Scene #8085: Questgivers Local 128

Owner	Pose
Chains Knight	EARLIER "I think I will check in on what's going on in my home world," says Chains Knight to himself. THEN Chains Knight gets on the radio to whoever will listen. "Hey so - the entire starting region is on strike. Come check it out." NOW There's a wall of noise as soon as anyone comes through the warpgate. It's coming from every direction at once - and it resolves to a ring of marching picketers, marching in a circle along the boundary of Startsville's warpgate plaza. <TUTORIAL QUESTS ARE REAL QUESTS!> reads one protest sign. <NO MORE 'DOOMED HOMETOWN' PLOTS!> <NO LOOT TABLE IS UNIFORM TILL ALL LOOT TABLES ARE UNIFORM!> <LATE GAME SUPERBOSSES STAY IN THEIR LANE!> ... And similar signs, listing out various game-related grievances, while their holders engage in a lively chant of "WE'RE GAME MASTERS, NOT GAME MINIONS!" "Heyyyy, folks!" There's a man in what could best be described as disheveled renaissance faire garb, who makes his way right over to the multiversals a few seconds after they make their way through the warpgate. "How about you just follow me right over this way," he says, indicating for them to follow him. "We've got some starter gear for you and we'll get you on your way, right over this way in that building marked 'inn'..." Beyond the warpgate plaza, visible above the line of picketers, there's a somewhat stereotypical 'video game fantasy village' with buildings marked as item shops, etc. "Don't mind the, ah, the people here, they're just putting on an act, it's part of a seasonal event..." "Scab!" calls one of the picketers at him, which he tries to ignore.
Stanley Padgett	Okay, so... Stanley's got some idea on how these things work. He's played games. Some of them. On his phone. Or when he's had a chance to bum them at someone elese's house when he gets invited over. Though that one has been a few years. So 'stereotypical video game fantasy village' doesn't register quite so much for him as it might for other people. It's not Candy Crashers or something like that. It's not even Reversal. Unfortunately for anyone else involved.... This is Stanley's first time OFFICIALLY in another world. Warpgates, traversal and all that. The young man has his phone out, he's ignoring stuff, he's taking pictures of everything, he's taking selfies, he's trying to find cool things to spot and post to his Insta... ...Someone's going to have to chauffer his dumb ass.
Timespace Riders	Sougo Tokiwa steps through the gate dressed in a large white short-sleeved button up, slightly rolled khakis, and bright red hi-tops. He's accompanied by his self-appointed retainer Woz, who is dressed in his usual mysterious, future-apocalypse garb, with a brown button-sleeved coat and, of course, his dark grey scarf. "Whoa," says Sougo, running a hand through his auburn, medium hair. "Chains wasn't lying. This is the biggest strike I've ever seen!" Reading some of the signs has him furrowing his brow in confusion. "'Doomed hometown' plots? Tutorial quests? Loot tables..." "A realm similar to many games," concludes Woz, shutting his strange book one-handed, tucking it back under his arm. "Yet much more than lifeless simulacrum." "Woz," Sougo says, turning to his retainer. "I think those signs give us a pretty good idea of what they want. Can you use the book to help us find who's in charge here?" "Of course, my Demon King," says the loyal retainer, after a hand-over-heart bow. Rising back up and tossing his scarf back over his shoulder, Woz opens the future-telling tome. "Oh!" Says Sougo. "And one more thing--if you can find their position; the objections they're most likely raise, when it comes to giving in... I'd appreciate it!" Woz nods, poring through the book... "According to this book," he says after a moment's perusal, snapping it shut and closing the clasp once more, "You will encounter one with the power to change these circumstances, merely by expressing your royal disapproval.~" He makes a small flourish with his free hand, fingers waggling as he smiles smugly. "Though your comrade, known as Chains, will also have some ability to render the change you seek. Further," he elaborates, "The most likely objection you shall receive will come from a dismissive attitude towards these laborers." Woz makes another bow for his Demon King. Before he can make further postulation, he is interrupted, mid-rise, by the arrival of the disheveled handler. Sougo smiles, but refuses to move. And since he does, that means Woz also refuses. "That's very kind of you!" he says, offering a brief bow of gratitude. "I'll take you up on it someday. But I couldn't really enjoy myself knowing that those people are so angry." The S word is hurled. His smile undaunted, Sougo continues. "I think we both know it's not a seasonal event," he warmly concludes. "And I just couldn't be a player in a game where the staff is so unhappy... right, Stanley?" Sougo wraps an arm around the boy he's declared his friend, the moment he comes into view.
Stanley Padgett	"Huh what oh hi Sougo!" Stanley warbles a little bit as he's grabbed, and hugged and that at least startles him out of his daze enough to lower his phone. STANLEY.... has changed his hair color. It is now YELLOW. Not blonde. YELLOW. It's not the best looking job.
Chains Knight	The picketers endeavor to make it into most of the photos Stanley takes, figuring that'll get them some buzz. "Yes - right over here," says the scab, attempting to usher Stanley across the line and towards the inn - being stymied by Sougo, and not willing to commit to a tug of war just yet. "Ah - well! If you must know, it's not a seasonal event, no, but it is an internal dispute, and it really shouldn't..." He trails off. Heads are turning. The crowd is transitioning, via a wave of sightlines and then word of mouth, from chanting to jeering. "Oh dear..." he mutters. "Ah ha..." says Chains Knight, quietly, at a volume that only his three companions here would hear. "I do think that indeed got the boss's attention..." The crowd parts - reluctantly, like the surface of a river parting for a thrown stone, but they part none the less. The new arrival is wearing a silky sky blue robe, with hood and face-obscuring mask, and all throughout there are trailing bits - looking artistically frayed at the edges without actually being frayed, the fabric separating into threads. "The Priestess of the Main Thread," adds Chains Knight. "Pardon me, my dear players," she says. "I understand there's some issues preventing you from enjoying our game world..." "... Merely some creative differences that are swiftly getting resolved, I assure you. Could I convince you to step over into the inn, here, and maybe make you more comfortable as we discuss how we can make your play experience truly... magical?" There's more jeering from the picketers at this suggestion.
Stanley Padgett	Stanley blinks a bit and looks up at the commotion and the urging by Important People to Please Engage With the Main Quest. And while the Priestess chats them up, Stanley is back to taking pictures. Of her, of the surroundings... and the protestors again... But eventually he acquiesces to look to Sougo, and murmurs. "...you're the experienced person here, I am literally... uhhhhhhh." He huffs. "...new, so..." He fishes around on his backpack to pull out the case with his rapier, and moves to affix that to his pants. Gotta stay strapped.
Timespace Riders	"Eh?" Sougo makes a confused look at Stanley. Before he can elaborate (and weaken his position by explaining that, no, he's not -that- experienced), Woz interrupts. "Felicitations, Priestess of the Main Thread. I am Woz, prophet of the unwritten future, and retainer to the Demon King, Sougo Tokiwa." A dramatic hand flourish gestures towards Sougo. The 'Demon King' smiles brightly at her. "Hi, Ms. Priestess," Sougo sunnily offers. "My Demon King would love nothing more than a magical experience, as I am certain is within your power to provide.~" He smiles courteously, inclining his head respectfully. "However," he intones with a note of disappointment. "My lord is ever concerned with the well-being of those who must work for a living, and wishes to discuss these 'creative differences' with you." "I'm glad to hear those creative differences are getting resolved quickly. That's actually what I wanted to discuss--I know this isn't favorable for you, either. I'd be happy to enjoy your hospitality, while we work out the finer details. Please," he invites, "Lead the way!" Woz purses his lips at Stanley. "My Demon King clearly sees something in you, and believes in your talents. Do not disparage them, for to do so is to cast doubt on his royal judgment."
Chains Knight	The priestess leads them across the plaza, past the line, and into the inn - which is somewhat crowded with other people, many of which have ? marks over their heads. "As an explanation - there are some creative differences going on, behind the scenes," she says, once the door's closed and the picketers are out of sight (if not out of mind). "Running a game world, as in running a country or a business or a sailing ship or any other collaborative exercise... requires a division of labor. Those who design the designs, plot out the plots, plan out the plan... and those who execute on those plans. Everyone is needed to make things work out, and there is, mmm..." There's a suggestion of pursed lips behind the mask. "... turbulence, when everyone on the ship decides that they want a hand upon the wheel, hmm? A ship may only reach one destination at a time, it may only follow one path at a time. You shouldn't have a thousand captains upon one ship, you shouldn't have a thousand cooks in one kitchen, as the saying goes." "Especially for the initial areas, like the ones we are in now - the initial areas are quite important, very important, crucially important, so it's extremely critical that those here follow the path we've set without deviation and... well, creative differences." "It'll be all worked out quite quickly, I assure you - in the meantime, why don't you just start enjoying the game here... I believe this person is having an issue that you brave heroes can solve," says the Priestess, ushering the quartet over towards a ?-laden NPC. "Help, I've lost my purse!" says the woman, who clearly still has her purse. The priestess clears her throat. "Huh? What - oh!" She throws the purse off into a corner of the room. "Help! I've lost my purse!" she repeats.
Stanley Padgett	Well this... This is something that Stanely can understand. They're shuffled into a place, and Miss Priestess is busy explaining the inner politics of GAME DESIGN AND GAME WORLDS to the pair of them, and Stanley's brain sort of clicks. "Oh. OH. Yeah yeah yeah I get it, I get it." He shifts, and smiles up at Sougo. "I got this one, hold on." He shuffles up from his feet, snags a Helpful Tankard of Beverages, and wanders over towards the nice Purse Lady. "Heya, I'm Stanley, and I- Oh wait, heck." There's an effort of energy, and then the Stanley's revolution form appears, the garish neon leather and chain shifting easily into place. "There, I wasn't kitted up properly. Ahem." He turns back to Distressed Woman, and leans on a corner of a table nearby, and takes a big pull of that beverage. And then slams the empty down on the table. "I'm Stanley, and I'm just the man for the job!" He flexes an arm, to show value.
Chains Knight	"Thank you, kind sir! Be careful, the purse is guarded by a vicious Giant Rat!" There is no giant rat.
Stanley Padgett	"Heck yes, hold on." Stanley gets up and shuffles over to the casually discarded purse... and then waits around for the Rat. He even gets out his dagger from his waist sash, and peers around and under the table for one. It's gotta be here somewhere, right?
Timespace Riders	Sougo fails to resist the urge to poke the first ? he sees, looking over at Stanley as if to say 'you're seeing these too, right?' His mildly buffoonish inquiry is cut short with all the urgency of a student nearly caught sleeping, bolting back to attentiveness when the Priestess begins her explanation. It so happens to be the purse lady, who Stanley agrees to help. Sougo smiles, clapping his hands together. "You sure are, Stanley!" Woz pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. Turning his attention back to the Priestess, "He has a good heart," Sougo explains. "And he wants to help people. I'd love to join in with him, but I'm going to be king one day, and part of being king means being able to put off your own happiness for someone else's. Maybe you're right," Sougo says, hands folded before him, his smile a little dimmed for her outlook. "You can't have a thousand kings, or a thousand high priestesses, or a thousand captains, because then no one would be left to do all of the other... important things." he scratches the back of his head, smiling bashfully. "Maybe I'd better stick to one comparison." He admits with a chuckle. "I think... the sailors on most ships are perfectly happy without having to steer it themselves. But..." Sougo trails off, there, searching for words. "Even if the captain is really qualified, even if he worked really hard to get there, his decisions don't just affect him, do they? Sailing into a storm takes a lot of work from everyone, not just the captain, and it puts everyone in danger, too." Sougo smiles. "Even the cooks, and cabin boys, and deck-swabbers," he quietly adds. "Even the people that do little jobs, or can't do anything but, are affected by the decisions he makes. So he can't expect everybody to go along with everything he says, all of the time, even if he's captain. The other people on the ship, being good at things that aren't 'being captain,' are going to have perspectives he won't, and those are... really valuable for keeping everything running, just as much as the captain's orders."
Chains Knight	"(There's no rat - What the heck are you doing?)" whispers the Priestess. "(What? I'm trying! I do item shop restocks - I'm not trained on this tutorial quest stuff!)" "Well - they're free to give what feedback they'd like to give," says the Priestess. "We have a general meeting, at the start of each cycle, and they are free to say whatever they like there. It doesn't mean that we have to incorporate every suggestion or fulfill every desire, though - nor should we, when there's more important parts of the game that need more attention and more resources." "And speaking of, let me just- finish this quest for you," she says, waving a hand, causing experience meters to fill. "There - and I can skip you ahead a little bit, to the actual game, instead of these tutorials that nobody really needs..." "It appears that your 'ship' isn't in order, Main," observes Chains, with some amusement. "... Sorry, do I know you from somewhere?" says the Priestess. "I believe I've seen all I need to see, personally," says Chains, to his companions, ignoring her for the moment. "The current Primary here cannot control her own people, there's clear evidence of mismanagement, and there is what might as well be an open revolt here. Demon King Sougo, his herald Woz, and our new companion Stanley - I do believe this realm is ripe for conquest after all, with no army needed. Would you care to join me?"
Stanley Padgett	Stanley was just about to pick up that purse when he gets QUEST COMPLETION. He straightens up agian and thumbs up first at Distressed Shopkeeper and then at Sougo. "I did it, I won the game!" A fistpump... and then more politics is happening. Now, if had Stanley been older, or paid more attention in his Civics courses, he'd understand the power shift that's happening here, between the proletariat, the petit bourgeoisie and the ruling class. Unfortunately, Stanley has never actually gotten a in classroom lesson in Marxist Socialism, nor the ethics of capitalism. So he instead puffs up and shuffles over to Sougo and Woz, thumbs up at the Royal retainer, and then whispers up to him. "...Are we going to fight everyone here now?"
Timespace Riders	Sougo's smile falters further, hardening into a more determined, disappointed expression. "...If you only listen to those people when it's convenient for you, then this is going to happen no matter where new players start. Not only that..." he looks over his shoulder at Chains. "But Chains Knight is right. You've lost control because you were more concerned about keeping it than doing any good with it. All you've done is try to point us away from those people with bribes and distractions. That's why..." Sougo procures, by some strange warping of space, a white transformation belt. With his belt--the helpfully-announced TIMESPACE DRIVER--fastened securely, Sougo procures and presses the crown on a futuristic-looking pocketwatch. ZI-O! The name echoes through space. With that watch slotted into place, the display on his Timespace Driver reads AU30 in blocky LCD font. The silver gears and hands of a great analog clock form behind Sougo, ticking away as his hands, held up and out, pantomime the movement of the clock hands behind him in reverse. "Henshin!" Sougo's hands grasp the Timespace Driver and spin it RIDER TIME! Large pink gears envelop him completely before fading to reveal-- o/` Ka-meeen Rider! o/` ZI-O. . . He's an armored fighter in black, white, silver and pink, whose cuirass and helmet resemble the band and face of an analog wristwatch. The hands of this watch form the classic Rider 'antenna,' with pink katakana flying into place over the helmet's face to spell out "RIDER." "We're going to put someone who listens in charge."
Timespace Riders	Woz's belt--announcing itself as the BEYONDRIVER--fastens around his waist. Compared to Sougo's, it looks like the product of a different time. "Very possibly, dear Stanley. Those who grasp 'creative control' as tightly as she... are not quick to release it. " A sleek, futuristic pocketwatch in his hand slots into a hatch on the right side of the belt. Action! Behind him, a laser grid constructs the holographic face of a smartwatch, as he closes the hatch. Projecting! Future Time! The digital screen on his belt displays an image of his armor, moments before it is projected onto his body by the laser grid behind him. Amazing! Time! Future! KAMEN RIDER WOZ? WOZ?! ...is a silver-and-black armored fighter, with a futuristic neon green trim. The faceplate and cuirass of his armor suggest the strap and face of a digital watch, though the usual Rider 'antennae' are here represented as the hands of a clock.
Chains Knight	And then the Priestess has a flash of recognition. "Array. Dark General Array." "Not the name I go by these days, but true none the less," says Chains, pulling a deck from his belt holster and shuffling it. "If I listened to people all of the time, I would get a bunch of bad advice," says the Priestess. "There is but one main thread, and it is mine to spin as I see fit, and it is for all others to follow my pattern. Such is the way of things. There is a good story, a good game, but only if everyone else does their part per my instructions..." "... And right now," she says, drawing her own deck and shuffling it. "That pattern has you predestined to lose in all of your attempts to disrupt it. We begin!" Everyone else in the inn moves to the sides, clearing out a large space around the combatants. "My deck's plan is unparalleled - I take control of the board with Gargoyle Gardiens, in an offensive mode," she says, throwing a card out - which summons a trio of squat, stone monsters, which wade into the party with sharp claws!
Stanley Padgett	The stone guardians sweep into the middle of the room, knocking over tables and chairs and people and Stanley. The young man just takes a hit clean in the torso and staggers... And vanishes. An afterimage? Because Stanley is already flickering across the tavern, stepping from stool to stool, table to table, in the air or on the ground, closing the distance to the Priestess. "Come on then it's time to rumble! I'll fight, till from my bones my flesh be hacked. Enguarde!" There's a ghostly wash of energy behind the boy, of a massive soldier in neon energy encircled... And the tip of Stanley's rapier shimmers in the air.
Timespace Riders	"The future hasn't been written yet!" Kamen Rider Zi-O procures a straight sword from the center of a ghostly pink analog clock appearing before him. The weapon follows his pink-and-silver color scheme. As the trio of gargoyles approach to menace, Woz leaps in with a spear (that appears to have a touch-screen?) to fend off two of the three with warding strikes. When Zi-O's sword then announces, GIRI-GIRI SLASH, Woz retreats with a nimble backflip, soaring over Zi-O to land beside Stanley, making a decisive two-handed thrust, leveraging it upwards just as Stanley's true attack is made. Zi-O's blade burns with bright pink energy, dramatically extending its size until it's more a greatsword than a straight sword. Sweeping it in a wide arc, he attempts to sear all three gargoyles with a superheated cutting surface!
Chains Knight	Stanley flickers across the room, attacking the Priestess's life points directly. Or - rather, slashing at her directly. The robe blocks some of the strike - clearly made from more than just fabric, but he manages to draw first blood. She falls back at Zi-O slices across her gargoyles - the damage eradicating them easily. "The future doesn't need to be written - it's in the cards, and every move you make plays into my plan! Since you have so kindly destroyed my gargoyles - the fact that I lost a unit last round means that I can special summon Bone Trader Guards for free!" In place of the gargoyles, there's a pair of shifty looking men, with a cart full of bones - which the men start flinging rapidly at everyone on the other side of the battle. "I play Exemplar of Orchards," pronounces Chains, throwing out his own card. A tree rapidly sprouts and grows in the inn, the rapid growing motion scattering several apples, which land on (and get absorbed in some vague game fashion) his party members. "Still with a support deck," taunts the Priestess, on the other side.
Chains Knight	As the fight's going on, the audience grows. Someone's thrown open the doors to the inn, and an increasing number of the picketers outside have made their way over, hearing or seeing the fight.
Stanley Padgett	Stanley gets pelted with bones bones bones, whose bones? Bones bones. He just trucks them though, as he shifts again in place, and winds up for something. Feet plant, and the Brave Fencer Stanley is dashing across the room again. This time into the first of the BONEY BONYS. But it's not Stanley who takes the shot this time. "MERCUTIO." The word rings out in the tavern... And the ghostly afterimage of the billowing great fencer Mercutio flickers out into the tavern, somehow not busting through the ceiling despite its presence. The massive longsword lifts up and crashes down on a Bony Boy, smashing at it to try and stop the BONESTORM.
Timespace Riders	"Is that so?~ I suppose it shall lessen the sting of losing them." Passion! Fashion! Question! Woz's silver-and-green armor changes--the 'strap' of the digital watch that makes up his cuirass and helm changes, as does his helmet, the 'face.' Twirling the spear, he raises the index finger of the opposite hand. "True or False--" Woz is then pelted with a deluge of bones, knocking him backwards and sending him hurtling over the bar for cover with a nimble vault. The apple support has him standing back up. Clearing his throat with mild embarrassment, he resumes. "True or False: Your Bone Trader Guards will secure victory for you." A panel on his breastplate opens up--revealing a Red X. "The answer is False," Woz sweetly intones from behind the bar. A stormcloud forms over the aforementioned Guards, and bolts of lightning strike each one!
Chains Knight	Up until now, most of the others have been watching the fight with various levels of cheering, jeering, or quiet observation. All of that changes when Woz asks his quiz question. They all immediately get energized. "TRUE!" shouts about half of the room. "FALSE!" shouts the other half (which includes Chains). "Ask another!" calls one of the people in the inn. "I couldn't get my answer out in time!" The bone guards fizzle out, one from the stormcloud and the other after being smashed by a GIANT SWORD. "Ah - but that's where you're wrong - for with five evil creatures being defeated I can enact my true plan!" says the Priestess. "Sunbright Paladin!" A massive sword-and-shield warrior appears. "Compliment the Star!" he says, as he wades in, swinging at all three, with incredible force! "And even if you defeat my Sunbright Paladin - that'll just fuel the next step in my plan! Your defeat is simply inevitable!"
Stanley Padgett	Stanley was ABOUT to do something super cool in resposne to all that talking about cards and stuff, but then LEGALLY DISTINCT SUNBRO just happened to come in hot and swinging and it's literally all that Stanley can do to keep his head from being taken off. More so, Mercutio interposes itself between Stan and the SUNGUY to soften the blow... but that just puts the strain on Stanley's psyche, rather than his flesh and blood. It still hurts, dude. But something inside of Stanley wills him up to his feet, and he limbers out his arms. "...Alright, that was a pretty good shot." He grins and looks to Zi-O and huffs. "...My lord, our honour teacheth us That we be bold in every enterprise... so stand firm and DELIVER." And at DELIVER, Mercutio resolves itself again, seems to be building up energy, and then releases a horrifyingly neon blast of energy at SOLAR ENERGY MAN. "RUIN."
Timespace Riders	Woz startles at the presence of the Sunbright Paladin, as does Zi-O. The both of them charge in to try and take the star-complimenter down, but the swings are so powerful that both Woz's spear and Zi-O's sword are knocked aside. Both of them catch spark-flying impacts that send each rider flying backwards. Despite the harrowing hits they're subjected to, neither of them is discouraged, both for their own reasons. Zi-O is fighting for a better future for the workers here. Woz fights for his king, but also... He's got an audience. Level UP!! Ex-Aiiid! o/` Zi-O's armor shifts, too--the most notable details being the shock of pink 'hair' at the helmet, the bright pastels reminiscent of 90s video games, and the two massive bludgeons that have fitted themselves over his hands, his sword disappearing. "Stand and deliver... I like that, Stanley! ...I feel like I can clear this with no continues," says Sougo, getting Ex-Aid's catchphrase wrong. He bounces wildly around the establishment, much as Stanley had moments before, each jump heralded with a retro bweep-bwoop noise. Using the form's increased strength, he mashes those button-bludgeons against the knight over and over, with satisfying HIT!! graphics appearing for each. "True or False: Your creative control will continue uninterrupted." He waits for Sougo to finish with the Paladin, pantomiming a hand up to his now question-marked helmet to rile up the crowd. Fukashigi Magic!! Woz's finger swipes rapidly on the spear's touch screen (now more a question-mark sicke). A multitude of question marks in red and blue swarm the area, as the red X swings open. "The correct answer is False." The square, blocky question marks encircle the Paladin, grinding with such speed and force as to superheat them, gradually building until they all explode at once!
Chains Knight	The blast disrupts the knockoff solar knight, and then there's a barrage of Ex-Aid HIT!!'s and Woz dropping another true or false question. All of this is met with an increasing amount of cheering, with each blast or HIT!! - and the solar knight fizzles out, like the rest of the Priestess's monsters. "And now..." she says, and reaches down to draw a card. "With that, I can play..." "..." "..." "Didn't draw the right card?" says Chains. "Mana locked? Out of creatures to play?" "... Don't think I've made a misstep," says the Priestess, gathering her cards up and shoving them back into her deck holster. "This is but one more step towards my end goals," she adds, as she sweeps around and stalks out the back of the inn. A lot of the people who were on her side in the inn go with her - but... not all of them, at least not right away. Some take their time, lingering as if watching the multiversals for what they do next... some clearly staying firmly put. "I liked her better before she lost," comments one. "Well, I liked when the one guy did a quiz question mid-fight," says another. And nearly all of the picketers are crowded around the door, silently watching... Sougo and Stanley indeed have an audience right now, and they're hanging on their every word. If there's something to be said, now's the time to say it.
Stanley Padgett	Stanley jeers at the priestess as she clambers out of the inn, her deck between her legs as it were, before he stands up on a table. He's still FEELING IT, and the raw energy of his first proper fight outside of Lampport is boiling in his blood. REVOLUTION sings in his breast and his veins and he mounts the nearest table, and kicks open a window so EVERYONE can hear him. "O God, that one might read the book of fate and see the revolution of the times!" He leans back into the room. "Make mountains level, and the continent, weary of solid firmness, melt itself into the sea!" There's songs in his heart. He's gotta keep going. "There is a history in all mens lives!" He wheels on the nearest questgiver, displaced by awful fortune, and looks into the man's eyes. "Be ye men or be ye cur?" ...Oh dear, Stanley.
Timespace Riders	Zi-O becomes Sougo, by the removal of that futuristic pocketwatch from the Timespace Driver, and, the removal of its twin, the colorful Ex-Aid watch. He's got a few nicks and cuts he didn't have earlier, but Sougo is smiling wide. Especially when Stanley opens the window to proclaim the rich history in the lives of those that work the tutorial zone. Sougo claps excitedly, his eyes brimming with enthusiasm, and even Woz offers a hearty "REJOICE!" But the Demon King has something of his own to add. " Everyone," he announces, standing up on a chair to make his proclamation. "There's something you should know. Instead of working with me to make sure you were all being treated like you deserved, the Priestess tried to bribe me, Woz and Stanley, with experience that'd let us skip past this part." He frowns. "And that was after she said how 'important' and 'vital' this place was. Is that who you want in control? A good game-master understands that there's no story without life... and you all work so hard to make this place feel lived in. You deserve somebody who listens to you when you're struggling, who wants to see this place succeed as much as you do. Not because it flatters their ego, or their vision," Sougo firmly, but quietly asserts, "But because they love making stories, forging experiences that touch people's hearts, as much as you do." Stepping down from his makeshift soapbox, Sougo smiles at Chains. "I can't make that decision for you... but I think that person has been here with you for longer than some of you might realize." Sougo wraps an arm around Chains' armored shoulder, giving him a friendly, rallying squeeze before letting go to pat him on the back.
Chains Knight	Stanley gives his quote. There's applause, cheering, and one confused person who thinks "be ye men or be ye cur" is another quiz question, and is trying to puzzle it out. "I'm a man," declares Stanley's target, to further applause. There's some muttering at Sougo's reveal of the gifted EXP. "Well, if it was a tiny bit of EXP, that doesn't sound too bad..." says one. "No - listen, it was that she was trying to skip past the intro, especially after saying how important it was-" corrects another. The cross talk dies down a bit as Sougo makes an introduction, aside from a bit of "Who's he?" "He had a deck too..." "... Yes," says Chains, after a moment. "Thank you." He reaches up, and removes his helmet. "-Dark General Array..." say the whispers, now. Underneath the helmet, Chains Knight is... anime pretty. Extremely anime pretty. Like a committee of character designers set out to design a bad boy character who'd launch a thousand livejournal shipping blogs, and succeeded. "... You all know me," he says, his shoulder-length silver hair swaying gently as his perfectly proportioned face looks around the room. "I'm not here to talk about me. None of us are. We're here to talk about you." "Together, you've brought Reshuffled to its knees. Here, forgotten, abandoned, or just shoved to the side at the starting town, at the tutorial zone - you've rebelled not out of hate for the Priestess, not out of vengeance for whatever circumstances brought you here - but because you've felt that urge to create, just as much as I have." "And you've been stymied. And so you've made your voice heard - and heard to the extent that it's brought us here. And..." "... We aren't here to tell you what to do. That's been made clear, I think - you want to express yourselves, run your game area how you want, and I intend to allow that... and to protect that, by force of arms or force of game. And all we ask in return..." He gestures at himself, at Woz and at Sougo. "Is that you join us under our banner. Not Thread, Librarian, Trigger, or even Chains factions - but something yet stronger. Join us under the strength of the Concord, and none shall ever force themselves upon your quests again!" There's cheering.
Stanley Padgett	Stanley is too busy cheering on people to notice that Chains sorta left him out of that last bit at the end. That's okay though, right? The young man, still high on SWASHBUCKLING FOR AN AUDIENCE, clambers up on top of the inn's roof, hoisting up one of the protestor's picket signs like a rallying flag. "FORWARD! ALWAYS FORWARD TO THE SUN!"
Timespace Riders	Sougo smiles at Stanley . "Was that Shakespeare?" he asks, eyes twinkling with admiration. "It was really--oh, be careful!" Stanley is already too high to easily get down. Sougo beams. "I have a good feeling about this." As Sougo makes to leave, Woz turns to face... someone. "And so," he... narrates? "My Demon King's admiration for Stanley Padgett grows, as does his fledgling bond with Chains Knight, the former General. The people of this overlooked, overworked town are guided towards the banner of the Concord. In time..." He pauses, shutting the book and smiling coyly. "Ah, but I've said too much." Woz departs, meeting Sougo outside. The two of them disappear, beneath the space-defying folds of Woz's scarf.