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File: blue.jpg (148 KB, 1280x720)
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You can’t feel the cold.

A sinking envelops you. You don’t move, submerged in the unidentifiable sensation.

You can’t see the dark.

Cannot move? You can, you can. You simply don’t.

You haven’t a reason to.

Why do you need to stand again? Is there somewhere you need to go? Something you need to do?

No. You can’t think of anything.

You don’t have anything to move to. Anything to seek. Anything to fight for.

Surely if there was something you would find it. Would have found it. Because you have the strength, the ability to do so.

But you haven’t, so you know. So you stopped. So you lay here. Sinking.

You are strong. With that strength

.

you have found

.

.

.

nothing
>>
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A starlit melody fights against the oppressive dark.

You don’t play for long. Just enough to lighten the weight, so you can keep going.

Somewhere behind you, somewhere deep in the earth, is a Light-Eater. Your enemy. Your predator.

This one is much, much heavier than you have ever felt. You don’t think it’s even close, and if it were you can’t imagine how long, how much you’d have to play your flute to fight it back.

Can you flee - can you fight -

You lower your flute, keeping hold of it in your left hand. The Ants of the cavern flee, surrounding you with the pitter-patter of their thin legs on rock. You are still far from the entrance. Aries was taking you back up- what happened to her?

The red star takes hold of your wrist again and starts to move, but before she does you pull her close to face you.

She’s pale. Her breathing is ragged, her emerald eyes are unfocused. She sways, her feet unsteady.

Her hand is cold.

Aries shakes her head, then turns to run. The pull on your hand is weaker than before.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Keep running for now. It’s not close - there’s still time.
[ ] You should look to help the Ants. Light and life.
[ ] The red star is not okay. Carry her.

> Those that came before
Force (3/5)
Haste (3/3)
Shield (3/4)
Flame (2/5)
>>
>

'Sup

tags: postapocalyptic, fantasy, comfybleak, autistichornedgirls

Previous if it's still alive: >>2927237
Archives: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=autistichornedgirls
>>
>>2961648
>[ ] You should look to help the Ants. Light and life.
>>
>>2961648
>[ ] The red star is not okay. Carry her.
>>
>>2961648
>[ ] The red star is not okay. Carry her.
>>
>>2961648
>[ ] The red star is not okay. Carry her.
>>
File: pocky.jpg (22 KB, 474x304)
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(I've consumed a box of pocky writing this update. I have four boxes left.

Send help.

Give me 10 minutes and I'll post.)
>>
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The two of you, and the orange ball that’s taken refuge in your bag, head up the narrow paths and come to a wider section of the cavern. One you had passed through before.

The amount of crystal formations lining the walls and hanging from above makes this the brightest place, almost as bright as where found the orange ball, but their glow turns dimmer and dimmer as you watch.

Aries stumbles. You pull on her hand, hopping forward to catch her, and the red star almost collapses against you. Her head leans on your chest.

She is oddly light.

The red star’s eyes flutter. She pushes against you to stand again. You don’t let her, wrapping a hand around her shoulders and ignoring the protesting sound she makes.

What happened to Aries? You... might know. Her starlight is so, so dim.

There are fewer Ants coming from behind you. You hope they are the last ones. That they all left to the upper parts of their home.

Soon, all that’s left in the room would be that particularly big Ant and the many smaller ones that surrounds it.

Click-clack click-clack. Urgency. But the group, the big Ant is slow.

The dark comes. Closer, closer.

The glowing crystals around you grow dimmer still.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Pick up Aries. Keep running.
[ ] (Haste 1) You need to leave. Aries can’t be here. Run. Run. Run.
[ ] (Haste 1) Help the Ant.
[ ] (Shield 2) Block the way up. It won’t last long at all, but it should help.

(you can pick multiple choices, or write-in if you have an idea. I’d consider multiple actions as taking longer, though Aquarius casts very quickly)
>>
>>2961931
>[ ] (Haste 1) You need to leave. Aries can’t be here. Run. Run. Run.
>[ ] (Haste 1) Help the Ant.
We'd better skedaddle
>>
>>2961931
>[ ] Pick up Aries. Keep running.
>[ ] (Haste 1) You need to leave. Aries can’t be here. Run. Run. Run.
Ants aren't cute! They don't get to be saved!
>>
>>2961931
>[ ] Pick up Aries. Keep running.
>[ ] (Haste 1) You need to leave. Aries can’t be here. Run. Run. Run.
>[ ] (Haste 1) Help the Ant.
>>
>>2961931
>[ ] (Haste 1) Help the Ant.
>>
>>2961969
This
>>
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With your free hand you reach into your cloak, finding a wand.

The bone of one who fell, seeking his wish.

Starlight surges through you, filling you with vigor. You move to store your wand, but pause... then brandish it again, pointing at the big Ant in the room.

Power flows out, surrounding and swirling about the creature. The Ant makes a sudden lurch forward, and the smaller ones around it pick up speed to follow it up the cavern.

You don’t know if that is enough, but...

Hiding your wand in your cloak, you swing an arm behind Aries’ knees and pick her up, keeping an arm behind her shoulders. The red star is taller than you but you’re able to carry her easily.

She pushes against your arm. You hold her closer and hear another quiet, mumbling protest.

With starlight supporting your steps you dash along the same path as the Ants, heading to the entrance of the caverns.
>>
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>>2962163

Your pace is much quicker due to your spell, overtaking many of the escaping Ants. Yet you can’t feel safe, because your enemy is no slower.

Weight bears on you from behind. Run. Run. Run.

The wide entrance of the crystal-lit caverns is packed with movement, though it seems there are now more Ants outside than in. You manage to make your way through, awkwardly stepping over the creatures, and leave the home of the Ants.

Only to find danger waiting.

Teeth. Four-limbed things, similar to those that Aries had fought, leap between distant shadows. Among and through the scuttling crowd of Ants. Bearing their hunger.

Crash. Crack. Crunch.

A speck of light disappears.

Your heart beats against its cage. Thump, thump, thump.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Escape through the chaos. Head up, far away from the thing behind you.
[ ] (Flame 1) Banish the shadows. Clear a path for them.
[ ] (Flute) You can’t leave yet. There is life here.

> Those that came before
Force (3/5)
Haste (1/3)
Shield (3/4)
Flame (2/5)
>>
>>2962168
>[ ] (Flame 1) Banish the shadows. Clear a path for them.
>>
>>2962168
>(Flame 1) Banish the shadows. Clear a path for them.
>>
>>2962168
Flame (2/5)
I'm kinda worried the flames will spread to the ants.
>>
>>2962195
(Aquarius has good enough control to not set them on fire.

A few light singes might be unavoidable.)
>>
(Had to run off for food. I've got a short update though.)
>>
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...

Where are you?

Something changed. There’s something warm near you, around you. Something familiar, close.

Uncomfortable. So different from the cold you can’t feel.

Something blurs into vision, seemingly distant. Like looking up from the bottom of a deep, deep well.

Long, gray hair, thick, curled horns. A blur, a hasty movement. Something flies over above.

A bone. Did that one find hers before she fell? Did she have anything to find?

Was she stronger than you?

Something approaches. Danger, and hunger.

A jolt. A flash. That something vanishes. Those dull eyes widen.

Why did you stand? Why did you take up your blade?

Your vision sways. The world turns. Falling, falling,


> Why did you stand?

[ ] All you have left is to fight.
[ ] They are your enemy.
[ ] You are stronger than her. You are.
[ ] She is weaker than you. She needs you.
[ ] You don’t know.
[ ] It doesn’t matter.

> Aquarius wields her Wand of Flame - starlight wells
>>
>>2962415
>[ ] You are stronger than her. You are.
Is it meta-bullying if we try to incite an inferiority complex in Aries through herself...?
>>
>>2962415
] She is weaker than you. She needs you.

Must protect
>>
>>2962415
[ ] She is weaker than you. She needs you.
>>
>>2962415
>[ ] She is weaker than you. She needs you.
>>
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It stops.

Your feet are on the ground. You grip your horn, tighter.

You don’t have a reason for yourself. There is nothing for you to find.

But you met her. A dazed, directionless star, still seeking.

She was careless, so you decided to be the responsible one.

She was weak, so you decided to lend your strength.

You’re needed.

It’s chaos around you. Your vision is blurred. You still can’t feel the cold.

You just move, horn in hand. Facing the dark.

You don’t have much light, but it’s enough. You’re strong, after all.
>>
A second Tooth leaps, and in a flash the red star has torn it through. She stands by you with horn at the ready. Panting, eyes glazed, but standing.

You can’t stay here. Aries can’t stay here.

The bone of one who fell, seeking her wish.

A gout of flame spouts forth from your wand, blasting through the air and filling the frozen space with warmth. For barely a few seconds heat and starlight overcome the chilling dark, washing over and vanquishing a number of the hounding Teeth.

The Ants have escaped from the unnatural fire, but the path ahead is now clear. Very soon the cold, and the dark, will come back.

You grab Aries’ arm. All power seems to leave her when you do, and you catch the red star as she crumbles, picking her up and running.

A crowd of Ants head the same way. You don’t pay them any more attention. Your spell might have helped some escape, but you aren’t going to make sure.

Something in you wanted to help them, but you know you need to leave.

Before your enemy, your predator comes.

Up, along thin, spiraling paths. Through caves and caverns and dimming crystal-light. Back to the frozen underground of ancient metal and stone, with the unconscious red star in your arms.

Her starlight is so, so dim.
>>
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...

You can still feel the weight in the air. Somewhere down below.

Keep going. Keep going.

You recognise this hallway, these stairs. The path back to those Stores. The one with the broken glass. The one where you and Aries rested.

You wonder if it’s safe there.

‘Safe’. Is anywhere Safe? You haven’t thought about it before. Your horn should always be close, your wands should always be in reach.

But right now...

You look down to the red star. Her closed eyes tense, her pale lips quiver. She doesn’t look okay.


> What do you seek?

[ ] You keep going and going. Stopping only for bones.
[ ] You find a place to rest, quickly.

[ ] You want to help Aries. You don’t know how.
-[ ] Her red bag, and everything in it, was lost. You must spare her this tragedy. Extremely important.
-[ ] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.
-[ ] (Write-in)

> Those that came before
Force (3/5)
Haste (1/3)
Shield (3/4)
Flame (1/5)
>>
>>2962647
We should share our light with her, conect so we can give her warmth
>>
File: rest in peace.jpg (7 KB, 280x235)
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>

We'll stop here for today. Thanks for reading and showing up!
Continuation happens tomorrow at similar time, so around 20 hours from now? Please do vote so I can prepare a little ahead of time.

Ha ha ha.

Might've been a bit short of a session. Also different in tone maybe, since so much of it was... 'combat'. The choices might've seemed a bit weird, but how much Aquarius cares about living things wasn't determined and I didn't want to do the deciding.

She'll mull over it a bit in next session, I think.

Aries perspective was weird as well. I hope it at least sort of made sense, and that you have some sense of Aries' story.

It's probably okay if you don't though.

Thanks again, and see ya tomorrow.
>>
>>2962665
-[ ] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.
>>
>>2962665
>[ ] You find a place to rest, quickly.
-[ ] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.
>>
>>2962665
>[ ] You find a place to rest, quickly.
>-[ ] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
>-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.
>>
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>>2962665
>[ ] You keep going and going. Stopping only for bones.
>[ ] You want to help Aries. You don’t know how.
>-[ ] Her red bag, and everything in it, was lost. You must spare her this tragedy. Extremely important.
Night Mitty
Also, before I forget, here's a little something that I asked a drawfriend on /i/ made a while ago.
>>
>>2962724
holy shit that"s cute
>>
>>2962724

bullying/10
>>
>>2962665
>[x] You find a place to rest, quickly.
>[x] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
>[ x Hugs fix all problems.

Must give her warmth. Maybe play her a warm song on our flute?

Thanks for the comfy, boss
>>
>>2962665
>[ ] You keep going and going. Stopping only for bones.
>-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.
>>
>>2962665
[ ] You find a place to rest, quickly.
>-[ ] Wrap her in things. Lots of things.
>-[ ] Hugs fix all problems.

Thanks for running
>>
Morning folks

Update super soon.

Took note of this comment >>2962846
And sorta this >>2962673
Aquarius has used her flute against the cold so far, hasn't she?
>>
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Cheep cheep.

The orange ball squeezes out of your bag, hopping up onto Aries’ head.

You’re here again. The same place, maybe one night ago. It’s hard to tell when you can’t see the moon, and when it’s always night.

You’ve found the pile of clothes and soft things. They were frozen, so you had to unfreeze them again.

You pull the cloth tight around the red star. She’s still unconscious, still cold. You take another piece of clothing - something thick, something fluffy - and wrap that around her too.

Still unconscious. Still cold.

Cheep cheep.

You don’t mind the noise.

You can still feel the weight, somewhere below. Heavy, even when far. Different from what you’ve found before. So much heavier.

How much light has been lost?

The weight changes, moves, and your heart jumps. You don’t want to be here. But, you didn’t want to keep going with Aries like this. You didn’t know where ‘Safe’ was.

So you’re back here. Back here. The same place as before.
>>
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...

You haven’t moved. You haven’t continued to seek.

Even though that’s why you have your light.

Why?

What has changed from before, when you spent all you had, seeking through the dark?

What has changed?

Curiosity. The crystals. The Silkworm. The bird. The Ants. Life and light you didn’t know.

Aries, the red star. You hear her short breaths to your side.

Your horn is in your hands. You stare at it, at the patterns you’ve carved into its surface. You do not know what they show.


> Why do you seek?

[ ] You are a fallen star. Your will, your light, is only for one purpose.
[ ] Your starlight opposes the dark. So you’ll wield it.
[ ] There is life, and there is mystery. Your curiosity leads you, and that’s fine. Maybe the unknown holds what you seek.
[ ] You like being with the red star. Whether she can help you find what you seek or not, doesn’t matter.
>>
>>2965265
[ ] You like being with the red star. Whether she can help you find what you seek or not, doesn’t matter.
Aries and you comes first.

>[ ] There is life, and there is mystery. Your curiosity leads you, and that’s fine. Maybe the unknown holds what you seek.
We shall create our own Wisdom. I think. Maybe this is where Wisdom that is not ours comes from, from Fallen Stars guttering out and releasing what they know back to the skies? Dunno.
>>
>>2965265
>[ ] There is life, and there is mystery. Your curiosity leads you, and that’s fine. Maybe the unknown holds what you seek.
>>
>>2965265
>Your starlight opposes the dark. So you’ll wield it.
>>
>>2965265
>[ ] Your starlight opposes the dark. So you’ll wield it.
>>
(Hmm... I can't write a tie for this one, so I might wait. Or roll a tiebreaker if it takes long.)
>>
Rolled 1 (1d2)

(I forgot how to roll for a bit there.
1: Curiosity
2: Against the dark)
>>
>>2965525
>[ ] Your starlight opposes the dark. So you’ll wield it.

noooo that is lame
>>
>>2965554

(Uhh... hell

Sorry

I've already written a lot of it. And eaten a box of pocky.

Hmm...
I'll continue as is this time, but if folks think I should rewrite in this case then I'll do that in future)
>>
>>2965648
no man, I was too late, just go with it, we can change to against the dark later, find our true calling
>>
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(Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrSjpqNEWmE)

You sit by her, covering both of you with the largest coat you could find, and pull her close. You reach over and lightly pull at her red and gray scarf, fluffing it up.

Silence, save for Aries’ breaths. The world around you is still.

Her chest rises, and falls, and you feel the beat of her life. Her waning warmth.

... Something wells up in you. A strange feeling you don’t have words for. So you give it a different voice.

You bring your flute to your lips, and play.

The melody that comes is almost a lullaby, enveloping the two of you. The gentle tune floats, soft, yet with quiet energy.

It’s fine, you think.

It’s fine, you decide.

In the cold, endless night, all you’ve known is your search.

You clearly remember your wandering since you fell. You remember resting in lonely corners, biting through foods you didn’t bother to unfreeze. You remember hiding from the hungry void, wands held tight in hand.
>>
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You remember first seeing the star of dancing crimson. So dim in starlight, yet so very bright. So proud and unwavering against the dark.

You feel like you’ve discovered new things in the short time since you’ve met. You found your curiosity, and from there, you found the unknown.

You liked it.

You enjoyed yourself.

You realised, you had never known what that was like.

You’re sure there’s a lot more unknowns, hiding somewhere. Things you haven’t seen, that don’t belong in Wisdom that isn’t yours.

Perhaps the unknown holds what you seek.

Even if it doesn’t, you’re sure you will enjoy yourself again. With Aries by your side.

’Suu... suu...

The melody gives way to returning silence. The red star’s breathing is peaceful, relaxed.

You shift closer to your friend, putting your arms around her. Hugs fix everything, you decide.
>>
You’re not sure how much time has passed. You didn’t fall asleep, but you weren’t really paying attention.

A part of you wants to stay like this, but you do need to keep going eventually.

The weight is still below. Aries is a little better, though still not awake.

You check your wands.

This one’s light is bound to Haste. Once more, and it will burn out.

This one’s light is bound to Flame. Once more, and it will burn out.

The others are bound to Shield and Force. Their light has yet to dim.

You don’t know if the abnormal Light-Eater will come up: as long as you’re careful with your starlight and don’t use your wands, it shouldn’t find you. If it does come though, you wouldn’t be able to do anything.

You think you should go. But to leave this place you would have to go along Railway Tracks, or head to the surface.

Closer to hunger, or under the gaze of the Moon.


>

[ ] Surface. You’ll have to run, and pray not too many see.
[ ] Railway. You’ll have to hide. If one finds you, you’ll have to use a wand. Which might be bright enough for more to see.

[ ] Take something with you before you go (from a nearby Store)?
[ ] Whilst carrying Aries, keep a wand at the ready? (Which?)
>>
>>2965753
>[ ] Railway. You’ll have to hide. If one finds you, you’ll have to use a wand. Which might be bright enough for more to see.

find more bones, we need more wands

[ ] Take something with you before you go (from a nearby Store)?
food and soft things

[ ] Whilst carrying Aries, keep a wand at the ready? (Which?)
shield
>>
>>2965753
>[ ] Surface. You’ll have to run, and pray not too many see.
>[ ] Whilst carrying Aries, keep a wand at the ready?
shield
>>
>>2965753
>[X] Surface. You’ll have to run, and pray not too many see.
We need more bones. Maybe another Star fell along here, seeking their wish?

>[X] Take something with you before you go (from a nearby Store)?
Disguises. Quilts. Covers. Large enough to cover you both.
White as the undriven snow.
If the Moon thinks you're snow, then it won't know you're Fallen Stars, and then it won't send Nothing after you. Right?
You wish Aries was awake. She'd know better.
>>
>>2965753
[ ] Railway. You’ll have to hide. If one finds you, you’ll have to use a wand. Which might be bright enough for more to see.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>2965767
>>2965791
>>2965806
>>2965851
(Ha ha ha ha ha!
1: Surface
2: Railway)
>>
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Tap. Tap. Tap.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

You stop. Something is there. You back away, quietly slipping behind a corner. Hiding your starlight, letting the cold in.

A Tooth. Two-legged, two-armed, spindly tall. Staggering forward, its limbs seeping down into the frozen flooring as pools of shadow.

It continues past. It doesn’t sense you.

Keeping hold of Aries, clumsily grasping a wand bound to Shield in a hand, you creep forward.

The air above the Railway Tracks is thick. Difficult to breathe. You don’t want to be here, but you can’t rush.

You endure.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Would the surface have been more difficult? Faster, you think, but more dangerous under the moon.

You’re not sure what you could do if you were found, though. If you had to use your wand, and show your starlight.
>>
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Onwards. You turn away from the tracks, avoiding another Tooth. A tunnel of stone.

A ladder. You can’t climb while holding Aries.

Stairs. You continue.

Onwards. Onwards.

An entrance. A door, plain and unassuming. Open. You don’t need to play your flute.

You shift your hold on the red star, then move to peek through the threshold.

A wide, empty space. Tall, very tall. Bare metal stairs, big open gates and doors. Windows, glass. Objects, machines. From Wisdom that is not yours, you are in a ‘Warehouse’.

Moonlight, shafts cast through shadows.

This is the surface, but the moon doesn’t reach you here. You are unseen.

You cannot feel the weight in the air... but somehow, that feels wrong.

There is something else. Something different.

...

...

...

You hear a noise.
>>
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Sobbing.

Tiny, yet piercing in silence.

Someone is crying.

Away from the moonlight, against the wall on the other side. Far, across the wide space.

You make out a small, curled up form. You see long, long hair pooling around on the floor, deeper black than the dark. You see two bare feet, and arms holding knees.

The form shakes. Sob. Sob.

Piercing in silence.


That is not a star.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Nope.
[ ] The air is wrong. What is wrong with it?
[ ] Move forward. Get closer. What was left here alone, alone, alone- ?
>>
>>2966142
>[ ] Move forward. Get closer. What was left here alone, alone, alone- ?

because why not
>>
>>2966142
>[X] The air is wrong. What is wrong with it?
Fucking Skinwalkers. Laying traps to feast on our succulent Starlight. Get ready to shank this bitch, with both hands.
>>
>>2966142
[ ] The air is wrong. What is wrong with it?
>>
(Sorry, should've noted that I ran off to find lunch. Anyway, update coming up)
>>
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Frail. Pure white skin. Similar to you, in shape, perhaps in height.

The air feels wrong.

Like the warped weight of a Light-Eater. Emptiness.

Yet, without hostility. Without hunger.

Closer, closer.

Something notices you. Something starts.

Something looks up, peeking.

What you see is sorrow.

Pain in isolation. Grief for what was lost. Tears flow, and flow, and flow, from those black eyes.

It is mourning.

And you


>

[ ] Feel something wet flowing down your cheek.
[ ] Step forward. If anything needs a hug in this world, it is this.
[ ] Stop. You don’t understand.
[ ] (Nova: Wand of Flame)
>>
>>2966577
>Feel something wet flowing down your cheek.
>>
>>2966577
>[x] Feel something wet flowing down your cheek.

Yay. I made it in time for some comfy
>>
>>2966577
>[ ] Step forward. If anything needs a hug in this world, it is this.
>>
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step forward.

The sorrow reaches you. The regret, the horrible loneliness.

For what does it mourn? What has it lost?

Closer, closer. Not looking away. Reaching out with a hand.

And

It is gone.

...

...

...

You feel something wet flowing down your cheek.
>>
Someone shakes your shoulder. It’s Aries.

At some point the red star wriggled out of your hold. She’s still pale, her starlight still dim, but she is awake.

... She’s awake? She’s awake.

You jump at Aries with arms spread wide, only to be stopped by her outstretched palm planted firmly on your forehead.

Why.

She shows a weird expression. Like some sort of not-unhappy frown-pout. But only for a moment.

Aries stares at you.

Apparently you don’t have time for hugs. Or to think about what just happened.

The strange air is gone. The feeling of weight returns, heavier than before.

Much, much heavier.

The red star hands you your wand, bound to Shield. You had dropped that, it seems. It’s time to go.


> What do you seek?

[ ] (Shield 1) Block an entrance(, then)
[ ] Charge across the surface.
[ ] Return to the underground. Escape. Quickly. Or violently.
[ ] Return to the underground. Face the dark.

>
[ ] Rely on Aries. Try not to use your wands much.
[ ] Use what you need. You'll get through, together.
[ ] Starlight. Starlight everywhere.

> Those that came before
Force (3/5)
Haste (1/3)
Shield (3/4)
Flame (1/5)
> You can choose to prefer using certain wands, or to Nova any 1/x wand.
>>
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>

That'll be all for this session. Thanks for reading!

I feel like I should apologise for being a little... free, with the tone for this thread. I'd like to say I'll be more consistent in future, but I probably shouldn't. I feel like I can't promise that.

Well, hopefully some of you like the weirder, mysteryer parts of this quest, and not literally everyone is here to conduct science and poke innocent wildlife.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

I'll look to continue next week, similar timings. You can stare at my twitter for announcements here: https://twitter.com/boxofmithril

See you then!
>>
>>2966802
Thanks for the comfy, boss.

Tone shift can be fun, especially in quests like yours that are a bit dream-like.

I'm gonna think hard about what to vote.
>>
>>2966656
Just barely!
>>
>>2966816
better some comfy than no comfy
>>
>>2966792
>[ ] Charge across the surface.
[ ] Use what you need. You'll get through, together.
>>
>>2966792
> What do you seek?
Mysteries

>[ ] Charge across the surface.
>[ ] Starlight. Starlight everywhere.
>>
>>2966792
What do you seek?
Confort and warmth for us and Aries.

[ ] (Shield 1) Block an entrance(, then)
[ ] Charge across the surface.
[ ] Use what you need. You'll get through, together.
>>
>>2966802
>Autist scientist getting her scientific method legs under her
>Neither cute nor comfy
I don't what you're smoking but you're wrong. So very wrong.

See you next week. And thanks for the cute and comf
>>
>>2966792
>[x] Charge across the surface.
>[x] Use what you need. You'll get through, together.

Though Starlight everywhere tempts me, Aries doesn't have much to spare and she wouldn't let us do this alone. Plus it would probably attract more monsters
>>
>>2966802
I'm here for the weird parts, and actively don't like the 'comfy' masturbation. but that's just my opinion
>[X] Return to the underground. Escape. Quickly. Or violently.
>[X] Rely on Aries. Try not to use your wands much.
>>
>>2973160

That too's fine. Though there's always going to be both sides. I tend to rely on pretty distinct changes in pacing and tone to create contrast and tension in my writing, so things swing around a lot.

With this kind of style I do just hope folks have fun either way.
>>
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You return Aries’ horn. You kept it in your bag because it made it difficult to carry her: the carved blade is nearly as long as your forearm.

Before you can zip up your bag and blur of cheeping orange hops up and in. Apparently the ball had run off somewhere.

When did that happen?

You shake your head. More important things.

You’re not sure what happened, but you can feel the dark again. It’s close, so close, following the two of you relentlessly.

You’ve always been able to hide from Light-Eaters before, but this time doesn’t seem to be going well.

You don’t know why.

Escape. Going back the way you came would get you too close to them. The surface, then.

You haven’t been there since you fell. You have no idea where you could run to, where you could find something resembling Safe.

But together, you can make it.

You exchange looks with Aries. She’s as ready as she can be.

The two of you run across the warehouse, out to the surface.

Out into the moonlight.
>>
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Pitter patter pitter patter.

The rain begins. A drizzle of black liquid, carrying a chill different to that of the air, falls, growing heavier with each passing moment.

The oppressive dark, behind and below. A tangible hunger that snaps at your heels.

Bleached light and black tears, from above. A near lost memory twisted, gazing down lifelessly.

The icy wind bites through your clothes. You run.

They follow.

Two pairs of sprinting footsteps thud thud thud against the frozen road. You’re in a City, but you don’t know more about where you are or where you could go.

Could you head into any of these buildings and hide, or would the false light find you? Could you escape underground, or would the dark still hunt you?

How heavy would the rain grow if you could do neither?

Pitter patter pitter patter.

Aries leads, her bright red hair flowing behind her. You keep going.

Hunger comes.

The bone of one who fell, seeking her wish.

The leaping Tooth crashes into your phantasmal wall as Aries runs past the alleyway. The red star doesn’t spare a glance, focusing instead on a second Tooth that appears in front of her.

It’s banished swiftly, but barely a moment pasts before sssshhhrrrllk a mass of nothing oozes from a nearby ‘Manhole’, forming yet another Tooth that charges forth.

Hunger, hostility, violence.

Pitter patter pitter patter.
>>
Aries stumbles.

The red star doesn’t fall, forcing herself upright. Her panting is a lot heavier than yours

She’s much quicker with her horns than you are with your wands. She lashes out at every Tooth that comes close.

You’ve barely helped.

That’s what she wants.

And that’s stupid, because she is not okay.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Get into any nearby building. Ghe needs to rest, even for a little while. Even if the false light sees, and the rain follows.
[ ] (Force 2) Lead the way instead. You need somewhere wide, with places to hide. Somewhere the moon can’t see.
[ ] (Nova: Wand of Haste) There is no time. You need to find somewhere. You need to go.


> Those that came before
Force (3/5)
Haste (1/3)
Shield (2/4)
Flame (1/5)
>>
>>2982395
>[ ] (Force 2) Lead the way instead. You need somewhere wide, with places to hide. Somewhere the moon can’t see.
>>
>>2982395
>[X] (Force 2) Lead the way instead. You need somewhere wide, with places to hide. Somewhere the moon can’t see.
Can't hide with the Moon and the Light watching us. Blind it with dust as we escape.
Aries must stay safe.

And we need more bones.

What bone will we turn into? If we fall whilst seeking our wish?
>>
>>2982395
>[ ] (Force 2) Lead the way instead. You need somewhere wide, with places to hide. Somewhere the moon can’t see.
>>
>>2982394
[ ] Get into any nearby building. Ghe needs to rest, even for a little while. Even if the false light sees, and the rain follows.
>>
You quickly tie your wand to your cloak and take another, then run ahead. Yet another Tooth appears, their hunger endless, relentless, and Aries raises her horn.

You take her hand, stopping her.

The bone of one who fell, seeking his wish.

An invisible blast of force tears through the Tooth, its nothingness disintegrating into the rain. You glance back at Aries.

The red star looks like a mess, dripping with streaks of black, her hair and the little clothing she wears drenched. She’s shivering, panting with shaking breaths.

You probably look the same. You feel heavy, and the rain seeps into your bones, robbing your warmth.

You lead the way. Two pairs of footsteps splash against the ice, two tiny figures between pitch-dark shadows and colourless moonlight.

Patter patter patter patter.
>>
Longer roads. Fences, squares of dirt. Former trees, now still skeletons grasping up at the night.

You see a huge compound. Huge buildings side by side, interconnecting paths and walkways. Places out of sight of the moon.

From Wisdom that isn’t yours, that was once a ‘University’.

You brandish your wand, the shockwave stemming the tide of Teeth and clearing the way. Run, run-

Your heart stops.

Crushing weight. Choking, suffocating. Fear.

Your predator, your enemy.

You are going to die.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Nova: Wand of Flame
[ ] Nova: Wand of Shield
[ ] Nova: Wand of Force
>>
>>2982508
>[ ] Nova: Wand of Shield

save us and Aris
>>
>>2982508
>[ ] Nova: Wand of Force
We'll need Flame and Shield for Later

We need more Bones now.
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

(We seem to have experienced sudden death)

>>2982512
>>2982514
>>
Pray to the Stars we live to see the next dawn.
>>
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You spin around, and swing your wand.

The wand’s last light erupts, blinding, and from it comes raw power that surges through the cityscape.

CCRASH!

The road is forced wider, great cracks running through, frozen buildings to the side crumpling like empty tin cans in the wake of your spell.

For a moment it stops raining.

You hear a gasp nearby, from the red star. Then from yourself. You can breathe again.

Run.
>>
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Patter-patter-patter-patter.

Muffled. You can almost imagine it’s somewhere far, far away.

The buildings of the ‘University’ are very, very large and wide, many connected by built paths. Some under the ground, some above in hanging tunnel-like walkways. There are many places you can’t go, you think. But you can move around if you’re careful.

The weight is gone, for now. You couldn’t banish it. It had no form.

That needs to be good enough.

You and Aries settled in a room. Everything is unfamiliar here. What they were, what they did, floats up from Wisdom that isn’t yours. Maybe they were useful, important, a long, long time ago.

Aries sits on a Table, shivering. You sit next to her.

You play your flute to banish the rain and cold, so the two of you can keep what warmth you have. A low tune, simple and quiet.
>>
They know you are here.

Still, you don’t come across any Teeth in the building. For now, you might call this ‘Safe’. You wander through the wide space, your echoing steps clack... clack... mingling, fading.

You don’t know if there’s a way underground from here. You don’t know if you’re able to look without the moon seeing you. Or if you have the time.

Clack... clack...

A fallen star. One that could not find what they sought. You approach them, kneeling, and close your eyes.

You don’t think of anything.

You open your eyes again. Taking your hornpiece - your knife. Reaching out. Tracing patterns along the bone.

Claiming the light they left behind.
>>
You return to where you left Aries, new wand tied to the inside of your cloak, but she isn’t there.

Where is she? Where is she?

Clack-clack-clack-clack.

It doesn’t take long for you to find the red star, staggering along a featureless hallway. Her horn is in her hand.

There’s nothing here, anymore.

...

You’re tired. She has to be a lot more so. You can see that in her heavy steps, her faded expression. Her dim starlight.

You look at the red star. She sets her horn to its place behind her waist.

You stare at the red star. She glances to the side.

Mu.


> What do you seek?

[ ] Hide. Stay with Aries. Make her sit still.
-[ ] Rest a short while. There’s little time.
-[ ] Stick around until you can’t. Neither of you are ready to keep fighting.
[ ] You should keep looking around. For a path underground, or more bones.
[ ] Leave as quickly as you can. The moment the rain lightens. Across the surface, to any way underground.


> Those that came before
Haste (1/3)
Shield (3/4)
Flame (1/5)
Blast (4/4)
>>
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(I need to look for lunch, so next update will be slower.)
>>
>>2982782
>[ ] Hide. Stay with Aries. Make her sit still.
-[ ] Stick around until you can’t. Neither of you are ready to keep fighting.
>>
We're all sorts of fucked. I can feel the end approaching.

Let's evade it.
>>2982782
>[X] Hide. Stay with Aries. Make her sit still.
>-[X] Rest a short while. There’s little time.

Bone-tired, and our Wands too.
We will either run until the Teeth catch up.
Or we will rest a while, regather our strength, and escape the moon.
And if we cannot, at least we will die together, screaming against the Dark.
>>
>>2982782
[ ] Hide. Stay with Aries. Make her sit still.
-[ ] Rest a short while. There’s little time.
>>
>>2982782
>[x] Hide. Stay with Aries. Make her sit still.
>[ x Rest a short while. There’s little time.

Bone finding will be a priority after some rest.
>>
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Aquarius is mad.

The gray star holds my wrist, dragging me through the University building. She’s almost stomping along.

Something hurts in my chest.

My vision is a little blurry. The world sways a little. But that’s fine.

At some point we stop. Apparently we reached some kind of room. I can’t make out the features properly. My thoughts aren’t quite working.

She turns around, wearing that same pouty expression as before, but after looking at me for a moment it becomes one of concern.

I can’t meet her eyes.

Aquarius moves a hand to her belt, finding her flute-

No. You can’t. You can’t.

She raises it to her lips-

Slap

I shake myself free from her hand, staggering back, almost losing balance, almost losing which way is up. Her eyes widen with surprise.

Aquarius reaches out, and I move back. Flinch back.

Don’t look at me like that. Don’t come so close. It hurts.

She raises her flute again,

And I turn, almost running away.
>>
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Thump!

The floor is hard, cold. She’s jumped, holding my shoulders, arms around my neck. She’s so light, so weak.

I need to go. I need to keep fighting. What else am I for? What else can the strength of a lost, wish-less star be for?

Let me go. Please. It hurts.

She struggles, holding on, her desperation something I can feel. I pull, and pull, and pull, and throw her off-

Ah.

My body doesn’t move. I can’t tear my eyes away. I’ve hurt her. I’ve hurt her.

Yet

That worry in her eyes doesn’t go away.

Why don’t you understand.

You can see me, can’t you? You can see what’s left of my light.

Then please, stop looking at me like that..

I don’t need it. I don’t want it.

Your concern hurts. Don’t come close any more. Don’t play your flute any more.

Don’t give me your light any more.

Please

I don’t want
>>
I don’t want to take your life.
>>
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The rain pelts down on my head, dripping cold down my bare shoulders.

My footsteps splash against the stone and mud, my panting, shaking breaths misting in the icy air.

The black rain thickens.

The hunger behind me grows tangible. Massive, looming. Inescapable.

Horn in hand, unable to see the way forward, I channel the last of my starlight into my blade.
>>
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>

I'm gonna stop here for today, to resume again tomorrow at similar time.

Things kinda... veered off track there. Basically I thought some things through while lunching, and now have some ideas on where this could go. So that happened.

Things might seem a bit railroady. Probably is. This is likely not anything new if you've read my stuff before.

ha ha ha send help

Thanks for showing up and reading, and see you tomorrow!
>>
See you tomorrow for when comfiness becomes grieving as we carve a bone from a fallen Star, who died seeking her wish.

I'll get my sadness ready.
>>
>>2983254

Actually I'm curious, how many folks here are have read my stuff before?

Let's attempt science via strawpoll: https://www.strawpoll.me/16680457

Probably won't affect a damn thing though. This has nothing to do with my other quests
>>
>>2983254
No, please dont go Aries, we'll bring her light back, don't leave us alone again

>>2983263
I've read the tiny zombie that partnered up with a human, it was nice
>>
>>2983254
see ya tomorrow mitts
>>
>>2983263
Thanks for the comfy, boss.

I've read Goat Girl and Loli Zombie vs Glove Bully.

When I have a peaceful day, I'll dive into the other quests
>>
>>2983254
Thanks for running.

We'll have to break a lot of wands to kill that thing and save Weird
>>
So I'm the only one here who hasn't read mitts' work before? Well, at least I've got something to read in the meantime.

The last guy who drew up the list of your previous works said your quests were quite short. That true?
>>
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>>2983277
Even if it costs your own?

>>2983297
>>2983287
All my quests are really short, yeah. Majority are oneshots. Only one that's sorta long is Goat Girl's Fantasy.

They're all... pretty incomplete though. I mean, I tried to stop at least on the end of an arc so they don't literally just drop off, but I have a terrible, terrible track record with seeing quests to the end.

I'm intent on trying to improve that record by sticking with this one though. Go go go.
>>
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Why.

You stare at the open entrance, at the empty space. Distant footsteps vanish into the pattering rain.

Why.

The floor is cold. You look down at your flute, gripped tightly in your hand.

You can still see her. The way she stumbled, the way she flinched. The pain and fear in her eyes.

The remaining wisp of her starlight.

...

Don’t go.

Don’t go. Don’t go. Don’t go.

Don’t go!
>>
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You pick yourself up, almost tripping on yourself as you jump out of the room and clack-clack-clack-clack! sprint through the hall, chasing after the red star. She’s left the building - there’s an open double-door, unfrozen by starlight.

Why. Why?!

The rain beats down heavier and heavier. The hunger comes, chasing, chasing, hunting.

You run outside, straining to see, straining to catch a glimpse of red amongst the black and gray.

You do. Somewhere distant, growing farther and farther away.

Don’t go!

The dark presses on you.

Above.

A mass of nothing, barely visible in the storming night. Huge. Overwhelming. A cloud of void crawling forth.

Hunter. Light-Eater.

Closer to the speck of red.


> What do you seek?

[ ] (Nova: Wand of Shield) Don’t touch her!
[ ] (Nova: Wand of Flame) Disappear!
[ ] (Nova: Wand of Haste) Aries! Aries! Aries!


> Those that came before
Haste (1/3)
Shield (2/4)
Flame (1/5)
Blast (4/4)
>>
>>2985597
>[ ] (Nova: Wand of Shield) Don’t touch her!
>>
>>2985597
>[ ] (Nova: Wand of Flame) Disappear!
>>
Rolled 2 (1d2)

(Gday
Lets hope I'm awake enough to write properly
Mornings are hard)

>>2985617
>>2985662
>>
>>2985597
>[ ] (Nova: Wand of Shield) Don’t touch her!
>>
>>2985771
(YOU
YOU!
Sorry mate I'm just gonna have to keep writing)
>>
>>2985824
No worries, I was late. Hope Aries is ok.
>>
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Fear. Like thorns of ice binding your heart.

You’ll lose her.

Your hand grasps a wand, pointing it at the massive cloud above, summoning its last light.

Go away go away go away go away!!

Flame erupts from your wand, a massive cone of brilliant heat roaring through the storm and banishing the night. Your spell tears through the mass of nothing, burning a gaping hole through the shapeless cloud.

---------------------!!

You clasp your hands to your head. An unidentifiable, soundless screech smashes through your skull, but you ignore the pain and the blood coming from your ears to look forward.

Aries- Where is Aries!

Run- Run- To the blur of red, barely visible-

The nothing coalesces, forced into form. A great, slithering thing casts its massive shadow over all.

A ‘Snake’ is the closest word, with strange protrusions and fin-like things lining its body. It’s massive, blotting out the moonlight. Thicker than the ‘Trains’ that would have run on the Tracks below the ground, longer than you can see.

A huge scar scores across its width, from which scales and liquid of impossible black fall.

---------------------------------!!!

It writhes, convulses. It falls.

Your wand is dust slipping through your fingers. You keep running, reaching forward.

The red star is there. You can’t see her face.

Turn around. Please, turn around!

With a resounding crash, the Light-Eater falls to the earth.
>>
...

...

...

‘Why’, you had thought.

Why what?

You aren’t acting like yourself. Acting as you should.

A star doesn’t burn forever.

How another seeks is their choice. All you have as a fallen star is to find your own.

You carry the bones of those who’ve come before. Their last light, their dying wills. Their regrets. You claim them as your own, to continue your search.

That is why you have your light. That is why you, all of you, chose to fall.

...

You don’t know what your wish is.


>

[ ] You admired her. How bravely she shined when facing the dark.
[ ] You liked the time you spent with her. So very short, but warm.
[ ] You want to help her. She shouldn’t have to fight alone.
[ ] (Other?)
>>
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>>2985953
>[ ] You liked the time you spent with her. So very short, but warm, you'll find your way together, your wish as one
>>
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>>2985997
more binary stars
>>
>>2985953
[ ] You liked the time you spent with her. So very short, but warm.
[ ] You want to help her. She shouldn’t have to fight alone.
>>
>>2985953
>[ ] You liked the time you spent with her. So very short, but warm.
>>
>>2985953
>[ ] You liked the time you spent with her. So very short, but warm.
>>
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... You liked being with her.

When you found your curiosity, and the world gained colour - when you found warmth in the cold - you’re sure that it was because she was by your side.

The time you spent together was so, so short. You don’t want it to end.

Isn’t that fine?

Whether it is to seek your wish or not, can’t that be all the reason you need to wield your starlight?

Your wish is who you are. Your search is what your light is for.

Still, still

You don’t want your time together to end.

...

Crumble, tap-tap.

You’re lying on the ground. Pieces of frozen rock fall around you.

You’re still holding onto your horn.

Everything hurts. You pull your hands close and try to push yourself up...

Thump

You fall. Your nose stings. You pull your hands close again...

Thump

Get up... get up...

You can feel it. The suffocating weight, somewhere not far, yet not close. She has to be there.

Get up...

You don’t want your time together to end. You don’t want her to fight alone.

You know she’s given up. You can tell she can’t find her wish. But together. Together...

You drag yourself up, grasping your horn tight, and take your staggering steps forward.
>>
The Light-Eater jabs forward, head split by its gaping maw. You jump away before it smashes into the rock, finding footing on the uneven terrain, taking stance with your horn.

Unsteady. You can barely see. With even a graze, you feel like you’d never stand again.

Fight, Aries. You can’t fall here.

You will banish this thing. That is what your strength is for.

If it helps her, protects her even a little, then...

Another jabbing bite, far swifter than its bulk should allow. You dash forward this time, keeping low, ducking under the thing and holding up your blade as it pasts.

Starlight shines.

-----------!

Inkish liquid splashes against the ice. The spell that struck it before forced it into form. You can hurt it.

You can’t feel a thing. You can’t even ward off the cold. Every bit of starlight you have left dwells in your blade.

The Light-Eater thrashes, crushing nearby jutting rocks apart. The underground cave isn’t particularly wide, restricting the Light-Eaters movements but leaving you little place to dodge.

You don’t have time left. You can’t run.
>>
You dash in again, reaching the underbelly of the serpentine thing and stabbing your blade into it. Its flailing yanks you off the ground, but you hold on. The Light-Eater’s nothingness seems to suck you in on contact.

Disappear. Disappear!

You pull on your blade and rip across the monster’s body, carving through its distorted scales, spurting out its false blood.

-------------!!!

You pull your horn out and kick off, jumping away, looking for another opening-

A section of tail crashes into you, flinging you through the frozen air.

THUDD!

Did something break? Everything hurts, always. It doesn’t matter.

You are strong. You can still fight.

Stand, Aries... Stand...


>

[ ] Fight. Fight.
[ ] You have to banish this thing. You decided to protect her.
[ ] What was your light for? What was your wish?
[ ] You want to see her again.
>>
>>2986198
[ ] You want to see her again.
>>
>>2986198
>[ ] You want to see her again.
>>
>>2986198
[ ] Fight. Fight.
>>
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(Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QMl_cxNaIg)


You drag yourself up. Barely. Stumbling along the way.

You raise your horn. Or try to. You can’t lift your hand.

Aah. Seems like you’re out.

You vaguely hear, vaguely see the Light-Eater turn around. It can’t easily reshape itself, having been forced into form like this, so it takes time.

You can’t move, so it doesn’t matter.

It’s been a long time since you’ve stopped seeking. Your memories feel vague.

There was nothing of note to remember. You wandered, and you fought. That was all.

You had crossed paths with other fallen stars. You had wandered with them, seeking your wishes. You had parted from them, when they left only bones where they stood.

You needed no-one. You were strong, so you fought alone.

Yet now, what floats to the surface of your consciousness is...

A weak, dazed star.

Her quiet, calming melody.

Her whimsical curiosity.

Her warmth.

When your enemy faces you, baring its hunger, what you think is

‘I want to see her again.’
>>
A great, ringing ‘BOOM’ resounds. The Light-Eater collides into something that wasn’t there - a huge phantasmal wall separating you and your enemy, cutting off the entire section of cave.

Tap-tap-tap-tap tap-tap-tap

Thin arms wrap around your chest from behind. Long gray hair cascades, caressing your cheek.

A shining light, and a familiar embrace, envelops you.


Why are you going so far?

You have your own wish, don’t you? You have your own search, your own light to lead the way.

Why do you want me to live so badly, that you would give your own life?

Why do you want to stand by my side that much?

Why...

Why does she make me feel so warm?
>>
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... Ah.

Was I lonely...?


The Light-Eater rams into the invisible wall. The cave shakes with every impact, raining ice and debris from above.

She’s fainted, having given up so much starlight. You catch her before she falls, and lay her gently on the ground.

You needed no-one. You were stronger, so you fought alone.

That’s why you didn’t know.

How it feels to use that strength for someone else.
To protect someone.
To rely on someone.
To stand side by side with someone.

The one who taught you was a dazed gray star, weak, yet warmer than anything you’ve ever known.

I’m sorry. It looks like I’ll have to use your starlight.

The idea pains you. Yet somehow, you feel happy. Perhaps because this warmth is shared by the two of you.

I am not alone.

The Light-Eater rears back to slam against the wall again. You stand in front of the gray star, holding out your horn. A glow fills your blade and dances about your body.

You’re smiling.

Finally, finally,

I’ve found my wish.
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All is still when the gray star wakes.

There is nothing left.

The dark is gone.

The red star is gone.

All that’s left is pieces of crimson clothing, a red and gray striped scarf, and long dagger.

She reaches out, taking the horn in her hand.

And from it, she hears one last whisper:


Thank you, Aquarius

I’m really glad we met.
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>>2986747
damn...
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>

That's the end of this session & thread. Thanks for reading Long Lost Stars #2!

That'll be the end of the first arc. There's so much I want to go back and redo, but hell, we made it. We made it.

Did you enjoy yourself? I write this all the time but feedback is all kinds of want. What parts you liked, didn't like, overall impressions, random thoughts, delicious cheese, whatever. Want. Give.

As always, I'll be archiving here: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=autistichornedgirls
And announcing whatever next happens here: http://twitter.com/boxofmithril

I want to keep going with this, if nothing else but to break the habit of dropping stuff after an arc. Can probably continue next weekend, but might need a moment to think things through. Dunno.

Anyway, thanks again for showing up, and see you next time!
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>>2986778
awesome, I'm really sad aries left us but I guess it couldn't be helped, she sought it at every opportunity. thanks for running and see you next time
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>>2986778
Thanks for the comfy, boss. Sorry I missed it live. That's a good end of an arc. Getting inside Aries's head at the end is nice. Not happy to see her go, but glad to know she was happy at the end. Without that perspective it would have come off as her wasting her life.

I look forward to whatever comes next
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>>2986778
It was sadness. But not without purpose.

I think that Aquarius still has to come to terms with the fact that all Stars must die sometime. And I want to be there when she does.

Maybe take this time away to nail down some certainties about this cold, unkind world? Even if the characters within them will never understand.





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