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“Quissonce, get over here so I can kiss you.” Gabby shouts from between you and Dolah after the post-firework clapping dies down. Quissonce sighs from where she stands, further towards the center of the slowly dispersing crowd, safely out of Gabby's reach.

“You already kissed me.” Quissonce informs Gabby. “Twice.”

Gabby gives a lascivious laugh. “Yeah, but this time I'm gonna use tongue.” Gabby continues laughing throughout and past Quissonce's scoffing. “Come on! Kissing someone on New Years is tradition! So pucker the fuck up because I'm coming over there.” Gabby immediately fails to live up to her words as her drunken struggle against the two of you holding her back halts any forward movement she was aiming to accomplish. She chuckles at her own ineptitude, before giving up.

>Gabby, it's time for you to go to bed
>It is a tradition. Kiss someone. (Who?)
>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?

>>44569124
>>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?
Or Quissonce can't you cast sleep on her?

>>44569124
>It is a tradition. Kiss someone. (Dolah)

>>44569124
>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?

>>44569207
ewwww

>>44569124
>It is a tradition. Kiss someone. (Rowe)

Writing!

Woah, someone deleted their post! Which makes it a tie!

Shit, um, well, once more.

>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?
>It is a tradition. Kiss someone (Rowe, Dolah)

>>44569355
>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?

>>44569355
>kiss tom

>>44569355
>Dolah, can you handle her by yourself?

>>44569456
Do you mean Bartom? Unfortunately, since he wasn't voted for previously he is no longer an option for your New Years kiss.

>>44569521
Nah, it's just a silly reference to Ruby Quest.
>It is a tradition. Kiss someone (Rowe)

Alright, writing! For real this time.

“Dolah can you handle her by yourself?” You ask behind Gabby's slumped, bobbing head. Dolah nods and you let go, allowing Gabby to lean her full weight onto Dolah. Dolah begins the trek back to Gabby's house as you, Eve, Ed and Quissonce head back to your dorms at the Circle. Eve chatters away about how awesome the display was while Ed and Quissonce theory craft about the magical components that were required to make the explosive displays move. The four of you say good night to each other as you enter your neighboring rooms and get some shut-eye.

Your first hangover of the New Year isn't too terrible. A glass of water and some sausage takes away most of the bite and the pain. Ed looks like he's doing better than you, but not by much. He actually decides to refrain from reading this morning. A knock on your door breaks up the comfortable silence of the day. Ed makes a show of utilizing magic to open the door from where the two of you are sitting and you spot Blackburn's aide standing in the entryway.

You nod, giving him permission to enter and he approaches the central table where the two of you sit, handing you a bag of coins.

“Blackburn thanks you for your service yesterday. This money provides for both payment of your services and reimbursement for the equipment you lost.” He nods to the two of you and exits, Ed closing the door behind him. You open the bag to spot 100 pieces of platinum. So 1000 gold. More than enough to buy back everything you lost and then some.

>Go shopping, simply replace what you lost
>Go shopping, spend some money on better equipment

>>44570011
And forgotten trip.

>>44570011
>Go shopping, spend some money on better equipment

>>44570011
>>Go shopping, spend some money on better equipment

>>44570011
>Go shopping, spend some money on better equipment

Apologies for slight delay. Writing!

Ah fuck yes, best quest

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Your money is burning a hole in your pocket so it's time to trade it in for something magical. And that means going to see your favorite goblin.

“Happy New Years!” you tell him in the cheeriest tone you can muster when you enter his store.

The goblin looks up at you from behind his spectacles as disillusioned as always. “Same shit, different day. What do you want?”

You rest your arms on the counter, earning you a look that implies he's going to clean off any trace you may have left on his precious oaken countertop. “Well I'm looking to replace my armor and maybe get a new bow. With something magical, so I figured I'd drop by to see what you have.”

He gives a 'hrumph' and walks into the back area. He emerges a short while later carrying a chain shirt folded over one arm and carrying a shield in the other.Both look to be made of some silvery material. They has a sheen to them that a quick Detect Magic confirms is the genuine article. The small buckler's polished, round surface glistens. He places them both on the counter after shooing your arms off of it.

“Circle Magister made these a couple days ago with this new ore deposit discovered recently in some caves to the south. Its unique to the Island. Lighter than steel, about as hard. Calling it mythral.” He waves his hands mockingly as he says its name, demonstrating his indifference bordering on displeasure towards the name. “Takes well to magical enhancement, but there ain't a lot of it so it's only being turned into smaller, lighter pieces as opposed to things like plate mail. Both of these items have basic defensive wards on them. 2100 pieces for the shirt. The shield's 2,005, but since you like haggling so much.” he says derisively, “I'll give you a discount and give it to you for 2000 flat.”

>Buy the mythral shirt
>Buy the mythral buckler
>Buy both
>Buy neither

>>44570941
>>Buy the mythral shirt
I want to keep some in reserve

>>44570941
If we can afford both, do it. Otherwise, get the mythral shirt

>>44570941
>Buy the mythral shirt

>>44570941
>Buy both
We're rolling in the dosh

>>44570941
>buy both

>>44570941
>Buy both

>>44570941
>>Buy the mythral shirt
We need to keep money in reserve for a new bow as well, folks.

Writing!

>>44571074
But we don't know how much the magic bow is going to cost us. Should we really splurge before knowing that?

>>44571186
Worst comes to worst we have to buy a regular bow. While not anyone's desire I don't think it'd kill us. Also we need to tabard or something, and maybe paint our shield. While being presentable is nice we'll feel quite the ass trying to sneak around as a shiny silver god.

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“Alright, I'll take both.” He nods blearily and you hand him your bag of money. He pulls out a device that he must have gotten recently and uses it to aid in his counting of your coins to make sure you have enough to afford what he's selling. As he handles that you decide to test out your purchases.

You slip on the shirt and are instantly wowed by just how light it is. It definitely has some weight to it, but you could see yourself becoming accustomed to how it drapes your form very quickly. It barely feels like you're wearing armor. Your movement is barely restricted and if you were a bit stronger you could see yourself not even being bothered by it in the slightest.

The buckler also surprises you in how light it is. You slip it onto your arm and barely feel the change in weight as you move and bend it. And while it feels like nothing, your gut screams that these pieces will be effective at blocking and protecting your life.

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The goblin finishes counting your coins and you both make sure neither has been cheated. He waves you off and goes back to reading as you head towards the exit.

“Rodain, is it?” you hear from behind as you open the shop door. You turn around to see the goblin looking at you over the top of his book. “Alan Rodain?” You nod. “You were part of the team that brought back those goblins then.” He says it more like a statement than a question. He takes your silence as affirmation. “Bartom says they were sex slaves. That true?” He lowers the book at this point and regards you with his full attention, a stony expression on his face making it impossible to tell his mood.

“Yeah.” you reply. “Its true.” He keeps the stare up for a moment longer before sighing and closing his book, stashing it under the counter. He gestures for you to approach with a finger. You walk back as he bends down behind his oaken counter and pulls out from beneath it a black case.

“You use a bow, correct?” He asks plainly.

“Yes, but mine –” before you finish he has already undid the clasps on the case and pulls out an exquisite-looking shortbow. Finely-crafted designs extend the length of the limbs and you notice some inscriptions in Goblin on the inside. He hands it to you.

“Here. A goblin longbow.” You take it from him and inspect the work. It's not magical but it is very well-made.

“How m –”

“It's not for sale.” he preempts your question. He reclasps the locks on the case and places it back beneath his counter. You look at him incredulously. He meets your look with an unflinching gaze. You nod as you slide the thing into your quiver, it slipping out of this world and into the quiver's own pocket universe.

“Thank you.” you say as he shoos you out of his shop.


>Talk to Gabby about your equipment
>Look into learning some offensive magics
>Focus on improving your horsemanship
>Something else? (write-in)

>>44571979
>Focus on improving your horsemanship
Cav levels.

>>44571979
>>Focus on improving your horsemanship
Tornado a best!

>>44571979
>Talk to Gabby about your equipment
We should learn Goblin.

>>44571979
>Focus on improving your horsemanship

>>44571979
>>Focus on improving your horsemanship
It's finally time to grind!

>>44571979
>Focus on improving your horsemanship.
Tornado is love. Tornado is life.

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Roll me 1d100 + 25, best of 3!

Rolled 18 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>44572228

Rolled 83 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>44572228
Here comes the nat 100!

Rolled 28 + 25 (1d100 + 25)

>>44572228

Writing!

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>>44572250
Not so natural but still a plus 100. Also did we really kissed Rowen or did we missed the chance?

>>44572841
>Also did we really kissed Rowen or did we missed the chance?
Nope. And we didn't miss the chance, we avoided it.

>>44572841
Well, we kissed Gabby.

Or, rather, she kissed us.

Dolah and Gabby probably fucked that night.

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>>44572858
Ah okay.

>>44572859
Well that is just Gabby being Gabby.

Well you've nothing on your agenda for quite a while. You possess a large amount of money stored away and no real monthly expenditures to spur you into action without some intense impetus. You've done a lot of good recently and feel like training yourself for the time being in the art of horsemanship. You've spent much less time with Tornado than you would like.

You're able to get Blackburn's permission to leave Seaside for daily practice. Riding your charger in the packed and cramped streets of Seaside will limit your ability to indulge in the one power that comes from your own skills rather than someone else's.

You spend a great amount of your spare time in the first month of the new year out on the plains. Just you, Tornado and Muffin.

The first skill you come to master is perfecting your precision while charging. Using trees as practice you master skewering the exact pinpoint target you are aiming for with your lance. Even while riding at top speed you master keeping your head cool and your aim steady.

Another skill that comes to you that it takes you awhile to realize you've mastered is your ability to coordinate your allies. Yes, your allies consist of a horse and a squirrel, both of which you suspect may have a mental connection to you that goes beyond simple body language, but the fact of the matter is that you have become their pack leader. And as the leader of your pack you have come to not only be sure of yourself when you organize your efforts, but confident you have the mental acuity to make the right decision.

The question is, will this extend to leading or coordinating your bipedal allies?

>Try to practice teamwork with one of your allies (who?)
>Talk to Gabby about your equipment
>Look into learning some offensive magics
>Investigate writings at the Fighter's Guild about horsemanship
>Something else? (write-in)

>>44572963
>Try to practice teamwork with one of your allies (who?) Dolah
>>Talk to Gabby about your equipment
>Investigate writings at the Fighter's Guild about horsemanship

>>44572963
>Try to practice teamwork with one of your allies (who?)
I suppose Rowe. She is a soldier too and can give good critique if our coordination isn't up to snuff.

>>44572963
>>Try to practice teamwork with one of your allies (who?)
Someone with martial class probably is the best choice. My vote is for either Rowe or Dolah.
>Investigate writings at the Fighter's Guild about horsemanship

>>44573019
>>44572963
This and
>Investigate writings at the Fighter's Guild about horsemanship

>>44572963
>Try to practice teamwork with one of your allies (who?)
Rowe

>Look into learning some offensive magics
>Something else? (write-in)
Teach Rowe more magics.

Alright, roll me 1d100, +31

This is for teamworking it up with Rowe.

Rolled 80 + 31 (1d100 + 31)

>>44573188

Rolled 24 + 31 (1d100 + 31)

>>44573188

Rolled 9 + 31 (1d100 + 31)

>>44573188

Writing!

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>>44572859
>half an hour in paint.jpg

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>>44573456
Someone put a modicum amount of effort into a thing for my quest.

Yay, I feel so loved.

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>>44573483
Hey stop this lewdness this is a SFW board!!

>>44573456
>2 worst girls
Nothing of value lost.

>>44573759
Hey Gabby is fun and Dolah isn't too bad for a Paladin.

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>>44573759
Gabby is a corrupter after all. Still want to have pure sex with her.

Long fucking post, apologies.

>>44573792
well, it would be fun to try and make her pure(er).

As much as you love Muffin and Tornado, bonding with fellow humans also seems like something you want to continue doing. And seeing as you owe Rowe more magic lessons anyway, you decide to try with her first.

You find her down at the archery range in The Fighter's Guild. It doesn't take much cajoling or convincing to get her agreeing to ride out with you.

She grabs her own horse and the two of you spend time together coordinating some basic maneuvers. You don't feel that bond or tug you have with your animals or Rowe has with Sif, but the two of you establish a set of rules to follow when you fight together that will be beneficial tactically. You learn where to aim at a target so your shots work together rather than compete with each other. You establish an inner sense of rhythm that gives you both a sense of when the other is about to shoot so you can release simultaneously. You even start to ride your horses at the same high speed gallop, anticipating when the other is about to make a sharp turn or drift so as to keep your distance from each other equal without communication

She teaches you a few bird calls that you quickly master. Ways to signal if help is coming, to avoid danger, if things are going tits-up.

You trade the basics of how to utilize a longbow for your own skill at archery from horseback, swapping shooting tips and tricks.

Sif, Muffin and Tornado also get along famously, whether that is indicative of their owners' bond or something that happened all on its own, it is still amazing to see a flying squirrel and a wolf lounge together.

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>>44574131
Write faster then!!!

>>44574145
I guess Dolah is already way ahead of us in that

>>44574220
If it's Dolah, there might not be much success.

You finally move on to trying to teach Rowe some more magic. Apparently she's made some strides in some other magic that comes from her bond to the earth. It seems similar to the powers granted to you by The Great Will, but she still wants to get better at sorcery as she has remained a novice without your guidance.

You decide to move onto a more practical spell: Message.

This one is also hard for her to master. It takes her much longer to get the hang of it than Mage Hand required. Despite her seeming lack of talent in the realm of arcane studies, she insists she will continue down that road as she is sure there's a breakthrough coming soon.

You end up sitting cross-legged facing each other one night with her trying to summon forth her inner essence to cast Message. Despite attempt after attempt and lecture after lecture from you about the spell being from the transmutation school and involving a direct pointing at your target, Rowe can't seem to grasp it. She has you give her the touch of destiny over and over again to give her insight into it, claiming it is a much better teacher than all your babbling about theory. She seems absolutely unafraid you'll give her some piece of knowledge or skill she won't be able to handle or accept. Eventually, you run out of the touch and she ends up sitting there concentrating, pointing at you and whispering Draconic swears to herself. After five minutes of these futile attempts, she drops her hand with a sigh and stares at the ground.

(I'm making an ass out of myself.)

“I wouldn't say that.” you assure her. She looks up at you confused.

“You wouldn't say what?” she asks you.

“That you're making an ass out of yourself.”

She looks at you funny. “Thanks, I guess?” Wait, what?

“What do you mean 'wait, what'?” she asks you. You look at her astonished. You didn't say that.

“Yes, you did.” She tells you. Then she sits up a bit as her eyes go wide. (His mouth didn't move.)

“No, it didn't and neither did yours just then.” You point at her.

(Holy shit is he reading my mind.)/(Holy shit is she reading my mind.)

Rowe jumps up from where she was sitting and scrambles away from you, pointing at you.

“The fuck was that?” You don't know.

“I don't know.” you tell her honestly.

“I know you don't know, I just heard you think it!” She's breathing a bit heavily now. “Is that the message spell.”

“No. You have to whisper still when you cast it, it's not mind reading.”

“Well what spell is this then?” You don't think it's a spell. “IT'S NOT A SPELL!?”

(I don't think so. Maybe it will stop soon?)

She slowly come back to sit down across from you. You sit for ten minutes in absolute silence, trying your hardest not to think at each other.

(Can you still read my mind?)

(Yes.)

Ten more minutes.

(Still?)

(Yep.)

An hour passes.

(This isn't stopping isn't it.)

(Nope.)

(Wow this is . . .) her thoughts trail off.

>Creepy?
>Invasive?
>Intimate?
>Useful?

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>>44574210
>You establish an inner sense of rhythm that gives you both a sense of when the other is about to shoot so you can release simultaneously.
>gives you both a sense of when the other is about to shoot
>so you can release simultaneously.

>>44574283
>>Creepy? Yes.
>>Invasive? A tad.
>>Intimate? Maybe?
>>Useful? Probably.

>>44574313
+1

>>44574313

>>44574313
>>44574346
I mean seconding.

>>44574283

>Intimate?

Hello Rowe This is one of Alan's fellings nice to meet you!

>>44574313
Realize with a slowly dawning Horror that you will laugh abruptly while talking while everyone just looks at you like your crazy.
>Y'know as messed as this is if we go to the mage tower we can probably get this fixed. Maybe even pay us. Or put us in the cells. Poor Bill Yonpike.

Also i guess we bounded way to well with Rowe.

Wow, this is somehow more intimate then sex.

Writing!

I think we overdosed her with touch of destiny.

Hey wait a minute does that mean that Rowe can hear us now? Oh shit!!! Quick guys stop saying Rowe is really cute when she looks surprised. This goe s to you to Alan.

>>44574610
>that Rowe can hear us now?
That's a scary thought. No one should hear us for their own sanity.

>>44574583
And it wasn't even in a sexy way.

>>44574639
But what about our boy Alan?Oh yeah your right.

>>44574610
Oh shit she can't find out there is a hivemind controlling Alan! SHUT IT DOWN

>>44574723
>Rowe suddenly starts hearing klaxon alarm's in Alan's head.

(Creepy.)

(Yes, it is.)

(Invasive.)

(A tad.)

(Useful?)

(Probably, I mean we can use this to communicate without anybody realizing it.)

(. . .Intimate?)

(Um, maybe?) She looks you in the eyes with that last thought, then she starts to smirk a bit.

(Well, I guess it's time to test this out some. I'm going to try something Alan.) She concentrates on you very hard and after a few seconds seems to visibly relax. (You see any of that?)

(Any of what?)

(Hmmm, so it doesn't send mental pictures. Uh, that's probably a good thing.) You notice her cheeks go a little red. (That would be very embarrassing.)

( . . .What were you imagining?)

(Uhhhhhhhh, fuck it. You know the sign in front of The Two Whore Pub?)

(Yeah, what about it?)

(Gabby and Dolah.) You burst out laughing at the top of your lungs and Rowe quickly follows suit. The two of you laugh until you cry, both of you thinking the same thing for quite a while. When you finally calm down enough to, well, think at each other again, you give it to her straight.

(Okay, that's the product of a disturbed mind, Rowe.)

(Well I figured if I've just permanently lost my most inner, private thoughts I might as well go full force and think the most fucked up thing possible. If you're chopping down a tree, use the biggest axe. Anything ridiculous you want to think at me?)

(. . .uhhhhhh)
>(Nope, nah. Not even going there. We're done. I'm out.)
>(The two of us having hot sweaty sex. The two of us having hot sweaty sex. The two of us having hot sweaty sex.)
>(Write-in the most fucked up thing you could imagine Alan thinking.)

AND

>How do you want to proceed from here? (write-in)

>>44574610
>>44574639
https://youtu.be/CDgXQPxzY8E

>>44574953
>>(Write-in the most fucked up thing you could imagine Alan thinking.)
ok, now, if I remember my Cards Against Humanities cards correctly: Fire off a shotgun(or crossbow) while balls deep in a squealing hog, at the same time, watching to midgets shit into a bucket, while each have their heads explode, allowing some crazy crab parasites to pop out.

>>44574953
>>>How do you want to proceed from here? (write-in)
I'll leave the other anons with the first part. From here we should test if the link is broken with distance. Ask her to go back to Seaside while we stay here and keep contact with mind link.

>>44574953
>(Write-in the most fucked up thing you could imagine Alan thinking.)
Gabby, in a dress, blushing.

>How do you want to proceed from here?
Ask Quissonce and Eve about this, and maybe take it all the way up to the Archmage, because if we can't turn this off, it can get very distracting.

>>44574953
seconding>>44575016
and>>44575017

>>44574953
>(Gabby in a frilly dress pouring tea, commenting on Alan's cross-stich at the last quilt meeting.)
>Lets go to the mage tower, see if there's a book on this. Maybe ask a high up sorcerer.

>>44574953
See the 2nd option isn't the most fucked up thing. Its a wonderful thing.

>>44575017
Seconding, Gabby in a dress blushing or maybe Eve with self restraint.

>>44575016
Seconding

Writing!

>>44575053
Gabby in a summer dress serving tea to a well behaved and restrained Eve. With Dolah playing house with some doll's

>>44575167
Dammit Im late.

(Alright, give me a chance to warm myself up for this.)

(Oh this is gonna be good.)

(OK. *Clearing throat noises* Gabby . . .)

(Yeah?)

(In a dress.)

(Please, dresses are just like robes – )

(A frilly dress.)

(. . .Continue.)

(Blushing madly as she passes the tea to Eve, who is behaving primly and properly while Dolah sits nearby, playing house with some dollies.)

(You. Fiend.)

(Now you know the truth. That is what I'm thinking about every single day.)

(Y'know they lock people up for thinking those types of thoughts.) The two of you chuckle a bit before deciding you need to go back to Seaside. As fun as this little excursion has been, the two of you need to head back. You decide to test exactly what the limits of this mental bond are. You ask Rowe to ride ahead of you while remaining in contact and see if it has some sort of limit on distance.

She goes forward thinking a tune at you. It persists for some time, but when she finally breaks away from your sight line it abruptly ends. You get on Tornado and ride after her. She has stopped to wait up for you.

(So at least we can still have some amount of privacy, just . . .)

(not when we're together.) you finish for her. She puts her fingers up to her chin.

(You know, I've read some basic philosophy and technically, some old geezers would argue we are the same entity now, since we share thoughts.)

(Alawena.)

(Rowelan.) The two of you laugh again.

(So, you know I want us to get this checked out by a wizard from the Circle and potentially fixed.)

(Do you want that? Or do I? Who thought of it first? OoooooooOOOOooooooo.)

(Shut up.)

(Alright. Who are we seeing about this? Quissonce? Ed? Both?)

>Quissonce
>Ed
>Both

>>44575732
>>Both

>>44575732
>Quissonce

>>44575732
>Both

>>44575732
>Both
"Can't hurt to get two opinions. Also I bet Ed would love have a excuse to spend some time with Quissonce."

>>44575732
>Ed
Quissonce has an active imagination. We still have some kinky sex book dirt on her but that's for teasing, not bullying.

>>44575732
>>Quissonce

>>44575732
"Alan start to think how beautifull Rowe looks like while shes riding. "

>>44575732
>both

Writing

Start thinking about Rowe in a romantic and/or sexual manner? Y/N

>>44575953
N

>>44575953
n

>>44575953
I want to, but we should probably not.
Gabby, on the other hand...

>>44575953
>>44576007
no

>>44575953
Uh oh, big guns are coming out.

They are definitely a lot closer after today, but I don't think its like flipping a switch.

Maybe put the idea in his head that things could go romantically between them.

If that's too wishy washy then Y

>>44575953
Y

>>44575953
N

>>44576050
>>44575953
I'll second something like this. Less 'I want to marry/plow this girl' and more like 'I think I might like this girl'

>>44575953
N

>>44575953
Do you mean right now while they're sharing headspace or in general. The latter is a big Y

>>44576258
I think right now.

>>44575953
Neigh.

>>44576258
I mean, the former I guess? Saying No isn't like you're being locked out of a route or whatever the lingo is, just like, is Alan thinking those type of thoughts 'loud' enough for me to include it.

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>>44576315
Oh so the former, in that case:

Sorry guys, writing slow tonight. Might be a bit longer before this update is ready.

>>44576453
It's cool Trick. We're just happy you're running.

(Both. Won't hurt to get a second opinion, either way. And it's not like Ed wouldn't love an excuse to hang out with Quissonce.)

(Oh really? He's got a crush on her?)

(Fuck, that last part wasn't meant for you. Just slipped through.)

(I promise I'll keep it a secret.)

The two of you make your way to the Circle. A foppish halfling sorcerer outside the front door forbids Rowe from entering, which prompts her to roll her eyes, dump 100 platinum pieces into the kiosk, demonstrate her Mage Hand spell and quickly join the Circle before following you in.

(Hmm, Room 9 on the fourth floor.)

(That puts you in the third quadrant right after Eve and Quissonce.)

(Huh, well seeing as I just dumped 1000 gold on this place I might as well try to get my money's worth out of it. They serve noodles here?)

(Yes, they definitely do.)

(Excellent.)

The two of you make it to your room, you open the door and see Ed. He looks up at you, smiling before noticing Rowe.

“How's it going, bud? Good to see you again Rowe.” She waves to Ed.

“I need you and Quissonce to help me with something.” you tell him. Ed springs into action, gathering his stuff in a hurry.

(That's adorable.)

While Ed is busy you knock on Quissonce and Eve's door. Quissonce answers.

“Hey Alan.” Her eyes go a bit wide as she notices Rowe. “Rowe, what are you doing here?” Rowe lifts her room key and jangles it. Quissonce laughs and hugs her. “This is wonderful. I was wondering when you'd finally realize this is the best place to nurture your talent.”

Rowe coughs. “Well, actually I joined for a much more –”

“pragmatic reason. See, I was trying to teach Rowe the –”

“Message spell and we ended up able to –”

“hear each other's thoughts. It's not a spell –”

“and it doesn't stop unless we separate ourselves from each other's presence.”

Quissonce looks between the two of you as you rapidly finish each other's sentences. She picks up that you two aren't faking and ushers you inside, followed by Ed who has collected all his things.

You and Rowe end up explaining to Quissonce, Eve and Ed exactly what you were doing and what led up to your mutual telepathy.

They listen in rapt attention. However, at the part where you're talking about you and Rowe bonding, Quissonce does end up giving Eve an 'I told you so' look which Eve answers with an eye roll. This prompts you to think something irksome about their bet. Something you quickly regret.

(Really, they made a bet about who was going to fuck you first?)

(Shit, you weren't supposed to hear that either.)

(I won, huh? Yay me!) she sarcastically thinks.

Ed and Quissonce quickly grab all their books about transmutation spells, mind control, Message, communication spells and the like as they start going to the blackboard with theories about what happened. They cast Detect Magic and Detect Charm on you. They argue and read, theory craft and hypothesize, eliminate and postulate. Eve just sort of sits there looking bored and shouting “NERDS” at them every once in a while.

You and Rowe end up sitting next to each other in silence, like guinea pigs. Every once in a while one of your resident wizards will ask you some random question like “was there a full moon out” or “did the two of you accidentally bleed into each others open wounds”.

(Wizardry is disgusting.)

(Yep.)

(So, they seem to be scrambling for an explanation. Alan, I think we need to, uh, have a nice think together about this. What if they can't fix this? I guess I should also be asking, what if they can?)

(What?)

(Well, this is useful. Very useful. If we could learn to control it with more finesse, it would help us work together. Do we really want to get rid of this. And if we can't get rid of this . . .)

>We should keep this
>If we can get rid of this, we should

AND

>If you can't get rid of this, what do you want to do? (write-in)

>>44576976
>If we can get rid of this, we should
>If you can't get rid of this, what do you want to do? (write-in)
maybe we should share it with the others, too.

>>44576976
>We should keep this

>>44576976
>>If we can get rid of this, we should
>If you can't get rid of this, what do you want to do? (write-in)
Form a hivemind.

>>44577018
>>44577031
seconding

>>44576976
>We should keep this
(Finding a way to turn it off and on would preferably though. Like you said this could be invaluable in the field.)

>If you can't get rid of this, what do you want to do?
I don't got a clue. Do our best not laugh out loud at our internal jokes.

>>44576976
>>We should keep this
But learn to turn it on/off

>>44577065
>>44577046
>>44576976
These. Its damn useful.

>>44576976
We should get rid of it now, but we can still use it in the future.
If we can't get rid of it, then we'll just have to teach everyone else how to use it so we can be more efficient and communicate faster

>>44576976
>>We should keep this

>>44576976
>If we can get rid of this, we should

>>44577074
>We should get rid of it now, but we can still use it in the future.

Seeing as how we may not be able to replicate the situation with how many variables both known and unknown there were, I don't think we can use it in the future if we get rid of it.

But I'm not a wizard, so I don't know.

Writing!

>Wanting to give up telepathy with teammate that goes into battle with you
You guys are odd ducks, you know that?

(Honestly Rowe, this is a bit too freaky for me. Maybe if I was sure we could control it precisely or turn it off and on. And even if we get rid of it, it's possible we could replicate whatever process started it in the first place. I'm not sure. It definitely feels creepy.)

(Yeah, I'm a bit attached to my sense of individuality and this is putting a bit of a damper on that. So, we're both in opposition to the freaky mind meld thing. Alright, we lose it if we can. Now if we can't?)

(I don't know, give it to the others and become a hive mind?)

(Can we do that? Would they want to do that even if it was possible?)

(I don't know.)

(Alright, what if we can't do that?)

(I . . . don't know, try not to laugh out our own inside jokes.)

(God, do I have to say it?)

(Say what?) You look over to her. She's inspecting her hand very thoroughly, well enough to keep you staring at the back of her head.

(Do you think I should go?)

(What?)

(I don't like this. You don't like this. Splitting up seems like the only solution from my perspective, unless Quissonce pulls something out of her ass. And I work way better solo than you do. Hell, I'd probably be more productive running solo ops for Blackburn. The rest of the team would understand. I should go.) She thinks at you as hard as humanly possible.

>You should go
>You shouldn't go

AND

>Say something else? (write-in)

>>44577477
>You shouldn't go
What? No.

>>44577477
>You shouldn't go
As in, we don't want her leaving the team, right?
I'm not into the mental link thing, but I don't want her leaving the team.

>>44577477
>>You shouldn't go

>>44577477
>You shouldn't go

>Say something else? (write-in)
This Island seems to have limitless potential, we can make something work.

>>44577477
>You shouldn't go.
I- I enjoy having you around...

>>44577477
>You shouldn't go
"Don't worry about it. We'll make the best out of things. The important part is that we all stick together."

Writing!

(What? No. I'm not into the mental link thing, but I don't want you leaving the team.)

(Well you, myself and the mental link are all one thing here now Alan. That problem's not going to poof itself away.)

(You don't know that. The Island has limitless potential. Quissonce or the Archmage or somebody will have a solution.)

(You really believe that?)

( . . . we can make something work. Don't worry about it. We'll make the best of things.)

(The best of things would be to split up!)

(It's important we keep the team together.)

(No it's not. I've gone off on my own before and things have turned out fine. Better than fine, even. Perfect!)

You see her tense up a bit. She's trying to keep the body language to a minimum, keep this an internal discussion so as not to distract the others. You sit together in silence for a while. Quissonce and Ed have now gone on to discussing your copying powers and how they could be a possible explanation for the events that have occurred today. Quissonce is breaking out the glasses of water and the pitcher for the demonstration. Rowe refuses to look in your direction. You take a deep breath.

( I enjoy having you around. That's why I don't want you to go.)

You sit in silence for a bit longer. Quissonce begins to pour the pitcher into the 'Alan' cup and then some more into the 'Rowe' cup. She mixes the two together and shakes it vigorously, Ed watches and listens very intently. Quissonce holds it up. “Ta da!” she says and Eve gives a sarcastic clap.

(Alright.) You watch as her posture relaxes. (I'll stay.)

>End of Thread
I will most likely run this next time on Friday. https://twitter.com/TrickQM

>>44577977
Thanks for running.

>>44577977
Thanks for running!