>>921766
Here we go!
Hiya Announcer, how ya doing today?

>>921808
Pretty good! I wish this thread was up an hour ago, though.

>>921766
>Try and gently test magic that won't bring too much attention.

>>921766
>There has to be something! You're in a ship! Flying through the sky! Isn't this the best thing ever?!
>Go outside and make big flashes in the clouds!
>Start small? Learn control! And I heard of something called st elmos fire once...

>>921817
Ah it's understandable, Announcer.

>>921903
Changing my vote to this

>>922015
We should also invent ball lightning

>>922043
Sounds like it could be interesting.
Really, playing around with magic sounds like it could be a lot of fun.

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You blow at the soft strands of blonde hair drooping into your vision. They flair upward in a dance, before coming back to rest on your forehead.
This SUCKS!

There has to be something!
You must find some entertainment on this giant raft flying through the atmosphere!

The very idea of it alone should be entertaining! Why are you not entertained?!

Okay, calm down Louise. You can find some way to not lose your mind for the next hour of your life.

Some way.

You start by placing your hands together, and then slowly moving them apart. You're not entirely sure about the reason, but varying the intensity of your magic causes tiny blue bolts to arc and ricochet between the palms of your hands.
That's a trick you learned all by yourself!

Blonde hair starts to levitate on its own as you amplify and shift the power going to your fingers. For some other reason, your hair likes to dance when the lightning is dancing. You would walk around everywhere with your hair frizzled if it didn't make your scalp itch.

The blue bolts start to increase in length as your hands move farther apart. The lightning starts to strike your legs, the wood, and even seems to find its way to a single wooden nail lodged in the floor.

"Mmh." You groan. It's fun and all, but it's all something that you've seen before. It was amazing the first time you did it, but less-so now.

.. That gives you a flash of brilliance!

What if there was nothing for the lightning bolts to home-in on? When you did it on the ground, the lightning would always find something to go back to!
-But you're not on the ground!

So, what would happen?

Quickly, you take to your feet and rush to the deck!
You make sure you're properly out of sight of the pilot. Are you? Good. It's time to play!

Gently, you place your palms out in front of you, and try the same thing again.
..Huh, the lightning doesn't want to come out.

You try concentrating even harder, and the bolts of lightning suddenly burst from your hand!
They arc, and twist, and mangle into lines which spiral off into the air!

Ooh! Here's a cloud coming by! Slowly, you increase the power just a little more-

A gigantic bolt echoes off into the cloud with a snap! It roils through, and turns the white blanket into a dancing blue kaleidoscope!
Amazing!

Let's try that again!

You let several arcs rumble and twist through the clouds, and watch as they merge into different shapes!

Some of them arc back toward the ship. Others bounce around in the cloud and fall down toward the Earth.
Ooh! That one went out, and then came back and just hovered there! A hovering bolt of lightning buzzing just a few feet from the ship before-

"WHAT are you doing?" You hear a stern voice behind you. "Do you think I can't hear that? I thought I flew right into a storm!"

>Nothing!
>Dumb adults ruin all my fun!
>Sheepishly apologize and return to the cabin
>Come back later when she's not expecting it!
>Other?

>>922148
>I'm training!
>Try to have more control and make less noise?

>>922148
>Sheepishly apologize and return to the cabin
>Try some other type of magic that won't cause a disturbance.

>>922148
>I'm training!
>Isn't that fun for you too?

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You turn to the pilot and pout,
"I'm training!"

"Does it have to be here?!"

"Where else would it be?!"

"Not on the deck of the ship I'm flying!"

That doesn't make any sense, does she want you to fly somewhere and train out there?

"Come on! Isn't that more fun for you, too?!"

"Stop, Louise." The pilot crosses her arms, "I'm really trying to concentrate and you're making a lightning storm around the ship. We're only thirty minutes out, now. Try to contain yourself."

Phooey.

Adults do nothing but ruin your fun!
All they do is find ways to make fun things boring!

You huff and stomp downstairs. Quietly, you check Kayda's cabin one more time.
Nope, she's still asleep.

Hmph.
Why is she so tired all of a sudden? She wasn't even gone that long! You usually only need like, a ten minute nap to feel fresh and perky as ever!

You return to the hole-studded room. Maybe there is something you can do here that isn't as.. big.

Surely you can do something other than just stare at the wall!

..
You know, you could try the same thing you were doing. You just need a little bit better control and make some less noise.

You could do that!
But.. how?

You pace around the cabin for a minute, and then it hits you!

Slowly, your hands start to form tiny arcs of light once again. This time, instead of focusing on power, you focus on trying to shape them.
Bend, and shape the small flashes of light.

An arc makes a loop before meeting your other hand, and then an arc outright leaves your grasp and hits the wall.
Wow!

You slowly extend your hands, and let the electricity hum around the room. The little blue flashes of light pop and sizzle around you!
It's like a light show!

You sigh and let the display end. You need to catch your breath and-

Sniff.. sniff.

Do you smell... something really hot right now?
You slowly approach the place directly in front of where you were training.

One of the nails lodged deep within the wooden frame is no longer the cobalt color you expected. It now burns a frightening red color!
What is it doing?

>Watch it for a minute. That color change is cool!
>Blow on it to cool it off!
>Quick! Pull it out with magic and throw it off the ship!
>Zap it a couple more times, just to be sure.
>Other?

>>922726
>Pretty red! Like fire! ...Umm...
>Quick! Pull it out with magic and throw it off the ship!

>>922726
>Watch it for a minute. That color change is cool!
>throw some water at it before everything starts burning

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Wow! Look how red it is.
It's a cherry-color at this point. You're not sure you've seen a more vibrant red color outside of paints, and cloths, and fire.

..
And fire.
That's right! This red color reminds you a lot of fire.
..This smell reminds you of fire, too.

You think..
YOU THINK YOU MADE A BIG MISTAKE!

Quickly, you run into the other room and go through the supplies.
Toilet paper, napkins, tents; The pilot bought TENTS? Why?! You better not be paying for this stuff!

Oh! Here it is! The canteen!

You grab the metal container and run back into the other room. You're just in time to watch the surrounding wall take on a bit of a more blackened hue. Your fingers unscrew the metal container and start dousing the still cherry-red bolt!

YIKES!
For whatever reason, the water turned to steam the instant it touched the bolt! The boiling hot mist rushes over your body as you struggle to dump more on the bolt!

HISSSSSS-BANG!

A loud pop howls from the tiny bolt as more steam pours from the hole which once contained the metal implement.
Small shards of metal fall from the hole, and smoulder on the ground.

You empty the rest of the flask into the charred hole. You think if there was a fire starting; it would have been smothered by now.

What a nightmare.

WHUMP!

?!

What was that?

"We're here!" The pilot yells from upstairs, "See? That wasn't so bad! Go get Kayda and Greta and I'll get my stuff."

Oh!
Oh, Oh. Oh. Oh.

Good! No more waiting!

You leave the cabin and enter Kayda's small room.
That's when you notice: Greta is awake, but Kayda isn't.

"Kayda?" You say, worry starting to trickle into your voice.
"Kayda, wake up!" Her summoner shakes her. Yet, all the same, she stays asleep.

>OH NO!
>Try not to panic!
>S-she's just sleepy. Carry her into the castle and tell Greta to stay with her.
>Go get an adult!
>Other?

>>923005
>put your ear against her chest, try to hear her heartbeat
>check if she's breathing?

>>923005
>Try not to panic!
>S-she's just sleepy. Carry her into the castle and tell Greta to stay with her.
>Go get an adult!
Realize there's probably something going on but try not to worry Greta about it. Instead get a helpful adult to go with you and put Kayda down somewhere secure.

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"Kaydaaa!" Greta shakes her hero once more, "Wake up!"

Yet, no matter what Greta does, Kayda doesn't move.

Okay, first thing to do: try not to panic.
J-just, take a deep breath. Then approach this like a calm adult would approach this.

"M-move back Greta."

She slides backwards out of the cot, and you approach Kayda.

You can't see her chest moving as she breathes. That's not good.
Quickly, you lift her shirt up and press your head against her chest.

Oh thank god, her heart is still beating. It's not as strong as you would expect it to be, but the beat is there.

You look up and notice Greta blushing FURIOUSLY at your actions. Being her summoner and all, you would expect her to have at least seen Kayda's chest before. Just to be certain, you lower her shirt and move your ear up to her head.
There's breath coming from her lips. You can feel it gently on your face.

So, Kayda is still okay. She's just not waking up. You think? Actually, you're probably a very bad person to ask about this.

"..She's fine."
"Really?"

"of course!" You try to reassure Greta, "If she wasn't fine, I would be panicking right now, right?"

Ahh haha, right.

"Huh." Greta tilts her head, "I guess so."
"She's just tired from today. You need eight hours of sleep a night, after all!" You try to play it off, "C'mon, help me carry her back to the castle."

--

You manage to slowly carry Kayda all the way back to her room in Biscotti castle. Some of the knights and the maids swarm you to make sure their tiny guest is okay. Each time, you tell them the same thing.

"She's fine! She's just had a long journey."

Which is half-true.

You set Kayda down in her room, and tell Greta to go to bed. Maybe like this, she will start to get just a little better.
At the same time; you realize something isn't right.

Quickly, you leave Kayda's room and set off toward the library-
Oh shoot, you just remembered that Aligot went with Jack.

O-okay! Aligot is not the only adult here! You can ask someone else. Like Jack-
No, he's right out, too.

Yuuki? No. Then, then how about-

Fritelli! Yes! The quartermaster! It's a little late, but it should still be a few minutes before she gets off duty. Quickly, you head over to the armory.

You quickly enter the weapon vault, and notice that she's not here.

>Wait for her to return
>You can find another adult, like:
>-One of the knights
>-Or how about that archmage staying here from Gallete?
>-Okay! You're really worried now. Go to Charlotte and tell her everything you know!
>-Try not to cry while doing so
>Other?

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Folks, sleep calls me for the night. I will continue in the morning.

>>923100
>You can find another adult, like:
>that snake lady Jack is friends with! she can probably help with her potions and stuff!

>>923105
alrighty, see you

>>923100
>You can find another adult, like:
>-One of the knights
>Ask said knight where important people are. Specifically ask for anyone who can help with a maybe magical medical problem. If they express doubts of it being an emergency, bring up that Kayda has had serious problems already.

>>923128
Snake lady is also a good option, if around.

>>923100
>You can find another adult, like:
>-One of the knights
>Ask said knight where important people are. Specifically ask for anyone who can help with a maybe magical medical problem. If they express doubts of it being an emergency, bring up that Kayda has had serious problems already.

>>923334
I'd prefer a knight.
Easier to handle, I think.

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Okay! No need to panic.
You can find other adults! The castle is swarming with them!

You just need..
Oh!

There's someone!

"Hey!" You flag down a brown-haired girl clumsily pushing her way down the hall. "Aren't you Pomelo?"
"Louise! You don't even remember my own name?" She huffs, "Of course I'm Pomelo!"

"Okay, okay, sorry. Listen! Kayda isn't feeling good, who should I talk to?"

"Have you tried Aligo-"
"He left with Jack to Bruschetta. Who else is there?"

"Just tell Fritelli to get her some medicine, and it will be fine. Honestly."
"Pomelo, Kayda has had problems today already! I don't think some medicine is going to fix this! We need someone more specialized!"

Pomelo wracks her brain, for whatever good that does. You can almost hear the tiny gears grinding to life inside her head.
"..I guess there's that snake-doctor. She came by looking for Jack earlier, but then she got upset about Jack leaving and left-"

"Where did she go?! Back to the shrine?"

"..Actually I think she went to the bar."

"Great! I gotta catch up, can you make sure Kayda doesn't leave her room again?"

"I'll try, but I'm kind of on patro-"

"THANKS! See you later!"

With a hop, you gleefully ignore her protests and race down the hall!

--

Okay, the bartender told you that Madeleine is upstairs.
You slowly climb the winding staircase and are met with a door made out of glass. What a fancy house! It almost makes-

You peer through the glass door into the lit interior inside.

Madeleine is inside talking to the other brown fluffy dog-girl. Camille, was it? Right! It was Camille.

Camille sits on the bed, and Madeleine mixes what appears to be a few potions.

>Watch them for a minute, make sure you're not interrupting something
>Knock on the door!
>Barge inside!
>..Come back later
>Other?

>>924671
>>Watch them for a minute, make sure you're not interrupting something

>>924671
>Barge inside!
no time!

>>924671
>Barge inside!

>>924671
>Knock on the door!

>>924671
>Barge inside!
>"SorryImcominginitsimportantheeeeelp!"

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Okay, you're sure they're up to something important.

At the same time; this is Kayda we're talking about! There is no time to spare!

You knock on the door with fervor.
"ExcusemeI'mcomingin!"

With a push, the door comes right open.

"Louise?" Camille quickly closes the bottom part of her dress, "Why are you here?"
"Yeah, I thought you were with Jack." Madeleine sets her potions down. "Is something wrong?"

"Yes! Something is very wrong!" You exclaim.

You explain the entire trip in one long run-on sentence. You're nearly out of breath by the time you even get to the part where Kayda wouldn't wake up. Madeleine finally interrupts before you pass-out onto the floor.

"Yes, yes, I get it. Kayda won't wake up." Madeleine waves her hand, "I'll go have a look at her after I'm done here."

"But-! She's asleep right NOW!"

"Louise, listen." Madeleine puts a hand on your shoulder, "Doctors have to tend to all of their patients. If I left one patient the minute another came up, then no one would get better. If she's asleep with Greta right now, then her condition can't get worse. I'll be over in just a few minutes, okay?"

"..Okay."

"Atta girl!" Madeleine pats your head, "Go downstairs and wait, then I'll be right there!"

"Thanks Madeleine."

You leave the two alone and proceed down the stairs, but you can feel yourself stomping the whole way down.
This isn't time for waiting. Kayda needs your help right NOW!

You wearily sit down at one of the tables as the bar starts to fill up for the night.
Everyone from all walks of life start to pour in and take their seats. It's funny how quick this bar can go from being deserted to being packed.

A hooded figure walks past you, and then does a double take. He sits in the chair across from you.

"Louise? what are you doing in here?"
You know this boy as Ethan. He's the no-good scoundrel who claims that Elise is his sister.

Pweh!

>"None of your business."
>"Go away."
>"What are YOU doing in here?"
>"Hi.."
>...
>Other?

>>925468
>>"What are YOU doing in here?"

>>925468
>>"What are YOU doing in here?"

Dorje desn't like him?

>>925468
>"Waiting"
>"What are YOU doing in here?"

So uh who is Ethan anyway?
Have we met him before?
It's a little hard keeping track of everyone.

>>925468
>"Waiting"
>"What are YOU doing in here?"

>>925468
Can we also add in a 'hmph!' noise or something?

>>925706
Super thief kid who claims to be the sister of that black cat amnesiac princess we rescued.

>>925772
Oh, ok, thanks.

I wonder if the kid could teach us how to be sneaky?
That could be a pretty useful skill, in all honesty.

>>925808
Eh, most of our problems are better solved with lightning bolts. Or, uh, teamwork I guess.

>>925906
But, see, if we learn stealth, then we can sneak around and throw lightning bolts at stuff.
Stealth lightning bolts, if you will.

>>925906
But in all honesty I'd prefer just having Jack and co learn some new tricks to help against that apparent super-badass hero that's on the enemy side.

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"Waiting." You reply dryly to the white-haired catboy. "What are YOU doing here?"

"Oh, I got a request for a job and I'm waiting on my contact, what about you?"

"None of your business." You add a little 'hmph' at the end for good measure.

"Okay, well. Nothing much to do until he gets here."

He says that, but then he doesn't get the hint and GO AWAY. Instead, he continues to sit across from you and watch the patrons as they file into the room.
Hmph!

"..How's Elise?" You can't help but feel at least a little curiosity for your would-be aunt.
"She's fine." Ethan continues to keep an eye on the room. "She's starting to remember how to read again. I was so shocked the other day when she told me that she didn't know. It was just.. surreal."

"Yeah, I bet it was."

You frown and look down; toward the floor. The problems with Elise only remind you how important it is to fix Kayda up. You don't want to worry about her like he's worrying about Elise!

Suddenly, a very tall man steps up behind Ethan.
"You."

"Oh!" Ethan spins around in his chair, "There you are! I'm here about the job!"

"There is no job." The man grumbles. "You're the kid."
"Huh?" Ethan seems clueless.

"My client claims you stole his watch." The large man grabs Ethan's sleeve.

"I don't know anything! I'm leaving." Ethan pulls himself from the man's hand, but is grabbed into a choke almost immediately.

"Hey." You grumble, "I was talking to that 'kid', mister."

"Mind your own damn-"

You were already in a sour mood. This man threatens to make it even more sour.
You extend a single finger in his direction, and concentrate.

Just like with the bolt on the ship; several arcs of lightning jump out and quickly whirl their way around the table. Each one striking the metal utensils before you.
Except one tiny strand of blue light. It decides it's going to find its way over to the large man's tongue. You put a little more power behind it.. until-
POW!

ZZzz, zz.

The bar stops for just a moment as the man turns into a puffball and rolls along the floor. Soon enough, the mumbling and conversation continues as if it never stopped.

Ethan, despite being released from the hold, is still trembling. His eyes remain fixed on the puffball smouldering on the floor.

>"Now please go away."
>"Boo."
>Order something to drink.
>N-not like something Jack would drink, though
>Other?

>>926484
>>Order something to drink.
>>N-not like something Jack would drink, though
>Maybe try and calm the guy down or something you don't know
there we go

>>926484
>Order something to drink.
>N-not like something Jack would drink, though
milk? x2?
>What? Never saw magic before?

>>926596
>>What? Never saw magic before?
sure this would maybe work.

>>926484
>"Boo"
>You owe me now, right? My friend Kayda is prone to getting kidnapped and possessed and isn't waking up right now. Go keep an eye on her.

>>926641
you want someone who isn't really our friend to just keep an eye on her?

>>926700
It gets him out of our face and mollifies our worry. We may not care for his character, but we know he's capable.

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You know what.
You could use a drink.

N-no! You are not becoming like Jack! Not at all! It's just, you haven't really drank anything all day, and you used the canteen from earlier to extinguish that bolt!

You just need something to drink!

"Excuse me." You pull the sleeve of one of the confused waitresses who came over to examine the fluffed ball. "Could I get some milk?"

"U-uh, uh. Sure!" She returns to doing her job, and leaves you here with the catboy.

The catboy has slowly pulled the chair out, and sat down. Though, now he's regarding you with a different aura.
"Hey." You try to get his attention, "What's the matter? Never seen magic before?"

"Oh! Uhh-" He seems caught off-guard by your question. "Only once, when that Jack guy used it. I didn't know you could do it, too."

"If you're going to be with us, you better get used to seeing it." You look up and notice the waitress placing a bottle of milk in front of you. Quickly, you grab it and take a drink.
..You're starting to realize that you didn't have lunch OR dinner. You had a snack on the ship from the camping supplies, but it tastes far too raw to eat more than a few bites.

Ugh.

"So!" The boy finally manages to find his tongue, "Thanks for saving me, Louise?"
"Glad you're okay." You sigh, "You DO owe me, though. So how about this."

You take another drink from your glass, "Go to the castle, say you're a guest. If ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS HAPPENS. It doesn't matter if a knight trips, a maid gets fluffballed, or an alarm is raised. Then you run back and tell me. Okay?"

"..That's it?" The boy blinks.

"Yes. Do that and-"

And you'll what?

>-And I'll give you an audience with Charlotte to explain your case
>-And I'll give you silver.
>-And nothing, do it anyway.
>Forget it.
>Other?

>>927509
>>-And I'll try to give you an audience with Charlotte to explain your case

>>927509
>-And I'll give you an audience with Charlotte to explain your case
>Explain a little about kayda, at least he'll know hat to look for.

>>927536
I think we should say we will try to, just in case it doesn't work out somehow.

>>927509
>-And I'll give you an audience with Charlotte to explain your case
>Explain a little about kayda, at least he'll know hat to look for.

So, uh, no one wants to specify we'll try and get an audience?

>>927604
Oh yeah sure. But while we're at it, we need to remind him he isn't going to get much out of forgiveness if he doesn't change his ways. He needs new hobbies.

>>927647
Oh I like that idea.

>>927661
Maybe he can find work as a security consultant.

Too bad there aren't messes of dungeons to raid and such. He's a damn good rogue.

>>927667
He could just work as a stealth trainer for the heroes.

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"-And I'll give you an audience with Charlotte to explain your case."

His eyes widen.
"..Seriously?!"

"Yes, I'm serious. You can tell Charlotte all about being brother-roommate-uncle-whatever."
You don't believe him, but you also think Charlotte is smart enough to have a way to check to see if he's lying.

"T-that's amazing! Thank you! Thank-"
"Stop. Let me tell you what to look out for."

You give a brief rundown of what's happening with Kayda. You try not to mention that she may be out of commission right now, because you don't trust him all THAT much. You just mention that she's not feeling good and that someone needs to keep an eye out.

"Got it! You can count on me!"
"Don't. Let. Me. Regret. This." You say, very plainly and easily to him.

"Uhh." He seems just a tad more hesitant, now that you've told him that.

"And another thing. You're not going to get much forgiveness from Charlotte if you don't change your ways."

He seems even more hesitant than before.
"..Beg pardon?"

"The pickpocket thing." You huff, "If you are who you say you are, that means you're a prince. Would a prince be caught cutting people's purses?"

He seems even more shocked than before!
"B-but that's all I know how to do!"

"Then find something else to do with it!" You argue, "If you're ever going to want Charlotte to accept you, then you're going to have to act like someone who is worth accepting!"

"That seems really unfair.."
"I don't see how." You cross your arms, "Just try not to break the law anymore. Or if you do, make sure no one sees you doing it!"

That doesn't feel like the best advice to give, but who are you to throw stones? There's a charred guy on the floor right now from the zapping you just gave him.

"Anything else before you go?"

"Yes, how will I find you when you get back? You're just waiting, right? Are you coming right back to the castle?"
"I don't know. Just wait for me, okay? That's all you have to do!"

He nods and takes off. You continue sipping from the drink you were given. Are you really going to learn to trust him?
You have to start, eventually.

--

"Okay Louise." Madeleine emerges from the back, "We can go now."
"Go see Kayda?"

"Not quite yet, I need some supplies. I'll ride back to the shrine and-"
"Wait, the SHRINE? That's like, an hour away!"
"Got a better idea?"

>Yes! You tell me what to get, and I'll run back!
>Surely you can get them from here, in town!
>How important are these, anyway?
>..Okay, fine. I'll meet you at the castle when you catch up.
>We'll both go.
>Other?

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Pause for the night, see you in the morning.

>>927895
>Yes! You tell me what to get, and I'll run back!
>Wait, how do you even know what to get if you haven't seen her?
Maybe if it's too fragile to run at top speed carrying it all we can let her go get it herself. In any case, one of us should stay with Kayda.

>>927895
>Wait, how do you even know what to get if you haven't seen her?

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"How do you even know you'll need those things?" You plead, "How about this, you go look at Kayda, and then I'll run and grab anything you need!"
"Yes, but-"

"Pleeeease?!"

Madeleine grumbles. You can tell that she doesn't appreciate the input.

"All right." Madeleine slides past you, "Let's go look at Kayda."

--

You carry Madeleine awkwardly over the castle's interior. You don't know why, but this is the one part of this place that Madeleine absolutely refuses to slither across. Something about the wood flooring.

When you're back on solid stone; you set her down.

You help her to the guest rooms, and then show her the room you set Kayda in.
"Okay, wait." She holds your shoulder. "Let me go in first."

Gently, she opens the door and slides inside the room. She ushers you inside and asks a simple question.
"(Can you wake them up? I don't want them to think there's a strange person in the room)."

"Kayda, Greta."
You gently shake the two of them. Even though they've been sleeping this whole time; Kayda still refuses to wake up.

Greta slowly sits up, and rubs her eyes.
"Louise?"
"Greta, I brought a doctor for Kayda."

"A doctor.."

You look over to Madeleine, and notice that she has hidden the lower-half of her body beneath the bed. Good thinking, Madeleine!

"Yes, can she see Kayda?"

Greta nods and scoots over. Madeleine makes an effort to keep the bottom-half of her body hidden while she checks Kayda.
She shines a candle into Kayda's mouth, and presses her palm against her forehead. The whole time, Greta can't help but stare at the impressive talons on Madeleine's hand.

"Okay, I'm done for now. I'll be back later with some medicine." Madeleine nods to Greta.

"Thank you, what's wrong with her?"

"She has a cold." Madeleine tucks the blankets around Kayda extra tightly. "You may want to consider sleeping just a tad bit away form her, so you don't catch it."
"Catch it?"

Greta scoots away, and Madeleine takes her leave. You follow quickly behind her, and shut the door.

"A cold?" You pull on her sleeve.
"A half-truth." Madeleine puts one of her instruments in her pouch. "Kayda definitely has a cold, but it's more complicated than that. Did you notice that Greta wasn't glowing when you walked into the room? Either Kayda isn't sleeping well enough to recharge, or something is seriously wrong."

>OH NO!
>What can I do about it?!
>Try not to panic!
>..Okay I've had enough for one night, I'm going to bed.
>Other?

Everyone, I'm going to be traveling for hours in about twenty minutes. I'll be back later to make another post, but don't expect much activity today.

Thank you. Sorry it's been so slow.eit

>>929327
>OH NO!
>What can I do about it?!

>>929327
>>OH NO!
>>What can I do about it?!

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"OH NO!" You exclaim, without a hint of sarcasm. "What can I do about it?"

"There's only one thing we can do."
With that, Madeleine shuts the door behind her.
"-We let her sleep."

"Let her sleep?!"

"That's right, Louise. I can't diagnose if anything is wrong with her on a base level while she has a cold. She will have to get over that first, before I start looking for other causes. The best thing to do right now is for me to just tell the maids that she is sick, and then schedule a visit tomorrow when her symptoms disappear."

"Tomorrow? But-! What if something happens to Kayda?!"

"..What, you're saying I should stay here tonight?"

"Yes!"

"What about Keiko?"

Keiko? Your other best friend who lives at the shrine?
"..Is she sick too?"

"No, Louise. She's terrified of the dark."
Oh right! You almost forgot about that!

"..She is."
"She was expecting me back at the shrine any minute now. Do you want her to spend the night over there without anyone to cling to?" Madeleine sighs, "She thinks she's hiding the fact she's afraid of the dark from me, but then Atsuko spends one night in town and she affixes herself to my tail."

"Just tell Atsuko to go spend the night with her."
"I can't, because you see: Atsuko found a pocketfull of silver mysteriously scattered on the shrine floor and decided to spend today collecting supplies for the shrine. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that mysterious floor-silver, would you?"

You feel yourself audibly gulp.
"-Then what should I do?!"

"Go to bed, there is no sense in disrupting her until the morning. She needs the sleep."
"Will you at least spend the night at the castle?!"

"That depends. Will you do something about Keiko?"

>"Yes! I will!"
>"I'll go get her right now and bring her back!"
>"I'll spend the night with Keiko at the shrine."
>"..You're right, have a nice night Madeleine."
>Go back to your room and get a good night's sleep with your summoner.
>Other?

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Everyone, I have to wake up in the morning. I'm going to bed, and I will continue tomorrow.

I was thinking, I have a lot of work related stuff to do this week. I may not even make a new thread on Tuesday, I may just continue this little adventure until I think it's finished and then pick up next week. Let me know what you think of that.

>>930774
>"Yes! I will!"
>"I'll go get her right now and bring her back!"

>>930784
alright, see you

>>930784
Works for me, honestly.

>>930793
Oh, and, voting for this.

You know, we got gipped at the start of the quest asking for gold, we were never paid the appropriate amount as gold isn't worth Jacks shit here.

File: Dark_Woods.jpg (2.95 MB, 1920x1080)

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"Yes!" You grab her hand, "I will! I'll go get her right now and bring her back!"

Madeleine seems almost impressed by your sudden determination.
"Are you sure? She has to be back by the early morning to perform the morning rituals."
"I can do that! It only takes me a few minutes to get there. Just let me go and I'll get her!"

She coils her tail slightly, and sighs.
"Louise, you really are a handfull. Okay, I'll stay here the night if you go get Keiko."

You feel your face almost light up!
"Really?!"
"That's right. Just promise me one thing, that you WILL not let anyone else know that Kayda might be sick. I don't want weird rumors being spread around before we find out what is going on. Kayda might sleep tonight and wake up feeling better than ever."

Well, that's being awfully hopeful given the situation.
You're still not convinced!

"I want to sleep in Kayda's room."
"Why?"
"In case there's a problem!"

"Louise." Madeleine pats your head, "You're very cute, and very caring. But if you sleep in her room, then you run the risk of catching her cold. Sleep with your summoner tonight, Louise."

You can feel your cheeks puff up. You're sure Charlotte is fine, but you want to be sure Kayda is safe!
Oh, fine.

Stupid snake lady thinks she knows better than everyone else.

Quickly, you take to the exit and make a beeline for the Shrine.

--

Knock knock.
You knock on the slidey-wooden-door-thing that protects Keiko's home.

Strangely enough, no one is inside.

"Keiko?" You're worried about HER, now. "I'm coming in!"

You slide the door open and walk inside.
Oh no.

"KEIKO?!"

She's not around!
Where would she go when it's pitch black outside?!

Would she try to go to town? Or would she hide somewhere?!

>Look around the shrine, she must be hiding!
>Stay here and wait, maybe she'll turn up.
>Search the woods.
>Look along the path, maybe you passed her going the other way and it was too dark for you to notice.
>Other?

>>933954
This post took me, no kidding, an hour to submit. I'm changing ISPs after Christmas because this is the last straw.
We'll go tonight until my connection says "No".

>>933954
>Look around the shrine, she must be hiding!
PANIC

>>933954
>Look around the shrine, she must be hiding!

My backup plan is to go outside and search the woods, but with added electric lighting.

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Okay, don't panic.

NO WAIT! DO PANIC! THIS IS BAD!

"KEEEIIKKOO!" You shout inside, but nothing answers.
Oh no!

"Keiko!" You bounce out of the shrine proper and start investigating the shrine's courtyard. This is not good, not good at all!

"Keiko! Keiko! Keiko! KEEEIIKKO!"

With every yell; you can feel tears gathering on your eyes.
Of all the nights this had to happen, it had to be this one!

You're not in the mood for this, so you try something different.

You put your hands together, and then slowly draw them apart. Just like with the airship, the air between your hands start to glow.

It's like a torch!
Ha! You're a genius Louise!

"Keiko!" You yell, once more. Only to be met with the eery silence of the deep wood.

This is really, really bad!
Where could she have gone?!

Did something happen?!

Did-

..

Did you just hear something growl?

You spin around, and face the deep woods.
Out in the distance, you can see an angry purple glow.

It's slowly coming toward you.

>Freeze in place!
>HOLY CRAP THROW LIGHTNING AT IT!
>Call out to it!
>Ready your axe!
>Hide!
>Other?

I actually got a post error when I posted that last one about an hour ago and just found out.

I guess tonight is just not my night.

I need to sleep soon, so I guess I will let this hang for the night and I will see everyone tomorrow. Hopefully we'll get farther next time. Have a nice night!

>>934840
>Call out to it!

>>934840
>HOLY CRAP THROW LIGHTNING AT IT!
>Call out to it!
Interrogate before zapping

>>934840
Alrighty
>>935123
Voting for this

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The dim, purple glow slowly moves through the forest.
"HELLO?!" You cry out to it, but it doesn't seem to deter it one bit.

Gently, it descends into the underbrush and continues its beeline through the wood. You can't see it as well anymore, but you're more and aware that it's getting closer.

You're not sure how much closer, but it is getting closer.

"KEIKO?!"
It's getting even closer!

Oh no! No, no, no, no! That is not Keiko! It doesn't look like her, it doesn't sound like her, it doesn't even feel like her. It's something different.

Something much more dark.

It's closing in!

Quickly, you stoop over and grab a stick off the ground. You grabbed a straight one! Thank god!

"GIVE KEIKO BACK YOU MONSTER!"

There are no words to describe the feeling of anger which flows through the dulled stick in your hand. While you don't get to see the wooden implement; you can feel the heat burning from its surface. It's like a red-hot iron coursing with energy!

"NOW!"
With all your heroic strength; you lob it straight at the purple glow!

BOOM!
The explosion of splinters, sparks, leaves, and embers both deafens and blinds you for a moment! A shower of purple light illuminates the forest with a bang!
The entire shrine itself shakes from the force! Branches sway, birds scream, the tiny inhabitants of the wood flee in all directions!

You blink, and take the moment to scan the forest floor.

The light is gone.

"KEIKO!"

"Louise!" You hear a familiar voice directly behind you! You turn around just in time for Keiko to leap onto you and wrap her arms as tight as she can around you.

"Keiko, what was-"
"It was a MONSTER, Louise." She barely manages to articulate herself through the crying, "It was a MONSTER and it almost GOT YOU-"

She grabs onto your clothes and buries her face in it. You wrap your arms around Keiko, and embrace her. You almost feel tears starting to form at your eyes.

>W-w-what's that monster?!
>It's okay.. It's okay.
>No words, carry her back to the castle.
>Go inside the shrine, try to calm her down.
>Other?

>>937205
>It's okay.. It's okay.
>what are monsters doing here?

Everyone, I have a problem. I have to wake up VERY EARLY tomorrow. I've only been home maybe twenty minutes to type up that last post.

Because of that, last post was also the last one of the night because if I'm not in bed in the next twenty minutes: tomorrow is gonna suck.

As strange as that may be, it's still what I got to do. To make up for it, tune in tomorrow where I will hopefully be continuing much earlier than usual. Take care.

>>937343
there is another option
run all night

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>>937358
Only if I want to die.
I'm not at that point just yet, but maybe later.

>>937205
>W-w-what's that monster?!
>It's okay.. It's okay.

>>937205
>Try and calm down, you need to not freak out too much. You're a hero, right? ...Besides you can freak out later when you're safer.
>What was that monster?

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"It's okay, it's okay-"

You rub Keiko's scalp maybe a bit too hard for her own good. Not to mention the shivering. She seems to be shivering almost as much as you right now.

"IT'S NOT OKAY-" Keiko squeals, burying her face into your shirt even tighter.
"W-w-what was that monster?!" You hear a slight squeak enter your voice.

You need to calm down! Don't freak out so much. You're a hero, right? Of course you are! The fact you just turned that big purple monster into cinders should be proof that you're invincible! You can take anything on!
So why are you still shivering?!

You can freak out later when no one is around! The only one who should be shivering is Keiko, and-

"-And where are your clothes?" You look down her back and notice nothing except her drooping tail.
"I was asleeeep-" She whines into your shirt, "-and I heard this really loud growl so I hid and then itgotcloserandtriedtobreakinsoIcrawledundertheshrine-and-I don't want you to leave."

You try moving toward the shrine, and maybe out of danger. Instead, you get Keiko clinging to your torso. She's making it very difficult to move right now.

"Keiko-, Keiko, please."
"I DON'T WANT YOU TO LEAVE!"
"I'm not leaving! I'm going inside to get you some clothes! We're going back to the castle tonight!"

"Please! Castle! Yes!" Keiko looks up, and meets your eyes, "I don't ever want to come back here again, can I just live with you? I'll be good!"

"No! Keiko, no, stop, you can't live with me, what about the shrine, what about Ja-"
"HE CAN LIVE WITH YOU TOO!"
"NO HE REALLY CAN'T!"

Really!
He really, really, REALLY can't live with me!

You get tired of her nonsense and grab her into a carry. She squirms as you drag her back into the shrine.
"Grab your clothes."
"T-there."

She points to the left wall, and you can see some tiny beams of moonlight peering in.
"T-that's where it tried to come in."

"It's okay, Keiko, please, grab your clothes, you can sleep at the castle with me tonight."
"O-okay."

"..Keiko, let go of my hand."
"No."
You huff, "Okay."

With some difficulty; you manage to gather all of Keiko's clothes and get her dressed. She refuses to answer any of your questions about the monster the whole time.
It's kind of worrying you.

"W-where's your cercle?" Keiko hastily answers as she leaves the shrine.
"My what?"
"The bird! You didn't walk here, did you?!"
"No, I jumped here." You cross your arms.

"T-that's no good! I can't jump like you! And I'm scared of heights!"
"Well then just-"

>"Keep your eyes closed while I'm jumping!"
>"I'll run really fast through the woods, how about that?"
>"We'll walk."
>"J-just keep an eye out for whatever that was."
>Other?

>>940132
>Cover her eyes and, uh, comfort her as you superjump away while carrying her?

>>940132
Also, welcome back announcer, how ya doing?

>>940152
Really tired. I've been awake since 4AM and tomorrow I'm going to be awake after 4AM.

It just means this thread will have to draw to a close in about three more hours. We'll see how far we get in that time.

>>940170
Ah, I'm sorry to hear that. Well, hopefully we can reach at least triple digit posts before it closes down.

>>940132
>"I'll run really fast through the woods, how about that?"
>Maybe go a little farther and avoid darker parts of the woods?
>Don't forget the medicine supplies!

>>940261
in the interest of getting an update, switc hing to this.

>>940335
err, switching.

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"Okay, okay, Keiko, how about this; I will run really, REALLY fast through the woods?"
"That's not good enough.."

"Why not?!"
"Because we're still going through the WOODS and IT'S still out there!"

You don't entirely know why she thinks it's still out there.
"Keiko, that monster is definitely flambé at this point-"

"No! it's still out there! I can feel it!"

This raises even more questions!
"How long has this been going on?"
"I don't want to talk about it right now, okay?! Let's just go!"

You're not one to argue with that!
Gently, you take her onto your back, and then you carry her luggage in her arms. Just to be safe, you packed some of the snake-doctor's medicines in the bundle.

You're ready to go!

With a sprint; you begin your quick dash through the woods! Much to the dismay of Keiko, as she continues to nearly choke you to death by grappling with your shoulders and neck.

"Louise-..please...slow-"
"Keiko! I'm trying to concentrate!"

That is no understatement. You fumble with the task of holding all of Keiko's clothes, and attempt to deftly feel your way through the dark!

"Louise!" Keiko yells, "I can't see it, but it's there! It's following us!"

You turn your concentration away from the path at hand for just a split second. Just long enough to look over your shoulder and into the corners of your field of view.

The purple light is back on you again. It zigs and zags through the wood, but never gains the speed to catch up with you.
"LOUIIISE!"

Quickly, you turn your eyes back to the path just in time to watch a tree branch smack you in the face. It easily shatters as you continue your brisk pace.

Just what is that thing?!
Why is it following you? Is it mad about earlier?

You would turn around and give him another taste of your medicine if-
If-

You push past the final stretch of the trail and jump out into an open field.
You screech to a halt.

"Louise?! What are you doing?!"

"He's gone."

You continue to stare off into the woods. Keiko opens her eyes, and loosens her grip around your neck.
It seems he can't leave the woods, huh?

--

You arrive at Biscotti castle, and almost immediately have the maids asking some pointed questions regarding your disappearance.
Not to mention, you're covered in leaves, mud, and twigs. You don't even remember going through any mud puddles, but you're covered in it all the same.

You gently set Keiko down, and hand her clothes to the maids. Even the clothes are covered in twigs and mud!

Could this get any worse?!

Your answer comes in the stern figure of a white-haired catgirl. Charlotte pushes past the maids, and catches sight of the two filthy kids covered in mud being swarmed by maids.
This is your chance to explain yourself!
"Charlo-"
"No words. Bath. Now." Oh no, she seems angry!

>"Don't you want to hear what happened?!"
>"But CHARLOTTE!"
>Frown and say "Yes Ma'am."
>"Wait! I have a good reason, though!"
>Other?

>>940652
>hurry and say what was going on

>>940667
Actually, wait...
>"Wait! I have a good reason, though!"
>"Please, it's important!"
>Unconsciously activate adorable little girl appearance.

>>940652
>"OK but MONSTERS. "

>>940693
OK yeah adding in this as well possible.

>>940652
>"Please, it's important!"

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Oh no! This looks really bad, and mom is gonna flip out!

"Please! It's important!"

"I agree, bath is important." She walks up and grabs both you AND Keiko by the ear!
"Wait! I have a good reason, though!"

You calmly slip out of the ear-pinch and put on the great big smile! The one that melts the hearts of both beast and men alike!
"Pleeeease? I was just doing what I thought was right?"

Did that work?
Charlotte's expression changed! That must mean it worked!

"Louise, acting all cute doesn't work when you have muddy sticks in your hair." Charlotte reaches over and pulls a mud-caked twig from your bangs.

OH NO! IT DIDN'T WORK AT ALL!

"Now, Bath. Both of you."
"Okay but MONSTERS!" You squeak as Charlotte drags you off toward the baths.

"It's true!" Keiko manages to find her tongue, "There were scary monsters, and-"

"You can explain everything later, when you're clean. My hero is not going to be running around the castle caked in mud."

You're amazed that 'Okay but monsters' didn't somehow deter her!

--

"Geez what were you thinking? Going out so late at night, AND dragging Keiko back to the castle!"

"BUT MONSTERS!"

"I don't have time for silly games."

Charlotte furiously scrubs your scalp as you sit in the knee-deep water of the bath. You use your hands to scrub Keiko's back.
That is, until Keiko turns around and gives you a great big hug!

"It's true, Charlotte!" Keiko's added weight makes you fall over into the water. The slippery feeling of her hands grasping onto your body keeps you from righting yourself immediately.
Keiko pops her head out of the water, "Louise saved my life! There really was a monster at the shrine!"

"Are you sure it wasn't just a spirit or something?" Charlotte continues scrubbing the tiny twigs from your scalp.
"No! It was a monster! A real fang-and-claw big evil beast and it wanted to eat me!"

You're suddenly aware that Keiko is squeezing your foot. Her hand trembles slightly.

"Keiko, Louise." Charlotte gets another handful of soap and starts on your back, "It probably isn't a monster. Monsters can't stand the presence of shrines. That's why shrines were made, to keep the monsters out."

>I think we should listen to Keiko, here!
>Okay, but besides that! Here's what happened with Kayda.
>-Is it possible one just got by?!
>Say nothing, just sulk.
>Let Keiko speak.
>Other?

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Everyone, I am past my bedtime for when I have to wake up. So I am going to let it hang here and I will see you tomorrow
Take care!

>>940869
Thanks for running Announcer.

>>940862
>Charlotte, she's the one who lives at the shrine! If you don't listen to her when she says something weird is up, who would you listen to?
>If Keiko says anything back her up

>>940862
>Describe it in detail
>Maybe a spirit?
>Okay, but besides that! Here's what happened with Kayda.

>>940862
>Describe it in detail
>Charlotte, she's the one who lives at the shrine! If you don't listen to her when she says something weird is up, who would you listen to?

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"Charlotte, she's the one who lives at the shrine! If you don't listen to her when she says something weird is up, who would you listen to?"

"It's not that I don't believe her, but-"

"There was really a monster!" Keiko pleads with Charlotte. "It was huge! It was scary! And it had my name written on it!"
"It's true! There was some kind of-"

How do you describe this?
"-Some kind of big purple beast thing! I- I didn't get a good look at it, but it stalked through the bushes like a boar and ran as fast as a cougar!"

"I see." Charlotte goes back to pulling twigs and leaves from your messed-up hair. "Did you see anything else about it?"

"It had a big mouth."
"Yes! A big mouth! And, um-"

Truth be told, you didn't really see anything else noteworthy about it. To you, it just looked more like a violent purple glowing thing.

"I'll tell the guard about it." Charlotte concedes, and grabs for Keiko. "They can either quarantine the area or tell Atsuko to go deal with it."

"Suki?!"
"Charlotte! I think this is a bigger problem than what Atsuko can handle!" You plead, "It took one of my attacks and was just fine!"

"I don't think it's 'just fine' if it took one of your attacks."
"No! Really! I think it's still out there!"

"Maybe there are more than one."
"That's even worse!" Keiko pleads, "I don't want Suki going off to fight that!"

"What were you doing out there, anyway? Was it related to Kayda?"

You nod, "Madeleine said she needed some medicines from the shrine and that I should bring Keiko to the castle for the evening."

"You shou-" Charlotte blinks, "That's strange, because Atsuko never had a problem leaving Keiko there alone before. Does Madeleine know something that she doesn't?"

Both you and Keiko don't know what to say to that. It's definitely a possibility.

>Go question Madeleine about this right now!
>Continue bath, ponder possibility
>Talk more about Kayda.
>T-try to talk about something else besides monsters.
>Other?

>>942799
>Continue bath, ponder possibility

>>942799
>Continue bath, ponder possibility
>But hurry up with it, Kayda still needs help.

>>942799
>Continue bath, ponder possibility
>But hurry up with it, Kayda still needs help.

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Charlotte starts to work on Keiko's filthy hair. She's way better at managing to pull out all the leaves and muddy twigs than you are.

Would Madeleine know something about this monster that she wasn't telling anyone?
No, that doesn't make any sense.
Why would Madeleine intentionally hide a scary monster prowling around the shrine?

..Unless she didn't want to scare Atsuko.

No! Even that doesn't make sense because she would have told Jack about it!

None of this makes sense, just like-
KAYDA! Kayda still needs help! That's right!

"Okay, I'm clean, I'll be up to our room in a few minutes!" You hop out of the bath and hastily grab one of the towls.

Charlotte is too pre-occupied with Keiko's scalp to catch you.
"Louise! Where are you running off to, now?!"

"No time! Gotta give the medicine to Madeleine!"

"Louise!" Charlotte stands up, and lets Keiko fall back into the water, "You get back here right now, young lady!"

Too late! You're already halfway out the door and-
"-At least put on some clothes!"

Oh, right.

You focus on your ring for just an instant, and reform your barrier jacket! You're still soaking wet, but you're not naked anymore!

Some terrified maids screech as you rush out of the bath. The whole time you're dripping a puddle of water with every step! They try to stop you, but you're too fast for them!

There's something important that you must do!

--

KNOCK KNOCK!

...

KNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCKNOCK-
"Okay! Okay! I'm coming!" You hear a weary voice inside grumpily reply.

A few seconds later, the door swings open. A groggy snake-lady wearily rubs her eyes.
"Louise?"

"HERE!"

You thrust a bundle full of medicines into her arms.
"CAN YOU MAKE KAYDA'S CURE NOW?"

Madeleine blinks, and is giving you another one of those stares.

"Louise, it doesn't work that way. I can't just give medicine to someone when I don't know the root cause of their problems. I could end up making things worse. I told you the best thing is just to go to bed."

>BUT KAYDA!
>I don't understand!
>C-can you just give her something small?!
>Cry
>Okay.. I'll go to bed.
>Other?

>>943183
>C-can you just give her something small?!
does Louise know what aspirin is?

>>943225
Her knowledge goes to tonics made of mercury and silver. Still a valid point to bring up.

>>943232
Ok so I vote we bring that up then. And also maybe bring up that monster thing? Maybe Madeline will listen to us more instead of the cat princess?

>>943183
>Cry
>This has been a bad day
>Can I help yuo figure out things?

Everyone, I hate to do this but I must sleep if I intend to work tomorrow.

I will continue tomorrow. Sorry again for the weird schedule. It's been a weird week!

>>943425
Eh it's fine, real life takes precedence.

You know what? one more post.

>C-can you just give her something small?
>Cry
>This has been a bad day

Writing!

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"C-c-" You feel yourself shuddering slightly, "Can you give her something small?!"

"Louise.."
"N-Not like a big cure or anything! But like, just something small to make her feel better? My father used to give me tonics when I was little."

"-I'm not sure if she's allergic to anything."
"I don't know what that means!"

"Louise-"
"It's just been such a HORRIBLE DAY!" You shout, tears gently coming to your eyes. "First my best friend gets attacked, then my OTHER best friend gets attacked. It's like I can't protect anyone but myself!"

You manage to find them. The burning feeling of water against your cheeks. Your hands quickly rise to your cheeks to wipe them from your face.
It doesn't seem to help. Every scrape only delays the inevitable as more and more tears pour down your cheeks.

The sensation against your face is so awful that you barely notice Madeleine grab the back of your head, and pull you into a hug.

"It's not FAIR!" You squeal, "I try so hard and everyone just suffers and SUFFERS-"

Madeleine stoops down to about your eye-height. Gently, she dabs your cheeks with a napkin. The tiny paper cloth quickly makes work of the flood that has engulfed your face.

"-You know what, Louise." Madeleine smiles, while patting your head. "I think there is something I can give her."
You blink, "What, REALLY?!"

"I didn't think about it, but I do have a light potion that might help."

"Wha-"

Now you're REALLY confused!

"Here let me just-" She grabs the medicine bag and takes out an empty vial. She swirls another vial and pours a clear liquid into the empty container. "-there! Come on, Louise. Let's go give it to her."

You're so conflicted!

Madeleine slinks over to Kayda's room, and knocks gently.
"Excuse us, we're coming in."

Greta answers the door, and stands patiently by while Madeleine tilts Kayda up slightly. She places the bottle to Kayda's lips, and tilts it slightly until it all disappears.

She gives a few extra instructions to Greta, and bids her goodnight. You're so shocked that you don't know what to say!

"Will that really help?!"
"I think it might!"

Immediately, you wrap your arms around Madeleine.

"Ahaha, t-thanks Louise, b-but, can you be a bit softer?"
Oh! oh, right. Your arms loosen slightly.

>Stay here and tell her about Keiko!
>And the monster!
>Ask about the monster!
>N-no, go to bed. She can hear about it in the morning
>Other?

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Now I sleep, thanks for the thread everyone . We continue tomorrow.

>>943590
>Stay here and tell her about Keiko!
>And the monster!

>>943592
Thanks for posting this, man.
Good luck with your job.

>>943590
>Stay here and tell her about Keiko!
>And the monster!

>>943590
>Stay here and tell her about Keiko!
>And the monster!
>Ask about the monster!

>>943590
it was water, wasn't it?
>Stay here and tell her about Keiko!
>And the monster!

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"There's another problem, Madeleine."
You gently shut Kayda's door behind you, and stand to where you don't think Kayda could hear anything you say.

"What is it?" Madeleine twitches her tail.
"It's about the shrine. When I got there earlier, there was some kind of monster stalking around. It was hunting Keiko!"

"Hunting-"

Madeleine gets a shocked look on her face that you're not sure you have ever seen before.

"is she HURT?! OhmygodAtsukowillNEVERFORGI-"
"Shh! Shh! Madeleine!" You try to shush her from waking Kayda up any further than she is. "Keiko is fine! I came just in time and drove it off!"

Immediately, Madeleine throws her arms around you.
"Thankyouthankyouthankyouthank-"
"M-Madeleine! stop! Don't you want to hear more about the monster?!"
"Doesn't matter, you drove it off and saved Keiko. All that matters is-"

"It's still out there!"

Madeleine pulls away from the hug.
"..What?"
"It's still out there! It chased me back to the castle. It doesn't seem to be able to leave the woods!"

So.
Why did Madeleine just tremble, as if she had a chill run up her very-long spine?

Does Madeleine have a spine? It's hard to tell.
Either ways, the way the color just drained from her face is another telling; frightening sign.

"..Let's not talk about this any more tonight. Please go to sleep."

.
WHAT?!

>"Now I want to talk about it more than ever!"
>"What was that thing?!"
>"Why are you scared of it?!"
>"Aren't you tougher than I am?!"
>"Oh no, this is really bad isn't it?!"
>"My bad day just got worse!"
>"O-okay Madeleine. Have a nice night."
>GO WORRY YOURSELF TO DEATH IN FRONT OF CHARLOTTE
>Other?

Guess who just got home again? Oh god I am tired.

Thankfully it's friday! Let's go until people quit posting tonight.

>>945474
>"Now I want to talk about it more than ever!"
>"What was that thing?!"
>"Why are you scared of it?!"
>"My bad day just got worse!"

>>945474
>"Now I want to talk about it more than ever!"
>"Either I'll be worried about what you tell me, or I'll just make up my own nightmares."

>>945543
Actually wording that better -
>"I'm going to have nightmares even if you don't tell me anything."

>>945474
>"Oh no, this is really bad isn't it?!"
>"I'm going to have nightmares even if you don't tell me anything."

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"Now I want to know more than ever!" You tug on her shirt.

"I-it's nothing, Louise!" She gives a great, big, completely fake smile. "Let's just turn in for the night and you can tell me more in the morning."

"What was that thing?"
"P-probably nothing!"

That doesn't sound like 'probably nothing' to you!

"Why are you scared of it?!"
"S-scared? Who's scared?!"

Your bad day just got even worse!
"Oh no, this is really bad, isn't it?!"
"Louise, Louise, no, no. Y-you see. I'm just a little tired, that's all! I'm not reacting poorly to that, I'm sure you got it!"

"Madeleine." You give your best stern voice you can! "I'm going to have nightmares even if you don't tell me what that thing is. Please tell me what the thing chasing me through the woods is."

"I'm going to have nightmares if I think about it for another minute, though!" Madeleine, all of the sudden, seems much more girly than she usually lets on. "It's nothing against you! It's just, I'm probably thinking the worst of it. You likely just fought a spirit or something, and that's all!"

"What else could it be?"
"Nothing!"

"Madeleine."
"It could be a number of things!"

"It could be a number of things that glow purple, run as fast as I do, and doesn't stay down when I hit it." You pout and cross your arms. "How many things could that be? I'm going to be even MORE scared if I find out that there are lots of things that can do that just sitting in the woods outside the shrine."

Madeleine has a light blush on her face.
"I'm not certain, and if Keiko or Atsuko finds out; then they may move into the castle permanently. But, but-"
"But what?!" You demand.

"-That sounds like a demon."

..
That doesn't mean anything to you!

>So what?
>A demon, like, that thing Jack was hunting when he came to Gallete?
>Why a demon at the demon-hunter shrine?
>I don't get it.
>Impending sense of dread and worry
>Let's go out tomorrow and kick its butt!
>Other?

>>946072
>A demon, like, that thing Jack was hunting when he came to Gallete?
>Good thing we know a demon hunter, right?

>>946072
>So what?
>A demon, like, that thing Jack was hunting when he came to Gallete?
>Why a demon at the demon-hunter shrine?
I'm not sure what a little girl from ye olde france might have heard about demons from churchy types, but maybe throw that in?

>>946072
>So what?
>A demon, like, that thing Jack was hunting when he came to Gallete?
>Why a demon at the demon-hunter shrine?
>Heroes are meant to deal with demons right?

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You gasp sharply, and-
"So what?" You exhale.

"Louise, no. It could seriously be a demon."

You feel like this should mean something, but-
"You mean like.. fire and brimstone? Servants of the underworld? Dante's-"

"What? No! Louise, I mean a demon."

You try to think about it in the terminology you've learned since coming here.
What is so scary about that?

..
Wait.
"You mean.. Like, that thing Jack was hunting when he came to Gallete? That kind of demon?"

"Yes! That one." Madeleine claps her hands together, "And that one demon took two heroes, a demon hunter, and a warparty to take down. So try not to go tell anyone about this, okay? I don't want to make everyone unruly."

"Tell everyone? I'm still not entirely sure what it is I should tell them!"
"Atta girl!" Madeleine pats your head, "That's why you should just go to sleep and not think about it."

"Why the demon-hunter shrine, though? I thought that place was were demons would not really go..."
"I don't know, Louise." She continues scratching your head. "And I'm too tired to think much more about it."

"It's not a big deal though, it's a good thing we know a demon hunter, right?"

Madeleine gets a stern look on her face. Her hands gently squeeze your scalp.
"Louise, If you're talking about Camille. She won't be demon hunting for a long, long, maybe a very long time. Maybe as long a year, even."

You blink, "T-then what about Atsuko?! She's a demon hunter, too!"
"She's a shrine maiden. I don't think she's even seen a real demon."

Oh no.
"T-then what do we do? Should I go fight it? Heroes are meant for fighting demons!"

"Louise, no." She lowers down to your eye level, "Do not fight demons alone. There is no way to tell how strong one is. The best thing to do is stay in the castle, and only inside the castle. We'll wait for Jack and Yuuki to get back before anyone goes to the shrine. Okay?"

"But-!"

"No excuses. Demons are too dangerous for you to fight. Please, let's all just go to bed, and not talk about this until Jack gets back."

>"But I AM strong enough to fight one!"
>"Can too!"
>Go to bed, don't mention this to anyone.
>Go to bed, squeal to Charlotte about this.
>"Okay, I understand."
>Try to argue with her!
>Other?

>>946579
>"Fiiine..."
"Oh wait I gotta do something."
Find thief boy and relieve him.

>>946579
>Go to bed, squeal to Charlotte about this.
>there is another hero that could help us...

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Okay it is late and I am tired. So I will continue tomorrow and let last vote hang.

See you tomorrow!

Go to bed.

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You cross your arms and put that 'I'm really angry but I'm not going to say anything' look on.
"Fiiiine."

"Louise, don't be discouraged, it's just; I don't think you can fight a demon by yourself. I wouldn't ask Jack to fight a demon by himself. Kayda is very sick, and she needs rest instead of having to worry about fighting a demon."

"I know, Madeleine."
You just wish there was something you could do about it. The whole thing just makes you so mad!

Suddenly, you're reminded of something that may have slipped your mind.
"Madeleine, I gotta go find someone before I go to bed! Is that okay?"
"I can show myself to bed." Madeleine smiles, "But remember, don't tell anyone, okay?"

"Right! I promise!"

You take off down the hall and find your way downstairs.
There's a problem with trying to find someone at this time of night: everything looks different. Several maids doting on what appears to be a young, cleaned, white-haired catboy is the obvious differnce. The very sight of the once dirty black-hooded kid now in clean new clothes makes you question if it's really him.

"Ethan!" You shout at him.

His head snaps up to meet you. It's definitely him. The same boy you left to warn you of anything happening at the castle.

"Louise?"
"What happened here?" You rightfully grill him as to the clean new clothes, and the freshly cut-and-washed hair.

"Oh, when I showed up, the maids asked why I was here. I told them that you sent me, and then they started giving me all this stuff! New clothes, a bath, even food! They gave me food and I didn't have to pay for it!"

"Mm." You give a low-tone growl, "So you were busy having a makeover the whole time I was asking you to watch the castle, huh?"

His eyes widen, "No! No! It's not like that at all! I was still watching, but I was also getting food. It all works out!"

You sigh, and rub your forehead. You guess he did do what you asked, even if he only followed the letter of your order and not the spirit of it.

"Fine, I'm going to bed. I'll ask Charlotte if she wants to speak with you. You're dismissed for the night." You cross your arms, "But don't hang around! I don't know where the bill for all of this stuff is coming from."

"R-right, have a nice night Louise.


With that annoying thing out of the way; you head upstairs to Charlotte's room.
You push open the door to be met with the sight of a trembling Keiko laying in bed. Charlotte sits with her, clasping her hand.

"There you are. I almost thought you decided to run away again."

"No! of course I wouldn't do that."
Not this late at night.

"Great." Charlotte is giving you a stern stare, "Now, do you want to explain to me this whole thing about Kayda? Or do you maybe want to talk to me more about the monster? Something about a demon?"

>"How did you know?!"
>"Charlotte, please! I didn't know either!"
>"U-uh, well! Let's talk about it in the morning."
>"D-did I mention that someone wanted to talk to you?"
>"Timeforbedgoodnight."
>Other?

Folks I am traveling for a few hours today. I will continue when I get on the other side. See you there!

>>948010
>"Kadya is sick, Madeleine is taking care of her."
>"There's a demon."
>"D-did I mention that someone wanted to talk to you?"

>>948010
>"Kadya is sick, Madeleine is taking care of her."
>"Well, she's stuck sleeping for no reason."
>"Madeline thinks what I saw was a demon. She made me promise not to raise a fuss right away though. It wouldn't leave the woods so I guess it's ok right now?"
>"D-did I mention that someone wanted to talk to you?"

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"About Kayda?"

You try to think of the best way to describe everything that has happened. 'What' has happened to Kayda is as much of a mystery to you as anyone else. So you think of a good middle ground.

"Kayda is sick." You frown, "Madeleine is taking care of her. She says to just let her rest and she'll try to give her strong medicine in the morning."

"Aww, I'm sorry to hear that." Charlotte pats your head, "I know how you get when it comes to Kayda or Keiko."
"They're my friends and I hate seeing them get hurt." You feel that not-fun feeling creeping into your stomach.

"Does Madeleine have any idea what's wrong?"
"Kayda's sleeping and she won't wake up." That wrenching feeling in your stomach gets a little more powerful. "Madeleine thinks it's something more than a cold."

Charlotte frowns, but you don't think it's directed at you.

"I'm sure Madeleine will fix her up and have her good as new in no-time."
"I hope so."

"Now, want to tell me more about the demon?"

Charlotte suddenly puts on that stern voice.
"I didn't know you were going out earlier to fight a demon."

"I didn't know, either!"

"Then can you explain what happened? Keiko just mentioned something about it, and that's all I know."

You try to collect yourself to explain to Charlotte your encounter. You tell her about not being able to find Keiko, about yelling her name, and then about the lightning bolt. The whole time, you can tell Keiko is getting more and more terrified."

"That's enough." Charlotte stops you from repeating the same details. She gently pets Keiko's scalp.

"What am I going to do?" You plead with Charlotte.

"Stay in the castle, of course. Stay in the castle until the heroes get back."

Which doesn't seem fair. You're getting grounded for nothing you did, phooey!

"Let's just get some sleep, and we can talk more about what to do in the morning."

"Wait! One last thing. Uh, there's a kid. I asked him to look after the castle while I was gone. In exchange, he wanted to meet you."
Charlotte sighs, "Probably some noble's son trying to score points. Who is it?"
"Some kid named 'Ethan'. He claims he's Elise's brother."

Her hand stops.
"What?"
"He keeps saying he's her brother, but she can't remember him at all. I kind of wish he would just go away."

"That's way different, Louise. She's having some serious memory issues right now." Charlotte seems distraught, "If she really has a brother, then it's important that I meet him, right away."
"But Charlooootte, why are you going to waste time with him?"

"No arguing. Next time you see him, bring him straight to me."

"Fine."

"Get dressed and go to sleep."

You change out into your nightgown and crawl into bed. Surprisingly, Charlotte flops into bed next to Keiko.

"Stoop." Keiko groans under the pressure of Charlotte on one side, and you on the other. "I'm not a sandwich, I can't sleep if you-"
She sighs, twitching her tail slightly.

Just like that, she's asleep!
Amazing!

>Cont.

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..
You're dreaming.
You're not sure how you can tell, but everything appears very white and shiny.

Off in the distance, you can see a figure standing on a cliff.

You think it's-
"Kayda?"

>Walk over and talk to the figure
>This dream is weird, let's swap to another one!
>Use your willpower to conjure up a picnic! Invite the figure over to it!
>Other?

>>950073

>This dream is weird, let's swap to another one!

>>950073
>Walk over and talk to the figure
aw shit, she found a Native drug stash

>>950073
>Walk over and talk to the figure
>invite her to a picnic?

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>950258
Huh, that's good... right?

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You're not sure why you would dream of someone else standing on the edge of a cliff, but it's a bad omen.
This means you're going to have a really weird dream, doesn't it?

Slowly, you approach the person on the cliff edge.

"Kayda?!" You shout out to them.
Only, when they start to turn around. Then you notice something.

That is not a little girl.
That's not even a LITTLE girl!

It's a full-grown man!

You mean, he does LOOK like Kayda in some key ways. He has the same tanned skin, and the same color hair.
Then, not so much in others. For one, he stands almost TWICE THE SIZE THAT YOU DO! He is a GIANT! You think he may even be taller than Jack!

What is a man like him doing in YOUR dream?!

"Who are you?"

No response.

"..Want to have a picnic? I can make one if you want!"

He seems to be concentrating. His gaze ignores you, and searches the endless dreamscape.
Then, he quickly regards you once more.

"I'm looking for someone." He replies, in a very strained voice.
"..Looking for someone? Why would you look here? In my dream?"

"I'm searching for my daughter. She disappeared several months ago. I feel she may be in danger."

"Your daughter?" You blink, "Do you know her name?"

"Wihikayda."

>Ooh! I know her!
>She's-
>Uh, doing great!
>-Kind of sick.
>I don't know her, sorry.
>Wait, that's silly.
>How did you get here?
>Other?

>>950737
>Ooh! I know her!
>She's-
>-Kind of sick.
>B-but we're taking care of it, don't worry!

>>950737
>"She's my friend, we're all in a strange world and it's been good but she's unwell and not waking up."

>>950788
>>950890
Can I vote to combine these two?

>>951143
Sure

I am getting REALLY TIRED. I will try to cobble together another post, but I'm kind of out of it. Let's see if I can manage!

>>951274
Hang in there boss.

Also, threads not going to last terribly much longer, page nine already. Wrap it up soon.

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"Ooh!" You clap your hands together, "I know her! She's-"

It suddenly dawns on you exactly who this man is and what he just said.
Is what he's saying true?

How could it?

He just entered YOUR dream and claimed to be the father of YOUR best friend!

He's either lying, or-
..Or he's telling the truth and this meeting is really important!
Oh no!

"-She's my friend. We're both in a strange world, but it's a good world! She's treated like a princess!"

That gives him a sad look on his face.
"Is it heaven?"

OH NO! YOU DIDN'T MEAN TO IMPLY THAT!
"No! She's alive! Very much alive! It's just, it's-"

You suddenly realize how ridiculous it seems explaining this world to someone else.
Yes, she's alive, but it's a magic world where it's really hard to die and everyone treats you like you're royalty!

Of course you can't say that! You need to think of a way to make it more clear of where she is.
You need to think of it as if you're writing a letter back to your parents. You just wish Kayda could be here to say it.

"-It's just that everything has been good. Everything is strange, but no one is unhappy."

You should probably also tell him about Kayda getting sick.

"I still don't like it." He seems less sad, but still upset. "How did she get there? Did she run away?"
"It's more like someone came and.. got us."

You can't think of a better way to put it.
Oh! But there is something else that is sort-of important.

"Kayda has become, kind of sick. She's fallen asleep and isn't waking up."

"Sick."

"But, it's okay! She has a doctor with her, and she'll be cured by morning!"

"I was afraid of this." He states, solemnly. "-I knew something had happened. I had a feeling, that I've felt several times since she disappeared. I couldn't find her the last time I felt this way, but now I know I'm getting close."

"Don't worry about it!" You try to calm the man down. "We have really good doctors, and-"

"Kayda.." He says, in almost a whisper. "This is all my fault, I'm sorry."

>No! No it really isn't!
>How is this your fault?!
>Okay, enough moping, Picnic!
>What do you mean 'last time I felt this way', can you tell when something happens to Kayda?
>This is sad and probably a figment of your imagination. Change dreams!
>Other?

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>>951398
You make a very good point. But I'm not at the point of wrapping it up just yet, sadly. Mostly because I wanted to stick with Louise a bit longer.

So how about this, if it lasts the night, I'll post the follow-up in the morning. If not, then I'll remake on Tuesday.
Good night.

>>951541
>"It's not your fault that we were called away to a magic world to be heroes! ...Or is there something else?"

>>951541
>"It's not your fault that we were called away to a magic world to be heroes! ...Or is there something else?"

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"Hey!" You tug on his arm, "It's not your fault that we were called away to a magic world to be heroes!"

"I don't know what half of those words mean." He frowns.

"T-the point is, you shouldn't blame yourself! Kayda is safe, and she's being looked after by some really smart people!"

For some reason, that doesn't seem to make him any less sad.

"..Or is it something else?" You frown, "Is there something else wrong with Kayda?"

"I'm not sure." He continues to gaze over the cliff, toward the sunset. "Something.. very different happened yesterday. I didn't see it, but I felt it happen."

You and him stand in silence for a few minutes. Those few minutes pass by as if they were hours.
"I feared so much for dear Wihikayda, that I asked the spirits to help me find her."
"Why are you afraid? You don't even know where she is! She's fine! I promise you."

"It's not the act of being afraid. I've been afraid for her ever since she disappeared." He has a sullen look on his face, "It's the feeling I got. One of dread, and misery."
"Misery from what?"

"I feel my dear Wihikayda is being hunted."

"Hunted?! By what?"

"I cannot say." He pulls back his left sleeve, and shows you something.
It appears to be a tattoo. Some kind of marking of a black wolf. A shadow engulfs it, and it runs up his arm.
"This appeared on my arm yesterday, when I awoke. I asked a dear friend of it. He told me it's the marking of a curse, given to a relative."

"A curse?"
"After I spoke with my friend; I was attacked by a powerful, howling spirit. I worry the same may have happened to my Wihikayda."

"Well if something is hunting Kayda, then you need not to worry!" You puff out your chest, "My name is Louise Lacerte! And I'm the beautiful princess hero of Gallete! There is no beast, or demon, or monster who scares me! So don't worry about Kayda. If something is hunting her, I'll hunt it right back!"

He looks away from his arm, and then slowly looks toward you.
"Would you?" He states, with an almost certainty.

CLOMP clomp clomp-
--
clomp clomp thud thud thud.

The bothersome sound of footsteps in the hallway jostles you awake.

"What was that?" you groan.
Of course, Keiko didn't hear a thing you said. She's still fast asleep.

You look around and notice that even Charlotte is fast asleep!

That's when you hear another set of footsteps run past your door.
Then another.
And then another.
What is going on?!

>Jump out of bed and go investigate!
>Try to go back to sleep. You were-
>Uh
>You were meeting with someone. or-, uh. Something
>You were doing something important, but you forgot!
>Other?

>>952599
>Jump out of bed and go investigate!

>>952599
>Jump out of bed and go investigate!
To arms! To attention? Go do something!

>>952599
>Jump out of bed and go investigate!

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Yet another person runs by your door. This one is shouting something to the person who passed by previously.

You may be half-asleep and maybe dreaming just a little, but you know this isn't normal for the castle!
Something is wrong!

You quickly hop out of bed and throw off your nightgown, and exchange it for your barrier jacket.

With a quick once-over; you're ready to confront the world! You silently push the door open and shut it behind you.

--

Downstairs, the armory area is a chaotic mess.

There are people pushing to get out the door, people pushing to get in the door, and people desperately trying to flee the sudden riffraff.
This is very unusual.

Oh! There's Fritelli!

"Fritelli! What is going on?!"
"I don't know yet!" She seems furious, "I can't get to the front of the crowd, can you jump over them and go find out what's wrong?!"

That's an excellent idea, Fritelli!

With a bound, you start skipping across the shoulders of guards and knights until you reach the exit!
Oh darn! There's people being carried in! Some of the knights, and a couple of guards have some people slung over their shoulder.

Wait, are you seeing this right? Why aren't they turned into animal balls?

You slip behind the crowd and rush out the door.

Just to be met with another uneasy sight.
It's the Gallete knight, Odelle! You haven't seen her in a while!

She holds a sword in her hand, and slowly scans the training grounds.

"Odelle!" You hop up behind her, "What happened?! What is-"
"Louise?!" She immediately lets her guard down and wraps you into a hug!

"W-what?!"

"Louise, ohmygod I THOUGHT YOU WERE OUT HERE!" She squeezes you just a little bit too tightly.

"N-no! I'm fine! Odelle, Really! What happened?!"

"I don't even know! I heard some screams, and some people fell down in pain. I think something came out of the woods."

Something.
Came out of the w-woods?

>PANIC
>Let's worry!
>Chase after it!
>Let's not worry about it, get into the castle.
>Other?

>>953134
>Chase after it!
we're a hero, we can do this!

>>953134
>PANIC

>>953134
>Manage to get out something about demons and tell everyone to go get safe.
>Chase after it!
>...But don't get close! Lightning bolts and throw things!

>>953493
But also not-not panicking.

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Okay.

Don't panic.
Don't panic.

Odelle just told you that you have to chase after the scary monster who was chasing YOU last night.
And that-
That seems strangely familiar. Almost as if you talked to someone about this.

"D-demons."
"What?"
You grab Odelle by the shoulders.

"Listen! I need you to get everyone inside and shut the door, tight! I'm going after this thing! But promise me you won't let anyone go outside!"

"U-uh, uhh-"

Suddenly, Odelle looks even more freaked out than you!

"OkayIpromise."

"THANKS!"

Immediately, you take off toward the woods.

--

You leap and bound over felled logs, and stout brush. With every stride, you can slowly start to see your target!
There it is again.
It's a purple streak zooming through the forest.


Quickly, you notice it converge and zip around the trees! It's trying to lose you!

That's when you notice something even stranger.

There's a green streak.
Then a red one.
Then, an orange one!

There's an entire rainbow of these things!

..

There's an entire rainbow of monsters. They're quickly moving back and forth, clashing with one another and spiraling around the forest just as fast as you can run!

>Break off your chase, there's too many of them!
>Time to throw lightning bolts!
>Stop and watch which direction they go off in.
>Follow them a bit longer. See where they're going.
>Other?

>>953720
>Follow them a bit longer. See where they're going.
are we going to find a big pot of trouble or gold?

>>953720
>Follow them a bit longer. See where they're going.