You spend the rest of the trip lost in thought. Cassandra seems to be very good at giving the impression that she knows something you don’t. But does she?

The worst part is that you can never seem to glean just what she knows. It’s all overly either cryptic or vague. Just where the hell did Roderick find that woman?

At the very least you’d like to know how she disappears like that. You can do something similar, but nothing like that.

When you finally reach the door to Laura’s room, you take a moment to compose yourself. Then you give it a quick knock. “It’s Giles” You say.
“It’s open” Laura says.

Entering the room you see that everyone is pretty much right where you left them, except for Selene who is currently sitting with Melissa and thoroughly enjoying the head pats she is receiving.

You walk in and sit down where in the same place you did earlier. “I miss anything good?” You ask.
“Not really. What, are you afraid we were talking about you?” Melissa asks.
“Of course not. I knew you’d be talking about me, I just figured I’d ask if you guys actually spoke of anything else.” You ask.
Laura laughs. “Don’t worry, there wasn’t anything bad. Marcellus was just telling us a story about his duelling days” She says.

>[ ] Let Marcellus finish his story

>[ ] Ask them about Cassandra

>[ ] Other

>>38873400
>[ ] Ask them about Cassandra

>>38873400
>>[ ] Let Marcellus finish his story
No sense in interrupting the story, when we can still ask about Cassandra when he has finished.

>>38873400
>[ ] Let Marcellus finish his story
>[ ] Ask them about Cassandra
Ask after

Changing my vote from
>>38873532
to
>>38873727
because it's what I really meant.

>writing

Gotta say, I'm liking what we've seen of Laura, so far; getting to know her should be quite the experience. Inb4 we make off with both princesses, thanks to our immeasurable charm, on a new life of adventure, away from the chains of aristocracy; leaving Louis with the crown sounds great for everybody.

“Well, don’t stop on my accord.” You say, leaning back and listening to what’s left of Marcellus’s story.

Marcellus continues his story. He was in the finals of one of the many different swordsmanship competitions they hold here in Laust. He describes in detail a daring maneuver that he performed to put his opponent on the defensive, and then the way the he beat him with a relentless flurry of attakcs.

Sounds like Marcellus is quite the swordsman for his age. Though you don’t land a job as a guardian for being a slouch, you should expect nothing less.

As the tournament’s judges were unveiling the prize, they found that it was gone. “And in its place was this…” He says, pulling a piece of paper out of his pocket and handing it to Melissa.

“A riddle? So the Riddler stole your trophy?” She asks.
“Yes. And we didn’t manage to solve the stupid thing in time, so I never ended up getting it.”
Selene takes the piece of paper from Melissa and reads it for a second. “I know this one! It’s a key!”

>[1/2]

>>38874011
Pretty sure Louis is from a different kingdom entirely.

One of my crazier hypotheses is that something will happen to put Sir Roderick on the throne, and Giles will pull off the greatest heist in history: the entire remaining royal family, plus the crown and a few other essential symbols of the royal house.

>>38874043
>“I know this one! It’s a key!”
IT BEGINS

>>38874057
>Louis is the prince of Harth, a neighbor of Laust.
>He is the King of Laust's nephew, though. And he is technically in the line for succession.

>>38874057
He's Laura's cousin, and pretty much guaranteed the throne, if Laura doesn't marry.

>>38874043
>“I know this one! It’s a key!”

aaaaand here we go. PREPARE FOR FAST TALKING

>>38874043
>Selene takes the piece of paper from Melissa and reads it for a second. “I know this one! It’s a key!”
Who would have thought, we really should have interrupted his story.

>>38874123
We didn't interrupt it because we WOULDN'T have though. He could've been telling a hundred different stories, and it would've just been rude.

>>38874043
Am i the only one not so preocupated by this? We're in the gamblers too, we just happened to know the riddle.

“Well, yes. That’s right, but how did you get it so quickly?” Marcellus asks.
“Giles told me this one yesterday.” Selene says.
Melissa raises an eyebrow at you, but stays quiet.

“And where did Giles hear this riddle?” Marcellus asks.

Well, this could definitely be worse… Can’t tell him that it’s yours, even though it is…

>[ ] I was there.

>[ ] Heard it on my travels

>[ ] Other

>>38874186
>[ ] Heard it on my travels

>>38874186
>[ ] Heard it on my travels
One of my hobbies to pass the time

>>38874186
>[ ] Heard it on my travels

>>38874186
Kinda wanna go with travels, on this one.

>>38874186
>"Heard it on my travels a while back from a fellow in a bar. Bet me I wouldn't figure it out in under 30 seconds. Got a free drink out of it."

>>38874162
Giles is pretending to be several different people in a group called the master thieves but it's just him.

>>38874142
>He could've been telling a hundred different stories, and it would've just been rude.
I know that, that's why I voted for letting him finish. Like I said, who would have thought.

>>38874186
>>[ ] Heard it on my travels
From someone else who happened to be there.

>>38874186
>[ ] Heard it on my travels
There is literally no reason to be suspicious on any end of this. There are a million places the Riddler or us (and yes, I know we're the Riddler) could've heard it.

The vaguer, the better: don't want to lead him back to any identifiable place.

>>38874226
Try not to make any boasts we can't necessarily match.

>>38874186
>[ ] I was there.
In the audience.
I think we said earlier that the best lies are half true or something

>>38874219
After all, when travelling with others, it helps to have SOMETHING to pass the time, maybe even reference the orphanage, or something.

>>38874246
Am I the only one who can't picture the Riddler as anything other than the Batman villain?

>>38874186
>[ ] Heard it on my travels

>>38874247
Ah, but you see, we travel to MANY places, nabbing things on the way!

>>38874275
Now I can't help BUT to think that you bastard.

>>38874275
"How about this, Marcellus, a riddle for a Bat? If you know me, you'll want to find me, but if you find me, I'll be gone. What could I be?"

>writing

>>38874333
>>38874275
>I knew this would happen, but I couldn't come up with a better name for that particular thief.

>>38874378
Just so long as he never uses the alias 'E. Nigma', I think we're good.

>>38874378
Also, >>38874231 is right in some way? I didn't think it would be that, but after this it's a plausible option.

>>38874346
A blind spot?

>>38874412
It was rather obvious...

>>38874412
Well he said that mellisa was 1/6th right when she guessed that he was the gambler so yeah.

>>38874425
>>38874434
It's just that everyone thinks that the Master Thieves are various ''guild'' of thieves or something and that everyone of them is different in their ways of stealing and such, and even if i think that, yes, Gilles could be the only Gambler passing for an entire community of thieves, it's already exaggerating to say that he passes as 6 of them.

>>38874419
Apologies, I wrote 'find' instead of 'share'. It SHOULD be...
>If you know me, you'll want to share me, but if you share me, I'll be gone. What could I be?

>>38874508
>The Master Thieves are seen as 6 people by the public.
>I'll go more into them later.

>>38874580
This explains everything, Gilles is god (devil?) of thieves, officially.

>>38874552
Originality?

The stupid-edgy answer is, of course, "happiness: it'll never last long enough to share".

>>38874630
Do you wish for the answer?

>>38874630
>>38874552
I was thinking your heart or your ideas

>>38874552
I don't know why I want to say lonelyness. or silence.

That would make that tournament no more than a couple of months ago… You still have the trophy. In fact it’s on you right now, buried inside your cloak.

“Heard it from a fellow traveller.” You say. You aren’t lying. The Riddler’s unsolved riddles tend to be quite the discussion topic for a while after the event where he poses them. “Solved it a while after, and I thought it would make a nice way to occupy Selene’s mind while I was working yesterday.”

Marcellus sighs. “I wish I could’ve solved it. Do you have any idea how embarrassing it was to get that far only to get shown up at the last second?” He says.

“Don’t worry about it Marcellus. There’ll be other tournaments and other trophies.” Laura says.

The room gets quiet after that, awkwardly so…

“So I ran into Sir Roderick’s servant lady on the way here. Anyone know what her deal is?” You ask.
Melissa thinks about it. “Can’t say that I’ve ever actually spoken to her. Doesn’t she usually stick close to Roderick? Did you run into both of them?”
“No, just her.” You say.
“Now that I think about it, there are strange rumors about that woman…” Marcellus says.
“What kind of rumors?” You ask.
“None. That’s what’s strange. She showed up out of nowhere a few years back and attached herself to him and no one talks about it.” He says.

That is strange…

But before you can inquire further, food arrives and draws everyone’s attention.

>[ ] Talk about ________ while you eat.

>[ ] Eat quietly and listen.

>[ ] Other

>>38874680
>[ ] Eat quietly and listen.

>>38874680
>[ ] Eat quietly and listen.

>>38874662
>If you know me, you'll want to share me, but if you share me, I'll be gone.
The answer is this: a secret.

>>38874680
Ask why the king likes roderick so well

>>38874823
But we already know that. Trying to stand up to Fate's Champion is a good way to lose a kingdom.

>writing

>>38874875
Exactly why we need to cut his throat.

>>38874875
oh right. I guess I want to know more about what makes him chosen by fate then

>>38874793
Fuck I can't believe I forgot that one!

>>38874917
I think in this setting Fate is just a bit of a douchebag. But asking probably won't hurt.

>>38874914
That wouldn't be very satisfying. I want him to spend the rest of his life whining that he was supposed to be the chosen one.

>>38874920
A perfect riddle for the King of Thieves, yes? By the time you've realized you've been had, maybe even figured out who did it, they're already gone.

Of course, I could have pulled out another old classic... one I think would be VERY appropriate to ask Roderick: "What have I got in my pocket?"

>>38874917
in a previous thread it was mentioned that it's totally random

>>38875038
Problem is that he is the Chosen One. Fate will try its hardest to make sure things happen as Fate decrees.

A knife in the night will throw Fate for a bit of a loop there.

>>38875054
"What I used to have in my pocket before you stole it?"

>>38875071
"A KNIFE."

You sit quietly and eat. The food that was brought up is some kind of pasta, with a sauce you’ve never seen before. It’s good, though it doesn’t beat the stuff Father Pitre used to make.

Everyone else starts to talk about something else. Mostly speculation about who the more interesting people at tomorrow’s party will be. And you listen, kind of.

The Master Thieves were something you’d come up with for fun. Whenever you were checking a place out, you’d approach it differently depending on which thief you were planning on being. You didn’t come up with the names, but you accepted them when they came about.

The Sparrow goes after things in high places. He gets in and out without a trace and leaves only a feather. People started thinking that a bird had stolen their valuables, so they named him after one.

The Buyer goes after the expensive stuff, and ‘buys’ them. When they wake up the next morning, your victim finds their possession is gone, but in its place is its value in gold.

The Riddler steals trophies and leaves behind a riddle. If the riddle is solved within an hour, you give it back. If not, well let’s just say that you have an expansive trophy collection…

The Gambler goes after only the most high profile targets. High security, high risk, high reward.

The Critic isn’t one you go in as. Bad security annoys you. It ruins the fun. If you get in and find that it’s a cakewalk, you stop at your target and write them up a review of how bad their security is.

The Brute exists for those times when you fuck up and have to kill or injure someone. You dislike using the Brute, but sometimes it’s necessary. The other thieves don’t kill, but the Brute does, and he leaves behind a knife for his troubles.

>[1/2]

>>38875071
>Fate will try its hardest to make sure things happen as Fate decrees.
I distinctly remember that one danger that devils pose is unraveling the entire tapestry of Fate. Cutting just the threads that support Roderick should definitely be possible, at least in theory.

>>38875254
On one hand, cutting out Roderick may be enough to cause that complete unraveling.

On the other hand, I don't particularly care for Fate. It kinda goes against my ideal that "people should have free will, or at least what passes for free will in a world where people are made up of these funny atom things". I'm hoping to make a sweet hat out of Fate.

You invented these personas shortly after you left Melissa. Without your friends around, work just wasn’t as interesting.

Everyone seems to have stopped talking and are now all looking at you.

Shit, someone must’ve asked you something while you were zoned out…

>[ ] Yes

>[ ] No

>[ ] Maybe

>[ ] I don’t know

>[ ] Can you repeat the question?

>>38875254
Yeah, the general idea is if you have a name that is YOURS and not one you pretend to have, then you are not linked to the world, or by extension fates tapestry, and you are branded a 'devil' so far we have gotten hints the main character is one

>>38875394
>Repeat.

>>38875394
>SMOKEBOMB!

>[ ] Can you repeat the question?

>>38875394
>> [] can you repeat the question

>>38875394
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5Za8HggalY

>>38875394
>[ ] Can you repeat the question?

>>38875394
>[ ] Can you repeat the question?


Thank's for the info dump Smiley I thought it was something along those lines

>>38875394
>[ ] Can you repeat the question?

>>38875376
I thought that fate was the only thing keeping demons in check.
If we somehow broke it, wouldn't that be bad?

>>38875455
We're a demon.

So far as I can tell, "demon" means "being with free will". Assuming I am correct, I would be very much pro-demons.

>>38875455
Devils are different from demons, there are a few of the first, and they just aren't bound by fate, so they can do whatever, and there are none of the second, we are dealing with a low fantasy world here

>writing

>>38875489

>>38875455
Is right. Demons and Devils are not the same thing. Devils are simply beings with no names.

Demons are strictly evil existences that pop up every now and then to do as evil does.
One of the few laws of Fate is that Demons die. So when a Demon pops up all one needs to do is name it, and a sequence of events will arrange itself to cause the Demon's death.

>>38875489
Pretty much as far as I can tell
We haven't ever heard the outcome of unraveling fates tapestry, but he might have it end with the destruction of the world, so that might be a good thing

You laugh nervously. “Could you repeat the question?”

“Laura wants to go and see how the decorations in the main hall are coming along, You want to come?" Melissa asks.

>[ ] Sure

>[ ] See what Cedric is up to

>[ ] See what Eleanor is up to

>[ ] Snoop

>[ ] Other

>>38875671
>>[] snoop

>>38875671
>[ ] Snoop

>>38875489
>So far as I can tell, "demon" means "being with free will"
I don't think that is accurate to say. It just protects your anus from Fate's mighty strap-on, should you actually make use of your free will. As I understood Fate's railroading it's less "no you can't" and more "rocks fall, you die" if you leave the rails.
>>38875586
>We haven't ever heard the outcome of unraveling fates tapestry
We have, it's demons everywhere. And that is bad.

>>38875671
>[ ] Sure

>I'll be taking a break from writing for a little while.
>Shouldn't be too long. Feel free to continue the discussion, I'll be back in ~45 minutes.

>>38875671
>>[ ] Sure
I wouldn't know where to snoop

>>38875671
>[ ] Sure

>>38875671
I'm torn between sure/snoop. Are we still scoping out the castle? Or looking for Cassandra/any stranger danger that might get Selene's head cut off?

>>38875671
>snoop

>>38875772
we haven't checked out the outside yet. Or the basement for that matter.

>>38875671

>[ ] Snoop (Dog)

And yet... what if Roderick is there, and tries something? If he's Fate's Chosen, no one can lay a finger on him.

>>38875671
>[ ] Snoop

>>38875671
>[x] Sure

We can snoop when others sleep. Plus we might stumble on something useful this way.

>>38875671
>[ ] Sure

>okay, I have time for one more post before I need to take a break, so
>writing

“Sounds good” You say. You’ll have time to snoop later.

The five of you head down to the main hall on the first floor.

The decorations are certainly coming along. The room seems to be divided between the area for sitting and eating, and the area for dancing. There’s a small raised platform in one corner where a band is practicing, and several servants are milling about making final preparations and changes.

Marcellus whistles. “Wow, they really spruced this place up.” He says, his hands on his hips while he admires the hall. “Not that it wasn’t already impressive, but wow.”

It certainly is impressive. Though you’d hate to be n the crew in charge of taking this all down…

>[ ] Ask Laura what she’ll be doing now that she’s back

>[ ] Ask Melissa what she plans on doing when she leaves.

>[ ] Other

>>38876413
>[ ] Ask Melissa what she plans on doing when she leaves.

>>38876413
>>[ ] Ask Laura what she’ll be doing now that she’s back

>>38876413
>>[ ] Ask Laura what she’ll be doing now that she’s back

>>38876413
>>[] leave and scope out the outer patrols

>>38876413
>Ask Laura what she'll be doing now that she's back

She'll be doing Giles

>>38876635
This.

File: Solemn.jpg (318 KB, 720x900)

318 KB JPG

>>38876635
Hey, Selene ships us, that's good enough for me. Plus, in the immortal words of Spike Spiegal, "I love a woman who can kick my ass."

>>38876857
Spiegel*

>>38876857
>implying she could take us.
We don't even know how Giles handles himself in a fight yet.

>>38877003
The Brute implies he is acceptable, at least. Let's see how much acceptable...

>>38877003
The Princess can one shot a dragon. I think the assumption that she can kick our ass is a sensible one.

>>38877073
With other people distracting it while she enchanted an arrow. We don't know if she can one on one.

“So, what are your plans now that you’re back?” You ask Laura.
“Mmmm… Probably back to the usual I guess. That is assuming that I’m not married off within the week.” She says.

Huh. You probably should’ve expected it to go there…

“Hey, you could always go find another dragon to slay. There’s bound to be more out there somewhere.” You say, trying to lighten the mood.
“As nice as that sounds, I think Mother and Father would actually disown me if I pulled another stunt like that.” She says.
“Might not be so bad. At the very least, you wouldn’t have to worry about marrying Roderick.” You say.

“You sound pretty involved in this topic. Personal interest, maybe?” Melissa asks.
“No. I just really don’t like that guy.” You say.
“You’re one of few, I’m afraid. As much of a jerk as he might be to you or me, he does happen to have a lot of friends.” Melissa says. It comes off almost like a warning…
“You say that like I’d ever do something reckless” You say.
“If Father Pitre knew you better, he’d’ve named you Reckless.” Melissa bites back.

Laura laughs. “You guys really seem like brother and sister you know?” She says.
“Really? Seems more like a lover’s quarrel to me.” Eleanor says.

>[ ] It is not

>[ ] When did you get here?

>[ ] Other

>>38877328
>[ ] When did you get here?

>>38877328
>>[ ] It is not

>>38877328
>[ ] When did you get here?

>>38877328
>>[ ] When did you get here?
Denying this kind of thing is pointless. Much easier to change the subject.

>>38877328
"It's not" combined with "when did you get here"
Considering the history with Klaus, I don't think I'm too comfortable with a Giles x Melissa ship

>writing

>>38877528
We were childhood friends who didn't see each other for 5 years. nothing taboo about it

>>38877844
Giles made it fairly clear that he thinks of her as a sister. There would be nothing wrong morally with the two of them ending up together, but it would definitely feel weird.

Melissa blushes furiously and stammers for a comeback.

You however, are more use to Eleanor’s antics.
“When did you get here?” You ask.
“Couple minutes ago. Bartholomew had me run down here to see how final prep was going.” Eleanor says.
“I take back what I said earlier. She does not seem nice.” Melissa says finally.

Eleanor looks confused. “Have you guys been talking about me?”
“Yes” You say flatly.
“Only good things I hope.” Eleanor says.
“Oh, they were good things alright. You might not think so, though.” You say.
Eleanor gets flustered, but quickly recovers as she always does. “Well, far be it for me to pry into what lovers talk about in their bedroom.” She says.

Melissa sighs, and then walks over to Eleanor. “Come with me for a second.” She says.
Eleanor looks like she wants to refuse, but you know that look in Melissa’s eyes. That is the look that says things about meat hooks and private parts. Eleanor decides to follow.

“W-wow… I don’t think I’ve ever seen Melissa so flustered.” Laura says.

>[ ] Have you known her for long?

>[ ] Has Eleanor always been like this?

>[ ] Other

>>38878018
>>[ ] Have you known her for long?

>>38878018
>[ ] Have you known her for long?

>>38878018
>[ ] Have you known her for long?

>>38878018
>Have you known her long?
>Has Eleanor always been like this?
>Flirt with Laura

>>38878234
This. I mean, why not? What could go wrong?

>>38878018
>[ ] Have you known her for long?
Without flirting

>>38878234
This.

>>38878234
This.
Because I like princesses

>writing

“How long have the two of you known each other?” You ask. It is kind of odd that Melissa is so familiar with Princess Laura, you’d just never thought anything of it until now.

“That’s a good question… I think… Selene would’ve been around 1 and a half, maybe 2? So 4 years, give or take a few months. I was pretty sick for a while, and when I got better Mother and Father thought that it would be a good idea for me to take a trip around the country.” She says.

“And that’s where you met Melissa?” You ask.

“Yes. In fact, I specifically requested to go to her manor for a visit. The idea that there was a woman out there as successful as her intrigued me. Of course, she was just starting out at the time. But she already had the fourth largest merchant fleet in the realm, and she even moved her old- umm, I guess it would’ve been your old orphanage as well- onto her property. But she herself was pretty busy, so there was an older gentleman taking care of the children, a priest. Father… something… it starts with a P…” She says.

Your blood freezes. That was something she failed to mention when she asked you to come around. “Father Pitre?” You ask.

Laura snaps her fingers. “That’s the one. Thank you. Anyway, I’ve visited several times since then. I'd like to think that we've become rather close.” Laura says.

Wow, sounds like Melissa unintentionally made some new friends since you left.

>[1/2]

“And Eleanor, has she always been a teasing machine in a maid outfit?” You ask.

“Heavens, no. You’d be surprised to know the she used to be very reserved.” Laura says.
“Eleanor? Reserved? That is surprising…” You say.
“Yes well, it wasn’t the best of times for her when she first arrived…” Laura says, smiling wearily. “She did lighten up eventually. But her new attitude is, well… new. I don’t remember her being like this before I left.”

“I’m sure she decided to lighten up to make up for the absence of one as bright as yourself.” You say, and then immediately regret opening your mouth.

You’re no good at flirting…

Laura laughs at your comment at least, though you notice Marcellus rolling his eyes. “I’ll take the compliment for what it’s worth.” Laura says.


And then Melissa and Eleanor come back. “I am very sorry for the things I insinuated Giles.” Eleanor says.

>[ ] Ask Melissa what she did

>[ ] Accept her apology, don’t ask questions…

>[ ] Other

>>38879131
>[ ] Ask Melissa what she did

>>38879131
>>[ ] Ask Melissa what she did

>>38879131
>[ ] Ask Melissa what she did

>>38879131
>[ ] Ask Melissa what she did

>>38879131
Meathooks and ovaries?

>writing

“Melissa, what did you do?” You ask.
“Oh, nothing. We just had a little talk about what she do and don’t say about one another’s relations. Didn’t we Eleanor?” Melissa says. Her smile is downright scary; you’re going to have to make this up to the poor maid somehow.

“Y-yes ma’am.” Eleanor says, snapping to attention.

You look at Melissa with an eyebrow raised in suspicion, and in return she smiles innocently.

That’s when you notice Selene whispering something in Laura’s ear. “No, sweetie. I don’t think Melissa beat Eleanor up.” She says.
“I dunno about that. Maybe we should have Marcellus check her for bruises.” You say.

“N-nnn-no that won’t be necessary-
“Th-that would be highly improper-
Eleanor and Marcellus both retort, both red in the face.

Melissa bops you on the head. “Do I need to have the same talk with you?” She asks as Eleanor and Marcellus laugh off their embarrassment.
“No Ma’am” You say with a sly smile.

>Anything else you guys want to do here?

>>38879670
No, retire yourself and GO SNOOP AROUND, because it's time.

>>38879670
Let's go snooping we've put it off for too long.

>>38879670
Nope. Time to snoop. Maybe while under the pretense of going to see cedric

>>38879670
WE NEED TO SNOOP AROUND, we need an escape path for us and the crown

>>38879768
If he meets up with anyone later, that could cause problems; Suspicion would abound.

>>38879768
>Maybe while under the pretense of going to see cedric
I would rather not. This is the sort of lie that is most likely to bite you in the ass.

>>38879846
We have an escape path. I think this is more 'insurance' + random enounters'

>>38879869
We could always go and see him for a minute so we have an alibi.

>>38879916
We still need to figure a way out through the heavily guarded perimeter if I remember right

>writing

>>38879975
Ahh, fair point.

“Anyways, I’ll leave you guys to your girl-talk.” You say.
“Where are you off to?” Eleanor asks.
“It’s getting late. I figured I’d go see what Cedric was up to before I hit the hay.” You say.
“Ahhh, too bad. I’ve still got some work to do. Tell him I said hi.” Eleanor says, before saying goodbye to everyone and running off.

You say your own goodbyes after that, and make your way out of the hall.

For the sake of your alibi, you head outside and shoot the shit with Cedric for a few minutes. You think you’ve aroused enough suspicion for one day, even if no one really suspects you of being who you are.

Once you say farewell to Cedric, you’re free to explore a bit. You still need a way out of the Palace proper, and the increased guard is going to make that difficult.

Inspecting the outer wall could yield some useful results, but the only solid way to the noble district is via the bridge. You could take the cliffs down, but once you got down there you’d be up shit creek without a paddle.

On the other hand, you never did explore the basement more carefully. It’d mean giving up your current exit, but a place like this is bound to have some secret paths in or out…

>[ ] Snoop outside

>[ ] Snoop in the basement

>>38880444
>>[] snoop basement

>>38880444
>[] snoop basement

>>38880444
>[ ] Snoop outside

>>38880444
>>[ ] Snoop in the basement

>writing

>>38880444
>[ ] Snoop in the basement

Not a lot of voters...
(Also I'm guessing we're gonna meet up with Ms. Mysterious again.)

>>38880750
>Ms. Mysterious
I would tell you that her name is Cassandra, but my guess is that is not true.

Downstairs it is.

The bridge will work in a pinch if you can’t find anything, and the cliffs are doable. Though you’d want to head into town and sniff out a smuggler to pick you up at the bottom if you go that route.

You’ve already been through most of the basement proper, it’s the vaults and the dungeons that you have yet to check out.

Those areas are guarded, but you bypass them easily enough. They wouldn’t call you a master thief if you were stymied by a few guards…

You figure that you’ll snoop around the dungeons first, then make your way down into the vaults.

Time to get searching.

>roll 1d20

>>38880948

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>38880948

>>38880750
>>38880876
>you could call her "Miss Terious"

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>38880948
let's do this

Rolled 9 (1d20)

>>38880948
Fudge.

>>38881040
...Boooooo.

>>38881023
Sweeeeet.

>>38881023
Damn, we just invented the cardboard box we so Solid Snake, now.

>>38881086
...the recent developments still hurt my heart.

>writing

>>38881051
>you're no fun

>>38881086
>this was more of a 'see if you come up with anything' roll. I will rarely make you roll to sneak.

Rolled 3 (1d20)

>>38880948
captcha: because estails. Why? Because estails.

>>38881154
Also, late as shit. Good, because that's a 3 for you guys.

Searching the dungeons proves fruitless. Of course it would. Who other than a prisoner would want to escape the Palace?

No, if you find anything it’ll be down in the vaults. So that’s where you go.

Security down here is a bit tighter, but still nothing to be nervous about. You’re not even sure why they had guards in the dungeons in the first place. They don’t even have any prisoners in there…

Keeping what direction you’d be facing in relation to the upstairs, and more importantly the town, in your head. You make you way east. If there’s anything down here it’d either be a tunnel that leads over to the town, or a hidden cave where they keep a boat.

You finally find a room that seems promising. Mostly because you’ve been peeking into all of them and thus far this is the only one that’s empty, save for a door on the far wall.

Well that makes no sense, architecturally. At the moment you’re at the edge of the Palace…
You go over and open the door and… bingo. A steep staircase leading down.

>[ ] See where it leads

>[ ] This is good enough

>>38881486
>[ ] See where it leads

>>38881486
>[ ] See where it leads

>>38881486
>[ ] See where it leads
It would be bad if all we found was the entrance to a deeper vault

>>38881131
The Common Sense Filter, a tool that should REALLY be used by more GMs. I've been in, and read on /tg/, quests where the MC would fuck up something that they were naturally skilled at because of crap rolls. Ex. When chasing an enemy through a forest, that you have TRACKED AND HUNTED IN SINCE CHILDHOOD, you should not get turned around and confused.

>>38881486
>[ ] See where it leads
DUNGEON CRAWLING NOW!!

>writing

>>38881575
>Yes, I've run into that many times as well.
>Which is why, unless you guys decide to do something particularly risky, an action becomes 'out of your hands' (Something like tripping into Laura), or an action with varying degrees of success (What you're doing right now) I will avoid making you roll for it.

>I have combat mechanics set up for this as well, though I'll get into those once you guys run into actual combat.

File: 1423610706526.jpg (33 KB, 625x315)

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>>38881795

>>38881486
Do we have a light source? We don't want to be eaten by a grue

You walk back outside and borrow one of the torches they use to keep the vaults lit, and then you descend.

And down…

And down…

Just as you’re wondering if this place ever ends, you reach the bottom. It seems to end in some kind of cavern.

Not a natural cavern, though. The tool marks are old and worn, but this was definitely dug out. If you’re right about where you are, this leads underneath the water between the Palace and the Noble District, possibly all the way into the Middle District…

Maybe even the Business District. You certainly can’t see the end of it…

You’d like to know where it ends, but that could take hours. You don’t think that Melissa will rat on you if you’re out late, but still…

>[ ] See where this leads

>[ ] Head back up

>>38881994
>[ ] Head back up
seems like a good enough escape route

>>38881994
>[ ] Head back up

We need to explore at a later date.

>>38881846
Maybe we nicked the Light of Earendil, from Galadriel?

Sam wields it against Shelob

>"BACK, YOU DEVIL!!"

Hmmm, maybe not so appropriate for this quest...

>>38881994
>[ ] Head back up

Definitely an option, but I don't want to put TOO much stock into it, in case it's a secret wayout that, say, the royal family knows about in case of invasion or something like that.

>>38882043
the heist is planned for tomorrow

>>38881994
>[ ] Head back up
I think it's enough for now.

>>38882067
And that's if we go through with it and aren't called into action to SAVE THE REALM.

>writing

>>38882067
>>38882136
Either way is everyone for stealing the two princesses?

>>38882259
no. i'm not even exactly sure what you mean by that

Are we going to end up having to take Selene? Because I can almost guarantee she's going to catch us in the act of stealing the crown.

>>38882259
As much as I wanted to, I'm kinda iffy on it now. Laura seems ultra chill, and Selene is the cutest thing ever, but...hm. I dunno. I think we'd need to figure out a way to nix this Roderick thing first, and then get Louis on the throne.

>>38882329
Well Selene is pretty much unwanted by the queen and Laura seems to be heading into a forced marriage that she doesn't want to happen.

File: Burn.jpg (94 KB, 800x676)

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>>38882259
Regardless of consequence, it's not even a question, at this point.

''Hey, Master Thieves here, let's run away of your house with your unwanted sister so that you don't have to marry fate's little dick and then we can live an AWESOME life!!''

>>38882460
Dude's got enough money to buy a COUNTRY, I think they'd be pretty well set, so long as they lay low.

>>38882460
That's basically my reasoning. Besides we've kinda been teaching Selene how to be a thief...

“Best not” You say.

This will take more time than you feel comfortable spending. And your alibi is starting to run down, considering you were only with Cedric for a few minutes. If you were gone for several hours that would raise more eyebrows than you personally feel comfortable with.

So you make your way back up the staircase, and out of the room. You close the door behind you and put the torch back where you found it. Then it’s back up to the dungeons.

You’re starting to wonder why you bothered taking this cover at all. Sure, it got you into the palace. But since then you’ve been moving about pretty much unchecked. Maybe the Gambler will have to keep his last card and give this one up to the Critic…

Or not. The idea of putting a king where a crown should be tickles your funny bone far too much.

And there it is again. Fucking Cassandra. You get this chill every time, and you KNOW it’s her.

“What is the king thinking?” You hear… is that Sir Roderick?

>[ ] Eavesdrop

>[ ] Leave it be

>>38882435
...That's hilarious.

>>38882259
I'm pretty sure the royal family wouldn't just accept that we ran off with two princesses. We'd be fucked. And that's assuming either of them would even want to leave with us

>>38882525
>[ ] Eavesdrop

>>38882525
>[ ] Eavesdrop
Let's hope we can hear something we can use to screw him over later

>>38882525
>[ ] Eavesdrop

Cassandra will know we're there, but I'm gambling she'll be interested enough in our presence to NOT out us.

>>38882525
>[ ] Eavesdrop

>>38882493
>>38882509
It wasn't sarcasm, it was my idea. Shipping Gilles x Laura, because Servant x Princess.
>>38882525
> Eavesdrop
Let's hear the little bitch bitch a little.

>>38882525
Eavesdrop. Do it. DO IT, NOW.

>>38882584
>It wasn't sarcasm, it was my idea. Shipping Gilles x Laura, because Servant x Princess.

Mah Nigga

Captcha: Cooli (Aw shit, son)

>writing

>>38882742
Confirmed: 4chan has faith in the time old trope of Servant x Princess.

>>38882861
We all have, we all have...

File: Westley.jpg (44 KB, 1000x562)

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>>38882861
Well, Servant/Dashing Rogue

“Relax my lord. I am sure that he is only appeasing his nephew.” Cassandra says.
“That little…” Roderick sighs. “He is a threat. But he must remain a threat. Even I know that crossing Harth will end badly. Especially if we expect to-“
“Not here my lord. I have heard the walls here have ears.” Cassandra says. “And worry not about the Harthright prince. The King will side with you once more when he has left, and all will go as planned.”

“It had better. Even I stand to lose much if tomorrow night doesn't go as planned." Roderick says, and then you hear his footsteps headed away from you, in the direction of the dungeon's exit.

But you only hear Roderick's footsteps.

>[ ] Go out and say hi

>[ ] Stay hidden for now

>>38883037
>>[ ] Stay hidden for now

>>38883037
>Stay hidden and say hi.

>>38883037
>[ ] Go out and say hi

>>38883037
>[ ] Go out and say hi

>>38883082
This please.

>>38883098
We were warned not to cross him, and how even though he isn't allowed to kill us he still very well may do just that. We could possibly out fight him, but then it's his word against ours that it was self defence. All around a bad idea

>>38883037
>[ ] Stay hidden for now
And by that, I mean be somewhere else if possible.

>>38883082
Seems reasonable.

>>38883037
>>>[ ] Stay hidden for now

That's interesting enough intel on its own. Let's keep hidden, then see if we can extrapolate possibilities in private.

>>38883037
Head back down the tunnel.

>>38883037
>[ ] Stay hidden for now

>writing

You stay where you are. As much as you enjoy your little chats with Cassandra, you do not think of her as an ally. You had a reason to be where you were the last few times you ran into her, you don’t have that here.

After a few seconds you hear Cassandra leave as well, and once she’s gone you follow suite. You head back up out of the dungeons to the room that you and Melissa now share.

It sounds like Roderick has plans for tomorrow night. Cassandra seemed to think, well… imply rather, that Selene’s dream was something of note.

Could that be it? No… what does he have to gain from having Laura and Selene killed? Laura is the one to whom he needs to get married if he wants the crown, and Selene is… well… Selene. You couldn’t really see any plan that would involve her being killed.

When you make it back up to your room, you find Melissa lying on her stomach on the bed. She’s wearing nothing but a night gown that seems a bit… small… and reading some book that you can’t identify. Her head is propped up on one hand while the other holds down her reading material, while her bare legs sway idly back and forth in the air.

“What took you so long?” She asks without even so much as glancing in your direction.

>[ ] Tell her what you heard

>[ ] Tell her you got lost

>[ ] Other

>>38883603
>[ ] Tell her what you heard

>>38883603
>[ ] Tell her what you heard

This is one of those thing where we put a down payment on personal punishment later in order to SAVE PEOPLE'S LIVES now. Full disclosure.

>>38883603
>Tell her you got lost

>>38883603
>[ ] Tell her what you heard
Ask what she's reading

>>38883603
>[ ] Tell her what you heard

>>38883644
~FULL SAMARITAM MODE ENGAGED.
Backing.

>>38883654
i dont think she would believe us getting lost

>writing

As a note, if we CAN'T flat out stop his plans, we can at least indeed attempt to spirit the princesses away for now.

“I was snooping about, looking for ways out of the castle” You say.
Melissa’s breathe catches. “Is that so?” She says.
“There’s something I need to tell you.” You say, walking over and standing by her bed.
“You could fill 50 of these with all the things that you need to tell me, but I take it this is urgent?” She says. Then she rolls over in such a way that your eyes are drawn to places they shouldn’t go, and sits on the side of her bed that faces yours. She motions for you to sit across from her, on your own bed.

You shake your head to purge the things you were just thinking. Bad Giles, none of that.

You take a seat and tell her about your sojourn into the dungeons, and the things you heard Sir Roderick and Cassandra saying.

“So he’s plotting something for tomorrow night, is he?” Melissa says, biting her lip. “And here thought you were the gambler…”
“You don’t think he’s going to do something crazy, do you?” You ask.
“Honestly? I don’t know. He doesn’t stand to gain very much from anyone in the Palace dying tomorrow night, since he’s pretty much guaranteed to wed Laura at this point.” She purses her lips while she thinks. “Unless the rumors are true and Selene is a bastard of some sort… But even then…”

“Yeah, I heard those too. Any idea as to where they might’ve come from?” You ask.

“Well, it was all back before I was a lady so this is all second hand. But from what I’ve heard, she just kind of showed up. Nobody really remembers the queen being pregnant with her, but no one denies that it’s her daughter.” Melissa says, flopping back down onto her bed. “She certainly doesn’t look like the King or the Queen. And blond hair doesn’t run in the Laustright family.”

>[1/2]

>>38884131
>“And here thought you were the gambler…”
OhFuck.jpg

>>38884131

Well, now. The plot thickens considerably...

>>38884163
What? She already said she thought we were the gambler.

Honestly, what does that even mean if she's illegitimate? Doesn't that mean she's even LESS likely to inherit the throne, so he has less of a reason to kill her?

>>38884209
I don't remember she saying that.
Also, i think we can incriminate him inciting that he is The Brute all along.

>>38884282
No, she suspected we were the Gambler.

Honestly, I don't think she meant it in a literal sense. More like 'Wow, and I thought what YOU were doing was risky, but this takes the cake.'

>>38884333
In a certain way, i think she already knows, because >“I was snooping about, looking for ways out of the castle” You say.

The two of you seem to have hit a dead end, when you notice just what parts are visible from the angle that Melissa has given you. So you throw a blanket over her.

“Hey, what gives?” She asks, gathering up the blanket and sitting back up.
“I get that you’re familiar with me, but you could at least try to be chaste.” You say.
She gives you an incredulous look. “Like you haven’t seen me naked before, you prude.” She says, throwing the bunched up blanket at your head.
“That was-… different.” You say.
She raises an eyebrow. “Oh? Does the fact that I have a woman’s body now trouble you?” She says, hopping up and kneeling on the bed with her legs spread. With one hand she holds her gown over her… unmentionables… and the other runs a finger over her lips. "Does seeing your dear Melissa all grown up make you nervous~?"

“Would you cut it out?” You say, tossing the blanket back at her head.
Melissa giggles. “Who’d’ve thought that a foul mouthed boy like you would grow into such a pure soul.” She says.
“I did not have a foul mouth.” You say.
“You did so!” She says, pointing a finger at you in accusation. “In fact, I distinctly remember you calling a bunch of guys ‘cactus-dicked butt-pirates’ the first time I saw you.”
Yeah, you did say that. “You missed the part where Father Pitre made me soap out my mouth for saying it.” You say.

You both laugh.

>[ ] Ask her what she was reading

>[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is

>[ ] Other

>>38884282
I think you might be retarded. Framing Roderick would never work

>>38884383
>>[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is

>>38884383
>[ ] Ask her what she was reading

>>38884383
[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is

>>38884383
>[ ] Ask her what she was reading

>>38884383
>>>[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is

>>38884383
>[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is
>>38884385
You never know until you try.

>>38884383
>[ ] Ask her how Father Pitre is

>writing

>>38884488
Why are you namefagging?

You must me new to /tg/ if you think you've earned it.

“So how is Father Pitre anyway?” You ask.
“Huh? Why are you asking me?” Melissa replies, feigning innocence.
You stand up and flick her in the forehead. “Because you’re the one who’s been living with him, of course.” You say.

“Tch, man. How did you find out?” She asks
“Laura told me.” You say.
“Damn, I guess that’s my fault then. Should’ve told her that I wanted it to be a surprise.” She says
“A surprise that would’ve killed me!” You say.
“Father Pitre wouldn’t kill you. He might crush you a little, but it would be out of love.” She says, standing up and pinching one of your cheeks.

“You don’t know that Melissa. He always went easy on you.” You say.
“He did not. You just took the brunt of the punishment because you wouldn’t stop breaking the rules.” She says.
“I guess I was a bit of a trouble-maker…” You say, scratching your nose.
“A bit…?” She smirks knowingly.
“A lot…” You drop your shoulders.
“You both were…” She says, looking straight into your eyes. “I missed you.”

>[ ] I missed you too

>[ ] Not as much as you miss him...

>[ ] Change the subject

>>38884826
>[ ] I missed you too

>>38884826
>>[ ] I missed you too

>>38884826
>[ ] I missed you too...I really should've at least written.

And after that touching moment, we do need to at least figure out a skeleton of a plan to keep the girls safe tomorrow in case 10 lbs of shit decide to hit the fan.

>>38884826
>[ ] Not as much as you miss him...

>>38884826
>[ ] Not as much as you miss him...

>>38884826
>[ ] I missed you too

>>38884826
>[X] Not as much as you miss him...
Go away whore

>>38884826
>[] I missed you too

>>38884826
>[ ] Not as much as you miss him...

>>38884826
>[ ] Not as much as you miss him...

>>38884826
>[ ] I missed you too

>>38884826
>>[ ] I missed you too

>writing

“I missed you too.” You say.

And then she hugs you, and you’re painfully aware of the reasons why you kept your distance from this girl. And more importantly, the reasons why you left…

Truth is, you were afraid that she’d do this. You know that you’ve always been second to Klaus, and you were afraid that she’d try to make you his replacement…

It did have to do with her own safety as well. Losing one friend was enough, and you were more comfortable being alone and knowing she was safe than you would’ve been if she stuck around.

But a lot of it had to do with the fact that you couldn’t replace Klaus. You’re reminded of that fact every time you try to talk to someone. Klaus could talk you out of your pants and then sell them back to you. You’d be lucky if you could haggle someone down a notch on a good day…

After what feels like a very long time, Melissa pulls away. “We should get some sleep. Sounds like tomorrow is shaping up to be a longer day than I thought it would be.” She says.

>Anything you guys want to say?

>>38885383
Goodnight Melissa

>>38885383
I can't think of anything. Just go to bed I suppose. Or ask what book she was reading

>>38885383
>By the way, Im sorry for everything that happened before I left.

>>38885383

> "We should make exceptionally sure to keep an eye out tomorrow for anything off-kilter with Roderick and Cassandra. Hopefully we can keep Selene's nightmare from coming true." -that, and-

"I'm sorry, again. Goodnight. Sleep well."

>>38885476
This works.

>>38885383
Ask why she never blamed us for what happened to klaus

>>38885495
This

>>38885599
Holy shit trips and 2 dubs

>writing

“Yeah, you’re right. I’ll be doing my best to keep an eye on Roderick and Cassandra.” You say.

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She says. And you both go about getting ready for bed.

As you find your things and pull out something more appropriate for sleeping, Melissa winds up her music box.

You head into the washroom to wash up and change, and when you come out she’s already in bed and asleep. The soft tinkling of the music box brings a smile to your face, and you go over and pull the covers over her shoulder.

“Goodnight Melissa.” You say.
“Mmmmmmlove you too Giles…” She says.

You choose to ignore that. That didn’t just happen.
You turn on a heel and walk quietly back to your bed. Silently, you lie down and try to sleep.

A few minutes later, unheard by either of you, the music box winds down and finishes its song.

Tonight you rest.
Tomorrow is going to be a long day.

Huh. Well then. Yeah, she's gonna have to kinda just get over us. I think if I had to ship anyone, it'd be Giles and Laura. That aside, gonna be one hell of a party, no doubt.

That's all for tonight folks! Hope you guys still enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it.

As always I'll be sticking around for question time. Probably won't be long, though.

Next thread will be either tomorrow or Thursday, or possibly both. I'll be honest, I don't actually plan that far ahead.

>>38885849
I prefer Melissa so far but that might just be because we dont know Laura that well yet

>>38885854
Has Giles been alone for the 5 years since he left Melissa?

>>38885922
>yes

>>38885854
I'm curious about the whole 'name a demon and it dies' thing. Do they have to acknowledge/hear the name or is it simply enough to realize that someone is a demon and give them any old name?

>>38886045
A demon does stand out. No 'taking on human form' bullshit.

And yeah, if you see a demon all you really have to do is say something along the lines of "Your name is now Sally" and it will die.

Humans, Dragons and any other sentient life are a different case because they are 'of this world' and must therefore recognize their name. Demons come from somewhere else entirely.

>>38886166
On the same topic, how do people know this is how fate works and was it always this way?

>>38886627
It's just the way things are, and have been for as long as anyone remembers.

There are some who believe that it hasn't always been this way though.

>>38886730
Then where did the whole idea that enough devil actions can completely unravel fate, is there some sort of prophecy?

>>38886822
No. But a devil's actions fall outside of what has been preordained.

The whole "unravelling fate" thing is basically a boogieman. People kill possible devils because they might cause it, but no one knows for sure if it can actually happen