>>40862538
>>[ ] Get a bit more sleep

>>40862538
>[ ] Do your morning excercises
>[ ] Eat Breakfast

>>40862538
>[ ] Eat Breakfast
>[ ] Examine the Blood Moon app

oh nice, the kitty has the right eye color this time.

>>40862538
>[ ] Examine the Blood Moon app
>[ ] Do your morning excercises

>>40862794
And now we are trapped in a 3 way tie. The only thing missing is 1 more vote for a going back to sleep.

>>40862538
>>[ ] Examine the Blood Moon app
>>[ ] Do your morning excercises

>writing

You take a deep breath, head over to the empty space behind your couch, and get started on your morning routine.

It’s nothing too fancy, just a simple calisthenics routine that you put together with the teacher heading up the martial arts club. It takes half an hour to get through, sometimes more or less depending on how you stretch time.

Stretching time back and forward is also a part of this routine. You view your time control ability as just one more muscle that needs to be worked. You aren’t sure if it gets easier the more you do it, but it does seem to.

When your routine is finished, you get dressed and grab your stuff out of the pants you had on yesterday. Stopping before you pocket your phone, you unlock it and find the Blood Moon app still active.

And your battery probably won’t last the day… so you sit down on the couch and plug it in, using this time to go through the app.

The news posts you read last night are no longer there, and there’s now a menu. Each option looks mysterious, but which do you check out first?

>[ ] Boons

>[ ] Remaining Champions

>[ ] Wishes

>[ ] Alliances

>>40863356
>[ ] Remaining Champions

>>40863356
>[ ] Boons

>>40863356
>[ ] Wishes

I am starting to get the feeling we are not gonna agree on anything tonight.

>>40863356
>[ ] Remaining Champions

>writing

You hit the ‘Remaining Champions’ option, and the cycling red moon loading screen appears.

After a few seconds, a short list comes up.

>Remaining Champions: 20/100
The Guardian
The Traitor
The Smith
The Glutton
The Creator
The Traveller
The Scholar
The Muse
The Judge
The Tyrant
The Puppeteer
The Builder
The Gambler
The Liar
The Spy
The Witch
The Berserker
The Butcher
The Keeper
The Shifter

>Select a Champion for more information
>Press “back” to return to the menu

>[ ] Select a Champion (Specify)

>[ ] Return to the Menu (Select one of the previous options)

>>40863750
>The Shifter

>>40863750
>The Gambler

>>40863750
>The Guardian

>writing

You tap The Gambler, and the loading screen returns. Then a whole bunch of new info pops up.

>The Gambler.
>Name: Unknown
>Affinity: Unknown
>Allied with: The Puppeteer. The Keeper.
>Boon: Gambler’s coin.
>Use: Imagine scenario. Flip coin. Call outcome. If correct, reality will skew towards imagined scenario.

Behind the info is a big question mark that you don’t understand the need for… Since there’s not much info here, you hit back and hit up another Champion.

>The Shifter
>Name: Unknown
>Affinity: Unknown
>Allied with: The Liar. The Spy.
>Boon: Shifter’s Casque
>Use: Wear Casque. Picture appearance. Casque will give pictured appearance.

You sigh. As useful as it is to know what the ‘boons’ do, there’s little in the way of actual info here…
But still, you try one more Champion…

>The Guardian
>Name: Saif Malikov
>Affinity: Time-Balance
>Allied with: None
>Boon: Guardian’s Shield
>Use: Wear Shield. Upon death, shield will break. Wearer will be revived. Shield will regenerate after 10 minutes.

So that’s you then… you have no allies, no weapons but a crappy knife, no powers but a marginally useful time manipulation ability, and you have to do… what exactly?

Live to fight, live to die, live to win…

That’s what the suit of armor said… You wonder if there’s some way you could get into contact with them.

>You have time for one more Champion

>>40864198
>The Traitor

the scholar

>writing

Well, you have time to look at maybe one more. So you hit one that looks like somewhat menacing…

>The Traitor
>Name: Unknown
>Affinity: Unknown
>Allied with: The Smith
>Boon: The Traitor’s Beads
>Use: Control Beads. Place them over a living shadow to animate and control affected shadow.

That sounds… interesting.

And hey, you’ve got some bad news for The Smith. With an ally like The Traitor, what could possibly go wrong for him?

Maybe you’re lucky not to have allies, looking at some of these names. The Liar, The Traitor, The Spy, The Glutton? Who the hell would want them as friends?

“Meeeeew” Mori says. You didn’t even notice him get up on the table.
“Yeah, I know” You say, scratching his head.

You look back at your phone, it’s 8:00. Time to go.

You lock your phone and unplug it, sticking it into your pocket as you head over to the door. There you slip your shoes on, throw your bag over your shoulder, and head out the door.

“Later fuzzball!” You say.
“Mew!” Mori replies.

You walk out and head to the elevator, only to find Ms. Browning already waiting for it…
“Good morning Saif” She says.
“Good morning” You reply.

>[ ] Ask what she was up to last night

>[ ] Ask how the move is going

>[ ] Other

>>40864198
How dose our time manipulation work exactly ? Could we for one slow down another person or a bulet in the air, or dose it only work on our self, and if that's the case could we last say speed up our legs for movement and slow down our fist for density at the same time ? Or slow speed up our mind/brain and think faster/ see things in slow mow?

>>40864753
Those things might be possible. Saif hasn't gone beyond the simple stuff.

>>40864723
>[ ] Ask how the move is going

>>40864790
Okay, just seem to recal from last thread that he tryed things out whenever he thought of them, and those would be the first things I would ask myself if I got powers like that, also how long have we had them?

>>40864723
>[ ] Ask how the move is going

>Maybe you’re lucky not to have allies, looking at some of these names. The Liar, The Traitor, The Spy, The Glutton?
I want to befriend The Glutton

>>40864880
As of yet we don't know shit about this whole thing we should try to find out stuff befor we start thinking about allies, also our name may only have been attached to the guardian coz its us, but if it's common knowledge and others can see it too we are in some deep shit

>>40864854
He's considered it, but never learned how to localize his ability to one place on his body.

You'll learn more about his experiments in the future.

Also
>writing

Damn I really hope someone joins in soon,
Love your writing style and the world seems to have a lot of potential,
It's just 1 am where I'm from and have get up in the morning....
will stick around for a post and hope that I can catch up in the morning

>>40864945
>As of yet we don't know shit about this whole thing we should try to find out stuff befor we start thinking about allies
Considering that this game so far seems to be lacking a convenient info dump on what the hell is going on, finding allies to fill us in is all the more important.
Also at the earliest opportunity we should take another look at the news post. In particular we should look for any champion with ~30 kills.

“How’s the move in going?” You ask as the elevator arrives and the two of you step in.

“Well enough” She replies. “You may have noticed all the stuff in the hall”
“I did, but I didn’t want to say anything” You reply.
“Well, it’s all free to a good home right now” She says. “This place is much smaller than our old one, and I didn’t think I’d have to get rid of so much”

“Why the downsize?” You ask.
“I was looking for something in the area, and this was about as close to my price range as I could get” She says.
“They pay teachers that little nowadays?” You ask.
“Ha ha” She replies sarcastically. “not all of us live alone. Raising a child has its own costs”
“Ah yes, Sarah right?” You ask.
“Yes but… how did you know?” She asks.
“We’ve met” You say. “When I was searching for my cat”
“I see” she replies.

“You never mentioned that you had a daughter” You say.
“It’s not really a topic that comes up in music class” She says. “Speaking of which, did you finish that assignment?”

The assign- oh… no you did not.

Uhh…

>[ ] Make something up

>[ ] Tell the truth, hopefully she’ll understand

>>40865215
I don't mind getting info from someone, I just don't want to get attached to anyone one getting locked with an "ally" anytime soon, only when we know what the fucks going on

>>40865288
>>[ ] Make something up
If we deflect the question with our abs, will it work?

Maybe we got mugged? Yeah. No! We uh, fought a giant squid who was attacking a small child in a swimming pool, it stole our stuff.

What stuff?

>>40865288
> 16 hours sift into looking for cat, we got a lot of crap too see too, she'll get it

>>40865392
Shift '

>>40865288
>[ ] Tell the truth, hopefully she’ll understand
I assume that "the truth" is being swamped with work and missing cats and not getting dragged into a supernatural battle royale.

>>40865392
Second.
Especially the 16 hour shift.

>writing

“I did not” You say.
“And why is that?” she asks.
“I’ll be honest with you, I was planning on doing it yesterday” You say. “But then a whole bunch of people called in at work, and I wound up having to go 16 hours with no breaks”

“Yikes” She says. “Where do you work?”
“Boss café” you say.
“Ah yes, I’ve seen that place” She says. “Never been, though. Is the coffee good?”
“It’s not A+, but it keeps you awake” You say. “I can attest to that, after yesterday”

“I’ll say” She says. “And on top of that, your cat got out”
“That he did” You say.

You leave out the part about being sucked into some kind of crazy magic deathmatch and getting murdered by a person in a dress who may or may not have been female and also had a giant hand…

Yeah, she doesn’t need to know that.

“Alright, I’ll let you off this time. But only this time, and only out of sympathy” She says. “I’ve had to work my fair share of long hours”
“Thank you” You say.

The elevator hits the ground floor and the door opens, allowing you to step out.

“Not coming?” You ask.
“No, I’m going down to the garage” She says. “I’ll see you in second period, though”
“Alright, see you then” You say.

The doors close, and you walk towards the entrance.

>[1/2]

You pull out your phone as you walk.

[Yui]<So I have a new neighbour now
[Dwight]<You still there?

Before putting it away, you decide to test Veer as well. He’s a good friend of yours as well, and the two of you hang out more often than not.

[Veer]<You do the assignment for music class?

Satisfied, you put your phone away and start jogging to school.

Your first period class is Math. It’s interesting enough, though Mr. Singh is kind of a snore fest. Veer is with you in both that class and music class, so if he did the assignment you might be able to do it in math while Mr. Singh drones on about probability and triangles…

It almost makes you miss last semester when you had Phys. Ed. First period. Good luck sleeping through that one…

You reach the school with some time to spare, you might as well…

>[ ] Make it to math class a bit early

>[ ] See who’s in the cafeteria

>[ ] Try to find Yui

>[ ] Other

>>40865913
>[ ] See who’s in the cafeteria

>>40865913
>[ ] Try to find Yui

>>40865913
>[ ] Make it to math class a bit early
>Just sleep on the desk until Veer gets there

>>40866027
This

>writing

You decide to head to your math class a bit early. Hopefully Veer will already be there and you can get his help with the music assignment. If not, you can take a nap.

It’s a win-win. What more could you ask for?

You reach the classroom and the door is unlocked. A few of the other students are in here, but you pay them no mind. You take a seat at your desk in the back corner next to the wall and put your head down…

“Dude” Veer says.
“I’m awake” You reply. You immediately check your watch. Still just 8:25. Good, you didn’t sleep all the way through class.

You did that in English class once, which was not a fun talk with your teacher afterwards. Mind you, that was the day your little attempt at time-travel went horribly wrong, so you were more than a little tired.

“Rough night?” Veer asks in his thick Indian accent.
“Yes” you say. “Long shift, cat got out, yadda yadda”

You choose not to tell him about the night with Stonehand as well. Like Ms. Browning, he doesn’t need to know.

“I heard from Dwight” Veer says. “You need help with Browning’s assignment?”
“Maybe” You say. “She did say she’d forgive me for not having it”
“When did you talk to her?” He asks.

>[ ] We’re neighbours now

>[ ] Earlier this morning

>>40866736
>>[ ] Earlier this morning
its rude to tell other were teachers live

>>40866736
>[ ] We’re neighbours now

>>40866736
>>[ ] Earlier this morning

>>40866736
>[ ] We’re neighbours now
insert smug smile

>>40866736
>[ ] Earlier this morning

>writing

“Earlier this morning, before I came here” You say.
“How long have you been here?” He asks.
You yawn in response. “Obviously not long enough” You reply.

In your pocket, your phone buzzes.

[Yui]>The crazy cat lady moved out?
[Yui]<She had like 2 cats. That is not a crazy cat lady

“What’s up?” He asks.
“Talking to Yui” You say.
“Hittin’ that yet?” He asks.
“First of all no” You say. “Second of all, she’s practically my sister dude”
“So?” He asks. “You see weirder relationships all the time on TV”
“You are not comparing me to anything on ‘reality’ TV” You say.
“All I’m saying is that you should totally be hitting that” He says.
“Not happening” You reply.

He shrugs. “You deny it now, but who knows what the future might bring” He says.

>[ ] Stop talking and try to get that assignment done

>[ ] Poke fun at his love life

>>40867314
>[ ] Poke fun at his love life

>>40867314
>>[ ] Stop talking and try to get that assignment done

>>40867314
>Pain. Sleep. Unfinished assignments.
>>[ ] Stop talking and try to get that assignment done

>writing

“Work, sleep, unfinished assignments” You say.
“Right, the music work” He says. “Want a hand with that?”
“I wouldn’t have brought it up otherwise” You reply.

You and Veer pull out your books and you make a quick and dirty copy of the assignment. It’s a simple thing about the music of your homeland, but since you don’t really know where you’re from you got a free pass to do it about whatever.

You’ve tried figuring it out from your name, but Saif is all you have. It’s an Arabic name, sure. But that isn't enough of a clue to figure out where you came from. Malikov you got from your Boss, who is technically your dad.

Your first and oldest memory comes from about a decade ago: you and Yui were running through the streets in the rain, you lost the strength to keep going and collapsed. That’s when Boss showed up. He said that if you were willing to work for it, he would make sure you were taken care of.

You agreed, for you and for Yui, who only spoke Japanese back then and therefore had no clue what he said…

…

The assignment goes quickly, and you even learn a few things about Indian music. Not that you wanted to learn new things about Indian music, as you personally can’t stand the stuff. But hey, no knowledge is bad knowledge, right?

You’re just finishing up the assignment when Mr. Singh comes in and you have to put it all away. Singh tells you to pull out your math textbooks and turn to page whatever… and he immediately starts droning…

You can feel your eyelids fluttering

>[ ] Shake it off

>[ ] Let it happen

>>40867884
>[ ] Let it happen
Damn math why you boring?

>>40867884
>[ ] Shake it off
Probability may be important if our powers start messing with quantum entanglement.

>>40867884
>[ ] Let it happen
Sleep is more important than maths. For all we know we'll be getting whipped back into a fight tonight.

>writing

You put your head back down on the desk. If you see them again, you’ll have to punch Stonehand in the face again for making you work so damn hard last night… also for killing you. That is also a thing that happened…

You still have a hard time believing that last night actually happened… but it almost certainly did.

You fall asleep quickly, lulled by the monotonous drone of your math teacher.

…

And you wake up to the annoying ring of the bell, signalling that math is over.
“I can’t believe you slept all the way through math” Veer says. “Are you really that tired?”
“I am” You reply. “Is this not what people do when they’re tired?”
“We should get going, before Mr. Singh says something and makes you late for music” He says.
“That sounds fantastic” You reply, standing and stretching. You definitely feel rested after that nap.

The two of you pack your things and file out with the rest of the students into the crowded hallway. Luckily the one music classroom in the entire school is right next to the math hallway, so even with the crush it doesn’t take you long.

You both get into the class and put your assignments on Ms. Browning’s desk, then head over to the shelves to grab your instrument. Veer picks up his trumpet, and you take the-

>[ ] Guitar

>[ ] Saxophone

>[ ] Drumsticks

>[ ] Other

>>40868520
>>[ ] Guitar

>>40868520
>>[ ] Drumsticks

>>40868520
>>[x] Drumsticks
I mean, going with the time thing, drums are only about time

>>40868520
>[ ] Guitar
gustavo santaolalla type of guitarist, sad moments.

>>40868520
>>[ ] Guitar
blues guitar

>>40868520
Ocarina

>writing

You grab the guitar. You have one at home, but you don’t use that one as often.

Plus this one is nicer.

It’s also electric, while the one you have at home is acoustic. Which is handy, because it’s damn near impossible to hear an acoustic guitar over a room full of woodwind and brass…

And one bass player, who sits next to you. But Dominic skips class every so often, so it’s not unusual for you to be alone in your corner.

The room is set up with 2 rows of seats in a semicircle around the teacher’s desk at the front: Flutes in the front row on the left side, with the trumpets behind them, and clarinets in the front row on the right side, with the saxophones behind them. You and Dominic sit behind the saxophones, and the drum kit is to your right.

You play a few test chords and do a bit of tuning as the rest of the students file in. Veer is already off hanging around with the other trumpet players, organizing them to give a blare every now and then.

But you’re focused on the door…

You look up from what you’re doing every so often to look at the people coming in, until finally you see her: Claire Beaumont.

You’ve had a crush on Claire ever since she first moved here from France a year ago. She has fair skin, brown eyes and brown hair that she keeps back in a ponytail. She’s petit, partially due to the fact that she’s “weak”. So weak in fact, that she stays in a wheelchair to avoid the exertion of walking. And did you mention that she is absolutely stunning, especially when she smiles?

Because it's definitely worth noting...

>[ ] Go say hi

>[ ] Keep tuning

File: 1419054678691.jpg (30 KB, 458x319)

30 KB JPG

>>40869148
>[ ] Keep tuning
>mfw we have a crush on a cripple

>>40869148
>[ ] Keep tuning

I think Saif is fine spilling his spaghetti in the privacy of his own mind.

>>40869148
>cripple LI
she's either going to die, or have powers and try to kill us


>[ ] Keep tuning

>>40869204
My inner Katawa Shoujo is kicking now.

>writing

You turn your head back down and keep tuning. You’ll talk to her later…

Probably…

Not…

Fuck…

You think you’ve said maybe 3 words to her, and even those were stuttered and rushed. All she asked was where she could find the handicapped washroom.

But coming from her it was more ‘Where can I find ze ‘andicapped washroom?” With her heavy French accent.

Coming into the classroom behind Claire is her sister(?) Julia. She’s still kinda cute, though you could never tell considering that all she ever does is scowl at you. And only you. You’ve seen her be jovial around others, but the second she sees you it’s scowl-city again.

Apparently only you, Dwight, Safi, and Yui get that treatment. You kinda wonder why.
It’s probably just because she’s a bitch.

With all of the students in the class Ms. Browning finally emerges from her office, which has an entrance into the room on the right side, close to you.

“Good morning everyone!” She says. “I hope you’ve all done your homework!”

The PA beeps.
*Ms. Browning, could you please come to the office*

Ms. Browning groans. “Or not” She says. “Alright guys, I have to go deal with something. So get organized and play a thing until I get back”

And then she spins on her heel and heads out the door.

“So much for class starting” One of the sax players says.

>[ ] Try to organize the class

>[ ] Let somebody else handle it

>>40869674
>[ ] Try to organize the class
>Get someone to suggest a song
>Motion to Claire and/or Julia: "Maybe a French song?"

>writing

>>40869674
>[ ] Try to organize the class
A heart warming song, why not, maybe have a solo for it, if we're good.

“Cathedral anybody?” You ask once Ms. Browning is gone.
“Sure” Veer says. “I don’t think we’ve played that in a while. I hope nobody is Rusty”

He looks directly at the Sax player whose nickname is Rusty as he says this.

Rusty rolls his eyes. “I’m Rusty” He says.
Veer laughs. “That never gets old” He says.

“Everybody ready?” The drummer, Danny asks.

Nobody says no, so Danny counts you all off.
You like playing Cathedral. It’s a simple song, written recently and made to sound like a classical song.

By the time Ms. Browning gets back, the class has finished with Cathedral and played a few other things as well.

“Well, looks like my job does itself” She says.
“Nothing to teach today Ms. Browning?” One of the trumpeters asks.
“Nope. I think I’ll let you guys play while I grade these” She says. “Carry on”

The class keeps playing until about 5 minutes before the bell rings, and everyone packs up their instruments.

Now It’s lunch. And a good thing too, because you’re hungry.

You’re very hungry, and lunch is on Dwight today.

>[ ] Find Dwight

>[ ] Find a private place to further examine the Blood Moon app

>[ ] Find Yui, she has lunch now too.

>>40870306
>>[ ] Find Dwight

>>40870306
>[ ] Find Dwight
I swear if he suggests a shitty fastfood restaurant

>writing

You say bye to Veer and consider talking to Claire again before heading out into the hall and pulling your phone out.

[Dwight]<where are you?

You consider taking another look at the Blood Moon app, but decide against it. You have no plans tonight, you’ll look it over when you get home.

Before you can put it away, you get a text back. It’s not from Dwight though…

[Arena]>This week’s Arena will be chosen by The Smith

What?

[Arena]<What does that mean?
[Arena]>Please ask your God any and all questions

The who? What?

[Arena]<I don’t understand, what god?
[Arena]>Please ask your God any and all questions

Damnit. What is this, some kind of magic automated text thing?

You slam your phone angrily back into your pocket. That suit of armor, was that a god? Was that your god?

You’re still lost in thought when you reach the front entrance of the school, and find Dwight standing there.

“Why so glum chum?” He asks.

>[ ] Tired

>[ ] Don’t ask

>[ ] Hungry

>>40870892
>>[ ] Hungry
You. Food. Now.

>>40870892
>It's a long story also hungry

>>40870892
>>[x] Hungry
I need food nigga

>>40870892
>>[ ] Tired

>writing

“Tired, hungry” You say. “But I feel better now, because before me stands the man who is going to buy me lunch”

You throw an arm over your brother of Afro-American descent’s shoulder and drag him towards the mall.

“I gotcha man, I gotcha” He says. “Taco bell good for you?”
“Dwight, I will literally eat you” You say.
“I know. The Korean place, right?” He asks.
“You know it” You say.
“We should hurry then if we want to make it back in time for 4th period” He says.
“I know” You say. “Let’s get moving”

>[ ] Ask what he was up to yesterday

>[ ] Tell him how your night went

>[ ] Other

>>40871400
>[ ] Ask what he was up to yesterday
>[ ] Hint we have a hot teacher with a hot daughter living next to us

>>40871400
>>[ ] Ask what he was up to yesterday
what's your excuse?

>>40871400
>>[ ] Ask what he was up to yesterday

>writing

“So?” You ask.
“So?” He replies.
“The fam” He says. “An uncle of mine who I hadn’t seen in a while dropped in out of the blue”
“And you didn’t bring him by?” You ask. “When am I going to get to meet your family?”
“When your skin stops being brown” He says. “No offense”
“None taken” You reply. “Mom’s still racist, huh?”
“You don’t even know” He says

“You told her that Arabic and Muslim are different things, right?” You ask.
“No dice man” He says. “I’m just glad your dad isn't the same way”
“Boss?” You ask.
“Yeh” He says. “He’s cool most days, but I think the first thing I learned when I started workin there is to stay away when he’s mad. I don't think I could handle discrimination from someone like that”

“Yeah… He can be a little mean when he’s angry” You say.
“Not to you” He says.
“Not in front of other people” You say. “It’s Yui who holds the soft spot”
“I’m not sure how anyone could ever be mad at Yui” Dwight says.

“It takes practice” You say. “Even I have trouble with it, and I’ve known her for years”

The two of you shoot the shit for the rest of the walk to the Korean Place. You don’t call it that for no reason, it’s actually just called The Korean Place.

You don’t blame them. It’s not like there’s any competition for the name.

>[1/2]

The waitress greets you with a thick Korean accent, and leads you to a table. The two of you order your usual, and she heads off into the back.

“So, you manage to say more than 3 words to Claire yet?” He asks.
“None of your business” You say.
“So no then” He replies.
“No…” You say.

“Come on man!” He says. “You know that white girls love chocolate! And she’s even French. Isn't that where chocolate came from?”
“I’m pretty sure chocolate is originally South American” You say. “The word is French though… I think. Besides, I’m not even chocolate”
“Caramel then” He says. “Still sweet. And girls love sweet. I’m sure if you just talked to her, she’d be unable to resist your charms”

“Or I’d spill my spaghetti everywhere, and never be able to show my face here again” You say.
“Oh, please” He says. “Pioneers never say die”
“But they did die” You say. “They died a lot. That was like, one of the two things they did: settled, and died”

Dwight rolls his eyes.

>[ ] But I guess I could give it a shot

>[ ] And how’s your love life?

>>40872300
>[ ] But I guess I could give it a shot
>[ ] And how’s your love life?

>>40872300
>[ ] And how’s your love life?

>>40872300
>>[ ] And how’s your love life?

>>40872300
>[ ] But I guess I could give it a shot
>[ ] And how’s your love life?
If not I'll go try my luck with the music teacher

>>40872300
>>[ ] But I guess I could give it a shot

>writing

“But I guess it’s still worth a shot” You say.
“That’s the spirit!” He says.
“So how’s your love life going?” You ask.
“You know me” He says. “I like to keep my options open”

“Uh-huh” You say. “So who is she?”
“Not important” He says. “What is important is that my options remain open”
“Is that a fancy way of saying that you’re single?” You ask.
“The fanciest” He says.

The waitress comes back with your food in record time. They get faster every time you come here.

“So, you up for some hunting tonight?” He asks.

He’s talking about Monster Hunter. You and your other friends got into that game a while back, and you get together every so often to team up and hunt.

“I was thinking of inviting Yui and Veer too, if your place is free” He says.

>[ ] Not tonight, I have to study

>[ ] Sure, you can look at the app another time

>[ ] Other

>>40872901
>[ ] Not tonight, I have to study

>>40872901
>[ ] Not tonight, I have to study
Life or death stuff comes vefore vidya.

>>40872901
>[ ] Sure, you can look at the app another time

>writing

“Can’t. I have to do some studying” You say. “Need to make up for all the time I planned to spend studying yesterday”
“Hey man, I bought you lunch” He says. “Did my offering not appease the almighty assistant manager?”
“It did” You say. “Fine, I’ll let it go. But next time try not to leave me floating in the wind”

“I will, I will” He says. Then Dwight pulls out his phone. “Well damn”
“Sup?” You ask.
“Looks like it would’ve been a bust anyway. Yui is busy tonight” He says.
“What’s she up to?” You ask.
“What am I, her secretary?” He asks. “You have English with her during 5th, right? Ask her then”
“Maybe I will” You say.
“You do that” He replies.

The two of you pause for a beat, and then burst out laughing.
“We should get back” You say.
“On it” He replies, flagging the waitress down.

Dwight pays, and the two of you leave.

You have to jog to make it back to school before the bell, and you reach the school just in time for your second favourite class: Physics.

>[1/2]

You get into the 2nd floor science classroom just as the 2nd bell goes off, and take your seat next to Safi. Safi doesn’t make any note of your presence, with her face buried in a book and her ears covered by headphones.

The two of you look very similar. Same skin, same colour eyes, same almost-black hair. Even your names are similar. The resemblance is so uncanny that Veer used to call her “Bizarro Saif”.

He called her that every day, right up until she got tired of it and kicked him in the dick.

He stopped after that…

>[ ] Scare Safi

>[ ] Pull out your books, she’ll notice you eventually

>>40873514
>[ ] Pull out your books, she’ll notice you eventually

>>40873514
>[ ] Pull out your books, she’ll notice you eventually

>>40873514
>[ ] Scare Safi
Hope we don't get punch in the balls

>writing

You reach down from the high stools of the science room and grab your text and notebooks from your bag.

And then you wait…

And wait…

Jeez, at times like these you wish your hobby was more like Yui’s. Her notebooks are full of little doodles that she does when she’s bored.

But your hobby is martial arts. What are you going to do, start a fight whenever you get bored?

It would certainly be good practice… running. From Boss. Who would beat you like a red-headed stepchild.

That’s one of the few reasons he’s ever raised a hand to you: when you “use your strength in pointless ways”… or “Be a dick” in layman’s terms.

You sigh a flop your head down on the table, which has the added effect of pulling Safi’s attention away from her book. She jumps at the sudden intrusion on her attention.

>[ ] Hello

>[ ] What were you up to last night?

>[ ] Whatcha readin’?

>>40873998
>[ ] Hello
>[ ] What were you up to last night?

>>40873998
>[ ] Hello

>writing

“Hello” You say.
Safi sighs in relief. “Oh, it’s just you” She says.
“Expecting someone else?” You ask.
“No” She says. “But it could have been someone else”

“Someone who might question what kind of smut you’re reading?” You ask.
“I-it’s not smut!” She says.
“That’s exactly what someone who was reading smut would say” You say.
“It isn't!” She says, holding up the book.
“Lord of the Flies?” You ask. “I think you’d be better off reading smut. At least then you would only be looking over your shoulder for teachers and not vague symbolism…”

“It isn't that bad” She says. “But yeah, the whole ‘everything means something’ gets annoying”
“Could be worse” You say.
“How so?” She asks.
You cut her a glare. “You could’ve had to work 16 hours straight yesterday” You say.
“Oh shit” She says. “I was away from my phone last night. Sorry! If I’d known I would’ve come in!”
“Well…”

>[ ] Try to get another free lunch

>[ ] It’s water under the bridge now

>>40874399
>[ ] It’s water under the bridge now

>writing

“Water under the bridge now, I guess” You say. “You have Dwight to thank for that, by the way”
“You make him buy you lunch?” She asks.
“Well… yeah” You say. “How did you know?”
“Because he told me he was buying you lunch. Didn’t say why though” She says.

At that moment, a different teacher than your usual one walks in.

“Hello class, I’m your substitute teacher Mr. Roberts. I’ll be filling in for Ms. Benson until she returns from her leave of absence” the teacher says, writing his name on the board.

“Huh. I didn’t think Ms. Benson was the type to take a day off” Safi says, resting her chin on her hand and watching the sub’s introduction with a bored expression.

“Maybe they forced her” You say. “Isn't there a thing where you can only go for so long without taking a vacation?”
“For most. But teachers get summer vacation, just like us” She says.
“I guess” You reply. “Maybe she got hurt, or she’s sick”
“Could be anything” Safi says, trying her best to look like she wasn’t just talking as the sub turns his attention to you two.

“And your names?” He asks, taking attendance.

“Saif” You say.
“Safi” Safi says.

“I see… are you two siblings?” He asks.
“No but we-“ You both say at the same time, before you both pause to let the other speak. Then you give up, and both of you finish the sentence anyway. “-get that a lot”

The class giggles, and the sub tries his best to try and instill some order…

>[1/2]

The rest of the class passes without much getting done, as the clumsy young substitute has no idea what you have and haven’t been taught. He spent the entire class making sure his next lesson wouldn’t involve anything you haven’t heard before, so nothing got done…

“Well that was disappointing” You say, packing your stuff and getting ready to leave as the class ends.
“That’s what she said” Safi says.
“I don’t think that’s how that joke goes” You say.
“That’s because you’ve never been unable to satisfy a woman” She says.

You sigh. “I don’t… I just don’t” You say. “Safi, what the hell?”
Safi pokes out her tongue and twirls away, her long hair whipping around like a shampoo commercial as she turns to leave.

You smile as she leaves. Perhaps she really is bizarro you.
Though you’d never say that to her. You like your dick in it’s current, un-kicked state.

You make your own way out into the hall and up the stairs to the English hallway on the 3rd floor. Along the way, a quiet Japanese girl with short black hair tied up by ribbons on either side falls into step beside you.

“How’s it going?” You ask.
“G-good” Yui says in her usual soft, quiet tone. You almost have to stress your ears to hear her over the buzzing of the crowd. “Sorry I stopped responding to your texts last night. I kinda crashed as soon as I got home”
“That’s cool” you say. “So did I”
“I figured you would, so I didn’t feel too guilty” She says. “So you have a new neighbour?”

>[ ] Tell her who it is

>[ ] Let it be a surprise for the next time she comes over

>>40875087
>[ ] Tell her who it is
might want to end it here because i seem to be the only one left and im going to bed

>>40875087
>>[ ] Tell her who it is
Not the only one

>>40875087
>[ ] Let it be a surprise for the next time she comes over
Just say its someone she knows.

>writing

“Yeah” You say. “You’ll never guess who it is”
Yui thinks about it seriously, holding her chin and humming. “The Prime Minister?”
“Not even close” You say.
“A crazy homeless guy” She says.
“Still not close” You say.
“A crazy homeless guy dressed like our Prime Minister?” She says.
“How could they be homeless when they live next door?” You ask.

“Hmmm… maybe just a normal crazy guy dressed as the Prime Minister” She says.
“It’s Ms. Browning” You say, finally giving up on making her guess. “And get this: she has a daughter”
“She does?” Yui asks. “That’s cool”
“Not really” You say. “She tried to extort me when I asked where my cat went last night”
Yui gives you an incredulous look. “How old is she?” She asks.
“I dunno… she looked like she was maybe 10” You say.

“I’m sure it beats the crazy cat lady though” Yui says.
“We’ve been over this” You say. “2 cats does not, a crazy cat lady make”
“Fine. But she was crazy” Yui says.
“That… I’ll give you that. She was waaayyyy off her rocker” You say. “But that’s the risk you run when you live in an apartment”

Yui giggles.

>[ ] Ask how things are at her place

>[ ] Ask how the Con went

>[ ] Other

>>40875453
>[ ] Ask how the Con went

>>40875453
>>[ ] Ask how the Con went

>writing

“I know I got the basics of it already, but how did the Con go?” You ask.
“Good!” She says. “I sold a whole bunch of prints, and a lot of the other artists I met were really nice!”

Yui smiles, and you can’t help but smile back.

Yui had been waiting for this Con for a while. It’s a smaller one out in one of the towns on the other side of Toronto, which she was using as a test to see if she could hold up to the crowds and demands of a larger Convention like Anime North.

The reason for this, is that she won the draw for a table at AN. It was so cute when she got the letter. She practically did a happy dance, before realizing the sheer magnitude of the work she’ll have to do to prepare.

“Think you’re ready for the big one?” You ask as the two of you enter the English classroom.
“I think so” She says. “Some of the people I met are going to have tables there too, and they said they’d be willing to help me out”
“That’s nice of them” You reply. “And remember that I’ll always be here”
“Thanks” She says. “I’ll probably need your help too”

You smile again and take your seat. Unfortunately the two of you were assigned seats at opposite sides of the room in this class, so you don’t get to talk much…

>[1/2]

Essays essays essays. God damn do you ever hate essays.

And yet, in spite of that the school system seems adamant that you have to do another one every other damn week.

“I mean, I’ll still do it. But damn…” You say as you and Yui files out of the classroom.
“You never change” Yui says.
“What was that?” You ask.
“N-n-nothing!” She says. “I’ve gotta go! Lots to do, not much time to do it!”

“I guess I’ll see you later then?” You ask.
“You bet” Yui says.

Yui disappears into the crowd, leaving you to navigate your way to the exit on your own.

Despite the new weight on your back in the form of a 3 page essay on journalism or some shit, you decide to jog home. You figure that the quicker you get back, the better.

You stick to real-time, though. Too many people to try the Flash routine…

You still make good time back to the apartment though. You decide to take the stairs so as to not break your stride. It isn't until you reach your door that you stop to catch your breath and fumble for your keys.

You go to unlock the door and… it’s already unlocked?
Did you forget to lock it this morning?

Once again, your cat is not here to greet you… the first place you check is the balcony door, which is still closed and locked.

The second place you check is your couch…

Lying on your couch is a girl. She looks no older than 14, with dark skin and black hair. She’s sleeping peacefully with Moriarty on her chest…

>[ ] Wake her

>[ ] Arm yourself, then wake her

>[ ] Call the cops

>>40876045

>[ ] Wake her.

"Excuse me what are you doing in my home?"

>writing
>This'll be the last one tonight

>>40876045
Make sure a weapon is nearby, then wake her.

You walk cautiously over to the girl sleeping on your couch, and give her shoulder a shake.

Mori wakes up first, and meows his complaints.
“I understand, fuzzball. I do” You say, lifting him by the scruff and holding him in front of your face. “But the thing to do with intruders is ‘go all wolverine’, not convince them to take a nap with you”

Mori bats at your face, so you put him down. “How did you even manage this?” You ask.
“Meee” He says.
“More importantly; are you gonna wake up, goldilocks?” You ask, shaking the sleeping girl a few more times.

“GAAAAAH” She shrieks, sitting up like a shot and scaring the bejesus out of you.

The girl catches her breath as she looks all around her, before her eyes settle on you. “YOU!” She says.
“Me” You say. “What about me?”

The girl stands up and approaches you. You get the feeling that she wants to look menacing, but you aren’t feeling it. She’s like a head shorter than you, and completely unarmed.

“You…” She says again, getting up close and personal. Then she thrusts something into your hands. “…forgot this”

You look down at the object she gave you as she steps back. It’s the mask.

The black smiling mask that the suit of armor gave you last night.

“You… how did you get this?” You ask.
“How do you think I got it?” She asks.
“You stole it?” You ask.
“I did NOT steal it!” She says with all the fury her tiny body can manage.
“Could’ve fooled me, with the breaking and entering” You say.

The girl stomps on your foot.
“Ow” You say.
“I MADE it” She says. “I even hand-delivered it to you in your time of need, and this is the treatment I get?”
“Wait… you’re the… you’re that suit of armor?” You ask.
“I am the Guardian” She says. “And as of last night, you are my Champion”

>End of Night two; First movement

That's it for this thread. I hope you guys are enjoying this one!

Next time I run may end up being Devil's Whim, but I'll see. I kinda want to give this one some momentum before switching between them.

I'll be sticking around for a minute, so feel free to ask questions/leave suggestions

>>40876430
It just getting better, anyways thanks for the thread Smiley

>>40876430
Thanks for running! Liking it, so far.

>>40876430
Thanks for the game, Smiley.
Characters are interesting and the day time schedule are a good touch to the quest.
Can we evolved/develop our ability or we have to buy em from our cheeky God?