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

[X] 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 everything will be alright. (Empathy + Speech Check)

You move to meet her charge, holding your arms out wide and opening up your stance. Elizabeth's eyes widen in surprise but her knife is already in motion. She couldn't stop if she wanted to. But you knew that before you even did this. You're not stopping just cause of the threat of getting hurt.

Because the girl in front of you is hurting far worse than any knife wound.

[Elizabeth: Melee Weaponry: Swords = 50 + ??? = 75 - 20 (Impregnable Defense) - 25 (No Man On Earth) = 30 VS Hayato: Resistance: Physical: 50]

[Hayato Wins! No Damage Taken!]

[Mixed Work Of Art Perception Auto Pass]

You learn something about Elizabeth within that brief moment where her knife dings off your skin. Mainly that she's really off her game right now. On top of the emotional turmoil playing havoc with her skills, she is not at all used to using a knife. Oh, she clearly knows how to use the knife. Her first strike was haphazard and clumsy because she caught off guard, acting quickly now that she had been discovered. But she was quick to rectify that mistake, switching her grip on her knife to try to find an opening your defense. Whatever her style is, it's not meant to be used with a dinky little knife. It's meant to be used with dual swords working in tandem.

If she had those, you would've needed Yato to completely defend against her attack. Thankfully, she doesn't.

Giving you the opportunity you need.

Your arms close around Elizabeth and you're quick to pull her close to your chest. You're vaguely aware of Yamato stopping himself from throwing his darts, while Yameko pauses in shock. But those things you only barely recognize. Your focus is instead on the distraught young girl now in your embrace. You feel her trying to get out of your grip, the knife clanging against your skin without hurting you. The worst it does is leave cuts in your shirt, but that can be fixed later. Just need some sowing.

Elizabeth meanwhile...

"Let me go!" she shouts, struggling in your grip as her legs kick out beneath her, "I mean it! If you don't I'll scream and-"

"It'll be alright," the girl's struggles stop as you hold her tight against your chest. You feel her breath hitch while her knife hand stops just inches from your waist. You close your eyes and calmly whisper to her, "I know you're hurting, Elizabeth. I know you don't really want to do this. I don't know why you're doing this, why you're hurting, or even where you came from. But I don't need to know to see through your mask. To see what you're hiding. And while it might not be enough, I still want to let you know this; That it'll be alright. Everything will be alright. Just calm down, put down the knife, and talk to us. Please."

[CSC: Feelings + Persuasion = 60 + 30 = 90 VS ???; Success! +3 Elizabeth RP]

Elizabeth continues to shake in your arms. Her weapon hand trembles, the knife shaking to and fro as whatever war she's having with herself rages on. You can't see her eyes or what expression she's making right now, but that's alright. You'll look her in the eyes after she's calmed down. After that, you'll sit down and talk this all out. But right now, you just need to focus on hugging her and letter her know that she's not alone. You don't know if that's enough, but sometimes that's exactly what people need.

You don't know how long it takes for Elizabeth to make her decision. But you do know when it happens. You feel her raise her knife up...then drop it to the earth. Yameko is quick to grab it before it hits the ground, while you slowly lower yourself to the earth. Sobs wrack Elizabeth's body as both of her hands grip your shirt for dear life. She tries to get words out, but each one is preempted by a full body sob that prevents her from speaking. Her tears fall in short bursts as she bites her bottom lip to keep from crying out. You keep assuring her that it's alright while Yamato and Yameko get close to you. Your brother is still on guard, while his Partner holds Elizabeth's knife.

Eventually, Elizabeth stops sobbing. You pat her back once and let her pull away from you. Her makeup has started running, leaving black streaks underneath her eyes. Her hoodie has fallen off and reveals her silver hair to the open air. Her eyes are locked on the ground while she stifles sniffles every few seconds.

You nod and ask, "You alright?"

"I-I-I'm okay. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry I-I-I just-"

"Hey, hey," you put a hand on her shoulder, "It's alright. No one got hurt."

"You have cuts in your shirt, brother," Yamato points out.

"Yeah, but none of them broke skin. See?" you lift one of your arms up to show off the cut you got. And how your skin is totally fine.

Your brother hums, still frowning at the fact that you got hurt. He looks over at Elizabeth and speaks, his tone cold and concise, "This is the part where you tell us why you were following us, and why you attacked my brother. Please, be quick. We have a prior engagement ahead of us."

Elizabeth continues to sulk for a bit. Then, with a sigh, she takes out her smart phone and starts messing with it. After a few moments, she holds it up for the rest of you to see the screen. And what you see...is a recording of your battle with the oni.

Your jaw drops as you realize what this could mean. You look up at Elizabeth and say out loud, "Elizabeth? So...you're...you're part of-"

"I am...but only recently," she puts the phone away and looks at you both with watery eyes, "I went to the new Counselors' Office to talk with them about some...personal things. When they went to go get some stuff for me, they left their laptops out in the open. I got curious and checked to see what they were looking at. I got there before the laptops locked and found this video playing. I...I saw it and...and I knew I had to download it. Keep it as proof that...that I wasn't crazy. That supernatural creatures did exist."

You and Yamato glance at each other with a knowing look. If she's talking about who you think she's talking about, that that basically confirms that they're part of the Organization. Which means those assholes are in your school. That's not good. You'll need to look into those guys later.

"And when you saw that Hayato was part of the video, you chose to follow us to see how he was connected," Yamato finishes for her. She swallows but nods solemnly. Yamato purses his lips in thought then continues, "If that is the case, then why did you attack us?"

"I...I thought you two were dangerous," you involuntary flinch when she says that. She doesn't seem to notice as she continues, "I mean...I know that video is real. That blood and everything else...you can't fake that. And if that was an oni...then Hayato fought it to a stand still. And if he could do that to monster...what could he do to me? And you!"

She points at finger at Yamato, "You found me out! You figured out I was following you, cornered me, then took out your darts and said you were gonna hit my legs! I...I thought I had to fight my way out. And Hayato...he didn't look ready for me so I...I-"

She sighs then shakes her head, "I'm sorry. I'm so, so, sorry. I know it doesn't matter how many times I say it, but I do mean it. Really. Please, believe me. If you want me gone, then just say the word and I'll head home."

[Passed Earlier Feelings Check]

[Yamato Easily Passes Trickery Check]

You pat Elizabeth on the shoulder and give her your brightest smile, "Thank you for telling us, Elizabeth. Could you excuse us for a moment, please?"

She nods, sniffling while wiping at her eyes with a sleeve. You stand up then walk over to Yamato. You put your arm around him and walk toward the end of the alley. Once you're sure she can't hear you, you whisper to Yamato, "She's not lying about regretting her actions."

"I noticed," Yamato nods, "And she didn't seem to be lying about how she got the video or why she followed us."

"Then, what do you think? Should we send her back to school, or bring her with us?"

"Why would we let her accompany us?"

"Cause she's already aware of what's going on, and probably won't stop here. Yeah, she won't follow us. But that doesn't mean she won't investigate this on her own time. Not to mention that she's got proof that the Organization has agents in our school. If she comes with us, we can show that to Estella, and get another ally."

"Or we could be bringing in another possible threat. While she may seem like an ally now, she could prove to be an enemy later. And considering you will have to tell Estella about Ritsuko, this will only frustrate her more."

"W-Well, maybe. But this time there's a reason for it."

"Hmm...I would advise against it...but I leave the decision to you, brother."

Well, there you go. In which case...

[] Send Elizabeth back home. You can't risk introducing her to everybody else. At least you have a new ally, even if she doesn't know about the rest of your allies. (Elizabeth doesn't meet everyone else; ???)

[] Bring Elizabeth with you to the meeting. You'll probably have to bow and scrape a bit to get Estella's forgiveness for it, but you think it's a good idea. Besides, she's like you. She wants to meet other supernatural creatures. That has to count for something. (Elizabeth meets everyone else; ???)

[] Write in...