[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/14(Thu)23:32 No. 640519 ID: e8e481
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You point your umbrella up at Stratus to check if it's indeed the right one. As on cue, the trap lights up as it's supposed to.
＂Ｗｈａｔ ａｒｅ ｙｏｕ ｄｏｉｎｇ？＂
"Oh.. um.."
You grin, recovering from your funk enough to crack a joke.
"Trying to capture your heart?"
＂Ｙｏｕ ａｌｒｅａｄｙ ｄｉｄ ｔｈａｔ ｙｅａｒｓ ａｇｏ．＂
"..."
You shake your head and walk out of the STORAGE to go find Rod.

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/14(Thu)23:35 No. 640520 ID: e8e481
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Rod has already been looking for you.

". . . . . "
＂． ． ． ． ．＂
" ˑ ˑ ˑ ˑ ˑ"
"Weren't you supposed to be in the study?"
"ˑˑˑ ᴵ ᶳᵗᶤˡˡ ᵃᵐˑ ᶜᵃᶰ ʷᵉ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵃˡᵒᶰᵉ˒ ᴺᶤᵐˀ"

"Maybe - if you give back one of the books that was taken."

Hmm. They can be in more than one place at a time? Maybe the shadow can go walkabout from the body.

>can I talk to you alone?
Mentality of a child means we should probably humor him.

I, um. Okay.

Turn and ask your shadow if you can have a minute? (You'll be okay. You'll yell if you need him).

Wait and see what Rod has to say before raising the issue of the books. (I expect him to make some kind of offer, or to issue a warning about Stratus).

hatta 2015/05/15(Fri)08:34 No. 640610 ID: e8e481
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＂Ｉ ｄｏｎ＇ｔ ａｄｖｉｓｅ ｉｔ， Ｎｉｍ．＂
"Thank you for the concern, Cirrus, but.. I'm considering it, Rod. Only if you give back the books that you stole from Cirrus."
＂Ａｈ．＂
"ᶠᶤᶰᵉᵎ ᵂʰᵃᵗᵉᵛᵉʳˑ ᴵ ʲᵘᶳᵗ ʷᵃᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵗᵃˡᵏ ᵗᵒ ʸᵒᵘˑ ᵂᶤᵗʰᵒᵘᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶠʳᶤᵉᶰᵈ ᵃʳᵒᵘᶰᵈˑ ᴾʳᵉᶠᵉʳᵃᵇˡʸ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵗᵘᵈʸˑ"
You look over at Cirrus and he looks rather agitated at the prospect.

We have to take a risk for the books, I think.

I'll be careful, Cirrus. I've got protection and words alone aren't going to hurt me more than anything else that's happened today. (Cirrus' suicide hurt worse than anything Rod can say).

Ask Cirrus to look for anything that might be useful while you go and speak with Rod.

>>640610
THIS PACT IS SEALED

Tell Rod that it's disrespectful to the three of you if you don't show SOME mistrust about the situation.

Ask him for one of the books, see if there's something you can do for him. Start out small.

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/16(Sat)03:23 No. 640846 ID: e8e481
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＂Ｎｉｍ， ｄｏｎ＇ｔ．＂
"Just for a bit, Cirrus. I'll be careful. Anyway, you'll come running to my aid if I need you, won't you?"
＂Ｉｔ＇ｓ ｓｔｉｌｌ ａ ｓｔｕｐｉｄ ｃａｌｌ．＂
Cirrus remains rather apprehensive, but you notice that he is no longer connected to your feet. Feeling a little confident, you follow Rod towards the back of the hallway.
It's a little eerie how the shadow-creature doesn't have any footsteps, but you aren't surprised about it either.
"ᵀʰᵃᶰᵏᶳ˒ ᴺᶤᵐˑ ᵀʰᵉ ᶳᵗᵘᵈʸ ᶤᶳ ᵗʰᶤᶳ ʷᵃʸˑ"
You just hope you made the right choice.

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/16(Sat)03:24 No. 640847 ID: e8e481
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The two of you enter the STUDY. Your discussion begins.

"What do you have to say, Rod? Also.. where are the books?"
"ᴴᵉʳᵉˑ ᵀʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏᶳ ᵃʳᵉ ᵘᶰᶤᵐᵖᵒʳᵗᵃᶰᵗ˒ ᵗʰᵒᵘᵍʰˑ"
"To you, maybe. But they're a good source of information to me, so."
"ᵞᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰ'ᵗ ᵇᵉˡᶤᵉᵛᵉ ᶤᶰ ᵃᶰʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ᶤᶰ ᵗʰᶤᶳ ʰᵒᵘᶳᵉ˒ ᴺᶤᵐᵎ ᴱᵛᵉʳʸᵗʰᶤᶰᵍ ᶤᶳ ᵗᵃᵐᵖᵉʳᵃᵇˡᵉ˒ ᵉᶳᵖᵉᶜᶤᵃˡˡʸ ᶤᶠ ᶤᵗ ᶜᵃᵐᵉ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᴴᴵᶳ ʰᵃᶰᵈᶳˑ ᵂᵉ ᵍᵃᵛᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃ ˡᶤᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵗᶤᵐᵉ ᵗᵒ ᵘᶰᵈᵉʳᶳᵗᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᵍʳᵃᵛᶤᵗʸ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᶳᶤᵗᵘᵃᵗᶤᵒᶰ˒ ᶰᵒʷ ʷᶤˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ᵖˡᵉᵃᶳᵉ ˡᶤᶳᵗᵉᶰ ᵗᵒ ᵘᶳˀ"
"You mean about binding one of you three to my spirit so you could escape. Right. After Cirrus went through so much just to destroy you? You know I can't do that."
"ᴵ ᵏᶰᵒʷˑ ᴵ ᵏᶰᵒʷᵎ ᴮᵘᵗ ᴺᶤᵐ⁻ ʸᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰ'ᵗ ˡᵉᵃᵛᵉ ᵘᶳ ʰᵉʳᵉˑ ᴺᵒᵗ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤᵐˑ"
"ᴵ'ᵈ ʳᵃᵗʰᵉʳ ᵈᶤᵉˑ"
"Then why don't I just.. get rid of you? Hate to put it like that, but you're not giving me a good case, bunny."
"ᵞᵒᵘ ᵈᵒᶰ'ᵗ ʷᵃᶰᵗ ᵗᵒ ᵈᵒ ᵗʰᵃᵗ˒ ᴺᶤᵐˑ"
"And how would YOU know? You don't even know m-"
"ᵂᵉ'ᵛᵉ ʷᵃᵗᶜʰᵉᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶳᶤᶰᶜᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᵉʳᵉ ʸᵒᵘᶰᵍ˒ ᴺᶤᵐˑ ᵂᶤᵗʰ ᶜᶤʳʳᵘᶳˑ"
"Right. Still, though. I don't exactly expect you to have sort of empathy with my situation.."
"ᵂᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉˡᶤᵉᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᶤᶠ ᴵ ᶳᵃᶤᵈ ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵒᶰᶜᵉ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ˒ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘˀ ᵂᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉˡᶤᵉᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᵗʰᵃᵗ ʷᵉ ʰᵃᵛᵉ ᵃ ʷᶤᶳʰ ᵗᵒ ᶳᵘʳᵛᶤᵛᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᴺᴼᵀ ᵇᵉ ᶜᵒᶰᶳᵘᵐᵉᵈ ᵇʸ ᵃ ᶳᵖᶤᵏᵉʸ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵍᵘʸ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵃ ᵛᵉᶰᵈᵉᵗᵗᵃˀ"
".. You were human?"


The rabbit looks at you with wide eyes, and you feel sick.

Were all demons human, once? Or are there some that just always existed?

>>640847
"Were" is the key word, though. Whatever you were before is not what you are now.

Remember that all of this may be a lie. And yes, he may already not have been human anymore by the time Stratus turned on him.

This is far too little information to go on. Ask him for the whole backstory - what he knows about Stratus and/or Cirrus, why they watched you, what happened to turn them into what they are, and why Stratus is opposed to them now.
Also ask for any applicable evidence. The story would be good to know even without - you might be able to pick out supporting evidence or contradictions - but if they can offer more to help you decide who is lying about what here, that would be useful.

>>640864
If that's our argument, the same applies to Cirrus.

Right now, you don't have enough information to trust Rod or Stratus.

Do not accept any deals yet. Of ANY kind. If he asks for a task in exchange for something, you may try to do it but do not make any promises.

Ambivalence is the best option at this point.

Squeeze all the valuable information you can from Rod about himself, Stratus, and the other two shadows.

>ᵂᵒᵘˡᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᵉˡᶤᵉᵛᵉ ᵐᵉ ᶤᶠ ᴵ ᶳᵃᶤᵈ ʷᵉ ʷᵉʳᵉ ᵒᶰᶜᵉ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ˒ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ʸᵒᵘˀ
If Stratus is telling the truth, then that's actually consistent with his story. If Cirrus could turn into a demon after death, so could other people.

Ask Rod if they all were.

>obvious question
If you're all nice normal people who just happen to be dead, why did Cirrus kill himself to get rid of you and leave that note?

Or are you claiming the note was tampered with as well?

One thing I know, that isn't open to tampering, is that Cirrus spent years battling depression. And that he's dead. And that all of you claim you spend those years with him. That's... circumstantial, but it doesn't paint you all in a good light.

>vendetta
What's his vendetta?

>statement
You'll notice I didn't jump to make a deal with the three of you before, Rod. But I didn't jump to doing what Stratus wants me to do, either.

I'm not going to do anything until I understand what's going on here, unless my hand is forced. Okay?

hatta 2015/05/16(Sat)15:16 No. 640930 ID: e8e481
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"Just because you were doesn't mean you still have some sort of human emotion left in you, you know."
"ᶜᵃᶰ'ᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵃᵐᵉ ᵇᵉ ᵃᵖᵖˡᶤᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶳᵗʳᵃᵗᵘᶳˀ"
"At this point I don't trust either of you. You aren't really giving me a good case, either."
" ˑ ˑ ˑ "
He practically growls at you.
"Tell me. Tell me what you are, how you turned into what you are, and why Stratus is opposed to you. He didn't fight years of depression for nothing."
"ᵞᵒᵘ ᶳᵉˡᶠᶤᶳʰ ᶠᵘᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ˡᶤᵗᵗˡᵉ ᵍᶤʳˡˑ ᵀʰᵉ ʷᵒʳˡᵈ ᵈᵒᵉᶳᶰ'ᵗ ʳᵉᵛᵒˡᵛᵉ ᵃʳᵒᵘᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘˑ ᵂʰʸ ᵈᵒᶰ'ᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʲᵘᶳᵗ ˡᶤᶳᵗᵉᶰ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵃᶜᶜᵉᵖᵗ ʷʰᵃᵗ ʸᵒᵘ'ʳᵉ ᵗᵒˡᵈ ᶠᵒʳ ᵃ ᶜʰᵃᶰᵍᵉ˒ ʰᵘʰˀᵎ"
"Hey, hey! You'll notice I didn't jump to make a deal with the three of you before, Rod. But I didn't jump to doing what Stratus wants me to do, either."
"ᶳᵒˀ"
"I'm not going to do anything until I understand what's going on here, unless my hand is forced. Okay?"
"ᴵ ʰᵒᵖᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᵘᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ʳᵒᵗ ʰᵉʳᵉ ʷʰᶤˡᵉ ʸᵒᵘ ᵗʳʸ ᵗᵒ ᵘᶰᵈᵉʳᶳᵗᵃᶰᵈ ʷʰᵃᵗ'ᶳ ʰᵃᵖᵖᵉᶰᶤᶰᵍ˒ ᵗʰᵉᶰ"
"You see that? You're loosing so many points right now. Just be honest with me. Were all of you once human? What's your vendetta? What's your backstory to begin with? How did you turn to what you are? If you could give me evidence, I.."
"ᵀʰᵉ ᵇᶤᶰᵈᶤᶰᵍ ᵒᶠ ᶳᵒᵘˡᶳ ᵃᶜᵗᶳ ᵃᶳ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵃᶳ ᶠᵒᵒᵈ ᵃᶳ ᶤᵗ ᵈᵒᵉᶳ 'ʳᵉᵖʳᵒᵈᵘᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ'ˑ ᵀʰᵒᶳᵉ ᶳᵒᵘˡ ᵗʰᵃᵗ'ᶳ ᶜᵒᶰᶳᵘᵐᵉᵈ ʷᶤˡˡ ᵇᵉ ʳᵉᵇᵒʳᶰ ᵃᶳ ᵃ ᶳʰᵃᵈᵒʷ ᵒᶰᶜᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᵉᵃᵗᵉʳ ᵈᶤᵉᶳˑ ᵀʰᵘᶳ˒ ᵘᶳᵘᵃˡˡʸ ʷʰᵉᶰ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵐᵒᶰ ᵈᶤᵉᶳ˒ ᶠᵒᵘʳ ᵐᵒʳᵉ ᵖᵒᵖ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵒᵘᵗˑ ᶜᶤʳʳᵘᶳ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵏᶳ ʷᵉ'ʳᵉ ᵐᵃˡᵉᵛᵒˡᵉᶰᵗ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᵃᶳ ᵇᵉᵉᶰ ᵗʳʸᶤᶰᵍ ᵗᵒ ᵃᵇᶳᵒʳᵇ ᵘᶳ ᵃˡˡ ʰᶤᶳ ˡᶤᶠᵉˑ ᴴᵉ'ᶳ ᵃ ᵈᶤᶳᵍᵘᶳᵗᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ ᵇᵉᶤᶰᵍˑ"
"And if they are 'consumed' then?"
"ᴵᶠ ᶳᵗʳᵃᵗᵘᶳ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵐᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᶰᵒʷ˒ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵖᶤʳᶤᵗᶳ ʰᵉ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵖᶤʳᶤᵗᶳ ᴵ ᵃᵗᵉ ʷᶤˡˡ ᵖᵒᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᶤᵐ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ᵇᵃᵇᶤᵉᶳ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᶳᵖᶤᵈᵉʳ'ᶳ ᵉᵍᵍ ᶳᵃᶜᵏˑ"
"Then why does Stratus want to bind with me?"
"ᴵᵗ'ᶳ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵃᵐᵉ ʳᵉᶳᵘˡᵗ ᶠᵒʳ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵒᶠ ᵘᶳ˒ ᶠᵒʳ ᵈᶤᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᶰᵗ ᵍᵒᵃˡᶳˑ ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᶤᶰᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤᵐ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵃ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᶤˡˡ ˡᶤᵛᵉ ᵃᶳ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵐᵒᶰˑ ᴵᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᶤᶰᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵘᶳ˒ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ᵒᵘʳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ ᶳᵒᵐᵉ ᶠᵒʳᵐ ʷᶤˡˡ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᶤˡˡ ˡᶤᵛᵉ ᵃᶳ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵐᵒᶰˑ ᴵᶰ ᵒᵘʳ ᶜᵃᶳᵉ˒ ᵒᵘʳ ᵍᵒᵃˡ ᶤᶳ ʳᵉᵖʳᵒᵈᵘᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰˑ ᴴᶤᶳ ᶤᶳˑˑ ᶠᵘᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᶤᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈˑ"
"Your proof?"
"ᴵᵗ'ᶳ ᶤᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᶤᵃʳʸˑ ᵁᶰᶠᵒʳᵗᵘᶰᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ᴵ ᶜᵃᶰᶰᵒᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᶤᵗˑ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒʷᶰ ᶳᵃᶠᵉᵗʸ˒ ᵘᶰᵍʳᵃᵗᵉᶠᵘˡ ᵃᶳᶳʰᵒˡᵉˑ"

Okay. Just let me make sure I have your story right.

You guys make deals to bind with people. This gives you little bits of spirit that make you stronger. When you die, all those little bits of spirits become new demons. That's how you became one.

And if I bind with any of you, I will too.

...that also means if you took the midnight court's deal and killed two of them, you'd have a whole lot more demons in here.

>"ᴵᶠ ᶳᵗʳᵃᵗᵘᶳ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵐᵉ ʳᶤᵍʰᵗ ᶰᵒʷ˒ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵇᵒᵗʰ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵖᶤʳᶤᵗᶳ ʰᵉ ᵃᵗᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵖᶤʳᶤᵗᶳ ᴵ ᵃᵗᵉ ʷᶤˡˡ ᵖᵒᵖ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʰᶤᵐ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ᵇᵃᵇᶤᵉᶳ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᶳᵖᶤᵈᵉʳ'ᶳ ᵉᵍᵍ ᶳᵃᶜᵏˑ
Um. Maybe I don't get it, but how's that different from normal? Either way, parent demon dies, baby demons come out. What's different?

>other stuff
Is there anything else he's said you'd like to dispute? Cirrus' note said you cause suffering and pain- do you?

I mean, what do you guys do when you're not trapped in a house with a dead body? Why would I want to consider letting myself become one of you?

>ᴵᵗ'ᶳ ᶤᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᶤᵃʳʸˑ ᵁᶰᶠᵒʳᵗᵘᶰᵃᵗᵉˡʸ ᴵ ᶜᵃᶰᶰᵒᵗ ˡᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘ ʳᵉᵃᵈ ᶤᵗˑ ᶠᵒʳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵒʷᶰ ᶳᵃᶠᵉᵗʸ˒ ᵘᶰᵍʳᵃᵗᵉᶠᵘˡ ᵃᶳᶳʰᵒˡᵉˑ
If Cirrus wrote hurtful things about me in his diary, you're not doing me any favors keeping them from me. He hid this from me my whole life- I'm done with lies and secrets to 'protect' me.

>ᴵᶰ ᵒᵘʳ ᶜᵃᶳᵉ˒ ᵒᵘʳ ᵍᵒᵃˡ ᶤᶳ ʳᵉᵖʳᵒᵈᵘᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰˑ ᴴᶤᶳ ᶤᶳˑˑ ᶠᵘᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ᶜᵒᵐᵖˡᶤᶜᵃᵗᵉᵈˑ
Some kind of immortality gambit? Live forever with the girl he loves?

>>640930
Thank him for explaining, ask if theres anything else he wants to say, and if theres anything we can ask stratus that might get him to explain.

>>640933
>Cirrus wrote hurtful things about me
Sounds more like things he'd get violent over if he knew you know.

>immortality gambit
Maybe, but doesnt explain why he hates demons so much in the first place.

>>640940
>why he hates demons so much in the first place
Maybe not demons in general, so much as the ones who can reveal he's a creepy occult yandere.

>>640930
I like how we told him Stratus wants to bind with Nim. He said he does not- he wants to eat the remaining demons and be left here to rot. This makes sense, because if he bound with Nim, Nim would create more demons when she dies. Stratus' proposed plan makes sense if he still wants to remove as many demons as possible from the world. They would all be concentrated in one spot. If the tomb could then be sealed properly, it would remove quite a lot of demons...

It occurs to me that if we want to effectively commit genocide we could go around the world and bind more demons for Stratus to eat.

...hang on what happens if a demon dies without having been bound to anyone? It sounds like the only way for demons to reproduce is by convincing someone to bind, and then waiting for the person to die... or killing them. ...also why would four demons be produced? If a person binds with one demon, wouldn't just two demons be produced? The person's shadow, and the shadow's soul-fragment?

>>640967
Just cause Stratus didn't say he wants to bind doesn't mean he doesn't. The whole 'leave me here forever' thing could be a play for sympathy, trying to manipulate Nim into offering herself.

As for the four demon children, I think that assumes the dead demon parent in question has successfully bound with and outlived 4 human hosts. I'd guess that's just an average or approximation?

>>640967
>>640976
As soon as Nim mentioned binding to him, Stratus very quickly posed a question that could be viewed as the offer of a pact.
>Ｗｏｕｌｄ ｙｏｕ ｌｉｋｅ ｔｏ ｂｉｎｄ ｔｏ ｍｅ？
Seemed a very eager reaction to my eyes.

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/17(Sun)01:36 No. 641008 ID: e8e481
File 143185180759.png - (18.45KB , 640x480 , 70.png )

"..Okay. Just let me make sure I have your story right. "
You take a deep breath.
"You guys make deals to bind with people. This gives you little bits of spirit that make you stronger. When you die, all those little bits of spirits become new demons. That's how you became one, correct?"
"ᴱᶳᶳᵉᶰᵗᶤᵃˡˡʸˑ"
"And if I bind with any of you, I'll become one too, right?"
"ᴵᶰᶜᵒʳʳᵉᶜᵗˑ ᴬ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ʷᶤˡˡ ᵇᵉᶜᵒᵐᵉ ᵃ ᵈᵉᵐᵒᶰ˒ ˡᶤᵏᵉ ᵘᶳ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵗʰᵉ ᶜᵘʳʳᵉᶰᵗ ᶜᵒᶰᶳᶜᶤᵒᵘᶳᶰᵉᶳᶳ ʸᵒᵘ ʰᵒˡᵈ ʷᶤˡˡ ˡᶤᵛᵉ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵈᶤᵉ ᵃᶳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃʳᵉˑ ᴳᶤᵛᵉ ᵒʳ ᵗᵃᵏᵉ ᵃᶰ ᵃᵇᶤˡᶤᵗʸˑ"
"Excuse me?"
"ᵀʰᵉ ᶳᵐᵃˡˡ ᵖᵃʳᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘ ᵍʳᵒʷᶳ ᶤᶰᵗᵒ ᶤᵗ'ᶳ ᵒʷᶰ ᵖᵉʳᶳᵒᶰˑ ᵀʰᵘᶳ˒ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ ᵗʰᵉ ᶳᵃᵐᵉˑ ᵀʰᵉ ᶳᵃᵐᵉ˒ ᵇᵘᵗ ᵈᶤᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᶰᵗˑ"
You pull your hands close to your chest.
"... 'I am Stratus as I am Cirrus.' That's what he told me."
"ᶜᶤʳʳᵘᶳ˒ ᵃᶳ ʸᵒᵘ ᵏᶰᵉʷ ʰᶤᵐ˒ ᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵈ ᴺᶤᵐˑ"
"But I can still save him, can't I? I think.. if I gather the scattered parts of his spirit, maybe.."
"ᶳᵗʳᵃᵗᵘᶳ ᶤᶳᶰ'ᵗ ᶳᵖᵉᶜᶤᵃˡˑ ᴴᵉ ᶤᶳ ʲᵘᶳᵗ ᵃᶳ ᵐᵘᶜʰ ᵒᶠ ᵃ ᵐᵒᶰᶳᵗᵉʳ ᵃᶳ ʷᵉ ᵃʳᵉ⁻ ᵇᵘᵗ ʰᶤᶳ ᶜᵒᶰᵛᶤᶜᵗᶤᵒᶰ ᶠʳᵒᵐ ᵇᵉᶤᶰᵍ ʰᵘᵐᵃᶰ ʰᵃᶳᶰ'ᵗ ᵉˣᵃᶜᵗˡʸ ᶜʰᵃᶰᵍᵉᵈˑ ᴴᵉ'ᶳ ᵗᵒʳᶰ ᵇᵉᵗʷᵉᵉᶰ ᵖʳᵒᵗᵉᶜᵗᶤᶰᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᶰᵈ ᵗᵉᵃʳᶤᶰᵍ ʸᵒᵘ ᵃᵖᵃʳᵗˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ᶜᵃᶰᶰᵒᵗ ᶳᵃᵛᵉ ʰᶤᵐˑ"
"You have no proof of that! I.. I just lost him, you can't be telling me I'm going to lose him when I've been given a second chance! Plus, how could he be like you if he-"
"ᵀʰᵉ ᶠᶤᵛᵉ ᵈᵉᵐᵒᶰᶳ ʰᵉ ᶳˡᵃʸᵉᵈ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰ ᵒᶰˡʸ ʰᵃᵈ ᵖᵃᶜᵗᶳ ᵗᵒ ʰᶤᵐˑ ᵀʰᵉʸ ᵃˡˡ ʳᵉˡᵉᵃᶳᵉᵈ ᵖᵒʳᵗᶤᵒᶰᶳ ᵒᶠ ʰᶤᶳ ᶳᵒᵘˡ ᵘᵖᵒᶰ ʰᶤᶳ ᵈᵉᵃᵗʰˑ ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ ᶤᶳᶰ'ᵗ ᵃ ᶠᵘᶜᵏᶤᶰᵍ ᵈᶤᶠᶠᵉʳᵉᶰᶜᵉ˒ ᴺᶤᵐᵎ ᴳᵉᵗ ʸᵒᵘʳ ʰᵉᵃᵈ ᵒᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ʸᵒᵘʳ ᵃᶳᶳˑ"

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/17(Sun)01:36 No. 641009 ID: e8e481
File 143185181557.png - (25.59KB , 640x480 , 71.png )

A soccer ball rolls by your feet.
"ᵀʰᵉʳᵉ ᶤᶳ ᶰᵒ ᶳᵘᶜʰ ᵗʰᶤᶰᵍᶳ ᵃᶳ ʰᵃᵖᵖʸ ᵉᶰᵈᶤᶰᵍᶳˑ ᵞᵒᵘ ᶰᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵒᵒᶳᵉ˒ ᵃᶰᵈ ʸᵒᵘ ᶰᵉᵉᵈ ᵗᵒ ᶜʰᵒᵒᶳᵉ ᶰᵒʷˑ ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᶤᶰᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ᵒᶰᵉ ᵘᶳ ᵘᶳˀ ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᵇᶤᶰᵈ ʷᶤᵗʰ ʰᶤᵐˀ ᴰᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᶤᵍʰᵗ ʰᶤᵐ ᵒʳˑˑ ᵈᵒ ʸᵒᵘ ᶠᶤᵍʰᵗ ᵘᶳˀ"
The atmosphere goes stagnant as his body begins to shake.
"I told you, I'm not making a decision until I kno-"
"ᴵ'ᵛᴱ ᴷᴵᴸᴸᴱᴰ ᶳᴼᴹᴱᴼᴺᴱ ᴮᴱᶠᴼᴿᴱ˒ ᴬᴺᴰ ᴵ'ᴹ ᵂᴵᴸᴸᴵᴺᴳ ᵀᴼ ᴰᴼ ᴵᵀ ᴬᴳᴬᴵᴺ ᴺᴵᴹˑ ᵞᴼᵁ ᶜᴴᴼᶳᴱ ᵀᴼ ᶜᴼᴹᴱ ᴴᴱᴿᴱ ᴬᴺᴰ ᶠᴬᶜᴱ ᴹᴱˑ ᵂᴱ ᵀᴬᴸᴷᴱᴰˑ ᴺᴼᵂ ᶜᴴᴼᴼᶳᴱˑ"

The ground is shaking, and you cry out for Stratus, but he doesn't come.
The room is dark and it's open for as far as you can see.
You're likely trapped.

open umbrella jab at the darkness. go down fighting.

Five demons? We've only seen four so far, if you count Stratus.

Doesn't look like we have time for questions though. Try to get him with the umbrella's circle.

Long shot, but the fact we call them demons, and that they can be bound, implies certain rules.

You gave me your word, Rod! I came to talk with you, as agreed. You owe me those books. If you try to kill me now, before you return them, you're violating a pact.

>The five he [slew] upon his death
I guess they didn't all jump ship quick enough when he hung himself. He dragged a few down with him.

5 spikes- 5 pieces. Stratus isn't what's left of Cirrus after the demons all took their bits of spirit, he's a reconstitution of 5 of those pieces.

If it's true that a demon only takes a small bit of a human's spirit, then most of Cirrus is still dead. We've only got a few bits of the jigsaw.

Might explain why he took on as many demons as possible. If this was an immortality gambit all along, the more demons you collect, the more pieces of your spirit you can save from death, and the more complete your demon-form will be.

Also explains why Stratus had more spikes in the painting you found. Cirrus expected more of the demons to die than actually did.

>Stratus torn between trying to hurt and protect you
For the moment, even if that's true, that would still put him in a better position than Rod. Who seems quite intent on harming you.

>Now choose
I make no choice. I refuse to bind. If we fight, that choice is yours.

>tactics
The umbrella has range, but we need to drop it to force him on it, eventually. The knife can cut. Salt can make a circle if we're pressed.

We're cut off from Stratus- but he's our shadow. I think we might be able to summon him if we made a light, so we cast a shadow. We have matches, we just need something to burn. And a study should have nice combustible books.

hatta 2015/05/17(Sun)02:29 No. 641016 ID: e8e481
File 143185499607.gif - (31.43KB , 640x480 , 72.gif )

Rod starts coming apart. His shadow pulsates, not unlike a heart, as his little body slowly snaps out of proportion. The sight is so frightful that Nim forgets how to operate the umbrella and just proceeds to hold in infront of her.
"Y-y-you gave me your word, Rod! I came to talk with you, as agreed. You owe me those books. If you try to kill me now, before you return them, you're violating a pact."
"ᵞᵒᵘ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶳᵖᵉᶜᶤᶠᶤᵉᵈ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ʷʰᵉᶰ ʳᵉᶜᶤᵉᵛᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏᶳ ᶰᵒʷ˒ ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ﹖"
His voice is shaking. It's distorting, perhaps he's losing control of himself, because sometimes his words don't even come from his mouth, but the room itself.
"ɴᴏᴡ ᴄʜᴏᴏsᴇ﹐ NIM﹗"
"Fight me, then! I.. I won't ever bind. With anyone!"
"ᵛᵉʳʸ ʷᵉˡˡˑɪ ʜᴏᴘᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏɴғɪᴅᴇɴᴛ ɪɴ ʏᴏᴜʀ ɪᴅɪᴏᴛɪᴄ ᴅᴇᴄɪsɪᴏɴ﹐ ᴛʜᴇɴ﹗"

[ animated ]

kick soccer ball, a circle works so a sphere should too!

is that thing coming from your shadow?

Accept your fate! Become Nim-Rod.

wait, how can a shadow cast a shadow? sever the floor shadow.

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/17(Sun)04:36 No. 641023 ID: e8e481
File 143186258638.gif - (55.93KB , 640x480 , 73.gif )

As you lean closer to the pulsating shadow, the less the runes of your umbrella seem to appear. Eventually, the runes vanish all together.
You quickly jab your umbrella at the ground, to sever the shadow off entirely.

The apparition peters out to seemingly nothing at all.

[animated]

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/05/17(Sun)04:36 No. 641024 ID: e8e481
File 143186261763.gif - (38.39KB , 640x480 , 74.gif )

[animated]

>ᵞᵒᵘ ᶰᵉᵛᵉʳ ᶳᵖᵉᶜᶤᶠᶤᵉᵈ ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴅ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴀʟɪᴠᴇ ʷʰᵉᶰ ʳᵉᶜᶤᵉᵛᶤᶰᵍ ᵗʰᵉ ᵇᵒᵒᵏᶳ ᶰᵒʷ˒ ᴅɪᴅ ʏᴏᴜ
It's kind of implied by the fact the dead don't have possessions, and cannot therefore receive goods.

The fact that he made the effort to find what he considered a loophole does seem to confirm they're bound to agreements, though. That's useful- we just have to use it more carefully in the future.

>I.. I won't ever bind. With anyone!
Ooh. I wonder how bad that definitive stance is gonna bite us in the ass. Then again, we're human. We're not necessarily bound to our word.

>>641024
He's making himself look like Cirrus to fuck with you?

Umbrella up, defensive position. You need to get a look to your left. What's casting the shadow? There's probably a body or true form you need to deal with.

>>641024
That soccer ball is suspicious. I believe that demons are very much like shadows in that they have to attach themselves to something. Ron is attached to the soccer ball right now, and it's close to you so that he can strike at you.

Also, remember what Stratus said. The umbrella rod detaches, and he implied that it could be used to attack with.

The circle vanished because the source of the demon is leaving its detection range. This is just Rod's shadow distracting you from what his true form is doing.

>>641024
no. It's either a new demon or that's CirRod, cirrus demon #2 born of rod's death. It may well be that Rod is attached to Cirrus' body and you severed that connection. The question is should we let CirRod operate independently or get eated my Stratus.

>>641867
The umbrella doesn't kill them, it supposedly captures them Pokeball style.

[ 1 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/03(Wed)16:37 No. 645096 ID: e8e481
File 143337464388.png - (28.24KB , 640x480 , 75.png )

The air grows stagnant as your pulse rises slowly to your ears. The shadow in front of you may have petered out into nothingness, the line casting it is still holding strong.
You cautiously peer behind you.

[ 2 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/03(Wed)16:37 No. 645097 ID: e8e481
File 143337466606.png - (33.58KB , 640x480 , 76.png )

The boy with the broken neck takes hold of your own and lifts you slight off the ground in one quick motion. You drop the umbrella to the floor and quickly try to yank his large hands off your neck, to no avail.

It hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts it hurts!

[ 3 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/03(Wed)16:43 No. 645098 ID: e8e481
File 143337498930.png - (89.99KB , 640x480 , 77.png )

Your vision begins to blur white as his nails dig into your skin, and you you can feel yourself growing weak beneath his grasp.

An unfamiliar voice calls out to you.

You have allies in this house, Nim. You can save him! You can save all of us, just call out my na-
Your ears are ringing loudly but another, much more familiar voice, greets you this time.
＂ＮＩＭ！ ＣＡＬＬ ＦＯＲ ＭＥ． Ｉ ＣＡＮＮＯＴ ＥＮＴＥＲ ＨＩＳ ＬＡＩＲ ＯＴＨＥＲＷＩＳＥ．＂

In retrospect, we should have Elbereth-ed at the first opportunity. Dropped the top of the umbrella to the floor and stepped inside the magic circle first chance they got. It shouldn't affect us, and nothing could close with us without getting trapped.

>call out my name
I wonder if that's a simple summoning, or if in doing so, we bind them.

We're presented with a choice- the unknown voice thinks we can still save the demon trying to kill us. Stratus will just kill just want to kill / eat Rod.

Problem is, it's an empty choice, since we don't know the first person's name. (Unless there's been hints for us to guess at, or he's Cirrus, distinct from Stratus?).

And it's a moot point entirely so long as we're being strangled. We cannot call anyone.

>what do
Epic back-kick. Get Rod in the balls. If you don't hurt or surprise him enough to release his stranglehold, you're dead.

As soon as you're on the ground, grab at the umbrella, try to get the magic circle between you.

>who call
If we get the chance, I'm not sure we should call Stratus. I don't know if his eat the others plan is one we want to buy into. Still, it may be he's our best bet.

If we do call out to him, use specific wording. Call on him by the bonds that held you to each other in life, call to the bonds of your shadow now. Do not invoke a direct connection between him and you- we won't be so easily tricked / pressured into binding, if that's what this is.

...but we already CALLED for Stratus. >>641009
>The ground is shaking, and you cry out for Stratus, but he doesn't come.

Call for Cirrus instead. Hell, call for all of the shadows.

My current OOC theory is that this is either Jose or the guy we're judging in a visit from death who killed Jose. The twisted neck says Jose, but the claim that he's killed someone before says perhaps he's the killer sentenced to damnation, and forced to take the form of his sin. Perhaps if we call out his true name it would shake him enough for us to get free?

Unfortunately Nim has no way to know this, and we can't tell for sure which of them it is.

>>645105
Call for Cirrus. Stratus doesn't identify himself as Stratus; if that's why calling for him didn't work previously, perhaps calling for the name he does identify with will work.

>>645126
Wait, scratch that. I've got an idea. If the option is there we have to be able to find it somehow?

Nim, is there anything written on the soccer ball? It came out of nowhere. It must be connected to Rod, perhaps a clue to his true name.

Perform a jumping headbutt! Use the umbrella.

>>645134
>his true name
That could be Jose. I have NO IDEA how his corpse is here though.

>>645153
I think this is his true demonic form.

>>645153
>>645100
Actually, Rod has the big hands, the broken neck, the dark hair, the athlete's strength, and is described as having the mentality of a child (Jose is... mentally stunted, according to a visit).

Something like "Jose, your mother would weep if she saw you now." might stun him long enough to grab the umbrella and seal him.

The question is whether Nim has the ability to guess this.

The only voice we haven't heard yet is bus' so call for him, if all else fails. Even if that isn't the unfamiliar voice we are kinda desperate so any help could be useful.

>>645179
True, we've never heard Bus speak - and the voice refers to 'him' and 'us' as though it and Rod are in the same grouping.

hatta 2015/06/03(Wed)22:06 No. 645205 ID: e8e481
File 143339440379.png - (58.07KB , 640x480 , 78.png )

Please.

Don't kill him.

>>645205
...Rodney?

Wasn't Rod the name of the rabbit? Well we don't have many options left so; Rodney I choose you!

Say his name. "Rodney."

Well, better late than never.

Our choice is sudden. Rodney! Help us out, here!

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)00:21 No. 645239 ID: e8e481
File 143340250913.png - (9.67KB , 640x480 , 79.png )

Your vision has gone completely white as you try to lift your legs to kick him, fight back, do anything, but you feel weak. You are limp in his hands as the color drains entirely from your face, and you're loosing total consciousness.

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)00:22 No. 645241 ID: e8e481
File 143340256751.png - (21.38KB , 640x480 , 80.png )

Your name is Nim. It's been snowing for a while now, unfortunately. What three items does Nim bring with her?

Cellphone. Lighter. Swiss army knife.

Riot Shield
Force Field Generator
Explosive-Tip Grappling Hook

Screw the dream formalities, you're dying here!

Mittens. A phone. That Swiss army knife you're not really supposed to have at your age but Cirrus have you.

Gloves, a blue ink pen, and a Swiss army knife.

mittens, candy and the knife
or, if we only get to choose items weve seen already
soccer ball, knife and salt

A winter coat, a pocket knife, crackers.

hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)13:46 No. 645407 ID: e8e481
File 143345081485.png - (34.59KB , 640x480 , M.png )

It's a snow day! Which means there's no school, which means no homework, which means all the neighborhood kids are going to hang out in the empty lot behind the ranch houses and have snowball fights in the snow. Duh!

You bring with you an extra set of MITTENS, your favorite SNACK, and a little POCKET KNIFE you really shouldn't have! But Cirrus gave it to you, so you can't exactly bring yourself to leave it at home.

You think these are Cirrus' footprints you're following, since you both come from the same direction, and you think he couldn't have gotten there all that faster then you.

The cold is kind of getting to you though- you didn't wear a jacket and a hat because Cirrus doesn't, and it kind of really matters to you to try and impress him. You're not some wimp who can't stand the cold! Except the fact there's snow up to your knees, and your ears feel like they're going to fall off. Ugh.

What should you do? Keep heading for the lot? Go home and get a jacket? Or..
You could just do your own thing, you suppose. You're your own independent lady!

rub your ears and keep following the tracks

You're so gonna catch cold, you know. Unless it's one of those not so cold days. Or you don't stay out for long.

You might want a jacket. If not, then run really fast so that your body generates heat.

Wrap your scarf around your ears.

Make snow angels.

make a snow woman
not a man
what are you
I thought you were a strong independent lady
do it

[ 1 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)22:15 No. 645566 ID: e8e481
File 143348135644.png - (32.12KB , 640x480 , I.png )

You wrap your scarf around your head to cover your ears and rub them a lot to get them warm again. It works, but you feel kind of silly afterwards with the long red scarf looped around your noggin like that. You feel self conscious as you make your decision. You could go home, but you think that if you run really fast and make sure you don't stay out too long you won't get sick!
You look at the ground. You could also play in the snow yourself, but...
You look up at the tracks and you break out into a run. You really do think you want to meet up with Cirrus after all!

[ 2 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)22:16 No. 645568 ID: e8e481
File 143348140263.png - (31.85KB , 640x480 , 83.png )

You call out his name.

[ 3 / 3 ] hatta 2015/06/04(Thu)22:19 No. 645570 ID: e8e481
File 143348154102.png - (20.19KB , 640x480 , N.png )

As you near the usual hangout spot you see him waving you down with a soccer ball by his feet. No one seems to have joined him today- score! You'll get some serious alone time with him.

It's not like you have a crush or anything on him though! You just think he's really, really, REALLY cool. What should you say to him? Something cool so he thinks you're cool, too. Or perhaps... maybe something cute so he sees you as a girl...?

>>645570
...is that Cirrus? Why did he bring a soccer ball to a snow fight? That's not normally a thing Cirrus does, is it?

ask Cirrus if he wants to build a snowman

Pay close attention too the soccer ball, try and see if Cirrus wrote something on it.

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/05(Fri)14:12 No. 646393 ID: e8e481
File 143353874895.png - (19.01KB , 640x480 , P.png )

You stop, mid stride, as your heard starts to hurt. That... that absolutely is Cirrus out there, but why would he be alone? And why would he bring a soccer ball? You know everything about Cirrus, and you know for a fact he doesn't even like kick ball!

You shake off your feeling of unease and call out. "Hey, Cirrus, do you want to build a snowman?"
He doesn't respond other then kicking the ball your way.

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/05(Fri)14:13 No. 646394 ID: e8e481
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The soccer ball gets stuck in the snow by your feet.

"Rodney" is scribbled out on the top in a slightly worn-out sharpie.

See if there's a last name.

Then wake up.

Oh no. Not again.

Run forward, bend down, clutch the ball to your chest and whip around to make sure there's not someone behind you to strangle you.

If not turn back to face Cirrus, examine ball for more detail.

...one option is stabbing it with the knife, but I don't know if that's the right move. I wanna get a better look at it, first.

Correct yourself. Say the proper name.

"Who is Rodney?"

[ 1 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/05(Fri)15:02 No. 646422 ID: e8e481
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You awkwardly bend down and scoop the odd soccer ball into your hands- for some reason it's a little warm to the touch. You look over it from every direction; the only visible writing is the name "Rodney", which you assume is the name of the kid Cirrus borrowed the ball from.

Speaking of, you hold the warm ball to your chest to peer behind you, not being able to shake off a weird feeling of anxiety. Nothing seems to be around you, though, besides Cirrus himself, so you decide to make a beeline to his side.

You're certain that he could protect you from whatever you're panicking over.

[ 2 / 2 ] hatta 2015/06/05(Fri)15:13 No. 646429 ID: e8e481
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"C- Cirrus!" You stumble over his name with the chattering of your teeth and the the breathlessness that came from running. He originally seems eager to see you, but his initial smile breaks into a frown.
"Nim, why aren't you wearing a coat! You look cold- should I walk you back to your house?"
"N-no. It's f-f-fine! If you don't wear a c-c-coat, then neither will I!"
He looks away with an apparent blush on his face.
".. that's stupid, Nim. We both know I don't get sick! Man, I should've brought a coat.." He mutters something about a 'prince charming moment' under his breath.
"S-s-sorry then, Cirrus."
"No, no, don't apologize! I'm just happy you chose me rather than.."
"Cho.. chose you?"
"... nothing. Nothing you won't get till you're older, anyway. Why'd you pick up the ball instead of kicking back over, anyway?"
You hug the ball even closer.
"I-it's warm. I wanted to ask.. kuh, too, who is R-Rod..ney?"
"Who is- oh. I don't know. It's an old ball I found at the dump, so it's probably just the guy who used to own it."

You gently run your fingers over the ball's surface.

"I-it's filled with a lot of good memories, Cirrus. I like it."

Cirrus' expression darkens considerably.

"I thought I told you to ignore those things, Nim."

>>646429
Tell him there's no reason to ignore good things. Gotta enjoy life, right?

Oh, he's cheating even now. One of the demons he's bonded to protects him from the elements. And/or sickness.

>chose him
But... who else is there? You've only got one Cirrus!

>>646432
That's good wording. Why should we ignore good things?

Trace your mitten-ed finger absently over the letters damaged name. (Maybe reinforcing what was scratched out will strengthen it?).

>>646432
"Somebody loved this ball. Rodney loved this ball. Whoever he is, it feels like this is a memory of him at his best."

"Isn't there anything you love like that?"

hatta 2015/06/05(Fri)20:56 No. 646509 ID: e8e481
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The soccer ball's warmth spreads through your body.
"There's no reason for me to ignore stuff like this, Cirrus! I like stuff like this."
"Nim, stop."
"Somebody loved this ball. Rodney loved this ball. Whoever he is, it feels like this is a memory of him at his best."
"Nim!"
"Isn't there anything you love like that?"
"Yes, but- this isn't you talking. Your powers are showing-!"

A vision of a man snapping another man's neck starts etching itself beneath your eyelids.

Oh. So that's binding works. Someone sensitive needs to accept an emotionally charged object?

This must be the day Cirrus got Rod. (Although, if he knew the ball was charged and potentially reactive, why did he kick it to Nim if he was trying to hide this world from her?).

>A vision of a man snapping another man's neck starts etching itself beneath your eyelids.
Gasp and drop it.

>>646509
Well that's not a good memory. Try to step back mentally from the memories in the ball. Control your powers.

>>646509
"What's going on?"

*Private*
That's the kid whose neck got snapped, Jose.
*/Private*

Push that presence away, and keep it away from you. That's not what you're looking for.

>>646521
In fact, take your pocket knife and set it against the ball - don't stab the ball, just press the flat against it. Don't let the memories of evil and darkness into you. Force them into the knife instead.

We can't drop the ball now. Ask Cirrus where he actually got this ball and why does he still have it. Also take a step back and comment on how Cirrus is acting kinda weird.

>>646509
nah, scrooge that. dropkick that shit.