"Protect him from what? Sky? Or the Bleeding?"

>>23105808
"Why is the bleedthrough getting worse?"

>>23105808
"Is there any way I can help you?"

>>23105808
"So what do we need to do?"

>>23105808

protect him from what?

"Protect him from what? Sky? Or the Bleeding?"
"From her, yes." She said.
"Why is the bleedthrough getting worse?" You ask.
"Because Sky is cheating. Fussing." She said, quietly. "Stretching the bonds of continuity. Adverse effects on immersion. I... can't hold it together much longer. The game will get boring, soon."
Suddenly, she tilted her head.
"Tell me, please." Your shard said. "Have you heard the Outsiders speak?"
"The... what?" You ask.
"Nothing." She said, and shook her head. That's when the roar of engines surrounded you, the cars' headlights flicking on.
The ice below you suddenly cracked, and you fell, fell, fell...

Scene Change.

You were standing in the lush room they'd given Tannis, Lyra snoring on the bed, still exhausted from the battle and loss of three of her fingers. The room was full of nothing but red and gold- apparently red was the royal color for skiitara, so they made the sheets, carpets, and cushions all the same color, the walls and ceiling intricately carved.
In the windowsill, Tannis was sitting, looking out at Skiitaris proper, a piece of paper in hand, ears drooping. When you stepped closer, looking, the floor underneath the carpet creaked, and Tannis's ear perked up.
"Oh, Abel!" she said. "I didn't hear the door open. Must have been... too busy thinking."

>>23105999

don't think i came in from the door... what have you got there?

>>23105999
"You've got an awful lot to think about. Penny for your thoughts?"

>>23105999
Scritch the bitch. Bitches love scritches. "What's up, Tannis?"

>>23105999
"You don't seem too happy. Want to tell me what's bothering you?"

>>23105999

>>23106028
this

and
>>23106042


also sword what was Stirge talking about and how do I fix it?

"You've got an awful lot to think about." You say, walking up to the windowsill to look out at the city as well. "Penny for your thoughts?"
"This isn't me." She said. "That's it. That's all I've been thinking about. Apparently I have divine blood in my veins, and everyone keeps looking at me like I'm some kind of noble. But I'm not."
She sighed, and set the paper aside, and you read it- apparently it'd been translated into something Tannis could read- and it was a license, allowing her to shapeshift as she wills while within city borders, valid for a year, signed by what looked like half a dozen Grand Knights, and Captain Brina.
"This isn't what I want." She said, her voice clear. "That's the one thing I do know."

You start to reach toward her ear, and she moved her head away, dodging your hand absentmindedly as she stared out.

>>23106124
"Then don't. You're Tannis, you're not your heritage, you're not whatever titles people bestow on you, you're you. If you don't want to stay and be nobility you don't have to."

>>23106124
"Then you won't have to stay. We'll just be here long enough to do what we need to do, then we'll be back out on the road again."

>>23106124
"You are whatever you make of yourself, Tannis."

Let's go find a quiet place to talk to sword.

"Then don't." You say. "You're Tannis. You're not your heritage, you're not whatever titles people bestow on you, you're you." You say. "We'll just be here long enough to do what we need to do, then we'll be back out on the road again."
She turned, met your eyes, and gave you a grin.
"I know." She said, and laughed. "I just don't like the idea that I'm being... pushed up above everyone, rather than fitting in."
She looked out the window again. "Galatea and the others would really like this place. It's perfect for climbing and jumping."
You look out at the city, and indeed, it was all gothic architecture- perfect for adventurous cats, it seemed.

For some reason, you suddenly got an image of a snow-covered stone, roaring beasts with yellow gleaming eyes surrounding you... then you shook it off, unsure what it meant.

"I feel bad for Lyra." Tannis said, looking to the sleeping Lyra and the gleaming white sword at Lyra's side.

>>23106336
>image of a snow-covered stone
>image of a snow-covered stone floor, even

>>23106336
"Why? She accomplished what she set out to do."

Rolled 93

>>23106336
don't she is very happy

"he did you just see monsters there for a second?

>>23106336
"Me too. Especially after I promised our mother that I would look after her.
Still, it was her choice, and she's happy with it."

>>23106336
"The finger thing? Most of the damage is self inflicted, she cut off her own fingers without thinking about it. I'm torn whether to feel sorry for her or just scold her for being an idiot. She didn't think at all.

She got what she was after. I'll look into ways to fix her hand, I'm supposed to take care of her after all."

"Why? She accomplished what she set out to do." You say. "Most of the damage is self-inflicted. she cut off her own fingers without thinking about it. I'm torn whether to feel sorry for her, or just scold her for being an idiot."
"... That's not it." She said. "She's terrified of ghouls. She can't deal with them. That's why I feel bad for her- because of the horrors she's had to deal with in order to be so scared."
She met your eyes again, and frowned. "A few nights ago, while you were in sanctuary, she had a nightmare about it. Only me and Kale were still awake when it happened."

>>23106503
"I now see why she was so worried I'd been bitten by a ghoul."

>>23106503
"Oh."

>>23106503
"How bad was it?"

>>23106503
"It's hard for her, but she's stronger for it too. I'm sure she'd face it again, knowing that it saved lives.

I want to help her with every little thing, but I also need to let her be her own person. That means letting her get hurt sometimes. The best thing we can do for her is simply be there."

>>23106503
I know she said a friend was bitten and .. I think he was more that that she was the only one to survive

"I now see why she was so worried I'd been bitten by a ghoul." You say. "How bad was it?"
"She cried." Tannis said. "And asked Viktor and Raziel to forgive her. And called me mom."

A pillow flung across the room and hit Tannis in the face, causing her to fall off the windowsill with an involuntary meow.
"Don't talk about me like I'm not here." Lyra said, sitting up. "I'm fine. I'm not some kind of broken bird you need to take care of."

>>23106625
"Do you want to talk about it, Lyra?"

>>23106625
your my sister and i worry
toss the pillow back hard

>>23106625
Not broken, Lyra. It's only human to seek comfort when your scared.

>>23106625
"You're my little sister, it is my sacred right to worry about every single thing you do. No matter what. You know you can talk to me about this sort of thing.

And Lyra, never do anything as boneheaded as cutting your fingers off again."

>>23106688
Seconding this.

"You're my little sister. It's my sacred right to worry about every single thing you do. No matter what." You say. "You know you can talk to me about this sort of thing."
"Yeah, I know." She said.
"And Lyra, never do anything as boneheaded as cutting your fingers off again."

She suddenly got to her feet, and gave you the wide grin she used to to signal that she was very, very angry.
"Okay, Abel." she said in a fakely-sweet voice. "Tell me what you'd do in this situation. You've just killed three manticores, but you broke your sword on the last one. Then, from both hallways, two sets of ghouls have heard your fight and they're coming this way. You can see their eyes from here, and without a weapon, you'll get bitten and killed. You're cornered. What do you do, Abel?"

>>23106731
"A tactical retreat, of course."

>>23106731
cheat
or use the broken half tip to toss into the head of one run back and take them one at a time

>>23106731
"Well I wouldn't get myself into that situation in the first place, but I'll bite.

Either tactical retreat or bull past one group of ghouls.

Though given that it's you, you probably could have picked up one of the manticores and thrown it into one of the groups of ghouls, even with a broken sword you'd be able to take a pack of ghouls."

>>23106731
"Vault over them and run. They're not too fast are they?"

>>23106731
"I would improvise a weapon, hide under a corpse for a surprise attack, run past them, or retreat."

>>23106731
"Used a manticore body as a battering ram, then run."

>>23106731
Think for a second, relent, then say.
"What you have to do, Lyra. You're right, and what's more you know ghouls better than I do, so I have no right to criticize your actions.

>>23106731
Panic? I see your point, but your going to run out of fingers, is all.

You can't keep playing the game like that forever.

>>23106796
No, we have every right to criticize her. Especially if it prevents her from further self harm in the future.

>>23106826
She analyzed the situation and determined that it was the best course of action. Without knowing exactly what she experienced in the gauntlet, we cannot say that her actions were not neccessary.

"I would improvise a weapon, hide under a corpse for a surprise attack, run past them, or retreat."
"Run past them, get snagged and eaten." She said, holding up one finger on her intact hand. "Retreat to where? Both ways out are filled with ghouls. They enter and eat you. Improvise a weapon? From what, the lantern? That'd only stop one group, and the other would charge. They're almost faster than people. And for hiding under a corpse... they're near blind, Abel, they hunt by smell, and they don't care about manticores. They would, however, care about the girl hiding under the manticore."
She sighed. "Oh, right, and I forgot. I was stung by one of those three manticores, so you can't even run. I did what I had to do, Abel."

>>23106884
"I know, I know...I'm just worried about you."

go in for the hug

>>23106884
Scruffle her hair. She's won, but were nit happy.

>>23106884
"I just don't like you getting hurt. I'll find a way to fix up your hand, though it may take a bit."

Give her the hug.

>>23106920
She's pissed the Fuck off, this is not the time to be a douche.
>>23106796
Revoting this.

>>23106981
Meant to link>>23106927

>>23106884
"I appreciate that Lyra, but what I don't like is how easily you came to that decision."

Did the manticores giggle at you too?

Be moved to tears at the memory of Mr giggles

"I appreciate that, Lyra, but what I don't like is how easily you came to that decision."
"The Order... they would've told me to kill as many as I could, and then myself once I got bitten." She said. "But Crios told me that it's more important to survive. Always survive, at whatever cost. And that's what I did. It wasn't easy, but I had to decide fast or I'd be gone. And now you're telling me I'm boneheaded for doing it instead of doing something stupid instead."
You pull her into a hug, and scruffle her hair.
"I just don't like you getting hurt." You say. "I'll find a way to fix up your hand, though it may take a bit."
"Thanks, Abel." She said. "It's just permenant loss of limb, no biggie."

>>23107049
"How does Forged fingers sound?"

>>23107049
"It's a big deal to me. We might be able to find a healing Witch, and if not I'll study and make you mechanical clockwork replacements from bits scavenged from a Forged."

>>23107045
This again. >>23107049
Give me a hug, sis. You too tannis.

>>23107113
I'm really not sure we should say that. It might be seen as unlicensed magic.

>>23107158
Oh no, Lyra and tannis might find out! And we haven't just passed a test that gets us a free pass or anything, no!

"It's a big deal to me." You say. "We might be able to find a healing Witch, and if not, I'll study and make you mechanical clockwork replacements from bits scavenged from a Forged."
"So I'd have a Forged hand." She said, and moved the knuckles of her stumps. "Maybe, if you can learn how. And I'll talk to Ariana about who can heal my hand."
"Give me a hug, sis." You say. "You too, Tannis."

Tannis and Lyra both gave you a hug.
"Mind if I pet you for a while, Tannis?" Lyra asked. "I'm supposed to lay back and relax, but I'll get antsy if I'm sitting here alone.
"You're the only one that ever asks." Tannis said, and turned into a cat.

>>23107220
"Every time I do you're either asking me to, or I don't realize I am until I already am."

>>23107220
But your so fluffy, I can't not pet you. But ill start asking, if you want. I never really thought of it.

I guess I just think of you like a cat, in that form

>>23107220
Let's go get a stiff drink as celebration for completing the Gauntlet.

How's our arm looking? Bandaged?

>>23107220
"It's not even a conscious thing Tannis. My hand just senses something adorable and pets it without thinking.

I'll try to ask about it next time if you want."

>>23106884
did you think to ask the manticores for help first?

I did, and it got me most of the way through...poor Mr. Giggles...

>>23107220
let's see what's happened to kelaris...

and say hello to the new uncle....

"It's not even a conscious thing, Tannis." You say. "My hand just senses something adorable and pets it without thinking."
"I'll take it as a compliment, then." Tannis said, as Lyra started itching her ear with a fingerless hand.
"Did you think to ask the manticores for help, first?"
"... Manticores are wild beasts that eat people, Abel." Lyra said, and sighed. "They can't even be tamed. Unless you had one of those witch gifts, I suppose, but they're like barghests that way."

>>23107417
yea the barghest was a pain

>>23107417
"Well I'm certainly not a Witch, maybe I'm just that likable. Mr. Giggles thought so. And Barghests are mean and hard to kill."

>>23107417
"You should have lead the manticores into a crossfire with the barghest. Worked for me."

>>23107417
How dare you say such a thing about Mr giggles.

I do wish I knee you could reason with a manticore, though. That was one of the hardest fights I've ever had.

Theyll need a new manticore now.

>>23107548
Baghest*, dannit

>>23107417
"How's Kelaris doing?"

"You should have lead the manticores into a crossfire with the barghest. Worked for me."
"Then you came out with a barghest head." She said. "A pity that during the duel that guy sliced it in half." She said, and lay back in the bed.
"I do wish I knew you could reason with a barghest, though. That was one of the hardest fights I've ever had."
"It was less 'reason' and more bow and scrape my knees across the ground so that he thinks I'm a lesser in his pack." She said, and sighed.
"How's Kelaris doing?"
"When Kelaris was in here to give me this, he said he'd be speaking with Captain Brina." Tannis said, gently rubbing her head against Lyra's hand. "Apparently the captain said that she had important news about what happened to his family."

>>23107606
Give Tannis a few pets as well.

"They didn't die, they lived, I was right when I thought that the princess was related to him. She's his great, great, add a lot more greats, granddaughter."

>>23107606
when you feel better we need to go soon got a dream... what ever sky is doing its getting worse I don't think the world can take much more

>>23107606
Give tannis the beginnings of a kitty masdage.

Well I'd best go talk to them, then. Unless you want me to stay here, of course. I could also use a rest, and give Lyra a massage.

>>23107606
"Yeah, apparently his family survived. I imagine he'd be quite happy about that, unless that history book was wrong."

You give Tannis a few pets.
"Yeah, apparently his family survived." You say. "I imagine he'd be quite happy about that, unless the history book was wrong."

The door slammed open, and Kelaris was standing there, his eyes cold.
"... So, that elven *bitch* lied to me." He said, his voice full of hatred.
"Yes, happy." Lyra said, quietly, sarcastically.
"Abel, I need you to promise me." Kelaris said. "That you're going to kill her if I can't."

>>23107725
"Was already going to."

>>23107725
"I was going to anyway bro, but sure."

>>23107725
"Well of course I'm going to kill Gareth. Rip her head off and stick it on a cold iron pike.

So, apparently you offered your hand in marriage to your descendant. I told you that you had the same eyes."

>>23107725
It will be hard, but I've already sworn to kale that I will.

You should have seen her face ad her innards melted, it was satisfying.

Pet kitty's tail, for it is fluffy.

>>23107725
I have been trying K she is had to put down, but yea thats the plan then burn whats left and stake it with (that undead killing wood)

>>23107725
you mean gareth right?

"Well, of course I'm going to kill Gareth." You say. "Rip her head off and stick it it on a cold iron pike."
He took a deep breath, and relaxed.
"Good." He said, and turned to Lyra. "How are your fingers?"
"Oh, my fingers are- Oh Magenta, three of them are missing! Whatever shall I do?!" Lyra said, holding up her hands, a panicked look on her face.
"They don't hurt too badly?" He asked, a look on his face that didn't quite seem to fit with such a normally stern person.
"They do hurt." She said. "But petting Tannis helps a lot."
"I'm glad to hear it." He said, with a nod to Tannis. "I saw the aftermath of what you two have done. You both succeeded ably in the Gauntlet."

>>23107893
"Thank you."

"It's a wonder you can round up so many beasts for it."

>>23107893
Continue to pet the kitty.

"Thank you. It means a lot coming from you.

How do you keep the ecosystem in there stable?

So, your descendant is the Princess, are you planning on getting any family bonding in?"

>>23107893
I think your gauntlet may have taken more damage then us. Sorry about that.

But I got a shiny new sword, and left a gun behind.

>>23107893
"Is there a customary celebration tradition?"

>>23107893
>>23107918
well, is there anything left to do here guys or shall we be off to Vigil to see what and when and where we might do, expect, or go next?

"Thank you. It means a lot coming from you." You say, continuing to pet the kitty. "How do you keep the ecosystem in there stable?"
"We breed them." He said. "The manticores, I mean. They feed on our trash and waste, since they can consume anything. The barghests we need to capture, but they're very rarely killed, because they're so dangerous to confront."
"Is there a customary celebration tradition?"
"No, not usually." He said. "Sometimes the emperor would show up and allow you to introduce yourself, but it seems that the latest emperor is dead."
"So your descendant is the princess. Are you planning on getting any family bonding in?"
"She's leaving on her wilderness trek soon." Kelaris said. "After she returns in a year, I'll introduce myself more properly. But that bitch's death comes first."

>>23108043
"I suppose that makes sense.

Can you think of any other business to take care of before we head to Vigil?"

Keep on scritching the kitty.

>>23108043
so you offered to marry you grand daughter (stifle laughter)

we should hurry what ever sky is doing.... it is breaking reality hard I went to another world this morning it was bad.

>>23108043
You might not be kelaris then. Go talk to her now, we can delay, for this.

>>23108043
She's been recruited by Gabriel, we will see her soon.

>>23108043
"Good priorities."

"Any idea when we can start on the trek to Vigil?"

We should make a gatling gun for gearworks.

"Good priorities."
"I thought so." He responded.
"Any idea when we can start on the trek to Vigil?"
"Anytime, truly." He said. "I've informed the captain of the guard about the Forged, and she and the other Great Knights are preparing for it, rousing the army, and collecting enough cold iron for the chain of command to be protected from glamour. Cassandra, Hannah, and Ariana are having a meal near the wagon, outside of the palace."

>>23108198
"Lyra, do you feel up to traveling?"

>>23108198
Then everything is settled, and we have the night off. Except for you, tannis. Your going to get so much attention.

>>23108167
I think to do that we'd need DAYS of work in a full forge...

perhaps a cannon...
or a payload delivery rocket...

>>23108167
It's a shame we don't know magnets, or else I'd suggest a railgun hooked directly into the powercore.

Either way, I think we should find a forge and make more ammo for the rifle.

>>23108198
"Lets go see them then, I am feeling hungry"

>>23108198
"I wouldn't mind spending a night here. It's quite a nice city."

>>23108261
I second this, there is never such a thing as too much ammo.

"Then everything is settled, and we have the night off." You say, and relax. "Except for you, Tannis. You're going to get so much attention."
"I don't mind." Tannis said, and rolled back, ramming her chin into Lyra's hand.
"I wouldn't mind spending a night here." you say. "It's quite a nice city."
"Yes, it is." Kelaris said. Through the open doorway, a servant walked in and asked if they needed anything- and Lyra raised a hand. "Food, maybe?"
"Right away." The servant said, bowed, and left.

Some time later, Cass, Hannah, and Ariana had climbed into the room, where everyone else were full up on food- even Kelaris, surprisingly, even though the food the servant had brought contained meat.

"So, the plan is to go to Vigil tomorrow, right?" Ariana asked, rolling on her back, wings spread. Suddenly she tilted her head. "Oh! and I have this for you!"

A small letter popped out of her shadow, with your name on it.
"Astora's determined to write you a letter every so often." She said.

>>23108391
Well, let's read the letter then, shall we?

>>23108391
"Ah, I see. Maybe I'll have to write one back?"

Go read it.

>>23108391
Pet cat. "You guys entertain yourselves, ill read this." Read it.

>>23108391
"I'll have to write back, then."

>>23108391
"Ask her if it's the kind of letter I should be reading aloud."

We should take some time tomorrow and make some holsters for our various guns. As I understand it we've just kind of been holding them or leaving them in a sack.

>>23108391
"That's sweet of her. I'll have to write her back."

Get a bit of privacy and read it, it's probably for us only. Then pen a reply.

>>23108391
You getting used to being in two places at once?

Have the corned kicked up a fuss about the incident?

>>23108391
We should probably read it in private, just in case.

"Ah, I see." You say. "Maybe I'll have to write one back?"
"She says you don't, but she secretly wants you to." Ariana said, as you pulled open the letter. It was a rather simple one.

>Dear Abel.
>It's only been a few days, but I figured I'd write you a letter to keep you up to date on what's been happening around here.
>In short, a big fat zero has been happening around here. I've been forcing Sansa to teach me to cook, and she keeps grumbling about 'goat tunnels' or something, and I've been going to Haven every night. I think Kee might be developing a thing for me. (And I'm not saying this just to make you jealous).
>I didn't have any problems sleeping last night, thankfully, but it is rather... cold.
>Love you, Abel. Hurry back.

"I'll have to write her back." You say. "Are you getting used to being in two places at one?"
"No, not yet." Ariana said. "I keep forgetting my familiar when I focus on me, and I keep forgetting me when I focus on my familiar. Astora said that you start getting better when you start thinking of your familiar as part of your body instead of part of you, but me and my familiar are so far away that it gets hard."
"And have the crones kicked up a fuss about the incident?"
"They haven't." Ariana said. "One showed up to talk to Astora about it, but she seemed frustrated. Apparently it's been voted 'a nobilis event' and so the crones can't do much about it."

>>23108554
that'll be Cat's doing. It would almost be nice having the crimes know what's going onthough. I wouldn't mind talking to one, if they want to know more.

Find a pen and paper.

>>23108554
dear astora

"not much has happened on my end of things, met the empress in training for the skitarian empire, ran an ancient gauntled designed to kill me, met some more relatives I never knew about, that sort of thing. you can tell kee that I'll break his kneecaps if he tries anything; has (the warlock with 2 familliars) gotten lefty back?

>>23108651
She. Kee is the girl who was being tricked by Gareth.

>>23108671
oh...

>>23108651
change
>you can tell kee that I'll break his kneecaps if he tries anything

to

>I think the best thing to do would be to rebuff her gently. I doubt you're into that sort of thing...

>>23108554
Write back the following:

>Dear Astora,
>Found more family in Skiitara. Apparently my father was raised here, and left a sister behind. Her name is Brina, and she went on an adventure with dad and Leez.
>Lyra and I took the gauntlet challenge, which mostly involved killing some monsters and dueling a Grand Knight. Lyra cut off three of her fingers to escape some ghouls. I'm still mad at her for hurting herself. I'm physically fine.
>As it turns out, YOUR gift of vermin helped me out there. So that's a thing. The Manticore was acting like a puppy around me. I dubbed him Mr. Giggles. Tragically, the Barghast in the next room got him. Mr. Giggles was avenged.
>As a reward for this challenge, we've each gotten a nice title (I'm a Grand Hunstman now, she's a Grand Paladin), we're both considered citizens of Skiitara, and we each got to go pick out a magic weapon from their hoard.
>Lyra got the blade Kristoph wielded. I got a crystal sword made by the Spirit of Water.
>Turns out Kelaris' family didn't die after all, Gareth lied to him (huge surprise, right?). Oh, and we found out that his family was royalty, and that the current royalty is directly descended from him.
>Tomorrow we plan to go to Vigil both to get answers from the library there and to meet with the Prince.
>Tell Kee we're a package deal, she either has to bed both of us or none at all.
>Try to stay warm, I love you.
>Abel.

>>23108554
Write a letter back.

Dear Astora
I miss you, lots has been going on, I am now a Grand Huntsman of Skiitara. I got a fancy new magic sword. I made a friend with a Manticore I named Mr. Giggles and killed a Barghest.

Tell Sansa that the goat tunnels are real, she just has to believe in herself and they will open to her and lead to the Goat Tower.

I'll give Ariana a hug and have her pass it on to you, it's the best I can do.

Love, Abel."

>>23108554
My dearest Tori,
I wish I could say the same for things here. Lyra's lost three fingers, and I almost lost and arm to hellfire, all over a trivial matter. Incidentally, I killed a Barghest.

Kelaris is not Kale, and it's wearing on me. I miss his company, But good news is that his wife and daughter lived, and their descendents live on.

If you are cold, think of me. I promise I shall bring you a small mountain of women back with me, just as you deserve, so you can always have a warm bed.

I miss you greatly
Your love, Abel.

>>23108718
I'll second this one.

>>23108718
This is good.

>>23108554

goodthing i didn't kill that Primm guy's barghest then.

we should write a letter.

dear Tori.
a lot of things have happened since i got back, Kale changed back in to his former self, Kelaris and found out that the family he thought were killed by forged are still alive and have a prospering lineage. Lyra and myself have taken the Gauntlet to become Knights of Skiitara, we both succeeded and i now bear the title Grand Huntsman (and i'm not saying that to impress you, did it though?) i have had an interesting encounter with a Salamander Manticore which may be related to the gift of vermin. i'm sure Sansa is a very good teacher, please thank her for me.
miss you lots, stay safe and healthy.
Abel.

>>23108718
This is good, but we should also add

I met the spirit of air, who took me for a dance. Did you know that orb you've got in your basement is basically a god?

>>23108816
agreed...

You quickly take your own paper, and scribe out a mostly-legible letter back, careful to do it well, not having much practice writing, and then fold it up and toss it to Ariana, where it fell into the shadow behind her.
She rolled over onto her back, while Lyra and Hanna both worked on giving Tannis scritches, while Cass and Kelaris were talking in low words.

Suddenly, she sat up.
"She wants to say that there's no way in the seven hells that she's giving you to Kee." She said. "Aaand then she just left the estate about forcing Cedric to help her find a manticore, for some reason."

>>23108861
Oh dear, I hope they'll be alright.

Offer back rubs to anyone who wants one.

>>23108861

smile knowingly, make sure she doesn't overexert herself.

are there any witches in sanctuary capable of replacing lost fingers?

>>23108861
Burst out laughing.

"Yeah, she'll be fine."

>>23108861
"It's simple really, the Manticores in the Gauntlet liked me. I figure it has to do with our connection."

>>23108919
no mentioning the wizardry, remember?

>>23108919
Nonononononono

Ariana doesn't know about that, Tori wants to keep it a secret.

>>23108861
just make sure she doesn't stick a blade in kee...

and describe the smile on my face as I wrote the letter...

>>23108861
Laugh. Just laugh.

>>23108861
"Hah, I told her I had real trouble with the Manticores. Maybe she thinks I need practice?"

"Oh dear, I hope they'll be alright." You say, and start chuckling.
"So do I." She said, eyes closed.
"Why a manticore, though?" She asked. "Weird. Maybe she intends to paralyze something with the venom."
Keeping quiet, you lay back on your own bed, eyes half lidded.

>Are you guys planning to do anything today before setting off to Vigil in the morning?

>>23108991

ask Ariana about witches who can replace fingers?

>>23108991
We will skritch the kitty so hard, she melts into a blanket that we can hide Lyra under.

But other then that, not really.

>>23108991
Proper holsters for our guns.

>>23108991
Find the highest point in the area, and take a nap there.

>>23108991
Make some more god damn ammo for the rifle.

Also simple fingers for the sister.

>>23109019
Make them, I mean.

>>23109012
yup

"so ariana, suppose I know someone who needs a couple of fingers grown back; is there a witch in sanctuary that could grow them back?"

"Ariana, are there any witches who can replace fingers?"
"... There was Eldin." She said. "But... no, there isn't. Only the Gift of Tapping could heal entire limbs, and Eldin was the only one who had Tapping and Life at the same time. Any other witch with the gift of tapping would lose their own fingers."

You nod, and then you get to your feet, making your way out of the room, your equipment in hand.

Lucky to have your exceptional navigational ability, you make your way downstairs, and through most of the palace, making your way out, and toward a forge, right next door to a tailoring shop.
The man at the forge nodded and said a few words in skiitaran, and when you didn't respond, he tried a second language. Frustrated, he finally spoke up.
"How about this one?" He asked, in english. "Is there anything you need, here?"
Then he grumbled something in skiitaran that probably meant something along the lines of 'damn tourists'.

>>23109159
I was just wondering if I could borrow your forge for a bit. I can pay.

>>23109159

>talking to a Grand knight like that, he must not know who we are
hello sir, my name is Abel and i would like to borrow/rent some space to work.

>>23109159
"I'd like to rent the use of your forge, if that is acceptable. What will the price be?"

"I'd like to rent the use of your forge, if that is acceptable. What will the price be?"
"You're trying to rent my tools and forge away from me." He said, in a low voice. "And the very same day orders from the palace came down to tell me to forge as much cold iron as possible. It's a busy day. Five hundred dollars, or it's not worth my time."

>>23109241
:S

Fine, we'll ask someone else then.

>>23109241
"The reason I am renting your forge is to deal with the problem that requires all that cold iron."

"One hundred."

>>23109241

guess I'll hunt down a different forge, sorry to bother you.

>>23109270
This.

>>23109267
I like this

>>23109267
Vetoing this.

>>23109241
If I help fill the order could I use it at the standard rate once it is fulfilled.

"The reason I am renting your forge is to deal with the problem that requires all the cold iron." You say. "One hundred."
"You're not renting my forge, you're also buying the time I can't work." He said, and shot you a glare.
"I guess I'll hunt down a different forge, sorry to bother you." You say, and turn away.

Some time later, while pacing, you finally find a blacksmith who seemed more personable, with curled orange hair and a grin, waving his hand about as he hopped up and down- apparently he'd burned it.
"Oh, hullo!" He said, his hand in his mouth. "Do you need anything?"

>>23109327
I was just looking to borrow a forge for a while, but do you need me to fetch a medic?

>>23109327
"Hello! I'd like to rent your forge for a small amount time, if that is okay?"

"I was just looking to rent a forge for a while, but do you need me to fetch a medic?"
"No, no, I'm fine." He said, and chuckled. "I'm still learning, and I'm still clumsy. Go ahead, if you don't mind me watching what you make and how you do it. Books aren't enough to try and learn something, after all."

>Roll for make?

Rolled 27

>>23109366
Rolling for making.

Rolled 68

>>23109366
FINGERS!

Rolled 10

>>23109366
make bullets and holsters and perhaps a scabbard for Lyra's new sword.

Rolled 11

>>23109366
MAGIC TIME

Rolled 57

>>23109366
Make some rifle-slugs!

Flechette rounds!

Rolled 47

>>23109366
Let's see if'n we can't make Lyra some new fingers!

Rolled 75

Lyra's Hand please.

Rolled 30

>>23109387
Yeah I'll say we do a hand/fingers first then after that make some rifle-bullets.

Rolled 80

>>23109387
I'll throw in a roll to support this.

Rolled 30

>>23109407
Triple-supporting.

Rolled 100

>>23109387
We should build in a single-shot bullet function for her as well.

>>23109470
Nice roll, but she didn't like the feel of guns, when we had her try the sanctis cannon.

>>23109470
Oh my...

Buying some metal from the clumsy smith, you quickly made another half dozen shells for your gun- but these were different than the heavy slugs like before. This time, you intricately carved and bundled needles, smithing it to shatter against heavy armor, but sail right through thin armor and flesh, working carefully to make them and load in the powder. Setting those six shells aside, you let the forge get up to heat again, and buy some leather and some thread, intricately weaving and sewing holsters for your guns, and a better bracer for Wyvern. Finally, you close your eyes, feeling the magic in your arm, and you... bring it forth.

Grace oozes into your limbs, as you adroitly smith miniscule gears and miniscule gears, using thin brass and screws so small that with your normal, clumsy human eyes, would've been almost impossible to see, let alone forge. Finally, when they were done, you had three fingers sitting there, complete with a base that would clasp around her stumps so that they could be removed.

You take a breath, and step away from the forge.
The man nods, and chuckles.
"So that's what a master smith is like, huh?" He asked. "It's a pleasure to see that. Hah, don't worry about paying me back for the metal or holster bits. I'd just waste it, myself."

>>23109495
"No, I've used your materials and your forge. It's required that I pay."

>>23109495

give him some money anyway and wish him good fortune in his trade.

>>23109495
"I'm no master smith; just a little talented, I thank you for the use of the forge; and I wonder at how well you speak this language...

a>>23109495
Stick with simple things, like swords, until you can get but without injury.

And as we leave, "or make a deal with the fae."

>>23109495
"It was an honor to have worked here. I'll pay you regardless."

"No, I've used your materials and your forge. It's required that I pay."
"Well, if you insist." He said, and nodded, as you gave him some money.
"Stick with simple things, like swords, until you can get by without injury." You say, and turn to take your things back to the palace. "Or make a deal with the fae."

As you walk, you suddenly realize something. He'd burned his hand, but... the forge wasn't warm when you started work on it. You whirl back, but he was gone.

"... You *did* make me fingers!" Lyra said, when you showed them to her, and she grinned widely. "Let me try them on."

She continues rubbing Tannis's belly as she held up her other, fingerless hand, and with a twist, you fasten the base of the fingers against her own stubs, as she hissed with a slight amount of pain.

Then, with a rough clink, the fingers curled along with her others. Her eyes widened, and she grinned, pulling you close to give you a kiss on the cheek.
"You're the best brother I've ever had." She said, laughing.

>>23109581
"It's the least I could do."

>>23109581
"Well, the prospects of Healing weren't looking too good, and I told you I would."

>>23109581

i wouldn't be a good one if i just sat by and did nothing, sorry for doubting you sis.

>>23109581
hopefully they'll suffice. They'll probably not bee too dexterous, and be sure to take them off to clean.

>>23109581
"I'll upgrade them later. Maybe add a knife or something that'll flip out when pressed."

>>23109581
Everyone gets to scratch tannis' belly but Abel.

>>23109581
"If you lose your arms I might be able to make those as well. It could have elbow blades and everything, you wouldn't even have to ask for it."

>>23109581
>"You're the best brother I've ever had."
I'm the only brother you ever had

>>23109688
"Maybe add a crossbow. Or A CANNON!"

Look increasingly deranged as we talk.

"I'm the only brother you ever had."
"That's the joke." She said, and gave you another hug.
"Hopefully they'll suffice." You say. "They probably won't be too dexterous, and be sure to take them off to clean."
"I will." She said, wiggling them. Then she twisted the mechanism to unclasp one of the fingers and took it off, looking at the inside.
"This reminds me a lot of the Forged." She said, showing you the inside of the base, where gears sat, waiting.
She shrugged, and put it back on, giving Tannis a few pets with her forged hand- before frowning.
"But I can't feel it." She said, and sighed. "But again, Abel, thank you. I mean it."
"Well, the prospects of Healing weren't looking too good, and I told you I would."
"Always one who keeps his promises, eh?" She asked, and lay back again, setting her fingers aside to sleep. "And now I get to do more resting. Yay."

Some hours later, after sleeping the night before, eating, and making your way back to the wagons, Ariana spoke up.
"Hey, Abel." The gryphon said, sitting on top of the wagon, looking down at you. "Ariana just got back, and she said she has a Gift of Vermin now. What did you say to her in that letter?"

>>23109779
>"Astora just got back"
>Yay, names!

>>23109779
"Manticore's find her extremely attractive.

They also giggle when happy."

>>23109779
"Remember that thing that she told you not to ask about? It has to do with that, that's all I can say."

>>23109779
"It's a secret."
Big shit eating grin.

>>23109779
"I think you should ask her that, honestly, but >>23109806 "

>>23109779
"I told her I had trouble with the Manticores when I was doing the Gauntlet. Maybe she thought I was weak and she needed to toughen me up?"

>>23109779
The manticore liked me for leezs wildfire gift, so I thought astori might get similar results with the gift of flame

>>23109779
I'm willing to guess she always had it.

>>23109820
I support this.

>>23109823
Or this

>>23109779
"Just the usual stuff. I just told her what we've been up to."

"Remember that thing that she told you not to ask about?" You ask. "It has to do with that, that's all I can say. But I'm willing to guess she always had it."
"Ohh, okay." She said, and crossed her talons, laying her head on it. "Are we ready to go?"
"I'm here." Lyra said, waving her forged hand, leaning on Tannis. Which brought up memories from last night- namely, memories involving the sound of yowling coming from the room where Tannis and Lyra were staying, Memories you did *not* want to recall.
"I'm here too." Cass said. She'd been quiet this entire time, keeping an eye out- she'd been acting strangely since she arrived, her nose twitching now and then. Hannah was behind her, quiet, wings fluttering ever so often.

As the group looked this way and that for Kelaris, he finally arrived out of the palace, his heavy box in hand.
"Okay, I'm here." He said. "I believe all the preparations are complete, unless I'm forgetting something."

>>23109952
"Let's set out then. Do you know the way, Kelaris?"

>>23109952
"Lyra. What exactly were you doing last night?"

or to Tannis.

"From one sister to the other, eh?"

>>23109952
Note to self: If we ever convince Tori to bed Tannis with us, make sure nobody is in the next few rooms. Or gag her.

>>23109984
The second one is more trollish.
Let's go with that one.

>>23109984
Heheh, let's go with the second one.

>>23109952

turn to Lyra and Tannis, are you friends now?

talk to Cass while everyone takes their seat in the wagon, somethings up.

>>23109984
Add to the second,

"So are you going for the entire family, or just the women? Our Aunt is still in town if you want to try to nab her on the way back."

>>23110055
No, that's mean

>>23110055
That's brilliant. But save it for now.

>>23110081
it's only mean if you mean it that way, and not as gentle teasing

>>23110081
It's just teasing, not mean.

"Let's set out, then." You say. "Do you know the way, Kelaris?"
"I do." He said. "I know the way, and we have a map."

You turn to Tannis, grinning.
"From one sister to the other, eh?"
Lyra pretended not to notice, but Tannis nodded.
"We're friends." Tannis said.
"So, are you going for the entire family, or just the women?" You ask, lightheartedly teasing her. "Our aunt is still in town if you want to try to nab her on the way back."
"Hey, Lyra's the one that came onto me, not the other way around." Tannis said, huffing.
"... That's not how I remember it." Lyra said, still facing away. "I was just petting you and suddenly you were human and right there."
"... You were groping me constantly." Tannis said.
"What? I was just rubbing your belly."
There was a moment of silence.
"So you *didn't* want-" Tannis said, and then cut off for a moment. Then cleared her throat. "Okay uh. Just so everyone knows, uh. Petting my belly is the same as grabbing my chest. No matter what form I'm in?"

>>23110055
>>23110034
>>23109984

Lets not comment on it, what they decide to do with each other is their business. Let just make our way out. Also try to talk with Cass and see whats up.

>>23110123
"And I'm very sorry I always forget that."

>>23110123
"Duly noted. No grabbing Tannis's chest."

>>23110123
"See, I didn't know that either and now I understand why you clawed me every time I tried.

I just figured, 'Hey, this part is especially fluffy. Let's pet that.'"

>>23110123
"Ah, no wonder you wouldn't let me do that."

>>23110123
"Hey Cass, you alright?"

>>23110123

well that sure explain why you never liked me doing that, i uh... sorry if i made you uncomfortable.

>>23110123
"Well, no harm done, I think."

"See, I didn't know that either, and now I understand why you clawed me every time I tried." You say, feeling rather awkward. "I, uh, sorry if I made you uncomfortable."
"Well now you know." Tannis said, and climbed into the wagon.
Lyra stubbornly refused to look at you as she climbed in as well. You follow, just as Tannis is re-declaring bellyrubs to be the same as groping her, and sit next to Cass.

"Hey, Cass, you alright?" You ask, as the horses set off.
"Yeah, I'm fine." She said. "I'm rather wary because my spear is bound, but... other than that, yeah, everything's fine. I keep having a feeling like I'm just missing something, though..."

>>23110270
"Like what?"

>>23110270

missing? like a memory or something?

>>23110270
"Missing something? Any vague idea what it could be?"

Maybe the first forge-owner was Thor? Random speculation.

"Missing something? Like a memory? Any vague idea what it could be?"
"Well, I mean like... I'm overlooking something." She said. "Something keeps reminding me of Thor, and I'm not sure why."
"I didn't see him anywhere." Hannah said. "But I'm sure he's out there somewhere."

>>23110334
"Maybe one of his parents was Skiitaran?"

>>23110334
Describe the first-forge owner we met to her.

"Does he look like [this]?"

>>23110334

can we use glamour to see if there might be some magic going on here?

>>23110386
We cannot use glamour, we can see through glamour.

"Does he look like a large, unshaven man, with an unfriendly disposition?" You ask, and Cass shook her head almost immediately.
"He's more, uh... You'd recognize him if you saw him." She said.
"He's scarred. Really badly." Hannah supplied. "His entire face was bitten off by something or other when he was little."
"And he's anything but unfriendly." Cass added, quietly.

>>23110365
>>23110304
Rather than asking her if random people are like Thor, we can just ask her what Thor is like?

>>23110433
"Was he from Skiitara originally?"

>gotta sleep
>good luck gentlemen

>>23110433
>>23110436
Never mind then. I just met a strange fellow at the forge.

Scruffle tanniss hair. 'ill still pat you if you want me too.'

>>23110433
Was anyone from the hideout from Skiitara origionally?

"Was he from Skiitara originally?"
"His parents were from Kalid." She said. "We think, at least. His memories of his dad involved a kalid accent, we think. But no, he's not Skiitaran."

She sighed. "It's just... strange." She said, and closed her eyes.

While sitting in the wagon, waiting, you absentmindedly touch the crystal on your wrist- and suddenly you felt something large, and powerful, like an enormous, waterborne serpent looming behind you, staring at you. You look back, and nothing was there, but still you felt it. You let go of Wyvern, and the feeling vanishes. You sigh, and scruffle Tannis's hair, continuing to travel.

Sometime past noon, you were rolling northwards, on the road going into the marsh, past the lake, and suddenly Kelaris learned forward, looking to the side.
"Interesting." He said. "The rest of you see that?"

You look out, and see a young man in cobalt, off-blue armor, a similarly colored eyepatch, and an enormous, multi-stringed crossbow on his back, simply walking.

"Ho!" The young man called raising an arm, and Kale slowed the wagon, looking out at him.
"Mine name is Andalus." He said, with a nod and a confident grin. "I must request to travel with thee, for Vigil is mine goal, and that is the direction you are traveling."

>>23110743
Ho, Traveller!

Welcome aboard our merry band wagon.

>>23110743
"Ho there Princeps! We've been looking for you."

>>23110743
"That's incredibly convenient, Andalus. We were heading to Vigil and looking for you."

>>23110743
"Andalus! Hop aboard, we were actually looking for you. Your sister suggested we speak."

>>23110743
"Greetings Princeps! I am Abel, Grand Huntsman. We've come a long way to see you."

>>23110743
"Greetings, Princeps Andalus! We have been searching for you, for we have a message to deliver."

"Ho there, Princeps. We've been looking for you. Hop aboard!" You say, and he climbed into the back.
"Tis obvious you were." He said, with a grin. "A gryphon aboard the top- a witch soul, no doubt- then an ancient Grand Knight riding in front- no doubt one of my ancestors, and the rest, beings of magic or great skill. You'd be adventurers, of course."

>>23110833
You have a good eye, but I get by more on luck then skill.

We bring news from the free cities, and to request a few favors.

>>23110833
"I am Abel, Grand Huntsman. This is my sister, Lyra, Grand Paladin. That's Kelaris, Grand Knight, Cassandra, Dragonslayer, Tannis, Princeps, and Hannah, Fairykin.

We have news you need to hear."

>>23110872
Add to this:
"Also your sister sends greetings, and suggested you and I would probably get along well."

"You have a good eye, but I get by more on luck than skill." You say.
"Tis what most say." He added.
"I am Abel, Grand Huntsman. This is my sister, Lyra, Grand Paladin. That's Kelaris, Grand Knight, Cassandra, Dragonslayer, Tannis, Princeps, and Hannah, Fairykin."
"Ah. I will introduce myself again, then. Mine name is Andalus, and I am Princeps, First Citizen. I am also the son of the late Emperor Voique, and sister of Imperial Princess Anala."
"We have news you need to hear." You say."
"I must admit, I am no wise man, nor do I have any position or authority, but I will hear your news."

>>23110933
"Still, you are the closest thing to Emperor for the time being, and all we spoke to suggested we bring this to you."

Bring out the cold iron crescent for him.

>>23110933
WE"RE ALL GOING TO DIE!!!!!

FUCKING ANGELS STOLE THE FORGED AND ARE TRYING TO KILL EVERYTHING EVER IN AN SICK AND TWISTED ATTEMPT AT HAVING FUN BEFORE THE WORLD ENDS!

ANCIENT EVIL ELVES HAVE GOTTEN OUT AND ARE MESSING WITH EVERYONE"S MINDS!

Also, I were told by the godess of wind that there's a scroll in Vigil that'll help my friend here, so if you could help me find that, that'd be great.

>>23110933
"Gareth, Tyrant of the Fae, is loose upon the world. The message told me to deliver this crescent to *the* Princeps, who, as far as we can tell, would be you."

>>23110933
Fuck, I forgot what we wanted to tell him about.

"Still, you are the closest thing to the Emperor for the time being, and all we spoke to suggested we bring this to you."
He took a careful look at it.
"Tis say to send it to the son of the emperor, in ancient skiitaran." He said. "And this was removed?"
You nod.
"Well." He said. "The only reason this would be so specific is if ... it was prophecy." He said, and sighed.
"I hate prophecy. Tis never simple." He grumbled, and set it down. "But it means I can simply do mine own will, and fate will conspire to work with me."
"What do-" Lyra asked, but the princeps- who was almost a splitting image of Kelaris, albeit with the eyepatch and the constant slight smirk- raised his hand, silencing her.
"One moment, please, Lyra." He said, and closed his eye for a moment, thinking.
"First step." He said. "To Vigil. There are books there, of elves. Perhaps of this Garethiel. We need knowledge, and thus, power."

That saying...
Was very, very familiar. Knowledge, and thus, Power.

Then he opened his eye again.
"And then I will travel with you for a time, until this Garethiel is slain. Little else for me to do, in these troubled times."

And that's when Hannah's colt shot up to his temple, and in a single movement, she pulled the trigger.
"Die." She said- And there was a click as the gun refused to fire.

>End of thread!

>>23111093
Thanks for running, Exa!

>>23111093
Called it.

>>23111093
oh hanna, you so silly.

Good call removing the firing pin everyone!

Finally, we get to curbstomp her ass

>>23111093
Knew this bitch was gonna be an issue.

http://archive.foolz.us/tg/search/text/knowledge%2C%20and%20thus%2C%20power/tripcode/%21SIL6URyblU/

So this is interesting

>>23111232
Very. But who had a copy of that one? I thought it was just Dave.

>>23111232
There's always references in Exa-quests.

>>23112848
and don't we all love them....