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resurgam40 posted:But even so, I have mixed feelings about this update. Ange's epiphanies regarding the effect of abuse and public animosity on Eva are important, and the whole theme of abuse creating abuse is something that's been shouted from the rooftops since the first bit in the garden, but...to have another instance of "let's tear up a little girl's belongings" in a chapter that already had Sakuratou being torn up feels... excessive and overly maudlin. Yeah, I definitely agree. I started just skimming like a third of the way in because it felt like the game was just regurgitating the same stuff it already said. Why not use this opportunity to elaborate on why the Sumaderas want all this money when they're already well off enough to have super-illegal gun murder squads? Is it to get ahead of their rivals and "win" at capitalism? Are they so terrified of going broke that they'll do anything to increase their fortune in case it suddenly starts to vanish? Is the profit motive entirely incidental to the family drama, as kind of gets implied here? I'd think that the Teatime Terrors would be a little more interested in Old Man Kinzo's secret gold stash. Or moving Ange away from her backup. Even if their boss solely cares about the abuse narrative, wouldn't one of them want to suggest taking their prisoner more secure or preserving possible treasure clues.
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Mar 6, 2017 20:21
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resurgam40 posted:Indeed. I recall a couple notes that Eps 1 and 3 were more tightly edited, and 2 and 4 were... not, When Umineko was releasing, the odd number episodes were written between January - August, while the even episodes were written between August - December. Basically Ryukishi gave himself half as much time to write 2 and 4, compared to 1 and 3. This applies to Answer Arcs as well when we get to them. Comiket was pretty much the only place he could sell Umineko directly to buyers and expect to see a large amount of revenue at the same time, so he had to produce a new episodes in half as much time between Summer and Winter's Comiket.
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Mar 6, 2017 20:23
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Will that have changed with the new series he's writing, given the rise of online sales? Or does that still pale in comparison to Comiket?
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Mar 6, 2017 20:30
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I doubt it. Comiket very much caters to doujin circles that are considered to be indie companies, and many of those companies similarly release new additions to their franchise for Comiket first and then to online retailers after. The monster that is Touhou pretty much credits its whole rise to Comiket releases.
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Mar 6, 2017 20:47
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avoraciopoctules posted:Yeah, I definitely agree. I started just skimming like a third of the way in because it felt like the game was just regurgitating the same stuff it already said. I feel like the moral here is "Kasumi is 100% doing this out of a personal grudge against Kyrie, all on her own time and expense, because whether they're adopted into the family or not, and whether they want to or not, Ushiromiyas ruin everything they touch." It's almost plausible as an extension of Beatrice's argument, that the whole family deserved to be wiped out like it was because odds were good that even the grandchildren would find a way to expand the black hole of DESIRE.
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Mar 6, 2017 20:55
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Mister Olympus posted:I feel like the moral here is "Kasumi is 100% doing this out of a personal grudge against Kyrie, all on her own time and expense, because whether they're adopted into the family or not, and whether they want to or not, Ushiromiyas ruin everything they touch." It's almost plausible as an extension of Beatrice's argument, that the whole family deserved to be wiped out like it was because odds were good that even the grandchildren would find a way to expand the black hole of DESIRE. That would be an interesting angle, and there's definitely stuff that could point that way. But if it was the case that she's acting on her own, I'd want to see another character representing what the rest of her family wants. Greed can be a monstrous, dehumanizing force. Debt: The First 5000 Years is a particularly good book if you're interested in the motivations of the conquistadors, buddhist temple-banks, and other historical groups that did ridiculous stuff because of the pressure to raise as much money as they could. Umineko rouched on these themes with the parents, I'd be interested to see something like that here.
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Mar 6, 2017 21:15
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Jokes about magic aside, I think the Battler plot twist is a bit of a let down. It's interesting, sure, but there's no buildup to it. If there was some foreshadowing that Beatrice had another motive for the game, and that she wanted to battle Battler specifically, it would work better.
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Mar 6, 2017 21:20
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SardonicTyrant posted:Jokes about magic aside, I think the Battler plot twist is a bit of a let down. It's interesting, sure, but there's no buildup to it. If there was some foreshadowing that Beatrice had another motive for the game, and that she wanted to battle Battler specifically, it would work better. I didn't find it particularly interesting. It's an old trope and introducing it as an element of this mystery so late in the game rather sours the pot.
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Mar 6, 2017 21:24
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SardonicTyrant posted:Jokes about magic aside, I think the Battler plot twist is a bit of a let down. It's interesting, sure, but there's no buildup to it. If there was some foreshadowing that Beatrice had another motive for the game, and that she wanted to battle Battler specifically, it would work better. POOL IS CLOSED posted:I didn't find it particularly interesting. It's an old trope and introducing it as an element of this mystery so late in the game rather sours the pot. I don't think it really had a deeper meaning than a tableflip. Beatrice wasn't getting what she actually wanted - whatever that is - so she flipped the table and stormed off. She couldn't do that with Battler hounding her, so instead she pulls out a plot twist for no other reason than to shut him up and get him out of the picture, too.
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Mar 6, 2017 21:26
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SardonicTyrant posted:Jokes about magic aside, I think the Battler plot twist is a bit of a let down. It's interesting, sure, but there's no buildup to it. If there was some foreshadowing that Beatrice had another motive for the game, and that she wanted to battle Battler specifically, it would work better. POOL IS CLOSED posted:I didn't find it particularly interesting. It's an old trope and introducing it as an element of this mystery so late in the game rather sours the pot. When Chiru is done you should go back and skim through everything.
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Mar 6, 2017 21:35
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SardonicTyrant posted:Well now I know magic isn't real. That spell didn't work at all. drat. In general, I can see what he was going for with this scene. The metaphor of black magic is being used to explain a cycle of abuse, and show how all the characters in this chapter are connected by it. I think it would have gone down a lot better if some of the earlier parts had been quicker; by the time we get here, we've already been off on a half-dozen side-paths and our appetite for them has been diminished. It would have been better to spread some of the exposition from this one across the previous three, but what can you do? Nothing's perfect. I reeeeally hope Amakusa shows up soon for some good old cathartic violence against these dickbags.
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Mar 7, 2017 01:34
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This story hasn't had any catharsis that wasn't immediately overturned by a nasty reversal of fortune so far so I'm not really expecting much now.
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Mar 7, 2017 01:36
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Yeah, that's totally fair. I don't see how we get out of this one without at least some of these people getting shot, though. Or maybe Ange can escape while they're distracted by cruel laughter? She might jump off a cliff or something; the building earlier could be kind of foreshadowing for that. It wouldn't account for Chekhov's Mysterious Suitcase earlier, though.
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Mar 7, 2017 01:42
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This is all I could see.
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Mar 7, 2017 01:43
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little_firebird posted:This is all I could see.
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Mar 7, 2017 01:54
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SardonicTyrant posted:ProfessorProf, please replace every picture of Kasumi's face with progressively smaller faces. And make it spin.
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Mar 7, 2017 02:03
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SardonicTyrant posted:ProfessorProf, please replace every picture of Kasumi's face with progressively smaller faces. Mister Olympus posted:And make it spin. Seconding these sentiments.
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Mar 7, 2017 02:05
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Mister Olympus posted:And make it spin.  I tried to make it spin, hopefully it works out alright.
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Mar 7, 2017 03:13
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EagerSleeper posted:
The magic incantation worked
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Mar 7, 2017 03:20
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I think we can all finally agree as a thread now that magic is real.
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Mar 7, 2017 03:22
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Truly this is a spell for shitposting.
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Mar 7, 2017 03:25
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EagerSleeper posted:
hOI!!
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Mar 7, 2017 03:33
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EagerSleeper posted:
 I am one step closer to believing that witches are real.
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Mar 7, 2017 04:08
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EagerSleeper posted:
Truly, the greatest work of man, and not witches.
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Mar 7, 2017 04:54
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Okay I just caught up from being several updates behind and I'm just trying to parse all this in limited time... Shannontrice theory seems to have been mistaken, if in the right direction; I do think that Beato is an alternate persona of one of the characters we know of. Kanon seems like a more likely candidate for at least one of the Beatrices, just because I can't see Shannon shanking George so consistently (maybe it's both?). Still, what was the back-breaking straw of Battler's sin for whoever became Beatrice? The only thing I can think of is that he came to the conference as Battler, but... No clue how to parse the Battler Isn't Battler thing. I probably need to reread everything and let it percolate in my head a bit before figuring something out. I hope it's not a baby-swap. Also ANGE NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO FORGIVE YOUR ABUSER. Like, wait until she's not actively torturing you first, geez...!
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Mar 7, 2017 06:39
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bman in 2288 posted:Not apologizing. Her "magic incantation" to make her mother love her was one of the main things that angered her. If Maria was having such a difficult time understanding that (I'm pretty sure Rosa bitched about it every day), then she legit has some bad mental problems, caused by lovely parenting. I know you backed off but I do want to add that it's pretty heavily implied in the text that Maria is a neurodivergent child. So expecting her to see a causal relationship between her incantation and her mother's abuse actually may be too much to ask of her. For your future reference, this post veered pretty sharply into ableist territory.
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Mar 7, 2017 06:40
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Tender Child Loins posted:I know you backed off but I do want to add that it's pretty heavily implied in the text that Maria is a neurodivergent child. So expecting her to see a causal relationship between her incantation and her mother's abuse actually may be too much to ask of her. For your future reference, this post veered pretty sharply into ableist territory. Not gonna lie, after realizing that, I kinda wanted to go full turbo-rear end in a top hat and see what happened. But I'm not a monster. Just a regular rear end in a top hat. I just want Maria to hurt less, actually hurt less. I've been in her shoes before, but not as far into poo poo as her home life is. But I guess I'm not as good at providing advice as I'd like to be. At least I'm not Rosa, or Kinzo. I don't even have kids to gently caress up.
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Mar 7, 2017 07:42
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Mariage Sorcière should have gone into showbiz. It would have ended better for everyone.
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Mar 7, 2017 07:45
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avoraciopoctules posted:Mariage Sorcière should have gone into showbiz. It would have ended better for everyone. Well now that you mention it https://polsy.org.uk/play/yt/?vurl=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F02KaUff0HEo
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Mar 7, 2017 07:48
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Rodyle posted:Well now that you mention it Dear god I completely forgot that existed until now.
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Mar 7, 2017 09:03
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ProfessorProf posted:
I think we have our motive here, and also Battler's sin....since he didn't come back, even though "he" promised...this happened.
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Mar 7, 2017 10:19
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"Do you really want to be right beside me so muuch? All right, if you impressively pass your test, why don't I grant you an audience? If you pass, then you'll become the Successor and my new master. My flesh and soul will be yours to do with as you please. For I am no more than the Ushiromiya family's furniture! Ahhahhahhahhahha!!"
"...Well, it looks like you want to make me take this test no matter what. Okay. I'll give it a shot. If I pass, my first prize will be a punch to your face."
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SinisterTea posted:I think we have our motive here, and also Battler's sin....since he didn't come back, even though "he" promised...this happened. If that's true, that narrows it down a lot. All of the children would have been to too young to have ever known Kinzo "in his younger days".
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Mar 7, 2017 12:16
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  "This is supposed to be an incantation. Are you kidding me...?! Ahhahahahahahaha...!!!" "Come on, why don't you guys try it too? Uu-uu-uu-."The black-suits imitated that moaning voice, making fun of it...  "What the hell, how stupid...!! If you could make family relationships better just by saying uu-uu-, the world would always be peaceful. Ahahahahaha!!" "Uu-uu-uu-! A stupid moaning voice! Too bad that if you do this over and over again, people'll think you're a pathetic, stupid kid! Are you a moron?! Wahhahahahahaha, waaahahahahahahha!!" 'Stop iiiit... At least don't belittle... that magiiiiiiiic...' It was written that this was one of the top five happiest days of her life. Onee-chan was singing a song she'd just learned from her Mama. Her mother had been delighted. But partway through, Maria forgot the lyrics. But, since she saw that her mother was so happy, she tried to sing until the very end. With 'uu-uu-uu-'. Even though she'd only pretended to know the lyrics, her mother had enjoyed it a lot... After that, 'uu-' remained as an incantation to remember that day she'd spent in fun and happiness with her mother. Of course, even though she seemed to find it funny at first, Aunt Rosa eventually tired of hearing it, and eventually started scolding Onee-chan when she said it, but to Onee-chan, it was a memory of a fun day that she'd never forget... So among the spells that Maria had created, it was the oldest and the first... Kasumi stuck her fingernails into that page too...  "...Stop it, don't tear it... At least spare... that page..." "Hahahahahahahahaha! No waay!!" "Uu-uu-uu-! Aaaahhahhahhahhahha, aaaaahahahhahahah!! Is this your magic of happiness? Hilarious, hilarious...!!" "There's no way there could be magic to make you happy, right?! Magic is made out of anger and hatred, right?" "Happiness is what you call the feeling of release you get only when you've pushed all the hatred you bear onto other people. The happiness you all are talking about is a phantom that doesn't show up outside picture books!!"As Kasumi laughed her head off, she slammed the grimoire against the ground and stepped on it.  "Can't stand it? Hey, you can't stand it, right?! You white witches of happiness? If you can't stand it that much, why don't you show us?! Show us your magic!!" "If it exists, then you just have to show us, riiiiight? A witch who can't use magic isn't a witch!! That's why we're the real witches. You're just brats trying to escape reality with a dream!!" "Huh? Kyahhahahaha, yeah, sure!! I'll believe! If you can use magic and show me, that is!! Let's see it, you stupid braaaaaaaaaaaat!!"...Silently, slowly, I stood up. Sensations of this cramped world, such as the pain in my body, felt truly trifling... "Oh, looks like you've still got enough energy to stand up, Miss Great Witch. *giggle*giggle*!" "Now that you've stood up, what are you going to show us? Show us some magiic...!" BGM: F Style  "Whaat? What's this kid saying...?! Did you guys hear that?!" "Silence!!! Heh, isn't that interesting. You people always refuse to show this power of miracles because of the magic-resisting toxin. Disciple of the white witch, MARIA, let's see some magic...!!" "..." "...Do you have any clue how many humans have believed in that miracle before being betrayed?" "*giggle* Everyone believes! Everyone is betrayed and despairs! And they learn that true magic can only be gained by the power of black witches, like me...!!" "...Hitting someone with your hatred is nothing more than a sin. That isn't magic. I'll show you real magic." "...Y-You..."The black witch winced slightly. However, Kasumi sneered at me even more.  "Then let's have a look. So, what kind of magic will you show us? Magic to make candy fall from the sky? Or else magic to make cookies multiply?" "...Whaaat?!"  "Come, arise, the Seven Sisters of Purgatory." "...Whaaat...?"There was a flash behind me, and in an instant, seven pieces of high-level furniture were gathered there. It was a power that far surpassed the magical strength I'd had in my prime. It was a power that matched even Maria onee-chan and Beatrice.   "...A-Ange-sama...!" "You said it once. Because I lacked magical power and resolve, I couldn't use you or your sisters. This isn't some cheap emotion, like wanting to get back at my bullying classmates." "...In order to protect Maria onee-chan's... Mariage Sorcière's world, I now order you to show me the miracle of magic." "I-It's impossible... No matter what you try, before such a mass of toxin..."The Seven Sisters also remembered what had happened in that classroom. If they could have obeyed Ange's order, they would have. However, surrounded by the toxin that runs thick in Humans, they hadn't been able to display the miracle of magic. And they remembered very well how deeply that had hurt Ange... But Ange spoke very quietly. "In that case, you all believe too." "...Huh?" "...Mariage Sorcière was created to bring people happiness. And also to fight the black witch." "In order to show that miracle to the foolish black witch, who denies the world that one of the founders, the Witch of Origins Lady Maria, gave birth to, and in order to protect that world... believe. In magic. In witches. In miracles, right now...!"When Kasumi gave an order to the black-suits, one of them took out a gun and pointed it at Ange.   "You get one chance. Show us before I count to three, got it? If you can't, then you'd best prepare yourself, okay? Ehheheheheh!" "...Shoot." "What's with this kid? Hehheheh, she's lost it."The black-suit pointing the gun laughed at Ange's detached attitude.  "Ahhahahahahaha!! Are you serious?! This girl's lost her mind! In that case, get yourself shot! If only you'd just diiiiiiiiiiiiie!" 'Ange...!! I-It's impossible! You can't block bullets with magic...!!' "No. There's nothing to be afraid of. Compared to my magic, to the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, bullets are nothing." "A-Ange-sama..."Mammon was perplexed by Ange's absolute trust. If she could comply, she would have. On that day as well. But, because she had been unable to do anything, she had hurt Ange... "Hehheheh, you brat. If you can use magic, let us have a look right now." "What's wrong? We're tellin' you to show us magic, right?!!" "Come on, no need to hold back, okay? *booom*! Show me some magic!! Hihhehhehheh!"The black-suits jeered at her. But Ange simply concentrated her mind in silence... "If only you'd just shoot! She's even telling you to try and shoot, you guys!" "...This kid's already lost her mind from fear. Bye-bye, Ange-chan. Go and pretend to be a witch as much as you want in heaven. Fire." "Heheh, you sure?" "Fire! Die, Ange!!" "If you can do it, then give this magic of yours a try!!!" "..."The sound of gunfire rang out, and the world... stopped. A red spray scattered out... and chunks of flesh flew.   BGM: Dive to Emergency "What are you doing, Mammon? Don't tell me you'd let a boorish pebble of a bullet like this reach Ange-sama."Lucifer lined up the bullet perfectly, and with a single swing, sliced it... And, in the chest of the black-suit who had apparently fired the gun, was a hole as big as a fist...  Half of Leviathan's body was covered with blood, and a cold smile was on her face. Then, slowly, the pitiful prey that she had brought down... fell over. "...Y-You pierced... a Human...!!!" "Idiot! Do you still not believe?! In our master's magic power...?!!" "Are... you... kidding me...?!?! Y-You materialized... in front of this many Humans?!?!" "...Wh-What is this? What?!"Kasumi and the rest were flustered... He certainly seemed to have fired his gun... However, it hadn't hit Ange... and why... was the person who fired... hurt instead...?! "...This is... magic. Great job, Leviathan." "I'm most honored...!!" "You foolish Humans who dare oppose our master! Now is the time of judgement! Prostrate yourselves!!" "Wh-Why...?!!! You shouldn't be able to bring magic into the world of Humans...!! They shouldn't be able to 'see' magic, and they shouldn't be able to be touched by magic!! Why?!!" "...Because this... is true magic." "...Gah, aaaaaaaaaaarrrggggg...!!" "Wh-What are you people doing?! K-Kill, kill!!!"One of the black-suits, who had finally come to his senses, took out his gun, readied it,  "Like I'd allow you the disrespect of pointing a gun barrel at our master...! Die." Thump! With the sound of the second person falling, the black-suits now realized for certain that their lives were in peril...!! "W-Waaaaaaaah, s-s-save me...!!!"The instant one of the black suits doubled over in shock... and turned on his heels to escape from that place, the Stake of Sloth...  In his right eye, a hole as big as a walnut opened, and his head split. Belphegor was sprayed with blood, and her face twisted demonically with the joy at being able to use her full power...! "Ooh, waaaaaaahhh?! Who's that?! Who's there?! Where are you?!"The black-suits were flustered, pointing their guns in every direction. But they didn't understand what was happening. They knew that something terrifying was coming for them from somewhere, but they didn't know where...!! "Dumbass! Th-The enemy is right before your eyes! The witch's furniture is after you!!!"But they couldn't 'see'...!! Because they didn't believe in magic, they could not 'see'...!! Just as the black witch said, Satan was standing boldly right in front of a black-suit. However, the black-suit couldn't 'see' her at all...!   "Eee, eeeeeeeeeeeekk!!! What is this?! What's going on?!" "...You can't 'see' it. Because you have no love." "...Impossible!! Even though there are so many Humans here, even though the magic-resisting toxin is everywhere, why can you manifest your magic?! Who... are you?!?!" "...A witch. And unlike you, a real one." "Wh-Whaaaaaaaaaaat, drat iiiiiiit, you biiiiiiiitch!!"As though announcing his candidacy for becoming the fourth victim, one of the black-suits pointed his gun at Ange. And the trigger was... Ange glared at him coldly... and simply ordered. "D-Diiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!!" "Next one. Satan." "Satan of Wrath, already right here!! Blockhead!! You think a simple bullet could hit Ange-sama or us now?!!!"The Stake of Anger... pierced and smashed the bullet fired by the black-suit... and continued straight on, towards the man's face- "...Know your foolishness... and regret in hell!! Die!!" Bathed in scattered flesh and blood, Ange quietly asked one more question. "...Hey, Aunt Kasumi. Do you still... not feel like believing in magic?" "Th-There's no way... something so ridiculous... could exist...!! I-I won't accept it...!! There's no way magic exists...!!!" "Yes, that's right... There's no way magic exists...!! There's no way witches exist!!" '...M-Magic exists!! Witches exist...!! Uryu-!!' "...That's right. Magic exists. Witches exist. And, in this world filled with anger and sadness, it can become the key that opens the door to the world of happiness...!! I won't let... someone like you deny that!!" 'The key to a world of happiness lies in every person's hands...! No one... has any right to steal that away...!!' "You pitiful Human who cannot understand this. If there had been magic in your life, it would probably have turned out differently, becoming much more peaceful." "When I think that in your entire life, you were never able to meet with a true witch... I pity you." "Eee, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkk!!!"Kasumi let out a piercing scream. At the same time, two of the black-suits came for me at once, thrusting their guns at my head. Like they were trying to use me as a hostage against something their eyes couldn't 'see'. Against the Seven Sisters of Purgatory, who had now reached the level of weapons, this was completely pointless. "drat, where are you?! Keep on attacking, and this bitch is dead!! Show yourself!!" "Go ahead. Kill him." "Thank you so much!! I'm so happyyyyyy!!""  "Diiiiiee!!!"The man's chest split, and his guts poured out. This terrible way of dying threw the other man into a total panic. However, Asmodeus's form was already at his back, grasping his neck... and smiling obscenely...  "The head." "Certainly, my masteer!! Die!!"The final black-suit had his head smashed by the Stake of Lust, and as his insides scattered, he twisted and fell. In the gruesome world where six people lay in a sea of blood, witch and Human confronted each other. "...Sumadera Kasumi. I sympathize with your sad life from the bottom of my soul. I'm willing to grant you magic that can seal up that unfillable hole in your heart. If you can believe, that is." "D-Don't be... ridiculous...!! I-I... will never accept something like this!!"As Kasumi, who was scared out of her wits, stepped backwards, she picked up a handgun that someone had dropped. Then, shaking, she pointed it at Ange...  "Eeek, eeek...!! I'll kill you... I'll kill you...!! If I don't kill you, I'll never be paid back for the life I've lived...!!" "Yes, kill! Pull the trigger!! Take all of the anger and pain from your shabby life until now! Use it all against her!" "If you don't, you won't be released from your pain and anguish!!" "...Stop it, Aunt Kasumi. You mustn't listen to the black witch." "I'll kill you, I'll kill you...! Because of your mother, my entire life... has been a wreck...!!" "In that case, my magic might be able to turn that life into something bright and peaceful, bit by bit, starting now. If you can believe in magic... and just have a change of heart, I'll be able to open the door to a new world for you." "There's no such thing!! The salvation she speaks of is obviously just some fairy tale!" "Your life is gonna be covered with thorns until you die anyway...!! Let her hear that cry of agony!! You can't regain anything that was lost, right? Sumadera Kasumiiiiiiiiii?!?!" "That's right, you might not be able to regain anything." "However, I know you'll be able to create something new. So, Aunt Kasumi, throw that gun away. I might be able to teach you too... about a world of happiness." "Eeek... eeeeeeeeeekk...!! Y... You know, because your mother ran away, I was forced to marry her fiancé in her place...!!" "There was a man I swore I'd spend my life with! And I was forced to break up with him! You think you understand how I felt when I was forced to be wed in your mother's place... and was held by a man I had barely even talked to?!?!" "I wanted to kill her!! But Nee-san just went and died on her own! That's why I'll kill you!! Otherwise, my thorn-filled life will never eeeeeeeeeeeeeeend!!"...From Kasumi's eyes, tears of passion dripped down. So pitiable... This person's tears were so clear and beautiful. But for that very reason, she hadn't been able to fully withstand her sad pain, and had been given no choice but to listen to the black witch's temptation...  "Diiiiiiiiiiiee, Ushiromiya Angeeeeeeeeeee!!!" "Goodbye, Aunt Kasumi. Take a long rest in a quiet world."I no longer feel anger or hatred for you. I just want to let your soul rest in peace. Kasumi's handgun spat fire. Slowly, that bullet continued through a world frozen to the utmost limit, aiming for ANGE's forehead. "Mammon." "...Y-Yeah!! Mammon the Covetous, right here...!!" "Thanks." "...Huh?" "Because I met you and Sakutarou, I was able to understand everything." '...Ange...' "Look away, Sakutarou." "...Mammon, release that woman. And protect the honor of Mariage Sorcière...!!" "Y...Yes!! Prepare yourself, Sumadera Kasumi!!"Even though the world was frozen, the Stake of Greed flashed like lightning...and had already gotten behind Kasumi...  BGM: None The upper half of Sumadera Kasumi's head was smashed. Her cage of flesh was shattered, and she was finally released... "...Next is you. The black witch. By now, I think even the fact that you look like Aunt Eva is inexcusable to her." "Heh, heheheheheh. If my form still looks like Ushiromiya Eva, that means you still haven't been able to forgive 'me' inside yourself. I understand, Ange. Even you want to be released from your thorn-filled life more than anything." "..." "In that case, I thought of something interesting. I'll show you magic as well. I won't be the one to kill you."With the worst of smiles on her face, the black witch changed her form into something like a black mist, or else a vast swarm of black flying insects, which began to swirl around me. Then, that black mist began to gather bit by bit, shaping itself into the form of a human. "...What's this supposed to be...?"Hehheheheheh! You've got at least a vague idea, don't you?! It's the woman you hated and despised the most! The woman who hated and despised you the most...!  BGM: Miragecoordinator ...Her hands... were holding a gun. "...Aunt Eva... died." "*giggle* Long time no see, Angeeee. I've come back from hell to kill youu! *cackle*cackle*!!"Aunt Eva glared at me with a mad laugh. "But... I'm not that surprised. Aunt Eva was that kind of person." "I imagine my funeral came as quite a relief to you, right? I feel the same, since I'll never have to see your face again...! But I had just one regret. And this is it!!" "...Killing me? Was that your last request?"How pitiful. Even after death, my aunt wasn't released from her pain...  "The black witch's power is itself the source of my magic. Anger and hatred taught me how to work hard and persist. Completely different from this magic to escape reality that you speak of!" "...The magic you speak of is nothing more than stress reduction through outbursts of anger. Our magic is different. It can remake the entire world. It's in a totally different class than your wicked magic." "I've surrounded you with the magic-resisting toxin. You can't call the Seven Sisters anymore. That miracle just now won't occur again...!!" "...Having it occur despite all that is why it's called magic. Okay. Mammon, lend me your power."...But Mammon didn't respond. She didn't appear. Certainly, as she'd said, the magic-resisting toxin had burned everything up like a wasteland parched by a blazing sun... ...This... might be a little tough.  "And... being able to call them even so is what makes it magic, right?" "...How pitiful. So long, Ange. The few days we spent together were fun in their own way. This is goodbye. Aren't you glad... that the end of the line for you turned out to be this place?" "Yeah, seriously. How thoughtful of you." "Thanks. Then this is farewell."The barrel of the gun rose slowly, so that you could see all the way down it. Then, the trigger was slowly... Then, there was a loud bang from the gun.  ...You're... kidding me... ...In shock, inside a frozen space, Eva looked at the ruptured gun. When time melted, the fragments would probably smash into her face all at once...   "...You're... kidding me..."Behind Eva's back, Mammon stood. She had already penetrated the target I had given her. Which was... the gun. "Is this... enough magic for you, Aunt Eva?" "...A-Angeee..."Then, time melted. The fragments of the burst gun and exploding gunpowder burned her face. Letting out a shrill scream, she covered her face and rolled around... ...It was pitiful.  BGM: Wingless I signaled to Mammon. So that Eva would be freed quickly from the pain of her burnt face as she writhed around. "...Thank you, Mammon. This time, I want to apologize again, and from the bottom of my heart, for calling all of you powerless on that day in the classroom. You were excellent furniture for protecting witches." "...I'm the one that's grateful. I feel truly honored at being able to meet a good witch... a good master in the end, and at being able to fulfill my duty as furniture...!"Mammon had understood. This would be the final job I'd give her. Mammon quietly walked up to me. Then, she looked down at Eva.   Then, the light sound of her forehead being bored into rang out. The battle of gunpowder smoke and fury... of white and black magic... ended. I get the feeling it was a long... truly a long journey. And the world slowly... sank into darkness...  BGM: Haze ...When I realized that the pearl and ruby made a red and white stream, I noticed that it was a vast nighttime scene spread out below... I was in the sky of that nighttime scene, neither standing nor flying, but simply floating. ...From nowhere in particular, I could hear a *clap*clap*clap*, a truly dull applause. I know. It's the one who ordered me to go on a journey,  "...Yes. I now... understand everything about magic. I am... a witch. The last witch who inherited the magical world created by Mariage Sorcière." "...No one besides you... can tear Beatrice's world to pieces." "Because I know witches, I learned how to resist them." "..." "...Magic is made of love and sadness and anger. No matter how cruel a witch Beatrice might have been, the source of her magic is exactly the same. And that's why I wish I could leave that world of hers alone. After all, in her eyes at least, that world is complete." "...But then you'd have to give up on your family." "...That's right. So, I don't like doing it, but I have to fight. The very reason I left on this journey to become a witch... was so I could bet on the faint chance that I'd be able to take my family back someday." "Unless you kill Beatrice, only worlds of isolation can exist for you. As one who has traveled to billions of Fragments, I guarantee it." "...I understand. I can't afford to have compassion. I must make my heart a demon... and tear her heart to pieces." "...It's good that you're steady in that resolve. I was worried that, as another witch like her, you might grow attached and lose your will to continue."It felt a bit hollow hearing that from a person whose face was almost always expressionless. Bernkastel. The mysterious witch who invited me on this journey...  "...Why?" "...I am the Ange of 1998, so even if I save my family, they will only be saved for the Ange of 1986. They won't be saved for me. So I've sometimes felt like I was being deceived." "...That is correct. I deceived you." "...But now I'm grateful. After all, in the end, you did teach me how to get my family back." "...I didn't teach you anything. If you know something, it's because you've reached that mental state by yourself, as a witch. That mental state is different from my own. I personally cannot understand it, but if that's the truth, then congratulations." "I'm not a player in this game, but a piece. You said that to me, right?" "...Yes, I said it." "Now, I fully understand that role. A piece doesn't need emotions. It just has to give its all for victory's sake." "...Yes. That is correct. A game requires that you each make the best possible moves, right? If your moves get distorted by hesitation and confusion, your opponent will be confused as well."...Sorry, Beatrice. But... don't hate me. 'Ushiromiya Ange' still needs her family. So, I have the right to fight you, so that I can take them back. And, you have the responsibility to be challenged by me to a fight. So... don't hate me. In exchange... If you do win in this game, I'll give you my blessing as well. Come on, let's go. As the piece I am, it's finally time for my true turn. Sorry, Beatrice. 
Quinn2win fucked around with this message at 14:48 on Mar 7, 2017 |
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Mar 7, 2017 14:20
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Hahahhaa lets go, the conflict between Magic and Mystery is still only just begun.
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Mar 7, 2017 14:45
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idonotlikepeas posted:Yeah, this is 100% a setup for Amakusa to show up and badass his way through the suit guys in the next few seconds. I hope Ange makes it out to the main mansion, too; seeing its present-day condition would answer a few questions. 100%
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Mar 7, 2017 15:39
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Color me surprised if that whole scene wasn't Amakusa with a sniper rifle from a grassy knoll.
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Mar 7, 2017 15:42
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I... Wait... Did... anything we see on Ange's side of the story actually happen, or was this some weird vision quest that happened immediately after jumping? Because we found out things we couldn't have found out before, like the other copies of the letters, the bank accounts, and whatever she saw in the boat keeper's shop... and the whole spiel with Kasumi at the end and the comparison with Eva in how they managed to get by (by sacrificing empathy and stomping on people to make them forget their pain) and Ange's recognition and forgiveness of that... do feel like the natural capstone to this journey. Why bother with it if it does not serve the higher mystery? But if I accept this as real, does that mean accepting that Ange was able to do what every other Witch in this story could not and perform magic in front of non-believers? Ugggh... Let's not go too far ahead of ourselves... this still falls under the paradigm of all the other acts of wonder and mystery, in that it is largely from one viewpoint (namely the "caster") and everyone besides that viewpoint is dead. And given that the methods of death are not fireballs or lightning bolts, but wounds that look very much like exit wounds from bullets, well... it's much more likely that Amakusa thought Ange was taking too long and found a weapon and a high tree to see what's what. Or the narrative is straight up lying to us again and the wolves of the forest actually showed up. (And of course, there's the blackly humorous option that this is all Ange cracking under the preassure of years of abuse and has suffered a massive psychotic break from reality and is now completely in Happy Magic Land, being poked at by Kasumi and co, like the end of a certain Gilliam movie...) e: the points made about Kasumi and Eva, why they turned out the way they did, and way that relates to Beatrice... as well as the sad acknowledgement that sometimes, such people are too far gone to help- remain salient and poignant, and speaks well of Ange's character that she is able to get beyond the things her classmates did to her and not let it change her into an abuser as well. As is the instrument of the Black Witch, a being borne of nursing and sharing pain instead of healing it, being broken and hurting her instead, even if that is a bit on the nose. resurgam40 fucked around with this message at 16:10 on Mar 7, 2017 |
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Mar 7, 2017 15:57
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precto posted:Color me surprised if that whole scene wasn't Amakusa with a sniper rifle from a grassy knoll. Is not a gun the most magical of all weapons? At least according to the NRA
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Mar 7, 2017 16:20
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RedMagus posted:Is not a gun the most magical of all weapons? At least according to the NRA If it was really a gun, wouldn't it be bunny girls instead?
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Mar 7, 2017 16:52
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| # ? May 12, 2024 00:20 |
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resurgam40 posted:Why bother with it if it does not serve the higher mystery? Is this a rhetorical question 
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Mar 7, 2017 17:01
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