>You had no idea Melissa was going to be coming, and you’re not sure she’ll be happy to see you again. You didn’t leave on the best of terms.

>That is to say, you didn’t leave on any terms, you just kind of left. You’ll just have to hope that she doesn’t blow your cover out of spite…

You let out a long sigh. You’ll have to deal with your dear sister when the time comes. You really have no way to plan anything until you know how she will react. Melissa always did pride herself on being unpredictable…

“Something wrong? You got all quiet.” Selene says, still very much giddy.

You didn’t think she’d notice that, maybe she’s more perceptive than you give her credit for.

>[ ] tell her that Melissa is your sister

>[ ] Tell her that you know Melissa

>[ ] “It’s nothing”

>>38754221
"its nothing to worry about"
rather than
>[ ] “It’s nothing”

>>38754221
Aww yiss.

>[ ] Tell her that you know Melissa
Nothing specific, tell her that we used to work for/with her or something.

>>38754221
>[ ] Tell her that you know Melissa

>>38754221
>[ ] Tell her that you know Melissa

>>38754221
>tell her you know Melissa

>writing

“Sorry, just lost in thought.” You say.
Selene skips ahead of you and turns to block your path. “Whatcha thinkin’ bout?” She asks.

You seem to have piqued her curiosity. While you could always do something to distract her, you get the feeling that that technique will only work for so long.

“Lady Melissa is an old acquaintance of mine.” You say.
“Are you as excited to see her?” She asks.
You scratch your head and chuckle nervously. “A little, though I don’t think she’ll be all that happy to see me” You say.
“Why not?” Selene asks.
“Well… we didn’t leave on the best of terms.” You say. Really, you just up and snuck out in the middle of the night. Though you were nice enough to leave her with both hers and Klaus’s share of your loot, which she seems to have put to good use.

Selene crosses her arms and puffs out her chest, looking every bit like what you’d imagine a lecturing parent would look like. “Then you hafta ‘pologize.” She says.
You raise an eyebrow at her. “You assume that I’m the one in the wrong here”
Selene puffs out her cheeks and pouts. “Doesn’t matter. Mommy says that when you hurt someone, you hafta ‘pologize.”

>[ ] I make no promises

>[ ] Fine, I will.

>[ ] Other

>>38754908
>[ ] Fine, I will.

>>38754908
>[ ] I make no promises

>>38754908
>[ ] Fine, I will.

>>38754908
>[ ] Fine, I will.

>writing

You continue to stare the little girl down as she pouts. This could go on for a while. Probably easier just to relent and be done with it.
You sigh in defeat and put a hand on her head. “Fine, I will.” You say, ruffling her hair up.

Selene stops pouting immediately and goes right back to being super happy again. “Good!” She says, whipping around and skipping happily off in the direction of the kitchens.

You chuckle at her sudden change in attitude. That girl is either very good at pretending to be mad, or she has some serious mood swings.

>[1/2]

Selene skips a lot faster than she walks, and you find yourself having to pick up the pace quite a bit in order to keep up with her. You make sure that you stay close and keep her out of the way of anyone who comes by. You’re pretty sure that most nobles aren’t like Sir Roderick, but you’d very much not like to find out the hard way.

Come to think of it, the palace seems to be getting more and more crowded. But that’s to be expected, considering the party is in 2 days.

The passing nobles and other servants all either pay you and Selene no mind, or smile at her as she skips by without a care in the world.

It isn’t too long before you reach the kitchens, though Selene is thoroughly out of breath when you do. As you approach the door, you’re met by Eleanor.

“Oh, hey you two. What brings you guys here?” She asks.

Selene takes a second to catch her breath before exclaiming “Lunch!”

Eleanor smiles and turns to you.

>[ ] Say hello

>[ ] Lunch

>[ ] Other

>>38755623
>[ ] Say hello

>>38755623
>[ ] Other
Flirt, the devil likes to tease.

>>38755674
Backing, seems better than any other option.

>>38755623
>Say hello
She said she would get us back. I would bet this is the time she will, so lets not giver her any more reason to be spiteful.

>>38755674
Oh god no

>>38755674
This

>>38755692
3-1
What now anon?

>writing

>>38755809
We seduce a 40+ year old woman, that's what

>>38755867
It's not the mother, it's the sister.

>>38755867
Eleanor is the maid. You're thinking of Debra.

Though I'd be cool w ith that too

>>38755896
>>38755909
Oh, that's better than I thought then

File: 1419468453951.jpg (28 KB, 300x291)

28 KB JPG

>>38755867
>>38755896
>>38755909
Why not both?

File: NotFunny#47.jpg (6 KB, 200x200)

6 KB JPG

>>38755937

“Don’t look at me, I’m just being dragged. Though getting to see your lovely visage again certainly brightens my day.” You say, bowing lightly for emphasis.

“Oh is that what you’re here for?” Eleanor reels back, putting her hands on her cheeks . “Oh my, the kitchens are no place for such ill-advised activities. Plus my mom is in there, and I wouldn't want her watching us.” She looks at you with an absolutely wicked grin. “Unless you’re into that.”

You’re not used to being caught off guard, but you’ll admit that she got you there. You’re lucky that your brown skin makes it difficult to see how hard you’re blushing right now.

“I don’t get it, what is Giles into?” Selene asks.

Eleanor bends down and pats her head. “We’ll tell you when you’re older.” She says, and then she looks back up at you. “Lunch, right? You guys go take a seat, I’ll let my mom know we’re got 2 more.” She says.

>[1/2]

>>38756264
I'm already in love with this peasant

You watch in awe as Eleanor hops back into the kitchen. Yeah, you’ll definitely have to watch yourself around her.

“But why can’t I know now?” Selene asks as you usher her into the dining room.

“Because that sort of talk was not meant for the ears of children.” You say. Hell, you know some adults who’d’ve gone weak in the knees at that little display.

Selene continues to grill you about why you won’t tell her about what Eleanor was talking about, until Eleanor comes in to join you.

“Eleanor, why don’t I get to know what you were talking about?” Selene asks, pouting as hard as she can.

Eleanor puts a hand on her cheek. “Because your mother would never forgive me if I added those kinds of words to your already salty vocabulary, sweetie.” She says, laughing as Selene crosses her arms and harumphs.

>Talk to Eleanor about-

>[ ] Cedric

>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival

>[ ] Other

>>38756462
>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival

>>38756462

>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival

>>38756462
>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival
This takes priority, right now.

>>38756462
>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival
>[ ] Other
Your family is a bunch of interesting people especially you, I like it.

>writing

>>38756462
>>[ ] Laura/Melissa’s arrival
>>[ ] Other
So, I met The Fate's Chosen One, and I'm wondering how even Fate screwed up that badly.

“So” You lounge back, putting your elbow on the table and resting your cheek on your fist “are you as excited as Selene is for tomorrow?” You ask.
Eleanor looks to Selene in mock excitement. “What’s happening tomorrow?”
“Laura is coming back!” Selene says, throwing her hands up in the air.
“Did you miss your big sister while she was away slaying dragons?” Eleanor asks.
“Uh-huh. And guess what!” Selene says.
“What?” Eleanor says
“Laura is coming back on one of Lady Melissa’s ships! And Lady Melissa is one of Giles’s friends!” Selene says.
“Is that so?” Eleanor says, turning back to you with that same grin from earlier. “He sure does seem to get around, doesn’t he?”

“I suppose I am pretty well traveled.” You say with a sly smile.

Eleanor giggles. “That is pretty cool though. How’d you meet someone like her?” Eleanor asks.

>[ ] I used to work for her.

>[ ] We grew up in the same orphanage.

>[ ] Other

>>38756966
>[ ] We grew up in the same orphanage.

>>38756966
>[ ] We grew up in the same orphanage.

>>38756966
>>[ ] We grew up in the same orphanage.

>>38756966
>[ ] We grew up in the same orphanage.

>writing

“We grew up in the same orphanage. You could say that we were friends.” You say, throwing yourself back into your chair and sighing. “Though I’m not sure she’ll be so happy to see me. Our parting was… less than friendly.” You say.

“But Giles is gonna ‘pologize to her and it’ll be all better!” Selene says, proud of the fact that you caved and said you would do that.

“Well that’s good to hear. Still though, to count yourself as one of that woman’s friends is a feat all on its own. From what I’ve heard she’s an amazing person, coming from nothing to build one of the biggest merchant and trading companies on the Degran sea, all before her 20th birthday. I’d love to meet her in person.” Eleanor says, somewhat starstruck.

Well, the ‘came from nothing’ part is less than true. She had plenty of start-up gold. “Yeah, she was always a determined sort.” You say. Incorrigible or stubborn were the words you wanted to use, but determined works fine.

“Though the rumors paint her in a bit of a… different light.” Eleanor says

Ah yes, the rumors. Baffled by how a pretty young lady could rise through the ranks so fast, competitors and commonfolk alike were all too happy to pant her as the promiscuous sort. Most of the stories you hear of her are about the myriad of men that she’s lain with to get to where she is today.

“There isn’t a lick of truth in those rumors. She always had eyes for one man and one man only. If they didn’t get together before she left, chances are she’s still as pure as the day she was born.” You say

And now Eleanor is looking at you in shock.

“Eleanor, what does he mean by get together?” Selene asks Eleanor.

Oh fuck, that was not supposed to come out of your mouth…

>[ ] Damage control

>[ ] Play it off, you totally meant to say that.

>>38757518
>[ ] Damage control
DON'T TRAUMATIZE THE CHILD.

>>38757518
>[ ] Damage control

>>38757518
>[ ] Damage control

>>38757518
>>[ ] Damage control

>writing

>>38757518
>damage control
RED ALERT RED ALERT RED ALERT
EXECUTE PLAN B, TELL HER YOU MEANT SOMETHING MAGICAL

>>38757518
"...I mean they wanted to get together for some sausages and tuna sandwiches, so they could have a delicious breakfast..."

“Yes Giles, what DID you mean by ‘get together’.” Eleanor asks you innocently.

You let out a long, heavy sigh. “That… that was not supposed to come out of my mouth.” You say.

Selene tilts her head to one side and continues to look up at you with her big, curious eyes. And Eleanor is… oh gods the way she’s smiling, she’s fucking enjoying this.

“W-what I meant was… uhh…” Shit, you are absolutely trash at this. Cheating and lying and stealing is one thing, this is a whole other level. If you’d known you were going to end up having to explain the birds and the bees to a child, you might’ve prepared something beforehand.

“Lunch!” Selene shouts, eyeing Debra hungrily as she enters the room with 3 plates. Any trace of her previous curiosity having completely vanished.

You utter a silent thank you to whatever power saw fit to save you from that, and quickly change the subject to-

>[ ] Food and the eating thereof

>[ ] Your plans with Cedric later

>[ ] Other

>>38758018
>[ ] Food and the eating thereof

>>38758018
>[ ] Other
Well, basically, HE is the reason why we had that argument, and why I left on poor terms with her.

>>38758054
This

>>38758018
>[ ] Other
What do I expect for the party, see if we will have open window to slip out or something.
>>38758109
I would of thought we were "HE"

>writing

>>38758194
>Giles is not 'he'.

“You guys sound like you’re having fun.” Debra says, laying down a plate with a sandwich on it in front of each of you in turn.
“You have no idea.” Eleanor says, looking extremely content.
“Thanks for the food, and the save.” You say.
“The save?” Debra looks confused, but Eleanor waves her off.
“You probably don’t want to know.” Eleanor says.

Debra looks between you and Eleanor, then down at Selene, who is already halfway through her sandwich. “I’ll take your word for it” She says with a smile, before planting a kiss on her daughter’s head and making her way back out into the hall.

You and Eleanor both start working on your own food once she’s gone, and you get most of the way through before you remember something you wanted to ask Eleanor.

“So what will I be expected to do during this party?” You ask.

“Hmm…” Eleanor puts her sandwich down and wipes her face off with a napkin. “Chances are you’ll either be on standby for cleanup duty, or they’ll have you keep doing what you’re doing now.” She says, nodding towards Selene. “Although if you really are a friend of Lady Disiera, you could try to get her to bring you in as a guest. If I recall correctly, she isn’t bringing anyone with her.”

Any one of those works for you. Cleanup duty will make things as easy as they can be, as your original plan was to stick around until everyone had gone to sleep before sneaking up to claim your prize.

>[1/2]

The three of you finish eating (well, two of you. Selene was finished well before both you and Eleanor and has been sitting and watching you impatiently ever since) and stand up from the table.

“So, where are you two off to now? Back to work?” Eleanor asks.
“Nah, I finished off my last room before I came here.” You say.
Eleanor looks visibly surprised. “How’d you manage that?” She asks, giving Selene a very pointed glance.
“Hard riddles and cool stories, right Selene?” You say.
“Did you know I was named after an awesome princess like my sister?” Selene says.
“Ah, the story of Selena. That used to be one of my own favourites as well. But if you’re done working already, I’ll let you guys go. I’ve got my own business to attend to.” Eleanor says.

>[ ] Offer to give her a hand

>[ ] Ask Selene if there’s anything she wants to do

>[ ] Other

>>38758672
>[ ] Ask Selene if there’s anything she wants to do
How about I teach you that magic trick I showed you this morning?

>>38758672
>[ ] Ask Selene if there’s anything she wants to do
Suggest secret places/hidden passages somehow?

>>38758672
>>[ ] Ask Selene if there’s anything she wants to do
Train her how to be sneaky, but see what she has learn already like hidden spots etc etc.

>>38758672
>[ ] Ask Selene if there’s anything she wants to do
>try to scope out a better escape route while we play.

We have only two days till showtime.

>writing

“I guess we’ll see you later then.” You say, then you remember. “Oh yeah, Cedric wanted to hang out later. He said to meet up in the common room down in the basement.”

“Depends on how long this takes, but I should be able to make it down. I know when Cedric gets off, so give me about half an hour after that. If I don’t make it down by then, feel free to do whatever.” She says, and then she turns to leave. “Either way, I’ll see you later.”

“Bye bye!” Selene says.

Once Eleanor is gone, you make your way to the door yourself. “Well, we should go too. Can’t hang out in the dining room all day, now can we?” You say.

Selene nods and scurries after you. It’s only when the two of you are back out in the hallway that you realize you have no idea what to do. “So, is there anything you wanted to-“

“Sneaking” Selene says resolutely.

“You want me to keep teaching you?” You ask.

She nods with child-like determination. Who could say no to that face?

>[ ] Give her lessons

>[ ] Challenge her to sneak up on you

>[ ] Play hide and seek

>>38759042
>give her lessons
>challenge her to sneak up on you

>>38759042
>[ ] Give her lessons
>[ ] Challenge her to sneak up on you

>>38759042
>[ ] Play hide and seek
We're going to cheat when she doesn't see us follow her and tell her to hide in her most secretive spot.

Sorry to interrupt. Not actually a part of this or anything. Just wanted to say that "On a Devil's Whim" is a fucking great name and i'm half drunk enough to feel like it's worth saying.

Carry on

>writing

>>38759170
>Why thank you

>>38759170
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks so.

Okay, well she already knows about being quiet. Next up would probably be awareness.

You tell her to follow you as quietly as she can. All the while telling her about how she should be using all of her senses not only to keep track of the person she’s sneaking up on, but to ensure that she is not snuck up on herself. Throughout the explanation you keep your ears open, moving down hallways picked seemingly at random.

But it isn’t random. You’re listening. If you hear voices coming from one way, you go the other. You also make a point to avoid what you believe are the ‘high traffic areas’ of the palace. You finish your little routine on the third floor. Though not as large as the first or second, it has enough space for your purposes without being big enough to lose a little girl in.

“Now, tell me how many people crossed our paths just now.” You say.

Selene’s brow furrows in thought. It reminds you of earlier when she was working on the riddle. Eventually she looks up. “Umm… none?” She says.

“Precisely. Using all of the tricks that I just told you about, we completely avoided every single person who could’ve crossed our path.” You say.

Selene’s face lights up as she realizes what you mean. “Cooooool”

“Now then, you and I are going to play a game of cat and mouse. Well, cat and cat, technically. I want you to try and get the jump on me, but if I or someone else catches you, you lose. No hiding anywhere you’re not allowed to be, and no leaving this floor. Got it?” You say.

Selene nods, it looks like she’s really into this. Good.

>roll 1d20
>taking first 3

Rolled 20 (1d20)

>>38759479

Rolled 17 (1d20)

>>38759479

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>38759479

>>38759515
>>38759522
>>38759551
The little girl just got rekt

File: 1418231709386.gif (1.12 MB, 330x248)

1.12 MB GIF

>>38759515
>>38759522
>>38759551

>writing

>>38759565
Maybe we can use it as a "Catch her and correct a bunch of mistakes" instead of just "Catch her"

>>38759565
>tfw we get these rolls now when they are not important but 1s when stealing crown

>>38759585
Hopefully that'll be what happens.

>>38759596
Yeah, I can see that happening easily.

>>38759585
Or we can use it to do some snooping real quick.

You and Selene move off in opposite directions, being careful not to be seen by any passerbys.

Selene may be an amateur at this, but you’re not. You’ve been doing this since you were younger than she is now, and even then you were better than Klaus. He was okay with that though, you both had your strengths. His was people, yours was sneaking.

You take a minute to scope out some of the empty rooms as possible escape routes. Like this morning some show promise, but you’re still not satisfied. This is possibly the last heist of The Gambler! It needs more style than this, more flair, more… risk.

Bored of your snooping, you decide that it’s time to go and grab Selene. Cedric should be getting off soon, and you don’t want to keep him waiting too long.

It takes you a grand total of five minutes to locate the mischievous little girl, and you decide to follow her around just out of sight to observe for a bit. She’s doing a lot of things right, no one else has spotted her yet, you can barely hear her footsteps. It’s quite impressive for a beginner.

She makes sure to check everywhere but behind her, which is not a good thing. It takes very little effort for you to get up close behind her and-

>[ ] Tickle attack

>[ ] Lift her up onto your shoulders

>[ ] Scare her

>[ ] Other

>>38759733
>>[ ] Lift her up onto your shoulders

>>38759733
>>[ ] Tickle attack

>>38759733
>[ ] Tickle attack

>>38759733
>[ ] Lift her up onto your shoulders

>>38759733
>[ ] Lift her up onto your shoulders

>>38759733
>>[ ] Tickle attack
>>[ ] Lift her up onto your shoulders
Why not both?

>>38759733
>[ ] Tickle attack

>writing

-with a flourish, hold both of your arms straight out at your sides. Then you wiggle your fingers to get warmed up, and with a wicked smile you get to work.

“w-w-WAH HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHA!!” Selene laughs and squirms under your relentless assault, and you laugh at her attempts to escape. When you think she’s had enough you lift her up and over your head, planting on her on your shoulders.

“Aaaaaaahhhhhh” She whines. “How did you find me?”

“Find you? I never lost you” You say, laughing maniacally as you make your way back to the central stairway. “Next time we do this, remember to watch your back as well as your front. You’re good at everything else, but never discount the possibility of someone else sneaking about.”

“Mmmmmmkayyyyyyy.” She says.

>Anything else you guys wanna do before you go meet Cedric?

>>38760029
>>Anything else you guys wanna do before you go meet Cedric?
Talk about how she did, then see if she want's to learn slight of hand.

>>38760029
Backing this >>38760065 I want a competent shoulder loli.

>writing

>>38760065
She's totally going to be our apprentice. We're stealin' the Crown AND the Crown Princess (one of them).

>>38760155
Hell, we could take both.
Steal one from her dismissive parents and the other from a possible arranged marriage with sir douchebag.

>>38760155
>>38760191
I'm glad others think the same. it makes me happy.

File: Sire.jpg (113 KB, 736x669)

113 KB JPG

>>38760238
You know it.

“Okay, on to lesson number two.” You say. You’ll need to hit the dining room again for this one, to get something small enough for this…

Oh, nevermind. Butler spotted, up the hall. Back turned, walking away from you. You see him stow a pencil in his pocket after making a note of something on a little notepad. You should get yourself one of those…

Maneuvering yourself into a good position is difficult thanks to the unusual weight on your shoulders, but it’s not impossible. As you pass the unwitting butler you ‘accidentally’ bump into him, while your fingers do what quick fingers do best. You apologize to the poor guy, claiming that Selene threw you off balance, and keep on your way.

Around a corner out of sight, you twirl the pencil around. Selene seems disappointed that you won’t tell her where you got it, but you aren’t about to teach her how to steal outright.

Yet.

You show her a few simple tricks, including the one you did earlier. As well as how to palm something, or subtly drop it down your sleeve, and a few other decent ways to make something disappear.

She listens intently the whole time, and you make good use of her bird’s-eye-view to make sure she gets the gist of it all. All the while you keep away from passersby and guards. It wouldn’t do to have someone see you teaching her this stuff.

After a while, you finally find yourself down outside the common room. Only after extracting a promise from Selene that she’ll tell no one about what you taught her today do you enter. And inside you see Cedric and Eleanor, chatting away happily.

>[ ] Greet them

>[ ] Let Selene greet them

>[ ] Walk over and sit down without saying anything.

>>38760385
>[ ] Greet them

>>38760385
>[ ] Greet them
But act like you don't even know selene is there.

>>38760445
Oh god this.

>have you guys seen Selene? We were playing hide and seek earlier and I can't find her anywhere

>writing

>probably gonna be the last post for tonight

>>38760385
>>[ ] Let Selene greet them

>>38760385
>>38760445
this so much this with
>>38760479
this

“Hey guys.” You say. You can really feel the odd looks that everyone is giving you. It’s probably not every day that the princess comes down here, much less on the shoulders of a servant.

“Oh hey-… Giles?” Cedric turns around, and is very much surprised. Eleanor is trying and failing to stifle her laughter.

“Oh hey, have you guys seen Selene around? We were playing hide and seek earlier and I haven’t seen her since.” You say. Eleanor, no longer able to contain her laughter, bursts out. Cedric sighs and puts a hand over his face.

Selene leans over your head, her long hair obstructing your vision. “I’m right here!” She says.

You gasp in mock surprise. “Oh there you are! Don’t scare me like that. I looked everywhere for you!” You say, trying your best to sound like a scolding parent. Selene joins Eleanor in her laughter. “You guys hungry, I’ve been chasing this one around for a few hours so I could definitely eat.” You say.

Cedric and Eleanor nod in agreement, and the four of you make your way out of the common room.

That's all for tonight. I hope you guys enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed running it.

As always I'll be sticking around for a bit in case anyone has questions.

Next thread will probably be on thursday or friday. If that changes I'll let you guys know on twitter

>>38760701
Thanks for running Smiley!

>>38760701
Thanks Smiley, it was fun!