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

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora has decided her interests will best be served by approaching the Mall directly, then waiting to see who approaches. Her cell phone is in her hand -- she is, of course, still in her human shape -- and she watches the crowds carefully for others.]

[suicidoll]

(Here's a somewhat familiar face making her way through the mall. Though since it's been so long since they last met, there are a few...changes. The loss of Reaper wings is one of them, while the other...has her wandering rather blindly. She is, however, following the spreading negativity with noticeable concern.)

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Kreutzer? Is that you? How strange
Though not, I'll note, the oddest change.

[suicidoll]

Ah, hello Zecora. I've...had a few changes this week, but there's a greater concern in this town than what's become of me. You've noticed it already, haven't you?

(Note how incredibly unfazed she is about Zecora's human form, as if she didn't even notice it.)

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

You and I have both altered
But my own will has not faltered.
Something strange is in the air
A danger that we must beware.

[suicidoll]

As long as your will prevails, no alterations will slow you down.

This strangeness...I'm positive it wasn't this bad in the previous locations, not even the second week. It's very ominous and likely beyond anything the Game dabbles in, but the truth must not be much farther away; the week has already reached past the halfway point.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

In this, you and I agree
There's more here than we see.
Some trick at hand we don't understand
We must address to solve this mess.

[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?

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

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

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji is unfortunately oblivious to Zecora's presence, but he looks to be watching the crowd as well, hoping to track down his friends. He scans the mall for a few minutes, then enters the cafe. Maybe with someone following behind?]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Zecora just sort of pops in a moment later, indeed!]

Ryoji! Welcome and hello.
You're hard to find these days, you know.

/2

[notsogrimreaper]

[Ryoji's relieved to hear that voice after so long. Before he even turns around to look at her, he's speaking.]

Zecora-chan! I could say the same thing to you! How have you been-

[notsogrimreaper]

[And then he turns around completely and... well, this is certainly not the Zecora he remembers. She is taller, for one thing, and she's... less hairy.]

Z-Zecora?

[Staring at her and trying not to pay much attention to her new assets...]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

[Fur. It's called fur.]

It is I, in the flesh
Though body and soul do not quite mesh.
To play once more, I paid a new fee
Which brought about this human me.

[She gestures at herself with a sweep of her hand, practically inviting him to look -- certain potential reasons for why he might want to having not registered to her.]

[notsogrimreaper]

[Vocabulary doesn't change the fact that she used to be a zebra and is now a human being. A very pretty human being. Ryoji would tease her a bit if he was in the mood and wasn't busy trying to pick his jaw off of the floor.]

T-That must have been a new experience for you... I hope you've gotten used to moving around by now.

[He would take her invitation to look, but he doesn't trust his own hormones, and there are more important things to do than gawk.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

It took a short time to adjust.
Doing it quickly was a must.
This may be just a passing fad
But I don't think I'm doing too bad.

[She's watching him skeptically beneath her good cheer, because it ISN'T like him to have no jokes or teases quick to hand.]

[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?]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

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

[shinbunshinobi]

[There you are. He was looking for you the other day.]

Looks like we're in for a long day of fighting, Ms. Zebra.

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

While true, that can't be the the only end.
We must find and address the true cause, my friend.

[shinbunshinobi]

Did you get any hints from the last mission? Obviously someone had to of passed it, or else we wouldn't be here right now.

[The most he got was a blue Reaper who seemed too cheerful about being a Reaper]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

Specific notions? I have none.
But ideas in general? I have one.
The problem is not tied to the Game
Though it's become ours to deal with all the same.

[shinbunshinobi]

A problem not tied to the Game... It figures we'll have to clean up whatever mess is here.

[If Sasuke sounds a little frustrated, forgive him. He hates being so in the dark like this and unable to get any real leads.]

[zebrarhyme_everytime]

The Reapers seem just as perplexed.
They won't know where we should go next.
I could easily find us some more clues
If I had a way to make my brews.

[shinbunshinobi]

Too bad Reaper Creeper doesn't work for us.

[He runs a hand through his hair and sighs.]

You don't suppose you can work with more common ingredients for a potion?