Monday, August 23, 2021

Summer River Adventure Episode 3 Part 1

Last time, our simple and honest judo boy's heart was suddenly shaken and raced, at which point a cursed power started becoming released! The river began to writhe and turn into a stream of mud with the rampaging power of the Orochi, which then called the servants of dragons into a flock in the sky! The relics you all sought to return were stolen by thieves, so you all worked to take them back, but then the cursed Orochi river began to raise its head and carry you all with it! And the one to save the party leader, as in you, was a mysterious masked hero!
 
Title card pops up, and this episode is called The Terror of the River of Oblivion Flowing into the Bounded Valley!
 
Now back to the story at hand, Shiva notes that the mobs have fled because they felt they couldn't win. It was only the river becoming animate and standing up, the pathetic whelps. Arachne says that for all that's happened, she feels it's natural that they decided to run. Sure it was a supernatural phenomenon, but you guys were in danger as well. Tajikarao starts to comment to the effect of recognizing the Orochi, but you turn to him in curiosity and wonder why he's looking at you funny. 

Tajikarao quickly claims it's nothing and tries to laugh it off, and Thunderbird says that what happened was unusual for him too. It did get him to hurry up and reach you guys though. He then asks how Jugo is doing, saying he's heard it was his power that caused what just happened. Jugo makes a point of clarifying that it wasn't his power, so Thunderbird apologizes for the misunderstanding since he came in partway through. Jugo apologizes for his own rudeness and thanks Thunderbird for his help. He also wants to apologize to the rest of the party for exposing everyone to danger. Shiva scoffs that he wasn't in danger and says Jugo's apologies are misplaced.

You either say you're used to trouble, say you're in the same boat as Jugo, or call Shiva cool and kind. B gets some extra lines of Jugo being touched, then saying you're strong and hoping to be like that too someday. C instead has Shiva blushing and claiming he's just being honest. If you're with him, there's no pain and suffering you cannot overcome. He then attempts to push you away from grabbing onto him and yelling about clearing away desires.

Anyways, Arachne says that the rest of them are okay, so Jugo doesn't need to be too concerned with them. Plus, adventures come with a certain amount of danger. And while they're on the subject, Arachne asks if it's okay to ask about what that thing Jugo is connected to really is. Jugo isn't happy about the subject but seems willing to tell you guys, at which point Tajikarao immediately cuts in, saying there's no need to talk about it and that everyone has one or two things they keep hidden.

Arachne is disconcerted and notes that Tajikarao is acting suspiciously before asking if he's okay. Tajikarao dodges the question by quickly telling Jugo that he doesn't have to talk about anything he doesn't want to. Jugo is surprised by this, and Arachne gives up as she concedes that point. She's still open to being asked about it though.

Tajikarao changes the subject, at which point Magami talks about how you guys have recovered the Ancient Wolf skull and thanks everyone for their help in getting it back. Tajikarao says that everyone in the party is in agreement at returning the relics back, so he as both a senpai and dog handler is thankful to you all. You say everything's okay for now and admit you are curious about Jugo's situation, but then everyone has their own circumstances to deal with.

Jugo thanks everyone after a moment, and Shiva suggests that there won't be any danger if things are done the way he does things. Jugo is shocked at Shiva saying everyone should act like him, but then starts talking himself into thinking he ought to be able to do that. Thunderbird says that aiming high is nice, but going too high will isolate you. It's better to keep your concerns in mind and find your own path.

Arachne thanks Thunderbird for helping you guys and is about to say something else, which Thunderbird presumes is a question as to why a hero like him is there. He explains that he had certain reasons to be investigating the area, then came across an emergency he couldn't ignore. Tajikarao asks if he's talking about the relic thieves, which Thunderbird confirms. He had chased after the thieves, then heard they were chasing after a boat that left the campgrounds upstream. He sensed danger in this, then came to check even if it was meddling.

Arachne is surprised at the story and asks if the bit at the end referred to you guys. He then asks Thunderbird if there was some sort of trouble or something, which has Magami quietly paying close attention. Thunderbird says seeing would be quicker than explaining. From his own investigations the nearby area ahead is still safe, so he asks if you guys will believe in him and follow along. You either decide to suggest going with him after a moment, wonder what's up ahead, or excitedly thank Thunderbird for his help. Thunderbird agrees, then says it's helpful that things are going so quickly before leading everyone forward.

Further ahead, the party is shocked when they move past the forest by the river to see the area has completely changed. Arachne says the view is vaguely nostalgic but definitely her home world of Olympus. Thunderbird says that after the animate river thing, the area changed. Nothing unusual for an unstable overworld shift really. Sometimes they strand people who come by to sightsee and play around in it, but in the end it's just an overlay of places that look similar.

Tajikarao talks about how even the police school does classes on searching for missing victims since the people coming in to look for them shouldn't be added to the damage list too. That's what police dogs are here for! Even if the area changes, scent trails will still persist. He then turns to Magami and points him out being the (planned) pride of the school's police dogs. Magami however is focused on something else, surprising Tajikarao into saying this is where he was supposed to psych himself up. Jugo notes that Magami's been quiet for a while now and asks if he's feeling sick. Magami says he's had something on his mind for a while now, and Thunderbird notices he's been staring at him and asks why. Magami then loudly declares him to be suspicious.

Thunderbird is shocked at the accusation and attempts to laugh it off as a joke. Magami lists off a bunch of observations like Thunderbird hiding his face with goggles, calling himself a hero, being rather well-informed of the situation, and following the party as all evidence pointing to Thunderbird being suspicious. He then says he'll take him to the station for questioning. Thunderbird pleads with him, saying that just because he's correct doesn't mean he's right the above points are true, but he's totally not anyone suspicious. You attempt to say it's not good to doubt people so quickly, point out that Thunderbird helped you earlier, or agree with Magami that Thunderbird is sus. A and B has Thunderbird thank you for your support, saying it's the best thing for heroes since they have to fight alone. In C, Thunderbird just says heroes have their own things to deal with, and he plans on answering things honestly as a trade-off for hiding his identity.

Magami starts getting up in Thunderbird's face and growling at him, so Tajikarao tells him to stay, though he does understand his thoughts. Jugo agrees, and points out if we're talking about people hiding their faces, Shiva's been standing there the whole time. Shiva is shocked at suddenly being suggested to be suspicious.

You get frustrated at how chaotic things are getting, wonder where Arachne got off to, or notice that Arachne's been banging her head and looking off into the distance. Arachne apologizes saying she was reminded of old traumas all of a sudden while looking at the scenery. She then pushes the thoughts aside and says that it's true that Thunderbird saved you, and him hiding stuff just makes things better. And either way, she asks Thunderbird for his name since she'd like to know who helped you guys.

Thunderbird thinks a moment and says you guys should call him Thunderbird, describing himself as someone who always sides with the oppressed. You either ask if you guys met before, say you've heard rumors of people being saved by him, or say it's a cool name. In A, Thunderbird doesn't give a straight answer as he says he's always fighting for the oppressed without people knowing of it. Maybe you guys have just crossed paths somewhere while he was doing that. He then whispers to you and asks you to leave it at that. In B, Thunderbird laughs and wonders what sort of rumors are going around about him. He's not that interested in prestige, aside from his own view of it as protecting the peace and calm of the oppressed. In C, Thunderbird says it has a promise he made to an old friend, so he uses it so he won't forget about it.

Tajikarao says Magami would settle down if he knew Thunderbird's origins, and he can't overlook much more as a senpai. Magami quickly apologizes, so Tajikarao says he gets too wild and says they're training to reel that part of him in. Arachne comments in surprise at how calm Tajikarao is, admitting she thought he'd be going just as crazy as Magami. Tajikarao explains that Thunderbird is also well known by the police and talked about a lot, though he can't give details. Thunderbird politely suggests shelving the topic and asks if that's enough of an introduction on his end. He then asks for you guys to introduce yourselves and asks why you guys are going downstream, so you comply.

After an offscreened explanation, Thunderbird comments on understanding what the thieves are doing now that he knows about the Ancient Wolf skull. He reminds you guys that the overworld shift itself is still unstable going forward, so there's no telling what will happen. Plus, the thieves are still around. He asks if you guys will keep going, which Magami answers affirmatively saying the skull wants that too. He compares this to bringing a lost child back to their home and says it's an absolute rule.

Tajikarao says he's Magami's senpai and handler, so he can't leave him alone. Arachne says she's already here and has a feeling there's more inspiration to be found. Jugo says he's caused problems, but he wants to go along if you guys will let him since he feels he'll get unstuck in his training that way. Shiva sighs and says he'll go because he won't be able to concentrate with all the noise. You say you want to help Magami, say you're curious about the wolf skull, or say you'll see how things go.

Thunderbird accepts everyone's reasonings and says he'll join you guys. Magami is shocked by this, and Tajikarao asks in surprise if he's sure. Thunderbird says protecting the peace is a hero's job and asks to come along, promising to help. You either ask if you guys already have a strong party, be excited at adding a hero to the group, or thank Thunderbird. C gets an extra line of him waving it off and saying he's happy you said so. Either way Magami thanks the suspicious guy for helping, prompting Thunderbird to insist he stop calling him that. Magami then barks and says he understands.

Some time passes as you guys have walked off to wherever, and eventually Arachne says she's getting tired from the heat and asks for a break. Jugo says he's been thinking it's a good time to take a break around now too. Shiva slightly disapproves saying training being painful has meaning, griping a bit about Smoky God and you guys. Still, he grudgingly accepts that pushing oneself too hard would make everything a waste, so he accepts the suggestion of a break as a way to train further.

Jugo sighs at how indirect Shiva is being again, but he agrees. He then asks what you think, so you either say you've been sweating a lot or that you haven't noticed a thing since you've been spacing out. In A, Jugo says he figured as much and tells you not to push yourself too hard. Magami then asks if Jugo has been sweating too and says he can smell it. Jugo quickly tries to deny it and pleads for him to not agitate him too much. In B, Shiva approves saying the mind can make fire seem cool if you empty yourself of thoughts. The subject makes Taikarao ask if Shiva is hot with his mask on, suggesting he'd feel better taking it off. He goes up to touch it and is surprised at how cool to the touch it is, and Shiva is shocked at this invasion of his personal space. His saying it's how he always stays cool makes Tajikaro compare it to an instant water heater.

Arachne sighs about her fatigue catching up to her since she thought you guys would be stopping now. Magami says he's feeling hungry now, so Tajikarao suggests stopping for a break, though he worries about not knowing what the surrounding area is like. Thunderbird volunteers to look for a safe place to rest, asking you guys to wait for his quick return. The episode half then ends as he jumps up and flies off.

1 comment: