her back as fiercely as you can
>>Tell her about what happened to Koyomi, and that you undid it
>>Confide in her your worries about your own growing distance from humanity

you posted the wrong link on twitter

>>2136521
>I love you, mom
>mentally hug her back as fiercely as you can

>Confide in her your worries about your own growing distance from humanity

>>2136521
>>I love you, mom
>>mentally hug her back as fiercely as you can
>>Write in
Try not to get too caught up, but enjoy the moment for what it is. An accomplishment and a loving moment.

>>Attempt to loop dad into this mindscape

>>2136521
>I love you mom, bask in this and get a little weepy

>Confide in her your worries about your own growing distance from humanity
>Tell her about what happened to Koyomi, and that you undid it

Counting.

>love you mom
>>2136805
>>2136699
>>2136588
>>2136565

>Mind Hug
>>2136565
>>2136588
>>2136699

>Koyomi's death and ressurection
>>2136565
>>2136805

>Humanity slipping
>>2136565
>>2136588
>>2136805

>Loop Dad
>>2136699

So.

Love, Hug, Humanity, and since its a value of half I'll throw in the Rez at the end

Leaning into the steadying embrace, you exhale slowly and screw your eyes tight.

“I love you, mom,” you utter before the lean turns into a reaching of your own.

Encircling this projected tactile memory, you return your mother’s hug fiercely. She holds it, holds you, and feels your obvious worry and discontent as you bury your face into the crook of her neck. As long as your eyes are closed, it’s like she’s really there.

“I love you, Mikage,” you mother says softly before the tinge of concern returns to her, “What’s wrong,”

You pause...and worry.

“Too many things,” you sigh into her and open your eyes again to the distance between you.

“Something happened, and it was bad,” you murmur before you meet her distant gaze, “And the things I pushed me to do...the things I can do...I feel so different mom,”

“Different, Mikage no. No matter what you’ll always be who you’ve always been,” her smile lessens as you see in her eyes that she too knows this pain, “I wish I had known that once, a long time ago,”

You know the story of how your mother defied death, both her own and the deaths of those she cared for...she does understand. Perhaps she sees it in your eyes now. The pain of seeing a loved one…

“What happened,” she presses, perhaps to understand your state or for her own worry.

You look away, and back to her. Somehow feeling the distance between you grow as you wish her to be near most.

“We fought one of them, Kalunite, and he held nothing back,” you say mournfully, “His power...I resisted it but the others in the thick of it with me, Koyomi and Keiko, they couldn’t,”

She feels your pain, understands it, and the tension that grips her as you explain the death of her youngest daughter. There is no surprise when you explain what happened next.

“I pulled them back from nothing, and I burned Kalunite for it,” you feel your own hands as they go to your shoulders, “And then I felt it...that if I hadn’t then Koyomi might have been able to pull herself back,”

“Mikage, I need you to understand,” she offers quietly, “That the things we can do are scary, but never doubt that, or your own strength. This is who you are, what we are doesn’t matter but who we are does. Koyomi has needed you in this, and you’ll yet need her,”

“Mom,”

“I love you, Mikage. I love you. I love your sister. I love your father. I love everyone, and I never want you to forget that love if you feel lost or afraid,” her voice is a balm, “of anything,”

She seems so much farther away now. Her gaze turns to the things you cannot see, the things where she actually is. Her voice sounds farther away.

“No matter what, you’re my babies and I believe in what you can do,” are you falling away from her?

No, you need more time. You need to know things are going to be okay as sure as she does.

>Bid your mother goodbye for now, you’ll see her soon
>No! Struggle for more time
>Write in

>>2137119
>Bid your mother goodbye for now, you’ll see her soon

>>2137119
>>Bid your mother goodbye for now, you’ll see her soon
>>Write in
Try to bridge Dad in, and let them have their own moment while we drift back down.

>>2137119
>>2137178
This

>>2137178
Thirding.

Rolled 16 (1d20)

Writing

No, you fought so hard to get here, you know that you almost have nothing left. The grip you have on this distance is slipping, and you can accept that.

“Goodbye mom, it was hard to establish this...we’ll see you soon,” you cry out, “Okay!”

She nods. Her voice falling distant...when a thought strikes you.

Feeling out with your mind beneath you, beneath the real you, you find your father’s mind. Grounded and rooted to the world beneath and held aloft in a vast psychometric potential.

“Dad,” you call out to him, and use yourself as a point of connection to broadcast him.

He is surprised. His arms deep in the sink, that is invisible to you in the field of stars. His own mind takes in the space around him and he stops short as he sees your mother.

Even with him in the void and her before the moon, there is no space between them. As you boost his own abilities, you can’t hear whatever it is they say to one another as you continue falling. From the void into the sky. From the sky into the night. From the night to yourself.

To yourself.

On the roof, alone. The moon above you as the distant and fading energies of your starseed and psychometric abilities flee. You feel so drained as you reclaim your bearings, but rejuvenated by having succeeded. In having spoken to your mother both to warn her and again have her supportive words.

“Goodbye, but not forever,” you say aloud and notice for the first time, something strange.

Your previously sure footing on the tiles of the roof are now, decidedly, unsure in the slick. There persists the taste of copper in your mouth, licking your lips it is there too. Looking down you notice you are standing in a puddle of red, and it’s run down your blouse.

In this moment you feel particularly unwell. You’ve more than enough energy to stand, but it would prove rather easy to cut you down.

Moving quickly, you unlock the bathroom window from the outside, and slip in that you may clean yourself up before getting some sleep.

You don’t dream, you are so exhausted.

By your nature, it is with that night’s sleep alone that whatever pained your insides and whatever energy you lost was completely restored from your rest.

And with that it’s Sunday.

You’ll be spending the morning at the laboratory before bringing each piece back to the place you initially wove the magic into them to finish the job. Kairi has a standing offer to hang out with you during the work.

>Meet up with her on your way to Infinity Academy
>Have her meet you in the early afternoon at the purifying tree
>Have her meet you in the late afternoon near Zodiac Academy
>Write in

>>2137427
>Meet up with her on your way to Infinity Academy

>>2137427
>Meet up with her on your way to Infinity Academy

>>2137427
>Meet up with her on your way to Infinity Academy

>>2137427
>>Meet up with her on your way to Infinity Academy

Perhaps followed a distracted lunch at the tree, then maybe part for the evening.

Writing

Shooting a text message off to Kairi-chan, you make your way on foot to your friend’s house. The town is, comparatively quiet this early on a Sunday morning. Not like the quiet of your usual morning run. Its calm, nice out even. A wonderful fall day as you button your jacket and shift the weight of the bag of supplies.

A knock and greeting later, you are joined by Kairi Osaka. Your Nephrite Knight greets you still yawning at the door. Dressed but still seemingly not entirely woken up.

“Morning,” she yawns, an apple in hand, and wearing something comfortable and casual.

“Morning yourself!” you beam, feeling good to be both feeling physically better and having gotten the chance to talk to your mom last night feeling perhaps a bit emotionally charged as well, “Ready to behold the amazing process of making magical objects?”

“Well, ready to hang out with a friend, what’s the plan?” she questions and takes a bite falling in step beside you.

“I figured finishing physical assembly back at Zodiac, and then I go to two of my nodes of power to finish the job. Picnic lunch under the purifying tree,” you think aloud.

“Alright then,” she nods and stumbles before grumbling, “Ugh, I was up late running a few errands and breaking for the surveillance rotation after my date,”

“If you’re too pooped to hang out,” you offer before she cuts you off.

“No, it’ll be good to spend time together,” she admonishes and then smiles, “Besides, I’m in a great mood otherwise, and that’s the perfect time to spend together,”

>Save it for later, I did something cool and psychic last night
>Oh, did things go well with Estra last night?
>Take pride in your efforts to force the issue along earlier
>Apologize for maybe overstepping bounds in forcing those issues along
>Write in

>>2137786
>>Oh, did things go well with Estra last night?

>>2137786
>Oh, did things go well with Estra last night?

Writing.

“A good mood you say?” you smile broadly, “So, did things go well with Estra?”

She pauses, her face scrunching as if to think of it, before a laugh falls beneath her renewed smirk.

“I think so,” she offers as the two of you board the commuter train, “We just went for dinner and a walk in the park. Well, several parks. He wanted to show me the gardens he’d been tending since he landed,”

“The are really calming,” you muse, “He’s a pretty good gardener, supernatural influence notwithstanding,”

The two of you continue back and forth on the matter of Estra for a bit, you’re at the Infinity Academy station when she finishes recounting the date. Kairi-chan actually encouraged him to eat, something he usually avoided doing due to it’s habit forming nature and his species not needing to eat.

Before long the two of you are in the lab hidden beneath the school, talking about the project instead, and the nature of the enchantments for each.

“You seriously want to give Umeki-san a variable disguise?” she questions warily of your spymaster’s uniform.

“I invited her into this thing, so I’m going to trust her with it,” you explain, “Though yeah, I can see how using this could spiral out of control with her,”

“Well, she takes her job pretty seriously. And we’re not exactly innocent of not abusing magic,” Kairi-chan hums to herself while inspecting the military jackets.

“That’s true,” you reason, “Though I wouldn’t call it abuse. Abuse of magic is entirely different, and gets people hurt,”

“Then casual misuse,” she affirms.

“That works for me,” you smile, “Could you pass me that frog,”

She nods and passes you the threaded loop and knot fasteners.

“Knights, a spymaster, and whatever title you’ve got in mind for Sasha,” she thinks aloud, “This circle has grown, hasn’t it?”

“It really has,” you nod, this is something you’ve thought about before, “Though I’m looking forward to when this crisis is over so instead of having all of this hanging over our heads we can go back to just being friends,”

>Continue to talk about relationships, about Yoshi and your present confidence about your feelings there in
>Continue to talk about relationships, about fairness and how you just dropped your crush on her on her.
>You’re worried, but capable, of accepting that there will always be some new threat. At least in time.
>You’re worried Sasha is, probably justifiably, mad at you over the way your feelings are falling and you hope the uniform makes up for it...a little?
>Write in

Thread not paused, but open voting until I wake up tomorrow.

Going to research Arcrologies...for reasons.

>>2138213
>>Continue to talk about relationships, about Yoshi and your present confidence about your feelings there in

File: Sim Arcologies.png (251 KB, 1024x511)

251 KB PNG

Apologies, was very asleep.

>>2138213
>>You’re worried, but capable, of accepting that there will always be some new threat. At least in time.
https://youtu.be/299knTdX-Wo

>>2138298
Huh, until pulling up this image, I do not recall knowing that the Launch Arcos could actually launch when enough where built, and I played the shit out of 2000.

The Darco makes me think of something else, reminds me that we hadn't gotten back around to something we wondered about a million threads ago, the current status of Point D.
Which, with it's scenes of dead forest and buildings within it, now makes me think of arcology.

>>2138427
I am good with this topic being covered as well.

Now back to sleep. Good night folk.

>>2138213
>Continue to talk about relationships, about Yoshi and your present confidence about your feelings there in

File: Usagi crash.gif (601 KB, 474x352)

601 KB GIF

>>2138449
Couldn't fall back to sleep. This is gonna be a rough workday.

>>2138213
>You’re worried, but capable, of accepting that there will always be some new threat. At least in time.

Awake. Overslept. Gonna grab a shower, some breakfast, tend a few errands, and then resume as I am able.

>>2138213
>Continue to talk about relationships, about Yoshi and your present confidence about your feelings there in

Writing

“Any specific plans you’re looking forward too?” Kairi-chan leans in conspiratorially and perhaps teasingly, “You know, after things have calmed down?”

You nod, because it is something you’ve given thought to.

“Well, in the long term I’ve been thinking about changing the world,” you muse as you set the fastenr in place and begin to sew it in, “Not magically, but...but like a career,”

You lean back and pull the collar of the fabric with you, looking up into the superstructure of the lab. Echoes of your ideas, and the ideas presented to you, toward getting into politics. There are already some far future development projects underway in the Tokyo Bay area set for the next twenty or so years pending the technological development to allow the scale of construction. Places like that, nigh self contained cities, will need leadership...but that’s for the long term.

As far as living for now, you know what you want now perhaps more confidently than you used to.

“Short term though, short term I think,” you smile and spread the uniform down on the table in front of you, finished its assembly, “I think I want to use all the free time I’ll have to have something with Yoshi,”

“You’ve been spending more time with him,” Kairi-chan muses, “And that whole thing in the parking lot was pretty cute,”

You momentarily harumph at that, but then break into a smile all the same.

“That, that was nice,” you muse and relax a bit, “And it will be so much nicer without everything hanging over our heads,”

“It’ll be freeing for sure,” she agrees wistfully, “Dates, hanging out together with nothing else going on, enjoying peace and our families,”

“I’m thinking of either goading him to,” you sigh, “Or outright ask him out on a date. Just, and outright date with no pretense or deniability,”

“Yeah, because you’ve needed so many layers of that before,” she taps the table, “we’ve both been so hung up on the past, but the whole live for now thing you threw at me has got me thinking that it's a good idea. So in that vein, what do you think would be your perfect date?”

You think on that a moment, before nodding.

“I’m a simple girl, shopping and dinner, maybe getting a bit competitive at the arcade, definitely ice cream,” you contemplate as you shift onto the next uniform, “I think Ice Cream is the universal constant. Though I wouldn’t mind another calm serenade somewhere while he plays,”

“That sounds like a nice plan,” she agrees.

“Well, what about you now that you and Estra have gone on a date? More of the same or something more exciting?” you lean in and prod her with a seam ripper.

She smiles broadly, and with a conspiratorial laugh.

>>2138895

“Well, what we did was nice...maybe I’ll convince him to step out of his comfort zone for something less calm,” she muses, “Like, a scary movie or trying something really out there like an airsoft scenario and dinner,”

“That last one seems more exhausting than fun,” you question.

“Says the girl who was defensive about a street fight and a burger not being a date,” you accuse.

“That, that was different,” you assure, “I was different,”

“True,” she offers simply.

The assembly is complete, and you continue your musings in a picnic lunch under the purifying tree in the park preserve on the other side of the city. With that done, Kairi excuses herself to go do some supply runs for the current surveillance shift and you are left to your own with Sasha’s gift finished and Saori Umeki’s gift needing it’s finishing touches in the waters beneath Zodiac Academy for girls.

Though as you make your way through the service tunnels into the untempered cave structure by the leyline intersection that lay here in wait...you notice that you are not alone here.

Ahead of you, in the darkness you see flickering light and hear voices. Just who could be down here. With barely a second thought you open up your disguise field and become no one of consequence.

>Ignore them, but try and bypass them, conduct your work invisibly and in secret
>Approach stealthily and scout out who is down here first
>Approach openly and talk your way through this
>Make some noises here and hide, try to distract and then scare off whoever is down here
>Write in

&

>Stay as yourself
>Don the disguise of Red Eyes
>Don the Regalia of Eclipse
>Don the armor of Endymion
>Don another of your guises, which?

>>2138896
>Approach openly and talk your way through this
>Don the armor of Endymion

>>2138896
>>Approach openly and talk your way through this
>>Don the armor of Endymion

>>2138896
>Approach stealthily and scout out who is down here first

>>2138896
>Approach stealthily and scout out who is down here first
>Don the Regalia of Eclipse
We can always switch it up to talk and other guises after scouting.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

Endymion yes, but we still need to decide between Stealth and Talking

So...let me do a d2 roll.

1 we have Diplomacy approach
2 we have stealthy scouting

Rolled 6 + 10 (1d20 + 10)

Pulling the white mask out of nothingness, you approach through the tunnels with intent. Your presence here should be all you require to finish this suit, but that may require time...who though would be down here. The voices continue to echo through the underground, coming from the chamber you seek ahead.

The Senshi had done a sweep of this place, and you imagine PIT was scoping the place out for a little while, but who would be down here now? Either the enemy or someone local which narrows the field of what you’ll face significantly.

Placing the mask before your eyes, you are wrapped in the white vestments and armor of Endymion. White scours you, as you are clad in tasseled pauldrons and sequin patterned cloth.

As you push forward, you listen.

“Ah still don’t follow this,” grouses a voice ahead, familiar and thick with the intonation of a Kansai dialect.

“She’s been scared of the dark ever since,” complains a voice in the night, “So we get her to come down here and show her it isn’t so bad. We make it like a secret club house and we help Chou not be so afraid,”

You know those voices for sure. Akane Kita and Nijiko Junta, Ringo and Niji of the Primroses.

Coming through the tunnel, they turn to see you.

“It’s good you want to help your friend,” you offer as you move into the glow of their flashlights in the dark, where they are arranging portable and foldable furnishings, “Though you should tread carefully in a place like this...places that are important,”

They spin, their errant lights focus on your in the dark as you raise a gloved hand on reflex to shield your eyes.

“What the...who are you!” the taller and more broadly built girl shouts as the smaller girl tightens her stance and looks at you warrilly.

“No one who means you or anyone else any harm, I assure you,” you offer simply and earnestly as you lower your hand, “And no one who should matter for the long term of your plans,”

There is a moment of tension between you and the two girls. Your eyes pierce through the dark, even as the light they wield would otherwise offer cover you can see their faces clearly as they look toward one another. It's a struggle for them, their sources of light turned to you, but they see and enough and nod to one another.

“Say we believe that,” Niji offers quickly, her face relaxing but her body ready yet to spring into movement, “Why are you here?”

“Just for this place, just for a little while and it will not disturb your purpose,” you explain evenly, hand held low and stance evenly held in confidence.

>>2139105

“That gettup, looks like those folks who showed up to fight that dragon along with the Senshi on the news,” Ringo tries to whisper, “Accept I don’t recognize this one,”

“Is that right? Are you with the Sailor Senshi?” Niji gulps, warilly but with some measure of awe.

Of course, this girl was being friendly and familiar with you when you wore the guise of the Red Eyed Beast, she was probably thrilled to learn the Academy and surrounding neighborhood was the Beast’s turf now. More than that, she is probably aware and falling for the feigned conflict between her and the Sailor Senshi.

>Who I’m with is irrelevant, please, just let me conduct my business and I’ll be out of your hair
>I will say that I am, after a fashion, and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend
>I am not, but I am someone involved in these conflicts against those who hurt and changed your friends
>Write in

>>2139106
>>I will say that I am, after a fashion, and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend
Only post for tonight, need sleep

>>2139106
>I am not, but I am someone involved in these conflicts against those who hurt and changed your friends

>>2139106
>I will say that I am, after a fashion, and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend

>>2139106
>>I will say that I am, after a fashion, and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend

>>2139106
>>I am not, but I am similar after a fashion. I am involved in these conflicts against those who hurt and changed your friends, and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend

Writing after some dinner.

“I will say that I am, after a fashion,” you offer carefully, “and mean no ill will toward either of your scarier friend,”

They continue to gauge you, for a moment, before the smaller and sportier girl closes the distance with quick steps and looks defiantly into your masked face. The taller girl calls after her, surprised, reaching out to grasp her but missing by the barest touch.

Nijiko Junta holds this stare for a few minutes. Face screwed into a serious expression whilst she gives you what alternates between the stink eye and an appraising look. She rocks back onto the balls of her feet and crosses her arms.

“So you don’t mean the Beast any harm, but you’re on her turf?” she questions.

“What is seek is different from any value of juvenile turf wars,” you explain, “No offense meant,”

“Course not,” Akane Kita groans from the back of this grouping as she too closes in, “Listen, ah don’t give two shits about turf or nothing. If you aren’t here to hurt anyone then I guess that’s fine...not like we have any say over this place, really,”

Niji spins around.

“No, this is gonna be our secret club house, of course we have say!” she explains before spinning back to you, “And I say that yes, we can let you hand out...and do whatever,”

You nod and step aside and walk past her. Heading toward the edge of the spring that has eternally bubbled in the darkness. Walking in from the waters edge, you pull the suit from your bag and settle it in the water.

As you stand there a moment in the dark, the heart of the spring glows white. Momentarily surprising the two girls.

“Whoa,” whispers the runner.

“Okay, ya win Niji,” Akane admits in a quiet voice, “This is a pretty nice place,”

Eclipsed Moon Quest Episode 153
End

Thanks guys for joining me today, sorry for the slow updates. How’ve all of you been doing.

>>2139389
Doing alright. Overworking a bit and also coming up blank on a campaign to include a newer friend into.

>>2139389
I’ve been fine. I actually missed the thread yesterday because the op image was different enough I overlooked it.
And how have you been doing?

>>2139442
>And how have you been doing?
I've been doing alright. Working on holiday stuff at work and gearing up for a personal project I'm really excited about. Remember to keep up with the quest's twitter for updates on threads, and get a heads up about that personal project.

>>2139424
Good luck rolling the bones on a campaign with friends. And remember to take time to breathe a little.