>>2258404
>>Asking the Queen about her song
>Ask if we could hear her sing again sometime.

>>2258413
Seconding

>writing

"Alright, so there's something I forgot to ask about" You say. "What was that song you were singing during the tournament?"

"Ahh... yes. That was meant for Caiah, but I suppose it had an effect on you as well" She says.

"That raises further questions, but I'll stick with the first for now" You say.

"It is my song, from before I was transformed" She says. "It sounded better and carried further when my lungs were larger, but it is still a beautiful tune, is it not?"

"I'll say" You say. "Did you know it effects pure demons like that?"
"I did" Lyvia replies. "But I was not aware that you were a pure demon at that time"

"How did you know it affected pure demons?" You ask.
"I used it many times during the war against the black god" She says. "At times, they were able to use their power on their own. But other times they needed a push"

"A push that requires a massive ice leviathan to stop fighting and sing?" Pip asks.
"I was powerful, yes. But wholly incapable of the feats pure demons could perform with their eyes open" Lyvia says. "I could obliterate the armies of Rashkan just as fast as it could bring them to bear, but I could never break the stalemate. A pure demon could always find a way to bring the master of death down if their eyes were open"

... that also raises further questions.

>How did you know Caiah was here?

>Who is Rashkan?

>How many pure demons were there?

>Other

>>2258527
>>Who is Rashkan?

>>How many pure demons were there?

>>2258527
>How did you know Caiah was here?
>Is my being a pure demon part of why you were so interested in an... alliance?

>writing

"Who is Rashkan?" You ask.
"Ah, apologies. Rashkan was-... is the Deviant Soul of Life" Lyvia says. "He would come after every battle and resurrect the dead from both sides, forcing the living to fight once more"

"Jeez... glad there's nobody like that in the Legion" Pip says. "Fightin' them's hard enough when the worst they can do is suck your mana out..."

"The Deviant souls were all dangerous foes, made worse by the fact that they could not truly be killed while their master endured, and we had no way of killed the Black God" Lyvia says.

"Armies of the entire world united, and you still couldn't bring it down?" Cheska says.
"The pure demons were the only ones who could approach it without perishing" Lyvia says. "And powerful as they were, they were not enough"

"How many of them were there?" You ask.
"Just the two you know of" Lyvia says.

"From the stories" Hella says.

"Even with the special eyes deal, they still couldn't take it down?" Pip asks.
"You are vastly underestimating the size and power of this creature" Lyvia states. "I was very large back then, and the Black God dwarfed even me. Its harbingers could have destroyed us on their own, had we not banded against them. Our final course of action may seem drastic now, but that is only because you have not experienced the hopelessness that the Black God brought to our world"

>Ask about the other Harbingers

>Maybe we should talk about something less depressing...

>How big was it?

>Other

>>2258611
>>Ask about the other Harbingers

>>2258611
>>Ask about the other Harbingers

>writing

>>2258611
>My Queen will you be my daughter :3

"Who were the other Harbingers?" You ask.

"You know Rashkan, you've met Raligos..." Lyvia says. "I don't know all of them, unfortunately, as there were several that I did not encounter. But I know Lasrim, the Deviant Soul of Form, as I was meant to be the one who sealed it"

"So Lasrim is sealed in the pools on Ebiha Isle?" You ask.
"Correct" Lyvia replies. "There is also Erring, the Deviant Soul of Control, who was sealed on an island to the west of here"

"Where was Rashkan sealed?" You ask.
"To the south, in the darkest pit we could find" Lyvia says.

You pull out your map, and sure enough that makes up the 4 Deviant Souls who were sealed on this side of the world...

"What about the others?" You ask.
"Those ones I know little to nothing about" She says. "Lasrim was the last one to be sealed on this side of the world, so I was frozen after that point"

"I see..." You say. "This info still helps. Especially considering there's nothing written anywhere about the Deviant Souls"

"There isn't?" Lyvia asks. "There should have been vast records of each of them. I had them commissioned myself"
"There's nothing I can find" You say.

Lyvia scowls and turns to her handmaidens. "Send a sprite to the archivists. I must verify these claims" Lyvia says.
"At once" Gilna says, as she heads off.

"If there is truly nothing left of my records, then something malicious is at work" She says. "But that can wait until we hear back"

>Anything else you guys want to ask?

>>2258719
>There appear to be special types of girls like yourself, the nine tails, and unicorns, though so far as I know you're the only one who used to be other than a human. Do you know where these special types come from and is it important?

>writing

>>2258735
>another ninetails
OH BOY MORE FLUFFY TAILS TO TOUCH

>>2258775
You know we kissed and almost fucked namaki right?

>>2258775
I'm not aware of another one until she gets her successor. But we know there's one leviathan, one nine tails, and one unicorn at least. Of course the more rare they are the more likely they are to be important.

I'd kind of wonder if some of these others sealing the deviant souls were unusual animals. Maybe they get reincarnated or something. (Maybe we need to collect all the aberrant fluffy tails to defeat the black god forever)

>>2258779
yes and?

"Do you think there were others like yourself?" You ask. "Powerful mons-... err... beings who were turned into humans during the split?"

"Very few, and none as powerful as me" She says. "And of course, none would be surviving to this day. Why do you ask?"
"Because there are others who are sort of like you" You say. "Unique people with powers beyond what the average mage can muster"

"Talkin' about Namaki?" Cheska asks.

You nod.

"Who is this Namaki?" She asks.
"A fox lady with nine tails" Cheska replies. "She can make illusions and kinda sorta see the future"

"That does ring a bell... but as I said, there'd be no way for them to survive this long in human form" Lyvia says.

"I know that, but then Namaki is like... 350 years old, and her predecessor was pretty old too" You say.
"Predecessor?" Lyvia asks.
"Yeah. Apparently, the nine tails is a thing that passes down" You say. "Once the new one grows her ninth tail, the previous one passes on"

"Interesting..." Lyvia says. "Perhaps... Vyula was always clever..."
"What?" You ask.
"Nothing. I shall have to meet this woman at some point to see for myself" She says.

>Well she is kinda reclusive...

>Ask Cheska about her wish

>Other

>>2258719
What do you know about the flesh weapons?

>>2258819
>Ask Cheska about her wish

>>2258819
>Well she is kinda reclusive... but I was going to visit her once the current excitement is over so she knows she can come out again. You could come.

And then:
>Ask Cheska about her wish.

She talked to Caiah about Terry I presume, I'm a also interested in what she thinks of him

>>2258819
>>Well she is kinda reclusive...
>>Ask Cheska about her wish
it sort of diverts the conversation though

>writing

>>2258837
It kind of does, but I feel like we need to bring at least Namaki into this to progress the topic, and we've successfully planted the idea in the queen's head. I think getting them to meet is something we definitely need to have happen. Between the two of them, they can probably generate a lot of information that they can't independently by combining Lyvia's ancient era knowledge and Namaki's 350 years of recent experience and divination knowledge. I think it would be worthwhile as soon as reasonably practical without screwing the war up.

We should send Namaki a letter about stopping eternal winter and remarking on this factoid.

>>2258856
Also the yeti and her axe.

"Well, she is kinda reclusive" You say. "Her and all the previous Kitsune have stuck to Otuna as its protector, but she did say she'd be willing to leave if we could fix the continent"

"Fix the continent?" Lyvia asks.

"Yeah" You say. "That basically meant getting 4 things to happen: Lubars had to get it together, The North had to not blanket the world in endless winter, the South would have to stop raiding, and the legion would need to be taken care of"

"We're... actually making progress on that" Pip says. "It's weird thinking that someday the continent might be 'fixed'"

"Would it really be so strange to actually have peace?" Hella asks.
"Strange? No... I'd be out of a job though... and on that note-" Pip says, as she pokes Cheska's arm. "-you've still got a wish, you know"

"I know... I'm just trying to figure out what I actually want..." Cheska says.
"More wishes?" You ask.

"You can't wish for more wishes" Cheska says. "That would be ridiculous"
"H-haha, yeah. That would be ridiculous" Lyvia says nervously.

...

>Try asking for some clarification on what Lyvia told you

>Try asking for more wishes

>Endless candy would be kinda cool...

>Other

>>2258882
>>Try asking for some clarification on what Lyvia told you

>>2258882
>Try asking if she would be willing to be our little sister

>>2258882
>Try asking for some clarification on what Lyvia told you

>writing

"Well for starters you could always ask for clarification on what she told you earlier" You say. "You did kinda rush out without another word after that..."

"Alright, fine... seems like a waste of a wish though..." She says.
"I didn't say wish for it, just ask" You say.
"Oh... yeah. That does sound like a better plan" Cheska says, as she turns to Lyvia. "So, hey... about what you said before. The whole 'the power came from within you' thing... what did you mean by that?"

"I meant what I said" Lyvia states. "It may be the Black God's blight upon this world that allows people to become demons, but it is up to the people to give up their humanity"

"So how do I reverse it?" Cheska asks.
"You must want it" Lyvia says.

Cheska frowns. "I do want it" She says.

"Not just the removal of your sin, but the strength it has given you" Lyvia says. "Only by truly denying what you are, can you become what you want to be. It took a grave, sinful act to make you, and only a truly virtuous act can repent for it"

'So you're saying... go... uhh... ugh" Cheska says. "I hate riddles. I really do. Could you maybe clarify that for me?"

"Apologies, but this was how it was all worded to me by the one who told me all this" Lyvia says.
"Who was that?" You ask.
"Echidna, the first demon, and the only other demon I know who reversed her affliction" Lyvia says.

"Why does that name sound familiar..." Cheska says.

>Maybe you read about her somewhere

>Tell us more about her

>Other

Also

>Feel free to add your own interpretation of the riddle

>>2258914
>so you say i want to be a little girl and push my willpower with it will i became a little girl?

No please dont make Yuu say this...

>>2258914
>Removing the strength would mean removing the demon heart wouldn't it?
>Did Echida become a complete human afterwards, as if she'd never been transformed, or was she changed?

>writing

"Did Echidna become a complete human afterwards, or had she changed?" You ask.
"Echidna was a bit of an oddity" Lyvia says. "She was a hybrid even before the split, and becoming human again only accentuated her animal features"

Cheska furrows her brow. "What kind of lady was she?" She asks.
"I believe she was reptilian in nature, though the only defining feature that showed was a long, thin tail" Lyvia says.

"... the fuck?" Cheska asks.
"Ring a bell?" You ask.

"Echidna was the demon we faced in the semis" Cheska says. "The one that's... well, she's probably long gone by now... but that's her: reptilian with a long thin tail"

"I think I'd know if a warrior from long ago was fighting in my tournament" Lyvia says. "Besides, Echidna gave her soul to seal Rashkan"

"Alright, nevermind. It's probably just a coincidence" Cheska says. "We're getting sidetracked from the point"

"The riddle?" You ask. "It could just mean that you've gotta go save some lives"
"I've saved plenty of lives" Cheska says.
"How many?" You ask.

"Well there's yours..." She says. "and uhh..."
"At what risk to yourself were these lies saved?" Lyvia asks.

"Well... none, I guess" Cheska says.

"Then it is not enough" Lyvia says.
"So what... I've gotta put myself in danger?" Cheska asks.

"Just follow Yuuster's lead. He's an expert at putting himself in harm's way to save other people" Pip says.

Cheska sighs. "I'll keep working on this... there's gotta be some way to figure this out" She says. "In the meantime, I'll wish for... I dunno... world peace or something"

"I do not believe it is within my power to maintain such a thing" Lyvia says.

"Give it your best shot then" Cheska says. "If I can't figure out how to be human again, then at least somebody gets to be happy..."

>1/2

>>2258946
>Psst cheska im your conscience please wish for Yuu i mean he is there right now

After that, everyone went on to do their own thing. Lyvia was all too happy to go back to hanging out with Gabriella, Pip went to write up some reports to send back to the Commander, Hella decided to give the handmaidens some much needed cooking tips, and you stuck with Cheska for a bit...

"You sure you're okay?" You ask.
"I'm... good. Probably" She says. "Everybody seems to think I can figure this thing out, so I guess you all see something in me that I don't"

You ruffle Cheska's hair. "You can figure it out" You say. "I'll be there to help you out every step of the way, if you plan on sticking around"

Cheska sighs. "I guess it wouldn't be so bad" She says. "I'm sure Fran would feel a lot better if she knew I was with you, instead of being off on my own"
"She might worry more if you were with me, but that's because she knows me too well" You say.

Cheska smiles. "But what danger could I ever be in with big, strong Mr. Cutie around?" She asks, as she pinches your cheeks and laughs. "Ow! Just what-"

You both look down and see Munchkin tanding beside her.

"No pinch!" Munchkin says.

"Oh yeah?" Cheska asks, as she pinches your cheek again.

This prompts a battlecry from Munchkin, who proceeds to chase Cheska around the room, as the devil laughs uproariously.

"Alright, the report's ready to send off. It just needs tomorrow's happenings and- just what in the..." Pip says. "You know what, nevermind. Come on and read this over so I know I've got everything right"

That's all for tonight!

Still trying to find a way to work around my work schedule. I may try doing a few mini, 2-3 post runs close to the end of the night this weekend.

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

>>2258968
Munchkin is the hero we deserve

>>2258968
What if we end up waifuing Namaki...the non spoiler way

>Inb4 you can touch fluffy tail forever

After checking over what Pip's got written, you head back to the others. Despite the fact that Cheska is now sitting quietly, Munchkin is still running around the room.

"She's still going?" You ask.
"Yeah..." Hella replies.
"Is this standard behavior for the small humans?" Lyvia asks.
"Not for everyone, but she's just got a lot of energy to burn right now" Hella says.

Lyvia tracks the little bunny as she bounds around the room.

She's awfully quick for a toddler, taking long, bounding steps instead of the little stompy ones most kids use.

You can kind of understand how she managed to evade an entire guildhall worth of hunters while trying to drink syrup now...

"J-just try not to break anything sweetie" Hella says.

...

She is 100% going to break something at this rate...

>Let her be

>Go catch her

>Offer ice cream

>Other

>>2272639
>Suggest the queen make ice cream for her with magic.

>Go catch her

>writing

"Alright you..." You say, reaching down to scoop up the Munchkin as she darts past.

Not only do you not get her, but she bounds straight over your arms and keeps going undeterred.

...

You look over to see Hella stifling her laughter, and you take a breath. Then you remove your cloak and your hat, and begin the chase.

She has the advantage of being much, much lighter than you. But that shouldn't amount to much.

You chase her around the room, gaining on her quickly. As you get close enough to grab her, she darts behind the couch.

That's fine, you can still get her...

When you get behind the couch after her, you see that she's turned around and is leaping towards you.

Pretty sneaky, Munchkin...

>Roll 1d100

Rolled 5 (1d100)

>>2272701

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>2272701

>writing

You get your hands up too slowly, and Munchkin not only bounds off of your face, but hops down your back and continues running behind you as you fall flat on your face.

You stay there until Hella peers over the couch. "Y-you doin' okay?" She asks.
"I'm good. Just kinda pondering my life choices..." You say, as you stand back up.

"Uh-oh. Looks like Yuuster's been defeated" Pip says. "Does his wish go to Munchkin now?"

"I do not think that's how it works" Lyvia says.

"She'd probably just wish for ice cream anyway..." Hella says.

Munchkin makes a beeline for Hella, coming to a dead stop in front of her, placing her head on her knees and looking up. "Ice cweem?" Munchkin asks.

...

"What is ice cream?" Lyvia asks.

>Delicious

>All of this ice, and you've never had the cream version?

>It's food

>Other

>>2272767
>>All of this ice, and you've never had the cream version?

>>2272767
>All of this ice, and you've never had the cream version?

>>2272767
>All of this ice, and you've never had the cream version?
>we really shouldn't be giving munchkin any at this point though, she'll either go Super Munchkin and we'll never catch her, or crash hard...

>>2272767
>>Delicious

>>All of this ice, and you've never had the cream version?

>writing

"All of this ice and you've never had the cream version?" You ask. "What have your handmaidens been feeding you?"

"Food...?" Lyvia asks. "Is this something I should be eating regularly?"

"Yuu is just exaggerating" Hella says. "It is very good, though. If you like sweet stuff"

"I am uncertain..." Lyvia says. "Brisella. Would it be possible for you to procure this... ice cream for me?"
"I believe so, your majesty" Brisella replies.

"Excellent" Lyvia says. "Bring me the finest ice cream you can find"

"As you wish" Brisella says, as she bows and makes her exit. The look on her face says that this isn't the first time this has happened...

Munchkin looks around. "Ice cweem?" She asks.
"Yes" You say, as you sit down beside Hella. "But only if you sit still until the nice lady comes back"

Munchkin nods, climbing up onto the couch next to you and sitting down, looking determined.
"See? Bribery works much better than force" Hella says.

>I feel like this is breaking some kinda parenting rule...

>How come we don't have to bribe Gabby?

>How is she so fast anyway?

>Other

>>2272813
>>I feel like this is breaking some kinda parenting rule...

>writing

"I feel like this breaks some kind of parenting rule..." You say.

"We're not her parents. We're her cools cousins and... uhh... Honks" Hella says. "We're allowed to break the rules a bit"

Munchkin starts babbling something. You catch the word Honk and maybe ice cream... but that's about it.

"You said it, kiddo" You say, ruffling her hair as you turn to Lyvia. "How long ago did you come out of the ice, anyway?"

"Not long" She replies. "A few months, at least. Maybe a year..."

"That's not long at all" Pip says. "Have you been in this palace the whole time?"

"Not the whole time" She replies. "But there are few people who can guard me if I go flying, so I am grounded for the most part..."

"Can't you just... fly anyway?" Pip asks.
"It is not safe..." Lyvia replies.

...

>You're the most powerful ice mage ever

>You should meet my mom

>Why not find some flying guards?

>Other

>>2272832
>>You're the most powerful ice mage ever

>>You should meet my mom

>>2272832
>>You should meet my mom
>>And my apprentice

>writing

"You're the most powerful ice mage ever" You say.

"But my wings are not as powerful as they once were..." Lyvia replies

"You should meet my mom" You say.
"Definitely" Pip says. "I think you need a human role model, and there's no one better than the Commander"

Lyvia looks lost.

"Commander Altea of the Lubrian army" Her handmaiden says.
"Ah, yes... I have heard tales of this Commander Altea" Lyvia says.

"Nothing good, I imagine... given the locale" Pip says.

"I have heard that she is cruel, warmongering, and greedy" Lyvia says.

"What? That's not true at all" You say.
"Well... not all true" Pip says. "She cracks the whip a little hard sometimes, and she does like a good war every now and then. But otherwise, she's a good role model"

"She... likes war?" Lyvia asks.
"Not in general... it's more that she likes pitting her tactical prowess against the enemy's" Pip says. "It's also why she hasn't been able to wrap her head around the Legion yet... there's no real tactic there. Just raids and brute force"

>... you guys don't have chess or anything?

>She has a lot of good qualities too...

>How much trouble would you be in if she heard you say this?

>Other

>>2272853
>>... you guys don't have chess or anything?

>>2272853
>She has a lot of good qualities too...

>writing

"Does she have no other way to test her tactical prowess?" You ask. "You guys don't have like... strategy games or something?

"You mean... for like... kids?" Pip asks.
"There are some for adults too" You say. "Like... I dunno... chess?"
"What now?" Pip asks.

"It's a strategy game. You play it on an eight by eight board, and each player gets an 'army' of 16 different pieces" You say. "The goal for each side is to 'capture' the king. Every other piece is expendable"

"Sounds easy enough" Pip says. "Dunno where you'd find a board or pieces..."

"I can make such things" Lyvia says. "What do they look like"

You describe the pieces and the board to Lyvia, and she creates them all out of ice in turn. She even makes half the pieces 'foggy' and the other half 'clear', showing just how much control she has over her element.

"Alright, guess I'll go first" Pip says. "How do the rules work?"

You tell Pip how each piece moves, as well as a few other things, and get playing...

>roll 1d100

Rolled 52 (1d100)

>>2272877

Rolled 75 (1d100)

>>2272877

Rolled 60 (1d100)

>>2272877

>writing

"I'll let you take the first move" You say.

"Oh? Getting cocky are we?" Pip asks. "Alright... so these guys go like this... there"

You go back and forth for a few turns, until you do something that catches Pip off guard.

"Hang on a minute. Sure, you just got my horsey. But now I can just take your slit dude" Pip says.

"It's a sacrifice play" You say. "Look at the board. I lose my bishop, yes. But taking him leaves you in a bad position"

"So what if I ignore it?" Pip asks.

"Then the bishop is free to harass your king" You say.

Pip stares at the board for a few seconds. "I get it" She says. "You planned ahead. I didn't. I was wondering why you were doing some of the things you did, but now it makes sense"

"That's basically how you win in this game" You say. "Stay a few steps ahead, and you always win"

Pip smirks. "Unless your opponent does something like this!" Pip says, as she moves her queen straight onto your side of the board. "Hee hee. How do you like them apples?"

"Actually that's mate" You say.

"Really? I win?" She asks.
"No" You reply, as you shift your bishop forward onto Pip's pawn. "I do"

...

"Shi-... darn" Pip says. "How did I not see that?"

You shrug. "Maybe you just need practice" You say.
"Alright then, I want a rematch... but against someone on my level" Pip says. "Hey Red, come here and face me"

Cheska shrugs and goes to take your place, as Pip resets the board.

You'll let them play, while you-

>Ask Lyvia how she made two kinds of ice

>Ask Gabby what she's been up to

>Ask where Coral went

>Other

>>2272904
>>Ask Lyvia what she likes to do for fun.

>>2272904
>>Ask Lyvia how she made two kinds of ice

Rolled 93 (1d100)

>>2272904
>Ask Lyvia if she wants to practice with you sometime
Only a year awake, I'm sure she's had very little experience with combat in her current form. She might do well to learn a bit about using that human body better.

Rolling for cheska in the great Devil vs Mouse chessgame

>writing

"So what do you do for fun, Lyvia?" You ask.

"I'm certain you've seen my sculptures" She says. "The palace is full of them..."

"You make sculptures?" You ask.

She nods. "They are not as large as what I used to make, but I think they are just as beautiful" She says. "Perhaps I could show you some of them..."

"That sounds nice" You say. "Anyone else wanna check out the sculptures?"

"Me!" Gabby says, as she hops out of her chair.

Hella states that she'll stay put and keep an eye on the munchkin, though the little bun still looks absolutely determined to sit still until the ice cream arrives... Pip and Cheska don't give you a response, engrossed as they are in their game.

So it's you, Gabby, and the Queen, off to see some sculptures.

>1/2

"You know, if you're not confident in your abilities with your new body, I'm sure we could teach you how to fight" You tell Lyvia after she's shown you a few sculptures.

"Fighting with this body seems like a losing prospect..." Lyvia states.

"Not necessarily. You aren't much smaller than Pip, and I've seen Pip do some pretty crazy stuff" You say. "Have you been to a mastery stone?"

"A... what?" Lyvia asks.
"A mastery stone, to figure out what kind of weapon you'd be best with" You say, as you pull out your mageblade. "That's how I got this thing... well... technically I'd already been using it for a while before I took it to the stone, but it was good to confirm it"

"Interesting..." Lyvia says as she holds up her hands for examination. "I suppose I will have to arm myself with some form of steel, now that I no longer have claws"

"My friend Ilica has claws, and she's still learning to use a crossbow" You say.

"But can her claws crush buildings and cleave mountains with a single sweep?" Lyvia asks.

>No, but they hurt like hell

>Just how big were you?

>Maybe not a single sweep...

>Other

>>2272944
>>No, but they hurt like hell

>>2272944
>No, but then when you were that large you were too big for me to pet you.

>>2272944
>>No, but they hurt like hell
>>Just how big were you?

>>2272944
>>No, but they hurt like hell
>>Just how big were you?

>writing

"No, but they hurt like hell..." You say.
"Ilica scratched you?" Gabby asks.

"When we first met, yeah" You say. "I don't hold it against her. She was understandably nervous at the time"
"Why?" Lyvia asks.

"It's a long story. I'll be sure to tell it to you eventually, but later" You say. "So how big were you, if you could cleave mountains with your claws? Like... compared to the palace"

"Much larger" Lyvia says. "Though the palace was not here then, so it is difficult to compare"
"What about the lake?" You ask.

"Frozen over at the time, though I believe I could fit my entire body in it" She says.
"What about the skeleton downstairs?" You ask.

"I used to swallow those whole" She says.
"That does sound pretty big" You say, as you pet her head. "Much too big for me to be able to do this"

Lyvia puffs out her cheeks.

"Don't like it?" You ask.
"I don't hate it..." She replies.
"Me too!" Gabby says, as she reaches up and pets Lyvia's head.

"P-perhaps we should continue with the sculptures?" Lyvia says.
"In a minute" You reply.

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be tomorrow, starting a bit earlier.

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

>>2272958
Wasn't the skeleton and the queen noted to be the icefield leviathan or am I confused?

>>2272961
The skeleton was another, smaller creature. The museum just calls it the leviathan.

"Out of curiosity, how did people used to act around you?" You ask, still petting the Queen's head. "You know, when you were big"

"They revered me" She says. "There were no human kings in that age. Only us great ones"

"Wow... I didn't know that" You say.

"Yes, and you never would have tried petting me back then" She says.

"I wouldn't speak so soon" You say. "Were you soft?"

"Was I... soft?" Lyvia asks. "Why does that matter?"

"Because soft things are fun to pet" You say.

"But I was massive!" She replies.

"Big things can be cute too" You reply.

Lyvia looks confused. She turns to Gabriella. "Are most human males like this?" Lyvia asks.

Gabby shakes her head.

"That is indeed good news..." Lyvia says.

>You can tell me to stop

>Am I being insulted?

>Yep. I'm one of a kind

>Other

>>2274150
>Yep. I'm one of a kind
>You can tell me to stop if you want

>>2274150
>>You can tell me to stop
>>You're the one who asked to get married. What did you think would happen?

>writing

"You can always tell me to stop" You say. "I mean, you're the one who asked to get married. What did you expect?"

"I am uncertain" Lyvia says. "As I said then, the human mating ritual is foreign to me. But even so, I am quite certain that this behavior is not a part of it"

"This is more of a 'you're adorable and I want to pet your head' thing than a 'mating ritual' thing" You say.

"Might we continue on?" Lyvia asks.

"Alright, fine" You say, finally removing your hand from her head. "What else have you got here?"

Lyvia continues leading you through the palace, telling you about what each sculpture is as you pass it.

"... and this one was something I saw in a dream" Lyvia says, pointing to a sculpture of a man with feet for hands and hands for feet, drinking something from a cup handled sword. "I have no idea what it's supposed to be, but it was disturbing enough at the time to warrant the attention necessary to sculpt it"

"You sculpt things that disturb you?" You ask.

Lyvia nods. "A disturbing thought can linger and fester. To make it a real thing out of the material I have the most control over is the easiest way to clear it out and remove whatever problems it may cause" She says.

"That's awfully profound" You say.

"A friend from the old times told me that" She says. "But anyway, this next one if a- what is that?"

The next sculpture appears to be a woman with fairy-like wings that looks a lot like Coral. Hovering around the statue is Coral herself, who smiles and points at it when she sees you.

>So this is where you went

>I dunno... you're the one that sculpted it

>She has a name...

>Other

>>2274282
>>I dunno... you're the one that sculpted it
>>She has a name...

>>2274282
>So this is where you went

>writing

"So this is where you went" You say, holding out a hand for Coral to land on.

Coral floats down to your hand then continues pointing at the sculpture.

"Yea, it looks like you, doesn't it?" You say.

"You know this creature?" Lyvia asks.

"Well... she is my sprite" You say. "Her name is Coral"

A realization dawns on Lyvia's face. "So even the sprites were affected..." She says.

"I'm guessing they weren't girl-shaped in your time?" You say.

"They were little-winged puffs of light in my time" Lyvia says, as she examines Coral more closely. "And they were much less cheery than this..."

"I'm sure they were just as cheerful. They just have faces to show it with now" You say. "Right, Coral?"

Coral gives you a thumb's up.

>Ask why the statue looks like Coral

>Ask if there were any soul sprites in her time

>Was there anything the curse didn't affect?

>Other

>>2274366
>>Ask why the statue looks like Coral
>>Ask if there were any soul sprites in her time

>>2274366
>>Ask why the statue looks like Coral
>>Ask if there were any soul sprites in her time

>writing

"Why does this statue look so much like Coral?" You ask.

Lyvia shakes her head. "This is Titania. She was a dragon once, who ruled the western mountains" She says. "She was also the first of us to come to terms with our new forms, and the first to join the fray against Malteris and the Harbingers after the sundering"

"Sounds like quite the lady" You say. "What happened to her?"

"I am uncertain" Lyvia says. "She was still in the fight when I was frozen, and I could find no mention of her in the history books"

"You were reading actual history books, right?" You ask. "Not like... the book on 'love' that you had"

Lyvia looks angry. "My handmaidens assured me it was the most accurate history book they could find" She says. "And I have read many more since then, attempting to catch up on some of the things I have missed"

"That makes sense" You say. "So how come Titania looks like a sprite, anyhow?"

"She was not a dragon in the conventional sense" Lyvia says. "She was actually quite beautiful, even to my eye"

"Like a fairy dragon?" Gabby asks. "Those still exist in Antolia"

"Do they?" Lyvia asks. "Interesting..."

"Seems like there's something left over from each of your kind" You say. "These Fairy Dragons, Vyula's power possibly remaining in the Kitsune..."

>Maybe it's not a coincidence

>What were the other great beasts like?

>Other

>>2274480
>>Maybe it's not a coincidence
>>Mention Unicorns
>>Mention Great Kings

>writing

"Maybe it's not a coincidence" You say. "Fairy dragons, Vyula's power... I mean, there's unicorns and even powerful beasts across the ocean as well"

"I have read of the kings of the new world" Lyvia says. "I do not believe they are as old as I, but I do wish to find out"

"Hoping to go across the sea someday?" You ask.

"Well I'd invite them here, but if they're anything like I was that is likely to insult them" She says.

"I take it you weren't always quite so friendly" You say.

"I was huge. I did not need to be friendly" She says. "But... now that other humans are necessary to my continued survival, some measure of friendliness is required"

Before you can respond, her head perks up.

"Something wrong?" You ask.
"No. Brisella has returned" Lyvia says.

"Did she bring ice cream?" Gabby asks.

"She has not failed to carry out a request yet" Lyvia says.

>Well let's go get some

>Can we see the rest of the sculptures?

>How did she get out in the first place?

>How do you know she's here?

>Other

>>2274573
>>Well let's go get some
>>We should makes sculptures together sometime. I wonder if I could cut ice with my mageblade.

>writing

"Well let's go get some" You say. "We can check out the rest of the sculptures later. Maybe you can show me how you make them"

"It's the same as how I made the pieces for that game" Lyvia says.

"Yeah, but I still think it'd be neat to watch" You reply. "Maybe I can show you some mageblade tricks in return"

"I believe I saw much of your mageblade tricks" Lyvia says.

"Oh yeah..." You say. "Well then... uhh... maybe Gabby can show you her sick dance moves"

"You dance?" Lyvia asks.

Gabriella responds by hiding a little way behind your leg. "A-a little" She says.
"I thought you were learning from Tian" You say.

"A little..." Gabby replies.

You reach down and pick up the little bun, as you continue walking back to where the others are. "Well that's alright. I'm sure somebody's got something cool that Lyvia hasn't seen before"

"I doubt it, but the effort could be amusing in its own way" Lyvia says.

>1/2

When you get back, you're met with a scene of Pip and Cheska looking very into their game of chess, while Hella watches and Munchkin continues to show her determination to get ice cream.

Hella's ears perk up when you come in. "Oh, hey" She says. "How was the sculpture tour?"

"Neato" You say. "Are they still on the same game?"

"Yep" Hella says. "Come to think of it, that was pretty quick. Did you guys go around the whole palace?"

"Nope. We came back because Brisella is here with the ice cream" You say.

"Alright! Hear that Munchkin?" Hella asks.

...

"Nobody said you couldn't talk..." You say.
"Need ice cweem" Munchkin says.

"Not long now, sweetie" Hella says.

>Check in on the chess game

>Sit and wait with Munchkin

>Ask Lyvia if there's anything else she hasn't eaten

>Other

>>2274711
>Check in on the chess game
Come oooon cheska

>>2274711
>>Ask Lyvia if there's anything else she hasn't eaten

>writing

You step up and look at the chess board over Cheska's shoulder.

"So who's winning?" You ask.
"Hard to say" Pip says. "This one's still early"

"If you think that, then I'm definitely the one that's winning" Cheska says.
"What?" Pip says, as she examines the board more closely. "Just what is she..."

Cheska turns her head to you and winks. "How was the sightseeing?" She asks.
"Neato. The Queen has some interesting sculptures" You say.

"I'd've joined you, but everything in here just looks so melty" She says. "Better to remove the urge entirely"

"Thank you" You say.

Cheska smiles, and turns back to Pip. "I was only kidding about that. Can you make a move already?" She asks.
"Why you sneaky..." Pip says.

You chuckle and go sit down on the couch, glancing at the game every now and then to see how it progresses. You'd watch more closely, but chess isn't much of a spectator sport...

After a minute or so, Brisella enters the room with the ice cream. Munchkin just about explodes when you tell her to go get some.

"Hey Yuuster" Pip says. "We should think about gettin' outta here if you've got nothing else for the Queen"
"So soon?" You ask.

"Look at your timekeeper, man" Pip says.

...

Wow. Okay, that is later than you thought. Guess it'll just be ice cream and go, then...

>Anything else to ask the Queen?

(You'll be seeing her again on the next morning)

>>2274776
>>Well, see you tomorrow, I'm going to stay and hug and pet her. I'll leave the rest you, Pip!

>>2274776
I got nothing

>>2274776
I'm drawing up blanks

>writing

"I can't stay here and keep petting the queen?" You ask.

Pip shrugs. "Whatever floats your boat, man" She says. "Just remember we've got a meeting with the lords tomorrow"

"Kay" You reply.

Munchkin returns to the couch triumphantly, holding her ice cream up high. Once she's seated, she sets about digging in...

"Just... take it slow sweetie. Don't want you getting a coldache" Hella says.
"Ice cweeeeeeem!" Munchkin shouts as she digs in, completely ignoring Hella's warning.

Shortly after, Lyvia sits next to you with a bowl of her own. "I find it hard to believe that something like this is worth all the commotion..." She says.

"Well... try it and see" You say. "Err... taste"

Lyvia picks up a small spoonful and puts it in her mouth. "It is sweet" She says.
"Is that... bad?" You ask.

"It is strangely agreeable to my tongue..." She says, as she takes another bite. "What is this flavor called"
"Looks like chocolate" You say.

"I have never heard of it before..." She says.
"It comes from the south, so perhaps it didn't make it this far north before you were frozen" Hella says.

"Interesting..." Lyvia says. "It would be very much in Vyula's nature to hoard such things..."

The conversation is interrupted by a sudden groan from Munchkin, who reels back and clutches her head.

"I warned you this would happen" Hella says.

Munchkin roars and attacks her ice cream again.

"Don't just power through it! You'll hurt yourself!" Hella says, as she tries to restrain the hungry munchkin...

>Aid Hella

>Where's my ice cream?

>Vyula was a hoarder?

>Other

>>2274858
>>Vyula was a hoarder?
>>Come to think of it, Namaki had quite a collection of stuff.
>>I wonder if the legendary sword that vanquished the black god in ancient times is in her basement.

>writing

"So Vyula was a bit of a hoarder?" You ask.

"An extreme hoarder" Lyvia says. "Anything that had any value in her eyes went straight into her collection"

"Well... that might be were Namaki gets it from" You say. "She did have a bit of a collection going"

"That's a common thing for all Vulpids, I've heard" Hella says, having finally restrained the Munchkin. "Any Vulpid hunters I've met always keep some interesting trinkets"

"Really?" You ask. "I've only met Layla... I thought she was just really lazy"
"That's more of a personal quirk of hers..." Hella says.

Just as you're about to get up to get yourself some ice cream, Gabby arrives and hands you a bowl.

"For me?" You ask.

Gabby nods as she hops up next to you.

"Thank you!" You say as you pull her in next to you and smile as she snuggles up.

>1/2

When everyone's done eating, the handmaidens take the dishes away.

"Perhaps I should try some different things... that was delightful" Lyvia says.

Munchkin is sprawled out on Hella's lap, looking as satisfied as a toddler who finally got her ice cream after wanting it all day would look.

Cheska and Pip are still deep in their game. Looks like most of the pieces are gone now, so the game must almost be over...

"We should get going. I've gotta get these buns back to their mom" Hella says.

"Already?" Gabby asks.

"Already what? It's waaayyy past your bedtime" Hella says.
"But I'm not-" Gabby is cut off by a massive yawn.

...

"Not what?" Hella asks.

Gabby hides her face under your arm, getting a giggle out of Hella.

"Come on, you" Hella says, as she takes Gabby's hand and shifts the Munchkin into an easier carrying position. "And you two. Is that game still going?"

"Nah, it's done" Pip says, sounding deflated.

Cheska raises her arms in the air triumphantly.

>Stick around here for a bit

>Leave with the others

>Other

>>2274944
>>Stick around here for a bit

>>2274944
>Stick around here for a bit

I'm hoping yuuster falls asleep hugging lyvia, having drifted off in the middle of patting

>writing

"I'm gonna stick around here for a bit, if that's okay" You say.
"Fine by me" Pip says, as she stands up. "We'll get the buns home safe. Just remember not to stay out too late"

"Come one, I'm not a child" You say.

Pip laughs as she heads out, her tail swishing around behind her. You notice that she's still wearing the red ribbon Ilica gave her after it got caught in the trap at Mortifas...

After that, you get big hugs from Cheska and all the bunnies, and then they all head out.

"So why are you staying behind?" Lyvia asks.

You sit down next to her and go back to petting her head.

...

"Is this truly the reason?" She asks.
"No... well... maybe about half the reason" You say. "I also wanted to ask you a few things"

"Like what?" She asks.

>Ask what Caian was like

>Ask for a more in-depth version of what happened back then

>Ask if there was anything like the beast the Grand Inquisitor turned into

>Other

>>2274982
>Ask about the alternate worlds, such as the one you came from. Add in that theory you had about the balance of mana and soul in relation to them. And to top it off, see if she knows anything about that mystery cave.

>>2274982
>Ask if the enemy had weapons like the demons used in the arena to attack mana-users and, if so, what countermeasures they developed in war.
>Remark that the last weapon we destroyed appeared to be specially interested in her.
>Rub her horns and see how they feel.

>writing

"When you sealed away the Black God in another world, you didn't just create a second world, did you?" You ask.
"I am uncertain of how the process went, myself" She says. "I do recall Malteris stating that 'one would not be enough'... but that was only moments before the transformation happened, and I do not remember much of what followed"

You nod your head, deciding not to bring up any more painful memories for her.

"The split happened in a spot down in Lubars, didn't it?" You ask.

"It was not Lubars back then, but yes" She says. "Why do you ask?"

"Because I found the spot" You say. "At least I think I did... there was a gateway there, with a massive pillar that conducts mana and soul"

"I do not recall such a sctructure" She says. "I remember there being a rift left behind, but that is all. It is likely that all of it was built after I was frozen"

You nod again, moving your hand over her head to touch her horns. They're smooth and cool to the touch.

"How did you come to that place?" She asks. "I have read nothing of it, so it must have been well hidden"

>I was "born" there

>Chance

>Other

>>2275010
>>I was "born" there
>>Describe it and mention the fragment from tower seeming to fit in there.
>>Rub horns and see if she reacts.

>>2275013
This

Anyone else miss our old pair of jeans?

>>2275010
>>I was "born" there

>>2275016
What happened to them? I forget.

>>2275018
Torn to shreds when you destroyed Mortifas.

>writing

"I was 'born' there" You say. "Or rather, I woke up in that cave and remember nothing before that point"

Lyvia frowns. "There should be nothing but darkness beyond the rift..." She says.

"It's more than just me, too. There are two others like me" You say.
"Pure demons?" She asks.
"No, just normal people who woke up in that cave with no memories" You say.

"How curious..." Lyvia says.

"And there's also the fact that this world seems to have more Mana than Soul" You say.
"I have noticed this as well" She says. "The engine atop the palace runs far more efficiently than the engines of old, despite using the same design"

"We think there's a third world, aside from this one and the one where the Black God resides" You say.

"And this world is where all the excess Soul was trapped, along with a small amount of Mana" She says. "Magic would be impossible in such a place"

"We figured that too... and what's more, the structure built where you said the rift would be has this tablet with 8 slots" You say, as you pull out the wind emblem. "And each slot looks like it would fit one of these"

"Even more curious" She says. "I doubt they would build in a way to open the gate to the Black God, despite there being a workaround for that... perhaps it opens the way to this other world"

"I'd very much like to find out" You say. "After the Legion is defeated, of course"
"Of course" She says. "Mysteries can wait until there is no imminent danger"
"Wise words" You say.

Lyvia smiles. "Thank you"

>1/2

You talk for with Lyvia for a while longer, continuing to pet her head and rub her horns all the while.

While it is interesting to get the insight f someone who lived so long ago, you notice that her worldview was rather small. Before the Black God arrived all that mattered to her was her territory and the territories hat bordered it.

In return, you tell her of your various adventures.

"These boons come up an awful lot..." She says.
"They're a big deal" You say. "Did the Black God not hand out weapons in your time?"

"It had its Harbingers back then. By comparison, a demon with a scrap of its hunger is like a fly next to an eagle" She says. "Perhaps that is why such things are surfacing now... this is its only way of manifesting its power in this world"

"If that's the case, then defeating the Legion should solve the problem, right?" You ask.
"You mentioned that Malteris told the Inquisition how to open such gates" Lyvia says.

"I'm not sure it's actually Malteris..." You say.

"It is" She says, with a sudden conviction that catches you off guard. "It must be. It is too close to be a coincidence"
"Alright... what about it?" You ask.

"If Malteris is here, then the problem will not be solved until he is removed" She says.
"But... Legion first, yeah?" You say.
"Legion first, yes" She replies.

>If Terry is definitely Malteris, then is Caiah...

>I don't mean to push, but they do have one of my friends

>Legion, Malteris, then mysteries

>Other

>>2275056
>If Terry is definitely Malteris, then is Caiah...
>And if they are them, why do you think I am here?
>Rub her wings.

>>2275056
>If Terry is definitely Malteris, then is Caiah...
>Also ask about the connection between pure demons and chaotics. Are they the only things that wield soul? Are there soul monsters?

>writing

>>2275063
There are soul monsters, they're just very rare. You learned this from the hunters at one point.

>>2275069
Aftert 82 of these threads it's getting really hard to keep track of things like this. I was just trying to look up stuff on Malteris from past threads and found out we were originally calling him Malieria too, which made it even tougher. Any chance sometime you could make a brief summary of some of these cosmology facts someday?

>>2275078
At the rate we're going this could have its own wiki... which actually isn't a terrible idea, it would just be a lot of work.

That said, Malieria was the name of the villain from the stories, while Malteris is the name that was on the pedestal in the cave, as well as the name Lyvia uses for him.

"So if Terry is definitely Malteris, then is Caiah..."

"She bears a striking resemblance to Caian" Lyvia says. "I myself was surprised when I first saw her"

You frown. You weren't sure what to expect there... "So how did you know she'd be here?" You ask. "You did say you sang your song so she would find you"

"Caian told me to expect her" She says. "I am uncertain how he knew of her arrival, but it was worth a song"

...

That didn't really answer any questions you had, but when you try to pry she clams up...

"What about Malteris himself" You say. "Why do all the books call him Malieria?"
"A simple error" She says. "A difference in how the name was translated from the old tongue. It is definitely the same person"
"I see" You say.

Lyvia changes the subject to the present, after that. She seems rather curious about Altea as a person and about your other friends. You're happy to indulge. It doesn't sound like she had much in the way of friends both before and after her transformation.

While you're telling her about the time Ava crashed into a building, you start wondering why she's just been quietly letting you ramble on for so long.

Turns out she kinda leaned into you and nodded off halfway through. Kinda rude, but you won't hold it against her.

You look around for her handmaidens, who might take her to bed, but find that you're completely alone in here...

So you shrug. "There are worse places to sleep" You say, as you grab your cloak and drape it over the two of you. You take a second to get snug next to the little dragon, and then try to get some shut eye yourself, as Coral settles in your lap.

"Aren't I just the best at diplomacy, Coral?" You ask.

Coral gives you a thumb's up.

"If only every monarch responded so well to headpats. There'd be no wars" You say. "Ah, well. Goodnight"

>>2275079
Probably could, and some people could probably add on facts from past threads to help. My main issue right now is sometimes trying to scramble to remember something before the vote and past threads are not always most search friendly. Also I got confused as all hell about what the icefield leviathan was just last time so sometimes I don't trust myself.

That's all for tonight!

Next thread will be next Wednesday.

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

And this time I've got a question for you guys: How would you all feel about me opening up a patreon? I don't really want to, but a friend of mine mentioned that it would be a good way to get money for character commissions. So I'd be using it as a way to get some art for this quest. Let me know what you think. If it gets some traction I'll start it up.

>>2275091
I'm no fan of crowdfunding, personally.
But that might be because I'm a poorfag who grew up to have really frugal tendencies.

>>2275091
If you made a patreon I’d for sure donate!