WEEK 4 DAY 5: MISSION

[wonderful_mods]

Mission: "Free Paulownia Mall from Noise."
Time Limit: Long
Noise Plane: Duet
Wall Instructions: Key wall in front of Paulownia Mall.
Wall Rewards: Hip Snake
Reaped Rewards: Hot Gaze
Mission Rewards: Choose ONE: 1-handed sword, 2-handed sword, Boxing Gloves, Knuckles, Axe, Hammer, Spear, Bow, or Kunai.

[Another day, another Noise-erasing mission. However, this time there is a definite cause behind the noise: Someone has been wreaking havoc in the Police Station, and the Officer there is really starting to get tired of not being able to catch the culprit. To get rid of the Noise completely, the Players will have to address this little problem. But anyone who helps will be rewarded with a weapon... apparently, some strings have been pulled in that regard. Could the higher-ups be planning something?]

Comments

[poppetstrings]

If that's the case, I'll take your place. I'll send this world into darkness so you don't bear that burden.

[notsogrimreaper]

No. I don't see any reason to fight you.

[Which is shocking, considering a funny look would have been enough to get the two of them at each others throats before. Ryoji is more focused on something else right now, however.]

[notsogrimreaper]

No, you're doing great, actually! You look like you've been walking on two legs all your life.

[No, he's smiling, he's smiling, nothing to be suspicious about here. Really, what could possibly be the matter with him?]

[vexed_snake]

You're still looking for death, are you? How vexing...

[Because as much as Asakura would like to kill Ryoji, he also doesn't want to make Ryoji happy. It's a conundrum.]

[suicidoll]

The trick is figuring out exactly what this trick is...and ideally how to put a stop to it. Unfortunately, I have no leads to investigate; merely theories. The strongest possibility my partner and I have come up with is...

...Well, it's believable for so many to be in a poor mood with the end of the world approaching, isn't it?

[suicidoll]

(It's a whole complicated mess, really. Reapers have their own issues to deal with, apparently.)

As ominous as this mission and this world is, this is a more immediate threat. If this world is to end, then this week's buildup wouldn't end so suddenly.

(And while conversing with the others, Kreutzer begins shooting at the wolves with One Stroke, Vast Wealth. She turns to Sasuke.)

"Mr. Alien" has been after my head since the beginning of the week. I expect no less, really.

[suicidoll]

Perhaps that's exactly what we're supposed to do. Perhaps that's all the Game really is: a host to unwitting mercenaries who can manipulate the world more than anyone can in the RG.

[tamedhollow]

Yeah! That's why this entire city is so... [he groans] messed up. I don't really understand everything Ryoji told me, but I got enough. [Ichigo nods] You've got the basic gist of it.

[notsogrimreaper]

I could never ask you to do that. It's something I understand that I have to do. I don't want anyone else to suffer that fate.

[notsogrimreaper]

Maybe I am. I don't see why you should refuse to do it, especially when you've wanted to kill me all this time.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

I'm certainly willing to give it my best.
Give me the chance to put my skills to the test!

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

And how are you getting by?
The truth now! Don't be sly.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

That is a rather ominous thought.
Do you have proof? I hope you do not.

[juuichi_yosamu]

...Then why exactly does it need us?

[Grovyle growls, obviously not liking the implications at play here. He takes out his keypin and brings the wall down.]

You're free to go.

[juuichi_yosamu]

[Handwaving is fine, but if you want to use it you'll have to earn it legit~ Grovyle nods at the pin, before bringing down the wall and tossing a pin of his own towards the gentleman.]

Sure is. Wall clear.

Oh, and do me a favor - be careful. Something's not right in this city, or this Game.

[andwesucceeded]

Do not flatter yourself. I play no favorites. All Players are my targets, and you shall all be reaped in time.

[He is not summoning more Noise, however. They have been delayed, and Noise of a simple level will not be enough to defeat them.]

[suicidoll]

I do not. Though something of a worst case scenario, I have no other explanation behind any of this.

That's the scary part: so much unexplained negativity and more continues to grow. I may have scanned too much of it this week, but this has me very uneasy.

[suicidoll]

(She holds her hand to her chest and stares down at the ground.)

How is a machine to work without any of its cogs? Business models always have executives at the top of the ladder, day to day laborers at the bottom and supervisors along the middle to keep everyone below them moving. It's unappreciated work, but without us, there is vacant space available only to the dead.

(With a sigh, Kreutzer looks up and nods, slowly advancing forward.)

But like any machine, it's modified easiest from within.

[vexed_snake]

It's different now that you want me to.

[There's a nasty grin.]

I do enjoy seeing you suffer....

[invisiblefloatinghead]

[That's fine! I'm still trying to get used to playing a Player and having to worry about this sort of thing. The Professor gives Grovyle a nod.]

Thank you.

[He seems a bit interested now, though.]

I'll be careful...I've weathered a few Crises in my time.

[And with his universe, that's saying something.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Perhaps a greater creatures arises
Full of power and dark surprises?

[suicidoll]

A doomsday beast? An embodiment of death that--

(Well...Kreutz certainly remembers meeting one embodiment of death here. Ironically, it saved her life on their first meeting.)

Thanatos...

...Zecora? Have you seen Ryoji at all this week?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora looks at Kreutzer sidelong.]

And why do your thoughts stray to him?
I'm sure it's more than idle whim.

[Ryoji told Zecora much of his story. But she isn't sure how much Kreutzer knows.]

[suicidoll]

(She never asked and he didn't go over the entire thing. However, she did witness firsthand what he can do and that's good enough for her.)

His abilities. I've seen him transform into Thanatos, the embodiment of death...I don't know much more than that, but surely he would have a better understanding of this world's circumstances...wouldn't he?

(She knows it's a stretch due to her limited knowledge of his story, but she can't shake the feeling that she's on to something.)

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

When did you observe him transform?!
If it was this week, then, I think you're warm.