>>31498537
Whoops, shouldn't have a CONT there.

>>31498537
>>Pull back Carna.

>Ask Carna to wait

>>31498537
>Ask Carna to wait.
>Pull back Carna.
Aww shit mang Librarian Quest

>>31498926
You are the worst. Alright, give me a moment.

>>31498943
I love you too

Telling Carna to wait, you tugged back on her hand. She stumbled a few steps but managed to catch herself, as well as the crown that tumbled over, "Hey, what was that for!?"

"Shhhh."

You and Carna watch your father's and the man you didn't recognize discuss something heatedly, you thought to leave but Carna ended up taking the lead again, tugging you over behind two barrels to spy on them.

"I can't agree with this. I have a daughter now, those days are behind me." Carna's father shook his head.

"Vah! Once a knight, always a knight! Do not tell me a man who walked The Dragon's Graveyard is afraid of Franson's dogs?" The stranger said.

"I have met the man before and I cannot imagine him to be as blood-thirsty as you say. Even if he has a contractor under his employ, it does not necessarily mean that he wishes to march on our lands."

"Better safe than sorry I'd say, our weavers have made contact with demons interested in our cause and now all we need is a man strong enough to handle one. Tell him mayor, we need a hero's strength!"

Your father glanced between the two men before him, "The dangers to him aside, I can't agree to you using our village as the seam. You're telling me just to evacuate the citizens, but we've more than our lives to lose even if your plan goes accordingly to plan."

>CONT

Forgot to capitalize my trip, didn't realize it made a difference.

>>31499150
I don't think anyone checks the trip anyway

"We can pay for any damages, my treasury is more than large enough. Anyways, is this village not under my domain? Come now, better we sacrifice it for my greater good than let it fall to to Franson's hands." The stranger was losing his calm.

"Bring back proof that Franson will march through and I'll think about it, until then I'd rather not get involved in your grasp at power." Carna's father spat on the stranger's well-kept shoes and began marching off back towards the festivities.

"Why you insolent... vah! You ought to change your mind quickly, I had intended to give you and your daughter a castle to live in but I'm quickly changing my mind... and you best talk some sense into him mayor, know who's graces have blessed your town this prosperity."

"Goodbye Duke Santo, I hope it'll be awhile before I see you again." Your father shook his head as the Duke stomped away angrily.

Carna tugged on your shirt to pull your attention back to her, "Hear that? He called my papa a hero!" She didn't seem to catch the rest of the conversation, "Let's hurry up before we lose him again! I have to show him my crown!"

You followed behind Carna as she lead you once more, still worrying about the conversation.

Her father heard her loud yelling and turned around as you caught up to him, hopping into his hands Carna began to boast about being crowned the princess of your small village. But it seemed he was distracted by the same worries that plagued you.

And so the dream ends.

>CONT

>Year 484 of the Raschan Calendar

It was a bit of a slow start, but it turns out that Kita wasn't completely incompetent a teacher. Over the last few weeks, you'd learned about picking locks, identifying value and how to avoid traps. Although you could've done without him making the standard course for each week's start grocery runs or finding him things he could pawn for gambling money, the skills you picked up would likely serve valuable in the future.

At the start of your final week under his tutelage, you came into class seeing something far more normal than usual, which was far from normal these days. Kita's usual scruff had been clean shaved and his hair neatly parted, the rags he wore day in and day out were replaced by something clean. Gin his fox was neatly groomed, and the loose feathers on Rum were carefully smoothed out.

"So, you just get a wife or something?" Yu'yen raised a brow.

"No! Never! Ugh, a wife, disgusting..." Kita shakes his head at Yu'yens comment, "Paladins from The Shepherd's Church are visiting Deneb today, it seems that I have a job to do. Why don't you come along and see what you can learn."

Another trip out to the city today, Kita was always finding ways to avoid teaching.

>CONT

The lowest of the Paladins began as Squires, from there a ranked Paladin was an Angel, Archangels were above them, and above them were Cherubs. You'd always imagined a veteran Paladin to be a grizzled looking fellow, but the man that stood in front of you at the city gates seemed far friendlier than your ideas.

"Ah hello hello! Kitaaaa, it is good to see you again!" The well-built and chiseled-jaw Cherub shooked Kita's hand with both arms.

"Yeah yeah, it's nice seeing you Almer." Kita had an annoyed look on his face.

Other than the Cherub, two younger Paladins about your age stood beside him, they all wore a white uniform with red trims but fewer badges adorned their outfits compared to the larger man.

"Hope you haven't been getting into trouble lately. Anyhow, let's get down to business. I know how you hate small-talk." Almer said.

"Only with law enforcement." Kita responded.

"Hahah! Yoooooou. So, there's a ball in the neighbouring town, right?"

"Are there any towns near Deneb?" Yu'yen whispers to you.

"The closest town is Ridhome, past the mountains." Rein answers to him, catching your conversation.

"Well anyways, word is the lord there has been talking to a contractor from an unsavory guild. Us Paladins don't have much influence here so close to Belgrand, so I was hoping you'd..." Almer trailed off...

...and Kita finished his statement, "Look into it. Kill whoever looks to be a threat to the kingdom, got it."

>CONT

The two spoke for a little while longer about the details, you wrote down the information in your head. Leona less subtly, wrote it down on a small notebook.

"Well, I'll head on ahead to Ridhome. We'll discuss the rest there." With that, the Paladins left.

Kita turned to your group, "Looks like we're going on a field trip today."

"Out to Ridhome!? That's over the mountains, it'll be the evening by the time we arrive!" Rein looked flabbergasted.

"Late afternoon at worst, we don't have any pegasi but I know some quick trails." Kita explained.

"Well, I'll be glad to be in a city where the women aren't so frigid. I'm in." Yu'yen said.

"Oooh, Ridhome is the birthplace of sixth Black Knight! I can't wait!" Leona did a small bounce. As usual, Anlak and Sheryl didn't share any opinions.

"Make some quick preperations, if you have a favourite suit or dress, grab it. If not, we'll steal some when we get there. See you in two hours." Kita pulled out his pipe and began looking for his tobacco, Gin curled up against his feet.

"Two hours? That's hardly enough time to decide what to wear. Urgh!" Rein stomped off. You didn't have much preperation to do, you seemed to maintain a perpetual poverty, the thirty coins they issued you at the start of each week vanished just as easily but never more than that. You consider helping one of the others.

>Help...
>...Anlak
>...Leona
>...Rein
>...Sheryl
>...Anlak
>Kill time for two hours

>>31499722
>Help...
>...Anlak

>>31499774
This, I suppose.

>>31499722
Why is Anlak listed twice?

>>31499865
Because I'm incompetent. Last one should be Yu'yen. Whoops.

>>31499881
Then
>...Leona

The other night you stumbled on a little interesting scene, learning that your ebon-skinned classmate was a person like all the rest of you has made you more curious about him. You follow behind Anlak as he strolls off.

You don't make any efforts of remaining hidden, just walking a few paces behind him. He doesn't seem to mind, and just takes a swift route towards the dorms. It isn't until you get back in front of your rooms that he turns around and asks, "Why are you following me?"

"Well... I figured I'd help."

Anlak takes his usual drawn out pause before nodding, he opens his door and enters, you peek in behind him. You'd never seen the insides of Anlak's room before, and wasn't sure what to expect; Yu'yen's room was always a mess, his sheets half on the floor and his clothes thrown about all over the place, in the stories Anlak being the opposite dorm-mate would have things all neatly together, but unfortunately things didn't fit together so well narratively here, Anlak's room was filled with trash, containers of food were all over the place and his few possessions all tucked into the corner beside his bed. Several heavy robes, a sabre and his bone mace. His table was the only neat place, stacks of unopened letters well-arranged on it by envelope. A few children's book sat beside them.

"I don't really know what you want to help with. But go ahead." Anlak made way to collect his weapons.

>Start cleaning Anlak's room, this is awful
>Grab some books and leave
>Leave

>>31500150
>Leave
I just joined in and am not sure why we thought this was a good idea.

>>31500150
>Start cleaning Anlak's room, this is awful

>>31500150
>>Leave
Fuck that.

>>31500150
Try to catch up with Leona. Assuming they has separate rooms. Rein will be busy picking out cloths. This might be our first chance to talk to her alone since the bar.

>>31500417
This hopefully we get suplexed this time

>>31500417
It would be a good opportunity to clear the air.

And a good opportunity for Rein to find us and Leona alone in her room. Could be epic.

>>31500150
>Start cleaning Anlak's room, this is awful
Take a quick peek at his books while we're at it and ask what's up

>>31500589
We already know what's up. Why do we need him to know that we know?

Anlak picks up his weapons and goes to exit the room, you step out of his way into the hall and let him close the door behind him. He leaves ahead of you. Still at the dorms, you might as well see who needs help. Yu'yen doesn't seem to be in, so you make way to the girl's hall. No rules explicitly tell you not to enter, but it still takes you some steeling your mind before you enter.

Rein's room seems to be the first in the hall, you can hear her yelling about what to wear behind the thin door. Deciding not to bother her, you head forward, you see Leona's door open and inside she's trying to stuff books into a bag, far more than should fit and far more than she'll need for the trip.

"Need any help?" You knock on the open door as you put a foot inside.

"Eeek! Oh, it's just you, I was worried there... I'm just trying to get these books to fit in." Leona pulls at the bottom of the bag, but it won't stretch any further.

"I really don't think you'll need all of them. You can't possibly read all that."

"But if I take the wrong ones then I'll be so terribly bored on our trip!" Leona complains, "I suppose you're right though, let's see..." She empties out the bag on her bed and scans over the titles of each book. You make your way over to help her, stepping around a few mislaid things. Her room isn't nearly the mess of either boys beside you, but it seems she doesn't have much regard for keeping things in their place.

>CONT

>>31499774
Seconded.

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"I guess I'll take 'The Nobleman Elf' since it's about balls... oh, a guide on wilderness survival in case we get lost; and a guide on hiding bodies in case we get hungry." Leona shoves a few books into her bag. You raise a brow at her last idea.

"That was a joke, Belgran humour." She smiles at you.

"That guide on Ridaela sights should have a couple notes on things to see in Ridhome." You suggest, she nods in agreement and puts it inside, "Maybe you should take something more fun as well."

"I was thinking that too, could you grab me one from the second shelf?" Leona points over to her bookcase, you see that it's all romances. You don't recognize most of them, but 'The Valkyrie's Kiss' was one that Carna used to love. You pluck it off the wall and bring it over to Leona.

"Leona! I'm going to get a dress in town, want to come?" You hear Rein's footsteps approaching from out the door.

"Ah! My sister's coming, hide!" Leona looks around the room frantically, she picks up a large flat book and holds it over her face. She obviously doesn't need to hide, but you might do well in not giving Rein the wrong impression again.

>[Cunning] Tuck yourself behind the open door.
>[Alacrity] Duck under Leona's covers.
>[Tenacity] Move the bookcase and hide behind it.
>Write-In

Can't believe I forgot the image until now.

Rolled 2

>>31500936
>[Cunning] Tuck yourself behind the open door.

Rolled 4

>>31500936
>>[Tenacity] Move the bookcase and hide behind it.

Rolled 3

>>31500936
>[Alacrity] Duck under Leona's covers.
This because it's the funniest option.

Rolled 12

>>31500936
Look at this shiny red button
>[Alacrity] Duck under Leona's covers.
It's glorious Damm you Librarian

File: 1397610029713.jpg-(389 KB, 1920x1080, image.jpg)

389 KB JPG

>>31501009
Fuck yes by the emperor I'm amazing

File: 1397610063796.gif-(241 KB, 498x374, button.gif)

241 KB GIF

>>31501009
The best part is that with those rolls she'll definitely find us.

>>31501033
The 4 is the only roll that counts. With our +3 to Alacrity. We have a 7

>>31501099
B-but MUH CRIT ROLL

>>31501008
This. We never had a choice not to with this option here.

Moving quickly, you do a leaping slide into Leona's bed where she sits underneath her covers, pushing aside soft pillows, soft sheets, and some other soft thing as you hide yourself.

"Eeek!" Leona makes a noise, you hear Rein stepping inside.

"Eeek? If you're not ready for me to enter then keep the door closed. You look dressed enough though." Rein says.

"Ah, I just dropped a book." You can feel Leona shuffling around.

"Geez, keep it together. I don't know if Belgran dresses are appropriate for Raschan parties so I'm going to see the tailor at Tabby Square. You coming?"

"Ah, no. I think I'll wear the dress mother gave me before we left."

"The red one? Oooh, that one's nice. She gave me a blue one, but it's really not my colour... anyways, I'll meet you at the gates then, okay?"

"Okay." Leona pushes up against the bed pressing against your back. You can hear the door close, and after waiting a couple seconds for safety, burst from the sheets to catch your breath.

Leona takes a deep breathe, "That was close..."

"Let's not do that again." You straighten your shirt out and re-arrange her pillows. Leona giggles watching you figure out where they go.

"Well, it was kind of fun wasn't it? I always used to have to hide under my sheets to read, I bet it was sort of like that."

You're getting an idea of how she ruined her eyes. The two of you pick out a few more things and she grabs a dress from her closet, with that you're ready to go.

>CONT

>>31501285
I was expecting this to be funnier

>>31501408
Funnier would be us getting rekt by reina

You return to the meeting spot half an hour early. Yu'yen didn't bother to bring a bag, but there're clothes you don't recognized draped over his arm. He chatters at Sheryl, who holds a backpack to her chest that seems to be shaking.

"I hope I get to see you in a nice little gown beauty, keeping that cute face of yours all covered up is a real sin you know." Yu'yen pokes at Sheryl's hood, her ability to keep her cool is impressive.

Kita stands beside a caravan that cropped up while you were gone, Gin and Rum respectively sit and fly about inside of it. The Lunese teacher blows puffs of smoke out of his pipe and idly watches them disperse.

"Is Rein still shopping?" Leona asks Yu'yen.

"Well, I got back here first and I haven't seen her return yet." Yu'yen answers.

As soon as he says it, you see Rein running over carrying a bag. Anlak follows behind her slowly also carrying a bag, with his usual lack of expression.

"I found a dress I really liked, we're all here right? Let's go!" Rein thrusts a fist in the air, now excited about bringing her new clothes to a new event.

Kita takes one last puff before emptying out his pipe, he walks around to the front of the caravan and your group enters into the back ready to see a new city.

>CONT

>>31501408
My apologies.

>>31501452
I know. I really wanted to get kicked by Reina.

>>31501452
>>31501495
Damned masochists.

>>31501466
It's OK

Leona and Rein make conversation with each other as the horses pull your group through the trails, both excited for the ball for different reasons.

Sheryl crouches up against a corner hugging her backpack tightly, you see Gin prowl up beside her before taking a seat. She shivers and backs away as far as she can from him, not covering more than some centimetres of distance.

Yu'yen and Rum are having a stare-off, at some point your good friend has picked up a rivalry with a pigeon.

Anlak sits near the edge of the caravan with his legs hanging out, watching the trails vanish behind him.

You open your map and draw with your finger an approximate distance of how far you travelled, you should be halfway to Ridhome about now. Putting it away, you think about ways to kill time.

>Talk to Leona and Rein
>See how Yu'yen fares against Rum
>Check up on Sheryl and Gin
>Make small-chat with Anlak
>Open the blinds at the front and see what Kita is doing

>>31501610
>>See how Yu'yen fares against Rum

>>31501610
>Check up on Sheryl and Gin
Why'd she bring chance?

>>31501610
>Checkh up on Sheryl and Gin

>>31501610
>Check up on Sheryl and Gin

You make your way over to Sheryl and Gin, watching them a bit before getting involved in... whatever it is they're doing.

Sheryl keeps darting her eyes to the fox, then back again to her bag. Every half a minute, Gin will suddenly lunge his head forward near the bag and Sheryl will panic and shake for a few seconds before returning to her seated position. This happens four of five times before you decide to stop it.

"So, what's going on here?"

Sheryl looks up at you and clutches her bag closer, "Nothing! Nothing at all!"

"You squeeze the bag like that and your poor dog is going to suffocate little lady." Gin smirks, evidently foxes can do that. Sheryl gasps and opens up the backpack panicked, stumbling as she does it. Her puppy Chance flops out and peeks around the caravan quickly before barking to alert everyone that he's here. With the exception of Anlak, all the heads in the caravan drop what they're doing and turn their attention to the dog.

Doing a small hop, Sheryl tries to cover up Chance with her cloak. It's far too late to hide him though. The elf girl is tearing up a little.

"Well erm... I don't know if I should've mentioned this sooner but um... there aren't any rules against bringing pets on this trip." Gin says, "I mean, I'm a fox and Rum is a bird so..."

Sheryl looks at Gin shocked, you can see Yu'yen trying to hold back his laughter while Rein and Leona do their best to return to their conversation and give Sheryl some peace.

>CONT

"So, why'd you bring Chance anyways?" You go to calm down Sheryl, she's holding Chance up to the lower half of her face.

"Well I suppose if everyone was leaving the dorm, the girl must've been worried sick about her dog." Gin answers. Sheryl shoots him a sharp glare.

"Look girl," The fox prowls around you, "My apologies on the teasing, but you'd do best not to get emotional over a little something like that. If you can't hold up over a little bullying, you won't be able to hold up over the inevitable tortures our enemies will bring." Gin pushes through the blinds to join Kita at the front.

"Stupid fox..." Sheryl mumbles, "I know that already."

You sigh and take a seat beside her, looking to find a way to make her feel better.

>Make fun of Gin
>Change the topic
>Re-affirm her skills

>>31502191
>Change the topic

>>31502191
>Change the Topic
Pet chance "You teach chance any new tricks yet"
We're going to need to keep an eye on her every time in the field she kinda broke down.
We need to make a man out of her

>>31502191
Can't think of how we would make fun of gin.

>Change the topic
I wonder what she's going to wear to the ball. With the ears and all. I hope she has a hat.

"Did you teach Chance any tricks?" You whisper to Sheryl. She peeks up at you and nods, her nose rubbing against Chance's back.
Setting him down, she commands him, "Roll over." Chance rolls over his back, you give him a soft rub on the tummy.

"Paw." Sheryl holds her palm out and Chance places a paw on it. The dog's learning quickly.

"Attack." Sheryl says, Chance runs over to Yu'yen who's fighting Rum's pecking assaults and starts gnawing at his shoes, Yu'yen stumbles backwards and Rum takes the opportunity to go loose on him.

"By Nyne's bosom! Why is the dog attacking me too!?" Yu'yen yells as the animals go loose on him.

"I haven't figured out how to make him attack anyone else yet." Sheryl sighs.

"So, are you excited about the ball?" You ask Sheryl, she shakes her head, "Why not?" You continue. Hearing this, Sheryl lowers her hood to let her ears poke out.

"Kita said I don't need to worry about a dress, but most nobles aren't very friendly to my kind." Sheryl whispers.

'Her kind', children of demon blood. You can see why this might be a problem, it certainly won't be appropriate for her to wear a hood all night. Slumping up against the wall, you go to think over ways to solve the problem.

Over the next couple hours, you pry Chance off of Yu'yen, make idle chatter with everybody and soon enough, your group arrives at Ridhome.

Stepping out of the caravan, you see Almer and his two associates waiting.

>CONT

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>>31502535
Problem solved

"Just in time Kita! Didn't think you'd bring company but seven for the price of one sits well enough with me." Almer goes to hug Kita, Kita shoves him back lazily, "You're no fun Kita. Ah well, we were going to buy some rooms for you but it seems that the lord hosting the ball is having guests from all over Rascha. You'll have to sleep on your way back."

"That's fine, I hardly sleep anyways." Kita says.

"We've got some good news though, we've prepared clothes enough for any of you that need it. Unfortunately you'll have to change in your caravan."

"Ah, we already have dresses." Rein waves over to the Paladin, "Although if we can take some of those home I'd appreciate it."

"Ahahaha! What a shrewd girl, alright no problem! All of these came from my collection anyways." Almer chuckles.

"I'm prepared too." Yu'yen holds up his outfit from earlier, like all of his outfits there's not a whole lot there, but there's a shine to it and the shape of a dragon is sewn on, a Lunese design.

"So is he." Rein points over to Anlak, Anlak sighs deeply as he makes his way back into the caravan.

"I guess that leaves you and Sheryl huh." Kita yawns, "Pick something out quickly, and go change so the girls can have their turn."

One of Almer's helpers kneels before you and presents three suits.

>A dark classy outfit, ready to stay disguised in the night
>A white princely outfit, certain to open up the lips of young women
>A colourful tough outfit, the padded vest will help you stay guarded.

>>31502818
>>A white princely outfit, certain to open up the lips of young women

>>31502818
WHY NOT
>A white princely outfit, certain to open up the lips and legs of young women with our peeeeennnniiiiissss

>>31502818
>A dark classy outfit, ready to stay disguised in the night
As much as I want women to swoon over us still black suits is the way to go

>>31502818
>A dark classy outfit, ready to stay disguised in the night

>>31502818
>A white princely outfit, certain to open up the lips of young women
screw it. If we need stealth we have friends.

>>31502866
>>31502906
>>31503022
This.

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You take the white princely outfit and enter the caravan to change. Pushing through the blinds that've been pulled over the back, you're grabbed by Yu'yen almost instantly. His arms wrapped around your shoulder, he pulls you uncomfortably close to his bare chest as he whispers to into your ear, "Look at Anlak..."

You don't know if you want to listen to a half-naked man telling you to look at another half-naked man, but listening to Yu'yen you peek over to where Anlak is changing. Thankfully he's already got his pants on, but while Anlak sorts out how to put on the rather regal shirt he's holding you see what Yu'yen wants you to look at. Numerous tattoos cover his back, all of them in the unfamiliar Lunese language.

"Geez, what're the odds..." Yu'yen mumbles before going to finish changing.

You already know a bit about Anlak's past and you've got the class not to touch on it, you don't press the issue and just finish changing.

It takes you a bit longer than the other two to do up your suit, it seems to be a bit more complex and you had a later start. When you feel yourself ready though, you step outside where the others are waiting.

Rein makes a wolf whistle at you when you step outside and Leona clasps her hands over her mouth. A mirror sits on the side of the road beside one of the paladins, and you go to have a good look at yourself.

You're looking good, like a prince out of a fairy tale... like the princes Carna used to dream of meeting.

>CONT

>>31503219
Judging form the pic I'm assuming we have a temporary Alacrity for looking fine.

You don't think of yourself the narcissistic type, but it takes you a moment to pull yourself away from the mirror. If Carna could see you now you wonder what she'd say, if Carna was here with you you wonder what she'd do. She always loved the village festivals, but more than that she'd always wished to attend a ball. She used to say that if you ever got invited to one as the mayor's son, that you had to bring her along, she used to say that the two of you could have your first real noble dance together.

You turn back to the group, Yu'yen is complimenting Anlak on his clothes, a simpler outfit than yours but a sharp contrast to his usual travelling wear. Anlak does his best to look away from the conversation Yu'yen tries to start.

It's a little longer before the girls come out ready in their dresses. Leona has on a red dress with surprising cleavage, one of the legs has a slit up to her thighs, did she say her mother got her this? Rein's dress is purple and a fair bit more conservative, the skirt has black ruffles coming out of it. Sheryl's dress is best described as cute, a white colour with black accents and fluffed out. You notice that no efforts have been made to conceal her ears, contrastly some hair pins pull her hair back to better reveal them.

Rein seems pretty confident in her looks but Leona and Sheryl both look around shyly.

"Well, let's head out." Kita waves for you all to follow.

>CONT

>>31503403
Cunning and Tenacity were on the others.

>>31503403
>Alacrity bonus
I accidentally a word.

Ridhome sits somewhere between Ridaela where you lived and Deneb where you're staying. The city comes close to the outskirts of Rascha and the population is thin, but the locals are every bit as lively as they were in your old city of music. You see people partying outside while bards play music under setting sun, some preparing for the ball and some preferring to take the noblemen's distraction as a chance to party themselves.

You thought for sure that Yu'yen would be all over Sheryl with how he acted earlier today, but instead his attention is oddly pulled elsewhere, he walks beside Anlak on the way up to the ball trying to open up a conversation with the dapper Daktori.

For better or for worse, this has left you paces behind with the three girls. Sweet talk isn't your strong suit, and none of them look interested in starting a conversation themselves, although Rein and Leona respectively peek over as if inviting you to talk first.

Kita can't seem to stop sighing as he walks towards the ball, whining every few minutes about hating parties.

Rein finally breaks the silence and poses a difficult question, "So... who do you think looks best?" You try to pretend you didn't hear her, but she repeats herself while nudging you in the side.

>[Cunning] Dodge the question skillfully
>Escape to ask Kita about the mission
>Compliment Leona
>Compliment Rein
>Compliment Sheryl

>>31503621
>>Compliment Leona
She could use the confidence boost.

Rolled 8

>>31503621
>[Cunning] Dodge the question skillfully
"Think we can get a nice hat to go with Sheryl's outfit to hide the ears?"

Also, we need to just siddle up to Anlak and say "he saw the tattoos". Because really, Yu'yen is making a fool of himself.

>>31503683
Seems like she didn't want to cover her ears.

>>31503621
>>31503683
Seconding
do so by instead by
>Compliment all three
>"Leona's red dress is sexy, Rein's purple dress in beautiful, and Sheryl's white dress is cute." Or something along those lines.

>>31503621
>{Cunning}Compliment all three

Captcha : implies detorko

>>31503683
>Also, we need to just siddle up to Anlak and say "he saw the tattoos".

Seems kinda like a dick move. Let Yu'yen get to it on his own time.

Rolled 2

>>31503621
>[Cunning] Dodge the question skillfully

>>31503760
ehh, Anlak already knows we know, so as long as we don't tell the girls, I think it's fine.

>>31503805
I mean to Yu'yen. If he wants to ask about them he'll get around to it eventually without us having to blurt it out.

We should ask them who they think looks the best out of the boys.

Fight fire with fire.

>>31503855
That comes after

>>31503683
>>31503724
>>31503749
>>31503801
and
>>31503855

>>31503834
You don't think this is just awkward and a waste of Anlak's time? I mean, if Yu'yen wants to talk about it without being offensive, we're in a position to sort it out.

>>31503916
>You don't think this is just awkward and a waste of Anlak's time?

No? It's not like he has better things to do right now.

"If we're talking dresses I certainly don't mind, but you're all much lovelier women than just the dresses you're wearing." You do your best to dodge the question. Rein eyes you suspiciously but doesn't press it, she pats you on the back once.

"Alright sweet-talker, but I want a straight answer next time." She makes her way over to Yu'yen and Anlak looking to have someone else give her a response.

Leona leans up to you and grabs one of your arms, whispering to you as you walk, "You definitely stole that line, 'The Valkyrie's Kiss', right?"

"How'd you know?" You glance away from her inquisitive look.

"Come on, that was the book you handed me from my shelf!" Leona lets go and skips in front of you, "Geez, the protagonist dies not even half way through the book though. Be careful about that tongue of yours." She gives you a playful smile and turns around, swaying left and right as she makes her way to the ball. The words were different and directed at you, but you remember a similar scene in the same book when the haughty princess is going to a ball in The Highest Castle.

You approach the gates of the lord's manor, and with a few words from Kita, the guard's let your group in.

>CONT

The gardens of the lord are well-kept, you can tell he's the sort of fellow who doesn't mind spending on extravagance.

"This is my job so don't worry about doing anything dangerous, but keep a close eye out for anything amiss. Don't act unless you absolutely have to, I'm going to see whether the lord's drawers have any important papers and whether his collections have any valuable jewels." Kita pats you on the back and makes way for the manor door, leaving your group of six to sort themselves out.

"Interesting..." Yu'yen walks over to you.

"You see a nice pair of legs you want to chase?" You make a quick jab at him.

"Plenty, but that's not what I meant. See that man over there? His insignia is from House Lo, a Lunese family that escaped The Vanishing Age. They're pretty well off, but their hands are dipped in slave trade. Over there, that Daktori in the monocle is involved in organ smuggling."

Some dark topics for your light-hearted friend to bring up, "I'm going to keep a closer eye on them." Yu'yen says, slinking off.

Rein and Leona enjoy the atmosphere, and Anlak just stands near one of the food tables sampling the dishes. Who catches your eye more is Sheryl, who's made way over to the far-end of the gardens where the entertainment is kept...

Pointed ears, black eyes without whites, no nose and a mouth filled with fangs and two arms that come off into large tentacles where his hands should be. A demon has been caged for show.

>Follow Yu'yen
>Check up on Sheryl

>>31504271
>Check up on Sheryl

As if there were any other choice.

>>31504271
>Check up on Sheryl

I doubt we would be much of use to Yu'yen, plus he seems like he knows what he is doing, coming from nobility or whatever.

But we should tell him where we are going first.

>>31504271
>>Check up on Sheryl

>>31504271
>>Check up on Sheryl

We'd probably hinder Yu'yen with our dashing outfit.

>>31504271
>>Follow Yu'yen
Yu'yen's doing covert ops. We could stand to learn a thing or two.

You make way through the gardens, taking note of each person you pass and their characteristics, one of the things you learned in class. As you heard mentioned, the guests are from all over Rascha. What's strange is the variety of them, there're Belgrans, Lunese and Daktori gathered in addition to the more standard well-off Raschans. What stands out the most is the large amount of elves walking around the place, many of them servants but a few clearly guests.

When you catch up to Sheryl, you see her looking sadly at the thing in the cage, "Who would think to keep a demon caged for entertainment..." You say to her.

"He's not a demon, he's an elf." Sheryl responds coldly. You look to the 'elf' then back to her and she continues, "Most contractors will only have children early on before the demon starts consuming them if they ever do. Masoch was like that, and... my father as well. At the earliest, the eyes will shine and the ears will sharpen... but for those too far lost to darkness, their children come out like this."

"Can you talk to him?" You watch the poor elf in the cage grasp at the bars, making noises to try and get attention.

"I don't think he can understand me... I don't know if it's the taint or how they raised him, but he's long since lost his mind." Sheryl closes her eyes and turns away from the sorry sight, you follow behind her.

>CONT

"Laaadies and lords, I certainly hope that you're enjoying tonight. Let me introduce you again to the man who is so kindly hosting the festivities... Lord Filast!" From the balcony of the lord's keep, one of his attendants yells out into the crowds below. From behind him steps a regal man who you assume to be the titular lord, and behind the lord a fellow with blonde hair brushed to one side and golden eyes to match. A small goatee grows off his chin.

"Welcome welcome! I am Filast, lord of Ridhome. I am thankful you've all decided to come here and I'd like to again thank you all for your contributions over the last few months. I'd like to cut the small chat off there though, as we're all men of business here. As you know, the Duke Franson is ill and his daughter and only child is unable to take the throne. The lord's adviser wishes to serve as regent until the girl bares a son."

You hear whispers among the crowd.

"Now, I know that most of you are not native born to this region and you have no interest in these political affairs. But I'd like to make my case; I am the brother of Franson, and it is my belief that his region should fall to me in his demise rather than let some fool adviser play around until the princess decides to spread her legs for some bumbling idiot. I ask you not to support me with your hearts, but with your head."

>CONT

>>31504851
Oh how I know where this is going

"The north-east of Rascha has long been ignored by many. The king afraid to move their men near Belgrand's borders. The Belgrand's afraid of stepping across. And too far for The Sevens or Daktori to do business reliably. But Ridaela Castle has channels into the sea. Lend me your arms and allow me to lead you, and I can promise the entire region as free ground for you to sell your... unwanteds, as well as procure some 'young goods'."

"That bastard, he wants to open this place up to the child slavers." Yu'yen comes up from behind you and whispers into your ear.

"That's terrible!" Rein gasps, "Someone needs to do something about this!"

"Kita's working on it isn't he?" You tell your gathered group.

"I'm not confident he can do this alone." Anlak mumbles. Your heads all turn his way, "That man beside Filast is a contractor."

"Kita is as well isn't he?" Leona cuts in.

"Kita is only a sub-contractor. Gin and Rum didn't follow us in here and he can only borrow weaves through them. That man up there has the taint in his eyes, and I doubt Kita can wield a blade the way Kran does." Sheryl completes Anlak's thoughts.

"I'm going to find Kita and warn him, Leona stay here." Rein speaks up.

"It'll be dangerous inside." Without any more words, Anlak stands beside her.

"Then Leona and I will try to find more information." Yu'yen states.

"You decide what you want to do, I'll split up and even the groups." Sheryl whispers to you.

>Go with Rein and Anlak
>Go with Yu'yen

>>31505132
>Go with Yu'yen

>>31505132
>Go with Yu'yen

Don't let him go alone.

>>31505132
>>Go with Yu'yen

>>31505275
I think Sheryl is going with the other group

>>31505132
>Go with Yu'yen
Let's go get ourselves hospitalized again.

>>31505132
I may've messed up a little here since it seems someone is a bit unclear. Just to clarify:
Yu'yen and Leona are one group, they'll be looking for information around the party. If anyone wants to change their votes, delete the old one. I'll count up in a little bit.

>>31505428
Are we ever going to get a map of the world? Also what are organs used for in this setting?

>>31505275
>>31505353
Leona is already going with Yu'yen. If we go with Yu'yen and Leona then Sheryl will go with Rein and Anlak.

We'd probably be better at information gathering since being an elf might draw attention.

>>31505428
>Keep an eye on Lord Filast

>>31505428
Being and elf might be a handicap when if comes to mingling.
>Go with Yu'yen and Leona

"I'll work with Yu'yen and Leona, you go with them." You know that Sheryl isn't very sociable, and despite her problems with demons she's still the top of the class in every training, you decide this is the right choice.

"Be safe, okay?" Leona pats Rein on the cheeks.

"Between these two I'm sure I'll be fine." Rein confidently smiles to Leona then joins Anlak and Sheryl to enter the keep. The main door has been opened so that guests can talk to Lord Filast personally.

"Alright. Let's split up for a moment and return to this spot after twenty minutes. We'll put together what we can and decide on our course of action then." Yu'yen takes the lead, you and Leona nod accordingly and the three of you split up.

You think over the people you saw earlier, it might be best to go with someone that likely wouldn't share his sentiments. Then again, someone in line with him would know more wouldn't they.

Walking through the gardens, you spot a few individuals that haven't entered the keep yet and you decide to...

>[Cunning] Talk to a Daktori merchant to figure out more about Filast's trades
>[Alacrity] Flirt with a Raschan lady, she's bound to have opinions on a conflict between Ridhome and Ridaela.
>[Tenacity] Press a weak looking elf worker for information, he probably knows something about the insides of the household.

>>31505812
>>[Alacrity] Flirt with a Raschan lady, she's bound to have opinions on a conflict between Ridhome and Ridaela.

>>31505812
>[Alacrity] Flirt with a Raschan lady, she's bound to have opinions on a conflict between Ridhome and Ridaela.
work with that princely costume

Rolled 4

>>31505812
>[Alacrity] Flirt with a Raschan lady, she's bound to have opinions on a conflict between Ridhome and Ridaela.

Rolled 12

>>31505812
Forgot to roll.

>>31506104
Yeeeeeesssssss
>Genuflects

>>31506104
We charming now.

Also:
>>31502535
>"By Nyne's bosom! Why is the dog attacking me too!?" Yu'yen yells as the animals go loose on him.
>"I haven't figured out how to make him attack anyone else yet." Sheryl sighs.
This was adorable.

You approach a young woman that you'd spotted in the crowd, she looked to be a noble likely pulled along by her parents but the way she watched the crowds told you that she had the sort of head to keep her eyes and ears open for intrigue. Sitting on a bench, she watches you cautiously.

"Mind if I take a seat?"

"No, not at all." She slides over to make some room for you.

"A lady from Murina?" You recognize the little mouse insignia sewn onto her dress.

"That's right, I'm surprised you knew. We're pretty small." She looks impressed.

"I'm from Ridaela, I've seen the lord pass by on business." Your benefactor had taught you before you even came to Deneb to watch for things like this.

"That'd be my father."

"So about this whole business with Filast..." You start.

"You can ask my father, I'm here to be presented."

"I'm interested in your opinion, not your fathers. The way those eyes of yours watch the crowd, you're clearly far smarter than most of the merchants here in their peacocked outfits."

"Oh, you were watching my eyes?"

It takes a bit of courage for you to spit out the next words, "I couldn't help it, they had me entranced." All the times that Carna had read you those romance novels is really starting to pay off.

The lady giggles, "Well then, let me tell you what these entrancing eyes see."

>CONT

When their father was ill long before your village fell, the not yet Duke Franson and his brother Filast were set to compete to preside over the Ridaen region. Filast put together a great fortune over short weeks to prove that he could bring prosperity to the area, Franson instead got together his men and built a hospital, "Father, you may fall to this sickness but I will see only that no more have to fall after you."

Franson was named heir for his thoughts to the people, and Filast was sent to reign over Ridhome. Filast was angered, believing his brother to be a sycophant that built the hospital only to grab their father's favour.

The lady continues explaining how things have led to today, although Franson is well-liked he is now ill with the same sickness that plagued his father. His daughter has been marrying age for awhile, but her disposition has turned off most suitors leaving the kingdom without an heir more proper than the questionable Filast.

Despite support for the princess by people who trusted her father, Filast is still backed up by a great fortune and many connections. His barracks are small now, but it would not take long for him to gather up the mercenaries necessary. Unless dealt with quickly, his might of arms will likely win over the lords less loyal to Franson and stomp down the ones more.

>CONT

As you say goodbye to the lady to rejoin Yu'yen and Leona, she grabs the cuff of your shirt.

"Ah, I don't know how useful this is but one last thing. I heard my father mention this after he returned home from a meeting in Ridhome but the man protecting Filast appears to be blind in his right eye." The lady smiles at you, "Alright, maybe that wasn't so useful... I just needed an excuse to do this." She gives you a quick peck on the cheek then scurries off into the crowds.

You touch the cheek with your hand and you give it a quick wipe, she was pretty enough and you'd hate to insult her, but you're not exactly comfortable with that sort of behavior. More importantly, you could likely use that last bit of information to your advantage.

You return to Yu'yen and Leona to share the information. It seems that Filast's fortunes certainly come from his association with the slave trades, Yu'yen doesn't seem to touch up on more than just that though, a pained expression has snuck up on his face. Leona has found that the lord is particular on bringing in elves, taking on the pretty ones as servants and the less pretty ones as entertainment. The usual Raschan laws against slavery do not apply to their kind, giving him leeway on his mistreatment of them. A contractor separate from the one you saw on the balcony often comes in and browses over the new servants, Filast may have more up his sleeve than you thought.

>CONT

"I'm a little bit worried about Rein..." Leona says while you put your thoughts together.

"It's only been little over twenty minutes, but the others probably have a tougher job than we do, what do you think friend?" Yu'yen turns over to you, passing lead of the situation.

Before you can give it some thought, a sharp noise catches your attention. The sound of something unraveling, a tear in the air. Looking in the direction of the keep, you see people running out in panic. In the main room, a 'hole' in the air emerges and small demons begin to spill out... black bodied, cat-like ears and cat-like tails. Goblins, the same simple sort that you had to deal with the day you first met Kran.

"Is Filast trying to kill everybody here!?" Yu'yen yells.

You gauge the situation carefully before answering, his guards are rushing at the demonic creatures with their weapons drawn. House attendants are among those running, as well as some men you saw sharing Filast's sentiments.

"I don't think they're with him." You tell Yu'yen.

"Rein is still in there!" Leona yells.

"Calm down, you're unarmed and it'll be worst if you seperate from us. What do you think friend?" Yu'yen looks to you, "I think I'll stay here and help the guards, don't feel like running. I'll keep Leona safe."

>Rein and the others are fine, you need to go inside and figure out what's going on with the demons
>Rein and the others might be in trouble, you need to go inside and find them.

>>31507043
>>Rein and the others might be in trouble, you need to go inside and find them.

>>31507043
>Rein and the others might be in trouble, you need to go inside and find them.

>>31507043
Yu'Yen and Leona run backup
We run tactical espionage action and try I figure out what's with the demons

>>31507043
>>Rein and the others are fine, you need to go inside and figure out what's going on with the demons
Let Yu'yen and Leona help Rein

>>31507043
>Rein and the others might be in trouble, you need to go inside and find them.

I think you forgot to capitalize your trip again

"I'll find Rein and the others. You stay with the guards, try to figure out where the demons are coming from." You spring into action, there's no time to waste. Slipping past the conflict between the guards and the demons, you ponder over where to go.

Kita was looking for the lord's chambers to find files and treasures, the others certainly would've headed there if they wanted to find him. Wandering around like that, they'd want to avoid any routes too close to where Filast would likely walk. You draw a rough mental map of the place based on the windows outside and begin making way down the halls. You pass by a few stragglers hiding away from the conflict in the main room, they're likely safer here than out there anyways but your friends will be in trouble if they're caught hunting around the wrong places.

It takes a fair bit of running but eventually you find where you imagine the lord's chamber to be. One door stands larger than all the others you've seen in the halls, and you don't think the door leads to his bathroom.

You push it aside where you see someone injured and someone attending to them, it's...

>Anlak and Rein
>Anlak and Sheryl
>Rein and Sheryl

>>31507299
Whoops. Thanks. Refreshed the window and poof.

>>31507384
>>31507384
>>Anlak and Sheryl
Time to see how Rein fares in a fight

>>31507384
>>Anlak and Sheryl

>>31507451
>Time to see how Rein fares in a fight
Agreed

>>31507384
>Anlak and Rein

Filast's room is grand, decorated with paintings and statues. His bed sits on the far end, but you're more interested in what's in front of you. The skirt of Sheryl's dress is torn and there's a gash on her leg, Anlak wraps bandages around it. Behind them on and around a large desk are fallen papers.

"What happened?" You ask.

"We found Kita after dodging some guards, but it was a mistake following him in. It looks like the contractor protecting Filast somehow caught sight of us and he got an attack on on me." Sheryl explains, "He's skilled, he knew just how to cut to keep me from running. He ran off to get more men knowing that I'd slow us down..." She bites her lip.

"But Rein ran off after him, and Kita followed to keep her out of trouble." Anlak finishes.

"You stayed here to help out Sheryl?" You ask, and Anlak nods.

"Help her out, I'm going after them." Anlak tells you.

"No good, there're demons at the entrance. You stay here with her." You draw your blade and go back into the hallway, trying to discern which way Rein and Kita ran, "I don't know much about treatment so I'll leave it to you."

Anlak frowns at your statement, but he nods in agreement.

"They ran left of here, I think they avoided the party to keep Filast's image." Sheryl explains, you follow her direction and go to pursue the rest of your group.

>CONT

From where you came, there's only one route in the halls. You cut the distance quickly, and find yourself faced with a staircase leading upwards. You can see the night's sky at the end. Taking a breath, you walk up prepared for the worst.

When you step up to the keep's top, a cool air catches you off guard. Some paces away, you see Rein kneeling and clutching her arms. Ahead of her, the golden-haired contractor stares off against Kita. Nobody seems to be injured, both of the standing combatants are gauging each other. You make way over to Rein and drape your suit jacket over her shoulders before quickly asking, "What happened here?"

"We chased him out onto the balcony, there were some guards up here but... something threw them off." Rein catches you up, "Those two have just been staring at each other, it's been so long that the sun went down."

"To be fair kid, the sun was already most of the way gone." Kita says, "Hey, other kid. Wanna help me out here? We've got a bit of a stalemate going on and I think you're what I need to break it."

Rein whispers to you, "I kind of... couldn't fit a weapon into this dress."

"Women." Kita states.

"I'd appreciate it if you got yourself together quickly, I'm waiting for your move." The contractor yells to you, "Let me re-introduce myself since we have a new guest, I'm Kaszo, and I will be your executioner today."

"As if I haven't heard that one before." Kita spits on the ground.

>CONT

"I'll handle the demon if you can handle the contractor." Kita says, drawing two daggers and walking towards the Kaszo.

Rein gets up and begins running over to the edge of the keep, you see no guards up here but luckily enough some of them dropped their spears before they evidently fell. You keep yourself moving, trying to create a line betwen Kaszo and Rein. The contractor is focused entirely on Kita but you want to play it safe.

It isn't until the two are not even a meter apart that something finally happens, Kaszo swings his hand, not far enough to catch Kita well. From his palm, a red blob emerges forming a fist and it slams into Kita, grabbing onto him and pulling him swiftly towards the sides of the keep. You see your teacher unceremoniously pulled off the side of the building, an unfortunate start to things.

"Looks like he dropped his guard first. Shall I deal with you then?" Kaszo steps towards you and draws a long sword from his hilt, he gestures for you to make the first move, "I'll play with you until Tanqueray returns from his meal."

From what you know, this man is skilled. If you wait too long his presumed demon will come back and your hopes will be lost, you have one trump card, but you'll likely only catch him off-guard with it once.

>[Cunning] Take the first move, go for a feint and strike.
>[Alacrity] Take the first move, try to hit him faster than he can react.
>[Tenacity] Wait for his attack and retaliate.
>Attack his weakness.

Rolled 10

>>31508094
We're fucked. Let's do cunning since that's our highest stat.

Rolled 7

>>31508094
>>[Cunning] Take the first move, go for a feint and strike.
hitting his right is too...simple.

>>31508214
Actually alacrity is our highest stat right now do to a temporary boost. But I'll back Cunning to avoid a split vote.

When you put the information you grabbed to use, you'll need to make sure it matters. Running at Kaszo, you make a feint at his right where he's blinded, you know he sees you coming but his reaction is still a bit slow, your plan isn't to hit him but to convince him that you aren't aware of his weakness. You might have the time to press for a cut if you continue, but you feint and twist your body, swinging at his left.

He redirects his blade quickly, but his hasty parry fails him, you connect with his blade but you come too close, as your sword slides against his your strike slips in enough to cut into his cheek.

When he gathers his strength, he pushes you off and goes in to retaliate, thrusting his sword at your chest.

>[Alacrity] Dodge out of the way.
>[Tenacity] Press the sword away from you with your blade.
>Use your trump card.

Rolled 5

>>31508469
>>[Alacrity] Dodge out of the way.
What was our trump card again?

Rolled 8

>>31508469
>>Use your trump card.
NOW he thinks we don't know about his right. Hopefully the demon isn't back yet.

>>31508509
That we know he's blind in his right eye.

>>31508469
>Use your trump card.

It would've been nice to save it for later, but you'd rather not take a sword in the chest.

You duck into Kaszo's right, he swings his blade in that direction after barely missing you but you roll past him and he hits nothing. It takes him a moment to realize where you went, but that moment is all you need. You're not sure whether or not he's aware of your knowledge yet but it might be best to hold off on trying this again until you need it.

Rein is returning to the battle, you don't have time to think about how she looks in a dress with a spear but you're thankful she was prompt about things.

Still in Kaszo's blind spot, you need to act quickly.

>[Cunning] Disarm Kaszo while the opportunity is open.
>[Alacrity] Make a swift cut and take your distance again.
>[Tenacity] Go for a heavy blow, with any luck you can end this now.
>Press the weak spot

Rolled 2

>>31508918
let's disarm him. Preferably literally.

Rolled 7

>>31508918
>[Cunning] Disarm Kaszo while the opportunity is open.

>>31509039
Woops. Looks like we're spending another week in the hospital.

>>31508918
>[Cunning] Disarm Kaszo while the opportunity is open.

Rolled 3

>>31508918
>[Tenacity] Go for a heavy blow, with any luck you can end this now.
Rein can finish him off.

You thrust your blade out as Kaszo turns to face you aiming for his hand, he manages to pull the blade up enough not to lose his arm but the edge of your blade catches two of his fingers, not quite deep enough to sever them but goring them quite nicely. You press your sword down and smashs into the hilt of his longsword, forcing him to drop it.

Coming from behind him, Rein thrusts the spear, Kaszo reacts just fast enough to avoid getting skewered, the spear tearing into his clothes. You're a bit alarmed when it keeps going, but Rein manages to stop her charge before she hits you, "Er, hey..."

Making a short distance from the two of you, Kaszo grasps at his injured hand, "You wretched... agh! Come back, Tanqueray!"

Flying in quickly from the sides of the keep, red globs slam into Kaszo's back. What you feared is coming true, the demon has returned by Kita has not, "Go ahead, have at me. I've plenty of life for you to feed on."

Something presses on Kaszo's cut fingers from behind, shoving them out of their slots. A red liquid escapes Kaszo's wounds, you assumed it blood at first, but when the liquid hardens into claws you think otherwise.

"That's... disgusting." Rein makes a dry comment as the two of you watch the enemy ahead.

>[Alacrity] Try to attack Kaszo before he's fully prepared.
>[Tenacity] Get ready to brace his attacks and retaliate.
>Press the blind side.

Rolled 7

>>31509330
>[Tenacity] Get ready to brace his attacks and retaliate.
With the blob there charging in will be bad we need to either stall or wait for an opening

Rolls today sure have been good.

I hate it.

Rolled 3

>>31509330
>[Alacrity] Try to attack Kaszo before he's fully prepared.

Rolled 4

>>31509330
>>[Alacrity] Try to attack Kaszo before he's fully prepared.

File: 1397630702037.jpg-(122 KB, 1124x720, image.jpg)

122 KB JPG

Rolled 9

>>31509473
Heheheheheh

You dash at Kaszo and Rein follows your lead, intent on striking at him before he can act.

You swing your sword at him and he lifts his claws to stop them, but to your surprise, your sword easily smashes straight through them, the hardening pieces becoming fluid again as they separate. Rein slams the shaft of the spear up against Kaszo's ankles, then pulls it back and jams it into his shoulder, tearing into it fiercely. Not ready to be shown up, you pull your blade back and swing it at Kaszo's ribs, chopping into that.

You're about to continue pressing the attack, but Rein suddenly pulls you back. From Kaszo's wound, the red matter whips about, you wordlessly agree with Rein to pull back.

You hear footsteps behind you, Anlak, Yu'yen and Sheryl supported by Leona come up the steps to catch the battle.

"Hound's fangs..." Yu'yen mutters.

"How dare you! Bringing demons into our household... and disgracing my lord! You'll pay, take my life Tanqueray, but in turn, take theirs!" Kaszo screams at you, blood spilling out of his wounds as his demon's whips grow larger...

Each of you ready yourself for the final stage of the conflict...

Only to watch the growing demon... fall apart.

The red fluid does not harden, it does not even maintain shape, instead it comes apart in droplets, hitting the ground like raindrops.

"What... Tanqueray, what're you doing!?" Kaszo screams out for his demon's aide, but before he can say much more, his voice is choked in a gurgle.

>CONT

Rolled 6

>>31509805
Based Kita?

Rolled 12

>>31509884
based Kita.

File: 1397631750751.jpg-(61 KB, 405x640, image.jpg)

61 KB JPG

>>31509884
>>31509954
These fucking rolls man
Librarian tears are delicious even if they don't count

Opening his mouth, he spits out a large red glob. A bright yellow eye peeks around from the ball, wiggling on the rooftop. Moments layer, Kaszo coughs red again, but the bits of teeth and the thinnest of the fluid tell you that it's blood.

"I guess we'll have a lesson or something," You hear Kita's voice, "Contractors come in a few forms, we'll talk about Sub-Contractors who borrow power second-hand from Contractors. By taking in a demon whole, their threads are tied and you can access all their powers in exchange for your existence. Sub-Contractors can consume bits of demons; meat, blood, eyes, whatever. It's not exactly good for your health but... it makes for a nice little way to rent out powers without the whole insanity bit."

The demon on the floor Tanqueray is stomped out by an invisible force, Kita's voice continues, "For example, a gutless thief who wants to take things easy without risking his life might seek out certain powers from demons. So that he can escape from danger easily, he may seek out say... a possessed pigeon in exchange for flight."

You see a blade form around Kaszo's neck, slowly behind him Kita comes comes into vision out of thin air, "And so that he may get into danger easily, he might find an alcoholic fox demon in exchange for invisibility."

"I am not an alcoholic, you useless bum." Gin forms next to Kita, and prowls forward to the pieces of Tanqueray as they try to get back together.

>CONT

"Well, I guess I'll finish him off so that you kids can keep your hands clean." Kita lazily presses his blade up against Kaszo's neck.

"Slow down there Kita. We ought to let him suffer a bit first." Gin sniffs Tanqueray's remnants, "Let him see what a mistake he made contracting with such a useless demon." With that said, Gin begins to bite into the pieces of Tanqueray, his maw twists and his fur stands on end, the sight is worse than just a fox eating their prey, the fox's tongue rolls out to lap up pieces. As some blobs of red try to roll away, Rum pops out of Kita's jacket and pinches them to the floor before having at them himself.

The defeated contractor's eyes tear up as he watches the reality in front of him, he'd already lost his words.

"Well now, if that's enough for you Gin..." Kita makes a smooth swipe across Kaszo's neck, then presses him to the ground swiftly to spare you from having to see more of it.

Leona hugs Rein's arm and Rein clenches her eyes closed to avoid seeing the sight before you. Yu'yen takes a gulp and struggles to keep watching. Even Sheryl's eyes dart away, only Anlak manages to keep watch.

"Well, let's get out of here. We got what we needed, and I doubt Lord Fatass will be too dangerous with what happened today." Kita walks past your group, leaving the Kaszo's body behind, "You shouldn't stay to watch the rest... I'm sorry you had to see any of it at all."

>CONT

Not one person thinks to stay around Ridhome for much longer, Kita told you that Almer and his men would be busy getting the populace in order and you had no more business with them since they paid in advance.

Eager to get home, you all piled up in the caravan without changing out of your fine clothes. You didn't head off immediately, having to wait for Gin and Rum to return from things you'd rather not think about.

The fox and the bird both opted to join Kita at the front of the wagon, and you were well and thankful for that. The caravan was dark other than some dim light from the lantern shining in through the curtains.

All six of your class remained quiet for the first leg of the trip, Yu'yen rested up in a corner with his back turned to the others but no one else seemed anywhere near asleep. Chance who had stayed behind was the only one with much spirit in him.

About half way home, the silence starts to get to you.

>Talk to Anlak
>Talk to Leona
>Talk to Rein
>Talk to Sheryl
>Wake up Yu'yen
>Write-In

Last decision of the day, we're stopping soon.

>>31510351
....so who set those goblins around?

>>31510351
>Talk to Sheryl

>>31510351
>>Talk to Leona

>>31510351
>Do the Yu'yen and catch some sleep as well. Or at least close our eyes and eavesdrop on what the others have to say/talk about. If no one starts talking for a while, go to plan B.
>Just say "This silence is awkward some one do something."

>>31510583
that one

>>31510664
Seconding the
"Well this is awkward"

You approach Leona, who for a rare moment isn't sitting right by Rein, "Why aren't you sitting by your sister?"

Leona sheepishly smiles, "Rein said she'd like to be alone for a little bit... I'm surprised you're not more shaken up by all this."

"Well... this isn't the first time for me." Ten years ago you lost her, Carna; the prettiest and only girl in the village. Now ten years later, you've resolved not to let any demons scare you ever again.

"Ah right, I'm... sorry." Leona lowers her head, pulling her knees up and hugging them tightly.

It's still a little ways from home, but you feel like you have to do something about this. Standing up, you take a deep breath and speak firmly to get everybody's attention, "This is awkward!"

A few eyes look at you like you're insane, but Leona decides to back you up, "Y-yeah! We should do something instead of feeling bad about today! How about we... tell stories?"

"We could draw faces on Yu'yen or something." Rein joins in, you see Yu'yen's 'unconcious' body shuffle at this suggestion.

"Come on, we're still in these fancy outfits. Let's have a party or something." You suggest, "Sheryl, show us some of Chance's tricks."

Sheryl eyes you oddly, but pushing Chance out to the floor, she commands him, "Roll over!", and prompty he flops onto his back and exposes his belly.

>CONT

Eventually, Yu'yen gets tired of trying to fake sleep and he joins the rest of you in making some noise. Anlak doesn't get terribly excited, but he does turn around to face the circle and offer an occasional smile rather than stoicly watch the roads vanish behind him.

"Let's have a real party after we get back, we deserve one." Rein suggests, "I'll sew back up the skirt on Sheryl's dress and we'll be as good as new... well, once the blood washes out."

"Oooh, we should go to that bar in the square!" Leona raises a finger, you shudder at her suggestion.

"Maaaaybe we shouldn't." Rein responds.

Coming into the end of your third month with The Seekers, your bond with your friends has grown considerably. Although you left some mysteries unsolved back in Ridhome, you'd wager that anything you need to know, Kita will share sooner or later. At the very least, you were neither terribly humiliated or grievously injured today, better than you can say of most days.

"Franson huh..." You mumble to yourself.

"Something bothering you friend?" Yu'yen prods your side. You shrug your shoulders, keeping your thoughts to yourself. Twelve years ago, you heard that name before... perhaps before the ailing lord passes away, you should see about whether he has any leads to your lost friend.

It's too late to think about that now though, the mood is raised and you don't intend to lower it now. The rest of the way home you kill time with your friends.

And so, life goes on.

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182 KB JPG

It's over!

Combat took a lot longer than expected, I'll be trying to trim it down and make it more elegant in the future.

Also get my shit together in regards to posting the right images and not losing my trip.

Anyways, thanks for playing. Sorry for running so late. I'll try to prepare a rough map, and maybe some tiny character sketches. I only have a reference for Masoch and Leona I'm not good with names but I'd rather doodle some stuff up than try to find rough anime approximates for anyone else.

>>31511071
You know, this is the least meta quest we've got going here. I don't know if that's what you want, but take care not to let combat devolve into argueing over choices.

>>31511071
Thanks for running!

>>31511071
Adios captain until next time