>>28233117
Even before you get your food, the cramped restaurant you've come to is something of an adventure in itself. The dining space is packed with dark-skinned Pagi immigrants in loose, often brightly-colored robes, many of them speaking to each other in their native tongue; locals like yourself and Kotori are distinctly in the minority. Furthermore, unlike a typical inn or tavern, there are no tables or chairs, only cushions on the floor.

The air is filled with the scent of all manner of strange spices and fruits, and you're somewhat shocked when the food arrives to find just how much of those exotic ingredients are used. Typical local foods around here are only lightly flavored, using only a little bit of a few different herbs and spices, but the stewed meat-and-vegetable dish you get is a veritable explosion of exotic spices. Just the smell of it tingles your nose as you bring it to your mouth, and you need to make a conscious effort not to spit it out at first from sheer astonishment at how spicy it is. Even the dish of rice and vegetables served as a side dish is fairly spicy.

Once you get past the initial shock to your palate, though, you find it to be very good. Delicious, even. It might be a bit too expensive to have on a regular basis (at least as long as 765 Professionals remains such a minor guild), but you'd definitely enjoy coming back sometime.

>Anything in particular you'd like to talk with Kotori about as you dine?

>Magic number today is 6, by the way. If you're not familiar with what that means, see the pastebin in the OP for a primer on how dice and such work in this quest.

>>28233123
They say that a dish reflects a culture. Let's see if it reminds Kotori of anything about her previous work, seeing as she's been with 765 for a long time.

>>28233182
this

lets save the "oh shit we forgot about the puchis at the hall" for after this spicy meal

lets just >>28233182

>>28233123
"You know, I've heard people say food can have a lot of meaning behind it," you say. "Reflects a culture or an idea, that sort of thing."

Kotori giggles a little at this. "Oh, is that so? Producer, I didn't know you had a poetic side."

"Haha, well, I wouldn't go all that far. But this certainly is an interesting dish. Anything in particular it would remind you of?"

"Hmm...a spicy dish like this, huh?" Kotori looks at her food idly, turning it over as if to examine it for clues before putting it into her mouth. "Seems a little too exciting to be related to anything I've done," she says with a smile. "You're the adventurer here, I'm just a clerk! Nothing exotic or 'spicy' about paperwork, now is there?" She giggles as she leans forward to pick up another bite. Speaking of "spicy" things, you're beginning to notice that this setup of eating on the floor sometimes makes for some rather...interesting views.

>[] "Somehow, I get the feeling you haven't always been 'just a clerk'..."
>[] "Well, I can think of some 'paperwork' you do that could be considered rather 'spicy'..."
>[] Other (write-in)

>>28233821
>>[] "Somehow, I get the feeling you haven't always been 'just a clerk'..."

>>28233821
>>[] "Somehow, I get the feeling you haven't always been 'just a clerk'..."

>>28233821
>>[] "Well, I can think of some 'paperwork' you do that could be considered rather 'spicy'..

>Also what do you mean by 'interesting views'?

>>28233821
>[] "Well, I can think of some 'paperwork' you do that could be considered rather 'spicy'..."

>>28233821
>>[] "Somehow, I get the feeling you haven't always been 'just a clerk'..."

>>28233821
"Somehow, I get the feeling you haven't always been 'just a clerk'."

"What? Oh come on, didn't I already tell you it's just a coincidental resemblance?"

"Sure, but that doesn't mean I believe it."

"You're going to take a description you read in a batty old wizard's diary over the word of your fellow guild member? Producer, you need to learn to trust the ones you work with!" She says it playfully, but you notice her glance uncomfortably around the room for a moment as she sips her drink.

>[] "Well, you make a good point. I'll take your word for it." (For now, anyway.)
>[] "In that case, shouldn't you trust me enough to tell me the truth about yourself?"
>[] Other (write-in)

>[] "In that case, shouldn't you trust me enough to tell me the truth about yourself?"

>>28234286
>mentioning the diary

Okay, that's the kicker. Choice two, but we do it with leading questions to get the details out of her.

>>28234286
>>[] "Well, you make a good point. I'll take your word for it." (For now, anyway.)
"...But if it is not the case that I am mistaken, you could tell me in a less public location about it."

>>28234286
>[] "Well, you make a good point. I'll take your word for it." (For now, anyway.)

>>28234286
"Oh? What diary? Who mentioned anything about a diary?" You eye Kotori suspiciously.

"Findlay did," Kotori replies calmly. "He dropped by while you were out, wanted to thank us for the work you did and just chat with the Chief a bit. While he was there, the topic of how you'd talked with him about his old adventuring days came up, but he was a little confused by that. Said you didn't talk about that at all, and he figured you must've just come across one of his old diaries while you were working." She takes a sip of wine before she continues. "Lucky for you, Ritsuko was also out working when Findlay came by. If she'd heard that, she'dve given you a real earful about respecting clients' privacy, you know."

Her account of Findlay's visit seems to be truthful, leaving you a bit off-balance. You'd thought you were onto something with that mention of Findlay's diary, but it looks like there was a reasonable explanation for it after all. Without any further leads to pull on, you decide to let the subject drop.

"Oh. Well, in that case, I guess I must admit you have a point. I guess I'll take your word for it, then." Though you do give her a meaningful look in the hopes that she'll catch the unspoken caveat: For now, anyway.

>Anything else you'd like to talk with her about?

Rolled 14 + 1

>>28235097
Ask on what she wants to do considering we're free for awhile or maybe how to talk with the other girls.

>>28235097
tackle the puchi issue now?

cause fuck we totally left them alone

>>28235097
Changing the subject, you ask Kotori for suggestions on what you should do during your break from active adventuring.

"Well, you could always help me with the paperwork, but you don't really need to make that a full-time priority if you don't want to," she says. "A little help would be nice, but I can still handle it by myself, so it shouldn't be a problem if you took some time for personal stuff or just getting to know our girls better."

"You think they'll be fine around me after...you know, all that?"

Kotori nods. "They're all nice girls, and for the most part I think they understand it's not really your fault. I think Yukiho's still a little traumatized, but that's as much because of her existing fear of men as anything. Other than her and Miki...well, it'll probably still be a bit awkward for awhile, but I don't think there will be too many major issues. You might need to be a bit more careful and work a bit harder to build up their trust, but I don't think anyone is going to hate you over it or anything."

It's as you're mulling over this issue that a thought suddenly crosses your mind.

"Kotori...what did we do with the puchis?"

"Hm? We left them at the guildhall, didn't we?"

"Is that alright?"

"Well, the girls put out some food for them and made sure there wasn't any water for Harukasan to get into. They should be fine, right?"

>[] "No, I don't think so." (Specify other arrangments)
>[] "I'm not sure, we should go check on them"
>[] "I guess, yeah."

>>28235619
>[x] "I'm not sure, we should go check on them"

>>28235619
[x] "No, I don't think so."
Leaving them together unsupervised is asking for trouble. Maybe we can set up a rotating roster to care for them? Totally optional, of course.

>>28235619
>[] "I'm not sure, we should go check on them"
although we do know what happens with harukasan at night let us in context of the quest double check

>>28235704
>[] Check up on them

>>28235619
"I'm not so sure, I think we should go check on them."

"Producer, you're such a softie," Kotori says, giggling. "Well, if it'll put your mind at ease, I guess we can head back to the guildhall after we're done here to make sure they're alright."

Thus, after finishing your meal, you return to the guildhall. The streets are fairly quiet as you walk, though not quite completely deserted. It's getting fairly late, but not late enough that there aren't still a fair number of people still out and about. If this were a more rural area like the ones you're used to, pretty much everybody would've turned in for the night by now, but apparently here in the city it's not unusual to stay up later, particularly for younger people. The inns and taverns of Kethyria will probably still be serving patrons for another hour or two, right up until midnight or even longer.

Arriving at the guildhall, you find Harukasan hopping over to you with a cheerful "Ka-Ka!" as you enter, still up and energetic, whereas Afuu is fast asleep on one of the couches. There doesn't appear to have been any sort of trouble in the time you've been gone, and the two puchis seem perfectly fine having been left alone.

>What do you do?

>>28235989
[x] Spend the night on the couch.
I guess.

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>>28235989
"See, Producer, I told you they'd be fine!"

"I don't know...for some reason I just don't think they should be left alone here like this. I think I'll spend the night on the couch here, rather than going back to my room at the inn."

Kotori gives you a funny look. "Don't you think that's a little excessive? Just look at them, they're perfectly fine. I'm sure it won't be any problem to leave them like this until morning."

>Are you sure?

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>>28236256
"Fine but if something happens, I told you so."

Geez, slow day.
>>28236256
[x] Yes.
Because P-san waking up covered in puchis would be too cute.

just make the excuse of it as a means of getting the puchis used to you

Gonna go with >>28236296

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>>28236305
This.

Rolled 20

>>28236256

"alright alright, lets leave them alone then"

>>28236256

Let them be.

Leaving a dinner date for the puchi, strangeeee

>>28236256
"Well...alright. But if something does happen, I told you so."

Kotori giggles at this. "Fair enough."

As you leave, Kotori crouches down to pat Harukasan on the head. "Good night, Harukasan. You be good, okay?"

Harukasan gives her a big, vacant grin. "Ka-ka!" Then Kotori closes the door, leaving the two puchis alone in the guildhall once more.

>Now what?
>[] Call it a night
>[] Stay out a bit longer

>>28236762
>>[] Stay out a bit longer
"Been a rough couple days. Wanna get a drink or two?"

>>28236762

>>[] Stay out a bit longer

Now that we've had food, what about a drink?

>>28236762
>>[] Stay out a bit longer

I'm thirsty. How 'bout you?

>>28236762
"You know, it looks like the taverns are still open. How about a few drinks before we call it a night?"

"I suppose I don't have any objections," Kotori says with a smile. "I'm impressed, though. After all that's happened these past couple days, I would've figured you'd be pretty worn out."

"Well, the past few days have been pretty draining...", you begin.

>[] "...on second thought, maybe I should just get some shut-eye."
>[] "...but it's not so bad I can't still go out for some drinks."
>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."
>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with a pretty girl to be the best way to recover."
>[] Other (write-in)

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>>28237309
>>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with a pretty girl to be the best way to recover."

>>28237309
[x] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."

>>28237309
>[x] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."

>>28237309
>>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."

I can't pass on alcohol, but I don't want to dive straight into Kotori route yet.

>>28237391
>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."

Compliment her but don't fuck her. Yet.

>>28237309
>[x] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with a pretty girl to be the best way to recover."

Be rude to not give some compliment.

>>28237309
>>[] "...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with a pretty girl to be the best way to recover."

>>28237391

we'll never get on anyone's route.

You know this to be true.

>>28237309
"...but I've always found a few good drinks shared with enjoyable company to be the best way to recover."

Kotori giggles at this. "'Enjoyable company,' huh? Hm, now I'm not so sure about this. I've heard how you adventuring men like to spend your loot," she says, nudging you with an elbow teasingly. "I'm afraid you must be mistaken if you think I'm *that* sort of girl."

>Your response?

>>28237841

"And you, Kotori-san, are mistaken too if you think I'm the type to behave like that. Then again, perhaps i'll be tempted to break that habit if its you~"

Tease us, get teased. Mercilessly. I want to see her blush like mad.

>>28237841

"The sort of girl that can handle her alcohol just as well as I? Because I sure didn't mistake you for that..."

>>28237943
>>28237950
Daaaaamn, heading for the friend zone.

>>28237841
Hm.. and what would *that* kind of girl be like?
Did you have something specific in mind, Kotori-san?

Tease her a bit.

>>28237841
This >>28238044 it's more of a tease then the other two.

>>28237841
[x] Mock outrage.
>>28238029
You'd know.

>>28237841
"Oh? And what would 'that' sort of girl happen to be? Did you have something specific in mind, Kotori?"

"Oh come on, don't act like you don't know!"

"Hm...oh, you mean the sort of girl who can hold her drink as well as I? Because I sure didn't mistake you for that."

"Hey! I can hold my ale just fine!"

"I never said you couldn't. Just not as well as I can."

"Is that a challenge?"

>Is it?

>>28238183

[x] Hell Yes

>>28238183
DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO! GO GO GO!

>>28238183
DO IT

>>28238183
Regrets sure to come later.
Lets do this!

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>>28238183

Though we should cheat a little to make sure we don't lose control.

Rolled 14

>>28238183

Well we know where her place is, we can send her back if shes totally wasted.

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>>28238183
[x] Of course it is!
We'll regret this but LETS DO IT!

>>28238258
Oh right. Forgot about that thing.

>>28238183
[x] CHUG CHUG CHUG CHUG

>>28238258
Well I don't think...fuck dice gods'll give us 1's won't they?

>>28238183
You give Kotori a mischievous grin. "Well, a challenge for you, maybe. Should be pretty easy for me."

Kotori returns your grin with a smirk of her own. "Oh, you're on!"

>Give me three rolls.

Rolled 3

>>28238369
ROLL 1

Rolled 2

>>28238369
Oh fuck here it comes.

Rolled 16

>>28238369

ERE WE GO NAT 1 HO

Rolled 2, 6, 1 = 9

>>28238369
Or was it supposed to be three dice? I dunno.

RESULTS

Rolled 6, 14, 10 = 30

>>28238369
Roll!

>>28238395
Doing 3d20 would be faster, but if you guys want to do a total of 18 single-roll posts I guess you can do so.

Rolled 10, 5, 10 = 25

>>28238369
>three rolls
Do you mean three dice?

Rolled 7, 8, 9 = 24

>>28238369

I dunno what am doingggg

Rolled 6, 5, 9 = 20

>>28238409
Well in that case.

Rolled 16, 1, 18 = 35

>>28238369

Drinking is my middle name. Or I least what I remember of it...

AW SHIT
IT'S GOING DOWN NOW

>>28238417

utterly wasted

Rolled 2, 1, 5 = 8

>>28238424
Are the 1d20 rolls counted or just the 3d20 rools?

Rolled 15, 19, 16 = 50

Ah.

>>28238442

Not a proper format though. I'd say go with the 3d20s only.

>>28238442
Just the 3d20, which would make >>28238417 the applicable roll.

If you guys want to reroll it, speak now or forever hold your peace. Though making that decision may be a bit tricky without knowing just what each of these is determining...

>>28238470

NO BRAKES.

I am utterly whoever gets wasted.

>>28238470
As high as 16 and 18 are, that 1 is scary.
Re-roll.

>>28238486
We want low rolls in this quest IIRC.

>>28238470

I'm voting no re-rolls on drunken mishaps. Just like in real life.

>>28238470
>may be a bit tricky without knowing just what each of these is determining...
I accept our fate, no rerolls!
>>28238486
Low is good here unless things changed.

>>28238486

Inb4 thats kotori's roll

>>28238497
>>28238499
Oh, right. It' been so long since we rolled for something I forgot.
Never mind then!

>>28238470
Live with it imo.

>>28238506
Dice rolls end up as: Our drunkenness, Kotori's drunkenness, ability not make an ass out of ourselves.
We failed the important ones!

>>28238369
Righty-o, then, if we're not rerolling, then I'll be calling it a wrap for today's session. Really wish I could keep going, but I have to go in to work obscenely early tomorrow, which means a proportionately early bedtime tonight. Next session will reveal the results of the drinking contest, as determined by >>28238417's rolls. Unfortunately, odds are it'll be at least two weeks before then, as my work schedule this week is going to murder my sleep schedule, and I will thus probably be a zombified wreck by the coming weekend.

As always, feedback is much appreciated, and I will still be up for a little bit getting things ready to allow for maximum sleeping in tomorrow, so I can answer questions if anyone has any.

>>28238659

...........

YOU TEEEEEEASE

Cliffhanger!

>>28238659
Well have fun with work killing ya, ha! Also we are nearly at the one year anniversary of the quest so congrats on that.

>>28238659
Been pleasure.

Wait, which roll is the 6th. Are you sure?

>>28238735
>>28238470
>Just the 3d20, which would make >>28238417 the applicable roll.

>>28238659
Don't forget to archive!
Also, more puchis when.

>>28238751
In my counting it's the fifth one, but maybe I'm drunk.

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>>28238764
Go home anon, you're drunk

>>28238764

Yes, yes you are.

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>>28238778

>>28238395
>>28238405
>>28238414
>>28238415
>>28238417

Which one I've missed?

>>28238691
>one year
fuck already?

>>28238815
this one >>28238416

>>28238838
But.. that's 3d10, not 3d20.

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>>28238850
OH SHIT the drunk is right!
>>28238830
Yep on the 16th

>>28238830
God, and we've only completed the tutorial and first campaign mission.
>>28238850
Huh. I guess it is. Which makes >>28238454 the next legit roll and OH GOD EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE FOREVER.

>>28238882
Maybe it means Kotori gets drunk. We're doomed.

>>28238882
Well...fuck...Maybe he won't notice?

>>28238894

We are both drunk.

This is going to be amazing.

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Cue dramatic music.

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>>28238916

DUN DUN DUN

>>28238691
Man, time sure flies!

>>28238758
I'll be sure to check it before I hit the sack, though anyone else is welcome to do it if they want. Just make sure to copy-paste the tags.

As for puchis:
>soon.jpg

>>28238850
Well damn, so it is! I guess that makes >>28238454 the right one.

>>28238939
Can we reroll re quick, in that case? Because that's just fucking terrible.

Okay I'm for a reroll/

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>>28238951

No.

There are no brakes on the drunken train.

>>28238951
I agree! Last decision was made by under false pretenses.

>>28238978
Makochii might know what's up.

>>28238951

No reroll!

Drunken shenanigans are the best thing ever.

>>28238951
Go ahead and vote, I guess. Though really it's not too much different than the one originally thought to be legit, all things considered. Went from two bad and one perfect to three bad.

>>28239013

[x] no reroll

>>28239013
Okay, no reroll.

>>28239013
Reroll!

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>>28239013
dunken shenanigans are ago

>>28239013
Reroll it.

REROLL VOTE RESULTS

>Reroll
>>28238951
>>28238967
>>28238989
>>28239061
>>28239094

>Keep
>>28238978
>>28238990
>>28238996
>>28239029
>>28239055
>>28239080

That makes the tally just barely in favor of keeping. Enjoy your drunken shenanigans!

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>>28239276
if only others were here

>>28239402
I'm here and ready for the regret. and waking up covered in puchis

>>28239475
it could be cool if suddenly there is a new one amoung the pile of harukasans that will result from this