With a start, you wake up, rubbing your eyes. Grayson doesn't seem to be in here- but then again, ever since he's gotten big enough to have issues fitting through doorways, he preferred to stay outside.
On one of your tables, alongside Rikar and your armor, was Leon's book, and then the chain you've taken to wearing underneath your armor- with Triune's whistle, the strange key he'd also given you, and the gear that Dras'lea had dropped off. You didn't know much about clockwork, but a tutor had explained the basic concepts behind it, many years ago. Examining the gear again, you sense absolutely no magic- so you put the chain around your neck, get changed, and don your armor.
You peek out of the porthole, looking up at the sun. You slept in, it seems- the sun is risen, and you assume that everyone else is likely awake by now. . but you won't arrive in Sosaria until well after noon; It seems you have some free time to kill.

>Wat do?

>>20596059
Examine that gear with magic.
Then tea time.

>>20596098
Check what Ell sees in it.

>>20596059
Return Leon's book to him.

>>20596172
Read a page or two before doing that.

You pore over the gear for a few minutes, before, warily, you bring your magic forth, and examine it, but again, you can't tell anything about it, other than the object's general shape, and the fact that it's as durable- if not more- than Rikar, strangely. Even more strangely, especially when you consider the strength of the material it's made from, you don't sense even a hint of magic. As if it was simply a normal, mundane object. But it couldn't be... could it?

You put it back on the chain, Grab Leon's book, and make your way above deck.
Leon is sleeping on his back, alongside Grayson. The two of them look incredibly relaxed. At the tea table is Raziel and Belethor, talking.
"Morning." Raziel said.
"Is Ell up?" You respond.
"Um, I think." She said, looking over to Sparrow, which sat off the starboard side of Jormungandr, as usual. "Maybe. He won't mind if you wake him up, I don't think. Unless he's with Kiyara."

>>20596195
"It's not that important."
Tea time? Tea time.

>>20596195
"He is always with Kiyara. I can't even remember the last time I saw only one of them."

>>20596195
"I can wait for him to wake up, I guess." Have tea, sit close to Raz.

rolled 96 = 96

>>20596195
Can we hide the gear in a pocket dimension like we did with Gary's face/mask?

Rolling.

"He's always with Kiyara." You say. "I can't even remember the last time I saw only one of them. But I can wait for him to wake up, I guess." You say, and sit next to Raziel, pouring your own tea.
"I talked with Ell a bit about that." Belethor said. "Over some of the sweet mead the ogres gave us, after the battle at Bastion. Anyway, they were childhood friends. Ell was a farmer- he was a caretaker of Galadriel's Light, and Kiyara met him while her father was examining the crops. Because of her, he worked at becoming a crafter. She teased him, but it turns out they always had a thing for one another. That's why they're always together- because they're pretty much made for each other."

Belethor took another sip, and shrugged.

You consider the gear again. What if it's dangerous, like Gareth's Face? The mask didn't emanate magic, and it was just as powerful. . . You take the gear off of your neck. . and you focus your power. It roils up within you. .
And the long, silver lines on your arms go dark, wafting up dark, unnatural blue mist. The entire world seems to twist- And you neatly slide the gear into the small space behind your head, just like you did to the mask, so long ago.
"Was that. . " Belethor asked.
Raziel shrugged. "You get used to her doing these sorts of things without warning."

>>20596285
"It's a useful trick I learned a long time ago. It's now out of anyone's reach except my own."

>>20596285
"It's what I do. I tend to be a bit less predictable than the other magicians around here because I don't have a set area of expertise. Say, what are the others doing?"

"It's what I do." You say. "I tend to be a bit less predictable than the other magicians around here, because I don't have a set area of expertise. Say, what are the others doing?"
"Kris and Zeke are training Zeke's power right now." Raziel said. "Below deck, like they do every morning. Those two-" She said, pointing to Leon and Grayson "were just staring out at the sun when I got up, and eventually passed out. Never said a word- it was kind of creepy."
"I think Ell and Kiyara are still on Sparrow." Belethor said. "And I really don't know where that tiny girl with the red robe is."

>>20596285
"Have you thought about what you'll do once we arrive in Sosaria , Belethor?"

>>20596360
Guess we can still ask this:
>>20596361

>>20596360
Let's go find Kaliel.

>>20596361
Did we ask him to visit Arcturus already? If not then we really should. Depending on his answer to >>20596361 , of course.

"Have you thought about what you'll do once we arrive in Sosaria, Belethor?" You ask.
"I'm going to report to my parents, first of all." He said. "The battle of Bastion and the one at the portal might make them change their opinion of me, I'm hoping. And then I'm going to work toward getting Sosaria to assist the ogres with rebuilding their land."
"You're welcome to visit New Arcturus." You say, and his thoughtful expression twisted into a grin.
"I'm honored." He said. "I'll likely have to settle things at home, first, but I will visit, I swear."

>>20596438
"I'll miss your company. I think I still have a lot to learn from you, prince Belethor."

>>20596438
Now we go find Kali

>>20596374
>>20596465
We really have no reason to interrupt morning tea to go searching for her seeing as we don't know what happened last night.

>>20596484
We also don't know where she is. Compromise: If she's normally up here at this time we go look for her. If she's not normally up at this time, then we don't.

"I'll miss your company." You say. "I think I still have a lot to learn from you, prince Belethor."
"All I really know is how to learn." He responded. "In my experience, Queen Ishelda, that's all one needs to know."

You finish your tea, and then step away.
"I'll go find Kali." You tell Raziel, and she nods. "Be right back, Belethor."
"Of course." He responded.

You make your way belowdeck, stepping around several soldiers, asking around to see if anyone'd found Kaliel. Nobody had, and eventually, you get to her cabin. You're about to knock on the door. . when you hear her voice, from one of the cargo rooms. The words are muffled, but you recognize it- It's Kaliel, certainly.
Someone else says something- Kris, perhaps?
And finally. . You hear your own voice. Clearly.

>>20596523
Wat
Sneak over there and listen.

>>20596523
What? This needs to be investigated.

>>20596523
Oh shit, she made her own Ishelda.

>notVQ

>>20596523
Oh shit, she made her own Ishelda. That, or it's a recording.

>inb4 VQ

"Hahaha, that's hilarious." Kris says, as you edge over to the doorway, peeking into the cargo room. He and Ezekiel were the only ones in there. "Do me now."
"Right, right." Zeke said. He tilted his head, and spoke, surprisingly, in Kristoph's voice. "She sells seashells by the seashore."
The knight chuckled. "I didn't know kalak could do this sort of thing. Try Leon, now."
"Well, we can," Zeke said, in Leon's voice. "But it's really difficult to get right. I can, because I sing, but Raziel and Kaliel can't."

>>20596582
Now that was not supposed to happen. Stupid 4chan.

>>20596597
"You're really gifted, Zeke. You really shouldn't hide it so much."

>>20596615
This.

>>20596615
This, while imitating Zeke.

rolled 41 = 41

>>20596615
Says Zeke's voice from the opposite end of the room from where we're hiding.

First, you try to cast a spell to emulate Zeke's voice. . but the power fails you, leaking into the ether. You're lucky it wasn't a powerful spell. You shrug, and speak up.
"You're really gifted, Zeke." You say, and the kalak jumps. "You really shouldn't hide it so much."
Kris sighed and mumbled something about 'how can a white-haired girl hide in the dark like that'.
"Well. . " He said, whirling around to face you. He scratched at the back of his head. "I still can't say two different things at the same time, yet, so I'm not that good."

>>20596668
"Well, you're better than Raz or Kali, right?"

>>20596668
"Zeke. There are 5 Kalak in this world. 7 if you count them liberally. How about you impress everybody with the stuff you can already do, and then top it by doing two voices at once? Give your audience something to look forward to."

>>20596693
>There are 5 Kalak in this world. 7 if you count them liberally.
Whoops, got that wrong. 6, and 8, respectively.

"Zeke. There are eight kalak in this world. Ten if you count Azariel and Neiriel's egg." You say. "How about you impress everybody with the stuff you can already do, and then top it off by doing two voices at once? Give your audience something to look forward to."
"Well. . " He said, and rubbed at his beak. "I. . don't like being in the spotlight like that. That's why I don't tell people I paint."
"You paint?" Kristoph asked. "Can I see your paintings?"
"Later." Ezekiel said, sighing.

>>20596770
"Your painting is lovely Zeke. You should at least share it with your friends and family."

>>20596770
Blush.

>>20596770
Giggle. "You're digging your own grave, Zeke. Anyway, would you be willing to give me another lesson in magic after we've left Sosaria?"

>>20596770
"Oooooh, you definitely have to do one of your wing portraits of Kris."

"You're digging your own grave, Zeke." You say, and giggle. "Anyway, would you be willing to give me another lesson in magic after we've left Sosaria?"
"There's. . little else I can teach you right now." He said. "You need to work on your light spell more, until you can control it perfectly- and then I'll look through for a few more spells for you to try, so I can gauge your aptitude in various specialties."

rolled 34 = 34

>>20596842
Fine, let's show just how good of a light spell we can do.

>>20596842
"Oh. Okay... Actually, I wonder if these lines affect wizardly casting."
Cast the light spell.

>>20596842
"Okay, any tips on that?"

rolled 21 = 21

>>20596842
Let's try the light spell once more, then go and see how Kal's doing.

rolled 41 = 41

>>20596858
>>20596871
Guess we still have a lot to practice. Maybe I can raise the average a bit?

rolled 82 = 82

>>20596842
LIIIGHT SPELL LIIIGHT SPELL LIIIGHT SPELL
I want to cast my LIIIGHT SPELL LIIIIGHT SPELL LIIIGHT SPELL!
Fuck if I know why I thought of queen.

"Oh. Okay... Actually, I wonder if these lines affect wizardly casting." You say, and twist your hands into the somatic component for your light spell. . and you speak the words of power.

Magic trails from the silver lines on your arms, weaving down into your palms, coiling around the sphere of light. You aren't focused, and you aren't exerting much will. . but the spell is perfect. The magic leaking from your arms is draining away from your endurance. . but it seems it's picking up the slack. . somehow.

>You can no longer fail at wizardry- however, it will drain more power the lower your roll is.

". . That's the strangest casting I've ever seen." Zeke said, looking at the eerie streams of light trailing from your arms, funneling into the sphere floating in your palms.

>>20596901
"I'm fairly certain that's magic leaking away."

>>20596901
"Zeke, you should know I am a bit sensitive when it comes to being called strange."

>>20596901
"It...it's working like my sorcery in a way. Extra power to ensure it can't fail - but it's definitely wizardry."

>>20596901
"It's leaking quite badly, actually. Will it do?"
>>20596916
Strange is okay, it's the monster part that'd be bad.

>>20596901
Really? You've seen quite a lot of my casting. I think I've done weirder things.

"It... It's working like my sorcery, in a way. Extra power to ensure it can't fail - but it's definitely wizardry."
"A failsafe. Well." He said, after a moment. "That. . changes things. I still want you to practice until those tattooes don't activate. We can still move on, though, because there's less risk to your life if you have those. Yeah, I can teach you more after we leave Sosaria. In fact.. I have six spells for you to try- one from each school. Warding, Alchemy, Divination, Enchantment, Evocation, and Healing. there are more.. but the others are all combinations or permutations of the basic six. For example, Necromancy is a combination of healing and divination. That sort of thing."

>>20597018
"Okay. It'd be pretty if I end up having a wizardly specialty."

>>20597018
"Thanks Zeke, I guess I'll practice my light spell a bit more to be safe. It's a welcome change from all the physical training."

>>20597053
*pretty funny*

"Thanks, Zeke. I guess I'll practice my light spell a bit more to be safe. It's a welcome change from all the physical training."
"Of course." He said. "Wizardry is based on your concentration and focus, so you'll need to practice somewhere calm- it's easier if you have something to focus on, like I have my bracers, or Raziel's staff."
"Not that the physical training isn't working." Kris said, and chuckled. "I heard you headbutted Jeanne during a brawl. Very queenly of you."

>>20597018
I dread to think how much energy this would drain to keep something like Kaliel's armour spell on track. I'll definitely practice like you say.

>>20597018
I think we should focus on divination. Ishy can heal, fight, and enchant stuff with sorcery well enough, but the dice gods really hate us when we scry.

>>20597092
"Yes. I should write a book about being a queen. Queen 101: Basics of Queening. First lesson: Tea parties. Second lesson: Headbutting."
Also let's try Rikar as a foci.

>>20597099
Actually, we fueled that spell so she could focus. It wasn't enough to drain us, and once conjured it doesn't have that kind of requirement from the caster.

>>20597092
"It was either that, or losing. And a proper queen never loses. Furthermore, Raziel placed her faith in me, and I didn't have it in me to disappoint her. The two of you just have to meet butler Fellwind."

>>20597092
Queens must do anything it takes to ensure the safety of their country. And Raziel was going to contribute to the treasury if I won.

>>20597113
We've been saying scrying will be our next signiture spell for ages, but it doesn't seem like we're getting another one. On the other hand divination is meant to be the hardest and we do seem like a rubbish wizard at the moment.

>>20597124
I know we provided the raw power. But it was a very complicated spell that we could definitely not provide the focus for so our arms would drain loads of energy to control it and stop us dying horribly.

>>20597143
>Queen never loses
Except to Leon. And Belethor.

>>20597183
and Redglare

>>20597198
Actually him we did beat.

>>20597229
But we lost to him a hell of a lot before doing so.

"It was either that, or losing." You say. "And a proper queen never loses."
". . The way you say that is rather scary." Ezekiel said.
"Furthermore, Raziel placed her faith in me, and I didn't have it in me to disappoint her. The two of you just have to meet butler Fellwind."
". . *butler* Fellwind?" Kristoph asked, and chuckled. "I *have* to see that."
"... Maybe I should focus on Divination..." You say, thinking.
"Divination is the most difficult of all schools. It gets easier as you age, so most powerful or old wizards get at least competent at it. . but at your age, I'm guessing it'll be almost impossible for you." Zeke said. "I'm not even very good at it, and I'm over a hundred."

>>20597257
Well, we'll see how it goes when I learn the spells.

>>20597257
"Zeke, most people around you won't see a hundred years if we let nature run its course. Not that I'm actually planning to let it, but it's something you should keep in mind."

>>20597310
"if we let nature run its course. Not that I'm actually planning to let it"
what

>>20597257
"Which is why I should start practicing when I'm still young."

>>20597324
I doubt Ishelda is willing to see her friends starting to die within the next 50 years if she can do something about it.

And considering her mother, Ishelda might already live well beyond the normal human lifespan.

>>20597324
Ishelda plans to live forever. Or close enough.

"Zeke, most people around you won't see a hundred years if we let nature run its course. Not that I'm actually planning to let it, but it's something you should keep in mind."
"I do." He said. . and sighed. There was something... melancholy in his voice. "I do."
Kristoph slapped his gauntlet on Zeke's shoulder.
"Let's continue, shall we?" Kristoph asked.
"Right, right." Ell said. He twisted his hands, and cast multiple light spells, wafting through the cargo hold. Kris closed his eyes, and one by one, the wisps of light started winking out.

>>20597401
>Ell said

You mean Zeke, right?

>>20597401
Give Zeke's shoulder a squeeze. "Don't worry, we'll do our best to find a way around that. Now, I think it's best if I leave you two to your training."

Kali-Kali next.

>>20597401
Ell?
Anyway, we should take over the helping Kristoph practice duty. We need to practice our light spells way more than Ell/Zeke/whoever it is.

>>20597412
>Yes. Yes I did. Goddamnit.

>Sorry, sorry, I meant Zeke, not ell. Ell's still up in the Sparrow.

"Don't worry, we'll do our best to find a way around that." You say. "Now, I think it's best if I leave you two to your training."
"Right." Kristoph said, and then he pulled up his visor, looking into your eyes. "Ishelda." he said, in a low voice. "If you ever need anything. . you know you can talk to me, right? I'm not just your knight- I like to think I'm your friend, too."

>>20597472
Tease him. "Anything at all? Because I've been having this problem of waking up with all this blood all over my bed."

after that, kiss his cheek "Of course I know that."

>>20597472
That's so nice. He'd get a hug if he wasn't in armour and training right now, so until we have a chance to give him a proper one, a smile while have to suffice.
"Of course. I would like to extend the same offer to you, friend."

>>20597472
Of course!

You give him a brilliant smile. "Of course." You say. "I'd like to extend the same offer to you, friend."
He chuckled. "Well, I have no problems right now... but if I do, I'll come talk to you about it."

Sliding his visor back down, he put his gauntlet over his chest. . and then pointed his other arm at a wisp of light, which immediately went out.

You leave him and Zeke to the training, and make your way back toward Kaliel's cabin. . and you knock on the door.
"Come in." You hear Kaliel say through the door, so you enter. The living armor is breathing, standing up near a wall, and Kaliel is curled up on a small pile of pillows, in kalak form, wings covering her face. "G'morning."

>>20597554
That sounds very snuggle worthy...

>>20597554
>Kristoph
We might not have any problems to discuss right now, but we should spend a bit more of our spare time with him. He's alright.

"Morning sleepyhead." Are there curtains we can open?

>>20597554
"Morning, Kaliel. Um, I think we should talk."

"Morning, sleepyhead." You say. She pulls back a wing to reveal her face, and her eyes met yours.
"Morning, Ishelda." She responded, and stretched her arms and wings, before curling up again. "I'm a bit tired- sorry about that. I didn't sleep much last night."

>>20597638
Oh? Did something happen? I was out like a light after fighting both belethor and Jeanne.

>>20597638
"Oh, that sounds bad. I fell asleep the moment I pulled my blanket over myself. Probably all that fighting I did yesterday. Anything I can get you?"

"Oh, that sounds bad." You say. "Did something happen? I was out like a light, after fighting both Belethor and Jeanne."
"I heard about that." Kaliel said. "Some of the archers outside were talking about how they never thought they'd see a queen brawl, and be good at it. Apparently you knocked Jeanne's lights out or something like that."
There's a delay, and you have a strange feeling she's trying to shy away from answering if 'something happened', before she continues.
"Nothing happened. I was just reading up on my old books, and had a bit of trouble sleeping."

>>20597715
Something almost happened, before Raziel interrupted.

>>20597715
Well if you ever do have trouble sleeping, come see me. I'll try to help, maybe I can create a sleep spell or something.

>>20597715
"If you have trouble sleeping, I'm sure I wouldn't mind having you sleep next to me. It seemed to have worked very well the last two times. We can ask Raziel to join as well, I enjoy waking up with the two of you."

>>20597715
I clocked her with my head! It was great.

>>20597715
"Well now that sounds made up on the spot. But I won't push if you don't want me to."

"I clocked her with my head! It was great."
"I bet so." She said.
"Well if you ever do have trouble sleeping, come see me. I'll try to help, maybe I can create a sleep spell or something."
"Unnatural sleep doesn't carry the same restfulness, if you use drugs or magic or even a talent. That's why I learned enchantment, at first, was for sleep spells, back when I was an insomniac." She mumbled. "I thought being in this form would help me sleep. It didn't, really."

>>20597816
"Hmm? Well if it's not the form, maybe its the environment? You seemed to sleep pretty well in my bed."

>>20597816
"Well, it seemed you slept pretty well after our slumber party. Should we have one again, this evening?"

>>20597816
Well I'll just have to find lots of jobs for you to do and wear you out.

>>20597816
You used to have trouble sleeping? I didn't realise. Every time I've been there you've been impossible to wake. The othe day I had to have breakfast in bed because you were all but attached to my leg. Not that I'm complaining, having people wait on me hand and foot is fun on occasion. It reminds me that I'm a queen.

"Hmm? Well, if it's not the form, maybe it's the environment? You seemed to sleep pretty well in my bed. Should we have a slumber party this evening?"
"Well. . .Maybe." She said, after a moment. "If I still have this problem. I'm used to this, though. It comes by every few years and I can't sleep right for anywhere from a night to a few months. It's normal."
She sat up, and stretched again.
"You have trouble sleeping? I didn't realize. Everytime I've been there, you've been impossible to wake. The other day I had to have breakfast in bed because you were all but attached to my leg." You say.
"Dariel thinks it's my way of making up for lack of sleep." She said, and ruffled her own feathers, getting to her feet.

>>20597911
Maybe its your talent getting restless. But whatever, we've got free time today, let's go on an adventure!

>>20597911
That's not particularly normal, in my experience. Still, at least you don't have terrifying nightmares if demons and dopplegangers.

"That's not particularly normal, in my experience." You say. "Still... at least you don't have terrifying nightmares of demons and dopplegangers."
"You have those?" She asked. Slowly, you nod.
She twitches- but looks torn, for some reason, finally ruffling your hair with a talon.
"I'm sorry to hear that." She said. "And. . I'm sorry for yesterday. Before... before Raziel came in."

>>20598070
"D-don't be. I was just...a little surprised was all."

>>20598070
"Don't be sorry. I could've pushed you off if...if I didn't want you there."

>>20598070
"No, it's alright. I um, really like you, Kal."

>>20598070
"Yeah, um.."

>>20598070
It- It's fine. You didn't do anything bad,

>>20598070
"Don't worry about it, nothing happened, after all."

>>20598070
Marigold has told me that if anyone does such a thing again I'm to sorcery them off immediately. But it wasn't THAT bad.

>>20598070
"No, not at all. Just...give me some warning next time I suppose."

"It- It's fine. You didn't do anything bad, I was just... a little surprised was all." You say.
"It's, uh. . okay." she said. "I-I won't do anything like that again. I just... didn't think..."
She trailed off, and looked out the window for a moment.

rolled 14 = 14

>>20598266
There is only one solution to this situation: Mock indignation.

Summon lightning on our fingertips and chase her around the ship!

>>20598266
"...well I wouldn't mind if you did."

>>20598266
I'd say "embrace the awkward silence" but that feels hardly appropriate. Just stay quiet for a while.

>>20598298
Aw c'mon, we can't just leave her like that. She's so unsure of herself right now.

>>20598318
And we're not quite sure what we want to happen here either.

Actually, shall we just be done with it and bed her? It almost seems appropriate.

>>20598335
I'm for it.

>>20598343
It might just make her happy again. We're going to need a few more votes though.

>>20598335
Yes to bedding her, but not yet. Soon though.

>>20598266
Kiss her maybe, but not that.

>>20598335
We've letting her do all the chasing perhaps its time to show we're serious about pursuing her as well. Not sex, maybe a kalak style kiss?

>>20598343
>>20598335
I have to oppose, she isn't The One. Bedding her and then discarding the poor girl would ruin her.

>>20598371
A... Are you saying we should.

Groom her?

How about, we ask her to turn into a human for a moment, and then kiss her?

>>20598379
>she isn't The One
Says you.

>>20598379
She's the one.
You can tell because she can dodge bullets.

I say go for it

>>20598382
Too lewd.

For a long moment, there's nothing but silence. As she stares out the window, thoughts and ideas race through your mind, bringing up a blush to your cheeks. You open your mouth do say something. . but what?
The awkward, uncomfortable moment stretches longer and longer. . and then you decide.
"Kaliel." You say, and she turns to you.

>KISS THE GIRL?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXmLRHnoSAs

Related.

>>20598469
Turn her human and DO IT!

>>20598469
Yes
" I have no idea what I'm doing."
Then kiss her

>>20598469
yes

>>20598469
>DON'T TRY TO HIDE IT NOW
>GO ON AND KISS THE GIRL

>>20598469
No

>>20598469
Yes.

>>20598488
Seems about right.

>>20598469
Yes

>>20598469
A kiss on the beak. Blush furiously.
"I... am not used to this."

>>20598469
She's in Kalak form, so grab a brush and start preening.

>9 yes
>1 no
I thought you were trying to make it not an obvious decision, Exabyte?

>>20598642
To be honest, I'd rather see the last romance option as well, but I think the rest of the players are more interested in doing this now.

Quite disappointing we don't get so many replies for non-waifu actions, though...

>>20598642
Exabyte gave /tg/ Lesbian Xenophilia as an option.

It was pretty obvious how it was going to go.

>>20598642
>I failed!

"I. . " You say, your stomach tightening with nervousness. " ... have no idea what I'm doing."
Kaliel started to say something, her beak opening up a fraction, and then she saw the look on your face, and froze.
Gently, you put your hand on her chin, and kiss the edge of her beak. The feathers on her cheeks fanned entirely out, and she locked up, making her head look much wider than it normally was.
"I-I-I-uh." She said. "Uhm."
She stopped even trying to vocalize anything, and her crest flared upward. You have no idea what that means- you've never seen this kind of expression before.

>>20598671
Hug, and since kissing is awkward, I guess nudging her beak with our lips is about as much as we can do.

>>20598671
Just hug her really close, that's enough right now.

rolled 62 = 62

>>20598671
Magic her human, we can deal with that!

>>20598664
To be fair, Raz was also an option.

>>20598671
Point at the crest. "I have no idea what that means, but I'm going to assume it's a good thing."

>>20598688
Oh and preening is probably appropriate.

>>20598695
Yes, but of those two, Kal was the little girl option.

>>20598695
I sure hope we still have the chance to get her involved.

>>20598707
Me too. Partly because Raz is also awesome, partly because that means we could one-up whatshisface, the creepy kalak with the harem.

"I have no idea what that means." You say, giving her a hug. "But I'm going to assume that's a good thing."
"It- It is." She said, finally, returning your hug. You press your lips to the side of her beak again. "This- this would be easier if I was human, w-wouldn't it."
She closed her eyes for a moment, and whispered a spell, shrinking in your arms until she was human, the robe dangling off of her now-much-smaller form.

>>20598747
Push her onto the bed of pillows. Don't do anything too lewd though, we just want to kiss her until she cheers up.

>>20598707
Honestly i just cant see Ishelda wanting a harem. This stuff is too confusing for her and adding more people to the mix wont help that any.

>>20598755
Seconded. Do what she did to us before Raziel interrupted.

>>20598747
" I assume so. But I'm just as clueless regardless of what form you're in."

I would roll to magically lock the door physically (the door is now a wall) to prevent unexpected interruption, but there's no way ishi'd think of that

>>20598707
Can't really agree with >>20598742 on what'shisface because I don't really care, but Raz is just too awesome to leave out.

"I assume so." You say. "But I'm just as clueless regardless of what form you're in."
"I'm, uh, softer in this form." She said, blushing madly. Slowly, you push her back down onto the pile of pillows, and push your lips up against hers. You feel almost. . predatory, like this- although you still have no idea what you're doing.

"Kali, Ishelda was looking for-" Raziel said, opening the door. "OhIseeshefoundyou."
She closed the door quickly.

>>20598812
Sigh "It's okay, you can come in."

>>20598812
Bar door with soulfire serpent and/or magic and/or elementals.

This is our time!

We can make love elementals, right?

>>20598832
>Gruff, burly, all pink beings of magic that have a cloud of little cartoon hearts floating around them.

>>20598832
and if not love elementals, try for embarrasment elementals, i'm sure we've got plenty to spare.

>>20598812
Raz, how did you do that?

>>20598812
"Seems like this went almost exactly the same as last time." Place a soft kiss on her lips.
"Just let me talk to Raziel real quick."

Brandishing your hand toward the door, your soulflame serpent uncoiled from your wrist, glimmering a soft pink color. You spare a look at it- It shot toward the door. . and locked it for you, making an audible click. There, it waited sentinel, ready to hold the door shut if anyone tried opening it.

Kaliel gently grabbed your chin, and pulled you close, where she returned your kiss. And. . then some.
You hear someone talking outside the hall. . but you weren't in a state to pay attention to that.
Finally, Kaliel pulled back, settling into the pile of pillows, and you could breathe again.
"Uhm." She said. "I uh. . don't know what this is."

>>20598930
"Kissing?"

>>20598930
"Kissing. It's fun, isn't it?"

"You are probably wanting breakfast, but I think you should stay here and hug me."

>>20598930
Quiet her with more kissing. We have hours to spare.

>hourshm skillful
Hopefully we will be.

>>20598930
As nice as it is, we need to get some breakfast. Give her one more kiss, then get out there. Don't overdo it.

>>20598930
"Me neither. But we should probably go get breakfast, huh?"

>>20598930
"The beginning of something good."

"Kissing?" You ask.
". . That's not what I meant." She said, and smiled. "Nevermind, it isn't important."
"You're probably wanting breakfast.. but I think you should stay here and hug me."
". . Well, if I have to." She said. "I can skip a meal. Or a day of meals. Or mmghm-"
You quiet her with more kissing.
"As nice as it is," You say. "We need to get some breakfast."
"R-right." She said, rather awestruck.
You get up, and pull her to your feet, where the two of you make your way out of Kaliel's cabin, and go abovedeck. Leon and Grayson are still sleeping. . but Grayson has his massive paw wrapped around Leon, hugging him like marigold with a teddybear. Zeke, Belethor, Kris, and Ell are sitting at the table, just relaxing.
"Hey." Zeke said, waving. You don't see Raziel or Kiyara anywhere.

>>20599080
"Hey Zeke, how did your training go?" Eat and drink a bit, then excuse ourselves and speak with Raziel.

>>20599080
"Hey. Has anyone made breakfast?"

>>20599080
"I found Kaliel, What's for breakfast?"

Don't tell anyone they probably all already know, look at leon crying into grayson's fur, we've been there before

"I found Kaliel." You say. "What's for breakfast?"
"Well, Kiyara's working on making some of the food the ogres gave us, back at sgragol mountain." Ell said.
"Some kind of 'nerf meat' or something." Kiyara called, from Sparrow. She scraped on something out of view, and something else hissed. "That's what the crate said. And then some eggs that didn't have a label."
Grayson opened an eye. . and then you hear him sniff, quickly. . and then eye you and Kaliel. The bear, surprisingly, started chuckling, and closed his eye again.

>>20599146
Scratch the bear behind his ears and harrumph at him.
"Shush, you."

>>20599146
Blatantly ignore Grayson. Then sit down close to Kali and wait for food.

>>20599146
"Well, it's a good thing I like trying out new foods."
Prepare our stomach for whatever Kiyara is cooking up.

>>20599157
This, but as nondiscreetly as possible.

"If we all get sick I'm blaming you, Kiyara."

"Shush, you." You harrumph at Grayson, scratching him behind the ears. The dire bear chuckles a bit louder. "If we all get sick I'm blaming you, Kiyara."
"Just because you guys don't have elven palates." Kiyara said.
"Kiyara, fey taste things drastically different than humans, orcs, and hobgoblins. Even differently than lizardmen." Kaliel said. "It's physiological."
The elven woman laughed, and you hear something else scrape. For a moment, Kaliel grabs and squeezes your hand under the table.
"You ever get to sleep, Kali?" Zeke asked.
"No, but I'm fine. I can stand a night without sleep. I've gotten used to it." She said.
Soon enough, Kiyara stepped onto Jormungandr, with some strange kind of eggs, with small bits of cubed meat stirred into it. She pulled out a shaker, and started throwing tons of spices on two plates, setting one down in an empty seat, and giving the other to Ell. She quickly dished up enough for everyone.
"I have enough for those two and Raziel, whenever they get up here." Kiyara said, and the group dug in.

>>20599269
"How long until we reach Sosaria?"
Enjoy dinner, then RazRaz.

>>20599269
Is it any good?

>>20599269
Tentatively try a bit of the weird food. See if it's any good.

Enjoy dinner with our people. Afterwards insist that we have a dance. We need to teach Kaliel how do dance and learn any Sosarian dances from Belethor.

>>20599269
No need to go looking for Raziel, just give her a call over the ring.
<Hey Raziel, dinner's ready.>

>>20599269
Put food between lips. Ponder much more interesting things lips can be doing. Blush. Loudly ask if the ship is making good time.

Isn't this breakfast?

>>20599296
>>20599331
It's breakfast, guys.

>>20599269
If we're contacting Raz, apologize for being in such an awkward situation when she poked her head in.

>>20599346
Oh we'll show the ship a good time all right.

<Hey, Raziel, Breakfast is ready.> you say. <And, um, sorry for being in such an awkward situation when you poked your head in.>
<Um. Yeah. Right.> Raziel said. <I'll. . be right up. And um, I won't tell anyone about you and Kal.>
Tentatively, you take a bite. It tastes. . pretty much like chicken, albeit with a strange aftertaste you can't exactly recognize, and the meat is rather spicy.
"This is good." Kaliel said, grinning.
"A bit lackluster.." Ell said, and Kiyara nudged him, and the two of them grinned, and laughed at some inside joke you don't quite get.

Fellwind and Jeanne arrived, suddenly.
"I smelled something spicy!" Jeanne said, grinning. Kiyara slid down two more plates.

"So, is the ship making good time?"
"It is." Belethor said. "We should be home- At Sosaria- by the time we're done with breakfast."
"It turns out that, whatever happened at the portal, Jormungandr was bursting with energy." Ell said, and took another bite. "So I set us to way above cruising speed."

>>20599428
"Yeah. It leaked a lot of energy while I was trying to close it."

>>20599428
"Oh, I hope that's not going to burn out any crystals. We still have a fair amount of travelling to do after we reach Arcturus."

>>20599428
"Thank you Ell.

Belethor, once we get home there's probably going to be a welcoming party of some kind, that means there's going to be dancing, and I don't know any Sosarian dances and I'll embarrass myself in front of your family. So could you please teach me some before I reach your home?

>>20599428
To Raziel: <Oh. Um. Thanks.>

"Thank you, ell."
"What I'm here for." He said.
"Belethor, once we get home, there's probably going to be a welcoming party of some kind, and that means there's going to be dancing. I don't know any Sosarian dances, and I'll embarrass myself in front of your family. So could you please teach me some before I reach your home?"
"Well, uh. . ." He grinned, sheepishly. "I, um, don't exactly know how to dance. I was. . more focused on other things. And they won't have a party for me, anyway. For my brothers, probably, but not talentless old me."

rolled 47 = 47

>>20599498
"You don't know how to dance? This is a travesty! We'll have to teach you. Oh, but there isn't time now. Bother. I'll just have to make more time."

Make more time. Some how.

rolled 58 = 58

>>20599498
"Well that just won't do. First you are not allowed to sell yourself short in my presence any longer.

Second, I will teach you how to dance. They might not be Sosarian dances but I insist that you learn. As you well know resistance is futile, and Kaliel you are going to be learning as well."

Summon a magical orchestra to play music for us.

>>20599498
Why is having a talent such a big deal?

>>20599519
"Who else doesn't know how to dance?"

>>20599498
Man, you should really stick with me. I think you're hella useful, and it sounds like your relatives are pretty awful to you.

>>20599540
Whoops, meant to quote Exa there.

>>20599519
I think that trying to manipulate time will end badly, just don't even try.

If we need a bit more time we can ask Ell to slow the ship a tad.

>>20599498
"If you aren't appreciated at home, my offer to take you with us to New Arcturus still stands."

rolled 4 = 4

>>20599558
Psh, that is entirely too mundane and reasonable.

>>20599498
"Leon! Wake up, we have to show Belethor how to dance, this is an emergency!

Ell, slow the ship down!"

"Well." You say. "That just won't do. Leon, wake up. It's an emergency!"
Leon twitches- and Grayson gives him a tight hug. The spellknight freaks out for a moment, and then Grayson lets go of him, still chuckling as Leon pushes himself to his feet, saluting you.
"We have to show Belethor how to dance! Ell, show the ship down."
"Yes, Ishelda." Ell said, chuckling.

Fellwind started. . laughing. "You're going to be in real trouble now." He said. "If you jump over the ship, you have a chance."
"Kaliel, you are going to be learning as well." You say.
"I am?" she asked.
"Run, Kali, run!" Fellwind cried. "You might just make it!"
"But I *want* to learn." Kaliel said.
Fellwind just continued chuckling.

>>20599629
"You can help, Fellwind. Jeanne, do you want to learn how to dance?"

rolled 91 = 91

>>20599629
Apply magic to create space to dance and music to dance to.

"Shut up fellwind, you never realise what the important things are!"

>>20599653
She doesn't have much of a choice, Ishelda established dominance yesterday.

>>20599629
In a cold voice while smiling right at him. "Fellwind, I do hope that you haven't forgotten your manners, it seems you may be due for a refresher course in etiquette. Why don't you show us how much you remember? I think you ought to teach Jeanne to dance, consider this a test."

>>20599629
"Fellwind, if you're going to be so enthusiastic about it why don't you assist me in instructing them?"

>>20599629
Fellwind, you're joining in. And everyone else, why not.

"You can help, Fellwind. Jeanne, do you want to learn how to dance?"
"Only if Rik teaches me." She said.
"Sure, might as well." He said. "I still owe you fifteen silver, anyway."
Leon shakes himself awake. "So, what, we have to teach Kaliel and Belethor to dance?"
"We do." You say. Your arms blaze with light, and you snap your fingers- conjured instruments appear in the air behind you, and slowly start playing.
"So," Leon said to Kaliel, brandished his hand toward you. "First, you take your partner's hand."
Kaliel grabbed your hand. "Right." She said.
". . You can handle this, your majesty, can't you?" He asked, with a grin, and made his way over to Belethor.

>>20599739
"Don't worry boys, everybody gets to dance with everyone. It's a good way to train dancing with different partners."

>>20599739
"Of course. Now you put your hand here and I put my hand there and then we do this [ect. ect.]"

I realised that dancing is basically just vertical sex. So Ishelda's probably actually not that inexperienced.

>>20599739
He's going to have to handle it, because I'm not taking any objections.

Also, make sure there's partner trades going on, it'll be funny to see Kal and Belethor both fail to dance as a pair.

>>20599739
"Of course I can Leon. I'll be dancing with everyone, it's good practice and I can fix any problems I see. If anyone is truly in need of help we'll bring Grayson in.

Raziel, just take my hand, stand up straight, and follow my lead. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing, just listen to me, just focus on me and I'll make you dance and look beautiful."

File: 1346802821001.jpg-(111 KB, 500x333, walzerformation.jpg)

>>20599782
>I realised that dancing is basically just vertical sex

You have never danced the Waltz, right?

"Of course I can, Leon." You say, and turn to Kaliel. "Now, you put your hand here," You say, leading her other hand to your hip. "And follow my lead. Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

While you teach Kaliel the basics, you can tell there's a strange tension between Leon and Belethor- Leon seems almost. . gloating, while Belethor seems subtly upset. Meanwhile, Jeanne is stepping on Fellwind's toes. You have a feeling she's doing it on purpose.
Ell and Kiyara's eyes meet, and simultaniously, they shrug and join in.

Raziel finally came abovedeck to see everyone dancing, a series of instruments levitating off of the starboard side of the ship, glowing softly pink.
"Hey." She said to the sleeping form of Grayson. "Furball."
Grayson opened an eye.
"May I have this dance?" She asked, and the bear harrumphed, before rearing up onto his hind legs, offering his front paws to Raziel.

Kristoph came above deck. . . And saw Raziel and Grayson dancing. He slowly slunk back down, to where the soldiers were talking and eating. "Guys, where did you put the ogrish mead?" He asked.

>End of thread!
>Sticking around to answer questions!
>Twitter is @futureexabyte

>>20599862
So, is the mystery lady still an option?

>>20599862
hah. Poor Kristoph.

>>20599862
How wet is Kaliel right now?

>>20599872
>Theoretically, but you'd pretty much have to talk to Kaliel about that. Or just ignore her while you seduce mystery lady.

>>20599903
Is getting Raziel into the relationship going to take as much time as took with Lucca?

>>20599892
About 60%, according to wikipedia. I don't know much about how much water content is within a human body, to tell you the truth.

>>20599916
That's based on Kaliel's and Raziel's personalities, really- but probably a lot longer, because Ishelda is very different than Dave.

>>20599862
Are Kaliel and Belethor learning well?

We're going to have to be doing partner swaps, while still trying to keep those who don't know what they're doing paired up with someone with experience. It should be very doable and at the end we'll have Belethor and Kaliel dance to show what they've learned.

>>20599933
Thread-wise, I meant. I doubt this will continue for another 30 threads, or so.

rolled 43 = 43

>>20599862
Rolling to summon Kristoph and Dres'Lea and making them dance.

>>20599967
>Threadwise, I mean I have no real clue. I do have rough plans and setting ideas, but I've given up on planning to far into the future- I let things sprawl more organically.

>>20599936
>Kaliel is blushing too much and is way too distracted to learn at her normal rate, but when you swap with Raziel, Raziel teaches her fine.
>Belethor probably could have learned from simply watching, but he's sharp enough to learn quickly.

>>20600203
>Threads
Hmm, okay. Thanks for the answer.

So when they were kissing, did it involve tongue?

>>20600330
Only once.
>pulled you close, where she returned your kiss. And. . then some.