Renascence: A Homura Quest
- Thread starter Higure
- Start date
- Crossover Fantasy Mystery
The Director | Part 3
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
[X][Ice Cream] Agree.
[X][Other] Ask about the time you "met" before. Make sure she remembers it.
-[x] If she asks, our memory is simply spotty from not seeing her or anyone from that time for so long.
You make a show of thinking her offer over, then nod, forcing a small smile. Weiss, you are certain, will understand the message it carries.
Her smile turns genuine in return, and you know she has understood. Even though the two of you do not know each other well yet, and it is not clear whether you are on the same side, she offered you friendship. You are willing to see if that offer will work out, even though you don't have much reason to believe it will. You are giving her a chance, and she is genuinely happy to receive it.
With that measure out of the way, you turn to a more concerning topic, for you, "Do you remember the last time we met, Snow?"
She pauses, leaning her head back and pressing a finger to her chin thoughtfully, "The last time we met…hmm…"
She ponders for a moment, "Unless I'm forgetting, it must have been that meeting when we were…what, six? Your grandfather brought you in. It's pretty foggy, but I do remember seeing you there. You were pretty shy back then."
You nod, "I was. You were…"
You prod your faint recollections, looking for any clear memory of Weiss, in particular. It takes a while to dig up, but you find something eventually…
The room is bustling. The adults are all exchanging pleasantries, flattery, and veiled threats. It's not new to you, of course--your Grandfather has taken you to such occasions before, and has tried to teach you "the game," as he has calls it. He has assured you that you will need to understand all of it later in life--he has also made apparent how ridiculous he thinks the whole thing is, ranting about how an Akemi should need only the Art, and all this posturing for the sake of business is a waste of time."
This time, however, things are a bit different--there are many other children there. Most are around your age, although some are older; most are trying their very best to look and act like their parents. Looking at them, though, you can't help noticing how bad some of them are at it--maybe their parents didn't teach them well, or maybe they're just put together wrong, like those first few clocks you built.
You don't think you can fix people as easily, though. The doctors couldn't fix you, after all, and a broken heart isn't nearly as hard to fix as a broken brain, or so Grandfather says.
You hope you're wrong, but he's warned you that most people are broken, so you don't hope too much.
You see your father across the room. He's talking with another man, and you can tell he's winning. The other man's expression tells you he's scared, after all, and your father is good at "the game," at least.
He apparently feels his eyes on you, and turns to wave at you with a bright smile. You force one back in return, not wanting him to see your pity.
You've seen his clocks, after all. It's harder to fix a broken brain, than a broken heart.
You look away, searching for something, anything else.
You find a pair of pale-haired girls standing not too far from a white-haired man, whom you guess to be their father. He is arguing loudly with another man, whom you do not recognize. The younger one is hiding behind her sister, looking scared by shouting.
You walk up to them, not wanting her to be scared, and not wanting to be alone with your thoughts.
"H-hi. I'm Homura Akemi. Who are you?" You say in German, thanking your Grandfather silently for teaching you.
Your sudden arrival seems to distract the younger girl, while the older seems relieved, "Hello there. I am Winter Schnee. This is Weiss."
She gestures for her sister to step forward, but Weiss is hiding behind her, looking nervous.
You wave a little, more than a bit nervous yourself. You're not good with people; your Grandfather assures you will grow out of it, "after he moves on." You're not sure what that means, but you do want to stop being so scared. For now, though, all you can do is lower your hand and glance down at your feet, unsure how to handle her response; she was supposed to say hello too, and then you could make small talk, and maybe you could try to be friends if Grandfather thought her family was trustworthy. Her just hiding, though, is something Grandfather never taught you about.
You feel a large, familiar hand on your head, ruffling your hair slightly as your Grandfather appears at your side, speaking softly, "You have to be bold, Homura. Even if it's hard, you will be happier for it, and so will they. I can't imagine they've had a good time of it, with Nicholas gone."
You look from him to Winter, who seems a bit wary after his appearance, then take a deep breath and walk forward, focusing on Weiss, extending a hand, "…It's nice to meet you, Weiss. Maybe we can be friends?"
The girl at your hand, then to her sister, who hesitantly nods, and then back to your head. Tentatively, she takes it.
".…I-I'd really like that, Homura."
Your continuing unease at the existence of these memories aside, you find yourself saddened to recall that you'd never seen her again, after that day. Your Grandfather had apologized to you, when he told you that he hadn't been able to arrange a visit.
"You were even shyer than I was."
She blushes, looking away, "…I was just a kid, okay? Still…thanks, for back then. I didn't think anyone would…" She glances at Ruki, biting her lip, but perserveres, "I was really, really lonely, back then. Even if we didn't get to be friends, you helped me a lot."
It seems her memory matches your own, so those events must have been real in this loop, at the very least; it's either that, or your memory is being manipulated. You should probably look into it later, to confirm one way or the other.
Ruki, looking incredibly uncomfortable at this point, finally speaks up, "So…um…not quite sure what's happening, but does this mean we're on the same side, now? Rose seemed really uncomfortable."
Snow's smile dies a sudden death at those words, "…Rose got really hurt when she worked for the DoD, before. I've been trying to convince her that we've changed, and that I'm making things better, but she still insists I'm "one of the bad guys" now. It's…really complicated, and really isn't something I should be telling you about."
Ruki doesn't seem satisfied, but nods, "Fine. I'll ask her about it later, then."
Snow grimaces, "Alright. Just…try to be objective, when you do? We are not all bad people, and the one responsible is no longer a part of this."
Ruki shrugs in return.
Finally, when it becomes clear this isn't going anywhere good, you take the conversation back, "It's been good seeing you again, Snow. I'll be in touch."
She nods, smiling a bit in return, "I'll look forward to it. Have a good afternoon."
With that, you depart, Ruki in tow.
[CENTER OF THE MIND]
Calendar
What next?
[ ] Go Hunting
[ ] Go somewhere…
-[ ] Sayaka's Apartment
-[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's)
-[ ] Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[ ] Yuuko's Shop
-[ ] Write-In (Anywhere you please. See Map for some options.
[ ] Go Shopping
-[ ] What?
[ ] Steal Something
-[ ] What?
[ ] Train a Skill
-[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
-[ ] People you'd like help from.
-[ ] Location to train at.
-[ ] Time to spend.
[ ] Craft Something (Will lead to Crafting Vote)
-[ ] What?
[ ] Do something with Ruki
-[ ] Write-In
[ ] Write-In
[X][Other] Ask about the time you "met" before. Make sure she remembers it.
-[x] If she asks, our memory is simply spotty from not seeing her or anyone from that time for so long.
You make a show of thinking her offer over, then nod, forcing a small smile. Weiss, you are certain, will understand the message it carries.
Her smile turns genuine in return, and you know she has understood. Even though the two of you do not know each other well yet, and it is not clear whether you are on the same side, she offered you friendship. You are willing to see if that offer will work out, even though you don't have much reason to believe it will. You are giving her a chance, and she is genuinely happy to receive it.
With that measure out of the way, you turn to a more concerning topic, for you, "Do you remember the last time we met, Snow?"
She pauses, leaning her head back and pressing a finger to her chin thoughtfully, "The last time we met…hmm…"
She ponders for a moment, "Unless I'm forgetting, it must have been that meeting when we were…what, six? Your grandfather brought you in. It's pretty foggy, but I do remember seeing you there. You were pretty shy back then."
You nod, "I was. You were…"
You prod your faint recollections, looking for any clear memory of Weiss, in particular. It takes a while to dig up, but you find something eventually…
The room is bustling. The adults are all exchanging pleasantries, flattery, and veiled threats. It's not new to you, of course--your Grandfather has taken you to such occasions before, and has tried to teach you "the game," as he has calls it. He has assured you that you will need to understand all of it later in life--he has also made apparent how ridiculous he thinks the whole thing is, ranting about how an Akemi should need only the Art, and all this posturing for the sake of business is a waste of time."
This time, however, things are a bit different--there are many other children there. Most are around your age, although some are older; most are trying their very best to look and act like their parents. Looking at them, though, you can't help noticing how bad some of them are at it--maybe their parents didn't teach them well, or maybe they're just put together wrong, like those first few clocks you built.
You don't think you can fix people as easily, though. The doctors couldn't fix you, after all, and a broken heart isn't nearly as hard to fix as a broken brain, or so Grandfather says.
You hope you're wrong, but he's warned you that most people are broken, so you don't hope too much.
You see your father across the room. He's talking with another man, and you can tell he's winning. The other man's expression tells you he's scared, after all, and your father is good at "the game," at least.
He apparently feels his eyes on you, and turns to wave at you with a bright smile. You force one back in return, not wanting him to see your pity.
You've seen his clocks, after all. It's harder to fix a broken brain, than a broken heart.
You look away, searching for something, anything else.
You find a pair of pale-haired girls standing not too far from a white-haired man, whom you guess to be their father. He is arguing loudly with another man, whom you do not recognize. The younger one is hiding behind her sister, looking scared by shouting.
You walk up to them, not wanting her to be scared, and not wanting to be alone with your thoughts.
"H-hi. I'm Homura Akemi. Who are you?" You say in German, thanking your Grandfather silently for teaching you.
Your sudden arrival seems to distract the younger girl, while the older seems relieved, "Hello there. I am Winter Schnee. This is Weiss."
She gestures for her sister to step forward, but Weiss is hiding behind her, looking nervous.
You wave a little, more than a bit nervous yourself. You're not good with people; your Grandfather assures you will grow out of it, "after he moves on." You're not sure what that means, but you do want to stop being so scared. For now, though, all you can do is lower your hand and glance down at your feet, unsure how to handle her response; she was supposed to say hello too, and then you could make small talk, and maybe you could try to be friends if Grandfather thought her family was trustworthy. Her just hiding, though, is something Grandfather never taught you about.
You feel a large, familiar hand on your head, ruffling your hair slightly as your Grandfather appears at your side, speaking softly, "You have to be bold, Homura. Even if it's hard, you will be happier for it, and so will they. I can't imagine they've had a good time of it, with Nicholas gone."
You look from him to Winter, who seems a bit wary after his appearance, then take a deep breath and walk forward, focusing on Weiss, extending a hand, "…It's nice to meet you, Weiss. Maybe we can be friends?"
The girl at your hand, then to her sister, who hesitantly nods, and then back to your head. Tentatively, she takes it.
".…I-I'd really like that, Homura."
Your continuing unease at the existence of these memories aside, you find yourself saddened to recall that you'd never seen her again, after that day. Your Grandfather had apologized to you, when he told you that he hadn't been able to arrange a visit.
"You were even shyer than I was."
She blushes, looking away, "…I was just a kid, okay? Still…thanks, for back then. I didn't think anyone would…" She glances at Ruki, biting her lip, but perserveres, "I was really, really lonely, back then. Even if we didn't get to be friends, you helped me a lot."
It seems her memory matches your own, so those events must have been real in this loop, at the very least; it's either that, or your memory is being manipulated. You should probably look into it later, to confirm one way or the other.
Ruki, looking incredibly uncomfortable at this point, finally speaks up, "So…um…not quite sure what's happening, but does this mean we're on the same side, now? Rose seemed really uncomfortable."
Snow's smile dies a sudden death at those words, "…Rose got really hurt when she worked for the DoD, before. I've been trying to convince her that we've changed, and that I'm making things better, but she still insists I'm "one of the bad guys" now. It's…really complicated, and really isn't something I should be telling you about."
Ruki doesn't seem satisfied, but nods, "Fine. I'll ask her about it later, then."
Snow grimaces, "Alright. Just…try to be objective, when you do? We are not all bad people, and the one responsible is no longer a part of this."
Ruki shrugs in return.
Finally, when it becomes clear this isn't going anywhere good, you take the conversation back, "It's been good seeing you again, Snow. I'll be in touch."
She nods, smiling a bit in return, "I'll look forward to it. Have a good afternoon."
With that, you depart, Ruki in tow.
[CENTER OF THE MIND]
Calendar
-
- 1 Grief Seed of Sachiel (3 Charges)
-
31 Handguns [214 Clips]
21 Machine Guns [253 Clips]
5 Sniper Rifles [112 Clips]
2 Rocket Launchers [20 Rockets]
1 Mini-Gun [12000 Rounds]
16 Katana
30 Knives
12 Pipe Bombs
1 Umbrella
-
Grandfather's Pocket Watch
+1 Sanity/hour if kept close while sleeping.
Laptop
Contains various essential software and allows internet access. Contains nothing related to your life as a Magi.
Monthly Planner
Unlocks Calendar
Heart Scans
Homura receives a +5 Bonus to Medical Checks when treating her Heart Condition.
Kyouko and Mami's Cake
Gives Sanity when eaten. Gives more when eaten with friends.
High-Quality Sake
Payment for Yuuko's time.
Yuuko's Business Card
Gives instant access to Yuuko's shop.
-
-
Durability: 50
Special Abilties
Multiplies Speed and Strength by 10
-
-
-
Durability: 15
Special Abilities
Contains your Soul
-
-
-
Cost:
1 EE/Second; Rounded Up
10 Sanity/30 Minutes; Rounded Down; Totaled Daily
-
Negates a single attack entirely.
Cost
X EE
X is equal to the Power of the attack negated.
-
Fire an energy blast from your Shield.
Instant Attack
100% Accuracy
Undodgeable
100 Power
Low Damage
Cost
20 EE/Second; Rounded Up
Fairly easy to alter, with a little work.
-
Fire a sphere of crystallized magic from your Shield.
Charge Time: 3 Seconds
Fast Attack
100% Accuracy
1000 Power
Massive Damage
Cost
300 Grief
-
Adds to or alters the abilities of an object. Different effect have different costs, and must be discovered and studied in order to determine what works and what doesn't. As always, proximity to your natural magical talents lowers Cost and Difficulty.
The costs listed below are the costs to enchant a handheld item. Vehicles cost 5 times this amount to enchant, and larger objects (buildings, warships, etc.) cost 5 times as much as a vehicle (25x the listed cost). All Enchantment Costs are rounded up.
Automation: The object or device will act on its own according to your will. (Cost: 5 EE/Hour)
Increase Power (1 EE/Power point. Max 20.)
Increase Speed (10 EE to double speed. Max 4x Speed.)
Increase Durability (1 EE/Durability point. Max 20.)
Increase Damage (30 EE to increase Damage scale by 1 step. Max 1.)
Enhance Other Ability: Examples include allowing plane to fly freely in hurricane, improving the sight enhancement from glasses, and making medicine more effective. Extremely exotic effects may be achieved through study, experimentation, and practice.(Cost: Varies).
Grant Supernatural Ability: Allow an object to do something that it normally can't. The stronger the relationship between the object and the effect, the lower the Cost and Difficulty will be (Homing Bullets and Auto Reload are relatively cheap. A Homing Cello, on the other hand...)
Homing Projectiles (1 EE/Projectile)
Auto Reload (5 EE)
Flying Sword/Knife: 30 EE
Ego
Enchantment allows you to apply your full Ego score to attacks with enchanted mundane weapons, just as if they were created through magic.
Cost: 5 EE
-
Use Magic to distort the past slightly, averting a single disaster before it occurred. Very powerful, but has limits.
Cost
500 Sanity
500 EE
-
- Mobile Version
-
[CENTER OF THE MIND]
Time: 7:01:24 P.M.
Grief: 444/1000
Sanity: 354/1000
Stability Multiplier: 0.9
Calendar
Active Effects:
[Enchantment: Increase Heart Performance. Cost: 5 Grief/Hour]
Primary:
1 Grief Seed of Sachiel (3 Charges)
Books:
Medical:
Cardiology Texts [Amateur | Medical] [3/3]
+5 to Medical when Treating Heart Disease
Intro to Medicine [Amateur | Medical] [5/5]
Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED. 5th Ed. Jeff Rendall. [Amateur | Medical] [0/2]
Home Biochemistry, Book 1. 1st Ed. Takemi Tae. [Amateur | Medical] [0/5]
Home Biochemistry, Book 2. 1st Ed. Takemi Tae. [Skilled | Medical] [0/5]
Mechanical Expertise
Beginning Watchmaking [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/5]
The Glory of Clocks. 17th Ed. Helena Akemi. [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/17]
Historical Weapons Design. 3rd Ed. Vern Engers. [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/3]
Electronics Expertise
Beginning Programming. 2nd Ed. Jim Rivens. [Amateur | Electronics Expertise] [0/4]
Practical Electronics for the Home Inventor. 1st Edition. [Skilled | Electronics Expertise] [0/5]
Research
A Guide to Basic Research and Information Analysis. 1st Ed. Honya. [Amateur | Research] [0/7]
Other:
Untitled Book [???]
Arsenal
31 Handguns [214 Clips]
21 Machine Guns [253 Clips]
5 Sniper Rifles [112 Clips]
2 Rocket Launchers [20 Rockets]
1 Mini-Gun [12000 Rounds]
16 Katana
30 Knives
12 Pipe Bombs
1 Umbrella
Special
Grandfather's Pocket Watch
+1 Sanity/hour if kept close while sleeping.
Laptop
Contains various essential software and allows internet access. Contains nothing related to your life as a Magi.
Monthly Planner
Unlocks Calendar
Heart Scans
Homura receives a +5 Bonus to Medical Checks when treating her Heart Condition.
Kyouko and Mami's Cake
Gives Sanity when eaten. Gives more when eaten with friends.
High-Quality Sake
Payment for Yuuko's time.
Yuuko's Business Card
Gives instant access to Yuuko's shop.
Devices
Shield Clock (Quality: +19) (Enchanted)Time Stop:
Cost:
1 EE/Second; Rounded Up
10 Sanity/30 Minutes; Rounded Down; Totaled Daily
Shield of Protection:
Negates a single attack entirely.
Cost
X EE
X is equal to the Power of the attack negated.
Magic Blast:
Fire an energy blast from your Shield.
Instant Attack
100% Accuracy
100 Power
Low Damage
Cost
20 EE/Second; Rounded Up
Fairly easy to alter, with a little work.
Attimo Finale (Magic Blast Variant)
Fire a sphere of crystallized magic from your Shield.
Charge Time: 3 Seconds
Fast Attack
100% Accuracy
1000 Power
Massive Damage
Cost
300 Grief
Enchant:
Adds to or alters the abilities of an object. Different effect have different costs, and must be discovered and studied in order to determine what works and what doesn't. As always, proximity to your natural magical talents lowers Cost and Difficulty.
The costs listed below are the costs to enchant a handheld item. Vehicles cost 5 times this amount to enchant, and larger objects (buildings, warships, etc.) cost 5 times as much as a vehicle (25x the listed cost). All Enchantment Costs are rounded up.
Automation: The object or device will act on its own according to your will. (Cost: 5 EE/Hour)
Increase Power (1 EE/Power point. Max 20.)
Increase Speed (10 EE to double speed. Max 4x Speed.)
Increase Durability (1 EE/Durability point. Max 20.)
Increase Damage (30 EE to increase Damage scale by 1 step. Max 1.)
Enhance Other Ability: Examples include allowing plane to fly freely in hurricane, improving the sight enhancement from glasses, and making medicine more effective. Extremely exotic effects may be achieved through study, experimentation, and practice.(Cost: Varies).
Grant Supernatural Ability: Allow an object to do something that it normally can't. The stronger the relationship between the object and the effect, the lower the Cost and Difficulty will be (Homing Bullets and Auto Reload are relatively cheap. A Homing Cello, on the other hand...)
Homing Projectiles (1 EE/Projectile)
Auto Reload (5 EE)
Flying Knife/Sword (30 EE)
Ego
Enchantment allows you to apply your full Ego score to attacks with enchanted mundane weapons, just as if they were created through magic.
Cost: 5 EE
Bargaining:
Use Magic to distort the past slightly, averting a single disaster before it occurred. Very powerful, but has limits.
Cost
500 Sanity
500 EE
Weapons:
Durability: 300
Maximum Number: 1
Attack Types:
Slash: Effective Power = Power * 1.2, Standard Damage
Stab: Effective Power = Power * 1.5, Moderate decrease in Damage
Special Ability:
Progressive: If contact is maintained with the target, the attack's effective Power increases by 10 for each second of sustained contact, assuming pressure is maintained, to a maximum of +100 PowerDurability: Infinite
Maximum Number: 1
Special Abilities
Focus for Shield of Protection}
Focus for Time Stop
Required for Time Reversal
Armor:
Durability: 50
Special Abilities
Multiplies Speed and Strength by 10
Accessories:
Durability: 15
Special Abilities
Contains your Soul
What next?
[ ] Go Hunting
[ ] Go somewhere…
-[ ] Sayaka's Apartment
-[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's)
-[ ] Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[ ] Yuuko's Shop
-[ ] Write-In (Anywhere you please. See Map for some options.
[ ] Go Shopping
-[ ] What?
[ ] Steal Something
-[ ] What?
[ ] Train a Skill
-[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
-[ ] People you'd like help from.
-[ ] Location to train at.
-[ ] Time to spend.
[ ] Craft Something (Will lead to Crafting Vote)
-[ ] What?
[ ] Do something with Ruki
-[ ] Write-In
[ ] Write-In
Macros
omnisciently vague councilman
- Location
- Dirac Sea
Okay, so. What are our priorities right now?
I'm tempted to go hunting while we don't have anything too urgent to do, though we probably shouldn't go alone - witches are pretty dangerous in this timeline. Alternatively, we might want to be better prepared. I think our arsenal is at okay-ish level, but there's still that pesky heart condition building up grief. A day studying medicine and/or magical theory might be in order?
I'm tempted to go hunting while we don't have anything too urgent to do, though we probably shouldn't go alone - witches are pretty dangerous in this timeline. Alternatively, we might want to be better prepared. I think our arsenal is at okay-ish level, but there's still that pesky heart condition building up grief. A day studying medicine and/or magical theory might be in order?
Hyp3rB14d3
Gotta catch 'em all!
[x] Go somewhere…
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
Crow
Falling is a Pleasure. Regardless of its Fate
We was fixing Da ship.
Something that can wait a bit.
But hey I'm all for hammering Ruki with all the bs that goes in our life! Let's have her meet the White Devil!
[x] Go somewhere…
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
- Location
- Poland
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[x] Go somewhere…
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
AnonymousRabbit
Rabbit Faced
[x] Go somewhere…
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[x] Nanoha's Hotel Room
Taking Ruki to Nanoha's
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
The two of you leave the base, Ruki throwing a wistful look back at it as she goes.
"I'm not sure what to make of Snow--no offense, Senpai--but I'd like to get to know Rose better. Maybe her friends, too."
You nod quietly, reserving judgement. To you, it was almost the opposite; Snow's earnest, but failed efforts to play the role she is responsible for, and her clear struggle to balance that with her own desire for friendship, told you much about her. She is genuinely trying to help, she is isolated from the people she cares about, and she is willing to make sacrifices for what she believes is right. The fact that you, apparently, have some shared history with her does make you a bit less trusting of your own judgement, though.
The other three, in contrast, are concerning. You find yourself liking Freya, at least, but you can also tell she is firmly loyal to her group; she will not hesitate to become your enemy if she that's what she needs to do. At most, you think, she might not accept an assignment to eliminate you without clear justification. That would change if you joined them, you're certain, but you feel more comfortable simply trusting in her fear of Mami, instead.
Akane seems hostile towards you already. She hides it well behind professionalism, but she made mistakes during the conversation--opposing you on issues she should not have, using poor arguments. Considering her apparent competence, you can only assume her distaste for you made her overeager. You are not certain what kind of threat she represents, beyond the political, but you would feel more comfortable if you knew anything about her Magic.
Rose seemed harmless, at first, but her involvement with Snow raises questions. Whatever Rose was involved in previously aside, the reality is that you picked up on no signs of it; if Rose was "really hurt" in the past, and is still working indirectly for the group responsible, you'd have expected to be able to deduce that from her behavior--signs of trauma or clear hostility should have been noticeable. Instead, she successfully deceived you, hiding any such signs until the charade became impossible. Those are not the skills of a harmless person, although you do not currently believe her hostile.
Ruki apparently notices your silence, "You still don't like her?"
You shake your head, "I am not certain yet. I need to know more."
Your kouhai shrugs, "She seems safe to me. Whatever else is going on with her, I don't think Rose has any ill intentions towards us. Same with her friends--they're looking to be on good terms, so there's no reason to dislike them for now."
You disagree, wary of offering even that much trust to them, considering their established loyalties, "We will see. For now, there's someone I would like to introduce you to. I think you'll enjoy meeting her." You smirk a bit, glancing over at her as you imagine her expression upon meeting Nanoha, of all people, "She's a bit of a celebrity, after all."
Ruki raises an eyebrow, "I doubt I'll know any Magus celebrities. Is she an Idol or something?"
You just pat her on the head, finding yourself smiling a bit, "Follow me."
With those words, you immediately take to the rooftops, heading towards Nanoha's hotel. Ruki follows along, complaining, "Come on, Senpai! Who is it?"
You say nothing, and eventually she just follows sullenly.
Soon, you reach the hotel, and the two of you shed your regalia and head inside. Striding in, you head up to Nanoha's room and knock.
No one answers.
You knock again, louder this time.
Again, no one answers.
Ruki looks at you curiously, "…Is she not home?"
You probably should have contacted her first, you reflect, to avoid this. At the same time, though…this presents an opportunity. This door will be easy to open, and you are more than competent in hiding your tracks. You could easily slip inside, look around to see if you can learn anything useful, and slip out unnoticed.
"So…what're we going to do, then?"
You feel confident you can convince Ruki to go along with it, but you could also stop time, investigate, and return without Ruki noticing. You might benefit from her insight, and including her would probably make her more loyal to you, at the cost of requiring you to trust her to keep this secret.
Calendar
[ ] Investigate Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[ ] Bring Ruki
-[ ] Use Time Stop
-[ ] Write-In
[ ] Do something else with Ruki.
-[ ] Go Hunting (Teach Ruki)
-[ ] Go somewhere…
--[ ] Sayaka's Apartment
--[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
--[ ] Yuuko's Shop
--[ ] Write-In
-[ ] Go Shopping
--[ ] For What?
-[ ] Train Ruki in a Skill
--[ ] Skill
--[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
--[ ] Location to train at.
--[ ] Time to spend.
-[ ] Train Mechanics Expertise with Ruki
--[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
--[ ] Time to spend.
[ ] Part ways with Ruki.
-[ ] Take her home.
-[ ] Let her go home on her own.
"I'm not sure what to make of Snow--no offense, Senpai--but I'd like to get to know Rose better. Maybe her friends, too."
You nod quietly, reserving judgement. To you, it was almost the opposite; Snow's earnest, but failed efforts to play the role she is responsible for, and her clear struggle to balance that with her own desire for friendship, told you much about her. She is genuinely trying to help, she is isolated from the people she cares about, and she is willing to make sacrifices for what she believes is right. The fact that you, apparently, have some shared history with her does make you a bit less trusting of your own judgement, though.
The other three, in contrast, are concerning. You find yourself liking Freya, at least, but you can also tell she is firmly loyal to her group; she will not hesitate to become your enemy if she that's what she needs to do. At most, you think, she might not accept an assignment to eliminate you without clear justification. That would change if you joined them, you're certain, but you feel more comfortable simply trusting in her fear of Mami, instead.
Akane seems hostile towards you already. She hides it well behind professionalism, but she made mistakes during the conversation--opposing you on issues she should not have, using poor arguments. Considering her apparent competence, you can only assume her distaste for you made her overeager. You are not certain what kind of threat she represents, beyond the political, but you would feel more comfortable if you knew anything about her Magic.
Rose seemed harmless, at first, but her involvement with Snow raises questions. Whatever Rose was involved in previously aside, the reality is that you picked up on no signs of it; if Rose was "really hurt" in the past, and is still working indirectly for the group responsible, you'd have expected to be able to deduce that from her behavior--signs of trauma or clear hostility should have been noticeable. Instead, she successfully deceived you, hiding any such signs until the charade became impossible. Those are not the skills of a harmless person, although you do not currently believe her hostile.
Ruki apparently notices your silence, "You still don't like her?"
You shake your head, "I am not certain yet. I need to know more."
Your kouhai shrugs, "She seems safe to me. Whatever else is going on with her, I don't think Rose has any ill intentions towards us. Same with her friends--they're looking to be on good terms, so there's no reason to dislike them for now."
You disagree, wary of offering even that much trust to them, considering their established loyalties, "We will see. For now, there's someone I would like to introduce you to. I think you'll enjoy meeting her." You smirk a bit, glancing over at her as you imagine her expression upon meeting Nanoha, of all people, "She's a bit of a celebrity, after all."
Ruki raises an eyebrow, "I doubt I'll know any Magus celebrities. Is she an Idol or something?"
You just pat her on the head, finding yourself smiling a bit, "Follow me."
With those words, you immediately take to the rooftops, heading towards Nanoha's hotel. Ruki follows along, complaining, "Come on, Senpai! Who is it?"
You say nothing, and eventually she just follows sullenly.
Soon, you reach the hotel, and the two of you shed your regalia and head inside. Striding in, you head up to Nanoha's room and knock.
No one answers.
You knock again, louder this time.
Again, no one answers.
Ruki looks at you curiously, "…Is she not home?"
You probably should have contacted her first, you reflect, to avoid this. At the same time, though…this presents an opportunity. This door will be easy to open, and you are more than competent in hiding your tracks. You could easily slip inside, look around to see if you can learn anything useful, and slip out unnoticed.
"So…what're we going to do, then?"
You feel confident you can convince Ruki to go along with it, but you could also stop time, investigate, and return without Ruki noticing. You might benefit from her insight, and including her would probably make her more loyal to you, at the cost of requiring you to trust her to keep this secret.
[CENTER OF THE MIND]
Calendar
-
- 1 Grief Seed of Sachiel (3 Charges)
-
31 Handguns [214 Clips]
21 Machine Guns [253 Clips]
5 Sniper Rifles [112 Clips]
2 Rocket Launchers [20 Rockets]
1 Mini-Gun [12000 Rounds]
16 Katana
30 Knives
12 Pipe Bombs
1 Umbrella
-
Grandfather's Pocket Watch
+1 Sanity/hour if kept close while sleeping.
Laptop
Contains various essential software and allows internet access. Contains nothing related to your life as a Magi.
Monthly Planner
Unlocks Calendar
Heart Scans
Homura receives a +5 Bonus to Medical Checks when treating her Heart Condition.
Kyouko and Mami's Cake
Gives Sanity when eaten. Gives more when eaten with friends.
High-Quality Sake
Payment for Yuuko's time.
Yuuko's Business Card
Gives instant access to Yuuko's shop.
-
-
Durability: 50
Special Abilties
Multiplies Speed and Strength by 10
-
-
-
Durability: 15
Special Abilities
Contains your Soul
-
-
-
Cost:
1 EE/Second; Rounded Up
10 Sanity/30 Minutes; Rounded Down; Totaled Daily
-
Negates a single attack entirely.
Cost
X EE
X is equal to the Power of the attack negated.
-
Fire an energy blast from your Shield.
Instant Attack
100% Accuracy
Undodgeable
100 Power
Low Damage
Cost
20 EE/Second; Rounded Up
Fairly easy to alter, with a little work.
-
Fire a sphere of crystallized magic from your Shield.
Charge Time: 3 Seconds
Fast Attack
100% Accuracy
1000 Power
Massive Damage
Cost
300 Grief
-
Adds to or alters the abilities of an object. Different effect have different costs, and must be discovered and studied in order to determine what works and what doesn't. As always, proximity to your natural magical talents lowers Cost and Difficulty.
The costs listed below are the costs to enchant a handheld item. Vehicles cost 5 times this amount to enchant, and larger objects (buildings, warships, etc.) cost 5 times as much as a vehicle (25x the listed cost). All Enchantment Costs are rounded up.
Automation: The object or device will act on its own according to your will. (Cost: 5 EE/Hour)
Increase Power (1 EE/Power point. Max 20.)
Increase Speed (10 EE to double speed. Max 4x Speed.)
Increase Durability (1 EE/Durability point. Max 20.)
Increase Damage (30 EE to increase Damage scale by 1 step. Max 1.)
Enhance Other Ability: Examples include allowing plane to fly freely in hurricane, improving the sight enhancement from glasses, and making medicine more effective. Extremely exotic effects may be achieved through study, experimentation, and practice.(Cost: Varies).
Grant Supernatural Ability: Allow an object to do something that it normally can't. The stronger the relationship between the object and the effect, the lower the Cost and Difficulty will be (Homing Bullets and Auto Reload are relatively cheap. A Homing Cello, on the other hand...)
Homing Projectiles (1 EE/Projectile)
Auto Reload (5 EE)
Flying Sword/Knife: 30 EE
Ego
Enchantment allows you to apply your full Ego score to attacks with enchanted mundane weapons, just as if they were created through magic.
Cost: 5 EE
-
Use Magic to distort the past slightly, averting a single disaster before it occurred. Very powerful, but has limits.
Cost
500 Sanity
500 EE
-
- Mobile Version
-
[CENTER OF THE MIND]
Time: 7:17:44 P.M.
Grief: 444/1000
Sanity: 348/1000
Stability Multiplier: 0.9
Calendar
Active Effects:
[Enchantment: Increase Heart Performance. Cost: 5 Grief/Hour]
Primary:
1 Grief Seed of Sachiel (3 Charges)
Books:
Medical:
Cardiology Texts [Amateur | Medical] [3/3]
+5 to Medical when Treating Heart Disease
Intro to Medicine [Amateur | Medical] [5/5]
Standard First Aid, CPR, and AED. 5th Ed. Jeff Rendall. [Amateur | Medical] [0/2]
Home Biochemistry, Book 1. 1st Ed. Takemi Tae. [Amateur | Medical] [0/5]
Home Biochemistry, Book 2. 1st Ed. Takemi Tae. [Skilled | Medical] [0/5]
Mechanical Expertise
Beginning Watchmaking [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/5]
The Glory of Clocks. 17th Ed. Helena Akemi. [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/17]
Historical Weapons Design. 3rd Ed. Vern Engers. [Amateur | Mechanics Expertise] [0/3]
Electronics Expertise
Beginning Programming. 2nd Ed. Jim Rivens. [Amateur | Electronics Expertise] [0/4]
Practical Electronics for the Home Inventor. 1st Edition. [Skilled | Electronics Expertise] [0/5]
Research
A Guide to Basic Research and Information Analysis. 1st Ed. Honya. [Amateur | Research] [0/7]
Other:
Untitled Book [???]
Arsenal
31 Handguns [214 Clips]
21 Machine Guns [253 Clips]
5 Sniper Rifles [112 Clips]
2 Rocket Launchers [20 Rockets]
1 Mini-Gun [12000 Rounds]
16 Katana
30 Knives
12 Pipe Bombs
1 Umbrella
Special
Grandfather's Pocket Watch
+1 Sanity/hour if kept close while sleeping.
Laptop
Contains various essential software and allows internet access. Contains nothing related to your life as a Magi.
Monthly Planner
Unlocks Calendar
Heart Scans
Homura receives a +5 Bonus to Medical Checks when treating her Heart Condition.
Kyouko and Mami's Cake
Gives Sanity when eaten. Gives more when eaten with friends.
High-Quality Sake
Payment for Yuuko's time.
Yuuko's Business Card
Gives instant access to Yuuko's shop.
Devices
Shield Clock (Quality: +19) (Enchanted)Time Stop:
Cost:
1 EE/Second; Rounded Up
10 Sanity/30 Minutes; Rounded Down; Totaled Daily
Shield of Protection:
Negates a single attack entirely.
Cost
X EE
X is equal to the Power of the attack negated.
Magic Blast:
Fire an energy blast from your Shield.
Instant Attack
100% Accuracy
100 Power
Low Damage
Cost
20 EE/Second; Rounded Up
Fairly easy to alter, with a little work.
Attimo Finale (Magic Blast Variant)
Fire a sphere of crystallized magic from your Shield.
Charge Time: 3 Seconds
Fast Attack
100% Accuracy
1000 Power
Massive Damage
Cost
300 Grief
Enchant:
Adds to or alters the abilities of an object. Different effect have different costs, and must be discovered and studied in order to determine what works and what doesn't. As always, proximity to your natural magical talents lowers Cost and Difficulty.
The costs listed below are the costs to enchant a handheld item. Vehicles cost 5 times this amount to enchant, and larger objects (buildings, warships, etc.) cost 5 times as much as a vehicle (25x the listed cost). All Enchantment Costs are rounded up.
Automation: The object or device will act on its own according to your will. (Cost: 5 EE/Hour)
Increase Power (1 EE/Power point. Max 20.)
Increase Speed (10 EE to double speed. Max 4x Speed.)
Increase Durability (1 EE/Durability point. Max 20.)
Increase Damage (30 EE to increase Damage scale by 1 step. Max 1.)
Enhance Other Ability: Examples include allowing plane to fly freely in hurricane, improving the sight enhancement from glasses, and making medicine more effective. Extremely exotic effects may be achieved through study, experimentation, and practice.(Cost: Varies).
Grant Supernatural Ability: Allow an object to do something that it normally can't. The stronger the relationship between the object and the effect, the lower the Cost and Difficulty will be (Homing Bullets and Auto Reload are relatively cheap. A Homing Cello, on the other hand...)
Homing Projectiles (1 EE/Projectile)
Auto Reload (5 EE)
Flying Knife/Sword (30 EE)
Ego
Enchantment allows you to apply your full Ego score to attacks with enchanted mundane weapons, just as if they were created through magic.
Cost: 5 EE
Bargaining:
Use Magic to distort the past slightly, averting a single disaster before it occurred. Very powerful, but has limits.
Cost
500 Sanity
500 EE
Weapons:
Durability: 300
Maximum Number: 1
Attack Types:
Slash: Effective Power = Power * 1.2, Standard Damage
Stab: Effective Power = Power * 1.5, Moderate decrease in Damage
Special Ability:
Progressive: If contact is maintained with the target, the attack's effective Power increases by 10 for each second of sustained contact, assuming pressure is maintained, to a maximum of +100 PowerDurability: Infinite
Maximum Number: 1
Special Abilities
Focus for Shield of Protection}
Focus for Time Stop
Required for Time Reversal
Armor:
Durability: 50
Special Abilities
Multiplies Speed and Strength by 10
Accessories:
Durability: 15
Special Abilities
Contains your Soul
[ ] Investigate Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[ ] Bring Ruki
-[ ] Use Time Stop
-[ ] Write-In
[ ] Do something else with Ruki.
-[ ] Go Hunting (Teach Ruki)
-[ ] Go somewhere…
--[ ] Sayaka's Apartment
--[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
--[ ] Yuuko's Shop
--[ ] Write-In
-[ ] Go Shopping
--[ ] For What?
-[ ] Train Ruki in a Skill
--[ ] Skill
--[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
--[ ] Location to train at.
--[ ] Time to spend.
-[ ] Train Mechanics Expertise with Ruki
--[ ] Resources you'd like to use.
--[ ] Time to spend.
[ ] Part ways with Ruki.
-[ ] Take her home.
-[ ] Let her go home on her own.
Last edited:
Missing a threadmark.
get to know Rose
[X] Investigate Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Check the hotel room first. There's always a risk that something happened to Nanoha without us realizing. And I really don't think there's much to discover in a hotel room. Nanoha didn't bring anything with her when she got sucked into this universe, so it's likely just daily living stuff she's had to put together.
And of course obviously the best way to get someone to show up is to snoop in their room.
Aside from that, taking Ruki to meet Mami is a good idea. Technically she's in Mami's territory, so might as well get that over with. And it's a decent excuse to check in on Mami, and spend time with Kyouko.
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Check the hotel room first. There's always a risk that something happened to Nanoha without us realizing. And I really don't think there's much to discover in a hotel room. Nanoha didn't bring anything with her when she got sucked into this universe, so it's likely just daily living stuff she's had to put together.
And of course obviously the best way to get someone to show up is to snoop in their room.
Aside from that, taking Ruki to meet Mami is a good idea. Technically she's in Mami's territory, so might as well get that over with. And it's a decent excuse to check in on Mami, and spend time with Kyouko.
- Location
- Philippines
[X] Investigate Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
- Location
- The Beach
[X] Investigate Nanoha's Hotel Room
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Uhh, what are the odds she's just out getting food versus actually in trouble?
I kinda hope she does end up showing up when we are snooping around, Homura being awkward is great.
-[X] Bring Ruki
-[X] Expect Nanoha to show up while you're snooping.
[X] Do something else with Ruki.
-[X] Go somewhere…
--[X] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Uhh, what are the odds she's just out getting food versus actually in trouble?
I kinda hope she does end up showing up when we are snooping around, Homura being awkward is great.
Breaking and Entering at Nanoha's
Higure
Witch of Faith
- Location
- The Golden Land
"Let's just check inside, before we leave. She wasn't in the best shape, before."
Ruki stares at you for a moment, as if trying to solve a puzzle, "…You want to see if she's okay, but you also want to spy on her."
You glance at her, not bothering to compose an expression. She should be able to figure it out, if she's guessed that much already.
"You snuck into Yamato and spied on me from the doorway, and you're not exactly the honest and direct type, going by what we saw back at the base."
You nod, satisfied with her reasoning, "Good. That kind of analysis will keep you safe as a Magical Girl. Do you know why, though?"
She purses her lips, thinking for a minute, "…You said she wasn't in the best shape, so your last meeting ended badly. You would want to make sure she's okay, but that's what you were implying already. What you weren't implying was…" She trails off, pausing again briefly, "You also want to see if there's any sign that she's going to act against you." She frowns, "So…um…look, sorry Senpai, but I need to ask. Why are you like this? You seem to actually care, and you're nice when you want to be, and you're helping me out for no real reason, but you're also…you're also the kind of person who breaks into someone's room to look and see if they're going to--" She cuts off, eyes widening a bit, "You aren't supposed to be like this, are you?"
You honestly don't understand what she's suggesting. This is simply the kind of person you are. The kind of person you need to be, to achieve your goal. You find yourself staring at her, turning her words over in your head a few times, trying to understand them. How dare she suggest there's something wrong with you?! You're exactly what they need, and that's exactly who you want to be.
She squeaks, looking away, apparently taking your confusion as anger, "Um…I mean…sorry, I wasn't…I just…" She takes a deep breath and meets your eyes, "You're a really kind person, Senpai. You decided to teach me as soon as we met. You agreed to give Snow a chance, even though she was rude and tried to deceive you. You intimidated the PMC girls, but you clearly were willing to help them from the start, if they were in trouble. You brought me here to introduce me to someone--to help me, and maybe to help her too, if she wasn't doing well."
You regard her silently, not sure where she's going with this, "…but you're also trying to control everyone, distrust them, and are willing to spy on them to make sure they do what you want them to. It's like you're trying to be the exact opposite of what comes naturally to you."
'That's what I have to be! No matter what I do, they always fail if I trust them to do it right. This is a deathtrap for all of them, and I'm the only one who can keep them alive! Stop arguing with me, Ruki!'
Her words hurt--they are nothing in comparison to the other things you've been through, but you can still recognize feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
She breaks eye contact, looking frightened, and you push those feelings down, not wanting to hurt your rookie. Instead, you just answer her quickly, "Sometimes what's natural isn't what's best. Being kind isn't going to keep you alive."
Ruki nods furtively, "…If you say so. Sorry, Senpai."
You ruffle her hair, drawing a huff from her, and unlock the door with a twist of Magic.
"We're coming in!"
When Ruki's call doesn't elicit a response, the two of you step inside and begin searching for any sign of Nanoha, or what she was doing.
Detective Work [DC 40/60/80]
DC 80 < 86. Check Succeeded.
The room is mostly as you left it, save the absence of Nanoha. The bed has been made, but shows signs of use since you were gone (some stray hairs on the pillow and an untucked sheet); she must have laid down for a while, at least.
Having found nothing of use there, you glance over at the door, half-expecting Nanoha to walk in and catch you, only to be relieved by her continued absence.
You turn your attention to her desk--there's nothing there, but a hotel-standard notepad and phone. You recall reading online once that many hotels had tried switching to modern touchscreen interfaces, only to receive poor feedback in response. You aren't entirely sure why, although you can't deny there's a certain appeal to the physicality of the traditional options.
Running your fingers over the notepad and feeling clear impressions on it, presumably from someone writing on a torn-out sheet, you're thankful for that sentimentality, as you grab the pencil Nanoha would have used before and take a rubbing of the notebook, revealing the words left behind--a collection of numbers and dates from several years ago that don't mean all that much to you, followed by a familiar address, underlined.
The address of the Sakura Family Church.
You rip the page off and tuck it in your shield for the moment, glancing around for Ruki, who is emerging from the bathroom, looking nervous, "Umm…there's a towel in the laundry basket, so she took a shower. The bathroom mirror's cracked, too, and there's some blood, so she might have punched it or something. Maybe take a look? I'm not really very good a this."
You're already moving by the time she mentions blood, and quickly make your way into the restroom, looking the mirror over. Cracked was an understatement--the mirrored glass and the touch screen layered atop it are both shattered thoroughly, massive cracks radiating out from a central, blood-marked impact point. The wall behind that spot sports minor cracks as well.
Fortunately, it's about the right size for a fist--there's no chance Nanoha could have been seriously injured by this.
Looking around, you see that the tiles beneath your feet are slightly cracked as well, but no other signs of violence. It was probably just a momentary loss of temper, but you suppose it could have been part of an ambush, if one of the combatants was taken out almost immediately.
"S-should we be worried? What should we do, Senpai?"
[ ] Write-In
[ ] Do something else with Ruki.
-[ ] Go somewhere…
--[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Ruki stares at you for a moment, as if trying to solve a puzzle, "…You want to see if she's okay, but you also want to spy on her."
You glance at her, not bothering to compose an expression. She should be able to figure it out, if she's guessed that much already.
"You snuck into Yamato and spied on me from the doorway, and you're not exactly the honest and direct type, going by what we saw back at the base."
You nod, satisfied with her reasoning, "Good. That kind of analysis will keep you safe as a Magical Girl. Do you know why, though?"
She purses her lips, thinking for a minute, "…You said she wasn't in the best shape, so your last meeting ended badly. You would want to make sure she's okay, but that's what you were implying already. What you weren't implying was…" She trails off, pausing again briefly, "You also want to see if there's any sign that she's going to act against you." She frowns, "So…um…look, sorry Senpai, but I need to ask. Why are you like this? You seem to actually care, and you're nice when you want to be, and you're helping me out for no real reason, but you're also…you're also the kind of person who breaks into someone's room to look and see if they're going to--" She cuts off, eyes widening a bit, "You aren't supposed to be like this, are you?"
You honestly don't understand what she's suggesting. This is simply the kind of person you are. The kind of person you need to be, to achieve your goal. You find yourself staring at her, turning her words over in your head a few times, trying to understand them. How dare she suggest there's something wrong with you?! You're exactly what they need, and that's exactly who you want to be.
She squeaks, looking away, apparently taking your confusion as anger, "Um…I mean…sorry, I wasn't…I just…" She takes a deep breath and meets your eyes, "You're a really kind person, Senpai. You decided to teach me as soon as we met. You agreed to give Snow a chance, even though she was rude and tried to deceive you. You intimidated the PMC girls, but you clearly were willing to help them from the start, if they were in trouble. You brought me here to introduce me to someone--to help me, and maybe to help her too, if she wasn't doing well."
You regard her silently, not sure where she's going with this, "…but you're also trying to control everyone, distrust them, and are willing to spy on them to make sure they do what you want them to. It's like you're trying to be the exact opposite of what comes naturally to you."
'That's what I have to be! No matter what I do, they always fail if I trust them to do it right. This is a deathtrap for all of them, and I'm the only one who can keep them alive! Stop arguing with me, Ruki!'
Her words hurt--they are nothing in comparison to the other things you've been through, but you can still recognize feelings of betrayal and disappointment.
She breaks eye contact, looking frightened, and you push those feelings down, not wanting to hurt your rookie. Instead, you just answer her quickly, "Sometimes what's natural isn't what's best. Being kind isn't going to keep you alive."
Ruki nods furtively, "…If you say so. Sorry, Senpai."
You ruffle her hair, drawing a huff from her, and unlock the door with a twist of Magic.
"We're coming in!"
When Ruki's call doesn't elicit a response, the two of you step inside and begin searching for any sign of Nanoha, or what she was doing.
Detective Work [DC 40/60/80]
DC 80 < 86. Check Succeeded.
The room is mostly as you left it, save the absence of Nanoha. The bed has been made, but shows signs of use since you were gone (some stray hairs on the pillow and an untucked sheet); she must have laid down for a while, at least.
Having found nothing of use there, you glance over at the door, half-expecting Nanoha to walk in and catch you, only to be relieved by her continued absence.
You turn your attention to her desk--there's nothing there, but a hotel-standard notepad and phone. You recall reading online once that many hotels had tried switching to modern touchscreen interfaces, only to receive poor feedback in response. You aren't entirely sure why, although you can't deny there's a certain appeal to the physicality of the traditional options.
Running your fingers over the notepad and feeling clear impressions on it, presumably from someone writing on a torn-out sheet, you're thankful for that sentimentality, as you grab the pencil Nanoha would have used before and take a rubbing of the notebook, revealing the words left behind--a collection of numbers and dates from several years ago that don't mean all that much to you, followed by a familiar address, underlined.
The address of the Sakura Family Church.
You rip the page off and tuck it in your shield for the moment, glancing around for Ruki, who is emerging from the bathroom, looking nervous, "Umm…there's a towel in the laundry basket, so she took a shower. The bathroom mirror's cracked, too, and there's some blood, so she might have punched it or something. Maybe take a look? I'm not really very good a this."
You're already moving by the time she mentions blood, and quickly make your way into the restroom, looking the mirror over. Cracked was an understatement--the mirrored glass and the touch screen layered atop it are both shattered thoroughly, massive cracks radiating out from a central, blood-marked impact point. The wall behind that spot sports minor cracks as well.
Fortunately, it's about the right size for a fist--there's no chance Nanoha could have been seriously injured by this.
Looking around, you see that the tiles beneath your feet are slightly cracked as well, but no other signs of violence. It was probably just a momentary loss of temper, but you suppose it could have been part of an ambush, if one of the combatants was taken out almost immediately.
"S-should we be worried? What should we do, Senpai?"
[ ] Write-In
[ ] Do something else with Ruki.
-[ ] Go somewhere…
--[ ] Your Apartment (Mami and Kyouko's Home)
Last edited:
- Location
- The Beach
Hmm, send a message to Kyouko to keep an eye out? Sounds like Nanoha's not exactly in a great head space. It is like 7:30 pm though, I don't think we even ate dinner yet since we came to the Docks around 3 pm.
Ruki is great, I'm glad she picked up that somethings up with Homura. She's a pretty hard girl to get a read on.
Ruki is great, I'm glad she picked up that somethings up with Homura. She's a pretty hard girl to get a read on.
- Location
- Philippines
How about finding Nanoha to see if she's alright?
Don't know about asking how much kyubey knows about Nanoha.
Then there's still Kayaba's plot to deal with.
Don't know about asking how much kyubey knows about Nanoha.
Then there's still Kayaba's plot to deal with.
Script Mak3r
(Verified Sun God) (Verified Feathers)
- Location
- Hell of Blazing Fires
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Hyp3rB14d3
Gotta catch 'em all!
[x] Seems like Nanoha was investigating Kyouko. Time for a visit to her old church.
-[x] Take Ruki with you.
-[x] Take Ruki with you.
Hyp3rB14d3
Gotta catch 'em all!
Kyouko met Nanoha and told her to her face that she wasn't Nanoha, but someone who brainwashed herself into thinking she was Nanoha.