Given that she seemed satisfied when we revealed that the University Group had been forced to seek outside help, and were desperate enough to organize the attack on her, I can't imagine her not being fully aware of the position she put them in.
Yes, but the point is forcing her to openly admitthat. And if she denies it, we can call her out on it. Either way, she's guilty of some very serious bullshit, and the idea is to logically corner her into being forced to admit to her wrongdoing or making said wrongdoing blatantly clear to everyone else present (notably, Rin, Sakura, Mami, Kirika, etc).
Sabrina: "Hey guys, look! I'm like a right-side-up Walpurgisnacht!"
Homura: *frowns in disapproval*
Oriko: *sighs resignedly*
Kyouko: "Holy shit. You could be scary as fuck if you wanted to be, couldn't you? Guess I never realized how disarming that goofy personality of yours is."
Mami: *facepalms* "Oh, Sabrina..."
Kirika: "Heh, you do look like that! Ooh, but you're forgetting the gears and stuff! There---yeah! Awesome!"
Oriko: *sighs again*
Sabrina: "I wonder if I can make the weird familiars to go with it, too?"
Homura: "Please don't."
Oriko: "She will. You can't stop her once she's set her mind to something. Even Kyouko's pleas will--"
Kyouko: "Oh, fuck no! Sabrina, seriously?!"
Oriko: "--go unheeded. I have foreseen it. Unfortunately."
Homura: "And the one girl who has the powers to stop this madness happens to be the one girl who finds it amusing."
Kirika: "Yeah, now we just need some grief-skyscraper chunks and we're set!"
Oriko: *buries her face in her hands*
Kirika and Sabrina being best friends is one of my proudest achievements in life. It almost makes me want to pull Sabrina into Confractum to make some of these omakes canon.
But then I remember we can just do it in this quest.
"Hm," you say to Akiko. "We're not starting to negotiate quite so soon. Give us a few minutes." You pause. "And really. You've been... shall we say, harsh on these girls. Frankly, your presence might very well... impede any possibility of a reasonable discussion, so I'm going to ask them if they're comfortable with talking to you, or someone else from your group. It's their call."
A moment of silence from Akiko, which you take to nod at Chouko. "Does that cafe have outside tables? I don't think Hamasaki's group wants to let Rin out of their sight."
"Umm..." Chouko thinks about it, before Rei pipes up, her voice voice clear and ringing like the bell she's named after. "Yeah, it does."
"That sounds perfect, then," you say, smiling lightly. Continued sullen silence, telepathically - is Akiko still there? You glance over at the rooftop where the Sendai girls are. Were, as it turns out. They're no longer there.
"Akiko?" you ask telepathically, looking around cautiously. They're not in your senses, but with Sakura's teleport...
"Very well," the water controller finally says. A light touch on your elbow - Mami, pointing at a different roof, a different vantage point, and this time, only two of them. Without the sun at their backs, you recognize one with Akiko's distinct figure, and the other one in a tightly wound, wire-taut posture that is Sakura.
"Thanks," you murmur back to her, frowning at the two Sendai girls. Well, they're still... yes, they're still out of your sensing range.
Well.
"Shall we go, then?" you gesture.
"Yes," Chouko says, walking in the opposite direction of your gesture. "Um... it's this way."
"Hey, Mami," you link up Rin, Mami and yourself as you follow Chouko off the edge of the roof. Yuko sticks close to Rin, keeping an eye on the healer.
"Yes?" Mami replies, looking inquisitively at you.
"Can you repair Rin's glasses?" you ask.
"Oh, um," the healer interrupts. "I... don't actually need the glasses. They're for show; Akiko said they'd help me project a more... professional image. And Saku- Um. Yes."
"Oh," Mami says. "I could, though...?"
"No, that's alright, thank you," Rin says uncomfortably as you follow Chouko down into an alleyway. "They're really just for show."
Light blazes as Chouko untransforms, leaving her in a demure, dark grey hoodie and skirt combination. You follow suit, several novas of light glowing and dying in a few seconds, wondering for a moment whether anyone might see you from outside the alley. Then again, no one has, so far.
Briefly, your mind flicks to Kyuubey. Probably busy covering up that big fight in Ishinomaki. And the fight here.
You frown, looking at the drifting planetoids of Grief around you, and send the majority up to the roof, where they'll be safely out of sight from non-puella magi. You keep some with you, though, one sphere collapsing into marbles which you slip into your bag and getting a few uncomfortable looks from the University girls.
The group of you -eight teenaged girls, yourself almost half a head taller than everyone else- walking out of the alley probably look quite the sight as you merge into the evening crowds. You get more than a few odd looks, but no one comments as Chouko leads you to the cafe, her long, pale blue braid bobbing behind her as she threads the crowd against the flow.
The owner, an elderly lady, looks up from her newspaper when you arrive, and smiles vaguely before waving forward a cheerful looking man who looks like he might be her son. You're forced to drag three tables together to accomodate eight people, and finally, you drop into one of the chairs, Mami and Kirika sitting on your left and right, Rin one seat further along. The rest of the University girls array themselves in the seats, uncomfortable looks passing between them.
"What would you like?" the waiter asks, looking around at the ecletic assortment of girls.
"Just tea, for me," you say, raising a finger. You're not terribly hungry yet, anyway. Orders go around the table, some ordering cakes as well as drinks. Mami follows your example, simply ordering tea, while Kirika asks for a small dessert cake.
"Alright, so," you say, drawing everyone's attention. "We're not starting any negotiations or anything yet. We'll take a few minutes to unwind, OK? Just... I think we all need to relax."
Slow nods answer you.
The Suzuki sisters, sitting next to each other, both slump tiredly in their chairs. Their eyes flutter closed. Yuko sighs and rubs at her eye wearily, the other still staying on you and Rin, while Chouko looks at you. "So, um," she asks. "You're from Mitakihara?" She immediately cringes, looking like she wishes she could take those words back.
"Yep," you confirm. "Mami, Kirika, and I."
"Oh," Chouko says. "That's... good," she finishes, and winces again.
You roll your eyes. "We don't bite, you know."
"We don't?" Kirika asks, pouting exaggeratedly in disappointment.
Chouko barks out a startled laugh, and then immediately claps her hand over her mouth. "Um, sorry." Mami giggles demurely, similarly bringing her hand to her mouth, while the girl with white hair -Haru, Rei's sister- cracks one eye open to look at the commotion.
"No, Kirika, we really don't," you say. To Chouko, you say, "Actually, may I ask a question?"
"Um," Chouko says. "OK?"
"Right, so," you glance over at the Suzuki sisters, indicating Haru, with her pure white hair. "Plants, and-" you indicate Rei, with her pale green hair, "paper?"
Haru rolls her visible eye, and then closes it.
"... yes," Chouko sighs. "Yes, that's right. Everybody asks that the first time, too."
"... huh," you say.
"Mmmhm," Chouko agrees.
"But-"
"We know," Rei and Haru chorus in unison, without even opening their eyes.
Chouko shrugs at you. "Magic."
"Magic," you grunt in agreement. "Ah, thank you." The waiter sets out your orders, before retreating inside the shop, leaving you to your food and discussions. The University girls perk up, digging into their cakes, as does Kirika.
"So..." you start, stirring your tea. "More seriously... what's your story?" You sip at the tea, and grimace - tea bags, it tastes like.
"Ah, well..." Chouko looks down at her plate, turning her fork over and over. "There's not much to tell. We made our contracts. We... we met Hamasaki, and she... imposed her tax."
The blue haired girl sighs, and seems to realize that she's been playing with the fork. She puts it down firmly, and presses her hands flat against the table. "After a while, Fukui... couldn't take it any more. She left." Chouko looks up, and smiles weakly. "We still keep in touch... she's with the Tome group. I was thinking of... asking her for help, actually."
Yuko harrumphs quietly, just enough to draw a look from Chouko.
[] Press about Chika (the girl who died)
[] Proceed with asking about Akiko
[] Negotiations
- [] Points, tone
[] Write-in
=====
Holding this in abeyance, as needed.
-[x] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table, and whether they rather she be there or not. Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
-[x] If Sakura is allowed to join the discussion, keep her at least one seat away from Rin, with Kirika in between them. We'd rather not have to interrupt her teleport.
So everything is going along smoothly so far. I guess:
edit: outdated [x] Press about Chika (the girl who died)
[x] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table, and whether they rather she be there or not. Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
[x] If Sakura is allowed to join the discussion, keep her at least one seat away from Rin, with Kirika in between them. We'd rather not have to interrupt her teleport.
[x] Negotiations
- [x] Points - What does the UG want in exchance for Rin's freedom? , tone - calm (I admit I can't seem to come up with anything good for negotiation points)
Also is this a thing that we can ask? I never read the story and don't know the extent of Oriko's powers.
[] Telepath to Oriko "Can you check to see if any reinforcements/2+ magical girls are going towards our location?"
I am probably being paranoid here, but if one of the groups secretly asked for help, it would turn out bad for the negotiations.
[] Press about Chika (the girl who died)
[] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table, and whether they rather she be there or not. Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
[] If Sakura is allowed to join the discussion, keep her at least one seat away from Rin, with Kirika in between them. We'd rather not have to interrupt her teleport.
[] Negotiations
- [] Points - What does the UG want in exchance for Rin's freedom?
Should we ask that they don't call for help? Just as when they got help from Ishinomaki, Akiko got help from Fukushima; if they call in Tome, Akiko will call in some other group, and she's got the favors to spare.
Of course, it may be better to not mention this at all, since if things go right, we'll be stopping the conflict ourselves.
Oriko's sleeping off a migraine right now, due to overusing her power for us. We likely don't want to push her right now.
EDIT:
"Oh, um," the healer interrupts. "I... don't actually need the glasses. They're for show; Akiko said they'd help me project a more... professional image. And Saku- Um. Yes."
"Very well," the water controller finally says. A light touch on your elbow - Mami, pointing at a different roof, a different vantage point, and this time, only two of them. Without the sun at their backs, you recognize one with Akiko's distinct figure, and the other one in a tightly wound, wire-taut posture that is Sakura.
Just do clarify, do we think this was the overblown medical tax we've already seen, or a "license to operate" fee? Cuz one of those is considerably more... mafia-ish than the other, and she didn't mention needing healing unless I've forgotten something.
While I can see why @moonstne made his vote and where he is coming from, I feel that further discussion is more important at this time rather than switching directly to difficult topics and negotiations. We can get them to drop information for free if we can get them talking about something that's got them pissed off. Going to blatantly steal Silver's question about the tax in order to get a possible opening for ranting about what Akiko's actually done.
[x] ....Just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical she has, or a "license to operate" fee? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
[x] What else has Hamasaki done?
[x] If an awkward silence descends at some point during the conversation:
-[x] What about you personal lives? Family, friends, significant others?
-[x] I never actually found out, do you guys go to the local university or something? Is that why you're the "University Group"?
-[x] Hobbies/Interests?
-[x] Any ambitions?
[x] ....Just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fees she has, or a "license to operate" fee? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
[x] What else has Hamasaki done?
[x] Press about Chika (the girl who died)
[x] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table, and whether they rather she be there or not. Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
[x] If Sakura is allowed to join the discussion, keep her at least one seat away from Rin, with Kirika in between them. We'd rather not have to interrupt her teleport.
[x] Negotiations
- [x] Points - What does the UG want in exchange for Rin's freedom?
I'd like to actually get to the negotiations soon.
I still think it's too early. We don't even really know what their grievances are. It's not wise to start negotiations in the middle of an update. I think we should wait until after the next update. No rush, Sakura's not going to come gank us.
...well she might, but we have the Nuclear Option for that. Anyway, re-frankening the frankenvote.
[x] ....Just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fees she has, or a "license to operate" fee? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
[x] What else has Hamasaki done?
[x] Inquire about Chika (the girl who died)
[x] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table. In addition, would they be willing to discuss things with other members of Hamasaki's group there? Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
Just do clarify, do we think this was the overblown medical tax we've already seen, or a "license to operate" fee? Cuz one of those is considerably more... mafia-ish than the other, and she didn't mention needing healing unless I've forgotten something.
"It's not a turf war," Yuuki corrects. "Or... I guess it is for the University group. Like, the Sendai girls? They're don't exactly go easy on them," Yuuki says. "They're... 'allowed' to exist in Sendai, right?" The girl's tone makes it very clear precisely what she means. "For a 'rental fee', the way I hear it. So the University Group have been trying to get out from under them for a while." Lightly armoured shoulders rise and fall in a shrug. "So they look for help, and got it."
"Ah, well..." Chouko looks down at her plate, turning her fork over and over. "There's not much to tell. We made our contracts. We... we met Hamasaki, and she... imposed her tax."
[] Imposed her tax... Just like that? She simply went up to you and exhorted you? I doubt you'd just take that. Did she threaten you? implicitly or explicitly? She simply showed up with superior numbers and took what she wanted? Did she offer anything in return? Was it the right to live or some crap like that?
"After a while, Fukui... couldn't take it any more. She left."
So is this Akiko's goal? She wants you all out of Sendai? What did it take for Fukui to leave? Was she wore down by Akiko's... Policies, or was there a breaking point, too?
"We still keep in touch... she's with the Tome group. I was thinking of... asking her for help, actually."
Please don't. Let me try to stop this whole conflict first, and yes that includes Akiko's "tax". It's best if neither group escalates anymore; Akiko's got plenty of favors to call, so she'll match you girl for girl.
[] Imposed her tax... Just like that? She simply went up to you and exhorted you? I doubt you'd just take that. Did she threaten you? implicitly or explicitly? She simply showed up with superior numbers and took what she wanted? Did she offer anything in return? Was it the right to live or some crap like that?
So is this Akiko's goal? She wants you all out of Sendai? What did it take for Fukui to leave? Was she wore down by Akiko's... Policies, or was there a breaking point, too?
Please don't. Let me try to stop this whole conflict first, and yes that includes Akiko's "tax". It's best if neither group escalates anymore; Akiko's got plenty of favors to call, so she'll match you girl for girl.
[x] Please don't ask for help yet. Let me try to stop this whole conflict first, and yes that includes Akiko's "tax". It's best if neither group escalates anymore; Akiko's got plenty of favors to call, so she'll match you girl for girl.
[x]....So just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fee she has going, or is this... something else? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
[x] How exactly did she impose her "tax"? It's... well, you don't expect people to play along quietly with such things.
[x] Does Hamasaki just want you all out of Sendai? What did it take for Fukui to leave? Was she wore down by Akiko's... Policies, or was there a breaking point, too?
[x] What else has Hamasaki done?
[x] Inquire about Chika (the girl who died)
[x] Once that's done, ask if they would be able to talk their minds with Akiko at the table. In addition, would they be willing to discuss things with other members of Hamasaki's group there? Mind that any agreements will hold more weight if it's done in person and not through an intermediate.
Keeping for posterity.
... So just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fees she has, or a "license to operate" fee? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other. ....So just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fee she has going, or is this... something else?Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
And she imposed her "tax"... Just like that? She simply went up to you and exhorted you? I doubt you'd just take that. Did she threaten you? implicitly or explicitly? She simply showed up with superior numbers and took what she wanted? Did she offer anything in return? Was it the right to live or some crap like that? How exactly did she impose her "tax"? It's... well, you don't expect people to play along quietly with such things.
Question, do we have to ask about the exact circumstances surrounding Chika's death? It feels alot like we are treading into uncomfortable topics and possibly straying a little close to the witch bomb for basically no good reason. For the purposes of the negotiation, the fact that Chika died, and that her death was caused, either directly or indirectly, by Akiko's grief seed tax, in more than enough. Prying any further about her does nothing except to satisfy our curiosity.
Question, do we have to ask about the exact circumstances surrounding Chika's death? It feels alot like we are treading into uncomfortable topics and possibly straying a little close to the witch bomb for basically no good reason. For the purposes of the negotiation, the fact that Chika died, and that her death was caused, either directly or indirectly, by Akiko's grief seed tax, in more than enough. Prying any further about her does nothing except to satisfy our curiosity.
Question, do we have to ask about the exact circumstances surrounding Chika's death? It feels alot like we are treading into uncomfortable topics and possibly straying a little close to the witch bomb for basically no good reason. For the purposes of the negotiation, the fact that Chika died, and that her death was caused, either directly or indirectly, by Akiko's grief seed tax, in more than enough. Prying any further about her does nothing except to satisfy our curiosity.
1.It's unlikely to be the Witchbomb and we will have plenty of opportunities to steer clear if it is.
2. The exact circumstances around this are directly relevant to improving things- can't fix the situation without knowing what the situation actually is.
3.Given 1 and 2, we have no reason not to ask. Narrative time means that even if it was just our curiosity, it does no harm.
[x] ... So just to clarify, is this "tax" the overblown medical fees she has, or a "license to operate" fee? Because one of those is considerably more... yakuza-ish than the other.
A) we do?
B) there's no need to hide what we know, especially since we got it by talking to the Ishinomaki group rather than by asking Oriko. If we need more information, we can ask something general like "Can you describe in detail how this 'tax' works"
A) we do?
B) there's no need to hide what we know, especially since we got it by talking to the Ishinomaki group rather than by asking Oriko. If we need more information, we can ask something general like "Can you describe in detail how this 'tax' works"
There is. If we tell them what we think we know, they may just go along with that and not clarify our misconceptions. We want the story how they see it, and we want for Rin to listen to it, too.
