No place for smiles

[srwu_npc]

"Where we're going is no place for smiles", a certain sword said as the lift with Tsubasa, Hibiki and whomever else came to pay a visit descended. It went its way through an ominously long shaft, the sides of it seeming strange somehow... glyphs? Parts of an ancient tower? A strange design decision.

Either way, the lift arrives at 2nd Section headquarters. What awaits you now?


"Welcome!"

A happy welcoming party, apparently. Commander Genjurou approaches everyone to the sound of party poppers. There are even snacks!

"Tachibana Hibiki, welcome to the renovated headquarters of the 2nd Division Mobile Disaster Response Corps. And the same to you, members of Unity Group! I don't think you had a chance to visit yet? You really saved us out there, not to mention the city!."


"So... this is the girl who awakened Gungnir? How fascinating! What secrets lie in that body of yours?"

Who knew the renovated 2nd Section HQ is located under the Lydian Music Academy? Either way, you have an option to talk to either the commander, the chief researcher... or just enjoy yourself. It is a welcoming party after all, and everyone is invited.

Comments

[srwu_npc]

"She is friendly now, but did you see her when Gungnir activated?"

[tiger_ken]

...Admittedly, no. Let me guess: Not pretty?

[srwu_npc]

"It's something called a 'berserk state'. You can probably figure out why. Hibiki-chan was able to control hers very quickly, but what if it happened again, hmm? En route to this place, for example."

[tiger_ken]

...And those hand cuffs would have been able to hold her?

[He can... understand this better now.]

[srwu_npc]

"Hold her? Oh no, not at all. At best only temporarily."

"But it'd buy others a few precious seconds to react."

[tiger_ken]

Enough to try and get out of the way.

I presume you've had troubles with such a 'berserk state' before?

[srwu_npc]

"Oh? Don't you know it's rude to inquire into a lady's secrets?"

"But here, let me reassure you - I don't think we'll have any problems with berserking in the immediate future."

[tiger_ken]

H-Ha...?

[Seems more like an organisational thing than a 'lady's' secrets...]

And... what happens now? To this... Hibiki?

[srwu_npc]

"We'll ask her to join the 2nd Section. She is free to refuse of course, but that'd mean a life of increased surveillance to make sure her Relic does not fall into wrong hands."

[tiger_ken]

And not knowing what'll happen if she goes into a 'berserk state' again... Not much of a choice, is it?

[srwu_npc]

"Pretty much. It's a deal where both sides prosper, isn't it?"

Ryouko smiles innocently.

"We're the ones who can help her most, and she is also someone whose help we could really use."

[tiger_ken]

I imagine the workload's been a lot harder on Tsubasa ever since Kanade died... How's she been handling it, in your opinion?

[srwu_npc]

"What do you think?"

[tiger_ken]

...I'm not sure. I hadn't approached her personally when she stopped by the base some months ago... but I heard she seemed distant. And then today, she said more when arresting Hibiki than during the entire battle...

Maybe I should go find her.

[srwu_npc]

"Do you believe you'll be able to help her, in the state she's in?" Ryouko looks genuinely curious, not sceptical.

[tiger_ken]

...I have no clue. Knowing my luck, I'll say something stupid, or I won't make my point clear...

But I at least have to try. Because I didn't last time, when I should have. And I... owe them, in a few ways. Plus, I was there the day Kanade died, so maybe...

[His eyes flicker all about, doubts in every corner.]

[srwu_npc]

"Oh that's right, you were there too. You should understand how she feels, then."

[tiger_ken]

A little, at least. I 'knew' Kanade for years, but only as a distant fan. But then, there's be a number of... others, to pass since then, so maybe I have a compound knowledge.

Wish me luck.