View source for 2282/An Introduction Through Pizza

{{Log Header
|Date of Scene=2015/05/19
|Location=Afterus - City of Home - City Center
|Synopsis=A new generation of Sburb players arrives onto the Multiversal scene, let loose by their tenders to experience strange and wonderful places, people, and things in order to help them in their dire future quest. Their first order of business? Get some pizza.
|Thanks=
|Cast of Characters=253, 353, 787, 788, 789, 790, 791
|Tinyplot=
|Tinyplot2=
|pretty=yes
}}
{{Poses
|Poses=:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>The City of Home isn't a place most of this group of kids have seen before. The New York City of the planet, their ability to roam free across the Multiverse for the time being has resulted in some deep, intense soul-searching for meaning, confronting their true natures and the reality that they are but a speck in the infinite, glorious beauty and chaos that is the Multiverse. <br /><br />So promptly they get into a fight on the radio and go out for pizza, pretty much in that order. Sarah, being technically competent, has managed to locate a pizzaria in the city and broadcast the location to the others (and the Syndicate channel because it would end up there inevitably anyway), and she's placing some orders for pizzas. One of which is a plain cheese, another vegetarian, third with herbs and all-natural locally sourced organic meat, one with anchovies, and one is picked entirely at random. <br /><br />And also like 2 meat lovers' and a pepperoni. <br /><br />In the meantime Sarah sits at a table, waiting for the pizzas and the rest of her misfit social group and a couple of members of the local pantheon to arrive. <br /><br />No big.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:666|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Gathering for pizza seems fun. People keeping telling Psyber to stop working so much and engage in fun more. Therefore Psyber will help gather for Pizza. The logic works itself out to a resolving point and then Psyber can have another incident of 'see, I stopped working' to cite when people tell him to take time off. Excellent. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The downside to visiting Afterus is that Psyber can't wear his usual clothes, owing to the fact that that image is somewhat iconic and so his coat alone gets him recognized. Which is why he's trying to lay low and keep himself at least half-way discrete. So instead of being recognizeable a mile off as the red-eyed, rust-haired six and a half foot figure of divinity in a duster... he's just the red-eyed rust-haired six-and-a-half foot divinity in a hooded sweatshirt and a ball cap. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He's munching on a calzone as he heads over to Sarah's table and gives a casual greeting of, "Hey. Sup?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It is notable that the incredibly pretty elf in what can only be described as a combination of an anarchist's biker outfit and Sauron's Lord of the Rings armor takes one of the meat lovers' as soon as he arrives. There are three, multilayered reasons for this: the first, someone else has to eat the veggie pizza. The second, someone else has to eat the veggie pizza and /dislike it/. The third: Noa happens to like eating dead animals. It's weirder for him to eat things he can use as weapons than things he can't, after all. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; So Noa immediately claims the meat lovers', sits down, crosses his legs, and nods at Psyber politely. "Hello."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Intense soul-searching for a meaning sometimes really just means getting pizza though. It is their meaning, right now. And it's a lot better of one than it could have been otherwise!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Victor is with the kids, sitting around the table. The teenage boy is probably an inch short for his age, wearing nice blue pants and a blue vest over a poofy-sleeved white shirt. Green eye, glasses over red-orange eyes. And a bit of a girly frame. The narration assures you he's not a reverse trap and just kind of LOOKS like one.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The RANDOM pizza is his', by the way.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It'll probably come up half-awful, half-incredible.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We're talking like, triple green peppers, mushroom, cheese, alfredo sauce and chicken. He's okay with this. It is what the dice decided. Others probably wouldn't be.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He would adjust his glasses to size up Psyber. "The teachers Did say you were really Tall. I assume Noa will now Begin to pester you about How you managed it. Please tell Him the secret is Vegetables, it'll be hilarious."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laer, who maintains a residence on Afterus, is less worried about being recognized than Psyber is. If anything, she's rather more worried about NOT being recognized. That's why she's gone all out today, with the Bass on her back and everything, as she rolls up into the pizza joint. Luckily, as it happens, she DOES recognize Psyber and will make her way to that table, because she wouldn't necessarily have made Sarah.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'll snag a slice of one of the pizzas more or less at random, not actually being a picky eater so long as the price is correctly zero, and will greet the group, slipping a glance at Noa in particular. "Well, I suppose this is less stressful than actually working on the death game?" She'll ask, without introducing herself.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Izzy ends up being massively late to the party. As soon as it was determined that they were going out to eat, he wandered off to the Temple of Public Transportation and went back home. Not coincidentally, this is where his garden and giant hares happened to be. Throwing together a pizza on such short notice is really kind of a pain, but it's not the first time because all kids love pizza. He had to take the time to make the crust, the sauce, and the cheese. Then he'd gone out back and fetched one of his extra male rabbits and-- well, it's probably best not to discuss the details.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The point is, Izzy Hyland arrives looking heavily winded and carrying a homemade pizza with shredded rabbit meat topping. His hands are wrapped in bandages.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"BEHOLD, THE FRUITS OF MY MOST GLORIOUS PIZZA-MAKING TECHNIQUE!" He exclaims.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Izzy's pizza is actually fairly acceptable. He has made pizza too many times to actually be bad at it. However, many people are uncomfortable with the meat he uses. Those giant rabbits are still adorable, fuzzy bunnies. They just happen to have more meat on them than most do.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This kid may in fact be a lunatic.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:787|Epicea Chelid (787)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There is a rumbling, and a tumbling, before Epicea falls face-first through the door, a large cushion appearing on the ground below her as the gray-skinned troll half enters and half parabolic arcs through, behind Izzy and his amazing (ly fucked up) pizza offering.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He brought pizza to a pizza place. What a maroon.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Picking herself up off the cushioned ground, Epicea swipes a piece of RABBIT MURDER pizza, slurping delicious homemade pizza up with her uncaring pointy teeth. "Fuck yeah, murderpizza." She offers, before heading for the Anchovie plate. "And hatefish too, which, I mean, you didn't have to get because I'd have bought it anyway but I appreciate you doing it already." She offers between bites to Sarah before flopping over in a chair and spreading out, taking up lots of space and generally being a slackerface.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh shit is that fixitgod? Heyyyy!" She waves, a sort of sleepy smile playing across her head as she finishes her slice of DELICIOUS MURDER.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sarah doesn't seem to be too concerned when everyone starts rolling in. She waves to Psyber as he arrives. "Hello. nice to meet you." She nods politely. "I'm Sarah. The others will be here any moment." She pauses, looking to Noa as he arrives. <br /><br />The elf, as Sarah predicted, would take one of the meatlovers. This is why she got /two/. "Sup, Noa." She says, identifying the excessively elfy elf to the others. Victor rolls in next. "And Victor." She greets him, whom /also/ picks up the predicted (and random within precisely defined boundaries) choice. <br /><br />Izzy's arrival gets a slight slump and sigh. "You do realize, Izzy, that the point of going to a pizzaria is that you don't have to cook it yourself." She points out. "One day I'm going to figure out how to bottle your energy and give it to Fish Princess." <br /><br />Who shows up next. "Speaking of Fish Princess. Hello, Epicea." She greets. Laer, too, gets a nod. "And hello to you as well, Miss Laer. I'm glad that we were the only ones who had to deal with the inevitable situation that we'd get the one crazy elf in our social circle. Please, help yourself." She takes a slice of PLAIN CHEESE herself, and munches. <br /><br />Presently, she speaks up. "It may be less stressful, but in a way, we're still working on it. Every choice we make sets our future options further into stone. Managing those options to allow us to fulfill out predestined events will allow us to survive." <br /><br />Munch. "Or not. It's impossible to say which."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'm not crazy," Noa replies over his pizza, with a distinctly Elfy look on his face. Despite eating the least Elfy food *ever* and dressing like a terrible cosplayer, he's apparently perfectly capable of matchi the Elfy mannerisms - he looks really polite despite eating a pizza, and he looks really disdainful of the idea that he's crazy. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noa gives a passing nod to the rest of his social circle, and an 'Enemies', then returns his attention to the newcomers. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Noa," he adds by way of introduction, "The /supposed/ crazy elf. Anarchist and Adversary, self-appointed."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"YES. BUT, WHILE YOUR GOAL IS TO INDULGE IN AN EASY MEAL, MY GOAL IS TO IMPROVE MY EXCELLENCE WITH EVERY ACTION. YOUR GOAL IS NOT DIMINISHED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF MY OWN TO THE MIX! INDEED, THE VARIETY OF OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO YOU EXPANDS AS A RESULT OF MY ENDEAVOURS." Izzy answers, still just as loud and energetic as when he first strolled in. Perhaps even more so, because he's no longer quite as energy-drained as he was mere moments ago. Speaking of, he really did work up a sweat doing all of that, so he takes a piece of his own rabbit pizza and scarfs it down in no time at all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Surprisingly, he's rather polite about it. It seems like Izzy is really used to eating bare-handed in a way that is nevertheless polite and not at all messy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"BESIDES," He goes on, "CAN YOU EVEN AFFORD TO BUY ENOUGH PIZZA FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WILL SURELY COME TO BASK IN OUR EXCELLENCE?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The answer is obviously no, to Izzy, but he's wildly overestimating how many people are going to show.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"EVEN THE GODS HAVE COME TO SEE US. SURELY MORE ARE TO FOLLOW." He adds, gesturing broadly towards Psyber and Laer as evidence of his bloated impression of their importance.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I think the 'gods' have come for free pizza," Noa counters, "We're incidental."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Psyber raises his hand and slightly waves to Noa, "Hey. Nice to meet you all," He then waves to the others around the table and says, "Psyber. We talked on the radio," His other hand lives the calzone he was carrying up to his mouth so he can take a big bite. Then he adds a moment later, "Oh, uh... the thing?" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is directed to Victor, "I'll tell you exactly what happens. You go to a lab at the bottom of a lake. A talking skeleton exposes your most traumatic problem. Then you sneak into a God's house to steal info. Then you do some stuff with frogs that I'm still not totally clear on," Psyber says chipperly, smiling to Victor, "I hope that helps!" <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Next it's Laer, Izzy and finally Epicea who get a wave from him, "Oh, I'm fixitgod? Cool, you can also just call me Psyber. Or whatever you want within reason, I'm not too picky. Don't wanna be 'that guy' on the whole name thing." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Cool, cool, adversary and anarchist. Rockin', I dig it," Psyber says to Noa, nodding his head a few times as he listens, "How're you planning to play out the end of it? Redeemed in a huge speech? Die in a collapsing tower? Banished but alive as a necessary evil? Death bed repenting? Or you just kinda keeping it open and going with what feels natural?" He seems pretty curious how Noa plans to carry forward the whole schtick. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Izzy gets a grin and a thumbs up from Psyber, "Hey, I'm always down to hang out. Afterus stuff always makes me curious, since I don't get to come on world much and you're the first batch I've personally talked to who are trying the Death Game again."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Murderpizza. Victor is also OK with this. The odds of it happening were ACCEPTABLE, after all, and here's the murderpizza. He will likely help himself to a slice, if Izzy doesn't intend to eat all of it. He can have some of Victor's, uh, frankenpizza if he wants.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Crazy takes Multiple forms. But if I had to Qualify you I would Use the word eccentric," Victor answers Noa's claim of being completely sane.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Are we use we want To be 'those Guys the gods visited', I mean, It takes away some of the Mysticism and all about our Group. Perhaps it was just Chance the gods heard us. Is what I'm Saying." is what Izzy gets.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Psyber gets one brow going up. "Oh, you Poor soul. You played the Old version of Sburb. The pre-Patch 2.0. The awful Times. The classic experience, the Grind, the monotony. The Frogs. I am so Sorry."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;But!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"But I meant How you got so Tall."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'm mostly here because there was free food available." Laer concurs. Impressiveness doesn't usually survive the first encounter with her, but at least she isn't being actively hostile here. She'll even return the wave to Psyber.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Is there only one semi-crazy elf at your school, then? I've always found the elves here a little.. Mmm." She'll make sort of a non-commital noise that basically means sketchy, which is exceptionally ironic what with being the one responsible in a general sense for that and all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She'll intercede with Victor, as he asks that question of Psyber, to get in with her own answer. "He's actually had his legs professionally stretched out. Very painful procedure. Emotionally, I mean, you shouldn't ask for too many details."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That is completely untrue," Psyber immediately refutes Laer with a slight scowl, though it shows more amusement at her antics than any sort of hostility, "Yes, it was vegetables. The secret to height is that you have to take 6 pounds of vegetables, condense them into a single 16 ounce glass, and drink three of them a day." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Psyber then looks to Victor, "So how's the 2.0 Patch work?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Necessary Evil," Noa replies, "If you don't have an Evil you can't have Good, if you don't have someone to oppose you you can't get stronger, Who Watches The Watchmen." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noa digs into his jacket. "I have pamphlets." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He looks puzzled for a moment. Then he starts patting himself down. "..." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Great." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What I meant to say is that I *had* pamphlets but they've been stolen by my Sylladex, so I won't have pamphlets until it's feeling cooperative." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Pretend I handed you some pamphlets," Noa shrugs, "They're really good. I stayed up all night working on them like forever. They're all, WHAT YOUR GOVERNMENT WANTS YOU TO KNOW YOU DON'T KNOW YOU KNOW, and WHAT HAVE YOUR GODS DONE FOR YOU LATELY, and WHY YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THINKING ABOUT THINKING ABOUT THINKING." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noa does not comment on the eating vegetables part. He doesn't need the others to know whether he eats a detailed and balanced meal or not. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I find the gods here a little.../mm/, so we'll call it a fair trade," Noa replies to Laer.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:787|Epicea Chelid (787)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epicea, who is currently facedown on the table taking a quick snooze - somehow she fell asleep and also ate pizza at the same time, she's good like that, snorts a little bit and sits back up, looking really grumpy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"You're talking to the redeemer, buldge-boy. About necessary evil. Think about that for a moment. Just... just think about that. And not about your shitty anarchist rags." She mumbles.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Oh, hey, Laer. I read your books. They were pretty good. Great to take a snooze too."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"The only people who are going to show up are people who are directly related to Afterus or the Syndicate." Sarah points out to Izzy. Psyber's words draw a headshake from Sarah. "It'd be nice to talk to you, but I don't think it'll be the same. Be too easy to prepare for. Have ..." Pause. "Higher survival chance." <br /><br />"It wasn't chance, ugh. You heard Mr. Lowell. He /runs/ the Syndicate. Of course all of our pantheon is going to be on it. There's absolutely no luck involved in this situation, Victor, just a logical, inevitable progression of events." Sarah gestures to Laer in a 'see?' flick of the hand. She doesn't even comment on Noa's insane pamphlet ramblings.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"THERE ARE A LOT OF US. I HATE TO INDULGE SARAH'S INTENSE PERSONAL ISSUES WITH THIS STATEMENT, BUT I DON'T REALLY THINK WE HAVE MUCH OF A CHOICE. NEITHER DO ANY OF THE OTHERS. IF WE DON'T PLAY, WE CAN'T HAVE EXISTED." Izzy replies to Psyber, smiling toothily. "THAT'S FINE, THOUGH. WE'LL GIVE THE GAME WHAT IT HAS COMING TO IT, WHEN THE TIME COMES. IT HASN'T BEGUN YET FOR US, I GUESS? I'M NOT SURE WHEN IT'S SUPPOSED TO. IT CAN'T BE THAT MUCH LONGER NOW, WE'RE GETTING PRETTY OLD TO BE PLAYERS." Which has its own disturbing implications that nobody may be thinking about now.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fortunately, those implications will not be the reality of matters. These kids are not future guardians.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In answer to Victor, Izzy says, "THE GODS ALWAYS VISIT IMPORTANT PEOPLE IN THE STORIES. IT PROBABLY MEANS WE'RE EVENTUALLY GOING TO BE EXTRA AWESOME." Or they'll all die to the political machinations of higher beings, but Izzy isn't the sort of young man to indulge such claptrap.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Izzy seems to be giving Laer what isn't... quite a stink-eye, but he's keeping a close watch on her. Perhaps he's suspicious of her honesty by now. That's weird, he seems way too thick for that.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Re: Gods: see previous statement and 'mmm'," Noa tells the Princess. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Or we'll all die to the petty machinations of higher beings," he adds, because Noa *is* the sort of young man to indulge such claptrap, "Or you will, because I'll fight them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laer's story almost has Victor interested until Psyber corrects it. Laer's is certainly more interesting, but he supposes Psyber's is more in-line with what he wants to hear. Victor turns to Noa, chiding: "You See, you should be the One eating vegetables. A god Said so."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Psyber he actually answers: "I do not Have the patch notes on Me. I think it's a Pretty big one though. We have been Told not to rely overmuch on Knowledge of the prior Sessions if we want to make It to the end at All." The truth being the player isn't certain how much the characters know about the new edition of Sburb! Possibly, nothing at all.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Izzy gets a frowns. "I could Recount you the many stories that Begin with: and Then the gods visited, and that Ended with: and then Everyone died. Those aren't odds I Would gamble on just yet. We Need to tip them in our favor More first."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then he points at Sarah.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Also she is Wrong forever, don't listen to That heretic propaganda. I Bet that Imperium organization is Already on its way but they May be taking a break to wash their Furs or whatever."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Ah, that's good to hear." Laer says, exhibiting a talent for hearing what she wants rather than what was said by Epicea. "Anyway, I only very rarely machinate anyone's deaths these days. Don't worry too much about it, more people end up getting themselves killed by doing stupid things than any other cause of death!" This may not actually be reassuring, but Laer doesn't really seem to care; she'll wave a hand vaguely in Noa's direction without continuing the conversation, something that supposedly purchasing her food will buy him, before moving back over to steal another slice.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This one's just cheese.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yeah, cool. I hear that. Just as Iron sharpens iron, so too will man sharpen man," Psyber says to Noa with a nod of his head and puts his hands into his pockets, "You need that wall, that sort of resistance that pushes people outside of their comfort zone. Otherwise, if everything is optimal, you don't have some catalyst to push people when it becomes unoptimal," He nods his head to Noa, "I understand that. You should stick at it. It's a useful role." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Psyber then considers for a moment, "I don't really... HAVE machinations? I tend to be pretty above board with what I'm planning. I mean, I guess I ask for help? Maybe work something a bit more low-key till I find out what it does, but I don't do the whole big sprawling pachinko machine of manipulation," He then tilts his head, "I can really understand his viewpoint, though," He says in regards to Noa. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sarah gets his next answer, "You're probably right. After the tear down and revamp of the system, I probably don't know squad, no doubt there," He shakes his head and then hrms, "But like... doesn't mean I won't still offer to help any way I can, even if it's just provide a presence to help you guys in the early and mid-game. The first round of it all changed my life, so I basically owe everyone who goes back into the game at least an offer of help. Pay It Forward kind of deal." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Victor, Psyber says, "The Imperium are a buncha blowhards. Powerful blowhards, but blowhards." He shakes his head in a tired gesture, as if talking about them has reminded him how much they annoy him as a whole. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He finally settles back onto Izzy, "In it to win it, yeah? Good attitude." Not much more encouragement he can give. He does add, "You remind me of Arthur. Good intensity."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Noa doesn't comment on anything, but he does look slightly pleased at Psyber's reaction. He also sticks his tongue out at Epicea. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Then he resumes eating his pizza in a profoundly Elfy way, possibly so he doesn't have to say anything.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"WE HAVE NO STUPIDITY WITH WHICH TO KILL OURSELVES," Izzy asides to Laer, "SO WE'LL BE FINE. THE LIGHT OF OUR TRUTH WILL ILLUMINATE OUR INCIPISPHERE AND GUIDE US TO OUR INEVITABLE VICTORY. WE WILL JOIN THE PANTHEONS THAT HAVE COME BEFORE US, AND EDUCATE OUR SUCCESSORS TO EXCEED EVEN OUR FEATS. IT WILL BE A FINE THING INDEED!" If this kid was powered by confidence he would be borderline omnipotent. You'd better hope he isn't a Hope player. That could be real trouble.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In response to Psyber's compliment, Izzy bows dramatically. "IT IS AN HONOR TO BE COMPARED TO THE GOD OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. MAY HIS TRANSPORTALIZERS LIGHT OUR WAY HOME." He performs a gesture that must be some variant of crossing himself, only it's kind of a swirling motion.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Plucking up another piece of his own pizza, Izzy gestures grandly with it towards Victor, "ALL STORIES WITH GODS BEGIN WITH THE GODS CREATING LIFE. THAT THEY ALSO CREATE DEATH IS A NATURAL CONSEQUENCE OF CREATING LIFE. THERE IS NO MORE MISFORTUNE IN THEIR PRESENCE THAN THAT OF ANYTHING ELSE."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"You're indulging me because I'm right." Sarah comments to Izzy. "Again." <br /><br />She takes another bite of cheese pizza, and doesn't say anything when Laer swipes a slice. "An authority figure telling him to do it just guarantees he won't, Victor. He's an anarchist, remember?" There is a pause as Victor mentions the Imperium. "You just can't handle that events aren't as random as you might like them to be." Sarah points out. <br /><br />When Laer brings up machinating people's deaths, Sarah grunts, shrugging. "Well, the good news is it's highly unlikely that /all/ of us will die before we are created and sent back in time to Afterus." Sarah points out. <br /><br />Psyber's offer of assistance gains a nod from Psyber. "You're a good man. I figured you would offer to assist quickly. I appreciate it. Maybe it will help us out, maybe not. We'll never know until it's time. The... 'strategy guides' were pretty stupid, if you asked me, all based on an old game version."<br /><br />She then calls out to Psyber as he congratulates Izzy, "Just be careful not to tell him anything you don't want him to yell at the top of his lungs." She shudders. Everyone keeps making that mistake. IT KEEPS HAPPENING.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, I would like to Be a god, not to be In a god's story. I want to Be the one that creates this Life and then also creates Death because I am secretly a Huge asshole who hates People and gets it out of his System by creating people just so that They can die later, and inevitably." There is no malice in Victor's voice, just absurd emphasis and a joking tone. He does not, in fact, hate people. He also absolutely hates death, so there you go.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"That's why it would Be awful if we were in one of those Stories. We would just die Or something, I don't know. Do you know how many Named people die in mythology? Like, most of Them. It is exactly like History class. It's better to be gods Than to be named people."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;On the other hand he absolutely cannot fault the troll's enthusiasm. He'll take that over Sarah's attitude basically any day!<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yes, the Imperium is kind of Silly. I took a class on Radio conduct, you see. They have a lot of audio Examples of what not to do. So I have Heard about the Imperium quite a bit.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sarah gets a HUGE FROWN, but he has no comeback.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:353|Laer (353)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Laer will give Izzy a glance at that. "No stupidity with which to kill yourselves? Well, congratulations on that. It's a very rare thing. Let me know when you're ready for that epic quest, though, okay?" She'll ask, before slipping off towards the little elves' room. Which is mostly to say, she's making certain she's NOT going to be paying after all by leaving out of the bathroom window or portaling out or some such thing.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's kind of like a stylish exit, without the actual style.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I DON'T THINK YOU ARE," Izzy answers, gesturing wildly at Sarah with his pizza, "BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON TO BE CONCERNED WITH DISAGREEING WITH YOU. IF YOU ARE CORRECT THEN PATTERNS WILL FALL INTO LINE LIKE YOU SAY, AND MY DISSENT WILL BE IRRELEVANT, BUT IT WOULD ALSO HAVE BEEN INEVITABLE. IF YOU ARE INCORRECT, IT IS EQUALLY IRRELEVANT BECAUSE I'LL ALREADY HAVE BEEN ACTING UNDER THE ASSUMPTION OF MY OWN AGENCY AND, THEREFORE, YOUR IDEAS WILL NEVER HAVE HAD ANY BEARING ON MY ACTIONS." A piece of rabbit goes flying off the pizza.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Evidently he's not as stupid as he appears, even if he is hopelessly naive and optimistic.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"ALSO, NO ONE SHOULD EVER HAVE ANYTHING THEY DON'T WANT EXPOSED IN PUBLIC. KEEPING SECRETS AND LIES IS STRESSFUL, REQUIRING THE CONSTANT MAINTENANCE OF STORIES TO KEEP THINGS STRAIGHT. EVENTUALLY THE FALSEHOOD OVERWRITES THE REALITY, HINDERING EVEN THE LIAR-SLASH-SECRET KEEPER." He adds, wagging a finger reproachfully at Sarah.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He reaches over and nudges Epicea's head by poking at her horns. "HEY. IF YOU KEEP SLEEPING WHILE YOU'RE EATING, YOU'RE GOING TO GET FANTASTICALLY FAT."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:787|Epicea Chelid (787)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epicea rolls to the side, making soft burbling sleepy sounds as she does. "No I'm not, Izzy. That's stupid. I have perfect princess metabolism, and my figure is awesome. Remember that time we had the 'case of if Epicea is getting chubby' and the whole awkward runaround and it turned out everything was totally fine? Yeah this is that." She mutters, sitting up and instead of laying forward, lolls her head backwards.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;And munches on more anchovy pizza. She's a monster.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A monter that likes anchovies.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Who spearheaded that investigation?" Psyber asks to Epicea curiously, tilting his head in curiousity. It's not meant to be insulting, it's just a very odd topic to have people investigate. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;To Sarah, a nod, "Right, don't tell him secrets. Help you where I can. See if everything works out since Luck literally doesn't exist. Gotcha." Psyber says, roughly summarizing her statements down and parsing it all in. This is a WAY different, albeit equally interesting, group of kids than last time. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I'd say like 'I hope you get started soon' but that feels like cursing you. Uh... I do wish you the best. And I'll help out any way you guys want me to," He says to the group as a whole. He tries to play on the Humble side of the Redeemer mythology, so it comes across as a really genuine answer, "I can give whichever one of you is the most responsible a business card to call me if you need it."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I AM THE MOST SKILLED AMATEUR DETECTIVE ON ALL OF AFTERUS!" Izzy Hyland declares, striking a ridiculous pose and smiling in a way so cheesy that it could only be described as 'sentai-esque'. He holds out his hands towards Psyber, "ALL CASES ARE MY CASES. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO AGREE WITH EPICEA'S ASSESSMENT, BUT I AM STILL WORRIED FOR HER HEALTH. EVEN FOR A SEA QUEEN, IT CANNOT BE GOOD TO NAP WHILE EATING. NOW, LET ME SEE YOUR BUSINESS CARD. I WILL MAKE DIGITAL COPIES OF IT FOR ALL OF US, BECAUSE CHOOSING THE MOST RESPONSIBLE OF US TO BE THE SOLE BEARER OF AN EMERGENCY CONTACT HAS TOO MUCH POTENTIAL TO DAMAGE SOMEONE'S SELF-ESTEEM!"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "He means that literally any of these clowns would immediately lose it," Noa translates unnecessarily, "So we might as well all have one, because I'd just screw them over and not call you when they actually needed your help if you gave it to me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"He's right, he's the most Skilled amateur detective. We haven't met any Other one, so, therefore, it's Impossible to argue he isn't the Best we know." Victor confirms for Izzy, chewing on another slice of pizza. Izzy is also seemingly the most responsible of them, while simultaneously being the loudest and most idealism-ridden one.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"As for starting Soon, I think having some More preparation time wouldn't Hurt. We can never be too Ready, at least, not until We make the odds a hundred percent In our favor. You see, Sarah, just because everything Is a game of chance, does not mean Inevitability cannot exist. What is inevitability if Not a game of chance You have rigged beforehand, or That you have thoroughly mastered? Does the man who Count cards in a casino cheat fate, or Does he simply master his own Luck to twist his fate to His liking?"<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;That is so much bullshit he just said.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He kind of feels ashamed he said it at all.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's not WRONG it's just worded like an awful sifu stereotype would try to put it. He does NOT want to be a sifu type character.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>Sarah raises a hand, but Izzy is already super on top of things. She sighs, and facepalms, just letting things play out in a sort of resigned chagrin. <br /><br />Meanwhile, she glances over to Victor, considering, and then looks over to Epicea. <br /><br />Eventually, she just sighs and pulls out Captchalogue cards, meticulously rolling tiny wheels on the top one. It's time to dig out her money to pay for the food. "He's doing neither." Sarah replies as she works. "The design of the game allows for techniques that remove probabilities. The man made decisions in his life to learn those techniques due to other pressures. Those decisions lead him to participate in the game. where he uses those techniques to remove that chance. Other people who participated in what they believed was a game of chance had no chance to win it from the beginning, as the variables were removed ahead of time. Therefore, choices they had no control over in the past guaranteed their loss in the future. It was determined for them."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:787|Epicea Chelid (787)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epicea nods. "Yep? This is why Izzy is my Top Investigator and also generally a cool guy, and the core of our social circle. I'm at the top, and Izzy is the heart, and he also makes sure everything is great. Because I'd want the card, Noa would be a huge jackass with the card, Sarah would discard the card and then make some shit up about fate, Victor wouldn't use it becuase luck..." She sighs, starting to tiredly eat more pizza.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;She looks at Victor. "Goddamn you are a nerd. And you Keep Talking Like Everything's Important, at least I understand Sarah most of the time. It's just 'this will happen, unless we all die, bluh bluh."<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Heaving, long suffering sigh. "Everyone needs to just take a krill pill and clam down. It's gonna be OK."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Well, I can't argue with the amazing logic presented before me," Psyber says in an appreciative tone to Izzy. He reaches to the back-pocket of his jeans to take out a wallet. The wallet itself contains a few other things he thumbs through. Mostly a picture of Homura, some credit cards, loose cash. From an inside pocket, he digs out a business card with his office number and cell phone number on it. It also has his pesterchum handle of blackwingAngel listed. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Here you go. Proliferate copies amongst your group as you so like," He notes to Izzy, watching the others out of the corner of his eye. Or his direct eyeline. It's a pretty compact table of people and they're all pretty buddy-buddy, except for the dude that's going to be an Antagonist. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Do you guys debate the philosophy of fate and luck often?"<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We don't have a lot else in common and no one else talks to us," Noa volunteers.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:787|Epicea Chelid (787)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epicea huffs. "Plenty of people talk to me. I'm Student Council President."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:791|Izzy Hyland (791)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"WILL DO. THANKS FOR THE HYPOTHETICAL FUTURE HELP, BA." Izzy raises the business card to eye level. His eyes flash very briefly, within approximately the space that one would expect to see contact lenses on. As a matter of fact, that's exactly what's going on. This kid is wearing computer contacts. You should never leave home without something like that, or so their training has said. He immediately sends pictures of the business card to everyone else's cell phones, and adds blackwingAngel to his chumroll.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Izzy's handle seems to be <span style="color:#5C5C8A">emptyHanded</span>.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"OKAY, DONE. ALSO, LOTS OF PEOPLE TALK TO ME." It's not because they actually want to. Izzy forces himself into situations and doesn't pick up on social cues that he's unwanted, or at the very least ignores them. He hands the original business card off to Epicea, because he's pretty sure she'll be offended if she doesn't get to keep the actual physical copy.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"SPEAKING OF, I'VE GOTTA GET GOING. THE HEADMASTER WANTS ME FOR SOMETHING IN THE MORNING, AND I WANT TO GO RUNNING BEFORE I GET HOME AGAIN. I'LL SEE YOU GUYS LATER!" Izzy waves to everyone, and takes off towards the doors. He doesn't chip in with the bill because he only ate pizza he made and brought, but he does leave most of that pizza behind. Incidentally, it's usually bad news when the Headmaster wants Izzy for anything...<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A teenager who knows too many secrets, even if by accident, is incredibly dangerous to the hapless youths around him. There will probably be mysterious new detentions by tomorrow.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:789|Sarah Parsle (789)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>"Well, Victor is obsessed with it, two of us are impenetrable optimists, and Noa is a lunatic. I like to think I'm the only one with a reasonably realistic outlook." Sarah replies. "Moe often than not I'm just handling risk management and trying to keep people one task. Not a whole lot of people talk to me offhand because they want to hide from reality." And by that she means 'people don't like her sassing them and telling them how it's going to fall apart'. <br /><br /> At this point, the Captchalogue card beeps and makes an unlocking sound, and she grunts, setting it aside, revealing that the card shows am umbrella. She moves on to the next. <br /><br />This might take a while.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:253|Psyber (253)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;There's a kind of long and awkward moment as Psyber stands there and watches the kid. He rocks back and forth on his feet some and goes, "So like..." <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This is that awkward moment where he has no idea what to say to all of them being so amazingly candid about their inherent personality flaws and personal interactions. He rubs the back of his head with his hand and says, "It was nice meeting you all, then. But I should probably get back to work. I'm around on Syndie-net and private bands. And the soul-crushing wasteland that is cross-factional. All those, yeah, if you need me."<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:788|Noa Nuquerna (788)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Cool. Nice meeting you," Noa confirms politely over the last of his pizza. He dusts it off, then stands up and immediately bails, because paying for things is bullshit. <br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He's a little predictable, sometimes.<br> <br>

:'''{{#var:790|Victor Ellsworth (790)}} has posed:'''<br><span></span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"I do not Talk like everything is important. I merely Only talk when I Have important things to say, You see?" Victor corrects Epicea, before taking the card and... producing a slightly larger D10 than is normal.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It comes down 9 and then 4, as he rolls it twice.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Then Psyber's business card disappears inside the die.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;God bless this Sylladex.<br /><br />&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Anyway, it is of Little importance because in the end odds Are strongly in favor of My being right, you see?" It is how it is. Inevitable, but because he made it so.<br> <br>


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