A Bro's Life (AGG-ish Anime Bro Quest)

[X] Supernatural Meetup: Estella is gathering all your Supernatural friends together. You're gonna finally discuss what to do about the Organization. Lets go.

"You got everything, bro?" you ask Yamato, hefting your backpack as you stand outside Raijin's gates.

Yamato nods while hefting his own bag over his shoulder. Yameko is standing next to him in her student disguise, positioned close enough to touch Yamato's hand without it being too obvious. Yamato looks up at you with his usual blank expression and replies, "I do. Though it isn't much. Just the Bond Item Yameko and I share, and some notepads in case there is any information that we need to remember. You?"

"Eh, some water and snacks just in case people get hungry," you say with a shrug. Then you turn and start walking, "OK. Let's get going. The others should get there before us."

"Which reminds me," Yamato keeps pace with you, while Yameko trails a few steps behind, just in case. He stares at you with his usual indifferent expression and says, "I would like to speak with you about how you revealed the truth to Ritsuko."

You flinch and rub the back of your neck, "Ah, come on, bro. I already said sorry for not letting you know first."

"Yes, but it is still important to clarify the reason for our secrecy. Especially now," oh no, you know that look in his eyes. That's the look he gets when he's about to give you a rundown of something important. He looks up at you, and the lecture begins, "Firstly, we are uncertain about Ritsuko's exact loyalties. Even though she may appear to be interested in you, it doesn't necessarily mean that she can be fully trusted. Especially since we are unaware of her family's loyalties. If she informs her brother or father about this, the chances of our existence being revealed to the Organization increase significantly."

He walks a bit ahead of you but doesn't take his eyes off you as he speaks, "Secondly, Estella is much more experienced in these matters than either of us. She likely has high hopes and expectations regarding how we will behave in relation to our upcoming alliance. And one of the most crucial aspects of this alliance will be secrecy and trust. Once we inform her that you disclosed information about the existence of the supernatural to someone outside of our alliance, her opinion of our capabilities will diminish. Which will affect what she chooses to trust us with going forward."

"Thirdly-," and so on. Even though you're used to this, hearing Yamato chew you out for what you did still hurts. You look to Yameko for support, but the only reaction you get from the disguised kitsune is a sympathetic nod.

Ah, he hit her with this too. Wonder what she did to earn a lecture?

[Perception: People Check: 3 vs ???: Failure!]

[Yamato Perception: People Check: Perk Activates!]

[New Yamato Perk Discovered: Trick Of The Eye: Once per week, you can use Trickery Skill for a Perception Check when said Perception is against an opposing Stealth Check]

[Yamato Evasion: Trickery: 102 VS ???; Success! +2 XP]

"...Ah, hold that thought, Hayato," your brother stops in front of a convenience store and turns to look at both you and Yameko. He looks at both of you and says, "I am going to stop at this store for a moment. I forgot to use the restroom before we left."

"Really?" you raise an eyebrow, "You don't usually forget stuff like that."

"I was distracted as I getting everything ready for this trip. Yameko, would you mind waiting outside with Hayato for a moment?" he waves his hand through the air. It looks normal, but something about the pattern he moves it in is weird. Why did he move it up, then down, then left to right like that?

Yameko nods and says, "Of course, Lord Yamato. Please, take your time."

With that, he headed into the convenience store without saying another word. You're a bit confused, but hey. If bro's gotta go, then bro's gotta go. You cross your arms and look down at Yameko, and ask, "So, what do you want to do to pass the time? We could see if there's anything good in that store? Or I could show you some videos I-"

"Lord Hayato, please follow me," Yameko suddenly said, walking toward the side of the store and around the corner. Even more confused, you follow her, if only to find out what's going on.

As you round the corner and catch up to the disguised Kitsune, you stop in front of her and ask, "What was that all about? Did you want to talk about something? Cause if so, then why-"

"Lord Hayato, please turn around. We have company," Yameko's words confuse you until you realize that she's not looking at you. But over your shoulder. Curious about what the heck is going on, you turn around to see what she's looking at and...what in the-?

"Elizabeth?!" the girl in question whips around to look at you, with shock and frustration in her eyes. She's not wearing her school uniform anymore. Instead, she wears a dark blue hoodie with matching sweatpants. In one hand, she carries her phone, and in the other...is that a knife?! Why does she have a knife?

Yamato stands where you entered, holding three darts between his fingers. His expression remains indifferent, but his eyes are laser-focused on Elizabeth's figure. He says out loud, "Do not make any sudden movements. Otherwise, I will be forced to disable your legs so that you cannot run away."

Elizabeth doesn't respond, her head whipping from your brother to you in complete silence. Then, as her eyes focus on you...

[Elizabeth SL: 3/10]

[Empathy: Feelings Check: 61 VS 45: Success! +2 XP]

...You don't know what she's thinking of doing at the moment. But her eyes. Those aren't the bright, happy eyes you remember seeing when you spoke with her. They are darker and filled with conflicting emotions. You can feel a sense foreboding and contempt seeping out, but hidden behind those are reluctance and uncertainty.

You...you don't think she wants to do this.

But she's not sure if she has a choice.

Her body moves, but you can tell that her actions lack any real conviction. Even as she starts to charge at you, her hand moving with practiced ease as she rushes you. The knife glints at it catches the sun while she gets closer to you. Time seems to slow as everyone around you acts all at once.

Elizabeth is charging toward you. The grip on her knife is firm, but her eyes are apologizing to you with each and every step she takes.

Yameko is moving to intercept, but she's still in her disguise. She might not be able to make it in time.

Yamato is preparing to throw his darts. You have no doubt that they'll hit Elizabeth before she can get anywhere near you.

That leaves you.

You barely know this girl. You've talked a few times and have some things in common, yes. But you haven't actually interacted with her beyond that. And now she's threatening you with a deadly weapon. She's rushing straight at you, either with a plan in mind or as a last-ditch effort to get out of this situation. Either way, no one would blame you for attacking her back.

But...you're not sure if you should.

Because she does not want to do this.

So...

[] Move in and hug her. She can't hurt you anyway. That's just a regular knife, after all. And when you've got her in a hug, reassure her and let her know that everything will be alright. (Empathy + Speech Check)

[] Disarm and restrain her. You can figure out the rest later. Right now, you need to take that weapon away from her. Then you can talk. (Karate Check)

[] Knock her out. A single punch to the gut should be enough to bring her down. It'll probably hurt, but it's what's gotta be done. (Karate + MMA Check) (Bad Idea)

[] Write in...

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Remember, other characters have their own agendas and actions.