>>30958
>What did she do to traumatize her?
>>What's therapy?

>>30958
>What's therapy? Is it like rape?

>>30958
>What did she do to traumatize her?

>What's therapy?

>>30958
>What did she do to traumatize her?
>What's therapy?

>>30958
What does Traumatize mean also what's therapy?

>writing

"What did she do?" You ask
"Hid around every corner, snatched food from the poor woman's fork, made spider webs on her front porch..." Tian says.

"But she finally acknowedged me" Ariadne says.
"And it damn near killed her" Tian replies. "Let's not drive the nice minotaur mad, shall we?"

Ariadne crosses her arms. "Well she isn't acting very nice..."
"I know sweetie. But you have to accept that, as a spider, people are going to be afraid of you sometimes" Tian says. "1 out of 6 isn't bad. Why not play with Yuu, or Ilica?"

Ariadne grumbles something and retreats to a corner.

"Honestly, that girl..." Tian says.
"What's therapy?" You ask. "Is that where you go when you almost get killed?"

"Not really. A therapist helps you work through mental issues" Tian says. "Like being an arachnophobe who was traumatized by a rambunctious little spider..."

"Oh" You say.

"Did I miss anything?" Derrick asks.
"Only Rhea being a 'fraidy-cow" Lulu says. "Cart's parked?"
"Yeah. Let's go" Derrick says. "Wouldn't want to keep Altea waiting, you know how she gets..."

>How does she get?

>Ask Lulu what kind of dog she is

>Ask Rhea how she got so huge

>Ask who the other knights are

>Other

>>31397
>>How does she get?
>Ask Rhea how she got so huge

>>31397
>How does she get?
>Ask Lulu what kind of dog she is

>>31397
>>How does she get?
>>Ask who the other knights are

>>31397
>How does she get?
>>Ask who the other knights are

>>31397
>Ask Lulu what kind of dog she is

>writing

The group goes in the front door, and Rhea leads you through the fort. You're pretty sure she only takes the lead to get her mind off Ariadne...

"How does Altea get?" You ask.

Derrick and Lulu exchange a glance, with a tired, bordering on terrified expression.

"You don't wanna know" Derrick says.
"But I do" You say.
"Trust us. You don't" Lulu says. "Just... never be late when she tells you to be somewhere"

"Does she get really mad?" You ask.
"Don't worry about it" Derrick says.

You frown. They aren't being very helpful about this.

A part of you wants to test this, but the rest of you wants to take their warning.

After pondering it for a moment, you shrug and move on.

"You guys said that there were other knights, didn't you? Where are they?" You ask.
"They should already be in the hall" Lulu says.
"What are they like?" You ask.

"You've already met Marybell's mother" Derrick says. "She's the one who ran that shop back in Sherton"
"Oh, so the old mare still runs that place?" Lulu asks.
"Apparently" Derrick says.
"The other is Pip, or Pippi" Lulu says. "She's a rat, but no one is better at-"
"Mouse" A new, squeaky voice says.

Lulu stiffens up and turns around. "Y-yo, Pip" She says. "How long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear you call me a rat" Pip says.

>cont

You turn to face the new voice, and then look down. 'Pip' is very short...

She has big, circular mouse ears, little buck teeth that remind you of the rabbits, and a long, thin tail. She wears no armor, unlike the other knights. But she does still have the dragon wing insignia.

"Well I'll be damned" Pip says. "If it isn't Ricky!"
"Yeah, I'm back" Derrick says.
"You bring me any souvenirs?" Pip asks.
"No" Derrick says.

"What's a souvenir?" You ask.
"We'll explain later" Emi says.

"So who's this?" Pip asks.
"Oh, this is Yuu" Derrick says. "And Ilica, Emi, Tian, and Ariadne"

"A spider, huh?" Pip asks. "How you dealin' with that, Rhea?"

...

"Completely ignoring it" Pip says. "So how long is the cat going to stare at me like that?"

You turn to see Ilica eyeing Pip strangely.

"S-sorry. Force of habit" Ilica says. "Y'know, you being a mouse and all"
"No worries, so long as I don't get pounced on" Pip says. "And even the cat has the courtesy not to call me a rat, unlike a certain mutt"


"What did you just call me?" Lulu asks.

Pip smiles, and starts running. Lulu chases after her.

>What's a mutt, and why did it make Lulu so angry?

>Should we do something about that?

>Why would Ilica pounce on Pip?

>Other

>>31899
>Why would Ilica pounce on Pip?

>>31899
>Should we do something about that?

>>31899
>>Should we do something about that?
>>Why would Ilica pounce on Pip?

>>31899
>>Why would Ilica pounce on Pip?

>>31899
We need to meet Marybell.

>>31899
>Should we do something about that?

>Why would Ilica pounce on Pip?

>writing

>>31899
>Should we do something about that?

"Why would you pounce on Pip?" You ask Ilica.
"Because she's a mouse" Ilica says. "And I'm a cat"

"... and?" You ask.

"It's not really that complicated. Cats and mouses have a long history of not getting along" Ilica says.
"You seemed pretty okay with her" You say.
"One of my old friends was a mouse" Ilica says.
"Is that why you were giving her that look?" You ask.
"No" Ilica says. "That was... something else. Don't worry about that"

"Kay" You say. "Should we do something about them?"

In the distance, you hear Pip laughing as Lulu chases her.

"Nah. They'll stop once they reach the meeting hall" Derrick says.
"Why was Lulu so mad?" You ask.
"Lulu is a wolf" Derrick says. "and a proud one at that. Calling her a mutt is like calling you... a monkey or something"

"I take offense to that" Tian says.
"Ah... sorry" Derrick says. "But you get the idea"
You nod.

>cont

>>32175
So much intended/not intended racism.

>>32245
Actually, if men evolved from monkeys, in this world, then would that make Tian the closest thing to a human girl?

After walking for a while, you finally reach the meeting hall. Inside there's a single, round table with several chairs around it.

"What took you guys so long?" Altea asks.

Altea is sitting on the other side of the table, with Lulu and Pip on either side.
Next to Lulu, there's a rather large centaur. Her bottom, horse half is black, and shiny. While her top half is white. Her hair is long and black, with a single streak of white. You can definitely see the resemblance to the lady from the shop.

"We didn't take that lo-"
"Delays" Derrick says. "Nothing big, but we're here now"

That was pretty rude of Derrick, but you let it slide.

"Please, sit" Altea says. "So, you escaped from Mortifas. How?"

>I did a thing

>Stay quiet and let them talk

>Other

>>32308
>I did a thing

>>32308
>I did a thing

>>32308
>We just walked through the front door

>>32308
>I did a thing

>>32308
>we walked through the front door then I did a thing

>>32308
>I did a thing

It was more like we blew up the front door, THEN we walked out of it.

>>32308
>I did a thing.
Tell the horse her mothers message.

>writing

>>32308
>Stay quiet and let them talk
Until they ask us, where we reply
>I did a thing

>Round Table

So, Altea is the Arthur Pendragon of this world, it would seem.

"I did a thing" You say. "In the red room, I punched the door open"

"The red room...?" Altea asks.
"He means the execution chamber" Ilica says.
"You had any strength at all in the execution chamber?" Altea asks. She looks you over carefully, then smiles. "They say only the truly pure can pass under the red sun and live"

"That knight lady did say that I was a pure demon..." You say.

"A demon?" Marybell says, breaking her strange silence for the first time. She reaches for her weapon, a bow she keeps on her back. In a flash she has the bow out, and an arrow knocked and drawn.

"Marybell, relax" Derrick says. "Not a normal demon"
"A pure demon" Altea says. "Put that away, Marybell"

Marybell loosens her draw, and puts both bow and arrow away. "Apologies, commander" She says.
"Don't apologize. Just stop whipping the bow out over every little thing" She says. "You'll never bag a man if you keep trying to shoot them"

"Oh yeah" You say. "Your mom said you should find a damn husband already"

Marybell's cheeks turn bright red, and Altea laughs.

"Even your mother is growing impatient, Marybell" Altea says.

Marybell focuses her gaze on the floor, clearly trying to block out the room.

>cont.

>>32648
Marybell is perfect for bullying.

"So enough about Marybell's marital status. Let's hear about the escape" Altea says.

"Oh, right" You say. "So I punched through the door of the red room, and then I punched some armor guys"

"Let's back up a bit to how you had the strength to escape the execution chamber" Altea says.
"I'm a chaotic" You say.

"You're a chaotic" Altea says. "Show me"

You reach for your mageblade, but Emi stops you. "Perhaps later. Yuu is running on fumes right now" She says.
Altea doesn't look pleased. "He can't spare some energy for a little demonstration?" She asks.
"He fainted on the way here, from the strain of using something as small as a mageblade" Ilica says.

"But he is a chaotic" Derrick says. "You have my word on that"
Altea nods. "That'll be good enough for me then" She says. "For now, at least"

You continue your story, to where you beat up that melly guy, and then got out and shot the chaos blast back at them.

Altea's smile widens.
"I know that look" Derrick says. "What've you got in mind?"
"Well, for the longest time Detroying Mortifas has been on my to-do list" Altea says. "But I couldn't for the life of me figure out a good way to do it- without massive casualties"

"And now you have it" Derrick says.
"If he'd be willing to lend his help..." Altea says.

>I would

>Let me think about it

>Other

>>32797
>I would

>>32797
>I would
don't have anywhere else I could go.

>>32797
>As long as you ask nicely I don't mind helping

>>32797
>"He fainted on the way here, from the strain of using something as small as a mageblade" Ilica says.

Wow. Way to be a bitch, Ilica. She didn't even mention all the things he could do with a normal mageblade, before using a training mageblade that's SUPPOSED to strain you. Only difference here is that he can't replenish his supply.

>>32797
>>I would
For someone so cute

>writing

>>32894
She is literally trying to protect him.

>>32894
I truly hope that at least one of his companions will bring this up.

>>32922
From what, though? I'm sure Altea wants to put her faith in his actual abilities moreso than Derrick's word, even if she believes him.

>>32922
>>32974
Ilica doesn't see Yuu as a man, so much as a kitten who needs protection and care.

>>32974
from our greatest enemy ourselves and the dice gods.... oh god new bored new dice gods

>>32974
She doesn't want altea to use him as a weapon, probably. Considering that she knows how it hurt to him when he repelled the red beam

>>32993
I gotcha. Apologies for the rant, I didn't mean to be a jerk.

"I'd be willing to help" You say.

"Wait, Yuu" Ilica says. "This'll be dangerous. I don't want you to feel like you're being forced..."
"I'm not" You say. "I want to do this. Mortifas is bad, and I'll be making the world a better place by helping to get rid of it"

"Well... I say help" Altea says. "You'll probably be doing most, if not all of the work..."
"I'm okay with that" You say.
"Excellent!" Altea says. "Now, we'll probably need to whip you into shape... I won't rest my entire plan on the shoulders of someone I haven't tested"

"That sounds painful..." You say.
"Don't worry, it won't hurt... much" Altea says. "For now, you should all get some rest"

"Yeah... it's like what, midnight?" Ilica asks.
"Later" Lulu says, as she lets out a yawn.

>Anything else you guys wanna do/ask?
>Taking a short food break. Will start writing once I get back.

>>33032
>Nope. Go to sleep
Will we share a room?

>>33032
I'd be interested to hear just a little bit about her relationship with her brother.

>>33032
ask what time should we expect to be tested tomorrow and then head off to bed.

>>33032
Yay a bed. I hope it has fluffy pillows

File: 1461619533600.jpg (86 KB, 520x678)

86 KB JPG

>>33052
Also ask Altea about her relationship with our guy Derrick.

Also how does Yuu look? I pictured him to look like this, but a bit shorter.

>>33032
>>33093
>>33128
Switching to this.

>>33128
Brown hair, gold eyes. His hair isn't messy, because Ilica brushes it whether Yuu likes it or not.

>writing

"One question" You say. "How did Derrick become your squire?"
"How...?" Altea asks, looking confused. "Well he's-"

Her eyes dart over to Derrick, who you can see making some sort of gesture out of the corner of your eye.

Altea smiles. "It's a long story, and one that can wait until everyone's had their sleep"
You frown, but accept. You are kinda tired...

"Lulu, Mary, show them where they'll be sleeping" Altea says. "Rhea, Pip, come with me. I've got a few things I need to discuss before bed"

The knights each give a quick salute, before everyone goes their separate ways.

Lulu and Mary take your group around to where the sleeping quarters are.

"Alright, you get 3 rooms" Lulu says. "I assume nobody here minds doubling up to a bed. Because each room's only got one"

"Sounds good" Derrick says. "So... Tian and Ariadne. Ilica and Emi, Me and Yuu?"
"Nuh-uh" Ilica says. "We talked about this. I don't appreciate getting the warmth squeezed out of me. Yuu goes with Emi"

>What say?

>>33343
>Eh. I'm used to it.

>>33343
Okay.

>>33343
"Sure."

>>33343
>I'm used to it. But you can share a room with me too Ilica, and derrick can sleep with Emi.

>>33343
anything is fine

>>33343
okay,

>>33343
a bed is a bed

just try not to tease Dirrick all night Ilica. We all have a big day tomorrow.

>writing

"That's fine" You say.
"It is?" Emi asks.

"Yeah. I don't mind the squeeze. It's kinda comfy" You say.
"I guess that puts you with me, Ilica?" Derrick asks.

"No, those rooms are for them" Lulu says. "You get your own, next to the Commander's"
"Of course..." Derrick says. "This means goodnight then"

"Good night" You say to Derrick.
"Alright! I get a room to myself!" Ilica says. "I pick... this one!"

Ilica tromps over to one of the doors to your rooms, and steps in. "G'night all!" She says, as the door shuts behind her.

"I guess we'll take this one then..." Tian saysas she walks to another door.
"I hope it's got a good spot for a web!" Ariadne says, as she follows Tian.
"No webs" Tian says
"So I have to sleep in the bed? Like some normy?" Ariadne asks.
"Yes" Tian says.
"Not even a little web?" Ariadne asks.
"No webs" Tian replies.
"You're no fun"

Tian and Ariadne disappear into their room, leaving you with Lulu, Marybell, Derrick, and Emi.

>Anything else?

>>33560
>Like some normy?
THE MEMES, SMILEY

Go to bed with Emi I guess.

>>33560
...so what is Derrick's relation with the commander?

>>33580
this was meant to be a question to ask Lulu, and marybell... once Derrick leaves of course

>>33560
Emi if you are going to steal my blanket tonight at least take me with it, I get cold

>writing

"See you guys in the morning then" You say.
"Yeah. Sleep well, Yuu" Derrick says.

"Sleep very well" Lulu says. "When the commander says she wants to work you, she means it"
"I hate to say it, but she's right" Derrick says. "Just remember that she means well..."

They almost seem worried about you... is Altea's training that hard?

Lulu, Marybell and Derrick wave goodbye, leaving you and Emi to go to bed.

"So you really don't mind when I coil around you?" Emi asks as the two of you head into your room.
"It's cozy" You say. "Like a big hug around my entire body"

Emi smiles. "You have an interesting outlook" She says.
"I do?" You ask. "How?"
Emi looks at you for a few seconds, and then waves it off. "Nevermind" She says. "I'm gonna throw on my pajamas. You feel free to hit the hay without me"

"Kay"

>cont.

You awaken the next morning to the sound of someone knocking on your door. You try to move, but you can't.

"Oh, right..." You say. Emi has her tail wrapped around you, with her hands cradling your head on her chest just below her neck.

...

"Emi" You say. "I need to get up"
"Gimme s'm minnits" Emi says.

The knocking comes again. "Yuu, get up" Derrick calls through the door.
"I'm stuck" You call back.

"Hang on, I'll come in and help" Derrick says, as he opens the door and steps in. "Wow. She didn't even leave you an arm..."

You shrug. "S'not so bad" You say. "I wouldn't mind if I didn't have anywhere to go"
"But you do" Derrick says, as he walks over and gives Emi a shove. "Emi, wake up. Yuu's got places to be"

"Fiiiiiiiine" Emi whines, as her tail loosens. She doesn't seem to fully wake up, but she does let you out.

Once you're out and standing, Derrick leaves so you can get dressed.

"Ready to go?" Derrick asks.
"Yeah" You say.

>Breakfast?

>What will this 'training' entail?

>Sleep well?

>Other

>>33959
>Sleep well?
>What will this training en tail?

>>33959
>>Breakfast?
>>What will this 'training' entail?
>>Sleep well?

>>33959
>>Sleep well?
Pause
>What will this 'training' entail?

>>33959
>>Breakfast?
>>What will this 'training' entail?

>>33959
>Sleep well?
>What will this 'training' entail?

>>33959
>Breakfast?
>What will this 'training' entail?

>writing

>>33959
>What does this training entail?

My guess...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSS5dEeMX64

"Sleep well?" You ask, as you follow Derrick down the hall.
"I did" Derrick says. "As nice as it was to have everyone in one room, it felt good to have a bed to myself for once. How about you?"
"I was comfy" You say. "Is there breakfast?"

"Yeah. We're heading back to the meeting room now. It doubles as a dining hall" He says.
"Cool" You say. "Who's there?"

"The knights... and some people I wasn't expecting" Derrick says.
"Neat" You say. "What will this training entail?"

"Hard work" Derrick says. "Altea doesn't believe in slow starts. Her version of swimming lessons are to throw you into the deep end head first. You either learn to swim, or... well..."

"Got it" You say. "I think I might know how to swim already, so I should be fine"
"That was a metaphor" Derrick says.

"Oh" You say.

You and Derrick walk into the meeting hall, where you see the 4 knights, Tian, Ariadne, Ilica, and... "Mayo?" You ask.
"Meyu" Derrick whispers.

"That's what I meant" You say. "Meyu"

Those guys from Sherton, Meyu, Gerard, Zaine and Madelaine, are all here.

"Well if it isn't the pipsqueak" Madelaine says. "Wasn't expecting you to make it here in one piece"

>Well, I am missing a piece...

>Ask Meyu why he's here

>Sit down and eat

>Other

>>34287
>>Well, I am missing a piece...

>>34287
>Well, I am missing a piece...
Why so much bullying to yuu?

>>34287
>>Well, I am missing a piece...

>>34287
>>Well, I am missing a piece...

>>34287
>>Well, I am missing a piece...

>>34287
>>Well, I am missing a piece...

>writing

You put a hand over your chest. The lack of a heartbeat has never felt strange to you, even though people tell you it is. "Well, I am missing a piece..." You say.

"That's not what I meant" Madelaine says.
"Be nice Madelaine" Meyu says.

Madelaine crosses her arms, glaring at you as you take your seat next to Ilica.

"Word is that the lady herself is gonna gbe whippin' you into shape today, kiddo" Meyu says.
"She is" You say.

Meyu laughs.

"Do you know the commander?" Pip asks.
"Me 'n her were in the same class in the Knight's academy" Meyu says.

"You were a knight?" Lulu asks.
"For a while" Meyu says.

>Why are you here?

>Why did you quit?

>Tell them about the pit with the portal

>Other

>>34542
>>Why are you here?

>>34542
>Why did you quit?

>>34542
>>Why are you here?

>>34542
>Why are you here?

>>34542
>Why are you here?
>Why did you quit?
Why are you angry all the time, Madelaine? Do you need therapy?

>>34542
>Why are you here?
>Why did you quit?

>>34542
>>34667
I like this.

>writing

>>34667
>Why are you angry all the time, Madelaine? Do you need therapy?
This is a must.

>>34542
Why are you angry all the time, Madelaine? Do you need therapy?

"Why did you quit?" You ask.

Meyu chuckles. "Call it a difference of opinion with my commander" He says. "Either way, there were things that even I couldn't stomach. So I quit, and became a merc"
"So why are you here?" You ask. "I thought you were going to that tower"

"We got to the tower" Madelaine says. "They wouldn't let us get in"
"They being Lubrian army" Zaine adds. "They have the whole place on lock down. We couldn't get through"

"So we came here" Meyu says. "Altea promised us that she'd grant us access if we hellped her out, so we're a part of this now"

"We should be in the tower right now..." Madelaine says, clearly unhappy with her current situation.

"Why are you mad all the time?" You ask Madelaine. "Does she need therapy?"

Meyu, Zaine, and Gerard all stop. Meyu laughs out loud, Zaine smiles, and Gerard almost chokes on his soup.

"Now there's an idea!" Meyu says, as he puts a hand on Madelaine's head. "Maybe some anger management courses will do you some g-YOWCH! Right on the instep..."

Meyu picks up his leg to rub the pain out of his foot, while Madelaine glares at you.

"Too bad there's no therapy for being an idiot" Madelaine says.
"Yuu's a fast learner" Ilica says. "unfortunately there's no quick cure for being a bitch"

Madelaine turns to Ilica, shocked.

"Oooooooooooo!" Pip says. "Catfight! Lulu! Lulu! Catfight!"
"Who's your money on?" Lulu asks.
"The one with the claws, obviously" Pip says.
"I'll take that bet. Red looks like she's got some fight in her" Lulu says.

"I'm glad you two take this so seriously" Marybell says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

>Please don't fight

>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?

>Is that normal?

>What's a bitch?

>Other

>>34965
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?
>What's a bitch?

>>34965

>Please don't fight
>What's a bitch?

>>34965
>>Please don't fight

But lulu's the bitch....

>>34965
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?
>What's a bitch?

>>34965
>>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?

>>34965
>Please don't fight
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?

>>34965
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?
>What's a bitch?

>>34965
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?
>What's a bitch?

>>34965
>>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?
>>What's a bitch?

>>34965
>Didn't you say that she was like me, when you found her? Does that mean she's an idiot?

>>35118
HAHAHAHA yes.

>>34965
>>35118
seconded.

>writing

>>35118
that needs to be worked in

>>35118
This.
DAMN SON

>>35118
>>35160
Add

>>35118
Does this place have a burn ward? Because someone's getting ROASTED!

"Didn't you say she was like me when you found her?" You ask. "Doesn't that make her an idiot too?"

Meyu laughs again. "He's got you there, girl!" He says.

Madelaine stands up, nearly knocking her chair over behind her. Then she storms out.

Gerard sighs. "You shouldn't tease her like that, Meyu. You know how she gets" Zaine says.
"Ah. The joys of being a sort of father to a teenage girl..." Meyu says. "She'll be fine... probably"

...

"Just in case, does someone wanna go make sure she's fine?" Meyu asks.
"I'll go" Gerard says. "But if she wants an apology, you'll be giving her one"
"I know, I know..." Meyu says, letting out a sigh as he slumps into his chair. "You try to teach 'em not to take everything so seriously, and look what happens?"

You're about to answer, when someone puts a bowl of soup down in front of you. Then you get distracted by your stomach, and start eating.

It's pretty good.

>cont

>>35401
Awesome.

Isn't funny that, out of the two, the actual demon isn't an asshole?

When yo finish your soup, Lulu looks over to you. "All done?" She asks.
"Yes" You say.

"Good. Time to go, Altea said to meet her in the courtyard" Lulu says. "If you're ready"
"I should be" You say.

"Then let's go" Lulu says.

You and the knights stand up, along with Ilica and Derrick, and start heading out of the room.

"Just one thing before you go, kid" Meyu says.
You look back at Meyu, and wait for him to continue.

"Altea's probably gonna knock you on your arse a few times, so just remember: It 'aint about how many times you fall. It's about how many times you get up" Meyu says. "She doesn't care if you go down, but if you stay down you won't earn any respect"

"Got it" You say. "So I just have to keep getting up. That doesn't sound so hard"

Meyu chuckles. "You'll see" He says. "Good luck"

You nod to Meyu, and head off after the others.

>Anything you want to ask them before training time?

>>35531
So what's a Bitch?

>>35531
Will i have to remember the basics of CQC?

>>35531
>How is it a catfight if Madelaine isn't a cat?

>>35555
Asking the important questions

>>35531
Why is Madelaine a bitch (repeating what ilica called her)?

File: Ey Upollo.jpg (56 KB, 608x453)

56 KB JPG

>>35531

>writing

"So you guys called that a catfight" You say. "How ws it a catfight? Ilica was the only cat"
"A catfight is just something you call a fight between 2 girls" Pip says in a 'matter of fact' tone. "If Lulu and I were to fight, it would still be a catfight even though we're about as far from being cats as you can get"

"Oh... then what's a bitch?" You ask. "Why would Madelaine need a cure? Is it that bad?"

Pip starts to giggle. "Oh, Lu. I like this guy" She says. "He's even better than Ricky used to be"

"Derrick used to be like that?" Ilica asks.
"Not exactly" Lulu says.

"Please no..." Derrick says.
"But the first time he ever joined us in the baths, he was genuinely baffled by our lack of dongs" Pip says.

"It was one time!" Derrick says. "It's not like female anatomy is something they teach you as a squire!"

Ilica starts laughing. "Oh my god! That's rich!" Ilica says.
"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up" Derrick says. "Anyways, Yuu. If you were wondering what a bitch is..."

Ilica swats Derrick's head. "That's not very nice" She says.
"And you were being a ray of sunshine just now" Derrick replies.
"Uh-oh. Ricky's got fangs for bitin' back now" Pip says. "Better watch out, Lu. He's gotten bold"

"He's gotten soft" Lulu says. "But we can fix that"

You reach out and touch Derrick's head. "He doesn't feel soft" You say.
Derrick puts a hand over his face. "That is not what they meant..." He says.

"Welp, we're getting to the courtyard. Everybody on their best behaviour" Rhea says.

Suddenly the banter stops. Lulu, Pip, and Derrick all straighten up as the group gets outside...

>cont

Altea smiles when she sees the group entering the courtyard.

"Welcome" She says. "Hearing a lot of laughter. You guys seem to be catching up with each other, that's good to hear"
"It's been a while" Derrick says.

"That it has" Altea says. "Now. I want to send a team out to Mortifas in 1 week. I haven't decided on who else will be going, but Yuu will definitely be a member"
"Cool" You say.

"By the time that deadline rolls around, I want you to be ready" She says. "Over the next week, we are going to work you to the bone. Failure will not be an option in Mortifas, and I will accept nothing less here either"

"What do you have in mind?" Pip asks.
"I'm going to leave that to you five" Altea says.
"You are?" Derrick asks.
"I'll be supervising, when I have time" Altea says. "But for the most part, I'll be busy. So the five of you are in charge of Yuu's training. I want him ready for his big day, and I will accept nothing less. Understood?"

"Yes commander!" The knights say in unison.
"Good" Altea says. "Why don't you get started?"

>Introducing physical stats!

>Alongside the mageblade stats, you have 5 physical stats: Strength, Endurance, Speed, Reflex, and Skill.

>These will augment your capabilities in combat and out, as well as give you bonuses to rolls involving these stats.

>Your current stats are:

>2 Strength (Strength is higher, from the successful 'lift Rhea' roll)

>1 Everything else.

So without further ado...

>Train Endurance with Lulu

>Train Strength with Rhea

>Train Speed with Marybell

>Train Relfex with Pippi

>Train Skill with Derrick

>Let them decide

>>36149
>Train Skill with Derrick
Need the skills to pay all those Waifu checks we've been writing

>>36149
>Let them decide
Derrick has actually seen us fight so he should have a good idea where we need to most improvement.

>>36149
>>Train Relfex with Pippi

>>36149
>Train Skill with Derrick

>>36149
>Train Skill with Derrick
need to git gud.

>>36149
>>Train Speed with Marybell
GOTTA GO FAST

>>36149
>>36206
>>36214
Switching to this

>>36149
>>Train Strength with Rhea
Yuu ain't no manlet!

>>36149
>Let them decide
But I recommend
>Train Endurance with Lulu
So that we can last through the week

>writing

Rolled 63 (1d100)

Altea steps back, allowing the group to converse.

"So... where do we start?" Pip asks.
"I dunno" Lulu says. "Any suggestions?"
"What do you think, Derrick?" You ask.

"I think you might want to work on your endurance" Derrick says. "Not because it needs a lot of work, but because you'll need it if you want to last the week. So Lulu, you're up"

Lulu steps forward. "Looks like I get to play" She says. "I hope you don't get tired too quickly. I can go aaaaall day"

"And cut the innuendos. We're training him, not popping his cherry" Pip says.
Lulu sticks out her tongue at Pip, then turns back to you and licks her lips. "Shall we?" She asks.

Derrick hands each of you a practice sword, and steps away.

"I feel like Emi should be here for this... just in case" Ilica says.
"Rhea knows a bit of healing magic" Derrick says. "Whether or not she'll use it is the question...

You take off your hat and your cloak, then set your stance. When she's sure that you're ready, Lulu bounds forward.

>Roll 1d100 with focus

Rolled 41 (1d100)

>>36472

Rolled 91 (1d100)

>>36472

Rolled 67 (1d100)

>>36472

Rolled 72 (1d100)

>>36472

>>36513
>>36515
good role and we make the focus bonus, nice

>Roll success!
>Focus success!

>Writing

>>36513
>>36515
>We tire Lulu out.

>>36650
Looks like Yuu can go all day. Stella is going to be happy then.

You breathe out and bring your sword up to block Lulu's swing. It's heavier than the mageblade, but not by enough to make it a problem.

Lulu's leg lashes out and nails you in the side of the knee, and then she takes a swing at your face with her other hand forcing you to back up or get punched.

She quickly closes the gap you leave with a lunge. You set your feet again, parrying her and swinging back. This time it's her that has to jump back, and you get to put her on the defensive.

...

For about 10 seconds, before she slams a fist into your gut and kicks your legs out from under you.

"Ow" You say.
"Done already?" Lulu asks in a mocking tone, as she leans over you. "Gee Rick, I didn't think your friend here was a one pump chump, the way you played him up"

"I'm not done" You say, as you get back up. Lulu's ferocity caught you off guard, and you weren't expecting the punches or the kicks.

You change up your stance. You won't beat Lulu on the offensive, she's much too erratic for you to keep on the back foot.

You'll have to tire her out, and wait for your time to strike...

"Ohhhh?" Lulu says. "There's some good ol' fashioned determination I see there"
You smile.
"Don't disappoint me now, Yuu" Lulu says, as she dives back in.

>cont

4 hours later, you're flat on your back again. If you could stand, you would. But your knees buckle whenever you put weight on them

That's why you're on the ground, by the way. Lulu managed to hit you in a lot of places, but she seemed to focus on your knees above all. You were wondering why she did that, right up until they gave out.

Lulu sits down next to you, panting with her tongue hanging out. "Not *hah* bad" She says. "You're better than you look"
"Thanks" You say. You're breath is heavier than hers. "I do try"
"I didn't expect you to last that long. I figured you'd go down after the third or fourth kick" She says.
"That wasn't the third or fourth?" You ask.
"I must've nailed you twenty times on each leg" She says. "And I only had to do both because only doing one didn't do anything"

"Not true. I was limping" You say.
"Limping's not done" She says. "You can fight, you can run, you can do anything on a limp"
"I noticed" You say.
Lulu giggles. "Rhea, come give him a hand. I'd say he's earned it"

"Let me" Emi says. "I'm no expert, but I can handle this"
"Fine by me. Rhea's no expert either" Lulu says.

Emi slithers over to you, and gives you a warm smile. "How are you feeling?" She asks.
"Pain" You say.
"I said how, not what" Emi says.
"Same difference" You say.

You feel the familiar coolness of Emi's healing water on your right knee. You don't think you've ever felt more relieved, not even when she was taking out those Fetrabore spikes...

"Thanks" You say.
"Don't worry about it" Emi says. "You know, there's no shame in quitting before you completely destroy your knees..."
"I didn't even notice until they gave out" You say. "I was kind of in the moment"

"So, who wants to go next?" Lulu asks.

>Hopefully the cooks. I'm starving

>Derrick

>Rhea

>Mary

>Pippi

>Let them choose

>Other

Your performance surprised everyone, even Lulu herself.
Endurance has increased by 2

>>36945
>Pippi
need to be able to react faster in a fight.

>>36945
>>Pippi
GOTTA GO FAST.

>>36945
>Hopefully the cooks. I'm starving
Can't train on an empty stomach. Then
>Let them choose

>>36945
>Derrick
come on we got run through with a spear by Card shark they shouldn't be too surprised that it took more than a few kicks to the knees to down us

>>36945
>Pippi

>>36945
Hopefully the cooks
Then
Let then choose

>>36945
>>Mary
GOTTA GO FAST

>writing

"I'll go next" Pippi says. "Work his head for a bit. He's been on his feet too long, now it's time for him to get on his toes"

"Wait" You say, raising your right arm into the air. It's much more tired than you thought it'd be, probably from swinging around that wooden sword all this time. "Can the cooks go next? I'm starving"
"We figured" Emi says, as she moves to yor other leg. "So we sent Ilica up to bring something down from the kitchens. She should be here soon"
"Yeah, the rest of us weren't just sitting around watching you get your ass kicked" Pip says. "We kept busy"

"Well, I was watching" Ariadne says.

You look up to see that Ariadne has a nice web built in a corner of the courtyard.

"God damnit Ari!" Tian says. "I said no webs!"
"When did you uys get here?" You ask.

Tian sighs. "About an hour ago" Tian says. "You did pretty well. I don't think anyone thought you'd last that long"

"No one but..." Marybell pulls out a little notebook and reads it. "The Felid, apparently"
"What?" You ask.

"Dang... so the cat won the pool?" Pip asks. "I so thought that he'd go sub 3 hours..."
"At least you were close. I had him at half an hour" Rhea says.

"You guys bet on our fight??" Lulu asks.
"And lost" Marybell says. "Badly. Looks like that's 5 gold to the cat"

"Sweeeeeeet!" Ilica calls out. You turn to see her returning with a heavy looking basket that is hopefully full of food.

>Do I get a cut of that?

>Occupy mouth with food

>Ask what the bets were

>Other

>>37298
>>Occupy mouth with food
Cat is cute for betting correctly.

>>37298
>Occupy mouth with food

>>37298
>>Occupy mouth with food

>>37298
>Occupy mouth with food

>>37298
>>Occupy mouth with food
>>Ask what the bets were
none shall be able to hear our questions

>>37298
>Occupy mouth with food.
Ask about bets around stuffing face.

>>37298
>Occupy mouth with food

>writing

Ilica places the basket next to you. "And since Yuu won me a nice bit of gold, he gets first pick at sandwiches!" She says.

You take the first one that your and can grab, and immediately stuff as much of it in your mouth as you can without choking.

"So who else had what times?" Derrick asks. "I know I had him at 3 hours, which I thought was pushing it a little. Especially with how the fight started"
"Rhea bet on half an hour, Pip put it at an hour, and I put down 2" Marybell says. "I was so sure that I had it right too..."

"Yeah, yeah. Just hand over the coin oh ye of little faith" Ilica says. "What you guys failed to understand is that Yuu is too oblivious to know when to call it quits. Since there would be no tapping out, then it'd be a fight to the finish with a person who fought with a back full of Carracore spikes"

You try to say something to that, but it's muffled by your mouthful of food. Instead of swallowing and trying again, you decide that it wasn't worth saying in the first place and put more food in your mouth.

"The way you say that, it sounds like the bet was rigged from the start..." Marybell says.
"Of course it was" Ilica says. "What's the point of having an advantage if you don't use it?"

"Remind me never to challenge you to anything" Lulu says. "You're... pretty ruthless. Putting your friend through that to make some coin..."

After handing out all of the sandwiches, Ilica sits next to you. "I didn't put him through anything" Ilica says says with a smile. "I just had faith that he'd put his all into it"
You try to say another thing, but once again find it difficult to speak...

"How is he doing anyway?" Ilica asks Emi.
"He'll be fine" Emi says. "I'm just about done here anyway"

"That's good to hear" Pip says. "I wanna get started!"

"And no bets this time" Rhea says. "I ain't playin a rigged game"
"Awww..." Ilica says. "You guys suck"

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be like... tomorrow or something. I'm honestly not sure, but I'll let you guys know when I know.

As always I'll be sticking around in case anyone has questions/suggestions.

>>37670
Thanks for running, Smiley. We have the best family.

>>37670
Great thread, Smiley!

So, his endurance is at 3, yeah? What's the max that a stat can reach?

>>37670
Thanks for Running,
and did you ever end up running Devils Daughter? I binged through the archives this weekend and you kept mentioning it but I didn't see it in the Archives

>>37729
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/archive/45396983/

>>37725
High. Haven't decided on caps yet, but this is going to be a pretty long quest, with a lot of room for advancement.

>>37760
sweet, odd that it doesn't have Smiley as a tag
Again thanks for running, I have enjoyed reading your work