Waking Dream - Devil Survivor CYOA

Well...  The hospital's the place to look for blood, right?  Though whether the Cobras have any they'd be willing to part with's another question.

As you approach the hospital, a few of the guards recognize you and shrug at your approach.  "Welcome back," one of the ones at the front gate tells you.  "Greg told us you can come and go as you please, and the boss said it was fine."

"Did.  You.  Just.  Call.  Me.  GREG!?" Gregory yells as he comes charging from across the yard.  He plows into the guard at fell speed, smashing his fist into his face.  "NO ONE calls me Greg, except my family, and closest friends.  Oh, hello, Kira.  Here for another round?"

You explain that you're looking for blood.

"Is that a threat?" Greg...ory asks.

You clarify that you need a blood pack, A-negative, for your injured girlfriend.

"Ah, gotcha.  Well...  Huh.  Let's go ask the boss.  Maybe she's in a good mood.  Stay close."

Gregory leads you into the hospital.  Demons and people both wander around.  Several are napping in patient rooms.  Crates of supplies spill out of several closets.  Gregory leads you to an elevator, and punches the six key.  The two of you sit in an uncomfortable silence as the elevator slowly climbs.

"So...  Other than your girlfriend getting hurt, how's it going?" Gregory asks.

You tell him you can't complain.  Then you clarify that you really could complain, considering how the world is right now, but you're holding it together.

"Good.  That's good."  Gregory returns to silence.  Finally, the elevator dings and the two of you step out.  Gregory leads you down a short hallway and knocks on a door labeled "Administration."

"Enter," a heavily accented, female voice calls out.

Gregory pushes open the door.  "The lady from before's here."

A short, muscular woman wearing a nurse cap is seated at a desk.  Her red hair is worn short, and she glares at you with emerald eyes.  She's a bit older than you, but not by more than a few years.  "The one what whupped you this morn?" she asks.

"The same," Gregory answers.

"Hm.  You beat Greg.  You must be pretty tough, then," she says with a smirk.  Gregory's lips tighten at the use of that name, but he doesn't say anything.  "I'm Elise McManus.  I'm in charge of this hospital."  Irish, you realize.  Her accent is Irish.

You introduce yourself, and explain the situation.  "Blood pack, A-negative..." Elise mutters, typing away at a computer.  She pauses and tilts her head slightly.  "Hm.  I think we can spare wan."

Lilim Black claps her hands.  "Can we have it?  Pretty please?"

"Aye," Elise says.

"What's the catch?" Lilim White asks suspiciously.

"I may ask a favor of you in the future.  Don't worry, I won't be askin' ya to schkelp some tool.  Probably just to run a message, make a delivery, or the like.  Plus, I'm hopin' a spot o' generosity now'll convince you to join up with we snakes later," she admits.  "As a wee bonus, I'll even come with ya to make sure your beour gets what she needs.  Unless you happen to know how to administer a transfusion?"

...You understand the basic concept, but you'd admittedly feel a bit more comfortable having a professional do it.  And you still have the saline, so you don't think you need the blood pack.  You aren't sure if you can really trust this Elise person...  But for Sara's sake...

(A) Accept her deal
(B) Refuse

A. I don't want to risk a botched transfusion. I just hope George doesn't see this.

You accept Elise's proposition.

"Alright.  Greg, ya plonker, make sure thing's don't go bottom's up while I'm patchin' up Kira's bird," Elise says.  When she stands, you notice that she's even shorter than you thought, quite a bit shorter than you are, even though she's wearing heels.

"Yes, ma'am!" Gregory answers.

"Well?  What're ya waitin' for?  Stop dodderin' and lead the way," she orders you.

You stop at a large, refrigerated room in the basement to grab a blood pack.

As you leave the hospital, Elise waves off several guards that run up to her.  As you leave the gate, she stops for a brief second.  "By the way, Kira, just know that if you're lettin' on and this is some kind of ambush, it'll end badly for you."

"Kira wouldn't do something like that," Lilim Black says.

"If we wanted to kill you, we'd do it with some semblance of honor," Lilim White assures her.

"Honor, hm?" Elise asks.  "Not something I'd expect from a divil."

You guide Elise to the small store where Sara's holed up.  One of Sara's demons that you recognize from before, Ares, greets you.  "Welcome, friend of Sara."

"Oh, you're a big guy, aren't you?  Hm..." Lilim White eyes him hungrily.

"Sister..." Lilim Black says hesitantly.

"Right, right.  There'll be plenty of time for that after we help Sara.  Or maybe we could slip off while they're-"

"We can't get the nutrition we need from other demons," Lilim Black reminds her.  "Not... that way, anyway."

"...Oh.  Hm.  Well, no point, then." Lilim White says with a shrug.

Elise pushes past you.  "If yer done with this gobsh-"  She freezes when she sees Sara lying in the closet.

Sara groggily opens her eyes and glances up at her.  "Y-you...!" she manages to spit out.  "Ki...  Kira?  Why is she...?"

"Ya didn't tell me she was with the military, ya great tool!" Elise reprimands you.

You ask if that's a problem.

"...Bah, a deal's a deal, though I guess I shouldn't get much hope of you joinin' up with my Cobras if you're gettin' off with a military scrubber.  Hold still, ya prick," she orders Sara.  She ties a ribbon on Sara's upper arm, then takes the IV kit you found at the university and jabs it unceremoniously into her forearm.  Sara gasps in surprise, more than in pain.

She makes sure the blood's flowing, then gives you a few simple instruction on how to change to the saline later.  "Nodens, get her information," she says to her phone.

"Got it, chief," an unfamiliar voice answers.  A few seconds later, your phone pings.  When you check, Elise's information's been added to your phone.

"...If you decide you and your snog-hound decide you want to run with the Cobras..." Elise says as she walks away.  "Well, you know where to find us."

You hold the blood pack to keep it flowing.  Sara gradually begins to become more aware.  When you finish the pack and switch to the saline, she gasps.  "That's... really cold..." she complains.

You sidle up next to her and wrap an arm around her.  You ask how she's feeling.

"So much better, Kira.  I hope you didn't have much trouble," Sara says.  "I can't believe you went to the Cobras for help...  And I can't believe they gave it."

You tell her about this morning, and about your sparring match with Gregory.  "...Well, the Cobras do respect strength.  But promise me you'll be careful around them?  Don't get too chummy.  ...And I'm sorry you had to get involved.  I should've brought more food, but they're pretty strict with our rations..."

You tell her not to worry about it, then ask her what she was doing earlier, when she saved you.

"Didn't I already tell you?  I... had a dream.  So I snuck away from- wow, that sounds utterly insane when I actually say it.  But I just knew something would happen to you at noon.  And I was right!" Sara says cheerfully.

You spend a few more minutes chatting while the saline empties.  She shares some more information about what's been going on around town, tells you a bit about some demons...  She snuggles closer to you with a sigh.  "...Remember when we used to talk about movies and books and stupid television shows instead of demons and soldiers and food?"

You sit in uncomfortable silence until the saline drip finishes.  "I'm feeling a lot better, but...  I need to get back to the base.  If I hurry, maybe I won't get in trouble.  Stay safe, Kira.  I'll see you when I can."

---

Free phase!  The time is 13:30.  You can pick 3 events.

(A) University (Rita)
(B) Gas station (Kumiko)
(C) Hospital (Gregory)
(D) Hospital offices (Elise)
(E) Military base (Sara and ???)
(F) Town outskirts (George)

Also, time for a demon swap.  Pick the two to hang out for the next 3 events.

(1) Lilim Black
(2) Lilim White
(3) Nekomata
(4) Kijinuma
(5) King Frost
(6) Gagyson

A C E 3 4

You offer to walk Sara back to the base.  She rejects your offer at first, then explain that you're worried and want to keep an eye on her for a bit longer.  Seeing her lying there bleeding to death earlier after she saved you was almost too much to bear.  She finally relents, and the two of you set off together.

The mood is somber as you stroll down the streets, avoiding the occasionally demon.  There aren't many tamers along the streets you take, and the few that you run across don't seem particularly eager to attack or chat with someone in a military uniform.  The two of you walk in a comfortable silence.

Your fingers brush against hers, and she recoils from the touch.  When you give her a look of not-entirely-feigned dejection, she relents and takes your hand.  The two of you continue, arm-in-arm, towards your destination.

With only a few blocks to go, Sara finally breaks her silence.  "Hey, Kira?"

"Hm?"

"So... with all the world like this...  I don't know if things will ever get back to the way they were...  All our plans are...  Well...  Sorry, I'm having trouble saying it," Sara says, clearly shaken.

"What I'm trying to say, Kira, is I'm not really sure where we stand anymore.  I don't... know what our relationship is, or what we're doing, where we're going.  So... what's next for us?"

(A) "We'll forge a new tomorrow, together!"
(B) "Let's stay as we are and see what happens."
(C) "We're better off trying to survive alone."

A. Things can't stay as they are, but I don't want to just give up on her.

"We'll forge a new tomorrow, together!" you announce proudly.

Sara looks at you blankly for a second, then chokes back a laugh.  "Oh, Kira, how can you blurt out stuff that cheesy with a straight face?  Haha...  Still, it's nice to hear you say you still want me around."  She stops and pulls you into a gentle hug.

"Aw, how sw-hee-t!" King Frost says.  You tell Bast to unsummon him, and he disappears into your phone with a "Oh-ho no!"

"I'll tell you what, Kira...  I'll see if I can get leave tonight.  No, I'll definitely get leave tonight, somehow.  We haven't had enough time together lately.  We can snuggle up under a nice blanket and read some books, or play some boardgame or something," Sara promises.  She starts to move in to give you a kiss.

The sound of a man clearing his throat behind her causes her to stumble back so fast she almost trips.  The man, dressed in full military uniform with a brown crop cut and almost as tall as Sara, catches her by the shoulders and stops her from falling.  "Well, Corporal Lyon, good to see you're alright," he says.

Sara whirls around.  "Lieutenant Jackson!" she blurts out, rushing to salute him.

"At ease, corporal.  You're due back in from patrol.  I was about to send some people to look for y-hm?  What's up with your uniform?" he asks.

"Oh..." Sara says, looking down and checking herself.  A large set of claw marks are etched into her armor, penetrating through to the skin where her injury was.  "Well, I... saw a civilian in trouble, so I stepped in."

Kira backs up Sara's story, explaining that she shoved you out of the way of a very angry nekomata.

"So you're on patrol and run into a civilian in trouble, and this civilian just happened to be your girlfriend?" Jackson asks.

"W-well...  I had an idea she'd be around my patrol route..." Sara admits.

"...I see.  Anyway, no leave tonight.  I really need you on tomorrow's op.  But I'll make it up to you with a three-day pass tomorrow night.  Let you get enough time to get into some real trouble.  Ha!"

"Lieutenant!" Sara snaps.  "That's..."

"Anyway," he continues, ignoring her.  He brings his watch up to examine in.  You notice him surreptitiously fiddling with one of its dials.  "Looks like I misread my watch.  You're due back in... eh... five minutes."  Jackson turns and walks away with a dismissive wave.  "Oh, and make sure to get some new clothes."

Sara watches him go, exasperated.  "Ugh... he's so... crass.  Anyway, Kira... looks like we'll have to wait just a bit longer.  I forgot we've got an important mission tomorrow.  But like he said.  We'll be able to have some time together after."

You ask Sara what the mission is.

"...You know I can't tell you about that.  But don't worry, I'll be fine!" she promises.

She starts to head towards the base, then stops and comes back.  "A shame we've only got 5 minutes..."  She lifts your chin up and gives you a deep kiss.  For a moment, all the terribleness around you disappears.  All too soon, she remorsefully pulls away.  "Together," she reminds you as she departs.

You wander around for a bit, unsure where to go.  Eventually, you find yourself in front of the university.

"Miss Kira?" Kujinuma asks.  "You've been walking around really absentmindedly for the last few minutes.  Are you OK?"

"She-hee's fine, ho!" King Frost assures him.  You... don't remember summoning him again?

"You almost died before, remember?  You've got to start paying attention when you're out," Kijinuma scolds you.

"It's dangerous around hee-re, my loyal retrainer!" King Frost says.  "But then again, it's dangerous ever-hee-where, ho!"

You decide that as long as you're here, you should go visit Rita.

Once again, Grey meets you at the door.  He doesn't startle you this time.  Within a minute, at Grey's prompting, Rita comes out of hiding.  "Oh?  Back so soon, Kira?" Rita greets you as you enter.  "Well?  How's Sara?"

You tell Rita that Sara's fine, and thank her for her help.  You explain that you were able to get some blood from the hospital to pad out the saline.

"Oh...?  That's...  Isn't it really scary, owing a favor to the Cobras?  What... what if they make you do something... bad?"

You explain that Elise promised it wouldn't be anything violent.

"That's... good," Rita says.  She's clearly still hesitant.

"Um...  Kira?  Do you remember what I was talking about earlier?  About...  Well, is it OK if I tell you some other stuff?" Rita asks, avoiding your gaze.

You tell her it's fine.

"OK.  Um...  I don't remember how much I told you before...  But, um...  I don't live here.  I'm... from Seattle.  With the Space Needle?"

You nod.

"A-anyway.  I am... was... getting close to graduating high school.  I'd... be going into my senior year this fall.  I... I guess not anymore, though...  I was... trying to find the right school, which is... why I came to the camp here.  A week to explore the campus and... other stuff.  Since this was one of my top choices... the astrology and theoretical physics here is top-notch...  I managed to convince my parents to l-let me come by myself."

You realize what she's trying to say.

"I... I haven't heard from my parents... I have no idea how good or bad things are... outside.  D-do...  Do you think they're OK?  Do... Do you think I'll ever see them again?" Rita sniffles a bit.  "I've been trying to stay strong and not think about it, but I really miss them..."

(A) "I'm sure they're fine"
(B) "No use worrying about it"
(C) "You can't give up hope!"
(D) "They're definitely dead"

C because like Lucina says hope will never die

You tell Rita that she can't afford to give up hope.  Hope is the one thing we always have, no matter how dark the world seems!  Hope will never die!

Rita stares at you blankly for a few seconds.  "But..."

No buts!  Only hope!  ...You tell her.

"W-well...  I guess they could still be alive...  I mean, if I'm still alive..." she says.  "I guess if I can survive, anyone can...  Right?  Someday... I'll figure out a way to get back home, and...  And then I'll see for myself.  Dead, alive...  I just...  I just want to know!"

You tell Rita that if there's anything you can do to help, she just needs to ask.

"I...  Thanks, Kira.  Um...  If you don't mind, I kind of want to be alone again..."

You say goodbye and take your leave.  You decide you should probably go thank Kumiko for her help earlier.  Bast helps guide you to her using her connection to... Kumiko's Bast.  You ask Bast how exactly that works.

"Well...  Hm.  Vorvi, you want to field this one?" Bast asks.

"We're gods, Kira.  We fragmented ourselves and stuck ourselves in your phones and whatnot to help you humans survive.  And since each fragment is a part of the whole, we know where each part is.  It's also how your message system works," Vorvadoss explains.  "Any questions?"

You ask about the voice, the N-name that Elise was speaking with.

"We're not omniscient," Vorvadoss informs you.  "We can only split our consciousness so many times.  Bast and I are operating the heaviest loads, working with the most humans, so we aren't lending anyone much power.  A few humans were chosen to work with other gods, gods that aren't trying to have a hundred million conversations at once.  If Elise's navigator is Nodens, you don't want to mess with her."

"By the way," Bast cuts in, "it's really weird that you have two navigators.  Most people only have either me or Vorvi over there.  Guess we messed up."

"Call it a lucky break," Vorvadoss suggests.  "You're a bit stronger than most.  But not by enough that you should go charging headfirst into suicidal situations."

You thank the pair for the information, then realize that you'd strolled all the way to your destination during the chat.  Without paying attention.  Again.

You find yourself outside a dilapidated gas station.  You aren't sure whether the gas tank exploded, or rioters burned it, or demons got to it, or some combination, but it's definitely seen better days.

You hear rummaging coming from inside the husk of a building, so you call out.  "Kira?" Kumiko's voice answers.  She sticks her head out from behind one of the shelves.  "Huh.  What're you doing here?"

You tell her you stopped by to thank her for the help earlier.  With Sara.

"Oh, that?  Don't mention it.  I still felt like I owed you a bit, so we're even now.  Besides, it's good to try to make a few friends when things are this rough.  I mean, you'd do the same for me, right?  If my parents or I were hurt," she clarifies.

You tell her that you have no idea what her parents look like, but you wouldn't abandon someone to a pack of ravenous demons.

"Fair enough," Kumiko shrugs.  She goes back to poking through the charred and splintered shelves.

"Must be something useful in here," she mutters to herself.  "By the way, Kira, how'd you find me?"

You tell her about Bast's connection with other Basts, then correct yourself and explain they're all fragments of the same being.

"...What?" Kumiko asks, confused.  "Sorry, that's... just a lot to take in."

"Don't worr-hee about it!" King Frost tells her.

(A) Ask how her parents are doing
(B) Talk about scavenging
(C) Make small talk
(D) Ask what she was doing before the demons