>>2221267
>Ask if she's seen any new weaknesses/openings they might have

>>2221267
>>So why'd you come down?

>>2221267
>So why'd you come down?

>writing

"So why'd you come down?" You ask.
"Because rules were meant to be broken, Yuuster" She replies.

"I thought they were meant to be followed..." You say.

"Not important" She says, as she turns to leave.
"Hang on" You say. "While you're here, anything else you can tell us about those two?"

"Oh, yeah" Pip says. "Don't bother trying to hurt shrapnel-face. He actually seems to enjoy pain"
"You'd figure, given the shrapnel..." You say.

"And something is weird about the wolf's weapon" She says.
"Aside from the usual strangeness?" You ask.
"I'm not really sure what it is... but keep on guard" Pip says.

"Yes, because I was planning on going into this with my guard down" You say. "Y'know, just to keep things interesting"

Pip sighs. "Har har. Glad to see your sarcasm hasn't suffered through all of this" She says.
"It's what keeps me going" You say.

>Anything else?

>>2221359
I don't quite remember where we are at in the tournament. Is last one the final match?

If so, can we taunt the enemy and hype up the crowd at the start before the fight starts? They usually just throw us right into it, but we should do something more dramatic this time.

>>2221391
This is the final

>writing

Pip gives you a wink as she makes her exit. "Knock 'em dead, Yuuster" Pip says.

You smile. "That's the plan" You reply.

She laughs as she heads out. Once she's gone, you give Cheska a nudge.

"Hey, wakey wakey" You say. "The next match is starting soon"
"Buhhhhh..." Cheska says. "Man, I was kinda hoping the other 2 teams would kill each other off for us..."

"Tired?" You ask.
"Lazy" She replies.
"Alright, up you get" You say, as you stand up and place her on her feet. "After this one it's all done. Then you can be lazy"

"You sure I can't sit this one out and let you do all the work?" She asks.
"I'm gonna need you to sling at least one fireball" You say.

"Just one?" She asks.
"Make it count" You reply.

Out in the pits, the bell rings.

"And that's our cue" You say. "Ready?"

Cheska stretches herself out and cracks her neck. "Ready"

The two of you make your way out to the arena, hearing the roaring of the crowd grow louder as you approach...

>Wave to the people

>Focus on your opponents

>Other

>>2221456
>Wave to the people

>>2221456
>Wave to the people

>>2221456
>>Focus on your opponents

>>2221456
>Dramatically flare some of our magic.
>Flex muscles.

>writing

Rolled 17 (1d100)

Across the field, you see your opponents. Pip was right, they do look a little worse for wear after their last fight.

But enough about them. You turn to the crowd and give them a smile and a wave.

"Never took you for a showman" Cheska says.
You shrug. "They're here for us" You say.
"They're here for blood" you say.
"So are we" You reply.

While you wait for the match to start, you keep on hyping up the crowd. If you didn't have more pressing concerns, you could probably get used to doing something like this. Being the center of attention is nice every now and then.

When you look back at your opponents, they're walking towards you.

"Well, well, well" The wolf says. "Didn't expect to see you here. How's the leg?"
"Better than ever" Cheska says. "It was quite convenient, actually. I got all healed up, and all I had to do was sell you guys out"

"Despicable traitor" Shrapnel face says. "I will enjoy putting you out of our misery"
"Takes one to know one, bub" Cheska replies. "And have fun trying"

The bell rings again, signaling the start of the fight.

Judging by the looks on everyone's faces, no one expected it to ring right now. That means the element of surprise is up for grabs... if you're quick enough...

>Roll 1d100 with focus

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>2221562
Here goes nothing

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>2221562

Rolled 32 (1d100)

>>2221562

>>2221584
Off t a good start

>writing

>>2221584
Well okay then I guess this is a thing now.

The four of you are silent and still. At this distance, the first move could make or break everything. No one has their hands on their weapons, no one has a spell charged, no one was ready.

Someone either planned it out this way, or it was entirely accidental. Either way, bravo.

...

Well if no one else is going to do it...

Your hands dart down towards your mageblades, barely getting them off the hooks before activating them both. You have them both in a weird reverse grip, and you don't have time to switch it around.

That's fine. There's a reason you use a versatile weapon like this over something more practical. Instead of switching your grip you bend the blades around 180 degrees giving you two very strange looking, but ultimately functional swords.

Then you strike before anyone else gets a chance to draw. You manage to cut the wolf's arm pretty deep and leave a big gash across Shrapnel-face's chest. Which is disappointing because you were looking to kill there, not maim.

Your opponents jump back, giving themselves just enough time to draw their weapons before you close the gap again. But it's only just barely enough time.

They were smart enough to separate so you couldn't go after both, but you could possibly put one out of commission right now...

>Go after the wolf

>Go after shrapnel-face

>Other

>>2221656
>Go after the wolf

>>2221656
>>Go after the wolf
Shrapnel seems like the sturdy one and Wolf seems like the dangerous one from Pip's description.

>>2221656
>>Go after the wolf

>writing

You leap towards Shrapnel-face as a fake-out, changing directions in midair with a springboard and going for the wolf.

She just barely manages to guard, and you bear down on her with both blades. She smirks as she manages to push you back a little, but you respond by kicking your legs up and springboarding forward. The sudden burst bowls her over.

You land just past her, as Shrapnel-face rushes in to help his partner out.

Right here is your chance. The wolf is down. You can make it permanent, but that might mean taking a hit or two from her partner...

>Go for the wolf

>Fight off shrapnel-face

>Other

>>2221749
>>Go for the wolf
Cheska's got our back

>>2221749
>Draw the other guy in and springboard ourselves away once they're both in range of a single fireball.

>writing

>>2221761
this

Rolled 4 (1d100)

You rush forward and meet Shrapnel-face blade to... fist. He doesn't actually use a weapon. He just has a bunch of metal sticking out of his fists. Impractical, but you definitely don't want to get hit with it.

You woth him a few times, and Pip was right: he definitely enjoys the pain.

Before the wolf can get ot her feet, you let off a chain flare linking Shrappy's leg with the wolf's torso. As the two of them get pulled together, you jump back and use springboard to get some more distance as the two of them are engulfed in flames.

You know the fire won't last long when there's a flesh weapon in there, so you use this time to reposition and attack from a new angle when the flames subside.

As you expected, the flesh weapon eats most of the flame. But that doesn't mean they didn't get burned.

When it dies down enough to move in, you strike...

>Roll 1d100 with focus

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>2221811

Rolled 1 (1d100)

>>2221811

Rolled 22 (1d100)

>>2221811

>>2221829
What happens here smiley? We crit failed but we got the focus.

>>2221829
You've rolled a one and become the only person to do so that people were happy with.

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>2221811
Hit em UP

>>2221844
No crit fails. Despite the one, this is actually a focus success.

>writing

They don't notice your approach until it's too late. Before they can put up a defense, you shove your blade through Shrappy's back and hit him with Heartbreaker. Then you hit the wolf with everything you've got.

She's good, and she manages to put up a decent defense, but the wound on her arm works against her with every strike.

The holes in her defense become apparent and you pick the one that would be the most... poetic, lopping off her sword arm, putting away your blade and catching the flesh weapon, then stepping back to let Cheska incinerate the wolf.

As the demon turns to ash, the crowd roars.

"And we have our champions!" An announcer calls.

You make your way around to Cheska for a final bow.

"What happened to 'just one fireball'?" She asks.
"That was the first one. I gave you that last one because I figured you'd want it" You say.
"You got me there" She says. "So what now?"

"I guess we'll find out..." You say.

A stairway of ice forms in the arena, starting from the center and running up to the veiled room where the queen sits. As it solidifies, Caiah, the Queen, and a few handmaidens descend.

The flesh blade in your hand starts to squirm and growl. The eye on its hilt is fixed on the queen herself...

"The fuck's goin' on with that thing?" Cheska asks.

"I think it doesn't like the queen" You say.
"Should we... do something about that?" She asks.

>Leave it for now

>Destroy it

>Other

>>2221933
>Leave it for now
Could be interesting to investigate later

>>2221933
>>Destroy it
>>Keep an eye out for anyone else. If they are going to try and kill her it will be now.

>writing

At first, you consider leaving it alone, maybe trying to figure out why it's reacting so harshly to the Queen's presence.

But then you remember that she's the whole reason you came here and that if the sword does anything to harm her while it's in your possession then all of this has been for nothing.

You decide on caution, overcharging the blade with chaos and 'killing' it. It just finishes turning to dust as the Queen reaches the bottom of the stairs.

The queen is smaller up close than she looked from afar, though her thick, ornate robes add a bit to her presence. Her hair is long and silver, her eyes and her horns have the same crystal blue color, and both seems to pulse with power. But even with all that, she looks less like an imposing ice queen and more like an adorable ice dragon...

She starts to speak, but her tone is so soft that you can't actually hear her over the crowd...

Luckily the crowd quiets down when they notice the queen speaking.

Unfortunately, by the time you can actually hear her, she's done talking. She holds her hand out to you, palm down, with an expectant smile...

...

>what do?

>>2222025
>Apologize and say that the roaring crowd and various explosions today have affected your hearing, so you were unable to hear what she just said. However, do say it in as polite a manner as possible, and give a bit if a bow.
Honesty is the best policy.

>>2222025
>kiss it
This feels like a trap, but let's do it anyway boys

>>2222025
>Take her hand.
>Complete little sister contract.

>>2222042
>>2222044
Yeah, I guess we should kiss it and not hold it. I had a dim moment.

>writing

>>2222025
>Kneel down and take her hand and say some shit a Prince would say to Queen

>>2222075
>>2222076
3 FUCKIN SECONDS

"V-very sorry, but could you-" You start, before Cheska elbows you in the side and gives you a look that says 'what are you doing?'

Well, Cheska I'm just trying to get some clarity here but apparently, that's not allowed...

Alright. You're pretty sure you've seen this kind of stature on a noble lady before. She's offering you her hand for that whole 'polite kiss' thing. But then those were all Lubrian noble ladies, not northern ladies.

...

Ah, screw it. You kneel in front of her, taking her hand and giving it a kiss on the knuckles.

"It is good to finally meet you, your majesty" You say.

The queen's face turns bright red.

"A-as I said, if you would please accompany me up to the lounge... we can reward you both properly" She says again.

Oh... yeah that makes sense.

You stand up and brush your knees off. "Yes, right. Lead the way"

>1/2

You walk up to the area where the queen has been seated throughout the tournament, as the stairway of ice disappears behind you.

Below, the cleanup effort has begun, and the crowds are making their way out.

When you reach the lounge, you see that there are enough comfy looking chairs for everyone. Naturally, you allow everyone else to sit first, leaving you and Cheska with a long bench to take up.

Once you're seated, the room stays quiet, with the Queen making occasional glances your way, Caiah looking very awkward, and the handmaidens looking rather stoic about everything.

It's Caiah that breaks the silence. "S-so... about those rewards" Caiah says.

The Queen straightens up. "Ah, yes. How simple of me" She says, still using that soft tone. "To have come all this way, your desires must be deep. Please, tell me your wish"

"I-" You and Cheska both say, stopping and turning to each other at the interruption.
"You first" You say.

Cheska nods. "I... would like to be human again, if such a thing were possible" She says.

The queen looks disappointed. "I am... sorry" She says. "The power that made you what you came from within you, and I'm afraid that the change you seek can only come from the same place"

"Oh... I see" Cheska replies. "So that's a no then?"

The queen nods.

"Alright... I'll just uhh-" Cheska stands up and walks out of the room.

>Stay here

>Go after her

>Other

>>2222157
>>Other
Tell her to meet us later.
She needs the alone time, but I really don't want her to go running off again.

>>2222157
>>Stay here.
I don't think this is the appropriate time to run off for us.

>>2222165
This gets my vote.

>writing

You grab her forearm to stop her.

"Cheska... go to the guardhouse and wait for me there" You say. "We'll talk later"
"I... alright" She replies.

You let her go, and she heads out. You don't know if she'll actually wait, but you have to hope...

"She knows she still gets to pick something else, right?" Caiah asks.
"I'll have to inform her of that later..." You say. "I guess it's my turn now, yeah?"

"Correct" The Queen says.

"Well, here's hoping we're not 2 for 2 on the refusals..." You say. "I need the North's help to fight off the Legion, and-"

"I accept" The Queen says.

"-I know it might be asking a bit much but- wait... really?" You ask.
"Of course" She says.

"Well... that's great!" You say.

>I should inform Pip

>Let's work out the details

>Before we continue, what are you accepting?

>Other

>>2222198
>Let's work out the details

>>2222198
>>Let's work out the details
>>Before we continue, what are you accepting?
This seems like the same thing, but just incase it isn't.
These

>>2222198
>>...and I know it might be a bit much but please be my little sister too.

>writing

"We'll just hammer out the details, and then- wait... what exactly are you agreeing to?" You ask.
"Your marriage proposal, of course" The Queen replies.

...

Well good thing you cleared that up now rather than later. Not that it isn't incredibly awkward now, it's just less awkward than it would be if you spent 5 minutes planning a merging of two armies while she was actually planning a wedding...

"Th-that's... well... it's actually-"
"I don't think that's what he meant, your grace" Caiah says.

"Is this not how nations normally form alliances?" The Queen asks.
"Not always..." You say.

"But the kissing... is that not a part of the human mating ritual?" The Queen asks.
"Not like that. It's more of a polite gesture to a lady that way" Caiah says.

"I see..." The Queen says.

"I also couldn't quite hear you over the crowd, so I wasn't quite sure what you wanted me to do with your hand" You say.

"Of course... curse these tiny vocal chords!" The Queen says, as she takes a deep breath. "IF MARRIAGE IS NOT YOUR WISH, THEN WHAT IS IT YOU SEEK?"

...

>... an alliance?

>Is she okay?

>Please calm down

>Other

>>2222267
>... an alliance?

>>2222267
>... an alliance?

>>2222267
>... an alliance?

>>2222267
God there are too many cute girls dudes.
>... an alliance?

>>2222267
>... an alliance?
>Can I pet her?

>writing

"... an alliance?" You say.

...

"OF COURSE, HOW SILLY OF ME TO HAVE FORGOTTEN" The Queen shouts. She doesn't sound mad, she's just being really loud. "YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT IN YOUR ENDEAVOUR TO RID THE WORLD OF THE BLACK GOD'S TAINT, uhh..."

"Yuu" Caiah says.
"YUU! Uhh..."
"Gallant" Caiah says.
"YUU GALLANT!" The Queen says.

"You know about the Black God?" You ask.
"ONLY WHAT I HAVE SEEN" She says, as she stands up from her chair. "WE WILL TALK MORE LATER, AT MY PALACE. BRING YOUR COMRADES AND I WILL GRANT YOU ENTRY"

The queen goes to leave, getting three steps before tripping on something and falling over. She mumbles something about how degrading her little legs are, before her handmaidens help her to her feet.

"MANY THANKS" The Queen says, before turning back to you. "I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR ARRIVAL"

She goes to leave again, but this time holding hands with each of her maids in order to steady herself. Once they're gone, it's just you and Caiah...

>Ask where she'll be headed

>Ask what the queen's deal is

>That was much easier than I thought it'd be

>Other

>>2222319
>>Ask what the queen's deal is

>>That was much easier than I thought it'd be

>>2222319
>Does she really want to get married?

>>2222319
>>Other
Look at Caiah, "WAT?"

>WRITING

"So" Caiah says, breaking the silence. "That's the queen. What do you think?"

"She's... interesting" You say. "Did she really want to get married?"
"Hard to say" Caiah replies.

"And for someone so small, she sure seems to hate being small" You say.
"Spoken like someone who doesn't remember being younger" Caiah says.

"I mean moreso than usual" You say. "You never hear the devils complaining about their little legs, or small vocal chords..."
"I did say she was interesting" Caiah says. "So are you taking her invitation?"

"I'd be stupid not to, after coming all this way" You say.
"Good" Caiah says, as she stands up. "I'm afraid we'll be parting ways here, though"
"Leaving so soon?" You ask.

She nods. "I have what I came for, now that all's said and done I need to get back on the road" Caiah says. "That and my airship will be taking off soon, and I can't afford to miss it"

You stand up and walk over to her. "Best of luck" You say.
"To you as well" She says. "I'm not sure which of us will need it more..."

You chuckle, and shake her hand.

"What, I don't get a kiss too?" She asks.
"Ha ha" You say.

She smiles. "See you around"

Caiah heads to the door, and you-

>Go find Pip

>Head back to the Guardhouse

>Other

Also

>Anything you want to ask Caiah?

>>2222392
>>Head back to the Guardhouse

>>2222392
>Head back to the Guardhouse
As for Caiah we already wished her good luck, so there is nothing else I have to say.

>>2222392
>>Go find Pip
Unfortunately can't think of anything to ask. Probably will later!

>writing

When Caiah is gone, you take a look out into the arena. Almost all of the spectators are gone now, giving the place an eery, quiet atmosphere.

Maybe you'll come back here sometime. Under different circumstances, fighting against strong opponents like the ones you met here might be kinda fun.

"Maybe next time" You say, as you turn and head out.

If Pip hasn't come to find you yet, then it's likely she's already gone to the guardhouse. And if not, then Coral is still there, so you can always find her later.

You manage to find your way to the guardhouse using the backstreets and keeping away from the crowds. You've probably got the most recognizeable face in the city now, and you'd rather just get where you're going.

...

Kinda makes you wish you'd just brought the dang Rook...

Luckily the guardhouse is not too busy, so you manage to get in and get back to where Hella and the other bunnies were staying.

The first one you run into is Munchkin... or rather she runs into you. The rambunctious little rabbit bound around a corner and smacks right into your leg.

She then gets up after a brief struggle and starts telling your leg off like this was all its fault, all the while clearly choking back tears.

>Hug tiny bun

>Yeah, you tell him... err, me

>And that's why we always look where we're going...

>Other

>>2222447
>>And that's why we always look where we're going...

>>2222447
>>Hug tiny bun
>And that's why we always look where we're going...

>>2222447
>>Hug tiny bun

>>And that's why we always look where we're going...

>writing

You sigh and lift up the tiny rabbit. "See, this is why we always look where we're going" You say, as you wipe a tear from her eye.
"No YOU look where going!" She replies, as she wriggles about and tries to smack you.

You smile and give the little bun a squeeze as she grumbles about the injustices done to her by your leg, until Hella finally shows up, completely out of breath.

"There you are! And Yuu... is the tournament over?" Hella asks.
"Yep" You say.

"... and?"
"We won" You say.
"That's fantastic!" Hella says, as she takes Munchkin from you and holds her up in the air. "Isn't that great?"

Munchkin continues to grumble about how people should just let her run.

"Oh no you don't" Hella says, as she hugs Munchkin to her chest. "You're gonna stay right here... at least until we can get someone who's in better shape than me to watch you..."

"No shape! Want ice cweeeem!" Munchkin says.
"Uh uh. Ice cream is for good little buns who don't go crashing into people in the hallways" Hella says, as she turns to you. "So... what now?"

"Well the Queen's in as far as helping us goes" You say. "We've been invited back to the palace as well"
"We, as in...?" Hella asks.

"Everyone, I guess" You say. "She did just say comrades"

>Ask how things have been here

>Tell her about the encounter with the Queen

>Ask if she can help out with Cheska

>Other

>>2222484
>>Tell her about the encounter with the Queen

>>2222484
>>Tell her about the encounter with the Queen

>>Ask if she can help out with Cheska

>writing

"What's she like anyway?" Hella asks.
"The Queen?" You ask.
"Yeah" She replies. "I've heard a lot while I've been here, so I was wondering what she was like in person"

"Very... strange" You say. "She's serene, and and there's definitely no questioning her position. But at one point during our meeting I mentioned that she was speaking very quietly, so she cursed her- and I quote – 'tiny vocal chords' and proceeded to shout for the rest of our time together"

"Definitely sounds strange..." Hella says. "But then this one gets mad and shouts all the time, so she could just be very childish..."

"Not like mad shouting. She was just being really loud" You say.
"Hhhuh..." Hella says. "Well, I guess I'll see it for myself when we go to the palace"

"You wanted to come too?" You ask.
"Of course I do!" Hella says. "I'll have to pass the Munchkin off on someone who's not busy, but I absolutely want to come"

"Well alright then" You say.

>Where's Gabby?

>I should go see Cheska

>I should go find Pip

>You can probably just bring the Munchkin along

>Other

>>2222520
>>I should go see Cheska

>>2222520
>>I should go see Cheska

>>You can probably just bring the Munchkin along

>>2222520
>I should go see Cheska
I've been thinking on this.
The queen's answer to Cheska, while not what she wanted to hear, did in fact suggest that the queen was at least a little knowledgeable on the subject. Perhaps Cheska could use her wish to get access to all of the information they have on the subject of reversing the demon transformation. It wouldn't be a cure, but it would be a significant step in the right direction if they have anything worthwhile.

>>2222525
She got something of a free wish. She knows it's possible now.

>writing

"You could probably just bring her" You say. "Who knows, maybe the Queen likes kids?"
"How could anyone not love Munchkin, right?" Hella asks.

"Ice cweem?" Munchkin asks.
"No ice cream" Hella says.

Munchkin starts pouting.

"Well anyways, I've gotta go talk to Cheska" You say. "They couldn't grant her wish, so she's understandably bummed"

"You know where she is?" Hella asks.

"If she hasn't skipped town? Back at the apartment" You say. "If she's not there, then she's probably gone"

"I don't think she'd leave without saying goodbye" Hella says. "Not to you, anyway"
"You're probably right" You say. "Either way, this probably won't be an easy conversation"

"You'll be fine. She trusts you... heck, you're probably the only one she trusts" Hella says. "Go on, we'll be here"

You nod and give Hella a quick hug before heading off.

As you walk, Coral floats down onto your shoulder.

"Well hey there. Come to help me out?" You ask.

Coral nods.

You smile and scratch her head. "Well come on then. Let's go deal with the devil..."

That'll be all for tonight!

This thread felt a little off. Maybe it's because I've been away for too long.

Next thread will be on Wednesday. Again I'll be trying to keep up a nightly post schedule, but I can't really make any promises.

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

>>2222551
What would Altea think if we actually came back engaged to the queen

>>2222551
Needed more options to pet the queen. That's what we were waiting for!

>>2222551
I am 1000% behind bringing munchkin to see the ice cweeem.

When you arrive at the apartment, there are already people working on fixing it up after the Legion trashed it last night.

When you ask, a worker lets you know that Cheska came here a while back. So you head on up the stairs to the apartment.

When you get close, you start to hear talking. Guard didn't say anyone else came up with her... but then you just asked about the red devil...

Sounds kinda like... Pip? Definitely Pip. You were wondering where she went after the fight. She must have either come here on her own or come here with Cheska.

They seem to be having a pretty deep discussion. You don't really want to interrupt, but...

>Walk in

>Eavesdrop

>Step back

>Other

Post up for the day. Voting ends at 11pm PST tonight.

>>2225639
>>Walk in

>>2225639
>>Just wait there, don't eavesdrop

>>2225639
>Knock
It's Yuu
>Wait

>>2225639
>Eavesdrop for while
Then knock, I’m sure Pip heard us coming up stairs

>>2225639
>Knock

>>2225639
>>Other
>Knock

As much as you'd like to hear what they're talking about, it would be kinda rude to eavesdrop. So you step up to the door and knock.

You're also around 100% sure Pip heard you coming up the stairs. One of the few disadvantages of half the women you know having such prominent ears...

"It's Yuu" You call out.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd show up, Yuuster" Pip says. "Come on in. What took you so long?"

"I stopped off at the guardhouse to see how things were going with Hella" You say. "How are things here?"

"Pretty relaxed. Red and I were just havin' some good old fashioned girl talk" Pip says, as she sits up. "Got Red's version of events up to when she left. Mind fillin' me in on what happened after that?"

"Well for starters I almost ended up marrying the queen... that happened" You say, as you take a seat. "Took a minute to clear up that misunderstanding, which I guess was caused by her talking too quietly. So she yelled for the rest of the meeting..."

"Was she... mad?" Pip asks.
"Nope. Not mad, just needed to be louder" You say. "She is on board to take the fight to the Legion, though. She even invited us to the Palace to work out the details"
"Think it might be a trap?" Pip asks.
"I'd say keep your guard up, but I don't think anything bad will happen" You say. "She was very genuine, in a childish sort of way"

"Alrighty then" Pip says. "Who are we bringing?"
"You, me, Hella, possibly Munchkin" You say. "You too, Cheska. If you're interested"

Cheska looks conflicted.

>But it's up to you

>I'm gonna have to insist on this

>Other

Same deal. Voting ends at 11pm PST.

>>2230377
>>But it's up to you

>>2230377
But its up to you, also you know you still get a wish right?

>>2230377
>>2230649
This

>>2230649
yeah, this

>>2230377
>I'm gonna have to insist on this
>Because it sounded like the queen at least knew SOMETHING important about demons becoming humans. And you probably want to know about that.

>>2230961
This
And add
>I don’t want to lose you again.
We already lost a friend and after the tourment she might attract unwanted atention wherever she goes

"But it's up to you, in the end" You say. "I won't drag you there, but I will strongly recommend it"
"Why's that?" Cheska asks.

"'The power that made you what you are came from within you, and I'm afraid that the change you seek can only come from the same place' is what she said, I believe" You say. "Sounds like the person who owes you a wish happens to know quite a bit about demons, wouldn't you say?"

"I dunno. She seems like the type to give out cryptic riddles instead of actual info" Cheska says. "Remember what happened last time?"

"To be fair, I'm pretty sure Namaki gets all of her future visions in an already cryptic form" You say. "Hard to decipher each one when everything could mean something different to each person"
"I guess..." Cheska says. "You really think she'll know more?"

You shrug. "What do you lose by asking?"

"Time" She replies.
"Got someplace to be?" You ask.
"Out of here" She replies.

You frown.

>Do you really have to leave again?

>... I understand...

>Other

Trying to do this every night. Voting ends at 11pm PST

>>2233225
>>Do you really have to leave again?

>>2233225
>Do you really have to leave again?

I understand your disappointed, but I dont think taking off without exploring this literally once in a lifetime chance is a good idea. Plus, you could always just wish for her to tell you stuff in a non crytpic manner.
Also, Given what Yuu's found out about how the heart thing happens and it liquefying inside you or whatever, she might be being more literal about the power being something that comes from inside you. Its probably going to take hard work to reverse on the demons part, an instant magical fix probably doesnt exist.

>>2233225
>>Do you really have to leave again?

"You're really leaving again?" You ask. "I mean, I understand that you're disappointed. But this could be your only chance to learn something useful"

"Or I could get a bunch more cryptic nonsense" She replies.
"Tell you what" You say. "Come with us. If you're disappointed by what the Queen tells you, then I'll make it up to you personally"

"Why are you so adamant about this?" She asks. "Is it really so important that I stick around?"

"Well... yeah" You say. "You're my friend, and I'd prefer it if you stayed close so I don't have to worry about you being off on your own"

Cheska raises an eyebrow. "You do know that 'close to you' happens to be where most of the danger is, right?" She asks.

"Yeah. But that's all danger I can stab or punch or deal with somehow, instead of worrying needlessly" You say.

She sighs, throwing her hands up. "Alright, fine. I'll give this a shot and see what the queen knows. But I make no promises after that" She says, as she stands from her chair. "When's this meeting anyway?"

"She didn't really give me a time, but I'm guessing ASAP works best for you. So... Let's go?" You say.

"That does work for me" Cheska says, as she heads for the door.

"Nicely done, Yuu" Pip says quietly, once Cheska is out of earshot. "I thought she'd be in the wind for sure..."

"Is that why you came here?" You ask.
"I spotted her leaving alone and figured I'd snag her ear for a bit" Pip says. "Of course, I didn't make much headway... not that I expected to, of course. So I was basically just stalling her till you showed up"

"How'd you know I'd be able to convince her?" You ask.

Pip chuckles as she heads for the door, before turning back to you. "Oh, wait. You're serious?" She asks. Pip then proceeds to laugh even harder as she makes her way down the stairs.

You look down at Coral, perched on your shoulder. She shrugs. You shrug. Then you follow after Pip.

"Is there anything we should bring?" You ask, once you catch up.
"Like what?" Pip asks.
"Like... I dunno... a gift or something?" You ask. "That's a normal thing when you meet with foreign royalty, isn't it?"

"Most foreign royalty don't make you fight to the death for an audience, so I think we're good on that front..." Pip says.

"Hmm..." You say, stroking your chin as you make your way through the lobby, past the workmen currently repairing the house.

>We should get something anyway (specify if you want)

>See if that spider-hole is still there

>Let's just grab the bunnies and get goin'

>Other

Post up. Voting ends at ~2pm PST, and I'll be running a thread tomorrow at 3:30pm PST

>>2237704
>>We should get something anyway (specify if you want)
>>See if that spider-hole is still there

>>2237704
>>See if that spider-hole is still there

>>2237704
>>See if that spider-hole is still there

>>2237704
>>Other
Eh, I'm pretty sure Munchkin counts as a gift.

You shrug. "Eh, we'll just bring her the Munchkin. That's like a present" You say.
"Are we really bringing the kid?" Pip asks.

"Of course" You say. "It's not like there's gonna be a fight, and if there is then I will personally take responsibility for the bun"

"Alright..." Pip says. "What are you doing now?"

"Checking something..." You say as you go over to where the spider-hole was last night. After giving a quick check to see if anyone is watching, you lift it open.

8 eyes immediately turn to you and strain against the light.

"Hello again" You say.

The spider lady blinks. "Hello" She says.
"Have you been down there all night?" You ask.
"Yes" She replies. She doesn't look like she expected anyone to check in on her...

Looking into the hole, it looks like it's lined with web. As far as holes go, it seems pretty comfy...

>Well... carry on then

>Do you plan on leaving at some point?

>Why don't you come with us?

>Other

>>2238927
And I keep forgetting to put my dang trip back on.

>>2238927
>Other
"We've been invited to the palace so we might not be back for a while. Wanna come along?"

>>2238927
>Why don't you come with us?

>writing

"We're going to the palace, so it'll be a while before we're back here. Wanna come along?" You ask.

"I would rather not be seen at the moment" The spider replies. "I shall remain here and rest until nightfall"
"You sure?" You ask.

She reaches up and slowly pulls the trapdoor down.

"Oh, well... see you later then?" You say.
"Perhaps" She replies, as the door shuts.

"Who the heck is that?" Pip asks.
"Wasn't that the arachnid we faced?" Cheska asks. "Why is she in the floor?"

"She was hiding there last night" You say. "Helped me out a bit with the demons"
"How did she get there?" Pip asks.
"Why don't you ask her?" You ask.

Pip looks at the trapdoor apprehensively. "I think I'll pass" She says.

>1/2

Hella is waiting with Munchkin, Gabriella, and the green healer lady from the Pride... Nyla you think her name was.

Hella and Munchkin are just playing, but it looks like Nyla and Gabby are studying something in a book.

"Hello" You call out as you approach, bringing everyone's attention away from what they were doing.
"Welcome back" Hella says. "Are we set to go?"

"Just a moment" Nyla says, as she turns to Gabriella and says a few things you can't hear. She then pats the bunny's head, shuts the book, and stands up. "We'll continue this later, okay?"
"Okay!" Gabriella says.

Nyla smiles and heads off.

"Alright, now we're set" Hella says.
"Gabriella is coming too?" You ask.

Hella gives you a strained smile, and covertly holds up a piece of paper that reads "She was jealous that her sister was going to get to meet a queen, so I told her she could come too. Is that okay?"

...

>The more the merrier, I guess

>Should we ask their parents first?

>Other

Also

>Ask what Nyla was here for? Y/N

>>2239030
>>The more the merrier, I guess

>>Ask what Nyla was here for? Yes

>>2239030
>>The more the merrier, I guess
This is fine. Also i'd just assume that Nyla is tutoring Gabriella in place of Emi.

>>2239030
>The more the merrier, I guess

>Ask what Nyla was here for?
Sure, why not?

>>2239030
>>Should we ask their parents first?
>Ask what Nyla was here for? Y

>writing

"The more the merrier, I guess" You say.

Hella breathes a sigh of relief like she somehow thought your answer to the question 'should we bring more cute bunnies' would be no.

You step over and pick up Gabriella, and then get moving.

"So, is Nyla your new teacher?" You ask.

Gabriella nods. "She says I'm the best beginner student she's ever had!" She says.
"Oh yeah?" You ask.

"Apparently her... last teacher... did a very good job of tempering her expectations" Hella says. "Nyla is used to teaching hunters... who like to jump straight into the hard stuff and skip the studying"

"With healing magic, I could see how that might be a problem" You say. "Fix something the wrong way, and it might just have been better off staying broken..."

"Bet that gives you a new appreciation for your serpentine friend, doesn't it?" Pip asks.

You chuckle. "Yeah, I certainly owe Emi quite a bit" You say. "I'd've been dead 10 times before ever catching sight of Locke without her..."
"That many?" Cheska asks.
"Maybe more" You say. "I wonder how she's doing down there..."

>1/2

"Whoa..." Gabriella says as you approach the palace. "We're going in there?"
"Yep" You say.

"Know how we get in?" Pip asks.
"All I know is that she'll 'open a way for us'... whatever that means" You say.

The group walks to the front gate, but as you approach, a stairway forms above it. It looks identical to the one from the arena, with ornate railings and perfectly flat steps.

"That was both kind of cool and also a little foreboding..." Hella says.

Cheska is the first to walk up to the stairs. She puts her hand on the railing, then looks back and smiles. "Hey guys" She says. "Talk about a cold reception"

That gets a laugh out of Pip, who accidentally snorts and gets a laugh out of Munchkin. The laughter proves contagious from there.

Luckily the laughter has faded by the time you reach the top, where the Queen's handmaidens are waiting to greet you.

"Welcome champions, and friends of the champions" The handmaiden says. "Her Majesty has been awaiting your arrival"

The handmaidens lead you further inside. The first thing you notice is that it's surprisingly warm in here for a palace made of ice. The second thing you notice is that basically everything is made of ice here. The chairs, the tables... there's even a little ice plant.

When you reach the room where the Queen is waiting, you take a second to hand Gabriella off to Hella, and then step inside cautiously.

The Queen spots you immediately. "Ah, you are here" She says. "I believe it is rude to keep a lady waiting"
"My apologies, we came here as soon as we were prep-"

The queen steps up to you, jumps up into your arms and gives you a big kiss.

...

>Is this normal?

>N-nice to see you too

>I thought we cleared this up earlier...

>Other

>>2239165
>N-nice to see you too
>Stroke her horns.

>>2239165
>N-nice to see you too
but
>I thought we cleared this up earlier...

>>2239165
>>Is this normal?

>>N-nice to see you too

>writing

"N-nice to see you too" You say. "Didn't we clear this whole thing up earlier?"

"Is this not how one commences the human mating ritual?" She asks.
"No... well, yeah. But that's not really why I'm here" You say.

"I see..." She says in an analytical tone. "I was certain things were going just as the book had said..."
"And just how did you think things were going, exactly?" You ask.

"I had assumed that you'd reconsidered my marriage proposal, and had come here to become mates" She says.
"That's... not why I came..." You say.

"Curses... could the book have been wrong?" She asks.

Pip pops in behind you. "Your grace, out of curiosity, what book have you been reading?" She asks.
"It is titled 'The Meaning of Love'" The Queen responds. "I had my handmaiden procure it for me when she first anticipated your intentions"

Pip makes a weird face. She obviously knows something.

"What is it?" You ask.
"Nothing" She says. "Why don't you guys do your thing. I'm gonna see if the ladies'll let me get a look at this book"

Pip heads off and grabs the attention of one of the handmaidens, leaving you confused and with a foreign Queen clinging to you.

This is going well.

"D-do you have anywhere we could sit?" You ask.
"Ah, yes. Just in this room" The Queen replies.

>1/2

Turns out that not everything is made of ice here. The chairs in this room are all wood, with comfy cushions.

Not that the Queen uses them as she continues to hold onto you when you sit down, taking up residence in your lap and making things rather awkward...

After a quick round of introductions, you learn that the Queen's name is Lyvia.

"So... Yuu, Cheska, Hella, Gabriella, Hella..." Lyvia says, pointing to each person in turn and committing their name to memory. "Why are there two Hella's?"
"Coincidence" You reply. "We call the smaller one Munchkin to keep things simple"

"Munchkin..." Lyvia says, finally hopping off of your lap to get a closer look at the tiny rabbit. "She is very small"
"W-well she is a baby" Hella says.

"Ah, so she is not fully grown as of yet" Lyvia says. "I was unaware that humans started so small"
"We're all born as babies... you were small like this once too" Hella says.

Lyvia shakes her head. "And what of this one?" She asks, as she examines Gabriella. "Is this one a baby as well?"
"I'm not a baby" Gabriella says with a huff.
"Me too!" Munchkin says. "Want ice cweem"

Lyvia seems confused.

>Explain how children work

>Now's a good time for Cheska to change the subject

>You must have been a very large baby...

>Ask if Lyvia has any ice cream

>Other

>>2239319
>Ask if Lyvia has any ice cream
>Explain how children work

>>2239319
>Explain how children work
>You talk like you're not a human, but you look like one (at least as much as any of the other girls).

>writing

"Are you still on that?" You ask Munchkin.

Munchkin starts babbling angrily.

"Is she... speaking?" Lyvia asks.
"She hasn't quite got the whole talking thing down yet" You say. "She makes sense sometimes, but the rest of the time she just spills gibberish"

"I see..." Lyvia says. "So why is Gabriella not considered a baby, while Munchkin is?"
"Because Gabriella is 8, and can basically take care of herself" You say. "Meanwhile, Munchkin is 1 and still needs help eating from time to time"

"8 and 1... what?" She asks.
"Years old" You reply.
"I see..." Lyvia says, before pointing at Hella's chest. "And at what age does one get those chest lumps. I've never seen anything like them, even on my handmaidens..."

Hella's face turns red. "Th-these grew in when I was 12... b-but not everybody's get quite this big..." Hella says.
"I see..." Lyvia says, before stepping back, looking at her own chest, and frowning. "Do they make it difficult to fly?"

"To... fly?" Hella asks. "Well, I suppose so. But I can't fly anyway so... yeah"

"Alright, Your Majesty. I have a question for you" You say.
"What is it?" She asks.
"Are you human?" You ask.

"I believe I am, at this moment. But it was not always so" She says.

"Wait, what?" Cheska asks. "So you were something else before?"
"I was once much, much larger than this form" Lyvia says. "I swam the frozen seas long before humans dared to come this far north, and would have continued to do so had it not come..."

>What say?

Also, I'll be taking a short food break here, and writing will commence when I return.

>>2239431
>You mean the black god?
>Did you used to be the icefield leviathan? I heard the first queen was a child born from the leviathan's egg in the museum, but maybe that's not quite true?

>>2239454
this

>>2239454
Sounds good to me.

>writing

"It?" You ask. "You mean... the black god?"

"Wait wait wait... wouldn't that make you hundreds of years old?" Cheska asks.
"Thousands" Lyvia replies. "Or it would, had I not been frozen all this time"

"Were you the ice leviathan?" You ask.
"That is what people called me" She replies.

"How did this happen?" Cheska asks. "How do you go from something as big as the skeleton downstairs, to... this?"
"The same way all human women became these hybrid creatures" Lyvia replies. "A despicable trick, played by a despicable man"

"Malteris turned the women into what they are now... and made you human?" You ask.

"Made me feeble, and small" She says. "I was magnificent once. The humans still sing songs of my splendor. Now? What is magnificent or even remotely worthy of respect in this tiny form?"

>Ask her to tell you about the Black God

>You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever

>Well I think you're still pretty neato

>Other

>>2239555
>>You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever

>>Well I think you're still pretty neato

>>2239555
>Well I think you're still pretty neato
>You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever

>>2239555
>I think your hair and horns are quite beautiful and regal looking, and your power seems a lot stronger than most.

>>2239555
>You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever
>Well I think you're still pretty neato (cute)

>writing

>>2239555
>Well I think you're still pretty neato
>You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever

"You're still possibly the most powerful ice mage ever" You say. "That's... pretty neato"
"A meager boon, when compared to what I lost" She says, as icey tears form in her eyes. "It's not fair..."

Oh jeez... this is going well...

"No cwy dwagon" Munchkin says, as she waddles up to Lyvia and hugs her leg. "Me hug! Fee bettow!"

Lyvia looks confused. "What did she say?"
"She said 'don't cry, I'll give you a hug and you'll feel better'" Gabriella says.

Lyvia looks down at Munchkin. "Is this supposed to help?" Nyvia asks.
"It should... is it?" You ask.

"M-maybe a little" She replies.

>Then it helps

>Then you need more hugs

>Ask her about the Black God

>Other

>>2239640
>Give her a hug.
>Ask her about the Black God (after hug).

>>2239640
>Then you need more hugs
More hugs!

>>2239640
>>Then it helps

>>Then you need more hugs

>>2239640
>Then you need more hugs
>Give her a hug
Fellas, she's friggin cute.
would marry

>>2239653
I feel like we've been kind of cold towards the ice dragon for how cute she is.

>writing

"Then you need more hugs" You say, as you stand up and embrace the little queen. "How about now?"
"L-little better..." She says. "I am beginning to see some merit to being smaller..."

"One of the few benefits of being human-sized" You say as you lift her up and head back to your chair, ending up in much the same position as you were when you first came in. Only this time Munchkin is here as well.

You sit quietly and stroke Lyvia's hair for a minute, until Pip comes back carrying a book with a very strange look on her face. And you understand why, when she flashes the cover of the book from the doorway.

It's 'The Meaning of Love', which is the text that Lyvia was using to learn about the subject. And on the front of it there's a man and woman kissing.

The Queen's been learning about love from a smutty romance novel.

Then Pip sets the book aside and walks into the room. "Improving relations already, I see" She says.
"She needed a hug" You say. "Feeling better?"
"Much better" Lyvia replies.

>Then Cheska has a few questions for you

>Ask about the black god

>Other

>>2239685
>>Ask about the black god

>>2239685
>>Ask about the black god

>>2239685
>>Ask about the black god

>>2239685
>Ask about the black god
Ice dragon is cute! CUUUUUTE!

>writing

"So you were there when the Black God... where did it come from?" You ask.
"It came from the black between the stars" Lyvia says. "I had never run across a beast I could not best before... until it showed up"

"So it came... from outer space?" You ask.

"No, it came from the black between the stars" Lyvia says.
"That's outer space" You say.

"Let's go with her version. It sounds cooler" Pip says.
"Alright, fine" You say. "So it came from... the black between the stars"

Lyvia nods. "And everything seemed to change" She says. "It was subtle, at first. The human's magic lost some of its potency, evil humans began turning into demons-"

"Hold up. There were no demons before the Black God arrived?" Cheska asks.
"I do not believe so" Lyvia asks.

"Interesting..." You say. "If they're a by-product of the Black God's presence somehow, then that explains why they can claim its boons"

"And why when a human tries it, they end up like Arlen" Pip says.

>Now's a good time for Cheska to make her wish

>Ask what she meant by magic losing its potency

>What else happened?

>Other

>>2239718
>Ask what she meant by magic losing its potency

>What else happened?

I think Cheska should wait to make her wish until we've got all the information we can out of the queen, for free.

>Ask what she meant by magic losing its potency

>What else happened?

>>2239721
Sounds like a plan.

>>2239718
>>Now's a good time for Cheska to make her wish

>>2239718
>>What else happened?

>>2239721
I agree. Not so much to get it for free though, but so her wish is an informed one.

>writing

"So demons started appearing, and magic lost its potency?" You say. "What's up with that?"

"If the god's anything like it's boons, then it was probably eating all the mana" Pip says. "Less mana means less magic, thus magic losing its potency"

"That makes sense" You say. "Did anything else happen?"

"Malteris arrived" Lyvia says.
"Arrived?" You ask. "Did he come form outer-... from the dark between stars too?"
"No, he came from somewhere else..." Lyvia says. "The people who saw his arrival said he emerged from an impossible shadow"

"I saw him make one of those at the Inquisitor's stronghold" You say. "How the heck could a portal take him this far forward in time? And where did he come from originally?"

"That I do not know" Lyvia says. "I only know that when the Black God was banished, Malteris disappeared with it"

"Except he didn't" Pip says. "Or at least not permanently, if he's gallivanting around right now"
"You didn't break something at that portal thing, did you?" Hella asks.

"Of course not" You say. "Besides, the first time I saw him was in Sherton, long before we went to the portal"

Mentioning the portal brings to mind a few other things...

>Show Lyvia the Wind Emblem

>Ask about the pit back in Lubars

>See if she knows anything else about demons

>Other

>>2239757
>Show Lyvia the Wind Emblem
>Ask her how all this works in to her apparent interest in chaotics.

>>2239757
>See if she knows anything else about demons
>Show Lyvia the Wind Emblem and ask about the Deviant Souls
...That's what they were called, right? Deviant souls? I might be misremembering. Deviant seems right to me, though.

>>2239760
Deviant is correct

>writing

You pull the wind emblem out of your pocket and show it to Lyvia. "And what do you know of this?"

"Ahh... Calist" Lyvia says. "They all fought bravely to the end, but none were as graceful as she"
"Calist... but... Raligos is the one sealed in this thing" You say.

"The Deviant soul might be sealed inside, but Calist is the one who gave her life to create the seal" Lyvia says. "After the world was torn apart, The Black God's agents needed to be destroyed, lest he return"

"But whenever they were killed, they just came back" Pip says. "So they were sealed away"
"At the cost of a life for each seal" Lyvia says. "The most powerful human warriors of the time gave their lives, as nothing less would do"

"So there was a water magic user more powerful than you?" You ask.

Lyvia looks mad. "No" She says. "I was ready to seal away Mirkulus, but another-... Kukuri froze me"
"And... took your place?" You ask.
"I assume so, but I do not know for sure" She replies. "I did not awaken and escape until recently"

"So you've been frozen all this time" You say.
"It has been a long time, yes" She says. "It was quite... jarring... emerging from my slumber. Much has changed since the old times..."

>What's the biggest difference?

>Maybe we should get down to business

>Other

>>2239785
>I'd actually love to talk about that later, but for now we should get down to business.

I don't want to end up making the rest of the cast antsy or anything. I'm sure Cheska is feeling impatient.

>>2239785
>I'd actually love to talk about that later, but for now we should get down to business.

I like this wording.

>>2239785
>I'd actually love to talk about that later, but for now we should get down to business.

>>2239785

>I'd actually love to talk about that later, but for now we should get down to business.

>writing

"I'd love to discuss this more later, but right now we really should get down to business" You say.

Lyvia tilts her head. "Business?" She asks, as it suddenly dawns on her. "Ah, yes. Business. You wish to discuss our alliance, and Cheska still has a wish for me to fulfill"

"Yep" You say. "So are the other northern lords for an alliance with us?"

"I will make them understand" She says. "The Black God's servants have no place on this world. They are complacent because they are ignorant, thinking a little snow will stop the demons forever..."

"Need a hand with the convincing?" You ask.
"It would help if you were there, to show this alliance has merit..." She says. "What position do you hold in Lubars, by the way?"

"I am a prince" You say.
"That will help. I will call them together tomorrow, and-..." She stops and looks down at Munchkin, who has fallen asleep in her lap and is sucking on Lyvia's thumb. "Is... is this creature trying to eat me?"

Hella hops into action, picking up the bag she brought with her and walking over to you. "She's probably just hungry" She says, as she takes the sleeping Munchkin away. "I'll just give her a bottle, and she'll be fine"

Lyvia looks curious. "Such strange creatures" She says. "Do all children try to eat their superiors when they are hungry?"
"Not all of them..." You say, choosing not to mention Vivian, whose favorite food is hands...

"Intriguing..." Lyvia says. "Now, like I was saying..."

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be tomorrow, starting around the same time

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

>>2239812
No questions from me tonight, Smiley.
Though I do want to say it again.
THE QUEEN IS CUTE!

>>2239812
2cute

File: unknown.png (205 KB, 832x320)

205 KB PNG

Wait a minute...
I think I might have some kind of complex.
See, my favorite before now was Namaki, someone's who was by far the oldest person we've met so far.
And now, my favorite is the Queen...who is even older than Namaki by a long shot, technically.
This...does not bode well for me.

>>2239840
You're not alone

File: 1356414433086.jpg (59 KB, 685x638)

59 KB JPG

>>2239840
Your love is weak!

>>2239840
I'm kind of neutral on her. Yeah, she's cute I guess but we have so many cute girls already that she doesn't particularly stand out to me. Maybe Smiley will make her more interesting as the quest goes on assuming we don't ignore her so much that she gets written out of the quest as hard as Emi, that is.

Queen is for headpats and imouto but namaki one true waifu

>>2239840
>>2240609
I think the queen makes a very strong argument for herself, but I have to lean on making Namaki the wife and the queen our adopted sister or daughter. We can introduce our family to people and tell them how old they are. And then they will pause and look at Altea again wondering how many thousands of years old our mom is. She'll tell them she's still young and they will just smirk and and say "Yeah, yeah, you sure are" and she will see the doubt in their eyes.

"I will hold council with the lords tomorrow. It would be wise for you to join me" Lyvia says.

"Are all the lords in town?" Pip asks. "I thought they usually kept to their realms"
"They traveled to Garhan for the tournament, so they will no doubt have seen how capable you are" Lyvia says. "Just remember never to back down. Go in knowing what you what, and what you're willing to give for it. If you budge an inch from that, they'll know your heart's not in it"

"But my heart's not even in me" You say.

That gets a laugh out of Cheska, thankfully.

"So stick to your guns and don't budge. Got it" You say. "Anything else I need to know?"

"If they threaten you, respond in kind" She says. "They won't take insult. But if you take a threat lying down, then they'll think you're a pushover"

"So if somebody threatens me, threaten them right back" You say.

>Think we could practice this stuff?

>I think I got this

>Other

>>2241016
>>Think we could practice this stuff?

>writing

"Think we could practice this stuff? I'm not very good with aggressive negotiations. I much prefer this kind of diplomacy..." You say, as you stroke Lyvia's hair.

Pip slams the arm of her chair. "Keep up that kinda talk, and they'll have you dragged through the street by your nuts!" She says.

You reel back. "Whoa, Pip. No need to get violent, I was just-"
"Helping you practice, dingus" Pip says. "Now come on"

"Oh... I'd uhh... like to see you try?" You say.

...

"Definitely a good thing you asked for practice" Cheska says. "You're very bad at this"
"Oh come on! That came out of nowhere" You say.

"Alright then. Let's try again" Pip says. "Take your hands off the queen, or lose them"

>What say?

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>>2241158
Jeeze, I'm bad at this. Lemme think...
>If you think you can manage that, then you must be a bigger fool than I thought. I've beaten foes with far more bite than you.

>>2241158
You'll loose a lot more than that if you even try it

>>2241158
Make me. I'll mess you up without even breaking stride in my headpatting.

>writing

"Try it, you'll lose a lot more than a hand" You say, as you hold the Queen a little closer.

"See?" Pip asks. "Much better"
"It was?" You ask.

"Hear a threat, respond in kind" Pip says. "Remember, these are all people who've spent the last few days watching you wreck the best fighters in the land. Any actual threats they make will just be posturing"

"Got it" You say.

You spend the next half hour or so practicing, all while trying to keep things kid-friendly for Gabriella. Heck, Gabby even joins in at one point.

"I'm gonna... I'm gonna punch you in the knee!" She says.

...

"Well then... I'll... uhh... tell your mom?" You say, unsure of what kinds of threats you should be lobbing at an 8-year-old...

"Nooooooo..." Gabby says sadly, her ears drooping.
"And I think that's enough for now" Pip says. "You've got the hang of it. Just remember that you're the toughest guy in the room, kay?"

"Okay" You reply.

>Anything else I should know going into this?

>I'm not actually telling your mom...

>I'm hungry

>Other

>>2241308
>Anything else I should know going into this?

>>2241308
>Anything else I should know going into this?
>Can we get a little on how these lords differ from the queen politically?
>Not sure how to work this in, but anything we can known on this eternal winter stuff going into it?

>writing

Just to put this out on the table so we can address when it's relevant, the concerns Namaki raised when we first met her were:

1) the southerners would have to stop their raids
2) the northerners would need to be convinced not to blanket this place in eternal winter
3) the Lubrians would have to get their stuff together
4) the Hell's Legion would need to take a hike

Obviously I think we have (3) resolved and (1) and (4) must be taken care of later, but I think a side goal while we are here ought to be (2). I think it would be a small thing compared to the rest, but it would be nice if we could get it cleanly resolved, and hopefully in writing, so we can take it back and say we did it.

"Anything else I should know going into this?" You ask.

...

"Lyvia?"

Lyvia startles and looks around. "Yes?" She asks.

You tilt your head. "Did you fall asleep?" You ask.
"N-no" She says. "I-I was just resting my eyes"

You chuckle and ruffle her hair. "I asked if there's anything else I need to know about this meeting" You say.
"I do not believe there is" She says. "And you will have me on your side, so do not worry"

"Just how much respect do these lords have for you?" Pip asks.
"Not as much as they should have" Lyvia says. "But I am the only one that can use the device atop this palace, and without that the North's defenses are vulnerable"

"I was actually hoping to ask about that..." You say. "A friend of mine said you could use that to blanket everything in endless winter... is that true?"
"Absolutely" She says. "It would likely leave me a weakened husk, but it is within my power"
"Oh..." You say. "Could you... not?"

"I never planned on it" She says. "One unnecessary weakening was enough for me. I cannot imagine what I will become if it happens a second time"

"And now you don't have to worry" You say. "And neither do we, hopefully"
"Yeah. I don't particularly like the cold" Pip says. "I'd probably just die if I knew it'd never go away"

"The cold's not so bad..." Lyvia says.

>Explain further

>I don't really feel cold

>For an ice leviathan, sure

>Other

>>2241477
>>Explain further - is there something worse?
>>I don't really feel cold

>>2241477
>What does 'cold' feel like, anyways?

>writing

"Is there something worse than the cold?" You ask.
"The heat" Lyvia says. "I have only ever experienced it once, and I have no wish to do so again"

"When was that?" Cheska asks.
"Brisella, one of my handmaidens, accidentally started a fire in here" She says. "Even though I could put it out easily, the heat frightened me..."

"Having your house almost burn down isn't just heat though..." Hella says. "It can be scary even for an adult"

"Am I the only one who wants to know how a fire lasted more than 5 seconds in this place?" Cheska asks. "It's made of ice. I could go wild in here and not scorch a thing"

"I'm more curious as to why an ice palace would have a fireplace" Pip says.

"Not important, guys" You say.
"I disagree" Cheska replies.

You look over at Hella and see Gabriella whispering in her ear.

"Gabriella says that she understands how scary that is" Hella says, as Gabby whispers something else. "And also that she's hungry"

Lyvia looks up. "Me too" She says.

>Anything you guys want to ask before food?

>>2241562
>Not right now.

>writing

"Shall we get something to eat then?" You ask.
"Sounds like a good plan" Pip says. "So are we heading out then?"

"I can host you, if you'd like to stay" Lyvia says.

"We don't want to trouble you..." Hella says.
"Nonsense" Lyvia says. "Eating together is something people do often, is it not?"

"I suppose so..." You say.
"Then let us eat together!" Lyvia says. "I shall have my handmaidens prepare something for us!"

Lyvia hops off your lap and heads out of the room, stepping carefully to ensure she doesn't trip.

"So she's interesting" Pip says.

"Lucky thing the queen was so agreeable" Cheska says.
"Well, she seems to hate the Black God, and by proxy the Legion just as much as we do" Pip says. "That works in our favor"

"It also helps that she's small and cute" You say. "Diplomacy is so much easier when you can pet the person you're negotiating with"

Pip slowly starts to laugh.

"What?" You ask.
"Sorry, just picturing you trying to pet some gruff old man" She says.

"So what do we do now?" Cheska asks.

>Talk over your options

>Write up a report to the Comomder

>Practice your mageblade

>Other

>>2241661
>>Talk over your options
>How much do we really think we have to work at winning these other guys over so long as the queen is on our side?
>Ask Cheska if she has any ideas on what to ask the queen for yet.

>>2241661
>>Talk over your options
>Practice your mageblade

A report can probably wait till after we meet with the lords.

>writing

"So what do we actually want from these people?" You ask. "Do we march south right now? Do we go back to Lubars with dignitaries so the Comomder can work things out?"

"Ideally we march south ASAP" Pip says. "Gather our forces at Locke, and strike for the Antolian border in force right after that"

"How do you convince them to leave their homelands unprotected right now?" Cheska asks. "I guarantee they won't like that"

"They won't be unprotected. The lords here think that the winter machine can keep them safe, so we use that" You say.
"So we leave the queen here?" Pip asks.

"We don't have to" You say. "It's not like the Legion knows the machine doesn't work without the queen"
"That's true..." Pip says. "We could also just set up correspondence for a joint assault later, if we can trust them enough to actually join"

"U-hhmm" Hella says. "Wouldn't it be best to hit them as soon as we can, before the Legion hears about this alliance?"

>They probably already know...

>Depends on how things look in Locke

>That would be best

>Other

>>2241701
>>They probably already know...
>That would be best

>>2241701
>>They probably already know...

>>2241701
>If I were a legion general, I'd be preparing for the worst just in case, especially after setting the bait like they did. Even if they don't know yet, they might be ready for that tactic anyways. Our approach is going to have to be well thought out to minimize our casualties.

>writing

"They probably already know" You say. "Especially if they sent so many here to try and stop us from meeting the queen... I believe any surprises will have to come from Emi's end of this. They'll be ready for the combined forces of Lubars and the Northern Realms, and even if they can't withstand us then they'll likely try to bleed us out until we can't fight anymore"

"But you think that with the Islanders on our side we can win?" Cheska asks.
"It's not too farfetched" Pip says. "The Islanders don't fight the way we do. The Legion will be expecting to meet us in the field, but the Islanders don't fight direct battles"

"Yes, so I've heard. They raid villages and harass supply lines-..." Cheska says. "I get it"

"We bleed them right back" Pip says. "It's a strong tactic, even if the Islanders aren't with us... or course, it'll be much easier if they are"

"They will be" You say. "I have faith in Emi"

"That still leaves the question of: What's our plan?" Pip asks.

>Group up in Locke

>Strike simultaneously

>Wait for word from Emi

>Other

>>2241729
>Strike simultaneously
>Those gnomes are going to join us too and the Legion has no reason to expect them. They might be able to help us find a way to get a good hit in if they can move underground.

>writing

"We strike simultaneously" You say. "Once we know the lords are with us, we'll send a message to Emi and Altea. We give them a date and a target, then bring the fight to the Legion"

"Did we get a way to contact those gnomes, too?" Pip asks.
"Not that I know of..." You say. "Them we'll just have to trust. It's their land we're fighting for, after all"

"We also want to find some way to contact the resistance..." Pip says. "To that end, we should hit the border near a town somewhere..."

"Lutain's right on the border" Cheska says. "That's where we'd base before making raids into Lubars"

Pip nods "Lutain's also not all that well fortified. Taking it will be easy, but if we want to use it as a stepping stone we'll have to hold it" She says.

"You can leave that to me" Lyvia states as she enters the room. "It took me less than a week to build this palace. A few walls should be no trouble"

"So we have a plan... ish" You say. "It still hinges on a few things going right, but I think we can manage it"
"Glad to hear it" Lyvia says. "We shall talk more on full stomachs. Come, let us feast"

"Feasting sounds good" You say.

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be next Wednesday, but I'll try to keep up the posting like I did last week.

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

>>2241772
How is a snake army going to deal with the climate and ice fortifications