It’s been a few hours since you left Searise, and you don’t think you’ve ever been so bored in your entire life…

The conversation dried up pretty quickly after you left. After that, half the passengers decided it was naptime. Marcy is currently leaned back in her chair, with a hat you lent her over her eyes, Selene is asleep in her mother’s lap, and Melissa curled up on the bench and decided that your leg would make a great pillow.

Not that you mind her current position. Well, you didn’t mind an hour ago, but now your leg is starting to fall asleep…
With one hand you stroke Melissa’s hair, and with the other you twiddle a coin between your fingers as you stare out the window. On the upside, Melissa’s hair is very soft, and the view isn't bad either. The view out the window, you mean. Not the view of Melissa’s cleavage…

Damn those are nice… trees… Stop glancing down there Giles.

Over on the other bench, Laura is holding onto Selene with one hand and holding the book she’s staring at in the other.

You say staring, because she hasn’t turned a page in quite a while, and the tension coming off of her is tangible.

>[ ] Ask her what’s on her mind

>[ ] Leave it be

>[ ] Wake Melissa before your leg falls asleep

>[ ] Other

>>39388229
>[ ] Ask her what’s on her mind

>>39388229
>[ ] Leave it be

>>39388229
>[ ] Ask her what’s on her mind

>>39388229
>>[ ] Ask her what’s on her mind
"Nervous? I don't think that one page is THAT enrapturing."

>writing

“So what’s on your mind?” You ask Laura quietly, careful not to disturb the sleepers.
Laura jumps and gives you a shocked look. “Wh-why do you ask?”
“Because I’ve read more of that by staring at the window than you have in the past half an hour” You say.

She laughs nervously. “I’ve just… got something on my mind.” She says.
“That’s why I asked what’s on your mind.” You say, dropping the coin into your pocket so you’ll stop fiddling with it. “This isn't bothering you is it?” You ask, pointing to where Melissa’s head is.

“No! Not at all.” She says.
“Are you sure? Because I could wake her up if you want me to” You say. You wouldn’t mind that, it would give you a good excuse to get her off before your leg falls asleep.
“No! Please, let her sleep. She looks comfy right now.” Laura says.

“Tell you what, you and her can switch places after we stretch our legs" You say jokingly.
Laura's face turns bright red. "That isn't what's bothering me!" She says.
"Alright, I believe you." You say. Though you can't help but notice that she didn't refuse your offer... "So what IS bothering you?"

Laura closes her book and puts it down beside her, putting her now free hand to work hugging Selene. “I…” She says, tightening her grip a little. “want to tell them.”

“About Selene?” You ask.
“About her, about Salem… I think they deserve to know.” She says.

>[ ] “They certainly do, I’ll wake them”

>[ ] “Are you sure about this?”

>[ ] Other

>>39388801
>[ ] “They certainly do, I’ll wake them

>>39388801
>[ ] “They certainly do, I’ll wake them”

Well it's definitely something that needs to be said.

>>39388801
>[ ] “They certainly do”
but
>[ ] “Are you sure about this?”

>>39388801
>offering to let her take melissas spot
what is wrong with you giles

>>39388801
>>[ ] “Are you sure about this?”

"I'm certainly not disagreeing with you, I DO think it needs to be said, but are you absolutely sure you want to?"

>>39388801
>[ ] “They certainly do, I’ll wake them”
all thing consider it is best to tell them now before someone surprise the cast with this news
or
>[ ] Other
I think some of them do know

>writing

“They certainly do. Hold on, I’ll wake them” You say, moving your hand to tweak Melissa’s ear. You stop before actually commit to the action. “Are you sure about this?” You ask.
“No…” Laura says. “But if I wait until I’m 100% sure, then I’ll probably never tell them. They’ll have to find out, like you did.”

“Sound logic” You say, gripping Melissa’s ear. “Ready?”
“No” She says.
“Good!” You twist Melissa’s ear, and her eyes shoot open.
“Ow! Ow! Owowowowowowowowowwwwwwhat’s the big idea?!?” She shouts, loud enough to wake Marcellus and Selene.

“Shh, Laura has something to tell you” You say.
Melissa sits up, rubbing her sore ear. The look on her face says that you’re going to be getting this back tenfold later, but you’ll own up to that when the time comes.

Marcellus looks around confused, while Selene rubs the sleep from her eyes.
“What Giles said… there’s something I have to tell you” She says.
“What is it?” Melissa asks.

“I am… S-Selene is…” She says. “That’s to say… that…”

Uh-oh. She wasn’t kidding when she said she wasn’t ready for this…

>[ ] Offer to tell them

>[ ] Offer support

>[ ] Let her be

>[ ] Other

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer support

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer support

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer support

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer to tell them

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer support

>>39389241
>[ ] Offer support

>writing

>>39389241
>>[ ] Offer support

We can help, but she's got to be the one to ultimately take that step.

You lean forward and reach across to grab Laura’s hand and give it a squeeze.

“You can do this” You say, smiling warmly.
Laura grips your hand and braces herself.

Then she takes a deep breath, holds it for a second, and “I’mnotSelene’ssister!” She blurts it all out at once, breathing heavily after she’s done.
The quiet in the carriage is like a physical thing right now. If you pulled out a knife, you might be able to slice off a piece to use later…

“What?” Melissa says.
“I’m not Selene’s sister.” She repeats it more slowly this time. “I’m her mother”

Melissa stares at Laura, completely dumbfounded. “Marcellus, switch” She says.
“What, why?” Marcy asks, but then Melissa stands up and tries to take her spot. “Alright! Alright! Don’t sit on me!” She says, getting the hell out of Melissa’s way and sitting down next to you.

Melissa sits down and pulls Laura into a hug.

The carriage is quiet again, but it’s a more comfortable quiet this time.

After a while, Melissa turns to you. “So how did you know?” She asks.
“I figured it out” You say.
“Does anyone else know?” She asks.
“Just you guys.” Laura says.

>[ ] “And Dalen”

>[ ] Stay quiet

>[ ] Other

>>39389755
>[ ] Stay quiet

>>39389755
>[ ] “And Dalen”

>>39389755
>[ ] “And Dalen”

>>39389755
>[ ] “And Dalen”

>>39389755
>[ ] “And Dalen”

>[ ] “And Dalen”

>>39389755
>[ ] “And Dalen, but I didn't say anything- he squirreled it out himself, and I suspected him of that. Hasn't told a soul otherwise. Technically not even me."

Let's cut that misunderstanding off at the pass.

>writing

>>39389370
>>39389788
Stop trying to ruin the hive mind. It's too late to stop us.

>>39390025
We are the Knights who say née.

“And Dalen” You say.
Your words are met with further silence.
“YOU TOLD HIM?!?” Laura shouts.
You hold up a hand to silence her. “No. He knew. He’s always known” You say.

“He’s… but then…” Laura says.
“I’m not sure why he didn’t say anything, but…” You stop. “You should probably tell them the rest before I continue”

Laura lets out a long breath, and nods.
“There’s more?” Melissa asks.
Laura nods again. “Her father…”
Selene’s head perks up. This subject definitely has her interest, does she not know about her father?

“Her father was my old Guardian…” She says.
“Salem?” Marcy asks. “Salem is Selene’s father?”
Laura nods again.
“That explains why-“ Marcy begins, but she stops herself. “Nevermind”
You smile knowingly at her. ‘That explains why they would hire a woman dressed as a man’, is the implication there. You can see why she stopped.

“Isn’t Salem the one who’s hunting you?” Melissa asks.
“Yes” You say.

“That bow guy from before is my daddy?” Selene asks.
Laura hugs her tightly. “Yes” She says.
“Will I get to see him again?” Selene asks.

>[ ] Absolutely not

>[ ] I suppose I could take him alive…

>[ ] Other

>[ ] I suppose I could take him alive…
Selene is going to be rebellious anyway

>>39390264
>[ ] Other

"...He's not a good man. We'll see."

>>39390264
>[ ] Other

"If he was a better person and our circumstances different I would say yes Selene. But because of the current situation as well as... Personal feelings I can't say.."

>>39390264
>[ ] Absolutely not

I don't care if he's her dad. That scumbag doesn't get within 10 feet of her.

>>39390264
>[ ] Absolutely not. That man is not a real father Selene. He may be the one who helped bring you into this world but his actions after that fact haven't been anywhere close to what a father does.

>>39390356

...That's a little close, don'tcha think? He IS an archer.

>>39390264
>>39390264
>[ ] Other
He doesn't deserve to be called you father Selene, he might of brought you to this world but he'd an evil human being.

>>39390264
>[ ] Other
"Trust me when I say that you wouldn't want to. He has done bad things and plans to do even worse."

>>39390404
The closest distance I would personally allow is 6 feet vertical.

>>39390444
Negatively vertical, I hope. As in she above him.

>writing

>>39390459
How could you even consider I might mean it any other way?

>>39390495
Hanging?

Of course if she just wants to tell him off personally, I think we'd be glad to bring him to her in ropes, chains, and other restraintive livery.

>>39390506
>>39390495
6 feet under? ie dead?

>>39390594
Yes. Yes, that is what anon meant.

Hoping we say something like "I'm sorry, Selene, but I think the only good thing that's ever come from him is you. He's not a nice man."

>>39390745
Wrong update dude.

>>39390745
are you drunk smiley

>>39390745
Uhhhhhhhh...

Selene looks from face to face, smiling the whole time.
Laura looks uncomfortable. “I guess if we-“
“Absolutely NOT” You say.

Everyone stares at you, stunned.

“I don’t care if he is her father. So long as his goal remains the same, he doesn’t get within shouting distance.” You say.
“But-“ Laura says.
You shoot her a look that shuts down whatever she was about to say.

“So I don’t get to meet my daddy?” Selene asks, tears slowly forming in her eyes.
“Selene, Salem is not a nice man. If he gets his hands on you, he’ll take you straight back to the Palace where other bad men will do bad things to you.” You say.
“But… he’s my daddy” Selene says.
“In name only. My parents abandoned me at birth, and they’re still better than he’ll ever be” You say.

“Kay…” Selene says. She’s down about this, but you’d rather she be a little sad for a while than let her anywhere near that man.

>[ ] Continue where you left off (what Dalen did to Salem)

>[ ] Say some more comforting things (specify if you want)

>[ ] Ask how long this trip will take

>[ ] Other

That happens way too often.

I need to start actually making sure I have the right part pasted before I hit send...

>>39390777
>[ ] Continue where you left off (what Dalen did to Salem)

>>39390777
>>[ ] Continue where you left off (what Dalen did to Salem)

>>39390777
>"My parents abandoned me at birth, and they’re still better than he’ll ever be.”

It's sad that that's so true.

>[ ] Say some more comforting things (specify if you want)

"Selene, I know it's disappointing. But I care about you far too much to risk him getting to you. You have a multitude of people who love you far more than he ever will. Rest assured of that."

Comb fingers through hair while talking.

>>39390858
this

>>39390777
>[ ] Continue where you left off (what Dalen did to Salem)
And maybe what Salem did to Dalen aswell.

>>39390777
>[ ] Say some more comforting things (specify if you want)
I'm sorry kiddo

>>39390777
>Comfort Selene

"You've got some pretty good uncles, though. Dalen, Cedric, Zen, Marcellus... and I don't know if I can be your new daddy, but I can definitely at least be an uncle. The coolest uncle."

Then ruffle her hair a bit.

>>39390777
>>39390858
supporting this.

>>39390858
This sounds good.

>>39390777
>[ ] Continue where you left off (what Dalen did to Salem)

>>39390777
>[ ] Say some more comforting things (specify if you want)

"From what I understand he never came back because both the King and Queen agreed with Dalen on this point. That alone should tell you what type of person they thought he was."

>writing

Oh, hey! I finally managed to catch up!
So, uh, question. Laura is Selene's actual mother, yeah? Does Selene know that? I think I remember reading that she did in an earlier thread, but I just wanna make sure.

>>39390989
She literally just found out like two story posts ago.

>>39390989
Selene knew about Laura, she just found out about Salem

>>39390989
>>39390995
Selene has known Laura is her mother for a while. It's been at least a few threads now.

>>39390989
>>39390995
No, Selene always knew Laura was her real mother.

>>39391022
>>39391023
>>39391027

Oh. Well ain't I a dumbass. Apologies.

“Look Selene” You say, combing your fingers through her hair. “I know it’s disappointing, but I won’t risk him getting too close to you. Besides, you have loads of cool uncles. You don’t need a…” rapist, degenerate, deadbeat “bad guy like him in your life.”

Bad guy is a good word to use for now…

She’s still a little disappointed, but she’ll bounce back.
“Right, where was I…” You say. “Yes! Dalen was the one who sent Salem packing.”
“He was?” Laura asks.
“When he found out about the… y’know… baby… He fought Salem and won” You say.
“Dalen… fought Salem?” Laura says. “I never knew…”
“Ask to see his shoulder when we stop to stretch” You say.
“Why?” She asks.
“You’ll see”

The carriage gets quiet again.

>[ ] Ask when we’ll be reaching Harth

>[ ] Ask when the carriage will stop so you can stretch

>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick

>[ ] Other

>>39391224
>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick
Might cheer her up a bit

>>39391224
>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick
>[ ] Ask when the carriage will stop so you can stretch

>>39391224
>>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick

>>39391224
>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick
Might help to get her mind off things

>>39391224
>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick

"As long as we're sharing I... recently learned something interesting, Marcy?"
don't do this

>>39391224
>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick

>writing

>>39391353
>that spoiler

You realize we have to play up Marcy's manliness as much as possible, yes? Because messing with bros is part of the Bro Code, and that doesn't change if the bro in question is a woman.

>>39391224
>>[ ] Ask when we’ll be reaching Harth

then

>[ ] See if Selene wants to learn a new trick

>>39391509
Of course Butt slaps like in baseball/football all around.

You pull your coin back out and start to fiddle with it again, passing it between your fingers as quickly as you can as you gaze once more out the window at the passing scenery.

You look back to the others after a few minutes, and notice that Selene is staring intently at your hand while Laura and Melissa talk about girl things.

“Curious?” You ask.
Selene nods intently
“Want me to show you how to do it?” You ask.
Selene wriggles away from her mother and sits down between you and Marcy. At first, Laura looks disappointed about losing her daughter’s attention. But as you start teaching Selene how to finger-pass, she smiles.

You show her the basic steps with your gold coin, then hand her a copper coin to practice with.
Once you think she’ll be fine on her own, you turn to Melissa.

“So when will we be stopping?” You ask.
“Soon. I’m surprised we haven’t already.” She says.

The carriage stops, almost as if on cue, and the driver taps on the front.

“Well I’ll be damned. Everybody out.” She says.

You step out first and help the ladies (excluding Marcy) out, then look around. The line of carriages are pulled up on the side of the road in a wooded area. Up ahead in the distance you see the mountains.

The others are starting to come out as well, stretching their arms and legs.

>[ ] Stay with your group

>[ ] Go see the twins

>[ ] Take a look around

>[ ] Other

>>39391732
>[ ] Take a look around

>>39391732
>[ ] Go see the twins

"Hope you lot weren't too bored. We still got a ways to go, it looks like."

>Take a look around
>Other
Check up on Zen. Ask how the chaperone gig has been going so far.

>>39391732
>>[ ] Take a look around
Gotta check for hidden assassins.
Especially cute ones.

>writing

>>39391864
Yeah. We can set her up with Cedric.

...or, for our own amusement, get her to compete with Eleanor over Marcy.

>>39391944
>set her up
Please keep shipping away.

>>39392029
...that's kind of the point? If we’re pointing Assassin Girl at Cedric or Marcy, we aren’t waifuing her ourselves.

“Giles, where are you going?” Marcy asks.
“I’m gonna take a look around to stretch my legs. I may or may not need to take a leak as well” You say.
“I… didn’t need to hear that.” Marcy says. “Either way, don’t take too long”

You walk off into the woods, keeping an eye out for movement. If an ambush were to happen, it wouldn’t happen here. Too many outs, and it’d take too many men just to surround the caravan.

But, better safe than sorry.

You do a quick search, and come up with nothing. So you decide to go to part 2 of your stroll through the woods…

But before you can even undo your belt, you hear something…

>[ ] Hide

>[ ] Call out

>[ ] Go back to what you were doing

>[ ] Other

>>39392088
The people who want to waifu her will do so anyway. and everyone else is already waifuing someone else anyway. It's an exercise in futility.

>>39392125
>[ ] Hide

>>39392125
>[ ] Go back to what you were doing
>[ ] Call out

"Hope you're enjoying the show."

>>39392125
>[ ] Call out
"I cannot go when you watch."

>>39392125
>[ ] Call out
I bet it's that assassin chick

>>39392125
>Go back to what you were doing
When a man's gotta go, a man's gotta go.

>>39392137
Can't hurt to try.

>>39392088
No, stop shipping, its worse than waifufaggotry.

>>39392125
>[ ] Hide
>[ ] Other
Find source of noise.

>writing

>>39392277#
...isn't trying to get a buddy laid the sort of thing friends do?

>>39392385
Being a good wingman is one thing, shipping two people who have never even met, just to eliminate the possibility of accidently dating one of them yourself is a wholly different matter.

“I know someone is out there. You mind doing what you came to do so I can do the same?” You say.

“Oh, there you are. I was starting to wonder if I’d gotten lost…” Eleanor says.
“Eleanor? What the hell are you doing here?” You ask.

Eleanor steps into view and approaches you.
“I lost a bet. Don’t take this personally” She says, continuing towards you, well into your comfort zone.
“Don’t take what perso- MMPH” You say, but you’re cut off when Eleanor locks lips with you.

She pulls away after a few seconds, and wipes her mouth.

>[ ] What?

>[ ] Who the hell were you betting with?

>[ ] You should gamble more often

>[ ] other

>>39392498
>>[ ] Who the hell were you betting with?
>>[ ] You should gamble more often

>>39392498
>>[ ] What?
>>[ ] Who the hell were you betting with?

>>39392498
>[ ] You should gamble more often. Maybe if you win more ill teach you a few tricks. Eyebrow waggle optional.

>>39392498
>>[ ] Who the hell were you betting with?

>>39392498
>[ ] What?

>>39392498
>[ ] What?
>[ ] Who the hell were you betting with?

>writing

Man, Giles gets all the women.

I feel like even Selene's going to be into us at this rate.

>>39392742
Ye GODS I hope not in that way.

(This is starting to get kinda old, though.)

>>39392742
Loli route best.

>>39392742
In a few years she will be furious that she was born too late to have a chance.
She will have to console herself with being the queen that was promised.

“And just who the hell were you betting with?” You ask.
“Everyone…” She says.
“You bet against everyone? What the hell were you playing?” You ask.
“Poker… First one out had to do something that the winner came up with.” She says.
“tsk tsk.” You say, pulling an ace of spades out of your cloak. “Eleanor, this is why you should always have an ace up your sleeve” You pop the ace out, making it seem like it came from nowhere.

“Not all of us can do whatever the hell that was” She says.
“It takes practice” You say, making the card disappear. “So who won?”
“Zen…” She says.

You laugh. So much for being the responsible adult.
“You should head back, before someone assumes things are happening out here.” You say.
“Ummmmmm…” Eleanor says.
“You’re lost aren’t you.” You say.
“Ummmmmm…”

>[ ] Tell her to turn around, you have business to take care of

>[ ] Point her in the direction of the road

>[ ] Business can wait

>[ ] Other

>>39392877
>[ ] Tell her to turn around, you have business to take care of

>>39392877
>>[ ] Point her in the direction of the road

>[ ] Other

Tell her we'll be right back, want to check something out.

>>39392877
>[ ] Tell her to turn around, you have business to take care of

We gotta drain the dragon.

>>39392877
>>[ ] Point her in the direction of the road
>[ ] Other
watch and make sure she goes the right way, then we can finally whizz in peace

>>39392877
>[ ] Point her in the direction of the road

Now Im wondering what would have happened if she walked over while we in the process, as it were.

>>39392877
>>[ ] Other

Point her in the right direction, tell her we'll be along shortly after we do business. Do said business (two shakes only), then catch up to her.

>>39392877
>[ ] Tell her to turn around, you have business to take care of

>>39392877
>>[ ] Tell her to turn around, you have business to take care of

>writing

Horse head mask when?

“On that note” You say. Then you whistle and motion with your finger for her to turn around.
“What? Why?” She asks.
“You followed a boy out into the woods after a long carriage trip.” You say.

Eleanor puts 2 and 2 together, and then blushes furiously. “Oh! I Uhhh… shit. Do you think you could just point me in the right direction?” She asks.
You point back to where the road is. “Don’t get turned around, I’ll be following you shortly.” You say.

Eleanor turns around and marches off in the direction you indicated, leaving you to your business. You haven’t been holding this for long, but the idea of holding it for another 4 hours or so is not one that appeals to you.

Once you’re finished you catch up with Eleanor, who is now going the wrong way. Seems like she might be a bit directionally challenged…

>[ ] Give her some gambling tips

>[ ] Ask if she knows how long this trip will be

>[ ] Ask why she came out into the woods to find you

>[ ] Other

>>39393281
>[ ] Ask why she came out into the woods to find you

>>39393281
>[ ] Give her some gambling tips

>>39393281
>[ ] Give her some gambling tips

>>39393281
>>[ ] Give her some gambling tips

>>39393281
>[ ] Ask why she came out into the woods to find you

>>39393281
>[ ] Give her some gambling tips
>[ ] Ask why she came out into the woods to find you

>writing

“So why did you come out into the woods to find me?” You ask.
“Are you kidding me? I wasn’t about to do that in front of everyone!” She says.
“And if you had gotten lost?” You ask.
Eleanor frowns. “Eh-heh-heh… yeah…” She says.
“The woods aren’t the same as a building. It’s easy to get turned around. Please keep that in mind while we’re out here.” You say.
“Alright” She says.

“Good! Now, to make sure that you don’t have to follow me out into the woods again to do… that, I’ll teach you how to gamble properly!” You say.

The rest of the walk back is spent giving her some poker tips. When to raise, when to fold, etc.

When you get back, you find that everyone has started eating lunch without you…
You head over to where your group is, and you’re met with some very suggestive looks from the people who were in Eleanor’s carriage.

“You two have fun?” Dalen asks.

>[ ] Shrug it off

>[ ] Say something innocent

>[ ] Say something suggestive

>[ ] Other

>>39393656
>[ ] Say something suggestive

>>39393656
>[ ] Say something suggestive
I didn't know she was that flexible.

>>39393656
>>[ ] Say something innocent

But in a facetious tone of voice.

"Oh yes, we had a simply wonderful talk about inter-city economics and the gold trade."

>>39393656
>[ ] Say something innocent

>>39393656
>[ ] Say something innocent

>writing

“Of course.” You say, taking a seat and grabbing some food. “How come no one told me Eleanor was so flexible?”

You have to stop doing this. Eventually someone is going to kill you for saying stuff like that…

Eleanor breaks the silence by thwacking you on the back of the head. “Nothing like that happened.” She says.
“Except what was agreed upon, I hope.” Zen says.
“Yeah, yeah. I did what you asked.” She says.

Zen looks at you, and you nod. He seems pleased.

“So how long do you think it’ll be before we reach Harth?” Cedric ask, his mouth half full of bread.
“We’ll be crossing the border tomorrow night. We should reach Forenvale and the castle by noon the next day.” Melissa says.

Wow, you didn’t think it would take that long. A carriage ride to Harth from here should be way less than that.... They must be taking a longer route to avoid trouble.

Which means you’re going to be stuck in these damn carriages for the rest of today, AND tomorrow…

You should’ve brought a book…

>[ ] Ask about your route

>[ ] Ask if someone can lend you a book

>[ ] Other

>>39394112
>[ ] Ask if someone can lend you a book
Eleanor probably has a porn stash considering all her innuendo. Although its probably back at the castle.

>>39394112
>[ ] Ask if someone can lend you a book

"No, seriously, you don't want to know what I get up to when I get bored."

>>39394112
>[ ] Ask if someone can lend you a book

>>39394112
>[ ] Ask if someone can lend you a book

>>39394112
>[ ] Ask about your route
>[ ] Other
"So, what were the bets if Eleanor was the one who won?"

(Just as clarification, fellow anons, we aren't asking about the route because we believe the logic is sound?)

>>39394112
Uh it's not a big deal but saying something innocent won the vote

>>39394203
Yeah. We trust Melissa to know her shit on this. If nothing else, she's almost certainly been doing a bit of smuggling via this route, because in this sort of political/technological environment pretty much any merchant will be doing some smuggling if they think they can get away with it.

>>39394219
Oh fuck it did... My bad

>writing

>>39394254
Gotcha. Welp, we can at least while away the time teaching Selene more slight of hand or something.


...Jesus, we just need to teach the kid how to pickpocket outright. Just...round out the damn skillset and be done with it- she's like 80% there anyway (for a beginner).

“So does anyone have a book I can borrow?” You ask.
“I have a few, why?” Laura asks.
“Because I was not expecting this trip to take so long…” You say.
“Right, sorry about that. We’re taking the long way through the mountains rather than the normal route, for safety reasons. I should’ve mentioned that before we left” Melissa says.

“Not a problem, I guess.” You say.
Laura smiles. “I’ll grab you something from my bags before we take off, okay?” She asks.
“Yeah, that sounds good.”

When everyone goes back to eating and chatting, you turn to Melissa. “Are you sure about this?” You ask.
“Our route? Of course. It’s the only pathway to Harth that isn't under constant watch.” She says.
“Not under constant watch normally, no. But these are anything but normal times…” You say.
“Just trust me Giles, I’ve been in this… business… longer than you have.” She says.

>Anything else to say before you head out?

>>39394448

> "Alright, I'll trust your judgement on this one."

I kinda want to make a quip about teaching Selene stuff, but I can't think of anything good that Melissa would approve of.

>>39394448
>>Anything else to say before you head out?
Do you think I should tell them soon?

>>39394557
I think we could spill being a thief/rogue, especially after the visit to Father Pitre. Devil, not so much.

>>39394557
Yeah, I could get behind this. If it's us being a thief not a devil.

>>39394557
Yeah. Come clean about our intentions in Laust, but not our nature.

>writing

>>39394448
"So do you think there's anyone on this trip who hasn't been keeping some big secret?"

>>39394572
>>39394587
Yeah, but should we say we're The Gambler, or the rest of them, or just a normal thief?

If all of them, I kind of want to pull out that trophy we stole from Marcy and give it to her, and see what kind of reaction they have.

>>39394557
>>39394572
>>39394587
>>39394604
>Telling them outright
>Not telling the tales of the master thieves until the final heist is revealed, and the slow realization on their parts.

>>39394645
I'd go with all of them.

>>39394645
Not sure. Especially since we probably will want to produce the crown during the powwow in Harth; it has enough political importance to change the whole approach to combating Rick the Dick's little usurpation.

>>39394652
This.

We shouldn't tell them yet. Maybe in Harth when we have people to back us.

>>39394645
I'd want to say all of them. something like "Well it's something that Melissa guessed and she was right. Well, partly 1/6th to be exact."

>>39394652
Shoot. We should tell stories on the coach then

>>39394737
it's a good time for it, we've got about two days to kill.

>>39394652
Ooh, I support this. Selene would get a kick out of it, too.

and >>39394758 is right, we got time to burn. Let's get our 'fairytale' on.

...I forgot some of the names. I remember The Gambler, The Brute, The Critic, and the Buyer.

>>39394828
Brute, Critic, Sparrow, Gambler, Riddler, Buyer.

>>39394837
Gratzie.

“Do you think I should tell them?” You ask.
Melissa eyes you strangely. “Tell them what?” She asks.
“You know…” You flick a card out. “About… me?”

“It’s a nice thought, but you should definitely keep that to yourself” She says. “You might’ve done right this time, but that won’t outweigh the sheer volume of your crimes.”
You ponder that for a while, finishing the rest of your food silently. Is it really fair for you to go on having such a big secret when you’ve been doing nothing but uncovering everyone else’s?

After lunch, when everyone is packing up and getting ready to pile back into the carriages, you find Melissa and grab her gently by the arm.

“I’ll trust your judgement on this one. But I think I will have to tell them eventually.” You say.
She puts a hand on your cheek. “I know. Just not now. Wait until you’re in a good position for it. Don’t jump the gun and do it when you’re surrounded by people you’ve stolen from.” She says, patting your cheek and smiling.

After that, you go and find Laura, who is currently rummaging through her stuff in the back of the carriage, and tap her on the shoulder.

“Oh! Hey. I found a few things you might be interested in, take a look!” She says, gleefully handing you a small stack of books.

There’s a few interesting ones, a couple of odd fantasy stories, a few actual history books, some weird info texts, and a few spellbooks.

>Choose three

>[ ] (History) The Mystery of the Golden Crown

>[ ] (History) Angels and Demons: a look into ancient texts

>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations

>[ ] (Magic) The Six Elements

>[ ] (Fantasy) The Thieves Den

>[ ] (Fantasy) Ferwick and Ravaging Bulurd

>[ ] (Info) The Master Thieves

>[ ] (Info) Dragons of the World

>>39394917
>[ ] (History) The Mystery of the Golden Crown
>[ ] (History) Angels and Demons: a look into ancient texts
>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations

>>39394917
>[ ] (Info) The Master Thieves

This one is just too good to not choose.

>>39394964
Choose three

>>39394917
>[ ] (History) The Mystery of the Golden Crown
>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations
>[ ] (Fantasy) Ferwick and Ravaging Bulurd

>>39394973
Ah, my bad adding onto this >>39394964


>[ ] (History) Angels and Demons: a look into ancient texts

>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations

>>39394917
>[ ] (Info) The Master Thieves
>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations
>[ ] (History) The Mystery of the Golden Crown

>writing

>>39394917
>The Mystery of the Golden Crown
>Evocations and Counter-Evocations
>Angels and Demons

>>39394917
>[ ] (History) The Mystery of the Golden Crown
>[ ] (Magic) Evocations and Counter-Evocations
>[ ] (Fantasy) Ferwick and Ravaging Bulurd

You grab three books for now: Evocations and Counter-Evocations, The Mystery of the Golden Crown, and your biography.

Laura smiles and repacks some of the stuff that had to come out of her bag to get to the books. Then the two of you head into the carriage. As usual, you step up first and help her in.

Marcy and Selene seem to be the only ones in the carriage. Melissa must be off coordinating something with the people she brought from Searise…

You sit down and place your books between you and the wall, and Laura sits down on the bench next to you. Seeing the two of you sitting together, Selene smiles brightly, but she stays where she is next to Marcy.

Not long after, Melissa steps in. “You guys ready to go?” She asks, sitting down next to Selene.

“While I loathe to abandon this scrap of forest, we must be going.” You say sarcastically.
“Good.” She says, tapping on the wall between you and the driver.

After a few moments, the carriage starts moving.

Now then, what to do first.

>[ ] Start reading (Specify which book)

>[ ] Play cards

>[ ] Talk about something (specify)

>[ ] Other

>>39395293
>[ ] Start reading evocations and counter evocations

>>39395293
>[ ] Start reading (Specify which book)

The one about the master thieves.

>>39395315
Read them out to Selene, see if she has a favorite?>>39395293

>>39395293
>>39395308
This. The more we learn about countering magic, the more we learn about countering salem

>>39395293
>>[ ] Start reading evocations and counter evocations

Get the business-y business out of the way, then maybe we can play a round of poker or something.

>>39395293
>[ ] Play cards
Time for revenge.

>writing

As the carriage gently rumbles forward, you pick up one of the books you brought.

‘Evocations and Counter-Evocations’. You’ve made pretty good progress with your magic in the last little while, mostly thanks to Laura’s tutelage. If you can learn to evoke without words, or counter opposing evocations before you next meet Salem it would give you an unexpected leg up…

The first few chapters cover basic Evocations, and how to make a spell more effective by using the same mental imagery you do when enchanting an object while you evoke it. For instance, if you imagine the black smoke leaving the knife when you evoke Dark Fog, the spell’s effect is heightened. This is known as boosting, and it really only works when you don’t have to focus on other things.

After that, there’s some stuff about wordless evocation. Similar to boosting, but instead of strengthening the effect, you’re simply forcing the magic out. Causes a spell to be less effective overall, but a wordless evocation is harder to see coming even if your magic senses are well attuned.

Then there’s counter-evocation. Again, you use an image of the magic leaving the object. But instead of leaving as it came in, it leaves in a harmless form. Fire might leave as smoke, lightning as spark, water as mist, etc. In conjunction with a counter word unique to each spell.

You probably couldn’t pull this off yet. You would need to further train your magic senses to be able to tell specific spells from one another, and learn the counter words for each one…

You put the book away for now. You’ll have time to work on those things later, when the caravan stops for supper.

>[1/2]

You look around after you put the book away. Melissa and Selene are playing patty-cake on the other bench next to Marcy, who is once again asleep.

Like Laura, who took you way too seriously when you said she could switch places with Melissa. You didn’t even notice her put her head down there…

>[ ] Ask the girls if they want to play cards

>[ ] Read another book (specify)

>[ ] Talk about a thing (specify)

In addition

>[ ] Wake Laura

>[ ] Pet Laura

>>39395656
>>[ ] Ask the girls if they want to play cards

Let Laura sleep.

>>39395656
>[ ] Ask the girls if they want to play cards
>[ ] Wake Laura

>>39395656
>Book: Crown
>Pet Laura

>>39395656
>>[ ] Read another book (specify)
The one about the crown
>>[ ] Pet Laura

>>39395600
>[ ] Ask the girls if they want to play cards

"Hey, girls, up for a round?"

Let Laura sleep. Probably let's not pet her, though. She might snag our arm. We need that TO play cards.

(Also, I want to see if Selene's wily enough to figure out the age old adage: "If you can't win fairly, cheat." I wanna see her palm some cards or something.)

Off topic, how do you spoiler text?

>writing

You look down at Laura. She looks kinda cute sleeping like this. You’re so used to seeing her worrying, stressing, and crying that seeing her peaceful face is a nice change of pace.

With your left hand, you gently stroke her hair, and with your right you extract a deck of cards from your cloak.

“Either of you ladies up for a game of cards?” You ask.
Melissa looks up from her game of patty-cake, and smiles deviously. “Hoping to gamble another kiss?” She asks.
“No. Not unless you want to, that is.” You say
Melissa purses her lips while she thinks. “You’re on.” She says.
“I wanna play too!” Selene says.
“I’ll join too” Marcy says. Huh, maybe she wasn’t sleeping.

“What are the stakes?” You ask.
Melissa smiles. “Since we’re playing for smooches. Winner gets a kiss from the loser.” She says.

Wait, when did this become about kissing? Why does it sound like she has ulterior motives for this?
Melissa pulls a table out from under the benches and with Marcy’s help, assembles it.
You take your hand off Laura’s head for a minute to shuffle your deck.

“So, what’ll the game be?” Melissa asks.
“I figured poker” You say.
Melissa agrees and pulls out a bunch of coins to use as chips.

And then the game begins…

>roll 1d20

Rolled 14 (1d20)

Actually hoping Selene takes it all just out of sheer humor. Lesgo.

Rolled 5 (1d20)

>>39395948

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>39395948

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>39395965

>writing

>>39395948
inb4 Marcy has to kiss Melissa

The game starts out well enough. You slowly pick away at everyone else’s stacks with some good bluffs. Once you’re leading you start being a bit of a bully, forcing people to make ‘all or nothing’ decisions.

It only takes one misplayed hand for Melissa to get knocked out of the game. At least you think she misplayed it…

After Melissa is Marcy, who goes all-in on a ‘fuck it’ sort of hand, and loses.

Then it’s you and Selene, and a string of really solid hands from her whittles your impressive stack down until you’re about even, and then she knocks you out.

You aren’t really sure how that happened. Melissa looks disappointed for a moment, but quickly rebounds.

Selene throws her hands up in the air in triumph, with a HUGE smile. She is quickly scooped up by Melissa, who gives her a quick kiss for winning, and Selene laughs the whole time.

“How about another round?” You ask.

Everyone agrees, and you shuffle the deck up once more...
This might just end up being more fun than you thought.

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

Nest thread will probably be on sunday. I may run on friday or saturday night if I'm not too busy.

I'll be sticking around for a few minutes in case anyone has questions.

>>39396187

HA! Selene's a card shark. I love it.

(Wonder where she learned from.)

>>39396187
being melissa is suffering

>>39396200
thanks for running

>>39396200
Thank's for running!