PLAZA RENE TURNING BACK TIME - 847

G 0 START 1 input 0->1 85 You: "René... I need to go back in time. Can you help me?" 1->85 2 Untitled hub (02) 13 You: "I'm not sure, to be honest. Just going with the flow." 2->13 86 You: "Men have lost their way. I want to guide them back. Like a beacon." 2->86 115 You: "Love. It's about love." 2->115 3 Endurance: He doesn't know anything, he's too old. Doesn't have that *fire* in him anymore. But no worries, *we* will carry on. *Semper fidelis*, kingsman! 114 Jump to: [RENE MAIN HUB] 3->114 4 René Arnoux: The old soldier nods. "Even after the Revolution, after the Beachhead, there was a chance. Had we just stayed true to our *values*..." 60 René Arnoux: "It happened slowly, like a seedling growing into a tree. Tiny incremental steps. Imperceptible till the thicket was so thick you couldn't clear it with a flamethrower..." 4->60 5 René Arnoux: "'This time'?!" He's becoming visibly annoyed. "What happened to the first time? Did you make a mistake? Did you *fuck up*? Everyone did!" 14 René Arnoux: "And there are no second chances. We don't deserve them! You can't just go back and restart -- that would make everything *MEANINGLESS*!" A shadow of pain comes over his face. 5->14 6 Kim Kitsuragi: "So... Is there anything else you want from these gentlemen, or can we get back to it?" 72 Pain Threshold: Shouldn't have brought him into this. He doesn't know pain like you do. 6->72 7 René Arnoux: "Alright, you got your laugh, ruined my concentration and our game... Anything else you want, or can we start a new one?" "Alright, you got your laugh, ruined my concentration and our game... *again*. Anything else you want to ruin, or can we start a new one?" 125 Endurance: The carabineer is too old and feeble to be useful. But you will carry on. *Movere tempore*, kingsman. For the tenacious no road is impassable. 7->125 8 You: "No, I didn't mean it like that." 106 René Arnoux: "Oh save it." He waves you off. "Men don't have substance anymore, I know that, but seeing such spinelessness in a man bearing an insignia..." 8->106 9 René Arnoux: Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"] 10 Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"] 9->10 11 !(Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"]) 9->11 132 Kim Kitsuragi: The lieutenant rubs his forehead and mumbles something under his breath. 10->132 45 Kim Kitsuragi: "Yes." The lieutenant turns to look at you as well. "What else, officer?" 11->45 12 Gaston Martin: "Oh, you're in for a treat, officer. Seeing the playful side of old René is about as rare as a red rainbow." 77 Encyclopedia: Not actually *that* rare. It's just that red, or monochrome, rainbows usually occur at sunrise or sunset, when blue and green wavelengths are scattered before reaching water droplets. Fewer eyes to see them then. 12->77 138 René Arnoux: "Exactly what history needs." He spits on the ground between the two of you. "More drifters, confused wanderers, weightless men..." 13->138 123 Empathy: There's something *substantial* moving in him, trying to get out. 14->123 15 You: "You know, it's not actually that bad." 88 Gaston Martin: A heavy silence falls over the crater. The man in the checkered suit doesn't know where to look or what to do with his hands. Finally he speaks: 15->88 16 Empathy: *Something* about this topic was very personal to him, but the moment has passed. 89 Gaston Martin: "Enough, officer," the other one says with surprising resoluteness. "We can't help you. Not with this. Such an *emotional* topic..." 16->89 17 You: Regret about what? 18 You: Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"] 17->18 19 Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"] 18->19 20 !(Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"]) 18->20 101 René Arnoux: Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"] 19->101 20->101 21 You: No, this is going too far. I should respect his privacy! 109 Empathy: Honour walks and virtue follows. You are truly a Detective-Saint, for you refuse to veer even when *no one* is looking. Bravo! 21->109 22 Empathy: He thinks you're playing a joke on him. 130 Gaston Martin: "Now, now..." His partner raises both hands in a calming gesture. "I'm sure the officer means it figuratively. Like a forensic technique or something, right?" 22->130 23 Untitled hub 64 You: "No, I literally need to go back in time. For Revachol." "I'm not kidding. This is for Revachol. I need to return to the past." 23->64 90 You: "No, I need to go back to a time when *love* was still possible." "I'm dead serious. Can you help me get back to the time when *love* was still possible?" 23->90 113 You: "Right, right... A forensic technique. Can you help me or not?" 23->113 145 You: "Forget it. Let's move on." (Drop it.) 23->145 24 René Arnoux: "Forensic techniques are your forte, not mine, officer." Something stiffens in the man. He shakes his head. "Find another fool, I will not be part of your... joke." 24->64 24->90 24->145 25 You: "Him?" 67 Pain Threshold: There's tenderness in the carabineer's look. Tenderness that's curdled into pain or something darker. 25->67 26 René Arnoux: IsKimHere() 27 IsKimHere() 26->27 28 !(IsKimHere()) 26->28 135 Kim Kitsuragi: The lieutenant flashes you a quick side-glance. 27->135 76 René Arnoux: "What?!" The old soldier scowls at you, unamused. 28->76 29 Jump to: [RENE MAIN HUB] 3830486 JUMP OUT to PLAZA / RENE 29->3830486 30 Composure: His eyes seem to be pleading with you. 33 Untitled hub (05) 30->33 31 You: What is it? 124 Empathy: Regret. 31->124 32 You: Even thinking about it is invading his privacy. Better let it go. 32->109 36 You: "Look, I just want to turn back time. Can either of you help me or not?" 33->36 69 You: "*Everyone* deserves a second chance." 33->69 148 You: "Sure, why not?" 33->148 34 René Arnoux: "Where?!" His head drops between his shoulders he snaps around with surprising speed. 39 Savoir Faire: Retired or not, there's still a trained killer in there. 34->39 35 Kim Kitsuragi: "*Meaningless* is what I think this line of questioning is. Call me a sceptic, but I don't think time travel is going to solve our murder case." 35->6 56 René Arnoux: "*Imbécile, un putain d'imbécile*..." The old veteran clutches his chest and tries to steady his breathing. 36->56 37 You: "Kim?" 37->35 38 You: "War." 71 René Arnoux: "W-war?" The word seems to derail his train of thought. "I mean yes. Yes... It changes men, changes lives and uh..." 38->71 65 René Arnoux: "Goddamnit, son..." He turns back to you, frowning. "As an officer of the law you should know better than... damn it! Are we done here?" 39->65 40 You: "Did I say that out loud?" 40->106 41 Volition: You know what you meant, but taking this kind of scolding does *not* feel good. 111 Gaston Martin: "You must forgive mean old René, officer!" The other one jumps in. "He can't stop being himself more than a scorpion can stop being a sco..." 41->111 42 René Arnoux: Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"] 43 Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"] 42->43 44 !(Variable["plaza.fascha_dq_asked_someone_the_q"]) 42->44 73 Esprit de Corps: Damn it, not this again... 43->73 75 Esprit de Corps: What are you up to now? 44->75 45->13 45->86 46 Half Light: You could *definitely* clear it with a flamethrower. 136 Untitled hub (03) 46->136 47 Rhetoric: There's so much bitterness in his voice it barely even registers as sarcasm. 116 René Arnoux: "I can't help you officer," he says coldly. "There are no second chances in life. We don't deserve them. This is the world we shaped -- a reflection of what we are. Wasted, ugly, and numb." 47->116 48 You: Just nod. 48->88 49 Volition: He would sooner die than let it surface. 49->31 49->32 50 Jump to: [RENE MAIN HUB] 50->3830486 51 Pain Threshold: No... not gun. Something repressed and painful. Too late. The moment has passed. 51->125 52 René Arnoux: "Anything else you want or can we get back to our game?" 52->29 53 René Arnoux: "It's always about love, isn't it?" 131 Reaction Speed: Was that a smile on his wrinkled... nevermind, it's gone. 53->131 54 You: "It *is* an ugly world..." 54->88 55 Endurance: The carabineer is too old and feeble to be useful. But you will carry on. *Movere tempore*, kingsman. For the tenacious no road is impassable. 133 Jump to: [René Arnoux: ""Anything else you want or can we g..."] 55->133 119 Gaston Martin: "No, officer." He shakes his head meekly. "We can't help you with that, maybe there's something else we *can* help you with?" 56->119 57 Volition: Willed back into the darkest unexplored depths of his mind -- never meant to be shared, seen or confronted. 149 Composure: A true master of his emotions. 57->149 58 René Arnoux: "I thought you were a busy man, officer. Or at least you should be, so I won't comment on this... eccentricity. Now what?" 58->3 59 René Arnoux: "*Bon sang*, son. You must have a loose screw up there or something." He taps on his temple. "Sounds like you really mean it." 68 René Arnoux: "Alright, I will entertain this... *fantasy*, if you tell me, what interest does an RCM officer have in... 'time travel'?" 59->68 60->46 61 René Arnoux: "The 'right track'? This *is* the right track! The only track." He gets visibly annoyed. "This is the world we shaped, a reflection of what we are: cowardly, ugly, and numb." 61->14 62 You: "I'm not gonna say anything." 84 René Arnoux: "That's just *typical*!" The carabineer looks at you with disgust. "All you young guys these days. You want to be opinionated, controversial, opposition leaders..." 62->84 63 René Arnoux: "Enough yacking!" the carabineer cuts Gaston off mid-sentence. "We have a game to finish, so let's get back to it, unless there's something else?" 63->125 64->59 65->51 66 René Arnoux: "What the hell are we talking about here, officer?" He rubs the back of his head. "Look, we just want to play our game, so unless there's something else..." 83 Pain Threshold: War isn't tied with regret for him. Nevermind, the moment is gone. 66->83 152 René Arnoux: Variable["whirling.exlove_extenderness"] 67->152 68->12 118 René Arnoux: "*Imbécile, un putain d'imbécile!*..." The old veteran clutches his chest and tries to steady his breathing. 69->118 70 Pain Threshold: Him. 70->25 151 You: "Who?" 70->151 71->66 72->125 73->76 75->76 76->22 77->2 78 Kim Kitsuragi: The lieutenant clears his throat. "I think we're done here unless you have questions *not* relating to 'time travel' for the gentlemen?" 140 Endurance: Don't worry, he doesn't know anything useful, the man's almost expired. No fire in him. But *you* will carry on the flame. *Semper fidelis*, kingsman, anything is possible. 78->140 79 Empathy: *Something* about this topic was very personal to him, but the moment has passed. 79->111 80 Gaston Martin: "But don't worry, I'm sure there's something else old René or I can assist you with." 80->55 81 René Arnoux: You catch the old carabineer's gaze slowly leaving his opponent's wrinkled face as his dark eyes meet yours -- whatever turmoil raged in him a moment ago is quelled for now. 105 Conceptualization: Like the last rays of the evening sun gently kissing the day goodbye, before giving way to unfathomable darkness. 81->105 82 You: "Gun!" 82->34 83->125 120 René Arnoux: "But as soon as the talk turns real and there's a smallest amount of friction you're suddenly 'not gonna say anything'. Better to be wrong than a goddamn coward!" 84->120 85->26 86->4 87 Untitled hub (04) 87->15 87->48 87->54 139 You: "Such a downer, I'm not even sure how to respond..." 87->139 98 Empathy: Only to break the silence. 88->98 89->80 90->59 91 You: "I *know* I can get history back on the right track." 91->61 92 René Arnoux: Variable["plaza.rene_facha_empathy_to_unlock_red"] 93 Variable["plaza.rene_facha_empathy_to_unlock_red"] 92->93 94 !(Variable["plaza.rene_facha_empathy_to_unlock_red"]) 92->94 93->49 108 Gaston Martin: "Easy, René, take it easy." There's genuine concern in his face. "You're right, absolutely right. What was, *was* and that's it. Isn't that right, officer?" 94->108 95 René Arnoux: IsKimHere() 96 IsKimHere() 95->96 97 !(IsKimHere()) 95->97 96->78 97->87 117 Gaston Martin: "Officer, you must forgive Old René. Holding a conversation has always been... problematic with him." He flashes you a quick smile. "Try asking him something else." 98->117 99 You: "Well, that depends on the flamethrower..." 100 René Arnoux: "It really does, doesn't it?" The old soldier produces a strange croaking sound -- with laughter-like qualities -- then quickly massages his chest. "But honestly, why?" 99->100 137 Rhetoric: Keep the war-crime jokes coming and you'll end up on his good side. 100->137 102 Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"] 101->102 103 !(Variable["plaza.rene_fascha_regret_rc"]) 101->103 102->70 104 Pain Threshold: You know the answer, don't think -- just say it! 103->104 112 Untitled hub (06) 104->112 105->57 106->41 107 Pain Threshold: Even worse, a love aborted and smothered, stamped beneath his brilliant boot heel. 107->81 108->30 109->108 110 René Arnoux: "*Imbécile, un putain d'imbécile*..." The old veteran clutches his chest and tries to steady his breathing. 110->79 111->63 112->37 112->38 112->62 112->82 142 You: "Dad?!" 112->142 113->24 114->3830486 115->53 116->95 117->140 118->16 119->55 120->8 120->40 121 Reaction Speed: 'Here we go again.' 121->13 121->86 122 You: Ex-love, ex-tenderness... 122->107 123->92 124->17 124->21 134 René Arnoux: The old carabineer looks at you with wary expectation. 125->134 126 René Arnoux: IsKimHere() 127 IsKimHere() 126->127 128 !(IsKimHere()) 126->128 127->9 128->13 128->86 129 Composure: His posture tenses. 129->42 130->23 146 René Arnoux: "But it's never *only* about love, so what else, officer?" 131->146 132->121 133->52 134->50 135->129 136->91 136->99 147 You: "I just want a second chance. Gonna do it right this time." 136->147 137->91 137->147 138->47 139->88 140->52 141 René Arnoux: "Our lives are unique, and I have neither the means nor the will to help you change that." A polite nod. "But I will gladly assist you with police matters." 141->125 143 Pain Threshold: No, not that one. 142->143 144 René Arnoux: "Wh...? Oh, I see." He takes a step back and nods, jaw clenched tight. "You're a comedian after all. Funny guy. *Unpredictable*." 143->144 144->7 145->58 146->126 147->5 148->110 150 Inland Empire: Hopelessly alone behind the unbreakable walls he spent a lifetime erecting. No one will ever know him. 149->150 150->141 151->67 153 Variable["whirling.exlove_extenderness"] 152->153 154 !(Variable["whirling.exlove_extenderness"]) 152->154 153->122 154->107