DX Christmas Special

The DX Christmas Special
[22:59] <LeahofCherem> Christmas is in the air. It's in the trees, as bright lights strung across roads and along branches, it's in the windows of stores, where the cake stands of bakeries are emptied almost as soon as they are filled. It's in many homes, where families are gathering to celebrate the holiday of the west under the Kotatsu.
[22:59] <LeahofCherem> If any place could be called "the nexus of Christmas" near the University, it would be the store "Keiki Bakuri", the bakery run by Tsukuda Akira.
[22:59] <LeahofCherem> Two nights before the night in Bethlehem, the cake shop is seeing more business than ever from people coming in, placing orders, picking up pre-made cakes, or sitting down in the modest chairs and booths to snack on the smaller treats. Wreaths adorn both sides of the door, and tinsel criss-crosses the ceiling.
[22:59] <LeahofCherem> There's mistletoe hanging over the entryway and the counter, but the glowing Tsukada doesn't seem to recognize what it's for. That, or he doesn't feel like handing kisses out this early.
[23:01] <LeahofCherem> "Come now Junko, open now, aaaaaa." Seemingly unaware of the semi-controlled chaos, Mary holds out a spoonful of cake to her probably unwilling companion. Dragged in by the bothersome older girl, Tsuboki Junko is being subjected to the ultimate embarassment.
[23:03] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Will ya cut that crap out nee-san?" She had her chin in her hand, eyes closed with her head turned away. An unlit cigarette bobbed from between her lips as she spoke. "People're gonna get the wrong idea."
[23:05] <LeahofCherem> Making a disappointed noise, Mary pouts, "But it's sooo delicious." She puts way too much emphasis on the "Oiiiii" of it, "Come on, just once! Good things happen to good girls who behave you know? Or Santa Claus will break into your house and steal your socks." She adopts a lecturing tone of voice, waving the cake around.
[23:07] * Tsuboki_Junko grunts, gritting her teeth as she scratched at the top of her head aggressively. "Will you stop if I do?"
[23:07] <LeahofCherem> In the background, Tsukuda calls out, "Tsuboki-san, I have a favor to ask of you, do you mind staying after this rush?" He's currently ringing up a customer, a younger girl terribly disappointed that the young man has no idea what the Mistletow means.
[23:08] <LeahofCherem> A curious smile crosses Mary's face as she nods, "Of course! I just want you to try it before I finish it, I promise it's good. It's Christmas cake after all, the best kind of cake."
[23:09] <Tsuboki_Junko> The delinquent girl snorts at the notion despite the cake receipt in her pocket, reaching out to take the fork from Mary.
[23:10] <LeahofCherem> "No!" Mary lifts it away, "Aaaaaa!" She opens her own mouth, "Come on, just once!"
[23:11] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko looks ready to die, planning to take Mary with her when she does. Hesitantly she takes the cigarette from her mouth. "A-aaaaa..."
[23:15] <LeahofCherem> Mary drags it out, before popping it in and giggling. She wasn't lying, for the small taste Junko gets, it's really, really good. No wonder this shop is so popular.
[23:17] <Tsuboki_Junko> She grumbles and sits back, taking her time chewing up and swallowing the bit of cake. At least now she was sure Ai would like the small cake she bought for her.
[23:20] <Midnight> "Oh God no." Jamie whispers, entering the store and almost immediately catching sight of the other two.  She had been hoping to avoid any familiar faces in the UGN.
[23:24] <LeahofCherem> "Oh! Somebody caught us!" Mary giggles to herself, using the same spoon to take another bite of her small cake before waving her fingers at Jamie. "Come and join us! Merry Christmas!"
[23:29] * Tsuboki_Junko sinks down into her seat.
[23:29] <Midnight> Jamie sighed inwardly but smiled outwardly and walked over to them.  "Hey! Merry Christmas!"  She grinned at Junko and gave her a wink.
[23:31] <Tsuboki_Junko> The delinquent gave a growl, chomping down on her cigarette's filter.
[23:33] <LeahofCherem> "It's nice to see you here! Tsukada-san over there-" the young man waves as he hears his name, "Says he wants to talk to us about something afterwards. Tsuboki-chan probably doesn't know much about baking though so it's probably something more interesting if Tsukada is asking about it." Mary shrugs and takes another bite, before examining Jaime coyly.
[23:37] <Midnight> "Well I can't say I'm not curious."  Jamie said slyly.
[23:37] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Great." Junko grumbles, pulling out her lighter.
[23:38] <LeahofCherem> Mary offers a spoonful of her cake to Jaime, "Yes, he's one of us. So if he has to ask us about something..."
[23:40] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Don't do it," Junko warns, cigarette bobbing up and down as she tries to light it.
[23:41] <LeahofCherem> "Ah?" Mary glances over, "Why not? A spoon between friends is nothing to worry about. O-or are you saying that this spoon is just for the two of us? Aaaah!" She makes a show of being bashful in her seat.
[23:42] * Tsuboki_Junko groans, turning to look away from both of them.
[23:43] <Midnight> "I can only guess."  She said.  She eyed the cake and watched the two with a grin.  "You really like torturing her, huh?"
[23:44] <LeahofCherem> Mary can't help but grin, "Oh torture is such a strong word, but she's so serious a girl. I just want to tease her more and more, more and more, more and more!" She puts her hands to her cheeks and wriggles around a bit, dropping the cake off her spoon. When she notices, she'll be heartbroken.
[23:49] <LeahofCherem> Mary BSODs for a while when she realizes, and Jaime and Junko have a moment to exchange some pleasantries as the rush slowly dies down. When it's only a few people in booths, Tsukuda Akira comes to join you at the booth, sitting down and sighing happily. "Ah.. Busiest time of the year we've had yet." He looks exhausted, but not entirely unhappy.
[23:49] <LeahofCherem> "Have your Decembers been going well? And, do you have a spare smoke, Tsuboki-san?"
[23:52] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko leans to one side to fish out her pack, giving it a quick shake to produce a cigarette before presenting it to Akira. "There."
[23:54] <LeahofCherem> The man smiles, taking one, "Thanks. I'll have to spot you one back." He leans back in his chair and sighs, "Aaaaaah. This last week's been killer on my nerves though. Have you heard of what's been happening to the other stores?" He flicks a lighter from god-knows-where, but your renegade virus reacts slightly. "Trashed by some punk or gang."
[23:55] <Midnight> "Bunch of Grinches."
[23:55] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Maybe they did something to piss 'em off."
[23:58] <LeahofCherem> "Something like that." He shrugs and leans forward, "That's the thing though, it's just stores that have Christmas things up in them. And I don't remember hearing anything about, you know, traditionalist gangs smashing up stores." Akira lights his cigarette and frowns. "But, I was wondering if any of you have heard about that, since you guys, uh..."
[23:59] <LeahofCherem> He smiles nervously, laughing a little. He's certainly not implying you do stuff that the police might frown upon. Snowball's chance in hell.
[00:00] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Could be Yakuza but...I see what you're gettin' at." She frowned at the idea, lighting up a fresh smoke.
[00:03] <LeahofCherem> "Any case, my store is one of the few that hasn't been attacked yet, so I was wondering if you'd take some, uh.. Well, I don't have much money, but I can certainly make a good cake, you know? I can compensate you a little, and then make something really good for your Christmases?" Akira smiles as best as he can, but it's -
[00:04] <Midnight> "I might be able to find some information on them, if I talk to some of my people."
[00:05] <LeahofCherem> - interrupted by the sound of glass breaking, as one of his window panes folds in and glass scatters all over the floor. Akira yelps, but there's the sound of laughter outside.
[00:05] <LeahofCherem> "Shit! Aw, my window! I spent so long working on that soap mural!
[00:05] <LeahofCherem> " *
[00:05] <Midnight> "OR, we can find out something about them now."
[00:06] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko pops up and jumps over anyone she has to, moving right for the door.
[00:07] <LeahofCherem> Thankfully there's few people left, and what few are in the store are cowering in their booths. Akira moves to the window, lamenting his store front and the displays that have been knocked over, but otherwise they're out of the picture.
[00:08] <Midnight> Jamie follows almost reluctantly.  Might as well see this through to the finish.
[00:08] <LeahofCherem> Outside, it's certainly December, as a cold wind blows. Before you, a gang of six-seven men, carrying an assortment of long tools and bludgeons. Dressed in dark clothing, they are laughing and talking amongst themselves when the two step out.
[00:09] <LeahofCherem> The first, the one who threw what you now recognize to be a metal garbage can through the window, looks at them and sneers, "I didn't realize that the christmas cake he sold here included women too."
[00:09] <Tsuboki_Junko> Oh good. The type of people Junko knew how to deal with. She couldn't help but grin.
[00:10] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Oi! Which one'a you gutless virgins is in charge?"
[00:10] <LeahofCherem> Mary follows the other two out, hanging back. "I don't think they'll like that very-"
[00:11] <LeahofCherem> The leader steps up, dressed in a black jacket with a mask over his face painted vivid red, "Eh? What'd you say little girl? Virgin?" He snickers, reaching to his belt for what looks like a bludgeon. "A few smacks ought to teach you your place I think."
[00:12] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Tch!" She strikes a very typical bancho pose, suiting her sukeban roots. "Ain't got time for no limp prick. I'm the fuckin' Beast King. Now scram." She glares, making a thumbs-down gesture.
[00:12] <Midnight> "Heh.  I don't think she's worried."  Jamie said aside to Mary.  "From the looks of em, I doubt she had to be."
[00:15] <LeahofCherem> Mary smiles a little, "Well, naughty children do need to be punished."
[00:15] <LeahofCherem> The man hefts his club, "I ain't takin' no lip from you, kid!" He goes to attack Junko!
[00:30] <LeahofCherem> When he steps up and swings, it's an easy dodge: a downward hacking motion.
[00:30] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Predictable," she taunts, blowing smoke in his direction.
[00:36] <Midnight> Going in for the quick takedown Jaimie rushes in and stabs at his neck with her fingers.
[00:37] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Hey! Find your own punk to play with."
[00:38] <LeahofCherem> The leader winces a little, but waves at her arm. He's distracted for a moment-
[00:40] <Tsuboki_Junko> Here comes Junko! Her fist leads the way, looking to introduce itself to his face!
[00:48] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Eat THIS!"
[00:50] <LeahofCherem> Her fist connects with a sickening crunch, and the man stumbles back, grabbing at his nose. "Ah, fuck! You bitch! It's broken! You broke my fucking nose!" He sounds somewhere between anguish and shock.
[00:51] <Tsuboki_Junko> "I'm taking it easy on you! Need a moment to cry?"
[00:51] <LeahofCherem> "Ah, what the fuck are you idiots standing around for?!" He yells at his shocked comrades, who surge forward after their hesitation!
[00:55] <LeahofCherem> The bats and other items go swinging at Junko, but they're all useless, lazy swings: maybe they're afraid to actually hit her.
[00:56] <Tsuboki_Junko> She laughs the entire time, sounding like she's enjoying herself.
[00:58] <LeahofCherem> Standing up strigh0000000000
[00:59] <LeahofCherem> Standing up straight, the leader leaves Junko to his goons and takes a swing at Jaime this time.
[01:08] <Midnight> Jamie smirked.  The fool really did project his attacks.  She sidestepped his swing with ease.
[01:23] <LeahofCherem> When she goes in for the counter-attack, Jaime doesn't compensate for the mook almost tripping over his feet as he misses, and her strike doesn't hit his nerve.
[01:27] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Outta my fuckin' way!" Junko unleashes a torrent of violence upon the gang that doesn't end until each one has passed out or run away. Any combination there of. "I'll teach you to mess with the Beast King!"
[01:30] <LeahofCherem> All that is left is the leader, who snarls and swings at Junko, "You may habe bedden dem, bud you habben beaden be!"
[01:32] <LeahofCherem> Holding his club with both hands, he swings it wildly, blood running down his nose.
[01:32] <LeahofCherem> face*
[01:33] <Tsuboki_Junko> "It's like you're not even trying, man." She takes a few steps out of range of the club, hands in her pockets.
[01:34] <Midnight> Jaimie nods to Junko.  "I think he should be yours."
[01:39] <Tsuboki_Junko> "I'd hoped you'd put up more of a fight!" She shouts, sounding angry. "Fist of the Beast King!" She drives her fist into his gut figuring his face has taken enough abuse.
[01:40] <LeahofCherem> Eyes popping out, he is lifted a few feet in the air before he falls to the ground with a climactic THUD. He twitches a little, coughing, but there's no way he's going to fight any more tonight.
[01:40] <LeahofCherem> Clapping from behind, Mary cheers.
[01:41] <LeahofCherem> In the background, Akira has stopped bemoaning his front, watching the fight. "Whew... You two trashed them! Serves them right for doing this to my poor store."
[01:42] <LeahofCherem> Mary nods, approaching the man and kneeling for a better look, "I suppose when he regains his voice we can find out why he's attacking all the Christmas stores."
[01:43] <Tsuboki_Junko> The delinquent sighed, taking on a more relaxed pose. "Any of you on the ground can hear me, I'm taking on minions."
[01:43] <Midnight> "And you want the ones that went unconscious instead of taking the tactical retreat?"
[01:43] <LeahofCherem> There's a sad collection of groans and reluctant denials: they probably wouldn't last long with her anyways. The boss coughs a little, "Where... where am I?"
[01:44] ->> emote :Unknown command
[01:44] * Tsuboki_Junko flicks away her cigarette to join Mary.
[01:45] <Midnight> "Good question. Better question for you."  She stoops down and pulls his head up by his hair.  "Where'd you come from?  And Who sent you?"
[01:47] <LeahofCherem> He groans out a little, "Aitetete, fug, ow, ow." He hisses in pain, "Fug. I dond know, I was walging wid my gang one momend, then I woke ub here."
[01:48] <LeahofCherem> Mary frowns, "He doesn't smell like alcohol."
[01:48] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Run inta any weirdos?"
[01:48] <Midnight> "See now, my friends and I don't believe you.  I want to, but I don't." She pulls a little harder.  "Try again."
[01:48] <LeahofCherem> "I ran inda you didn I?"
[01:49] <LeahofCherem> Mary clicks her tongue, "Rude."
[01:54] <Midnight> "Why are you attacking these stores?"
[01:56] <LeahofCherem> The man lets out a sigh, "I dond know. Ebry nighd I go out wid my friends and this keebs habbeding. I dond eben care aboud chridmas or whaddeber. Bud seeging the stores just mages me so angry."
[01:58] <Midnight> She let go of his hair.  "I think he's telling the truth.  As dumb as it sounds."
[01:58] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Sounds suspicious though."
[01:59] <Midnight> "What're you thinking? "  She looked around.  "Think maybe some outside influence?"
[02:00] <LeahofCherem> "Maybe we could visit the other places. What was the last place that got attacked, before this one?" Mary looks at Akira, standing up and dusting off her knees.
[02:00] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko stood up straigh, looking around the area. "Seems kinda weird to get angry about somethin' you don't care about."
[02:01] <LeahofCherem> The man coughs a little, "Your delling be."
[02:01] <LeahofCherem> You're*
[02:04] <Tsuboki_Junko> The delinquent turns her gaze on Akira, waiting for his answer.
[02:04] <LeahofCherem> Akira rubs his chin, "I think the closest bakery would be the "Delightful Confection", a few blocks from here." He points out directions. "That way-ish. I've got to call somebody about the window, but, if you guys need a 'base' or whatever, my doors are open to you."
[02:06] <Tsuboki_Junko> "We'll be back." Hands stuffed deep in her pockets Junko starts walking already. Must be part of the the big bad sukeban act.
[02:06] <LeahofCherem> Mary rubs her own cheeks, "Alright. I'm going to go investigate the other bakery, if anybody wants to join me. It's a little late though, shouldn't you be going to bed soon Tsuboki-chan?"
[02:07] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Like I care," she says over her shoulder, heading in the direction Akira had pointed out.
[02:07] <Midnight> "Then it's settled.  Off we go."
[02:11] <LeahofCherem> And with that, the motley group of Christmas-y Overeds, to discover the cause behind this influx of meatheads. To discover the plot seeing decorated stores destroyed, they visited the last store following the directions of the boy fuck I am bad at this rhyming shit.
[02:13] <LeahofCherem> Arriving at "Delightful Confection", the sight is dismal to say the least. Covered with lines of "Caution, do not cross" tape and surrounded by bits of broken glass and wood, the bakery is empty, devoid of life. The door has been kicked down and from the outside, it looked like many people took many, many weapons to the poor store, inside and out.
[02:14] <LeahofCherem> "Ah... Who would do such a thing?" Mary shakes her head sadly, poking at a piece of glass with her shoe.
[02:14] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Huh."
[02:14] <Midnight> "I think we have a handle on the who."
[02:15] <LeahofCherem> The houses around the store seem surprisingly undamaged: if anybody attacked this place, it wasn't just a spontaneous act of destruction. It was definitely just this store.
[02:15] <Midnight> "The why needs a bit more clearing up though."
[02:16] <LeahofCherem> Mary nods in agreement, "Yes, that could do with some explaining."
[02:23] <Tsuboki_Junko> ""Looks like somethin' one'a them hikikomori that snapped would do."
[02:25] <LeahofCherem> Mary tilts her head, confused by the term, "Can we enter the building to look around inside?" She looks around, there doesn't seem to be anybody around to protest it.
[02:28] <LeahofCherem> Looking around and examining the destruction, it really looks to have been just a brutal attack. Chairs and tables smashed, the insides scorched with what looks like fire, the pipes burst from lord knows what (maybe stuffed with rags?). It just looks like a total mess.
[02:30] <LeahofCherem> However, to Jaime, it doesn't add up. This kind of destruction is hardly caused by a mob, much less a group of thugs. That, and it didn't look like those thugs were packing anything as serious as firebombs or molotovs to cause that kind of fire damage. And the burst pipes? No way it was them. Something else was here. The others have an inkling, but -
[02:30] <LeahofCherem> not enough to outright confirm: this was an Overed.
[02:30] <LeahofCherem> overed's doing.
[02:31] <Midnight> Jamie whistles softly.  "They must really hate this place.  And I'm not talking about those lowlives Junko kicked the shit out of.  This has got to be an Overed."
[02:32] <Tsuboki_Junko> "What makes ya say that?"
[02:34] <Midnight> "You see those guys carrying fire bombs?   They look smart enough to know how to burst pipes from the inside?  No this is an overed with a vendetta.  I can feel it."
[02:35] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Just fuckin' great." She sighs and looks to Ai.
[02:36] <Mr_Rage> The Chimera's tails twitch, held alert, head tilting.
[02:38] <LeahofCherem> Then... the smell of... pine? Ozone? A smell that's almost natural, but eerily not, starts to flood the room, and the renegade trembles and rages at the smell. Warding.
[02:41] <LeahofCherem> From outside of the room, there's the sound of... hooves? On the pavement, the clicking noise gets louder, as a ghostly thing made of moonlight and gas appears. It bears an eerie resemblance to a deer or horse, but it's maw is dripping red with... something. It's eyes are glowing red, vivid orbs against the thing's snowy form.
[02:41] <Midnight> Jamie acted fast, not wanting the others to know she was Overed she seemed to grow weary and simply faint in the middle of the room.
[02:42] * Tsuboki_Junko looked back at Jamie as she fainted, "Fuck."
[02:42] <Mr_Rage> Ai isn't nearly so concerned about stealth, baring those icy blue teeth as she rounds on the sound of prey, tails lashing at the ground in agitation.
[02:49] <LeahofCherem> The beast doesn't seem to jump back as it does rematerialized like it's been blown away by the wind, but when it stops, it lets out a loud blaring scream, as a red orb appears in it's mouth before firing at and lancing Ai!
[02:52] <Mr_Rage> The Chimera lurches out of the way, catching the bolt of energy on her arm mid-charge, but it scarcely slows her down. By the time she's in melee range, she's a hulking, armored figure, a sharp cry from the slender serpentine shape she normally adopts. Fists like boulders and a broad body block the deer's shots, intent on keeping it close by.
[02:54] * Midnight (~IceChat9@Rizon-849D0E71.cl.ri.cox.net) Quit ( Ping timeout: 240 seconds )
[02:55] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko follows after Ai, changing in far less dramatic ways. By the time she catches up her shadowy beat arm has materialized and she's wearing...well...armor.
[02:57] <LeahofCherem> The thing snarls, and it looks like it's going to charge at Ai! But as it lunges, it turns to vapor blasting past her and charging beyond the two! It skids (or, looks like it does) and fires at Junko!
[03:04] <Mr_Rage> A terrible roar, and Ai is on top of the beast almost before it can attack, massive arms squeezing around its torso painfully, claws digging into the Gjuam's flesh.
[03:05] <LeahofCherem> The thing screams, unable to move as Ai's arms crush the thing into place.
[03:10] <Tsuboki_Junko> With Ai holding it steady Junko follows up with her signature attack. Her shadow claws clench around a ball of warped gravitation, ramming it with all her might against the beast as she shouts, "TRUE Fist of the Beast King!"
[03:12] <LeahofCherem> The beast doesn't stand a chance. It explodes into a shower of ectoplasm, mist, and gas. It lets out a final tortured scream, before disappearing into the air.
[03:13] <Tsuboki_Junko> "I feel like that was too easy."
[03:13] <LeahofCherem> Mary cheers from the sidelines again. "You two make a great team!"
[03:15] <Mr_Rage> Almost immediately, Ai's ferocious body dissolves to its normal girlish exterior, head swiveling to smile at Mary.
[03:15] <Tsuboki_Junko> Junko isn't so keen on letting hers go right away, examining their surroundings silently.
[03:15] <LeahofCherem> Between the three of you, there's that natural smell again, but the sharp bitter smell is gone from it. What looks like a white deer, painfully similar to the previous one, stands there, but what hostility the other one bore is done. The blood from it's maw has disappeared, and it seems as meek as a newborn.
[03:16] <Mr_Rage> "!"
[03:16] <LeahofCherem> Mary braces herself, frowning a little, "I don't think it means to fight again." Despite this, her hand goes to her pocket for a seal, just in case. No more sidelines for her if the thing attacks.
[03:17] <Mr_Rage> Fearless, Ai reaches to give the deer a pet.
[03:17] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Shoo."
[03:18] <LeahofCherem> The creature, however, makes no sudden moves. It sniffs at Ai's hand carefully, and remains still as she runs her fingers along it. It's possessed of warmth like the sun, with fur soft as silk. It skitters a little as Junko shoos it, before tracing what looks like ancient kanji into the ground. It's old, it's sentient, and the words translate (roughly) to -
[03:19] <LeahofCherem> - thanks. Or, at least, that's how Mary is making it sound like as she reads out loud the words and tries to find modern equals.
[03:21] <Tsuboki_Junko> "So what, it was some kinda kami?"
[03:22] <LeahofCherem> Mary nods a little, "Looks like it. Maybe some of the spirits are offended by the new celebration."
[03:23] <Mr_Rage> "Or confused?" Ai offers, tails swaying quietly in thought.
[03:23] <LeahofCherem> The spirit doesn't say anything, but it continues tracing out kanji. Among them, a few stand out: hill, shrine, empty, anger, oni.
[03:25] <Tsuboki_Junko> "Lotsa hills with shrines."
[03:27] <LeahofCherem> "Maybe one that's been abandoned?"
[03:27] <Tsuboki_Junko> "A lot of those too I bet."
[03:27] <Mr_Rage> "Mn! Show us?" The Chimera tries asking the deer directly.
[03:28] <LeahofCherem> The creature skittishly moves about a bit, before tracing another a small sentence, "To base, No further."