You stand on another circular platform, suspended in a bright blue sky. The floor beneath you is weathered concrete, with skidmarks forming a kaleidoscope pattern on the ground.
At the center of the platform is a statue of a young woman with a snake tail and two sets of tentacles sprouting from her back. She has a devilishly playful sparkle in her eye, and her pose is flirtatious - maybe even a little suggestive? But the tentacles hover around her protectively, as though warning against anything untoward.
The illusion bends into a familiar sight: Tokyo-F, or more specifically, its skyline. You stand on the roof of a skyscraper on a perfect summer day, with the Hotel visible from a few miles away.
Around you are a collection of paints, in liquid and spray form, scrap metal for shaping, even a portable speaker connected to a Spotify playlist to give you some tunes to work with.
Your accompaniment for today is Muse, appropriately enough.
There's a full painting set, and a bag full of spray paints. Some chalk, tracing paper and stencil-making tools for planning. Even a hammer and pliers from what one might imagine being part of his forge, to shape the scrap metal.
Despite being amateur, it's really starting to shape up into a griffin! The wings are actually quite handsome. Well done!
Suddenly - the only warning you get is the squeal of hot rubber on concrete before an entire honkin’ van descends from above and all but crashes onto the roof(?!), mere inches away from turning you into a smear. Your art, at least, is safe...
It barely manages to skid to a stop before straight up driving off the edge of the building. The insides rattle noisily as it tips precariously far… before thudding back onto all four wheels. On its side, the neon letters spell out: Devil May Cry.
The lady at the driver’s seat rolls down her window - her hair wild, her skin freckled and canvased in tattoos (you'd be forgiven for mistaking her for a non-Japanese Nemesis) - and beams, soaking in the applause.
“Finally, some appreciation! Now what’s this ya got goin’ on here?”
[He leans over to light it, taking a pull on it and hmming as he blows the smoke. Is it the cheap kind? Not that he cares.]
My thanks.
As for that... Well, much as I would like to claim otherwise, I've screwed up "real bad" many times in my life. I am sure I have a few more left in me.
Look, this is all a figment of Nero's heart, and he doesn't know shit about cigarettes. It's the gross stinky kind. Somehow the smoke smells worse here than it does in real life, even.
Still, the nicotine is calming. It gives you +1 blue token!
"Sharp guy like you must've noticed the goals on each level now. You make it so you can't finish the task, ya fucked up."
She rolls her eyes, and blows smoke in Cosmo's face.
"Gettin' to the top, duh. Between you an' me-- there's been some foreign influence takin' over things up there. You make it all the way up, maybe you can do somethin' about that."
Just then, the receiver on the dashboard rings, and without missing a beat, Nico picks up the phone. “Where your ass at? Yuh-huh… al’right, don’t get your panties in a twist - I’ll be right there.”
She glances back at you with a shrug. "I got other places t'be, Gramps. Appointments t'keep."
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LEVEL 2A
At the center of the platform is a statue of a young woman with a snake tail and two sets of tentacles sprouting from her back. She has a devilishly playful sparkle in her eye, and her pose is flirtatious - maybe even a little suggestive? But the tentacles hover around her protectively, as though warning against anything untoward.
The plaque inscription reads:
Re: LEVEL 2A
He touches the plaque.]
Re: LEVEL 2A
Around you are a collection of paints, in liquid and spray form, scrap metal for shaping, even a portable speaker connected to a Spotify playlist to give you some tunes to work with.
Well, the city is your canvas today.
Re: LEVEL 2A
Re: LEVEL 2A
There's a full painting set, and a bag full of spray paints. Some chalk, tracing paper and stencil-making tools for planning. Even a hammer and pliers from what one might imagine being part of his forge, to shape the scrap metal.
Re: LEVEL 2A
He taps his chin and then... Sets to work with the tools and scrap metal. Who knows what the goal is so why not make his own?
It may not be the best but he is making a sort of bird--dog. A griffin, if you will.]
Re: LEVEL 2A
Red for if he's just following inspiration as it strikes him, blue if he has some kind of plan or methodology in mind.
Re: LEVEL 2A
Re: LEVEL 2A
Suddenly - the only warning you get is the squeal of hot rubber on concrete before an entire honkin’ van descends from above and all but crashes onto the roof(?!), mere inches away from turning you into a smear. Your art, at least, is safe...
It barely manages to skid to a stop before straight up driving off the edge of the building. The insides rattle noisily as it tips precariously far… before thudding back onto all four wheels. On its side, the neon letters spell out: Devil May Cry.
Where did it come from… it is a mystery.
1/2
[ialmostdied]
Re: LEVEL 2A
[He claps!]
Re: LEVEL 2A
“Finally, some appreciation! Now what’s this ya got goin’ on here?”
Re: LEVEL 2A
...Probably. Is there something I should have going on?
...Where did that vehicle come from?
Re: LEVEL 2A
She shakes a fresh cigarette out from a carton and lights it, taking a deep drag.
"I come and go as I please. Ain't nowhere my trusty steed can't go."
Re: LEVEL 2A
Art then.
[He will walk over, making a "can I have one" gesture.]
And who might you be?
Re: LEVEL 2A
She flicks one out of her carton and holds it out for him to take.
Re: LEVEL 2A
[He takes the cigarette, holding it out for a light.]
A friend of Nero's I take it? Have you any advice for an old man?
Re: LEVEL 2A
She fishes out a silver lighter and holds out the flame.
"Depends on where ya wanna go. Lucky fer you, yer path ain't hittin' any unfortunate ends - 'less you screw up real bad."
Re: LEVEL 2A
My thanks.
As for that... Well, much as I would like to claim otherwise, I've screwed up "real bad" many times in my life. I am sure I have a few more left in me.
What would be screwing up in this instance?
Re: LEVEL 2A
Still, the nicotine is calming. It gives you +1 blue token!
"Sharp guy like you must've noticed the goals on each level now. You make it so you can't finish the task, ya fucked up."
Re: LEVEL 2A
Being part of this I do not suppose you would know what the goal of all this is? Does it help or hinder him to go through all this?
Re: LEVEL 2A
"Gettin' to the top, duh. Between you an' me-- there's been some foreign influence takin' over things up there. You make it all the way up, maybe you can do somethin' about that."
Re: LEVEL 2A
One more question.
Would you take me for a ride? Your driving seems thrilling.
Re: LEVEL 2A
She glances back at you with a shrug. "I got other places t'be, Gramps. Appointments t'keep."
Re: LEVEL 2A
[He snuffs the cigarette and tucks what's left in a pocket. Ashes shmashes.]
I shall endeavor to make my mark.
Re: LEVEL 2A