Note that the following are considered your powers for the game, but you will still be able do whatever is within the ability of the character. At my discretion of course.
Depending on the character Habits may have consequences if not completed, or otherwise will be done automatically if not done before sleeping.

-

Lv 1: Euphoric State - Your observation skills will be temporarily buffed if a person lets you massage them. However this also physically buffs the individual being massaged.

Lv 2: ???

Habit: She must meditate or practice her martial arts at least once per day.

The game will start in the Group Thread.

(This is the type of post I will make when telling you to switch threads.)

Aurora steps out of the wings and takes center stage.

"Hi. I hope you don't mind, I just wanted to say something here to get my phone used to being me instead of Daedon. And, well, I guess to let me get used to being me, too."

She grins brightly and bows.

"Thank you very much for allowing me entry into this game, and I promise I will do my very best to validate your trust in me. I know I may not be the most striking in what is sure to be a marvelous cast of characters, but I hope that I'll leave a good impression anyways."

With that out of the way, she begins walking around the space.

"Hmm, not a bad location. Very understated, but that works for something like this. Oh? What's this?" she asks, hurrying the couple steps over to a wall with a little half-skip. "Oh. Just a little bit of drywall patching. You might want to smooth it out some before the game starts."

Stepping back towards the center of the stage, she takes a deep breath and holds her arms wide, her face to the ceiling and eyes closed. A slight smile forms on her lips, and then she lets her arms fall as she faces the observer.

"Pardon me, I was just getting a feel for the energy of this room. It's quite well-balanced. There's a few things I would have done differently, from a feng shui standpoint, but then again I didn't have to pay the builders. Still, it's a good space for amplifying the energies of those within it, which is, I imagine, what you were hoping for. Good,bad. Whatever the occupants bring in with them will get stronger by being here." She mutters, more to herself than him, "I hope it stays good for a while..."

"Anyways!" she continues, shaking herself out of her introspective moment, "I'm sure you have plenty on your mind right now, and I hope I haven't distracted you too much. Thanks for letting me pop by!"

With another bow followed by a quick wave, she jogs back to the wings, leaving the stage bare once more.

Item Acquired: Room Key #002

Wrapping up her meal, Aurora sips quietly from her water for a while, seeing if anyone has anything further to say. After about ten minutes of in-game time (your discretion on how long you want to wait to see if the others give you direction), assuming nothing new happens: "Well, if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to continue looking over this place. After all, totems or not, there's things to see. Perhaps yet another way out that even the bear doesn't know of. Still, even without, I can't say I'm particularly displeased by the surroundings. You all are more than welcome to come with, if you want." She'll smile expectantly at Kai, but whether or not she comes along, she'll head out. Stick her in the meditation area next. That'll occupy her for a good long while. What she does there, though, depends on if anyone is with her.

>>6
Before you get up to leave Kizami, who had recently entered the room to eat, comes over to you.

"Hello, Miss Aurora, if you don't me calling you that? What do you make of Monozaki's announcement?

Do you think anyone will attempt a murder with no visible way out of this? It seems hard to believe since that's about our only motive at this point in time, but I wager that he might try something if nobody makes a move, which means that we need to think of a plan of action before that happens."

>>7

Aurora smiles. "I don't mind what you call me, as long as you're nice about it. As for the announcement? I don't make much of anything of it. Like you say, I'm not all that worried that we'll start popping off and murdering people."

She takes her last bite of salad, then stretches. "I mean, aside from the fact that we're in a place we don't know with a bunch of strangers, this is a pretty comfortable location. I'm planning on continuing to look around, see what there is to see. Just because all the bear's totems have been found doesn't mean we've seen it all, after all. Maybe there's a way out he doesn't know about or hasn't thought of. That's my only plan of action, really. When you're caught by the wave, sometimes the best course of action is to go with the flow."

Last edited at 18/06/11(Mon)19:44:07

>>8
He gives you a smile in return. Kizami finishes his food and bids you goodbye. He then leaves the cafeteria.

You then head to the meditation room after saying goodbye to the others. Currently no one is here.

>>10

Aurora takes a beach towel, lays it out near the water, seats herself on it, and begins to meditate.

>>11
You find a towel, set up your area, and begin. You quickly feel more reinvigorated and any stress, if you had any at all, washes away. Although meditating you will notice anyone if they enter the room. You can stay like this for a while if you so wish.

>>12

Feeling refreshed from her time alone, Aurora gets up, puts the towel away, and exits the Meditation room. Walking to the other side of the hallway, she takes a look in the Nature Room. If she doesn't see anyone there, she'll just take a short look around. If she does, she'll say, "Oh, sorry, just taking a peek," and head out, unless they call for her to say, in which case she'll stay to chat (and disregard the below until later).

Either way, eventually she'll go to the Guest Building and track down her room. Once inside, she'll begin familiarizing herself with the space.

>>13
As you leave you find some Monocoins buried in the sand.

Monocoins: +10

You peak in the Nature Room and see Hadaka working on weaving baskets for berries and stripping beaches off logs. You also notice Seiko is here but she is just wandering around. They don't notice you and you head off.

You head back to the Guest House Building and find your room, open the door, and take a look. The first thing you notice however is not part of the room but rather something right in front of the doorway as you entered.

There is a sheet of paper on that has something written on it with pen.
It reads:

[As I dig holes I cannot help but feel
That perhaps I am digging to the one I love.
For as I move the very earth beneath my feet
So too does my heart move towards you.]

On the back, there are a few sentences written. "Keep it secret. I am digging a hole beneath the fence. Ms. Kai will be my bodyguard so I am not murdered while digging."

Suddenly an announcements clicks on.

"Alright. It is now Nighttime. I hope you all remember the rules. There will be a wake up call in the morning so you don't miss breakfast. Sleep tight..."

It then clicks off.

Last edited at 18/06/12(Tue)23:06:15

It is now Nighttime! Continue to post in the Private Threads

Aurora goes out onto the grounds and walks counterclockwise around the main path, locking the door on the way out and bringing the paper, tightly folded up, tucked away in her blouse. If challenged by the bear, she'll explain that she is checking to see if the grounds change in any way at night, and as such her walk has a point, and thereby breaks no rules. She will enter the garden, just to check it out, and will spend a couple minutes watching the fish, "determining if they would make good food" if the bear asks. She'll keep going counterclockwise until ending up back at the guest rooms.

She'll stop and talk if she's spoken to but is only interested in observing everything about the grounds at night that she can otherwise, and as such won't seek out conversation on her own.

Once she's back she'll change and go to sleep.

>>17
The area is much darker around this time and there are a few lights to illuminate the path. The buildings themselves still have lights on, just dimmed slightly.

You think you see Kai in the distance but continue onward to the garden. Once inside you notice there is now a decent sized pile of dirt next to what seems to be a filled-in hole. Looks like whatever Andy was doing here is already over. In addition there are a few other noteworthy changes. The fields seem to be watered and there are some plant beds that have been tended to with a few seedlings sprouting. You also notice a distinct lack of farm tools in the shed, and the words "Andy X Mori" carved into the side of one of the walls.

The fish in the pond to look edible, although they must have been cared for for a long time considering their size. There are a few spotted and a few solid colors. It is certainly calming to watch.

As you return to the Guest House Building you hear someone and turn to see Kai rushing over.

"What were you doing out?" she asked hastily, eyes narrowed and looking in all directions. She is somewhat shaken, which is surprisingly to say the least. Considering how they have acted so far.

>>18

"Don't worry Kai, I'm fine. The bear hasn't bugged me at all for being out, yet. I just wanted to go for a walk, see what everything looks like at night. Sometimes things can be apparent under a softly glowing moon that we miss in the harsh light of day."

She smiles, but then her smile falters. "That, and my mind is too busy to sleep just yet. Where did the classroom go? How did we get here? Why is the bear so intent on making us kill, and why does he seem so certain we will?"

She sighs and looks at the moon. "My instincts are telling me to be worried, to be on my guard, and I should always trust my instincts, because that's the energies of the universe speaking to me. I just...can't, though. The idea that we'd kill people we just met? I can't accept it. So until my mind and my soul stop disagreeing, I don't think I'll sleep soundly again."

She turns to her friend. "What about you? You look worried. The bear said that we're not allowed to wander around at night aimlessly though, so if you have a reason you should be fine."

She seems relieved that you are alright, but still uneasy. "I was patrolling. I was warned not to stay up too late, and... it seems that our enemy is not joking around. There is cause for worry."

She takes a deep breath and nods to herself. "But worry not, Miss Aurora. If your worries keep you from proper sleep, then I will take them upon myself. Any worries you have will be delegated to me, allowing you your proper rest. This is my job, after all."

>>20

Aurora laughs lightly. "If only it were so easy. I know something that'll take both our minds off it, though." She reaches out to take Kai's hand. "Come on, let's go to the Sunshine building. Or one of our rooms if you would be more comfortable there."

Kai just nods. "The sunshine building will be better," she said simply, looking at her surroundings. "Mental health is the most important part of staying safe, after all."

As you turn to leave however you notice Monozaki standing there.

"I think this building sounds better. Getting late after all." He seems more threatening than usual.

>>22

"Oh, hello," says Aurora, attempting to sound carefree but failing. "Do you think so? After all, we have a purpose for going there, so it's not against the rules..." Her voice, though soft, has an edge to it, like she's going to start an argument.

Then she relaxes. "But maybe you're right. Your room should work anyways, Kai."

>>23
Kai suddenly looks attentive and ready to strike if needed when you began to argue back, but the resolve quickly falters as if they remembered something.

"Yes, let us go," she said dryly, as the two of you walk to Kai's room she looks back at the bear cautiously who watches the two of you leave.

You enter Kai's room with her.

>>24

Aurora takes a brief look around, noting how it might be similar or different to her room, then turns to Kai. "Alrighty. If you would like to, please feel free to take off whatever layers you would feel comfortable with." She smiles happily. "I would like to massage you!" Then, realizing she may have sounded a bit overeager, she dials it back. "If you would like me to, of course."

>>25
Kai seems to have no issue with this and removes layers of heavy clothing before lying on the bed face down. "It would be an honor," was all she said.

And, as one could imagine, the knots in her back had knots in their knotted knots. It would be like trying to massage a brick wall into submission.

>>26

The massage commences. Describe it however you like, but it will not be fast, and it will be a combination of traditional western massage, reflexology, Indian scalp massage, a touch of Swedish deep-tissue in just the right spots, shiatsu, and with a little bit of chakra cleansing techniques tucked in. She wants to cleanse and relax her whole self, inside and out, body and soul.

You work your magic on her body and she quickly finds herself enjoying it. Despite the challenge in front of you do an excellent job and Kai looks grateful for it. In fact you would say she even looks much stronger, at least temporarily. You feel quite elated with the job well done. You also find yourself sensing the world more clearly.

"I cannot thank you enough. Truly, I cannot. I will do my utmost to keep you safe... as well as the others. Rest easy. Hopefully my services will grant a similar peace of mind."

>>28

"Anytime. I was telling the truth about taking payment in friendship. I suppose having someone to promise to keep me safe is a decent substitute for the tea."

She winks, and then says her goodbyes.

Upon leaving, she returns to her room, locks her door, changes, and goes to sleep.

>>29
You safety make it back to your room and prepare for bed.

Soon you are drifting off to dreamland.

Nighttime is now over! We will be moving back to the Group Thread next!

(However I need to post a bit first, so don't post until I say so on the board!)

BP: +1

You and Mori head to the meditation room while Kai tails behind. As you enter the room you notice Kai take post outside in front of the door.

You are now alone in the meditation room with Mori.

>>33

"Alright. You can take as much or as little clothing off as you would feel comfortable with. I could also lock the door to this room, if you would like. Anything and everything to help you be comfortable. We therapists call this the pre-massage." She laughs lightly a little, embarrassedly.

Once she does what she wants, Aurora will begin the massage, same as with Kai. Insert description here.

As she works, Aurora asks, "So what did you do with Andy in the garden yesterday?"

>>34
"...Yes, please lock the door. I can get embarrassed quite easily... And I wouldn't want any of those boys to see me like this..."

She unbuttons her blouse, which is rather covered in dirt, and she removed her bra and shorts leaving her in only her underwear.

You then proceed to lock the door and begin to massage her, then asking your question.

>>35
"He helped me fix up the garden. It was in quite a messy state when I arrived, weeds scattered everywhere. So he dug some holes to toss the weeds into and some other holes to plant the tomatoes in. He's really good with holes, you know."

>>36

"I imagine he would be, yes," she says, pressing her thumbs up either side of Mori's spine. "I think he has quite an eye for the ladies and a restless heart as well, though neither is, in itself, a bad thing."

>>37
Mori puts her clothes back on. You notice she too is rather impressed by your skills and has received similar effects. You yourself once again feel much more perceptive.

"Mmmm, that felt wonderful! Thank you so much! If we are finished then I will be heading out now."

Mori goes to leave the room. Unless of course you have anything else to say.

>>38

"You are very welcome. If anything good comes from the garden, let me know, ok?"

She lets Mori unlock the door and leave, and takes a peek out into the corridor. "Kai!" She smiles. "You know you really don't have to guard me."

>>39
Kai politely shakes her head. "I will. There is more to Monokuma's threat than you think. I think... the pressure will eventually get to someone."

>>40

Aurora smiles softly, and touches her hand to her friend's shoulder, which is a bit of a reach for her. "Ok. I just don't want you to be the one that it gets to. It'd break my heart."

She brightens. "Hey, want to go see a movie? I found some Monocoins in the fake beach!"

>>41
She agrees with a nod.

>>42
You head over to the movies and find them to be 5MC per ticket. You notice two movies are playing, Umineko Chiru Part 2. and Quack Hard, a remake of die hard but with ducks.

>>43
You decided to go with Chiru for some reason, despite being a sequel or something. Once inside the theather is just your typical theater with a room for the projection.

You find it hard to understand. There are witches or something, two people named Beatrice. Someone getting forced into a wedding. In any case it seems like it was supposed to be a mystery but you feel like if anything your mystery solving skills went down.

The visuals were good enough so it was something I guess.

>>44

>>43

"Hmm, seagulls or ducks? Well, I've already seen Die Hard, so I guess a resolved seagull it is. Maybe it's a drama? You can see Quack Hard if you want to though."

She pays for both of their tickets and checks out the snacks. "No FRISP? Ah well, a girl can dream." She takes some fruit gummies instead, waits if Kai wants to get some, and heads in.

She'll watch the movie, but as there's no one else, she'll chat with Kai if Kai wants to and is there.

Once they're out, Aurora looks somewhat shocked. "I...have no idea what I just watched..."

With that, she'll head back to the meditation room for a while, offering massages to Kai or anyone else, and suggesting Kai meditate with her for a while. Either way, she'll meditate before heading back to her room about half an hour before nighttime.

>>45
Kai refuses and instead takes up guard position outside the door once again.

You once again sit down to meditate, but as you do you notice a small glimmer of gold and find some more Monocoins buried in the sand.

Monocoins: +15

You successfully meditate, feeling once again slightly refreshed. Although you are starting to wonder how long your clothing will stay clean.

Afterwards Kai escorts you back to your room and you say goodnight slightly before nighttime.

Suddenly an announcements clicks on.

"Alright. It is now Nighttime. Sleep tight..."

It then clicks off.

Last edited at 18/06/15(Fri)19:57:41

Nighttime is over! Back to the Group Thread!

Alibi: "I-I don't suppose I have much of one. It was at Nighttime according to this thing the bear sent us. I made it back to my room about a half hour before that announcement. Before that I was with Kai, we'd just gone to watch one of the movies. Why...why couldn't everyone just stay calm...?" She tears up.


Investigation: For at least ten minutes, she just stares at the body from a distance, unmoving, unless someone shakes her out of it.

Eventually she'll get a move on. First she will look at the weather panel, see if it has presets, what it can control, maybe some kind of access log, its settings for nighttime last night, etc.

>>49
The panel appears like it can change the weather in the room. You see options like cloudy, hazy, windy, stormy, etc. However you notice it has a log of the past few days. It says it has remained on "Sunny with Slight Clouds" since you all got here on the first day.

Bullet Truth Get: Weather Panel

>>50

Check the door for marks, see if it locks. Not expecting a lot, but she's trying to avoid looking at the body for now.

>>51
The door looks perfectly fine. No locks though.

>>52

After that, she turns and walks to the near end of the stream, slowly pacing along it, looking inside of it and on its banks. Still refusing to look at his body.

>>53
As you walk by the stream you see some nice little fishes.

You also happen to notice what looks like some sort of tool. On closer inspection it appears to be a stone axe. It looks rather well made with some woven string wrapping the stone which has been fitted into a hole made in the wooden handle.

Bullet Truth Get: Stone Axe

>>54

Aurora stops and looks closer, fishing it out if she can, trying to determine if there's blood, how sharp it is, how the various surfaces look, how heavy it is, etc.

Last edited at 18/06/16(Sat)20:35:13

>>55
You find the axe to be rather useful, it seems like it would be sharp enough to cut down a tree, although not as cleanly as a normal axe since it is still somewhat blunt. You don't notice any blood on the drenched axe.

The axe is decently heavy. Dropping it on someone would hurt, so if you purposely swung it would likely do some serious damage.

The stream itself would likely only go up to your waist. It moves at a steady pace but is nothing you couldn't walk through.

Last edited at 18/06/16(Sat)20:48:37

>>56

Aurora steels herself and walks through the stream, checking out the small patch of land on the other side.

>>57
You walk through the water and find... some grass. It sure is grass.

Your clothes probably got a little less dirty from wading into the water. You are now wet.

Last edited at 18/06/16(Sat)21:33:02

>>58

She goes back across the stream, and finally heads toward the corpse. First, she examines the logs for any sign of blood, fabric, or the like, then in, on, and under the baskets. A last ditch attempt to keep from viewing the body.

>>59
There are few handmade tools like sharpened wooden spears apparently used for fishing since you see a single fish with a hole in it right next to it. There is no blood on the baskets that which have been woven with plant material similar to that seen on the axe. They are filled with blackberries. Near the body is also a partially eaten sandwich. Looks like a nice BLT.

Finally, as you start to get close to the body you do notice a few splats of blood here around the area but they don't have a pattern you can really get anything out of it.

Bullet Truth Get: Wooden Spears

Bullet Truth Get: Berry Baskets

Bullet Truth Get: Sandwich

>>60

She looks it all over, but nothing catches her eye immediately. She sees the blood, and turns back, and that's when something clicks.

That was not his sandwich.

She picks up the sandwich and examines it closely, looking to see if there is any sign left as to who it belonged to. Lipstick, fabric, hair, anything.

>>61
Sadly you can't seem to find anything definitive about or on the sandwich. Besides that it looks tasty.

Last edited at 18/06/16(Sat)22:23:22

>>62

Setting it back for now, she swallows and turns to look at the body. Once she sees it up close, though, she doesn't look away. She begins with the general items. The wound, the positioning, things like that.

>>63
The body is lying face up with his legs slightly sprawled out as if he fell over backwards. Around the head area the grass is dyed with blood as it seems to have poured out the back of the head. Closer inspection of the head shows that he has a decent sized indent at the very top of his head that has broken the skin and skull inwards. There doesn’t seem to be any other important injuries on the body.

You notice a rope made out of the same plant material you have been seeing. This one seems it has something to do with the gazebo and is loosely wrapped around his hand. You find nothing on his person, since after all, he is naked.

Bullet Truth Get: Body Description

>>64

Aurora manages to force herself to look at the indent, to try to determine the shape of the thing that caused it, then looks at his hands for any sign of rope burns.

>>65
There are no rope burns on the body.

You find the indent matches the stone axe rather accurately.

Last edited at 18/06/17(Sun)23:57:19

>>66

Aurora next checks both ends of the rope,trying to determine its purpose, what it was attached to, and hopefully how and when the ends were cut by discoloration and fraying.

>>67
The rope doesn't really looked cut but rather woven and tied at each end. You look around and notice a few more over by the gazebo.

These seem like they were going to help keep the roof of the gazebo steady. They have been woven out of various plant material seemingly foraged from around the room. There are four in total, one of which is near the body and in Hadaka’s hand. The three together are rolled up neatly by one of the gazebo posts, while the one next to the body is lying along the ground.

Bullet Truth Get: Gazebo Ropes

>>68

She looks around the ground for a bit, looking for a stake that he was likely trying to tie the rope to. She then investigates the rest of the gazebo, checking its construction, especially if there is anything that looks particularly different, like someone else did it.

Once she is done there, she will proceed to the cave.

>>69
You find some wooden carved pegs that you would have otherwise missed since it blends into the area. There is nothing remarkable about them.

You take a look at the gazebo Hadaka said he was working on. Although it ultimately was left unfinished it is rather well made for the material available. It is missing the roof portion which you see next to the structure. It is unfinished and made out of more leaf like branches overlapping one another to reflect rain.

For the main part of the gazebo there are four logs embedded into the ground that have been stripped so they are more smooth. There is a square base for the roof to rest on at the top attached with woven rope to each log (the square on the map). High up near the top of each log are some notches that you assume would be used to tie the roof and logs together and nail the rope into the ground like a tent cover. There are three other woven ropes here as well that match the one near the body.

Bullet Truth Get: Gazebo

You head through the bushes and forest to the very back of the room where you find the entrance to the cave. There you can see it goes downwards a bit and turns the corner. It doesn't seem too dark however so you take a peak inside.

As you turn the corner you see a tiny wooden table on top of some tatami mats. There is a kettle and some cups. There is also a shitty looking tv. Oh and Monozaki is there slurping on some instant noodles.

Something tells you this cave doesn't have anything useful in it.

>>70

She feels it's time to head out. On the way, she makes a few stops. She searches inside the berry baskets for anything non-berry and searches in and around the log pile for anything that might have been lost in them.

Then she leaves the room and makes her way to the cafeteria and kitchen.

>>71
You find nothing in the baskets besides glorious black berries filled to the brim. You also don't find anything hidden in the log pile.

Once in the cafeteria/kitchen you look around and happen to notice some bread crumbs on one of the kitchen counters.

Bullet Truth Get: Bread Crumbs

>>72

Follow the trail of bread crumbs if it leads anywhere. Looks also for any signs of disturbance around the bacon, lettuce, and tomato sections.

See if there's any way the kitchen tracks who takes what when.

>>73
The bread crumbs don't seem to lead anywhere, they are just simply there. You do notice there are some slices missing from the bacon in the fridge. The same can be said about the lettuce and tomatoes which have some leaves and slices taken out of them.

Sadly the kitchen is not sophisticated enough to big brother you.

>>74

Next Aurora heads to the meditation room, checking for signs that the hot tubs were used, or were, in fact, ever even approached. If the fake beach reaches that far, the sand should prove useful with that.

>>75
You do find the sand leading up to the hot tubs have been disturbed. You also find a damp towel thrown up against a chair.

>>76

She checks the hot tub controls, and also looks to see if there's blood anywhere on the edge of the tub.

>>77
The hot tub controls look rather standard. There are buttons for the jet power settings and some lights in the bottom. You don't find any blood.

>>78

Aurora next heads to the northeast corner, to check out the hole Andy dug.

>>79
You find the hole in the very corner of the area. It hasn't been filled in and there is a small pile of dirt next to it. You don't find anything inside the hole.

Last edited at 18/06/19(Tue)19:54:14

>>80

Aurora checks the dirt, to see if it seems moist or dried out, and if there are any tools.

>>81
You fail to find any tools. The dirt is about as dry as you would expect from being dug yesterday during the day.

>>82

It all came down to the sandwich, she thought. How to prove if it was his or not...

Suddenly she had an idea, but the thought of it made her pale with dread.

Going back to the crime scene, she looked in his mouth and around his teeth for food particles, while trying not to vomit or scream.

>>83
You don't seem to notice any food particles in his mouth. You vomit however.

lazy round seperator

>>85
kai gives you a nod back

>>86
Kai stares at Monokuma with hate. "How much would it cost to have you alert me when someone buys any of these murder weapons?" she asked quietly. It was obvious that she was entirely serious.

He responds, "Well that would make it a bit too easy don't you think? Upupu. Well don't worry about it too much, there will be other ways to figure out stuff like that."

>>87

Aurora smiles at Kai cheerily and tugs lightly on her hand. "Come on, we can hear about everything else later from the others. I think a massage will help us relax."

>>88
The two of you return to the meditation room once again.

>>89
Now in the room Kai turns to you and asks, "Are you doing alright?" For once you can see genuine emotion on her face.

>>90

She locks the door, and then Aurora's obviously false facade breaks. Tears well up in her eyes.

"No. No I'm not. I'm terrified, Kai, and I don't know what to do. I thought that I could trust these people, trust in the inherent goodness of people, and then Mori goes and kills Hakada because he was an easy target? And just to get back to some bloody plants? Bugger that! If those are the kind of nutters I'm trapped with, I'll...I'll..."

She starts sobbing, but then chokes it down and holds up a hand to keep Kai off for a bit. "Listen, I know some martial arts, and I'm not bad, but I imagine you're amazing with that kind of thing, yeah? Can you be my sparring partner, and teach me what you can? That'll hold us for a few hours, at least. And I want to talk to you about tonight. I have an idea to protect us from the others."

>>91
Like you predicted, Kai was about to rush over but your hand in the air stopped her.

"However, you are still here with me," Kai whispered, letting out a small sigh of relief. "And I will do everything in my power to protect you. Teaching you to protect yourself is likely the best option I can give to you."

Kai lowers herself into a stance, knees bent and far apart, and turned slightly sideways. She looked like a snake ready to strike as she lowered her head, eyes shadowed by the brim of her cap. In an instance you can sense her danger, mostly thanks to her confidence and posture.

"Step 1: intimidate your enemy. Be confident enough to make them hesitate. Practice your posture. The best case scenario is not having to fight at all."

Kai relaxes a little, looking less serious. "So... what is your idea?"

>>92

Aurora shivers a bit, but then adopts her own form. If Kai might be aware of it, it's for Varma Kalai,a martial arts form that focuses on pressure points and vital point strikes, and often includes elements of massage in its teaching.

"I stayed up...well, too late last night thinking, looking at everything I knew about this place, remembering things I'd seen... Ever seen Battle Royale? Movie from a while back, children dumped on an island and forced to kill each other to escape."

She sighs, and begins a practice bout with Kai, moving calmly and not at full speed or strength. As stated, she's pretty good, enough to surprise anyone who would only judge her looks and personality and think her helpless, but there is plenty that could be improved on.

"Anyways, a big thing in that movie was securing tools. Weapons. And I got to thinking about the stores. About how to get the weapons in them for us. I was thinking about how to get enough coins, when I realized something."

At a natural breaking point she disengages. "There's not a single rule in that handbook stating that we can't steal! You see, Kai? We can just take it all! No coins needed!"

>>93
As you spar with Kai you can tell that nearly all of her counters and movements were nothing but feints, trying to make you back away or hesitate. She puts up a good fight but is not quite as violent as you would expect giving her apprentice. If you had to guess it makes sense for a bodyguard, to prevent and intercept conflict rather than to overpower the person. You recall her reaching for her waist sometimes, perhaps she is more adapt at a different kind of defense.

"Stealing...?" she huffed, pausing as you also stop. "You are correct. However, we are being watched. What if someone notices us stockpiling weapons? They would stockpile their own until we are all armed to the teeth. As a bodyguard... sometimes it is more safe in situations where seeing someone with a weapon will rouse suspicion."

However she hesitated. "But... it may be our only choice. Someone else may realize the same thing. And if we are the ones left without weapons...."

>>94

"Exactly! We tried calm before, but it didn't work. Now it's making sure that no one can hurt us!" she says, breathless with an energy that some might term manic.

"Or each other," she tacks on as an afterthought.

"Before there were two stores I was thinking that we could do it together, but now we should probably split up. "

>>95
You notice Kai wince when you say "each other" but she quickly puts on a more determined face.

"I agree," she said after a moment's hesitation. "Where should we meet up? Should we wait for night, or...?"

>>96

"Yes, I'm thinking night. Perhaps acting completely independently, to confuse the bear. He can't watch everything, right? I'll take this one, you take the hardware store? Sorry to give you the harder one, but you're stronger and more skilled..." she trails off, hanging her head.

>>97
"Agreed. However... be wary. That bear may not be able to kill you itself, but it has other things that can hurt you. If you are threatened... do not waste your life. As for stealing from the hardware store, I will do my best. Leave the difficult jobs to me."

>>98

"Ok..." she says. Then, a moment, later, wraps Kai in a tight hug, burying her face in her friend's chest. "It needs to work, Kai. We can't die here. I don't want to die." She begins crying again, and does so for several minutes.

Finally, she pulls herself together and smiles weakly. "Come on, the bear said it's required that we bathe once a day, and I'm for it. Didn't someone say something about massage chairs there too? I think I owe you one."

At this time an announcement pops up. "A body has been found! Everyone gather in the Female Onsen!"

(I will post in the group chat, then the investigation will begin)

>>100
Kai puts her hand on your head. "It seems... we were too slow," she whispered, her aura becoming dangerously serious again. "And now it's back to fighting for our lives. Be strong, Aurora. Be strong."

Aurora had steeled herself by the time they made it to the onsen. Though she was still shaking a little and gulping down bile, she began immediately.

First she turns around and walks out of the room. Her eyes immediately go to the laundry hampers, looking for what has been deposited besides towels, how many towels and in what condition, or anything odd along the sides or rim.

Next she searches the clothing cubbies, looking to see what clothing was in there, and if anything got left behind by anyone while they were taking their clothing.

Then she goes to the clean towel spot and makes sure that the towels missing makes sense, along with a brief inspection of the surroundings and under/in-between the towels just in case.

Finally, she takes a look at the mop and bucket, to see if they've been used or potentially damaged.

(If anything interesting is found, we'll expand the search of that item. Just wanted to list it all out.)

>>102
You do not find anything else in the hampers besides towels. Or towel, rather. The single towel inside is soaked with water, and you notice it has a slight brown stain on it. You inspect the stain more closely and get a whiff of it. Smells like coffee.

In the clothing cubbies you notice Seiko's clothing in one of the bins. You know Aiko used one of the other now empty ones since you saw her change as you came to the onsen to investigate.

When in the onsen area you could see a towel still on Seiko and Aiko had brought one into the onsen herself which is dry and now on the ground in the changing room. Checking the clean towels you see that three have been taken out of the original eight. The rest are perfectly folded and have not been touched. You do not find anything useful under or in the towels.

The mop and bucket seem perfectly fine.

Bullet Truth Get: Female Clean Towels

Bullet Truth Get: Towel in Female Laundry Hamper

Bullet Truth Get: Female Clothing Cubbies.

>>103

Aurora frowns at the towel in the bin, but then turns and heads back out to the onsen.

First she looks to the washing stalls, on them and around them, then walks across the bridge to investigate the body.

>>104
There are some suds draining off from the washing area. They seem to be coming from one of the stalls. You look around and see some of the tools being wet but not much else.

You go up to the body and take a look. Naturally since she was in the water her hair is wet and her towel is soaked. Her towel has slipped off slightly but remains on her person. You notice there is a slight brown discoloration on the towel.

You don’t notice any immediate wounds. Investigating the body more closely you see that under her towel is a red rash going up her back and up to her neck that branches off randomly in a tree like pattern.

Bullet Truth Get: Body Description

>>105

Remembering the brown stain on the other towel, Aurora leans in to get a whiff of this one as well.

Eyeing the rash, she looks around in and along the edges of the water, looking for anything that might have caused it. Following a hunch, she especially looks for some form of device that would cause electrocution in water.

>>106
It is a bit more faint, but you are fairly sure they are from the same source.

You fail to find any devices like that around the edges of the water but as you are scanning the depths you notice a submerged coffee bottle from one of the vending machines outside in the waiting area of the onsen. In fact around the area you can see some brown flakes and that the water is a bit murky with coffee.

Bullet Truth Get: Coffee Bottle

>>107

Aurora then proceeds to the other side, on and in the bushes, rustling around in an attempt to see if anything or anyone is/was hidden here.

>>108
You search the bushes and notice some footprints behind them. You can not make out who could have made them since they have been brushed over but it is clear someone was back here.

You also happen to notice a small part of the back fence where the dirt has been disturbed. The fence itself touches the ground and the dirt under the fence has been pushed aside to make gap that something could fit through. No larger than a fist.

Bullet Truth Get: Footprints in Bushes

Bullet Truth Get: Gap Under the Fence

>>109

Aurora looks down to the gap and tries to see what is on the other side of it.

>>110
You look through and see some dirt and grass. Does not seem like you can see anything from here.

>>111

Aurora takes a minute to gather herself, and then tries to jump up and clamber over the fence.

>>112
As you grab the top of the fence you hear a mechanical whirl and take a look behind you. On the roof top there is a machine gun turret that has come to life and is pointed at you. Ah, this is what the onsen rules meant by "immediate punishment". It does not shoot however, so you let go and fall back down.

Bullet Truth Get: Onsen Rules

>>113

Biting her lip, she reviews the rules, then goes the long way around to see what's on the other side of the gap.

>>114
You head around to the area in the back and sure enough you can see the gap here. There is nothing that stands out right away, but you notice there are some markings in the ground. You would say car tire tracks but they are much smaller. It looks like something with wheels moved back here at some point. You follow the tracks a bit until you notice they start to get lighter as the ground gets harder until being barely visible once on the main area pathways.

Bullet Truth Get: Tracks Behind the Onsen

>>115

Aurora goes back into the building, walking into the male area, and proceeds to examine the same items as she started with for the female area.

>>116
You then head to the male side. You notice there is some dirt here on the ground and one of the clothing baskets is rather dirty with soil as well. You decide to do a quick look around just like the female side and notice there is only one clean towel remaining. There are two on the ground that you know to be from Taku since Monozaki let him dry off and change into his clothing to investigate. There are five towels in the laundry hamper. It seems the one on the top is drier than the rest.

You also take note of the broom in the corner of the room. The broom handle seems somewhat damaged at the top. Close by is the door into the onsen which on the side you can see a slight mark on the door. When placing the broom between there and the wall it seems to block the door from opening.

Bullet Truth Get: Male Clean Towels

Bullet Truth Get: Towels in Male Laundry Hamper

Bullet Truth Get: Male Broom and Door

>>117

Aurora heads out to check the washing stations, then eyes the water and the island on her way over to investigate the bushes to see if there were signs of disturbance on this side as well.

>>118
In the washing stall area you notice one that has a large amount of dirt coming from it similar to the stuff found in the changing room. Two of the other stalls seem to have been used as well.

Nothing else appears odd about the male onsen. You check the bushes and fence in the back and find no gap, footprints, or anything of note.

>>119

Aurora seems almost stumped. She slowly walks back to the female side of the onsen. On the way she stops by the vending machine, attempting to glean anything she can from the buttons, the dispenser, and the coffee still inside.

She then goes back to the onsen, looking more closely at the used wash station for evidence on who might have used it. Then she returns to he body to more closely look at the redness. She hadn't before, as she was no coroner, but she was desperate.

After that, she had two more places that came to mind to check.

The vending machine seems fairly typical. It was completely full at first, so you notice there is only one bottle missing, from the same brand as the one you found in the water.

You do not find anything to indicate who used the washing area.

The mark is a red color similar to that of a rash. However it is a solid mark that twists up the back, branching off semi-randomly kind of in a tree-like pattern until reaching the neck.

Last edited at 18/07/01(Sun)17:51:12

>>121

Aurora then goes first to the little shelter that Taku had made, and then to the hardware store. In each case, she was focused on trying to find tracks or other indications of a remote controlled car, though anything else odd would certainly catch her attention.

>>122
You do not find anything of note by Taku's umbrella fortress and cannot find any tracks on the way to the hardware store.

You enter the hardware store and notice the cashier is not being manned by Monozaki at the moment. There is a sign that says "On break for investigation time".

Looking at the shop selection you see that the hammer is missing, and you notice the tank of gas is empty, as if it was put back after being used.

As you look around you also notice behind the cashier there is waste deposit for receipts when you buy something at the store. You notice one receipt has fallen under the desk gone unnoticed. It reads “STORECOPY Tank of gas: 50MC. Buyer: Ultimate Swindler S.-san. Cashier: Monozaki”

Bullet Truth Get: Hardware Receipt

>>123

Aurora eyeballs the receipt, then exits. She knows she hasn't checked the storage shed yet, but first she stops by the graves that Andy dug, looking at the soil, and trying to see if she can track the dirt he carried with him out of them, to determine where he went, and if he went to the onsen directly. She also thinks back to how he looked when she got his alibi, and if he looked clean then.

All that done, she goes to the storage shed, still looking for dirt as she goes.

>>124
You find a stupid amount of holes in the ground in both the bottom left and right corners of area 2. They are just random holes, they are about three meters deep and they do not go anywhere. You do not know why he was doing this but it likely took up most if not all his freetime.

You find the dirt seems to match the dirt found in the onsen. It is not much but you can see dirt here and there on the way to the bamboo building. If you had to guess he went to the onsen to get clean and then dug the rest of the holes. This explains why he was kind of clean but still dirty when he gave his alibi.

You do not find any hole dirt near the storage room. You enter the storage room and try to find something that could have made those marks leading from behind the onsen. In the back is a dolly with a box of plastic utensils on it. The dolly itself has four wheels but functions like as two wheel one as well so you can pick up heavy objects without lifting them. Checking the wheels provides a match to the marks.

Bullet Truth Get: Storage Dolly

As you are there you also notice the smell of gasoline. Eventually you stop in front of the portable generator in the storage room. Sure enough it smells like gas... it did not during the exploration phase. Looking inside you see the tank is nearly full of gas. The generator itself is a fairly solid device that would be hard to lift. You notice on the side of it, it boasts being a very silent model that can run without much noise. It has long output cables that come off the generator and can reach fairly far.

Bullet Truth Get: Portable Generator

Last edited at 18/07/02(Mon)17:12:23

Round 2 End

Aurora exhales. "And another dies a traitor's death." She turns and smiles at Kai. "The bear made a mistake, keeping us together, eh Kai?" Her eyes then look to Andy, and her smile fades until her face is a mask of grim suspicion. "Andy," she says, in simple acknowledgement of his presence.

"Well, sounds like we have something new to do. Might as well look at it," she says pulling out her tablet and looking over the riddle.

>>127
"A chance to escape...." Kai says as she views her tablet. "Shall we work together in solving them?"

"So I'm here with Kai and Aurora, huh? Seems fairly safe.... relatively speaking." Andy says.

You check the tablet as both of them also suggest to do so. You notice the riddle is titled “Treasure Map”.
---
If two wrongs still make a right
and a correct will never make a right
Then what exactly is the correct point?

By facing away from the point the eclipsing body will guide you.
There a box of wonders will be found near discarded hopes and dreams.
---

"You two trust each other completely, huh? Wolf and sheep puzzle means that this side is entirely safe.

Still, we're powerless to prevent a murder on the other side. But it might be too easy to figure out the culprit at that point...... I don't any of those 3 would try anything.

Welp, I'm gonna go plant some seeds." Andy would then go off on his own.

>>129

"H-hey!" says Aurora as Andy walks away, then sighs. "Bugger him, he'd only slow us down..." she says quietly, then turns to Kai.

>>128

"Here's what mine says," she says, while showing the tablet to Kai and reciting the words anyways.

"If two wrongs still make a right
and a correct will never make a right
Then what exactly is the correct point?

By facing away from the point the eclipsing body will guide you.
There a box of wonders will be found near discarded hopes and dreams."

"Now, off the top of my head I'm thinking that if correct is not right, then it has to be left, and the eclipsing body is probably the moon, so, Moonlight Building? But that's all I've got so far. Does yours say the same?"

Kai called out to Andy as he was leaving. "We trust each other. And unless you prove me otherwise... I am going to trust you. Remain safe, but do not let your guard down. I... I will not let you or anywhere else commit a murder, no matter what."

Once Andy was gone, Kai turns to you and takes a deep breath. "I am... not very good with riddles," she admitted, looking embarrassed, which didn't seem to be a normal expression for her. "Let me read mine." She reads out the same riddle, seems like they match.

>>131

"Alright, odds are good that Andy's is the same then. Hmmm..."

She looks around. "Maybe we should just skip to the end? Discarded hopes and dreams... that could be Hadaka's gazebo? Or maybe Mori's tomato plants? Could that be why Andy went that way? Perhaps? I'm not that good at them either..."

>>132
After a few moments Andy actually comes back from the garden.

"Trying to solve the riddle, eh? That's probably a good idea. My plants should be good until tomorrow so I'll help brainstorm too.

The word eclipse certainly sounds like astronomy. And we have these Sunshine and Moonlight buildings...."

>>133
"Discarded hopes and dreams..." Kai whispered. "Apologies, I find myself clueless. It... must have something to do with the buildings, but what?"

When Andy approached, Kai was immediately on guard, but not hostile like usual. "Ah, welcome back. Staying together would be wise."

>>134

"Well...another option is that it's referencing something that's changed in this area since the last time we came here. I think the movies change, and wasn't the motive file supposedly found in the guest rooms? Maybe we'll find something if we start looking around too."

>>135
"Sounds like a search is our best option. I agree, let's stick together and search this place. Guide the way, fearless, leader." Andy says to Kai.

"Uh... yes, I will search," Kai says uncomfortably, looking around. "Let us... er, search the moonlight building? Yes?" Kai looks rather unsure of herself.

You all head to the moonlight building. Sure looks like the moonlight building. You notice nothing different.

>>136

Aurora eyes the movies, then sighs. "Alright, I'm not seeing much. Where next, Kai?" she asks, seemingly perfectly content to let her friend lead the way.

>>137
Looks like they are showing "Dumb and Dumber: Reunited" and "My Moeblob Can't be This Desperate".

>>138
"Ah, next?" Kai said, looking quite out of her element for the first time.

"Eclipses, other things, the sun, hopes and dreams...? This building guides us...?" She begins to mumble to herself lost in thought. "To... the rock climbing wall? Or the basement?" Kai was pacing anxiously. Riddles apparently were not her strong point.

>>139
"Huh, our bodyguard is quite cute when she's flustered.

Anyway, I have no idea what they could be referring to here... two wrongs makes a right? And a correct will never make a right?

Do you think they mean left-and-right directions instead of moral rights?"

>>140
You see Kai grit her teeth annoyed at this comment. "I am simply thinking!" she answered all too quickly, starting to pace back and forth like an old-fashioned detective. "This is not where my talents lie, so perhaps you are right! Or left! Whichever is not right, since right is not correct!" The Ultimate bodyguard then began to grumble to herself in German, continuing her pacing. Left, right, left, right....

>>140

"Yeah, I was thinking that before," said Aurora. "I've been trying to think of a place where it's impossible to turn right, or where turning left repeatedly gets you to a certain spot, since correct never makes a right, but I can't seem to think of one."

She sighs. "It's possible something could be in one of those, but at the same time, we might need to be somewhere outside, so that we can then face away and see the Moonligh-"

She pauses, and her eyes widen. "Hold on. The Moon would be assumed to be the eclipsing body, sure, but it's only an eclipsing body if it's going in front of the sun. And that means we'd need to be standing so that the Moonlight Building is between us and the Sunshine Building, yes? And according to the map on this tablet, that would press us up against the left wall!"

Without further ado, she bolts out the door of the Moonlight building and runs around to the left side, between the wall and the building.

>>142
You don't seem to find anything useful.

>>143
"But what about the lefts and rights?" Kai called as she followed with Andy shortly behind before catching up with you and seeing your results.

>>143

Aurora stares at the wall of the building, then looks all around her. Upon discovering nothing of interest, she slams the side of her fist against the building, then sags to her knees.

"I thought...I thought I'd figured it out..." she says in a hoarse whisper.

>>145
"Stand up, Aurora," she said with a firm, but caring tone. "We are not done with this yet." Kai stops for a moment thinking. "Then go back to what you were doing. The moon is our guide. Lots of left. We cannot give up yet!"

"Both of you, come with me. Even if we cannot find anything to help, we can still search this entire complex if we must! We have searched one building, so now let us search the next!" Seems like she wants to head to the sunshine building for now.

>>147

When called upon, Aurora doesn't react for a moment. Then, pressing up against the wall, she slowly stands, then twists and leans back against the wall.

"It doesn't bloody matter, there's going to be more death anyways, right?" she asks no one in particular, quietly, then hangs her head. Then, seemingly digging deep, she stands up from the wall. "Nothing for it but to try what we can, though, eh? Alright, here's all of my thoughts: discarded hopes and dreams could refer to the Nature Room and the unfinished gazebo, two wrongs could be the theater, or more specifically the trial room underneath it, since murderer and punishment were there, plus it's the only round building in this area, which makes things like left and right sides difficult... Gah, I don't know! You're right Kai, if nothing else we can look. Sunshine first."

Last edited at 18/07/15(Sun)21:42:49

"Aurora... don't speak like that again. You must never give up, even when all seems lost. When I guard people, I am not allowed to wonder if I will fail or not. You must do whatever you can to survive and protect. Both of you."

Once in the sunshine building Kai speaks up "To... the Nature Room, then?" It seems like if nothing of note is found the idea is to just look for anything new.

You get there and notice the crime scene has been cleaned up, otherwise nothing seems to be of note. You fiddle with the weather panel to see if there are eclipses settings but it doesn't seem to be the case.

You explore the rest of the building for anything new but only notice that the shop is stocked with new items.

5MC: Paper Towel, Cups, Clothing Pins.
10MC: Batteries, Headphones, Blankets
50MC: Instant Camera, Drink Cooler
100MC: Monozaki Costume, Chainsaw

Last edited at 18/07/15(Sun)22:10:38

>>149
Kai shoots you a sideways glance when you find the store, as if asking an unknown question. She also looks towards Andy as if asking you should we let Andy in on it.

Last edited at 18/07/15(Sun)22:20:00

>>150

Aurora looks at Andy, then to Kai, and gives a slight shake of her head. "Guest house? Maybe in the rooms of the dead?"

>>151
"Yes, yes, as long as we keep moving. Let us check all of the rooms that we can, just in case. Sadly, I am... not accustomed to picking locks. And I would usually use my sidearm to break open doors, but...." Kai hefted a hand at her empty holster, sighing. "However, we shall not be deterred. Let us go to the guest house!"

The group decides to check everyone's rooms in the guest house. To your surprise it seems that the rooms for everyone who has died are unlocked. There is nothing in Hadaka's room, and Nao and Seiko only have totems they found, however searching Mori's room you find a suspicious card key that reads on it "Disabled until the 4th round". You can't tell what it would be used for.

You can assume after you discuss what you found in the rooms you find something riddle related by the fountain.

>>152
"Totems... and a card key? But why is it in her room....?"

>>153
"But wait..." Kai whispered, looking over at Andy. "When would...? No, if she had left it, why did she kill someone in the first round? Was this left... for us? Is this the treasure?" She seems a bit surprised Andy is taking it so well.

>>154
"Sorry, Mori. You're going to have to wait to see me. I'm going to survive this ordeal. I'll make it out and become a worthy successor. I'll create a garden to rival the ancient Babylonians."

>>155

"Honoring a traitor and a murderer, are you? One who tried to sell you down the river, at that. You're a nutter," says Aurora, eyeballing the card as she walks around the bed. "So, who gets it? I vote Kai."

>>156
This makes Kai uncomfortable from what you can tell.

"A... Aurora, hold on," Kai said softly, glancing back and forth. "I would be fine with carrying it, but we should all work together. If I hold onto it... we must all vote on how it is used."

>>157
While you guys discuss this you head over to the fountain and find what you presume to be related to the riddle.

Going around the back there is a little flap that lifts up and underneath is some panel that looks like a code lock of some sort.

There are seven wheels in total and they are all showing moon symbols. You notice there is a button presumably to enter a combination and a counter at the top with the numbers 02. Flipping through the wheels shows there to be a total of 7 symbols for each one that are as follows: moon, inner tube, sun, desk, pillow, cleats, hammer.

>>158

Aurora shakes her head. "I have no idea what this means, but it's got to be related to the riddle somehow. Maybe somewhere at the end? But what are these symbols...?"

She looks around, and then points over towards the desk and staff room. "That looks like somewhere that might have answers." Without waiting for the others, she walks over to the desk and door, investigating.

>>159
You don't find anything useful in the desk and the door to the room are locked.

>>160
Kai rubbed her head, wandering around. "Seven...? Why seven? Why those symbols? Something about escaping, and... wait!"

Kai's eyes brightened up as she had a brilliant idea. "The totems! That bear said something about them being related to escaping!" Kai would dash upstairs in a blur, running up into her room and throwing open the door. She burst out in a flurry, slamming the door behind her and waving one of the totems around wildly.

"This is it, the key!" she shouted... and immediately begin to thrust it up against random parts of the statue. "Where does it fit, where?!" she seethed, apparently thinking she was on the right track.

>>161
"The totems? Do they somehow correlate to the symbols on the fountain?"

>>161

Aurora had been moments away from attempting to break down the staff room door when Kai's outburst causes her to turn. Upon grasping what Kai was saying, Aurora's eyes widen and she breaks out into a large smile, a rare sight over the last few days.

"Kai, you're a genius!" She rushes over and asks for the totem. If she gets it, she begins looking at it intently, looking for any of those symbols.

Last edited at 18/07/18(Wed)21:30:05

>>163
You don't see any symbols on the totem itself, but you do recall that the one Kai got was from the hardware store.

>>164

Aurora frowns and hands the totem back. "I'm not seeing any-...wait... Wait one bleeding minute! Nao! Nao's room!" She dashes off in search of Nao's room and the totem he had collected from the fountain.

>>165

She grabs the totem and begins frantically turning it this way and that, looking for any sign of the symbols. After that, she runs her hands over the whole surface, feeling for anything that might be an indentation, something that would connect it somewhere, or count as a symbol.

For a solid minute she tries frantically to find some answer from it, but none appears. She stares at it coldly, lying there in her hands, and then with a scream of frustration, anguish, and rage she throws it against the wall, turns, and bashes her forehead into the wall next to her. Her fists are clenched, and it seems that her frustration is so great that tears won't flow. She gives one more hate-filled glance over to the totem, and her face goes slack with astonishment.

The totem had bounced off the wall and landed on a pillow on the bed. Just like that, everything clicked.

Running back to the fountain and kneeling down at the code wheels, she begins spinning them as she talks. "First found was the basement of the moonlight building. Second was the one in the fountain, the guest house, where we sleep. Third was my meditation room, Sunshine building. Fourth was with the sports equipment. Fifth was in the pool. Sixth was...staff room of the onsen. Seventh was yours in the hardware store, Kai. Moon, pillow, sun, cleats, inner tube, desk, hammer. That damned bear set the combination right before the start of this round!" With that, she had the wheels set, and slammed her palm down on the button.

>>166
You don't find much on the totem even opening it up, but with your frantic inspiration you rush back, input the code, and hit the button.

The counter goes down to 01, however you hear a little chime and then the door opens with a click. Inside is a tablet, a key, and two devices that, although you may have never seen before in real life, are pretty clearly what you would describe as a bomb complete with it's own detonator.

Picking up the tablet you find some notes in a file on the device. It says that the key will let you pass through and lock/unlock the gates between areas if you wish. The bomb can be detonated wirelessly from anywhere in the facility. The bomb itself is strong enough to kill instantly at point blank range, even from a slight distance it is clear it would do damage.

You can assume the other two beside you were reading and know this information as well.

>>167
"A remote detonation bomb?!" Andy yells.

"He... truly did make a mistake by putting the three of us together," Kai would whisper. "Do you think... the other group will find something similar?"

You get the impression both of them want to get rid of the bomb safely.

>>168

"Almost certainly," said Aurora, grabbing the bomb, the detonator, and the key. "We have to hope that they haven't solved it yet." She holds the key out to Kai.

"Kai, now's our chance to go shopping."

>>169
You go to grab the items but Kai does it before you do. Like lighting her hand snatches the detonator and she backs a way a bit.

Seemingly conscious of her actions she quickly adds, "Apologies, but... we must be careful with this. We must dispose of it."

Last edited at 18/07/19(Thu)19:46:01

>>170
"We don't know what's on the other side of the fence.... it could be an area people would have access to later down the line. It's better if we detonate it safely.

You know, I did make quite a few holes that might work well."

>>170
>>171

"Dispose of it? Do you even hear what you're saying? Right now, this is about the only bargaining chip we have!" she says, holding the bomb close to her chest. "If we can plant this bomb somewhere where it could do real damage, and the other three don't know about it? We could use it as a deterrent."

At this point there's a mad light in her eyes.

"'If you kill us, we blow the bomb. Do you really want to risk it?' It'll be like the Cold War. It'll keep everyone safe."

>>172
Kai looks uneasy that you are acting like this. She looks over to Andy and says, "Underground detonation could work," Kai said. "But considering how this game has gone... it is likely that the other group has a weapon of their own."

It was at this point that Kai seemingly realized something. Her eyes lit up and she nearly let her cap slide off before she picked her head back up. "Wait, Aurora, it's... it's actually a contradiction. We can't threaten anyone with this. If we were to detonate this bomb and kill someone... there would be a class trial, wouldn't there? And we would have to sacrifice the person who detonated the bomb! The class trial... the class trial is its own mutually assured destruction!"

Last edited at 18/07/19(Thu)20:38:07

>>173
"That's exactly it. There's no reason to even use it as a weapon because it would be too obvious as to who used it.

Besides, we don't even know whether or not that detonator matches that bomb! These areas are identical. The other side probably has a bomb and detonator too! Without confirmation from the bear, we can't even be certain that our detonator matches our bomb!"

>>173

"And that hasn't stopped the others, has it?!" shouts Aurora. "They still betrayed us all. They still killed, thinking they could get away with it. But now they'd have their own little Russian Roulette to risk before the trial would even happen!"

>>173

At Andy's words, though, Aurora stopped. She looked down at the bomb in her arms, that she was cradling almost like a newborn.

"They...might have the remote for this..." she asked, hoarsely.

Sitting down at the edge of the fountain, she set the bomb down gently. "...Fine," she said quietly. "Take it, bury it. Don't try to blow it up or you might end up a murderer."

She sniffed and a few tears started to roll down her cheeks, though it was fairly clear that she was trying to hold them in.

>>175
Kai takes the bomb and looks like she is trying to say something but can't.

At this time Monozaki pops out. "Wow nice job guys. I'm just popping in to let you know the detonator is indeed for that bomb. As much as it would have been fun to mess with you like that the bomb was intended as a reward of sorts for solving the riddle. Well maybe I will give you guys some Monocoins later instead. Anyway you can go join up with the other group if you want, or you know do whatever you were screaming about over here."

He then pops away.

Last edited at 18/07/19(Thu)21:18:43

>>176
"Time to make a game plan, girls. Can we assume the other side solved the riddle too? What do we do if they try to hide information about what they got.... or worse, what if they try to play dumb entirely?"

>>177
Kai looks extremely guilty that she turned on you only for it to be for nothing. So much so she is having trouble facing you.

"We... must think of something," Kai blurted out, unable to think of anything to say. "If you are worried... I can bury this bomb by myself and let you two go and meet them. They would not kill with witnesses around... right?"

>>177

"I'm betting they did, or the bear wouldn't have said that. There goes my other idea," she said, flicking the key to the other side of her from the bomb. "And the real question is what do we tell them about what we found? Do we play dumb? And...I don't know."

She sighed. "I just...I'm so tired of having to think like this. This isn't me! Please believe me!" She looked directly at Kai when she said that. "...I want to go home..." she finished, standing up.

>>178

She looked at Kai a little oddly when Kai suggested that, but then gave a very small smile. "Yeah, you're right. I'll be just fine." She reached out and patted Kai's back, and even that short touch is enough to hit a relaxation pressure point a little.

She turned to Andy, the tiredness once more apparent in her features. "Come on Andy. Let's go see what we can get out of them. We'll figure out what to say as we go along." She leans over and snags the key from where she'd tossed it.

>>179
"Let's be sure to do away with this bomb before we go to meet everyone else."

>>180
Kai looks more calm after you pat her on the back. Less flustered than before.

She takes a deep breath, pauses, and then nods. "I... see. I will let Andy lead the way, then, as he knows the best spots to dig. I... I have an idea." She didn't explain it just yet however.

Last edited at 18/07/19(Thu)22:11:59

>>181

Aurora frowns, but follows along.

>>182
"I've already got one prepared. Northeast corner of this area near the Sunshine building. I made it quite some time ago."

You and Kai follow and find the hole. It is the same hole you investigated during the first round investigation.

>>183
Kai takes a nice long look at the hole, maybe checking to see if was a tunnel after all.

Setting the bomb down gently into the hole, Kai wiped her brow and turned to look up at the you two. "I wanted... to have a sting operation," she said, like the words were things people normally talked about. "We could set up barriers to show that this is where the bomb is, keeping people away... but we can also stand watch. We can see if any of the others try to steal it."

>>184

"Would that work? I mean, what about their bomb?"

>>185
"We will deal with their bomb when we meet them. If they are indeed hostile, we can return the favor with our own bomb. And if it comes to that... I will do whatever it takes."

Wanting to make sure the bomb was placed in as far below ground as possible, Kai continued. "If you truly wish to use it as a weapon... then it would be best to use it in the open. But we will worry about that when we meet them. Kizami may be the ultimate thrill-seeker... but he is not the ultimate fool."

>>186

"...ok," Aurora replied. "Just tell me what you need from me. I'm trusting your read of the situation."

>>187
Kai finished burying the bomb, looking to Andy to help cover it up well enough, and moved to climb out of the hole. "If they are truly intent on using their bomb... then I will retrieve our own. I will find a way to carry the bomb on my person and simply stay as close as possible to them. Using force is out of the question, as Aiko is far too strong to be subdued. However, this will hopefully not come to pass. For now... we will assume the best of them, and pray that they will return the favor. Is this... acceptable?" Kai looked at you with worry and at Andy with a more serious look.

>>188

Aurora thought for some time, her face unreadable. Then she nodded. "I'm with you. 100%."

>>190
"Alright. Let's at least give them a chance at trust."

>>191
Your group leaves the area, unlocking the gate with the key, and then heading into Area 2. As you are almost to the area 3 gates you clearly the sound of an explosion from the area. You rush along and unlock the gate and see a cloud of dust and debris flow out of the guest house building.

In front is Kizami, and shortly after Gachari comes out of the building damp and covered in debris. After a moment Aiko joins up with the group from around the corner.

Head to the Group Thread.

Total: 35

Kai decides to take some shots at the training dummies. They all easily hit their target, it is clear she is very skilled.

"I would imagine that the others have explored quite enough already. And... I should let you know. Taku knows everything. I tried to salvage what I could, but I believe he knows that we have the bomb. Aiko, too. In fact... I wouldn't be surprised if they all knew."

>>195

She frowns. "That's fine. We wanted them to know, right? As long as someone can watch it. Which reminds me, have you seen Andy?"

>>196
"I suppose," Kai sighed, looking despondent. She pats the fake side arm she now carries which appears to calm her nerves. "We should go find him and keep him abreast of the situation. Perhaps he is in the mining room?"

>>197

"Worth a peek. Oh, and Kai? Tonight, as planned? Our original excursion."

>>198
Kai nods gravely, thinking she understood. "Our... ah, shopping trip?" she asked, just to be sure.

>>199
You and Kai look around for a while and remember he was doing something in the garden so you go there and find him. Seems like he is diligently taking care of some plants.

>>200

"Alright, I guess if we're going to have this work, we'll need to set up some kind of shifts for watching our spot. Andy, can you cover some of the night shift?"

>>201
"Shifts to cover the bomb? I still think we should just safely detonate it. Standing outside by ourselves at night is just far too dangerous...."

>>202
"Shifts.... While I do not relish the thought of putting anyone but myself under the burden of watching over that bomb, I cannot be there constantly. Perhaps a controlled detonation would be best...?"

Kai looked worriedly at you.

>>203

Aurora looks at them, stunned. Then she throws up her hands. "I thought we had a plan! A plan to root out the next treacherous murderer in our midst by dangling a weapon and seeing who tried for it. Now you both just want to blow it up? Fine! Fine. I guess I'm outvoted. Display to them how we lied, that's sure to keep the crosshairs off our backs."

She turns to walk away, frustrated. "When I end up dead, find the rotten bastard who did it, yeah?"

Unless she is stopped, she'll leave to go look at the big door in the new area.

It doesn't seem like they try to stop you. You only hear Kai saying "I... I won't let that happen," with her fists clenched as you leave.

You head to area 3 and find the door as it was left.

>>205

Aurora looks over the door closely, inspecting how it could be opened, especially any hidden mechanism or instructions. During this she keeps the taser in her hand.

>>206
Looking over the door doesn't reveal much. It has large bolts that seem to push in or out in order to lock the door. You would assume the terminals are used to unlock the door however since they are still without power it seems to be a fruitless effort.

>>207

Next she went into the second sunshine building, investigating any differences. Presuming there are none, she goes into the meditation room and locked the door.

>>208
Besides the now destroyed fountain in the area 3 building the layout seems to be identical.

With that you enter the meditation room in area 3 and lock the door.

>>209

At first, she searches the room to make sure she is alone. Then, after far more effort than it usually took her, she manages to meditate for a time.

Nightime! Continue posting here.

>>211

Aurora carefully unlocks the meditation room and heads over towards the Moonlight building of Area 3. Once inside, she looks for the Monozaki Store.

>>212
As you leave you find some monocoins. Total: 45

There is no store in the moonlight building. If you still want to find one it is in the sunshine building.

There you find the selection to have changed somewhat.

10MC - ropes, staple gun, umbrella
25MC - large jugs of water, portable stove
50MC - deer stalker/trenchcoat costume, medieval flail
100MC - blowgun with darts

Last edited at 18/08/11(Sat)12:14:11

>>213

Aurora sighs in preparation, then reaches out to grab the blowgun, darts, and medieval flail. Assuming no interruption she would then take the trenchcoat, lay it out, and put everything else that she can in it, tie it up around the umbrella, hoist the umbrella over her shoulder, and make off towards the Area 3 guest house.

>>214
As you reach out to grab the first item you hear soft footstep behind you. Turning around you see Monozaki standing there.

"..."

>>215

Aurora gulped, her hand inches from the blowgun. However, she didn't pull it back yet. "You enjoy rules, Monozaki. You enjoy enforcing them too, I wager. Yet you have no rule against stealing from the store. If you punish me, you would be committing a murder. Rule #6 states you will never directly participate in a murder. Therefore..."

She grabs the blowgun and the flail.

>>216
As you go to grab the items you see a blur rush past you and Monozaki has gathered them all up and away from you in a blink of an eye.

"I would have expected, "don't steal from the murder bear" to be a given. Anyway I think you forget about rule 10, that I can add any other rules at any time. Looks like that was a good idea consider what you people get up to."

Last edited at 18/08/11(Sat)17:47:59

>>217

She can't help but close her eyes and let out a small shriek of fear at the bear running so close to her, shutting her eyes tight. When she realizes she's alive, though, she opens them and puts on a brave and defiant face. Using still-trembling hands, she reaches into her pocket and pulls out the PDA, scrolling to the rules section.

>>218
As of the moment you don't notice any other rules.

>>219

Aurora looks over the list, and nods. "Very well. I suppose I won't help myself to your shop, if you're just going to keep it all out of my hands. ...Is there any other way to pay for them, though? Since there's no rule about having to pay for them with Monocoins, after all? I mean...I do give some of the very best massages..."

>>220
"Lady I'm a bear. A good bark rubbing is all I need." Seems like that won't get you anywhere, at least with Monozaki.

>>221

"I...I see," she says, sounding somewhat relieved while being disappointed. "Well, um, I mean, it's just that...these coins are so hard to come by, there's no way that I'll ever get 100..."

She continues to wheel and deal for a while, in an attempt to get a concession out of the bear. Once it's clear that he's about to send her to bed, she gives up and walks away.

>>222

Making sure to take her taser with her, Aurora crept out of Area 3 into Area 2, sticking to the shadows and looking around to make sure no one threatening was about.

Once she reached the onsen, she carefully peeked in the doors. Assuming that no one seemed to be waiting to strike, she would go through the proper procedures to get into the onsen to take a bath. The entire time she keeps her taser with her, above water, walking to the back of the onsen so she can see if anyone tries to come in. Assuming nothing happens after half an hour, she gets out, gets dressed after drying off, and carefully goes to her mirror room in Area 3. There, she falls asleep.

>>223
You successful take a bath without issue or seeing anyone and return to the area 3 room to go to sleep. You enter, lock the door, check for anyone in the room for safe measure, and then go to sleep after getting changed and placing your newly acquired items on the table beside you. Maybe clutching your taser in your pillow if you want.

>>224
Hard to say if you would be conscious, but either way in an instant all your senses are overwhelmed and then there is nothing.

YOU HAVE DIED.

>>225

Aurora decides to go with the flow, continuing to be dead for the foreseeable future.