>>409725
Tempting, but if her old place of work got hit, or even the same company, she would be on a shortlist of suspects to investigate if it looked like an inside job. You know, the whole disgruntled ex-employee cliché that happens because once in a while someone being stepped on by the machine takes it the wrong way and turns criminal over it.
If this bank company were large enough, its procedures/facilities standard enough and her control of cool blue magic stuff certain enough to steal from a branch in a different time zone and come right back in a tiny fraction of the time someone could travel by car.... Well! Then there's only the morality to think of, the planning to do, and alibi to arrange.

>>409565
>[x] No use casting on an empty stomach. Let's find somewhere good to eat.
Seriously, meditation and schemes for power are great and all, but let's tend to practical matters of comfort at the moment.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/08(Tue)20:07 No. 409835 ID: af10de
File 133653287232.jpg - (82.15KB , 312x445 , 76.jpg )

>Meditate, to be followed by eating

Okay, I am a little hungry...but if I can't push a simple empty stomach distraction out of my mind, there's no hope of meditation ever working. Just sitting here doing nothing doesn't sound like it'll help a damn bit, so I'll sit here and let my mind wander while doing a sweep of magic signatures.

I'm only getting one hit that's anywhere close to me, and it doesn't take much to realize that it's Nicole. I might be able to try expanding my search, or I could just sit here and get some thoughts in order.

Or I could just get some food. I guess that'd work too.

>[ ] Meditate a bit longer
>[ ] Try reaching out to something
>[ ] Get food
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

>>409835
>[x] Try reaching out to something
As long as we're doing this, might as well try boosting the signal.

Possibility: Learn how to do this while you make your body do kitchen work of a light breakfast. Multitasking where your body does something simple and predictable while your mind does something more important is a great skill.

>>409835
Meditating's done. Time for food.

Meditating for the sake of just blanking your mind is silly.
While we said meditate a better term would be "Trance And Focus Senses On Magic Stimuli" from now on aka as TAFSOMS
TAFSOMS can be used to find new sources of magic, allied or enemy mages, refine your magical senses, find issues with your magical signature or that of others, find magic artifacts, and just practice. It looks like meditation but you are actually hard at work exercising those magic muscles.

I say get a map of the city, find museums. Now try to focus your search in their area. Even if we find nothing we should get better at focusing our search. Also try to match Nicole's magic signature to a location on the map as well as getting more familiar with it (to identify it better).

Try also searching nearby, can you identify people who aren't mages via their aura? Start with your neighbors for an easy target.

expandinate.

>>409970
>expandinate
Not in the dictionary, what did you mean?

>>410044

the opposite of contractinate.

>>410044
Not a native speaker? I'm only 99.9% sure about this but I'd say Elephant Guy means expanding horizontally, as in making the belly expand, as in eat something.
I could be failing to cast telepathy again though.

Dude if you have that right, you are telepathic.

>>410377
On my better days I am but I could've fucked up my mind-reading check. It's unreliable.
Seriously, I dunno, it doesn't seem non-obvious to me. What else could she be about to expand? Would she use yoga psychic powers to expand her breasts or something? Stick her thumb in her mouth and blow really hard until her head inflates like a balloon? Move the 4th, 12th and 16th armies through the Ardennes forest and invade France to expand Lebensraum? I'm using process of elimination here.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/11(Fri)12:19 No. 410516 ID: af10de
File 133676396146.jpg - (71.93KB , 312x445 , 246.jpg )

>>409934
Yeah, I kinda found that much out about 30 seconds in. I know my way around the city fairly well, and Nicole's mana ping is showing up right about where her house should be - bottom of what you could call an "upper class" neighborhood, next to two of the elementary schools. I'm still not getting any other hits from anything that's in town. No museums either.

>>409836
>>409970
Yeah, I might have to cast a wider net if I want to catch anything more than just the one girl I already know. I try to focus, but things just seem...blurry. If I were willing to have a go at it for like an hour or so I might get some clarity but...
>>409847
Yeah, food sounds REALLY good right about now. And I mean real food, not some tiny-ass peanut butter sandwich and five potato chips.
>[ ] There's a family-owned pizza place one block over (2 minutes travel time)
>[ ] McDonald's just opened a store up the hill from here (5 minutes)
>[ ] One of those all-you-can-eat places is on the other side of the highway... (25 minutes)
>[ ] There's a really good Asian joint but it's on the opposite side of town (50 minutes)

>>410417
>yoga psychic powers to expand her breasts or something
Hey now, that's just uncalled for! It's not like I'm a shapeshifter or anything...;_;

I believe Nicole should have the transmutation ability.
You know, if you want to reshape certain body parts..

Seriously, I doubt you'd ever need E-cup or bigger boobs it and it's just a backache without need. You're not some desperate med school student who has to table-dance for tuition money. On the other hand, if you happen to like the idea of tricking horny fools out of money in titty bars or getting paid to have sex for a living you can do what you want, I'm pretty sure there has to be a yoga power for that or at least something blue magic can do.
On the question of dating I see even less reason to go wandering around with knockers almost as big as your head. The right guy, or girl if you like that instead, is something you've got a cheat code for anyway because you can fly and take them with you. This is awesome, and right now you're the only woman in town that can do it.
Now let's go for that nice pizza place and try to find somewhere better to live. I mean seriously, only one asian restaurant worth eating from within an hour? Do cows wander the streets or something? You're probably too hungry to go power-lunching in a nice work-formal dress looking for contacts and jobs right now and make a good impression (without the help of magic) so I say go with the people who already know your favourite order and are close.

>>410516
>[x] There's a family-owned pizza place one block over (2 minutes travel time)
Delicious pizza.

>>410516
If you think you can be sneaky about it, you can go to the good asian place.

Use Jump, http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=193743
and perhaps http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=23003
or http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=19681
to make people not notice you.

Or if you don't feel comfortable, go get pizza or something.

If you want to manifest charm beyond the natural there's a blue spell called Awesome Presence that can do it without giving you a backache anyway.
For this afternoon there's a spell called Treasure Trove. I'd like to see what it gives you. Failing that maybe you could use Legacy's Allure to get something nice.

Asian joint. Along the way, look out for any abandoned warehouses that you can use for the practice battle with Nicole.

Go to the pizza joint, don't use overt and obvious spells.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/12(Sat)16:15 No. 410886 ID: af10de
File 133686453648.jpg - (51.48KB , 375x523 , Cutting the Bill.jpg )

>>410533
Hey, I'd be more than happy with C's - I don't feel a need to become some hideously misshapen thing, but I'd like to have some semblance of a figure.

>>410537
>>410763
Pizza it is. With a little stretch and one crosswalk between here and there, it's really surprising why I don't go there more often.

...Oh wait, no it's not - they aren't open this early on the weekends. And this has been my first weekday off in...how long? Not sure I care at the moment. I order a small cheese pizza - it's not that big, and if I don't finish it then I'll have breakfast tomorrow. I fail to see that ending poorly.

Of course, while I'm waiting, I can't help but notice several other parties waiting for food as well. I suppose I could try to listen in or something...

>[ ] There's a gaggle of schoolgirls huddled in the corner, not sure what they talk about these days...
>[ ] A guy who looks about my age is just sitting there with a notebook two booths over.
>[ ] An older gentleman has a laptop and is talking is some other language on his cell phone...
>[ ] I shouldn't try anything rash - who knows what's hiding from my radar?
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

magic seems to go to little schoolgirls for some reason- go listen to those.

>>410886
I'm not really inclined to worry that there are traps in a pizza place. That's pretty paranoid.

Unfortunately for the world's nosy people, the notebook guy isn't talking and you don't speak foreign languages, so the girls are the only ones available for casual eavesdropping unless you feel like introducing yourself to one of the others, or possibly trying to subtly read their notebook/laptop. You could use magic to do that, of course. Or to read their minds. But unless you're sure it would work, perhaps best to not.

If spells don't make visible glowing light, we could Peek at his notebook. http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=130903

Are you a prospective underwear model or a prospective archmage? Your short to medium term future has far higher chances than normal someone will be trying to kill you with magic. Seriously, you would be better off with As when it comes time to duck, dodge and run away, although I would agree that in many cases it's easier to get attention with Cs or something that jiggles more than those even. Of course then you would have to buy a whole new wardrobe, with money we haven't made yet. Since it really bothers you that much I'll see what I can look up, but no promises that it won't take being a black mage or a green mage too or something.
Right here and now though... this is a wonderful opportunity to try that Telepathy spell, if you think you can keep cool and not flinch or anything on the chance one of the people here is staring at your ass and thinking particularly lurid thoughts. Maybe one of the two men knows someone that's hiring for a job you've always wanted? Heck... help us out here, is there any job you've always wanted or would you rather just leave this world despite having gained a magic skeleton key for unlocking lots of the doors that were closed to you before?

So I looked up physical alteration and shapechanging powers. If you want something temporary there's a bird-man wizard you can summon that will fix you right up called a Crookclaw Transmuter. Fairly temporary though.
Alternatively you could try summoning an Escaped Shapeshifter or a Vesuvan Shapeshifter and asking them how they do it, but I don't guarantee they'll be able to help you and they are probably a bit hard to find too.
There may be better or more permanent options, but the only permanent ones I found so far were very alarming in one way or another. For example there's Unstable Mutation. That absolutely would kill you eventually, likely sooner than later, and it's an enchantment: Enchantments have this nasty habit of becoming undone or becoming targets for enemy wizards doing nasty things to them so I'd advise against using it on anything that isn't cannon fodder.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/13(Sun)22:23 No. 411575 ID: af10de
File 133697303221.jpg - (71.78KB , 312x445 , 37.jpg )

>>411014
If popular culture is to be believed, the two tend to be in direct correlation with each other. That being said...it's something for the wish list - I'm cognizant enough to know there're more important things to deal with. For example...
>>411011
I...I honestly don't know if they do or not, and now isn't exactly the time to test that.
>>410938
>>410946
Fair enough. It isn't that hard to listen in on a few gossip girls, even without magic. The trick is being able to filter out the useless garbage.

"So, everyone's talking about that party next week, how it's gonna have everything stocked!"
"Ohmygod, they're leaving it all unlocked?"
"Yeah, her folks must think she's some pure little catholic schoolgirl - she dresses slutty enough for it!"

They all laugh, and I think if I listen too much longer I'll either get diabetes or indigestion.

>[ ] Stop listening
>[ ] It can't be that much worse...

the girl who nicole said tried to kill her was a catholic school girl. the odds of it being the girl they are talking about are low, but it would be worth paying attention to those two just in case.

Yeah, you shouldn't pay much attention to the girls but when they say "Nicole", "Sarah" or "magic", then you'll want to put more attention to them

harden your skin and brace for psychological impact. you're listening.

>>411692
What they said, except correct "put" with pay.
Welcome to telepathy 000, putting up with all the stupid random crap other people think, except this is the beginner level and it's only the things they say. Remember that folklore that says that men think about sex every seven seconds? You're going to be finding out how true it is. (If you really want I can tell you what I've observed but it's no definitive answer. I haven't read all of the minds, nor do I want to.)
Welcome also to the stupid bull that's the reason you're going to be concentrating on meditation and spellcasting later. That's to help you forget their stupid voices and tedious conversation. I'm sorry because this isn't pleasant, but as a wizard that's got potential powers of reading and altering thought and memory you have to get started practicing somehow. Can you think of a better use of your time while waiting for pizza?

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/20(Sun)15:18 No. 414418 ID: af10de
File 133755231645.jpg - (79.28KB , 312x445 , 115.jpg )

>Apologies for the delay, but real life problems happen and when they do, questing takes a back seat. With luck this won't happen again.
>>411641
>>411692
>>411695

I know, I know...I just remember middle school being...well, a lot less full of stuck up bitches. Maybe it's just the changing times? Anyway, I try to act casually as I listen, even after my pizza shows up.

"So it's settled then? Kayla's place for Rave Blast 5 next monday?"
"Yeah, she's got everything there, I swear her parents must be dumb as rocks. So who're we bringing?"
"Oh, the usuals...Manda, Rachel, Hailey...is Nicole still on the shit list?"
"Yeah, snitching is grounds for permanent shit-list."
"Sara got off that list, you know..."
"Yeah, but only because the boys know she puts out now so we have to let her in. If she were half as innocent as she looks, bitch wouldn't get the time of day."
"The fact that she turned into a sex goddess overnight doesn't hurt either..."
"Yes Kat, you're gay, we know. Don't need to remind us every other hour."
"Hey, we always complained about boys having cooties, you're all just pissed that I stuck to my guns."

...well then. There's plenty of information of dubious utility, although a few nuggets that I could use. A couple names help too...and I could probably pass as a high-schooler if I needed to.

>In any case, my food's mostly done, and the girls seem to be shutting up. What should I do now?

Nobody here to talk to it looks like so take your pizza and go. If there's a place you'd rather eat than home maybe go there?

>>414418
Grab your pizza, and go somewhere that you think you'd enjoy relaxing for a while. A park, or the library, or whatever sort of place you enjoy. You've got superpowers and a life free of obligations; you should relax and enjoy yourself a bit.

Might as well eat near the brook you mana bonded to. Listening to those girls drone on and on felt like a week. Might as well eat where its nice.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/27(Sun)14:30 No. 416456 ID: af10de
File 133815420034.jpg - (47.52KB , 312x445 , 362.jpg )

>>414570
>>414590
>>414632
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. I really ought to try taking it easy for a bit, lay low and all that. It's just the idea of not needing to do stuff every day for a week, you lose track of time.

Of course, right now losing track of time doesn't feel half bad, next to this stream. The mana running through me...it's really hard to describe it, really. If it makes any sense, it's like the energy there is what lets me know that I'm truly alive.

"That is a fair question, young one...are you truly alive still?"

...that voice...there's no fucking way...

...goddammit.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/27(Sun)14:37 No. 416457 ID: af10de
File 133815466532.jpg - (38.00KB , 375x523 , Kyubee the Soul Taker.jpg )

I...I blew your fuzzy white head into tiny chunks! I fucking saw it right there! how the hell are you still here?

"Magic is capable of much, young student of the Azure. Surely you realized this after my encounter with your new friend...she was actually fairly nice, until her power started getting the best of her. How is she, by the by?"

I really want this thing to just go away and leave me the fuck alone. And if it's not lying then I really should have a long talk with Nicole. At the same time, I really don't trust the white bastard as far as I can throw it. On the other hand, apparently killing it won't do a damned thing, so I'd be wasting time and energy.

>One way or another, I'm getting rid of this thing. Any ideas on how I should make it go boom?

Arrrrgh this guy. Pretty much expected that, though.

Ask it what the hell its plans are, with all the going around empowering mages and whatnot.

summon a tank and parley. no, not that kind of parley, I meant talking.

Rather persistent for a being who asked for "a small sliver of power to grant me permanence", isn't he.

After asking about why he is awakening mages, ask why he is talking to you again.

Rather persistent for a being who asked for "a small sliver of power to grant me permanence", isn't he.

After asking about why he is awakening mages, ask why he is talking to you again.

>>416457
If killing it once didn't work, killing it a second time won't, either. Try something new- put it to sleep, lock it down, mess with its mind. Incapacitate or imprison rather than harm.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/27(Sun)20:51 No. 416592 ID: af10de
File 133817706397.jpg - (72.19KB , 312x445 , 73.jpg )

>>416480
"So...what? You just gonna turn every teenage girl in the city into a wizard until we inevitably go at each others' throats?" I really hope that's not what it's trying to do, I'm really not sure we're ready as a society for a magical arms race.

"Do not fear for your safety at my hands, dear maiden. Your accusations wound me, but rest assured my go-"

"Paws."
"Pardon?"
"You said 'at my hands', but you don't have hands. you have paws."

"...Paws. Irrelevant in the long term, though. My goal is not so...trifling as to spark a little...family feud, one might call it. There are layers at work here; layers within layers even."

...I'm gonna need to draw a flowchart if this thing gets any more convoluted. I hate flowcharts.

>>416545
"I thought I made it clear that I didn't wish any more to do with you when I destroyed your body. So why the flying fuck are you back?"

...The way the creature is staring at me is kinda unnerving, to be honest. Poker face got nothing on this manger thing.

"I said so already - Layers within layers; worlds within worlds. To know oneself is to travel to where one does not exist, and create your form through sheer might of spirit."

Koans. Another thing I can't fucking stand. I have half a mind to just blow it up again and be done with it...

>>416559
That might work...thanks to what I learned from Alexi and Claire, it doesn't take much to completely drain all the energy in a two foot radius of the thing, freezing it there for a while at least.

"You are learning quickly...so why do you yet reject my offer? I need no more than a sliver of mana to continue existing, in return for sculpting you into a beguiling archmage of truth."

...he's not moving, so I suppose that'll do for the short term until I figure out a mind-shredding spell. which to be honest creeps me out a little. So now what?

>[ ] You know...maybe I will take you up on that offer.
>[ ] I can do just fine without you, now scram.
>[ ] Start explaining and this'll probably be relatively painless...
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

>>416592
"I know a fast sell when I see one, and you've got 'snake oil salesman' written all over you. You want an impulsive sucker, go find someone red- you want me, best start explaining all the details."

Get an explanation. You have more magical knowledge than last time, and might be able to tell if his offer is on the level or not.

[x] Start explaining and this'll probably be relatively painless...

we know enough now t understand that a sliver of mana really isn't much, so we should at least hear him out.

>[ ] Other: "Maybe I would consider your offer if you actually explain what you want. Your line about "a sliver of mana to continue existing" sounds dubious at best coming from a being who is existing just fine despite dying twice."

There is practically no chance a few mana points are all he really wants from us. He can just find another mage if he just wants mana.

don't take chances with takers of souls. refuse to oblivion.

>>416620
Ask this question. Also, in general ask away like the other suggestions.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/28(Mon)16:08 No. 416779 ID: af10de
File 133824648895.jpg - (76.96KB , 312x445 , 26.jpg )

>>416595
>>416597
>>416620
>>416677

"Alright, I might be interested in hearing you out. But if you're going to get me on board, I need to know everything involved in this deal, right here and now. What do want from me, what do I get out of the deal, and why do you insist on making my life miserable in doing so?"
"Peace, azure princess. Such anger does not suit a woman of your...current temperament. Unless you feel lost within the wells of knowledge you draw from? Perhaps I should start referring to you as a maiden of the Crimson?"

...okay, I may be wearing a red blouse, but I'm not some dumb pyromaniac. I'm angry because this little shit is really getting irritating, and that's it.

"As for your questions...you would swear alliance to me and grant me access to your mana bond as payment. You will go where I send you, with whom I send you, when I call for you; and you will fulfill the objectives I set for you without fail. In exchange, I will take your current form and replace it with one of your own design that can accept the power with which you will be bestowed."

...so basically he wants me to run magical errands whenever he asks, in exchange for a power-up and a magical makeover. I don't really think it's the best deal, but it certainly knows this shit better than I do...

>[ ] Alright, you have a deal.
>[ ] No, get away and never come back.
>[ ] I need more time and information before committing...
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

[X] No, get away and never come back.

Better to muddle through on your own then to behold yourself something calling itself a soul taker. Thats why you blasted it in the first place.

>>416779
"There's a big difference between 'sliver of mana' and 'life of servitude'. Funny how you asked for the former and meant the latter."

>[x] No, get away and never come back.

Unless this time of servitude has an end, no.

If it does end at some point other than our death, when would that be?

No, get away and never come back.

blast him dead.

[X] No, get away and never come back.

>>416782
yeah, this sounds like a deal where he snaps up people with high potential but no knowledge and enslaves them before they know better.

>[ ] No, get away and never come back.
In the form of verbally saying that we want nothing to do with him and his duplicitous deals. That would possibly be more lasting than simply killing him again, and blasting him would give him an excuse to send his minions after us.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/28(Mon)21:38 No. 416875 ID: af10de
File 133826631867.jpg - (64.42KB , 312x445 , 126a.jpg )

>>416780
>>416782
>>416788
>>416820

"Hmm...that's a tempting offer. but I've a better one: you stop hunting in my city and I might decide to not make it my life's mission to destroy your very essence. How's that sound?"
"...you humans are so...fascinating. Are you aware of how many people are willing to throw away a future for the chance at powers that in the grand schema offer little more than what they currently possess?"

I really hope there's a way to kill this demonic furball without needing BRAIN LASERS, because that stung like hell. Not that the thought keeps it from continuing to drone on.
"I think I like it here, in 'your city' as you called it. Surely there are others like my alabaster maiden willing to serve for a price. I expect you too will join me in time, once you find yourself...lacking. Her newfound might appears to have made a significant impression, one that will only bolster my ranks."
Son of a...is he making a magical girl army or something?!?

"However...so long as you do not attack me or mine, I suppose we will merely have to co-exist in this plane. But do not think for a moment that you can overpower me - or I'll tear you from existence, piece by tortuous piece."

Before I can respond to the son of a bitch, it just...vanishes. Like it was never even th-

...and the bloody thing took my leftover pizza with it. Calm down Erica...this isn't the end of the world. Yet. But any hope of a peaceful day just got shattered, and any appetite I had is gone.
>What the hell am I supposed to do now?

>>416875
>What the hell am I supposed to do now?
Go find Nicole. Quickly. That thing implied that she's being corrupted somehow by her power, and that he's got superpowered servants running around- we need to check up on our ally and watch her back... not mention have her watch ours.

we build our own army, we find people with power and find some way to activate it. then we warn them about the furry little bastard. i'm willing to bet he get rejected at least halfe the time, we might be able to get the numbers we need to overcome him if we act fast.

Ok, it definitely sounds like he is building some kind of military force. Fortunately, this greatly increases the chance that we can come to a favorable arrangement with the government, as they have obvious reason to be concerned about an mysterious alien amassing secret army of superweapons in their country. I think we should prepare to make such an arrangement as soon as possible.
(Of course, when we first meet with them we should wear some kind of illusion rather than talking to them as ourself, or even stay invisible and have an illusion puppet do the talking for us.)

You need to call Nicole. This being is going to go around powering up more girls so he can get his army. He'll go after Nicole and you have to warn her.
Also, here's something that you might need to tip the scales if you need to convince Nicole not to join him.
>Surely there are others like my alabaster maiden willing to serve for a price
Sarah is on his side. Surely, Nicole would not want to be on the same side as Sarah.

>>416875
he STOLE YOUR PIZZA? What a dick.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/29(Tue)20:09 No. 417100 ID: af10de
File 133834737906.jpg - (84.17KB , 312x445 , 66.jpg )

>>417051
Yeah, because if I wasn't yet sure he was evil by trying to enslave me, then threatening me with a magical army, the fact that he stole my pizza means that this means war.

...God I feel like such an idiot for thinking that.
>>416882
>>416884
He did say that he wouldn't sic his dogs on us so long as we left him alone...not sure how much stock I can put in to that, but I still think staging a battle isn't a good idea for a long long way down the line.

>>416878
>>416897
Yeah, that's a good idea. Calling her up now.
"There better be something big happening right about now, I was about to take a nap..."

I take as little time as I can to explain exactly what just happened - the white thing that we both killed coming back, how it's apparently roped Sarah if no one else into its army, and how it plans to keep recruiting more girls.

"...That's seriously fucked up. I'll be sure to run the little shit through the ringer if it shows its face around here. But how do we get to people with the potential for this stuff before it does?"
"One thing at a time Nicole...one thing at a time. Speaking of, are you sure you're okay? The thing said you might be getting a bit...out of control with your magic. You haven't killed anyone since last night, have you?"
"No...should I have?"

...I get the feeling she's hiding something, but that it's not having killed anybody. Something else she'd hide.

Still, I know that she's got something else on her mind, but I doubt it's more important than this.

>[ ]"There's something you're not telling me...what is it?"
>[ ]"Think we need to meet up and form a battle plan?"
>[ ]"Now might be the time to find somewhere else to be..."
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

She might have raised the dead or summoned something she shouldn't have.

>>417100
Try to uncover what she's concealing, but in a friendly, somewhat joking way.

"You're hiding something, and I want to know what it is. I suspect this is going to be a motif for us, since black mages are compulsively deceptive and blue mages are compulsively curious. Spill, or I'll pester you incessantly. I won't hold anything against you, I promise."

>He did say that he wouldn't sic his dogs on us so long as we left him alone
Sure he said he wouldn't send his minions after us, but I rather doubt his plans are limited simply to recruiting an army and leaving. He acts more like his long term goals involve operating either in or from this plane, both of which could be disastrous for a world not prepared for magical conflict.
And of course a fight right now would do little more than our mind blast did; I was thinking of building a more long-term power base to oppose whatever plans the fuzzball might have.

>>417120
If we say something like that we should say 'secretive' instead of 'deceptive'. Sounds less judgmental that way.

I think a face to face meeting is best.

don't press the issue- Nicole has proven that she can be dangerous and there's a good chance now that she isn't exactly the paragon of stability. in fact, I think you should look for other allies than her.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/05/31(Thu)16:48 No. 417754 ID: af10de
File 133850811307.jpg - (86.56KB , 312x445 , 81.jpg )

>>417120
>>417127
"Look, I know you're not telling me something. This is probably gonna be an ongoing thing the way blue and black magic work, so spill or I'll annoy it out of you."
"Well...I tried summoning something like you talked about...and this man did teach me lots about magic, including some stuff you missed. I just...I dunno, it's like I'm really sleepy, and Bob didn't know of an easy way to fix it. So I just...feel out of it?"

Well...that's definitely better than it could have been, although I don't trust her ability to take too much more at the rate she's going. And if Sarah or any of the others decide to drop in on her...

>>417130
"You free to meet at Swinford Park, say...30 minutes?" It's about a 10 minute walk from my place, and not too much farther from hers if my math is right. She agrees to it without much hassle, so at least we'll be able to plan something.

>>417287
I'd love more allies than just her - mind you there's no way in hell I'm abandoning her, but few things would make me feel better than having someone with magic just walk up to me and say hi.

>But given the odds of that are really fucking slim, fat chance. Short of that, what can I do?

>>417754
>Short of that, what can I do?
Aggressive use of magic to find the next person who will manifest with magical power, or to find others who have it already. Your natural senses are nice, but they're not really up there with true spells. Fortunately, from what we've been taught of magic, both blue and black have a variety of ways to gather information, some very potent. Get together with Nicole, see what she learned from her summoned tutor, and then between the two of you start throwing around divinations like there's no tomorrow.

The guy who taught her was summoned, right? In any case it would be interesting to hear what he had to say.

>>417763
This is true. It would be nice to have more people so we can make a "Justice League" to help defend the world from the aliens paws.

But really, throwing a large amount of divination to find more people is gonna bite you in the butt if you're not strong or smart enough to keep them in line as your allies. You need to get stronger so you can protect what you have.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/06/16(Sat)19:34 No. 423267 ID: af10de
File 133990044840.jpg - (72.22KB , 312x445 , 149.jpg )

>I do apologize for not getting back to this. new full-time job + lotsa people asking me for money + Prepping for WCQs means this kind of fell by the wayside. I do intend to update this daily from now on though.



>>417763
>>417803
After thinking for far too long about our next move, I head over to the park. Nicole is waiting for me on a bench, but she really doesn't look too hot.

>Nicole has 3/10 life.

"Holy...what the hell happened?" I almost wish I knew some kind of healing spell, because she really needs it.

"Bob...showed me some stuff. I know a lot about how magic works now, instead of just shooting random crap at people. Problem is...I just feel like I've aged two weeks in a day, and it's like everything I learned drained something...primal."

...This could get really bad if Sarah shows her face around here...or if any red mage does either, for that matter.

>[ ]Find some way to get Nicole's life total up, stat!
>[ ]Loan her some of your life total (and specify how much)
>[ ]Keep her stable and discuss scrying for new mages
>[ ]Run over everything you know to make sure you're not forgetting something
>[ ] Other (Please Specify)

[X]Find some way to get Nicole's life total up, stat!

>>423267
>[x]Keep her stable and discuss scrying for new mages
Nicole is a black mage. She should be able to suck the life out of something to heal herself without too much trouble, and we've got stuff to worry about. We're a savvy enough mage that we should be able to sense anyone incoming in enough time to get away before Nicole gets punked.

[x]Loan her some of your life total. 4 Life should be enough, given that we have 12, so it would bring her to 7 and us to 8.

>>423390

make it 2. she can find a way to heal herself.

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/06/17(Sun)15:03 No. 423608 ID: af10de
File 133997062623.jpg - (67.86KB , 312x445 , 49b.jpg )

>>423268
>>423390
>>423400
"Hang on Nicole...let me see if I can't wake you up some." I have to try something...maybe just giving it to her will work, but I can't let her take too much or else I'll be the one in trouble. Enough to get her on her feet, but not enough to knock me out...

Erica feels her head swimming and her vision go blurry as she transfers some of her energy over to Nicole. Erica is at 10 life, Nicole is at 5.

ugh...I jus...what am...who...urrg. alright, gimme a minute to get my head back on straight.

Wow. Not doing that again if I can possibly avoid it.

>>423303
Now that she's paying attention, I go over my basic outline. White furry shit planning to raise an army of teenage magician girls, and we need to do something to even the numbers.

"I agree we gotta do something...but it's not like we can just go up to random kids and give them magical powers. And even if we could...who's to say they'll ally with us?" She's got a good point, but it doesn't take long for me to come back from that.

"First off, the little shit's press-ganging these girls into lives of servitude. I don't need a magical army, and I'll be damned if that's what we make. They come with us, and we let them do what they want so long as we don't get into gigantic pissing matches over it."

"Plus, I might be able to find a way to give them a good dental plan. Don't underestimate a good benefits package."

...Yeah, I think that one went over her head. But she seems in agreement with most of it. Now all we have is the easy part - finding teenage girls in this city that have the ability to bend the laws of reality over their knee.

...Yeah. Easy. So, uh...how should I go about looking for them?

>[ ]"You know, I heard a few names and a party coming up...maybe there's someone in that group?"
>[ ]"Magic likes finding other magic, maybe you can help me look?"
>[ ]"The white thing has to have a way to find out, we could tail him and steal his recruits..."
>[ ]Other (Please Specify)

We can cast cards from other sets when not in combat, and a caster can control things they summon, right?
What if, when Nicole gains enough power to select another color, we convince her to go black/white and then have her summon up a certain fluffball to get some answers out of him?

you were doing the meditation thing when you detected her. you know what they say about the difference between one hand and two... maybe you can find a way to link together and cast spells as one. that'd be useful in this endeavor as well as others.

>>423608
>[x]"Magic likes finding other magic, maybe you can help me look?"

Help her help you look

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/06/18(Mon)21:51 No. 423994 ID: af10de
File 134008151052.jpg - (65.56KB , 312x445 , 99.jpg )

>>423614
As amusing as that sounds, Alexi said most magical beings allow astral projections to be summoned so they don't risk death.

...now that I think about it, that probably explains a lot.

>>423622
>>423646
>>423700
"Hey...you think you can help me find some people who can use magic?" Nicole nods as we try pooling our mana together, looking for a way to find magic users.

>4

"...I know you two have a good reason for calling me here...but I'm going to want to know why I should bother hearing it. Because I really don't need every two-bit sorceress begging me for lessons."

...oh shit. This guy feels powerful. Like an entirely different level of powerful, moreso than Alexi did. And he doesn't look happy.

>A wild Jon Finkel appears!
>...Well, shit. Anything I can say to keep him from turning us into mindslaves or something?

>>423994
If the card is accurate, he's not really all that powerful, he just has a fear aura. Either of you got anything that can deal 3+ damage? Lots of them, preferably, if he has a counter? Show them off without using them.

>>423994
Man, I was really hoping for something more along the lines of "detection spell" than "summon". Oh well.

Anyway, it's clear that this guy with his "why should I bother hearing what you want" is challenging you to demonstrate that you're badass. Between the two of you, you should be able to throw down something flashy and deadly with your mana and then give him a "because you'll help us or else". It's not perfect since he is probably not in his real body, but even he probably doesn't want to get his brain scrambled by a pair of extremely annoyed sorceresses, two-bit or not.

>>423994
You don't have to be scared of this guy. He actually not that strong, so don't let him intimidate you. Besides Alexi is stronger than him and you faced her down too.
Strangely enough, he's actually a good summons. He's a spy and you need information on the plushie's plan, so why not get him to spy on Sarah.

did you say Jon Finkel? run motherfucker run

or say you'll flash him your tits maybe that will work

Oh, right. That's the card made in honor of one of the best magic players ever. Let's not threaten him or try and act badass.

I say we say something like "Well, from what we understand there's practically noone on this world with magic, except there's some evil rabbit thing running around awakening anyone with talent to Archmage levels of power in return for servitude. I'm going to guess that's unusual and thus interesting."

>>424016
A description like this sounds best if we talk to him, but I am kind of tempted to just say "wrong number" and dismiss the summon. That is a thing we can do, right?

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/06/19(Tue)21:56 No. 424278 ID: af10de
File 134016818894.jpg - (82.37KB , 312x445 , 100.jpg )

>>424072
>Normally you can dismiss summons like that, but as >>424008 and >>424016 astutely noted, This is Johnny Magic you're dealing with here. Normal isn't the proper word for anything regarding him.

>>424016
"Umm...I know that we look like total newbies...and I guess we kind of are. We're just trying to keep some magical hellspawn from raising an entire army of teenage sorcerer girls for shits and giggles. Magic...really isn't that common here, so we're a bit on our own. Is there anything you'd be willing to help us with?" While diplomacy isn't my forte, it certainly seems better than trying to pick a fight with the guy.

>12
>Seems the dice are turning against you...

"...No."
"So you're just going to let the fuzzy bastard destroy this world?"

"Didn't say that. But I'm not tying myself to two teenage girls who don't know shit about how this works. And I rightly can't say if it'll blow the world up - even if it does, not my problem."

...I really don't want to let this guy just walk away like nothing happened, but on the other hand, he's more powerful than both of us, by far. Trying combat seems a near-suicidal option.

>Hey, I know you're still there! Any thoughts on what I can say to keep this guy around?

>>424278
Well, he sounds like he would like a challenge. Challenge him to a duel and if you win, he'll help you with the Kyubey/Sarah issue. He probably won't want to teach you two anything so you gotta learn through observation and experience.

>>424293
>Trying combat seems a near-suicidal option.
>Challenge him to a duel
Really?

>if you win, he'll help you
If he were to lose against two newbies he would not be a better teacher than Alexis.

I say let him go. We didn't even intend to summon him and he does not want to teach us. Lets resume magical girl hunting instead.

>>424293

hahahahano. if you want practice, practice against Nicole when you're both at full health and there aren't any insanely dangerous people around.

be a good girl and don't insist he stay.

So... not being interested in the problems of some novices is understandable, but why did he show up in person if that is the case?

Charm!!MuAmVlLGL0 2012/08/30(Thu)18:23 No. 449806 ID: af10de
File 134637619355.jpg - (71.77KB , 312x445 , 49a.jpg )

>Oh hey, this is still here. I know it's been a long time but if people are still interested, I'll keep posting.

>>424339
"If you don't care about two newbies, why show up here?"
It doesn't make sense for the man to bother visiting us in person if he's just going to blow us off.

"You two really don't know anything about this whole 'summoning' business, do you? You call on someone with enough power, they can choose to project themselves metaphysically so they can't be harmed by whatever is going on. Now get out of my sight before I actually come over there and show you what magic actually is."

...okay, backing away from the scary guy now. Do NOT want to piss him off ever again...and Nicole is either too brave or too stupid to follow. Dammit, get over here before he turns you into a pile of goo!

"...Well...can you at least tell us how to find other magic users? Maybe ones who don't know that they can use it?"

"...What's in it for me?" the man asks, disdain still evident in his voice.

>Well? What is in it for him?

>>449806
Well, we can't give him anything material, so how about something that a blue and black aligned creature might appreciate. Finding out secrets and fighting white.

Tell him that some creature that can be affected by Deathmark is currently heading a conspiracy involving young girls and exposing them to magical powers so that he might have footsoldiers.

So, me and Nicole would like you Mr Finkle to help us out in trying to find out what's the real story about this guy and how to defend ourselves from him.

Well damn, if projections can be that cooperative my plan to eventually summon a Kyubey of our own to wring answers out of is done for.

...Is there anything someone as powerful as him would want that people like us would have?