The Perfectly Normal High School: A Slice of Life Quest! (Defunct)

NotInventedHere · Feb 14, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
No no no no NO NO NO this is falling apart I can't cope with this I can't you can bb dammit calm down you are in control you are absolute water is wet earth is hard objects left unsupported fall towards the center of the Earth -

Well that's interesting.

LuciDreamer said:
...is that because you recognize me on a different level?

LuciDreamer said:
Besides, I've the strangest feeling that I won't need to hold you up to that promise for very long.

LuciDreamer said:
Since you have an… external source of information?"

Also, Maeda seems to think Silas is ex-Foundation. Which he may well be, honestly.

Karnewarrior · Feb 14, 2019

Well damn.

But even the Conpiracy doesn't know about Big Sister, so Maeda couldn't have known about her just from knowing the SELF exists.
Also, we need to build quickly. The Foundation is better, and Silas shittier, at this than we thought. If we're going to survive as a separate entity, we need to be hard enough to crunch that it can't be done accidentally, at least. We should get BS and Rikuyama in on the SELF asap.

Claytonimor · Feb 14, 2019

>Ara ara

We've made a mistake

Spector29 · Feb 14, 2019

I definitely thought the COUNTER was coming from somebody else. Can't remember who, though. I still remember, best girl!

veekie · Feb 14, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
Silas is developing the Skill: Subterfuge due to his constant insistence on spying on his classmates without regards to their desire for privacy. If he takes the Observe action two more times, the 1st Level of the Skill will be unlocked.

Okay...who do we stalk next?

LuciDreamer · Feb 14, 2019

> open bslog_113939

> BEGIN LOG
13.11.59: bs.optics.networkSpectre was called by bs.driver.main
13.12.00: networkSpectre.monitorMe1 attempted to connect to TLSCRN-012391 . . .
13.12.00: TLSCRN-012391 connectsuccess, storing output to networkSpectre.me1.superVidLog
13.12.00: networkSpectre.monitorMe2 attempted to connect to SKYSCRN-002 . . .
13.12.01: SKYSCRN-002 connectsuccess, storing output to networkSpectre.me2.vidLog
13.12.01: networkSpectre.me1.getData() raised HOST_NOT_FOUND
13.12.01: networkSpectre.monitorMe1 attempted to connect to TLSCRN-104934 . . .
13.12.01: TLSCRN-104934 connectsuccess, storing output to networkSpectre.me1.superVidLog
13.12.02: networkSpectre.monitorCell attempted to connect to EXTERNAL NCID.5465123-Civ . . .
13.12.02: NCID.5465123-Civ connectsuccess, storing output to networkSpectre.me1.msgLog
13.15.13: bs.optics.VitTracker attempted to send packet to bs.stor.main . . .
13.15.15: bs.optics.VitTracker succeeds!
13.28.59: networkSpectre.main raised IMMINENT_DANGER
13.30.00: bs.driver.main confirmed IMMINENT_DANGER
13.30.00: > SYSTEM NOTICE: Imminent danger protocols active
13.30.00: > Diverting memory as necessary
13.30.00: bs.defnet.* was called by bs.driver.main
13.30.00: bs.defnet.def1 attempted to connect to SKYSCRN-002-L . . .
13.30.00: bs.defnet.def2 attempted to connect to SKYSCRN-039-L . . .
13.30.00: bs.defnet.def3 attempted to connect to SKYSCRN-113-R . . .
13.30.00: bs.defnet.def4 attempted to connect to SKYSCRN-813-L . . .
13.30.00: [39 logs redacted]
13.30.00: bs.defnet.defsat attempted to connect to KLST-01 . . .
13.30.01: bs.defnet.* succeeds!
13.30.01: bs.defnet.defsat was disabled by bs.driver.main
13.30.01: bs.defnet.def1 called targetSolution(bs.optics.networkSpectre.getEnviroData()) . . .
13.30.13: bs.defnet.def2 called targetSolution(bs.optics.networkSpectre.getEnviroData()) . . .
13.30.16: bs.defnet.def3 called targetSolution(bs.optics.networkSpectre.getEnviroData()) . . .
13.30.20: bs.defnet.def4 called targetSolution(bs.optics.networkSpectre.getEnviroData()) . . .
13.30.12: [41 logs redacted]
13.31.03: > SYSTEM NOTICE: bs.defnet.main has been slaved to bs.driver.main
13.31.03: bs.defnet.notifySys() was called by bs.driver.main
13.32.22: > DefNet Integrity: 97.591%. Clear to fire.
13.33.01: > DefNet Integrity: 98.113%. Clear to fire.
13.34.33: > DefNet Integrity: 99.334%. Clear to fire.
13.35.33: > DefNet Integrity: 99.510%. Clear to fire.
13.37.11: bs.driver.main released IMMINENT_DANGER
13.37.44: bs.defnet.close() was called by bs.driver.main
13.38.00: bs.optics.VitTracker attempted to send packet to bs.stor.main . . .
13.38.12: bs.optics.VitTracker succeeds!
13.45.00: networkSpectre.close() was called by networkSpectre.main
13.45.01: networkSpectre.me1 attempted to send packet to bs.stor.main . . .
13.45.13: networkSpectre.me1 succeeds!
13.45.14: networkSpectre.me2 attempted to send packet to bs.stor.main . . .
13.46.02: networkSpectre.me2 succeeds!
13.46.02: networkSpectre.cell attempted to send packet to bs.stor.main . . .
13.46.30: networkSpectre.cell succeeds!
13.49.32: > SYSTEM NOTICE: FINANCIAL_CRASH_WARNING raised in bs.global.marketWatch
13.49.32: > Diverting memory as necessary
> END LOG

> open bs.stor.main.ntwkspctrdata_me2.5fvfa24k.mov

VIDEO DATA: Recorded from location YMHA_HS from 13.12.01 to 13.45.00
RESOLUTION: 1360 X 960
HOST: MetroPol Drone Surveillance Fleet Unit 002 (HACKED)
PRESENT PARTIES: SILAS Yamigawa, MAEDA Kirino, ICHIRO, KAMASAKI Chisako, Tristan FRYLING, Francesca MIKNEY

SUMMARY:
Video recording begins. Camera is suspended high above the city, focusing at ROOM 101 of YMGWA_HS. SILAS is sitting across from student MAEDA, sipping coffee from a teacup. Both students are eating lunch. Their conversation transcript is recorded in me1.135bjja.txt. After approximately eighteen minutes, MAEDA Kirino makes a move to grab Silas's arm. This was falsely interpreted by automated systems to be an act of hostile intent, and all [REDACTED] elements of DefNet were called and readied for pre-emptive strike measures. Silas then leaves without incident. Maeda sits back down to finish her lunch. Seven minutes later, DefNet is disabled.

During the entirety of their interaction, KAMASAKI is observed in ROOM 102, holding her ear close to the wall. FRYLING is next to her, talking into his cell phone while staring out a window, while MIKNEY sits at a desk and writes notes into a yellow notebook. The two Easterners are not in their police uniforms.

At approximately 13.40.13, Maeda looks at her phone. She appears displeased. She scoots slightly away from the edge of her room which borders ROOM 102, but otherwise does nothing and continues her lunch without incident.

At approximately 13.41.33, the facial recognition system on Unit 002 reports that FRYLING appears to be observing the drone. To protect operational integrity, the Unit buffers for a moment, and then moves due south, mimicking a standard MetroPol Surveillance route. The remainder of the recording consists of colorful imagery of various RikuRiku celebrations taking place in the city below.

> END FILE

> open bs.stor.main.ntwkspctrdata_cell.14354.txt

TXT DATA: Recorded from three phone conversation that occurred at approximately the same time.

phone_id # 14923-LCL
1:10 P.M.
YUUKO: looool haru-chan and hiru-kun just got caught making out in the gym storage room
MAEDA: What.
YUUKO: omigod no not even
YUUKO: wow
MAEDA: I need context, plz
YUUKO: they weren't wearing anything
YUUKO: omigod
YUUKO: ive seen too much
YUUKO: senpai help me ive lost my innocence
KEI: Yuuko-chan, wasn't that the same couple that was caught 'doing it' in the broom closet last year?
MAEDA: The very same...
MAEDA: The more things change, the more they stay the same... DX
YUUKO: LOOOOL
KEI: At least it wasn't multiple people this time
MAEDA: Hang on
MAEDA: ...Yamigawa-kun is outside my door.
YUUKO: Eh?
KEI: Do you need us?
MAEDA: No. Don't worry. I've got this.

1:12 P.M.
YUUKO: So how did it go?
KEI: Shush, you, she's probably busy.
KEI: Sooo... what happened to Haru-chan and Hiru-kun?
YUUKO: i asked Principal-sensei, and he said they'll be getting a stern talking-to
KEI: lol

1:35 P.M.
MAEDA: Wow. Yamigawa-kun sure is interesting.
YUUKO: What happened?
KEI: So are we having a kimodameshi or what?
MAEDA: Yeah, let's have a kimodameshi
YUUKO: WOOOO! XD XD
KEI: I'll put in a request
MAEDA: I can't be sure, but I think Yamigawa-kun knows more about me than he lets on.
MAEDA: We should keep him company more often.
YUUKO: Agreed! XD
KEI: Maeda-san, there's a golden butterfly on your right shoulder.

phone_id # 24918-AMB
Note: Translated from Amberrish. Timestamp data was unavailable.
Overlord: All callsigns report
3-9: Archer here.
3-10: Revenant reporting.
1-11: Thinkfixer here for you ~ ☆
Overlord: Alright. These directives are coming straight from the Committee Chair.
Overlord: CominSec seems convinced that there are elements within this school related to AZURE GRAY. Naturally, CominSec has absolutely no authority to be operating within this country, so we've sent you, instead.
3-9: Woo-hoo.
Overlord: Your operational objectives are as follows
Overlord: (1) Determine whether or not AZURE GRAY is present with Yamaha High School of Miyao City
Overlord: (2) If it is, immediately exfiltrate all students and individuals on the GRAY list immediately, and execute ORDER 7331/10.
Overlord: (3) If it is not, maintain surveillance for a period of one month, and then pull out.
3-10: And then we can go home to some ToM and beer
3-9: Hell yes
Overlord: Seems simple enough, yes?
1-11: Easier than the Pravic Job, honey ~
Overlord: This is a black op. Naturally, this means no record of this order must exist. I trust you'll all be forthcoming enough to be discreet.
3-9: I'll try not to cause any more international incidents this time
1-11: Oh, Archer, how I wish I could be as headstrong as you...
3-9: Shut your mouth, teal-twintail-thot
1-11: *gasp* how DARE you! Someone's in need of some punishment ~
3-10: How the hell did I end up with you idiots
Overlord: *ahem*
Overlord: ...in SPITE if your extralegal status, I expect all of you to continue to espouse the Amberrish Ideal. At least try. Vivre république; vivre internationale.
1-11: How patriotic ~
3-9: thot
1-11: hmph

== OVERLORD HAS LOCKED THIS CHAT
== DELETING THREAD . . .

phone_id # 11112-LCL
Note: This is transcribed audio. Translated from Amberrish.
Adam: Wow. Your job sounds tough.
Tristan: Oh shut up. Don't downplay your own struggles, uncle.
Adam: I mean, at least with me I have a lot of people to blame if I screw up!
Tristan: ...my god the country is screwed. Anyway, sorry to bother you. I needed to vent.
Adam: No problem. How's Allen, by the way?
Tristan: Oh, he's doing well. Blowing past his studies, naturally.
Adam: Naisu naisu.
Tristan: I'm a bit worried about... the school, though. (pause) You ever get the feeling that you're being pushed around by, like, some sort of supernatural thing that you can't see or really understand, but you kind of get the feeling has a blind hatred of you?
Adam: Yeah. The Senate.
(Thirty seconds of sustained laughter)
Tristan: I'm being serious, though. It feels like... like absolutely nothing that goes on in this school is under control of reasonable people. Maybe I'm just chatting shit, though...
Adam: You get used to it.
(seven seconds of silence)
Adam: Uh - Tristan? Hello?
Tristan: Err, sorry. I thought I saw something strange out the window.

> END FILE

> close all

> log off

> Thank you for accessing bsnet, Big Sister. Have a nice day.
> /＾>》, -―‐‐＜＾}
> ./:::::::/,≠´:::::;::::::::ヽ.
> /:::::::〃:::::::::／}::::丿|
> ./:::::::::i{l|:::::／ﾉ／ } ::\
> /:::::::::::瓜イ＞ ////// ＜ ,' ::::\
> ./:::::::::::::|ﾉﾍ. _____^____ﾉ ::::::|
> |:::::::::::::::| ／}｀ｽ/￣￣￣/ :/
>. |::::::::::::::::|(_:::::つ/.........../:/
>.￣￣￣￣￣＼/＿＿＿＿/￣￣￣
>
> We are working very hard ~

Gnarker · Feb 14, 2019

I have questions. First and foremost, who or what is AZURE GREY?
Also, something I noticed:

LuciDreamer said:
1-11: Thinkfixer here for you ~ ☆
1-11: Easier than the Pravic Job, honey ~
1-11: *gasp* how DARE you! Someone's in need of some punishment ~
1-11: How patriotic ~

> Thank you for accessing bsnet, Big Sister. Have a nice day.
>
> We are working very hard ~

Both 1-11/Thinkfixer and the bsnet-bot share the tick of using tildes at the end of their sentences. Coincidence? Maybe? Propably?

Halowed02 · Feb 14, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
People were talking about him. They really were.

Reverse Course! INCREASE STEALTH ATTEMPTS! KEEP OUT OF THE EYES OF PEOPLE!

LuciDreamer said:
Hana came in quickly after he'd sat down, and took her seat, looking at no one. She looked red, and was scowling. Silas wondered why she would be - and Yumika entered the room. She was equally red, biting her lip. She avoided looking at anyone in particular, and took her own seat near the front of the class.

Next on the Rumor Mill: "Shinohara is jealous of Yumika's relationship with Silas cuz she wants a part of it. Place your bets if it becomes a thressome!"

LuciDreamer said:
"...that's all. You really shouldn't be so terrified! Besides, I've the strangest feeling that I won't need to hold you up to that promise for very long."

This isn't ominous at all...

LuciDreamer said:
For some reason, the way Maeda worded that rubbed him the wrong way. "What do you mean, 'treating me alright'?," he said, somewhat indignantly. "Yumika-san has been nothing but the second-most amazing person I-I could ever have the pleasure of knowing."

Who's the first? Big Sis?

LuciDreamer said:
"Information," Silas blurted. What am I doing? WHY AM I TELLING HER ALL OF THESE THINGS?! "T-The more things I know, the more absolute my information is, t-the better I can act to protect the things I care about."

Right, Foundation has truth serum. Shit.

LuciDreamer said:
Maeda's supernatural ability is the power to change the opacity of her glasses at will. In fact, the percentage of opacity can often be used as a measurement for how devious she is being - for example, if you can't see Maeda's eyes through her glasses, run the hell away. (During a social interaction, Maeda may choose to subtract the difference between her COUR stat and and another's COUR stat from their Success Threshold. This may occur if Maeda is present, even if she is not directly involved. Furthermore, at any time, Maeda may choose to withhold information about her REL from her Character Sheet.)

Claytonimor said:
>Ara ara

We've made a mistake

Yes. Reverse course, immediately.

Dermon · Feb 14, 2019

Gnarker said:
First and foremost, who or what is AZURE GREY?

I am not sure, but possibly something related to this snippet from the political situation, especially since these people are Amberrish agents?

LuciDreamer said:
USAR becomes less and less organized the further one goes east of the coastline, and it's eastern borders are often hotly contested with their belligerent neighbor, the Azure Compact.

Looking for foreign agents/refugees/mindwiped-peoples perhaps?

Robotninja · Feb 15, 2019

Gnarker said:
I have questions. First and foremost, who or what is AZURE GREY?

Communists out to steal our bodily fluids, no doubt. Or orks. Possibly both.

Karnewarrior · Feb 15, 2019

It's definitely the Foundation.

Nevill · Feb 15, 2019

Will be responding to this later. For now, just listing the typos I've noticed.

LuciDreamer said:
Either that or that you're in incubus.

'an'

LuciDreamer said:
Both students are lunch.

My, how macabre.

LuciDreamer said:
Determine whether or not AZURE GRAY is present with Yamigawa High School of Miyao City

Silas got so famous they renamed Yamaha HS in his honor? I knew he had it in him!

LuciDreamer said:
Vivre rebublique; vivre internationale.

république is pronounced /ʁe.py.blik/
rébublique must be pronounced /ʁe.by.blik/
/by.blik/, aka bublik, aka Pravic variety of donuts. And we've all seen the donuts littering the streets!

Another international conspiracy exposed!

(the last one may have been intentional... in which case I wonder where LuciDreamer may have heard the word)

Karnewarrior · Feb 15, 2019

Thats... Right. What the hell was up with the donuts?

LuciDreamer · Feb 15, 2019

Nevill said:
république is pronounced /ʁe.py.blik/
rébublique must be pronounced /ʁe.by.blik/
/by.blik/, aka bublik, aka Pravic variety of donuts. And we've all seen the donuts littering the streets!

Another international conspiracy exposed!

...Making relevant edits to the Civ Information sheet now...

Nevill said:
(the last one may have been intentional... in which case I wonder where LuciDreamer may have heard the word)

Distant shouting: *BREAK THE CHAINS, BREAK THE CHAINS*

Sentient Tree · Feb 15, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
Both students are lunch.

Nevill · Feb 16, 2019

Ok, back to business.

LuciDreamer said:
"That's the third donut you've stepped on in the past five minutes," Hana noted wryly.

For a moment there, I thought Silas fell asleep on his feet and found himself in the donut dreamland, because I was pretty sure people don't normally walk on pastries. Then I remembered the massive stakeout by the MPD yesterday. These guys don't do subtle, huh. Must be the harmful influence of Amberrish culture!

Also, if it were Silas' dream it'd be the land of taco rice.

LuciDreamer said:
"Maybe you just need to have more spatial awareness…" Hana suggested after they had walked a few meters down the street.

Hana, most guys don't know how to pay attention to more than one thing at a time, and at the moment you are taking all of his awareness, spatial or otherwise.

We weren't that bad when we had to go to school alone, were we?

LuciDreamer said:
She said something about "only half a week in Mick Territory," in weird, accented Amberrish and then slapped him on the shoulder.

Then she took a large donut from a plastic bag she was carrying with her and promptly shoved it into the other officer's mouth.

Is 'Micks' slang for Mihokujin? I wonder why the 'Territory' is capitalised as well.

And the source of donuts is confirmed. Maybe it's part of standard kit!

LuciDreamer said:
"They… they already say pretty… there's already a bunch of pretty horrible things about me floating around in the rumor mill. I… don't want to add to that list. You know?"

Rumor mill?

Of course, Silas! Every strategy game has one. I was wondering why ours took so long to start churning!

LuciDreamer said:
"Also, um…" Hana started to blush. "There's this… persistent rumor, going around, that you're… some sort of Casanova-type secret charmer who's seduced Yumika-san, and that that's why she's accepted you into her in-group so easily. Either that or that you're an incubus. Compound that with the fact that half the class seems to think I'm a vampire or something, and, uh… y-you get the idea…" She turned away.

That's an interesting rumor for certain. And not an unfounded one, either. Our guy contacts are all jerks: Reizei is beating us over a head with a book; Hanamura is giving us creepy hugs and smiles with too many teeth in it; Allen doesn't deem fit to give us the time of day; and Airi wants to inject us with potentially hazardous substsances. Is it any wonder that it's the girls that we have the best rapport with? We are friends with Yumika and Hana; are very persistent about approaching Maeda; a part of her posse has a crush on us; and Rakuyama feels vaguely flattered by our stalking antics. Not to mention we get the best seats and get undercharged at restaurants courtesy of stealthy waitresses.

It's official, Silas is the harem protagonist. I mean, would you expect any different from a mysterious silver-haired transfer student?

But jokes aside, something doesn't ring true about Hana's explanation. See, I am not sure how much she cares about her public image - beyond what is required to not get nabbed by the Student Council, but that was not the concern she raised. Even her friends consider her a bit strange and get a little awkward when asked about her weird habits, but ultimately give her a pass... and she wasn't being very careful around us either, feeding off us the moment we talked to her. No one is bullying her - Yumika's protection aside, I don't think one'd make it very far if they tried, since she has the backbone and the means to get back, - and she didn't seem very anxious about the reputation she already had. So why did she start worrying now?

I am thinking she is trying to be considerate to us, what with us being a new student in school who is already targeted by stupid gossip. It's also us who are being extremely insecure. While it probably won't hurt her if she added to the list of her oddities - and wouldn't getting a friend to go to school with together be a normal thing instead, making her less alien to the fellow students? - it's us who may get hurt by associating with a known weirdo, and she wants to avoid that.

I mean, if I am right, it's touching that she cares enough to think about it now that we are friends (compared to the utter lack of forethought when she traumatized us for a week the first time we met), but I'd rather not be clandestine about our association with not only a classmate, but the girl we go to the same club to! The hell do we have to hide? We need no reason to go to school together other than living close enough to take the same train, and certainly need not pretend it's not the case for any reason whatsoever.

Eh, I guess we'll see what it's really about.

LuciDreamer said:
But it wasn't to be - at that very second, their history sensei had popped her head into the door. "Class! I have something critical to attend to downstairs, so I will be absent for the first thirty minutes of the block.

Who's our history teacher?

From the second update, we know Kamasaki-sensei is either working with MPD, or assisting them in their current investigation... but she is our Amberrish teacher, and not a history one, right? Or do they teach several classes?

I can't think of much else that would make the teacher leave class. Besides busting Haru-chan's and Hiru-kun's makeout session, that is.

LuciDreamer said:
"Usually I don't like letting people eat with me on days like this. But I think I can make an exception for you in particular, Ya - mi - ga - wa - kun!"

You can hear the rumor mill grind to a screeching halt, then start milling twice as fast.

Maeda has the art of sexy interrogation down pat. We had no chance.

LuciDreamer said:
"No tricks, Yamigawa-kun. It's sugar. If I wanted to drug you, I would have done so with the coffee itself. Much more subtle."

Yeah, but who needs subtlety when the victim isn't going to remember being drugged anyway? Having them chug down the poison openly seems a lot more expedient than having to care about tricking them.

LuciDreamer said:
"...is that because you recognize me on a different level? Or is it because you're a snooper, snooping in things a student shouldn't snoop in?"

Silas said nothing. His heart was racing. He took a bite from his taco rice.

"...you're surprisingly difficult to crack. I can't read you. I can't tell if your silence is out of malicious intent or if you're too scared to speak. Ararara… guess it can't be helped." Maeda sat back into her chair, taking another sip from her coffee.

I beg to differ! We are an honest stalker-without-a-crush, and not just a snooping snooper who snoops!

It is curious that for all her skill she doesn't read us. Normally, it's hard to keep a poker face in a panic, and the slightest nudge makes people loosen their tongue. That still happens to Sai-kun, to an extent, when she finds himself unable to stop talking all the while screaming internally at himself, but it is nonetheless amusing that he doesn't let out more than his fear. Does he really have some kind of training, or is he so paralyzed he is getting mistaken for stone-faced?

You'd think it's the latter with how easily Maeda goaded us towards revealing a part of our secret, but then there's the calming rhyme that makes me doubt myself.

LuciDreamer said:
Silas has promised not to spy on Maeda anymore!
-50 ST to Observe: Maeda, Observe: Yuuko and Observe: Kei attempts indefinitely.

With a -40 (???) modifier already in place this makes little difference, since the action was effectively impossible anyway. Still, a permanent ban on spying? Ouch!

Good thing she intends to relieve us of this promise soon enough! She is such a kind soul!

It just means we'd have to conduct our business face-to-face for the time being. I have no objections. Kei's invitation has been collecting metaphorical dust for far too long.

LuciDreamer said:
"Really?" Maeda raised an eyebrow. "Hum. Me, I always thought rich dark roast was just something people said they liked, while chugging milky coffee in private."

She can't stop doubting people and suspect them lying even about inconsequental things.
The secret agent's lot is a harsh one. o7

LuciDreamer said:
"Yeah. She focuses so much attention on her in-group, sometimes she even forgets to catch up with her older friends. Like poor me…" She laughed again. She fixed a serious gaze on him. "Hey. Forgive me if this sounds rude, or intrusive. You're not in Drama because you like her, are you?"

"Of course I like her. She's an awesome, supportive person." Silas said automatically. Maeda looked like she was about to say something, but he cut her off. "B-But… if you mean in… the other way… t-then, no. I don't…" Silas struggled to articulate the words. "...It would be inappropriate. A-And rude, and mean, and… yeah."

And why would that be, huh? I suppose it could be called unfair if you joined the Drama Club without being really interested or invested in Drama itself, and because of some other ulterior motive. But... isn't that what happened anyway? When we first opened the club doors, we've had no prior interest in acting. More than that, the thought of public speaking terrified us. We did choose the club because Yumika was in it, and because we thought that it would be cool if we could get more confident like she is.

Getting into a hobby because of the person you like or admire is neither manipulative, nor inappropriate or rude. It's something you do in order to understand them better. It's not something to be ashamed of.

Not sure what to make of what Maeda told us about Yumika. She likes being close to people, but only so much, and only so many. She tends to ignore other people in favor of her in-group, but she somehow made all these people her in-group in the first place!

When Maeda raised the topic of bad flirting experiences, Silas remembered the split in Drama Club... but I don't believe that one had any of romantic undertones in it. Is she implying that Yumika is afraid of attachment out of fear of people leaving? That's a rather common fear, and not just among teenagers either. I wonder if Yumika has it exceptionally bad, for it to be worth mentioning. She did use to be friends with Maeda and Ichiro, and she felt betrayed by their change in behavior, but that's only started a couple months ago. Then, is it really about the secession of the Computer Club, or was there something prior?

LuciDreamer said:
"Since you have an… external source of information?"

Silas widened his eyes. She knows about the Conspiracy?! "I - " he choked.

Ah. Such a classic ploy. It's a shame I don't really feel intimidated by a girl who has Maa-chan for a nickname; she'd make a great antagonist if only she put more effort in being ominous!

And dressed in a black leather outfit. Good thing you're the class representative - it means you already have the armband. Your Meganekko powers can only take your image so far, you know!

See you at kimodameshi, agent. Don't forget to bring cute underlings with you. They are the downfall of every villain who is genre-blind enough to challenge the harem protagonist!

Amperstand · Feb 17, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
3-9: Shut your mouth, teal-twintail-thot

Nice alliteration. Also, it looks like Rakuyama is secretly part of an Amberrish black ops team. Should probably keep a closer eye on her in the future.

LuciDreamer said:
1-11: Easier than the Pravic Job, honey ~

This reminds me. Didn't Renzei tell a story once about a bunch of Pravs starting a riot at one of their concerts? Could this be referring to that same incident?

LuciDreamer said:
Overlord: (1) Determine whether or not AZURE GRAY is present with Yamigawa High School of Miyao City
Overlord: (2) If it is, immediately exfiltrate all students and individuals on the GRAY list immediately, and execute ORDER 7331/10.

So what I'm getting from this is: there is an individual, group, object, or idea known as Azure Gray that may or may not exist in the school. The Amberrish group also has a list of people that they really do not want coming in contact with Azure Gray for some reason. It's the list that has got me interested. The priority doesn't seem to be "eliminate Azure Gray" rather it's "if Azure Gray is present, pull out/kidnap this specific, predetermined set of individuals". This makes me less inclined to think Azure Gray referes to the Foundation. From what we can tell, the Foundation is a group of students that have suddenly "remembered" memories of being secret agents from an alternate history. It seems to be an unexpected freak phenomenon and that even the foundation members themselves don't really seem to understand what's going on. By contrast, Azure Gray is clearly something the Amberrish group have anticipated and have been on the lookout for, including having pre-existing contingencies for when AG is encountered. Of course, even if the Foundation isn't Azure Gray, the Ambernians may think the Foundation is Azure Gray, because jumping to conclusions and overreacting is becoming something of a running theme in this quest. Also, that last bit about Order 7331/10 makes me nervous. It's giving me Order 66 vibes.

The bit about Kamasaki-sensei spying with the police made me notice something else. The majority of the police officers we've seen seem to be Amberrish. Weird, considering this is supposed to be a Mihokujin city.

Spectrum · Feb 17, 2019

LuciDreamer said:
"I know…" Silas moaned. Once again, they stopped, and Silas produced a little fork from his pocket to clean the jelly and creme off of his dress shoes. "That's… kind of… odd."

Okay, look, nevermind the oddity of a world where stepping on an entire trail of donuts isn't so bizarre enough that it deserves extra special mention, what the hell kind of weirdo carries around small forks so as to clean their shoes with? Agh...

LuciDreamer said:
"I don't… really… like people. Yeah? So, if I go in there, and you're with me, the rumor mill is going to start assuming things, since it's not normal of me to walk with people." She bit her lip. "They… they already say pretty… there's already a bunch of pretty horrible things about me floating around in the rumor mill. I… don't want to add to that list. You know?"

Rumor mill?

"Also, um…" Hana started to blush. "There's this… persistent rumor, going around, that you're… some sort of Casanova-type secret charmer who's seduced Yumika-san, and that that's why she's accepted you into her in-group so easily. Either that or that you're an incubus. Compound that with the fact that half the class seems to think I'm a vampire or something, and, uh… y-you get the idea…" She turned away.

I am okay with this rumor. >.> In fact, I am also okay with this AU.

(we must crush everyone who is spreading negative rumors about Hana)

LuciDreamer said:
Silas has promised not to spy on Maeda anymore!
-50 ST to Observe: Maeda, Observe: Yuuko and Observe: Kei attempts indefinitely.

LuciDreamer said:
Maeda has the special ability to force Promises, semi-temporary status effects which apply penalties if a character takes a specific action, or refuses to take a specific action.

'semi-temporary' lul, get owned Silas =/

LuciDreamer said:
Silas is developing the Skill: Subterfuge due to his constant insistence on spying on his classmates without regards to their desire for privacy. If he takes the Observe action two more times, the 1st Level of the Skill will be unlocked.

Does this evolve into Skill: Creeper at some future level?

LuciDreamer said:
YUUKO: looool haru-chan and hiru-kun just got caught making out in the gym storage room

tfw you don't have character sheet entries for those people yet so you have no recollection at all who they might be

Karnewarrior · Feb 17, 2019

Spectrum said:
I am okay with this rumor. >.> In fact, I am also okay with this AU.

(we must crush everyone who is spreading negative rumors about Hana)

Yup. Time to go full Yumika.

Poor Hana, she just attracts the overprotective sort. Yumika uses herself as bait to protect Hana, and Silas pulls the whole goddamn harem anime cast into a conspiracy to take down the Not!Illuminati just to make sure that she doesn't have to have unethical experiments preformed on her.

Not bad for a wallflower Vampire.

Nevill · Feb 18, 2019

Yo.

All these mentions of Hana got my resolve shaken. I thought to withhold this pic until we get a REAL UPDATE WITH A VOTE IN IT

, but I am bad at keeping finished works under wraps unless I somehow forget about them. Which would be unlikely as I am rather proud of this one.

If Hana's shadow reminds you of anything, it's probably not a coincidence. I like this duality about her: one moment she is all proper-like, advocating for caution and giving us a much needed confidence boost, and the next she gives in to her Inner Hana and becomes the Ultimate Dork.

Silas really brings out the best in people!

Partially inspired by the Drama Club pic by LuciDreamer, and partly by the gorgeous chibis of the "Witch's Heart", an indie game I took a fancy to. Drawn by Kamui Eini, an artist from Perm.

Now, if only I could get my hands on what the Student Council look like (hint, hint).

veekie · Feb 18, 2019

Nevill said:
Yeah, but who needs subtlety when the victim isn't going to remember being drugged anyway? Having them chug down the poison openly seems a lot more expedient than having to care about tricking them.

...no, shit, she DID just drug the coffee lol

Nevill · Feb 18, 2019

veekie said:
...no, shit, she DID just drug the coffee lol

What's your evidence?

I mean, Halowed02 assumed truth serum, but to me, Silas' reaction to questioning was all too natural. When people are stressed, they cope differently. Some get carried away, and are unable to stop talking, even when it's in the best interests they do. It's similar to how, in a fit of anger, people say a lot of things they do not really mean and later regret.

She is treating us like a potential ally. That means she wouldn't want to alienate us by handling us carelessly. If she ever got to the point she had to use drugs to extract information from us, she would not leave much room for ambiguity.

No, I think her arsenal is much more conventional: courtesy, intimidation, light flirting, and probing questions. She just wields it extremely skillfully and with class.

Halowed02 · Feb 18, 2019

Nevill said:
I mean, Halowed02 assumed truth serum, but to me, Silas' reaction to questioning was all too natural. When people are stressed, they cope differently. Some get carried away, and are unable to stop talking, even when it's in the best interests they do. It's similar to how, in a fit of anger, people say a lot of things they do not really mean and later regret.

She is treating us like a potential ally. That means she wouldn't want to alienate us by handling us carelessly. If she ever got to the point she had to use drugs to extract information from us, she would not leave much room for ambiguity.

No, I think her arsenal is much more conventional: courtesy, intimidation, light flirting, and probing questions. She just wields it extremely skillfully and with class.

Indeed. My initial thoughts on Silas just spewing out everything he had ever know was a brief reminder that the Foundation had access to truth serum and that MUST be because of that.
It is less obvious because it is totally something Silas would do by accident.

It is necessary to remember that we are dealing with a, we presume, member of Site Command. We should be a little carful because we still have no idea how operational the foundation is, though judging by the 0 Containment Breaches they are either good or sitting on unawares.

She's friendly right now because she thinks Silas is foundation. If he isn't, we have a small problem. Most likely its just a flustered Madea and a heavy Amneatic. If he is... Who knows. If he isn't and we lie about it, its going to either be painful or really informative.

The bit about Kamasaki-sensei spying with the police made me notice something else. The majority of the police officers we've seen seem to be Amberrish. Weird, considering this is supposed to be a Mihokujin city.

Thanks @Amperstand (I don't know if this is your actual name this is an edit on the above and below)
It could be that Silas is only noticing the police officers that are not Mihokujin because thats strange to him and the Mihokujin's have just been doing their job like normal people, or it could be that a large detachment of Amberrish Police are just here for... Reasons. They aren't "hiding" at least not in any way that makes them especially suspicious so it should be fine.

As long as Silas isn't Azure Grey.

And now a quick question about Counter-Actions @LuciDreamer
If someone is trying to talk to us and we say "no", can they attempt a Counter to force us to stay? Do we make a roll to say No?

LuciDreamer · Feb 18, 2019

Halowed02 said:
If someone is trying to talk to us and we say "no", can they attempt a Counter to force us to stay? Do we make a roll to say No?

Nope, nothing like that! The COUNTER that occurred this turn only happened because Silas failed an action with hostile intent against another student. Refusing normal social interactions will not trigger a COUNTER. The only thing that would are being targeted by something inherently hostile or non-innocent - like CHALLENGE, or OBSERVE, or INTERROGATE, or KIDNAP... you get the idea.

...hum. I really should have this written down somewhere.

Nevill · Feb 18, 2019

Wait, OBSERVE is considered a hostile action? Interesting.

I mean, so far I chalked up Silas' stalkery behavior towards his social ineptitude, and not to the inherent nature of the action itself.

Eh, not that it matters now that the shinies have been dangled in front of our face. People will be Observed!

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