I should have done this sooner.

Calibri waits. He stares in abject disbelief at the fact that some madlad put 49 comments on the battle, then just wanders over to L14. And then he Force Nail's Subwoofer 4, seeing as that'll probably be the next thing to focus down. Once he's done with that, he then glances at Taeda.

"EN would be really mad at me if you died on my watch."

Cue the tiny hand drone from the Goddess's Servant flying over to hover around Taeda, helping shield her and keep her nice and safe.


Meanwhile, EN shrugs at Bass.

"Well. Venia's prolly got a decent alternative fer ya, but if any o' those ain't workin' out fer ya, well... ye might as well suggest thin's yerself. Ain't much more ah can say t' add t' tha', 'cept tha' if y' do turn out t' be a cultist fer some reason but also decide t' honestly an' truly rethink tha' decision, yer gon' be fine in our books."

Originally posted on 2018-06-29 17:53:00

<ROUND SEVENTY>
Venia goes and scans Bass with the Flux Detector. There's loud, audible pings. Bass doesn't really know what to make of them due to him not knowing the purpose of the sounds, but he seems alarmed nonetheless.

BASS: W-Why do you think I'm lying!?
BASS: Why would I lie about being with some gorillaed up group that literally turned someone into a glove!?
BASS: I am not with the Rose Cult, I am just simply trying to blend in, and maybe get out of here. Is that cool? Is that fine with you? Can I not get stranded on some random planet in the middle of nowhere?

Elsewhere, Daskter decides to use a Uniform Log to create a sign at the crater where he's placed one of his illusory traps. Truly, this is a convincing trap! If only he could bait the Gazyer here. Or you know, prevent random Seekers from jumping into the pit and detonating the trap. Like the one that's in the area right now. JOE then decides to piece together some Manablooms- 5 of them, as well as an Aurora Crystal, and some water. The Elemental Blaster is then fired to create a something of ice, causing mana-infused water to flow out into the area. The increase in magical energy creates a fair bit of Noise, though- 10%. In addition, firing something as noisy as an elementally-infused Blaster also adds some noise: 15% of it.

Zahlia proceeds to do some crafting, burning a sheet of Processed Fabric, the Tree Trickster Soul, and the Verdant Shroud to... well, it's a little hard to work on equipment that uses items you're currently using in combat, so Paranoia technically created! It will not be applied to your character since you're in combat, so don't forget to equip it afterwards! EN continues her talk with Bass, suggesting that if he came out as a cultist but reconsidered, he'd be fine.

BASS: That's conflicting messages
BASS: One of you wants to space-strand me one of you says that if I was a cultist which I am not I can assure you that I'd be fine and that's seriously sort of jarring would you two listen to one another if different outcomes were reached or what

...It occurs to most of you that Bass is acting weirdly. Time distorts slightly as Discord opens up to allow direct responses to Bass. Zahlia quickly /appears, and questions him.

ZAHLIA: I didn't hear Venia say anything about the gauntlet. What do you know about it?
BASS: Hm? I didn't say anything about weird gloves! I didn't. Certainly didn't. Why would I talk about that? You're... uh, sleep deprived. Yeah. Also who are you-
IRONGUTTA: Wot's yer deal, anyway? Ya seem uncomfortable in yer own skin right now.
BASS: I'm being interrogated here! Of course I'm uncomfortable right now! Also, who are you? How are there so many of you!?
ZAHLIA: I'm asking the questions, Bass.
BASS: Yes! You are! Observant! I like that! Just give me a second-
VENIA: *a recording of Bass literally saying 'turning people into weird gloves' is played.*
VENIA: OK, pal. You are in real deep gorilla now.
BASS: ...
BASS: gorilla
BASS: Okay, maybe I'm one of them.
BASS: Can we just talk for a bit though? Juuust a bit?
EMERALD: Dude just be gorillaing honest here. You lying and digging yourself deeper really isn't helping your case. Just. Be. Honest.
HAT KID: You can tell the truth! They're really nice people once you know enough about them~
BASS: uh-
VENIA: OK, you have... four options, though, really. I'm only giving you the choice because you admitted it, too.
VENIA: the 'three other decisions' are, respectively: An immediate summary execution by hanging for the bevy of crimes the Rose Cult, and by extension you, are guilty of, right here, right now.
VENIA: Imprisonment by the Inter Universal Peace Corps to be tried, and most likely either imprisoned for life or executed, for the same bevy of crimes as before.
VENIA: Or, because we can't haul you off to the Chairian High Council to be tried right now, we'd first time-trap you in a cage for a week, then either existence will have exploded OR we'll be done.
VENIA: Alternative to all of these; you can fight with us, which would mean... Well, you'd get tried for a lot less crimes if we succeed, and will likely not be imprisoned for life, or killed.
VENIA: And I believe that your primary motivator is that you sincerely do not wish to die, for your faith or otherwise.
BASS: wait wait WAIT
BASS: Okay, I'm a Rose Cultist. Cool. I have been for awhile.
BASS: I had a reason for joining, but that was a long time ago! I don't know why I joined. I don't even really know if 'Bass' is my name! They put things into your head!
BASS: Lots of people joined. They joined for some sort of cause, but I don't remember it. I don't they they do, either!
BASS: I just want to leave the cult, man! They turned someone into a glove! A gorillaing glove! Then they put a guy into a sword, some chick into a rifle, and I think they're gonna turn me into a boot or something for being 'less enthused' than everyone else!
BASS: So how about you take option five and... let me go, or something? This is like, my single best chance to leave in a long, long time!
IRONGUTTA: Where would ya plan on goin' anyhow? Far as I've 'eard those cultitsty types are all over the place, an' I don't think yer gonna be able to hijack a ship or nothin' by yer lonesome.
BASS: I... didn't think past that. I could just live near the border of Tabletopia and Locaa; that's actually pretty decently safe if you're the enemy of both places.
ZAHLIA: They've done more soul transferal experiments?
BASS: More? Just more? They've done a few more, other than the ones I've mentioned...
BASS: They do it because they can! They're screwed in like every way!
VENIA: ... I've seen sick things out of cults, but I thought it was limited to an enforced two-day 'fast' to make it easy to make you enthusiastic and 'brainwashable'. That's the mundane and mild end of the scope.
VENIA: Identity erasure... Disgusting... Hrm.
VENIA: Now, uh, my friend in the glove is VERY angry about his predicament, as one may think. I've been giving him plenty of outlets to make sure he's content and strong, though, but I'm not sure he's so happy about letting you off easily.
VENIA: I'm not sure if we'll come across them anytime soon but I think the Rifle and the Sword would also have some very choice words with you, assuming they wouldn't favor just putting a hole in your heart first.
VENIA: And then... There's this.
VENIA: *flashes the Entropic Key*
VENIA: This Key... Honestly, I have no clue how this thing works. A leftover, barely-comprehensible set of instructions and a mysterious shell housed in an abandoned house, and we got it to work... And it works, very well, against things of Entropic origins.
VENIA: Of course... Iti aren't entropic. Not on their face. Yet, we've gotten a response out of Calypse, the 'laser light machine' you may have heard from, which is extremely unusual.
VENIA: Bass, you may not think of yourself as an expert, but this would be information of extreme importance.
VENIA: But, far more important...
VENIA: I've never heard of a cult that takes an abandoning member slandering them lightly.
VENIA: Your attempted desertion may make the punishment of being put into boots look tame.
VENIA: and you may know a few things they definitely never wanted anyone to find out.
VENIA: I'd put money on them scouring the damn multiverse for your hide, and with buddies in the signficiantly larger Dark Carnival to help, it'd require assistance. Assistance from extremely powerful beings, at that.
VENIA: I'd wager either the combined forces of the IUPC, who'd still want you in jail if you just left for them now...
VENIA: Or the immense force of, oh, twenty-something Descendants.
EMERALD: Yeah, your best bet is honestly just to sorta stay in the middle of us. Or behind me. Either works.
BASS: ...
BASS: I AM ONE PERSON WHY WOULD THE WORLD COME AFTER ME
BASS: LIKE OUTSIDE OF THE ROSE CULT THEMSELVES
BASS: ...Eh.
VENIA: ... Conveniently enough, as our lovable little hulk of indestructium may have given away, guess who we are.
VENIA: I'd be willing to not just offer you protection but the opportunity to go down in your people's history and well beyond for helping save the entirety of Sussui from the Rose Cult after heroically defecting with some of their darker secrets.
VENIA: We would be glad to have you. I myself am immensely sympathetic for your reasons.
VENIA: If anything, I'm probably very desperate for even the most basic fundamentals of the Entropic powers the Rose Cult uses, as told of by a former Rose Cultist. For various reasons.
VENIA: What do you say to such an arrangement, Bass?
BASS: I mean
BASS: You're literally going to kill me or worse if I say no
BASS: ...I guess I need to come along, don't I.
BASS: ...Why do I feel like you guys do this 'forced conscription' thing often?
BASS: I guess it's still a way out of the Rose Cult, though. Still a better fate than being a boot.
BASS: Or a pair of boots? Oh <0>, what'd happen if they split myself between two boots?
BASS: ...
BASS: Pardon the <0>, that's force of habit by now.

Bass has (begrudgingly(?)) joined the party!

DESTINY: Hmm, you sound truthful. Also, do you know who has the- Rifle Lady? I think it would be cool to fire. No, I will not shoot you, rest assured.
BASS: ...
BASS: I'm not sure why you'd WANT a sentient weapon, but no. No idea.
BASS: Maybe one of us has it lying around? Either that, or we threw it in a river like we did a couple others.
BASS: Sentient items can apparently be quite disobedient if not handled with care.

<YOLOQUEST, ROUND TEN>
While the Heavy has been killed, a Swarmer has been lost! I'd suggest building up an army before moving Omo up north- killing the Sentry and Swordsman at the same time might prove troublesome.

<THE HALL OF SAGES, ROUND SEVEN>
Pretty brutal battle, all things considered. Just to speed things up a little, I've taken the liberty of dealing an extra 50 HP of damage to Daikon. Of course, if you can barely land blows on him, that damage won't mean much- just keep working through it, even if it takes awhile! He's also almost out of MP, too- reinforcements won't be coming for much longer!

<THE TURNTABLES, ROUND SIX>
The Subwoofers, just overall, have really low health. Perhaps you could burst them down this round with enough effort? Of course, failing to burst them down would be catastrophic if you DIDN'T actually kill them... and of course, lots of you are on low HP. Careful, now! The AoE damage coming out every round isn't ever really going to get better, so try your hardest to either outlast the pain or just kill the Subwoofers!

Originally posted on 2018-06-30 01:01:00

Omoquest Fix:

Move Omo to E7, wait.
Abies... Teleport to E6 because of Omo's Commander, and attack, retreat to D6.
Omo, Turn the F6 LiveWood into two Swarmers, spawn the other on E6.
Move F6 Swarmer to D5.
Both attack TableHeavy

Hall of Sages:

Auth targets K4 with Hope, and uses a pancake on Venia.

Turntables:

Move to I12 and stand around like the stupid loser you are.

Originally posted on 2018-06-30 01:51:00

HoS: Emerald sprints to L7 after a moment of staring at Daikon, wildly flailing his stick in front of him, which deals nothing in damage, because he's sprinting.

Tableturns: Emerald steps to K3 and grabs the blue geo, chucking it over towards L7

Originally posted on 2018-07-01 00:47:00

Bass: Venia scratches her head as she bows to Bass. A handshake, in context, may be a bit too far. "A pleasure to have you join the crew... Ehehehe... It's, yeah, probably kinda forced? To be fair... Uh, we'd be kind of forced to turn you in or we could get branded as criminals and tried for, uh, execution as well as you... Mostly, uh, because, erm. What's it called? Oh, right, uh, 'we couldn't properly and reasonably prove you were not a threat to the multiverse at large for a class 0 threat.' So, uh, we'd basically be, uh. Conspiracy-we would be tried for conspiracy to basically every crime the Rose Cult ever committed, uh, if we didn't turn you in. Ridiculous. I know. Buddies of the Dark Carnival and the actual Dark Carnival aren't distinguished in most multiversal law, I think. At least this way, uh, you avoid all of that stupid stuff. No threat of execution hanging over your head, hero of the people... There's a lot of positives. Uh, oh."

"Uh. In any case... Uh, sorry for all the bother. A few more questions. Uh, do you have a map of the area? Like. If you know anything about the area around us right now that we don't. Uh. That'd be awesome." Venia hands out the map of the area to Bass, in case he knows anything different. "Oh, and, uh. I'd be happy to, erm. Explain crap? Basically, uh. We know stuff... Wow, Venia, 'we know stuff!' That's totally informative. Uh, but, like, we may or may not have picked up things that you probably wouldn't have. I'd be happy to, uh, play Navi. I mean. Exposite. Explain. Etcetera."

Hall of Sages: "...Ah, why not? Well, uh."

Venia abruptly moves to K7 (L5-K4-J5-J6-K7 avoids the complications of Droplet's ZoC).

"You can't. Uh, that's why. Heh. May've let my temper get the better of me, but, uh. You are not one to talk back. So outta position..."

Venia prepares a mighty swing at Droplet... Then her hat cheekily pings away Droplet's divine shield.

THEN she points the Entropic Key towards the sky like a cheesy anime shot, except with her seven-foot-six height dwarfing Droplet, it's flatly more like she's winding up for a massive overhead swing... Then she activates Purge-and her Cardboard Amulet aglow, the air immediately above Venia becomes a tear to another dimension. A blurred spike twice Venia's height crashes down upon Droplet at breakneck pace, far too fast to properly defend from, as Venia brings the Entropic Key back and gives Droplet a dead-angle via a swift blow to the chest. This, combined with the brief Empower, is probably going to be doing a lot of damage. "Don't worry, uh. You'll live. Just long enough to, uhh. See how badly, how baldy, you, uh. How badly, you, uh... How badly you screwed this up."

Venia then retreats to J7, deviously checking the surroundings to ensure that Droplet is properly choked in. "You're not going... You're not getting past me, loveless freak. I'M your opponent."

Meanwhile, Auth, having given his permission to allow me to act on his behalf due to abrupt illness, will make a full sprint to L11.

Turntables:

"SCREW YOU!!!" Venia screams into DJ Headz face, rushing to K3 and switching to the Entropic Key for this turn. Her hat pokes Bonzu while Venia herself chucks the red Geo book to N5. She then retreats to K4, thankful for the Entropic Key's retreat value.

Originally posted on 2018-07-01 06:36:00

Zone 1: Crater

I blast into pieces, I grab another Uniform Log to create ANOTHER sign, "ONLY THE GAZYER THAT DASKTER POKED IS ALLOWED TO POKE THIS DASKTER. He's looking for revenge, and you don't want to be caught in the middle of its path do you?" "PS Gazyer, your reward for killing Daskter, is killing Daskter"

The Hall of Sages

Flamer moves to I10 and burns the Seekers south of him.

The Rebel Rifler moves to G8 and opens fire on Daikon.

Daskter moves to E11 and guards.

Turn Tables

The Shield Trooper smiles... For the enemy has surrounded him, how convenient. It cast Heavenly Ray.

I have no idea where I got this power, but I thank whoever empowered me, I move to J11 and snipe the Subwaffle2.

The Rebel Riflers moves to K11 and then blast apart the Subwoofer4.


Originally posted on 2018-07-01 23:12:00

Destiny stabs Juggler5 before retreating to P11.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 02:02:00

hall of sages:
The Man moves to H12, slapps Seeker 6, saves his extra move for now, and retreats to F11.

turntables:
The Man moves to P13 and violently tposes Juggler 5 to death(?).

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 02:06:00

NOTE: This action will be happening first before anyone else.

"Zog, ya really saved my skin there Omo. I owe you thanks!"

Ignoring his almost-death, Irongutta moves down to N14. This movement grants him his usual Unstoppable Force and Charging Vest buffs. Beatmap time!

STATUS
Irongutta buffs himself and Calibri with Swift1 and Focused2 for two rounds.
MOBILIZE
He then moves to P13.
ATTACK
Irongutta strikes Juggler1!
STATUS
He then buffs Boshi.
UNIQUE
Lastly, he moves the Bass Clown to O15.

After his beatmap is finished, he marks Subwoofer 4 with his Gitzappa Lens.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 02:14:00

Boshi walks to (P15), drinks a Holy Dew, and fires South , all after Toast attacks.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 02:15:00

Immediately after Irongutta acts, Toast crosses her arms across her chest in a magical fashion, activating Intuition! Lightning crackles across her finger tips as she plays a brief refrain on the harp, before she uses them to load up a violently sparking arrow in her weapo. With a satisfying *twang*, the arrow soars through the air and into the Subwoofer to the north. She strolls next to Marron at K12, and takes her hand in hers.
"Watch this," she says in anticipation.
Toast grins, and clicks her fingers with her free hand.
...This doesn't really work at all, since her fingers really aren't the right material for clicking. Nevertheless, the intended effect triggers. The Subwoofer lights up like a christmas tree, as Proximity Burst is activated! The charge daisy-chains through the mass of allies and enemies alike, sending flashes of light this way and that. Arcs curl between and around people, eventually reaching Toast and Marron. The charge causes an static shock between their hands as it passes through, which could very well be the reason she took Marron's hand. Finally, the lights and smoke clears, and there is the distinct taste of metal present on everyone's tongues.

She then retreats to L11.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 02:17:00

Hall of Sages
Simeon applies a Pick-Me-Up to Brutishace. After making sure he's back up on his feet, he moves to E6, does his ATTACK-UNIQUE-ATTACK Charge Routine, and then moves to E7.

Turntables
After giving Taeda a cup of Coffee, Simeon moves to P11, and uses Charge.
Raising Cor Lucem over his head, it radiates a golden light which shines upon Brutishace, energizing him. He then moves to P14, giving Juggler1 a quick stab, before raising his spear over his head again. This time, the light shines upon Boshi. Instead of firing a Laser on the unique beat this time, Simeon hurls Cor Lucem at Subwoofer4. The spear sails through the air, glowing a brilliant white as it embeds itself into the machine. It then flies back into Simeon's outstretched hand, hitting the back of Juggler1's head in the process.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 05:06:00

Terry moves to Q8 and fires north-west.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 11:03:00

hall: move to C11, research sharpen 3, and together with my clone, kill the harmonizer.
turntables: I move to D11 and research resourceful myself, then work with my clone to find the power source and valuable components of the subwoofer.
my clone also moves to D12 to non-death.
Out of battle, JOE is now in the crystiliary. I proceed to think hm this place looks magicy. i should give it more magic! so, I take a wooden bowl and a stick, and start placing fresh and not-so-fresh manablooms inside it and grinding them into mana powder. after the second flower, he gets bored and decides to speed this up with a bigger bowl and a bigger stick. this is, understandably, louder, but in the end there is mana powder, which is then mixed with a bunch of water to make mana water. this mana water is then poured into the titanium oven, and at the cost of a few wood for fuel and an iron rod (not titanium because this is a lower temperature), the mana-stuff in this water crystalizes into a bunch of tiny mana crystals. then, I stab the ground with the crystaline claw (resourceful'd and sharpened) to make little holes around the crystiliary to put these mana crystals in. which i then fill back up with dirt. what'll this do? good question, but hopefully a good. also, it has some volume from this whole dealy so that should distract things from the farm.

Originally posted on 2018-07-02 13:45:00

Keiko stays where she is, and figures it's not a bad idea to try and keep her SP bar not-full, so healing still isn't wasting resources. Keiko invokes her special, [color=#5BBEFD]Mass Paper Printing (again), and creates a Bandage, slipping it into the inventory.

Originally posted on 2018-07-03 02:25:00

Cal just sort of uses weapon skill to put hand drone on Taeda, moves to K14, shoots whatever enemy in basic attack range is closest to death, and buggers off to I14. Or I15 if that's blocked.


EN welcomes Bass to the group.

"Hmm, since ya seem kinda stressed, understandably... maybe once yer done wit' talky stuff 'ere, ah coul' take y' back t' th' house t' jus' rest fer a while."

Originally posted on 2018-07-03 16:29:00

Comet moves to N14, uses Discharge on Subwoofer4, and retreats to K13.

---

Trait active.

Originally posted on 2018-07-03 18:08:00

Hall of Sages Battle:

Brutishace suddenly gets riddled with the Javlyn's needles! He drops to the floor, hand over his Nexus amulet. He turns towards Auth, looking for a revive, but seeing him flee Droplet's wrath. Brutishace darts his head around, becoming increasingly worried... suddenly he sees Simeon coming towards him with a Pick-Me-Up! Brutishace downs the solution eagerly and clambers back to his feet.

"Thank you immensely... I will not take this for granted."

Once on his feet, Brutishace quickly chugs down a Chairian Brew to restore his health- he regrets using something when there's only one of it, but Venia gave him an A-OK, and he's got a lot of health to restore.

Now for the fun part... Brutishace's SP Gauge is full! Time for a hefty payback.

Brutishace lifts his Skull up in the direction of the third Screamer and it wraps itself with a sinister mist. The Necromancer grins and speaks some Latin gibberish... just to intimidate it.

Edictum Praetoris... Memento Mori... Toga Picta... Interregnum!

Brutishace casts Vitality Leech! A bolt of horrific magic flies out of the skull towards the third Screamer. Upon reaching its target, it explodes in a cloud of oppressive green mist that envelops the third Screamer, third Harmonizer, Javlyn, and Daikon, robbing their life force and feeding it to Brutishace's allies!

Brutishace simply holds his ground since he's decently near everyone.

Turntables Battle:

The Simulacrum continues to not have a good time, although it's not like it's worsened. It has Keiko to thanks for that, and gives a thumbs-up in thanks- it doesn't look like it's comfortable using its voice.

It has to get out of the way as a first priority... the Simulacrum moves to K12, the center of the dance floor. It takes aim at the Bass Clown and fires a bolt of magic at it with its Slayer Pistol- it's a good target for now.

The Simulacrum then downs a Cup of Coffee to restore its HP and MP. It shouldn't take its position at the center of the safe spot lightly- it'll try healing its allies next turn!



Originally posted on 2018-07-03 21:36:00

Wyvern dashes over to N9 and his eyes lock with those of the Drop Dancer. He uses Shield* Slam on the Drop Dancer, crashing into them with a high speed tackle. (hopefully).

*I should probably rename this.

Originally posted on 2018-07-04 00:28:00

<ROUND SEVENTY-ONE>
Venia expresses her pleasure working with Bass. He shrugs.

BASS: ...I guess it's a pleasure?
BASS: And yes, I understand that I'll be killed or space marooned if I do anything, I know, you've already rubbed that in my face...

She then asks for handy things like a map of the area or things like that.

BASS: Oh, sure. I actually do have a bit of knowledge regarding the Library's layout.
BASS: Just let me... scribble some notes here...

He marks up the book in red crayon, but the map looks decent enough. Map updated!

BASS: Don't question the crayon. They're standard issue.
BASS: "Our god wills it" my butt. I swear to god the higher ups are all actually insane.
BASS: It's demoralizing, in my opinion.
BASS: Also; if you want to explain stuff, go ahead. I mean, you've probably done it many times before given your entourage, so just... make it quick?
BASS: Or don't. That works too.

Back at the Crater in Zone 1, Daskter uses a uniform log to create another sign. Perfect! This'll stop the Seeker in the area from bellyflopping into the pit and detonating the illusion! Except it doesn't, and now there's a slightly deeper crater and a dead Seeker. You feel like most Iti can't read. They're feral beasts (at least the seekers), after all. Daskter sighs, and auto-casts another illusion. He's going to need a new plan, probably.

JOE then decides to use 2 Fresh Manabloom to increase the magical energies around the Crystillery. The sudden, purposeful spike in magic levels raises the noise by 40%, but reduces the noise at the Fortified Farm to 10%. It also seems like the creatures that'd stroll by the Fortified Farm have now also stumbled across the Crystillery. Way to throw the other place under the bus, I guess. EN then welcomes Bass to the group.

BASS: Hi.
BASS: That'd... be nice.
BASS: It's also in my interest to get out of here as any passerby Rose would discover me, and that'd suck. A bunch.
BASS: Can we get going? Please? You can leave someone behind to watch me if you want.

/working

<OMOQUEST, ROUND ERR>
No actions posted. Anyone can play this, you know.

<THE HALL OF SAGES, ROUND EIGHT>
Almost there! Droplet and Daikon are both on incredibly low amounts of HP, so defeating them both in a timely fashion is definitely within reach! Just don't forget to... y'know, actually ATTACK Daikon- skipping over this chance would be incredibly awkward, just so you know. Play it safe- or aggressively, I guess, alright?

<THE TURNTABLES, ROUND SEVEN>
The last of the subwoofers explodes, and for the first time in probably a week, the Library is blessed with relative silence. The look of relief and pleasure on Omo's face is very slightly visible. Omo turns to Bonzu, still donning that look of not anger, but disappointment. She puts a foot down, and begins to lecture him.

OMORIKA: I did warn you, didn't I?
OMORIKA: But, like a stubborn child, you refused to heed my warnings. And now here we are.
OMORIKA: Begone with you.

She sends a spire directly at the collective of DJ Headz, who easily swing to the right to dodge the strike. Bonzu barks out an order to the now-still carnival.

BONZU: DON'T LET UP, BROTHA'S!
BONZU: ATTACK WITH ALL YOUR MIGHT, AND SHOW DEM WHO'S BOSS!

None of the Jesters dare move. Somebody in the crowd begins crying. One Jester yells "gorilla that noise".

BONZU: ...REALLY?
BONZU: WE LOSE OUR MUSIC AND Y'ALL MON ARE DONE FOR?
BONZU: ...SAD, BUT UNDERSTANDABLE.
BONZU: AT LEAST WE HAVE OUR HARVESTER SET UP, SO WE'RE FINE TO LEAVE
BONZU: CARNIVAL!

The portal which Bonzu and his eight buddies are sticking out of suddenly expands. A single rope made up typical rope materials drops out of it, and DJ Headz recedes into the portal. As if they're rehearsed this a couple times before, the entirety of the remaining Carnival forces all cling onto the rope, which begins to pull itself upward. As the last of the Carnival forces depart, the entire tower that Headz was DJing from begins to collapse... or so everyone thinks. Rather, it folds in upon itself, eventually packing itself into a nice, meter-by-meter-by-meter steel cube, which the last of the Jesters, a tiny guy with oversized hands, grabs by a tiny little handle and halls up into the portal. The Carnival is now gone. Omorika breathes a sigh of relief.

OMORIKA: My word. I've forgotten what silence sounds like...

She takes a moment to stand completely still, basking in the embrace of complete and utter silence. This silence is promptly broken by the sound of something breaking upstairs. Omo immediately snaps out of her trance, and begins to walk out of the now-clear Grand Hall.

OMORIKA: While I'd love to sit around and just... enjoy this, I believe we have no time to waste.
OMORIKA: I'll meet you just to the south. I should be able to dispel my barrier now...
OMORIKA: There shouldn't be too much resistance between our location and the back of the library.
OMORIKA: Shall we get-
MARRON: how about we don't

Omo turns around to see a moderately bloodied puppeteer standing behind her.

MARRON: W-We... We need rest!
MARRON: Some of us weren't hiding behind summons and shields- some of us actually took a beating!
MARRON: W-We need a moment, a-at least...
OMORIKA: ...My apologies. It's... been quite some time since I've worked with anyone...
OMORIKA: And I rarely get tired.
MARRON: congratulations on staying the backline, wow
OMORIKA: ...
OMORIKA: Let's just take this moment to enjoy ourselves, shall we?
OMORIKA: I, however, will go on a quick excursion to dispel a barrier so that we may access the upper levels.
OMORIKA: Take all the time you need, everyone.
OMORIKA: I'd hate to see any of us die for meaningless reasons.

Omo takes her leave to the south, and true to her word, she dispels the barrier preventing access to the upper levels. A blue light then surrounds her as she casts Null Somnum on herself once more.

OMORIKA: Lucid.
OMORIKA: We're bound to encounter it sooner or later.
OMORIKA: Best be on your guard.
OMORIKA: And whatever you do... try not to fall asleep right now.

Anyway, with Headz gone, you have some time to make preparations for the floor ahead. Be sure to distribute skillpoints, take some time to socialize (or don't), and maybe even create some Tier 4 equipment! Try not to flood yourselves with Tier 4 items for now, and maybe keep it to one per person for the time being. Then, perhaps it'd be time to explore the upper floors? Odds are, there's two more battles until the end of the chapter, or something along those lines. Also, maybe it'd be worth talking with Omo about what might lie ahead? Who knows? Anyway, go and enjoy yourselves for now, and we'll see you later!

Originally posted on 2018-07-04 01:49:00