That makes it a good idea
That's QM confirmation that it's a good plan! :V Yui's wish magic is awesome, there's so many bad plans we can enact with it.

[X] Follow Kyoufu from a distance, try to communicate with her without getting fearblasted
-[X] Ask her about herself, about her unfamiliars, about what her plan is and what happens if they're destroyed. Maybe she'll monologue at us!
 
Okay, votes are closed, time to start writing.
Adhoc vote count started by Echo on Jul 22, 2019 at 9:25 PM, finished with 77 posts and 24 votes.

  • [X] Follow Kyoufu from a distance, try to communicate with her without getting fearblasted
    -[X] Ask her about herself, about her unfamiliars, about what her plan is and what happens if they're destroyed. Maybe she'll monologue at us!
    [X] Split up for now
    - [X] Have Maiko...
    -- [X] Go home and start working on an anti-emotion-magic-stuff-thingie
    - [X] Have Yui...
    -- [X] Go meet up with Minami and Yumi. You can't do much else on this issue for tonight, might as well go meet the new kids
    [x] Head back to where the three unfamiliars were
    - [x] Destroy them, then run for it if your magic sense spots Kyoufu or anything like her approaching.
    [X] Follow Kyoufu from a distance, try to communicate with her without getting fearblasted
    -[X] Ask her about herself, about her unfamiliars, about what her plan is and what happens if they're destroyed.
    [x] Brainmail Kyubey on the QB network to see if they're ok.
    [X] Follow Kyoufu from a distance, try to communicate with her without getting fearblasted
    -[X] Ask her about herself, about her unfamiliars, about what her plan is and what happens if they're destroyed. Maybe she'll monologue at us!
    [x] Brainmail Kyubey on the QB network to see if they're ok.
 
Blah. Sorry guys, not gonna finish the update tonight and I've got stuff to do tomorrow. I'll get it posted when I can.
 
Bleh. Had a rough time in another quest, and my thought train reminded me that i love your style of Qm, @Echo. Wouldn't have had a problem if you were the guy running that one.

So that led me here, where things have gone silent again. Only been a week? Feels longer.

Anyways, from my experience people bugging you about stuff actually tends to help you find motivation to write. Feel free to let me know differently, if not. Not sure if real life will cooperate with me here, but I feel no shame in the following:

Waaaaaah! :cry: Where quest?! Come back and feed my addiction! Or at least let me us know how things are going? You uh... You still have a home right?
 
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Yeah, I'm still here. IRL continues to be not great, but I'm managing! Mostly. Managing-ish. Just... haven't been able to sit down and properly write for a while. Currently hoping I can make that happen today or tomorrow, but we'll see how it goes...
 
Don't hold back, team! Grab that broken magical tether and rewire it directly into Yui's soul, thereby probably declaring ourselves the new empress of the unwitches
I like this plan! And how it continues the theme of our recruitment strategy overall being pointing at a thing and going "mine!"

Besides it's not like the target on Yui's back can get any bigger right?
 
So... bad news I guess. Some of the money I expected to have available hasn't come through yet, then another sudden and unexpected expense hit last week, so... yeah, I'm basically homeless now. And, as of tonight, car problems on top of that. At this point I'm... yeah. I don't know.

I feel absolutely terrible because you guys were already amazingly more generous than I ever expected but at this point even that isn't enough.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Needless to say I, uh, can't really promise when updates will occur again.

Sorry.

I'm officially no longer in financial trouble at this point so I'mma hide the original post in a spoiler to avoid scaring future readers. :V
 
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So... bad news I guess. Some of the money I expected to have available hasn't come through yet, then another sudden and unexpected expense hit last week, so... yeah, I'm basically homeless now. And, as of tonight, car problems on top of that. At this point I'm... yeah. I don't know.

I feel absolutely terrible because you guys were already amazingly more generous than I ever expected but at this point even that isn't enough.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Needless to say I, uh, can't really promise when updates will occur again.

Sorry.
Ah. Damn.

Alright forget the story for a bit, but maybe drop a post now and then letting us know how you're doing? It'd make me feel better, and me feeling better is what's important here right? :V

No but really at the bare minimum I wanna make sure you don't starve. I can't help you with your bigger problems but I can toss lunch money at you, if it comes down to that. Maybe via pm? Idk. Just trying to be there for you in what little way I can.
 
So... bad news I guess. Some of the money I expected to have available hasn't come through yet, then another sudden and unexpected expense hit last week, so... yeah, I'm basically homeless now. And, as of tonight, car problems on top of that. At this point I'm... yeah. I don't know.

I feel absolutely terrible because you guys were already amazingly more generous than I ever expected but at this point even that isn't enough.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Needless to say I, uh, can't really promise when updates will occur again.

Sorry.
First off, and I think every participant in this quest (and lurker) will agree that your own well-being comes first, and we don't expect anything else. We definitely appreciate the heads-up, but I think I speak for all of us when I say that we care far more about you. We'd certainly appreciate future updates about your situation--not as any kind of ETA on the quest being updated, but because we're concerned about your well-being and want to know if things get better or worse.

And, well, I don't know how much help/comfort it will be, but I can at least say that if you ever feel down about yourself, know that you are an infinitely better person than the President of the United States. You've brought happiness, enjoyment, and good memories to a whole bunch of people. We wish you the best, and we'll be here, rooting for you.
 
Ah. Damn.

Alright forget the story for a bit, but maybe drop a post now and then letting us know how you're doing? It'd make me feel better, and me feeling better is what's important here right? :V

No but really at the bare minimum I wanna make sure you don't starve. I can't help you with your bigger problems but I can toss lunch money at you, if it comes down to that. Maybe via pm? Idk. Just trying to be there for you in what little way I can.

I do at least have enough money for food for a while, it's just... everything else I can't afford. I mean, every little bit helps while I figure out how to get back on my feet, but I'm probably not going to starve. I guess if it ever does get that bad I'll be sure to PM you at some point before I start gnawing my arm off or anything like that?

Though I guess it also depends on how bad the car problems turn out to be. If it's cheap enough that I can just barely afford it that might get awkward. Have to see how it goes, I guess.

In any case, internet access will probably be somewhat intermittent at least in the short term, but I'll try and check in when I can and let you guys know if and when my situation changes. Hopefully for the better.

You've brought happiness, enjoyment, and good memories to a whole bunch of people. We wish you the best, and we'll be here, rooting for you.

Thanks. I really do appreciate that.

Honestly, I'm still kinda floored by the donations I got when I first asked--both the number of individuals and the amounts that a few people sent. As someone with little to no writing experience prior to starting this quest I'm still kinda perpetually stunned by how much people have enjoyed my work.

I've had some rough spots IRL over the past few years and if I seem overly focused on whether or not I'll be able to update, it's not just out of some sense of obligation--when I've actually been able to work on it, writing PMIM and the feedback I've gotten from it has been a major bright spot in my own life.
 
Okay, so. First of all, sorry about the delayed update. IRL stuff has been pretty bad for me and I just couldn't manage to get much writing to happen.

Second... I kinda hate having to do this, but just so you all know I'm in a really bad situation financially right now. As in "not sure I'll be able to make rent, and even if I can not having anything left for food" kind of situation. Like I said, IRL problems. I've never been comfortable with the whole "soliciting donations for fanfic" thing but under the circumstances I'm willing to see it as "soliciting donations for a person who just happens to write fanfic to get through the month". Not quite as catchy, I guess, but eh.

I don't have a Patreon or anything since I'm not intending this to be a long-term thing, just a PayPal link. Anything you folks can offer would be deeply, profoundly appreciated. I'm also willing to do stories/art as informal commissions in exchange for donations, assuming it's reasonably within my abilities.
Are you still able to do commissions? I'd happily chip in for a haremy sketch of Yui's happy poleaxed teapot impression, not yet having noticed that the arm she's cuddling is Naoko's improved version of the Fake Hand Prank.
 
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Are you still able to do commissions? I'd happily chip in for a haremy sketch of Yui's happy poleaxed teapot impression, not yet having noticed that the arm she's cuddling is Naoko's improved version of the Fake Hand Prank.

Art commissions are... probably not viable for now, unfortunately. I don't have anywhere to set up my desktop and last time I tried, my drawing tablet didn't want to work properly with the laptop I'm currently using for internet. :(
 
Art commissions are... probably not viable for now, unfortunately. I don't have anywhere to set up my desktop and last time I tried, my drawing tablet didn't want to work properly with the laptop I'm currently using for internet. :(
Not gonna lie, I'd pay for that scene to be written, too. They're very funny characters, and their interplay, skipping anything like 'time spent on character and relationship development' would likely be hilarious.
 
Not gonna lie, I'd pay for that scene to be written, too. They're very funny characters, and their interplay, skipping anything like 'time spent on character and relationship development' would likely be hilarious.

Writing commissions are still valid! I'll do pretty much anything as a semi- or non-canon omake for PMIM, canon backstory omakes for some PMIM characters, short fanfic one-shots for anything I'm familiar enough with to actually write, etc. I'm also willing to entertain requests or suggestions for things to include in PMIM proper outside the context of what gets voted on, but obviously that's contingent on both whether it's something I think will fit the story and on me being able to update at all.

So far, of the surprisingly large number of people who sent me money earlier only one has actually requested anything commission-y, and in fact a large majority of people didn't even identify themselves by username...
 
So... bad news I guess. Some of the money I expected to have available hasn't come through yet, then another sudden and unexpected expense hit last week, so... yeah, I'm basically homeless now. And, as of tonight, car problems on top of that. At this point I'm... yeah. I don't know.

I feel absolutely terrible because you guys were already amazingly more generous than I ever expected but at this point even that isn't enough.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

Needless to say I, uh, can't really promise when updates will occur again.

Sorry.
Do what you gotta do, and dont worry about us. You're wellbeing is more important than any story.

I would love some periodic updates on how your doing since im worried, but you have no obligation to do so
 
As someone with little to no writing experience prior to starting this quest I'm still kinda perpetually stunned by how much people have enjoyed my work.

And I'm similarly stunned by how good this quest is and how amazing your writing is as a whole. :D Like seriously, the quality of this quest was insane from the start, and as someone who is trying to become a better writer you've been an inspiration to me.

Everyone has already said everything I've wanted to say, but really please take care of yourself and I hope things get better soon. I'd also appreciate updates on how you're doing, but please don't feel any pressure to do so.
 
My condolences @Echo . Your writing has been spectacular, and I'm glad you shared it with SV while you could. Take as long as you need to get back on your feet, and feel free to reach out to the SV community for support. I'm sure many of use would be willing to pay for writing or art commissions from you.
 
So, it looks like the car problems were nowhere near as bad as I'd feared. Between that and a few more wonderful people sending me money, it... looks like I should be okay for the immediate future. Long enough to get back on my feet one way or another, at least.

That said, internet access is still going to depend on me finding places to hang around with free wifi and I'll be busy dealing with the obvious issues so it's probably for the best to not try and keep PMIM running for now. If I find I have the time and inspiration to write I may post some omakes or something, but otherwise things will stay on hiatus.
 
So, it looks like the car problems were nowhere near as bad as I'd feared. Between that and a few more wonderful people sending me money, it... looks like I should be okay for the immediate future. Long enough to get back on my feet one way or another, at least.

That said, internet access is still going to depend on me finding places to hang around with free wifi and I'll be busy dealing with the obvious issues so it's probably for the best to not try and keep PMIM running for now. If I find I have the time and inspiration to write I may post some omakes or something, but otherwise things will stay on hiatus.

I will love it when the story comes back because it's a good story but mostly as a sign that your situation has stabilized.

Likewise you come first. I'll be glad to see the omakes - because it means you're okay.

Take care of yourself Echo - that's all we ask.
 
In fact, because I'm feeling pretty good right now on account of the whole "situation not, in fact, immediately catastrophic" thing, here's a Fun Extra Bonus of Bonus Fun: The wishes made by various minor characters, without names or full context attached. Mysterious! The characters involved range from "tangentially related character only mentioned OOC" to "backstory character mentioned in passing" to "well-liked supporting character".
  • "I won't... can't let them struggle alone. I wish for the strength to stand tall, to support and inspire those who look up to me."
  • "It's too lonely, like this. I just want to see the world outside these walls one more time. I don't know if it's possible, but... I wish I could travel the world, and meet all the dear friends whose faces I've never seen."
  • "I-I don't care! I don't want to die. I... I wish for anything, it doesn't even matter, just please don't let me fall!"
  • "I'm tired of always feeling trapped, suffocated. I wish I could just be free, to live my life at my own pace in my own way."
  • "I wish for respect and authority in my own right. I am not my father's pawn."
  • "I... I'm so t-tired of always hiding, always being afraid. I wish I c-could always express myself clearly, w-without fear or hesitation. P-please."
  • "I wish my best friend would be safe, that the people who hurt her could never reach her again."
  • "It hurts. Can you make me better? I... I'll wish for that, if I can."
  • "I wish I could leave, get away from them... from everyone... forever. I'll never go back."
  • "You don't understand, do you? You don't care. You never did... ha. Fine. If that's how it is... then I wish to destroy you, Incubator, and tear down everything you've ever built. Now grant my wish, and suffer."
I wonder how many of these people can figure out...?

EDIT: I will say this much, none of these are recent contractees or Nagamioka natives. Most are from Tokyo, and... hm, I think two of them have never been named or even referred to indirectly in an actual update.
 
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"I wish for respect and authority in my own right. I am not my father's pawn."
Croquet!
"I wish I could leave, get away from them... from everyone... forever. I'll never go back."
Chou?
"I wish my best friend would be safe, that the people who hurt her could never reach her again."
Less useless married lesbian!
"I-I don't care! I don't want to die. I... I wish for anything, it doesn't even matter, just please don't let me fall!"
Fuuka?
"It hurts. Can you make me better? I... I'll wish for that, if I can."
Poor little Kamen...
"You don't understand, do you? You don't care. You never did... ha. Fine. If that's how it is... then I wish to destroy you, Incubator, and tear down everything you've ever built. Now grant my wish, and suffer.
Predecessor-chan?
 
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