>>31547285
>You don't need magic to get anything done.

>>31547285
>Flight would be pretty fun.

>>31547285
>You don't need magic to get anything done.
This might be meta gameing but I think we need more tenacity

>>31547285
>To have a chat with God
it sounds like he'd be lonely

"I don't really need any magic." Your father was raising you to succeed him some day in managing the small village, you never wanted more than a simple life and magic was something that invited trouble.

"Boo! That's so boring." Carna bounced up onto her feet, wobbling a little to catch her balance. Flapping her arms, she made her way over to you, "Let's go play birds outside!"

"We have to clean up the mess first..." There were still chalk lines all over the place.

"Fine fine, I'll help!" Carna picked up the little cup of wine and downed it in one gulp, "Okay, now birds!"

"There's still all this chalk laying around..." You hoped that the wine wouldn't become a problem later.

"Don't worry about it, okay?" Carna stuck her face up to yours, there was a sweet smell in her breath when she spoke. Taking your hand, she began to drag you up the stairs, with Carna, you never seemed to win.

And so the dream ends.

File: 1397778719379.png-(32 KB, 600x400, librarianquest.png)

32 KB PNG

>Year 484 of the Raschan Calendar

Ten years ago you lost her, Carna; easily distracted but easily bored. Ten years later, you'll use any magic to find her.

In your fourth months with The Seekers of Catus, your class eagerly waits for your teacher's arrival. The fourth month would be teaching you weaves, the art of magic in Rascha.

"I'm so excited! I've always wanted to learn weaving, Belgrand has so few people inclined to the art that I rarely see it done." Most days Leona sat with a book until class began, but it seemed she was too anxious to be reading this morning.

"I once a weaver that could control the wind, you should've the faces of the ladies when their skirts would flap up from the sudden gusts." Yu'yen says.

"I guess I shouldn't be surprised at the company you keep." Rein sighs, unimpressed, "How about you Sheryl?"

The elf girl had grown more comfortable with the class lately, she let her ears poke out freely while in the dorms and the archives, although she still never joined conversations unless prompted first, "I guess it'll be interesting..." She glanced over to your group from her usual seat in the far-end of class.

Some minutes before class began, Anlak enterred looking as tired as usual. A few minutes after all six of your class had gathered, your stern teacher Masoch walked through the door.

>CONT

"I don't believe I need an introduction, I will be teaching you again for this next month. The topic will be the history behind weaves, general ethics on using them, as well as the basic foundations to utilizing them." Masoch explains.

"Eeeeeh? Let's just hop right into it teach!" Yu'yen shouts over from his seat.

Masoch gives your Lunese friend a glare, "Proper weaving takes time to perfect, the purpose of this month is to let you understand the capacities of the art and prepare you for the next month's classes."

You remember a conversation with your feline professor Silvest, the fifth month would be dealing with demons.

"If you're so determined to see what proper discipline will get you though..." Masoch raises a hand and wriggles his fingers through the air, drawing in invisible lines before clenching his fist. Shaking his fist twice, he opens it up and from his palm comes out several golden balls of light, they begin to fly around each other, leaving trails that draw up the image of a horse.

"Ooooh, it's beautiful!" Leona peeks over excitedly.

"Can you give it wings?" Rein asks, Sheryl's ears perk up hearing the suggestion. Masoch takes his free hand and touches one of the floating orbs, dragging it with a finger in an arch, drawing a wing to turn the drawn horse into a drawn pegasus. After some moments of letting the class admire his work, he closes his palm and the lights fade.

>CONT

The energy from the light show quickly fades when Masoch immediately hops into a lecture on weaving. It is said that until Rasc devoured Catus in The Vanishing Ages, all men were blessed with a natural aptitude for magic. When The Hound took in his prey, the magic vanished into his demon kin and only the adept could see and draw out the threads that remained.

A more scholarly belief that Masoch explains, is that the art was discovered by The Lunese in ancient times, and when the Raschans invaded the old empire, they systematically erased knowledge of weaving from the public eye in order to solidify it as a tool for the nobility to use to keep an edge over the common-folk.

The rest of the lecture alternates between a classical interpretation and history discovered by the modern man, and it goes on until the end of class. As usual, your teacher leaves quickly while you and your friends gather up your things.

"That was so boring..." Rein complains as she passes by you.

"I thought it was pretty interesting." Leona seems to hold a different opinion.

"Well, it's over now. Come on, we have work to do." Yu'yen passes by you, patting you on the back. You have no idea what he's talking about.

"Work?"

"The teachers have been meeting up a lot lately, suspicious don't you think? I can't follow Kita, but I bet Masoch is easier to tail. Let's figure out what's up!" Yu'yen tells you about his bad idea.

>Follow Yu'yen
>Return to the dorms as usual

>>31547967
>Follow Yu'yen

>>31547967
>Follow Yu'yen

Oh boy ere we go

If nothing else you can try to keep him out of trouble, you pick up your few things and tag along behind Yu'yen.

Out in the halls, the two of you catch the trails of Masoch's coat as he turns a corner. Despite his professionalism, it seems his eyes aren't quite as alert as Kita's and it doesn't seem that he's aware of the two of you trailing on behind him.

He makes way into the library, taking a straight route to the door in the back. The two of you get a few odd looks from various Deneb citizens standing around, but you are not deterred. As Masoch closes the door leading into the back halls, Yu'yen manages to slide a book sideways in the crack before it firmly shuts. A risky move, but his skills with his toss impress.

Taking a few moments to be safe, the two of you pursue him. You open the door into the barely familiar hall, two doors down is Silvest's room but you're unfamiliar with the others. You don't need to waste time investigating though, Yu'yen points ahead at the end of the hall, "I did some scouting about the last week, the teacher's meet in a room at the end of the hall there."

You nod and follow his lead.

>CONT

"We're so good even The Seekers can't keep mysteries away from us." Yu'yen whispers to you while the two of you sneak down the hall, your steps have become silent in the weeks that Kita taught you, but making use of them to spy on your teacher isn't how you imagined you'd first put the lessons into action.

"Alright, now that Masoch is here let's begin the discussion." You hear Silvest's voice and stop Yu'yen from proceeding, the two of you listen in carefully, pressed up against a wall.

"What's there to discuss cat? The four of us go in, eliminate the target, and we get out." Kita's voice this time.

"For once I agree with you thief, but we don't act without a unanimous decision." Silvest responds.

"I just don't like it. The situation is too complicated to just handle it that way. We have a student here that's involved as well." Kran your weapon's teacher says.

"Did you catch that friend?" Yu'yen whispers over to you. You peek around the wall to get a closer look on the situation, some fare paces away a barely-open door sits at the end of the hall, through the crack you see Masoch seated, silently taking in the talk.

"They may be involved, but they are still a student. There's no need to tell them any more than necessary." Silvest says.

Masoch takes a breath and his eyes glance towards the door. You quickly duck back behind the wall, did he catch you?

>Keep listening
>Convince Yu'yen to back out

>>31548482
>Keep listening

>>31548482
>Keep listening
In for a penny in for a pound

>>31548482
>Keep listening
Gesture to Yu'yen to keep quiet

You wave Yu'yen over closer and gesture for him to stay quiet.

"That's completely unfair, and anyways, we shouldn't have her hold any resentment against us when it inevitably comes to light." Kran yells and you hear her hand smack against wood.

"Keep your 'lady' in line Graps, let the men do the talking at this table." Kita aggressively addresses Kran's demon.

"I will not have you insulting my lady, rat!" Graps' voice shakes the air.

"Calm down idiots!" Silvest hisses.

"All of you calm down... Kita, go over the situation again." Masoch finally speaks.

"Again? We've gone over it every day this week!"

"Just go over it from the top... and speak loudly. We want to make sure it's well-heard this time."

"Fine," Kita sighs loud enough for you to hear from the hall, "During the incident at that lord's manor the other week, I was tasked to assess his thread by The Paladins and determine whether or not he needed to be eliminated. Under my judgment, I exterminated the Contractor under his employ, unfortunately the Lord Filast is still on the run. More importantly than that, I discovered his interactions with another contractor in some documents, in exchange for giving the contractor in question first look at the elves brought in through his connections with Raschan slave trading, the contractor was eliminating his enemies outside the household."

>CONT

>>31548684
Obviously Sheryl's dad

>>31548684
>"Just go over it from the top... and speak loudly. We want to make sure it's well-heard this time."
Masoch you sneaky Git

"It seems Filast had been plotting to rebel against The Ridaean Duke Franson for awhile now, but his plans went awry when his relationship with the contractor in question did some months ago. The contractor stopped doing his dirty work, and an assassination plan was abandoned in favour of a messy coup. We will not speak further of the political state, as the contractor is the bigger problem. As you are all well aware, the contractor in question has shown up around the Deneb wildlands, first making appearance two months ago during a simple excursion led by the one-armed bitch over there..."

"I told you once already rat!" Graps yells fiercely.

"...and then again he attacked our student Yu'yen while he was looking for wood some days later." Kita finishes.

Yu'yen flinches at the mention of his name, but he quickly puts himself together.

"And what does the contractor want exactly." Masoch asks.

"We already know what he wants, why in the world are you making me repeat myself again?"

"Just shut it you useless thief. I'll take on the rest. That Stray Cat Shanan has come to realize that Filast can't give him what he wants because we have her. He's come back because he wants the girl, and too weak to enter the city, he's decided to draw her out in the wilderness." Silvest speaks, "Let's hurry up and deal with him before he gets impatient."

"Slow down Silvest, let's think over it some more." Masoch answers.

>CONT

"Damnit Masoch, stop wasting time. I know you and Shanan were friends but right now he's a problem. We will find him, we will kill him, and you can resolve your problems with him after I devour his demon." Silvest speaks in a fierce voice.

"...have it your way. We will deal with Shanan. Kran, stay your tongue for now... we don't need to tell the students anything. They don't need to know any more than they know already." Masoch sighs, "We will hold off on field excursions until the job is done, in the meanwhile we will search and during the last week of this month we will head out and find him."

"But..." Kran mutters.

"I'm sure if Sheryl needs to know, fate will bring the knowledge to her." Masoch stands up, "Now, leave swiftly."

Hearing that, you and Yu'yen exit swiftly.

Back out in front of the archives, the two of you walk towards the dorms trying to understand what you just watched.

"What do you think friend? That was a bit more than I quite understood."

>Let's talk to Sheryl.
>Let's talk to Leona and Rein.
>Let's investigate 'Shanan'.
>Let's keep it to ourselves for now.

>>31548949
>Let's keep it to ourselves for now.
Shit sounds way too dangerous to get involved right now

>>31548949
>Let's talk to Sheryl.
It is her father, after all.

>>31548949
>Let's talk to Sheryl.

"Let's tell Sheryl." You answer Yu'yen.

"They mentioned her name towards the end didn't they... I don't know how I feel about this but I suppose I'll take the excuse to talk to her." Yu'yen said the last part much more dispassionately than usual.

The two of you go to enter the dorm, Chance barks seeing you approach and runs towards you, his leash catches him but you give him a quick pet before going inside.

You enter the girl's hall. The first door is Rein's, the second Leona's, and the third one Sheryl's. You knock twice and wait some moments for her response, when you go to knock a third time, she opens the door.

"Do you need something?" Sheryl peeks at you and Yu'yen inquisitively. Taking the lead, Yu'yen steps inside the room and Sheryl puts a bothered look on her face, not stopping him. You follow his lead.

There's just about nothing in her room, a couple dog toys sit in a small box in the corner, various books sit in her shelf, hardly as many as Leona's but sizable compared to Yu'yen or Anlak's.

>CONT

Sorry for the long wait, a friend came over and I needed to help him with something.

"So what do you need?" Sheryl turns the chair at her desk around and takes a seat facing the two of you. Yu'yen takes a seat on her bed to her further annoyance, you remain standing for the talk.

"Well, our friend and I decided to follow teach to his meeting today. The teachers were talking about some interesting stuff, and he thought we ought to let you know," Yu'yen leads off, "It seems the recent mishaps during our field training might be connected to something. They didn't mention it, but I'd wager the incident at that lord's manor is too. Take it away, would you friend?"

It seems that's all the talking your Lunese companion intends to do, "A Stray Cat has been lurking around the woods adjacent to Deneb looking for someone." You grab Sheryl's attention instantly, her ears flatten out and her eyes sharpen, "It seems that he's been keeping a watch out for elves, and his attention has turned on a student here with The Seekers."

Sheryl's hands curl up, her gaze shifts towards the floor.

"Apparently his name is Shanan... if that means anything to you." You say knowing well that it does mean something to her. Sheryl's head sinks further, you're not sure what to tell her right now, but you go to complete your report, "He's marked as a danger and The Seekers are looking to eliminate him at the end of the month..."

She doesn't cry, but her small body is shaking. You're not sure what to do.

>Ask her about Shanan.
>Take Yu'yen out and leave her alone.
>Try to comfort her.

>>31549794
>Try to comfort her.
Then
>Take Yu'yen out and leave her alone.

>>31549794
>Try to comfort her.

It wasn't hard to work out the situation, Sheryl's been looking for her father with the intent to kill him, he was a contractor under the employ of The Seekers, but by the time her search took her to Deneb he'd gone stray. At the same time, her father Shanan, was also looking for her.

"I've been looking for someone too, and I don't think we have the same feelings but... I'm not sure how I'll feel when I find them, I'm sure it'll be a complicated emotion though, and I'm sure that I'll cry so I admire you for being strong, but you don't have to hold it all in. We're all friends here, so however this turns out, we'll be on your side." You put together your words awkwardly, but you're honest in your belief that not one of your class wouldn't want to help Sheryl.

"We're not friends..." Sheryl responds to you, but her voice sounds weak.

"Ugh! Of course we're friends, so feel free to act as girly as you like. This cold act is a bother!" Yu'yan steps up, "Think over what you want to do with this, this Yu'yan will be ready to lend a hand whenever. A Lunese man is never to leave a crying lady alone after-all." He exits the room.

"I'm not crying, I'm not crying at all." Sheryl keeps her head down, you take Yu'yan's lead and exit, closing the door behind you.

You can hear some sobs from outside her door, you can only hope she'll take your words to heart.

"I'm going to think things over on my own friend, I'll see you tomorrow." Yu'yan leaves for his room.

>CONT

Despite her appearance, and all the competence she shows in classes, you know that Sheryl's a girl who gets excited over animals, who turns afraid near demons and kindly lends a hand to anyone she sees needing it. She's told you her resolve to kill her father, but it's hard to imagine her doing it, and you have little idea of the relationship between them.

It's best to leave her alone with the words of trust between you, but until tomorrow when she's had a chance to sleep on it, you'll need to find something else to do.

Strolling out the dorm into the afternoon sun, you see Chance running about excitedly. He hasn't gone for his walk yet today, and you don't think Sheryl is in the right state to do it.

Before your teachers get too far away from The Archives though, it may be a good chance to catch one and dig into more. You doubt Silvest or Kita are interested in helping, but Kran seemed sympathetic and you have a feeling Masoch knows a lot more about it than any of the others.

>Take Chance out for a walk...
>...and invite Anlak
>...and invite Leona
>...and invite Rein
>...on your own
>Look into this Stray Cat issue...
>...with Kran
>...with Masoch
>...on your own

>>31550070
>Take Chance out for a walk on your own

Rolled 10

>>31550070
>Take chance
>walk in the woods outside town
>alone

What could possibly go wrong?

>>31550070
>Look into this Stray Cat issue...
>...with Masoch

>"They may be involved, but they are still a student. There's no need to tell them any more than necessary." Silvest says.
>Masoch takes a breath and his eyes glance towards the door. You quickly duck back behind the wall, did he catch you?

>"Just go over it from the top... and speak loudly. We want to make sure it's well-heard this time."

>"I'm sure if Sheryl needs to know, fate will bring the knowledge to her." Masoch stands up, "Now, leave swiftly."

There's no way Masoch wasn't trying to get the word out as best he could while trying to stay low-key about it. Maybe there's more to tell now that he doesn't have his fellow teachers to worry about.

Unless things are way more complicated than we think, there'll probably still be a bit of time to take the pup out afterward.

>>31550070
>Take Chance out for a walk on your own.

>>31550091
Forgot to add
>Look into this Stray Cat issue with Masoch

Taking Chance's leash, you head out into town.

The city is warm today and the citizens run around excited. You heard there was going to a festival this month, but it was a ways off and nothing you were involved with. Chance behaves well, letting you lead him along as you take in the afternoon sun.

As you enter the square, the dog suddenly stops and sniffs at the air. He begins running in a direction, and you let him lead you to his curiosities.

Into a quiet backstreet Chance runs, surprising a couple people just casually going about their day, he stops in front of a cloaked figure and begins barking. The person turns around and peers at you, a young man about your age, dark hair and purple eyes. You vaguely recognize him, but you don't immediately know from where.

"That's a cute dog, I hope the barking means he likes me." The young man leans down and pets Chance, his hood shuffles.

Once satisfied, he stands up, "You manage to find who you were looking for?" He smiles politely at you, "Ah, I guess you don't remember me. Does this help?" He removes his hood, and his pointed ears poke out.

It's the elf you bumped into some weeks ago while searching for Sheryl.

>CONT

>>31550210
>totally not Shanan

>>31550210
inb4 He plays us like a Damm fiddle

You introduce yourself quickly, as well as Chance.

"I'm Sissel, just a traveller passing through." You walk with the new face, his hood back over his head.

"Deneb's a strange place to just be passing through."

"Hahah, I guess so. My companion and I were in Belgrand, she really wanted to ride a pegasi you see. On the way back to the Raschan mainland, I met someone I knew in the area and decided to stay here. They've not long to live, so I thought it'd best to stay here for awhile."

The young man seems friendly, you can't help but feel a bit guarded against him though with the situation as it is.

"Say, you're studying with The Seekers aren't you? I believe I've spotted your class from the inns before."

You consider lying, but there's nothing to gain from it. You answer his question positively.

"You must get to see some pretty amazing sights huh..." He seems a bit envious of you, "I'll be leaving the city soon, but let's chat if we run into each other again." With that he departs, mentioning that his companion is waiting for him.

About time to take Chance back, you think of what to do.

>Visit Deneb
>Visit Nitt
>Drop Chance off...
>...and hang out around the dorm
>...and search the archives for information on the Stray Cat issue
>...and find Kran
>...and find Masoch

>>31550280
>Drop Chance off and search the archives for information on the Stray Cat issue

>>31550280
>Drop Chance off and find Masoch

>>31550280
>Drop Chance off and find Masoch
Would like to get a better picture of things before going off to investigate things solo.

You drop Chance off at the dorm and go to find Masoch, hoping that he'll shed more light on the situation at hand.

Entering the main building, you walk around looking for your teacher. The sun has barely set but you'd rather not waste time here, you think over where he may be.

The teachers haven't given you any means of contacting them properly, and the door leading into the hall where their offices sit typically stays sealed. An idea pops into your head, and it's hardly a great one but... you don't have much other choice right now.

Greeting the old lady ever-present at the front desk, you grab one of the chairs. And in the back of your mind you think, 'Take me to Masoch'.

The chair does a small hop, it's legs dancing in the air, when it lands it begins to gallop, and you hold on to stay balanced.

Through the lecture hall and into the library the chair dashes, the distance blurring before your eyes. Suddenly, it begins to come to a stop. You'll never get used to it, the chair tips over with you still a little dizzy, and slowly lets you slide out.

You peek up and see Masoch looking down at you, a book in hand. If you'd know he was just in the library, you wouldn't have taken that awful ride.

>CONT

"You must have some questions you really need asked if you couldn't wait for tomorrow morning." Masoch closes the book and places it back in the shelf, the rows seemed to be filled with references to various things you can't imagine your teacher caring about, "Well, go ahead. I'll answer anything to the best of my ability. Make it brief though, I'd rather not spend too much time here." He picks another book out of the shelf seemingly at random, looking at the title then returning it to the shelf.

>Ask about Shanan the Stray Cat
>Ask about Masoch and Shanan
>Ask about Sheryl and Shanan
>Write-In

>>31550466
>Ask about Shanan the Stray Cat

>>31550466
>Ask about Shanan the Stray Cat

I guess no one is posting due to the captcha problems?

Yea the captcha problem is driving me mad

>>31550711
Log into a Google account of some sort, supposedly they give you a generic captcha instead of a site-specific one.

"You don't know anything about a 'Shanan' would you?" You ask, knowing full well that he does.

"Now where did you hear that name." Masoch unattentively takes another book only to return it, he doesn't actually seem at all surprised, "There used to be a Black Cat here with The Seekers named Shanan, he entered in through formal training like yourself... and myself."

"Are there people that don't get trained here?"

"Most people that become Seekers end up here when they don't have much other choice, they need the protection because they're being hunted or they have knowledge too dangerous to be left alone. That's the case with all the teachers you've met other than me, and you may be surprised but we've got some heavy ranks; most just don't return here often." Masoch confirms, "In fact, him and I were the only two in my class. Your group of six is an anomoly."

"So about him..." You keep the subject of the stray from straying off too far.

"Shanan was a passionate one. During a mission where it was just he and I to... procure certain information, he secured the objective. If it went to plan, he was to meet with me and we were to return to The Archives to hide it away, but instead he vanished." Masoch's voice carries a sense of regret, "We branded him a Stray, and for something near ten years now he'd been missing."

>CONT

"We spent some time searching for him, but we had no luck. He had started a family in secret in the western regions of Rascha but their household was burnt down when we arrived."

You had some confidence that his family didn't know where he'd went either, "So you had no clues to find him with?"

"Unfortunately not, he'd always been good at hiding his trails and the few times we had a hint, his troublesome demon would crop up. It had an aptitude in opening seams, bringing out other demons into Rascha."

There wasn't more to gauge from this line of questioning, you thought to ask more but Masoch cut you off there with a question, "Have you thought of leaving yet?"

"Leaving The Seekers?"

"Yes... once you finish your training and you know too much information and too many faces, you'll become a Stray if you quit. Right now though, I'm certain no one will mind too much if you back out."

You haven't given a single thought to stopping yet, this was your only lead to Carna and finding her was your only purpose.

"Shanan wanted to leave many times... when he first found a family is when he started getting those thoughts. I thought he was insane for it, but now I understand where he was coming from... of course, it's far too late for me, but not for you." Masoch closes another book, "Your life is not your own when you join the ranks, though from what I understand, your life in particular isn't yours in the first place is it?"

>CONT

"You're looking for someone aren't you? A loved one perhaps? If that's the case, you ought to think it over carefully these remaining months. You're about half-way through training and time is running out. Even once you find who you're looking for, it's more than likely that things won't work however you intend for them to if you stay with us." Masoch begins to take his leave, "It's customary for Seekers to become Contractors, and it's all but law for Contractors to never love."

You haven't thought yet how things would be once you find Carna, but if you stayed here a leashed cat there'll things you'd never be able to tell her, and likely times where you'd hardly get to see her.

You don't give it much more thought, there's the situation now and you can think about these things later. With that in mind, you return to the dorms.

The night has just barely set in, Chance tired from the day has retired to his little dog house already but you have no intention of sleeping with the evening still early.

As you enter the dorm, you catch Anlak stepping out. He nods to you once and continues.

From the kitchen you hear chatter, Leona and Rein are having a meal and making idle talk.

Sheryl should still be left alone, but Yu'yen might like to hear about what little you've uncovered on the situation. He's probably still in his room.

>See what Anlak is up to
>Eat with Leona and Rein
>Report in to Yu'yen

>>31551199
>Eat with Leona and Rein

>>31551199
>See what Anlak is up to

>>31551199
>Eat with Leona and Rein
I'd say Yu'yen but a three way tie would be dumb

>>31551199
>Write-in
So, we now know more or less what kind of demon this guy has, so why dont we look more into it? We'll probably fight him later, so it would make sense. We could go to the Cat's library too if he's not there.

>>31551199
>Report in to Yu'yen

>>31551199
This is all to intense, I say we take some calm before the storm
>Eat with Leona and Rein

Come to think of it, you haven't eaten yet today.

Entering the kitchen, you see Leona and Rein seated opposite of each other, two bowls of innocuous-looking soup sit between them.

"Okay, you go first." Rein tells Leona.

"I insist, you try it." Leona gestures forward to Rein.

You approach them, "You don't trust the chef's cooking?"

"Something like that." Rein responds. Leona puckers bites her lower lip lightly and looks off away from you.

"They had a sale on some medicinal herbs in the market today, so we ended up in the soup." Leona mumbles.

"Ended up with some? You..." Rein starts to say something but cuts herself up, her eyes glance up to you, "Heeeey friend," She says in a poor imitation of Yu'yen, "I bet you'd love to get fed by a pair of lovely twins, how about you sit down and try some of this soup?" She catches some soup in her spoon and holds it up, pointing it at you.

>Feed yourself some soup
>Let Rein feed you some soup
>Ask Leona to feed you some soup
>On second-thought, you'll get some food yourself

>>31551548
>On second-thought, you'll get some food yourself

>>31551548
>Let Rein feed you some soup

>>31551548
>Let Rein feed you some soup

>>31551548
>>Ask Leona to feed you some soup

Rolled 4

>>31551548
>>Let Rein feed you some soup
"...I'm worried that if I don't, you'll both be content to watch it get cold. Or go hungry."

Rolling for how palatable the soup is.

You step forward and open your mouth against your better judgment, during dinners at your house Carna would often stick foods she didn't like into your mouth when your parents weren't looking, her conditioning continues controlling your habits. Rein seizes the moment of weakness, lancing the spoon into your mouth and tipping it so that the soup flows smoothly onto your tongue. The taste is bitter and a heat flows to your nose, you can't help but curl your face up a little and open your mouth to release the hot air.

A fatal mistake, Rein pounces on the chance and begins to force feed you more soup. You try to keep your lips sealed, but the numbness in your mouth continually pulls them open.

Having emptied one of the dishes into you, she stops, "How... how was it? You'd liked Leona's cooking, riiiiiiiight? You want seconds, riiiiiiiiiiiight?" Rein picks up the remaining bowl and holds it up, ready to send it your way as well. Leona watches intently for your answer, her hands in little balls and her eyes wide open.

>[Cunning] Deceive the sisters into finishing the bowl
>[Alacrity] Find a way to put down the dish gently
>[Tenacity] Stomach the remaining bowl with all your spirit

Wow, first roll tonight. Hrm. 1d12 at any rate, best of two.

>>31551720
This guy gets it. Second his idea

Rolled 8

>>31551858
>>[Cunning] Deceive the sisters into finishing the bowl

Rolled 6

>>31551858
>[Cunning] Deceive the sisters into finishing the bowl

Rolled 3

>>31551858
Are we really going to let a bowl of soup beat us?

>>31551858
>>[Cunning] Deceive the sisters into finishing the bowl
Sure, let's go with this.

Meals are always better when shared with friends, after all. No sense in our monopolizing all of the fruits of Leona's hard work.

Time for the greatest deception of your life. But how will you go about this... clearly Leona had thrown in ingredients she was curious about, more likely than not Rein hadn't stopped her for fear of hurting her feelings, Rein was always too easy on Leona after-all... as long as you got the bespectacled sister to eat, the other would certainly want to split the pains, you'll have to play on Leona's curiosities.

"The soup was interesting, Lunese herbs? I'm not sure how to describe the flavour though... it was a little like chocolate, a bit minty maybe? I guess someone would have to have some to really get it though..." You do your best to act as if you're giving the critique careful thought. Leona's eyes light up and dart over the dish.

"Well, I'm sure you want some more don't you." Rein lifts up the bowl, not bought in by your ploy... but you're not aiming for her.

"I've heard Lunese ingredients are really sensitive to how they're cooked," You say ignoring her, "Did you write down the steps? The flavour might be lost forever if you didn't... why, I bet this is what Barron was describing when he wrote 'Twenty-Steps of the Giant'."

It was a childish deception, but you know you did it, Leona bought in, "It's alright, I'll finish the rest. I'm sure he hasn't eaten yet."

Hook, line, Belgran bookworm.

>CONT

Hesistantly, Rein sets the bowl down in front of Leona, watching in terror as if she'd knowingly handed her sister poison.

Leona with a gleam in her eyes lifted the spoon out of the lukewarm soup, she brought it slowly to her lips and sipped at it, taking a pause.

For some, they might stop here. But Leona wasn't about to give Rein another reason to keep her out of the kitchen she so loved experimenting in.

"H-how is it...?" Rein inquired. With an obviously forced smile, Leona gave her sister a thumbs up, "You don't have to force yourself..." Rein tried to steer Leona away from continuing.

"It's good right? You should finish it up." You slyly say.

Leona gulps down air, then goes to gulp down soup. Rein sighs and takes the spoon out of the bowl she'd fed you, then goes to help Leona finish the rest of the dish.

Mission complete, you silently congratulate yourself in your head.

The three of you make idle chatter while they slowly finish up. Afterwards, you think over whether or not to bring up Sheryl's situation to them.

You don't finish the thought, your gaze is pulled to the door where Sheryl steps through, her eyes a little red but they look resolute.

"Sorry... could you grab Yu'yen? And Anlak." She says, "I have something I'd like to ask everybody."

You nod and walk past her to the men's hall. She quietly whispers a "Thank you" as you pass. Rein walks Sheryl over to the table where Leona is seated, then runs out the front door of the dorms.

>CONT

You return quickly with Yu'yen, and Rein drags Anlak inside some minutes after.

Sheryl sits at the table beside Leona, the latter awkwardly fidgeting around. The rest of you get seated, you facing across from Sheryl.

She takes a deep breathe before starting, "Sorry... I know it's a lot to ask of everyone but... I'd like for you all to help me. I have no one else to turn to right now."

The two sisters exchange looks around the table trying to understand the situation, you and Yu'yen each just nod and Anlak stares off to the windows outside as he often does.

"My father's name is Shanan. He was... is a contractor. When I was a child, he was always very kind to me, my mother, my brother... but he vanished one day, and when he'd left the townsfolk cruelly forced our family out of town. Because my brother and I were elves, it was hard for us to find a place to go. My brother left so that my mother would have an easier time raising me, and even then she worked until she perished... for that, I haven't been able to forgive my father, and I travelled to find him. When I found out he was once a Black Cat here, before he went stray I joined The Seekers."

Rein and Leona each placed a hand on the fragile girl's back, she held back tears to continue her story, "Some weeks ago; you," She looked to you, "And Anlak got injured during a field mission. Later, Yu'yan got attacked. I'm sorry, it seems my father found out I was here and you got involved..."

>CONT

"The Seekers here want to deal with my father before things get worst, and I don't know what'll happen... I'm sorry for involving you, but please, I'd like your help to see my father first." Sheryl bows her head to the table.

There was a short silence, but Yu'yen didn't let it sit, "It's about time you opened up. Now if we can get tall, dark and not quite as handsome as me here we can be one happy little family." He thrusted a thumb Anlak's way.

"...I'll help." Anlak stares off away from the group, "But, don't tell Ms Kran."

"I'm not going to let the guys get ahead of us here, girls should stick together right?" Rein puts forward her consent, her peeks over to Leona.

"Count me in, it's like a story from the novels!" Leona smiles sweetly to Sheryl. The heads turn your way.

Of course you're helping her, how could you not after telling her all this in the first place? But your first order of business before you rest up for the night is...

>Discuss who else could help you.
>Discuss what you all know about Sheryl's father Shanan.
>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.

>>31552387
>>Discuss what you all know about Sheryl's father Shanan.

>>31552387
>>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.

>>31552387
>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.

The elf we met in town is totally Sheryl's brother.

>>31552387
>>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.

>>31552387
>Discuss what you all know about Sheryl's father Shanan.
>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.
I-I I can contribute again!
Captcha can suck it

>>31552387
>>Discuss what you all know about Sheryl's father Shanan.
>>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.
Background first, then initial plans based on the total sum of all the information we've got.

>>31552387
>Discuss how you'll deal with reaching Sheryl's father Shanan before your teachers.
>Discuss who else could help you.
Yeah, bring up the elf guy from earlier.

>>31552569
>Yeah, bring up the elf guy from earlier.
Worth doing, I suppose.

Maybe a little too good to be true, but there're enough connections that we might as well at least mention him. (As well as alliterative names, which seem to be a trend as well.)

>>31552387
>I don't mean to intrude but you mentioned a brother? Mind describing him for me?

>>31552622
>>31552627
Plus, if it is the brother, wouldnt it make sense for him to know where the father is since he was visiting someone who is dying soon?
>They've not long to live, so I thought it'd best to stay here for awhile

The rest of the plan can fall into place once you actually have a plan, what you need to do right now is figure out how you can reach Shanan before your teachers.

"Alright, we're all in. Let's figure out how we can get your father before The Seekers do."

"Look at you taking charge." Rein sticks her pointer finger up at you, "Wish the other men here would be more useful."

"I'll show you how useful I can be." Yu'yen contends Rein's statement, "Remember what they said at their meeting? The teachers won't act until the final week of the month."

"So we'll search for Sheryl's father before they find him?" Leona asks.

"Not what I was thinking exactly, there's no way we'll outpace them in finding him short of using Sheryl as bait, and I'd rather not put the pretty lady in danger. Instead, I say we take it easy until they find him and just beat them to him before they act."

"Can we beat them to it?" Rein leans back in her chair.

"No matter how soon they find him, they won't act until Masoch gives them the go, and he won't until it suits his schedule," Anlak says, heads turning his way, "I hear that much from Kran at least."

"We're in luck then. He's the acting teacher right now so he must be a bit busier than usual."

"We know we'll be waiting for a little bit then. We can discuss the rest later when they find him, let's do what we can in the mean-time." You say.

A few more ideas are thrown around before the group disperses. But you still have something to ask Sheryl.

>CONT

Fate has an odd way of working on Rascha. The threads of The Shepherd God Artios' golden flock ties people together, and seeming coincidences are often said to be the gods at work on their loom.

A certain fellow you've seen around town has caught your eye, and you'd rather believe that the same ties that hold you to Carna hold him to Sheryl. There's no way he's unrelated to these events, so you think.

You catch the elf girl before she leaves, placing a hand on her delicate shoulder, she turns to you and waits for you to ask what you want.

"You mentioned a brother, right? Could you tell me about him?" You say.

"My brother... he'd be two years older than me."

"Black hair, purple eyes, a little girlish correct?" You're not sure if the last way to say it but it's accurate enough in your head.

"That's... right." Sheryl's eyes widen at your statement.

"I met an elf man named Sissel in town today, he seemed a bit like you. I don't suppose..."

"That's impossible." Sheryl says bitterly, "My brother's name is Allan. And more than that... he wouldn't be around today." She hesitates to continue, "When my mother died I went to find him first, but I was told at the last town he'd visited that he'd been accosted on the roads... a Rasci made off with his life."

You let go of Sheryl's shoulder, and hang your head. What a quick assumption you made, you regret your decision.

"...thank you though, for caring enough to ask... and for today, I'm really thankful you're helping me."

>CONT

>>31553027
I still think its him. I bet the demon took him over, and he's called Sissel, (Im not suggesting we say this btw)

It's just a few paces between the kitchen and the girl's hall, but each step feels long and heavy.

In front of the door, Sheryl turns and stares at you for some time, her bright jade eyes peeking up. Most days she's aloof with a sense of danger to her, but recently you've been viewing her more and more as your cute but fragile classmate.

"Thank you so much again. I'm thankful to everyone, but especially, I'm thankful to you." She lowers her head, as if waiting on something.

>Pet Sheryl
>Smile and tell her good night
>Write-In

Last decision of the day folks.

>>31553132
How about a hug, instead?

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122 KB JPG

>>31553132
>Pet Sheryl
>Smile and tell her Goodnight
Librarian I'm back how was your day?

>>31553132
>>31553148
>Write-In
Hug her and tell her everything will be ok.

>>31553148
>>31553165
I wrote this down as an option, thought it over, then deleted it and put in "Write-In" to be fair in hopes that no one would pick this. But I will write it if you bastards go through with it.

>>31553157
Good timing, you're here to see me frown. I had a lazy day, lots of cigarettes, Puzzle & Dragons.

>>31553132
>>Pet Sheryl

>>31553148
This

>>31553194
Anything else would be awkward or slightly offensive.

>>31553132
>Pet Sheryl
>>31553194
Nah, petting is fine too.

>>31553194
I read that as lots of cigarettes, blackjack, and hookers.
>>31553148
I'll support this you're lucky you have such good Anons to stop me from middle roading and choosing everything

>>31553194
We're going to hug the shit out of her and there's nothing you can do to stop us.

>>31553289
Welcome to /tg/ where hugs somehow fixes everything.
no srsly

>>31553194
I dunno; it doesn't seem that farfetched to me.

We're both sort of in the same boat. Both got our lives basically ruined by demons in our own way, decided to join the Seekers to get some answers and maybe a bit of closure, just found out that apparently she ALSO lost basically her only real remaining family (aside from her father of debatable repute) in vague circumstances to the same class of demon that we did.

It's more of a solidarity thing than anything else. An "Even if things are bad, it doesn't mean you can't find something to keep you going. And if you ever have trouble reminding yourself of that, we're glad to listen." kind of deal.

>>31553354
>>31553194
Yeah, its not a hug so we can hit on her, it's mostly because she hasnt trusted anyone so far, but so she knows she can trust us . You know, a comforting totes-platonic hug.

>>31553394
That May or may not most Likely turn into something else

You quickly reach your arms out and pull Sheryl in for a hug. Her head only comes up to your chin, her hair carries a faintly sweet smell. You feel her gentle breath on your chest.

The two of you stand in place for some time, but soon enough she begins to push away from your grasp. You let her go and she takes a step back, she dodges your gaze and there's a light blush on her cheeks.

"...I'll see you tomorrow." Sheryl turns around and makes way back towards her room.

You're not sure how the impulse to do that got into your head, but you couldn't help yourself at that moment. You felt more than anything that you had to hold Sheryl there, or she'd start to fall apart. You felt more than anything that you had to protect her there.

As you walk back to your room, you feel a warmth in your cheeks. Covering your face up with your palm, you try to hide yourself from the nobodies that watch you.

"I'll help her find her father." You whisper to yourself, "It'll take me closer to Carna." The last part escapes your lips unconciously.

Masoch had warned you today what you might be in for sticking with The Seekers. If you were in Sheryl's situation and Carna were on the other side, you can't imagine you could calmly ask for help the way she did. You joined The Seekers to find her, and you'll do it whether or not they'll have it.

"Don't worry about it, okay?" You whisper to collect yourself before heading towards your room.

And so, life goes on.

>>31553505
>"Don't worry about it, okay?"

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It's oveeeeer.

I didn't end up starting a map, or drawing any little characters. My apologies, I fucked around instead.

I posted a reference for Masoch last week, here's the one I had for Leona. Rein was just another picture of the same character that I thought were two twins at first because I can't read shit Japanese.

I'll be aiming for Sunday, but we'll see how things go. Thanks for playing.

>>31553556
Thanks for running, Librarian.

>>31553505
>she dodges your gaze and there's a light blush on her cheeks.
>As you walk back to your room, you feel a warmth in your cheeks. Covering your face up with your palm
D'aaaaawwww
>>31553556
10/10 thread would bang
Thanks for running even if captcha was being a dick

>>31553556
I always think of them as teenagers for some reason.
Thanks for running Librarian

>>31553505
>You felt more than anything that you had to protect her there.
Status: Protected. Somewhat awkwardly. Wasn't exactly expecting the classic "surprise hug, say nothing, hold on until they start trying to squirm free", but hey. Everybody's gotta start somewhere.

After all, for all her good points, antics with Carna weren't exactly conventional on the 'being protective' front. It's a learning process.

>>31553556
Thanks for running, as usual.