[LP CYOA] Spiral

[treave]

treave, given our occult knowledge and the fact that we can recognize the symbols of the zodiac on sight, is it possible for us to ask Ei if the fire, earth, wind and water groups have a bearing on this at all?

Ei laughs and does a little dance that looks kinda like this:

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Well, poop.

 

[treave]

So I suppose the Kayano, Taketatsu, Mori combo won?

 

[Kz3r0]

I'm not sure what else to vote as no better suggestions have come in.

Quoted for posterity.

 

[Kz3r0]

So I suppose the Kayano, Taketatsu, Mori combo won?

I vote this combo as well to seal it, after all is two thirds of my original vote.

 

[Nevill]

I stand by my decision to vehemently oppose the spread of anti-scientific nonsense.

The Zodiac signs nowadays are nothing more than a tool to coax money out of the gullible plebs by making love compatibility charts, and it should have stayed that way!

Sadly, there is no cure for it except to point and laugh. Keep doing a great job, Ei.

 

[Nevill]

It is interesting to revisit some of the files we found earlier in search for additional clues. For example, I am yet to figure out how the Nakayama family is tied into all of this.

Spoiler

File: Newspaper Clipping (16th October 1976)

October 16, 1976

Little Girl Dismembered in Tokyo Hospital

The body of Nakayama Sachiko (6), who has been missing for the past week, has been found at XXXXXX Hospital this morning. Her remains had been dismembered and separated. They were found in black garbage bags scattered around the hospital grounds. At the same time, police have arrested her father, Nakayama Jiro (44). He was found sitting on the hospital steps while hugging the bag that contained his daughter's head and XXXX, sparking the search for the other body parts.

***

There is a picture of Nakayama Jiro together with the report: a middle-aged, balding man with a kindly look in his eyes.

Given the prominence of various bags scattered around the hospital, I assume that there is some sideplot involved that does not necessarily concern the Nurse. Dismemberment also looks like a recurring theme (going by the memory of the museum), and probably ties into the Juunimon legend and its blood offerings, if it was sufficiently warped.

Also there is an interesting use of X'es. We know the first word is Kaimei and it would be kind of a spoiler to know about this one in the first chapter, but what is the second word? Why was it crossed out? Does it have plot relevance, too?

Also, treave. Is the name Saki in any way related to Sachiko? Maybe a diminutive form or something (though that would be Satchan)? Asking because of this:

Spoiler

“Sorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorrysorry-” Mori’s droning apology grows in volume as beads of cold sweat begin to drip down his face. His eyes are more sunken than before, the pallor of his face deathly. A dark, undulating shadow seems to grow in his irises, washing across the white sclera in a black wave.

“Hey, Mori-san! Snap out of it!” Sakimura shakes him by the shoulders, but Mori does not respond, his stare fixed on that particular spot, on the strange shade that is blinking in and out of existence.

I’m so sorry, Saki.

“I’m so sorry, Kana.”

You hear two voices simultaneously - one with your ears, and one inside your head. Both are apologizing, though the names... the subjects of the apology... are different.

The notice about the roof talks about some incident that happened 'last week', and is dated October 21st. The notice about the conference where Taketatsu was supposed to give a speech is dated October 18th. The letter to Amanozaki was issued on October 19th (who sent it and how? we aren't supposed to be alive). The notice about the upcoming celebration of the Hallow's Eve in a pediatric ward is dated October 20th. The Eve itself is on October 31st, and today is supposed to be October 30th.

I figure that there may be some sort of a timeline here, but I don't see many connections between the events yet.

 

[Kz3r0]

That bit about Mori proves that everyone here is a shade, at first I thought it was the influence of the ghost, but now is obvious that was the same thing as Murano and Shiba.

About the timeline, I think that this being a timewarp we are trying to prevent what happened on the thirtyfirst.

 

[Nevill]

That bit about Mori proves that everyone here is a shade, at first I thought it was the influence of the ghost, but now is obvious that was the same thing as Murano and Shiba.

I don't believe it. You can't snap out of what affected Murano and the rest, but Mori was able to regain his senses and come back. The symptoms are also different. It was a ghost affecting Mori, while the malice that made Kozaka lose his mind came from within.

I think the 12 people mentioned above are a part of the ritual, and thus are in a state between life and death. The rest are dead beyond the possibility of salvation.

Note that Uehara, Sakimura and Amanozaki were not marked by 'inescapable fate', and neither was Sawada.

Also interesting that Seiji is not a part of this circle and does not seem to plan an escape.

 

[treave]

Also, treave. Is the name Saki in any way related to Sachiko? Maybe a diminutive form or something (though that would be Satchan)?

Nope, the names are not related. I didn't actually plan on addressing all the details if the hints weren't uncovered, so there's a chance you might or might not ever find out anything about this particular quote.

 

[Kz3r0]

Note that Uehara, Sakimura and Amanozaki were not marked by 'inescapable fate', and neither was Sawada.

That is inescapable is something we know from two very biased sources, Seiji and Ei, and Mori is the only case where an attempt was made to help someone 'darkening'.
In the other cases we were the ones affected or they were purposefully brought other the brink.

Also interesting that Seiji is not a part of this circle and does not seem to plan an escape.

Well he, that's us, is the thirteenth, the one out of place and probably the mastermind of all this.

 

[Nevill]

That is inescapable is something we know from two very biased sources, Seiji and Ei

Biased doesn't mean 'unreliable in everything they say'. I can't see Seiji caring for the well-being of Sakimura - or anyone of us, really. If he thought they could turn, as Sawada puts it, he would kill them all, of that I am sure. Yet he didn't.

Mori is the only case where an attempt was made to help someone 'darkening'.

Yes, the attempt was made to break him from the ghost's grip.

Mori, who had been standing at the doorway, has turned around so that his large frame now fully blocks the exit. He appears to be muttering something rapidly, his pale, dry lips moving quickly over and over again. In the fragments of his mumbling you catch a word… a name. And an apology. His eyes are wild, but focused – following his gaze, you catch the flicker of a silhouette in the center of the room. Don’t look at it. A small, short silhouette, fuzzy with static, like it just stepped out of an old television set. Don’t look at it. It almost looks like the form a little girl. Don't look at it.

There was no ghost to speak of in case of Murano and Co.

 

[Kz3r0]

There was no ghost to speak of in case of Murano and Co.

Not correct, Kayano could have done the same thing Seiji did with Shiba and the others, only in a more subtle way.
Also, there's still the mistery of how they were marked at the beginning, remember, it wasn't a stressful situation, yet they felt a prick, like a sting, and began to show the mark.
It's very possible that was all Kayano doing.

 

[Nevill]

Not correct, Kayano could have done the same thing Seiji did with Shiba abd the others, only in a more subtle way.

Seiji didn't start the process (and this we have, in fact, witnessed first-hand), he accelerated it, which he himself called 'drawing the poison out'. The poison was already inside them - but not inside the others.

Also, there's still the mistery of how they were marked at the beginning, remember, it wasn't a stressful situation, yet the felt a prick, like a sting, and began to show the mark.
It's very possible that was all Kayano doing.

If it was Kayano's doing, that contradicts your previous statement that everyone is already a shade (or 'marked'), does it not?

However, Kayano's exile did nothing to help any of them, which should disprove any theory of her controlling the process, as was the case with Mori's ghost (we confronted it or interfered with it, and the effects went away).

The mark itself does not seem to be related to stress - it's just that, the mark denoting the victim. The stress helps it spread and control the bearer.

Does it look like a coincidence to you that the only ones that were shown to bear the mark so far are the extras, while the main cast remained unaffected?

 

[Kz3r0]

Does it look like a coincidence to you that the only ones that were shown to bear the mark so far are the extras, while the main cast remained unaffected?

Probably you are right.
Still I don't trust Seiji and Ei opinion on it.

 

[treave]

Kayano, Taketatsu, Mori

The ground begins to rumble and ripple. Shapes rise and fall from the solid red sea, creating mountains and valleys all around you. You do not notice any of that, however, as your mind is being assailed by a series of visions.

***

“How are things going?”

Kayano starts to shrug for a second before remembering that the speaker is a thousand miles away and talking through the phone. The voice is distorted, ostensibly for purposes of security, but she knows full well who she is speaking to.“Fine,” Kayano says. “IAE has begun to grow suspicious of Juuzo’s motives, but it shouldn’t cause any delays. The project is still scheduled for completion by February.”

“Very well. Keep up the good work. We will contact you when we are ready.”

“Roger that, Chief.” Kayano waits for the other side to hang up. After the tell-tale click, she begins typing out a message.

The Chinese are likely to make their move at the start of the year. That should buy us enough time.

Another message comes in shortly after Kayano sends hers out.

Juuzo-sama requires your presence at Ikei.

It is short, simple, and phrased as a demand rather than a request, but Kayano smiles. Everything is falling into place.

***

Taketatsu pounds the keyboard in joy, almost breaking it. That man… Shinohara Seiji… what an annoying phantom. To be compared to him has always been an insult. Has he not proven himself the better man time and time again? Even obtaining Shinohara’s childhood sweetheart as his fiancee did not stop the whispers. But no more: Taketatsu Shinichi has finally surpassed him for good tonight. Thanks to that anonymous e-mail’s hint, his software has broken through the wall even that supposed genius couldn’t surmount. The Observation Project will come to its successful conclusion soon under his leadership, and his name will enter the history books as a hero, the shining champion of a new paradigm that will shake the world to its very foundations.

The hospital already has its candidate, according to Juuzo. This time it will be different. The old, failed experiment that led to Shinohara’s mysterious disappearance… that is nothing like what Taketatsu will achieve. He grins. In fact, he should go to the hospital right now, to upload the new algorithms into the supercomputer at the depths of the research lab.

Trembling in excitement, Taketatsu prepares to leave the house.

***

Mori leans back on the bench, exhaling smoke. The cigarette dangles limply between his fingers. It is a sunny day at the park. He shouldn’t be here, watching children play without a care in the world. Besides him is a file on the relevant people at Ikei. An old friend back at headquarters had made a copy and snuck it out for him. Mori hadn’t gotten his hands on it without first suffering a lecture, though. But that is how it is. He smiles grimly.

Obsessed. Kana’s death wasn’t your fault. You have to let go.

There is no way he could let go. Even when it cost him his badge, he did not – could not – let go. And it is because he did not let go that he still has a chance to set things right. If his contact is telling the truth, something will happen at Ikei today. Something he can prevent. As he takes another drag from the cigarette, he hears footsteps approaching him. Mori looks up.

The contact is here.

***

Kayano sees Taketatsu walking into the lobby, his fiancee on his arm. She carefully moves behind a pillar. Kayano had spent a few months as an employee of his at Epicsoft – she is certain he would not recognize her, but in her field of work it is better to be safe than sorry. Observing the couple until they are out of sight, she folds her arms and begins to wait patiently for her orders.

***

Gunshots. Screams. Mori’s instincts kick into gear, and he breaks out into a run, dashing into the lobby. The man was right, Mori thought, as he reaches into his coat for the gun.

***

Kayano turns to look at the grizzled man in the trenchcoat. The gun in his hand draws her attention. She needs that gun to protect herself.

***

Taketatsu hammers on the keypad in a panic, trying to close the doors. His fiancee has run off, but there’s no time to be concerned with her now. He sees an office lady moving towards a gunman in a coat shortly before the doors slam shut.

***

The visions fade away. The symbols that you have picked stop glowing, their grooves locked into place. It looks like they cannot be manipulated anymore. Around you, the changing landscape seems to have stabilized. The mountains have become sharper and more cube-like, the valleys have become flatter and straighter. The more you look, the more familiar it seems: as if they are some unformed silhouette of a hospital you know all to well.

“Time to pick the next set, Acchan!” hollers Ei, who is now – somehow – sitting atop one of the undefined buildings.

You turn your attention back to the circular plate and the symbols remaining. You have to pick the next three…

***

I. Sakimura Yuuki.
II. Uehara Shizuka.
III. Sakaki Okitsu.
IV. Maeda Nami.
V. Sawada Junichi.
VI. Okuyama Midori.
VII. Tokigawa Kou.
VIII. Iwano Mitsuki.
IX. Amanozaki Touko.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Well, that gives us at least some picture of what is going on. Not a very good one though. It's pretty obvious that the other theory I had postulated was the correct one. We need to pick the ones with intersecting fates - before the hospital. And perhaps not merely ones with intersecting fates, but ones with whose fate intersections will reveal useful info.

 

[treave]

You're free to ask for more clues regarding the three you just picked if you think it can help with your subsequent choices.

 

[ERYFKRAD]

I'm still on Team Hoof, so someone convince me what to vote for.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

You're free to ask for more clues regarding the three you just picked if you think it can help with your subsequent choices.

Hopefully said clues will come verbally and not in dance form...

What kinds of clues can we ask for? Can we ask who Kayano sent the email to? Or who Mori's contact was or what they looked like?

 

[Nevill]

No big surprises there. Well, except for the Chinese and the reseach facility in the depths of the hospital. I suppose that's the next level that Seiji wanted to move to?

Obviously, we need to pick up the fire set next.

 

[treave]

What kinds of clues can we ask for? Can we ask who Kayano sent the email to? Or who Mori's contact was or what they looked like?

Kayano sent it to Juuzo. Mori's contact is one of the remaining options.

No big surprises there. Well, except for the Chinese and the reseach facility in the depths of the hospital. I suppose that's the next level that Seiji wanted to move to.

The basement facility was already heavily hinted at in the Fourth Night, though.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Obviously, we need to pick up the fire set next.

hey I gave you two theories to pick from. one of them was right. Not my fault if you bros couldn't come up with something better

 

[Nevill]

The basement facility was already heavily hinted at in the Fourth Night, though.

I expected it to be a polygon or a containment facility to keep the experiments hidden, not the 'brain center' of the operations. I didn't think there would be some supercomputer there, though I probably should have known better.

hey I gave you two theories to pick from. one of them was right. Not my fault if you bros couldn't come up with something better

You sure that wasn't something I championed since the beginning?

Also, Kz3ro came up with something better.

 

[a cut of domestic sheep prime]

Didn't see his post so I have no idea what you are talking about. Blah blah, let's not have another multipage argument over nothing

And no you didn't champion it from the beginning. You even said I was on to something when I brought it up

What kinds of clues can we ask for? Can we ask who Kayano sent the email to? Or who Mori's contact was or what they looked like?

Kayano sent it to Juuzo. Mori's contact is one of the remaining options.

Why was Taketatsu closing the doors?