By the end of the lesson, we’re both sporting a few sore spots, but are even on number of hits, kicking back in the grass to catch our breath, when a noise breaks the humdrum chatter of the village. A score of clattering hooves and loud whinnies coming from the road.

“You hear that?” Alison grins. “Those are warhorses boy-o. Seems we’ve got someone fancy come to visit.” She cranes her neck to peer at the road, but can’t get a very good view from the riverbank, too many trees in the way. “Wanna go take a closer look?” She asks, jumping to her feet, excitement twinkling in her eyes.

>Sure, why not
>I should probably get back, lots of study to do.
>Nah, one more round of sparring sounds better, who cares about them?
>Actually, mind teaching me to fish?
>Write in

>>44541154
>Sure, why not

>>44541154
>Sure, why not?

>>44541154
>No.

>>44541154
>Sure, why not

I glance up at the road above us, before giving a shrug. "Might as well." I figure, using my staff to stand, I follow her lead up towards the village.

A few boys who'd pressed into the street catch sight of Alison approaching, splitting up and trailing around a house as she waves at them, the redheads hand dropping with a twist of her mouth.

"Fine then, suit yourselves ya bastards." She sighs, before rounding back on me, "Best view should be up by the bakery, c'mon."

She hurries ahead, leaping atop a barrel to peer over the crowd now filling the small square at the village centre as I climb up beside her.

Two horsemen are strutting across the square, dressed in the garb of Lord Reamont's men, nasty looking maces hanging from their saddles as they ride back and forth, the taller of the two speaking loudly to the crowd.

"-Let all able bodied men join up!" He cries, "For the people of Skeda have proven themself to be the cowardous villains we all knew them to be! They marched an army upon the village of Eila, and burned it to the ground, allied with witches and demons, they murdered babes in their cribs and drank their blood like wine!" He slaps his thigh for emphasis, "Come now, isn't it the duty of all good men to rise up and defeat such evil?" He demands of the crowd.

Alison snorts beside me, "I've been to Skeda." She mutters, "They tell the exact same stories about the last war we had with them!" She calls over the crowd, "That we raped their crops and burned their women."

The horseman rounds, a scowl on his face as he glares at Alison. "Who said that?" He demands, going red in the face.

>Jump down, time to put some distance between you two
>"I said it."
>Write in

>>44541702
Keep Quiet and see where this goes, be prepared to grab her and run.

>>44541723
this

>>44541702
>>44541723

>>44541702
Going with>>44541723

Protect the waifus

>>44541723
this

File: Alison.jpg (241 KB, 808x1198)

241 KB JPG

I hold my tongue for now, as Alison raises her hand, “That would be me.” She calls out, as the crowd mutter among themselves. “Ye can try and fool all them, they’ve never been more than a few miles from town. But I’ve been all over the place, and every recruiter in the world reels off the same shiny speech you just did.” She puts on a hoarse scream to her voice, “EVERY MAN WOMAN AND CHILD OUTSIDE OUR COUNTRY IS A RAPIN MAURADER WHO WANTS TO KILL YOU AND YOUR DOG, SO HELP US KILL THEM FIRST!” She folds her arms over her chest, smiling smugly. “Sound familiar?”

Both horsemen are getting increasingly angry now, before the taller one draws his weapon and points to her, “You’ll keep your mouth shut if you don’t want to spend a night in the stocks girl.” He growls.

She simply raises her eyebrows, “I say we leave the wars to the lords and kings, and the people they plan on training!” She calls out. “Eight out of ten men that leave their village for war don’t come home, so they say. And the other two are shells of themselves.” She jabs a finger at the horseman, “Meanwhile, all the career soldiers are kept out of the fight to find more thousands to grind against the enemy.”

That snaps them, “Guards! Arrest this harlot!” The taller one commands, swinging his mace in small arcs unconsciously.

Alison glances sideways, shooting you a wink, before leaping upwards and hurling herself up onto the roof, as several men shove their way through the crowd towards her. With the barrel the only way up, they’re glaring at you now, blocking their path as Alison clambers to the highest point of the roof.

“Move or hurt boy!” A guard demands, reversing his spear to bash you with the blunt end.

Before I get a choice in the matter, a young voice cuts the tense air. “Chesick! The hell are you doing?” A familiar youthful voice commands.

Ashwyn’s gentle old mare clops it’s way into the square, the squire wearing a look of contempt on his face, “You don’t convince the people by threatening everyone that disagrees with you!” He spares a cursory glance to the guards, “Stand down, all of you!” He orders, without even seeing you. “You’re not to harm the girl, understood?”

The guards retreat and the two horsemen glare at Ash as he canters to the centre of the square, making apologies for the uproar, the villagers now eyeing all three riders with suspicion. Ash makes his apologies, sending the two horsemen out of town on an errand, while he tells everyone to return to their homes.

As the crowd disperses he slumps in his saddle, rubbing at his eyes and sighing, while Alison leaps off the edge of the roof to the ground, giving you a rebellious grin. “It all worked out in the end, eh?”

>That was idiotic Alison.
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.

>>44542034
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.

>>44542034
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy

>>44542034
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.

>>44542034
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.
Very much so. Thought we were going to get lynched for a second. We still might if the lord comes calling

>>44542034
>Well intentioned, poorly executed
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.
Ashwyn's a cool guy.

>>44542083
Ashwyn get of 4chan and get back to wooing chamber girls.

>>44542034
>Let’s go thank your saviour, I know the guy.

I sigh a little, “While it was well intentioned, it was poorly executed.” I admit, her grin fading a notch, “You probably should think more before you go challenging armed riders, especially ones with guards to command.” My lesson is rather cut off as she places her hands under my armpits and lifts me down from the barrel to loom over me… was she always this tall. “Either way, let’s go thank your saviour. I know him, name’s Ash.”

She shrugs, glancing over at the squire. “Him? Seems like a pampered nonce like every other lords’ son.”

I frown a little and she rolls her eyes, falling in line with me as we approach his horse. “Good to see you again Ash.” I call up to him.

His ears prick up at that and he stops massaging his nose, looking down at us. “Ah. Leon, good to see you again.” He shoots an easy grin at Alison, eyes on her while he talks to me. “I’d half forgotten you said you live in Arling.” He mutters, “Nice place, very quiet.”

“It’ll be quieter once you lot march everyone off to fight for you.” Alison growls back.

He winces, before his smile reappears. “On my honour, I promise that we aren’t here to conscript anyone. Only volunteers are to be taken, and I’ll do my best to make them aware of the true realities they’ll face. If anyone leaves the village, they won’t be fed lies about chasing glory.”

Alison’s frown lessons a degree, “Well, you can stay away from my father then, he stays as far from war as should. Ain’t nothing you can say to change that.”

Ash nods, clambering down from his horse finally, “Fair… and if you don’t mind me asking, what evil deed could possibly lead to the loss of an eye as lovely as yours?” He asks, nodding to her eyepatch.

Alison rolls her eyes again, ignoring the white toothed smile and glancing back to me, “Sparring lessons are over, come by next time you want another few bruises shorty.” She raps her knuckles off my temple and swivels on her heel, heading for her home.

Ash watches her go, before he catches himself, glancing back to me. "Quite the enchanting lady, no?"

>I don’t think she likes you much.
>The eyepatch is a fake, just so you know
>She's... something alright
>Is this war going to be any major threat to Arling?
>Is Skeda really allied with witches?
>Write in

>>44542397
>She's... something alright
>I don’t think she likes you much. Can't imagine why.
Keep the tone joking

>>44542397
>Is this war going to be any major threat to Arling?
>write in
"I'll try to put in a good word for you, but I think it'll be an uphill battle, there."

>>44542397
>She's... something alright
She is a strange one.

>>44542397
>She's... something alright
>Is this war going to be any major threat to Arling?

>>44542397
>She's... something alright
>Is this war going to be any major threat to Arling?

You watch her retreat, gone in a flash of red hair, “She’s… something, alright.” You have to agree, as Ash’s horse attempts to chew your hair. Ash bats the mare away, laughing a little at your predicament as you turn back to him. “Just between you and me, this war isn’t going to be any major threat to Arling is it?” I have to ask.

He shakes his head side to side. “Not unless Skeda really hands our arses to us on a platter.” He sighs. “Really it’s just a feudal pissing contest over land… unfortunately, the pissing contest ends up being very unfortunate for the people who live in Eida.” He claps a hand to my shoulder, “This far from the border, you’ll have plenty of warning if Skeda pushes any further. And be thankful you don’t have to rally troops for the cause.” He adds with a grim laugh.

He ruffles my hair a little, “But forget that, I need something to take my mind off the trouble those two idiots have caused. After that trouble, I’ll need to give the village a day or two to settle down first.” He ribs me with his shoulder, “So Mr Spook, is there anything fun to around here in the mean time?”

Fun, huh? You’ve been too cooped up on the hill to have much what most would call ‘fun’, other than maybe the lessons with Alison.

>You’ll have to figure it out, I’ve got studies to do.
>Want to visit the house?
>Want to go fishing?
>Write in

>>44542670
>Want to visit the house?
"Not much else to do around here."

>>44542670
>Want to go fishing?

>>44542670
>Write in
"I'll be honest and say I don't know much to do around here, but give us enough time and I'm sure trouble will find us."

>>44542670
>Want to go fishing?
>other
"The baker's pies are pretty good. I'm not much of a host, sorry."

>>44542670

>>44542728
^this

I shrug, “We could go fishing? I know a certain cat that’d like me bringing a few home… other than that, I don’t honestly know much to do… though I’m sure if we hang around long enough trouble can find us.”

He rests his chin on his hand fore moment, before giving a shrug, “Well trouble can find us while we’re fishing then, no?” He stakes his mare outside the tavern to graze, following me down to the riverbank, twine pulled from his saddlebags, while I fetch some springy sticks from some saplings, planting ourselves in the grass, while the river slowly rolls by.

“So, how’s spooking been going?” He asks.

I shrug, “We sealed a boggart about a month back. And I’m not sure how I did it, but I managed to hold a rock wider and thicker than a mans torso up for a few moments, had to drop it perfectly level or the beast could escape.” I catch his raised eyebrow as he hooks the twine, casting my rod, then his into the water. “I DID!” I repeat firmly.

Ash just snorts, “Okay Leon, and after that you transformed into a ten foot bear and slayed a dragon.” He watches the river flow by a moment, “I’ve been fine by the way, thanks for asking.” He gives me an easy grin, showing no offence taken. “It took me a few weeks to accept the whole situation with Emmerlin…. but I’ve made my way past it… mostly. Still feel my skin crawl every time I see her, or that bloody guard.” He yanks his rod and a fish flies from the water to land on the grass, “But I won’t reveal her secret like that. If only because I like the castle and would prefer not to do the rest of my squiring in some dingy little corner of the kindgom.”

“Well, priorities, I suppose.” I mutter back, yanking my rod, only for my fish to escape.

“And how is your ever hooded friend going?” He asks. “I was surprised to find that lovingly curved redhead with you, rather than our charming little companion. Seemed like she was stuck to your hip every chance she got.”

>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”
>"She doesn't like town much, want to go see her?"
>Ashwyns a good guy, tell him about lapines
>Write in

>>44543056
>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”

>>44543056
>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”

>>44543056
>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”

>>44543056
>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”

>>44543056
>”Kara’s fine, same old, same old.”
>"She doesn't like town much."

I shrug, “Kara’s fine. Same old, same old.”

He shoots me a sidelong grin, “So? You made any progress on that front yet?”

“Well, last full moon she licked my face.” I say without thinking. Wait a minute…

“Your whole face?” He laughs. “I’d say that’s quite the brazen advance from such a tiny girl. Must have taken a while, I’d imagine her tongue would be as small as the rest of her head.”

Well, she wasn’t exactly small at the time… “Nothing else to report.” I cough awkwardly, giving my rod another tug, this time managing to pull a decent sized fish out of the water, setting it with Ash’s.

He chuckles in his throat, his laugh ringing across the water, before both our ears prick to the sound of approaching footsteps. “Oi, spook!” I hear call from behind.

Aaron’s standing in the shade of a tree, spear lazily slung over his shoulder, along with the badge of a town guard. “Been meaning to talk to you.” He grins, walking forwards slowly. “You still never apologised to me for lying right to my face.” He lets the spear rock forward, holding it casually now in a one handed grip. Still, it’d be easy for him to jab the sharp end, right into my face with just another step or two.

>You know you almost killed me right?
>Ash here is a squire of Lord Reaumont’s court, did you know that?
>I’m sorry, there, are we done now?
>Write in

>>44543424
>>Ash here is a squire of Lord Reaumont’s court, did you know that?
>You know you almost killed me right?

>>44543424
>You know you almost killed me right?

>>44543424
>You know you almost killed me right?

>>44543424
>"And you never apologized for almost killing me."

>>44543424
>You know you almost killed me right?

>>44543424
>You know you almost killed me right?

>>44543424
>You know you almost killed me, right?

I turn back to the river, "You know you almost killed me, right? I didn't hear any apologies about that."

He sneers, "Not my fault you can't swim. And I heard what your demon cat did to Vince's leg. Better watch out, someone might see the thing and stab it before it gets them."

Ash sighs, "You there, guard, what's your name?"

Aaron seems confused by the question, having not been at the square earlier he doesn't recognise Ash. "Aaron Dakkis." He retorts, "What's it to you?"

Ash nods, "I'll make sure to talk to the commander about you." He laughs, savouring his words, "Maybe I can suggest a career change for you? Like slop cleaner, a direct command from Lord Reaumont himself."

Aaron finally notices the pattern on Ash's tunic, taking a half step back, "Y-you're one of them?"

Ash shoots him a grin, "Ashwyn De Reau, squire of the court of Lord Reaumont, and far outranking over a village guard." He tugs another fish from the water with a sharp movement, "Now if I here about you killing any cats, or causing other trouble for Leon, or his master, I'll see to it that you're sent to the front lines against Skeda myself. Understood?"

Aaron gulps, hurriedly retreating backwards, his spear going upright again as he stands to attention, "U-understood!" He barks, quickly back-pedalling away."

"Rather a thuggish fellow." Ash remarks, as you get another fish out of the water with a splash. "Seems that was the last of our bait though." He sighs, looking to the small collection of fish. "Well, these should make good eating at least. Shall we go fry them up?"

>Probably best if you don't come to the house.
>Sure, sounds fun
>You can keep them, it was your bait
>Write in

>>44543737
>Sure, sounds fun

>>44543737
>Sure, sounds fun
"We've been good on food since the boggart incident, but some fish would be a nice change of pace."

>>44543737
>Sure, sounds fun

>>44543737
>Sure, sounds fun

>>44543737
>Sure, sounds fun
>Thanks for the help with Aaron

“Sure, sounds like fun. Fry them up with some butter and salt, we can get a decent meal going.” I pack them away into Ash’s saddlebags as he leads the mare out of the village, following me back home.

Marmalade yowls as we approach, eyes locked on said saddlebag, watching it sway back and forth with each movement. Ash rolls his eyes, squatting down he rubs the cat between the ears, before handing her a fish. “There’s a good puss puss.” He mutters, as Marmalade darts away, ensuring that only she gets to eat that fish. “Some demon cat you have there.” He laughs as Marmalde tears her food apart.

“She’s alright.” I shrug, “Just watch out for the claws. Mr Johnson said if she slashes you it’ll never stop hurting fully. She used to be a witch’s familiar until Mr Johnson got a hold of her.” Ash raises his eyebrows, seemingly bemused by the story, before we finally enter the yard. The mare waits quietly as he stakes her again, fetching the fish out of his pack.

“I’m back!” I call, unlocking the door to allow Ash entry, catching the sound of humming in the kitchen just in time to realised something.

“What the hell are those?” Ash jumps back, pointing across the kitchen at Kara, her ears flopping as her head whips around. “And why is she so…. so….” A smile spreads across his face, nostrils flaring as he stares over at the small girl by the stove, frozen in place.

>Kara, run!
>Slap Ash, bring his senses back.
>Write in

>>44544179
>Slap Ash, bring his senses back.
I was assuming that we'd give fair warning before we let him in. unfortunately Leon is retarded.

>>44544179
>Slap Ash, bring his senses back.
And turn him away from her. That way he doesn't go back to crazy before she finds a cloak or something.

>>44544179
>Slap Ash, bring his senses back

>>44544179
>Slap Ash, bring his senses back.
"Kara hood"

>>44544179
>Slap ass, bring his senses back.

alrighty, gonna need a roll of 2d20s on this

Rolled 18, 7 = 25 (2d20)

>>44544330
rollin

File: image.jpg (135 KB, 530x750)

135 KB JPG

Rolled 1, 10 = 11 (2d20)

>>44544330
Protect the bunny!

Rolled 11, 20 = 31 (2d20)

>>44544330

Rolled 14, 8 = 22 (2d20)

>>44544330

Rolled 2, 18 = 20 (2d20)

>>44544330

Oh, damn it! “Kara, hood!” I call out, breaking the silence, reaching to slap some sense back into Ash, but he’s already launched himself across the room, elbowing me in the jaw accidentally in his mad dash.

Kara unfreezes, glancing around, she reaches for the ladle she’d been holding and swings it in a perfect arc, cracking it into the side of his head, sending Ash toppling to the floor, crashing into a few chairs, before she takes off at a run for the coat rack, scooping her cloak up, before zipping into the garden, while I block the doorway behind her, as Ash rushes after her, a crazed look on her face.

He tries to run right through me, but I throw my smaller frame against him, tackling him around the chest and digging my heels into the dirt, slowing him down, before getting my feet between his ankles and tripping him up, slapping him across the face a few times until he blinks himself back to his senses.

“Wha- whaaat hapenned?” He groans, clutching the side of his head. “Everyfin’s ring ging.” He glances around, “Why’d Kara have those big things on her head?” He asks, slowly losing his slur, as Kara emerges from behind a tree, looking at him nervously, her ears tucked away. “I-” Sudden realisation rushes into his eyes. “I- I chased her, I wanted to-” He looks back to the girl, shaking his head desperately, “I’d never-”

Kara’s foot is thumping on the ground a mile a minute, as she tugs her hood low

>It’s a witch’s curse, just don’t look too closely at her.
>Spill the beans, lapine info dump
>Probably best if you go, Kara’s pretty scared.
>Write in

>>44544523
>Spill the beans, lapine info dump

>>44544523
>"Spook business"

>>44544523
>It’s a witch’s curse, just don’t look too closely at her.
Now feck off

>>44544523

>Spill the beans, lapine info dump

>>44544560
This, no one questions spook business and it's not a lie

>>44544523
>Spill the beans, lapine info dump
Though mayby ask Kara if she's okay with it first.

>>44544555
>>44544585
>>44544611
what do we gain from telling this guy anything?

>>44544523
>>44544560
this

>>44544630
Deepened friendship

>>44544630
His trust and friendship?
If nothing else it's good to have contacts.

>>44544663
>>44544666
You really think Kara wants a human involved in the military to know about her people?

>>44544710

read >>44544611

>>44544560
this

>>44544733
obviously she would say no so why even ask

>>44544710
Considering her people are all in a different dimension I don't think it matters.

>>44544611
This. If Clara is worried, vouch for Ash.

>>44544814
To continue the trend of poor decisions during this thread

>>44544861
>Clara
are you even reading this quest m8

>>44544879
How's asking for her opinion on something that concerns her, rather than just deciding on our own what's best for her, a bad decision?

>>44544975
I keep on mixing Kara up with Klara in my head as well, it happens.

>>44544984
Even considering telling him about lapines is a poor decision. We shouldn't have to ask to know not to do it.

>>44545009
>Abloobloobloo keep all the secrets

File: Snow bunny.png (316 KB, 294x748)

316 KB PNG

I look over to Kara, before going with my gut. “Spook business.” I tell him simply. It’s not a lie, after all.

Ash seems unsatisfied with the answer, peering closer at Kara for a moment, before nodding his head. “Alright then. Whatever that… was, I think I get a better idea why she keeps that hood on all the time.”

He picks himself up stiffly, bowing awkwardly to Kara. “I’m sorry for whatever came over me Kara.” He tells her earnestly. “If you’d prefer, I’ll take my leave right now.”

She chews her lip, her mouth barely showing now with how low her hood is drawn. “I…” She trails off. “Yes please.” She finishes weakly. “It’s not you just Ash, a lot of people have had the same reaction. I w-won’t hold it against you. I-I just need to calm down a little.”

Ash nods respectfully, “Again, I’m sorry. Please, take the fish, all of it.”

She nods weakly, her ears twitching inside her hood a little, “W-we can all spend some time together tomorrow?” She offers, her voice choked. Ash makes a noncommittal noise, rubbing at his forehead still, quickly making his excuses to retreat back down the road on his mare.

As soon as he rounds a bound on the path, Kara rushes towards me, hugging tight around my chest, her tiny chest expanding and contracting a mile a minute under her panicked breathing, as she presses herself against me for reassurance. “Every time…” She half sobs into my chest.

>Head pat
>Hug
>Kiss the bun
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”
>Write in

>>44545009
Hey man, all trust begins with a leap of faith

>>44545063
>Hug
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”

>>44545063
>>44545063
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”
Thought we would enter first and make sure she was covered.

>>44545063
>Hug
>"I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”

>>44545063
>>Hug
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”

>>44545063
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”
>Hug
>Head pat

>>44545063
>Hug
>“I’m sorry, I brought him without thinking.”
How can I make it up to you?

>>44545065
same with betrayal

>>44545188
But thats what makes life exciting doesn't it? Playing the game of chance

I hug her tight, “I’m sorry, I brought him here without thinking. I didn’t know you’d be in the kitchen…”

She shakes her head, rubbing her face against me, “He’s your friend, you had every reason to spend time with him.” She whimpers.

“Is… there anything I can do to make it up to you?” I ask her gently, trying to pry her off from suffocating me.

She just clings tighter with one arm, pulling her hood back with the other, letting her ears spring free as she looks me in the eye, “You- it still don’t bother you right?”

My vision swims for a moment, staring at her this close, her smell flooding off of her in waves, but I blink once and my head clears. “Not at all.” I assure her.

That seems to settle her a little, as she grabs my hand from her back, holding it gently in one of her small palms, bringing it up to nuzzle against her cheek, brushing over the blank stretch of skin where a human’s ear would be.

“Just… I miss touching people.” She explains shutting her eyes as she presses my hand to her face. “I can’t get near anyone here… My mother used to kiss me every night on the forehead, before I went to bed, and my father would ruffle my hair, and my oldest sister would pat me on the cheek sometimes, in the middle of conversations for no reason, and Letuh would…” She trails off at the mention of the other lapine visitor.

>Just let her enjoy herself
>About Letuh, were you two…?
>You've got to let go, the spook really won't like this.
>Write in

>>44545525
>Just let her enjoy herself

>>44545525
>Just let her enjoy herself

>>44545525
>Just let her enjoy herself

>>44545525
>Just let her enjoy herself
Maybe hum a tune and pat her head.

>>44545525
>>44545583
This.

>>44545525
>About Letuh, were you two…?

>>44545525
>Just let her enjoy herself

I keep the one handed hug going, letting her enjoy herself as she presses my hand across the whole side of her face, starting to hum a tune to herself without even knowing it, her cheek soft and warm against my skin as she holds my hand steady, the thumping of her foot finally slowing to a halt, as she leans forward and rests the other side of her face against my forehead.

“Leon?” She asks gently, “Would you… um…” She gulps a little, “Would you scratch behind my ear please?”

I smile down at her a little, raising my hand, and taking a guess, I scratch the delicately fuzzy skin at the base of her left ear.

She seems to sag into me a little, sighing with relief. “A little to the right?” She asks, and I move over, her foot starting to tap again, at a slower rhythm, breaking off as she nods contentedly. “Thanks Leon.” She sighs, wiping at the corner of her eyes and giving me a bright smile again. “Aheh… now my tail itches.” She reaches into her cloak, hand disappearing into shadow as she scratches for a moment, her face going red as it reappears, while a picture of a white cotton ball floats through my mind for a moment...

“It’s going to be a full moon tomorrow.” She points out, breaking my train of thought, slowly leading the way back to the house, picking up the fish Ash had left. “I was thinking… maybe you’d like to observe me up close while I was transformed?” She tilts her head, “For your… beastiary, of course.”

>Sounds smart
>It’s a date
>I’m sure the spook would want to be in charge.
>Write in

>>44545988
>It’s a date

>>44545988
>It’s a date

>>44545988
>Sounds smart
>It’s a date

>>44545988
>>It’s a date

>>44545988

>Of course
>For the beastiary...

>>44545988
>Sounds smart
Keep it professional.
Mr. Johnson is going to be upset about this as it is, no need to make him even more upset.

>>44545988
>Sounds smart
>It’s a date

>>44545988
Changing my vote >>44546089 to >>44546196 with
>Wink, it's a date

>>44545988
>Sounds smart

>>44546322
That's pretty out of character for Alan. Especially right after causing such a mess.

>>44546428
Good thing we're not Alan

>>44546428
I don't know who Alan is, but I do think it's out of character for Leon

>>44546448
>>44546480
Ah dammit, autocorrect fucking up again.
Trying to flirt with Kara is very out of character, especially in light of all of our previous interactions.

>>44546448
But it's also out of character for Leon.

>>44546559
If it's an option given and not a write in there's no way it's out of character.

I follow her into the house, shutting the door behind me, “It’s a date.” I nod, watching her ears stiffen for a moment, the only indicator I can get from her with her faced away from me, before she nods and turns to the stove, humming to herself again as she quickly stirs the stew, saving it from burning thankfully, as I scale the fish and prep them, before making my way up to my room, remembering the notes Mr Johnson wanted done by tonight.

I sit at my desk, cranking my way through a book on the animals that witches most prefer to use as familiars when lacking for a more traditional magical creature to draw from, turns out the most desired creatures are those with incredibly long lifespans, a clan of witches who live on a tropical archipelago far to the south trading tortoises like diamonds to other clans in the dead of night, the creatures long life spans being sucked away to power various dark ceremonies.

I’m roused fromy my studies by a knock on the door, Mr Johnson poking his head in, “Boy. Eat your dinner, before it gets cold. Fish doesn’t keep well.” He sets a bowl of stew down on my desk, taking a moment to peer over my notes, nodding approvingly. “There’s also certain breeds of elephant, and types of fish, though those are less preferred, the former being hard to control beasts, and fish being difficult to transport.” He points out. “Otherwise good work. Take a break.”

I sigh appreciatively, sitting back in my chair and scooping my bowl up as he reviews my notes more closely.

>I think I’ve dealt with the boy harrassing me
>Tell him that Ash saw Kara
>Ask him about the notes you’ll be taking tomorrow
>Write in

>>44546774
>Tell him that Ash saw Kara

>>44546774
>Tell him that Ash saw Kara
"I was able to get him to drop it by claiming spook business, and I doubt we'll have to worry about him rallying anyone to kill her."

>>44546774
>Tell him that Ash saw Kara

“Uh, master, while you’re here… Ash was in the village earlier, and I… invited him up here without thinking and he… might have seen Kara without her hood on.” His frown goes from mild concern to grim as I talk, but I plow on, “We stopped him from getting at her, and I managed to make him drop it, saying it was ‘spook business’. I doubt we’ll have to worry about Ash rallying anyone together to come kill her any time soon, he’s a pretty good hearted guy, under all his bluster.”

The spook sighs, drumming his finger on the desk, “If I see a pitchfork wielding mob coming up the road anytime soon, they can take the girl.” He mutters irritably. “The cat won’t stop more than one or two people at a time.” He relents a little, “Or I’ll pretend to put her in a pit, that ought to get rid of them, only means she won’t be able to show her face in the village ever again.”

I frown, but nod, finishing the last of my meal off hurriedly, “Understood sir.”

He jabs his finger back at the book, “Good, then back to work.”

I set my bowl aside and the spook leaves, soon replaced by Kara, slipping into my room silently, she tells me that she didn’t want to eat in the kitchen alone, taking her vegetable soup to my bed, she eats five times my serving, cramming it into her tiny body, her caloric intake having skyrocketed again, this close to the full moon.

She doesn’t say anything, even after she’s finished her meal, just rests back against the wall, idly fiddling with my staff, fiddling with the grooves as I scratch notes into my book, finally managing to top off my set amount of notes, I slam my book shut with a groan, placing it in a drawer, beside the brooches I’d found in Letuh’s hideout, turning to face my bed.

“Oh! Sorry, did you want to sleep?” She asks, her… long, pale legs tucked under my blankets, hurriedly picking her bowl up and scooching for the edge of the bed.

>Good night
>I did, but you don’t have to go
>What’s the deal behind these brooches?
>Write in

>>44547221
>>I did, but you don’t have to go
>>What’s the deal behind these brooches?

>>44547221
>I did, but you don’t have to go
>What’s the deal behind these brooches?

>>44547221
>I did, but you don’t have to go

>>44547221
>What’s the deal behind these brooches?

>>44547221
>What’s the deal behind these brooches?

I reach into my drawer again, shaking my head. “I did…. but you don’t have to go.”

She clears her throat and stops scooting her way off my bed, before slowly moving back towards the wall, leaving a decent amount of space for me to sit, side by side with her.

“Say, Kara… what’s the deal with these brooches anyway?” I ask, holding the small pieces of lacquered wood up for her to see. “Letuh had them, and Ash kind of just shove them on me.”

She blushes a little, the red contrasting with her now bone white hair, “Those are… well, the closest tradition that humans have is a wedding ring…” She mutters, “Though, not entirely equivalent.” She urges me to look closer, “Lapines don’t have a system of marriage really. But these are more like… breeding offers? In a more romantic light?”

I flip them over, observing the letters on the back, “K and L?” I ask, laying back on my pillow and staring at the finely carved wood.

She flushes, “Kara and Letuh.” She groans, rubbing her neck. “It seems he wanted to… promise that we’d breed, once I’d turned twenty.” She gives a weak laugh. “I never knew he felt like that.” She mutters, hiding her face behind her hand. “Letuh…” She shakes her head, “I liked him, but not like that.”

>He did seem kind of aggressive.
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?
> Maybe L can stand for Leon some day?
>Was there anyone you did like that way?
>Write in

>>44547678
>He did seem kind of aggressive.
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?

>>44547678
>Was there anyone you did like that way?
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?

>>44547678
>Was there anyone you did like that way?
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?

>>44547678
>Was there anyone you did like that way?
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?

>>44547678
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?
>Was there anyone you did like that way?

>>44547678
>Maybe L can stand for Leon some day?
Because god damn it, it's a Chuckles quest, somebody has to go for the lewd option!

>>44547678
> Maybe L can stand for Leon some day?

>>44547678

>He did seem kind of aggressive.
>You want them back? Something to remind you of home?

>>44547882
That's not a llude option that's the vaguely romantic option this is a chuckles quest the lewd option would be to bend her over and breed her right the fuck now

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I offer them towards her, “You want them back?” I ask, “Something to remind you of home?”

She hesitates, before reaching out and taking the one inscribed with K, leaving the other one in my hand. “I can’t take Letuh’s, Leon.” She sighs. “You can hang onto it if you want it.”

“Well, was there anyone you did like that way back home?” I ask her, fighting to stay awake.

She places a finger under her chin, looking upwards and thinking. “Well… there was this one guy. He was…. tall, and brave, and smart and strong…” She’s started playing with the spot behind her ears subconsciously, the same spot she’d asked me to scratch earlier, “And he looked at me like no one else ever did.”

“Does he have a name?” I ask, genuinely curious.

She cuts herself off, smiling at the roof, “You know, it’s been a while, I think I’ve forgotten it. But I remember he’s very bad at reading cues.” She yawns all of a sudden stretching her arms out wide and collapsing backwards, eyes shut. “Good night Leon.” She mutters quietly, pocketing her brooch and curling up on her side, her back to the wall, as she lets sleep fold over her.

I don’t get it.

Whatever, it’s been a long day, and I’ll be up all night tomorrow. Best get some sleep.

>End of Spook Quest 8

>>44548249
Dense as a Speltin

>>44548249
Thanks for the run.

Oh Kara. You're going to be more direct with your feelings towards Leon. That guy truly lacks them social cues.

>>44548249
Bun is best.

>>44548420
that -Charisma though

>>44548280
Possibly denser

>>44548481
Will Mr. Johnson find Kara in Leon's bed in the morning?

>>44548746
Depends on if he wakes up before us.

If he does, I wager he'll find Kara either clinging to or on top of Leon. A