Charles Patricius

Kazuhiko knew his plan didn't sound very reasonable right away. It couldn't be so easy to just say no, right? In this case, it would be easy for Kei's parents to force the issue, as they had power over her life for the time being. However, that power was fleeting with a simple matter of age... or something else. Luckily, Kei was willing to hear him out. "Alright, so... it's completely normal to think 'no' isn't an option. It's being pushed by your parents, they decide everything about your life until you're not under their roof and all that... it's not true," he explained initially. How would he word the rest? Well, it hardly required thought.

"In this case, you shouldn't just look at it as an arranged marriage. It's a hostage story. Your freedom is the hostage, and you're the ransom. It's a catch 22 on their part. I'm guessing you're the only daughter? If that's the case, you're officially not a hostage anymore; you're the ace they can't win without. If they say you have to marry someone you don't want to, tell them to shove it. If they're not listening, threaten to disown yourself. They can't make you do anything if you're not their kid, but you have 100% control over your life if they're not your parents," Kazu continued. He may have been rambling a bit, but he intended to make his perspective very clear. "It's the ultimate power play: a counter trap! Either they take nothing with a future chance of working it out, or they get nothing with no more cards to play! And that... is a one-turn deck-out mill strategy!"

According to Kazuhiko it wasn't at all true that parents were in control of a life while the child lived under their roof. Obviously there were sometimes caveats but hearing out how Kazuhiko's thought processes worked had all of the girls present quietly taking in his words. Miko though she understood, was interested as she always was, finding herself looking at him with pure awe, as the light in her eyes danced. His stance was truly brilliant. "100 percent control..." Kei murmured seeming to like the way it sounded. She was technically already in charge of her household's finances. She considered at some point running her family into poverty to get them to leave her alone, but this... was much better as a plan which didn't cause her to sabotage her own future to get her way.

"Sou ka, I don't really get the card game reference but... I do like the idea in general," Kei mentioned. "Are we going to start playing card games? I am all here for more analog stuff to do~" Kaguya confirmed. She'd also been around long enough and inside Miko's head enough to know the kind of strategy he came up with was top-notch. Ai respected a type of thought process which didn't involve putting anyone in danger socially or physically. As for their games, "Well, we were all supposed to go to a card shop together but someone was busy," she said looking to Miko. "I was doing a thing. Respect the thing!" claimed Miko. In truth at their last group outing she'd been recording some vocals for a certain aspect of her jobs. Regardless, it would be Chika who had the most succinct thing to say. "This strategy seems like Kei-chan just being her usual Control Freak self, just aimed at her parents," claimed Chika in a moment of lucidity. "Also what thing were you doing, huh? Who were you doing?!" she questioned. "Don't fucking start." That was all Miko said. She wasn't about to go into anything crazy with any of these people. But with a proper plan in place, all things could be worked out. Whether it failed or not wasn't the point, there was at least a good starting point, and the worst thing that could happen is Miko having to get the paper work from her father to help Kei emancipate herself. Well, aside from the guy on the other side being a problem, but Kei wasn't prone to going anywhere alone so that seemed like it could be avoidable. "Also, in case you're wondering, this is why you're the leader~" she pointed out. It was easy to miss one's own shining moments.

Kei seemed uncommonly excited by the idea of wresting full control from her parents, but that was no prerogative of Kazu's. If nothing else, he thought it was good to enjoy the thought. "Absolutely 100. You can't make someone do something they don't want to. You can only convince them to agree. Parents just tend to get a bonus because they don't let kids believe they can be in control," he preached, nodding at the end.

A single reference to trading cards led to the group discussing card games. Apparently, they once had a plan to partake. Now it was Kazu's turn to be excited. "Everybody should play card games! They're awesome!" he assured. "If anyone wants to learn AoE TCG, I'll teach and play! As for the reference, it's a win condition in most trading card games. If you don't have any cards left to draw at the start of your turn, you lose automatically. There's always a deck that makes the opponent discard cards with the intention of making them run out. Fun to play, terrible to play against," the lad explained.

After a brief additional silencing of Chika by Miko, the brunette expressed a train of thought he expected from about half of the 12 peers at any given moment... but not the girl who was once the second most quiet member of the group. "Et tu, Annie?!" he questioned initially ─ an outburst of sheer reflex. "Not time for that!"

There was much logic to be heard in Kazuhiko's words. Parents did normally get to manipulate children because they convinced them that they fully wanted to comply with their wishes. Even if said children weren't interested in compliance. Such things were easy to dismiss in early life, for simple tasks, like teeth brushing or going to school. But something like marriage, which according to all current propriety was an issue for the rest of one's life? Parents shouldn't be in charge of that sort of thing, they'd already lived their own lives, it was ridiculous to try and live vicariously though someone else. "That does sound like pretty sound advice. Nice..." Ai commented. She enjoyed this and it took care of one of the major problems of their friend group. There was only one other 'problem' child left to deal with but that problem was well on its way to ending as well.

In the meantime, Kazuhiko gained new excitement at the potential of teaching everyone to play card games. AoE had a TCG which meant they could all play. He even explained the win condition he was explaining in context. Kei heard his words and smirked. "Sounds like something made for me. Next activity is that... my vote!" Kei proclaimed adamantly. Kaguya heard this and nodded. "Technically I assume it is the next activity after today..." she claimed knowing that Miko had a particular plan already in place for the day which included doing all of her necessary back log of work before... jumping into Kazuhiko once more. Speaking of a certain utterance came from Kazuhiko as Miko pointed out his goodness as a leader, and it made her pause, giving him a strange look. She'd never been the subject of that particular phrase before and it sent a jolt straight to her core. He dismissed his words immediately claiming it wasn't the time, so Miko also fell into an old habit. Standing at attention and saluting the lad with a smirk on her face. "Aye, Sir♪!~" she chimed at him in return.

From the sound of things, this group learning how to play trading card games was on the menu. Despite the seriousness of their conversation mere moments before, Kazu thought this was a bright and shining opportunity to spread the love of trading cards. Kei voted that they all participate after gaining an interest in a certain playstyle; Kazu would happily join her excitement. "Second! Do I get a vote? If I get a vote, I'm siding with her," he chimed. The one who took a marked interest in his favorite hobby would officially go into Kazu's list of excellent people, if no one else did.

Kazu could only hope there were more card games and new opponents in his near future. He was so into the idea, he almost moved past deviant thoughts... almost. Alas, there was still one mostly-naked blonde in the room they currently occupied, and that didn't make it easy to change topics mentally. Besides, there was the matter previously addressed by Miko about these three. Kazu highly doubted she was making anything up, or making the wrong assumptions. "So... probably weird to ask, but did tonight just become really exciting, or am I just still too wound-up?" he wondered. Of course, there was another thing that couldn't possibly escape his notice. Miko, as Anais, had once been regarded as having a very fine salute. What Kazu didn't expect was the sight of it in a sassy fashion, but such a moment had him giving warning. "Ice is looking thin, Annie. I'm still on edge," he warned.

There was an agreement, and a vote issued. According to Kei, she wanted their next big activity to be Card Games. This was fine, Miko saw the potential fun, and would try anything any number of her friends was into. At the very least, Kazuhiko, Sakura and Kei had an obvious interest. Kaguya had also expressed some interest so she had no problems with anything. "Of course you're siding with me," Kei claimed seemingly smug. "Charlie, the vote is for the Student Council you weren't originally included. Also, no one has even expressed the idea of voting against the card games..." Miko claimed, her friend was quite an odd one. "I mean that is true, but he's a bestie, so maybe this should be considered a bestie council instead..." Ai added. Miko nodded seeming to consider this a point in the right direction. Whatever the end result would be, they'd probably end up playing card games sometime regardless.

Beyond the points rendered, there was something expressed by Kazuhiko an idea that the night may have just gotten more exciting or that he was really wound-up. Kaguya couldn't help but chuckle, "Well, you haven't come off it for a while now so I'd say you're wound-up, but that doesn't mean tonight can't be exciting~" she claimed. Meanwhile, Kei was looking at everyone else with a raised brow. "Isn't this emergency meeting territory. Shouldn't we all talk this out, between us first?" she said as if she'd suddenly gained clarity. Chika looked at the group and shrugged, "It's just sex. If Miko has already had a turn why worry?" Chika's stance would have been reasonable even a week ago but Kaguya knew better. "You guys are out of the loop. Mi-chan isn't just our innocent leader, she's... a monster who partakes of other monsters. I haven't gone yet, but 10 hours, earthquakes only 20 whatever that means, he doesn't miss and still not finished... right?" she said almost spookily, giving a playful wink to Kazuhiko and give him an in to the conversation. In the meantime, Miko was initially warned against treading upon thin ice, given her salute and playful salute. "I don't think so Charlie, ice is never that thin to me♪~" she sang as if she had no fear. Of course she'd not missed any of the things being said around her either. "Oh no. Don't go pulling back now, after harassing me for fifteen minutes. Also don't start questioning me as if all your mentors aren't my choices! Go ahead, have the whole discussion while he's standing here and get him to clear up all your fucking questions!" Miko declared.

Kazu wasn't allowed a vote by the natural order of these meetings, as they were for the student council all these girls were members of. Ai stepped in to counter Miko's point, claiming his status as a 'bestie' could change what sort of council they were all having presently. "What she said. Also, king. This is a monarchy. I'm invoking emperor privilege. Card games!" he said in a jokingly smug fashion.

Kazu still wondered whether there was something on the horizon, or if he was simply still suffering the side-effects of centuries-old sex brain. According to Kaguya, there was merit to both thoughts, but there were a few words exchanged by the other girls in the meantime. Kei thought it was a thing to discuss, while Chika thought it was a simple matter. To the latter clause, Kaguya specified what happened during Kazu's earlier session with Miko. In doing so, she seemed to miss the purpose of '20' as he mentioned before. "Percent," he added for clarity. "Still pretty pumped, though. I feel like I could go at anyone who's interested," he said further, feeling as if he had an additional few centuries of energy to burn through. Perhaps it was a secondary effect of bringing his own new tier of magical existence into a world with no magic; he couldn't just use it all and be done with it. At present, Miko was nearly putting herself in position to be a target for outlet... again. "It'll be thin enough when it's melted. You said you had stuff to do; don't even start. Also, questions? What questions? Nobody told me about questions, but I'm down for whatever."

"Stop using Emperor Privilege for random things!" Miko exclaimed. "I was going to let it slide regardless... other votes go," she claimed. "I'm for it, card games seem like fun," Kaguya said. Ai gave it a bit of thought and a casual shrug. "I also think it's fine, as far as group activities go, it will be easier to keep an eye on everyone if you aren't off doing weird stuff. Besides the worst I'll have to do at a card shop is keep boys out of touching range which is pretty easy," Ai mentioned knowing she was technically working so long as Kaguya was her primary charge. "Card Games!" Chika echoed. "Alright, motion passed, next big group activity AoE TCG..." Miko concluded. "Kaya-sen keep track of it, coordinate, and let me know the details," Miko uttered. "Hai hai♥!~" Kaguya chimed knowing exactly what her job was.

Speaking of coordinating, Kaguya was sharing necessary information about the intensity of the afternoon that was, Kazuhiko with the girls present. She'd not taken such a thing on herself, which was surprising to Ai, given Kaguya's more impulsive behavior. "Too drunk to keep it together?" Ai asked about her lack of engagement. "Hai, but that was an entirely different story, Mi-chan might have some extra-sensory technique we don't know about~ I should say those mentors of ours are actually just teaching and people who are fucking us, just to do so... are on different time," she added having had the experience necessary to give that as a part of the general explanation. Such things would only be made worse, by the ideations of Kazuhiko that he'd only been giving Miko 20 percent of what he had to offer. "Really?! Earthquakes, mirror breaks, constant equilibrium disruption and... 20 percent? And you want more?" she asked of Miko who simply nodded her head truthfully. "Of course... 300 years, Kaya." Miko said as if it was explanation enough for her desire. "Wait is that safe at all? And you don't miss what exactly, we aren't exactly ill-equipped or anything," mentioned Ai, who had normal questions given what they were talking about. "What's he into? What's he like? How did you meet? Is he hiding, would it be weird for us to talk to him? What's his type, is he soft? How come you haven't introduced us? Is he yours, if not let us meet him? Bleh, just a thousand questions unanswerable at the time! Most of them easier for you to answer than me," Miko said all these things while mimicking the exact tone and cadence of the voices associated. It was mostly Kei and Chika, full of questions Ai, had been corralling with occasional commentary but that was more her nature. "Also I know have stuff to do. I'm going to the concert tonight and doing my regular work once the sun sets. I'm not even procrastinating! But I also haven't seen my friends in three hundred years... I have to catch up!" Miko uttered. Her friends all mostly didn't know about her work, but she was actually devoted to it, so there wasn't any problem.

"This isn't random things, Annie! It's card games!" Kazu said as if trading cards were more important than establishing balance in a kingdom. In fact, he rated them similarly without any extra fuss. It didn't matter either way. The consensus, as it stood, was in favor of playing the best trading card game of them all! As always, Kazuhiko was elated to discover some new potential matches. "Yosh! Five new opponents, line 'em up and deck 'em out! I've got enough spare cards with me to get everyone started, as long as no one wants too much overlap in their decks. We can get to that whenever."

Of course, 'whenever' from Kazu was more accurately translated as... later. First and foremost, he had very different answers to find. Kaguya continued to explain what the others were potentially getting themselves into. As an end result, the only thing he needed to address was Ai's direct question. What didn't he miss? Well... "Well... I spent a really long time in the Nexus ─ basically the hub where God, a.k.a. Albertus Animusphere, stays to control all the ins and outs between worlds. I've had a bunch of ascensions, and I'm shooting over 100% on pregnancy cases. Don't ask how it's over a hundred; long story," he explained briefly. With that said, Miko had a convoluted list of questions that had come from the other three. It was quite a lot, but it was nothing compared to maneuvering conversation with Munetsuchi's residents. Kazu raised one hand, extending a finger as each question was answered in sequence. "I'm into adventure, card games and general cool stuff. I'm like... well, I dunno. I try to be cool. We met in the Templar Order, which turned out to be a cult controlled by a freaky god who wants to steal my body and soul ─ don't worry about it. I'm not hiding, and it's not weird; I like talking to people. My type is... more varied than I even understand. That last one isn't mine to answer," he rambled, acknowledging everything apart from the question of his 'softness rating' by his approximation. "Anything else from anyone? If you all want to catch up, there's no need to waste much time with me. It's not like I'm going anywhere. Actually... I don't even have a change of clothes to go anywhere. I should ask Yuuya for something to wear shopping. Well... first I should find money to shop with."

"I know that card games are life for you, but there are still better uses of your privilege," Miko said. She still was quite pleased. She did always enjoy how devoted the man was to his card games. It was one of the things she found most exciting about him as a person. Beyond this point he seemed quite happy to have new opponents and even claimed to have enough cards to get them set up for initial rounds. "Sou ka, we're avoiding the card shops then. Even better..." Ai claimed knowing that such spaces were far from safe for girls much less ones of the attractiveness levels boasted by them. Still that whenever of Kazuhiko's didn't seem very committed given he was much more focused on potentially bedding the group instead.

What was more a quick explanation of the Nexus, who it was connected to, its functionality and Kazuhiko's fertility were brought up. He claimed they shouldn't question his ability to have over 100 percent on his ability to make babies. "You don't get to skip over the most important part of what you said, especially considering what we're talking about here!" Kei said. Well, at least she wasn't backing down. What was more, they were now looking at Miko. "Don't look at me, I decided I'd deal with the consequences later... I thought I could make it work but I don't think I did completely," Miko admitted. "Condoms?" Ai offered with an upward inflection. "I mean condoms aren't bad, but you aren't going to like it... and non-magical ones definitely aren't going to help and even magical ones might end up exploding. It's not really quantifiable," she explained. "It can't get you pregnant if it goes in your butt. I'm still interested," Chika said as if it was the easiest answer to the question. Still there were answers being offered. And Kei, Chika and Ai were processing them. "Alright that's all pretty good, still need to understand softness.." Chika said. "If you are asking if you need to be different or if any of the existing personalities will go the wrong way. There's nothing to worry about," Miko said. "Yeah, he's been dealing with me pretty good. And we all know I'm not the easiest to get along with~" Kaguya mentioned as if she was the real problem. Beyond that point catching up was a thing so it could be done and Kazuhiko mentioned not having money and needing to borrow clothes, and Miko remembered something important. "I forgot, I was gonna let you have the stuff from the morning work, since you were out getting Angie when we did that stuff and I don't need it," Miko offered as freely as anything else.