>>1352616
>>Ask what you should do now

>>Ask why sprites let people put them in jars

Its nice to have you back, I've been so empty these past weeks.

>>1352616
>>Ask what you should do now
Glad you're back smiley, I missed you

>>1352616
>>Ask what you should do now
>Ask why sprites let people put them in jars

>>1352616
>Ask why sprites let people put them in jars

>writing

It's good to be back, anons

You look over at the other sprite, sleeping contentedly in its jar.

"What's up?" Derrick asks.
"Nothing... I was just thinking about how odd it is that we keep sprites in jars like this" You say.
"Well, it beats keeping them in boxes. The jars let them see what's around them so they don't get restless while they're not working" Derrick says.

"No, I mean it's weird how they don't mind being sealed up" You say.
"Ah... well as far as I know they get nervous without a place to stay" Derrick says.

"Jade said the same thing when I made Coral" You say. "Does the jar have to be sealed though?"
"They're pretty much always resting when they're not on a job" He says. "Most sprites don't do as much work as Jade's do, but as long as you pop it open to feed them and let them fly around for a bit, they're fine"

"Normal sprites are weird" You say.
"Well actually it's... nevermind" Derrick says. "So, now what?"

>I'd lke to check out that town

>Let's see if the cart will start

>Let's head back

>Other

>>1352782
>>I'd like to check out that town

>>1352782
>>Let's see if the cart will start

>writing

>>1352782
>>Let's see if the cart will start
>I'd lke to check out that town

"Think we can get the cart going?" You ask.
"It's worth a shot" Derrick says. "I dunno if we should leave this place just yet, considering how late it's getting, but it'd make the trip back to the stronghold easier"

"Dang..." You say.
"What, were you hoping to go somewhere?" Derrick asks.
"I wanted to check out that town" You say.
"They'd probably have their gates closed by the time you arrive" Derrick says. "And even so, if we're scouting out a town it's probably best not to send the 2 demons... no offense"

"None taken" Cheska says.

You turn around to see Cheska laying back on the bench inside the cart, relaxing.

"Anyways, let's see if it'll start..." Derrick says.

>1/2

"Dang..." Derrick says.

"No luck?" You ask.
"Not enough power to start it" He says. "The crystal in the generator must've depleted as we were driving down here"
"Anything we can do?" You ask.
"If I had mana to spare, I could make a new crystal" Derrick says. "But anything I use isn't going to be replenished anytime soon, and I'd rather keep that mana in case I need to use spells. Plus there'd be no guarantee that the crystal would last"

"So we leave the carts here until morning?" You ask.
"At least" He says, as he hops off the cart. "We'll have to see how things improve by then"
"So we head back, then?" You ask.

"Might as well" He says. "I mean, unless you can think of anything else we might need to do here"

>Relax for a while

>Can we push the cart back?

>Let's go

>Other

Any update on getting a character sheet with Yu's stats

>>1352953
>Other
Try and hitch it to Rook?

>>1352953
>>Let's go
Nice to see you again Smiley

>>1352961
I was thinking this too but it would be tricky. Motorcycles aren't really setup for that kinda thing.

>>1352953
>Relax for a while
Good to have you back Smiley. I was suffering from BTG withdrawal

>writing

"Think we could load all our stuff onto one cart and push it back?" You ask.
"No" Cheska says. "I'm getting sore just thinking about it"

"I never said I'd be making you push..." You say.
"That doesn't mean you're not going to" She says.

"I think we're fine leaving them here for now" Derrick says. "Meyu will probably complain about having to walk back out here, but he complains a lot"
"He does" You say. "So should we head back?"
Cheska groans. "Do we have to?" She asks.

"Eventually, yeah" You say. "I'd rather not spend the night out here"
"Well, we can stick around for a bit" Derrick says. "We just have to leave before it gets dark. I know you guys can see fine at night, but..."

"I understand" You say.

>Ask where you'll be sleeping

>Ask why Cheska is being so lazy

>Other

>>1353084
>>Ask where you'll be sleeping

>>1353084
>>Ask where you'll be sleeping

>>1353084
>Ask where you'll be sleeping

>>1353084
>>Ask where you'll be sleeping

Hey smiley, are you gonna be able to run next week again? Just asking now because of that unexpected hiatus.

>writing

And the pastebin has been updated.

>>1353144
I'll be going back to running 3-4 times a week, like usual.

"So where are we sleeping, anyway?" You ask.
"There are rooms within the stronghold" Derrick says. "Not the most comfortable place, but it'll be safe once we're finished clearing out those monsters"

"I guess the Inquisitors won't mind us using their beds" You say.
"Or raiding their food stores" Derrick says. "It's the least they can do for us, after all they've put us through"

"No kidding. First the prison, then Bell's Run, and after all that trouble they went and turned into monsters" You say.
"At least their outsides match their insides now" Derrick says.
"Maybe... I doubt they could all have been as bad as the Grand Inquisitor"
"But they still followed his orders" Derrick says. "The Commander once said something about how a good soldier follows his orders, but only sheep follow them without question"

"Come on now" You say. "Sheep are smarter than that. Just look at Esther"
"You said it" He says.

"Still, it makes sense" You say. "Saying you were just following orders only shifts the blame upwards. Arlen was a bad guy, sure. But he only did all this damage because people followed him"
"I think I see why she likes you" Derrick says.

"Altea?" You ask.
He nods. "You've been around for 2 weeks and alread you've got more sense than most"
"In their defense, most people aren't quite as able as I am at 2 weeks old" You reply. "Most of them can't even walk or talk, let alone fight"

Derrick laughs.

>1/2

You look back into the cart to see if Cheska's ready to go, but...

"Huh" You say. "She's asleep"
"I thought she was being too quiet" Derrick says.
"Should we wake her?" You ask.

"Nah, we've still got around half an hour before we have to go" He says. "Let's leave it until then"
"Kay" You say, leaning back in your chair.

...

>Wanna spar?

>I wonder how things are going back in Locke

>Why'd the Inquisition build their stronghold out here?

>Other

>>1353268
>>Why'd the Inquisition build their stronghold out here?

>>1353268
>>Why'd the Inquisition build their stronghold out here?

>>1353268
>>Why'd the Inquisition build their stronghold out here?

>writing

"So why'd the Inquisition build their stronghold all the way out here?" You ask. "I mean, sure there's that one town nearby, but it's still kind of in the middle of nowhere"

"It does seem kinda weird, doesn't it?" Derrick asks. "They only built the place about... 5 years back? So it's not like it's been here long. And considering the order itself is based in Leon..."

"So I'm not just being overly suspicious" You say.
"Well, it could just be that they had things they wanted to do that they wouldn't be allowed to within a city" Derrick says.

"Makes sense" You say. "Inside a city they'd be watched a little more closely, but out here there's no city guard... nobody to really keep them in check"
"Except us" Derrick says.
"We showed up a little late" You reply.
"True" He says. "It would've been nice to actually put some of these guys to justice, but we'll have to settle for putting their mutated versions down"

"I think it might've been a bit more heroic the other way..." You say.
"Well, if it gets things done, I'm willing to settle for being less than heroic" He says.

>But what if they built the stronghold on top of something cool?

>We did save a bunch of people though

>Other

>>1353408
>>We did save a bunch of people though

>>1353408
>>We did save a bunch of people though

>>1353408
Hey smiley, is there a chance of us meeting a soul monster? Also i am wondering if it's possible to tame a monster.

>>1353408
>>We did save a bunch of people though

>>1353408
>>We did save a bunch of people though

What's weird is that Terry gave these guys the ritual, and a list of who could survive, and was talking about how he planned to have the heroes beat them, regardless; it's like he was setting up a boss fight.

>>1353421
Soul monsters are a thing. They're fairly rare, but you may run into one eventually.
Taming depends on the monster. Smarter ones like Raptors can be tamed, but they're the exception rather than the rule.

>>1353438
Also
>writing

>>1353438
Now I can't help but imagine meeting a Pure Demon Raptor girl.

So I saw our stats and i was just wondering a few things, one how do they interact with our rolls and two what are Yu's stats like compared to most people?

>>1353480
My guess is that the numbers get added to flat rolls, but not focus rolls.

"We did save a bunch of people though" You say. "That's... kind of heroic"
"I dunno" Derrick says. "All in all, I'm kinda disappointed by how this went. Sure, we won but..."

"It doesn't really feel like a victory" You say.
"Exactly" He says.
"You know, Terry mentioned something like that" You say. "When I first got up to the tower, he was talking about how the Inquisitors were supposed to be a hard, but winnable fight"

"Sounds like he planned this" Derrick says.
"I don't understand what his game is..." You say. "He's obviously a bad guy, but he refuses to actually fight me"
"I wonder why?" Derrick asks.
"I almost think it's because he knows he'll win" You say. "Like he's planning all this so I'll get stronger..."

"That's kind of disturbing..." He says.
"What is?" You ask.
"That he's so powerful that he can mess around like that" Derrick says. "And you're right, he could've easily killed us, and all of the hunters at the prison. But instead he just left..."

"But we can worry about Terry later. I think it'll be a long while before we see him again" You say.
"What gives you that idea?" Derrick asks.

>A hunch

>I don't think the portal he opened went anywhere nearby

>Caiah will get him

>Other

>>1353521
>>I don't think the portal he opened went anywhere nearby

>>1353521
>>I don't think the portal he opened went anywhere nearby

>>1353521
>>I don't think the portal he opened went anywhere nearby

>>1353521
>>I don't think the portal he opened went anywhere nearby

>Suddenly Terry jumps up from behind them with the skeleton from the cave

>"HEY KIDS, WANNA SEE A DEAD BODY"

I have been thinking, if there is a black god that eats mana, is their a god out their that eats soul?

>writing

File: 1491368928470.jpg (102 KB, 1200x675)

102 KB JPG

>>1353544
There is no god, but there are semen demons that eat mana.

"I don't think the portal he left throught went anywhere nearby" You say.
"Even so, if he could leave by portal, couldn't he also come back the same way?" He asks.

"I don't think it's that simple" You say. "Plus Caiah seemed pretty certain that she'd never catch him if she didn't also go through the portal"

"I'll take your word for it. It just so happens that I'm not an expert at... whatever the hell that rift was" He says, as he stands up and stretches out. "But what I do know is that we should get moving"

"Yeah, it'll be dark by the time we get back" You say. "Think they've finished cleaning up yet?"
"Probably" Derrick says. "And we haven't heard any explosions yet, so I'm sure everything's fine"

Derrick steps down from the driver's seat and stretches out his legs, while you head back into the passenger's compartment.

"Still asleep, huh..." You say, as you lean over beside Cheska.

>Carry her back

>Wake her gently

>HEY CHESKA GET UP WE'RE LEAVING

>Other

>>1353611
>Carry her back

>>1353611
>>HEY CHESKA GET UP WE'RE LEAVING

>>1353611
>>Carry her back

>>1353611
>>Wake her gently

>>1353611
>Carry her back

>>1353611
>>Carry her back

If we're carrying her back, who's carrying her front?

>>1353642
A very Yuu-eque question kek

>writing

You poke her cheek a few times, causing her to scrunch her nose for a moment, but otherwise she doesn't stir.

You could wake her, but then she'd complain, and you'd have to deal with grumpy Cheska all the way to the stronghold.

"Alright Cheska. You owe me for this one..." You say, as you take one of her arms and pull her off of the bench and onto your back as gently as you can.

Once you're sure she's secure, you head outof the cart. Derrick is there waiting for you, with the 2 sprite jars in his hands.

"Seriously?" Derrick asks.
"Yep" You reply.
"You're really just gonna carry her back instead of waking her up?" He asks.
"Would you rather deal with grumpy Cheska?" You ask.

...

"Nevermind. I see your logic" He says. "Let's go"

>Ask why he's bringing both sprite jars

>Ask if there are any monsters out here

>Other

>>1353707
>>Ask if there are any monsters out here

>>1353707
>>Ask if there are any monsters out here

>>1353707
>Ask if there are any monsters out here

>>1353707
>>Ask if there are any monsters out here

>>1353707
>>Ask why he's bringing both sprite jars

>writing

"Do you think there are any monsters out here?" You ask as the two of you start walking.
"In this forest? Tons, and that number is only going to grow with the Guild not doing their usual culls" Derrick says. "Nearby? Probably not. I don't think any monsters would come near this place right now"

"Would the lack of mana bother them that much?" You ask.
"It bothers me, but I'm sticking around because I have a reason to be here" Derrick says. "A monster that came near this place would probably just turn around and leave"

"Well that's good news" You say. "But... how would this place have kept them out normally?"
"It had a generator, and therefore a barrier like most towns have" Derrick says. "I think, anyways. I didn't see anything that looked like a generator in the basement"

"Maybe it was elsewhere" You say.
"Maybe..." He says. "I also haven't seen any devices around the stronghold, which would be common if they had a generator"
"Maybe they didn't have one, then" You say.

"But why?" Derrick asks. "I don't think there's any good reason not to have a generator..."

>Too expensive?

>They like doing things the hard way?

>It broke and nobody could fix it?

>They knew the ritual would mess with it?

>Other

>>1353785
>>They knew the ritual would mess with it?

>>1353785
>>They knew the ritual would mess with it?

>>1353785
>>They knew the ritual would mess with it?

>>1353785
>They knew the ritual would mess with it?
>Other: Maybe they wanted the monsters to be around for some reason. For the ritual?

>writing

"Maybe they knew the ritual would mess with it, so they opted not to get one" You say.
"That would mean that they've had knowledge of these rituals for over 5 years" Derrick says. "Unlikely, considering that they seem to just now be using them"

"That's true..." You say. "I'm sure they had some reason, though. What if they wanted to have monsters nearby?"
"That just sounds like a hassle" Derrick says. "This place doesn't even have a proper defensive wall. Something like a Carracore, Fen or wild Raptor might have trouble with that door, but a Dangol or a Thetch would completely obliterate the place..."

"Except it's still here" You say.
"It... is" He says. "That is strange. I think we should look around when we get back. There's definitely something fishy about this"
"I agree" You say. "No generator, built out here in the middle of nowhere... there's gotta be a reason"

Derrick chuckles. "Or the Grand Inquisitor could just have been crazy" He says.
"Could be" You say. "Still worth a look"

>1/2

"What is a Thetch anyway?" You ask. "And a Fen. I've seen Carracores and Dangols and Raptors already, but this is the first I've heard of those"

"Huh... maybe we should have brought a book on the monsters of this area with us" Derrick says. "It didn't ever occur to me that you don't know what's out here"
"So...?" You ask.

"Right. Thetches are like... big, living rams. Hard heads, stocky frames, armored legs... they say that once a Thetch starts charging there's no way to stop it" He says. "And Fens are like wolves, if wolves could shoot lightning. People like to call them shockwolves or zapdogs"

"Zapdogs?" You ask.
"Weird name, I know" Derrick says. "It's a hunter joke. Fens are one of the smaller, less threatening monsters that Hunters face on a regular basis, so they like to make fun of them"
"It does make them sound less than threatening" You say.

"On their own, they're pretty weak" He says. "One of their shocks won't do much to you, and they can be pretty weak. But that's why they hunt in packs, like normal wolves"
"Neat" You say. "How do the hunters take them on?"

"Dunno. You'd have to ask a hunter" He says. "Or Meyu, he's taken them on with his crew before"

You nod, and make a mental note to do that as the 3 of you reach the Stronghold. Once you're inside, you-

>See how the fight's going

>Search for a clue about the mana generator

>Head back to the basement

>Other

>>1353916
>>Search for a clue about the mana generator

>>1353916
>>See how the fight's going

>>1353916
>maybe we can tame a Fen one day
>Search for a clue

File: Zinogre.full.1220957.jpg (190 KB, 1024x631)

190 KB JPG

>>1353916
>>Search for a clue about the mana generator

>Zapdogs
Zinogre?

>>1353916
>See how the fight's going

I guess we'll have to take Cheska with us,seeing how we're attached by the wrist

>writing

>>1353937
No anon, that's breakdancing zapdog. There's a slight but noticeable difference: theme music
https://youtu.be/m5dSw_VHz9M

"I'm gonna take a look around" You say. "See if I can find anything about the lack of a generator"
"Alright. I'm gonna take these to the basement, and then see how the battle's going" Derrick says. "Send Coral to let me know if you find something"

"Kay" You say, heading to the stairs with Derrick and bumping fists with him before you part ways, as he heads down and you head up.

You remember there being other doors along that stairway, so you decide to check those out starting from the top.

When you're about halfway up the stairs, you feel something tickling your chest. You look down your collar to see that Cheska's put her tail up your shirt...

"Oh, you're awake" You say.
"Yeah... sorry, I must've dozed off back there" She says. "Where are we?"
"Back in the Stronghold" You reply.

Cheska looks around.

"Did you carry me all the way here?" She asks.
"Well, yeah" You say.

>I didn't wanna deal with your complaining

>I didn't wanna wake you...

>You're kinda cute when you're sleeping

>Other

>>1354060
>>You're kinda cute when you're sleeping

>>1354060
>>I didn't wanna wake you...

>>1354060
>>I didn't wanna wake you...

>>1354060
>>I didn't wanna wake you...

>writing

"I didn't wanna wake you" You say. "You're actually kinda cute when you're sleeping"
"Aww, that's sweet of you" She says, as her tail pops out from your collar, pressing against your cheek to turn your head towards her so she can peck your other cheek. "So where are we headed anyway?"

"There are some rooms higher up in the tower, I wanted to look through them" You say. "Derrick and I were talking earlier, and there are a few things that are suspicious about this place"
"So you're gonna search the place" Cheska says. "Gotcha, but... were you planning on carrying me around all that time?"

"Not all the time. I was gonna put you down somewhere comfortable while I did any actual searching" You say.
"You could have just woken me..." She says.
You shrug. "I was already carrying you, plus you're incredibly light" You say.

When you reach the landing where your destination is, Cheska hops off your back.

"Well, the least I can do is help you search" She says. "What are we looking for?"
"Building plans, or anything that might have to do with why this place was built here specifically, and why it has no generator" You say.
"Got it" She says.

You try to open the door, but it's locked... and the keyhole is much too small for your blade.

"I can help here too" She says.
"You can get it oopen?" You ask.

"Step aside" She says.

Cheska steps up to the door, takes a breath, raises her leg, and slams her foot into it right next to the knob.

The wood splinters, and the door flies open.

You clap your hands. "Nicely done" You say.
Cheska gives you a bow. "I've found that force makes a great key in many places" She says. "Now, let's see what's in here"

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>1354194
>>1354194

Rolled 95 (1d100)

>>1354194

Rolled 24 (1d100)

>>1354194

>>1354199
Can this roll lead to us finding the centipede again

File: exquisite.jpg (33 KB, 500x409)

33 KB JPG

>>1354199

>writing

You and Cheska head inside and start looking around.

There are candles all over the room, as well as a few torches which Cheska lights to help you both see.

"So this place really doesn't have a generator..." Cheska says.
"Not that we know of" You say.
"Well, they mustn't. Torches are great for the outdoors, but inside they're a massive fire hazard" She says.

"Says the massive fire hazard" You reply.

Cheska pokes out her tongue at you, as she heads over to the book case. Meanwhile, you go over to the desk and sit down so you ca go through the drawers.

"Oh..." You say. "We might have to take this chair with us" You say.
"Comfy?" She asks.

You bounce on the cushioned seat a few times. "Very" You say. "Now, let's see..."

You rifle through the papers on the desk, but most of it is about current events. After giving them a once over, you see that there's nothing in there that you don't already know, so you set them aside.

Then you start popping open the drawers one by one and going through their contents. Nothing too interesting, just some religious stuff...

"Hang on" You say.
"Find something?" Cheska asks.
"This drawer is weird" You say.
"Weird how?" She asks.
"It's shallower than the others, even though it's the sam size on the outside" You say.

Cheska steps up, closing her eyes and pressing her tail against the bottom of the drawer, then knocking on it.

"It's hollow..." She says. "A false bottom?"
"A what?" You ask.
"There's a compartment underneath" She says. "Pull the drawer out, let's see if we can get into it"

>1/2

After pulling out the drawer, you manage to find a keyhole in the back of it.

"Crap" You say.
"Any idea where the key might be?" Cheska asks.

"It would have be either on the body of the Grand Inquisitor, or somehwhere in here..." You say. "Can't we just smah this thing?"
"That might not be the best idea... I tried that to a similar hidden compartment when I was looting this place back in Antolia" She says. "That one was rigged with several magical traps that burned everything inside"

"Would a magical trap still work after what's happened here?" You ask.
"I don't think so" She says. "But I've heard of mechanical traps that work the same way..."

>Let's search the room for the key

>Let's see if the key is on the Inquisitor's body or what's left of his clothes

>Smashy smashy

>Other

>>1354391
>>Let's search the room for the key
We're already here.

>>1354391
>>Let's search the room for the key
>>Let's see if the key is on the Inquisitor's body or what's left of his clothes
And if we can't find it, then we could try and manipulate Soul to drain the traps of power.

>>1354391
>>Let's search the room for the key

>>1354391
>>Let's see if the key is on the Inquisitor's body or what's left of his clothes

>writing

"We'll look here for the key first, then go check his body and his clothes" You say. "If we can't find it, well... then we'll just smash the damn thing"

"Solid plan" She says.
"Any idea where he might hide a key?" You ask.
"Uhh... hollowed out books, false bricks..." She says. "Basically anything is a good hiding spot, if you've got the right tools"
"Dang..." You say. "It'd take forever to search the whole room"
"Forever for one person with normal senses. We're 2 people with exceptional senses" She says, as her tail swishes up to stroke your cheek. "You look for things that look weird or out of place, I'll check around to see if anything's been hollowed out"

"Alright" You say.

You start with the bookcase, while Cheska goes around to tap some of the bricks.

'Weird or out of place' is a very vague description... these are all books. There is nothing weird or out of place about a book on a bookca- oh, hang on.

You pull one of them out when you notice something odd about it, but it doesn't come out. Instead you head a mechanical clicking sound, but then... nothing.

"Nice" Cheska says. "How'd you figure that out?"
"All the spines are cracked on these other books" You say. "This one looked pristine, like it had never been read"
"Makes sense" She says. "So what gives? How come nothing happened?"
"Maybe there's more than one switch?" You ask. "Or it could have triggered something elsewhere"

"Try another book" Cheska says. "Hmmm... this one down here isn't cracked either..."

Cheska pulls the book out, and you hear another click. This time it's followed by the sound of stone shifting on the other side of the room.

You turn to see one of the bricks on the outer wall sticking out. It's open on the top, like a drawer. When you walk over to look inside, you see the key.

"Awesome!" Cheska says. "Now, let's pop open that stupid drawer"
"Hmm? I thought you weren't about the pursuit of knowledge" You say.

Cheska snatches the key and heads back to the desk. "This isn't knowledge, it's secrets" Cheska says. "Not all knowledge has value, but every secret can be worth something if you know how to use it..."

"That's... kind of cynical" You say. "And a little dishonest"
Cheska shrugs "Sometimes a girl has to be less than honest" She says, as she unlocks the drawer. "So let's see what the late Inquisitor's secrets are worth, shall we?"

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be either tomorrow or Tuesday

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time!

>>1354525
Thanks for running Smiley

>>1354525
Great thread,Smiley!

thanks for the quest smiley

"Soooo? What is it?" Cheska asks.
"Looks like... another key" You say.

"The fuck?" She asks, sticking her head in front of yours to look inside the secret compartment. "So he had a locked, hidden drawer. The key for which was hidden in a false brick that doesn't come out unless you can pull out the right books... and all we get is another key"

"On the bright side, whatever this key unlocks should actually be good" You say.
"I hope so" She says. "So that's it? Just the key?"
"Looks like it" You reply.

"Damn..." She says. "See anything that it might unlock?"
"Not here. It's probably somewhere else in the stronghold" You say.
"If it's even in the stronghold..." She says. "Just what the hell could be worth so much that he'd lock it away so... thoroughly"

"Maybe this opens the closet where he keeps all his dresses" You say.
"He wouldn't have dresses" She says.
"Not that anyone would know about" You reply.

Cheska sighs and straightens herself out. "Well, this was kind of a bust. But I'm down to keep searchin' if you are" She says.

>Keep searching

>Find Meyu

>Head downstairs

>Other

>>1360950
>Keep searching

Might as well be thorough.

>>1360950
>Keep searching

>>1360950
>>Keep searching

>>1360950
>>Keep searching

>writing

File: Yuu's pretty sure the map(...).png (539 KB, 2458x1303)

539 KB PNG

"Let's keep looking. There may be something in here that we missed..." You say.

Cheska turns on her heel and heads over to the shelves to continue her search. You pocket the key and go back over to the bookcase.

You don't see any other false books, unfortunately. But you do read through the titles. Most of the books are about the history of Lubars, and the nations that came before it... not exactly the kind of thing you'd expect to see on an inquisitor's bookshelf...

Out of mild interest, you pull one out and open it.

"Forgotten nations of Medisia..." You say, mumbling the title to yourself. The first page contains a map that looks like a piece of the one you keep in your back pocket, as well as a preface about nations that just disappeared one day...

Could be interesting...

>Keep reading

>Put it away and keep searching

>Keep the book, but keep looking

>Other

>>1361033
>>Keep the book, but keep looking

>>1361033
>>Keep the book, but keep looking

>>1361033
>that purple dot in the middle of South America
that's gonna suck to get too

>writing

You shrug and put the book on the desk, before going back to your search.

Once you're satisfied that there isn't anything else on the bookcase, you turn your attention to the shelves that Cheska is looking over.

"Anything?" You ask.
"No. Unless you count the guy's hardon for glassware" Cheska says.

You look over the shelf and... everything is made of glass. Glass cups, glass figures, glass everything...

The only thing that confuses you is- "What's a hardon?" You ask.

Cheska's expression drops, in the same way that Ilica's usually does when you ask something like that... She opens and closes her mouth a few times, as she tries to think of an answer.

Eventually, she settles on a smile that's several shades more mischievious than you feel comfortable with.

>Nevermind

>So what is it?

>other

>>1361102
>>So what is it?

>>1361102
>>So what is it?
What could go wrong?

>>1361102
>So what is it?

>writing

"So what is it?" You ask.

Her smile widens, as she puts a hand on your chest and pushes you backward.

You stumble back into the inquisitor's comfy chair. When you look up to ask why she shoved you, you find that her face is only a few inches away from yours.

"Well if you're really curious..." She says, as she straddles your thighs.
"U-uhhhh..."

She silences you with a finger on your lips, as her tail strokes your chest.

With her face this close, you can feel her breath tickling your nose... and more importantly, it brings back memories of the last time she was this close...

"Ah, there" She says, as she backs off. "The answer to your question is: what is currently happening in your pants"

You blink a few times, before you realize that you're getting that same stiff feeling. Your cheeks redden with embarrassment.

"Y-you could've just said what it was" You say.
"Aww, where's the fun in that" She says. "This way I get to tease you, and it's all for the sake of your education!"

You look away from her and grumble your disapproval.

"Oh, shush. Don't act like you weren't enjoying that" She says.

...

>I need to go cool off

>Let's keep searching

>I guess I was...

>Other

>>1361205
>>Let's keep searching

>>1361205
>Let's keep searching

>>1361205
>>Let's keep searching
>>*mumble*I guess I was...*mumble*

>>1361205
>I guess I was...
>Let's keep searching

>writing

"I might've been... I guess..." You mumble.
"What was that?" Cheska asks, putting her hand up to her ear with a big grin.

"Would you get off me so I can find the damn keyhole?" You say.
"I'd love to" She says. "You'd have to get your hands off me first, though"

You look down and see that your hands are gripping Cheska's hips rather firmly...

"That was unintentional" You say, as you remove your hands.

Cheska gracefully slides off of you. "Suuuuure" She says.
"It was!" You say.
"I know" She says. "You're just too much fun to tease"

Cheska giggles as she walks back over to the shelves.

You're about to follow, when it becomes apparent that you should stay sitting for a few minutes...

Well, at least the chair is comfortable, and there's bound to be more to this desk...

...

You shake your head and get back to the task at hand.

>1/2

"We've been over this place top to bottom" You say. "I don't think there's anything else here"

Cheska groans "Dang it..." She says. "I was really hoping it was in here. But if it's not in here, then the next search area is 'the entire stronghold'... I don't have the patience for that..."

"I think it's probably further below" You say.
"What makes you say that" She says, as she collapses into the inquisitor's chair. "Oh, that is comfy..."
"Everything here points to him being a history nut. Chances are pretty high that this place is built on top of something" You say. "If I had to guess, any passage to said thing would have to be on either the ground floor or in the basement"

"Either way, we know it's not here" She says.
"Yes" You say. "Shall we head out?"

...

"Cheska?"
"Is there any chance you could carry both me and this chair downstairs?" She asks.
"Just you I could do, with the chair it'd be a little awkward" You say.
"Dang..." She says, as she heaves and gets up. "Alright. Let's go"

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 47 (1d100)

>>1361337

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>1361337

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>1361337

Rolled 53 (1d100)

>>1361337

>writing

Rolled 21 (1d100)

>>1361337
ima roll even though it's far too late

You and Cheska head down the stairs t the basement. You leave the chair where it was, but take the book with you.

"You're taking one of his books?" She asks.
"Just one" You say. "I'm sure he won't miss it"
"Well... he is dead..." She says.
"And even if he wasn't, I doubt he could read the way he was" You say. "Either way, it seemed neat so I decided to grab it"

"Of all the things in there to grab, you took a book" She says.
"Much lighter than the chair" You say. "Which I'll have to go back for... maybe Derrick can help me carry it down"

Cheska laughs. "Your priorities are weird" She says.
"Well what would you have taken?" You ask.
"I dunno... I'm used to grabbing whatever is worth something" She says. "But I don't have much use for coin right now, so... I dunno... that glass figure of the horse was kinda neat"
"And I have the weird priorities..." You say.

You reach the bottom of the stairs and start heading for one of the rooms to begin your search.

But before you get too far, you glance back at the stairs, then do a double take.

"Something wrong?" Cheska asks.
"Could be something right..." You say. "Gimme a sec"

You walk back to the spiral stairway. A wall is there to stop you from getting underneath, but in between the bricks you can see a gap in the mortar. It looked innocent enough when you first saw it, but now that you're looking for a keyhole you notice that it's just the right size...

You pull out the key, stick it in the hole, and turn. There's a satisfying click, and the wall gives way when you push on it. Behind it is an extension to the staircase leading further down...

>Head down

>Let someone know about this

>Other

>>1361454
>>Head down
>Send Coral with a brief note to Derrick about the staircase

>>1361469
This

>>1361454
>>>Head down
>>Send Coral with a brief note to Derrick about the staircase

>>1361454
>>Head down

>writing

You look back at Cheska and smile. "Told you it'd be down here" You say.
"Well I'll be damned" She says, as she peers down the hole. "We goin' down?"
"Absolutely" You say. "Just one thing first... Coral"

Coral pops off of your shoulder and flies in front of your face.

"Go bring Derrick here" You say. "I'd give you a note, but I don't actually have any paper..."
"You've got an entire book" Cheska says.

You shrug. "He'll get the message" You say. "Okay Coral?"

Coral salutes, and zips off.

"Ready?" You ask.
"Hang on, lemme grab a torch..." Cheska says, as she hops over to the wall to snag one of the torches hanging there. "Okay, let's go"

>1/2

The two of you head further down the new stairway until it ends. It's hard to be sure, but it feels like you went about 2 floors down...

"This place definitely looks old" She says.
"Doesn't look well worn, but people have definitely been through here" You say. "The floors are clean, too"
"Yeah" Cheska says. "Here's hoping they don't have anything weird down here..."

"Define weird" You say.
"I dunno... experiments, or kinky torture devices. That kinda stuff" She says.
"Do I wanna know what kinky torture devices are?" You ask.

"Hey, if they've got 'em down here maybe I couldgive you a hands on lesson like I did earlier" She says with a wicked grin.
"Nevermind. I don't wanna know" You say.

"Boo. You're no fun" She says.
"I've seen what you find fun. I'm okay with being boring" You say.

Cheska pokes out her tongue, before heading off to check something out.

The room your in looks almost like an entry hall. There are 2 doors on the far wall, as well as one on the wall to your right.

Between the doors on the other end is a desk-like thing made of stone...

>Check the door to your right

>Check the far doors

>Check the desk

>Other

>>1361578
>>Check the desk

>>1361578
>>Check the door to your right

>>1361578
>Check the desk

>>1361578
>>Check the desk

>writing

You head over to the desk and sit down. The simple wooden chair is nowhere near as comfy as the one upstairs, but it's clear that it's been used.

On the desk is a large stack of pages, bound only by a metal ring through the top left corner.

It looks like research notes of some sort. You quickly flip through them, and after confirming with Cheska, you find out that the first page is dated around a year before this place was built, and the last is from yesterday.

It'd take a while to skim through the whole thing, but there's definitely valuable info here...

>Read the notes

>Look elsewhere

>Skip to the last page

>Other

>Skip to the last page
>if it looks useful take it

>>1361622
>>Skip to the last page
>>if it looks useful take it

>>1361622
>Read the notes

>>1361622
>First page and Last page

>writing

You figure you'll go over the first and last entries, that way you can at least kind of guess what's in between.

The first entry is fairly normal. It leads off with how Arlen believed that there was more to certain historical myths than most had thought, and how he was certain that there should be a ruin around the Bell's Run area that would prove his hypothesis.

That's what lead him to build his stronghold here. The first entry talks about its construction, and his plans to continue excavating underneath the building until he finds what he's looking for.

...

The last entry is decidedly less... sane. While the first was neat, ordered, and precise, the last is chaotic, meandering, and at times paranoid.

He talks about Terry, and how he believed that Terry had the secrets he sought but refused to share them.
It goes on to talk about the other world he searched for, and how the realm of the Black God couldn't possibly be it.

Then it stops making sense for a little while, as the notes ramble on about how useless everyone is and how no one is trustworthy...

But the final line catches your interest,in that it seems the most like the first:

'But I have found a definitive link. I believe this 'Black God' to be the Devourer spoken of in the myths' it reads 'If I am correct, then it will be the death of mankind. Perhaps the death of our world itself. Terry has said many times that I cannot stand the Black Trial but... I must see it for myself'

You put the notes down, as a chill goes through your spine.

Most of this last page has looked like the ramblings of a madman. But that last part seemed almost... lucid.

"Hey Cheska... you ever hear of this Devourer?" You ask.
"Askin' the wrong sister" She says. "Come here and check this thing out. Looks like somebody's been digging"

You get up and head over to the room you heard Cheska from.

Whatever this Devourer is, you'll deal with it in time...

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will likely be either tomorrow or Friday. I'm planning on running through most of Easter weekend as well.

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time! But not for very long, as I'm tired as fuck.

>>1361737
Thanks for running Smiley

>>1361737
Thanks for running

>>1361737
Great thread, Smiley!

You step up next to Cheska, at the entrance to what looks like a very deep tunnel. The tunnel stretches out before you, going down on an incline until it hits a fork a good distance away.

"Wow" You say. "You were right"
"I wonder how long it took to dig all this" She says, as she leans down to pick up a pebble. She then tosses it down, and you hear it clattering... and clattering...

...

"So it goes down a while" You say. "I wonder how they dug all this. I didn't see any dirt piles outside... so where'd all of it go?"

"Doesn't look dug to me" Zaine says.

You jump and wheel around, to see Derrick and Zaine walking over to you from the stairs.

>So how'd they make it without digging?

>How long have you been there?

>Welcome to the bat cave

>Other

>>1366047
>>How long have you been there?
Afternoon Smiley

>>1366047
>>Welcome to the bat cave
>How long have you been there?

>>1366047
>>So how'd they make it without digging?

>>1366047
>>Welcome to the bat cave

>>1366047
>So how'd they make it without digging?

>writing

"Welcome to the bat cave" You say.
"The... bat cave?" Zaine asks. "I... are there bats down here?"
"Not that I've seen" You say.
"So why are you calling it a bat cave?" He asks.

You shrug. "I dunno... it sounded cool, I guess" You say. "So how'd they make the tunnel if they didn't dig it?"

Zaine steps up and puts a hand on the stone walls of the tunnel, closing his eyes as his arm glows brown. "It was compacted" He says. "Very advanced earth magic. Makes the tunnel smooth like this, and makes it sturdier so it doesn't need any support"

"Why is it here, though?" Derrick asks.
"I think the Grand Inquisitor was looking for something" You say. "I read the notes over on the desk in the other room. It sounds like he built this place because he thought there were ruins here"

"So he went down and down and down and found nothing, I assume" Zaine says. "Unless the notes mention anything"
"I only read the first and last pages. It looked like a long read..." You say. "But it didn't seem like he found what he was looking for"

"What was he looking for, anyway?" Derrick asks.

>Shrug

>It might've been that portal

>Doesn't matter now

>Other

>>1366184
>>It might've been that portal

>>1366184
>It might've been that portal

>>1366184
>>It might've been that portal

>>1366184
>>It might've been that portal

If that's the case, then, wow, was he ever diggin' in the wrong spot.

Was probably Terry who told him that this was totally the right spot.

>writing

"There was a mention of other worlds and a ruin near Bell's Run in the notes... could he have been looking for that cave?" You ask.
"It fits the criteria... if that portal goes to another world" Zaine says.

"He's way off if that's what he was looking for though" Derrick says.
"Explains why he never found anything" You say.

"Why would he be looking for it in the first place?" Derrick asks.

You shrug.

"Alright guys, one of you is gonna have to explain this to me..." Cheska says. "What cave, what portal, and just... what?"
"The cave I came out of" You say. "And probably the portal too, but I don't remember that part"
"You came out of a... portal?" Cheska asks.
"Probably, yeah" You say.

Cheska blinks a few times, trying to comprehend what that means. "Well... it explains why you're so weird" She says.
"Ouch. That hurt my feelings" You say.
"Aww, want me to kiss 'em better?" She asks.
"No thanks" You say. "Where would the feelings be anyway? In the head?"
"That makes the most sense, yeah" Cheska says.

"I feel like you guys are getting off topic" Derrick says.
"We definitely are" You say. "Back on track, what do we do now?"

"Doesn't look like there's anythng else down here" Derrick says. "And if the Grand Inquisitor never found anything, then the tunnels are probably a bust. Even if he did, it'd be easier just to read about it in his notes"

"We should tell the others what we've found" Zaine says. "The place has been cleared out now, and they're resting in the room with the prisoners"
"Some of whom are starting to wake up" Derrick says.

>Head up there

>Check out the tunnels anyway

>Other

>>1366273
>Head up there
>Send a note to Altea and see if she can spare some people to check out the tunnel

>>1366273
>>Head up there

>>1366273
>>Head up there

>>1366273
>>Head up there

>writing

"Let's go" You say. "This place feels weird"
"Weird how?" Derrick asks.
"I dunno... not quite cold, but-"
"Damp" Zaine says. "Most caves are like this"

"Not mine" You reply.

Zaine is about to answer when he realizes something. "That's actually right... I didn't notice it when I was there" He says. "I wonder why..."

The 4 of you head back to the stairs, stopping to grab the notes before heading up.

"By the way, where'd you get that book?" Derrick asks.
"Oh, this?" You ask. "I found it on the Inquisitor's bookshelf"
"Why were you looking through his book collection?" Zaine asks.

"Because that's where the switches were" You say
"What switches?" Derrick asks.
"The switches to reveal the location of the key" You say.
"The key to... this underground area?" Derrick asks.
"Nope" You reply. "Let me explain..."

>1/2

"All that just to hide a cave?" Derrick asks.
"And it didn't even work..." Zaine says. "That's the sad part"

"It did slow us down" You say.
"By how long, an hour?" Derrick asks.
"Probably less" You say. "I think the sad part is that it wasn't actually hiding anything, since he didn't find anything..."

"So sad, all the way around then" Cheska says. "Good thing he's dead, otherwise he'd be one unhappy guy"
"Well, he did seem pretty unhappy when i fought him" You say. "It was hard to tell though, 'cause he didn't say much"

The 4 of you enter the large holding cell, where everyone else is waiting.

Meyu, Gerard, and the skirmish team are sitting by themselves eating their dinner. Meanwhile Emi and Madelaine are tending to one of the prisoners, who has woken up.

>Go ask how the fight went

>Go see who's woken up

>Other

>>1366382
>>Go ask how the fight went

>>1366382
>Go see who's woken up

>>1366382
>Go ask how the fight went

>writing

You head over to where the others are eating.

"So? How'd the fight go?" You ask.

Meyu grumbles. "It was a slog" He says. "Usually havin' at it with monsters is at least fun, in its own way... but these guys..."
"I can see how they would be less than a good fight" You say, as you sit down.

"Oh, they put up a fight all right" Meyu says. "Never seen something beg for death and fight tooth and nail to stay alive all at the same time..."
"Maybe we should go ahead and burn this place down when we leave" Cheska says.
"You'd have fun doing that. It's mostly stone" Meyu says. "So what did you guys get off to while we were busy?"

"We found a tunnel that the Grand Inquisitor had been making with magic" Zaine says. "And notes. Yuu thinks he was looking for that portal he showed us"

"May he rest in pieces, the bastard" Paula says. "I'd say he got what he deserved..."
"But I wouldn't wish what he got on even my worst enemy" Georg says, as he finishes his supper and sets his bowl aside. "Even under the worst punishments you still get to die as a man..."

"So? You find anything else?" Meyu asks.

>Show him the notes

>Tell him about the autopsy you and Emi performed

>The carts still don't work

>Other

>>1366461
>>Show him the notes
>>Tell him about the autopsy you and Emi performed

>>1366461
>Tell him about the autopsy you and Emi performed

>>1366461
>>Show him the notes
>>Tell him about the autopsy you and Emi performed

also on an entirely unrelated note i am going to post this video in the thread that brought a smile to my face today
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPcn-2iHJ4

>>1366461
>>Show him the notes
>>Tell him about the autopsy you and Emi performed

>writing

>>1366482
Funny. I just saw that earlier somewhere on /wsg/

Been wondering, what exactly lead up to Yu becoming a pure demon and why only him out of the 3 people that came from caves.

"Oh yeah, Emi and I decided to go cut open the grand inquisitor while you guys were busy" You say.
"Find anything interesting?" Meyu asks.

"He had 6 brains" You say. "All of them were in random spots on his body"

"That explains a lot..." Meyu says. "They were hard suckers to kill. Each one seemed to need to be killed a different way, unless you got their head"

Flit leans over and whispers something to Paula.

"Flit wants to know if you found out why hitting their head could kill them, if they had more than one brain" Paula says.
"That's because their heart is up there" You say.
"Creepy..." Paula says.

"We also found these" You say, pulling out the notes. "Down in the secret underground place. They're the grand inquisitor's notes"
"Good find" Meyu says. "Here I was plannin' on chewin' you out for lazing around while the rest of us were fighting. But it looks like you're been busy"

"Well I couldn't just do nothing" You say.
"I wouldn't have held it against you. You were pretty beat up after that fight" Gerard says.
"Emi fixed me up pretty quickly" You say. "She said that I should avoid doing too much with my right arm for now, but otherwise I'm fine"

"That's good to hear" Meyu says. "Sounds like we'll have some work to do tomorrow, if we want to move these people out of here"

"Ugh... I don't even wanna think about it" Zaine says. "You guys get that message off to the commander?"
"Yeah" You reply. "Haven't heard back yet, but Altea should reply pretty quickly"

"Good" Zaine says. "We aren't equipped for this..."

With that, the conversation dies down and those who haven't finished eating return to their food.

Meanwhile you-

>Head over to Emi and Madelaine

>Read the notes

>Read the book you took

>Other

>>1366561
>>Head over to Emi and Madelaine

>>1366561
>>Head over to Emi and Madelaine

>>1366561
>Read the notes

>writing

You stand back up and stretch out.

"I'm gonna go see how they're doing over there" You say, as you head over.

You were right about someone having woken up. They were lying down so you couldn't see before, but Emi's got her sitting up with her tail now...

It's Michaela, she's awake and talking with Emi and Madelaine between gulps of water from a ball of it that Emi is holding.

"Yo" You say as you approach.
"Welcome back" Emi says. "Derrick tells me you guys made quite the find"
"Technically we found nothing, but it was a fun little scavenger hunt" You say. "How is she?"

"She'll be fine" Emi says. "Her soul must be much larger than everyone else's, given how much sooner than them she's woken up"

You turn to Madelaine for an explanation of that.

"She's got more mana, and takes it in quicker" Madelaine says.
"Gotcha" You say. "Anything new from the others?"
"Nothing yet. Once the mana starts to return to the area, they should start recovering" Emi says.

"So they'll be up and about around the same time as the carts" You say. "Good to know"

>1/2

"U-umm... You're Yuu, right?" Michaela asks.
"I am" You say.
"Th-thank you for saving us, and sorry for attacking you that one time..." She says.

"Not a problem" You say. "I'm just glad you guys are okay... well, mostly"
"Mostly glad?" Madelaine asks.
"Mostly okay" You say. "Still, you look much better than the last time we spoke"

"Last time?" She asks.
"You probably don't remember that..." You say. "You were awake the first time I came down here"

Michaela blinks. "So I didn't dream that..." She says.
"Hmm?" You ask.
"Ah, nothing" She says, before breaking out into a coughing fit.

Emi rubs her back and lets her drink more from the water orb, and the fit subsides. But then she notices something that scares her...

"A-a demon..." She says.

You turn to see Cheska sitting behind you, looking bored...

>It's just Cheska

>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>You must be seeing things. There's no demon there

>Other

>>1366710
>>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>>1366710
>>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>>1366710
>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>>1366710
>>You must be seeing things. There's no demon there, only Cheska, but i guess she is kinda scary

>>1366710
>>It's just Cheska
>>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>>1366710
>It's just Cheska
>Cheska, you're scaring the angel

>writing

Funny: we met Cheska shortly after we met Michaela, after Storm tried (and failed) to look competent.

"Cheska, you're scaring the angel" You say.

Cheska slowly turns her head to you, with a dull look on her face. "Boo" She says. "Come on, man. I'm just minding my own business here"

You sigh and walk over to Cheska.

"Michaela, this is Cheska" You say, patting the devil on the head. "She may be a demon, but you don't have to be afraid of her. It's not like she bites"

In response, Cheska bites your hand.

...

>Bite back

>Let me rephrase that...

>See? Completely harmless.

>Other

>>1366829
>Bite back

>>1366829
>>Bite back

>>1366829
>>Bite back

>>1366829
>>Bite back
Nibble nibble nibble

>>1366829
>>See? Completely harmless.

>writing

Get ready Cheska, Yu probably has a bite that is stronger than a sharks and it would probably be harder to remove than a glued, rusted shut bear trap

You keep your composure, while Cheska gives you a look that dares you to do something about this, as she pokes your face with her tail.

Alright then...

Before she can react, you turn your head and chomp down on her noodly appendage. For whatever reason she doesn't seem to have been expecting this, as she immediately straightens up, and then crumples to the floor.

...

"S-see? Completely harmless" You say.
"Is she okay?" Emi asks, looking mildly concerned.

"Probably" You say. "Hey Cheska, you alright?"

"Owowowowow..." Cheska says, clutching her tail. "That hurt! We talked about that, remember?"
"Well maybe next time you should think before you bite me and then put your tail in retaliation range" You say, offering her a hand up.

Cheska frowns, as she accepts your hand, but then she tries to pull you down with her...

...

"Damn..." She says.
"You're too predicatble, Cheska" You say, as you pull her up.
"Boo" She says. "I'll have to try harder next time..."

"Please don't..." You say.

>1/2

"Like he said, I'm Cheska" Cheska says, in a thoroughly half-hearted introduction. "Yes, I'm a demon. But you can consider me de-fanged for all intents and purposes"
"De-fanged?" Michaela asks.

"I owe Yuu here a lot" Cheska says, as she throws an arm over her shoulder. "So I try to stay out of trouble"
"I see..." Michaela says. "But don't you still... umm..."

"Yeah I still have to murder a dude or two every now and then. But we're in the middle of a war, so I have no problems there" Cheska says.
"Umm... wh-what about when the war is over?" Michaela asks.

Cheska frowns, but says nothing.

Michaela's touched on the fatal flaw in Cheska's plan: when all is said and done, whether we win or we lose, she'll still be a demon...

"I'm... workin' on that part" She says.

...

You think the subject could use a change.

>Ask Michaela how she ended up down here

>Ask Emi if you can have some water from her ball

>Let the girls talk, spend some time reading

>other

>>1367048
>>Ask Michaela how she ended up down here

>>1367048
>Ask Michaela how she ended up down here

>>1367048
>>Ask Michaela how she ended up down here
>Pat Cheska on the back in a comforting manner

>>1367048
>>Ask Michaela how she ended up down here

>writing

>>1367048
>Ask Emi if you can have some water from her ball

>>1367048
>when the war is over you can stick with me, I'm sure we will find things for you tu burn

You give Cheska a subtle, encouraging pat on the back, as you turn to Michaela.

"So how'd you guys end up here?" You ask. "I know Storm came here to confront Arlen, but nothing after that..."

"We came here to ask what the Grand Inquisitor's real intentions were" Michaela says. "He said they wanted to cleanse the impure... or something like that, so Storm told him we'd return with a force from the Order... then they threw us down here"

"Couldn't have just said 'we'll be back?'" You ask.
"That's how Storm does things. He doesn't like lying" Michaela says.
"It's not lying" You say. "It's just omitting the part of the truth that'll get you thrown in jail"

"It might not make sense, but if Storm did something like that, he wouldn't be himself..." Michaela says.

"Makes sense to me" Cheska says. "Like how Yuu wouldn't be Yuu if he didn't say something dumb every now and then"
"Or how Cheska wouldn't be Cheska if she actually considered those around her before she says or does something" You say.

"Not quite what I meant, but I think you get the idea..." Michaela says. "He has to be honest, or he wouldn't be Storm"

>1/2

>>1367168
Smiley when will we have to pick for a route lock? Just curious.

You talk with Michaela for a little while longer, until something hits your shoulder.

It's Cheska, who has fallen asleep on you...

"Again?" You ask. "You just had a nap back at the carts"

...

Cheska is, of course, asleep... and doesn't respond.

"Uhh... Yuu" Michaela says. "This place is probably harder on her than it is on the rest of us"
"It is?" You ask.
"A demon's uses mana like an engine to keep pumping, so they're constantly reusing what they have" Michaela says. "When mana in the air is lacking, their heart slows down automatically, so she's probably been a little strained this whole time"

You frown. "Man, why didn't she say anything?" You ask.
"She may not know" Michaela says. "I-I studied this kind of thing, so I know a lot about demons..."

>Tell me more

>I should get her to a bed...

>That explains why she was complaining so much...

>Other

>>1367218
>Tell me more

>>1367218
>Tell me more

>>1367218
>>Tell me more
>let Cheska use your lap as a Pillow

>>1367218
>>Tell me more

>>1367238
Ill back this

>>1367218
this >>1367238

>writing

You lean back and scoot over, gently bringing Cheska's head to rest in your lap.

It's getting kind of late, and you're starting to feel tired as well. But you kinda want to hear more from Michaela about demons...

"Tell me more" You say.
"About... demons?" She asks.
"Yeah" You reply. "I've been one my whole life and this is the first I've ever heard about how the heart works"

Michaela looks confused.

"First of all, your entire life amounts to about 2 weeks" Madelaine says. "And second of all, you're a Chaotic, so you don't even work the same way"
"I'm sure there are some similarities" You say.

"W-well... umm... th-there's been some new findings on how a demon is actually made..." Michaela says.
"Neat" You say. "How does it happen?"

Michaela goes off into her explanation about how the new research suggests that certain actions can cause the physical and spritual form to become 'malleable'. Once she was finished explaining what malleable actually means, she went on to tell you that these moments are what causes the mana engine that replaces the heart to start, and that it's likely the engine itself that ultimately destroys what it's replacing.

"Is there any way to reverse it?" You ask
"You want to become normal, Yuu?" Michaela asks.
You shake your head, and look down at Cheska. "Asking for a friend" You say.

Michaela thinks for a moment. "Well... nothing concrete" She says. "It's said that if that same 'malleable' form can be achieved again, that it can be reversed, but..."
"You've no idea how to make it happen" You say.

Michaela shakes her head.

"Gotcha..." You say

>Anything else?

>>1367332
>>Nope *pass out*

>>1367332
Time for sleep

>>1367332
>we sleep now

>writing

>>1367332
>Why would we have a cut over our heart then?

"I wonder why mine was cut out, then..." You say, as you idly stroke Cheska's hair. It's actually a little greasy... you think maybe she could use a bath.

"That I can't answer" Michaela says.
"All the same, I'm too tired to pay attention anymore" You say. "Any idea where we're sleeping?"
"There's a bunch of rooms that look like either nicer cells or servants quarters further down the hall from here" Emi says. "We'll all be staying in those"

"Cool" You say, as you sling Cheska over your shoulder and stand up. "I'm gonna go hit the hay"
"You're not the first" Emi says. "Looks like the adults are all gone already"

You turn around, and sure enough Meyu's crew and the skirmish team are gone, as is Derrick.

"And we'll be following you soon" Emi says. "I just want to do a round to make sure no one is going to die on us, and then I'll be sleeping as well"
"Alright, good night guys" You say.
"Good night, Yuu" Emi replies.

You head out of the holding cell and down the hall, checking the rooms until you find the one you're looking for.

You find it in a hallway lind with more doors, each leading to a small but simple bedroom.

"I guess it's hopeless, huh?" Cheska asks.
"Oh, you're awake" You say. "Were you listening through that?"
"I caught bits of it" She says.

After picking an empty room and stepping in, you lay Cheska down on the bed.

"I don't think it's hopeless" You say. "You know what they say: where there's a will, there's a way"
Cheska smiles. "At least one of us is optimistic..." She says.
"One of us has to be" You say as you pull the blanket up over Cheska, making sure she's snug before heading back to the door.

"Thanks... and good night" She says.
"Good night" You reply.

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will likely be either tomorrow or Sunday.

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time

>>1367465
Thanks for running Smiley

>>1367465
Thanks for running Smiley
>Tucking Cheska into bed
Cute

>>1367465
Thanks for running.

>>1367457
Fuck. I can't decide which is best girl between demon-waifu and cat-waifu.

Rabbit is worst girl though.

>>1368120
>Rabbit is worst girl though.

Heathen

>>1368120
>Rabbit is worst girl though.

I completely agree

>>1368120
Illica and emi are the top two contenders for me