"Well, I better get going huh." Gos looked over at the carriage behind him, your family had settled on sending him away to a paladin living near Rascha's capital that Carna's father was familiar with. The man never had a son and was looking to raise an heir, discipline was one thing Gos sorely needed.

The boy turned for the carriage, taking peeks back at you as he left. Perhaps he thought he'd never see you again... you had no parting words to give him, your tongue caught in your throat.

It felt like the carriage rode off the minute Gos stepped inside, your parents went back home first, leaving you, Carna and Dog to watch as he vanished. You're not sure how long he'd been gone before the tears you'd held up started leaking from your eyes.

A little lick on the cheek swept some of them off, leaving a larger wetspot behind. Dog panted with his tongue out beside you, Carna peeked at you from behind him. Despite her little rivalry with him, you could see the pain of separation in her face as well.

"Do you think we'll ever s-see him again?" Your voice cracked.

"Maybe."

"Why'd Gos have to leave..." Finally another friend, and so quickly he vanished.

"Don't worry about it, okay?" Carna set Dog down and hugged you, your head only came up to her nose, "I won't leave you, okay? So don't worry about it. And you never leave me too, okay?"

>Promise not to leave Carna
>Cry in Carna's embrace

No stat plus on this one, go wild.

>>31962990
>Promise not to leave Carna

>>31962990
>>Promise not to leave Carna
Naturally.

>>31962990
>Promise to find Gos

"I won't leave either." You mumble onto her neck.

"You're tickling me." Carna shoved you off onto the grass, making stifled laughs, "Okay, that's a promise then! Even when we get married off, we have to live in the same place and have tea!"

Your little heart had a little tingle. Carna picked up Dog, "You too Dog."

"We can find Gos too!" You say, standing up. You were feeling better quickly, Carna had a way of doing that to you.

"Well, maybe Gos." Her eyes darted away from yours, not eager to retrieve him, "Well, let's go divide his toys! He left so many of them here."

"But my parents paid for them..."

"Yeah, but they paid for them, for him; not for you!" Carna ran down the village path towards your house, you went into a sprint to try and catch up to her.

And so the dream ends.

>Year 484 of the Raschan Calendar

Ten years ago you lost her, Carna; who you could never leave. Now ten years later, your body seeks her no matter how broken.

After the run in with Yu'yen's family, you had trouble walking about town with all the battered bones you had, keeping you at home in the care of Ianc, your benefactor. Leona had wanted to stay in to take care of you the last half a week, but it was Rein's insistance that she take advantage of her time to explore the city rather than "Make the injuries worse."

It was the last day of your little vacation that you finally felt well enough to move, though not well enough to fight. You only had so many hours before you needed to make ways back to Deneb but before then, you had an audience with the Duke Franson and his daughter, Princess Fiandae.

"I just cannot believe how quickly you recovered," Ianc dusted over the back of your jacket and went to adjust your sleeves, "You better not have picked any bad habits over there in Deneb. If the Duke offers you the princess and you need to turn him down, play it up as if she's too majestic for you. Do not embarrass yourself!"

"And make sure you need to turn him down!" Yu'yen pointed at you, his usual open chest outfit was replaced by something more modest and covered; less due to any respect to the dukedom and more a result of wounds still bandaged on his gut, "I take first picks on princesses! You can have anyone else."

>CONT

>>31963525
>"I take first picks on princesses! You can have anyone else."
...I forgot that Yu'yen totally hasn't met the Princess yet.

Make him shake on it here and now before he learns the extent to which he's shooting himself in the foot.

>>31963525
>Now ten years later, your body seeks her no matter how broken.

Fukken Metal

Rein smacked Yu'yen across the back of the head. Her short bobbed hair was pinned up at the back, it wasn't a massive change but she looked for graceful. It seems she found herself another new outfit in the short time she spent in this city, "We're meeting nobility, behave yourself! I mean, the princess isn't terribly noble and we've already met the duke but..."

"Ah, I'm so nervous! I'm so nervous!" Leona tapped her shoes against the floor.

"You already met them..." Sheryl was no different than usual.

"But we're meeting them in a castle!"

"We should leave soon." Anlak said, interrupting the fun the girls were having, "Are you all ready?"

"I am," Rein stepped over to him, "But are you? Your hair is so unkempt and your clothes are a mess!"

"I look the same as usual..."

"And that's fine for a mercenary, but not for meeting a duke!"

"We really should leave though." Sheryl got up and made way for the door. With a few grumbles from a couple directions, you set out for the castle led by Ianc.

"So, how's the princess friend? I hear she's a real stunner." Yu'yen whispered to you covertly as you stepped.

"I am sure she will stun you." You answer.

"Come on, you've lived here ten years! Should this Yu'yen be her knight on shining armour? Or is she a fan of the roguish type."

Right out of dating drama and into family business, right out of family business and back into dating drama. You tell Yu'yen to...

>Act like a knight
>Be roguish
>Just avoid the princess
>Write-In

>>31963662
>Write-In

"Just be you Yu'Yen we both know how irresistible women find your personality"

>>31963662
>Act like a knight

>>31963662

>"Now Princess... Fiandae of Ridae, the most beautiful in the east, the most beloved of the most beloved, the light of the people; could you just work with us so we can rescue your father."

>She takes a long while to answer, it's like dealing with a hysteric Anlak, "Fine. Now, undo these ropes and take me some place with a bath. I am filthy!"
Only way we've seen to pacify her so far is by pandering to her, so probably closer to

>Act like a knight

That said, if he's too deferential she's just going to start ordering him around, so at least make sure he just sticks to the chivalry and doesn't get too far into the bending and scraping.

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Yay, more Librarian Quest.

>>31963662
>Act like a knight

"Just be yourself I guess... maybe a bit more gentlemanly?" You have your reservations about getting involved with his business any more than necessary.

"Knight it is! Perhaps I should go rent a white horse before we arrive at the gates."

"We don't have time for that," Rein shouts back at the two of you, "And stop humouring him!"

"Why did we rescue him anyways? They were going to take one arm at best." Sheryl says dryly.

"Another joke?" You ask.

"Sure."

Your group comes upon the castle gate, and it's as large as you remember it. Only The Highest Castle in Rascha's capital, Castle Belgrand and Castle Equis are said to outclass Ridae Castle in size. Your classmates take a moment to marvel at it, but you and Ianc quickly step on forward across the bridge.

"Ah, Dame Ianc! It is good to see you again. I must thank you again for taking the time to train the recruits." A guard at the gate says as you approach.

"Oh don't worry about it."

"Really! We've not more than two knights who can call themselves your equal serving right now. And neither of them as beautiful."

"Stop it, you'll embarrass me."

"Friend, you look awfully scary right now." Yu'yen whispers over your shoulder.

"Ahem. Excuse me, allow me to let you inside, the king has already given word of your arrival this morn." The guard steps to a side and makes a few knocks on the gate, in some minutes, the closed gate becomes open.

>CONT

"I am so thankful you arrived." Franson greets you at the throne, his daughter stands to one side in a dress. Every one of you quickly kneels, but he gestures for you to rise again, "No need to be so formal, you are my saviours after-all. Who'd have thought that it'd be Dame Ianc's son and companions to come to my rescue."

Benefactee?

"We thought to send knights to the fortress the slavers occupy, but the lives lost would be too much to take. Instead, we are in works to get some of the children freed and find good homes for them."

"Are you certain that's for the best... duke? There're a lot of innocent people in there." Rein protests before you can think to.

"I grieve for them, but the world is not so kind that we can simply rescue them all... I promise though young lady, we will do our best to press them into releasing more in the years to come."

Rein nods begrudgingly, lowering her head.

"Well, enough of this. I must reward you for the heroism, please, ask whatever it is that you desire!" The duke stands up and steps forward...

Yu'yen stands up and dashes ahead, he grabs the Princess Fiandae's hands, "If it is not too presumptuous of me, my lord. I'd like my reward to be but one meal with the princess, whether I may have it with her or serve it hot along my pauper hands."

The room freezes, the only noise is the sound of Ianc slapping her palm against her face.

"Gross..." Fiandae says out-loud.

>CONT

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>>31964280
My spidey senses is tingling I can feel the happening approaching

"Well erm... I suppose so. If you really want to." Franson mumbles.

"Do you hear that my lady? Your father will give blessing that I may serve you. Do tell, do you prefer the local fish from Ticeti or perhaps something more exotic like Daktori cuisine?" Yu'yen kisses her hand and peeks up at her seductively, "Lunese?"

"I did NOT give you permission to kiss my hand!" The princess stomps on his foot with her heeled shoes, sending him toppling backwards.

"My apologies my lady! I wish only to know how this one might serve you best!" He manages to land on his bottom, holding a hand out to her.

"You can serve me by not being so... eewy!" She stomps at him, he clumsily avoids the steps crawling backwards over to you.

"F-friend. Is this really the princess? Raschan blood and pure? She doesn't have Belgrand blood in her does she!?" Yu'yen grabs onto your shirt panicked.

"You realize there's no actual difference between Belgrand blood and Raschan blood right?" Rein snarks.

"OF COURSE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE! BELGRAND BLOOD IS COLDER!"

You sigh and brush Yu'yen off, standing up. This show can continue in a little bit, but you have questions to ask first...

>Ask of Carna
>Ask about Gos, Ianc must've asked about Carna some time during the ten years
>Asking about specific people is foolish, discuss House Santo
>Write-In

>>31964418
>Discuss House Santo, then ask Lanc about Gos

>>31964418
>Ask of Carna
Then ask about Gos

>>31964467
This

>Ianc must've asked about Carna some time during the ten years
Good point

>>31964280
>>31964418
Yu'yen pls; this is the bending and scraping I was talking about.

>>Write-In
"Remember, you made me promise you could have her."

>>31964418
>Discuss House Santo, then ask of Carna.

Gos we've actually got information about, even if it is somewhat outdated. Even if Ianc must have asked about Carna before, we should at least bring it up.

"Duke Franson, could I ask you about the fallen House Santo? You must know things about it that the public does not."

Franson brings a hand to his chin and mulls over your question, "Normally I would not wish talk about such things... but I suppose you deserve answers with what connection you have with the house." He looks over to your companions, "May I speak freely?"

You take a moment to think it over, but you nod to his question. Even if you were to hide it here, your friends would certainly find out down the line once you completed your training.

"Ten years past, your village was ravaged by a Rasci that escaped from The Hound's Prison. It is not an unknown happening, but the circumstances in particular brought it to my attention. As I'm sure you already know, your home-town had the misfortune of being built over a seam in the weaves, House Santo meant to use it to summon the Rasci."

Things you'd suspected are confirmed.

"At that time, we were in conflict with Santo. Being near the coastline, slavers often carry children up along this region. We'd discovered that Santo was involved in this when we intercepted a caravan holding slaves headed towards their castle. At that time there was discussion to move onto them so we could discover the villainy and replace them with a puppet house-hold, but..." The duke shakes his head, "Your village was destroyed and The Highest Throne demanded a stalemate while it investigated the event."

>CONT

"They were not able to turn up any evidence that House Santo was involved in the demon, at the very least, none that reached our ears. In the following year, the entire household was devoured, leaving not a body behind and only blood splatters across the halls. Because of the throne's demands, we were unable to place someone in Santo to investigate, and instead a family favoured by the throne was sent to replace Santo among the great houses."

Some pieces fall together, but still the trail is cold...

"I'm certain you could discover more if you ventured there, Duke Hagaf presides over there now, they must've looked into Santo in their years there."

"Thank you." You bow to the Duke and return to a kneel.

"It is the least I can do. Now, gifts of gold and honours aside, could I treat you all to a night at the castle?"

"We need to return to Deneb tonight. We haven't the time." Sheryl answers.

"At the very least, might I guide you to my dining room? You could at least sit with me for a meal."

"We really should be go-"

"We'd be delighted!" Yu'yen raises his hand.

"What're you doing." Sheryl speaks with a hushed tone, shooting him a look.

"I have settled my soul and resolved to try again at the princess, do not stop me now!" He speaks quietly but passionately back at her. She rolls her eyes.

"Fantastic. Just come this way." The duke makes for the door, gesturing for you to stand as he goes.

>CONT

"My lady, shall I pour you a drink?" Yu'yen holds up a bottle of liquor, he is seated beside the princess.

"Yes you shall, and mix it with milk!" She answers, holding her chalice out towards him, "The stuff will burn my delicate throat if you do not... and I shall have your foolish throat if that happens."

"How can a throat be foolish?" Rein asks, picking bone out of fish on the plate in front of her.

"Weeeeell..." Leona points over at Yu'yen.

"These bones will skewer the lady's delicate throat! Let this one pick them out for you!"

"I am embarrassed to know him." Sheryl sighs, she nibbles at her meal. Anlak silently eats beside her.

"Ianc. Do you remember the boy I told you about? Gos?" You whisper to your benefactor while the others enjoy themselves.

"Yes, he lived with you for some months didn't he? I kept insisting you visit him but you always refused."

You'd heard of his location in the previous years, but something had always kept you from seeking him out. Finding him before finding Carna just felt wrong to you. "Well, I was hoping it was still possible now."

"Last I'd heard, that knight's son set out to travel. Headed north of the capital? The Highest Peak is frozen all year round, I suppose even north was warmer ventures for him."

It won't be easy tracking him down.

"I will send to you if I get word of him, but I can't imagine he went too far to find someone to serve. Missing your old friend are we?" Ianc pokes at your cheek.

"Always." You think.

>CONT

"AGH! WHAT IS THIS!?" The princess' shriek brings you back to the table, "I TOLD YOU TO MIX MILK WITH IT!"

"I did! You drank the last two cups fine!" Yu'yen protests, holding the bottle defensively.

"Fiandae, please..." Franson mutters, conspicuously lowering himself below the table.

"THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MILK IN HERE. I DEMAND AS MUCH AS THE GAP BETWEEN MY THUMB AND MY PINKY!" Fiandae picks up the chalice and pours it down on Yu'yen's head.

"I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH THAT IS!" Yu'yen yells at her panicked.

"STOP YELLING!" She grabs a handful of mashed potato in her hands and tosses it at him, despite the distance between them not being a meter long, he deftly avoids it and it hits Sheryl on his other side.

Silently she stands up from the table and takes a five second pause before grabbing a chicken leg and tosses it back at the princess. Yu'yen intercepts it with a smack of the hand, and it flies at Leona.

"LEONA! NO!" Rein lunges between Leona and the piece of poultry, it hits her in the shoulder and her elbow slams on the side of a plate, lifting it and sending small peas and pieces of fish bone onto your face.

The table looks at you...

>[Alacrity] Food fight
>Defuse the situation

>>31963391

Been waiting for this all week. Still catching up with your posts, and I understand if you don't want to comment, but was this purposeful:

Carna: "Even when we get married off..."

I was under the impression from earlier threads that she'd said something about marrying the MC. Was this a purposeful shift on your part? Not that we (the character) would pick up on that necessarily, just trying to get some idea of what we're really in for when we do find her.

>>31965475
Hahahahaha.

>>31965455
>Tactical Retreat

>>31965483

Our fault then? Welp. Have a "go fuck yourself" in advance though.

>>31965546
I guess if I respond at all I should respond properly. Most of anything Carna says is worded with a lot of intention.

>>31965455
Grab Yu'yen and get out of there.

Rolled 8

>>31965455
>[Alacrity] Food fight

>>31965672

Oh the "fuck you" was for the poor MC, who I like and will feel bad for when the inevitable happens. Thanks for confirming my suspicions though.

Another question, the Duke and Princess are the Brother (or Uncle) and Neice (or Aunt) of the King?

>>31965455

Food fight is the only response here. Throw something at Yu'yen or Anlak.

Rolled 1

>>31965455
>[Alacrity] Food fight
This couldn't possibly go wrong. Rein is obviously our first target.

>>31965896
WELP

Rolled 9

>>31965879

oh forgot my roll

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You stand up slowly, picking pieces of food off of your face with a napkin before setting it to the side. Slowly you reach down and scoop some potato in your spoon. You calmly bring it upright and place a finger on the head of it, pulling it back... the room watches in anticipation.

You fling it at Yu'yen. It casually sails over and flops up on his nose.

"FOOD FIGHT!" Yu'yen yells out, lifting a foot up on the table while picking up the break basket. He grabs and tosses pieces one by one in several directions with smooth motions in an abuse of the skills he learned with The Seekers.

It doesn't take much to goad the girls into joining in, and you're too invested to leave the battle now. The princess a little more volatile than the rest goes so far as throwing knives and forks across the place, but thankfully everyone in her line of fire has the skill to avoid it.

"Stop it! We're in audience with nobili-" Ianc doesn't finish her statement, Leona tosses a slab of meat that catches in her mouth. Ianc takes a moment to chew and swallow before returning the shot with carrot bits.

Anlak continues his meal quietly.

By the end of the conflict, you've come out victorious. The others involved lay up against the table and floor, covered in food.

Anlak looks at you, shaking his head.

>CONT

Now here I'm writing a tactical retreat and then all you guys come back and gosh. Also man, I completely forgot to post this image until now.

>>31966053
Voting just wouldn't seem right if we didn't change our minds half way through.

Duke Franson comes out from under the table, he picks up his daughter, not unconcious but dizzied from the chaos and lifts her up, "This happens entirely too often."

You make a few quick apologies, making futile efforts at cleaning the mess around you.

"Well, from the sounds of it she was having fun." He looks at his daughter dotingly, she lifts a hand covered in meat juices and wipes it lightly on his beard, "Don't worry about the mess, we'll clean it up. Just make sure you aren't late in your destination." The duke carries Fiandae out of the dining hall, you join Anlak in rousing your friends...

"I can't believe we did that in front of the Duke." Ianc cups her face in her hands as you make way back home to collect the last of your things and hopefully change before leaving. It's not quite evening yet, but the city is turning orange from blue.

"I can't believe the princess didn't like me. You don't suppose she'll take poorly to me sending her letters do you?" Yu'yen ponders.

"I promise you that she will." Sheryl reaches behind her ear, pulling a pea off of it and flicking it aside.

"Oh," Ianc turns her head to you, you can't help but smile a little at the silly image of the mature woman with food bits on her face, "Before I forget, I've been meaning to ask you. What've been your favourite lessons with The Seekers?"

You take a moment to think...

>Stealth
>Weaving
>Combat

>>31966228
Or make you write really lewd handholding and awkward hug scenes

>>31966241
>Weaving

Just so you have to tell us what the hell we can do with them.

You can't hide anymore Lib

>>31966241
>Weaving
Everything else has been something we'd experienced before. Fightin' and sneakin' are nice, but relatively mundane. Manipulating the underlying fabric of reality by snapping your fingers? That's something totally novel.

>>31966241
>>Weaving

Rolled 7

>>31966241

Weaving.

>>31966241
>Weaving

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"Oh that's good to hear." Ianc places a hand on her chest and breaths out, "Picked just the right present after-all."

"Oh, a present? What is it, what is it?" Leona pops her head over your shoulder excitedly, looking at Ianc while she talks beside your ear.

"Mmhmhmm, I can't tell you yet." Ianc holds a finger to her lips, even though you didn't ask...

When you return home, you go about gathering your bags and changing into something neater. With the time constraints, the three girls agree to shower together. While split from Anlak and Yu'yen to gather things from your room, Ianc knocks on your door and invites herself inside.

She hasn't quite tidied herself yet, if anything she looks a bit messier. She holds something beside her back. A bit smile is plastered on her face.

"Now, I know you're already working hard with The Seekers, but I thought I'd give you a little bit more homework to do."

What happened to the gift?

"Tadaaaah!" She pulls out her poorly hidden present and presents you a book, 'Book of Simple Weaves' is listed on the front, "A friend of mine gave this to me when I mentioned what you were doing," Your organization of spies seems to do poorly at keeping its secrets, "I thought this might help."

You take the book and thank her before you glance over it, it has few spells but they should keep you busy learning. Ianc takes a seat on your bed, stretching her arms.

>CONT

She doesn't say much more to you after that, merely watching you pack your things. When you finish folding spare outfits, you set the book she gave you on top to be readily found during your return.

"You know, I'm really happy you made some friends." She says as you close up the top of your bag, "When I found you battered up in that ruined village, with a hole in your chest... I really didn't think you'd make it. Somehow you kept breathing for hours as I rode you back into Ridae."

You rub the back of your head, unsure how to respond.

"You didn't talk to me for awhile, just stumbled out of bed every morning running for the door until someone calmed you down. I had to take leave of the knights after we found you trying to leave the city by foot without even a piece of bread with you... but I don't regret it, you know?" She hops back onto her feet and makes way over to you, you fiddle with your bag as she tells the stories, it just won't seem to close.

"Even when you started talking to me, it really took awhile for you to open up to anyone else..." Ianc gives you a hug from behind, her motherly bosom hangs on top of your head, "So I'm really happy you made some friends."

"Thank you for taking care of me." You bashfully tell her, finally clasping the bag closed.

"Thank you for letting me take care of you." Ianc pinches a cheek of yours before letting go.

>CONT

A weight builds up in your throat, one short word of three letters that you want to say to her that just manage to lodge themselves in there. Your tongue ties and your chest feels heavy, but you resolve yourself to say it...

Your door swings open, Yu'yen steps in, "FRIEND! FRIEND! I JUST HAD AN AMAZING REALIZATION!"

So much for that, "What?"

"WE-" Yu'yen notices Ianc and coughs.

"Well, I'll let you boys be. Don't waste so much time that you can't wake up for class tomorrow." She steps out of the room.

"So, so I just realized. Right now, within this same building... Leona, Rein and Sheryl are all BATHING!"

"Yes." You know exactly where he's going with this and you definitely, absolutely, certainly have no interest in being a part of it.

"Did you hear me!? BATHING!"

"So what? We always use public baths in Deneb."

"YEAH, BUT THIS IS A PRIVATE BATH! THINK ABOUT IT, PRIVATE!" Yu'yen waves his arms trying to draw you a picture, you can't make heads or tails of it, "We don't need to do anything hasty, merely listening in through the door is enough don't you think? They could be talking about anything! They could be talking about me!"

You sigh and pick up your bag, heading towards the door to...

>Follow Yu'yen to keep him out of trouble
>Wait patiently for the others

>>31966864

Follow Yu'yen, heh.

Also, we (talking to the other players here) should maybe try to write the occasional letter or two to Ianc when we have some downtime.

>>31966864
>Wait patiently for the others
Spying on bathing women NEVER works out, you will always be caught no matter how hard you try.

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>>31966766
>Follow Yu'yen to keep him out of trouble

>>31966954
That's the point

>>31966954

That's the idea, man. Of course we the character are honestly going to keep Yu'yen out of trouble (and subconsciously or quietly to ourselves maybe we are a little curious). NOT ONE of the girls is going to believe that though.

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>>31966864
Dammit Yu'Yen

>Wait patiently for the others
Let him get his ass whooped go find our mom let her know I need this feel man

>>31966864
>Wait patiently for the others

>>31966864
>A weight builds up in your throat, one short word of three letters that you want to say to her that just manage to lodge themselves in there. Your tongue ties and your chest feels heavy, but you resolve yourself to say it...

>Your door swings open, Yu'yen steps in, "FRIEND! FRIEND! I JUST HAD AN AMAZING REALIZATION!"

>So much for that.

Goddamnit Yu'yen. Goddamnit Librarian. Yeah, I know it's obligatory for us to get interrupted there, but still.

>Wait patiently for the others
Yu'yen, please don't turn the place we've lived for half our life into a house of debauchery.

Besides, wouldn't you rather say tons of easily-misinterpreted stuff once we have our turn in the hopes that THEY are trying to spy on US?

Winner's the one who causes the deepest blush.

>food fight with royalty
>can't listen through a door to girls bathing

really???

>>31966864
>>Follow Yu'yen to keep him out of trouble

>>31966864
>Follow Yu'yen to keep him out of trouble

You walk past Yu'yen and head for the stairs below.

"COWARD! I BELIEVED IN YOU!" It seems that your saving him from a life of slave-mastery was not enough to earn his trust.

You arrive downstairs and give a look around for Ianc, hoping that your resolve hasn't faltered. Instead, you find Anlak seated idly, he meets your stare in the short second it's on him. You take a seat across from him.

You can hear the soft chirps of the birds before they retire for the day, the gentle hum of music coming off the streets as the bards play, even the noise of cats meowing from streets away sneaks in between the silence of the two of you.

"You finished preparing?" You ask him.

"I had little to prepare." He answers.

The silence continues for some time longer...

"Your mother is kind." Anlak repeats what you've heard plenty before the last week.

"Bene-" You start, but you don't finish correcting him, just closing your lips.

"She's a lot like Kran."

You think over it, they're both warrior-women but as it goes there's not much more alike between them, the Kran you know is much rougher than Ianc, insensitive and sometimes vulgar.

"They're both kind. They take care of people." Just a little bit, you swear you catch Anlak smiling. You don't have a response for him, "It's not my place to say this," He continues, "But isn't a kind mother and the friends around you enough?"

>CONT

>>31967333
>"But isn't a kind mother and the friends around you enough?"

Huehuehuehuehuehue
ere we go

On one hand he's kind of right

Seeing as he doesnt understand the "MUH CARNA!"

>>31967333

In the future can you try to give some indication on when votes are closed, or how long we have for a particular vote? This doesn't seem like a major thing so I'm okay proceeding, but it looks like 2 more votes for following Yu'yen appear to have come in while you were typing for the other option (which did have more votes initially). If there's a set time or a certain number of votes that are counted and I should know this already, apologies.

"You get along nicely with everyone. Yu'yen likes you, Leona likes you, Sheryl likes you," He takes a short pause, "Rein likes you. You don't need to keep searching do you?"

Your body tenses.

"Rein asked me the other day, after we returned with Yu'yen if I was hurt, she said I was unfortunate. But, I am okay with what I have now; I don't know if I would have been happier born into a proper family instead of a slave pool, if I would have been happier if I didn't meet Kran."

"So what." You don't want to hear more from him.

"Isn't it the same with you? Aren't you happy right now?"

As always he speaks to you firmly and honestly, but still you have trouble answering him. Despite the injuries, the troubles, the time you've spent with the others has been the most peaceful time you've had in the last ten years.

But Carna is still out there, even if you could call yourself happy without her, you don't know what she's suffering, where she's been, who she's with...

You answer Anlak...

>That you have to find Carna
>With silence
>Write-In

>>31967469
Frankly speaking, I do a pretty shitty job managing votes. I usually start writing whatever is winning after ten minutes or when a response hits three and re-write if something else gains momentum over it. In this case, the votes only popped up on my auto-update after I hit submit but you don't need to apologize because it is definitely my fault. Will take suggestions.

>>31967469
The time period is whenever he damn well feels like it.

Those votes look samefaged to me. No votes for a long time then two one minute apart with a > to prevent the "error duplicate reply"

Just a hunch, I've got no proof of coarse.

>>31967552
>With silence

Unless there's a diplomancer here I have to concede to anlak here. Check mate anons

>>31967552
>>That you have to find Carna

>>31967552

Silence. How could he understand our bond with Carna when he had the upbringing that he did. No need to rub that in, though.

That being said, I don't really have much of a feeling for our bond with Carna. I get that kids are rare and she was our only friend growing up, also some awkward romantic feelings, but this seems to go way beyond that.

>>31967552
>With silence

>>31967552
>With silence

>>31967597

Yeah I can see that, I'm just looking ahead. This is a great quest with great players right now, but eventually the rabble will make their way here. Wait until some waifu-related vote (or a vote the crowd perceives as waifu-related) comes up without a time or vote limit.

>>31967552
>>That you have to find Carna
>Write-In
Just because you're happy now doesn't mean you should give up on trying to make that happiness grow even further.

Sure, there's something to be said for being able to be content with what you have, but you have to make sure you can gauge the difference between content and complacent.

Sure, let's say we're happy with where we are now. We've got friends, and that's great. We've got a mother figure who cares about us.

Now let's say something happens to those friends. Well, you've still got your mother! Why not just be glad for what you still have?

Now say something happens to your mother. Well, you've still got your health!

As long as your happiness isn't at someone else's expense, there shouldn't be anything keeping you from wanting make things even better.

>>31967621
Mostly ptsd. When shit goes down some people will latch on to something to keep them together.

Basically Carna is a coping mechanism. (In my personal option)

>>31967552
"Don't worry about it, okay?"
Seems like the only acceptable response

>>31967552
>With silence

>>31967681
>OP upda-
>Oh wait, it's just a tripfag that wrote a dissertation as his write in
>Whoops

>>31967662

In the alternative, any vote related to character advancement, which piece of loot to take, which spell to learn, or custom piece of gear to commission.

>>31967552
>But Carna is still out there, even if you could call yourself happy without her, you don't know what she's suffering, where she's been, who she's with...
And I guess the big thing I left out is that when you have people that you care about, you want those people to be happy also.

Sometimes it's fine to just be fine with where you are. But that's not the feeling that drives the Krans of the world to come and help the Anlaks of the world.

>>31967690

Ehhh, I can see that. My god our world is going to come apart at the seams when we find her if that's the case, though. Whether that's fast or slow depends on the circumstances we find her in.

>>31967552
>Carna,, Carna, Carna

>>31967772
When the MC first went to live with Ianc he convinced himself that all he had to do was find Carna and everything would go beck to normal. He would go back to his old house and live his old life. Sooner or later he's going to realize that it's never going to happen.

If he is able to make peace with himself before he finds her he might not come apart.

>>31967884

I haven't played in too many quests, but I'm not really optimistic about that happening based on my past experiences. Guess we can hope for a spectacular crash, in any event.

You think over arguments in your head, you think over responses, what to say.

You have no response to Anlak, he's not wrong but the moment you admit it, Carna might fade away.

"I apologize, it left my place." He says to you, before bringing his gaze to the window. The sky outside is tints of red now, The Shepherd's eye is slowly fading away to let in The Goddess' night gaze.

"HIDE ME, HIDE ME, HIDE ME!" Yu'yen sprints down the stairs and slides under the table between you and Anlak. A pole comes flying forward, smacking across the table and landing next to Anlak. You turn your head to see where it came from.

With her hair still wet, Rein comes down from the stairs. Her clothes cling to her body, obviously put on hastily, "COME OUT HERE YU'YEN! IF YOU DON'T RESIST I WILL ONLY KILL YOU ONCE."

"Why is everybody yelling at me todaaaay, we were so friendly yesterday!"

"I really shouldn't have to answer that." You tell him.

Leona and Sheryl arrive at the top of the stairs, damp but not dripping like Rein and watch as she reaches the bottom. She steps over to the table and grabs the pole from on top of it, making a few loud bangs against it, "We caught this son of a bitch waiting outside the bath, why don't you two be helpful and grab him for us."

"Don't do it friend, she will kill me."

"Just once."

"I am offended by the belief that Lunese have nine lives!"

"By my count he has seven left." Leona counts on her fingers.

>CONT

Anlak sighs and boots Yu'yen out from under the table, he rolls over by your feet. You lift yourself up and back up as far as you can on the chair as Rein begins to give him hard whacks with the pole, as expected from a Belgran spear-lady.

"Ah, six... five... four..." Leona lowers fingers with every thwack.

"If she knocks him into the negatives, that'd make him undead wouldn't it." Sheryl says. She takes a short pause after and bites her lip lightly, furling her brows.

"Negative eight... negative nine..."

It's a sorry sight to see, Yu'yen is curled up into a ball as Rein beats him over the back with the wooden stick.

"What're you doing!?" Ianc comes into the room with a startled look, "You're going to be late! And his wounds will open up!"

"Oh." Rein drops the pole onto Yu'yen.

"Negative twenty-three."

"I guess we won't have time to shower huh..." Yu'yen groans on the floor.

"Ah, Ia-" You start to say as to not lose your thoughts, forgetting your surroundings.

"Not now! Send me a letter, just hurry up!"

The girls scramble up the stairs and after collecting yourself, you scramble up to help them. Anlak follows along, you can worry about Yu'yen later...

>CONT

The carriages back to Deneb are Franson's finest. Pulled by strong white steeds with the white and red colours of Ridaela adorning them. By the city gates, you make to say your goodbyes to Ianc.

"Write often alright, you barely have the last few months. I'll look into that boy-knight for you, but I'm not sending to you until I get a message." She pats you down, picking one loose piece of bread that hid nicely in your hair out, "If you start seeing someone, I expect to hear about it immediately. If you don't start seeing someone, I expect to hear about it immediately."

"Come on friend, I didn't take half this long saying goodbye to my father!" Yu'yen yells over to you from beside a carriage, "Come on, we're three to a caravan. If it'll hurry you up, you can decide who you want."

"We don't have a s-say in this?" Rein stutters, shivering from the cold on her still damp clothes. The winter is coming up.

"It's his birthday!"

"No it's not." Leona yells back to him.

"Well ah, I guess I have to leave now..." You don't know when the next time you'll be in Ridaela is, you make to hug Ianc but she grabs a hold of you first.

"Come on, just hurry up and say goodbye to your mother!" Yu'yen's voice carries on.

>Correct him
>Say goodbye to your mother
&
>Take a carriage with the two of...
>...Anlak
>...Leona
>...Rein
>...Sheryl
>...Yu'yen

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

>...Rein
>...Sheryl

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>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

Disregard Bitches aquire Mother

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother
&
>...Leona
>...Sheryl

>>31968289

Say goodbye to your mother, don't correct him.

Take carriage with Yu'yen and Sheryl.

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

>...Leona
>...Sheryl

>>31968378
My reasoning being Rein and Yu'yen probably don't want to ride in the same carriage after what just happened. And we need to get Sheryl to stop avoiding us. Rein and Leona is also acceptable.

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

>...Sheryl
>...Anlak

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

>...Leona
>...Sheryl

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

>...Rein
>...Sheryl

>>31968462
I say this because everyone is in good terms with everyone else except Sheryl with Anlak

>>31968395
>>31968412
>>31968462
Why are you trying to get Rein and Yu'yen to sit together?

>>31968289
>>Correct him
>>...Leona
>>...Yu'yen

>>31968289
I vote for any option that doesn't put Rein and Yu'yen in the same carriage. He just got his ass handed to him there is no reason to hit a man while he's down. Rein and Sheryl with us would be ideal.

>>31968289
>Say goodbye to your mother

Fifteen minutes have passed. Counting.

>>31968570
>>31968617
Well you people must really really hate Yu'yen. Making spend the entire ride with the woman that just assaulted him so that you can have your waifu's.

I hope you happy.

>>31968666

Eesh that did win, not what I voted for, but whatever. Being the retarded eternal optimist that I am, maybe Yu'yen and Rein can work out some of their differences on the ride? Or an hour out of town we'll see him go flying out the carriage door into a roadside ditch.

You take a breath through your nose and return Ianc's hug, "I'll see you next time... mom." The word comes out cleanly but softly and not a moment too soon, you're not sure you can say anything else until the fuzzy feeling in your chest clears up.

Ianc squeezes you harder, "I'll see you next time son."

It's likely a full minute until she lets go of you. You turn to see all your friends and Anlak watching, you know the teasing is coming up. You fake a cough onto your cupped hand, "Well then, I guess I'll go with..." Setting aside Anlak who you'd just prefer not to be stuck in the carriage with, you think over how you'll avoid most of the teasing, "Leona and Sheryl."

"Alright, good choice, now let's get up and g-" Yu'yen watches as Rein approaches his carriage, still cold but cracking her knuckles, "Oh, I see how it is. You betrayed me friend, you betrayed me."

She shoves him inside and Anlak follows behind them, closing the door. You can worry about Yu'yen later...

Leona and Sheryl sit beside each other, and you across from them. The carriage sets off shortly after you've secured yourselves.

"Ridaela was so much fun, you should take me back sometime." Leona stretches an arm out above her head, with her other one gripped on it.

"The bunny-wolves were cute." Sheryl's words don't match her dry tone, "We should get focused quickly though."

>CONT

>>31968666
>>31968697
Come on guys, this quest is anime but not thaaaaat anime. Not yet.

>>31968697
I'm 100% sure that vote went the way it did was because of cronic waifu-ism and samefagging.

>>31968666
Don't look at me. I voted for best grill and best bro.

>>31968771
>>31968783
All I voted for was best momeru

>>31968842
Same
>>31968771
>>31968783
I don't think this is one of those choices that bite us in the ass at least not yet

>>31968783
That wouldn't fix anything, they'd still be in the same carriage. And we'd have to sit between them as they argued.

>>31968886
$20 says that Yu'yen promises to get us back for this.

>>31968923
Why would Yu'yen and Leona argue?

"What do you mean?" Leona lowers her arms and leans her face in close to Sheryl.

"Silvest told us about our first five months of instruction. The first month is just various lore with Masoch, the second month is combat practice with Kran, the third month is espionage with Kita, the fourth again with Masoch is weaving, then the fifth is demons with Silvest..."

"We don't know what the sixth through eighth months are." You lean back in your seat, staring up at the ceiling of the caravan.

"We'll be on field missions."

"Hm?" You and Leona look over to Sheryl.

"I asked Masoch about it once." Sheryl explains, you recall that she'd been talking to him often, "For our sixth month, we'll be sent somewhere together, the six of us and a teacher. For our seventh month, we'll be divided into groups of two with a teacher. The eighth month will be treated similarly to a real mission, and we'll be alone."

"Alone..." Leona's eyes widen, her voice softens.

"None of the jobs are meant to be very dangerous at the level we're expected to be at, but..." Sheryl pauses, "There have been casualties, he said."

Leona slumps back against her seat and lowers her head.

"We're a guild of assassins and thieves after-all." Sheryl's words cling to your ears for awhile.

You could lose your friends again...

"Well!" Leona's voice catches you, "We'll just have to make the best of it then!" She speaks in a high tone, grabbing Sheryl's hand with one of hers and yours with the other.

>CONT

>>31968756

[spolier]It's been getting a little anime lately, but I choose to think it's mostly due to what's been going on in the plot. Also anything involving magical teenagers is bound to trigger anime flags, or whatever the proper term is, for most of the people who browse this board. I like anime quests, just don't adhere to genre tropes over player choice.[/spoiler]

how in the world would making them take different carriages help mend the situation at all? This way at least we can move past this when we arrive.

>>31968974

wow, time for me to go to bed

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>>31968968
>grabbing Sheryl's hand with one of hers and yours with the other.

Way too Lewd

>>31968974
Next time use Control+S to save yourself the embarrassment.

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>>31969022
It works!

"If we might not see each other much after the next month, then we'll make it special." She shakes both of your hands, her smile is difficult but she keeps it up.

"I guess they can't send us away so fast, we should... do something before we go." Sheryl smiles awkwardly back at Leona.

"We can tell the others when we return." You follow their lead. With that, Leona lets go of her grip on the both of you.

"Ah, that princess was really something wasn't she?" Without a beat she leads you into another conversation, "Nothing at all like any princess I've ever heard of."

"She threw food at me." Sheryl sighs and shakes her head.

"I still can't believe you tied her up." You look to Leona, who darts her eyes over to the window and plasters a devious smile on her face.

"You did that!?" Sheryl's ears twitch.

"I might've."

The three of you go over conversation to conversation, idly wasting time trying not to think about the coming months... but with the length of the trip, you sooner or later run out of an end of topics, each of you just staring out the window with the night sky now crept out.

"Say," Leona says quietly, "Let's forget about the bad part of the coming months... in the seventh we'll have to spend a month alone with someone, we can keep it secret from the others, who would you like most to spend it with?" Her eyes are on you.

>Anlak
>Leona
>Rein
>Sheryl
>Yu'yen

Before anything bad happens, no, this will not be what determines it down the line.

>>31969144
>>Yu'yen

Yu'yen is our bro.

>>31969144
>Silvest, heh no but seriously Rein

>>31968995
It's not about mending the situation it's about trying not to make it worse.

>This way at least we can move past this when we arrive.
Do you really think that's whats going to happen? Because this is how it's probably going to go down; Rein is going to spend the next four hours lecturing Yu'yen like a child. Yu'yen is just going to sit there and stare out the window while he gets yelled at, all the while vowing revenge on the MC.

By revenge I mean pranks

>>31969144
Can we roll to dodge the question?
If not the Rein or Sheryl

>>31969144
>Sheryl

>>31969144
>>Sheryl

>>31969144
>Leona
>Yu'yen

One of those

>>31969144
Either Yu'yen or Sheryl

>>31969144
She obviously want's the MC to say her. And, I don't want to hurt her feelings. But, out of all the people in the class she seems the least useful out in the field. That just Leaves Rein and Sheryl since the quest needs a waifu.

Go with
>I don't know
or
>I'll have to think about it.

>>31969144
>Yu'yen
>Leona

For reasons pertaining to strategy.

>>31969326
She's the strongest.

Also
>quest needs a waifu

Seriously?

>>31969144

"Well, I'm not sure it's what I'd LIKE, but I may need to keep Yu'yen out of trouble."

Don't play this game, we might not have much experience with girls, but maybe our lessons with the drunk taught us something.

>>31969326
I suppose if we say Sheryl we could immediately follow it with;
>"Since I assume you're going to be with your sister."

>>31969368
It is impossible for a quest with any amount of character interaction to not have a love interest of some sort.

Okay, that's 15 minutes. Let's count 'em.

>>31969326
>implying we don't already have a waifu

>>31969369 is me.

If we're forced to give an answer, whoever's skills compliment our own the best (probably whoever has the highest tenacity with alacrity as their second highest) is who we'd want to be with. I'm guessing that may be Leona.

>>31969368
I was wondering if that was going to get a response.

But seriously this right here.
>>31969144
>>31969391
I could go with Sheryl, since I assume you're going to be with your sister

>>31969419
Yeah, but you don't need to limit your choice when we partner up to just girls. It's not like we're committing ourselves to them.

"Sheryl, I guess." You answer, doing your best not to meet her gaze.

"Huh?" Sheryl's ears waggle, her eyes widen in surprise. Leona smiles softly and nods.

"...Since you're going with Rein of course, and I don't think Sheryl would be comfortable with Anlak or Yu'yen."

"Yu'yen I can handle but..." Sheryl's feet shuffle around, she rubs her hands together while darting her eyes between each of you, "I guess I'd like to be partnered with you too... you're good with a sword, after-all."

"Ah." Leona sighs and stares out the window, "I don't think it'd be good if I went with Rein. We spend a lot of time together and I like it but... I'm not really sure if she does all the time."

"Of course she does." Sheryl speaks meekly, she takes her beret off and squeezes it between her hands...

"If I could pick someone, it'd be you if you were curious." Leona looks to you, her face doesn't change, "I like you most after-all, after Rein." Her gaze returns to her window.

Sheryl bites her lip softly. She looks to the opposite window.

"But I like it the best when we're all together." Leona says finally. The rest of the trip is silent.

>CONT

I probably should've added a dodge call. Completely forgot.

>>31969621

my heart

It's night when you return to Deneb. Your carriage arrives first, and it's not a minute until the other one stops but it feels like much longer.

When Rein exits the second carriage first, she runs right over to Leona and the two talk about their trips cheerfully. Leona doesn't mention any of the harder stuff.

Anlak exits the carriage and Yu'yen stumbles out behind him. The former nods to the three of you once before making way towards the dorm without any other words, Yu'yen places a hand on your shoulder, "Please don't leave me in there next time."

"With Rein?"

"No not Rein, she only yelled for like, ten minutes. It's Anlak... I don't know how but it's even more awkward when there're three of us. When it was just me and him we at least had something to discuss, but as soon as Rein stopped yelling at me we just sat there, for hoooours..." He slinks around you and places his hand over onto your other shoulder, leaning up against you for balance, "He says 'Yes' or 'No' to just about everything we ask, and the scariest part was that when Rein brought out this... picture book, he just gave her this look and she put it away and went silent."

"Well uuh, let's... go back then." You help Yu'yen towards the dorms, the three girls leading the way.

In just the nine days you were in Ridaela, the winter has crept on Deneb early. There's a thin layer of snow on the city, blending together the buildings and the trees that touch them.

>CONT

>>31969621
If we team up with Sheryl and the twins don't become partners then Yu'yen ends up with a Belgrand woman no matter what. Dreams do come true.

I have a feeling that when the QM first created the setting he originally intended the pairings to be
>MC and Leona
>Anlak and Rein
>Yu'yen and Sheryl

But every QM knows the players will always do something you didn't expect.

The quiet city is practically silent, not even the birds sing. The path up to the The Archives is shoveled, but the piles of snow paint a difference scene than you're used to. More dimly lit and thinly populated than Ridaela, the moonlight dances off the white snow.

"This would be a pretty romantic walk for two wouldn't it." Leona whispers to her sister but each of you can hear.

When you get back to the dorm steps, you see Anlak just standing out at the front, hesitant to enter.

"What's wrong? Did the door f-freeze shut?" Rein shuffles over beside him, her clothes are dry now but still she shivers.

"No." Anlak shakes his head, "He told me to wait out here."

"W-who?" Rein clutches at her arms, when the door swings open. Kita steps outside in a fur coat, a fox skin hangs around his shoulder.

"You're all back eh." He takes out his pipe and lights it, blowing a puff of smoke into the air.

"W-were you waiting f-f-for us?" Yu'yen is shivering too, you'd forgotten but he wasn't good with cold was he.

"Just for a little while. Mostly I just used the dorms because you weren't." Kita looks over to you, "My apologies, your room probably smells like smoke and animals right now."

"Why mine!?"

"Well, I wasn't going to stay in a lady's room and the other two were a mess."

"We have empty rooms!"

"They weren't homely enough." Kita shrugs, "Alright, let's chat."

"C-can we go inside?" Yu'yen asks.

Kita pauses and takes another puff, "No. I'm not done with this yet."

>CONT

>>31969621
I feel that if we end up with Sheryl the MC will probably die. Sheryl talks big but she's unreliable in a fight.

why do people like sheryl so much? Leona is always way more fun to hang with and Rein has way more personality. I hate waifus in general, but if you're gonna go there, go in the right direction.

>>31969193
>>31969781
>No not Rein, she only yelled for like, ten minutes
Did I call it or did I call it? She yelled at him and then moved on.

Anlak takes off one layer of the many clothes on him and drops it over Rein's back.

"I was supposed to warn you a few days ago about your next mission, but I was real surprised when I found out you weren't in the dorms..."

"Wait wait, did you skin Gin and wear him as a scarf?" Leona looks at Kita in horror.

"What happened to Chance!?" Sheryl gasps.

"Yes, but he's a demon so it's okay." Kita takes another puff.

"No it's not, you useless..." Gin materializes beside Kita, a full coat of fur, "For an entire day I ran around shivering! Buy a goddamn coat sometime! Steal one if you have to!"

"As for Chance, he's sitting around inside. Can we talk now?" Kita leans up against a wall, the rest of you go quiet to listen, "Tomorrow at dawn you'll be heading to Belgrand. I'll be joining you. Pack warmly, we'll be there for awhile."

"What!?" Rein shouts, "We can't!"

"Sure you can. I mean, it might not be entirely legal but... anyways, that's about all I had to say. See you." Kita stepped past you, his fox following behind him and berating him the whole way.

"Ah, Belgrand. Why Belgrand..." Leona shakes her head, stepping on into the dorm. Rein takes a moment to hand back the cloth to Anlak before following her sister.

"...I guess we should r-rest huh." Yu'yen says, shuffling on inside.

"I'm going to see Chance." Sheryl tells you before entering, Anlak nods to you once and goes.

>See the sisters
>See Chance
>Talk to Yu'yen
>Talk to Anlak
>Pursue Kita
>Write-In

>>31969935
Anlak was to be shipped with whichever of the two sisters you didn't take in the library, any other pairings are incidental. Except for the obvious one with Carna and all but I mean, that was a given from the first post.

>>31970043
>See Chance
Or
>Talk to Yu'yen

>>31970043

Talk to yu'yen and pack anything extra we may need. Do we need to buy anything?

>>31964110
>"Friend, you look awfully scary right now." Yu'yen whispers over your shoulder.
Benefactor, huh?

>Paladin Gos and Seeker Knight BlazerMC
now ain't that an awkward reunion?

>>31970043
>>Pursue Kita
get the details

>>31970043
>>See the sisters
I want to know why they can't go back.

>>31970043
>See the sisters
Aside from Kita,, i can't think of any reason to pursue any other option.

>>31970043
>See the sisters

>>31970043


>>31970075

Is me, I want to change my vote to see the sisters and ask them about stuff to bring.

>>31970043
>See the sisters
That is a very odd reaction to going home.

>>31970062
Is that because Anlak was going to ask the other girl to teach him to read? And the relationship between Yu'yen and Sheryl seemed too one sided to be considered "shipping"

>>31970043
>>See the sisters

>>31970084
>I want to know why they can't go back.
More or less this.

>>31970062
The more you try and force a pairing the more the players will want to do something else.

Yu'yen constantly trying to pick up women is actually just his way of overcompensating for his true feelings. One day Yu'yen and Anlak are going to live happily ever after together.
>I will make all future decisions under the assumption that this is true.

You pursue the two sisters, for their excitement in your visit home, their reaction doesn't seem quite in line...

You head into the dorms. The place hasn't really changed, other than the thin smell of smoke drifting around. Making way into the girl's room, you give Rein's a few knocks, then when she doesn't answer, you step ahead to Leona's and knock on her door...

Rein answers and gives you a stern look, but she lets you inside without any questions. Leona sits cross-legged on her bed, Rein steps backwards and sits herself beside her sister with her legs stretched forward. Cautiously, you take a seat at Leona's desk.

"So, what has you two so upset about going home?"

Neither sister answers, they both look at each other then all over the floor, no one seems to want to meet your gaze today.

"Whatever the problem is, I think it's a given by now that we'll all help each other out."

"It isn't any of your-"

"Let's tell him Rein." Leona taps her sister's shoulder, and Rein sighs. Leona turns her head to you and starts to speak, "Rein and I... we might've, erm... run away from home."

That's it?

"With thousands of ras." Rein adds.

A lot of money but...

"Away from an engagement." Leona mumbles.

"Hers, not mine."

"To a prince."

You vaguely remember hearing about something like that.

"Well, at least you're not being hunted to the death... are you?" You check to make sure.

"Of course not!"

"And we won't have to kill any parents?"

"Probably not..."

>CONT

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>>31970238
I wonder, what's the real reason Leona has turned down all those marriage proposals. Sheryl/Leona?

>>31970298
"And no demons are involved?"

"Then we're good!"

Compared to Sheryl and Yu'yen, their problems seem comparatively easier. A few fairly easy solutions pop up in your head...

"I suppose we'll talk your parents out of it and apologize to whatever prince it is." You tell them.

"Ah well." Rein smiles awkwardly, "Thing is, our mother is Unicorn Commander of Belgrand's military... I don't know if I mentioned this."

The Unicorn Commander, you recall that the incumbent one is famed for her success in the Fourth Dylian War, the Belgrands only provided support in the conflict by the commander alone slew a Rasci deployed by the Daktori Empire.

"And the prince is heir to Belgrand's throne instead of some noble lordling, right?" You ask.

"Nooooo," Leona waves her hands in front of her face, "Princes can't inherit, he'd be marrying into our family."

"...no demons involved?" This one might be better avoided if that's the case.

"Well... Belgrand has eight princes to the castle right now, six of them are contractors."

"The one you're marrying...?"

"Not marrying!" Leona protests.

"And no." Rein interjects, "It's traditional among all Belgrand houses that princes who aren't deemed suitable to wed are passed down one 'Demon Frozen in the Ice'. It helps them keep up with the women."

"You'll help us, right?" Leona clasps her hands together and looks up at you hopefully.

"Let me think over that." You make for the door, they never make this easy.

"He's going to help us!" Rein grabs Leona's hands and raises them up.

>CONT

You make way back towards your room, the situation doesn't seem to be as dire as the ones you've been dealing with recently, especially if the girls can talk things through with their mother... but the ridiculousness of it leaves a dull pain in your head.

With a little time left, you think there's just enough time to do something more.

>Retire
>Write-In

Last choice, probably.

>>31970472
>Check on Chance

>>31970472
Stab youself in the arm and go to sleep, I dare you.

We'll wake up completely healed.

>>31970472
>Retire

>>31970487
This

And at some point we're going to need to know why she didn't want to marry him.

>>31970472

Ask Leona to study that pistol you were given.

>>31970557
Yu'yen would probably know more about it.

>>31970547
I think it's obvious
>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAp9BKosZXs&feature=kp

>>31970557
Why don't we just ask our bro about it?

>>31970574
>>31970581
Fine. Changing vote to asking Yu'yen about it.

>>31970578
I was just thinking about what all popular quests have but this one is missing. Lesbians it definitely needs more lesbians. Bi-sexual's are also acceptable.

You hear some noise in the kitchen and take a peek inside, it hasn't been since the interrupted lunch that you ate any ways.

Sheryl plays with Chance on a table, she holds his front-paws up and he does something akin to a dance. Yu'yen sits at the same, but on the far end of it, dropping pieces of bread into his mouth while he watches.

You walk over and take a seat between them, "Why so much space between you two?"

"I don't want any fur in my food, it's unsanitary." Yu'yen nods as he breaks the bread in half, holding half of it to you, "Have some, you might want to move unless you want to catch something though." You take his offer, health didn't seem like a big concern with him.

"Is Chance doing fine?" You ask Sheryl.

"No. He's been eating nothing but scraps... and he smells like smoke and liquor." Sheryl shakes her head, you give Chance a little sniff to confirm her statement and it's dead on, "I bet Kita was just feeding him whatever he feeds to Gin, but dogs can't eat what demons eat."

"We should see if Masoch will let Deneb and Danoch take care of him while we're in Belgrand." You tell her.

"No, we're taking him along. He's a Belgrand dog anyways, so it's fine." Sheryl stubbornly responds, she's always fairly particular when it comes to Chance.

Dropping the topic, you turn your head to Yu'yen, "Could you have a look at this for me?" You draw the Lunese wand.

>CONT

I can't tell if the Yu'yen-gun posts are votes, so let's do both.

"A wanf!?" The piece of bread in Yu'yen's mouth falls out, "Where on Rascha did you find that!?"

"Your ex-fiance told me, speaking of which, we need to talk about them tomorrow."

"Wands?"

"No, we can talk about the wand right now. We're talking about ex-fiances tomorrow."

"I'd rather not talk about Yu'minh..."

"It's fine, not her. Now, the wand." You brush past the topic.

"During The Vanishing Age, the Lunese people discovered magic powder. It's this fine black dust that explodes when you add a spark of fire." Yu'yen gathers crumbs on the table together, gesturing to them as an example, "It was mostly for show at first, give the common man some magic... but someone had the idea to use it as a weapon, the wand here is that."

"Yu'minh said I only had one use on it."

"You'd need more magic powder. I don't know anyone who makes it, but I can scrounge some up before we leave. Just leave it to me." Yu'yen thumbs at himself and you nod, "Don't show anyone though, The Highest Throne banned the use of magic powder after it conquered the Lunese people."

You nod.

You notice a lack of noise behind you, and turn to see Sheryl yawning. She lowers Chance's hands.

"Chance is tired, so I'm taking him to bed." She picks him up from under the arms and carries him off.

"I suppose I'll retire too then friend, best I wake up a little earlier to prepare our ingredients." Yu'yen taps you on the shoulder as he walks by. You decide to follow his lead.

>CONT

When you open the door to your room, the stench assaults you. You make way over to your table and light your lantern to see what Kita has done...

Bottles of liquor sit in a corner, thankfully stacked rather than tossed around but unthankfully here rather than somewhere else. Some pieces of clothes remain tossed around messily though, but with any luck he'll come and take them back before you burn them. The real problem is the ashtray he left sitting on your desk, you open your window to let the air in and think to toss it out, but you decide to just sleep through it tonight and clean it up later.

You hop on your bed where you bump into something, Rum flaps out from underneath your sheets and out the window. Giving it a quick check-over to confirm that nothing else is lurking there, you close your eyes to catch some sleep...

Anlak's words still bother you. Slowly you've grown accustomed to your current lifestyle, and the friends that you grow closer to each day. It was Sheryl though that reminded you that this wasn't to be forever. Leona's quiet pain in the carriage ride back stings into you, and her shared pains with Rein will likely catch you again.

You did have the chance to reconcile with Ianc though, and found new information that could aid your search. A reunion with Gos you feel, is inevitable. Yu'yen is back to his self, and despite refusing to aid his deviancy, your friendship is as strong as ever.

But still, someone's missing.

And so life goes on.

>>31970836
Are we growing less obsessed with Carna? Think so.

Thanks Librarian, sir.

>>31970836
Thanks for running

I don't know if this is the kind of thing QMs are supposed to say, and there might be fallout in the long run from this but I just want to mention. I come from a theatre writing background so I tend to follow those conventions a lot.

Romance isn't supposed to be second to friendship was a theme here but I really like romantic elements in stories.

But I reeeeeally love tragic elements in romance.

>>31971001
Looking forward to that bad end.

>>31971001
Is, romance is supposed to be second to friendship*

>>31971001
I don't think anyone's forgotten the MC's little episode of self-puppetry