>>45520856

It's Sol's zenith again upon another day on the road to Pruden, yet your party rides in much improved comfort. Biz sits upon the Lady Damsel's carriage(whom you learned to be Lady Cyrielle of Bordello Noveu). After dismantling the banditry that had been the Men in Tights, you rendezvoused with Odette for the results of her hunt, and set forth once more upon the carriage safe from the heat of Sol or the incessant pounding of your feet upon the shabby dirt road.

Lounging comfortably inside the cab with the other ladies, there's more than enough room to stretch out and relax, which Lady Cyrielle does especially so in the company of other ladies, slouching back into her seat and eating roasted nuts. Speckles of Sol's light filter through the interior curtains cascading luminescence upon you and Odette. The huntress, while happy for the ride, keeps her back straight and posture rather formal, despite your host being less than lady-like.

Despite her lack of Demeanor, Lady Cyrielle at least reapplied her makeup after the bout with the bandits, and though she felt the loss for her previous driver, getting far away from that whole debacle. Poor Biz however, he's likely sitting in a bloodstain...

“So, what business have you in Pruden, fair dancer?” Lady Cyrielle adjests her posture to be a bit straighter though not much, “And why do you travel with...” Lady Cyrielle gestures to Odette, seeming to notice the persisting presence of her horns, “A Guisi...? Or are you Makoh. Transitioning, perhaps?”

You smile delightfully, reflexively winking one of your eyes in a persistent flirtatious gesture, “Well to answer the first question, we're adventurers with the Guild, we've a quest some way south of Pruden. I've heard T'is a stop on the way to our final destination, Celes Pranse.” Crossing your arms, your eyes flick over to Odette, whose averting her gaze, Guisi horns still present, though small. “Something wrong with my companion?”

>>45520867
“Just curious, most Guisi tend to... keep to themselves. You know, let alone travel with a fellow Namour.”

“To answer your question.” Odette speaks up, her tone clear as she stares right at Lady Cyrielle, “I'm transitioning, I need only wait for Akkoril to come with the summer and I'll wear the marks again. As for why I was a Guisi or why I'm ceasing the Arche, that is none of your business.”

Lady Cyrielle smiles, swiftly covering her mouth with a fan, “My, fiesty aren't you... Just like the Makoh I've known.” With a flick, she puts her fan away and tosses it to the floor of the cab, “C'et Li've. Something just always unnerved me about those Guisi, the way they look at you with those eyes...”

>[“I don't really get why it's any of your business in the first place.”]
>[“She's a good friend of mine, and she's reliable.”]
>[“Do you have any business in Pruden?”]
>[“You said you were from a place known as Bordello... Doesn't that mean...?”]
>[Write in]

>>45520880
>[“Do you have any business in Pruden?”]
You're late, Dran

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47 KB JPG

>>45520931
I know.

>>45520880
>[“You said you were from a place known as Bordello... Doesn't that mean...?”]

>>45520880
>[“I don't really get why it's any of your business in the first place.”]
What does Beli know about Guisi anyway?

>>45520880
>[“Do you have any business in Pruden

>>45520880
>[“She's a good friend of mine, and she's reliable.”]

>>45520880
>[“I don't really get why it's any of your business in the first place.”]
Also ask why she thinks that Guisi are strange

>>45520880
>[“Do you have any business in Pruden?”]

>>45521524
test

>>45522241
Wee Dran it's working here
>[“You said you were from a place known as Bordello... Doesn't that mean...?”]

>>45520880

As the Carriage clutters on down the dusty road, the three of you have to roll with the jumbling of the vehicle.

“The way they look at you with... their eyes?” You say, smiling sarcastically besides yourself, a part of you can't believe that you're hearing this.

“Yes well...” Lady Cyrielle glances over to Odette, “You can never tell what they're really thinking you know? It's like, you can almost... feel that they're not letting onto something. I mean, most men gaze upon me and I can simply feel all the ways that they'd have me.” Odette places a knucle into her forehead, Lady Cyrielle smiles, showing teeth, “As for Guisi men, they elude me. I mean, I'd be afeared for some even trying to eat me!”

“Oh come now, that's ridiculous!” Odette says, crossing her arms and looking away.

“Well, most of us wear who we are without any illusions. You look into my eyes and you can feel the heat of my passions, I look into yours and I can feel the birth of violence. Yet a pure Guisi? It's like a mystery, and that terrifies me.”

You'd never really given much thought about the whole thing, especially what one might've felt looking into your eyes as the Reaper. Undoubtedly most would be unnerved or even scared, especially when you revealed your horns. How curious.

“And my eyes?” You say, “What do you see in my eyes?”

>>45522333

Lady Cyrielle looks over to you, stiffens her back and straightening herself into what might be fitting for a proper lady. At first, she simply looks into your eyes, then squinting, she reaches out to touch your chin and draws in ever closer. You can feel the warmth of her breath at your closeness as she searches your eyes for rhyme, for reason, for meaning.
“I see... Strife. Agony, which is unusual for us... But a reverence for all things despite that... Something unresolved, ancient... And yet still so very alien. Violence is not what conquers your heart, yet you've seen your share of it...” Lady Cyrielle forcibly blinks, squinting away as she draws herself back. “What's more, I don't recall ever seeing a Namour, let alone another Thespian with silver eyes. Even Hylon eyes trend towards gold and amber. You are a curious individual.”

Something among her words makes you feel rather defensive, causing you to segue into an innocent act of ignorance, “Oh, I hear that all too often. You should stop though, you're flattering me...” You say with a girlish blush as you fan her away.

“Hmm, well I don't say it to all the girls,” Lady Cyrielle chuckles to herself, “Still, I wonder where you'll end up from here?”

“Speaking of, do you happen to have any business in Pruden?” Odette interjects, realizing that you'd rather that line of question not continue.

Lady Cyrielle ponders for a moment, rolling her eyes, “Well... I happen to have a client that's requested a few nights of my company on my way back to Celes Prance. I do try to make every stop worthwhile whenever I travel, so I'm glad to have made this... appointment.”

>>45522367

Something feels a little off by her exact wording, yet you let that rest where it lie.

By lunrise, you're at the town gates, and Biz presents Lady Cyrielle's credentials. Without further ado, they direct her to a place to park her carriage as well as give her instructions as to where she'll be finding her “client.”

Biz retreats directly to the inn, apparently wiped out from driving the horses the whole time. You and Odette however, are exceedingly refreshed and ready to spread your legs since that carriage ride.
There's no particular rush in pursuing the quest due south, so you have some time to explore and enjoy yourself...

“I'm heading to the High District to service my client. I've heard that his daughter happens to be a most strange one.”

“Strange?”

“Well, in that she is one of the most intellectual Hylons in the land, yet she does not travel, nor take up their game of games, the Hylios trials to secure kingship. If you'd like to come with, I'm sure I could take you both on as my... assistants...” Lady Cyrielle looks over you and Odette in the odd lamplight that bathes this town's streets before smiling sardonically, “You, Lady Beli would be believable, though I'd have to say that dearest Odette is a bodyguard of some sort.”

>>45522398

Odette crosses her arms, incidentally pushing up her bust, “I-I...” She stumbles to say anything, and instead resorts to a self-conscious frown.

“Odette, no worries, I think you're very pretty.” You say, causing the white-haired woman to blush.

>[“We really should head towards our Quest. Something about an enchanted Daughter...”]
>[“Sure, we'll accompany you. This person sounds interesting.”]
>[“Lady Cyrielle, just what exactly is it that you do?”]
>[Write in]

>>45522431
>[“We really should head towards our Quest. Something about an enchanted Daughter...”]
I feel she's involved somehow

>>45522431
>[“We really should head towards our Quest. Something about an enchanted Daughter...”]

>>45522431
>[“Sure, we'll accompany you. This person sounds interesting.”]
SIDEQUESTS

>>45522431
>[“Lady Cyrielle, just what exactly is it that you do?”]
Interesting conversation

>>45522431
>[“Lady Cyrielle, just what exactly is it that you do?”]

>>45522431
>[“We really should head towards our Quest. Something about an enchanted Daughter...”]

>>45522431
>[“We really should head towards our Quest. Something about an enchanted Daughter...”]

>>45522431
>[“Sure, we'll accompany you. This person sounds interesting.”]

>>45522431

With all the pretense and the way she's been speaking you've really gotten to wonder, and finally feel the need to ask, “Lady Cyrielle... What is it exactly.. that you do?”

Lady Cyrielle wields her fan to elegantly hide her expression as her eyes hush into the gaze of a soft lover. “Why, I am a lady of the arts. Trained to fulfill every wish or desire of my clients.”

“Yes, yes, and what does that mean?” Odette prods, though there's a reluctance in her voice about finding out.

Lady Cyrielle wicks her fan shut, unveiling a sultry smile, “I'm a professional courtesan, trained at Bordello Noveu. I'm trained in the arts of song, painting, writing, poetry, dance, and most of all... The art of Loving... most passionately.”


(“Oh dear me, she's giving Namour a bad name.”) Belinda whispers within.

(“What puts you in the moral superiority? You seduce and steal!”)

(“Not often! And she's literally sleeping with men and possibly women for money! That stings so viciously to romance!”) Belinda retorts, you find yourself rolling your eyes.

“So, if I was to accompany as an assistant..?”

“Likely he'd ignore you, or at most you'd pour us liquor and be left to your own devices and a lavish guestroom that would put these inns to shame. I'm not certain about Odette here however as she's rather more of a... Commen Dit-on... Salty woman?”

“Is that a blow at Makoh having Sharq's teeth?” Odette grumbles, looking away miserably.

“Oh, by Sol no! Just that you look more like a peasant!” Lady Cyrielle thinks for a moment, and then places her fingers to her mouth, “Oh, that may have come out wrong...”

>You're leaning to just carry on towards the hamlet toward the south to take care of the quest you commissioned. By the time it's done, Lady Cyrielle may be ready to move on... Though it could perhaps be for the best if you dislike her company.

>>45522930

>[“Very well, we'll accompany you.”]
>[“Good luck with your cheap shag you harlot.” ~Belinda]
>[“Afraid we'll have to pass.”]
>[Write in]

>>45522950
>[“Afraid we'll have to pass.”]

>>45522950
>[“Good luck with your cheap shag you harlot.” ~Belinda]

>>45522950
>[“Good luck with your cheap shag you harlot.” ~Belinda]

>>45522950
>[“Good luck with your cheap shag you harlot.” ~Belinda]
Oh well

>>45522950
>[“Afraid we'll have to pass.”]
>["Do you find it....fun? Passionate, in its own way?"]

>>45522950
>[“Good luck with your cheap shag you harlot.” ~Belinda]
I like Belinda

>>45522950
>[“Afraid we'll have to pass.”]

>>45522950
>[“Afraid we'll have to pass.”]

>>45522950

Lady Cyrielle's rather gotten on your nerves at this point, insulting your friend, holding an illicit profession... With your best fake smile you ask, “Do you find it... fun? Passionate, in its own way?”

Lady Cyrielle flashes the whites of her teeth in return her eyes widening as if you'd lit a fire within her, “It is... exhilarating. Never knowing what noble man will seek my arts next, finding myself from lavish chamber to lavish chamber and never needing worry after expense. Though some simply want me to sing something pretty 'fore the main course, I've often held the arms of men going to ball and other noble affairs as an escort... Yes, indeed I do find it passionate. I am Namour, after all, non?” She finishes with a flashy wink of her heart-shaped iris, and you feel a passionate hate well up within you.

“Said very much like the ripe tart that you are. Taking payment for company and affection, to give them a cheap and shallow experience, non?” You say nonchalant, with that same eager smile, the tensions between you and Lady Cyrielle are instantly felt, the distant cry of wild cats heard by Odette as she looks on from the middle of things.

“Oui, and whomever is the poor dancer that I'd invited into my carriage that had been walking the road like some kind of tramp?” Lady Cyrielle retorts, her white smile and demeanor likewise concealing her blossoming, passionate hate.

“Oh, non, non, ma petite poubelle! You seem to have forgotten that Biz and I rescued you from the clutches of the bandits that had murdered your driver and sought to claim you.”

>>45523968

“Not the first time I would've found my way out of the clutches of villainy.”

“Oh surely! Open your legs and smile pretty like always and they'll send you on your merry way.”

Lady Cyrielle loses her composure, gritting her teeth, “At least I do not travel with some savage that's neither a hateful Guisi or brute Makoh.”

“I-” Odette tries to butt in.

“Fuck you whore.” Flames waft from your body as you shudder with building fury.

“I'm out of your price range darling.” The Courtesan retorts, unperturbed by your fiery display.

The tension between the two of you comes to a head, with you shuddering in fury and Lady Cyrielle chuckling at you haughtily as though she's the moral superior. Feeling the cat-like fury overtake you, you reach out for the harlot's hair, only for Odette to intervene, grabbing you by the arm.

Lady Cyrielle steps back as you trash, unleashing a small burst of flame from your palm, only then does she realize the danger she's in. “I'll, um. I'll be leaving now.”

“It's best.” Odette says somberly.

“Running off for that shag you Harlot!? Hooker! Whore!” You yell at Lady Cyrielle as she hurriedly runs away, cornering to avoid your all too possible pursuit.

Odette lets go as you slowly calm yourself, turning in place as you let the heat of your fury die down.
“I'm thankful that you'd defend me like that.”

“Of course I would Odette, I'm not going to let some, some prostitute rag on you like that!”

“Nonetheless, I appreciate it, I understand that my Arche might put you in a strange position, especially when I reclaim my original one.”

>>45523982

“You'll always be my friend Odette,” You say, taking a deep breath, “You've been by my side, and I trust you. No one has any right to question the faith I have in you over what Arche you choose to wear.”

“Indeed.” Odette smiles wearily, “You really think I'm pretty?” The widowed mother moves a whispy lock of her white hair.

“Of course I do. Now let's get out of this town before I hunt that harlot down, we need to find the hamlet to the south to find the arafleur that commissioned us.”

>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]
>[Head directly out of the town, you'd rather not linger.]
>[Stay the night, travel come the morning.]
>[Write in]

>>45524009
>[Head directly out of the town, you'd rather not linger.]

>>45524009
>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]

>>45524009
>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]

>>45524009
>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]
Could always meet another gay bandit

>>45524009
>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]

>>45524009
>[Stop by the Inn to get some food and pick up biz, he could be useful.]
Can't be too careful

>>45524116
Biz made that bandit gay.

>>45524009
>[Stay the night, travel come the morning.]

>>45524177
I am aware

>>45524009
>[Stay the night, travel come the morning.]

>>45524009
>[Head directly out of the town, you'd rather not linger.]

>>45524009

You and Odette find your way back to the Inn that Biz promptly declared that he'd be crashing in, upon entry to the warm interior lit by a crackling hearth and the mirth of many patrons, you find Biz singing and playing in center-stage wooing some especially bountiful women that've taken to swooning over him.

With a playful twinkle in your eye, you slip on through the crowd and perform a spinning flourish as your dancer's skirts whirl with flames, coming to Biz's side. The crowd cheers at your sudden appearance, and Biz's eyes lock onto your form as an embarrassed blush quickly rises to his cheeks.

With an exaggerated caress over the poor bard's cheek, you smile, “Miss me, Biz?”

You feel his full attention upon you as he exclaims to the crowd, “My lady? Shall I play you a song?”

The lady patrons that'd been swooning over him quickly feel scorned, suddenly frowning in frustration at your presence, their eyes glaring you down.

“Unfortunately, we have an appointment, dear Biz.” You say aloud for everyone to hear as you hook a finger under the Bard's tunic and lead him to the door, “Come now, come now!” The crowd boos out their disappointment from their tables, the buxom gals blowing kisses to Biz that you playfully burn away.

Once outside, you find Odette awaiting, leaning up against one of the wooden supports for the Inn's balcony. “Pull the man away from his fun?”

“Lady Beli, whatever is this about?” The bard says, exacerbated, his eyes drawn towards the warm hearth and ready women inside.

“We've a quest, and you'll be helping us.”

“But alas,” The Bard declares dramatically, “I am tired from driving the coach the entire dayyy. I need my rest!”

“Does your rest involve wooing women to your chambers?” Odette inquires rather perceptively.

“I, erm.” Biz stumbles over his words, “I can explain, t'is the only way I get a well night's slumber.”

>>45525130

“Gipporo's wash, at least tell us something better than a bold-faced lie.”

“H-honest!” Biz declares.

“Whatever Biz,” You say with a chuckle on your part, “We've a quest to do and we'd enjoy your assistance. Need to rescue a young woman that's been bewitched by a Faeli of some sort. If you're any sort of gentleman...”

Biz straightens, filled with figure and thrumming a fist over his heart, “Why, what choice do I have but to save a fair maiden from the grasp of a frightful Faeli's spell?”

“Such a simple fool.” Odette chuckles to herself as she begins to walk.

“I think he's cute!” You say aloud. (“And also quite the fool.”) Beli snickers within.

The three of you walk through the town till you reach the southern wall, showing your credentials as adventurer's for an untimely passage through the walls at this hour. As the guard overlooks the script under the mysterious light of Pruden's lamps, the Danhor looks up at you with his sunken slate-like eyes, “I'd be wary o' the woods south o' here. Heard tell of monsters lurking, trying to get at people's threads. Faeli too, recent spiritin's away and enchanted daughters.”

“Well, that's what we're heading there for.” You say joyfully.

The sullen guard looks over you, Odette, and Biz, disbelief and disappointment apparent on his face, “Seen sturdier look'n venturer's in my day than you lot. Why, I was quite the mighty lad till I went 'n took an arrow to the knee.”

Something in you twists at the mention of that, as though it were some joke that lost its luster within even the third utterance, “Well, looks can be deceiving mon ami. May we pass?”

>>45525145

The guard stares at you for a moment before handing back your script, “Open the gate! We've got 'venturers look'n t' die.”

“Say, Lady Beli, I'm suddenly not feeling right about this...”

“Non, non, mon ami, the venture's just starting! Come now, we'll be fine!” You say as you press on through the opening gates.

“Coward.” Odette states briskly as she follows after.

“The things I do for the sake of romance...” Biz reluctantly follows into the dark.

The three of you travel the road, illuminated only by the light that cascades from Luna, spilling down from the canopy of trees. The wind causes the speckles to dance, and the woods are ripe with an eerily delicate, yet haunting music courtesy of the local Concerto Crickets.

“Say, do you think there are Lions?” Biz asks, keeping close to you and Odette.

“Nay, but what say you to tigers?” You say with laughing smile.

“I may prefer bears.” Odette says with a chuckle of her own.

“Oh... Oh my...” Biz whispers ever so quietly.

>[Use your flames to light up the dark, “Does this make you feel safe Biz?”]
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]
>[“Our request said that there are things here that prey on timid men...”]
>[Write In.]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]
Let him grow some balls

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]

>>45525163
>[Use your flames to light up the dark, “Does this make you feel safe Biz?”]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]
>[“Our request said that there are things here that prey on timid men...”]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]
Should bring some information

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]
>[Oh, do not worry about bears. If Lady Oddete and I can handle a bear, surely you can take twenty!"]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]

>>45525163
>[Carry on, listening to the true voices of your surroundings.]

>>45525163

As you walk, you deign to ignore the whimperings of the bard, he'll need to find his own bravery someday, that cowardice may very well be leftover from his time as a Drezhar. As the three of you walk through the dark path, you let your focus expand as you listen to the voices of the world around you...

[“Oh look!... New people to dance with!”] Says the light dripping on down through the leaves as the wind pushes past.

[“Ugh, I'm trying to sleep here, couldn't you have walked all over me by the light of Sol?”] grumbles the dirt path.

[“Hush now, I enjoy their company.”] The bushes chatter in a chorus

[“Surely the Satire will enjoy the company of the cute one.”] You hear a tree murmur.

[“Wind! Play with us more!”] The leaves rustle as sudden gust picks up, causing them all to giggle in glee.

[“I smell Thespians... With their fate, we will be more than mere beasts...”] Something growls from further down the road.

Letting your focus return to yourself, you halt as soon as you see shining eyes lingering down the path ahead, rustling bushes that seem to shiver with their pass.

[“Oh my, the Dire Wolves have already found them... Heh, heh.”] The road chuckles grimly at the dawning misfortune.

Odette notices you halt and looks to you in the dim light, “You feel that as well? That murderous intention?”

You nod slowly, standing at guard, “The road says they're Dire Wolves.”

[“Wait, did she hear- damn it! How?”] The path blusters besides itself in confusion.

>>45525839

“D-Dire wolves? Beasts with hides like Iron and fangs that can rend as such? We should have waited for dawn, Romance is always stronger after dawn!” Biz shives in his boots, shaking his head left and right in denial that such a thing is happening.

Odette's summoned her bow, knocking an arrow, ready to draw and fire at will. “Unfortunately, the darkness is their advantage. Give us a light?”

>[“May I try speaking to them first? Surely we could come to an arrangement?”]
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]
>[“Perhaps it is better if we should run?”]
>[“Biz, get you knickers together, play them a song!”]
>[Write in.]

>>45525858
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]

>>45525858
>[“Biz, get you knickers together, play them a song!”]
This is going to be fun

>>45525858
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]

>>45525858
>[“May I try speaking to them first? Surely we could come to an arrangement?”]
Because Diplomaty is clearly our(the players) stregth

>>45525858
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]
>>45525943
The only thing we ever managed to do with diplomacy is stall against the Dervish

>>45525858
>[“Biz, get you knickers together, play them a song!”]
we need dramatic tension before we riddle them with fire and arrows right as Biz pisses himself

>>45525858
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]

>>45525858
>[Ignite your fire, prepare to drive off the beasts.]

>>45525858

As you warily face forward, keeping a look out for those shining eyes in the darkness so filled with murderous intent, you whisper harshly to Biz, “Get your knickers together and play them a song, music soothes the savage beast.”

“But-”

“Do it!”

Biz holds his lute timidly, much more frightened by the beasts of the night than the queer bandits of the day, and in fact, it shows as he begins to play. The chords are disrupted by his trembling fingers and his voice wavers without the passion to fight off the darkness.

You feel the foul beasts draw closer and ignite your flame to illuminate the dark. As soon as you do, a Dire Wolf appears not even 5 paces from you, its eyes dark and malicious, blending in with the reprehesible shadows perfectly. It stares at you, likely blinded by your flame.

You can hear Biz drop bricks as he falls and scrambles back screaming, while Odette reflexively shoots at the greater beast. Her powerful cleaving arrow slashes itself sidelong against the malevolent beast's head, causing it to howl unto agony.

As soon as the arrow's released, two wolves pounce out from either side, maws opening for both you and Odette.

With a deft twirl, you launch a burning kick into beast's side, knocking it away while Odette puts her beast's maw to force it stay open and shoot a savage arrow straight down the beast's maw, brutally slaying the monster.

With a burning patch of fur, the monster you'd repelled makes a go for the bard, opening up its iron crunching maw to take the bard.

In those small moments, you feel a sharp twang through your being as something draws tighter from afar. The wolf seeking to malice the defenseless bard, for no good reason other than to end his life for the monster's own gain.

It rubs you the wrong way, a way that is all too familiar...

> [Stab through the beast's eye?!]
> [Lash the beast with enslaved air!?]
> [Slash the beast by virtue of a talon?!]

>>45526302
huh?
I'm confused
> [Lash the beast with enslaved air!?]
Using the Reaper's contract?
Or something else?

>>45526302
>[Sever the beast's tail with enslaved air!?]
and so it begins

>>45526302
> [Slash the beast by virtue of a talon?!]
Maybe
I have no clue what any choice means

>>45526465
>stab
dunno
>air
ventus falcem
>talon
owl

>>45526302
> [Slash the beast by virtue of a talon?!]

>>45526302
> [Slash the beast by virtue of a talon?!]
Huh are our faces bleeding together or this a fake out and nothing will happen and Biz dies?

>>45526499
retrospect, Stab should be with talon, and slash the other thing.

Just strikes me that talons are more stabby.

>>45526302
> [Lash the beast with enslaved air!?]
Us connecting to the face helps

>>45526542
talons are less stab and more....rake. Or biting grip.

Really, the only part of Reaper that "stabs" is when the scythe twists itself just to hit the enemy

File: Berserk_v13_p154.png (599 KB, 1223x1800)

599 KB PNG

>>45526590
Talons can stab eyes out

>>45526635
From what I can see, that foot is doing a "biting grip"

>>45526704
It's piercing damage. We can agree on that.

>>45526704
Yes but it is still stabbing out the eye

>>45526302

You feel something... align within you. Ideals perhaps? Passions? Truths? You can't quite say as it only occurs for the moment, yet you feel a sudden change occur to yourself as a resounding thought echoes within you, “I will not let them die!” In two voices other than your own.

In an instant, you feel one of your hands transform, wreathed in flame as it molds with your flesh into a burning talon. In the next, you burst forth with the speed of your dancing flames as you grab the foul wolf, sinking your brilliantly burning talon into his eye as you use your momentum to twist and bring the beast down as it howls in horrid agony.

Startled by the horrible howling and unaware of what's happening, you feel that power slip from your fingers, letting your flesh revert to its normal shape. Your fingers slip out of the still burning wound and the wolf scrambles to the brush, its whimpering in utter agony as the fire continues to burn.

The Alpha wolf that had originally crept up on the three of you head-on, eyes Odette as she stares an arrow down at it. The monster looks to you as your residual flames linger about you.

[“I'll come for you later, witch...”] The wolf's true voice whispers as it departs, Odette unleashing her arrow after the monster as it flees, causing it to howl again in pain to join with the whining cacophony of its suffering underling.

With the danger passed, you look to your hand, breathing heavily as you feel whatever had happened, whatever had tightened go lax once again.

Odette scans the area as well as she can, “I've heard Dire wolves never travel in more than twos or threes. Too big to divide prey any more than that.” She looks over to you as you stare vacantly at your own hand, “Are you alright?”

“My hand, it... It transformed. It was like an eagle's talon... I... I felt him...”

“Him?” Odette comes closer to you, glancing at Biz, “Him” She points to the bard, who's woefully passed out after facing down the Dire wolves.

>>45526922

“No, not him. I felt the Reaper.”

“You felt... The Reaper?” Odette's eyes go wide in confusion.

“My hand changed, like with the power of the shifty owl. It was aflame and...”

“That doesn't make any sense.” Odette shakes her head, “You're not wearing his face. How could that have happened?”

“I-I'm not sure. It was only for a moment... But...”

“But?”

“I feel as though... I could do it again?” You slowly rise, opening and clenching your palms as you try to feel for the impulse that led to that bleeding over, that... union? The thread still feels lax, though you're certain that it occurred when Biz was in danger. Not to literally throw him to the wolves, but maybe if something like that happened again, you could get a better feel for what exactly happened?

>[Set up camp here, Biz is out cold and the night is dark, full of terrors.]
>[Press on, you and Odette can carry the sissy man. Better than to linger here.]
>[Slap Biz awake, he needs to walk, now. ]
>[Write in.]

>>45526948
>[Press on, you and Odette can carry the sissy man. Better than to linger here.]
Wouldn't want to stay
>the night is dark, full of terrors
You read asoiaf?

>>45526948
>[Set up camp here, Biz is out cold and the night is dark, full of terrors.]

>>45526948
>[Slap Biz awake, he needs to walk, now. ]

>>45526989
Last book I read was feast of crows or w/e. The one where it segues to Cersei and a bunch of other less-than main characters. Just couldn't bring myself to read it after marching through the others, but yeah.

>>45526948
>[Slap Biz awake, he needs to walk, now. ]

>>45526948
>[Set up camp here, Biz is out cold and the night is dark, full of terrors.]

>>45526948

Kneeling down besides the bard, you swiftly slap him across the face over and over again until he wakes up. His eyes finally peel open and you smile as you help him up to his feet.

“Why do my cheeks hurt so much?” Biz asks as he touches a han to his face, wincing at the soreness.

“The wolves gave you a rough licking, but you chased them off with your yellow belly. We need to go -now.”

Odette picks up the bard's lute and hands it over to him as she pushes on first. You take the rear to keep Biz moving and guard from any possible attacks from that angle. You hear the constant cries of the wolf that you'd burned.
(“I made a pact with Eternal Flame... Normally it ends by myself, because I'm a touch adverse to pain and suffering... Whatever it was that you, that we did back there... That fire might not ever go out.”)

(“If it was fueled by a union with the Reaper, I would expect that it draws from his malice. He has no reservations of murdering one to save another.”)

(“... I'd say that it's sad but... If it wasn't for that, Biz might not have gotten off so easily.”)

(“By chance, when that happened, what did you feel?”)You ask Belinda, probing for more information.

(“What did I feel...”) She thinks to herself, (“I felt a great malice come from afar. One that though malicious held my same thoughts. To save. To refuse their deaths. Supposing that were true, it ended because the danger had passed, or...”)

(“Or because once the wolf's pain had become agony, you lost your conviction to fight.”)

(“Now, that makes it sound as though you're calling me a coward! I resent that.”)

>>45527675

(“Nay, simply saying that the conviction you both shared was the focus. And when it was lost, the power came undone.”)

(“Yet even now, the blow we'd struck upon that beast will rob it of sleep, potentially even driving it mad.”)

You abandon your internal thoughts as you slowly come upon the soft light of a hamlet nestled in the middle of these woods. Some of the buildings are crafted of stone and clay, resting upon the forest floor. Others however, seem to be spun out of the trees themselves, uniting to form larger trees and even melding together to form treeborn homes.

By the time of your arrival, Sol's already begun to rise. You can feel the fatigue taking a toll on your body. Odette looks like she could be better for wear, and Biz legitimately looks about five years older after the scare of those wolves. For strangers into an off-cast little village, there's not really a welcome, and it seems that you've really only caught the eye of one of the guardsmen sitting up in a treefort that don't think you're a bother enough to raise alarm.

At the very least, the place seems homey.

>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.]
>[Take a walk around, checking the place over, maybe look for some food or drink.]
>[Find a place to rest, there's got to be at least a common house here.]
>[Write in.]

>>45527680
>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.]

>>45527680
>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.]

>>45527680
>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.]

>>45527680
>[Find a place to rest, there's got to be at least a common house here.]

>>45527680
>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.

>>45527680
>[Ask the guard about the client contact information.]
If that flame is fed by the Reaper's anger it's never going to go out

>>45527680
>[Take a walk around, checking the place over, maybe look for some food or drink.]

>>45527680
>>[Find a place to rest, there's got to be at least a common house here.]
It's going to get cuhrazy when we get to the monster mask

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16 KB JPG

>>45528063
Makes a bit more sense now, why Rava and Ahvar consider you "Secret weapon" material, eh?

>>45528099
All those possible combinations.
That's part of our "true self" right?

>>45527680

“Excuse me!” You call up to the guard on duty, as the sleepy-eyed fellow looks down upon your own sleep-deprived party.

“Aye, Whatsit?” The guard says in a lazy, surly tongue. From the distance you can at least make out a couple of the man's features. A shaded Danhor brow, but with the elegant vine-like patterns of an Arafleur traced across his face.

“We're venturer's here to solve a lady's problem with her daughter. Have you idea of where we might find her?”

The guard squints his eyes, shuffles to stand a bit higher as he looks down over the livingwood railing. “Aye, sounds like Teraca's request. Y' wouldn't happen t' know about the venturers comin t'help with them wolves? Ballsy packs 've been keep'n everyone to the tree-houses, I, fer one, miss sleep'n in me own ground-floor home.”

“Alas, we've not.” Odette calls in return, “Yet we met with the wolves. Killed one and drove off another. Biggest one got off with an arow in his arse.”

“That what the yesternight's howl'n was about?” The Guard grins with a renewed mirth, “E'ryone'll be pleased as posies t' hear that. I'll go tell 'em meself, oh, lemme drop the the 'vator for y' three.”
The guard whispers something and a platform supported by intertwining vines lowers itself to ground level.

The three of you cautiously clamber on, having to balance once the guard mutters something else, causing the vines to pull the three of up. In short time, you're level with the nearest branch-path for the upper level of the town, and the platform locks in place with an exhausted sigh.

“Thank you.” You whisper, touching the vines as you pass.

[“You're welcome pretty miss!”] They return joyfully at being recognized for their hard work.

T

>>45528542

*The guard takes another look at the forest floor, wary of what might be lingering on below, “Come, I'll show you to Teresa's.” The guard starts walking on the path-branch over to an area where a great number of them intertwine to form something of a town square directly above the ground below's actual town square, vacant.

“What happens to be your name, sir?” You ask politely as the man shows you the way.

“Oh, ah, forgive my manner.” The guardsman says with a slight bow, “My name's Irvine of this here Pruneda village, eh? We don't get many visitors out here don'tchya know? Not much of a lively bunch we are, just taking care o' the woods and trees. Supply'n Pruden with herbs and remedies fer trade mostly, though with the recent wolf danger, that business's been shot in the knee.”

“Did you happen to be an adventurer at one point?” You ask out of curiosity.

“Nah, I've been with me family fer a long time. Met a gentle Arafleur girl like my parents would wanted and had a few kids. Been keepin this place safe and singin' those vines up and down for travel and transport even since before those dirty Dire wolves came around.” Irvine stiffens as he comes before a certain door, turning to the three of you with a little shuffle, “And here we are, Teraca should be inside. Sure she'll appreciate her daughter not sneaking out, maybe not ending up as puppy-chow. Be waitin fer you three when y'wanna leave.”

“Thank you Irvine.” You saw with a warm smile.

“Aye miss, have a good day.” The guardsmen says absently as he shuffles to return to his post, using his staff to assist in the walk back.

>>45528557

With a knock, the door opens almost immediately and an exceedingly beautiful, gentle woman throws open the door, breathing huskily as she says, “Priscilla?” Only to see the three of you, and instantly losing mirth. “Oh... Who...”

“We're here about your daughter man, the request?”

“Oh right...” The woman rests a hand upon her quivering bosom, letting the three of you inside her home to start the quest to save her daughter...

>End Scene]

>Comments, questions, concerns?

>The Good?
>The Bad?
>The Weird?

>>45528595
Thanks for the thread.
Really liked the combination of powers

>>45528595
Nice thread I didn't expect the talon thing.
The bitchfight at the beginning was nice too
Until next week

>>45528720
The feud with Lady Cyrielle is far from over.

>>45528671
It took a while, but I've been wanting to get at the whole "power fusion" thing for a while, It's going to be really important later on. Since the Faceless isn't dumb as a rock, he already understands more or less how to make it happen. Problem is, it requires the face he's wearing to be on the same wavelength.

I'm really excited for the possibilities that open up from that simple fact, though unrestricted access to that state is going to be quite a ways off.

>>45528796
well I don't think it'll be easy to get the faces to get along

>>45528820

True, their differences establish some very real obstacles. When push comes to shove, I'm sure you guys will see where their common grounds lie.

Belinda and Dramir for instance, fundamentally different on almost every level. Yet it's still possible because...

>>45528862
Overlapping personal relationships?