Nonahu 2: Ancient Disputation

[13:44] <@GeMshuku> THE YEAR IS 2001. PEOPLE ARE STILL PLAYING THE GAME. ...MOST PEOPLE. SOME PEOPLE HAVE TAKEN TO PLAYING A DIFFERENT GAME. MORE INFORMATION HERE: http://i.imgur.com/tsnDd3X.jpg
[13:45] <@GeMshuku> (BOWSER MAKES THE CUT, BUT ONLY BY REPLACING THE SANDBAG.)
[13:45] <Niina> Meanwhile, elsewhere, others are playing better 2001 games:
[13:45] <Niina> http://img.gamefaqs.net/box/0/2/8/2028_front.jpg
[13:46] <@GeMshuku> BUT THEY HAVE TO PLAY IT TWO MORE TIMES TO FIGHT THE TLB!
[13:46] <Niina> yeah, much more hardcore than smash players
[13:47] <Niina> ... Except for the ones who try to do that thing to unlock Sonic and Tails, those are pretty ridic
[13:47] <Niina> sorry, continue
[13:58] <@GeMshuku> So, the meguca to may be and the person fully convinced they're already a kind of meguca got hospitalized! You could hear the weariness of your mother, having to deal with this a lot more than any parent should ever have to (and you bet there's going to be ~social media posts~ about THIS...again). The siblings...well, they checked on you the FIRST time this sort of thing happened, and maybe the second, but really now it was ultimately an excuse for her to do a completely futile talk (once again), and she'd rather not have anyone else in the way for these sorts of things!
[13:58] <@GeMshuku> Obviously, of course, telling Niina to go home and be a family woman isn't going to work, so like, whatever Mom.
[14:00] <Niina> Yeah, ignoring Mom is par for the course these days.  Besides, it's not ACTUALLY dangerous or anything, those... grotesque injuries were just the cause of falling down a bunch of stairs.  Yep.  That was the excuse that got used.  They were really steep stairs covered in nails and stuff.
[14:04] <@GeMshuku> Naturally, the 'pulling other people into your fantasies and getting them hurt' card was also played, but considering the truth of the matter...speaking of which, you've also heard about people visiting Chikako...but aside from that, once all is said and done, it's quiet. Pretty sore, but quiet.
[14:06] <@GeMshuku> Sadly, you didn't get the same room! ...You can do the sane thing of not actually agitating your wounds and wait, or you can visit Chikako...or you can have the best of both worlds and like, text her or something. At least you shouldn't be here more than a day! R-right?
[14:06] * Niina doesn't even doubt Chikako had infinitely more visitors, solely due to... you know, being more popular. Hopefully she did as was offered and blamed Niina so as to not start getting labeled 'weird' herself, but regardless, as soon as the injuries start to get slightly healed, it's back to looking for the next one. Just gotta be more careful next time.
[14:06] <Niina> ... Yeah though, texting is safe.  TOO safe.
[14:07] <Niina> stealth sequence initiate
[14:08] * Niina waits until there are no nurses or whatnot and squiggles a bit, planning on giving Chikako at least a 'Hi.' Or, more likely, making sure evil aliens haven't came by to steal her soul, because they could absolutely do that. What we got, chief?
[14:08] <Niina> The wounds are... ugh, okay, they don't feel great, but they'll be fine.  Just gotta walk at a steady pace, maybe not bump into things.
[14:09] <Niina> And of course not be seen.  It's like, practice for the monsters.
[14:11] <Niina> Oh, of course if Micchy came by she'd probably get told the whole truth, but it's not like she'd believe it.  Even if she's a buddiny chuunibyou, it takes time to get THAT advanced.  ... And she probably has friends to play with anyway.
[14:14] <@GeMshuku> And she's, you know, 8. Makes it hard to visit on her own terms! That said, SNEAKING AROUND...isn't that hard. You could swear that one of them noticed you, but...either he didn't, or pretended not to for whatever reason. Or he's a demon in disguise that's actually fine with you potentially making yourself more sore. You know, either or.
[14:15] <Niina> It's the latter, no question about it.  As long as he doesn't pursue, that's fine, his time will come eventually.
[14:16] * Niina leisurely strolls through... hair still messy? Yep. Oh crap, the dark bags are gone, but that's just happens when you've actually been getting rest. They'll be back eventually.
[14:18] <Niina> That said, since Niina isn't a total psycho who just knocks down every door, she'll probably find some way of looking up which room certain patients are in... that, or just check the one next to hers.  I mean, they got there at the same time, logic and all that.
[14:20] <@GeMshuku> It seems that for everyone's convinence, the names of patients are actually put on the doors! How about that? ...It seems that, perhaps in a fit, SOMEONE scribbled '(again)' on yours...but eventually, you find the room of promise--and, perhaps as to be expected, you hear voices from within!
[14:21] <Niina> thx mom
[14:22] * Niina starts to push the door in but then, reconsidering, pauses and puts an ear to it, in case the voices sound familiar. Got a hunch.
[14:36] <@GeMshuku> ...One of those voices are familiar, at least. Strangely enough, you DON'T in fact hear the strange voice of that thing. Instead, you hear a voice that...you can describe as some light combination of bossy and furious, and also female. "And that isn't an excuse, Chikako! You've ruined your perfect attendance to go on an adventure with some delusional child--" She's interrupted by a voice that IS Chikako's, and sounds exasperated too. "I told you, it was supposed to be a harmless prank before school--" You're pretty sure this is a shouting match, only without the screaming since it's a public place, but you can hear the volume start to escalate. "And you shouldn't be doing that either! You don't have time for this. You're supposed to go to school and get good grades so you can get a scholarship and be successful!" "Yes, mom..." "And now you're tuning me out. I swear, I only have one kid so I can focus on them, but they just mess around instead. Honestly!" You can feel the love in the air...whoosh past as these charged words evacuate it from the area.
[14:37] <Niina> Aaaaaand wandering in now is a death sentence.  Defending other people is for close friends, not people who just got acquainted for the first time.  'Sides, she's kind of right.
[14:38] * Niina does what a normal (heheheh) person would do and goes to sit on the roof for the next couple hours instead. Chikako'll be okay.
[14:40] <Niina> Shame she didn't do what she was told- actually, she probably did.  Unreasonable parents, huh?  That's something to keep in mind.  Poor girl.  Might even be smarter to go on the next hunt without her...
[14:40] <Niina> ... AS IF.  Let's wait an hour or so (unless a UFO drops, roofs are always a good place for events to trigger) and then go see her.
[14:48] <@GeMshuku> Hah, a normal person. Normal people don't do that. Rabbits with gears in their heads do that. There's actually one on the roof right now. It perks up when you arrive, speaking...as normally as a rabbit using the human tongue can speak (which, as mentioned before, is just strange)! "I've judged that it's a lot easier to exist when normal people don't notice me. But yet, I find it...prune...no, prudent to be nearby!"
[14:49] <Niina> "Hey there."  Yeah, that's pretty normal.  Niina treats this as nothing unusual and sits right down.  "That's not good.  You're already here, why not enjoy Maebashi a bit?"
[14:51] <Niina> "Like, use your technology to disguise yourself as a human or something?"  She reaches.... somewhere and whips out one of those candy cigarettes she snuck with her (SOMEHOW), and pretends to take a drag of it.  Tastes delicious.  "It'd be weird if you couldn't do that, I'm sure you can."
[14:53] <@GeMshuku> "Even though I've been stuck in transit for the past 40 years--I figured out the units of time you use--this place is...stuffy. Anything that isn't normal is treated with shock, awe, panic. Mostly panic. If my time to enjoy things is going to be like this, best to enjoy things AFTER you'll be sure to not die from a passing youma's actions."
[14:54] <@GeMshuku> "I have only...two bits of technology with me." The rabbit fades from view...almost. The gear is in full display, still, so it's clear that it's still there. "The first is somewhat flawed. And I can't make use of the second until I've got either your cooperation, or the other one's cooperation. ...Believe it was 'Chikako'."
[14:55] <Niina> A smirk.  "Ain't that the truth.  But don't worry, I don't have any plans to die- Nakamigawa Niina, by the way.  I forgot to introduce myself earlier."  She extends a hand, curious what the rabbit would even do with that.  "Thanks for not killing us in our sleep."
[14:56] <@GeMshuku> "Anytime. Good to meet you!" It...shakes her hand with an ear. An invisible ear. Kinda freaky...or rather, would be kinda freaky to anyone else!
[14:56] * Niina nods. "Nagamine Chikako, yeah. I'm gonna go say hi to her after a little bit, she seems worse off than me."
[14:56] <Niina> Nope, not freaky at all, it's adorable.  If her face weren't perma-stuck in a :<, or at least some sort of neutral pseudo-frown, one may even be able to notice that she's holding back a 'hnnnnggh.'  But it is.
[14:57] <Niina> "Anyway, don't forget our deal.  Even if you act friendly I don't have any proof that you're on our side, so one more monster- er, youma, right?"
[14:59] <Niina> "I think... my plan is to sneak out tonight, or maybe early tomorrow, and see what I can take down.  If you don't backstab me, or us, while that happens, then I'll trust you."
[15:00] * Niina looks down and mumbles, "Might just be me, with how things look..." And then takes a CHOMP of that candy cig. Down the hatch.
[15:02] <@GeMshuku> "Yes, they're youma. ...And I'm a tsukaima. We've done enough research to have names for ourselves and these things. ...Though only I could actually get through." It's hard to tell, but it seems bothered by that fact. "...And, fair enough! Though I would imagine telling me when you'll start trusting me is counter-productive, isn't it?" It reappears fully during all this. "...Splitting up would be a bother, but, I'll be confident in assuming that she'll be safe in the...hospital...yeah, hospital chamber. ...Wait, no, I don't think chamber is right..." Still getting the hang of it.
[15:04] <Niina> With a grin, Niina reaches out and pets the invisible creature on the head, by making note of where the gear's at in relation to the rest of its body.  "One step at a time, little tsukaima.  And don't worry, I'm only telling you so you know the best way to backstab me- as soon as I get rid of another villain, the better.  And if you don't, that's good for you too, right?"
[15:04] <Niina> Oh, actually, it's visible now, whatever.  She closes her eyes, there we go
[15:06] <Niina> "Besides, it's not like we're an official team.  She's a tag-along, and probably better off without this kind of excitement in her life."  She stands, stretching.  "But she deserves to make her own choice, so we'll see.  Be seein' you."
[15:06] * Niina heads back down the stairs with a wave, unless the rabbit has something REALLY important to say. It's probably been long enough.
[15:08] <@GeMshuku> "Things might progress to a point where she might have to help you. ...We'll see, though, perhaps you might pull through anyway! Until the time where you test your readiness!" The rabbit waves an ear!
[15:10] <Niina> Down the stairs and through the halls.  Phew, that was close!  If it knew Niina had always dreamed of befriending a supernatural creature, it'd have her soul in a heartbeat.  Can't show that kind of weakness.  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand to Chikako's room, without even a knock this time (unless there's still a shouting match audible from the hallway).  "Heyo."
[15:16] <@GeMshuku> Nope, it's quiet.  Chikako, her face planted firmly in a pillow, jolts and rises, in confusion! "N-Nii-right, hi!" The face (and the pillow for that matter) are perfectly free of any signs of sadness, so at least there's that going for her. "I'd say you should rest up, but...it'd be boring to just lay around, right?"
[15:18] <Niina> "Yeah, something like that."  If there's an empty bed in the room she sits down on it.  Or a chair or something, which is more likely.  Straight to business.  "I'm going out tonight.  There's more hunting to be done, and I can't just wait- I'm probably cured enough anyway.  So, like promised, you can come with me if you want, but..."
[15:19] * Niina srses up. "You still have a chance to be normal, you know."
[15:26] <@GeMshuku> Cured enough of...some things, and less others. "...Being normal is boring." She makes a pouty face! "Just a way for people to make you do what they want you to do. Sure, they pay for my continued existence, but..." She gets a far off look for a moment, before refocusing. "...Sides, the fate of the world is more important anyway! I'll be more careful this time!"
[15:28] <Niina> "Heh."  The slight grin doesn't disrupt her usual face.  "... I'm serious, though.  It's my mission to save the universe, not yours.  We barely even know each other- You could probably grow up, get married, have kids, and wave all this away as a delusion you saw as a kid once.  Past here is the point of no return."
[15:30] * Niina looks to the side, sighing. "Sorry, I'm not used to this kinda thing."
[15:35] <Niina> "Anyway," while standing up, "I'm gonna be... at the end of this hallway after visiting hours are over tonight.  This isn't my first time sneaking out of this place.  Come or not, it's up to you, 'kay?"
[15:37] <@GeMshuku> She does seem to be thinking about it something fierce now. "...Alright. If I can get that far, that'll be the sign that I've decided." She nods!
[15:38] <Niina> A wave.  Gotta be as nonchalant as possible.
[15:38] * Niina exits the room and sighs, muttering under her breath. "She's tough."
[15:39] <Niina> Aaaaaand then back to rest up a bit until gotime.  It may not be enough to recover the wound penalty, but.... ehhh, who needs it?  After last time, she's much more confident in her own ability to do things safely and without getting hurt.  Probably.
[15:45] <@GeMshuku> Hopefully! It's enough to leave her feeling less sore, anyway. Hopefully less sore enough. Wounds may very well open quickly in the face of danger! It's AFTER VISITING HOURS now, though. IT'S TIME.
[15:45] <Niina> Yep, s'time.  Ascolon didn't get to join the hospital escapades, right?  I mean, it's pretty hard to sneak a fucking weapon into a hospital.  ... Yet then again, it's a POCKET knife...
[15:46] * Niina waits in the promised place anyway, once all the staff has left and there's nothing but darkness and possibly spoopy ghosts filling the halls. And the presence or absence of weapons is just a determining factor in whether or not there'll be a detour, that's all.
[15:47] <Niina> >o
[15:47] <Niina> WHOA
[15:47] <Niina> Ascalon.
[15:47] <Niina> damn don't let anyone see that
[15:49] <@GeMshuku> Your pocket knife was, indeed, returned to your home (on your mother's insistence). Someone had once attempted to give you an Ascolon in order to keep the Ascalon away from you, but that didn't work out.
[15:49] <Niina> Yeah, that shit's like a tri-Emplem.  Ain't gonna happen.
[15:50] <Niina> Ok, that's another stop on the ADVENTURE roadmap then.  ... Maybe two stops, depending on how much the cosmic forces of the universe are willing to improvise, but that's too much thinking for now.  Back to waiting.  Any second now...
[15:50] <@GeMshuku> ...That was actually a concerned student (or, more likely, a demon) as opposed to a parent directly doing. Why'd you leave that sitting out? ...Why'd THEY have a fake knife? Obviously demon.
[15:51] <@GeMshuku> Speaking of concerned students...
[15:51] * Niina hopes she makes the decision to not show in order to make this easier on both of them, but plans on waiting for... 5 minutes or so past the promised time anyway.
[15:51] <@GeMshuku> ...
[15:51] <Niina> ....
[15:52] <@GeMshuku> ...about three minutes in, and there she is, trying a bit too hard at sneaking. She's clearly not used to this at all!
[15:52] <Niina> Sighmile.  That is the dumbest sounding portmanteau I've ever made, but there it is.
[15:53] <Niina> "I've already given you all the warnings I needed to.  Let's go."
[15:53] <Niina> "... And nobody patrols this hallway this late anyway.  It's the one near the exit we need to worry about."
[15:55] <Niina> Oh, got it.  'Smighle.'
[15:59] <@GeMshuku> Sounds vaguely like Smough. "Got it." Time to escape from the city! Or the hospital. Whichever.
[15:59] <Niina> k. does
[16:00] <Niina> If this were FATE, this is when I'd make a declare saying 'I've been this way before' or something and blast a fate point for there to be an open window or otherwise easy-to-exit location on the first floor.  But since this is Magical Burst, which is much less concerned about being able to do that and more concerned about shooting lasers at monsters, what'll it take to find a way out that
[16:00] <Niina> won't set off alarms?
[16:00] <Niina> ... Or trigger a stealth minigame, but a stealth minigame actually sounds super fun all things considered.
[16:01] <Niina> ..... Alarms don't in any context though.
[16:05] <@GeMshuku> Open windows? Not a chance. There WAS a chance once, but...that chance stopped, they lock those now. And there's this GUY that's just...staring at the door. ...You feel like night watch was expecting you this time around, which is...different than usual, somehow.
[16:06] <Niina> Nah, standard logic: Sneak out a million times, they start expecting it on try #1,000,001.  Either way in their conditions, getting out from 2f or higher isn't gonna happen.  What's around?
[16:07] <Niina> ... Well, besides the GUY, even if there's a 1% chance he's actually helpful and willing to open the doors there's a 99% chance that isn't the case.
[16:07] <Niina> "Figures," in a whisper.  "They're used to me by now."
[16:07] <Niina> "But it's not like there's NO way out..."
[16:08] <Niina> "... Just a lot fewer than last time I was here."
[16:15] <@GeMshuku> "Hmmmm..." Yep, there's definitely the guy, as well as his desk and a completely standard room. ...It's...damn, they're really giving it an effort this time around. Windows, check, door, check, but the windows are shut and the door is BEING STARED AT. Obviously there's a table with those toys because they don't want to bore the kids that inevitably get dragged here, and there's magazines for those other people, but shit, they've covered all kinds of bases. Pondering your lack of options, he waits, patiently...but not without saying something under his breath. "...Night watch sucks...but at least I'm getting paid extra for this..."
[16:16] <Niina> Oh, entry-level puzzle.  Niina doesn't even break a sweat walking - well, sneaking - over to the lego table and picking one up.  A little one.
[16:18] * Niina brings Chikako closer and points to the door, making sure she understands the signal, and then... TOSSES the legoblocktoy with all the strength a 14-year-old girl can muster, to where it lands on the other side of the guy staring at the door, likely making a noisy crash. As soon as he looks, they make a break for it.
[16:19] <Niina> .... Something about that plan is probably off, but at least it can't be as bad as 'having an AI companion who tells you to rush a door and then the door is locked after an hour-long guard battle.'  Man, that was some shit.
[16:23] <@GeMshuku> She follows closely, nods, and then...yep, he looks. ...And goes over there, continuing to speak to himself. "This has to be the oldest trick in the book, but you know what? She escaped from the second floor. I don't care anymore. This is worth at least 5 more dollars an hour."
[16:24] <@GeMshuku> "Gotta be a friggen janitor, christ."
[16:24] <@GeMshuku> BREAK FOR IT!
[16:24] * Niina waves bye to him while leaping out the door like a madwoman. "MAN that's never worked before."
[16:24] <Niina> "... I've also never tried it before, but uh."
[16:24] <Niina> "..."
[16:24] <Niina> "Keep running!"
[16:25] <Niina> ~hustling noises~
[16:26] <Niina> PRESENT TO ME A MAP, O MASTER OF THE MAGICAL WORLD
[16:26] <Niina> ... By which I mean 'not a real map' but like, 'one of those really lazy JRPG (read: GUST) maps where you just pick stuff from a list.'
[16:26] <Niina> oh i guess persona did that too
[16:26] <Niina> ... actually a LOT of videogames did that, damn
[16:27] <Niina> .. better plan
[16:27] <@GeMshuku> DO THE HUSTLE. They both eventually make it away from the hospital in a direction closer to your home without incident! From here, you wanted to go to your home and...er, a place to hunt demons. Nothing in particular sticks out immediately!
[16:28] <Niina> "Let's stop by my house first.  The key's always in the same place, everyone's asleep, and we'll need some weapons.  And, uh..."  They're wearing those gross hospital gowns, right?
[16:32] <@GeMshuku> Yeeeep. And that probably sticks out in a bad way. "You've got one yourself, so...hopefully we'll find something that works for me!"
[16:34] <Niina> "Yeah, don't worry, I think there'll be something lying around that you can use."  Man, that's basically like streaking.  Maxyuck.  "And you might as well borrow my clothes for now.  Hopefully something kind-of fits."
[16:35] <Niina> Fortunately Niina's mom is super desperate to try to get her weirdo daughter to be normal, so maybe there's something less boyish in the closet?  It's still mostly all 'stuff that's comfy to move around in.'  ... Oh and maybe their school has a dress code, but who would fight monsters in a seifuku?
[16:35] <Niina> ...
[16:35] <Niina> don't answer that
[16:36] <Niina> Anyway, home's probably not too far, and dodging the cops is MUCH easier when you're not in a car.  Trust me on that one.
[16:38] <Niina> Key is... not underneath the welcome mat, because underneath the welcome mat is a picture of a triangle on top of a square; inside the birdhouse in the backyard, which matches that exact shape, is not a key but instead a note with a drawing of a yellow sword and "-BRAND" written next to it, meaning the next clue is behind a lightbulb somewhere outside the house, and... nevermind why am I
[16:38] <Niina> writing all this?  Niina knows where it is.
[16:39] <@GeMshuku> Yeah, you don't need to answer that! Since everyone's sleeping and you're not in a car (yeah, that wasn't pretty), you DO arrive home, get inside through a complicated system that ensures that only she would understand how to get in (while the rest of the family just sort of knows), and...boom, you're in!
[16:40] <@GeMshuku> Knife is in your room, as expected, and your closet DOES have girlish things in the corne--
[16:40] <@GeMshuku> *crash*
[16:40] * Niina nonchalantly strolls through the front door and heads straight for her own room. It is the messiest roomOH FUCK
[16:40] <@GeMshuku> ...You'd better get a move on. That was totally a trap.
[16:40] <@GeMshuku> THEY KNOW
[16:40] <Niina> "The monsters know we're here."
[16:41] <Niina> ... Groan.  "...And by 'the monsters' I mean 'my siblings.'"
[16:41] <Niina> "Or worse."
[16:42] * Niina hurriedly picks out... eh, the usual getup, this time with a baseball cap. And to go with it, a metal baseball bat... that's a common enough thing to have, right?
[16:43] <Niina> Ascalon too, sone string, a phone... wait, they already had those.  A lighter, couple firecrackers... wait what
[16:43] <Niina> Nnnnnyeah those are all reasonable probably.  All just stuffed together in one compartment, that can't go wrong.
[16:43] <Niina> As for Chikako, a.... let's see what we got here
[16:43] <@GeMshuku> "T-then we'd better get a move on before they wake up--we're only in the closet because--" She hurriedly takes some girlish clothes from the closet! "--we gotta stick out less, so..." Yeah, that can't possibly go wrong. Certainly not.
[16:44] <Niina> A broom?  Oh no, let's screw off the head actually... perfect, now it's a QUARTERSTAFF.
[16:44] <Niina> ".. O-Oh hey I-I didn't know I even had that, w-when'd my mom put that in there"
[16:44] <Niina> b l u s h u
[16:45] <Niina> Alternatively, an assortment of... more knives, not treated with as much care, a bunch of hangers (apparently it's legit to use those as weapons), and... man, if there's a bat maybe there's actually a baseball?  Whatever, she can take her pick.
[16:46] <Niina> Actually if you take the hangers apart those are SUPER LEGIT, screw the wires in fact Niina's taking one of those for herself
[16:46] <Niina> er
[16:46] <Niina> -wires +string
[16:46] <Niina> "I don't think we're going to be being looked at much, but... get changed, I'll watch the door."
[16:47] <Niina> "And then we're heading out the window."
[16:50] <Niina> Oh also there's probably a katana in there.  Not a well-maintained one by any means, nor one meant to be actually wielded, but there it is.
[16:51] <Niina> And some... chairs?  Getting hit by a chair kind of hurts, you don't really want to fight someone with a chair.
[16:51] <Niina> oh boxing gloves too, why the fuck not
[16:52] <Niina> Note: Some of these (read: most of them) were actually just taken from junkyard raids and not actually bought from stores or anything, because there is a ton of real junk just fuckin' lying around in here
[16:52] <@GeMshuku> "Parents do things without permission all the time, like when my game discs were all replaced with audiobooks." ...She's totally fine with the quarterstaff. And those wires, never know when that'll come in handy! Oooh, and there's--change first. She stays as far out of sight as she can with all of this junk that was elaborately put to come crashing down when the closet door was opened to do that!
[16:53] <@GeMshuku> ...And when she's done, she takes the quarterstaff. "Used to play around with brooms, so this should do."
[16:53] <Niina> "Huh, not my first guess as to what you'd be into."  Takes some effort to suppress a giggle.  "I think my mom mostly gave up a few years ago."
[16:53] <Niina> "Mostly."
[16:54] <Niina> "Yeah, that'll give you some reach, though.  Let's get outta here."
[16:54] * Niina opens the window from inside and leaps out.
[16:55] <Niina> "But I uh..."
[16:55] <@GeMshuku> Speaking of mostly, step, step. She hurriedly nods, and GETS OUT. If they move fast enough, they might lose em!
[16:55] <Niina> "... Kinda let the rush go to my head and didn't spend much time planning where to actually look for these youma things."
[16:56] <Niina> Mad dash, regardless.
[16:58] <Niina> "But I felt it last time we got close, so it's intuition, I guess?"
[16:59] <@GeMshuku> Yeah, any place better than here would probably be better than...here. They make a mad dash! "Guess so!"
[16:59] <@GeMshuku> ...As they dash, they're joined by a floating gear that eventually has a rabbit attached for a moment, before it's just a gear. "Sorry I'm late!"
[17:00] <Niina> "Mm.  Actually you're early, we haven't even found the thing y- .... heeeeeey."
[17:01] * Niina ... makes an attempt to scoop up the invisifate and put it on a shoulder though, assuming they're still dashing. Hnng.
[17:05] <@GeMshuku> It speaks...IN YOUR MIND, mostly. Whooaaaaaa. "I wanted to be there when you left, but I only managed to reach you when you left there!"
[17:07] <@GeMshuku> Distance is made between the house and yourselves. There doesn't SEEM to be anyone between these things. At least there's that going for you...right?
[17:08] <Niina> With a family this lazy, there's no way they'd give chase that far.  Probably just wanted to yell anyway.  They duck into an alleyway or somesuch to catch a breath.
[17:09] <Niina> "Oh well, you're here now.  You sure are pretty reliant on us when we don't even trust you yet."
[17:09] <Niina> "Buuuut.... I don't assume you have an idea where this youma thing is?"
[17:09] <Niina> er
[17:09] <Niina> -assume +suppose
[17:14] <@GeMshuku> "You're both all I've got! At this stage, when the hold of the youma is as ingrained as it is, you're the only ones that can actually do as I ask, once things progress to such a stage where that'll be neccessary or you feel like it. As things are, I depend on you, so naturally, I'm reliant!" Chikako...can no longer resist, and gives Fate a pet...and tries to cover for herself. "...Yeah, I'm not sure if you could have just like, shot a laser from that gear thing to fry us. Just now, when I did that."
[17:15] * Niina nonchalantly pets the (invisible?) rabbit without having to cover for herself. Sure is a cute fuzzy animal. "Nah, not a laser, that's too old-fashioned. The gear would turn into a sawblade and slice your hand off if it could."
[17:16] <Niina> "N-Not to say I don't think you're trying to take our souls still or anything, but..."
[17:16] <Niina> A soft smile.  "I guess we can work together to find this thing, at least.  Any idea where to look?"
[17:17] <@GeMshuku> "Scary scary." She shivers, in a joking sort of way. Fate doesn't appear amused. "I'm not sure if humans have the things that they describe as souls, but they certainly have a sort of consciousness, either a result of some scientifical wonder or simply enhanced intelligence. Either way, my gear is not a tool of destruction."
[17:19] <@GeMshuku> "As for where you might find more youma...frankly, I just got out here. It would have been nice if they brought someone that could FIND the youma along, but no, I was the only one that could fit through the youma's grip on the world, and I still got stuck until you loosed me from it. Hmmmm..."
[17:20] <Niina> "Good to know.  Well, if the last place we found one tells us anything, it'll probably be somewhere where they aren't any people around this late... like, abandoned buildings or construction sites.  Parks I guess?  ... Trainyards?"
[17:21] <@GeMshuku> "...Makes me wonder. Perhaps I could draw one out of hiding? It's worth a shot, but I should warn you before making an attempt."
[17:21] <Niina> "Hmm..."
[17:22] * Niina starts to nod slowly. "Let's find a place we can use to our advantage. Somewhere with lots of spots to hide in, just in case."
[17:23] <Niina> "Uhh.... you know of anything like that nearby, Nagamine-san?"
[17:30] <@GeMshuku> "Hm, lemme think--wait, I don't need to, there's a junkyard not long from here! Should have plenty of spots to hide in~!" She seems proud of herself!
[17:31] * Niina smacks a fist into an open palm. "Oh yeah, that place! There was useful stuff thrown away there, if it's the one I'm thinking of."
[17:32] <Niina> "Little Fate, if we go there, can you call it out?  Like I promised, I'll trust you if you can."
[17:32] <Niina> "I mean, you're sure doing a lot to get on our good side as it stands."
[17:32] <Niina> "... sure it could be a trap, but..."
[17:32] <Niina> mumblemumblegrumble
[17:34] <@GeMshuku> "You'd think getting a youma near you would BE a trap, wouldn't it? Yet, I'm doing this in order to help out. Funny now that works." It chuckles, then pauses. "...That was a sense of humor, right?"
[17:34] <Niina> "... I don't get it."
[17:36] <@GeMshuku> "...Maybe next time, then." It sighs. "That said, I'm mostly running on a suspicion that these things don't like me, so it may or may not work. Better than wandering blindly like this, though.
[17:36] <@GeMshuku> "
[17:36] <@GeMshuku> Chikako ponders. "...They did manage to cut you off as you were coming here or something, so I guess that makes sense?" She's trying!
[17:37] <Niina> "Yep.  'Ppreciate it.  Once we get there, we'll see what's there that can help us fight it - or at least keep us alive while we do - and then you can call it out."
[17:39] <Niina> "If it doesn't work, I guess it doesn't hurt us TOO much-- we'll just keep looking."
[17:41] <@GeMshuku> "...And I suppose with what you've been saying, a junkyard fits that well enough, anyhow. Onward, then!" Fate points onward with a (visible right now) ear! Chikako, with a spring in her step, starts leading the way!
[17:42] <Niina> Chikako can lead for now if she's feeling THAT MUCH better.  Niina drags behind and takes in the sights, analyzing anything that can be useful on the way.  And trembling a bit, but hopefully nobody sees that.
[17:48] <@GeMshuku> It's sure the outskirts of the city at night! Some people are about (and Fate is convienently invisible at about those times), but nothing truly noticable happens on the way to the JUNKYARD, where things are make into junk. Like hopes, and dreams. Some of this junk is nice and big, and there's all sorts of metal dodads everywhere.
[17:49] <@GeMshuku> By big, of course, one means that you could easily fit a few people in there. And by nice, one means that you don't have to cut yourself up on the way. It's easily accessible!
[17:50] <Niina> Very convenient.  And good for totally wack plans that probably won't even succeed, but it's nice to have ideas.
[17:51] <Niina> "Hiding spots... and it looks like we could probably knock some of this stuff over if we had to.  Good.  We won't have to stand around and stab them until they die this time."
[17:51] * Niina scratches her head. "So... our game plan should be to hide as much as possible, and not get in close combat if we can help it, right?"
[17:52] <Niina> "Can't think of anything else... Alright, I think we're ready."
[17:52] <@GeMshuku> "Yeah, if this thing gets too close, it'll be far too tough to get out, so...maybe we should hide and then call it out?"
[17:54] <Niina> "Gooooood thinking.  Be on the lookouts for spots we can lure it to, too.  If there's something we can drop or push over onto it, that'll save us a lot of work."
[17:57] * Niina gets behind something anyway. Preferably a bit far from Fate's summoning spot, but closer to it than Chikako is. If she gets hurt again that's gonna be hell to explain.
[18:01] <@GeMshuku> She nods! She hides with Niina...and Fate finds somewhere in the open, and proceeds to speak via mind, which is a lot clearer from here. "I'm good enough at running away, so I shouldn't be in much danger here. Ready?"
[18:02] <Niina> "Go for it!  And then get away.  We'll talk after we're done."  Through... soft speaking and an attempt at counter-telepathy?  However that works.
[18:03] <@GeMshuku> Fate proceeds...to go invisible! And uninvisible. And visible. And uninvisable. As if taunting the very fabric of reality once again, though with more apparent measures, Fate proceeds to seemingly flicker in and out of existence.
[18:04] <@GeMshuku> This continues for a while before you feel something stir. Not physically, but mentally!
[18:04] <Niina> Ascalon FWIPs open as if on its own.
[18:05] <Niina> ... and it's not like there's even any need to use it yet, geez, calm down
[18:05] <@GeMshuku> ...Huh, there's the butterflies in your stomach. ...If you pay attention,  it seems Chikako is getting them too.
[18:05] <@GeMshuku> ...Whoa, even all considering, you didn't think there was that much butterflies even in your stomach. What did you eat?
[18:06] <Niina> Butterflies.
[18:06] <@GeMshuku> Obviously!
[18:06] <Niina> They're great fried.
[18:07] <@GeMshuku> But then why do they flutter, so? Fluttering, fried butterflies would be quite the abomination indeed.
[18:07] <Niina> Butterfries.
[18:07] <Niina> Flutterfries.
[18:07] <Niina> ... I'm done
[18:08] <Niina> "H-Here it comes."  Gulp.
[18:08] <@GeMshuku> ...It seems even Fate has felt it, for it gets a look of panic, and starts to move! "Something's coming! Something bigger than I was intending!"
[18:09] <Niina> "We can handle this.  We can handle this, we can handle this."  Gulp 2.0: Electric Gulpaloo.
[18:09] <@GeMshuku> And by move, it means 'move away'. Definitely away. The air feels--mentally, you'd think, but it's to such an extent that it feels physical--stuffy. Everything feels stuffy. Hoollllyyy shit.
[18:09] <Niina> LAVA MONSTER?  IT'S A LAVA MONSTER?
[18:10] <Niina> EVEN ALIEN LAVA MONSTER?  LAVA MONSTER!
[18:10] <@GeMshuku> And then...you feel as though you're being watched.
[18:10] * Niina nudges Chikako as the atmosphere starts to worsen. "You okay?"
[18:11] <Niina> "... Move.  Move move move let's move."
[18:11] <@GeMshuku> Not only as if you're being watched, but...you're being watched by something terrifying. The closest thing you can related it to would be a crowd. No one's around, but you have stage fright? "I don't feel OK yeah let's move" They move!
[18:12] <Niina> Let's move... behind something else.  Maybe into one of those 'doodads?'  But then that might be worse because it's an enclosed space... oh hell, no time to think now, might as well do it.
[18:13] <@GeMshuku> ...And the structure they were in is flattened by an unseen force.
[18:13] * Niina suddenly starts running double speed.
[18:13] <Niina> "Wegotthiswegotthiswegotthis."
[18:13] <@GeMshuku> ...That was a very big structure, so it's flattened with a deafening cry! OH NO is about right.
[18:14] <Niina> Sacred Saber Blessed Ascalon fwips closed for now though- gonna need the sheer power of the metal bat right now.  If... it even works on whatever this is.
[18:15] <Niina> In fact, getting inside something isn't a good idea at all.  Behind something instead it is.
[18:15] <@GeMshuku> Chikako is very thankful she went to the bathroom before this (that's what took her, you see)! "Wh--" She WANTS to react, but holy shit, what if it HEARS HER.
[18:16] * Niina starts frantically looking around for where the thing might be. Anything? ANYTHING?
[18:22] <@GeMshuku> ...And then, a voice can be clearly heard, source still unknown. A terrifying voice, booming like that of a king. *"It seems as though the alien has made it here, the path between worlds, breached. And to have broken the hold that I had placed...there is only one situation that could have brought that about."*
[18:22] <Niina> Gee you ell pee.
[18:24] <@GeMshuku> Chikako squeaks, her chest tightening (by her own, scared will)! THIS IS BAD. ALL KINDS OF BAD. She barely has air with which to squeak with!
[18:24] <Niina> Instead of trying to make sense of the words and get stuck in a decision between which is the real enemy now, our chuuni does the smart thing and tries to sneak toward the source of the voice.  ... Unless it's a mind-voice like Fate's, which would be REALLY BAD.
[18:24] <Niina> And if it is the latter, INITIATE PANIC
[18:24] <@GeMshuku> It's booming from everywhere. Which doesn't make sense, being physical in nature.
[18:24] <Niina> DOUBLE PANIC
[18:25] * Niina keeps moving, fearing that any of the hiding spots could be crushed like the last one. And also keeps an eye out for Fate's gear, because if what it says is true, then the voice's true enemy is...
[18:27] <Niina> Oh, and an eye out for Chikako too to make sure she didn't stop moving.  If she did, something's gonna happen.
[18:29] <@GeMshuku> *"Humans have become the dominant species once again, and have sufficently discarded reality, opening a path beyond. In addition, they've made quite the /mess/ of this world. And now, two humans and that thing have attempted to /call/ me forth."* Well, it's definitely a youma, whatever it is. And Chikako is attempting to NOT cling to you by her own will. T-totally brave!
[18:29] <@GeMshuku> *"Humans. What say you in your defense? Neglect to speak, and I will not miss this time."*
[18:30] <@GeMshuku> You could swear your hiding place just creaked.
[18:31] <Niina> "H..."  Jesus H. Tapdancing Christ.  "Hmph.  You... You don't know anything about what humanity has done."  NO NO ABORT ABORT THAT DIDN'T SOUND AS COOL AS IT STARTED TO
[18:31] * Niina doesn't abort and jumps out of the hiding place, at least getting the voice's attention off Chikako. AT LEAST.
[18:31] <Niina> ... and actually says that chuuni as fuck phrase, for the record
[18:32] <Niina> "We're here to s..."  Quiver quiver.  "Stop you... THINGS from messing up OUR world."
[18:32] <@GeMshuku> ...
[18:32] <Niina> her face does not show even the tiniest ounce of confidence implied by that statement
[18:32] <Niina> w h a t s o e v e r
[18:35] <@GeMshuku> *"I am not sure if you play dumb, are dumb, or are on another level entirely, delusional one."* Despite this things apparent power, you are not literally on fire. Shiiiiiiiiit, though.
[18:36] <Niina> DEFINITELY ON METAPHORICAL FIRE RIGHT NOW
[18:37] <Niina> "I..."  He said the d-word, that does it.  The confidence starts to flow back, fake or not, as Sacred Instrument Godly Ascalon fwips out.  "I'm not... afraid of you.  I'm the one tasked to rebalance the natural order and" minigulp "save the Universe from calamity."
[18:37] <Niina> "A-And if.... y-you are that calamity I'm here to save it from..."
[18:38] * Niina is definitely afraid btw, lieometer going BWIP BWIP BWIP
[18:38] <@GeMshuku> *"It is clear that the thing's liking to you is because you were what set it free. Your desire that the world be not what it is...is one so strong that it has breached reality. And there are many others like you, believing the same thing, supporting your strength."* Chikako shudders!
[18:39] <@GeMshuku> *"The infestation runs deep. There is a lot of cleaning to do."*
[18:39] <Niina> "Y-You're saying the calamity is MY fault?  T-That's not even possible!"  The blade trembles.
[18:40] <@GeMshuku> Fate suddenly appears! "notimejustacceptmypowersayyes"
[18:40] <@GeMshuku> The air grows thicker with each passing /part of a second/!
[18:40] <Niina> "I'm not- no I- I didn't-"
[18:40] <Niina> "ddddamnitDAMNITDAMNIT"
[18:41] <Niina> "I'm n-not backing down!  Urgh... YES, DO IT FATE!"
[18:42] <Niina> "I'd rather fight that thing that insults MY reality that you... deal's off, gimme your power."
[18:43] <@GeMshuku> The gear on Fate glows! It shines BRIGHTLY. So brightly, that you can't help but close your eyes, and yet even then it shines brightly. The night sky shines with a blinding light that rivals the sun!
[18:47] <@GeMshuku> ...And when she opens her eyes, she can see the source of the voice hanging overhead. A sphere of eyes, decidedly unnatural, and colored in unnatural ways hangs in the air. Clearly, that's why it could see you. The main eye, in particular, stares at you as if it were the eye of a god.
[18:48] <Niina> "a..."
[18:48] <@GeMshuku> [s]Holy shit, it's a JRPG final boss.[/s]
[18:48] <Niina> [s]fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuck[/s]
[18:49] <Niina> ... That might be 'opens her eye,' btw.  IS IT TIME
[18:49] <@GeMshuku> Notably, it's about...if you were to make an estimate, 30 meters in diameter? It's pretty big!
[18:49] <@GeMshuku> [s]Not as big as the last showing, but yeah, pretty big.[/s]
[18:49] <Niina> JUST the main eye?
[18:49] <Niina> J
[18:49] <Niina> E
[18:49] <Niina> S
[18:49] <Niina> U
[18:49] <Niina> S
[18:49] <Niina> "I'm...." mumblegarglejurgle what is even
[18:50] <@GeMshuku> Fate continues, clearly pressed for time. "Notdoneyetjust/clearyourheadamomentandfocusand*believe*/"
[18:51] <Niina> note: "私," read as "watashi" as opposed to Niina's typical "boku"- what, you didn't think she was a bokuko?  fuck you
[18:51] <@GeMshuku> *"...So this is your goal, alien. No matter."*
[18:51] <Niina> "I... I got it I got it I got it.  I feel it now, I believe, I believe...."  Her conscious starts to spin around in space.  "I believe.... I feel it, let's go!"
[18:51] <@GeMshuku> The main eye starts to glow! Fate gets the fuck out, in Chikako's direction!
[18:52] <@GeMshuku> ...If you believe hard enough, you can transform!
[18:52] <@GeMshuku> CAUSE IT'S TIME.
[18:52] <Niina> *IS IT TIME*
[18:52] <Niina> *IT IS*
[18:52] <Niina> ... so get some dinner we'll be here a while
[19:00] <Niina> "I," still pronounced the same as opposed to the typical boyish manner, "feel it now, Fate.  I didn't believe you but..."  In true chuunibyou fashion, her right eye immediately sets on fire.  Given two or three seconds it's already burned completely away, revealing a hole leading into an endless, pitch-black void;  her hand tries to cover it, but is pushed away by the rapid beating of something
[19:00] <Niina> from inside.  Thump.  Thump.  THUMP.  A colorless tendril, displacing all matter around it, shoots out and grows until it forms the shape of a hand itself, which takes over the position her own body attempted to and covers her face as if in embarrassment.  With a loud shriek, her bosy undergoes a single convulsion and, as a result, her hair unmesses itself and becomes straight- like something
[19:00] <Niina> a scene kid would wear, actually, since the hand recedes and a patch of black hair covers her eyehole.  All her clothes erupt into black flame and shoot out like a massive gown, gradually burning away until it takes the form of a jacket with two tails flowing behind.  She shoots her hands out, Sailor Moon-style (well, meguca-style in general) and white wrappings surround each of them, topping
[19:00] <Niina> off with each finger taking on the appearance of a gruesome, lengthy claw.  She gets some nice tights and boots too but those don't appear quite as flashily, because as they do, four tendrils - just like the eyehole-hand - shoot out from the space behind her and dangle limply, as if part of her body.  As she twists in the air, her right eye notices them, and they begin to move as though they
[19:00] <Niina> were limbs, colorless and void of existence entirely but cuddling herself like two more pairs of arms.
[19:03] <Niina> "... but now I see it."  The tendrils at her back drag on the edge of reality, scratching it with a slightly audible screech.  She stalls in the air.  "I have the power now to reject who I am- the 二 in my name is no longer necessary, since I'm not two now."  Her lips, fortunately not with black lipstick or anything because that would be TOO edgy, curve into a smile.  "I am that which is
[19:03] <Niina> beyond existence, 零.  Zero.  Void."  Her hand reaches up, claws flexing.  "And maybe I was always that way?  名 also has no place, my distinguishment and reputation come solely from myself."
[19:04] <Niina> "Instead, my existence is a question, an empty void unfilled in the mysterious world we live in."  Her voice takes on a higher, cheerier tone now that her hair's less messy and her face... also less of a mess.  Except for the missing eye, that's kinda bad, but she doesn't even seem to care.  "Sorry I introduced myself to you wrong, Fate... you can call me '零那.'"
[19:06] * Niina is now known as xXx_Reina_xXx
[19:10] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Ascalon is still a knife, by the way.  A slightly flashier, bigger knife, but it looks like it was ignored by the transformation altogether and just floats in the air until her hand grabs it.  Her left eye takes a look to see what hand it's even beind held in, and, to her surprise, both hands are at her side- it's the one that came out of her eye again, just doing whatever the fuck it wants
[19:10] <xXx_Reina_xXx> .  It swings the blade a couple times.
[19:11] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "I'm ready for ?hatever you have for me now, monster.  Let's go!"
[19:32] <@GeMshuku> *"So it appears. So this is how they planned to rend the rest of reality, eh? The power fantasies of those unwilling to accept things as they are, made manifest..."*
[19:32] <@GeMshuku> It...starts to drift away?
[19:33] <@GeMshuku> ...towards the city.
[19:33] <@GeMshuku> *"It appears the aliens are more able than I thought. At the very least, I should start to multitask."* Oh shit.
[19:33] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Listen, /thing/."  The knife swings one more time.  "I don't care if you're a timeless god-being or WHATEVER, but I see reality for what it truly is now.  And that's the reality I'm going to save, not what you think reality is."
[19:34] <@GeMshuku> *"You waste your breath, delusional one."* Yeah, it seems pretty set on whatever it's doing.
[19:34] <xXx_Reina_xXx> The tendrils at Reina's back shoot out and flap like wings.  "Even if you insult me, I'm MAKING reality.  And you're not gonna be in it!"
[19:35] <@GeMshuku> "If you wish to create your own, then wrest it from my grasp and try!" IT'S ON.
[19:37] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Worst god ever.
[19:52] <@GeMshuku> As Reina chases the clearly foul creature, you see the world light up...and the light source is behind you. Well, there's that! Still before you can even ponder such things, the being sends the gaze of all of its eyes towards you, which seems to demand your full attention. It's really on!
[19:52] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Then the tendrils SHOOT OUT and propel her entire body forward- the nothing-hand hands the knife over to one of her real hands.
[19:53] <@GeMshuku> Even with this power though, it's dreadful. The city behind it, drawing ever closer...that's also dreadful, though not because the city is terrifying.
[19:54] <@GeMshuku> The transformation theme (which might have been playing in Miin--Reina360noscope's head) dies down!
[19:54] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Gotta stop it..."  Taking a deep breath, she gets halfway toward it and stalls in midair.
[19:54] <xXx_Reina_xXx> c l e v e r
[19:57] <@GeMshuku> The main eye lights up! Your limbs begin to feel squeezed! Gotta shake it off!
[19:59] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Today in things that are convenient: Magically forming five EXTRA limbs
[20:00] <@GeMshuku> ...Nope, those are also feeling rather bound. An unseen force crushes you, and maintains its hold!
[20:01] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "?gh... That's not..."
[20:02] <@GeMshuku> It does not reply, continually moving back. Thankfully, you can still keep up with it kind of, but...
[20:19] <@GeMshuku> ...At the very least, being slown down allows someone else to begin trying to catch up! "Niina! ...Or, Reina now, right?" There's Chikako, dressed as if she were ...a knight? It seems as though she's dressing as...a knight in some sort of impossible armordress! It's obviously a fancy dress, but it's also obviously made of (magical) steel. (Obviously no helmet, helmets get in the way of her face!) ...steel doesn't flow like cloth, but she's pulling that off! She wields an improbably long quarterstaff of steel, both ends somewhat pointed! "With all of my strength, forged through otherworldly power it may be, we will make sure no harm comes to our reality!"
[20:21] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Chik    ...!"  Tilting back, the hand reaches out of her right eye and waves, being a little less bound than the others.  The rest of her face isn't as amused.  "You should've..."
[20:21] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "... No.  Alright, let's do this."
[20:25] <xXx_Reina_xXx> After the wave, the hand made of nothingness flips backward like it's made out of rubber and DARTS toward God- I mean toward the youma, growing as it does, and wraps nigh the entirety of the giant eye in its grip.  The air crackles and tears in space start to appear, NOTHING shrouding the creature's movement toward the city and preventing it from moving because there's... just not any space
[20:25] <xXx_Reina_xXx> fo move in anymore.
[20:26] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Get away from my city... GET ??WAY FROM OUR REALITY!"  The hand reaches back and shoves out all its clawed fingers like spears, surrounding the eye in spacetime holes.  Then, to add insult to injury, it punches it.  Getting punched by a giant nothing-fist probably hurts.
[20:27] <xXx_Reina_xXx> ... And then the entire hand immediately sucks itself back into her eye.  It looks fuckin weird, man.
[20:31] <@GeMshuku> STAB, STAB, STAB, STAB. ...The stabs are in (its?) reality, which don't exactly hurt less in a sense, though it's the punch that really does it. It grunts! It's held still, by temporal distortions and the aftermath of getting punched in the eye, solidly! One can only hope this dazed effect will last a while. ...Also, you totally just punched out THAT REAL BIG FUCKIN THING, which must be worth something!
[20:32] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Yeah, punched it out with a missing eye.  That's... something that can't ever be explained to anybody without context.
[20:32] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Punched out AN EYE witha missing eye, at that!  It's the kind of thing that makes people think you're on crack.
[20:37] <@GeMshuku> Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're both on crack. ANYWAY, Chikako joins you! "You might be the only one that can do this, but I'm gonna make sure you don't have to do it alone!" ...No homo?
[20:38] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "I dunno if that's so true now... but there's definitely SOMETHING only I can do.  Be careful, 'kay?"
[20:39] <@GeMshuku> "Right!" She nods with a passion. She might be in a grim situation, but damn is she loving this, inside.
[20:40] <@GeMshuku> The eye, during this reunion, tries to shake off this dazed feeling.
[20:40] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "I'm doing all I can to ?????d it... hit it hard."
[20:43] <@GeMshuku> "I'll do my best!" Thankfully, this has delayed the thing's movement...which is nice, since you were finding it hard to keep up anyway. That CONSTRICTING BINDING FORCE.
[20:45] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Reina's normal hand, holding Deadly Avenger Luciferion Ascalon, fwips the blade forward, trying to ignore the binds.  It barely manages to get out at all, but once the knife begins to sail through the air, a tendril emerges from her eye and WHACKS the blade, launching it with unimabinable force at God- I mean, the youma.  It leaves a trail of nothingness behind it, as though it's slicing
[20:45] <xXx_Reina_xXx> through reality itself.
[20:45] <xXx_Reina_xXx> m a x  e d g e
[20:46] <xXx_Reina_xXx> The same tendril makes sure to grab the blade after it's gone through, and places it back in her hand.  Can't go losin' that.
[20:47] <@GeMshuku> Unimabinable. It hits, dead on! The eye is slashed, but no blood or anything comes out! It does seem wounded, though!
[20:48] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Sorry, i meant 'unima???inable.'
[20:50] <@GeMshuku> Chikako launches into action! Without movement. Without her movement. She points the boom stick at the...superyouma, and it extends!
[20:51] <xXx_Reina_xXx> damn, she didn't even have to backstep or flash guard
[20:51] <xXx_Reina_xXx> pro
[20:52] <@GeMshuku> You'd think a long, sharp metal object being thrust sharply against an eyeball would result in a mess, but...it bounces off! She seems frustrated, but alright!
[20:52] <xXx_Reina_xXx> http://assets.vg247.com/current//2011/02/TalesofXillia-4.jpg btw because unexplained jokes are the worst jokes
[20:53] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Stay c??lm."
[20:54] <@GeMshuku> She pauses, and then...does that. "Right." Calm!
[20:54] <@GeMshuku> The eye continues trying to shake off the offensive!
[20:54] <xXx_Reina_xXx> ... That one isn't explained because it's not a joke, by the way, part of the sound of the sentence just cuts out like it was never said.  In fact, the gap doesn't even take up any time, so it's... nothing.  Literally clm.
[20:55] <@GeMshuku> Stay clam! ...Cause it's not moving. It's trying! It sort of moves! But it doesn't.
[20:59] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Stop it before it can do ????nything..."  The eye-tendril snakes out again, this time so thin that it's practically invisible.  It makes its way to Abyss where the eyegod is, and then EXPLODES into snakelike hand-form from inside it, trying to poke through and leave tears with which to leak its essence.  ... Of course, that's not to say its aim is spot-on.
[21:04] <xXx_Reina_xXx> It is though.
[21:05] <@GeMshuku> It's spot on enough, it's hardly a mobile target! Chikako refuses to feel inadequate, even as those tears successfully happen, which DOES in fact make it leak its essence!
[21:06] <@GeMshuku> Chikako, with a clear mind, tries again! Aim for a tear, it's totally a weak point!
[21:06] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Sounds like Chikako's shedding some tears HEE HEE HEE HEE HEE
[21:09] <@GeMshuku> She might be! It bounces off again! ...She keeps calm, though.
[21:12] <@GeMshuku> Whoa, it seems like it's about to pass out for a moment...
[21:12] <@GeMshuku> ...but the eyes flare up, all of a sudden.
[21:12] <@GeMshuku> It still can't shake the feeling off, but you bet it's pissed off now.
[21:13] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Why didn't you just try to apologize?  Whatever you are, we're more powerful than you now."
[21:14] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Every part of me now," the eye-hand reaches out and flexes, "is like it's been a part of my body since I was born.  Like 'The Question of (Nonexistence/Zero)' was the secret self I always was.  It's a scary kind of power."
[21:17] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "The void... it's almost like I could eat it."  She licks her chops and the hand stretches out, passing through God again.  It's like it's carefully touching all the holes it just made and consuming them, returning existence to its rightful place in return for nourishment.
[21:20] <xXx_Reina_xXx> And then on its way back, the hand backhands the eye and Reina's face turns scary.  Like a disappointed, one-eyed glare.  "Oh well.  Die."
[21:21] <xXx_Reina_xXx> And does 死 damage.
[21:23] <@GeMshuku> ...Whoa. That is....exactly what it did! And while the crushing feeling remains, it at least no longer seems to strangle her. Such weeb damage! [s]It's incorrect, but it's still pretty weeb.[/s]
[21:25] <@GeMshuku> Chikako...patient, yet annoyed, does not simply extend the pole into the youma's eyes. She THROWS IT.
[21:26] <@GeMshuku> ...And it goes in! ...A bit. Just a bit. She grabs it before the youma's subsequent thrashing ends up knocking the pole into her.
[21:26] <@GeMshuku> Reina...feels protected, somehow!
[21:28] <xXx_Reina_xXx> The eye-hand gives a wave of thanks.  Not like it really understands what's going on.
[21:33] * xXx_Reina_xXx thrashes in her binds a bit and, with a grunt, tosses the knife one more time. It sails through nothingness like last time, but this time moves about in a sidewinder-y pattern just to spice things up. It makes a SPLASH as it enters the eye, and somehow ends up back in her hand after a few seconds.
[21:35] <@GeMshuku> Well, it might not be gradually leaking essence anymore, but it's certainly gushing it now! Chikako finds spots that don't seem to be writhing enough, and makes an attempt to FIX that problem!
[21:36] <@GeMshuku> ...Nope, she got a writhing spot. And then it bounced off of that something fierce. HOLD FAST TO YOUR WEAPON, CHIKAKO!
[21:38] <xXx_Reina_xXx> ".. It looks strange.  Be c?reful."
[21:41] <@GeMshuku> ...And at once, the temporal distortions around it cease, and it regains focus, entirely on (Reina)! *"You! Your power is undeniable. But if you think that is all it takes, you are gravely mistaken!"* It's definitely mad now.
[21:42] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Bring it."  She even spits at the creature, which lands in the middle of space and creates a tiny spatial rift.  Neat.
[21:44] <@GeMshuku> It returns to launching assaults! The subeyes glow! They ALL fire bright, short lasers, skyward! The shots change direction and launch themselves at Reina from above, twisting and turning!
[21:45] <@GeMshuku> They impact! ...You. hear. a. noise.
[21:45] * xXx_Reina_xXx stares up and watches them, unblinking.
[21:46] <xXx_Reina_xXx> That's. not. good.
[21:46] <@GeMshuku> It's sort of like when Fate talks to you through your mind, but there's less words and volume control and more agjriesohblbesubgeriuagblaeriubgesuigb;aebge;garebgiulersbgweuibfewULIGBAEUIGBWLGAE
[21:47] <xXx_Reina_xXx> jsdklfjdl                 jfdkdjslfs???????????a;slkdwm
[21:47] <@GeMshuku> How do semicolons even get IN things you can hear without sentence structure?
[21:48] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Exactly.
[21:48] <@GeMshuku> It doesn't make sense, so like...shake it off! That's totally dumb.
[21:49] * xXx_Reina_xXx bursts out of it in a big explosion of nothingness that leaves a void around her for a couple seconds, gradually shrinking until it reenters her right eye. "You're the one who's powerless now."
[21:50] <xXx_Reina_xXx> The tendrils at her back, finally breaking three, flex a bit as though they were arms and then press against the air to propel her forward a bit.
[21:51] <@GeMshuku> Chikako moves with her! "So just give up, and stop moving!"
[21:51] <@GeMshuku> ...Doesn't seem to be doing that anymore. It's starting to move again! Chikako tries to stop that, though!
[21:53] <@GeMshuku> It...never gets far in, but it clearly made an impact! It seems you feel guarded every time that stick properly connects!
[21:55] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Chika????, be careful.  It's going to attack again, and then..."
[21:56] <@GeMshuku> "It's OK." She's embracing the calm!
[21:57] <@GeMshuku> The beast, on the other hand, isn't quite. It isn't pleased at all! Chikako feels the same binding force start to try to bind her in the same fashion!
[22:00] <@GeMshuku> Unline Reina, she manages to break free from the bonds before they really started to strangle her!
[22:00] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Showoff.
[22:00] <@GeMshuku> It isn't done! It repeats this action to Reina!
[22:04] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Guess who isn't as defendy as Chikako?
[22:04] <xXx_Reina_xXx> it's... 'everyone who isn't Chikako' right now who would've guessed
[22:04] <xXx_Reina_xXx> '
[22:04] <xXx_Reina_xXx> wait that was a misplacement of UGH I GIVE UP
[22:04] * xXx_Reina_xXx takes it to the face and sighs. The eye-hand isn't happy about that.
[22:05] <@GeMshuku> You feel CONSTRICTED! ...Strangely, it hurts a lot less than you'd figure, even though you felt more binds this time around.
[22:05] <@GeMshuku> ...Meanwhile, one of the eyes--whoa, the eye burst.
[22:07] * xXx_Reina_xXx knows that feel.
[22:09] <xXx_Reina_xXx> With a sigh, the hand, much closer now than before, grows and tries to grab the entire eye again, but with much less conviction behind it this time.  It's out for blood.
[22:09] <xXx_Reina_xXx> It makes a HUGE clawed grip and angrily crushes down, leaving trails of nonexistence in its wake.  No punch this time though.
[22:11] <xXx_Reina_xXx> It blips out afterward; back to being an eye-hole.
[22:14] <@GeMshuku> It crushes down so hard that, for a moment, you felt the existence of this thing waver! *"...So this is how it is going to be, is it?"* The main eye...barely resembles an eye, the light--perhaps the being--of that eye is scattered about at this point. *"...The power of humanity has, thanks to those that would undo the world, risen to levels this high in the span of a few moments..."*
[22:14] <@GeMshuku> Chikako continues the assault! Soon...!
[22:17] <@GeMshuku> She, for the first time in the fight, scores a direct hit! She stabs the eye through! It goes deep!
[22:17] * xXx_Reina_xXx watches warily, clearly planning something
[22:19] <@GeMshuku> ...It talks, unhindered by the stabby device, perhaps due to a lack of mouth. *"...To keep up with such a power at this stage is...clearly...impossible. As these two grind away at reality, what shall remain?"*
[22:20] * xXx_Reina_xXx grits her teeth and glares at the eye. "Stop!"
[22:20] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Stop fighting us!"
[22:23] <@GeMshuku> *"...At this point, I am at your mercy. But yet, your very being would seek to undo the world. Humanity itself grinds away at it, but you, now, in particular..."*
[22:23] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Her stare goes down to her own feet.  "... Stop."
[22:24] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "I only want to know one thing from you, before we have to finish you."
[22:24] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "What /are/ you?"
[22:26] <@GeMshuku> *"If that alien's power is as easy to spread as I believe, the world will be undone quickly enough. Its power will scatter, and be rendered meaningless in the face of this altered reality."*
[22:27] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "No!"  She looks back up, right eye shedding a 'tear' that literally becomes a tear in spacetime, cutting through the air like a knife.  "What are you?"
[22:29] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "I know about aliens!  I know about the calamity!  I want to know what you are, how you know all this."  Her grip around Ascalon tightens.  "I want to save the world.  I HAVE to."
[22:31] <@GeMshuku> *"...I am the All-Seeing. I am...part of this reality. The stability that keeps everything cohesive. The reason that anything has consciousness, order, existence, sanity. Without reality, what is the world?"*
[22:32] <@GeMshuku> *"...Without it entirely, it is simply a void. Nothing. You've shown the dangers of that quite nicely. At least, the aliens don't seek to eliminate reality entirely. Merely replace it with their own."*
[22:32] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "... I knew it.  So you basically are ?????????..."
[22:33] <@GeMshuku> *"So as long as it draws breath, so as long as you and her draw breath, it will only continue to stagnate, whether you use your power or not."*
[22:33] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Chi????..."  Reina looks back, with a teary-eyed face Niina could never manage.  "... We can't leave without finishing this, can we?"
[22:33] <@GeMshuku> *"And so as long as those like you exist, they will always have an opening."*
[22:37] <@GeMshuku> *"...Which is why I have no intention of giving up. Though, I fear the alien spreading its powers to others will result in me having to resort to more drastic measures."*
[22:38] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "No, I believe you, ????."  She shakes her head.  "But our fight isn't over yet, either."
[22:40] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "We may have just made a really, really bad mistake by fighting you, but I'll ?ix it. Once this is over, I'll ????x the world.  I'll ??????????? it with my own power, even though I don't understand it."
[22:41] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "So, don't be sad."  A tendril grabs Ascalon and spins it around.  "Your existence will be ended by the Savior of the Universe, and then I'll prove I can save it from the aliens.  Okay?"
[22:46] <@GeMshuku> *"...Hmhmhmhmhmhm. As much as I would humor the idea...at your power, you cannot erase me entirely. You can strike me down, and erasing me completely would certainly prove to be a hassle..."*
[22:47] <@GeMshuku> *"But, if you say you can somehow save reality, perhaps I need not appear again. I doubt this to be possible, but...you might be the only one that COULD do such an insane act, delusional one."*
[22:47] <@GeMshuku> *"We will see."*
[22:48] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "Is that how it is?  I see."  At the word 'see,' she throws Nightmarish Judgment Satanic Ascalon into the air and, as it comes down, the hand in her hollow eye grabs it, plunging it into the ?????? in front of her.  "Maybe we'll meet again, then."
[22:48] <xXx_Reina_xXx> Bonus: they both said 'see' at the same time
[22:51] <xXx_Reina_xXx> The plunge finishes with a SPLASH of void essence.  "Watch me from wherever you're going, alright?"
[22:54] <@GeMshuku> As the legendary weapon Ascalon plunges directly into its ?????, it does not bat even a single eye...rather, the eyes begin to fade out, releasing MAGICAL SPARKLES into the air! *"...If we meet again, it will be for the worst. Let us pray we do not. But from here...I shall..."*
[22:55] <xXx_Reina_xXx> One tendril at her back rises up for a salute.  Seconds later, Reina turns and walks away.  "... Let's go."
[22:56] <xXx_Reina_xXx> "There's an *alien* we need to talk to, Chi????????.  And we need answers.  REAL answers."
[22:57] <@GeMshuku> The rest of it fades. Chikako could barely even handle listening in stunned (but not /that/ kind of stunned) silence! ...Reina returns her attentions to the situation once called, though! "...Yeah. We've gotta stop this from getting any worse. That thing...has to have some kind of agenda. We can't just let it do as it pleases!"
[22:59] <xXx_Reina_xXx> 0 begins to become 2, hair starting to get messier and all that.  "Yeah, and I'm the one who listened to that *thing*.  I dunno how long it'll take, or what we messed up, but... I think we have a long journey ahead of us."
[23:00] <@GeMshuku> With Fate's actions revealed, and its presence unknown, just what lies ahead of these two magical girls? NEXT TIME: Challenge your Fate!