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A green-haired girl has caught Tuile in the act of trying to sneak into Jack's room wearing only a high-cut dress. You say 'dress' but it's more of a shirt and nothing else. The green-haired girl questions the princess most thoroughly.

"Where is your underwear? If you're going to see Jack with an outfit like that, aren't you worried about him looking up your skirt?"
"B-because that's not part of the outfit!" Tuile nervously pulls at her shirt, "It's like your shrine maiden outfit! If you're not wearing all the right pieces, then it doesn't work quite right!"

Oh god, you are dying.

"Y-yes, he's very sick."
"He is?! Well then I want to help! Is there anything I can do to help with the checkup? I know a lot of powerful magic!" The green-haired child says with an almost uncomfortable amount of eagerness.

You can't.. You're going to burst out laughing. You grip the edges of your mouth in place with both hands.

"NO! No, no no no no no no. Gods help me, no. He's sick but not sick in that way."
"What way?" The kid asks with wonder.

"Keiko, I really need to go. Can you just come back later? Like maybe after dinner?"

"Well, okay. If you know what you're doing."

Keiko rounds the corner after interrogating Tuile, and has nothing short of a puzzled expression plastered across her face.
You can't take it; this is too much.

"BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA" You burst out laughing with such fervor that you almost fall to your knees!
"W-what?! Cody, What's wrong?!" The seemingly clueless little girl blinks.

"Kid, you're the best summoner Jack could ever ask for. Never change."
You rub her head and start back toward the meeting room.

You know what, maybe that was all you needed. That little voice of doubt seems to have drowned in a sea of laughter. You approach the heavy door separating you from your fate.
Slowly, your hand reaches for the knocker. There should be someone in there right now. You asked for one of the knights to be present just in case your bride-to-be does something irrational.

>I'm ready for this.
>M-maybe a couple more minutes. It's not noon yet.
>I think I need a.. drink.
>That's what Jack would say, anyway.
>Other?

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>>2012127
>>I'm ready for this.

>>2012127
>I'm ready for this.

>>2012127
>I'm ready for this.

>>2012127
>Okay okay, what would Jack do?
>>Getting wasted? yeah, nah, just one drink.

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You reach out for the door handle, and find your hand slightly pulling away from it.

Okay, okay Cody. For once in your life it's time to stand up and admit to something you did. That might seem like a big step, but it's really not as tough as it sounds.
What WOULD Jack tell you if he currently wasn't getting examined by the nurse. Somehow, you think that you know what he would tell you if he was here to say it.

Gently, you reach into your pocket and try a little trick you picked up from him.
"Bingo." You say to yourself as you pull out a tiny pocket flask. No where near as big or as many as he carries around, but it does offer a spot of liquid encouragement.

..
Ahh, that's the good stuff. You like the sweetness and the bittery taste of this liquor. The stuff that Jack drinks which could wilt cloth flowers is for masochists, really.

With renewed confidence, you reach out and grab the handle of the door. You're ready for this.

The heavy door swings open to reveal several people who are already talking inside. In the center of the room rests a large, circular table meant for ordinary, formal events.

Which is good, it diffuses an atmosphere of calm and rationality. Which is exactly what you need right now.

"Good morning, Cody." One of Biscotti's knights greets you. You think her name is.. Pomelo? She's the one who has a magic sword.
"Yes, good morning." A green-haired Gallete knight sits next to Pomelo. You know her as Felice of Gallete. You decided to get arbitrators from two kingdoms just in case Amaretti has deeper reaches than you think.


Then, of course, sits the people whom you wanted to talk to. Amaretti sits across from Camille. They seem to be enjoying some lovely morning tea with biscuits, and neither of them seem to be agitated.
Good, good. That means they've just been gossiping about you instead of doing something like asking if the other one was pregnant.

"Hey sweetie." Amaretti sets her teacup down.
"Hi Cody." Camille smiles, and briefly acknowledges you entering the room. She doesn't want to do anything that might clue Amaretti in, either.

"Are you going to tell us why you gathered all of us here today?" Amaretti shrugs. "It sounded like you had something important you wanted to tell me. Does it involve demons? Is tht why the shrine and the knights are involved?"

Well, go on Cody. You're a grown man. Why don't you tell this wonderful woman who is to be your wife that you have made the girl across from her pregnant?

>Well, go on. Tell the ladies.
>As if you had another choice, right?
>Besides running out of the room screaming.
>I recommend that you don't do that, though.
>Other?

>>2014439
>Well, go on. Tell the ladies.
>It'll get easier once you get past the point of no return. maybe. probably. hopefully. not at all, your basically a dead man walking

I hope Cody at least warned the knights that we would be dropping a bombshell shell here

Also I have no idea how someone would even begin to broach this subject

>>2014439
>Well, go on. Tell the ladies.
>As if you had another choice, right?
>Besides running out of the room screaming.
>>With Camille, of course

>>2014439
>>Well, go on. Tell the ladies.
>>BRACE FOR IMPACT

>>2014439
>>Well, go on. Tell the ladies.
>>As if you had another choice, right?

I've been missing a lot of these quests recently, but I'd just like to say... thank you for running, Announcer.

Not many custom answers, but I can deal with it.
Writing!
>>2016517
Hey, I enjoy running this quest, too. It's why I keep coming back!

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You sigh, and then take a seat at the table in the 9 o'clock position. The ladies are sitting to your left and your right.
The way you see it; you can act as a distraction while Camille bolts out of the room if you have to.

Oh, what are you saying. Are you saying Amaretti might become violent?
Well yes, yes you are saying that.

Maybe you don't have enough faith in your bride-to-be. -Is what a tiny optimistic voice inside of your head demands. You're going to ignore him for the time being and focus on the task at hand. Go on, Cody. Tell the ladies exactly what you have done.

"Thank you for coming here today. I know everyone is very busy, and I know the knights have been tied up trying to keep the peace after the.. incident a few days ago."

There's a tiny voice in the back of your mind chastising you.
Quit stalling you jackass.

"-And I would also like to thank both of you for attending. I'm sorry for giving such short notice, but I promise this won't take long."

You're putting this off, Cody.

"Amaretti, you've been the most wonderful woman of my life, and I wouldn't trade any moment we have shared together for the world. You are my fiancee, but also my summoner, and my friend. I hope nothing will ever come between that."

Suddenly, her eyes grow large.
And- they start to water.

"Oh my god Cody, ARE YOU BREAKING UP WITH ME?!"

WHAT?!
"No! No, no, no, no, no, no, definitely not. Hell no! I would never break up with you!"

"Oh, oh thank god." Amaretti breathes a sigh of relief. "I thought you got the knights together and the priestess here to formerly divorce us or something."

"No, I have the priestess here for another reason." You glance at Camille, and she nods back.

"Over the few months I've been your hero; you may be aware that I haven't been the most faithful of lovers." You take off your hat and set it in your lap.
"I'm aware." Amaretti says, dryly. She rests her head on the table.

"I cannot, and will not live that down. I let my lust get the best of me, and my desires guide my life. No more will I let that happen, because I have become a man."
"Cody, what are you trying to tell me?" Even your bride is getting suspicious about where all this is going.

"Amaretti, I've been unfaithful."
"..And?"

That almost hurts.

"And- while I do regret the action, I don't regret the consequences." You gulp in the back of your throat. Moment of truth, Cody. "Amaretti, I have made Camille pregnant with my child."

The knights freeze in place. You can only see Felice out of the corner of your eye, but she wants to stand up and bolt straight out the door right now. Her long, green tail stiffens into a fuzzed-out line.

Amaretti, however, responds in a different way. Her eyes seem to be unblinking, and they seem fixed onto your image.
She's completely silent.

Okay, Cody. Now what?

>-apologize some more?
>Don't say anything
>Let Camille speak?
>Try to get a reading on her mood
>Other?

>>2018547
>Don't say anything
>Don't move
>Just wait like a statue

>>2018547
>>2018566
This, but try not be stone faced. Relax and think about being sorry.

I'm surprised though, I wasn't under the impression he was quite that into her still. Assuming he meant all that.

>>2018566
>>2018581
This

From what I understand, she's quite pleasant. The only thing Cody finds problem with is how obssessive she is with who he sees and where he goes.

Just let me consult my yandere field guide...

Ah, yes, I believe she would be classified as the Monopolizing Type, AKA, the lock-you-in-my-dungeon-so-it-will-be-the-two-of-us-forever type.

I found this quest when it was 147, I believe. I then binged through the archives to catch up, now it's epilogue-ing.

This has easily been one of the better Dog Days stories that I've read, with characters, world-building, and stuff.

Thanks a lot for the good times, Announcer DM!

>>2018547
>Don't say anything
>Don't move
>Sweat

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Amaretti continues her gaze off into the distance, and you try to think of the proper way to handle her response.

She's not screaming, so that's good. She's also not demanding Camille be off with her head.
At the very least; things have turned out to not be the worst case scenario.

A thought did occur to you just now. That thought was to ask if she was angry, but you already know the answer to that. The question now is going to be how angry her temper will boil before it catches up with her.
Your new fear is that she's in the state where she's so angry that she's calm. You know that feeling well. That feeling where the sheer force of rage and anguish piling up inside simply overwhelms any possibility of expressing it.

Amaretti continues to stare, but has now progressed into blinking. That's good, that's progress.
You're not certain where to proceed from here, though. While her condition has improved; it's not healthy to have everyone sit here and stare. Someone has to say something.

That someone certainly isn't going to be you. You've said your part.

"..I don't understand." Amaretti states with almost a whisper. "Camille, are you really pregnant?"

Camille remains as stone-faced as you are. She's just as terrified at how Amaretti could interpret any body language as you are.

"Yes, I am."
"But- How?"

"It's off-season." Camille gulps, "-the odds are astronomical, but it happened."

Amaretti herself finds difficulty meeting your eyes. Slowly, she turns her gaze from Camille, and back to you. At this angle, you can see that her cheek is punctuated by a single tear.

"Cody.. why?"
You don't respond, but you can feel yourself gulp.

"Is it because.. of my body? Is it because of my personality? Is it because you just love her more than you love me?!" Her accusations step up in intensity.
Then, she's silent.

Even if you had anything to say, you wouldn't have the guts to say it right now.

"Cody." Amaretti softly whispers, "Do you still love me?"

>Of course I do
>My love for you has never waivered
>I love you, as your hero
>Stay silent.
>Other?

>>2018627
Thank you! I appreciate it. I'm happy that you've enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I always like giving myself enough creative freedom to write stories outside the box and outside the setting enough to have fun with it.
Thanks for sticking around!

>I love you, as your hero.

Better to be straight out about it.

>>2020078
>I love you more than anything, but I think I'm not very good at it. Never thought I'd settle down, just live and love a little and move on. No worries and no consequences till I got tired of it. Maybe I thought I'd get it out of my system before living my long life with you. Maybe it's something I can't shake. Maybe I don't deserve you.
Probably not quite how he should say it, but I figure that's where he's coming from.

>>2020164
That doesn't fit with what he was just saying.

>>2020078
>>2020240
>I love you more than anything, but I think I'm not very good at it. Never thought I'd settle down, just live and love a little and move on. No worries and no consequences till I got tired of it. Maybe I thought I'd get it out of my system before living my long life with you. Maybe it's something I can't shake. Maybe I don't deserve you.

Seconding this.

>>2020078
>>2020240
>I love you more than anything, but I think I'm not very good at it. Never thought I'd settle down, just live and love a little and move on. No worries and no consequences till I got tired of it. Maybe I thought I'd get it out of my system before living my long life with you. Maybe it's something I can't shake. Maybe I don't deserve you.

Thirding

>>2020240
>I love you more than anything, but I think I'm not very good at it. Never thought I'd settle down, just live and love a little and move on. No worries and no consequences till I got tired of it. Maybe I thought I'd get it out of my system before living my long life with you. Maybe it's something I can't shake. Maybe I don't deserve you.

Fourthing

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'Do you still love me'?
Does she not realize what she means to you? What she means for your life?

You had never really considered the question before. You just assumed it was a given and never thought nor questioned the very idea. Do you really not love her? No, that can't be it. It's just-

"I love you more than everything, Amaretti." You state with sincerity, "-but I think I'm not very good at it. Never thought I'd settle down, really. Just live and love a little and move on, no worries or consequences 'till I got tired of it."

Amaretti's posture softens from the statue that it was once impersonating. Her eyes continue to water, but her hands quickly move to dry off her cheeks.

You continue, "Maybe I thought I'd get it out of my system before livin' my long life with you. Maybe it's something I can't shake."

Amaretti blinks, but the tears stop flowing for just a moment.

"-Maybe." You think about just the right way to say this, "Maybe I just don't deserve you."

Amaretti looks down at the table, and then into her lap. The room remains in a state of silent shock, only punctuated by the occasional sniffle from Amaretti. No one dares say anything while the princess takes in the gravity of what she had just been told.

"Excuse me." Amaretti finally breaks the silence, "I- I need to go."
"Do you want one of us to escort you back to-" Noel tries to be helpful.

"No, no. I'm fine. I just, need to alone. Good day to you all."
Amaretti bolts up from her seat, and quickly takes to the door. She shields her face from you the whole time, but you can still see the tear-stained cheeks through her cloth gloves.

The door quietly shuts, and punctuates the silence of the room.

"Well." You breathe a sigh of relief, "At the very least, that went better than I expected."

"Really, now?" Felice breaks her silence, "That went TERRIBLY! I hate to ask what you thought would happen."

"I hate to ask what you thought we could have done if Felice jumped over the table and shanked you." Noel states, bluntly. "I mean, I wouldn't restrain a foreign princess, your princess at that."

"Yeah, seriously." Felice rolls her eyes, "I probably wouldn't on the principal of it, not just because she's a princess."

"Well, I've said my part. Thanks for coming." You cough, "Camille and I have some things to discuss, before we leave."

"No, no. It's fine." Noel stands up. "I'm glad to help, it was just surprising. That's all."

"Seriously." Felice opens the door, "I think you should have been a little more considerate and maybe told us the nature of what you were going to say beforehand."

"I'll keep that in mind." You lean back in your chair.

>Ask them to make sure Amaretti makes it back to her ship.
>Let them leave, you have things to talk about with Camille.
>Like-
>What do we do from here?
>Should Camille leave town?
>No, forget it, you're going to find Amaretti and try and talk with her
>Other?

>>2022896
>Ask them to make sure Amaretti makes it back to her ship.

She didn't hurt us or Camille, which is actually a bad thing, somebody's going to die, or maybe I read too much Chinese Xianxia...

Let's give our princess an escort, just in case, some distance behind her, to ensure nothing unpleasant happens to anyone, especially Amaretti herself. She feels a strongly hurt and/or broken from the bomb thing we dropped.

They were just having a pleasant conversation, as well. So she should be uncomfortable with seeing Camille, as well.

>What do we do from here?

Let's discuss with Camille what's our next step after our better-than-expected, worse-than-expected confession session.

>Place Amaretti under Suicide Watch

Feels like I'm overreacting, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. Amaretti would be under intense emotional strain, right now and won't be in her usual state of mind. Question is, I don't think anyone here would know what this is...

>>2022896
>Ask them to make sure Amaretti makes it back to her ship.
>Ask Camille how shes holding up
>What do we do from here?
>Probably best not to leave ton
>Go see Amaretti after talking with Camille

Probably shouldn't spend too much time talking with Camille. Amaretti seems like the kinda person you don't wanna leave alone with their thoughts.

>>2022896
>Ask them to make sure Amaretti makes it back to her ship.
>Let them leave, you have things to talk about with Camille.
It's hard to plan just what we're going to do until our fiance sorts things out, but we can ask Camille how she's holding up where she stands at the moment. And does she want her child to have a father in their life?

>>2022991
I'm not sure what else we could say to her right now, she needs time to decide what to do. And it's not like talking a bit to Camille is any betrayal after all the rest of it.

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"Hey, you two." You try to flag down Noel before she shuts the door, "Can you both go look after Amaretti? Just make sure she gets back to the ship, okay?"

"Yeah, but-"
"DON'T let her see you." You're sure to add some emphasis on that, "Just make sure she gets back to her ship, but keep your distance. okay?"

"Fiine." Felice sighs from outside the door. They quietly depart and leave you sitting alone with Camille.

That's good, you have some things to discuss with her.

"How are you holding up?"
"Me? I'm fine." Camille shifts nervously, "I'm just worried about what Amaretti is going to do. Isn't it kind of.. strange that she didn't do anything?"

"Not really." You lay your hands on the table, "If she's even thinking of retribution, I'm thinking she doesn't have the faintest clue of what it should be right now."

"I'd rather not discuss the worst-case option." Camille adjusts her voice."
"I understand."

"So, should I be packing to leave town?"
"No, I don't think it's come down to that." You think about the question intently, "Besides, if you leave town that might just make me look even more guilty than before."

"Then, what do we do?"

"Let's just wait and see if Amaretti gets better, or if she has any plans of her own." You try to think the best of your bride. She really isn't the kind of person that would hurt someone else out of jealously. Well, besides you. That's another case entirely, though.

"How are YOU holding up?" Camille suddenly turns the table on you. "You aren't talking about how you're feeling after having that big speech."

"I guess it hasn't sunk in, yet." You say, with a slight laugh.

"Oh, really?" Camille does that cocky head-tilt, "If that's the case, why are you holding a lit cigarette?"

You look down and realize that, she's right. Sometime in the last minute you've lit a cigarette. You're not smoking it, but are just holding it.
For some reason, that just pisses you right off. When did you light it and how long have you been holding it?

Slowly, you crumple it up in your hand and leave it in a smouldering pile on the table.

"So after that." Camille still seems worried about you, after all. "What are you going to do next?"

>I'm going to go talk with Amaretti
>I'm going to give her some space, let her work it out.
>Going to keep an eye on Amaretti, just to see what her plans are.
>I think.. I think I need to rest.
>Let's get you back to your house, and I'll think about it
>Other?

>>2025759
>Going to keep an eye on Amaretti, just to see what her plans are.
>I think.. I think I need to rest.
Maybe just sit right down here until something happens.

>>2025759
>>Going to keep an eye on Amaretti, just to see what her plans are.

>>2025759
>Going to keep an eye on Amaretti, just to see what her plans are.

>>2025759
>>I'm going to go talk with Amaretti
Leaving this alone is a bad idea.

>>2025759
>I'm going to go talk with Amaretti

I flipped Noel and Pomelo earlier and no one noticed. Let's see if I can save it.
Writing!

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"I'm going to go keep an eye on Amaretti." You sigh, "I don't know what she wants to do, but I want to be there when it happens."
"But what should I do?" Camille rests her head against the chair.

"Go home, try to get some rest." You stand up from the table. "But before I go-"

You nimbly lean over the table and catch Camille's lips in an unexpected kiss. She shivers in your grasp, but quickly melts into the embrace. You can feel her face warm up at your touch.
You part away from her mouth, and notice her trying to reel you back in. Not today, Camille. You have other business to take care of.
"Try not to get yourself beheaded, tough guy." She smiles in that way which warms your heart.
"I've never used it, anyway."

You both leave the room, and try to find someone to bring Camille back to her home. You don't want to leave her unattended right now.
"Excuse me, uh, Noel?" You flag down a brown-haired Biscotti knight.
"I'm Pomelo." She spins around to meet you, "What can I do for you, Cody?"

"Wait, you're Pomelo?" This revelation surprises you, "Then- who was in the meeting room?"
"That's Noel. She has the blue hair and I have brown hair." Pomelo seems frustrated, like this confusion happens often.

"Oh, well my mistake." You sigh, "Can you escort Camille back to her house?"
"Sure thing!" Pomelo smiles, "Leave it to me!"

You wave goodbye to the two and then turn your focus on the task at hand.

--

The airship hasn't moved, and the staff aboard seem to be fulfilling their usual duties of cleaning and maintaining Pastillage's crown flagship. So that's good; if Amaretti was pitching a fit, then you're certain it wouldn't look as relaxed.

Now is the other problem, which is sneaking aboard the ship without one of the maids noticing. They have a habit of watching out for you. Most of them have known Amaretti since she was a little girl.
So it's needless to say that many of them have a.. distaste for you? Which is funny when you consider that you're engaged to Amaretti, and that they still consider you to be a transient lover who will surely leave her soon.

Nope, you're here to prove them wrong, and you can only do that without their meddling.

Quickly, you leap over the bow of the ship and take cover behind the mast of the ship.
Slowly, you lower yourself onto Amaretti's deck, and gaze inside the window.

Inside, you can see her laying curled up on the bed. She hugs her own tail as she sobs silently.
At the very least, the pictures on the wall seem to be unaffected. She's not to the point where she's scribbling out faces on them just yet.

Well, at the very least she's past the anger stage. So, what next?

>Go in and talk to her directly
>No, wait here and see if something changes
>You just came here to make sure she wasn't doing something irrational. She needs to be alone.
>She should NOT be alone right now, but shouldn't be seeing you. Try to get the head maid to go talk to her.
>Other?

>>2026657
>Go in and talk to her directly

>>2026657
>Go in and talk to her directly

Yeah lets not wait for this to get bad.

>>2026657
>>Go in and talk to her directly

>>2026657
>Go in and talk to her directly

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Gently, you grasp the handle of the glass door and silently slide it open.

Amaretti lays curled up on her bed with her tail slung around her like a big security blanket. Her ears twitch on you entering her room. Somehow, you think she's more than aware of your sudden presence.

"Amaretti." You whisper to her. This only causes some light stirring and a light 'Mmm' from her.

"Amaretti, I've come to apologize to you in person." You continue, biting your lip. "If you don't wish to hear it, tell me now and you never have to see me again."

This prompts her to lazily roll over onto her back and reveal her modesty to you in full. She appears to have ripped off almost all of her clothes sans a modest pair of panties. Her swollen eyes peer at you in mix of uncertain despair. The pain on her face is not unlike the pain shared with you the night you took her virginity.

Amaretti lays splayed out before you, now. Her desperation manifests itself as a mix of awkward red staining her cheeks, and a dull blush adoring her body. Her tail delicately unfurls to her feet.
The look on her face tells you everything you need to know. You take a deep breath, and continue.

"I never meant to hurt you, that's the only thing in the world that I can promise." You take a seat on the bed next to her. "I don't know if I can ever describe what came over me, but that's the one thing I can say for certain."

"You didn't answer my question.." She silently whispers, "I don't want to know what your plans are or if you'll stay by me, I want to know do you still love me?"

"Of course I do. I love you as much as anything in this world." Your hand runs through her silky hair. Gently, you touch the outer skin of her ear.

"If Camille had summoned you instead, and I was the one with the baby. Would you still love me?"
"I can say with utmost certainty that I would."

Her head leans away from you, and then shields her eyes from you. Despite her compromised position, that seems to be the most important thing on her mind right now.
"All I ever wanted in life is something for my own." Her tears intrude upon her speech. "Just a small little slife of my life that I could call 'mine'. Nothing I ever owned was ever 'mine'. This airship belongs to my parents, the kingdom is my father's, and- and now-"

"Amaretti." You interrupt her thought, "You can't own a person. You should know that. I am, and always will be your hero, but I'm not your slave."

"I know that! But- At the very least I was hoping I could own some part of you."

Okay, Cody. Defuse this bomb.

>Love doesn't work that way.
>The best anyone can hope is share it
>It wasn't yours to begin with
>Marriage thinks of us as equals
>Other?

>>2030332
i have a terrible idea...

> the only person you could really own would be your kid... well, our kid, we just have to get to it...

>>2030375
Oops meant to delete the first one. Didn't sound enough like Cody. Will repost and delete.


>What you own is the part of me I gave you, what happened between us is ours. What happened with someone else can never be the same thing, because none of them are you.

>>2030379
Slight edit: use "no one else is you" at the end. Pointing out "them" just makes things a touch worse I think.

>>2030379
This seems just sappy enough to work
+1

>>2031266
I fear it is a little more sappy than you'd expect of Cody. He should probably have more trouble getting that point across.

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"What you own is the part of me that I gave you." You meet her almost-shimmering eyes. "What happened with someone else can never be the same thing, because no one else is you."

God dang it, Cody. Do you hear yourself right now?
Okay, no. You're doing this for Amaretti.

"If that's true." Amaretti shuffles nervously, "Then what's that part of you that could give to me?"

"Our kid." You smile, rubbing her scalp once more. "When I finally give it to you."

"What do you have in the meantime?"

You were waiting for her to say something along those lines.
Gently, you lean down to her eye-level, and quickly snatch her lips before she has a chance to protest.

You try to sit back up, but find yourself grabbed rather roughly by the collar.
Oh, she doesn't want you to sit back up.

Gently, you manage to sit upright with Amaretti still reeling from the kiss. She looks up at you, and manages to smile through her tears.
"That was so sappy, and awkward, and-"
"Yeah, I know." You laugh.

"You're a huge dork." She wipes the tears from her eyes, "I don't know if anyone else knows that, but you are."

"I guess you could say that's a part of me that only you own."

You smile, but Amaretti fiercely pulls at your collar, dragging you into another kiss.

"Hey." She breaks the kiss for just a second, "Just for tonight, can we just.. pretend today didn't happen?"

"I don't think that's-"

"Just for now." Amaretti places her finger to your lips, "Just for tonight, we'll think about this more in the morning. For now, I just want this. Just one more night where we're both the chaste lovers on that day we met the first time."

Well that train has left the station long before you came to this world, but-
Your thoughts are cut off by her quickly biting your lips. You suppose it's probably best this way. You never did your best thinking with your upper-head, anyway.

--

"Hahh... Hahh.."
"H-hey, I-"
"Mmmmmm."

..

"Keep going."
"But-"
"No 'buts'. Don't stop. Never stop."

--

>Cont.

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"I got this, Felice. Go check on Aligot." Your companion/rival, Noel, bosses you around like she's your superior or something.
Hmph! Who is she to give you orders?

"Hey, I think Cody told BOTH of us to-"

"It's fine, two of us following her will just tip her off. Go check on Aligot and ask what that big favor he needed from earlier was."
Noel continues down the hallway, completely ignoring you. You cross your arms and huff.
You're going to remember this one, and save the memory for the next tournament.

You are Felice Palmier! The ace knight of Gallete, and the watchful protector of princess Charlotte! -Sometimes also the watchful protector of Charlotte's ward, Louise.
Louise can take care of herself, most of the time. Sometimes she absentmindedly does things that require you to fix, but that's more of a hobby.

Today is actually your off-day, but Cody asked for your assistance in something and you were glad to oblige. Now, a part of you wishes you just stayed out of it. That's a revelation that you were not expecting, so naturally you need to go spread as many rumors as possible.

No, no, you can't do that. DEFINITELY not that kind of rumor. While you can't trust Noel to keep her mouth shut; you can trust yourself to not spread any serious allegations about an allied country and their princess/hero.
At least, you can't spread any that can be linked back to you.

But first, Aligot asked for either your presence or Noel's presence earlier. Probably for something minor, but you do owe him for helping your aunt with her work. So you'll pay him a visit real quick-like before hitting the town for sweets or something.

Speaking of which, Aligot doesn't appear to be in the library. You flag down one of the scholars working there, and find that he excused himself to visit Atlas' room.

That's right, you remember something now. Atlas hasn't quite woke up yet. You were talking to him the day after the battle, but even then he didn't seem quite 'with it'. He was up and down the first couple of days; spending most of his awake time not being too lucid. You were able to catch him when he was awake on the second day, but nothing he was saying made much sense. Since then, Atlas went down and has not come back up.

That's probably what Aligot is investigating. You're curious how Atlas is doing anyway, and Aligot would be the one to tell you.
Not that you really care, but it's good to know.

Gently, you knock on Atlas' door.

>Cont.

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"Hello?" Clearly not-Atlas calls out from inside.
"It's Felice." You adjust your voice.

"Come in, it's unlocked."

You carefully open the door, half-expecting Atlas to be naked or something. Instead, you're met with Aligot holding some kind of stone over Atlas' bare chest.

"Aligot, I believe you requested the presence of a knight earlier?" He was rather specific about it. It makes one wonder what he could be asking.

"Most certainly." Aligot stands up from Atlas' bed. "How strong have you been keeping your magical abilities?"

What?
"Uh, pretty strong. I mentored Louise not too long ago on-"
"Okay, good. Then, how strong are you physically? No disease, or weakness, or-"

"Aligot, I'm fine."

"How about mental distress? Have you been suffering from any kind of stress? Or undue pressure? Do you hear any voices when none are there?"

"Aligot, where are you going with this?" You didn't sign up to be grilled with personal questions.

"Right, right. I'm sorry." Aligot adjusts his voice, "I just want to know one thing: You can certify that you are magically active, perfectly healthy, and mentally sound, yes?"

Your eyebrows almost instinctively slant. You can feel your ears fold back slightly at the seeming insistence on verifying your mental health.
"Yes?"

"Take this crystal, real fast." Aligot holds out the same blue sphere he was holding over Atlas earlier.
"This isn't going to be some weird trick like, I turn into a frog or something, right?" You say, unamused.

"This is just a test, Felice." Aligot seems insistent on this. You're still worried that you'll turn into a frog.

Gently, you can feel a vibration across your skin as it comes close to you. He wards it over you like a strange charm, and then quickly takes it back.

"Felice, how would you like to become a summoner?" He pops a strange question nonchalantly.

The question rings in your ears, but you're not entirely sure how to interpret it.
"A summoner?"

"Yes! As in having your own hero. Just like Charlotte is Louise's summoner, you would also be one."

"Wait, hold on. So I would.. get a hero? From where? Would I have to summon them?"
"There's no need to, because the hero is already right here."

You look toward the bed, and realize that he's talking about Atlas.
He's asking you to become Atlas' summoner.

"So, what do you say?"

>WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?
>Wait! hold on! This is a big commitment, right?
>This is basically like getting married!
>W-why can't you do it?
>..Okay.. Why does he need one?
>Tell me more about it
>Other?

>>2033686
>Wait! hold on! This is a big commitment, right?
>This is basically like getting married!
>W-why can't you do it?

Letting cat land get two heroes seems like a terrible idea

>>2033686
>Wait! hold on! This is a big commitment, right?
>This is basically like getting married!
>Don't summoners have to sleep with them?!?
>W-why can't you do it?

>>2033686
>WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?
>Wait! hold on! This is a big commitment, right?
>This is basically like getting married!
>W-why can't you do it?
>WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?

>>2033686
>>2033753
Also
>I don't even know this guy!

Personally I wanted Madeline to hook up with him, summoner wise. Not really representing any of the other kingdoms would be a plus.

>>2033686
>Wait! hold on! This is a big commitment, right?
>W-why can't you do it?
>This is basically like getting married!
>I barely even know him!
>>Get a good look at Atlas and ponder.

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"W-"
The words escape your mouth, almost involuntarily.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

"I expected that, really." Aligot sighs. "I guess straight-up asking is a bit of a shock."

"Wait! Hold on, this is a big commitment, right?!" You wave your hands, "This isn't like.. getting knighted or getting a new job. Isn't this pretty much the same as getting married? He's going to live with me the rest of my life! Isn't he going to outlive me by like a thousand years?"
"No, no, Felice. You misunderstand. Summoners can live just as long as their heroes. It depends on the link, really. If you slept with him every night, your link might be strong enough to extend your life."

You feel your ears fold back, and realize that he may have missed your point entirely.
Wait-
"SLEPT with him?!"
"Well, yeah. How do you think Heroes recharge?"

Your ears continue to fold back as well as the cold sweat forming on your brow. First he asks you to marry him, and now he asks for you to sleep with him every night?! What kind of implication does this have for the heroes that YOU know? How exactly is Louise recharging with Charlotte? Your princess would never-
"OH! No, no, no. I don't mean like that." Aligot's face burns red at the realization of what he is saying, "I mean just sleeping near them. No.. physical contact needed."

"If there's no physical contact needed, then why don't you do it?" You cross your arms, "You seem more than happy to volunteer other people, but aren't doing it yourself."

"It's not that easy." Aligot sighs. "I'm not compatible, and also someone has to perform the ritual anyway."
"So why me?" You frown.

"Well, I heard from Alicot that you and Atlas had reserved a roo-"
"That was a misunderstanding!" You feel a red blush run across your face. "He's a weirdo that sleeps in the woods. Me and him did NOTHING together!"

"Well, great. Could you help me find the next person on my list?"
"Why, are you gonna marry them off, too?" You frown.

"Felice, you don't understand."
"I think you're playing matchmaker with your new friend, that's what I'm understanding."

"Felice, if Atlas doesn't get a summoner soon, he will die."

Your tail falls flat.
"What?"
"Atlas has lost so much of his power that he can't recharge it on his own. He needs a summoner, and fast." Aligot states without a hint of sarcasm.

You glance over at Atlas, and think about what he just said. You're not sure about being his summoner, but you don't want him to die, either.
"..Who did you have in mind?"
"Next on my list is..." He takes a glance at his notebook, "Alicot, Madeleine, Bennet, Noel, your aunt, and maybe Atsuko. Antonin and Odelle are right out."

>..Alicot? You're okay with your sister, right?
>Madeleine, they both have the same mix of scary and crazy.
>Bennet, Weird guys stick together
>Noel, she needs payback after earlier.
>Auntie, she needs something besides books
>Atsuko. That would be hilarious!
>..Reconsider the proposal.
>Other?

>>2034283
>..Reconsider the proposal.

>>2034283
>>Atsuko. That would be hilarious!

And fitting, I wanted him to go into the "Teach current and future heroes about demons and history" role anyways.

>>2034283
>Atsuko. That would be hilarious!

The ultimate demon hunting duo!

>>2034283
>Atsuko. That would be hilarious!
But more seriously, she's a nice girl but more importantly her little sister is a summoner, and if one of them are getting an extremely long life then they both should.

Weird, the Madeleine-summoner crowd appears to have evaporated.

>>2036581
That was just me bringing it up a couple times, and I decided I like this idea more.

>>2034283
>>Atsuko. That would be hilarious!

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"Well, I was thinking Madeleine." Aligot sighs, "Not sure where she is, she was seen earlier apparently wearing some strange outfit."

"Right, right. Madeleine is.. indisposed right now." You smirk, you like staying on top of things and that juicy rumor definitely didn't escape your superhuman hearing.
"Busy?" Aligot misses the innuendo completely.

"She's treating Jack's wounds." You

"Hey, how about Atsuko?" You feel a devious smile creeping across your face. "I think she needs someone of her own."
"I dunno. I'm not sure Atsuko would be a good fit for him." He thinks about the proposal for a minute.

"Well, she already thought Jack was her hero. So clearly she must be open to the idea."

That seems to be enough to convince Aligot; his tail wags slowly.
"Okay, that's good enough for me. Go get her."
"Right!"

Oh man this is going to be hilarious. Even better if you can keep the surprise from her as long as possible.
Someone as shy and nerdy as Atsuko would probably suffer a breakdown at the very implication of sleeping with someone. So the thought that she might have to do it every day would likely draw so much blood to her head as to create a fountain of blood from her nose. The freakout is gonna be so good!

--

You catch up with Atsuko just outside the castle. She was about to go out to town to finish shopping with Keiko, but came back to get something.

Which is what her story is, but the truth is she wanted to come back to spy on Cody's little meeting of which Keiko had absolutley squealed about.

This also means that you get to enjoy her reaction at learning about TWO things that will offend her senses! Lucky!

"Morning Atsuko!" You try to keep your mouth straight, but it's really hard! "Sleep well?"

"I slept okay. I haven't been back to the shrine in a few days, and I miss my bed." Atsuko has a strange aura of honesty about that statement. "What about you? Need something?"

"Oh, well, me? I just heard-"
No, no! You want the surprise to be compounded. No need showing your whole hand at once.

So, how is the best way to get Atsuko to go along with Aligot's plan? As well as maybe tease her a bit for later.

>-I just heard that Aligot has a new experiment planned and is willing to pay anyone in silver who will help.
>-That Cody is going to be a father!
>-heard Madeleine and Tuile in Jack's room
>-Wanna go peek?
>-That Aligot needs your help. He needs you right away.
>Other?

>>2039066
>-heard Madeleine and Tuile in Jack's room
>-Wanna go peek?
>Also Aligot wants you for an experiment, says he'll pay you for your 'services'
>But PEEKING!

>>2039066
>-heard Madeleine and Tuile in Jack's room
>-Wanna go peek?
>Also Aligot needs help with something very important and there will be compensation.
Just let her think there will be money, but of course it ends up being nigh-immortality which is also nice.

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"Oh, well, me?" You feel your smile curl upward. "I was just in the castle and heard an interesting sound coming from Jack's room."

Atsuko's ears perk up slightly at the mention.
"What.. kind of sound?" She sounds suddenly curious.

"Well, I'm not one to speak but I believe I saw a certain snakedoctor go to his room earlier." You say, slyly. "And those awful sounds have been coming from his room ever since."

Atsuko's face has turned red, but her ears are still perked up.
"..Really?"
"Oh yeah! That's what I forgot to tell you!" Keiko pipes up like she just remembered the most important thing in the world. "Earlier, when I was going to find Louise; I saw Tuile going in there, too!"

"You saw.." Atsuko's face is beet-red right now. "What?"
"Yeah!" Keiko seems proud of her discovery, "She was wearing this really high-cut skirt, and said she had to see Jack to use healing magic on him. That's why I'm here, really. She told me to go away."

You smile maniacally, "Hey Atsuko, want to go check in on the 'healing magic'?"

Her tail freezes in place.
"W-what?!"
"You heard me. Just to make sure they're 'doing it right'."

"Wait, Felice, hold on. I'm not some kind of pervert." She crosses her arms, "I don't know what you think is 'fun', but spying on people trying to be intimate is not-"

"Oh, so you're like gonna make sure their forms are right and stuff?" Keiko clearly doesn't understand, but it's best this way.
"That's right!" You clap your hands together, and smile at Keiko. "Why don't you head to town and help Atsuko do some of the shopping? I heard Louise has a date soon, so you don't want to be late for that!"

"Okay!" Keiko happily claps, and then turns around and leave the two of you.

Atsuko's face is still red, but she's still standing here. She would have excused herself by now if she wasn't interested.
"Come on." You smirk, "Just a quick look won't hurt."

--

"Oh my god." Atsuko's eyes widen as she stares through the keyhole. "I-Is this what Jack has been doing when he stays at the castl-"
"You bet." You stand on lookout around the corner. "I'm amazed it took you this long to figure out."

"I sort of knew with Tuile but-" Atsuko moves away from the door so her voice doesn't travel too far, "both of them at the same time?"

You're not going to lie, this entire thing is hilarious.
But- you have actual work to do.

"Hey Atsuko."
"mm?" She seems pretty fixated.

"Aligot wants you for something pretty important."

"Pass." Atusko doesn't think about it for even a second, "If he's involved it's probably to be a guinea pig in some weird experiment."

"He DID mention compensation."
"Compensation.." Atsuko lets those words hang on her tongue, "You mean like.. a reward? That's not like him."

"It's reaaaaally important."

Atsuko sighs and stands up.
"Fine. At the very least I'll get something I can take home for later." She sighs.

You want to keep your tail from twitching uncontrollably, but you can't.

>Cont.

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Knock, knock.

"Come in." Not-Atlas states from behind the door.

"Hey, isn't this Atlas' room?" Atsuko is starting to suspect something, "Why is Aligot here?"
"I think it's best to let him explain." You wink to her, and you can feel your tail swish excitedly in the air.

The door creeks open, and Aligot is busy taking Atlas' pulse.
"Oh good." Aligot stands to his feet. "Atsuko, how have you been feeling?"

"I'm fine, what's up? What did you need me for?"

"No sickness, no-" Aligot tries the same probing questions he asked you earlier.
"Oh stop it." She crosses her arms. "Just say what you want."

"Very well." Aligot picks up the same stone he held toward you, and holds it toward Atsuko all the same.
Gently, the stone glows.

"Atsuko, how would you like to have a hero of your own?"

Atsuko freezes, her tail goes limp.
"-Of my own? What?" Atsuko states with a kind of confusion.

"I need a summoner for Atlas, and soon." Aligot skips the routine he played with you, and cuts straight to the point. "If I don't get one, then he could perish."

Atsuko blinks, and then turns to the shirtless hulk of a bedridden man.
"Yeah, but-" She tries to think of an excuse to not go through with it. "This is kind of sudden, can I-"

"We have until sundown." Aligot doesn't bother sugarcoating it. "If you won't do it, I'll find someone who will."

"Wait!" Atsuko stops Aligot from continuing, "I just, I don't know. I- I don't even know this guy. I've talked to him maybe once. Up until last week he was that crazy guy who lived in the woods who wanted to kill Jack. Now you want me to be his summoner?"


>C'mon Atsuko.
>Who DOESN'T want to kill Jack?
>You wanted a hero of your own, right?
>Now is your chance.
>Other?

>>2042698
>I'm pretty sure him and Jack are buddy buddy now or something
>You wanted a hero of your own, right?
>Might make a certain other hero jealous

Deleted old post to re-phrase things

>>2042698
>You wanted a hero of your own, right?
>Now is your chance.
>You can be a demon hunting team!
>Also explain the longevity effect, and how her sister will live a long time because of it, and she can do so with her.
>C'mon Atsuko.

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"I'm pretty sure him and JAck are buddy-buddy now or something."

"I don't know.." Atsuko still doesn't seem very convinced.

"Think of it this way, you wanted a hero of your own, right?"
"Yeah, but-" She tries to think of more reasons why this would never work, "Are you sure I'm good enough to be a summoner?"

What?
"Of course you are! Why wouldn't you be?" You're almost starting to feel annoyed.
"The stone says you're compatible, so you're perfectly able to do it." Aligot chimes in.

"I'm not asking if it's possible, I'm asking if I'm good enough Atlas' summoner of all things."

"Then be one!" She's really starting to get on your nerves. "Why is this such a problem for you? You can be a demon-hunting team!"

"I don't know, I don't kn- I just don't." Atsuko sighs, you can tell this is really putting a toll on her.
Let's try a different angle.

"Think of it this way, Atsuko. Your hero will be reaaaaally strong. Might make a certain someone else jealous." You wink at her.
"I don't want jealously. I'm just not sure-"

"What about Keiko?" You shift the conversation a little, "She has Jack. That means she's going to live a very long life. Don't you want that, too? To be basically immortal with your little sister?"
"Keiko is my cousin, and isn't eight hundred or a thousand years enough?" Her ear twitches.

"Yeah, but you could live like, two or three thousand. With your hero."
"Again, I don't know."

"C'mon Atsuko. Think of it this way, you'll never have to be alone again. Jack may come and go, but Atlas will always be by your side."

Atsuko stares at the floor, and sighs heavily.
"Okay." She states, simply.

"Okay?" Aligot asks a second time, "That doesn't seem very confident."

"That's the best you're going to get, so you'll take it or leave it." Atsuko crosses her arms. "Where do we start?"
"Read this spell." Aligot hands Atsuko a scroll. "Just like Keiko did with Jack."

Atsuko takes the parchment and then turns toward Atlas. She glances at him a second time, and then sighs heavily. With a deep breath, she starts chanting the words written within.
Her hands, her hair, and even her body start to glow a very brilliant blue color.

"Catch her." Aligot gives you an instruction that leaves you confused for a moment.
Slowly, you start to notice Atsuko pitching over to one side. You grasp her just before she completely loses her balance and falls to the floor.

"Oh, also. Put these on her-" Aligot throws some kind of fabric coveralls at you, and then nimbly steps out the door. "And tell me when it's safe."
Wait, 'safe'?

There's a burst of light that blinds you momentarily. Atsuko trembles in your hand for but a moment.
Suddenly, her clothes explode off of her in a burst of fabric!

"What?!" You shout to no-one. "How did-"

"Just put the pajamas on her." Aligot states from the other side of the door. "I'll get something for her to sleep on."

>Cont.

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Today you learned that it is way harder to dress someone if they're unconscious. Doubly so if you're trying to dress them in boy's clothes.
You finish buttoning up Atsuko's top. The tight-fitting pajamas thankfully fit over her modest chest. Not that you would say that to Atsuko's face.

Huh, that's strange. You didn't notice it before with how well-lit the room is, but she almost seems to be glowing. You shade out a part of her face with her hand, and notice her skin radiating light.
Weird, do priestesses just do that?

"Are we done?" Aligot is back on the other side of the door again.

"She's dressed." You suddenly realize that you missed an opportunity to mess with Aligot by not dressing her, but you can try something like that later.

Aligot comes in with a folded bedroll. He lays it down on the floor, and you scoop Atsuko into it.

"Thanks Felice." Aligot wipes his brow, "In a few days time, Atlas will start to sit up, and maybe even eat solid foods again."
"That's great, but what about Atsuko?"

"The ritual took away almost all of her spiritual energy." Aligot holds the same stone over her, "She's a lot stronger than she thinks to not have puffballed when it happened. Probably because of the priestesses in her bloodline. She'll be sleeping for a few days."

Suddenly, you remember something.
"What about Keiko?"

"Huh?" Aligot blinks, "What about her?"

"Atsuko was supposed to be watching her. So now, what does she do?"

Aligot thinks about this for a few seconds, and then replies aptly.
"I don't know."

>Volunteer to watch Keiko for a few days while she's staying at the castle
>Tell someone else to do it
>Well, that's not my problem
>Break the news to Keiko yourself
>Let Keiko figure out what's going on when she goes looking for Atsuko.
>Other?

>>2045292
>Volunteer to watch Keiko for a few days while she's staying at the castle
It is our fault, more or less.

>>2045292
>Volunteer to watch Keiko for a few days while she's staying at the castle

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"In that case; I'll go watch Keiko." You accept your fate.
"Great, in that case, you better go find her. Jack is going to be"

"'Tired'." You say with a playful cadence in your voice.
Aligot adjusts his voice, "Yes, tired."

You laugh, and leave the new summoner to her hero. That was pretty impressive to watch, even though it had such a negative effect.

Maybe you would have liked being Atlas' summoner, but right now it's just not for you. You have other things on your mind, and you have other battles you don't think Atlas would be interested in.

Furthermore, having Atlas as your hero would make you the third most important person in Gallete behind Louise and Charlotte. You don't think that's something you want to drag your kingdom into without at least consulting Charlotte first.
Just as well, you hate the limelight.

Atlas is kind of cute, though. In that 'big' kind of way.

You mull these thoughts over while idly looking for Keiko. Last you checked, she was getting ready to attend- No, spy on Louise's date. So you think that would be a good place to try and find her, around Louise's room.

Sure enough, there's Keiko leaning against the door to Louise's room. You quietly approach her.

"Hey Keiko."
"Oh, hey Felice." Keiko seems bored, "Are you here to escort Louise on her date?"

Ooohhh, you didn't even THINK of that one!

"Why yes, yes I am." You give a great big smile.

"Oh! Thank you!"
"Only,-" You give a small warning to Keiko, "Real important that Louise doesn't know, because she wasn't want an adult tagging along on her date. Promise you won't tell?"

"I promise." Keiko nods.
"Good! Oh, also, Atsuko is going to be staying at the castle for the next few days. She's really sleepy."

"Sleepy?" Keiko blinks.

"Oh yes." You smile, "She has a new burden to shoulder."

"What do you mean?"

"She has a hero, now." You try to think of the best way to break this news.

Keiko's mouth drops, and her tail starts wagging.
"Atsuko got her wish?!"

"Her what?" Your ear twitches. If this was her wish, why did she seem so uneasy about it?

"ATSUKO HAS A HERO!" Keiko immediately hugs you. Her tail whishes behind her with a joyful glee.

Gently, you pat her head. She looks up to meet your face with a wide smile.
"Who's her hero?!"
"Atlas." You smile back.

Her tail quits wagging.
"Oh.."

What? What's with that reaction?

>Thread End

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So, I am thinking we will have another one or two epilogue threads. Let me think about it. There are more loose ends to cover than I anticipated.

Either ways, see you tomorrow.

Let me know what you thought of the thread!

>>2047830
Huh. Atsuko was still pining for Jack?

That's... a shame.

>>2048089
That wasn't my take on it. Maybe Keiko just doesn't like Atlas?

>>2048089
I'm going to leave that up to your interpretation

>>2048481
Keiko thinks of Atlas as being very scary. She has little familiarity with him other than the fact he's tall and huge.
She'll come around, eventually.

Everyone, new thread postponed for a day. We'll pick up with a new familiar face tomorrow!