Remember that post a bit above where I said that this would be coming out tomorrow? I lied. Here's my full commentary/reaction.
With her perfectly neat suit, tight, proper hair bun and sharp, angry features, she struck you as the kind of bitchy, fun-hating disciplinarian you thought didn't exist in a happy-go-lucky sunshine school like Akarui Seishin. But she did exist and that suited you just fine.
Oh Goddammit, of course we had to get stuck with this type of teacher.
Others might call her cute. Not you though. You can see her boundless energy reserves and can already tell she's going to be unbearable.
You open your mouth to tell her not to call you vice president, damnit, but are too slow. She grabs your hand and starts dragging you out of the school and… towards the bus stop? Odd, practically everyone uses the M-Trains these days, they're so much faster. "C'mon, let's get going already! There's no time to lose!"
You're caught up in a whirlwind named Fukumoto and before you can ask what the fuck, you find yourself sitting on a bus with your kidnapper/club president literally bouncing in her seat in excitement next to you.
We've been kidnapped!
"You know the old, abandoned mall by the river? It wasn't on the news but according to my sources, there was a huge amount of Pacums sent there yesterday and not only that, but they were all utterly wrecked! Again, this wasn't on the news, not anywhere on Mira-Tech's website or social media announcements and they always report incidents involving Pacums. They say it's for transparency but it's really just to promote their product, they never show a Pacum failing or messing up. Anyway, they're being weirdly hush hush about this. Like, even if they don't post about a Pacum glitching out and giving the wrong person a parking ticket, you'd think someone would be reporting about over a dozen security robots getting trashed. And besides that, Pacums are tough, like stupid tough. And whooo fits the bill for being a super duper secret while also being tough enough to up robots no sweat?"
Uh oh. She's using her secret technique— weaponized ADHD! Kaworu, watch out!!!!
Fukumoto actually 'hrmph's at that and turns away from you with her arms crossed. Meanwhile, you're struggling to grapple with reality. You were sure that Fukumoto was either an eccentric fan girl or a crazy conspiracy theorist. And you're pretty sure the answer is both. But it also turns out she's competent? Maybe? Maybe she's just lucky or the battle yesterday was louder than you thought but maybe she's actually able to find leads?
Fukumoto might actually be useful after all…
Team member number two found.
Ok, small aside: is it just me, or does anybody else picture Death with the most deep voice? Like, Toji Fushiguro or Dio's voice.
Intellect: Evidence Search
DC 70
1d100+6+10=98
3rd Degree of Success
Nice.
Soul: Is Something There?
DC 80
1d100+12=109
2nd Degree of Success. CRIT!
Is that you, wretch? I wasn't expecting to meet you again so soon. And yet, here you are, searching me out. Are you really that desperate for guidance? Fine, fine. You may be off course but that's no fault of your own. I shan't blame you for that blasted Love driving you off track. Here, a reward. That is, if a mortal like you can comprehend it…
Uh oh. That's bad.
On an off note, here's my theory about the Love, Justice, and Hope options that we had: they are the previous gen of MGs. Love is the spirit of our sister coming through to help us. Might be wrong, but this theory sounds the most anime to me.
A terrible, painful moment. It felt like someone was driving an ice pick through your brain. "What the hell was that?"
|FATE'S TOUCH. SHE HAS-|
Uh oh times two. Dad's worried!
Fukumoto's Soul: There's definitely something there, right?
DC 80
1d100+???=???
Failure
"Feel anything? You mean, like on the bricks or something?" She brushes her fingers against the overgrown path, puzzled. "No, they feel normal to me… Did you find a clue or something?"
"No, nevermind. I mean, not here or anything. And I'm fine. Just a little headache or something…" You brush her off. She still gives you a concerned look but you don't care. After all, there's still something you haven't found yet.
Yup. We've found team member No. 2, we just need to figure out the Miraculite.
Intellect: Anything Else to Find?
DC ???
1d100+6+10=59
Failure
Kaworu is satisfied with previous results. Like a Dog With a Bone does not activate.
Ah man, looks like our stubbornness isn't kicking in for once.
Fukumoto's Intellect: How Did She Do?
DC 70
1d100+???=???
4th Degree of Success. CRIT!
W.
Might: Bust It Open!
DC: 90
1d100+5=38
Failure
Like a Dog With a Bone activates.
"Uh, Ms. Vice President? I don't think that's going to work…"
No, no, she's right of course. You're not that strong. You probably couldn't even beat a child at arm wrestling, you're not beating open solid metal on your own.
"Whew, okay, I know you're excited but we're not getting in. I think we should- Hey, wait, no no no-!"
But that just means you need a tool to help out! You grab one of the metal chair frames laying around and start to beat on the hatch with that instead, ignoring Fukumoto's screams.
Might: Bust it Open! With Chair!
DC: 80
1d100+5=88
1st Degree of Success
Engage maximum violence!
Yeah, I knew we wouldn't regret picking Stubborn.
Inside is not what you expect. It looks like someone's cozy little hideaway room and that someone is a huuuuuge bibliophile. Every wall is covered floor to ceiling with books. Big books, small books, books in different languages. Fancy hard covers and trashy paperbacks. There's even an entire section dedicated to the largest collection of manga you've ever seen and another that's nothing but western graphic novels. The carpet is white, clean and fluffy, there's a pink bean-bag chair big enough for two people in one corner and the floor lamp lighting the room is shaped like a heart. In fact, you're pretty sure your big sister had the exact same one when she was still alive.
Whoever is in here has
impeccable taste.
…wait, zoom in!
the floor lamp lighting the room is shaped like a heart. In fact, you're pretty sure your big sister had the exact same one when she was still alive.
I sense foreshadowing here. My Observation Haki/Spidey-sense/whatever is tingling.
Twin screams tear out of you and Fukumoto as you both spin around. There in the doorway, glaring at you, is a demon. Except… not quite? Yes, their skin is pitch black and they're unusually tall, but other than that, they look human. They have an actual face, with a nose and a mouth and eyes and everything, although the fact that they're eyes are pure, solid white is a bit inhumane. They have long, pure white hair tied back in a messy ponytail. They may be thin enough that their clothes hang loose on their frame but they're not skeletal or anything. And yeah, they're actually wearing clothes. A white, rumpled button down shirt, white slacks and a pink tie hanging loosely around their neck. Honestly, their entire look screams overworked and underpaid to you but maybe that was just because you were used to seeing your mom dressed the exact same way, including the exhausted slouch.
Oh hey! Didn't expect to see a Dark General so quick. Wonder when we'll see the other three…
Wait, what? Robbery? That would explain where the Black Miraculites came from. But how does Fukumoto know about it and why didn't she mention it before?
To your surprise, Fukumoto's rapid fire questions don't piss the demon person off and get them to kill you. Instead, they sigh and scratch the back of their neck. "I'm Auteure, 3rd General of Correction and yeah, I arranged the robbery. Not that it worked. Damn, boss lady's going to be pissed." She sighs again and looks you over. "Anyway, who are you two? It's polite to introduce yourselves when meeting someone new, or so I've been told."
First of all Fukumoto almost definitely has something up with her. Second of all, Auteure is a name that means
something, but I can't quite pin down what…
Sighing again, Auteure actually straightens up, looking slightly less bored. "Right, well I was just going to erase your memories and dump you outside but… Two of the Six, huh? Hm. Kaworu Ai. Hikari Fukumoto. I have an offer for you. Would you like to join me as soldiers of Correction?"
"Join you?" Fukumoto sounds offended by the very idea of it. "Why the hell would we do that?!"
Auteure sighs yet again and walks past you to lean on their desk. "You know, if one of my compatriots were here instead of me, I'm sure they would threaten you, force you. Or maybe just go on about how you cannot escape Fate, so you may as well give in now. Even the me of the past would simply… change your minds and be done with it. But I understand the human concept of reciprocity. I know that asking you humans to work for me, for Correction, is asking a lot, so I am willing to offer a lot in turn."
Uh oh triple! If we hadn't met this lady, we'd be getting jumped! Hell, we might still be getting jumped if we piss her off!
"Everything." Auteure says plainly. "Can the two of you truly say you are happy with your lives? That everything is perfect and nothing could be improved? If you join me, I will give you everything I can in return. I will do my best to make your wishes come true. I will give you guidance and advice, for whatever worth the advice from something like me has to a human. I will protect you. I will grant you power. I will… I will care for you, as best I can, because you will be my responsibility."
…If we didn't have DEATH on our side, I'd honestly already be jumping at this opportunity. Damn.
When that time comes, simply burn one of these bookmarks with magical fire, easy enough in this day and age, and you will be transformed into… Hm. I guess the best way to word it would be a monster-of-the-week. The transformation will be temporary and you'll suffer no side effects such as addiction or brainwashing, I promise. I don't do that anymore."
I imagine the other three generals have their own talismans. Like maybe arrows, or hearts…
That's pretty tempting as well. All the options are, which just might make you a terrible person. "Can we have a moment to think about it?"
We're all terrible people here, Ai. Get with the program.
DEATH's Advice: |DO NOT TRUST THE SERVANTS OF FATE.|
I'm going to say one thing here— this likely means that if we take
anything, it'll come with nastiness. Par for the course.
AN: What in the actual fuck!? Seriously, did one of you guys sacrifice a goat for this stupid quest or something? Maybe I'm just bad with math and odds, but I meant for you to get maybe one of the rewards I had planted here, not sweep the place and find literally everything!
I knew it! Aha's gaze extends to even here!
As for my vote…
[X] Ask a question
-[X] Ask for details about the robbery at Mira-Tech
-[X] "We came here looking for information about magical girls. What insights are you willing to share?"
Lepi already explains the reasoning very well.
If Death Itself distrusts someone, I would lean away from relying on or subordinating ourselves to them. Just because we're told that we're getting a fair deal is no reason to believe it, especially coming from a faction whose members are either openly cruel to us or would forcibly induct us if it weren't for encountering the only one who's willing to talk things out. I do think we should take the bookmark in the end, if only to have it and learn what we can from it, but jumping into any decision right away feels foolish.
If Fukumoto is supposed to be a teammate of ours and we've already built up something of a rapport with her, it gives us room to start a faction of our own.
Besides, why shouldn't we do our own thing?
Edit:
[X] Progression Plan A Sound Soul Dwells Within A Skilled Body
-[X] Use PP to Raise SKILL to 7.
-[X] Use PP to Raise SOUL to 14.
