Hey! Welcome back SE, I've been waiting.

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Last time, on ROAD TRIP!:

Alex got a call from his father that he had been dreading. Lord Trader Joseph Kimball-Carlin has arrived in-system for purposes unknown.

Venus, still cruising on a month of exposure to her star's radiation, is preparing for some verbal sparring (as opposed to the pic related physical sparring) with the local nobility. Remilia and Jake spent the day shopping with her, but after Venus had her purse stolen (and returned out of guilt) she stormed back to the castle. Jake got brained at a bar, but he's recovering well, and the trip continues.


>>20275489


Ohai.

>>20275577
I always love that pic.

>>20275604
I know right? For a quick sketch, Muju fucking nailed it.

Jake stood before his seat, watching Venus lead a small ceremony at the dinner table. The rows of Salamander serfs, local bureaucrats, politicos and merchants, and PDF officers were standing as well, and listening to Venus race through the pleasantries and pageantry. As she concluded, she motioned for her people to sit, and they did. A muted buzz of conversation began as the food was brought out by servitors and serfs. Venus was sitting at the head of the table, naturally, with nearly sixty people up and down its length, and a man Jake didn’t know at the opposite end. He was sitting at Venus’ right hand, with the Governor at her left, and the others of their party were scattered throughout.
As they sat, the Governor, Sralah, leaned across the table, his face grave. “Lord Seager, I must reiterate my apologies for what happened to you. I am deeply sorry.”
“Good. I just hope it doesn’t happen again,” Jake said. “I was out for over a day.”
“I’m sure it won’t,” Sralah said awkwardly.
“Good.” Jake glanced to his side to see how the man to his right was acting and aped him.
Venus’ eyes lit upon Sralah. “Governor. I thank you for your invitation.” She switched languages. “May we speak in Nocturnean?”
“I’m afraid I’m not conversational,” the Governor replied.
“Pity,” Venus said. She switched back to Gothic. “I wonder if my father’s messages would imply a nearing return visit on his part,” she said casually. “I hope so. He needs to see his people again.”
“We would be overjoyed to have our King back with us, of course, your Highness,” Sralah said. He lifted his hands as the servitor replaced his drink. “What are these messages?”

YES! been waiting all week for this thread SE :D It's good to have you back :D

Venus explained. “We send messages back to Terra every so often. Status reports, you know.”
The Governor nodded. His robe of office glimmered against the deep yellow and red lights of the ceremonial hall. “I understand. How is King Vulkan? What is he doing on Terra?”
“His role is to induct new members of the Terran wings of the Legions, and to oversee Terra’s own military,” Venus said. “He keeps quite busy, as you’d imagine.”
“Indeed,” Sralah said. “We tested his tank prototype on the plains of the Delta today. Remarkable weapon.”
Venus sipped her drink, taking in the room at a glance. It was clearly meant to accommodate the table. The room had the exact proportions of width and length as the table itself, leaving comfortable space behind the seats. The table itself was stone, grey marble, flecked with tiny gold quartz impurities.
“Governor, under what circumstances did Lord Trader Kimball-Carlin come to be in this system?” Jake suddenly asked.
“Oh, an accident aboard his ship,” Sralah said. “I invited him to the dinner when he stopped in Clymene for parts.”
“I see.” Jake tore into some bread, sensing Alex’s bitter glare on his neck. He couldn’t tell if it was his friend’s anger he was feeling or if Alex was just resenting life itself at that point, but Jake was feeling the awkwardness.

>>20275673
Excellent, I hope the wait is worth it.

And I don't get b&.

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>Mods ban awesome writefriend.
>Don't do anything about the real shit threads on /tg/

I wanted to be a mod once; but then I realised I lacked the requisite amunt of brain damage.

>>20275726

What? No, this wasn't a mod's fault. I triggered a wordfilter.

4chan has a lot of apocryphal wordfilters, set up to block spam and bots that aren't around any more. When the spam recedes, moot leaves them in place, and innocuous posts can trigger them.

>>20275472
I love how consistently you work at this stuff SE
Always loved the Emprahesque stuff too

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I don't know about you chaps but i'm f5ing at the speed of light in order to read more

Down the table, Alex was eating as fast as he decently could. Freya was sitting a few chairs down on the opposite side, trying not to laugh at Alex’s discomfort. Political Officer Haarlan, who had come down from the ship to attend the dinner for some reason – probably the tank – was chatting with Remilia, catching up.
Alex’s father, meanwhile, was busily talking shop with a number of local merchants. Two of them looked like administrators from the local crafthalls. Alex himself was wondering if he could make a break for it when the food was done, and the mingling part began. For the time being, his father’s capricious sense of humor was keeping the burden of conversation off of him. At that moment, Joseph was telling some complicated joke about how curses were pronounced on different planets, so it was working well.
Venus was going back to speaking with the governor. “What measures are being taken against this crime wave, precisely, Governor?” she pointedly inquired.
“Well, we’ve already instructed the Enforcers to begin increasing patrol coverage in the areas below the mining tunnels,” the Governor explained. “We’ve also begun increasing Customs presence at the ports, to prevent the smugglers from arriving in the first place.”
“And what is being done to address the rise in violence from and against Terran tourists and gangsters?” Venus asked.
“Well, short of racial profiling, there’s really not much we can do,” the Governor hedged. “Most of them are here under legitimate visas. We can only hope to catch them in the act and surveillance is in place to that end.” Sralah looked pained for a moment. “I know that doesn’t sound like enough. Do you have any suggestions?”

Moar! Diddi mao!

“No, it doesn’t sound like enough.” Venus’ eyes glimmered. “I’d encourage you to confer with your counterparts from the other Sanctuaries to see what measures they’ve put in place.”
“I assure you, we have, Princess,” the Governor said.
Jake coughed. “Er, Governor, if I may, Terra has a number of novel solutions to this problem; certainly it happens in the hives all the time. Gangs, smuggling, attempted murder…”
The entire end of the table looked over to him. “What do you mean, Lord Seager?” Sralah asked.
“Well, on Terra, the problem stems from the gargantuan populations of immigrants from other planets that arrive on-planet and make no attempt to integrate with the local populations,” Jake nervously explained. The attention was discomforting. “Of course, you know, there’s only so much you can do about that…but the way the Praetors handled it back home was to install motion-sensitive floodlights at street corners so people couldn’t hide in the shadows. Then, they installed Doppler triangulators to measure the distance of any given microphone from the sound of gunshots, and put a few million of those around. Then they put surveillance cameras on every outdoor ATM and intersection.”
“That sounds rather invasive,” the Governor noted.
Jake shrugged. “Welcome to the Hives.”
“Did it work?” an Enforcer officer at the table asked.
“It did. Violent crime dropped by a significant degree,” Jake reported.
“Hmm. Well, it’s worth considering,” the Enforcer said, digging back in to her goulash. “I suppose the people protested?”
“Well, I have no idea. This happened thousands of years ago, and of course the only thing the historians recorded was that it worked,” Jake said cynically. He softened the remark with a joke. “Certainly nobody cared if the criminals disliked it.”

Venus smiled. “See, this the other reason I keep you around,” she gently teased.
Jake shot a nervous glance at her, as if he couldn’t tell she was joking. She winked at him and turned back to her own food.
Alex, down the row, finished off his own food and tensed, his hands on the armrests of his chair. His father was turning to a topic he had hoped Joseph would avoid: Alex’s own college plans. “Well, Alex said he wanted to go to college to play, of course,” Joseph noted.
“Were it only that Nocturne could entertain such a standard of living,” one of the local merchants observed.
“So, Lord Carlin…er, the younger, that is. What sport do you play?” the other asked, finally turning to Alex in person.
“Rugby, midfielder,” Alex said. “Imperator High Varsity, Division one.”
“Division?”
“Er, athletic division, not the military kind,” Alex said. “There’s so many schools that they get assigned to leagues of equivalent budgets and team sizes and such.”
“I can’t imagine living on a world with so many people,” the first merchant said.
Alex shrugged. “I had it better than most. The underground hives are much more densely populated. My hometown, Startseite, is actually less densely populated than, say, Themis.”
“Truly?” the second merchant asked. “Interesting. Do you have any aspirations towards joining your father’s Trader fleet?”
Alex paused. “I don’t know. I want to see how far my sports career takes me, and I want to get my degree. Those take priority.”
“I see.” The second merchant looked like he was about to say more, when Venus stood at the head of the table.

“Well, Governor, thank you for the excellent meal,” she said, her red gaze sweeping the room. “Shall we adjourn to the ballroom?”
“Indeed, your Highness,” Sralah said. He stood as well, as did the rest of the group. Jake took the opportunity to glance at the others of their group, noting with grim humor that Alex looked about ready to run for the door. As the group parted to allow Venus to lead them into the nearby room, Alex faded into the shadows of a large, black marble column, and stayed there.
Jake sighed. His own father had never intimidated or enraged him that much. He meandered over to where his friends was lurking. “If you want to head out, man, feel free,” Jake said, sotto voce.
“I will, trust me,” Alex muttered. “At the dinner, we had to stay in place, at least. No such safeguards here.”
“What’s with the tin soldier costume?” Jake asked, glancing over the purple, white, and black outfit.
“My father’s colorblind,” Alex said tightly. Jake put his hands up. Alex sighed. “Sorry.”
“Go, man. No reason to stick around. You came on your own, Freya can find her own way back or leave with us,” Jake pointed out.
“Yeah.” Alex glanced over at where Venus was holding court. Soft music was starting up from the speakers on the pillars and columns of the room. “I just might.”
Freya spotted them scheming near the door and chuckled. She trotted over, a grin on her face. “Well, there you are. You trying to escape?”
“I sure am,” Alex said, looking around for his father. Joseph was bedazzling the Governor with some tale or another, his attention firmly drawn away. “Why? You trying to duck out too?”
“Nope, I want to stay and mingle a while,” Freya said.
Alex grimaced. “All right. I’ll see you tonight,” he said, sidling towards the door.

“Alex, come on. Stick around for a while. Your father’s fucking about with the Governor, you’re safe,” Freya said gesturing over to an expansive dessert table. “At least stay for some wine and schmoozing?”
Alex sighed, tightly and impatiently. “Fine. Not a second longer than the time it takes for Dad to get bored. I know, I know,” he said, catching his friends’ irritated looks. “I sound like a preacher, here, but trust me, Dad WILL fuck this.”
Venus was deep in conversation with one of the local PDF officers when Jake walked by her on his way from Alex. “Colonel, that’s not really the point. The distribution of Mechanicus blueprints to the city manufactoriae is important, obviously, but that means they get to pick production oversight methods. And the means they have selected are both quite direct,” Venus said. “That’s the price we paid.”
“I know that, your Highness, but it’s cutting into their resources and our time,” the officer said. “The unlikelihood of an attack on a Legionary homeworld aside, some of our gear is five generations old. We’re still using the Mark Ten Leman Russ Demolisher, for goodness’ sakes. They’re overseeing our production, so they have to know how old some of it is. And of course, meanwhile the Salamanders just get copies of the blueprints to make as many of their designs as they wish.”
Venus’ eyes narrowed in silence. The officer paused as his words caught up to him. “Astartes’ needs would be greater, of course, your Highness, but the point stands. Why would the Mechanicus insist on babysitting us and then make their own jobs harder?”

>>20275726
Autobans, man. You think mods actually wander these dark roads?

>>20276467
Our old mod, the guy from Germany, used to troll Grey Knights rage threads. Other than that, I doubt it.

What words are filtered?

“Who knows?” Venus asked. She caught Jake’s eye as he approached. “Jake, this is Colonel Kacmen, the local PDF quartermaster. Colonel, this is Jake Seager.
“Colonel,” Jake said, shaking the proffered hand.
“Sieur.” The colonel turned back to Venus. “Would you be able to assist us, your Highness?”
“Perhaps, if I was going anywhere near a Forge World at any point in the next five years,” Venus said. “I’m heading straight off to college, Colonel.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that,” the Colonel admitted. “Whereabouts, your Highness?”
“Kouthry Technical Institute, New Arks Hive, Terra,” Jake said. Kacmen glanced over at him.
“Are you a student there, sir?” the Colonel asked.
“I was accepted in the same class as Venus,” Jake said. “We’re rooming.”
“Rooming? I don’t know what that means,” Kacmen said.
“It means we’re moving into the same room. Sharing an apartment, Colonel,” Jake said.
Kacmen stared. “Oh. I…colleges on Nocturne don’t have those arrangements, you see,” he said. “Does this mean that you two are Bonded, your Highness?” he awkwardly asked.
“Nope,” Venus replied. “Just very close.” Jake smiled to himself, reflecting on his earlier plans, but kept quiet.
“Oh…” Kacmen trailed off, clearly wrong-footed, but pressed on. “Well, then…what program will you undertake at this college, then, your Highness?”
“I’ll be going for Inorganic Chemistry,” Venus said. “Jake’s going for Industrial Design.”
“Something that annoys and terrifies me,” Jake said with a laugh.
“Why take classes that frighten you?” Kacmen asked.

>>20276477
How should I know? I got banned for saying them, but there were three hundred other words in that post.

“No, no, not my program, Venus’. Inorganic? That stuff is a mystery to me. I loved my Chemistry classes at high school, but I’ve seen Venus’ textbooks, and they baffle me.” Jake smiled. “Design, now, that’s nice and simple, comparatively.”
“‘Simple,’ sure,” Venus scoffed. “Man, I’ve built anti-tank weapons from scratch in my basement and I can’t do what you do with a pencil.” Jake allowed a modest shrug.
Remilia, meanwhile, was browsing the dessert table when a familiar voice spoke up. “Well…this is a pleasant surprise.” Her eyes tracked the sound –
“Lieutenant Kines?” Remilia asked in surprise. “Wow, how are you? What are you doing ashside?
The officer shrugged, offering her his hand. “Someone needed to fly Haarlan back to the spaceport after he gets drunk,” he said quietly.
Remilia gaped. “What?”
“Did I say that? I actually meant that I really wanted to see you. Wait, that sounds creepy. How about ‘I volunteered to retrieve the data on the Punisher test from the Governor’s office, and also generously offered myself as the loyal martyr who got stuck in the room full of politicians while the other junior officers descend on Skarokk’s bars like a flock of vultures.’” Kines thought for a moment. “At least three of those are true.”
The deep red and yellow lights of the room vanished into the white and grey uniform he was wearing, which was notably bereft of pins, ribbons, medals, and so on. Then again, he was an O-2 Lieutenant. Remilia smiled. “Well, I’m glad to see you too. How has your month been?”
“Boring. Very much so. We weren’t allowed to leave the ship except in groups so we didn’t overwhelm the planet’s limited facilities,” Kines said.
“We only saw a few crew while we were down here,” Remilia remembered.

Good stuff! Keep going!

Question: Is this correct?

>Venus’ eyes lit upon Sralah. “Governor. I thank you for your invitation.” She switched languages. “May we speak in Nocturnean?”
>“I’m afraid I’m not conversational,” the Governor replied.

Should it not be:
"I'm afraid I'm not conversent" or "My knowledge of Nocturnean does not extend to conversation"
?

saying "I’m not conversational,” sounds like he just dislikes smalltalk.

Sorry to nitpick at a minor matter but in a previous thread you said you were bummed out by a lack of feedback.

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>>20275957
>Then they put surveillance cameras on every outdoor ATM and intersection.”

England approves

>>20276841
Those would also work, but he means he's not capable of speaking Nocturnean in casual conversation.

I appreciate the feedback.

“Well, ma’am, I’d like to think you stayed close to the upper crust, such as it is, as opposed to what my shipmates have probably been doing,” Kines said.
“What’s that?” Remilia asked.
“Going on hunting expeditions and getting eaten, getting riotously drunk, discovering Nocturnean food poisoning, and making all the local prostitutes very, very rich,” Kines listed.
The Imperial Fists heiress laughed aloud at his refreshing frankness. “Well, that’s certainly a long way from what we’ve been up to, all right,” she said. “Have you seen the others?”
“Sadly not, ma’am…Remilia,” he corrected. “I actually only arrived after the dinner.”
“Oh.” Remilia glanced around, seeing Jake and Venus still holding court with some PDF, Alex standing clean on the opposite side of the room from them, conspicuously close to a door, and Freya only a few paces away. “Freya, look who’s here.”
Freya glanced up. “Oh, hi Lieutenant! How’s things?” she asked, brushing her fingers on a napkin and walking over, a plate of desserts balanced precariously on one hand.
“Quite well, thanks,” Kines said, shaking her hand. “I suppose this is about the end of your sojourn, isn’t it?”
“Sadly,” Freya sighed. “But then we get to go to my home, and I am completely psyched.” She grinned at the thought, and her fangs glinted in the red light.
Kines, now inured to them, nodded politely. “Well, it’s good to see that you enjoyed your stay.”
“Well, not so much, really,” Remilia said glumly. “Did you hear about what happened to Jake?”
“’Fraid not, what happened to him?” Kines asked, glancing over at where the hiver was chatting with a young noble from a local family.

“He got brained by a drunk in a bar and nearly died,” Remilia said matter-of-factly. Kines started.
“Holy…wow, that’s awful!” He looked closer at the younger man and noted where the hair on the back of his head was shorn close. “Well, he’s okay, right?” he asked.
“He’ll be just fine,” Remilia assured him. Freya noted the pheromones that preceded Remilia’s next question with distinct interest. “How much longer are you ashside?”
Kines, lacking her ultra-refined senses, shrugged obliviously. “A few more hours. No more.” He half-smiled. “But we’re going to be the ones carrying you to Fenris, right?”
Remilia didn’t blush. Freya noted that that had taken conscious effort. “Right, of course. Well. Let’s avail ourselves of the time we have, then,” she said. Freya smiled to herself and decided to give her cousin a bit of privacy. She drifted over to where Jake was cheerfully trading banter with a local noble his own age.
“Well, barfights aside, sure, it’s been a fascinating and enjoyable trip,” Jake said to the much darker man. A boy, really, he looked younger even than Jake.
Freya walked up behind them as the other boy replied. “I’m glad to hear it,” he said. He turned as he saw Freya approach. “Ah, Lady Freya. A pleasure. I’m Avin Kel’ro,” he said, extending a hand.
She took the hand and shook it, smiling as if she had the vaguest idea who that was supposed to be. The lad seemed to wilt a bit as he realized that she had the same lack of knowledge that Jake had apparently displayed. Before he could expound upon it, however, an altercation from where Alex was standing caught her ear.

She was only fifteen paces from them, but even if she hadn’t been, and if she hadn’t had her hearing, she probably could have heard them. Alex was glaring at his stone-faced father, hand pointing as if in accusation. “NOT an option,” Alex snarled, and he turned on his heel to storm off.
“We’ll see,” his father said coldly. Alex’s gait paused – his fists clenched – his teeth clenched…with an act of will, he resumed his exit, all but slamming the door behind him.
Freya walked up behind where Carlin was standing in a crowd of now-silent locals, all of whom were quietly looking somewhere else. “What just happened?” Freya asked.
Carlin glanced over his shoulder. “Hello, Freya.”
“What just happened?” Freya repeated, staring at the door.
The Rogue Trader looked away. “Alex decided he doesn’t want to be a part of the future, apparently,” Joseph said curtly.
Freya stepped around him and glared into his eyes. “What did you just do?”
“Nothing I hadn’t told him I would do years ago,” Joseph bit off. “Madam, this is not your business.”
“Is it your business?” Freya asked.
“Naturally.”
“A shame. Because I thought a Rogue Trader’s business was in their Writ of Trade,” Freya said flatly. Carlin’s eyes snapped up. “And if I find out that the thing Alex has been afraid of you doing since the moment you arrived in-system, and which has been hanging over our vacation like a strategic bomber, has just occurred, your Writ will be revoked before you can say ‘Exchange Fraud,’” Freya whispered harshly. Before Carlin could recover, she turned to follow his son through the door.

Venus watched them go as Remilia and Kines slowly made their way over. Jake and his new friend stared from a few feet away. “Venus, what did he say?” Jake asked.
“That’s Alex’s story,” Venus said sadly. “Let Freya handle it.” She turned her gaze on her friends and family, her eyes dimming. “Please?”
“Sure,” Jake said after a moment’s contemplation. Kines swallowed, the professionally romantic evening he had been planning evaporating. Remilia looked down at her shoes, sighing heavily.
“Anyway. Governor,” Venus said, turning back to her shell-shocked subordinate. “What were you asking?”

>>20277315
>telling a primarchs daughter to butt out of something involving her boyfriend
>M41

I Shiggy-diggy

Alex stormed past the guards of the room, his face burning with shame. His father had said it. He had finally said what he had known the old bastard would say since the moment he had heard the Star had arrived in-system. He was done.
He nearly ran towards the car park outside, and all but jumped into the diplomatic car they had taken. “To the castle, quickly, then come back and wait for the others,” he said to the servitor.
The automaton lifted the car up, then paused. Alex glared at it in seething anger. “What?!” The door swung open as Freya caught up. “Oh…damn it all,” Alex groaned as his girlfriend climbed in. “Freya-”
“Hush,” she said. “We’re not going to talk, it’s okay. We’re just going to drive back to the Castle and get ready for bed,” she soothed.
Alex snorted angrily, but couldn’t say a word. Freya. She had been right, the entire time. The only one he could trust. She had been there every single time he had needed her, and now she was the only family he had.
The servitor guided them over the city to the Castle, setting them down on the pad. Alex launched out of the aircar and headed for the entrance to the castle, blowing past the startled serfs at the door without a word. He climbed the two flights to their room and ripped the door open, yanking his uniform shirt over his head and throwing it in the corner. “DAMN HIM!” he yelled to the empty room.
Freya walked in behind him, silent and hesitant. Her heart ached for her boyfriend, but she knew it was better to let him vent. Alex slammed the door of the bathroom as she took a few steps toward him. She heard him moving about and rambling to himself, and she sighed, her eyes watering.

Alex emerged into the room to find the lights dimmed, but not extinguished, and Freya leaning on the doorframe of the bathroom. “Alex, get in bed,” she said softly. “I’ll be right with you, I promise,” she said.
“Yeah,” Alex rumbled. Freya squeezed his shoulder and slid into the bathroom to begin her own routine.
While she did, Alex ripped off the suddenly unbearable uniform and threw it in the same corner, boots and all. He dropped onto a pillow and bunched his hand in it, trying to choke its life out.
His eyes were hot. He blinked, trying to clear them, but it wasn’t going away. Damn it.
The lights died completely. A moment later, he felt Freya’s warmth slide into bed alongside him. She didn’t say a word for nearly two agonizing minutes. Finally, he heard her faint voice. “I’m not looking.”
“What?” Alex bit off.
“I promise, I’m not looking.”
Alex was about to snap something back when the heat in his eyes overwhelmed him. A tear fell out of each, staining the pillow. Before he could address that, his whole chest shook with a sob. “D-damn it, you’re…” he managed. He sobbed again, and the dam was open. He wept, the heat spilling out of his eyes. Freya silently passed him a hand towel from the bathroom, and he buried his face in it, crying uncontrollably.
Freya turned to face his back, her own eyes leaking now. “Alex, baby…let it out,” she whispered.
“The son of a bitch,” Alex moaned. “He really did it.”
“What did he do, love?” she asked.
“He said that…that…” Alex coughed around his tightening throat. “H-he said that I had to choose between inheriting the Fleet and going to college. So, basically, my family or my ambition.” He wiped his eyes on the towel, coughing again. “I loathe him so much,” Alex whispered bitterly.

Showing the reader what emotions the characters are feeling

>“Sadly,” Freya sighed. “But then we get to go to my home, and I am completely psyched.” She grinned at the thought, and her fangs glinted in the red light.
>Alex slammed the door of the bathroom as she took a few steps toward him.
>She heard him moving about and rambling to himself, and she sighed, her eyes watering.
>Down the table, Alex was eating as fast as he decently could. Freya was sitting a few chairs down on the opposite side, trying not to laugh at Alex’s discomfort.
>Venus smiled. “See, this the other reason I keep you around,” she gently teased.
>“I will, trust me,” Alex muttered. “At the dinner, we had to stay in place, at least. No such safeguards here.”
>“My father’s colorblind,” Alex said tightly. Jake put his hands up. Alex sighed. “Sorry.”
>She trotted over, a grin on her face. “Well, there you are. You trying to escape?”

Telling the reader what emotions the characters are feeling

>sensing Alex’s bitter glare on his neck.
>Sralah looked pained for a moment.
>Jake said cynically.

Although telling is easier than showing it can break immersion and remind the reader that they are reading a story about Alex, Jake, Venus, Freya et al.

Showing the reader what emotion the characters are feeling makes it feel like you're sat there beside them at the table.

I spotted far more 'shows' than 'tells'.

Keep up the good work and don't get sloppy.

>Keep up the good work
I will, thanks.
> and don't get sloppy.
I'm trying.

I have a birthday party of my own to attend, so i will see you all tonight.

>>20277826
Enjoy the party, and don't drink too much booze.

Aw fucking yes, I'm here in time for a Warhammer High thread maybe. Tell me there's going to be more.

bumpan

Can I hear a BUMP?

bump

All right, back.

Bit surprised Ahriman and Navos didn't jump in, but I can add some more stuff now.

I'm not really sure how to do quotations on 4chan (just started posting here cause of your stories) but with regards to the bits where Jake is telling his suggestions to the entire nocturne court, I feel it would be better if instead of telling all his suggestions at once that there could be a short pause instead. I mean even in real life there should be a little pause. Jake seems awfully brave as well given that he's from a Hive and mingling rather well with unfamiliar nobles from an alien world. I personally feel that perhaps that showing a bit more hesitation and nervousness would be good?

Oh and welcome back SE XD

>>20281067
Oh fuck yes

>>20281069
He could, at that, but after having lunch with the Emperor, some Nocturnean nobility he may never see again aren't really all that imposing by comparison.

But yes, I'll take it under advisement. Also, to do quotes, the syntax is

>quotes
Just a single Greater Than sign.

Freya’s tears slid down her face as she listened to Alex suffer. His internals were a mess, she could hear. His heart rate and blood pressure were all over the place, and his stomach was clenching and unclenching so bad he sounded like he was on the verge of a vomiting spell. Her every instinct as his partner screamed at her to try and make him better. Her instincts as a Russ called her in a different, but similar direction.
“Alex…” she whispered. “I’m so sorry…”
“Don’t be, Freya, this is a good thing,” he snarled into the towel. “Now we can stay together after summer. Let the bastard die alone. Goodness knows driving Mom away wasn’t enough.” He started crying again. “Damn it all…damn it…” he sobbed.
Freya buried her face in his bare back, wetting his skin with her tears. Alex’s own weeping faltered.
“Freya, please don’t…don’t cry, I’m sorry, you…you didn’t do anything wrong,” he said feebly. “You’re all I have left at this point,” he continued. “Come on, pull, pull yourself together,” he said, before he curled up in a ball as the enormity of the moment hit him. “Oh my god, how am I even going to be able to GO to college if he’s not covering it?” he whispered as the full extent of his choice dawned.
Freya heaved, her natural empathy overwhelming her. “Alex…please…” she whispered tremulously.
Alex sagged into the mattress, reeling. Freya gingerly pulled at his shoulder, rolling him onto his back. His face was a mask of tears over an expression of shock, abandonment, and seething rage. Freya sniffed, looking down on her agonized lover. “Please…” she whispered again. “…please hold still.”

>>20281120

yeah, was just a suggestion :) I still think your writing is awesome, I was just wondering about that bit that's all :)

Alex stared blindly up at the ceiling, his mind firing on all cylinders. Freya allowed her instincts to take hold, and she gently nuzzled his neck, planting tiny kisses around his jawline. She gradually worked her way across to his cheek, rubbing it gently, her very human emotions and canine instincts merging.
“Freya…”Alex whispered brokenly. She ignored him, settling her body flush with his, trying to comfort him. She starting crying again, almost silently. Distantly, Alex heard a faint, persistent, animal whimper from the back of her throat, one she probably wasn’t even aware of. Alex’s eyes screwed up.
She gently moved up to his ear, running her lips along it, trying to make him feel better. She slid both hands over his chest to his other side and held him tight, desperately trying to soothe his hurt.
He reached out with his free hand and held her still for a long moment. He turned his head to look at her, not that he could see in the total darkness of the room. She could, and hopelessly looked into his eyes, searching for some vague sign that it was working.
Alex slowly shifted to lie parallel to her. “Freya…thanks,” he said faintly. He was still a mess inside, but seeing how much distress he was causing her had brought him some clarity. “Thanks…for being here for me,” he whispered.
She nodded against her bunched-up hair. “Forever,” she murmured, tears still pouring from her eyes. She nipped his ear. The familiar gesture nearly started Alex off again, but he held it in check with an effort. He gently pulled her upper leg over his own and slid himself flush with her, and she snuggled up against him, still trying to ease his pain.

“Freya…I don’t say it often enough.” Alex sniffed again. “I love you. I really do.”
Freya nodded against his chest, wrapping both arms around him. “I know you do, Alex, and I love you,” she said, her voice shaking. He closed his eyes and held her tight, trying to calm his raging emotions. “You’re still hurting,” she whispered. “God, I can HEAR you hurting.” She turned miserable eyes on him. “I want to make it all better, but I just don’t know how.”
Alex sighed, exhaustion pulling at him. “I’m sorry.”
“Would…we could have sex,” she whispered. “Would that make you feel better?”
“Thanks, sweetheart, but…I’m a mess. I wouldn’t enjoy it.”
“Just a thought,” Freya said, chagrined.
He squeezed his arm across her braids. “But, really, baby…thanks. Just…be here, okay? I don’t…I don’t know, I’m…going to try to sleep, think this over in the morning.”
Freya nodded against his chest, hearing his heart finally start to slow. “Okay.” She cradled herself up to him, letting her warmth soak into his body. “I’m so sorry you’re hurting,” she said faintly.
“I am too, baby,” he said thickly. He leaned into her hair and sighed. “But you’re here.”
“I’m here,” she responded. She closed her eyes and listened carefully as he drifted off to an uneasy sleep.

Venus walked out of the Governor’s mansion and straight up to Carlin’s car as the party started to break up. She was only waiting a minute before Carlin emerged. “Lord Carlin. What was that altercation with your son earlier?” she asked.
Carlin moved to pass her. “An internal matter of the Kimball-Carlin trade fleet,” he said.
Venus’ hand shot out and grabbed his elbow. “I beg to differ,” she said coldly. “Because tonight, you made it our business too.”
Carlin tried to pull his arm away and found it locked in a death grip. “This does not concern you, your Highness,” he grated. He tugged at his arm, and this time Venus squeezed, as hard as her super-human anatomy would allow. Carlin gasped in surprise and sudden discomfort.
“Wrong,” Venus bit off. Her eyes flared to a frightening red. “Listen carefully, Carlin, because I don’t feel like repeating myself. Your unwanted presence in MY star system has been hanging over this entire trip, and Alex has been resenting every second of it, thoroughly torpedoing an effort that I had hoped would make a good endcap to a very, very shitty Senior Year of high school.” Her grip creaked on his arm. “So if you are still present in this system, or, if you’re an even bigger idiot than you look, the Fenris system when next I check, I will personally approve your internment by the Legion, for as long as I care to. Is that anything other than crystal clear?”
Carlin snarled, but even enraged he knew not to defy a Lady Primarch. “Yes…your Highness.”

Venus tossed his arm aside with casual disgust, and reached into the opening door of the car to extract Alex’s bag of possessions. As she emerged, she skewered the seething Rogue Trader with a withering glare. “I mean it, Carlin. This was supposed to be a chance for Alex to relax and get away from home, and he specifically told you so before he left. Make tracks, or learn to like prison food.”
Without another word, she tossed the bag over her shoulder and walked up to where the Governor was nervously waiting. Seeing the burning anger in her eyes, he immediately dropped to one knee. “Your Highness, I must offer my apologies for the behavior of my guest. If I had known he had been instructed not to be here, I would have not have invited him,” he said, contrition and apology etched on his face. “And for these crimes to have further spoiled your time…I am profoundly sorry.”
Venus drew herself up, eyes flashing. “Governor, I would have you implement my boyfriend’s suggestions, regarding the reduction of this crime spree. As for the behavior of Lord Trader Carlin, his faults have been addressed by my own hand, and he will not trouble us again if he wishes to breathe clean air.” She glared down at Sralah. “However, with incident after incident intruding on our time on this world, I am beginning to wonder if perhaps I should have spent the trip elsewhere, which is the LAST feeling I wished to have on this venture. Need I go into detail?”
“Certainly not, your Highness!” the Governor said, scrambling to his feet, and paling a bit. “How may I rectify it?”

Venus scoffed. “Right now, it’s probably too late to implement new measures in time for the rest of the trip. I suspect we will simply make a point of visiting only those areas of the city and its environment that are deemed secure by the Enforcers, however few that may be.” She added the final barb with a chilling directness. “Until then…farewell.” She turned on her heel and walked back to where the diplomatic car had returned, leaving the Governor staring at her cape.
Kines and Remilia were standing beside the car already, and Venus slowed to grant them a moment’s quiet. “Well, Remilia, I’m sorry things took a turn for the sour,” Kines said ruefully.
Remilia nodded in agreement, her face glum. “Me too.” She looked up at him, shrugging. “Well, I’m sure things will calm down on the ship.” She smiled slightly. “So…which of the four things wasn’t true?”
“Pardon?”
“Back when I saw you after you arrived. Which of the four wasn’t true?” Remilia asked.
Kines thought back. “Uh, the part about having to drive Haarlan back to the starport,” he said. The obvious implication, that he really wanted to see her again, brought a hint of pink to her cheeks.
“Well…that’s nice of you,” she said, feeling a funny sensation she hadn’t felt in a while running through her. Kines, obviously, noticed. He nervously grinned. Venus’ eyes followed them back and forth, her eyebrows slowly rising in mirth.
“I…suspect we won’t see each other until you’re ready to depart for Fenris, ma’am…Remilia, so for now, at least, goodbye,” he said. She reached over and squeezed his hand, then quickly turned it into an awkward hug.

Venus bit her lip. Kines flushed deep red and took a step back. “In case Haarlan’s watching, let’s pretend you just fell,” he said nervously.
“R-right,” she said. She slid into the car. “Uh, goodnight, Lieutenant.”
“Good night, ma’am,” Kines said. He stared at her a moment longer before turning and nearly bumping into Venus. “Oh! Sorry, ma’am, didn’t see you there,” he quickly apologized.
Venus offered up a sly, encouraging little smile. “It’s nice to see Remilia happy again,” she said off-handedly, as Jake climbed into the car too.
“Well, I’d…hmm.” Kines shrugged awkwardly. “I suppose it is,” he said.
Venus winked. “Uh huh. You keep yourself out of trouble, now, Lieutenant,” she said, following Jake into the car.
Remilia was cradling her hand where she had shaken Kines’, staring out the window into the setting red sun. Venus closed the door and the car took off.
“Remilia.”
She turned her head to look at her cousin, apprehensive. “That was adorable,” Venus continued.
“Shush,” Remilia grumbled. She suddenly looked upright. “Oh man, you don’t think Haarlan was really watching, do you? I don’t want him to get in trouble.”
“Haarlan was already in his car,” Jake said. “I think you’re good.”
Remilia sighed. “All right.” She sat back in her seat, looking for some safer topic. “So…what do we have planned for the rest of the trip?” she asked.
“Nothing, we can do whatever,” Venus said. She clenched a fist. “But after that scumbag Carlin…I think I’m going to call in a favor, really go all-out with you guys. We deserve SOMETHING good in this city,” she said darkly.
“A favor? With who? You’ve never been to Skarokk before,” Jake pointed out.
“Not personally.” She leaned forward. “You guys will love it. Trust me.”

File: 1344740021737.jpg-(158 KB, 800x800, Unyuufex hug.jpg)

>>20282171
Love me some Kines and Remilia.

>>20282225
There's so much mutual spaghetti you can't help but love it.

Freya’s eye snapped open at the sound of Venus’ voice in the hall. She very slowly disentangled herself from Alex and padded over to the door, opening it a crack. “Guys?” she whispered.
Venus turned to look at her and passed her Alex’s bag. “Alex’s stuff.”
Freya nodded. “Carlin?”
“Gone by sunrise if he doesn’t want to get arrested,” Venus replied under her breath. Freya nodded.
“Good. See you when…” she glanced over at Alex. “When he’s ready.”
“Take good care of him, now,” Venus whispered solemnly. “No plans for tomorrow. Take as long as he needs.”
“I will,” Freya promised with a sad little smile. How fitting that people who were little more than aliens to most humans could care for Alex more than his own blood relatives, she thought.
Venus mouthed ‘good night’ and made into her room, with Jake and Remilia dispersing as well. Freya closed the door and set the bag down. As she did, however, the battery in his vox beeped to signify its dying charge, and Alex awoke.
“Whu?” he asked. Freya was at his side in an instant, gently kissing his forehead.
“Shh, baby, it’s just the others coming back from the party.”
“Mmm.” Alex settled back down as Freya curled up next to him. He shifted partway, leaning over her. “Freya…do you think I’m…stupid?” he asked blearily.
“Of course not, why would I do that?” she asked softly.
“Because I am…I went and saw the bastard this afternoon…after I promised myself…that I wouldn’t,” he muttered. “Asshole probably planned this entire thing…preyed on my…wanting him to…to…” he trailed off as he choked up again.

Freya squeezed her eyes shut to ward off bitter tears. “Alex, I love you, and your mother loves you, and Venus and Jake and Remilia love you. That’s good too, right?” she asked, her voice shaking.
Alex sighed in her ear. “Mom’s flat broke in Startseite…after he cut her off.” He was quiet for a moment. “But…yeah. You guys are great.” He slid his hand over her arm, pulling her into a spoon. “Hey…I’m tired,” he managed. “You mind if I just…sleep through whatever, tomorrow?”
She snuggled her back against him, letting his arm drape over her breasts in a comforting hug. “For as long as you want, Alex,” she whispered.
“Mmm.” He sighed, resting his head on the pile of her braids that spilled out from behind her head. “I love you, Freya.”
She clasped his hand with both of her own, letting her warmth lull him to sleep once more. “I love you too, Alex,” she murmured.

Jake yawned, feeling the day’s exertions take their toll. Venus was busily unequipping her armor and unloading her weapons in the corner. “I’m just gonna turn in, unless you want to keep watching that movie,” he said, referring to the flick they had started that morning after breakfast. The slight wobble in his gait was now more pronounced, driving home a reminder that he was recovering from his own trial.
“Sure thing. Or we could put it on the slate and watch it in bed,” Venus said.
“Let’s do that, we can watch something else on the ship,” Jake said. He grabbed his slate and tapped the appropriate runes as Venus finished her undressing and bathroom rituals. “Is Alex going to be all right?” he asked as she returned.
“I have no idea,” Venus confessed. She slid her sleeping clothes on; a very thick undershirt and cotton panties so she didn’t accidentally overheat Jake. “Damn it all. I feel like I owe him an apology for not putting my foot down on Kimball-Carlin when I had the chance.”
“Screw that, anyone who disowns his son in front of a crowd is going to be a shithead no matter how many Royal Family members are in the room,” Jake said.
“But this trip has been fine until four days ago, when it’s gone tits-up, and I feel like I could have prevented it all,” Venus pressed. She dropped into the bed, slamming her fist on the bedspread. “I mean, the thing in the bar was horrible…and then I get purse-snatched and Alex gets fucking disowned. What a fucking nightmare. I thought the worst thing we’d have to deal with on Nocturne would be the damn dragons,” she said.
Jake shrugged, passing her the slate. “Not your fault, baby, and I don’t want to have to tell you that over and over. We just got here.”

As he finished his own bathroom prep, Venus stared at the black ceiling, thinking. What could she ask of her host tomorrow? She had been planning something like it since Hesiod, but this was her first real opportunity.
Jake slid into bed beside her, waving down the heat and turning the slate to her. She cuddled up on his flank, resting her head on his shoulder and narrowing her eyes so she didn’t drown out the screen. “Well…at least it’s almost over,” she sighed.
“Hey now, don’t think like that,” Jake said. “Nocturne is an amazing place. We’ve just seen some bad along with the good. Compared to the shit in the hives, this has been a resort trip for me.”
“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Venus asked. “Jake…I’m sorry, but I feel like this is my fault.”
Jake sighed again. He paused the slate and looked down at her head. “Stop. Here,” he said, setting the slate aside and rolling her onto her stomach. He dug his fingers into her tensed back. “You had no way of knowing that any of this would happen,” he soothed. He gently massaged her hot flesh, working the tension away.
“I guess.” She chuckled after another minute or two of his silent rubs. “I can’t stay mad when you’re in physical therapist mode.” Jake grinned to himself, remembering the result of his first administration, and the joyous few weeks that had kicked off. “Speaking of,” she asked. “How’s your head?”
“Better. Much better.” Jake squeezed her shoulders, digging his thumbs in deep. She sighed into the pillow. “My legs are better too, that was just a little soreness. I’m gonna be okay,” he said.

“Good.” She slowly adjusted her sleep shirt, pulling it up to her armpits so he could reach her lower back, mindful of her burn scar. “Hey…as long as we have it out, want to send a letter home?”
“Sure,” Jake said, moving his hands down her side. “In a minute.”
“Okay,” she said with lazy contentment, her resentment melting away under his cool hands. After a while longer, she languidly stretched, flexing the beautiful swimmer’s back Jake admired. “All right,” she yawned. “Much better.” She slid the sleep-shirt back down and gave him a grateful little kiss. “What do you want to say?”
“Depends,” Jake said, settling down beside her. “Do we mention Alex?”
“Hmm.” She sighed. “Let’s not. We can mention he had a shit day, but let’s leave the details to him.”
“Sure.” Jake grabbed the slate and tapped the recording system’s Advanced Options menu, opening the two-source system. “Transcribe Two,” he said, starting the dual-channel recording. He waited a moment. “Hi, everyone. I’m calling you from sunny Skarokk,” he started. Venus sniggered. “My head’s all better, in case anyone was, like, worried, or whatever.” He thought for a moment. “It’s been a weird few days. Pickpocketings, formal dinners, barfights, and more sunburn than I’ve received in the past sixteen years.”

All right, taking a quick break. Thoughts so far?

Keep up the good work XD

Vulkan read further. “Now, Venus. ‘Not that it’s not been interesting. Jake’s thick skull is knitting together. Dad, I’ve included the medic’s name, in case you wanted to know it. We reward our friends.’ Seems fair. ‘I spoke with Governor Sralah, and’ – italics – ‘‘convinced’ him to impose tough new crime measures. I know you said leave it to you, but I feel like I have to after today. I was robbed in broad daylight…’ WHAT?” he snarled. Misja recoiled in surprise. “‘Someone snatched my purse then returned it when they realized whose it was. Fucker got away, too.’”
“Watch your mouth, young lady,” Misja muttered.
Vulkan glared at the dataslate, his own anger building. “Now Jake again. ‘The dinner this evening was interrupted by Alex getting some absolutely miserable news from home. I’ll let him tell it when he gets up tomorrow if he really wants, but it was bad. Other than that, we met up with some familiar faces from the Tide and we should be ready to go soon.’”
Misja shook her head. “A robbery. What the hell is Skarokk coming to?”
“A swift and ghastly blood-letting, when I’m done with it,” Vulkan said darkly. “Venus, now. ‘You two, if you get this before George and Sandra, please let them know that Jake is up, ready, and willing to continue the trip to Fenris. Freya is in bed right now or she’d tell you all about it, but I’m looking forward to it.’”
His wife glanced over the message’s timestamp. “Nope. They haven’t got it yet, there’s no reception ticket.”

“Hmm.” Vulkan scrolled down to the bottom of the message. “Jake now. ‘Mom, Dad, I’m all good, and I have taken the requisite pictures of my honorable war wounds. I mean, it’s just bare skin and hair, even in the photo, but you can use your imaginations.’ Nice to know getting mauled by a drunk wasn’t enough to keep that boy down,” Vulkan said with approval.
“I wonder if he’s going to propose to Venus when the trip ends,” Misja wondered aloud.
Vulkan looked up. “You think he might?”
“After something like that only made them closer? I think it’s possible,” Misja said.
“Could be,” Vulkan said. He thought for a moment. “I can’t say I would protest much. On Nocturne, they’d have been Bonded by now.”
“Anything else in the message?” Misja asked.
Vulkan shook his head. “Nope, just goodbyes.”

Hey SE, not sure if you remember the Emperorsque: Rogue Trader Edition. Our DM left shortly after that second session. However I've managed to get the group back together and I'll be DMing this time. Our game will be tommorow so if things go well I'll storytime our new adventures.
The Emperorsque Protects.

File: 1344747845037.jpg-(5 KB, 116x147, robo_is_pleased.jpg)

>>20283848
I am fucking thrilled. I want a full report!

Back on Nocturne, and nearly a day in the past, Venus set down the slate after a few small fixes in the transcriptor. Jake lay down on the mattress, wrapping his arm under Venus’ head and shoulders. She snuggled up against him, her mind wandering. “Jake…would you like to go see one of the Salamander galleries tomorrow?” she asked.
Jake looked over at her dark head on his arm. “Aren’t those sealed to the public?”
“Yes, but I can get us in.”
“Didn’t you say that the Salamanders wouldn’t like us being there?” Jake cautiously asked.
Venus shrugged. “Yeah, but so far, all you’ve seen of Skarokk are the parts I’m ashamed of…”
Jake grimaced. “Damn it, baby…”
“I’m not being morose now, I promise, I’m just thinking aloud.” Venus looked up at him, her eyes bathing his face in light. “I think, given what’s happened, they would let us in.”
Jake was quiet as he thought it over. “Hmm. Well, if it feels like we’re unwelcome, we can just leave, right?”
“Absolutely.”
“All right, we can give it a shot,” Jake said.

As Freya awoke the next morning, she noted with some relief that Alex was still contentedly snoozing away behind her. She took a moment to savor the feeling of his body behaving the way it was supposed to; as opposed to the way it had been the previous night. Eyes still shut, she relaxed into his unconscious embrace. He had been so tired that he had fallen asleep with his arm still slung across her chest. After a while, she slid silently free, letting his hand fall to the bed, and moved in silence to begin her pre-workout bathroom routine…then paused. She looked back to him, wondering. She reached out and switched the alarm off, so he wouldn’t have awoken in an hour and a half like he had planned.
Outside, Venus and Remilia were already dressed and ready to head to the modest serf’s gym in the castle when Freya stuck her head out the door. “Hey, you two, go ahead, I’m going to stay here,” she said. Her freshly-washed hair glimmered red from Venus’ eyes as her cousin tilted her head.
“Are you all right?” Remilia asked for the two of them.
“Alex needs me, today, I think,” Freya said. She looked at them both. “Or am I being paranoid?”
“Just come run for a while, then shower off and get back in bed,” Venus counseled. “Let him wake up to you, if you think it will matter.”
Freya nodded. “All right, I’ll do that.”

Several hours later, Jake wobbled out of bed, feeling his back ache a bit, but otherwise feeling as good as new. He glanced at the clock at the side of the table, noting that he had actually woken before the alarm went off. “Oh well,” he said, making for the showers.
As he emerged in the gym, he noted Freya’s and Alex’s absences with a resigned sigh. He wasn’t surprised to find them absent.

Alex fell onto his back as he awoke, jolting him awake. He lay in the darkness for few minutes, staring at the ceiling as the previous night’s misadventure returned to him. “What am I going to do?” he whispered hoarsely.
“Sssh,” Freya whispered from beside him. “Go back to sleep.” He started. She was never there when he woke up.
“What…what time is it?” he asked, searching for a clock. He couldn’t see one.
“Middle of the night,” Freya lied to him. She had covered the little red clock with a shirt. “Sleep. I’ll be here when you need to get up,” she promised.
Alex lay in silence for a moment, his emotions returning to him with lucidity. “All right.” He sighed in guilt as the night came back fully. “Thanks for being there when I needed you to be,” he whispered into the darkness.
Freya silently shifted. A warm, soft weight descended onto his chest as she leaned on him, pressing her bare skin to his, and captured his lips in a loving kiss. “Sssh. Sleep. I told Venus to let you sleep in, we’ve got the whole day to do whatever you want. Work out, explore…stay in bed,” she added coyly. “Rest.”
Alex smiled and let his eyes shut. “All right, baby.” She squeezed his shoulder, settling back down beside him. “What did I do right to get you?” he asked of the room.
“As I recall? Complement my ass after a wrestling meet,” Freya noted. “You’re lucky I didn’t rip your arm off.”
“I’m glad you didn’t.”
“Me too.” She rolled over to face him in the dark. “Now…shush. Sleep.”
He obeyed, closing his eyes and settling back into the mattress, his brief emotional turmoil evaporating. Freya nodded at her successful deception. “Job well done,” she muttered.

Jake stared in absolute awe at the magnificent sculpture on the pedestal before him. “It’s…breathtaking,” he said.
The Assault Marine that had volunteered to lead the unusual group through the catacombs beneath the city nodded. “Isn’t it? One of our Chaplains made it, about four hundred years ago.”
“It’s beautiful,” Jake said, taking in the twisted metal column. Visible hammer marks on its sides were the only marring of an otherwise symmetrical five-sided pyramid, which had been beaten into the middle of an iron column, with only a slender strand of metal keeping the precarious-looking upper half of the column stable. “I wish my grandfather could see what his students made,” he said quietly.
“I beg your pardon?” the Marine asked.
“My grandfather, Carmine Seager, taught in the same seminary on Mars where most of the Legionary Techmarines trained,” Jake explained, slowly circling the structure. The entire granite hallway was completely lined with magnificent pieces of technology, art, and design that could have found a home in any up-scale Terran, Macraggian, or maybe even Martian gallery.
“Ah, I see. He had an artistic side himself, then?” the Marine asked.
“He was a very talented designer of the Adeptus Mechanicus Artisan’s Order,” Jake explained. He smiled at their towering host. “I got my own love of design and artifice from him, as did my father.”
“Truly? Good on you. Here on Nocturne, metalworking is one of the oldest and most sacred professions,” the Marine said, spurred to explanation by the open confidence of his guest. “Our greatest tribal lords before the coming of King Vulkan were those who could best balance metalcrafting and politics.”
“A wise combination for a leader,” Jake said, leaning to examine the statue more closely.
“Indeed,” the Marine replied.

Venus and Remilia were a pace back, looking at a tiny block sculpture. It looked like it had been made from rock turned liquid, tapped with mallets into a certain shape, then left to cool just so. An impressive feat, given that rock was so much more brittle than metal.
“I wonder how many tries that took?” Remilia murmured.
“As many as needed,” Venus replied. She glanced at the row of similar sculptures beside it, noting that though they had all seemingly been made by the same person, none were signed or stamped. “They wouldn’t just give up if it didn’t come out right.”
Jake had moved on to examine a large, nearly hollow ball of volcanic glass, held aloft by iron rods. “Now that’s impressive,” he said, leaning as close as he dared. “How in the world did they get the rods to bend inside the shafts?”
“I do not know,” the Marine confessed.
“Must have run a current through it while shaping the glass,” Jake muttered. “It’s a nice design. How do you get the larger ones into the gallery? This is bigger than the door.”
“There’s a crane we can use in the ceiling,” the Marine said, pointing into the inky blackness above them.
“Very cool.” Jake’s eyes drifted to a Power Sword hanging on studs from a wall. “And…just to pose the question, why don’t the Salamanders actually use the weapons they make here?”
The Marine’s voice carried a hint of amusement. “We do. These are the weapons of warriors who make spares to keep in practice.”
Jake processed that. “Ah. That’s, ah…a hell of a hobby,” he quipped. The Marine grinned behind his helmet.

Alex awoke again. Freya had removed the shirt from the clock and flicked the lights on already, and was sitting in the corner of the room, reading a slate. She noted his rising breath and smiled at him. “Good morning.”
“Morning,” Alex grunted, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. “Wow, it’s local eleven? I’ve never slept in that late,” he said.
Freya pulled the shirt on, letting it hang to her thighs. “You feeling better?”
“A bit.” He sighed. “I guess I can just go and-”
“Bup bup bup, no gloom and doom,” she said, waving a stern finger. “Go see what the day’s schedule is.”
Alex blinked. “Schedule? What?”
Freya passed him on her way to the bathroom, waving him to follow. Bewildered, Alex rose and followed her into the room. She was posing by the bathtub, smiling seductively. Alex noted with interest that the lights were now a dim red, and the empty tub was ringed with, of all things, scented candles she had acquired somewhere. “…Interesting,” he said.
“Isn’t it?” she asked playfully, sauntering up to him and slowly sliding her arms around his waist. “I felt bad for making you miss the workout this morning, so I figured we could just have a workout here, instead,” she explained, running her hands down his back. “Nice…thorough…deep-muscle workout…” Alex struggled to keep a grin from breaking out on his face and failed.
“I see. Any…particular reason…the tub struck your fancy?” he asked, as he ran his own hands up her rock-solid frontside to lift the shirt away.
She snickered. “Well, we’re going to be spending so much time here today, I wouldn’t want to gross out the chambermaid…and goodness, you’re just going to be a hot mess when I’m finished with you, may as well not have to go too far to clean up,” she whispered, guiding him back to the lip of the tub.

All right, folks, on that optimistic note, tonight concludes. All three of us will be back tomorrow. Please keep this bumped for us overnight.

bump for the bump god! threads for the thread throne

>>20286348
B-b-b-BUMPAN

And we are...BUMPING

Bumpan

All right, thanks, lads.

>>20289269
You going to go on now? I love you.

>>20289269
MOAR YOU FAGET! MOOOAAARRR

As lunchtime arrived, Jake proposed the group make a point of returning to the nearly abandoned café they had used the previous day, which they at least knew would be nice and quiet. As they arrived and placed their orders, Remilia spoke up. “Venus, that was amazing. That gallery…and the Salamanders just MAKE that stuff?”
“Mountains of it,” Venus replied. “The seven Sanctuaries and Prometheus station, the Reclusiae of the larger ships, the temples in the deserts…they all look like those. Most are actually bigger than this one,” she said. “This is the smallest Sanctuary.”
“Absolutely incredible. My hands were itching when we went through the hall with all the wall-mounted sculptures. I felt like a shoplifter,” Jake said.
“Well, you didn’t take anything, and nobody seemed to resent their Princess admiring their work, so I think it went all-good,” Venus said happily. “And that one Battle Brother was pretty impressed with your little spiel.”
Jake winced. “Sorry about that, I didn’t mean to go off on a tangent.”
Venus chuckled. “I think he was more amused and maybe relieved, really. I think he was afraid we wouldn’t understand any of that stuff.”
“Well, I did, and it was amazing. That large ceramite block carving, the one with the silver face mask set into its surface? You could fetch sixty million credits on Terra for that, without breaking a sweat,” Jake said. “Sixty mil, cold. More at auction.”
“Wow. How do you know that?” Remilia asked as their drinks arrived.
“Remember when I said my grandfather designed watches? He sold the prototypes at auction. I’ve been to several,” Jake explained. “Amazing places.”
“Cool. Want to stop by an auction house tomorrow?” Venus asked. “See how Nocturneans barter?”
“I’d love that!” Jake exclaimed.

>>20289766
ALL OF THE HOMO!

Alex let the frothing, soapy water rise to his chin before gesturing the faucet to switch off. He was so tired, even that took a few tries. Freya’s promised workout had finally concluded after two hours, and as the candles burned themselves out around him, and the fans cleared the air, he felt, for the first time since his father had left the Star for Clymene several days before, at absolute peace.
He was leaning back on the sloped side of the tub, feet splayed out before him. Freya was straddling his legs, resting her entire front against him from the stomach up, her own legs drawn back outside his. She had been in that position for nearly ten minutes at that point, since her final round of energetic lovemaking had sapped the last of his strength, and seemed content to stay put. She was resting her chin on his shoulder and had both arms wrapped around his neck. She hadn’t moved as the water rose up their bodies, and had remained still as he turned it off.
The sound of the fan was the only thing in the room as they rested. He had worked her pretty red hair free of its braids in an idle moment some time before, and it fanned out in the water, turning the water under the red lights of the room into a deep, bloody crimson.
She was listening carefully. The sounds of his body attempting to recover from its exertion were familiar, and primally relaxing. Tuning her own sounds out, she listened contentedly to his muscle chill and contract as the water washed over it, and heard the blood in his neck pulse and flow as she rested her head beside his.

Though she would have been lying to say that the motive behind her workout had been completely altruistic, and in hindsight could have picked a more comfortable pose, he was in no shape to complain. The fans clicked off as the ambient water and heat in the air dropped down to near-normal levels, leaving only the sound of their faint, labored breathing.
Finally, he stirred. “Freya…thank you,” he whispered.
“Any time,” she murmured. “Well. Maybe not any time, those candles are expensive, but on special occasions,” she corrected.
His chest budged a fraction as he tried to laugh. “…Still.” He very gradually slid his arms around her waist under the suds. “I feel…” he trailed off.
They both closed their eyes and let the moment stretch on. It had been sex, sure, but somehow, they both wanted it to be more than that, too. It was a mutual desire, easily granted. Freya leaned her head sideways a fraction, pressing it against his sweaty hair. “Alex…I love you too. You know that, right?”
Alex’s eyes didn’t move. “I do,” he whispered.
“Good.” She let out a long, relieved breath. “Just making sure.” She kissed the bare flesh of his shoulder, which was sun-scarred from their stay on hellish Nocturne. “I may check again, later. To…err on the side of caution,” she informed him.
“Feel free,” he said. He slid his hands down to her legs and squeezed her calves. “Mmm…hey, let me up,” he said.
“No.”
“I gotta wash my hair,” he slurred.

She grabbed a shampoo bottle and poured some on his head, then worked some tub water into it with her hands. “Let me,” she said.
He closed his eyes again as she went to work, all business. She scooted another few inches up his torso as she did, and he felt her breasts knock into his face. He had to stifle a loopy giggle, as his brain chemistry was still out of whack, and for some reason, it was the funniest thing he had ever felt.
As she rinsed him clean at length, he opened his eyes again, looking up at her with a tired grin. He lifted his hands slightly, beckoning her to turn around. As she did, he grabbed the same bottle and returned the gesture, squirting some of the chilly substance into her luxurious red hair. As she sank back onto him, he slowly massaged the red mass with his hands. “So…aside from…playing doctor, then playing dress-up…what do you have in mind for today?” he asked.
She rose up a bit more against him, until her head and his were level again. “Mmm…a lazy afternoon watching shitty movies…poker with the guys after a take-out dinner…then falling asleep in your arms after writing home.”
“Sounds good.” Alex ran some water through her hair, washing the shampoo away, and leaving it glistening under the red room light. He slid his hands over her stomach and down to her waist, leaving them to rest against the aching muscle. “Did I strain you?”
“No, I’m just a little sore from overuse,” she reported. She slid back down his front a little and splayed her hands over his. “Ahhh…I regret nothing,” she dreamily said. She grinned as she reviewed the past two hours in her eidetic memory. “Healthy, growing boys need their exercise.”
Alex smiled. “So do athletic, growing girls, it seems,” he said.
“Yup.” She snuggled back into his arms with a sigh.

The two teens enjoyed their blissful soak for a while longer. When, at last, Alex found the strength to stand, and regretfully reported that further activity at that point would have been agony, they dried off and staggered into the bedroom, sinking into the bed in front of the holoscreen. Venus had rigged all of their holos to play off of slates as soon as she had arrived, and Freya started a random movie on the screen before curling up on Alex’s flank. After less than ten minutes, he had drifted into a doze, and she switched the holo off. She lay in silence next to his muscular frame, listening. He was relaxed, wonderfully so. She indulged in her loving audio surveillance for a few minutes before tugging a blanket out of the pile of spares on the dresser and draping it over his bare body. She then gestured the heat down and cuddled up next to him, keeping them both warm. She let her own eyes close and drifted off into a contented nap.
A knock on the door roused her, around an hour later. She blinked sleep away as she quickly donned a shirt and peeked out the hole. Discovering her visitor to be a chambermaid, she opened the door a hair and smiled apologetically. “Sorry, but we’re staying in today,” she whispered.
The serf sighed at the irregular occurrence, but nodded assent and moved on to Venus’ room. Freya slid the door shut and padded over to where Alex was still fast asleep, pulling the shirt back off. She leaned over him and nipped his ear, rousing him. “Hey. Wake up. It’s local afternoon. If we sleep much more, you’ll be awake all night,” she said.
Alex shifted a bit, rising onto his arms. He looked up at his girlfriend, admiring the way her hair draped down over her chest and shoulders. “If you say so…”

She sat down next to him and reached to turn the holo back on. Before she could, he spoke up. “Wait.”
Freya looked over at him. He was sitting cross-legged on the mattress. “This…isn’t going to get easier if we put it off,” he said.
She frowned, but stilled her hand. “All right…what do you want to do about it?” she asked.
Alex looked down at his feet. “You know…did you actually hear what he said last night?”
Freya shook her head, scattering her hair over her shirt. “No. I was talking to Jake.”
“All right.” Alex closed his eyes. “What he said was…hell, it wasn’t even to me, he was talking to the guy next to me…he said, ‘Alex knows that the Fleet and college are mutually exclusive.’ I said ‘Dad, what does that mean?’ He looked square at me and said ‘you can’t have both.’” Alex looked over at Freya, pained. “Damn it…he probably waited until we were in front of a crowd so I couldn’t back out.” He laughed, a bitter, tired bark. “Guess he underestimated how petty I am.”
“Oh, Alex,” Freya sighed. She leaned forward, squeezing his leg. “It’s not petty to want to live the way that makes you happiest!”
“No, but storming out of Venus’ gala was,” he said flatly. “I must have looked like a petulant child…something else that probably suited him.”
Freya’s eyes narrowed as she watched the pain return. “Alex…baby, come on,” she said, squeezing him again. She leaned forward, piercing his eyes with her bright green stare. “I don’t think you’re petulant! And Venus told me that she told your Dad to make tracks, he won’t bother us any more!”
“Really?” he asked, finally looking surprised. “What did she say?”
Freya shook her head. “It was after I left, but she said last night that she told him to fuck off or get arrested,” she said.

“Good.” Alex leaned back against the headboard, smiling sadly at her. “Listen…you know what this will mean after we get home, right?”
Freya shook her head. “I don’t know.”
He looked down again, studying the little marks she had left on his arms in her unguarded moments before. “It…well, the good news is that I can’t go bugger off with the Fleet…so maybe we can stay together.” He looked up at her again. “The bad news is that this means I won’t be able to afford to go to college with you, not without you going to one of the schools that I got offers from for free-ride scholarships.”
Freya considered that, rocking back on her heels. “I see.” She crawled forward on hands and knees until she was next to him, then sat down beside him against the headboard. “Well…I did get accepted to New Cyprine and Albiona College…did you get offers from either of them?”
“Cyprine,” Alex breathed, the tension in his heart fading considerably. This didn’t mean they had to break up.
She looked up at him and smiled. “So…this isn’t the end. Not yet.”
“Not yet.” He relaxed, letting his eyes sag shut. “Good news.” He slid his hand over her cheek, smiling at her through hooded lids. “Thanks.”
She caught his hand, her own looking petite by comparison. He slid a finger across her ear, and she giggled at the tickling feeling. “Now…let’s get dressed and order food so it’s here when the others get back,” he said. Freya held his hand still and leaned against it, enjoying its warmth.
“Okay.”

>>20289981
ALL OF IT!

Alex slid his hand off of her face and managed a laugh. “Did I ever tell you how my family earned a Writ?”
Freya thought for a moment. “No.”
“My grandfather earned it for Imperial service. He found an STC blueprint for a combat knife that had never been discovered,” Alex said.
“Wow, I bet the Mechanicus loved him after that,” Freya said, rocking back on her haunches.
“Hell yeah. Gave him a ship, badgered the Emperor into giving him a Royal Writ, the highest kind, and cut him loose.” Alex sat back again, remembering. “He knew all the right people from when he was in the Navy, so he had all the contacts he needed to set up a trading business. His Writ, a Warrant signed by the Emperor after the Arlema Conquest…hard to believe that was only a hundred years ago…anyway, it let him trade anywhere he wanted, so long as he visited Arlema’s capital to make sure it was still Imperial-held every so often.”
“So how did your father get it?” Freya asked.
“Oh, the old-fashioned way. He inherited it. Grandpa was the only child of only children, so was my dad, so was my mom. So it wasn’t a hard decision. Hell, I am too.”
Freya nodded. “My mother didn’t have any siblings, either. I have eighteen,” she added with a smile.
“Well…Dad shut down parts of Grandpa’s empire. Now he sends the ships of the fleet to small-scale agri-colonies built over dead, pre-Age of Strife human settlements. They go to the cities, and rob the grave offerings and pawn shops, since the rest is probably picked over.” Alex smiled tightly. “You know that twenty thousand year old clock on Warmaster Horus’ desk? Dad stole it from a tomb on Moribar. Funny little galaxy, isn’t it?”
“How macabre,” Freya said darkly.
“Welcome to my life,” Alex said, levering out of the bed with a groan. “Now…where’s that menu?”

Oh, hurr.

I completely forgot I was going to post this.

This is the chronological order of the stories in the WHH setting I've written.

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Fapfics_%28Warhammer_High%29#A_Pleasant_Reunion

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Meet_the_Primarchs_%28Warhammer_High%29#Meeting_Vulkan

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Meet_the_Primarchs_%28Warhammer_High%29#Meeting_Jaghatai_Khan

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_High#An_Afternoon_With_WD

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Venus%27_Burn

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Warhammer_High#Just_Another_Day_On_Void_Platform_13

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/Bleeding_Out_(Warhammer_High)

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/ROAD_TRIP!_%28Warhammer_High%29

>>20290256
I wub yoo so much.

Freya sank back down on the bed, spread-eagled. “Mmm…hang on,” she said as Alex rooted around.
“Yeah?” he asked.
“C’mere,” she said, beckoning him over. He obligingly sat back down next to her on the bed.
She rolled onto her side and propped herself up on one elbow beside him. “Are you sure you’re feeling better?”
“Much,” Alex said. He managed a smile. “Bit sore, but that seems a small price to pay.”
“Good.” She lay back down and caught on of his hands between hers, idly rubbing his palm. “You know you can share anything with me, right?”
“Yeah…yeah, baby, I do,” he said, lacing his fingers with hers. Despite her awe-inspiring strength, she felt positively slender to him. He smiled at the look of dreamy contentment on her face as she reveled in the sensation. “How about you?”
She let her eyes slide shut. Freya slowly brought his hand to her lips. “I’m feeling better because you’re feeling better,” she said. “So…don’t worry any more, all right? It makes me feel really panicked to see you suffer like that.”
“You’re a sweet girl,” he murmured. He felt a wave of hot air on his hand as she breathed over his fingers, nuzzling the back of it. “And…well.”
“What?” she asked, cracking one green eye open.
He leaned down and rested his forehead on hers. “You’re really good at making me feel better,” he whispered, all serious business.
She laughed under her breath. “So you told me…a few times…” she said back in the same tone.

Jake rapped on their door a few hours later. “Hello? You guys in there? And decent?”
“When am I EVER decent?” Freya called back. Jake pushed the door open to see them sitting around a table in the sitting room, wearing ludicrous numbers of clothes, glaring at each other over a pile of potato chips and playing cards…not his, Jake noted.
“What the hell are you two doing?” Jake asked.
“Anti-strip poker,” Freya said. “When you lose you have to put on clothes.”
“And…the chips?”
“We didn’t want to borrow yours,” Alex replied, sounding somewhat overheated.
Jake blinked. “…’Kay. Well, anyway…how are you feeling?” he asked, walking into the room.
“Much, much better,” Alex said, starting to peel off his clothes. “Yourself?”
“Good as new,” Jake said, dropping into a chair. Freya swept the chips into the trash and rubbed the plastic cards clean on the sleeve of a shirt. As the two of them stripped off extraneous clothes, Alex paused to produce a steaming tray of food from the next room.
“Oooh, sauroch cheese and pasta,” Venus said. “Good call.” The other two girls appeared at the door, following Jake into the room. “Did you two hear the good news, by the by?”
“Hmm?” Freya looked up from her glowing pile of discarded laundry. “What news?”
“Julius made it to Seadelant on his way to Ultramar,” Remilia provided.
“Oh, cool. How long is he going to be there?” Freya asked.
“He didn’t say, but not long, I wouldn’t think.” Venus grabbed a bottle of water from the table and popped it open. “That region’s pretty placid.”
“Good.” Alex opened his pasta bowl and dug in. He hadn’t eaten since dinner the previous night, and he was completely famished.

>>20290825
Have to leave now, but please go on. I will read this. I promise.

After they finished their meal, and Jake’s half-honest suggestion of anti-anti-strip poker was rejected, he led them into the master suite and opened his case of cards and chips, passing the latter around. “So, tomorrow, we’re visiting an auction house in the top level, to see what it’s like. The day after, we pack up and head back to the Tide, then we spend one day traveling out-system, then off to the Fang.”
“I will admit to some…trepidation,” Freya confessed. She fingered the lid of her water bottle. “It’s…I mean, I think it will be awesome, and there’s all kinds of things for...you know, me to do. But, uh…it’s not Terra or Nocturne. Not a whole lot to do for you guys. I don’t want you to be bored. I mean, we’re probably not even going to leave the Fang.”
“Well, it’s the size of a hive, so I’m sure we can find the interesting parts,” Jake said. He cut the cards and dealt.
“Yeah, but…” Freya trailed off, staring at the melting ice in her cup. “I suppose.”
“Freya, trust me, a building full of Space Wolves is always interesting, I’ve been to Leman’s parties,” Remilia said drily. She sipped at her gin and tonic, chucking a few chips into the pot. “We’ll find ourselves enjoying three weeks.”
Freya smiled. “I guess so.” She downed her drink and flipped a chip into the pile. “We’ll see.”

SE, your particular brand of writefaggotry is excellent. Your work with the Warhammer High setting is unparalleled and I'm sure I speak for everyone here when I say that we love your work and will faithfully read for as long as you care to write. You have done more to damage my F5 key than all other threads combined. Carry on

The following day, as the boys and Remilia visited a Nocturnean auction house, and Jake was impressed by its scale and lack of backstabbing, Freya and Venus delivered their last bundle of messages to the Astropathic temple in Aethonion via slate and started packing. Venus finally permitted a quick barrage of news interviews on their last full day, while the others descended to the shoreline, far below, and boggled at the spectacle of water crashing on the obsidian sand, sometimes in plumes over thirty feet high. Jake, spellbound by the sight, exhausted the battery on his camera taking pictures of the water.
As the last day arrived, the group made their way to the spaceport with their mountains of cargo and bags, and climbed aboard a small shuttle to ferry them all back to Prometheus. Though Venus didn’t want them to attend the ritual she was going to undertake any more than she had wanted them to attend the first, the rest of group had decided that they might need the final day to adjust to the lower gravity and pressure of the Tide. They spent the day recording their final messages home from the station.
As Venus completed her final responsibility, though in reality it was partially unnecessary since she hadn’t carried her Icon at any point in the trip, she made sure to inform No’dan that Vulkan’s replied indicated that he intended to return to Nocturne at some point in the near future. “Lord Regent, though it would please us both to see my father come home, I fear the subject of his trip will be an…uncomfortable one,” she said in Old Nocturnean, once more kneeling before the Circle.
“So I have been led to believe,” the ancient Drake said. He leaned forward, gesturing his Princess to rise. “The fellow who was injured…your friend. He is well?”

>>20291625
Thanks. It's discouraging, getting ragged on in the War Rose thread. It's nice to know that there are still people reading.

File: 1344803518896.jpg-(26 KB, 266x320, haters-gonna-hate-.jpg)

>>20291705

<---

Keep writing sir

“As good as new,” Venus said. The armor she wore was far less impressive than the formal version she had worn so many times below, but no less well-crafted for it. “I hold it that the Governors will enact anti-crime legislations, perhaps even enforce them…but I confess: I wanted my trip to be less violent.”
“I suspect so,” No’dan sighed. “What would you have us do?”
“The Salamanders are even now greatly revered by the common Nocturneans, and justly so, so I think it would be best if you largely stayed out of it,” Venus said. “No act of control of a population is well-received…and truly, this was a Terran idea to begin with. If not a Terran problem. An attempted pickpocketing that was aborted when the target was identified is hardly worse than attempted murder,” Venus said. When No’dan’s face didn’t change, Venus cocked her head. “Oh, yes, he’s still in Skarokk Castle, isn’t he? Do whatever you want to him, I care not.”
“What was his motivation?” No’dan asked.
“Vengeance. I care not,” Venus repeated. “For the worst few seconds of my life, I thought he had killed Jake.”
No’dan finally nodded. “Very well, he will be turned over to the Arbites representative on the Mechanicum station in the Oort cloud for sentencing. Let him be judged by Imperial law.”
“Very well.” Venus smiled again, rising to her feet and standing at a respectful ease. “On a lighter note…beyond the incidents we’ve discussed, Nocturne has awed me. Truly…I come away inspired,” she said.
“I hoped you would.” No’dan raised one massive Terminator gauntlet. “Tell me…what lingered?”
“I do not feel that I should list them, for I would be here forever,” she said after a time. “But if I had to pick one…seeing Deathfire up close, then getting to work in it. That was astonishing, truly astonishing.”

No’dan leaned back in his seat. “I’m glad to hear it. Did you have a chance to visit any of the galleries?”
“I did. As did Remilia and Jake,” Venus said. No’dan raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? They were allowed entry?”
“Nobody seemed to mind,” Venus said with a shrug. “And Jake at least thought it was mesmerizing. He and the Marine that showed us around spent a while discussing design, which seemed to surprise our host considerably,” she added.
“Ah.” No’dan rose from his marble throne, gazing down at her. “Princess Venus, it did us all good to see you here, even if your visit was fraught with…tumult. Regardless, you have been most welcome,” he said inclining his head.
“Thank you, Lord Regent,” Venus said. She crossed her arm over her chest and tapped her hand to her heart, bowing low. “I shall take my leave, knowing the Salamanders are stronger for your guidance. And please, bid farewell to Captain Ir’Sem when you see him next, our shuttle schedules simply did not align,” she said, rising again.
No’dan looked up for a moment. “I fear he has already departed for the greenskin fronts, Princess. I’m certain he would have wanted to say goodbye in person.”
Venus’ face fell. “Oh.” She sighed under her breath. “Yes, I’m sure.” She held her hands apart, waist high. “Then I take my leave, Venerable Master. I shall pass along your regards to my father.”
“Please do, Princess. Farewell,” No’dan said. Venus turned on her heel and made for the exit, cape snapping behind her.

Freya sat on top of a pile of suitcases, staring at the bulk of the approaching cargo hauler. “I suppose we did buy a shitton of stuff down there, but did we really get so much that we need a hauler to move it?” she asked.
Cargomaster Jeorne, down on the deck below, waved his hand. “No, your Ladyship, it’s for the ship’s protein blocks. You’re going on the Aquila,” he said, pointing to a Navy shuttle on the other side of the dock.
“Oh, good,” Freya said, leaping down to the deck. She landed next to Alex, who was staring at the decking beneath his feet. He didn’t even flinch when the red, blue, and pink meteor nearly slammed into him. “Hey, you ready to head out?” she asked.
Alex nodded, coming back to reality. “Yeah, I’m ready to get out of here,” he said. He swallowed a few times to get the taste of bile out of his throat. “You?”
“I’m going back home! I can’t wait!” Freya beamed, somehow missing his rising anger. “I’d get out and push the Tide if I could!”
Remilia grinned at her cousin’s open anticipation. “How old were you when you made it home last?”
“I was seven, and it was a summer break,” Freya said. “I miss it so much! I remember this tiny little village in the Fang’s shadow that I visited with a serf, out looking for some…I don’t even remember, some trinket. The snow was shoulder-height in some of the drifts; I hid in one and watched the people go by.” She grinned from ear to ear. “Nocturne was a lot of fun, sure, and I’ll miss all this retail stuff…but man, there’s no place like home!”

>>20290825
Har har. Placid. Right.

>>20290825
Just wait till they hear the news...

>>20291705
War Rose thread? Getting ragged on? I missed something.

Alex closed his eyes in bitter regret at Freya’s inadvertent reminder that he didn’t have one anymore. Remilia noticed and winced. Freya was done, though. Venus marched up behind them, cloak her armor clacking. “Hey, guys,” she said brightly. Jake turned and eyed her armor.
“What happened to the cloak and cannon outfit?” he joked.
“Oh, I’m bringing it with me, but this is the one I wear when there’s no public around,” Venus said. “No’dan had it made special when he heard I was coming, along with the other one.”
“Promise me that you’ll wear one or the other to Orientation Week at Kouthry, all right?” Jake asked.
“Nope. Bloodpaint and nothing else,” Venus said.
Jake blinked. “…I’m trying to protest, but I really can’t.” Freya sniggered.
“Aaaanyway,” Venus segued, “the guns and the other armor, and the crown, are in a lockbox in this pile somewhere,” she said, pointing to the luggage with a gloved finger. “Have you guys got all your stuff?”
“We do,” Jake said, hefting one of his own bags.
“Oh…hey, Venus, thanks for getting my shit out of Joe’s car the other night,” Alex suddenly said. “I never did go back for it.”
“You’re welcome, Alex,” Venus said, squeezing his shoulder as she detected his mood. “You look tired.”
“Completely exhausted,” Alex muttered.
“It’s a two-hour ride to the Tide, you can nap on the shuttle,” Jake pointed out.
“Yeah.” Alex shuffled his day bag. “I think I will.”

The ride on the Aquila was relatively quiet, compared to the Thunderhawk they used to travel from city to city on the surface. Venus stood at the rear hatch as her world shrank invisibly behind her, feeling a happy tear building in her eye. “Nocturne…I’ll miss you,” she said softly.
Jake walked up behind her and slid an arm across her shoulders, gently pulling her into him. She looked up at him and smiled, the brilliant glow in her eyes from Nocturne’s sun still strong, for now. Jake smiled back, pecking her on the forehead. She set her head on his shoulder, and the two stood still for a moment, just enjoying it.
Jake felt a drop of water soak his shirt and reached across his front to grab Venus’ nearer hand, gently squeezing it. “It’s a beautiful world,” he said, soft and respectful.
“It’s a forge…a crucible. My people are tempered…some strengthen, some break. But they are ALL mine, good and bad, strong and weak.” Venus sighed with contentment and pride. “I love them, Jake, so much.”
Jake kissed the top of her head. “Except that one guy, fuck ‘im.”
“Yeah, he can go jump in a magma tributary.” Venus closed her eyes, dimming the compartment. “I’m glad you’re all right,” she murmured. “And…I’m glad you liked my home. Despite everything.”
Freya smiled at her friends’ backs, but didn’t speak up. She elected to let them have some privacy, and walked up to the front of the cabin and dropped into a chair, digging her slate out. Remilia curled up on a crash couch with her earplugs in, trying to grab some shut-eye. Alex closed his eyes, but sleep didn’t come.

Jake heard the others occupying themselves in the passenger compartment behind him. He turned to face Venus, sliding his hand free. “Do you feel the effect of the radiation leaving, yet?”
Venus slowly shook her head. Her braid slid across her back. “No. It’ll be slow, gradual. I won’t even feel it go.”
“Good.” Jake sat down on one of the plain metal benches that lined the ramp. The crates of cargo were the only other things in the compartment. She sat down beside him, staring at the deckplates. “So…what did you think of your homeworld’s amenities?” he asked.
“You mean food and stuff?” she asked. “Surprising. Dad’s stories were always about how desperate people could feel, and how much the world was an enemy as well as a home.” She leaned back against the bench, lost in thought. “I guess…he remembers it the way it was long ago. When he arrived, it was barely more than Iron Age technology in most of the planet. Even the richest tribal kings were still wearing scale armor into battle. Of course things have improved since then, but still. I guess I just didn’t really know what to expect.” She glanced sideways at him. “I mean, beyond the basics. How about you?”
“Excellent,” Jake said. “Real food, water that doesn’t taste like filters…of course, I have low standards. Maybe we can come back here sometime, between college semesters. See it for months at a time.”
“Would you want to?” she asked. She idly rubbed her gloved fingers together. “I mean…I would, but…”
“Of course I would, if you were here.”
Venus felt herself flush a bit at his statement. Of course, he couldn’t see; it was one of her appearance’s few saving graces.

The two of them sat in silence for a while. Venus wiped her tear from her eye and slid off her gloves, clipping them to her belt. As she did, she looked up at him. When she spoke, her voice was carefully conversational. “May I ask you something, Jake?”
He shrugged. “Sure.”
“Um.” She fidgeted a little before pushing onwards. “I…asked one of the Apothecaries on Prometheus to run a test before we left.” She straightened up in her seat, looking for words. “I didn’t know whether or not to tell you until we got home; but if you’re talking about…well, whatever.” She sighed. “Look…the test was for a genetic baseline comparison.”
“Against what?” Jake asked, confused.
“Nobody specific. Just the Terran genetic gestalt.” Venus felt her stomach tighten as words became hard to find. “The test was negative. We’re not genetically compatible.”
Jake went quiet. He slowly leaned back in his seat, thinking that over. “I see.”
“The thing I wanted to ask was…will that be a problem?” Venus asked. She closed her eyes before Jake could say anything. “It…just occurred to me that maybe I should have waited until we were already at school before asking, but I don’t want this to hang over you either.”
Something cool touched her hand. She opened her eyes to see him sliding over to sit next to her. “No, Venus, it’s not a problem. Not for me,” he said. “I mean…we’re seventeen. I’m in no hurry to be having kids.”
“But this will mean we never could,” she pressed.
“And I’ve sort of been expecting that,” he said. “It doesn’t surprise me.”

All right, off to dinner. Anyone want to ask anything?

I didn't make the tub scene too fetish-y, did I? Someone asked in the IRC what my rationale was, and I replied that the entire series of Freya's behaviors, with Alex in bed and later in the bathroom, was her way of trying to make him feel better, on a truly instinctive level. She doesn't think 'this is what a wolf would do' and 'this is what a human would do,' she thinks 'this is what I'm going to do,' for instance.

As for the Salamanders bits, anybody see anything worth pointing out? Anyone catch any of the Tome of Fire references? People were complaining before that I don't reference the canon enough.

>>20293846
Loving it, but where have the other Writefags gone?

did not see that coming

Excellent story so far SE (and the prequels too) though is it just me or does remillia appear to have less happening than everyone else? she seems to have an "accessory" character to her almost. That could i suppose be purposeful but just curious.

>>20293898
I cant answer for SE, but Kines should provide some focus on her in the near future. (at least i hope so)

>>20293846
How long do you think you will continue this? I hope you keep doing this for a long time.

>>20293846
FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

All dem feels man. Quality writing as always. Can't wait for more!

>>20293898
Oh, absolutely, she did. Remilia sort of faded into the backgrounds. But then, the three arcs of ten days a piece on the Iron Tide are her time. Venus' focus was Nocturne, Freya's will be Fenris. Remilia's is in the ship; which was deliberate. The way she was feeling at the end of Bleeding Out was adrift, distrusting, alone. On the ship, things are fairly static and routine. It gives her a bit of time to herself, to reflect and interact with people at her own pace.

And yes, Kines' role isn't over.

>>20294062
As long as I feel like it.

>>20293896
I have no idea. Navos and Ahriman have both been very busy of late.

I know you writefriends hate this line: "I'll read it tomorrow." But I just found this thread and it is 2 in the night/morning where I am and I really need my sleep. It's just a promise that it will be read and it will be bumped in 8-9 hours.
And as I recall you wrote in the last post in the previous thread that the text that got autobanned by 4chan would be posted on a 1d4chan link (which was provided), but nothing was posted there. Does that mean you start off this thread with what you couldn't post last thread?

>>20294349
I'll be keeping up until you're done. GIVE US MOAR.

>>20294412
Nope. The thing that got me banned was posted here:

http://1d4chan.org/wiki/ROAD_TRIP!_%28Warhammer_High%29#Catching_Up

She looked over at him, vaguely surprised herself. “Really?”
Jake pushed down some negativity of his own. “Really. I mean…the Emperor would have made the Primarchs capable of having children if he had wanted them to. It doesn’t surprise me that you’re not, either.” He put a hand up. “I mean, no offense.”
She looked down at where he had put his hand over hers. “None taken.” She sighed. “All right, then.”
“So…did you think there was a chance I would say yes?” Jake asked.
“Not a real one.” She grinned at him, relief easing her nerves. “And it’s not irreversible. There’s treatments…you’ll find out, if you need to.”
Jake nodded. “All right.” His toned turned playful. “Say, if you’re thinking of kids, you are thinking ahead,” he said.
She shrugged, playing along. “Well, who knows? If nothing else, I can stop taking Cycridine.”
“Mmm, no more rubber prison,” Jake said lasciviously. He raised his eyebrows. “But seriously, did you think it would happen? Compatibility being an issue? I know we talked about it before, too…”
Venus shrugged again, this time distractedly. “Yeah. But it’s better than not knowing, right?”
“Yes, it is.” He hugged her again, this time lingering. “But don’t worry. This doesn’t change our plans.”
“I didn’t think you were the type to give up that easily,” she said drily. She stood and walked into the passenger cabin, pausing at the threshold. “All right. Let’s get some sleep.”

>>20294477
Thanks! Will read all your stuff when I'm eating my breakfast tomorrow. Good night and thanks for your contribution!

Officer Haarlan was awaiting them as they shuffled, yawning, from the Aquila. “Welcome back to the Iron Tide, my Lords and Ladies Primarch,” he said, sketching a bow. “And Lady Venus, welcome back to your ship,” he said formally. “Is that a Salamander formal uniform?” he asked.
“No, this is my duty uniform,” Venus said as she walked down the ramp. “Like it?”
“It’s radiant, my Lady,” Haarlan said. “May I pass along a few messages? The Captain and his senior staff await your leisure in the Hall, along with a representative of the Salamanders Legion,” he said.
“Very well, Officer, please lead the way,” Venus said. “May I direct our luggage to our rooms? Some items are rather fragile.”
“I will have the servitors take the proper care,” Haarlan said, gesturing to the techpriest overseeing them. The red and white-robed woman nodded once and tapped a few runes on her slate. “Now…this way,” he said, turning to go.
The group followed him up the lifts to the Captain’s Hall, where Roemer and his staff were indeed awaiting them. Isaac and a few other serfs were present, as were the psyker from before and a fighter group commander. “My Lady Venus, my Lords and Ladies Primarch, welcome back,” Roemer said. “How was your trip?”
“Fascinating, dangerous, memorable, satisfying, and insightful,” Venus said. “In no particular order.”
Roemer smiled slightly. “I am glad.” He noted Jake’s healed injury and missing hair as the younger man turned to set down his bag. He didn’t say a word, but Jake noticed his stare as he turned back around.
“The dangerous part,” Jake noted.
“Ah.” Roemer decided not to press.

As the group sat down to speak, Roemer leaned forward over the table. “My Lady, I have invited you here to pass along some important news. Warmaster Horus has instructed that the Salamander Eightieth through Ninety Ninth Expeditionary Groups, and Fourth Grand Fleet, be mobilized alongside the Space Wolf Thirteenth Grand Fleet and Death Guard Second Grand Fleet. They will be mobilized to support the Imperial Fist Phalanx Group in a thorough, end-to-end purge of the entire Void Walks trade lane. Any new worlds found within the region will be colonized, any non-Eldar holdings will be razed to cinder, and the persistent green menace within pushed back to their Orkholds and crushed,” Roemer said flatly. Jake and Alex’s eyes went wide at the clipped, professional pronouncement of death.
Venus nodded, her eyes focused closely on the aging Captain. “So it shall be, then. If you wish my leave to take your ship to the battle, then naturally you have it. Does this mean we will need new transport?”
“Certainly not, your Highness,” Isaac said. “But it means we get to test the tank in live-fire combat,” he said with the ghost of a smile. “We will return to Fenris in time to ferry you to Terra.”
“Indeed, Sieur Isaac is correct.” Roemer sat back. “This does, however, disrupt our own plans. We will not be in station-keeping above the Fang. We won’t be in the system at all, while you are.”
“Well…” Venus nodded, digesting the news. She slowly stood and offered the Captain her gloved hand. He rose and took it. “Unto the anvil, Captain,” she said, looking into his eyes. He nodded solemnly, releasing her hand. “Until then…we have a journey ahead of us,” Venus added.

“We certainly do.” Roemer sat back down, looking up at Venus with a hint of fresh respect. “Might I inquire how Nocturne’s gravity and air pressure felt? It may take time to adjust to Terran standard now.”
“I feel light as a feather, even with all this armor on,” Venus said, smiling down at the ceramite and adamantium plating and link on her leather uniform. “Lord Regent No’dan passes along his regards, by the by, and his thanks for ferrying us to our destinations,” she said, gesturing to the room.
“It was our honor, Princess,” Roemer answered for the group. He raised one hand slightly, beckoning her to continue. “So…tell me. What did you learn of your home?”
Venus thought back. “Well,” she began, sitting back down. “It was certainly an adjustment, seeing that the entire world was open to the air. Even when I lived in Startseite; the Palace and the Hives were always there, closed off, keeping their occupants in.” She tilted her head down in deference to the Captain’s own history. “Was it the same way for you when you set foot on a planet for the first time? I recall you telling me that you’re void-born.”
“So I am indeed, and yes, it was quite a shock,” Roemer said. He lifted a goblet of wine and passed the decanter around. “Would anyone care for a drink to see us off?” he asked.
Alex nodded and silently accepted a cup, as did Freya, while the other passed. “You know, I turned drinking age down on Nocturne, and somehow it doesn’t feel like an achievement,” Jake joked.
“Not a social drinker, Sieur Seager?” Isaac asked with a chuckle.
“Well, maybe it’ll grow on me at college,” Jake said modestly.

Alex sipped his wine, eyes boring a hole in the table. His mind was racing. The flight to Fenris wouldn’t be so bad…but what the hell was he going to do when he went home?
His father would cut off his college fund. He could tell that much about the ornery old bastard. If he accepted the scholarship from Cyprene, as soon as he could, then he could stay with Freya, which was great, sure, but it wasn’t a career choice, it was a personal one.
He set his wine goblet down, his guts tightening in helpless rancor. The depth of his father’s hubris astounded him. To come all the way to Nocturne just to give him an ultimatum…
Freya tapped the back of his hand with one finger. Alex started and looked over to where she was sitting. She glared into his brown eyes with a hint of recrimination dancing in her own, animal green ones. He nodded apologetically.
She nodded back, relaxing. She discreetly pushed the wine bottle his way and he topped off his drink as Roemer chatted with Venus, discussing their trip. Alex smiled in self-reproach. “Sorry,” he said under his breath. He knew she could hear him.
“I think the most unexpected part was when we were in Aethonion. The Museum was amazing, and I didn’t even know it existed,” Venus said. “That was a nice surprise.”
“Given the rest of the Legion’s lack of hesitation to use Librarians, is it that unexpected to see a Museum devoted to the ancient tribes?” Isaac reasoned. “They still teach some of the same skills to Librarians today that they taught to the Earth Shamans in the times before the King.”
“Right, but I was expecting there to be one for each tribe, in each city,” Venus said.
Isaac nodded. “Yes, that would have also made some sense, but I think that would have been interpreted as an invitation to competition,” he reasoned.

>>20292685
>>20292701

What do you mean? I don't get it.

>>20295825
The writefag Ahriman's Aide is writing a story about Julius' vacation.

It's called 'Trip Into Hell.'

Remilia sat back in her own seat, listening with half an ear. She idly wondered if her latest message had arrived at the Dorn manor. Certainly there hadn’t been many replies to her messages, not like the ones Venus had been getting, within one to three days of sending them to Terra. Then again, Vulkan wrote to Nocturne all the time anyway. Was it wrong of her to assume some reluctance to engage directly was still in play with her father?
She drank from her own wine, then set the cup down, done with it. In fairness, her father probably wasn’t just not trying to contact her. He was a busy man, she supposed. She glanced down the table and grinned to herself as she saw Alex clearly laboring under parental issues too. Misery loved company.
Venus took note of their discomfort. “Well, Captain, thank you for your warm welcome,” she said. “However, my companions and I are exhausted and I suspect a bit of R&R is in order.” She rose to her feet, inviting all the others at the table to rise with a wordless glance. “I look forward to the flight to Fenris, Captain Roemer,” she said, reaching out to grasp his hand.
“You honor me, Princess,” Roemer said, bowing over her hand. She grasped his and shook it. “Welcome back aboard. Our official Estimated Time of Arrival is nine days,” he added.
“Excellent. Good evening, Captain,” she said, nodding respectfully. The others dutifully grabbed their bags and filed out as she winked a farewell to Isaac and took her leave.
Remilia waited outside the lift to the cabins, wondering if she could make a discreet exit. Venus lightly coughed, sensing her dilemma. Remilia flinched and glanced over at her armored cousin, who smiled mysteriously.

Freya, whose senses had alerted her to Remilia’s distress before she had even arrived, was a bit more direct. “Go.”
“All right,” Remilia muttered, flushing a bit.
“Can I have your room key, though? I’ll need to deposit things there,” Venus said.
“Oh…sure,” Remilia said, digging a scrap of plastic out of her pocket. “Here.”
Venus accepted the card and stepped onto the lift. “Now…Jake, if you don’t mind, I think I need to curl up in bed and watch something stupid.”
“Sounds good,” Jake said, yawning. “You guys turning in too?” he asked.
“I think I want to write my mother,” Alex suddenly said. “I’ve been pretty quiet to her lately. She has to be wondering how I am.”
“I think I’ll pop into the gym first, burn off some cramps,” Freya said. “Sitting in a shuttle all afternoon? Boring.”
Remilia muttered something about having a drink first, then quickly made her escape as the lift paused on the O-Club’s deck. She walked swiftly down the corridor, pausing at the threshold of the O-Club and settling her breath.

>>20296634
Dis gon be gud

Go Girl Go!

I love me some Remilia/Kines Feels

Kines had his back turned, grabbing something from beneath the mirrors behind the bar. The sudden gasps and murmurs from his patrons, alerted him to the arrival of someone important. No grumbling, so it wasn’t Haarlan. No red glow, so it wasn’t Princess Venus. No vengeful laugh from Chief Simmons, so it wasn’t Freya, and the Royal Consorts wouldn’t have alarmed the officers like that. Which left…
He smiled to himself, his stomach tightening a bit. “Lady Dorn, Remilia, welcome back to the Tide,” he said, rising smoothly to his feet, already holding up a bottle of the orange soda he knew she liked.
Remilia smiled from her stool. “Heard me coming, did you?”
“No,” Kines said honestly, sliding her the bottle. “How are you?”
“All right, thanks,” she said, hiding her nervous smile in a sip from the bottle. “Yourself?”
“Bit tired. Looking to get off shift,” he said, shrugging with forced nonchalance. She nodded, her own casual air equally feigned.
“So I imagine. What time does your shift start, anyway? I don’t think I’ve ever seen you anywhere but behind that counter?” Remilia asked, looking for something to fill the air.
Kines grabbed a brew for a pilot who had arrived after Remilia did. “I don’t have a duty rotation like most officers, I just get up when the bar opens in the lounge and turn in immediately after. It’s ten hours, or thereabouts,” he said.
“Huh. Good to know,” she said idly. They both inwardly cringed at the implied innuendo, but neither remarked on it.

Freya stretched languidly on the bed, sprawling over a pile of unsorted laundry like an indolent cat. Alex fiddled with his slate, sending a message to the ship’s Astropath. He was accepting the scholarship from Cyprine. The note to his mother had been succinct and completely without revelation. He didn’t want her to worry about him while he was on his trip. She had enough on her mind.
“You wanna go hit the gym?” Freya asked, rolling a clean pair of workout panties through her hands, wondering if it would even be open after dinner.
“Sure, just let me…send the damn message,” Alex grumbled distractedly. “There, sent. The Astropath will send the messages to Terra as soon as possible.”
“Good.” Freya slid out of her clothes and into her workout kit as Alex did the same. “So…how adorable is Remilia?”
“What?” Alex asked, his hand halfway through tying his laces. He glanced over at her. “What do you mean?”
“Oh come on, even a mortal’s nose can smell the vibes between her and…” her eyes widened. “You didn’t see those two before?”
“Who?” Alex asked, confused.
“Wow…well, let me put it this way,” Freya giggled. “We’re going to give Remilia plenty of privacy over the next few days.”
Alex shook his head. “She has eyes for someone?”
“Kines! The bartender, remember?” Freya prompted, slinging her towel.
“Oh.” Alex thought that over. “…Really? He can’t be a day over twenty.”
“He submitted his candidacy at fifteen, bought a two-year degree on Corum, boom, officer,” Freya said. “And Remilia needs it. I say let it slide,” she said coyly.
Alex snorted. “Can’t deny that,” he said with a chuckle.

Jake dug through his day bag, extracting his borrowed slate. “What do you want to watch?”
“Something riotously stupid. LaffTrax would be good, too,” Venus said, pawing through the bag as well.
“What are you looking for?” Jake asked.
“Just throwing out something we don’t need, forget it,” Venus said dismissively. Jake shrugged, dropping onto the bed with the slate.
“All right, ‘Armored Eyes,’ coming up,” Jake said, paging through his library of flicks. Venus headed for the hatch as he did so. “Going somewhere?” he asked.
“Just dropping something off with Remilia,” Venus said, not looking back.

>>20296852
>LaffTrax
I LOLed. Will we see MST40k?

>>20296875
Hah! Actually, I mention them in my very first story, Meeting Vulkan. The future of riffing is alive and well in the thirty fifth millenium. Watching shit old movies with commentary reels over them is one of the Vulkan household's favorite pasttimes.

Far below, Remilia checked her watch with an apprehensive flutter of her stomach. “Well…all right, Lieutenant. It’s been fun, but I need to retire,” she said, placing the slightest emphasis on ‘retire.’
Kines nodded, all business. “Then I’ll see you later, Remilia,” he said.
Remilia set down her empty bottle and walked off, feeling his eyes on her back the whole way. As soon as she was safe in the corridor, she sighed, wondering if she had been too opaque. She glanced back, anxiously thinking whether or not to go back and clarify. As she saw the crowd around the bar lessen in size, however, she decided against it. With another flutter of nerves, she rode the lifts up to her deck.

A few hours later, having checked and re-checked the schedule for the ship’s operations in her mind, she slowly paced in her room, nerves wracking her stomach. She had debated putting something more provocative on, but the marks on her arms would have ruined that. She bemoaned her own short-sightedness in carving herself up like that, wondering if makeup would hide them.
She pushed the hatch over to the small bathroom open and quickly pawed through the bags there, looking for something she could use to cover up her forearms. Sadly, it seemed that there was nothing to be found.
The hatch to her room rapped. She jumped a mile. Coughing to dispel nerves, she answered it, cracking it open. Kines was waiting outside, his own face a composed mask. “Hi,” she said.
He smiled slightly. “Hi.”
“I was wondering if maybe I had been too indirect before…guess not,” she admitted with a nervous laugh.
He raised his eyebrows a bit. “No…it was pretty clear.” He glanced side-to-side. “So…this is a nice corridor,” he said blandly.
“Oh! Right, come in, come in,” she said, beckoning him into the cabin. He walked past her and noted the expansive accommodations.
“Wow. This is a hell of a lot better than a bunkroom,” Kines said, taking in the sight. His eyes travelled over the pile of bags that the crew had deposited, over the neat bed, to the nightstand-
His eyes froze, and his cheeks flushed so deeply red that for an instant, she wondered if he was ill. She followed his gaze, and spotted the box of condoms Venus had deposited there.
She slowly slid her hands over her face, dying of embarrassment. “Venus, I’m going to shoot you,” she whispered.

File: 1344830845305.gif-(1.29 MB, 214x153, and here we go.gif)

>>20296930
>mfw

Kines, of course, had no idea of Venus’ involvement, and pretended to have seen nothing. “Well…My Lady…er, Remilia, sorry. I suppose…” he went silent, frantically looking for words. “Hah! You know, I came in here with the most suave lines I could think of or steal, and suddenly there’s nothing,” he admitted, finally letting his anxious nerves overwhelm him.
“I know what you mean,” Remilia muttered. He turned to look her over, and nearly laughed at the absolutely complete flush she had, from pale collarbone to hairline to ears. She glared at him. “Something funny, Chuck?” she asked coolly.
“Not at all, I’m just struck by the novelty,” he said, sitting at the foot of the bed. He smiled up at her. “So…what fantasy scenario did you have cooked up? We’re still hewing pretty close to mine.”
She flushed even deeper, brushing a bead of sweat off of her brow. “Well…to be honest, I didn’t really have one,” she said. “This doesn’t happen to me all that often.”
He actually managed a laugh. “Really? Travelling to far-away planets, discovering exotic locales and men?”
“This is kind of my first venture, in both regards,” she admitted.
He didn’t seem to catch her drift. “Well it’s certainly making my day,” he said, kicking his shoes off. “I hope yours is improving, too,” he added, a hint of his confidence returning.
“It’s getting there,” she admitted. She sat down next to him, slowly running her hands over her arms, unconsciously hiding her scars. She finally managed a nervous smile. “I’m glad you, at least, seem to know what you’re doing.”

>>20297053
...she's a virgin?

D'AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW

>>20296985
hahaha,
I saw that coming, but it still was golden.
that said, aren't those as unnecessary for Remilla as they are for Venus

>>20297230
Hehe.
The 'superfluous' comment will make more sense in a moment.

>>20297053
HNNNNGGGGG

I swear to god they are going to give me diabetes.

>Innsmouth sadsopu
And captcha's gone cultist on us

Kines laughed shortly. “Rule number two of being a Second Lieutenant: Always Look Like You Know What You’re Doing in Front of a Superior Officer.”
Remilia giggled. “What’s rule one?”
“‘Never Use the Word ‘Experience,’’” he explained. “Nothing bothers the senior guys more than a guy under twenty using the word ‘experience.’”
“I bet.” She let the humor of the moment work its way through her stomach, settling the butterflies down a bit. The silence dragged on for a moment, prompting him to look at her sideways.
“Are you all right?” he asked, a note of concern in his voice.
“Oh! Yeah, I’m, yeah, it’s all good,” she said. She swallowed a bit as he nodded and started working the buttons on his duty shirt, tugging them free. “Just…you know. Like you said, novelty.”
He smiled as he removed his outermost garments. “It’s certainly novel…oh.” He paused, hand on his undershirt, slowly looking up at her. “…How novel, exactly?” he asked cautiously.
She shrugged, another bead of sweat working its way down her back. “Completely.”
Kines nodded as that news set off all kinds of new bells and alarms in his head. His own temperature worked its way back up a few degrees. “Well…that’s actually really touching,” he said at last.
“How?” she asked nervously.
“Well…I mean, do you even know my middle name?” he asked. His eyes flew apart. “Not to send the wrong message,” he hastily corrected. “I’m just, you know, flattered.”

“You have a middle name?” Remilia asked, nervously unlooping her belt. She was already barefoot, fortunately.
“Well, no, but I just meant…” he looked down and flushed again. “Sorry. I was sort of operating under the assumption that you had done this before.”
“Well…no, is that a problem?” she asked, her heart seizing a bit.
“Certainly not,” he said, a bit more confidence returning, rushing in behind a wave of well-concealed glee. He smiled at her, as easily as he could contrive. “Call me presumptuous, but I thought a beautiful girl like you would be beating the guys off with a stick.”
She snorted under her breath. “In a class occupied by my cousins, all of whom are prettier and less fucked-up than me?”
He scoffed. “You’re not fucked up.” She mutely held her bare arms up. He hesitated, his words catching. “I don’t think you’re fucked up. And Remilia…” he slid his hand over her waist, gently pushing her other hand away. “You ARE beautiful,” he said softly.
She tightened, quite involuntarily. “Thanks, Chuck, that’s nice to hear,” she said. He smiled, gently easing her loose jeans down to the floor to join her belt and running his hand over her muscular stomach. She shivered.
“You know what, just keep doing that,” she said, each gentle stroke feeling as hot as a brush with a curling iron.
He smiled broadly. “If you’d like. Lie down, okay?” he asked. She hurriedly scooted farther back on the bed, looking up at him with eyes wide. He found it quite endearing.
“You’re so cute,” he said softly, sliding his hand up to tug her bra free. He took in the sight with a smile that was half nerves and half satisfaction. He leaned down and traced his lips along one little circle.

“Thanks,” she croaked. She cleared her throat and tried to relax. “That’s…” she paused as he continued, sliding his other hand over to give her other side some attention. “…actually pretty relaxing,” she admitted, feeling a squirming feeling building up just below her stomach. He smiled against her pale skin.
“Actually wait, shit,” she suddenly said. He lifted his head up, surprised. She scrambled over to the bedside table, snatching up the box and returning. “Nearly forgot,” she said. He smiled.
“Good call,” he said, sliding the rest of his clothes off, to her unhidden approval. He flashed a grin at her unusual tan lines. “Someone went sunbathing on Nocturne,” he observed.
She nodded, pulling her underwear off too. He basked in the sight for a moment, before accepting the box from her with an unsteady hand. “I mean it, you know. Look at you,” he said, gently guiding her back down and applying her offering. She gulped and licked dry lips.
“Well…if tall and pale goes for you,” she said nervously.
He slid his hand down between her legs and gently pushed, eliciting a moan. “Hush. You’re too cute for half-ass compliments,” he muttered, putting his hands back to work.
Minutes later, Remilia checked one more item off the list of things to do before summer ended, as she offered him her virginity, and he reverently took it.


Venus smiled to herself as she lay in bed with Jake, digging a pair of little foam buds out of a box on her nightstand. The sounds from the next cabin over were faint, but intensifying. “Time to see if these work,” she muttered.

Some time later – neither paused to check – Remilia lay flat on the bed, listening to Kines fall asleep. At that range, she could hear quite a bit. “So that’s what Freya’s listening to in there,” she muttered under her breath. She decided she liked it.
Once he was out cold, she reached over to the nightstand for her earplugs by instinct. Instead of finding the little container, however, her fingers brushed paper. Curious, she lifted it and flipped the lights up to their lowest setting. In the dim light, she squinted to make out the words.
‘Thought I’d trade. Hope you don’t mind. Be safe and have fun! Venus.’
Remilia smiled to herself, flipping the lights back down. “Your execution is postponed.” She settled back down on the mattress, the alien sensations she was feeling all over starting to fade. All except the sounds and warmth from her right flank. After a moment’s consideration, she scooted a bit closer, letting the slightly taller body next to hers warm her up a bit. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, and a deep, contented sleep was fast in arriving.

The next morning, she woke up groggy and a bit sluggish. The lights were out, and she flicked her hand at the clock. The little lights came on, revealing that it was less than a minute before her alarm was supposed to go off.
“Shit,” she muttered, gingerly moving over to the clock. She scrambled in the dark to find the off-switch for the alarm, but just as she found it, it started blaring. “Shit!” she growled, finally finding the button.
Kines stirred behind her anyway. “Mgh.”
She sighed in frustration. “Aw damn it.”
“What’s going on,” he muttered blearily. “The hell is it so dark?”
“Sorry, Chuck, sorry,” she soothed, sliding out of bed. “Go back to sleep, I was just going to work out.”
“…It’s not even 0530,” he said, focusing on the clock with an effort.
“I don’t sleep much.” She slid some workout clothes in the dark. “Seriously, sleep. When do you need to be up?”
“Uh…’bout four hours,” he muttered. “Bar opens late.”
“Well, I’ll see you then,” she said. She quickly walked over to his side of them bed and leaned over, speaking softly. “Thanks, by the way. Turns out you actually did know what you were doing,” she purred.
“Thanks for shopping,” he slurred. He ran a hand up her spandex-clad thigh. “Haarlan is going to have me flogged. I dunno, I think it was worth it.”
“He won’t touch you if he wants to keep his position,” Remilia promised.
“Good.” Kines rolled back over. “Later,” he yawned.

Remilia pushed the hatch open and froze. Venus and Freya were both leaning against the far bulkhead, smiling wanly. She slowly closed the hatch and stood facing them, shifting her weight slightly. “Uh…morning.”
“Good night,” Freya said. She raised her hand to her mouth in mock surprise at her ‘slip.’ “I mean…good morning.”
“Oh hush,” Remilia grumbled, blushing slightly.
“Thanks for letting me borrow the ear plugs,” Venus snarked.
“Yeah, well…thanks for the trade, it came in handy,” Remilia muttered, starting down the corridor. Venus and Freya followed, with wry grins for each other en route.
“Good thing Alex was all worn out himself from the gym, else you kids might have kept him up,” Freya said innocently.
“Both of you knock it off, all right?” Remilia threatened.
“Aww, but our little ice queen melted!” Venus giggled.
“I mean it,” Remilia snarled.
Freya leaned over and playfully nipped her ear as they waited for the lift. “We’re just kidding. I’m secretly happy for you,” she confided in a stage whisper.
Remilia pushed her cousin away, then turned to glare at Venus as the black-skinned girl gave her a quick squeeze herself. “Both of you, quit it,” she half-heartedly growled.

The hatch slid open. Just as Remilia started to board and escape, Haarlan emerged. “My ladies. There you are,” he said, a note of sternness in his voice.
“Morning, Officer Haarlan,” Venus said brightly.
“Good morning. Lady Primarch Remilia, did you happen to…see Second Lieutenant Charles Kines last night?” Haarlan asked curtly.
“What do you mean?” Remilia asked.
“I mean I saw him leave the O-Club and head straight for the commissary last night, and he emerged looking rather secretive. He then took a lift to your deck and when I called the lift car back to my deck, it was empty,” Haarlan said flatly.
“What of it?” Remilia asked, her good mood evaporating.
“Ma’am, he is now guilty of, if I have not missed my guess, statutory rape,” Haarlan said curtly. “And possibly a count of fraternization with a superior officer.”
“He’s less than three years older than me, so no statch, and-” Remilia said angrily.
“Political Officer Haarlan, your dedication to your duties is admirable, and duly noted,” Venus suddenly said loudly. “You are hereby, to that effect, relieved of the responsibility of Vessel Disciplinary Officer until such time that you forget that last night’s unspecified events allegedly happened. Understood?” she asked.
The other three people in the group stared. “P-Princess?” Haarlan asked, astonished.
“I don’t like repeating myself,” Venus said mildly.
“Yes…your Highness,” Haarlan finally said. He turned to face Remilia. “Er…my apologies, my Lady, I was…”
“Yes. Doing your job.” Remilia tapped the button for the gym, and the car descended in an uncomfortable silence.
Haarlan stayed aboard as the car arrived and the girls got off. As he dropped away into the depths of the ship, Venus looked sideways at Remilia, wondering if she would need to talk.

File: 1344836257572.jpg-(857 KB, 1997x1091, 1336856061660.jpg)

All right, friends, I'm done for the night.

Ahriman has fresh content lined up if you can keep the thread solvent until I get back.

A reminder of what Remilia looked like as a junior in high school; she's top row, second from right.

>>20298039
You are a beautiful man, SE.
>no homo

File: 1344838222868.gif-(134 KB, 480x270, our god is an awesome god.gif)

>>20298039
Spectacular job as usual, brother. What a beautiful little scene.

Play us off, Eric.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwprrAEL9-E

>>20298388
>secret project from beyond the grave

my body is ready

>>20277136
Oh, I liked the detail with Freyas senses there, even if it is obvious for a reader that Remilia is interested in the Lt.

File: 1344851647190.jpg-(30 KB, 225x164, -_- 279.jpg)

>>20282171
>Alex getting a shit deal by his asshole father
>Remilia and Lt puppy love
>mfw

It's the highs and lows that really make a story worth reading, I hope you never skimp on the lows when it is appropriate.
And Freyas nuzzling to comfort Alex is adorable, and her continuing observation with her enhanced senses is an interesting angle to witness.

>>20284906
Just... just take my whyboners.jpg, my HNNNGG!!!.exe and ALL of my WANT.png!

>>20289857
>>20289862
>>20289864
And all of my jelly

>>20290115
>Grave Digger
>-5 Karma
I'm surprised not every NPC in the Imperium is after him.

>>20277136
>>20277315
This song feels appropriate
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm1J4RPxxS8

>Bring me everyone!
>'Cuz I need to hurt someone!

BUMP FOR THE BUMP GOD!!

>>20296852
>“Just throwing out something we don’t need, forget it,”
>“Just dropping something off with Remilia,”
Oh you sneaky, delicious black waifu.

>>20298039
I awoke at 10, morning routine, browsing the net for a while and begun to read in earnest at 11:30 or so. Now it's soon 14:30.
I regret nothing! And you can check my previous comments (05:12 and onwards).

>>20300935
awsome for the awsome throne!
also, SE will we see anything of the primarchs or emperor that is not related to the kids, ie, what they do now. i believe it was venus who mentioned a failed assasination of the big E, will we ever here that story?

>Venus and Freya were both leaning against the far bulkhead, smiling wanly

Yeah, I read the above line and I must confessed I'm a little confused by the use of the word wanly here? Checking wanly on dictionary.com does state the use of it as an adjective for an idea of faint and dim but it's referring to stars and light.

File: 1344870215001.jpg-(17 KB, 480x360, Shobu, Duel Master.jpg)

It's time to b-b-b-b-bbbb-BUMP

In the Warhammer High timeline what happened to Omegon because the alparius/omegan twins were alpharion's kids then did the emperor just not give omegon a kid cuz that'd be dickish

>>20301720
I meant it to say they were both having small, sarcasrtic smiles.
>>20302751
Nope, Omegan exists, she's just not in this story. She and Alpharia are both Alpharius' daughters, because as far as the public knows, Omegon still doesn't exist.

She didn’t. “Thanks,” she said, and to Venus’ relief, she was actually smiling. “Well. That’s that taken care of.”
“He’ll have to be more discreet next time,” Freya opined.
“Yeah, he will,” Remilia said primly. The two girls exchanged another smile behind her back.
Far above, Alex rolled to his feet and snatched up his slate as it suddenly buzzed. He had set it to make a certain tone when the Astropath aboard sent him a message, and he had. His mother had bundled a reply with the latest words from the Seagers, the Dorns, and Vulkan’s household. No messages from the Russes, which was odd, but then, they would be at the Fang soon.
He skimmed the message briefly, cringing at his mother’s obvious surprise at his abbreviated message. He re-read it in greater depth, pausing as he reached the end, where she had mentioned offhandedly that she was looking at properties in the upper spires of Hive Ceorlic, on the far side of the Albiona city block. He grimaced. “Mom…don’t give up,” he muttered under his breath. He snorted his impatience away. “Fuck. If I’m up this early, I may as well head out,” he said to the empty room.

File: 1344883742846.jpg-(35 KB, 200x200, AGENT ORANGE.jpg)

>>20296766
>orange soda
>orange soda
>orange soda

He wandered into the gym a while later, noting that it was Freya and Venus’ turn for sparring today. Venus had elected to forego bloodpaint this time, since it was just a friendly bout. Whatever advantage her star had given her seemed to be fading, since Freya was easily coming out on top.
Alex wandered over to where Remilia was browsing free weights. “Morning,” he said with a yawn.
She straightened up. “Hey! You’re up early!” she said, taking in his appearance with some surprise. “Didn’t you stay up late in the gym last night too?”
“Yeah, but I’d feel self-conscious on Fenris if I wasn’t ripped,” he joked. “Plus, I got some mail from home this morning.”
“Oh, cool.” Remilia lifted a weight, testing its heft. “Wait…”
“Home, as in my mother,” Alex said.
Remilia looked at him sideways. “How is she?”
“She’s thinking of selling her house and moving into the hives,” Alex said, a little bitterly. “Which…I guess she needs the money, but it kinda leaves me high and dry.”
Remilia winced. “Did you pick a college? You could just live on campus,” she said.
“New Cyprine,” Alex said. “Freya and I will both be there.”
“That’s good,” Remilia said. She started lifting the weight, deciding to do so while standing.
“How about you?”
“I picked Alanaster, and I’m thinking a two-year there, then I take a break to decide if I just go get a job or more school,” she said.
“Cool. That’s a good school.” Alex smirked. “So, did that possibility we discussed in the market come to pass?”
“Sure did,” Remilia said. “Can you be discreet?”
“My lips are sealed,” Alex promised.

Venus slumped against the ropes, panting, trying to keep her guard up. Freya rocked back on her heels, a grim smile curling her lips. “Had enough?”
Her red-eyed cousin grimaced and stood back up, hands clenched. “Not yet,” she snarled. She advanced on Freya again, trying to find a way past her cousin’s ludicrous speed.
Freya side-stepped Venus’ attack with contemptuous ease, eyes narrowed. “You’re exhausted. Stand down or this is gonna sting,” she taunted.
Venus swung low, hammering her fists into Freya’s low guard and stomach. Freya absorbed most of them, turning the last few into a counterattack that sent Venus to one knee.
Finally, Venus sighed, tapping out. Freya bounced over and hauled her cousin up into a hug. “Not bad,” she allowed.
“Relatively speaking,” Venus said blearily. “At least I didn’t black out today.”
Freya snorted, vaulting the ropes and landing on the bare metal floor. “All right…hey, Alex! When did you get here?” she asked.
“Just arrived.” Alex noted her bloodied knuckles. “Tough bout?”
“Yeah, Venus is getting good,” Freya said. She rested her hands on her hips and looked him over. “You get a letter from home?”
“Just a quick note. Mom’s probably going to move into the hives,” Alex said, shaking his head. “I don’t blame her, but…”
“Yeah, that sucks.” Had Jake been there, she might have been a bit less blunt, but it was an honest assessment. “How is she feeling?”
“Better. The proceedings are over, she’s found some part-time work,” Alex said. He hefted a twenty-kilo plate and tacked it onto a barbell. “Spot?”
“Sure.” Freya stood behind the bar that Alex was using and slid a hand under. “Set.”
Alex started lifting, a bit slowly. Clearly, his mind was on far-off Terra.

>>20305792
PURE HATE! I have to go to bed now and work all day! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!

As lunch rolled around, the group assembled in the Captain’s Hall, where the usual flustered glances at their sparring injuries were made, and the Captain and Venus made their traditional small talk. While recounting more of their adventure on Nocturne, however, the ship’s Astropath suddenly departed without a word. Freya, the most War-seasoned of the five teens, provided a rational explanation: the ship was receiving a high-priority message.
“That would be likely,” Roemer said. As he turned back to his food, however, the Astropath burst back in, rushing to his side. Though the Captain flinched when the eyeless psyker leaned over to him, his discomfort vanished as the man started to urgently whisper. “…I see. Well, I’m afraid all we can do is hope we get dispatched,” he said back.
“As you say, Captain,” the Astropath said, ignoring his half-eaten sandwich and heading back out the door.
“May I ask?” Venus posed, all politeness.
“A distress call from a world along the Void Walks trade lane. A Space Hulk has emerged in-system, and the Merchant fleets are cut off,” Roemer said. “We’re a long way out, however, so I expect we won’t be called up.” He lifted his cutlery again. “Sorry to disrupt,” he said.
“Certainly not, I would be more displeased if you didn’t let urgent news disrupt a meal,” Venus said.

File: 1344889188166.jpg-(461 KB, 667x850, 1332535728687.jpg)

That's your cue, Ahriman, I'm going to go take a walk. I'll be back in a few.

Here is a Kelly and a Cora in the rain to keep you occupied.

>>20305838
Sorry, dude.

>>20305960
Oh the poor sods... though I am surprised they didn't react to those news, considering they know that whats-his-face is in the region.

SE, you made me "Awww" at work.

I'll be posting later tonight guys. Haven't had too much time to write, but I am inspired.

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>>20308086
Heeee.

All right, a bit more writing after dinner, then we'll see what DarkMage and Ahriman's Aide are up to.

>>20308086
Hey, I read all your work when the last thread was up and I wanted to give you some feedback!
...the thing is that I have forgotten most of the story... I'll read up on it when I wake up tomorrow. I enjoyed it though. For now, goodnight and I'm looking forward to the next update, from all of you.

File: 1344907750368.jpg-(26 KB, 222x414, Shirtless_custode.jpg)

bump.

Also, I've enjoyed this story more than I probably should. You're doing a great job.

>mfw I share a birthday with Venus

>>20310010
I don't even remember her birthday. It was in Venus' Burn, though, it was the night she scorched herself.

>>20303247

Ah okay I see. I thought perhaps it might have been the wrong use of wanly since it's normally use to when to describe a sick person smiling actually. AA might also be busy trying to organize Eye of TG campaign as well.

>>20310467
Status update, by the way. Ahriman may not be able to post here at all, his week will be mad. However, he has a huge amount of stuff written, so next thread will have a lot of Trip Into Hell.

DarkMage is also writing, and he has about three small arcs on the burner now. I'll be posting a bit more tonight as well, then I have to buckle down a bit on something unrelated.

>>20310608

My time has been taken up by the Eye of /tg/. However I have a literal fuck-ton of stuff ready, which you can see next thread.
In the meantime, why not join in the 13th Black Crusade? we need every player we can get (Shameless self-advertisement)

>>20310654
I do not know what you are talking about, but please enlighten me. I can stay up all night, maybe.

Thread Hijack time.

The rules for running your very own Eye of Terror campaign, out of some white dwarf, have been dug up, and they are complete, including the planets, event cards, and so on. And so we /tg/ are doing the whole damn thing from start to finish. Change history, whatever. Green Kroosade. Cadia burning. Sectors collapsing. Fleets clashing.

Our forum is here. http://eot.grognarnia.org/

>>20310791
Does this involve table-top wargaming in any way? Because I would NOT be able to participate. Which sucks.

>>20310938
Naturally.

I've delayed posting my material long enough. I am hoping to end this story in this thread as I have a future WHH project I am considering.

---

Lyra tensed up for a moment as she heard the manor’s bell ring, proclaiming a visitor had arrived. A second later, she heard the butler open the door as a conversation began at the front entrance. She knew who it was as she checked her watch. “Right on time” she muttered to herself, looking one last time in her mirror to see if she was ready. She had chosen her favorite dress for the date, a dark forest green evening gown with snow white gloves and belt. Appropriate earrings and makeup were also used for the finer details. Hopefully this would be enough so Felix’s eyes never left her tonight.
She heard a knock at her door and knew it was her butler outside come to tell her of her visitor waiting. “Lady Lyra, your guest has arrived” she heard him announce on the other side.
“I’ll be down in a moment.” One last look and she grabbed her purse, making her way out of her room and down the large mansion staircase at the front center of her house. She took her time as she walked down the stairs in her high heels, partly to give Felix a chance to see her coming but also because the alcohol was making her regret choosing these shoes for the night. She had to keep herself entirely focusing on every step so she didn’t trip, but still had a moment or two to glance at her date and see his reaction.

He stood by the front entrance, idling for a moment before noticing her arrival. He was wearing a fine tailor made black suit with a nice white shirt underneath. Very much the standard for formal Terran noble fashion. In his hand was a bouquet of red roses that she immediately knew was for her. Felix just stared at her and she could note a little jaw drop as he began to see her attire. He collected himself as she took the final steps towards him and bowed slightly towards her.
“Lyra, you look beautiful” he said, seeming a bit taken back from her attire. It was the first time she had seen him lose a bit of his charisma as he couldn’t help himself but stare at her. This made Lyra feel even better as she was now in control. Her confidence began to rise steadily as she reached over and placed her hand on his arm.
“Thank you. I like the suit, makes you look very professional.” Felix nodded as he looked down at her hand.
“Oh, these are for you” he said, handing her the bouquet he was holding gently in his left hand. She took the roses from him, bringing it up to her face to take a sniff of the fragrant smell.
“Felix, this is too much. It’s only our first date.”
“But you deserve the best Lyra. I would be ashamed to give you anything less for someone of your stature” he praised. She blushed slightly, enjoying the attention far too much for her own good. Placing the roses on a side table near the entrance, she turned to him and smiled, clearly in a good mood.
“Well, I won’t complain if you continue to do so.”

He nodded and put out his arm to her. “Shall we?” he asked and she nodded, putting her arm around his. They began to walk off together towards the door, but as they left Lyra had a strange feeling for a split second. She turned her head to get a look around her. Sure enough, her mother stood at the top of the stairs staring down at them silently. They made eye contact for a moment, but it was all it took to pass a message.
“Not. Too. Late.” she mouthed to her quickly. Lyra nodded as she kept up beside her date. Felix didn’t notice the exchange, which was for the best. The parent confrontation would need to be for another day.
The night was warm with a slight breeze brushing up against Lyra’s skin. A perfect night to go out she thought to herself. Yet, there was still a part of her that kept thinking of what her cousins had told her. As they approached Felix’s car, Lyra’s doubts began to resurface. For a moment, she thought to ignore them and carry on with the rest of the night. But her normal stubborn self decided it was time to put the rumors to rest.
“Felix, wait.” she said, stopping in place. It wouldn’t matter if he kept walking, as her incredible strength around his arm brought him to a grinding halt. He stared at her,unsure by the sudden change in behavior. She stared at him coldly before she continued talking.
“Did you find anything about the pin yet?” she asked. For a moment, there was no reaction from him, but then he smiled.
“A bit impatient?” he said jokingly and she fake smiled at him to ease the sudden tension she had brought upon the duo.

“I felt that getting rid of business quickly would be best so I wouldn't need to think about it for the rest of the night” she responded. She also wanted to know if he had been lying to her the entire time or did he actually know about these things. These ideas she kept from him for now.
“Well, I wanted to surprise you later tonight, but I guess I shouldn’t wait. Yes, I did find information. I know who has it.”
Her eyes widened in anticipation. “Go on.”
“Do you know a fellow classmate Isaac Durn?” She shook her head, usually not keeping up with the majority of students that went to Imperator High. “Well, he is a Praetorian with a history of gang membership back on his home planet. His parents sent him here to hopeful straighten him out, but I don’t think it made any difference. My sources tell me he has the ring. If you give me time, I will return it from him easily enough.”
She raised an eyebrow from that. “You are going to return it? Isn’t he dangerous?”
“Very. But I’ll manage. He seems pretty simple minded, you know?”
She shook her head at that, his over confidence with the issue might get him in more trouble than he could imagine. It would be best if she confronted him herself. With Freya as backup, of course.
“Leave him to me. It’s personal, alright?” He reluctantly nodded his head. She smiled at him, in a better mood already. She actually felt that things were finally turning around for her. “Lets get going alright?”

Several minutes later, the duo arrived to their destination: The Golden Grail. The restaurant was well known among the terran nobles for its exceptional cuisine and in house entertainment, including shows and music. One of the most famous of restaurants in the hive, particularly for it being regularly visited by some of the Primarchs.
“Have you ever been here?” Felix asked her as they approached the grand entrance from the parking lot.
She nodded at him. “Plenty of times. My father brought me as a child for dinner and the shows. Although I haven’t been here in a while.”
“It’s amazing, really. Great food and keeps the unwanted out.”
She looked at him strangely at that. “Unwanted?”
“The riff raff” he said casually, thinking that should be enough to explain what he meant but left Lyra with more questions. She was going to ask him further, but as they walked into the building someone had already recognized her.
“Lady Lyra!” a voice exclaimed. At first she thought it was the paparazzi and anger already began to boil through her. They did not want to ruin her evening tonight, not unless they wanted a to spend the night in a prison.
She turned to the voice, stone faced and ready for a picture flash when she suddenly noticed it was an middle aged man smiling at her. It took a second to recognize him, mainly because she hadn’t seen him in years, but a smile did appear on her face.
“Mr. Porteau, its been too long.” He was a short black haired man, balding near the back of his head. A thick moustache covered his entire upper lip and he had very small glasses on the ridge of his nose. Somewhat rotund around the stomach, he wore a white suit tailor made for him. “Felix, this is Mr. Porteau, owner of The Golden Grail.”

“You know the owner?” he said, a bit shocked by the whole event.
“I told you I came here as a kid. Mr. Porteau, this is Felix Severus, my date for the evening.”
“Pleased to meet you young man. Table for two?” the large man asked her. She nodded.
“Yes, in a private location I hope. Don’t want the buzzers to intrude.” Porteau gave her a face that made it seemed that she had almost insulted him by having to ask.
“Of course. I never have those vultures in my restaurant Madame. Although I take it you won’t be able to entertain us tonight with your elegant voice?”
“Not tonight. Maybe some other time, Mr. Porteau” she responded. He personally led them past the main entrance to the ground floor where most of the diners were and instead went to a side door with a large staircase upwards. He led them up to a enclosed balcony area that seemed mainly to be used by private parties. There was a glass wall that looked down to the main room, but it must have been one way as no one seemed to look up as the trio walked above. As always, Mr. Porteau delivered. A table for two was immediately set for the them and as they took their seats, the owner bowed and left the two to themselves.
“Amazing. You have quite the connections” Felix remarked to her.
“Mr. Porteau is more than that. He is a good family friend. My father helped him by funding this restaurant when I was born and since then he has never disappointed in his services or his friendship.”
“Nor should he forget to do so. He understand that without people like you, he is nothing.”
“I guess” she said, not thinking much of it. He was technically right, even if it was a bit simple minded.

“So what did he mean when he said ‘entertain us’?” Felix asked as he looked over the menu.
“Oh. As I said, he feels forever indebted to us. When I started to sing, he gave me the chance to do it infront of the crowd. Even if I wasn’t good at it, he still gave me a shot. Of course, most places would love to have the royal family singing for their customers, but Porteau did it because he wanted me to embrace my talent, not for personal gain on his part.”
“I can’t believe it” Felix said, a bit astonished.
“As I said, Porteau is a good friend.”
“Not that. I don’t get how you can be so generous to these people most of the time. You perform for them when all they do is take from you and your family. It must be tough being in your position, when the mass majority of people you know only want from you and never return the favor.”
“Uh, I...” Lyra stuttered, unsure of how to respond to him. It didn’t matter as he went back to the menu, deep in thought about the choices presented to him. However, Lyra seemed a bit shocked. Did Felix really believe that the majority of people she knew were out to use her? There were always the occasional bad cases that did, but for the most part people treated them fairly and never asked too much, already grateful for what her father, uncles and grandfather had done for the Imperium.
She began to feel the same doubt that had plagued her earlier reappear, reminding her how wrong she was initially about Felix. She must have been over thinking this as well.
“Would you want wine to start?” he asked her and she took a moment before answering. The doubts lingered and she would need something stronger to remove them from her mind.
“No, make it a glass of whiskey on the rocks for me.”
---

>>20311002
Keep up the good work :) We'll keep bumping this thread to keep it alive. One side note though... Are you okay with depicting them drinking wine/whiskey at such a young age? They are after all 16/17 only.

>>20311460
Not at all. Most of them probably don't drink, but people like Felix and Lyra consider themselves to be a bit high class. In Lyra's case, I feel Lion had a large impact for making her start. He always gave me the impression to be a connoisseur, which probably transferred to his daughter. I also wanted to use this in future story ideas of having Lyra quit drinking because it was actually affecting her.

Victoria seemed a bit distressed as she looked over the chat logs once more. Her contact seemed to be telling the truth and that was quite unfortunate for Lyra. As more information about the situation began to flow in, Victoria began to feel that the time for action was now. Still, she waited upon one more piece of information before she had enough to make a move. And she knew that it was mere moments before it came.
Planning ahead as always, she grabbed her vox went through her family contacts before she stopped at one in particular. The connection established, Victoria waited patiently for her to pick up. At the same moment, a new message appeared on her screen which she opened enthusiastically. Several pictures appeared and she knew the truth now.
“Victoria?” the voice on the other end of the line said, sounding a bit tired and groggy.
“Sleeping early Remilia?” she said jokingly and could hear a groan on the other side.
“I got a lot of work to do tomorrow morning. So did you only call me to ruin my sleep schedule and make fun of me at the same time?”
“Not entirely. You will unfortunately be glad to hear your hunch was correct. Felix is a scam.”
There was a pause as she heard some shuffling, Remilia clearly getting out of her bed. “What’s going on? Something happen to Lyra?”
“Not yet. But I don’t think she will take what I have to say in good humor. We need to get to her as quickly as possible. Do you know where she went for the date?”
“No idea.”
Victoria nearly cursed but stopped herself as perfection demanded it. “Too bad. We can catch her when she gets back home. I’m coming to pick you up in a couple minutes alright?”
Her cousin paused on the line before answering her. “Why are you coming to get me?”
“Because having some muscle around never hurts.”

I'm done for tonight. I have another large part to paste tomorrow and hopefully have written more down. Cya guys then.

>>20310132
March 20th, it's mentioned when she buys her ring on Nocturne.

I think it's awesome how you all write such believable teenage characters. I've always struggled with that.

>>20312492
Thank you. It can be tricky.

Does anyone think I've made the female characters a bit too mannish? It's hard to portray characters at that age as feminine when their defining trait is that they're largely female versions of their fathers.


also, i will return tomorrow. please keep the thread alive

I have a slight lul in my Eye of /tg/ work, so I will now make the most of it. This won't be a big dump, but it will be a taster of the 20,000+ words I have ready for you all.

>>20305960
While the Daughters are hearing this on the Iron Tide, a top secret high level meeting is going on at Terra...

Buried deep with the Imperial Palace on Terra, the War Room of the palace was the central hub of the entire Imperial War Machine, a massive open space full of Logic-Engines, scanners, operators, analysts and strategists, and even with its own specialist team of astropaths to send coded messages to warfleets and armies far away. One wall was dominated by ‘the board’ a huge flatscreen rendition of the entire Imperium with small red lights for active warzones. There were a few too many of those on there now. It had been constructed after the Crusade ended, in order to centralise military command, which before had been disjointed between the hundreds of Crusade Fleets reconquering the galaxy in the name of the Emperor.

Warmaster Horus Lupercal stood before the massive round Holo-Desk which occupied the centre of the room, staring intently at the images displayed upon it, analysing vast amounts of tactical data sent from conflicts waged all across the galaxy. One particular area had almost his full attention, one lone planet which now held the centre of attention, for all the wrong reasons.

A figure in golden armour entered the room flanked by two of the Custodes, and Horus did not need to look up to know who it was.

“What is the situation?” The Emperor asked as he came closer.

“No doubt about it, this is a potential catastrophe. We should have seen that Seadelant wasn’t fortified enough, wouldn’t be able to stand against an invasion of this magnitude. And we can’t establish contact thanks to the psychic ECM the Hulk is producing.”

“I should have seen this coming.” The Emperor mused. “The recent rise in Ork raids on our shipping; this was a natural outgrowth of that.”

“It’s horribly ironic. We sent the final order, mobilizing nearly a third of the Navy and several Legion Fleets in order to burn the Orks off of the Imperium’s lanes of trade, and no sooner do we do that than an Ork hulk drops out of the warp astride the single most important warp-lane in the entire Imperium, the Terra-Ultramar Road. Forget about the void walks, now that the road is cut, all traffic between Terra and Ultramar has to take an alternate and more treacherous route which adds weeks if not months to the travel time and drastically increases the risk of losing ships to the warp. Already I’m hearing complaints from the Chartists and the trade unions about disruptions.”

“I’ll speak with them on that one. Let’s see how much they complain after that.”

Horus nodded. “And all this on top of those Ork pirates we’re trying to destroy in the void walks, those sightings of Daemonships near Cadia and now the Dark Eldar have begin raiding around the Armando Cluster. Conquering the Galaxy was one thing, holding it something else.”

The Emperor walked around the table, examining the data Himself. Horus had no doubt that if he’d missed anything, the Emperor would point it out. It was a skill which had saved them many times in the past, on Gorro and other places when the Crusade was new and he was the Emperors only son.

“These delays are unacceptable, we can’t give the Orks a chance to dig in and consolidate. The Thousand Sons are closest to Seadelant, have they sent word?”

“Brother Magnus has promised the third and fifth Fellowships, they are being mustered and trained on Prospero as we speak. Most of the other legions are occupied with various duties, I’ve sent out messages to then all to see what troops can be spared, but I hold out little hope. I need to enquire with brother Vulkan about the Salamanders troops stationed on Nocturne; we need every soldier we can get to respond to this.”

“I’m seeing him later this afternoon about his daughter’s trip; I’ll bring it up then myself.

"What about your own legion?”

“I’m sending the first, second, fifth and tenth companies, the ones stationed here on Terra as an honour guard. I don’t need them here, and the others are too far away to respond in time.”

“Giving the Mournival a break?”

Horus smiled. “I fear I may have worn them out, they need some time away from me.”

“And what about the other matter, the one Angela brought up?”

“I inquired with the astropaths around Ultramar, but no sign. Unless he got off the planet in time, he’s still on Seadelant.”

“Does Isis know?”

“She does, though she and Julius haven’t spoken much since the incident in the Petitioner’s City she did receive a copy of his itinerary from Oll. Unless I receive actual news, I see no need to fill her with false hope or false fear regarding his survival. She’ll understand. You know I told her I would never stick my neck out for him again, and now it seems I’ll have to. How things turn out.” Horus remembered the look on her face when he told her the news, the look of shock mixed with horror. He’d tried his best to reassure her he would be in no danger, though he knew that was a lie, and she knew it too.

“About the petitioner’s city, have you spoken with Kurze about hunting down this ‘Babuk’? I can’t have someone experimenting with forbidden gene-tech on my very doorstep.”

“I have mentioned it, but Kurze wants to wait for Ahriman to return, says he’d rather do it with someone he knows, and who knows the foe. As close to sentimentality as I’ve ever seen the Night Haunter.”

“And speaking of Ahriman, he’s commanding the defence of this planet in person, isn’t he?”

“Yes. I was startled when I found his identification rune on the transmission. Seems like he was there to get away from Prospero. The way he’s going, I expect he’ll end up on Angelus before long, as far away from Terra as it is possible to get.”

The Emperor had been very angry with his sojourn through the Hive Tops and the Petitioner’s City; Horus could almost see the anger that day. No wonder Ahriman wanted to get as far away from that as possible. However he being on Seadelant was a lucky stroke, with his psychic mastery and strategic genius, Horus couldn’t think of any Astarte more suited to leading the defence of a Planet.

An analyst dashed up to Horus with a data-slate in her hand. Horus took it, scanned it and handed it back with a frown.

“So, none of the Alpha Legion can be spared either. This just isn’t getting any better. We’re scraping the barrel to find troops to respond to this threat, and even with the troops I can currently drag up, it will be at least a month before the force can be fully mobilised to reach Seadelant. We’d better hope they can hold out that long.”

There was a pause, before Horus added. “I feel at least one of us should command this in person.”

The Emperor didn’t have to ask what ‘one of us’ meant. It had been a while since many of the Primarchs had held field command, only Angron and Russ still did it regularly, because those two were ill suited to much else.

“Mortarion is still angry, still full of rage after what happened to Morticia, and he’s sitting at home doing nothing. I would suggest him.”

“You know how much he hates sorcery; he and Ahriman won’t get on.”

“I’ll speak to him on that one myself. No matter how much he might disagree about Magnus and his Legion’s methods, he’ll do what I tell him.”

Horus decided to change the topic. “How’s Remalia, Venus, Freya and their friends little excursion going?”

“They are on their way to Fenris even as we speak.”

“Good, very few of the Greenskin scum around there; they’ll be safe, or at least as safe as you can be on Fenris.”

The Emperor snorted, a sound which startled many of the analysts.

“When this is over, I intend to get Dorn or Peturabo to refortify the planet to ensure such a thing doesn’t happen again. We were sloppy, the fact it was far from any potential threat made us lax, and now we’re paying the price. But first we need to liberate that world.” The Emperor left without another word, while Horus turned his attention back to the escalating situation.

That's me done. I just had to oversee a Sisters of Battle victory for the Eye of /tg/, and I won't be dumping any more for quite a while as I manage the 13th Black Crusade (and a few tests on top of that).

But next thread I will outdo SE for sheer amount of writefaggotry dumped, and I will take you into the heart of darkness as a world is consumed by war...

(keep the thread solvent for SE please)

>>20315674

Will do AA. Can't wait to read more about Julius :)

Bumping for MOOOOOOORE!

>>20313199

woops sorry i missed this comment earlier. I think your character representations are fine personally. That being said, I'm thinking from a guy's perspective. Even David Eddings used to ask his wife for help for characterization of his female characters. It would probably be better to ask for such advice from female anons.

>>20311163
>>20311195
>>20311266
Sounds like Felix isn't quite the gentleman he's made out to be.

AA why you no update 1d4chan with this story?

Bump Set Spike

No kidding.

>>20315207
I like the interwoven tidbits with the other drawfriends work here and there

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bumpity bump bump

Sorry for the delay, folks, I was working on another project.

I'll be back to writing soon.

>>20318201
That's how I roll.

To clear up some confusion:

The Void Walks is a trade lane that intersects the Ultramar-Terra Road at Seadelant. It's not the same road, they just cross there.

Lightning storm over my house, I'll reconnect when i can.

>>20319346
-10 Hapiness

Almost as soon as the meal was over, Remilia excused herself and made for the O-Club. Just as she arrived, however, she paused with her hand on the hatch frame. After Haarlan’s observation the previous night, did she really want to be seen hovering around Kines? A simple recording of her sparring was one thing, an affair was entirely another.
She hesitated. Closing her eyes in thought, she weighed her options. After a moment, she decided to postpone a reunion until she could be seen to do so with the others. She sighed heavily, turned away from the inviting room, and went back up to her cabin.
As she arrived, she swung the hatch open, glancing over the vacant chamber. Clearly, Kines had made his escape while she had been at lunch. She hoped he had managed to arrive at the bar without raising suspicions, for both their sakes.
Footsteps down the corridor behind her snapped her attention up. She looked back to see Venus and Jake returning to their own cabin. “Hey, Remilia, you up for another game tonight?” Jake asked as they drew closer.
“Uh…possibly, I don’t know if I’m in the mood for more poker,” she confessed.
“We can try something else. Ratscrew, euchre, ascendency, your call,” he said.
“You know, actually, I think I'll just want to turn in a bit early,” Remilia said evasively.
Jake grinned patiently. “Mm hmm. If you say so…” he said, opening his own hatch.

>>20320834
My productivity! NOOOOOOOOOOOO

>>20320834

My sleep! NOOOOOOOOOOOO

That evening, Jake sat down in front of the small group of officers that had gathered around his table in the O-Club. “Gentlemen, welcome,” he said. He opened the leather case, passing out some chips. “Values are on the chips. Opening ante is one credit, we max at four hundred.”
The officers nodded, taking their chips. Jake glanced around the room, noting the absence of Remilia. Shaking his head, he stood. “All right, gents, I’m just going to grab a drink, then we can start.” He walked up to the bar, grabbing the ice water Kines had already put out for him. The Lieutenant was in high spirits, clearly. “Thanks, Chuck,” Jake said. He leaned forward conspiratorially as the Lieutenant opened his mouth for a greeting. “I think she just wants to avoid scheming political officers,” he whispered.
Kines stared, flushing a bit, but nodded as if nothing of import had been said. “I’ll be back several hundred credits richer,” Jake said a bit louder, walking back to his table. Freya was hovering next to his seat as he returned.
“Sure you don’t want to be learning the trade?” she asked slyly. “There’s plenty of room on the dartboard.”
“There’ll be plenty of time for that later, my audience awaits,” he replied, dealing the first hand.

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This whole thread is pic related.

SE, AA, DM and all other writefags who work on WHH: YOU. ARE. AWESOME.

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>>20321199

Venus paged through the terse message from home. She had received it only a few minutes before, with an urgent tag from the Astropath.
“Under attack, huh.” She swore under her breath in Old Nocturnean. “Naturally. We’re vacationing on Death Worlds, and he’s the one who gets attacked by Orks.” She read a bit more, shaking her head. “He’s a tough kid, but…well. He’ll be fine,” she said to herself, rising to her feet in the empty cabin. She checked the message’s send list. Roemer had already received it. “Good. Wouldn’t want the Astropath cutting corners.” She dropped the slate on the bed and thought their options over. Fenris was only seventeen light-years from the Void Walks. From there, if they pressed the Warp Drives flat-out, they could be at Seadelant in four days. If she had to, she could use her authority as a Lady Primarch to just requisition a ship to take them back to Terra, though she suspected that Freya would be the one doing it.

As I said I would SE, writing up that report for ya' now.
>>20321336

>>20321461
back to Terra? im missing something...

File: 1344988750039.gif-(604 KB, 420x350, 1339377173865.gif)

>>20321582
Well, they're not going to stay on Fenris forever...
>>20321556

>mfw

It's five hours 'till worktime, I've got an fresh carton of Finnish liquorice, half a bottle of Trocadero soda and I'm listening to slow jazz.
Hit it.

(aka I'm gonna start reading through this entire thread and I'm not gonna be happy if it 404s before I'm done)

>>20322344
>liquorice
Oh shit nigger, what are y-
>Trocadero
Carry on citizen.

I am the bump that goes thing in the night

B is for Bro, what Someone Else is
U is for Unmatched, like this writing of his,
M is for MOAR, which is what desire,
P is for your Persistence, which we truly admire.

I'm back. Time to post.

---

For Lyra, the rest of dinner went smoothly. Or so she thought. It made it difficult to remember the details after her third glass of whiskey. The alcohol began to clear her mind of doubts entirely by sealing them away in a box made of starship metal alloy. Soon, she could only smile, nod and laugh at his jokes as she sipped on her fourth glass by the end of dinner. She glanced at her watch briefly and sighed, noting how late it was into the night now.
“We probably should be going. I told my mother I wouldn't be late.”
“That’s too bad” Felix muttered as she stood up. The bill seemingly disappeared as Mr. Porteau smiled at them as they left.
“Good night Lady Lyra, Mr. Severus.”
“That’s Lord Severus, Mr. Porteau.” Felix said as he left. Neither of them noticed the stare he gave as he left, clearly feeling unpleased with Lyra’s choice of consorts.
As they walked into a parking lot, another couple walked in beside them. Felix turned his head and watched them stroll by before shaking his head. “Riff raff.”
She looked at the couple walking in and could not tell what he was getting at. “What do you mean?” she asked him.
“They don’t belong in that restaurant. Clearly middle class in their behavior. You can tell with how they walk.” They approached his car as Lyra kept rethinking on how the couple was moving. She didn’t notice what he was on about, but thought it was the alcohol getting to her making her miss key details.
They arrived back at her house ten minutes afterwards, the alcohol’s effect worsening. It didn’t help that she had a couple drinks before the date had started and had continued into the night. As he parked his car by the front entrance, they sat in silence for several seconds before Lyra began to talk.

“It was an amazing night Felix.”
“I hope so. Maybe we can do it again sometime soon?” he asked her and she nodded, turning to look at him. She hadn’t noticed how close he had gotten when he had parked and was only a few inches away from her. She looked into his brown eyes as he got closer to her face. Without any objection from her, he closed the gap and kissed her. It was short but sweet. He pulled away, looking at her for any signs of recognition for what he did.
“Did I go too far?” he asked her. She could only shake her head in disagreement, incapable of actually speaking at how surprised she was. He leaned in again and kissed her once more, this time more forcefully as he pushed her back against the car’s door. She offered no resistance as he continued, beginning to enjoy it herself. His hands pressed against her waist and massaged her upwards. She enjoyed his hands as they moved over her dress and behind her back, reaching for a zipper.
She would look back at this with disgust, thinking how horrible intoxicated she must have been to give in so easily to his advances. Yet at the moment, she could only enjoy the warm feeling of his embrace against her body.
His hand began to slide across to her shoulders, gently pulling the dress downwards and slipping it off her with every passing moment. Her mind began racing with what was happening, but a part of her wanted it to happen. She wanted to have Felix and nothing was going to stop that now.
Up until the car door opened behind him.
“Hey you! Get your damn hands off her!” With that, he was forcefully pulled away from her in a fell swoop. Lyra had no idea what was going on until a knock on the window by her door shifted her gaze upwards. There was Victoria, smiling.

>>20324454
Why thank you.

I am saving that shit to my writing notes.

Lyra was furious immediately. She sat up from her seat, fixing her dress before opening the door and walking out. Or attempting to anyway, as she stumbled out and had to use the car for support as she stared Victoria down. She glanced to the other side of the vehicle and noted Felix on the ground, pinned to the floor under Remilia’s sneakers. Her cousin had no trouble keeping him in place with a single foot. Try as he might, he could not struggle his way to freedom.
“Let go of me!” he yelled at her, but Remilia Dorn did not budge.
She looked at Lyra and nodded. “I got this under control.”
“Damn you both!” Lyra shouted, unpleased with her family’s interference. “Your stupid game ruined this perfect evening! Let him go Remilia. Don’t make me come over there.”
“I wouldn’t be worried Remilia, she would probably fall over halfway there.” Lyra turned to Victoria, who was smiling smugly behind her back. Lyra’s fists clenched, and she wanted nothing more then to break her perfect nose, but she knew how well things went last time she got into a fight with one of her cousins.
“How dare you” she hissed, standing up tall to confront her. “How could you do this Victoria? You having fun destroying my life? Is this a hobby of yours I have to worry about now, every time I choose to have a fun night out? You said you would stay out of my business. You lied to me. You are nothing more than a snake.”
Victoria chuckled softly, making Lyra even angrier. “My dear Lyra, you know I wouldn’t do this without good reason. And I did come through on my investigations.”
Lyra pressed her palms unto her eyes, hoping this was just a bad dream, but didn’t wake up. “What are you on about! You’ve come to my home, physically assaulted my date and are telling me it was all according to plan?”

“Naturally. I told you I’d get to the bottom of this.”
“Bottom of what?!” Lyra shouted once more. All Victoria did to respond was wave a folder she was holding in front of her and press it into Lyra’s chest.
“Take a look.” Lyra paused before snatching the folder from her cousin. She opened it furiously and stopped as she looked over its contents. Pictures of the pin, with the date being today. “He doesn’t have the ring Lyra.”
“I know that. Isaac Durn, some praetorian has it. He already told me.”
“Oh, you are right. Isaac does have the pin. Because he stole it from Felix.”
Lyra didn’t understand at first, shaking her head as she tried to figure out what she was saying. “What are you talking about? “
“Felix had the pin a day or two after the accident. He found it probably while checking out the scene of the accident, trying to figure out himself what had really happened. You see, Felix has had a crush on you for quite some time. But since you kept away from him in the fear of embarrassing yourself, he kept thinking you weren’t interested. Stop me if I’m wrong Felix.”
He remained quiet under Remilia’s foot, no longer struggling. Victoria continued without pausing. “He probably found the pin near the blast point and picked it up. Recognizing it to be yours, he began to hatch a plan to bring this to you for your attention. But like all politicians, he took his time to find the best moment to confront you. Too long really, as he lost it soon enough. As you can figure, Isaac and him are not the best of friends. Isaac wanted to pull a prank on poor Felix here by going through his locker. Instead, he found a precious pin and took it for himself.”

She walked around the car and approached Felix on the ground, smiling at him the whole way. “But this actually helped Felix along. Thinking he could get rid of two problems at the same time, he would convict Isaac for having the ring and not bringing it to the proper authorities and have you as his girlfriend in one swift motion. No one would question his word against someone with gang history, and Isaac would be expelled soon after. Maybe even sent to prison for a couple years since they could convict him for endangering the Royal Family's reputation.”
Silence fell unto the parking lot as everyone took in what just happened. Victoria smiled, victorious as ever as she looked down at him. “Almost perfect. Almost.”
Lyra was silent, thinking over the current bombshell that had been dropped. She began to slowly walk over to Felix who was still pinned by her stronger cousin. Stopping in front of Remilia, she eased her off, letting Felix the chance to get up.
“Lyra, you have to understand. I did this to be with you. I’ve always loved you” he told her.
“I know” she responded. Lyra’s voice was barely a whisper. She placed her hands on his chest as she continued. “And truth be told, I am impressed with your way of dealing with the situation. Getting rid of a rival and acquiring a prize is an amazing feat to be sure.” Felix smiled, placing his hands on her shoulders to show he cared.
“But this evening has opened my eyes Felix” she continued. “As the evening went on with you, I began to notice some things. Things that I did not particularly enjoy. Things that really showed me who you are.”

Her fists clenched around his shirt as he suddenly realized he was trapped in her iron grip. She slowly began to lift him from the ground, her eyes staring daggers into his. “You are disturbing with the way you think of other people. You are egotistical and a outright fool.” Her voice began to escalate as she continued on, her anger flowing fluently through her words. “You are obnoxious, self-centered and repulsive. You have such a large ego that it’s probably what keeps that oversized head of yours afloat. All you do is spew more of this bullshit about how you and others like you are better than most people. I can never imagine how any female could find you attractive the moment you open your horrendous trap. Your disgusting nature alone is enough to make me feel ill for every moment you dared to touch me! You should be ashamed of yourself for being such a horrible human being!You are a embarrassing, evil, dumbass fucking dick!”
At this point, she had lifted him above her head and was shaking him frantically. The blood had drained from Felix’s face as he had no way to combat the furious woman’s assault.
“If I ever see you try to speak to me ever again, it will be the last time anyone ever hears your voice ever again. Do I make myself clear?” All he could do is nod frantically. She dropped him onto the pavement and stared down at him, her eyes glowing with rage. “Get your fucking car off my spire.”
With that Lyra turned around and walked towards her house. She said nothing else as she made her way to the door, not even pausing as the servitor opened it from the other side. Her own strength alone pushed him and the door open as she stormed in. A second later it was slammed shut and left the trio cold in the night, which was a couple minutes ago plenty warm.

Victoria turned and smiled at Felix. “I would leave. Right now.”
Seconds later with his car started, Felix’s gravcar lifted off from the pavement and left in a hurry, leaving Remilia and Victoria in silence.
“That was scary” Remilia said a minute later.
“Was she like this when Freya and her fought?” asked Victoria. Remilia seemed a bit surprised that Victoria knew the truth behind the accident, but didn’t think much of it a second later after remembering her spectacle beforehand in figuring out Felix's plans. She shook her head.
“Last time, Lyra was scary cause she fought back. This time, Lyra was terrifying because she didn’t need to.”

---

That's all for tonight. I will probably post the conclusion to this story tomorrow!

She lay back on the bed, thinking. How would it be wisest to handle this? Pius could watch his own ass, of course, and with the whole Fourth Grand Fleet mobilized, it’s not like there were other reinforcements to send.
After nearly five minutes of silent contemplation, she let out a shaky breath. “There’s nothing. I can do…literally nothing.” Venus closed her eyes and slowly massaged them. “…I need a drink.”
She leaned up in her seat and turned the slate off. She slid her sandals on and walked out of her hatch, head hung low. She nearly bumped into Remilia coming out of her own cabin. “Oh. Hey,” she said distractedly.
“Hi. Something wrong?” Remilia asked.
“Seadelant, the world where Julius Pius stopped over on his way to Macragge, is under siege by an Ork Waaagh,” Venus said simply.
Remilia stared. “…Fuck. Did he make it out?”
“No.” Venus shrugged. “Nothing we can do but hope.”
Her blond cousin looked down at the deckplates. “It’s getting worse out there, isn’t it?”
“It is.” Venus sighed again. “Want to go get a drink?”
“Well…I’m worried that if I go down there too often, I might get Chuck in trouble,” Remilia confessed.
“As opposed to the first leg of the trip, where we went every day?” Venus pointed out.
“You were there. Haarlan saw us.” Remilia shuffled a foot. “I’m just nervous.”
Venus nodded patiently. “It doesn’t have to be something you do every night, you know.”
Remilia looked up at her in surprise. “Really? You and Jake aren’t…I mean…”
“Oh my god, every night? I’d break in half!” Venus giggled. “Trust me, it’s fine. If you’re worried, just go chat with him.”
“All right.” Remilia smiled awkwardly. “Let’s go.”

Jake watched another officer plod away in defeat, grinning to himself. “All right, who’s in?” he asked.
“Eh, I’ll cut my losses,” one of the two remaining officers said, pushing his chips away and taking his money out of the pot. The last one looked a bit doubtful, but stayed in the game.
“I’ll keep going,” he said, chipping in.
“All right.” Jake anted up and dealt. His hand was horrible. Two, five, seven, ten, ace, all four suites. He kept his face impassive.
“I’ll check,” the lieutenant said.
“Check,” Jake said, tossing in the two, five, and seven. He dealt the other man a few cards and picked up his own. A six, a nine, and another ace. Excellent.
The other man reached for his chips, but paused. Jake raised an eyebrow. Was he losing his nerve?
Venus’ warm hands slid over his shoulders. “Hey. How’s the game going?”
“Swimmingly,” Jake pointed out, gesturing at his pile of chips. No wonder the lieutenant had hesitated. Seeing a Primarch’s Daughter was probably pretty new to him. “You want to play in the next game?”
“No thanks, I just need a drink.” Venus kissed the crown of his head and walked up to the bar.
Jake turned back to the lieutenant, who was staring at his girlfriend with a mixture of awe and attraction that put a smile on Jake’s face. “You in?” he asked. The lieutenant shook himself and threw his cards away. “All right,” Jake said, sweeping up the pot.

Remilia sat at the bar, smiling at Kines. “Hello, Lieutenant.”
“Hi, Remilia. Just water?”
“The mildest whiskey you’ve got, actually,” Remilia said.
Kines winced. “Oooh…sorry, ma’am, but this is a Navy ship. No drinking under eighteen. Not even for you.”
Remilia frowned. “Oh. Right.” She shrugged. “Lemonade then.”
“Fresh out, sorry. Orange soda again?” he asked apologetically.
“Sure.” She caught the bottle, noting that he was acting completely nonchalant. Was he not interested in another night? She wondered how to ask discreetly. Before she could, however, he swept his hand across the bar to mop up some condensate and quite deliberately brushed her hand. She left it where it was and he did it again, this time accompanying it with the slightest shake of the head, and a cheerful wink.
She smiled to herself. He was interested, but unavailable. That was fine.

Hey Rogue Trader Emperasque guy, where you at?

Also, I must bed. Night, friends. See you all tomorrow if the thread is still alive.

A Status Update for you. As well as 'Trip into Hell', I have begun work on a new WHH story, set at College, and featuring Fapfic Material. Hoo Boy...

Sooooooooooooooooo....

When's the next installment of Emprahsque coming out?

bumping to keep the thread alive. I'll post my review of Darkmage's portion once I can read the conclusion of his story. This much I can say though, I really love the effort you have put into characterizing Victoria :)

Relevant Bump.

My new story is coming on well. but the fap material is hard to do...

BA BUMP
BA BUMP
BA BUMP
BAAAA BUMP

please SE, AA, DM, keep it up great stories, great work.

and SE, the ladies are still feminine, but Venus must be Imperial at times and it might seem masculine, and with the sparring, its a good by product of a military family.

>>20329587

YAYIFICATIONS! It feels good to at least be in the same timezone as you AA. Well... 2 hours behind but still it means that at least I get to read your post in real time :)