[heirtothemonado]

PolarStarQuote



"I sense a conflict of reasoning on you....Such a curious sensation. No matter. All are welcome at my table." the Dealer said, giving Claus an interested glance before setting incense on a small burner, it's smell wafting through the entire trolley. With a wave of his hand, the cards fluttered every which way, centering in a nebulae of paper around the Dealer, shuffling and rearranging themselves before settling into a single deck between him and Claus. Three cards then flipped themselves over, presenting themselves to the Masked boy.

"Your Three Aces, three choices for your form. Choose wisely, boy."




"The Ace of Monado. A fortune teller, much like myself, but perhaps not as conventional."

(Choosing the Ace of Monado will make your Ace Shulk! In addition to his appearance, stats, and Moveset,  you will receive 'Future Vision' Item. Allowing you the option to 'Predict' what will be on a card you can move to. This will be a generic viewing, Such as saying 'A Fight that may grant treasure' or 'A Social Situation.' Can only be done Five Times)



"The Ace of Dark Art...An interesting fellow, although he says some strange things. The ninja costume doesn't change his personality"

(Choosing the Ace of Dark Art will make your Ace Ninja Schezo! Along with this, you will receive the Item "Smoke Bomb" You can use this to escape any card penalty-free, although you give up any rewards that you might have earned by staying. Can be used five times.)



"The Ace of Joy....A simple but cheerful being, although don't blame me if you start feeling peckish"

(Choosing the Ace of Joy will make your Ace Kirby! Along with this, you gain the ability "Gourmand". You recover 1.5x as much health using consumable healing items such as food)

"Now, for my Ace in the Hole..."


The Queen of Justice...Shrewd, cunning, but arrogant.. and can turn your entire force against you. Can you defeat Justice?


"Now...How shall the deck be cut? We shall play with the remains"

Cut the Deck low??

(The Game will be shortened, And will not feature as much Post-Game Loot to obtain. Means a more immediate reward, however.) 

Cut the Deck in the middle??

(Standard Game Length.)



Cut the Deck High??

(Game will be much longer, and have rarer, Even grander loot, But will make the game take longer, and have more, and Wider maps. With more chance to lose everything, However...

[PolarStarQuote]

Claus would quickly hop up into the Stool, Undoing his Helmet and setting it to the side of the Table, as well as unbuckling his arm Cannon to let it fall aside, allowing his hand freedom to move as he flexed his fingers just a moment, Before he observed the three cards ahead of him in pure silence. He didn't know anything about this Justice, So, It was simply a matter of choosing who was the best, period...

"The ace of Monado could be--"

Booooring, Pick another one!

"...The ace of Dark Art could be--"

OOOO, Ninja's! Pick that one!

"..And the Ace of--"

Pick Ninja's or your getting Electroshock.


And so, with his mechanical mind telling him so, Claus would gently tap the Ace of Dark Art, Sighing as his choice was not exactly his own, But it was indeed one that was reasonable to choose. With that said, Claus would motion to the Deck, and Cutting it perfectly in half, setting the top half aside, and crossing his arms. "I chose. Play." Claus would simply demand, clearly not respecting The Dealer as much as others had before, his orange hair a mess from his helmet.

[heirtothemonado]

The Dealer made no reaction to Claus's tone, aside from a slightly raised eyebrow. "You're will is not your own. We shall see how this plays out." With a slight nod, the unchosen Aces shuffled themselves back into the deck, and the Boss card set itself aside. Replacing them were a number of new cards, arranging themselves into a playmat, before one of them flipped over.




"A melody floats upon the wind to your ear. Take a listen....."

Claus's vision would be obstructed by the smoke on incense, and his body would feel numb, but just for a moment. When his vision cleared, he was standing on cliffside, overlooking what looked like a factory far below. He was no longer Claus, but a man wrapped in a ninja's outfit that he wouldn't recognize. And floating in the wind he would hear a sad melody echo from nearby....

If Claus investigated the sound, he would find what appeared to be a man in a red metal suit overlooking the factory. Turning to face the newcomer, the man sighed and looked toward the factory again.


"Greetings stranger. I apologize if my singing disturbed you, but I'm in the middle of a crisis.....Perhaps...you could help me find my way?

"My brother is in there" the man said, looking forlornly to the factory far below them again "He's always been the favourite. In fact I was pretty much replaced when he showed up. But now he needs help. My help."

The man turns to Clauschezo and sighs deeply. "I don't know what to do. He replaced me, and those are feelings hard to ignore. But then again, he is my brother......What do you think I should do?"

[PolarStarQuote]

Claus would just stare silently at The Dealer at his comments about free will. He had plenty of free will, its just that it was locked behind Porky Minch's robotics! However, as the cloud of Incense grew more and more massive, Claus's Body would suddenly be quite Alert, as the boy tried to stand up to shake it off, And his expression twisting one to sheer anger at the potential drugging, It was no use as soon, his entire body would fall limp in the stool...

"...." Clauschezo would stir awake, Standing atop the rocky formation, He looked side to Side as he  flexed his fingers. They felt so...Real. Like they were controlled by bones and flesh, and not steel and cogs. His eyes widened in shock, turning to examine his outfit a little more. It was a bit too puffy for his tastes, But...For now, He was simply confused as to why he suddenly couldnt hear his programming demanding things of him.

Was he free? Was he really, Truly free all of a sudden?? Claus felt his eyes well up a little, as he looked in a puddle to see his reflection.



"Is...This me?" He Asked himself, Staring his red eyes down at the Schezo looking at him, Examining his features bit by bit. Clauschezo would suddenly stop his examining of himself, as he heard a melody upon the Wind...A Whistle? Shcezo followed the noise, until he came upon a man dressed in armor of red. Well this was an odd situation. He felt almost like turning and walking away, But soon, He was beckoned over by Protoman himself.

"Oh, Its...Uh...Fine?" Clauschezo would say, Knowing that his robotics weren't saying some immediate response to his opinion of this guy. "Crisis, huh? Yeah, i know how that feels." Clauschezo would say, Still so unsure of how to move with all these fleshy organy bits in place of where metal was originally, as Clauschezo came over to Proto, Still quite adjusting to human body once more, as he would listen to Protomans Plight...And oh boy, That just awoke some memories for Claus.

"...I see. So your mad at him for...Replacing you." Claus would say solemnly, looking down at his own hand as he thought to Lucas...Was Lucas truly the Replacement? Dad never came back to find Claus, and left him to get picked up by Porky, after all...But, Lucas never intended that. Right? Boy, Claus knew exactly how this Proto-guy felt...

"...Go save him." Claus would say, Nodding to affirm his answer. "...Its what i would of wanted my brother to do for me. He didn't get the chance. You still have it. Take it." Clauschezo would simply say, Getting up and looking to walk off. "...I gave a straight answer...W-whats going on...My memories are so clear again..." Claus would mumble to himself, Eyes widening in shock of how he just did that!

[heirtothemonado]

Proto Man considered Claus's words for a few moments. still looking toward the factory. "....You're right. No matter what the past might have been, he's still my brother. The only one I have. And he needs my help, so I'll give him all the help I can get." Protoman turned to face Clauschezo. "Thank you for helping me clear my thoughts. As thanks, Allow me to give you something."

Protoman reaches into his scarf and holds a microchip with a deep purple sicker on it "Here. I was saving this for my brother, but I have a feeling you'd need it more."

(Protoman has given Claus a Weapon, Shadow Blade! The user will throw a large shuriken toward their enemy that will spin past them before spinning back to the user. Deals 10% damage twice, once on the way out, then again on the way back)

As Protoman handed Clauschezo the chip, Claus's vision would start to fade as the incense began to roll in again. When it cleared, he was back in the Dealer's trolley.

"Hmm...An interesting response. Much different then what you displayed before...." The Dealer mused aloud. "Perhaps the Game realizes who you really are...?" Putting the thought behind him, the Dealer gestured to the map of cards that had arranged itself on table.


 
"Where are you bound next?"

[PolarStarQuote]

Claus would take the purple Microchip, But Claus's face would appear to be quite Somber in recollection of his own brother. Can...Can he even recall what he looks like? It seemed almost like a Blur, as parts of his memories were held off, even in this mirage of space and time, as Claus clutched the chip tightly."...Thank you." Claus would say, before looking away, clutching his head, ruffling his white hair. "Its...It doesn't make sense." Claus would say, shaking his head. "What Is this?! Why is my...--"


....


_{'Claaaaaus. Claaaaaaaaaaus. claaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-- Oh hey, your back on! Thats going on your record, you aint allowed to sleep on the job!'}

Oh. It was a dream...Claus forgot about how those felt.  The Orange haired boy looked at the cards, eyes widened, before lifting his eyes up to The Dealer, red eyes full of anger. "The Game...Who i am?" Claus asked, though looking down, his true emotions locked away, before Claus suddenly slammed his finger on the card directly below the Melody of the Past.

"Now. Hurry up." Claus demanded...He had to feel that again. He had to feel it right now! He had to understand it!

[heirtothemonado]

The Dealer, far from being intimidated by Claus's demands, gave him an amused stare. Clearly there was more to this boy that met the eye. With the Dealer giving no more then a slight nod, the card Claus had pointed to flipped itself over.



"A Castle appears, and in it a pleasant surprise...."


Claus's vision faded once again, and when it returned, in front of him stood an impressive castle, built of white bricks, with a shining red roof, and in the middle of the central tower, a stained glass window baring the image of a blond-haired woman in a flowing pink dress.




If Claus were to enter the castle, he'd find waiting in the entrance hall the same woman that was depicted in the stained glass window outside. Princess Peach approached Clauschezo with a compassionate look on her face.

"Welcome to my castle. You must be so very tired, after travaling all the way here. Come, rest a while with us" Peach invited. She then wrapped her arms around Clauschezo and embraced him in a loving hug. "You feel tense" Peach noted after a few mintues. "Don't worry. You're safe here, for as long as you choose to stay. Nothing will hurt you here."

(uoeQcjhQp_1d20 + p_1d20 + 8 = 29. Claus is healed for 29 health. Even though he hasn't taken damage yet. Physically, anyway.)

Peach then started fussing over Clauschezo, doting on him and overall just being a mom to him. Was this standard procedure for those visiting the castle? Or was she making a special case for this one? Whatever the case, Clauschezo would feel totally refreshed after his stay in the castle. But he couldn't stay forever. And he knew that.

1d20·1d20

[PolarStarQuote]

Claus was seemingly satisfied with the Dealer's speed, as he completely allowed the incense to wash over him, To take over his mind so he can experience it again...



Free will.  Claus awoke, Observing how he was still dressed in this over-the-top Ninja Garb. And as well, Silence. Sweet, sweet silence, his mind no longer rampant with the deranged screaming of a robotic child, but just his own thoughts. It still felt like a large chunk of his brain were completely torn out, and he didnt have as much 'Proper' emotion as he wanted to have...But he was still better.


Well...While he was on this random bridge, he may as well test out his abilities. With a quick Draw, Claus produced Schezo's blade, Swinging it about for a bit...Seems he was quite settled on using the Sword, Mostly.

(Quickly gonna pick Clauschezo's Moveset here;

Primaries;
Crimson Strike: A precise slash with a sword that can cut deep. Has a chance to inflict a heavy wound. [STR, 13%, Mortal Wound 10%]

Quick Draw: A quick series of swipes with his shorter sword. Basic moves, but it gets the job done. [STR, 8%]


Feint Eclipse: A sword art designed to quickly oust anyone that fell victim to his status ailments. It's designed to quickly finish off, as it is ineffective otherwise. [STR, 9%, x2 damage on enemies w/ status affliction]



Specials;
Shadow Blade! The user will throw a large shuriken toward their enemy that will spin past them before spinning back to the user. Deals 10% damage twice, once on the way out, then again on the way back

Ninpou: Gesshoku (Lunar Eclipse): Schezo fades away into the shadows right before he's hit, then reappears behind the target and strikes them with a sleep-inducing attack at 1x the countered move's power. The catch is that the move has to make physical contact on Schezo. This move is useless against anything magic-based. [DEX Counter; 3-turn cooldown, Inflicts Sleep]

Ninpou: Sakase (Bloom): An art with an appearance contrary to his typical shadowy front. Schezo lets loose a flurry of blossom petals on an enemy. Not the most damaging art, but the flora is capable of inflicting the Flower status, with the additional hits stacking on top of an existing flower. [STR, 5%, Inflicts Flower (1)]

Ninpou: Bakuretsu (Exploding): A risky ninja art. Requires Schezo to be able to make contact on the enemy of his choosing, and if he successfully connects, he combusts a ball of energy from close range to inflict 22% on his enemy, but takes 2% himself. [STR, 22%, 2% recoil]

With Claus satisfied of Schezo's abilities, he sheathes his sword, and looks at Peach's castle, slowly coming to the door and knocking on the door, slowly opening it, as No Toad seemed to pay him any much mind. "Hello...?" Claus asked, Before soon, he would come eye-to...Well, Certainly not Peach's eyes, seeing as she had a whole foot on the little guy, but, Regardless, Claus would nod. "Erm...Well, i wouldnt say Tired...More Confused." He would say honestly, seeming not to have a grasp on the Roleplaying aspect-- Can you blame the guy, half his brains missing? Regardless, Claus would coming closer through the long hall to peach's castle.

"I dont know if i can stay a while, i-- !!" Claus would suddenly be stopped, eyes wide and red pupils dilating as suddenly, his entire body was hugged and squished into what almost felt like a tidal wave of pink frills and soft fabric! What on earth was this?! Claus was prepared to attack, expecting Porky's red warning lights to appear in his brain...

But nothing happened. All sense of danger melted away into a puddle on the floor, as Claus would feel such a sudden surge of emotions from seemingly nowhere. He Felt...Safe. Warm. Happy. For the first time in so, so long, he felt...Happiness. His eyes were still wide, and a well of sadness formed in his eyes from the sheer relief he felt from that. But there was a feeling much, much more than that...

...Nostalgia. A Feeling of warm remembrance of something else...A Visage of a girl so similar to this. In a Field...A Field of Sunflowers. "Who...Who are you??" Claus would ask, Semi-asking peach, and more asking who this vague visage was in his head, that the robotics of his brain took with him when he entered here. Claus couldnt help it...He felt a tug of his heart, and a tear well in his eye.

Claus happily spent as long as the Dealer would allow him, apologizing for the sudden crying, Drinking tea, and cherishing every little word Peach spoke...

Claus may not of been physically wounded, but his emotions were healed fully. 

And he felt Happy.

[heirtothemonado]

After a longer then  usual stay within the Game's world (Which may or may not have been the Dealer cutting the kid some slack), the smell of incense would again overwhelm Claus, and after a brief feeling of numbness, he'd return to the Dealer's caravan.


"You..are lonely, aren't you?" The Dealer said to him. Did his eyes look a bit misty? Perhaps it was a trick of the light.... "Perhaps the Game is trying to consul you..." he mused. Without another word, he gestured to the map once again.



"Where will the Game take you next, I wonder? Perhaps somewhere just as nice as where you use were. Well, there's only one way to find out. Where are you going next?

[PolarStarQuote]

"T-thank you...So much..."

Claus lay gently in the cuddling arms of Peach, sighing gently as he was slowly arriving to the land of slumber. Cake, Simple hugging and affection, Even just talking to Peach was such a pure and warm feeling for Claus. He was so happy, Just feeling as if he was being held by a mother, and shown such care and warmth...That was, until his nose picked up on that scent. Incense. "N-no...No, Please..." Claus would gently ask, wincing sadly, as soon...

---

"..." Claus would look at the Dealer, as his thoughts were confirmed. He really was given free will through this game, as his mental lock was released. Claus would immediately tap the next card below Peach's castle. "Next...Please." Claus demanded, This time trying his best to provide manners to the Dealer. After all, he didn't want to disappoint that Mother he had, for a few fleeting seconds. He didnt even register how the dealer looked. Feelings like that were nothing to Claus. All he wanted to feel was that ability to lift his hand freely, Or to feel an emotion asides Sadness and Hate.

[heirtothemonado]

The Dealer noted the change in behavior Claus had as he picked the next card. That interaction with the princess must have changed something in him. Perhaps the Game was trying to rectify  mistake in his past. Or trying to make up for something. Pondering the possibilities quietly, the Dealer would flip over the card that Claus had selected.



"The Mermaid. A lone voice echoing though...Will you give her what she wants?"


Claus's vision would fade once again, but this time it wouldn't come back fully. If he looked around with the limited vision that he had, he'd figure out that he was in some sort of cave. Ahead of him, there seemed to be some sort of light source, which would reveal itself to be an underground lake. And if Clauschezo would look closely, he could see a figure  sitting on a rock in the distance, her figure glimmering in the sheen of the water. Particularly her lower half.






It appears this is the mermaid that the Dealer was talking about. And upon closer inspection, it looked like she was motioning to Clauschezo. She repeatedly motioned to her hair, then to Clauschezo, staring him dead in the eyes. Was she...asking him for something?

[PolarStarQuote]

Claus would immediately close his eyes, allowing his senses to be easily blotted out with his sight being gone, as he could then let all his senses go, and letting the incense wash over him like a cloud of lavender scents...

"Awww, Wanna go back to bweddy Bye's, So mama will pet your head some more?? Well, thats nice and all, BUT I DIDNT GET YOU SO YOU COULD LIVE SOME FANTASY!"

...Just let his mind rest.

"Stop Sleeping, Rat! Thats an order!"

Just...Rest.

"I didnt get you so you could take naps, Jerk, i told you to WAKE UP!"


"No!" Schezo would say, snapping awake as he stopped, gulping as he looked around at the underwater river he found himself in, walking forward in a straight path, until he came upon a...Mermaid, Sitting atop a Stone, as Clauschezo would raise a brow. "Im...Im sorry, Where am i?" He would ask, looking around at a few of the extra paths he could take. "Are you stuck here?" He would ask the Mermaid, Thinking her motions were to draw him closer, as he came close, though suspicious of the fishy woman.

[heirtothemonado]

The mermaid said nothing, or perhaps she couldn't say anything. Regardless, Clauschezo's question would go unanswered. Although if he looked a bit closer, he'd see that he would be correct. The mermaid wasn't bound as far as he could see, but there was a sense that she couldn't leave. Whether by force or by choice was unclear. Either way, at Clauschezo's approach, the mermaid seemed to get a bit more eager. She continually wrapped her hair around her fingers, as if she was nervous about having someone watching her, but every so often she'd stare at him intently, then holding up three fingers. It's like she wanted something from him, but could Clauschezo guess what it was? It looked like he didn't have long to decide, though, because with each passing minute the mermaid was looking a tad more irritable, like she was trying to get a message across, but it simply wasn't working. Clauschezo had limited time, it seemed...

[PolarStarQuote]

Clauschezo Seemed to ponder at the mermaid's gestures, The Unsure look on his face growing more uncomfortable by the moment...He sort of mimic'd the mermaid's gestures, running a hand through his own hair and raising three fingers. Was she...Trying to tell him something? She wanted Three of something, but the actual nature of what, seemed to elude the quiet guy! Wait...The Hair. Clauschezo tugged on his own hair for a second.

"You...Want some of my hair? Is that it?I mean...I dont have alot, but, If its that important to you..?" 

[heirtothemonado]

As Clauschezo mentioned his hair and ran his fingers through it, the mermaid's eyes widened a little and she started pointing and gesturing very excitedly. It seemed that he was spot on with his guess. However, he didn't have to worry about not having enough to give her, for the mermaid strung out a few strands of hair before gesturing to give them to her. Looks like Claus only had to offer a few strands of his hair in order for her to be satisfied.

As an incentive, the mermaid moves aside a little to show....a clam. She motions to her hair again, then pats the top of the closed clam. Her message was...probably clear to Clauschezo. Give her the stands of hair, and you can have whatever's in the clam as a reward. And now the question is, will Clauschezo give her what she wants? She seems rather insistent.