YES, been waiting for this!

>>24981108
me too, anon. Me too.

Now shut up, I'm listening to the theme.

YAAAAaaaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY

Are we all still set for operation punstorm, or have we thought better of our dumb plan? We usually don't think better of our dumb plans.

Your plan to usurp Comedy/Thisleblossom's control over the Fey Court by turning Mage into Queen Mab's reincarnated husband Dagda The Good...could have gone better.

The Dramatae has been dominating the court by way of fear and executions of any who oppose her. Also, she not only was excited to see all of you show up on her doorstep, but played along with the charade as well, calling Mage to be her 'Daddy.' (Something that will haunt you for years, no doubt.)

She then led you to the main throne room, where you saw Mab. Trapped and terrified of her returned 'daughter,' as well as your uncle, Paladin Julian Grave, captured and tortured.

But the surprises weren't done. Not by a long shot. Comedy then introduced her special guests of the evening. The reanimated bodies of Donovan, Lea's Father, Tricia's Aunt...and the lamia that was your biological mother.

They all seem very pleased to see you...in a genuine 'loved one' manner, not an 'evil undead seeing next meal' manner...which is even more disturbing.

We need to see if comedy gets the leviathan joke

>>24981165
I feel sort of bad about the "loved one" manner of the zombies.

I hope that's an act. I really hope. Otherwise this shit is gonna get fucking brutal.

>>24981165
Tell the leviathan joke. The only way to win is to out-weird comedy. Which means we probably should have brought Dana

>>24981209
>>24981169
Fuck the leviathan joke. We've got the huge fuck puntastic speech to give.

I'm pretty sure the general consensus was to do shock, followed by a quip, followed by a barrage of graveyard puns.

>>24981209
>>24981169
guys.

It's not whether or not comedy gets it that's important.

It's whether or not our "mom" gets it.

Because if she gets it and comedy doesn't, either they ARE intelligent, or comedy is a super good actor.

Y'know, the hostage thing is really starting to get old. And zombies? Points for surprise, but really, its a joke that needs to be buried. I guess its true what they say, Comedy, your sense of humor is long dead. Whats wrong? You're silent as the grave, and your delivery is a little stiff.

Seriously, what did you expect to get out of this by raising a mummy lamia instead of my father? She was Citadel-corrupt, called me a monster, and killed my sisters to save adventurers from hard moral decisions. I don't even know her name; is it Morgue-ana? She may have given birth to me, but I had only one parent, and I buried him in River's Crossing. Why isn't he here instead of someone I never even knew? No wait, don't tell me, you maggots couldn't worm your way into his mind even after death, could you?

When you pull the 'loved ones from the grave' shtick, you're supposed to pick people we actually loved. They're all colossal assholes, or deeply corrupt, or both.

Donovan you and Mab already know about, he shouted his sins to the world.

Tricia's Aunt? Obviously hit the royal jelly judging by the red stuff dripping from her mouth, which is a big no-no. She's the sort who gives wasp witches a bad name, and no doubt she's the reason that Tricia's parents freaked out about Tricia potentially becoming an insane wasp witch. So that parental hostility toward Tricia? That's her fault. Thank you, Queen Bee-tch

And as for Lea's dad, he was a monster who abused and dominated the ones he was supposed to protect.

(continued)

>>24981226
But if corpse-mom doesn't get it then we know they're just soulless husks programmed to act off of rage's notes. They probably are anyways, considering our mother named us "fourth-born, monster" and she's acting awful friendly

>>24981226
true, we do.

>>24981238
Do you want me to pull up the punstorm? I have a modified version prepared.

You're really digging your own grave here, undertaking this scenario. The whole thing is rotten. I'm impressed you could dig up all this dirt on us, but Peace's dad already pulled that shtick far better; you don't even know about the bags. You're really beating a dead horse here. Frankly, the joke stinks. And it's starting to bug my wife. You're seriously killing her buzz here! I'm afraid that's just the final nail in the coffin. You'll have to do better to urn my respect, or to break de-composure of a Paladin."

I am, of corpse, still mort-ified. It's almost tomb-uch, but necromancy has always been crypt-ic to me. Now, scythe and desist, or the pun-ishment will continue."

>>24981266
I just pulled what was finished at the end of the archive. I forgot if we further refined it or not.

You stare at the face of your mother. Despite the stitched up scar, shedding hair, and the undead pallor...she's actually very pretty. A part of you does hope you'll look that good when you're her age...minus the whole rotting flesh thing.

"What's wrong Paladin Serpent?" Comedy says. "You've always been one for speeches...have you nothing to say to your mother?"

The other Dawnchasers are just stunned into silence by the special guests.

>>24981293
SAY THE LEVIATHAN JOKE

>>24981287
I modified that version to be less redundant, as story's work often needs. Doesn't matter though.

>>24981293
>>24981299
If she doesn't get the leviathan joke, I say operation punstorm.

If she does, then... shit. SHIT.

>>24981299
Fuck off, we got a pun storm.

>>24981299
Nooo, Pun Storm!

>>24981311
>>24981320
THAT'S NOT THE POINT. If she doesn't get it, she's just a zombie that's been cleverly programmed. We can't just punstorm and stab everything, we need to prove to our party that these corpses AREN'T really their loved/hated ones. Can you imagine what they'd think of us if we just spouted off a bunch of puns and stabbed our mother in the face? We need to be able to explain ourselves.

>>24981311
Even if she does get it, she was Citadel Corrupted and I doubt being a servant of Comedy has helped that.

>>24981351
that's what I said. Joke, and then if it fails puns.

What I'm worried about... is if she gets the joke.

>>24981293
mind=blown

>>24981300
>>24981351
The redundancies may be a good thing. The speech would actually be a leviathan joke, and the puns are just a red herring (HAR).

Assuming Echo is cool with that.

>>24981368
My money says she's just a cleverly programmed zombie, on the grounds that she named us a monster when we were born

An important thing to ask or figure out:

What exactly is the point of bringing these ones back? They can't expect this to really fuck with us.

>>24981378
Which Leviathan joke? I'm seeing a bunch in the old thread, or are you talking about the Punstorm?

Another question:

Our father said the lamias were near skeletal when he finally returned to the tower to bury them.

This one isn't a skeleton.

EXPLAIN, COMEDY.

>>24981440
Punstorm is a levithan joke due to the reduncies of the unrefined version I posted. The puns are merely a red herring.

>>24981368
why? if she gets the joke, we start asking her questions in snaketoungue to get info and piss off Comedy. plus, we can have a little mother-daughter bonding before the plan goes even more to Citadel

>>24981368

What kind of difference would this really make? Remember that our mother called us a monster and tried to kill us.

>>24981462
Or maybe I don't quite get leviathan humor.

I don't fucking know

>>24981462
>>24981440
he's asking if that IS a leviathan joke. the punstorm.

I, personally, say we should try with a mathematical one.

>>24981460
Her skin was regenerated by the power of plot holes.

>>24981490
I just said I thought it was one.

You take a deep breath and begin.

"Y'know, the hostage thing is really starting to get old. And zombies? Points for surprise, but really, its a joke that needs to be buried. I guess its true what they say, Comedy, your sense of humor is long dead. Whats wrong? You're silent as the grave, and your delivery is a little stiff.

"Seriously, what did you expect to get out of this by raising a mummy lamia instead of my father? She was Citadel-corrupt, called me a monster, and killed my sisters to save adventurers from hard moral decisions. I don't even know her name; is it Morgue-ana? She may have given birth to me, but I had only one parent, and I buried him in River's Crossing.

"Why isn't he here instead of someone I never even knew? No wait, don't tell me, you maggots couldn't worm your way into his mind even after death, could you?

"When you pull the 'loved ones from the grave' shtick, you're supposed to pick people we actually loved. They're all colossal assholes, or deeply corrupt, or both.

"Donovan, you and Mab already know about, he shouted his sins to the world.

"Tricia's Aunt? Obviously hit the royal jelly judging by the red stuff dripping from her mouth, which is a big no-no. She's the sort who gives wasp witches a bad name, and no doubt she's the reason that Tricia's parents freaked out about Tricia potentially becoming an insane wasp witch. So that parental hostility toward Tricia? That's her fault. Thank you, Queen Bee-tch

"And as for Lea's dad, he was a monster who abused and dominated the ones he was supposed to protect.

(cont)

Apologize to our teammates for our harsh tone once this is over.

Because it's mostly bravado here in the hopes of getting into comedy's head.

Gonna make the BIGGEST fucking grave for that lamia. Save the fuck out of julian too.

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>>24981567

"You're really digging your own grave here, undertaking this scenario. The whole thing is rotten. I'm impressed you could dig up all this dirt on us, but Peace's dad already pulled that shtick far better; you don't even know about the bags. You're really beating a dead horse here. Frankly, the joke stinks. And it's starting to bug my wife. You're seriously killing her buzz here! I'm afraid that's just the final nail in the coffin. You'll have to do better to urn my respect, or to break de-composure of a Paladin.

"I am, of corpse, still mort-ified. It's almost tomb-uch, but necromancy has always been crypt-ic to me. Now, scythe and desist, or the pun-ishment will continue."

Everyone turns and stares at you. A few people blink. Tricia and Mage have their jaws open in shock.

Yes, this is a horrible sight, and anyone with a normal brain would be crippled with many emotions...and you do feel horrified and saddened a little...but you don't have a human brain. You have a Dragon's Pride that refuses to bow to fear, and a Leviathan's Outlook that well...lets you say things like THAT.

The silence is broken by a choking noise. Mab has her eyes winced and a hand over her mouth. She's trying not to laugh.

Tricia then closes her mouth and it's clear that she's biting her tongue.

Lea puts her face in her hands and shakes her head.

Peri/Mari and Mage both relax a little as they just look from the dead, to you, back to them, and then to you once more. They sigh and relax.

Comedy's fists tighten to make her knuckles white.

"Puns are the lowest type of humor." She says, and you can't see, but you KNOW she's doing it through gritted teeth.

>>24981679
Stop that! Much too silly!

Also, I think Ssen gives a fair amount of fucks, but she is simply going to feel very terrible about that later (after stabbing comedy). A trick we got from Dana.

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>>24981684
>puns are the lowest form of humor
I will now listen to this, as I think we've earned it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGzqbEeVWhs

>>24981684
"High brow humor is sooo pretentious."

>>24981684
Can't you let me have my pun before I chop off your stupid masked head?

>>24981684
Finish her. Use the leviathan joke we found in the book. Puns too low for you bitch? TRY A LEVEL OF HUMOR YOUR BRAIN ISNT EVEN EVEN EQUIPPED TO HANDLE

>>24981739
>>24981731
>>24981741
In order, with "Lets see you try this instead" in between 2 and 3

>>24981741
this

>>24981684
"I don't think so. It real good at heckling an unfunny comedian"

>>24981741
Blast it!

Guys. Comedy is an Aristocrats joke.

>>24981741
FINISH HER!

>>24981806
We have to steal the punchline.
"And with all this, really? Who do you think you are, the Aristocrats?"

"Disregarding puns would be a GRAVE mistake. You spend too much time laughing at your own jokes to notice that you're dying out there."

>>24981815
Are you trying to make them canon in universe? we already got jello. Not to mention Comedy might have started or had an hand in them given that she is an elf.

>Lowest form of humor.

guys she just set us up for one last pun.

WE DID SAY THE PUN-ISHMENT WOULD CONTINUE.

I DIDN'T SEE HER STOP.

>>24981831
She could be doing all this as the lead-in to it. All her parties, they could just be part of the joke with the longest set-up of all time. Stealing the punchline would just piss her off to no end.

Is it just me, or has Ssen's strategy for the last two dramatae been just "explain to them exactly how stupid their plan is and then go back to stab them later"

because that's exactly what we did to tragedy, and we're in the process of doing it to comedy.

>>24981741
"ξn = n/T, and Δξ = (n + 1)/T − n/T = 1/T"

FATALITY.

Nah this time its tear down their plan in front of their eyes. Then stab them right after.

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>>24981862
Nobody appreciates comedy's art.

>>24981838
Fuck, I can't think of a good way to word it.

>>24981838
>>24981889
"I don't know, it's hard to go lower than where you went to dig up your material."

>>24981862
I don't know, I've never watch the Aristocrats.
>>24981864
We might just be enraging her until we can just lop off her stupid berserking head. However we are beating them at their own game. Makes you wonder bout how the Fifth is contacting Ssen and her being called a monster and all that.
>>24981874
Care to explain to someone who sucks at math?

>>24981912
good enough.

>>24981838
"Then let it RAISE above the norm! It is not a long dead of comedy!"

>>24981862
Good point, better make sure to say aristocrats before her.

>>24981932
long dead form of comedy rather

>>24981912
>>24981925
let's modify that.

"I don't know, I might be low, what with slithering along the ground, but at least I don't have to go digging when I want to find some new material."

better?

>>24981913
It's a set of definitions that help you find the sum f of a Fourier series.

It's a little above my level even.

>>24981983
Not really. The first one had a cleaner delivery.

>>24982006
well then, ignore my modification. I shouldn't second guess myself.

>>24981989
Yeah I barely passed basic trig and college algebra

>>24981912
>>24981932
"I don't know, it's hard to go lower than where you went to dig up your material. In fact, why not let it RAISE above the norm? It's not a long dead form of comedy!" - and have our face look alight with the puns.

"But in all seriousness," -and our face droops into an intimidating glare- "You should probably rethink a few things. What has happened everywhere I go, to every enemy I face? Do you think this will end any differently? I'm not above mercy, but continuous provocation has caused a great lack of sympathy for the wicked. I say again, you should rethink a few things, it may do you good."

"I don't know, it's hard to go lower than where you went to dig up your material. Can't you let me have my pun before I chop off your stupid masked head?" You snap. "High brow humor is sooo pretentious. Let's see you try this one...it's a bit of an old one...Ei(x) = + ln(x) + (e^t - 1)/t DT = gamma + ln(x) + (n=1..inf)x^n/(n*n!)"

"WHAT?!" Comedy says.

You mother tilts her head...and smiles.

"Ssen, please...enough." Tricia says. "The room's just dead."

"No sense in trying to exhume old Leviathan humor." Mage says.

"That joke really is the type that makes the audience go searching for brains." Lea says.

"Eh." Peri says, waving her hand at Lea.

"Cut me some slack, I'm not good at this." She snaps.

"Well, Comedy must be, she's already killed most of her audience by what we've heard." Mari says.

You hear a faint chuckle from Julian.

"ENOUGH!" Comedy snaps. "Fine." She points at Mage. "Tonight we begin the trials...but first...we need to have a nice meal...all of us. Together." She claps her hands and a squad of Fey COurt come in.

"Ready the banquet table, and escort the Queen there...oh and make sure that our guests are seated next to their loved ones...this is a treasured reunion after all." She points at Julian. "Get that one ready too, if he or they make any trouble. Kill them."

Comedy storms off.

A Fey Court soldier is at your elbow. "This way, please."

>>24982032
Well this is gonna be awkward, stuck between your undead mother and your uncle who wrote a book that helped the further the science of killing your species.

>>24982032
"Sure. Make sure Julian gets cleaned up, with some bandages and new clothes. Can't have a regal dinner with him like that, can you?"

>>24982063
honestly, it might be nice. I don't actually hate our mom- in fact, I still like her a lot. If she's intelligent, why, we could break her of all this bullshit. Theoretically.

I mean, we want to un-corrupt-ify living lamias.

>>24982032
... fuck, so that actually is something of our biological mother left in there.

Now Comedy dies, and she dies bad.

>>24982032
"I'm DYING of anticipation."

>>24982032
<How awake are you, Mother?>

>>24982088
haha, yeah. Comedy is not going to have a good death.

>>24982103
we can ask her while we're eating. Good question though.

>>24982032
How about we get Mage to get his translation spell ready, then get Donovan talking the Ancient Tongue

>>24982088
>>24982082
Hell we might even get an apology for the name.

Please echo?

PLEASE?

>>24982032
"Jeez, talk about beating a dead horse."

>>24982123
thanks. you're right though, don't want Comedy asking questions yet

>>24982032
Stay calm, attempt to initiate conversation with mother dearest, making sure to do so in a language Comedy shouldn't know.

>>24981684
>>24981567

>comes home
>opens catalog
>opens Lamia Quest
>...
>...

You fuckers. You glorious motherfuckers. You actually went and did it.

>>24982243
You'd really think we'd not?

So.

Is it just me, or is comedy having a hard time being taken seriously now that we've shown up?

>>24982243
Operation Punster Storm

>>24982260

No. This is /tg/.

I just thought Comedy would attack us outright afterwards.

>>24982302

Stahp.

I'm looking forward to dinner. We've not eaten properly in a while, traveltime and all.

Shit. It's elvish dinner. I wonder if they'll even have enough meat to feed a lamia, let alone a lamia and her zombie mother.

>>24982290
Which is why she's so angry. We're making a fool of her

>>24982290
We did just reduce her into a barely controlled mess. Peace isn't gonna be happy

>>24982290
Her control is dead and buried.
We just inserted some liveity into the situation.

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>>24982322

>>24982320
It's probably going to be people.

>>24982362
Soylent Green?

>>24982346
all we need now is a livelier audience

>>24982362
look, comedy, you KNOW I don't eat things that can talk.

Get me like, a cow. And don't you tell me that it's an elf secret cows can talk. That would just ruin my dinner.

>>24982372
That implies she tries to hide what it is.

>>24982362
Then we simply refuse to eat and smite Comedy with even MORE prejudice.

>>24982374
We just handed her a decease and desist notice.

>>24982362
If comedy ruins a nice dinner like that, then her crimes are unforgivable.

I can put up with nearly anything, but you don't mess up din-din time.

>>24982408
we should stop with the puns for a bit though. don't want this great idea beaten to death before dinner

>>24982438
yes. We're winding down on the puns.

We will TRY to wind down on the puns.

Later: It turns out Ssen had the lamia equivalent of a stroke just now. She can't not talk in puns.

>>24982438
I just prefer sticking to the really awful puns. Sure everyone can use idioms like dead in the water, so they're repeated endlessly, but it takes guts to come out with decease and desist.

in fact... yeahhh, it'd be interesting if this was just an odd way our leviathan mind decided to cope with the horror of what we just saw, if for a while, we can only speak in puns until our mind catches up and calms down

>>24982469
and a imagination that isn't dead and stagnant.

>>24982451
GUIZ! GUIZ! I figured out what our snappy one-liner should be!

"And that's a wrap, folks!"

Hope Echo didn't commit suicide after reading all these awful puns.

>>24982487
Shit we should kill her like that. Pop her head off like we did with the ghouls a while back.

We need to tell comedy that she, as an aristocrat, should develop an appreciation for all forms of humor. Just to make sure we steal her punchline. Also, this is an interesting opportunity. We can actually speak to her over dinner. I don't know about you guys, but I always like learning more about the villains of a story.

>>24982500
no, but he DID melt into dust and blow away on the wind.

>>24982518
yeah, this will be a fun dinner. Assuming comedy doesn't ruin it with eating people.

>>24982527
If we ask her if she thinks she's some kind of aristocrat while she's swallowing, she might choke and die.

"I'm DYING of anticipation." You say, and then sigh. "Jeez, talk about beating a dead horse."

"Ummm, yes." The solider says. She looks at you with fear and confusion. Obviously baffled about how someone can be so...calm...around Comedy.

"Make sure Julian gets cleaned up, with some bandages and new clothes. Can't have a regal dinner with him like that, can you?" You say.

He nods. "I'll see what can be done."

He leads you into another room that looks like the walls were made from branches and glass. Mab, and her hair are being placed at the center of a long banquet table. Mage is placed next to her, looking very much out of his depth.

Sadly, Comedy has regrouped, and now you and the other Dawnchasers have been scattered around the table. The only immediate company being their 'loved ones.'

Tricia is trying to ignore the questions and gentle touches of her aunt, along with the large red ants that creep over her skin.

Peri is gone. Mari's in control and trying to stay calm with Donovan talking about...personal...things regarding Peri's past.

Lea is rigid and at attention. She's looking straight ahead and not doing anything without her father's nod of approval.

It's obvious that they're better now, your humor getting them through he shock, but they aren't anywhere near being okay with this situation.

Julian is three seats away from you, down the table. He's been given a shirt, and the blood washed off...but that's it. It looks like he's having trouble to pick up so much as a fork. The fact that he's still conscious after all of this is testament to his strength.

Mother is next to you. She calmly picks apart the skinned rabbit that was set in front of the both of you.

<How awake are you, Mother?> You ask.

<It's very cold...and I miss my beloveds...> She says. <You were...fourth...my only.> She nods. <I don't hear the whisper...I don't feel full...I'm cold...it's very cold...>

>>24982545
Poor zombie mom. I don't even know if you should kill a zombie. Or if they're just suicidal on their own, in lieu of a necromancer.

My theory is zombies don't even need a necromancer once they've been raised, but will generally kill themselves unless ordered not to, since it really sucks to be a zombie. Unless they have something way more important to do than the afterlife.

>>24982545
Ask her why she named us monster

>>24982545
<I'm sorry you got dragged into this. You already died once, and your rest was stolen from you. You deserve better than this.>

>>24982589
This.

>>24982545
<I'm sorry you had to be pulled into this...and rather surprised that you could be. Do you know how you came to be here again?>

>>24982594
give her a pat on the back, or a tail/tail hug, or something too. We DO miss mum, monstrous as she was.

>>24982545
>zombie ants
By the Light, how horrifying!

>>24982589
>>24982594
>>24982612
All of these

>>24982545
so. How the hell do we help julian?

Do we have a health potion? Can we slip health potion into his food without anyone noticing?

>>24982612
I don't think we do. Honestly I got the impression that we really just pity her and are grateful she didn't have time to bite us before Liam got there.

>>24982633
I'm not going to lie, given how Ssen is with the kids and grandma, I think she has some mommy issues. Though, she's working through them quite stellarly.

>>24982633
We don't seem to remember very much of her. But the bad things, like kissing our sisters to sleep and naming us Monster, were the work of Citadel. If we can, it'd be nice to see how she acts outside of its influence

>>24982629
He seems stable. Nothing bad is gonna happen to him if he gets left alone for the duration of the elf murdering.
>>24982633
Nothing has suggested that she was particularly cruel with us, weren't we playing hide and seek when daddy showed to get to purgin'

<Mother... I never knew you...> and just look at her with our head tilted slightly, perhaps a little sad, and maybe a little confused as well.

>>24982666
She was busy killing our sisters. She didn't have time to do us before Liam came. I don't blame her; the whole race was driven mad by Citadel magic and turned into animals who were hardly even self-aware.

>>24982666
we technically were hiding from the lightning.

But yeah, our life with her wasn't awful. She wasn't cruel to us. she WAS citadel, which means she was on her way to kill us when julian arrived, but in as unpainful a way as possible.

>>24982691
>>24982688
Guess I need to reread some fifth humor conversations. Swore it said something when I was rereading some of the quest las tnight

<I'm sorry you got dragged into this, and a little surprised. You already died once, and your rest was stolen from you. You deserve better than this.> You say as you poke at your rabbit. You're pretty sure it's not poisoned...not that it would matter,, but you don't really have an appetite.

<Do you know how you came to be here again?> You ask.

She shakes her head. <I was as stone. I would feel the wagons as they went over me...it hurt...but I felt something at least...the walls scream all the time...they don't feel anything...or someone puts something in front of them and they shriek about the dark...I had warm sun.> She sighs.

<Why did you call me monster?> You ask.

<Because you belonged to It...and that is what It wanted you to be named.> She says. <My fangs are empty...I am empty and cold.> She looks at you and smiles. <You should eat...it still has blood in it...it makes your scales shine.>

>>24982754
bastards. they turned her into a road or bridge or something...

>>24982754
well, that's horrific. Good work, citadel.

>>24982754
<I suppose. This will be over soon, no matter the outcome. Then it won't be so cold any more, I hope.>

Hmmm, so souls that get recycled by citadel can still be salvaged in some way, but almost certainly not unscathed, and probably not returned to true life either - though, you never know, Comedy didn't need anything more than cadavers for this, so she might just have gone for the easier and less resource-intensive solution.

>>24982754
>mom telling you to eat
Eat, then. I don't care if you swallow it whole, but you gotta stay paladin strong and healthy.

<That's terrible. I had no idea there were so many, and that they were in such suffering.>

<Tell me; I plan on doing something about that one in the mask. What would you like to do, if she falls and holds no sway over you? I'd hate for you to go back to the stones.>

>>24982754
<Thank you but, scales or no, I'll shine all the same. I think you should know I no longer belong to that which took you.>

>>24982754
<That is information that is both good and saddening to hear Mother>

>>24982813
there's NO FUCKING WAY we're re-embodying all of these citadel people. they legit died.

The best we can do at this point is to free all the souls. Smashing the bricks might NOT be the best idea though, given how apparently they feel pain. Though smashing them might be "killing" them, which would thus free them?

Augh, magic is confusing.

Oh god. Worst suspicions confirmed. All those who accept Citadel's gift become Citadel.

Alright. I think we need to get Julian healed up. Use Quick-Quick to slip some healing potion into his drink.

>>24982866
>Though smashing them might be "killing" them, which would thus free them?

Or you just split them into a thousand different pieces forever.

>>24982866
We'll find a way, but bottom line they must stay dead. We will exert the natural change which Citadel averts.

>>24982877
I thought mage was in charge of healing pots

>>24982886
Good point holy fuck, smashing is out of the question until we truly make sure we know what we're doing.

>>24982754
We'll have to ask Mage if we manage to dispel the necromantic magic animating the bodies, where would the souls go?

>>24982754
<The Masked one will make you try to kill me. It won't be long now. But before then, I want you to know that I do not belong to the Whisper. My name is Ssen, Mother. It's what I called myself when I was young. Did you... have a name? Before the Whisper?>

<Please know that I don't blame you, Mother. Not for when you kissed my sisters to sleep, and not for what you will soon be made to do. I will do my best to send you back to the place with the warm sun again.>

well, now I feel a bit worse about using our nightmare and wagon carrying 600 pounds of lamia and going at car speeds.

That's gotta wear the roads.

I think the best way to free them is just destroying Citadel. They might have to be cobblestones again for a few weeks, but after doing it for years...

>>24982945
we're arguing on how we can destroy citadel effectively at this point.

it's probably NOT smashing the bricks into smaller pieces though, given how that could backfire.

>>24982897
we can use lizard tongue to have him slide the potions under the table to us then use our tail to get it to Julian.Its certainly long enough.

>>24982928
>Did you... have a name? Before the Whisper?
It'll just be "first born" or something. Like every other lamia name ever.

>>24982967
or we could pull a "Oh, Julian, you simply MUST try these, they're the best I've tasted yet" and have one handed to him.

Also, I think lea is our healpotiongirl. Mage has the trollsblood.

>>24982968
yeah, but we want to know.

For the tombstone.

>>24982968
At least we'll know it, and what's left of our Mother will know that we're free of Citadel's control.

<That is information that is both good and saddening to hear Mother. I had no idea there were so many, and that they were in such suffering. This will be over soon, no matter the outcome. Then it won't be so cold any more, I hope.> You say.

<Tell me; I plan on doing something about that one in the mask. What would you like to do, if she falls and holds no sway over you? I'd hate for you to go back to the stones.> You ask.

<That one does not have sway over anything.> She says. <She only asks, and It gives. There is only One who has sway over It. She pushes her rabbit towards you.>

<Thank you, but no. Scales or no, I'll shine all the same. I think you should know I no longer belong to that which took you.> You say.

She nods. <Yes...I remember.> She says. <I wasn't yet gone when I saw you taken by the one who cut my face off and let me die...it was painful.> She looks at you. <I saw you hold him, and I watched him walk away...I hoped that you would bite him, and come back to me...and then kiss me. But you didn't.> She says. <It took a long time, and a lot of pain...and then It took me...and now I am here.> She looks at you. <But you are mine, and I love you.>

<Did you... have a name? Before the Whisper?> You ask.

<Ssuah. Second born, monster.> She says.

>>24983036
I think zombie mom deserves a hug.

>>24983036
(dwaa)
<He wasn't a bad person. He was tricked into thinking you had raided the local village He raised me well and I loved him as a father. It is because of him that I am here to kill the masked one as well as her allies. It was also because of him that I met my mate *indicate Trica* who is the daughter of one of his friends.>

>>24983059
Yeah, hug time.
<I am glad I got to see you, even if I am not for the circumstances.>

>>24983036
>>24983059
welp, that wasn't depressing at all.

Alright still advocating slipping Julian a healing potion.

>>24983036
>>24983059

>I hoped that you would bite him, and come back to me...

<I'm glad I didn't. That man's name was Liam. He was a good man, mother. What he did that day haunted him. He loved me well and raised me as his own, giving everything he had for my sake. It was his penance. I'm sorry it hurt so much, though Mother. But I'm not yours, and I'm not his. I'm my own woman now.>

>>24983059
<I have called myself Ssen since that day, Mother. And as angry as I am that you have been used like this, I was glad to see you, one last time.>

<I didn't get a chance to say it the first time, so if I don't get to say this later, I still love you, Mother. And thank you. And... good bye.>

>>24983059
Does Ssen know the name for "Second-born, loved"?

>>24983174
This, but mentioning that Liam fought against "It". She knows what It is.

>>24983207
It's "Ssah", the name of the little one we adopted.

you guys come up with some intelligent lines

I will be busy blubbering like a bitch

>>24983232
Oh, duh. Good catch!

Might want to apologize to her for our words earlier, that outside of It's influence, we're glad to have had the chance to meet her as Ssah rather than just Ssuah.

>>24983192
>>24983217
Both of these.

Everyone but ssen:

Have a much less pleasant and heartwarming re-union than Ssen is having.

we're not sorry that we didn't bite liam.

we're not sorry that we went with liam.

I am kind of sorry we didn't say goodbye to mom.

>>24983263
Yeah, but we can't honestly say we love her. We don't even know her. Hell we were too young to remember her at all.

Sidenote: The addition of that guttural 'u' after the hiss which begins the name is what designates it as "monster".

>>24983281
We ought to strike up a conversation with someone else, too, if for no other reason than to distract them from bothering their intended target.

>>24983281
More like, Ssen: Talk about how they're just mockeries of our former family.
Proceed to have heartwarming reunion with mother.

>>24983307
Granted, but it's clear that outside of It's influence she cares about Ssen.

>>24983307
From what it seemed, we... sorta remembered.

Like, we remembered they always found us after hiding.

Also, I think "this isn't the hard part" MIGHT be something our dad said on the day he picked us up, which is why it's in our brain so hard.

>>24983317
we should really do a Ssen: Apologize for harsh language earlier, it was mostly for the puns.

>>24983310
Good plan, once we tie off our conversation with mother dearest.

>>24983310
I don't know about the others, but I can't help but be tempted to slip a little white venom in Donovan's drink.

Must be a good Paladin, must be a good Paladin...

>>24983335
I'd like to talk to julian soon. he's been fucking tortured.

He needs like... a cigarrete. some chicken soup. A hug. Various things.

>>24983352
chicken flavored cigarette soup

>>24983352
at least a snake-tail-around-ankle hug. At least.

If we can slip him a healing potion with than snake tail then so be it, but the hug is more important.

>>24983352
Soup flavored chicken cigarette

>>24983351
Good Paladin puts down rabid animals and willfully irredeemable monsters. Maybe if he had been a bit more gentle than choosing to sterilize poor Peri with some horrible poison, we'd give more fucks about putting him down the same way, but we digress.

Should we tell zombie!mom that we became a Paladin?

>>24983393
look bro.

Stop trying to poison zombies.

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107 KB JPG

>>24983384

>>24983352
This indeed; Julian does seem like the one who needs the conversation most, and we can talk to the others later. Given the typical length of a formal dinner, we should have time to talk to several people before the end.

>>24983407
Donovan probably isn't dead.

>>24983435
he is SUPER DEAD. white eyes and rotten armstump and everything. Unless you think he's faking being a zombie.

>>24983444
Missed that part. I'd assumed he was still alive, since he was when we last saw him, but looking back you're right.

>>24983444
actually, faking being a zombie might be a thing. after all, why would the Dramatae kill someone who already hates us?

>>24983487
like tragedy?

>>24983491
Tragedy probably isn't dead. If anything he's gonna be used in the trials.

>>24983059
>>24983036
If not hugs, then at least put your hand on hers. Something.

Fuck this is touching.

>>24983487
Hate to say it, but it might not have been the Dramatae who killed him. "Our" side might have done it, after extracting all the information they could from him. They certainly made no secret of their plans to torture him.

>>24983487
The Paladins executed him not the Dramatae. Remember he was a terrorist, being right or not.

>>24983487
He was anti-citadel and an obnoxious uncontrolled variable.

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494 KB PNG

>>24983424
Anyone else getting an Imperial Banquet vibe here?

>>24983540
I must admit... I don't recall any of that game but the beginning.

I only played it while I was the littlest of babies

<I'm glad I didn't bite him. That man's name was Liam. He was a good man, mother. He fought It. What he did that day haunted him. He loved me well and raised me as his own, giving everything he had for my sake. It was his penance. I'm sorry it hurt so much, though Mother. But I'm not yours, and I'm not his. I'm my own woman now.>

<I have called myself Ssen since that day, Mother. And as angry as I am that you have been used like this, I was glad to see you, one last time.>

<I didn't get a chance to say it the first time, so if I don't get to say this later, I still love you, Mother. And thank you. And... good bye.>

You say. You are NOT crying. Dragons never cry, and like the Mer, you can put off feeling sad and weep when it's convenient to you and you don't have elf bitches to decapitate. So you are NOT crying.

You will though.

You put a hand on hers. It's cold and clammy and you feel no pulse. Out of all the things, that's the bit that repulses you the most. You know hearts. Peri and Mari's odd thumps that change when they swap. Tricia's buzzing thump you know well. Lea's racing pace when she fights. Mage's slow but steady. Granny's, the girl's, Tara's, even Isen's...you know the hearts of those you care for. They're your horde after all...and Mother's is...empty.

Gah! Enough of this crap. Fuck, you can SEE Comedy is just loving this. The discomfort, the fear, the denial, the pain.

This ends, now.

Julian needs healing. Mage has the troll blood vials that he activated, and Lea has the regular healing potions.

He needs one of those. Quickly.

>>24983540
Stitcher, you continue to become a classier motherfucker, thread by thread. That was one of the few good Final Fantasies. And it was -great-.

>>24983597
<Mage! Can you get a vial of troll blood to me?>

>>24983597
Lea. Mage is too far away for us to tail-snatch a health potion.

>>24983597
Which is more effective in an immediate timeframe? Troll blood or standard healing?

>>24983626
We might want to use the standard healing potions; troll blood in polite company might raise uncomfortable questions. On the other hand, using something from Mage would be an opportunity for him to show off and be magnanimous; perhaps he should be the one to offer it rather than Ssen.

>>24983623
Yes but Mage could whisper sweet nothings in his beloved Mab's ear and have her use her clout in this farce to get the potion to Julian in a surreptitious fashion.

>>24983597
Mage is the one who isn't dealing with undead family members right nos, so that'd be our best option I think.

>>24983597
Shit we need to cool off on the dragon thoughts,we are a paladin REMEMBER THAT

>>24983597
use a regular potion-troll blood might be better, but i'm not sure how Julian would feel about drinking one

>>24983651
hey, it's fine if our horde is the peace, love, happiness, and freedom of those we love and have sworn to protect.

That would be a paladin-as-fuck dragon if you convinced them those things held value.

>>24983622
... can Lea even understand lizard-tongue? Because in terms of covertness, that's one option.

Quoting scripture and prayers at Lea might be the other. I doubt Comedy would know the meanings and references

>>24983651
This was Dragon in the good way. Not the egotistical way, but the "stern, stalwart fortress of principles" way.

>>24983651
We are a Paladin, a Leviathan, a Dragon, a Lamia, and many other things. No sense not using our strengths, as long as we don't let any one of them take over.

>>24983680
>stern, stalwart fortress of principles
So, basically a paladin, in other words.

>>24983597
we could just brass-balls say
"Oh, Julian, it's been so long since we talked. Here, you must simply try the concoctions the conclave is making, the new vintage is much better than the old I'm told"
grab a health potion from lea while we're talking with our tail and hand it to him.

what're they going to do, STOP us from having him sample something at a snooty high class meal?

>>24983669
Dragons are pretty much hardcore at whatever they are into. The problem is that their default is giant winged scaley cat that breathes fucking fire and is far more clever than most mortals.
>>24983669
>>24983685
Good points

>>24983597
>>24983679
go for Lea, quote scripture and perhaps it will help her out of her terror of doing anything wrong in front of her father.

>>24983718
>You look like you could use a drink, Uncle. I brought a bit of your favorite whiskey with us just in case.

>Really, you look like you need it.

>Just drink the Light-damned whiskey.

>>24983718
>could just brass-balls...
>Dawnchasers
>Implying our -default- course of action doesn't require more brass balls than a steampunk bukkake jamboree.

>>24983754
>I really appreciate the thought, lass but I don't think whiskey is what I need right now.

>I've been trying to cut back lately, I'm fine.

>Alright alright... It tastes a bit funny.

You take a deep breath. Well, you've been getting pretty far already by going over the top. Might as well see how far you can go with this.

"Oh, Julian, it's been so long since we talked. Here, you must simply try the concoctions the conclave is making, the new vintage is much better than the old I'm told."

You turn to Lea. "Lea, if you would?"

Lea looks up at you. You never thought that she could look like a little girl more than she does right now. She even has her hood pulled up over her head as much as she can.

"Lea. What is that?" Her father asks.

"That's Paladin Ssen Patrick, Father." She says. "She's my commander."

"She's a lamia." He says.

"Yes, Father."

"You take orders from a monster?"

"She's not a monster, Father. She's a Paladin, and a friend." She says.

"So, a lamia became a Paladin before you did. Hmm." He says.

"I'm sorry, Father." Lea says.

"I didn't say anything, Lea." The corpse says. "You still remember the Teachings?"

"Yes, Father."

"You still practice those forms I taught you?"

"Yes, Father."

"Well, I'm sure you'll be a Paladin eventually then. Until then, you can serve the lamia who became one first. Maybe you'll learn a few things from her, and fix your flaws."

"Yes, Father." She says.

"Good, now eat your rabbit."

"Yes, Father." Lea says.

>>24983733
even if scripture doesn't knock her out of it, we should probably start with her for backing up our companions. Everyone else has gotten at least a little bit of closure, Lea hasn't

>>24983855
"Leeeaa." Snap our fingers. "Remember where we are. Now, about that conclave concoction."

>>24983855
Ugghhhh Lea you poor thing! God damn it that's it; once we turn Comedy inside out we are making this woman feel as fucking beautiful as she deserves to, and teaching her to relax.

>>24983855
Whisper to Lea: "You remember when you verbally kicked me in the tail and reminded me how to be a Paladin when I'd started to forget? And if you say 'Yes, Father', I'm going to scream."

>>24983855
Rub Lea's back with your tail while handing Julian a potion
"All are perfect in the Light. Lea has gotten as far as she has because of her flaws, not in spite of them. She has taught me more things than I could ever hope to teach her, and saved my life more than I can count. If you feel the need to try and destroy everything your daughter, my companion and friend, has done, I would ask you to shut your mouth until you have something better to say."

>>24983957
I don't think we CAN whisper to lea here.

But we should bring up that Lea knows way more about being a proper paladin than us, and the only reason we are a paladin in the first place is because we're quite unwise. Diving in front of poison and all that.

>>24983997
I like this one. Lea's a fucking boss, we need to talk her up.

"Also, once I swear she punched a hole right through a guy"

>>24983855
This to Lea:
"You have a stronger faith than anyone I know, myself included. You've already proven it time and time again."

And
>>24983997
this to her father.

>>24983855
"LEA - you're good. Are we clear?"

"Now if you will, kindly pass that tasty little refreshment to Uncle Julian. Julian, I think you'll find this is even tastier than the whiskey you usually go in for. It's a bit peaty by my tastes, but I'm sure you'll like it."

>>24983855
"Well, I DID have the advantage of being raised by a paladin. He was never so harsh as you seem to be."

(Smiling)

Lea has done more than anyone to keep me on a righteous path. Her advice and her skills, not to mention being a close personal friend, make her invaluable to me. I don't now where I'd be without her!

>>24983913
"Leeeaa." You snap your fingers. "Remember where we are. Now, about that Conclave concoction."

"Father, I'm being given orders by my Paladin." She says.

"If you feel you have to be rude at a royal table, then that's fine." Her father says. "Just know that your actions have consequences for your entire family."

"Everyone is dead, Father." Lea says.

"Lea. You know better. Teachings 35:12, Lea. What is it?" Her father says with a little bit of steel in his voice.

"That what we lose we have not lost. That which has left us has not left. Memory remains, and that is eternal. It stays with us, shapes us, and we shape them." She says. "Honor them, for it is what you can never lose."

"You're using common language and the New Summers Translation." He says. "Was the Newgate Translation suddenly declared obsolete after I died?"

"No, Father. I'm sorry, Father."

He nods. "Summers Day is considered an adequate translation, but you should not use common language, dear. Those are the Holy Words, not just some soup recipe." He pats her on the shoulder. "We'll go over them again later, and make sure you aren't making more mistakes."

"Thank you, Father." She takes a stuttering breath. "But I'm still getting up and giving my friend this vial."

She stands up from her seat and tosses you a vial of the potion.

Comedy just glares at Lea's father.

He shakes his head and looks at her. Then he turns away from her when she sits down.

"I'm sorry, Father. That had to be done."

He says nothing.

"Father..."

Nothing.

"Father, please...it's for the other Paladin...Father..."

Still nothing.

"Yes, I was bad...I'm sorry Father. You're right." She sinks into her seat.

>>24984111
Oooh boy dis gonna be good.

>>24984111
hmm. It seems that Lea is REALLY stuck in this one. She's trapped in some kind of parental hell.

>>24984111
"One of you recites the teachings, one of you lives them out in her daily life. I'd choose the latter over a "proper translation" any time, and it is NEVER something that requires an apology."

>>24984111
I dunno if we should ask the guy, "In what way are you right?"

He gives any book answer, we can go "Are you the paladin here? No you're not. Be silent."

>>24984111
What's Lea's last name?
"Mr. (Name, or just Lea's Father), I'll have you know as a Paladin of His Light that the common tongue is the only appropriate tongue for spreading the message of the light. It is the most accessible language, and as such spreads His Light the most effectively.

I believe it is also against His Teachings to be an asshole, so cut it out."

>>24984111
Give Julian the potion.

Lea, you know why the Newgates Translation isn't the best source. And why. And to speak common is needed otherwise how would you reach those who do not speak other? Your father is wrong to reprimend you.

Then qoute something to do with how the dead cannot see the world of the living and so the living must make their own decisions. Change is eternal after all.

>>24984111
"Thank you very much, Lea. You've done quite well, regardless of what he says. You live the teachings much better than he does."

>>24984111
This:
>>24984020
, but also, does Ssen know enough of the Teachings to dredge up something about faith caring about actions rather than words, and that the words are empty without the faith behind it? He's got the forms, but has lost all purpose. She has more faith than he ever will, and the purpose of quoting the Teachings is to teach, not to demonstrate memorization.

>>24984176
"A faith that is not lived is a shallow faith indeed."

>>24984111
Wow, she has issues. I mean, we knew that, but this is worse than I was expecting.

>>24984226
FUCK if Ssen knows the teachings. I don't think our pappy was super into making us memorize or learn that stuff.

Ssen really has very little in the way of education. She came from a peasant town.

>>24984193
this.
>>24983997
then this

>>24984254
I'm hoping that something like that would be a pretty well-known quote (though perhaps not in Citadel lands, where the form and the empty words are all that matter). It's also exactly the kind of key passage that Liam would mention.

>>24984111
"Lea. Words are wind. You walk in the light more than your father ever did. Don't let his twisted emotional manipulation forget how noble and beautiful a person you know, hell we ALL know you are."

Ssen knew her scripture well enough. The priest was one of the few who accepted her beyond Trisha so she must of spent some time talking to him.

>>24984270

Perhaps it should be mentioned that knowing/memorizing all the verses of some holy book or teaching doesn't automatically make someone a good person? Especially if they just speak it but don't seriously practice the meaning behind all of the sayings?

>>24984305
That's exactly what I was going for, yeah. Much like the conversation we had with Lea last thread about the Light, the Great Phoenix, and the Summerlands; if Lea can accept differences like that as readily as she did, what translation of the Teachings someone chooses to use pales into insignificance.

>>24984340

Lea was also the first person to point out that Ssen may have been going down the path of being a murderhobo and/or dragon. Everybody else was pretty much fine with it, but Lea was the person who stood up and reminded the Paladin that she may have been straying too far from the Light's teachings in favor of overthrowing Citadel.

There's a speech here about Lea's father that involves that stuff that Batman said to Superman during Infinite Crisis. Something along the lines of "The teachings of the light say that all of its followers should inspire those around them to do good. Not just to parrot the sermons and creeds and verses; but to genuinely help people to better themselves and the people and the world around them, so that all may flourish even during the hardest of times. And let's face it... the last time you really inspired anyone to be so much more than they were was when you died."

>>24984111
I'm fairly certain the teachings have something to say about those who would twist their words towards evil ends.
And to use them to frighten and abuse your daughter is a much a perversion of the light and it's teachings as I have seen, and I have seen some terrible things.
You have no right to attempt to school Lea in the teachings. She knows them better than you, and more importantly she LIVES them better than you ever have.

You glare at Mr. Ughruda. "A faith that is not lived is a shallow faith. Teachings 10:1. One of you recites the teachings, one of you lives them out in her daily life. I'd choose the latter over a "proper translation" any time, and it is NEVER something that requires an apology.

"Thank you very much, Lea. You've done quite well, regardless of what he says. You walk in the light more than your father ever did. Don't let his twisted emotional manipulation forget how noble and beautiful a person you know, hell we ALL know you are."

"The teachings of the light say that all of its followers should inspire those around them to do good. Not just to parrot the sermons and creeds and verses; but to genuinely help people to better themselves and the people and the world around them, so that all may flourish even during the hardest of times. And let's face it... the last time you really inspired anyone to be so much more than they were was when you died.

"Also, Supplementary to the Teachings by Paladin Liam Patrick, 6:5 Ratified by Her Illuminated Self in the Seventh Age, "Those who would lay down others to feel themselves highest only serve to push all away from His Light.' Modern translation as by Ssen Patrick, 'Thou Shalt Not Be An Asshole."

Lea stares at you, and then she pulls her hood down and sits up straight. She nods at you in thanks and then takes her mouth bandages away and starts to eat.

(cont)

>>24984627
You go over to Julian and pour the healing potion into a goblet.

"Here." You say. "It's not exactly your favorite whiskey, but I think you'll like it."

A shaking hand takes it...you have to help him get the goblet to his lips. He drinks it greedily, some of it spilling over his lips and onto the shirt. He finishes it with a pant.

"By His Light...I thought you were a delusion from the pain." He swallows. "That elf by your friend. He's not supposed to be. I put his corpse into the furnace myself in Citadel." He grabs your arms. "I don't know the how...but I know the WHAT. The elves don't know. But I've seen it. I never thought of it...but now...oh by His Light..." He swallows and looks at you. "You never lived in Citadel. So you never knew...but now I know why there are no graveyards, undertakers, or funerals in Citadel." He shudders.

"There is no rain in Citadel...and no death. At least, not in private. People just 'leave' their houses empty, but everyone knows they're dead...I've seen where they all go." He looks ill. "She made them from that...mountain that they keep."

He looks at Comedy. She's just idly eating her rabbit and salad. Not a care in the world.

"Ssen...you have to forgive me." He says. "I thought your Father had gone senile when he told me the Truth."

>>24984640
"There is nothing to forgive. I had not thought even Citadel capable of something so twisted until very recently, when some dear friends of mine told me right before they met that fate themselves."

>>24984640
"Oh no, it's a completely mad story. Nobody in their right mind would believe it, unless they saw it at work themselves. Living cities and masked conspiracies and all that."

>>24984640
I don't blame you for not believing Uncle. Citadel has been synoumous for prosperity... and most would say how that could be evil?

But it is. Oh how it is evil. It is nothing but the Darkest of places. My birth mother just told me she has been a bridge before that woman brought her here in a false body.

It eats souls to grow.

>>24984640
If I hadn't seen it myself, I would call you mad even now Uncle. Father never told me, I had to make that discovery on my own.

>>24984640
"Glad you're back with us, Julian. Stay that way for a while, would ya?"

Can we eat that rabbit yet? I'm getting my appetite back.

>>24984640
>that... mountain that they keep
I am afraid to ask of what the mountain is made of.

>>24984838
Tears and broken dreams.

quick, whats the biggest building in Citadel?

>>24984847
To be fair, the other ~99% of it is human ashes and unburnt bonemeal.

>>24984861
the castle.

Made of a mountain.

What do they keep in the mountaincastle?

>>24984874
The Heart of course. And probably the mouth to feed Citadel as well.


>suddenly remdinded of Dungeon Keeper by having a living heart for a city

>>24984640
>comedy doesn't give a shit we're having a wonderful dinner
Continue having a wonderful dinner in spite of her to show we give EVEN LESS OF A SHIT.

"Oh no, it's a completely mad story. Nobody in their right mind would believe it, unless they saw it at work themselves. Living cities and masked conspiracies and all that." You say, you smile at him. "Citadel has been synoumous for prosperity... and most would say how that could be evil?

"But it is. Oh how it is evil. It is nothing but the Darkest of places. My birth mother just told me she has been a bridge before that woman brought her here in a false body.

"It eats souls to grow."

Julian shakes his head. "Vile."

"There is nothing to forgive. I had not thought even Citadel capable of something so twisted until very recently, when some dear friends of mine told me right before they met that fate themselves."

"How many souls have I sent to that Darkness?" He says. He takes a deep breath. "No...I can't break apart now." He looks at you and nods. "Get me a blade, and I'm ready."

"Glad you're back with us, Julian. Stay that way for a while, would ya?" You give him a smile and a wink.

Julian chuckles. "You look like your father when you do that...usually that ended up with something flooded, broken, or on fire."

>>24984916
Probably all three I'm afraid. We'll try to keep it to her place of refuge though.

Lets see how Tricia is doing next.

>>24984916
Tricia next; she should be easier to snap out of it. She's uncomfortable, but not necessarily mentally scarred like Lea. She's already coming to terms with how she is now, and we've already had that conversation with her many a time, the last several times she started "babbling".

>>24984916
"...I guess I really am a daddy's girl, huh.

>>24984916
"You know, I really try to avoid the broken, flooded fires. They just keep happening. Must be a family curse."

>>24984916
"The way we work, something will be flooded, broken AND on fire before we are done."

>>24984916
I have yet to flood AND burn a thing at the same time, but Light willing I will try.

Let's meet the Aunt. It's important to know our in-laws!

>>24984916
I expected nothing less and hope for one decapitated elf.

>>24984952
yeah, tricia is probably the one who least needs our help.

We should perhaps check in with peri and donovan, but I don't know how to make dead-ex-boyfriend less creepy.

>>24984916
"Oh no, it's more dire than that. We plan on pulling this one off peacefully. Brace for the worst."

"The way we work, something will be flooded, broken AND on fire before we are done." You shrug. "I try to avoid them, but I think it might be a family curse."

You slide over to where Tricia is. She looks up at you. "Get. Me. Out. Of. Here." She says through gritted teeth.

Auntie is gorging herself on a rabbit and salad that are both covered with heaps of honeycomb, sugar cane, and molasses.

Tricia points down. She's got large red ants crawling over her.

"Be glad you don't talk insect dance and pheremones." Tricia says. "She will not shut up. At all."

>>24984952
agree. After that we just have Mari slap Donovan, because Mari isn't traumatized, just Peri,, and Donovan deserves to be slapped

>>24985061
Ssen: Barely suppress a giggle and look down to see if any of the ants appear to literally be dancing before continuing other actions.

>>24985061
and here I thought we were just talking to people over a table. I guess we're moving about.

Also, Tricia's situation is comical from the outside. An AUNT made of ANTS who just jabbers on? Priceless.

>>24985061
snakes eat insects. Be the Predator whisper (hiss) at her aunt.

>>24985061
"Someone should really tell her to not talk when her mouth is full. It's rude."

>>24985061
"Sorry, the rest of you really got raw deals. I'm having a rather pleasant meal."

>>24985061
We already found out that Tricia's bugs aren't affected by liquid when they're part of her skin, when she fell in the fountain after we teleported away from Tragedy's manor. So, we could "accidentally" spill some water on the ants. Not exactly subtle, though.

Similarly, does Tricia have any predatory bugs around? Perhaps some that might want some crunchy little ant snacks?

More subtly: strike up a distracting conversation with the aunt and see if she can hold two conversations at once, especially when the one out loud involves talking to a Leviathan.

>>24985061
That's Tricia's last name?

We don't fucking know anyone's last names.

"Ms. (tricia's last name), you should really give Tricia her personal space. She's not a little girl any more, doesn't need the pinches on the cheek."

>>24985208
Tricia Greats.

>>24985182
and then we get to have Tricia in wet clothes.
Sorry that was completely inappropriate, but your plan is a good one.

>>24985223
NOT IN THE ELVISH BANQUET ROOM

>>24985061
Introduce ourselves to the Aunt.

I'm sorry but you have me at a disadvantage, I don't speak insect. I do speak lizard though! So you're Tricia's Aunt? I'm so glad to meet you!

Lets get chatty.

>>24985243
Or we could pretend to speak insect, have them crawl on Ssen, and then all die due to a touch of exuded poison.

>>24985270
She hasn't done anything to get that treatment yet.

Yet.

>>24985243
>>24985270
we totally don't speak insect.

Though, I am 100% for plan "get chatty". though, chat implies short little questions and answers. That might be hard to do in our format. Either way, let's go with things like tastes in food or paintings. Things that are unrelated to matters of import.

"Someone should really tell her to not talk when her mouth is full. It's rude." You whisper. "Sorry, the rest of you really got raw deals. I'm having a rather pleasant meal."

You clear your throat and look at Tricia's aunt.

"Ms. Greats, you should really give Tricia her personal space. She's not a little girl any more, doesn't need the pinches on the cheek."

She looks at you.

"I'm sorry but you have me at a disadvantage, I don't speak insect. I do speak lizard though!" You say.

"You are a lamia. Also you have little Tricia's scent and pheromones all over you..." She pauses. "You two are together? How lovely, I had a female brood-host once. Your tail must be able to fit many many larvae." She smiles at you. "Has my Tricia planted any of herself within you?"

Tricia goes beet red. "Don't answer that!" She snaps.

>>24985359

Bugs in the cloaca~

I love how you took that and ran with it.

>>24985359
Laugh. That's some funny shit.

>>24985382
Not in the long-lost-relative-reunion!

>>24985359
Laugh. "Only a few times, but this isn't really appropriate dinner conversation."

>>24985382
>>24985359
Bugs? In my cloca?

More possible in canon that you think!

>>24985359
"If you don't mind, ma'am, I'd rather you not embarrass your niece or have me say anything that would do the same-polite company and all. I would love to get to know you better though, you seem like a wonderful woman. Perhaps after dinner?"

>>24985359
I'm sorry its rude to discuss such matters at the table.

>>24985359
"Why, I'm taken aback. you should know a lady's love life isn't proper talk for a fancy dinner like this. Gossip comes after!"

>She was talking about planting larva in a living host. Ouch.

>>24985407
no do not say this.

it is a secret to everybody. And we only tried it that one time. And it was really unpleasant for everyone.

>>24985359
I think Tricia just did answer that for her.

>>24985395
>>24985407
No laughing at Tricia's embarassment.

>>24985359
"I'd ask if your insects have as dirty a mind as you do, but I've seen what royal jelly does to someone, and you have to have a mind for it to be dirty."

>>24985424
yes. she was. we do it... a different way.

This is all extremely embarrassing.

>>24985424
Botflies.png