Waking Dream - Devil Survivor CYOA

You call out King Frost and Man in Black and head after Rita.  Her encounter with that demon almost ended up killing her, and you're worried it popping up again may have upset her more than she's letting on.  Maybe it'll help her to see you doing fine after killing it?  You follow your phone's tracker back to your house.  You find Rita sitting at the kitchen table.  A squat, reptillian demon - a Chupacabra, Bast tells you - is standing on the table holding a bolt of black fabric.  Man in Black is ready to attack it before you wave him off.  He leaves to patrol the perimeter.

Rita wears a look of intense concentration as she makes a few careful measurements.  She pulls out a pair of heavy-duty scissors and starts hacking away.  You stay quiet to avoid breaking her concentration.  You try to work out what she could possibly be making.  Several strips of dark-colored fabric are already laying on the table, but you can't see how they fit together.  "I'm making a complete new outfit from scratch," she answers, without being asked.  "I thought about what Kumiko was saying about clothes and utility, and I thought I'd make a darker suit for sneaking around at night.  But I still want it to be really pretty.  Also, welcome home, Kira."

You ask how long she's been working on this outfit.  "Not too long," she says.  "A few hours?  I've done this so many times I have it down to a science.  It should be ready by tonight."

King Frost is staring at the outlines on the table.  Great.  He left a trail of snow across the room.  Now you'll need to mop it up once it melts.  "This is a pret-hee bold design!" he announces in his usual booming voice.

Rita snatches the papers away.  "Th-that's just the rough draft," she stammers.  "I mean, it's not like I'm actually going to...  Th-this is just a doodle, the final product won't look anything like...  I could never wear..."

"Then why spend time drawing it, ho?"

"Just because I always dress 'cute' doesn't mean I don't...  I mean, sometimes I like to imagine other stuff, even if I'd never dream of actually wearing it...  A-anyway, enough about that!  Kira, do you have a sewing machine anywhere?  I said I'd been done by tonight, but not if I have to do all the stitching by hand."

You tell her no.  Just enough basic supplies to patch up the occasional tear or loose button.

She frowns.  "Oh...  I don't know where I could find one, either...  Who'd have something like that they'd be willing to lend out?  It's not exactly the sort of thing you pack when you're running from the demon apocalypse..."

You ask why she doesn't just go scavenge one.  There's probably some at appliance or fabric stores, right?  Those aren't something most people would take just to take.

"Just... take one?" she asks.  "But it's still stealing, isn't it?  I...  I mean, I understand people taking food, medicine... clothes...  Things they need to survive, but is it really OK just to take whatever we want?"

(A) She has a point.  Probably better to find some tamers and ask around for a trade.
(B) It's fine, so long as you're taking things you'll actually use.
(D) There's no logical reason not to take it, is there?

『D』we have to toughen up her skin a bit so she can better survive on her own.

You tell Rita that there's not really a logical reason not to just take things, but you agree with her.  Morally, it'd be better to find someone willing to trade for it, or drop off some money at the store or something.  After all, hopefully someday order will be restored and things can get back to normal, so...  Better to not sacrifice your morality?

Rita smiles at your answer.  She gives you a small nod.  "So I guess I'll go find someone..."

You offer to come help her look for a while.

"No, no, that's fine, I don't want to waste your time."

You insist, seeing as she's going to be going around talking to a bunch of strangers.  She seems relieved that she won't have to talk to a bunch of strangers on her own.

You spend some time wandering around asking people if they know anyone with a sewing machine.  Most people give you a strange look before telling you where you can grab one.  Between talking with people, you somehow end up chatting about black holes.  Eventually you bump into George.  After you explain the situation he nods thoughtfully.  "I can lend ya one.  Daniel ain't used his in a while, I'm sure he won't mind ya borrowin' it.  I'll run it by yer place later."

Rita claps her hand in excitement.  She gives both of you a hug then runs off back home.

"Huh.  She seems like a good kid.  Most of 'em her age'd just grab what they needed.  She'd be a good fit fer our Guardians, if'n you weren't already takin' care of 'er.  Anyway, I'll see ya later.  Gonna go grab that sewin' machine."

You thank George and head off.  You notice Kumiko nearby and follow your phone over.  It takes you to a sports store.  You head inside and find Kumiko predictably over in the tennis section.  She's got a selection of rackets laid on the counter, and she's trying them one at a time, giving each a few swings before returning them to the queue.  She finally finds one she seems to like.

"Hey, Kira!  Just getting ready for our game," she greets you.  "I'm pretty excited," she admits.  "I hope you're ready to lose!"

You remind her that you're not exactly an expert tennis player and she shouldn't expect a hard match.

She sighs.  "Can't you at least try to talk yourself up?"

OK.  You tell her you're going to... beat her like a... bongo.  She gives you a weak smile.  The kind of smile that says "I appreciate that you tried."

"Anyway, I've managed to find rackets, I found some tennis balls...  And they have those nets here, the kind you can set up in your yard.  But those are for volleyball or badminton or whatever, stuff where the ball bouncing isn't important...  I guess we could figure a way to set it up across the road or something?  I haven't had much luck finding a court in one piece.  Oh, but I guess I could try to replace one of their nets with one of these...?  What do you think?  It's a bit more work, but..."

(A) Just set up the portable net
(B) Try to patch up a proper court

B because tennis in the middle of the acopocolist FTW

You decide to head back to the docks.  You're a bit surprised to find that Waite's actually there.  She's sitting on a crate near the shore.  Her outfit has a new addition: a small white parasol, which she twirls idly in one hand.  She seems distracted, almost nervous - though only for an instant.  She's quick to bring back her usual cocky smirk.  "Shall we?" she asks.

You nod and allow her to lead you to the edge of the pier.  As you follow her, you make careful note of her movements.  You wouldn't call her graceful - in fact, she almost seems a bit clumsy - but her every step seems measured and confident.  You reach the water and notice the ward Waite placed earlier is not only still working, its area of effect has expanded a bit.  Waite explains as she unlaces her sandals.  "This will last for a few days.  It should stop growing shortly...  Perhaps doesn't solve the problem of cleaning the river, but it should at least leave a patch large enough for swimming.  Or to just sit and enjoy the water," she adds as she takes her seat.

You take your spot a bit to her side.  The relaxing tranquility of the river immediately washes over you.  The usual sounds of the gently flowing water are being drowned out by the sound of boxes and debris crashing and grinding as they're funneled around Waite's magic dam.  It's obnoxious at first, but you gradually start to almost enjoy the sound.  You still miss the sounds of birds and the occasional passing ship, but you certainly don't miss the sound of distant traffic constantly just barely audible.  Something bumps into your leg, and you look down in surprise.  Waite gives you another light kick and you glance over.

"Hey, Kira... are you still... interested in me?"

You tell her you are.

"I see."  Her smile disappears for a moment and she sighs.  "Well, then.  It's not right to toy with a young lady's heart...  There are some things I need to tell you before... this goes any further.  Before you toss aside a happy relationship for...  Well.  Hear me out, and we can decide where to go from there.

"I mentioned before, I believe, that I've been watching you for quite some time.  That I first saw you well before this all started.  I should tell you I wasn't looking for anything romantic.  I noticed you because you had a certain... potential.  It's not like you were that special - or, I guess I should say you were because you weren't...?  Don't make that face."  She stops for a moment to collect her thoughts, rubbing her temple with her free hand.  Which just happens to conveniently mask the faint blush that had started appearing.  "Mmph.  It's not like me to get flustered.  Sorry.  What I mean is there are - were - hundreds, thousands of people in the city with that potential."

She pulls herself free of the water and turns to fully face you, drawing her legs up in a sidesaddle position.  "But you were the one that drew my eye.  Something about you, something hard to describe.  I knew I had to have you..."  She leans forward dramatically as she pauses to give you an intense stare, then lets herself rock back.  "But then I found out about the girlfriend.  So I dropped the idea.  They always much more complicated than they should be.  But I kept you in the back of my mind while I kept on about my search, occasionally I'd poke in to see if you'd broken up - does that sound cruel of me?  Hoping you'd... you know..."

A few seconds pass in silence before she decides she's not waiting for an answer.  The frown is gone.  Her smile is back, now radiating a wicked intent.  She slides in a bit closer.  "I never did find someone else I was as interested in, you know.  I still wanted you.  I still want you.  And now, here you are.  Alone, defenseless..."  She drops her parasol, letting it clatter as it falls against the pier.  She starts crawling towards you, and you suddenly remember her mentioning something about the hunter and the hunted.  You instinctively turn to face the oncoming threat.  "You tell me the girlfriend isn't an obstacle anymore.  You tell me you want to be with me.  You practically throw yourself at my feet."

"But the problem now... is that I wasn't looking for that sort of relationship.  I was looking for someone to impart my arcane knowledge to.  To train in the magical arts."

You lean back a bit.  You tell her you don't understand all this about potential and... she was looking for some sort of apprentice?

Waite backs off a bit.  "I suppose that's the term most people would use, though it's not... perfect.  As for this 'potential...'  Well, it would require hours to explain in detail.  The short version is that you're particularly effective at channeling magic, and aligned similarly to myself.  Anyone can use magic - that's what you would refer to it as, anyway - given adequate time and study, and a good teacher.  Your phone operates by channeling your body's magnetite into a useful form... but it's not really necessary.  It's just one particularly effective tool.  A catalyst, if you will.  It just makes it easier - easy enough an any untrained fool with a decent magnetite level can do it.  But you don't truly need it.  Think back to this morning.  Do you remember a time when you were able to use healing magic without calling it through your phone?"

This is a bit overwhelming.  But you do remember... something like that happening...?  Yes, when you were... beating that guy...

Waite renews her advance eagerly, her voice building in a fervent crescendo.  "Imagine if you'd had better control earlier.  When your phone was gone.  Imagine not needing to worry about losing your phone ever again.  And all the things you can learn to do when you aren't constrained to what that little device can let you do."  She gestures to the clear water.  "I could unlock your potential.  Teach you to do anything your phone can, and then some.  Those spells, summoning demons...?  Child's play.  I can teach you to see beyond what is and bring out what could be.  Teach you how to move between spaces.  And so much more.  But the problem now..."  She brings her face inches from yours, wearing a bemused grin and speaking in a hushed tone.  "I wanted to offer to train you, while you just want to date me?"

(A) Pretty much.  Are you interested?
(B) On second thought, now that I know what you're offering?  Being a witch's apprentice sounds pretty cool...
(C) Well, I mean...  Can't it be both?
(D) On second thought, I'm fairly sure I don't want to get involved with you in any way, shape, or form.  I'm just gonna slip on outta here...
(E) This is too much to take in at once.  I need some time to think.

Really think Kira x Waite FTW but Sara was our first waifu so.

I choose you A

You tell the others to meet you at the hospital and set out.  As curious as you are about what's going on at the train station, you've got more important things to worry about.  You're the first to arrive.

The fence around the hospital has several new additions in the form of large trucks.  Actually, those probably aren't there to reinforce the fence.  It looks more like they plowed through it to drop off the soldiers now patrolling the area.  Several members of the Cobras are sitting around in handcuffs.  The yelling from inside makes you think a full-scale assault's in progress.

"What's going on?" Kumiko asks.  "This attack is pretty brazen."

"Yeah..." Rita says.  "Um...  We should probably leave..."

Well, you did come here for a reason.  But knowing you'll have to fight through the military changes things.  You look up to the roof.  That's probably where you need to go.  If only you had some Avian demons...

There's a half-dozen soldiers patrolling the hospital grounds, and another 6 guarding quite a few Cobras.  At least 20.  But they don't seem to have their phones or anything, so they probably wouldn't be too helpful.  You can't tell what's going on in that hospital, but you can guess it's a full-on brawl.

(A) Try to sneak in
(B) Try to fight through the patrols
(C) Try to release the prisoners
(D) On second thought, I'm not OK with fighting the military

After a lot of thought and several failed writing attempts, I just can't see how you could possibly sneak up on a group of prisoners with 6 guards actively watching them.