>>394209
>>Is that normal?

>>394209
>>I need food. When is Ilica coming?
>I need food. When is Ilica coming?

>>394209
>>Is that normal?

>>394209
>>Is that normal?

So, no bonus strength for the 95, last thread?

>>394270
Yes bonus strength for the 95. Your strength and endurance stats are both at 3 now, with speed, reflex and skill at 2. I just forgot to add it last thread.

>writing

"Is that normal?" You ask, pointing to the doorway that Rhea just left through.
"Yeah, pretty much" Derrick says.

"Someone should go get her" Lulu says.
"You do it" Pip says.
"Nuh-uh. Last time I did it she tried to make me lift weights with her" Lulu says.
"Well I did it last time, so now it's your turn" Pip says.
"Why doesn't Marybell have to do it?" Lulu asks.
"Because Marybell doesn't fit through the the weight room's doorway" Pip says. "Frankly, its a miracle that Rhea can get through"

"So... need a hand?" Derrick asks.
"I'm fine down here" You say. "What I do need is food. When did Ilica say she'd be here?"
"Noon-ish. So around now" Derrick says.

You fold your arms over your chest, close your eyes and attempt to communicate with Ilica with your mind...

"Oh" Derrick says.
"Did it work?" You ask.
"Did what work?" He asks.
"Is she here?" You ask.
"Looks like it" Derrick says. "Well, there are a few kids. But I don't see her yet"

You certainly hear the children, so she must be here.

>Go look

>Stay here

>>394395
>>Go look

Seems like the cow has the attention span of a goldfish

>>394395
>Stay here

>>394395
>>Stay here

>writing

"If there's kids, then she's probably with them" You say. "I don't think anyone else would have gotten permission to bring children here"
"I'm surprised Altea gave it to her" Derrick says. "Usually she likes to keep the castle as a military only place"
"Isn't all the military stuff happening outside?" You ask.
"Yeah, I guess" Derrick says. "Still, it's an odd change"
"Sometimes change can be good" You say. "Like when it brings me lunch:
Derrick chuckles. "Glad to see your priorities haven't changed" He says. "Oh, maybe it's a good thing Rhea left. Ariadne is here"

"She is?" You ask.
"Her and Tian. They must be helping Ilica" Derrick says. "Well, hello there"

Whoever Derrick said that to doesn't respond. Instead, you feel something toddler sized climbing onto your stomach.

You open your eyes to see Hella trying to get her balance as she stands on your stomach. When she's sure she won't fall over, she holds her hands up.

"Ahm the greatess!" Hella shouts triumphantly.

You stare at the hild for a moment. Does she think she's beaten you?

>Prove her wrong

>Moving requires energy, energy requires food

>Other

>>394506
>>Moving requires energy, energy requires food

>>394506
>>Moving requires energy, energy requires food

>>394506
>>Moving requires energy, energy requires food

>>394506
>>Moving requires energy, energy requires food

>writing

That's fine, you guess. She's certainly quieter about it than Rhea was. If she gets too cocky, you'll wrestle her down a peg... after you've eaten.

"Hahnk" Hella says. "Hahnk!"
You grumble and turn your head to the side.

"Hahnk!" Hella shouts, this time putting her hands on your chest and shaking.
"What?" You ask.
"Hi" She says.
"Hello" You reply.

Derrick waves to Hella to get her attention. "Hey little one, do you know where Ilica is?" He asks.
Hella looks confused.
"Kitty?" You ask.
Hella smiles, and starts babbling while pointing to the other children.

"Yeah?" You ask once she's finished.
"Yeah!" She replies, sliding off of your stomach and pulling at your hand. "Come on!"

You grumble as you're forced to your feet. Well, not forced. You doubt that the little rabbit has the strength to do that. But it'd be rude to stay still now.

You get up, and then bend down to keep your grip on Hella's hand as she drags you off toward the other kids. As you approach, Ilica walks into the courtyard.

She smiles when she sees you. "Hey Yuu" She says.
"Mew" Says the felid kitten on her shoulders.
"I brought you lunch. Do you want it now?" She asks.
"Mew" The kitten says again.

>Yes

>You know there's a kitten on your shoulder, right?

>Why are Tian and Ari here?

>Other

>>394641
>>Yes
>>Why are Tian and Ari here?

>>394641
>>You know there's a kitten on your shoulder, right?
Cute

>>394641
>>Yes
>>You know there's a kitten on your shoulder, right?

>>394641
>>Yes
>>You know there's a kitten on your shoulder, right?

>writing

"Yes" You say.
"Cool, now where is the..." Ilica trails off, looking around her. As she looks around, so does the kitten, mimicking her movements.

"Here it is" Daniella says, holind up a basket to Ilica.
"Ah, thank you" Ilica says.
"Mew" The kitten says.

"Daniello" You say.
"Hi, Yuu" Daniella says. "How's your training been"
"Tiring" You say. "But lunch is here, so it's alright"

"Glad to see your priorities haven't changed" Ilica says.
"Derrick said the same thi-"
"Mew" The kitten says, interrupting you.

You pause for a moment, before repeating yourself. "Derrick said the same thing..." You say. "You know there's a kitten on your shoulder, right?"
"Oh, her?" Ilica asks. "This is Vivian. Say hi Vivian"
"Mew" The kitten says.
"But why is she on your shoulders?" You ask.

"She climbed up there herself" Ilica says. "She's one of the higher up's kids. They asked specifically for a felid to look after her today, and I got her"
"Is that normal?" You ask.
"It's a little racist, yeah" Ilica says. "But at this age I can kind of understand"
"At this age?" You ask.
"She's pretty young, and I'm more like her mom than anyone else" Ilica says. "But enough of that. Let's eat"

>1/2

You, Ilica and the children all sit down out of the way of the entrance, and Ilica starts handing lunch out.

"Hang on, where's the rest?" Ilica asks.

Ilica and Vivian look around, as Lily and Daisy bolt into the courtyard and press their backs into the walls on either side of the door. They both have a basket, similar to the one Gabriella had.

"There you two are!" Ilica says. "Where did you guys get off to?"
"Mew" Vivian says.

Lily and Daisy both jump when Ilica calls out to them.

"N-nowhere" Daisy says.
"Y-yeah, we've been here the whole time" Lily says.

"No they haven't" Ariadne says.

The devils give Ariadne a look of betrayal, but the spider just shrugs.

"So...?" Ilica asks.
"W-we saw a room full of books, like grandma's house. So we checked it out" Daisy says.
"But then this green gooey lady said that she was gonna eat us!" Lily says.

"You mean Jade?" You ask. "I don't think she eats people"
"She doesn't?" Lily asks, looking pretty mad. She then turns and goes to walk back out the door. "I'm gonna go give her a piece of my mind!"

Ilica is already halfway to the devils when she says this, and she quickly closes the rest of the distance and stops them.

"No you're not" Ilica says. "Come and eat, you two"
"Fiiine" Lily says.

Ilica brings the devils back, and takes their baskets. Then she starts handing out sandwiches to you and the children, with Gabriella's help.

Lily and Daisy sit on either side of you, quickly wrapping their tails around your legs. On your right, Tian and Ariadne are sitting. Tian seems to be thinking about something, while Ariadne is making something with her web.

>Talk with the devils

>Talk with Ilica/Vivian

>Ask Ariadne what she's making

>Ask Tian if she can help you with your mageblade practice

>Other

>>394781
>Talk with the devils

Last post for me, I'm off to work
Thanks for running Smiley

>>394781
>>Ask Tian if she can help you with your mageblade practice

>>394781
>>Ask Tian if she can help you with your mageblade practice

>>394781
>>Ask Ariadne what she's making

>writing

When Ilica finally hands you your sandwich, you immediately take a bite. You're not sure what's in it, but it's food, and it's good.

Lily and Daisy also happily start munching, before Ilica and Gabriella sit down with Hella to your left. Once she's sitting, Ilica grabs a pair of bottles from the basket. She hands one to Gabriella, and then she plucks Vivian off her shoulders and sets her in her lap. Then Gabriella coaxes Hella over to her, and gives her the bottle.

The gap in maturity between Gabriella and Lily is obvious, even though they're the same age.

Peeling your eyes away from the cute scene to your left, you turn to your rght.

"Hey Tian" You say.

Tian shakes herself out of her train of thought, before regarding you. "Oh, hey. What's up?"
"I was wondering if you could help me practice my mageblading" You say. "Since you're here"

"Yes. I was actually hoping to see how that was coming along" She says. "And I thought you didn't have the energy to power your blade"
"I got a recharge when I went to check out that portal" You say.
"The one in the cave?" Tian asks.
"Yeah. We opened it again and it started shooting soul lightning bolts everywhere" You say. "One of them hit me, and I absorbed it"

"How... strange" Tian says. "I heard about what happened yesterday. That extra energy is exactly what you'd need... and it was there"

>You think it isn't coincidence?

>Is that what you were thinking about?

>So... yes training?

>Other

>>394867
>>You think it isn't coincidence?

>writing

"You think it isn't coincidence?" You ask.
"I'm not sure what to think" Tian says.

"I think there's something in that portal that wants to fight you" Ariadne says. She's on her back now, using her hands to eat her sandwich, while her legs manipulate her web to make... whatever it is she's making. "Like a giant monster, or something"

"What makes you say that?" You ask.
"Well, first you got a message to come back when you're ready" Ariadne says. "Then it gave you energy when you were dry"

"You think that it's a thing that wants me to be stronger so it can fight me?" You ask. "Why would it want that?"

Ariadne shrugs and takes another bite, turning her attention back to her craft.

"Anyways, what I'm trying to say is: be careful" Tian says. "Something about that cave bugs me"
"But I'm bad at being careful" You say.
"It's true" Ilica says. "You're not the first person to tell him that, and you wouldn't be the first one he's ignored"

"I don't ignore you..." You say.

Ilica reaches over and pats your head. "There, there" She says.

Lily and Daisy both reach up and do the same. "There, there" Daisy says
"Yeah, you'll be okay" Lily says.

Feeling a little belittled, you turn your attention back to your sandwich...

>1/2

After finishing your sandwich, you look around. You don't see Derrick or the Knights, so they must have gone to get lunch themselves.

Ilica is cradling the sleeping Vivian, and Gabriella is following Hella as she roams among the other children, only stopping to take a swig from her bottle every now and then.

The other children all seem to have finished eating as well, and are deciding what to play.

Ariadne seems to be almost finished what she's making... whatever it is, while Tian watches her work with a bored expression.

Next to you, Lily an Daisy both have a piece of paper on a flat wood piece on the ground, and they're happily drawing away.

You think you'll-

>Ask what the devils are drawing

>Play with the children

>Train with Tian

>Other

>>395025
>>Train with Tian

>writing

>>395025
>Ask what the devils are drawing.

>>395085
Btw im lurking, just working so i can rarely vote in time =(. Enjoying the quest though

Rolled 56 (1d100)

"Where did you guys get that board?" You ask.
"We put it in the basket" Lily says, without turning away from her drawing. "Same with the paper and the pencils"
"Cool. What are you drawing?" You ask.
"Not telling" Lily says. "You'll have to come see it when it's done"

"Aww..." You say. "Fine. But you guys are going to have to let go of my legs"
"Kay" Daisy says, as you feel the tails loosening and sliding free.

"You gonna go train?" Lily asks.
"Yeah" You say.
"Good luck!" She says.
"Thanks" You reply.

With your legs free, you give them both a pat on the head and walk over to Tian.

"You ready?" She asks.
You nod.

"Alright, let's head over there. We probably won't be swinging anything around, but still best to get out of the way. It sounds like the children have decided to play tag" Tian says.
"Cool" You say, as you follow Tian across the courtyard. "So what's first"

"Well, it's been a couple of days now" Tian says. "I hear you kept it pretty solid out there, so you must be making some improvements. Why don't you show me what you can do?"

>Roll 1d100 with focus

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>395118

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>395118
welp

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>395118
Dice roll

>focus success, roll success

>writing

As you walk across the courtyard, you pull out your mageblade. Then you activate it, quickly extending the red beam to its full length and focusing it until it's the tightest it's been.

"Solid construction. How's your shaping going?" She asks.

You put your head into it, trying to bend the blade and alter its length. You make it bend a little, and you think it got a bit longer...

Then you run straight into the wall, and fall on your butt.

"Okay... You seem pretty good at making it tight, but it looks like your shaping and general focus needs work" She says.
"I'm trying to make it more solid before I learn that stuff" You say.
"I understand that. But you need to better understand how it works before you can really make it work" She says. "If you learn to sharpen your mind, then the rest will come more easily. And if you learn to shape the blade, it becomes much more useful. If you only focus on how solid it is, then you have a very lightweight sword that you have to feed your energy to"

"I get it" You say.
"So you work to the weapons strengths" She says. "We probably don't have a lot of time, so pick one: focus or shaping"

>Focus

>Shaping

>Other

>>395197
>>Shaping

>writing

Rolled 67 (1d100)

"Tell me how to get better at shaping" You say. "There have been a few times where I think being able to bend my sword through someone's guard would have been useful"
"Good call" Tian says. "Because chances are that those times will keep coming"

"Alright... so what do I do?" You ask.
"It's kind of hard to explain..." She says. "But y best advice is to stop limiting yourself"
"That could make less sense" You say.
"I know, I know... gimme a sec" She says, choosing her words carefully before continuing. "I think that your desire to make your blade solid is limiting your ability to shape it. The mageblade's strength is in its versatility. You have to give up the idea that it must be rock solid"

"But how can I block if my blade is fragile?" You ask.
"Being strong and being rigid are two different things" She says. "And in my opinion, you're better off staying mobile and dodging attacks rather than blocking with a mageblade..."

"I don't suppose you could teach me that, could you?" You ask.
"I can't, but with the hunters in town I'm certain there are a few students of the flowing style around who would be more than willing to show you a few tricks" She says.

"Flowing style?" You ask.
"One of the 4 major schools of swordplay" She says. "You should look them up. Plenty to be learned for a beginner like you, even in their basics"
"Alright... I guess I'll do that later" You say.

Tian nods. "For now, let's see if we can't alter your blade" She says.

She motions for you to start, so you focus on your blade...

>Roll 1d100 with focus.
>You currently have +1 focus range and a +5 to this roll from your previous success

Rolled 4 (1d100)

>>395262
Roll out

Rolled 3 (1d100)

>>395262

>>395272
>>395273
I hope next roll is good cause we're fucked

Rolled 13 (1d100)

>>395262

File: 1462324323039.jpg (18 KB, 409x377)

18 KB JPG

>>395272
>>395273
>>395280
/qst/ dice have been awful tonight

>>395272
>>395273
>>395280
Welp

>writing

Maybe giving you bonuses was a bad idea...

Make it less rigid. That doesn't sound so bad.

...

You aren't really sure how to do that though. So you try 'untightening' it.

And the blade just gets fuzzier, not any easier to manipulate.

Tian puts a hand on your shoulder. "It's not a problem with the blade, Yuu. The problem is up here" She says, putting a finger on your forehead. "Your idea that the blade has to be solid is making you unable to bend it. Change that perception, and you can change your blade"

"Got it" You say.

Change your perception...

The blade has to bend. If it stays straight, then it's not being the best it can be. Which means that you're not being the bestyou can be.

You close your eyes and focus on the blade, bending it around as far as it will go. You can almost tell that it's working, until you feel a sharp pain in your arm.

"Whoa! Not that far!" Tian says.

You open your eyes and see that you did, in fact, manage to bend the blade.

It now forms a nice "U" shape, coming up out of the emitter, and bending backwards and down into your forearm.

In shock, you let go of the handle so the blade deactivates. The portion that stabbed you disappears, and the wound starts to bleed pretty badly.

"Ow" You say. "I may need a healer"
"You think?" Tian asks.
"Yes" You say.
Tian sighs. "Come on, let's go see where your Serpid friend is..."

That's all for tonight!

If all goes well, there will be a thread this weekend.

I planned on running last weekend, but all did not go well. Wonderful plumbing issues at the new apartment caused a local sewage backup that smelled wonderful, and to fix it they had to bust a hole in the floor of my room...

So hopefully all will go well, and you'll all hear from me this weekend!

As always I'll be sticking around for question/suggestion time!

>>395363
Well shit. What would've happened if we got a one?

>>395372
Well we didn't need that hand anyway.

Wow, I just manage to catch the last post of the session