>>21687069
Ponder for a moment if the sky was another colour.
Like blue.
Blue would be weird.
"Always?"

>>21687069
Where am I?

>>21687069
No time like the present to be industrious. Lets pick a direction and get walking, and ignore these crazy voices and disappearing camps. We're obviously going insane from lack of water, just look, we're referring to outsell in the royal "we". Every time those voice talk lets just sing loudly to drown them out.

Come on Exabyte, you can do it this time! I believe in you!

>tfw religiously followed FutureCyborg before the sequel and Sorceress Quest before the time skip but never read the last thread of FutureCyborg quest and not a single thread of Sorceress quest after the timeskip.

I used to get so involved in those two, keeping up till 6am because of shitty timezones...

Anyway, ask them what's happening

>>21687069
"What exactly do you want with me?"

You stare up at the sky, wondering what it would be like if it were blue...
"Always?" You ask, eying the sword.
<Always.> One voice said. <We can't quite speak about it, to tell you the truth.>
<Because where would the fun be in that?> The second voice asked, and then ... giggled.
"Where am I?" You ask, getting to your feet. This looked like the same clearing as when you went to sleep, but the trees were... different, and everything looked like it were painted on the inside of a sphere... "What's happening?"
<You're asleep. Obviously. Dreaming. But thanks to the girl's Gift, your dream is of here. For a normal person, this would be one of those spirit totem dreams, where you get to learn more about yourself and become all self-actualized.>
<But that's too cliche, of course, so we won't be doing that.>

>>21687224
"So the girl really is a witch?"

>>21687224
What will we be doing then?
And what is the grils gift?

>>21687243
the grills gift is cooking food.

>>21687224
"What will we be doing?"

>>21687224
"So... What are you anyway?"

Other than the sword I mean."

>>21687224
O.. well then what kinds of music are you two into?
plays, what do you do for fun?
when your a sword?

"So the girl really is a witch?"
<No idea. This could all just be in your head, and not the result of any witches' gifts of any kind.> The sword said, gleaming.
<Dreams are like that, you know.> The second voice added. <But, for the sake of argument, let's pretend this is all really real and you're talking with the real us, as opposed to a dream version of us.>
"So... what are you, anyway?" You ask. "Other than the sword, I mean."
<A shard into a different place. Where there are two sides to a coin, we're the marble eighty feet to the left.>
<... Er, that lost something in translation, I think. Let's just move on. We wouldn't be able to explain to your satisfaction anyway.>
"What will we be doing, then?" You ask, raising an eyebrow.
<Telling you the... what should we call them...>
THE RULES.
<I thought we'd agreed we wouldn't do the big booming thing anymore?>
<I did that for emphasis.>
<Right, right, never forget the emphasis. Except they're not really rules, are they?>
<No, not really. More like... guidelines. Maybe 'notes'?>
<Anyway, here's the first of them, whatever 'they' are. The weapon you're talking to now isn't the only of it's kind. There are others. There's the blade, the spear, the pick... though some of them have no doubt been destroyed by now.>

>>21687348
"go on"

>>21687348
"you guys are confusing"

"but go on, what are these rules or notes?"

>>21687348
and I must fight those who weld the other weapons? in some sort of game of gods?

or do we need to form a team to save the world ?

or just go hand out and share recipes?

>>21687348
"Okay. That means you guys are definitly magic. Am i going to get burned by the order for carrying you around?"

"You guys are confusing." You say, as the wind suddenly blows, sending the enormous trees creaking as they bent.
<Yes, yes we are. By design and by necessity.>
"Go on."
<Right, right. The second of these 'whatevers' is that all of these tools, these implements... can speak to us two.>
<We're impartial! Technically. We do meddle sometimes, though our peers really hate that sort of thing.>
"And I must fight those who wield the other weapons? In some sort of game of gods?" You ask. "Or do we need to form a team to save the world?"
<Oh, no, not at all. Where'd you get an idea like that?>
<That's rather silly. You needn't interact with the others at all.>
<The others are phased, actually, so you wouldn't even be able to meet them at all.>
"... Okay. that means you guys are definitely magic. Am I going to get burned by the Order for carrying you around?"
<Really, that's your own problem. As long as you don't go babbling on about it, you'll be fine. Or you'll get burned for other reasons. Just be smart about it and stay away from pyres.>
<... We're getting distracted. The third and final rule, or guideline, or whatever, is this. The blade allows you to become Real.>

>>21687494
"Eh?"

>>21687494
"What do you mean by that?"

>>21687494
"You're making me want to just dump the sword in the forest somewhere and play it safe, really. This is quite... weird."

"Eh?"
<Real. As in... existing, I suppose. You exist.>
"What do you mean by that?"
<... Well... think about it this way. What do you know about, say, your sister? Or your mother? Father?>
"My sister's name is Lyra." You say, and open your mouth to say something else... and nothing comes out.
<Exactly.> The sword said, it's voice taking on a cold, cold tone. <You didn't exist long enough to know your family.>
<When you came into existence,> The second voice said, in the same tone. <Reality retroactively wove you in. Gave you a place. It's not perfect, though.>

>>21687602
"So what does the sword do?"

>>21687602
I see what you did there Exabyte. Chapéau.

>>21687602
"wait what?"

>>21687602
what ? why? who made me? when did they do it?
hat happen if I become un real ? more real?

>>21687602
"bullshit"

try to think harder about your past, family and friends

Rolled 81

>>21687602
"My mother's name is Ishelda."

File: 1353526920017.gif-(741 KB, 304x224, 1278320556766.gif)

>>21687700
no, it's not

"Bullshit." You say. You close your eyes for a moment, and think...

"Hey, Abel! Think fast!" You hear a Lyra cry. You whirl around, your knees still aching from the way you'd scraped them yesterday morning. Sitting on a branch of the large tree next to your house, a long-haired, dark girl grinned at you, legs dangling off of the branch. Her arm suddenly shot out, and a pinecone thunked off your forehead. In response, you scooped up your own, and threw it back.
"Come in, you two!" You hear your mother call. "I have some fresh bread for you!"
Giggling, Lyra slid off of the branch, and the two of you made your way inside.

"My mother's name is Ishelda." You say, opening your eyes.
<No it's not.> One of the voices said, immediately. <Regardless, you do know more than you did before. That's a good sign.>
<Don't worry about it. Just roll with the punches. You'll figure things out soon enough.> The first voice said. <But it seems we're out of time, here. The witch girl is waking up, and her gift will be gone.>
As you looked around, the wind suddenly abated, and slowly, the tall trees started crumbling, the violet sky slowly fading into blue.

Next thing you knew, you were staring, groggily, at Crios, who was staring very closely at a boiling pot of stew. Awkwardly, Ariana was sitting on the other side of the fire, perfectly quiet.

>>21687813
"What's for breakfast?"

>>21687813
"Good morning you two."

>>21687813
"Good morning.
Nothing happened while I was asleep, right?"

>>21687813
"Morning Ariana, Crios."

"Good morning, you two." You say, sitting up, rubbing the sleep out of your eyes. "What's for breakfast?"
"G'morn, Abel!" Crios responded. "Stew's for breakfast."
"Nothing happened while I was asleep, right?" You ask, somewhat warily.
"No, not that I noticed." Crios responded, while Ariana's eyes went a fraction wider.
"Um. Morning." She said, turning away from you.
"You woke up just in time." Crios said, grabbing wooden bowls and a ladle from his horse's saddlebags. He quickly served up some food for everyone, and took a long drought from a glass phial, before he started eating. "After breakfast, we should pack up and get going."

>>21687907
"Agreed"

Eat silently and then get going

>>21687907
Sure. May i ask what that phial is for? I just noticed you drinking from it yesterday and today.

>>21687942
Nothing more to it than this, maybe drop Ariana a wink.

"Agreed." You say, and start eating in silence. You give Ariana a wink, before she goes red and starts blowing on her stew, trying to cool it down.
Giving Crios's phial a glance, you set down your spoon.
"May I ask what that phial is for? I just noticed you drinking from it yesterday and today."
"Ah, it's an herbal remedy. Aqua Ignis, it's called." He said. "Those in the order need to keep healthy at all times, and this helps."

With little else to say, the three of you quickly finished up your meal, and started packing up.
"Couldn't we just find the river that goes down to Sardin, and... take a raft or something?" Ariana asked, as you rolled up the blankets. "It's easier than walking."
"We don't have a raft And my partner here," Crios said, putting his hand on his horse's chin. "Doesn't really like rafts. Or anything that floats on water, really. And I can't leave him alone."
"We could make one!" Ariana said.

>>21688056
"Making a serviceable raft like that would take all day though, even if it was just me and you on it. At which point we could already be there anyway.
But if you're feeling tired, I could carry you awhile."

>>21688056
"If you get tired, I'll carry you."

>>21688056
"Perhaps [horse's name] would allow you to ride him?"

>Lemme break the fourth wall real quick.
Okay, here's the deal.

I am... having a real issue with questing right now. I thought the concept was good and that it'd be fun for the whole family and such, but I fucked up the beginning and the protagonist so badly that even my attempts at reviving the quest have been doing pretty shitty, even though it's only been an hour. I'm kind of tempted to just let it go, and come back eventually (weeks or months from now) when I have a better idea about how to do things, or we could continue here and now in mediocrity and see where this takes us.

It's up to you guys. As usual, I'll tally the votes in ten minutes.

>[ ] Continue
>[ ] Quit Game

>>21688240
Actually I'm liking this new spin on things. I think you're recovering very well.

>[x] continue

>>21688240
Meh. If you have an idea how to continue this, by all means soldier on. I'm still having fun. The question is, do you have fun?

>>21688240
I wouldn't mind continuing, granted it is slow at the moment. If you're having trouble writing it though, then quit/take a break.

>>21688240
I'll admit, your first thread was pretty awful, but I think you're doing a lot better today, keep at it for a couple more threads at least and then see if you feel more positive.

File: 1353529878207.gif-(1 MB, 320x180, 1332831715234.gif)

>>21688056
"By the time the raft would be done it wouldn't matter if we'd walked."

"But if you're tired I could carry you."

>>2188240
>pic related
just go on bitch.

>>21688352
hurp can't even quote right

>Right, okay. Here we go.

"Making a serviceable raft like that would take all day though, even if it was just me and you on it. At which point we could already be there anyway." You say. "But if you get tired, I'll carry you."
"No, I can walk on my own." She said, frowning at you. Crios chuckled, donning his armor again, hiding his face behind his helm.

Soon enough, the camp was packed, and the three of you made your way back onto the road.
"Perhaps Crios's friend here would allow you to ride him?" You ask Ariana, and she crossed her arms.
"I told you, I can walk on my own." She said.
"You're very proud, aren't you?" Crios asked. She avoided looking at him. "I actually respect that, Miss Ariana. Quite a bit."

As time traveled, and as you made your way out of the muck and through the trees proper, you could see Sardin on the horizon, a glittering snake of a river weaving through the hills toward it.
Ariana's eyes widened in awe, eyes glittering. "It's so pretty." She said.
"You must have seen this when you got lost, right?" Crios asked.
"It was dark." Ariana responded immediately.
"Right, right. The stars must have been beautiful."
"Yeah, they were." She responded, without any conviction in her voice.

>>21688369
Will we be stopping here Crios, or just passing through?

>>21688369
"Nice place I have to admit.

So, my sister is here? Just let me know where I'd find you and the rest of the order. I'd like to explore the city a bit first."

>>21688433
I think thats as good an idea as any.

>>21688433
Seconding

"Nice place, I have to admit." You say. "So, my sister is here?"
"Unless they moved on to Angvard, yes." He said. "If they did, we'll need to take the river Sarda all the way down there, or walk for a week or so."
"Just let me know where I'd find you and the rest of the order." You say. "I'd like to explore the city a bit first."
"The Order's base of operations here is a small stone building on the south side. It's called Struthhammer." He said. "That's where the initiates will be staying for a while before they move on. Don't worry about having issues getting in- I'll be there for some time."

The three of you made your way to the city gates. The entire city seemed to be made out of stone of all sorts, with two great doors, propped open.
"Ariana, would you like me to show you anywhere?"
"... No thank you." She responded, meeting his eyes for a fraction of a second before looking away. "I think I'll wander with Abel for now."
"Okay." He said, before nodding and making his way to Struthhammer "Take care."

The three of you entered the gates, and immediately you were astounded by how many people were there. Dozens of people stomped through the cobblestone streets, each on their own business. You can see booksellers, merchants, blacksmiths, and inns around, calling out their wares, and you see a few urchins offering to show newcomers around in trade for a few copper. Finally, you see a man selling maps, of the city and of the entire region.

>>21688530
Go get one of those maps.

>>21688530
Let's get a map. We don't know the area that well as we've never been here before. We don't want to get lost, we can even tease Ariana about how a map might keep us from getting lost.

>>21688530
>and you see a few urchins

Make sure our money is well-secured.

Wander the bazaar for window-shopping

>>21688530
"So, Ariana, did you see that dream as well?"

File: 1353531517827.png-(488 KB, 1028x1028, less shitty map.png)

You make your way over to the map merchant, and in trade for a few bronze coins, you get two maps- one of the city itself, and one for the region, showing you where your village was, Sardin, Angvard far to the south, and even Celesthem, far to the east.

Making sure to secure your money more tightly, you and Ariana start walking.
"So, Ariana, did you see that dream as well?" You ask.
She covers her mouth, freezing.
"Don't- why- I can't-" She started stuttering, before squeaking and making her way away from you, pulling her traveling cloak around herself.

>As always, this map is a work in progress.

>>21688610
"Are you okay?"

>>21688610
"You did?
What was it about anyway?"

>>21688610
"Wait! Well...at least you know my secret now too."

>>21688610
I mean I was told in said dream it was because of you.
ruffle her hair
I don't particularly care. Just don't go all hoodoo and turn me into a frog or something. Then I wouldn't be able to enjoy your company.

"Are you okay?" You ask, following her. She didn't respond, except for running away more quickly. Eventually, the two of you ended up in a small, secluded alleyway.
"You did?" You ask. "What was it about, anyway?"
"I didn't!" She cried, and frowned again. "I can't... I can't see those things. I just... cause them for other people. 's the gift of dreams."

She looked this way and that, to make sure nobody else was there.
"... Why didn't you tell Crios what I am?" She asked. As she looked up at you, her eyes glossy, you see more and more mice crawling out of holes in the alleyway, and out of grates, swarming around her. Angrily, she tried kicking at one, but it squeaked and leapt out of the way.

>>21688666
"Why would I?" ask her genuinely

>>21688681
This

"Why would I?" You ask.
"B-because!" She responded, covering her face. "Because I'm evil and cruel and s-steal souls and turn people into frogs. Everyone says that's what w-witches do."
She motioned down to the rats below, and sniffled. "B-because everything icky likes me."

>>21688779
"But have you done that?"

>>21688779
"Well you haven't stolen my soul and I haven't seen any evidence of you being particularly evil or cruel."

>>21688792
>>21688798

"Also, you should be more hush-hush in the city. Someone might overhear."

Rolled 68

>>21688779
Are you calling me icky?

>>21688779
"Have you ever done any of those things though? Or do you just believe them because that's what everyone says?"

>>21688855
Not yet maybe

>>21688855
That's a little creepy, let's not say that.

"Well, you haven't stolen my soul and I haven't seen any evidence of you being particularly evil or cruel." You say.
In response, she punched you in the gut, as hard as she possibly could. It didn't hurt at all.
"That was cruel." She said, and sniffled, before she went entirely silent.

There was a pause, and she spoke, very quietly.
"Heaminster isn't my home. I lied."

>>21688666

I'm not icky. (hug)

>>21688866
"Y-yeah, I kind of figured that. Where are you from then?"

>>21688866
"I kinda caught on that.
Where are you really from then?"

>>21688867
Oh god please stop.

>>21688866

What we're you planning on doing once we got there then? And being honest with me from now on would be nice as well.

>SMosing circle

captcha wants us to do some sort of occult ritual......

"I'm not convinced you're any of the things people say you are. People, especially scared people who don't understand what's going on, tend to be stupid and reckless. The can't run, so they lash out.
I have no doubt some witches are probably like that, but I'm not gonna go around assuming the worst of everyone until I have reason to believe that they are bad.
Besides, that dream actually helped me figure out some things. So thank you."

You scratch the back of your head. "Y-yeah, I kind of figured that." You say. "Where are you from then?"
"I'm not supposed to say." She responded.
"What were you planning on doing once we got there, then?"
"I was planning to... to run." She said. "R-run somewhere."
"Being honest with me from now on would be nice as well."
"But... what about Crios? He suspects me, I know he does. I don't want to be b-burned."

>>21688988
"Well, for what it's worth, I'll do what I can to keep you safe."

"Come on, do you want to look around the town before we find my sister?"

>>21688988

I promise you, you won't be burned. You're going to have to to tell me your whole story, but later. Now come on I have to find my sister.

>>21688988
"wouldn't he have let the townspeople burn you if he suspected as much?"

Rolled 32

>>21688988
Well I'm hesitant to leave you alone, since you seem to have a knack for getting into trouble, but you could hide while I went to look for my sister, and we can meet up later?

>>21688988
"I didn't tell you my secret last night either."

"My sword is apparently imbued with some ancient spirits."

>>21689080
fuck no, we're not telling anything about that!

>>21688988
"If he suspects, then he's clearly willing to give you a chance."

"Wouldn't he have let the townspeople burn you if he suspected as much?" You ask.
"... I don't know." She said. "I just don't like him. I don't like the Order."
"I promise you, you won't be burned. I'll do what I can to keep you safe. Come on, do you want to look around the town before we find my sister?"
"... If you want." Ariana said, pulling up her hood.

>>21689194
lets explore the bazaar, it probably has the most interesting things and people to look at

>>21689194
>>21689245
Agreeing with above, let's explore the bazaar and slowly make our way over to the order base to see if we can find sister.

>>21689194
Find the inn, for food, and see if we can get a smith to have a look at the sword

>>21689194
Let us see what wonders the Bazaar holds.

As you and Ariana explore the city, sticking close to the shops, you keep an eye out for anything that might interest you. Other than a few fishmongers, a large amount of tailors, and a blacksmith or two, you approach a strange inn, named Grayson's Hearth.
"... That name is familiar." Ariana said, blinking up at it. For some reason, it seems familiar to you too, but you can't quite place it...

"Look!" She said, grinning suddenly, She tugged on your sleeve, and pulled you to a strange, dark-skinned man with a flaming torch. He took a swig of something, and spit it into the torch, creating an enormous plume of flame, bursting into the sky.

As the two of you spend quite some time taking in the sights of the bazaar, the sun slowly starts to set- and you realize that you'd planned to find your sister.
"... Where should I go?" Ariana asked, suddenly. "I... I can't go in that hammer place with you. I won't."

>>21689460
maybe give her few coins and tell her to wait at that inn?

>>21689460
If you want you can wait close by. I am just going to have a little talk to my sister. Find out what drove her to join the order. I'll be back soon. Don't run away!

>>21689460
"Do you want me to get you a place at that inn whilst I visit her?"

>>21689460
"Well, they're scheduled to move to a bigger city soon, I suppose we could get up early and catch them as they leave? Would that be better for you?"

"Do you want me to get you a place at that inn whilst I visit her?"
"Um, if it's not... too much trouble?" She said. As you reach for your coins, she suddenly runs up close and hugs you. "Um... Be careful, Bl... Able." She said, shaking her head. "Say hi to your sister for me."
You nod, give her the coins, and ruffle her hair, before escorting her back to the Hearth, and then making your way to Struthhammer. The 'small stone building' wasn't small at all- in fact, it was an enormous keep, complete with fortifications, and a great, mohagany door. A few people are crowded around the outside. Some, men and women in white robes, though none you recognize, and a knight in heavy armor.

"So, you must be Lyra's brother." The knight tells you. Strangely, you have the feeling he's addressing someone else. "Er, what was your name again?"

>>21689678
"Uh, Abel, she's still here, isn't she?"

>>21689678
Abel. Is Lyra well?

>>21689678
Huh, how did you know? Did Ser Crios mention me?

>>21689678
That slip ... methinks we should be following up on it.

>>21689722
I agree.

Anyone else think we should talk to the sword a bit more later?

"Huh, how did you kn-" You start, when someone interrupts you.
"I am." Gabriel said, and wheezed out a chuckle. "My name's Gabriel."
"Good to hear!" The knight said. "You know, we could use a few new members."
"Oh, I'll consider it!" Gabriel said, and wheezed again, as he stepped into the keep.

You see Gabriel turn back, and give you a wink.

<... This is not good.>
<Very not good.>
<This is bad.>

>>21689798
"What is occurring, sword."

>>21689798
"who the hell was that?"

>>21689798
"Sword. Explain right now."

>>21689798
...what the fuck?

The Sword's comments about being written into reality seem kind of ominous, now.

>>21689849
>>21689858
>>21689881
Also, I vote we not talk to the sword IN FRONT OF THE FORTRESS FULL OF WITCH HUNTERS.

"Sword. Explain right now." You say. Nobody else seems to notice you- Although you were talking aloud, near the crowd. The crowd continues talking amongst one another, but their voices seem to echo, for a moment, and for a second, everything looks painted, as if on the inside of a sphere. The door stays open, though, and you can see Gabriel walk, confidently.

<This is very bad.>
<This shouldn't be possible.>
<The Knight saw him as a young, fit man.>
THIS SHOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE.
<That... Gabriel. He's taken your place.>

>>21689942
"What. How do I take my place back?"

>>21689942
"What do you mean taken my place? You mean something besides just pretending to be me?"

>>21689942
"How? How does someone do that?"

>>21689942
will ourself back into existence
we are REAL dammit!

"What do you mean, taken my place? You mean something besides just pretending to be me?"
<Yes.> The voice responded. <Reality views him as... as you.>
"How? How does someone do that?"
<We have no clue.>
<It shouldn't be possible.>

Without thinking about it, you storm into the keep, following Gabriel. Still, nobody notices you.
"How do I take my place back?"
<... Kill him, perhaps.>

As you follow Gabriel through the halls, eventually reaching an empty room... before he suddenly freezes... and collapses, as a tall, long-legged woman approached him, hair bright red. Flame dances in her palm
"You. Gabriel." She said. "... What are you doing with Ariana?"
"I, uh..."
"... Tell me what you've been doing with my sister."

>>21690094
WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?!?

>>21690094
"Everybody hold the fuck up and start explaining."

>>21690094
"Well fuck me sideways, she's my sister too!"

>>21690094
Okay, let's back the fuck off, get Ariana and get the fuck out of there.

>>21690094
"GABRIEL," emphasis on the name, "hasn't so much as encountered Ariana. She's fine, if a little wary."

>>21690094
Use the sword. Get real.

"GABRIEL." You say. "Hasn't so much as encountered Ariana. She's fine, if a little wary."
The woman doesn't seem to notice you, though Gabriel looks back, still weak. You grit your teeth, and draw the sword. It feels very, very heavy in your hand.

The tall woman looked up to you, suddenly.
"... You weren't there before." She said. "Gift of the Shroud? Must be a Warlock."
"Everybody hold the fuck up and start explaining." You say, spurred on by the reassuring weight in your hand.

"Fine. This man here has been travelling with my sister for the past two days. And invited a knight of the fucking order to travel with. And then he dumps her off at some tavern, and comes *here*. No doubt to turn her in. You have any Gifts that might help us teach him a lesson?"

Rolled 9

>>21690220
Oh, you're Ariana's sister. Nice to meet you.

Shake her hand.

This guy is a dick.

>>21690220
"And why do you think its him then?"

"Also" Glare at Gabriel "that man is trying to steal my identity"

>>21690243
We should probably take a rain check on handshaking, since her hand is on fire.

>>21690220
THAT is objectively wrong. I have been traveling with your sister for the past two days.

Turn to Gabriel:

Okay, swordy here says that you are taking my place in this reality. Stop that or i will be forced to kill you. According to the sword, at least.

>>21690220
"No, I'VE been travelling with her. This man here took my identity. Or something like that. I wasn't here to turn her in, I was here to visit my sister."

>>21690220
"No. I travelled with her. The reason I'm here is to see my sister, and ask her why she left."

>>21690220
"Gabriel's never met your sister. -I- was traveling with your sister. I invited Ser Crios to come with us - for a very loose definition of 'invite' - because NOT doing so would have been suspicious. I came here to check on MY sister, leaving Ariana at an inn - where I plan on staying as well - because she is understandably leery of going to talk to an order of witch hunters. Does that answer your questions?"

>>21690220
"That man is Gabriel. I am the person who was travelling with your sister. I'm here to convince MY sister not to join the order. I did not invite the knight, he invited himself, and I couldn't very well refuse him without it raising suspicion.
I have no intention of turning her in to anyone, I gave her my word I wouldn't let anyone burn her - and I will restate it for you right now.

You have my word that I am not going to let anyone burn Ariana.

Now then, I haven't the first IDEA how this man is posing as me, or what he wants with my sister - but I fully intend to find out."

I'm not sure if you guys are RPing, or really think Gabriel "stole" our identity, as we are, at the moment, a literal nobody.

>>21690321
I have no idea!

>>21690334
yeah, same here

>>21690321
I think the whole winking at us thing suggests he has purposefully stolen our identity.

"Gabriel's never met your sister. -I- was traveling with your sister. I invited Ser Crios to come with us - for a very loose definition of 'invite' - because NOT doing so would have been suspicious. I came here to check on MY sister, leaving Ariana at an inn - where I plan on staying as well - because she is understandably leery of going to talk to an order of witch hunters. Does that answer your questions?"

"That invites more." She responded, and rubbed at her temples. "The two of you look identical. You, on the ground. Tell me what crime Ariana committed and in what village. You with the sword, same question."

>>21690321
As far as I can tell? Both.

According to the sword and the evidence thus far, Gabriel stole our identity within the Narrative. (within 'Reality', that is.)

>>21690378
"She stole some bread, then her 'icky' friends prompted too much attention.

>>21690378
It was Berbrook and the crime of stealing some bread, wasnt it?

>>21690378
"She stole some bread and a bunch of bugs got in the storage."

>>21690378
"Stealing bread and infesting a granary with rats in Beybrook"

>>21690378
Wait for Gabriel to answer first - after all, we know and he knows that.

"She stole some bread in Berbrook, and was caught. The woman who she tried to steal from accused her of witchcraft after finding her granary full of 'more mice than grain,' but Ser Crios saved her with my assistance."

"It was Berbrook, and she stole some bread, wasn't it?" You ask. "Then her icky friends prompted too much attention."
"... Right, so you're the real Gabriel." She said. "Imposter, goodbye." She said.

She clenched her fist, and suddenly everything got very, very warm.

"... Aren't you tired of this dance?" Gabriel suddenly asked. "We've been playing by the rules for eternity. More than an eternity. Why can't we... why can't we break the rules, just once? Eh, 'Abel'?"

That was all he said, before he exploded into red flames, and started screaming.

Something clicked inside your head, and the flame was gone. Your sword was in your belt, and the red-haired woman was standing in front of you.

"... make a good point." She said, in the middle of her sentence. "I'm sorry I got upset. Please don't tell Ariana I was here."

<... Everything's back. To normal.> Your sword said.

>>21690479
"What... What was that? What did you do?"
Look around and listen if people heard anything
"Do you know if my sister is here?"

>>21690479
my name is abel

>>21690479
"You must be a bit mistaken, that man was Gabriel, and I'm Abel. Who are you?"

>>21690479
"What was Gabriel talking about?"

"And my name isn't Gabriel"

"What... what was that? What did you do?" You ask, looking around. The room was empty, and nobody seemed to have heard the screaming from before.
"I, um, just confronted you." She said. "And you explained you were here to meet your sister. Again, sorry, Abel. I'd best vanish before they find I'm here." She said. "I'm not sure where your sister is. You could wander, I suppose."
She shrugged. "But still, I'd best go. Can't exactly put the Gift of Flame out."
She nodded to you, and then blurred, before fading away.

<Continuity was reset to normal, it seems.> your sword said.
<And a good thing, too, that we didn't have to meddle.>
<The others hate that.>

>>21690583
"Okay, sword, tell me what that was about."

>>21690583
<Gabriel was talking to you, not me, wasn't he?>

Let's have a look around.

>>21690583
Well what the fuck.

Best option is to go and find sister now.

>>21690583
"Right. Sword, we will be discussing this later."

Go find our sister.

"Right. Sword, we will be discussing this later." You say.
<As you wish.>
<Though, keep in mind, we can't tell you everything.>

You sigh, and start walking randomly through the keep.
"You came." You hear, from behind you, in a soft voice. You whirl about, and Lyra was standing there. She was wearing a long white robe, her hair pulled up, and she had a simple wooden training sword on her hip. "... Abel..."

>>21690675
"Hi, uh... sorry, it's been a bit of an odd day."

"Is there someplace quiet we can talk?"

>>21690689
Seconding

>>21690675
"Yeah, I did. What were you thinking leaving like that without saying as much as goodbye to me?"

>>21690675
>So Exa, I haven't participated in this thread as of yet but I would like to chime in. This is fun despite having NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON ANYMORE. Not that it's really a bad thing.

"Hi, uh... sorry, it's been a bit of an odd day." You say. "Is there someplace quiet we can talk?"
"I only got here the day before yesterday, and I don't know this place very well, but..."
She sighed, and pulled you into a hug.
"You always came and got me." She said, in a quiet voice. "Always. Yeah, we can talk here. It's empty during the day, it seems."

>>21690770
>feel free to start flinging around theories!

File: 1353540796298.png-(520 KB, 663x1025, whatthefuuck.png)

Despite a heavy dose of
>pic related
this is fun.

>>21690816
>"You always came and got me."
"I did?
Uh... anyway.

How are you doing? Why did you leave?"

>>21690816
"Were you there when mother..."

>>21690816
"Why did you join the order, Lyra? You didn't even wait for me to get back..."

"Were you there when mother..."
"... No, I wasn't." She said, and sniffled. "But Kalveer was, and... and..."
She closed her eyes, and pulled you into a tighter hug.
"Why did you join the order, Lyra? You didn't even wait for me to get back..."
"I... planned to wait, but... the other initiates were leaving right then. And... and... I don't know. I didn't even think... Oh, Abel, I'm so sorry."

>>21690939
Hugs.

Also bonk her on the head.

"How is the order? Are they treating you well?"

>>21690939
"Sssh. It's ok."
hug and all that
"Are you still planning on becoming one of them? Make sure you stay in contact, okay?"

You return your hug, and then bonk her on the head. She giggles, softly, but doesn't quite put her heart into it.
"Shh, it's okay." You say. "How is the order? Are they treating you well?"
"They're treating me fine." She said. "They're exhausting me, with all the training, but I think I like it here. It's... a place where I can just think."

She leaned into you again, and you see Crios step in... and then turn promptly around and leave the room.

>>21691031
"Ooh, what do they train you in?"

>>21691031
why did you decide to join order anyway?

>>21691031
We should show her our perfectly boring and not at all possesed sword.

>>21691053
Agreeing with this

"Checkout this cool sword I found in the woods."

>>21691031
Do we have any of our mother's jewelery? We should offer her a pendant or something to remember her by.

"Check out this cool sword I found in the woods."
"Ooooh." She said, grinning. "Can I hold it?"
You hand it to her for a second, and she wiggled it around a bit, before handing it back. "No fair." She said. "That thing's a lot lighter than my wooden one."
"What do they train you in?"
"They've just been having me do exercises, like running, and pushups, and that sort of thing. They have me flailing around this heavy wooden thing all the time, too."
"Why did you decide to join the order anyway?"
"... I.. It was a snap decision. you had your hunting, and your adventuring and carving, but... I didn't have anything. No skill, no trade, no dowry... I have to make something of myself. For Mom. And Dad, too."

>>21691115
I admire that..., but I've heard some not so nice things about the order.

>>21691115
"That's...good to hear. I'm glad you're happy here."

>>21691115

you sure you made the right decision?

>>21691115
"Well, I'm glad you've found a purpose."

Pause. It's time to voice some concerns.

"Lyra...serious time. Some of the things I've heard about the Order are," [pause] "not so good. Knights who are entirely too vicious and overzealous. Promise me you won't fall into that. That you'll watch for it and try to stop it."

And now, to force the conversation back onto a brighter track...

"And keep in touch, all right? As best you can."

"I understand. But I've heard some particularly nasty things about the order of late as well. I'm not going to try to stop you, it's just...are you sure this is what you really want?
You're still young enough to do just about anything. As your brother I can get you a dowry, or set you up working a craft. We could leave everything behind and adventure together. Whatever will make you happy. Granted, it might take some time to get some of those things set up. But I want you to know, you have options."

"That's... good to hear." You say. "I'm glad you're happy here."
"Thank you, Abel." She said.
"Are you sure that you made the right decision?"
".... No, I'm not." She said. "But... we have nothing else."
"Some of the things I've heard about the order are... not so good. Knights who are too vicious and overzealous. Promise me that you won't fall into that. That you'll watch it and try to stop it."
"If they have me doing things I don't agree with, then I'll quit, or stop them with the swordswomanship they're teaching me. Mom always said that a Tolstoy knows what's right and what's wrong."
There was a long moment of silence, you seem to remember something...
"... I miss mom." She said, and then her eyes welled up, and she fell into your shoulder, weeping openly, and you forget what you were about to remember.

>>21691261
>That you'll watch for it and try to stop it."
Wheeeeeee let's tell her to make trouble for herself and put her in harms way!

>>21691280
No one ever said the good road was the easy one.

>>21691279
Pat her on the head. Wait for her to calm down.

"Is there a kitchen somewhere? I could use a drink."

Keep an eye out for our paladin buddy.

>>21691279
"y-yeah...me too."

>>21690816
im lost and i fucking love it lolz
as for theories...are the voices both male?(the sword)

>>21691332
>No, they're genderless. Even when BOOMING.

"Y-yeah." You say, and hug her tightly. "Me too."

A long, long few moments later, she pulled away.
"Thanks, Abel." She said, sniffling and wiping at her face. "You've always been there for me."
"Is there a kitchen somewhere? I could use a drink."
"Yeah, there's one somewhere near." She said, and took your sleeve. The two of you end up sitting in the empty kitchen, with a bottle of some kind of mead between the two of you.
"Abel?" She asked, worried, after glancing out the window. "Why is there a little girl glaring at me?"
You look out the window, and you can see Ariana standing there, rather upset- and impatient, it seems.

>>21691437
"oh yeah i nearly forgot!
hold on one second"
go out and grab ariana and introduce the two as sister and friend

>>21691437
"Oh-ah, well, I was passing through Berrbrook, and she was lost, apparently she's from Heaminster, I agreed to escort her back down whilst I passed through here. I'll introduce you to her."

Go fetch her.

>>21691437
Laugh a little, Give Ariana a wave.

"I'd best head out then, it looks like I'm needed."

>>21691437
Invite her in, maybe she works like vampires or something.

>>21691437
"I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm taking too long. I'm escorting her back home - apparently she got pretty lost - but she wanted to wait at the inn while I came to see you."

>>21691487
bahahaha imagine?

"I'm pretty sure she thinks I'm taking too long." You say.
"You know her?"
"I'm escorting her back home- apparently she got pretty lost- but she wanted to wait at the inn while I came to see you." You say, and give her a wave.
Ariana frowned back.
"I'd best head out then, it looks like I'm needed."
"Well..." Lyra said, and then gave you another hug. "Go take care of your ward. I'll be fine."
You get to your feet.
"Wait." She said, and you stop.
"... Thanks for checking up on me, Abel." She said, and gave you a chaste kiss on the cheek.

You say your goodbyes, and head back out to where Ariana was standing, as far away as she possibly could stand while still glaring through the window.
"You took forever." Ariana said. "And... um, there's a person watching me."
She gave a sidelong glance to someone walking along the street, in a rather large crowd... and you lock eyes on Gabriel.
The sword on your hip trembled, and he winked at you. A rather burly man walked between the two of you, and when the man had passed, Gabriel was gone.

>End of thread!
>So. If you guys need anything reitinerated more clearly, feel free to ask.
>Also, I'm most likely not going to stick to any certain schedule, unlike usual for my quests. This one... is not usual. I'm trying new things. Though my twitter ( @futureexabyte ) is usually a good indicator if I'm questing or not.

>>21691625
hes a dayum witch too isnt he?

>>21691625
Always ending the thread when I want to talk to the sword.

I'm actually quite enjoying it so far, the first thread was a bit off and I think a few people were angry about the weapon choice, but I'm finding the change of pace quite refreshing.

>>21691652
I think he's whatever the hell we are.

>>21691625
I'm glad to see you're back on form, I was a little disappointed after the first thread, but it's gotten interesting now.

>>21691652
>Answering that would be spoilers!

>>21691684
>Insomnia does wonders for one's creativity. I haven't slept in at least thirty hours.

>>21691703
Thanks, Exabyte, I look forward to the next thread.

>>21691652
I don't think so. I think he's similar to us, working for some forces similar to the ones that talk through our sword. That explains how he managed to take our place and make us not exist for a bit.

With a bit of control we might actually be able to control that and be able to hop back and forth between "existing" and not.

>>21691741
well i thought we were just invisible...maybe we all can use magic. i think he used a shapechange

>>21691802
Eh, I dunno, it seems like he wrote us out of reality for a bit until we used the sword.

>>21691819
hmm well from what arianas sister said i just thought invisibility.
im confused as heck from all this and would re-read it but my eyeeeessss

>>21691853
From my understanding, we were entirely outside the narrative until we forced our way back in.