Turn 6
SillyLittleCoffe
Magical Girl Enthusiast
Present Zaiyu has become future Zaiyu and now the problems you put off for later are once again squarely in your lap. You resent the passage of time deeply. But there's only so much you can do about it as you are now. When you reach your teacher's level, you can experiment with tying the space-time continuum into knots. Until then, you are bound by its tyranny.
Which is to say, it's time to get up and make your report.
You check on Sasori—still sleeping! How cute—and then drag yourself to Shayin's rooms. Again. This is beginning to form a pattern and you don't like it.
Shayin clearly feels the same, because you can feel him banging his head against the wall for several seconds before he lets you in.
The lights are, for once, on and he's seated at his floating desk rather than curled up in bed in the dark. He must be having a relatively good pain day again. What a pity you're about to ruin that for him.
"What is it now," he growls.
"So I checked on the local hospital again and found some weird stuff," you say brightly. "And by weird, I mean. Impossible."
He squeezes his eyes shut and pinches the bridge of his nose. His braid isn't terribly mobile, but it still does a good job of lashing with annoyance. "What did you find this time? Another signature of Mithos hiding in the human genome?"
"Funny you should say that! That might actually be better than what I spotted."
You tell him about Kaoru Onodera, the completely ordinary regular human boy currently in the early stages of what you have tentatively dubbed 'Estilization.' Shayin looks at you in complete silence as you talk. Even his thoughts are utterly still. He's never shielded from you this well before.
You would be a little concerned about why this topic spurred such efforts from him, but. It's completely impossible. It wouldn't surprise you if he's just trying to hide the panicked internal screeching.
"How?" he asks finally, once you're done.
"I got nothing." You shrug. "I can keep him on observation for you?"
You were going to do that anyway, but still.
Shayin falls silent again. Then he rises from his seat with slow, deliberate movements.
"That may no longer suffice. The situation has already spiralled out of control. It's fortunate that these complications arose before the invasion plan entered its later stages, but..." He sets his jaw, eyes flashing. "Relying on you alone to navigate the unsteady currents we've found ourselves in is no longer ideal. Zaiyu. Take me to your research subject."
Shayin wants to go to Earth already? To visit Kaoru?
Well. You didn't see that one coming.
It's a beautiful day on the moon base and you are a terrible alien.
BASE ACTION. Pick 1:
[ ] SPEND TIME WITH RINS
Rins doesn't have much to do right now and they seem a little aimless. Check on what they're up to. There's a chance they have some insight into one of the many issues you're juggling right now.
[ ] SCHEME WITH SHAYIN
So, mana eaters are still a thing. They may no longer be dangerous… or they be more dangerous than ever. Either way, Shayin wants to know more, and so do you. Shayin heavily suggests you take time for this. Soon.
[ ] FIND AND OBSERVE MITL
You don't know where Mitl is or what he's doing. This worries you. Take some time out of your busy day to figure out where he is and what he's up to. Also, you need to chew him out for violating orders during the nine-month trip here.
[ ] GET SASORI SETTLED IN
You have a new familiar! Sasori is moved in, but you can still do a lot more to help him get settled in the moon base. And, more importantly, in your life.
GENERAL ACTION. PICK 2:
[ ] BACK TO SCHOOL
Roughly a week ago, you visited Sakuragaoka High School as Yuu Seiki and didn't quite get a tour. However, Kaoru said he'd give you a tour if you came back in a week. Kaoru's hospitalization delayed that slightly, but you can follow up on that now and finally explore the human education institute. You will go as Yuu Seiki.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SEARCH THE ALLEYS
Where there's one monster, there may be another. Sasori was lost in the city for several hours before he found his way to the hospital. Search for any more monsters in the area, mana eaters or otherwise.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SASORI FOLLOW-UP
Sasori appears to have either hatched or regained awareness in a lab. Now that he's had some time to rest, you can try to find that lab with him.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SAKURAZUKA THOUGH
The traces of Estil magic were found in a Sakurazuka building, so it's time to look into the Sakurazuka family. You'll find answers at the source of the problem. Hunt down the Sakurazuka family's base of operations and start snooping around.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: FIND KYOKO
Okay, this isn't really espionage per se, but you had a very exciting day with Kyoko and you're worried about her. Go find her and make sure she's doing okay after her first real fight. Even if that means some uncomfortable questions might be raised. You will go as Kai Tendou.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: HOSPITAL GIRL NUMBER 2
You found some suspicious information about a girl who looks like both Sasori and Tomoe Sakurazuka. A girl who was hospitalized recently for serious injuries and came out of a coma with far less baggage than she should have. Who is Shiori Tachibana and what is her deal? If you go as Kai Tendou, you can probably bring in Kyoko and/or Kaoru.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: HOSPITAL BOY
So Ren Hayasaka is apparently some kind of medical miracle and his laser-focused stare reminds you of yourself. Between that and Kaoru's advancing condition, you're inclined to suspect something screwy might be going on. Look into it. If you go as Kai Tendou, you can probably bring in Kaoru.
[ ] EVERYTHING'S POLITICAL
You said you'd at least look into human politics for Rins. You've brushed up a little on that, but not nearly as much as you should. Go visit a human library for more info.
[ ] WRITE-IN
DISGUISE CHOICE. Pick 1:
[ ] Go As Yuu Seiki
[ ] Go as Kai Tendo
[ ] Make Another Disguise
RESEARCH ACTION. Pick 1:
[X] CRYSTAL FOCUS: Carefully transform the arm into living crystal. Will take approximately forever and may never regain full range of motion. Approximately 5 turns remaining. Locked.
[X] KAORU, WHAT THE HELL
You have no idea how this happened, but Kaoru is slowly turning into an Estil. Both you and Shayin are in agreement: you need to figure out how this happened, how it's going, and what to do about it, fast.
[ ] HIT THE BOOKS
You brought a lot of information with you, go over the stuff about humans to ensure it's fresh in your mind. It would suck if you went down there and made a mistake. Also, you should probably start working on researching human politics sooner rather than later. The faster you have a report ready, the faster you can chuck it at Rins' head.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – CREATION
You should definitely do some preparation before you go down there. In fact, you should have a monster ready to go before you ever touch the earth. They tell you there's such a thing as being over-prepared, but you don't believe it. Time to make a monster—a subtle monster, or at least one that doesn't scream 'alien invaders.' Keeping it on the moon base may annoy your teammates, but that's a price you're willing to make them pay.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – ANALYSIS
So you finally have a monster to work with. But you didn't create Sasori, which means you don't understand what he's truly capable of—especially since he's apparently linked to the mana eaters, the most nightmarish creation of your entire species. Time to do some very targeted research on and very careful experimentation with Sasori.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – UNLEASH
You have a monster. You have an assignment. Time to cause trouble with Sasori and/or Tsubasa.
[ ] OLD HISTORY – MANA EATERS
So you have a mana eater contracted to you. Now what? Do some research on the (very classified) records you have access to learn more about mana eaters. What sort of abilities might Sasori have access to? Are there any health issues to look out for?
[ ] CHARM THEM ALL
Charms are a great way for you to stash away spells in case of emergency, which is great because you can only hold so many spells at once. You have rebuilt your usual charm stockpile, but you could definitely have more charms. Especially now that there are magical humans running around in exosuits and the mana eaters may still be active.
[ ] WRITE-IN
Another turn, another Machinations roll.
Which is to say, it's time to get up and make your report.
You check on Sasori—still sleeping! How cute—and then drag yourself to Shayin's rooms. Again. This is beginning to form a pattern and you don't like it.
Shayin clearly feels the same, because you can feel him banging his head against the wall for several seconds before he lets you in.
The lights are, for once, on and he's seated at his floating desk rather than curled up in bed in the dark. He must be having a relatively good pain day again. What a pity you're about to ruin that for him.
"What is it now," he growls.
"So I checked on the local hospital again and found some weird stuff," you say brightly. "And by weird, I mean. Impossible."
He squeezes his eyes shut and pinches the bridge of his nose. His braid isn't terribly mobile, but it still does a good job of lashing with annoyance. "What did you find this time? Another signature of Mithos hiding in the human genome?"
"Funny you should say that! That might actually be better than what I spotted."
You tell him about Kaoru Onodera, the completely ordinary regular human boy currently in the early stages of what you have tentatively dubbed 'Estilization.' Shayin looks at you in complete silence as you talk. Even his thoughts are utterly still. He's never shielded from you this well before.
You would be a little concerned about why this topic spurred such efforts from him, but. It's completely impossible. It wouldn't surprise you if he's just trying to hide the panicked internal screeching.
"How?" he asks finally, once you're done.
"I got nothing." You shrug. "I can keep him on observation for you?"
You were going to do that anyway, but still.
Shayin falls silent again. Then he rises from his seat with slow, deliberate movements.
"That may no longer suffice. The situation has already spiralled out of control. It's fortunate that these complications arose before the invasion plan entered its later stages, but..." He sets his jaw, eyes flashing. "Relying on you alone to navigate the unsteady currents we've found ourselves in is no longer ideal. Zaiyu. Take me to your research subject."
Shayin wants to go to Earth already? To visit Kaoru?
Well. You didn't see that one coming.
It's a beautiful day on the moon base and you are a terrible alien.
BASE ACTION. Pick 1:
[ ] SPEND TIME WITH RINS
Rins doesn't have much to do right now and they seem a little aimless. Check on what they're up to. There's a chance they have some insight into one of the many issues you're juggling right now.
[ ] SCHEME WITH SHAYIN
So, mana eaters are still a thing. They may no longer be dangerous… or they be more dangerous than ever. Either way, Shayin wants to know more, and so do you. Shayin heavily suggests you take time for this. Soon.
[ ] FIND AND OBSERVE MITL
You don't know where Mitl is or what he's doing. This worries you. Take some time out of your busy day to figure out where he is and what he's up to. Also, you need to chew him out for violating orders during the nine-month trip here.
[ ] GET SASORI SETTLED IN
You have a new familiar! Sasori is moved in, but you can still do a lot more to help him get settled in the moon base. And, more importantly, in your life.
GENERAL ACTION. PICK 2:
[ ] BACK TO SCHOOL
Roughly a week ago, you visited Sakuragaoka High School as Yuu Seiki and didn't quite get a tour. However, Kaoru said he'd give you a tour if you came back in a week. Kaoru's hospitalization delayed that slightly, but you can follow up on that now and finally explore the human education institute. You will go as Yuu Seiki.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SEARCH THE ALLEYS
Where there's one monster, there may be another. Sasori was lost in the city for several hours before he found his way to the hospital. Search for any more monsters in the area, mana eaters or otherwise.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SASORI FOLLOW-UP
Sasori appears to have either hatched or regained awareness in a lab. Now that he's had some time to rest, you can try to find that lab with him.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: SAKURAZUKA THOUGH
The traces of Estil magic were found in a Sakurazuka building, so it's time to look into the Sakurazuka family. You'll find answers at the source of the problem. Hunt down the Sakurazuka family's base of operations and start snooping around.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: FIND KYOKO
Okay, this isn't really espionage per se, but you had a very exciting day with Kyoko and you're worried about her. Go find her and make sure she's doing okay after her first real fight. Even if that means some uncomfortable questions might be raised. You will go as Kai Tendou.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: HOSPITAL GIRL NUMBER 2
You found some suspicious information about a girl who looks like both Sasori and Tomoe Sakurazuka. A girl who was hospitalized recently for serious injuries and came out of a coma with far less baggage than she should have. Who is Shiori Tachibana and what is her deal? If you go as Kai Tendou, you can probably bring in Kyoko and/or Kaoru.
[ ] TARGETED ESPIONAGE: HOSPITAL BOY
So Ren Hayasaka is apparently some kind of medical miracle and his laser-focused stare reminds you of yourself. Between that and Kaoru's advancing condition, you're inclined to suspect something screwy might be going on. Look into it. If you go as Kai Tendou, you can probably bring in Kaoru.
[ ] EVERYTHING'S POLITICAL
You said you'd at least look into human politics for Rins. You've brushed up a little on that, but not nearly as much as you should. Go visit a human library for more info.
[ ] WRITE-IN
DISGUISE CHOICE. Pick 1:
[ ] Go As Yuu Seiki
[ ] Go as Kai Tendo
[ ] Make Another Disguise
RESEARCH ACTION. Pick 1:
[X] CRYSTAL FOCUS: Carefully transform the arm into living crystal. Will take approximately forever and may never regain full range of motion. Approximately 5 turns remaining. Locked.
[X] KAORU, WHAT THE HELL
You have no idea how this happened, but Kaoru is slowly turning into an Estil. Both you and Shayin are in agreement: you need to figure out how this happened, how it's going, and what to do about it, fast.
[ ] HIT THE BOOKS
You brought a lot of information with you, go over the stuff about humans to ensure it's fresh in your mind. It would suck if you went down there and made a mistake. Also, you should probably start working on researching human politics sooner rather than later. The faster you have a report ready, the faster you can chuck it at Rins' head.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – CREATION
You should definitely do some preparation before you go down there. In fact, you should have a monster ready to go before you ever touch the earth. They tell you there's such a thing as being over-prepared, but you don't believe it. Time to make a monster—a subtle monster, or at least one that doesn't scream 'alien invaders.' Keeping it on the moon base may annoy your teammates, but that's a price you're willing to make them pay.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – ANALYSIS
So you finally have a monster to work with. But you didn't create Sasori, which means you don't understand what he's truly capable of—especially since he's apparently linked to the mana eaters, the most nightmarish creation of your entire species. Time to do some very targeted research on and very careful experimentation with Sasori.
[ ] MONSTER MAYHEM – UNLEASH
You have a monster. You have an assignment. Time to cause trouble with Sasori and/or Tsubasa.
[ ] OLD HISTORY – MANA EATERS
So you have a mana eater contracted to you. Now what? Do some research on the (very classified) records you have access to learn more about mana eaters. What sort of abilities might Sasori have access to? Are there any health issues to look out for?
[ ] CHARM THEM ALL
Charms are a great way for you to stash away spells in case of emergency, which is great because you can only hold so many spells at once. You have rebuilt your usual charm stockpile, but you could definitely have more charms. Especially now that there are magical humans running around in exosuits and the mana eaters may still be active.
[ ] WRITE-IN
Another turn, another Machinations roll.
