>>34270409
This is my neighbor hood now bitch.

>>34270409
So who are we eating with exactly? 'you all' is pretty vague.
>Ask Tear what she's been up to today?
>Ask after the others?
No rush with payment.

>>34270409
>Ask Tear what she's been up to today?
>Talk about Elan's payment?

>>34270426
okay, I laughed.

>>34270409
>Make small talk with Elan?
LOYALTY, because it would be kinda bad if he thinks we're taking advantage of Tielle.

>>34270434
>So who are we eating with exactly? 'you all' is pretty vague.
Apologies on poor wording. Tear's prepared food for everyone that lives here, however Euria and Charme haven't come home yet, so it's just you, Tear and Elan eating.

>>34270409
>>Ask Tear what she's been up to today?
>Make small talk with Elan?

>>34270530
Alright, makes sense.

>>34270409
>>34270525
holdup, we need to brew tea, cook soothing stew, or buy cake or something for Tielle.

>>34270409
>>Ask Tear what she's been up to today?
>>Ask after the others?
>Talk about Elan's payment?

Looks like Asking Tear is a clear winner with a little bit of everything else thrown in. Writing.

So how'd your experiments go? Explode any pressure vessels?

>Racketeer Quest
>Just when going to play Crash Bandicoot 2 at bro's
Curse you!

>>34270409
"What've you been up to today, Tear?"

She looks up from her meal. She actually looks like she's enjoying it. "Hmm?"

"You've been gone all day!" She looks away.

"Ah, well. Mr. Terme was not... pleased to discover that you know about his test. His wrath took some time to abate. He has assigned me some additional tasks, in order to compensate for my failure." She doesn't seem to want to say more.

"Oh." You're not really sure what to say to that. You're curious as to what the other tasks are, and maybe if you could help since it's kind of your fault. But you're not sure she's in the mood to discuss it right now.

You change topics instead. "How about the others? I haven't seen Charme or Euria since they left."

"I did note Charme lurking around her usual spot in the pub, and Euria was interacting with some very questionable-looking men a little after noon. They didn't seem pleased." She makes a dismissive noise.

[1/2]

>>34270780
You turn away from Tear and let her resume her meal. Elan seems to be struggling as you are. "So, Elan. Uhm, what made you want to be an Adventurer?"

He laughs heartily. "What else would a man like me do? Not like I'm good for much other than punching things. And a man needs to make money somehow. I figure risking my life to help others seems like a pretty reasonable way to go."

You frown. "I don't think that's fair! You must be good at something other than punching. There must be something you'd like to do!"

He scratches the back of his head, embarrassed. "Haha, well actually I'm in training to become a priest. I've got some ways to go though before they'll accept me."
He takes a final bite of the gloupy mess on his plate then pushes it away, indicating that he's finished. "Right, well I suppose we should talk about paying you, right?"

Elan shakes his head, "I don't know what you're paying me for though. You already paid the Guild fee and that's more than enough for me to live a few days on already!"

>?

>>34270816
Old Furniture. Tell him he seems like the kind of person who knows where it's needed.

Priest? An insider in the Church...
Recette's thoughts.

>>34270816
Hmmm, well >>34270833 doesn't sound too bad, alternatively we could just offer him a store discount since we'll want him to have decent equipment

>>34270833
Or he can keep them for himself, obviously.

>>34270816
>>34270833
>>34270849

I'd like to still give him a little extra cash on top of any Old Furniture or store discounts.

>>34270873
>>34270849
Let's not be TOO generous. I mean, do we even have decent equipment to sell to him?

>>34270890

I mean a little pocket money. 5000 pix? It's an incredibly minor sum ($50) and it can buy some goodwill.

>>34270890
Elan's a fistfighter. The only equipment he needs is his fists and unless Arma can be convinced to sell hers...

>>34270931
Fistfighters still have weapons, you know? Gauntlets, knuckles and spikes for punch-only types, padded/plated gloves for grapplers/throwers, arm/elbow spikes, etc.

In-game, they also have their own equipment series, so...

>>34270924
I've forgotten the scale of prices for adventurers already, but that seems like quite a lot. We have to make him promise to do something if we do that, like "You HAVE to become a Priest!" or monopolize him.

>>34270958
I just looked it up.

>First off you've got the upfront fee to register. I think that's about fifty grand these days, not sure. The price changes. From there, using the Guild's services will cost you about a grand each time. That's where our pay comes from, that's all we get

So they get a grand. I'd be fine with boosting that by 50%.

500 pix? Considering that we have 2 million pix, I think that's reasonable. It would be a big boost to Elan as well.

>>34270979
No, don't overcut them just yet. That hurts the economy in the long run. Better if we do that AFTER they prove themselves.

500 pix now, for food and stuff I guess.

>>34271020
I meant for Elan specifically in this instance. He did a pretty good job and dealt with the unexpected visitor well.

I think 500 pix bonus is appropriate.

So... is there something resembling a consensus?
It looks like you want to give him furniture and a discount?

>>34270924
>It's an incredibly minor sum ($50)
It's worth noting that the Pensee economy is FUBAR if you try to run conversions like that. A single piece of candy is $3, a bowl of beef is $23 and a lovingly crafted knight's sword is $80.

>>34270726
>So how'd your experiments go?
The receiver water has turned blue. We have no idea why. Everything stopped working.

>>34271135
I want to give him a 500 pix bonus myself, but I don't know if I have support from other players.

Failing that, i'm fine with it.

>>34271052
500 pix is abou 5$, dude.

>>34270816
>Well, I think you're the kind of person one can rely on. I have some pieces of furnitures in the back, do you want some? I'm sure you can find them an use.

Not only this guy is good at his job, but that'll increase our PR to help the needy.

>>34271135
He still have the discount from last time.

I say we let him chose the furniture he want and give him 1000 pix

>>34271171

But 500 pix is 50% of his salary from Adventurer's Guild somehow

>>34271135
Kaluen, Your nametape arrived.

I'd say give him equipment rather than cash. More personal

>>34271135
yeah, go for it.

Cash can wait for next time.

>>34271052
Hmm, a bonus whenever a boss is involved. I can work with that. Still this can wait.

>>34270816
"I'd still like to give you a little extra! We've got some old furniture around here that we're not using. I think you look seem someone who knows where it's needed more than here."

He pauses. "Well, if you're donating something I'm more than willing to get it where it needs to go, but only if you're sur-"

"Absolutely!" You confirm before he's even finished checking.

"And since you're such a nice person, I think I'll make that discount from before permanent!"

He blinks twice, "Recette... I don't know what to say."

"Don't say anything, just buy things!" You tell him this with a grin.

He grins back. "Yeah! I can manage that! Haha!"

Tear finishes up her food and takes your plates back into the kitchen. Elan thanks you for your kindness and hospitality, arranges for a time to pick up the furniture from you (just after midday tomorrow), then takes his leave. The meal and conversation seems to have lasted longer than you realized as the sun is setting outside.
And neither Charme nor Euria are back yet.

>Go looking for one of them?
>Talk to Tear privately?
>Get an early night?
>Other?

>>34271273
>>Go looking for one of them?

Euria, she's defenseless and was talking with shady men

>>34271273
>Talk to Tear privately?
Tell her about those suits. Ask if she's going to call some people to gank them for information when they get here.

>>34271288
I bet whoever's competing with Terme is also buying out Euria's previous sources.

>>34271273
>Go looking for one of them?
Yeah, let's see what Euria's doing.

>>34271273
>>Other: Show Tear the Cat statue and ask her if she can figure how much it's worth
While she does this:

>Go looking for Euria

Take our best shiv.

Speaking of money:

Kaleun, did you have the time to decide the loot we got from the dungeon? And the clothes we bought from Percival?

>>34271273
>>34271314

I forgot:

>Tell Tear to look after the elf girl.
>Ask her where she saw Euria

We should put Tielle on our sofa with a blanket and let her sleep.

>>34271294
>>34271314
That seems backwards. We know where one of them is, so we go there and get that one to look for the other. Do you guys even know how to manage minions?

>>34271215
>Kaluen, Your nametape arrived.
Sweet.

Looks like we're seeking Euria. Grabbing some late lunch, then writing.

>>34271413
We know were Charme is. She's drinking in a bar with acquaintances, and she's a skilled combatant, even when drunk.

We don't know where Euria is. She was last seen with angry-looking thugs, and her combat feats include being overpowered by a loli armed with food.

It's pressing to know if Euria is ok, and we don't have the time to talk to Charme about it, especially when she may not be sober enough to help us.

>>34271479
Eh, if you don't trust drunk Charme I guess that's fair. But in that case I must insist that we find Charme afterwards and be the littlest tease that ever teased.

>>34271273
You take a moment to show Tear the little statue you bought from the suits. "Hey Tear, what do you think of this? Is it worth anything?" Her eyes widen a little when she lays eyes on the well-dressed cat.

"Indeed. Where did you get this?"

You shrug, "it was in the dungeon today."

She studies the thing carefully. "These are real emeralds for the eyes. And this craftsmanship... I'd say it's at least a hundred thousand Pix. Perhaps more if we can locate a collector.

"Really? That's great!"
You don't really have time to say much more though, with your mind focused on the fact that Euria might be in trouble if she's still not back this late. "Look after the little elf upstairs. I'm going to go look for Euria." You catch yourself before flying out the door. "Where did you see Euria?"

"...Behind the baker's store, if I recall correctly. The one on Three Pines Street."

"Okay. I'm heading out!"

"Safe trip," she calls after you.

You find the place quickly enough. Though there's almost no-one about this time in the evening, the few folk left are scurrying home. Apart from one very rough-looking man standing outside a back door into a warehouse just off the main street.

You carefully search the area Tear suggested to you. There's nothing here that would tell you anythi- wait, what's that?

You look closer, at the scuffs in the dirt on the cobblestones. As though several people were crowding heavily around this one spot. And a trace of blood.

>?

>>34271655
Don't panic. I don't care what you guys do, but stop overreacting over Euria.

>>34271655
Well if we can follow the blood trail, let's go with that.

Otherwise I think we have some questions for the scruffy fellow over there.

>>34271655
Hmmm, well are there any signs where those involved int eh scuffle went after? Let's look closer at the immediate area

>>34271655
>Apart from one very rough-looking man standing outside a back door into a warehouse just off the main street.
well, we know who to ask...

>>34271655
ask the bouncer if he saw anything, if he didn't try to follow the trails

>>34271655
Other than these few little droplets of dried blood in the middle of the scuffle, there's no traces anywhere in the area. No matter how hard you look, there's absolutely no sign of what happened after. Giving up on that idea, you decide to try approaching the man by the door. He makes no move to greet you, or even acknowledge your presence, as you approach.

"Uh... hi."

Upon making yourself heard, the man steps away from the wall, unfolding his arms and looking down at you. His arms are as thick as your waist! And judging by the gorilla-like look in his eye as he stares at you, there's probably not much going on upstairs. Other than maybe thoughts about eating you.

>?

>>34271968
>Didja see what happened over thereabouts? I'm looking for a friend.
We can take him!

>>34271968
Ah...

You didn't happen to see what happened to a cute girl with purplish hair back there did you?

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>>34271968
"Ah... hello. Did you see what happened over there earlier? Have you seen a girl with light purple hair around?"

He grunts. Was that a yes or a no? You really can't tell. You linger, uncertain, hoping that he might clarify. He doesn't.

"Do you maybe know someone who might have? Someone who could help me?"

He doesn't answer at all this time. After a long few seconds pass, you decide he's not going to be helpful and are about to leave when he reaches out and hammers on the door.
More seconds pass, then the door unbolts and a smaller-but-still-huge man steps out into the fading evening light.

He looks at the big man, who nods towards you. He looks down at you like something he found on his shoe. "What d'you want, pipsqueak?"

>Introduce yourself and ask after Euria?
>Keep it vague, ask after a girl you know?
>Other?

>>34272100
>Keep it vague, ask after a girl you know?

>>34272100
>Keep it vague, ask after a girl you know?
We can be specific if this doesn't get us anywhere.
Mention a friend spotter her over there though.

>>34272100
>Keep it vague, ask about the scuffle that happened earlier. Anybody get hurt?

This might be normal for Euria. As long as people don't get hurt doing whatever she does, we can ask her about it later....maybe.

>>34272100
seconding >>34272127

>>34272100

>"Sorry to bother you, sir, but I'm looking for an "associate" of mine that need to, let's say, pay what she own. Girl this tall, purplish hair. Have you seen her? It would help me a lot if you told me..."
>Take an handful of pix and show him
>"... And I'm sure it'll help you, too"

Money bring the best out of people

>>34272150
Sure, this sounds like a good idea.

>>34272150
No need to bring out the money straight away. See if he'll say anything first then if he's reluctant we can start bribing.

>>34272144
Sorry I deleted it to link it to the right post.

Anyone esle has trouble connecting to 4chan?

>>34273221
nope. but this anons heading to bed now, thanks for the thread so far Kaleun

>>34272100
"I'm sorry to bother you, sir, but I'm looking for a friend. She's about... this tall," you indicate a little above yourself, "and she's got really noticeable purple hair."

The man crosses his arms, a smug smirk on his lips. "Euria, huh? Hah. She owes you too, eh? I seen her, alright. Seen to her, too. She won't be forgettin' what she owes any time soon, I'll tell ya. Not if she values her life anyway, am I right? Hahaha!"

This guy did something to Euria!? Wait, wait, calm down Recette. You try to stop yourself from showing your panic outwardly while thinking over what he just said. He's talking like she's still alive, so she's probably fine.

"But I ain't seen her since then. Can't help ya with findin' the wretch. Might wanna try the back alleys. Maybe she'll whore herself out to get that cash! Hahahahah."
The man is apparently lost in the humor of his own joke as he carries on laughing all the way back inside. The bigger man slams the door shut behind him, then stares you down in the now-silent street.

>Try looking for her in the back alleys?
>Try looking somewhere else?
>Go ask Charme to help?
>Go home? She's a big girl, after all.
>Other?

>>34273326
>Go ask Charme to help?
She'd probably know where to look best.

>>34273326
>Try looking for her in the back alleys?
What could go wrong?

>>34273326
>Go home? She's a big girl, after all.

>>34273326
>>Go ask Charme to help?
if anything we need a wingman to shiv thugs in back alleys while we search

>>34273326
>Go ask Charme to help?
Let's see here...

>>34273326
>Try looking for her in the back alleys

If we find nothing in one hour

>Go ask Charme to help

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>>34273326
You basically have nothing to go on here. Thinking about it, Charme might have a better idea of where to look. With that in mind, you decide to find Charme and ask her to help you in the search. And where better to look for her than at the pub?

You waste no time and rush straight there. The place is moderately packed with patrons at this time in the evening, not quite late enough for the boozers and too late for the casual goers meaning only the hard-core patrons are making themselves at home at the tables and bar. In her usual back corner you spot Charme sharing a table with another person: Euria. The two girls are talking together in low tones. Charme seems amused. Euria drapes over the table, looking worn and miserable. One of her eyes is swollen, blackened, and there's a long, thin gash along her cheek.

>Try to eavesdrop? It might be something interesting.
>Go straight over and greet them both, ask Euria if she's alright?
>Head home now that you know they're both safe?

>>34273701
>Try to eavesdrop? It might be something interesting.
Sure, they might chat about stuff they wouldn't tell us directly.

>>34273701
>Go straight over and greet them both, ask Euria if she's alright?

>>34273701
>>Go straight over and greet them both, ask Euria if she's alright?

>>34273701
>Go straight over and greet them both, ask Euria if she's alright?
Figures.

>>34273701
>>Try to eavesdrop? It might be something interesting.

I'm pretty sure whatever happened is the kind of things Euria wouldn't talk about with Recette

>>34273701
>Try to eavesdrop? It might be something interesting.

>>34273701

>Try to eavesdrop? It might be something interesting.

Apologies for dropping like that. Got pulled into family things. Back now.

Oh, and I am in need of some d10s!

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>34275209

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>34275209

>>34275216
>>34275222
Well these look pretty good!

Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>34275216
>>34275222
Things got a little slow huh? I'll roll again since we always want three, right?

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Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>34275209

I mean, what could possibly go wrong?

Right?

>>34275222
>>34275430
Well ain't that something.

>>34273701
Using the crowd as cover, you slip around the outside of the bar and approach the two chatting girls from the opposite side to the door. They don't notice you at all as you sit down at the table behind them with a support beam between you and them. Leaning back against it, you can just about make out their voices now.

"-her know." Charme sounds dismissive.

"Please. She doesn't wanna know stuff like this, and even if she did she'd just beat me again for being useless."

You can see Charme's shoulder shrug. "I think she's more accepting than you're giving her credit for."

"She threatened to bake me into a pie." The response is flat.

"Because you were trying to scam her."

"Muuuuuuh," Euria slumps onto the table again. "It's over. I should just say goodbye to my kidneys right now."

"Aaw, don't be like that. Where's the usual ever-optimistic Euria gone?"

>Keep listening?
>Drop into the conversation?

>>34275522
>Drop into the conversation?
Really? Your kidneys is the best you can think of?

>>34275522
>Drop into the conversation?

Turn the chair around very casually and prop up our head while resting our elbow on their table.

"If you really feel that way Euria, I know a guy who pays real well for kidneys! Even shanked ones!"

>>34275655
God, have you ever been outside of your office Mr Evil Genius?

>>34275522
>Drop into the conversation?
Yeah, let's.

>>34275522
>Drop into the conversation?
"not just kidneys, there's just so many useless things inside you could sell"

>>34275522
>Drop into the conversation
>Hug Euria and apologise for making her feel that way

>>34275635
>>34275655
>>34275957

You guys really want to see her cry?

>>34276016

I was intending >>34275655

More as a shocking reveal that we were listening the entire time. But yeah, let's not be serious about her selling her kidneys.

>>34276016
just a little to make our hug more satisfying
no seriously, just one or two line like that and drop the act

>>34276028
>>34276053

This girl has been hurt badly and threatened three time during the last 7 days, one time by us. Let's be nice from the start, guys.

>>34276091
She's not here to be hugged. She's here to make us money. She needs kidneys to do that, so she's forbidden from selling those or any other part of her body. It's that simple.

>>34276091

She needs hugs, but also needs to be kept on her toes. Charme seems to think her problem is not such a big deal either, so we'll follow suit.

>>34276182
>>34276230

Her problem can probably be fixed with money. However, the emotional damages that her problems cause can only be cured by hugs and caring.

Plus, it would make Charme jealous.

>>34276632
Wait, was our goal to be more of a hugslut, or less?

Alright guys, I think... we need to talk.

I've been trying to write this update for an hour now, and I just can't seem to put words down. And then I realized Racketeer is just no longer fun for me to write.

I-it's not you! It's me. I do want to carry on, but this fact combined with my current pacing, workload, etc... I think it would unfair of me to carry on writing right now.

I suspect I need to call a prolonged hiatus on this quest, for at least as long as it takes me to get my head back into a place where I can make this fun.

>>34276870
If you're sure, I suppose. Hope you get more inspiration.

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>>34276870
Take as much time as you want, dude.

>>34276870
B-but...we barely even saw Tielle...

>>34276870

It's okay, Kaleun. We'll be here when you feel better. Just take it easy!

>>34276870
it's ok pal, take a break, i know you'll come back stronger

>>34276870
I'm glad that you came to this realisation sooner rather than later. It would be heart-breaking to see this Qest slowly turn into a piece of shit because the OP ran out of inspiration and was running it out of a sense of obligation rather than because it was fun.

Now, what the hell do we right for the Archive description?

>>34277027

A delightful session of eavesdropping got us caught in a infinitesimal groundhog day style loop

>>34277268

Or, if you don't like that, how about something as simple as

Short update due to author deciding on hiatus

>>34276870
That's okay, Kaleun.

Thank you for your work.

>>34276870
Do what you gotta do Kaleun. We will be here we you get back.

This thread is archived.

>>34276870
You're lucky you don't have more volatile players.

>>34277639
I know. It's unreal how supportive and understanding my players are, no matter what I'm throwing out.

>>34279252
Process of elimination, obviously. Anybody except the most tolerant already left.

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>>34276870
I understand.
I shall wait.
Like I do Harvest Moon Quest.
And Totemist Quest.
And Blacksmith Quest.
And Vampire Doll Quest.
And Gear Effect.
I continue to wait.
Until such time they go on, or my filter list is irrecoverably gone, which is improbable seeing as I've a backup in stupid many places.
So, I wait.

>>34279252
You're a great guy, Kaleun