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>>42422978

>>42422978
I've been waiting for this.
How was your day octo?

Garrus sounded stunned upon hearing word of what had happened. "W-wait, what was that about the Cord region?"

Yvette nods. "Yes, it... seems like they've mostly-willingly fallen under the control of Prince Lars and the Emperor's Flight. Attempts to stop this by Rakche's soldiers have been... Unsuccessful."

Quidel speaks up, "Wh-what about my siblings? Ailen, Nahuel, they were leading a bunch of Tarvosian warriors to the Cord region to-"

"They're alright. They missed the brunt of the fighting and easily returned home."

Quidel sighs in relief.

"Regardless," Dama says, "this is a problem. We need to clear Dain's forces the hell out of there before they spread to Darros, or worse, to here!"

"A third of our country has pretty much turned against us, and in the process some of our most important forces have been wiped out," Yvette responds, "this isn't a blow easily shrugged off, Chief Dama."

>A. We have to do something
>B. What about Heim?
>C. This whole country might not be safe
>D. Stay silent
>E. Write-in

>>42423217
>>B. What about Heim?

>>42423217
>B. What about Heim?
>what can we do?

>>42423263
>>42423270
"Well, we still have allies in Heim, right... The Vautou, and Simia, and the Mage General herself! I mean, there's gotta be something we can do..."

"Yes," Yvette says, "and that something is to await Heim's assistance. In the meantime, however... I don't think it's safe for the royal families to be here."

"Wait... what are you getting at?" Salia looks at Yvette.

"I'm 'getting at' the fact that... Well, this place is less safe than we'd thought. It may be for the best to arrange for you all to return to Elza Oasis."

"But... Abandoning Neir now?" Garrus sounds uncertain.

"Hey," Eva responds, "if it's what's really safest after all... At the very least, we should send Kia back there."

>A. That's probably for the best
>B. What if she got attacked on the way?
>C. Yvette's right. Every royal should stay there
>D. We should all stay in Neir for now
>E. Say something else (specify)
>F. Be quiet

>>42423438
>B. What if she got attacked on the way?

>>42423438
>A. That's probably for the best
>B. What if she got attacked on the way?

What are the geographical regions they're in.
If I recall were in a desert right now

>>42423438
>>E. Say something else (specify)
Well, who's going to govern the country while we're away? Actually, who is governing the country right now...

>>42423524
Neir is mostly a lot of mountains separating four massive valleys, which make up three regions, the Southernmost of which is also along the coast without any mountains in the way.

Heim, the country just West of Neir, is probably the desert you're thinking of.

>>42423618
So right now we have natural mountain walls, which could limit enemy ground troop movement? This location sounds the safest

On the other hand they'll probably send fliers and we don't have our wyrmslayer.

>>42423665
Yeah, the issue at hand is that most of Dain's best guys are wyverns, and an impenetrable magical barrier covers Elza Oasis, which is only able to be passed through with permission from officials inside the city/keeps the place in a comfortable climate despite the desert surrounding the city.

>>42423698
Elza is definitely the safe choice, but is Elza ours or a third parties, that could potentially bend the knee?

>>42423486
>>42423524
"Well, it... sounds like a sound idea, but who would guard her along the way? There's... still a lot of bandits and the possibility of stray necromancy, and she's only five."

Antiman, Quidel's uncle and the figure who still hasn't been removed from his state of being temporarily in charge ever since Drasma made it so before leaving, says, "aid from Heim will arrive in a short time. We can arrange for Princess Kia to be moved safely then, along with whoever else among us wishes to take refuge."

Garrus shakes his head. "N-no, I can't run... I'd rather be out there stopping Lars, winning the Cord region back..."

Salia nods in agreement. "I won't, either. I mean, I'm supposed to be aiding the Tarvosians, and what good would running off do?"

>A. That's the spirit
>B. But your safety
>C. Say something else (specify)
>D. Write-in

>>42423764
>A. That's the spirit
>brave leaders keep up Morale
>maybe we should invest some of the nations funds into buying wyrmslayers for the personal guard to give us an edge over their elite.

>>42423764
>>C. Say something else (specify)
If I was Dain, what would I do?

>>42423761
Heim's magical senate and the Vautou are both a third party, but the nation's entirely between the most direct route from Neir to Dain and very few people would even consider going through Tordo or Ulir (for reference, no one was even expecting Lars and co. to try to go through Tordo before Eva suggested it).

As long as Simia leads the Vautou, she's too proud to let them work with Dain, and Mage General Corneria and those who answer to her are a pretty firm ally at this point.

>>42423826
>>42423822
"Well, what would Dain do if we did either of these things?"

"Well, Dain will certainly direct some of its wrath towards Heim however things play out now, and they've already begun to do so, but absolutely nothing can get into Elza Oasis that isn't welcome there." Antiman pauses, "yes... We're definitely moving Princess Kia there."

"And only her, I take it? Garrus is right, abandoning the people now will only fuel Lars' little upset. Now may be a time to channel King Drasma, be an upstanding, hands-on leader that the people love. Also... How would we be able to see about getting more dragon and wyvern-piercing weapons to be standard-issue?"

"Not all too likely," Eva says, shaking her head, "considering that some island in Ulir is the only place in the continent that the metals needed are found, and even then it's... Pretty damn rare, and so it's pretty damn expensive."

>A. Leave the rest of planning to everyone else
>B. Suggest something (specify)
>C. Write-in?

>>42423853
Can we set up an emergency evacuation if something happens and get some mages from then to bolster our own forces? Or better yet try to replicate their shield?
Although I doubt they would want to share the secrets

>>42424001
>A.
No more ideas

>>42424001
>A. Leave the rest of planning to everyone else

>>42424017
Yeah, how to create the barrier is a very closely-guarded secret.

>>42424104
>>42424151
Ultimately, you leave the rest of the planning to everyone else. In the short term, you'll all be staying put, and Kia will be moved West when it's safer to do so.

Later that day, you're walking around in the city, where an air of unease fills most of the people. Word of defeat and dissent in Cord has been heard already in Johan.

You see Bryce and Asra leaving the hospital Devon and Laurina have been in.

>A. Leave them be and carry on
>B. Talk to them
>C. Go past them and visit them yourself again
>D. Write-in

>>42424241
>B. Talk to them

>>42424307
"Uh, hey, guys."

"Hello."

Bryce looks back at the building. "Yeah, Miles hasn't left Devon's side since right after we reported back from Cord, 'cept whenever they have to kick him out. Then he just sulks."

"I see... How was Cord?"

"Terrible. Way colder than this region or Tarvos. I mean, it's not Tordo, but that also means I'll be too hot if I put a coat on!"

>A. Sounds rough
>B. Sounds rough (sarcastically)
>C. No comment

And...

>D. You should talk to Miles about blaming Laurina
>E. You should let Miles be. You don't know any of them that well still

>>42424439
>A. Sounds rough
>do you think miles is right?

>>42424439
>A. Sounds rough
>D. You should talk to Miles about blaming Laurina

>>42424516
>>42424642
"Sounds rough," you earnestly say to the magenta-clad bard.

"Yeah... Weather, man. Wish Miles would call that favor with the Dories just so we could sail through somewhere I won't look like a freezing idiot."

You chuckle, but still change the subject to a more serious one. "I've heard that... That Laurina seems to think Miles blames her for what happened."

"Well, she certainly went out like an idiot, but that didn't have a thing to do with Devon doing the same. We haven't been able to tell him otherwise, though."

"I think she might end up quitting if this culminates in anything," Asra contributes.

"Well, er... I don't know how much I could accomplish if you couldn't, but I think I'll talk to him."

"Be our guests." Bryce lets you past.

>A. Immediately head to Devon's room
>B. See Laurina first
>C. On second thought, don't do this
>D. Write-in

>>42424680
We weren't there. Shouldnt we let someone else do this?
But
>B. See Laurina first

>>42424799
You check on Laurina first, happening into a conversation between her and Gorman. They're both sitting there, apparently having what this hospital qualifies as lunch.

"So you'll be out soon?"

"...yeah. It's not like I was going to be like this forever."

"I know, but still, after such a short time... It's impressive, even after taking four axes to... Everything."

"Don't remind me."

>A. Make yourself known
>B. Say something (write-in)
>C. Just get to Devon and presumably Miles

>>42424911
>B. Say something (write-in)
Four axes is pretty damn impressive

>>42424957
"Staring down four axes is pretty damn impressive."

"...thanks. I froze up and almost died."

You all share a moment of awkward silence before you lift your hand up and wave at Gorman. "Welcome back."

"It's good to be alive... Not to mention, returning to good news."

"We were just talking about how I've recovered really fast. I should be leaving the hospital after today." Laurina explains.

"And Devon is still..?"

She and Gorman nod, the latter adding, "Miles is really worked up about it and everything. It doesn't look like she'll be out of commission for ever, but until then, you can't blame the guy for being on edge, all things considered."

>A. Gorman's probably right
>B. He shouldn't take it out on Laurina
>C. Stick around here for a bit
>D. You think you'll go see Devon/Miles now
>E. Say something else (write-in)

>>42425085
>B. He shouldn't take it out on Laurina

>>42425085
>A. Gorman's probably right
>He's probably just looking for someone or something he can blame.
>I would have done the same Laurina.

>>42425085
>B. He shouldn't take it out on Laurina
>C. Stick around here for a bit

>>42425102
>>42425120
>>42425155
"Yeah, you're probably right... I still don't think he has any right to take it our on Laurina, though."

Laurina shakes her head, "I don't think he's doing it on purpose, but he needs to knock it off."

"He's... Probably just not sure who to blame for anything, but... If it makes you feel any better, I would've done the same."

"...I don't really need the support, but thanks anyway."

You take a seat and continue talking, mostly about Miles and Laurina, which makes things a bit awkward when the fair-haired ex-noble clears his throat.

"Is... That really what you think of me, Laurina?"

>A. Let her talk
>B. Say something (specify)
>C. You're just gonna go now

>>42425272
>A. Let her talk

>>42425272
Well I am lost. Were we bad mouthing Miles behind his back or what?

>A. Let her talk

>>42425272
>A. Let her talk

>>42425373
He didn't realize that he was being so resentful.

>>42425358
>>42425373
>>42425383
"Well... you've at least acted like you were mad that I was okay."

"Gods..." Miles rubs his forehead. "Am I? I... honestly didn't notice, believe me. You don't hold it against me, do you?"

"You can do that without even realizing it, is what you're saying." She doesn't sound all too patient.

"I... it appears that way, but... It isn't your fault that you're healing faster than her."

"And here I was worried I was stealing her life force," Laurina quips back.

"Don't joke about that." Miles frowns.

"Sorry."

"Anyway..." Miles continues, "does it... make you uncomfortable, that this is happening?"

"...kind of, but I can handle it."

"Alright, then, if you're certain... If I should step out of line again, however, don't hesitate to point it out. I'll make more of an effort to correct my ways in return."

"So... All the effort is on your end. That's fine."

You and Gorman have just been watching this conversation play out this whole time.

>A. Excuse yourselves
>B. Keep watching
>C. Say something (write-in)

>>42425553
>By point it out you mean punch you right?

>>42425553
>>A. Excuse yourselves

>>42425553
>A. Excuse yourselves

>>42425587
Second, Sounds like something Ellen would say to lgihten the mood

>>42425587
>>42425684
>>42425657
>>42425668
"Er... You mean punch you out by that, right?"

Miles shrugs. "I could probably take it."

"Don't make me test it." Laurina stares for a moment.

"Noted."

You look at Gorman and mutually nod before saying, "anyway, though, we're... Just going to excuse ourselves, then."

"Bye."

And after a quick, uneventful visit to Devon, you and Gorman leave the premises. On the way out, he asks, "do you think they're going to make up so quickly?"

>A. Probably
>B. Probably not
>C. You don't know
>D. Don't answer
>E. Write-in

>>42425764
>B. Probably not
>at least it's progress though

>>42425764
>>A. Probably
They've been together for a while now. I'm pretty sure they know how to handle one another by now.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>42425870
>>42425816
Unless someone breaks the tie before this roll goes down... Yeah.

>>42425764
>A. Probably

>>42425924
Was rewatching avatar sorry., Hope my vote counts.

>>42425924
"Bryce said he was being difficult about this, so I'm not sure all's as it seems... At least they're making progress, though."

Gorman nods. "It might turn out that she actually has to leave the company if they don't resolve it, though. I'm not sure what she would do after that... I guess I'd see if she wanted to partner up if she didn't have something in mind."

>A. Sounds worth a shot
>B. Don't get your hopes up
>C. That's assuming she splits
>D. Write-in
>>42426000
Sorry, dude. Was already well into the update.

>>42426013
>>A. Sounds worth a shot

>>42426013
>C. That's assuming she splits
Devon will talk some sense into him

>>42426013
>C. That's assuming she splits

>>42426013
>>C. That's assuming she splits

>>42426013
Meant to also put in >A. Sounds worth a shot
in my vote here>>42426194
I'll delete my vote though if you want since i'd rather both be said since they don't work against each other specifically.

>>42426037
>>42426073
>>42426194
>>42426199
"Well, it's... probably worth asking, should it come to that, anyway. When she wakes up, Devon'll probably resolve this whole thing."

"The keywords here are 'when she wakes up.' That not happening before this can reach a boiling point is a depressing possibility."

"I suppose, but... Point is, it's best not to assume she'll split unless it happens."

"Yes, of course... Anyway, I've some errands to run, and you should probably get back to the castle as well."

You and Gorman part ways.

>A. Head back to the castle
>B. Do something else (specify)
>C. Write-in

>>42426282
>go see Zoe
She's gunna be gone soon

>>42426310
Salia's sticking around in Rakche for now, so her guards are too.

>>42426421
Oh.
Why don't we go see Salia then? We don't know her that well

>>42426282
>Go find nat, Let's help her train while we can

>>42426478
Ellen is not what you would call a social butterfly anon, I'd rather we help our friends while we can.

>>42426484
That sounds fine.
>>42426509
No, but she's royalty our girlfriend is protecting and the brother of our mark.
But whatever.

>>42426484
Second

>>42426484
>>42426568
You ask around, ultimately learning that Nat is in some theater you haven't been to with Biff and Byron. Probably something to do with that Lyra girl you recall Byron bringing up.

When you get there, you find out it's apparently the premiere of some play with a title you have trouble remembering. You would go in to see whatever's going on, but... Well, not only is the place apparently filled up, but you don't want to start spending money on extra things so soon after deciding to get that sword made.

Instead, you loiter about outside, waiting for an opportunity to ask Nat to train with you.

A muscular redheaded child with wings just sort of casually flies by, ignoring everyone's surprised looks, ultimately being stopped from entering the theater by the same indifferent doorman who stopped you.

He perches on a slightly elevated surface close to you, sighing.

>A. Don't say much
>B. Ask if he's a Fire Dragon
>C. Ask if he knew/knows Arion
>D. Ask what he was doing there
>E. Write-in dialogue

>>42426745
>D. Ask what he was doing there

>>42426745
>D. Ask what he was doing there

>>42426745
>You the one Laurina, Devon, and Gorman helped?

>>42426831
>>42426804
>>42426802
"So, uh... You look like what I've been told that kid the Great Miles helped does."

Michalis nods. "It's not like I can be mistaken for someone else. I'll look like this for another few centuries."

"True, true... What're you doing by the theater, though?"

"Well, in 300 years of being on the lam, I never had the chance to see any plays up in Tordo. Most human settlements don't have them, and if I was in an Ice Authority stronghold, I wouldn't make it past the door before being frozen and put on display in some seedy bar. I... guess I was a bit late, though."

>A. Same here
>B. Were you up in Cord too?
>C. Ask about Fire Dragons in general
>D. Don't talk much more
>E. Write-in dialogue

>>42427036
>A. Same here
>B. Were you up in Cord too?

>>42427036
>>A. Same here
>>B. Were you up in Cord too?

>>42427055
>>42427084
"Yeah, same here. I'm mostly just here to talk to someone in the audience, though. Er, I'm Ellen, by the way."

Michalis nods. "Michalis."

A few minutes of silence pass, then you ask, "so... were you out Easy with the rest of the Great Miles, besides..."

Michalis nods. "People don't have any idea how to fight us manaketes, and I think that played a big part in Neir losing, but... Honestly, the scenario was something out of a fantasy epic itself. 'King's true heir returns with proof of his regality,' I can understand why people who think like a novel might have been swayed by his... Charisma. It's strange, seeing Khozen fully grown, though. I know wyverns mature fast, and he grew up centuries ago, but... Someone who was a hatchling 280-odd years ago being so big now, and I haven't changed a bit."

>A. You knew Khozen?
>B. Sounds like it'd be strange
>C. I wouldn't know the difference
>D. How old are you?
>E. Write-in

>>42427285
>A. You knew Khozen?
>B. Sounds like it'd be strange

>>42427285
>>A. You knew Khozen?
>E. Write-in
I fought a fire manakete earlier in the week. He's being held back at the castle, and I wonder if he'll be able to be freed soon. I'm not fond of anyone imprisoned after having such an experience myself.

>>42427345
Anon don't be stupid or make Ellen stupid, Other dungeons are alot better then where we were kept and you know it.

>>42427285
>A. You knew Khozen?
>B. Sounds like it'd be strange
>D. How old are you?
>>42427390
Gonig to have to agree with this anon.

>>42427403
>>42427317
"I mean, I don't have much context for 300 years being a fraction of a lifetime, but it would be weird, seeing... Wait, you knew Khozen?"

Michalis nods. "My sister and I, when I was just about 20, were hiding out in the very city Queen Hauteclere received Khozen's egg in. Normally, silver wyvern eggs die before they can hatch-the eggs are actually really delicious if you scramble or hard-boil, but that's not the point-but the few that do hatch-they're only ever successful in captivity with powerful magic-are... Exceptionally long-lived, strong, fast, and generally worth the effort to raise. But this is missing the point of the story. Khozen used to be this tiny thing, is my point."

>A. You've seen a portrait
>B. You had no idea
>C. Eating wyvern eggs? (specification on reaction preferred)
>D. Write-in

>>42427615
>A. You've seen a portrait
>C. Eating wyvern eggs? Huh never thought of that before.

>>42427645
Second

>>42427615
>>A. You've seen a portrait
>>42427615
>>C. Eating wyvern eggs? (specification on reaction preferred)

I bet wyvern eggs Benny would be delicious

>>42427645
>>42427666
>>42427693
"Well, I've seen a portrait of her holding baby khozen, so-wait, eating wyvern eggs?" You've never heard of that being done.

Michalis nods. "Yeah. Regular wyvern eggs are nothing special unless you're some sort of master chef, but...thinking about it more, I'm not sure there's a wrong way to go with silver wyvern eggs. I mean, it's really rare that they're fertilized successfully, and you can tell right away if it's a lost cause even if you try to breed them. so... If you can drop a lot of gold or know a guy, then I'd absolutely recommend it. It's a shame that Khozen's male, otherwise Neir could be sitting on a centuries-old delicacy."

"This is a conversation." Nat and Biff are standing behind you. Judging by Michalis' expression, they have been awhile and you're just noticing.

>A. Just who you were looking for
>B. Wasn't Byron with you?
>C. Discuss this topic further. Do not be deterred
>D. Write-in

>>42427867
>>B. Wasn't Byron with you?

>>42427867
>A. Just who you were looking for

>>42427867
>C. Discuss this topic further. Do not be deterred

>>42427867
>A. Just who you were looking for
WE came here for her afterall

>>42427908
>>42427995
>>42427893
"Oh, uh, Nat! Just who I was looking for!"

"You were looking for me."

"Yeah, I was just... Wait, I'd heard that Byron was with you. Where's he?"

Biff folds his arms, closes his eyes, and smiles, nodding. "Lyra's invited him to stick around after the show was over. Well, the invitation was formally extended to all of us for politeness' sake, but Natalie and I figured it best to leave our dear friend to this."

"Anyway, Nat. You needed something from me."

>A. Let's train!
>B. Make some comment about Byron's status (specify)
>C. Never mind
>D. Write-in

>>42428096
>>A. Let's train!

>>42428096
>A. Let's train!
>Proceed to lift Nat up and take her back to the training grounds
To humorous not to do this.

>>42428136
Second

>>42428105
>>42428136
>>42428183
"Let's go train some more!"

You cheerfully lift Nat up and start walking towards the castle. In response, she worms away, flopping on the ground.

"Ow."

Curiously, you ask, "what was that about, Nat?"

She dusts herself off and stands, expression neutral as ever. "I would rather not right now."

>A. Okay, cool
>B. Wrong answer!
>C. Why not?
>D. Write-in

>>42428277
>A. Okay, cool
>C. Why not?

>>42428286

>>42428286
"Alright, cool. Why not?"

"We usually train in the morning, and right now Biff and I are. Busy."

Biff chimes in, "your spirit and drive to improve is admirable, but we are not all able to be so dedicated that we can throw our evenings away... Now that Byron has been left with Lyra, we were off to do some things on our own."

>A. Train with me instead
>B. Have fun
>C. Write-in

And...

>D. Check on Byron
>E. Leave him be

>>42428520
>B. Have fun
>D. Check on Byron

>>42428520
>A. Train with me instead (jokingly)
>B. Have fun

>E. Leave him be

So anyways, about those wyvern eggs..

>>42428550
Second

>>42428550
>>42428622
"No, please, call off your whole evening to train with me!"

"...we'd rather not." You figure Nat got the joke anyway, since she and Biff leave after another polite farewell.

"Have fun, you two."

You turn back towards Michalis, still perched, and have a long discussion about wyvern eggs.

By the time you finish, you notice that it's gotten very late.

>A. Isn't Michalis tired?
>B. Where's Byron now?
>C. You're gonna go to bed now
>D. Write-in

>>42428729
>B. Where's Byron now?

>>42428729
>A. Isn't Michalis tired?
So he's with miles, not us right?

>>42428729
>>A. Isn't Michalis tired?

>>42428780
Yes, but until something happens to bring their party away from yours again, those two facts are interchangeable.

>>42428780
>>42428781
>>42428760
"Aren't you tired at all?"

Michalis shakes his head. "With dragons, a lot of time-related things are 'go big or go home' compared to humans. Sleep doesn't NEED to be like that, but it depends on what we prefer. Some sleep for decades, I just prefer to take the odd full day here and there. Today... isn't one of those days. Neither are most days, of course."

You nod. "Where's Byron, though? Did we miss him?"

"He probably would've acknowledged you if he was your friend. Feel like checking on him?"

>A. Nah
>B. Why
>C. Should you?

>>42428900
>A. Nah
>C. Should you?
That hurt

>>42428900
>A. Nah
>C. Should you?
Wow, Bet Ellen feels like she just got kneed in the vag Michalis!

>>42428922
>>42428938
"Nah... Wait, should I?" Mean it or not, Michalis' word choice was pretty harsh, and your mood drops.

"I... worded it wrong. What I was saying is that, since this Byron is your friend like those two, he probably would've said something if he left and saw you right outside, so... Not much point in checking. Sorry if I implied something."

"Ah... Right, my misunderstanding." Your mood is soured, though. "I... should probably get going, then, if Byron's going to be awhile with this... Lyra."

"Alright, then. I think people are starting to give me weird looks anyway." His tone makes it clear that they "were starting to" quite awhile ago before flying off somewhere.

>A. Head back into the castle
>B. Check up on the theater anyway
>C. Write-in?

>>42429046
>>A. Head back into the castle

>>42429046
>B. Check up on the theater anyway
I SWEAR TO GOD THERE'D BETTER NOT BE AMY ASSASSIN'S IN THERE

>>42429046
>>B. Check up on the theater anyway
>>42429133
This motherfucker got me paranoid as fuck now.

>>42429172
He's giving us a lot of options to go in there!
I kinda just wanna see if the play was running one more time. But now I'm paranoid

>>42429133
>>42429172
You opt to check out the theater anyway, still feeling paranoid about mundane situations that someone should've finished up ages ago.

Without any shows currently playing, no one really cares that you go in. There's some guy cleaning up in the lobby, and the entrance to the actual auditorium is locked.

"Most of the cast's off sleeping off opening night by now, so you've... Missed autographs by awhile, and the show itself won't be running again until tomorrow afternoon. If you're looking for the writer, Miss Lyra offered a tall-looking fan a backstage tour, and last I'd seen they were in the green room. I haven't seen them since.

>A. Nothing to see here then!
>B. No one else is around?
>C. Write-in dialogue!

>>42429262
>B. No one else is around?

>>42429191
It's more one of those "as long as Ellen's in the area, it's reasonable to give her the option to check whether there is something game-changing to discover or not" situations.

Sometimes it's like when you and Quidel were following Mimon and got a ton of chances to just turn back and bail, sometimes it's like when Corneria offered to teach you magic and I just kept the offer up until you chose Hero as a formality.

>>42429262
>>B. No one else is around?
Fuck it. Let's open the mystery box option.

>>42429318
Curse you and your mystery box choices! WHAT'S IN THE BOX!

>>42429262
Eves drop on the green room and confirm them alive

>>42429312
>>42429325
"So... No one else is around, then?"

The guy nods. "The things I stick around for... If she was going to take her sweet time with a fan, she could go someplace else first so I could lock up. Least I'm getting paid to waste my night like this..."

>A. You may have had the wrong idea. Just get back to the castle
>B. Insist on seeing them
>C. Write-in

>>42429446
>>B. Insist on seeing them
WHAT'S IN THE BOX!

>>42429446
>B. Insist on seeing them
I'm just imagining Ellen having no idea what this guy's talking about on hte intended sex thing.

>>42429511
I swear to god if this is what it is. It's going to be a big let down after he hyped it up.

>>42429520
Sleeping?

>>42429520
I hyped it up?

>>42429520
he didn't really hype it up though, Honestly just think it's one anon being to paranoid.

>>42429555
I just wanna see how it ends.

>>42429568
Well that's not really what you were saying.

>>42429494
>>42429511
"Let me see them, then! I mean, if they haven't come out after this long... They could be in serious danger!"

"Lyra and this friend-fan of hers are both adults, miss, no one's being harmed."

"Adults can get killed!"

"Miss, I... Think you might have the absolute wrong idea here."

"Look, me, Byron, all of our friend group... We promised to keep each other safe! Why are you impeding that, man?"

"My gods, are you fooling with me right now? Or do you seriously believe that your friend and Miss Lyra are in danger?"

>A. Absolutely, now let me through!
>B. What else could it be?
>C. Realize what it could be
>D. Write-in

>>42429616
>B. What else could it be?
Oh goddamnit i love you Octo.

>>42429616
>B. What else could it be?

>>42429616
Someone post the dense adventurer/paladin story quick!

>>42429644
>>42429645
"Well, what else could it be?!"

Your outburst is met with laughter from the guy.

"What's so funny?"

He shakes his head. "I dunno what else it could be. Maybe they're playing a damned board game or something. With the, uh, assassins we keep stored in the back. Just for the sake of killing tall guys in particular. Really love board games."

"Hilarious. Make fun of my concerns and laugh at me."

"Look, if you seriously can't figure it out, here's my spare key to the green room. Go ahead, they're the reason I'm working so late."

>A. You won't give this guy the satisfaction
>B. You think you will check it out
>C. Write-in response

>>42429735
>B. You think you will check it out

>Inb4 Ellen asks what they're doing while they're haivng sex
>Mfw they eventually try to explain sex to Ellen and she just keeps getting the idea wrong each time

>>42429735
>B. You think you will check it out
See how easily we got that key? What lax security! Just listen in

>>42429746
We're not that dense.

>>42429787
About sex i hope so.

>>42429792
>hey Zoe Guess what I found out about!

>>42429746
>>42429768
"I think I will!"

"Wait, you're seri-" Before the guy can react, you take the key and start looking around for a green room. Well, moreso you look for a door that the key will fit.

Naturally, the one you find is the one with the voices of Byron and someone you don't recognize behind it.

"Are you certain that's allowed?"

"I've been into this for a very long time, Byron, I know what I'm talking about." The voice, presumably Lyra's, is, paradoxically, both sultry and weary.

"I think you're just taking advantage of my inexperience, but I really don't have the energy to object."

Just why this is a poor idea only dawns on you when you're unlocking the door, swinging it open, hearing presumably Lyra saying "who the hell is that?"

A lyre falls to the ground at your feet, apparently having been resting on the door beforehand. On the ground before you, Byron and some fair-haired girl you don't recognize are... Well, there's these two boards set up, both of which seem to have these pieces set up, some pegs in some holes on both boards. You can't make out the exact shaped from here, but both of them are obscured from seeing the opposite person's boards by some sort of wall-ceiling things built into said boards (though our heroine wouldn't know it, the best real-life analogue is Battleship, though diagonally-arranged ship-equivalents are apparently allowed in this version). Also, they're pretty much fully-clothed.

"You're not even the cleaning guy... How the hell did you get the key?" Lyra sounds... annoyed, glaring at you with icy eyes.

Byron responds to your unexpected appearance with a question. "Er, Lyra, what time is it?"

>A. You thought they were being murdered.
>B. It's really getting late.
>C. Laugh
>D. Leave without another word
>E. Write-in

>>42429945
>A. You thought they were being murdered.

>>42429945
>A. You thought they were being murdered.
>C. Laugh

>>42429945
>A. You thought they were being murdered.
>C. Laugh
Looks like I'm right though, with how badly you're doing.

>>42429971
>>42429976
>>42430034
Laughing, you say, "I thought you were being murdered... I mean, hearing you'd disappeared for awhile like this after Biff and Nat left you... What other conclusion's there to draw?"

As you try to catch your breath, Lyra looks at Byron. "She a friend of yours?"

"Er, yes, actually. Ellen, this is Lyra. The, er, bard I mentioned."

"Nice to meet you, Ellen. You're not all wrong in assuming he's getting killed, though, I mean he's doing HORRIBLY at this game."

"I've never played before..!"

"Ah, it's cool, babe, you get better over time, usually. Anyway, yeah, though, I'm told I'm a pretty big deal around here if you're into plays or music or the arts in general, but... I don't feel it."

>A. I've never heard of you/your works
>B. I gathered
>C. Write-in

>>42430068
>B. I gathered
>I'd like to see your play one day
>Leave

>>42430068
>B. I gathered

>>42430087
>>42430094
"I gathered. Maybe someday I won't horribly miss the memo on one of your performances."

"Sorry we didn't bring you for this one, Ellen, it was... sort of a sudden thing that Lyra invited us all, and you were still in that meeting."

"It's fine. Next time you guys go?"

"Are you gonna break into the green room again?" You can't tell if Lyra's serious or not right now, so you just sort of nod and excuse yourself.

Not much more would happen for the next few days, aside from finding out (from Cheryl insisting Byron clarify one day) that Lyra and Byron were apparently an item.

Naturally, things turned up a notch when the Mage General arrived from Heim.

>To be continued next thread
Thanks for playing as always. Update Twitter and ask.fm are both qmgrandflocto, and I'll be around in-thread awhile too.

>>42430203
Thanks for running Octo.

>>42430218
Always a pleasure.

It's weirdly difficult to time when to end threads when things aren't in a particularly conflict-heavy state.