Vomit into your mask.

>>211495
...this would actually be a plausible reaction.

You guys are hamming it up too much. We knew what we were doing.

>>211478
Pretty sure the correct answer here is "No."

Possibly "No, but if you want to summon me feel free."

>>211481
>apologize profusely
Fuck no. We went into this knowing what we were doing. The closest we could do would be to say that we felt it was justified in this instance, do to the scale of the problem we were dealing with. I wouldn't delve into that right now, though.

>>211495
Quite.

>>211478
"No, I don't know how it feels. I- Gryph, I'm a dumbass kid, okay? I'd never summoned anything- or anyone- before without completely messing it up. It's something that they teach you you're supposed to do, so I did it. I felt terrible about it after really realizing what it entailed, and let you go. That's it. I can't take that back or do much about it at this point, Gryphona."

>>211478
They never knew, and you never knew. You are going to tell them, you are going to let them know what it does and make them see how it's wrong.

Tell her that, and then do it.

Offer to be her servant for a few days.

>>211502
They knew. We knew as well, intellectually at least. And we don't have the kind of status or influence that one needs to change society in that kind of manner... particularly when we're talking about giving up the kind of power that summoning puts at the fingertips of those who have mastered it.

>>211503
No. Such a gesture would be either pointless or suicidal.

Brom 2010/07/23(Fri)23:24 No. 211511 ID: 4f6e37
File 127995263946.png - (122.83KB , 800x600 , 33.png )

"As soon as I met you I started thinking about it," says Dio. "The second you told me you were reading a book. The instant I really and truly realized you existed before my spell was cast. And it tore me up inside. That's why I couldn't keep you under, once we were done. There is no excusing what I did, so I won't try. But... I mean... yeah, I thought about you dying. I thought about everyone dying. Me, Jai, the Qal, you, even the kithik, eventually. That's exactly why I needed you there. So that wouldn't happen. And, yeah, it was a shitty idea overall. The binding is terrible. It's just when you hear about it, summoning a dream, it doesn't sound like they're really people, y'know? I just thought... It was just so empowering, knowing I could summon something as powerful as you are and use it. Like a tool, or a weapon, or something that doesn't read books and eat frozen goods. But I know better than that now. You taught me that. That might even be what saved the kithik. I got it, because of you. They were just people, like me. And you, living an ordinary life, reading your book. I let you go get it, remember?"
"I remember."
"Which doesn't make it okay, And doing it to save lives doesn't make it okay. And not understanding what I was doing, or who I was doing it to, definitely doesn't make it okay. I made a terrible mistake, and I don't know any way to make it right. I mean, as soon as I figured out what was going on, I worked out some crazy suicide plan so that I wouldn't have to use you."

Brom 2010/07/23(Fri)23:24 No. 211513 ID: 4f6e37
File 127995264753.png - (255.47KB , 800x600 , 34.png )

"You did, didn't you?" says Gryphona. "An insane, poorly thought out plot that, as far as I can figure, was just you flying by the seat of your pants. Right into the big giant enemy fortress. And that," she sighs, "is why I can't hate you."
"What?"
"Anyone else summoned me, they would have used me like everyone does. There is about a 1 in 10 chance I would have gotten out alive. But you. You're special. You pretty much tried to make things as comfortable as possible as soon as you figured out what was wrong. You risked your life on an insane, harebrained scheme when I could easily have just dropped into the Queen's throneroom as a little bird, flown over her head, and turned into an elephant. Or something. And then I probably would have been clawed to death. Or maybe just had the Qal infiltrate and assassinate her. But no, instead you nearly kill yourself and your best friend for a bunch of complete strangers. Myself included. The goddamn Queen included. We did some amazing things on that plane, didn't we?"
"Yeah."
"You really are something special, you know that? Way too good a kid for what you are and what you do. I can't decide whether that's going to get you an early tombstone or a big statue in your honor. Possibly both. So I wanted for weeks to just call you up and flip out on you, but instead I just want to tell you three things.
"One. Spread the word that if I'm ever summoned again by anyone I will afterward personally find and kill them. Guaranteed. Because they are never going to be half the master you were and they're probably going to make me do all sorts of nasty stuff."
"Okay."
"Two. What you did in summoning me is a horrible, awful thing, and if you ever do it again, to me or to anyone, I hope your spirit is roasted in hell forever."
"Right."
"Three." She takes a breath. "I forgive you. Just this one time, and just because you did such stupid shit to show you mean what you say. Okay?"

say, jokingly,"does that mean i can visit without that whole bird-elephant thing happening to me?"

"Does that me we can be f-uh, tentative acquaintances?"

>>211513
"That's more than I had hoped for. Thank you.
Should we meet up some time and hang out? I meant what I said about wanting to be friends.
Besides, who knows? Maybe people will think twice about summoning after meeting a free dreamthing that's not out to kill them.
Maybe we could start figuring out how to prevent the compulsion, if not block the summoning ritual entirely."

>>211513
"Gryphona... I can't tell people that you'll kill them afterward if they summon you. They'll summon you anyway, and just make sure that you don't live long enough to carry out your threat. Because what you said earlier is true... almost no one cares about summons. Hell, there are probably some people- many of whom have distinctive red eyes- that would take it as a challenge and call you up just to prove that they can."

>>211524
"But I can try to rescue you if you get summoned. I owe you too much for that."

Say "Okay," pause for awhile, then slowly let out a big breath you've been holding without realizing it.

"So... how have things been? You kind of scared the crap out of me, by the way."

Brom 2010/07/23(Fri)23:51 No. 211538 ID: 4f6e37
File 12799542744.png - (260.75KB , 800x600 , 35.png )

"Okay," says Dio, breathing out, finally. "You scared the crap out of me, by the way."
"Yeah, that was sort of the intention."
"So does this mean we can be, uh... tentative acquaintances?"
"No," laughs Gryphona. "It means we can be friends."
"We could maybe meet up some time, and hang out," says Dio.
"I might pop in while you're dreaming, from time to time," says Gryphona. "If I'm in the neighborhood. Gotta go now, though, Dio. Maybe I'll see you soon."
"Okay, yeah. How have you been, by the way? After everything?"
"You say that like it was some sort of desperate struggle. Well, I guess it was, now that I think of it. It really was a good time, too, though, you know that? Like a vacation, or something. Sure, it could have been the druggy magic, but it was nice to finally stretch my wings on another plane. Meet some new people. So yeah. That was what I wanted to say. I'm fine. Good, actually. Positive things going on. I'll see you around, Dio."

Brom 2010/07/23(Fri)23:56 No. 211545 ID: 4f6e37
File 127995459550.png - (246.69KB , 800x600 , 36.png )

"You can drop the phone now," she tells Thero, who lets it fall all the way to the ground, where it shatters. "How goes the perching?"
I don't think I like heights, says Thero, gazing at the phone's wrecked innards. I think I am opposed to them.
"Sissy. You look like a big bird."
I look like a perfect gentleman, and you know it. Did, uh, did Dio mention me at all? Did he notice I'm gone?
"Not sure. You didn't come up."
Then I guess he won't wait up if I stay a little longer.
"Righto. Want to try flying next?" she asks, mischievously hopping closer.
No. Hey. No. Get away from me. Want to be like an eel again and swim? I like swimming. Maybe I'm like a weird sort of fish or something.
"You're a big coward is what you are, Thero."
Says the black chicken with a funny hat on.
"I happen to be a sparrow. Or something."

That went about as well as could be expected.

Gryph: Examine surroundings.

Dio: Examine surroundings for eavesdroppers.

>>211545
HI THERO!

I thought you were stuck in Dio's head or something?

>>211545
Hello Thero. If you play your cards right here you might get some. And if Gryph is listening in then don't think we haven't seen through your plans.

>>211545
Well well well, look at the two lovebirds.

Literally.

FIND SHINY THINGS TO IMPRESS HER WITH

Brom 2010/07/24(Sat)22:50 No. 212049 ID: 4f6e37
File 128003703243.png - (198.86KB , 800x600 , 37.png )

Dio is taken aback by the sudden blast of static. He hangs up, feeling that much better about how things are going for him.
He takes a stop at his dorm to stick up a reminder to bring a camera this time, for Spirits' sake. Every time he takes a look at the blurry shots he salvaged from Arcane he wants to kick himself.

He pauses to check himself out in the mirror. It's just about time to go meet up with Dahlia again. He guesses they could just go have sex or something, but they've already done it once today and they've been trying to place a limit on that sort of thing as they try to keep from becoming That Couple. Where should they go to talk about this Divine thing?

>>212049
Is it nice out? Go to a park.

>>212053
Parks are cool. Sure, do that.

Meet at a park bench wearing identical trench-coats and fedoras.

Place an extra reminder about the toothbrushes before you go. Your pretty sure Random forgot already, and hes about as good a morning person as Jai.

Oh in the battle arena I think, nothing like a conversation in the middle of battle. Sparring is the other form of stress relief. You have reach and she has the flexibility.

It's time to calibrate your powers, and dat ass.

Park sounds good I guess.

>>212049
Park is pretty decent. Bring your beret with you as well. Wear it on top of your helmet.

Brom 2010/07/25(Sun)18:28 No. 212335 ID: 4f6e37
File 128010769195.png - (214.02KB , 800x600 , 38.png )

"What, really?" says Dahlia. They're sitting out in one of the green spaces on campus. It's not a park, not exactly, but there's grass and foliage around. That's something. "You're heading off-plane again? Wasn't it just, like, a couple weeks since last time?"
"It's a field exam," says Dio. "Like, a school thing."
"Still," says Dahlia. "I mean last time out you saved an entire plane. You'd think you'd want a longer break than just two weeks."
"Well I mean I've never been to the divine plane," says Dio. "I sort of want to see what it's like."
"I do too," says Dahlia. "But you think the arena needs me more, right?"
"Sort of," says Dio. "You were always the better duelist anyway."
"Ya damn right. I guess I can hold up the fort here. It's just that..." she shifts, uncomfortably. "Is that the way this is going to work? These big long periods where we don't see each other at all? 'Cause that kind of sucks."

>>212335
Illusionists are dream masters, right?
Put one part of your mind to sleep and have it knock on Dahlia's consciousness.
You can be awake and active while also having a shared dream, effectively routing communication through your shared plane of affinity. If something comes up and one of you needs your entire mind, then you can drop the connection and pick it up later.

Naturally, maintaining a constant mental connection would be an absurd level of clingy creepiness, you'd want to just have part of your mind ready for contact.
Your third mind would be ideal for this, since all it needs to do is maintain a simple link.

>>212335
Heh, Dio looks awesome in his beret.

And... well... no two people can be together all the time. Being in love together doesn't mean that you stop chasing individual dreams, you know? Besides, you're not going to be gone that long... and you'll be able to take pride in what one another can accomplish on their own, and enjoy sharing stories, and have incredibly steamy reunion sex.

But yeah, mostly those are rationalizations for getting around the fact that not being with your squeeze kind of sucks.

"well this time there is no 'no magical contact' rule in place. we can totally have shared dreams and stuff."

"We can talk to each other magically this time, so that's good. I know it's not the same, but it still helps, right? If we both do something awesome, we'll have even more stuff to share when we see each other again! And I promise next time we're gonna stay on the same plane no matter what."

>>212335
"That's the hardest part about this.
On the bright side, that time will be easier to focus less on sex and more the non-physical parts of our relationship. We've got so much more going on than that, but it's so hard to resist.
We're illusionists. The mind is our playground, so we should do something with that.
Wait, hey, you trust me, right? Relax, put one of your minds to sleep, and let me try something."
If she agrees, then 'gently' cast Mind Parasite and see about using that to start a shared dream while you are both otherwise awake.
If you can get it so that you're both Al to each others Sam Becket, that would be completely awesome.

>>212345
>And I promise next time we're gonna stay on the same plane no matter what.
Do not make this kind of promise without very good reason. We can't guarantee that we'll keep to our word, because the scheduling of our education is not entirely under our control.

Brom 2010/07/25(Sun)20:54 No. 212370 ID: 4f6e37
File 128011647690.png - (217.60KB , 800x600 , 39.png )

"We can talk to each other magically this time, so that's good," says Dio. "We're illusionists. The mind is our playground. I know it's not the same, but it still helps, right? And if we both do something awesome, we'll have even more stuff to share when we see each other again."
"So you've got some way we can stay in touch besides phones, then?" says Dahlia.
"I think we might be able to share dreams," says Dio. "We'd just need to fall half asleep so I can cast Mind Parasite."
"That sounds sort of weird and creepy," says Dahlia. "But it also sounds sort of nice. I dunno. We'll try it tonight." She puts an arm on Dio's shoulder. "I'm not trying to be clingy or anything, I promise, but it's just that I really want to keep getting to know you, and it's sort of hard to do that when you're off saving worlds all the time. But who am I to complain." She grabs his beret and sticks it on her head. "I am dating Diometricus! Warrior-poet! Savior of the Arcane! King of the Kithik!"
"And yet he can't hold onto his hat," says Dio, struggling to grab it back. "Plus, you know, since we're not going to be physically near each other, it'll be easier to focus less on sex and more the non-physical parts of our relationship. We've got so much more going on than that, but it's so hard to resist."
"Hey, yeah," says Dahlia, hopping up on the park bench. "Waitwait. I have an idea. How about we abstain completely for the next five days and wait and only do it again when you're back? So it'd be like that time on the beach, remember?"

Say yes, make it obvious you're doing it under great strain.

>>212370
"I was thinking more along the lines of enjoying it while we can, but if that's what you want..."

>>212371
Ouch, looks like this is going to be pretty hard, going from twice (maybe 3 times) a day to complete cold turkey.

be like "Y..E...S"

>>212371
Relationships cannot survive on lust alone, Dio.

Visibly ponder it for awhile, then say "Nah."

>>212371
Conjure up a glamor copy of yourself and have it snatch back your beret and hand it to you. You can give it a summoned glove or two with Greater Summon Item if it needs that to handle real things.

"I... uh... I actually feel that the period of abstention while I'm on the Divine Plane will be quite long enough. Longer than I'd like already, really."

However, despite how hard this would be on you >>212376 is quite correct.

Just be sure to ask her if that is what she really wants, she's testing you somehow and the terrible possibility is that sometimes there is no right answer in these kind of tests.

>>212370
Agree to it, but don't like it's just all cool. Something to the effect of: "A caring and rational piece of me understands and agrees with you. The rest of me is trying to beat the shit out of it."

>>212370
"Now, when you say 'completely', that... ahh... doesn't include 'personal time'... does it?"

Say something like "I agree... on one condition" then do a little jump at her that ends up with both of you on the ground, and the added benefit of your beret back and say "If you can stop being so irresistibly delicious looking and fun to be around." A clever way to say no to the idea, and keep your head happy... and more parts of you.

Wow, it's like we're really his mind.

>>212381

I will second this.

Can we even DO that? Uh, how about one time on the third day? Like a half-time break?

If you shoot down the idea, it'll make it seem like your gratification is more important to you than hers. For all you know she's joking and this is just a "test". Keep in mind that she doesn't really want to abstain either, regardless of whether she is being serious or not.

If you say an unflinching yes, on the other hand, it makes it look like you aren't interested in her. Sure, you've already proven it, but some girls are just like that. I'd rather not find that out about Dahl right now. Once again, if this was just a joke, it'd be really awkward for you to have said "yes".

>>212381 is the absolute best answer in this situation. 100% say that verbatim. I like Dahlia, but if she has a problem with that...well, let's just say we'll need to see where it goes from there.

Brom 2010/07/27(Tue)23:06 No. 213104 ID: 4f6e37
File 128029718041.png - (197.52KB , 800x600 , 41.png )

"A caring and rational piece of me understands and agrees with you," says Dio. "The rest of me is trying to beat the shit out of it."

"This is not an inaccurate portrait of my own thoughts on the matter," laughs Dahlia.
"So why?" asks Dio. "I... uh... I actually feel that the period of abstention while I'm on the Divine Plane will be long enough. Longer than I'd like already, really."
"That's not the point," says Dahlia. "I want to make sure we've got something here..." she taps the side of her head, "and that this all just isn't coming right from here." She points to her crotch. "Sex is really great, but it can't be all we're about, you know?"
"Fine," says Dio. "When you say 'completely', that, uh, doesn't include 'personal time', does it?"
"Go crazy, ya perv." says Dahlia. She takes a quick look around to make sure no one's looking, then pops her helmet off and kisses Dio on the forehead. "I just have to know if we can handle this," she whispers, "or if it's all just our libidos talking."
"What if it is?"
"Then I guess we go from there," she says. "So what's all this about going inside my head, exactly? How would you do that and What, exactly, were you planning on doing up there?"

>>213104
"Well, illusionists are aligned with the dream plane, right? So what if we tried some kinda shared dream thing? Both of us can keep part of our mind asleep when we don't need it, so if we can get a link going then we can do hella better than just phones, right?
I've got a spell to get inside your head, and we can work from there."

i think the best analogy for this would be your mind is a house and your consciousness would be someone that lives there. of course with our mind split training we may have more then one. against an unwilling target it would be like trying to batter the door open. but with you i would knock on the door and you would let me in.

Say "Making sure we've got something there."

After a pause, add "Alternately, dream sex."

Explain your plan. If that takes less than one update, tell her about Gryphona and how you can never ever let her know that you killed a dreamthing back in thread one.

Brom 2010/07/29(Thu)23:09 No. 213798 ID: 4f6e37
File 128047014430.png - (124.86KB , 800x600 , 42.png )

"Making sure we've got something there," says Dio.
"How aptly poetic," says Dahlia
"Alternatively dream sex," says Dio, receiving a punch on the arm for his efforts. Between Dahlia and Jai's collaborative fists his forearms are going to end up ground beef.
He explains Mind Parasite to her, using that house analogy, and she tentatively agrees.

And so it comes to pass that night that Dream Dio knocks on Dream Dahlia's door, and they come face to face for the first time.
"Hey, Dio."
"Hey, Dahl."
"Your subconscious looks like it was drawn by a five year old."

quick, try to make yourself more detailed!

>>213798
Make your bulge bigger.

>>213798
Tell her "I can update faster when I keep things simple", then realize you've shattered the fourth wall and stammer out a different excuse.

oh wait. summon up a box of markers and DRAW yourself more detailed.

Say "Seriously, what's up with that?"

Take a slug of whiskey to increase your IMAGINATION.

Brom 2010/07/29(Thu)23:41 No. 213807 ID: 4f6e37
File 128047211799.png - (199.84KB , 800x600 , 44.png )

"I update faster when I keep it simple," says Dio, unaware that in the haze of Dream the author is a bit more willing to let a little surreality slip in.
"What?" says Dahlia.
"Nothing. Uh. It's my suppressed inner child I had to stifle during my years as a slave, bleeding its way into my unconscious mind as a sort of release."
"Is all that true?"
"Probably not. I don't even know what's up with that. Can I come in?"

As soon as he enters her mind, he feels himself gain more detail. He also, to his surprise, feels considerably more strong, and upon a quick examination, has a bit more muscle mass than he did when he is awake. He realizes that his form in someone else's mind is how he is perceived by them. Useful information in case he ever has to use it on a less cute or willing target. First, change their perception of you into something you can use to your advantage.

Since this is their first time, they try something simple. A flat, black plain. Dahlia summons a box of markers for them and they spend the night doodling across Dahlia's occipital cortex.

Brom 2010/07/29(Thu)23:42 No. 213808 ID: 4f6e37
File 128047213613.png - (262.28KB , 800x600 , 43.png )

The next few days pass in a similar manner when they are together, with Dio spending nights in Dahlia's mind and days trying to ignore the lizard part of his brain that controls his libido.
He tries to spend more time doing stuff that doesn't require physical closeness, and they hang out with Pyramus or Jai or Random present as much as they can, but always his eyes are drawn to her, and always there's that voice, whispering into his ear, you could have had this, if you weren't such a doormat.

tell the voice "i am not a doormat, if i was i would be listening to you."
confuse it with a paradox!

>>213808
Realize you've gone deeper inside her than than any of the lovers in legend, and that better self control is vital to maintaining your supply of 'dat ass.

... Oh, and important for being an illusionist too. Being able to turn your libido (or other parts) off as needed would be a great advantage, since mind-altering chemicals and attacks would be a pretty big deal.

You're an expert mentalist. Find the part of your brain that's talking shit about you and punch it.

Discreetly tell your friends that if a Shifting Dreamthing makes a surprise visit, don't tell it that you killed one. Accept offers to talk it over, especially from Dahlia or Orpheo.

Also: Could you, purely hypothetically, have Dahlia enter your mind? Would that leave her (or another target) all mindless-like?

(Purely hypothetically, since she'd get wierded out by finding herself as a crayon drawing with huge knockers.)

>First, change their perception of you into something you can use to your advantage.
One word: Taller.

the best way to go about that is to keep an illusion of yourself huge and buff wrapped around you at all times. then when you enter their mind since they have only ever seen huge buff dio then you will be.

>>213808
Kick that part of your brain's ass by telling it you're working for the long term.

Dio, if you can conquer your own nightmares, then controlling your libido should be cake.

>>213808
You need to bring up the matter of Gryphona with Orpheo, and as soon as possible. This sort of thing must have happened before and had some kind of results; there are no new stories and all that. Is there a no fly list for summons, or some kind of anti-summoning charm that she can use? I can't see spreading threats like she wanted as in any way potentially effective.

Brom 2010/07/31(Sat)00:40 No. 214153 ID: 4f6e37
File 128056201116.png - (621.38KB , 800x600 , 45.png )

Dio cages his id for now. As a precaution they're sleeping in separate beds, only connecting through their minds. He focuses on trying to find a way to tell people about Gryphona. Dahlia's understanding enough that the dead dreamthing shouldn't be mentioned around her. He supposes he'll tell Orpheo about it later, on Divine.

"Is it working?" asks Dio, as Dahlia steps into his mind.
"I feel more simply rendered," says Dahlia. "And...hmm." She runs a hand along her side. "Curvier. I take that's your doing?"
"Sorry."
"It's fine." She grins. "I feel kinda sexy."

They try their hand at building things up a bit more complex. Sand castles are a little more interesting in the twilight of the mind.

Brom 2010/07/31(Sat)00:41 No. 214154 ID: 4f6e37
File 128056210456.png - (651.38KB , 800x600 , 46.png )

Dio's getting better at this, he thinks. His dreams are getting more and more lucid as he works at it, and if he can build things like this it's only a matter of time until wake up, Dio. Come on, wakey wakey. It's time to pack. Dio? Dio. Dio. Dio. Dio. Deeeeeoooooo. Don't make me get a bucket of water. Wake up.

Say "But I was dreaming about dreaming."

Don't forget your camera, cellphone, knives, armored robe, sudoku, and underwear. The rest is optional.

>>214154
Tell Dahlia you've gotta go. Random is threatening you with severe bodily hydration.

Brom 2010/08/01(Sun)23:57 No. 214749 ID: 4f6e37
File 128073222850.png - (159.96KB , 800x600 , 47.png )

>>214168
"Bye, Dahl," says Dio. "I think Random's threatening me with severe bodily hydration if I don't get moving."
"Ok, well, bye," says Dahlia. "If I don't see you then I'll see you back here again. And, uh..." she says hurriedly, as Dio starts to fade into consciousness, "I'll miss you and I hope you do really good on the divine plane and I think I love you Di"
Random shakes him awake. "You. Pack. Now."
"Yeah, yeah, okay," mutters Dio, sliding out of bed and finding his helmet.

He packs his camera, a Digital Marauder 470V. It's a sleek ergonomic powerhouse, infinitely better than the boxy thing he scrounged on Arcane.
He brings the Wisiazek knives Dahlia gave him. Maybe this time he'll actually use them in combat more to augment his illusions, instead of just summoning everything.
His old alienation cloak he also packs. It is, as Random succinctly points out, "Clownish Alien ass-tard wear" but it beats getting an arrow to the chest any day.
His phone is of course a necessity (though the Divine Plane is apparently notoriously spotty as far as bars are concerned), as is his copy of Tervis' Too Many Damn Sudoku Puzzles, Vol. 15: Will You Please get a Damn Life so I Can Stop Writing These.
His prepped rune is still, as it has been, focus rather than defense. He can switch it if he wants that extra shielding.

He's not forgetting anything, is he?

Canteen? Toothbrush? (Or not. You can just summon one) Shoes? Spyglass? Canned pineapples? Last time you took a crossbow, but this time you can shoot ballista bolts from your hands.

And switch the rune to Defense. Might save you from a close call, later. (And that way we'll get a better idea of how much the Focus rune's been helping up until now)

Yeah, Vol. 16 Sudoku puzzles. 15 is a horrible edition they're so easy with your sudoku master brain. Don't pussy out and take the easy edition hell no your taking the goddamn fucking encyclopedia book size of sudoku and beat the shit out of all of it you sly muthafucker.

No fuck it, we are making a 3D illusion sudoku puzzle cube and your going to solve the fuck outta it. No wait that will probably be your ultimate challenge on the divine plane that mister demon noble guy will force you through, don't worry about making your cube now.

Also Playvidder magazine. For the articles. I hear they're good this month.

Batteries.

>>214749
Extra batteries for the camera, extra pens for the sudoku. And maybe a wordseek puzzle as well.

Oh, and bring along some candy and extra drinks as well. You never know when you might need some extra energy or bribes for kids.

Bring extra film. Or is the camera digital? Are you forgetting underwear?

Maybe you should tell Dahlia you're feeling... uh, you are feeling the same way, right Dio? You are growing attached to her? You've been having a great time these past 5 days with her, without having sex... there must be some connection.

Maybe that can be saved for the next time you go to sleep, though.

It's about time you branched out into more difficult puzzles.

Bring a collection of cross sums.

A picture of your girlfriend~

more weapons, you can never have too many weapons.
food and water
possibly a tent? I don't know if sleeping space will be provided.
take a spyglass with you.
money, obviously.
>Also Playvidder magazine. For the articles. I hear they're good this month.
do you play any instruments?

>"Clownish Alien ass-tard wear"
You're an illusionist, make that shit look stylin!

Brom 2010/08/02(Mon)22:45 No. 215000 ID: 4f6e37
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After some thought Dio brings batteries, some food for the trip (pineapple is the best fruit there is no denying this), a spyglass, 100 gilt (half his cash at the moment), and a hand crossbow. He does not see why he needs to bring along a picture of Dahlia if he's going to see her whenever he sleeps anyway.

Random shepherds him out the door, still half awake, and he runs into two mages waiting outside. One's a slim guy in a neatly pressed suit with an empty crossbow slung across his back, the other's a moderately heavyset girl in a cast-iron helmet and robes denoting an Arcanist Stalwart. They're a select group of warrior arcane magi who specialize in tearing things up at close range.

"Morning," says the crossbow guy brightly. "You'd be Dio, then? I'm Wendat." He shakes Dio's hand. "Wendat Huron. Pleasure to meet you. Random's your roomate?" Dio nods blearily. "My condolences."

"Oh look a giant came by with his toolbox and one fell out and now there is a big giant tool in front of me," says Random. "Wendat, you evil-ass Ark Fraternity refuse shitcan."

"Random, you pig-disgusting waste of biomass," ways Wendat, grabbing his shoulder. "How are you. I haven't seen you in months."

"Good," says Random. "Shorty here is my total bitch as far as cleaning the dorm is concerned. Wendat's my old roomate, Dio. He's a snobbish, anal retentive douchebag Arker."

"Glad to see you haven't lost that scintillating wit that makes us all love you, Random," says Wendat. "This is, ah, Eulinda, by the way."

He gestures to the Stalwart, who nods, and says "Hi," nervously.

"Shall we get going, then?" says Wendat. "I believe Professor Diraiphe is waiting for us in the Portal Chambers.

I ponder if the removal of the ears hurt like a bitch. I also ponder if that would be an offensive question to ask. For an Arker this guy doesn't seem all that bad, kinda actually not psychotic at all even.

Shit, that means you gotta keep an eye on him Dio. This fucker is craftier than a goddamn beaver.

Even if it's an insane practice, the lack of ears really makes that suit work. Looks real sharp on him.

>>215000
Dio, wake up. Big day today. And note to yourself: It appears that you're not really getting a lot of rest while wandering in others' dreams during the night. Don't make too much of a habit of it unless you figure out how to overcome that difficulty.

>He does not see why he needs to bring along a picture of Dahlia if he's going to see her whenever he sleeps anyway.
Because that way you'll have something to stare at if you're suddenly desperately pining for her while awake, obviously.


Keep a sharp eye on Wendat, but don't be too paranoid; like any other organization the Ark Fraternity is made up of individuals, and odds are they're not all evil bastards. Try to get a solid handle on what Wendat can do regardless, though. Bring up group tactics or something when a convenient opportunity arises.

Eulinda seems nervous. Offer her a sudoku puzzle if she continues to be awkward later, as a gesture of friendship and bonding. It's usually good to be on the good side of elite melee shredder types.

If you're awake enough, make some small talk as you move. Ask if they've been to the divine planes before, what they're studying, where they're from, random stuff of that nature. Be friendly. If you're not awake enough, just listen to Random and Wendat talk and attempt to extract information about them from their conversation.

also, wrap an illusion of yourself being huge and buff and powerful around you. if all the people on the divine see is big powerful dio then when in there minds they will also see big powerful dio. meaning anyone you mind parasite on will have to face a REAL big powerful dio.

Brom 2010/08/03(Tue)00:41 No. 215043 ID: 4f6e37
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Dio and everyone else make small talk as they head down to the Portal Room. Eulinda's still pretty quiet, and everyone's chatter is stuck on a pretty superficial level as opposed to full backstory-revealing. Apparently Random and Wendat are the only ones who have been to divine, besides maybe Epraim. No one knows anything about Epraim.
"Did it hurt, getting your ears chopped off?" asks Dio, after he's sure Wendat won't flip out on him.
"Oh, yes. It stung like a bitch," says Wendat. "It was over quick, though, luckily. There's some magic they use to get it to heal properly. The eye reddening thing is sort of annoying, like an eyelash stuck in there or something, but it only lasts an hour or two. Why do you ask? Were you thinking of joining the Ark?"
"Not really," says Dio.

They meet Orpheo and Epraim in the Portal Chamber next to the pulsating gateway into Divine. "Late, Random," says Orpheo. "I am stunned. Hurt, truly."
"It's not my fault," says Random. "Short Dark and Nerdy here slept in."
"I'll attribute it to your corrosive influence on him," says Orpheo.
"Random as a roomate is a recipe for disaster," says Wendat.
"I suppose if he was with you he'd simply be training to fight the Two Eyed Menace and doing stereotypical villain rituals involving doing awful things to black cats," says Orpheo.
"Well, I mean," says Wendel. "I like cats."
"So. Here we are at the cusp of adventure. There's no turning back after this."
"I'd say I'm a dog person, more, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to go ahead and cut a cat up or something..."
"It was a joke, Wendat. Ready, everyone?"

>Wendat
>Wendel
>Wendat
You can tell it's late at night.

>>215043
We're ready.

>>215043
Lets get going. Jump through the portal like the fucking cool-aid man while yelling "Oh yeah!" to make sure you make a proper first impression.

Or maybe not. But go on through the portal in a badass manner.

Before we go in, start up that illusion that makes you look big and tough. It will be vital to keep that active for the entire time we're in the Divine Plane... so that we will gain that body when we use Mind Parasite.

Brom 2010/08/03(Tue)10:02 No. 215182 ID: 4f6e37
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Dio mentally starts designing a larger, more intimidating version of himself as they line up in front of the portal.
"Ready, mages?" says Orpheo.
"Yeah," says Dio.
"Mhmm," says Eulinda.
"Ready," says Wendat.
"Get on with it," says Random.
"All right," says Orpheo.

Brom 2010/08/03(Tue)10:03 No. 215183 ID: 4f6e37
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"Here we go."

>>/questdis/331018