>>31606633
>>Run past and make for a strike from behind

>>31606633
>Try to catch him with speed
Be agile

>>31606633
>Run past and make for a strike from behind
When you're fighting somebody a lot more practiced than you, your best chance is probably to try and do something they won't expect.

Breaking the twig might technically be a victory, but beating the stick isn't nearly as satisfying.

You dash around Carna's father and kick off from the ground, turning in the air and swinging your play sword at him in hopes that you'd catch him by surprise. Unfortunately whether his mind was ready or not, his body was. Twisting his body without moving his feet, he tapped the top of your weapon and redirected you onto the grass.

"Hahah, a good try. Maybe next time, shorty!" Carna's father dropped the twig behind him and picked you up, lifting you over his shoulder. Making way over to the exhausted Carna, he picked her up in the other, "Let's get something to eat! All that sparring has made me hungry!"

It was only so many paces from the yard out back to Carna's home where a meaty stew was cooking, Carna's father threw you and Carna into a pile of blankets, as always Carna made a little shriek and curled up into a ball after hitting the cloth. Her father walked over to the pot and served up a bowl for each of you.

You dig yourself out of the pile and run over to eat, his cooking wasn't impressive but your parents never served as much meat in your meals. Carna made her way over with a blanket still wrapped around her, she looked like a little turtle, "I loooove stew!" She proclaimed, as if you hadn't already heard it a million times.

And so the dream ends.

>CONT

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>Year 484 of the Raschan Calendar

Coming into the end of your magic studies month, your walk to school was a little more eventful than usual. Yu'yan and Rein were talking about the upset victory of the Pegasi over the Cobras in a game of Lancet and Leona was telling you about a mystery she'd read where the murderer caught her completely by surprise. Your attention however, was on the man standing by the door to The Archives, chatting to Silvest in the early morning.

"It was terrible. I finally found that little witch and out of nowhere, snowstorm! I swear, as soon as we get this job done I'm asking Masoch to put me somewhere else." The Raschan fellow had messy brown hair and eyes to match, he looked barely older than you.

"If you could stop flinching every time you found her maybe you'd have more luck." Silvest said.

"It's not my fault, it's cold as the Shepherd's ass out there but she's leaving all this cleavage hanging out, it's indecent!"

"Hold that thought, I see some of the students approaching." Silvest turned to your group waved a hand, "I hear you're learning a weave today! Lucky you."

The cat's companion turned his eyes to your group, and they widened as he got a good gaze, he pulled himself to stand up straight and saluted, speaking with a stutter, "H-hello! I'm Black Cat Henry! It is g-good to meet you!"

An odd reaction, you note.

>CONT

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I don't know why but this what I keep thinking we look like

"Oh, is he another teacher?" Yu'yen inquired as you came up to the pair.

"Oh no, we called him back for a job. This fellow here is handy in the field, but there's no way he could handle a class of students," Silvest answered, "Especially not with the group you have."

"Geez, he can't be much older than us." Rein stepped forward and went to appraise Henry, giving him looks from his head to his toes. Henry shivers, inching away from her towards Silvest. Your cat professor steps out of the way, his tail swaying behind him, Henry moves over it and it catches his ankles, he topples over onto his rear.

"...he doesn't look much more reliable than us either." Rein says.

"Are you okay?" Leona takes a few steps forward and kneels down, offering a hand to the awkward man.

He blushes and hops back onto his feet, "IT'S FINE I'M OKAY!"

Leona stumbles backwards in surprise at the sudden yell, you catch her quickly and keep her on her feet, "Thanks." She whispers to you.

Five seconds ago Henry was blushing and dropping his words all over the place, but now you see him giving you glares that'd compete with Sheryl's.

"Well, I'm Yu'yen, the unfriendly one is Rein, she's Leona and he's..." Yu'yen takes charge of the introductions.

"Oooooh? Is that his name?" Henry's eyes curve inward as he stares at you, "Out of curiosity, you two aren't together are you?" His gaze shifts between you and Leona.

>Lie and tell him that she's yours
>Tell him the truth

>>31607521
>Deflect

>>31607624
Vetoing my vote for
>>31607521
>Say Nothing Let Leona Answer

>>31607654
>Let Leona Answer
This is actually a pretty clever idea; means if she's not comfortable with the new guy stumbling all over her for the duration of his stay, we're perfectly fine with acting as a primary awkward-romantic-advances buffer for her.

It's more or less
>tell the truth
but with a provision that we're willing to take one for the team if she's going to find this whole situation uncomfortable.

>>31607792
Or if he gets annoying we just get her drunk and she elbow drops him

You cross your arms and let Leona handle the response. It's too early in the morning to deal with whatever new eccentric character you've run into.

Leona blushes and waves her hands in front of her face, "N-no! Of course not! He's very nice and it mi- I mean, we're just friends so that's all, and anyways he has somebody, I mean he doesn't right now but it's on his mind so we can't be together. Not that I'm saying I want to be! Not that I'm saying he's unappealing or anything!" She continues on trying to catch herself for a little bit. Yu'yen laughs and walks on ahead.

"They're not involved." Rein grabs Leona and pulls her on ahead towards class, "Come on, we should at least beat Anlak to class."

Your friends have left you alone with Silvest and Henry, the former of which idly chases his tail and the latter still watching you accusingly. You give them one quiet nod and leave to join your friends.

"Aaaa, how embarrassing." Leona's face is planted inside a book when you arrive, Rein stands between her and Yu'yen, throwing punches at him while he teases her about her outburst. He deftly dodges most of them, but a momentary distraction from the sound of Anlak noisily dragging himself into the room holds him down for just long enough for Rein to knock him to the floor.

Sheryl sighs and opens a book from her end of the classroom. You take your seat and shortly afterwards, Masoch enters and begins class.

>CONT

"The strands you weave normally remain invisible to the common eye, with practice you will be able to catch them, and with more you'll begin to perceive the simplest of strings." It's near half-way through class before you finish reviews and Masoch steps into new material, "We'll have you practicing a simple weave for the next hour. I'll perform an example, then come by each of you one by one to show you how to do it."

Masoch holds his right hand high to show your class, clenching it into a fist. He releases just his index and his middle finger, and crosses them over each other. Pulling them down to his chest, he snaps them apart and a flash of light engulfs the room for just an instant.

"Practice the motion yourselves, I will come around to each of you one by one. We will practice for an hour, and after that we will adjourn class early. It is fine if you don't understand it right now, you'll have plenty of time to work on it."

You idly practice while Masoch helps out Anlak, closest to the door first. Taking a peek around the classroom, it occurs to you how silly everyone looks wiggling their fingers.

Eventually Masoch comes by to sort your hands out, the peculiar angle you have to hold your fingers at and the length each finger segment relative to the lengths on the other are all things to keep in mind.

About half way through the class, as you cross your fingers and release them, a burst of light catches your eyes.

>CONT

When your vision comes back together, you see all eyes on you. Even Masoch looks a little surprised at how quickly you came to the trick, "It seems those fingers of yours have some aptitude." He says with what you swear to be the tiniest of smiles.

"Do it again! Do it again!" Yu'yen yells over the room to you.

You try to repeat what you just did a few times, closing your eyes firmly each time you bring your fingers apart. After half a dozen tries, you bring light again.

"Well, it's half-luck with the inexperienced, but take pride. That skill should prove handy in the future." Masoch says, "How about you go about helping the others if you're feeling comfortable."

Peeking around, it seems everyone eagerly awaits you to show them how you did it. Yu'yen tries to gesture you over, Rein and Leona stare excitedly, and you catch Sheryl peeking in your direction, doing her best not to be caught. Anlak as usual is the exception, ignoring you while he works. You're not really sure yourself, but it might be more fun to work with someone than to just idly wait for class to end.

>Help Anlak
>Help Leona and Rein...
>...Leona first.
>...Rein first.
>Help Sheryl
>Help Yu'yen
>Just relax and practice until class ends

>>31608328
> Alright, my little students. Gather round.

>>31608328
>Help Sheryl
Yay Social Links

>>31608328
>Help Sheryl

You leave your seat and go towards Sheryl, Yu'yen and the others can ask for your help later but there's no way the elf girl will sit down with you unless you approach first.

When you sit down beside Sheryl, she gives you a cautious look. For the last few weeks she'd been on guard around you, not the way she was on guard when you first met her, she didn't coldly keep a wall up but instead watched you carefully when you were around, you couldn't blame her for it after what had happened.

"Here, give me your hands." You tell her. She holds her hands out, then pulls them back when you go to grab them, giving you a short stare before putting them back in for you to help her.

Her hands are soft and small, it's easy for you to take her fingers and adjust them like how Masoch had helped you. When you let go, she snaps them apart, and each time her attempts fail, you help her again. The two of you don't exchange any words, but occasionally when your fingers touch across the back of her wrist her ears make a little twitch.

Eventually your efforts bear fruit, on the fourteenth or fifteenth try, a light emerges from between her fingers. It catches you off-guard, but when your vision clears you can see Sheryl holding a little smile to herself, her green eyes bright and wide. She clears the expression quickly when she sees you watching her, shifting her gaze away but unable to hide the little blush on her cheeks.

>CONT

"Well, that's enough of that." Masoch declares the early end of class, "I have to go meet with the other teachers in order to discuss our plans. All of you return to the dorms in a timely manner." Gathering his things, your teacher makes his exit.

"Hey friend," Yu'yen places his forearm onto your shoulder, catching your attention, "That fellow we saw this morning, I'm thinking that you're thinking that I'm thinking that the job he was called back for might be something related to our interests."

Sitting beside you, Sheryl catches the conversation and comes closer.

"I'm going to trail teach again, you're welcome to come along, but it might be best if you made preparations on your end. If our luck is bad, they might move tonight." Yu'yen pats you on the back and makes way towards the door.

At the start of the month, you followed Masoch and discovered The Seekers plans to get rid of Shanan, a Stray Cat contractor. Finding out that he was Sheryl's father, you and your classmates had agreed to help her meet him before the worst happened. Yu'yen seems to think that the worst may be happening soon.

"What do we do?" Sheryl whispers to you.

>Follow Yu'yen and have Sheryl gather everyone at the dorm
>Trust Yu'yen and gather everyone together

>>31608952
>Trust Yu'yen and gather everyone together
Yu'yen is competent... I think.

>>31608952
>Trust Yu'yen and gather everyone together

>>31608952
>Trust Yu'yen and gather everyone together

>>31608952
>>Trust Yu'yen and gather everyone together
If the new guy actually is involved, it's probably better that we don't come along given his previous scrutiny.

Even if it's for a totally different reason this time, he's probably going to be more likely to notice us on a whim than Yu'yen.

As Anlak makes way to leave the classroom, you yell to him to hold up and catch everyone's attention, "Let's head back to the dorms together, we need to discuss some things."

He turns his head just slightly your way and nods, Leona and Rein come down from their seats ready to follow, it seems everyone knows exactly what you're gathering for.

Back in the dorms, you all gather in your room to discuss things privately. The men's hall being a slightly further distance from the kitchen where the chef would be present, and neither Anlak nor Yu'yen's rooms being very clean quarters.

Letting the sister's sit on your bed and Sheryl take a seat with Chance the dog in her arms for her comfort, you start the conversation seated on the floor, Anlak beside you.

"Yu'yen is following Masoch to the meeting, he thinks the teachers may be acting as early as tonight to find Sheryl's father. Let's put together what we know and come up with a plan when Yu'yen returns."

It's Anlak that responds first, "Kran told me that there've been more demon sightings towards the eastern side of Deneb, when they leave they'll probably make way towards the Belgrand borders."

"Graps is good at finding other demons right?" Rein asks, Anlak nods.

"I found someone that can lend us horses, we'll need to pay if we lose one though..." Leona mumbles.

"The teachers might have to travel on foot," Sheryl says, "Horses don't like demons and just about each of them is a contractor."

>CONT

>>31608762
>all this playing around with each other's hands

Lewd.

>>31609618
>tfw previous thread had possible head pat
I love this quest

"At the very least Kita will ride there first to scout." Rein falls backwards onto the sheets and sighs, "How are we going to deal with him..."

The discussion continues back and forth, as you each put out ideas on what to do and how to do it. It's about an hour in that you hear footsteps coming from the halls, the tension is quickly defused when Yu'yan steps inside.

"Hey, you aren't playing without me are you?"

"What'd you hear?" You ask your Lunese friend.

"They're heading out at dusk. They want to find him and... deal with him before the next morning."

"I can't believe Masoch plans on doing this and still holding classes." Rein sighs and smacks one of your pillows.

"Speaking of which, for one reason or another Masoch decided to outline the plan pretty loudly. Kita will head out first with that scraggly fellow to assess the situation, the others will arrive by caravan later. It sounds like your old man holed himself up in some abandoned fort left over from The Unheard War. Fort Kuglak I think?" Yu'yan leans up against a wall, closing the door behind him.

"Oh! I know the place, that's where The Battle of Maiden's Grove took place." Leona claps her hands together.

"It sounds like there're goblins keeping people away from the area. But I'm more worried about Kita and whats-his-face. We'll need a plan to deal with them."

"What will the other Seekers do when they get there?" You ask.

>CONT

"They won't make an actual move until all of them are gathered. Kran and Silvest will be distracted sweeping out the front, Kita will maintain surveillance in case Shanan escapes. It'll be Masoch and whats-his-face entering the fort." Yu'yan finishes.

"And... what will they do with my father?" Sheryl hugs Chance closer.

"They don't have any intention of taking him alive." Yu'yan shakes his head, speaking gravely.

"Alright, Leona prepare those horses. Rein, we'll need some food and other supplies for the trip. Anlak, you know where Kran keeps her weapons right? Prepare a few in case we need them. Yu'yan, keep a watch on Kita and Henry."

"Who?"

"Whats-his-face." You answer Yu'yan.

"What should I do?" Sheryl peeks over to you.

"Just prepare your heart right now." You tell her.

"And how about you, friend-captain?"

You will be...

>Helping Leona get the horses
>Helping Rein prepare supplies
>Helping Anlak steal weapons
>Helping Yu'yan watch Kita and Henry
>Write-In

Can we have a reminder of what our goals are for this again?

>>31609938
>Write-In
Find out more about the layout of this fort. If we're gonna be avoiding or dealing with demons & teachers then we need every leg up we can get.

>Helping Anlak steal weapons.

>>31609938
>Helping Yu'yan watch Kita and Henry
The others should be able to take care of the rest by themselves

>>31610013
Seekers are dicks and you need to find Sheryl's father Shanan.

>>31609938
>>Helping Rein prepare supplies

>>31610103
Yes, but what exactly are we planning to do after we find him? Kill him ourselves? Hide him?

I'm surprised that not a single choice has received two votes yet

>>31610208
You can vote on it later.

No decision has two votes yet.... this seems to be an answer in it's own way. Taking charge of others is easier than taking charge of ourself.

>>31610224
But shouldn't we, in character, want to discuss this with everyone else first? Especially Sheryl?

>>31609938
>Helping Leona get the horses

Leona is best girl

>>31610084
Changing my vote to this.

>>31610284
We don't know enough to make that kind of decision
>>31609938
>Helping Anlak steal weapons
We can choose what weapon we're best at

"I'm going to go see if I can find out more about this fort." You tell Yu'yan.

"In The Archives?"

"No, they might notice if I'm peeking around there. I'll be in town... anyways, there's someone I want to see first."

"Alright, we'll meet back here in an hour or so, Leona wait at the stables, Rein, can you guide us there?" Yu'yan asks.

"Sure, I know the place." Rein gets up and makes way for the door, one by one everyone else follows, and you make way into town.

>>31610419
Whoops, started writing before I saw the change. Going with both write-ins.

The calmness of the city takes your mind off of the delicate situation for just a moment, but you gather your thoughts quickly.

Twice now you've met a curious elf in town. Despite evidence to the contrary, you just can't help but shake the feeling that there's something about him. Not knowing where to begin looking though, you decide to consult the man who has hardly ever failed you. Making way into the backstreets, you come across Nitt's store, the sign today reads 'The Little Shop of Fortress Layouts and Elven Enigmas'.

"Heklos my favorite customer!" Nitt greets you with a strange word when you enter, you see him balancing on one foot with a book on his head.

"I'm telling ya Nitt, that just ain't gonna catch on!" The book on Nitt's head pops open, the cover flapping as it speaks, it's Witt, Nitt's ever-present friend, "This idiots been trying to spread heklos as a greeting. Tell him how stupid it is."

"It is not stupid! It is charming, abloobloobloo!"

You ignore the two and make way over to a stack of books, sifting through it. Witt flies off of Nitt's head over to you, "So, how can I help ya?"

"I'm looking for a layout of Fort Kuglak."

"Oh? Just a moment." Witt flies into a pile of books, then moments later he flies back out with a piece of paper hanging from his mouth, he drops it into your hands, "Ah, The Unheard War. Lot of great stories from that era."

No elf, but it looks like you got one job done easily.

>CONT

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"If you're taking it out, I'll be taking some ras. If you're reading it here, I'll still be taking some ras. A book needs to... well, I don't need to eat, but if Nitt over there topples over from hunger then I won't have a place to live. The wet outdoors is no place for a being made of paper, you know?"

You open up the paper to confirm what you see, it's a dusty tattered map of Fort Kuglak, dated more than a hundred years past and barely readable, "Got anything more recent?"

"Recent!? They don't make maps of abandoned forts, why some history collectors might price that at a small fortune!" Witt snaps at you.

"Mooooost edudacated ones would know that it's trash, abloobloobloo." Nitt informs you, leaning towards one size as he loses his balance.

"Don't say that you!" Witt zooms and smacks Nitt across the head, knocking the small old fellow into a pile of literature behind him, "Look, just leave a couple coins on the table."

"Coupla!"

"Shut up Nitt!"

You do as instructed, and carefully tuck the map away so that it doesn't tear any further. With that you leave the store.

>CONT

Keeping track of money is a pain. So forget about it.

Back on the main streets with some time to waste before you meet the others, you keep your eyes peeled. The two times you met Sissel the elf, it was in the backstreets, you know that he'd seen you from some inn now and again but you don't have the time to check out each one in Deneb, as few as they are they're far between each other.

Idly you wait, watching the crowds pass by. And when you consider leaving to join the others, as if bound by some trickster fate, you hear your name called by Sissel's soft voice. You turn around and see him making paces towards you.

"Ah, I thought it was you. What're you up to today?" His black hair, identical in tone to Sheryl's hangs just slightly over his eyes underneath his cloak. His eyes glow a shade of purple, like Sheryl told you her brother's did.

"I was looking for you actually..." You start the conversation.

"For me? That's odd. Well, I was just picking up some medicine but I can spare some minutes." He smiles at you, if he is related to Sheryl, his attitude doesn't show it.

Other than your suspicions about his relationship to Sheryl, you know that he's traveling Rascha with a companion and he knows someone in the region who's not long to live. You're time is running out, but you can at least ask him one thing now.

>Ask Sissel about Sheryl
>Ask Sissel about his companion
>Ask Sissel about the person not long to live
>Write-In

Rolled 2

>>31610966
Damm tough choice
Dice what do you think I should ask?

>Ask Sissel about the person not long to live

>>31610966
>>Ask Sissel about Sheryl

>>31610966
>Ask Sissel about Sheryl

>>31610966
>Ask Sissel about the person not long to live

You don't have time to waste here, the situation being as it is. She might've said otherwise, but you want to follow your thought through.

"Do you know a Sheryl?" You look firmly into Sissel's eyes, and they widen in surprise. The amicable elf doesn't respond to you, and you continue your line of questioning, "Is Sheryl your sister?"

Sissel takes a long breath out, "I really wasn't expecting you to play it like that but... yes."

It seems he was caught off guard by your question, but you were caught off guard by his answer. Gathering your thoughts, you ask him, "If you've been watching us from the inns, then you must have seen her. You know she's here in Deneb."

"That's right."

"And you haven't talked to her yet?"

Sissel frowns and closes his eyes, thinking to himself, "No, I haven't."

You're not sure what to say with the way he's disarming your questions. As you step to ask him why, he opens his mouth and speaks first, "Well, I need to return to my companion. If I catch you before we leave the city, perhaps we'll talk more but..." Sissel turns towards the crowds, they're thin but you don't think he'll make himself easy to find if you lose him now.

He's trying to escape, and you don't have the time to waste on him... but there're things you still want to know.

>[Alacrity] Catch Sissel before he slips into the crowds.
>Let Sissel go, you'll find him again later.

Rolled 1

>>31611392
>[Alacrity] Catch Sissel before he slips into the crowds.

>>31610966
For reference btw
>"Hahah, I guess so. My companion and I were in Belgrand, she really wanted to ride a pegasi you see. On the way back to the Raschan mainland, I met someone I knew in the area and decided to stay here. They've not long to live, so I thought it'd best to stay here for awhile."

Rolled 3

>>31611392
>>[Alacrity] Catch Sissel before he slips into the crowds.
Oh no you don't

>>31611422
>>31611452
Slippery fucker ain't he?

Rolled 4

>>31611392

>[Alacrity] Catch Sissel before he slips into the crowds.

We have to let him know about the seekers. shout it out loud if we have to.

You run after Sissel as he crosses the road, but a horse and the wagon following it cuts you off. You run around the back looking for him, but he's already gone.

You pursue the direction he left in, looking around for him but you fail to find him. Shaking your head, you make way to return where the others are waiting, a little late to meet.

"Geez, acting like the boss then coming late to the meeting. I hope you at least got your job done." Rein scolds you when you enter the dorm, passing a basket into your hands, "Sandwiches. Don't eat any until we're on the road. C'mon, we're keeping Leona waiting."

"Those bags are yours too friend." Yu'yan says walking by, thumbing backwards. You look to where he gestured where a couple blades and bows poke out through a sack, Anlak has a similar bag slung over his shoulder as he walks past you.

Sighing, you take your punishment, not prepared to argue. It's awkward dragging the bag along as well as holding the sandwich basket but you'll manage.

Sheryl walks past you without batting an eye, it seems she's got a little bit of the steel in her from when you met now that she's had some time to herself. You decide that now's not the time to tell her about your encounter though, you can't have her losing resolve now.

Some paces behind everybody else, you follow Rein's lead.

>CONT

"So you're all taking a trip to east to catch faeries?" A calm looking old man brushes the mane of a horse at the stables where Leona waits.

"Ayup." Leona nods to him as your group gathers.

"Faeries...? Really? She couldn't come up with a better story?" Yu'yan whispers to your group, Rein jams an elbow into his ribs.

"Well, just have them back here tomorrow morning when I open up and they're yours." The man laughs heartily.

"Are you really fine with us taking them for free?" Rein approaches the man.

"Of course, the two of you remind me of my daughters... if only they were here with me now." The man lowers his head, shaking it solemnly.

"Oh... I'm sorry, did they..."

"Married off to rich families. Didn't want to take care of horses, you know?" The man laughs again, "So anyways, that's six of you? You sure you don't want to take a caravan for all that?"

"We need to get to the... faeries fast sir." Rein explains.

"Well this is tough, a couple of my horses were taken off just a short while ago, I've only got five here. Don't suppose two of you can take one?"

Rein thumbs over to you, "He'll ride with someone else for making us late."

You think to protest but it seems everyone else is in approval of Rein's thought, or at least in approval that they won't have to be the person taking an uncomfortable ride, "At least let me pick who I ride with." You tell her.

She gives you an odd look, "Okay... but nothing weird."

You'll ride with...

>Anlak
>Leona
>Rein
>Sheryl
>Yu'yan

>>31611959
>Rein
Just to mess with her

>>31611959
>Rein
Hoist by her own petard.

>>31611959
>>Yu'yan

>no homo

>>31611959
>Leona

>>31611959
Rein is the only acceptable answer.

>>31611959
>Rein
hehehe

>>31612019
So I just googled what a petard is; basically a medieval breaching charge. We should've gotten a few of those for the castle.

>>31611959
>Rein
I mean, she dug her own grave here.

>>31612168
You should google the whole phrase.

Also, We don't know if gun powder exists in this setting and if it did, they don't just leave those lying around.

Out on the roads, the cool air flows freely to your hair. You and your companions ride towards the the Belgrand borders to Fort Kuglak, where Sheryl waits.

Holding the reins of the horse and sitting proudly is Rein, and resting safely against her seated in her lap is you. The classic picture of a knight and a princess.

Just half an hour ago you'd decided that she'd ride with you, her protests were drowned out by Yu'yans insistence that she 'practically asked for it', Leona did not support her in her argument.

"Stop breathing so much!" Rein complained as the white horse galloped onward, "And don't rest your head on my shoulder!"

"I'm going to fall off if I don't!"

"Then hang on tighte- TO THE HORSE! NOT TO ME!"

Yu'yan skillfully pulled up beside the two of you, "Sorry, the air is so cold up on these trails but I thought it might be more hot near the two of you." Rein tried to kick him, but he pulled away neatly.

"Hahaha. There's a Belgrand fairy tale just like this isn't there sister?" It was Leona this time teasing the two of you. Rein snarled but didn't try anything physical against her twin.

"Stay focused... if you lose the horse we'll have to pay for it." Sheryl reminds the two of you, yelling from up ahead.

You turn your head to Anlak behind you half-expecting him to say something, but he just silently pushes forward.

"Hey, keep your head forwa- DON'T BREATH ON MY CHEST!" Rein groans.

>CONT

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>>31612409
10/10 post

>>31612168
>>31612249
Knowing that much (that it's evoking the image of a combat engineer unexpectedly blowing themselves up instead of (or in addition to) their intended target) is probably enough to reason out the whole idiom, even if one is unfamiliar with it.

>>31612409
This worked out just about as well as it could've.

>>31612490
c'mon man, that image was already used in this campaign not so long ago.

>>31612529
This is actually where I got it from

>>31612549
Kinda makes it worse, dont you think?

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>>31612409
>and resting safely against her seated in her lap is you
>seated in her lap is you

"Perhaps our friend here would have an easier time avoiding it if it wasn't so big, what kind of milk do you Belgrans drink?" Yu'yan laughs, riding up ahead of the pack, nearly falling off his horse.

"This is the worst. I am not riding with you on the way back, even if it means I have to walk it." Rein leans her head backwards and lets out a sigh, the cloth of her shirt rubs the tip of your nose, "I SAID FACE FORWARD!" She pulls on the horse in reaction and it jerks to a sudden stop, lifting it's legs forward and sending you sliding into the Belgran girl. The two of you fall onto the path and the horse starts to run. Anlak whips his reins and spurs his horse forward, without leaving his steed he grabs the running horse by the neck and wrestles it to a calm.

Your knees hit the ground painfully, but not so much to deal any damage. Your head landed on as soft a spot as you could hope, though you were afraid of the injuries that might follow it. You pull yourself up quickly and offer help to Rein, her clothes and hair a little dishevelled from falling first. She slaps your hand away and picks herself up, dusting herself off. You count yourself lucky she didn't hit you.

"Someone trade with me... I can't stand this any more." She heads towards the horse that Anlak has made tame again.

>Offer to change places with Rein on the horse
>Insist on riding alone if she's giving up, she can ride with someone else
>Ask to join...
>...Anlak
>...Leona
>...Sheryl
>...Yu'yan

>>31612631
>Sheryl

We'll tell her about the alive brother en route. She'll get the surprise sooner or later and we don't want her doing something stupid in the spur of the moment when we get there.

>>31612582
Point taken
>>31612631
>Offer to change places with Rein on the horse
She obviously is suppressing a calm ladylike nature. Yeah that's it

>>31612631
>...Sheryl
Lets have a repeat

>Offer to change places with Rein on the horse

>>31612727
>Offer to change places with Rein on the horse
This

Then, after she hits him ride with Sheryl or Leona

>>31612631

>>31612527
>This worked out just about as well as it could've.
Spoke too soon.

>Offer to change places with Rein on the horse
See if she's still too irritated to think this is permissible, or if she's going to relish the opportunity to mess with us as soon as the positions are switched.

If the former, consider going with
>...Sheryl
for the reasons >>31612726 mentioned.

>>31612631
>...Leona

Let's just ride with much nicer sister already.

>>31612726
This is actually a valid point after Rein drop kicks us for suggesting she rides in our lap we should ask her

"How about we change places." You get up and make way over to Rein and Anlak, the others stopped slightly ahead, "It'll be unfair to the others if we make them shuffle around."

Rein gives you a glare, but relents, "Fine. But keep your eyes on the road, and no thinking of me like some Raschan lady."

Anlak nods to the two of you, hopping onto his horse and riding to join the others. You saddle up, and Rein hops onto your lab, she wraps her hands around your neck, "Don't look down okay? Keep your eyes straight up front! Ugh, if this were a Belgrand horse there'd be so much more room..."

You sigh and spur the horse forward. Your journey continues.

The latter half of the trip is a little quieter, Yu'yan lets out the occasional snicker but Leona always promptly rides over to him and gives him a firm kick, from the looks of it he got a scolding earlier.

"The view here is really nice..." Rein whispers, you shift your eyes around. The evening is approaching and from the high path you're taking, you can see the sun shining radiantly over the forest tops.

"People tell me that Belgrand is beautiful, but you really get tired of ice and snow when you've lived there all your life." She softly speaks, her breath touching the base of your neck, "Hey, say something... it's awkward if you just stay quiet like that."

>CONT

>>31612726
I don't know if this is a good idea. The reason we didn't tell her before is that a person's emotions can only handle so much. She's at her limit with the whole dad thing. We don't need to add to it and send her over the edge.

>>31613054
Right, because after getting a load of emotion from reuniting with her dad her brother will pop out from behind him and she won't experience even more of that stuff. All in one go.

>>31613054
The main issue is that we've got a pretty reasonable idea that he's staying with said father at the moment (given the 'They've not long to live' comment)

Things are bound to get complicated either way. But that said, you're probably right that telling her while we're still on the road might not be the best plan. But it's definitely not a good plan to just not tell her at all. Especially since the guy's got a reasonable expectation that we will have told her about him being here, seeing as we specifically went out of our way to find and ask him.

Kind of a shame he got away before we could ask more and/or mention that she thinks he's DEAD, so we have no way of knowing whether that was a rumor he seeded on purpose (which means he wanted to vanish) or if it was incidental and he doesn't know what Sheryl thinks happened to him.

You peek down at Rein, her orange hair and her peach and red face carry colours similar to the afternoon sun beside you. She takes one hand off your neck to her short hair out of her face, and catches you watching. Rather than an angry scowl, she looks at you with embarrassed eyes, "Hey, I said no looking." She mumbles.

You pull your view back to the road ahead of you as she secures her arm around you again, "I guess you're twins after-all huh." You say. You already know that Leona can well display her Belgrand strength, but now you see that Rein can be quite timid in the right situation.

"Well, of course we are..." Rein whispers.

Leona informs the group that you'll soon approach the destination. As your time riding with Rein approaches it's end, she says something curious, "You should've ridden with Leona."

You shift your gaze down again, and she uses one of her palms to push your vision back up.

"She's a lot cuter than me you know, and she's smart too, and strong." Rein tells you, you recall that Belgrands often judge beauty by power, "She hasn't said so, but I think she likes you."

You continue riding.

"I bet she'd love to be treated like a princess. You should ask her on the way back." Rein says.

"You feel like a princess right now then?" You peek down at her again.

"Yeah... it feels awful." Rein's gaze is firmly on the horizon, but a bashful smile creeps up her face, "Cute doesn't suit me."

>"I think you're cute."
>"I'll talk to Leona later."
>"I guess not."

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This is my expression when I write these scenes. I thought I'd share it with you.

>>31613300
Oops uhhhh Wat Do?

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>>31613339
>Your real face

>>31613339
YOU BROUGHT THIS UPON YOURSELF. THESE ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF HAVING CHARACTERS THAT ARE FUN.

>>31613300
>"I think you're selling yourself short."
People are allowed to be more than one thing, Rein.

>>31613339
What emotion is that face supposed to convey? pls halp an autist here.

>>31613300
>"Don't sell yourself too short. You're cuter than you give yourself credit for"

>>31613300
>write-in
"I think it would be unfair for me to get romantically involved with anyone when I have a mission that I need to put before anything else" or something like that. I like the rom-com and all, but I think getting too far into it would ruin it.

>>31613300
"I think you're selling yourself short. But I can't get romantically attached right now; it wouldn't be right, not right now."

I-Is this real? /tg/ is trying to deny a waifu war?

Also vote to combine the selling short comment and not being able to get romantically involved.

>>31613430
Shame
Hatred
Love
Feels

>>31613511
This. I think you're safe Librarian.

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>>31613626
He's safe for now but with Anons like us he's in for one helluva ride

"You're selling yourself short Rein." You tell her continuing along, "I wouldn't compare you and Leona."

"Sometimes I swear you must have your threads tied up, you and Anlak aren't kissing when we're not looking at you?" Rein makes a small jab your way, but her tone is much softer than usual.

"I'm not looking for romance right now... especially not with men." You sigh, "We have a mission right now... and more than that, I have a mission right now."

Rein says nothing the rest of the way. You told her the truth.

Ten years ago you lost her, Carna; who loved stew. Ten years later, you'll ride any distance to find her again. You can't give any thoughts to anyone else as long as she's out there. You might be in love with her, it might have nothing to do with love, but more than anything right now you have to see her again. Much more than Leona or Rein, much more than Sheryl, much more than any man or woman you've met and much more than yourself, Carna is who you care about the most.

Your group arrives at your destination, not quite at Fort Kuglak but within the region. Light frost creeps up on the trees from the Belgrand borders, and an abandoned stable left behind by one of many Raschan wars makes for a passable place to leave the horses. You let Rein off first then get off yourself, and the six of you gather to discuss your plans

>CONT

What if Carna is secretly a meta-device to defuse waifu wars!?

>>31613684
Lib did you find the secret to stopping Waifu Wars?
Holee Shit

>>31613684
>spoiler
Then you're probably in some sort of Schrodinger's Cat box of either being a dick or a genius and nobody will ever know which it is until it's opened.

>>31613746
>tfw we die before we can open it

>>31613684
Meta-device or not, this is by far the most interesting path we can take. Waifus are the most fun before the relationship, and if only find Carna near the end, then we can have the most fun; Carna= best girl.

"Though it rests on the Raschan side of the borders, no villages sits between here and Deneb." Leona explains to everyone, you and Anlak set up a small fire to stay comfy in the cold.

"Fort Kuglak is only so many paces in that direction." Yu'yen explains, "We certainly beat Kita and whats-his-face here."

"Henry." You shout over from the wood pit as Anlak tries to start it.

"But they'll be arriving soon, and the rest of The Seekers behind him. Our destination puts us out of the way of where they'll most likely stop, but as we approach Shanan we'll certainly encounter them. Let's discuss now how we'll deal with them directly."

The fire starts and the others gravitate your way, warming up against it. Rein opens the sandwich basket she packed and passes them out to everyone.

"Assuming Gin and Rum are with him, Kita can fly and become invisible. I'd wager he'll be aware of us before we're aware of him, but I brought a secret weapon to deal with him..." Yu'yen says, reaching into a pouch on his side and pulling out a hefty bottle of liquor, "Two litres of Lunese Moonwater. I'll do my best to keep him distracted."

"Then the hard part will be Henry." You say.

"I have a plan for that too... my scouting has brought me some valuable information. Leona! You're the star! Whats-his-face seems to have poor taste in Belgrand women! We will need you to use your feminine wiles to seduce him!" Yu'yan points at Leona, striking a dramatic pose.

Rein punches Yu'yan in the groin.

>CONT

>>31613815
Funnily enough I still think of her as a sister to the MC.
Don't ask me how awkward this is to me.

>>31613871
I think of her as a childhood crush that seems like will be more fun to go out with than she really will, but honestly even if we don't end up with her, chasing her will most likely be the most fun out of all the female characters. Rom-com is all about the chase.

"What!? I can't! I mean, I don't even know him, and I've never seduced anyone before. I've never even kissed a ma- well there was my father but that was on the cheek and he's family. Oh dear, what if this turns out like that nove-" Leona stammers on for a bit while you hold your discussion.

"She's not doing that you son of a fox." Rein kicks Yu'yan while he's sprawled on the floor.

Taking lead of the conversation with Yu'yan incapacitated, you think of other options, "If he came here by horse, then chances are he's not a contractor. We may have a chance stalling him if it comes to it. The best fighter among us is Sheryl, but we can't have her stay behind if we run into him... " A thought crosses your mind, "I don't think he likes me very much, but I think I can use that to distract him."

"We can ignore Kran and Silvest if we get into the castle early, but we can't ignore Henry." Sheryl clutches her knees and pulls her cloak closer for warmth, "Masoch will be inside the fort as well."

"We can't stop Masoch even with all six of us." Anlak adds.

"We'll just have to deal with him when we meet him. I'll distract Henry and the rest of you cut your way to Shanan."

"Are you sure? It sounds dangerous." Leona returns, "If I have to, I think... I think I can distract him."

You're sure that Black Cat as awkward as he was wouldn't do anything dangerous to her but...

>Insist on stopping Henry, focus on the demons
>Trust Leona to handle Henry

>>31614107
>Trust Leona to handle Henry
She's more than capable of handling herself if something does go wrong with him.

>>31614107
Chances are we can bait Henry into a cage match but on the other hand if we might need to be there if and when Sheryl's brother comes

>>31614107
>>Trust Leona to handle Henry
I think she's stronger than us anyway.

>>31614107
>Trust Leona to handle Henry
We would stay back to handle this, but we will need to be in the castle to support Sheryl

>>31613871
>>31613948
Either way, it's probably insincere to begin any sort of relationship while there's a long-term single-minded obsession like this still in the pipeline.

Dividing emotional attention between two things of that magnitude would hardly be fair to any parties involved.

What happens once the big mystery is solved is a bridge to be crossed when we get there.

>>31614107
>Trust Leona to handle Henry
Sure. Poor bastard's probably going to be swearing off women for life after this disaster.

Should also mention that we may very well not have to deal with Masoch to the extent that everyone else thinks we will.

He was close with Shanan, and obviously doesn't feel terribly pleased with what his whole situation has come to.

Even ignoring the fact that he actually decided to talk with us about it in person, he's been covertly trying to get the word out after noticing our eavesdropping regardless. (Insisting that the plan be voiced loudly the first time we listened in, hinting that we should bring the topic to Sheryl by talking obliquely about the fates bringing it to her, and then talking suspiciously loudly AGAIN this time so Yu'yan could overhear their plans pre-departure.)

>>31614107
>trust Leona to handle what's-his-face.
The less we have to fight, the better.

>>31614176
>>31614223
>>31614247
>>31614266
>>31614292
Henry is going to hate us even more after he finds out this was all a ruse.
I love it.

Hesitantly, you tell Leona, "Alright. I'm counting on you."

Leona nods, "You can leave it to me!"

"Are you sure I shouldn't come with you Leona? It might be dangerous." Rein grabs his sister's hand, leaving Yu'yan to a respite.

"They'll need your help, there're goblins in there, remember?"

Rein nods and joins the rest of you.

"Alright, let's go." Deciding on that, you lead the group towards the fort.

Fort Kuglak is worn and beaten, the place holds neither the pride of battle nor the majesty of nobility. Broken blades and unorganized grave markers sit around the place, light vegitation sprouts up from the ground. You feel a dull pain in your chest as you step through the main gate, but it quickly fades away.

"Leona and I will wait in hiding here. We'll figure out what we're explaining to Kita and Henry, but the four of you can't waste time." Yu'yan tells you.

"Be careful in there." Leona gives Rein a hug and sends the rest of you off.

The insides of Kuglak is cold, the ceilings drip from the still melting winter. When you've got far enough to lose sight of Leona and Yu'yan, your spirit sinks a little.

"Where do you think he's hiding?" Sheryl whispers to your group.

"You know him better than we do." You tell her.

"No I don't." Sheryl responds.

"Quiet." Anlak says. You quickly realize why... a soft singing is heard coming from the upper-floors, and Sheryl's ears perk up hearing it.

>CONT

>>31614513
>You feel a dull pain in your chest as you step through the main gate, but it quickly fades away.
aaaaaaaaaaaaa

The four of you make quick but quiet paces trying to find the sound, as you enter the second floor of the fort from a set of worn stairs, you spot demons blocking the hall in front of you. A group of small goblins sit on the body of another one, devouring it. Between you and them, the hallway splits off to the left.

"I'll never get used to this whole demon cannibalism thing." Rein's face curls up and she hugs her spear uncomfortably.

Sheryl draws her sword and holds it in front of her shakily, taking timed breaths.

"We don't have to fight them." You tell her, gesturing her blade down as you take out the map of Fort Kuglak. For how old it is, it seems nothing's changed, "If we take that split we can go around. It'll take us a bit longer though."

"Are you sure it'll take us where we need to go?"

"Yeah." You inspect the map again while straining your ears to the noise, "I think he's in the throne room, there're two flights of stairs leading up."

"Looks like it's quite a detour though. Neither flight is near that hall." Rein says.

"I can draw the demons down the far hall," Anlak tells you, "You'll be able to reach him faster."

"They're just goblins but... it sounds dangerous." Rein bites her lips, "I'll go with you."

>[Cunning] Sneak around as a group.
>[Alacrity] Let Anlak and Rein distract the demons while you sprint through.
>[Tenacity] Offer to go with Anlak distracting the demons, send Rein with Sheryl

Rolled 9

>>31614685
>[Cunning] Sneak around as a group.

>>31614645
Probably the demon from when we was a kid

>>31614685
>[Tenacity] Offer to go with Anlak distracting the demons, send Rein with Sheryl
I'll let someone else roll.

Rolled 1

>>31614685
>>[Cunning] Sneak around as a group.

>>31614685
>>[Cunning] Sneak around as a group.
If we manage to stay undetected, it gets everyone through safely and leaves more chaff demons around to help hold off the Seekers who are on their way.

Probably gives us about the same amount of time (distraction Demons and slower progress to the throne room vs. quicker path, but demons alert to our presence, leaving no demons in the halls to distract our teachers), but it's probably less personally risky for our friends.

Carefully, your group sneaks past the demons. In the other hall, you come across a couple more of them idly walking around, disorganized and hazy. With you leading, your group easily moves around the fort.

"This place is lonely isn't it." Sheryl whispers.

"This is where The Murder Princess presented the heads of the rebelling lords to the Raschan kingdoms for Belgrand's independence. Originally the last just past this fortress was all Belgrand region, but it shrunk about a hundred years ago over a treaty renewal. It's worthless territory anyways." Rein explains.

"I thought Leona was the bookworm." You push a cobweb out of the way.

"The Unheard War is mandatory reading in Belgran schools."

You come across more stairs leading upwards, the quiet singing voice is certainly coming from above, "We'll be running into your father soon Sheryl. I hope you're prepared."

Sheryl breaths in, and then out. She nods and grips her sword firmly.

"The demons are awfully docile..." Anlak peeks behind himself.

"Isn't that good for us?" Rein tilts her head to a side.

"Demons are only docile around more powerful demons... and the contractors that bind them."

You all take another moment to collect yourselves, before you lead them up the stairs.

>CONT

The path forward after the stairs is a simple one, just one turn right from the stairs and then straight forward until the throne room. There're other ways, other rooms, but the map in hand tells you that there's no time to waste on them, and the beckoning voice affirms it.

Sheryl's body shakes as she walks down the hall, Rein keeps an arm around her to help and calm her. You lead the group at the front, and Anlak stands some paces behind the girls with his weapons out and ready.

About half-way through the hall, you see darkness in front of you. Although most of the fortress was lit and showed small signs of use by the one man said to be here, what would be the throne room itself sits in darkness. Now close enough to hear clearly, you make out the singing to be a lullaby.

"Father..." Sheryl mutters, breaking loose of Rein's grip and running forward.

You keep up with her, keeping a cautious watch in the dark.

The lullaby stops when the two arrive in the centre of the throne room. The seat is raised past steps leading up, and a figure sits on it.

"Father..." Sheryl says again.

"Sheryl...?" An unfamiliar voice, rough and worn. Rein and Anlak catch up, and you each stand in silence at Sheryl's reunion.

The finger snaps a finger and the torchs behind you light up, not reaching quite far enough to illuminate Shanan, "Oh Sheryl... it really is you. I was coming for you... really I was, but..."

>CONT

"...leave quickly." Shanan interrupts himself, "The demons will soon go wild here. This place, this place is not for you."

"Why!? Why did you leave us father!? Why do you send me away now that I've found you!?" Sheryl yells across to Shanan.

"I left because I was selfish Sheryl... I found knowledge, so much knowledge. The Seekers would've taken it away, but you have to understand, I joined for my curiosities and what I found was more than any secrets they could reveal."

"You left your family for knowledge!? My mother, my brother are both gone! It is just you and I now father, and you cast me away!?" Sheryl's eyes tear up, she draws her blade and holds it up, "I was right to think that you deserved death, no apologies or regrets, is your knowledge worth that much?"

Shanan gets up from the throne and steps down into the light, what you can make of the 'man' there is drained grey hair, a dull violet eye and sinking skin. But that is only a small part of his body, most of him now is violet scales on lizard-like parts, a tail drags behind him and both his legs and his left arm have become draconic. Half of his gaze likewise reptilian. His left eye completely gone, replaced by scale in its place.

"Yes, it was. Hate me as much as you like, but leave quickly and hate me elsewhere, or you'll soon die here with me." Shanan lifts his demon fist and swings it at Sheryl.

>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety
>[Tenacity] Protect Sheryl with your body

Rolled 2

>>31615422
>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety

>>31615422
>>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety

Rolled 11

>>31615422
>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety

Rolled 11

>>31615422
>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety

>>31615422
>[Alacrity] Pull Sheryl to safety

You grab Sheryl and pull her away, when the fist hits air fire flies out the end into the hallway.

Rein and Anlak scatter trying to find better positions while Shanan turns his sights on you and Sheryl. You look over him carefully, his demon has nearly consumed him with the way his body has become. You didn't think the situation would be simple, but coming straight into a fight wasn't exactly what you expected.

Sheryl's body shakes in your arms, she's tried to steel her mind but it seems faced with reality she isn't completely put together yet. You stand up between her and her father, holding your short sword in front of you.

"If you have any hesitations, forget them. We're too far lost, too far gone to talk this out now." Shanan snarls. His tail lifts up and extends, and it whips downwards at you.

>[Cunning] Blind Shanan with your new weave and go in for a counter-attack.
>[Tenacity] Let the tail hit you and tear through it with your sword.

Rolled 6

>>31615601
>[Tenacity] Let the tail hit you and tear through it with your sword.
Rid him Of one of his weapons

Rolled 10

>>31615601
>[Cunning] Blind Shanan with your new weave and go in for a counter-attack.

Rolled 12

>>31615601
>[Cunning] Blind Shanan with your new weave and go in for a counter-attack.

>"Well, it's half-luck with the inexperienced, but take pride. That skill should prove handy in the future." Masoch says
ALWAYS TRUST MASOCH'S DEBATABLY PURPOSEFUL ALLUSIONS.

Also I know the torches were low for dramatic reveals, but part of me wants to assume there's a non-narrative reason for it as well, like he's become more sensitive to light post-transformation.

Quickly you move your fingers together, and with a snap you flash a bright light. Shanan's tail stops momentarily, giving you enough time to duck past it, you swing your blade into him, cutting up against scale. Your blade draws not blood, but dark demonic mists as you make distance from him again to deny him a counter-attack.

He sweeps his tail around in a circle and it stretches out near the length of the entire room. Anlak does a short hop over it, swinging his body around to cut into the tail as it goes and Rein manages to avoid it a little less gracefully as she makes way towards the main body.

You'll have no trouble avoiding this, but Sheryl is still on the floor near you. You won't be able to reach her in time.

>[Alacrity] Try to bring Sheryl out of her daze with your words.
>[Tenacity] Hold back the tail with all your might.

>>31615601
>[Cunning] Blind Shanan with your new weave and go in for a counter-attack.
For story symmetry.

Rolled 7

>>31615709
>[Alacrity] Try to bring Sheryl out of her daze with your words.

Rolled 10

>>31615709
>[Tenacity] Hold back the tail with all your might.

Rolled 4

>>31615709
>[Tenacity] Hold back the tail with all your might.

>>31615709
>[Alacrity] Try to bring Sheryl out of her daze with your words.

>>31615709

>[Alacrity] Try to bring Sheryl out of her daze with your words.
Gotta get that girl to snap out of it, remind her that we all came here for her.

>>31615709
>[Alacrity] Try to bring Sheryl out of her daze with your words.
...really, really tempted to let her know here that she's not the only one left after all.

If she wants answers out of her brother as much as we want them for her, she can't do it by giving up here.

>>31615772
Her dad might not know about the brother, so we might not want to yell that out now.

>>31615814
Not sure it matters too much, seeing as he's pretty well committed to turning this into a lethal combat encounter, rather than being content with running us off.

Especially with the other Seekers coming here, and their being able to detect and track his demonic aspect with their own contracts, I feel like it's unlikely there'll be a big escape where revealing this knowledge comes back and bites us.

>>31615869
Well, considering we know nothing about her brother's situation and what relationship he has with his father, I think it's not really the best move to bring that up now when it's not essential. The unfortunate thing about having critical info is that once you let other people know, you can't take it back.

Not looking back to her, you yell, "Sheryl! We all came here so you could see your father. If you still want to kill him, then do it, but we're here to support you, so press forward..." You leap over the tail, rolling as you hit the ground and scream over to her, "AND FUCKING JUMP."

Hearing your words, Sheryl pulls herself together in time to jump over the tail, the grace you've seen in her during better times returned.

Taking a breath, she makes firm her hold on her sword again.

The four of you in the room have Shanan squared off, his tail retracts to a relatively normal size and he lifts his fist up. Although his appearance has become monstrous, his stance hardly matches it. With his body as it is, he looks unbalanced and clumsy.

You lead first, ducking in low and swiping at Shanan's legs then running out the opposite side.

Rein follows your lead, he twists her body and swings her spear's shaft into Shanan's back, knocking him forward.

Anlak dashes in and slices into the human hand with his blade, his mace smashing through the scale of the other arm.

Sheryl finally makes way over to her father, all to easily defeated and kneeling on the floor.

"Father..." She lifts her blade her hands still shaking, but her eyes firm. His head remains lowered, accepting his fate.

You think over your short months with Sheryl, all too quickly she found her father and now she'll lose him...

>Stop Sheryl, she came here to talk to him
>Let Sheryl continue, she came here to kill him

>>31615959
Not necessarily. Maybe there are spells that wipe memory.

Rolled 2

>>31615971
>Stop Sheryl, she came here to talk to him

>>31615971
>Stop Sheryl, she came here to talk to him
Other option is dark and boring.

>>31615996
He makes a reasonable point, and I can't imagine trying to rely on hypothetical mindwiping spells (which, if they exist, would probably be extraordinarily illegal) seems like a viable way to try and ignore it.

>>31615971
There's really no right answer; just the decision she's come to.

I can get behind reminding her that whatever she does here is her choice, and we'll be behind her whatever she chooses, but forcing her to stop (even if that's the decision she would've come to given a moment's pause regardless) seems inconsiderate, somehow.

Besides, if we stop her ourselves, she's always going to have that lingering feeling that she may have actually done it herself if someone hadn't spoken out. Better to have her come to the decision of her own accord.

I get that this is probably here for player agency reasons, but from a character perspective both choices seem kind of cold.

I'm behind >stop her as a story branch, but not sure I like the way we have to get into it.

The girl that you've gotten to know isn't strong and vengeful. She's afraid and lonely. She might've said that she came here to kill her father, but you know the truth, she came here looking for her family.

You grab her hands with yours and bring them to a calm, slowly you lower them and take her fingers off the blade with little resistance, the sword harmlessly falling to the ground, "You came here to talk to him, right?" Her hands rest on yours, red from how hard her grip was.

Letting go of her, you give her a quick pat on the back. She looks at you with her wide clear eyes then back to her defeated father. She kneels down to meet his eye-level, looking him in his monstrous visage, her eyes well up with tears and she wraps her arms around his neck, crying loudly, "I missed you... so much."

Rein strolls over to you and leans on your shoulder with her elbow, "So um... what now?" You watch Sheryl sob onto her father's shoulder.

Something about the battle bothered you, he'd attacked with force in his state, but you didn't see him refer to his demon, and he must've had a few more tricks than that. The fight went by far too easily...

"Sheryl... I won't apologize for what I've done. I lived as I thought I should, and it wouldn't do well for all the sacrifices I've made if I tried to escape now. But I have to warn you, the demon within me grows, and if you don't leave you'll be stuck here when he comes out."

>CONT

With his human hand, one of the few parts of 'Shanan' the man that remains. He pats down Sheryl's head. She lets go of him and backs up into the rest of you slowly, pulling back her tears as hard as she can.

"I'd... like to talk to you more. But it'll be any moment now until the demon escapes. For a long time I've run, and I've had to ask it for more than I desired to survive. When I'd heard you'd joined The Seekers, I thought to try and see you just once before I vanished away but... I couldn't approach the city." He shakes his head.

"Then, why did you send demons to attack us?" Anlak asks naturally despite the atmosphere.

"Demons? To attack you...? I don't know what you mean."

"In the forest during the shower, then again against the Lunese man, and the House Ridhome."

Shanan shakes his head, oblivious to Anlak's questions.

"...how did you hear that Sheryl was in Deneb?" You ask him.

"A contractor told me, when they were passing through from Belgrand... they told me I could see her if I waited outside the city. I knew it'd draw The Seeker's attention, but I had to..." His words are interrupted by a sudden roar escaping his throat. Each of you back up cautiously, watching Shanan's remaining arm split open, a scaled limb replacing it.

You gulp your breath and ready yourself for another battle...

"I'll take it from here."

Masoch enters the throne room from the hall leading in. Leona and Yu'yan follow behind him, tied to chairs that walk on legs.

>CONT

>>31616444
Ooh man, I hope the brother isn't the villain, he's a swell guy.

>>31616500
Too swell...

>>31616444
>"I'll take it from here."
Yeaaaaaah! Climactic friend-showdown!

>Leona and Yu'yan follow behind him, tied to chairs that walk on legs.
...We're going to be serving so, so much detention.

>>31616500
I figure if we're able to make the initial connection by Sheryl's description of him alone, Shanan would have been able to recognize his own kid. If anything, it'd probably have to be the brother's travel companion.

That said, not counting anything out.

"Good to see you Shanan." Masoch lifts his right hand, and grabs the tip of his glove with two fingers of his left.

Shanan turns to Masoch, but before he says a word, what remains of him bursts open, replaced by the demon coming out from underneath his skin.

"I suppose I'm a little bit late. I'd have come earlier but I didn't want to get here while you were still having a family event." Masoch removes his glove, the back of his hand has a large eyeball on it, that peeks around curiously.

The demon that was Shanan doubles in size in an instant and it swings a claw down at Masoch, catching fire as it flies. Leona and Yu'yen both clench their eyes closed, Masoch calmly stands in place, he wriggles his fingers and the demon's limbs all pull back, it's body suspended in the air by invisible chains.

"Keep studying and you'll learn weaves like that..." Masoch approachs the demon, he removes his other glove, the hand is black and misty in texture, "For my next trick though, you'll need more than study."

Anlak whispers to himself, "Masoch of a Thousand Demons..."

Masoch points his left hand forward at the demon, and erupting from his sleeves... dozens of demons of various size and form come bursting out, spiraling between each other as they set on what was Shanan.

They dig into his body, greedily devouring his shape. Sheryl averts her eyes in horrors, but it's difficult for any of you to watch.

"Tonight, I will drink in your honour memory Shanan."

>CONT

>>31616615
Well. That's definitely a thing.

>>31616615
Nerf Masoch in the next patch pls

Not a minute into his show, the demons return to Masoch's sleeve as they entered, shrinking as they approached the arm.

You look to the shape that was Shanan, afraid of what you might see. But not a trace of him remains.

Masoch looks over to the four of you huddled up, he takes his beret off and holds it to his chest. After a short moment of silence, he walks over to Sheryl. She looks up at him, parts fearful and parts angered.

"The man that was your father vanished before I killed the demon, worry not... even I am not prepared to kill a friend. If you hold any ill will towards me, I cannot say anything to resolve it. But I promise you, I killed him out of a desire to preserve what he once was, and even if you cannot accept that, let me at least say it for my own conscience's sake." Masoch places his hat on Sheryl's head and goes to make his exit, "Take a moment to rest up and untie your friends. Be back in time for classes tomorrow and we'll overlook your excursion."

Your sight of him vanishes first, and then the sound of his steps down the hallways.

"Let me be alone for a moment." Sheryl makes way to where her father once was. Anlak and Rein go to help Yu'yen and Leona out from the ropes, and you stand gathering your thoughts.

>CONT

>>31616615
Wow, I fucked up that last line. was deciding between one and the other but I forgot to erase it when I settled.

>>31616754
Fuck that, he's supposed to be over-powered.

>>31616756
> parts fearful
Read that as farts fearfully

It's some time before you all gather back outside by the horses, the ropes were simple work but waiting for Sheryl took about an hour, and the walk to exit the fort about as long as well.

Night has arrived, and as luck would have it your horses haven't run off yet. You gather them up and everyone prepares to ride.

You're sure the events weighed heavily on Sheryl's mind and although she doesn't burst into hysterics, she spends the entire walk to the horses staring back at the fort you left behind.

"You know friend, we only have five horses to six people..." Yu'yen says out loud, "Just between you and I, I think Sheryl's looking really weak kneed. How about you help her out." Yu'yen slaps you on the back, and grabs one of the horses, mounting himself up.

The looks you get from Leona, Rein and somehow Anlak all tell you that you can't turn his heavy-handed suggestion down. You approach Sheryl, "Let's ride together back to Deneb." You don't need to say more than that, she just quietly nods.

Her small frame makes it easy to fit the both of you on the horse unlike Rein, sitting just behind you she leans onto your back and you set off towards what's as close to a home as either of you have got.

>Talk to Sheryl about Shanan
>Talk to Sheryl about Sissel
>Talk to Sheryl about what she'll do now
>Write-In

>>31616937
>Talk to Sheryl about Shanan
>Talk to Sheryl about Sissel
>Talk to Sheryl about what she'll do now
Heh

>>31616937
>The looks you get from Leona, Rein and somehow Anlak
>Leona

Self NTR?

>>31616937
>>Talk to Sheryl about Sissel

>>31616937
>Talk to Sheryl about Sissel
>Talk to Sheryl about what she'll do now
You know, your brother is still out there. If you're looking for family...

>>31616981
People are pretty well aware that we're fairly close with Sheryl; it's not a romance thing so much as it is the general, overarching "If you're going to try and bail out and leave that poor girl alone for the entire ride back home after what just happened, we're all going to slap the shit out of you for being a terrible friend."

>>31616937
>Talk to Sheryl about Shanan
>Write-In
Maybe let her know our suspicion that Masoch was really trying his hardest to let their plans slip to us during our probably less-than-covert eavesdropping in order to give her the opportunity to see him one last time.

Then
>Talk to Sheryl about what she'll do now
Hear her initial thoughts, then
>Talk to Sheryl about Sissel

As you set off to the journey, the others maintain a short distance from the you and Sheryl.

She hugs you tightly from behind, a little bit more than she'd need to to keep balance on the horse. She's still at first, but her body starts shaking as you pass into the mountains.

"Are you alright?" You say to her, but you know that she isn't going to respond.

You'll need to tell her sometime, and although you're a little worried it might make her feel worse, the chance that you could bring some comfort to the elf girl ready to fall apart if you leave her alone is enough to decide that now's the time.

"I met an elf in town. He called himself Sissel... I asked him if he knew you. He told me that he was your brother."

Her shaking stops, you look back at her, her tainted blood shines through her green eyes as she stares up at you, but there's a certain beauty in them underneath the moonlit road.

"What was your brother's name?"

"Arran. My mother was Arryl, so I am Sheryl from parts of my parent's names, and he is Arran from the others."

"I don't know if Sissel was lying to me but he looked similar to you. He's... probably left Deneb already, but if it'll make you feel any better, you can think Sissel is Arran."

"I was told that Arran was devoured by demons on the roads but... if he's out there..." Sheryl mumbles to herself before going quiet.

>CONT

>>31617237
There's a ton of overlap here with the conversation we had with her last thread about running into Sissel, so I dunno how much of this is stuff either of us would see as being new information. The only new thing is our telling her that we actually confronted him about it after talking to her the last time, and the minor note about the way their names were derived.

And it also means you mucked up the brother's name last time, but that's a way more minor thing.

>>31617237
I'm choosing to believe we just delivered a cold glass of meaning to our lady's life.

Sheryl breaths softly on your back, it seems your words were enough at least that she manages to fall asleep.

It's about half-way through that Leona and Yu'yan pull their horses back beside you, "Geez, she's so cute like that..." Leona observes cheerfully.

"Lucky you, riding with two beauties in one day." Yu'yan smirks at you.

"You could've stopped it both times."

"I'm just looking out for you is all, friend. Now tell me, what happened in there?"

You explain to Leona and Yu'yan what happened on your end of things. In return, Yu'yan describes how Kita easily took the bribe, Gin the fox protested at first, but after a few drinks the demon was out cold. On Leona's side of things, Henry just fell into a stuttering mess we he saw her until Masoch arrived and told him to take leave.

"So the demons weren't set on us by Shanan hm? Curious." Yu'yan rides on ahead after putting in his bit.

"I wonder what Sheryl will do now that her father's gone... she came here to look for him right? I hope she doesn't leave us just when we were starting to become friends..." Leona continues to watch the sleeping girl's face, "Hey, you're looking for someone too right? A girl? Tell me about her."

You ride on towards the rest of the group, but Leona sticks to your side, "Tell me! Tell me! Tell me or I'll wake Sheryl up! Was it love?"

Not ready to let the tired girl awaken in the middle of the trails, you relent.

>You loved Carna
>Carna was like a sister
>It's complicated

>>31617454
>It's complicated

>>31617454
>>Carna was like a sister

>>31617454
>Carna was like a sister
Honestly since thread one I've always seen the dreams we've had of her as us remembering times with our sister until it was said she wasn't

>>31617454
>>It's complicated
"I was 10 at the time; I'm not sure anything at that point can be anything more than childish attachment.

But it's been 10 more since then, and I still don't know what to make of it. What I do know for sure is that I miss her, and that's enough."

>>31617454
>It's complicated

>>31617454
>it's complicated
Leave it as vague as possibe, so we have more choices in the future. Also, whenever we think of her we can't really understand how we feel, so there's no reason we would now.

>>31617565
You're too dramatic about it, but the idea is pretty much what you said, yeah

>>31617622
If you're not allowed to be dramatic about your tragic backstory and subsequent potentially-tragic 10-year search for answers, what are you allowed to be dramatic about?

I see where you're coming from, though.

"It's complicated." You tell Leona.

"How complicated?" She leans your way a little, taking care not to go so far to lose her balance.

"It's been ten years since I've seen her. She's still important to me, but I'm not sure how or why... when I find her I can find out then what the relationship between us is but until then, it's complicated."

"Hm..." Leona rides a little past you, "Okay then. I'll wait for you to sort it out. But you have to tell me when you do, alright?" She spurs her horse on to rejoin the rest of the group.

You think of following her lead but Sheryl stirs on her back, and you keep your slow pace so that she can sleep easily.

The poor girl has gone through a lot today, and with the end of this week you'll be half ways through your time with The Seekers. The fifth month will be Silvest's lectures on demons... you can hardly wait.

When the rasci took Carna away from you, you realized how powerless you were. But slowly, you're becoming stronger and stronger. The sooner you find Carna, the sooner you can have peace of mind. Even now her little sweet voice echoes through your head, the image of her back leads you to keep walking, the warmth from her touch has never completely left your hands.

The relationship between the two of you is complicated, but the fact that you have to find her is simple.

For that small girl who you see only in your memories, you'll give the entire world for.

And so, life goes on.

>>31617752
>For that small girl who you see only in your memories, you'll give the entire world for.
Foreshadowing? Or Implications?
>{Shadowruns Intensifies}

>>31617679
Pretty much nothing. Especially when it's been established that almost all of the people you're with also had a tragic background. I mean slave-trade-Magee is right there,man

File: lumberjack.jpg (245 KB, 800x1177)

245 KB JPG

I had a little Sheryl but my scanner is doing what scanners do. You know, not scan. Instead, have this lumberjack.

Was really hoping to show more of Henry, I was really surprised /tg/ didn't hop in on the chance to fight him but we'll be seeing more of the guys in the future with any luck, although I'm sure efforts will be made on the player end to avoid it, you bastards.

At any rate, thanks for playing again. Ran later than expected, but ah well.

>>31617877
Thanks for the run Lib

Fuck, we should've just answered "don't worry about it, okay?"
>>31617877
Thanks for running, Librarian.

Weird question. If the 6 students were in Persona, what would their arcana be?

Obvious Magician is Yu'ya/en

>>31617877
>I was really surprised /tg/ didn't hop in on the chance to fight him
It probably would've been a closer race if it didn't mean we'd have missed out on the entirety of Sheryl meeting her father again by virtue of us having to hold off the advance party.

That, and the Achilles' heel of a guy who self-destructs when confronted by a pretty lady is too good to not make use of at least once. And the fact that we were complicit and part of her doing so was to help us out just means he's going to be even more inclined to scowl at us in the future, so I can't imagine you're not going to get at least one fun confrontation out of the guy.

>>31617905
Would've been pretty good, so long as we at least explained why afterward. Without the context, that seems like an awfully flippant response to the question.

G'night, Librarian.

>>31617877
/tg/ probably sees too much of themselves in him.

Also inb4 Carna is a succubutt.