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Once again, you're back in the memories of the war. Or dreams of memories, rather. You're fairly certain you were down there, inside the castle, at the time. If you squint hard enough, you might even be able to make out your ant-like shape among the other tiny, tiny soldiers.
You are Tomoe, and you were a samurai fighting for the Divine Morality in the Thousand Lotus Civil War. It all looks so small from up here, so unimportant. You know this was part of the war for your country's future, but something about this bird's-eye perspective gives you a new... perspective on it. Something to add onto your memory.

You know how it's going to end.
>The Voluntists won the day and the war. A godless nation rose to power, the western philosophy of the Will taking power over the divine.
>The Divine Moralists were victorious, but in the end the utopia was corrupted beyond recognition. Perhaps it was never possible in the first place.
>Neither side won. A stalemate would stagnate your country for years to come. The Nation was split into two, a great divide tearing the once perfect land apart.
>Write-in

Previous Thread: http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4014254/
Twitter for announcements and art: https://twitter.com/PkArtt
>>
>The Voluntists won the day and the war. A godless nation rose to power, the western philosophy of the Will taking power over the divine.


REVOLT AGAINST THE MODERN WORLD

Also welcome back, Ive been really enjoying this quest.
>>
>>4060198
>The Divine Moralists were victorious, but in the end the utopia was corrupted beyond recognition. Perhaps it was never possible in the first place

Centrism sucks news at 11.
>>
>>4060198
>The Divine Moralists were victorious, but in the end the utopia was corrupted beyond recognition. Perhaps it was never possible in the first place.
Just like Japan irl
>>
>>4060198
>Neither side won. A stalemate would stagnate your country for years to come. The Nation was split into two, a great divide tearing the once perfect land apart.

The tempestuous times of conflict creates heroes.
>>
>>4060198
>Neither side won. A stalemate would stagnate your country for years to come. The Nation was split into two, a great divide tearing the once perfect land apart.

Will we ever get a drawing of our unconcealed face
>>
>>4060207
Thanks! That really means a heckuva lot. I hope I can continue making it enjoyable for ya, /qst/ gang
>>4060314
Maybe one day

>>4060237
>>4060257
>>4060258
>>4060314
>Tie (Moralism and Stalemate)
Some say the Civil War never ended, and in a way it didn't. A wall was erected between the Moral North and the Voluntist South as the war cooled, becoming cold within the next few years. Though the war would officially be ended with the building of the wall, tensions would be strained taut with both sides resorting to espionage and black ops to continue the fighting away from the public eye.
On your side to the North, the Divine Morality did what it could to attempt the Utopian Ideal, but with the struggles of internal corruption and outside intrigue, this outcome was nothing but a pipe dream. The Sacred gradually became less of a spiritual leader and more of a direct, oppressive authority. Suspected spies and Amoralists were rooted out and disappeared, the Yokai became more monstrous as the spirit of the country blackened, and the South wasn't any better.

During this dark time, you saw the virtuous country you knew sicken over.
>You remained loyal to your daimyo until, through one force or another, you could no longer
>You became a shinobi to aid the Divine Morality in the secret war
>You tried to eke out a normal-ish life until that too was taken from you
>You escaped the country before the stench of its rot tainted you as well
>Write-in
>>
>>4060587
>You tried to eke out a normal-ish life until that too was taken from you
Is ronin chan a widow?
>>
>>4060587
>You tried to eke out a normal-ish life until that too was taken from you

A simple girl thrust into the turmoils of political struggles.
>>
>>4060587
>You tried to eke out a normal-ish life until that too was taken from you
>>
>>4060587
>>You became a shinobi to aid the Divine Morality in the secret war
>>
>>4060587
>You became a shinobi to aid the Divine Morality in the secret war
>>
>>4060606
>>4060651
>>4061236
>You tried to eke out a normal-ish life until that too was taken from you
After the stalemate was officially called, you tried to settle into normalcy. Of course, being a samurai, your service is lifelong, and you were often called back in one way or another. Time and time again your attempts were thwarted by demands to guard, to fight, and to kill.
Your reluctance to serve became a rumor that slithered through the gossips and eventually into the ears of the Moralcomp, the Divine Morality's organization focused on seeking out Amorality and being rid of it. A blackened mockery of the Moral Compass philosophy. You could feel them watching all hours of your life. Every now and again something would be moved slightly, cementing your suspicions. They wouldn't stop until they had found something.

Your desire to lead a normal life and reluctance to fight for a cause you didn't believe in would be what drove you from your home.
>Eventually, the Moralcomp spirited you away for treason against the Divine. You would spend a time in your life locked inside a dungeon said to dangle over the underworld itself.
>You gathered what you could and escaped the country before the secret police could get you. You started on the Lonesome Road soon after
>You attempted a small revolt within the country. It would ultimately be crushed and many of its members would be executed or worse.
>Write-in
>>
>>4061822
>Eventually, the Moralcomp spirited you away for treason against the Divine. You would spend a time in your life locked inside a dungeon said to dangle over the underworld itself
>>
>>4061822
>You attempted a small revolt within the country. It would ultimately be crushed and many of its members would be executed or worse
>>
>>4061822
>You attempted a small revolt within the country. It would ultimately be crushed and many of its members would be executed or worse.
A fugitive who would be executed if she were to return
>>
>>4061822
>>Eventually, the Moralcomp spirited you away for treason against the Divine. You would spend a time in your life locked inside a dungeon said to dangle over the underworld itself.
>>
>>4061822
>Eventually, the Moralcomp spirited you away for treason against the Divine. You would spend a time in your life locked inside a dungeon said to dangle over the underworld itself.
>>
>>4061835
>>4061892
>>4062092
>>4062172
>Tied (Moralcomp and Revolt)
The Moralcomp had enough of your doubt and had you sent to the prison over the Abyss. You were left to rot, or stagnate really. The taint from below causes all mortals exposed to it to become unaging, to stay as they are for eternity and suffer just as long. Harassed constantly by damned spirits, many simply end their lives or go mad.
However, your mind is stronger, and you wouldn't let this place be the end of you. Through the long game, you rallied your fellow inmates to your side and staged a prison break. Many died, many fell into the damnation when the chains holding the prison were split, but you escaped. You managed to climb from the depths and escape the country that now faced a crisis from below.
You do your best to block the bad parts of your home from your mind and remember the good things. The home before the war. Your real home.

Trait Gained: Abyssal Fugitive
- You have been exposed to that which lies below. You are more able than most to resist temptation and assault from the things of the depths, but they will be seeking to drag you back. Sooner or later.

The carts, the boats, the airships that carried you away from the Thousand Lotus Clans are all just a part of the road to where you are now.
>Speaking of...
>No, let me reflect more
>Write-in
>>
>>4062278
>No, let me reflect more
>>
>>4062278
>No, let me reflect more
>>
>>4062342
>>4062356
>No, let me reflect more
You hold onto your dreamy, spaced-out state despite the occasional nagging of the present. Your mind drifts off again to think on more of what was

Where does your mind go?
>To the people you knew long ago
>To the things you did back home
>To the road you’ve walked this far
>Write-in
>>
>>4062542
>To the people you knew long ago
>>
>>4062542
>To the people you knew long ago
>>
>>4062542
>>To the people you knew long ago
>>
>>4062547
>>4062555
>>4062596
>To the people you knew long ago
Faces and silhouettes flutter by you with features obscured by misrememberance. You shift though the misty memories to make your way towards the nostalgic people of the past

Who do you look for?
>Your Daimyo
>An old lover
>A sibling
>A parent
>A mentor
>A dear friend
>An enemy
>Write-in
>>
>>4062715
>A rival
Friends that are also enemies are the best
>>
>>4062715
>>A mentor
>far east-esque ambient
>no wise sensei
DISHONORABUR
>>
>>4062715
>An old lover
>>
>>4062715
>>An old lover
>>
>>4062715
>Your Daimyo
>An old lover

Lets make it inappropriately spicy
>>
>>4062724
>>4062745
>>4062754
>An old lover
It’s hard to piece together their features, but you’ll never forget the feeling of being with them. Warm, safe, sweet. The feeling of their hand in yours, you swear you can hear them calling your name. It’s a indistict voice, but part of you feels that it is theirs
Tomoe
Tomoe!
Toomoe!
Toomo!
Hey, hello? Anybody there?

“You okay?”
>Snap out of your trance
>Swat a hand in the direction of the voice
>Do your best to ignore the present
>Write-in
>>
>>4062967
>Swat a hand in the direction of the voice
>>
>>4062967
>Swat a hand in the direction of the voice
>>
>>4062967
>>Do your best to ignore the present
>>
>>4062967
>Swat a hand in the direction of the voice
>>
>>4062976
>>4062977
>>4063026
>Swat a hand in the direction of the voice
Your seat is met with the sound of a satisfying thwack on skin.
“Ack, hey!”
The voice’s owner gives a slightly annoyed grumble
“You’re up soon! Aren’t you going to, uh, prepare or something?”
Up soon? For what? You snap back to reality and look around to regain your bearings.
You are sitting on a bench with your companions, Llewelyn and Cheriette, in a large tent with an enormous board towards one end. Tables have been set up, but they’ve all been taken by people who look much more important than you do. The words “Tournoi de Ophelie” bounce around in your head

Wasn’t there supposed to be a tournament or something like that?
>Look to your companions
>Examine the huge board
>Look around the tent
>Write-in
>>
>>4063194
>Look around the tent
>>
>>4063194
>Examine the huge board

Probably the best way to get an idea on what you need to do.
>>
>>4063194
>>Look to your companions
>>
>>4063194
>>Look to your companions
>>
>>4063194
>Examine the huge board
>>
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>>4063248
>>4063549
>>4063718
>>4063819
>Tie (Companions and Board)
Ah, that's right. Across the tent, you see a bracket on the huge board. Seems some fights have already taken place, and next up is your name! Your name and someone else's, a "Jean-Luc L'Homme." Your tongue feels... frog-like --a good enough description you think-- just at the thought of pronouncing such a string of letters.
L: "So, you think you're ready?"
C: "Better be, we're already here. No backin' out."

Well? Are you?
>Head for the arena and fight!
>Look through your things first.
>Discuss with your companions
>Look around the competition
>Write-in
>>
>>4064400
>Look through your things first.
>>
>>4064400
>Look through your things first
>>
>>4064415
>>4064470
>Look through your things first.
Digging through your things, you immediately find your trusty tessen and the little can of a machine you got from that knife-eared artificer lady. Even in his portable form, you can feel he's ready to serve.

>Inspect your tessen
>Spring your machine to life
>Look deeper inside your Pack-Without-End
>Stop looking at your things (Choose another option from the previous post)
>Write-in
>>
>>4064800
>Spring your machine to life
>>
>>4064800
>>Inspect your tessen
>>
File: teg11.png (594 KB, 718x1426)
594 KB
594 KB PNG
>>
>>4064843
YO SICK, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
This is the best, I have yelled a lot of very loud hell yeahs at this. An absurd amount of thank you’s from me to you!
>>
>>4064800
>Inspect your tessen

>>4064843
Why she got a bulge tho?
>>
>>4064800
>Spring your machine to life
I hope this isn't a bomb.
>>
>>4064893
Couldn't get the hat right
>>
File: Such Power.jpg (141 KB, 469x495)
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>>4064925
Pshaw, it looks great! You could think of it as an alt costume even, if you want.
>>4064813
>>4064815
>>4064896
>>4064906
Gonna have to come up with a way to deal with all these
>Ties! (Tessen and Machine)
As you press the little switch under the chin of the can, your tessen gets caught on its back! The little soldier comes out ready for action! Look at him go, that spirit is undeniable.
L: "You're... You're really bringing that little guy with you out there?"
As before, the machine stands at attention and gives a firm salute to both you and Llew.
L: "I mean, don't get me wrong, he's neat. But uh... don't you think he might get smashed to bits?"
Cheriette inserts a grunt of agreement into the conversation
C: "Yeah, I could crush that thin' with my hands."

The thought hadn't really come up when you made the bargain with the knife-ear. Should you really take it with you into the arena?
>Of course you should! You must honor your deal!
>No, it'll just get in your way.
>Write-in
>>
>>4065031
>Of course you should! You must honor your deal!
It is too late. It was always too late.
>>
>>4065031
>>Of course you should! You must honor your deal!
>>
>>4065031
>Of course you should! You must honor your deal!
>>
>>4065044
>>4065047
>>4065075
>Of course you should! You must honor your deal!
You nod with supreme sureness in your choice. The two look at your machine, then at you, them at each other, and shrug at last
C: "If you say so. Your funeral."
L: "Ah, nobody actually dies in these! There've just been a few, um... accidents."
C: "Accidents where people died."
L: "It's just part of the whole thing! It's dangerous, that's just part of the risk! Not like any of us are going to lose our fights, right?"
Llewelyn gives you all a hopeful smile, which Cheriette rolls her eyes at.
C: "Just watch yourselves. Yeah, you too, squints."

An announcement comes from outside the tent, calling for all to see the next fight! You're up soon.
>Head for the arena and fight!
>Look around at the competition
>Write-in
>>
>>4064896
It is called a mons pubis. Wikipedia it.
>the more you know
>>
>>4065099
>Head for the arena and fight!

LET'S GO!!
>>
>>4065099
>Head for the arena and fight!
>>
>>4065099
>Head for the arena and fight!
>>
>>4065099
>>Head for the arena and fight!
>>
Gah, file posting not working.
>>4065113
>>4065264
>>4065602
>>4066166
Prepared and ready to fight, you head out of the tent. Outside, walking between a gap in the stands, you spot the arena itself. The park in West Ophelie has been converted to host the event, and people of all kinds have gathered to watch knights and wannabes alike test their mettle in the ring of honor! Across the fences you see a much fancier area than the ones around it, likely where the royals, nobles, and other high-society types sit. Your little soldier climbs up and hangs on your back, taking in the sights alongside you.

A lad with a very loud voice calls out a few times for the combatants to enter the arena and greet the royal family.
>Step in and prepare for battle
>Scan the arena for your opponent
>Investigate the fancy stands first
>Write-in
>>
>>4066221
>Scan the arena for your opponent
>>
>>4066221
>Scan the arena for your opponent
>>
>>4066221
>Scan the arena for your opponent
>>
>>4066221
>>Step in and prepare for battle
>>
>>4066226
>>4066232
>>4066312
>Scan the arena for your opponent
You step up to the wooden barrier and squint more than usual to scope out the arena. Then you spot him, climbing over the fence in a rag-tag assembly of shoddily studded leather, Jean-Luc L’Homme. He wields a chunky sword with a flat end in one hand and a fist of confidence in the other. And by the stars that mustache. Impeccable.

He walks with purpose to the center of the arena where the loud lad stands and waits. He gives another call for the second combatant.
>Step in and prepare for battle
>Investigate the fancy stands first
>Picture the battle in your mind
>Write-in
>>
>>4066468
>Picture the battle in your mind
And how valiant we'll look when we secure our heroic victory
>>
>>4066468
>Step in and prepare for battle
>>
>>4066468
>Step in and prepare for battle
No need to keep these people waiting.
>>
>>4066468
>>Step in and prepare for battle
>>
>>4066553
>>4066571
>>4066718
>Step in and prepare for battle
You hop over the fence and towards the loud lad and Jean-Luc. Your opponent sizes you up and gives a hon-flavored snort of unimpressment. The lad shouts out that the adversaries have entered the arena as he faces the fancy stands.
At the top, a family of peacocks, or perhaps they’re royals, sit and watch with varying degrees of interest at the proceedings. The lead woman of the group calls out to you
Peacock Woman: “Prithee, share with us your names, noble warriors.”
Almost stepping on her last syllable, Jean-Luc steps forwards and bows deeply to her
Jean-Luc: “Your highness, it is an honour to fight and win before you! I am Jean-Luc L’Homme of Salete! And I dedicate my soon-to-be victories to you!”
Your ear seems to cringe away at the sound of his accent, but he did go pretty hard. Harder than you expected anyways.

Will you be outdone? Does it even really matter to you?
>State your name in as few words as possible
>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
>Shrug and pretend you don’t speak her language
>Write-in
>>
>>4066767
>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
But only speak in Haiku
>>
>>4066767
>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
>>
>>4066767
>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
My name is Jugemu Jugemu Goko no Surikire Kaijarisuigyo no Suigyomatsu Unraimatsu Furaimatsu Ku Neru Tokoro ni Sumu Tokoro Yabura Koji no Bura Koji Paipo-paipo Paipo no Shuringan Shuringan no Gurindai Gurindai no Ponpokopi no Ponpokona no Chokyumei no Chosuke and Jugemu Jugemu Goko no Surikire Kaijarisuigyo no Suigyomatsu Unraimatsu Furaimatsu Ku Neru Tokoro ni Sumu Tokoro Yabura Koji no Bura Koji Paipo-paipo Paipo no Shuringan Shuringan no Gurindai Gurindai no Ponpokopi no Ponpokona no Chokyumei no Chosuke
>>
>>4066767
>>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
if you are not showing off, you doing it WRONG
>>
>>4066829
>>4066831
>>4066903
>>4067085
>Give a lengthy and flowery speech of your feats and titles
This absolute doofus will never have any triumph, no matter how small, over you. You step up, and with a strong voice that commands respect, you address the royal peacock directly.
You are Tomoe,
Warrior of the Lotus.
Your name draws respect.
You have conquered war,
Taken forts and heads as well,
And now here you stand.
This weak baby man
And all else who dare oppose
Will face swift defeat.
If more do come forth,
They will fall the very same,
With you standing high.
Combat, armed or not,
Is your strength, so come all fools,
And kneel before you.

Nailed it.
>Give the crowd another verse or two
>Menace Jean-Luc with a glare of death
>Give a courteous bow to the peacock family
>Write-in
>>
>>4067098
>Give a courteous bow to the peacock family
>>
>>4067098
>Give a courteous bow to the peacock family

game recognizes game
>>
>>4067098
>>Give a courteous bow to the peacock family
>>
>>4067109
>>4067110
>>4067111
>Give a courteous how to the peacock family
A few grunts of mild approval become murmurs, then light applause, then more clearly spoken support until the woman lets out a sharp hiss that calls for silence
PW: “Thank you Tomoe. And you as well, Jean-Paul. May victory greet you with open arms.”
JL: “M-My lady, my name is Jea-“
The loud lad calls for both combatants to face each other, then gives you both a quick rundown of the rules
1. No murder
2. No magic
3. Fight with honor
4. *Unofficial* No being a little baby back bitch
5. May the best fighter win
You both receive a clap on the shoulder before he announces the fight BEGUN!

>Make the first move with your fan!
>Let your soldier take the lead!
>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
>Write-in
>>
>>4067261
>>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
Observe his moves first. Knoweldge is half of a battle, after all
>>
>>4067261
>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
Pretending to not be able to counter will misguide him in his next steps
>>
>>4067261
>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
>>
>>4067261
>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
>>
>>4067261
>>Make the first move with your fan!
>>
>>4067300
>>4067352
>>4067356
>>4067437
>Allow Jean-Luc to attack first
He swings his inferior weapon at you with a clearly untrained technique, allowing you to easily dodge his slashes. Upon studying his style, you notice that he seems to put all of his strength into his swings, as if hoping to crush with a blade meant to cut. His dexterity is extremely lacking, not made any better by the uneven weight of his shoddy weapon. His only tactic is hit, hit, hit.

As it stands, you can do whatever you want to this idiot
>Taunt his lack of skill in front of everyone
>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
>Outmaneuver and try to trip him over himself
>Let your machine deal with this lumbering doofus
>Write-in
>>
>>4068285
>>Taunt his lack of skill in front of everyone
>>
>>4068285
>>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
>>
>>4068285
>Taunt his lack of skill in front of everyone
>Outmaneuver and try to trip him over himself
>>
>>4068285
>>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
>>
>>4068285
>>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
>>
>>4068285
>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
>>
>>4068352
>>4068586
>>4068627
>>4068735
>Break his miss streak with a harsh fan-parry
You let a few more slashes whiff by before spreading your fan and savagely knocking the side of his sword! The force and poor weight of his weapon cause him to lose his grip and be forced to catch it by the pommel. What a pathetic display, he really thought he was going to get all the way to the finals?

Time seems to slow itself as you scan his vulnerable posture for where to strike
>Go for the stomach
>Hook a leg and trip him
>Dropkick his ass
>Sic the machine on him
>Write-in
>>
>>4068740
>Suplex him
>>
>>4068740
>Go for the stomach
We can save the machine for our next match.
>>
>>4068740
>Go for the stomach
Let's take the wind out of him.
>>
>>4068740
>Hook a leg and trip him
>>
>>4068740
>>Go for the stomach
i would wanna say "GO FOR THEY EYES!" but those are notoriously small targets.
>>
>>4068768
This please!
>>
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>>4068768
>>4068785
>>4068856
>>4069139
>>4069150
>Go for the stomach
>s u p l e x h i m

You just ended this man's whole career. He doesn't move for a good while, only groans.
>Get up and raise your arms in victory
>Step on his dumb stupid idiot mustache
>Claim his awful weapon as a trophy
>Claim his mustache as a trophy
>Write-in
>>
>>4069264
>Wait to see if he is able to get up
No need to assume that was it
>>
>>4069264
>Claim his mustache as a trophy
He'll give us a real fight if he wants to keep it
>>
>>4069264
>help him to get up
>get his moustaches
>wear them with pride
Be gracious and smug about it.
>>
>>4069264
>Claim his mustache as a trophy
I can't resist picking this
>>
>>4069264
>Write-in
Let's have some dignity: Make sure he isn't getting up and then take a bow.
>>
>>4069278
>>4069290
>>4069656
>Claim his mustache as a trophy
After waiting a minute or two more to see if he gets up, Jean-Luc begins to sit up. You extend a helping hand to him, which he takes with gratitude.
That’s when he falls right into your trap.
You yank him and his mustache within grabbing range and take hold. His eyes fill with shock at this sudden betrayal of sudden friendliness.
JL: “No, please! Anything but that!”

You hold all of the power now. His mustache is yours for the taking
>Take it! To the victor go the spoils!
>Let him lose with his bushy lip intact
>Look over your prey first
>Write-in
>>
>>4069859
>Let him lose with his bushy lip intact
But be warned! Should you not make yourself worthy of it, I will not be as merciful the next time we cross paths!
>>
>>4069859
>>Let him lose with his bushy lip intact
>>
>>4069859
>>Let him lose with his bushy lip intact
His fighting was weak, and it nearly cost him his most prized possession. A less merciful fighter would have seized his moustache without hesitation.
>>
>>4069870
>>4069932
>>4069971
>Let him lose with his bushy lip intact
Satisfied by the situation, you release your hostage as the loud lad holds up a flag to signal your victory. Jean-Luc immediately begins readjusting his knocked askew facial hair. Knocked askew? As he messes with it, his form seems to shimmer like water.
The crowd’s approval takes your attention as your opponent heads out of the arena. Cheers and some gripes about the short match fill the air.

The loud lad motions for you to receive congratulations from the royals
>Do as instructed and bow to the peacocks
>Do as instructed, but do not bow to the westerners again
>Leave early and go after Jean-Luc
>Write-in
>>
>>4070017
>Do as instructed and bow to the peacocks
>>
>>4070017
>>Do as instructed and bow to the peacocks
>>
>>4070175
>>4070176
>Do as instructed and bow to the peacocks
As Jean-Luc disappears between the stands, you step to face the fancy area and give a showman’s bow. You spot your little machine holding your robe for you, which you take and re-don.
PW: “I, Ophelie VI du Flambeau, congratulate you. Your skill in combat is recognized, and we will be awaiting your return to the arena. Adieu.”
The lead woman of the family casts a semi-disinterested sweep of her eyes across the stands. She seems like she was ready to be done repeating herself after the third match or so.
Soon after, you are ushered out back towards the tent to prepare for your next match. Llewelyn and Cheriette trail in after you, apparently having watched your fighting.

Once again, you have time to kill.
>Speak with your companions
>Survey the tent and the competition
>Examine the tourney bracket again
>Try to powernap until your next fight
>Write-in
>>
>>4070544
>Speak with your companions
Time to be showered in praise
>>
>>4070544
>>Speak with your companions
Time to brag!
>>
>>4070544
>>Try to powernap until your next fight
>>
>>4070544
>>Speak with your companions
>>
>>4070573
>>4070581
>>4070772
>Speak with your companions
L: “Hey, nice job out there! I didn’t think you’d be able to lift that huge guy!”
You grin and flex your huge fucking guns. Damn you’re swole, but the uh, the robe just hides it. Yeah.Now that you think about it, that guy was surprisingly light for his size.
C: “Yeah yeah, whatever. Nobody’s won yet, so save the celebration for the finals.”
L: “It was still cool though.”
Cheriette shrugs in indifference
C: “I coulda lifted him no problem. One handed even.”

Now that you’ve regrouped, the team conference can begin. Or end.
>Discuss the upcoming fights
>Go over notable competition among the entrants
>Check on your team’s status in the tourney
>Talk strategy with the two (three of you count your machine)
>End the discussion
>Write-in
>>
>>4070840
>>Discuss the upcoming fights
>>
>>4070840
>>Check on your team’s status in the tourney
>>
>>4070840
>Discuss the upcoming fights
>>
>>4070840
>>Discuss the upcoming fights
>>
So sorry for the huge delay
>>4071033
>>4071499
>>4071550
>Discuss the upcoming fights
The three of you look to the great bracket at the end of the tent to see how the tournament has progressed. Many of these names mean nothing to you.
L: “I’ve already done one of my fights, and won it!”
Llewelyn sets his hands on his hips with a beaming, excited grin
C: “Good. I’ve still got mine comin’ up, but from what I see, I don’t got much to worry ‘bout.”
Cheriette gestures off to a whelp of a man a little ways away who looks like he’d lose a duel with a strong breeze. The horned woman sighs through her nose, disappointed.
C: “Lucky me.”

>Ask about some of the other fighters
>Wish both of your companions luck
>Wish Cheriette luck
>Wish Llewelyn luck
>Stop looking at the bracket
>Write-in
>>
>>4072506
>Wish both of your companions luck
>Warn them of the horrors that will be released upon them should they bring us shame
>>
>>4072517
I support this one, but says last part as a joke.
>>
>>4072506
>>Ask about some of the other fighters
>>
>>4072517
this
>>
>>4072517
>>4072648
>Wish both of your companions luck, but warn them of the horrors that will be released upon them should they bring us shame
L: “Oh. I-I see. H-Heheh...”
C: “C’mon Llew, grow a pair.”
L: “But she looks so... intense!”
C: “Her hat covers half her face, how is she freakin’ you out right now?”
Your razor-sharp glare cuts a gash in your teammate’s willpower as he swallows any possibility of failure.
L: “Yes ma’am! I won’t lose! Not even to that guy with the... really shiny armor.”
Llewelyn points over to a man in, yes, very shiny, ornate, even somewhat noble dress. He’s one of the more important looking people in the tent, surrounded by hangers-on, perhaps even the most if we’re going by shininess. Stars, even his teeth glitter with every flick of a grin!

Judging by the bracket, this man must be Arthur.
>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
>Reprimand your companion verbally- er, maybe through writing? He seems a bit dull, maybe he didn’t catch your shpeel before your fight? Does it matter at this point?
>Take the opportunity to gain reputation by mingling with some of the shinier combatants. Rubbing shoulders, shaking hands, making your name.
>Write-in
>>
>>4072781
>>Reprimand your companion verbally- er, maybe through writing? He seems a bit dull, maybe he didn’t catch your shpeel before your fight? Does it matter at this point?
>>
>>4072781
>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
>>
>>4072781
>>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
>>
>>4072781
>>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
What could possibly can go wrong?!
>>
>>4072781
>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
>>
>>4072800
>>4072883
>>4072894
>>4073129
>Reprimand your companion and show him that this Arthur is no one to fear by telling it to the shiny man’s face!
How can such a glitterer frighten anyone! Infirm of purpose! You give your companion another sharp glare and march off to confront this Arthur. Show em how it’s done!
Standing before his table, you call for his attention with challenge in your voice. With the help of one of his satellites, he notices you and grins a wall of perfectly pearled panels of enamel.
A: “Hm? What woman is this? Exotic by the looks of it... I am Arthur Gallant. Fitting, I know.”
He takes a woman off of his lap and shoos her away, then turns towards you in his chair
A: “Come to join my little retinue, woman of the East~? I’d be delighted to have you. Come, sit, and tell me your name”

He pats his metal thigh with a small, malicious chuckle
>Issue a personal challenge to meet in the final round where you will demolish him!
>Ask one of his hangers-on if this is really all there is to him. You were expecting someone more impressive.
>Sit on his lap as obnoxiously and inconveniently as you can. Make him regret ever asking.
>Just shake your head with an unimpressed air and walk back to your team.
>Write-in
>>
>>4073379
>>Ask one of his hangers-on if this is really all there is to him. You were expecting someone more impressive.
>>
>>4073379
>Ask one of his hangers-on if this is really all there is to him. You were expecting someone more impressive.
>>
>>4073379
>>Issue a personal challenge to meet in the final round where you will demolish him!
>>
>>4073379
>Ask one of his hangers-on if this is really all there is to him. You were expecting someone more impressive.
I'm not comfortable with that third option.
>>
>>4073379
>Just shake your head with an unimpressed air and walk back to your team.
Add in a derisive scoff.
>>
>>4073387
>>4073527
>>4073685
>Ask one of his hangers-on if this is really all there is to him. You were expecting someone more impressive.
Hanger-On 1: “HEY! You talking mess about Lord Arthur?!”
HO2: “She’s WHAT?!”
HO3: “Who do you think you are, lady?!”
The group, sans their leader, rise from the table with menacing intent! Their accents are like the shiny man’s, from some other part of the West not local to here. Arthur raises a hand to keep them at bay
HO2: “Hoo, you’re lucky Lordman’s here, ya skank.”
HO1: “Yeah! If he weren’t here, we wouldn’t be neither!”
The third smacks the first on the back of the neck with a harsh “Shut it!”
A: “All of you shut it... please.”
Arthur tries to suppress a groan as he shows you another smile
A: “Not impressed? Then why not watch my next battle to see just how much to me there is.”
He waves a dismissive hand as he turns himself back to the table and his lackeys retake their seats
A: “If not, no matter. I’m sure we’ll see each other in the arena soon enough.”

>Agree to watch his fight with Llewelyn
>Tell him you couldn’t care less. You’ll see him if he’s as good as he thinks he is.
>Taunt the three stooges some more just for fun
>Write-in
>>
>>4074362
>>Tell him you couldn’t care less. You’ll see him if he’s as good as he thinks he is.
>>
>>4074362
>Agree to watch his fight with Llewelyn

We can push our guy to do better if we stare at his fight.
>>
>Tell him you couldn’t care less. You’ll see him if he’s as good as he thinks he is.
>Taunt the three stooges some more just for fun
>>
>>4074362
>>Tell him you couldn’t care less. You’ll see him if he’s as good as he thinks he is.
>>
>>4074794
+1
>>
>>4074525
>>4074794
>>4075250
>>4075374
HO1: “How’s this bitch think she can just talk to Lord Arthur like that?!”
HO3: “She’s got some screws loose, I tell ya. A right whacked-out cooze.”
HO2: “C’mon, m’lord, let us at her! We’ll teach the slant some manners when she talks.”
Arthur throws up another hand with a angered brow aimed towards the trio
A: “I told you to shut up, didn’t I? She’ll learn respect in the arena when I teach it to her myself.”
After a moment, the three exchange “Ohhh, I get it”s and “Good thinking”s.
What are they, his dogs? He certainly keeps a leash on them, you assert.
HO2: “What?! I ain’t no dog!”
HO3: “Me neither! Fuck you think I’m a dog for?!”
HO1: “My nose ain’t that big, fuck you!”
With a snap from their master, they settle down once more. Arthur lets out a long sigh through his nose as his expression tightens.
A: “We’ll meet if we meet.”

Some men are just servile by nature
>Walk back to Llewelyn to see how your demonstration has worked
>Leave to rest until your next fight
>Continue on talking with Arthur and his retinue
>Write-in
>>
>>4075631
>>Walk back to Llewelyn to see how your demonstration has worked
>>
>>4075631
>Walk back to Llewelyn to see how your demonstration has worked
>>
>>4075631
>Walk back to Llewelyn to see how your demonstration has worked
>>
>>4075631
>Walk back to Llewelyn to see how your demonstration has worked
>>
>>4075639
>>4075678
>>4075709
>>4075710
See? Nothing to be afraid of. He’s just a mortal, after all.
L: “Huh, his little group is a mess, eh? Man, I though he was like, a god or something!”
C: “It’s just shiny armor. Get yourself together.”
L: “Yeah. Yeah, I can do it. He’s going down!”
C: “You’d better. I’ve gotta go to my fight. Don’t die before I win.”
And with that, Cheriette exits the tent while Llew takes a seat
L: “I... think I’m going to rest up before I have to take him on. You know, smart moves.”

>Speak with Llewelyn
>Scope out your next opponent
>Rest before your next battle
>Write-in
>>
>>4075769
>>Rest before your next battle
>>
>>4075769
>Teach Llewelyn forbidden arts to make sure he kicks Arthur's ass
>>
>>4075769
>Tell Llewelyn to keep a level head and then go scope out your next opponent
>>
>>4075773
>>4075780
>>4075860
>Three-Way Tie
With so many thoughts running through your mind, your body takes control of itself and sits you down to think safely. Rest, teach, opponent, next match, kick ass, level head, hey you need that, to win the next fight, what were you going to do again?
?: “Hey, you alright?”
An unfamiliar voice calls you out of your self-imposed stupor. Indistinct, androgynous, both masculine and feminine at the same time.

Hey, conscious self, someone’s at the door.
>Answer the door, dummy
>No you aren’t naked, don’t yell that
>I don’t care if you’re busy, it’s rude to leave a guest waiting
>What are you doing, don’t just go to sleep!
>What’s a “write-in”? Where are you going to write what?
>>
>>4076206
>Answer the door
>>
>>4076206
>>Answer the door, dummy
>>
>>4076206
>>Answer the door, dummy
>>
>>4076248
>>4076271
>>4076275
>Answer the door, dummy
Ding dong.
?: “Ma’am? You were making some... strange expressions.”
The voice is stern, but not reprimanding. Solid, like a stone column. Llew perks up from his half-nap to see the uniformed figure before you
?: “Have either of you seen anything strange? An anonymous tip told us there might be suspicious activity afoot at the tournament. Please, if you have anything.”

Suspicious activity?
>Ask who she- er, he- eh, yes is and why she wants to know
>Report Arthur and his goons as most definitely suspicious
>Say you haven’t seen anything
>Write-in
>>
>>4076380
>>Report Arthur and his goons as most definitely suspicious
>>
>>4076380
>Report Arthur and his goons as most definitely suspicious
>Report Jean-Luc
>>
>>4076380
Ask what kind of activities she means. I mean, it’s pretty broad term.
>>
>>4076380
>What kind of activities? Also are you a man?
>>
>>4076380
>Write-in
Tell them about Jean-Luc being way too lightweight and shimmering like they're cloaked in illusion.
>>
>>4076380
>>Ask who she- er, he- eh, yes is and why she wants to know
>>
>>4076431
>>4076460
>>4076720
>>4076745
>>4076874
>>4077019
>Big ties, big talks
This whole androgyny thing is messing with your mind. Who the heck even is this? The uniformed person narrows their eyes at you.
Coeur: “...I am an officer of the Ophelian Watch. Sergeant Coeur, protéger et servir.”
But that didn’t answer your question about-
Coeur: “I am an officer of the Ophelian Watch, civilian.”
The watch Sergeant presses their lips into a tight line as they stare you down. Well if it’s suspicious they want, then that man in the shiny armor and the goof troop are it! Just look at them! Eugh.
Coeur: “...Yes. I’ll send an officer to have a look, don't worry. What we mean by ‘suspicious’, ma’am, is more like... out of the ordinary. Something that may lead to some kind of crisis here. I’m afraid we weren’t given much direction in that way.”
Out of the ordinary, hm? Well, that big guy, Jean-Pierre or something, was kind of weird. He was all shimmery for a second, like an illusion.
Coeur: “An illusion? Do you know where he went?”
After a quick, but fruitless look around the tent, you shake your head. Like breath into the wind. That’s all you really saw. The sergeant frowns and scans over the crowd as well.
Coeur: “That’s... fine, we can search for him. In the meantime, please stay safe. And if you see anything else, let a member of the watch know.”

Sgt. Coeur gives a firm nod and walks away from you and Llewelyn, who seems to have fallen back asleep sometime in the middle of the visit
>Rest before your next battle
>Scope our your next opponent
>Try to discern Coeur’s gender from a distance
>Write-in
>>
>>4077236
>>Rest before your next battle
>>
>>4077403
>Rest before your next battle
You get into a comfortable position and take a break to recuperate. Yells and cheers and all other kinds of noises flutter by your ears, but only one get you back to reality.
C: “Hey, girl. Wake up, you’re almost on.”
Cheriette pokes you in the cheek and reintroduces you to the waking world. That loud lad from before calls again for the next combatants to take their places.

Looks like it’s that time again
>Check the bracket
>Head out to the arena
>Look to your companions
>Write-in
>>
>>4077682
>>Head out to the arena
>>
>>4077682
>Head out to the arena
>>
>>4077682
>Check the bracket
>>
>>4077748
>>4077774
>Head out to the arena
Back in the ring you stand, this time facing an opponent more similar to yourself.
Again, you are introduced before the peacocks, told the rules, blah blah blah, then at last put up against each other with a wave of a flag and a shout.
Your enemy stands before you with a long sabre-like blade resting on her shoulder. A bodysuit that seems more at home on a strange than in an arena provides her little in the way of protection, but a mask over her face does shield her features from harm.

What a character this Robin is. A character in your way to victory!
>Let the dancer take the lead, study her moves
>Take the first attack, striking for her core!
>Take the first attack, striking for her limbs!
Take the first attack, striking for her weapon!
>Let your little machine lead this tango with an extra wheel
>Write-in
>>
>>4078019
>Let the dancer take the lead, study her moves
Let's match her rhythm
>>
>>4078019
>Let your little machine lead this tango with an extra wheel
>>
>>4078019
>Let your little machine lead this tango with an extra wheel
Let the robot face this girl’s trick first then we’ll know what to look out for.
>>
>>4078019
>>Let the dancer take the lead, study her moves
>>
>>4078034
>>4078040
>>4078045
>>4078054
>Tie (Robin and Machine)
The dancer’s moves are graceful. Spins, twirls, all very adept at deflecting or evading attacks. Her sword might very well weigh nearly as much as her with the way she uses it as a counterbalance for some moves. As you close in, you think you spot an opening in her defenses, and just when you’re about to take advantage...
Your machine leaps from your shoulder towards the dancer, going against orders! He must want to fight something fierce

[Machine Trait Developed: Undisciplined]

>Let the soldier do what it will for now
>Pull it back before it gets itself hurt
>Attack alongside your machine
>Write-in
>>
>>4078383
>>Attack alongside your machine
>>
>>4078383
>Attack alongside your machine
>>
>>4078383
>>Attack alongside your machine
>>
>>4078430
>>4078455
>>4078822
>Attack alongside your machine
The little soldier latches onto the leg of your opponent that strayed too far out of formation. The sudden shift in weight distribution throws her off her groove and leaves an opening for yourself!

Beware, Tomoe. That sword is still plenty dangerous
>Rush forwards to take advantage of her balance loss
>Feint a fan strike and sweep the leg
>Throw your fan at the dancer
>Tell your machine to climb to another body part
>Write-in
>>
>>4079144
>Feint a fan strike and sweep the leg
>>
>>4079144
>Feint a fan strike and sweep the leg
>>
>>4079144
>>Rush forwards to take advantage of her balance loss
>>
>>4079144
>Feint a fan strike and sweep the leg
>>
>>4078383
>Attack alongside your machine
Even if she's super graceful a weapon that big is going to be difficult to use against two opponents at once.
>>
>>4079221
>>4079224
>>4079310
>Feint a fan strike and sweep the leg
Your feint is a success, and Robin dodges into perfect sweeping range! With your soldier weighing her leg down, your maneuver strikes home with a flutter of your robe
And the dancer takes it in stride. Using her sword as a third leg of sorts, she catches herself and propels herself into the air! With your machine now captive, she goes down hard with a spinning heel!

Quick, her kick is an axe and you’re on the block, do something!
>Dodge out of the way, it’s too powerful to take head on!
>Try to catch her attack and throw her into the ground!
>Use your fan as a shield to bounce the attack off of!
>Jump towards her assault with a move of your own! Attack the attack!
>Write-in
>>
>>4079960
>>Jump towards her assault with a move of your own! Attack the attack!
>>
>>4079960
>Jump towards her assault with a move of your own! Attack the attack!
>>
>>4079960
>Jump towards her assault with a move of your own! Attack the attack!
>>
>>4080054
>>4080169
>>4080640
>Jump towards her assault with a move of your own! Attack the attack!
You take a leap upwards to meet her in the air! With your fan splayed, you jab up and meet the flesh of the dancer’s calf with the sharp metal edge. A cry sounds out as she tumbles to the dirt and rolls backwards into a crouched position. Her leg is laid out awkwardly to the side of her, red leaking from a gash near your machine.
Robin’s blade clangs against the metal of the soldier, sending it skidding away towards the edge of the arena. The eyes underneath her mask glower at you as she takes a more confident lower position. The demeanor of her movements becomes almost serpentine as she watches your movements.

As you can safely assume, she is not happy with this outcome.
>Charge forwards and finish this fight
>Play defensively, circling around her with your tessen at the ready
>Make for your machine to check if it’s alright
>Write-in
>>
>>4081264
>>Charge forwards and finish this fight
>>
>>4081264
>Play defensively, circling around her with your tessen at the ready

Its a weapon that plays to caution after all.
>>
>>4081264
>Play defensively, circling around her with your tessen at the ready
>>
>>4081599
>>4081784
>Play defensively, circling around her with your tessen at the ready
You stalk a loop around the wounded dancer, but her eyes remain on you the entire time. Her leg continues to bleed quite heavily, and she likely knows she won’t be able to last long with that wound.
Suddenly, like a striking serpent, Robin lunges quickly towards you on her good leg and stabs her blade down towards you. You guide her attack away from your body along the face of your fan, then she rolls along the ground and back into another striking position. Like a snake in the grass, she waits for another opportunity

She’s weakened but not out, it seems.
>Wait for her next attack, and counter
>Deflect her moves until the blood loss gets to her
>Attack her yourself, moving in head-on
>Try to maneuver towards the struck soldier.
>Write-in
>>
>>4082284
>Deflect her moves until the blood loss gets to her

shes on a timer and we have all the rope in the world
>>
>>4082284
>>Wait for her next attack, and counter
>>
>>4082284
>Deflect her moves until the blood loss gets to her
>>
>>4082284
>Wait for her next attack, and counter
>>
>>4082445
>Deflect her moves until the blood loss gets to her
>>
>>4082321
>>4082445
>>4082698
>Deflect her moves until the blood loss gets to her
The bites of her sword come quick and furious, over and over and over again, but your fan deflects well. Your clothes catch a few rips, but you are unscathed as her complexion pales more and more.
The dancer’s movements become weaker and weaker until she struggles to lift her blade. Breathing heavily, she drops her sword and lets herself rest on the ground. The heaving sounds angry, ragged in fury but not projected outwards. Your mind’s ear feel this quiet anger is for herself, frustration at her own carelessness.

After a minute of breathing, she holds up a hand in surrender. The crowd cheers for the entertainment as that loud lad holds a flag up to signal your victory.
>Help Robin to her feet. She’ll likely need it to walk.
>Step on your opponent to cement your win before the people
>Bow to the people and peacocks. Show the people your showmanship
>Check on your machine.
>Write-in
>>
>>4083066
>Check on your machine.
We’ve neglected the little guy for far too long.
>>
>>4083066
>>Bow to the people and peacocks. Show the people your showmanship
>>
>>4083066
>Check on your machine.
>>
>>4083210
>>4083454
>Check on your machine
You jog yourself near the edge of the arena where your tiny friend lays in a daze. He’s received a pretty nasty dent in his tin can head along with scrapes and dirt from skidding across the ground, but he looks like he can still function. The way he immediately gets to his feet and stands at attention tells you he’s still ready for action, but it may be best to get his injuries taken care of.

A couple of medical staff members climb into the arena and begin taking Robin to be treated for her injuries. Two down.
>Accept the audience’s praise and bow
>Just leave the arena after taking your soldier
>Assist the medical team with your opponent
>Write-in
>>
>>4084350
>>Accept the audience’s praise and bow
>>
>>4084350
>Accept the audience’s praise and bow
>>
>>4084350
>Assist the medical team with your opponent
>>
>>4084350
>Accept the audience’s praise and bow
>>
>>4084637
>>4084768
>>4084890
>Accept the audience’s praise and bow
Somewhere inside you is potential for a gladiator, but that’ll have to wait. For now, you give your surely growing fan base a bow to end off your performance. Imagine all the exposure! You could probably pay people with it!
Once your time in the ring is over, you are congratulated by Lady Ophelie VI again and you exit. Back in the tent, a situation of some sort has taken place. You see a big bulk of man being chased by what you assume are members of the Ophelian Watch. His movements are awkward, top-heavy in a way when he hits a corner through the crowd. Shouts of “Stop!” and “Get back here!” fight to be heard over the clamor of amusement amongst the fighters.

When you see him charging towards you to get away from the guard, you see that mustache again. Damn, how’d he get it so immaculate?
>Assist the watch and stop Jean-Luc
>Move out of the way to watch the show
>Help Jean-Luc evade the watch
>Write-in
>>
>>4085299
>Help Jean-Luc evade the watch
We need to know why he's running and where we can get a mustache that good
>>
>>4085299
>>Assist the watch and stop Jean-Luc
>>
>>4085299
>Move out of the way to watch the show
>>
>>4085299
>Move out of the way to watch the show
>>
>>4085299
>Move out of the way to watch the show
>>
>>4085521
>>4085597
>>4086369
>Move out of the way to watch the show
Conforming to what everyone else is doing, you get out of Jean-Luc’s path as he breaks for the tent exit. Just as he makes it to the flap and touches the orange evening sunlight, a guard with just as much, if not more, bulk tackles him to the ground.
Multiple things happen at once. For one, you find that Jean-Luc’s fine mustache stayed in the air for a moment or two before drifting down to the floor like a summer leaf. Meanwhile, on the floor, Jean-Luc himself seems to be beside himself. Specifically, his legs seem to be beside his head. Though he’s been bisected at the waist, no blood or gore is present. With his mustache separated from his body, the man’s form begins to shimmer violently before popping with a burst of light! Thank goodness for your hat’s visor.

Where the two parts of Jean-Luc were now sit two scruffy, grubby-looking urchins with ruined bits of harness draped over them. The watchman and surrounding fighters are dazed by the light while the two groan and start to get up
>Catch them before they can run!
>Swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
>Yell at the damned kids to get out of here while they can
>Stand in awe at this display of next level two-kids-in-a-trenchcoat mastery
>Write-in
>>
>>4086649
>Stand in awe at this display of next level two-kids-in-a-trenchcoat mastery but never admit it publicly
Then
>Swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
>>
>>4086649
>Swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
>>
>>4086691
Support.
>>
>>4086649
>Swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
>>
>>4086649
>>Catch them before they can run!
>>
>>4086649
>Swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
>>
Apologies for the hella long delay, had Valentine’s shenanigans. Speaking of, Happy (late) Valentine’s Day, /qst/!
>>4086691
>>4086730
>>4086790
>>4086927
>>4087667
>Stand in awe at this display of next level two-kids-in-a-trenchcoat mastery, then swipe the mustache that now lays on the ground nearby
Being a woman of sword over sorcery, your grasp on all the shimmery, glittery, and sparkly magics is loose at best, slicked with butter even. Even so, you know magicianery when you see it, and these two ragamuffins have got their hands on it somehow. With every other piece of the man having poofed away, you deduce that it must have something to do with that damn fine mustache they were sporting.
You quickly whisk by and scoop up the lip-caterpillar before the two can. It feels warm. Not warm to the touch, but warm to your chest, to your heart. Just holding it reminds you of childhood’s warm summers and careless freedoms. A memory comes to mind of when you put on your father’s helmet and chased other kids with a stick, pretending you were the Dread Ronin-King Kuro. Oh, the fear you struck into the hearts of the
Pretend, that’s the feeling it gives you. The emotion of play acting.
Urchin 1: “Hey! Give that back, it’s ours!”

All of the sudden, you’re set upon by two little gutter-rats trying to climb up your body to retrieve their treasure!
>Try to shake them off
>Do your best to move yourself closer to a watchman in hopes for help
>Keep the sweet stache away from them at all costs, not minding anything around you
>Summon up the spirit of the Dread Ronin-King to set these urchins straight?
>Write-in
>>
>>4088484
>>Keep the sweet stache away from them at all costs, not minding anything around you
>>
>>4088484
>Summon up the spirit of the Dread Ronin-King to set these urchins straight?
>>
>>4088484
>>Summon up the spirit of the Dread Ronin-King to set these urchins straight?
>>
>>4088484
>Summon up the spirit of the Dread Ronin-King to set these urchins straight?
Very cute Toome
>>
>>4088900
*Tomoe
>>
>>4088921
Toomo**
>>
>>4088700
>>4088857
>>4088900
>Summon up the spirit of the Dread Ronin-King to set these urchins straight?
In the midst of all the chaos, you begin to draw up what you remember about your old game. Lots of monologues, even more whacking people with sticks, sprinkle in a bit of building an army of other kids, hmm... This could work.

Before you open your mouth, your scarf seems to tug at your neck to say something like, "Are you sure you want to, erm... say things like that, dear? People might think you're strange in the head."
>Relent and listen to your scarf
>Confirm and go on with your evocation of Kuro!
>Write-in
>>
>>4089322
>Confirm and go on with your evocation of Kuro!
People will think we're COOL and FEARSOME
>>
>>4089322
>Relent and listen to your scarf
>>
>>4089322
>Confirm and go on with your evocation of Kuro!
You know, it used to annoy me that we are constantly flipping between being a stoic, silent, analytical badass to a ranting, raving lunatic at the drop of a hat but it’s kind of interesting.
>>
>>4089336
>>4089442
>Confirm and go on with your evocation of Kuro!
You hear your scarf resign itself with a sigh in your mind's ear. "Please just don't hurt yourself, okay?"
With a cry that would rattle the sky, you tear one of the urchins from your back and toss him back to the ground. The other you grab by the hair and hold hostage.
U2: "Agh! Let me go!"
These young fools! They think they can cross you and get away with it, then they dare command you?! You are the DREAD RONIN-KING KURO, the contriver of all harms, the harbinger-voice of death itself, the blade that all who live must fear! Tremble, you weak-willed fools, who dare to look doom in the face and tall it what to do! Tremble before the might that toppled an empire! The dirt itself quakes at your approach, knowing that you could split it open with a single stomp of your heel! Who are these to face you? They be either immortal and limitless in courage, or else fools ignorant of the threat that could snap them into dust! Stand, stand and face the slayer of kings, conqueror of gods, destroyer of worlds! There is no escape now, for your fate has been sealed!
All surrounding stare at you with dumbfounded expressions. For once, a silence hangs in the tent, none daring to speak after that. They must be so impressed they've been stunned into silence, if you're going by the expression of the two kids. A mixture of fear and wonder paints their faces until the one you tossed stands to his full height, of around five feet and some change, and cries back,
Urchin 1: "You might be the, uh, harborjer of death, but that won't stop me! I'll defeat you and get my friend and that thing back, or I'll die! But I'll fate'lly meet your, um, fan before I'll surrender to you!"
He smacks his fist against his chest and cracks a wide grin
U1: "Come on then! And damn whoever calls for mercy first!"

Well... what now, Kuro? Have a plan for this?
>Straight up fight this child
>Hand over his friend, but keep the mustache. he's earned that much.
>Stand there dumbly. You... didn't really plan this far ahead
>Look around for anyone to help you out here
>Write-in
>>
>>4089622
>>Straight up fight this child
>>
>>4089622
>>Stand there dumbly. You... didn't really plan this far ahead
>>
>>4089622
>Straight up fight this child
>>
>>4089622
>>Straight up fight this child
>>
>>4089648
>>4089659
>>4089690
>Straight up fight this child
He talks a big game, but can he back it up? Keeping a hold on his friend, you tuck the mustache away into your robes and beckon for him to come at you.
U2: “Quit being stupid and get me already!”
U1: “Wh- It’s not st- I mean I am, calm down!”
With a yell and a charge, the kiddo is
Successfully grabbed by the bulky watchman! He holds the guttersnipe under his arm, pinning the kid’s own at his sides, and gives a nod to you.
Bulky Watchman: “Thank ya kindly. If you’ll hand over that one to an officer, that’ll be great.”
U2: “Hey- No! You can’t just give us up! They’ll take us away!”
The other struggles under the watchman’s arm to little success
BW: “There’ll be a reward for ya. A cool hundred to pick up at the watch station, at your soonest convenience.”
U1: “Shut up and let me go!”

Your coinpurse groans like an empty stomach at the mention of pay. The kid you’ve got by the hair is desperately putting on the most puppydog face she can muster.
>Accept the watch’s reward for the two
>”Accidentally” let the streetkid escape from your grasp
>Try to barter the mustache with the watchman for more money
>Try to barter the mustache with the watchman for the urchin duo’s freedom
>Write-in
>>
>>4090171
>Try to barter the mustache with the watchman for the urchin duo’s freedom
I want to make them our students.
>>
>>4090171
>Accept the watch’s reward for the two
>>
>>4090171
>Accept the watch’s reward for the two
>>
>>4090171
>>Accept the watch’s reward for the two
>>
>>4090199
>>4090222
>>4091152
>Accept the watch’s reward for the two
Cash reward? Sheeeit, that’s all you had to say! You hand off the little garbage pail kid to another watch officer and seal the deal.
BW: “Thanks for the help, ma’am. Drop by the Western Station and your reward’ll be waiting.”
He nods to you as the urchins are carried off, cursing at you all the way. The other fighters gradually get back into their groups and chat away, the noise filling the air once again.

Well, now that’s settled. And you got a sweet stache out of it! Everything’s coming up Tomoe!
>Regroup with the team
>Look at the bracket
>Rest until your next fight
>Write-in
>>
>>4091240
>Look at the bracket
>>
>>4091242
Seconding
>>
>>4091240
>Regroup with the team
>>
>>4091240
>Drop by the Western Station
>>
>>4091242
>>4091250
>Look at the bracket
With all that settled, you examine the tourney bracket to see how things are playing out.
A couple stalemates, nice, less work for you and more time to rest. That and... Llewelyn lost?! To Arthur?!

That idiot! He was supposed to win, not be defeated by that chode in shining armor!
>Immediately hunt Llewelyn down to reprimand him
>Search for Arthur to give him another piece of your mind
>Calmly regroup with your team to discuss the situation
>Just rest until your next fight. Ugh, westerners
>Write-in
>>
>>4091954
>Just rest until your next fight. Ugh, westerners
>>
>>4091954
>Immediately hunt Llewelyn down to reprimand him
>>
>>4091954
>>Immediately hunt Llewelyn down to reprimand him
>>
>>4091954
>Just rest until your next fight. Ugh, westerners
>>
>>4091959
>>4091962
>>4092314
>>4092349
>Tied! (Scold and Rest)
Storming over to the team bench, you find the tin can moping on the bench next to Cheriette. He’s sporting a few new cuts, bruises, and bandages, but that’ll be nothing compared to the verbal lashing you’re going to give him!
Or would if you hadn’t just sat down, given him the nastiest glare you could, and grumbled out a few curses before pulling your hat down over your eyes. More over your eyes, that is.
L: “...You think she’s mad?”
C: “I’m mad. So yeah.”
L: “H-He was stronger than I thought! He just looked like your average cocky noble!”
C: “Quit makin’ up excuses, I’m sick of ‘em. You’d better hope one of us wins so this wasn’t just a huge waste of fuckin’ time.”
L: “It still wouldn’t be a waste of time! Look, you win some, you lo-“
C: “Shut it. I’m up soon.”
Cheriette rises from the bench and exits the tent with heavy footfalls. Ugh, unreliable and so rude to one another. No wonder eastern society is so much more advanced.

Right?
>Rest and think on where you’ve been
>Rest and think on where you are
>Rest and think on where you’ll go
>Rest and focus on your next fight
>Write-in
>>
>>4093476
>Rest and think on where you’ll go
We shall wander the Earth, whopping niggas asses for a decade.
>>
>>4093476
>Rest and think on where you’ll go
>>4093491
That isn't the worst plan I've ever heard.
>>
>>4093476
>Rest and think on where you’ll go
These westerners will respect and fear our name
>>
>>4093476
>>Rest and think on where you’ve been
>>
>>4093491
>>4093496
>>4093594
>Rest and think on where you’ll go
There’s much ahead of you. You can feel it. The long road ahead doesn’t end for a while, and what waits for you is only imaginable. Without the use of magics, that is. Who knows how wizards and witches work. Buncha fuckin nerds.
While they read their tomes and whatever, you’ll be beating people from here to the edge of the world. Not one in even the most remote jungle or isolated desert will not have heard the name Tomoe! Respect and fear! Adoration and admiration! All and more will come to you! Songs of your exploits will be sung for centuries to come!

Knock knock knock. “Hey. We’re up.”
>Open the door and your eyes
>Ask who’s knocking
>Let the bell ring a few more times
>Write-in
>>
>>4094952
>Ask who’s knocking
>>
>>4094952
>>Open the door and your eyes
>>
>>4094952
>Ask who’s knocking
>>
>>4094952
>Ask who’s knocking
>>
>>4094963
>>4095023
>>4095069
>Ask who’s knocking
C: “Who do you think. Get up, we’re on.”
Cheriette flicks your hat and gestures to the bracket. The little tin can in your lap shakes lightly at the mountain of woman towering over you.

Ah. Well, what do you know.
>Head for the arena with Cheriette
>Try and discuss the fight with your teammate/opponent
>Look to Llewelyn for help here
>Write-in
>>
>>4095500
>Head for the arena with Cheriette
>>
>>4095500
>>Head for the arena with Cheriette
>>
>>4095500
>Head for the arena with Cheriette
>Bluff to the oni woman that her kind fear the name Tomoe in your homeland
>>
>>4095511
>>4095525
>>4095551
>Head for the arena with Cheriette
Well, if it’s her you have to fight, then it should be easy! She’s big, probably slow too. This should be like Jean-Luc! For an extra psychological advantage, you throw in your bluff
C: “Good thing we ain’t in your homeland, shrimp.”
She growls out a chuckle as she slaps your back, maybe attempting to be relatively friendly, and pushes you onwards. An iron will, this one has, just like a Voluntist.
In the arena once more before the final match, you and Cheriette stand opposite each other. The horned woman taps the end of her dented, stained, and oversized shovel on the dirt, sizing you up. She’s large, about a head or two bigger than you, and with the musculature expected of a beast like her. Her expression shows no mercy, regardless of your team-up. Out of the corner of your eye, you spot Arthur and his retinue watching the match from the stands. What a smug look he has.

With a shout, the loud lad announces the match begun. As his first syllable comes out, Cheriette leaps forwards with a savage strike coming from above!
>Try to block with your fan!
>Dodge out of the way!
>Try to catch her shovel attack!
>Send your machine into the fray!
>Write-in
>>
>>4096551
>Sidestep and throw the mustache at her eyes
>>
>>4096598
+1
>>
>>4096551
>>4096598
Support.
>>
>>4096551
>>Dodge out of the way!
>>
>>4096598
>>4096675
>>4096878
>Sidestep and throw the mustache at her eyes
With a swift dash away, you reach into your robes and throw Jean-Luc’s former prize at Cheriette! The lip bush hits with a slightly disappointing smack, and when it falls your opponent does not look amused. Damn it!
C: “You’re a fuckin idiot.”
The mountain woman swings her shovel at you again and takes your feet out from under you! She raises her shovel again to slam you down!

>Try to absorb the blow with your tessen
>Roll out of the farm tool’s path
>See if you can trip her as well
>Get your machine to help you out of this jam
>Write-in
>>
>>4097110
>>Roll out of the farm tool’s path
>>
>>4097110
Huh, I thought that would blind her for at least a moment. She must have some durable eyes.

>See if you can trip her as well
>>
>>4097189
Support. No mercy, man!
>>
>>4097110
>See if you can trip her as well
Man, she's gonna be even more pissed if she loses after that.
>>
>>4097189
>>4097197
>>4097421
>See if you can trip her as well
Your mind processes as much info as it can before the shovel reaches the point of no return. Her legs look sturdy, tree-like in her stance. By mass alone you can tell that it’ll definitely take more than a swift kick to get her on the ground. She’s used to combat, the scars on her skin tell that well enough. Like someone skipped around a connect-the-dots puzzle before getting bored halfway through.

Anyways, if the sweep is going to happen, how far are you going to go for it?
>Stab her leg with your fan and wrench her off balance with it
>Dodge through her legs and kick the backs of her knees
>Try for a below-the-belt blow, you dishonorable fiend
>Abort trip and roll away instead
>Abort trip and use your fan to absorb what it can
>Write-in
>>
>>4098010
>Dodge through her legs and kick the backs of her knees
>>
>>4098010
>Dodge through her legs and kick the backs of her knees

With all those scars it's unlikely that one more cut will throw her off balance. Best to rely on agility here.
>>
>>4098010
>Dodge through her legs and kick the backs of her knees
>try to throw dirt in her eyes
>>
>>4098012
>>4098041
>>4098298
>Dodge through her legs and kick the backs of her knees
The shovel strikes and throws up dirt as it hits the ground, catching only the edge of your robe as you slip past. It’s difficult to throw dirt in Cheriette’s eyes from behind her, so you stomp the back of her knees instead. Would’ve been dishonorable anyways.

The large woman falls to knee with a yell, leaving opportunity for you
>Jump on Cheriette’s back!
>Stab at her sides with your fan!
>Beat on her with your soldier!
>Write-in
>>
>>4098775
>Beat on her with your soldier!
As in using the soldier as a blunt weapon? If so, strike her in the back of the neck.
>>
>>4098775
>Jump on Cheriette’s back!
And then grab her horn
>>
>>4098775
>>Stab at her sides with your fan!
>>
>>4098775
>Beat on her with your soldier!
>>
Aaaaa sorry once again for the long pause between posts. I should be free for the rest of the night tho.
>>4098782
>>4099955
>Beat on her with your soldier
Execute maneuver No.60198! You grab your machine by the noodle legs and slam Cheriette on the back of the neck with it! He clings onto her as the horned beast yelps out again, and you both start beating on her now lowered head from the back and the front! Blows from your tessen land on her face while the little soldier punches tiny fists against the back and top of her head.
Cheriette yells out in rage before grabbing the machine, shoving you away, and throwing it at you! She looks pretty damn pissed under all those cuts and soon-to-be bruises.

Here comes a tin can, hurdling towards your face with the velocity of an all-star pitch!
>Dodge the machine!
>Try to catch your soldier!
>Hit the can back at Cheriette, swinging your tessen like a bag
>Write-in
>>
>>4100045
>Sidestep and catch the tin can as it moves past you, then use the momentum to spin and hurl it back at Cheriette. While it's coming back to her flank to the right side.
>>
>>4100045
>>Try to catch your soldier!
>>
>>4100076
Support
>>
>>4100076
+1
>>
>>4100076
>>4100152
>>4100156
>Maneuver No.4100076
It’s a smooth series of events that follows your quick thinking. You feel the metal on your fingertips and clamp down on the underside of the machine’s chin. The momentum almost catches you off guard, he was going damn quick, but you have it under control. Once, twice, and a third time you twirl in quick succession before hurling the can back to its sender! If he were walking from the sky, you could classify him as a meteorite, and for a brief moment you think he gains a trail before he meets his target.
Cheriette barely has enough time to bring up her shovel and shield her face, but not enough to brace it. The soldier hits the shovel head, the shovel head hits Cheriette’s face, and the machine ricochets off over the stands towards the tent. The crowd roars in cheer at the display of skill, and your opponent is left dizzied by the hit!

She’s open! Strike true, Tomoe!
>Deliver a hard strike to Cheriette’s head with your tessen
>Move in to steal Cheriette’s huge shovel
>Dropkick her in the face. Straight up
>Write-in
>>
>>4100457
>Dropkick her in the face. Straight up
>>
>>4100457
>Dropkick her in the face. Straight up
DROPKICK OF DOOM!
>>
>>4100457
>Dropkick her in the face. Straight up
>>
>>4100496
>>4100529
>>4100792
>Dropkick her in the face. Straight up
Your opponent staggers a bit as she recovers from the shovel hit, and is met with the bottoms of your feet when the looks up! The thud is thunderous when she falls to the floor, but the cheer from the audience is even louder. Cheriette groans and holds her head, trying to right it from the harsh abuse it's taken.

>Strike her again while she's on the ground!
>Demand she yield to you!
>Take her shovel and declare your victory now
>Write-in
>>
>>4101567
>>Take her shovel and declare your victory now
>>
>>4101567
>Strike her again while she's on the ground!
I doubt she’s through yet. Let’s give her the legendary Bruce Lee jumping stomp!
>>
>>4101567
>Strike her again while she's on the ground!
>>
>>4101567
>Strike her again while she's on the ground!
>>4101583
We're just full of maneuvers in this fight. I wonder what our strategy for Arthur should be?
>>
>>4101583
>>4101597
>>4101631
>Strike her again while she's on the ground!
No mercy, no even for this western teammate of yours! You jump up in a flip before coming down hard on Cheriette’s face again! There’s a sound of shallow cracking, not unlike a stone being chipped at the surface. As you hop off of her, you spy her face bleeding from the forehead.
C: “...fuckin’ hells.”
She rubs her temples, letting the shovel slip from her hand.
C: “Yeah... yeah, alright. You can beat that noble’s ass. Shit, my brain’s rattlin’.”
Cheriette holds up a hand in surrender to the applause of the crowd. The loud lad declares your victory.

Only one fight left, Tomoe. You’ve come so far!
>Give a penultimate bow to the audience!
>Help Cheriette to her feet. She’s your teammate after all!
>Leave the arena in search of your machine!
>Write-in
>>
>>4101859
>Write in
>GLOAT
That silly westerner underestimated us from day one!
>>
>>4101859
>Help Cheriette to her feet. She’s your teammate after all!
Then
>Leave the arena in search of your machine!
>>4101631
We use his shine against him!
>>
>>4101859
>Help Cheriette to her feet. She’s your teammate after all!
>>
>>4101859
This>>4101976
>>
>>4101976
>>4101989
>>4102213
>Help Cheriette to her feet, then search for your machine!
In your infinite benevolence, you offer a hand to the brash mountain of woman. She looks at it and at you for a moment before tentatively accepting it, and whoof, she’s really damn heavy. Still, you do your best to lift her from the ground, and with her doing most of the work, you succeed! Cheriette dusts herself off, using you as a crutch for a minute, before looking down at you and giving a shallow, but firm nod. The two of you make your way to the edge of the arena where you help her over the fence, and then out back to the tent.
Inside, the two of you are almost immediately jeered at by Arthur’s retinue, notably lacking their ringleader first the moment.
HO1: “Look at em, had to beat up their own pal!”
HO2: “Right fuckin’ mental defectives, ain’t they?”
HO3: “Dull-brains of the smoothest kind, innit?”
They snicker among themselves, pointing and making a clear attempt to try and lure you over for further fun-making.

>Approach them with Cheriette to give them multiple pieces of your mind
>Approach them and ask where their master is
>Ignore them, you’re going to find your machine first
>Write-in
>>
>>4102533
>>Ignore them, you’re going to find your machine first
>>
>>4102533
Oh shit! We forgot the mustache! Magic may not be allowed in the tournament but it will be useful later. Did we get it back QM Pk?
>>
>>4102668
Yeah, we should really get that back.
>>
>>4102533
>Ignore them, you’re going to find your machine first
>>
>>4102533
>>Ignore them, you’re going to find your machine first
>>
>>4102668
>>4102744
It should still be where you left it!

>>4102540
>>4102768
>>4102835
>Ignore them, you’re going to find your machine first
You and your companion simply walk in by as the trio toss progressively less enthused insults at you from afar, eventually deciding to stop due to boredom. Setting Cheriette down on the bench next to Llewelyn, the latter of which nods between the two of you impressed, you trot off to find your soldier!

No man left behind, but where to look first?
>Search the tent proper
>Look got signs of your machine’s landing
>Ask around for sightings of it
>Retrieve your mustache first
>Write-in
>>
>>4103133
>Retrieve your mustache first
We EARNED that lip caterpillar and we're not letting it get away
>>
>>4103133
>Retrieve your mustache first
Gimme the magic baby!
>>
>>4103133
>>Look got signs of your machine’s landing
>>
>>4103138
>>4103142
>Retrieve your mustache first
The recollection of your daring stache-throw suddenly pops into your head! Gah, your treasure is still on the ground out there! Racing back to the arena, you vault the fence and search for your fauxcial hair.
You check around a few impressions of footfalls, a few sweep marks, and finally find it next to a big, almost comical outline of Cheriette.
Now that you think about it, this was around where your machine was catapulted away by the dread Laws of “Fisicks.” Standing in the spot you guesstimate to be where can met shovel, you look in the direction of the way he went sailing. From the arena, over the stands, and into the roof of the tent perhaps? The loud lad calls to you from the side of the arena to tell you that, “All combatants must wait until called to enter the arena!”

You tuck your lip caterpillar into your robes once more and ponder the “truhjecktoree.”
>Try to estimate where exactly he landed
>Head back to the tent to search
>Play with your mustache for a bit
>Write-in
>>
>>4103209
>Try to estimate where exactly he landed
>wear the mustache
Stroking it while we think will surely help
>>
>>4103219
Support.
>>
>>4103209
>>Try to estimate where exactly he landed
>>
>>4103219
>>4103289
>>4103394
>Try to estimate where exactly he landed while stroking your mustache
Hmm, yess, of course. Wearing the mustache, you feel so much more erudite, scholarly even. Is this why so many old mages grow long beards? Hmm, this stroking power is a secret weapon to rival the anti-divination rituals thought up during the civil war. After a moment of pondering, you reckon your machine must’ve landed somewhere near the back of the tent! The loud lad turns back to the arena with an annoyed expression and shouts
Loud Lad: “OY, IF YOU ALREADY LOST, GET OUTTA THE PEN! OUTTA THE ARENA, LOSER!”

Excuse you?
>Teach this loud lad some manners
>Ask what he means by calling you a loser
>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
>Write-in
>>
>>4103443
(Whoops, forgot the pic related!)
>>
>>4103443
>>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
>>
>>4103443
>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
>>
>>4103443
>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
>>
>>4103447
Ah, so it only gives us that one transformation. Slightly disappointing but two forms are better than one.
>>4103443
>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
>>
>>4103454
>>4103473
>>4103497
>>4103520
>Ignore this westerner as well and search for your machine
You wave a dismissive hand towards the lad and exit the arena once more. Walking through the tent, you make it about halfway to the spot you think the machine landed before you're stopped by Sergeant Coeur! He, or she, whichever, seems to be avoiding your eyes, looking up and over your hat as she talks to you.
SC: "How did you two escape? Come with me, we have to take you back. Please don't try to run again, I'm not in the mood."

You mustache tingles a bit as she hold your wrist... in a surprisingly loose-feeling grip. Has your arm always been that thick? And hairy?
>Refuse to go with the watch sergeant outright
>Question what she means by "you two." There's only one Tomoe here
>Take the mustache off
>Write-in
>>
>>4103533
Take of the moustache
>>
>>4103533
>Question what she means by "you two." There's only one Tomoe here
>>
>>4103533
>Question what she means by "you two." There's only one Tomoe here
I did my best to avoid metagaming here.
>>
>>4103533
>>Take the mustache off
>>
>>4103599
>>4103603
>>4103612
>>4103763
>Tie! (De-stache and You Two?)
"That's a weird thing to say to one person," you think as you scratch your tingly mustache. The errant finger manages to knock the mustache from your lip, and Sgt. Coeur's grip on your wrist tightens suddenly!
SC: "Wh- you!? How did you-"
They snatch the lip-bush from the air and glare sharply at you, holding it near your face as the illusion dissipates
SC: "What is this? How did you get it?"

Coeur has suddenly gotten much more aggressive in demeanor with a lowered brow and a nasty, annoyed-looking scowl
>Try and swipe the stache back!
>Explain that you got it from the two urchins
>Just free yourself from the sergeant's grasp and keep looking
>Write-in
>>
>>4103923
Do this
>Explain that you got it from the two urchins
And if he/she won’t return it to us
>Try and swipe the stache back!
>>
>>4103923
>>Explain that you got it from the two urchins
>>Ask if she's seen our little machine
>>
>>4103923
>>Explain that you got it from the two urchins
>>
>>4103938
>>4103985
>>4104452
>Explain that you got it from the two urchins (with addons)
SC: "You just... picked it up after the two little ones dropped it?"
You nod in confirmation
SC: "And didn't think to turn it in to a member of the watch?"
Well when you put it like that...
SC: "Ma'am, if persons being pursued by members of the Ophelian watch are in possession of magical items, it is your civic duty to put said items in safe hands."
The Sergeant begins to tuck the mustache away into their back pocket. Careful now, you just have to wait for the right opportunity...
SC: "As for your little machine... I believe that's what came through the ceiling of the tent there."
Coeur points up to the roof where a small, soldier-sized hole in the fabric has been ripped. Following the invisible line of action downwards, you see where it impacted a table, rolled onto the floor, and trotted along the ground. Judging by the tracks, it looks like the machine was making its way back to the arena before it suddenly turned around and backtracked to the opposite side of tent, exiting.
SC: "Now please, stay out of trouble?"
You give the watchperson a nod of confidence, to which they sigh. As soon as Coeur lets you go and turns around, you lift the mustache from her pocket, replace it into your robes, and head towards the trail!

Smooth moves, Tomoe. Now it's time to track down this little can...
>Follow the trail out the back of the tent
>Investigate the trail for more possible information
>Take a break from your search for a moment
>Write-in
>>
>>4104953
>Follow the trail out the back of the tent
>>
>>4104953
>>Follow the trail out the back of the tent
>>
>>4104953
>>Follow the trail out the back of the tent
>>
>>4104958
>>4104966
>>4104977
>Follow the trail out the back of the tent
The trail leads through one of the back flaps and continues through to what you'd guess to be the storage area. A few smaller tents with assortments of extra equipment, replacement wood, and some loose weapon racks all piled together.
Your machine's tiny footprints lead you to one of them, where the sound of shaking metal sounds out from within.

>Enter the storage tent
>Look closer at the surrounding area first
>Look up to the night sky
>Write-in
>>
>>4104996
>>Look closer at the surrounding area first
>>
>>4104996
>>Enter the storage tent
>>
>>4104996
Now you’ve got me paranoid
>Look up to the night sky
>>
File: Shiho's Delivery.png (910 KB, 1102x1242)
910 KB
910 KB PNG
>>4105020
>>4105115
>>4105139
>Tie! (Three-Way)
The dirt shows two additional, fresher sets of footprints approaching the tent, but only one leaving. All of which you've now stepped upon on your way here.
Inside, your machine shivers around on the floor next to
The light of the Red Star shines down on you through the cloth of the tent. Shiho's misfortune has come upon you.
>Check on Arthur, question him if you can
>Scoop up your machine and flee the scene
>Quickly search around for the cause
>Write-in
>>
>>4105213
>call the guard
what could possibly go wrong? we dindu nuffin, just a law abiding citizen
>>
>>4105213
I just knew this was trouble.
>Scoop up your machine and flee the scene
Let’s get our buddy and leave before witnesses show up. I’m pretty sure none of us want to be sent to the gallows.
>>
>>4105213
This bodes poorly.
>>4105230
Support. Fleeing the scene while no one else is here is our best bet. The footprints are going to do us in if we're the only ones around.
>>
>>4105230
>>4105235
>Scoop up your machine and flee the scene
Between your would-be final opponent fatally wounded here, the blood already on your tessen from earlier, the fact that you're the only one around, and many other factors, you conclude that your best bet is to flee as quickly as possible. You scoop your machine up into your arms and make for the supply tent's flap, hoping to get out of sight before-
Coeur: "Come out, easterner! I know you're around here, just give back the damn mustache and we can all go back to our business! Gods, what is with this freak...?"

Ah shit. The watch sergeant emerges from the back of the main tent with a downright pissed expression, but she doesn't seem to have spotted you yet. No telling how long that'll last though.
>Duck back into the supply tent and hide!
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
>Come out and try to convince Coeur of your innocence in the matter
>Write-in
>>
>>4105331
>Come out and try to convince Coeur of your innocence in the matter
>>
>>4105331
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
We already won the tournament by default anyway so i guess we can flee the scene and by extension the city before the posse comes after us.
>>
>>4105331
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
Time to kick rocks.
>>
>>4105453
>>4105468
skipping town means that we get no money and no way of clearing our reputation. they got no evidence against us - Arthur was gored and we have no blood on us.
>>
>>4105331
>Come out and try to convince Coeur of your innocence in the matter
>>
>>4105331
>Come out and try to convince Coeur of your innocence in the matter
>>Write-in
>>
>>4105331
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
>>
>>4105331
Man, FUCK the police! I won’t put my hands up!
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
>>
>>4105742
that's what a perp would do an we ain't no perp! don't you want to solve a murder mystery?
>>
>>4105331
>convince
Fuck being criminal and fuck not getting our reward.
>>
>>4105746
>>4105747
Y’all are stupid! We already look bad because of the mustache thing and now we’re just walking away from the scene of a murder lookingbskwtchy as fuck.
>>
I never expected to see samefagging in this cozy little quest.
>>
>>4105753
mustache thing has nothing to do with the murder. "dashing off" is just admitting that it was us - no one would listen to us after that. There is nothing that would prove that we were the murderer - the guy's bled all over the tent but there's no blood on our clothes and our weapon can't make such terrible wounds.
>>
>>4105753
Running just makes us soeones fall guy
>>
>>4105759
Clearly you ain’t never dealt with law enforcement. Let me just tell you the basics: shit escalates quickly. Simply by “stealing”, being the only one around, leaving a trail, and having blood on our weapon is enough to have them lock us up.

Besides who said we’d get caught running away? Better run off and double back to where everyone else is. If you dumbasses really want to solve your little mystery do it while we aren’t the main suspect.
>>
>>4105766
That's basically what I was thinking. No face, no case. At least this way we can rely on our skill instead of the leaving our fate at the hands of someone else, someone who already doesn't trust us to begin with.
>>
>>4105766
There footprints left by our machine and our weapon has no blood on it, smart ass. Better to explain it now than later.
>>
>>4105773
Read nigga! Read!
>The dirt shows two additional, fresher sets of footprints approaching the tent, but only one leaving. All of which you've now stepped upon on your way here.

>Between your would-be final opponent fatally wounded here, the blood already on your tessen from earlier, the fact that you're the only one around, and many other factors, you conclude that your best bet is to flee as quickly as possible

>The watch sergeant emerges from the back of the main tent with a downright pissed expression, but she doesn't seem to have spotted you yet.

Were you fucking dropped as a kid or something?
>>
>>4105776
Okay, my bad about the blood on weapon.
But what about machine's footprints? Got any way to cover that up? Cause the text says that there are two sets in ADDITION to them. And Coeur already knows that we're somewhere around here.
>>
>>4105766
Fine. As long as we're not fucking ifoff completely. Still sounds like it's just making things more complicated.
>>
>>4105776
If we're already on the top of the suspect list, then it's better to confront them here and now.
>>
>>4105779
This ain’t about covering something up it’s about not being around to take the heat. This ain’t a good look and if we don’t run the best we can hope for is that they lock us up and let us go later if they catch someone else.
>>
>>4105781
I never said anything about leaving the city I just wanted to get out of there and hand around the arena. We can have our partners lie for us if anyone comes looking for us.
>>4105782
Bruh, I don’t even know what to say to you. What preschool do you go to?
>>
>>4105784
Well, at least you dropped the namecalling. And how do you propose to get any sort of reward for participating in the tournament? If we skip town then we'll be back to square one with no money or rep and these last two threads were just a waste of time.
>>
>>4105788
Dude, fuck off. Go samefag somewhere else.
>>
>>4105790
Read this shit bruh.
>I never said anything about leaving the city
>>4105793
Where’s your proof bitch?
>>
>>4105793
I'm not going to lie, he's being a bit of an ass but the last 3 "turn yourself in" votes were cast by 1 post IDs. That's suspicious at best and blatant samefagging at worst. This thread usually has 3-4 people voting per update and now all of these "law abiding citizens" are coming out of the woodwork. I'd have my eyebrow raised pretty damn high if I were the QM.
>>
>>4105800
Phoneposting
>>
>>4105331
>>Duck back into the supply tent and hide!
>>
>>4105809
I wasn't pointing fingers at anyone in particular, but you have to admit the voting for this most recent update has been sketchy. Also, not to put you on the spot but saying that you're phoneposting doesn't exactly exonerate you. Once again, I'm not accusing you, I'm just stating the facts.
>>
>>4105331
Alright, welp. In light of recent tom-fuckery, I’m gonna call a recount. Please, try to keep yourselves in check.

So, recount. Hopefully without any samefagging or yelling this time
>Duck back into the supply tent and hide!
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
>Come out and try to convince Coeur of your innocence in the matter
>Write-in
>>
>>4105911
Sorry for all the yelling dawg.
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
>>
>>4105911
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
Let's do this legit this time people.
>>
>>4105911
>>Duck back into the supply tent and hide!
>>
It’s all good, just please try not to let it happen again. Now back to the quest!
>>4105920
>>4105929
>Dash through the tents and try to escape into the city!
Though not formally trained in the art of stealth, you are quick on your feet. You make a break for a gap between two tents leading away from the tent as the Watch Sergeant whips around and calls after your dust.
You run into the park, then into the streets, into the alleyways, and melt into the shadows of Ophelie as the sounds of whistles pweeet out from the tournament tent. Back there, the watch sweeps the area for the mysterious figure that evaded them.
Sergeant Coeur checks the supply tent the tracks led from and comes across the grisly sight.
Coeur: “No fucking way... Hartmann, go alert the station! Get the gates in and out of the city under heavy watch! Tell the lord we’ve got a big godsdamned problem on our hands.”

“The limey-pricks’ prince is murdered in our city. Ask him... ask him what we should do.”
>Disappear into the night...
>>
>>4106091
>>Disappear into the night...
>>
>>4106091
Aw shit! We in this now! I though we could’ve ninja’d our way out of that.
>Disappear into the night...
>>
>>4106091
>Disappear into the night...
>>4106167
That was a fair assumption. Most samurai were actually trained in ninjutsu, not as much as actual ninja were but still they had some form of it. I guess Tomoe fell asleep during that part.
>>
>>4106091
>Disappear into the night...
Great
>>
>>4106108
>>4106167
>>4106171
>>4106327
>[End of Part 3!]

Thanks to everyone for coming out and participating in the story! Whew, long thread. Again, sorry for the big delays between posts, and sorry for the little debacle near the end there.
Next thread will probably be either Friday or Saturday, so stay tuned for an extra special edition of Hedge Quest!
>>
>>4106437
Can't wait.



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