Which is why I think the fire alarm option is the best way to go; we offhandedly pull it and hopefully save this guy from suffering because of our offhanded bout of clumsiness, and then move on with our role in the matter settled. If Hotaru decides to go after him again later, that's their business, but at the moment we are a contributing factor in whatever feud they may or may not have.
Kikuko doesn't know the guy, doesn't care about the girl, and frankly, I am not sure why she should give a damn. Do we really want to make the misfortune that befell a Random NPC-kun - by the way, the guy has a name... can you recall it without looking back at the update? - our business, on par with the three above?
I mean I made the case to someone else in discord that ignoring this isn't an inherently immoral action. And it's not. But this is a bad angle. You can't ignore the fact that we were partially responsible for what happened. It's not intentional, but that is kind of the state of play now. Like if we just popped into the scene on a whim and this was happening? I could easily make an argument that it is completely justifiable to ignore it, given the overlaying context. (It's funny because you're actually underselling your argument here- she doesn't just "not care about her", she is actively terrified of her at the moment) I think you can make that argument now, even if it'd take something really good for me to find it compelling. Especially since we've moved from potential direct confrontation to a completely indirect confrontation that also probably isn't going to take us much time.
This isn't really the way to do it because you aren't just reducing it to "People I should reasonably care about and realist facts-on-the-ground style thinking" rather than being your typical magical girl protagonist. You're turning it into "Girl who sees that something is happening because of her, and actively chose to run away because her own issues are more important." You could probably make a good case that this is not immoral and more "human", but it's a stickier one, and it sets a precedent that I don't think we should be setting, where we basically make it perfectly acceptable for her to have the attitude that she and her monkeysphere are not just what is important, but literally all that matter even when we're partially responsible for the situation being inflicted upon somebody else.
I don't see how pulling a fire alarm, especially when it's not going to be possible to trace back to her would qualify as an additional responsibility. To me it's break up the fight followed by either have our scheduled meeting in the roof or tracking our teammate down outside.
It causes a mess and frankly I don't even particularly care who would be blamed for it afterwards. I just really hate the idea of walking away from someone about to be pounded on.
If it was just someone being pickpocketed, or something being stolen yeah likely not our problem and would be weighed against the fact we really need to get our teammate on the same page as us. But this was instigated by acts done by us, we know it was as well. And it's violence being done right in front of us.
Bad things happen, there's always someone in danger and you can't always save everyone and there's an argument to be that you shouldn't try to do so. But I disdain apathy when there's something right in front of you you can do. It's also something that flies in the face of both jobs our character has taken on.
This is actually strange to me because in another thread I'm the secondary cynic.
Another thing worth noting is that even if we do miss the meeting, either by showing up too late, or if she leaves because of fire alarm, we still can track her down later. If all else fails, we do know where she lives... Might make things more tense, sure, but if we go with the fire alarm she may be understanding about that causing the delay.
[X] Indirectly Intervene (Pull the fire alarm; it should be a good distraction to Hotaru without making you late.)
...Okay this should hopefully work out. And better yet should mean if Greenie hears about this and figures out we're doing stuff around town on a part-time job with Death, it's clear we aren't completely heartless, at least.
Admittedly, we didn't even notice her while we're alive which uhh, does rephrase the way we should have thought about this particular vote...
IDK.
It's still 'girl A versus girl B' relations to me but I'm not entirely sure how this is going to break down. Bomb now or a bomb later.
Actually if we have write ins can we intervene by manifesting and telling them it was actually an evil ghost that did it and we're sorry for the inconvenience. Then quickly leaving because we have places to be and things to do.
Actually, no, the fact that you are supporting the option of letting somebody get potentially assaulted indicates that this is not the case and you are employing a ridiculous double standard.
...
5 was your only good point and it was pretty weak. As Gish Gallops go this one gets a 2/10. Would not read again.
You had some good points, but honestly you and your argument lost a lot of my respect here. Don't be an ass because someone doesn't have the same priorities as you.
where we basically make it perfectly acceptable for her to have the attitude that she and her monkeysphere are not just what is important, but literally all that matter even when we're partially responsible for the situation being inflicted upon somebody else.
That is, frankly, a massive overextension of the results of a single choice. If this was a character creation prologue (or if the QM had shown a propensity for such things), I could understand making this argument. I wouldn't necessarily agree with it, but I could understand it. But it's not. This is a single action in response to a particular situation, where we potentially have good reasons both to want to interfere and to not do so. It's only the start on the path to what you're afraid of if we continuously make choices in that vein.
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...)
You had some good points, but honestly you and your argument lost a lot of my respect here. Don't be an ass because someone doesn't have the same priorities as you.
It was meant to be more a tongue-in-cheek comment but I see how the comment could be interpreted that way. I could make excuses but I won't, and I admit I can often come on way too strong without realizing it. If @WorldSlayer took it that way I sincerely apologize and hope we can move forward. If you lost respect for me because if an ill-phrased comment that is slightly depressing but at the end of the day there's nothing I can do about that on my end.
That is, frankly, a massive overextension of the results of a single choice. If this was a character creation prologue (or if the QM had shown a propensity for such things), I could understand making this argument. I wouldn't necessarily agree with it, but I could understand it. But it's not. This is a single action in response to a particular situation, where we potentially have good reasons both to want to interfere and to not do so. It's only the start on the path to what you're afraid of if we continuously make choices in that vein.
I think this could be because we take different approaches to this sort of thing, and that's fine. For me, a character's choice inherently informs their actions and mindset and thus precedent for their mindset in the future. You aren't just taking their choice, but the fact that they made that choice and the mindset it implies. You can argue that the circumstances justify the vote, and that's fine, but the action creates a precedent that colors the character in my eyes and would justify further actions based off the fact that we committed the action; if somebody commits an action it makes it more plausible that they will commit that action again.
Actually, and this is entirely meant as an example and not really as a gotcha, I think you losing a large amount of respect for me because of a singular incident is exactly the sort of thing I'm talking about. Because you feel that I was a dick to WorldSlayer, you believe that this is something I likely have an overall trend of doing, or a mindset that encourages that trend. A single action can easily color your attitude toward anybody for that exact reason, and I feel something similar applies here.
And sure, if something similar comes up again, that the circumstances don't apply can be an element of the conversation; logically it should because it is a single choice in the entire quest. I indicated in a past post that if the circumstances were slightly different I would be happy to not get involved- the precedent would very largely be the same at its core, but the circumstances much different and I believe that the case would be far stronger. For me, the circumstances involved in this case make such an argument weaker, and I find it troubling.
This is the current tally, if there are any latecomers.
Adhoc vote count started by ColdGoldLazarus on Sep 12, 2018 at 12:46 AM, finished with 87 posts and 38 votes.
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...)
[X] Intervene. (You're terrified, but this is indirectly your fault. You may be a little late to the meeting with Midori, but maybe if you can use your ghostly invisibility to throw Hotaru off, you can stop her from killing this other kid. Plus, didn't you face so much worse than her last night…?)
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...) [X] After our meeting is over, find some way to notify a figure of authority of what's happened
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...)
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...)
Another thought I had - what if Hotaru does go too far? Along with being bad for the guy, this could be bad for her if she's too pissed to hold herself back, and gets expelled or something. Just a thought.
@Null 5@WorthyAlchemist?
I dunno if this is rude or faux pass, but could I convince the two of you to switch to the fire alarm vote? Direct intervention isn't likely to win at this point, and the indirect option is still doing something.
@Null 5@WorthyAlchemist?
I dunno if this is rude or faux pass, but could I convince the two of you to switch to the fire alarm vote? Direct intervention isn't likely to win at this point, and the indirect option is still doing something.
So, last night someone asked me for an outside opinion on this due to my lack of prior investment, but after reading the post and some of the subsequent discussion I feel obliged to step in despite said lack of investment.
[X] Indirectly Intervene (Pull the fire alarm; it should be a good distraction to Hotaru without making you late.)
You're thinking too hard about this. Sometimes a decision really is that simple, and arguing over the consequences is just over-complicating things. Moral complexity is for cases where there are no good options to act on, not for choosing not to do your goddamn job seriously what. You're a Magical Girl, protect this person who can't protect himself. If it's not the ideal course of action at a personal level, that's not what matters; it's the principle of the thing.
I may stick around too, even as someone who is normally turned off by the words "Magical Girl Quest" this premise interested me on its own merits.
Inserted tally - voting is locked. Since this is a tie, I'll be rolling a die to determine the winner. Odd for ignore, even for fire alarm.
Adhoc vote count started by ColdGoldLazarus on Sep 14, 2018 at 1:47 PM, finished with 97 posts and 42 votes.
[X] Ignore it. (You did nothing wrong, and you don't want to get on her bad side even now that you're dead. You have a meeting to get to, anyway, and this makes for a good distraction...)
[X] Intervene. (You're terrified, but this is indirectly your fault. You may be a little late to the meeting with Midori, but maybe if you can use your ghostly invisibility to throw Hotaru off, you can stop her from killing this other kid. Plus, didn't you face so much worse than her last night…?)
I see.
I will say this: I'll go with the vote that won, but I heavily suspect some vote brigading/manipulation. Please don't be a sore winner, and especially please do not do this again. Thank you.
That being said, to all of the newcomers brought in on account of this, welcome! I hope you will stick around!
You freeze, uncertain. Thoughts flash in your head, a debate raging within. You feel responsible on some level for this boy's predicament, but all the same, you know you can't afford to miss this meeting. Plus, even with your invisibility, it would be hard to intervene without bringing attention to yourself… and Hotaru could probably find some way to make you double-dead, if she really wanted to.
Still, you can't quite bring yourself to leave the scene of impending violence, and cast about for any possible solution. You quickly notice a small red circle set into the wall - a fire alarm. It's out in the open and much too close to where Hotaru is threatening Daido, so even if anyone else noticed it their reluctance to take that route is understandable. Still, you don't have that problem, do you? After another moment of hesitance, you slip out of the crowd and step up to it. At the same time, Hotaru throws her first punch, a harsh smacking sound from behind making you wince.
And then you press the button. A brief moment later, an ear-splitting beeping fills the hall, with periodic blinding strobes from the alarm lights. The crowd murmurs and begin shuffling vaguely in the direction of the staircase, but most of the attention is still on Hotaru. She looks up at the alarms with a snarl, but after a second her expression evens out, and her grip on Daido's collar slackens. "Git out of my sight, ya pansy." She mutters, shoving him away, and he's quick to flee. After that, everyone else disperses much more quickly, and soon enough you're left in the hall, alone with the broken desk and Hotaru.
The delinquent girl seems oddly unconcerned with the alarms going off, taking a moment to just sit down, pulling a packet of cigarettes out of a pocket, before shaking her head and putting it back away. Despite yourself, you creep closer, a morbid curiosity overtaking you. It's like a transformation has taken place; mere moments ago she was all coiled tension and brash violence, but now she just looks… tired. "What am I doing?" She asks herself rhetorically, just quietly enough that you barely hear it over the alarm noises. She turns to the desk with a questioning expression, running a hand along the clean cut through the wooden surface. "Not like he coulda done this anyway." She bangs a hand against the surface in a sudden fit of frustration, causing you to scurry back a few steps by instinct, but her next words only confuse you more. "And it's jes' a dumb desk anyway. What was I doing?"
With that, she stands back up, her uncomfortably vulnerable expression once again vanishing beneath a disgruntled scowl, and she flips the bird at the still-blaring alarms, muttering darkly to herself as she ambles past you toward the stairs. You stare after her, not so much confused as entirely unable to comprehend what you just witnessed.
Then the door to the roof access stairs opens up, and you remember who you came for. Dashing quickly over and taking up position, you wait as a handful of Botany Club members pile out, looking around as if expecting to see roaring flames. While they sprint over to the main staircase, Midori follows behind much more reluctantly, glancing back up the narrow staircase as if expecting something. You're not really sure how to handle this, but ultimately you just settle on being direct; grabbing her gently by the arm and turning her back around toward the roof access. She startles at the sudden contact, but calms down quickly, allowing herself to be led back up and out onto the roof.
It's much quieter here; you can still hear the alarm blaring below, but it's muffled now, even more so once you close the door. Midori looks about, with a guarded expression and her arms crossed over her chest. "So I'm guessing there's not actually a fire," she says. Clever girl.
"Yeah, there was something that came…" you begin, before realizing she can't hear you, "...up. Crap."
After several moments without hearing your response, she impatiently strides over toward the garden sink, an outdoor basin with a mirror on one side of the little stairway building. "I better not be up here alone," she grouses aloud, and her grumpy tone, strangely enough, is what helps to calm your nerves. The way she appeared so normal in class, compared to her dark mood the previous night, was… unsettling.
You drift closer to observe as she turns on the faucet and runs her hands beneath the water, before abruptly splashing them into her face. Pulling a handkerchief from a hidden pocket in her skirt, she wipes away foundation to reveal the dark circles still beneath her eyes. She then pulls out a small makeup kit and sets it on the edge of the sink, ready to reapply fresh and hide her feelings once more.
But instead of starting on that, she looks back up into the mirror to see you standing behind her, a couple paces back. Without thinking, you give a shy wave, but your focus is more on her reaction. You're not sure what to expect, but her eyes simply widen a touch, staring to take in all your features. She glances back over her shoulder to see you directly, but of course she can't. So with a nod and a sigh, lowering her head, she speaks again. "So you were telling the truth. I mean, I never even said your name, so how would you have known it? But I still… I didn't want..."
You aren't sure what to say, and you know she wouldn't hear it anyway. Instead, in a mirror of the previous night, you step closer and put a hand on her shoulder, hoping it will provide some sort of comfort. She shudders at the sensation and you immediately pull back, but she shakes her head. "Don't…" You hesitantly reach forward again, only for her to grab and pull you into a tight embrace. You try to imagine how this must feel for her, holding seemingly nothing but thin air, but you can't quite picture it. Either way, you hesitantly return the hug, feeling her rapid heartbeat and letting go only once she does the same.
Straightening back up again, a mix of emotions are playing across her face now, tears streaming slow but steady down her face, but somehow the tiniest of smiles breaks through. "I don't even know how this is happening, but… you were right. This doesn't have to be a bad thing. Even if you are… you know… we can see each other and work together and-"
Abruptly, she blushes in embarrassment, crouching down and covering her face. "Oh nooo, everything I said last time- You know I- oh no no no no nooooo…" You shift uncomfortably, realizing what she's referring to. You've been so focused on your issues and her feelings, that you still haven't put any thought into her feelings towards you. This could be bad. What if you do something wrong now, you don't even know if you're ready for something like that, and that's without even the ghost factor…
Your own rising panic is interrupted as she stands up, expression suddenly calmed, albeit still a bit hesitant yet. "Look, I… I meant what I said, and I don't know how you must feel about that. Sorry if you're creeped out by me. Or… or maybe you're okay with it?" She sounds hopeful for a second, but instantly shuts that down. "I don't know. But either way, I think it would be for the best if we both just… set that aside, for now. There are bigger issues to deal with, and I… Right now, I don't think I'm in a place where it would really work right. And I mean, I don't even know if you're even into girls, and…"
She sighs in frustration. "...I don't even know if you're still standing there, or ran away." You awkwardly tap her hand to announce your presence, and she jolts in surprise. "Okay, that's going to take some getting used to." Returning to the mirror so she can see you, she tilts her head to one side. "You haven't been talking at all. But you did last night. Why is that?"
How do you answer this?
Task: Method
> Transform and talk. (It would allow you to explain your circumstances clearly, but even if you two are relatively isolated at the moment, it still feels risky...)
> Remain as you are. (This way feels safer, and you can try to pantomime or write on her back or something, but it could lead to misunderstandings…)
Task: Explanation
> Tell her everything. (About dying, the Stranger, Death, meeting her, the corrupted spirit, everything.)
> Tell her most of it. (Explain about how you came to be a magical girl, but maybe leave out that you're also working for the grim reaper on the side.)
> Tell her very little. (Just explain how things work with being a ghost, but don't get into personal details.)
[X] [Method] Transform and talk. (It would allow you to explain your circumstances clearly, but even if you two are relatively isolated at the moment, it still feels risky...)
[X] [Explanation] Tell her most of it. (Explain about how you came to be a magical girl, but maybe leave out that you're also working for the grim reaper on the side.)
Also, the update's title makes me think of this song. Which is also kind of tonally fitting with the update as a whole, so that's pretty cool:
