#[ thread: fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 ]

[yukyunotabibito]

The longer the shadow is exposed, the more Nasir is able to sense it. It's...

This shadow... it's...

A dragon?! Oh god, what has he done? He fired at arrow at it, without even realizing. Not a dragon of Goldoa; but has he already not been enough of a traitor to his own kind?!

You! His inner voice is far louder, sharper with a real tint of disdain, that his tongue could possible carry as he was now. He plants a foot on the strange box - the machine as he had come to know it - glaring down at their nemesis, Neglected to mention the one controlling you is a dragon; now did we? Say, can you even hear me?

"Customer is no longer eligible for Firey Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II. We apologize for the inconvenience."

Bastard! At least answer me before spitting out such a message!

There is no reply. Perhaps it cannot hear him after all. Very well then, he will-

Pain wracks through his body, as if he had just recieved a smack to the face from the dragon lingering in the shadows.

Corporate Shadow 22.5/30 HP barely hits Nasir 4/10 HP with No Refunds [Roll: 9; -2 HP; Nasir 2/10 HP]

Ah, so that's the game that they were playing. Nasir grits his teeth, surely it has been long enough that he could... no, even if he could, these children do not know who he is. He cannot risk his heart so easily like that, no matter how long the battle has waged.

"Dispersing punishment! Thank you for playing!"

Omen activates! [Roll: 3; -3 HP; Nasir 0/10 HP]

Another wave of pain washes over him, sickening to the very pit of his stomach. He has to... he has to retreat. He can't even lift the bow at this rate, fingers trembling as the weapon simply slips through them and clatters to the ground.

"Ah, what an embarrassment!" He manages to laugh out, collasping to the ground, "Ena, thank the goddess you aren't here to see your poor grandfather make a fool of himself!"

Thank the goddess indeed.

Nasir has been defeated!

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[delicatevalentine]

june activity check. ♡

skill points.

activity — passed [any+1] event — summer arena 2024 [any+1] completed mission — slacker, no slacking [axe+1] (reallocated to heavy armour)

allocation.

heavy armour — [ E½ → C ] total — [ 50 ]

claims.

unlocked item — steel shield unlocked abilities — weight-3, backup unlocked class — armoured knight mastered class — lance fighter

thread tracker.

left on read — waiting on me and so, tmz was born — waiting on me squeak squad attack — waiting on me did somebody say photo party? — waiting on fogado famous last words — waiting on sakura miner inconvenience — waiting on me we should unionize — waiting on me

completed threads.

slacker, no slacking — 1553 words fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 — 1447 words  mom said it's my turn to get broken — 985 words finally that hat works in our favour — 1189 words

[yukyunotabibito]

Nasir can't help but to wonder how many times they have to gamble away their weapons, armor, and even small fractions of their life before the machine will be satisfied. Perhaps it never will be. Perhaps there is nothing behind it to begin with, and this is just another cruel trick of fate.

He doesn't dare make a comment that in a situation like this, everyone should just worry for themselves. That the girl was the one who had run off, possibly straight into danger, and if she got hurt; then it was her own fault. He doesn't care to get scolded again by Tormod of all people.

Sharp eyes catch something glistening just beyond the strange box, as if there is a shadow lingering in the corners of the illusion, just waiting for its chance to attack them once they let down their guard. Very well then, he had a target.

Slender fingers take an arrow, notching it into the bow, carefully taking aim at whatever this being was. He lets the arrow go, hoping that it flies true. He had never been too good with beorc weaponry, even in the midst of his years of disguising himself. Able to wield whatever he can get his hands on if he needs to, but master of none.

Much to his dismay, the arrow misses. With a sigh, he shakes his head. Such was the way of battle, he supposed. Not every attack was a guranteed hit, and he did not care to take the risk to transform in the current moment. Not with these children who did not know his heart watching. Only Tormod knew the truth of his heritage, and he would take great care to ensure that it remained that way.

Nasir 4/10 HP misses Corporate Shadow 27.5/30 HP with Silver Bow [Roll: 4; -0 HP; Corporate Shadow 27.5/30 HP]

The shadow tries to take this oppourtunity to attack him in return, but to allow such a thing would be a dismisal of the reflexes he had trained into himself over so many years of his life. If he is to miss, then he will not allow the creature to hit him.

Corporate Shadow 27.5/30 HP misses Nasir 4/10 HP with “Please Play Responsibly” [Roll: 2; -0 HP; Nasir 4/10 HP]

"Interesting..." He mumbles to himself, observing the piece of the shadow that it chooses to attacking with, "My, my, aren't you a strange one? So you could have been attacking us this whole time but simply chose to hide behind this little machine of yours and force us to gamble our lives away? Coward."

@cursedbluebird

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[yukyunotabibito]

Nasir didn't particularly care if he was likeable, just long as he was able to do what needed to be done. And Lady Luck is a cruel mistress, seemingly to everyone but him.

Might as well use this luck of his for something good then. If his heart is to be treated as nothing more than that of a dirty traitor, the least he can do is to put his traitor's blood to good use.

(Did the other children think of him as nothing else than needlessly cruel? As if he was not just jaded with the world and all that it gave him to face after 600 years of life. Wallowing in self pity would be the end of all in a world that was cruel more often than not. He can't help but to wonder: at their end of their journey would they be changed and their convinction lost? Or like Ike, would they too weather the storm put before them?)

"Wel... welcome again loyal customer!! o(≧▽≦)o Please don't threaten me..."

The box is scared of him now, it seems. Good. He holds up the useless spurs in his hand, giving the little machine a sneer, "Take these back; why don't you? I have no use for them. Do I look like I have any sort of mount that requires such things to be forced to move forward? Of course not."

Nasir 9/10 HP sacrifices Laufey Spurs for Guaranteed Rate on Firey Emblems Gatcha Gatcha II

"Understood! Payment accepted! User is eligible to pick from our guranteed category, please make your selection now."

Nasir does not think much upon making his choice, pressing a random button with a simple shake of his head. This whole little game of recieving fun little toys in the shape of new weapons was really suited more towards beorc; wasn't it?

Nasir 9/10 HP gains Rally Defense and Corporate Shadow 30/30HP loses -1 Res and -1 Def

"I wonder..." He mumbles under his breath, mostly to himself, "are we perhaps getting close to managing to expose whatever is behind this worthless little machine?"

@cursedbluebird @moriddyn or @arcelerity

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[yukyunotabibito]

Nasir is prepared to brush off Tormod's scolding as he would any other, as completely inconsequential. He had lived long enough that he didn't care to cater to everyone, to be a perfect and pious little servant to the world that could encourage others with a smile on his face. He knew better. Sure, he never meant to truly hurt anyone with his words, but the world would not be so kind to such children if they couldn't handle a few harsh words.

He falters, though, as a certain phrase, wording that Tormod surely did not know was scathing to Nasir in particular, pierces through his rotting heart as if it was an arrow shot from the glistening bow in his hands.

"Excuse me?" Nasir stands tall next to the boy, tall enough to easily leverage his height if he should wish to, glaring down as the light slowly left blue eyes, "Do not presume to know me from a few battles fought and little words exchanged, beorc child. Do not presume to know my family at that."

He had made his missteps with that rebellious boy of his, sure... but what father hadn't stumbled a few times raising their children? It was surely natural, that one did not suddenly have a baby placed into their hands and know how to care for it. He had failed his only child, he knew that much for certain. If he could have done it over again... or at least spoken to him one more time, as he was now, Nasir would surely apologize for not being a better father, for not being whatever his child had needed from him.

But did he not make up for it with Ena? Had he not learned from his mistakes and cared for her with all of his heart? As if Ena was not his heart in its entirety. As if she was not the only thing that meant anything to his traitorous soul.

"But no, my child does not speak to me any longer. Because he cannot. Ena's parents died a long time ago..." He says it in the same impersonal way he always does, like it is only Ena's heart that matters, like his is not shattering to think that he has already long outlived his own child, "Do not speak so carelessly to me in the future. You cannot always know someone's heart or what they mean with their words. You know dragons keep grudges; don't you, boy? It would do you well to not incur my anger."

@arcelerity

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[yukyunotabibito]

By the goddess, were he and Tormod the only people with any sort of good luck around here? If these kids could not manage to roll something useful, then there seemed that there would be no chance at defeating... whatever they were fighting. So far he could only percieve the box.

Was it the box then? No, that couldn't be it. Something had come out of an unseen area to attack the blue haired girl. What was her name again? Marianne, or something like that. And the poor thing felt bad that she wasn't able to do anything when all of this seemed to be completely up to their luck in the moment. One failure was not her fault.

If she made it a habit though...

"You don't have time to wallow in your misery," He speaks to no one in particular, but he hopes his true target with his words is obvious, "There is work here that must be done, and if you spend all of your time sniveling then you are going to lose something far more important than trinkets in an illusion someday. None of you are a burden until you make yourself one."

He wonders if his words are too harsh for such children, but he does not consider the idea for long. If it was what needed to be heard, he would speak without regrets. Just like he always did.

"Lucky participant! o(≧∇≦o) Welcome back!! You are eligable to roll in our generous category! Please submit payment!"

Nasir 10/10 sacrifices Miracle to roll Generous Rates on Firey Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II [Roll: 3]

Payment, eh? What did he have that was worth giving up just to get a chance at getting something good from this box?

Nasir smacks a hand against the metal container, a threat glimmering in dark blue eyes.

"You take a sliver of my life, give me whatever you have to pop out of there, and then you be nice to these kids; alright?"

"Trans... transaction accepted! ( >﹏<。) Reward being dispersed!"

Nasir 10/10 HP gains Laufey Spurs and Coporate Shadow 30/30 HP loses -1 Res and -1 Def

Nasir stares at the pieces of metal in his hands, suddenly wondering if that had been worth. What were these anyway? Some kind of spurs?

"What the hell am I supposed to do with these?"

@arcelerity, @cursedbluebird, or @delicatevalentine good luck zoomers

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[yukyunotabibito]

Somehow, by whatever grace the Goddess had left for him, Nasir was surrounded by a team of beorc children - though the blonde man may be a tad old to call a child. Certainly all students though. Some of them were even his students - including little old Tormod. What was Nasir? Their chaperone? Oh how quaint! Just a cute little field trip into the illusionary realm to battle some monsters kids! We'll even be back before lunch!

How... trite.

The trappings of a dingy old taproom surround them, a hazy smoke filling the air as the strange metal contraption rang out happily and sadly in what seemed like all the same moment running together. A sense of familiarity is brought from it though, memories of seaside taverns and the wily seamen that inhabited them, of games of blackjack that Nasir always played to win - because there was no harm in a little extra coins in his pockets. But the familiarity is only vague because compared to those old haunts this place is...

Terribly loud. Goodness, could they not have a little bit of consideration for non-beorc ears?

Tragic, the loud noises constantly ringing in his ears was dulling to his senses. But if he pushes through... yes, he shall be fine. There is no reason to act like it is bothering him in the slightest, he is quite the master of masking his true self after all.

Perhaps he too shall try his luck with the strange metal machine.

"Welcome lucky player to ☆Firey Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II☆! Please feel free to spin the wheel of fate!"

"Lucky, eh? Yes, you could say that I suppose." Nasir chuckles softly at the machine's little epithet. Now, how was he supposed to use this thing?

Nasir 10/10 HP sacrifices White Magic Heal+ to roll guaranteed rates on Fire Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II [Roll: 4]

"Congraulations! You have selected for the ✨premium✨ category of players! Please choose your prize on the screen before you!"

Ah, interesting indeed. So he got to pick; now did he? Very well then. He glances at the options, before selecting the one that seemed most fitting. Beorc weaponry wasn't usually his style, but there was no one here to scold him for using it and, other than Tormod, it wasn't like these kids knew who he was. Better to keep his identity a secret, rather than to be sorry for revealing it; wasn't it?

"Transaction completed! Please enjoy your prize! ＼(≧▽≦)／"

Nasir 10/10 HP gains Silver Bow and Corporate Shadow 30/30 HP loses -1 Res and -1 Def

A bow pops out of the machine and into his hands with a little jingle. He doesn't feel like anything has changed otherwise though; so what in the world did he trade for this?

Ah well.

"Seems I got quite lucky. Hopefully this will be useful," Nasir waves his new bow at the children with a smirk, "Do be careful with further transactions with this thing though. Gambling recklessly can be dangerous, you wouldn't want to accidentally throw your life away trading items with it. Everyone got that?"

@cursedbluebird roll the dice marianne

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

Garreg Mach is pretty dang cool! They don't just use that fancy magic for show and glitz and glamor, but for actual practical stuff! Battle training with realistic custom-made enemies and terrains without a risk of actually dying? Sign him up!

And so he did. It's actually pretty funny how he just put his name on a piece of paper. And selected a few things to try out. He could've grabbed anything, but the opportunity to be a Dark Mage without having to make a spirit pact was too cool to pass up, and magic literally called Death? Come on!

(He couldn't fathom what "Two Shells" meant, but the descriptions said they were lightweight armor that made him better at dodging and sturdier, so like, perfect!)

Well. That's sure what he thought.

Now that he's standing here with two of his classmates (Hilda and Marianne, even!), a blonde guy he doesn't recognize, and freaking Nasir of all people...while wearing a weird ass outfit equipped with some phony seashells that are supposed to be part of a swimsuit! He's been scammed!

And they're in a weird smelly place that reminds him of some awful, awful mansions he's raided in the past. Hopefully whoever they're fighting will be as satisfying to beat up as those creepos.

"So, uh. How's everyone doing?" He's happy to see Marianne and Hilda, probably chill with the blonde guy, and, well, Nasir is Nasir. He's got weird and complicated feelings about the guy that he does not want to think about while he's dressed like this in the middle of a nightmare zone.

Before he can do anything, a bizarre square of metal rolls towards him, creaking wheels contrasted by glittering lights. It moves as if it has a will of its own, and a hollow, strange voice emanates from its core.

"Welcome to Fiery Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II! By playing, you agree to our legally binding terms and conditions."

"Are you...the boss?" Tormod stands at the ready, but it doesn't really seem like a threat.

[Roll: 1d4=4!]

"You have been selected to pull from our Premium Guaranteed pool! Choose one of the following by tapping the screen!"

Oh, neato! This is weird, but this thingamabob is giving him some way fancier options than the initial form. Also they're being displayed in light on its front...? Weird. Ragnarok looks tempting, but his finger slips and he finds himself on Hoplon Guard instead. Less explodey than he'd like, but that's armor and he'd love to have a different outfit on right now, plus whatever boss they're facing is probably pretty tough!

"ERROR: Currency not found! Taking from Customer's Life Pool instead! Do Not Display This Message To Customer."

"Hey, huh, wha--?"

Tormod 10/10HP gains Hoplon Guard and Corporate Shadow 30/30HP loses -1 Res and -1 Def!

Tormod is suddenly engulfed in light and hears jaunty music--are they stealing his soul or something? He didn't agree to this! Or did he? Tricky weird illusion metal monster! Either way, something is happening, and he feels way, way heavier...is this it? Has he already been knocked out?

The light recedes, and he's still standing. Just way more weighed down than before. Okay. Cool.

He can see his reflection in the metal of the robot. He's wearing...some kind of armor? It has to be armor with how it feels to move around in, but it kind of looks like a stupid puffy jacket instead, complete with a pointy hat. It's red and green, which is kind of his style, but it looks really dumb and it's hard to move in.

And worst of all, those shells are sitting on top of it.

"I think this illusion or simulation or whatever is faulty! Give me my cool armor!"

Unfortunately, banging the metal thing (slot machine, a voice in his brain generously supplies) is fruitless. The voice in his head assures him that his outfit works the same as the armor, but that doesn't help. (Also, there's a voice in his head???)

@cursedbluebird @delicatevalentine @moriddyn @yukyunotabibito may the odds be in your favor!

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

Omen activates! [Roll: 3 - 1 = 2; -2 HP,  Tormod 7/10 HP

There's nothing Tormod can do as a hostile chill runs through the arena, battering his comrades even further and completely wiping out the unlucky blonde guy.

"Hey, stay safe. We can do this!" They have to. This is just a simulation, but Tormod doesn't lose! And when he very rarely has, his team picks it up!

"Play again?"

That damned machine keeps harassing him, but he has noticed the...whatever it is they're fighting lets its guard down when it's feasting on the stuff they give it, so maybe...

"Yeah, take these! I don't need 'em." Tormod drops the shells into the metal being's waiting maw. Why hadn't he done that before? The parasol was better, honestly.

Tormod 10/10 HP sacrifices Two Shells to roll Abysmal Rates on Firey Emblems Gatcha Gatcha II [Roll: 1]

"You are eligible to roll from our Abysmal Category!"

He's not even going to complain. That's what that thing deserved, honestly.

"Please enjoy!~"

Tormod 10/10 HP gains Airfoil Shield and Corporate Shadow 27.5/30HP loses -1 Def and -1 Res! Corporate Shadow +0 Def/Res

...okay, this is just a shield made out of some kind of flimsy material. Like, the sort of thing a child would make while playing knights. Still, it's better than nothing, and maybe it has some kind of enchantment on it like the outfit he's wearing.

"I don't know! I haven't seen her in a bit..." Tormod's worried about Marianne too. This place is huge and hostile and he knows this is just an illusion and no one is supposed to get hurt! But where is she? "Hey, Mari! Where are you?"

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

Okay, he fucked up.

Nasir sucks. He's a coward with a fancy tongue. But in his attempts to needle him, Tormod had gone too far and he knows it. There's no way he could've known, of course, but now he does and he wants to say something back because Nasir's being all intimidating but also he did just insult the guy's relationship with his dead kid!

"I..."

"Hello! Welcome to Fiery Emblems: Gatcha Gatcha II! Please insert currency."

Well, there's a welcome distraction if he's ever seen one.

"I don't want to play your stupid game!" Tormod kicks the machine, balling his fists so tight he can feel his nails digging in. Unfortunately, the kick does very little but send the thing wheeling backwards and hurt his foot a little bit, and it wheels back up.

Tormod 10/10 HP sacrifices Poison Strike to roll Abysmal Rates on Firey Emblems Gatcha Gatcha II [Roll: 1]

"You are eligible to roll from our Abysmal Category! Taking payment..."

"Huh, what? But I--"

Tormod 10/10 HP gains Parasol and Corporate Shadow 30/30HP loses -1 Res and -1 Def

Suddenly, Tormod is holding a fancy umbrella in one hand. It's kind of like something you'd use for shade in the desert, but what purpose does having one now serve...?

"No refunds!~"

Corporate Shadow 30/30 HP attacks with No Refunds! Crits Tormod 10/10HP [Roll: 20; (Crit nullified by Hoplon Guard) -3 HP - 3.5 DEF = -0 HP, Tormod 10/10]

Yikes, what was that? Some kind of magical energy buffets against his protective shell of an outfit--at least that thing wasn't lying when it said it worked the same as the armor.

"Is everyone okay? Oh, shit dude--!" That blonde guy's been absolutely pummeled, and Marianne isn't looking too hot herself. He rushes to their side, but before he can do anything, that clawed hand from earlier blocks his path.

Corporate Shadow 30/30HP hits Tormod 10/10 HP with Please Play Responsibly! [Roll: 19 - 2 = 17; -2 HP - 3 RES = -0 HP, Tormod 10/10]

"Outta my way!" Once again the suit absorbs a nasty blow, and Tormod brushes past it, letting out a blast of dark magic.

Tormod 10/10 HP hits Corporate Shadow 30/30HP with Death [Roll: 8; -1.5 HP - 2 RES = -0 HP, Corporate Shadow 30/30] Corporate Shadow 30/30HP misses Tormod 10/10 HP with Please Play Responsibly! [Roll: 2 - 2 = 0; -0 HP, Tormod 10/10]

Unfortunately, this thing has some hefty armor itself, but Tormod isn't falling for the same trick twice, and sidesteps a clumsy attempt at tripping him. It retreats to the shadows ominously, leaving a chill in Tormod's soul but no further attempts at aggression for now.

Omen activates! [Roll: 2 - 1 = 1; -1 HP, Elffin 1/10, Tormod 9/10, Nasir 9/10, Hilda 9/10, Marianne 2/10] Corporate Shadow 30/30 HP gains +1 Res and + 1 Def!

"Hey, hey, it's gonna be okay. Get behind me, I'll keep you safe!" Tormod puts himself bodily in front of Elffin, looking back with a perhaps-too-confident grin. "These guys hate to play fair, but we can do this together."

They have to! There's always a way.

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

Corporate Shadow 22.5/30HP misses Tormod 7/10HP with No Refunds [Roll: 1]

"Heh, gotta be faster to hit me!" Despite the weight of his so-called armor, Tormod finds the footwork he needs to sidestep the shadow-boss's attacks. Honestly, it's kind of embarrassing for the thing, which sprouts limbs and tails to attack at its leisure! "Wanna try that again?"

Corporate Shadow 22.5/30HP misses Tormod 7/10HP with Please Play Responsibly [Roll: 2; -0HP] Tormod 7/10HP counters Corporate Shadow 22.5/30HP with Death [Roll: 13, -1.5HP] Corporate Shadow 21/30HP Corporate Shadow 22.5/30HP barely hits Tormod 7/10HP with Please Play Responsibly [Roll: 5; -0HP]

"Give it up!" It does, and it fails pretty badly! Tormod's scary skull magic deals a solid hit, and it fails to make it past his defenses even when it does manage to land a glancing blow. "You really think you can beat me?"

He just has to keep its attention, long enough for the others to take shots and retreat to safety...he's the one who can take hits, it's his responsibility!

Omen Activates [1d4-1=3] Tormod 4/10HP Nasir 0/10 HP Hilda 3/10HP Marianne 0/10HP  Nasir has been defeated Marianne has been defeated Corporate Shadow gains +1 Def and +1 Res

Things are going downhill fast, unfortunately, as that stupid mastermind or whatever lets loose its awful, awful energy, seeping past armor and directly into Tormod's bones. Nasir can't handle it, and he sees a huge sign announcing Marianne's defeat with glee--dammit, why does this place have to be like this!

"It's just you and me, Hilda! We gotta do this!" No, he won't be taken down by this! They will make the sacrifices matter! They're so close, he can feel it...and also see it, atop a big scoreboard that's suddenly front-and-center. Just one more hit, it says they need to do. "Hmmm..."

She's got a spear she seems pretty good with, and he's got dark magic he's still getting used to. He's not even sure what she has left to sacrifice, either. He would like to deal the final blow and avenge Marianne (and the others), but it'd probably make more sense for Hilda, right? Plus, she's closer friends with Marianne. Okay, yeah.

"Come on! I'll play your game." Tormod steps forward, but not before whispering to Hilda. "I'll distract it! Get it while it's paying attention to me!"

The machine once again rolls up to Tormod, remarkably placidly for having been kicked and smacked by him in the past. He drops the cheap shield imitation into its waiting maw, nervously glancing toward Hilda all the while.

Tormod 4/10HP Sacrifices Airfoil Shield to roll Guaranteed Rate in Firey Emblems Gatcha Gatcha II. Tormod 4/10 HP gains Ragnarok and Corporate Shadow 21/30HP loses -1 Def and -1 Res! Corporate Shadow +0 Def/Res

"You have been selected to pull from our Premium Guaranteed pool! Choose one of the following by tapping the screen!"

What luck! He feels the familiar warmth of fire magic grace his blood, though its ferocity and general energy are novel. Well, hopefully being this fortunate makes him more of a distraction.

(And if Hilda fails, then...)

bring us home, @delicatevalentine!

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

This is out of control! The machine refuses to let Hilda stop playing, and gives Elffin a joke of a prize. Tormod's starting to get real mad at this thing.

"No means no, ya hear!" Tormod thwacks the robot with a loud, metal clang, and it turns to him, seemingly undamaged. It turns toward him and sprouts a clawed metal arm, forcefully wrestling the parasol from his hands and consuming it.

"You are eligible to roll from our Abysmal Category! Taking payment..."

Of course it's Abysmal. Go figure.

"Error! No prize found."

"Wait, for real? That's cheating!" Tormod shouldn't be surprised when it's done this three times already, but even the worst offenders at the gambling places he'd busted wouldn't be this blatant. "Stupid thing..."

Corporate Shadow 30/30 HP attacks with No Refunds! Crits Tormod 9/10HP [Roll: 20; (Crit nullified by Hoplon Guard) -3 HP - 3.5 DEF = -0 HP, Tormod 9/10HP] 

An electric current flows through the floorboards, pulsing in different bright colors and surrounding Tormod. But he feels...nothing? This outfit sure is enchanted to protect him, after all.

"Everyone okay?" Elffin is barely standing, and it looks like Nasir's finally starting to feel worn down. Hilda avoided the brunt of the blow, and Marianne...? Where's Marianne?

Corporate Shadow 28/30HP hits Tormod 10/10 HP with Please Play Responsibly! [Roll: 10 - 2 = 8; -2 HP - 3 RES = -0 HP, Tormod 9/10HP]

"Woah!" The arm swings toward him, catching him square in the chest. He startles from the sudden shock of the blow, but the 'armor' is quite sturdy and he doesn't feel so much as a bruise. Damn. "Looks like someone's gotta teach you some manners!"

Tormod 10/10 HP hits Corporate Shadow 28/30HP with Death [Roll: 10; -1.5 HP - 1 RES = -0.5 HP,  Corporate Shadow 27.5/30HP] Corporate Shadow 30/30HP hits Tormod 9/10 HP with Please Play Responsibly! [Roll: 19 - 2 = 17; -2 HP -3.5 DEF = -0HP, Tormod 9/10 HP]

There are cooler things he could've said, and the scary skull magic that he summons does a disappointing amount of damage, but hey, he's got a scratch on it at least! Whatever it is, anyway.

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round

[arcelerity]

(tellius spoilers btw)

Tormod hates this. He doesn't know the details, but Marianne beats herself up in a way that makes no sense and really freaks him out, like she's cursed to mess up everything. And this stupid machine just haaaad to give her the bad luck!

And then some creepy shadow arm thwacks her before Tormod can take the blow or anything and seriously, what the hell does this thing have out for her!

"It's not you, it's that guy. This whole thing is rigged, it's made to mess with us. I've seen places like this before." Tormod stays close to Marianne, keeping an eye out for any lurking enemies in the shadows. At least he can soak the blow with his 'armor.' Though it feels like the worse threat is to her mental state...

And that stupid dragon is not helping!

"Hey, Nasir, can you shut up?" Tormod's never been known for his tact, but any and all ambassador training is out the window here. Not that it'd help. This guy's all hot air and then some. "You're not helping."

Nasir is a fascinating individual, and one who Tormod might be friends or closer comrades with in a different world. A dragon laguz who rejected the tenets of isolationism, who believes in bringing laguz and beorc together and ending unnecessary division...that almost sounds like the laguz version of Tormod, give or take a few big details.

But nope! He sold them out. Took the medallion and almost doomed them all. He was blackmailed or yada yada but then he sided with Dheginsea (the isolationist king he was against?) in the tower and took part in almost ending the world on the side of ending the world again, so like, seriously. Where's his backbone?

"Looks like it gave you something about as useful as your words!" And here he is, oh so nobly putting himself forward for squat. It's poetic, really. "Y'know, people give me shit for saying stuff without thinking, but you think a lot and then decide to tell the kids you're supposed to be supporting that they're a burden. Really awesome. Do your actual kids still talk to you?"

Maybe that's a bit harsh. But if Nasir says something like that to Marianne again he's probably just gonna punch him in the face.

fighting commodity fetishism with commodity fetishism since 980 | team 1 bronze round