>>41954276
You're hardly even feeling angry anymore, just frustrated and anxious. You need to help that girl. Forget figuring out what she wants! For now, you just need to find her. She's been to this world before, so maybe she still exists here, somewhere, in some manner or form. Or maybe a trace of her, or a clue of some sort. Then in that case, if she really exists here, you should be able to find her.

This is your world. There should be only two people here, you and the Hogyoku. A third person is an oddity and will inevitably stick out like a sore thumb.

The technique Naoko taught you is perfect for this exact scenario. There will be only three ribbons, and by trailing one of them, it should lead you right to her. ...Right?

You throw a glance at the Hogyoku, who's still staring at you expectantly, probably anticipating more verbal abuse on your part.

...

>Ask goldie if he thinks it'll work.
>His opinion doesn't matter. How would he know, anyway?
>Other. (Write-in).

>>41954284
>His opinion doesn't matter. How would he know, anyway?
Aww man, I'll miss most of this session.

>>41954420
Hopefully someone else shows up...I gotta offline now anyway.

>>41954284
Fuck it, it probably can't hurt. Was that what the dream wanted us to remember? Though be prepared for neither Clarissa nor the plotrock to have the right colored ribbons.

>>41954617
So yeah I'm saying we should try that technique, even if Gil probably has gold ribbons.

>>41954650
I figure there's a chance it could really piss off the Hougyoku for some reason, but even that'd be informative. Really, I'm embarrassed that I completely forgot about this technique, even though this is pretty much the only situation it's good for.

>>41954284
Voting over, writing!

>>41954807
I dunno if it'd piss plotrock off, but if he was guilty it might provoke a reaction at least.

>>>>41954617
Wait, this is actually a bit unclear! Do you want to talk to him about it, or would you like to try without telling him?

>>41955014
Try and do it without asking, just to get a move on, but be prepared for things to get weird.

>>41955091
Yeah I don't really see a reason to ask. Worst case is what, it doesn't work? He gets mad?

>>41955105
Even if making him mad is probably a bad idea, I'm getting so tired of his smug boredom that I wouldn't mind seeing him do something other than lounge in his throne.

>>41955239
Eh, I see where you're coming from but on the other hand we got so much shit to do, I don't mind if he keeps it calm and passive until we get more time to deal with him.

>>41954420
>>41954617
You close your eyes so that the lavish surroundings can't threaten to distract you, and begin to focus intensely to try and pick out spiritual residue in the vicinity, hoping that the same rules lording over the real world apply to your own inner world in the same manner. You think you feel, well, something, but it's hard to make out the exact specifics and whether or not it's the thing you're looking for. The ribbon technique should be useful for working out those specifics, you just need to...

...You just need to actually make them, damn it. Why is nothing happening? You can shoot out soul-slaying swords out of thin air on a half-hearted whim, you can mind control people into doing whatever you want, you can kill Hollows the size of small houses, but you can't do this measly little thing? With clenched fists and gritted teeth you keep strengthening your concentration, but still, it refuses to bring any results. "Damn it!" You finally groan, stomping the marble floor once again. Is it not working because of this place, or are you just incompetent?

"You should calm down. Anxiety and anger won't help you think of any solutions." He notes, probably assuming that you were silently brainstorming instead of attempting to perform some kind of technique. "That is, of course, if this problem really does have a solution at all."

You just try to ignore him. If he's going to go on and on about the same thing, maybe you should just leave and practice in the real world? Nobody's going to nag at you there.

The man decides to stand up from his throne. As he approaches, he continues.

(1/2)

>>41955974
"I think you should stop wracking your brain over mysteries that lack answers. Regardless of whether you're chasing after the fragments of your lost loved one or attempting to save a person that may not even exist... breaking yourself over either of those is utterly pointless. This kind of approach will get you nothing and nowhere. What even gave you the impression of there being a time limit? If there is actually none, then simply take your time. If it already ran out, then there is nothing you can do, so suffering for that girl's sake is pointless to begin with. If you wish to keep mulling over a solution, then do so only after you've calmed down and obtained some semblance of peace, when you're confident that you're pursuing that girl not because she resembles your perished lover, but because you want to save her out of the goodness in your heart. Otherwise, you'll end up doing nothing but hurting yourself."

He said she isn't real again, didn't he? You probably shouldn't even be listening, but there are no other sounds in this empty little world to pay attention to. And unfortunately, the golden man isn't done.

"If she loved you in the same way as Aiko and Kimiko, then would she wish for the misery you're going through right now, regardless of whether she herself is dead or not? Let go of it for the sake of a happier life, something that everyone who cares about you no doubt wishes for. ...That's right." He mutters, as if realizing something. "If you're genuinely so selfless that you don't even take yourself into consideration, then think about the people around you, the people that adore and love you, who have to suffer because of their own helplessness in regards to you. Misery is contagious, and like a fireplace that's suddenly grown dim, you're providing neither warmth nor light to the people that have grown used to both."

(2/3)

>>41955998
"If you want to save someone, save the people that exist without a doubt. If you're seeking love, then find it among the countless people living their lives in the world outside of your dreams. There is no happiness to be found here, in this cage of sand and stone, even if you were to somehow succeed in your vague goal. Do you understand that?"

When talking to him, it always feels like you're going in circles. He just repeats the same thing over and over again, constantly trying to convince you to be more selfish. It's tiring enough to force a sigh out of you. This is probably the last time you'll ever bother to listen to one of his lectures.

He stops just a few steps away. Hidden behind arrogance and smugness were traces of exhausted frustration that you couldn't spot before, when he remained at a distance; or at the very least, they've never stood out so strongly. That expression is making his whole speech come off as a plea. You doubt that he'd ever put up such a miserable looking face on purpose, as prideful as he comes off sometimes.

"Please take a break," is what he basically just said, isn't it? Maybe he thinks it'd be beneath him to plead for such a thing directly, so he tried wording it in a grand and vague manner.

How stupid. He's so helpless that you feel almost sad to disappoint his expectations again.

...

>"I'm not going to abandon her. I can't just take it easy when things are like this. I can't calm down until I resolve this."
>...But maybe he's right. If the ribbon-sensing method doesn't work, you should... move on and give it a rest.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>41956027
>...But maybe he's right. If the ribbon-sensing method doesn't work, you should... move on and give it a rest.

>>41956027
>...But maybe he's right. If the ribbon-sensing method doesn't work, you should... move on and give it a rest.
Fuck it, fine. Who needs those stupid ribbons anyway!

>>41956027
>"I'm not going to abandon her. I can't just take it easy when things are like this. I can't calm down until I resolve this."
"Don't you get it? I AM doing this for myself. Whoever that girl is, regardlessof whether she looks like Aiko, she's not Aiko's ghost, and it's really unlikely that she's some kind of curse or mental parasite, because who'd both know about Aiko and have the means to do that to me?

So the only conclusion left is that. she IS me, at least just as much as YOU are me. That's why I want to find her and understand her. Why would a part of myself be so partitioned off? And essentially be forced into being hostile towards me? Even if you do know, you're not gonna tell me, so if I want answers I'll need to make her talk."

>>41956027
>>...But maybe he's right. If the ribbon-sensing method doesn't work, you should... move on and give it a rest.

>>41956164
I do agree anon, my objections are mostly A: does it do any good telling him this rather than just going along with it and let him think we stopped caring or whatever he wants to think, and B: we are currently out of leads, if we don't take a break for a bit what ARE we going to do?

>>41956164
Like even if we do eventually agree to take a break, I'd kind of like Clarissa to at least reframe this debate to what it's really about, because even if the dream girl isn't a Zanpakuto, she's still probably something made by Clarissa. And that means saving her means saving herself, unless the really thinks it's okay to leave the part of ourselves that hates us to just fester undetected.

>>41956220
I don't know, I feel like it might be imporant to have Clarissa realize that, and maybe give Gilgamesh a chance to be more honest?

>>41956250
Yeah but we basically said that last thread. It's clear he doesn't care, either because he just doesn't believe it or because he wants Clarissa to take a break already whether true or false.

>>41956027
>>41956164
I can support the sentiment but barring an idea of what to do but wait and plot I think resting is for the best, sadly. Was hoping the ribbon stuff would work, but alas.

>>41956027
Voting over, writing!

>>41956416
When will Gil embrace diplomacy and humility?

>>41956455
I don't think he's psychologically capable of such an act, this is the closest he can get.

>>41956669
Well it's progress at least.

>>41956054
>>41956082
>>41956164
This is all... really tiring. You turn away, a hand on your hip, and just... try to relax, you suppose. Your head hurts, and you don't even know who's responsible for that anymore. After his speech, the Hogyoku stays quiet, as if waiting for your response. You glance back at him, and... shrug.

"I'll... think about it, alright?" At that vague reply, he lifts a brow. "I'm... tired. So I'll try to take it easy, as you say."

His eyes widen a bit in surprise, which he quickly makes to hide, attempting to keep his expression neutral. It's only slightly less vague than before, but it seems to make him at least a little relieved. Honestly, his reaction - or the effort he's going through to hide it - is amusing.

Maybe he doesn't know that you yourself are feeling uncertain about actually giving it a rest, unlike what your words claim. It's not even so much about righteousness and remorse as it is about curiosity and a worry of self-preservation. There are still so many questions left... is it a good idea to let that issue remain unresolved and fester like a neglected wound? Probably not, of course, but... is it worth it?

You're still not good enough to use the ribbon technique, but you'll learn it one day, and then you'll try, and after that...

...Honestly, you just hope it works out. Then you really can take it easy without having that issue pricking your heart like a needle.

"Very well," He nods, and the forcefully formal and impassive tone nearly makes you crack a grin. He seems to realize that, and, after a cough to hide his embarrassment, continues talking. "Until you have to resolve the issue with your brother, spend the time in the company of your friends and try to enjoy yourself. And don't even dare insult their friendship with you by assuming that having them keep you company is some kind of a burden on them."

(1/2)

>>41957066
"I... wouldn't do that. I mean, I get that I probably bother them when I'm depressed, but, you know..."

"And if that bothers you, then you should work on making it so that you aren't depressed."

"It's not that simple or easy-"

He waves you off and steps away, heading back to his throne. "I've been repeating to you like a parrot that it's both simple and easy. Let's not get into this again."

He really likes to think of you as a complete tool, doesn't he? But he's probably right in one thing, at least - better not get into this again.

...

>Talk to him about something else before you leave. (Write-in).
>You're done here. Wake up.
>Other. (Write-in).

>>41957085
>You're done here. Wake up.
Let's not risk our peacefire, as it were.

>>41957085
>Talk to him about something else before you leave. (Write-in).
Ask him if he has any idea how we can get more control over how much of his power we draw upon? Like right now I'm pretty sure we're at ten percent, but one hundred percent is way too high.

Also, ask if we can learn things beyond throwing swords and mild mind-control, since he was designed to grant wishes right?

>>41957085
>>41957193
I'll second this but I kinda feel like we've already asked earlier and he had no help to give.

>>41957085
>You're done here. Wake up.
Retracting >>41957193 becuse he's not gonna fucking help us with anything.

>>41957085
>You're done here. Wake up.

>>41957085
Voting over, writing!

>>41957287
It's going to be okay, don't worry!

>>41957419
I'm sure we can learn to get along with the plotrock in our head!

>>41957193
>>41957182
"Can you do anything else besides, you know, mind control and sword chugging?" You decide to ask before heading out.

"Whatever you wish for," He smugly replies. It seems that he's regained his good mood. "Of course, the harder the task, the harder it will be to pull it off, but in theory, with enough practice, nothing should be impossible."

Or, at least, that's what he seems to believe.

"And just how do I practice? You told me to just use the power, right? Something like that. But before that, I'd need to make sure that I don't ruin the whole town."

"Think about it - how did your very first 'transformation' even occur?" He asks, leading you on somewhere, though that's a vague question. "You snapped and ceased to restrict yourself emotionally, letting wishes and whims join alongside your rational and composed thoughts, ethics, beliefs, what have you. You 'cut loose', in a sense. It's because the freedom was so overwhelming to you that you couldn't restrain yourself and keep your power under a certain limit, hell, you hadn't even considered that as a possibility at the time; but if you were to get used to it, you'd be able to control it far better."

"That's... pretty vague. And doesn't really do much to solve that problem I talked about."

"The less you repress yourself, the stronger you shall get, that's the gist of it. You don't have to go all the way every single time. Honestly, many of the common emotional extremes that even average people tend to go through will probably suffice as a substitute," He pauses and looks at you expectantly. "...You, of course, understand what I'm hinting at, don't you?"

...God damn it.

"I guess I'll be leaving now." You abruptly wave him a goodbye and depart from your inner world.

...

(1/2)

>>41957958
You wake up in your dimly lit room, covered underneath more and heavier blankets than usual, probably on behalf of your mom, and sweating fairly profusely as a result. But your body feels comfortably heavy covered under this pleasant weight, and it's not overly warm enough to warrant immediate action. So, you close your eyes again and relax, at least until the door into your room opens.

Instead of your mother, in meekly comes Ren. You turn over to the side to face her, and, still keeping under the blanket, greet her. You also glance at the clock - you slept through the whole day; school's been over for about half an hour now.

"Hey, Clarissa. Are you okay?" She quietly whispers, probably not certain about how exactly awake or healthy you are, if at all. She comes on over and crouches beside your bed. "Naoko and I came to check up on you. She's downstairs right now, talking with your mom. Are you sick?"

Your mom never did meet Naoko, did she? The shy girl's probably going through a rough time right now, being barraged with all sorts of questions. Well, she'll probably come up to your room soon enough.

Ren places a hand on your forehead, probably checking for a fever. "Are you cold?" She asks, her cold hand slowly cooling away the unpleasant warmth stacked up in your body.

"Your hand's so... friggin' cold." You mutter, and as she tries to take her hand away along with that amazing sensation, you grab it and put it back over your face.

"W-what are you doing?"

"Just keep it there for a second..."

"...Weirdo." She says after a pause, her expression struggling to decide whether to be confused or flustered. "Well, uh... how are you, Clarissa?"

...

>"I feel alright now. Don't worry."
>"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko all about it as soon as she gets here."
>Other. (Write-in).

>>41957958
Gil pls.
Kimiko, we need you for some unrestrained displays of emotion and lewdness already!

>>41958000
>"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko all about it as soon as she gets here."
Might as well fill them in.

>>41958000
>"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko all about it as soon as she gets here."
"Honestly Naoko has it easy, at least there's precedent for what she does. even though I have some things in common with shinigami, sometimes my powers seem as out there as yours."

>>41958000
>"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko all about it as soon as she gets here."

>>41958075
Yeah anon, but on the other hand she has to talk to her friend's mom. I think you'll find she's the one experiencing TRUE hardship here.

It was nice of them to come over, though!

>>41958000
>"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko all about it as soon as she gets here."

>>41958000
Voting over, writing!

>>41958222
Time for friendship!
Have we ever even told them about plotrock? I forget.

>>41958255
We told Urahara that it's able to communicate with us, and Naoko was right there, so we should remind her of that. Also tell her what Kimiko told us about Zanpakuto, and apparently having the embodiment of your power existing as a separate personality in your head is normal.

>>41958316
Yeah, that's right.
Well, maybe we'll tell them about Gil in detail then. I'm sure we'll be talking about our other brain-visitor anyway, so.

>>41958037
>>41958079
"It's... complicated. I'll tell you and Naoko about it as soon as she gets here." You mutter as you continue to enjoy Ren's differing body temperature. She nods, and then you start to feel her trying to nudge her hand away. Well, it's getting a bit warm, anyway, so you let it go. Instead, you make way to grab the girl's other, left hand, and try to put that on the other, still warm, side of your face.

Good grief, this feels fantastic. You wish you could savor this sensation some more... and you keep wishing for that, up until those cool and slender fingers end up forcefully shoving themselves into your nose. No, you didn't decide to suddenly move them there yourself, but... ow, this hurts.

"Stop using my hands like they're ice cubes, you gigantic weirdo!" Maybe finding herself unable to pull away her hands out of your vicious clutches, she was forced to resort to trickery and perform a low blow of this kind.

Voice muffled by your blocked nose, you try to plead. "But your hands are making me feel good, Ren- OW OW OW NO DON'T PULL MY NOSE."

You are forced to admit defeat and she pulls the fingers out, wiping them on the tissues no doubt left here by your mother as she anticipated and prepared for a cold.

You prop yourself up on an elbow, throwing the heavy blankets off your body and bracing yourself mentally to get up. Is this sluggishness a side effect of the sleeping pills or your own laziness? The air in your room feels cool, at least when suddenly compared to the warmth previously coating your whole body, and it manages to be both pleasant and overly chilly.

(1/2)

>>41958948
Ren's face sours up a bit as she looks at you trying to muster the willpower to get off your comfortable bed. She leans a bit closer and adjusts the straps of your nightgown so that they aren't carelessly dangling under your shoulders. You make to get off the bed after that, and the redhead makes distance, sitting down on it after you're up.

You head for your closet to put some clothes on. Ren realizes this and speaks up. "Uh, I'll let you get dressed."

"It's cool." You shake your head at her and tell her to sit put, which she does. You won't take long so you'll save her the needless logistics. You take the night dress off and... where's your bra, actually? You glance around for a bit before spotting it, so you go and pick it up. How did it even end up near your bed like this? You were in a quite a hurry to go back to sleep, you suppose...

You almost forgot about Ren, who's been sitting on that very bed and getting, well, an eyeful. As you look up at her, she quickly turns the other way, her face glowing almost like a pink light bulb, and her expression embarrassed and slightly bitter.

"Get dressed already, sheesh..."

...What's wrong with her? As you glance at her own humble chest, it hits you, and you try to suppress the grin threatening to contort your face into a cruel and smug mess. It doesn't work.

...

>Try to cheer her up. "Don't worry, Ren. They'll grow."
>"Ren, help me hook it up? They're kind of big, so it's hard for me to reach around, you know?"
>Other. (Write-in).

>>41958970
>"Ren, help me hook it up? They're kind of big, so it's hard for me to reach around, you know?"
Well we WERE meant to take our mind off things right? It'll be fun!

>>41958970
>"Ren, help me hook it up? They're kind of big, so it's hard for me to reach around, you know?"

>>41958970
>"Ren, help me hook it up? They're kind of big, so it's hard for me to reach around, you know?"

>>41958970
>Try to cheer her up. "Don't worry, Ren. They'll grow."

Anons please, you're bulling this poor Asian girl. It's not her fault she was born flat!

>>41958970
Voting over, writing!

>>41959200
Alright, let's hope Ren won't hold this against us!

Is Clarissa, uh, gifted or just Ren flat as a board?

>>41959342
Ren is 'average'.

Clarissa is a foreigner. And she's not 'average' back home, either.

>>41959369
I see. That sure puts this into perspective.

>>41959369
I don't get if you're Implying bigger or smaller, sorry!

>>41959406
Bigger. It's a common joke to call busty girls foreigners.

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>>41959406

>>41959470
Makes sense then.
Wow, poor Ren.

>>41959479
D-don't animeface at me! Write your quest!

Sure explains why Clarissa is so popular at least.

>>41959369
RUSSIA IS BIG AND STRONK!

>>41959904
You mean fat?

>>41959006
>>41959061
>>41959139
"Ren?" You call her, and she just barely resists throwing a glance at you. "Help me hook it up?"

"W-what?" She finally turns to face you, keeping her eyes on yours.

"It's hard for me to reach around, you know?" You try to say it with as straight of a face as you can, with partial success. You're smiling a bit. "Cuz they're kind of big."

"Are you serious? You're kidding, right?" She glances downwards a bit, just for a moment. "T-they're not THAT big! Are you serious? No, you're just messing with me, aren't you?"

"No." You say. "Help me out."

Ren frowns as she stands up and heads towards you. You turn around and place the bra over your chest. It takes you everything you have not to crack up as she actually picks up the straps and-

"OW!" She pricks your back with the bra hook. You didn't expect that! "OW OW OW WHAT ARE YOU DOING"

"Sorry, my hand just KEEPS SLIPPING FOR SOME REASON."

You didn't expect her to keep doing it, either! You try to run away, but the bra's actually serving your begrudged friend as a net with which she keeps you entangled to her vengeful leisure. How could you be foolish enough to expose your back to a girl undergoing breast envy?

"I-it's because you're not experienced enough, ahahahOW." You try to fight back, but you can only do so with insults that don't really carry any weight in your position.

As the struggle continues, the door into your room suddenly opens. Naoko walks inside, glances at you, and, finding you naked, turns away; you can't help but notice how she's not doing so out of embarrassment, but rather, out of completely unflustered politeness. It's easy to tell who's secure about their size here, especially when compared to those who aren't. Her eyes dart back to the scene for just one more moment, as she probably failed to fully comprehend the situation during her first, brief glance.

(1/2)

>>41959997
Ren is the first to make up excuses after the quiet girl turns away again. "Uh, I-I was just helping her get dressed."

"Okay." Naoko replies.

"N-no, seriously, we weren't doing anything weird."

"I know."

"I-I'm not kidding. Clarissa's just... clumsy, so she asked me to... uh..."

"I understand."

Ren, after a pause, finally stops tugging at your bra and hooks it up properly.

"...Who're you calling clumsy, you bra fencer?" Before stepping out to your side, she punts you in the side with her elbow. "Tsundere." The word mixes in with your pained grunt.

After that, you get dressed properly and tell your friends to sit down, even offer to get some tea and snacks for them, because this is going to be a long, suspicious, and confusing story, especially since you can hardly claim to understand what's happening yourself. You warn them that this might sound very mentally inappropriate, but you urge them to, at the very least, hear you out until the very end.

...

>>41959997
Yeah, that sounds about right. You should try massaging them Ren!

>>41960037
>because this is going to be a long, suspicious, and confusing story, especially since you can hardly claim to understand what's happening yourself. You warn them that this might sound very mentally inappropriate, but you urge them to, at the very least, hear you out until the very end.
Yeah nah tha'ts not gonna work.

>>41960048
Hey, Naoko is REALLY good at keeping calm and waiting anon.

But yeah, Ren's gonna freak out.

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>>41960037
I'd like to end the thread here for tonight, it's getting really late for me, unfortunately!

Next thread will be up tomorrow, but watch out for the unexpected on twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mushroomgami

If you have any feedback or questions, send them my way!

Thanks for reading!

>>41960077
Thanks for running! I was surprised at the extra session. Thankfully I didn't end up missing too much though.

>>41960092
If I can't go fast when it comes to updates, I'll just do more threads!

>>41960077
Thanks for writing Mushroom, it was fun for sure.

>>41960156
Any time! Thanks for reading!

>>41960070
I mean, really after learning Nemu's recovery process is triggered by fingering her, we've all collectively lost the right to judge anything for being weird. Ever again.

>>41960136
Just don't burn out, Mushroom! We'll be happy with whenever you have the energy to run you know.

>>41960197
Hey, it's Mayuri, expect the depraved.
Also, it gave me a new appreciation and view of Naoko, that's for sure.

>>41960077
It's nice to see Gilgamesh does seem to genuinely care about Clarissa's well-being, even if he's not very good at it. Or he's at least pretending to care.

>>41960221
We might salvage something with him yet...though it COULD be as simple as him having no way to control Clarissa and needing her alive and healthy for plotrock to stay alive and healthy itself. But I'll be positive!

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>>41960197
You're quite the pervert for jumping to such conclusions.

>>41960272
But she basically told us! Our feet are planted on the ground!

>>41960216
I won't burn out, don't worry about that! It's always fun to do these.

>>41960260
Well yeah, him wanting to help us is purely out of self-preservation, but I can't really blame him for it because he IS us. His self-interest is our self-interest, even if his methods are a bit off.

>>41960398
That's good to hear at least. Night Mushroom!