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"Is silver worth a whole lot?" You hold one of the pieces up to the embers. It proudly displays the image of a dragon.

"I don't know how much but-" Keiko reaches into the small pile of riches she carried out, retrieving three tiny bits. "These three coins would be the castle's allowance to the Shrine for a whole month."

Wow.

"Uh, that's a lot. Is it worth more than gold?"
"Gold isn't used for money." Keiko carefully tucks the silver pieces into a pouch. "I've only seen silver money."

>What do we do with all the silver we left behind?
>We should go tell an adult about this!
>Let's camp here for the night, and head back in the morning.
>This is an adventure after all
>Other?

>>48167001
>Let's camp here for the night, and head back in the morning.
>This is an adventure after all

Not much of a turnout.

>Let's camp here for the night, and head back in the morning.
>This is an adventure after all

Writing!

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"Let's camp here for the night, and head back in the morning."
"You sure you want to leave all the silver just laying around?" Keiko seems worried.

"No one found it for who-knows how many years." Kayda stands up, stretching her arms. "So I'm sure a few more days will probably be okay."

"Besides." You think about where you're sitting, exactly. "This place is technically Biscotti's land. That might be their treasure, too."

"I say finder's keepers." Keiko puts a few more silver pieces into her pouch.
She must have been hanging around Jack too long.

"Keep the ones you have." You definitely plan on keeping yours. "-it's just, I think we shouldn't stay out too long anyway. We don't want the adults getting the wrong idea and sending search parties after us."

"Fine, fine." She shuffles away the last silver piece. "So what are we doing? Going back to the shrine?"

"N-no Keiko." Kayda seems puzzled, "We're camping here, tonight."

"..here?!"

You nod, "Is that a problem."

Her eyes, they're cautiously scanning the blackened night. "N-No. Uh. Um."

Slowly, the lower-half of her body slinks under the blankets and bedding.
"I-'ll, just, uh, be right here!"

"Keiko, it's just us right now. There's no one else around."

"What if- But what if-"

She blinks,
"What if someone comes to steal our silver! Yeah! We can't stay out here tonight! We're loaded!"

>That's silly, Keiko.
>You have a point, Keiko.
>But we should move camp someplace else instead of going back entirely.
>We're fine right here, Keiko.
>Other?

>>48167665
>That's silly, Keiko.
>I know you're scared but that's why we're out here.

>"So I'm sure a few more days will probably be okay."
She had to say it.

"I say finder's keepers." Keiko puts a few more silver pieces into her pouch.
Attagirl.

>>48167665
>We're fine right here, Keiko.

>>48167665
>We're fine right here, Keiko.

>>48167665
>We're fine right here, Keiko.

>We're fine right here, Keiko
>I know you're scared but that's why we're out here

Writing!

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"Keiko." You crawl over toward her and throw the covers back. "We're fine, right here."

She reaches up and pulls the covers back down, burying her face under them.

You quickly grab the covers.
"I know you're scared, but that's why we're out here."
"But what if something comes by in the middle of the night and we're all asleep?!"

"That's silly, Keiko. We're the only ones here."
"-And I already know no-one is out here, I checked." Kayda comes back with a load of firewood under her arm.

"You checked? How? You've barely moved."

"Well I aske-" Kayda stops herself. "-I asked myself where someone would be, and I couldn't think of any nearby hiding places."
"Yeah, that's how they get you." Keiko starts to slink back under the covers.

"Why don't you help me cook food, Keiko?"
"What, are we going to hunt it?"
"No need to!"

You concentrate on your magic ring, and slowly, a basket comes floating out.

"This thing is amazing." You muse.

"Is that enough for all of us?"
"Yep! I packed it before we left the shrine. C'mon Keiko."
"Get Kayda to do it.."

"No, Kayda is going to go check and make sure no one is around."

You turn and nod at Kayda, but she seems rather annoyed by the suggestion. She still walks off into the woods, anyway.

"Now, help me kindle the fire."
"Okay.."

--

"Keiko."
"mm?"
"You're a really good cook. Why didn't you tell us?"
"Because Madeleine is a better cook."

That doesn't mean she should stop cooking.

Kayda has almost finished her food already. It's amazing how much she can eat.
"Oh, hey, Louise. I have a hero question." Kayda looks away for a fraction of a second.

"Hmm?" You blink.

"Is it, normal, for heroes to hear voices and things? Like from the trees or the-"

>Kayda, Stop. Keiko is scared enough as it is
>Okay, You, Me, and Jack are having a long talk when we get back.
>Please don't talk about hearing voices again
>Are you, 'okay'? Like, seriously?
>What was with those weird things you said earlier, too?
>Other?

inb4 cursed treasure

>>48168382
>What was with those weird things you said earlier, too?

>>48168382
>What was with those weird things you said earlier, too?

>>48168382
>What was with those weird things you said earlier, too?

>>48168382
>Are you, 'okay'? Like, seriously?
Spooky.

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>>48168382
This is not concerning in the least.

>Okay, You, Me, and Jack are having a long talk when we get back.

>What was with those weird things you said earlier

Writing!

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Keiko stops, mid-bite.
You, too, have suddenly realized that you haven't taken a breath in what feels like a very long time.

"Are you, 'okay', Kayda?"
"W- Yes! I'm serious! Do you hear these things or not?"

"Okay." You smile, setting down your food. "When we get back, You, Me, and Jack are going to have a long talk."

"I'm not crazy! I was just wanting an answer to this question, that's all!"

"V-voices?" Keiko squeaks.
"Kayda, there are no voices. There's no one here."

"I didn't say there was anyone here!"
"Then, who said the voices?"
"No one!"

The realization of what she just said paints a big frown on Kayda's face.

"Look, look." You try to keep the group together. "Can you please describe what is going on, what was with those weird things you said earlier, too."
"I don't want to talk about it."

"Yes you do." You cross your arms, frowning. "I had a cousin that was just like you. She would always say 'I don't want to talk about it' when she really wanted to talk about it the most."

"I've been-" Kayda stops. "I've been hearing things, that's all."
"What KIND of things?"

"T-they didn't start when you touched the treasure, did they?!" Keiko manages a full sentence. "T-that's how the witches get you! By bewitching things you want to take! You're not under a witch's curse, are you?!"

"K-Keiko, please."

"I've been hearing things since the whole invasion on Biscotti happened, okay? It sometimes feels like someone is trying to talk to me, it's probably nothing, let's just eat."

She picks her bowl back up, and buries her face in it.

>Push the issue further.
>Okay! Let's just eat and get to bed.
>We're still having that talk with Jack.
>Can you tell me more about your Princess' maid talking into a mirror, because she might be cursed, too.
>Other?

>>48168781
>Can you tell me more about your Princess' maid talking into a mirror, because she might be cursed, too.

>>48168781
>We're still having that talk with Jack.
>Can you tell me more about your Princess' maid talking into a mirror, because she might be cursed, too.

>>48168781
>It might be real and it might be important, we'll all talk about it later okok?

>>48168781
>Can you tell me more about your Princess' maid talking into a mirror, because she might be cursed, too.

>Can you tell me more about your Princess' maid talking into a mirror, because she might be cursed, too.
>It might be real and it might be important, we'll all talk about it later okok?
Writing!

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"C-can you tell me more about your princess' maid talking into a mirror?"

She slaps the bowl down, and grimaces.
"Ugh, there's someone who is really a weirdo. Am I turning into her?"

Keiko intervenes, "I've heard of curses that can spread. Maybe she's afflicted by a curse?"

Kayda groans. "Just my luck, I'm stuck with a maid that I hate and she's giving me her spiritual cooties."
Well, that's one way of putting it.

She picks her bowl back up again, "I don't want to think about it. I'm gonna go see a doctor first thing when I get back to town and-"
Kayda's frown proceeds to get even worse.

"..Greta."
"What?" You ask, wary of starting up another outburst.

Her hand slaps her head, "I bet this is afflicting Greta, too. She's so meek, she wouldn't tell me if she was on fire. But I can tell, I can tell something isn't right."

"It might be real and it might be important. We'll talk about it later, Okok?!"
"Urgh."

"No no! No unhappy groans." You smile, awkwardly. "Only dinner! Then bed!"
"But-"
"Have a cupcake!"

"Louise, I'm full."

"Have. a. cupcake."

--

You finish your dinner, and then drag Keiko off into the woods to help you get water. There's a stream not too far away from where you set up camp.
The entire time, she remains clung tightly to you. Her presence is more noticable than your own clothing.
"Are we done yet?"
"This is just one canteen, hand me yours."

"Louise. Earlier, what Kayda said about the voices. Is she sick?"

>I don't know.
>No, of course not.
>She's just having a really tough time adjusting.
>Her 'family' isn't being very nice to her.
>Maybe?
>Other.

>>48169583
>No, of course not.

>>48169583
>Her 'family' isn't being very nice to her.

>>48169583
>Her 'family' isn't being very nice to her.

>>48169583
>She's just having a really tough time adjusting.
>Her 'family' isn't being very nice to her.

It's definitely more than that, but we don't have much to go on right now.

At least I hope there's more to it that her going bonkers.

>>48169583
>I don't know.
>Maybe something really is talking to her, anything is possible.

okok
That was my phones typo, BTW.

>Her 'family' isn't being very nice to her.

Writing!

>>48169844

It was cute, so I ran with it.

>>48169583
>"Have a cupcake!"
Louise is an incredibly terrifying creature.

>>48169915
I think we've long established that with stuff like her penchant of putting that axe to use on anything and everything with disturbing enthusiasm.

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"No, of course not Keiko."
"Then, what's wrong with her? Is it really a curse? I was just guessing!"

..

"Please tell me it's not a curse, Louise."

"I don't know, maybe something really is talking to her, anything is possible."

"I hope not." Keiko's grasp on your arm gets tighter, "If she's possessed by a ghost, then we're in real trouble."

"She's not possessed by a ghost, Keiko."
"You know what they do to possessed people that they can't cure? They send them to a little island-"
"She's NOT possessed, Keiko."

Keiko doesn't say anything while you fill the last canteen up. You cap it, and then hand it over to her. Slowly, you both begin your trek back to the camp.

When you say slowly, you mean REALLY SLOWLY.
"..She's not possessed."
"I didn't say anything." Keiko frowns.

"It's just-" You try to think of a more plausible explanation. "It's just, her 'family'-"

Is that the word for it? You're certain Charlotte thinks of you as family.

"-her 'family' isn't treating her very nicely."

"Is that the problem? Why doesn't she just leave?"
"She can't just leave her summoner. Even if she wanted to."
"I'm sure you can if you really want to." Keiko seems insistent, "I mean, I thought that sort of thing was covered under the contract."

"What was?"
"Leaving your summoner."

"Where did you-" You stop yourself, "No, forget it. Kayda doesn't want to leave her summoner. She just wants to solve what is happening with her, that's all."

"Hey, um." Keiko meekly whispers, "Do you want to, uh, stay up tonight? Just in case. You know, in case she starts acting strange while we're asleep."

>NO Keiko.
>She's not dangerous
>Okay, sure.
>You get some sleep.
>I'll stay up
>Other?

>>48170277
>Just hug her when when she is sleeping

>>48170277
>She's not dangerous

>>48170277
>She's not dangerous
Also >>48170293

>>48170277
>She's not dangerous
and this: >>48170293

>She's NOT dangerous
>But I'll hug her when she's sleeping just in case

Writing!

Rolled 72, 15 = 87 (2d100)

Hey, could I get 1d100, best of three?

Rolled 26 (1d100)

>>48170580

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>48170580

Rolled 82 (1d100)

>>48170580
uh oh...

>>48170761
Damn man.
Congrats!

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"She's NOT dangerous." You frown at Keiko's supposition.

Her tail sags, and she inspects her canteen very closely.

"But-" You continue, noticing her unease. "I'll stay close to her tonight. Just in case she starts sleepwalking or something."
"Really?!"
"Of course! Just for you."

Her tail perks up, swaying gently behind her. Even her step starts to have a slight spring to it as we get back to the camp.
Somehow, it seems her fear of the dark isn't as profound as it was. Even though it's been replaced with a fear of something else..

"Oh, could I get a drink?" Kayda has a makeshift shelter pitched. Completed in record time, as well.
Surprisingly, it looks oddly comfy. Like you could just crawl inside and hibernate for the winter.

..Kayda is surprisingly good at setting this up. Does she hibernate for the winter?

"Oh thank you." Kayda takes her canteen and practically drinks it all in one gulp. "Okay, I think I'm done."
"Really?" Keiko seems worried.
"Yeah, I don't know why. My head is starting to hurt. I- I think I'll just lay down."

Keiko gives you a worried look. Kayda, clearly not caring about sleeping in her leather armor, carelessly strips it off and lets it drop to the ground. She climbs into the tent throws the covers over herself.

"Uh! Right! I think I'll go to sleep too. Good night Keiko!" You quickly strip your shoes and shirt off.

Slowly, you climb into the shelter. Your legs slip under the covers, and you scoot ever closer to her.
Your arms reach out, and slowly wrap themselves around Kayda's sleeping form.
..
Her eyes are wide-open, and looking straight at you.
Is she suspicious?

Her arms wiggle their way out from under your grasp, and they slowly wind their way under your arms. With a tug, she pulls herself closer.
"Thank you." She whispers.

You're confused, but that's okay! Almost immediately, you can feel yourself falling asleep.

The last thing you remember is something oddly fluffy cuddling up behind you.

>Cont.

Did Announcer's power die?

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..

You're dreaming.
It feels, like a peaceful dream. At the same time, you're more than aware of a burden contained in your arms. You're not sure how to describe it.
Occasionally it shifts, and sometimes you can almost hear it saying something.
"Thank you."

Huh, feels like a rocking boat, all of the sudden.

You dream of a lake, covered in ice.
There's a girl in the middle of the lake.

"Daddy, what is that girl doing?"
"She's stuck, honey."

"Shouldn't we go help her?"
"It's too late in the winter, the ice is too thin. There's nothing we can do."
CRACK

--

Your eyes flip open.
That wasn't a dream, you definitely heard something.

Did you sleep all the way to daytime?

No, daytime doesn't glow a sickly, pale green.

Your eyes scan your immediate surrounding. The tanned-skin girl still has her head buried in your chest. Her arms restricting your movement considerably.
WOW, her arms are like vice grips! She must have decided to hold onto you, just in case you tried to escape! There's no way to escape that hug.

Your head tilts upward with the greatest range of motion possible. That's when you see it.

>Cont.

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A green spectre, it's slowly moving between the trees. Weaving back and forth.
"G-g-g-g-g-g-" you hear Keiko studder. You attempt to pull yourself free, but Kayda's iron grip restrains you! She's still out like a light, she isn't noticing this at all!

The ghost is coming closer, it's hard to make out its form but-
It almost looks like it's wearing a dress?

"Hello?" You call out to it. Slowly, it shimmers.
It's a woman, glad entirely in a flowing green dress.

Her footsteps bring her straight to your camp. A small animal follows closely behind.
It's the same invisible animal you found earlier.

Gently, she kneels down to your eye level.
At that moment, Keiko squeaks.

She's very beautiful, very much a lady in every way. The very way she is dressed seems like a motherly figure. The way she moves seems as swift as the spring breeze.
Without disturbing her shimmering form, she leans in. Kissing your forehead, and then Keiko's forehead, and then the forehead of the little girl bundled in your arms.

You blink, and in that instant, she's gone.

"Keiko." You ask, trying to maintain composure. "What was that?"

"I think-" Keiko is still trying to hold her breath, "I think that was a forest spirit."
"What does that mean?"
"Uh-" Keiko is still panting, "Uh, I think, that means we've been blessed."

"What does that mean?" You repeat the question, refusing to turn your eyes away from the campsite.

"I'm. " Keiko hesitates. "I'm too scared to answer that right now. I think it's a good thing, but I'll tell you later. Can we go home now?"

>Yes.
>I don't think I can sleep anymore anyway.
>No, no. This is an adventure.
>..Kayda, wake up, please?
>I think it's time to go.
>Other?

>>48171543
>Yes.
>Very yes.
>Absolutely.
>Why haven't we set off yet?

>>48171543
>No, no. This is an adventure.
>>just join us in the cuddle pile

>>48171543
>...When Kayda wakes up.

>>48171543
>Yes.

>Yes
>Very Yes
>...When Kayda wakes up

Writing last post of the night!

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"Yes."

Keiko sighs, starting to gently crawl out from the shelter.
"Very Yes."

You try to do the same, but you forgot something important.
"..After Kayda wakes up."

"Mm?"
Keiko spins around and notices the tanned girl weighing you down with all her might.

Surprisingly, she still has a very gentle and cute half-smile adorning her face. It's as if this is the best sleep she's ever had.

"Kayda, Wake up. We have to go." Keiko commands into her ear.

Nothing.

"Okay, no, seriously, there's a ghost, we gotta leave." You shake the bundle.

In return, you think she just squeezed harder around your neck.

"This isn't going to work."
"No, it's not."

"Okay, hold on, I can-"
Gently, you slide out of the tent with Kayda in hand. Grabbing her into a carry, you think you can probably walk the rest of the way back with her in your arms.

"-I can walk like this. Grab her clothes."
"Yours too?"
"Yes, please. Let's try to get all of our stuff back in the ring, and we can go."

Keiko, showing surprising aptitude with magic, manages to fit all the provisions and blankets back into the ring. She even did it all by herself! Wow!
She must be pretty strong.

"Let's go."
"Right! Right."

The whole way back, you can swear that you feel eyes on you. It's a disturbing feeling.
Deep down, you feel that Keiko knows this as well. Her hands don't leave the hem of your pants.

--

The trip back is shorter than you remember, or maybe that's just exhaustion.
Keiko opens the shrine door, and you plod inside with Kayda. She still hasn't woken up yet, and it's just as well.

You gently set her down, and then assume your cuddling position. Keiko, not even skipping a beat, collapses next to you. All the little silver coins in your pockets pour out with a scatter as you shift on the matted floor.

This is going to be hard to explain if Jack or Atsuko come back. At this point, you find it hard to care either way.

>Thread End

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And that ends our month-long foray into Fortune Summoners territory. I hope everyone liked it.

I enjoy following the pint-sized heroes. Especially after I do something silly like get stuck in a long storyline without much interesting happening.

Thankfully, Louise and Kayda are there to save the day.

Everyone, let me know what you thought of this adventure.
Or what you think of the direction of the quest.

I'm considering after 111, moving to /qst/. Seems like a strange move, but I would say DDQ, at the current pace in the current storyline, has about 20 or so threads left. I'm not sure. You know how I am with threads and scheduling.

Thanks again for the thread everyone, let me know what you thought.

>>48172005
Absolutely terrible idea.

>>48172005
thanks for running! i enjoyed this but i was starting to miss Jack

hm, if we're that close from the end, it would probably be a bad idea to jump ships
wait, didn't you also say that CPM was supposed to be 20 threads long at the start?

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Okay, fair enough. Just pitching the idea.

>>48172055
Ah ha
Ahahah.
Ahh.

Yeah
I also said it was set to end at Thread 50, and it went on to Thread 125
I ALSO said, that when we entered the 'last stretch' of the story. That it would be done in a month.
It took a year after I said that
But I totally mean it this time. Really you guys.

>>48172098
haha sure, sure
so, what do you plan to do after this?

>>48172116
Actually I have another quest idea in mind.

Several.

I have a while to think about which one I want to run.
Or if I'm not too much of a normie to run a quest on top of my normie job. We'll see.

>>48172005
Thanks for running, Announcer. The small heroes were adorable.