Welcome to a Special thread of Do Your Best Quest! It’s Constance’s auto-conclusive sidestory! Our cunning hero will investigate the most enigmatic characters in the quest, and unveil their plans or well-kept secrets! Be prepared for grand revelations, tear-jerking moments, and hilarious situations as you help guide our favorite mummy to the most favorable of outcomes.It’s all down to your choices! ---You’re Constance Strangelove, one of the five Judges who rule over a violent competition to determine the ruler of the netherworld. Not out of your own volition, you were selected by fate or luck, saved from certain death to fulfill this purpose. You were given extraordinary abilities to accomplish this, without taking into account your previous affinity to the supernatural. You do so by communicating to ghosts and spirits. They’re different. You know that.You’re doing everything in your power to hinder the *violent* bit of your description. After all, this debacle is happening in your world — the human world — and you can’t accept pain for the sake of pain! Everyone relies on you to see a peaceful resolution!With all the help from your friends and allies, you’ve decided to step up, and repay their kindness by being extra useful! How? You’ll see!Today, there’s a new meeting between your colleagues. They happen frequently, but today is a special one. You’re traversing the realm of dreams to find a special spot, where the dream-like nature feels at its most finicky. It feels real. But it is not. You’re assured. “My crystal princess, I notice you are quite tense.” Your guardian spirit and the source of your powers, Athelone, places her hand over your shoulder. You’re sitting together on the couch, the invisible platform is transporting you to the meeting spot. It’s magic. Cool magic!“U-Uhm, I told you what I want to do, and I-I know it won’t be easy…” You feel a knot in your throat. You’re nervous!“I’m well-aware. There’s no need to double guess yourself, my dear. This won’t be the last opportunity that you’ll get to learn about your peers.” Athelone double checks your dress. One of the Judges - your colleague, Esperanza - pleaded everyone to dress accordingly.“Hmm, but I don’t get many chances. The others spoke about how difficult it is to investigate them, so it’s all on me…” You know what to do. Your friends have a robust intelligence network, but their blind spot is the other Judges. They act in the realm of dreams, out of their reach, out of the real world.“My precious child, no matter the outcome, your allies will appreciate your efforts.” Athelone doesn’t want you to overextend.“B-But everyone has done so much for me…” You got to be reunited with your father thanks to them… thanks to your friend, Johnny! You have to help him back! “I-I know I can do this!”“I believe so too, that’s why I’m supporting you.” Athelone smiles with what many have declared to be a terrifying amount of teeth. “We’ve arrived…”
>>6446144Through the murky dark clouds of nothingness, a castle stands tall above the flying ground that disappears through the horizon. The building appears to be under renovations. One of the four flying referees — the Jellyfishes — come and go. They’re the underlings of Esperanza. Yours are Wyvern Knights, because they’re much cooler.With no exact destination beyond this, you land by the main gate of the castle. As you disembark your comfortable couch, one of the jellyfishes leads you to a gazebo nearby. There, you find your dear friend (and leader of the Judges (you voted)) Giorsal Kane!“Constance, you’ve arrived!” Giorsal greets you with a hug! W-Well, you had your arms open first!“Gio!” You give her a tight hug. In this world, they don’t hurt. Your frail body feels pristine! “You’re early!”“Hehe, I’m always earlier than Ms. Early!” Giorsal jokes because you’re awfully early to this meeting too. “You’re radiant today. Well, I’m not surprised after the good news.”“Y-You can tell?” You smile again. You told her about your father’s return! He disappeared for a long time, but your friends found him!“Mhm, I’m quite perceptive.” Giorsal pumps her chest. She can’t tell you’re nervous though… “It appears we’ll have quite some time to chat. I wish our host would’ve been more prepared and let us in, but...” “Ms. Jellyfish says this gazebo was prepared for our arrival.” You talk to the one floating around. “T-The gazebo wasn’t here when I arrived.” Giorsal reminds the creature.“She says you were here too early.” You don’t know why, but you feel forced to keep talking for the Jellyfish. They emit sounds akin to woob woob, and boof boof.“E-Everyone knows I arrive early.” Giorsal puffs her cheeks.“She asks what’s the point of having a meeting time, if you’re not going to follow it…” You don’t like where this conversation is going. You arrived early too! “My cute Giorsal! You shouldn’t be combative with our staff!” Ethempress, the guardian spirit of Giorsal, pleads for decorum. Only in the dream world is it possible for the spirits to communicate this easily with everyone.“Y-You’re right…” Giorsal sighs. This feels like this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about Giorsal!What do you do?>Ask Giorsal about how she's been doing with her sickness, since she always asks about how you're holding up...>Ask Giorsal about the flame users she has been recruiting! Acknowledge how hard she’s been working!>Tell Giorsal about all the fun you’ve been having with your dad! Maybe she’ll open up and share about her own family too!>Ask if you could arrange a meeting with her (Giorsal) and the leader of the Motley Crew (Nina)! As well as your other friends, like Susie, and maybe Lise too!!>Write In.
>>6446145>>Tell Giorsal about all the fun you’ve been having with your dad! Maybe she’ll open up and share about her own family too!
>>6446145>Write In.>Tell Giorsal you know that he is not a real woman and will never be.
>>6446145Thanks for running.>Write In.Wow Giorsal about your living conditions. Compare and contrast notes about decor.Maybe finding out where Giorsal lives will make it easier for Johnny to put a bullet in her skull. Or is Girosal not evil? Or does Johnny already know? I always just got the feeling the judges are all assholes and I haven't caught all the way up yet.
>>6446145>Tell Giorsal about all the fun you’ve been having with your dad! Maybe she’ll open up and share about her own family too!>Ask Giorsal about how she's been doing with her sickness, since she always asks about how you're holding up...
I am sorry if this is rude or disruptive, but I have to ask you QM, do you do commissions? Your art is awesome.
You've always been curious about Giorsal’s family. Maybe if you open up about yours, Giorsal will do the same with hers! She always says that enthusiasm is contagious!“S-Sorry, I shouldn’t have…” You got carried away translating. The Jellyfish backs you up. You still have mixed feelings.“I-I’m the one in the wrong, Constance.” Giorsal shakes her head. She always takes responsibility when she doesn’t have to. This time, uh, you suppose isn’t the best example of it. “*Ehem*, let’s catch up. It’s our early bird privilege!”“Well said. Move on, my dear! Ignore all your past mistakes!” Ethempress is proud of her host!“T-Tell me, Constance, how do you feel? I bet you’re still soaring with the extra help. But I wanna hear it from you!” Giorsal clasp her hands as you grab a seat. “It’s been amazing! My dad is back! I feel like I can do anything!” You bounce in your little chair, then realize... “L-Like, um, I don’t want to downplay everyone’s support. I-It’s the only reason why I’ve gotten this far. And—”“Constance, it’s your dad.” Giorsal places her hands on top of yours. “There’s no reason to explain why he means so much to you. Like, come on, you deserve to be together more than anyone! I’m on the verge of tears just thinking about it… t-that hug… *sniff*... W-Wait, don’t look…! God..!”“Do you love your dad too?” You ask as plainly and as silly as it came out. It’ll distract her from crying at the very least! “Uhm, your family, I should say...”“Of course, the only reason I’m standing here is because of them… my family… everyone… they’re the greatest people I’ve ever met...” Giorsal looks beyond to the dark clouds that manage to give her face a glitter. “Constance…” Giorsal holds your hand. “...Maybe, due to our circumstances, you’re going to feel like you owe your loved ones so much, but to be cherished is enough. It’s not a debt that you must repay. It’s gratitude. It’ll manifest in a million ways. And it’ll bounce back and forth, because being with you meant as much for them as it means to you. Just never lose the chance to show it!” “…!” You don’t know what to say.“Ethempress gave me one, and I’ll make sure you and everyone can continue living in this beautiful world! The one everyone fought so far to keep me in...” Giorsal is determined to save the world! “I-I wanna help!” You say without thinking as you jump into her arms for a hug! Giorsal needs a moment process before hugging you back!.“C-Constance, I’m counting on you! But leave the heavy stuff to me!” Giorsal puffs her chest after a brief pause in the hug! “Hehe, it’s the first time I got to tell that to someone else…” Giorsal looks fondly at the past, as if she is repeating a dear one’s words.
>>6446232“So is your family cool?” You wonder.“They’re cool as cucumbers! They’re well respected researchers after all! Where do you think I got my cool factor?” Giorsal chuckles.“...Y-Yeah, of course, you *can* be cool!” You nod. “...Excuse me? *Can* be cool, miss?” Giorsal pouts.“Mhm.” You nod without qualms.“W-W-Who do you find cool? Don’t say your dad, that’s cheating.” Giorsal wants an explanation. “P-People laughed at me when I said my parents...”“Johnny!” You clap.“...T-That man is anything but cool! He’s reckless! And mean! And the way he grins is absolutely annoying.” Giorsal crosses her arms in a fit of anger.“Uhm… I think he’s pretty cool…” You disagree.“Well, I’d like to vehemently disa—” Giorsal gets interrupted by the castle’s gates opening…The Jellyfish referee apologizes for the wait (to you) and informs you that you’re welcomed in. You make headway inside the building. Glittering like a diamond, with staircases leading to different paths, and decorated from top to bottom, the palace within is out of one of many novels you’ve read. Perhaps, Esperanza used the one you lent her as inspiration. It’s simply stunning. “Welcome, welcome!” Esperanza descends upon the ceiling like a falling goddess. Spotlight and everything. “Marvel at the greatness of Esperanza Castle! Title pending!” “W-Woah, this place is beyond belief!” You skip in place out of excitement.“Excellent reaction, short one! Here, the mighty lollipop.” Esperanza indicates one of her jellyfishes to give you candy. It’s well-received. Yum-Yum.“A-Amazing, ehem, Esperanza, I’m glad to see you doing well.” Giorsal is used to maintaining her cordiality towards the most mysterious of your peers. “May I ask where the others are? We can’t get our meeting underway without them.”“Behind you. They just arrived, the lazy bones.” Esperanza points behind you two.“T-This is the tackiest place I’ve seen, ew…” Judge Gerard Luther crosses the main gate with obvious disgust on his face. You think he’s a pirate, and he hasn’t denied it. “Hey, who are you calling lazy bones?! You’re bed-ridden!”“uh… hhh… hhh… *ehem*” Judge Mr. Gordon clears his throat. “...I disagree, vermin. It’s quite imposing. Get your other eye fixed, perhaps it’ll improve your judgment.”“I’m not going to tolerate being judged on eyesight by a skeleton!” Gerard growls.“Hello there, Mr. Gerard! Mr. Gordon!” You wave at them from where you are standing! Interrupting their funny bickering in the process!“It’s lovely seeing you here, little one.” Gerard is always kind and respectful towards you. Despite being a pirate.“…” Gordon gives you a slight nod.
>>6446233“See? Everyone is here, Prez.” Esperanza retorts sarcastically. “Buuuuut… the meeting can’t start without a tour! Am I right? This place demands your eyeballs’ interest. I’ve created it specifically to brag! And for my bigger plans! Mainly to brag though.”“Ugh, I suppose we have the time to indulge in this activity.” Giorsal sighs.E-Everyone is going their separate ways! Your plan is to get information from each one! You must pick one to follow!Who do you go after first?>Esperanza.>Gordon.>Gerard.>Write In.(Last Reply of the Day, we continue tomorrow!)
>>6446167(Thank you! I'm flattered! I'm not taking commissions at the moment, sorry. Though, if you still wish to contact me, I usually post a link to the quest's discord, so check out the other threads for it. Sorry for the trouble!)
>>6446234>Gerard.
>>6446234>>Gerard
>>6446234>>Gerard.
>>6446234>Esperanza.
With no clear north to speak of, you follow Mr. Gerard Luther to the Art Gallery wing of the castle. “Mr. Gerard! Mr. Gerard!” You run after him with the friendly Jellyfish swimming by your side! “Can I go with you, please?”“Of course! You’re wise to follow me, little one. I bet you’re as curious as I am as to learn what that one considers art.” Gerard the Pirate is pleased to have you around as she stares dagger towards Esperanza. She shows her tongue in response. Gerard shows his tongue back. You can’t help but to giggle.“Uhm, I guess, but I’m also concerned about how you’ve been!” You say in earnest! “Dear, I’m an adult. If I wasn’t doing dandy, it’d be by my own doing.” Gerard scoffs. “You seem to be doing delightful. Confirm?”“Aye! Aye! I confirm!” You salute!“Excellent, tiny mermaid. That’s the type of news I like corroborated.” Gerard the Pirate leads the way into the hallway. “Let’s find some orange juice so we can toast to that!” “Yay~!” You get excited as you continue following his lead. You enter the Art Gallery proper. It’s a gigantic space that is full of sculptures, paintings, miniatures, and more. All themed to Esperanza’s beat. She’s a woman of so many interests nowadays! And yes, there are a couple that are based on her specifically. But there are TVs, Horses, Trains, and more that make the collection varied! “Uhm, I-I don’t want to be pushy, but are you sure you’re doing alright?” You ask to continue the conversation. You know you have to make the other person feel comfortable before they start opening up! Just like Dr. Calamity and Johnny did for you! Just not like Nurse Kata… her methods are too pushy… “Tackiness sours my mood, Constance, and Esperanza built a pantheon against good taste. Like, look at this dreary piece…” Gerard pulls out one of the paintings on the wall. It’s a portrait of Esperanza named ‘Arbiter.’ It doesn’t look either good or bad.
>>6446547“Uhm, yeah...” You won’t argue, even though you think it’s cute. You gotta investigate! “I mean, aside from this.” You point at the pantheon of bad taste or something. “Are you still upset about doing all those apologies?”“Well, I did say if I wasn’t thriving, there’s no one else to blame but myself…” Gerard grits his teeth. He is blaming someone else. “...But as I said before, Constance, always speak your truth! Even if people don’t want to hear it! And mine is that what I’m going through is appalling! People don’t take kindly to my redemption. Nobody wants to relive one of their worst moments ever, or whatever dramatic enactment goes through their minds! Some don’t even remember, but they lash out when I kindly remind them! I thought they moved past it! Such drama queens! They seem fine for the most part…! Some of them punt me, Constance! Me! Oh, how I rue the day I lost that senseless bet, and I curse that man, his disgusting little untrustworthy pocket and damn cake… AAAggh…!!!”“T-There. There.” You tap his back to help him calm down. H-Hopefully it’ll make him forget his grudge against Johnny...“Huh… I could keep venting, my dear… I’ve been so busy as well… And my coworkers… ugh… Life hasn’t been kind to me as of late…” Gerard looks crestfallen…”I’m so tired… Emotionally and physically…”Without knowing, you opened a can of worms! Worms of knowledge and secrets! You need to pull out the best ones! And, uhm, help Mr. Gerard pull through his hardships!What do you do?>Ask Gerard about what he has been busy with that has gotten him so tired!>Ask Gerard about his coworkers! He works with Ka-Shing’s group, right? He seems ready to vent about them!>Ask Gerard about if there’s a big secret he wants to rant about that the other Judges can’t hear! You’ll keep it quiet from them, you promise!>Ask Gerard about all his great pirate adventures! T-That is going to clean his mind from his worries… You’re sure it won’t end in tragedy or anything!>Write In.
>>6446548>>Ask Gerard about all his great pirate adventures! T-That is going to clean his mind from his worries… You’re sure it won’t end in tragedy or anything!
>>6446548(Forgot to say, only reply of the day, we continue tomorrow!)
>>6446548>Ask Gerard about his coworkers! He works with Ka-Shing’s group, right? He seems ready to vent about them!>Ask Gerard about all his great pirate adventures! T-That is going to clean his mind from his worries… You’re sure it won’t end in tragedy or anything!
>>6446559This
It’s not prodding for information if Gerard wants to bring this out to the open so badly. You’re giving him a safe avenue to express his feelings and worries. You’re helping! These are kind of the excuses that Nurse Kata uses for gossiping… Uhm, it’s not as fun as she says though.“You can talk about this for as long as you want, if it helps in any way. I’m here for you!” You extend a branch! “I underestimated how wise you are beyond your years, Constance.” Gerard’s eye glitters with hope. That’s the same look the funny ice cream man has when your dad tells him to keep the change for himself. “Now, you’re still a kid. These are adult topics. You know what that means, correct?”“Mhm, I never heard a blip or a swoop!” You salute.“Molto bene, la mia fanciulla!” Gerard claps. You two look to both sides to make sure nobody is eavesdropping… “Let’s walk around, we have to act natural.”“Alright! Act natural… Act natural...” You want to continue watching the gallery anyhow. There’s another painting that captures your imagination. It’s titled ‘Esperanza’s hopes’, and, uhm, it features Esperanza, Ms. Jaylene, and Ms. Odetta… It’s… something else! “Uh...”“Don’t get distracted by the horrors around us. That’s — honest to God — life advice.” Gerard doesn’t like this painting either. You wonder if there’s something in here to his taste. You think Johnny would’ve appreciated the fountain. “Where do I begin, I wonder...”“Uhm, what have you been busy with?” You ask.“Ugh, it feels like half of my coworkers went missing! And I went through all the trouble of hiring them in the first place.” Gerard sighs. “Sacrificed for a bunch of violent thugs who couldn’t stay afloat even with our help. Yes, I mean the raids from the other day. Without Wozart’s music, I’ve been in quite the sour mood…”“Y-You lost Mr. Wozart?!” You don’t want to believe this! Wozart is the reincarnation of the actual musician of the same name, who was good friends with Gerard. Your family loves his music. You listened to it inside your mom’s tummy! Your connection is that deep...“I know, dear. I know. Him and Joe. Ugh, I know you hold no favorable feeling towards the latter, because of the whole trying to murder us judges thing, but trust me, you’ll befriend a lot of people in life you were at odds with. But he was *quiet*, and quiet is quite riveting in that environment.” Gerard laments. “Either way, we located Wozart, he’s being held captive in a charity center that the pesky church controls. The big one in the middle of the city. So I’m building a new task force! And do not fret, my dear friend — I’m going to make sure Wozart returns safely.”“M-Mr. Gerard, we all depend on you!” You believe in the pirate!
>>6446801“I wish my coworkers would share that sentiment...” Gerard grits his teeth. “Every decision I make is heavily questioned by Ms. Security Chief, her witless crow, and even Charlie. But those girls… they prattle nonsense like I have to use my powers more sensibly!, or I can’t give super powers to just anyone I find, or that’s not a pigeon, that’s a toucan. Utterly inane babbling.”“Hmm… Who are they?” You must keep mental notes!“Do you recall the ineffective assistant that dragged me down during that heinous cooking duel? That’s our security chief, her name is Vivienne Neuville, and her manners are quite lacking — her social awareness is pitiful, Constance. Not an individual you should emulate whatsoever.” Gerard sounds frustrated. “But what can you ask of a revolting sweet addict?”“I-Is there anything wrong with sweets?” You ask as you lick your yummy lollipop.“M-Maybe not all of them, Constance, but you can’t ever trust a Cake-devotee! They’re scum. They will betray at the drop of a hat. They’re emotionally driven creatures who gets swayed by the immaterial concept of *love* above all! And you never know when it hits them...” Gerard feels strongly about this! Woah! “And Vivienne? I can see it behind her cold scowl. She believes herself to be pragmatic and calculating, but she’s one of them. Never trust a cake, Constance… NEVER. Not even your birthday one.”“A-Alright?” You don’t know how to respond, better let him vent unopposed! And, uhm, isn’t liking cake the default for most people?“And the crow, that YUNG-P, I can see glimpses of it in her too. But she’s fighting it. We can only pray that that part of her stays deeply buried…” Gerard is incredibly serious about this topic. “But enough of paltry desserts. If I had a better environment to work in, Wozart would be with us by now! But my boss had other plans in mind...”“Hmm, you don’t have an office?” You wonder.“I’m staying at a 5-star hotel! What is it called? The Sunshine Men? Whatever. My friend Charlie’s idea, he usually has good taste about these topics. It’s truly a dreadful environment to work in…” Gerard sighs.“…” You think that’s better than a hospital bed.“But my accommodations by themselves are hardly the problem. I’m hidden in a secret room that’s under constant surveillance… Because I’m tasked with protecting a piece of the Crystal ever since the other one got stolen by a crab! Everyone comes to my room at the most random of hours. I can hardly get any beauty sleep… I weep… how miserable...” Gerard sighs. Oh no, he’s in a worse mood than before! You need to change course!
>>6446802“C-Can you tell me about one of your great pirate stories?” You change topics quickly. “You’re a man of adventure!”“Y-Yes, a pirate adventure… I have plenty of those, as I’m a pirate...” Gerard does not see himself as a pirate sometimes. “Oh, I recall once at sea, I was passing by as this gaudy ship’s cook with the intention of stealing treasure. But a crewmate’s family was on board, so I was tasked to protect them, and I pulled my gun and I…” He pauses.He pauses for a good minute. It’s like he doesn’t like how this story ends.“And you...?” You wanna hear more.“...Uh… I gotta go, Dear. I forgot my wallet.” Gerard pats his untrustworthy little pocket.“B-But, Mr. Gerard, we don’t have our wallets in this realm!” You state the obvious.“N-No, we do! That means you lost yours as well!” Gerard claims.“W-Wait, what? I did?!” Oh no, you can’t believe you’ve forgotten it!“Yeah! You need to find it, Constance! Esperanza is gonna steal your credit card and spend it on Esperanza coins or something ridiculous!” Gerard says. “No! Not my credit card!” You know Gerard is right! You heard Mr. Billy Buonanotte went through something similar when someone stole his wallet!“Uh, yeah. I’ll go this way, and you go that way…” Gerard points you elsewhere.You haste!Who do you find in this random direction?!>Esperanza with her Esperanza coins.>Gordon with his Gordollars.>Write In.
>>6446803>Gordon
>>6446803>>Gordon with his Gordollars.
>>6446803>Gordon with his Gordollars.
You can’t waste one more second! Fraud is on the horizon! You can’t have credit card debt, that’s worse than death itself!“What’s the hurry, young one?” Mr. Gordon asks as you run past him.“M-My wallet…! I lost my wallet!” You say in a well-founded panic!“You’ve only lost your marbles, you foolish child. Slow down.” Gordon is irked by your actions.“Huh?” You stop dead in your tracks, think about what you’re doing, and take in the scenery.This is the Historical Museum wing of the castle, there are antiques, maps, fossils (aside from Mr. Gordon) and everything you can imagine. You absolutely love this place! Except for the Esperanza-based historical inaccuracies you’re detecting… The armors and gadgets are still very cool though. “Wallet? Is that dimwit’s idiocy rubbing off on you?” Mr. Gordon has always been harsh with everyone, you’re no exception. But with you, you feel a hint of him trying to impart a lesson with everything he says. The problem is that he’s not right about most things... “I-I’m sorry, I forgot we don’t bring our wallets to this world…” You already knew it, but when someone insists so eagerly, you start doubting yourself!“Get tricked by a man less foolish and you’ll deserve your place at the bottom of the barrel. Remember that.” Mr. Gordon scolds. He’s going to continue being mean if you don’t make him focus on something else.“Uhm, are you having fun looking around, Mr. Gordon?” You ask to deflect.“All the youth thinks about is *fun*, but never is the activity practical.” Gordon shakes his head.“You can learn and have fun at the same time, sir. It’s quite easy!” You smile.“How childish…” Gordon laments.“I’m 10.” You remind him.“…” Gordon coughs. “You get a pass.”“Thank you, I’ll use it.” You remember Kata’s advice for dealing with old people. Always play along with what they say! …No wonder Dr. Calamity says she’s a problem child… Hmm… do you want to be one? Maybe today… “So, are you enjoying yourself, mister?”“It’s a different type of foolishness from what I have to endure in the real world. It’s a moderate break. A welcomed one.” Gordon pokes at one of the armors. “I commend the twintail brat for her hubris. To make a world in your image, that’s true power…” He plays with a Gordollar bill on his fingers……Wait, he did bring his wallet! Oh no! Your wallet is in danger!!!“Are you having a bad time in the real world?” You wonder, reminding yourself that it was his decision to bring his wallet, and that doesn’t mean that YOU brought yours here..
>>6446841“A group of brats interfered with my experiments… My incompetent daughter keeps letting me down… My idiotic allies cannot see the true obstacles in their path… and my cursed son, he’s… hheh… hehe…” Mr. Gordon grins… “Child, if other people’s mistakes are so self evident, those become your opportunities…” You know he’s planning something! Bad things! You must learn about them before it’s too late!What do you do?>Ask about what happened to his experiments, and what he’s planning to do now!>Ask about his children! Both the daughter and the son!>Ask about what these true obstacles are! Who are his allies?>Ask when the last time he made a mistake was? Learn about his youth! That’s like 1,000 years ago!>Write In.(Last Reply of the day, we continue tomorrow!)
>>6446842>Ask about his children! Both the daughter and the son!Has Ivanna gone completely crazy yet and installed her Johnny plushie as her interim Secretary of Health and Human Services?
>>6446842>>Ask about his children! Both the daughter and the son!>>Ask about what these true obstacles are! Who are his allies?>>Ask when the last time he made a mistake was? Learn about his youth! That’s like 1,000 years ago!
>>6446845This
>>6446845Supporting
>>6446845Thirding!
You must ask all the questions! Every single one of them! This is your chance to learn everything that you can from Mr. Gordon.“T-That doesn’t sound good at all. Nope! Uhm, c-can you tell me what’s wrong with your children, sir?” You ask as innocently as you can muster. “I’ll reward your curiosity this once, child.” Mr. Gordon plays with his mustache when he’s amused, and it’s no different here. “Where do I begin?”“With your daughter!” You suggest with a hand raised.“Ah, that dunderhead Ivanna, mhm, let’s start with an example of everything you should not be, child.” Mr. Gordon acts like he ate something yucky.“Is she that bad?” You don’t think that’s nice or true. “If I had another offspring at my disposal, I would’ve discarded her the first time she failed me. And, by the heavens, she’s becoming a full time disappointment. I’ve grown too patient in my old age.” Mr. Gordon is heartless. “And beggars can’t be choosers.”“B-But she’s your family.” You say.“And she leeched enough from our connection, but the returns are lacking. She’s loyal enough, I suppose.” Gordon plays again with his bill. “O-Of course, she sticks by you, you’re her father…” You blurt out. This might upset him! Whoops!“As you say, I’m the one who decides her future.” Gordon grins. “Just like your father will decide yours, Constance Strangelove. hhhheehee…”“We’re not here to talk about me! You haven’t proven to me why she is so inept, sir. And I’m starting to believe she’s quite nice, and you’re being an old curmudgeon.” You challenge him! “hehehhhe… hh... She’s filthy scum who grew up in the gutter. A petty criminal with no manners, no education, and no future. I could not understand a single word she babbled when I found her, it’s the way people of low intellect sound. But I shaped her into form. She’s my blood, she had the potential to be my late bloomer…” Mr. Gordon talks like he had hope, but you can’t feel anything but cold calculated facts in his words. “But you can’t fight your own nature, child. She’s mentally weak. And has been crumbling ever since I dared to rely on her. She can’t even come out of her room without sweating…”“She needs support more than ever. Um, when someone you care about is sad, you gotta be there for them, and be patient! Eventually, they—”“Eventually is not enough, child. She has a purpose to fulfill.” Gordon interrupts your well-thought out advice. “Do not see yourself as weak. Your empathy is a flaw to be exploited.”
>>6447281“U-Uhm, w-what’s this purpose?” You meekly ask. Getting interrupted like that gets you restless...“Revenge, child. You don’t get to this age without some grudges to settle.” Gordon speaks of it as a matter of fact. “I need to see my son fall by my hand…”“L-Like the president, or do you have another secret son you haven’t told me?” You wonder.“Perhaps I do, there should be hundreds. I was a very active man in my youth.” Gordon is proud of himself. “But I mean Junior, yes. The only way to defeat a Gordon is by another Gordon’s hand. And Ivanna is the only blood connection I could find, she’s no match to our intellect, but she’ll do — as long as I’m by her side.”“You hate your son…?” You wonder.“He hated me first, I’m merely repaying him in kind, hehehehhe…” Gordon laughs. “He is a sharp kid, my greatness manifested over his upbringing in him. Ah, I thought Ivanna could be the same, but alas.”“You didn’t raise either of them…” You conclude.“And what would be the point? To cuddle them up? Ha, they have to rise above adversity, or else they aren’t worthy to wear my name.” Mr. Gordon cackles again. “And my son proved it… But then, he poisoned me… humiliated me… destroyed my empire… my legacy… and made me a front row witness. This frail body… is because of him. That first wench took my voice, the second wench crippled me, and my son took what was left of my strength… And they left me to die… my foolish daughter didn’t even notice... But you can’t count me out, oh, it felt GOOD when I took the demon over his shoulder. Crutheel… my dear CRUTHEEL showed up… And I stole my son’s winning strategy, I squished it real GOOD… The expression he made… as if I choked him… hhh… hhehehe… hhhehehehehehehehehe… hheheheheheehehehehehehehehehehe…..”“Uhm… Um… W-What is he talking about?” You ask his flame Crutheel as Gordon is overjoyed by his own nostalgia.“Oh golly gee, it’s the day we met, and we took his beautiful son’s flame away, my dear girl! But don’t worry, we had to hand it back for a good deal, if I do say so myself!” The jolly old man, Crutheel, is happy to explain. He’s usually the only reason you get close to Mr. Gordon, he’s very nice!“OOOOoooh!” You didn’t know that!“Ehem, where were we?” Mr. Gordon lost track of where he was.“Uhm… You were telling what your allies’ obstacles are, and who they are, because you’re so smart and confident all your plans will work!” You smile. He’s usually distracted when he’s sadistically happy!
>>6447282“Ah, yes, the Church. Gentleman Elicarto Lloydington, that wench Nashira, and all their goons.” Gordon recalls. “They’re oblivious to the structural peril their summoning tower is in, just one flick of my fingers, and it’ll collapse…”“Oooh, what are their plans?” You wanna know more.“...I have no reason to divulge this to you.” Gordon returns back to you. “I don’t make foolish mistakes.”“Aww…” You lament like a girl of your age. “Uhm, when was the last time you made a mistake, sir? It must’ve been, like, a thousand years ago!”“...Child, tread lightly.” Gordon doesn’t want to admit he looks more mummified than you do.“Yes, sir. I’m sorry.” You know when you do this wrong.“Don’t let your hubris or desires overtake you, child. As clever as I was in my youth, I did have my blind spots: Women with sharp gazes…” Gordon smiles fondly. “Uhm…” You don’t want to hear about this anymore. “W-What makes you say that?”“In my prime, during my years in the air force… I recall my captain, err, my subordinate being a woman so captivating and…” Gordon tries to remember what happened there, but he’s missing something.
>>6447283“I-I mean what mistake did you make because of them.” You interrupt politely.“Oh, yes, I remember a ceremony about something, I was handling medals of honor, and this blond bombshell runs towards me, and I thought she wanted me carnally. But then she choked me… And I lost my ability to sing… That’s the last mistake I made.” Gordon coughs, and looks quite saddened. “Leave, child… your time with me has run past.”As you leave the room, Gordon begins singing a war song… You’re probably meeting with Esperanza at the aquarium wing… What do you do?>Reunite with Giorsal to talk with Esperanza.>It’s better if you investigate alone, interview Esperanza solo!>Write In.
>>6447284>>It’s better if you investigate alone, interview Esperanza solo!
>>6447284>It’s better if you investigate alone, interview Esperanza solo!
>>6447284I forgot to say, this is the only reply of the day, we return tomorrow! Sorry!
The aquarium is full of realistic depictions of aquatic life, like the clown fish, the green sunfish, the blue marlin, king penguins, gentoo penguins, RED ORCAS, takoyaki octopuses, street seals, seagulls, Giorsal sheepfishes, low budget starfishes, golden dolphins, the disco whales, the Nina hippo, the Esperanza shark, the Gordon ancient fish and… Wait a minute, half of these aren’t real! And you’re pretty sure some of the species shouldn’t share the same tank! Y-You should’ve stopped reading the plaques when they mentioned the arctic crocodile, or you saw the lonely obese polar bear… at least he looked happy... hmm.. either way, you find Esperanza at the gift shop.“Hey, Esperanza.” You wave at your eccentric coworker. “Uhm, are you sure those animals should be together?”“No way they should, I only find it funny that they are.” Esperanza shrugs. “Enjoying my castle of wonders, Constance? I see your eyes full of wonder and confusion, so don’t lie to me.” She wants you to say yes. “I know you like castles and armors too!”“Yes, I am.” You indulge her! “Excellent, in that case, I know you’re going to be excited about what I’m hiding under these sheets… This big and exciting mystery...” Esperanza shows her covered box shaped object. “Do you want to see it?”“Yes!” You nod.“Do you really?!” Esperanza pokes your face.“Yes!!!” You nod faster.“Well, I was going to unveil this later for everyone at the meeting, but maybe I can make an exception…” Esperanza is wiggling her eyebrows. “...For a price. Do you have Esperanza Coins?”“Uhm, No… I even lost my credit card…” You lament your missing wallet…“What’s a credit card?” Esperanza is confused. Whenever you talk about something that profoundly perplexes her, she ends up looking it up...“W-Wait, I never had any! Woof, I worried about nothing.” You realize you’re 10! You don’t have one! The pressures of adult life can’t get you yet!“Then why did you bring it up?” Esperanza is confused. “Here, have one. But you must cash it in immediately.” She flips a coin towards you, then taps a coin eater in front of the mysterious box. You grab it mid-air and hesitate.“Oh? Oh. Ooooh! Hehehee! Here I go.” You slowly understand what Esperanza meant! You put the coin in that meanie!
>>6447597The lights go out.A single spotlight falls on the box. Its walls snap into the ground.A cloud of smoke comes out of the box, accompanied by a drum roll. “OOOOH, Inhabitants of Esperanza Castle…! Don’t you dare to be sour, CLAP for the greatest entertainer on planet Earth or any other realm, AND FEEL THE POWER IN YOUR SOUL!!!” A voice shouts from the bottom of their lungs straight into your head. A catchy tune plays from the speakers around! All the animals within the aquarium start to clap (mainly the seals) to the beat of the music! From the smoke, a figure leaps above everyone, and lands right behind you…“...Allow me to introduce myself, folks of all weight classes, I’m – the one – the only – the irreplaceable – MR. ECONOMY!!!” What you can only describe as an Entity with a flashy appearance introduces himself! “And this is MR. ECONOMY’S TIME OF UNCERTAINTY!”“Cut that part. This is a preview, not the whole show.” Esperanza tells him to ease the act.“A preview?! A true entertainer doesn’t half-ass, my dear Esperanza!” Mr. Economy feels almost offended! “Hey, kid, you smell this?” He puts his arm in front of you, you sniff politely. “That’s the smell of success. Get used to it, ‘cause we have quite the challenges prepared for you!”“Really?!” You wanna play!“Cut that part, we’re not doing the whole schtick now.” Esperanza shakes her head. D’aww, what a let down.“B-But it’s my purpose…What am I without my show, aside from charming, witty, and eccentric…? I'd rather be dead than not entertain people! W-Wait, don’t kill me…! My career doesn’t have enough highlights for a tribute video yet…!” Mr. Economy looks afraid of his, uhm, creator? “How about we give our little participant a little taste of the high quality show we’re building?!”“Hmm, yeah, yeah, why not? If you fail to entertain Constance, you’re as good as gone!” Esperanza accepts giving the entity a chance!“...” Mr. Economy coughs and spins to you. “Kid, I already know you carry the weight of the whole world on your frail but trusty little shoulders, so what’s another life on top, am I right? So do me a solid here and shine for me, PLEASE.” Mr. Economy doesn’t want to die and begs on his knees for your attention…Y-You imagine you can get important information out of him if Mr. Economy already knows who you are!…His name is awful.
>>6447601What do you want to ask to Mr. Economy?>Ask Mr. Economy if he knows Esperanza’s most embarrassing secrets! He should share one to prove it!>Ask Mr. Economy if he has super powers! He looks like an entity, he should do cool stuff! You wanna see it!>Ask Mr. Economy how much he likes Esperanza! And what he would do if any of the Judges got hurt!>Ask Mr. Economy if he’s the only one of his kind! You imagine Esperanza made something else too! A one-man show sounds kind of lame…>Ask for his backstory! Why would Esperanza make something like this in the first place?>Write In.
>>6447602>>Ask Mr. Economy if he knows Esperanza’s most embarrassing secrets! He should share one to prove it!>Ask Mr. Economy how much he likes Esperanza! And what he would do if any of the Judges got hurt!
>>6447602>>Ask Mr. Economy if he knows Esperanza’s most embarrassing secrets! He should share one to prove it!>Ask Mr. Economy how much he likes Esperanza! And what he would do if any of the Judges got hurt!>Ask for his backstory! Why would Esperanza make something like this in the first place?
Y-You can’t tell him that his name is awful, his life is on the line unless you prove he’s cool and reliable! And if you’re clever enough, you’ll learn something important!“Mr. Economy, can you come closer? I want to keep this between us.” You want to whisper.“Y-Yeah…?” He twirls on the ground and gets on his knee to listen. You’d say he’s a tiny bit taller than Johnny. “I don’t know if this is gonna work considering you-know-who’s big ass you-know-what.”“I heard that.” Esperanza frowns.“See?!” Mr. Economy feels vindicated and terrified.“Then I’ll whisper lower…” You lower your volume even more… “Do you know Espe’s most embarrassing secrets?”“My dear! How can you ask me that?!” Mr. Economy acts offended as his eyes turn back to Esperanza.“...What did she say?” Esperanza wants to hear it.“...Nothing. I’m acting. I was born to be dramatic and compelling with all my lines of dialogue.” The robotic entity shoos the mysterious judge, and starts whispering back properly. “Yes, I do, lil’ participant. I’m made to entertain, and gossip always turns the viewer’s imagination on. There’s no human who isn’t curious…”“Can you prove it? Tell me one.” You giggle as you turn back to Esperanza, who is annoyed at you two — and the seals, as the latter are surrounding you two as bodyguards. “Why stop at one when the show just began?” Mr. Economy devilishly winks. “If there’s one thing our wonderful Esperanza is afraid of, it’s when the ground shakes. Absolutely terrified of earth shattering action. She’ll freeze like a mountain goat on prom night.”“T-That’s sad. Is there a special reason as to why?” You don’t like her being afraid of Earthquakes…“That… That memory is sealed away. Uhm. That’s strange. I should have access to it, even if it’s traumatic. Like, her oldest memories are like a powerpoint presentation missing a few slides — if you catch my drift, and if you don’t catch my drift, at least you can catch my dirt. You feel me, dear missy?” Mr. Economy is concerned.“Are you peeking into my mind?!” Esperanza appears on Mr. Economy’s back.“AAH!!! NO! I-I mean, YES, but it’s melancholic and sad as Constance described it! Nothing embarrassing, like watching that animated elephant and thinking you could fly like him using your humongous ears…! That’s a big wowie! Even I couldn’t come back from that!”
>>6447646Mr. Economy laughs nervously. “Like cancel the show! Pull out the sponsors! End my career bad! And bury me alive!” He continues.“…” Esperanza turns so red in a way you’ve never seen before. S-She’s very upset! You have to help Mr. Economy, you’re responsible for cornering him into this situation!“U-Uh! Mr. Economy, can you tell me how much you like Esperanza?” The words barely come out of your mouth!“Y-Yeah! My moon and sun! Her struggle is my struggle! I’d participate in coldblooded murder just to see her smile, and bury the body to grow a garden!” Mr. Economy does a peace sign.“And what would you do if any of the judges get hurt?” You ask like you’re a member of a comedy duo.“I’m built to put smiles on people’s faces, and to snap their necks! I’ll defend everyone’s lives, even if I’m at the border of cancellation! And I’ll make it the best show you’ll ever see! You’ll beg for sequel, after sequel, after sequel... Yes, ma’am!” Mr. Economy does the snap neck motion every single time he says sequel. “He… hehe…” You believe this is far more ominous than you wanted… “Good. You aren’t defective.” Esperanza actually liked that as she steps back to give you space again…“Uhm… Mr. Economy, what’s your backstory...?” You wanna know why Esperanza made something like him…“Well, uhm… hehe…” Mr. Economy pats your head. “I’m just a funny guy who is here to make everyone smile… I shouldn’t say that after what I just said…” He knows he looks dubious. “She wants the crowd to love me because we’re working on a big show. I’m meant to be a star! The most beloved creature in the whole world… Hence my name. Everyone loves the economy!”“I see.” You don’t see it. What?“Hey, kid, it’s my mom’s idea. You’re named after a cone. It’s drab! But we both learned to roll with the punches!” Mr. Economy shadow boxes.“You think of Esperanza as your mom...?” This takes you by surprise, you thought she used another entity or something. Uhm… his mom…“I’m not mama’s boy, but she created me. From top to bottom with love and care or whatever spicy sauce you need to make someone who looks this dandy! Did she make me perfect? Yes! And she also left me some gaps to be myself, that made me even perfect-er.” Mr. Economy is proud of who he is.
>>6447647“But you seem…”“More grounded? I don’t sound like a martian? I wish! I’m just a man with a plan, built to shine, with a goal in mind.” Mr. Economy poses. “But my mama, she’s finding herself… Rough edges and all, she’s a sweetheart. But there’s a piece missing… something ain’t right, and…”“I’m bored.” Esperanza goes through the seal security once again. Mr. Economy almost jumps to the ceiling! “Your verdict, Constance?”“P-Please, baby girl. You loved the pilot, didn’t you? The writer’s room has the next 3 seasons planned! It’s gonna be a classic. Don’t pull the funds, I beg you…” Mr. Economy plays it up until his demise.“I-I think he’s very funny!” You nod.“A-ha! Espe—my ranza! I knew I’d—” Mr. Economy disappears before he can keep talking....“I gotta prepare him for the meeting.” Esperanza says. “Heh. You look funny.”“Please, do not scare the child.” Her entity, Smithele pleads...“S-Sorry, I thought he was gone for good…” You almost had a heart attack! “Here.” Esperanza hands you another coin. “Thanks for your help. You can exchange it for an answer. Ask me anything. I heard that you were a little interested in me…”“…” You grab the coin.“Just don’t bring up that uggo again. You know the one.” Esperanza means Johnny. He’s her least favorite topic… He’s a lot of people’s least favorite topic now that you think about it…Esperanza is waiting…What do you do?>Ask Esperanza if she wants to explore the real world with you…>Ask Esperanza if she knows the reason why she’s afraid of earthquakes…>Ask Esperanza if she would be your friend. It has to be official.>Ask Esperanza how she feels about each judge! You’ve caught her glaring at Mr. Gordon …>Ask Esperanza about her entity. How did they meet? There’s something off about him…>Write In.(Last Reply of the Day, we continue on Friday most likely! If not, on the weekend!)
>>6447648>Ask Esperanza if she would be your friend. It has to be official.
>>6447648>Ask Esperanza if she wants to explore the real world with you…>Ask Esperanza if she would be your friend. It has to be official.
>>6447648>Ask Esperanza if she wants to explore the real world with you…>Ask Esperanza if she would be your friend. It has to be official.>Ask Esperanza how she feels about each judge! You’ve caught her glaring at Mr. Gordon …
The shine of the coin reflects in your eye. You don’t know if you’re able to exchange it for multiple things, but it’s worth the shot. Maybe the Esperanza Coin was shooting up in value while you were talking or something!“Uhm…” The top of your fingers play with the coin. “Esperanza… w-w-would you like to be my friend?” You shut your eyes and raise the coin to her. “Hwahahaha! Who even asks something like that?! Don’t be stupid. Of course… we are…” From the initial laughter to suddenly feeling lightheaded, Esperanza seems to have remembered something... “Of course, we are…? We…?”“E-Esperanza! A-Are you okay? We’re here with you!” You move in closer to hug her as a way to prevent her from falling forward, but she’s far too heavy for your small (but growing!) frame, so you summon Athelone to help you out.“I-I feel like someone drilled a hole in my stomach...” Esperanza holds her chest tightly. She can’t really tell the source of her pain! It happens!“Calm down, dear. It’s all mental anguish.” Athelone caresses Esperanza’s head with her usual tenderness...“Esperanza. I told you to not overextend.” Her entity, Smithele, tries to get a hold of her, but she pushes him away…“I’m fine. Just a hiccup. Like that cursed burrito I ate.” Esperanza stands upright, out from Athelone’s arms.“We don’t speak of that foul meal.” Smithele doesn’t want to think about it.“It’s okay to not be fine. We’re here to help!” You want to help her relax.“Hehe, I’m stronger than I look.” Esperanza pats your head. “How else will I instill fear in my enemies?”“I know you’re super tough!” You nod. “But still, I’m tough too! You can rely on me!”“Well, friend, you earned that coin back. I like tough company.” Esperanza smirks.“Then I’d like to exchange it again!” You think saving money is for dummies! That’s what Mr. Billy always says! “I want to explore the real world together, as friends!”“Ha, le—”“Absolutely not.” Smithele snatches the coin from your hands before Esperanza can give her answer. “Esperanza’s duties refrain her from participating in your so-called real world. We maintain the balance of the immaterial. This is our reality to uphold.”“W-We can totally share those duties! Uhm, we should request it during the meeting.” You suggest.
>>6448672“Do not take it lightly. I chose Esperanza for a reason.” Smithele doesn’t like being questioned.“Who in the blue hell do you think you are to make decisions for me?” Esperanza is at her boiling point. “There’s a limit to how much childish nonsense I’m willing to tolerate.” Smithele steps forward. “I have a duty, and I will die for it. Your well being is a means to an end. Do not forget it.” Smithele turns to Athelone. “That goes for you too.”“My, my, throwing shade now? I hardly recognize you...” Athelone places her arms on top of your head like you’re a barstool.“We will find a way, I know it…” You say.“Then keep me updated, Constance. I’m feeling very excited now.” Esperanza claps, then snaps her fingers. The coin is back in your hands. “Since it isn’t official yet…”“My girl, I suggest you ask her something you’d like to know.” Athelone feels like you’ve pissed off Esperanza’s entity enough.“Uhm… then…” You look around like you expect Gerard to pop out, then get closer. “I’d like to know how you feel about us… You know, us judges…” You slip the coin into Esperanza’s pocket.“Well…” Esperanza taps her pocket, then double checks if there’s anyone around too. “You’re my friend, I’m not going to talk smack about you…” Esperanza clears her throat. “Do you want me to complain about Gerard? Everyone does it. I can go on and on. But at least he’s funny...”“How about Gordon? I’ve noticed you glare at him sometimes. And, uhm, I don’t think it’s because you’re rude…” You say.“Of course, I’m not rude. I worked on my etiquette.” Esperanza is proud of herself. “He’s one nosy old man, kept interfering in my jurisdiction with his foolish plans and their foolish results. If he’s not the main reason that Captain Drab (Smithele) over here is all jittery about handing over the keys, I don’t know what else could be.” Esperanza explains. “And… I have a feeling deep in my heart… that makes me despise him…”“Uhm, he’s really not a good person...” You shake your head. “B-But we have to cooperate together to make this work. You know what Giorsal says, if any of us were gone, the balance of the world would implode!”“Yeah, yeah, yeah. We heard the Prez parrot that enough times during Judgment Day.” Esperanza groans. “She needs to loosen up, I can take care of the whole game on my own.”“Uhm, we just talked about sharing responsibilities.” You remind her.“But she makes this such a chore…! She’s such a chore! Her face is a chore!” Esperanza lets her tongue out in disgust.“Sorry, teamwork makes the dream work! Literally!” You believe as you go for a high five!
>>6448673“Fiiiine…” Esperanza high fives you. “You’re the only one who is in any way perfectly amusing, nobody else is worth paying attention to…” Esperanza checks her clock. “And speaking of chores, we should start the meeting. Follow me to the elevator. I’ll let the others know… Mr. Economy is ready for his debut…”“A-Alright!” You follow suit!As you wait for the elevator to come out, the impatient Esperanza grabs your attention.“I’m not feeling like waiting. See ya!” Esperanza says as she’s about to snap her fingers, probably to teleport away.“Y-You’re leaving me behind?” You interrupt her!“The elevator will be right here. It’s just a minute.” Esperanza doesn’t understand your complaints.“B-But you can take me with you!” You inform her! There’s no reason to let you stay here!“Well, true, but it’s funnier if I don’t. It’s my privilege to mess with you as your newest friend. Bye-bye, pumpkin pie!” Esperanza teleports away with a mischievous smirk on her face, from her humongous ear to her other humongous ear. You deserve to be a little mean after that… Nurse Kata says it’s healthy… Athelone wants to use this brief respite to inform you about something her entity coworkers brought up while you were busy talking to their hosts. There’s enough time to dive into one topic…What topic does Athelone bring up?>What Ethempress said about Giorsal and her project against the white flames.>What Bruthete said about the drama within Mr. Gerard’s group. Big internal problems!>What Crutheel said about Gordon’s other project… the Behemoth.>What Smithele didn’t say. Athelone is concerned about his suspicious lack of communication with his fellow judges…>Write In.
>>6448674>>What Smithele didn’t say. Athelone is concerned about his suspicious lack of communication with his fellow judges…
>>6448674>What Smithele didn’t say. Athelone is concerned about his suspicious lack of communication with his fellow judges…
>>6448674>>>What Smithele didn’t say. Athelone is concerned about his suspicious lack of communication with his fellow judges…
You step in the large cylindrical elevator and up it goes! You can see the otherworldly scenery through its transparent walls, the whole castle from the outside — with the jellyfishes running up and down prepping for a show fitting for Esperanza. The meeting room is up above… Athelone slightly taps your shoulders.“You’ve done a marvelous job, my Crystal Princess. I’m proud.” Athelone commends you for your efforts.“D-Do you think what we’ve learned will help the others?” Your insecurities seep in now that you lower your guard.“There’s no doubt in my mind.” Athelone pats your head so ever tenderly. “I have other concerns…” “Did something happen?” You wonder.“Smithele… He’s the most reserved of us, our connection has always been flimsy, but his behavior is quite odd today. I couldn’t exchange a word with him of his own volition.” Athelone reveals. “Not even to corroborate what was being said, that’s the bare minimum we set. Tremendously uncooperative, I dare say.”“I think it’s because I upset him, I was distracting Esperanza…” You say.“No, dear. That was merely a flimsy excuse. Patrolling the otherworldly is our task. Yours is, well, your world. Humans with humans. Demons with demons. He clearly has bigger plans than he lets on, and Esperanza is part of them. But I don’t believe she’s fully aware of that.” Athelone assumes. “And her being kept here is quite telling.”“Uhm, of what?” You ask. “By being fully submerged in this realm, it makes me believe that he wants to be fully in control. Who goes in, who goes out, and who gets to participate. He doesn’t need to be distracted by matters outside of it. I ponder if he wants to choose the winner…” Athelone asks out loud. “And he doesn’t want us to interfere either… heh… I felt quite foolish for sensing more of a connection with Mr. Eco than with him. All of this to say; we must tread carefully, and act accordingly.”“R-Right!” You nod profusely as the elevator doors open.It’s the meeting room in all its glory, a vast office space where you and the other judges go through grueling sessions to determine the state of the game and how to move forward. From having conversation in the void, to a fully accommodated room is quite the leap! Esperanza went out of her way to fully equip it, and there is no, uhm… ‘eccentric themed furniture’ or stuff like that around. It is kinda futuristic, but…It does make you feel a little sad that it lacks some of the personality…“I told you it wasn’t going to take long.” Esperanza is by her chair with a cup of hot chocolate in her hands. “Want a cup?”“Yes!” You’re always up for some sweets! Uhm, you hope Mr. Gerard doesn’t mind…
>>6448742Not long after, Giorsal, Mr. Gordon, and Mr. Gerard arrived in this order. As always, Giorsal begins the meeting by showing a screen with all the data recorded.“Greetings, everyone, there’s no need for more pleasantries today. We had quite the break beforehand. So, let’s dive right in, shall we?” Giorsal gets her papers in order.“Always inching to fire those numbers, huh?” Gerard is dreading this. “I suppose we’re already sleeping anyway...”“It’s our duty as judges to be as thorough as possible! We need to help who we can!” You remind Mr. Gerard! He’s usually disarmed when you try to correct him.“Hehehee… as if we can stop the inevitable.” Mr. Gordon cackles...“We totally can, considering you’re still alive, you abhor of nature.” Esperanza makes fun of the old man.“Please, I’ll leave the floor open for everyone after I’m done.” Giorsal clears her throat and unveils her laser pointer! “This is our 28th meeting. A quick rundown of numbers: there are 82 players active. We’ve lost approximately 4 of them since our last meeting. The city has lost another 2% of its population since the last meeting, reaching 21% total since we began taking count. The percentage of potential entity hosts have risen another 4%, now reaching 40%. In other words, 2 out of 5 people in this city have the capability of hosting a flame. We’ve lost 3% of the referees this time, we need to replenish at least half of them. All this to say, the spiritual mass of power has reached acceptable levels...” “Heehehehe… at long last! Excellent news, don’t you believe, dear?” Mr. Gordon chuckles, he has been waiting for this moment ever since you all discussed it.Reaching this point means… we can allow new entities to cross over for Round 2 of the game… but it was chosen very loosely...“It’s our early estimate. But now that we have the data, I don’t believe we can handle more yet. If we don’t get the readings cut by half, we’re gonna be lucky if this doesn’t dissolve into utter chaos.” Giorsal argues.“Girl, Gio, the peeps from the other side, they’re itching for this moment. I don’t think we can keep them at bay for much longer…” Gerard tries to sound conciliatory. “They like me... to an extent.” “Who the hell do they think they are to give *us* orders?” Esperanza is annoyed. “They should’ve fought it over there if they can’t be patient.”“I hear you, and we’re going to talk about this, but let’s do this in order — and ask who wants to bring a topic of conversation up first?” Giorsal organizes the group and wants hands raised.Everyone but you raises their hand.
>>6448743What should be the first topic of conversation?>Gerard wants to talk about a new phenomenon that is greatly bothering him: The Red Flames. Uhm, uhm, UHM.>Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...>Esperanza brings out the big project she has been working on this entire time! It’s extremely important!>Giorsal ends up talking about Round 2 and the upcoming Eclipse because she’s the leader and can decide to go first...>Write In. (Last Reply of the Day, we continue tomorrow!)
>>6448744>Gerard wants to talk about a new phenomenon that is greatly bothering him: The Red Flames. Uhm, uhm, UHM.
>>6448744>Esperanza brings out the big project she has been working on this entire time! It’s extremely important!
>>6448744>Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...
>>6448748This
With the meeting underway, Giorsal points at Gerard for his topic of discussion. You always start with him to get his complaints out of the way, since they’re usually, uhm, pointless…“It’s appropriate that you’re prioritizing the truly important concerns! My concerns! I can feel you all find my input insightful and necessary, as you should!” Gerard continues to be totally oblivious to observable reality. “Just spit it out, Patches.” Esperanza wants him to hurry.“You sniveling little mouse, I won’t be hurried.” Gerard clears his throat as he pulls out his notes. “I want to notify the board that there’s an insidious group of individuals — flame users — who are causing great harm, and a danger to society.”“And I have skeletons in my closet. Your point?” Gordon demands a point!“Aren’t you the skeleton?” Esperanza taps the table and starts whistling.“Are you in the closet, Mr. Gordon?” You wonder. He raises an eyebrow in response. You don’t get what this means. Is that a no?“O-Order, everyone. Let’s hear Mr. Luther out.” Giorsal demands decorum as she tries not to laugh like a meanie!“Well, these rapscallions have red flames. And I don’t know about you, but there shouldn’t be peeps running around with red flames.” Gerard slams both hands on the desk. “…” Uh-oh. You start drinking more of your juice to look natural and innocent…“Are you sure it wasn’t just someone on fire, you buffoon?” Gordon argues.“As if I’m the one known for burning people alive, Grandpa.” Gerard glares back. Yikes. “How in the red hell did we get a new color?! There’s no way for the demons over here to pull that trick!” Gerard rants like a pirate.“…” Your delicious juice is doing extra work. Uhm. Are you sweating?“Are you accusing us of letting someone in?” Esperanza feels especially offended by his implication.“Maybe. Have you?!” Gerard wonders as he gives everyone the biggest stink-eye ever!“Hmmm…” YOUR DELICIOUS JUICE IS YUMMY.“Absolutely not, and I have the data to back it up, and the force to push back.” Esperanza will fight over this. “This phenomenon is from within.”“T-Then maybe someone here did this! Confess, Grandpa, I know it was you!” Gerard has a criminal in mind! Phew! He never guesses wrong! ...Wait.“Young man, I’d slap you across the face, but God beat me to it.” Gordon doesn’t like the accusation either. “These red flame critters seem to have meddled in my business.”“Your business, my business, and even the demons in the other world’s business. There’s already a Red Flame group over there and they’re livid! They’ve lost their drip!” Gerard puts his hands on his hips.“...Don’t call it drip.” Giorsal looks disgusted.
>>6449022“P-Point is, we let one big demon over here that we didn’t account for… Or one of us is lying. And you all know me, I have a pristine record, so by default it has to be one of you.” Gerard crosses his arms.“…” Nobody really buys that part.“C-Come on, just because we’re judges doesn’t mean we have to be judgmental...” Gerard feels the silent pressure. “You know I’m trying to make amends…! Forcibly because of that fool… But it counts!” He remembers that someone with vitriol…“Hmm… my readings say that they showed up a couple of days ago.” Esperanza checks in her database. “Why do I feel like I’ve seen one before…? Ugh, why do I feel like that uggo is involved…?”“Same day of calamity as when my plans failed due to the interference of some meddling youths…” Gordon sees the calendar. “Once I find those responsible, I’ll make them pay… hhehehehe...”“Isn’t that the day before they showed up…?” Giorsal is thinking about someone’s visit… “Uff, just thinking about how he made fun of me… it makes me go HMPH!”“UHM, I-I don’t think the topic is going anywhere!” You try to deflect! Oh no, Johnny, what have you done…? You’re on all the judges’ bad side! And for seemingly not very good reasons at all! This isn’t good…! Nuh-uh!“That’s true enough. We’ll monitor the situation from this point onwards.” Giorsal will keep an eye on this. “Is that good for you, Mr. Luther?”“I-I suppose I’ll refrain from going into the specifics of their mischief.” Gerard admits this is more than he expected…This can’t be good for Johnny and his friends…What’s the next big topic? >Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...>Esperanza brings out the big project she has been working on this entire time! It’s extremely important!>Giorsal ends up talking about Round 2 and the upcoming Eclipse because she’s the leader and can decide to go first...>Write In.
>>6449023>>Esperanza brings out the big project she has been working on this entire time! It’s extremely important!
>>6449023>Esperanza brings out the big project she has been working on this entire time! It’s extremely important!
You didn’t know how intense this meeting was going to get, but now that you’re prepared, whatever the next topic is won’t knock your socks off! No, sir!“Let’s move onto the next topic.” Giorsal awaits for some hands to be raised. “Esperanza, you’re itching to go, let’s continue with you.”“This is the most important news you’ll receive in this entire meeting, so pay attention.” Esperanza stands up, then walks over to the screen behind Giorsal — after a finger snap, the desk disappears into the ground, the chairs relocate to be next to each other like a movie theater. From each arm of the chair, popcorn and a drink appear. You’re here to watch Esperanza’s presentation and nothing else. “Is everyone feeling comfortable? Because I don’t want any interruptions.” She glares at Gerard. “W-What? You have my favorite. What am I supposed to complain about except for your drab attitude?” Gerard won’t complain about the juice of choice.“Popcorn is super yummy!” You begin munching. Respectfully.“It’s a tolerable seat. Move on.” Gordon is getting sleepy. “E-Esperanza, you’re putting so much effort into this, I commend you!” Giorsal claps, she likes the theatrics! You’re not above this either… “But what’s this about?”“Everyone, I have a proposition that none of you will be able to turn down.” Esperanza turns the lights off with her controller, for maximum focus on the screen to her side… “What if we create the most thrilling spectacle ever conceived?”The screen shows the first slide, with the name of the competition: The Esperanza Champions Cup.“That’s right, I’m proposing a major competition among all the remaining Enigma Wielders. Err, Flame Users. Whatever you guys call them.” Esperanza grins. “Think about it. We’ve seen what they’re capable of doing. There’s nothing that can compare in terms of entertainment value. But don’t you find that their squabbles lack that extra oomph?”The screen shows the second slide: Lack of Oomph.“In the correct circumstances, we will reach that true potential. The best way to take them to next level is... to have a big ass team competition under my domain!” Esperanza loves team sports! “In my coliseum there are no limits! Forcing them to work together will bring out the drama! And we have great production values in this realm!”The screen shows the third slide: A Tournament in the Distant Frontier! Foes can be Allies. Allies will turn to Foes.
>>6449066“But you all must be wondering. How will we get them to cooperate? They’re a bunch of boring, selfish imbeciles!” Esperanza smirks. “To that I say… You give them a prize good enough to kill for.”The screen shows the fourth slide: The Crystal for the Next Eclipse.“E-Esperanza…!” Giorsal’s eyes almost pop out of her sockets.“T-This is brilliant!” Gerard loves the idea. “We have to hash out the details, but this is a superb idea. If they’re going to kill themselves for a prize, at least make it flashy!”“A true spectacle highlighting human nature…? Count me in…” Gordon is raring to go.“I-I mean, if they’re here, they won’t really get hurt, right?” You think this is the biggest positive.“B-B-But Esperanza, we can’t do this…!” Giorsal turns it down“Ssssh. Relax, I’m not done yet! We’re only half way through the presentation!” Esperanza presses a button. “You hear that…?”“Hear what..?” Giorsal wonders.“Sounds like uncertainty…” Esperanza says.“W-What’s that supposed to mean...?” Giorsal is baffled.“IT MEANS THAT YOU CAN’T BE SOUR, YOUNG LADY!” Mr. Economy pops out of the screen like a train! “BECAUSE MR. ECONOMY IS HERE!!!”“AAAAAH!!!” Giorsal gets scared by the robotic man! You hold her hands to help her calm down. “T-Thank you, Constance...”“That’s the excitement level I’m lookin’ for, child!” Mr. Economy laughs. “Hello, ladies and gentlemen of all ages…” He stops at Gordon. “I-I guess I truly mean of all ages! WOOO!!! I’m here to deliver the rest of this feature presentation!”“Isn’t he great?” Esperanza taps her creation’s chest. You clap.“...Count me out.” Gordon absolutely detests this man and his economy.“W-What is this puppet, and why did you name him Mr. Economy?” Gerard is asking the real questions. For the first time. “Allow me to give you a quick overview of the economic climate!” Mr. Economy is ready to give information in an entertaining way!Mr. Economy explains that the Esperanza Champions Cup will have a grand total of 16 teams involved, each with a captain chosen by you, the judges! Esperanza and her team will act as the overall arbiters of the event, while you and the others will have to root for your teams. Each captain will choose their own teammates one by one and will participate in fights with varying rules until the best team with the most wins is declared the winner! The specifics of the Tournament format are pending.
>>6449067“You didn’t explain either of the things I asked, you damn clanker!” Gerard is disgusted.“We don’t have to explain greatness to you.” Esperanza is tired of his nonsense.“Yeah, fuck you.” Mr. Economic said a bad word! Oh, no, no! You didn’t hear that!“We choose four of the captains, you say?” Gordon is intrigued by the game aspect. “But what do *we* gain for choosing correctly?” The old man wants a prize. “I’ll assist you with one of your endeavors. How about that? I’m by far the most powerful of all of us, and I’m sure you recognize it.” Esperanza points out.“Hehehee, I suppose that will suffice...” Gordon is content.“Esperanza… You can’t…” Giorsal wants to stop this.“It’s the last hurrah for these losers. We all know the new ones arriving from the demon realm will come out swinging.” Esperanza puts it as dryly as she can.“...I understand.” Giorsal sighs. “We will discuss the details later. I’m sure we’ll find the right balance.”“And you, Constance, do you love my idea or not?”“Uhm, I’m all in! I really don’t want Mr. Economy to die!” You smile.“Oh my god, what a beautiful angel this girl is. I’d die for her, but she doesn’t want me to, so I’ll persist.” Mr. Economy loves you!“Get rid of him. Only judges allowed.” Gerard demands.“Fine…” Esperanza snaps her fingers.“NOT AGA—” Mr. Economy is gone…The meeting room returns to its natural (?) state to continue…What’s the next topic?>Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...>Giorsal ends up talking about Round 2 and the upcoming Eclipse because she’s the leader and can decide to go first...>Write In.(Last Reply of the Day, we return tomorrow! Most likely!)
>>6449068>>Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...
>>6449068>Giorsal ends up talking about Round 2 and the upcoming Eclipse because she’s the leader and can decide to go first...
>>6449068>Gordon wants to talk about a strange illness he is now aware of. One that’s been happening in the background for a while now, and that might be related to supernatural happenings...
With Mr. Gerard and Esperanza done talking, there’s only one of you left that raised their hands at the start. Giorsal gives the floor to Mr. Gordon. He stands up and taps the returning desk with the top of his fingers, his cold gaze bounces on top of everyone present in the world. He unveils his crooked smile…“Do you all recall a mental disease that sprung up not long ago? It starts as a series of panic attacks that turn its victims violent.” Gordon wants to get everyone on the same page. “Then, after a while, their skin becomes pale and they fall into a deep slumber. A vegetative state of sorts. Non-contagious, the experts say, but the illness keeps propagating. Strange, isn’t it?”Nobody says a word. You keep staring as the old man continues his monologue — but he clearly wants someone to raise their voice.“Yes, I recall. Why are you bringing this up, Gordon?” Giorsal doesn’t want to play along, but does for the sake of the group.“Well, Ms. Kane, at my old age this type of occurrence hardly raises an eyebrow. Diseases spread. Unorthodox in nature or not, they lead to the same end. But to my closest collaborator, that doesn’t sit well. My Ivanna saw beyond, and for that, I applaud her.” Gordon grins. “I’m sure you’re well acquainted with what happens when we deprive a body of its soul, right?” The old man doesn’t wait for an answer this time. “A fresh reminder: if not unconscious, the target’s soul fights with every single bit of its being to stay within. So we must violently rip it away to leave no traces behind. Then the body loses one of its major sources of energy — and falls unconscious. Have you ever considered what it looks like to an onlooker?”“H-How should we know? Like they are having a seizure?! Gasping for air?! Begging with their eyes for you to stop?! Who knows?!” Gerard is clearly uncomfortable with the topic.“Have you ever considered that they might act violently to preserve their life, Luther?” Gordon grins. “Or did it always look the same to you?”“A-Are you throwing accusations directed at me?! Because I won’t stand for it!” Gerard acts offended.“Heehehehe… Who is to say?” Gordon cackles. “Yeah, yeah, play dumb, old fossil. You brought it up to appear less suspicious. Like look at me, I ran a police state before! That means I’m a good guy. But that trick won’t work on us, right, Gang?” Gerard puts his hand in the middle of the table for a fist bump. Nobody reacts. He stares at you like a sad, wet dog. You fist bump…“Any one of us could do it. What’s the big deal?” Esperanza doesn’t look worried.
>>6449334“It’s on a mass enough scale to be on national news. It’s in the hundreds.” Giorsal says. “The case reports haven’t slowed down, but I believe it’s out of overall disinterest due to there being neither any tangible progress for a cure, nor any sort of big spike. As well as the fact that the city hasn’t been able to rest for months now...” “You have a pulse on the case, girl?” Gordon is somewhat surprised.“I was investigating it.” Giorsal glares back.“You were doubting us.” Gordon grins.“If by doubting, you mean that I didn’t have enough evidence to bring it up at a meeting, then yes.” Giorsal retorts.“Did you ask this fool where he got a body for that Wozart moron, hmm? Isn’t that enough evidence?” Gordon claims as he points at Gerard.“W-Well, I…” Gerard is looking for excuses.“M-Mr. Wozart is not a moron!” You say. Uhm, you probably shouldn’t have let the part where he called Gerard a fool slide either...“And, more to the point, we’ve all done this before. Our referees have done this before. One or two cases prove nothing.” Giorsal argues. “The issue is how long this has been going on for, and the scale of it. And that it keeps happening under our noses despite that.”“And why do you care, old man? It’s too late to pretend you have a heart of gold.” Esperanza wonders. “Tell me, do you want to sow discord between us? Or are you scared this can happen to you? Because if I was the one responsible, you’d be long gone by now, old man.” “…” Gordon doesn’t give an answer.“Or he’s hiding his scheme in plain sight too, Esperanza! Don’t discard the most obvious answer! It’s usually the correct one!” Gerard adds.“But what if it’s someone else? I want to believe that none of us 5 are involved.” Giorsal admits. You hold her hand.“C’mon, Gio, you can’t extend that type of grace to the corpse here. You’re already too nice for including me in your hypothetical…” Gerard has a rare moment of self awareness!“Mark my words, your naivety will cost you dearly, Ms. Kane. Hehehehee...” Gordon shakes his head.“I think you’re right, Gio, we need to exhaust all our options!” You encourage Gio! She smiles at you back.“Speaking of exhausting options, who’s next?” Esperanza wants the meeting to continue on schedule.Hmm, you want to bring up a topic of discussion...
>>6449335What do you do?>Ask if anyone learned who the mysterious holder of the 8th Crystal Piece is! You're dying to know! Maybe you’ll learn more about every other holder as well. They have to go through at least one of you judges to get it used for anything, right? You bet everyone will put their differences aside to at least learn this!>Ask Giorsal if you could conduct one last survey before Esperanza's Tournament to gauge everyone's current favorite players to win! Who they see as the big upcoming threats! Which underdogs they're betting on! Every last Esperanza Coin and Gordollar! After everyone getting so mad, it’s better if you relax with a light topic a little!>Ask the Entities how they feel about all this. Both how the meeting was conducted, and the events themselves. If there's one thing everyone in this room can band together on, it's that they dislike being criticized by their entities… You don’t like when Athelone is bossy… >Tell Esperanza to call Mr. Economy back to raise everyone's spirits! He's the most entertaining man ever created, he said so himself! >Write In.(Only reply of the day, we return when we can! Likely tomorrow!)
>>6449336>>Ask if anyone learned who the mysterious holder of the 8th Crystal Piece is! You're dying to know! Maybe you’ll learn more about every other holder as well. They have to go through at least one of you judges to get it used for anything, right? You bet everyone will put their differences aside to at least learn this!Years long mystery
>>6449336>Ask if anyone learned who the mysterious holder of the 8th Crystal Piece is! You're dying to know! Maybe you’ll learn more about every other holder as well. They have to go through at least one of you judges to get it used for anything, right? You bet everyone will put their differences aside to at least learn this!
>>6449336>>Ask if anyone learned who the mysterious holder of the 8th Crystal Piece is! You're dying to know! Maybe you’ll learn more about every other holder as well. They have to go through at least one of you judges to get it used for anything, right? You bet everyone will put their differences aside to at least learn this!
You raise your hand and wave! Wave with the strength of a million suns! It’s your turn, you want to bring something up. This will be a biggie! “Yes, Constance?” Giorsal is happy to give you the floor! You always try to highlight the good things you all are doing with your questions.“I want to know if anyone has learned who has the 8th Crystal Piece! I remember we never made contact with them...” You wonder. This is key information. “Right?”“Not that I’m aware of.” Esperanza sounds disappointed. This topic interests her greatly. “Could it be? We finally know?!”“Tch, Constance wouldn’t have brought it up if that wasn’t the case…” Gerard knows your ways, and is mildly displeased.“In that case, Ms. Kane, your promise…” Gordon says. Giorsal has been cagey about *everyone’s* identities. But she promised she’ll reveal all of them if she confirms them. For a long time, two of the crystal holders didn’t make contact with Judges like they’re supposed to (they could’ve gotten a cool card or a power boost)!“Yes, I’ll tell you all who they are.” Giorsal has an ace under her sleeve though. “But remember, we cannot act on this information. It stays here. This is no gentlemen's agreement. It is physically impossible for us to intervene. Understand? We have the same restrictions as those entities and hosts we bind. And, uhm, this information can get outdated very fast.”“Understood!” What a bummer, you won’t be able to share this information with Johnny… But on the upside, they can’t do anything to Johnny and Amelia either!“Applying our own force against us… That’s so brutish.” Gerard dislikes this.“The floor is yours, madam…” Gordon has his metaphorical straw ready for the juicy details!
>>6450115“Currently, 7 people hold Crystal Pieces.” Giorsal brings down the screen for everyone to see. “We’ll start with who we pretty much all knew was part of the Crystal Holders: Mikhael Ka-Shing. The man formerly known as K. An eccentric rich man.”“I’m the one responsible for checking his crystal. Nice fellow, if I do say so myself. Lacks proper manners though.” Gerard has good things to say about his boss. He has assured you that their relationship is merely transactional, and that the transactions are pretty sweet.“That’s how it goes with new money… Ignorant, repulsive, and tacky.” Gordon has no good words for Mr. Ka-Shing...“Did we ever learn how he found the crystal?” Esperanza is building a card castle.“Uhm, it wasn’t with the crown at least. I heard it was found a couple of weeks ago…” You say. Amelia says the crown is itchy. Important information that you won’t divulge…“Something tells me it was sheer luck…” Giorsal looks annoyed at the happy man’s picture. “Luck favors the wealthy, as some say.” Gerard chuckles.“Move on, this one bores me.” Gordon doesn’t want to see his mug either.
>>6450116“The next one on the list is your own son, Mr. Gordon. President Lazarus Don Gordon Junior.” Giorsal smiles back.“N-Now that’s a juicy one!” Gerard had no idea! “You kept that one under your sleeve, huh, you old fossil?!”“As if I enjoyed confirming his damn piece. Little worm enjoyed taunting me again. He got the card, mind you. Like the disappointment that he is…” Gordon is reeling about this moment. You wonder what’s wrong with the card…“Gordon, your family… your family is too old. Ew.” Esperanza blurts it out with full honesty. Giorsal tries to hide her laughter. You failed at that. Hehe.“…” Gordon gives Esperanza his patented murder glare.“T-That piece is going nowhere. No way a mere civilian can go against the whole weight of the state.” Gerard chuckles as he brings the conversation back on topic.“There’s a hooligan who did… He had me by the throat… And to this day, I don’t understand why he didn’t pull the trigger.” Gordon is intrigued by this man. Uhm, Giorsal said it was Mr. Dudley, one of the people who works for her — and was part of an organization that wanted to get rid of the Judges. Complex dynamic! Just like your friends and Ms. Susie’s!
>>6450117“Y-Yeah, I-I wonder where he is! He doesn’t have a crystal piece as far as I know! No, sir!” Giorsal coughs. “Moving on, the next on the list is Vivienne Neuville. Uhm, she kept the crystal piece as is. She’s a college student.”“HUH?! T-That woman…! She has a crystal piece?! And nobody told me?!” Gerard is very offended at the slight of her. “W-Wait, she went with you?! Wait, she went with you to not tell me?!! This raggedy wench...”“Betrayed by your own cooking partner… how pathetic.” Gordon laughs in Gerard’s face.“Cooking… partner…?” Giorsal looks totally puzzled.“You don’t know about the cake duel?” You’re surprised! You know all about how Johnny crashed Gerard in fair competition! “We’re not discussing that!” Gerard puts his foot down.“Hold on, now I want to know.” Esperanza stops her game of solitaire to listen!“A-All you need to know is that it was rigged against me.” Gerard pouts. “MOVE ON!”
>>6450120“Next on the list is Amelia Tomah.” Giorsal puts the cutest Amelia photo you’ve seen on the screen.“Ame!” You clap. “EW! EW! AAAH! EWWWW! I THINK I’M GOING TO PUKE...” Esperanza has seen the most hideous creature in the entire world.“Close your eyes, moron.” Gerard rolls his eyes. “No! I’ll do this instead.” Esperanza snaps her fingers, and now the Ame on screen is censored… “Much better...”“Is this a joke? Who is that?” Gordon can finally talk after all that noise.“Amelia Tomah, a Crystal Holder. She requested a card, so she got it. Uhm, she’s a high-schooler?” Giorsal deadpans. She doesn’t want to be mean, but Amelia looks younger to her...“I helped her!” You wave your arms.“Old coot, she was at the dreadful cooking duel. Don’t you recall?” Gerard remembers. “W-Wait a second, she has a crystal too?! Does everyone from that god-forsaken day have one and nobody decided to tell me?”“I don’t pay attention to small critters.” Gordon states. “Less so one who appears to be a delinquent.”“Are… are teddy bears delinquents in your mind?” Giorsal is flabbergasted because Amelia appears as a friendly bear cub.“Teddy bears would never resort to crime.” You say with absolutely no evidence.“I saw one being worshiped as a god.” Esperanza remembers something very specific… “Here!” She snaps her fingers to show an image. “I’d pray to him, not gonna lie.”“Philonune…?” You read the plaque…“…” Giorsal blinks silently.“E-Enough of this bear talk!” Gerard shakes his head. “Next! Move on!”
>>6450121“Next is a man named Unno Ning. He’s a former musician, and uhm, asked to retain his Crystal as it is. I’m pretty sure he didn’t end up with it after the Eclipse.” Giorsal shows the picture of a man in a hoodie! He has antennas on his head. It’s very weird!“Looks like a nobody.” Esperanza is shuffling her decks.“He’s pretty famous nation-wide. He plays in a band named Pokyo Logic. I’ve never heard of him before...” Giorsal admits. “He looks like a cockroach ready to be splatted.” Esperanza puts her slipper out in a threatening manner.“...It can’t be. He’s one of the vermin who interfered with my experiments…” Gordon furiously exclaims. “You were more than a nobody, huh, scum? You will pay dearly for your insolence.”“He was at the prison break?” Giorsal takes note of this!“This is the last Crystal Piece we accounted for, right? Then this is the kid who worked with that girl to steal Ka-Shing’s pedant… Interesting…” For once, Gerard thinks to link clues together! You’re so proud of him!“For whatever it’s worth, he did register it late, yes.” Giorsal confirms.“He’s causing more chaos than I expected, huh?” Esperanza will keep an eye on him too.“Uhm, but hasn’t this piece changed hands the most?” You feel a little bad for bringing him down…
>>6450124“True. Regardless, we have one man left to announce before the big reveal. I’m leaving him last because he has two pieces…” Giorsal shows the next slide! And, as anticipated, it’s Johnny! “He’s…” Giorsal sighs. “...Johnny Ando.”“Johnny!” You clap for your hero! “The uggo!” Esperanza has a mix of emotions running through her face.“The brat!!!” Gerard is annoyed. “W-Wait, has hell frozen over?! What do you mean by 2 pieces?!” Gerard is absolutely dismayed! “He cheated at the cooking duel AND has the most pieces so far?!”“Wait, your duel was with him?!!!” Giorsal is in shock!“Uhm…!” You want to interrupt the conversation, but everyone is pretty agitated.“You’re right… That annoying brat... Ever since that stupid cooking farce, my foolish girl hasn’t been acting proper...” Gordon remembers Johnny plenty now! “Who in the blazes is this man?”“Uhm, w-well…” You try to say something again.“Just a highschooler.” Giorsal deadpans.“A HIGH-SCHOOLER?!” Gordon and Gerard are losing their minds. Uhm, didn’t Mr. Gerard play poker with him? Is he that bad at small talk?“Hahahahahaha!” Esperanza starts laughing! “This kid is amazing! He’s annoyed us all! I thought he was pretty unremarkable when we met, but I gotta have him in the tournament now!”“W-W-W-What do you mean he met you? Nobody knows you exist...!” Gerard is losing his head. “…” Giorsal is trying so hard not to say mean things about Johnny… Y-You can feel she has plenty of bad things to say!“Still, these brats’ luck won’t last for long…” Gordon points at Johnny, Unno, Vivienne, and Amelia… “Now tell us… the last Crystal Holder…”
>>6450125“I met them today, I couldn’t corroborate their identity…” Giorsal looks anxious. “Ugh, you don’t know who it is, then?” Esperanza sighs.“No… I only just recently met them. They showed up one day, unannounced. We made the exchange, but I don’t know what their real identity is… I don’t even know if they’re human…” Giorsal gets serious.“Another Enigma took over their host… Why didn’t you act according to the rules?” Gordon demands an explanation. You need to remove entities fully controlling their hosts…“I… I… I don’t know if they’re a demon either…” Giorsal looks down. “It was something beyond that… are they even from this planet…?” “G-Giorsal, it’s no time to make jokes. C-Care to explain yourself in a manner that won’t terrify poor little Constance…?” Gerard is acting like this a creepy bonfire story…“I’m not scared of horror stories! I read a bunch! They’re super well written!” You remind everyone.“Constance, my sweet girl, help this poor man keep his dignity and play along…” Gerard didn’t appreciate your honesty.“Just show us! Who are they?! What are they?!” Esperanza’s curiosity will kill her!Giorsal sighs, presses the button in her hand to show the next slide. And it reveals……… A Jackey Frosties Employee…? Like, the one from the ice cream chain?! Does this mean that Scarlet is in big danger?!“...I’m leaving.” Gerard doesn’t want to be in this meeting anymore.“Girl, come closer. I’m going to smack you in the face.” Gordon wants to kick Giorsal’s behind!“A living snowman, I knew this day would come…” Esperanza has a flamethrower ready. “Wait, we aren’t supposed to kill them.” She makes her flamethrower pop away.“Uhm, uhm, uhm…” You feel the dark energy emanating from the picture. Giorsal… isn’t lying! “W-What do we know about them...?”“Nothing.” Giorsal shakes her head.“You aren’t playing this for laughs…?” Gerard notices the severity of the situation.“No! I’m serious! I knew you were going to make fun of me. But they are a terrifying presence!” Giorsal pouts. “They’re aware of the rules and aren’t planning on hurting anyone who hasn’t hurt them first, so Scarlet can keep eating there since she loves that place so much, but they’re unsettling…”“Oh, is that the woman who came up with the rules that you and Constance brought up?” Esperanza recalls. “She did make the game more entertaining for me…”“You mean to stifle it beyond recognition?” Gordon severely disagrees.“That’s the one! Uhm, I think it was our best idea, and, uh, is Jackey Frosties a dangerous place…?” You look down.“They serve ice cream, what do you all expect?” Gerard hates all sweets. Pirates are quirky people.
>>6450126“Again, they promised me they wouldn’t harm anyone.They don’t want to lose their spot in the game. But I really want to know what their deal is.” Giorsal admits.“Then leave it to me, everyone. I’ll learn about this creature’s true nature. They seem entertaining.” Esperanza takes her job seriously.“Be careful. If you need anything, give me a call.” Giorsal is ready to tackle this together. “Well then… so these are the 7 Crystal Holders…” Gordon looks up to screen with every single revelation on display… “This world is in serious peril...”Humanity’s hope rests on their shoulders… You believe that Johnny and Amelia can make a difference! You’re going to support them no matter what!“Let’s have a small break to gather our thoughts before diving into the meat and potatoes of the meeting, okay?” Giorsal wants a snack break! Everyone loves a snack break!The yummy snack break is a total success! You wish this food was real…Giorsal takes the stand once again!“I know everyone is excited about Round 2. With the information we have at hand, we should begin preparations. But I want to remain cautious.” Giorsal says.“We’ve reached all your conservative parameters. How much more cautious can we be?” Gordon is annoyed at the delays. “We’re including fewer demons than last time for crying out loud. You’re wasting our time. It’s pitiful!”“Gordon, everyone on the other side of the portal has been biding their time, meticulously planning for the best strategy. These are no amateurs rushing in like the first time, they’re coming to win. And there are plenty of heavyweights among them. Demon King Azhi Dahaka and Beelzebub of the Blue Flames, The fallen angel Lucifer, the guide to the underworld Anubis, the immortal Sun Wukong, and the archangels Michael and Gabriel.” Giorsal scolds the old man. “If we get cocky, I don’t want to even think about what could possibly happen to our world.”“Are we even in a position to negotiate for more time? There are limits, woman. These are sacrifices we have to make.” Gordon argues back.“You’re under the wrong impression if you believe that we have to follow their whims.” Esperanza says. “Or is that just an excuse to cause chaos so you can take advantage of it? Gordon, you won’t convince us with your charades.”“L-Let’s not get it wrong, it is true that these demons are heavily requesting the gates to be opened…” Gerard chuckles.“Why don’t they open it themselves and see if they can take me on then?” Esperanza is itching for a fight…“Announcing that we’re opening in the near future should be a good deterrent for a bit, right?” You say. “Let’s stretch it out as much as we can to lower the overall risk, and to have Esperanza’s tournament go on.” Giorsal knows getting in Esperanza’s good grace is a winning move!
>>6450127“M-Maybe we should televise it to them?” Gerard suggests. “A little bit of entertainment is always a great distraction. Let’s have that hideous Mr. Novelty do some programming for them.”“You know, Patches, I like your idea.” Esperanza pats him on the back.“It’s his pirate charm! He knows how to keep people motivated!” You nod.“Yes… I’m a pirate…” Gerard sighs.“And before we let them in, we need to have the next Eclipse.” Giorsal decides.“Why exactly...?” Gordon doesn’t like this.“It’s the only way we can make sure the city is going to last. We can’t afford to let this be a repeat of last time.” Giorsal puts her food down again.“We’re going all-in on harm reduction, huh?” Gerard likes the idea in principle. “I’d also like to propose for this to be the last time we open the gates…” Giorsal drops a nuke!“This is outrageous…!!!” Gordon has an involuntary coughing fit…“Gio, t-the demons are gonna kill me if they learn about this…! I’m supposed to be negotiating on their behalf. Give me a bone.” Gerard begs for her to change her mind! He is the one who sends Judge news to the other world, much like Gio does in this one!“Sorry, Gerard. But I’ve seen enough suffering to let this continue.” Giorsal apologizes but remains firm. “I’ll be front and center for the announcement. If they want to focus their ire on anyone, it will be on me.” “I don’t want anyone to suffer either.” You stand with Gio!“You can’t unilaterally make a decision of this kind, Kane!” Gordon really hates the idea.“Yeah, the former dictator really hates when people make one-sided decisions. It really goes against his principles.” Gerard is on board now that he won’t be harmed.“Quiet you, brat!” Gordon doesn’t want to hear Gerard anymore.“I could use the extra time to dilly dally outside instead of monitoring this dream world…” Esperanza is thinking ahead, remembering your promise… “I’m in favor of closing the gates for good. Old man, you’re fighting alone.”“You foolish brats… All of you…” Gordon throws a tantrum. “You pieces of sh—”The lights go out all of the sudden! This doesn’t seem normal at all…“Foolish is right! This nonsense ceases NOW!” A mysterious non-Economic voice shouts! “What’s happening?! W-Who is that?!” Giorsal asks out loud.You need to protect yourself! Out of instinct, you find cover with…Who do you want be with during this moment of uncertainty?!>Giorsal!>Gerard!>Esperanza!>Gordon?>Write In.(Only reply of the day, we continue when we can!)
>>6450128>>Esperanza!
>>6450128I forgot the pic! Sorry!
>>6450128>>Gerard!
>>6450126NO WAY WHAT THE FUCK?
>>6450128>Esperanza!
>>6450128>>Giorsal!
>>6450128>>Giorsal!Hide in her cloud hair.
>>6450382Resist the urge to nibble it
>>6450128>Write In.The voice.
>>6450128>Write In.Inside our tasty juice box. It’s the dream world so obviously we can fit inside it.
>>6450128>Write In.An Imaginary Johnny whose super cool like the real one you know(A Johnny based off Constance‘s biases)
You deploy Defensive Maneuver #3, and dive into Giorsal’s Puffy Goldilocks head of hair! You’re going to be safe from all danger here. Giorsal tumbles a little, but remains on her feet, because she knows you’re in here!“Don’t worry, Constance. I’m going to protect you.” Giorsal’s voice doesn’t waver! She’s going to do everything she can to validate the trust you put in her. This means a lot to Giorsal...“Mhm!” You show an incredible amount of restraint by not nibbling her hair. It’s only a fair exchange!A single spotlight falls on the other side of the meeting room, a group of three individuals stand next to each other. A well-dressed lanky man with a prideful smirk leads front and center. To his left, there’s a laid back gentleman sporting a warm smile, waving. And following them from the back, there’s a lackadaisical woman in her pajamas. She’s holding your favorite novel under her arm. Uhm, she’s the one trying the least to keep up appearances — she’s only standing there... “P-People? Actual people? How on earth? N-Nobody can get in here but us…!” Gerard is the first one to highlight the impossibility. Esperanza and Mr. Gordon stay silently observing.“Who the blazes are you people? Answer us!” Giorsal shouts again, with more conviction than before!“Yeah, answer us!” You say as you pop out of her hair. This confuses the girl in the back. Heh. They’re not prepared for your defensive tactics.“I’m glad you ask, woman of iffy competency!” The fanciable man flicks his hair as the trio shorten the distance, spotlight following them as fake cheer noises deafen the room. “The name is Celio, and this is my merry band of associates. Please, introduce yourselves.”“D-Do we have to…?” The shy woman doesn’t want to say a word! “You can’t let the crowd down, doll.” Celio whispers back.“I’ll do it first, sweetheart.” The third member steps forward. “Hey there, young bucks. I’m Sylvester! Haha, yeah, like the cartoon cat! It’s great to meet you all.” The friendly gentleman tries to introduce some levity to the situation. But, uhm, nobody knows what he’s talking about. “H-Heh, I guess it’s an outdated reference.”“I-I’m Alice, no relation to any fictional character…” Alice hides behind her allies. She’s more busy trying to read her book than addressing the situation at hand.“We’ve been observing you for a while, and now that we’re here, whether you like it or not, things are going to change for the better, gents!” Celio brings back the snobbish energy into their speech. “Because, oh man, have you guys stunk up the place!”“We’ve entertained this lot enough. If security isn’t going to do its job, I suggest we expel these intruders ourselves, Madam President.” Gerard is sick and tired of this introduction.
>>6452083“Ha! I’d like to see you try —” Celio’s taunt is stopped mid sentence as he realizes that he and his allies are surrounded by your entities! But Bruthete, Athelone, Ethempress, and Crutheel get repelled by a strange force with similar properties to that of your fellow judges’ entities…“Quick on the trigger, aren’t you, tadpole face?” Celio claps.“Y-You brute! What are you doing?! It’s not the time to embarrass us.” Gerard shouts to his entity.“These are no ordinary players, I shall act accordingly.” Bruthete’s hands start pulling the nails around its sarcophagus, he’s planning on opening his lid for the first time!“O-Oi, everyone, let’s not get too feisty. We’re here to talk.” Mr. Sylvester asks Gerard to calm down. “Just don’t kick us out, will ya?”“Then you shouldn’t start by provoking us.” Giorsal raises her hand, and all your entities are drawn back. Gordon and Esperanza continue to stay quiet through this confrontation.“True, true! But you wouldn’t have listened to us if we didn’t prove our might, right?” Celio, the smiling man, shrugs. “You were ready to kick us out to the streets like puppies! Oh, the arrogance~!”“That power… it’s familiar. What is it?” You ask as you fully pop out of your base! “Judge Powers…” Esperanza remains stoic in her seat.“Artificial ones, or what?” Giorsal asks for details.“Oh please, madam, there’s no piece of me that isn’t 100% genuine.” Celio shakes his head as he shows his green flame. “The Powers That Be came to the obvious conclusion that you lot’s handling of this project has been — in softer terms — an utter embarrassment of a job. So we’re here to course-correct.”“Everyone is a critic these days!” Gerard crosses his arms. “And who exactly are these Powers That Be?”“Our buddies on the other side of the gate. Our equivalents from the distorted world, or what you’d call the Demon World.” Bruthete takes a moment to explain.“Oh. See? I told you they were getting impatient!” Gerard feels vindicated. “W-Wait, who is guarding there instead?”“They are. They didn’t send their whole beings here. Just enough to assist us, I imagine...” Bruthete explains. “And your imagination isn’t faulty! We’re committed to the cause.” Celio smiles. “Just not committed to whatever you have going in general.”“And you two agree with his assessment?” Giorsal asks the other two new judges.“From the outside, you don’t seem to have it together. Sorry.” Mr. Sylvester doesn’t mince his words. “I know it’s harsh, but we’re here to assist you.”“I don’t want to get preachy… but I believe there has to be more that you can do.” Alice holds her arm. “So have some shame and let us be in charge. It can’t be any worse than what you’ve been doing here.” Celio smiles.
>>6452084“I’m sorry, it’s not that simple. You’ve got no idea what you’re dealing with here.” Giorsal stands firm. “But any help coming from a good place is welcomed. We’ll hear you out.” “G-Giorsal, reconsider, we can’t let them barge in and do as they please.” Gerard lowers his voice.“But that’s exactly what we did. Is there a point to denying reality, my witless friend?” Celio interjects. “I-It’s contested reality at best, you impudent fool!” Gerard argues.“...My only requirement is that we try to get along as much as we can, please.” Giorsal doesn’t want to deal with rudeness.“Well, you’ll have to forgive me if some of my frustrations spill out… I mean the best. Because I am the best.” Celio admits he won’t hold back as he poses… handsomely! “It’s a joke, woman. Lighten up!”You don’t want to say it - not at all - but you can think it: Pardon your language, but this is the biggest What The Helly ever! New Judges?! Actual new ones?! Fresh from the bakery?! That’s totally unheard of. Never mind unheard of, it was never a possibility to begin with. How are you supposed to prepare for something like this?…Yet, you feel like Giorsal, Johnny, Dr. Calamity - everyone. They were never prepared for dealing with big stuff, yet they manage to do their best somehow... You can’t rest on your laurels. You came here with one objective in your head! And you’re going to accomplish it!”Uhm, if we’re going to be friends, I wanna know more about you!” You wave your hand with enthusiasm. You need that information... “Right, let’s have a moment of levity before we dive back into the meeting proper.” Giorsal proposes. Celio rolls his eyes, but otherwise accepts these terms.“Everyone, I’m Constance! And the others are…” You charge in, and present your fellow teammates!Your fellow judges introduce their names, and not much else. Their sights are on the spotlight people… Uhm, the table is getting crowded with their additions… There’s a clear divide between both groups, even with idle chatter coming from both sides at times. It’s pretty awkward, but you have to break these barriers. It’s almost like talking during lunch with your friends!“I can tell this captive audience isn’t that interested in hearing more about their most dastardly critic…” Celio breaks the ice between the groups.“Uhm, but I’d like to know more about you!” You say!“Heh, did my appearance catch your imagination, Ms. Bandages?” Celio strikes another cool pose.“Uhm. No.” You deadpan.“...I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Celio ‘chuckles’. He did not take it well. “Constance, you have no reason to care about this clown. He’s merely stealing my style.” Gerard gets all mad. “What style…?” Giorsal wonders.
>>6452085“Hello? Being a witty, handsome devil? That’s my entire character!” Gerard says.The full room goes silent.“Y-You’re the most ungrateful bunch of people I have ever seen!” Gerard pouts as he sinks deeper into his seat…Y-You better move on to someone more talkative! You know exactly who! The shy girl! She’s busy reading her book, so you have the perfect topic to start the conversation with! But more importantly, she’s around your and Johnny’s age, AND she’s reading your favorite book! You gotta know more about her, maybe become friend?! But you have to be subtle…“Uhm, miss, are you reading the Crystal Princess? Uhm, my sources say it’s one of the best books ever written…” You ask very subtlety.“Yes, I am… Please, do not interrupt me.” Alice doesn’t give you the courtesy of taking her eyes off the pages. She’s more than halfway through the book.“I don’t want to be nosy, but we’re in the middle of a meeting.” Giorsal politely chimes in. “And the objective is to forge sympathy between us.”“It is known that forced socialization always yields returns, right…?” Alice closes the book, acknowledging Giorsal’s point. Somewhat. She doesn’t want to continue talking beyond keeping up appearances.“B-Better to try and fail, than not try at all!” Giorsal tries to bring some humor.“Easy to say when failure doesn’t waste your time…” Alice sighs. Uhm, you better change topics!“I didn’t know you could bring whole books into this world.” You notice the words in Alice’s book are not jumbled like in a regular dream.“Since this place feels as real as the real world, I assumed that it wouldn't pose a problem.” Alice retorts.“You’re pretty clever then! I tried once and never bothered since. Uhm… I really wish I did now.” You nod your head.“Clever you say, huh…?” Alice doesn’t mind the sound of that, but doesn’t feel like it’s an appropriate assessment. Yet you do!“It is. And we need all the outside of the box thinking we can get here, no matter how minute. Our job is all about preventing the worst outcomes, and even the slightest adjustments can result in saving lives. So keep your wits up!” Giorsal encourages the newbie! Yeah, you can call her a newbie. It’s your right!“...You’re acting as if I care about what happens to them.” Alice looks away.“Them meaning?” Giorsal says.“People…” Alice dryly says as she caresses her eyepatch.“Then we will care for you until you start caring too!” You smile. “That’s what teams do!”“...” Alice doesn’t know how to respond to that. “I suppose that’s what a highschooler and a child would say…”“I-I’m not a highschooler… I’m… older…” Giorsal coughs. “I-I bet you’re one though, right?”
>>6452086“O-Oh… Y-Yeah… I-I guess I am a high schooler…” Alice feels self-conscious. It doesn’t sound like she goes to school. “And, uhm, speaking of team activities. Constance and I have a book club if you’re interested in joining us.” Giorsal throws the offer.“I prefer reading at my own pace.” Alice turns it down.“Well, the offer still stands if you change your mind. And if there’s anything you need, we’ll be glad to help.” Giorsal tries to get any type of connection with Alice.“Since you’re offering, I’ve been meaning to ask… Do you all sleep like this, or what? What’s up with the fancy getup? A-Are pajamas not a thing anymore…?” Alice feels insecure.Giorsal starts clarifying to Alice what’s going on. As they continue chatting, someone else grabs your attention...“You seem good at talking to strangers, little Constance.” Mr. Sylvester smiles.“Uhm…” Most of the adults you know would say that’s a bad thing. “I-I just want everyone to be comfortable!”“And you sure succeed! Let me tell you, this old head is pretty impressed.” Mr. Sylvester points at himself. “In my former line of work, being able to connect with people is the sole reason you get to climb the ladder.”“Sounds shady.” Esperanza taps her fingers on the table.“Shady is a good word to describe when it revolves around power. Elsewhere, you’re having a good time.” Mr. Sylvester smiles. “That’s why I prefer making friends and cracking jokes.”“Throw one.” Esperanza is ready to judge.“What is fast, loud, and crunchy?” Mr. Sylvester asks. “A rocket chip. Get it?”“No.” Esperanza shakes her head. You’re trying not to laugh. You’re weak!“I didn’t expect this one to land.” Mr. Sylvester slaps his knee. Esperanza isn’t amused.“...P-Please, mercy, no more jokes.” Gerard decided on the worst moment to listen.“All this is to say, I’m expecting your help to keep this group united, Constance.” Mr. Sylvester relies on you.“Aye!” You nod.Mr. Gordon continues to be strangely silent since the moment the new judges arrived, starring daggers at one in particular… But that fact gets sidelined as Celio asks for everyone to pay attention.“Shall we resume the meeting proper? Because I have a lot to say.” Celio acts like a team player.“The floor is yours.” Giorsal allows it. There’s an odd tension! On the surface, both groups want to work together. But everyone knows it’s not going to happen. At least, not in the way one group favors the most...
>>6452087“We’ve given you enough deference with this relaxing little chatter, but we have to face the reality of the situation.” Celio stands up with a nonchalant attitude. “I’m unsure if this got lost on you, but we’ve been observing you for a while. Getting our musings together, and to see how effectively we can tackle this.” Celio sighs. “In short, it’s a damn disaster.”“Here we go…” Gerard rolls his eye.“What do you expect me to say, grandpa? You’re all over the place!” Celio scowls. “G-GRANDPA?!” Gerard is giga offended!“For example, I don’t know whatever infernal meddler thought of these battle rules, but they’re so contrived that they won’t let the action happen. You gotta stand here, X amount of people can’t be in this radius, gotta be all red to fight. Stupid!” Celio does a mocking tone for his latter words. “I know you’re faint of heart, but you gotta let these people meet their demise. This isn’t a sport. This is a war. And the longer this goes, the worse for everyone.”“We’re trying to reduce harm as much as possible.” Giorsal explains. “And sorry to say, but the players are people too.”“But at our expense? We risk our lives every eclipse, right? It’s only fair if their necks are on the line too. These players can turn against us at any point. Exhibit some self-preservation, please!” Celio doesn’t care about the others! “Speaking of coddling these babies, what’s this about a tournament here? We gotta make some adjustments, if not discard it completely...”
>>6452088O-Oh no… he wants to tweak Esperanza’s big plan…!“Huh? Do you want to mess with my plans?” Esperanza doesn’t look crazy about this proposition.“No, Ms. Bat Ears, I want to end the noise.” Celio puts his foot down.“You don’t understand the position you’re in, huh?” Esperanza snaps her fingers. Different swords appear in front of everyone’s throats. Except yours. You get headpats from Mr. Economy. “You really thought you snuck in? You’re standing here because I allowed you to.”“Eeeek…! I-I can’t bring out my...” Alice is trembling with fright! You feel bad for her, but Esperanza has sealed her entity...“T-This is just a dream world, right…?” Mr. Sylvester doesn’t like a blade pointing at him, even if it’s not real.“She can make it feel real, just saying…” Gerard gulps. He’s thinking he didn’t do anything to deserve this today!“G-Got it, madam. I’ll refrain from speaking about the tournament.” With his smirk intact, Celio is sweating bullets…
>>6452089“Don’t be like that. I think you three will perfectly serve as members of the staff. I expect some versatility.” Esperanza writes it down in her notes as she makes the blades poof out of existence.“I, for one, can’t wait to extend a hand to such a delightful event.” Mr. Sylvester claps to relieve some of the tension.“Be done with your farce, Sylvester Hyde. You don’t amuse me.” Mr. Gordon speaks out at long last!“Hmm?” Mr. Sylvester tilts his head.“Esperanza will be the least of your troubles, boy. I’m onto you. Lazarus Don Gordon won’t be tricked by your smug face ever again.” Gordon turns to you all. “And you better stop falling for his tricks, you foolish youth…”“Heh… Let’s not…” Mr. Sylvester words with an air of insecurity, but before he can explain himself…“I never thought I’d agree with a tyrant!” A mysterious voice fills the arena…! Again!
>>6452091“Another one of your sneaky friends?” Gordon chastises Mr. Sylvester.“I can assure you it’s only us three...” Mr. Sylvester denies the accusations.“Y-You might not believe him, but he’s telling the truth.” Alice backs her fellow judge.“Oh my god! Who did you let in, Esperanza?!” Now that Gerard knows that Esperanza let them slip through security, he isn’t amused by this.“I… I didn’t let anyone else in…” Esperanza is flabbergasted.“Waitwhat.” Gerard is rightfully also flabbergasted.“T-They can run past you after all, huh, tough cookie?” Celio sighs in relief. “T-That’s not important here! We need to know who it is!!!” Giorsal shouts!“Up there…! On the rafters...!” You point as far above as you can! All your colleagues, old and new, stand by your side as they all make sense of what’s above…Then, a shadowy figure descends on the middle of the table, obliterating it in the process, all the debris being shielded by Mr. Economy’s arms… A dark cloak manifests from the cloud of dirt. On the tip of their round hat, his goat entity rests briefly until it turns into a flame of jade like the one nested on your eye… Neither specter, nor demon… you all bear witness to the arrival of… the Grim Reaper.“It’s a pleasure to be here, Sunshines. HhEHehHEHEHheheE~” The Emissary of Death laughs with the same pleasure as Dr. Calamity…!And with this, we end this thread of Revelations! Thanks for playing, and see you next time!
>>6452092Thanks for running this wild thread QM!
>>6452092What a twist!?!
>>6452092Thanks for running.
>>6452086...she gon' be caked.>>6452092See you next time!
>>6452092Thanks!
