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>>1732193
>Let's eat, first.
>Try an' be quick at it.
>Any suggestions for this morning, Madeleine?

Also, you posted the current threads archive on Twitter, not the previous

>>1732274
Thanks for catching that. I really don't know how I missed it considering that I had to have missed that one twice in order to do that.

>>1732193
>Let's eat, first.
>Try an' be quick at it.
>Any suggestions for this morning, Madeleine?

>>1732193
>Let's eat, first.
>Try an' be quick at it.
>Any suggestions for this morning, Madeleine?
>>Or maybe medicine to make sure we're at our best?

>>1732193
>>Alright, aye'm up n ready fer the day.
>>Let's eat, first.

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Alright, aye'm up n ready fer the day, then." You stretch your arms, and feel some tense popping. "Let's eat, first. 'N try an be quick at it."
"Agreed."

Madeleine, as usual, is always ready for the morning here at the shrine. She's always up to cook the best soups and stews you've ever had in your life. You don't know how she manages to come up with a new recipe every day, but she somehow manages to surprise and impress.

She leads you to her new cauldron, of which you're sure she's proud of, and she prepares you a bowl of whatever broth she's made. Something about potatoes and broccoli, but knowing how it's made just makes it less tasty.

You take the still-steaming bowl from her, and start sipping from it. Just as you thought; it's delicious.

"So, aye have a few hours, any suggestions fer the mornin'?"

"Well, teasing Yuuki is a good start." Charlotte's cheeks blush slightly, and she smiles, "Just ask if she had fun last night."

Wait, what? Did she have fun last night?
You remember teasing her a bit too hard, and she stormed out of the banquet hall. How-
"Aye dun get it, is there a joke aye'm missin'?"

"Oh, well." Madeleine's tail touches her lips, "-I guess you'll see when you meet her this morning."

Yeah, you're not getting it.
"So, whars next after that?"

"Probably gather your troops, make a plan."
"Ha- Aye never do that, what next?"

"-And then wait for Bruschetta's forces, then take to the field. I'm sure Atlas won't take long to prepare."

That's very true. Atlas would probably just hop straight out of bed and onto the field. Unlike you, who would normally hop out of bed, go to the bar, and then take to the field.

"So, anything else?" She takes a small bowl of the broth for herself.

>Not that aye can think of.
>No, explain this Yuuki joke to me again
>Should aye bring someone with me? Like Atsuko?
>She might be helpfu- bahaha, wait, hold on, she might be helpful.
>Other?

>>1735241
>>No, explain this Yuuki joke to me again
>Should aye bring someone with me? Like Atsuko?

>>1735241
>Should aye bring someone with me? Like Atsuko?
>I don't actually know what makes for a good planner

>>1735241
>No, explain this Yuuki joke to me again
>Should aye bring someone with me? Like Atsuko?
>I don't actually know what makes for a good planner

>>1735241
>No, explain this Yuuki joke to me again
>Should aye bring someone with me? Like Atsuko?

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"Yar, explain this Yuuki joke to me, again."
"Heh, really Jack?" Madeleine gives an almost mischevious smile.

"Yar, really."

"You didn't see Anna leave with her last night?"
"Aye did, but. How's that different from normal?"

Anna's her summoner, after all.

"Geez, Jack. You didn't see that look on Anna's face? Well, not that I can blame you, you had about a dozen beers at that point."

A dozen? You thought you had half that number by the time Yuuki left.

"-Aye'm just not gettin' what's special about it. Anna's is Yuuki's summoner, so leavin' with her is only normal."
"And now Anna's her lover." Madeleine winks, "Just wait until we talk to Yuuki again today, you'll see."

"Her-"
Yeah, you're not getting it. Time to move on before this conversation gets any more above your head.

"Should aye be brining' someone with me on the way to the castle? Aye don't actually know what makes for a good planner."
"I thought we were all going, actually." Madeleine takes a sip from her bowl, "It seems kind of pointless to have you go on ahead without anyone else, today. I'm sure Keiko and Atsuko would like to watch the match, if anything."

Oh, that is right. This entire thing is originally meant to be a spectacle, after all. You really don't understand competition in this world.

"Can Atsuko plan?"
"I don't know, let me ask."

Madeleine grabs Atsuko's attention in a way you weren't expecting.
"Hey Suki! Are you any good with planning?!"

That causes Atsuko's tail to stand on-end. Which immediately lifts part of her shrine maiden uniform up for the whole world to see.
"No! And also don't call me that! Never call me that!" She shouts back.

"Guess not." Madeleine shrugs, and then finishes the rest of her soup.

>Aww, Suki doesn't know until she really tries.
>Alright, that's good enough.
>Gather Suki, Keiko, and Madeleine. It's time to go.
>Nah, wake Keiko up, have her get some food. Suki too, if she hasn't ate yet.
>Other?

>>1738607
>Gather Suki, Keiko, and Madeleine. It's time to go.
shame jack doesn't know about doggy bags, hah

>>1738607
>Gather Suki, Keiko, and Madeleine. It's time to go.

>>1738607
>Gather Suki, Keiko, and Madeleine. It's time to go.

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"Yar, aye'd like te hang around but-"

You look at the position of the sun in the sky.
"It's probably time te go."

"That's fine. I'll make a bowl up for Keiko, and we can be on our way. Would you mind going and waking her up?"
"Yar, no problem."

You head back toward the shrine, and then gently slide the door open. Keiko likes to sleep about an hour past dawn, but you need to break her of that habit. It's good to wake up just as the sun peaks over the treetops.

The morning light slowly washes over the darkness of the shrine's interior. Keiko's ears twitch slightly at the morning sun reaching her eyes and her body. She seems to have kicked her dress off in her sleep, once more.

"C'mon Keiko, time'ta wake up."

Gently, her eyes slowly flutter open. She sits upright, and pulls her discarded dress back to her body.

"We're leavin' early fer the castle, Keiko." You smile at her, "Get yerself dressed and come have some food, okay?"
"Y-yeah, okay." She's clearly not quite awake yet, but you think she got the message.

You rub her messy green hair, and then walk out the door so she can dress herself.

There's still time for another bowl of soup, you pour yourself a small helping from the pot and wait for Keiko to get dressed.

"So, Jack." Madeleine seems to be scheming again. "Want to try and hook Atsuko up?"

Oh damn it, you just bit your tongue.
"Whar was that, Madeleine?"

"Well, you know, it's not right that everyone found someone except her. You know who I think would be perfect?"

>Lass, Atsuko already told me to stay out of other people's business.
>That probably means hers as well.
>..Okay, Who did ye have in mind?
>And how do you 'hook someone up'?
>Is it a sharp hook?
>Try not to think about this too hard.
>I think this is a dangerous road you're going down.
>Other?

>>1739171
>Lass, Atsuko already told me to stay out of other people's business.
>That probably means hers as well.
>..Okay, Who did ye have in mind?
>And how do you 'hook someone up'?
>Is it a sharp hook?
>Try not to think about this too hard.
>I think this is a dangerous road you're going down.

>>1739171
>Lass, Atsuko already told me to stay out of other people's business.
>That probably means hers as well.
>But it's for her own good, I suppose...
>..Okay, Who did ye have in mind?
>Maybe best not to be obvious about it.

>>1739171
>Lass, Atsuko already told me to stay out of other people's business.
>That probably means hers as well.
>..Okay, Who did ye have in mind?
>>Just curious, not planning to help or anything.

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"Lass." You can almost feel yourself reaching for the flask in your pocket, "Atsuko already told me to stay out of other people's business. Aye'm pretty sure ye she means her business as well."
"Aw, c'mon. All the times you haven't listened to her, and now you want to listen?"

Madeleine does raise an interesting point, there.
"..Okay, who did ye have in mind?"
"Well, I was thinking about what Greta said last night about Kayda and Dorje. Maybe we should do the same with Atsuko and, let's say- Aligot."

"Aligot." To tell the truth, you're not sure you've ever seen the two even talk. "Ye sure about that?"
"Well, it fits. They're both shy, and very insulated from others. I think they'd make a great couple."
"Really? That makes it seem like they couldn't be further apart."

Wait, why are you arguing this?
"Well, that's because these kinds of people aren't really the kind you would meet on a ship. They need someone to break them out of that shell."
Yeah, you're not sure about this. You may not have met some real bookworm types, but you have known some isolated people. With those types, it would seem like trying to budge into their business would just make them mad.
Ah well, you guess it's worth a shot.
"Er, it's fer her own good, aye guess." You put the flask away, it's too early for that. "Also how do ye 'hook someone up'? Is it like a- err. sharp hook?"

Madeleine sighs, and then notices the door slide open behind you.
Keiko steps out, and appears to not be any more dressed than she was when you saw her last. She stands proudly on the porch of the shrine.
"Hey! Has anyone seen my clothes?"
"Keiko!" Atsuko immediately notices her cousin completely ignoring the rules of decency. "For gods- I washed them this morning. Get back inside and don't walk around like that, or at least wear underwear if you do!"
"Fiiiine." Keiko clearly doesn't see the problem with it.
Atsuko leads her back into the shrine. Madeleine laughs softly under her breath.

"See? Suki would make a great mother. I think she would love to have a child."
"Aye dun know, it seems like she's busy takin' care of one already."

>Also aye'm just not sure about messin' in someone's life.
>Alright aye'm convinced, what's ye want to do to make it happen?
>Let's talk about this after the battle today.
>Aye dun know, ye sure this won't just happen.. naturally?
>Other?

>>1739959
>Let's talk about this after the battle today.

>>1739959
>Let's talk about this after the battle today.
>Let's consider other folks, at least?

>>1739959
>Let's talk about this after the battle today.
>Let's consider other folks, at least?
>Make a list or something

>>1739959
>Aye dun know, ye sure this won't just happen.. naturally?
>*thinks*
>Maybe we jus' need to get her outsidse with other folk.

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"Let's talk a bit more about this after the battle today."
"Aw, fine." Madeleine almost seems teasing about the idea.

You hear Atsuko struggling to get Keiko dressed inside the shrine. Keiko can be rightfully stubborn when she wants to be.
"Ye sure this won't just happen.. naturally?"
"Well." Madeleine adjusts her voice.

Inside the shrine, you hear what sounds like a big thud. Followed by Keiko laughing hysterically.

"..Maybe we just needa get her outside, with other folks."

"You really worried about this, Jack?" Madeleine asks in a very joking manner, "I thought you weren't going to worry yourself about it."
"Aye mean, let's at least consider other people first, right? Make a list er somethin."

"You know what, that's fine with me." Madeleine smiles, and hoists up her backpack.

The door of the shrine slides open, and Atsuko's face is blush-red. Keiko seems to have a beaming smile worthy of the sun itself.
"Heya ye two, what happened in there?"

Immediately, Keiko starts giggling. Atsuko gives a nasty frown.
"NOTHING! Nothing happened! Keiko put her clothes on and now we're ready!" Atsuko is quick to meet your goading.

"Alright, let's get goin' then." You hear Madeleine giggle to herself as she turns away from you.

"Yes, let's!" Atsuko immediately shuts down the most important question you had, and leads Keiko over to the birds.

What a great way to start the day.

--

The castle is unusually busy today. Which is to be expected; the battle of the century is coming up in just a few hours. The soldiers and the merchant alike are readying themselves for the big day that is to occur. Merchants unpack their crummy wares and soldiers prepare their second-rate swords and armor.

Your group walks through the main gate and approaches the entrance. You notice someone familiar standing outside happily talking with one of the knights.

"Ey! Yuuki!" You would notice that flowery-patterned dress anywhere.

She turns to you, and she seems to have a kind of brightness to her.
"Good morning Jack!" She immediately replies, with a smile.

Weird, Madeleine just snickered at something.

>Argh, good mornin' to ye.
>Ye seem to be in high spirits.
>Did somethin' happen?
>Are ye ready fer the fight today?
>Other?

>>1749722
>>Argh, good mornin' to ye.
>>Ye seem to be in high spirits.
>>Did somethin' happen?

>>1749722
>Argh, good mornin' to ye.
>Ye seem to be in high spirits.
>Have fun last night?

>>1749722
>Argh, good mornin' to ye.
>Ye seem to be in high spirits.
>Are ye ready fer the fight today?

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"Aye, mornin' to ye, Yuuki."
"And a good morning to you!" Yuuki smiles, "I'm happy to see you're ready for the fight!"

"Heya Lass, ye seem to be in high spirits this mornin'."
"Oh, do I?" She smiles, softly. "I'm glad to hear that, everything just feels so much more- right today. I feel ready to take on the world, really! I may just be getting excited for the match."

Madeleine, stop giggling.
"Well, aye'm glad to hear it. Are ye ready for the fight today?"
"Absolutely, I feel ready for anything! I just had my naginata sharpened, and I've been practicing! Watch this:"

Yuuki puts out her hand, and a blade made of ice begins to form! The blue blade slowly starts to seemingly manifest itself out of thin air until it's a full-sized sword. Quickly, she grasps a blue makeshift hilt. It's a very thing, but extremely nimble, longsword.
"Isn't that great? I learned that this morning." She smiles, "I've never been good with swords, but I'll get the hang of it."

"That's great Lass." You smile, "Aye'm glad you're findin' the joy in this."
"Yep!"

"So, did ye have fun last night?"
Yuuki immediately stops. The color in her face starts to drain as the blue sword in her hand falls to the brickwork and shatters into a million tiny ice crystals. Even with the chatter of the castle, it becomes oddly quiet.
Except for Madeleine. Something about that seems to have struck her funnybone the right way.

"B-beg pardon?!" Yuuki's face changes from joy and enthusiasm to a more evasive and annoyed tone, "What would possibly make you think that?! I can't believe you would even-"
"What?" You feel more confused by this, "Aye'm asking if ye had fun at the party last night."

Yuuki's face blanks, and her eyes seem to stare straight past you and to the horizon.
"O-OH! Oh, Yes! Yes, uh, last night was very fun. The party, I mean! It was great!"
"Yar!" Finally, something you can agree with, "Aye agree, we needa have somethin' like that more often."

"All the time, even." Madeleine still thinks something is unendingly amusing.
"N-not that often!" Yuuki's brow furrows, "Just some of the time!"

"Err, okay! Glad we agree, Yuuki."
"Yes, Glad we agree on that and only that!" Her brow still hasn't unfurrowed.

"Well, anyway, Imma go check on the rest of the crew. Lemme know if ye learn anythin' else!"
"And be sure to show us more things you have learned." Madeleine immediately turns around and starts sliding toward the castle entrance.

Weird, Yuuki just summoned her blue ice-blade again. You're going to ignore it and instead follow Madeleine back inside.

"I can't believe you did that." Atsuko whispers to Madeleine. Madeleine only replies with a smug grin.

>Well in any case, let's go check on the kids, make sure they're up and around.
>Aye'm gonna go check with Cody, make sure the 'plans' are still in effect.
>Let's check in with Fritelli, make sure the armies are in place.
>Hey, here's a crazy thought, let's see what Atlas is up to.
>Make sure Tuile's sober.
>Other?

>>1750832
>Aye'm gonna go check with Cody, make sure the 'plans' are still in effect.

Concern.

>>1750832
>Aye'm gonna go check with Cody, make sure the 'plans' are still in effect.
>Let's check in with Fritelli, make sure the armies are in place.
I'm not worried about the others much right now.

But I have half a thought that Atlas and Atsuko might get along with each other later on.

>>1750832
>Aye'm gonna go check with Cody, make sure the 'plans' are still in effect.

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"Hey, ye two go on ahead without me. Aye needa go check with Cody n' make sure he's not being held hostage."

"Good luck with that." Atsuko's tail fluffs itself.
"If you need help freeing him, give me a call." Madeleine still has that goofy smile on her face.

You say goodbye and head to the place you're certain he's going to be this time of day.

--

Knock, knock.

You gently tap on the glass house above the bar. You guessed right as to where Cody went. That is, he went to visit his future obligation.
He went to visit Camille.

Slowly, a figure approaches the frosted window. He slides the door open.
"Heya Jack. What'd you need to see me more?" Cody has his hat off, so you can tell he's been having a serious talk.

"Just wanna make sure the plans are still in place fer later."

"I checked this morning, everything still seems set up." Cody coughs, "I'll be a few minutes here, but I'll be there."

"That's great to hear, is Camille comin' by later?"

"Yeah, she wants to watch the event."

"Argh, glad to hear it. She needs some fresh air."

There's an awkward silence that follows. You think Cody wants to say something, but stopped himself just short of doing so.

"Jack, lemme ask you a question, if you don't mind."
"Aye sure, lay it on me."

He steps outside and slides the door shut behind him. Oh no, it's going to be another one of these talks.

"I'm thinking of telling Amaretti after the battle, about Camille."
"Mm, aye see. Why now?"

"Because, Camille doesn't want to leave the bar in the off-chance someone finds out, and I'm worried Amaretti is getting suspicious. I figured if I did it after the battle, I could pack up and leave the country if I had to."

>I think that's very pessimistic of you.
>Leave the country? Aye'm afraid you'd have to leave the Earth.
>I know a guy who lives in the underworld who could use the company.
>How do you know she'll react that way, anyway?
>What about Camille? Just gonna run off and leave her?
>Other?

>>1753398
>How do you know she'll react that way, anyway?
>What about Camille? Just gonna run off and leave her?
>I know a guy who lives in the underworld who could use the company.
>Or the abandoned city that's connected to the underworld if your desperate.

>>1753398
>Leave the country? Aye'm afraid you'd have to leave the Earth.
>...Are we on Earth? Err, nevermind.
>How do you know she'll react that way, anyway?
>What about Camille? Just gonna run off and leave her?

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"Really, Cody." You feel a little disappointed that this is how he decided to meet the problem, "Leave the country? Aye'm afraid ye'd have to leave the Earth to do that. Wait, are we on Earth? Err, the point is, aye'm not sure there's much ye can do about it at this point if this is your big plan."
"I know that, Jack. It's just the best compromise I can think of. I can leave the country. Amaretti is probably going to be madder at me than she is at Camille. So what's the harm? Not like I haven't spend quite a few months up until now runnin' from her."

"How do ye know she'll react that way to begin with, Cody?"
"C'mon Jack. She's needlessly possessive. You know that."

"Aye, but bein' possessive is a good thing, right? That means she might not be as mad as she would be if someone else found out. Yer hers, after all."
"That is optimisim that I didn't expect to come from you, Jack. I can only hope you're right."

This is pessimism that you weren't expecting from Cody, either. He looks toward the brickwork, and seems to be waiting for some kind of answer from you. You're not sure what to say, but-

"What about Camille? Just gonna run off n' leave her?"
"I thought of that, she was going to go stay with some folks she knows in Gallete. She could leave tonight if she wanted and be there by the morning."

"That's not what aye meant, Cody." You suddenly want to go downstairs and get a drink, "Yer just gonna walk out on Camille and your baby?"
"Jack, don't even start." Cody's attitude turns mean, "You know that I would give the world for Camille, which is why I would do that if I even thought her life was in danger."

You think he's being hyperbolic, but sure.

"Ye know," You don't like encouraging this mindset, but you rather he make the right choice than not give any advice at all. "-Aye know a guy who lives in the underworld who could probably use the help, and the company."

Cody blinks, "You know, I didn't even think of him."

"Yar, ye'd be pretty close to Biscotti, and to Camille. It only takes a coupl'a hours if ye know where the caves are. N' I doubt Amaretti's ever gonna go down to the underworld to track ye down." You don't like giving the suggestion, but it's at least a good one. "Besides, Tuile might be happy that ye went and kept her uncle from goin' insane."

"Well, I don't know."

"Er how about that abandoned city? It's connected to the underworld, and aye'm pretty sure it's still livable. It's just a long ways away. But that's a good thing, right? Amaretti probably won't look outside of the barrier for ye."

"I'll keep those ideas in mind, thanks." Cody sighs, "You want to come in, and talk to Camille?"

>Nah, aye got a schedule to keep.
>Aye needa go see Fritelli, make sure the troops are in line.
>Sure.
>Wanna go downstairs, get a few drinks first?
>Other?

>>1758501
>Nah, aye got a schedule to keep.
>Aye needa go see Fritelli, make sure the troops are in line.
>Say hi for me though

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"Nah, aye'd like to come say hi, but aye got a schedule to keep. Say 'hi' fer me, though."
"Right, Jack. Make sure everything is ready for me."

"Got, Cody." You smile, there's something you respect about Cody even if he's a shifty kind of guy, "You take care of yerself."

You go downstairs to the bar, and fill your flasks. You feel that you may have need for this alcohol very soon. You're sure to get a shot, just because you think that you may need a pick-me-up.
The castle is really starting to be lively, now. The shops are starting to set up on the city streets, and the line for the merchants heading to the castle pours out the front gate and all the way to the edge of town.

You're not putting up with that, not for a second. Quickly, you leap across the moat and onto the castle wall. You're certain you heard some cheering from the merchants down below, but you have more important business to attend to than showboating.
The armory is wide open, and soldiers walk in and out with new and broken equipment. You're certain Fritelli is swamped, but you want to be sure everything is prepared for today.

Or, at least Fritelli would be swamped if she didn't appear to have found help.
"'Ey Axel." You greet Gallete's blacksmith as you enter, he strikes a hammer against a sword with such force that it bends back into shape with a single blow. "Thanks fer helpin' today."
"Hey Jack." He wipes his brow, and sets his hammer down. "Ready for today?"

"Aye was just comin' by to ask Fritelli the same thing."
"She's out in the training field, she had a few last-minute drills she wanted to go over."

"Thanks, Axel. How're ye holdin' up?"
"Tired, but I think I'll manage. Hey, if you see Fritelli, tell her that we're running out of swords."

"Aye'll let 'er know."

You push through the crowded hallways as you try to make your way to the training yards. You hate crowds, and this is probably the biggest crowd you've ever seen inside of this castle. Everywhere is hard to get to, and most people here are acting braindead. Some of them just stand in the middle of the hallway.

Even getting out the door to the training yard is difficult.

Speaking of official business, Fritelli seems to be finishing up her drills. She's panting, and clearly has been up since before the crack of dawn. She sits on one of the benches.

"Heya." You approach her.
"H-hey Jack." She coughs, "We're ready to take to the field, we'll be departing in about thirty minutes."

Thirty minutes until the fight begins, great.

"Ye sure ye don't need a rest, first?"
"Me? no, no no. Just got a little ahead of myself, is all."

She drinks from a steel canteen, and finds herself slumping backwards onto the bench.

"What about you, what are you up to?"

>Just wanted to check on you
>By the way, yer runnin out of swords
>How are the other heroes? Are they ready?
>Anything aye should know before we begin?
>Do ye know what Atlas is up to this morning?
>Other?

>>1759768
>Just wanted to check on you
>By the way, yer runnin out of swords
>How are the other heroes? Are they ready?
>Anything aye should know before we begin?
>Do ye know what Atlas is up to this morning?
>All of the above

>>1759768
>How are the other heroes? Are they ready?
>Anything aye should know before we begin?

>>1759768
>Just wanted to check on you
>By the way, yer runnin out of swords
>Anything aye should know before we begin?

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"Just wanted te check on ye." You sit down next to her, "By the way, Axel wanted me to tell ye that yer runnin' out of swords?"
"Swords? Damn it." Fritelli takes a swig from her canteen, "The most common weapon that everyone uses, and we run out of them."
"Aye, ye think we'll be ready fer the fight, then?"

"Yeah, yeah. I'm not going to let that stop me. I'll go tell him to double up on spears."
"Aye also wanted to check in, make sure yer doin' fine."

"I'm fine, I'm just.. tired. I think I overdid it this morning." Fritelli seems to be moving her shoulder awkwardly, she must have strained it somehow.
"Ye should rest."
"I should, but I won't."

Fritelli is a lot like you, in many ways.
"How are the other heroes, are they ready?"
"I checked on Cody, and Yuuki. I saw Dorje walking the halls earlier, but haven't seen either of the kids."
"Great, aye'll go make sure they're up and around."

That's something else to preoccupy you before the fight starts.
"Anything aye need to know?"
"Yeah, we're going to position in the west and move south. The soldiers are taking to the field, now."

"Great, how about Atlas, what's he up to this mornin'?"
"He took to the field this morning, but he's just been sitting at the south end."

"..Just sitting?"
"Yeah, it's really quite strange. I'm not sure he ate anything this morning."

You've heard of fighters and soldiers who wouldn't eat if they had early morning training, is it like that?

>What is your take on it?
>Alright Fritelli, aye'll let you get back to it.
>Time to check on the kids
>You might need to visit the bar, get some liquid encouragement.
>..Just go ask Atlas what he's doing.
>Other?

>>1763284
>Alright Fritelli, aye'll let you get back to it.
>Time to check on the kids

>>1763284
>Alright Fritelli, aye'll let you get back to it.
>Time to check on the kids
>Aye of course have a sip or two on me.
>Leave Atlas to his ways, but ask him on it later.

>>1764503
>...Maybe wave at him? Big water hand-wave.

>>1763284
>Alright Fritelli, aye'll let you get back to it.
>Time to check on the kids

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"Has Atlas done anythin' since ye started training?"
"Nope, hasn't even moved."

You peer across the field, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. You think you can see a figure, way off in the distance. It's hard to tell for sure if it's Atlas or a cluster of plants.

Just to be sure, you 'wave' at him with a big plume of summoned water. The stone-like figure doesn't even mind any attention to it, and the wave of water comes crashing down with a massive splash.
"Aahh." Fritelli sighs, you can practically see the steam wash from her skin, "That felt nice, but don't tell Tuile that you sprayed me with your liquid, okay?"

"Aw aye'm not sure she'd mind that much." You adjust your voice, "Well, aye'll leave ye to it. Aye'm gonna go check on the kids."

"Yeah, yeah. Good luck."

--

Those kids better not have stayed up all night. You need them fighting fit for today. Heck, you're not sure they should even be fighting in this match.
They are heroes, people who are just as strong and fearless as you. At the same time, you're not sure where you draw the line between too young to be in a fight or just young enough to be an asset.

Bah, who are you kidding. One of them has the flames of hell itself on her side and the other has lightning that would make Zeus blush. What do you have to worry about?

You start down the guest halls, and make a note of how quiet it is here. It seems the maids are making extra care to keep this part of the castle quiet. Which is good, because this is where the girls are sleeping.

Suddenly, you see a familiar figure walking down the hall.
It's Louise, and she's still in her nightgown.

"'ey Louise." You try to get her attention.
Suddenly, she puts her finger to her mouth.

She opens the door that you presume to be Kayda's door and dashes inside.
You hear a surprised "EEK" followed by lots of giggling. Lots of giggling followed by lots of yelling.

Yep, those are the fearless heroes all right. The ones that are currently pulling at each other's hair inside of their room.
Maybe it's not too late to just go to the fight without them?

Nah, they deserve the experience.

You sigh and approach the door. You knock lightly and look inside to see what's happening.

Of course you peer inside to see Louise peeling off Kayda's nightgown. It seems like she's trying to put some new kind of dress she discovered onto Kayda.

>Girls, girls, stop.
>Just.. walk out of the room, let this play out.
>Hey, just came to tell ye that ye both got thirty minutes to get yer butts out to the field.
>Put some clothes on before ye do.
>Laugh
>Other?

>>1766185
>Laugh
>Ye know, it might be better for you two to wear practical clothes today

>>1766185
>Laugh
>Hey, just came to tell ye that ye both got thirty minutes to get yer butts out to the field.
>Put some clothes on before ye do.

>>1766185
>Laugh
>Ye know, it might be better for you two to wear practical clothes today
>Something you don't mind gettin' burnt and stuff
>Hey, just came to tell ye that ye both got thirty minutes to get yer butts out to the field.

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You want to scold them, but you can't. You feel youreslf slowly starting to chuckle as you watch the two wrestle on the ground. Louise is giggling while Kayda is scowling. Greta, who is watching the exchange take place, has no idea how to separate the two.

"Alright, that's enough ye two." You clap your hands. "Just came to tell ye that ye both got thirty minutes to hit the field before the games start. Put on some clothes before ye do, and aye suggest wearin' some practical stuff. Somethin' ye wouldn't mind getting burned and stuff like that."

Kayda realizes that her best friend has nearly torn off her blouse, and snaps up to quickly re-adjusts her almost torn-off nightgown. The red hue on her face shines right through her tanned skin.

"Aw, so no pretty dresses today?" Louise blinks.
"Not unless ye don't mind them gettin' destroyed. We're fightin' another hero, today."

"Fiiiine."

Greta seems to be looking at you with anxiety. It's like she wants to say something, but lacks the heart to say it.
You have an idea what it might be, so you try to put it into words.

"Also, dun think about overdoin' it today. This guy is a monster, and really it's me who he wants te fight. If either of ye feel like ye can't keep fightin', quit. Leave the battlefield, aye'll take care of the rest."

That causes both Kayda and Louise's eyes to snap up to you.
"Wait, I can-"
"BUT-!"

"No excuses." You shut them down before they can complain. "Aye'm not gonna be hearin' it from Charlotte or Greta if ye two overdo it. Aye think yer both just as capable as anyone else, but aye don't want ye fightin' if ye aren't up to it. Don't think the other heroes aren't gonna get the same speech from me, either."

".."
"Fiiiine." Louise crosses her arms, with a frown.

"Attagirls." You slowly shut the door behind you, "Now get yer act together."

You shut the door and leave them to it. You're sure they'll be ready, but you think they might be a little bitter by being told to hold back by an adult. You'll need to keep an eye on them when the fight starts. You don't want them trying out any special attacks or crazy moves.

To round everything out, you decide to check in with the most important person of them all: alcohol! You head down to the bar, and sit at the stool.

..Strange, you also notice Dorje is in here. He's sitting at a nearby table, and appears to be looking rather glum.

"Hey Jack, the usual?"

>Yar!
>Hold on, aye gotta go see what's up with this.
>Nope, not getting involved, pat him on the shoulder and ask if he's ready for the fight, but don't pry
>Drink for me, and drink for him apparently.
>Ask the bartender what his problem is.
>Other?

>>1768904
>Yar!
>Ask the bartender what his problem is.
>Then go see whats wrong, bring him some water

>>1768904
>Yar!
>Drink for me, and drink for him apparently.
>>something mild, he's still a kid after all

>>1768904
>Yar!
>Drink for me, and drink for him apparently.
>>something mild, he's still a kid after all
>>What's his usual? Boy got a usual?
>Ask the bartender what his problem is.