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Also this was supposed to be the thread picture but I couldn't find it.

Of course I got it after I posted.

>>5160214
>“You’re an Outgoer. By default that puts you among allies, if not friends. We’ve got your back; Not like you’ve been bad company. Happy to meet you, too.”

>>5160214
>“You’re an Outgoer. By default that puts you among allies, if not friends. We’ve got your back.”
>"...funny, I was somewhat like you at the moment in my younger years."
>"What happened earlier were just some friendly jabs between colleagues. I happen to like watching crappy movies too you know?"
Honestly prefer the other Zipper.

>>5160214
>>5160242

Just a heads up to clarify, I'll run tomorrow, but I just wanted this up tonight.

How does one even begin reading a quest that's been running for 114 threads? What's a new player even do here?

>>5160270
personally i'd read the first thread and finish the first mission to understand who is miranda and whats going on, then jump to the point this mission started; that'd be http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2022/5075063/ post 5101452.
then its just a matter of reading the middle part at your own leisure, but its not THAT important overall; we have a pastebin for most things, or at least the ones that are relevant

>>5160214
>>5160242
Supporting this

>>5160270
Enjoy the archives. Getting to read a bunch of it in one go is more enjoyable than waiting for a new post. And it makes it easier to judge whether you like the quest or not.
And keep in mind that one of the earlier threads is missing from the archives linked in the OP but some anon links to it in the next archived thread.

>>5160270
Hmmm...well, the quest is oriented around missions (mostly). This one has started only two threads ago, so you can take a look at the first two threads of the quest to get a general idea who we are and what we're supposed to do, skip until the start of this mission (thread 112), check pastebin and spreadsheet links in the OP and you'd be good to go for the most part.

>>5160302
>>5160270
Yeah, thread #7.5 got archived as Starborn Quest #14 and thread #52 is missing some tags - so these two aren't showing in archive link in OP.

>>5160310
>>5160302
has anyone tried to contact suptg's owner to get that fixed? it should be something easy to do

>>5160214
>>5160222
Damn gurl calm down and put on a dress or sumfin'.
>>5160270
Archiiive. Be in mind that this thing's been going for 4+ years so there are highs and lows. Skip the lows, absolutely skip Starborn imo, or hell any of the crossovers aside from mabbe Artificier.

>>5160324
Hey, Artificer was cool. We've kinda stole the show since the other quest's MC was knocked out for the most part of his crossover section. And he built some cool toys for us too - like the automatic Clockwork Turret that we have with us right now.

>>5160214
>“You’re an Outgoer. By default that puts you among allies, if not friends. We’ve got your back.”
>“I wouldn’t call that a bad thing. Not like you’ve been bad company. Happy to meet you, too.”
>"I figured at the time I liked watching cheesy and so-bad-they're-good movies so much, why not act in one and get a kick out of it at movie night with the girls."
>After that, talk about some memorable ones we've seen recently, like "Master of Poisoned Spears", or perhaps "ShockerBots". Someone come up with better B-movie names, I beg you...

>>5160329
Yeah it was cool dats why I opted it out. The turret can be upgrade right? We do that when we come home.

>>5160270
>>5160324
>absolutely skip Starborn
I didn't remember this when giving my earlier reply. Anon is right, Starborn crossover wasn't very good so I skipped it.

>>5160270
personally, don't skip the magical girl revenge crossover. its neat and we actually get to kill the mc from another quest

>>5160368
It was kinda neat, except two anons were metagaming and posting links spreadsheets of their characters when we were supposed to know nothing of them and conduct an investigation. Had no idea what was going on, couldn't estimate our progress and honestly felt like it was a bit too fast paced since the actual investigation got dropped.
We've accepted the mission because Izumi asked for help, saying she's not confident that she could kill magical girls herself. We've switched to her and tried to do a paladin run, then switched to Miranda and tried to spare the secondary targets by sending them to prison -BAM! Izumi murders them all by herself and calmly sits there sipping tea. It seemed so out of character that one anon thought she has faked their deaths and the obvious bloody bodybags on the floor aren't their corpses.
But yeah, the final boss was cool, even if her cronies were a bunch of edgy jobbers that went down in one turn.
>bullied the rest of town's magical girls into following them, have a bunch of shadow monster minions and a corrupt politician who could hire some thugs or bribe cops
>instead of overwhelming us with their numbers and using low ranking MGs as meat shields her lieutenants attack us one at a time with obvious results
Also
>Arc MVP

>>5160398
>*her lieutenants PERSONALLY attack us one at a time, with almost no back up

>>5160398
to be fair, the fight was biased from the start. 3-4 Magical girls that have dark powers and a cumulative 5 years of experience can't beat 300+ that miranda and company had. or the high caliber anti materiel rifle we bought before the mission

>>5160412
>3-4 girls
That was only her lieutenants, they had even more girls strongarmed into doing stuff for them. Had a full protection detail around the corrupt politician, had some people recruiting folks at school, etc.
>or the high caliber anti materiel rifle we bought before the mission
We've never actually used that rifle. The fight got easier thanks to Arc's crit rolls on debuffs.

>>5160421
>We've never actually used that rifle. The fight got easier thanks to Arc's crit rolls on debuffs.
really? i swore we opened the fight with it. oh well.

>>5160368
huh, the only crossover I remember was the one with the annoying kid where we got out clockwork turret
which thread was the revenge crossover at?

>>5160946
i think it starts on #84
http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/2019/3872501/
probably on the lower end of the thread

>>5160950
thanks bruv

Writing shortly!

>>5160214
>>5160222
>>5160242
>>5160331
You don’t know what’s going on with her, but you at the least should make an effort towards adjusting her understanding. “Wasn’t any offense meant. Figured it was just some friendly jabs between colleagues.” She gives off a light huff, like she doesn’t believe you. “Seriously. And for the record, I happen to like watching crappy movies too, y’know?"

“Clearly enough to be in one,” she fires back- and you notice a partial flinch, like she mentally reprimanded herself.

But, no reason to not follow that up. “Yeah, actually. I figured at the time I liked watching cheesy and so-bad-they're-good movies so much, why not act in one and get a kick out of it at movie night with the girls? Surprise, surprise, it turned out pretty decent."

“So you say,” she says as she starts the car, and pulls out of the area into the morning gloom. At least it’s got less heat behind it. “Either way, we’re on our way, so you don’t have to worry about keeping conversation much.”

For a few moments, there’s silence. It lasts until you’re all back on the open road, headed for the next town of Taxson.

“Hey.” you really should have her realize this. “You’re an Outgoer. By default that puts you among allies, if not friends. We’ve got your back.”

She pauses, briefly, not answering, and barely moving the steering wheel; it’s fortunate you’re on a straight road. “Yeah, I guess. Kinda have to, don’tcha?”

Ugh. This almost hits too close to home. Which is why the next words out of your mouth are what they are. "...funny, I was somewhat like you at the moment in my younger years. Attitude wise, anyway."

“Psh. Sure,” she says with a half grin, but doesn’t press the topic. Izumi just looks between you two in concern, but seems to be unwilling to interject at the moment. Might be because of the half-dead child in her lap. Seems to have taken to the magazine, at least.

>Roll 1d20.

>Any topics of conversation?
>None.

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>5161517
Now would be a good time to ask her about that Gran guy.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5161517
Might as well ask about Torbo, and what he’s been up to at Jiro’s new restaurant. Also, could she help us fix this music box with her reality warping by believing really hard?

>>5161517
>Any topics of conversation?
Think we can give Zipper some room to mull on this, no need to push it in a span of one day - we've got a whole week ahead. Time to address the elephant in the room.
>Take off our mask and face Izumi. Ask what was she actually thinking when she picked up the kid. What's the plan?
Not trying to offend her, but has she actually thought through what we can do to help the kid? Just keeping a sick child around while traveling through dangerous places seems irresponsible if she doesn't have any idea what to do with her.

>>5161517
>>5161521
Oh, might as well talk to the kid a little, too. Maybe some verbal interaction would help her get a bit more vocal… ask if she liked that magazine?

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>5161517
>>5161518
>>5161521

>>5161528
Aw drats should've begged for high rolls, worked well in the past.

>>5161525
The kid is also creeping Zipper out if not triggering something.

>>5161518
>>5161521
Are you just going to ask about Torbo out of the blue? That's super sus, what the heck? You gotta lead the conversation there first.

>>5161534
That’s what I figured the roll was for.

>>5161534
It's a viable tactic, changing topics to the ones you want that the others don't expect. We lead the conversation then and leave them blindsided - usually they just come along. Yes it actually works when things are shaky like this.

>>5161541
or they clamp down because a stranger is asking them about other people.

>>5161517
>>5161539
>>5161541
I think the roll is for the trip and is in no way related to conversation topic. This tactic is not subtle at all and might ruin whatever we were attempting earlier. Are you guys telling her we're friends just use her in order to pull out info or do you actually care?
I still think we should give her some room and address the child. How are we going to actually help it? We're not just playing mom with a sick kid, right?

Ah, no. Forgot to clarify- the roll was just for possible encounter. It's about what and what anyway, considering.

Welp, writing.

>>5161546
>How are we going to actually help it? We're not just playing mom with a sick kid, right?
that is a great point. unless izumi tries to pull the kid to the intersection(that will be ironic if she manages to do it), she probably will be left with the researchers at whatsitsname city

>>5161543
Right? This is retarded, and it's Izumi who's investigating Gran, not us. Why-
>>5161547
oh fuck

>>5161534
well, now you got your clarification>>5161547
>>5161548
then why aren't you voting?

we've got enchanted gear that lets us gaze into other people's mood and have insight, all of it allows us understand all nuances - and then waste the opportunity by being blunt as brick

>>5161548
I feel she's going to become a full-blown spellcaster or Young One, we'll find out near the end when we approach the city.
We'll ask her then. It will be quite an experience if she manages to scout a star god when she hasn't pulled anyone before.

>>5161557
>then why aren't you voting?
because that's not really something we can deal with right now? and i don't really care what izumi does with the kid

>>5161559
that would be oh so fun. and for some reason i feel that'd make izumi's year or something like that

>>5161557
We could've signaled Izumi to start the conversation and lead it towards learning about Gran if you don't know how to do it yourself. She's a pro, we can leave this to her.
>>5161559
>I feel she's going to become a full-blown spellcaster or Young One
Too early to say anything yet. We've got no evidence of anything like that so far, it's purely a baseless conjecture at this point.

>>5161551
We’re doing it because she’s our friend and coworker and we’re trying to be a better friend like Miranda’s dialogue said back when we switched perspective to her, and because it probably ties back to the whole intersection shakeup thing.

As for the kid, I’m pro taking her. I like the times when we’re teaching our interns how to be Outgoers.

>>5161564
If she proves to be a spell caster then you can laugh in my face and mock me, but we've yet to see it. Or hear Izumi's actual plan - we 'assume' she wants to take the kid to the Hospital but she hasn't said so.
>>5161569
I'm not saying this just because I want to be an ass and keep Miranda edgy and friendless. I just want a clear picture of what Izumi intends to do so we could have a better idea how to help her. I'm not suggesting that we should ditch the kid, just want to be 100% sure we won't fail this time like with the fairy kid.

>>5161573
I was taking a hiatus when the fairy kid happened, but I thought it was less that anons abandoned him, and more anons didn’t realize that they had accidentally crossed the point of no return while he wasn’t with Miranda?

>>5161578
Yep, no one knew that leaving the kid behind meant that we were abandoning him - part of the decision to leave him was because of the fear of him being mind-controlled I believe?
The manner of things were supposed to be: we touch the last stone and get out with bat-friend and fey kid while dark king covers us. I didn't expect being TPed right out, in fact I'm sure no one expected that.

>>5161517
>>5161518
>>5161521
>>5161525
>>5161528
You’re quiet for a while. After a little under an hour’s worth of travel (and a quick pit stop to clear out what looked to be a group of Wracked at some sort of small outdoor festival) you find yourself bored and huffing, looking over Izumi again, as she coddles the child. Even you notice she seems to be much more active than she was when you first ‘met’. She’s still slow to react, and her movements aren’t anywhere near quick as a child should be, but she does seem to be more perceptive in general, as well as more constantly moving. That plus the occasional murmur makes you wonder. “So, what are you even gonna do with her?” you find yourself asking. “What’s even the plan there?”

Izumi puts on a somewhat surprised expression, at that- not quite what you’d expected. It soon flattens out into a pensive one, however. “Well, I’m hoping that, should this cure prove just that, this little one can be cured and perhaps go on to have a better life. However, considering her diagnosis…” She sighs. “I’m trying to think very quickly, relative to how long we have for this.”

Ah. So she hadn’t thought about bringing her along…huh.

“Honestly, my biggest question is ‘why did she survive the transformation, even only somewhat, when no one else has?’ I noticed nothing in her room that was particularly curious, but that just makes the question more pertinent.” Huh. Well, you can’t say you’ve got any idea about it, yourself…

“Well, if you come up with anything, lemme know,” you concede. You’re still working on the other thing- although thinking about it, yeah. “Hey, Zipper. Question.”

“Answer.” Ha, ha.

“The name ‘Torbo Gran’ strike you as familiar?” you air out. Might as well. Izumi swivels to you so fast you swear her neck cracks.

“Hell you bring up that asshole’s name for?” is the immediate response. Her aura shifts to a dark purple, all of a sudden. Suspicious, maybe? Untrusting? “If I didn’t know better, and I’m a dumbass so I don’t, I’d say you’re trying to get insider information.”

…well, she’s not wrong.

> Whoop. “Eh, just a name I heard. He was the guy who got us onto this job.”
> “Well, I’ve heard some things about him, that’s all.” You don’t have to specify what.
> “Would you believe me if I said we saw him talking to someone that might have something going on with Interdiction?”
> Other

>>5161578
>anons didn’t realize that they had accidentally crossed the point of no return while he wasn’t with Miranda?
Correct, I didn't expect an evil overlord to actually teleport us to safety. I mean, he wanted his stones as soon as possible and he was able to teleport an undead dragon into fairy realm, but I didn't think he could actually teleport us OUT. But desu the fairy kid was for the most part neglected - and we had enough proof to know he's a powerful spellcaster and temple priests even thought he's some kind of Chosen One. One of the kids we're mentoring is a fairy, so maybe he could've translated her for us. If he (or we) had no interest in becoming our student/becoming an Outgoer then we knew a place he could've stayed - our dwarf blacksmith is friend with some ex-princess who's obsessed with fairies and we even bought a nanotech suit for Mewla from her. He could've become her apprentice or smth. And as if to rub salt on the wound, we've met another person who could perform permanence treatment for cheap - who turned out to be a fairy. So many lost opportunities.

>>5161578
yeah, plus in all the other missions we have had time to collect the stuff that we left behind; we thought the same would happen here.

>>5161586
> Whoop. “Eh, just a name I heard. He was the guy who got us onto this job.”
>"It's simple curiousity. There is a high chance of us getting another contract with Flashpoint again, so I just want to know more about one of their, handlers? At least the one who organized this."
Shaky roads we walked in (I apologies). But we can drive through this one.
My suggestion feels incomplete though, do we have something more suitable?

>>5161594
And the birb liked him, so each time we're showing it off I'm reminded of this fuckup.

>>5161600
My suggestion about the angles we can play : we're an aspiring outgoer looking to go big, that means more connections are needed - she might think we're going to try to butter him up, but that's better than other conclusions. Can also link to our acting.

>>5161586
Hmm. Yeah, I’ll admit bringing up Gran wasn’t too great of an idea, now… that plot point was just too damn juicy to pass up. My bad.

> Whoop. “Eh, just a name I heard. He was the guy who got us onto this job.”
> “…and if you must know, I heard he’d been looking at smaller outgoer companies like us for collaboration missions. Chances are we’ll have to talk to him after this mission, and I’m not as familiar with him as I’d like, so…”
>>5161600
This too.

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76 KB JPG

>>5161586
>>5161600
>>5161609
Alright, I'll lend a hand
>Link to our acting. The studio had some sort of deal with Jiro's Divine Palace and we heard his name there.
now we have to tell Izumi about this fuckup. we're sus, Izumi would have to try getting more info herself. perhaps we shouldn't even try prying into this topic for the rest of this mission.

>>5161617
>> “…and if you must know, I heard he’d been looking at smaller outgoer companies like us for collaboration missions. Chances are we’ll have to talk to him after this mission, and I’m not as familiar with him as I’d like, so…”
don't. that just sounds like you want to steal outgoers from other companies

>>5161617
>>5161619
yeah, probably should drop this

>>5161586
Can try saying a straight yes to that insider info ques. Fucking dumb right? No one doing espionage can be this blunt and truthful. Ik this won't win but it will be funny.

>>5161619>>5161621
Not sure how it sounds like we’re poaching talent, but I already boned up once. Fine…

Tired. Will continue tomorrow, thanks for sticking around!

>>5161586
>If I didn’t know better, and I’m a dumbass so I don’t
Yeah, yet another thing she has in common with younger 'Randa. She's a knucklehead who knows nothing about subtlety.
>>5161622
stop. this should be funny enough already:
>Izumi swivels to you so fast you swear her neck cracks.
wonder what she's thinking of our disservice right now

>>5161629
Night, boss. I’ll just be here, losing sleep, over the choices I made.

Good thing that the mask is covering our entire face, including eyes and mouth >>5160219. Perfect for a situation like this.

>>5161645
Yeah that's why I'm not that worried. Miranda has a great poker face still, but she can't catch us that way.

>>5161647
Bear in mind, yes I do think that was a wrong move.
But it goes to show that Miranda's still as brick-like as ever when it comes to stuffs like this so that's also a minor plus in my book.

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"...クソ."

>>5161634
Aight but we can make it even better by switching viewpoint to zumi

>>5161659
we have enchanted gear that lets us read mood and gain insight. that should be enough

Writing shortly! I have macarons. Very tasty.

>>5162658
Who made them? Could always have more food and recipes on /qst/.

>>5161586
>>5161600
>>5161617
>>5161618
Considering that Izumi’s trying to stare a hole into your head (and now the kid’s doing it, though you doubt it’s for the same reason), you can only surmise that you might have possibly asked the wrong thing. Time to backtrack. “Eh, just a name I heard. He was the guy who got us onto this job. Figured it might be an idea to know him if we get more subcontracts, that’s all. No big.”

There’s a brief silence. The aura around her grows lighter purple, then suddenly deeper, to a near black that has you holding back a flinch at what that might imply, before receding once more into general purple. “Eh, you don’t wanna know him, unless you’re like 5’10 with a heart shaped ass.” She grumbles something about ‘fucking Team Eight’ under her breath. Oh yeah, Kane HAD mentioned that. “You know the funny thing? You want to get to know someone, try Ms. Tootsybell. And no shit, that’s her name- or at least the name she picked for herself.”

“...wha?” You have a hard time believing that one. That’s…

Zipper barks out a laugh. “Weird, right? It’s wild.” Her aura shifts to something more gently yellow. “I dunno what to make of it, but she’s like the only person who can be around me-as-Holly for very long. I owe her big. The only problem…” Her aura shifts again, this time to something more…Yellow pink? Peach? “...nicest fucking lady ever, but constantly dresses like she’s headed to the Hot Block. I dunno WHAT she does off-hours, but I’m not lookin’ to find out.”

Both you and Izumi blanch. You don’t talk about the Hot Block. Lorelei doesn’t talk about the Hot Block. (Though you suspect she goes now and again.)

You choose to ignore that last statement. For your own sanity.

>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…
> “What’s the daily life in Flashpoint like for you, then?”
> “What about that Rip guy? He’s not a friend?”
> Other

>>5162743
Oh, no just bought them from a place that just opened.

>>5162921
>>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…
better leave the investigation to Izumi

>>5162926
don't push it, or the statement we've made just two posts ago about being "among friends if not allies" will ring hollow. you folks weren't actually trying to use her, right?

>>5162941
*among allies, if not friends>>5161517

>>5162921
>>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…

>Both you and Izumi blanch. You don’t talk about the Hot Block. Lorelei doesn’t talk about the Hot Block
it can't be thaaaat bad, can it? although given how different the biologies in the intersection are, im pretty sure things get weird

>>5162921
>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…

>>5162921
>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…
It's like looking at a damn mirror. Wonder when we'll have a face-to-face talk with her.

>>5162921
>You’re gonna focus back on the kid for now…
>Try not to think about Jago going over there to enjoy himself… fail miserably.

>>5162953
>>5162921
...would Nura go to Hot Block?

Writing! Let's leave that alone for now.

>>5163001
Yes.

>>5163010
im willing to bet that miranda has gone at least once, but, has izumi gone to the hot block?

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>>5163021
>>5163010
...she was talking about weird places she had to visit on a job back then, right?

>>5162921
>>5162926
>>5162953
>>5162974
>>5162997
>>5163000
You’re…just gonna leave that alone for a while. Better to focus on the kid. Sure, yeah.

She’s looking at you again. Then in your lap. Then in her lap, where she’s petting Pecker, sitting on top of the magazine.

You don’t THINK she can see through your mask, but nonetheless she seems to be staring right at you. Wordlessly, she hands out Pecker back to you.

Huh.

You take it back, and for a few moments as it snuggles into your lap, she looks almost forlorn at it-

-wait. Huh. You wonder…staring at her and focusing, you can…almost…there! There’s a flicker of- some color, you think it’s blue- coming off of her. It’s exceedingly faint, but it’s there. Yeah, actually. A faint sadness, but…something else you can’t tag.

“...mmmss prrr…ee” Hm? Izumi also seems to notice, and holds her carefully.

“Dear? Pardon me?” She’s careful to not phrase it like a demand.”

“...ssss purrrree…” That, admittedly, surprises you. Though she’s 10, she’s lacked the mentality of one- this is the closest you’ve gotten to hearing her speak. And this was what, after a day? Curious.

“My goodness,” Izumi says with a breath. “I wonder if the condenser’s been helping her somehow…”

> Roll 1d100, best of three.

Rolled 51 (1d100)

>>5163143
Next thing we know, she'll grow a shoulderful of hair.

Rolled 56 (1d100)

>>5163143
Her name, maybe?

>>5163146
or Pecker gets a perma Eldritch-flavoured upgrade.

>>5163143
Need sumfin higher

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>5163143
>>5163166
fack

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>5163143

wow, the dice gods are really mediocre tonight

Meh. There's a spark of something there, but that's all for now.

Writing.

>>5163185
Every spark needs kindling. We just need to get enough of it for it to actually become a flame.

>>5163143
>>5163146
>>5163157
>>5163168
There’s a few more minutes of trying to get words out of her, but after some attempts of getting her name out, or anything else, it’s clear that you’ve hit about the limit for what she can manage. There’s something there that wasn’t before, however- a spark of honest recognition and comprehension that was lacking yesterday. Considering the situation, you decide to rescan her.

What you get is a bit surprising after some time letting it do its thing. Most of the same, but a couple things have changed or been added now that it has a bit of prior information to work with:

>Organism Identified: Symbiotic Lifeform (Human/Other)
>Female, Estimated Age: 10 Years Standard (Human-based)
>Mana Signature Detected (Type:
>Low Blood Pressure
>Muscular Atrophy Detected (Age 10 Human Average)
>Notice: Mental Synaptic Response Lower Than Human Average (Age 10) - Estimated Age Range: 4-7
>Notice: Blood Pressure Low- Suggested Dietary Improvements
>Notice: Mana circulation currently sustaining musculature stability. Minor Tissue/Musculature Regeneration Active. Synthetic Muscle Surgery and/or Expert+ Level Physical Regeneration recommended to improve natural stability.

The ‘Mana Traces’ has changed to a flat ‘signature’, and there’s an extra bit about there being some regeneration. It still says the synaptic response is lower than average for her age, but you wonder if this might change…

“That’s…very interesting,” Izumi notes. “So just the additional presence of mana in her circulation is causing a regenerative effect? That seems…unusual. Why would that affect her differently as opposed to just about any other being?”

“Good question,” you admit. “I’m not sure how to answer it.”

“Not even any ideas?” Izumi implores.

“Don’t ask me,” Zipper chimes up. “I dunno any of that biology shit.”

> You’ll just leave it be for now, then.
> You’ve got something of an idea, actually. (What?)
> Other

Running late tonight.

>>5163362
>> You’ve got something of an idea, actually. (What?)
>"Remember that technique you did on me back when we were working with Dynamic Methods? What we did when we had to take down The Relay? Think you could do that on a much, much smaller level, or maybe teach me how you did it?"

>>5163375
>"If you're not comfortable with that, we could try making kid doses of synth seither pills, if we have any..."

>>5163375
>>"Remember that technique you did on me back when we were working with Dynamic Methods?
what was the technique?
>>5163377
also, i don't think giving the kid magical meth is a good idea; we have no idea how she'd react to it.

>>5163362
>>5163375
Does it work that way? Might as well try.
>>5163381
I think it's this one in the spreadsheet. She used it to boost a Buster.
It's the ONLY event that we got a permanent manapool increase for as far as I know.

>>5163362
> You’ve got something of an idea, actually.
No idea how to fix muscles or improve mana circulation, but I think we can at least do something about low blood pressure
>Suggested Dietary Improvements
we bought a camping kit during the last mission >>5155617, and with stuff we've looted from bandits we can cook up some warm food that she could digest. I'm sure Miranda could prepare a soup out of dried meat and veggies and whatever else we've got in our stash of rations.

File: Ki Union.jpg (23 KB, 1113x64)

23 KB JPG

>>5163375
>>5163381
>>5163392
I don't think it works the way you think - it boosts spells, not general performance.

>>5163393
>>5163362
also a good meal might fix Izumi's and Zipper's mood after the earlier fuckup. Miranda's the best cook in SES, right?

>>5163398
Is it noon already? We just got up.

>>5163381
We still give out methamphetamines today as prescriptions for ADHD, just in way, way smaller doses then the average meth head takes. Admittedly, she doesn't seem to be very distracted or hyper, just slow on the uptake. We could try to take it our synth-seither pills to a pharmacist for testing and a recommended dosage, but then we'd have to commit to bringing the kid home with us.

On the positive side, though, we could get pretty rich by going into pharmaceuticals...

>>5163397
knowing this, i don't think that the ki union will do anything for her. giving her a seither pill would yield better results, but again, giving magical meth to a kid that has unknown powers is a huge nono

>>5163401
i know that in theory giving her an upper should boost her up, the problem is that we don't know what is the correct dosage for a kid, or how addictive it will be to her, or how it will react with her barely existent mana pool. for all we know it could burn her from the inside out.
and the kid is slowly recovering, she'll probably be "ok" by tonight or tomorrow morning

>>5163362
I don't want to bring Starborn up, but remember the trick that Miranda used when Purps got downed? I don't myself, but it was related to mana. Someone wants to check it out.

Interesting suggestions...

But I can't tell a consensus. Seems like >>5163375 has one backer, but several other people are saying nah. Again, could just pass on it.

Will give 10 more minutes as I fix myself something to eat.

>>5163407
Basically I think she needs a kick-start, like an engine.

>>5163400
we've been driving for hours
>>5163401
anon, Seither was used as a weapon and is extremely toxic to humans (and aliens), even 'Randa can't handle more than a few huffs of seither, we don't even have synith-pills with us

>>5163409
>> You’ll just leave it be for now, then.

lets just have the kid recover by herself. she's probably gonna be OK by tomorrow

>>5163407
wasn't it just Healing Hands?
>>5163362
>Low Blood Pressure
>Muscular Atrophy Detected (Age 10 Human Average)
>Notice: Mental Synaptic Response Lower Than Human Average (Age 10) - Estimated Age Range: 4-7
>Notice: Blood Pressure Low- Suggested Dietary Improvements
it's right there! just give the kid some proper food, not dry rations.>>5163397

>>5163421
>>5163362
linked wrong post>>5163393

>>5163409
>>5163381
>>5163392
>>5163397
Well, we could ask Izumi if her Ki Union thing could be used as a mana dripfeed for the kid, just as a theoretical concept, and if she could teach us the ability as well. Would that be acceptable for everyone?

It was never mentioned that she ate anything at all when Izumi found her or if we fed her during the trip at all. She's clearly malnourished. You're paying too much attention to her mana and nothing else.

>>5163362
Oi mates why don't we just give her a mana crystal or sth? We've a ton of those

>>5163434
...Yeah, could try that, too.

>>5163362
we can do these >>5163434 >>5163430
and I'm dead serious about preparing a meal >>5163393, the scan suggested dietary improvements

>>5163442
i think that's a given? but we could definitely give her a better meal next time we stop to eat

Alright, seems like it's at least 'try and give her a mana crystal'. Writing for that.

>>5163362
>>5163442
Sure.
Does Miranda have a spice kit with her all the time?
>>5163444
>>5163442
Boss it's this one.

>>5163443
it's not a given if you don't actually vote. we got the note of low blood pressure before >>5138906, yet still haven't fed her

>>5163444
It's >>5163442, boss.

So it is. Well, still writing.

>>5163450
yeah, but on that note 99% of the time handler doesn't write about miranda or the other girls eating in the middle of the missions. its just a minor thing that gets done in the background

>>5163446
>Does Miranda have a spice kit with her all the time?
I forgot, did we loot the sleep-inducing spice from the bandits we've met in Wild West job? The ones who had the gravity manastone. Sleep is important but it seems like she's skipping it.
>>5160214
>You’re not certain if the kid needs sleep, and you wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t. All you know is that it was awake when you woke up.
We also bought some sleeping cap (and other) mushrooms during the last job as well, but I'm not sure if we've donated everything we had.

>>5163453
Do we have any of the mushrooms from the last job with us right now?

>>5163462
It's probably a bad idea to spike the whole batch with sleeping spices/shrooms since we're feeding everyone, not just the kid. Could just add some of it to kid's bowl and let her have some rest.

>>5163462
Nope, they either went to Mewla, the Lab, or the Guild of Shadows. Might want to check with them to see how the cultivation efforts went afterwards, though. It gives us the excuse to bring the kid over to Susie to figure out a cure.

>>5163457
he does mention meals pretty often, just not always.
>had a meal every time we've stopped at taverns in the first mission
>made some gourmet sandwiches in the 'evil lair' our client provided us with when we were training magical girls
>shared a meal with bandits in wild west
>had to send Lori to grab some instant ramen for the rest of the team during super hero hunt mission
>during Mono's solo mission Miranda was observing while cultist were serving her gourmet meals and even swore to murder their cook when she complained about steak
>summoner kid was trying to feed us in school cafeteria
>hard tack was mentioned several times during shadow war mission - like right before she split from the army in order to hunt down a drider general. then we forced some drider cooks switch sides.
>we've spared a corporate spook just because his sister was a bartender or smth like that, they went on to establish their own bar
>spent some time in flying school's cafeteria
>had to buy rations and share some of them with big bat friend during the last mission
and I haven't even mentioned Intersection stuff.

>>5163518
intersection doesn't count, because eating is part of the experience of being in there. also, like half of your examples are tangentially related to food, not miranda eating; those happen like once every mission at best

>>5163518
>>5163527
uuuh, she was eating during every example. and the point was that Handler *does* write about Miranda eating in the middle of the mission

>>5163534
and my point is that is not important enough to write about every time she or the other girls eat; the kid has been fed or being tried to be fed in the background

>>5163537
>the kid has been fed or being tried to be fed in the background
do you have any proof?

>>5163541
there's no proof of her not being fed either, and consider this: do you think that izumi, the lawful good character of our group, our big softie, the one that is incapable of taking evil missions and the same that saved the kid would let her go hungry?
specially in the state that the kid is right now?

come on man.

>>5163362
It takes you a few minutes to consider. “Mmmm…question. Remember when we were on the skyland mission? The one we got O and C from?”

Izumi at least seems curious. “Yes? What about it?”

“Well, remember the thing you did to help me shatter the relay? What about trying that, but like, VERY toned down?” You’re still not certain how that works entirely, but maybe she could ‘link’ them together for a while until she managed to get her own circulation going better? “Just a hypothetical. I figure if it’s possible, you could even teach me later on.”

“Hmmm…well, my ability to unite Ki isn’t quite such a thing. It amplifies, yes, but I’m not so certain it can permanently bolster like that.”

“It did for me,” you mention. “Ever since then I felt like I had a bigger reservoir.”

“...huh.” The way she looks at you tells you that’s news to her. “Well then. Iiiiii…still would feel uncomfortable risking it, with her physical stability so low. It might tear something even worse,” she states. “It IS something to think about, however…”

“Fair enough,” you decide. “In the meantime, maybe something lighter? She’s got some circulation going, so what would a crystal do for her?”

“Ah. That…might serve the situation better, though I don’t think she has any instinctual capacity to absorb it…still. Should do no harm,” she decides. “I’ll use one of my own.”

“Go for it,” you say as she pulls one out- a small one, probably a smart move. She holds it in front of the child, who seems surprised by it… or at least takes a moment to register it before her eyes slowly widen. She gently, slowly grasps for it, and holds it close, like a valuable. Suppose it might be to her. She almost seems entranced by it, the way she’s looking at it; Izumi has to gently pull it away from her face.

“I wonder how she’ll be tomorrow…” you think out loud.

“I’m hoping for some positive improvements,” you admit.

“I’m hoping for no more bullshit,” Zipper contributes.

An half-hour or so later, you can see some buildings in the distance; the town of Taxson coming up as you cross a bridge with several Wracked around the edges.

To your surprise, it looks…well, it WOULD look normal, but as you drive through… it’s clear the town is all but a ghost town. Few Wracked permeate the streets you can see, though it’s also clear a massive number of buildings are burned or bombed out, or just plain unsafe to stay in- at least two are actively crumbling as you pass. “...yikes. Wonder what happened here.”

(cont.)

>>5163551
“Maybe a mass evacuation?” Izumi considers. “No people, no Wracked?”

“Maybe,” Zipper admits. “Might be a decent place to stop for lunch, honestly. Need to fill up anyway.”

You’re not sure whether or not to agree with that as a…something you’d possibly call a cat with several more eyes than necessary scurries beneath an old house.

“Yo, what the…?” Zipper starts, and you see that there’s something ahead-

> A set of well used and makeshift in a parking lot; there seems to be people here, somehow! Not that they look in the best of health…you can see several nurses walking among them, and most of the people have tattered clothes or otherwise look frail.

>An effigy of some sort, made of discarded metal and paper and various other trash. It…vaguely looks like a massive eye with a spinal cord and bat wings…or something else. You honestly cannot tell for the life of you- it’s the people surrounding it that concern you.

>A single guitarist, sitting in front of what looks like an old-fashioned bed and breakfast. He seems…oddly healthy, dressed well enough, and is playing a simple tune on his acoustic. Why is he so calm?

>>5163554
>A single guitarist, sitting in front of what looks like an old-fashioned bed and breakfast. He seems…oddly healthy, dressed well enough, and is playing a simple tune on his acoustic. Why is he so calm?


oooh, intriguing.

>>5163554
>A single guitarist, sitting in front of what looks like an old-fashioned bed and breakfast.
It'd give us an excuse to finally fix up the music box with Zipper's help, especially if he knows the song it plays.

>>5163554
> A set of well used and makeshift in a parking lot;

tents. It's supposed to be 'A set of well used and makeshift tents in a parking lot;' just to be thorough.

>>5163558
Last vote of the day or you good enough for one more?

>>5163554
>> A set of well used and makeshift in a parking lot; there seems to be people here, somehow! Not that they look in the best of health…you can see several nurses walking among them, and most of the people have tattered clothes or otherwise look frail.
going with this, although it's not clear: 'A set of well used and makeshift' what?

>>5163560
One more after this.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>5163554
Let's have the dice decide then.
1-tents
2-guitarist

>>5163561
See >>5163558

i know that all the options will bite us in the ass anyways, i just hope the guitarist isn't this world equivalent of satan. not that the other options are any better

>>5163554
> A set of well used and makeshift in a parking lot; there seems to be people here, somehow! Not that they look in the best of health…you can see several nurses walking among them, and most of the people have tattered clothes or otherwise look frail.
The otha one gives me heebie jeebies

>>5163557
isn't Zipper's ability temporary? wouldn't she then have to play the music box herself
it'd probably be better to ask that guy to fix the music box himself instead of bothering Zipper - she's getting fed up with our bullshit.

>>5163566
It's either cosmic Satan on day 2 of the job, a bunch of useless civs or a cult.
It's a good life.

>>5163554
I almost forgot to ask: how much mana did that night of rest give us?

>>5163554
>An effigy of some sort, made of discarded metal and paper and various other trash. It…vaguely looks like a massive eye with a spinal cord and bat wings…or something else. You honestly cannot tell for the life of you- it’s the people surrounding it that concern you.
Some sort of doomsday cult? I love doomsday cults.

>>5163569
>a bunch of useless civs
worse, its prime izumi bait. a bunch of useless civs that need healing? you can bet that izumi will dump a decent chunk of her mana into healing them.
also funny enough, the three options in the sequence they are paint a story. first the useless civs turn into a cult and then summon cosmic satan

>>5163550
I'm raving on about food because the notifications about kid's poor diet popped up several times and is not going away. seems important enough to directly address it instead of ignoring or assuming it's going to fix itself automatically.

>>5163573
1000. You (Miranda) are not happy about it.

>>5163568
Yes, it's probably temporary. However, the gauntlets are not. Whatever's been repaired, stays repaired. So thus, if she believes the music box will be fixed from our magic gauntlets, it'll likely remain fixed.

>>5163576
>>5163569
>useless civs
I know that this option would cost us more time, mana, food and water - but I'd trust their info more than a sketchy loner or a cult.

The strange stranger takes it.

Writing.

>>5163585
>their info
like where army remnants, bandit hideouts and other refugee/medical camps or wracked hordes could be along the road and if the Fog has already rendered some paths impassable.

>>5163588
thats a fair train of thought. mine was that the guitarist would be easier to deal with(either just talking of fighting if need to be), unlike the civs and the cult who'd probably summon a horde that we'd have to fight

File: 1613953488551.gif (3.04 MB, 320x131)

3.04 MB GIF

a shame that Endomagic books had nothing useful for the kid. at least we've got a reminder about Eel's Grace >>5139056
>“Eel’s Grace, I believe,” she answers. “It’s a small, subtle spell that makes people more flexible; not out of the realm of normal contortion possibilities, but just enough that you’re seen as far more flexible than normal.”

>“And you could detect that?” you ask, impressed.

>That gets you a small smile of pride. “It’s just a matter of what to look for. Eel’s Grace has the side effect of heating up your body, causing heavy perspiration in beings that can sweat, and a lot of blood rushing to various parts of the body. It can be masked a bit by claiming exertion, but inflamed hands, feet, and ears are usually dead giveaways. It also reduces pain response.”

>>5163554
>>5163556
>>5163557
>>5163564
The guitarist is wholly out of place; his wardrobe isn’t spotless, but it’s surprisingly well kept, in beige slacks with suspenders, a well fitting black shirt, and an overcoat that doesn’t quite fit the somewhat elderly man’s countenance- the weather is crisp, but you’d hesitate to call it cold. And yet he’s just sitting on the steps, next to a moderately sized driveway for more than one vehicle just off the road. His face is placidly calm, eyes closed, with a small smile on it as he sways his head to his repeated tune.

Immediately your hackles raise. There’s no reason someone should be so calm about that…but you pass him on by, and-

Suddenly, something clacks; and the vehicle shudders once before starting to slow down, maybe a few yards past the place.

“What the fuck?” Zipper says, looking down. She stamps on the pedal, and a look of frustration crosses her face. “No fucking way." She squints, remaining quiet for a moment. Then attempts to restart the vehicle. It sputters, it shudders...and then falls silent again.

Her head hits the wheel, and you can't see her face. "That- ugh. Piece of fucking junk.” She frowns, pursing her lips, then turns her head back, looking past you both towards the old man, who, from what you can tell, seems to not notice, in at least you hear no movement; rather he’s continuing to play on the steps. “...fucking- ugh. How much you wanna bet…” She quickly grabs both her pistols, shifting one to be obviously places, and the second under her coat. “Cover me while I do my mechanic shit. Plug the geezer if…Iunno, fuck, maybe I’m just paranoid.”

She hops out, and you notice Izumi checks her own armaments quickly.

A kick has her open up the hood, and Izumi looks tense. You don’t blame her.

“Alright, let’s see what fucked up…” Zipper mutters to herself.

About five minutes later, amidst some muttering and occasional cursing, you hear a voice. Deep, but with age behind it, and a faint accent you can’t quite place, though if you had to throw a label on it, it’d be Nordic of some sort. “Engine trouble, I’m guessin’?” It's got an amused lilt to it.

Right. None of you speak.

Not that the man seems to take offense. "Well, answer or no, up to ya. The eyes ain't great, but the other senses be quite fine. If you're of a mind to, this here's the last safe spot for some ways comin' or goin'. I'd welcome the company ta stay for a time."

(Continued tomorrow because I hate ending runs on rolls.)

>>5163604
Yeah, nah, he can fuck off. If power sense tags him as dangerous - we're blasting this bastard.
Thanks for running!

>>5163608
Slow your roll, anon. Let's at least talk to the guy, first, and figure out where he's coming from. He might have some advice about fixing the kid up.

>>5164005
it's pretty obvious he's responsible for the problem in the first place.

>>5164038
I'm not disagreeing with that, but since it was voted on, we might as well interact with the plot point, rather than just ignore it or immediately attack it.

>>5164057
I'm pretty sure it's not worth it, better cut our losses and either blast him... or tow the car far enough so he'd lose interest. This 'plot point' is not related to our actual job - delivering the cure component on time. He's probably going to send us on a bullshit sidequest where we'd have to risk our car (with the cargo) AND the kid for his own selfish goals.

>>5164073
That's an assumption, and I'd like to see what the plot point is, especially since I voted for it. The civilians would have been another mana drain, just like with the cultists. All that would have differed is whether we were healing or fighting. Meanwhile guitaroo man here at least looks like he'd be willing to trade passage for a story or as many canned beans as we'd be willing to give for his bean stew, plus a night in his B&B, rather than in a loud refugee camp or a reeking cultist den.

>>5164132
Sorry, that should be, "plus lunch in his B&B".

>>5163608
nah, attacking first is a bad idea. for all we know he might actually be an old man and somehow found a way to repel or even befriend the monsters

>>5163604
Already you’re wondering just what his deal is. He’s unlikely to just be an innocent man in all of this- he’s far, far too casual, too laid back.

It’s a few more moments before Zipper slams the hood down. “It’s fine, I fixed it!” She yells. “So thanks, but no thanks!”

“Wait, you fixed it already?” Izumi asks. You’re still not sure if talking would be safe, bad eyesight or not.

“Yeah, it was just a plug what came loose and jarred the camshaft. I found it and shoved it back and shit. Should be fine now, so we won’t NEED to stay anywhere, a-thank you.” She’s all faux politeness and sweetness as she sits back behind the driver’s seat. “And now we get the fuck outta here,” she says lowly as she turns the key.

The engine sputters- revs up. “Ha! Alright, let’s-”

And it’s then that a clacking sound reverberates again- and then a pop. Zipper’s eyes go wide for a moment, then narrow. “...fuck you.” You’re not sure who she’s talking to.

The man just starts up his guitar playing again. Izumi side eyes you. “I don’t like this.”

“No shit,” Zipper says again. “I KNOW I fixed it! I’ll bet you money that old fuck is fucking with us. Hold on.” She gets out again.

>Roll 1d20, best of three.

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>5164338

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>5164338

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>5164338
Come on, let’s go talk to the other reality bender to see what the deal is.

Well, it's not the worst thing ever.

Writing.

>>5164340
Eh, it’s on the ‘okay’ area of the dice. Good save, anon.

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>5164338
Ngl i don't like the sudden turn of Zipper's character, feels similar to those cheap forced-drama moments in tv shows and anime. Not everyone has to be a edgy hardass

>>5164338
>>5164340
>>5164346
>>5164347
“Fucking hell, this is some bullshit…” Zipper mutters from under the hood again. There’s a few more quiet moments, before she pokes her head from behind it, and waves you over silently.

You’re careful to get out, and step lightly. You’re not a great mechanic, but you can tell some things are…off. Just a vibe you get.

Nonetheless, she whispers to you. “Okay, so we got a lot of shit that came loose and one of the rods went pop. Like, I can’t even see the damn thing anymore. Can your repair trick help with that?”

You blink, though she doesn’t see it. “Maaaybe? I usually need to touch whatever’s damaged. If there’s nothing to touch, I doubt I can fix it.” You weren’t exactly looking at the engine when you fixed the car’s frame the last time, after all. And ‘damaged is different from ‘jarred loose’, so you’re not positive on THAT front, either. “Where is it?”

She points down into a tiny gap. “There. Just on the side of the piston block and down and right of the steam chest. Yeah, see that container looking thing? That’s the generator, and the bolts down there? There should be something else there connecting them. Some stiff wires. But see? Nada.” You think you see (or not) what she’s referring to. However, regardless of what it is, you immediately see a problem. You look from your gauntleted hands, to the engine, to her face.

Then you wave your gauntleted hands, with their thick fingers. “And how am I supposed to squeeze through to touch it?”

“...fuck.” Aye. “In that case I might have to fucking scavenge. No clue how long that’ll take, but at least any halfway intact car should have SOMETHING I can rig up.”

>You’ll keep an eye on the weird guy then. Her and Izumi can go looking. They’ll know what they’re looking for.
>You’ll help go do that, then. The few Wracked that ARE around shouldn’t harass you, and you can keep away from the weird guy.
>Other

>>5164369
I guess the guitarist is blind?
>The eyes ain't great, but the other senses be quite fine.

Anyway
>You’ll keep an eye on the weird guy then. Her and Izumi can go looking. They’ll know what they’re looking for.
Delicious plot points.

>>5164369
>You’ll keep an eye on the weird guy then. Her and Izumi can go looking. They’ll know what they’re looking for.
Bring over the music box. I'm getting a vibe that whatever this is, it relates to that.

the old guy is giving me "demon at a crossroads" vibe, I say we scan the fucker from afar

>>5164352
our emotional reader things has shown us that she has some sort of a fragile ego, so she's probably overcompensating

>>5164369
>You’ll keep an eye on the weird guy then. Her and Izumi can go looking. They’ll know what they’re looking for.
p l o t

>>5164369
>You’ll keep an eye on the weird guy then. Her and Izumi can go looking. They’ll know what they’re looking for.
>>5164383
I wanna call her out soon cause' having a bomb like this around will never do anyone good

The guy is actively sabotaging our mission and raising so many red flags you coild throw a communist party. This isn't 'plot', this is bullshit. He's screwing with the car, why do you think would he fix the music box? Why are we playing along?

>>5164369
>>5164377
>>5164381
>>5164383
>>5164389
“You and her should go looking then,” you whisper. I’ll stick around here and keep an eye on him- you two probably know what you’re looking for better, anyway.”

“Fair enough,” she whispers back. “Hopefully we can get back before any bullshit happens.” She turns to look at Izumi, who seems surprised, but comes when motioned over. “Yo. Think you’re up for a scavenger hunt?”

Before long, the two of them are gone, and it’s just you and the kid, who seems to be trying to mess with Pecker, who still doesn’t seem to mind her efforts. He just flits around a bit as she tries to…feed him the crystal or something. You’re not sure, but Pecker’s not really having it, at least.

It’s only a few more minutes before you realize that the music’s stopped.

“So? Any thoughts? Had plenty of time to learn how ta play.” The old man speaks again. Great. He knows you’re here, then. "Not been much else to do since everythin' went sideways an' folks started leavin'. Was awful 'round here for a while, but it's calmed a good ways down since. Music soothes the soul, it does."

> Don’t respond.
> “It’s fine. If repetitive.” Might as well play along for now.
> “Did you really need to capture an audience that way?” Might as well call him out.
> Ask about his experiences there. Could wring something out of him.
> Other

>>5164441
> “It’s fine. If repetitive.” Might as well play along for now.
> Ask about his experiences there. Could wring something out of him.

>>5164441
>Sniff him with Power Sense and try to get a read on his mood.
> “Did you really need to capture an audience that way?” Might as well call him out.
Fuck this guy. This is an act of sabotage yet you all are gleefully playing along with it.

>>5164441
>Sniff him with Power Sense and try to get a read on his mood.
> “It’s fine. If repetitive.” Might as well play along for now.
> Ask about his experiences there. Could wring something out of him.
Don't jump the gun just yet.

>>5164441
> “It’s fine. If repetitive.” Might as well play along for now.
> Ask about his experiences there. Could wring something out of him.

>>5164435
Because this was the situation that was voted on. I'm sorry you're not interested in what's going on, but I'm genuinely curious about this, and I'd like to talk to this guy without the constant refrain of 'HE GONNA FUKIN KILL US", okay?

>>5164447
>Fuck this guy. This is an act of sabotage yet you all are gleefully playing along with it.
yeah, we all know that. and its not like the other options would have been drastically different; its just that in here we have a higher chance of just losing time instead of time and mana. plus who knows, this might just be an old man

>>5164441
>>5164448
This one
>>5164447
let people enjoy things

>>5164352
>>5164383
>>5164389
Maybe you should've let her mull on stuff we said about being friends and thought just a little bit longer before asking suspicious stuff.
>“Hell you bring up that asshole’s name for?” is the immediate response. Her aura shifts to a dark purple, all of a sudden. Suspicious, maybe? Untrusting?
>There’s a brief silence. The aura around her grows lighter purple, then suddenly deeper, to a near black that has you holding back a flinch at what that might imply, before receding once more into general purple.
You're messing with her brain, of course she's pissed. This is similar to what Interdiction twins pulled on us: "oh little girl with green hair, your spells are so cool - we invite you to a friendly game of poker where we'll subtly wring out all the juicy insider info you have."

>>5164447
>>5164441
oh crap, almost forgot
>Cast Mental Barrier
don't think it has manacost

>>5164441
>>5164447
This

>>5164441
>> “Did you really need to capture an audience that way?” Might as well call him out.

Writing.

That's a lot of last-minute votes

>>5164501
the heck is that supposed to mean?

>>5164501
yeah, its kinda sus

>>5164512
Right when a guy's in vitriol too
Eh nothing to worry about

>>5164441
>>5164444
>>5164448
>>5164451
>>5164453

Damnit. In for a penny, you suppose. “It’s fine. If repetitive.” You might as well play along for now. Heck, might be able to wring something out of him about it all.

“Heeey, there’s a voice.” He sounds pleased to have gotten some sort of reaction. “Sounds like you’ve a mask on, eh? Rather eerie tone, if you ask me, but! Needs must. Needs must. Kept hearin’ about the fog out there what changes folks, so it makes sense, it does. And repetition helps, lass. It makes ya feel normal. Standard. Repetition, habit, normality. Feels nice, in chaotic days, it does.”

“So how have you managed to survive all of this?” you ask, eyes flicking to the kid. She looks at you briefly, before handing you back Pecker. You’ll refuse him for now- she can keep playing with him.

“Ohh…s’pose it’d be a bit gauche to say the music helped. Hohohoho. But it did! There were a lot of bombs, and explosions, and screamin’, and I suppose I just kept playing. I did keep playing. Weren’t nothin’ for no one, so no reason to go all to pieces. It’s nature, this is. Fella like me can figure that out well ‘nough. Nature spoke back to us an’ she weren’t pleased, so we went to tha’ wayside, a lot of us. Spring’s Cleanin’, after a fashion!” He laughs again, deep and rough. You’re already wondering how long it’s gonna take those two. “But. I suppose it liked my music and playing well enough. I’m still here. I’m sure some others are, too. It’s a shame for many, but the few that make it’ll be all the better for it. Lookit me, eh? Music called to me. Playing instruments, an’ just about any. Not a ton else to do, barring keeping this place fixed up. I fix up the nicknacks, I fix up the pipes, anything I can, ah, get my hands on. Need the hands, I do. Very important. It’s like that. I’m sure most will be better, coming out.”

You…strongly doubt that, but whatever. This jabbering guy is beyond suspect. Just to be safe, you decide on a brief sniff of him- to see if there’s anything off. And…

He doesn’t smell THAT bad. More…slightly rancid milk than anything else. Huh. So there’s SOMETHING about him, but whatever it is…it’s at least not directly hurtful. But your sense isn’t perfect, so it’d still be wise to be on guard.

>Keep silent. You’ve gotten as much information as you care to.
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.
>Ask him why’d he stop you all, then? Be direct about it.
>Ask him about resting in the bed and breakfast. He seems…handle-able, at least.
>Other

>>5164528
>ask him about what kind of music he plays

so music can quell the wracked. interesting

>>5164528
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.
>Ask him why’d he stop you all, then? Be direct about it.
Hah! Knew this one's a hook.

>>5164528
>>5164540
This too.

>>5164528
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.
>Ask if he knows what the song it plays is called, and the meaning behind it.
>Ask him why’d he stop you all, then? Be direct about it.

>>5164540 too.

>>5164528
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.
>Ask him about resting in the bed and breakfast. He seems…handle-able, at least.
Okay, let's go along with it.

>>5164528
>>5164540
Good call

>>5164545
>>5164528
Y'know what, I'll drop asking him why he stopped us.

So the revised list is...
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.
>Ask if he knows what the song it plays is called, and the meaning behind it.
>ask him about what kind of music he plays

Okay, seems like the only two questions with backing are

>Ask if he knows what the song it plays is called, and the meaning behind it.
and
>Ask him if he’s capable of fixing a music box.

I'll be writing for those.

>>5164528
>>5164540
>>5164544
>>5164564
>>5164545
“Yeah?” you fish. “Can fix things, huh?”

“Oh yeah, yes I can. Many things. Not too much, not like cars and whatnot. But some things. Many things, I can.” He strums a few notes. “Instruments need a lot of care. You learn a lot about it, keeping them well to work.”

“Yeah? What instruments? You play a lot of different types of music?” you fish. If this is something that could be used to placate the Wracked, then it’s worth investigation.

“Oh, a few things. Just a few. Tend to prefer things slower. Repetition is the key, it is. Gets you into a groove. A good ballad, for example. A good ballad’s awful sweet to the ears, it really is. It’s not a place for all that fast an’ wild nonsense. Had plenty of that already for a lifetime, we have.”

Well. That’s…interesting. “What about a music box?” you hazard. “You think you could fix that?”

“Hmmm…a music box, you say?” comes the response. “Perhaps, perhaps. Bring it here, if you have one, and I’ll see what I can do, I will.” Ah, right. He’ll have to see you, finally. You’re feeling more than a bit cautious about the idea, really…but. You suppose you’ll have to see somehow.

The kid stares at you as you get up, and you don’t look back.

>Roll 2d20, best of three.

Rolled 5, 18 = 23 (2d20)

>>5164664

Rolled 19, 2 = 21 (2d20)

>>5164664
Here goes...

Rolled 11, 8 = 19 (2d20)

>>5164664
Hole in one

Rolled 20, 16 = 36 (2d20)

>>5164664

He's as good as his word. And a bit besides.

Writing.

Rolled 12, 14 = 26 (2d20)

>>5164664

>“Oh, a few things. Just a few. Tend to prefer things slower. Repetition is the key, it is. Gets you into a groove. A good ballad, for example. A good ballad’s awful sweet to the ears, it really is. It’s not a place for all that fast an’ wild nonsense. Had plenty of that already for a lifetime, we have.”

and this is exactly why you don't go blasting the people that look threatening without talking to them.

>>5164682
You can mock me for being paranoid, that's fair. I already said something like that before>>5161573 - if you actually have proof that I'm in the wrong then I'll admit that I was wrong.
But accusing me of samefagging is a whole different thing. Fuck you.

>>5164686
>But accusing me of samefagging is a whole different thing.
wait, you're still salty about that?? lmao. first im not even considering anyone in particular -even less you, random anon- when i post stuff like that; i just pointed out that just because someone looks scary we shouldn't kill them on the spot. and second, >>5164501 this literal casual observation aimed at no one, but then you took it as an insult at your person because i suppose you're just that egocentric or something along those lines.

TL;DR: you aren't the center of the world. chill.

>>5164706
>this literal casual observation aimed at no one
>>5164514
>Right when a guy's in vitriol too
You really want to start a drama, huh? And you still keep making baseless assumptions with no proof at all.

>>5164706
how can I chill when you go talking shit like
>i suppose you're just that egocentric or something along those lines.

>>5164707
Dude chill you're being an ass. If you're not samefagging then it's just a harmless passing yeh? You're being a dramaqueen while everyone else's having a grand time

>>5164707
>You really want to start a drama, huh? And you still keep making baseless assumptions with no proof at all.
im not that guy, you idiot. at least try to direct your slights against the right person

>>5164664
>>5164667
>>5164669
>>5164670
You’re not sure what you expected his reaction to be as you make your way up to him; his eyes are bad, and squinted, borderline closed, but you don’t know if he’s outright blind or what. You keep yourself ready for any nonsense he might try to pull, just in case, as you hold out the music box towards him. “Here.”

Without seemingly any problem, however, he calmly takes the box from you, and begins to splay his fingers all over it. “Ooooh. This is a prime little box, it is. Old make, very old. Yes, I can feel the grooves in it. Seems like there’s a buncha old things comin’ back now, ain’t it?”

“Are there?” you hazard. “I hadn’t noticed.”

“Oh, well.” He doesn’t seem too bothered as he begins to move his fingers with more purpose- finding the underside and popping open the latch with his guitar pick. “Mebbe not so much for the folks not big on history. Used ta be said that the world had wondrous things, it did. Simply wondrous. Like this here box. It’s old, and here it is. Of course, there's older. A touch older. Civilizations an’ all that, I’m sure you’re aware of that much. Said they were to be something amazing, they were. Simply astounding.” You can hear the clacking of parts fitting together as he winds and snaps a few things together. “Vanished for whatever reason. Said they used to be able to do MAGIC. Magic, it is! Impossible to possible, so I hear. But that’s not been such for ages. Longer than mine, or my fathers, or anyone’s father fathers, what can still speak. Used to be part of nature, they said it was. But humans’ll grow, and change, and in time the ways was said lost. ‘Cept for those real curious sorts, you know the type. Going on at all hours and whatnot, jumpin’ at every little oddity.”

“So…how does this relate?” you follow up. That was VERY interesting, but you’re wondering why that topic?

“Oh, cause people went ‘round for a while. Talkin’ about strangenesses and oddities, and I suppose I thought to m’self: ‘well, that’s what magic used to be, hm?’ Mebbe it’s tired of not gettin’ used, maybe it’s forcin’ itself up and through and into an’ around. Me, I always thought was magic in the air in a way or another.” He grins. “Music, in particular. Keeps me right. Consistent. Regular. A regular tune’ll do wonders.”

“Right, you mentioned that…” you mutter. He DID seem rather repetitive by nature.

(cont.)

>>5164711
>>5164710
Alright, I'll chill.

>>5164718

“So I figure, well, we make it through this, probably be a good thing, yeah? A real good thing. Folk’ll be more used to the magic again, if that’s what this is, and I think it is. Nature coming back, evening the scales. Folks’ll be born afterwards, and they’ll be used to it. Things’ll move on, one way or another.” And with that, he gives the music box a quick, small shake, holding it to his ear as a couple things make a rattle. “Quite nice, should be able to play a lovely melody. Just about finished, though. The disk ‘ere…mmm, yes. Still feels in good condition. You’ll have a nice little thing here, if I can fix her up all the way. And I think I can.” He smiles, as though having been given a precious gift. “I think I can…I’ll need to go inside, though. Get my tools. Haveta get those, can’t fix it all up without tools, I can’t. Just a moment. Y’can follow me inside or no; won’t take long to get my tools. But I rather like the inside- gives off a proper feeling of home, I think it does. Rare to have these days.”

You look back towards the car. Kid’s still in there. Rather not leave them alone.

> “I’ll be fine out here, thanks.” Rather not take the risk, really.
> “...hold on a second.” Might as well bring the kid to be safe. For a given definition.
> Other

>>5164721
> “...hold on a second.” Might as well bring the kid to be safe. For a given definition.
>Set up turret, leave note on car for the others
>"You ever think you felt it before? Magic, I mean." Guy might not know he's magic. Could even be this world's version of reality benders.

>>5164721
>“I’ll be fine out here, thanks.” Rather not take the risk, really.
mmmm nah. sorry magic grandpa, we still have to guard the car and izumi's zombie kid

>>5164721
>“I’ll be fine out here, thanks.” Rather not take the risk, really.
I'm curious but I'd rather not risk the kid.

>>5164721
>“I’ll be fine out here, thanks.” Rather not take the risk, really.
>"You ever think you felt it before? Magic, I mean."
>"What do you think of this plague going around?"
Should we show him the ceremonial dagger?

>>5164721
>> “I’ll be fine out here, thanks.” Rather not take the risk, really.
He doesn't strike me as 'expert physician' or 'surgeon', so I don't think he can help the kid. I mean, having dexterous fingers is a good thing in those fields but he's almost blind. We can continue our chat once he's outside - can tend to the kid in the meantime.

>>5164726
If we do stick outside, should we try to sing to the kid and see how she reacts? Also, if we do sing, what song?

I'm thinking Moving Right Along might get something out of her.

>>5164732
i don't think he means fixing the kid, but finishing fixing the box.
>>5164731
maybe? perhaps he has some mystical insight on it
>>5164736
im more partial to house of the rising sun desu

>>5164736
Voting for My Way by Frank Sinatra
>>5164721
Maybe when he came back out we can show him the dagger in a jiffy?

>>5164736
Can Miranda even sing?
Part of me wants to check if FutureSight has some vidya preinstalled or if we've recorded anything fun (we've recorded history books from magical worlds with summoners, lizardmen and fairy elders), but lettings a child mess with such valuable tool sounds like a terrible idea. Maybe we could just read them for her out loud.

>>5164740
>>5164732
Just saying if anyone has ideas about letting him take a look at the kid.

>>5164721
Although you inwardly admit you’re curious, you’d rather not risk it. “I’ll be fine out here, thanks.”

“Suit yourself, suit yourself.” At least he doesn’t seem offended. “I’ll be just a moment. You’ll have no need to worry. The house is a good one.” He trails off a bit as he disappears inside, closing the door behind him.

You take the opportunity to head back to the kid- though when you turn your head, you see that she’s poking her head over the seat, staring. It’s a bit of an odd image since she’s still got the condenser on, but it’s still something that surprises you. More that you didn’t expect she’d take that initiative than anything else.

When you get back close, she looks down at her lap- there’s a flicker of something in her aura when you focus, but…it’s hard to tell, it’s so faint. Nothing you can identify out of hand, but you're fairly certain she's feeling something. Just dunno what for sure.

>...maybe she’s hungry? You’ve got lunch prepped. Well, what Izumi prepped. Kid likely hasn’t eaten in ages.
>...maybe she misses the music? You dunno, you’re not a good singer but. Eh, maybe hum something?
>...maybe she’s gotten bored of Pecker? She did try to hand him back. What else could interest her?
>Other

>>5164745
i know she has sung drunk in the intersection, for some reason i feel she has an harmonica stored somewhere. although i might be confusing quests
>>5164747
fair enough

>>5164745
Oh she's a softy, so I imagine her knowing some hums here and there. Hell even nursery rhymes
My headcannon is she actually having a stern but soft/light tone

>>5164750
>all of the above

>>5164750
SING WHILE PREPPING OUR LUNCH

>>5164750
>>...maybe she’s hungry? You’ve got lunch prepped. Well, what Izumi prepped. Kid likely hasn’t eaten in ages.
>...maybe she’s gotten bored of Pecker? She did try to hand him back. What else could interest her?
We could read her some interesting bits from story books from other worlds that we've scanned. They're basically fairy tales: history of elves, summons, lizardfolk, actual fairies, etc.

>>5164750
>>5164752
>>5164755
>>5164756
NURSERY RHYMES
Wait
and holy shit we are spoiling this kid too much

>>5164751
>i know she has sung drunk in the intersection
Huh, I don't remember anything like that. I know we've visited a karaoke bar when Miranda and Lori were spying on Izumi's date, but Miranda got drunk listening to the singing competition - she wasn't taking part in it.

>>5164750
>...maybe she’s hungry? You’ve got lunch prepped. Well, what Izumi prepped. Kid likely hasn’t eaten in ages.
My guess is that she's at last recovered enough to be scared of Miranda

>>5164750
>...maybe she’s hungry? You’ve got lunch prepped. Well, what Izumi prepped. Kid likely hasn’t eaten in ages.
>...maybe she misses the music? You dunno, you’re not a good singer but. Eh, maybe hum something?
Tell Pecker to get in on the song too, that'll perk them both up. Need to get him to learn how to start singing, anyways.

>>5164769
Man imagine the faces on Zippy and Izumi when they come back.

>>5164763
Well, there's nothing else to do at the moment. Can't train because the world barely has any ambient mana, can't explore because we have to keep our cargo safe (and the kid too). We can start reading summoning manual and figure out how to reward or improve Gartoum, but every time we try we get interrupted so I kinda gave up on that.

>>5164751
>>5164764
>harmonica
yeah, nah, you're confusing quests now

>>5164750
>>5164756
>>5164755
>>5164765
>>5164769
Well, maybe she’s hungry? You’re not sure, but that’s a good default, right? You’ve dealt with kids before by now…though usually they can emote and generally say things towards what they want.

Well, you’ll just go with that for now, and considering you’re hungry, too, hey. Two birds, one stone. Let’s see…she said something about sandwiches, so it’s not great fare, but hey, might as well…

…huh. This…well, it IS a sandwich. Also a mini charcuterie board if you had to describe the variety of meats and cheeses in the little bags. Did she clean them out without realizing it? Hope not. Maybe she had some stuff stowed away herself from elsewhere? Whatever, you’re not going to bother asking. “Here,” you say to the kid, handing her the sandwich + carrots bowl. “Enjoy.”

She just stares at it for a moment. Looks at you.

“...what? Did you forget how to eat?” you ask redundantly. You take a bite of your own- less in example, more just hunger, but hey, two birds again.

It takes a moment for her to get it, but she does. Bite. Eat. Swallow. It’s a slow process for her, but she does manage it.

And then she kinda just…sits there. One bite, and looking off into space. “Uhhh…kid? You all there? Helloooo-”

In the next five seconds, the sandwich is gone, her throat bulging as she tries to swallow it all at once and (relatively) quickly devouring the carrots by handfuls. That is EASILY the fastest you've seen her move yet.

Welp.

Found where her hunger went. Good thing Izumi packed extra…

(Done for the night! Will post one tomorrow.)

>>5164824
>You take a bite of your own

...But the mask?..

File: thread #8.jpg (47 KB, 1578x141)

47 KB JPG

>>5165152
not the first time we've dressed up as a celestial horror with no visible mouth. hopefully not the last, the reactions never stop to amuse me. kinda worrying that this madman hasn't shown any, and we got no read on him with our enchanted mask and other gear.

>>5165190
The dude is mostly -if not comoletely- blind. Thats why he didnt react

>>5165152
the mental image of an elder horror disintegrating a sandwitch by shoving it into her costimic mask
and the kid correctly interpreting it as "oh so *thats* how you eat!" is, well hilarious

>>5165190
It’s probably just me, but even if we’re technically replacing them with our Care House kids, I still miss doing teaching missions.

Wonder how the Shining Hearts are doing…

>>5165757
we should take the kids on a super easy milk run. rookie shenanigans are the best kind of shenanigans


>Wonder how the Shining Hearts are doing…
yeah, same

>>5165757
Why would we replace them? We're treating this little ghoul similarly how we treat Care House kids. This happened pretty often before, we might get to teach some kids from other worlds as well. I wouldn't call either group of kids a 'replacement'.

>>5164824
You’re not entirely sure what’s happening with the kid, but this is almost going a bit beyond a healthy appetite, and after her fourth, you think it’s probably a good idea to cut her off.

Well, maybe it would’ve been a good idea to cut her off before then, but the fact that she’s eating and eating quickly just kinda blindsided you. “Alright, kid, that’s enough for now,” you mutter as your own meal is finished.

Unsurprisingly, she looks around, as though almost hunting for more- before you find yourself having to ward the kid off as she tries to struggle to find more, even leaning towards your bag, which you make sure to keep out of grabbing range of her. It’s not hard keeping her blue-grey carcass off of you, and she still moves at a pace you’d called ‘lethargic’, but it’s still new that you have to even DO it at all. She’s for sure more energized now.

“Hey, that’s enough, kid. Glad you’re on the mend, but we need to save some of these, alright?” Not that you expected her to understand you, really, but it’s still important to put vocals to it, you think.

Seriously, you hope those two get back sooner than later. You’re stuck with a weird old man and a half-zombie kid. Feels like the setup to a bad joke’s punchline.

>Roll 1d20+2.

>>5166049
Dropped my everything.

Rolled 15 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5166049

Rolled 12 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5166049

Rolled 5 + 2 (1d20 + 2)

>>5166049

>>5166049
>>5166053
>>5166055
>>5166079
Aaaand speak of the devil (hopefully not literally), here’s the old man. Plus side, he seems to be happy enough. The box almost looks good as new. You’re barely halfway to meeting him when he presents it to you- the kid’s still trying to find something to eat. “Ah, here you are, right here. It’s a beautiful piece, it is. Very soothing. Brings back memories, it does. Good ones. You’ll be set right with this. If’n you find any music to play, I doubt they’ll be as good as this one. Might still be worth it, though,” he rambles on. “Good music’s hard to find. Harder to make.”

“I suppose,” you allow as you take it back from his chilly hands. At the very least you can appreciate help when it’s given. “Thanks for this.”

“Oh, no need for thanks, none at all. Tis nice to work with the hands. It’s real nice. I play with my hands, I work with my hands. All regular. All comes back to repetition. Keeping steady on. You’ll enjoy it.”

“Heyo!” Oh, thank goodness. You sigh as you hear the familiar voice of Zipper coming closer. “Guess who found some good shit? We’ll be back on the road in no time!”

Finally.

“Oh, you’re goin’?” He asks casually. “No plans to stay for the night?”

“Fuck no!” Zipper says with all too much enjoyment. “We’re passin’ through,” she says as she proceeds to get to work. “We gotta fix up, an’ fill up, and we’re fuckin’ OUTTA here.”

“Well, that’s all your business, all yours. I won’t deny I’m worried for you lasses out on the road, but it’s good to meet ya. How long might ya be here, then?”

Zipper grumbles, but she takes care to look it all over. “I’d saaaaay…Iunno. Half hour? Maybe a bit more?”

“Ah? Hm. I see, I understand that…” the man seems to have his head in thought. “Then perhaps you might do me a kindness, considering? It shouldn’t take so long.”

“And that would be?” you hazard.

“Just a bit of helping with a little problem, it is. Need eyes for it, but mine aren’t great. They aren’t. Noticed while I was fixing your box, and now that it’s fixed, I realized something of mine went missin’ during it. It’s an old valuable of mine. A very nice cup. Just need a set of eyes to look for it, since mine aren’t so good.”

> “…fine. I guess we owe you that much.”
> “And what for it? Earlier wasn’t a trade.”
> “I don’t think we’ll have time to search everywhere.”
> Other

(Run tomorrow, just to let people know.)

>>5171148
Terribly sorry, but no.
> “I don’t think we’ll have time to search everywhere.”
Kettle sets were mentioned when we looted the bandits - did we take one by any chance? Could give him one of those.
Also he's finally told us the reason why he stopped us. I guarantee there's something sketchy about the cup.

>>5171155
The reason why I got mad earlier was because of the fuck up at the start of the thread, caused by some anons who couldn't pass up the opportunity to learn the 'juicy bits'. Now Zipper is acting weird and Izumi definitely didn't appreciate this 'favor'.
And when this weirdo stopped our car it looked like we're about to repeat the same mistake in a span of few days. I'm getting a feeling like the guy himself is lampshading this >>5164718
> ‘Cept for those real curious sorts, you know the type. Going on at all hours and whatnot, jumpin’ at every little oddity.”
Even if it's a Courier mission it's still ranked as B+. He's stopped us for a selfish reason, so I don't get why anons put their guard down. Our job is to get the cure component to the hospital, there'll be more interesting events along the road.