TCR/S3E8

A Bit of Hope
-Despair returns to an unknown spot-

OPkuma: Finally! That fucking little shit wouldn’t stop interfering.

Right! Shit!

You! Did you tell them anything?!

James: No.

OPkuma: Don’t fucking lie to me!

Jon: We told them nothing, we had no idea if you or that nut job were watching us!

OPkuma: I don’t fucking believe you!

Naegi: What, you’re gonna kill us over suspicions?!

OPkuma: You bet your ass-

GnOPkuma: LET ME THE FUCK OUT OF THIS ROOM! I WILL NOT TAKE THE MEDS!

OPKuma: …

...Just get the fuck out of my sight.

Jon: Fine-

OPkuma: But be warned, I’ll be fucking watching you.

-Despair leaves-

OPkuma: Shit, they have to be lying but I’d have to make sure before I can do anything.

I need to fucking pack up now and fast. This has brought too much heat on me!

GnOPkuma: YOU CANNOT KEEP ME DOWN!

OPkuma: Looks like I need to mix up some of the strong stuff.

-Later on-

OPkuma: Where did I put those blueprints?

GnOPkuma: Hahaha… I’m a fucking bear…

How the fuck did that happen?

OPkuma: You fucking idiot! You’ve put everything in jeopardy because of your retardation!

GnOPkuma: Reeelaaax… Just go with the floooow…

OPkuma: Who knows what information they just told them because of you thinking with your dick, which you lack by the way!

GnOPkuma: Then just kill them, simple as.

OPkuma: We can’t do that! If we kill them for breaking rules that we have no proof they’ve broken, it will only make them martyrs!

And that won’t make them despair, it will just enrage them into going to war against us!

Depriving us of our entire harvest, y’know, what we had been fucking planning for?!

GnOPkuma: Well it’s not my fault you decided to send those guys out to kidnap that girl…

OPkuma: A PORRA DA CULPA E SUA!

GnOPkuma: What the fuck are you saying? Is that some latin shit I never heard about?

OPkuma: Now we have to pack up EVERYTHING and move elsewhere before those apes come down with their fancy shit and shoot us!

Thanks alot!

GnOPkuma: You’re welcome!

OPkuma: Fuck! Help me pack this shit up!

-back to Despair-

El Loco: The hell’s taking them so long?

-The party comes back-

Harold: Speak of the devil.

Kunt: Fackin ‘ell, you twats look well chuffed.

The Gamer Wizard: WHY DO I SMELL WOMAN ON YOU!? HAD THAT CREATURE TAKEN YOU A BROTHEL?!

Kunt: Oh!? Fackin ‘ell that lad’s a great bloke if he let you up some cunt!

James: No.

El Loco: Then what the fuck happened?

James reveals a cigar

Kunt: A cigar? You’re some nonce case 70’s TV presenter now?

Naegi: Look closer.

Potion Seller: Let me see…

…

Huh, that logo.

Jon: Yeah, Bate-

James: Shhh, they’re listening.

Kunt: The fack is it?

Naegi: ...A sign of hope...

 CHARACTER CHOSEN: JAMES 

Dimensional Bureau Agent 1
???: So this is where those strange anomalies are being reported huh?

Quite a large place to be designated as such, shouldn't they send out more for this?

Oh well, guess that means they trust me with this job.

And this new member should also be useful.

Now to find out what got the Dimensional Bureau so interested about this ship...

--

Angela: That was certainly eventful, I didn't expect to see them in that sort of way.

Tsubasa: I know right? The cameras were all over it! We were on national news!

I should've used that as a chance to advertise my latest song!

Angela: I don't think being a hostage is the right time to do a song advertisement, Tsubasa.

And the investigation team is gonna ask about it you know, please take it seriously.

Tsubasa: Alright then...

???: My! A fine lady as beautiful as the pale moonlight that shimmers across the sea!

Angela: I hope this isn't another cultist... Tsubasa, please have the security on dial in case.

Tsubasa: Uh, what's the number?

???: Cult? I wouldn't be too surprised if there would be a cult for such beauty, but I digress.

You said there is a cult afoot? Perhaps that may explain the reported anomalies about this place.

Tsubasa: See Angela, you do have the look!

Angela: Tsubasa please don't rot my thoughts any further.

And whoever you are, please stop hiding, it's getting annoying.

???: It's called making a proper entrance, you see!

-fading to black

I am more than one who hides in the shadows.

I am a vagrant, a vagrant of love!

-spotlight on ringabel, who is doing a cool pose-

Ringabel: Ringabel!

Angela: Why do you remind me of that last investigator...

Tsubasa: Look Angela! He's so flashy! We should do these sort of poses in our routine!

Angela: ...

Ringabel: Truly my entrance takes your words away, but there is no need, there is plenty of me to go around!

Angela: Please just cut to the chase, you're here investigating right?

Ringabel: Oh yeah, right. For some reason this place has a connection to a place it shouldn't.

Angela: ...You're talking about the Otherside as we've come to call it?

Ringabel: Funny, that's what the Bureau calls it too, and it sounds like you've already found out about it.

Angela: Well that's because we think something from it has kidnapped a bunch of people from here.

Tsubasa: Yeah! And some of those people came over and tried to kidnap us!

Said they had a reason to do so, but I think they're just secretly crazed fans of mine!

Ringabel: I'd suggest trying to rescue them as soon as possible and severing the link to that place, it's certainly no good.

Angela: We're... used to strange things, to put it simply.

If you want, I'll let the investigators here know about you.

Ringabel: Please do so, I wouldn't want the things that can come from there finding their way out.

Angela: Right, here’s the number to Roland, he’s one of the men involved.

Ringabel: Thank you, now how about another numbe-

-enter dagoth and sigurd-

Dagoth: There is that woman who has the belt!

Angela: Uh, I’ll leave you to deal with him.

-angela and tsubasa run away-

Ringabel: Wait! You didn’t give me your-

Dagoth: Are you a defender of that woman who has claimed what is rightfully ours?

Ringabel: Claimed what? This is my first time here you know.

Sigurd: Dagoth, I don’t think Ayin would appreciate randomly beating women. That has to be organised, you know.

Dagoth: True, the process is different compared to beating the referee.

In which case, you! Face me!

Ringabel: Certainly! You did prevent me from getting their phone numbers after all!

Mion Forms A Club...?
Mion: Oh no! I’m gonna be late!

* KNOCK KNOCK*

Guard: Oi luv! Yer gorra match on!

Mion: I’ll be out in a minute! I’m almost done!

This is bad! I’ll look like such a massive idiot!

Guard: Bloody women and their shite! Like me bloody missus!

* DOOR KICKS OPEN*

Guard: Alright, you bint. Get the fuck outta there now!

Mion: Just hold on-

* sounds of shit breaking*

Guard: I don’t care if ya look like yer fookin mum’s vag you bloody slag!

Mion: I can’t believe that asshole just dragged me out while I was in the middle of doing my hair! That was just unnecessary!

Urgh! Damn brutes! Why did I decide on this place anyways?

Whatever, I haven’t got much else to do here at the moment…

Oh! Maybe I can get to know the girls if I start a club!

Heh… they’d have no idea what they’d be in for!

Aradia: So they just… took our spots?

Miriam: Basically, yes. We got replaced by some kids.

Aradia: Better them than us considering how that Tsubasa was fighting.

She fights like there isn’t even a ring around, I don’t think she even knows what you do here.

Miriam: Hey, did you hear the rumour about her?

Aradia: No?

Miriam: Apparently she threw a belt holder into a table!

Some rule in here about whoever throws this belt holder through a table gets that belt, and she did exactly that!

Aradia: Well, they say the witless can achieve many things through ignorance.

-Mion enters-

Mion: Hey you two! Sorry about that fight two weeks ago.

Miriam: It’s fine, you at least weren’t that old hag.

And better than being beaten to hell and back by that Tsubasa girl.

Mion: So I was thinking about ways for all of us to get to know each other since we’re all pretty new here.

How about some club games? I used to have one with a few friends!

Miriam: Club Games...? Seriously? I came here to wrestle, not play children’s games.

Mion: It could still be fun for you guys! Sure it may not be what you came here for bu-

Miriam: Hey, Aradia, how about that team with those two weird women?

Aradia: Sure, though they seem somewhat strange…

-miriam and aradia leave-

Mion: Ugh…They didn’t even acknowledge me… Maybe that old lady would like to play some chess?

-Ozen looking away-

Ozen: -I don't have the time nor any desire to indulge in your nonsense.

Mion: Come on, it’ll be fun-

Ozen: Fun? How about I show you what I think is “fun” instead?

-ozen turns around with a spooky face-

I’m sure you would enjoy it... when you lose consciousness that is.

Mion: (Jeez, what’s with the attitude around here?)

Alice: Sorry, but we already have a match planned.

Zero: Game? I’ll show you a game!

It's a game where I gouge your eyes out and you have to find where I hid them!

Wanna give it a shot?!

Mion: I’d rather not!

Mion: Nobody wants to have fun here! Such boring people.

I guess… I’ll have to ask some of the guys if they’re interested, hopefully they’re less violent.

Dimensional Bureau Agent 2
???A (Soma): Some kid dragging away some unconscious woman, she looked beat to all hell. Another guy knocking a black man's teeth out...? What's that about?

Is... that normal around here…? On top of that I lost sight of where that bumbling womanizer went.

We’re here to seal any entrance to the Otherside shut, not goof off.

First thing to do is try and see if anyone here is already attempting to deal with it themselves... And get in contact with them.

???B (Rolando Ruina): -Womanizer talking about the Otherside huh? Here to help deal with it too?

I dunno how some outsider knows about it but sounds like he knows way more about it than even we know.

Guess I should expect a call from him soon then-

What do you mean those two showed up and you left him to deal with them?

Tch. Guess I’ll probably have to find him instead.

???A (Soma): This man knows about the Otherside, I’ll ask him.

-out of black-

Roland: Figures, what’s Dagoth’s problem anyways? Ayin said he’ll fix the issue with the belt.

Probably just gonna make it available again and probably think about a Women’s Championship, knowing him.

-Enter Soma-

Soma: Excuse me, I take it you’re aware about the Otherside?

Roland: Are you that one womanizer Angela told me about?

Listen, you’re gonna get in trouble if people find out you’re hitting on Angela you know.

Soma:  …

That must be my partner from the Bureau, I’ve told him to take his job seriously but he never listens.

Roland: Oh, so you aren’t this Ringabel guy then, who are you?

Soma: Soma. Soma Cruz, agent of the Dimensional Bureau.

Our job in this case is to find any entrance to the Otherside and close it as soon as possible.

Roland: Would love to do that, but we think something from there has kidnapped a bunch of people.

Soma: Tch, we should’ve gotten here sooner it seems… Do you have any clues on when this happened?

Roland: Well we actually just got a lot of new information just the other day. We’re going to be having a meeting discussing it later on.

Soma: The more information we know the quicker we can seal up any entrances to the Otherside. Guess I’ll try and find Ringabel and then we’ll head to the meeting.

* Soma begins to walk away*

Roland: I didn’t even tell you where the meeting is being held!

Soma: Not to worry, I can figure it out. Besides, making sure Ringabel hasn’t done anything stupid comes first for me.

Mion's Club Gets Going
??? (dog nigga): Aw shiet, we playin’ games? Like poker ‘n all that?

Aight, I’m in, I’ll show you niggas how it go down!

??? (dagoth): Simple games made for mere men?

Hmm, I do wonder what makes you all tick, I’ll join in. Even if such things are beneath a god such as myself.

??? (wakka): Somethin’ otha than Blitzball huh?

Better not be anythin’ involving Machina, ya?

Mion: Looks like the guys are a more cheerful bunch! Looks like I’ll be playing some club games after all!

Though I think I’ll need one more person to get it going…

(enter angela and tsu)

Mion: Ah! Hey! I don’t think we’ve met before, the name’s Sonozaki Mion!

Tsubasa: Oh! I’m Oribe Tsubasa! And this here is Angie!

Angela: Angela, Tsubasa. And it’s good to see someone with some sense for once.

Mion: I was just putting together a little idea and I need one more person for it.

Angela: And that is?

Mion: Club games! All sorts really, I’m sure it’ll be fun, trust me!

Angela: Games involving logic, sleight of hand, deception, punishment and all that I assume?

Mion: Yeah! Something like that.

Angela: I might not be the most suitable for such a thing.

Tsubasa: Is this about that thousands of years of knowledge and seeing everything in slow motion and-

Angela: Please spare the details, but yes, I worry that it might be unfair to everyone involved if I took part.

Tsubasa: Oh! Oh! I know!

I’ll go! I’m sure it’ll be fun!

Mion: Perfect! I’ll see you later then, it’s over in the food area!

In the meantime I’ll think of something that’d be fair with you involved, Angela.

Kenshiro leaves The Deadweight
Q-taro: I feel sorry for Tadano but what he is doing is going way out of line.

Kenshiro: He is weak, can’t even protect his own. So much for being a “hero”

Q-taro: Now I wouldn’t go that far-

Kenshiro: And where have you been in the meantime?

While I’ve been proving myself time and again you’ve been stuck in the mud as always.

Q-taro: What?

Kenshiro: You know what I am talking about.

Q-taro: ...Are you alright?

Kenshiro: I’m fine, why?

Q-taro: You’re not being yourself today for some reason.

Kenshiro: It’s the other way around. Since when did I have to carry your burdens?

Q-taro: But we are a team, we are supposed to be working tog-

Kenshiro: I’ve had enough, I don’t need deadweight holding me back!

-Kenshiro leaves- Q-taro: ...What the hell was that all about? Has everyone just turned mad now? At least Ace is still sane.

Woody Sets Things "Straight"
Sundowner: What a lousy lot! Gettin’ mad at me for taking things with a more direct approach.

Sam: I mean, they were those missing guys I’ve heard about.

He did say we might finally have a day to give war a chance as you say. But I don’t think that day was it.

Sundowner: Whatever, now that redhead and now some bunny friend of hers is under complete command of what we do.

The guys here are more interested in sitting on their asses with this tech than doin’ anything with it.

Sam: If you listened to some of the locals for once, there’s some yearly raid they do on some place.

Perhaps that would be the time to show off what we can do?

Monsoon: A raid? Just how big is it?

Sam: Apparently an entire city that is called “The Promised Plunder” for these people.

Sundowner: Ooooh, must be a real big ol’ fish if they gave it a name like that!

Sam: Heh, only that this fish is a slippery one. All attempts to loot this city have ended in countless casualties and a full on retreat.

Though it seems L Corp are also getting in the mood to strike proper in that Otherside place too.

That would be a nice change of scenery shooting at something that doesn’t require justifying ourselves.

-enter woody-

Woody: Man when are these guys gonna give me a challenge?

I’m worked stiff for-

Wait! I’m made of wood! I’m always stiff!

AH HAHAHAHA!

Oh well howdy there fellas!

You been itchin’ for some real FUN like me?

Sundowner: Now you listen here you walkin' butt plug. I want to get one thing straight. I don’t want ya ever comparin’ yourself to us.

The other wrestlers don't like ya...

The audience don't like ya...

Hell, even the management don't like ya.

I think the only person who'd come even close to ya is a certain red haired nancy showin' his true colors as of late.

The whole time you've had that eye-sore around yer waist, you've been fightin' a cold war son. And there ain't nothin worse than a man playin’ toy soldier

Woody: Awww, you're no fun at all. Want me to treat you seriously?

...

Is all that armour and gear compensating for something?

All that harsh bruteness, it’s clearly a shell for a weak heart.

You know nothin’ about bravery, you only act big until you’ll face something that can actually beat you.

So what is it? Yer afraid of me?

Scared of trying to fight a battle you can’t win, Sunshine?

Sundowner: I wonder how many asses you’ve been inside today, with how much shit yer talkin’. I think you're gettin' a bit too big for your britches lil' cowboy.

You might've been coasting without any problems until now wrestling some cannon fodder... But it's time you fought against some REAL champions.

You’ve been sittin’ pretty only havin’ a few matches while we’ve been dominatin’ the tag division.

How about we wager a little bit to shut that confidence o’ yours down?

Yer coveted belt for ours, along with our winnin' streak on the line. How ‘bout it? Or are you the scared one now...

Woody: Heh, come on feller, let’s see if ya can live up to yer yammering. Y’all gonna be squirming when I am done!

Sundowner: Now that's just perfect, but to make sure this ain't too hard for the people to watch, go find yerself a partner.

That is... if you can get anyone to come within ten feet of ya. Hahahah...

Woody: Oh don’t worry your sweet little ass about that!

Club Game
Mion: Oh you all finally showed up!

I was worried some of you might've gotten lost on the way here.

Dagoth Ur: This better be worth it. I have lots of important duties I withdrew from for this meeting.

Tsubasa: The nude guy is right. What kind of games are we going to be doing here?

Mion: Hehehe... Well...

You're all officially a part of Club Activities! What this club is about, you see.. We perform various activities under different sets of rules. Sometimes they're in your favor but sometimes they may work against you!

Dog Nigga: Yo is dis shit actually some hustle to make me lose all my cash?

Mion: I should make this clear right now. You should treat every win or loss here as if your life depends on it, okay!?

Wakka: I guess I'm up for something like this, maybe I can have some fun outta this.

Mion: The first rule of our society! Aim only for first place! Going at it half-assed just because 'it's a game' is not allowed!

The second rule of our society! You must do whatever it takes to win! Don't give your competition any leeway!

Dagoth Ur: Impressive strides being taken by a human. Just this once I may partake in your 'game'.

Mion: And the final thing left to tell you! If you come in last place you have to face a punishment game! It's only fair that the winner gets to decide the loser's fate!

Dog Nigga: Shiet isn't gettin' yo ass in debt punishment enough fo’ losing?

Mion: Since this is your first time we'll all play a game you should be familiar with! How about a standard card game? Like “Old Bachelor”!

Wakka: I don't know what that is.

Tsubasa: Me neither.

Mion: ...Uhhh, okay! Well what card games do you know of?

Tsubasa: Let's play Go Fish!

Wakka: Yeah! Everyone here should know that one.

Dog Nigga: Go Fish? Yo nigga’s fo’ real? Are we in sum preschool class or some shiet?

Dagoth Ur: How we went from bachelors to fish is truly astounding.

Mion: Well... I guess we're going with Go Fish!

Tsubasa: Yeah! This is gonna be fun, I think I can win this one!

Mion: Just because it's your first time in this Club that doesn't mean I'll go anywhere close to easy on you!

Dog Nigga: Okay, shiet, a’ight... What's the starting bet?

Mion: ...The what?

Dog Nigga: How much do I gotta put down, bitch? You set up a card game and you don't want to put in a bet? Da fuck happened to aimin fo' first place ho?

Wakka: Well if you're putting money down then I guess I will as well!

Dagoth Ur: I look forward to stripping you insects of your gold after I win.

Mion: (This isn't going as I planned...)

Tsubasa: Is there a prize if we win, Miimii?

Mion: What do you mean prize? The prize is winning and getting to humiliate the loser with a punishment!

Wakka: Can we just start the game already? The wait is killing me!

* Fades out*

* Fades in*

Tsubasa: Miimii, have a 7?

Mion: No I don't, go fish!

Wakka: Hey Tsubasa, why isn't Angela here? Wouldn't she be a good fit?

Tsubasa: She said she has to go do some science stuff with Lain.

Mion: Dog… Nig- uh... Dog, do you have any 4s?

Dog Nigga: Nah nigga, go fish.

Mion: (Dammit! But that scratch on the card means it has to be 4!)

Tsubasa: Wow Mr. Dagoth how do you have so few cards?

Dagoth Ur: There are some skills that your lesser mind will never understand.

Dog Nigga: Shiet anyone here got a 7?

Wakka: I've got one, Here you go.

Mion: Wakka it's your turn.

Wakka: I'm putting down another 50!

Mion: You're in last place!

Tsubasa: Wow Wakka's so confident!

Dagoth Ur: What are the odds that dear “Mion” here is holding a card starting with 2? Don’t ask, I already know she does.

Mion: Nope~ Go Fish!

Dagoth Ur: ...

Tsubasa: Hey MiiMii you have a 2 right there!

Mion: What?!

Dagoth Ur: You lying insolent scum! I knew I couldn't trust any of you mongrels playing this game!

Mion: Rule number 2 of the club "You must do whatever it takes to win!"

Wakka: Do I get to keep my money? After all you said I can do whatever it takes to win and I think I was doing pretty good, ya!

Dog Nigga: Wakka, mo’ like dumb ass nigga! I clearly won dis round!

Tsubasa: What's going on?! Are we still playing...?

Mion: The cards are worn out in specific ways, I know you had a 4, Mutt!

Dog Nigga: AYO YOU CAN'T PROVE SHIT! I WAS JUST BORROWING THAT 4 FOR A WHILE!

NOW GIMME MY PAPER!

Tsubasa: Wait, were we supposed to place bets..?

Wakka: Hey Dagoth!

Dagoth Ur: What meaningless prattle do you have to say to me?

Wakka: You know I wouldn't lie to you, Dagoth I just want my cards back, ya.

Dagoth Ur: What cards?

Wakka: The pair of 6 that I gave you under the table, the one I was letting you hold onto until I needed it brudda.

Dagoth Ur: Oh those cards, you wanted them returned to you... They're right here, just wait a moment.

Wakka: Yeah I just need that extra pair to win this match, you know how it is- Grgh!

* Dagoth Ur Slams Wakka into the table*

Dagoth Ur: Those are my cards!

Mion: THE TABLE!

Dog Nigga: GODDAYUUUUUUUUUUUM!

* cuts to Dog Nigga looming over Wakka*

YOU JUST GOT KNOCKED THE FUCK OUT MAYUN! GIMME MY GODDAMN MONEY!

* Tidus enters the room*

Dagoth Ur: You want to face my wrath too, mongrel?!

Tidus: ...Nah!

* Tidus drags Wakka out*

What did I tell you about gambling, Wakka!

Tsubasa: Wait, did someone win?

Mion: I'm never playing cards with any of you ever again!

Planning For Friends
Tsubasa: Aren’t you afraid of that sort of thing happening again?

Angela: I’m… yeah, I’m sure. James and that kid did not want to kill me.

And I know Ayin has reminded The Winds that suppression and combat work is Gebura and Myo’s job, not theirs.

I do wonder, when will they realize that saving the missing wrestlers is of higher priority than making wanton destruction.

Tsubasa: Well… you know… it could happen still!

Angela: I know, I know… Thanks again, Tsubasa, you were honestly critical for that situation.

Perhaps, after I’m done with the meeting, we can go somewhere?

Tsubasa: Sure! I’ve got the list prepared, already!

-angela leaves-

Tsubasa: I just hope she doesn’t wear herself-

W-wait! I still have her phone!

Hmmm, I don’t think they’d enjoy me interrupting the meeting just for that.

Oh! I know what I can do!

Let’s see… Wow, that’s a small contact list. But it should be just enough…

- three-section

[Whenever tsu interrupts, the song that played before gets interrupted too]

* ringing noise*

(luka defeated theme playing t.Al)

???: Huff… huff… that stamina is doing wonders for you. Take five, I’ve got a call.

???2: Who’s… calling?..

???:It’s… Oh, it’s Angela. Hey, how ar-

Tsubasa: Alice, hello!

Alice:...Oh. Hello, Tsubasa. Why are you calling from Angela’s phone?

Tsubasa: I… uh… It doesn’t matter, hold on, how do you… Ah-ha, there!

* second ringing noise*

( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYGFHIGXOoA <this plays t.Al)

???: Angela… Why now, of all times?.. How could I not realize...

...Whatever. Just need to apologize. Apologizing works, right?

Angela, about C-

Tsubasa: Is that Lain? Hello!

Lain: Angela’s dimwitted puppy. Hello to you too. Can you give the phone back, I need to-

Tsubasa: Angie went to speak with the guys that rescued us, no can do.

Look, I called you two, since you’re the only ones on her “Friend” section, and I need help.

Well, there was a third one, but she doesn’t have a number. And what kind of a name is “See-rno” anyway?

Alice: You figured out how to make a mass call? Impressive. Hey, Lain. How are you?

Lain:...A long story. Suffice to say, I might be expunged from that list soon enough.

Tsubasa: Hey! I’m not finished. Okay...

Angie’s been upset lately. I mean, she does put on that easygoing smirk wherever she goes, but I’m not dumb.

Alice:...That really doesn’t show, but go on.

Tsubasa: And when we met up after my game, she was even more upset! This all kind of, you know, moody upset.

And, I don’t like seeing her upset! Even more so now! So I’ve got a plan, and it includes all of you!

Lain: What do you propose?

Tsubasa: To cheer Angie up, of course! You see, she wanted to go somewhere after she had talked with all the other guys that helped rescue us.

...The problem is, I don’t know where to go. And not karaoke, not again. Somewhere with people, but, you know, to talk in private.

* luka appears*

Luka: Uh… maybe a cafe? There's a change of pace, relaxing atmosphere, food and drinks to smooth out the mood.

Oh, and hello, everyone.

Tsubasa: Ooh, that works! Just gotta find a good one, and we’re set!

Lain: One moment, let me look…

There’s this place called “Dea Vitae”, quite the popular spot. Huh, there’s even a branch at Coolsville…

Prices are borderline obscene, however. Some kind of a special event going on.

Luka: Just how much can they charge for an entry?

Lain:...About 200 pounds per seat. Of all the times for this all to happen…

Tsubasa: WHAT?! I’ve performed for less!

Luka: And that’s just to take a seat? Talk about a rip-off...

Alice: Only the best for Angela, huh? Okay, I can pitch in, there’s plenty of gold stashed around here.

Lain: Hold on. Be back in a few. Need to make a few calls.

* lain’s part cuts to black*

Alice: That girl has no tact to speak of.

Tsubasa: I know, right?! She’s way too blunt, sometimes. I’m not a puppy, come on! Or, you know, dumbwitted.

Alice: Sure you are. But… we’re all not without a flaw. I don’t think we’d even talk to each other like this, if it wasn’t for Ange.

Luka: Yeah. That’s friendship for you…

Tsubasa: But can’t she try to be nicer?

* lain pops back in*

Lain: I can, for your information.

Pulled a few strings with Travis’s VIP status. Consider our seats booked. We four, Travis, if he’s up for it, and Angela. Should have the table free for us from now till the next morning, but that meeting can’t go on for long now.

Alice: Wonderful. See you two there, then.

Luka: Let’s all get along this time, alright?

* luka and alice black screen*

Lain: ...I’m sorry, for calling you dimwitted. You… You’re a good friend for Angela. You saved her. Keep being that to her.

...Hope it goes well.

Tsubasa: Of course it will! Don’t get all mopey too, now.

Lain: ...Right. See you.

* lain black screen*

Tsubasa: Angie… Don’t worry. We’ll get you out of that funk, for sure!

...Wait, where IS that cafe?

* phone dialing noises*

Um, Lain, where’s the place at?

Bureau Agents Go To The Meeting
Soma: I was wondering where you ran off to, Ringabel.

Losing sight of you here of all places was a bad idea.

Ringabel: Hmm? I was simply sightseeing.

Soma: In a dump like this?

You can't be fooling around now, we've got a serious mission on our hands.

Ringabel: Yeah, yeah. I'm aware. I was distracted by the beauty of a few things here.

Soma: I was thinking more about how odd this place is.

Ringabel: I take it you’ve noted the odd behavior around here as well?

Soma: Yeah, one of the first things I saw here was a black man getting the life beat out of him.

Ringabel: They seem to love fighting around here. Earlier I was challenged by some self proclaimed God in a funny getup!

Nothing I couldn't handle, however.

Soma: This place gets weirder the more time passes.

Ringabel: You'd be right about that.

I did happen upon a lead, luckily! A fair maiden gave me a phone number!

Soma: Do you have any leads that don't involve your love life?

Ringabel: I was getting there, Soma! Must you interrupt my story?

Now, this phone number I received belongs to someone named Roland.

I was told he's a part of the investigators here.

Soma: Huh? Roland?

Ringabel: Do you know him or something?

Soma: Yes, I spoke with him earlier. There's a meeting he wanted us to attend.

Ringabel: That explains why you were in such a hurry to find me.

So, where is the meeting being held?

Soma: About that... I kinda ran off before he even told me.

Ringabel: So… you don’t know where it’s being held?

Soma: I’m sure it’s easy to find. Just to be safe I think we should try and find it now!

Ringabel: Well? Lead the way.

Meeting On The Investigation
Ayin: What a curious phenomenon.

Hokma: Time-related discrepancies… Days turn to weeks, to months, to years, you get the picture.

Ayin: It seems the effects of the TT2 process might have leaked outside. And considering our liberal use of it recently, it’s beginning to become noticeable. We'll need to see if we have calibrated it properly...

Hokma: That's not the only anomaly in regards to time that's made its appearance known.

According to Malkuth, she noticed some strange inconsistencies during surveillance.

Ayin: I've heard about that, something regarding a loop?

Hokma: Yes. She noticed how entire conversations would repeat as if the previous conversation never occurred.

Ayin: Right… More problems on top of problems…

Hokma: ...You’re still bothered about what happened with her, aren’t you?

Ayin: I wonder if it was really a mistake to let her go out there? I kept their whereabouts a secret precisely because of something like that happening.

Yet someone found her regardless. But for her to be held hostage... By James, of all people.

Hokma: At least nothing terrible came of it, if anything some good came out of it somehow.

Ayin: You’re right, at least no harm came to them, and the Investigation seems close to solving their case.

But to think it happened right under our noses, how did they know to find her there?

Hokma: I'm afraid that will be a question for the ages. Because nothing had leaked on our end.

Ayin: I’ll need to see what information they actually gave to the investigation team.

Hokma: I know you have a meeting with them soon, so I’ll leave you to it.

I know there should be some books about T Corp’s secrets which could help solve this TT2 issue. So I’ll get to it.

-Hokma leaves-

Ayin: I’ll need to find some time to talk with Angela, she’s insistent on not wanting to talk about what happened.

Roland: I should have been there.

Haru: Hey, you guys found another “gap” so at least we can see where they’ve been.

Akasaka: As much good as that does us, we need results.

Bateman: If we get a hold of Eri, she can tell us everything we need to know.

Haru: I’ll only say this once, but if I have to chase her. I want gloves.

Norman: We really need more funding, the stakes have gone higher.

They must know that we are on their trail.

-Enter Manager-

Bateman: Evening, Manager.

Ayin: Before we start on with our business, allow me to get this out of the way.

I cannot describe well enough how thankful I am to you four. Without your work things would've gone so much worse.

Bringing EGO weaponry to a situation like that... I thought I could rely on those two, they're overstepping their boundaries.

I'll make sure to remind them who they work for. Perhaps at a later date they can make more appropriate use of their "work".

So, not only did you prevent blood from being spilled, you also got valuable information too, is that right?

Bateman: More than that, I think we've got these damn bears by the balls now.

Axel: Eri survived her run-in with Bateman and you a while back. Now she's working with these Kumas for whatever they're intending.

Roland: I thought she was dead… Dammit, should have finished the job if this was the way things were gonna go.

Haru: And there's some sorta book your daughter or whatever has. It supposedly has info on 'em.

Bateman: And the fog we found down there, that's our lead to where they're hiding.

These bears use it to protect themselves from the elements while they gather strength.

Axel: Problem now is finding some means of looking through the fog.

Ayin: Roland also let me know that we might be able to exploit this place to gather more creatures to extract Enkephalin from.

And you're in luck, our more dangerous work is winding down. So I can get you some more help and funding on top of that.

Binah is very interested in seeing what can be extracted from these creatures.

Soma: I think this is the right door.

Ringbel: Really? What gives you that idea?

Soma: This is the last door we haven’t opened.

Ringabel: ...

Do you hear that?

Soma: ...We’re late…

Ringbel: Well no time like the present… Let's introduce ourselves!

Cole: Three avenues of investigation to follow through.

Akasaka: There is no way we’re gonna cover that much ground.

Haru: Then why don’t we all split up and follow the leads that we all know we can handle?

Bateman: And risk leaving our asses open to whatever else these guys have under their sleeve?

Haru: Well how the fuck are we going to get everything done with only three of us?

Roland: As much as it pains me, Bateman is right. We cannot risk letting them catch us out alone.

Especially now that they know we are hot on their trail.

Haru: What makes you say that?

Roland: Someone who I believe is working for them tried to jump me. This was while I was setting up a beacon for the new “Gap” as we’re beginning to call them.

He warned me about what’ll happen if I keep “sticking my nose in my friend’s business”

Axel: Well, we have 7 people here. We might have to risk dropping a lead just so we have enough manpower for these leads.

Cole: A risk I'd rather not take. But the book is a low priority.

Roland: Wouldn’t like to leave Angela to hunt down that book alone, let alone rely on Tsubasa to help her out.

Manager: Well, considering the circumstances that is why I am willing to lend you some of our Agents.

-door kick, enter soma and ringabel-

Ringabel: And here is our cue to enter!

Soma: ...

Ayin: You’re not the Agents, what are you doing here?

-enter agents-

Battler: Sorry boss, these guys barged in outta nowhere before we could make a good entrance.

Should I take ‘em away to a special place?

Roland: No wait, these guys are apparently here to help deal with the same issue.

Soma: Yes, here from the Dimensional Bureau to take care of this Otherside problem.

Ringabel: We’ve dealt with many strange things ourselves, so I’d say we can provide a hand.

Roland: Well… I assume you’ll want compensation for this?

Ringabel: Compensation?

-Angela enters-

Angela: Sorry for the hold up, I forgot my way of “navigation” doesn’t work outside the Library-

Ringabel: Well… If you’re offering, Roland. Can I get this beautiful lady’s number?

Soma: Knock it off, Ringabel.

Angela: What?

Bateman: Gee, if that’s all you’re asking for… it would save us money.

Angela and Ayin: No.

Bateman: ...Money it is, I guess.

Soma: Dealing with this benefits everyone in the end, we don’t need the money.

Ringabel: A place to rest would help out though. No way will I drift off out in the streets!

Though make sure it doesn’t get torched, I’ve had that happen before and it’s certainly not enjoyable.

Bateman: Are you sure we need these guys?

Soma: We’ve dealt with things like this before.

We’ve also had to deal with the Otherside before as well, though it seems something different is responsible this time.

Norman: The more the merrier, I guess.

Angela: Well, I know what books to look for, but...

Roland: Lemme guess, they’re in one of the massive book piles waiting to be organized?

Angela:...Yes.

And seeing the new change in priorities around the place and my long absence from there... It’s going to be… inefficient if I hunt for it myself.

Akasaka: Right, so what’s the plan here?

Axel: So we have two things to do here that’ll require some manpower.

First thing we’re gonna take a deep dive at the Otherside, knowing that the fog is the way to go. We can look at tracking them down.

Haru: Especially with that tracker, how is it going in fact?

Ayin: It’s working. Also, your new kit can automatically track it.

Battler: Thank Eggman for that one, Luis is now looking at a way of dealing with the fog.

Roland: That was quick from those two.

Bateman: The tracker is some previously invented kit.

@Battler: That and I sent a message to ol’ prettyboy just now.

@Roland: ...I really wonder if you’re doing all this flamboyant and suggestive speak in jest.

@Axel: Moving on from talking about men...

Some CCTV has found Eri wandering around again.

@Bateman: Hopefully not at a zoo.

Akasaka: Really? Surely they must be aware that she might be chased after by us as well?

@Roland: Any idea where she is?

@Axel: If she is working for those bears, my guess is they would be sending her to the karaoke bar.

@Roland: So she must be looking for evidence of those guys talking to us then. They must have their suspicions in regards to them breaking the “rules”.

@Bateman: It’s why we got the press to look the other way when we got there.

@Angela: She might be trying to get access to the CCTV of that place for that proof.

@Norman: Guess that settles it, then.

Chase down a-

@Cole: Dog fucker.

@Norman: ...A dog fucker called Eri. Getting a close look at that fog. And then taking a good look at that book.

We have the resources and transportation available for five of us for either side.

@Roland: Which leaves one person holding the bag.

@Angela: Not really, I do need someone to help me with finding that book.

One person should be needed, it’s not like there’d be any sort of danger.

@Manager: Well, that is true. Gets everyone working on something.

So who wants to do what so I can get it all arranged.